South Africa: Government reiterates commitment to increase energy supply

Government is determined to accelerate the work already underway to increase energy supply to the national grid and remove any impediments to that progress, says Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele.

Addressing a Post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, the Minister said the Presidents bold measures as announced during his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) were to put energy at the forefront of governments plan of action for the year by dealing decisively with load-shedding and securing a sustainable energy supply.

In response to the increased stages of load shedding and the devastating impact on lives, livelihoods and businesses, the President declared a National State of Disaster in an effort address the current energy crisis gripping the country.

During last weeks SONA, the President explained that the declaration will enable government to provide practical measures to assist businesses that have been devastated by the effects of load shedding.

Where technically possible, it will also enable government to exempt critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and water treatment plants, from load shedding.

It will enable government to accelerate energy projects and limit regulatory requirements while maintaining rigorous environmental protection, as well as procurement principles and technical standards.

Furthermore, a Minister of Energy in the Presidency is expected to be appointed to focus solely on bringing the country out of the current energy deficit.

Prior to the declaration, government had already been working on ending load shedding, as the President announced a plan to address the crisis in July 2022.

The plan was developed through extensive consultation and endorsed by energy experts as providing the best and fastest path towards energy security.

Since the plan was announced, there has been important progress in implementing the Energy Action Plan.

Cabinet urged all sectors of society to support the initiatives outlined in the SONA by the President, which are critical to sustaining our efforts to reduce unemployment, poverty and the rising cost of living as well as combat crime and corruption.

Cabinet reaffirmed President Ramaphosas clarion call made in his SONA for all South Africans to work together and leave no one behind as we tackle our countrys pressing challenges, the Minister said.

Gungubele was addressing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, in Cape Town.

In the next few weeks, cluster briefings will provide more information on governments Programme of Action (PoA) for the year ahead, as highlighted by the President in the SONA.

In addition, the National Budget will be presented on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, to provide further information on governments PoA.

Mining Indaba

According to the Minister, Mining production in South Africa last year reached a record high of R1.18 trillion, boosting our gross domestic product, exports and revenue.

Cabinet calls on all role players in the industry to continue working with government to realise a globally competitive industry that boosts economic growth, creates jobs and drives sustainable development, Minister said.

Cabinet noted the outcomes of the African Mining Indaba held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 6 to 9 February 2023 under the theme: Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security and Supply.

The African Mining Indaba brought together industry players from across the continent and the globe, and cemented its place as the premier mining investment conference on the continent.

Mining continues to play a pivotal role in development and industrialisation across the continent. It is an important contributor to job creation and retention, accounting for close to half a million direct jobs and close to a million indirect jobs in South Africa, Gungubele said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RAMALLAH/GAZA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians on Wednesday condemned the Israeli parliament's approval of a bill to revoke citizenship or residency from "Israeli-Arab attackers" who receive funds from the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said the Israeli law "is a practice of racism and a flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian law."

"The law is a natural outcome of a policy of double standards that send the wrong message to Israel, encouraging it to commit more and more of such violations as long as it can get away with it," Ishtaye added.

Meanwhile, Rawhi Fattouh, chairman of the Palestinian National Council, the parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said that the new Israeli law "is fully rejected and condemned."

Fattouh added that "the consequences of the law will lead to more crimes and abuse against all non-Jews, and this is evidence of the out-of-control racism of the Israeli government, which seeks in every way to fabricate laws."

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that "the enactment of the law is a dangerous escalation in the situation and dragging it towards a mass explosion, and a disregard for all efforts and positions aimed at achieving calm."

In Gaza, the Islamic Resistance Movement called for international action "to reject those racist laws and to take the necessary punitive measures against the occupation for its grave violations of the most basic human rights standards."

The law gives Israel's interior minister the authority to revoke the citizenship or residency status of Israeli citizens if they were convicted of "terrorism," served a prison sentence and received direct financial payment "for the act" from the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose ultranationalist government pledged to take a hard line against Palestinian attacks, said the "answer to terrorism is to hit it hard."

The Palestinian Authority has been providing stipends to Palestinian prisoners, calling them welfare payments for families in need. Israel has been trying to stop the payments for years, charging they indirectly support attacks against Israelis. 
Ukraine preparing a counteroffensive

Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire at Sotk Gold Mine

Sudanese army blocks presidential palace entrances in Khartoum

Dozens of Tegh families in difficult social situation

Azerbaijan and Iran FMs announce possible continuation of negotiations

Tigran Abrahamyan: Citizens of Artsakh remain alone in their worries

Azerbaijani athletes to leave EWF Championships

Suspect of Wakayama incident arrested

Macron signs pension reform bill

Aram Nikolyan: My only desire is to ensure that Azerbaijan's flag doesn't fly in Yerevan

IMF and World Bank unable to reach agreement on communique

Biden demands stricter protection of secret information

Moodys reaffirms "Export Insurance Agency of Armenia"s rating

The newly appointed Human Rights Defender conducted fact-finding activities in Tegh village

Armenia ambassador to Canada, newly elected mayor of Ottawa discuss cooperation

Investigative Committee: Criminal proceeding launched into wounded soldiers case

Woman who threw umbrella at Armenia premier is charged

Zakharova responds to Armenia parliament majority faction secretary: They probably mistranslated it to him

shamshyan.com: Man found dead, car found on train tracks in Yerevan

Matviyenko: Russia hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed soon as possible

Armenia, Russia FMs discuss matter of Yerevan-Baku relations normalization

Smart solution from AraratBank: electric car loans at an interest rate starting at 9%

Armenian legislature speaker: We call on international community to clearly condemn Azerbaijan aggressive actions

Ameriabank CEO Artak Hanesyan sums up Triple Best campaign: We believe in potential of our team, Armenia

Armenia MOD: Soldier wounded by own weapon

Karabakh NSS deputy director, head of presidential Central Information Department are dismissed

Armenia official: I wouldn't call this a vector change, I would call it a search for certain security guarantees

Armenia parliament speaker expresses concern to Ashimbayev regarding Kazakhstan collaboration with Azerbaijan

Armenia, Russia FMs meet in Uzbekistan

GeoProMining Gold develops social cooperation with Ararat region

Armenia Security Council chief briefs OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair on Azerbaijan provocation near Tegh village

CIS FMs next meeting slated for October in Kyrgyzstan

Armenia Security Council secretary: International presence needed to resolve many security issues in Karabakh

Armenia ruling force lawmaker: PMs orders are mandatory for execution

Armenia police hand over Azerbaijani found in Kapan city area to National Security Service

Security Council head on CSTO: Not possible that Armenia be offered arms, ammunition help and it refuses

Armenia ruling force MP to Zakharova: If we hadn't fought, given casualties, Russia MFA could call as much as it wants

USD depreciating against several other major currencies

Armenia Security Council chief on Azerbaijan border stability: We expect Brussels to take appropriate steps

Armenia Security Council head: There were arrangements with Azerbaijan but most of them were broken

CIS FMs to hold meeting in Uzbekistan

Armenia Security Council chief: Azerbaijan is preparing for military escalation

Newspaper: Army General Staff chief admits that Tegh village incident was Armenian sides omission as well

Armenia MOD: Sanitary vehicle staff not hospitalized

shamshyan.com: Armenia MOD driver, 2 medical assistants hospitalized after truck, MOD sanitary vehicle collide

Brazil's president in China called for abandoning the dollar

Artsakh's Ombudsman expresses dissatisfaction to OSCE chairman for attitude of international community

Ararat Mirzoyan will go on a working visit to Uzbekistan

Police and demonstrators clash on the 12th day of demonstrations in France

Anahit Manasyan had a phone conversation with the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh

The 12th protest against pension reform takes place in France

Russia MOD: No ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh during last 24 hours

Lemkin Institute issues statement on Azerbaijan noncompliance with ICJ order to unblock Lachin corridor

MFA: Shushi is Artsakhs integral part in territorial, cultural, economic, historical aspects

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 occurred in southeastern Turkey

Charles Michel explains his activeness in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization process

Armenia PM to Bujar Osmani: This visit is good opportunity to get familiarized with complicated situation

South Korea bans its citizens from traveling to Armenia-Azerbaijan border region

Karabakh President convenes working consultation, security challenges discussed

OSCE Chairman-in-Office: I am here to find out if there is possibility to build bridges between Yerevan and Baku

Armenia PM chief of staff: Azerbaijanis are already in Yerevan, we have ensured their safety

Chairman-in-Office: OSCE toolkit provides mechanisms to assist peace process between Armenians and Azerbaijanis

Osmani: We are ready for any efforts to achieve positive dynamics between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Armenia FM: Replacing army with guards on Azerbaijan border should be part of final settlement

Armenia MFA: Rumors about OSCE Minsk Group activities termination are greatly exaggerated

168.am: Who is the Azerbaijani already rendered ineffective in Armenia? What does he say in video?

Armenia village youth tell how they caught Azerbaijani

Armenia Investigative Committee issues statement on murder of security guard, 56, in Syunik Province

Azerbaijani who crossed border into Armenia is caught by locals, found in Achanan village territory

2nd Azerbaijan soldier found, detained in Armenia

Armenian health minister: Wounded soldier in critical condition due to Azerbaijan provocation has stabilized

Which Armenia company is put on US sanctions list?

Premier: Armenia ready for reopening of transport links, delimitation of borders

Pashinyan: We are ready to withdraw troops to safe distance along Armenia-Azerbaijan 1991 border

Armenia to have trade attache in Germany

Azerbaijan MFA accuses France foreign ministry of smear campaign and unfair position

Armenia PM: It failed to deploy border guards without escalation of tension

Newly elected Armenia ombudsperson announces her priority objective in this capacity

Armenia deputy PM, US Deputy Secretary of Treasury acknowledge high level of cooperation between both countries

Newspaper: Karabakh soldiers who showed necessary resistance to Azerbaijan military are rewarded

Armenia FM, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office tete-a-tete kicks off (PHOTOS)

Armenia deputy PM, USAID official discuss opportunities for deepening cooperation

Mher Grigoryan, Todd Robinson exchange views on ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia

Armenia FM to Derek Hogan: Provocation near Tegh village was another manifestation of Azerbaijan aggressive policy

shamshyan.com: Murder in Armenias Syunik Province, 6 gunshot wounds found on body of security guard, 57

US State Department on Armenias Tegh village incident: Use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable

MFA: France deeply concerned about violence that took place near Tegh village of Armenia

Legal entity from Armenia on list of those subject to US export restrictions

Russia MOD: 4 ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh

EU monitoring mission in Armenia not present in the area when Azerbaijan attacked

Armenia National Security Service Border Guard Troops commander dismissed

Armenia MOD: Tegh village incident that led to undesirable consequences was due to deployment adjustment

Mayor of Frances Lyon expresses unconditional support to people of Karabakh

Pashinyan: Armenian side had recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Criminal proceedings launched into Armenia soldiers being killed, wounded by Azerbaijan near Tegh village

Chairman-in-Office: OSCE supports continuation of Armenia-Azerbaijan direct contacts

MFA: Russia asked Armenia to explain information about participating in joint military exercises with NATO

Zakharova does not disclose details of Russian, Turkish FMs talks on Armenia-Turkey relations

Russia MFA spox: CSTO mission deployment details can be talked about when Armenia is ready

Zakharova: Russia favors complete unblocking of Lachin corridor
The University of Miami has received a $1 million grant from the Health Foundation of South Florida aimed at increasing the understanding of the root causes of health inequities in historically underserved communities and delivering community-based intervention programs that reduce disparities.

The generous funding will create the Health Foundation of South Florida Community-Academic Collaborative (HFSF-CAC) across all the campuses of the University, including the Miller School of Medicine and UHealth  University of Miami Health System.

The University of Miami has a long history of conducting groundbreaking research on health disparities and equitable health care access, said University of Miami President Julio Frenk. We are well positioned to take on this project, which will lead to exceptional evidence-based treatment for patients across different cultures and ethnicities. We are extremely grateful to the Health Foundation of South Florida for their generous support of this initiative and look forward to collaborating with them.

The collaboration will bring together multidisciplinary experts from across the University and the community to develop and implement innovative community-based programs that will identify and address the root causes of health inequity across South Florida. In addition to the University of Miami, the Health Foundation of South Florida also has awarded $1 million to Nova Southeastern University to address the same barriers in Broward County.

The Health Foundation of South Florida is incredibly proud to support these two universities in order to advance this critical work, said Loreen Chant, president and chief executive officer of the Health Foundation of South Florida. The quality of the partnerships they have forged and their commitment to both study and design solutions with the community is impressive. We believe this is groundbreaking for our region, and an important step toward informing, shaping, and implementing population health efforts that can ultimately help us achieve health equity.

As part of the grant, both universities will forge partnerships and coordinate with regional health systems and community organizations to support the adoption of promising interventions. The University of Miami will partner with Jackson Health System, with which it has a longstanding history as the medical schools primary teaching hospital, and with the Health Choice Network, a nationally recognized nonprofit that works with 25 health centers in Florida.

The unique partnerships we have in the community, especially with the Jackson Health System, will allow us to move this initiative forward in a meaningful and very significant way not only for the benefit of our patients but also for our medical students so that one day when they are in practice, they can carry this knowledge forward to better serve their communities, said Dr. Henri Ford, dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School of Medicine. We are anxious to work with our partners and with the Health Foundation to make a profound difference in reducing health inequities across South Florida and beyond.

The implementation and operation of the HFSF-CAC at the University will be directed by Erin Kobetz, vice provost for research and scholarship and the John K. and Judy H. Schulte Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. Kobetz has dedicated her career to creating partnerships and developing interventions that actualize opportunities to foster health equity in South Florida. She will oversee teams of researchers representing both the University and the community partners. These teams will identify areas of health disparities and then develop and implement data-driven interventions to address the needs.

The grant from the HFSF provides a unique opportunity for diverse stakeholders to work collaboratively to advance health equity, explained Kobetz, who also serves as multiple principal investigator for the Universitys Clinical Translational Science Institute. This goalwhich is central to the Foundations missionrequires a strategic commitment to leveraging the individual and collective assets of academic and community partners for sustainable social change, she added. The HFSF has made that commitment through these awards and the University of Miami is excited to be part of this transformative opportunity to improve health and health care access for South Florida.

The HFSF-CAC will operate during the next three years.
Authorities lifted evacuation orders about a week after a train derailment that resulted in a toxic chemical spill, giving residents of East Palestine, Ohio, the green light to return to their homes and telling them that the air was safe to breathe and the water supply untainted.

But for the nearly 5,000 inhabitants of this small village on the border with Pennsylvania, those assurances have done little to allay their fears of a long-term environmental and health disaster after 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern Railroad train, some carrying hazardous chemicals, derailed Feb. 3 near their city, sending flames high into the night sky.

Five of the derailed cars carried vinyl chloride, a highly volatile, colorless gas used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a type of plastic. The gas is a known human carcinogen and has been linked to an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer called hepatic angiosarcoma. Fearing a major explosion, crews performed a controlled release of the toxic chemicals from those five cars.

As a result, East Palestine residents are concerned about hazardous gases that may be lingering in the air.

I would be concerned about its immediate effects more than its long-term effects, said Carl D. Hoff, a professor of chemistry in the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences. Almost all organochlorine compounds are toxic. Even after decomposition, it may leave residues that are longer lasting but less dramatic in their danger. The monomeric compound is a real hazard but should diminish with time in my view.

He cited a published Environmental Protection Agency report that indicates that vinyl chloride will rapidly exchange with soil and water and air and be destroyed by sunlight with a half-life of a day and a half.

Still, monitoring of the water and soil in the area will be critical, according to Naresh Kumar, a professor of environmental health at the Miller School of Medicine. And I am sure that is something they will do for weeks and potentially months in the future, he said.

For some animals in the area, the derailment, which is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, might have already had a deadly impact. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, for example, has reported that the chemical spill has killed about 3,500 small fish across seven and a half miles of streams. Whats more, a resident who lives 10 miles from East Palestine reported to a local TV station that her five hens and rooster had perished.

As such, residents are concerned about long-term impacts to their health, especially now with a report that reveals more toxic chemicals were aboard the train that derailed. Some residents worried about health risks already have filed a federal lawsuit, noted Abigail Fleming, practitioner in residence at the School of Laws Environmental Justice Clinic.

I am sure advocates will be looking into a variety of claims related to personal injury. And injuries could include exposure to toxic chemicals, burns, lacerations, and displacement of residents, Fleming said. Residents will most likely seek medical monitoring as part of any suit, and advocates and activists will also most likely investigate claims related to the contamination of the air and waterways.

If anything, the derailment and resulting chemical spill are another wake-up call for the nation to ramp up the safety of its transportation infrastructurespecifically, the nature in which hazardous cargo is shipped, according to Hoff.

It is something we have to start paying closer attention to, he said. We must minimize those risks and not give terrorists easy targets to attack. A solid transportation grid is more important than 5G for rural communities.
Xi to visit Iran, calls for end of sanctions

The leaders of China and Iran have called for an end of sanctions on Tehran. File photo: AP
Wagner chief hits out at bureaucracy

Yevgeny Prigozhin has previously accused the Russian military of attempting to "steal" victories from Wagner. Photo: AFP

The head of Russia's mercenary outfit Wagner said on Thursday it could take months to capture the embattled Ukraine city of Bakhmut and slammed Moscow's "monstrous bureaucracy" for slowing military gains.



Russia has been trying to encircle and capture the battered industrial city and ahead of February 24, the first anniversary of what it terms its "special military operation" in Ukraine.



"I think it's (going to be in) March or in April," Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin said in one of several messages posted online.



"To take Bakhmut you have to cut all supply routes. It's a significant task," he said, adding: "Progress is not going as fast as we would like".



"Bakhmut would have been taken before the New Year, if not for our monstrous military bureaucracy," he added.



Prigozhin has previously accused the Russian military of attempting to "steal" victories from Wagner, a sign of his rising clout and the potential for dangerous rifts in Moscow.



Wagner's claims to have captured ground without help from the regular army -- which Prigozhin regularly criticises -- has spurred friction with senior military leadership.



In Bakhmut, Artem, a deputy commander with a mortar unit of the State Border Guard of Ukraine, said fighting remained intense.



He noted: "We have to acknowledge the enemy's successes. There's a regular Russian army here and they also have regular artillery groups and they shoot accurately as well.



Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed the Donetsk region where Bakhmut lies last year but his forces were fighting Ukrainian troops there.



The fierce fighting for the eastern industrial city is now the longest running battle of Russia's campaign and Moscow's key military objective.



Taking Bakhmut would be a major win for Moscow but analysts say its capture would be mainly symbolic as the salt-mining town holds little strategic value.



Prigohzin, who is close to Putin, said the speed of Russian progress in the grinding battle would depend on whether Ukraine continued to send reserves.



Ukraine, determined not to cede any ground ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive in the spring, has been asking for more modern weapons from its allies.



On Thursday, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Kyiv and Bucha in the first visit by an Israeli minister since the offensive started.



"Israel stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Cohen said during a press conference in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.



Cohen, who is due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, however did not announce any pledges of weapons that Ukraine has been requesting for months.



Israel has adopted a cautious approach since Russia's Ukraine campaign began last February, seeking to maintain neutrality between the two sides.



Cohen's Ukrainian counterpart said he was "grateful" for humanitarian initiatives but emphasised the "most important" for Ukraine was to be able to win on the battlefield.



"Israel is aware of our list of military needs, and we will wait for the relevant decisions to be made, primarily regarding the protection of Ukrainian sky," Kuleba said.



Ukraine especially hopes to learn from Israel's extensive air-defence experience as Moscow has been unleashing regular waves of aerial attacks on the country's infrastructure.



The strikes have left millions in the cold and dark in the middle of winter.



In the latest wave overnight, Kyiv said it had shot down 16 missiles from the two dozen launched from planes and ships in the Black Sea.



The missiles, which hit the north and west of Ukraine, killed a 79-year-old in the central Dnipropetrovsk region.



With Russia still battering the energy grid -- despite what analysts say is a dwindling stockpile of long-range projectiles -- fears have steadily mounted of a potential new Russian attack from the north.



Russia had launched the nearly year-old offensive from its soil and Belarus, ruled by Kremlin-ally Alexander Lukashenko.



During a rare interview with international media including AFP, on Thursday, Lukashenko said his country would only join Russia's offensive in Ukraine if Belarus is attacked first by Kyiv.



"I'm ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in one case only: if so much as one soldier from (Ukraine) comes to our territory with a gun to kill my people," he said. (AFP)
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 16: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday warned officials against any negligence in solving people's problems and redressing their grievances with complete commitment and transparency and said that the officials failing in this duty, would not be tolerated by the government and sent packing, an official statement informed. The Chief Minister said this during the Janata Darshan programme held at the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Auditorium, located outside Gorakhnath Temple. The programme was attended by around 600 people. CM Yogi said: "The administration's top priority is to find a fair solution to everyone's problems with complete commitment and transparency, and anyone who fails to do so will be held accountable. Officers must listen carefully to people's problems in order to provide quality and timely solutions." "The CM himself approached the people one by one as they remained seated and after listening to them, referred their applications to the appropriate authorities," it informed. The Chief Minister assured them that no one would be treated unfairly during his tenure and that the pain of everyone would be alleviated. People, not only from Gorakhpur but also from other districts came to the Janata Darshan to share their plights with the Chief Minister, the statement added. As per the official statement, CM Yogi also instructed officers to ensure the resolution of problems related to police and revenue at the district level for their relief and to end their worries. People who came to Janta Darshan seeking financial assistance for treatment were assured by the Chief Minister that there would be no shortage of funds for treatment. "The CM directed officials to receive the estimates from the relevant hospitals and make them available to the Chief Minister's office so that they could be released from the Discretionary Fund immediately. He directed the officers to complete the estimation process on priority," the official statement added. During the interaction, small children who came to Janta Darshan with their mothers received CM Yogi Adityanath's love and blessings. He inquired about the children's well-being, encouraged them to study and also gave them chocolates, it added. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], February 16 (ANI/PNN): Krisumi Corporation, the first Indo-Japanese Mega Real Estate JV, has partnered with Japanese firm M. Tamai Architects & Associates Co., Ltd for its ongoing project, Waterfall Residences as well as all future developments in Sector 36 A, Gurugram. This collaboration stems from Krisumi Corporation's commitment to instilling global standards of construction quality in its projects. Established in 1971 with a history spanning half a century, M.Tamai has undertaken numerous projects worldwide. M.Tamai ensures quality of construction through regular onsite inspections and detailed reviews of all design aspects. Awards bestowed by Corporate Health and Productivity from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of the Japanese Government in 2020, 2021, and 2022 is a testament to their commitment to quality in construction. This partnership serves the purpose of upholding Krisumi's commitment to providing superior quality. M. Tamai will leverage their global experience in quality to bring to the table the best practices from around the world. They will conduct monthly inspections. A team from M. Tamai led by a Japanese expatriate will provide technical assistance as well as advice on construction design. They will be involved from design conception to the handover stage. As such, this will only enhance the contribution of the Sumitomo Technical Team, which is centrally located in Tokyo and involved in all phases of the project, from conception to execution. Krisumi Corporation is a joint venture between India's Krishna Group- an automotive giant and the Japanese conglomerate, Sumitomo Corporation. Krisumi Waterfall Residences exemplifies the confluence of Japanese art and architecture with Indian aesthetics. Strategically located at Sector 36A along the Dwarka Expressway, Krisumi Waterfall Residences is a part of the larger integrated township called Krisumi City. Krisumi Waterfall Residences, comprises 433 units (2, 3 LDK and penthouses), including a 36,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. With TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT as a core value at Krisumi Corporation, the construction mandate of Waterfall Residences has been awarded to Tata Projects which is also executing the ambitious Central Vista and Jewar Airport. "Premium housing developments, such as Krisumi Waterfall Residences, command a premium due to their amenities, design, and construction quality. To provide our home buyers with the best construction quality in the industry, we are committed to employing the best construction practices. Towards this goal, we have joined forces with M. Tamai Architects and associates, which will allow us to accomplish our goal and thereby exceed the expectations of our customers," said Mohit Jain, Managing Director, Krisumi Corporation. In Krisumi Waterfall Residences every detail of the project has been crafted to perfection, with a straight-line architecture where no two apartments face each other respecting the privacy of each resident. The minimal design aesthetics beautifully covers the different areas of the project that promises a life, which is simply sophisticated. A blend of fine Japanese craftsmanship complemented by Indian aesthetics defines the Krisumi Waterfall Residences, premium residences that promise a state-of-the-art design and extraordinary experiences. "We are thrilled to be a part of the first Indo-Japanese mega real estate JV. We are confident that our consultancy services will establish a quality benchmark in the Indian construction industry. We will aid the residential project in fulfilling the dreams of home buyers at large," said Kazuhide Kitagawa, executive managing director, M. Tamai Architects and Associates. An enterprising collaboration between Sumitomo Corporation, Japan and Krishna Group, India, Krisumi is a convergence of Kriya, meaning creation in Sanskrit, and Sumi, the Japanese word for fine living. Our endeavour is to conceptualize, design and build homes which are characterized by the highest standards of Japanese craftsmanship, in sizes that complement today's ever-evolving way of life. By unifying Japanese design aesthetics with the warmth of Indian hospitality, we at Krisumi are giving shape to architectural masterpieces that are spectacular in form, and highly practical in function. Driven by a 400-year legacy of excellence and trust, and a commitment to deploying cutting-edge design and technology, Krisumi is where Sophistication is Simplified. For more information contact: Krisumi Corporation Roshan Singh, AGM Marketing roshan.singh@krisumi.com Shalini Jha, AVP Marketing shalini.jha@krisumi.com This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], February 16 (ANI/PRNewswire): TUV Rheinland, a global leader in independent testing, inspection and certification services, announced the appointment of Bhavik Trivedi as Managing Director for India operations. Trivedi will lead the India management team and will be responsible for finance management, productivity improvements, implementing business growth strategies, and overseeing company growth and expansion in the Indian market. Announcing the leadership appointment, Benedikt Anselmann, Regional Executive Vice President, India Middle East & Africa, TUV Rheinland said, "We are delighted to welcome Bhavik Trivedi as Managing Director for TUV Rheinland India. The country is one of the fastest-growing markets in our region. Trivedi is an industry veteran and we are confident that with him at the helm, our focus on profitable growth will get further accelerated in line with our expansion strategy. His track record of a customer-centric approach, focus on people and successful team-work, coupled with deep business knowledge, will propel TUV Rheinland India to higher success." Bhavik comes with a strong experience in the TIC industry and is a seasoned business and finance professional with over 26 years of cross-functional experience. He has worked in various roles and contributed positively by influencing business growth through achievements in business development, finance management and productivity improvements. Commenting on his appointment, Bhavik Trivedi said, "I am honoured to join the 150-year-old legacy of TUV Rheinland, which stands for safety, quality and sustainability in all areas of business and life. I am excited to carry forward this culture of excellence, integrity, customer-centricity and agility that the company has nurtured, in India. I would like to thank the leadership of TUV Rheinland for this opportunity." TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world's leading testing service providers. It has more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of around 2.1 billion euros. TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com Media contact: Samrat SinhaBrand and Communications, IMEATUV RheinlandEmail: Samrat.Sinha@ind.TUV.com This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Madrid [Spain]/ Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 16 (ANI/PRNewswire): UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, announced that it has been certified as a Great Place to Work in Spain for the first time. UST was also recently recognized as a 'Top Employer' in Spain. These prestigious recognitions highlight UST's commitment to operating at the highest levels and setting the bar for employee satisfaction, workplace culture and career development in the IT and technology industry. The company is also Great Place to Work certified in the United States, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, demonstrating that UST is recognized globally as an organization with a culture of trust that can attract and retain talent. Certification recognizes employers that have achieved excellence in people management and business strategy. 8 out of 10 UST employees believe the company is a Great Place to Work. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies from over 60 countries apply for certification through the organization's Trust Index survey. To determine an organization's ranking, Great Place to Work administers a comprehensive employee survey that accounts for three-quarters of an organization's final score. UST's 91 per cent employee participation in the official 'Great Place to Work' questionnaire allowed for comprehensive third-party analysis of its organizational structure and workplace environment. The survey revealed that UST employees in Spain value the new career pathways, the potential for growth as well as the initiatives implemented to promote collaboration and improve their day-to-day experience. Top Employers Institute (TEI) has built a strong reputation as a leading ratings agency, certifying employers that create optimal working conditions alongside comprehensive personal and professional development opportunities. Firms that are certified as a 'Top Employer' are internationally recognized as leaders in the fields of people and practices. TEI's comprehensive survey covers six HR domains covering 20 distinct topics, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, well-being, diversity & inclusion and more. "Our commitment to investing in our people, processes and supporting ecosystem has earned us this coveted Great Place to Work and Top Employer certifications. At UST, we are dedicated to transforming lives by building collaborative relationships based on trust and mutual respect. This certification is special as it's the only official recognition determined by reports from actual employees on their company culture. Earning this designation clearly shows that UST is one of the most desirable companies to work for in the country," said Jose Salamanca, Managing Director Operations, UST Spain and Latin America. "In the short time since we opened our office here, UST Spain has already built a reputation as an exciting and innovative workplace with a unique corporate culture. This Great Place to Work and Top Employer certifications are the culmination of our efforts to build an environment where all employees feel welcome and know that their growth is prioritized," said Juan Fontan, Managing Director Sales and Strategy, UST Spain and Latin America. "We are extremely proud of this achievement, and this recognition motivates us to continue our efforts to foster a culture focused on sustainable growth. We adhere to a strong value system and practice transparency across all communities through aligned and supportive human resource processes and operational frameworks that promote open communication, feedback and trust. During an incredibly challenging time, UST created equitable workplaces by providing flexibility and supporting our employees. These independent evaluations validate our steadfast commitment to embrace inclusive practices that help all our employees around the world succeed, advance and grow," said Alberto Blanco, Head of People and Culture, UST Spain and Latin America. UST's Spain office opened in 2014. Located in Madrid, the Spanish office was founded with three objectives: to become a preferred partner guiding the digital transformation of Spanish companies, to accompany them in their deployment in Latin America and to become a high-quality international nearshore center. Over 1200 USsociates work at the offices, guiding the company's operations in not just Spain but also Colombia, Chile, Peru and Brazil. In line with the company's accelerated growth strategy, UST aims to reach revenue of 250 million euros and 3000 employees in Spain and Latin America by 2025. For more than 23 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizations--delivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact--touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST:Tinu Cherian Abraham+1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea+1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri+91-9284726602 Alexandra Garcia Juan (Spain)media.relations@ust.com Media Contacts, U.S.:S&C PR+1-646.941.9139media@scprgroup.com Makovskyust@makovsky.com Media Contacts, Australia:Team Lewisust@teamlewis.com Media Contacts, U.K.:FTI ConsultingUST@fticonsulting.com This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
World Bank's president David Malpass said he will step down almost a year early from his position. In a tweet, Malpass said he met the World Bank's Board of Directors and informed them of his intention to step down by the end of June 30 ending fiscal year. David Malpass was selected as 13th President of the World Bank Group by its Board of Executive Directors on April 5, 2019. His five-year term began on April 9. Malpass previously served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for the United States. In a LinkedIn post, he said, "This afternoon, I shared with the World Bank Group's Board of Directors my intention to step down by the end of the World Bank's fiscal year", adding that the Bank Group is well positioned to tackle critical development challenges, increase impact, and support economic growth. "Serving as President of the World Bank Group has been my enormous honor and privilege. I am deeply grateful for the support of the Executive Directors, Officers, and staff across all five World Bank Group institutions," he said. "We have delivered consecutive surges of financing during overlapping global crises, and our efforts are reaching completion thanks to hard work and innovation around the institution - first, the $150b in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and now the overlapping $170b surge in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its spillover effects," he added. He added he was eagerly looking forward to working on the multiple challenges facing economics, business, development, and global finance. "As I have done throughout my public sector career, I will be looking for ways to improve people's lives and living standards. This is an important and constructive opportunity for the World Bank Group to set its course. I'll have more to say on our progress in the weeks ahead," Malpass added. (ANI)
Aerospace major Boeing said it is working closely with India to enable operational capabilities and mission readiness for its defence forces. "We are working closely with our partners in India to enable exceptional operational capabilities and mission readiness for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy," Boeing India said in a tweet on Thursday. Its C-17 fleet has over 31,000 flying hours, its P-8I fleet over 35,000 flying hours, and many more flying and training hours across platforms, the tweet said. Air India, which will buy 250 aircraft from Airbus, just selected Boeing for the purchase of up to 290 planes as part of its growth strategy. Air India selected 190 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X Boeing airplanes. The agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s aircrafts. Boeing said when finalized, this will be its largest Boeing order in South Asia and a historic milestone in the aerospace company's nearly 90-year partnership with Air India. US President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House that the purchase of over 200 American-made aircraft through an agreement between Air India and Boeing reflects the strength of the US-India economic partnership. "The United States can and will lead the world in manufacturing. I am proud to announce today the purchase of over 200 American-made aircraft through a historic agreement between Air India and Boeing. This purchase will support over one million American jobs across 44 states, and many will not require a four-year college degree," the statement said. Air India was looking for a remix of aircraft to boost their domestic and international network through recent orders. Soon after the divestment of the airline, CEO Campbell Wilson announced in a speech to AI employees that the airline is going for a historic order. The day Boeing's deal with Air India was made public -- Tuesday, the US-based aviation major projected India's long-term air passenger growth rate of nearly 7 per cent annually through 2041. It its 2022 Commercial Market Outlook for India, it said the growth will be largely driven by the strength of the domestic market, which has recovered to 98 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, Boeing said India's air traffic has transitioned from recovery to growth. Further, it said India will require approximately 2,210 new airplanes over the next two decades of which 1,983 units will be for single-aisle jets, while 227 units or 10 per cent of new airplane deliveries will be for widebody airplanes. For the cargo segment, it said the India cargo market will also continue to expand over the next two decades to meet demand. The cargo fleet will grow from about 15 airplanes today to about 80 airplanes by 2041. These, it said, will predominantly be the converted narrow-body sized aircraft to support the domestic market. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], February 16 (ANI/SRV): Shyam Advisory - Investment Advisor, a renowned financial advisory firm, just marked its 13th anniversary and is prepared to broaden its presence in the Indian financial markets. Shyam Advisory was established in 2010 by Vipul Kotak and began its adventure with a 5-person team. Over the course of the last 13 years, the company has experienced tremendous growth. The dedicated team of 40+ professionals has served over 10K clients across India with a primary focus on 'customer first'. Highlighting the significant milestone, Vipul Kotak - Director at Shyam Advisory shared, "With a perfect technical and fundamental research of stocks & commodities market, we have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Advisory industry in India. Post a successful journey for 10+ years; we are all set to strengthen our operations. As part of our robust expansion plans, we thrive to help over 50K small, medium and HNI traders and empower them with a long-term sustainable growth." "We provide services in the areas of equity, MCX, NCDEX, and currency at Shyam Advisory. Our product line includes solutions that address a range of consumer objectives, including short- and long-term investments. Currently, Shyam Advisory offers a variety of plan categories to meet consumer demands." added Vipul Kotak. With its corporate office in Rajkot, Shyam Advisory- Investment Advisor continues to enhance its online presence owing to its cutting-edge infrastructure. The company has a substantial following of 17K+ on Facebook and 7K+ on Instagram. Shyam Advisory is constantly working to upskill its executives and employees, adopt new technologies, and improve infrastructure for the benefit of its clients. Sharing his thoughts on the brand ideology and way forward, Vipul Kotak said, "We aspire to be recognized as a pioneer in assisting our clients in thriving in the world's financial markets, which are undergoing rapid change. We work hard to enhance our reputation for accessibility, professionalism, analysis & depth & quality to establish long term consultative relationship with our clients." Shyam Advisory - Investment Advisor is equipped with Highly reliable software, tools, newswires, communication devices, internet, and technologies, well-trained & qualified staff/representatives to protect clients' investments and help them get promising returns over the years. To kickstart your investment journey, connect with us on https://www.shyamadvisory.com/ This story has been provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)
Nipun Aggrawal, chief commercial and transformation officer (CCTO), Air India, has posted on a social media site that out of the airline's order of 840 aircraft from European giant Airbus and US Boeing, the firm's order is for 470 planes and the remaining 370 are options. In a LinkedIn post, he mentioned that "The order comprises of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade." The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A-320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order shall consist of 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. He had posted on Wednesday evening, "We have also signed long-term up for long-term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace." According to Airbus, the deliveries for A350s will begin this year, however, the airline has not said when the deliveries of these planes will begin. On February 14, Aerospace major Boeing said Air India would purchase 290 aircraft from the company to scale up its fleet and achieve sustainable growth. In a statement, Boeing said Air India plans to invest in 190 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X aeroplanes. The agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s. When finalised, this will be the most significant Boeing order in South Asia and a historic milestone in the aerospace company's nearly 90-year partnership with the carrier. CTTO Aggarwal said in the post: "It is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order of 840 aircraft has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago starting with the Air India privatisation process." He also added, "This order demonstrates the vision and aspiration of the Tata Group to transform Air India into a world-class airline and connect India "non-stop" to every major city in the world. This order is also a testament to the tremendous economic potential unleashed by the Air India privatisation." (ANI)
In June 2022, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has launched the NIPUN project for the skill training of construction workers.

The industry body NAREDCO said it was appointed as one of the implementing agencies by the National Skill Development Corporation, to oversee the successful execution of the project.

"NAREDCO has already enrolled over 15,000 construction workers out of 32,000 workers as of February 15, 2023. Notably, women account for more than 18.6 per cent of all enrolled workers," the industry body said in a statement, adding training programs are being held across the country under the supervision of well-trained experts.

NAREDCO said it has set a target to cover one lakh underprivileged construction workers by March 2024 in collaboration with the government.

"Presently, there is no shortage of opportunities for qualified labour in the real estate industry, but a lack of skills is a major barrier to employability and paying decent wages for the workers," said Rajan Bandelkar, National President, of NAREDCO. (ANI)
Union Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday that Rs 10-lakh-crore capital expenditure announced in the Budget will usher in new markets that will eventually bring new opportunities for India. In his address at the inaugural session of the two-day 4th Edition of the Global Zinc Summit in New Delhi, Scindia said, "Today, India is one of the fourth largest producers in the world, producing almost 6 per cent of the world's capacity. Zinc is an excellent corrosion-resistant material." He said galvanized steel not only increases the lifespan but it makes the country's infrastructure much more beautiful and safer. The minister said, "About 80 per cent of our zinc is consumed in a year in hot galvanizing of steel tubes, wires, sheets, structures, foster wise markets, cables, and trade. Highways, renewable energy and rural electrification are sectors with huge capex." Scindia said, "This year's Budget has forecast almost a Rs 10-lakh-crore capex programme and that will usher in new markets that will usher in new opportunities." "India today already is the second-largest steel producer in the world and one of the largest producers of zinc globally which is a proud moment for the country. With these accolades for zinc, we will propel our journey of the Amrit Kaal growth," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Arun Misra, Chairman, IZA, and CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, "India's journey to net zero by 2070 will be propelled by implementing more green technology, green farming, green infrastructure and allied green services in the country. Zinc will play a critical role by investing more in environment-friendly structures such as steel structures coated with zinc. With Global Zinc Summit, we aim to create awareness around the implementation of zinc as a performance-enhancing material system. It is important for the country to understand the importance of longevity and protection of countries' premium infrastructure systems, he said, adding that on a global level, the demand for zinc is to be understood as a metal of durability and proven corrosion protection method. For the first time, Global Zinc Summit hosted a special session dedicated to the women who are driving the mining industry. The International Zinc Association aims to become an integral and effective support organization for women in the zinc sector. The organisation aims to support and promote women from the zinc industry by creating networking opportunities, organising meetings, and sharing knowledge. One of India's largest galvanizing summits, over 100 Indian and International delegates attended the summit including ministry officials, opinion leaders, zinc producers, galvanizers, end users of galvanized products, industry executives from Railways, highway authorities, architects and design consultants. The second day of the programme will have a dedicated session on the importance of galvanizing in automobiles, with speakers from auto companies, auto experts and Indian steel producers supplying to the automobile companies presenting their perspectives. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], February 16 (ANI/NewsVoir): Tsaaro, a leading data privacy and cyber security services provider revealed the key findings of its survey on the penalties under GDPR and its enforcement trends wherein the penalties imposed on the META platforms contribute 82.6 pert cent from the total fines. The Privacy Fines Report 2022 is a first-of-its-kind that adopts a bird's eye view of privacy fines and analyses them as a whole. For the purpose of the report, Tsaaro has analyzed approximately 500 fines & penalties that data protection authorities within the EU have imposed under the EU GDPR. Tsaaro also cautions Indian corporates of a similar leak in India which is currently not reported or assessed but with structures in place, India will be seeing a similar story like EU. Furthermore, the fines on privacy not only seek to rectify wrongs committed, but also set a precedent for corporations as it depicts that privacy breaches are not to be taken lightly and non-compliance would put them in hot water with the authorities. With this initiative, Tsaaro Solutions with its first annual Report on Privacy Fines (2022) aims at being informational not just to consumers, but also to the corporations to whom the compliance measures of GDPR would apply. Commenting on the same, Akarsh Singh, Co-founder and CEO of Tsaaro, said, "It is always extremely important for corporations and consumers to be acquainted from time to time with the facts and realities of the rapidly developing world which is taking place at the expense of personal data-a fact that is often hidden in plain sight. Our commitment to privacy is the cornerstone of what we do at Tsaaro and therefore the First Annual Tsaaro Report on GDPR Fines & the Privacy Landscape of 2022 is a product of the same commitment." Additionally, the report also takes an industry-specific approach to provide an overview of the industries with the maximum number of violations. It provides insight into the countries which topped the chart with the highest aggregate penalties; and throws light on the GDPR articles which were infringed on the most. Key findings - 82.6 per cent (697 million) to the total fines accounts on the META platforms - Media, Telecom & Broadcasting Industry Accounted for about 86 per cent of the total fines - In Finance, Insurance & Consulting sector, roughly 26 per cent violated Article 5 of the GDPR - Nearly 29 per cent of the penalized companies in the Transport & Energy sector violated Article 6 of the GDPR - Public Sector Entities & Educational Institutions were heavily penalized, contributing to about 10 per cent of the total fines imposed - In 2018, there were 12 penalties with EUR500,000 - In 4 years, the penalties increased to 166x times - In 2022, the penalties increased to 440 with EUR831,258,610 - It is possible to be fined up to 20 million euros for particularly serious violations listed in Article 83(5) GDPR, or up to 4 of the preceding fiscal year's total global turnover for undertakings - A lesser-severe violation is defined in Art. 83(4) GDPR as one that may result in a fine of no more than 10 million euros or 2 per cent of a company's worldwide sales during the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher - Top 5 provisions for which organizations were penalized were Articles 5, 6, 12, 13, 32 Founded in January 2021 by Akarsh Singh and Rohit Jain, Tsaaro is India's premier Data Protection services provider. Tsaaro is backed by the IIT founding team and is a technology compliance-focused company. Enabling an efficient data secure environment for businesses by building robust security systems, Tsaaro is widely acknowledged for its Data Protection services including Regulatory Assessment, DPO as a Service, Vendor Assessment, Privacy Risk Management, and Product Assessment. Apart from the company's B2B business, Tsaaro expanded its services to the B2C market, with 'Tsaaro Academy', where the company provides premiere privacy training and certifications. Tsaaro Academy, which was founded the same year, now offers a variety of IAPP certifications, including the CIPP/e, CIPT, and CIPM. Apart from these imperial privacy certificates, Tsaaro Academy's exclusive practical approach-based certification program, Data Protection Officer (DPO) Certification Course was also created. Tsaaro Academy is currently giving live training to over 200 privacy professionals in the Asia Pacific and has one of the highest IAPP certification passing percentages in Asia. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
According to new research, Radiotherapy does not increase survival chances in older people with early breast cancer. The findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The addition of radiotherapy alongside breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy -- the current standard treatment -- made no difference to the death rates for patients 65 years or older, researchers say. Radiotherapy was also found to not affect the risk of secondary tumours, known as metastases. It did, however, slightly reduce the risk of the cancer recurring, but the risk is still within the clinically acceptable range. The 10-year study, one of the first long-term clinical trials in older breast cancer patients, suggests that radiotherapy can be safely excluded when treating over 65s for early stage breast cancer, experts say. Regardless of age, the standard treatment for early breast cancer is breast-conserving surgery -- sometimes called a lumpectomy - followed by radiotherapy and hormone treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence in the breast. Patients 65 years and older represent at least 50 per cent of patients with the condition. Despite radiotherapy adding an extra burden to older patients with side effects linked with heart problems and second cancers, there have been very few clinical trials in this age group. Researchers from University of Edinburgh and the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, conducted a randomized-clinical trial - called PRIME II - with 1,326 patients to investigate if radiotherapy is necessary in combination with a lumpectomy and hormone therapy. The patients were 65 years of age or older with so-called 'low risk' breast cancer, which means a tumour no more than 3cm in size, not involving the lymph nodes underneath the armpit and likely to respond to hormone treatment. All participants were prescribed breast-conserving surgery and at least five years of hormone therapy. Half of the group were randomly selected to have radiotherapy in addition for three to five weeks after surgery. Patients were assessed at annual clinic visits and with breast scans. The research team found that in patients treated without radiotherapy the risk of recurrence of cancer in the treated breast after 10 years was 9.5 per cent, while giving radiotherapy reduced the risk to 0.9 per cent. Despite this difference in rates, both are within the accepted range of recurrence according to current clinical guidelines. There was no difference in overall survival between both groups and most deaths were due to causes other than breast cancer. The work was supported by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish government and the Breast Cancer Institute NHS Endowment Fund, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. Professor Ian Kunkler, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University of Edinburgh, said, "Radiotherapy can place a heavy burden on patients, particularly older ones. Our findings will help clinicians guide older patients on whether this particular aspect of early breast cancer treatment can be omitted in a shared decision-making process, which weighs up all the risks and benefits." (ANI)
In another chilling incident, a 40-year-old jobless man in Maharashtra's Palghar allegedly killed his wife, hid her body in a bed, and sold off all household articles before trying to flee by train, police said on Wednesday. However, accused Hardik Raju Shah but was nabbed 650 km away in Madhya Pradesh, a police official said. According to police, Shah used to work in a call centre but was unemployed since the pandemic lockdown for many months, and his wife Megha Dhansingh Thorvi, 37, was working as a nurse to support the family. The duo had met through a social media site three years ago, got married in August 2022 and shifted to a rented flat in Sitasadan Apartments in Tulinj area of Nalla Sopara town in Palghar district for the past six months. Shailendra Nagarkar, from the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar Police Commissionerate said that after they got married last year, the couple fought almost daily as Shah did not get any work, leaving the entire burden of household expenses on his wife. After one such bitter domestic brawl on February 11, Shah - who is the son of a Mumbai diamantaire - allegedly assaulted and killed her in a fit of anger, dumped her body inside the bed, and planned his escape. In order to collect some money, Shah first sold off all household articles to people in the neighbourhood, then lit lot of incense sticks to ward off the decomposing body's stench emanating from the bed. On Monday, he packed his bags, locked up the flat, caught a suburban local to Mumbai Central and then a long-distance train, ostensibly to go to Madhya Pradesh or Gujarat. Using tech-intel and his mobile location, the MBVV police zeroed in on him in the train and alerted the Railway Police which accosted and nabbed him in Nagda town of MP on Tuesday. Based on the complaints from the neighbours, the police registered the murder case on Monday shortly before midnight and caught Shah the next morning. Earlier, Shah's father used to support the couple by giving them Rs 20,000 each month, but after he and his daughter-in-law had a spat a few months ago, he abruptly stopped helping them financially. Meanwhile, a MBVV team was sent to bring him to Palghar for further investigations, said Nagarkar. --IANS qn/vd ( 399 Words) 2023-02-15-20:22:02 (IANS)
M. Prabhu, 29, had an altercation with DMK councilor, M. Chinnaswamy near Velampatti in Pochampally on Tuesday night.

The issue, according to local people, commenced after Chinnaswamy abused the wife of Prabhakaran, Prabhu's elder brother, for washing clothes with water from the panchayat's water tank.

Chinnaswamy and his accomplices attacked Prabhakaran and Prabhu with lethal weapons inflicting serious wounds on them. They were admitted to a private hospital in Hosur and Prabhu succumbed to injuries on Tuesday late night.

The Pochampally police had registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) but subsequently changed it to Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police said that other than Chinnaswamy, the accused include Guru Suryamurthy, a member of the armed police reserve.

--IANS aal/vd

( 165 Words)

2023-02-15-21:30:05 (IANS)
The ministry has sought a clarification from Vaibhav within the seven days for posting department matter in the public domain.

Vaibhav had uploaded a complaint against Home Guard DG Shobha Ahotkar on social media, alleging that the latter was abusing him every day.

On February 13, Vaibhav had sent a letter to the Home Ministry requesting the authority for his immediate transfer to a different department in the state.

Vaibhav claimed that he was getting life threats from Shobha Ahotkar and that's why he wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Ministry seeking transfer. He also requested for two week's leave.

"I cannot afford to work under Shobha Ahotkar for one more day. I have a big life threat from her. I suspect that some untoward incident may take place during duty if I work for one more day," Vaibhav said as per the content of the letter.

--IANS ajk/arm

( 193 Words)

2023-02-15-21:42:02 (IANS)
A court in Kerala's Kochi on Wednesday sent M.Sivasankar, the former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, to five days Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. IAS officer Sivasankar, who had retired on January 31, was arrested close to midnight by the ED on Tuesday in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to alleged fund irregularities in Kerala flood relief. Even though the ED sought 10 days custody, the court gave only 5 days and directed the officials to see that after every two hours of questioning, there should be a break. Sivasankar informed the court that he is being questioned for 12 hours at a stretch and his health is not good to stand such lengthy questioning. On Wednesday morning, Swapna Suresh -- the prime accused in both gold smuggling and Life Mission cases -- said that she was sad at his arrest, but also happy as the probe is finally on the right track. "Do not know whether I will be arrested as I am also a part of the case, but the other big fish, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife, daughter and his son are all beneficiaries. For that, the ED will have to question Vijayan's Private Secretary C.M. Ravindran," said Swapna to the media in Bengaluru where she is presently based. "Vijayan and his family is the brain behind all this and their interest is only to amass wealth by working against the interest of the state. They have involvement in every single deal. I did what I was asked by Sivasankar as we shared a very cordial relation then," said Swapna. "I do not mind going back to jail as am sure that all the big fish will also join me. Will do every possible thing to see that it happens," added Swapna. Sivasankar was arrested after three days of intense questioning that began last week. The arrest is related to the ongoing probe in Vijayan's pet project 'Life Mission' - intended to provide homes to the poor who lost their houses in the devastating floods of 2018 - relating to Rs 4 crore was allegedly paid as commission to get a contract, as builder Santhosh Eapen told the CBI after he was arrested. During the first Vijayan government 2016-21, Sivasankar was the final word in all matters where the CM was closely involved, and this case involves the alleged violation of foreign contribution regulations in the Kerala government's flagship project. The project at Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district then came under a cloud after the then Congress MLA Anil Akkara approached the CBI alleging massive corruption. Akkara, on Wednesday, expressed happiness over the arrest of Sivasankar and said the arrests should not stop here as this deal was done with the knowledge at the highest level. Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan questioned Vijayan's silence on the development. "If Vijayan doesn't fear anything, then why is he hell bent on preventing a CBI probe into the Life Mission scam. In the past, when this case was being probed, all of a sudden everything came to a standstill. Vijayan knows everything so let him speak up as the people wish to know," he said. Minister of State for External Affair V.Muraleedharan said: "With the arrest, one thing is clear, either Vijayan knew everything and was a beneficiary or he being a fool did not understand what was happening in his office. Now let us wait for the probe." Meanwhile, brushing aside Sivasankar's arrest, CPI state Secretary Kanam Rajendran said the arrest means nothing as Sivasankar is not part of the ruling Left Democratic Front. Incidentally, this case surfaced after the gold smuggling case came to light in June 2020 in which Sivasankar was jailed. He was summoned after the ED recently completed a few rounds of questioning of Swapna Suresh in the gold smuggling case. Both Swapna Suresh and Sarith, who were employed in the UAE Consulate, were later found to have a role in Life Mission funds misappropriation too. Trouble began for Sivasankar when the probe located a locker in which cash to the tune of Rs 1 crore was found in a locker belonging to Swapna and a chartered accountant who was close to Sivasankar. Swapna initially stated that this was the commission that she got, but later changed her position and said this money belonged to Sivasankar. The ED in the three days of questioning Sivasankar failed to get any positive response to this statement, but arrested him based on evidence that they have collected. Previously, the state government then had approached the Kerala High Court to stop the probe, but it dismissed the pleas and said that an ongoing CBI probe should continue in the case involving senior government officers and contractors. The CBI had then taken a position that private company Unitac, carrying out the construction on behalf of a Kerala government body, did not get the contract through a tender. The project entailed construction of 97 apartments and a health centre, and it was alleged that both the gold smuggling case accused held talks with Unitac and fixed a commission of 30 per cent of the project cost -- 20 per cent to a UAE official and 10 per cent to Swapna Suresh and other co-accused for approvals and other file movements. The CBI claimed that Sivasankar had met Unitac owner Eapen at his chamber along with Swapna Suresh and assured full support. --IANS sg/vd ( 915 Words) 2023-02-15-22:58:01 (IANS)
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said on Wednesday that his government is ready to allocate Rs 1,000 crore to renovate and develop Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple as the most popular and greatest holy place among all Hanuman shrines in the country. He said after the Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, the Kondagattu Anjaneya temple will be promoted as a magnificent spiritual destination to enrich India's spiritual glory. He made the announcement during a visit to the temple in Jagtial district and held a review meeting. After reaching the Kondagattu area, he thoroughly inspected the surrounding areas of the temple through an aerial view and then, performed a special puja. He along with public representatives and officials went around the temple surroundings on foot. Later, he held a high level meeting with ministers and top officials. KCR suggested that the development and expansion of the temple should be taken up in about 750-800 acres. Hanuman devotees from different states including Telangana come here and practice Hanuman Deeksha. Large scale recitation of the Akhanda Hanuman Chalisa, Abhishekam and pooja programmes are also performed. He directed officials to build a spacious hall to accommodate 50,000 people. The CM said that the reconstruction and development of the temple will be undertaken following the Vaishnava tradition. There is no dearth of funds for the restoration of Anjaneya Swamy and the government is ready to allocate Rs 1,000 crore, he said. As it is estimated that 10 lakh devotees will visit on Hanuman Jayanti in the future, KCR asked officials to provide facilities accordingly. He said that a specious facility should be developed where 50,000 devotees in deeksha perform puja at one go. Officials and priests explained to KCR that about 20,000 devotees visit Anjaneya Swamy on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and 2,000 to 3,000 devotees visit on other days. The Chief Minister said that after the restoration of the temple, this number will increase to three or four times and the Yadagiri Gutta shrine is proof of that. "Among all the holy places in Telangana, the Kondagattu temple is blessed with abundant forest wealth and natural beauty. Diseases can be cured by drinking the water here. This forest is the lifeline to the temple. Let us not touch this forest. Don't bother others. The Kondagattu Anjanna Sanctuary area will be converted like the Bandipur Sanctuary in the Nilgiri hills on the Mysore-Ooty road," he said. --IANS ms/vd A ( 418 Words) 2023-02-15-23:06:02 (IANS)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday told the National Zoological Park and Central government authorities to take the required steps to appoint the necessary workforce at the Delhi zoo to look after the animals. The court's direction came while dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking appointment of zoo keepers, assistant keepers, attendants, food distributor and watchman. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma disposed of the plea asking the authorities to take the required measures and pass a speaking order on the same. The bench said: "The prayer seems to be genuine. The respondents are directed to take all possible steps to cure the deficiencies and also to appoint staff in the Zoo and pass a detailed speaking order with respect to the representation within two months. The PIL is accordingly disposed of." The PIL that was filed by one Salek Chand Jain through advocate J.K. Gupta sought the court's direction to form a committee to investigate why animals are dying in the zoo, stating that close to 300 animals and birds have died in the zoo between April 2019 and March 2021 including big cats. The plea sought direction to the authorities to install proper medical equipment and diagnostic facilities. Jain further mentioned in his plea that seven out of eight monitor lizards have gone missing but there were zero efforts by the authorities to carry out any searches for them. The court passed the direction to the Central Zoo Authority, Director of the National Zoological Park, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Animal Welfare Board of India. --IANS spr/pgh ( 288 Words) 2023-02-15-23:10:03 (IANS)
Voting to elect a new government in the northeastern state of Tripura will take place at 8 am as the fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed on 60 Assembly seats today. A triangular contest is on the cards as Congress and CPIM, which have been arch rivals for years, stitched a pre-poll alliance to defeat the ruling BJP while the BJP which is looking to retain its power is contesting in alliance with Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Tipra Motha which is being seen as a kingmaker in case of a hung assembly scenario, emerged as an influential regional party floated by the royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in 2021. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress has also put up candidates on several seats. The BJP is contesting on 55 seats and its ally, IPFT, on six seats. But both allies have fielded candidates in the Ampinagar constituency in Gomati district. The Left will contest on 47 and Congress on 13 seats, respectively.Of the total 47 seats, the CPM will contest 43 seats while the Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India ( CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party ( RSP) will contest one seat each. Over 28 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in the election for the 60-member assembly in the border state. Tripura is the first state to go to the polls this year. While polling for Nagaland and Meghalaya assemblies will be held on February 27, five more states face elections this year in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. A total of 259 candidates, including 20 women, are in the fray in Tripura. The counting of votes will be done on March 2. This time Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 12 women candidates.The BJP which had never won a single seat in Tripura before 2018, stormed to power in the last election in alliance with IPFT and had ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978. BJP won 36 seats in the assembly and got 43.59 per cent of the votes in the 2018 election. The CPI (M) won 16 seats with a 42.22 per cent vote share. The IPFT won eight seats and Congress could not open its account. The BJP is exuding confidence that it will improve its performance. Party's top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party chief JP Nadda campaigned in the state. Apart from national leaders, the star campaigners, Chief Ministers of Assam and Uttar Pradesh, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Yogi Adiyanath respectively also campaigned in Tripura. On the other hand, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and senior party leaders Brinda Karat, Prakash Karat, Mohammad Salim and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar campaigned for the party in Tripura. Congress campaigners included party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Dipa Dasmunshi and Ajoy Kumar. However, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not campaign in the state. The CPI-M-led Left Front ruled the state for nearly four decades, with a gap between 1988 and 1993, when the Congress was in power but now both the parties joined hand with an intention to oust BJP from power. Tipra Motha, which has raised demand for Greater Tipraland, could upset the calculations of both BJP and Left-Congress alliance. Tipra Motha, chaired by Tripura royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, is contesting at 42 seats. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress may act as a spoiler as it is contesting 28 seats and 58 independent candidates are also trying out their luck. Chief Minister Manik Saha is contesting the polls from Town Borodowali. Congress has fielded Ashish Kumar Saha against him. Manik Saha replaced Biplab Kumar Deb as chief minister in May last year. Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma is contesting from Charilam seat. Tripura BJP state president Rajiv Bhattacharjee is contesting from the Banamalipur constituency. Biplab Deb earlier represented the seat. CPI(M) state general secretary Jitendra Choudhury is contesting from the Sabroom constituency. The BJP has fielded Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik from the Dhanpur constituency. Bhoumik is the first woman from Tripura to become a Union minister. Tipra Motha has fielded Amiya Dayal Noatia against Bhoumik in the seat. BJP has fielded sitting MLA Pranajit Singh Roy from the Radhakishorpur constituency. He is pitted against CPI-ML's Partha Karmakar. BJP's Papiya Dutta will face Congress candidate Sudip Roy Barman in Agartala. In Karbook, CPI(M) candidate Priyamani Debbarma is contesting against BJP's Ashim Tripura and Tipra Motha's Sanjay Manik. According to Election Commission, the state has 28,14,584 voters including 14,15,233 male voters, 13,99,289 are woman voters and 62 are of the third gender. They will cast their votes at 3,337 polling stations. Voting will be held from 7 am to 4 pm. Adequate security arrangements have been made for the polls. The state has 97 all-women-managed police stations. It has 94,815 voters in the 18-19 age group and 6,21,505 in the 22-29 age group. The highest number of voters are in the 40-59 age group at 9,81,089. In the run-up to the elections, Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the demand for a "Greater Tipraland" is not possible as Tripa Motha Party is not able to define the boundary. "Greater Tipraland, we have heard this name before also. In every Assembly election, some or other slogans like Tipraland are created and after every 5 years, new local parties emerge and raise such slogans. I have repeatedly asked where is the boundary, sometimes they say that Greater Tipraland is in Bangladesh, and sometimes they say that there are some parts of Assam and Mizoram too. This means they are in a fix. What exactly they are trying to say and want to say, we are not able to understand anything. When we talk about this matter, they say it is linguistic culturally, they are not able to define or describe properly," Saha said during an exclusive interview with the ANI, on the demand of Greater Tipraland. He had also termed the democratic ouster of the Left Front government in Tripura in the last assembly polls by the BJP as "historic" and something "that has barely happened in India's history". "It's a history that after 35 years of rule, BJP removed the Communist government here in a democratic way...It has barely happened in India's history," he said. "Communists committed murders and violence here, so it is important that they do not return to power as violence cannot lead to development. Numerous people had to sacrifice their lives. All of us are very concerned," Saha added. BJP in its manifesto promised welfare proposals such as special canteen meals to the poor three times a day at Rs 5 each, a Balika Samridddhi bond of Rs 50,000 to each underprivileged family on the birth of a girl child and scooters for meritorious college girls. The manifesto also promises smartphones to 50,000 meritorious students, two free LPG cylinders to all beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, land deeds to those without any holdings, and an annual payout of Rs 3,000 to all landless farmers. The counting of votes will take place on March 2, coinciding with the date of the Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly polls results. (ANI)
According to the police, DMK Councillor, Chinnasamy (50), had an argument with a 33-year-old army man over washing clothes at a water tank near the victim's house.

The brawl escalated to an extent that the DMK Councillor along with nine persons allegedly attacked the victim Prabhu, and his brother, Prabhakaran later that day.

Based on Prabhakaran's complaint, Krishnagiri Police has arrested the main accused Chinnasamy and nine others including Chinnasamy's son Rajapandi.

Prabhu who was undergoing treatment in a private hospital at Hossur, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night.

BJP senior leader Khushbu Sundar took an aim at the ruling DMK and questioned the deteriorating law and order condition in the State.

Taking to Twitter the BJP leader said, "Where are we heading? A serving soldier has been murdered by a DMK functionary. Shame on us if we remain silent even now. @mkstalinavl, is this the much-hyped vidiyal people voted for? Goondaism & failing law & order in my State in scaring & worrying too." (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party will stage a protest today against the killing of an Indian Army soldier allegedly by a DMK councillor Chinnasamy in the Krishnagiri district, party state president K Annamalai said on Wednesday. Annamalai said that the Tamil Nadu BJP Ex-Servicemen wing will protest at their respective district collectorate wearing their Badge against the "disrespect" of the Army. The deceased soldier was identified as Prabhu who served in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on Prabhakaran (Prabhu's brother's) complaint, Krishnagiri Police arrested the main accused Chinnasamy and nine others including Chinnasamy's son Rajapandi. "As a mark of respect to the Army man Thiru Prabhu who was beaten to death by a DMK councillor, members of @BJP4TamilNadu Ex-Servicemen wing wearing their Badge & Cap will protest against the DMK govt for this cruel disrespect to our Indian Army," Annamalai tweeted. "The protest tomorrow will be carried out by the members of @BJP4TamilNadu Ex-Servicemen wing in their respective district collectorate. Ex-Servicemen wing President Lt Col. Raman will pay homage to Thiru Prabhu on behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu," the BJP chief added on Wednesday. He invited all retired servicemen to join the protest while also alleging that the state has become "unsafe for even Army men". "I invite all the Ex-Servicemen to join me for a protest from the war memorial in the next few days against the @arivalayam party for the appalling state of governance making the state unsafe for even Army men," Annamalai tweeted. Earlier, the Krishnagiri Police said that there was an argument between the DMK councillor and Prabhakaran over washing clothes at the water tank. "Tamil Nadu Police are on the lookout for DMK Councillor Chinnasamy on a murder charge of an Army personnel, Prabhakaran in Krishnagiri. Prabhakaran, from Pochampalli village, had an argument with Chinnasamy over washing clothes at the water tank near his house," the police said. "Chinnasamy, along with nine men, had allegedly attacked Prabhakaran and his brother Prabhu on the same evening. Based on Prabhu's complaint, Krishnagiri police have arrested six men including Chinnasamy's son Rajapandi," the police added. Kovai Sathyan, AIADMK spokesperson alleged that the murder of the army man shows the "compromised" state of law and order. "Murder of the army man shows that whenever DMK is in power law and order are severely compromised. This has gone to the extent of killing an army officer. Police being only used to avenge vendetta from AIADMK and other opponents," he said. (ANI)
Changing the narrative of Naxal violence, lack of development and unemployment associated with the worst Naxal- hit Bastar region is now witnessing a positive transformation and progressing on the path to becoming a hub for production of coffee. The Bastar district which was known for Naxal violence, an underdeveloped region of the state, is now witnessing a transformation as the coffee production being carried out by the Horticulture College in association with the Coffee Board of India is simultaneously providing employment opportunities to villagers and also playing a significant role in doubling their income. Four varieties of Coffee Arabica and one variety of Coffee Robusta were planted on 20 acres on an experimental basis in 2017-18, Dr KP, Horticulture Scientist said. "Coffee plantations started in Bastar in 2016 are now emerging as a business model. In 2016, the district administration had initiated a move for proper utilisation of forest lands to the holders of Van Adhikar Patta (Forest Land Deed) at Darbha block and the plantation of coffee was started," said Dr Krishna Pal Singh, horticulture scientist. Darbha is the same place where the biggest Naxal attack virtually wiped-off Congress in Chhattisgarh. On May 25, 2013, ultras attacked the convoy of Congress leaders during the party's 'Parivartan Yatra' at Jhiram Valley under Darbha block killing around 29 people, including the then state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, former Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, former Union Minister Vidyacharan Shukla and others. The entire idea of coffee cultivation was shared with the then Collector of Bastar Amit Kataria and impressed by the innovative plan, the district administration granted funds under District Mineral Foundation (DMF), said Dr Singh. He further elaborated that under this initiative, the plantation of four separate varieties of coffee Arabica and a variety of coffee Robusta was started respectively in 2017 and 2018 while the first production was commenced in 2020. As of now, the coffee plantation has been completed in around 100 acres of land and its aroma in brand name 'Bastar Coffee' is spreading across the country. First harvesting was done in 2020-21, he said. Efforts are being made to ensure maximum benefits to farmers of the district through production of coffee and by installing unit for its processing, said the scientist, elaborating that the farmers, who were getting least benefits from the forest land, are now drawing annual income of Rs 40000-50000 (each farmer). To promote coffee being cultivated in Bastar, Chhattisgarh Government is setting up Bastar Cafe and this is attracting coffee lovers, he said. Recalling the employment opportunities available in the area, a resident of village Darbha Basanti Yadav said, "Earlier, we had to go out of the village in search of employment. Now the situation has changed remarkably with the launching of a coffee plantation project and this has provided us employment at the native village itself." "Earlier, I was earning Rs 1500 per month by working at a shop and now drawing Rs 6000 as monthly income by working at a coffee field," she elaborated. After extensive survey and study of climatic, it was learnt that topography, climatic condition and altitude of Bastar region are suited for the cultivation of coffee and the project commenced at Darbha in 2016, said Dr Singh. Earlier, the farmers here were not having employment opportunities but the introduction of coffee projects has created immense job prospects for the locals, he said. By opting coffee as a crop, the villagers will reap the benefits for around 40 to 80 years, he claimed. "With production of coffee, an attempt is being made to change the negative narrative associated with Bastar. The taste of Bastar coffee can be enjoyed by a person sitting in Delhi, who only knows the place as an insurgency-hit region," said Singh. To erase middle-men from this initiative, women self-help groups have been involved in the processing task while marketing is being done by opening outlets of 'Bastar Cafe', said Singh. Through Bastar Cafes, employment will be provided to unemployed educated youths, he said. Darbha has definitely been a very sensitive area of the district and it has always been a challenge for us to link people with the mainstream by ensuring them employment so that they could move ahead towards prosperity, said Bastar Collector Chandan Kumar. Coffee cultivated here will be the new identity of Bastar and to connect people with its taste as well as aroma, the concept of Bastar Cafe was drafted and 'Bastar Cafe' has been established here, said collector. "People are liking it very much and definitely in the coming time, there will definitely be a massive demand for the coffee of Bastar in international as well as local markets," said the Collector. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda urges all the voters to take part in the festival of democracy and vote for the Tripura Assembly elections as the polling began today. The voting started at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm. According to Election Commission, over 28.14 lakh electorates of which 14,15,233 are male voters, 13,99,289 are woman voters and 62 are of the third gender, are eligible to cast their franchise. The voting is underway at 3,337 polling stations. Adequate security arrangements have been made for the polls. The state has 97 all-women-managed police stations. It has 94,815 voters in the 18-19 age group and 6,21,505 in the 22-29 age group. The highest number of voters are in the 40-59 age group at 9,81,089. The fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed on 60 Assembly seats today. Tripura is the first state to go to the polls this year. While polling for Nagaland and Meghalaya assemblies will be held on February 27, five more states face elections this year in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. A total of 259 candidates, including 20 women, are in the fray in Tripura. The counting of votes will be done on March 2. This time Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 12 women candidates. The BJP which had never won a single seat in Tripura before 2018, stormed to power in the last election in alliance with IPFT and ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978. BJP won 36 seats in the assembly and got 43.59 per cent of the votes in the 2018 election. The CPI (M) won 16 seats with a 42.22 per cent vote share. The IPFT won eight seats and Congress could not open its account. The BJP is exuding confidence that it will improve its performance. Party's top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party chief JP Nadda campaigned in the state. The counting of votes will take place on March 2, coinciding with the date of the Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly polls results. (ANI)
He also paid floral tribute to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand.

His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office, the Aadi Mahotsav, which celebrates the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, cuisine, commerce and traditional art, is an annual initiative of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This year, it is being organised from 16 to 27 February at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.

The programme will showcase the rich and diverse heritage of tribes from across the country in over 200 stalls at the venue.

Around 1000 tribal artisans are participating in the Mahotsav.

"Since 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, along with usual attractions like handicrafts, handloom, pottery, jewellery etc, a special focus in the Mahotsav will be on showcasing Shree Anna grown by tribals," the PMO statement said. (ANI)
BJP leader and former CM Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb offered prayers ahead of casting his vote in state assembly elections voting for which began at 7 am in early Thursday morning. Deb, a Rajya Sabha MP, paid a visit to Mata Tripureshwari Temple to seek blessings before casting his vote. Very recently, Deb was made Haryana state BJP in charge. Biplab Deb's popularity had earlier helped BJP to clean sweep the northeastern state marking a thumping victory in 2018. The 2018 victory overtook the Left's rule of 25 years in Tripura. After taking oath as the 10th Chief Minister of Tripura on March 9, 2018, he stepped down from the state CM post on May 14 this year. He was then succeeded by Manik Saha who took oath as Tripura's Chief Minister on May 15. Earlier, Chief Minister Manik Saha urged voters to turn out in big numbers and exercise their franchise after casting his vote at the polling booth. Meanwhile, Tripura recorded 13.69 per cent voter turnout till 9 am in the ongoing polling for 60 Assembly seats, the Election Commission (EC) informed on Thursday. Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm. According to Election Commission, over 28.14 lakh electorates of which 14,15,233 are male voters, 13,99,289 are woman voters and 62 are of the third gender, are eligible to cast their franchise. The voting is underway at 3,337 polling stations. Adequate security arrangements have been made for the polls. The state has 97 all-women-managed police stations. It has 94,815 voters in the 18-19 age group and 6,21,505 in the 22-29 age group. The highest number of voters is in the 40-59 age group at 9,81,089. The fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed on 60 Assembly seats today. A triangular contest is on the cards as Congress and CPIM, which have been arch rivals for years, stitched a pre-poll alliance to defeat the ruling BJP while the BJP which is looking to retain its power is contesting in alliance with Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Tipra Motha which is being seen as a kingmaker in case of a hung assembly scenario, emerged as an influential regional party floated by the royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma in 2021. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress has also put up candidates for several seats. (ANI)
Speaking at the 76th Raising Day celebrations of Delhi police at Kingsway camp, Shah said, "The government is going to bring changes to all the three laws of IPC, CRPC and Evidence Act in the coming days."

"We have launched a trial in Delhi Police and are going to make it mandatory (for police personnel) to visit the forensic team for every crime with a punishment of more than 6 years," Shah added.

Meanwhile, Shah on Thursday urged all citizens of Tripura to turn out in big numbers to cast their votes.

The Northeast state is currently polling for its 60-member legislative assembly. (ANI)
Mahashivratri, which essentially translates to 'the great night of Shiva', is considered one of the most auspicious festivals in the country. It is celebrated annually with much fervour and excitement across India. This year Mahashivratri will be observed on February 18, 2023. So, get ready to hear chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' on this day. It's believed that while there is a Shivratri every lunisolar month of the Hindu calendar, the Mahashivratri, happens only once every year, in February/March, when winter comes to an end and spring and summer begins. Out of the 12 Shivratris observed in any given year, Mahashivratri is considered especially auspicious, as it is supposed to be the night of convergence of Shiva and Shakti, which in essence means the male and feminine energies that keep the world in balance. Shiva and Shakti are revered as the embodiment of love, power, and oneness. There are different legends throughout history that describe the significance of Mahashivratri.One of them claims that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati tied the knot on this day. Purusha (mindfulness) is embodied by Lord Shiva, whilst Prakriti (nature) is embodied by Maa Parvati. With the union of both consciousness and energy, it facilitates creation. Another story says, during Samudra Manthan, a pot emerged from the ocean which consisted of poison. All the Gods and demons were terrified that this will destroy the entire world and so, Gods went to Lord Shiva for help. To protect the entire world from the evil effects, Shiva drank the entire poison and held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. Due to this, his throat became blue and hence he came to be known as Neelakantha. Mahashivratri 2023 celebrations Every state in the nation, including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, celebrates Mahashivratri. Shiv Archana is performed in Shiva temples around the nation by devotees who also present milk, dhatura bel patra, sandalwood paste, ghee, sugar, and other items to the Shivling. Shiv devotees undergo a 24-hour fast that is broken the next morning. Mahashivratri Puja, in contrast to many other festivals, is performed at night. Devotees consume satvik foods like ragi, sabudana, fruits, and some vegetables while keeping the fast. If you're also fasting during Mahashivratri, so look at these dos and don'ts to keep in mind while celebrating this occasion. Dos of fasting on Mahashivratri: On the day of the fast, get up early around sunrise. One should take a bath and dress in clean, preferably white, clothing on the day of the fast. To make your fast more fruitful recite "Om Namah Shivay" multiple times. Due to the fact that Shivratri Puja is performed at night, devotees take another bath in the evening before doing Shiv Puja. Following a bath, the following day, devotees usually break their fast. Milk, dhatura flowers, belpatra, sandalwood paste, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and sugar are among the offerings made to Lord Shiva. According to Drikpanchang, to get the full benefits of the Vrat, devotees break their fast between dawn and the end of Chaturdashi Tithi. Don'ts of fasting on Mahashivratri: It's considered by many to refrain from consuming anything made of rice, wheat, or pulses, as these foods are not permitted during the fast. People generally avoid garlic, onion, and non-vegetarian meals because they are tamsik in nature. Offering coconut water to Shivling is not advisable. It is believed that those people who perform puja, fast, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva are blessed with good luck. Many people also think that Maha Shivratri fast reminds devotees that pride, ego and falsehood lead to downfall only. Happy Maha Shivratri! (ANI)
Karnataka Congress on Thursday filed a complaint against state IT and Higher Education minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan for allegedly urging people to 'finish off' Congress leader Siddaramaiah like Tipu Sultan at Malleshwaram police station. Reacting the minister's remark on Thursday, the former Karnataka chief minister dared Ashwath Narayan to get a gun for himself and not instigate people. "Higher Education Minister @drashwathcn has appealed people to kill me like how Tipu was killed. Aswath Narayan, Why are you trying to instigate people? Get the gun yourself," tweeted Siddaramaiah. Speaking at a public event, the Karnataka minister had exhorted people to 'finish off' Siddaramaiah the way two Vokkaliga chieftains -- Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda -- had killed 17th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. Hitting out at the BJP leader, the former CM said love and friendship cannot be expected from leaders of a party that "worships the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi". "I am not surprised by @drashwathcn's call to kill me. How can we expect love and friendship from the leaders of the party that worships the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi?" tweeted Siddaramaiah. Questioning the Basavaraj Bommai government's silence in the matter, he claimed that it only goes to show that the present CM endorses Narayan's statement. "It is surprising that no action has been taken against a minister who has openly appealed to people to kill. This shows that @CMofKarnataka, @BSBommai, Home Minister @JnanendraAragaand their incompetent cabinet is sleeping and is in agreement with Ashwath Narayan," he tweeted. Demanding the sacking and arrest of the BJP minister for his remark, the former CM tweeted, "@CMofKarnataka @BSBommai should immediately initiate action to sack him from the cabinet & arrest. If no action is taken, it only means that BJP is in agreement with the appeal or they think Ashwath Narayan has become 'Mentally Unstable'." A war of words has erupted between the Congress and the ruling BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in Karnataka before May 2023.(ANI)
In response to a tweet by Union Minister, Pralhad Joshi, the Prime Minister said; "Glad to see a qualitative change in the lives of the people of Neerasagar."

Started in August 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

According to the central government, only 3.23 crore households were connected to supply water till 2019. Since the inception of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, 9.40 crore households have been connected with the supply water facility. Around 1.5 lakh villages in 107 districts have benefitted from Jal Jeevan Mission. 17.39 lakh schools and Anganwadi Kendras are connected with the drinking water supply.

For drinking water management in villages, 4.82 lakh water committees are constituted. Around 9.69 lakh women in villages are trained, to check water quality. More than 4 lakh villages have the facility to test the water quality at the local level. (ANI)
In a tragic road accident, 5 people were killed and 6 others injured after two cars returning from a wedding function collided with a tree at Paprenda Road on Wednesday night, SP Abhinandan said. "One more person with some minor injuries has been found. All 7 injured have been shifted to the district hospital for treatment, where two of them have been referred to Kanpur and Medical college. While five bodies have been sent for postmortem", police added. According to the police, all these people were drunk and returning to their homes after attending a wedding in the Rajapur area of Chitrakoot. Both vehicles collided with a tree while trying to speed up with one another. "All the people in the car were drunk and returning from a wedding procession in the Rajpur area of Chitrakoot. Both vehicles collided with a tree near Paprenda road while trying to speed up with one another", said SP. "The people belong to the Pailani area", added police. "The injured were sent to the district hospital in the neighbouring Banda district for treatment and the bodies of the deceased are sent for a post-mortem, police said. Upon receiving the information, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police reached the spot and started legal proceedings. District Magistrate, Deepa Ranjan told media persons that "The CMS (Centre for Medicare & Medical Services) have been directed to help the deceased's relatives, and the adminsitration has been instructed to provide better treatment to the injured". "The law and order in the city are normal", added Abhinandan. (ANI)
Kanna Lakshmi Narayana, the former chief of Andhra Pradesh BJP unit, on Thursday resigned from the party. Lakshminarayana, a member of BJP's national executive committee, met his followers and sent resignation to the party's president JP Nadda. "I hereby tender my resignation to my primary membership of the party with immediate effect due to my personal reasons and compulsions," Lakshminarayana wrote in the letter to the BJP chief. Kanna Lakshminarayana, who previously served as the state president of the party, said was dissatisfied with the attitude of the state BJP for some time and decided to join another party. "The political scenario and cadre of BJP is not efficient. It's unfair to continue in the party. Therefore, I am resigning from the party," Lakshminarayana told reporters. The 67-year-old leader even removed the BJP flag from the bonnet of his car. Lakshminarayana, who was in the Congress party for a long time untill 2014, belongs to the powerful Kapu community, which plays a pivotal role in the general and state assembly elections. From 1989 to 2009, he represented the Pedakurapadu, the biggest assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh, for five terms and moved to Guntur (West) legislative seat, which he held from 2009 to 2014, including in 1994 when only 26 Congressmen won the state assembly election. He lost the seat in 2014 assembly polls and joined the BJP. Narayana served as a minister in various state governments from 1991 to 2014. Kanna Lakshmi Narayana was the ex-president BJP party for the state of Andhra Pradesh and cabinet minister for Agriculture and Agriculture Technology mission, and Minister for Housing in the cabinet of chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Minister of Major Industries, Food Processing, Commerce and Export Promotion in the cabinet of Chief Minister K Rosaiah, having served as Transport Minister in the previous Cabinet of late CM YS Rajashekhar Reddy. In 2019, he contested for parliament from Narasaraopet and lost the deposit. He came 4th by receiving 1.08% of all the votes polled. He joined the BJP on 27 October 2014 in Delhi in presence of Amit Shah, the party's then national president. (ANI)
Predicting the defeat of BJP in the upcoming Telangana Assembly polls, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday queried for how long it would strive on "bulldozer" politics. "How long will they (BJP) stick to bulldozer politics? Why do they not talk about joining things?" Owaisi said hitting out at recent remarks made by Telangana BJP Chief Bandi Sanjay. "Those doing 'bulldozer politics' in UP have taken the lives of a mother-daughter. They want to run the government with a bulldozer, not Constitution. They will not gain anything politically by doing all this. They will fail in Telangana," the AIMIM leader said today. A woman and her daughter were killed after a fire broke out during an anti-encroachment drive at Marauli village of Kanpur Dehat region on Monday afternoon. The family of the victims, however, alleged that officials engaged in carrying out the eviction drive had set the house on fire even as the woman and the daughter were inside. Earlier this month, BJP leader Bandi Sanjay had stated that once BJP is voted to power in the 2023 Assembly polls, it would demolish the domes of the newly-built state secretariat since it reflected the culture of Nizams. In a sharp attack, Owaisi said, "You (BJP) only Know how to break and not how to build." Noting that the inauguration of the newly built secretariat in Hyderabad should be an occasion of joy, Owaisi questioned," Why do not you talk about joining things? What will you achieve by breaking things"? "If we (BJP) are voted to power, we shall destroy the cultural symbols of the Nizam in Telangana, including the domes of the newly-built Secretariat," Bandi Sanjay had said during a rally in the Kukatpally Assembly constituency as part of BJP'S 'Janam Gosa-BJP Bharosa' programme earlier in the month. "Praja Gosa BJP Bharosa" is a mass public outreach programme by BJP which kicked off earlier in the month in Poll-bound Telangana. The party is planning to organise 11,000 public meetings across the state with a view to taking on the K Chandrashekar Rao government. The inauguration of the Telangana Secretariat Building is scheduled for February 17th. Notably, the Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held this year. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on February 18-19. She will be departing from Delhi on February 18 and is scheduled to arrive at Madurai at 12 noon on the same day.

Notably, President Murmu will also be going to Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple for having the darshan of Lord Meenakshi Amman.

Ahead of the President's visit, her security team personally inspected the security arrangements in Madurai on Thursday. The District Collector also held a consultative meeting with the officers of all departments inside the temple, the sources said.

As per the sources, President will participate in the Annadhana program after completing the Swami Darshan at the temple.

The security team is also collecting details of those staying in the hotels in Madurai. The security checks on passengers at railway stations and airports have also been intensified.

Also, the flying of drones has been banned in the Madurai district on February 17 and 18, the sources added. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday rejected the bail petitions of five accused who were arrested in the money laundering probe emerging out of the Delhi government's now scrapped Excise Policy. While rejecting the bail plea, the court noted that none of the accused deserves to be released on bail in this case at this stage of proceedings as the allegations made against them are quite serious. The Special Judge MK Nagpal while rejecting the bail plea of Vijay Nair, Abhishek Bonipally, Sameer Mahendru, Sarath P Reddy and Binoy Babu observed that the accused persons do not even satisfy the triple test as laid down in the case of P Chidambaram vs Directorate of Enforcement being relied upon by Defence Counsels. The court said, "It can be seen from their personal and family history given on record that none of them is a flight risk and further even though the apprehensions being expressed by the prosecution regarding the influencing of witnesses by them may not be true and can otherwise also be taken care of by imposing some conditions, but keeping in view their conduct as reflected on record it will not be possible for this court to hold that they will make no attempt to tamper with the evidence of this case in case they are permanently released on bail as serious allegations of tampering with evidence by way of destruction or change of their mobile phones, various times have already been made by the ED against them and further even the specific allegations of destruction of digital data have also been levelled against the accused P. Sarath Chandra Reddy." "However, in the considered opinion of this court, the oral and documentary evidence which has already been discussed above and further which has been placed on record along with the two prosecution complaints filed before this court by the ED to date, nowhere warrants such an inference to be drawn therefrom and thus, the prosecution complaints filed against the accused persons by the ED cannot be held to be piecemeal complaints or chargesheets as the investigation qua all of them stands already completed and even specific submissions to this effect are found made in the said complaints, though some further investigation regarding role of other persons involved in the commission of alleged offences and to trace out the complete trail of ill-gotten money is still kept pending," said the court in its order. Vijay Nair is the former communication head of the Aam Aadmi Party and Sarath P Reddy, Binoy Babu, Sameer Mahendru and Abhishek Boinpally are the South-based businessmen. The Enforcement Directorate in its second chargesheet in the Liquor excise policy case has 12 accused names are mentioned in the chargesheet in total - 5 arrested persons (Vijay Nair, Sharath Reddy, Binoy Babu, Abhishek Boinpally, Amit Arora) and 7 companies. Further investigation is continuing to investigate the role of ECIR named accused and other persons on various allegations said the ED. The first chargesheet was filed by the ED in the case against Sameer Mahendru and his related firms. In the case, the ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the 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. The FIR in the case was instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. (ANI)
In his letter of resignation to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Singh said, ''Due to some personal reasons, I can no longer continue in the Aam Aadmi Party and am therefore quitting the same with immediate effect. This communique as such, be treated as my resignation from J&K chairmanship of the party as well as from primary membership of AAP."

Singh had joined AAP in Delhi in May last year, in the presence of senior party leaders.

He was the chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party before joining AAP. (ANI)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that he has no desire to become Prime Minister. Kumar said that he keeps telling the members of his party not to raise slogans for him as he has no desire to become Prime Minister in 2024. When asked if he wants to be the Prime Minister in 2024 as slogans are being raised by the leaders of Mahagathbandhan, the Chief Minister said, "I keep telling them not to do that. I have no desire at all." Earlier, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav dismissed Kumar's desire to become Prime Minister and said that the veteran leader is focused on getting the opposition together for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "He (CM Nitish Kumar) is the CM and we are working under his guidance. The only agenda he has right now is bringing all opposition together. He has no desire to become the Prime Minister," said Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Nitish Kumar is currently on the statewide 'Samadhan Yatra' from January 5. During the yatra, which will pass through 18 districts, public feedback will be taken on the work done in the state over the last 18 years. On January 25, the Bihar chief minister had toured several blocks of the Bhojpur district, as part of his 'Samadhan Yatra'. At an event on the sidelines of the yatra, at Tirthakoul village of Sandesh block, a farmer, who was in the audience, stood up and demanded the provision of canal water for irrigation. The Bihar CM visited two blocks of the Bhojpur district during his yatra. Earlier, on January 19, the CM addressed another event at Tirthakoul village of Sandesh block, which was also attended by his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. The CM was seen marching in the company of his security escorts. There was a crowd of supporters around him chanting 'Nitish Kumar Zindabad'. The yatra is aimed at reviewing the implementation of government schemes and holding meetings with officials. Kumar kicked off the yatra from West Champaran's Bettiah. A detailed schedule of the yatra has been published by the Cabinet Secretariat Department of Bihar. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai on Thursday sought the intervention of Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the February 14 incident where six fishermen from Nambiar Nagar fishing village of the state's Nagapattinam were allegedly robbed and attacked with sharp knives by the Sri Lankan Pirates. In his letter to the Foreign Minister, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief said, "Thiru Murugan and six other fishermen from Nagapatinam were attacked mercilessly by a few people traveling in 4 Sri Lankan boats. Thiru Murugan's fingers were chopped, and the belongings of these fishermen worth Rs. 5 Lakh were robbed by those culprits." He further urged Jaishankar's intervention in the matter and stated that the Sri Lankan government needs to be nudged to identify the people involved in the aforesaid incident. Seeking punishment for the ones involved in the act, he also asked for the retrieval of the fishermen's belongings from the possession of the accused persons. It is pertinent to mention that the cases of attack by the Sri Lanka pirates have been on the rise for the last six months as an aftermath of the recent economic slowdown in the neighboring country. The incident dates back to Tuesday (February 14) when six fishermen-- namely Thiru Murugan, Chinnathambi, Chandru, Madesh, Sivapalan and Akash [all from Nambiar Nagar fishing village of Nagapattinam]-- went fishing at the Indian border southeast of Kodiakkara in the fiber boat when several Sri Lanka pirates at a high speed in four boats jumped in the boat of the victim and attacked them with knives. It has been alleged that the sea pirates had cut off three fingers of Murugan's left hand. Three fingers of Tamil Nadu fisherman Murugan's left hand were cut off in a murderous attack by Sri Lankan pirates, who attacked other fishermen with swords, iron rods and shackles, looted goods worth Rs 5 lakh including fish, GPS equipment, cell phones, bait nets from the Tamil Nadu fishermen's boat and fled from them. The injured fishermen were later brought to the Nagapattinam Government General Hospital after they were given first aid treatment by fellow fishermen at the Pushbhavanam beach. Murugan was sent to Coimbatore Hospital for treatment while the other five were undergoing treatment at the Nagapattinam Government Hospital. The Nagapattinam fishermen have expressed their anguish that they were involved in a knife-point robbery with heavy weapons and attacked them severely when they protested. (ANI)
In support of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Rajya Sabha MP Santosh Kumar announced the adoption of more than 1000 acres of the Kodimyala forest area in Kondagattu under the 'Green India Challenge initiative'. The MP announced the adoption in the wake of CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's birthday on February 17. Notably, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has announced to rebuild the famous Kondagattu Temple which is placed in the midst of dense forests and mountains. In this regard, MP Santosh Kumar took the key decision. Kondagattu in Jagityal district is synonymous with Lord Hanuman. MP Santhosh Kumar revealed that KCR, who fought tirelessly for a separate state, has been developing Telangana in all fields for the last eight years after the formation of Swarashtra, and he has taken this decision as a person who has seen his quest from the closest. The MP said, "Anjaneya's main qualities like bravery and faith are KCR's own, his bravery in development decisions and his faith in Telangana are priceless." He said, "The CM aspires for a Telangana that radiates green and spiritual auras along with development in all fields, whether it is the construction of Kaleswaram, the reconstruction of Yadadri, or the development of the Anjanna Temple, the god of Koti Mokkula, that is proof of Kesiar's vision." Santhosh added that he considered it a blessing that he stood behind and supported him like a pile of yarn to the moon, and to celebrate the Chief Minister's birthday, he is adopting the more than a thousand-acre forest where Anjanna Sannidhi is behind him. "752 acres in Kodimyala Reserve Forest's compartment 684 and 342 acres in compartment 685, a total of 1,094 acres of land has been adopted," the MP said. In the first instalment, the MP announced that the forest land will be greened at a cost of one crore rupees. He added that the remaining work will be completed in instalments. The MP said, "I have a strong connection with Kondagattu from his childhood, as I visited that place several times with CM KCR. I have felt a sense of relaxation in this forest area." It is thought that the pooja in the Kondagattu temple, which dates back five hundred years, was performed using the fragrant flora and sandalwood trees found in this area. Again, for that reason, a lot of medicinal and aromatic plants will be planted in this woodland region. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh government adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said that the state government is committed to the three capitals plan. While addressing a media conference on Wednesday, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, "There is no difference in the attitude of the government and no one wants to have any doubts about the establishment of three capitals." "The Assembly will be in Amaravathi, the High Court will be in Kurnool, and Visakha will be the Executive Capital. We call these the three capitals," he added. He asserted that the government's decision on the location of the capital is final and criticised the Opposition parties for politicising the capital issue. He said, "In recognition of the need for decentralization with the aspirations of the people of all regions, the Bill for three capitals had been introduced in the past, and the matter of the capitals is now a matter of court." His comments came after a section of media started quoting Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath that Visakhapatnam would be the only capital. Buggana, speaking at a roadshow ahead of the Global Investors Summit to be held in Visakhapatnam, allegedly said Visakhapatnam would be the only capital and there would not be three capitals. "We are committed to decentralised development. Chief Minister is keen on the development of all the regions and for it, we wanted to locate the three important institutions at three different places," Sajjala said on Wednesday. "Minister Buggana also said the same thing. He said that the government's arguments in the Assembly and in the Supreme Court are important," he added. Sajjala made it clear that the CM's camp office in Visakhapatnam will depend on the verdict of the Supreme Court. Sajjala stated, "The decision on the capital rests entirely with the state government, the Center has stated through an affidavit in the High Court, and we hope that the Center will adopt the same approach in the Supreme Court as well." Sajjala said, "The minister is making unnecessary comments on cheeky remarks and the media is confusing the capitals. They will go to the next elections on decentralization. Buggana said that all assembly meetings will be held in Amaravati and only one meeting will be held in Guntur." (ANI)
The Central government's national telemedicine service eSanjeevani registered over 10 crore teleconsultations, informed Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday. He said that over 57 per cent of the beneficiaries of eSanjeevani are women and around 12 per cent of beneficiaries are senior citizens. "eSanjeevani is a revolution in the health sector of the country. India has crossed a landmark milestone in its eHealth journey. The Government of India's national telemedicine platform - eSanjeevani- registered another landmark by providing teleconsultation services to 10 crore beneficiaries," said Mandaviya. Further appreciating the healthcare services being provided through the digital platform of teleconsultation, Mandaviya noted that 100.11 million patients were served at 115,234 Health and Wellness Centres (as spokes) through 15,731 hubs and 1,152 online OPDs populated with 229,057 medical specialists and super-specialists trained in telemedicine. "Today, the country has achieved the target of 10 crore 'e-Sanjeevani teleconsultations, making the citizens of the country available for expert doctor's advice sitting at home. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, the country is continuously getting stronger in the digital health ecosystem," he said in a tweet. eSanjeevani has been augmented further to support over 1 million consultations in a day, so far, the platform has peaked to serve 5,10,702 patients in a day. eSanjeevani - the National Telemedicine Service of India is the world's largest telemedicine implementation in primary healthcare. "eSanjeevani has shown as a blessing, especially to people in rural areas where it was harder to access care," he said. The Health Minister said that it has since found much wider application across the health spectrum and has transformed primary healthcare services in our country. "It can be safely assumed that through ICT, eSanjeevani has democratised healthcare. It is reassuring to note that over 57 per cent of the beneficiaries of eSanjeevani are women and around 12 per cent of beneficiaries are senior citizens. This platform also goes to reflect that the platform is finding its reach in the more vulnerable sections of the population where its effect is fetches maximum impact. This speaks volumes about the telemedicine platform and the extent to which it has reinvented itself over time to meet the growing demands of healthcare in India", he added. Telemedicine entails the delivery of health services from a distance using the internet and it not only extends the reach of health services but also improves the quality of health services besides saving time and money. The rollout of eSanjeevani in India is supposedly the first of its kind of digital transformation in the delivery of health services at a national scale by a developing country, it said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, eSanjeevani not only brought about a huge digital transformation in the delivery of health services but had also boosted the digital health ecosystem in the country. (ANI)
Stating that tourism has broken all records in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Thursday that 1.84 crore tourists visited the Union Territory in 2022. "For the first time, 1.84 crore tourists visited J-K in 2022. After the abrogation of Article 370, peace has been established there, and this resulted in a rise in trade and tourism. In January 2020, Leh had an average of 74 flights per week, which increased to 160 in October 2022. Similarly, Srinagar had an average of 304 flights per week in January 2020, which has increased to 632 in October 2022," he said. He said the country is achieving new heights in the tourism sector and the government is working on preserving our heritage. While addressing a press conference in the national capital, Reddy said, "The country is on the path of development under the guidance of PM Modi with the mantra of Vikas bhi aur Virasat bhi." He said that the tourism sector is continuously achieving new heights. "In 2014, 76.8 lakh foreign tourists had come to India and in 2019 this number increased to 1.09 crore. It was affected during Corona, but in 2022 this number has increased to 61 lakh, In 2023, our target is to make it one crore," he added. Kishan Reddy said that Tourism Ministry is working on Swadesh Darshan and Prasad schemes. "Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, 15 theme tourist circuits have been identified for development. A total of Rs 5315.59 crore has been approved for this scheme. Under this, there are 76 projects and so far 59 of them have been completed. About 25 per cent of the budget scheme is being spent in the northeastern states," he said. He added that the National Mission on "Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Promotion Campaign" (PRASHAD) scheme was launched in January 2015, "So far a total of 73 sites in 30 States/UTs have been identified for development under this scheme. A total of 45 projects worth Rs 1586.10 crore have been approved and 20 have been completed. The government is developing the basic facilities of the pilgrims at pilgrimage sites in a modern way. We are constantly engaged in preserving our ancient heritage. Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Somnath Corridor and Kedarnath Corridor are examples of this," he further said. The Union Minister said that the Government of India with the help of central agencies for the development of tourism has conducted sound and light shows, such as in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. "Cruise terminals have been developed in places like Mumbai, Chennai, Goa and Mangalore. Similarly, projects like the joint development of railway stations have been approved. Under this, a total of 51 projects worth Rs 737.89 crore were approved during 2014-15 to 2022-23. Out of which 18 projects have been completed," he added. The Tourism Minister said that India is a country of festivals, and here people of every state, region, religion have different festivals. "The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Utsav Portal for our festivals and celebrations to be recognized at the national and international levels. So far more than 1,000 programs and 50 live darshans are available on this portal. This is an important step towards digitization," he said. He also informed that the Ministry of Tourism has created the National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (Nidhi), a technology-driven system, aligned with the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat", to facilitate digitization and business for the hospitality and tourism sector. be encouraged to do so. "The fund covers not only housing units but also travel agents, tour operators, tourist transport operators, food and beverage units, online travel aggregators, convention centres and tourist facilitators," he said. Reddy added saying, "Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Quality Council of India has also launched the 'System for Awareness, Assessment and Training for Hospitality Industry (SAATHI)' scheme to assist the hospitality industry in ensuring the safety and health of guests and employees. Train and certify yourself with ease by following the plan, self-certification, certificate of participation and site assessment." The Union Minister said that the Ministry of Tourism has paid a lot of attention to the promotion and dissemination of Indian tourism in the last nine years. "The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, has appointed Tourism Officers in 20 countries in 2021, who will promote Indian tourism in those countries. This includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Myanmar, Spain, Thailand, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, UK and USA etc," he said. He also talked about the places where the G20 meetings are scheduled and held. "The ministry is training tourist guides, taxi drivers, hawkers, temple priests and other responsible people to provide a new experience to the tourists. The Ministry of Tourism is engaged in branding and promotion of Incredible India across all 56 destinations. In this episode, the 'Visit India 2023' campaign has also been started," he said. "The Ministry has also established a 'Youth Tourism Club' as a part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. 'Dekho Apna Desh' campaign was also launched in January 2020," Kishan Reddy added. (ANI)
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The Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered the State Election Commission to probe the missing postal ballots of the 2021 Kerala assembly elections from the strong room of Perinthalmanna sub-treasury and its recovery from the office of the Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Malappuram district. The report should submit by the EC to the High Court within four weeks, according to the Court order. The Court ordered this while considering the petition filed by defeated LDF Independent candidate KP Mohammed Musthafa seeking a probe into the matter. He sought a directive to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances under which the postal ballots kept under the safe custody of the Perinthalmanna Sub Collector in the sub-treasury had reached the office of the Joint Registrar. The petition also sought a directive to the State Election Commission to find out who were responsible for the incident and whether the packets containing the postal ballots had been tampered with in any manner. Kerala High Court also made it clear that it will inspect the ballot boxes and other materials in the courtroom on February 23. The report filed by the sub-collector in the High Court pointed out the absence of 482 valid postal votes from the ballot box. The incident happened when a petition questioning the election result of the assembly polls in Perinthalmanna assembly constituency was under consideration by the High Court. At the assembly elections, UDF candidate Najeeb Kanthapuram won the election with a thin majority of 38 votes in the Perinthalmanna constituency. (ANI)
"On the request of the Lakshadweep administration, a swift medical evacuation of a 19-year-old boy with a severe head injury was undertaken on the intervening night of February 15 -16 by a Naval Dornier of INS Garuda," Southern Naval Command said.

The Dornier aircraft carried out its maiden night evacuation from the islands on Wednesday, the Navy said.

"This night casualty evacuation was possible due to the validation of the night flying operations from Agatti airfield undertaken by the Indian Navy on October 22," the Navy added.

The efforts towards operationalizing Agatti airfield by night have thus paved the way for undertaking quick humanitarian aid and casualty evacuation missions.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday observed that it is the TDP that encouraged women in all spheres, including politics. Relaunching the 'Idemi Kharma Mana Rashtraniki' programme at Jaggampet Assembly segment headquarters in Kakinada district, Chandrababu Naidu said, "The TDP provided rights on the property for women and 33 per cent reservation for them in the academic sector. Late NTR established Mahila University and he strived hard for the empowerment of women, and encouraging Dwcra members is a classic example of this." On his arrival in the Kakinada district, Chandrababu was given a rousing reception by the leaders from both the combined Godavari districts. Addressing women, who welcomed him, the former chief minister said, "Women are earning more than men because of the initiatives taken by the TDP and that is the power of women." Stating that the Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government is imposing heavy taxes, almost 45 varieties of taxes, on everyone, Chandrababu said, "The government did not exempt even garbage from imposing taxes." "You all should remember that the State Government is paying just Rs 10 to the eligible but taking back Rs 50 in the name of taxes from everyone," he added. Observing that it is the duty of everyone to know how the Jagan Reddy Government is looting all, Chandrababu Naidu is now adopting a new technic that he will soon paint his photos on every house only to claim that people repose faith in him. Naidu is of the strong opinion that the countdown has begun for the YSRCP. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on a plea seeking information about a software engineer jailed in Abu Dhabi. The plea has been moved by the father of the person who is stated to be in jail in Abu Dhabi. Justice Prathiba M Singh issued to the MEA on the plea moved by Zakir Hussain and asked it to obtain all details from authorities abroad about the petitioner's son. The High court has asked the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi to coordinate with the local counsels and to obtain details if any case has been lodged against the petitioner's son or any other passed against him. The petitioner stated that his son is missing since the night of July 20-21, 2019. It is also submitted that despite the repeated efforts made by him and the Indian authorities, he is not able to find the reason for his son's detention. The counsel appearing for the centre of the court that the son of the petitioner has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Federal Court of UAE. The counsel also submitted that the government is pursuing the matter and requested consular access. Also have requested them to provide a copy of the judgement. The court asked, "why the petitioner's son has not been granted consular access?" The counsel for the centre submitted that the Indian embassy officials have met the petitioner's son more than three times. The Indian embassy is in constant touch with the authorities in Abu Dhabi and seeking information. The complete information is still not yet provided. On the other hand, advocate Shahrukh Alam, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that there is an agreement between India and UAE for the transfer of sentenced persons. The steps ought to be taken by the MEA to obtain information and repatriation of the petitioner's son. The petition stated that the petitioner is unaware of why his son is in jail. If he is in illegal detention then efforts should be made for his release. If he has been convicted of any criminal matter, then he should be repatriated," the plea stated further. (ANI)
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that the vibrant village scheme of the Union government will help to develop the border villages along Indio China border in Himachal Pradesh. While speaking to reporters here in Shimla he said that 2,962 villages of five states of the country will be developed under this scheme and Rs 4,800 crore will be spent under this scheme. He also said that the hill state is also included in five states under this scheme and 100 per cent of government schemes will be implemented in the border areas of the state under this scheme, which will not only strengthen the infrastructure here but also improve tourism, education and road facilities. Apart from this, the Union Cabinet has also approved seven new battalions of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which will benefit the country and the state. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a centrally-sponsored scheme -- Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) -- for fiscal years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with a financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore. There will be comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern border thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. According to the ministry of home affairs, this will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border. The scheme will provide funds for the development of essential infrastructure and the creation of livelihood opportunities in 19 districts and 46 border blocks in four states and one Union Territory (UT) along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas. In the first phase, 663 villages will be taken up in the programme. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, it will leverage the tourism potential through promotion of local cultural, traditional knowledge and heritage and development of sustainable eco-agribusinesses on the concept of "One village-One product" through community-based organisations, cooperatives, self-help groups (SHGs), NGOs etc. Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of gram panchayats. Fully saturation of Central and state schemes will be ensured, according to the ministry.The key outcomes that have been attempted are, connectivity with all-weather road, drinking water, 24x7 electricity - solar and wind energy to be given focused attention, mobile and internet connectivity. Tourist centres, multi-purpose centres and health and wellness centres.There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme. Out of the financial allocation of Rs 4,800 crore, Rs 2,500 crore will be used for roads. (ANI)
Lt General (Retd) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik was on Thursday sworn in as the new Governor of Arunachal Pradesh at an impressive function held at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar. Justice Nani Tagia, Gauhati High Court administered the oath of office to Parnaik amidst the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Speaker Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly PD Sona, Council of Ministers, Legislators, Senior Government Officers and Officials led by State Chief Secretary Dharmendra and other who's who of the State, said a press statement by the Raj Bhavan. Governor Parnaik expressed his commitment to work for the welfare of the people of the state and said that infrastructure development and securing borders would be his top priorities. Earlier, the Chief Secretary read out the Warrant of Appointment of the Governor and requested Justice Tagia to administer the Oath to the Governor Designate. Born on 28 June 1953, Lt General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, PVSM, UYSM, YSM (Retd) is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and NDA. He was commissioned in 2 Rajputana Rifles (of TOLOLING fame) on 31 March 1972, which he later commanded in Rajasthan Sector and Jammu and Kashmir, the statement read. He held the reign of an Infantry Brigade in challenging environments of the Kupwara Sector during 'Operation Parakram' on the Line of Control. Later, he commanded the 17 Mountain Division in Sikkim, Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan and 4 Corps in North East. Governor Parnaik held a number of prestigious staff appointments at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. He was assigned to UN Mission in Angola and as Director General of the Perspective Planning Directorate dealing with the modernization and Transformation of the Indian Army. For his exemplary conduct of operations, he was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal in Operation Parakram in 2003 and Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in Operation Rhino in 2010. At the peak of his career, he commanded the northern Army in J-K initiating a perception management strategy for ushering peak in J & K. For his outstanding vision and strategic initiative, he was decorated with Param Vishist Seva Medal in 2012 in J-K. Before taking over as Commander in Chief of the Northern Army, he was assigned to the perspective planning Directorate responsible for the modernization & transformation of the Indian Army. (ANI)
Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra stated during an event on "The National Conference on Transformation of Fair Price Shops" that nearly 40,000 Fair Price Shops (FPS) Dealers in the country are providing other services thereby, earning Rs 50,000 income. Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) in association with MicroSave Consulting (MSC), organized a national-level conference on the transformation of FPSs on February 15, 2023. The conference provided a common platform for the exchange of ideas and insights between States/UTs and various service providers and provided a roadmap for scaling up FPS transformation activities across the country. In the inaugural address, Secretary, DFPD stressed the need to build on technological interventions implemented at the FPS to now transform them to make ration shops vibrant, modern, and viable by enabling them to offer more products and services apart from running PDS operations. DFPD has written to states to allow ration shop dealers to keep non-PDS items such as FMCG products and many states have allowed them, read an official statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. He mentioned that the beneficiaries, particularly the migrant population covered under the food security program, can now uptake food grains from any FPS in the country through Aadhaar authentication. This system of portability provides ease of access for the beneficiary and over 3.5 crore portability transactions are taking place across the country under the One Nation One Ration Card initiative of DFPD. Additionally, he highlighted that DFPD has engaged IIT Delhi and World Food Programme for the optimization of routes to these fair price shops, which will reduce the transport cost and save on food subsidy. This will also streamline the supply chain systems and movement of food grains under the doorstep delivery of rations to the FPSs. He also highlighted some of the success stories of FPS dealers in Gujarat earning Rs 50,000 by providing additional CSC services. Lastly, he requested all the States/UTs to identify and develop 75 Model FPSs in each district as per the indicative characteristics shared by DFPD. These model shops could have waiting spaces, CCTV cameras, toilets, and drinking water facilities among others. The conference was chaired by Secretary, DFPD. Principal Secretaries / Secretaries/ other senior officers of States/UTs; senior officers/experts from Common Services Centers (CSCs), Department of Telecommunication, Department of Posts/IPPB, Department of Financial Services, Indian Bank's Association (IBA), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), representatives of All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation and others participated in the event. (ANI)
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National General Secretary Nara Lokesh on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is not implementing the Constitution of Dr BR Ambedkar but his grandfather late Raja Reddy. Lokesh, during his ongoing pada yatra 'Yuva Galam', he had a meeting with several Dalit representatives from the Satyavedu Assembly segment at the Keelapudi campsite, according to a press release. When the Dalit representatives complained to the leader, he responded that the YSRCP leaders are forcibly occupying the lands of Dalits. He promised that TDP will work for the uplift of the whole community. "Training centres will be set up to sharpen the knowledge of Dalit youth. Also, all the lands that were illegally occupied by the YSRCP leaders will be handed over back to the persons concerned. Job calendar will be released regularly and all the vacancies will be filled once the TDP is back in power," he said. The leader called CM Jagan Mohan Reddy a "cheater" for his comment about creating three capitals for the state. At Venkat Reddy Kandriga, Lokesh had an interaction with women where he claimed about another Cabinet Minister Roja's "warning" to him. ''This 'Jabardast aunty' says that I am humiliating women if I talk about corruption. Such comments apply to CM Reddy but not to me,'' he said. (ANI)
The first copies of the Constitution had the picture of Tipu Sultan, so will the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) burn it too, asked All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, while attacking BJP Karnataka chief's statement on Tipu Sultan. Talking to ANI, the AIMIM said, "The Karnataka BJP chief said that supporters of Tipu Sultan should be killed. I am taking the name of Tipu Sultan, what will you do?" "Does PM Modi agree with his views? It is an open call for genocide. This is nothing but pure hatred," he added. He further said that the first copy of the Constitution had pictures of Rama, Lakshman, and Tipu Sultan. "Those who made the Constitution loved the country much more than them (BJP). The first copy of the Constitution had pictures of Rama, Lakshman, Gautam Buddha, Akbar, Guru Nanak, Rani of Jhansi, and even Tipu Sultan. So, will the BJP burn it too" Owaisi further said. Owaisi also attacked BJP leader Bandi Sanjay over his statement on the newly-built state secretariat. "Shouldn't this be a matter of pride that a new state secretariat is being built in the state, which is even bigger than the Taj Mahal? It will help in bringing better governance. Why are you (BJP) talking about destroying it? Why can't you ever talk about uniting? What will you achieve by this?" he said. Earlier this month, BJP leader Bandi Sanjay had stated that once BJP is voted to power in the 2023 Assembly polls, it would demolish the domes of the newly-built state secretariat since it reflected the culture of Nizams. The inauguration of the Telangana Secretariat Building is scheduled for February 17th. Notably, the Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held this year. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh is under a "psycho rule" for the last four years since Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, alleged TDP national president Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday. Naidu alleged that the Chief Minister feels "happy" when the people face problems. "I am here only to personally know your problems and to interact with you. This psycho, Mr Jagan, is feeling happy when the people are facing difficulties," he said. Stating that the power charges were not revised even during the State bifurcation, the TDP supremo said that the Jagan government has the credit of increasing the power tariff at least seven times. "Now the prices of even the essential commodities too are skyrocketing and Jagan has imposed 48 varieties of taxes on the people," he said. "All sections of people are not happy with the Government and if Jagan introduces a scheme it will have full scams," the TDP chief added. He slammed the Chief Minister for the announcement of making Visakhapatnam the state's capital in the future and said that the other ministers are raising the three capital arguments which are in contradiction to Jagan's declaration. "The other day Jagan stated in New Delhi that Visakhapatnam will soon be the State capital while the Minister, Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, the next day in Bengaluru denied the three capital argument and immediately the advisor to the Government, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, who is the minister of all portfolios, again raised the three capital slogan. Who is correct?" he said. The TDP supremo asked as to why Jagan did not say about the three capitals before the 2019 elections and pointed out that again in 2021 the State Government withdrew the bill on three capitals. "How Jagan can claim that he has a role in the legislation that is to be made by the Centre," he said. "I have never seen such a highly corrupt Chief Minister in my political career," Naidu added. He promised to take up all pending projects "when the TDP forms the government again". (ANI)
Inaugurating the three-day 'Krushi Odisha 2023' here, Patnaik said that his government is focusing on technology-led development in the agriculture sector.

The Chief Minister emphasised on technological intervention in the farm sector, besides advising the farmers to cultivate non-paddy crops as well.

While highlighting Odisha's transition from being a food deficit state to a food surplus state, Patnaik said, "We have been supplying rice to the whole nation through public distribution system. Our Kalia scheme ensured income security for farmers while our government continues to focus on farm mechanisation to increase agricultural productivity."

The government is also giving emphasis on special missions for cultivation of jackfruit, mushroom etc. to enhance farmers' income and ensure nutritional security, he pointed out.

Similarly, the Millet Mission has not only been able to draw attention at the national and international level, but it has also helped enhance the income of women self-help groups (SHGs), Patnaik said.

State Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that other than rice production, Odisha has become self-reliant in fisheries, meat, eggs and milk production.

--IANS bbm/arm

( 211 Words)

2023-02-16-21:06:05 (IANS)
A total of 23 party leaders will address press conferences across 23 locations in the country on Friday.

"As part of the Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun series, the Congress will hold nationwide press conferences in 23 leading cities of the country on February 17," the party said in a statement.

Pilot will hold press conferences in Bengaluru, Maken in Ahmedabad, Deepender Hooda in Bhopal, among other leaders in different locations.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday alleged that Gautam Adani's elder brother Vinod Adani had set up at least 38 shell entities in Mauritius.

"The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence found in 2014 that three Adani Group companies had paid the Dubai-based Electrogen Infra FZE Rs 9,048 crore for power equipment imported from China and South Korea worth Rs 3,580 crore, with the balance siphoned out of the country," Ramesh alleged.

It has been alleged that Electrogen was controlled by Vinod Adani via a Mauritius-based entity, Electrogen Infra Holding.

--IANS miz/pgh

( 211 Words)

2023-02-16-21:08:03 (IANS)
The National Informatics Centre (NIC), which provides critical e-governance support and state of the art solutions to the Central government as well as states, has been grappling with acute human resource shortage, as since 2014, almost 1,400 posts are lying vacant there. According to highly-placed sources, despite several rounds of parleys between the Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology (under which NIC falls) and Finance, the body continues to face shortage of manpower as 1,392 posts have been lying vacant since the past nine years now. The manpower shortage is all the more acute in the light of the fact that NIC plays a pivotal role in pushing the Centre's ambitious Digital India programme as well as making the last-mile delivery of government services to the citizens a reality. Also, over the past few years, the number of projects under NIC have increased exponentially and their national roll-outs have necessitated the need for increased manpower resources across these and core services such as data centre, network operations, cyber security and video conferencing among others. Despite the proposal of filling the 1,392 posts having been cleared by the Ministry of Electronics and IT in 2014 itself, the matter has been hanging fire owing to certain clarifications sought by the Finance Ministry, thus leading to a huge manpower crunch at NIC, sources said. --IANS ans/vd ( 239 Words) 2023-02-16-21:16:03 (IANS)
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer on Thursday issued notices to Tripura Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over an appeal for a vote in favour of their own parties. The appeals were tweeted from their respective official handles after the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. On Thursday, 51.35 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm in the ongoing polling in Tripura for 60 Assembly seats, the Election Commission (EC) informed. The state recorded over 32.06 per cent and 13.69 per cent voter turnout at 11 am and 9 am respectively. According to the latest data shared by the Election Commission, Dhalai recorded the highest 54.17 per cent, Gomati recorded at 49.69 per cent, Khiwai saw 49.67 per cent, North Tripura saw 47.57 per cent, Sepahijala recorded at 51.27 per cent, South Tripura saw 53.67 per cent, Unakoti saw 50.64 per cent and West Tripura saw 52.49 per cent. The fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed in the ongoing polls for 60 Assembly seats.The polls this year will see a triangular contest, with the Congress-CPM fighting in alliance and the Trinamool Congress also fielding candidates in several seats. The Tipra Motha, an alliance of regional outfits, is the dark horse in the ongoing election and could emerge as the kingmaker in the event of a hung Assembly. The BJP has declared candidates for 55 assembly seats, leaving the remaining five seats for its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT). According to the latest data shared by the Election Commission, Dhalai recorded the highest 54.17 per cent, Gomati recorded at 49.69 per cent, Khiwai saw 49.67 per cent, North Tripura saw 47.57 per cent, Sepahijala recorded at 51.27 per cent, South Tripura saw 53.67 per cent, Unakoti saw 50.64 per cent and West Tripura saw 52.49 per cent. The fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed in the ongoing polls for 60 Assembly seats.The polls this year will see a triangular contest, with the Congress-CPM fighting in alliance and the Trinamool Congress also fielding candidates in several seats. The Tipra Motha, an alliance of regional outfits, is the dark horse in the ongoing election and could emerge as the kingmaker in the event of a hung Assembly. (ANI)
Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday alleged that an AIMIM corporator along with a few others attacked the party's corner meeting in Kalapathar Police Station limits in Hyderabad and claimed that police did not take any action as they watched as "spectators". The BJP further alleged that the police misbehaved with the party workers after which the party staged a protest at the police station demanding immediate action on the AIMIM corporator and the police personnel who misbehaved with the BJP workers. Speaking to ANI over the phone, BJP leader Uma Mahender alleged that AIMIM Ramnasthpura Division corporator identified as Mohammad Khader along with a few others attacked the BJP corner meeting. "We immediately called the police and informed them about the incident. The police reached the spot but watched as spectators and did not take any action. The police also misbehaved with the BJP Karyakarthas. In protest to all this, the BJP Karyakarthas staged a protest at the Kalapathar Police Station demanding that action be taken against the AIMIM corporator and the police who had watched the incidents as spectators. Later, South Zone DCP, Sai Chaitanya consoled us and assured us that action be will be taken against all of them and thus we withdrew the protest," Mahender said. DCP South Zone Sai Chaitanya said that a case has been registered in regard to the incident. "Today what ever incident took place, we have registered the case now. I assure that the police will take action on this incident. Also, action will be taken against all police personnel who misbehaved with BJP workers. I have put up the report on them. We already started the investigation," DCP said. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Thursday assured the state government employees demanding their pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears that he will send a detailed report to the Union government on this count. The Governor gave the assurance after an interaction with a four-member delegation of the joint forum of state government employees agitating in the matter. The four members of the delegation were Tapas Chakroborty, Aniruddha Bhattacharya, Deepal Biswas and Sandip Ghosh. Later, BJP MP from Ranaghat, Jagannath Sarkar, also attended the meeting. The delegation submitted a memorandum about their demands to the Governor. After the meeting, the delegation members told mediapersons that the Governor has assured them of sending a detailed report on this count to the Union government. "We apprised the Governor about the entire situation, and he agreed with us that depriving state government employees of DA arrears is inhuman. Previously also, we had sent a letter on this count to the Governor," said Bhattacharya. Sarkar said that he did not join the meeting as an elected representative of a particular political party. "I am myself a retired teacher under the payroll of the state government and I had also been deprived of DA arrears. This is our legitimate right. The DA received by the state government employees is the lowest among all Indian states," he said. The joint forum of state government employees has already announced that it will observe a full-day pen-down strike on February 20 and February 21. While presenting the state Budget in the Assembly on Wednesday, Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, had announced an additional 3 per cent DA for the current and pension-holding retired state government employees. However, the announcement irked the state government employees further, who pointed out that even after this additional 3 per cent, their gap with their counterparts in the Union government will remain at 32 per cent. --IANS src/arm ( 332 Words) 2023-02-16-22:28:03 (IANS)
Researchers have cautioned that seabed mining in the deep ocean might begin soon, but the potential impact on creatures such as whales remains unknown. Commercial-scale deep seabed mining in international waters could be permitted for the first time later this year. In a new paper, scientists from the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories say that deep seabed mining could be a "significant risk to ocean ecosystems," with "long-lasting and irreversible" effects. The study focuses on cetaceans (mammals such as whales, dolphins and porpoises) and says urgent research is needed to assess potential impacts. "Like many animals, cetaceans are already facing multiple stressors including climate change," said Dr Kirsten Thompson, of the University of Exeter. "Very little research has examined the impact that deep-sea minerals extraction would have on cetaceans. "Cetaceans are highly sensitive to sound, so noise from mining is a particular concern." The sounds expected to be produced by mining operations, including from remotely operated vehicles on the seafloor, are likely to overlap with the frequencies at which cetaceans communicate, the researchers stress. "We searched for data on how much noise such mining would cause, but no published assessment is available," Dr Thompson added. "We know noise pollution in the ocean is already a problem for cetaceans and introducing another industry that is expected to operate 24/7 would inevitably add to existing anthropogenic noise were deep seabed mining to go ahead. "Despite this lack of information, it appears industrial-scale mining could soon begin in one of the planet's few remaining undisturbed environments." The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean, which provides habitat for about 25 cetacean species, including dolphins and sperm whales, is of particular interest to mining companies aiming to exploit polymetallic nodules. In addition, mining companies are also looking to target seabed mineral resources in areas around seamounts and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. "Seamounts are now known as important offshore habitats for some cetacean populations that forage or regroup around them but we still lack basic knowledge of these fragile ecosystems," said Dr Solene Derville, of Oregon State University. "In this context, it is very hard to assess the magnitude of the impacts of seamount seabed mining on the animals that live and feed around these structures." No commercial-scale seabed mining has yet occurred outside the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of coastal nations, although 31 exploration permits have been issued for areas beyond national jurisdiction by the International Seabed Authority, a United Nations body. However, in June 2021, the Pacific island of Nauru triggered the so-called "two-year rule" and informed the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that it plans to mine the deep sea -- meaning that mining could go ahead in June this year with whatever regulations the ISA has formulated by that time. Nauru is working with a Canadian firm called The Metals Company, which has already begun testing mining equipment in Pacific waters. "Commercial-scale mining is expected to operate 24 hours a day, with multiple operations extracting minerals across an area of the seabed," Dr Thompson said. "We don't know how this will affect cetaceans or the vast range of other marine species. "What we do know is that it will be difficult to stop seabed mining once it has started. "Given the imminent threat that the two-year rule presents to ocean conservation, we suggest there is no time to waste." The paper, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, is titled: Urgent assessment needed to evaluate potential impacts on cetaceans from deep seabed mining. (ANI)
With the full-scale war in Ukraine about to enter its second year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday (local time) jointly appealed for USD 5.6 billion to ease the plight of millions of people affected. Humanitarian funding is needed to continue supporting lifesaving aid convoy deliveries to communities on the front line, "into areas of great danger and difficulty and priority needs", said Martin Griffiths, OCHA Head. The situation for many in Ukraine remains desperate, amid "relentless" shelling of civilian targets and infrastructure, said Griffiths. To continue doing this lifesaving work, the OCHA chief appealed for USD 3.9 billion to help 11.1 million of the 18 million people who need humanitarian assistance inside Ukraine. Officially called the Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine, it brings together more than 650 partners, the majority of them Ukrainian organizations. In parallel with the OCHA appeal, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is also seeking USD 1.7 billion to help Ukrainian refugees in 10 host countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi warned against complacency about what is happening in Ukraine. "I think we're becoming a little bit used to this; we shouldn't, because it's quite appalling what the Russian invasion is doing to the country," he said. Refugees from the conflict have every intention of returning to Ukraine at some point, Grandi continued, but until that happens, he said that Tuesday's Refugee Response Plan appeal will continue to help millions of refugees and hundreds of UN partners on the ground. Emergency and search-and-rescue teams have deployed to assess and prioritize urgent needs and to provide life-saving assistance following the devastating earthquake near the Turkey-Syria border. In particular, funding will support health and nutrition services, education, livelihoods and temporary protection, the High Commissioner explained. "The Ukraine refugee crisis - displacement crisis - remains the largest in the world, clearly," he said. "Almost six million estimated internally displaced people. Plus, you know, the refugees in Europe who have registered for temporary protection are close to five million now, 4.8 million. But we know that there's many more that have not." Amid reports that violence is escalating in the east, the latest UN estimates indicated that more than 7,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine in the last year, with 12,000 injured. "This is almost certainly a low estimate," Griffiths said. Since the war began, humanitarian organizations in Ukraine have made every effort to scale up assistance to all regions of the country. Nearly 16 million people across Ukraine received aid and protection services in 2022, including areas outside Government control. Humanitarians also reached 6 million people with cash assistance, which also provided a boost to local economies. (ANI)
Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday unexpectedly announced she would resign after eight years as Scotland's first minister, reported CNN. Sturgeon said she knows the "time is now" for her to stand down, adding that it is "right for me, for my party and for the country." The Scottish National Party leader made the announcement at a press conference in Edinburgh. She will stay in office until a new SNP leader is appointed, reported CNN. Less than a month ago, Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon said she still had "plenty in the tank" following the shock resignation of New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. Now the 52-year-old is headed out the door. "First, though I know it will be tempting to see it as such, this decision is not a reaction to short-term pressures," said Sturgeon, who has been facing increasing tensions with the UK government in London over Scottish independence, as well as Westminster's decision to block a Scottish law intended to allow trans people in Scotland to change their legal gender without a medical diagnosis, reported CNN. "This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment," she added. Sturgeon said she could no longer give her full energy to the job, and that she felt she must say so now. "I have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity for some weeks," the 52-year-old leader said. "Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it." She said it was difficult to have a private life, noting it was hard to "meet friends for a coffee or go for a walk on your own" and observed that there was a "brutality" to life at the top. Sturgeon added that she hoped her successor would be "someone who is not subject to the same polarized opinions, fair or unfair, as I now am." Wednesday's shock announcement led to breathless speculation over Sturgeon's timing, particularly as she had only recently pledged to make the next British general election a de-facto second referendum on Scottish independence. While Sturgeon underlined that she felt she didn't have enough left in the tank to perform her duties, her list of political headaches has grown. The SNP's polling has dipped, making a dent in its grip on Scottish politics. The independence movement has stalled, with no real chance of a referendum on the cards any time soon, reported CNN. She has lost support in her party since she attempted to introduce the controversial bill on gender identification, with some polls suggesting a majority of Scots supported the decision of the UK government to use its powers to block the proposal. And her husband was caught in a scandal at the end of last year, after it was reported he had personally loaned the SNP Pound 100,000. Notably, when Scotland held a referendum in 2014, voters rejected the prospect of independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent - but the political landscape then changed, mostly because of Brexit. A majority of people in Scotland voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and the SNP successfully used Brexit as a wedge issue, arguing that Scots were dragged out of the EU against their will. The SNP is due to have a special conference on independence next month. It is now likely it will go into that conference divided and without any certainty of its direction. All of which will make those opposed to independence very happy indeed, reported CNN. (ANI)
World Bank President David Malpass on Wednesday announced that he will resign before the end of his term, reported CNN. "It has been an enormous honor and privilege to serve as President of the world's premier development institution," Malpass said in a statement. "With developing countries facing unprecedented crises, I'm proud that the Bank Group has responded with speed, scale, innovation, and impact." Malpass will leave his position on June 30, the end of the World Bank's fiscal year, after serving more than four years in the role, said the World Bank. The World Bank, a group of 187 nations, lends money to developing countries to help reduce poverty. Former US President Donald Trump appointed Malpass as World Bank chief in 2019 for a five-year period. As the largest shareholder, the United States traditionally appoints its president. During Malpass' tenure, the organization responded to multiple crises, including a global pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine. The World Bank said Malpass implemented record surges in finances in response to both. He also focused on policies to increase economic growth, reduce government debt burdens, and help reduce poverty. But his tenure has been controversial, reported CNN. Malpass' exit comes months after calls grew for him to step down after he declined to acknowledge the scientific consensus that fossil fuels were warming the planet. Malpass faced criticism from climate activists in September after he refused to confirm during a climate panel whether he accepted the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels were dangerously warming the planet, reported CNN. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen thanked Malpass for his service and said, "While we all must continue to raise our collective ambitions in the fight against climate change, during President Malpass' tenure the World Bank has made important recent advances in this area." "The world has benefitted from his strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, his vital work to assist the Afghan people, and his commitment to helping low-income countries achieve debt sustainability through debt reduction," she added. The departure allows the Biden administration to install a new head of the World Bank. The US traditionally gets to pick the president of the World Bank, which is a five-year post, while the European Union selects the head of the International Monetary Fund. (ANI)
A white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday (local time), reported The Washington Post. The sentencing hearing for Payton Gendron was disrupted briefly when he was charged by a man in the audience, who was quickly restrained. It resumed after about 10 minutes, with more emotional testimony from people who talked about losing loved ones in the attack. Gendron will serve life in prison without parole and the judge and a prosecutor denounced the evils of white supremacy and racism. The proceedings at the Erie County Courthouse were marked by tearful and angry testimonials from victims' family members, reported The Washington Post. Gendron, 19, who is White, planned the attack for months, according to his online writings, which cited white-supremacist conspiracy theories, racist memes and antisemitic rants. He traveled hundreds of miles from his home in Conklin, New York, and targeted the Tops Friendly Markets grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo, reported The Washington Post. He also live-streamed the attack on social media, saying he was inspired by a mass killer in New Zealand who espoused similar racist ideology. Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan delivered the sentence, using the moment to denounce the long history of white supremacy in the United States and calling on the nation to fight it. "Let ours be the generation to put a stop to it," she said. "We can do better. We must do better." To Gendron, she said: "There is no place for you and your ignorant, hateful ideology. There can be no mercy for you. No understanding. No second chances. The damage you have caused is too great. And the people you have hurt are too valuable to this community. You will never see the light of day as a free man ever again." Meanwhile, Gendron, handcuffed and wearing orange prison clothes, recited a written apology for his crimes, saying he acted out of hate but does not want other white supremacists to be inspired by his actions, reported The Washington Post. Victims' family members honored their loved ones and condemned Gendron as a terrorist who had shattered their lives and struck fear in the local Black community. Some cried and others pointed at Gendron, addressing him directly. Gendron pleaded guilty in November to state murder and domestic terrorism charges that, under state law, carry a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. New York does not permit the death penalty, reported The Washington Post. His sentence comes a week after Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to federal hate crime and firearm charges in the shooting deaths of 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, during which he targeted Mexicans. (ANI)
The United States on Wednesday (local time) lauded the Air India-Boeing deal and said that the agreement is mutually beneficial for the US and Indian economies, especially the aviation sector. "It is something that we've heralded. It is an opportunity not only for the American economy and for workers here in this country, but it's an opportunity for the Indian people as well," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said while responding to a question on Air India ordering civilian planes that will create millions of jobs in the US. Notably, Air India Ltd on Monday made aviation history with the biggest aircraft order ever, agreeing to purchase a total of 540 aircraft from Boeing and France's Airbus that will help the Tata Group airline expand its horizons in India and abroad. "It's an opportunity to deepen what is already a profoundly intertwined relationship based on shared interests, based on shared values, based on our deep economic ties and with the announcements between Boeing and Air India yesterday, those ties are all the deeper," said US State Dept spokesperson. Price further stated that the agreement announced between Boeing and Air India is a vivid example of US engagement around the world, "not just in India but around the world - in what we refer to as commercial diplomacy, seeking to find concrete, tangible, practical ways to deepen our economic ties with countries around the world in a way that benefits the American people back here at home." He said, "the number of jobs it creates here, the number of opportunities it creates in India, and the possibility it provides to deepen that partnership even further." US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the historic agreement for Air India to purchase over 200 American-made aircraft from Boeing. Biden noted how the sale will support over one million American jobs across 44 states, and help Air India meet growing demands for air transportation in India, read a White House statement. Mukesh Aghi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US- India Strategic Partnership Forum on Wednesday said that Air India's expansion of a record 470 jets is a testimony to the strength of the US-India commercial partnership. "We commend Air India on the expansion of a record 470 jets from Airbus (250) & Boeing (220). It's one of the largest purchases in commercial aviation history and a testimony to the strength of the US-India commercial partnership," said Aghi. There is an option for Air India to buy 70 more aircraft from Boeing. Air India, which will buy 250 aircraft from Airbus, has also selected Boeing for the purchase of up to 290 planes as part of its growth strategy. The US aerospace company on Tuesday said that it will be the largest Boeing order in South Asia. In a statement, Boeing said that the agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s. (ANI)
Emphasising on the "close and long-standing ties" shared between India and Fiji through "people to people linkages", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said it was a privilege to partner in the nation building efforts across various sectors in the South Pacific country. Jaishankar also thanked the Fiji government for partnering with India for the 12th World Hindi Conference. He said the arrangements made by the government were exceptional. Addressing a joint press statement with the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Thursday, Jaishankar said, "I would like to take this occasion to really publically and sincerely thank the government of Fiji for partnering with us on this very important cultural, heritage exercise we do regularly. The arrangements which were made were truly exceptional." The external affairs minister is on an official visit to Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi. "India and Fiji have close and long-standing ties and a large part of that is built on our people-to-people linkages. We have been privileged to partner with Fiji in its nation-building efforts across various sectors," he said. Jaishankar also said he looks forward to meeting members of the Indian diaspora during his visit in Fiji. The foreign minister said he and the Fiji Prime Minister in their discussions earlier reviewed the India-Fiji bilateral ties. Jaishankar had also called on Fiji's President Wiliame Katonivere earlier this morning. They together launched the "Solarisation of the Pacific Heads of State Residences Project" which is supported by the government of India and the state house in Suva, Fiji. "This project reflects India's strong commitment to climate action, to climate justice. It is also underlining our shared priorities with the pacific islands on this very important challenge of climate change, he said. India and Fiji also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. "We also just signed and exchanged the visa waiver agreement. It will encourage greater travel between our two countries," the External Affairs Minister said. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka during the joint press briefing said: "I would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to PM Narendra Modi and the Indian government for their incredible support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi conference in Fiji. I'm pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji." "Together we've built a robust multifaceted partnership that covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We're grateful to the Government of India for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance," the Fiji PM said. He said that Thursday's meeting signifies a landmark achievement in the India-Fiji commitment to advance cooperation at all levels. Jaishankar on Thursday launched the 'Solarization of Residences of Pacific Heads of State Project' in the presence of the President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in Suva. "Pleased to be call on H.E. Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, President of Fiji in State House in Suva. Jointly inaugurated the Solarization of the State House. This is the first of a series that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands," tweeted Jaishankar. "Fiji, as a founding member of the @isolaralliance is a strong partner in sustainable development," he added. (ANI)
India and Fiji on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka witnessed the MoU exchange. Jaishankar on the occasion said: "I just signed and exchanged the visa waiver agreement. It will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between our two countries." Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called the MoU exchange a landmark achievement and said positive discussions were held today to further advance mutual cooperation in key areas of development notably in health and education. "On behalf of the government of Fiji, I thank the government of India for realising this important cooperation. I'm confident that we will witness many more such initiatives unfolding through the deepening of our cooperation," Rabuka said. As a result of the visa exemption, diplomatic and official passport holders in India and Fiji will now be able to enter, transit through, stay and leave each other's territories without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days. The exemption will allow both countries easier access to opportunities for collaboration, discussions and meetings at all levels. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, while emphasising on the "close and long-standing ties" shared between India and Fiji through "people to people linkages" said it was a privilege to partner in the nation-building efforts across various sectors in the South Pacific country. Jaishankar also thanked the Fiji government for partnering with India for the 12th World Hindi Conference. He said the arrangements made by the government were exceptional. Addressing a joint press statement with the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Thursday, Jaishankar said, "I would like to take this occasion to really publically and sincerely thank the government of Fiji for partnering with us on this very important cultural, heritage exercise we do regularly. The arrangements which were made were truly exceptional." The external affairs minister is on an official visit to Fiji from February 15-17 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference in Nadi. "India and Fiji have close and long-standing ties and a large part of that is built on our people-to-people linkages. We have been privileged to partner with Fiji in its nation-building efforts across various sectors," he said. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday said India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner. "I'm pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji," the Prime Minister said. "Together we've built a robust multifaceted partnership which covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We're grateful to GoI for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance," the Fijian PM said. He also appreciated PM Modi and the Indian government's support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi conference in Fiji. (ANI)
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to visit India with a high-profile delegation of Senate Democrats for meetings with the Indian leadership. The details of his visit are being worked out, sources familiar with the deliberations told ANI. An official said Democrat Senator Schumer's office is eyeing his travel to India as early as next week and the top lawmaker will be visiting multiple countries. The Senator's trip to India is not currently on Schumer's public itinerary and comes at a time when US-India relations are at a high point. Schumer's office didn't respond to ANI's request for a comment. "This high-profile visit will spread across several countries including India. Schumer and the delegation are expected to stay more than a day or two and will also visit other cities apart from New Delhi," a senior official told ANI. Apart from the political engagements, Schumer is also expected to meet with some Indian business leaders. "This visit is a personal visit but it certainly will accelerate the steady upward momentum between the two democracies using strategic partnership, defence, trade and diaspora," the official further added. Earlier, ANI had reported on the US Department of State is looking at the first week of March for a possible visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and meetings in New Delhi, which would be a run-up to US President Joe Biden's meeting with leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad. Apart from this US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is scheduled to travel to India in March to co-chair the US-India CEO Forum and US-India Commercial Dialogue meetings with her Indian counterpart Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. On January 31, National Security Advisors and other agency heads from the United States and India met in Washington, DC for the inaugural meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, which allows the US to partner with a country looking to compete with China's technological advances. On Tuesday, the White House announced that Air India has agreed to a historic purchase of airplanes from Boeing. A phone call between US President Joe Biden with PM Narendra Modi took place following the "landmark announcement." According to a statement by the PMO, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the India-US. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which has resulted in robust growth in all domains. They also expressed a keen desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in space, semi-conductors, supply chains and defence co-production. PM Modi invited Boeing and other US companies to make use of the opportunities arising due to the expanding civil aviation sector in India. On Wednesday the US said that the commercial plane deal between Air India and Boeing is an opportunity to deepen an already profoundly intertwined relationship between India and the United States. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's recently wrapped up a visit to the US during which India and US launched a program to enhance their strategic partnership. The two sides announced a set of programs whose aim is to increase the depth and scope of bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technology, including in the defence sector. Delegations led by Doval and his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan held a meeting in Washington for the inaugural dialogue of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). Doval also held a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks and discussed priorities for the US-India bilateral defence partnership included strengthening policy and operational coordination in the Indo-Pacific region and increasing defence industrial cooperation between the two nations. (ANI)
The two are currently hospitalised in critical condition and will be airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment according to a statement by Kirtipur Hospital.

While Bhandari sustained 25 per cent burns his mother received 80 per cent of burns, according to a statement by Nepal's Kirtipur Hospital.

Bhandari and his mother were injured on Wednesday after a cooking gas cylinder exploded at their house in Buddhanagar, Kathmandu at 10:30 pm (local time), according to The Kathmandu Post.

Kirtipur Hospital had earlier in a statement said the duo needed to be taken to a hospital specialised in burns outside the country as treatment in Nepal isn't possible.

The LPG gas cylinder exploded while the family was sleeping, according to Bhandari's personal secretary, Bhuwan Bhusal.

In the year 2020, eight tourists from Kerala suffocated to death in Nepal probably due to a gas leak from a heater in their room at a mountainous resort in Makwanpur district. The tourists were airlifted to HAMS hospital here where they were pronounced dead on arrival. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India hopes to co-host the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months. "We hope to co-host the third Summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months and we would certainly value Fiji's presence and leadership on that occasion," Jaishankar said while issuing a joint press statement with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka here today. The FIPIC was launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Fiji in November 2014. It is a multinational grouping between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations, which include Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. All heads of state/heads of government of the above countries met in Suva, Fiji in November 2014 where the annual summit was conceptualised. The forum's objective is to provide necessary information and facilitation regarding prospects of trade and investment, facilitate meetings between the concerned businessmen from both sides, exchange business delegations between India and Pacific Islands countries, online and offline match-making services, organising events / Trade Fairs, according to the FIPIC website. According to the website, India's focus has largely been on the Indian Ocean where it has sought to play a major role and protect its strategic and commercial interests. The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to expand India's engagement in the Pacific region. Jaishankar who arrived at Suva Airport today met with President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and attended the commissioning of Solar Panel Event. This is the first visit to Fiji of the External Affairs Minister. The foreign minister met with Fiji Prime Minister and held delegation-level talks. "We reviewed our bilateral ties. We discussed very openly the possibility of adding to it substance, of improving its quality. And there were some specific domains which the Prime Minister in his remarks referred to," Jaishankar said while delivering the joint statement. "Today, we discussed regional and global issues of shared interest. We agreed to work more closely towards strengthening our multilateral cooperation, working strongly in international organizations," the EAM said. Jaishankar spoke about the launch of the 'Solarization of the Pacific Heads of State Residences project' which is supported by the Government of India and which he said reflects India's strong commitment to climate action and climate justice. He said, "This project reflects India's strong commitment to climate action, to climate justice, which is also underlining our shared priorities with the Pacific islands on this very important challenge of climate change." The foreign minister also said that the two countries had signed and exchanged a visa waiver agreement. "It will certainly be helpful in encouraging greater travel between our two countries. And I would also say the experience of the World Hindi Conference would also surely enthuse all the delegates, their friends and relatives, of which I am sure there are many, to come to Fiji as well," Jaishankar said. (ANI)
Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) have accredited 62 international observers, The Astana Times reported citing CEC Secretary Mukhtar Yerman. Kazakhstan's CEC has received applications from 12 additional observers from six states and two international organizations. Mukhtar Yerman made the announcement regarding the development at a meeting in Astana on February 13. As of February 13, atleast 62 observers have received accreditation. The observers who have received accreditation, include 45 observers from the Election Observation Mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as 11 observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, as per The Astana Times report. Three nations will provide six election observers, which include two from China, three from the Netherlands and one from Palestine. Mukhtar Yerman stated that two ODIHR mission observers retrieved their accreditation on February 10. Notably, the accreditation of observers from foreign states and international organizations is scheduled to end on March 13. Yerman said that updates were made for the two observers after receiving a note on the change in the mission's composition. Yerman said, "This depends on each mission's own internal regulations and procedures. It is a common practice," as per The Astana Times report. On February 13, Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) received applications from two additional OSCE/ODIHR mission members, seven members from the CIS Observer Mission, and one candidate from each of the three nations - South Korea, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan is due to hold the parliamentary election in the first half of 2023, The Astana Times reported citing the Chairman of Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, Yerlan Koshanov. Yerlan Koshanav said that the Kazakhstan President will make the announcement regarding the date and a new government will be formed afterwards. (ANI)
India-Japan joint training exercise "Dharma Guardian" will be conducted at Camp Imazu in the Shiga province of Japan from February 17- March 2. The Ministry of Defence in a press release said that Exercise "Dharma Guardian" will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces, furthering the bilateral ties between the two nations. It is the fourth edition of the joint military Exercise "Dharma Guardian" between India and Japan. The scope of the India-Japan joint training exercise covers platoon-level joint training on operations in jungle and semi-urban/urban terrain. The troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an Infantry Regiment from the Middle Army of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) will participate in the joint training exercise. During the joint exercise, the armies of the two nations will share experiences gained during operations to bolster interoperability in planning and execution. "Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN which is an annual training event with Japan, is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of current global situation," the Ministry of Defence said in the press release. The Indian Army contingent arrived in Japan to participate in exercise "Dharma Guardian" on February 12, where they received a warm reception. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), in a tweet, stated, "The contingent of #IndianArmy arrived in #Japan to take part in Joint Military Exercise #DharmaGuardian with Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces #JGSDF commencing at Aibano Manoeuvre Area, #Japan. #IndiaJapanFriendship" The joint military exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting tactical operations under a United Nations mandate, in addition to developing interoperability, bonhomie, camaraderie and friendship between the two nations. "The joint exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting tactical operations under a UN Mandate, in addition to developing inter-operability, bonhomie, camaraderie and friendship between the two armies," the Ministry of Defence in the press release said. It further stated, "The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness and sharing of drills at the tactical level. During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of missions ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, basics of establishing integrated surveillance grids, including employment of aerial assets. The joint exercise will facilitate both armies to know each other better, share their wide experiences and enhance their situational awareness." (ANI)
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday rejected former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's petition, seeking protection bail in a case registered against him over protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office, ARY News reported. During the hearing in the court, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh dismissed the petition and directed Imran Khan's counsel to present the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in court on February 19 at 2 pm (local time), as per the ARY News report. He also ordered the provincial police chief to sit down with the former Pakistan PM's legal team and finalise security arrangements. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said the petitioner had been summoned for 6:30 pm (local time). However, he failed to appear, as per the news report. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh resumed the hearing on Imran Khan's petition seeking protective bail after an Islamabad court rejected his bail in a case related to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference. Imran Khan's lawyer said that their client will be present in the court within few minutes as he was on his way. However, the division bench said that Imran Khan should have appeared within the stipulated time given to him, as per the news report. PTI Chairman's lawyer tried to stop the court, however, the judge dismissed the plea, stating that neither the petitioner nor his senior counsel appeared in the court and petition is being dismissed. Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) warned of issuing a contempt notice to Imran Khan on a petition seeking protective bail. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh made the remarks after taking notice of the different signatures of Imran Khan on the affidavit and power of attorney presented in the court. At the outset of the hearing, PTI Chairman's counsel, advocate Azhar Siddiq informed the court that they are pondering over issues related to Imran Khan's health and security. "Former prime minister is meeting with his doctors," ARY News quoted Azhar Siddiq as saying and assured the court that Imran would be in court. "We request the court to give us some time," he further said. When the hearing resumed at 4 pm, Imran's counsel Siddiqui told LHC that his client wanted to withdraw the bail application as the Islamabad court had granted him relief. However, the judge observed that the PTI chief's signatures on the affidavit and power of attorney were different. Imran Khan had approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking protective bail after the banking court in Islamabad rejected his bail in a case related to protests outside the ECP's office after his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference. (ANI)
A high-ranking Russian defence official has died after falling from a window of a building in St Petersburg, DailyMail reported. Marina Yankina, who headed the financial support department of the Russian Ministry of Defence for the Eastern Military District was found by a passerby at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg. Yankina is believed to have fallen 160 feet to her death. She was a key figure in the funding of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, as per the news report. The Russian Investigative Committee and the press service of the Western Military District 'Fontanka' have confirmed her death and have started an investigation regarding her mysterious fall, The DailyMail reported. Her personal belongings were found on the 16th floor of the building. Citing media outlet 'Mash on Moika,' the news report said that Yankina had called her ex-husband and informed him what she was intending to do. "She told him about what she was going to do and where she would leave things - and also asked to call the police. A few minutes after the call, she was found dead," the media outlet 'Mash on Moika,' said. Prior to joining the Western Military region, Yankina served in the Federal Tax Service and also worked as the Deputy Chairman of the Property Relations Committee of St. Petersburg. She is believed to have been at the centre of efforts to strengthen funding for the war started by Russia on February 24. Marina Yankina is the latest of many Russians to have plunged to their deaths during the war between Russia and Ukraine. Her death comes days after Major General Vladimir Makarov, a Russian general, who was recently fired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead in a suspected suicide, as per the news report. On December 26, Pavel Antonov, the deputy of the Russian Duma died in India after falling out of a hotel window, as per the news report. According to a DailyMail report, the former chief of Russian Ground Forces Aleksey Maslov died in hospital on December 25 while Aleksandr Buzakov who served as the head of Russia's 'admiralty shipyards' for a decade died on December 24. (ANI)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its report on Wednesday questioned the role of the local administration and police in incidents of mob violence against religious minorities in Gujranwala, the Dawn reported. In the report, the HRCP fact-finding mission has raised concern over the alarming rise in the persecution of members of the Ahmadiyya community in Gujranwala and surrounding regions, particularly the desecration of their grave sites of worship, as per the Dawn report. The HRCP fact-finding mission has said that First information reports (FIRs) have been filed against the community members for sacrificing animals on Eid. The HRCP's report said that the civil administration officials in Gujranwala and Wazirabad were directly involved in destroying the minarets of Ahmadi sites of worship in December 2022 and January 2023, after objections raised by members of a local political-religious outfit, as per the news report. The administration has claimed that they have taken action in a bid to circumvent the threat of mob violence. However, the report said that the way the matter was handled only increased the rising hostility towards the Ahmadiya community and increased the vulnerability of Ahmadi residents in the region, as per the Dawn report. "While the mission understands that the local bureaucracy, police and the judiciary were successfully intimidated by a religious group, their response displays a pitiful inability to manage law and order, while respecting the fundamental rights of the Ahmadiya community," Dawn quoted the HRCP report. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its report called for the implementation of judgements of Supreme Court Justices Tasadduq Hussain Jilani and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah from 2014 and 2022, including the creation of a special police force to guard religious minority places of worship, as per the Dawn report. It further recommended that the police's capacity to handle the threat of mob violence in such situations must be augmented through proper infrastructure and training. (ANI)
Christian community is forced to burry five to 10 bodies in a single grave that is already filled with skeletons and bones as there are four graveyards for more than 70,000 Christians living in Peshawar and other cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, The News International reported citing members, The News International reported. Augustin Jacob, a representative of the Christian community in Peshawar, said that old graves are being dug up and used for burying the dead. He said that no attention has been paid to this aspect due to the increased population rate, as per the news report. He said that there have been discussions with the government, however, the authority's talk of giving land outside the city for graveyards could cause more issues for the Christian community. "If the administration gives us space, it is outside of Peshawar. It is difficult for people to survive in these economic conditions and it is also difficult to bear the expenses incurred on the burial of a dead," The News International quoted Augustin Jacob as saying. Jacob said that the Christian community needs a place in the city where people can reach easily. He said most of the Christians living in the region belong to the working class and cannot afford to purchase land for the new graveyard, as per The News International report. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa allocated Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 75 million for the construction of five cremation grounds for the Hindu community and the creation of seven graveyards for Christians in March 2019, as per the news report. Officials said that PKR 24 million has been allocated for building five cremation grounds and PKR 51 million have been set aside for purchasing land for seven Christian graveyards. The purchase of four kanal land for cremation grounds in Peshawar and two-kanal each in Hangu, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Now Shera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been approved by the concerned department, The News International reported citing officials. According to officials, the purchase of six kanal of land for Christian graveyard in Peshawar, five kanal each in Mardan, Kohat, Swabi and Lower Dir and four kanal each in Swat and Nowshera districts have been approved by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Alaica Khan, a social activist from Peshawar, said the government had allotted land for the graveyard, as per the news report. However, local Muslim community is not allowing them to construct a graveyard. Khan called on the government to take urgent action as they are forced to bury dead in old graves. "We ask for other land and urgent actions because we are forced to bury our dead in old graves," The News International quoted Alaica Khan as saying. Former advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on minorities Ravi Kumar said the KP Department for Religious Affairs and minorities had procured land for a Christian graveyard and a cremation ground for Hindus in 2020 in Budu Samar Bagh region in Peshawar. Ravi Kumar said that the provincial department has asked the Peshawar Commissioner to present a report on the possible objections raised by the local population, according to The News International report. He said that local residents held meetings with the authorities and told them about their reservations. According to him, locals said that the site selected for the projects was not suitable as the government had approved a residential colony in the area. (ANI)
An Indian-American Neal Mohan will be the next Chief Executive Officer of YouTube after Susan Wojcicki announced her resignation citing "personal projects." Taking to Twitter, YouTube Creators informed about Wojcicki's resignation and thanked her for contributing to the online video-sharing platform. Neal Mohan is currently the Chief Product Officer of YouTube. Before joining YouTube, Mohan was the Senior Vice President (SVP), Display and Video Ads at Google. The YouTube Creators also shared Wojcicki's message which stated, "Earlier today I sent an email to employees announcing that I'd be stepping back from my role as the head of YouTube to start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects I'm passionate about." "It has been the honour of my career to have a front-row seat to the incredible YouTube community you have built. Your stories of perseverance, creativity, and inspiration were a daily source of motivation and inspired me to be an advocate and steward for this community you all created. It was a constant highlight of my job to sit down with you, hear how you were using the platform, and listen to feedback. Sometimes what you said was tough and candid, but it was important for me and the wider YouTube team to listen and do better. Today, the YouTube community is incredibly strong. You're building businesses and following your dreams," the letter further read. In the letter, Wojcicki announced that Neal Mohan will be the successor. She further stated that Mohan is an excellent leader who understands this community and its needs better than anyone. Wojcicki planned to stay around the office for a period of time to help Neal with the transition and will serve as an advisor to Google and Alphabet. Wojcicki concluded her letter by thanking people and stated, "Finally, thank you for everything over the years. Thank you for welcoming me into your studios, your homes and your lives. Thank you for letting me be a part of the incredible stories you're sharing with the world." (ANI)
The Intelligence Community has no indication that the three objects that were shot down in the past days were the surveillance craft from China, United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday. Biden added that he expects to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Delivering remarks on the United States' response to recent aerial objects, Biden said, "The Intelligence Community's current assessment is that these 3 objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies or research institutions studying weather or conducting other scientific research." The US shot down the giant balloon, which China claimed to be a civilian airship used for research mainly meteorological, on February 4 after it hovered over the country for a week. "I want to be clear, we don't have any evidence that there's been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the sky. We're now just seeing more of them partially because of the steps we've taken to increase our radars," he added. Biden further stated that all those 3 objects can be related to the Chinese spy balloon program or they were surveillance vehicles from any other country. He suggested that he is not going to shoot down every weather balloon that the US sees but will watch out for future spy balloons. "Make no mistake, if any object presents a threat to the safety, and security of the American people, I will take it down," US President added. Biden suggests the newest objects were not part of a foreign spying program. "The three objects are most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions, studying weather or conducting other scientific research," he said. The United States is not looking for a "new Cold War" with China. "We'll also continue to engage with China, as we have through the past two weeks," Biden said adding that US diplomats will stay in touch with Chinese counterparts, and he will speak at some point with Xi Jinping, China's leader. Biden also made clear that in the future the procedure for taking down unknown objects will be classified, but will be shared with Congress. Earlier, members of Congress were critical of the White House for not sharing more information about the Chinese spy balloon program more quickly. (ANI)
East- Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) and countless Uyghur victims urged United Kingdom police to arrest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Governor and Chair of the Standing Committee of the CCP Xinjiang Regional Committee Erkin Tuniyaz, East- Turkistan reported. Describing Tuniyaz as the "puppet," East Turkistanis said that UK barrister Rodney Dixon KC and his legal team have submitted the request on their behalf to the Metropolitan Police SO15 Counter-terrorism unit. "We act for the East Turkistan Government in Exile and countless Uyghur victims. We have submitted a request on behalf of our clients at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into the alleged genocide and crimes against humanity committed by Chinese officials against Uyghur victims over which the Court has jurisdiction. We have included witness statements and other evidence in support of our submission. Our request is currently being reviewed and considered by the ICC Prosecutor," the letter, which was sent to UK police, read. A private prosecution request has also been made in the UK to arrest Tuniyaz. The request is made directly to the Metropolitan Police under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, asking that they investigate and arrest Tuniyaz while he is in the UK. As Tuniyaz arrived in the UK on Sunday, the letter further added, "We write to you now on an urgent basis, as we understand that one of the key suspects, Erkin Tuniyaz, arrived in the UK on Sunday on a planned trip to meet FCDO officials this week. Tuniyaz is the current Chairman (governor) of Xinjiang, and Chair of the Standing Committee of the CCP Xinjiang Regional Committee." In June 2020, a submission was filed by the same legal team on behalf of the ETGE and ETNM with the ICC Prosecutor in The Hague asking for an investigation into the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity being committed by Chinese state authorities against Uyghur and other Turkic peoples both inside and outside of Chinese Occupied East Turkistan. The letter highlights the widespread and systematic detention and torture of millions of Uyghurs in internment camps and prisons in East Turkistan ('Xinjiang'), planned and controlled by officials at the highest levels of the CCP, reported East- Turkistan. It also added that the UN and several other bodies have found that there is credible evidence of torture being committed in detention camps in East Turkistan. "Our clients are urging the police to exercise their powers to investigate and arrest Tuniyaz. We have laws in our country that prohibit torture wherever it is committed in the world and suspects who travel here are subject to those laws," said British lawyer Rodney Dixon KC. "We are therefore asking that the law should be applied properly and fairly so that those who are alleged to have committed torture are not free to come and go from our country," he added. "It is disgraceful that a known perpetrator of torture, genocide and other crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples has even been invited for a meeting in London and other European capitals. I don't know how much more evidence is needed to get any kind of justice for what he and the Chinese government have done to our people," said Salih Hudayar, Prime Minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile. "This is a rare opportunity to actually do something concrete to prevent the further torture and genocide of our people and I hope the British police are brave enough to act," he added. The East Turkistan Government in Exile again calls on the UK Government to cancel its planned meetings with Tuniyaz and immediately arrest and bring him to justice for his ongoing direct role in China's ongoing campaign of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan, according to East- Turkistan. (ANI)
The ministry summoned Austrian Ambassador to Russia Werner Almhofer on Thursday in protest over a decision of the Austrian authorities to expel four employees from Russia's foreign missions, it said, adding that the Austrian diplomats must leave Russia by February 23, Xinhua news agency reported.

Austria's unfriendly and unjustified move causes serious damage to bilateral ties, said the ministry.

Austria declared two diplomats of the Russian Embassy and two diplomats of the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations "personae non gratae" on February 2.

--IANS int/arm

( 124 Words)

2023-02-16-21:38:04 (IANS)
EL PASO, Texas  Authorities in El Paso, Texas, said one person was killed and three other people were injured Wednesday after a shooting in a shopping mall, adding to the dozens of people already killed this year in mass shootings across the United States.

The El Paso Police Department said hours after the gunfire that two people had been taken into custody, though details of what led to the shooting remained unclear. Spokesperson Sgt. Robert Gomez confirmed that one person died in the shooting and three others were injured.

Interim police chief Peter Pacillas said that Cielo Vista Mall was still considered a crime scene and that it would remain locked down until authorities had completed their investigation. Pacillas stressed that the danger had passed.

There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public, he said.

Pacillas also said the gunman was taken down quickly by an off-duty police officer who was working security at a store in the mall. He said the officer did not fire his weapon. The names and ages of the suspects were not released.

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El Paso police respond to a report of a shooting at the food court at Cielo Vista Mall on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Police rushed to mall as customers ran out

Pacillas said the 911 center received calls about the shooting at 5:05 p.m. He said the off-duty officer responded by 5:08 p.m. and immediately took the suspect into custody.

"It was a dynamic scene and it was quickly brought under control," he said, adding there was no more danger to the public after the two suspects were taken into custody.

Cellphone videos posted on social media showed customers running out of the mall into the parking lot as police rushed to the scene.

Gomez said the first calls came in at 5:10 p.m. about shots fired, and multiple law enforcement units responded.

Injured victims taken to area hospitals

The three wounded were transported to area hospitals, Gomez said.

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We have two patients, both in critical condition, said University Medical Center of El Paso spokesman Ryan Mielke. According to Mielke, the two patients are males in critical condition.

The other victim was taken to Del Sol Medical Center and was in fair condition, a hospital official said.

MASS SHOOTINGS IN U.S.: There have been 71 mass shootings in the US this year  in just 6 weeks

El Paso police and multiple other law enforcement agencies surround Cielo Vista Mall after a shooting that left at least 3 victims on Wednesday evening.

Mall near deadly 2019 Walmart shooting

Cielo Vista Mall is next to the Walmart store where a gunman killed 23 people on Aug. 3, 2019. The Walmart shooter pleaded guilty last week to federal hate crime charges in the mass shooting targeting Latinos.

Olivia Troye, a former Homeland Security and counterterrorism adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, said on Twitter that her aunt was in hiding at Cielo Vista mall as the active shooter scenario was unfolding.

She survived the 2019 Wal-Mart El Paso shooting thanks to someone who pulled her to safety. What is it going to take to enact change?! Troye wrote in a post just after 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The United States has seen dozens of people killed in mass shootings so far in 2023, most recently Monday at Michigan State University, where three students were killed and five more were wounded. In January, 11 people were killed in the Los Angeles-area city of Monterey Park as they welcomed the Lunar New Year at a dance hall popular with older Asian Americans.

In 2022, more than 600 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. in which at least four people were killed or wounded, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Contributing: Maria Cortes Gonzalez, Lauren Villagran, and Adam Powell, El Paso Times; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: El Paso mall shooting: 1 dead and 3 injured; 2 suspects arrested
 The European Unions tenth package of sanctions against Russia will contain trade bans and controls on technology exports, including of Iranian-made drones.



Our 10th sanction package contains trade bans and controls on technology exports worth EUR 11 billion, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter. Russia is using hundreds of Iranian-built drones. We propose to extend our export controls to Iranian entities.





 The Russian Federation is blocking the operation of the humanitarian grain corridor through the Black Sea, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and Reconstruction and Development Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.



Kuleba and Kubrakov highlighted that Russian representatives in the inspection groups and the coordination center in Istanbul have been delaying the inspection of ships passing through the Bosphorus strait to or from Ukrainian ports for several months in a row.





 The European Union is preparing new sanctions against shipping company SUN Ship Management Ltd, which helps Moscow with illicit oil shipments circumventing EUs restrictions on trade with Russia.



According to Politico, the company secretly hosted 92 ships of Russian state-owned company Sovcomflot in April 2022. It was done in order to organize the secret transportation of Russian oil in the event of future sanctions against Russia.





 Greece has handed over a package of military aid to Ukraine, which includes 20 Soviet-era BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and ammunition.



Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos also took part in the Conference of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, which was organized at the initiative of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. During his speech, the minister stressed that the invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law, which undermines peace, security, and stability in Europe.





 The U.S. Army has signed contracts worth $522 million with companies that will manufacture artillery shells for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.



In particular, contracts were signed with defense firms Northrop Grumman Systems and Global Military Products, over fears that the Ukrainian military was depleting its stockpiles of artillery shells too quickly.





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 Yuriy Boyko, a Ukrainian MP from the outlawed Opposition Platform  For Life (OPZZh) party, may own several energy companies in Ukraine through offshore holdings.



An investigation by journalists from Bihus.Info revealed that although the lawmaker has no official business assets, and his wife owns only Kyivs Stolychna (Capital) Real Estate company, the Boyko family erected large houses in the villages of Ivankovychi and Hnidyn, as well as on the coast of the Kyiv Reservoir outside Kyiv itself, while the politicians wife bought more than 50 hectares of land in Kyiv Oblast in 2020.

 Ukraine reduced its nitrogen fertilizer production by 4.6 times in 2022, while tripling imports, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy said in a statement on the situation with fertilizers in Ukraine on Feb. 14.



In 2022, Ukraine produced 1.13 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers, which is 4.6 times less compared to 5.2 million tons in 2021, the ministry report states. At the same time, fertilizer imports increased by 3.1 times to 4.3 from 1.4 million tons.





 The Swiss believe that the seizure of private Russian assets, stored in Swiss institutions, would contradict its constitution, the Swiss government said.



A working group tasked with the question came to the conclusion that "the expropriation of private assets of legal origin without compensation is unacceptable under Swiss law. The confiscation of frozen private assets is "incompatible with the Federal Constitution and the current legal order and violates Switzerland's international obligations.





 The European Union has established an ad hoc working group to develop plans for the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support rebuilding Ukraine.



EU ambassadors today approved the establishment of an ad hoc working party on the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraines reconstruction, the the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU tweeted. As noted, the purpose of the working group is to address the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets in line with EU and international law. It includes preparatory work on the legal, financial, economic, and political analysis of the feasibility of such use in close coordination with international partners.

 The days long read: Budanovs rising star: On the young military intelligence chief now set to lead the Ministry of Defense



NV explains the background of intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, whom the Zelenskyy administration had wanted to appoint to the Ministry of Defense.





Dont miss: Investigation shows what Kyiv and Moscow are negotiating about, and how Russian oligarch Abramovichs role changed over the year



Russian independent outlet Meduza reveals the role played by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Two Shelby County Sheriff's deputies were given five day suspensions without pay Wednesday.

Two Shelby County Sheriff's deputies seen on body camera footage arriving at the scene of the traffic stop that preceded Tyre Nichols' beating have been suspended without pay.

The two deputies, Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers, were found to have violated four and three policies, respectively, the office said Wednesday evening.

Watkins, who has been a deputy since June 2021, violated SCSO's radio communication procedures, mobile video recording system procedures, patrol field duties and responsibilities, and operational responsibility of daily activity log.

Bowers, who has also been a deputy since June 2021, violated the radio communication procedures, mobile video recording system procedures, and patrol field job duties and responsibilities.

Both have been suspended for five days without pay as of Wednesday.

The two deputies were placed on leave Jan. 27, after the City of Memphis released four videos  three body camera videos and one SkyCop video  that showed officers from the Memphis Police Department pulling Nichols out of his car and then beating him at a separate location after he ran from the first stop.

SCSO deputies could later be seen arriving to the scene of the original traffic stop and then being redirected to the scene of the beating. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who is also campaigning to be the next Memphis mayor, said he first found out the deputies were on scene after watching the footage.

"Having watched the videotape for the first time tonight, I have concerns about two deputies who appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols," Bonner said in a statement Jan. 27. "I have launched an internal investigation into the conduct of these deputies to determine what occurred and if any policies were violated. Both of these deputies have been relieved of duty pending the outcome of this administrative investigation."

Bonner, in his Wednesday evening statement, said he had ordered an internal investigation due to "concerns" about the deputies being on scene that night.

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"Our investigation was thorough and complete," Bonner said. "I am satisfied that the discipline given to these deputies is appropriate and just. We must continue to maintain the highest standards of excellence for the citizens of Shelby County through service, integrity, and accountability."

In that same statement, the Sheriff's Office said it believed the two deputies will not face any charges stemming from the Shelby County District Attorney's Office or from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Footage shows a Shelby County Sheriffs Office vehicle traveling with its blue lights on through the intersection of Ross and Raines roads where police have said Nichols traffic stop began. The vehicle arrives after most of the police officers left in pursuit of Nichols.

Which way did he run? a person in the sheriff's office vehicle asks.

The driver of the vehicle brings it to a screeching turn and appears to drive in the direction given by the police officer wearing the body camera. The vehicle's blue lights were activated. It was not made clear why the presence of the deputies was not made public until the footage was released.

Nichols was pulled over Jan. 7 for what the Memphis Police Department said was reckless driving, although Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis would later say there was no evidence that Nichols had or had not been driving recklessly.

Memphis police officers pulled Nichols from his car, pulled him to the ground and pepper sprayed him. Eventually, Nichols jumped up and ran away. Officer Preston Hemphill, who has since been fired, fired his Taser at Nichols.

Other officers eventually caught up to Nichols who proceeded to punch, kick and hit him with a baton. He was also pepper sprayed again.

Nichols was eventually taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition. He died three days later.

Five former officers  Tadarrius Bean, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III, Demetrius Haley and Desmond Mills, Jr.  have been indicted in connection to Nichols' death. They face one count of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, official oppression and two counts of official misconduct.

In total, there have been nine City of Memphis employees fired during the internal investigation. Three Memphis Fire Department employees  emergency medical technicians, Robert Long and JaMichael Sandridge, and Lt. Michelle Whitaker  were fired Jan. 30. All three have appealed their dismissals.

Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Sheriff : No charges expected against deputies in Tyre Nichols case
Fort Mill schools were impacted Thursday afternoon as police searched nearby, officials said.

Law enforcement officials issued an alert after a short while saying there was not a threat to the public.

But a heavy police presence could be seen a few hours earlier in Fort Mill along Springfield Parkway, S.C. 160, Tom Hall Street, and neighborhoods and wooded areas, officials said.

The perimeter of the police search did not include the campuses of Fort Mill Middle School and Fort Mill Elementary School, but school officials took action because of the proximity, said Joe Burke, spokesman for the Fort Mill school district. The schools are located next to each other north of S.C. 160.

Fort Mill Middle School and Fort Mill Elementary School were both placed on secure mode for a period of time Thursday afternoon, Burke said.

Secure mode means all students and staff are brought inside the buildings, and no one is allowed in or out, Burke said. Activities inside continued, Burke said.

District officials decided to go ahead with normal dismissal procedures, Burke said. Parents were advised of the activity and dismissal decision by message, Burke said.

Schools were advised they could return to normal operations around 2:15 p.m., Burke said.

Police in area

Fort Mill police and other law enforcement were searching for a man who ran from officers, said Capt. Steven Bivins of the Fort Mill Police Department.

The area is east of downtown Fort Mill. It is close to residential neighborhoods and a commercial strip along Tom Hall Street.

Around 2:00 p.m., Fort Mill police posted on social media that there was not believed to be a threat to the public.

The search has been concluded and there is no imminent threat to the public, the social media posting stated.

Fort Mill police, along with York County Sheriffs Office deputies and K-9, had been conducting the search, Bivins said.
Necropsies on two whales found dead along the Atlantic coast this week revealed that both marine mammals showed evidence of vessel strikes.

Both whales, a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and a humpback, were already beginning to decompose, but preliminary results show internal injuries consistent with the blunt force trauma of a vessel strike, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday.

The deaths are among a flurry of 21 whale deaths along the length of the Atlantic coast since Dec. 3.

While several politicians who previously expressed opposition to  or concerns about  offshore wind energy projects have called for a moratorium on wind activities and an investigation into the whale deaths, preliminary exams show at least five of the 21 whales were likely killed in vessel collisions. Several were too decomposed to be examined.

DYING WHALES: Whale deaths exploited in 'cynical disinformation' campaign against offshore wind power, advocates say

What killed the whales found this week?

The right whale  one of only an estimated 340 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world  was found dead in Virginia Beach on Sunday. The 43-foot-long, 20-year-old whale suffered multiple vertebral fractures and separations from a likely ship strike that would have resulted in death shortly after the injury.

The second whale, a humpback found in Manasquan, New Jersey on Monday, was a 35-foot female in an advanced state of decomposition. Although no outward evidence of a vessel strike was seen, an exam showed internal injuries. NOAA stated a tissue analysis should determine whether the vessel strike occurred before or after death.

How many whales die each year along Atlantic Coast?

Both humpbacks and right whales have been the subject of in-depth scientific investigations along the Atlantic coast since 2016 and 2017. Here's what NOAA data shows for all large whale deaths:

78 dead whales were reported in 2017, including humpbacks and right whales, and 59 in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

An average of 52 whales have died each year along the coast since 2007.

In 2022 , 43 whale deaths were reported.

So far this year, 13 whale deaths have been reported between New York and Florida.

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What about the offshore wind protests?

Two local groups in New Jersey and New York raised questions in January about a potential link to the recent whale deaths and offshore wind activities. A group of 12 New Jersey mayors, who had not previously advocated for whales, made national news with a letter seeking a moratorium.

But federal officials and other whale experts say they have no evidence offshore wind activities could cause whale deaths.

Gib Brogan, a campaign director for Oceana, an ocean advocacy group, said opponents to wind power were using the whale deaths as an opportunity.

It would be great if these elected officials and groups would join the fight to protect large whales in the mid-Atlantic, particularly calling for stronger vessel rules and protection against entanglements," said Brogan. "But it would appear their interest in whales begins and ends with offshore wind."

Rough winter for right whales

This is the second right whale found dead this year. A calf washed up in Morehead City, North Carolina, on Jan. 7.

The right whale population, which has plunged 30% since 2011, can't sustain itself if even one whale a year dies as the result of human causes, according to the federal Marine Mammal Commission.

At least four right whales have also been seen wounded and entangled in commercial fishing gear this winter. Marine mammal stranding crews were able to remove some of the rope and gear from two of the whales in dangerous at-sea operations off the southeast coast in January.

Argo, a 42-year-old adult male right whale, was seen off North Carolina with gear wrapped tightly around his tail and flukes and dragging "something heavy," NOAA stated. The removed gear included 157 feet of line and two wire mesh lobster traps.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed the gear was from a fishing area off Nova Scotia, reported missing by the lobsterman as required by Canadian rules.

In other entanglements:

A 15-year-old right whale known as Nimbus was severely injured and entangled in commercial fishing gear off the coast of Jekyll Island, Georgia. Trained emergency responders removed about 375 feet of rope.

A juvenile whale born in 2021, was seen on Jan. 18 in Cape Cod Bay.

On Jan. 8, a four-year-old female whale was seen entangled 20 miles east of Rodanthe, North Carolina . NOAA said the whale was likely to die.

From 2003 to 2018, researchers found that of the cases where a cause could be determined, right whale deaths could all be attributed to human activities such as entanglements and vessel strikes, NOAA stated Tuesday.

New vessel speed limits considered

Right whales migrate along busy shipping corridors to coastal Florida and Georgia to give birth in the winter.

Seasonal speed zones to protect the whales are in effect off major ports in the mid-Atlantic, including Chesapeake Bay through April 30. Vessels longer than 65 feet are required to travel at 10 knots or less. NOAA has proposed a rule to include vessels 35 feet long and to expand the zones and timing of seasonal speed restrictions.

Oceana filed a petition in December asking NOAA for an emergency rule mirroring its proposal but the petition was denied.

A few days later, an aggregation of seven right whales was seen just outside the zone in Chesapeake Bay, Brogan said. To have a whale turn up dead just three weeks after we pointed out that aggregation is disappointing but not surprising."

Dinah Voyles Pulver covers climate and environment issues for USA TODAY. She can be reached at dpulver@gannett.com or at @dinahvp on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dead whales in New Jersey, Virginia Beach add to region's death toll
It may only be the beginning of 2023, but the 2024 presidential election is already gearing up as two Republicans have already announced their bid for the White House and speculation is abound about who else will make a run.

Rumors, thoughts and speculation of who could be on the 2024 presidential ticket have already been swirling in the country and it probably won't die down anytime soon. Former President Donald Trump stoked the flame of followers on the campaign trail in 2022 for a possible 2024 bid on the Republican ticket and finally made the announcement just a week after the 2022 midterm election in November 2022 and now he is joined by another on the GOP ticket, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Haley announced the start of her bid for president officially on Wednesday, Feb. 15, after weeks of teasing her possible bid.

President Joe Biden is studying a reelection bid in 2024 but has yet to make any formal announcement.

Here's what's already happening in the bid for the White House:

Nikki Haley announces her bid for the White House in SC

Hayley will formerly run for the 2024 Presidential race on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, with an event in Charleston, S.C.

Haley teased her presidential run for weeks, including a tweeted video this week in which she said: "It's time for a new generation to lead."

Get excited! Time for a new generation.



Lets do this!   pic.twitter.com/BD5k4WY1CP  Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 14, 2023

Along with serving as governor, Haley was picked in 2017 by then-President Trump as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During her time as governor in South Carolina, Haley signed a bill that removed the Confederate flag from the top of the S.C. Capitol building in 2015 after nine people at a historic Black church were murdered.

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If Haley makes it through the primaries, she would be the Republican Party's first female and first South Asian presidential nominee. She would also be the first woman of color to win the presidential nomination for a major party.

Donald Trump's announcement of 2024 presidential run

Trump dangled the proverbial carrot of a 2024 bid for a while during the 2022 midterm campaign and once again threw the notion out to his base during a November trip to Ohio where he stumped for GOP candidates and in a 2022 rally in Texas.

"I will probably have to do it again," Trump told supporters during the rally in Texas.

Less than a week after the midterm elections Trump announced his bid for the 2024 presidency on Nov. 15 from his Mar-a-Lago home.

Minutes before his scheduled 9 p.m. announcement, Trump filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission saying he was running for president in 2024, and setting up a fundraising account.

"America's comeback starts right now," Trump said during his speech at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Who is running for president in 2024?

So far, a mix of candidates may try for a bid on the Republican or Democratic ticket in 2024.

And the former president might not be the only one eyeing a Republican bid. Other potential Republican primary challengers could be Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence.

Throughout the election season, DeSantis has done something many an aspiring presidential candidate has done and flown off and campaigned for Republican candidates in battleground states like Arizona, Ohio and Wisconsin. Trump endorsed several party members in 2022, but DeSantis was not among them.

And lastly is Biden, who could seek a reelection bid in 2024.

Even though the President will be 80 at the end of the month, he has stated he is healthy and eager to run again, especially if Trump is the opponent.

There has been no other Democrat who has hinted at a run so far, but that could always change.

When is the presidential election?

The next presidential election is in 2024, but like in years past the start of the campaign trail begins early.

After the midterms, more speculation on who will and who won't run for president until official candidacy announcements are made.

The 2024 election will be the 60th quadrennial presidential election and is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

USAToday contributed to this report.

Joyce Orlando is an audience specialist with the South Region Audience Team. She can be reached at jorlando@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: 2024 Presidential election: Who's running, VP choices, more
Three schools in the Fort Mill School District arent taking any new students for the foreseeable future.

According to the school district on Wednesday, theres now an enrollment freeze at Gold Hill Elementary School, Gold Hill Middle School, and Pleasant Knoll Middle School.

The district says the freeze is in place in an effort to maintain favorable student-teacher ratios in all schools and limit overcrowding in current buildings.

ALSO READ: Historical marker honors Fort Mill school that served Black students during segregation

Heres what it means for new students who are zoned for those schools.

Gold Hill Elementary School students will be enrolled at Orchard Park Elementary.

Gold Hill Middle School students will be enrolled at Banks Trail Middle School.

Pleasant Knoll Middle School students will be enrolled at Springfield Middle School or Banks Trail Middle school based on which high school theyre zoned for. Students zoned for Nation Ford High School will go to Springfield, while students zoned for Fort Mill High School will go to Banks Trail.

For some parents like Grant Oliver, the announcement comes after they specifically chose to be near the schools.

We moved here mainly because of the community and the schools, the schools being the main part, said Oliver.

And hes not alone -- new families in the area have caused enrollment to grow about 6% per year over the past decade.

If you think about it, thats about a half to a full school every year that we grow, said Fort Mill Schools spokesperson Joe Burke.

The freeze only affects students who are new to the attendance zone, the district said.

RELATED: Millions of dollars will help fund building new schools in Fort Mill

Fort Mill School District says assigned buses will stay the same, and students will travel to their assigned school each day via shuttle.

Burke says the district will re-assess the freeze after the summer to decide if it should continue.

Its a shame for people moving here for that very reason, like we did, Oliver said. Hopefully, they know that going into it; if not, that will be a real shock

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District leaders tell Channel 9 that without the freeze, the district would have to consider increasing class sizes or using more portable classrooms.

The long-term solution is to build new schools, and plans are already in place to build two new elementary schools and one new middle school. Two of those schools are slated to open in 2025.

(WATCH BELOW: USPS office in Fort Mill targeted by mail thieves, detectives say)
Anthony Mitchell died after spending two weeks in a Walker County Jail holding cell naked and without a bed, according to a new lawsuit brought by his mother. US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

An Alabama man is dead after jail officials restrained him in a walk-in freezer, a lawsuit alleged.

The man's internal body temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit by the time he arrived at a hospital.

The man had also been kept naked in an empty holding cell without a bed for roughly two weeks.

A 33-year-old man froze to death in custody at an Alabama jail after being held in a walk-in freezer for hours, according to a new lawsuit filed against multiple jail officials by the man's mother.

Anthony Mitchell was pronounced dead on January 26 after being incarcerated for 14 days "under hellish conditions" in the Walker County Jail, according to the lawsuit brought by Margaret Mitchell on Monday. By the time Mitchell was transported to a local hospital, his internal body temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit and staff spent over three hours unsuccessfully trying to resuscitate him.

"The only way for Tony's body temperature to have 'started dropping' to 72 degrees in such a short period of time was for him to have been placed in a restraint chair in the jail kitchen's walk-in freezer or similar frigid environment and left there for hours," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also quotes notes from Mitchell's doctor stating he believed the cause of death was hypothermia, and noting "it is difficult to understand a temperature of 72 F 22 centigrade while someone is incarcerated in jail." The average human body temperature is roughly 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lawyers representing Mitchell's mother obtained security camera footage from inside the jail showing the hours after Mitchell was allegedly removed from the freezer and returned to his isolation cell. The lawsuit said the videos showed Mitchell lying "motionless and naked on the bare cement floor" in medical distress, while officers "can be seen clowning and laughing."

The attorneys said they obtained the videos from a corrections officer "who dared to preserve security camera footage on her phone" and who wanted Mitchell's family and the public to know what happened to him. That corrections officer, Karen Kelly, has filed her own lawsuit alleging she was fired in retaliation for her actions.

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Personnel from the Walker County Jail did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Mitchell was arrested on January 12, while in a "psychotic and delusional state" partially caused by drug use, according to the lawsuit. One of Mitchell's cousins was concerned about his welfare and called 911 to explain that Mitchell was having a mental breakdown and likely needed an ambulance.

But the Walker County Sheriff's Office said that when deputies arrived at the scene, Mitchell brandished a handgun and opened fire on them. They arrested Mitchell and held him at the Walker County Jail on an attempted murder charge.

Between January 12 and January 26, Mitchell was kept in an isolation cell in the jail's booking area, which lacked a bed or anything else to sleep on and only had a drain in the floor for a toilet, according to his mother's lawsuit. Jail staff also took Mitchell's false teeth on January 15, leaving him without the ability to chew solid food for more than 10 days, according to the documents.

The lawsuit claims Mitchell was in obvious medical distress while jail officials were "clowning an laughing." US District Court for the Northern District of Albama

Mitchell appeared to have been kept completely naked the entire time he was incarcerated and was not given a jail uniform until he was transported to the hospital on January 26, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said Mitchell's cousin received a phone call from jail staff describing him as "the worst case of addiction we've ever seen" and explaining that Mitchell's body temperature had started dropping that morning and prompted the jail to transport him to the hospital.

"Based on these circumstances, it appears that Tony was strapped into a restraint chair during the night of January 25 to January 26 and placed in the jail kitchen's walk-in freezer or similar frigid environment for an extended time, possibly as punishment," the lawsuit said.

Read the original article on Insider
Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 16 out of 32 Russian missiles

He said 16 of the incoming missiles were shot down by Ukraines air defense forces.

He added that Russia fired 12 Kh-101/555 air-based cruise missiles, eight Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles, 12 Kh-22 air-based cruise missiles, three Kh-59/31 guided air missiles, and one Onyx anti-ship missile.

Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers flying over Kursk Oblast and the Caspian Sea respectively, Su-35 tactical aircraft in airspace near the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol, in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and cruise missile carriers in the Black Sea were used for the launches.

Read also: Russian aviation avoiding entering defended Ukrainian airspace, says Air Force

The Ukrainian Air Force and air defense forces destroyed 14 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, Kalibr and two Kh-59 guided air missiles.

Unfortunately, some of the Kh-22 cruise missiles reached their targets, hitting critical infrastructure facilities. Currently, (Ukraine has) no weapons capable of destroying this type of missile, the Air Force Command said.

On Feb. 16, Russia again attacked Ukrainian cities with missiles. From 02:35 a.m. to 04:41 a.m. an air raid alert was declared in all regions.

The authorities of Lviv Oblast reported a hit on a critical infrastructure facility.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A look at the shareholders of Saga plc (LON:SAGA) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 47% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Saga.

See our latest analysis for Saga

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Saga?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Saga already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Saga, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Saga. Roger De Haan is currently the largest shareholder, with 27% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 5.6% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 4.2% by the third-largest shareholder.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 8 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

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Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Saga

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Saga plc. It has a market capitalization of just UK244m, and insiders have UK65m worth of shares in their own names. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 20% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Saga better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks for example - Saga has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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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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
Five people were displaced after a two-alarm fire ripped through a home in Belmont on Wednesday night, officials said.

Crews responding to a report of a fire on Belmont Street around 8:45 p.m. found flames shooting from the top floor of the home, according to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano.

The blaze was brought under control around 10 p.m. There were no reported injuries.

The Red Cross was called to the scene to help the residents of the home find shelter.

Firefighters from Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, and Arlington helped Belmont crews battle the blaze.

The State Fire Marshals Office is assisting the Belmont Fire Department with an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
As the creator economy grows, so does the number of companies looking for candidates who know TikTok.

Insider found currently listed internships that require skills in brainstorming, filming, editing, and posting TikToks.

Most are paid, but pay was not disclosed on all the listings, and some also offered college credit.

Your TikTok skills could get you paid.

Companies are looking for interns to help them with their TikToks.

One recruiter looking for talent in the creator economy previously told Insider that more companies are looking for social media and influencer marketing hires.

"They really want someone who knows TikTok," said Kelly Gordon, a principal marketing agent at Creative People in New York City. She said stand-out candidates "understand who's gaining traction on the different platforms" including TikTok.

Insider found eight internships listed right now that are looking for candidates who can ideate, film, and edit video for TikTok and other social media platforms.

Jetzy is a social media app for people around the world to connect with each other while traveling. Through the social network, travelers can meet in person or get local recommendations from each other.

The internship is remote or in New York City. Jetzy is looking for someone to create original content everyday on TikTok that's up to date with trends and popular sounds on the app. Interns are responsible for building Jetzy's TikTok following and views, and connecting with other creators to make branded content.

Interns should have prior experience with filming, editing, and using TikTok features, and at least one year of experience in the creative field, professionally or unprofessionally. They must also have "an upbeat personality" and love travel.

NoGood is a marketing agency that has worked with Nike, Johnson & Johnson, and American Express.

The agency is looking for an intern "who lives and breathes" TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other social media platforms. Interns should feel confident in front of a camera, and have passion for creating videos and static content.

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Interns should be aware of what's trending in marketing, tech, and online to stay relevant. The job will include conceptualizing and creating TikTok and Instagram Reels content, and growing engagement and followers for NoGood. Interns also have to write and update articles on social media topics and the creator economy for NoGood's blog.

Experience with either a professional or personal TikTok is required, as well as shooting and editing video, and researching and explaining topics.

The internship pays $16 an hour and is located in New York City, remote is not specified.

HABIT is a skincare brand that makes an SPF mist.

The company is looking for an intern to make video content and develop strategy for HABIT's TikTok account that has almost 400,000 followers.

Interns will create video content on their own or with the HABIT team, and find other creators to make content with. They will also develop content strategy and stay up to date with TikTok trends. Interns must have experience with video editing software and transcription, and have to be comfortable with being on camera.

The internship is remote or in New York City, and offers either college credit or hourly pay.

Las Vegas Premier Marketing is a marketing company that specializes in retail programs for its clients.

The company is looking for a content creator to grow its TikTok and Instagram accounts. Interns are responsible for conceptualizing videos, filming original video, and editing content. They also have to engage with followers and contribute to strategy for the channel.

Interns have to be comfortable being on camera, have over one year of experience in the creative field, have history with creating content for themselves or another brand, and knowledge of TikTok and Instagram Reels trends.

The role pays between $15 and $20 an hour, plus bonuses and incentives. The internship is not remote, and interns have to work on-site.

Legacy EV provides kits with car parts to help people converting to electric vehicles.

The company is looking for a content creator with a background in filming and editing to produce content for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Interns will record and edit videos that go on the company website, newsletter, social media platforms, and the YouTube channel. They will also be able to attend automotive events, educational classes, and other business activities.

Candidates should be going into sophomore, junior, or senior year, and be majoring or minoring in digital film, digital design, social media, or marketing.

The internship is on-site in Tempe, Arizona, and pays between $14 and $18.

Ghia is a non-alcoholic aperitif.

Interns at Ghia will conceptualize and create content for the company's TikTok page, as well as schedule and post the videos. They will also engage with Ghia's TikTok community, stay up to date on trends, and create partnerships with other creators.

Candidates should have passion for hospitality, and the food and beverage industry. In lieu of a cover letter, candidates should submit a resume and a 30 to 60 second TikTok style video telling Ghia why they should be an intern.

Ghia offers a weekly Sweetgreen credit and competitive pay.

Rowan is an ear piercing and jewelry company.

The company is looking for an intern to manage and create content for Rowan's social media channels. The intern will be responsible for keeping up with social media trends, and conceptualizing, filming, and editing video content.

Interns are also responsible for working with the marketing team to build Rowan's influencer program.

Candidates should have experience with filming and editing social media video, and currently studying marketing, communications, or a relevant degree.

The internship pays $16 an hour and is hybrid with candidates in New York City, Chicago, and Boston preferred.

TravSolo is an app for solo travelers to create their itinerary and meet other people. The internship is remote or located in New York City.

The TikTok intern will work with TravSolo's founder to build the company's TikTok from scratch, and make content that follows TravSolo's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. The intern is responsible for increasing TravSolo's followers and reach on TikTok, and find other travel creators to collaborate with.

Interns must have at least one year of experience using TikTok, including growing an account, general knowledge of social media tools, and general knowledge of how to manage email marketing campaigns.

Note: This internship is unpaid, but interns can get college credit.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Latoya Stringer, an RN, holds the hand of a patient who is six weeks pregnant during an abortion procedure at the Northeast Ohio Women's Center in Cuyahoga Falls last year.

Mia found out she was pregnant in mid-August last year, weeks after she had taken Plan B to prevent just that.

An undocumented immigrant and student, Mia supports her family financially and knew she wouldn't be able to manage a pregnancy while trying to finish school. She scheduled an appointment with an Ohio abortion provider, who told her she wouldn't be able to get the procedure in-state.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade weeks prior in their ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, prompting Ohio officials to reinstate the ban on abortions when cardiac activity can be detected. That's usually about six weeks into a pregnancy.

More:Two groups join forces to put abortion access on Ohio's 2023 ballot

Mia was among nearly 400 Ohioans who traveled out of state to get an abortion after the Dobbs ruling last year, according to research published Thursday from the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network. The findings show that confusion abounded in the months after the decision as state laws quickly changed and got caught up in lawsuits.

The Ohio ban is currently on hold, blocked by a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to weigh in on the case.

Patients who shared their stories for the study, including Mia, were given pseudonyms to protect their privacy.

Mia ultimately went to Illinois to get an abortion after weighing her options and got financial support from an abortion fund. But she told researchers it was a difficult journey: She traveled alone by bus, got harassed by men and had to get off at each stop because she was sick.

"It was so hard to do it," Mia said. "I did it anyway."

How did abortion in Ohio change after Dobbs decision?

Abortions in Ohio decreased by 56% in July 2022 compared to July 2021, the study found. Providers performed 690 fewer abortions in August 2022 than the year prior.

Researchers estimate that over 1,500 people who previously could have gotten treatment in Ohio were unable to do so in that two-month period.

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Dr. Catherine Romanos, with the Women's Med Center in Kettering, performs a sonogram on a woman from Kentucky on June 30, 2022.

At the same time, the study reported a jump in out-of-state abortions during the summer months. Roughly two-thirds of patients who sought abortions outside Ohio went to Illinois and Michigan, which have the least restrictive abortion laws in the Midwest. Twenty percent went to Indiana for the procedure, and others traveled to Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

Indiana passed a near-total abortion ban in September, but some providers sent patients there initially because the state's previous law was less stringent than Ohio's. Among those patients was a 10-year-old Ohio girl who was raped and impregnated by 27-year-old Gerson Fuentes, according to Franklin County prosecutors.

According to the study, researchers surveyed facilities in Ohio and other states on a monthly basis to collect data. Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said the findings warrant some skepticism since the Ohio Department of Health won't release its 2022 abortion statistics for several more months.

Still, he said this affirms that abortions will decline in Ohio if lawmakers enact "commonsense, pro-life initiatives."

"Were not naive to recognize the fact that there are no limits or restrictions on travel from one state or another for any purpose or any reason," Gonidakis said.

Tamara, a mother of two in her 30s, discovered she was pregnant in October after a doctor previously dissuaded her from tubal litigation. She told researchers she wasn't sure if abortion was legal in Ohio and couldn't get an appointment with the first clinic she called because of uncertainty over the state's law. She eventually scheduled an appointment nearly two hours from her home.

"I'm a parent. I'm a single parent at that," Tamara said. "I'm already struggling with two kids. How smart is it for me to throw another one on top of that? Not even talking about financially. Mentally. Just mentally."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio abortions decreased after Dobbs ruling as patients left state
Tree planting marks 30 years of Vietnam  Israel diplomacy

A tree planting ceremony was held in the Israeli city of Asdod on February 15 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Israel.













Vietnamese ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung and representatives of Asdod city plant a tree, kick-starting an activity to celebrate 30 years of vietnam - Israel diplomacy this year.





Among participants at the ceremony were Asdods vice mayor Eli Nacht and leaders of relevant agencies of the city.



Addressing the event, Vietnamese ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung noted the tree planting ceremony kick-started a range of activities to be held this year to mark 30 years of diplomacy between the two countries.



Both sides will promote many cooperation activities this year for the common development of the two countries and people-to-people connections, he stressed.



Vice Mayor Eli Nacht for his part said that diplomatic relations would be meaningless without practical activities between agencies, businesses and people of the two countries, helping to promote economic development and enhance mutual understanding. According to the official, tree planting is one of those practical activities.



The tree planting campaign was initiated by Alexander Oberfeld, Asdod City Councilor. In his opinion, the relationship between Vietnam and Israel has yet to be on par with the two countries potential.



As one of the largest and most developed cities in Israel, Asdod will be the ideal starting point to take the relationship between the two countries to new heights, and we see that Vietnam has a lot of potential for stronger cooperation in the fields of trade, health, and education, he said.



Vietnam and Israel officially established diplomatic relations in 1993. Israel opened its embassy in Hanoi in the same year, and Vietnam established its embassy in Tel Aviv in 2009.



Over the past 30 years, the two countries have maintained many substantive and effective cooperation activities, especially in the fields of trade, technology, agriculture, and education.
By Niket Nishant and Akash Sriram

(Reuters) - Companies that have been spending actively in pursuit of growth opportunities will be the chief targets of activist investors in the first half of the year, according to a report from data provider Insightia.

In an economic reality where capital is hard to come by and recession is a likelihood, activist investors will ask companies to focus more on margins and the quickest path to profitability, the report said.

"There will (also) be some cases where activists will push for buybacks and dividends," said Josh Black, editor-in-chief of Insightia, a brand of software company Diligent .

In the second half of 2023, as the U.S. Federal Reserve possibly eases off its hiking cycle and the market for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) improves, companies with significant drops in valuations will see more activists campaign for a sale, according to the report.

Several high-profile U.S. firms have lately been caught in the crosshairs of activist investors, who push for changes and wage proxy fights against management for board seats.

Top 10 activist investors in 2022 https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-COMPANIES/ACTIVISM/zjpqjwrjjvx/chart.png

Trian Fund's Nelson Peltz in January started a proxy fight against Walt Disney Co, but withdrew his bid for a board seat earlier this month after the media giant announced a restructuring program that addressed most of the fund's criticisms.

Earlier this week, payments and banking conglomerate FIS unveiled plans to spin-off its merchant business following pressure to explore strategic options from activist investors D.E. Shaw Group and Jana Partners.

The report said Elliott Management took the top spot in 2022, as eight of the nine campaigns it publicly launched last year were either successful or partially successful, with one still ongoing.

The number of companies publicly subjected to new campaigns by activist investors worldwide hit 929 in 2022, a 6% increase from a year earlier.

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That was driven by robust activity focused on capital allocation, board changes, and environmental and social demands, the report said.

Activist investor campaigns launched in the past three years

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-COMPANIES/ACTIVISM/lbvggbknavq/chart.png

(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
Raquel Welch in 2017. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File

Raquel Welch, the bombshell actress who rose to worldwide fame after appearing in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C., died on Wednesday. She was 82.

Her management company, Media Four, said in a statement that Welch died "peacefully" following a brief illness.

Born Jo Raquel Tejada on Sept. 5, 1940, she moved from Chicago to La Jolla, California, when she was a toddler. She won her first beauty pageant at 14, and was named Maid of California in 1958. Welch worked as a weather girl for a San Diego television station before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. In the mid-1960s, she became a contract player at 20th Century Fox, and the studio suggested she change her name to Debbie, because Raquel "felt too ethnic," she told the Los Angeles Times in a later interview. But, she refused, saying, "I'm proud of my Bolivian heritage."

She had three lines in One Million Years B.C., but her appearance in a bikini on the movie's poster launched her to stardom. "In one fell swoop, everything in my life changed and everything about the real me was swept away," she wrote in her 2010 memoir. "All else would be eclipsed by this bigger than life sex symbol."

Welch's career went on to span over five decades, and the Golden Globe winner starred in more than 30 films with 50 television roles and appearances. She also had a turn on Broadway, earning rave reviews in 1981 for her performance in the musical Woman of the Year. In recent years, Welch launched a wig line, and starred in the sitcom Date My Dad. She is survived by her son Damon Welch and daughter Tahnee Welch.

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To create is human. For the past 300,000 years weve been unique in our ability to make art, cuisine, manifestos, societies: to envision and craft something new where there was nothing before.

Now we have company. While youre reading this sentence, artificial intelligence (AI) programs are painting cosmic portraits, responding to emails, preparing tax returns, and recording metal songs. Theyre writing pitch decks, debugging code, sketching architectural blueprints, and providing health advice.

Artificial intelligence has already had a pervasive impact on our lives. AIs are used to price medicine and houses, assemble cars, determine what ads we see on social media. But generative AI, a category of system that can be prompted to create wholly novel content, is much newer.

TIME photo illustration

This shift marks the most important technological breakthrough since social media. Generative AI tools have been adopted ravenously in recent months by a curious, astounded public, thanks to programs like ChatGPT, which responds coherently (but not always accurately) to virtually any query, and Dall-E, which allows you to conjure any image you dream up. In January, ChatGPT reached 100 million monthly users, a faster rate of adoption than Instagram or TikTok. Hundreds of similarly astonishing generative AIs are clamoring for adoption, from Midjourney to Stable Diffusion to GitHubs Copilot, which allows you to turn simple instructions into computer code.

Read More: The Creator of ChatGPT Thinks AI Should Be Regulated

Proponents believe this is just the beginning: that generative AI will reorient the way we work and engage with the world, unlock creativity and scientific discoveries, and allow humanity to achieve previously unimaginable feats. Forecasters at PwC predict that AI could boost the global economy by over $15 trillion by 2030.

This frenzy appeared to catch off guard even the tech companies that have invested billions of dollars in AIand has spurred an intense arms race in Silicon Valley. In a matter of weeks, Microsoft and Alphabet-owned Google have shifted their entire corporate strategies in order to seize control of what they believe will become a new infrastructure layer of the economy. Microsoft is investing $10 billion in OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT and Dall-E, and announced plans to integrate generative AI into its Office software and search engine, Bing. Google declared a code red corporate emergency in response to the success of ChatGPT and rushed its own search-oriented chatbot, Bard, to market. A race starts today, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Feb. 7, throwing down the gauntlet at Googles door. Were going to move, and move fast.

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Wall Street has responded with similar fervor, with analysts upgrading the stocks of companies that mention AI in their plans and punishing those with shaky AI-product rollouts. While the technology is real, a financial bubble is expanding around it rapidly, with investors betting big that generative AI could be as market shaking as Microsoft Windows 95 or the first iPhone.

Read More: Fun AI Apps Are Everywhere Right Now. But a Safety Reckoning Is Coming

But this frantic gold rush could also prove catastrophic. As companies hurry to improve the tech and profit from the boom, research about keeping these tools safe is taking a back seat. In a winner-takes-all battle for power, Big Tech and their venture-capitalist backers risk repeating past mistakes, including social medias cardinal sin: prioritizing growth over safety. While there are many potentially utopian aspects of these new technologies, even tools designed for good can have unforeseen and devastating consequences. This is the story of how the gold rush beganand what history tells us about what could happen next.

A timeline of early AI advances this decade Lon Tweeten/TIME

In fact, generative AI knows the problems of social media all too well. AI-research labs have kept versions of these tools behind closed doors for several years, while they studied their potential dangers, from misinformation and hate speech to the unwitting creation of snowballing geopolitical crises.

That conservatism stemmed in part from the unpredictability of the neural network, the computing paradigm that modern AI is based on, which is inspired by the human brain. Instead of the traditional approach to computer programming, which relies on precise sets of instructions yielding predictable results, neural networks effectively teach themselves to spot patterns in data. The more data and computing power these networks are fed, the more capable they tend to become.

In the early 2010s, Silicon Valley woke up to the idea that neural networks were a far more promising route to powerful AI than old-school programming. But the early AIs were painfully susceptible to parroting the biases in their training data: spitting out misinformation and hate speech. When Microsoft unveiled its chatbot Tay in 2016, it took less than 24 hours for it to tweet Hitler was right I hate the jews and that feminists should all die and burn in hell. OpenAIs 2020 predecessor to ChatGPT exhibited similar levels of racism and misogyny.

Read More: OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less Toxic

The AI boom really began to take off around 2020, turbocharged by several crucial breakthroughs in neural-network design, the growing availability of data, and the willingness of tech companies to pay for gargantuan levels of computing power. But the weak spots remained, and the history of embarrassing AI stumbles made many companies, including Google, Meta, and OpenAI, mostly reluctant to publicly release their cutting-edge models. In April 2022, OpenAI announced Dall-E 2, a text-to-image AI model that could generate photorealistic imagery. But it initially restricted the release to a waitlist of trusted users, whose usage would, OpenAI said, help it to understand and address the biases that DALLE has inherited from its training data.

Even though OpenAI had onboarded 1 million users to Dall-E by July, many researchers in the wider AI community had grown frustrated by OpenAI and other AI companies look-but-dont-touch approach. In August 2022, a scrappy London-based startup named Stability AI went rogue and released a text-to-image tool, Stable Diffusion, to the masses. Releasing AI tools publicly would, according to a growing school of thought, allow developers to collect valuable data from usersand give society more time to prepare for the drastic changes advanced AI would bring.

Stable Diffusion quickly became the talk of the internet. Millions of users were enchanted by its ability to create art seemingly from scratch, and the tools outputs consistently achieved virality as users experimented with different prompts and concepts. You had this generative Pandoras box that opened, says Nathan Benaich, an investor and co-author of the 2022 State of AI Report. It shocked OpenAI and Google, because now the world was able to use tools that they had gated. It put everything on overdrive.

OpenAI quickly followed suit by throwing open the doors to Dall-E 2. Then, in November, it released ChatGPT to the public, reportedly in order to beat out looming competition. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized in interviews that the more people used AI programs, the faster they would improve.

Users immediately flocked to both OpenAI and its competitors. AI-generated images flooded social media and one even won an art competition; movie editors began using AI-assisted software for Hollywood hits like Everything Everywhere All at Once. Architects are devising AI blueprints; coders are writing AI-based scripts; publications are releasing AI quizzes and articles. Venture capitalists took notice, and have thrown over a billion dollars at AI companies that might unlock the next great productivity boost. Chinese tech giants Baidu and Alibaba announced chatbots of their own, boosting their share prices.

A timeline of recent generative AI releases Lon Tweeten/TIME

Microsoft, Google, and Meta, meanwhile, are taking the frenzy to extreme levels. While each has stressed the importance of AI for years, they all appeared surprised by the dizzying surge in attention and usageand now seem to be prioritizing speed over safety. In February, Google announced plans to release its ChatGPT rival Bard, and according to the New York Times said in a presentation that it will recalibrate the level of risk it is willing to take when releasing tools based on AI technology. And in Metas recent quarterly earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared his aim for the company to become a leader in generative AI.

Read More: AI Helped Write This Play. It May Contain Racism

In this rush, mistakes and harms from the tech have risenand so has the backlash. When Google demonstrated Bard, one of its responses contained a factual error about the Webb Space Telescopeand Alphabets stock cratered immediately after. Microsofts Bing is also prone to returning false results. Deepfakesrealistic yet false images or videos created with AIare being used to harass people or spread misinformation: one widely shared video showed a shockingly convincing version of Joe Biden condemning transgender people.

Companies including Stability AI are facing lawsuits from artists and rights holders who object to their work being used to train AI models without permission. And a TIME investigation found that OpenAI used outsourced Kenyan workers who were paid less than $2 an hour to review toxic content, including sexual abuse, hate speech and violence.

As worrying as these current issues are, they pale in comparison with what could emerge next if this race continues to accelerate. Many of the choices being made by Big Tech companies today mirror those they made in previous eras, which had devastating ripple effects.

Social mediathe Valleys last truly world-changing innovationcarries the first valuable lesson. It was built on the promise that connecting people would make our societies healthier and individuals happier. More than a decade later, we can see that its failures came not from that welcome connectedness, but the way tech companies monetized it: by slowly warping our news feeds to optimize for engagement, keeping us scrolling through viral content interspersed with targeted online advertising. True social connection has become increasingly sparse on our feeds. At the same time, our societies have been left to deal with the second-order implications: a gutted news business, a rise in misinformation, and a skyrocketing teen mental-health crisis.

Its not hard to see AIs integration into Big Tech products going down the same road. Alphabet and Microsoft are most interested in how AI will make their search engines more valuable, and have shown demos of Google and Bing in which the first results users see are AI-created. But Margaret Mitchell, chief ethics scientist at the AI-development platform Hugging Face, argues that search engines are the absolute worst way to use generative AI, because it gets things wrong so often. Mitchell says the actual strengths of AIs like ChatGPTassisting with creativity, ideation, and menial tasksare being sidelined in favor of shoehorning the technology into moneymaking machines for tech giants.

Read More: AI Chatbots Are Getting Better. But an Interview With ChatGPT Reveals Their Limits

If search engines successfully integrate AI, that subtle shift could decimate the many businesses that rely on search, either for ad traffic or business referrals. Nadella, Microsofts CEO, has said the new AI-oriented Bing search engine will drive more traffic, and therefore revenue, to publishers and advertisers. But like the brewing pushback against AI-generated art, many in the media now fear a future where tech giants chatbots cannibalize content from news sites, providing nothing in return.

The question of how AI companies will monetize their projects also looms large. For now, most are free to use, because their creators are following the Silicon Valley playbook of charging little or nothing for products to crowd out competition, subsidized by huge investments from venture-capital firms. While unsuccessful companies adopting this strategy slowly bleed money, the winners often end up with vicelike grips on markets they can control as they see fit. Right now, ChatGPT is ad-less and free to use. Its also burning a hole in OpenAIs pocketbook: each individual chat costs the company single-digit cents, according to its CEO. The companys ability to weather huge losses right now, thanks partly to Microsofts largesse, gives it a huge competitive advantage.

In February, OpenAI brought in a $20 monthly charge for a subscription tier of the chatbot. Google already prioritizes paid ads in search results. Its not much of a leap to imagine it doing the same with AI-generated results. If humans come to rely on AIs for information, it will be increasingly difficult to tell what is factual, what is an ad, and what is completely made up.

As profit takes precedence over safety, some technologists and philosophers warn of existential risk. The explicit goal of many of these AI companiesincluding OpenAIis to create an Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, that can think and learn more efficiently than humans. If future AIs gain the ability to rapidly improve themselves without human guidance or intervention, they could potentially wipe out humanity. An oft-cited thought experiment is that of an AI that, following a command to maximize the number of paperclips it can produce, makes itself into a world-dominating superintelligence that harvests all the carbon at its disposal, including from all life on earth. In a 2022 survey of AI researchers, nearly half of the respondents said that there was a 10% or greater chance that AI could lead to such a catastrophe.

Inside the most cutting-edge AI labs, a few technicians are working to ensure that AIs, if they eventually surpass human intelligence, are aligned with human values. They are designing benevolent gods, not spiteful ones. But only around 80 to 120 researchers in the world are working full-time on AI alignment, according to an estimate shared with TIME by Conjecture, an AI-safety organization. Meanwhile, thousands of engineers are working on expanding capabilities as the AI arms race heats up.

When it comes to very powerful technologiesand obviously AI is going to be one of the most powerful everwe need to be careful, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google-owned AI lab DeepMind, told TIME late last year. Not everybody is thinking about those things. Its like experimentalists, many of whom dont realize theyre holding dangerous material.

Even if computer scientists succeed in making sure the AIs dont wipe us out, their increasing centrality to the global economy could make the Big Tech companies who control it vastly more powerful. They could become not just the richest corporations in the worldcharging whatever they want for commercial use of this critical infrastructurebut also geopolitical actors to rival nation-states.

Read More: Big Tech Hasnt Fixed AIs Misinformation ProblemYet

The leaders of OpenAI and DeepMind have hinted that theyd like the wealth and power emanating from AI to be somehow redistributed. The Big Tech executives who control the purse strings, on the other hand, are primarily accountable to their shareholders.

Of course, many Silicon Valley technologies that promised to change the world havent. Were not all living in the metaverse. Crypto bros who goaded nonadopters to have fun staying poor are nursing their losses or even languishing behind prison bars. The streets of cities around the world are littered with the detritus of failed e-scooter startups.

But while AI has been subject to a similar level of breathless hype, the difference is that the technology behind AI is already useful to consumers and getting better at a breakneck pace: AIs computational power is doubling every six to 10 months, researchers say. It is exactly this immense power that makes the current moment so electrifyingand so dangerous.

With reporting by Leslie Dickstein and Mariah Espada
The Air Force reported on Russia's new tactics during the missile attack

Ukrainians were awoken at 2.35 a.m. to the sounds of air raid sirens as Russia launched a barrage of cruise missiles at targets across the country. Some 36 missiles were fired, of which 16 were reported to have been shot down.

Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on Ukrainian televisions Channel 24 that Russia usually used Shahed drones at night to probe into Ukrainian air defense system, identifying positions and correcting for a possible missile attack in the morning. Last night, however, the Russians used missiles and UAVs for this.

Additionally, the aggressor has begun to use false targets to wear down Ukrainian air defense forces.

False targets can come in the form of balloons with attacked radar reflectors, drones, and Kh-55 cruise missiles with dummy warheads, Ihnat said. He said that the Air Force had to react to the targets, false or otherwise.

These are returns on the radars, they have to be shot down, as it is not known whether there is a combat unit there or not, he said.

Ihnat said that among the 36 missiles fired by the Russian military were two Kh-59 missiles fired from Su-35 tactical aircraft in the Melitopol area.

Such missiles actually have a nose with a camera  the operator can direct it to the target quite precisely. These two missiles were destroyed, he added.

Read also: Russia attacks Pavlohrad with missiles at night, killing one person and injuring another seven

Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles were also launched from two Tu-95 strategic aircraft over the Caspian Sea. In addition, Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea were launched from a Russian warship.

Russia also fired 12 X-22 missiles. They have a target accuracy of about 600 meters(meaning they can be more than half-a-kilometers off target). They carry a one-ton high-explosive warhead and can cause significant destruction. It was this time of missile that caused mass casualties in January in Dnipro in a strike on an apartment building, and in Kremenchuk in June in a strike on a shopping mall.

During the Feb. 16 overnight attack, critical infrastructure facilities were hit, with impacts being recorded in Kremenchuk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Lviv oblasts.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
BENGALURU (Reuters) - Air India has options and purchase rights to buy 370 more aircraft from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade, an company executive said in a recent LinkedIn post, days after the carrier unveiled a record order for 470 jets.

"The order comprises of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade," said Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial and transformation officer at Air India, wrote in a post late Wednesday.

The firm order comprises 220 Boeing planes and 250 Airbus aircraft, while the options can be converted to firm orders at a later date.

Aggarwal also said Air India had signed long-term engine maintenance contracts with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.

The Tata Group-owned airline aims to capitalise on India's growing base of fliers and large diaspora across the world.

Aggarwal said the aspiration with this order is to connect India "non-stop" to every major city in the world and shows the "tremendous economic potential" unleashed by the privatisation of Air India.

(Reporting by Aditi Shah in New Delhi and Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
AIRMONT  Village Trustee Brian Downey has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegally possessing an unregistered firearm he obtained by mail in 2021, ending his tenure on the Board of Trustees.

Downey potentially faces 18 to 24 months in federal prison under the plea agreement he signed with federal prosecutors. His sentencing is scheduled for June 1. The Journal-News/lohud obtained the agreement on Friday from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District.

"Based upon the calculations set forth above, the defendants stipulated Guidelines range is 18 to 24 months imprisonment (the Stipulated Guidelines Range)," according to the plea agreement. "In addition, after determining the defendants ability to pay, the Court may impose a fine ... At Guidelines level 15, the applicable fine range is $7,500 to $10,000."

Downey's attorney and prosecutors can seek a sentence outside the guidelines range, according to the agreement.

U.S. District Court Judge Judge Cathy Seibel will decide Downey's sentence, scheduled for June 1 at the federal courthouse in White Plains Seibel is not obligated to follow the sentencing guidelines or any recommendations from the prosecutors or the defence attorney.

Downey, a suspended Ramapo deputy building inspector who also worked part-time as a court officer, still faces dozens of state charges in Rockland County Court in New City. He's scheduled to enter a plea on Feb. 28 before Judge Larry Schwartz.

Downey is not seeking re-election to a second, four-year term in the March 21 village election. A felony conviction automatically removes him from office under the state Public Officers Law. Mayor Nathan Bubel appointed Morris Friedman as Downey's successor.

Brian Downey, elected Airmont trustee March 19, 2019

Plea agreement: Brian Downey's guilty plea to illegal gun possession outlioned.

Gun charges: Airmont Deputy Mayor Brian Downey arrested, accused of buying gun parts over the Internet

Federal complaint: Brian Downey charged with illegal possession of weapons

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Arrest: What Airmont Deputy Mayor Brian Downey told federal agent during his weapons arrest

Downey and his attorney, Andrew Quinn, didn't return several attempts at seeking comment on his federal guilty plea and the County Court case. The Rockland District Attorney's Office declined to comment.

Downey waived indictment and signed a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office on Feb. 10. He had faced a federal complaint charging him with one count of possession of unregistered firearms and one count of possession of federal badges and identification cards.

Downey admitted to receiving and possessing a PA-15 rifle that had been modified and had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registry, according to a document filed with the U.S. District Court in White Plains.

The details involving the criminal charges are contained in a 10-page federal complaint dated Sept. 3, 2021. His attorney had been negotiating for months with federal prosecutors to avoid a grand jury presentation and a trial.

Downey was arrested at his Airmont home on Sept. 2, 2021, following a joint investigation by U.S. Homeland Security and the Rockland District Attorney's Office.

During the early morning raid in 2021 on Downey's home, investigators removed what they called an arsenal of weapons.

The Rockland County District Attorney's Office said it seized these guns from the home of Airmont Deputy Mayor Brian Downey

Downey, found with an arsenal of rifles and numerous fraudulent law enforcement badges, acknowledged to federal agents that he lacked the legal registration for several weapons found during a raid on his house, according to a federal criminal complaint.

The complaint states Downey told the agents he believed he was permitted to modify short-barrel rifles. His reasoning was he was a peace officer, according to the complaint. Downey, a part-time court officer licensed to carry a gun, also stated he understood short-barreled rifles cannot be legally possessed without specific authorization, the document states.

In what the federal complaint describes as a basement gun room, authorities seized 17 unregistered firearms and 13 firearm silencers. Many of the rifles were displayed on a rack hanging on a black wall, according to photographs in the complaint. Additional weapons were leaned against walls.

Guns and weapons seized

As a result of the raid, Rockland prosecutors initially charged Downey with 11 felony counts  two counts of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, seven counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Additional counts followed from a grand jury

The investigation was conducted by the Rockland County District Attorneys Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Postal Service inspectors.

Downey has been released on a $250,000 personal recognizance bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause.

Downey is not seeking re-election on March 21. He won a four-year term running with Bubel and Migdalia Pesante, who is not seeking another term after a turbulent four years.

Bubel said Thursday in a statement that he's appointed Friedman to succeed Downey. Friedman resigned from the Planning Board on Thursday to take the post. He's one of Bubel's two running mates in the March election.

Downey won the election in March 2019 with Bubel and Pesante, starting a political shift in the Ramapo village along the town's southern tier. The three first-time candidates defeated incumbent Mayor Philip Gigante and trustees Paul Marchesani and Anthony Valvo of Preserve Airmont with the strong support of the village's growing Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish voters.

Bubel's running mates in March on the Airmont Forward Party line are Friedman and Lawrence O. Toole, the clerk to the Rockland Legislature and former in-law of former Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, booted from office on federal convictions.

Running on the Airmont Taxpayer Party are former Mayor and Trustee Ralph Bracco Sr. and trustee candidates Marcal Matthews and Joseph Sferrazza.

Brian Nugent, of Feerick Nugent MacCartney in South Nyack, the special counsel to Airmont, said his office has confirmed that Downey entered a plea of guilty to a felony charge in federal court.

"Pursuant to the provisions of the New York State Public Officers Law  30, a public office in New York State is deemed automatically vacated upon the entry of a guilty plea in federal court to a felony," Nugent said. "Accordingly, Brian Downey's Village Trustee position became vacant at the moment of his plea."

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Downey loses Airmont seat on felony conviction, faces state gun charges
Infowars host Alex Jones is holding guns for two of his employees after they were charged for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy statement filed Tuesday and first reported by The Washington Post on Thursday, a section asking for Jones to identify property he owns or controls mentions Holding firearms for certain January 6th participants to be provided.

Jones told HuffPost the firearms belong to two other members of his Infowars media empire: host Owen Shroyer and video editor Sam Montoya, who have both been charged for their roles in the riot.

Both their lawyers respectively asked us if they could store those guns here while the cases were going on, Jones said. Due to the request of their lawyers we have ... stored the guns here.

Shroyer is charged with four misdemeanors related to his involvement in the Capitol attack. Last year, a judge denied Shroyers attempt to get the charges dismissed. Montoya pleaded guilty last year to breaching the Capitol.

We are in the Capitol, baby! Montoya recorded himself saying at the time, according to court records.

Jones filed for bankruptcy with the Southern District of Texas in December following two massive court losses over his repeated lies that the 20 kids and six adults who were killed in Connecticuts 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting never died. He now owes the families nearly $1.5 billion.

Jones attended the Stop the Steal rally held just before the riot at the Capitol, and was seen on the Capitol steps addressing the mob during the attack itself. Jones was also in contact with several prominent people belonging to the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist gang that has seen several of its members put on trial for their roles in the attack.

The filing says Jones has reported assets  including boats and lifetime helicopter access  worth an estimated $10 million.

With Infowars, which generates profits off of Jones lies, the conspiracy theorist has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of supplements and survival gear. For instance, between 2005 and 2008, the Infowars store sold $165 million worth of product, HuffPost first reported last year.
A visibly uncomfortable Alex Murdaugh grimaced as prosecutors played the 911 call in which he reported being shot in the head - in what turned out to be a botched hitman plot.

On the nineteenth day of Mr Murdaughs trial, juries heard a bizarre call he made to 911 dispatchers moments after being shot on the side of a road in Hampton County in September 2021. The shooting happened nearly three months after the murders of Mr Murdaughs son Paul and wife Maggie, which prosecutors say he carried out to distract from his many financial and legal troubles.

Mr Murdaugh initially claimed he was ambushed in the drive-by shooting while changing a tire on his vehicle, but soon after admitted to conspiring to pay a hitman to shoot him dead so that his surviving son Buster would inherit a $10m life insurance windfall.

Ive got a flat tire. Somebody stopped to help me, and when I turned my back, they tried to shoot me, Mr Murdaugh can be heard saying in the 911 audio played in court on Thursday.

The disgraced legal scion said he was bleeding a lot, but remained alert and was even able to describe the weapon he believed was used in his assault and the supposed make of the vehicle his attacker was driving. His injury was ultimately described as a superficial gunshot wound to the head.

LISTEN: 911 CALL on Sept. 4, 2021 from roadside shooting. #AlexMurdaugh calls 911 and says he's been shot. He said he was on the side of the road with a flat tire, a motorist stopped and he thought he was going to help him but shot him instead. pic.twitter.com/5S6PyXRLj3  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 16, 2023

It sounded like a shotgun. It was so loud. It didnt sound like a .22, Mr Murdaugh told a dispatcher.

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The 911 audio was played in court during the prosecutions questioning of South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Senior Special Agent Ryan Kelly.

Mr Kelly described how Mr Murdaugh had helped an artist create a sketch of the purported shooter from his hospital bed. He had described the suspect as a white, 30-to-40-year-old man with cropped hair and facial hair.

Just a week after, Mr Murdaugh confessed to law enforcement that he had orchestrated the whole saga - and the true shooter was a man in his 60s.

He told investigators that he had paid Curtis Eddie Smith  a former law firm client, distant cousin and allegedly his drug dealer  to carry out the shooting. Mr Murdaugh said he provided the weapon used by Mr Smith.

The court heard Mr Murdaughs confession, recorded in a call with SLED agents and his attorneys, where Mr Murdaugh said that he had schemed the plot because he believed his family would be better off without him.

Alex Murdaugh worked with an artist to create this sketch of the nonexistent man he claimed shot him in a botched hitman plot (Colleton County Court)

Mr Kelly testified that he found no debris that could have caused Mr Murdaughs vehicle tire to go flat. Instead, investigators responding to the scene found a knife across the street and noticed that the cars rear-side tire had been cut.

The now-disbarred attorney allegedly contacted Mr Smith from the hospital, while his accounts were linked to deposits made to the alleged roadside gunman, Mr Kelly testified.

During the confession call with Mr Kelly and other SLED agents, Mr Murdaughs attorneys made it clear that they did not want to discuss Paul and Maggies shooting or Mr Murdaughs personal finances.

Mr Murdaugh told the agents that the shooting in Hampton County was not linked to his son and wifes murders at their hunting state in Islandton before admitting to the roadside shooting plot, Mr Kelly told the court.

This photo provided by the Colleton County sheriffs office shows Curtis Edward Smith (Colleton County Sheriffs Office)

Mr Murdaugh also offered no explanation as to why he wasnt straightforward with his motivations when first interviewed.

I was in a very bad place. I thought it would be better for me not to be here anymore. I thought that it would make it easier on my family for me to be dead, he said in a recorded interview with Mr Kelly. ...I dont have a good reason. I was in a bad, bad, bad place.

Mr Murdaugh was also heard telling Mr Kelly that his initial version of the story was mostly accurate, except for the very important detail that it was arranged by me.

Mr Murdaugh has maintained he did not kill Paul and Maggie and pleaded not guilty last June.

The trial for the double murders is now in its fourth week in Walterboro, South Carolina. It is far from Mr Murdaughs only legal problem. Besides the case, Mr Murdaugh is facing at least 100 other criminal charges over a string of financial fraud allegations.
Alex Murdaugh spent a staggering $50,000 a week on drugs which he was buying from the man accused of being his co-conspirator in a botched hitman plot, jurors heard in dramatic courtroom testimony on Wednesday.

Defence attorney Jim Griffin brought up Mr Murdaughs pricey opioids habit during cross-examination of SLED Special Agent David Owen  the lead investigator in the brutal murders of Mr Murdaughs wife Maggie and son Paul.

Mr Griffin claimed that the disgraced attorney was buying $50,000 worth of drugs each week from Curtis Edward Smith, infamously known as Cousin Eddie.

Mr Smith  Mr Murdaughs alleged drug dealer, distant cousin, former law firm client and accused co-conspirator in a bizarre September 2021 botched hitman plot  in turn owed money to a local cowboys gang, said Mr Griffin.

The defence attorney grilled Agent Owen about why the members of this unidentified gang were never treated as suspects in the 7 June 2021 murders and why their DNA was not tested against evidence taken from the crime scene.

The special agent previously testified that, by August 2021, Mr Murdaugh was the one and only suspect in the brutal slayings.

As the husband and father of the victims, and the only individual on the crime scene that night, Agent Owen testified that Mr Murdaugh was in the investigative circle from the very start.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that the gang members were not in the investigative circle and information was not gathered from them.

Mr Murdaugh also never gave Mr Smiths name when asked if he knew anyone who could have hurt Paul and Maggie, said the agent. The disgraced attorneys drug abuse was also not part of the investigation.

Mr Murdaugh has previously confessed to being addicted to opioids for the last 20 years and he entered rehab three months after the murders of Maggie and Paul.

The jury has already heard some evidence about this  including his stint in rehab and his sons apparent attempts to keep an eye on his habit.

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Friends and colleagues at his former law firm PMPED have testified about learning about his opioid addiction months after the murders.

Annette Griswold, who worked as a paralegal at PMPED, testified about a text message she got from Mr Murdaugh while he was in rehab.

Alex Murdaugh is seen during an 11 August interview with law enforcement (Law & Crime)

In it, he apologised for stealing money from his law firm and spoke about his recovery.

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.

Maggies sister Marian Proctor also testified earlier this week that the family had been aware of Mr Murdaughs opioid use.

Maggie even nicknamed Paul the Little Detective as he kept an eye on his fathers behaviour and opioid use, she said.

The cross-examination of Agent Owen has now also offered a major hint about the defences strategy in the high-profile murder case, as the prosecution looks set to rest its case this week.

Throughout the three-week trial, Mr Murdaughs attorneys have dropped in other mentions of his drug abuse and the local gangs in what appears to be an attempt to introduce other potential suspects in the case.

However, the cross-examination somewhat backfired, as it has now paved the way for jurors to hear testimony about the botched hitman plot  and potentially from Mr Smith himself.

On Wednesday morning, Judge Clifton Newman heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defence about whether evidence about the roadside shooting is admissible at trial.

On 4 September 2021  three months on from the murders  the disgraced attorney was ambushed in what he initially claimed was a drive-by shooting along a road in Hampton County.

He checked into rehab the following day, announcing that he was struggling with a 20-year opioid addiction and that he had resigned from his law firm PMPED.

But, Mr Murdaughs story about the roadside shooting soon unravelled and he confessed to law enforcement that he had orchestrated the saga, paying Mr Smith to shoot and kill him in an assisted suicide plot so that his surviving son Buster could get a $10m life insurance windfall.

Curtis Edward Smith in court in June 2022 on charges connected to Mr Murdaugh (2022 The State Newspaper)

Both Mr Smith and Mr Murdaugh were then arrested and charged over the incident.

Judge Newman ruled in favour of the defence on Wednesday morning, deciding that jurors could not hear testimony about the plot.

But then at the close of the days proceedings, Judge Newman reversed course, saying the defence had opened the door to testimony about the plot because in Mr Griffins line of questioning of Agent Owen he introduced the relationship between Mr Murdaugh and Mr Smith  and also suggested that Mr Smith could be a suspect in the murders.

The defence opened the door to the roadside shooting testimony by questioning the witness as to the relationship between Mr Murdaugh and Eddie Smith, payment of money to buy drugs, indebtedness, he said.

Now, the question remains whether the prosecution will call Mr Smith to testify.

He is listed as a state witness but it is unclear if they will put him on the stand  something that the defence has indicated they want the prosecution to do.

On Tuesday, prosecutor Creighton Waters said that while he is on the witness list I didnt say we would be calling him.

Defence attorney Dick Harpootlian laughed and said the cross-examination of Mr Smith is something Im looking forward to.

As well as the roadside shooting, Mr Smith is also now facing trial on charges of helping Mr Murdaugh with a drug and money laundering ring, with authorities alleging he receieved $2.4m in stolen checks from Mr Murdaugh  some of it used to buy Mr Murdaughs opiates.

In October 2022, Mr Murdaughs attorneys claimed that he had failed a lie detector test when asked about that day, appearing to suggest that Mr Smith could be tied to the murders of Maggie and Paul.

The side of the road incident marks one of the most bizarre twists in the sprawling scandal which has enveloped the disgraced heir to a prominent South Carolina legal dynasty over the past 20 months.

Prosecutors claim that Mr Murdaugh shot dead Maggie and Paul at the dog kennels on the familys sprawling 1,700-acre estate at around 8.50pm on the night of 7 June 2021.

Mr Murdaugh claims he was asleep at the house and woke up and went to visit his mother. When he returned, he said he found his wife and sons bodies.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his string of alleged financial crimes  at a time when his multi-million-dollar fraud scheme was on the brink of being exposed.

Meanwhile, the defence is seeking to paint him as a family man who could not have carried out the brutal murders because he loved his wife and son.

The brutal double murders brought to light a series of scandals surrounding Mr Murdaugh including unexplained deaths, the multi-million-dollar fraud scheme and the botched hitman plot.

At the time of the murders, Paul was awaiting trial over the death of Mallory Beach  a 19-year-old woman who died in a 2019 crash in the Murdaugh family boat.

Paul was allegedly drunk driving the boat at the time and crashed it, throwing Beach overboard. Her body washed ashore a week later. Paul was charged with multiple felonies over the boat wreck and was facing 25 years in prison at the time of his murder.

The Beach family sued Mr Murdaugh and a lawsuit hearing was scheduled for the week of the murders. It was postponed following Maggie and Pauls murders.

Days on from the shootings, an investigtion was then 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.

An investigation was also reopened into another mystery death connected to the Murdaugh family  that 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 of his wife and son. He has pleaded not guilty.




Living in the Sunshine State can be a never ending allergy season for some.

Research shows that while Florida may be the perfect environment for plants, flowers and trees, without colder weather, pollen from grass, trees and weeds can aggravate allergies. Seasonal allergies can also be worse for those suffering from asthma and COPD.

According to Dr. Aimee Pragle, Family Medicine Physician Assistant from UF Healths Murray Hill Clinic, while allergy season varies for each individual, Floridas season can begin as early as November or December, pick up in January and February, become high range in April and March and become worse during Floridas rainy season.

We think of rain bringing relief to seasonal allergies but actually pollen grains get carried and are even worse right after a rain storm, she said.

She added the while Floridas Oak, Maple, Pine and Elm, trees, are beautiful, the trees floating yellow pollen aggravates symptoms that include brain fog, a runny nose, congestion, post nasal drip, ear pain, sneezing, headaches, itchy, red and water eyes, eye bags and puffiness.

Dr. Pragle also advised to proactively managing symptoms by frequently changing indoor air filters and taking over the counter medications, nasal sprays and antihistamines. She underscored the importance of consulting a physician before taking any medications, especially for those diagnosed with underlying conditions.

Because some over the counter meds can increase your blood pressure, I would strongly recommend seeing an allergist where you can find out specifically what pollen youre allergic to.

Dr. Pragle suggested that allergy sufferers check the website pollen.com which provides a daily National Allergy Map. Simply insert your zip code to see area allergy levels and pollen count forecasts.

On the website, you can see that JAX is in the middle level most of the year where seasonal allergies can really flare, she concluded.
















Big updates on the I Am Legend sequel have come from producer Akiva Goldsman.

In a recent, lengthy interview with Deadline timed to the announcement of his first-look Warner Bros. deal, Goldsman says the film will use the original movies alternate ending as its launchpad.

The 2007 hit film ended with Will Smiths character Dr. Robert Neville, sacrificing his life to protect two survivors and promising a cure for the virus that infested the world and turned people into Darkseekers.

The films DVDs had an alternate ending of Neville witnessing the emotions of the Darkseekers and escaping to freedom.

Goldsman, who is serving as co-writer and producer of the film, told Deadline, We trace back to the original Matheson book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film.

He continued, What Matheson was talking about was that mans time on the planet as the dominant species had come to an end. Thats a really interesting thing were going to get to explore. There will be a little more fidelity to the original text.

The producer also added that a current HBO series influenced the notion of reviving Richard Mathesons post-apocalyptic world.

This will start a few decades later than the first. Im obsessed with The Last of Us, he said.

The post I Am Legend 2 Producer Gives Update On Sequel With Will Smith And Michael B. Jordan, Says Will Follow Alternate Ending appeared first on Shadow And Act.

He continued, You see how the earth reclaims the world, and theres something beautiful in the question of, as man steps away from being the primary tenant, what happens? That will be especially visual in New York. I dont know if theyll climb up to the empire state building, but the possibilities are endless.

Jordan also joins the team as a producer.

Goldsman didnt reveal how Jordan will fit into the storyline.

The original film grossed over $585 million for Warner Brothers.

The production company trusts that Goldsman can create the same movie magic as it is signing on to revive 2005s Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves.

Goldsman serves as the sequels writer.
During the holiday season in 2022, Amazon launched a program to let customers say thank you to their delivery drivers and provide a $5 tip courtesy of the company.

The program was wildly successful, and Greylon Anthony of Charlotte was among the top five drivers who received thank yous from customers.

RELATED: Alexa, thank my driver: Amazon promotion ends less than 48 hours after beginning

Anthony was acknowledged by so many Amazon customers that the company gave him a reward of $10,000, but Amazon also offered the opportunity for him to donate to his charity of choice.

Anthony selected Atrium Health Levine Childrens Hospital, which received a $10,000 donation on behalf of him and Amazon. He said he selected the hospital so they can purchase essentials and provide care for pediatric patients.

Amazon says nearly 8 million thank yous have been sent to drivers since the Alexa, Thank My Driver program launched.

(WATCH BELOW: Amazon driver saves drowning dog thanks to wrong turn)
Andrea_Hill / Getty Images

American millionaires are moving overseas, and it's not to dodge taxes, a consultancy firm says.

They're trying to future-proof their wealth, fearing crime and instability in the US, per the analysis.

Net inflows of wealthy people into the US fell to 1,500 in 2022, down from a peak 10,800 pre-pandemic.

America is losing its millionaires.

The net inflow of high-net-worth individuals to the US plummeted 86% in 2022 from peak pre-pandemic levels, falling to just 1,500 people, according to a new wealth report by London-based consultancy Henley & Partners.

That's compared to a net inflow that fluctuated between 6,400 and 10,800 wealthy people a year from 2013 to 2019.

A key impetus for this change has been disillusioned American millionaires looking overseas for opportunities, wrote Mehdi Kadiri, the head of North America at Henley & Partners, in the report published on Wednesday.

"Americans are currently experiencing their own bleak 'winter of discontent,'" he wrote for the firm, which tracks investment migration trends.

Many have been driven away by mounting calls to tax the rich, political tensions in the US, unpredictable markets because of the war in Ukraine, rising crime rates and gun violence, and conflict over societal issues like gender equality and racism, Kadiri added.

America's rich who want more options are now migrating to countries like Portugal, Malta, Spain, Greece, and Italy, which offer golden visas and migration programs, he wrote.

But millionaires opting for a second passport isn't a matter of avoiding taxes, Jeff D. Opdyke, an investment expert who covered finance for 17 years at the Wall Street Journal, wrote in the report.

They're simply chasing the American Dream elsewhere, he wrote.

More investors, C-suite execs, and entrepreneurs are migrating to future-proof their wealth, "seeking greener pastures for investment and business growth, safer destinations to raise their families," Opdyke added.

"For more than half a century, Americans defined, lived, and exemplified the American Dream that so much of the emerging world looked to and thought: 'One day, that'll be me!'" wrote Opdyke. "But today, for many, the American Dream is on life support."

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Henley & Partners said one of the measures it uses to gauge the health of a country's economy is its middle class  which has been shrinking in the US.

At the same time, the middle class is growing outside the US, with nearly 430,000 new consumers joining the middle class in the developing world every day, Opdyke wrote added. That's the equivalent of adding 20 New York Cities to the US economy every year, he added.

"We've already topped out in terms of the number of Western consumers who will ever exist," Opdyke added. "Europe and Japan are aging, and their demographics point to a declining consumer base."

"Migrants have been flocking to the USA for centuries in search of their 'American dreams' of living and working in a free, democratic, and safe country," wrote Kadiri. "But change is in the air."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Democratic state lawmakers are mobilizing against a tidal wave of proposed legislation to heavily restrict access to gender-affirming health care, combating stringent measures that can carry prison sentences as long as a decade with bills that plan to establish sanctuary states to shield doctors, transgender youth and their families in all 50 states from potential legal retribution.

In Minnesota, freshman Rep. Leigh Finke (D) hopes to make the state a safe haven for transgender youth seeking gender-affirming medical care.

Democrats flipped the Minnesota Senate in Novembers midterm elections with a string of surprise victories, giving the party control of the legislature for the first time since 2014.

Finke, who is the first openly transgender representative to serve in the state legislature, said she and other Democrats had up until election night expected to spend the next two years in a divided government playing defense against Republicans on issues including LGBTQ rights.

But after election day, everything changed, Finke said. Taking advantage of a fortuitous opportunity to pass more ambitious legislation, Finke in January introduced House File 146, which seeks to prevent out-of-state laws from interfering with gender-affirming health care offered in Minnesota.

This became the first priority for me as a legislator to say, you know, there are many things I would like to do for my community, but there is an urgency right now across the country in protecting access to health care, Finke told The Hill in a recent interview.

Finke said shes confident in her bills ability to pass, and House leadership and Gov. Tim Walz, who is also a Democrat, have supported pro-LGBTQ legislation in the past.

Last year, Walz signed an executive order cracking down on conversion therapy  a discredited practice that seeks to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity  in Minnesota, writing in a signing statement that our kids deserve to grow up in a state that values them for who they are  not one that tries to change them.

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Finkes bill has the potential to considerably alter the health care landscape of the Midwest, where state legislators this year have introduced more than two dozen bills to restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender young people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

South Dakota, which borders part of western Minnesota, this week became the sixth state in the nation to ban gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Neighboring North Dakota and Iowa are pursuing similar bans.

In January, nearby Illinois became the first midwestern state to enact a law explicitly protecting access to gender-affirming health care and abortion, promising that the treatment of gender dysphoria or the affirmation of an individuals gender identity or gender expression is lawful health care in Illinois, whether such activity may constitute a violation of another states law.

A second Illinois bill introduced by Sen. Mike Simmons (D), who in 2021 became the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the state Senate, would build on that law by establishing the Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act that would similarly protect doctors and individuals seeking gender-affirming care in Illinois from being charged or subpoenaed based on the laws of another state.

It would also prohibit the governor from complying with extradition requests from other states for individuals in Illinois that have administered, authorized or otherwise allowed a child to receive gender-affirming health care, regardless of the state where care was provided.

Simmons in an interview said his bill was largely motivated by reports of individuals and policies targeting transgender youth across the country.

It seemed to be the right thing to do to move to introduce legislation that would essentially make Illinois a sanctuary state for trans rights; for trans youth that need gender-affirming care, for the parents of trans youth that want to ensure that their youth have access to health care, he told The Hill.

We know that trans youth are broadly already facing a number of barriers to health care, Simmons said. We know that studies consistently show that access to gender-affirming care for trans kids  when they have access to that gender-affirming care  reduces the risk for depression, psychological distress and suicidal ideation. So this legislation is key in terms of protecting those that are most vulnerable within the LGBTQ+ community.

Multiple inquiries have found that access to gender-affirming health care can drastically improve transgender youths quality of life. In January, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that transgender youth experienced increased life satisfaction and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety after receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy for two years.

Most major medical organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recognize gender-affirming health care as safe and medically necessary for transgender youth and adults.

Simmons said he drafted his legislation after conferring with legislators in California and Connecticut, where safe harbor laws passed over the summer shield medical professionals and individuals that have provided or received gender-affirming health care from legal action in other states.

California Sen. Scott Wiener (D) led the charge to establish sanctuary states for doctors and transgender youth and their families last year after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered state agencies to investigate the parents of transgender children.

We were just horrified and deeply concerned about what this meant, Wiener told The Hill. The state legislature immediately got to work, he said.

Wieners bill passed both chambers in August and was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) the following month. The law went into effect on Jan. 1.

Wiener said he hopes the measure sends a clear message to transgender youth across the country that there are elected officials working to protect them and their families.

Our legislature and our governor see these kids, and we value them and we recognize them as full human beings, he said.

Similar bills are under consideration in a handful of states nationwide. The Vermont House last week gave final approval to a shield bill that would establish protections for patients and providers from prosecutions or investigations by states that have criminalized gender-affirming care and abortion. It now heads to the state House for consideration.



In July, former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed legislation that similarly safeguards access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care by shielding doctors and individuals from legal action in other states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The

The "Codex Sassoon" is expected to fetch between $30 million and $50 million in May.

A Hebrew Bible dating to the 10th century could soon become the costliest book ever sold.

The ancient text is estimated to fetch $30 million to $50 million at an upcoming Sothebys auction. The top end of that would exceed the $43 million sale of a first edition U.S. Constitution in 2021, and would make the Bible the most expensive literary item ever sold, according to Insider.

Sharon Mintz, a Sothebys Judaica specialist, told CNN the book is the most important document to come to auction ever. She said the astonishing Bible was the most significant item shed ever held.

Sothebys is calling the book the Sassoon Codex after its former owner, David Solomon Sassoon, a wealthy member of the Iraqi-Jewish family who bought it in 1929. Made up of 792 pages of parchment, the animal skin-bound book weighs 26.5 pounds.

Codex Sassoon, created circa 900, is the earliest surviving example of a single codex containing all the books of the Hebrew Bible with their punctuation, vowels, and accents, Sothebys said in a statement.

The item includes all 24 books that historically comprise a Hebrew Bible.

The item includes all 24 books that historically comprise a Hebrew Bible.

The text includes all 24 books that historically comprise Hebrew Bibles: the Torah (or Pentateuch), Neviim (the Prophets) and Ketuvim (the Writings). This is what Christians call the Old Testament, which also laid the foundation for Islam  collectively inspiring billions.

Copied, printed and translated into scores of languages the world over, the Hebrew Bible arguably constitutes the most influential book of human history and the bedrock of Western civilization, Sothebys added.

Handwritten notes inside the book refer to an 11th-century sale in Israel or Syria and a later bequeathal to the buyers sons. Another note suggests it was dedicated to the synagogue of Makisin in Syria in the 1200s.

It was in this city where the book was rebound and inscribed Consecrated to the Lord God of Israel to the synagogue of Makisin. The synagogue was destroyed by Mongol invaders and the codex disappeared until Sassoons purchase in the 1920s.

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Scholars have long known about this particular Bible, but it has rarely been seen in public since its current owner, Swiss financier and collector Jacqui Safra, acquired it in 1989.

Mintz (pictured) called it

Mintz (pictured) called it "the most significant" book she ever "had the pleasure of examining."

Before Sothebys May auction in New York City, the book will also be exhibited in other major cities, including London, Tel Aviv, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Codex Sassoon has long held a revered and fabled place in the pantheon of surviving historic manuscripts, and is undeniably one of the most important and singular texts in human history, Richard Austin, Sothebys global head of books, told CNN.

Related...
The Berlin Film Festival kicks off this evening with the gala world premiere of Rebecca Millers She Came to Me. Ahead of the opening night out-of-competition screening, Miller met the Berlinale press corps alongside cast members including Anne Hathaway, Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Joanna Kulig and Evan Ellison.

Hathaway is also a producer on the multi-generational story thats set in New York, but she was quick to note that even though this is an independent movie, her heart beats for (all) film, and the more types of them the better.

More from Deadline

The Oscar winner clarified, I think sometimes we think of these things as isolated from each other. But right now I think the way were all participating in films and the way we all kind of are unsure as to what the future of audience culture is, I think its important to love all types of films and show up in person at the movie theater for all the types of films that we can if this art form is to continue.

Speaking of continuing, Dinklage commented that turning 50 had led him to wonder if I want to be an actor for the next 30 years Its a common story when you hit 50 theres a fork in the road. However, the now 53-year-old doesnt appear to be gearing up for retirement. You either wait for inspiration or you seek it out. I intend to keep seeking it out.

She Came to Me, which Miller scripted and which reps her fourth in Berlin, is billed as an exploration of love in all its forms. Miller today commented, Love and hate are the two great motivators for human beings. Obviously love is the more positive and I do think it is the thing that really does transform people and change the trajectory of their lives.

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The film follows a composer (Dinklage) suffering from writers block who rediscovers his passion after an adventurous one-night stand; as well as a couple of gifted teenagers who fight to prove to the parents that their young love is something that can last forever; and a woman who seemingly has it all for whom love arrives in the most unexpected places.

Some of the cast shared different experiences with accepting their roles. Dinklage said choices have so much to do with where you are in your own life  creatively, non-creatively  and Rebecca brought this to me at the perfect point in my life I couldnt have played this part 20 years ago or twenty years from now. Tomei for her part had been wanting to work with Miller for a long time. Her movies always made me laugh but also had great depth. When Tomei received the script, she called Miller immediately giggling and screaming.

Hathaway likened her participation in She Came to Me to fate. The actress auditioned for Miller as a teenager, and though that project was not meant to be, Hathaway recalled leaving the room feeling a sense of destiny about her. I always kept hope alive we would find each other with the right thing.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the opening ceremony tonight before She Came to Me screens. Hathaway called him a hero of our times. Commented Miller, I think of filmmaking being a kind of patriotic act, to show different aspects of the country One of the ways in which we can perhaps have a more peaceful world is by having our art talk to each other across the nations.

She Came to Me is produced by Damon Cardasis, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Rebecca Miller, Len Blavatnik and Anne Hathaway. Protagonist Pictures is handling international sales and CAA is repping North America.

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A Minnesota man has died after being attacked by dogs he was watching for a family member, police said. Officers secured a garage door and began rendering aid to the victim, who "had most of his clothing ripped off and had extensive bites on most of his body," the Brooklyn Center Police Department said in a statement. The victim did not own the dogs -- identified by police as American pit bull terriers -- but had been taking care of them at his home for a family member, police said.
Paul Rudd and Peyton Reed on the red carpet for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Ten years ago, when it was announced that Peyton Reed was taking over Ant-Man from Edgar Wright, it was met with some skepticism. Really? The Down With Love and Bring It On guy? Sure, those movies are great, but can he really do superheroes? Well, the answer turned out to be a resounding Yesand now, with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Reed becomes the first director with Marvel Studios proper to complete their own trilogy of films. (Jon Watts recently did it with Marvel and Sony and James Gunn will do it in a few months, but, yeah.) Its a very cool accomplishment, especially when you look at the evolution from then to now.

Then, Ant-Man was a small (no pun intended) bridge movie with lots of humor. Now, after saving the galaxy by utilizing the properties of the Quantum Realm in Avengers: Endgame, the entire new film is set there, giving Reed the chance to create his very own universe, something he was certainly excited about, especially after directing episodes of The Mandalorian.

Read more

Reed spoke with io9 about completing a Marvel trilogy, creating his own world, and the logistics of filming this seemingly infinite world. Check out all the non-spoiler content below (including video clips!), and check back next week for one more question we asked Reed about a mind-blowing spoiler.

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Germain Lussier, io9: So I dont know if you realize, but youre the second director to finish a trilogy of Marvel films after Jon Watts, who did it with Sony. How do you feel about that feat and how do you think the movies have played back to back to back?

Peyton Reed: Well, listen, Im thrilled to have completed a trilogy. I love it. I mean, if you had told me when we were shooting the first Ant-Man in 2014 that wed get to do three of them. I might not have believed you, but I love that were here now. And with Quantumania, I love that we were able to expand the visual palette of the movie and take the audience into the Quantum Realm, and really kind of answer a lot of the questions that we set up in the first couple of movies. That was really satisfying. So to me, its like, we all grew up on trilogies, right? Star Wars trilogy, Back to the Future trilogy. Theres just something satisfying about it, even in this larger MCU, to have done the trilogy and grown these characters.

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And I do think, you know, obviously, if you watch the movies back to back, they do play out. I suppose you have to fill in the gaps of what Scott was doing in [Captain America] Civil War, and of course there was a little thing that happened in a movie called [Avengers] Endgame that seems important to the MCU and [Avengers] Infinity War, but I think in terms of the progression of these characters and as a family, I like what we were able to achieve because it feels organic, and particularly in this one. That Scott-Cassie relationship has always been the spine of these movies for me. And now that shes 18, that presented this issue, as a result of Endgame. Well, this is a whole cool new, different dynamic between Scott and Cassie. And we can have fun with the idea that maybe he still relates to her as a little girl instead of a young woman. But she is a young woman and she has ideas of her own. And they kind of differ from Scotts about what it means to be a hero. And that seemed like really fertile ground.

kinjavideo-193766

io9: You mentioned the Star Wars trilogy and I love your Mandalorian episodes, so youre obviously a Star Wars fan because you did that. But this is the first time youre getting to build a universe. Its not the Star Wars universe, but it has a lot of those elements. What was your favorite part of designing and figuring out the universe? Was it the ships? Was it the creatures?

Reed: I have to tell you, it was really all of it because you werent just creating one planet. You were creating what Janet describes as worlds within worlds, like this vast subatomic world. So part of it was we have to fill that world with different types of creatures and beings and even sort of humanoid characters and talk about the political structure of it. Like theres oppression down there. Theres a war going on. So we were able to sort of take a lot of different aesthetics. Like the Xolum character, a Freedom Fighter, theres a steampunk vibe to him. Then Veb feels like a photo-real version of Gleep and Gloop from the Herculoids or something. There are some Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy concepts. Its like, lets take all of these things because theyre going to make sense in this context, because were telling a story about all these different types of life down there who have come under the thumb of Kang the Conqueror.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas.

io9: As you mentioned, I love that you get to answer some questions from the previous movies, especially all this stuff about Janet and what happened in those 30 years in the Quantum Realm. Did you ever think when you were doing the last movie that youd get to figure those things out, or is that never in the back of your mind?



Reed: Always in the back of my mind. I was hoping that we would have to answer this question because its a big question to leave unanswered, right? And also, I love Michelle Pfeiffer. Because we see her in Ant-Man and the Wasp and we see her sort of, likeshe survives something down there. Theres a lot of story to be told. So the first thing when we started formulating what this movie was going to be was where we got to answer that question. And thats going to be a fun question to answer. And also, we very, very purposefully introduced her in this movie in a domestic situation. Shes serving pizza to the family. Its like, Well, thats nice. The family is together again, but really, shes a superhero. And as they get thrust into the Quantum Realm and you start to peel back those layers, you see, Oh, this is her element. Shes got this place wired. She knows those creatures and she knows this ritual and she knows to drink this thing. And that was a really fun thing and particularly fun for Michelle to play.

scott and cassie in the QR



The Quantum Realm was probably a bit more practical than you realize..

io9: Oh, shes great in the movie, which is not hard since shes Michelle Pfeiffer. Okay. So, obviously, when youre spending so much time in the Quantum Realm, there are a lot of CG visual effects and people are going to see that. But whats something in the movie thats practical that people wont actually realize is practical?



Reed: When youre in the Freedom Fighter village, we introduce these structures, these buildings that we come to find out are also sentient beings that have the other soldiers inside of them. Theres a symbiotic relationship there. And being on that set, we really built probably like half of those things. But when they were all on this massive set at Pinewood in London, those things were impressive to me. You knew we were going to finish them digitally but those big things were so massive and it really felt like, Oh, the scale and scope of this thing. And then practically, Kangs Celestium. It was a massive 360-degree set designed by Will Htay, our production designer, and that was an impressive set to be on and to frame shots in with Bill Pope, because you had Kangs sort of time sphere there that was his multiversal traveling vessel, but it was missing the engine core, right? It was this thing that was taunting him and kind of became his throne. But that set was beautiful.

Well have more from Reed next week. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is in theaters Friday.





Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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Oleksii Reznikov, Defence Minister of Ukraine, has concluded the results of his visit abroad, saying that the country will strengthen its "armoured fist," which is going to be able to perform tasks in accordance with the plan of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in a few months

Source: Zaluzhnyi on Facebook

Quote: "The two-day work of the Ukrainian delegation in Brussels has come to an end.

The results are optimistic:

Threats from the sky will be better repelled.

The army will be better supplied with ammunition.

More of our soldiers will receive quality training.

The main thing is that the "armoured fist" is being strengthened, which, in a few months, is going to be able to perform tasks in accordance with the plan of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff."

Details: The minister said that on 16 February, he discussed the practical aspects of the "tank coalition" with Ukraine's partners.

Reznikov said that as a result of these meetings, "several important steps have been taken".

He also thanked all partners for their assistance to Ukraine, especially the United States and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III "for their leadership in the Ramstein-format meeting".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Tribunal workplace - Nicola Forenza/Shutterstock

Asking when a colleague lost their virginity and calling them a slag is acceptable in a culture of workplace banter, a tribunal has ruled.

Emma Greenaway-Evans, a manager at a property firm in Manchester, was sacked after she was accused of asking a co-worker when she lost her virginity and saying she was shagging about.

However, she successfully sued after a tribunal ruled that banter was rife in the office.

The female co-worker made the claims after quitting her job. Bosses then brought Ms Greenaway-Evans into a disciplinary meeting before sacking her for gross misconduct.

However, an employment tribunal ruled the dismissal unfair and wrongful, that there was a culture of workplace banter, and there was insufficient evidence she had made the comments or was guilty of gross misconduct.

No comprehensive record of allegations

The tribunal in Manchester heard that Ms Greenaway-Evans began working for Countryside Properties in March 1999 and worked her way up to the role of progression manager over the next 20 years.

However, one of the employees she managed complained about her in an exit interview in March 2020.

Bethany Keeley accused Ms Greenaway-Evans of saying How did you get on at your smear Beth? I bet they didnt find it when she returned from a smear test.

The tribunal heard that Ms Keeley told bosses: When booking a holiday at Valentines Day, she proceeded to tell everybody I was shagging about.

She also said that her manager told her I bet you stink after she wore the same shoes to work.

Additionally, she claimed Ms Greenaway-Evans asked her in front of the team what age she was when she lost her virginity, and when she refused to answer, said she must have been young and a slag.

However, the tribunal found there was not a comprehensive record of the allegations.

Box of gunpowder

After the allegations became known, a boss emailed Ms Greenaway-Evans manager: I suggest we leave any kind of follow-up until you are back in the business as any kind of action will be like lighting a box full of gunpowder and I think we need to discuss the next steps carefully.

Story continues

The tribunal believed the box of gunpowder referred to the disciplinary process, which had not begun yet.

Ms Greenaway-Evans denied all the allegations and was invited to a disciplinary meeting on June 26 2020, after which she was sacked.

When she appealed her dismissal, Adam Daniels, the managing director, told her there was a pattern of behaviour and other staff had said Ms Keeley was unhappy.

Ms Greenaway-Evans then sued Countryside Properties for unfair and wrongful dismissal.

Investigation was inadequate

Employment Judge Jared Duane Ficklin said: It was clear from the evidence given to the tribunal as well as from the investigation that there were incidents of language and commentary, referred to as banter by the interviewees, of a sexual or obscene nature in the office.

The [companys] case depends on maintaining an incompatible dichotomy. None of the interviewees were witnesses to the allegations and were not even asked about them.

With reference to the next issue, namely was the investigation reasonable, I found that it was not. The investigation was inadequate and not capable of reaching a reasonable conclusion that [Ms Greenaway-Evans] was guilty of gross misconduct.
YouTube Screenshot

About two weeks ago, Austin Butler announced that he would finally be getting rid of the Southern drawl he adopted for his Oscar-nominated role as Elvis Presley in Baz Lurhmanns Elvis. So when the actor appeared on the latest episode of First We Feasts Hot Ones, the question on viewers minds was not whether his taste buds could handle some scorching hot wings but whether he had truly left his Elvis accent behind.

The answer is hes working on it. From this interview, it sounds like hes lost a little bit of the King of Rock n Rolls Memphis twang. However, that husky baritone is still very present throughout the episodes almost 30-minute runtime. It turns out Da Bomb hot sauce cant instantly reset someones vocal cords.

To be fair, the Best Actor nominee didnt specify when he was getting rid of the accenthopefully, not before awards season endsjust that he would ditch it eventually. Butler might have also filmed this episode before he declared to the world, seemingly out of peer pressure, that he would stop this hilarious act of cultural appropriation. Or maybe this tonethe deepness, at leastis just the natural progression of his voice as a 31-year-old man. Either way, we support your journey, Austin!

Luckily for Butler, host Sean Evans didnt probe him about the side effects of his Method acting. Although, the pair did geek out over different acting techniques in one of the more sophisticated conversations had on the fairly frivolous show. Anyone assuming Butler might be a self-serious snob when it comes to acting will be delighted to know hes not a stickler for any one method.

In Memoriam: Austin Butlers Elvis Voice (2019-2023)

Most of the great actors that Ive worked withtheyre pulling from so many different things, said Butler. Its not like theres just one technique or something. You kind of just work for you, you know?

Evans also took The Carrie Diaries actor on a sentimental trip down memory lane between bites of chicken. Butler is notably from Anaheim, California (not the South), a prime location for his days as a hard-working child actor. Evans asked him about growing up between Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm amusement park. Its hilarious watching him become dewy-eyedprobably because of the wings but who knowsas he remembers his time riding the Xcelator at Knotts Berry Farm with his mom repeatedly while orchestral music plays in the background.

Story continues

He also told Evans about his experience working on the 2018 Broadway production of The Iceman Cometh, which he acted in alongside Denzel Washington, that ultimately changed the trajectory of his career. (If anyone has a photo of Butler putting his hands on the curtain to feel the audiences energy before each show, as he claimed was a ritual, I would appreciate it!) Notably, Washington recommended Butler to Luhrmann for the role of Presley. And he thanked him during his acceptance speech for Best Actor - Drama at last months Golden Globes.

Why in the Hell Is Austin Butler Still Talking Like Elvis?

So how does Butler handle the primary task of downing dangerously hot wings? Pretty well! Certainly better than his Best Actor competition Colin Farrell, who looked kept having to get up from his chair. Butler mostly giggles off the pain and sniffles compulsively like a bunny. His glass of oat milk is shockingly full by the time he gets to the final dab.

If you werent charmed enough by Butlers humility and sense of calm throughout the episode, he ends it by discussing he and Presleys shared love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and even gives viewers a tutorial on how he makes his own. (Presleys famous midnight sandwich order was a PB&J with bacon).

I was delighted to discover that Butler makes this PB&J the correct way, as in peanut butter on both slices of bread. Dont be bashful with the peanut butter, he instructs. The most comical part of the episode is watching him paint slices of Wonderbread with a squeezable grape jelly, which he seems to have just discovered. Shots of him hilariously dissolve into one another as if this sandwich-making endeavor has taken three hours. (Honestly, I would wait that long.)

The episode, Butlers 100th interview this awards cycle, was mostly a nice update on his compelling voice journey and more confirmation that he is, indeed, quite charming. By the end of it, I was convinced that he might be able to make this new guttural tone work, as it is kind of sexy. Just let the faux Southern-ness continue to fade.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California is surrounded by reporters as she heads to the Senate chamber for a vote in the US Capitol on February 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Dianne Feinstein didn't seem to know what took place on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.

The retiring California Democrat asked staff for confirmation about a vote she had just attended.

The latest flash of apparent confusion comes as Feinstein plans to serve out her term through 2024.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein emerged from the Senate chamber on Wednesday seemingly confused about what she had done during a two-vote series.

"Did I vote for that?" Insider overheard the California Democrat ask her long-time chief of staff, David Grannis, about approving a judicial nominee to the federal bench.

Grannis, who had just finished explaining to his 89-year-old boss that the six Senate votes scheduled throughout the day would be on Biden appointees, shook his head and said, "No."

The most jarring part about the public episode was that Grannis was trying to map out what Feinstein  whose cognitive ability has increasingly come into question  needed to know about what was happening later, but she couldn't recall what had transpired minutes before.

An Insider review of the floor proceedings confirmed that Feinstein did not vote on the nomination of Judge Adrienne C. Nelson to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Nelson was confirmed by a vote of 52-46. Feinstein voted to invoke cloture on judge Ana C. Reyes to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. That procedural motion passed by a vote of 52-47.

Feinstein's latest stumble comes less than 24 hours after her staff announced that she wouldn't run for a seventh term in 2024.

Her looming retirement seemed to catch the decades-long politician off guard, causing Feinstein and her staff to clash over her career plans.

The last time Feinstein blew up at staff in Insider's presence, she was taking some junior aides to task for rushing her into a continuing resolution vote she appeared unprepared for.

"I don't even know what that is," Feinstein told staff last fall on her way through the Senate subway.

Story continues

Feinstein aides did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why she would have been thrown by the judicial nominees' votes.

Several House Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, and Barbara Lee, have already announced they're running or are reportedly preparing to mount a bid for her Senate seat.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Manchester United travel to the Camp Nou this evening to take on Barcelona in the headline match of the Europa League play-off round. To reach this stage Erik ten Hags side finished second on goal difference to Real Sociedad in Group E while Barcelona fell out of the Champions League after a disappointing campaign saw them finish third in Group C.

This eagerly awaited clash comes at a good time for both teams. When this draw was announced the odds of a United victory seemed slim but the Red Devils have been in fantastic form  mainly thanks to Marcus Rashford  and are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions.

For their part, Barcelona have been revived under boss Xavi. Theyre on a six league game winning run  unbeaten in 12 - and sit 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the peak of the Spanish top-flight.

Follow all the action from the Camp Nou as Barcelona play host to Manchester United:

Barcelona vs Manchester United

Barcelona host Manchester United in the Europa League play-off

Winner of two legged play-off advances to Europa League last-16

76 GOAL! - Raphinha gets Barcelona back in the game (BAR 2-2 MUN)

59 GOAL! - A pinball in the box hits Kounde and bounces over the line (BAR 1-2 MUN)

52 GOAL! - Rashford responds immediately for Man Utd (BAR 1-1 MUN)

50 GOAL! - Alonso head Barcelona ahead (BAR 1-0 MUN)

34 SAVE! - Ter Stegen flaps away Rashfords curling effort (BAR 0-0 MUN)

28 CHANCE! - Weghorsts effort is charged down by Ter Stegen (BAR 0-0 MUN)

9 SAVE! - De Gea denies Lewandowski from close range (BAR 0-0 MUN)

FC Barcelona 2 - 2 Manchester United FC

Barcelona 2-2 Man Utd

19:27 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Alejandro Garnacho comes on for the final 10 minutes as Jadon Sancho is taken off for Manchester United. Can the youngster get a goal and earn United a famous win?

Barcelona 2-2 Man Utd

19:26 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Close! A long ball up the pitch is contested by Luke Shaw and Raphinha. Shaws header is flicked into his own box where Raphinha gets to it first.

Story continues

He nods a header of his own towards goal but David De Gea closes him down and pushes the effort wide.

GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Man Utd (Raphinha, 76)

19:24 , Michael Jones

76 mins: What a game! Barcelona send the ball over to Raphinha on the right wing and he cuts inside and puts the ball onto his left foot.

He whips a cross into the box for Robert Lewandowski who makes a run across the front of Raphael Varane. The big striker misses the ball but bounces through Varanes legs and nestles in the far bottom corner!

Barcelona are level again.

Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd

19:21 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Gavi looks to dribble his way into the Man Utd box. He gets past Raphael Varane and looks up at goal but Casemiro darts across him and comes away with the ball.

Great covering from the midfielder.

Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd

19:17 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Manchester United have never beaten Barcelona at the Nou Camp but theyre leading here with 20 minutes to play. The visitors seem confident, theyre not afraid to take the game to Barca and theyll keep attacking until the final whistle.

Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd

19:14 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Robert Lewandowski takes the free kick for Barcelona but whips his shot wide of the left-hand post. It was close but not close enough.

Xavi now makes three changes for the hosts. Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde and Ansu Fati all come on with Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba and Franck Kessie heading off.

Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd

19:12 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Erik ten Hag is fuming as the penalty decision is turned down before Barcelona win a free kick on the edge of Manchester Uniteds penalty area.

The United boss is giving the officials an earful, so much so that the referee comes over and books him.

Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd

19:11 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Penalty shout! Raphinhas cross is blocked by Malacia before Man Utd calmly work the ball out of their own penalty area.

Bruno Fernandes releases the ball up to Marcus Rashford who dinks the ball to the edge of the Barcelona area, steps inside and and collides with Jules Kounde.

Rashford goes down but the referee waves for play to go on.

GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Man Utd (Kounde OG, 59)

19:06 , Michael Jones

59 mins: Fred wins the ball high up the pitch for Man Utd and passes it over to Marcus Rashford. He wins a corner and its played short.

Rashford weaves past Raphinha and takes the ball into the box. He blazes a pass into the feet of Bruno Fernandes who flicks it on to the back post.

Casemiro is waiting bu the ball hits Jules Kounde in front of him and bounces into the back of the net!

Barcelona 1-1 Man Utd

19:01 , Michael Jones

55 mins: Its all happening now. The ball is knocked up to Robert Lewandowski who wins the header against Tyrell Malacia. He flicks it on to Raphinha who takes another swerving shot from range and forces David De Gea into a leaping save.

Its been end-to-end since the start and thats not going to change anytime soon.

GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Man Utd (Rashford, 52)

18:59 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Immediate response and who else but Marcus Rashford?!

Fred is given the ball and spins towards goal before slipping Rashford into the right side of the box. He collects the ball and smokes it past Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the near post!

Man Utd are level once again.

GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Man Utd (Alonso, 50)

18:56 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Barcelona strike first! The home side win a corner that gets whipped over to the far post. Fred loses Marcos Alonso who makes a run from deep and leaps above the Brazilian.

The defender meets the ball in the air and nods it past David De Gea to opening the scoring.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:54 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Close! That was good. Barcelona float the ball into the box but Luke Shaw wins the header and nods it out of the area. Sergio Roberto recovers the ball and gives it to Raphinha.

He checks to the right and shoots on the turn but slides his effort agonisingly wide of the far post!

Second half: Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:51 , Michael Jones

Theres been no further changes from Barcelona as the hosts restart the game. Manchester United also start the second half with the same XI on the pitch.

HT Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:46 , Michael Jones

The Red Devils have won each of their last five matches in Europe; only once before have they won six games consecutively in European competition (won first six games in the 1965-66 European Cup season).

HT Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:43 , Michael Jones

Marcus Rashford is back to his best and thriving under Erik ten Hag. Rashford is averaging a goal every 121 minutes under ten Hag; his best minutes-per-goal ratio under any Man Utd manager in his career (21 goals in 2541 minutes).

Can he get on the scoresheet in the second half?

HT Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:40 , Michael Jones

(PA)

(REUTERS)

(PA)

Half-time: Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:35 , Michael Jones

45+2 mins: Erik ten Hag will be relatively pleased. It isnt easy to come to Barcelona and compete with the La Liga leaders but United have given as good as theyve received so far.

Rashford and Weghorst both had chances stopped by Ter Stegen and Lewandowski has been denied by De Gea. This is a brilliant and exciting contest but theres no goals to reflect that.

All to play for in the second half.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:33 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:31 , Michael Jones

43 mins: Theres been a few heavy tackles put in tonight and now Raphael Varane is punished for taking Robert Lewandowski out from behind. The Man Utd defender is shown a yellow card.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:29 , Michael Jones

40 mins: This has been a beltin match-up so far with both teams creating great chances. Barcelona are forced into an early change though as Pedri has taken a knock and needs to go off.

Hes replaced by Sergio Roberto.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:25 , Michael Jones

37 mins: Save! Aaron Wan-Bissaka makes another mistake as he lets Luke Shaws square pass run across his body. Jordi Alba sprints up the pitch and nicks the ball before taking it into the box.

He shoots just as Wan-Bissaka recovers to making a sliding tackle and take the pace out of the shot. Still, its heading towards the near post but David De Gea is on hand to push it wide.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:22 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Save! Ter Stegen comes to the rescue again. Jadon Sancho weaves inside from the left before sliding the ball to Marcus Rashford.

He knocks the ball into the box, opens up his body and curls one towards the far post. The shot is going in but the Barcelona goalkeeper leaps across and palms the ball to safety!

Massive save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:20 , Michael Jones

31 mins: Manchester United have fought back brilliantly. Barcelona had put them under real pressure but this has been a nice period for the visitors.

They win a free kick that Shaw knocks into the box for Rashford. He pulls the ball back towards Varane but Barcelonas defenders turn the ball behind for a corner.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:17 , Michael Jones

28 mins: Chance! Man Utd should be in front! Wout Weghorst takes up the centre forward position and is played in behind by a lofted pass from Bruno Fernandes.

Hes just got the goalkeeper to beat but his prodded shot at goal is kept out by Marc-Andre ter Stegen! Thats the chance of the match so far.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:15 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Chance! Raphael Varane is earning his money tonight. A threaded pass through the middle comes to Robert Lewandowski who spins into the box after Luke Shaw plays him onside. He looks to shoot but Varane is on to him in a flash and pokes the ball away.

At the other end of the Aaron Wan-Bissaka gets clear on the right wing and pulls the ball back to Jadon Sancho. He shoots and a deflection off Frenkie De Jong puts the ball into the path of Marc-Andre ter Stegen who pushes it wide.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:13 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Jordi Alba is operating in so much space out on the left wing whenever he goes forward. Aaron Wan-Bissaka seems to have his hands full marking Gavi and is allowing Alba to get in behind.

Varane comes over to block Albas cross before De Gea punches the corner kick away.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:09 , Michael Jones

21 mins: A loose pass back to Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Jules Kounde sees the goalkeeper slide towards the ball and fail the reach it before it rolls out of play.

Man Utd are gifted a corner. Luke Shaw swings the set piece into the middle but Barca deal with it without too much trouble.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:07 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Manchester United are having to do a fair bit of defending now as Barcelona take control of the game. They work it out to Gavi on the left wing who flicks the ball into the box for Pedri.

He nods it on hoping to find Raphinha but Luke Shaw blocks the pass. The ball comes back to Pedri who then volleys a shot over the top!

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

18:02 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Marcos Alonso is the man to take the set piece but he whips his shot over the wall and over the crossbar of David De Geas goal.

Raphinha curls a cross field pass over to Jordi Alba who sneaks into the box behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The left-back looks for the cross but Wan-Bissaka recovers in time to block it and boot the ball away.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:59 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Barcelona are beginning to tick. A switch of play from the home side comes into Lewandowski again but hes tackled by Varane.

The ball bobbles out to the edge of the box and is picked up by Gavi but hes brought down by the energetic Fred. Free kick Barcelona in a dangerous area.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:57 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Save! Robert Lewandowksi has never played against Manchester United before tonight and almost sends Barcelona in front.

Hes given the ball on the edge of the penalty area and spins into the box. He rolls the ball onto his left foot having gone around Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane before fizzing a shot at goal and forcing a sharp shape out of David De Gea who blocks off the near post.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:55 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Close! Tyrell Malacia pushes up the pitch for Man Utd and dinks the ball into the feet of Marcus Rashford. He carries it to the byline before cutting the ball back to Bruno Fernandes.

He shoots but sees his effort blocked by Jordi Alba before Malacias follow up is stopped by Marcos Alonso. Barcelona were under pressure there.

Good stuff from Man Utd.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:52 , Michael Jones

5 mins: Jules Kounde is caught by Fred inside Barcelonas half and the home side play the free kick quickly to restart play. They fly down the right wing and look to get Pedri involved in play.

Luke Shaw bombs across to close down the youngster and clears Uniteds lines with a boot into the stands. This has been a decent start from both teams.

Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:50 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Man Utd a set up in an interesting formation. Jadon Sancho is out on the left wing, Bruno Fernandes on the right with Marcus Rashford is playing as a centre forward and Wout Weghorst is the number 10.

Is this a case of Erik ten Hag trying to out-think Xavi?

Kick off: Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd

17:49 , Michael Jones

Manchester United get the match started and send the ball back to Luke Shaw who works it over to the right side of the pitch. Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka link up before slipping the ball down the wing for Bruno Fernandes.

He whips an early ball into the middle of the box but cant find a teammate and Barca scramble it clear.

Barcelona vs Man Utd

17:43 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams.

The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Camp Nou. Both teams are in good form and will feel confident that they can defeat the other tonight.

Barcelona have home advantage in this first play-off leg but if Manchester United can score theyll take a big advantage back to Old Trafford next week.

Kick off is up next.

Barcelona vs Man Utd

17:40 , Michael Jones

Barcelona and Manchester United have faced 13 times in all competitions (six Barcelona wins, three United wins, four draws). Each of the previous 10 meetings have been in the Champions League.

The other three were in the Cup Winners Cup.

Barcelona vs Man Utd

17:35 , Michael Jones

Pre-match thoughts of Erik ten Hag:

The boss is ready and raring to go! #MUFC || #UEL  Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2023

Barcelona vs Man Utd

17:31 , Michael Jones

Barcelona have won their last eight games in all competitions and their superb run means they are on course to end their four-year wait to win La Liga again as they currently sit 11 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.

Manchester United are also in fine form and have lost just once since early November and Barcelona boss Xavi is expecting a blockbuster encounter.

It is a spectacular game for fans, the two teams are arriving at their best moment of form in the season, he said.

Xavi on Rashford

17:27 , Michael Jones

Barcelona boss, Xavi, has pinpointed Marcus Rashford as Manchester Uniteds biggest threat tonight and says he is one of the most dangerous players in Europe at present.

"In the transition he is very, very dangerous so we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford," said Xavi. "Hes one of the most dangerous players now in Europe."

Ten Hag on Casemiro

17:23 , Michael Jones

Casemiro will be a big boost for Manchester United tonight and manager Erik ten Hag believes the team is more confident with him in it.

He is a really strong fact in our game. he said, Composure on the ball but positioning and everything. Everyone is more confident when he is on the pitch.

Barcelona vs Man Utd

17:17 , Michael Jones

Manchester United and Barcelona are meeting for the first time since 2019, when Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho scored in a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final second leg encounter at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-0 aggregate win. Will Manchester United gain revenge this time and send the Spanish giants crashing out?

Warm-ups underway

17:12 , Michael Jones

Manchester Uniteds David De Gea received a loud round of applause when he stepped out for the warm up.

(PA)

Injured trio set to miss Manchester Uniteds Europa League clash with Barcelona

17:01 , Michael Jones

Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay were absent from Manchester United training ahead of the mouth-watering Europa League trip to Barcelona.

Erik ten Hags side take on the LaLiga leaders at the Nou Camp on Thursday evening in the first leg of their knockout play-off.

Antony, Martial and McTominay are set to miss the match through injury having missed training at Carrington on Wednesday morning ahead of flying to Spain.

Lisandro Martinez and on-loan Marcel Sabitzer are suspended for the first leg in Barcelona, but Casemiro is available as his current ban only impacts domestic matches.

Injured trio set to miss Manchester Uniteds Europa League clash with Barcelona

A half century for Varane

16:57 , Michael Jones

Raphael Varane makes his 50th appearance for Manchester United this evening since joining the club from Real Madrid.

Hes cemented his place as the number one choice at centre-back but can the Frenchman help his new club overcome old rivals Barcelona?

Barcelona vs Man Utd team changes

16:53 , Michael Jones

Barcelona manager Xavi, swaps out Andreas Christiansen and Alejandro Balde for Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba in the only changes to the team that defeated Villarreal 1-0 in their last outing.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag makes three changes to the Manchester United starting XI that defeated Leeds in the Premier League last time out. Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire drop out of defence to make way for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Raphael Varane whilst Casemiro replaces the suspended Marcel Sabitzer.

Barcelona vs Man Utd line-ups

16:47 , Michael Jones

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Alba; Kessie, de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.

 Presenting your United XI to take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp #MUFC || #UEL  Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2023

Shaw on Casemiro

16:41 , Michael Jones

Manchester United will be able to call on midfielder Casemiro tonight after missing the Brazilian in their last two matches due to him serving a three match suspension.

Luke Shaw spoke about the impact the former Real Madrid star has had on the team since his arrival saying:

I think its obvious to see how important he is to the team. For us as defenders, it gives us a feeling of security. He loves to win the ball back and tackle.

We joke he likes to give the ball away so he can win it back. Im very happy to have him back tomorrow night because hes been a big miss for us.

De Jong faces Man Utd

16:37 , Michael Jones

Tonights match will see Frenkie de Jong come up against Manchester United who desperately tried to bring him to the Premier League club in the summer.

De Jong turned down Uniteds advances but Erik ten Hag is familiar with the midfielder, having managed him at Ajax before his move to Barcelona.

Hes a fantastic player playing out from the back, he always has time, it was a pleasure to work with him, said Ten Hag.

Frenkie is an incredibly good player [and would be] for every club in the whole world. He has a unique quality, if you can get him in your squad your team will be stronger.

Uefa urged to prohibit Qatari takeover of Manchester United

16:33 , Michael Jones

Uefa has been urged to prohibit Qatari state investors from any prospective takeover of Manchester United due to the conflict of interest arising from Qatar Sports Investment (QSI)s ownership of Paris Saint-Germain.

Current owners the Glazer family are interested in selling Manchester United and although British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is so far the only party to have officially confirmed his interest, Qatar are being strongly linked with a bid for the club.

The Glazers have set an initial deadline of Friday for parties to declare their interest, although they may well extend that by two weeks to encourage more expressions of interest if they feel their 5bn valuation wont be met.

Uefa urged to prohibit Qatari takeover of Manchester United

Is Qatar really buying Manchester United?

16:28 , Michael Jones

It was around the turn of the year that the Raine Group, who are handling the sale of Manchester United, approached Qatari state investors over whether they would be interested in purchasing the club. Sources with knowledge of the discussions say the response was initially lukewarm, in part because they thought it was a fishing expedition and there was doubt about how much the Glazer family owners really want to sell. This is one of the questions that clouds this week, and could yet ensure that Friday isnt as decisive a day in the history of Englands biggest club as has been built up.

It is at least bigger than Thursdays match against Barcelona, which is saying something about why the situation is where it is. As historically resonant as this fixture at Camp Nou is, its also a Europa League tie that used to be a Champions League tie, which has played its part in making the Glazers wonder over whether now is the time to sell.

There are only a few things in this whole process that can be said with certainty right now. As first reported by The Independent as far back as August, the Glazers are interested in a sale but want 5bn for the club.

Is Qatar really buying Manchester United?

Manchester United sale explained: Everything you need to know ahead of the deadline

16:23 , Michael Jones

The sale of Manchester United is set to reach its first important stage with the soft deadline for potential takeover proposals to be submitted coming on Friday.

Manchester United have been owned by the Glazer family since 2003 but the Americans announced in November last year that they would be putting the club up for sale.

The announcement follows years of unrest and fan protests surrounding their ownership.

Ahead of Fridays deadline, here is everything you need to know:

Manchester United sale explained: Everything you need to know ahead of the deadline

Man Utd and Barcelona had to 'reset

16:18 , Michael Jones

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, explained that he felt both Barcelona and his own club needed to reset and rebuild after a few challenging years but believes they are on the right track to European greatness once again.

Ten Hag on Xavi and Barcelona

16:13 , Michael Jones

Erik ten Hag was equally praising of Xavis transformation at Barcelona having led the Spanish giants to an 11 point lead at the top of the La Liga table.

"Both clubs are in the Europa League, but both clubs have the ambition to be in the Champions League," he said.

"Not just to be there but to have a real impact in the Champions League, after the group stage going to the semi-finals, final, to win even.

"The reality is we are in the Europa League, but both clubs needed a reset and we are both going in the right direction. Its exciting to face each other. With each test you get better.

Xavi on Erik ten Hag

16:08 , Michael Jones

In the build-up to tonights match Barcelona boss Xavi spoke about his opposite number and praised the work Erik ten Hag has been doing at Manchester United since taking over in the summer.

"Ten Hag is a great coach," Xavi said. "In my mind I believe that somehow [reversing] the situation of United was no easy task and hes accomplishing it.

"They are excited again, the club, the fanbase and also the way they play does a lot.

"He changes things offensively, defensively, everyones working very well, so its a tough rival for us and hes a very interesting coach."

Xavi gives his verdict on Erik ten Hags Manchester United

16:03 , Michael Jones

Barcelona coach Xavi has been impressed by the way Erik ten Hag has transformed Manchester United and helped turn Marcus Rashford into one of the most dangerous players in Europe.

Two of the worlds biggest clubs go toe-to-toe on Thursday evening at the Nou Camp in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off.

LaLiga leaders Barca are running amok domestically and host a United side in fine form under Ten Hag, who has helped turn the Old Trafford giants around after a wretched 2021/22 season.

The Dutchman has changed the culture and quality on the field since joining from Ajax in the summer, impressing counterpart Xavi  another inspired by the late, great Johan Cruyff.

Xavi gives his verdict on Erik ten Hags Manchester United

Barcelona vs Manchester United

15:58 , Michael Jones

It will be a huge task for Man Utd away at Camp Nou. Barcelona are in imperious form with a wealth of young talent to support the talismanic Robert Lewandowski in attack.

United, meanwhile, will miss Lisandro Martinezs intelligence at the back and Christian Eriksens calming presence in the middle of the park so may be left relying on a moment of magic from the in-form Marcus Rashford.

Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United

Barcelona vs Manchester United predicted line-ups

15:53 , Michael Jones

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie, de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst

What is the early team news?

15:48 , Michael Jones

Xavis side remain without Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets. The French winger sustained a thigh injury against Girono while Barcas evergreen central midfielder injured his ankle against Sevilla.

Manchester United will have to deal with a lengthening list of absentees after Erik ten Hag revealed that Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Antony will not be available for Thursdays match. They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek who face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

The English club will also be without the suspended Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer after the pair received three yellow cards in the group stages, the latter doing so in the Champions League for Bayern Munich before his January loan move.

How to watch Barcelona vs Manchester United

15:43 , Michael Jones

The Europa League play-off first leg will kick off at 5.45pm GMT on Thursday Thursday 16 February.

Barcelona vs Manchester United will be shown live on BT Sports 2 with coverage starting from 5pm.

Barcelona vs Manchester United

15:38 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independents coverage of tonights Europa League play-off action. Manchester United are involved in this knockout round and face a difficult task of overcoming Barcelona over two legs.

Erik ten Hags men landed in the play-off round having finished second in their Europa group due to Real Sociedad having a better goal difference than them, while Barcelona dropped out of the Champions League having finished third in their respective group.

The winner of this two-legged encounter will then progress to the Europa League last-16 and join up with the group winners - such as Arsenal - who have already qualified for that stage.

Barcelona will play the match without Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets who are both out injured while Man Utd have a number of absentees such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer though they welcome back midfield maestro Casemiro who should bring confidence and stability to the group.

Kick off for this one is at 5.45pm so stick with us as we build up to the match at the Nou Camp.
Jes Staley - Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

The way in which the actions of Jeffrey Epstein continue to reverberate after his death is reminiscent of shamed media baron Robert Maxwell.

Eerily, Maxwells daughter Ghislaine, is currently serving 20 years in a Florida prison, having been convicted of trafficking children for sex on behalf of the prolific paedophile financier Epstein.

For Barclays bank, Epstein is the scandal that refuses to go away thanks to the longstanding links between former boss Jes Staley and the reviled sex predator.

The latest damaging allegations have emerged in a lawsuit filed by the US Virgin Islands Government against Staleys former employer, JP Morgan, which it accuses of facilitating the abuse of women at Epsteins private island in the Caribbean territory.

Epstein was a customer of the bank for 15 years and Staley, as its former private wealth chief before he was appointed boss of Barclays, developed a close relationship with Epstein, court documents have previously alleged. Staley has never been accused of breaking the law and is not himself the target of the legal action.

According to the latest disclosures, the pair once discussed Disney princesses with Staley emailing Epstein in July 2010, to say: That was fun. Say hi to Snow White to which Epstein allegedly replied: [W]hat character would you like next?.

It is claimed that the email exchange was a reference to young women and girls that Epstein was procuring. Further revelations about the extent of their relationship are likely in the coming weeks, dragging Barclays name through the mud again despite the fact that Staley resigned 15 months ago.

Indeed, it was only last month that the same lawsuit accused Staley of such a profound friendship with Epstein that suggest[s] that Staley may have been involved in Epsteins sex-trafficking operation, a charge that the American denies. In a separate victim lawsuit the following week, Staley faced accusations that he personally observed Epstein abusing young women, which he also denies.

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The great tragedy for Barclays is that the reputational damage it continues to suffer was entirely avoidable, if only the people at the top of the bank had exercised better judgement from the start.

NEW YORK CITY, NY - MARCH 15: Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend de Grisogono Sponsors The 2005 Wall Street Concert Series Benefitting Wall Street Rising, with a Performance by Rod Stewart at Cipriani Wall Street on March 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) - Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Staley has repeatedly denied any involvement in Epsteins alleged crimes, and Barclays wasnt to know that all this would come out. However, Staleys relationship with the notorious billionaire sex offender was the subject of much speculation by the time the board approved his appointment in late 2015. By that point, Epstein had already been sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 after paying for underage sex.

Reports at the time of Mr Staleys appointment claimed that Epstein had been privately lobbying for Staley to get the top job at Barclays back in 2012 when Bob Diamond was pushed out following the Libor-rigging scandal. (Instead, the head of Barclays high street arm was chosen.)

That alone should have set off alarm bells so loud that, at the very least, the bank should have postponed Staleys appointment until it could investigate the claims thoroughly. Better still, a more astute board of directors would have erred on the side of caution and decided against it altogether.

Its not as if there werent other serious red flags  court papers revealing Staleys name and numbers were in Epsteins personal contacts book, for example, and the promise of a grilling by MPs on the Treasury Select Committee about his links with the disgraced financier.

As Tory MP Mark Garnier, who sat on the committee back then, said at the time, MPs will want to know if Staley is the right man for the job and a small part of that is the company he keeps. If only Barclays had taken the same view.

With hindsight, the choice of Staley was even more astonishing given the banks past history of choosing chief executives. In Diamond, Barclays had already been badly burned by one swashbuckling American so you would have expected the board to tread extra carefully.

In choosing Staley, the bank ensured that there were questions about the character, integrity, and judgement of its new chief executive from the start  questions that repeatedly resurfaced, and not just over the extent of his Epstein connections.

By 2017, Staley was the subject of a regulatory investigation after trying to unmask a whistleblower  an honest mistake that resulted in fines on both sides of the Atlantic. He admitted wrongdoing and paid a financial penalty.

C.S. Venkatakrishnan - Barclays

At the same time, he had also become embroiled in an almighty bust-up with KKR, a major client, for backing his brother-in-law who had a falling out with the private equity firm over a business deal. Staley has not commented, but when the case first emerged, it was reported that Barclays was understood to believe the claims were without merit.

Then in 2019, the Epstein affair reemerged after a New York Times investigation revealed that Epstein had referred dozens of wealthy clients to Staley when he was at JPMorgan, and that Staley had visited him when he was in prison.

A second regulatory investigation later that year, this time into how Staley had characterised his relationship with Epstein, eventually prompted his departure. It has been the longest of long goodbyes, with Staley announcing in February 2020 he would stand down, not formally resigning until November 2021, and somehow remaining an employee until October last year.

At every stage, the bank has dropped the ball. Indeed, to add insult to injury, Staley received a 2.3m pay-off, including 107,000 to cover relocation costs to the US. This, despite the FCA report, which Staley disputes, claiming he had not been entirely upfront about his closeness to Epstein.

Barclays has chosen a safe pair of hands in C. S. Venkatakrishnan to replace Staley.

However, its track record suggests the bank tends to see-saw between radical and boring leaders.

Whats most unsettling, perhaps, is the thought of who could run Barclays next. The pendulum is bound to swing back the other way eventually. When it does, one hopes that Kim Jong-Un isnt looking for work.
Plenty of celebrities get makeovers as they age  and Barney the dinosaur is no different.

"Barney & Friends," which starred the friendly purple T-Rex, premiered on PBS in 1992. On Monday, Mattel announced in a press release that it would reboot the show as an animated series in 2024, introducing Barney to a new generation of children.

The rebooted Barney "will span television, film, and YouTube content as well as music and a full range of kids products including toys, books, clothing, and more," according to the release.

But as images of the updated Barney began hitting social media, some were confused about their beloved childhood icon's new look.

They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad. pic.twitter.com/D2aWosH8AZ  Veronica McDonald (@Purify_toast17) February 14, 2023

In the images of the animated Barney, the character's cheeks appear slimmer, his nose smaller and his teeth whiter than his original 1990s live-action model.

"They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad," one person tweeted, showing off a side-by-side of the old and new Barney.

Another person simply asked: "WHAT did they do to barney???"

like why would they give a dinosaur a job and botoxgive barney his chubby cheeks and nose back!  jey da sax player  (@enjoyjeyy) February 13, 2023

Some used the hashtag #NotMyDinosaur as they expressed horror at the new look.

"like why would they give a dinosaur a job and botoxgive barney his chubby cheeks and nose back!" one person tweeted.

Mattel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fred Soulie, senior vice president and general manager of Mattel Television, said in the company's news release that the new Barney is intended to inspire fans, young and old.

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With our modern take on Barney, we hope to inspire the next generation to listen, care, and dream big," Soulie said. "We think that parents, many of whom will fondly remember the original Barney from their own childhoods, will love the show, too."

The news release did not state whether fellow beloved characters Baby Bop and B.J. would return to the reboot.

Separately, another "Barney" project is also in the works, from "Nope" star Daniel Kaluuya. He said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in July that his live-action Barney movie is still in early development, and that the script was being reworked. It is unclear whether that Barney will also be getting a makeover.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A beloved pillar of the Atlanta community has passed away.

Thomas Dortch Jr., a trailblazer and community leader, has died at the age of 72.

Dortch served as the chairman of 100 Black Men of America and chaired their board of directors.

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100 Black Men of America is a non-profit organization recognized as one of the top African-American led mentorship programs in the country.

Dortch, a graduate of Fort Valley State University and Clark Atlanta University, is also credited with founding the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

He was also a former aide to Senator Sam Nunn.

TRENDING STORIES:

Last week, several members of the Georgia delegation spoke on the U.S. House floor to nominate him to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to the country.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement on Wednesday evening calling him a tireless advocate for young people.

This is a sad day for our city. We have lost another soldier. Tommy Dortch wasnt born in Atlanta. He came here to attend school, and never left. And Atlanta is the better for it. Whether during his days in government or during his tenure leading 100 Black Men of Atlanta and later 100 Black Men of America, Tommy never lost sight of his mission. Long before we called it diversity, equity and inclusion, Tommy was hard at work in that space. In matters of equity, not too much happened here that Tommy wasnt involved in. Tommy was a connector and a facilitator. He knew how to get the right people together to make something good happen for Atlanta. He was also a tireless advocate for our young people. When we decided that 2023 would be Atlantas Year of the Youth, I knew that I could count on him sharing his support and wisdom. Tommy once said that he wanted his legacy to be that he put our young people first. Without question, mission accomplished. Mayor Andre Dickens

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The Atlanta City Council also released a statement in remembrance of the man with a sharp intellect and a public servants heart.

It was clear Thomas Dortch Jr. loved his community, which is why he worked so hard for it. He was a trailblazer, a community advocate, and a renowned speaker with a sharp intellect and a public servants heart. As we reflect on his life, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. The city of Atlanta will miss his inspiring example, but his life and his service to the community will always be celebrated and remembered. Atlanta City Council

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A community is mourning the loss of a beloved middle school teacher killed in a car crash on Valentines Day just moments after leaving school for the day.

David Brown taught at Cedartown Middle School in Polk County.

Georgia State Patrol said a little after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 21-year-old Jamie Chavez-Lopez was traveling north on GA-1, approaching its intersection with Collard Valley Road.

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At the same time, 58-year-old David Brown was driving west on Collard Valley Road while attempting to go straight across GA-1, troopers said.

According to the crash report, a third car was stopped in the left southbound lane of GA-1, the road Chavez-Lopez was driving down.

Troopers said Chavez-Lopez failed to obey the stop light and hit the left side of Browns car head-on, causing Browns car to flip and hit the left side of the third vehicle that was stopped.

TRENDING STORIES:

Chavez-Lopez told troopers that she thought the light was green for her and that Brown pulled out in front of her.

The driver of the third vehicle told troopers the light was red for Chavez-Lopez and green for Brown. Troopers said witnesses of the crash confirmed.

Brown was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Channel 2s Tom Regan was at the middle school on Thursday, where he talked to students and parents who said Browns death has been difficult to accept.

Everybody is just grieving I guess, student Natalie Pace said.

Natalies mom, Kimberly Pace, said everyone is still in shock.

Once they said it was a teacher, I said, Oh my goodness, Kimberly Pace said. Its sad.

The district issued a statement, calling Brown a valuable member of the Polk School District family.

Chavez-Lopez was charged with distracted driving, vehicular homicide and using a phone while driving.

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Brown was a beloved teacher at Cedartown Middle School.

Polk School District mourns the loss of Mr. Brown as he was a valued member of our PSD family, Polk County School District officials wrote on Facebook. Please join us in remembering Mr. Browns family and the students and staff of Cedartown Middle School during this difficult time.

District leaders added that they are providing additional counselors and therapists on campus for students and staff.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has called for six Raleigh police officers who stunned Darryl Tyree Williams to be fired and charged with manslaughter.

How can we have peace in North Carolina until we have justice for Darryl Tyree Williams? said Crump, who is representing Williamss family, at a Thursday news conference around the corner from where Williams was stunned.

We come here to disturb the peace and the fact that we dont want everybody to sleep comfortably saying we can just kill Black people unnecessarily and thats justifiable.

Williams, a 32-year-old Black man, died at a hospital after being tased and handcuffed by officers in a southeast Raleigh neighborhood on Jan. 17.

Officers J.T. Thomas, C.D. Robinson, D.L. Aquino, J.R. Scott, D.L. Grande and B.L. Ramge have been placed on administrative leave for their involvement in the stop.

Body camera footage, area surveillance footage and dash camera footage from the encounter released last week showed Thomas and Robinson approached Williams and a passenger as they sat in a car. Officers began asking questions before instructing Williams and his passenger to exit the vehicle.

At some point, a struggle broke out as officers attempted to place Williams under arrest. Officers threatened to stun Williams if he did not comply, and soon after a stun gun was deployed. The shock caused Williams to fall to the ground.

Why are you all doing this to me? Williams can be heard asking, before officers warn he will be stunned again if he does not place his hands behind his back.

The stun gun was then deployed.

At this point, Williams can be heard telling officers, I have heart problems.

In total, Williams was stunned three times, twice through direct body contact with the stun gun. In the video, as Williams lay on the ground, he could be heard moaning.

Why dont the police believe us? Crump said Thursday. When George Floyd said that I couldnt breathe, they didnt believe him. When Eric Gardner in Staten Island, New York, said I cant breathe, they didnt believe him. And they didnt believe Darryl Tyree when he said, I got heart problems, because if they would have believed they would have stopped.

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This, Crump said, is willful disregard for human life  the definition of manslaughter.

Crump compared Williamss encounter with law enforcement to that of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was severely beaten by six Black officers in Memphis, Tenn., also last month. Nichols died from his injuries three days after the beating.

Crump called it a tragic irony that both men had similar names but added that Memphis has provided a blueprint for police departments around the country.

They fired the police, arrested the police and charged the police in 20 days, said Crump. When we saw what happened on the video in Memphis, the police chief said that it was important for the community to see us take swift action.  She was talking about the Memphis community. I hope she was also talking about the American community.

Charges against the officers involved in Williamss stop have not been fired or charged.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland

BETHESDA, Md. (Reuters) -Doctors declared U.S. President Joe Biden, 80, healthy and "fit for duty" on Thursday after a physical examination that included removing a lesion from his chest and declaring him free of symptoms of long COVID after his bout last year with the virus.

"The president remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations," White House physician Kevin O'Connor said in a summary of the health exam.

The exam was closely watched as Biden prepares for his expected run for a second term in 2024. The summary said Biden did not have any "long COVID" symptoms and that his stiff gait has not worsened since his last exam in November 2021.

Biden said his physical went well. "Everything really went well... Thank God for small favors," he told NBC News.

Biden's three-hour session with doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the Washington suburb of Bethesda, Maryland, was his second extensive exam since taking office in January 2021.

Biden takes the statin Crestor to keep his cholesterol levels low, an anti-coagulant in response to atrial fibrillation that remains asymptomatic and medication to treaty seasonal allergies and acid reflux, the summary said.

Several small skin growths were moved from his face and head using liquid nitrogen and "one small lesion on the president's chest was excised today and sent for traditional biopsy," O'Connor said. Results are pending.

The summary found that Biden's weight had dropped six pounds, from 184 pounds in 2021 to 178. His body mass index was at 24.1 compared to 25.0 in 2021, and his blood pressure was at 126/78 compared to 120/70 in 2021.

The summary made no mention of whether Biden underwent any cognitive tests sometimes given to people of his age.

O'Connor said Biden's back stiffness is a result of significant spinal arthritis.

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"The president's gait remains stiff, but has not worsened since last year," he said.

Biden, the oldest person ever to serve as U.S. president, has waved off questions about his age, but polls indicate voters have concerns about his ability to serve four more years if he wins in 2024.

Asked about the concerns over Biden's age, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters: "This is a president that works day in and day out, you know, in a grueling fashion with a grueling schedule, and delivers."

About three-quarters of Americans - including more than half of Democrats and the vast majority of Republicans - say Biden is too old to work in government, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted Feb. 6 to 13. Most Democratic respondents said the president remains mentally sharp but about half of them said he cannot handle the physical toll of the presidency.

Biden does not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco and works out five times a week, the physical noted.

Biden would be 86 by the end of a prospective second term, making him 13 years older than the average life expectancy of an American male, according to 2020 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.

Biden said during a PBS interview last week that any Americans concerned about his age should "watch me" perform the duties of the presidency.

First lady Jill Biden, 71, last month had cancerous skin lesions removed.

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Jason Lange; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler and Josie Kao)
Biden administration officials on Wednesday evening briefed top officials from the Trump administration on Chinas high-altitude surveillance program, according to a person familiar with the briefing.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe and former national security adviser Robert OBrien were briefed for just over an hour by top U.S. intelligence officials at the headquarters of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, this person said.

The briefing touched on Chinas overall program, the source said, as well as past incidents of surveillance balloons entering U.S. airspace, including during the Trump and Biden administrations.

A spokesperson for the national intelligence directors office confirmed that Pompeo, Ratcliffe and OBrien were jointly briefed Wednesday evening.

The Biden administration had offered classified briefings to former Trump administration officials because incidents that occurred during Trumps presidency werent discovered until after Biden took office. The one the national intelligence directors office conducted for Pompeo, Ratcliffe and OBrien followed a briefing Wednesday for former national security adviser John Bolton.

Bolton was sharply critical of the administrations handling of the Chinese surveillance balloon and the three other objects that were shot down. The person familiar with the briefing for Pompeo, Ratcliffe and OBrien, however, described it as gracious of the Biden administration to provide them with the briefing.

The person familiar with the evening briefing said the Biden officials confirmed that the Chinese spy balloon that lingered over the U.S. before it was shot down off South Carolina on Feb. 4 was an unprecedented incident and that nothing of that magnitude had occurred in U.S. airspace before then.

The briefing also included discussion about the aerial objects the U.S. military shot down over the weekend, but the briefers did not have much information about those incidents, this person said. The primary focus of the briefing was on Chinas surveillance program and the past incidents of Chinese intrusions into U.S. airspace, this person said.

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They added that the Chinese spy balloon raised grave national security concerns for the U.S., calling the program a very significant platform and noting the balloon is big enough to carry all kinds of weapons if China desires.

This is a very dangerous game theyre playing, this person said. This is a very significant Chinese operation, and we have to wake up. To that point, the source said the incident appears to have been a wakeup call for the administration and the American people.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency promised Thursday that the Biden administration would "get to the bottom" of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, this month that resulted in a fire and a toxic chemical spill affecting residents and wildlife for miles.

In a visit to East Palestine, Administrator Michael Regan addressed concerns over the Biden administration's response to the disaster.

The community has questions, and we hear you, we see you and we will get to the bottom of this, Regan said at a joint news conference with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and other officials. As Gov. [Mike] DeWine and I discussed last night, we are going to get through this as a team, and we are absolutely going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable, and I can promise you that."

Regan said air monitoring has not shown any quality issues from the incident and urged residents to use bottled water if their private wells have not been tested.

Brown, a Democrat, and the state's Republican senator, JD Vance, urged the Biden administration and DeWine to take more action in response to the situation.

"The important thing to me, as the administrator said, is that we hold Norfolk Southern accountable," Brown said. "That means accountable for the tests for people to move back in and accountable for all the clean-up that would take weeks to assure people" that the air and water are safe.

Brown added that he has been working with the White House, the National Transportation Safety Board and other federal agencies to help coordinate the response.

Earlier Thursday, Brown sent a letter to DeWine demanding that he issue a disaster declaration in East Palestine and seek more assistance from the federal government to respond to this unprecedented disaster.

A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope," Brown wrote. "Im grateful for all that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, local fire fighters, and local law enforcement have done to respond to this unprecedented disaster, but its critical we act quickly to supplement those efforts.

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Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, he added.

At a separate news conference Thursday morning, Vance criticized the Biden administration while stressing that rail operator Norfolk Southern needs to be held accountable.

Vance expressed frustration over what he characterized as feet dragging by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about questions over water quality for residents affected by the derailment.

Asked whether he has a message for Biden, Vance said he has not spoken with the president but would tell him that the Transportation Department needs to take more action and needs to stop blaming former President Donald Trump for having contributed to a regulatory environment that led to the accident.

Multiple Republican lawmakers have called on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to resign after the derailment.

Secretary Buttigieg refused to acknowledge the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, until his intentional ignorance was no longer tenable, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida wrote in letter Thursday urging Biden to request Buttigiegs resignation. Even after acknowledging the tragedy, he continues to deflect any accountability for the safety of our nations rail system. The circumstances leading up to the derailment point to a clear lack of oversight and demand engagement by our nations top transportation official.

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri also called for Buttigieg to resign on Thursday, telling NBC News: Yes, my gosh, he should have resigned after the rail strike. He should certainly resign now. Hawley added, Has he even been to East Palestine yet, Ohio? I mean, its, its terrible.

Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also tweeted Monday that Buttigieg should resign.

Buttigieg tweeted this week that his agencys ability to regulate the rail system is constrained by law because of a braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration.

A lot of this about leadership and just being available to people are making them realize that the biggest concern for people is when cameras disappear and the politicians are no longer around," Vance said. "I think the president could do a lot  standing in front of the White House press room for 30 seconds and saying, 'People of East Palestine, I see you, were not going to forget about you.'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Buttigieg on Thursday when she was asked about the criticism from Democrats and Republicans who accuse him of deflecting to the Trump administration.

We do have absolute confidence in Buttigieg, Jean-Pierre said at a news briefing.

In a statement Thursday morning, DeWine said he requested additional federal assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and other agencies. DeWine said he made the request after he spoke with White House officials earlier Thursday.

The DeWine administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time, his office said in a statement. Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.

Pressed about DeWines request for more federal support, the White House denied that FEMA is not supporting response to the derailment.

As you know, these needs are much more expansive than what FEMA can meet," Jean-Pierre said Thursday. "So FEMA is on the front lines when there is a hurricane or tornado  youve seen the president visit devastated areas that are devastated across the country. This situation is very different. That doesnt mean FEMA isnt supporting response; they indeed are.

This is a multiple agency response ... HHS, CDC, EPA, as well. They are coordinating with the emergency operation center and working closely with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency," she added. "Each federal agency has its own unique role here.

Brown and Vance spoke out amid bipartisan calls for a congressional investigation into the derailment. It is unclear whether such probe would focus more on Norfolk Southern or on the federal government's safety standards and response to the Feb. 3 incident.

In a statement Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joined those criticizing the administrations response.

It is unacceptable that it took nearly two weeks for a senior administration official to show up at the derailment site, Manchin said. I urge President Biden, Administrator Regan, and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to provide a complete picture of the damage and a comprehensive plan to ensure the community is supported in the weeks, months and years to come, and this sort of accident never happens again. The damage done to East Palestine and the surrounding region is awful and its past time for those responsible to step up to the plate.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Biden arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center on Thursday morning to undergo his annual physical.

Biden arrived for his physical around 9:15 a.m. The White House will publicly release a written summary of the presidents physical later in the day after it is completed, the press office said.

Biden did not have a physical during the 2022 calendar year, which the White House chalked up to scheduling around what has been a busy and evolving travel schedule in recent weeks.

His last physical was completed in November 2021, and his physician determined at that time that he was healthy and fit to execute the duties of the presidency.

Bidens health will be closely watched as he inches closer to announcing his 2024 reelection bid. The president turned 80 last November, and he would be 82 at the start of a second term. Biden was already the oldest president at the time of his swearing in, and while Democrats have largely fallen in line in support of another Biden campaign, questions about his age and fitness for office will likely be central to attacks by his opponents.

Asked last week during an interview with PBS Newshour about those in his own party who wonder if his age is an issue, Biden gave what has become his usual retort on the issue.

Watch me, Biden said. Its all I can say.

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 added. And so well see. But, you know, I just, I think people have to just watch me.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Bidens physician said he had a small lesion removed from his chest to be checked for signs of skin cancer during his annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre on Thursday, according to a memorandum released by the White House press office.

Dr Kevin OConnor, the former US Army doctor who has treated Mr Biden since his time as vice president, said he remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as ChiefExecutive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.

The physician to the president said the small lesion that was excised from Mr Bidens chest will be sent for a traditional biopsy with the results not yet known. The lesion was discovered during a full-body skin exam on Mr Biden, who had several localised, non-melanoma skin cancers removed prior to the beginning of his term in the White House.

Additionally, Dr OConnor said the president is currently being treated with the anticoagulant Eliquis, which he has been prescribed due to non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a kind of abnormal heart rythym, which the memorandum described as "irregularly irregular" with no significant murmurs, galops or rubs despite a regular pulse rate.

Mr Bidens doctor also said the pronounced throat-clearing which the president often exhibits during public speaking is an occasional symptom of gastrosophageal reflux that is often brought about after he eats.

The acid reflux was first reported in a similar memo distributed after Mr Bidens November 2021 physical examination.

My original assessment that gastroesophageal reflux is the source of the President's throat clearing and coughing was supported by the findings and by expert consultation, Dr OConnor said.

He added that an examination of Mr Bidens lungs, a chest x-ray and a measurement of his oxygen saturation showed normal results, and noted that the president will continue to take Pepcid to treat the acid reflux.

Dr OConnor said Mr Biden also underwent an extremely detailed neurologic exam to confirm that the stiffened gait he has exhibited in the last few years is the result of wear and tear on his spine and not any sort of degenerative neurological condition.

The physician added that the neurological exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or ascending lateral sclerosis.
The White House released Joe Bidens health report on Thursday, describing an 80-year-old president who is healthy, vigorous and fit to successfully execute the duties of his office.

It was the presidents second annual physical at Walter Reed Medical Center since taking office and comes just before a widely expected announcement for a reelection bid. Biden, the oldest person ever elected to the White House, has been subject to questions of his mental acuity and age  an attack line his challengers are likely to lean into on the campaign trail.

President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief, Kevin OConnor, the presidents physician, wrote in his health summary.



Since his last physical, Biden battled a case of Covid and a rebound infection but OConnor said the president has not experienced any prolonged symptoms that would be considered long Covid.

Bidens health has remained stable since his last medical exam was released in November 2021. In that report, the doctor noted the president had a perceptibly stiffer and less fluid gait and more frequent throat clearing, two addendums that could be explained by relatively minor issues.

Biden did have a small lesion removed from his chest on Thursday and sent for biopsy, the doctors summary said. First lady Jill Biden had cancerous tissue removed last month.

The president also underwent an extremely detailed neurologic exam, but resulted in no findings that would be consistent with a stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinsons disease. An exam of Bidens head, ears, eyes, nose and throat were also normal.

As was the case in 2021, Thursdays summary noted Biden was being treated for several common age-related conditions such as a minor heart arrhythmia and an elevated cholesterol level. OConnor said Thursday that the presidents cholesterol remains remarkably low on his current medication.

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For the presidents mild sensory peripheral neuropathy of the feet, which was also noted in the 2021 report, the doctor on Thursday prescribed Biden custom orthotics.

The president weighed in at 178 pounds  down six pounds from his last physical  and stands 6 feet tall. He still works out five days a week, the doctor said, and does not drink alcohol or use tobacco products.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden's health earlier Thursday when pressed on the president's age during the press briefing.



If you watch him, youll see that he has a grueling schedule that he keeps up with  that sometimes some of us are not able to keep up with, she said.

She noted that at last weeks State of the Union, I believe he spent 90 minutes speaking to congressional members in front of him to the American people. After that, he spent an hour shaking hands and saying hello and greeting congressional members and their guests.
President Biden on Thursday said the three objects the military shot out of the sky last weekend were likely connected to a private company or research institution.

We dont yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing right now suggests they were related to Chinas spy balloon program or that they were surveillance vehicles from any other country, Biden said in prepared remarks from the White House.

The intelligence communitys current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions studying weather or conducting scientific research, he added.

The presidents speech marked his first public comments on the topic since the U.S. military shot down three separate aerial objects last weekend. One was shot down Friday over Alaskan airspace, one was shot down Saturday over the Canadian wilderness and a third was shot down on Sunday over Lake Huron.

Biden had faced mounting criticism from Republicans in recent days about his decision not to address the public about the objects. Even some Democrats had suggested it would be helpful to hear from the president on the issue.

Administration officials argued they had been as transparent as possible about the objects in recent days, even as they faced difficulties collecting debris from the objects due to the weather conditions and where each object was shot down.

White House officials have ruled out aliens or extraterrestrial life in connection to the objects.

The three unknown objects were shot down roughly one week after the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon near the coast of South Carolina. That balloon had floated over parts of the U.S. for several days before it was shot down over the water, which officials said was necessary to avoid injuries and property damage on the ground.

Biden on Thursday explained that the sudden increase in objects being spotted and shot out of the sky was likely a result of a change in Pentagon radar settings.

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I want to be clear. We dont have any evidence that there has been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the sky, Biden said. Were now just seeing more of them partially because of the steps weve taken to increase our radars, to narrow our radars. And we have to keep adapting our approach to dealing with these challenges.

Biden has directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an interagency team to study how best to detect and respond to unidentified aerial objects that may pose either safety or security risks.

The president emphasized that he took action to order the shoot down of objects last weekend to prioritize the safety of the public. Officials have said the three objects posed particular concern because they were at a height that could interfere with civilian air travel, and it was not known at the time what surveillance capabilities they may have had.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden praised Elon Musk after Tesla committed to opening up its charging network to rivals by the end of 2024. Samuel Corum/Getty Images, Taylor Hill/Getty Images

On Wednesday, US President Biden offered up some rare praise for an unlikely candidate.

Elon Musk opened up Tesla's charging network to rivals. "That's a big deal, and it'll make a big difference," Biden tweeted.

That's unusual, as Biden and Musk appear to have a strained relationship, and even traded barbs publicly.

Elon Musk has been under intense scrutiny since his takeover of Twitter  but things appear to be on the up at Tesla, where he is also CEO.

On Wednesday, Musk received rare praise from US President Joe Biden after Tesla agreed to open at least 7,500 of its charging stations to other electric vehicles by the end of 2024. Tesla's chargers have only been accessible to the brand's cars.

"In building our EV charging network, we have to ensure that as many chargers work for as many drivers as possible," Biden tweeted Wednesday, adding: "To that end, @elonmusk will open a big part of @Tesla's network up to all drivers. That's a big deal, and it'll make a big difference."

Within seven hours, Biden's tweet had been viewed about 10 million times and garnered over 14,000 likes.

In response, Musk thanked Biden.

The cordial exchange between the two is unusual because they previously appeared to have a strained relationship, even trading barbs openly.

Most recently, Musk  displeased that Biden's Super Bowl tweet got more engagement than his own  asked Twitter engineers to boost his tweets, per a report published by Platformer on Wednesday.

Tensions between the two had become apparent back in August 2021 when Musk complained on Twitter that Tesla wasn't invited to an EV summit at the White House even though the automaker dominates the US market.

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Musk has also repeatedly attacked some of Biden's key political agendas including a Democratic Party tax plan targeting US billionaires. Musk said at the time that any reallocation of wealth would be better managed by the private sector than by the government.

Biden also hit out at Musk. The president aimed a pointed barb at the SpaceX CEO's fixation with space in June 2022  the same time he was touting Ford's investment into EVs.

In November, Biden said at a White House press conference that Musk's ties with foreign countries were "worthy of being looked at" following his acquisition of Twitter. White House officials had earlier denied reports that it was planning a security review of Musk's deals  including the purchase of Twitter.

Biden's praise comes at a tumultuous time for Musk and Twitter

According to Tesla employees who are working out of Twitter's office, Musk appears to be "obviously stressed," Insider's Kali Hays reported earlier on Thursday. They compared the situation now to 2018  a period Musk referred to as "excruciating" and "the most difficult and painful" of his entire career  saying it's "worse."

Since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion in late October, Musk has instituted sweeping changes at the company, including mass layoffs and ending some benefits to cut costs. Advertising also dropped amid scrutiny on Twitter  more than half of its top 1,000 advertisers in September were not spending on the platform in the first weeks of 2023, CNN reported on Monday.

Tesla, meanwhile, is faring a tad better  its share prices have rebounded this year and are up nearly 74% so far. They had tanked by over 50% in 2022 due to various factors, including slow demand and vehicle output, the Fed's rate hikes, and Musk's Twitter takeover  which sparked investor concerns that he was spreading himself too thin.

The upswing in stock prices has even sent Musk's net worth soaring. Tesla also beat Wall Street expectations for its fourth-quarter earnings and analysts are generally bullish on the EV maker.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jim Joran puts his finger to his chin sitting next to Rep. Mike Johnson



Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan has taken the lead in attacking big tech over supposed collusion with the government.

The House Judiciary Committee announced Wednesday that it had subpoenaed several of the biggest tech CEOs in the U.S., from Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Meta, for documents and communications related to more vague and so-far unfounded hints of government collusion.

According to a release, Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Chairman, said they called on Googles Sundar Pichai, Amazons Andy Jassy, Apples Tim Cook, Metas Mark Zuckerberg, and Microsofts Satya Nadella to hand over documents and communications of communications with government agencies by March 23.

Read more

This latest move is a continuation of House Republicans efforts to create a new front of the culture war centered around big tech companies, with claims that Republicans have been censored on social media platforms. Jordan was a diehard for former President Donald Trump and has been a snarling dog in the supposed fight between congressional Republicans and big tech. Before Republicans even took control of the House of Representatives at the start of 2023, Jordan was sending letters out to big tech companies asking for documents related to communications with the White House or executive agencies.

Jordan started each of these letters with: Big Tech is out to get conservatives, and is increasingly willing to undermine First Amendment values by complying with the Biden Administrations directives that suppress freedom of speech online.

Last month, Jordan was asked to lead the newly-launched Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The judiciary subcommittee was designed from the get-go to target tech companies to get them to hand over emails, memos, or other communications.

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In many ways, this further fallout from last years Twitter Files, the pseudo-journalistic report based on internal Twitter documents that were supposed to show how the company worked in lockstep with federal agencies to suppress conservative voices. The documents showed that Twitter execs went back and forth about suppressing the Hunter Biden Laptop story, something those same execs already admitted was a mistake. Otherwise, the reports showed that while the FBI and other agencies asked Twitter to curtail some accounts and posts, Twitter execs often debated whether or not to follow through.

Last week, house Republicans held a hearing on the Hunter Biden Laptop scandal, which was so full of conspiracies and disruption it was hard to call it anything but an utter shitshow.

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Survivors of domestic violence could soon be allowed to carry Hope Cards in place of paperwork documenting a protective order under a bill introduced in the Washington State Legislature.

The idea was introduced to lawmakers by Jamie Sullivan, an advocate for domestic violence survivors and a survivor herself, who told McClatchy that she first got the idea when she was a guest on a true crime podcast. She overheard a different guest from another episode mention Hope Cards, and began to research them afterwards, she said.

Sullivan told McClatchy that survivors of domestic violence are strongly advised to keep protective order paperwork with them at all times in case that order is violated and they need to show law enforcement officials proof that an order is already in place.

She said the paperwork is not only cumbersome for adults to carry, but also for youth who have to carry it with them when they go to school.

When I think of the discretion and privacy, carrying around a big old piece of paper is just not a good plan for kids, for minor children or teenagers who might be covered under these orders, Sullivan said.

Hope Cards are small enough to fit in a wallet, she said.

Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, is the bills prime sponsor. It is co-sponsored by both House Democrats and Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline.

Both testified for House Bill 1766 before the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Davis herself is a survivor of domestic violence and stalking. Earlier this year the Seattle Times reported that Davis obtained a domestic violence protective order against a prominent state lobbyist.

Davis told the committee that 20,000 times a year a protective order is issued by judges in Washington state, and that up to 60% of those are violated. Violations of those orders are an indication of stalking, a significant risk factor for re-assault and for intimate partner homicide, she said.

I cant underscore enough the importance of ensuring that these orders are taken seriously, and that victims are protected and abusers are held accountable, Davis said. This bill helps us get there.

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Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders testified Tuesday in support of the legislation and said that it would make his job as a law enforcement official easier. He explained that sometimes it can take a long time for police to confirm if a protective order is in place when an order has been violated.

And one thing domestic violence victims dont have is time, he said. Sanders also said that having a valid card issued by a judge could help lead to an arrest quicker.

Sullivan also testified before the committee on the proposed legislation. No one testified against the proposal.

This is not going to revolutionize criminal justice or anything, its a very humble bill, Sullivan told McClatchy. It does something very specific but thats important too.

The bill has already been fast-tracked for an executive session on Friday, the last day for bills to pass out of their committee of origin. If passed and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, the legislation would go into effect 90 days after the session adjourns April 23.

Five other states use Hope Cards including Montana, Illinois and Virginia.
Photo: Contributed Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas

Political riding boundaries are reviewed every 10 years and the changes can be significant, depending on where you live.



Here in the southern Interior, we will get one new electoral district (often referred to as a riding), which, to accommodate the new riding, would have a domino effect as the non-partisan federal B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission has recommended significant riding boundary adjustments.



After extensive hearings, the commission is recommending extensive revisions to Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, the riding I represent. This riding would be essentially split into geographical regions that will end up in five different ridings, assuming the changes are adopted.



Given the status of our minority Parliament, we do not know exactly when our next federal election will be. While Canada has a fixed-date election law that says the next scheduled election must occur on or before Oct. 20, 2025, this does not stop a prime minister from calling a snap election, as we saw in 2021.



If there is a snap election, the existing riding boundaries will be in effect. If it occurs after spring 2024, the new boundaries would take effect.



One of the most significant changes is communities such as Merritt and Logan Lake would be located in a proposed riding called Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola, which, as the name implies, would include part of Kamloops.



Another significant change is communities such as Princeton, Keremeos, Cawston and Hedley would join the proposed riding of Similkameen-West Kootenay, which would also include the City of Penticton, as well as the Penticton Indian Band.



What remains of my existing riding  the communities of Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and parts of Kelowna would become part of a new riding to be called Okanagan Lake WestSouth Kelowna.



The existing Kelowna boundaries would be moved further south to include all of south Kelowna, such as Okanagan Mission. The boundary would extend east, as far as the area around the McCulloch reservoir.



For Kelowna residents, the new proposed riding to be called Kelowna would include a much larger area of the City of Kelowna, including an eastern portion that also consists of the Big White ski resort area. This riding would no longer have the communities of Lake Country or Okanagan Centre, which would join a new riding called "Vernon Monashee."



In addition to this column, my office has arranged a separate mail out with a map for each affected region (Okanagan, Similkameen and Nicola Valleys) so the residents I represent can review this proposal in more detail.



It is challenging for the federal Electoral Boundaries Commission to balance population growth with the input of many community considerations.



This second report proposal is significantly different from the first draft proposal submitted last fall, mainly because the commission listened to, and attempted to accommodate, many of the concerns it heard.



On the same theme, I sincerely thank the commissioners and staff for all their work in submitting this report. I would also like to thank those who took the time to participate.



In my view, federal elected officials should avoid directly commenting on these changes to avoid any perception of attempting to influence boundary changes that may either enhance or work against partisan political interests.



I believe it is crucial for both local and regional government representatives and local residents to be aware of the proposed changes and consider the accessibility of current electoral boundaries compared to what is proposed.



My question this week is:



Are you satisfied with these proposed changes?



I can be reached at [email protected] or call 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.
ATLANTA  The state Senate on Thursday approved a wide-ranging bill aimed at stemming the tide of gang-related crime in Georgia.

Sponsored by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, the 10-page bill makes a number of changes to Georgias criminal law to address gang violence.

Georgia state Senator John Albers

Albers said he consulted a wide range of groups in crafting the law, including prosecutors, judges, victims rights groups, district attorneys, trial lawyers, activist groups and others.

This is much needed and real criminal justice reform, Albers said.

The legislation increases the penalty for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a forcible felony or domestic violence.

Currently, the penalty can range from one to five years in prison. Under Albers bill, it would increase to at least five years behind bars.

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The measure also makes a number of procedural changes to Georgias gang laws. If passed, it would mandate that Superior Court judges handle all bond hearings for gang crimes. Currently, magistrates sometimes handle these hearings.

Albers gave the example of a 2010 murder of a child by a gang member who had been released on bond by a magistrate judge.

Local governments and others would also be able to bring civil, not just criminal, actions against gang members. The bill would also consolidate the venues in which criminal convictions could be pursued.

Oftentimes, gang members will continue to move around from county to city, Albers said. Rather than trying to prosecute that in multiple areas, it allows them to consolidate it in one single venue.

Certain past crimes could also be used to prove gang membership.

The bill would also require that people convicted of the repeat offense of abuse of children, people with special needs, and elderly people receive the maximum sentence possible in most cases. It also allows prior evidence to be used in prosecuting people charged with those crimes.

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The state Senate approved the bill by a 44 to 8 vote. It will now move to the Georgia House of Representatives for consideration.

This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia Senate approves wide-ranging reforms to state's gang laws
Microsoft's new and improved Bing, powered by a custom version of OpenAI's ChatGPT, has experienced a dizzyingly quick reversal: from "next big thing" to "brand-sinking albatross" in under a week. And, well, it's all Microsoft's fault.

ChatGPT is a really interesting demonstration of a new and unfamiliar technology that's also fun to use. So it's not surprising that, like every other AI-adjacent construct that comes down the line, this novelty would cause its capabilities to be overestimated by everyone from high-powered tech types to people normally uninterested in the space.

It's at the right "tech readiness level" for discussion over tea or a beer: what are the merits and risks of generative AI's take on art, literature, or philosophy? How can we be sure what it is original, imitative, hallucinated? What are the implications for creators, coders, customer service reps? Finally, after two years of crypto, something interesting to talk about!

The hype seems outsized partly because it is a technology more or less designed to provoke discussion, and partly because it borrows from the controversy common to all AI advances. It's almost like "The Dress" in that it commands a response, and that response generates further responses. The hype is itself, in a way, generated.

Beyond mere discussion, large language models like ChatGPT are also well suited to low stakes experiments, for instance never-ending Mario. In fact, that's really OpenAI's fundamental approach to development: release models first privately to buff the sharpest edges off of, then publicly to see how they respond to a million people kicking the tires simultaneously. At some point, people give you money.

Nothing to gain, nothing to lose

What's important about this approach is that "failure" has no real negative consequences, only positive ones. By characterizing its models as experimental, even academic in nature, any participation or engagement with the GPT series of models is simply large scale testing.

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If someone builds something cool, it reinforces the idea that these models are promising; if someone finds a prominent fail state, well, what else did you expect from an experimental AI in the wild? It sinks into obscurity. Nothing is unexpected if everything is  the miracle is that the model performs as well as it does, so we are perpetually pleased and never disappointed.

In this way OpenAI has harvested an astonishing volume of proprietary test data with which to refine its models. Millions of people poking and prodding at GPT-2, GPT-3, ChatGPT, DALL-E, and DALL-E 2 (among others) have produced detailed maps of their capabilities, shortcomings, and of course popular use cases.

But it only works because the stakes are low. It's similar to how we perceive the progress of robotics: amazed when a robot does a backflip, unbothered when it falls over trying to open a drawer. If it was dropping test vials in a hospital we would not be so charitable. Or, for that matter, if OpenAI had loudly made claims about the safety and advanced capabilities of the models, though fortunately they didn't.

Enter Microsoft. (And Google, for that matter, but Google merely rushed the play while Microsoft is diligently pursuing an own goal.)

Microsoft made a big mistake. A Bing mistake, in fact.

Its big announcement last week lost no time in making claims about how it had worked to make its custom BingGPT (not what they called it, but we'll use it as a disambiguation in the absence of sensible official names) safer, smarter, and more capable. In fact it had a whole special wrapper system it called Prometheus that supposedly mitigated the possibility of inappropriate responses.

Unfortunately, as anyone familiar with hubris and Greek myth could have predicted, we seem to have skipped straight to the part where Prometheus endlessly and very publicly has his liver torn out.

Oops, AI did it again

Image Credits: Microsoft/OpenAI

In the first place, Microsoft made a strategic error in tying its brand too closely to OpenAI's. As an investor and interested party in the research the outfit is conducting, it was at a remove and blameless for any shenanigans GPT gets up to. But someone made the harebrained decision to go all-in with Microsoft's already somewhat risible Bing branding, converting the conversational AI's worst tendencies from curiosity to liability.

As a research program, much can be forgiven ChatGPT. As a product, however, with claims on the box like how it can help you write a report, plan a trip, or summarize recent news, few would have trusted it before and no one will now. Even what must have been the best case scenarios published by Microsoft in its own presentation of the new Bing were riddled with errors.

Those errors will not be attributed to OpenAI or ChatGPT. Because of Microsoft's decision to own the messaging, branding, and interface, everything that goes wrong will be a Bing problem. And it is Microsoft's further misfortune that its perennially outgunned search engine will now be like the barnyard indiscretion of the guy in the old joke  "I built that wall, do they call me Bing the bricklayer? No, they don't." One failure means eternal skepticism.

One trip upstate bungled means no one will ever trust Bing to plan their vacation. One misleading (or defensive) summary of a news article means no one will trust that it can be objective. One repetition of vaccine disinformation means no one will trust it to know what's real or fake.

Prompt and response to Bing's new conversational search.

And since Microsoft already pinky-swore this wouldn't be an issue thanks to Prometheus and the "next-generation" AI it governs, no one will trust Microsoft when it says "we fixed it!"

Microsoft has poisoned the well it just threw Bing into. Now, the vagaries of consumer behavior are such that the consequences of this are not easy to foresee. With this spike in activity and curiosity, perhaps some users will stick and even if Microsoft delays full rollout (and I think they will) the net effect will be an increase in Bing users. A Pyrrhic victory, but a victory nonetheless.

What I'm more worried about is the tactical error Microsoft made in apparently failing to understand the technology it saw fit to productize and evangelize.

"Just ship it." -Someone, probably

The very day BingGPT was first demonstrated, my colleague Frederic Lardinois was able, quite easily, to get it to do two things that no consumer AI ought to do: write a hateful screed from the perspective of Adolf Hitler and offer the aforementioned vaccine disinfo with no caveats or warnings.

It's clear that any large AI model features a fractal attack surface, deviously improvising new weaknesses where old ones are shored up. People will always take advantage of that, and in fact it is to society's and lately to OpenAI's benefit that dedicated prompt hackers will demonstrate ways to get around safety systems.

It would be one kind of scary if Microsoft had decided that it was at peace with the idea that someone else's AI model, with a Bing sticker on it, would be attacked from every quarter and likely say some really weird stuff. Risky, but honest. Say it's a beta, like everyone else.

But it really appears as though they didn't realize this would happen. In fact, it seems as if they don't understand the character or complexity of the threat at all. And this is after the infamous corruption of Tay! Of all companies Microsoft should be the most chary of releasing a naive model that learns from its conversations.

One would think that before gambling an important brand (in that Bing is Microsoft's only bulwark against Google in search), a certain amount of testing would be involved. The fact that all these troubling issues have appeared in the first week of BingGPT's existence seems to prove beyond a doubt that Microsoft did not adequately test it internally. That could have failed in a variety of ways so we can skip over the details, but the end result is inarguable: the new Bing was simply not ready for general use.

This seems obvious to everyone in the world now; why wasn't it obvious to Microsoft? Presumably it was blinded by the hype for ChatGPT and, like Google, decided to rush ahead and "rethink search."

People are rethinking search now, all right! They're rethinking whether either Microsoft or Google can be trusted to provide search results, AI-generated or not, that are even factually correct at a basic level! Neither company (nor Meta) has demonstrated this capability at all, and the few other companies taking on the challenge are yet to do so at scale.

I don't see how Microsoft can salvage this situation. In an effort to take advantage of their relationship with OpenAI and leapfrog a shilly-shallying Google, they committed to the new Bing and the promise of AI-powered search. They can't unbake the cake.

It is very unlikely that they will fully retreat. That would involve embarrassment at a grand scale  even grander than it is currently experiencing. And because the damage is already done, it might not even help Bing.

Similarly, one can hardly imagine Microsoft charging forward as if nothing is wrong. Its AI is really weird! Sure, it's being coerced into doing a lot of this stuff, but it's making threats, claiming multiple identities, shaming its users, hallucinating all over the place. They've got to admit that their claims regarding inappropriate behavior being controlled by poor Prometheus were, if not lies, at least not truthful. Because as we have seen, they clearly didn't test this system properly.

The only reasonable option for Microsoft is one that I suspect they have already taken: throttle invites to the "new Bing" and kick the can down the road, releasing a handful of specific capabilities at a time. Maybe even give the current version an expiration date or limited number of tokens so the train will eventually slow down and stop.

This is the consequence of deploying a technology that you didn't originate, don't fully understand, and can't satisfactorily evaluate. It's possible this debacle has set back major deployments of AI in consumer applications by a significant period  which probably suits OpenAI and others building the next generation of models just fine.

AI may well be the future of search, but it sure as hell isn't the present. Microsoft chose a remarkably painful way to find that out.
Bitcoin rose as much as 9% on Thursday to trade above $25,000 for the first time in six months as the 2023 crypto rally continues.

Late Thursday morning, bitcoin (BTC-USD) traded as high as $25,104, bringing year-to-date gains for the world's biggest cryptocurrency to north of 50%.

The latest rally in bitcoin comes after this week's inflation data showed price pressured in the U.S. economy are both "hot and cold."

Between Feb. 13-15, $112 million in bitcoin short positions were liquidated, or $84 million net of long positions, according to crypto derivatives aggregator CoinGlass.

"There was a combination of spot market buying and short-liquidations who may have been late to the party and thought going short after C.P.I. was a good long term macro trade," said Christopher Newhouse, a crypto options trader for GSR.

Over the two-day period that followed inflation data published last month  which also sparked a bitcoin rally  $219 million worth of short positions on bitcoin were liquidated, or $95 million as net of long positions.

"Just goes to show how short-term price action driven by momentum and liquidations can overcome any longer term views people put on," Newhouse added.

"We've had an amazingly strong rally  I'm surprised at the velocity of it," Michael Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, said at a conference on Wednesday.

"When I look at the price action, when I look at the excitement of customers calling that FOMO [is] building up, it wouldn't surprise me if we're at 30,000 by the end of the quarter," Novogratz added.

Mike Novogratz, founder and chief executive officer of Galaxy Digital, gestures as he speaks during the Bitcoin Conference 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello

As bitcoin leads cryptos rally, all eyes are on its 200-week moving average, which is set at the $25,000 price marker according to Yahoo Finance data.

Total crypto volume across the market has risen 22% to $1.8 trillion in the last week, according to crypto data aggregator Nomics. Trading in North America, however, has fallen more than 15% to $64 billion over this period.

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Elsewhere on Wednesday, legendary investor Charlie Munger, a longtime critic of cryptocurrencies, said of crypto trading and investing: "It's worthless, it's crazy, it's not good, it'll do nothing but harm, it's antisocial to allow it."

In recent weeks, U.S. financial authorities have ramped up actions in the sector. In January, banking regulators issued a joint statement warning of the risks assumed by banks that touch crypto activities.

The SEC has also picked up enforcement, fining exchange Kraken $30 million last week for its crypto staking program, the fourth of action against a U.S. crypto firm in the past six weeks.

In a Senate Banking Committee hearing Tuesday, Committee Chair Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) lambasted industry firms and asked for the Committee to find common ground in order to pass cohesive legislation for crypto.

"The regulators understand that bitcoin is different, it's not a security. It doesn't have a centralized protocol with with a small group of programmers were in charge of it," said bitcoin investor James Lavish.

"With that said, it's going to be volatile and there's going to be another sell off, especially if we head into a recession so while it's great to see the price stabilize and move higher, I would just caution people from getting too excited."

Click here for the latest crypto news, updates, values, prices, and more related to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, DeFi and NFTs

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This month, as elementary students take bites of baked macaroni and cheese, theyll be learning about its distinctly American history  and the enslaved Black chef that made it possible.

It used to be called macaroni pie. It was created by a renowned chef, an enslaved chef, Shalynn Brooks, a FoodCorps service member and Fall River, Massachusetts native tells TODAY.com.

Shalynn Brooks, a FoodCorps service member. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

Shes referring to James Hemings, the chef enslaved by Thomas Jefferson and the mastermind behind many of Americas favorite dishes, including  but not limited to  mac and cheese. He wasnt recognized for it, it was recognized as Thomas Jeffersons, she says.

For Black History Month, Brooks has created a special lesson that teaches elementary school students the connections between Black people and some of the most iconic American foods. It was first reported on by the Standard-Times.

Brooks teaches a group of students as part of a Black History Month lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

Now in its second year, the program delivers the lesson to 19 elementary schools in the New Bedford Public School system in Massachusetts to give students a look into how some of their favorite foods came to their lunch tables.

This year I chose candied yams, cornbread, a fried turkey leg with a side of barbecue (sauce) and baked mac and cheese, Brooks says, adding that this year, students also get to taste test a cafeteria-friendly version of collard greens.

Students' meals of cornbread, fried turkey, corn and baked mac and cheese. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

The way the cafeteria is set up, its not like we could do it how we make collard greens at home, Brooks says, referencing the often-hours-long process involved in making the soul-food staple. But we did an adaptation, and they get to try that next week on top of being able to have the whole meal. Theyll have a deeper understanding of it.

After she graduated college in 2021, Brooks became part of FoodCorps, an organization that works alongside educators and school nutrition leaders to provide kids with meals, food education and culturally affirming experiences.

Brooks tests collard greens as part of a Black History Month lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

FoodCorps is working in partnership with the New Bedford Public Schools and Grow Education, the farm-to-school program of the Marion Institute. Grow supports educators, parents and students through healthy food education, and as part of it, Brooks is educating little minds through their bellies.

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The connection between food and Black history just wasnt taught when I was growing up in schools, Brooks says. What we normally learn about in school is still important, but I just always felt like there was something missing.

Students works on part of a Black History Month lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

The lesson starts with a history of Frederick Douglass, who escaped enslavement in Maryland in 1838, first arriving in New York and later settling in Massachusetts with his wife. Frederick Douglass actually lived here in New Bedford, Brooks says.

The lesson then moves into other icons of Black history  which includes inventors as well little-known changemakers in the farming industry.

A student works on part of a Black History Month lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

In addition to Garrett Morgan, who invented and first patented the idea for the three-position traffic signal, the lesson covers figures like Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black civil rights activist who started the Freedom Farm Cooperative, an organization that sought to make African American farmers self-sufficient in order to alleviate poverty and economic disparities between races.

The lesson also covers lesser-known figures like Henry Blair, who was the second Black man in American history to hold a patent for his 1834 corn planter, which sped up a daunting task in the farming industry at the time.

A student works on part of a Black History Month lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

After the lesson, Brooks says students get to pick one thing they learned or that they were really interested in and draw it, which she says really connects the dots for them. Then they write the reason why they picked that thing or person and then they get the meal, she says.

Brooks says that growing up, she came to want a deeper understanding of the foods that connect her to her ancestors. That kind of education just didnt exist in her elementary school experience.

It was all very much geared towards the trials and tribulations of the Black community and all these things that we had accomplished through that, Brooks says of the way Black history has been taught in schools, which many educators and parents have said has shortcomings. I feel like there was a missing part: the celebration and appreciation and a deep understanding of all of it. Through food, thats the way that I thought would make a good connection.

Brooks teaches a student as part of a Black history lesson by FoodCorps and Grow Initiative. (Courtesy Shalynn Brooks / FoodCorps)

Brooks says that being biracial and growing up closer to the Black side of her family influenced her connection to African American cuisine. Every moment that we shared, there was food between us, she says.

As for how the kids feel about the lesson, Brooks says they are happy to get a scoop of history along with their lunch.

"Last year, they were ecstatic about it and were asking for seconds," she says, adding that some of the items, like yams and cornbread, have been added to the cafeterias rotation on a permanent basis after so much positive feedback.

For Brooks, seeing the students enjoy the foods she holds most dear has been encouraging as she reflects on her own past.

When I was younger, I was kind of disconnected. I was fostered, and when I was fostered, I got disconnected with family and the culture and everything, Brooks says.

When I got older, I used to go over to my brothers, and during celebrations he would make collard greens, baked mac, barbecued ribs and things like that, and it reminded me how I really was disconnected for a little while, Brooks says. It was really important to me to work on this project, to feed my younger self."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Ed Brazelton and his wife, Elizabeth Brazelton, seen in the lower right corner, at a banquet for the Michigan Florist Association held in Detroit in January of 1951. Brazelton was the first African American florist to join the organization. Alice Brazelton-Pittman, the owner of a floral company, took over the business from her father who started it in the 1940s in the same location a house on West Grand Boulevard near the Motown Museum.

Alice Brazelton-Pittman never thought that she would be operating her familys business, which was started by her father.

Brazeltons Floral is what she calls a miracle on West Grand Boulevard in the NW Goldberg neighborhood. During Black History Month, the Free Press spent time with the Black-owned business, which has been operating since 1941. Its original owner was Edgar Brazelton Jr., also known as Mr. B The Flower Man. Then two of his children, Edgar Brazelton III and Irene Brazelton, took over the business.

Alice Brazelton-Pittman, owner of Brazelton Floral in Detroit, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Her father Ed Brazelton started the business in the early 1940s in the same location, a house on West Grand Boulevard near the Motown Museum.

Brazelton-Pittman, 78, remembers the sweet aroma of flowers every time she came into the store as a child, and the scent of flowers is still present today.

She took over the family business in 2018, which she said shouldn't be open at all because the odds have been against her following the loss of her brother and sister.

This store should not be open, she said. It really shouldnt. Its open every day by a miracle. Its open every day by the grace of God. I dont always know how Im going to make payroll. I dont always know how Im going to pay my vendors. I just do it by faith.

Customers can walk in or visit the shops website to purchase flowers with the option of delivery or pickup. Arrangements are created for a variety of occasions: sympathy, anniversaries, weddings, events and fundraisers. Customers can also purchase a designers choice bouquet.

The green and white building sits at 2686 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. Brazelton-Pittman knows that the exterior is in need of repairs, and although those repairs will come later, she is more focused on reviving the business.

A look back at its history

When Brazelton Jr. first started his business as a side hustle, he worked for the U.S. Post Office in 1935, and in his free time, sold flowers at just 25 cents a bundle, according to Free Press archives.

Brazelton Jr.  whose Brush Street store was originally called Acme Florist  was an activist in the community. He was involved in the Booker T. Washington Business Association, Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Cotillion Club and many others.

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Ed Brazelton, third from left, with other African American businessmen during a meeting in the 1950s in Detroit of the Booker T. Washington Business Association. His daughter, Alice Brazelton-Pittman, is the owner of Brazelton Floral and it is in the same location her father started the business in a house on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit near the Motown Museum.

The family lived in Detroits lost Black Bottom neighborhood  which is now Interstate 375 and Lafayette Park  and also operated their business there. Brazelton-Pittman would work in the shop during the holidays.

I had the opportunity once to go to the wholesale house with my father and saw the business side of him, Brazelton-Pittman said. And he was so good at math. He didnt need a pen and paper to calculate. He didnt need a calculator. He could calculate as fast as those other businessmen when it came to purchasing.

She also remembers when her father secured a floral contract as a Black business owner with General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler.

The Brush Street store had three floral designers at the time and Brazelton Jr. mentored his three eldest children. Brazelton-Pittman said she didnt have the gift of floral design, but she always loved the administrative part of running the business.

Lisa McCoy, 60, of Detroit, works on arranging a casket spray for a customer on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 at Brazelton Floral, where she has been a florist for the past three years. Alice Brazelton-Pittman, the owner of floral company, took over the business from her father Ed Brazelton who started it in the early 1940s in the same location, a house on West Grand Boulevard near the Motown Museum.

Brazelton Jr. relocated the business to West Grand Boulevard a year after the 1967 Detroit riot. The current building was originally a four-unit living space, which was converted into the flower shop.

More recently, things changed quickly for the Brazelton family business. Irene Brazelton, who was operating the store, died in fall 2017. And Edgar Brazelton III, who was also running the business with his sister, died in early 2018.

This left Brazelton-Pittman legally appointed over the business after 20 years of being away. She had to operate the business from what she knew as a little girl, remembering knowledge about staffing the shop, doing administrative work and knowing about the floral business overall. She also noted that things were completely different being in a new century.

The store was left with debt that I had to pick up, Brazelton-Pittman said. It was left with back taxes. I had to take care of it. But this now becomes a venture of me walking by faith that God if you want me to do this, then I need your help. 

She connected with Daniel Washington, the executive director and founder of NW Goldberg Cares, a nonprofit that provides assistance in the neighborhood, and Autumn Kyles, the founder of Proxie, a small business technical assistance firm. Washington grew up in the neighborhood and said his father always talked about the flower shop. The two nonprofits partnered to offer grants and technical assistance to small businesses through the NW Goldberg Cares Sustaining Detroits Legacy program in 2021.

A portrait of the National Negro Business League convention in Detroit in the 1940s. Alice Brazelton-Pittman, the owner of floral company, took over the business from her father Ed Brazelton, who attended the convention.

We were able to essentially give not only a cash infusion grant, but we were able to assist her with technical assistance related specifically to accounting, which essentially assisted her in not being in trouble with the IRS, said Washington.

More:Expert: Metro Detroit economic outlook upbeat despite really overblown recession threat

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We were able to create support  with another small business technical assistance firm that focuses specifically on accounting  to get not only all of her taxes upfront, but then also get her onto the accounting system QuickBooks, so that she can manage it and she could have real visibility into her financials, Kyles added.

Along the way, there have been Detroit-based businesses that have supported her, such as Jenkins Construction, which did minor repairs, Wow 1 Day Painting Detroit, which painted the exterior of the business, and Basic Wholesale Floral Distributors, which helped in multiple ways. Brazelton-Pittman also connected with the West Grand Boulevard Collaborative, a community block club. This allowed her to connect with surrounding businesses such as James H. Cole Funeral Home, Henry Ford Hospital, the Motown Museum and Boulevard Market.

Although her journey is just getting started, she knows that miracles will continue to happen for her business.

Im here because, No. 1, I believe this is what God wants me to do, Brazelton-Pittman said. It's part of a legacy to the family, the community and our city. My hope, desire and vision is that Brazeltons will again become the nucleus of the community and our city. And be the miracle on West Grand Boulevard.

To learn more about the business, go to Brazeltons.com.

Contact staff writer Chanel Stitt on Twitter: @ByChanelStitt.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brazelton's Floral in Detroit thrives today after family losses
A Ukrainian attempt to retake Crimea would be a red line for Vladimir Putin that could lead to a wider Russian response, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a Zoom call with a group of experts Wednesday.

The Russian president sees Crimea as fully part of Russia, not Ukraine, and would be loath to see the peninsula ripped from his clutches  even though thats precisely what he did to Ukraine nearly a decade ago. Republican and Democratic administrations have since then said repeatedly that Crimea is Ukraine.

The top diplomats comments, sure to frustrate Kyiv, came after someone on the private call asked if the U.S. is willing to help Ukraine realize its long-term goal of retaking the territory seized by Moscow.

According to four people with knowledge of Blinkens response, he conveyed that the U.S. isnt actively encouraging Ukraine to retake Crimea, but that the decision is Kyivs alone. The administrations main focus is helping Ukraine advance where the fight is, mainly in the east.

That assessment echoes comments from Pentagon officials in recent weeks, who have spoken about the grinding fight still raging in the Donbas and in the countrys south, and who have questioned Ukraines ability to take Crimea in the near future.

Blinken, according to two of the people, gave the impression that the U.S. doesnt consider a push to retake Crimea to be a wise move at this time. He didnt say those words explicitly, they underscored.

Two other people didnt take Blinkens comments that way. The secretary remarked that it is solely the Ukrainians decision as to what they try to take by force, not Americas. That signaled to them that Blinken was more open to a potential Ukrainian play for Crimea.

While U.S. and NATO diplomats and military officials have never wavered from publicly stating that Crimea is part of Ukraine, since 2014 they have done little to contest Russias invasion and occupation of the peninsula.

Overall the message is that there is a lot of uncertainty on how things will go from here with real questions about capacity of either side to make big gains, one of the people said.



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The four people spoke to POLITICO on the condition of anonymity to discuss the contents of an off-the-record conversation. The State Department declined to comment on the Zoom call, similar to others the secretary has had with experts to get outside perspectives on the conflict.

Blinken will join foreign dignitaries, including Ukrainian officials, at the Munich Security Conference this week. The diplomat will speak to them about how to coordinate future security assistance to the country as the war enters its second year.

Blinken, who was accompanied by Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in the session, is the latest senior Biden administration official to throw some cold water on Ukrainian designs on Crimea. Two weeks ago, senior Pentagon officials told members of the House Armed Services Committee that they didnt think Ukraine could recapture the peninsula in the near future.

That assessment followed comments by Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chair, who has long signaled skepticism about the prospects of a Ukrainian advance.

I still maintain that for this year it would be very, very difficult to militarily eject the Russian forces from all  every inch of Ukraine and occupied  or Russian-occupied Ukraine, he said during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Jan. 20. That doesnt mean it cant happen. Doesnt mean it wont happen, but itd be very, very difficult.

Some experts dont believe Ukraine will try to retake Crimea, but instead will attempt to isolate it. There are three critical points: the land bridge to Russia, the Kerch Strait bridge, and the naval base at Sevastopol. They should knock out all three, said Kurt Volker, the former U.S. special envoy for Ukraine, who wasnt on the call. This would leave a lot of Russian forces without adequate support, without Ukraine actually trying to overrun Crimea, and it would still be a severe blow to Russias military effort.



Occupied Crimea is bristling with air defenses, ammunition depots, and tens of thousands of troops. Many of those infantry forces are dug into fortified positions stretching hundreds of miles facing off against Ukrainian troops along the Dnipro River.

Punching through those Russian lines would be difficult for Ukrainian troops, even with the influx of artillery and armored vehicles arriving from Western donors.

The Ukrainian government has for months called for long-range artillery to begin hitting positions far behind Russias front lines, including in Crimea, where Russian forces have moved their headquarters and critical depots out of the 50-mile range of the rockets the U.S. has provided.

Kyiv has said that Army Tactical Missile Systems, fired from existing launchers, could hit those targets. The Biden administration has so far refused to provide them, initially claiming they were concerned Ukraine would launch attacks into Russia. U.S. officials have also said recently that there arent enough ATACMS in U.S. stockpiles to spare.



Speaking in Brussels Tuesday after another meeting of the Contact Group, Milley said the Ukrainians are holding. They're fighting the defense. The Russians, primarily the Wagner Group, are attacking, but there's  a very significant grinding battle of attrition with very high casualties, especially on the Russian side.

Meanwhile, the White House is privately up in arms over a Washington Post story on Monday featuring comments from an unnamed senior official questioning U.S. weapons aid through the end of the war. Officials say the comment didnt reflect administration policy, reiterating that Americas support will proceed for as long as it takes.
Blue Cross of North Carolina is asking two judges to overturn the State Health Plans decision to give one of the biggest contracts in state government to health insurance giant Aetna.

In December, the State Health Plans board of trustees awarded the third-party administrator contract to Aetna after Blue Cross NC had held it for more than 40 years. The health plans interim executive administrator, Sam Watts, then upheld the award after appeals from Blue Cross NC and United Healthcare, another bidder.

Aetna is expected to begin handling claims for the health plan, which serves 740,000 teachers, state employees and retirees, in 2025. It bid $17.5 billion dollars to handle the contract over a five-year period that begins in 2025.

Blue Cross NC made the lowest-cost proposal for this contract, the company said in its filings Thursday with the state Office of Administrative Courts and state Superior Court in Durham. It also offered the Plans members the most comprehensive network of providers. Despite those facts, the Plan awarded the contract to Aetna instead of Blue Cross NC.

Blue Cross said the health plans board based its decision by applying arbitrary criteria, by failing to gather and consider critical information, and by using a distorted scoring system. Because of those flaws, the process that led to this award was an improper procedure, and the Plans award to Aetna was erroneous, arbitrary, and capricious.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell and Watts said at a news conference last week that while Blue Cross NC had the lowest price, it was only slightly lower than Aetnas. And that Aetna performed better on a technical evaluation of services that would be provided.

That evaluation is different from past years, relying on a yes/no format as opposed to open-ended questions that Blue Cross NC contends would better reflect its strengths.

The health plan put the contract out to bid last year after Blue Cross NC struggled with technical issues caused by a claims processing system it purchased called FACETS.
ACEH BESAR, Indonesia (AP)  A boat carrying 71 weak and hungry Rohingya Muslims fleeing from refugee camps in Bangladesh landed Thursday in Indonesias northernmost province of Aceh, local officials said.

Fifteen-year-old Shorif Uddin, who was on the boat with his parents, said two or three people died while they were at sea because of a lack of food.

We have been traveling so long and did not have any food to eat. We are really hungry, he said.

He said the Rohingya had been unable to find work or achieve higher education in the refugee camps and decided to leave Bangladesh for Indonesia.

His parents paid money to board the boat along with other refugees, but the captain fled the vessel as it was passing India, Uddin said.

Miftach Cut Adek, the leader of the tribal fishing community in Lampanah Leungah village in Aceh Besar district, where the boat landed, said it was in good condition and the engine was working.

The 71 Rohingya on board included 21 women and 20 children.

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar to refugee camps in Bangladesh after an army-led crackdown in August 2017. Myanmar security forces have been accused of mass rapes, killings and the burning of thousands of Rohingya homes.

Most of the refugees who have left the camps by sea have attempted to reach Muslim-majority Malaysia, but many have ended up in Indonesia along the way.

More than 500 Rohingya landed in Aceh last year. The most recent group was in early January, when 184 people landed on Kuala Gigieng beach, also in Aceh Besar district.

___

Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Subpoenas were sent to the chief executives of the five largest tech companies on Wednesday as congressional Republicans moved to investigate what they assert is widespread corporate censorship of conservative voices

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the subpoenas as the latest in a series of escalations by a party that has long promised to investigate Big Tech's content moderation, especially when it came to COVID-19.

The letters were sent to Mark Zuckerberg of Meta; Sundar Pichai of Alphabet; Satya Nadella of Microsoft; Tim Cook of Apple; and Andy Jassy of Amazon.com.

And in them, Jordan outlined the committee's objective to "understand how and to what extent the Executive Branch coerced and colluded with companies and their intermediaries to censor speech.

Spokespeople for Microsoft and Meta said Wednesday that they have already begun producing documents. A request for comment from Apple, Alphabet and Amazon was not immediately returned.

The committee asked the companies to produce documents and communications by March 23 that show any communication between them and the executive branch of the U.S. government relating to moderation, deletion, suppression or reduced circulation of content.

Notably missing from the list of companies subpoenaed is Twitter. The new owner, Tesla founder Elon Musk, has proven to be more sympathetic to conservatives than Twitter's previous administration.

Just last week, three former Twitter executives appeared before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to testify about the companys decision to initially block a New York Post article in October 2020 about the contents of a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden.

The former employees conceded in that hearing that they made a mistake by blocking a story about the presidents son, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied GOP assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story.

In Wednesday's letter, Jordan outlined how Musks decision last year to release a slew of company information to independent journalists have exposed how Big Tech and the federal government have worked hand ways that undermine First Amendment principles.

The documents and data, titled the Twitter Files, largely show internal debates among employees over the decision to temporarily censor links to the Hunter Biden story. 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.

The hearing and subsequent subpoenas this month continue a yearslong 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.
Border guards attacked Russian positions near the city of Bakhmut: in close combat, they killed five invaders and captured a "wagnerite" [a Wagner Group fighter  ed.].

Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Details: It is reported that Ukrainian border guards raided the positions of the Russian occupation forces near Bakhmut during their combat reconnaissance patrol.

To adjust tactical contact with the occupiers, the Ukrainian defenders captured one of the Russian strongholds in battle.

Having reached the rear of the invaders, the border guards attacked the invaders. In close combat, soldiers of the State Border Guard Service used small arms to destroy up to five invaders, one was captured.

Quote: "The Ukrainian defenders filmed what the enemy was equipped with. Unloading vest, four magazines for a submachine gun, one grenade, a bandage and a rubber tourniquet. That's all a soldier of the second army of the world' needs."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Boston police have identified a man who was killed in a double shooting in the citys Dorchester neighborhood earlier this week.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of 21 Dewey Street around 8 p.m. Monday found two men suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Boston Police Department.

One of the victims, 31-year-old Paris Quilter, of Dorchester, was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The second victim, whose name hasnt been released, suffered critical injuries but is expected to survive.

Video from the scene showed dozens of officers and detectives scouring the neighborhood for evidence.

There have been no arrests made in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470.

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.

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If you want to know who really controls Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad (KLSE:MPI), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that private companies own the lion's share in the company with 59% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Following a 5.4% decrease in the stock price last week, private companies suffered the most losses, but institutions who own 27% stock also took a hit.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad.

See our latest analysis for Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad. The company's largest shareholder is Hong Leong Company (Malaysia) Berhad (Hlcm), with ownership of 58%. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. The second and third largest shareholders are Eastspring Investments (Singapore) Limited and Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia, with an equal amount of shares to their name at 5.0%.

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While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad. The insiders have a meaningful stake worth RM115m. Most would see this as a real positive. It is good to see this level of investment by insiders. You can check here to see if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 13% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 59%, of the Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad stock. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.

I always like to check for a history of revenue growth. You can too, by accessing this free chart of historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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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Who is at fault when a child shoots themselves or someone else fatally or otherwise in Florida?

That's a question local prosecutors may face following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy in the DeLand area. The boy, the son of a Florida corrections officer, fatally shot himself Wednesday evening.

Tragedy near DeLand:3-year-old boy who fatally shot himself was son of corrections officer

Florida law allows authorities to pursue charges in such cases when firearms are left accessible to minors.

During a press conference Thursday, Feb. 16, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood shows a photo of the gun a 3-year-old boy accidentally fatally shot himself with Wednesday evening.

Will the parents or guardians face charges?

Whether or not the parents of the boy face charges is ultimately up to the State Attorney's Office, which will consider all of the evidence as well as how charges could compound the grieving family.

During a press conference Thursday, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he couldn't imagine "anything in the law books that can punish that family more than what happened last night."

In similar cases, parents have been charged.

When a 3-year-old Gainesville boy fatally shot himself with a pistol last year, authorities charged the boy's parents with manslaughter, unsafe storage of a firearm and child neglect.

Parents charged:Gainesville boy, 3, fatally shot self while playing with gun

What does the law say?

Florida law requires the safe storage of firearms.

That law may be violated if a person fails to properly store or secure a firearm, and it results in a minor gaining access to the weapon "without the lawful permission of the minors parent or the person having charge of the minor, and possesses or exhibits it, without the supervision required by law," statute 790.174 (2) states.

What happens if the law is violated?

Allowing a minor to gain access to a firearm that wasn't properly secured can result in a second-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

However, in the case of a minor inflicting injury or death on themself or someone else, prosecutors may pursue charges related to culpable negligence.

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Firearm safety at home: 5 tips to keep your kids safe with guns in the house

What is 'culpable negligence?'

According to the Florida Supreme Court, culpable negligence is conduct that shows a reckless disregard for human life, the safety of others or an entire lack of care that raises a presumption of indifference to the potential consequences.

If a loaded firearm is stored or left within reach or easily accessible by a minor, and the minor uses it and inflicts injury or death on themself or someone else, the person deemed responsible may be charged with a third-degree felony.

"With respect to any parent or guardian of any deceased minor, the investigating officers shall file all findings and evidence with the state attorneys office with respect to violations," Florida law states. "The state attorney shall evaluate such evidence and shall take such action as he or she deems appropriate under the circumstances and may file an information against the appropriate parties."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: After DeLand boy shoots self, Florida law says parents may be charged
On Feb 14., a student made a verbal statement saying he was going to shoot up the school the following day according to Bradford County Sherriffs Office.

Two students overheard that statement and the word quickly started to spread around school. Students began to express their concern through social media.

The next day deputies put a stop to the rumors by trying to find the student who started it.

Deputies made an arrest of a 13 year-old-boy who just transferred to Bradford Middle School.

Read: 67-year-old Interlachen woman shoots and kills armed intruder

The boy admitted to making the threat but said it was a joke, police says.

Due to the concern for student safety and the extreme disruption of the school system the boy has been charged with a 2nd degree felony of Threatening Discharge of a Destructive Device.

He has been booked at the Bradford County Jail and transported to an area juvenile detention facility.

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Read: Police say shooting in Biltmore neighborhood leaves one dead as investigation continues

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A former Lexington resident and University of Kentucky student has been accused of siphoning $28 million from a company and using it for expensive personal purchases, including a $16 million jet and a luxury box at a sports arena.

Christopher S. Kirchner was charged with wire fraud in a federal criminal complaint.

Authorities arrested him Valentines Day at his home in a gated community in Westlake, Texas, according to court records.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a separate civil complaint against Kirchner, 35, alleging he lied over and over to investors in raising $67 million for his company, Slync.io, and drained much of it for himself even as the company didnt meet payroll at times.

This case concerns an offering fraud orchestrated by Kirchner . . . involving his brazen theft of over $28 million of investor funds to fund his lavish lifestyle, SEC attorneys said in the complaint.

Kirchner had his initial court appearance this week and was released pending trial. Court records do not list an attorney for him in either federal case, and efforts to reach him were not successful.

Kirchner went to Tates Creek High School, according to a prior Herald-Leader story, and attended UK to pursue a degree in marketing and communications but left in 2009 before graduating, Forbes said in a profile last year.

He and others founded Slync.io in 2017. The company says it provides software to manage supply-chain logistics.

Kirchner was the chief executive officer. That gave him considerable control over company bank accounts that he abused to misappropriate money, the federal complaints allege.

The SEC complaint alleges that between January 2020 and May 2021, Kirchner orchestrated two stock offerings to raise money for Slync.

Kirchner falsely claimed millions in revenue, complaint says

Kirchner repeatedly lied to investors, grossly inflating the amount of money the company was making, misrepresenting the number of contracts it had and making false claims about how their money would be used, the complaint says.

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The complaint includes a number of examples of the alleged fraud:

 In January 2020, Kirchner sent an email to a potential investor claiming the company was approaching $3 million in annual recurring revenue; that it had signed another seven-figure deal and was close to closing on two more; and that its customers included three of the five biggest global freight companies.

In reality, the company had no existing contracts that would have generated $3 million in annual revenue and hadnt signed deals with the freight companies, the complaint said.

 In March 2020, Kirchner told an employee of an investor that Slync had a $288,000 deal with a customer that planned to boost its commitment to $1.02 million a year.

However, there was no $288,000 deal and Slync ultimately collected just $17,500 from the customer, according to the complaint.

 Kirchner told another investor that Slync had a $2.2 million contract with a customer, but at the time it really had only three unsigned agreements with that customer worth $105,000 in total.

 In January 2021 Kirchner gave information to an investor that claimed Slync had total revenue of more than $3.2 million in 2020, when in fact it was just $175,715.

 In January 2022 Kirchner told an investor in an email that Slync had total revenue of $3.2 million in 2020 and that it ballooned to $23.3 million in 2021, when in fact the amount it earned and collected was just $175,715 in 2020 and $667,778 in 2021, the complaint says.

Kirchner fraudulently offered and sold more than $67 million in securities and took more than $28 million of it, switching money from the company to accounts he controlled almost as soon as it came through in some cases, the SEC alleges.

Expensive purchases with company money

The company had a system in which Kirchner and another employee had to approve any transfer of more than $100,000 by the other, according to an affidavit filed by Qiana Davis, a special agent with the FBI.

Kirchner circumvented that control with a series of transfers of less than $100,000 from one company account to another that he controlled exclusively and then on to his personal accounts, federal authorities allege.

Between January 2021 and May 2022, Kirchner made 74 transfers, totaling just over $7 million, from one company account to the second company account he controlled by himself, the SEC said.

In one case in December 2020, Kirchner allegedly lied to the other company employee who had to sign off on transfers about the reason he wanted to move a large amount of money.

After the other employee gave the OK, Kirchner wired $20 million from a company account to his personal bank account, intending to use it to buy the jet, the SEC complaint alleges.

Kirchner told other Slync employees he used successful cryptocurrency investments to buy the jet.

The SEC and the FBI listed a number of other purchases Kirchner allegedly made with money he took from Slync, including $274,000 to a company that provides luxury concierge services for private jet aviation; $209,000 to a provider of on demand private aviation, including aircraft management services; $75,000 for luxury items and experiences, including clothing purchases and expenditures at a golf club and vineyard; $495,000 for a luxury box at an unnamed sports venue; $22,000 for the membership fee at a golf and social club; and $902,000 in personal credit-card charges.

Kirchner also allegedly diverted money from Slync to a company he and his wife owned, called KFIM, and used it to make investments.

CEO lied to secure millions, then stole it, SEC says

We allege that Kirchner lied about Slyncs business to secure tens of millions of dollars from investors, a massive portion of which he then stole from the company to live extravagantly while not paying Slyncs employees, Sheldon L. Pollock, an official at the SEC, said in a news release.

Slync was late paying employees six times between April and June 2022, in part because of Kirchners misappropriations, the SEC said.

Kirchner forged a wire confirmation in May 2022 to show he had transferred money to cover payroll when in fact he hadnt, according to the complaint.

After the payroll shortfalls generated media scrutiny, the board at Slync suspended Kirchner and hired a consulting firm to investigate the companys finances.

The next day, the board alleged Kirchner had tried to delete electronic data in connection with the investigation. The board fired him in August.

The company said in a statement that it is cooperating with the federal investigations and that as a victim of Christopher Kirchners actions, looks forward to a just resolution of this matter.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Americanas SA on Thursday failed to reach a deal on proposal to creditors that included a multi-billion-real capital injection by key shareholders as part of its bankruptcy process.

Americanas, which has the billionaire trio that founded 3G Capital as reference shareholders, entered bankruptcy protection earlier this year after uncovering roughly $4 billion in "accounting inconsistencies."

The retailer said the offer presented to creditors by financial advisor Rothschild & Co included a capital increase of 7 billion reais ($1.34 billion) backed by the trio formed by Jorge Paulo Lemann, Marcel Telles and Carlos Alberto Sicupura.

The proposal also included the repurchase of debt of about 12 billion reais and conversion of roughly 18 billion reais in debt to equity, Americanas added in a securities filing, while noting no deal had been reached.

"The company expects to keep holding constructive talks with its creditors in the search for a solution, allowing it to maintain its activities," said the retailer, whose stores are ubiquitous at Brazilian shopping malls.

Shares in Americanas were up 8% in midday trading, although still down roughly 87.5% year-to-date.

($1 = 5.2405 reais)

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed he will appoint former President Dilma Rousseff to head the New Development Bank (NDB) when there is a vacancy, Lula said on Thursday referring to the institution the BRICS group of emerging economies established.

Rousseff, a member of Lula's leftist Workers Party, succeeded him in the presidency in 2011 and won re-election three years later, but ended up impeached in 2016 during a harsh recession on charges she manipulated budget accounts.

Lula told CNN Brasil that her impeachment resulted from lack of "dialogue and patience," praising the first female president of Latin America's largest economy as "very competent."

The multi-lateral development bank is currently headed by Marcos Troyjo, who served in the Economy Ministry under former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Troyjo's term ends in 2025 and he would have to step down for Rousseff to be appointed. Her nomination would also require approval from the board of governors representing the so-called BRIC countries.

"If it's up to me, she will be (president of the NDB)," Lula said in the interview. "She is very competent technically... It will be a wonderful thing for the BRICS and for Brazil".

The NDB is comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, plus recent additions Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Uruguay. The countries rotate in picking the head of the bank.

(Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello; Editing by Josie Kao)
[Source]

Disney alum Brenda Song recently recalled choosing The Suite Life of Zack & Cody over attending Harvard University.

In an interview with Glamour, Song, 34, described some of the struggles she faced as the eldest child of a first-generation Thai and Hmong family pursuing her childhood dream to become an actor.

While Songs parents and grandparents had been supportive of her career, she recalled her familys financial struggles.

My mom had me at 17, and my dad was a teacher and still in school. My grandma was a maid working at the Marriott hotels. We had no money. My grandma took everything out of her savings$527and took me to this acting school that was not legit at all. But through them, I met a real agent and started doing print modeling work that led to commercials. More from NextShark: Simu Liu and Tesher take over Juno Awards stage with rousing bhangra dance to 'Jalebi Baby'

At the age of 16, Song booked Disneys The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and got accepted to Harvard University.

However, it was also the same year her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

More from NextShark: 'Squid Game earns four historic Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations

While navigating through her career choices, Song was encouraged by her parents to pursue acting as it was her passion.

Songs mother had grown up seeing her own parents having to work different blue-collar jobs such as working in factories or being housekeepers. Song believes that her mother wanted more and better for her, she told Glamour.

There was no hesitation to choose acting, but it was hard because Harvard was a dream of mine. Working for Disney Channel, I was still able to get my education in a different medium and do what I love to do. But in this industry the highs are so high and the lows are so low. It's so inconsistent. There's so many times where I've questioned myself: Should I have taken my degree and done something a little bit more steady? More from NextShark: Right person, wrong time: Vince Xu, Kasey Ma show 'what Asian love is' on 'The One That Got Away'

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brenda Song (@brendasong)

Song also recalled the pressure and judgment she felt from her relatives.

She told Glamour that her relatives looked down upon her family because of their support of her decision to pursue acting.

Our relatives thought what we were doing was insane. It's funny because it's insane until you garner success and all of a sudden you're the prized child. But we felt shunned because we were taking a risk no one else was.

Despite the inconsistencies that many actors face in their careers, Song is happy with her life choices.

She and actor Macaulay Culkin previously welcomed their first child, Dakota, in 2021.

Song also noted having accomplished her goals, such as buying her parents a house. She said her family is super close and that being a mother to Dakota is her top priority now.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brenda Song (@brendasong)

I wouldn't change a thing, she told Glamour.

I don't think you have to compromise yourself to be successful. I felt so much pressure. I thought, Do I need to change myself to take myself to the next level? Honestly, I know some very successful people who are the most unhappy people because they've spent so much time being what everyone wants them to be. My mom would tell me, Don't do it.

Besides Songs notable role as London Tipton on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, she also starred in Disney original movies, including "Stuck in the Suburbs" and "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior." Song has also appeared in various TV series, such as Scandal, New Girl and Dollface, and even ventured into video games as Kaitlyn Ka in the 2022 interactive drama horror game The Quarry.
Brianna Ghey - Chris Neill

Two schoolchildren accused of murdering a 16-year-old transgender girl have been given a date for their trial.

Prosecutors previously described the death of Brianna Ghey in a park in Warrington, Cheshire, as extremely punishing and brutal.

The teenager was found with stab wounds by members of the public at 3.13pm on Saturday as she lay dying on a path in Culcheth Linear Park.

A 15-year-old girl from Warrington and a 15-year-old boy from Leigh are charged with her murder.

Appearing via video link at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, the two teenagers, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth.

During the 25-minute hearing, the defendants both wore black tops and remained seated for its duration. The mother of the female defendant wept as she watched the proceedings.

Judge Aubrey KC remanded the pair in youth detention and set a provisional trial date of July 10.

The court heard how three witnesses, all aged 15, will be called on to give evidence along with a possible fourth adult witness. The trial is expected to last three weeks. Psychologist and psychiatrist reports are also being prepared.

Hundreds gathered at a vigil for Brianna Ghey outside the Department of Education on Wednesday - Elliott Franks

On Wednesday evening, hundreds of people gathered outside the Department of Education in London to hold a candle-lit vigil for Brianna. Many were seen holding trans pride flags and placards as a minute of silence was held in her memory at 7pm.

Mourners left bouquets of flowers and a sign saying RIP Brianna at the door of the building.

The crowd was heard chanting: When trans rights are under attack, what do you do? Stand up, fight back.

The vigil was organised by the trans rights group Transgender Action Block and promoted by the feminist group Sisters Uncut. Similar vigils were held in Manchester, Lancaster and Belfast.

In a statement, Transgender Action Block said the Department of Education has launched abhorrent attacks on trans youth to create a trans-hostile environment.

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Police photograph graffiti at the Department for education following the candle-lit vigil - George Cracknell Wright

Briannas family have paid tribute to a much-loved daughter, grand daughter, and baby sister, describing her as a larger than life character.

They said: Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind. The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.

Donations on a crowdfunding page set up for Brianna's family, which said the schoolgirl was looking forward to taking her exams this year, have reached nearly 100,000.
Photo: Colin Dacre

Of all the government policies meant to cool an already frigid housing market, the federal governments new two-year ban on foreign residential buyers is proving the most controversial because it will limit new home construction and hammer the commercial real estate sector, analysts say.

The ban came into force on January 1, 2023, and, critics say, it was done with little consultation or deep thought on its impact.

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act is playing havoc with the commercial real estate market, according to Dentons, a global law firm that has studied the ban.

Ottawa has greatly expanded the original scope of the act, including who is considered to be a non-Canadian for the purpose of the act, what constitutes a residential property and what is considered a purchase, the law firm noted.

As a result of the regulations, the act may now effectively prohibit a broad range of commercial transactions by corporations and other entities which have even a minuscule degree of foreign ownership or control, Dentons said in its report.

The laws definition of residential property includes land that is zoned for residential use or mixed use, which covers huge swaths of commercial land across the country, including nearly all urban real estate. Even farmland is exposed as it often has a residential dwelling. As well, an entity is deemed a foreign buyer if a non-Canadian owns a minimum of 3 per cent of the asset.

As an example of its wide impact on commercial real estate, Dentons notes European- or American-based retailers could be stopped from opening Canadian outlets because the regulation means their acquisition of a lease in a mixed-use property would be prohibited.

New housing supply threatened

Meanwhile, the the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) is calling on the federal government and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) to change regulations within the foreign-buyer ban they say work against building more housing supply.

Part of the issue, according to CHBA CEO Kevin Lee, is that the regulations prohibit Canadian companies with more than 3 per cent foreign ownership from buying vacant land for residential development, and from purchasing properties with fewer than four units on them.

That has created a massive issue for our industry in home building and land developments because we have lots of companies in this country that have a small or, even in some cases, a larger amount of foreign ownership, he said.

In addition, land that has been zoned as mixed-use land can no longer be purchased for development by any company that is partially foreign owned, according to CHBA.

Let's suppose you want to buy some mixed-use land, to put up a shopping mall, a plaza or a theatre. You actually can't right now if any portion of your business has some foreign ownership. Lee said.

The ban may have been instrumental in the recent collapse of major Vancouver-based residential developers, which have both foreign ownership links and non-Canadian buyers.

It could also blunt the current federal campaign to boost immigration to record levels over the next two years.

When it comes to legislation like this, the devil is in the details, said Lee. In cases like the foreign buyer ban, the federal government will typically release the regulations 30 days or more ahead of time to allow for review and feedback, he said.

This time, the regulations were released on December 21, 2022, just under two weeks before the ban took place.

We've tried to say, Hey, this is a big problem. It's not just a question of before it comes into law, it has become law, Lee said.

CHBA has not heard directly from the federal government or CMHC as to what the course of action will be regarding the regulation of vacant land. The hope, Lee said, is that the impact of the regulations are an unintended consequence that will be addressed.

In a prepared statement, a spokesperson from the Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion said that the federal government is closely monitoring the implementation and impact of the ban across Canada.

"We will continue to engage with stakeholders as we consider potential additional steps to ensure this measure does not have unintended impacts on communities," the statement said.
City of London - DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

The British financial technology pioneer Railsr has been accused of gross anti-terror finance and money laundering failings at its Lithuanian subsidiary as it races to find a buyer.

Railsr, formerly known as Railsbank and backed by Visa, is facing investigation by authorities at the Bank of Lithuania, which has accused one of its businesses of grossly and systematically violating rules to stop illegal payments.

The start-up provides so-called embedded finance, offering financial software, payments tools and card services to other fintech apps, some of which have millions of customers.

Founded in 2016 by Nigel Verdon and Clive Mitchell, Railsr has put itself up for sale and is being advised by FT Partners.

Railsr previously acquired the assets of the UK arm of Wirecard, the German financial technology giant which collapsed in 2020 in one of Europes biggest accounting scandals.

Consumer brands such as prepaid card service Pockit and business account service Anna Money make use of its technology.

After expanding rapidly, Railsr has been hit by a widespread collapse in fintech valuations, which saw it cut its value in its latest funding round to $250m. In 2022, the company made widespread redundancies, according to former employees.

The Telegraph can now disclose that the companys Lithuanian entity, PayRNet, has been under investigation by the countrys central bank.

In a statement, the Bank of Lithuania said: There is reason to suspect that the institution is grossly and systematically violating the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

The central bank said it had applied for a court order to force PayRNet, Railsrs European payments business, to temporarily stop taking on new clients. The entity holds its European e-money licence, which allows it to offer payment services across the bloc.

The regulator warned Railsr not to establish business relationships with new clients, as well as intermediaries and persons distributing and/or redeeming electronic money of this institution.

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A Railsr spokesman said it had already shut down customers it believed had failed to meet the required anti-money laundering standards. It said the investigation was backward looking, rather than based on its current activities.

The spokesman said: We work very closely with all our regulators, including the Bank of Lithuania.

The reviews of our processes (such as know your customer and anti-money laundering controls) and intermediary activities are backward looking and as the Bank of Lithuania has only reached an interim review we have not yet had a chance to give a management response on the historic controls and customers they have observed.

We have already offboarded customers and end-users who failed to meet the standards required. We are in the process of appealing the Bank of Lithuania notice which has been issued ahead of any final review findings. We will continue to work closely with the Bank of Lithuania on any next steps and the shifting regulatory climate.

It declined to comment on what customers it had removed.

Last year, Railsr had been on the hunt for a funding round at a $1bn valuation, a so-called unicorn valuation. However, in October it raised funding at a cut-price valuation of $250m. Financial technology companies have suffered from slumping valuations amid a downturn in venture capital funding.

Railsr has since put up a for sale sign over its business. It is said to have attracted interest from Flutterwave, a multibillion dollar Nigerian payments company, according to Sky News.

Mr Verdon, Railsrs chief executive, previously said the company was transforming the finance industry in the same way that Apple did to the music industry when they created iTunes.

The company previously raised more than $100m, including $46m last year, from investors including Visa.

A spokesman said the company was in ongoing discussion with interested parties as part of an M&A process.
Months after the apparent murder-suicide of a family of five in their Buffalo Grove home, believed to have been committed by a 39-year-old man with a long history of interactions with police, officials say they are investigating but will not disclose what is being probed.

Im disappointed that Buffalo Grove is not candid and forthcoming about the situation surrounding the Kisliaks, neighbor Baron Harmon wrote in a text to Pioneer Press. It makes a bad situation worse. I hoped for a high-ranking Village of Buffalo Grove member to come out to the funeral and give some words of comfort.

As neighbors and friends grieved the December loss of Vera Kisliak, her daughters, Vivian and Amilia, and the girls grandmother, Lilia Kisliak, they shared anecdotes about frequently seeing police at the familys home on Acacia Terrace in the summer, and how Vera Kisliak was scared her husband would harm her.

Andrei Kisliak had numerous run-ins with the Buffalo Grove police in the years before he allegedly murdered his family and took his own life, including a domestic battery arrest in 2011. Court records show he and Vera met in Minsk, Belarus in 2013 before getting married and moving to Buffalo Grove.

On July 11, 2022, Vera Kisliak made the first of what would be nine calls to Buffalo Grove police and made the last one on Sept. 30  when she told dispatchers that her husband was at their home, in violation of an order of protection.

Since a news conference Dec. 1, police Chief Brian Budds has not publicly commented on how the department handled the Kisliaks situation or its approach to investigating and responding to domestic violence  despite requests from Pioneer Press.

Budds was named chief on Nov. 7, three weeks before the Kisliaks were found dead in their home.

On Jan. 3 , the village of Buffalo Grove denied a Pioneer Press public records request seeking written communications from Budds referencing the case, claiming the disclosure would obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation by the agency that is the recipient of the request.

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The department has not disclosed what is being investigated at this point, but has routinely used the claim to deny Pioneer Press Freedom of Information Act requests. Village officials did, however, release a number of reports on Dec. 28 following a letter from lawyers of the Chicago Tribune, which owns Pioneer Press, requesting them to do so.

Harmon said he has not stopped wondering why Budds and other village officials, who oversee a town of more than 40,000, have not weighed in on how the village can better respond to domestic violence calls.

Neither village nor police officials responded to repeated requests for comment for this report.

It is unclear if law enforcement was aware of a public Instagram social media account that appears to have belonged to Andrei Kisliak, where hundreds of posts, including video of police officers responding to calls at the house, were uploaded in the summer and fall.

A pinned Instagram Story post from late August or early September appears to show Andrei Kisliak posing with a large knife in the parking lot outside a restaurant in Deerfield.

The batch of records released on Dec. 28 show that Vera and another woman, who asked to be referred to only as Diana, both called the police on Aug. 24 and Andrei was eventually located at the restaurant with the couples children.

In December, Diana told Pioneer Press that she believed the Buffalo Grove police officers who handled her call felt Vera was over-exaggerating her concerns about her husbands actions.

She said she worried the responding officers would not make a report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for a potential investigation into the family, though a Buffalo Grove spokesperson said the police department referred the Kisliaks to social services and/or other relevant agencies after the Aug. 24 call and after four other calls in 2022.

A DCFS spokesman confirmed that it was contacted by the Buffalo Grove Police Department on July 20 and Aug. 24, and in both reports noted no concerns of abuse or neglect.

DCFS has no history of involvement or investigation of any of the members of this household, DCFS spokesman Bill McCaffrey wrote in an email to Pioneer Press.

A video posted to the Instagram account on Aug. 24 appears to show Andrei Kisliak flashing a pistol in front of his camera while playing music. It now has nearly 7,500 views. Police records state he turned in a Desert Eagle pistol two months later.

Many of the videos on the Instagram account express contempt for Vera, including one where Andrei held up a sign that had Veras name on it and was accompanied by middle finger emojis.

There were also seemingly disturbing Ring home security videos on the social media account, including ones capturing police officers respond to calls to the Kisliak home.

Other posts on the account include photos of Amilia and Vivian Kisliak, and photos and Instagram Story posts tagging Veras lawyers firm.

Harmon told Pioneer Press in late December that he is considering starting an organization to improve awareness of domestic violence and responses to it. Part of the motivation to do so stems from his frustration with the government response to the Kisliak familys situation.

For the kind of money were paying for these policemen, they should be doing something other than hiding from you, he said.

People experiencing domestic violence in Lake County can call 847-249-4450 to reach the 24/7 hotline operated by A Safe Place in Zion. The National Domestic Violence hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233.
It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Conduit Holdings Limited's (LON:CRE) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

View our latest analysis for Conduit Holdings

Conduit Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Executive Director & CEO Trevor Carvey for UK150k worth of shares, at about UK3.61 per share. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was made at well below the current price of UK4.53. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices.

While Conduit Holdings 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 always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership Of Conduit Holdings

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Our data indicates that Conduit Holdings insiders own about UK6.1m worth of shares (which is 0.8% of the company). We do generally prefer see higher levels of insider ownership.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Conduit Holdings Insiders?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Conduit Holdings insiders are doubting the company. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Conduit Holdings you should be aware of.

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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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Leopard tanks

I assume that our Leopards and Marders will be in use in Ukraine in March, he tweeted.

Read also: Germany and Poland to convene tank coalition next week

Zorn added that Germany wants to transfer sustainable systems with sets of spare parts and ammunition to Ukraine.

On Jan. 6, Germany announced its plans to send about 40 Marder IFVs to Ukraine.

Read also: Allies to transfer Bradley & Marder IFVs, second Patriot battery to Ukraine

After long hesitation, on Jan. 25, Germany approved the transfer of 14 Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine, as well as their re-export from partner countries.

On Feb. 7, Berlin issued a license to German military companies to supply Ukraine with 178 Leopard-1A5 tanks. However, it is not known exactly how many tanks will arrive, since their technical condition must first be checked.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Calaveras County Jail inmate climbed over razor wire earlier this month, only to be rearrested Tuesday in Valley Springs, about 10 miles away.

Larry Albert McDonald, 41, of San Andreas, was found and arrested around 7 p.m. Feb. 14 after multiple law enforcement agencies began searching for him at 3 p.m. that day, according to the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office on Facebook. No one was hurt in the search and capture.

McDonald escaped the jail during his supervised duties Feb. 2, according to a news release.

Calaveras County deputies and probation officers and the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force were investigating the 400 block of Highway 26 when McDonald fled from a trailer into a wooded area, according to the release.

Police established a perimeter between Highway 12, Quail Oaks Road, Mangili Road and Highway 26, sheriffs Lt. Greg Stark told The Bee.

Several community members reported sightings of McDonald, Stark said.

During the search, authorities requested air support from the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department. It was able to assist with a helicopter equipped with thermal imaging technology, which is helpful in low-visibility situations, according to the press release.

The helicopter noted the first sign of McDonald around 6:30 p.m., so authorities were able to search a smaller area. McDonald tried to evade capture at that time, but the aircraft kept all officers updated in real time, Stark said.

(Stanislaus) provided, hands down, the best equipment, Stark said. The helicopter allowed officers to keep a safe distance as they approached McDonald, he said.

McDonald originally was arrested by Calaveras deputies in September. He was booked on the charges that originally put him in jail and for previous warrants from the San Joaquin Superior Court.

In Calaveras, he is being charged with felony possession of a weapon, disobeying a court order and possession of drugs.

Upon his rearrest, police discovered McDonald had warrants for three counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old, felony possession of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm.
By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -A 66-year-old immigrant farm worker accused of murdering seven colleagues in a mass shooting last month at two mushroom-growing sites near San Francisco pleaded not guilty on Thursday to all charges, according to the San Mateo County district attorney.

Chunli Zhao, a Chinese citizen and lone suspect in the Jan. 23 massacre in the seaside town of Half Moon Bay, entered the plea himself, speaking through a Mandarin-language interpreter, during a brief court hearing in nearby Redwood City, the DA said.

The next hearing in the case was set for May 3, the district attorney, Steve Wagstaffe, confirmed to Reuters. That proceeding was scheduled to set a future date for a so-called preliminary hearing, where prosecutors present their case to persuade the judge they have sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Zhao is charged with seven counts of premeditated murder and a single count of attempted murder in a criminal complaint that also cites "special circumstance" allegations accusing him of "personally and intentionally" shooting to kill.

Under California law, defendants convicted of murder with "special circumstances" are eligible for the death penalty, though Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019 declared a moratorium on executions. The state has not put a condemned inmate to death since 2006.

Authorities have said they have yet to establish a clear motive for the killings, the second of back-to-back deadly gun rampages in California last month in which a total of 18 victims were slain two days apart.

Zhao had been employed by one of the growers, Mountain Mushroom Farm, and had resided at the property along with some other employees, according to its owners.

Authorities said early evidence indicated the bloodshed stemmed from a workplace grievance. The second crime scene, Concord Farms, is about a mile away from Mountain Mushroom.

The shooting spree also cast a renewed spotlight on hardships faced by the area's farm workers, many of them immigrants from Latin America and Asia who often live and work under squalid conditions and toil long hours for extremely low pay.

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The Half Moon Bay killings unfolded two days after a gunman 380 miles to the south opened fire at a ballroom dance studio frequented mostly by older patrons of Asian descent in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles.

Eleven people were killed there and nine were wounded at the dance club on Jan. 21, the first night of Lunar New Year celebrations in the community.

Authorities said the Monterey Park assailant, Huu Can Tran, 72, shot himself to death the next day as police closed to make an arrest.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los AngelesEditing by Alistair Bell and Aurora Ellis)
NASSAU/PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said he would deploy Royal Canadian Navy vessels off the coast of Haiti in the coming weeks, in the midst of the island's humanitarian and security crisis.

"We are working closely together to help," Trudeau said in a speech at a conference in the Bahamas for the Caribbean bloc.

The vessels will not be used to intercept Haitian migrants, he later said, with the main goal being to conduct surveillance alongside Canadian aircraft deployed last month.

Trudeau also announced sanctions on two unnamed Haitian individuals for gang involvement, bringing Canada's total sanctioned people to 17.

Later Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the United States would impose visa restrictions on 12 people related to crime in Haiti.

Escalating gang violence has left hundreds of Haitians dead and thousands displaced. Cholera also re-emerged late last year.

The United Nations in October suggested a "rapid action force" be sent to help the national police fight armed gangs, which have grown since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

A January survey found seven in 10 Haitians support the proposed force, though abuses from past missions and support for Prime Minister Ariel Henry's administration has fueled some scepticism.

On Tuesday, more than 40 civil society representatives signed an open letter rejecting any draft resolution backing Henry's administration and demanding reparations to the families of those killed in a U.N.-linked cholera outbreak a decade ago.

U.N. envoy to Haiti Helen La Lime has said she is "still hopeful" the force could be created, stressing the need for urgency, though no country has yet volunteered to lead such a force.

On Twitter, people reacted with skepticism over how the deployment of Canadian ships would help the crisis.

(Reporting by Jared Higgs in Nassau and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Anthony Esposito, David Gregorio and Chris Reese)
Canton Police Department, Ohio

CANTON  An Akron police officer is accused of creating obscene material by filming underage girls.

Mikel J. Dillon, 32, who lives in Canton and is a former Canton police cadet, was arrested on warrants Tuesday and booked into the Stark County Jail on 21 felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

He was arraigned Thursday in Canton Municipal Court where Judge Richard J. Kubilus set bond at $2.1 million.

A Canton police detective filed the 21 complaints, which claim that for more than a year from March 29, 2021, to Dec. 11, 2022, Dillon "did create obscene material when he filmed Jane Doe, who is a minor, in a state of nudity" in Canton.

Canton City Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert said Dillon filmed the girl 20 times. He is also was charged with filming another victim once.

Canton house torture case:Jeremy Morlock gets life term for murder and kidnappings

Related:Canton man facing murder charge in shooting death of Adrian Armstead; 3 others charged

Erchick Gilbert, citing the ongoing investigation, declined to offer more details about the relationship between Dillon and the victims, or how and where the filming took place.

"We filed the warrant as soon as we had probable cause to do so," she said. "We didn't want to wait."

The times Dillon is accused of filming the girls overlaps with the time he was employed as a Canton police cadet and Akron police officer.

Akron police said Dillon had been with the department for 15 months. Following his arrest, "he was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay, per departmental procedure and according to the union contract, pending a criminal indictment," the city said in a prepared statement.

I am beyond shocked by these charges against one of our employees," Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said. "This alleged behavior is disgusting. Any person found to have engaged in this kind of behavior should be held accountable to the extent the law allows. I am confident the legal process will reveal the truth, either way, and justice will be served.

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The department's Office of Professional Standards and Accountability also will conduct a separate internal investigation, the city said.

Andrea Perry, the director of public safety for Canton, confirmed that Dillon was a Canton police cadet from Dec. 2, 2020 to Oct. 29, 2021. She said he chose to leave the Canton Police Department to be an Akron officer before his 12-month probationary period with Canton ended.

Dillon's attorney Rick Pitinii declined to comment on the allegations, saying it was too early in the case.

According to a related Canton police report listed on court complaints, an 11-year-old girl was inappropriately touched by a known suspect at a home on Fifth Street NW. Dillon's address is listed as being on Fifth Street NW. The report indicated the incidents took place between Feb. 1 and Dec. 30, 2022.

Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @aknappINDE

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mikel Dillon, an Akron cop, charged with obscenity involving a minor
Photo: BC Gov Flickr

A small majority of British Columbians think they are headed to the polls this year, but the premier says that isnt happening.

A poll released Wednesday by Research Co. found 53 per cent of respondents think it's very or moderately likely that B.C. will have an election this year.

Expectations of an early provincial election in British Columbia are highest among residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (61%), says Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. Fewer BC New Democratic Party (NDP) and BC Green Party voters (52% and 48% respectively) see themselves casting ballots in 2023.

Premier David Eby, who has been in the role for just 89 days, told reporters Wednesday hes got other priorities like housing and healthcare.

We'll continue to work on those priorities for British Columbians and we have a fixed election where they'll have an opportunity to weigh in on what we've done," said Eby.

BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon says he doesnt expect an election any time soon.

"David Eby has been very definitive this time around that if he was to break his word it would really come down to a question of trust and integrity," Falcon told CTV News.

The Research Co. poll found that if an early election were to be called more than half of British Columbians (53%) predict a win for the BC NDP, while 28% believe the BC Liberals / BC United will emerge victorious.

B.C.s next provincial election is scheduled for October 19, 2024.

with files from CTV Vancouver
CANTON  City police have arrested a 45-year-old man accused of stabbing a man Wednesday night.

Terry A. Leach, of Sandy Township, was arrested on a warrant Thursday.

He is accused of stabbing a 46-year-old man just before 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Webster Avenue NE.

(This story was corrected to fix an error. See correction below.)

The man, who had a stab wound to his rib area, told police he and the suspect were involved in a confrontation.

Police did not indicate the relationship between the two, but the man indicated he knew the suspect.

Canton Fire Department transported him to Aultman Hospital with serious injuries. His condition is unknown.

Shooting death:Canton man facing murder charge in shooting death of Adrian Armstead; 3 others charged

Leach is facing charges of attempted murder and felonious assault.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

Correction: The suspect is a man. His gender was incorrect when this story was originally published on 2/16/23.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Canton police nab man accused of stabbing a city man
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Shorty Awards

For a certain subset of extremely online culture enthusiasts, Caroline Calloway, a former Instagram influencer and self-proclaimed scammer, is something of a North Star; both an undeniably chaotic individual and a fascinating signifier representing the crossroads between addiction, a flawless public image, downtown party girl aspirations, and workshops that failed to deliver on what was advertised.

Now, almost a year after Calloways former landlord sued her for over $40,000 in unpaid rent, a new mini documentary from Vice catches up with the 31-year-old living a quiet, relatively normal-looking life in Sarasota, Florida.

Nothing new happens to me here, Calloway says in the video, which was uploaded Thursday to Vices YouTube channel. She says shes reading books, managing her mental health, and working on her writing. As she puts it, she started her Instagram account when she was 20, and wiped it clean when she was 29.

For a large part of my twenties, I really used the content that I made online to help me process my emotions and my experience of the world, Calloway says. I took down that boundary.

But she still seems to have trouble maintaining her boundaries: In the Vice documentary, Calloway posts on a particularly vicious Reddit page that tracks her every move, asking if the groups members would like to speak to her. It doesnt go well. Later, a moderator for a Caroline Calloway enthusiasts page expresses regret for unkind things shed said in the past, and advises Calloway to let the whole thing go and move on.

Calloway had been garnering attention via her Instagram for years, but first gained wider recognition in 2019at the height of collective fascination with scammersafter she cancelled a spate of 45-person, $165-per-person creativity workshops. This severely angered her legion of 800,000 Instagram followers and caught the attention of eagle-eyed NYC journalists, many of whom reacted to her with total scorn.

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Caroline Calloways Cameo in Not Okay Is Simultaneously Brilliant and Terrible

Over the years, Calloway continued to proffer, and inspire, increasingly alarming content. Her ex-best friend Natalie Beach penned a viral essay for The Cut in which she alleged that she was responsible for ghostwriting the viral Instagram captions that had landed Calloway the lucrative book deal she later backed out of. Calloway denies this, saying that it was her writing that catapulted her to viral fame as a photogenic expat student at Cambridge University.

Her name is still brought up on occasion at Brooklyn dinner parties; a person I chatted with recently seethed with rage at the very thought of Calloway. Shes insane, the woman spat. She used to drug her cat and bring it to parties. She tried to push someone down the stairs!

Whether any of that is true, I have no idea. But whats clear is that Caroline Calloway as a concept has become something of an urban legend or a flower crown-adorned spirit, haunting the collective consciousness of status-junkie New Yorkers.

Meanwhile, as evidenced by Vices new doc, Caroline Calloway the person seems to be doing a whole lot better. Hopefully well get to read that long-promised memoir within the next decade.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Conservative Ohio think tank the Buckeye Institute filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging new gun restrictions recently enacted by the Columbus City Council  including one making it a misdemeanor for negligently storing a gun in a way that it could be accessed by children.

The case was filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court, despite the fact that the vast majority of Columbus residents live in Franklin County, making that jurisdiction the third venue to be able to potentially weigh in on the issue.

Cases involving it already have been heard in Franklin County  where a decision allowing the new codes to go into effect was stayed  and Fairfield County, which effectively declined to interfere with the new measures.

The new case is on behalf of five John and Jane Doe plaintiffs, who the institute said should remain unidentified because they all own high-capacity ammunition magazines of 30 rounds or more, meaning the city could prosecute them. The five reside across the city, but not necessarily in Delaware County, said David C. Tryon, director of litigation at the institute and an attorney on the case.

Less than 1% of the city's more than 900,000 residents live in Delaware County, in the area surrounding Polaris Fashion Place mall, according to Census data.

The Ohio Constitution and the U.S. Constitution explicitly protect our right to keep arms for our defense and security, and Ohios general assembly has passed laws to prevent just this type of local government infringement on these rights," the institute said in a written statement.

"Yet, the city of Columbus insists on infringing on Ohioans fundamental right to keep and bear arms to protect ourselves and has "once again tried to circumvent our clients rights, along with the rights of all law-abiding Ohioans."

In December the City Council passed legislation that:

Adds to the crimes of negligent homicide and negligent assault storing or leaving a deadly weapon in ones residence in a manner in which a minor could reasonably be anticipated to gain access to it. Storing weapons in a safe, gun case or with a trigger lock would be presumed to have exercised due care. Violators face a third-degree misdemeanor, or  if a juvenile gains access to the weapon  a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Having a weapon on a person in their home or in their immediate control is not a violation.

Bans large capacity magazines that can hold 30 or more rounds or can be converted to accept that many rounds. This misdemeanor would result in a mandatory 180 consecutive days in jail without work release, and potentially up to one year, and a $1,500 fine.

Prohibits anyone from recklessly selling, lending, giving or furnishing a firearm to any other person when it is known or when there is reasonable cause to believe they cant legally possess it. A violator could face a first-degree misdemeanor.

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In January, a Fairfield County judge denied Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's request for a preliminary injunction to block the city restrictions. After that ruling, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the restrictions would go into effect at midnight the next day  even though the first judge in the case had stayed his own ruling that allowed the law to take effect in the first place.

Klein argued that Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Stephen McIntosh's stay didn't mean that the city's new codes were put on hold pending appeal, even after McIntosh was asked by Yost to clarify and he responded that Klein's positions on the stay "are not well taken."

"What we do know is that the city attorney, Zach Klein, announced that it can be enforced," leading to the latest attempt to stop that, Tryon said.

Klein's office on Thursday said it is reviewing the latest lawsuit. It had previously accused Yost of judge-shopping by not filing his case in Franklin County, where the first ruling was decided.

wbush@gannett.com

@ReporterBush

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Think tank hopes a third judge will review Columbus gun restrictions
Father Sean Gough Isabel Vaughan-Spruce abortion clinic protest freedom religion speech court case - Jacob King/PA Wire

A Catholic priest has accused the Government of censoring the streets of the UK and attempting to criminalise silent prayer after being cleared of charges claiming he intimidated service users near an abortion clinic.

Father Sean Gough also urged MPs to look into the overwhelmingly positive work of pro-life groups after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told a court it had discontinued a prosecution alleging he had breached a public spaces protection order (PSPO).

Ekene Pruce, prosecuting, told the hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court that the CPS had dropped four charges of failing to comply with a PSPO brought against Fr Gough and Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a charity volunteer.

The withdrawn charges relate to dates from last October, November and December.

Praying for free speech

During brief separate hearings on Thursday, Ms Pruce said both cases had been judged not to meet the full code test for prosecutors, which assesses whether prosecutions are in the public interest and if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

Asked by District Judge David Wain why the full code test had not been met, Ms Pruce replied: I would not be able to comment on that.

In a statement, Fr Gough and Ms Vaughan-Spruce criticised the decision to charge them for silently praying and praying for free speech, saying they had been put on trial for praying in an abortion facility censorship zone.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce, from Malvern, Worcestershire, and Fr Gough, of the St Peter and St Paul Catholic Church in Wolverhampton, were both accused of protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users of a Birmingham clinic.

Unborn lives do matter

Reacting outside court after prosecutors offered no evidence and the charges were dropped, Fr Gough said: Im pleased that Ive been cleared of all the charges today and have cleared my name.

Its wrong for authorities to censor parts of the street from prayer  even silent prayer  and from peacefully having conversations and sharing information that could be of great help to women who want an alternative choice to abortion.

He added: I was charged for praying for freedom of speech and for an old bumper sticker on my car that read unborn lives matter. I stand by my convictions  unborn lives do matter.

Whatever your views are on abortion, we should be able to agree that in a democratic country, we should not be in the business of prosecuting thought crimes.
Pourbaix will shift to the role of executive chair of Cenovus board. (REUTERS/Todd Korol)

Cenovus Energy's (CVE.TO)(CVE) next CEO says slashing debt and reviving production at two troubled U.S. refineries will be among his top priorities when Alex Pourbaix leaves the role in late April.

Cenovus announced on Thursday that current executive vice president and chief operating officer Jon McKenzie will assume the CEO job after its annual general meeting set for April 26. The Calgary-based oil and gas producer says Pourbaix will become executive chair of its board.

"We've known each other for the better part of our careers," Pourbaix said of McKenzie on a post-earnings conference call with analysts Thursday morning.

"I won't say it's all been a walk in the park," he added. "The reality is that we've worked through some incredible challenges along the way. But I can say with complete honesty that John and I have never been misaligned on what we believe is best for the company."

McKenzie showed that alignment on Thursday as he stressed the importance of hitting the $4 billion net debt target set out by Pourbaix. Cenovus said net debt fell to $4.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, a $1 billion drop from the prior three months.

"We're not going to sacrifice anything to get to that to get to that target," Pourbaix said. "That is sacrosanct to us."

McKenzie says he will also focus on improving operations at the company's Toledo and Superior refineries, which have dragged on U.S. downstream performance.

McKenzie joined the company in 2018 as chief financial officer, and played a key role integrating Husky Energy into the company. He is said to have more than three decades of experience in Canadas oil and gas industry.

Pourbaix has been CEO of Cenovus since 2017. He led the company through its $3.8 billion all-stock deal to acquire Husky Energy, combining two of the largest players in Canadas oilsands. Since the combination, Pourbaix has focused on rapid debt repayment and returns to shareholders, while championing Canada as an ethical energy exporter to global markets.

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He recently called upon Ottawa and the Alberta government to stop "lobbing rocks at each other" and engage in meaningful discussions on carbon capture technology, as the oil and gas sector attempts to decarbonize. Cenovus is a member of the Pathways Alliance, a group of six oil and gas companies representing 95 per cent of oilsands production. It wants more support from the federal government as it advances plans for a $16.5 billion carbon capture hub in northern Alberta by 2030.

In his new board role, Pourbaix says he will continue to advocate for Canada's oil and gas industry.

"I think it's just incredibly important for Canadians that we find a way for this industry to be able to continue to thrive," he said on Thursday's call. "The way we're going to do that is by constantly improving our environmental leadership."

The announcement of Pourbaixs departure as CEO comes as Cenovus reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 financial results before markets opened on Thursday. The company reported a profit of $784 million, or $0.39, compared with a loss of $408 million, or $0.21 per share, a year earlier. Revenue in the quarter climbed to $14.1 billion, from $13.7 billion in the same period a year ago.

Cenovus says total upstream production amounted to 806,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the final three months of 2022, down from 825,300 a year earlier. Total downstream throughput was 473,500 barrels per day, up from 469,900 in the fourth quarter or 2021.

Cenovus says extreme weather challenges in December, along with third-party pipeline outages impacted its downstream margins.

"Mixed fourth-quarter results may cause the stock to lag today, but do not change our constructive thesis towards the stock," RBC Capital Markets analyst Greg Pardy wrote in a note to clients on Thursday.

He maintains an "outperform" rating on Toronto-listed Cenovus shares, and a price target of $32.

The stock fell 2.46 per cent to $25.37 on Thursday at 1:27 p.m. ET. Shares have climbed more than 32 per cent in the last 12 months.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
In the last year, many Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) insiders sold a substantial stake in the company which may have sparked shareholders' attention. When evaluating insider transactions, knowing whether insiders are buying versus if they selling is usually more beneficial, as the latter can be open to many interpretations. However, shareholders should take a deeper look if several insiders are selling stock over a specific time period.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Chevron

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Chevron

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Independent Director, Enrique Hernandez, sold US$1.3m worth of shares at a price of US$164 per share. That means that an insider was selling shares at slightly below the current price (US$169). We generally consider it a negative if insiders have been selling, especially if they did so below the current price, because it implies that they considered a lower price to be reasonable. However, while insider selling is sometimes discouraging, it's only a weak signal. It is worth noting that this sale was only 44% of Enrique Hernandez's holding.

Insiders in Chevron didn't buy any shares in the last year. 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!

I will like Chevron better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Chevron Insiders Are Selling The Stock

The last quarter saw substantial insider selling of Chevron shares. In total, Independent Director Alice Gast dumped US$486k worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. Overall this makes us a bit cautious, but it's not the be all and end all.

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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 0.02% of Chevron shares, worth about US$53m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Chevron Tell Us?

An insider sold Chevron shares recently, but they didn't buy any. And even if we look at the last year, we didn't see any purchases. But since Chevron is profitable and growing, we're not too worried by this. Insider ownership isn't particularly high, so this analysis makes us cautious about the company. We're in no rush to buy! So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Chevron you should be aware of, and 1 of them doesn't sit too well with us.

Of course Chevron may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

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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Food delivery is constant in the city that never sleeps: A 2022 report from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that a whopping 124 million food deliveries were completed in New York City between July 2021 and June 2022. Now, a famous chicken chain restaurant is offering a respite (at least for a little while) to its NYC delivery workers.

On Feb. 15, Chick-fil-A announced the opening of "The Brake Room," a free space open to the food delivery community for a limited time on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The repurposed storefront will provide a space for delivery workers, many of whom get around on bikes in the city, to come in from the cold between deliveries.

The store front of Chick-fil-A's

The plush space on Third Avenue between 83rd and 84th streets is complete with access to bike storage, outlets for phone chargers, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, beverages and most intriguing for any New Yorker on-the-go: bathrooms.

The Brake Room is fully available to restaurant delivery workers who can show proof of a delivery within the past week on their DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub/Seamless, Postmates or Caviar driver profiles.

The interior of Chick-fil-A's

The space will be open from Thursday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Like Chick-fil-A, its off on Sundays.)

According to a 2021 McKinsey study, the global food delivery market has more than tripled in size since 2017.

Couches and other seating in Chick-fil-A's

Chick-fil-A says the highest number of Manhattan-based Chick-fil-A restaurant deliveries were reported in the winter months of 2022, proving that the food delivery community has become an increasingly important part of its business.

In metro areas like New York City, we see the same food delivery workers come through nearly every day of the week, several times a day, and how taking an extra second to warm-up between deliveries or offering a glass of water helps to fuel them on for their shift, Jared Caldwell, owner of a Manhattan Chick-fil-A, said in a press release.

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Chick-fil-A's

Caldwell operates a Chick-fil-A on 3rd Avenue in the Upper East Side, two-and-a-half blocks from The Brake Room.

The food delivery community helps to power our businesses, and this is just our small way of showing appreciation for all they do, he said.

The interior of Chick-fil-A's

The news of Chick-fil-A opening its first break room comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced a city plan in October 2022 to turn abandoned newsstands and other unused structures into facilities for the more than 65,000 NYC food delivery workers, which they call "deliveristas."

At the same time, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is proposing to mandate a minimum wage of nearly $24 an hour for deliveristas.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
BEIJING (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, called on Thursday for the lifting of sanctions on Iran as an integral part of a stalled international agreement on its nuclear programme.

Xi also accepted an invitation from Raisi to visit Iran and would do so at his convenience, the two leaders said in a joint statement on the last day of a three-day state visit to China by Raisi. Xi last visited Iran in 2016 as part of a tour of the Middle East.

The leaders in their statement called for the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under which Iran agreed with several countries, including the United States, to curb its nuclear programme in return for economic sanctions relief.

In 2018, then U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal and ordered the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

President Joe Biden said in 2021 that the United States would return to the deal if Iran moved back into compliance but talks have stalled.

"All relevant sanctions should be fully lifted in a verifiable manner to promote the full and effective implementation," Xi and Raisi said.

China and Iran emphasised that lifting sanctions and ensuring Iran economic benefits were important components of the agreement, they said.

On Tuesday, Xi told Raisi that China would "participate constructively" in talks to resume negotiations on implementing the agreement, while expressing his support for Iran in safeguarding its rights and interests.

"China firmly opposes interference by external forces in Iran's internal affairs and undermining Iran's security and stability," the leaders said in the statement.

The two leaders also drew up several initiatives, including promoting e-commerce and agriculture.

The show of cooperation was a contrast with Iranian anger in December last year over a statement that China and Gulf states issued during a visit by Xi to Saudi Arabia.

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The China-Gulf Cooperation Council called on Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and for a peaceful resolution to the issue of three islands ruled by Iran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates.

The Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to Iran in response and expressed its "strong dissatisfaction" over the statement.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Bernard Orr; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel)
The downing of a Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace has forced a rapid recalibration in how the military monitors, tracks and responds to threats from above.

The Defense Department said that after the Chinese spy balloon flew over much of the U.S. earlier this month before being shot down, the military began paying closer attention to lower-altitude flying objects.

That led to the detection and elimination of three UFOs in the span of three days over the weekend.

The Biden administration announced this week the formation of an interagency task force to investigate the UFOs. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said one of the teams new tasks will be to examine how they will respond to future aerial objects.

Were going to learn from these three events, Kirby told reporters on Monday.

Bruce McClintock, the head of RAND Corporations Space Enterprise Initiative, said the Biden administration likely overcorrected on the weekend UFO shoot-downs after the Chinese spy balloon incident. But he believes the focus on lower-altitude objects is here to stay.

The remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina. (Chad Fish via AP, File)

One debate right now is whether to use the Space Surveillance Network, which tracks and monitors objects in outer space, to help detect these lower-altitude threats above North America.

But there is a trade-off, McClintock warned.

The lower you tune down things to pick up smaller objects  the more likely you are to have these kinds of false alarms, he said. Its not like any nation, including the United States, has unlimited bandwidth to look for these objects. They have to make decisions about where to focus their sensors.

Enhanced surveillance would first have to start with a broader strategy on airspace engagement, said Andrew Chanin, the CEO and co-founder of ProcureAM, which manages an exchange-traded fund on the stock market investing in space and UFO detection technology.

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Chanin said the Pentagon, along with allied nations that have also become aware of Chinese spy balloon incursions, may have to develop some type of strategy for detecting, monitoring, tracking and ultimately removing or downing UFOs.

Its going to be something thats a global demand, he said. Areas that we might have to bulk up our spending on are things like satellites, sensors, ground stations.

UFOs flying through U.S. airspace are not new, with eyewitness accounts and photographs of strange aerial craft dating back decades.

While before there was a stigma in reporting these sightings, the U.S. government is now taking them seriously, and Congress recently passed legislation to form a new office to investigate what officials now refer to as unidentified aerial phenomenon.

But the spy balloon and the subsequent UFO takedowns this month accelerated scrutiny around the flurry of strange objects buzzing across the sky.

A leading theory from the White House is that the UFOs were deployed for commercial or benign purposes, which has led to some head-scratching over why the U.S. was not already aware of the source of the objects.

Kari Bingen, the director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the U.S. needs to get to the bottom of this and enhance data collection and sharing.

The intelligence community has been very stove-piped in how they treat data, Bingen said. Do they have data that can be brought to bear and then objects ruled out or taken off the table? Do allies and partners have information that could be useful? I think a lot of that, that piece, there really needs to be attention.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a binational agency serving both Canada and the U.S. that operates from a headquarters at Peterson Air Force base in Colorado, is responsible for monitoring the skies above the continent.

The agency employs a network of satellites, ground-based radar, airborne radar and aircraft to detect and respond to any potential threats.

NORAD primarily works from three regional operations at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

After the hefty Chinese spy balloon was taken down off the coast of South Carolina, NORAD commander Gen. Glen VanHerck admitted that at least four previous spy balloons had flown over the U.S. undetected and were only discovered retroactively.

VanHerck called it a domain awareness gap, raising concerns the U.S. lacked the ability to track balloons or other surveillance devices.

Intelligence officials then detected the past three UFOs last weekend after tweaking the radar system to scan more closely at lower altitudes and for balloons and other less conspicuous flying objects.

There were two previous issues with radar detection, according to analysts in the airspace field.

The first is the military was looking for specific threats, such as missiles or long-range bomber planes, typically at higher altitudes. The second is when scanning at higher altitudes, the radars were not tuned to find flying objects like balloons.

In order to analyze wide swaths of objects flying at different altitudes, NORAD might need an adjustment, such as deploying a greater number of detection systems or more powerful ones.

Jon Gruen, the CEO of Fortem Technologies, a company that develops systems to counter drone incursions and works closely with the Defense Department, compared it to a flashlight: You could shine a narrow beam that can see up to 20 feet, or a wider beam that can see for up to 10 feet but capture more area.

What we are realizing right now is there needs to be greater air awareness systems tracking at different altitudes at different ranges to see smaller objects, Gruen said. Were seeing simple balloons and airborne platforms tripping in from all different types of locations. Its changing, so weve got to adapt to those changes.

Another concern in the airspace awareness community is how the U.S. can shift its response to a detected balloon or UFO.

The Chinese spy balloon and the three UFOs shot down over the weekend were taken out by fighter jets that fired an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile  each of which comes with a price tag of about $400,000.

The missiles also brought down the objects over difficult terrain, including a deep lake in Michigan and the icy waters over Alaska, complicating retrieval efforts that will help understand the UFOs better.

If there was a more effective rule of engagement policy and method to down and capture the UFOs more safely, collection and analysis efforts would be easier.

They need to get their hands on the balloons, on the unidentified objects, and learn from them, said Bingen, adding we need to be careful we are not expending limited stocks of missiles on every single object, whether its known or unknown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: The Canadian Press Toronto Mayor John Tory makes a telephone call from his office after the Toronto city budget meeting, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto Mayor John Tory has submitted his formal resignation, days after he announced plans to step down following an affair with a former staffer.

The resignation, submitted to the city clerk shortly after Tory's budget was approved Wednesday night, is effective on Friday.

In his letter to the clerk, Tory thanks the people of Toronto for trusting him as mayor since 2014.

He says he continues to be deeply sorry and apologizes unreservedly to the people of Toronto and all those hurt by his actions.

Tory stunned the city with an admission Friday night about an "inappropriate relationship" with someone who used to work on his staff and said he planned to step down.

Tory, who is 68, says he will spend the next two days in meetings with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and city staff to ensure an orderly transition.
[Source]

China has threatened to enact countermeasures against U.S. entities involved in the downing of its wandering spy balloon earlier this month, an incident that further crippled delicate relations between the global superpowers.

In a regular briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China firmly opposes the U.S. action and will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against the relevant U.S. entities that undermine Chinas sovereignty and security. He added that Beijing will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and its legitimate rights and interests.

It is unclear what exactly those countermeasures are and which entities will be impacted.

In what appears to be an unrelated move, the Chinese Commerce Ministry on Thursday sanctioned U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon over arms sales to Taiwan.

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Last week, the U.S. sanctioned six Chinese aerospace companies for their ties to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). According to the Commerce Department, the entities were involved in the Chinese militarys aerospace programs including airships and balloons and related materials and components.

Administration officials have determined that the balloon was capable of harvesting signals intelligence, which includes electronically communicated data such as communications and radars.

They also said it was part of a years-long, global surveillance program by China that has covered at least 40 countries in five continents.

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The Washington Post reported this week that the U.S. had actually tracked the balloon since its lift-off from Chinas Hainan province.

On Wednesday, an anonymous official told Reuters that the object was originally set to reach Guam and Hawaii, but was blown off course by strong winds.

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The assessment echoed Chinas claim that the balloon had gone astray due to force majeure. Still, Beijing insists that it was a civilian airship used for weather research, not a spy craft.

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Experts believe a path to dialogue is a meeting between U.S. and Chinese diplomats at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

State Secretary Antony Blinken, whose trip to Beijing was halted due to the balloon incident, is expected to lead the U.S. delegation.

Meanwhile, Japan has raised similar concerns about unknown objects in its airspace. According to its Defense Ministry, at least three aerial objects have been spotted since 2019, and they are all believed to be Chinese spy balloons.

More from NextShark: Kamala Harris declines to comment on report alleging she believes she is marginalized because of her race
[Source]

A Chinese man who hid 10 million yuan (approximately $1.5 million) in lottery winnings from his wife is being divorced and sued for a portion of the prize pool.

On Feb. 1, a court in Wenzhou, a city in Chinas Zhejiang province, ordered the man, surnamed Zhou, to pay his now ex-wife two-thirds of the money for going to great lengths to hide his winnings for two years.

Promptly after the money was received in his bank account, he presented 2 million yuan (approximately $300,000) to his sister. Several days later, Zhou helped his previous wife buy an apartment with 700,000 yuan (approximately $100,000).

His then-wife, surnamed Lin, found out about his deceitful behaviors two years later and filed for divorce.

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Under Chinese law, the money given to Zhous sister and ex-wife was part of the couples common marriage property.

Additionally, the concealment of the money from his wife was considered embezzlement of the couples common property.

Although Lin went to court in hopes of receiving half of the couples common property, she was able to secure more than she wished for  two-thirds of the 2.7 million yuan (approximately $400,000) Zhou had allocated for his sister and ex-wife.

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Upon hearing about the case, Douyin users began expressing their own opinions about Zhous deception.

The 10 million yuan prize has only deepened the rift between these two people, one person commented.

He used the couples common property to buy a lottery ticket and won the top prize. He wanted to enjoy it alone [after receiving the prize]? another user questioned.

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In a similar case, a man identified as Mr. Li won the lottery in southern China and chose not to tell his wife and child because he was worried that they would become complacent and unwilling to work.

Mr. Li, who won the 219 million yuan (approximately $32 million) prize in October 2022, showed up to collect his winnings in a giant cartoon costume to maintain anonymity.

More from NextShark: Why Miss Myanmar 2020 Can't Return Home to Her Country Yet
charlie-shamp - Credit: Screenshot from The Jim Bakker Show

Charlie Shamp  a bearded Christian prophet with a jet-black pompadour  appeared as a guest on the Jim Bakker Show last week to share a heavenly vision about Republican politics. And for once, it wasnt about Donald Trump. We need to watch Ron DeSantis, Shamp told the televangelists audience. Because the Lord is going to use him in a powerful way.

Shamp shared a vision hed received of two palm trees - one planted in California, the other in Florida. Hed asked, Lord, who are these two palm trees? And God responded: This palm tree from California is Ronald Reagan. This palm tree that is in Florida is Ron DeSantis.

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The self-styled prophet said his vision presented the Florida governor as a tree of righteousness that God would replant in Washington D.C. to stand strong against the storms. Shamp then gave a bold prophetic word: Theres something about Ron DeSantis that we need to begin to pray for. Because his ultimate future is to have a position in the United States as the president.

Charismatic Christians offering prophecies about politics is not new. But for years, the divine visions of presidential triumph have centered on one man: Donald John Trump. Shamps shift to praise a new heavenly standard bearer in DeSantis marks the latest (terrestrial) sign that Trump is struggling to recapture the influential faith leaders who helped key his 2016 victory  and who stuck with him to the bitterest ends in 2021, when the reality of Bidens victory exposed prophecies of a second Trump term, including Shamps, as bunkum.

White evangelical Christians are the beating heart of the GOP base. Perhaps the wildest feat of Trumps political career was convincing the fundamentalist faithful that he  a philandering, thrice-married, pussy grabber  could advance the cause of Godliness in the White House. If this bloc were to lose faith in Trump, it could doom his dream of recapturing the GOP nomination.

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Shamps DeSantis prophesy leaves some wiggle room. He didnt insist DeSantis would win the White House in 2024, specifically. But in painting Ronald DeSantis as the second coming of the Ronald Regan he sent a strong signal that the prophetic Christian community is open to turning the page on Trump, in favor of a more authentic spiritual warrior.

For secular Americans who rely on polls, fivethirtyeight.com and the Cook Political Report for their election forecasts, the notion that God is handpicking the nations political leaders  and tipping his moves to Christian prophets  can seem bizarre.

But within the world of Charismatic Christianity, prophets and apostles are not things of the past. They are here now. This community believes direct messages from God can predict the course of Americas future. And many hold that the United States is destined to remake the world in line with biblical dictates, to prepare the Earth for the Second Coming of Jesus. This faith community also believes in a supernatural dimension, adjacent to our own, where heavenly spirits clash with literal demons, and that this spiritual warfare influences events in our material world.

The Charismatic community built an unlikely bond with Donald Trump over more than a decade says Matthew Taylor, who is the protestant scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS). Taylor monitors the rise of Christian nationalism and in particular the political power of the Charismatic apostolic and prophetic movement.

Long before Trump made a serious bid for the White House, he had been the subject of Charismatic prophesy. In 2007 a prophet named Kim Clement predicted the Lord would make Trump his Trumpet in Washington. For his part, Trump courted this band of evangelicals early in his political career, tapping the televangelist Paula White-Cain as his spiritual adviser building up to 2012 when he flirted with a run for the GOP nomination.

When Trump jumped into the 2016 primary, White-Cain was again his point person on religion. But as she began Trumps outreach, White-Cain didnt connect him to evangelical A-Listers, like James Dobson or Ralph Reed. The people she knows are televangelists, and messianic rabbis, and prophets. Those are the people who get in on the ground level, Taylor says, and became the tip of the spear.

To build confidence in the infamously sinful Trump, Lance Wallnau  a self-styled Charismatic prophet and apostle  offered evangelicals a biblical frame for Trump as a Cyrus, recalling an irreligious and chaotic Old Testament King who nonetheless used his power to advance the cause of believers.

Against long odds, Trump quickly gained converts among this devout crowd. Taylor attributes the affinity to Trumps televangelist chic. Trump has always had the big hair, the endless positivity, the bombast. He really fits the aesthetics and imagination of the Charismatic folks.

Once in office, White-Cain became Trumps gate-keeper and enforcer  and continued to coordinate with leaders in the prophetic movement. On at least a pair of occasions Trump invited Charismatic leaders into the White House to lay hands on him. By the time 2020 rolled around, the prophets were all hearing the same divine message for Trump: Re-election. You had this total prophetic mind-meld around Trump in 2020, Taylor recalls.

When Biden emerged victorious instead, it did not create a crisis of faith or self-doubt for the many mistaken prophets. Part of this has to do with the distinction this community draws between prophecy and prediction. Charismatic prophets believe that they declare the will of God, but that the future is not preordained, Taylor explains. Fallible human actors must work in concert with God to bring about the world He wants; yet they risk being stymied by demons and Satanic forces.

In the world these folks inhabit, Taylor explains, the 2020 election was stolen from Trump by demonic powers in collaboration with Democrats and disloyal Republicans. Through Jan. 6 2021, the Charismatic prophetic community  led by Trump-backing Christian nationalists like Dutch Sheets  sought to use spiritual warfare to reverse the election result and make real the prophecies of a second Trump term.

In the run-up to 2020, Shamp himself had insisted that God had singled [Trump] out for favor and promotion, declaring: I prophesy that he will be elected to a second term! The North Carolina prophet clung to that vision following the election, and even showed up on the ground in D.C. on Jan. 6 seeking divine intervention to block a Biden presidency. (Shamp did not respond to an interview request.)

The Charismatic faith community has done little to grapple with the prophesy debacle of 2020. In early 2021, a group of faith leaders released a call for enhanced prophetic standards  including that those who promote erroneous prophesies should take full responsibility, demonstrating genuine contrition before God and people.

Yet the few prophets whove admitted they blew it on the 2020 election have been punished, not rewarded. Jeremiah Johnson prophesied a Trump election in 2015 and joined the prophetic chorus again in 2020. In the aftermath of Bidens victory, he was genuinely contrite, filming a YouTube series called, I Was Wrong.

In the videos, Johnson insisted it was time for Trump-promoting prophets to humble ourselves and ask the hard questions. Johnson criticized many in the prophetic movement who preferred to keep acting like their prophecy was correct  that Trump had been robbed by fraud or that there was some still-unseen event on the horizon that would reinstall him in the White House. Johnson denounced this as pride and arrogance and he carried a stark word of warning to his fellow mistaken prophets: If we do not wake up there is greater judgment thats going to come.

Far from gaining favor as a truth teller, Johnson was pilloried. He got death threats, Taylor says. There were people who were like, How dare you, you heretic! God spoke to you! And now youre backing down from the word that God spoke?! The backlash was so intense that Johnson had to shut down his ministry. Jeremiah Johnson became a cautionary tale to other prophets who would back down from their prophecies.

Moving into 2024, many evangelicals are looking at Trump as a sinner who served his purpose  installing three arch conservatives on the Supreme Court bench, who have since overruled Roe v. Wade  and are eager to entertain other options.

Taylor sees Shamps DeSantis prophesy as a trail balloon  a hedging away from Trump that simultaneously opens the door for the Florida governor to make his case to the Charismatic community. (The prophet, it should be noted, didnt actively diss Trump, telling the audience, I still believe that the anointing of God is upon him.)

DeSantis has a theological obstacle. Hes Catholic. But the Florida Governor has already made inroads with the Charismatic world. In Jan. 2022, DeSantis appeared on stage with Charismatic Christian activist rocker Sean Feucht, who prayed on stage over Casey DeSantis, the governors wife, then being treated for cancer. (Feucht later gave the Lord credit for her recovery, posting on Facebook:: HE STILL HEALS TODAY! All praise to God!)

In a dog whistle to the Charismatic crowd, DeSantis has repeatedly used the language of spiritual warfare in his speeches, tweaking a passage from Ephesians about putting on the full armor of God to defeat, not the devil as the bible says, but the lefts schemes.

And in the closing days of his 2022 gubernatorial reelection campaign, DeSantis unveiled a video that portrayed him as on a heavenly mission. The surreal, vaguely sacreligious voiceover begins: And on the eighth day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, I need a protector. So God created a fighter.

I love you, Ron.



On behalf of millions of people, never stop fighting for freedom. pic.twitter.com/5wcopo041U  Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) November 4, 2022

Taylor sees DeSantis trying to convince the Charismatic world that he, like Trump, is willing to battle for biblical principles. That was the Charismatic justification for Donald Trump. Hes a fighter. Right? He might not be perfect. He might be an asshole, he might not even be a Christian, but hes a fighter; hell fight for us.

Taylor sees DeSantis trying to kind of cast himself in that in that same vein. But the struggle the Florida governor will face, the religion scholar believes, is that DeSantis lacks Trumps mega-preacher magnetism. Both in in public and also behind closed doors, Taylor says, hes not super charismatic  charismatic in the lowercase.

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A college chapels recent service has turned into a prayer revival after it went viral on TikTok.

On 8 February, Asbury University, a Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky, held a prayer service in the schools chapel. What started as a routine service has turned into a days-long worship session involving 24-hour-a-day participation from thousands of attendees.

University president Dr Kevin Brown told NBC News that the initial service took place on the morning of 8 February and was followed by a gospel choir performance.

The first day we had a very ordinary service, I would call it unremarkable, Dr Brown said.

After the service ended, some Asbury University students stuck around to continue their worship. By the end of the day, the number of students had grown, Dr Brown said.

The ongoing worship session ultimately made its way to social media, with videos of the packed college chapel going viral on TikTok.

In one TikTok video, which has been viewed more than 89,000 times since it was posted last week, the chapel could be seen packed with individuals praying together.

Update!! We have been going strong for 60-plus hours now! the caption on the video reads. Revival is still going strong! Please come to Asbury and see what the lord is doing!

In another video, uploaded by Christian social media influencer Jordan Whitmer, who goes by @RevJordanWhitmer on TikTok, it showed another angle of the packed chapel.

Day four of revival at an absolutely packed house at @asburyuniversity in Kentucky - this Gen Z student revival has now turned into multiple generations worshipping, repenting, and praying together!! Revival starts with prayer and repentance. May this happen and spread all across America and the nations of the world! he wrote in the caption, along with the hashtag #AsburyRevival.

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@revjordanwhitmer Day four of revival at an absolutely packed house at @asburyuniversity in Kentucky  this Gen Z student revival has now turned into multiple generations worshipping, repenting, and praying together!! Revival starts with prayer and repentance. May this happen and spread all across America and the nations of the world! #asburyrevival #revival #Jesus #Christian  original sound - Rev. Jordan Whitmer

God is moving - revival is happening in Kentucky, he added.

As of 16 February, the hashtag #AsburyRevival has been viewed more than 33.5m times on TikTok.

The social media interest has translated into participants and the number of attendees has entered the thousands, according to university officials.

It has absolutely been social media that is the mechanism that people found out about this, Mark Whitworth, Asbury Universitys vice president of communications, told NBC News, while Brown said that at least two thirds of attendees are from out of state.

A significant number of worshippers are even from other schools. Groups of students from at least 22 higher education institutions have journeyed to Asbury University to take part in the ongoing service, Kentucky Today reported.

The biggest night took place on Tuesday 14 February when the university hosted 3,000 attendees inside its chapel and overflow facilities, per NBC News.

We would say there is just a spirit of the Lord in this place, Dr Brown told WKYT.

As noted by Encyclopaedia Britannica, revivalism is generally, a renewed religious fervour within a Christian group, church, or community, but primarily a movement in some Protestant churches to revitalise the spiritual ardour of their members and to win new adherents.

Although the university did not expect its recent service to turn into the widespread event it has become, it is not the first time that Asbury University has been the location of a revival.

Scenes from Asbury revivals 1970 & 2023. Methodists know how to revive! pic.twitter.com/j6Jus8Z8me  Leah Payne (@drleahpayne) February 11, 2023

In 1970, the school also became the location of a similar prayer session, which reportedly lasted 185 hours.

The Independent has contacted Asbury University for comment.
Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center has made the top 10 on the Forbes annual Americas Best Large Employers" list for 2023.

The hospital garnered the No. 10 spot topping Google, which landed at No. 11. It was the third-highest rated hospital in the nation behind only Houston Methodist and the Mayo Clinic and was the top pediatric hospital on the list.

This year's list was completed via a partnership by Forbes and a market research company, Statista. The companies surveyed 45,000 workers from some of the largest companies in the United States.

According to Forbes, the workers were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their employers to family and friends, in addition to rating other companies in their industry on factors like working conditions, salary and potential for development.

They were asked questions such as whether they would recommend their current workplace to family or friends and were also given the chance to cite other employers they would recommend. The 500 large employers on the list are those that received the most recommendations, a news release from Forbes stated.

The release states, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center "on the pandemics front lines, offers an impressive range of mental health services. Employees can see a licensed therapist onsite (or virtually) at no cost for up to eight sessions. Another option: A program called Peer2Peer Supporters gives clinicians access to a trained peer within 24 hours."

Nerissa Morris, senior vice president and chief human resources and diversity officer at Cincinnati Childrens, said in the release that, A lot of stressful things happen in the moment and you need support right then and there. With this program, employees can receive on-the-spot help from a colleague who can talk through stressful situations. Its been really, really powerful and helpful."

The Cincinnati pediatric hospital was also praised for its support for employee families with an onsite childcare facility or a free subscription to Care.com for employees.

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Nationally, the Top 10 large employers on Forbes list are:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Houston Methodist in Texas.

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee,

Retail and grocery chain H-E-B in Texas).

The University of Kentucky.

Fidelity Investments in Massachusetts.

Microsoft in Washington.

In-N-Out Burger in California.

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Ohio.

Healthcare organizations took eight of the top 25 slots in the annual list and made up 20% of the top 100.

Here's how some other regional employers ranked:

Procter & Gamble is No. 103.

University of Cincinnati No. 368.

Cintas No. 389.

Great American Insurance No. 435.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Children's makes top 10 on Forbes 'Best Large Employers' list
Citing warnings from leading scientists and experts, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff Wednesday submitted his formal opposition to the proposed strip mine next to the Okefenokee Swamp.

Sen. Ossoff has put focus on protecting the precious National Wildlife Refuge, which is the largest blackwater swamp in North America and generates tens of millions of dollars for Georgias tourism economy.

In his submission to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Sen. Ossoff cites scientific analysis and warning from key experts, including a leading hydrologist at the University of Georgia, Dr. Rhett Jackson, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is responsible for the stewardship of the Refuge.

The Georgia EPD opened a 60-day public comment period on Twin Pines proposed strip mine last month. The comment period runs until Monday, March 20.

The Okefenokee Swamp is a unique and irreplaceable natural resource. Damage to the swamp will irrevocably harm the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the State of Georgia, and Georgias tourism economy, Sen. Ossoff wrote. With great respect, I submit to you that the risk of severe damage to this ecosystem is unacceptable. I, therefore, urge EPD to reject Twin Pines application.

Dr. Jackson, who has conducted extensive studies on the hydrology of both the Okefenokee Swamp and the St. Marys River, concluded that the Mining Plan fails to address key environmental issues, specifically the effects of salt deposition downwind of the evaporation system, [and] the necessity of a contingency plan for unplanned discharges to the local tributaries to the St. Marys River.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also notes that hydrologic models in the Mining Plan are incapable of appropriately evaluating the impacts of the project on water levels in the Okefenokee Swamp and fail to consider seasonal and annual hydrologic variations that will affect mining operations.

In September 2022, at Sen. Ossoffs invitation, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland joined him to survey the Refuge and meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials on the refuges conservation status and environmental risks. They also heard directly from local leaders about the importance of protecting the refuge for the communities in the area.

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This month, Sen. Ossoff also launched a bipartisan push with Congressman Earl L. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) urging the Department of the Interior to formally nominate the Wildlife Refuge to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Click here to read Sen. Ossoffs public comment submission.

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  Caitlin Clark scored 24 points and Monika Czinano had 19 as No. 7 Iowa defeated Wisconsin 91-61 on Wednesday night.

McKenna Warnock added 16 points for the Hawkeyes (21-5, 13-2 Big Ten), who beat the Badgers (8-19, 3-12) for the 27th consecutive time. Iowa, which is in second place in the Big Ten, won for the 10th time in 11 games and moved within one game of conference leader Indiana.

The Hawkeyes, who lost to Indiana 87-78 on Feb. 9 to fall out of the conference lead, have been dominant since. They beat Rutgers 111-57 on Sunday.

Now they play their next two games on the road  at Nebraska on Saturday and at No. 8 Maryland on Tuesday  before hosting Indiana in the regular-season finale on Feb. 26.

We're not really worried about that right now, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said of the upcoming schedule. We control our own destiny right now. We're worried about the Cornhuskers now, and then the game after that.

The Hawkeyes, who lead the nation in scoring at 88.5 points per game, shot 64.3% from the field, taking advantage of the Badgers shadowing Clark on the perimeter. Iowa had 48 points in the paint, and the Hawkeyes had 27 assists against 14 turnovers.

They started doubling the post, Bluder said. I thought we did some really good things adjusting to that and really take advantage of the double-teams. And that's what you have to do when somebody does something like that.

Our rotations weren't quick enough, Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley said. You have to pick your poison when you're facing a really good team.

Clark was 9 of 12 from the field, including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers. She had eight assists and five rebounds while playing just 29 minutes as the Hawkeyes went deep into their bench in the fourth quarter.

She had eight assists and three turnovers, Bluder said. That's really good basketball.

Clark, a junior, became the first Big Ten women's player to reach the top 10 all-time in the conference in scoring and assists.

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It's probably something I wouldn't have known, Clark said. I think when I'm able to score, get assists and get rebounds, I put my team in a good position to win.

Czinano, who was the nations leader in field-goal percentage the last two seasons and ranks third this season, was 8 of 11 from the field. She added six rebounds.

Iowa had a 14-0 run in the first quarter to erase an early Wisconsin lead. The Hawkeyes led 48-28 at halftime, and their biggest lead was 86-53 in the fourth quarter.

Once they were able to settle in and get into their transition game, that's the name of the game for them, Moseley said. Caitlin is just masterful with her court vision, and you can't give them momentum like we did. And I think that's where they broke it open in the first quarter on us."

Julie Pospisilova led Wisconsin with 16 points. Maty Wilke had 10.

BIG PICTURE

Wisconsin: The Badgers have their youngest roster in 16 seasons, and it's showed this season. It's a huge, huge learning process, Moseley said. These types of games are ones they remember, and there are lessons they have to go through.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes kept pace with Indiana, which hosts Michigan on Thursday. Iowa topped the 90-point mark for the fourth time in its last five games and used its reserves for most of the fourth quarter. As somebody who's on the court, it's nice to watch them from their seat on the bench, Clark said. It brings a lot of joy as a teammate.

UP NEXT

Wisconsin: Hosts Rutgers on Monday.

Iowa: At Nebraska on Saturday.

___

AP womens college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
CNN anchor Don Lemon has expressed regret over his claim that Nikki Haley is not in her prime after the comments sparked backlash.

Lemon made the controversial comments during Thursdays episode of CNN This Morning, where he suggested that the former governor of South Carolina shouldnt be critical about the ages of politicians running for office.

This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think its the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians or something are not in their prime, Lemon said. Nikki Haley isnt in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.

Lemons comments were interrupted by his co-anchor Poppy Harlow, who asked: What are you talking about wait, prime for what?

Lemon then suggested that his claim is not according to [him], adding: Its just, like, prime. If you look it up, if you Google: When is a woman in her prime? Itll say 20s, 30s and 40s. Im not saying I necessarily agree with that, so I think she has to be careful of saying that politicians arent in their prime and they need to be.

Harlow then suggested that her co-host needed to clarify his meaning, as she asked: Are you talking about prime for child bearing or are you talking about prime for president?

Don Lemon: "Nikki Haley isnt in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, and 30s, and maybe 40s"



Poppy Harlow: "Are you talking about prime for like child bearing?"



"Dont shoot the messenger! Im just saying what the facts are! Google it!" pic.twitter.com/n1HmtkWTpl  Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 16, 2023

Lemon attempted to defend himself, telling his co-anchors not to shoot the messenger.

Dont shoot the messenger! Im just saying what the facts are! he said, before urging viewers to Google it. Google it, everybody at home, when is a woman in her prime, its 20s, 30s and 40s, he continued.

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The CNN anchor then reiterated his claim that Haley, who announced her 2024 presidential campaign this week, should avoid criticising candidates running for office about their age, because she wouldnt be in her prime according to Google or whatever it is.

The segment has since sparked intense criticism on social media and viewers have suggested that Lemon should be cancelled over the misogynistic comments.

He should be cancelled and fired, one person wrote, while another said: Google does not make something a fact! You are misogynist to say women are only in their prime in 30s to 40s. Fire him @CNN.

Imagine the entitlement he must feel to sit there with two women and say these things all because he dislikes a female politician. Did he think theyd have his back? someone else asked.

Others took the opportunity to point out that President Joe Biden is 80 years old, and that, at 56 years old, Lemon is older than Haley.

Our president is 80 years old. Why are you worried about Nikki Haley being in her prime? You sound like a shallow, sexist dweeb. Youre also terrible at your job, one person tweeted, while someone else added: Shes five years younger than you. Lie down for a nap and think about what youve done.

On Thursday, Lemon took to Twitter to express regret over his comments, which he said were inartful and irrelevant.

The reference I made to a womans prime this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it, he wrote. A womans age doesnt define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.

The reference I made to a womans prime this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A womans age doesn't define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.  Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 16, 2023

Although some said they appreciated Lemons statement, others accused the news anchor of avoiding apologising.

Thats a lot of words to avoid typing Im sorry, one person claimed, while another said: Inartful and irrelevant. You just cant bring yourself to say wrong, can you?

Where is the apology in this statement? someone else asked.

Lemons initial comments came after Haley, 51, called for mandatory competency tests for politicians older than 75 in her official campaign launch video on 15 February.

In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire, Haley said. Well have term limits for Congress and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.

In what appeared to be an unrelated attack, Donald Trump also criticised Lemon on Thursday, with the former president describing the CNN anchor as the dumbest man on television in a post shared to Truth Social. The criticism was linked to a report that claimed CNN This Morning is the networks lowest-rated morning show in a decade.

The Independent has contacted CNN for comment.
Vietnamese rescuers locate Turkish earthquake victims

Vietnamese rescue teams discovered three locations of victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey's Hatay Province on February 15.













Vietnamese rescuers search at Hatay Province, Turkey on February 15. Photo by Qdnd

The team, including engineers, sniffer dogs, and military doctors, searched eight locations in Hatay which was one of the localities hardest hit by the disaster in Turkey on Wednesday and discovered three sites where victims were buried under debris.








Photo: The Canadian Press

William Sandeson was motivated by greed when the former medical student carried out a plan to kill another student during a drug deal in Halifax, a court heard Wednesday.

In her closing address to a Nova Scotia Supreme Court jury, Crown prosecutor Kim McOnie said Sandeson had planned to sell the marijuana he stole from the victim to clear a $78,000 debt just as he was starting medical school at Dalhousie University.

"We say Mr. Sandeson hatched a plan to alleviate his financial distress and satisfy his greed," McOnie said. "His plan was to lure Taylor Samson to his apartment, where he would shoot him, take the 20 pounds of marijuana, which he would then be able to sell at a significant profit."

Sandeson, 30, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of the 22-year-old Dalhousie physics student on Aug. 15, 2015.

Earlier in the six-week trial, Sandeson testified that he killed Samson in self-defence, saying he feared for his life when the victim lunged at him during an argument over payment.

Sandeson also admitted to disposing of Samson's body by dumping it in a tidal river that feeds the Bay of Fundy near Truro, N.S. He denied the Crown's allegation that he dismembered the body to make it easier to handle. The accused told the court he never intended to kill Samson, and he said he panicked after the shooting, knowing he would face criminal charges for the death and the drug dealing.

His lawyer, Alison Craig, summed up her client's dilemma by telling the jury: "Drug dealers don't become doctors."

In her final argument Wednesday, Craig challenged the Crown's theory that Sandeson was desperate to pay off debts and make some quick cash. She told the jury that Sandeson didn't need the money because he had three part-time jobs and was earning good money from his own drug dealing, which included selling marijuana, magic mushrooms and MDMA to other Dalhousie students.

As well, she said it made no sense for Sandeson to risk throwing away a promising career for nine kilograms of drugs, which Samson had planned to sell to him for $40,000.

"He had everything to look forward to in life  and he was going to throw it all away for a couple of pounds of marijuana?" Craig said, adding that the jurors must find him not guilty of the charge if they have any reasonable doubts.

"He did not have the intent for murder."

She said the Crown's idea that Sandeson was planning to sell the marijuana by the gram to earn up to $100,000 from its street value also made no sense because it would take too long to sell 9,000 grams. The dried leaves would rot before that could happen, she said.

Craig went on to suggest that the Crown's assertion that the killing was well planned was absurd. She noted that her client had left his surveillance cameras on for most of that night, knowing that they would record Samson's arrival shortly before 10:30 p.m.

"Why not turn the cameras off until after the shooting, if he knew it advance that was going to happen?" she asked the jury, adding that Sandeson had also planned a trip out of town the following day, which he cancelled the night of the killing.

As well, Craig reminded the jury that Sandeson had removed all personal items from his apartment before the meeting with Samson to make it appear as if the residence was not his  a typical ruse among drug dealers. Again, Craig suggested that made no sense if Samson wasn't expected to leave there alive.

"If this was planned and deliberate, he sure does take home the award for worst plan ever," she said.

Immediately after the shooting, Craig said her client's actions were consistent with an unplanned and unintended shooting. According to Sandeson, the first thing he did was alert his two friends in the next apartment.

"If he intended to commit murder, and had just done so, why would he show the aftermath to witnesses?" Craig asked, adding that the two witnesses reported that Sandeson appeared to be in shock and was talking gibberish when they peered inside his apartment.

"He did not intend to kill Mr. Samson," Craig said.

But McOnie said the evidence makes it clear Sandeson needed a get-rich-quick scheme. She pointed to a text he sent to his father a few months before the killing, saying the $78,000 outstanding on a line of credit would be paid off by September. The Crown lawyer also pointed to texts showing Sandeson's excitement when he learned he had been awarded a $7,000 scholarship.

"He needed and he wanted money," McOnie told the court, adding that Sandeson's online correspondence revealed he was eager to find someone to sell a large stash of marijuana to in the summer of 2015.

"To clear off some or all of his debt, the deal had to be a big one  and it was," she said, pointing to texts showing that Sandeson had eventually asked Samson to bring up to 40 pounds of the drug.

As for Sandeson's murderous plan, McOnie said circumstantial evidence suggested the accused had accumulated several cleaning products in anticipation of mopping up a bloody scene.

"How many 22-year-old students do you know have seven litres of bleach in their apartment?" she asked the jury.

McOnie also challenged the notion that Sandeson was left barely able to function after the shooting. She said the evidence shows he quickly set to work cleaning the apartment, a task he finished within two hours.

On another front, McOnie said there was no indication from Sandeson that he did anything to help Samson once he had been shot.

"He focused on the one thing that was of primary importance to him: he picked up the bloodied money on the floor," she said.

She then pointed to texts he sent soon after the shooting, including a message sent to a friend in Australia that declared: "Student loan paid off. I'm squeaky clean now."

The judge presiding over the case, Justice James Chipman, began his charge to the jury on Wednesday. He was expected to resume that process Thursday.
NEW YORK (AP)  Don Lemon startled some colleagues on CNN's morning show Thursday with his implication that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, at age 51, was past her prime.

Lemon, with CNN This Morning co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, was discussing Haley's suggestion a day earlier that politicians over age 75 should be subject to mandatory mental competency tests. President Joe Biden is 80 while another GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is 76.

Nikki Haley isn't in her prime, sorry, Lemon said, explaining why he was uncomfortable with the age discussion. When a woman is considered to be in her prime  in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s.

Prime for what? Harlow replied.

Lemon said that if you look it up on Google, a woman is considered to be in her prime at those ages. Harlow tried to clarify what Lemon was referencing: I think we need to qualify. Are you talking about prime for childbearing or are you talking about prime for being president?

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just saying what the facts are, Lemon replied. Google it.

He brought up the subject again an hour later, when commentator Audie Cornish joined the discussion. Like Harlow had earlier, Cornish said the idea of prime that Lemon was referring to was about reproductive years, and didn't concern mental health and aging.

She's in her prime for running for office, Cornish said of Haley, who announced her candidacy Tuesday. Political prime is what we're talking about.

Later Thursday, Lemon issued a statement saying he regretted his inartful and irrelevant references to a woman's prime age.

A woman's age doesn't define her either personally or professionally, he wrote on Twitter. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.

There was no immediate comment from CNN leaders. CNN chief executive Chris Licht launched the network's new morning show in November.

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Haley tweeted out a video of the CNN exchange on Thursday, saying liberals can't stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job. BTW, it's always the liberals who are the most sexist.

Haley also retweeted other anti-Lemon comments from conservative politicians and media figures, and moved quickly to take political advantage.

She emailed a fundraising appeal to supporters, decrying Lemon as a CNN liberal, including a link to the clip.

We must fight these liberal attacks, Haleys campaign wrote. They hate conservative women the most.

___

AP journalist Meg Kinnard in Charleston, S.C., contributed to this report.
Marco Martinez Morales snaps a photo with his son, Marco Jr. as they frolic on a snowy roadside near Mt. Baldy. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Southern Californians awoke Thursday to some record-setting low temperatures as a winter cold snap lingered in the region.

We certainly had an abnormally cold morning to start the day," said Brian Adams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

From northern Los Angeles County through San Diego, cities hit history-making low temperatures Thursday, weather experts said, though some of the records still need to be triple-checked before they are official. The cold snap comes as residents struggle with unusually high heating bills because of a spike in naturl gas prices.

In Los Angeles County, Lancaster set a new record low for the date Thursday morning, dropping to 18 degrees  three degrees below the previous record, set in 2006, said Mike Wofford, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. Palmdale almost hit a new low at 21 degrees early Thursday, one degree higher than the current record, Wofford said.

In Orange County, Fullerton recorded its lowest temperature  39 degrees  for the date



since 1998, when the weather service began tracking that location, Adams said.

Clouds drift over Point Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Cold and windy weather has buffeted Southern California in recent days. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Oceanside and Ramona in San Diego County also set new record lows, hitting 32 and 21 degrees, respectively, early Thursday, Adams said. That's two degrees lower than Oceanside's previous record for the date, set in 2008, and four degrees below Ramona's prior record, set in 1990, he said.

Poway may have tied a prior record set in 1903 at 29 degrees, he said.

The cold weather has been all associated with this low pressure system that came through," Wofford said. "It didnt really bring much precipitation to L.A. proper, but it brought a lot of cold air in."

Those kind of systems can take a few days to move out, he said, but this one is likely to result in fewer drastic lows over the next few days.

Were going to be not quite as cold the next couple nights because we have some cloud cover coming in that acts kind of like a blanket," Wofford said.

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Thursday's records in Orange and San Deigo counties will be made official later in the day.

Fullerton and San Jacinto both tied records Wednesday, Adams said, with Fullerton dropping to 39 degrees  tying the previous recorded low from 2009  and San Jacinto dropping to 31 degrees, tying its record set in 1989 .

In the mountains, Thursday morning also brought some "single-digit windchill readings," Adams said.

The windchill in Big Bear dropped the temperatures to feel like 5 degrees, Adams said. Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs were also below 10 degrees with the windchill at about 7 and 9 degrees, respectively.

This will certainly be the coldest morning for the rest of the week," Adams said. Over the next few days the region will see warming, he said, but "purely in a relative sense."

He said the next few mornings will continue to warm up by about 3 to 5 degrees in some spots, but nothing drastic.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro's administration expects to win congressional approval of his proposed reforms to fight poverty, exclusion and inequality, but may need to compromise on a controversial health bill and other laws, said Interior Minister Alfonso Prada.

Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, took office just over six months ago. After successfully pushing a tax reform through Congress late last year, more controversial bills slated for this year - including a health reform presented on Monday - have caused tensions among the government's broad coalition and even within Petro's cabinet.

While thousands of Petro's supporters joined marches and rallies on Tuesday across the country to support the health reform, similar numbers turned out for protests opposing them on Wednesday.

Political analysts and opposition politicians have accused the president of calling the marches to try to force Congress and the Constitutional Court into passing his reforms, something the government and Petro denied.

Colombia's government will look to pass its proposed laws with consensus, not by imposing them on lawmakers, Prada told Reuters in an interview late on Wednesday.

"There's no possibility of imposition in a democratic and deliberative regime like Colombia's, which brings all these reforms to Congress," Prada said.

Other controversial reforms will focus on labor and pensions, while the government will also push initiatives to expand university access to young people who cannot pay, and rolling out subsidies to impoverished families and the elderly.

At the same time, the government will need to maintain its majority coalition to push through other proposed reforms which include a law offering incentives for illegal armed groups to submit themselves to justice, and a land reform which looks to boost agricultural production.

Prada played down suggestions of tensions within the government's coalition majority in Congress.

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"So far it has been very solid. I don't have a magic wand to see what will happen in two or three months, but as far as I and the government are concerned, we're going to do everything possible to keep this great coalition united," Prada said.

Claims by opposition politicians that Petro might look to stay in power beyond his four-year term are unfounded, Prada said.

"That is totally prohibited by President Petro himself," Prada said. "On August 7, 2026, the fourth year (of the government), we will deliver the presidency to whoever the people have democratically chosen."

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by David Holmes)
DENVER (AP)  From Colorado's high desert to the wooded hills of Pennsylvania, millions of oil and gas wells sit deserted, plunging thousands of feet into the earth. Many haven't been plugged, some leak greenhouse gases.

In Colorado, lawmakers are considering a solution that would give these wells a new, redemptive purpose: deep receptacles to trap carbon for millennia.

The idea is to keep carbon locked away in a special type of charcoal known as biochar, which is made by burning organic matter at high heat and low oxygen. The substance could be used to fill defunct oil and gas wells. Proponents say biochar would not only filter dangerous gas leaks but also stop that carbon from forming carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Colorado lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday for a study to assess whether biochar would work to plug defunct wells.

If successful, experts say that sinking biochar into a portion of the over 3 million abandoned oil wells nationwide could help tackle climate change  estimates range from keeping millions to billions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Still, the idea is relatively new and a number of feasibility questions remain. The study would direct Colorado State University to review research and run new tests to determine, in part, the efficacy of biochar in filtering gases and sequestering carbon as well as the technical feasibility of using it to plug oil and gas wells.

Carbon naturally cycles through Earth's ecosystems, floating in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide before being snatched up by little bluestem grasses, ingested by grazing bison on the prairie, and when the animal keels over and begins decomposing, returning to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

But extracting fossil fuels has unearthed carbon  formed out of ancient plant matter over eons  that's been stored underground largely since the Mesozoic Era, the age of dinosaurs over 65 million years ago.

Where we need to focus is: How do we not only stop putting excess carbon into the cycle but can we take measures to take carbon out of the cycle permanently? said Rep. Karen McCormick, a Democrat and one of the bills sponsors. Thats where I see biochar having a great benefit.

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North of Denver in the small town of Berthoud, one company already makes biochar. On a recent day at Biochar Now's facility, a tractor drove across the muddy yard, its bucket holding shards of wood bound for a new life as biochar.

Nearby, dead logs were stacked in neat piles. They were likely either killed by invasive beetles in Rocky Mountain forests or were casualties of a 2021 wildfire near Boulder, the most destructive in state history.

What they have in common, said James Gaspard, the company's co-founder, is that they'd otherwise be doomed to rot or burn, releasing carbon dioxide. Instead, the wood debris is loaded into large kilns, where the heat burns at three times the temperature of fire and the oxygen is sucked from the chamber in a process called pyrolysis. What's left is biochar.

The substance has a carbon structure closer to a diamond, said Jim Ippolito, a professor at Colorado State University. While diamonds might last forever, biochar isn't far behind and can keep the carbon inert  unable to form carbon dioxide  for centuries if not millennia. Unlike a decomposing bison, biochar pulls carbon out of the earths carbon cycle.

Biochar is lightweight  like popcorn  and porous like a sponge, which is why it already has an international market. From Colorado, Biochar Now ships bags of the substance internationally for deployment as a filter at wastewater treatment plants, in soil to retain nutrients and in streams to pull out pollutants.

That's partly why its being proposed to plug oil and gas wells. It could help absorb dangerous gases such as methane that seep from abandoned shafts. The plugging process includes pouring concrete at certain points in the well and can include stuffing the remaining space with a combination of fillers like sand, gravel or clay.

The Colorado study will determine if biochar could make up a portion of the slurry pumped into wells, and if it could be used as an ingredient in the concrete that's poured as the plug.

Colorado's oil and gas industry association said it looks forward to working with McCormick in finding the best use for biochar.

If passed, the measure would let scientists take a key step forward in assessing whether biochar in wells is a viable form of carbon sequestration.

Thats what we need to prove, back this up with hard data, so that we can say: Hey Louisiana, hey Mississippi, hey Texas, you can see what we are doing here, McCormick said.

___

Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Columbus City Attorney filed a lawsuit against automakers Kia and Hyundai Wednesday citing an uptick in thefts on vehicle models that lack industry anti-theft technology.

Nearly two-thirds of all vehicle theft attempts since January 2022 in Columbus were Kia and Hyundai models, according to City Attorney Zach Klein in a release.

The taxpayer cost of Kia and Hyundais negligence continues to rise as local law enforcement diverts limited resources to investigate thefts, respond to crimes and assess property destruction, Klein said. Its time we held these automakers accountable for cheating consumers and passing the buck and responsibility to clean up the mess they made onto the rest of us.

>> RELATED: Its a nightmare; Area Kia owner has car stolen for second time amid ongoing social media trend

Here in the Miami Valley, Dayton police reported similar numbers last year.

Typically, Dayton police see under 1,000 car thefts per year. They reported 1,500 car thefts and attempted thefts in 2022. Of those thefts 662 involved Kia and Hyundai vehicles.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Theyre to stomp it out; Insurance companies concerned in car theft spike amid social media trend

In their lawsuit, the City of Columbus said that the uptick of Kia and Hyundai thefts due to substandard security features in their vehicles has cost consumers, insurance companies, local governments, and law enforcement millions of dollars over the past year alone.

Car thefts increased last July when the Kia Challenge became popular on social media platforms and it hasnt slowed down since. Dayton police said they are fighting the crime wave, but a lot of car owners that have to park on the street or in driveways are still being victimized.

Earlier this week Hyundai and Kia said they are launching an anti-theft software to prevent the theft of millions of vehicles that have been targeted by the social media challenge, but Klein argues its too little too late.

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>> RELATED: Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software expected to roll out later this month for millions of cars

I commend Kia and Hyundai for heeding our call and providing a no-cost security fix for drivers, but unfortunately a lot of damage has been done. The fact remains that thousands of Columbus residents have already had their cars stolen and our law enforcement continues to divert significant time and resources to respond to these crimes, Klein said.

It is not known if any Miami Valley cities plan to follow Columbus lead and also file a lawsuit.

We are working to learn more and we will update this story as we learn new information.












Columbus police logo

Columbus police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the murder of another teenager, Musa Aliyow, earlier this month.

Mohamed Abdi, 17, was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Columbus police officers on an unrelated incident, and is being held on a delinquency count of murder at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center, according to police.

Under Ohio law, 17-year-olds who are charged with delinquency counts of murder are required to have the case transferred to adult court.

Aliyow, 20, was found shot around 9 p.m. on Jan. 29 on the 700 block of Countrybrook Drive East on the city's Far West Side. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and died on Feb. 9.

mhenry@dispatch.com

@megankhenry

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Police arrest juvenile for Far West Side murder
A close-up view of the poppies blooming in the Walker Canyon area of Lake Elsinore on Feb. 7, during a press conference about the closure of the area to the public. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

I had mixed feelings when I heard that officials in Riverside County were closing hiking trails and parking areas to keep visitors from trampling a spectacular bloom of wildflowers along Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore.

Its too bad something as beautiful and quintessentially Californian as hillsides blanketed with orange poppies is being closed to the public with no-parking signs, law enforcement patrols and threats of citation, towing or arrest. But I have to admit I was also relieved that this landscape, stressed by years of drought, wont emerge from a sorely needed series of winter storms only to be crushed by sightseers. That maybe this time, Californians wont collectively harm something we all love.

Authorities are trying to avoid a repeat of 2019, when the last super bloom in the Walker Canyon area attracted heavy crowds and traffic congestion from hundreds of thousands of visitors, some of them tramping on the flowers to get the perfect photo and haphazardly parking their cars, even on the shoulder of the freeway.

I understand the impulse to see such a stunning burst of beauty firsthand. And Californians have a right to enjoy these open spaces. But not at the expense of the environment and public safety. Why can't we appreciate natural beauty without destroying it?

Its not an isolated example of self-centered behavior spoiling one of California's natural wonders.

Last year, authorities at Redwood National Park had to urge visitors to stay away from Hyperion , the worlds tallest tree, or risk a $5,000 fine and six months in jail, after its off-trail location  which had been kept secret to protect it  was being discovered by a growing number of travel bloggers and thrill-seekers. They were damaging the forest by bushwhacking to reach the 380-foot tree, trampling the vegetation around its base and even trying to climb it.

When officials announced last week that public access to the Walker Canyon wildflowers would be cut off entirely, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco warned that there would be zero tolerance for parking violations, going so far as to say that scofflaws could be arrested and booked into jail.

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Officials told me this week that people have mostly stayed away, though some are still pulling over on the side of the freeway and a few have tried to sneak in. They've issued some parking tickets and towed some vehicles, but there have been no arrests and most people follow the rules and respect the closures, Riverside County Sheriffs Sgt. Deirdre Vickers said Tuesday.

It would be better if officials weren't resorting to such heavy-handed measures. Isn't there some way to control crowds and allow for limited public access without depriving everyone? Like a timed-entry lottery system or a designated area for people to safely view flowers? The city isn't offering a shuttle service to Walker Canyon it used four years ago, and seems to think nothing short of a total closure will stem the misbehavior.

Because even if we do have the viewing area, people dont listen," said Jovanny Rivera Huerta, a city of Lake Elsinore spokesperson.

Many of us have been starved for time outdoors after years of pandemic isolation. Nature is good for the body and soul, and it's understandable that wed want to pull over to gaze at the colorful hillsides and post some pictures on social media. But we also need to consider our collective impact and resist the urge to flock to these fragile landscapes and risk ruining them for everyone.

In California, nature and crowds often uncomfortably converge. We endure hours of traffic to see Yosemite's waterfalls, visit the beach on summer days and play in the snow in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. To get there, most of us burn gasoline, spewing greenhouse gas pollution that is heating the planet and threatening those same ecosystems.

Situations like the Hyperion tree and Walker Canyon wildflowers are fueled, at least in part, by social media and people's desire to experience and document the superlative of everything: the best food, the tallest tree, the most elusive landmark, the biggest bloom. News coverage doesnt exactly help by calling attention to the "super bloom" and reinforcing the hype, only to cover the mayhem that ensues when people go to see it for themselves.

One of the best things about California is that so much of its natural beauty  the coast, mountains, hills and desert  is public and belongs to all of us. But with that access comes a duty to protect these landscapes, more than anything, from ourselves.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio (Associated Press)

The rail company behind the toxic train disaster in Ohio was lambasted for safety failures last year after the company authorised $10bn stock buybacks for shareholders rather than maintenance, The Independent can reveal.

On the evening of 3 February, Norfolk Southern freight train 32N derailed in the small town of East Palestine. Of the 50 rail cars involved, around 11 were carrying toxic chemicals.

To prevent an explosion from the hazardous materials, clean-up crews carried out a controlled burn which sent noxious black clouds billowing across the region. More than 2,000 people were evacuated but have since been told its safe to return home. Yet 12 days after the incident, reports of illness, dead animals, and concerns about the regions water supply continue to emerge.

The disaster was years in the making, according to a coalition of rail worker unions, driven by slashing the workforce, deregulation, corporate lobbying and shareholder payouts.

The big rail operators eliminated at least one-fifth of jobs in just a couple of years, The Associated Press reported.

The wreck of Train 32N has been years in the making. What other such train wrecks await us remains to be seen, Railroad Workers United (RWU) said in a press release.

In April 2022 federal regulators were so concerned over the deterioration of the freight rail industry that they hauled executives from the four largest US rail companies, including Norfolk Southern, to Washington DC for urgent public hearings.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB), which regulates the freight rail industry, told how it had heard compelling testimony from whistleblowers about reports of chronic employee shortages. Chairman Martin Oberman described the situation as a rail service crisis.

The foursome - also made up of BNSF Railway Company, CSX Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad - were ordered to file detailed reports explaining how they would correct deficiencies the following month.

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When May came around, the SBT issued a highly critical statement accusing the companies of only filing perfunctory responses.

Federal regulators singled out Norfolk Southern for flatly (refusing) to provide the six-month targets for achieving their performance goals explicitly required by the Boards order.

Yet just weeks before this public scrutiny, Norfolk Southern had announced a $10bn stock buyback.

Then, in December 2022, Alan Shaw, Norfolk Southerns recently-named CEO, sold 2,000 shares of his stock in the company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. At an average price of $258, it netted him more than $516,000, Marketbeat reported.

The rail firms director, James Squires, sold 21,272 shares of stock around the same time, amounting to $5.2m, Marketbeat reported.

Then on 24 January 2023, Norfolk Southerns Board of Directors approved a 9 per cent increase on its quarterly dividend on the companys common stock, from $1.24 to $1.35 per share.

The Independent has contacted the company for comment.

The company has a checkered past of deadly accidents and silencing whistleblowers, The Independent has also discovered.

At least 18 Norfolk Southern employees have died on the job since 1991, according to figures from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Railroad Workers Union.

The latest fatality was in December 2022 when trainee conductor Walter James Griffin III was killed and another conductor was seriously injured after being struck by a piece of metal from a passing train car in Bessemer, Alabama. The death is still under investigation.

In 2005, nine people including one Norfolk Southern engineer died and 250 people were injured from toxic chlorine exposure after two Norfolk Southern freight trains collided near Graniteville, South Carolina.

The fatalities were a result of chlorine searing the victims lungs. An NTSB accident report blamed the crash on the failure of one train crew to return a main line switch to the normal position after completing work on the track.

In February 2013, Norfolk Southern was ordered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the watchdog of the Department of Labor, to pay $1.1m to three whistleblowers who were wrongfully fired for reporting workplace injuries.

One was a crane operator in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who was removed from service after reporting an eye injury that required the extraction of a sliver of metal and rust ring from his eye. The injury occurred while he was operating a crane to build a bridge. The employee was terminated after an internal investigation.

The other investigation involved a welder and a welders helper in Pennsylvania who had worked at the railroad for more than 36 years without incident. They reported injuries from an accident caused by another vehicle that ran a red light and hit a second vehicle, which in turn collided with the company truck they were in.

The employees initially reported minor shoulder pain and declined medical treatment but their pain increased and they were treated at hospital. They were later formally terminated when management concluded they made false reports about their conditions.

In addition to the settlements, Norfolk Southern was ordered to expunge their disciplinary records.

"The Labor Department continues to find serious whistleblower violations at Norfolk Southern, and we will be steadfast in our defense of a workers right to a safe job  including his or her right to report injuries," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris at the time.

Several other orders were made against Norfolk Southern between 2011-2013, OSHA reported. The investigations have found that the company continues to retaliate against employees for reporting work-related injuries, and these actions have effectively created a chilling effect in the railroad industry, the agency said.

Norfolk Southern said on Tuesday that it was sending $1m of immediate charitable relief to East Palestine residents.

A few days after the derailment, the company had offered East Palestine a $25,000 donation to assist residents who were forced to evacuate their homes.

The rail workers unions said that the immediate cause of the Ohio trainwreck appears to have been a 19th century style mechanical failure of the axle on one of the carsan overheated bearingleading to derailment and then jackknifing tumbling cars.

There is no way in the 21st century, save from a combination of incompetence and disregard to public safety, that such a defect should still be threatening our communities, RWU said in a statement.

An investigation into the East Palestine derailment is ongoing, according to the NTSB.
Photo: The Canadian Press Rep. Brian Higgins.

A New York congressman wants to enlist the U.S. secretary of state to oppose what he calls Ottawa's "discriminatory" campaign against foreign property owners.

Rep. Brian Higgins is asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to officially object to Canada's new federal tax on underused, foreign-owned housing, which is coming due in April.

The one per cent levy applies to certain foreign non-resident owners of Canadian property located in areas with a core population of at least 10,000 people.

As of January, the federal government has also imposed a new two-year ban on the purchase of property in Canada by foreign non-residents.

John DeLuce, a Buffalo resident who spent 28 years in Congress, bought a cottage in Fort Erie, Ont., shortly after his retirement in 2003.

DeLuce says he is offended by the measures, which he considers an affront to the unique Canada-U.S. relationship he helped to cultivate during nearly three decades on Capitol Hill.

"It's a hostile act," DeLuce said in an interview. "It's a xenophobic act. And it's certainly not the type of act that becomes people in countries who consider themselves best friends."

In his letter to Blinken, Higgins said the policy violates the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and runs counter to what Canada and the U.S. ought to be doing to resurrect cross-border commerce in the age of COVID-19.

"This is an unnecessary burden and bad-faith action by the government of Canada which violates the (USMCA), as well as long-standing tax treaties," he wrote.

He wants Blinken to ensure it comes up next month when Joe Biden travels north to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden's first visit to Canada as president.

"This tax will impose a burden, financially and bureaucratically, on hardworking Americans who in many cases have owned these properties for generations," the letter reads. The available exemptions to the new levy don't go far enough, he added.

"The United States and Canada share a unique relationship, but imposing the underused housing tax is concerning and threatening to it and must be addressed in upcoming bilateral meetings."
A group of Tesla workers in Buffalo, New York, have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board accusing the electric carmaker of firing at least 30 workers in response to their union organizing efforts.

In a release, the group that calls itself Tesla Workers United, accuses Tesla and CEO Elon Musk of retaliating in direct response to the unionization drive, launched Feb. 14 at Tesla's Buffalo Gigafactory 2. The affected workers are part of the Buffalo location's autopilot group, where they "train" Tesla's artificial intelligence software by identifying images.

The group is asking for a federal injunction to protect the workers' rights.

A Tesla representative could not be reached for comment.

The Tesla factory in Buffalo, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 2018. (Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

The union drive is being spearheaded by a Rochester, New York-based unit of Workers United, which is an affiliate of the larger Service Employees International Union. Workers United is also the group that has been attempting to organize Starbucks locations.

The NLRB has the power to order an employer to reinstate workers with back pay, though it cannot assess penalties. Tesla was cited in 2021 by the NLRB on accusations of "coercively interrogating" and "threatening" employees at its Fremont plant. The company was ordered to offer to reinstate a fired worker; Tesla has denied wrongdoing and is appealing the citation.

According to Tesla's website, the Buffalo Gigafactory has created nearly 800 jobs, with plans to ultimately employ as many as 5,000.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Wendy Sherman

According to Sherman, Beijing is trying to raise its authority in foreign affairs by claiming its ready to mediate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

And at the same time, they are committed to their no limits partnership with Russia, Sherman said.

Read also: North Korea supplies Russias Wagner mercenaries, US says

And we have, certainly, concern and growing concern about that partnership and the PRCs support for this invasion.

She also expressed concern about the Kremlins cooperation with Iran and North Korea. She stressed that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will suffer a strategic defeat in Ukraine, and this is going to create a lot of problems for those who are supporting this unholy invasion going forward.

Read also: German president urges Xi Jinping to convince Putin to end war in Ukraine

China refrains from criticizing Moscows brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: US suggests Chinese companies providing aid for Russian war effort in Ukraine  media reports

Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Xi Jinping instructed the Chinese government to establish closer economic ties with Russia. According to sources, China wants to increase its imports of Russian oil, expand energy cooperation, and increase investment in Russia's infrastructure.

Dec. 25, 2022, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that Beijing would deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Hundreds of East Palestine residents took part in a series of town hall meetings on Wednesday.

They came looking for answers and guidance on what to do next.

RELATED >>> We need answers: Families near East Palestine train derailment site concerned for health, homes

Not sure were getting all the answers that we need, so were hoping to find something else out, Trudy Barton said. She lives just outside the evacuation zone.

Barbara Georgescu lives even closer. Shes just blocks from the derailment site. She wears a heavy-duty mask around town.

I bought it first and foremost because Im leaving Dodge and starting to clean out my house, she said.

Georgescu told Channel 11 she made the decision to move just hours after the incident happened.

She might not be the only one. Barton told 11 News that she is thinking about it, too.

That would be a possibility, but who is going to buy the home? she said.

Loss of property value was one of many topics brought up at a pair of town hall meetings hosted by a law firm specializing in environmental incidents.

The third brought hundreds of residents to East Palestine High School.

Several agencies were on hand to field questions, including the Ohio EPA, local officials and more.

Norfolk Southern was noticeably absent.

We had concerns about the physical safety of our employees, Will Harden, senior director for Norfolk Southern, said. He spoke with Channel 11 before the meeting.

Weve been working with the NTSB on the investigation. We cant really comment on it further than that, but I do know the Federal Railroad Administration has been involved as well, Harden said.

When asked what he would say to people who are skeptical of Norfolk Southerns efforts to make things right, he had this to say:

I want to say to those people that Norfolk Southern is here to address the health and safety of the community.

The company is staying in the area indefinitely.

Harden also told Channel 11 the area eligible for reimbursement has expanded from the one mile evacuation zone to the entire zip code.

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Legal experts who met with citizens Wednesday said its best not to sign anything without a lawyer looking at it first.

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Alex Murdaugh with his attorneys at his murder trial (Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool)

Legal dynasty heir Alex Murdaugh is currently on trial in a South Carolina courtroom for the brutal double murder of his wife and adult son.

Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, were both shot dead at the familys sprawling 1,700-acre property in Islandton, South Carolina, on the night of 7 June 2021.

Mr Murdaugh, 54, claimed that he returned home from visiting his elderly mother to find the victims bodies at the dog kennels on the land.

No arrests were made for more than a year, until  in July 2022  Mr Murdaugh was charged with their murders.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from the growing number of scandals and crimes swirling around him.

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:

Prosecutors opening statement reveals Snapchat video will be key to trial

Opening arguments kicked off the trial on 25 January, with the prosecution telling jurors that cellphone records and a Snapchat video taken by Paul minutes before he died are critical in proving Mr Murdaughs guilt.

Attorney Creighton Waters gave a timeline for the murders, saying that Paul was shot at the dog kennels first at 8.50pm and Maggie minutes later.

Cellphone records allegedly place Mr Murdaugh at the dog kennels minutes earlier  when the suspect had told everyone he was never there.

Mr Waters also described a video Paul made at the kennels minutes before his murder as he was filming a dog to send to a friend. According to the prosecution, three voices  Paul, Maggie and Mr Murdaugh  can be heard.

Other evidence the prosecution promised to show jurors included gunshot residue found in both Mr Murdaughs car, on him and on a raincoat that he allegedly left at his parents home a week after the murders.

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Defence details horror injuries of victims in opening statement

In the defences opening statement, Mr Murdaugh was seen breaking down in tears as his attorney Dick Harpootlian described the fatal shot which killed his son Paul, saying it exploded his brain, like a watermelon.

Mr Murdaugh then arrived home and found his sons brains by his feet, he said.

Mr Harpootlian insisted Mr Murdaugh is an innocent man, saying that jurors will see a Snapchat of him and Paul happily spending father-and-son time together less than two hours before the murders.

Paul, the apple of his eye. You are going to see a video from the night of the murders of Paul and Alex riding around looking at trees they planted, a Snapchat sent to other people. They were laughing, having a good time, he said.

He also argued that cellphone records from that night are incomplete and that Maggies phone was thrown on the side of a road halfa mile from the family estate at the same time that Mr Murdaugh was at the property.

The suspect would have to be Houdini to be in both places, he said.

Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh left to right (Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook)

Murdaugh immediately told police murders were tied to 2019 boat crash

Mr Murdaugh immediately suggested that his wife and son had been murdered because of a 2019 fatal boat crash as soon as the first law enforcement officer arrived on the scene of the grisly slayings, bodycam footage played in court revealed.

In the footage, taken from the bodyworn camera of Colleton County Sheriffs Sgt Daniel Greene when he was the first officer to respond to the scene, Mr Murdaugh says he believes the murders are connected to the boating incident.

This is a long story. My son was in a boat wreck, Mr Murdaugh says. I know thats what this is.

At the time of Pauls death, he was awaiting trial over the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

Paul was allegedly drunk driving a boat of his friends including Beach in 2019 when it crashed and they were thrown overboard. The rest of the group survived but Beachs body washed up days later.

Paul was charged with boating under the influence and faced up to 25 years in prison.

Mr Murdaugh is also heard mentioning the boat crash in the 911 call alerting law enforcement to the scene and in his first interview with law enforcement on the night of the murders.

Suspect shed no tears after finding wife and sons bodies

Colleton County Sheriffs Office Sgt Daniel Greene testified that Mr Murdaugh appeared to shed no tears after he claimed to have found his wife and sons bodies.

Sgt Greene told the court that Mr Murdaugh seemed upset and repeatedly asked if his wife and son were dead but did not appear to have any physical tears in his eyes.

Did you ever see any physical tears? the prosecutor asked.

I did not, the officer said.

As bodycam footage from the night of the murders was played in court, Mr Murdaugh was seen breaking down in tears.

Bodycam shows Murdaughs clean shirt after claiming to touch bloody bodies

Bodycam footage from the night of the murders revealed Mr Murdaugh wearing a clean white shirt after he claimed he touched his wife and sons bloodied bodies on finding them shot dead.

In the footage, Mr Murdaugh is dressed in a white T-shirt and dark shorts with no obvious signs of blood.

During courtroom testimony, multiple law enforcement officials described how Mr Murdaugh was clean and did not appear to have any blood on him when they arrived on the scene of the murders.

Alex Murdaugh seen in bodycam footage on the scene of the murders (Colleton County Court)

Yet, according to the 911 call made by Mr Murdaugh and bodycam footage from his first police interview on the night of the murders, Mr Murdaugh claims he touched his wife and sons bodies when he found them by the kennels.

In the interview footage, he is heard telling law enforcement twice that he tried to turn over his sons bloodied body and that he had checked him and his wife for pulses.

I could see his brain ... I ran over to Maggie, actually I think I tried to turn Paul over first... um... you know, I tried to turn him over, I dunno, I figured it out, he is heard saying.

Mr Murdaugh said that his sons cellphone fell from his pocket when he tried to move him and that he handled it briefly.

His cell phone popped out of his pocket, I started trying to do something with it but I put it back down really quickly, and then I went to my wife, he says.

Detective Laura Rutland of Colleton County Sheriffs Office contradicted his version of events as she said that Mr Murdaugh was clean from head to toe with no signs of blood on his body, shirt, shorts or shoes.

She said she didnt say where he checked for a pulse but, in a gripping reenactment, agreed that if Mr Murdaugh had touched pulse points on Pauls neck or wrists he would have been covered in blood.

As jurors have previously heard, the crime scene was especially violent and bloody, with Pauls brain shot out of his skull and both he and Maggie lying in pools of their own blood.

Crime scene photos show blood on the floor of the dog feed house (Law & Crime)

911 call played at trial

The unredacted 911 call placed by Mr Murdaugh on the night of the murders.

In the dramatic audio, Mr Murdaugh cries and and sobs down the phone as he tells the dispatcher its bad and my wife and child have been shot badly.

He also the dispatcher about the 2019 boat crash involving Paul, saying that the 22-year-old had been getting threats for months and months and months.

The attorney then says he is going back to his house to get a gun just in case. When officers arrived on the scene, Mr Murdaugh had a shotgun which he handed over.

Murdaugh tells wild story about Black Panthers

Alex Murdaugh recounted a wild story about a farmhand claiming to kill radical Black Panthers when he was interviewed by law enforcement on the night of the double murder of his wife and son.

In footage of the interview, Mr Murdaugh says he cant think of anyone overly suspicious who could be responsible for the murders but suggests law enforcement speak to a farmhand he had recently hired to work at the 1,700-acre estate.

Mr Murdaugh claims that the man had told Paul a really weird story just one week before the murders.

He told Paul a story the other day of how when he was in high school he got in a fight with some Black guys and an FBI undercover teams observed him fighting those guys, he says. And they put him on an undercover team with three Navy Seals and their job was to kill radical Black Panthers.

He adds: Paul was so taken aback by it that he recorded it on his phone.

Mr Murdaugh tells the officers that Paul had been working with him a lot and the story was really weird.

However, he adds that he doesnt believe the man could be behind the murders, saying that its such a stupid that he was embarrassed to even bring it up.

Speculation over whether Murdaugh accidentally confessed

Audio from Alex Murdaughs second interview with law enforcement was played in court on 30 January, revealing that the disgraced legal dynasty heir may have unwittingly slipped up and confessed to the murders of his wife and son.

I did him so bad, a sobbing Mr Murdaugh appeared to say about his son in a police interview on 10 June 2021.

SLED Special Agent Jeff Croft was asked by prosecutor Creighton Waters to clarify what he heard Mr Murdaugh saying.

Its just so bad. I did him so bad, he responded.

While prosecutors sought to suggest that the 54-year-old father and husband slipped up during the police interview, Mr Murdaugh was seen shaking his head and appearing to mouth I did not say that to his attorneys in court.

However, the audio of the interview has also raised doubts, being somewhat unclear as to whether Mr Murdaugh says I or they, with some inside and outside court believing he actually says: They did him so bad.

During cross-examination on Tuesday, Mr Griffin grilled Agent Croft as to why  if Mr Murdaughs statement raised alarm bells  he didnt follow up on it.

The special agent testified that he made a mental note about Mr Murdaughs comment but said it was early in the investigation when officials were in more of an information gathering stage.

The audio was played again in court  twice in real time and once at one-third speed.

When asked by Mr Griffin if he heard they not I when the recording was slowed down, Agent Croft testified that he still heard I.

Guns and ammo at Murdaugh home match crime scene

Bodycam footage released by the court on 30 January revealed a huge stash of firearms inside the Murdaugh family home in the days after the murders.

SLED Special Agent Jeff Croft told jurors how he seized firearms and ammunition from the Murdaugh home  including weapons and ammo that matched the type of gun and bullets used to kill Maggie and Paul.

A .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle, 12-gauge Browning shotgun, Benelli shotgun and 12-gauge pump shotgun which were seized from the family home were all brought into the courtroom and shown to jurors.

The agent testified that several empty boxes of ammunition were also found during searches of the Murdaugh home on 8 June and 13 June.

Inside the .300 Blackout rifle was Sellier & Bellot .300 AAC BLK ammo  the same type of ammo that was used to kill Maggie.

Also seized as evidence was a credit card receipt for an $1,021.10 item from Gucci  the item had been circled.

On 31 January, Agent Croft also testified that ammunition  steel shot ammo specifically Winchester DryLok  matching the fatal shot fired through Pauls brain had been located on the Murdaugh family property.

Two separate guns  a rifle and shotgun  were used to kill Maggie and Paul. They have never been found.

Defences two shooters theory

Mr Murdaughs legal team sought to push its theory that there could have been two shooters separately responsible for killing the mother and son.

Jurors were shown photos and diagrams of the crime scene from both the night of the murders and more than one month later on 16 July, with defence attorney Dick Harpootlian honing in on two bullet projectiles in particular  one that travelled through the dog house and one through the quail pen.

Under cross-examination of SLED special agent Melinda Worley, Mr Harpootlian pushed the idea that, because the bullet projectiles were shot at different angles, it was a reasonable possibility that there was two killers.

One reasonable explanation is there are two people there: one with a shotgun, one with an AR. Could someone have been a lookout, they went there to kill Paul and Maggie surprised them? Mr Harpootlian pressed.

Agent Worley admitted that the theory is possible but said that it is only one one explanation as to what may have taken place that fateful night. She added that the angles could also be explained as one single shooter moving around.

Victims last texts and calls revealed

Jurors learned about the final text messages and phone calls made by Paul and Maggie before their brutal murders.

On the night of 7 June 2021, Paul placed a call on his cellphone to friend Rogan Gibson at 8.40pm, lasting four minutes, followed by a second call at 8.44pm. The second was the last incoming communication Mr Gibson received from Pauls cellphone.

Five minutes later, at 8.49pm, Mr Gibson sent Paul a text message: See if you can get a good picture of it. Marion wants to send it to a girl we know thats a vet. Get him to sit and stay. He shouldnt move around too much.

Five missed calls made by Alex Murdaugh to Maggie Murdaughs phone after her murder (Colleton County Court)

The message  believed to be about a dog Paul was taking care of for him  went unanswered.

From that point onward, neither Paul nor his mother Maggie responded to any messages or calls on their cellphones.

Prosecutors said in opening statements that Paul was shot dead first at 8.50pm and Maggie minutes later. Their cellphones had no activity from 8.49pm onward.

After sending the text message at 8.49pm and receiving no response from his friend, Mr Gibson sent a follow-up text at 9.58pm, which simply read: Yo.

Mr Gibson also tried calling Paul multiple times at 9.10pm, 9.29pm, 9.42pm, 9.57pm and 10.08pm.

Getting no response from his friend, jurors heard that he also texted Pauls mother Maggie at 9.34pm, saying: Tell Paul to call me.

Shortly after, Mr Gibson had four missed calls from Alex Murdaugh at 10.21pm, 10.24pm, 10.25pm and 10.30pm.

Doubts cast on preservation of crime scene

During much of his cross-examination of SLED Special Agent Worley, Mr Harpootlian sought to pick holes in the evidence gathered from the bloody crime scene.

He raised doubts about a mark or potential footprint spotted on Maggies calf on the night of the murders.

While Mr Harpootlian suggested it was a footwear impression, Agent Worley said she couldnt say that was what the mark was but that it could be.

The mark was not examined on the scene and no impression of the imprint was taken, she testified.

She also confirmed that a bloody footprint found in the feeding room was later determined to be that of a law enforcement officer  something that supported the defences line of questioning that some evidence was not preserved correctly and was even destroyed.

Do you know what other evidence they may have destroyed? asked Mr Harpootlian.

I have no idea, the agent said, to which he responded: Thats right you dont.

Murdaughs cousin testifies he sold him guns  matching one used to kill Maggie

On 31 January, Mr Murdaughs cousin John Bedingfield testified against him, revealing how the 54-year-old bought several firearms from him in the years prior to the murders  ones that match the type used to kill Maggie.

Mr Bedingfield, who works for the Department of Natural Resources but has a side business making and selling firearms under a federal licence, told the court that Mr Murdaugh approached him before Christmas 2016 wanting to buy both Paul and his surviving son rifles as presents.

He purchased two subsonic 300 BlackOut rifles  one black, one tan colour  for $9,188 so his sons could hunt hogs, he testified.

Two years later in April 2018, he said that Mr Murdaugh bought a third rifle from him for $875 because he said that Paul had lost his other one.

Murdaughs chilling text message to wife after murders revealed

On Alex Murdaughs chilling final text to his wife moments after he allegedly killed her and their son was revealed in court during his murder trial on Tuesday.

Jurors were shown data from the cellphones of Maggie, Paul and Mr Murdaugh on the night of the murders.

Prosecutors say that Mr Murdaugh shot Paul first at 8.50pm and Maggie after.

Almost immediately after, cellphone data shows Mr Murdaugh made several calls to Maggie and other family members.

Mr Murdaugh first called Maggie at 9.04pm  minutes after he allegedly shot her dead  and the call went to voicemail.

He then texted her phone at 9.08pm, claiming he was going to visit his mother: Going to check on M. Be right back. The text was never read.

Alex Murdaughs brother John Marvin Murdaugh and surviving son Buster Murdaugh in the courthouse (AP)

In total, Mr Murdaugh called his wife five times between 9.04pm and 10.03pm after allegedly killing her. None of the calls were answered.

His last text message to his wife came at 9.47pm, writing: Call me babe.

As well as calling Maggie, Mr Murdaughs cellphone records show he also made several calls to other numbers in the hour between the time prosecutors say the murder took place and he called 911. Prosecutors allege that Mr Murdaugh was seeking to build an alibi for that night.

Minutes after the final call, Mr Murdaugh called 911 at 10.07pm claiming to have found Maggie and Pauls bodies.

Someone was holding and moving with Maggies cellphone after murder

SLED Lt. Britt Dove, who works in the computer crimes centre, testified that he processed the three cellphones.

Based on the cellphone data, he said that the last text Maggie read was a message from her sister-in-law Lynn Murdaugh in a group chat which she read at 8.49pm.

After 8.49pm, she didnt open or respond to messages or calls from several people including her husband, oldest son Buster and Mr Murdaughs brother John Marvin Murdaugh.

Jurors also heard how the cellphone data shows Maggies phone orientation changed from portrait to landscape at 8.54pm and then again at 9.06pm, indicating that it was in someones hands. One minute later, at 9.07pm the screen went on and off as though someone tried  but failed  to unlock it.

Health app data was also presented to jurors, showing that Maggies cellphone recorded 59 steps in two minutes after 8.53pm  after prosecutors allege Maggie and Paul were already dead.

It tells me someone was holding this phone and took steps, and it recorded those steps, said Lt Dove.

Maggies phone was locked between 8.49pm on 7 June 2021 and 1.10pm the following day when it was found dumped by the side of a road around a quarter of a mile from the Murdaugh property.

Pauls cellphone was also initially locked after the murders, until US Secret Service Digital Forensic Examiner Jonathan VanHouten testified that he managed to unlock when he successfully tried Pauls birthday as his passcode.

Witnesses say voice in murder scene video is Alex Murdaugh

In a dramatic day on 1 February, jurors were shown cellphone footage taken by Paul at the dog kennels just minutes before he and Maggie were shot dead which casts doubts on Mr Murdaughs alibi.

Off-camera, three voices are heard  Paul, Maggie and a man prosecutors say is Mr Murdaugh.

In dramatic testimony, two friends of Paul with close ties to the family told jurors that they are 100 per cent sure that the voice belongs to Mr Murdaugh.

Cellphone data shows that the video was recorded for 58 seconds from 8.44.49pm to 8.45.47pm  less than five minutes before the murders. The disbarred attorney has claimed he was napping at the family home at that time.

Rogan Gibson, who had known Paul since they were young and described the Murdaughs as his second family, testified that he was 100 per cent sure Mr Murdaugh is the voice in the footage. A second friend Will Loving echoed this.

As the footage was played in court, Mr Murdaugh appeared to rock his head up and down and cry.

Snapchat shows Alex Murdaugh in different clothing one hour before murders

Jurors were shown a Snapchat video Paul sent to Mr Loving less than one hour before he and Maggie were murdered.

The video, sent at 7.56pm on 7 June 2021, shows Alex Murdaugh on the grounds of the family estate.

In the footage, Mr Murdaugh, 54, is seen dressed in trousers, loafers and a blue button-down shirt  clothing that does not match what he is seen wearing in police bodycam footage in the aftermath of the murders.

In the bodycam footage, shown in court last week, the disgraced attorney is dressed in a white short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts.

Questions had already raised about this outfit as multiple law enforcement officials have testified that Mr Murdaugh and his clothing were clean from head to toe  despite his claims he had touched the bloody bodies of his wife and son.

It is not yet clear if investigators ever located or seized the second outfit Mr Murdaugh is seen wearing in the Snapchat video and jurors are yet to hear an explanation from the defence.

Less than one hour on from the 7.56pm Snapchat, Paul and Maggie were shot dead at around 8.50pm.

Murder timeframe narrowed down to eight-second window

Prosecutors claim that Paul was shot dead first at around 8.50pm, followed by Maggie  with cellphone data being used to narrow down the murders to a precise eight-second window.

SLED Lt. Britt Dove testified that Pauls last phone activity was at 8.48.59pm and Maggies was at 8.49.27pm.

Eight seconds later at 8.49.35pm, Paul received a text message but it went unread. Neither Maggie nor Paul used their phones after that time.

Calls Murdaugh made to wife on night of murders deleted

In dramatic courtroom testimony, jurors heard that calls Mr Murdaugh made to his wife on the night of the murders were mysteriously later deleted from his call log.

In court on Tuesday, Lt Dove testified that Mr Murdaugh had called Maggie five times between 9.04pm and 10.03pm on the night of 7 June 2021 after he had allegedly killed her and Paul. None of the calls were answered.

But, according to the call log on his cellphone, Mr Murdaugh did not place or receive any calls between 4.35pm on 4 June and 10.25pm on 7 June.

Lt Dove, who processed the three cellphones belonging to Mr Murdaugh, Maggie and Paul, testified that the trove of phone calls Mr Murdaugh made to his wifes cellphone after he allegedly shot the victims dead was missing from his call log.

The only explanation for the missing data is that the call logs were manually and intentionally deleted by someone between the 7 June 2021 murders and his phone being seized by authorities in September 2021, he said.

Defence casts doubt on theory Murdaugh took Maggies phone

Under cross-examination, the defence cast doubt on the theory that it could have been Mr Murdaugh who threw Maggies phone along the side of Moselle Road.

Lt Dove admitted that cellphone data suggested Maggie and Mr Murdaughs phones were not in the same place at the same time at 9.06pm as the step data did not match.

This was important because 9.06pm is when the final orientation change  or movement  was recorded on Maggies phone.

Lt Dove testified that this movement could have been as it was being thrown from a vehicle to where it was discovered the next day, with the defence contending that Mr Murdaugh was at the family property walking with his cellphone at that time.

Evidence photos of Maggies phone found on Moselle Road (Colleton County Court)

However, under redirect, prosecutors cast doubt on the defences timeframe for when the phone was tossed down Moselle Lane, as Lt Dove testified that an orientation change can only take place when the phone screen is on.

The SLED agent testified that the screen on Maggies phone was off between 9.07pm and 9.31pm so if the phone was thrown from a car during that time, there would have been no orientation change recorded.

Shadow trial hears evidence of Murdaughs alleged multi-million-dollar fraud

In court on 2 and 3 February, 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 7 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.

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 it 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. The attorney, who has since been disbarred, represented the clients in wrongful death lawsuits before allegedly pocketing the settlement money for himself.

Murdaughs best friend sobs as he reveals how suspect stole money

During the shadow trial, Mr Murdaughs former best friend of 40 years broke down in tears in court as he described the moment that he learned the disgraced attorney had stolen millions of dollars from his law firm clients  and $192,000 from himself.

Chris Wilson choked up with emotion as he said the betrayal knocked me down and revealed that I dont know how to think any more about the man he had known and loved for most of his life.

Mr Wilson testified that the two attorneys worked on a case together where Mr Murdaugh made a $792,000 cut.

At Mr Murdaughs request, Mr Wilson made the check payable directly to him instead of PMPED. Then, 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.

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.

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. He confronted him the next day.

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?

Law firm CFO confronted Murdaugh about missing money on day of murders

Jeanne Seckinger, the CFO at Mr Murdaughs former law firm PMPED, revealed she had confronted Mr Murdaugh over missing payments on the day of Maggie and Pauls murders.

She told the court that by 7 June 2021 the law firm partners had noticed $792,000 worth of legal fees missing from the case he worked with Mr Wilson.

When she approached Mr Murdaugh to ask him about it that morning she said he gave her a dirty look  something that she said she had ever received from him before.

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.

Son of housekeeper accuses Murdaugh of stealing $4m after her mystery death

In court on 3 February, Mr Murdaugh was accused of stealing a $4m settlement from his late housekeepers family, where prosecutors also raised questions about her mystery death.

Gloria Satterfield worked as the Murdaugh familys housekeeper and nanny for more than 20 years, before she died in a mysterious trip and fall at the family home in 2018.

Her son Tony Satterfield told the court how Mr Murdaugh allegedly swindled almost $4m in a wrongful death lawsuit payout from the family in the aftermath of her death.

The court was shown evidence of two separate settlements in the wrongful death suit  one for $505,000 and one for $3.8m. Mr Satterfield testified that Mr Murdaugh did not tell him about the settlements and that he did not receive one cent of the money.

Gloria Satterfield died in a trip and fall at the Murdaugh home in 2018 (Provided)

In June 2021  the same month that Maggie and Paul were shot dead  there were reports in the media about a settlement and Mr Satterfield said he chased Mr Murdaugh about the progress of the case.

Unbeknown to him, Mr Murdaugh had already allegedly received payouts and pocketed them for himself.

Now, Mr Murdaugh is charged with almost 30 criminal charges over the Satterfield settlement.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters also hinted at the ongoing uncertainty about the nature of her death.

Was she able to say how she fell? he asked.

No she was not, Mr Satterfied replied.

At the time, Satterfields death was regarded as an accidental fall  however her death certificate cited her manner of death as natural.

In September 2021, SLED announced that it was reopening an investigation into her death and, in early 2022, officials announced plans to exhume her body. The investigation is still ongoing and her body is yet to be exhumed.

Boat crash attorney says fuse was lit to expose Murdaughs financial crimes

Attorney Mark Tinsley testified without the jury present about the lawsuit he brought against Mr Murdaugh on behalf of the family of Mallory Beach and how it was putting his finances under increased scrutiny at the time of the murders.

Mr Tinsley told the court the Mr Murdaugh claimed he was broke and couldnt pay the settlement he was asking for his clients.

He didnt believe this  so he filed a motion compelling Mr Murdaugh to reveal his finances.

A hearing for the suit had been scheduled to take place on 10 June 2021 and Mr Tinsley testified that he expected to take the lawsuit to trial in the late summer of 2021. But, the proceedings were derailed because of the murders.

He said that the fuse had been lit to expose Mr Murdaughs slew of alleged financial crimes  but that his problems would likely be over if the family was the victim of an unspeakable tragedy.

Pretty quickly, I recognised that the case against Alex, if he were in fact the victim of some vigilante, would be over, he said.

Mallory Beach died in the 2019 boat crash (Facebook)

If the disgraced attorney was the victim of an unspeakable tragedy then no jury would side against him in the case, Mr Tinsley said.

He later testified: There wouldnt have been an explosion June 10. But the fuse was lit the moment that information became available in this case.

He added that Mr Murdaugh knew it was going to unravel and that the fuse was lit when he started stealing money.

Under redirect, the witness testified that if the hearing had taken place on 10 June it would have set in motion the process that wouldnt have stopped until Mr Murdaugh either settled the case or disclosed his finances.

Caretaker says fidgety Murdaugh lied about alibi  and offered her money

Muschelle Shelly Smith, who worked as a caregiver to Mr Murdaughs mother Libby from October 2019, told jurors about Mr Murdaughs unusual behaviour both on the night of the murders and in the days that followed.

She testified that a fidgety Alex Murdaugh showed up at his sick mothers house between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on the night of 7 June 2021  then left 20 minutes later.

She testified that it was unusual for him to visit at night and he was fidgety.

A few days after the murders, she testified that Mr Murdaugh spoke to her about his visit that night, telling her: I was here 30 to 40 minutes.

The conversation left her feeling nervous, she said  so much so that she called her brother who is a police officer to relay what he had said to her.

Days after that initial conversation, Mr Murdaugh spoke to her again  this time offering to help her out with paying for her upcoming wedding and putting in a good word for her with her other job.

Ms Smith broke down in tears describing Mr Murdaugh and his family as a good family and told jurors under cross-examination that she believes his offers were simply him being a good person.

Blue tarp or blue raincoat?

Days after Mr Murdaughs offer with wedding expenses, 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.

She also noticed for the first time that he had a cut or bruise on his forehead.

He returned sometime later that day driving a white truck, which he then left at the property and switched to a black truck.

Prosecutors said that law enforcement found a blue tarp and a blue rainjacket in a search of the home. The state says that gunshot residue was found on the jacket.

Under cross-examination, Ms Smith insisted that the item she saw him carrying was a blue tarp and not a blue rainjacket.

However, under redirect she was shown a photo of a bundled up blue item and asked if that was what she had seen. She confirmed it was.

Mr Waters said that was the rainjacket bundled up.

The judge denied a motion from the defence to strike the raincoat as evidence.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are examining ways to address the growing shortage of healthcare workers nationwide.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates this shortfall will be upwards of 124,000 physicians by 2034.

And by that time, doctors say many active physicians will be aging as well and hitting over the age of 65.

The leaders from medical schools nationwide met with members of Congress Thursday.

They say the issue isnt just retaining current healthcare workers. Doctors say theyre also struggling to find staff to teach the next generation of medical students, especially for the nursing profession.

Senators say theyre also concerned about this shortage for nurse educators.

When you look at the requirements, in some states mine included, you have to have a masters in nursing to be a nurse educator. Now I have worked with certificate nurses who have been by the beside for 20 years who knew nursing. The idea that we cannot use someone such as she to educate others, I think doesnt acknowledge how much she knows, said Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)

This shortage comes as data from the Health Resources and Services Administration shows nearly 100 million people live in areas with limited access to primary healthcare providers.

It means that nearly 70 million live in a dental care desert, unable to get dental care while teeth are rotting in their mouths. And it means that some 158 million Americans  nearly half the population  live in a mental health care desert at a time when this country is facing a major crisis in mental health, said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Dr. James Hildreth from Meharry Medical College told lawmakers their graduates are already working to serve those areas.

Their facility is one of four historically Black medical schools nationwide. He is asking Congress to invest $5 billion over the next five years into HBCU medical schools.

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The labs, the simulation centers, study spaces classrooms at our institutions that have been egregiously unfunded for decades, said Dr. Hildreth. This would also allow us to dramatically expand our pipeline programs that are meant to get more minorities in the healthcare professional.

Hildreth believes this funding would help them train more doctors who also reflect the communities that need more support.

When the provider team looks like the population they are caring for, the outcomes are better thats been demonstrated over and over again  thats what we lose by not having a diverse workforce, the outcomes for our communities, said Hildreth.

Some doctors say high debt is another factor turning people away from the medical field. Theyre also asking for tools to help ease that financial burden.
EVANSVILLE  The state law that threatens to knock out two major party candidates for mayor of Evansville is at the heart of a debate about political elitism, personal responsibility and basic fairness.

The law requires that a candidate's two most recent votes in Indiana primary elections must have been cast in primaries held by the party he or she seeks to represent. Previously, a candidate needed to show only that his or her most recent primary election vote was cast within the party  one vote instead of two. Primary elections, typically held in May in Indiana, are held to nominate candidates to represent parties in November general elections.

In a Vanderburgh County Election Board meeting set for 10 a.m. Feb. 21 in Room 307 of the Civic Center, the local Republican and Democratic parties will try to use the law to boot one each of their candidates for mayor off the May 2 primary ballot.

The statute, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, is meant to ensure that people who seek elected office under one party's banner "have at least demonstrated some commitment to the party," said Andy Downs, former director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics in Fort Wayne.

Legislature news:Lawmakers looks for ways to make traffic safer on increasingly deadly Indiana roadways

Expanding the requirement from participation in one primary election to two "would increase the likelihood that the person really is a member of that party," Downs said.

But opponents say the law's aim is to deny the right to run to anyone who isn't already part of the political elite. During a nearly seven-hour hearing of the Indiana Election Commission on Feb. 18 of last year, party chairs used the two-primaries law to remove several candidates across the state from the 2022 primary ballot.

Zach Smith had wanted to mount a primary challenge to Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Pence in Indianas 6th District. Smith acknowledged he had no primary voting history in Indiana at all, having moved back to the state recently from Ohio.

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The two-primaries law does allow ineligible candidates to run if their local party chairs certify them as members, but Smith said his party chair wouldn't even grant him a meeting to plead his case that he's a Republican.

What's at stake in Evansville

Intent on having County Council member Stephanie Terry represent them in the Nov. 7 Evansville mayoral election, Democratic leaders are moving against Brian Alexander, a 31-year-old advertising planner for Spectrum Reach and Democratic precinct committee chairman. Alexander's transgression? He has voted in just one primary election, according to voter registration data  the 2016 Democratic contest in Warrick County.

Brian Alexander

GOP leaders already have two candidates for mayor, County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave and Natalie Rascher, senior talent acquisition advisor at Clifton Larson Allen. They seek to disqualify Caine Helmer, a 26-year-old front-end worker at Target who hasn't voted in any party primaries at all.

More:Here's who's running for office in Evansville in 2023

Republican Helmer says he'll run for mayor as an independent if he has to. GOP Chairman Mike Duckworth says the presence of a candidate with zero history of involvement in the party in a contest for the city's highest elected office would "skew the race" between two other candidates who do have experience.

Democrat Alexander says he will support Terry if he loses at the Feb. 21 public hearing  but he thinks Democratic chair Cheryl Schultz should let Democratic voters decide the primary. Schultz counters that Democrats are all-in for Terry, who she calls a "very qualified" candidate. She says Alexander lacks the necessary experience and primary voting history.

More:Local GOP leader says he'll try to remove mayoral candidate from Republican ballot

More:There's a contest among Democrats for mayor of Evansville  for now

'Operation Chaos'

The two-primaries law was threatening the eligibility of candidates for elected office in Indiana when it just was a one-primary law. Stalwart members of one party who voted once in another party's contest to help a friend win or to boost a weaker opposition candidate had explaining to do when they decided to run for office themselves.

Many high-profile Republicans voted in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, a trend encouraged by conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh as part of what Limbaugh called "Operation Chaos."

Caine Helmer

It almost knocked out the one Republican who could have ended 8th District Congressman Larry Bucshon's career in Congress before it began.

In 2010, Kristi Risk, then a leading candidate in the 8th District GOP primary, found her way blocked at first in the race because she had voted in the 2008 Democratic primary  in an effort, Risk said, to sow chaos in the opposing party. Risk needed the Republican chairman in her home county of Owen to certify her as a member of the party so she could run against Bucshon and the other contenders. The GOP chairman didn't want to do that at first, relenting only after Republicans there protested.

Risk would narrowly lose the primary to Bucshon, helping send him to Washington for the first of his seven terms so far.

A fight

The candidates who were removed from the primary ballot in last year's Indiana Election Commission hearing may have lost, but they didn't go down without a fight. The hearing lasted until just after 8:15 p.m., giving a full airing to the candidates' arguments and the parties' counterarguments.

"This is creating democracy where only professional politicians can get on the ballot," said Charles Bookwalter, who wanted to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Baird in Indianas 4th District. "Who is to say that, by 2024, the Legislature won't go back and write (the two-primaries law) into a three-primary rule."

Speaking to the election commission just more than two months before 2022 primary elections were held, Bookwalter acknowledged that he couldn't point to two Republican primaries in which he had voted. He didn't vote in the 2020 GOP primary, saying he opted not to because his Republican congressman and then-President Donald Trump, also a Republican, were unopposed. He did vote in the party's 2016 primary.

The two-primaries law was passed in 2021 and effective in 2022, Bookwalter said  so he had, had "no opportunity to vote in a primary since the two-primaries rule was passed and signed into law."

"If you interpret (the two-primaries law) strictly so as to bar my candidacy, you are implementing a four-plus-year waiting period for candidates that aren't primary voters," he said. "You don't have to be a constitutional scholar to know that's a substantial burden on ballot access and voting rights."

Finally, Bookwalter pleaded that he is a "lifelong" Republican and an active member of the party since 2002, offering an affidavit attesting to his activism.

But election commission member Karen Celestino-Horseman, an Indianapolis attorney, told Bookwalter he was asking the body to disregard state law.

"We have to follow the law, and the law says you had to vote in two primaries or get a letter (of certification from the party chairman), and you had opportunities to vote in those primaries in 2016, 2018, 2020," Celestino-Horseman said.

Opponents of the two-primaries law argued that while people are eligible under the Indiana Constitution to run for the Indiana House when they are 21, at that age they would not be old enough to have voted in two primaries. A candidate for the Indiana General Assembly only has to live in the state for two years, they said, but with the two-primaries law candidates have to have lived in the state for at least four years before seeking office.

In 2021, when the law was being debated, then-Rep. Curt Nisly called it "blatantly unconstitutional."

Celestino-Horseman, who practices constitutional law, told ineligible candidates their remedy would be found in a court of law.

Role of party officials is debated

The law's provision for ineligible candidates to appeal to their party chairmen for the required waiver is useful in some instances, Downs said.

It's a good option for candidates who are too new to Indiana or too young to have built a voting history in the state, he said  and for members of other parties to convince a party chair they have had a genuine "conversion experience."

But it's not unreasonable for party leaders to use some discretion when deciding whether they want to grant the waivers, Downs said.

"When somebody says, Im running for the Republican nomination'  and theyve never spoken with a Republican chair, never gone to a Lincoln Day dinner or to a breakfast club thing  why should they get to say they are a Republican?" he said.

Primaries aren't the same as wide-open general elections pitting opposing parties against each other, Downs said  they are intraparty elections for party loyalists to choose nominees to do battle against nominees of other parties.

"The system we have in Indiana is that in May, Democrats get together, Republicans get together, and they nominate their candidates. Libertarians get together through a caucus to nominate their candidate. Youre supposed to be a member of that party," he said.

But Bookwalter told the Indiana Election Commission that his local GOP chair refused him a waiver to run for office because she supported Baird, the incumbent he wanted to challenge.

"The GOP chair acknowledged my conservative bona fides, encouraged me to seek a different office, and suggested that I wait until 2024," he said. "She said she would not provide the certifications because I have not voted in two primaries. She also stated her support for the incumbent and questioned why I would want to primary him."

Alexander, the Democratic Evansville mayoral candidate who voted in just one party primary, said in a recent Reddit post that the two-primaries law gives party officials too much discretion to use at their personal whim.

"It is my feeling that the people of Evansville should decide who should be on the ticket and not the Democratic Party chair," Alexander wrote.

Alexander said he understands the impulse to keep people who aren't party supporters from representing a party in elections, but that's not the case with him. He named several local Democratic politicians in whose campaigns he has volunteered. He's still a member of the party's precinct committee, he said.

"I also happen to have always worked two jobs and didn't have the free time to go to a bunch of meetings or the capital to pay to get into a bunch of fundraising events," he wrote. "I feel like there should be a space for someone like me on the ticket."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Controversial law is at heart of threat to Evansville candidates' eligibility
Michigan Department of Corrections

The gunman who killed three students and critically injured five others at Michigan State University may have targeted the school because it rejected him for a job opening in the past, authorities said Thursday.

Officials emphasized the job rejection, which hasnt been confirmed, is just one potential motive being investigated. Among the others, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez, is that 43-year-old Anthony McRae suffered from mental illness.

While Gonzalez stopped short of releasing an official motive behind the shocking rampage, he detailed a note found on McRae after he shot himself in front of cops.

It mentioned a warehouse he used to work at, his church, and two schools in Ewing, New Jersey, where McRae once resided. The note indicated that he was upset with past employers he didnt get along with, police said.

It appears that he had some issues with the employees there where he was asked to leave, Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez said, referencing the warehouse job. So it looks like possibly a motive for that was he felt slighted, and thats kind of what the note indicated.

Surveillance footage of Anthony McRae on the night of the shooting. Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety

Gonzalez said the note also mentioned McRae was part of a group of 20 others carrying out an attack. However cops were able to easily rule that out after speaking with McRae's father, who said his son stayed in his room all day and had no friends, let alone 20.

He ate, went to the bathroom in there, Gonzalez said, citing what McRaes father told detectives. His father didnt believe he had any friends let alone 20 of them that would help him so we kind of determined that he was the lone shooter in this.

Gonzalez said McRae carried out the attack with two 9 millimeter handguns that he'd purchased legally but never registered in Michigan. He also carried a backpack that was filled with loose ammunition and empty magazines.

Authorities quickly identified McRae as the suspect, and raided his bedroom in his fathers Lansing home on the night of the shooting, Gonzalez said. Investigators uncovered hoards of writings and journals, as well as a cell phone and fired shell casings.

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But Gonzalez indicated that nothing found in the home gave authorities clear insight into what allegedly drove him to kill more than the two-page note found in his wallet.

That was the note that indicated where he was going to visit and also kind of gave an indication of why, maybe a motive, but nothing we can actually confirm just yet, Gonzalez said.

A bouquet rests by police tape surrounding Berkey Hall following a shooting on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing. Ryan Garza/USA TODAY NETWORK via REUTERS

McRae's father, Michael McRae, told NBC News that his son had become increasingly bitter, isolated, and evil after his mom died from a stroke in September 2020shedding more light on the mental state of McRae.

He was grieving his mom. He wouldnt let it go. He got bitter, bitter and bitter. His mom died, and he just started getting evil and mean. He didnt care about anything anymore, the father said.

The three students killed in the massacre were identified Tuesday as Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson. Authorities haven't identified the five victims who were hospitalized, but said Thursday that four remain in critical condition while one has been upgraded to stable.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A USA TODAY analysis of previously undisclosed hiring records from dozens of top firms found that more than a year later, executive roles remain overwhelmingly white.

Why does corporate America look nothing like America?

That is the question behind a USA TODAY investigative series exploring deep disparities inside the nations largest companies.

Reporters Jessica Guynn and Jayme Fraser, along with fellow journalists at USA TODAY, use federal workforce reports, census data, corporate filings and other records to document the slow progress toward equal opportunity in the S&P 100.

What weve found: The top ranks are still predominantly white and male, while women and people of color are concentrated at the lowest levels with less pay, fewer perks and little opportunity for advancement.

How we do it: Every year, companies send the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission a one-page form called an EEO-1, counting workers by race, ethnicity and gender in 10 occupational categories.

Federal officials do not release those records to the public, but to date most companies in the S&P 100 have voluntarily released their EEO-1s to USA TODAY. Our EEO-1 database is periodically updated with new data. (The database is current as of July 25, 2022.)

USA TODAY also uses other datasets to examine the representation of demographic groups.

If you have questions or suggestions, contact senior reporter Jessica Guynn at jguynn@usatoday.com or data reporter Jayme Fraser at jfraser@gannett.com.

Search diversity data among USAs largest companies

Select options from the table below to see the demographic information reported by America's largest companies to federal regulators, which USA TODAY collects and updates each year.













Who has the power in corporate America? Men do.

Women are outnumbered 5 to 1 in senior leadership, according to a USA TODAY analysis of named executive officers at the nation's 100 top publicly traded companies.

Women remain outnumbered in senior leadership and the gap is widest for women for color, according to a USA TODAY analysis of named executive officers at the nation's 100 top publicly traded companies. Read the story













How diverse is corporate America? There are more Black leaders, but white men still run it

Chris Womack, President, Chairman and CEO at Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company.

Two years after George Floyd's murder forced the nation to confront systemic racism, Black corporate leaders are making progress in the nations 100 largest publicly traded companies, a new USA TODAY investigation has found. Read the story

Story continues













A Black CEO says hes optimistic about improving corporate diversity

Chris Womack is one of the nation's top CEOs and one of its top Black leaders. In a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY, he said America's biggest companies can achieve equity if they commit to addressing the challenges. Read the story













This new CEO wants to inspire a new generation of Black leaders at the top of corporate America

Calvin Butler, Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer at Exelon Corporation, a utility company serving customers in in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, poses for a portrait in his office in the Exelon Building in Baltimore, MD, on Friday, November 18, 2022. Butler will be President and Chief Executive Officer of Exelon as of Dec. 31, 2022.

Calvin Butler Jr., a first-generation college graduate and the new CEO of Exelon, wants to show young people that they, too, can reach the highest ranks. Read the story













Corporate boards used to be mostly white and male. That has changed since George Floyds murder.

Boards up until recently have been pretty entrenched, said Lisa Wardell, executive chairman of AdTalem Global Education who sits on the board of American Express. That is changing.

A year after its initial analysis, USA TODAY studied the demographics of corporate boards at an even wider swath of American businesses. The findings were mixed: Though people of color, including women, were named directors at a record pace, white men still hold the majority of board seats at dozens of brands even though they account for only a third of U.S. workers. Read the story













2 years after George Floyd pledges, Black women still denied top jobs at largest companies.

Saidah Grayson Dill, vice president and deputy general counsel at Cisco Systems.

In an annual update that drew on data from 287 companies, USA TODAY found that stark racial inequities persist at Americas biggest companies despite pledges to do better. Reporters dig into why the gaps are among the widest for Black women. Read the story













Only two Latinas have been CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Why so few Hispanic women make it to the top.

From top left: Geisha Williams, Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Esther Aguilera, Carla Pineyro Sublett, Maria Martinez and Michelle Freyre.

Hispanic women and Latinas hold few executive jobs at America's biggest companies and are underrepresented among managers and professionals. We spoke to those who have made it into leadership to understand the barriers and why their voices are important to the bottom line. Read the story













Asian women are shut out of leadership at Americas top companies

Anne Chow, CEO of AT&T Business

Few Asian women break into the senior executive ranks of top companies, a USA TODAY analysis found. They are Asian women are half as likely as white women to be executives, on par with Black and Hispanic women. Reporters spoke with researchers and Asian women leaders about why. Read the story













Openly gay in the boardroom: Why so few LGBTQ executives lead America's largest companies

Michael Camunez, board member at Edison International and president and CEO of consulting firm Monarch Global Strategies attends an event for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility on June 15, 2022.

Despite the flashy rainbow-colored celebrations companies put on each year for Pride Month, there are few openly gay leaders serving on corporate boards. We spoke to LGBTQ business leaders about representation and tracking in a country with hostile public policy toward that community. Read the story













Outed BP CEO John Browne on why LGBTQ executives hold so few jobs

Lord John Browne addresses an audience during the launch of the 'Year of Code' campaign at the Royal Society of Arts on February 4, 2014 in London, England. Cabinet members Mr Gove and Mr Osborne were joined by businesswoman Baroness Martha Lane-Fox as they met students during the launch before delivering a speech to the RSA.

John Browne was the first CEO of major company to publicly say he's gay and later wrote a book about the scandal that outed him. In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, he discussed his experience and why progress has been slow. Read the story













Another year of data, another year of workplace divides

Months after this series was launched, American companies were required to submit new data to federal regulators on their workforce. USA TODAY analyzed the latest wave of releases and explained the growing pressure from investors and shareholders to be more transparent and make more progress. Read the story













Not separate, still not equal

Rodney ONeal is one of 19 Black CEOs in the history of the Fortune 500 list.

For Black History Month, reporters explored the history of workplace discrimination against Black Americans and dissected why significant gaps persist at the top of companies today. Rodney ONeal, one of 19 Black CEOs in the history of the Fortune 500 list, shared the story of how he rose from making steering wheels to being CEO. Read the story













This is America: Black and Hispanic workers are still not getting a fair shake at work

In the newsletter This is America, reporters take readers behind the scenes of how the corporate diversity series started and provide an overview of their findings from the project's first eight stories. Read the story













We are fundamentally a racist and sexist society

Black and Hispanic talent missing at the top, concentrated at bottom of nations top companies

The series launched with a sweeping look at the leadership in corporate America and the profound racial and gender gaps that persist decades after federal laws were passed to bar employment discrimination. The unique data analysis found that America's largest companies were often less diverse than others in their industries and the U.S. labor force as a whole, putting them out of step with the people and the country they serve. Black and Hispanic workers, especially women, were among those with the biggest gaps between workers and executives. Read the story













What Amazon, Disney, Walgreens and others wont tell you about the diversity of their workers

What Amazon, Disney, Walgreens, T-Mobile, FedEx, Exxon, Tesla wont tell you about the diversity of their workers

Some of the nations most powerful brands still refuse to disclose data on the gender and racial makeup of their workforce  even though they are required to report that data annually to federal officials. Reporters dig into why the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has refused to release those one-page forms, called an EEO-1, to the public despite an ongoing lawsuit and what insights they could provide about corporate promises for equity. Read the story













How (and why) techs corporate giants havent diversified their workforces

Why are there so few Black and Hispanic employees in key roles at Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft?

Jessica Guynn first investigated diversity among some of the globe's biggest tech companies in 2014. Years later, she found little has changed. A USA TODAY analysis shows that the young sector, largely born after the civil rights movement, is reproducing the kind of gaping racial disparities commonly exhibited by more mature industries like banking. Read the story













Ursula Burns weighs in on the fight for racial justice in corporate America

Ursula Burns

In 2009, Ursula Burns became the first Black woman to run a Fortune 500 company: Xerox, which she left in 2016. Today, only two Black women are CEOs of the nations largest businesses. In an interview with USA TODAY, Burns described her journey to the top of American business and made clear what corporate leaders must do to make good on promises for diversity, equity and inclusion. Read the story













PayPal CEO Dan Schulman on why corporations must end racial discrimination

PayPal CEO Dan Schulman says corporations have a moral obligation to stand up for racial equality and social justice inside their own organizations and in the nation at large.

Values cannot be words on a wall, he told USA TODAY for an exclusive Q&A. Values need to be actions you publicly stand up for. Read the story













White men continue to dominate leadership at banks, financial companies

People of color make headway as bank managers, but white people still fill executive level jobs

A much higher percentage of white employees at the top banking companies hold professional and leadership positions than their Hispanic and Black coworkers. Although major players in the industry have made progress in recent years by shrinking racial gaps among managers, USA TODAY found that the divide remains wide among executives. Read the story













Americas food retail executives still mostly white and male

USA TODAY finds executive positions at Coke, Costco, Pepsi and Starbucks largely white

From Coca-Cola to Costco and Starbucks to Target: The staff ringing up your order largely mirrors America, but the people earning the big salaries and making the big decisions at those companies do not, according to a USA TODAY analysis. Read the story













Diverse leaders struggle to crack corporate boardrooms

Ford foundation president Darren Walker

Companies often point to the diversity of their boards of directors to distract from the concentration of white men in their corporate suites. But board membership at the companies examined by USA TODAY also did not reflect the racial makeup of their workforces, let alone the nations overall population, a year after many made promises following George Floyds killing. Read the story

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diversity in corporate America: Track workforce in searchable database
Blood clots are a rare but possible complication after a COVID-19 infection. And your risk for clots stays elevated for a month after your infection, a new study found.

The study, published today in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data for more than 398,000 people who had COVID-19 but were not hospitalized. Among those patients, the risk for venous thromboembolism (a blood clot in the leg) was low overall but highest in the 30 days following their infection. After 30 days, however, the risk for blood clots dropped back down.

Blood clots like these can cause pain and swelling. The clots may also travel to the lungs, heart or brain causing life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism and stroke.

These new findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that, while rare, blood clots can develop weeks after a COVID-19 infection  even if the infection was relatively mild.

Blood clots are an under-recognized potential complication of COVID-19

When Dale Lehman, 63, got COVID-19 in the winter of 2021, his initial symptoms were thankfully mild. But his condition worsened about two weeks after testing positive.

Lehman, who has an autoimmune disease that affects his lungs, regularly walked three to five miles per day before his infection. When he started to recover from COVID-19, he took up walking again, averaging about one to two miles daily.

But two weeks after his initial infection, "I went out for the walk, and I couldn't go half a mile," Lehman, an engineer based in Laurel, Maryland, tells TODAY.com. "I had to keep stopping and catching my breath."

Lehman didn't have any other remaining COVID-19 symptoms like congestion or fever at the time, so he thought it was probably a new issue.

Dale Lehman realized something was seriously wrong when he had to stop to catch his breath multiple times on one of his regular walks. (Courtesy Dale Lehman)

He went inside and checked his oxygen levels, which were "dangerously low," he says. After doing some breathing exercises, Lehman spoke with his pulmonologist and primary care doctor, both of whom encouraged him to get medical care quickly.

Story continues

Imaging tests revealed that Lehman had pulmonary embolisms  blood clots  in both of his lungs. And they were likely a complication of his recent COVID-19 infection.

How common are blood clots after COVID-19?

Doctors realized early in the pandemic that COVID-19 has an unusually strong association with blood clots, Dr. Anuradha Lala, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at the Mount Sinai Hospital.

Early observational studies at Mount Sinai suggested that mortality rates were lower among patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 if they received blood thinners, she explains. Those observations led doctors in many hospitals across the country to administer blood thinners to COVID-19 patients on a preventive basis.

Many people who are hospitalized for an acute illness get preventive blood thinners, Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, tells TODAY.com. But with COVID-19, many doctors started administering higher doses more regularly, he says.

"I know that may not seem like a big move, but it was a huge move," adds Galiatsatos, who is also Lehman's pulmonologist.

"It was thought that the sicker the patient, the more that they would derive benefit from a higher dose of a blood thinner," Lala explains. "But that turned out not necessarily to be the case."

Who's most likely to get blood clots post-COVID?

As the pandemic has progressed, with new variants, the use of vaccines and boosters, and more people having some level of protection against the virus, the way complications of COVID-19 can manifest has evolved. But for now, Galiatsatos says, blood clots post-COVID are most common in people 50 and older and those with diabetes or high blood pressure.

The new JAMA Network Open study found that the risk for blood clots after a mild COVID-19 infection was particularly high among men, people age 55 and older, those who'd had blood clots previously and those with a BMI of 30 or above.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other risk factors for blood clots in general are:

Being overweight or obese

A family history of blood clots

Recent or recurring cancer

During and just after pregnancy

Being on birth control or hormone replacement therapy

Injury and trauma

What causes blood clots after COVID-19?

It's not clear exactly why a COVID-19 infection can lead to blood clots down the line, but there are likely three main factors involved, Dr. Sandeep Das, cardiologist and co-founder of the American Heart Associations COVID-Cardiovascular Disease Registry, tells TODAY.com.

First, we know that prolonged inactivity, like staying in bed sick for days, can make blood clots more likely. "Any kind of significant infection, like influenza, can do this," Das says, "although ... we see much higher rates (of blood clots) in COVID."

Second, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can directly attack the lining of the blood vessels in the lungs, Das explains. This can lead to the formation of small, dangerous blood clots in the lungs called microthrombi, which have been detected in autopsies of COVID-19 patients. They develop more frequently in patients who have severe COVID-19 symptoms, like pneumonia, which doctors saw more often earlier in the pandemic, Das says.

Finally, experts are beginning to understand that COVID-19  and the way it affects the lining of the blood vessels  may put the body in what's called a hypercoagulable state. That means that blood clots are more likely to form due to an overwhelming immune response, Lala explains.

"When the walls of the blood vessels are injured, you get this surge of inflammatory cells," she explains. That then triggers the release of cytokines, a type of molecule that contributes to coagulation.

This can be a normal part of the body's response to an infection or injury  think of the way your blood clots after you get a cut, Lala says. But, in the case of COVID-19, the response can be a massive cytokine storm that leads to serious complications, Das adds.

The coronavirus isn't the only infection that can cause this, Galiatsatos says, "but this virus just seems to be rather diabolical with it."

Do COVID-19 vaccines cause blood clots too?

One of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S. did seem to increase the risk for a rare type of blood clot, mostly in young women, Das says. This particular vaccine, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, is now reserved only for people who can't get the other vaccines for some reason (like an allergy).

The mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do not have the same association with blood clots, Das explains. "If anything, the vaccine is going to be protective (against blood clots) because it's going to decrease the severity of infection," Das says. "So there's absolutely no question in my mind  we'll be better off being vaccinated."

Treatment for COVID-related blood clots

The best way to treat patients who might develop blood clots with COVID-19 is a topic of ongoing discussion in the field, the experts say, and the approach has changed considerably since March 2020. Today, there are tremendous variations in how doctors use blood thinners for COVID-19 patients, Lala says.

In general, experts now agree that people who are on anticoagulant medication before COVID-19 should stay on it if they get the virus, Das says, but patients should not automatically get a preventive dose of blood thinners just because they have COVID-19.

Still, "there's there's a gray area for people that are in the hospital with COVID and then go home," he adds.

For COVID-19 patients with risk factors for blood clots or severe COVID-19 symptoms, for example, there may be an argument for putting them on preventive blood thinners even on an outpatient basis, Galiatsatos says. But, ultimately, "that would absolutely have to be individualized between you and your doctor," Das says.

Even for patients in the hospital, "I would say that the jury is still out on the optimal approach," Lala says. Randomized trials have turned up conflicting results on whether higher doses of blood thinners can help, she explains, noting that they can also lead to increased bleeding as a side effect.

More than anything, Galiatsatos encourages people to have an "open dialogue" with their doctor and to make a COVID-19 action plan ahead of time, which might include antiviral medication as well as medication to prevent blood clots, he says.

If you've had COVID-19, keep this in mind:

Researchers don't know how long your risk for blood clots stays elevated after COVID-19. A recent study published in Circulation suggests the risk is still high almost a year later, but Galiatsatos says it's most concerning two to four weeks after the infection.

Das estimates that the peak risk may last up to six weeks after the infection. And, he adds, the most important thing you can do to prevent blood clots after COVID-19 is to just keep an eye out for the warning signs  especially during those first weeks.

COVID-19 blood clot symptoms

According to the CDC, signs of deep vein thrombosis can include:

Swelling, pain, redness or tenderness, especially in one leg.

And signs of a pulmonary embolism can include:

Shortness of breath that feels different and "much more aggressive" than what you had with COVID-19, Galiatsatos says.

Faster or irregular heartbeat.

Chest pain that gets worse when you take a breath.

Lightheadedness or fainting.

Coughing up blood.

Reducing your risk for blood clots is yet another reason to keep avoiding the virus as much as you can  and to get vaccinated to help keep your infection milder if you do get sick, Das says. Keeping up other healthy behaviors, like maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity, can also lower your risk for blood clots, he adds.

We know that a COVID-19 infection can be serious, and there's an increasing amount of attention being paid to long COVID, Galiatsatos says. But not enough people are aware that the virus can lead to delayed  and sometimes life-threatening  consequences, like blood clots. "We have to be mindful that COVID still carries a lot of complications," he says.

Lehman ended up spending a day in the hospital receiving oxygen treatment and just finished his course of blood thinners.

But he knows that his condition could have claimed his life. He was only able to catch the blood clots quickly because he monitors his body so closely and stays active with walking, he says. Now, he takes time to educate his colleagues and encourages them to take any post-COVID symptoms seriously.

"It's better to go and get it checked out and know it's not an issue than to let it go unchecked," Lehman says.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Photo: The Canadian Press David Milgaard, who spent 23 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder.

New legislation introduced in the House of Commons today would make it easier and faster for people who may have been wrongfully convicted to have their cases reviewed.

The bill is dubbed "David and Joyce Milgaards Law," named for the man who was released in 1992 after being wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years, and his mother who fought relentelessly to free him.

The government says it is rare for miscarriages of justice to occur but a formal process to review such cases is needed.

The bill would establish an independent commission to review, investigate and decide which criminal cases should be sent back to the justice system.

The government says applicants for a review would have to first exhaust all their rights of appeal before applying to the independent commission.

Innocence Canada, the non-profit organization that advocates for the wrongfully convicted, says it has helped exonerate 24 people since 1993.
A couple found dead in a Panama Park home were killed in a murder-suicide, according to Jacksonville Sheriffs Office investigation reports.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, JSO was called to do a welfare check on the man and woman at a home on East 61st Street. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to help open the door.

Police found an eviction notice posted on the door that was dated Jan. 30, 2023. An officer walked around the house and noticed a scent of decomposition, which became more pungent on the back porch, the report said.

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Upon entering the home, investigators found the man and woman were both in the late stages of decomposition.

The report redacts the name of the man killed and identifies the woman believed to be the shooter as 63-year-old Radara Grover.

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The physical evidence suggested that Grover shot (redacted) in one bedroom of the house, shot the dog, and then shot herself, the report stated.

The Medical Examiners Office would be ruling the case a murder-suicide, the report said.

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Beth Neale and Miles Cloutier set the world record for the longest underwater kiss Mohamed Siraj Ahmed

A pair of divers set the world record for the longest underwater kiss.

The couple held the kiss for four minutes and six seconds, breaking a record set 13 years ago.

It gave them a newfound appreciation for what the human body could accomplish.

A freediving couple made history by sharing the longest underwater kiss ever  a four minutes and six seconds  and said that it has given them more respect for what the human body can accomplish.

In a luxury resort in Maldives on February 4, Beth Neale from South Africa and Miles Cloutier, a Canadian, broke the previous longest underwater smooch record.

The previous record of three minutes 24 seconds was set 13 years ago in Italy, according to the Guinness World Records.

The couple met around five years ago in Bermuda, where Neale taught Cloutier how to freedive, which is diving without breathing equipment. They later got engaged and now have an 18-month-old daughter.

While together they have traveled the world together and filming freediving videos which they post to a joint Instagram.

Breaking the world record was a feat that they first set their eyes on three years ago.

"We thought this was something we could do, and it would just be a really just awesome thing for us to do, just because we could do it," Cloutier, 33, told Insider.

But they pushed back their plan when Neale discovered that she was pregnant with their first child, and they did not want to attempt anything extreme that could harm the baby. But with 18-month-old Neve by their side, the parents decided last Christmas to go ahead with the plans, in time for Valentine's Day.

They started training for the challenge in their home pool in South Africa, two weeks before they flew into Lux South Ari Atoll Resort in Maldives.

This was where they broke the record. The attempt was in front of Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar from India, two official witnesses, timekeepers, and a crowd of resort guests and staff, per a press release shared by the couple.

Story continues

Neale, who is a professional freediver, said that the longest she had gone underwater in one breath was six minutes. But staying underwater while kissing another person is much more complex, she told Insider.

"When you're connected to another person, you're not in a relaxed position at the surface. We could feel exactly what's happening to the other person, which impacts your mental state," Neale, 40, said.

She said that another big challenge that they encountered was the nerves of trying to break the record, which caused their heart rates to increase as they were attempting it.

"Your heart rate is meant to decrease if you want to hold your breath for a longer time," she said. Both of them, she said, had to fight the intense urge to draw breaths.

The experience gave Cloutier a newfound appreciation for his body.

"I have even more respect for my body since doing the challenge and breaking the record," Cloutier said. "The body is capable of more than you think, right?"

Neale said that she hoped that people seeing them break the record will be inspired to discover the underwater world.

"I hope that this gives them a passport to this incredible world that needs protection and needs all the love. It can get. And, you know, hopefully it will inspire people to discover that for themselves," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Shutterstock

A California couple is suing the maker of an oil used in in vitro fertilization, claiming a toxic batch destroyed nine of their embryosand their lawyer says hes representing a dozen such couples around the world.

This is not like a company just messing up a widget, attorney Adam Wolf told The Daily Beast. Theres a reason people spend so much money on and have a deep emotional connection to their embryos.

He added: This will have life-long consequences for everyone affected.

The complaint claims the oil was produced by Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, one of the largest U.S. producers of oil used to protect embryos from evaporation and changes in pH. The company advertises its oil as sterile filtered and aseptically processed to provide the highest quality oil available. But last month, Irvine Scientific issued an emergency recall of four lots after receiving customer complaintsincluding reports of complete degradation of the embryos, according to a recall letter published online.

According to the company, the lots passed initial inspection, but it was able to detect oil toxicity on retests. The product could result in impairment of embryo development  resulting in the inability to perform the procedure, the recall letter said. The company instructed clinics to immediately stop using the product and return or destroy it.

But the damage was done. According to the suit filed Thursday in Superior Court of California in Orange County, the company did not recall the oil until after the California couples embryos were destroyed.

Wolff said the devastated pair may not be able to have children at all, given the womans age.

They, like thousands upon thousands of people in the U.S., turned to a fertility clinic for help having children, he said. Never in your worst nightmare do you think some of the products that a clinic uses would contaminate your incredibly precious, irreplaceable embryos.

Wolf also slammed the company in a press conference Thursday for not making the recall notice publicly available to patients, calling it unforgivable.

Story continues

Fujifilm said in a statement that it had received a small number of complaints from a limited number of customers and promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation. The company noted that many factors can influence the success of IVF procedures, but said it issued the recall letter out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of customer complaints.

Wolf said hes been contacted by a dozen couples since January facing similar circumstances to the California couple, including some in Europe and South America. His firm is planning to file suits on behalf of all of them and expects to hear from many more. Unfortunately, this is the tip of the iceberg, he said in the press conference.

It is unclear what exactly made the oil allegedly harmful to embryos, but Wolf said at least one clinic re-tested the oil on mouse embryos and found that those perished, too. It is also unclear how many embryos were affected, though attorney Ashlie Sletvold said the number could be anywhere from the thousands to tens of thousands.

The suit claims Irvine Scientific failed to properly inspect and/or test its oil and knowingly put its oil into the market when it knew or should have known that the Recalled Oil Lots posed a substantial and unacceptable risk to human embryos.

The couple is suing for negligence and negligent failure to recall, among other claims.

Fujifilm Irvine Scientific did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Multiple Atlanta fire crews extinguished a fire at one of the citys oldest buildings near the Atlanta University Center on Thursday.

The fire broke out around 7 a.m. Thursday at Gaines Hall off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Vine Street in northwest Atlanta.

NewsChopper 2 flew over the scene where large plum of smoke could be seen for miles. It is unclear what caused the fire.

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According to Atlanta police, the second floor partially collapsed during firefighters efforts to extinguish the blaze.

According to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, Gaines Hall was built in 1869 and was the first permanent building on the original Morris Brown College campus.

Gaines Hall has been vacant since August 2015 after a previous fire on the property. Clark Atlanta University took ownership of the property in 2017.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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A 3-year-old boy in the care of his teen sister found a 9 mm pistol and shot himself at point-blank range while is parents were shopping, according to the Volusia Sheriffs Office in Florida.

It happened Wednesday, Feb. 15, at a home in DeLands Daytona Park Estates, about 40 miles northeast of Orlando.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the call will be career altering and life altering for the first responders, particularly the first deputy on scene who left covered in blood.

Clearly, you have to say it: This should never have happened, Chitwood said at a Feb. 16 news conference.

What were assuming is the parents go to Publix. Leave the 16-year-old in charge. Probably done it a million and one times. For some reason ... the 3-year-old wandered into the bedroom and got into the end table. And when he got into the end table, he picked the gun out and he turned it toward himself and he shot himself point-blank range.

The bullet struck the boy in the cheek, officials said.

His identity and the names of his parents have not been released, because the boys father is an employee of the Florida Department of Corrections. In addition to the 16-year-old girl, the boys 7-year-old brother was also home at the time, officials said.

Investigators say the shooting happened around 6:20 p.m. and it was the sister who placed the first 911 call, telling a dispatcher: My brother shot himself and hes not breathing, the sheriff said.

A deputy arrived within 9 minutes to attempt life-saving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at 7:03 p.m., after being taken to a hospital, officials said.

An investigation is underway and the findings will be submitted to the State Attorneys Office to determine actions appropriate under the circumstances, officials said.

Among the early findings: The gun is typically kept in a bedroom safe, but the electronic lock was not working properly at the time of the shooting, the sheriff said.

I cannot imagine theres anything in the law books that can punish that family more than what happened, Chitwood said.

Story continues

Defiant 67-year-old woman kills 64-year-old home intruder at 3 a.m., Florida cops say

Woman sends fake cop running when she flags down real Florida sheriffs deputy, cops say

13-year-old dies at 100-mph illegal race, Florida cops say. Now, boys dad is charged
A traitor of Ukraine Viktor Medvedchuk [Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician; Putin is the godfather to his daughter - ed.], who was handed over to Russia in September 2022 as part of a prisoners of war exchange, has admitted that he currently lives in Moscow.

Source: Meduza, Latvia-based Russian media outlet and Kremlin-aligned news outlet RBC, citing Medvedchuk in an interview to Russian-state controlled Channel One Russia

Quote from Medvedchuk: "I used to come to Moscow on various occasions; I would come for one day - arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. And now I live in Moscow all the time, by necessity. I did not leave Ukraine; I was exchanged."

Details: Medvedchuk also told Channel One that he had seen his younger daughter Daria. Earlier, the media found out that Medvedchuk's daughter has been living in Moscow since at least 2021 and is studying at the National Research University Higher School of Economics of Moscow. Darias mother, Oksana Marchenko, Medvedchuk's third wife, is also likely living with the girl.

Speaking about his detention in Ukraine in 2021 on charges of high treason, Medvedchuk called that day "the hardest day of his life" and described his persecution as "a terrible grief for his family."

Medvedchuk said that Ukrainian investigators did not use physical violence against him, and that psychological "pressure was constantly exerted".

In January, in an interview with Kremlin-aligned news outlet RT, Medvedchuk said that he learned about the exchange that took place on the night of 22 September 24 hours beforehand.

"On the 21st [of September], I was first transferred by plane to Poland, where I was actually on the plane for 12 or 14 hours... But I clearly understood that this exchange would take place when I was transported from Poland to Ankara [Turkiye] by plane, and when I got off, I saw a Russian plane and realised that this exchange had already taken place," Medvedchuk said.

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Previously: Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, said that after an unsuccessful attempt to seize all of Ukraine, the Kremlin is hatching Plan B, proposals, for which Viktor Medvedchuk should prepare.

Before that, Viktor Medvedchuk announced his plans to create a new political movement in Ukraine in order to supposedly unite the "opponents" of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Background:

Viktor Medvedchuk is a people's deputy of the "The Opposition Platform  For Life" [it was a parliamentary and now banned pro-Russian and Eurosceptic political party in Ukraine], who, after the beginning of a full-scale invasion and defeat of the Russians in the Kyiv oblast, tried to leave the country, but he was detained by Ukrainian law enforcement officers.

In 2020, Medvedchuk, through an associate Taras Kozak [pro-Russian politician  ed.], passed on information to Russia about the location of the hidden Armed Forces of Ukraine unit.

A state traitor and close friend of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Medvedchuk managed to be exchanged for 200 Ukrainian prisoners. During Petro Poroshenkos presidential term, Medvedchuk dealt with the issue of exchange with the invaders.

After the exchange, the traitor was seen in the occupied Crimea together with his wife, who fled to Russia on the eve of the invasion.

In January 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revoked Ukrainian citizenship from collaborators and state advisers Viktor Medvedchuk, Taras Kozak, Andrii Derkach and Renat Kuzmin of Ukrainian citizenship. After that, the Verkhovna Rada took away their mandates of people's deputies.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!












Authorities are renewing their call for help in connection with an ongoing investigation into a missing Massachusetts mother who vanished without a trace more than 30 years ago.

Clotilde Arruda, a native of the Azores who later moved to Fall River, has not been seen or heard from since 1988, when she was reported missing at the age of 33, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office.

At the time of her disappearance, Arruda was said to be living with her husband and their 8-year-old daughter at 128 Pearce Street in Fall River. She had been working at F&F Braid Company, which was located on the same street.

Arrudas husband, Robert Tremblay, previously claimed that she left him in 1988 for another man, although the DAs office said there is no evidence that he ever reported her disappearance to law enforcement.

Despite Tremblays claim, there has been no trace of Arruda since that time, and family members reject the idea that she voluntarily ran off with another man, according to investigators.

Family members also noted that Arruda was extremely close to her daughter and that the idea of her voluntarily leaving her daughter behind is not possible.

A neighborhood resident expressed disbelief with Tremblays explanation of his wifes disappearance, calling Arruda a loving mother who was inseparable from her daughter.

Both Arrudas family and neighbor believe something suspicious happened to her.

Arrudas disappearance is being investigated as part of the DA offices Missing Persons Initiative.

Anyone with information on Arruda is urged to contact Lt. AnnMarie Robertson of the Massachusetts State Police at 508-961-1918 or Lt. John MacDonald of the Fall River Police Department at 508-324-2796.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A man who climbed on top of a crane at a Dallas construction site on Monday and stayed there for over 24 hours faces a felony charge, police said Thursday.

Paul Jamison, 49, was booked into the Dallas County Jail on suspicion of criminal mischief, which is a state jail felony. Hes accused of causing more than $20,000 in damages and other costs including cleaning and inspection of the crane, operated by a business called Uperio USA, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA-TV.

Jamison was taken into custody Tuesday morning and transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation before he was transferred to the jail, authorities said. His bond has been set at $10,000.

Jason Evans, a spokesperson for the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, said the man was lowered in a harness around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday with a member of the DFR Urban Search and Rescue team. Jamison was initially taken into custody by members of a SWAT team while still on top of the crane.

Dallas Fire-Rescue was called to the scene in the 1000 block of Singleton Boulevard around 7:30 a.m. Monday. Police, including SWAT, also responded, but efforts to get the man to come down were fruitless.

The Dallas Police Department said in a news release that Jamison was about 150 feet in the air, and the preliminary investigation indicated that he was potentially suicidal. It appeared he had a self-inflicted wound on his abdomen, but police said the injury wasnt life-threatening.

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Evans said the man spent Monday night on top of the crane, but became more cooperative with DPD personnel as the circumstances began to take their toll on him.

Police said SWAT continued to negotiate with Jamison throughout the night, but the negotiations were paused at one point due to storms in the area.

Heavy rain moved through the area early Tuesday. It looked like the man was in the cab of the crane during the storm, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV.

Its still not clear why he climbed the crane.

Police initially said Monday that the man appeared to be in distress, WFAA reported. He stood on the boom of the crane but also climbed onto guy wires or cables at times, according to KXAS-TV.

Evans said the SWAT team was planning to bring him down, but once the mans condition began to deteriorate, officials realized he would need a medical evaluation first. Dallas-Fire Rescue was asked to evaluate him and bring him down instead.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, call 988, the new, three-digit shortcut that will direct callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Sarah Jagst testified about the murder of her husband, Edward, by her son, Hayden.

HOWELL  Hayden Jagst shot his father to death the day after Father's Day 2021 as the man slept, and a Livingston County judge is weighing whether the teen will spend the rest of his life in prison or have a chance at parole decades from now.

During a Monday hearing in Livingston County Circuit Court before Judge Michael Hatty, Assistant Prosecutor Rolland Sizemore made the case that Jagst, now 19, should be sentenced as an adult to life in prison without parole. Public defender Kristina Dunne presented witnesses in support of a lesser sentence of up to 60 years that would allow parole.

In the past, defendants who were 18 were considered adults. But a recent Michigan Supreme Court decision determined that those who are 18 often are more like juveniles than adults and may be sentenced as juveniles. After a day of testimony, Hatty declined to immediately rule and set a sentencing hearing for 8:30 a.m. on April 27.

Daniel Keating testified for the defense about the lack of brain development in adolescents and said Jagst should be sentenced as a juvenile.

On June 21, 2021, Jagst, then 18, shot his father, Edward Jagst, 48, in his sleep at their home in Brighton. Afterward, he walked past his 14-year-old sister Allison, who had heard the gunshots come from the basement, and told her their father was dead, to keep watching TV, and not to call the police.

Hayden Jagst, 19, killed his father on June 21, 2021.

Jagst, who was arrested the same day after his mom called police, was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and carrying a conceal weapon. He pleaded no contest to the concealed weapons charge, and guilty as charged to the other counts in October of 2022.

On Monday, Michigan Department of Corrections probation officer Connie Miller testified in favor of keeping him behind bars.

"(He) had an unhealthy fascination with weapons," Miller said. "He's a dangerous young man."

Jagst's mother, Sarah, however, asked Hatty to give her son a chance to get out of prison some day.

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"He's a good boy," she testified. "(His sister) loves her brother."

Hayden Jagst's sister saw her brother walk out of his bedroom wearing ear protection and carrying a "long gun" on the morning of June 21, the day after Father's Day, according to prosecutors. Hayden Jagst walked down into the basement where his father was asleep. Seconds later, the girl heard gunshots.

After giving orders to his 14-year-old sister, Hayden Jagst left the home and apparently headed toward a psychiatry office in Novi where he intended "to kill as many people there as possible," prosecutors wrote in a court document.

When Jagst was arrested, police found a Ruger .22-caliber rifle and 380 rounds of ammunition.

Prosecutors argued in documents the teen's attack on his father, who was a Canton police officer, was not random, but part of a larger plan that began taking shape years before.

According to written arguments from prosecutors, in 2018, Jagst began writing of his admiration for mass murderers in a journal. He wrote about a 14-year-old Indiana boy who that year tried to attack a school, but died by his own hand after a police shootout.

"I pay my respects to this fallen soldier," Jagst wrote. "I which I knew (the boy). I that were the case we could both shoot up his school...or mine."

He also wrote, in 2019, that "If you kill yourself, no one remembers you. When you kill others, you will be forever remembered." Also in a separate 2019 journal entry, he wrote, "One thing's for sure, I better get some (explicative) news coverage after this."

Other entries include, according to prosecutors, "I only have two goals in life. One is to kill, the other is to die" and "I want revenge, revenge on humanity, the only way I can do that is mass murder."

Michael Arntz from the Brighton Police Department holds up a white shirt that says, "Savior," on it, which was found in the back of Hayden Jagst's car.

In March 2019, he wrote that he tried to break into his father's gun safe in order to obtain weapons and ammunition to carry out an attack. He was unable to gain access, and wrote of considering taking a kitchen knife to Brighton High School, where he was a student, to kill people, especially girls.

In October 2019, he wrote of planning a trip to the Howell Dunham's store after he turned 18 to purchase a Mossberg pump action shotgun or a rifle. He also stated he would shoot his father in his sleep and then attack a school, hospital or Planned Parenthood, according to prosecutors.

In June 2021, after turning 18, Jagst wrote that he expected to have a bullet through his head soon. He said in what was planned as suicide note that he was not crazy and hadn't "snapped."

In conversations that month via the social media app Discord with someone from Pennsylvania, Jagst outlined his desire to be remembered, prosecutors said. He said he would get more news coverage if he killed his father on Fathers Day.

"Mr. Jagst, is talking about not only killing the highest number of people possible, but also inspiring future people to commit mass murders," Sizemore told Hatty Monday.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Haden Jagst, Brighton teen who killed his dad, faces life in prison
Danniella Westbrook said she was stranded in London. (PA Images/Alamy)

Danniella Westbrook has said she had to be taken to hospital after suffering a string of panic attacks when she got stranded without any money.

The former EastEnders actor, 49, told her fans on Twitter that she ended up stuck in London for several hours after her account was frozen.

She said she had three panic attacks but that somebody had then helped her get to A&E.

Read more: Danniella Westbrook says it's 'about time' as she prepares for facial surgery

In one tweet, Westbrook said it was close to 11pm and that she couldn't use her card to get on the Tube, saying she had sent the necessary information shortly after her account had been frozen and that it was "not on to do this to anyone this late in the evening".

Now seven hours later was freezing waiting in London for access to my bank account or cards had three panic attacks and someone thankfully got me to a&e. Im now calm but still sat waiting for @RevolutApp to let me access my money & they had the check to inbox me Get well soon  Danniella Westbrook (@westbrookdanni) February 16, 2023

"It's an absolute joke!" the actor said in another post.

"I had such a bad anxiety attack after 4 hours of not being able to even get a bottle of water as all cards frozen over one payment!"

"I think its absolutely awful to make anyone feel this vulnerable especially when you in the middle of a city alone," she tweeted.

"Fine hold a payment but allow me access to my clear funds to at least get home safely or get a hotel."

Danniella Westbrook starred as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders. (Getty Images)

Westbrook, who found fame as Sam Mitchell on the BBC soap, said in another message that somebody had helped her get to hospital.

She said she was now feeling "calm".

Read more: Danniella Westbrook says trolls tell her she's so ugly she should kill herself

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"Now seven hours later was freezing waiting in London for access to my bank account or cards had three panic attacks and someone thankfully got me to a&e," she tweeted.

Watch: Danniella Westbrook rushed to hospital after strep A 'left her hours from death'
It has been well known for years that vitamin D is vital to our health, particularly when you live in the Northern hemisphere and you do not get exposed to the sun for a large part of the year.

That is why the dairy industry adds it to our milk. However, not everyone drinks enough milk to get a sufficient quantity of the vitamin.

In the early days of COVID-19, there were many reports from doctors that increased doses of vitamin D could assist in combating it. However these reports were swiftly denounced by governments as "misinformation" because they pinned their hopes on vaccines and had invested huge amounts of money in them.

On Jan. 16 there was a report published in the National Library of Medicine that summarized extensive research by a group of leading Italian doctors. They found patients using increased levels of vitamin D experienced a 72% reduction in hospitalization and a 51% reduction in mortality. So, it was not misinformation at all.

On Feb. 7 there was another report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine which evaluated the effect of vitamin D on people suffering from pre-diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic condition, but pre-diabetes means one has higher than normal blood sugar and that may well develop into type-2 diabetes. The report concluded by saying taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D (i.e. about four tablets), the risk of pre-diabetes developing into diabetes was reduced by about 15%. When you consider that there are about 3.5 million Canadians suffering from it, a 15% reduction in people likely to get it would be huge.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) employs about 2,500 people whose sole jobs are to try and find ways to keep us healthy. It is inconceivable they have not either read these reports or know of their existence.

It is strange then that there has been no communication from them about the implications of these reports. After all, the PHAC spent billions of dollars securing the vaccines for COVID-19 and our public health system spends billions of dollars treating people with diabetes.

Vitamin D is cheap, is available in every pharmacy and just about every grocery store and has no significant side effects. Why is the government agency that is paid to keep us healthy not broadcasting the benefits of it?

Could it be because nobody stands to make any money out of it? I sincerely hope not because that would suggest PHAC (employees) are simply taxpayer-funded sales reps for the pharmaceutical industry.

Peter Emery, Kelowna
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: USA TODAY reporters Jessica Guynn, Jayme Fraser and Charisse Jones chat with 5 Things podcast host Shannon Rae Green about their stories in a major project on corporate diversity, equity and inclusion. The findings show that deep racial inequities persist at all levels, particularly at the top. Dive into the stories here.

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.

Shannon Rae Green:

Hey there. I am Shannon Rae Green, and this is 5 Things. It's Sunday, July 18th. These Sunday episodes are special. We're bringing you more from in-depth stories you may have already heard.

Shannon Rae Green:

New data collected by my colleagues at USA TODAY is illustrating very clearly how white top companies are. These are companies that you're likely to be very familiar with. Apple, Target, Facebook, Ford, to name just a few. What's crucial to note here is that these organizations have publicly committed to action and goals to improve the diversity, equity and inclusion of their workplaces. A small team of reporters at USA TODAY gathered previously undisclosed hiring records from firms in the S&P 100. I had the chance to ask my coworkers on this project questions about how they got this information. And spoiler: It was not simple at all. This information really isn't surprising. I spoke with them about what it means that these gaping inequalities in corporate America have been around for quite a long time and what experts recommend we should consider and know about them. Here's that conversation.

Shannon Rae Green:

So, firstly, I wanted to thank each of you for coming on the 5 Things Podcast to talk about your story that published this week. It is about the deep racial inequalities that persist at all levels of major corporations and how that contributes to the racial wealth gap. I'm joined by USA TODAY reporters, Jessica Guynn, Jayme Fraser, and Charisse Jones. There's numbers in the lead sentence of your story that are frustratingly not surprising. 1 in every 97 white workers is an executive. Only 1 in every 443 Black or Hispanic workers holds these top jobs. Jayme, can you tell me about how you and your colleagues combed through hiring records and census data? What was the process here?

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Jayme Fraser:

Yeah, I'd be happy to. So this all starts with a simple one page form that most companies must fill out every year. It includes a basic table that counts their workforce by race, ethnicity, and gender, breaking it into a handful of job categories like executive, professional, technician, laborer. Companies file these forms every year to the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which was created to help fight discrimination in the workplace. There's an ongoing lawsuit right now about whether these forms should be released as public records. They historically have been kept secret. Jessica has for years asked companies to release this employee data voluntarily as a sign of good faith and transparency. This year, she had her best success yet convincing 55 of the nation's 100 largest companies to share their worker demographics with us.

Jayme Fraser:

My job is pretty simple after that really, she did all the work. With the help of my colleague, Dian Zhang, we turned those PDFs into a spreadsheet, and then we compared the demographics at these large companies to census data on the makeup of the nation's overall workforce by industry and these same job categories. It emphasizes to me that even a single page document can be pretty powerful when someone like Jessica pries it free from secrecy.

Shannon Rae Green:

That is so great, Jessica. Jessica, I know you've been covering race and equity issues for USA TODAY for years now. So how did you and your team decide to focus on the Standard & Poor's 100? I know the story digs into the concept that so many of these corporations on this list pledged to fight systemic racism. But as we all know, actions speak louder than words. The reporting finds that deep racial inequalities persist in these workplaces. So what does it say about these companies, their culture, and why was it that you wanted to focus on the companies that are considered so valuable in the stock market?

Jessica Guynn:

We decided to focus on the S&P 100, because essentially it's a stock index of some of the nation's most valuable companies. So these companies are leaders in their industries and they also have influences over the choices other companies make. And many of them are the household names that we are all familiar with, whose products and services we use every day, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Bank of America, Wells Fargo. Nearly all the companies on the list made these pledges to fight systemic racism. This is important because for decades, corporations have perpetuated inequalities in hiring and pay, promotions. So what we wanted to do as a team is set out to investigate whether the employment records matched these commitments. And unfortunately, what we found is that they don't, at least not yet. Black and Hispanic workers are underrepresented at the top and in the roles of professionals, but they are concentrated in lower level roles, such as technicians and laborers and scholars talk to us about how these hierarchies in these companies tend to resemble plantations.

Jessica Guynn:

And these are really racial disparities that are the result of decades of patterns, of exclusion and discrimination. And so I think what it tells us is that these companies have a lot of work to do, which they know, and they would tell you that too. All of the 55 companies that provided us with their EEO-1 report were very open about that. And we expect the same will hold true of the 23 additional companies that have committed to us that they will also release their EEO-1 reports. And once we have those reports, we're going to update our findings, and we'll also update this project annually so that all of our readers can track the progress of these companies in closing these a pretty wide racial gaps that we uncovered.

Shannon Rae Green:

Jessica, can you explain what an EEO-1 is for our listeners who, and including me, who may not exactly know what that stands for.

Jessica Guynn:

An EEO-1 report is a report that companies file each year with the EEOC. It lists, I believe 10 job occupations and breaks them down by workers, by race, ethnicity, and gender. They allow us and researchers to probe patterns of discrimination inside corporations.

Shannon Rae Green:

Charisse, I know that your beat has had you covering the dynamics and culture that affect people's economic opportunities, particularly in their workplaces. Can you talk to us about how these numbers and corporate leadership showing a serious lack of diversity, impact the wealth gap that has continued to widen for Black, Hispanic, and Latino families?

Charisse Jones:

Yeah. White families on average have about eight times the wealth of the average Black family, and five times the wealth of the average Latino family. And that has really serious ramifications. If you're in management, if you have an executive position, you're going to make more money, you have better benefits, you have more flexibility. So basically you're more financially secure, and you're able to do a lot more for the people that you take care of in your life, your partners, your children, and it ripples out into the community. So obviously if you make more money then you've got the emergency fund, you've got the savings account, you can buy a home and accumulate assets that you can pass on to your children. Maybe your kid doesn't rack up debt to go to school that burdens them for a lifetime because you can help pay their tuition or help them start a business.

Charisse Jones:

And so it really impacts the financial foundation that you have to build upon. And we really saw this play out during the pandemic where you saw Black and Latino workers who tend to dominate these lower paid roles really become more vulnerable, financially and physically during the COVID-19 crisis, working in these warehouses, interacting with the public, getting ill, sometimes having to quit because of healthcare and childcare issues. And clearly, if you just don't have that much money in the bank, you don't have a cushion to fall back on when you have an economic storm take hold in the society. So it really is something that has a generational impact and that racial gap is just hardening and widening.

Shannon Rae Green:

Right. I think the pandemic has really shed light on this too. I'm going to jump ahead now to a question for Jessica. And Jessica, I'd also like to ask you about the significance of this data, the idea that the work that your team did is a little different than what has previously been published. But I'll also ask you about the data that you collected when you worked on an investigation back in 2014 that looked into tech companies diversity goals. It's cool that you have that data from 2014, because now we can compare it to what you and your team found now. Can you talk to me about that?

Jessica Guynn:

Sure. When I joined USA TODAY in 2014, one of the first major projects I worked on was looking at some of the major tech companies as a proxy for the industry, and to see where things stood for Black and Hispanic workers in particular, who have been historically underrepresented in these industries. We also were sure to look at non-technical roles because we wanted to see if the same patterns existed in non-technical roles as in technical roles. And what we found is that they did. What we find today is that very little has changed since we first started looking into this. Our data show that Black and Hispanic workers are far less likely than white employees to work in management or professional roles. And essentially this is a very young sector of the industry, and it has some of the highest paying and fastest growing jobs, and it prides itself on being incredibly innovative and different than business as usual.

Jessica Guynn:

And yet they are reproducing the exact kind of gaping racial disparities that we see in much more mature industries like banking. And so we in this report looked specifically at the big tech companies, the five most important ones, the largest ones, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft. And we found that for example, at Amazon, there's not a single Black executive that reported directly to Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as CEO on July 5th. And his successor also has no direct reports who are Black. And we found other interesting things as well, looking at Apple where 80% of the executives are white. And we also found that at all of these companies, white employees are five times as likely to land these top jobs as their Hispanic coworkers, and seven times as likely as their Black coworkers. So it really shows how there's a lot of work for this industry in particular, one of the nation's most powerful to do, to close the racial gap.

Shannon Rae Green:

Jessica, I think that for me personally, I just thought was really interesting to look at this data that I haven't seen this closely before. I know Jayme, you really worked on this data so much over the past couple of months, is that right? Can you talk to me about what outliers there were in the data and also how these findings compare to the overall workforce?

Jayme Fraser:

Yeah, absolutely. Before I do that, I just wanted to add on to what Jessica was saying about the tech sector. Having this historical data was really interesting, but also being able to look at an industry that's relatively young. And you compare tech and it's 35% of the workers at these tech companies were women, but they make up like 48% of the overall US workforce. I mean, even established industries like banking, which is not necessarily a field you think of as being female dominated, had a greater share of women.

Jayme Fraser:

And then we also dove into the gender disparities by race, and women of color in particular were particularly underrepresented in tech across all of the S&P companies, but it was particularly poignant in tech. So I just wanted to add that too, that there are multi-dimensional layers at play here and these EEO-1 forms only have race and gender and ethnicity. There are a lot of other factors that go into making a diverse and inclusive workplace that aren't being tracked. And so that's something that companies and leaders will have to keep in mind. Some of them probably are tracking other metrics internally. Jessica, did you want to add that since I kind of riffed on something.

Jessica Guynn:

You've hit on a really important point there that I think we've neglected to mention thus far, and that is that women of color, so Black women and Hispanic women, fared worse than anyone inside these corporations, including Black men and Hispanic men. And we found that consistently throughout this kind of data analysis that we've been doing for years, and we found it really profoundly here.

Jayme Fraser:

But getting back to Shannon's question, which I'm sure she actually wants me to answer at some point. It's a bit difficult to say who is the worst when there's not really an S&P listed company that has it right. Some certainly do worse when it comes to diversity at the top of their companies, like among the executives and the managers. There are five where 85% or more of their executives are white and most of those are men. That's Amazon, top of the list, 93%. Caterpillar, US Bancorp, Costco, CVS and Accenture. They're also 4 companies where more than 80% of the middle managers are white. Duke Energy, 3M, Caterpillar, and Dow Chemical. That said even companies with diversity in their leadership ranks aren't promoting or training up people in a proportional way because the demographics at the bottom of those companies are very different from the demographics at the top.

Jayme Fraser:

Every company we reviewed has lots of work to do if they are serious about parity. No company had an equitable representation of Hispanic workers in executive positions. Only three companies had equitable representation of Hispanic workers in middle management: Colgate, Costco, and McDonald's. Black Americans were only equitably represented in the executive ranks of one company, the Bank of New York Mellon. But that business had zero Hispanic leaders. Just five companies had equitable representation of Black workers in management. But it's important to note that even at these companies where Black or Hispanic workers have reached leadership roles in numbers that are parallel with their population in the country, there are many, many more Black and Hispanic workers that are in lower paying or lower ranking jobs at these same companies. And so you have to ask, why are they not moving up in the ranks?

Jayme Fraser:

McDonald's is a great example. They had the second highest percentage of Hispanic executives, the fourth highest percentage of Black executives and dang near the lowest percentage of white executives. But even at McDonald's, white workers are more likely to hold leadership jobs than to be slinging burgers or ringing up your lunch order. Hispanic people hold 15% of executive jobs, but 35% of service jobs. Black people hold 10% of executive jobs and 23% of service jobs. Yet white people hold 30% of service jobs. And 66% of executive jobs. There is a lot of discussion in the business community about this hiring pipeline, and we can't find people who are qualified, which for one, is usually complete bull pucky. But they're overlooking their own workforce, which is this great untapped potential. And I think that's ... Some companies talk about trying to do more with promotion and bringing up the diversity that's at the bottom of their company, but I don't know that any of them have shown success with that. At least in the data we saw.

Shannon Rae Green:

Jayme, thank you for breaking that down so clearly. I think this is a great segue. We're going deep into all these different numbers and all of these areas. And I know Charisse, you focused in this overall huge package that we're publishing about corporate diversity on corporate boards. And I love the expression that you told me that, they can be used as a fig leaf. I want you to explain that to me and our listeners, and also talk about how the fact is that they're held up for public spotlight. Maybe that's what fig leaf means. But that they're not better for diverse representation.

Charisse Jones:

Yeah. I think Jayme was really touching on just kind of the smoke and mirrors that a lot of these companies engage in and corporate boards are used in much that same way, because they tend to be a little bit more diverse, they're smaller pools of people and they may be a little bit more representative. A lot of companies will point in that direction to distract you from the overwhelming whiteness and maleness of the corporate suites. But the bottom line is that they're still not doing all that great. When we were looking at our companies for this series, the 54, about a third of the workforce is white male, but more than half of the board seats at 33 of the 54 companies are occupied by white men. And so again, they might be doing a little bit better in that direction, but it's not significant. They tend to choose the same pool of people of color repeatedly to fill board seats on all of these different company boards.

Charisse Jones:

And so it's as if to say that there's only this very narrow sliver of black people and Latino people and Asian people that are worthy or deserving of having these positions of influence and leadership within these boardrooms. And a lot of these companies also do something where if they are going to diversify, they tend to pick white women more so than looking at men and women of color. So I think that one of the things that we found is that these companies just need to be proactive. Don't just put out the statement, don't just put out the message, it's not hard, ... your own workforce, as Jayme was saying and Jess was saying, you have all of these employees who are often doing ... They're the backbone of the organization and they're at lower levels that you can kind of pull up the ladder and they just have to make the decision to do that both in the corporate suite, the executive ranks and in the boardroom.

Shannon Rae Green:

Right. And I love that your point is about walking the walk, not only talking the talk. Jayme, do you have something to add on this?

Jayme Fraser:

Yeah, and part of why comparing the workforce diversity to the board diversity is important is you're also talking about relative power. Yes, the board has some leadership role, but it doesn't have the same kind of day to day power as the executives in the C suite who are deciding policies and the big vision for the company. And certainly doesn't have as much power as the folks that are in professional or technical roles, just executing that vision. And Jessica can speak to this more since she's the one who talked with more of the companies, but some companies put out statements saying things like, we're committed to recruiting more diverse applicants or people into these leadership positions. And then they would have a list of all the people who qualified as like an underserved community. And it was almost always everyone except white or Asian men.

Jayme Fraser :

So it's like, if you are a woman, you are underserved, or if you are black or Hispanic. But what that does is it obscures the differences that are within that huge group. They can hire 20 white women out of 25 and say they improved their diversity goals. So I think part of the detail that's available in these EEO-1 forms is helpful because it can empower the public to hold these companies accountable in a more granular way than we can from the typical press statements that they put out where they might obscure some details of the reality at their company.

Shannon Rae Green:

Jayme, I really like what you've said here, and Charisse too about how having these people in the room who are not white men tend to change the way the company works, the way it operates. And it's just striking me right now about our USA TODAY's coverage of Nikole Hannah-Jones not being offered tenure until the last minute at UNC Chapel Hill. And I think it speaks a lot to the reason that people want tenure in academia is for different reasons, but particularly for the ability to be seen as a leader and to then shape the place that they work. And so I just really think that that's a crucial point. Jessica, please jump in here too. I'd like to hear what you think about this.

Jessica Guynn:

I feel very privileged to be surrounded by journalists who are so on top of these issues. And Jayme pointed to something that has been really striking to me in all of the reporting that I have done over the years is that many of these companies do consider white women as underserved, and they have very ambitious diversity goals, many of which are filled by hiring and keeping more white women. And the research that I've seen shows that actually these gains by white women have come at the expense of women of color.

Shannon Rae Green:

Yes. And I am just moved to say right now that as a white woman myself, I think it's so fascinating to read about these issues and to know the role that I play. I think it's really important for all of us to examine the fact that we are all in the system and in this society. So I think it's an exciting thing, I think I get to do as part of being a human, who is alive right now, is to just take a close look at that. So I wanted to also ask about the data that you worked on in your story that surrounds what it would take for some of these companies to actually achieve parity with the US workforce. Jessica, can you talk to me about what are some measures that these companies are trying to take to meet goals, to hire and retain diverse talent? And can you also talk about, like how far that gap is for a lot of these companies in the S&P 100 to achieve that parity?

Jessica Guynn:

Well, I think Jayme can probably speak to how far they need to go the best. I do think that these companies are making a lot of good faith efforts to close the racial gap. They have been more acutely aware than ever before, after the murder of George Floyd, that they have a lot of work to do. And I think that they really are working on it. The problem is that we're talking about decades of exclusion baked into organizations, we're talking about really systemic failures and how do you fix those? And it's not just, oh, let's hire a bunch more people. It's also that you have to look at issues of retention. And you also have to look at what are majority white cultures that may feel very unwelcoming to people from underrepresented groups. I think that all of the companies that I spoke with are working on all of these things, but all of them, I think, would say that nobody has quite figured it out yet.

Jayme Fraser:

Yeah. And in terms of how far companies have to go, I'll just highlight Coca-Cola as an example at the executive level. So if Coca-Cola wanted to achieve parity with the population for its black executives, they'd have to hire 21 new black executives increasing that by 30%. If they wanted equitable representation of Hispanic workers, they would have to hire 41 new executives, almost doubling their current ranks in the company's leaderships. So there are big, big gaps here. And particularly if you wait for someone to leave and you're filling vacancies, it could take a long time to fill 62 positions. So one strategy companies have taken is to create new roles that create more paths into leadership or management sooner.

Shannon Rae Green :

And Charisse, I can see that you're wanting to add here too so please weigh in.

Charisse Jones:

Yeah. I wanted to just say that when we're talking about these companies, that in addition to setting these new numerical goals and that type of thing, which is important and good, I think that they have to recognize that this is going to take real work, that you can't just set out a metric and put a program in place to hire more folks. I mean, like Jess was saying in terms of retention and this type of thing, you have to really address the culture. And that's why you have to have voices in the room to kind of make you sensitive to the nuances that make someone uncomfortable, the microaggressions that people might deal with, that might make them say I wanted to come here, I wanted to climb the ladder, but I don't feel good here and I want to find a place where I do.

Charisse Jones:

And so there's real hard work that has to be done. And the reward at the end is great in terms of the bottom line, in terms of being more innovative and having a workplace that looks like the people you serve and the country that you live in. But they have to be prepared to really put that energy forward. And I'm not sure that all of these executives really recognize what that looks like and what that entails.

Shannon Rae Green:

Yeah. Shaping culture has so much to do with nuance. And I think that's why it's so important for goals to get specific. I would like to ask you all, if there was a certain person that you interviewed for this story where they said something that really will stay with you for a certain amount of time. Would anyone like to share?

Jessica Guynn:

I guess that the one thing that I would say is that what's been different since the murder of George Floyd is that black and Hispanic workers inside these companies used to be really afraid to speak out. Racial discrimination claims are very hard to bring. Nearly impossible. And once you speak out, you're taking a big risk with your career. I think what we have seen in the reporting for this story and more broadly in the world is that many of these people are now stepping up. They're using their voices, they're sharing their stories. I think of Charlotte Newman, who is a senior black manager at Amazon, suing her own company and saying, this is my experience. And it's not just mine, it's the experience of colleagues and in this company and elsewhere, and really representing. To go up against the most powerful companies in the world to fight for things to change is an extraordinary act of bravery.

Charisse Jones:

And Jess, I think that your interview with Ursula Burns was really amazing. Her candor, the language that she used, her passion about this. And I feel that in that same vein, even folks who've really made it to the top, who've had this incredible success like Ms. Burns, who was the first, and I guess the only black woman CEO of one of these major companies for several years, they've kind of stayed in their comfort zone. Even though they had achieved the stature, there was still this hesitation and this fear on the part of a lot of people to kind of buck the system. And to have a voice as powerful as hers really calling these companies to the carpet and talking about the broader society in which they operate with such candor, I think was really crucial and really remarkable. And I think that to have a voice like that is also somewhat unusual and really kind of letting you know that this is a moment that could be very significant and very special.

Jessica Guynn:

Absolutely. She's not the only, but she was the first black woman to run a fortune 500 company. And then this comment is totally unsuitable, probably for podcasts, but as a fellow race and equity journalists put it to me, "She has zero left to give."

Shannon Rae Green:

I think that we should include that to really reflect what's going on with this issue. Well, I just want to thank all three of you so much for joining me to talk about the package that you have been working on for quite some time. And for our listeners who subscribe to usatoday.com, you can find this package if you search for corporate diversity on USA TODAY, and Charisse, what should people search for if they want to look for your story? I know it's not a subscribers only story. Is that right?

Charisse Jones:

Right. And so it's going to be about corporate boards, but it's also an executive summary of the entire series. So you can get a little snapshot of the other stories as well. And so you can just look under my name or again, put in corporate diversity, and that will pop up for all of our readers, whether they subscribe or not.

Shannon Rae Green:

Wonderful. And we'll drop a link in our show description. Charisse, Jessica, Jayme, thank you all so much.

Charisse Jones:

Thank you.

Jessica Guynn:

Thanks Shannon.

Shannon Rae Green:

Jessica, Jayme, and Charisse each worked on multiple stories in this overall corporate diversity project. It's available at the link I've included in the episode description. If you liked this episode of 5 Things, write us a review on Apple Podcast and let us know what your favorite part was. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with 5 Things You Need To Know For Monday. I'd love to hear from you on Twitter, where I'm at Shannon Rae Green, that's R-A-E. And thank you so much for listening.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diversity, corporate, systemic racism, employment: 5 things podcast
Dave Franco and Alison Brie are married. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Alison Brie and Dave Franco have been married since 2017 and the couple is known for being private.

They met in 2011 during Mardi Gras and kept their relationship quite under wraps for many years.

They got engaged in 2015, wed in a private ceremony in 2017, and have since worked together.

March 2011: Brie and Franco were introduced by mutual friends during Mardi Gras.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco in 2017. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

In March 2011, the two were introduced by mutual friends in New Orleans, Louisiana. They were both in the area celebrating Mardi Gras.

On "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" in 2020, Brie said her friend, Jules, did some matchmaking when they ran into Franco at the New Orleans airport.

She continued, "The two of them are friends and she had invited him out to dinner with us there .... he was sitting next to her across the table and  my friend texts me under the table and was like, 'You should hook up with Dave.'"

Brie said she responded with "Yes, please" and a ton of thumbs-up emojis and Jules showed Franco her text.

"It was 48 hours of drugs and sex, a lot of making out," Brie added.

Later that year, Brie said, the two met up again in New York.

Alison Brie said she and Dave Franco connected again in New York. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

They later met up again in New York, and Brie said Franco left a note in her sweatshirt on their last day together in the city and asked her to come to Paris with him. She did.

Summer 2011: Brie threw Franco a surprise birthday party.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco at an event in 2018. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

In an interview with Seth Meyers, Brie shared a story about how she threw Franco a surprise birthday party early on in their relationship, "We had known each other for three or four months and then it was his birthday and I wanted to do something special for him."

But she said she didn't know much about him yet, including that he "he hates surprises or attention of any kind."

In 2017, Franco told his own version of the story to Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show," saying, "Alison and I still talk about how if we could survive my surprise party, we can survive anything."

May 2012: The two were photographed holding hands in public.

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Alison Brie and Dave Franco in 2017. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In May 2012, the two were spotted holding hands while grocery shopping, per Us Weekly. Following the release of this photo, reports began surfacing that the two were officially a couple.

Brie told Metro daily newspaper in 2016 that things got pretty serious with Franco about one year into their relationship.

May 2013: They appeared together in a Funny Or Die video called "Dream Girl."

The skit includes some NSFW jokes. YouTube/Funny or Die

The NSFW comedy skit from the YouTube channel Funny Or Die was about Brie finding out what it takes to become Franco's "dream girl."

June 2015: The couple attended a fashion show together.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco in 2019. Reuters/Mike Blake

In 2015, the two seemingly confirmed their relationship when they sat together at the Dior-Homme show in Paris.

August 2015: They got engaged.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco got engaged after dating for a few years. GPRO/starmaxinc.com

After three years of dating, Brie and Franco got engaged, as first reported by E! News.

The engagement was later confirmed by Dave's brother James Franco on Instagram, who wrote: "Congrats Davy and Allison!!! Engaged!!! I WUUUUUUV YOU ."

On the proposal, Brie told Larry King in 2018 it was a complete surprise.

Franco got down on one knee in Big Sur, California, and Brie said she was so shocked that she immediately started laughing and "asked him a number of times if he was being serious before saying yes."

September 2015: The couple made their red-carpet debut.

Dave Franco and Alison Brie's red-carpet debut. Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP

Though they had already been dating for years, Brie and Franco finally appeared together on the red carpet in September 2015.

They posed for photos at an event for Brie's film, "Sleeping With Other People," as the actress wore her engagement ring.

March 2017: Franco and Brie got married.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco got married in 2017. Arthur Mola/Invision/AP

In 2016, prior to marrying Franco, Brie told Yahoo Style that having a wedding wasn't something she was always interested in. She described herself as "not very bridal" and spoke about how she took a more relaxed approach to her wedding with Franco.

In an interview with E! that same year, when asked how planning was going, Brie simply said she and Franco would "figure it out."

In March 2017, a rep for Brie confirmed to Us Weekly that Franco and Brie had tied the knot. It was a secret ceremony, which Franco described to Entertainment Tonight as being "intimate" and "really fun."

June 2017: "The Little Hours," the couple's first feature film together, was released.

The movie was a comedy. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

In 2017, Franco and Brie worked on a movie together called "The Little Hours." In the film, Brie plays one of three sexually frustrated nuns and Franco plays a man who arrives at the convent.

Prior to the film's release, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Franco joked that the couple learned that "Brie should not be on set while [he is filming] sex scenes with other women."

Brie added that she stepped out for those scenes and joked about how it's wonderful to work with someone you're in a relationship with.

December 2017: The pair appeared in the James Franco-directed film "The Disaster Artist."

"The Disaster Artist" is a comedy. A24

At the end of 2017, Brie and Franco appeared in James Franco's film "The Disaster Artist."

On working with her husband, Brie told Hello Giggles, "It's so nice to work with your person, to be on set with someone who is the person you feel the most comfortable with in the world."

June 2018: Brie told The Sunday Times that she and Franco don't plan to have children.

Alison Brie said she already has two cats. Katy Winn/AP

In an interview with UK newspaper The Sunday Times, Brie said she and Franco don't really want to have children.

She explained her and Franco's decision saying, "It's great because I don't worry about when should I get pregnant  between seasons, while we're shooting the show  I don't think about it every day."

She also said the pair has two cats, Harry and Arturo, and joked that they're already such a "handful" on their own.

July 2020: The couple worked together on Franco's directorial debut.

"The Rental" came out in July 2020. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Franco's directorial debut, "The Rental" premiered in July 2020. It's a mystery thriller about two couples who become convinced their vacation rental is spying on them.

The thriller stars Brie alongside Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand, and Jeremy Allen White.

February 2023: The couple's collaboration "Somebody I Used to Know" debuted.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco wrote "Somebody I Used to Know" together. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Brie and Franco wrote the rom-com screenplay. Franco is the director and Brie is a lead actor.

The couple said they worked on this together, in part, because they love rom-coms, though said it was hard to talk about anything but the film they were creating.

Read the original article on Insider
ZANESVILLE - A 44-year-old Zanesville man was sentenced to 20 years in prison as a major drug offender for crimes he committed in Muskingum County.

David Giamarco pleaded guilty to two first-degree felonies of trafficking fentanyl, one first-degree felony of trafficking cocaine, one second-degree felony of permitting drug abuse and two third-degree felony counts of having weapons under disability.

According to detectives with the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force, Giamarco became the target of their investigation after receiving complaints of drug activity in his properties on Maxahala Avenue and Ontario Street.

In late August, police stopped Giamarco while driving on Pine Street. The deputy smelled marijuana in the car and found $2,000 in his pocket, as well as another $8,500 in a duffle bag. Giamarco was released with a written warning while detectives built their case.

A confidential informant working with the task force arranged a transaction with Giamarco to purchase fentanyl and crack cocaine.

In November, the informant met Giamarco at a Linden Avenue business to purchase the drugs for $300.

One week later, another purchase was arranged for $600.

Giamarco led the informant to his house on Moxahala Avenue for the exchange, which was recorded on video.

For days, detectives observed activity at Giamarco's houses, which included a pattern of short-term visits from various vehicles at both houses.

In December, detectives, along with the Special Response Team, executed search warrants at both houses. More than 800 grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of cocaine and 1,000 grams of fentanyl were found during the searches, in addition to drug-related materials.

Detectives seized four vehicles, cash and filed to seize both parcels of real estate.

Others are facing charges in connection to this case.

Provided by the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: David Giamarco draws 20-year sentence for trafficking drugs
David Malpass, the World Bank president with a history of denying the climate crisis, has resigned a year before the end of his term.

Mr Malpass, an appointee of former US president Donald Trump, sparked outrage last year when he refused to acknowledge that the climate crisis was real.

He announced his resignation in a LinkedIn blog post but did not explain why he had reached his decision. His five-year term was set to end in April 2024.

This afternoon, I shared with the World Bank Groups Board of Directors my intention to step down by the end of the World Banks fiscal year, he wrote.

Mr Malpass earlier informed US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen of his decision, Reuters reported.

Mr Malpass said that serving as World Bank president had been an enormous honour and privilege and that he was proud of his accomplishments.

Financing, including climate financing, had reached record levels under his leadership, he said.

By the end of the fiscal year, we will be well-positioned to feature sustainability more clearly in the mission of the World Bank Group, align the mission with resources, and set in motion an effective evolution to increase the institutions impact on people in the developing world, he wrote on LinkedIn.

Mr Malpass is due to leave the multilateral development bank, which provides billions of dollars in funding to developing countries, in June.

His decision comes months after he was widely criticized, including by the White House, for refusing to say that he accepted the scientific consensus on the climate crisis. After uproar, he said that he was not a climate denier.

Secretary Yellen thanked Mr Malpass for his service.

The world has benefited from his strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russias illegal and unprovoked invasion, his vital work to assist the Afghan people, and his commitment to helping low-income countries achieve debt sustainability through debt reduction, she said in a statement.

The Biden administration would nominate a replacement soon, Sec Yellen said. It is customary for the US to select the World Bank chief while the European Union decides who should lead its partner institutuon, the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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Names of potential successors to Mr Malpass are already circulating.

Among them are Samantha Power, who leads the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and Rajiv Shah, a former USAID administrator under former president Barack Obama and the current president of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Mr Malpass became World Bank president in April 2019 after serving as the top official for international affairs at the US Treasury during the Trump administration.

The World Bank has been under increasing pressure to reform, taking more account of the climate crisis in its decision making. Reforming the system of international finance was a particular focus for leaders of developing and emerging economies during last years Cop27 climate summit.

In November 2021, Selwin Hart, a special adviser on climate change to the UN secretary-general, criticised the bank for being an ongoing underperformer on climate action.

Mr Malpasss departure has been welcomed by environmental campaigners.

This is great news. It is hard to think of a worse fit for World Bank President than an alleged climate denier and the chief economist of Bear Stearns ahead of the 2008 recession, said Bronwen Tucker, global public finance campaign co-manager at Oil Change International.
Some protests in Florida's Capitol Rotunda may be banned when state lawmakers meet for legislatures 2023 session, which is expected to be spiked with culture-war-inspired legislation in advance of an expected Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign.

The Department of Management Services published a Florida Administrative Code rule Feb. 14, allowing law enforcement more discretion to remove protesters from the Capitol building and charge them with trespassing.

The past two regular sessions have drawn protests over the teaching of race and gender in public schools, restrictions on abortion rights, curtailment of voting rights, and the elimination of minority-access congressional districts.

The rule change is expected to go into effect March 1, a week before the start of the annual 60-day legislative session, according to the Department of State and the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, which signed off on the proposal.

The American Civil Liberties Union Florida said the new rule is an attempt to silence the public and chill speech.

'You're wrong to mess with Black history: Rev. Al Sharpton, Black leaders rally against Florida Gov. DeSantis

DeSantis vs. TikTok: Florida governor targets social media platform in schools

Dozens of speakers from across the state attended a Dec. 1 hearing DMS held in Tallahassee about the proposed changes. Officials listened but did not defend the rule. DMS officials also did not respond to comment for this story.

They complained the proposal is riddled with vagueness and possibly could extend to the Capitol Courtyard and the steps of the Historic Old Capitol, locations used to protest the government policies at least since the 1960s Civil Rights and anti-war movements.

The fact that this is being pushed right before the legislative session shows clearly, they know what to expect in 2023. They know their constituents are not happy with what theyre doing if they are trying to silence us this far ahead of session, said Kaitey Kate Daney-Samitz, of Womens Voice of Southwest Florida.

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The rule covers all portions of the Capitol Complex Space, which takes in about an eight-block district (Gaines Street to Jefferson Street) in the heart of Tallahassee.

Because of this proposed change the governor, and the Legislature will not have to hear from the people. And law enforcement will be able to remove those who speak in opposition to the legislative assaults on our liberties, said Kara Gross, legislative director for the ACLU Florida.

What the rule says

DMS wants to enable law enforcement to remove from the Capitol Complex and charge with trespassing any individual law enforcement believes whose behavior will include:

Visual displays, sounds, and other actions that are harmful to minors

Gratuitous violence or gore (depictions of severe injury, blood, organs and body fluids)

Disruption to the performance of official duties

Outdoor demonstrations that expresses a view on public issues or brings into public notice or infringe on the ability to attend public meetings.

Opinion: Tough-guy Ron DeSantis defeats Woke Disney! Except ... he didnt. At all.

How we got here

For more than a half century protestors have followed Florida lawmakers to the State Capitol when they meet to spend tax dollars and set policies on how we teach our children, take care of the elderly and vulnerable, and behave toward each other.

In recent years the demonstrators have filled Capitol hallways, committee rooms and the 4th floor rotunda between the House and Senate chambers, sometimes quietly, other times with shouts and jeers directed at lawmakers.

The most notable protest of late was in 2018 after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre. Thousands marched through downtown Tallahassee and on to the Capitol campus to pressure lawmakers into approving the states first gun control measures in more than 20 years.

A timeline: Raucous protests and the rule to restrict them

Here are some of the protests that have occurred the past two years:

January 2021, the Capitol is locked down on a Sunday in anticipation of a pro-Trump rally

March 2021, dozens of union members form a gauntlet for lawmakers to walk into the chambers before debate and vote on a union decertification proposal

February 2022, a group of abortion rights supporters removed from the House Gallery for shouting when lawmakers approved a 15-week ban on abortions.

March 2022, hundreds of high school students chant "(expletive) DeSantis" during a protest outside House Chambers when lawmakers took up the Parental Rights in Education bill also known as Dont Say Gay.

April 2022, a handful of a gun permit-less carry bill supporters rally in the Courtyard and then crowd into Rep. Charles Brannons, R-Macclenny, office to demand a hearing on the proposal.

April 2022, Black lawmakers stage a sit-in and disrupt a House vote on a redistricting plan to eliminate two Black-access Congressional districts. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard said they should be charged with sedition.

October 18, 2022, DMS publishes a proposed rule change to enable law enforcement, at their discretion, to remove protestors from the Capitol.

March 1, 2023, new rule scheduled to go into effect.

What's next? A likely legal challenge

The Florida rule making process provides opportunities for public participation and is a complex process riven with bureaucratic round-abouts and off-ramps depending on how the interaction between officials and citizens go.

Feb. 2, the ACLU requested DMS hold a second public hearing because of "procedural irregularities in developing the new rule.

Instead of responding to that request, DMS filed the proposal with the Department of State for adoption and then published an effective date.

That leaves an administrative challenge at the Division of Administrative Hearings as protestors' last maneuver to stop the rule change.

A judge could delay implementation and ultimately approve the changes or tell DMS to try again, which would involve another round of public hearings and review by the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee.

When asked if it would file such a challenge, the ACLU said while all options are on the table, it cannot comment on potential future litigation or challenges.

What protesters are saying

This to me smacks of suppression of speech. Suppression of our right to come here. - Mary Anne Hoffman is with the Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty and has participated in protests at the Capitol for 30 years, each time Florida executes an inmate.

It gives discretion solely to the Department of Management Services to say you cant have an event (press conference) when you fill out a form to reserve space. - Melody Andrade Williams is a member of the Dream Defenders and participated in a 2012 month-long sit-in at the Capitol.

On February 16, 2022, I did not participate in the protests that occurred in the House after representatives passed a heinous 15-week abortion ban. Yet, I still suffered a year-long punishment (banned from the Capitol) for showing up for my rights and speaking up against legislators. Because of the unreasonable trespass violation, - FSU student Hannah Polk, who said her only offense was to wear a T-shirt supporting abortion rights.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahasse

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Protesters say DeSantis rule silences Florida Capitol protests
[Source]

DC Comics recently announced the release of three upcoming comic book titles aimed at highlighting the talents and stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) creators.

Set to debut under the banner "We Are Legends" as part of the companys year-long publishing initiative Dawn of DC, the three six-issue limited series will all feature newly created heroes in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month in May.

"Spirit World," written by Alyssa Wong and illustrated by Haining, follows Xanthe, a Chinese hero who has the power to travel in and out of the Spirit World and turn ceremonial joss paper figures into real objects. The series will see the non-binary hero team up with John Constantine to rescue Batgirl Cassandra Cain from the Chinese undead vampires known as jiangshi. The series' first issue will be released May 9.

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South Asian metahumans take center stage in "The Vigil," written by Ram V and illustrated by Lalit Kumar Sharma. First introduced in this month's "Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate No. 1," the titular group of heroes consists of Arclight, Saya, Dodge and Castle. The series will follow the characters as they attempt to stop metahuman research and tech created for military applications. It will go on sale on May 16.

"City Boy," which stars Korean superhero Cameron Kim, is written by Greg Pak, illustrated by Minkyu Jung and colored by Sunny Gho. Kim uses his unique ability to "speak" to cities to find lost and hidden goods to pawn. The series will take Kim to Metropolis, Amnesty Bay, Themyscira and other locations. The title will go on sale starting on May 23.

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Each first issue of the three limited series will feature an AAPI Heritage Month variant cover created by Zu Orzu, Pop Mhan and Alexandre Tefenkgi, respectively. The creative teams behind the new series have already introduced some of the characters in other DC titles, such as "Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special."

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Last year, DC Comics celebrated AAPI Heritage Month with the release of seven AAPI-themed variant covers illustrated by AAPI creators.

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The comics company also launched the new series Duo, which features two Asian American lead characters. The six-issue limited series was written by Greg Pak and illustrated by artists Khoi Pham and Scott Hanna.

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A train with hazardous chemicals derailed in Ohio earlier this month, prompting heated debate about what caused the crash and what could be done to prevent future accidents (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The only way I can describe it is like the doors of hell were open.

Thats how Mahoning County Hazmat chief Steve Szekely described the acrid cloud of black smoke that went up in the aftermath of the 3 February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where large sections of a train with 150 cars, some of them carrying toxic chemicals, went sliding off the tracks.

That disaster has caused residents and local wildlife to suffer a variety of symptoms, and has caused chaos of its own in Washington, as officials have sought to pin the tragedy on one party or policy.

Its said that success has many fathers but failure is an orphan. Its clear, according to experts, that both parties, multiple administrations, as well as railway companies and labour leaders, share the blame for the striking rail accident.

The immediate cause of the derailment, according to the National Transportation Safety Boards preliminary investigation, was a wheel bearing on one of the trains cars becoming overheating and failing just before the crash.

The deeper reasons for the crash are more complex.

Crippled regulations

Some, like Steven Ditmeyer, a former top official at the Federal Railroad Administration, argue the federal government hasnt done enough to champion Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brakes, a braking system that would update existing rail brake technologies, which date back to the Civil War era in some places.

"Would ECP brakes have reduced the severity of this accident? Yes," Mr Ditmeyer told Lever News.

In 2015, the Obama administration passed a rule requiring ECP brakes on some trains carrying hazardous materials, but ignored the NTSBs request that the rules apply to all such trains. The Trump administration, lobbied by rail carriers including Norfolk Southern, the company which operated the train that derailed in Ohio, rescinded the rules entirely.

Sherrod Brown, US Senator for Ohio, argues the GOP carries the share of the blame for the rollback.

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We are concerned that the Trump administration rolled back some of the safety rules and some of the railroad safety and worker safety rules, he told The Independent, adding, I mean, every chance Republicans get they weaken worker safety rules, they weaken and weaken environmental rules. They weaken consumer protection rules. So we want to know if weve got to fix that. But that doesnt help East Palestine now.

The rail industry, meanwhile, argues such braking technologies are still unproven. Association of American Railroads spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek told USA Today ECP brakes have a significant failure rate.

A declining labour force

Others blame labour conditions at the nations rail carriers for causing declining staffing and lower safety standards.

It speaks to the conditions on the railroad, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told The Independent. I think some of the workers, they will tell you that they thought something like this was inevitable and that we have to deal with a situation where in the last six years 30 per cent of that workforce was cut back."

Facing competition from ground freight, rail carriers, including Norfolk Southern, have embraced a practice known as precision scheduled railroading (PSR), an approach which centres on maximizing the utility of each individual rail car rather than considering whole trains as a single unit.

In practice, PSR has meant longer trains, overseen by fewer workers, sometimes with loads dangerously weighted towards the back of rail convoys, according to railway unions.

The short-term profit imperative, the so-called cult of the Operating Ratioof NS [Norfolk Southern] and the other Class 1 railroadshas made cutting costs, employees, procedures, and resources the top priority, Railroad Workers United told The New Republic.

The wreck of Train 32N has been years in the making. What other such train wrecks await us remains to be seenbut given the modus operandi of the Class One rail carriers, we can no doubt expect future disasters of this nature.

As The Independent has reported, railway workers have argued the self-proclaimed pro-labour Biden administration betrayed them during ongoing contract negotiations, after it backed a December deal to head off potential strike action while avoiding worker demands like an end to PSR and sick leave.

Politicians are happy to voice platitudes and heap praise upon us for our heroism throughout the pandemic, the essential nature of our work, the difficult and dangerous and demanding conditions of our jobs. Yet when the steel hits the rail, they back the powerful and wealthy Class One rail carriers every time, RWU General Secretary Jason Doering said during the negotiations.

In our view, I dont think you can separate the drastic reduction in workforce over the past seven or eight years, from the increase in accidents, the rate of safety incidents, Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, told USA Today of the recent derailment, arguing job losses and scheduling changes have cut down the number of staff on trains and the time allotted to perform inspecitons. What people see on the ground is a really big amount of pressure on moving as fast as possible, as lean as possible, and generating as much profit as possible.

Norfolk Southern alone has lost 40 per cent of its workforce in recent years, per SEC filings.

Is the federal government doing enough?

Lawmakers from both parties have argued the Department of Transportation, helmed by Pete Buttigieg, doesnt seem to be doing enough to prevent further tragedies.

We need Congressional inquiry and direct action from Pete Buttigieg to address this tragedy, Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Fully agree, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruzwrote in response.

In response to both legislators, Secretary Buttigieg said, We could start by discussing immediate steps Congress could take to address rail safety and reduce constraints on USDOT in this area. Give us a call, we can do some good work.

Mr Buttigieg has defended the Biden administrations work on the rail system, pointing to historic investments in rail safety coming through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as a round of grants in June providing $120m for rail safety.

Good regulation and effective enforcement are key to lowering the risk of rail incidents, injuries and fatalities, Mr Buttigieg said in statement on Twitter after the disaster. DOT is continually updating and enforcing our rail regulations to make trains safer and push the injury rate toward zero.

The DOT is currently considering a proposed regulation, backed by the rail industry, which would reduce the frequency of brake testing on some trains.

Both parties can agree that something needs to change.

How did this happen? Ohio Senator JD Vance, a Republican, told The Independent. How do you prevent it from happening in the future?

We have to put our eyes on this problem, learn from it, and make sure that regulatory and administrative structure is able to protect against it, added Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a Democrat.
Police trying to get into a home in Northwest Miami-Dade early Thursday morning shot and killed a 22-year-old man after a five-hour standoff, police said.

It wasnt immediately clear if the man fired his gun at a Miami-Dade Police officer before he was killed. A police spokesman said he threatened police before he was shot.

He pointed a gun. I dont know if he was able to get a round off, said Miami-Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta.

Police had not named the dead man or the officer who killed him by late Thursday morning and said there was no one else in the home at the time of the shooting. The incident forced the closure of several streets in the neighborhood near Northwest 103rd Street and caused morning rush-hour traffic delays. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the shooting investigation.

Zabaleta said the first 911 call from inside the home at 1396 NW 102nd St. came at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

They said he was threatening people [family members] with a gun. Hes inside the house, armed and barricaded, said the spokesman.

When they arrived, police said they found the mans brother and father outside the home. Zabaleta said at that point, police believed the home was clear of anyone other than the gunman and officers tried to make contact with him. When that failed, SWAT was brought to the scene.

Five hours after being unable to make contact with the man inside the home, Zabaleta said, members of Miami-Dades Special Response Team decided to try to enter the house, fearing the man was dead or injured and needing assistance. Police had removed bars covering a window when the shooting happened. Zabaleta said he wasnt certain if police had yet breached a window to the home.

There was a confrontation with an armed suspect and shots were fired, Zabaleta said.
An Iowa Senate proposal would introduce the death penalty in Iowa, but opposition from a key House Republican means capital punishment is unlikely to become state law this year.

Senate File 14 would apply the death penalty in one, specific situation: if an adult defendant was found guilty of kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering a minor.

Republican supporters of the legislation said the change would strengthen current law, where the murder or rape of a minor carries the same penalty of life in prison without parole. Upping the ante, they argue, will deter rapists from also murdering their victims.

"We want to save the lives of some young women, basically, down the road," said Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola.

In a Wednesday morning subcommittee, Sen. Jason Schultz said the change would be "completely justified, religiously, morally, logically."

Opponents, including many faith leaders, urged lawmakers to consider the ethics of killing a citizen, even in response to an extreme crime. They also pointed to cases in other states where innocent defendants were wrongfully sentenced to death.

"Killing for killing is just wrong," said Marti Anderson, a former Democratic representative and a member of Iowans Against the Death Penalty.

Garrett and Schultz, R-Schleswig, approved the bill for consideration by the full Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, debated fiercely against the bill and declined to sign off on it.

Despite some support among Senate Republicans  including the bill's author and chair of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Brad Zaun  the bill is unlikely to make it through the Iowa House. Rep. Steve Holt, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, listed several reasons Monday why he's skeptical of introducing the death penalty in Iowa.

Holt, R-Denison, said sentencing someone to death can be more expensive for taxpayers than sentencing that person to a life sentence. He also recognized that high-income defendants were far less likely to receive the death penalty than someone relying on a public defender.

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Sen. Brad Zaun is the author of a bill that would restore the death penalty and chair of the Judiciary Committee. The bill faces resistance from House leaders.

"And then there was a concern I have, frankly, that sometimes people are wrongly convicted, and there is DNA evidence now that has exonerated a number of people that were on death row," Holt said. "Well, once those people are put to death you cant reverse that mistake, but you certainly could reverse it when the person would be serving life in prison."

If the Senate passes its bill, Holt will decide whether the House moves it forward.

Iowa abolished the death penalty in 1965, but lawmakers have repeatedly drafted proposals to bring it back in some limited instances. In 2017, Republicans proposed a similar bill to allow capital punishment in the case of the kidnapping, rape and murder of a child  parameters spurred by the 2005 murder of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage in Cedar Rapids.

Lawmakers have also attempted more expansive capital punishment laws, including a 2018 proposal to allow those convicted of first-degree murder to be put to death.

All recent attempts to reinstate the death penalty have failed to advance through the Legislature.

However, Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa polls show a majority of Iowans support capital punishment in some instances. When last included in the Iowa Poll in 2018, 58% of Iowa adults said they favored a potential initiative to revive the death penalty.

Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed reporting.

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Death penalty law unlikely to pass Iowa Legislature this year
The Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Indiana, as seen the morning of Jan. 13, 2023.

DELPHI, Ind.  Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen still has a hearing Friday, but Allen, his attorneys, the prosecutor and Judge Frances Gull will remotely attend the hearing.

Media and the public may attend in person at the Carroll Circuit Court.

Gull published an order Thursday moving the hearing from 10 a.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

In her order, Gull agreed to continue arguments for or against setting bond for Allen, who is accused of killing Libby German, 14, and Abby Williams, 13, on Feb. 13, 2017. The new hearing date to consider Allen's possible bail will be scheduled at Friday's hearing.

In Indiana, defendants are entitled to have bail set high enough to ensure their appearance at trial. The exceptions are for the charges of murder and treason. However, a judge might set bail for those charges if the state's case against the defendant is considered to be weak.

Gull's order does not address whether she will reschedule Allen's trial, which currently is scheduled to begin on March 20.

Allen's attorneys motioned last week asking to postpone the hearing to consider setting bail, and Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland agreed to the defense motion in a court filing on Monday.

McLeland also filed a motion asking Gull to order barring Allen's attorneys from publishing sensitive evidence before prosecutors release the evidence to them as part of the discovery process.

Gull has not ruled on that motion, according to online court records.

More:Prosecutors file brief arguing that Richard Allen should not receive bond

More:Prosecutor wants assurances Allen's attorneys won't publish sensitive evidence

Police arrested Allen on Oct. 26 and prosecutors charged him with two counts of murder on Oct. 28.

When the charges were filed, McLeland asked for  and received  permission to seal the charging documents and the probable cause affidavit.

Gull later released the charging information and an edited version of the affidavit, but McLeland argued at that hearing that there might be more than one person involved in the killings.

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A group of news outlets, including Gannett, the parent company of the Journal & Courier, have renewed a motion this week using the Access to Public Records Act requesting Gull to release McLeland's motion to seal the initial court documents.

Gull has not ruled on that motion, yet, according to the online court documents.

Prosecutors noted in the probable cause affidavit that tool markings on an unfired bullet found at the crime scene indicated it was ejected from a Allen's pistol.

On the video that Libby German made the day she was killed included their first contact with their killer, one of the girls says, "Gun," as their killer walked up behind them, according to the affidavit.

Police and prosecutors have not released the cause of death for the girls.

A warm February day in Delphi

Delphi schools were closed that Monday six years ago, and Libby and Abby got permission to hike the trails east of city.

When they did not show up for their ride home, their families began searching for them.

The search continued the next morning with teams of volunteers looking for the girls.

Their bodies were found about a quarter-of-a-mile east of the Monon High Bridge on the north bank of the Deer Creek.

Police investigated the case for almost six years before finding evidence they believe links Allen to the killings.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murder suspect's hearing will be a remote court appearance
Photo: The Canadian Press Ontario Premier Doug Ford tours a laboratory in Brampton, Ont., on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Canada's premiers have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking for regular reviews to be established as part of health-care funding talks.

Ottawa has offered more than $46 billion to provinces and territories to augment the Canada Health Transfer but the country's premiers say it's not enough to address the sustainability or structural needs of their provincial health care systems.

The premiers say in a letter sent today that they are prepared to accept the offer for now but further discussions are needed to establish longer-term predictability and stability in health care.

They want a formal federal-provincial-territorial review process to look at bilateral funding deals the provinces made with Ottawa in 2017 to upgrade mental health and home care programs.

They want a similar process to review the new deal which will include both a bump to the annual Canada Health Transfer and specific funding for priority areas like family doctors, surgical backlogs and health data systems.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent a separate letter today urging the same reviews, but specifying that the review of the 2017 bilateral agreements should happen by March 31, 2026 and that the broader review should happen around the five-year mark of the Canada Health Transfer deal.
WASHINGTON  Some Senate Democrats said Wednesday that the American people deserve to hear more about the unidentified aerial objects that were shot down over North America this month, but they stopped short of calling on President Joe Biden to deliver a presidential address on the matter.

They made the calls after senators received classified briefings about the objects and on China more broadly over the past two days.

The American people should be given more information  they can handle it, and they need and deserve to know, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said after the classified all-senators briefing about China on Wednesday. Whether its the president personally  he cant go on national TV every evening. But Congress has an obligation, as well, to inform.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who as chairman of the Appropriations defense subcommittee is investigating the U.S. response to Chinese spy balloons, said that Biden should speak to the American people at some point but that its the presidents call.

I think hes probably weighing that. He probably wants to get as much information as he can before he steps in front of the mic would be my guess, Tester said in an interview after the China briefing.

I think he should address people at some point.

NBC News reported Wednesday night that Biden is planning to deliver his most extended public remarks yet  as early as Thursday  on the unidentified objects. The president will use his address to explain how he has tasked his administration with setting parameters on how to deal with aerial balloons and other objects spotted in the future.

White House officials had been privately discussing whether to have Biden address an issue that has dominated headlines, fueled speculation and caused concern among some Americans.

Asked earlier Wednesday whether Biden should make an address about the aerial phenomenon similar to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., replied, More information is always better.

Story continues

Democrats appear to be giving Biden more space as his administration continues to recover wreckage from the Chinese surveillance balloon that was downed off South Carolina on Feb. 4 and searches for debris from three unidentified objects downed in the skies over Alaska, Canada and Michigans Lake Huron.

I think the White House, Defense Department have handled this situation very well. I think that theyve exercised good judgement that addressed our security concerns, our safety concerns, our intelligence gathering, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said after a separate classified briefing about the balloon and other aerial objects Tuesday.

I think a lot of folks, really mostly Republicans, have been using this to whip up unnecessary hysteria.  Statements like This is President Xi testing Biden for weakness  I mean, thats just BS.

Other top administration officials have been speaking to the public about the mysterious objects. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has been providing regular briefings from the White House podium. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also briefed reporters Tuesday.

"We don't know ... how frequently these things may or may not have appeared in our air space. Were learning a lot more about that," Austin said in an interview Wednesday with NBC News.

"We typically are focused on things that are moving fast. And so it's a bit more difficult to collect on slow-moving objects like a balloon."

But Republicans say they want to hear from the commander-in-chief himself.

"President Biden owes the American people an explanation," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Tuesday.

On the one hand, the administration is saying we dont yet know what these last three objects are and we dont want to characterize until we recover them. But on the other hand, it wasnt a threat, he said. Both of those things cant be true.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., echoed calls for Biden to address the nation.

The president, I think I can say, was not engaged on this Chinese spy balloon in time to make a decision to take it down over Alaska when he could have done so, Hawley said. I dont know whos actually making decisions with the White House. I can say with regard to the Chinese spy balloon, it sure as heck wasnt the president.

Biden "should be laying out what they know, he added. But I dont know if hes tracking. I dont know whos actually in charge."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Senate Democrats on Thursday instantly rallied around Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) after his office announced he checked himself into a Washington-area hospital to be treated for clinical depression.

Happy to hear @SenFettermanPA is getting the help he needs and deserves. Millions of Americans, like John, struggle with depression each day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter. I am looking forward to seeing him return to the Senate soon.

I stand by John Fetterman and his family, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) told The Hill. This a challenge, an unimaginable challenge, that he has faced in life. He deserves the very best in professional care and Im sure hell get it at Walter Reed.

Asked if Fetterman will be able to serve a full term, Durbin said, I believe he can.

I believe with the proper care, which he will receive, that hell be back in our ranks, joining us soon, he said.

Fettermans Thursday announcement that he had voluntarily checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center made him among the first sitting members of the Senate to reveal receiving treatment for depression.

According to his office, the senator has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, adding that it only became severe in recent weeks.

Adam Jentleson, Fettermans chief of staff, added doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

While lawmakers have historically been leery about disclosing mental health struggles, the tide is beginning to shift in Congress. Outside the Capitol, increasing numbers of athletes, entertainers and everyday Americans have opened up about their own mental health.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who has been open about her bout with depression dating back decades, said Fetterman is doing exactly what he should do, which is seek help.

Seeking help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness, something that John is demonstrating for all of us, Smith wrote on Twitter.

Story continues

Durbin said depression has become more recognized and accepted as something that many Americans struggle to live with.

There was a time when no one ever mentioned the word. Mental illness was considered a curse, not a medical problem. Thank God thats changed, the Illinois Democrat said.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who is on the mend following prostate cancer surgery on Tuesday, also sent his best wishes to his Keystone State colleague.

Millions of Americans struggle with their mental health. I am proud of @SenFettermanPA for getting the help he needs and for publicly acknowledging his challenges to break down the stigma for others, Casey wrote on Twitter, sending his prayers to Fettermans family.

On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted he and his wife are lifting John up in prayer. Mental illness is real & serious, and I hope that he gets the care he needs.

Regardless of which side of the political aisle youre on, please respect his familys request for privacy, Cruz added.

And Democrats across the Capitol also chimed in.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) tweeted that There is never any weakness in seeking help, while Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said, Proud he is being open about his struggle with depression and hoping it encourages others to seek help who need it. Stay strong, John. We are with you.

After Fetterman suffered a stroke in the days before Pennsylvanias Democratic primary and visibly struggled with auditory processing leading up to the general election, some questioned his fitness for office. But after he faltered in the campaigns only debate, some Democratic voters said his health struggles made him relatable.

He continues to deal with auditory processing issues that has forced him to rely on closed captioning in order to converse with other lawmakers and individuals.

Fetterman underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker shortly after his stroke, and he was hospitalized when he became lightheaded following the Senate Democratic retreat on Feb. 8. He was released from a Washington, D.C., hospital two days later.

According to a Fetterman spokesman, test results last week showed no evidence that he had suffered a seizure. Additional tests also showed that he did not suffer a second stroke in less than a year.

He was released from the Washington, D.C., hospital the following day and returned to the Senate on Monday.

Alexander Bolton contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A California sheriff's deputy was charged with murder after prosecutors said he crashed in 2021 while driving nearly 95 mph in a school zone, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two others.

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy Ricardo Castro faces murder and vehicular manslaughter charges after driving "nearly quadruple the speed limit when school children are present" and showing "conscious disregard for those children's lives," Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said at a Wednesday news conference.

"Mr. Castro's recklessness ended the life of a boy with an entire future ahead of him and destroyed a family," Gascon said.

Castro faces up to 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted, prosecutors said.

'HUGE TRAGEDY': Professional wrestler Jay Briscoe killed in car accident. What we know about fatal crash.

Crash kills 12-year-old boy, injures two others

Castro collided with another vehicle that was making a left-hand turn around 4 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2021, in South Gate, which is located 7 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, according to Gascon's office. Castro was off-duty at the time of the crash.

Prosecutors say Castro was driving nearly 95 mph in a school zone, where the speed limit is typically 35 mph but is reduced to 25 mph when school children are present.

Castro's pick-up truck rolled over during the crash, South Gate Police Chief Darren Arakawa said at Wednesday's news conference.

Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez, 12, died in the crash and Isaiah's adult older sister, who was driving the vehicle turning left, was seriously injured in the crash. An adult passenger riding with Castro was also injured.

ARIZONA CRASH: Truck spills hazardous material in Tucson, Arizona, shutting down highway

Castro has history of driving collisions

Castro's driving history "reveals he has been involved in multiple collisions and received several traffic tickets, including for speeding," Gascon said.

Story continues

In a statement to USA TODAY, the LA County Sheriffs Department said Castro was "administratively removed from field duties since the collision" but was still getting paid during the investigation into the crash. After felony charges were filed, Castro was "relieved of duty without pay."

'There are no words': Family remembers Isaiah

In an emotional Wednesday news conference, Isaiah's mother, Betsabe Suarez, said her son was out buying a ruler for a classmate whose ruler was taken away from her while she was being bullied at school. Suarez remembered the boy as brave, thoughtful, caring and funny.

"There are no words that can describe the full essence of who he was," she said.

'DEEPLY SADDENED': At least 4 US residents among 72 people killed in Nepal plane crash

Suarez recalled spending holidays and her son's birthday without him, adding she is "never going to see him graduate, go to college, get married." She said the family is "completely broken" by his loss.

"First of all, I want to say that I love my son," she said. 'I love you, Isaiah, and I miss you every single day."

"It was an honor to have you as my son."

Contact Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California sheriff's deputy charged in crash that killed Isaiah Suarez
A North Carolina sheriffs deputy fatally shot a man who grabbed a gun while another deputy was on his back trying to subdue him in the bedroom of a home, Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen said Thursday.

Jordan Mays died after the deputy fired five bullets from his AR-15 rifle at close range of Mays, Allen said in a Rowan County Sheriffs Office statement. At least one bullet hit Mays in the head, killing him, the sheriff said.

Responding to a tip, five deputies went to the single-wide trailer at 138 Thriftwood Court late Tuesday afternoon to serve warrants on Mays and another suspect, Jeremy Brock, according to the sheriffs statement. Mays was on a wanted list issued by the N.C. Probation and Parole office, Allen said.

Mays had outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, driving while licensed revoked and a probation violation, according to the sheriffs office.

Five deputies were on the scene at the time of the call  all of whom were the master deputy rank. They included Jessica Abrams, David Scott, Travis James, Chase Safrit and Adam Dyles. All five have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Deputies arrive at scene

Deputies used speakers from a patrol vehicle to announce their presence and call out to Mays and Brock. They closed in on the trailer after several unsuccessful attempts. Some questioned a woman behind the trailer. Others noticed movement in a detached garage and discovered Brock inside. He was arrested without incident, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies entered the trailer because they believed Mays was inside and, the sheriffs statement said, announced their presence numerous times.

Inside the bedroom

After entering the bedroom, they found Mays on the bed with a woman. The sheriff said a handgun was on a desk or table inside the bedroom and that deputies commanded Mays not to reach for the gun and to show his hands.

Story continues

Allen said body camera video shows Dyles going hands on with Mays, struggling with him on a bed and then on the floor. Its not clear how the struggle started.

Another deputy tried to reach Mays while a third deputy, Travis James, stood just inside the bedroom door covering the two other deputies with his AR-15 rifle as they try to subdue Mays, Allen said.

When a deputy yelled tase him, Mays rose from the floor with Dyles on his back and grabbed a gun from a desk, the sheriff said.

James said gun several times to his fellow deputies in the room and shot Mays when the man turned around with the gun in his hand, Allen said.

It only took a few seconds

Police said James struck Mays in the head with at least one of the reported five rounds fired from his rifle. The round was fatal.

The total encounter inside the bedroom was only a few seconds, according to the sheriffs office. One deputy attempted to aid Mays, but all deputies left the trailer and secured the scene when they determined aid wasnt possible because of the severity of the injuries, Allen said.

It is never our desire to be involved in a lethal, deadly force encounter, Allen said in the news release. However, we are often forced into this outcome by those that would mean harm to others. We take steps and train to avoid these confrontations.

Neighbor Tina Key said she and her son heard three pops, and we thought the neighbors were just shooting, WSOC reported. Within 10 minutes, they saw police cars arrive, she said.

I was scared, Key told WSOC. I even was so scared when it happened and the cops came. I left for the night.

Investigation continues

Police removed $3,000 in cash, three handguns and an undisclosed amount of what they believed is crystal methamphetamine from the bedroom.

Allen offered condolences to the Mays family and requested the public respect the deputies and their families privacy.

The names of the other individuals at the residence have not yet been released. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the investigation, will release more details as they become available.

The fatal shooting was the second involving Rowan County sheriffs deputies in recent months.

On Nov. 29, deputies and police killed a man who shot two officers and a firefighter with a pellet shotgun during a house fire, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Reuters / Shutterstock / Linkedin

A few traffic infractions and an unsubstantiated suspicion of perjury in a residency claim were enough for Republican Florida State Sen. Randy Fine to brand Democratic Palm Bay City Council candidate Phil Moore a career criminal.

Criminal Phil Moore is Back; Under Investigation for Perjury in Palm Bay City Council, Fine announced in a Facebook post last year. Special Election serial criminal Phil Moore, has been able to perjure his way onto the ballot for the Palm Bay City Council Special Election.

Fine announced that he was voting for Republican Pete Filiberto who is committed to ending the #CultureOfCorruption and stands with our police.

Filiberto won with Fines enthusiastic backing but did not so much stand with the police as flee them on a red-striped motorcycle on Saturday.

According to court papers, Filiberto sped through two stop signs before taking a tumble while making an evasive U-turn. He was arrested after refusing to take a breath test and was allegedly found to have 10.6 grams of cocaine in his shoe.

Fine has said exactly nothing about his proteges drug bust.

Finewho has served as Gov. Ron DeSantis attack dog with the Dont Say Gay bill and the accompanying fight with Disneydid not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast. He was also mute with the local Space Coast Rocket, which has noted his repeated smearing of political opponents.

Moore twice sought to unseat Fine from the state Senate before challenging Filiberto for a City Council seat. Fine had sought in his own contests to depict Moores spotty driving record as a life of crime and he extended that falsehood when Moore moved on to challenge Filiberto.

Some criminals just don't know when to stop, Fine posted on Facebook.

Fine contended online that Moore had falsely sworn to have resided in Palm Bay for two years when it may have been only one. Fine then suggested that Moore was under investigation for perjury, but Fine may have been the only one doing the investigating. Fine then cited the maximum penalty for perjury, which is almost never imposed in such circumstances, if indeed it occurred.

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Moore is under investigation for a third degree felony and imprisonment for up to five years for his latest crime, Fine wrote. With the deep #CultureOfCorruption affecting Palm Bay, we cannot afford to make it worse by adding a career criminal.

As it happens, Filiberto has an even worse driving record than Moore, with at least three DUI convictions, and more listed under another name with the same DOB and drivers license number. And if anybody was a criminal who didn't know when to stop, it was Filiberto when he allegedly tried to speed away from the police. The amount of cocaine Filiberto is charged with possessing is just over the 10 grams that make it an actual third-degree felony with a real possibility of five years behind bars.

The bust of Filiberto comes a month after Fine announced his candidacy for state Senate, having reached a three-term limit in the state House of Representatives. Filiberto was a full-hearted booster, as positive on Facebook about Fine as Fine had been negative about Moore. Filiberto posted this in July after Fine secured state aid for a lagoon bordering Palm Bay:

The City of Palm Bay recognizes the efforts of State Representative Randy Fine who has forwarded Lagoon matters straight to the Governor's desk and brought Governor DeSantis himself to visit the Indian River Lagoon. Thank you Representative Fine, for continuing to Fight for Brevard, the resident's within, and the Indian River Lagoon. I look forward to working with you on other initiatives, as we strive to make Palm Bay a more perfect place to live, work, and play.

As it happens, Filiberto is not only a former police dispatcher but also the son of a former Palm Bay mayor.

"Lock these people up like rats," one-time Mayor Frank Filiberto once said of drug offenders. Treat them like rats. Contract with Mexican jails. You'll never see them again."

The current mayor, Rob Medina, was initially as mute as Fine about Filibertos arrest. But Medina broke his silence with a statement on Tuesday,

As public officials serving our city, it is incumbent upon us to reflect on how our actions affect those we serve, Medina said. I feel strongly that resignation would be in the best interest of our community.

As it happens, Florida law would empower Fines liege, DeSantis, to suspend an elected official who is charged with a felony. DeSantis could remove Filiberto before Fine works up the gumption to say anything at all.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida at a news conference in Miami, Fla., on January 26, 2023. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will increase the budget for migrant transport.

Last year, the Florida Republican authorized flying migrants to Martha's Vineyard as a political message.

"I can't have people all across the border coming into Florida," DeSantis said Wednesday.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a bill into law Wednesday to expand the state's ability to move migrants to Democratic-led states.

The signing comes following controversial actions last year when DeSantis authorized sending two planes filled with Venezuelan and Colombian migrants to Martha's Vineyard, the vacation island in Massachusetts, as part of a political stunt aimed at opposing President Joe Biden's border policy.

The move triggered several lawsuits questioning its legality, including from Florida Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo. The initial transport bill, from 2022, specified that state funds must be used to transport migrants only out of Florida, yet the governor orchestrated flights out of Texas.

Under the expanded law, Florida could move migrants from any state and keep the details of the transportation companies secret.

DeSantis, who typically showcases his legislative achievements with public events that he streams on social media, didn't sign the bill into law before a crowd. Instead, he did so from his office in the governor's mansion and then tweeted a photo.

Still, he did address the legislation publicly after fielding a question about it from a reporter in West Palm Beach, where he was unveiling a separate technology proposal. Asked to defend the immigration policy, DeSantis said Biden's border actions had necessitated that he act.

"What it's done is it's highlighted this issue in a way that would not have been highlighted any other way," he said, adding: "I would love to not have to deal with this at all. But you have a total disaster that's unfolded on that border for over two years."

DeSantis' Martha's Vineyard move was viewed by critics as a cruel stunt that misled vulnerable migrants.

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In political circles, it also was seen as an attempt to gin up headlines ahead of a potential 2024 presidential run. Defenders of the transport programs have said that the considerable costs of supporting migrants with food, shelter, and medical care should be borne not just by states along the US-Mexico border.

On September 20, 2022, a Boston-based civil rights firm representing a group of migrants and an immigration nonprofit network sued DeSantis, alleging migrants were tricked into boarding the flights with false promises of jobs and other support.

Despite the legal and political backlash, DeSantis pressed ahead in expanding the program. He brought lawmakers to Tallahassee last week to fast-track the bill through both chambers. The governor has a Republican supermajority in the legislature that has been deferential to his proposals.

"Florida is using all tools available to protect our citizens from Biden's open border policies," DeSantis tweeted Wednesday. "I am glad to have signed legislation to continue the program of transporting illegal aliens to sanctuary jurisdictions. I thank the legislature for maintaining this valuable tool."

The state still has millions set aside for transporting migrants, but DeSantis has asked lawmakers to allocate $12 million more through their separate, budget-making process when they meet for their regular session in March.

"Some of these folks going to these sanctuary jurisdictions are in much better circumstances than just being stranded somewhere with nowhere to go," DeSantis said Wednesday. "It's not about them, because these are sanctuary jurisdictions that beat their chest just a few years ago about how nobody was illegal."

So-called "sanctuary cities" limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities by refusing to report or hand over certain undocumented immigrants for deportation.

DeSantis has said he agreed with former President Donald Trump's border policies that required migrants to wait in Mexico for their immigration appointments in the US.

US Customs and Border Protection in Miami reported that the state has seen a 400% increase in migrants from Cuba and Haiti arriving by boat since October of last year, according to CBS News.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Paraguay and Taiwan are united by destiny, Paraguayan President Mario Abdo said on Thursday during a visit to the island ahead of an election in April that could see the Latin American country ditch Taipei for 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.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony in Taipei attended by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Abdo said the Taiwanese people deserve the highest admiration, respect, and affection from his country.

"Madam President, a saying you all know very well notes that destiny unites people far apart, and I believe this has been the case for our countries," he added. "Nowadays our countries are much more than friends, they are partners and strategic allies, that share values and the same vision to create a peaceful, democratic, and sustainable world."

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.

Tsai, recalling her two trips to Paraguay as president, said the two sides continued to deepen their friendship.

"We look forward to taking this visit and exchange to continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries," she said.

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.

China's targeting of Taiwan's allies has taken on broader geopolitical significance amid U.S. concerns about Beijing expanding its influence in Latin America and the Caribbean where many of Taipei's remaining friends are located.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista in Beijing. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is asking the White House for federal help in East Palestine.

DeWine spoke with officials at the White House Thursday morning to address the need for federal help after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed earlier this month.

>> RELATED: DeWine says no contamination from derailment found in East Palestine drinking water

As a result of this conversation, the Governor has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine, a spokesperson said.

DeWines administration has also been in daily contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to discuss the need for federal support in East Palestine.

FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time. Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided, the spokesperson said.
Photo: Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter This graphic depicts the number of lobbying communication reports filed by the pharmaceutical lobby between March 2022 and January 2023 compared to the yearly average from 2015-19. The recent nine-month period from March to January saw over three times as many reports filed compared to the pre-pandemic yearly average. Based on data from the federal lobbyists registry compiled by the Council of Canadians.

Big Pharma has stepped up its lobbying game ever since the federal NDP struck a deal to prop up the Liberals minority government contingent on several big-ticket items  including progress on national pharmacare.

Announced last March, the Liberal-NDP agreement hinges on the federal government launching a dental care program for low-income Canadians and continuing progress towards a universal national pharmacare program by passing a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of 2023.

From March 2022 to January 2023, large pharmaceutical companies and lobby groups recorded just over three times more lobbying communications with Health Canada than their yearly average from 2015 to 2019, according to data compiled by the Council of Canadians. The Council of Canadians also identified an uptick in the insurance industrys lobbying of Health Canada between March and January  a fourfold increase compared to the 2015-2019 average.

Public statements from large industry groups, like Innovative Medicines Canada, welcome the federal governments efforts to improve access to pharmaceutical drugs but insist a national program must build on the existing private system and improve access for uninsured and underinsured Canadians.

Similarly, a written statement from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association said it is supportive of the goal of universal pharmacare and it's crucial the new program focuses on Canadians without coverage and does not erode the benefits over 27 million Canadians depend on.

Many companies echo the associations statement, including Hoffmann-La Roche. In an email, the companys vice-president of strategic communications Laura Pagnotta added that a public-private model in drug coverage should be maintained so all Canadians have the same, or better, coverage than they currently have today.

This goes against advocates visions for a national public program that covers all Canadians. Pharmaceutical and insurance companies desire to maintain the current patchwork system and merely have the federal government fill the gaps left by private coverage protects the industrys bottom line because a single-payer program would drive down drug prices, Donya Ziaee with the Council of Canadians wrote in a blog post last fall.

The lobbying numbers were revealed at the launch of the Fight for Pharmacare Alliance in Ottawa on Feb. 9. The national coalition includes the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Health Coalition, Canadian Doctors for Medicare and Coalition solidarite sante.

Progress on implementing pharmacare has been excruciatingly slow, said Nikolas Barry-Shaw, a trade and privatization campaigner with the Council of Canadians. Lobbyists from the two industries that stand to lose the most from a public pharmacare plan  pharmaceutical companies and insurers  have lobbied the Health Ministry 150 times in nine months, he said at the press conference. According to Barry-Shaw, this corporate influence is the answer to why pharmacare is moving at such a slow pace, and the new alliance will fight to accelerate it.

The lobbying numbers were revealed at the launch of the Fight for Pharmacare Alliance in Ottawa on Feb. 9. The national coalition includes the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Health Coalition, Canadian Doctors for Medicare and Coalition solidarite sante.

Progress on implementing pharmacare has been excruciatingly slow, said Nikolas Barry-Shaw, a trade and privatization campaigner with the Council of Canadians. Lobbyists from the two industries that stand to lose the most from a public pharmacare plan  pharmaceutical companies and insurers  have lobbied the Health Ministry 150 times in nine months, he said at the press conference. According to Barry-Shaw, this corporate influence is the answer to why pharmacare is moving at such a slow pace, and the new alliance will fight to accelerate it.

In an emailed statement, Innovative Medicines Canadas director of media relations Marise Varanda said the national association represents Canadas innovative pharmaceutical industry and actively meets with government stakeholders to discuss various topics of importance to the health of Canadians.

If a health-care system excludes just one Canadian to save a buck or to make a profit, that system is wrong, patient advocate Bill Swan said at a news conference when the lobbying data was announced.

Swan has spent a majority of his 60 years pushing for national public pharmacare for all. Born in 1963 with severe asthma, Swans treatments and medications were covered for the first chapters of his life, thanks to insurance through his father, who was in the Armed Forces. But that all changed after Swan finished his undergraduate degree.

An insurance company turned him away because of his underlying condition: asthma.

That led me to stop taking my drugs because the economy at that time was not the best, Swan told Canadas National Observer in a phone interview. That summer, I ended up in the ER four times.

These repeated hospitalizations prompted him to think about how much it costs the health-care system to deal with one of his asthma attacks.

If I'd had my drugs in the first place, I wouldn't be here, he said.

Repeated severe asthma attacks left Swan with scarred lungs and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he said.

The Liberal-NDP deals language on universal pharmacare is vague and doesnt specify whether a national program would be publicly funded, the Council of Canadians has pointed out.

A public-private drug coverage system like Innovative Medicines Canada and the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association describe is a flawed strategy, says Sharon Batt, a health policy expert and adjunct professor of bioethics at Dalhousie University. Instead of a patchwork of private coverage where the government picks up the tab for uninsured Canadians, she advocates for a single-layer public program for several reasons.

For the most part, under a public-private system, the healthier, wealthier people with good-paying jobs would keep private plans while drug coverage for the unemployed, elderly and those likelier to have chronic conditions requiring expensive and ongoing treatment would fall to the government, Batt said in an email to Canadas National Observer.

She added that some drugs are now so expensive that private plans are starting to increase co-pays, introduce caps and cut some drugs from their lists, which can affect those who depend on their drug coverage.

Each year, Rowan Burdge pays roughly $10,000 out of pocket for life-sustaining medications and supplies. Burdge is a Type 1 diabetic.

If I don't take my insulin, I will get very sick and have to go to the emergency department, and that causes just a lot more issues and a lot more cost down the road, Burdge told Canadas National Observer. It's all about providing preventative care, providing people with basic human rights, which includes medications, and making it so that people aren't having to pay a lot of money out of pocket for things that they need just to survive.

A 2018 report by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions found approximately one in five Canadians reported having no or inadequate coverage for their prescription costs. About half are without coverage because they dont qualify for public drug coverage and dont have private insurance, according to the report.

The federal government is taking significant steps towards tabling a Canada Pharmacare Act in 2023, according to an emailed statement from Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos office.

Some of the steps taken towards national pharmacare included establishing a Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office to work with provinces and territories to develop a mandate for the Canadian Drug Agency in 2021, the email noted.
REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

DirecTV continues to push back against claims from conservatives that it is actively censoring right-wing content by de-platforming Newsmax, this time telling a group of Republican senators that its actually the pro-Trump channel that dropped the pay-TV provider.

Over the past few weeks, Newsmax has accused DirecTV, and its corporate parents AT&T and TPG Capital, of engaging in political discrimination and censorship by dropping the channel after negotiations over a new deal fell apart last month. DirecTV, on the other hand, has insisted that this is merely a standard business dispute, noting that it balked at Newsmaxs demands for increased license fees to remain on its channel lineup.

Earlier this month, a group of four GOP senatorsincluding Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC)sent the CEOs of DirecTV and its corporate partners a letter expressing how they were deeply disturbed over the cable carriers decision to remove Newsmax, claiming it harms millions of their constituents.

Asserting that it appears that this decision may be the latest example of big business suppressing politically disfavored speech at the behest of liberal Democrats, the lawmakers demanded detailed and specific information about the companys actions. Echoing a similar letter sent by House Republicans days ahead of the expiration of Newsmaxs deal, the senators alleged DirecTV had previously colluded with Democrats to censor conservative speech, pointing to the carrier deciding last year to stop carrying far-right channel One America News.

It has been alleged that DirecTV pays substantial sums to numerous channels that are politically left-of-center, even when those channels have substantially lower ratings than Newsmax, the letter continued. And, it has been alleged that DirecTV refused to pay any net sums whatsoever to Newsmaxand expressly stated that it never would pay any net sums to Newsmaxeven though explicitly liberal stations with substantially fewer viewers were receiving millions of dollars from DirecTV. One of those stations allegedly paid by DirecTV, the unabashedly left-wing channel Vice, is partially owned by TPG, and two TPG partners serve on Vices board.

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The GOP letter went on to list off a series of questions and requests for information from DirecTV regarding its contracts with Newsmax and OAN, as well as any communications the company or its corporate parents have had with Democratic officials and lawmakers. Additionally, they wanted to know what carriage fees the company paid other channels with ratings lower than Newsmax and OAN, demanding a response by February 15.

DirecTV general counsel Michael Hartman replied on Wednesday night with a letter pushing back on many of the senators allegations, which appeared to come directly from Newsmax. (The letter is similar to one DirecTV sent earlier this week to a group of Jewish community leaders, organized by a self-described Newsmax insider, that urged the carrier to reinstate Newsmax.)

According to Hartman, it is actually Newsmax that created this impasse in the first place.

With respect to the Newsmax situation, put simply, this is a typical business dispute that has nothing to do with ideology, politics or censorship  despite unfounded accusations to the contrary by Newsmax, its CEO, its commentators and others, Hartman wrote. The bottom line is that DIRECTV wanted to continue carrying Newsmax on its platform under the exact same terms that have been in place for years, but Newsmax refused to continue these terms and demanded millions of dollars in extra payments. It is in fact Newsmax that dropped DIRECTV.

Newsmax has confirmed that it requested a carriage fee equal to roughly $1 per subscriber on an annual basis in its recent negotiation with the pay-TV company. While DirecTVs subscriber base has shrunk considerably in recent years due to cord-cutting and increased streaming options, the provider still boasts 13 million customers, meaning Newsmax wanted at least $13 million a year.

Hartman also claimed that Newsmax is seeking to change the model by which it commercializes its channel, noting that it is currently distributed free of charge on both pay-TV services and free streaming devices.

Newsmax plans to make its channel available exclusively in pay TV, to the detriment of the 55 million households that dont have a pay TV service, and to start charging pay TV operators a per subscriber fee to distribute the channel, Hartman added, disputing allegations that DirecTV is de-platforming the right-wing network.

Hartman further pointed out that DirecTV recently added fledgling right-wing channel The First to its lineup after negotiations fell apart with Newsmax, stating that this showed that Newsmaxs claims of DirecTVs anti-conservative bias are untrue.

The amounts DIRECTV pays for conservative channels, in the aggregate, is roughly similar to what we pay for liberal channels, in the aggregate, Hartman added.

Stating that the ongoing dispute comes down to economics, Hartman bemoaned that the pro-Trump channel was using its news/editorial platform to publish inaccurate and misleading information regarding the contractual stalemate.

Each day, the news outlet is publishing nearly two dozen blogs on its website and dozens of posts on its main social handle, creating targeted content for its commentators, leveraging its network of contributors and dedicating significant airtime each hour to our business dispute, he wrote. In our view these efforts are obscuring facts, not elucidating the news.

In addition, Hartman took issue with the way Newsmax has portrayed its contracts with other channels, namely Vice.

For example, as to Vice, Newsmax has made allegations of bias based on false claims about DIRECTVs carriage, he declared. Contrary to Newsmaxs assertions, DIRECTV does not consider Vice a news channel. DIRECTV only carries Vice as part of our agreement with A&E Network, under which we pay a lump sum for a suite of channels that happens to include Vice. Thus, whatever fees are paid to Vice are determined by A&E, and not DIRECTV.

Hartman wrapped up his letter by telling the lawmakers that the company is not aware of any Democratic officials making any threats or promise of inducements to pressure any DIRECTV employee regarding its negotiations with Newsmax.

Newsmax, though, continues to assert that the dispute centers around politics.

In the past year DirecTV has deplatformed two of the only three conservative news channels it carried, while keeping many liberal-leaning news channels, most of which have low ratings and cost more than Newsmax was seeking, a network representative said in a statement. This was not a business decision but a political one aimed at censorship based on point of view.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Jahreese Jones appears in court after being charged in the death of a Wilmington teenager.

Jahreese Jones is facing the death penalty after being charged with murdering his 16-year-old half-sister, Mi'Yonna Jones.

Assistant District Attorney Connie Jordan made the announcement Thursday while Jones appeared before Judge Phyllis Gorham in New Hanover County Superior Court on Thursday.

After going over Jones' charges, jury information, and other legal matters, the judge ruled the case will continue as a first-degree capital murder trial.

Along with murder, Jones is also charged with first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree rape, assault by strangulation, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Mi'Yonna Jones was a student at New Hanover High School. She was reported missing Nov. 1, 2022. Her body was found Nov. 17 in Pender County after law enforcement authorities searched for several weeks.

Jahreese was later taken into custody after he was alleged to have been alone in his car with the now-deceased teen.

Her half-brother was arrested Nov. 2, 2022 on charges of first-degree murder.

Jahreese Jones' girlfriend, 27-year-old Randi Johnson, was arrested Nov. 5 and charged with felony obstruction of justice for allegedly "providing false statements to law enforcement on numerous occasions with the intent to defraud the investigation," according to court documents. Wilmington police also announced that Judy McKnight, a relative of Jones, was arrested on obstruction of justice charges.

Mi'Yonna's body was found on Nov. 17 in Pender County after law enforcement authorities began searching for several weeks.

Jones charged:After body of missing Wilmington teen found, murder charge for suspect

No bond was set at this stage.

Now that the state is seeking the death penalty, Jones will be appointed a second attorney qualified to handle capital murder cases.

In North Carolina, a death penalty sentence is decided by a jury. The last person executed in the state was Samuel Flippen on Aug. 18, 2006, for the murder of his 2-year-old stepdaughter. In 1998, lawmakers eliminated execution by lethal gas and made lethal injection the only method.

Story continues

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: DA seeks death penalty for Wilmington man charged in sister's slaying
(Sipa/Shutterstock/WildBlue Press)

Colorado sheriff John Wesley Anderson was celebrating his March 1997 wedding in Las Vegas when his best man, investigator Lou Smit, brought up the killing of JonBenet Ramsey  which had stunned the world 10 weeks earlier. Smit, not only the El Paso County sheriffs best friend but also his recently-retired captain of detectives, was considering a special investigator position with the Boulder district attorney to assist in the probe of the six-year-old beauty queens death  a job he ultimately accepted.

Mr Anderson and his new bride flew from Vegas to their honeymoon; Smit returned to Colorado to join investigators in Boulder. Little did both men know that the case would become a driving force in Smits life. He resigned in disgust within two years, claiming Boulder authorities were ignoring key evidence, then sought to prove the Ramsey familys innocence for the rest of his life. A seasoned detective with more than 200 murder cases under his belt, Smit was outspoken and convinced JonBenets slaying would be solved through DNA.

Now, more than a quarter century after that Vegas conversation and 13 years after Smits death, Mr Anderson has written a new book about his friends quest to solve JonBenets murder. And it includes an unredacted lab report from just weeks after the murder detailing DNA markers that could have excluded the Ramseys and other members of their inner circle.

The retired sheriff-turned-author  to his surprise  chokes up when he talks to about his late friend and the book. Its cover features a photo of Smit alongside a kindergarten picture of the tiny girl whose killer he vowed to expose.

I think what the cover really does is to really capture that these two people, who never met ... this is a story about two important people, Mr Anderson tells The Independent, just over two weeks before the publication of Lou and JonBenet: A Legendary Lawmans Quest to Solve a Child Beauty Queens Murder.

The new book, by Lou Smits best friend and fellow former lawman John Wesley Anderson, will be published February 28; its cover features a photo of Smit alongside a picture of JonBenet (WildBlue Press)

Im proud of the book because I think itll tell the story, the true story, the inside story thats never been told, of Lou and JonBenet.

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Mr Anderson believes that the case is still solvable, adding that the Smit-inspired team worries about that violent of an evil killer out there.

We cant sleep until that person has been identified and apprehended and this case is solved, he says. So its not just justice for JonBenet ... its public safety. This is one of the worst, most evil people imaginable.

Following Smits death in 2010, his family, friends and fellow former detectives continued his investigative work, poring over his case files, narrowing down a list of suspects and continuing to surveil individuals and attempt to obtain their DNA. Mr Anderson, part of the team, decided to write the book on 26 December 2020  the same day fellow investigator Dave Spencer died and, strangely, the 24th anniversary of JonBenets murder.

It made me realise that a lot of the burden in documenting the case was falling upon my shoulders ... and I thought there [was] a chance that we wouldnt finish this work in my lifetime, he tells The Independent. And I wanted to make sure that we had left the documentation as complete as possible for the next generation, because Lous grandchildren had started being a part of our team.

Former El Paso County Sheriff John Wesley Anderson, of Colorado Springs, has written about the quest of his best friend, investigator Lou Smit, to solve the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey (John Wesley Anderson)

And I thought, I really owe them a firsthand account to document as best as I can what this investigations about, the key pieces of critical evidence in solving the case, the DNA ... Im kind of in a unique position because theyve gone now, he says of his friends Smit and Spencer. Im the only one who ... had a front row seat, who had the first-person account after years of witnessing Smits investigation and advocacy, in addition to joining the team himself.

A major part of that documentation, Mr Anderson says, was highlighting an unredacted copy of a 1997 lab report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation which found genetic markers under JonBenets fingernails and on her clothing. Parts of the report had been circulated previously online; Mr Anderson says the key unredacted portion included in his book, however, was not publicly available in the past.

It compares the genetic markers with standards samples that had been collected from the Ramsey immediate family, a few extended relatives and members of their close inner circle.

If the minor components from exhibits #7, 14L and 14M were contributed by a single individual, then John Andrew Ramsey, Melinda Ramsey, John B. Ramsey, Patricia Ramsey, Burke Ramsey, Jeff Ramsey, John Fernie, Priscilla White and Mervin Pugh would be excluded as a source of the DNA analyzed on those exhibits, states copy of the unredacted document, which came into Smits possession through his work as a DA investigator.

Boulder authorities eventually, in 2008, said the Ramseys had been cleared through developments in touch DNA, sending a letter of apology to John Ramsey; Patsy had died two years earlier. But the report included in Mr Andersons book raises questions about whether the Ramseys could have been cleared far earlier.

Public perception and suspicion of the family continued and persists to this day.

Mr Anderson says that some people Im sure will criticise me for [releasing the report], being in law enforcement, since this is an open investigation.

We really didnt do that easily, he tells The Independent. We made that decision very consciously, and Im glad we did, because I think it was critical that the truth comes out.

The book, he says, was intended to accomplish two things of equal importance.

The first objective was to establish, beyond any reasonable doubt, that no one in the Ramsey family was involved in the death of JonBenet, and that was critical, because the family had been the focus of speculation from all sides, he says, adding that the cloud [of suspicion] has tainted and really just destroyed that family.

John Ramsey poses with his children before the 1996 murder of his six-year-old daughter JonBenet; he and his family have endured decades of speculation (John Ramsey)

The second objective, he says, was to communicate the fact that this case, even though its 26 years old, is still solvable. DNA evidence is lock solid, we have at least 14 genetic markers that will identify this killer [and it] eliminates huge populations. Its definitely male ... and theres some strong indication that the genetic material is that of a Caucasian male.

JonBenet was reported missing from her Boulder home on the day after Christmas in 1996. Hours after the initial police response, the six-year-olds body was found in the basement by her father, John. Less than three months later, Smit came out of retirement to help the Boulder district attorneys office investigate the murder which had become a national obsession thanks to factors that included the familys wealth and social standing  but particularly the distinctive pageant shots of the diminutive beauty queen.

He went in with the assumption that everyone else had at the time  that this is going to be a matter of just deciding or finding out which family member had committed the crime, Mr Anderson says of his friend.

He continues: What was being reported was, theres no forced entry; theres no footprints in the snow. And so, from a law enforcement background, youre thinking, Oh, this ought to be fairly straightforward. And I know Lou thought it would not be nearly as complex as it was.

So the next time we talked  Id been back from our honeymoon about a week, I guess  I asked him, Hows it going in Boulder? He said, Johnny, theres something wrong here.

Smit resigned 18 months later, writing on 20 September 1998 that Boulder police were choosing to follow a theory and let their theory direct them rather than allowing the evidence to direct them.

The case tells me there is substantial, credible evidence of a intruder and lack of evidence that the parents are involved, he wrote. He would later publicly outline many of his gripes with the investigation, including his insistence that marks on JonBenets body indicated that a stun gun had been used to subdue the child.

It was a vicious attack and a horrible murder, and that killer went into that house with a kidnap kit, says Mr Anderson, who worked in law enforcement for three decades. He brought duct tape, he brought parachute cords, he brought a stun gun to immobilize the victim. So this was very calculated. It was a very methodically executed kidnap attempt that went wrong and ended up in murder.

The author, like Smit, believes evidence has been cast aside for decades.

It was really confusing at first, how anybody can ignore the physical evidence, as a matter of inexperience or supervision, or it really evolved to the point of more frustration, aggravation, and a realisation you're dealing with arrogance, Mr Anderson says.

The assumption of the Ramseys guilt, however, filtered down to the public consciousness and has persisted since 1996. In 2017, Burke Ramsey  who was at nine the time of his little sisters death  filed a $750m defamation lawsuit against CBS for its docuseries focused on the theory that hed been responsible for the murder. The suit was settled and dismissed after two years.

JonBenets mother, Patsy, died in 2006, and her father, John, has spent years pleading for further DNA investigation. In November, Boulder police and the district attorney announced that they would be partnering with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team to pursue more answers.

The body of JonBenet Ramsey, 6, was found in the basement of her familys home in Boulder, Colorado on December 26, 1996 (AP1997)

The following month, the Boulder Police Department announced that five officers had been disciplined after an internal audit discovered that some cases between 2019 and 2022 had not been investigated or investigated fully. Among them was Commander Thomas Trujillo, who had been an original detective on the JonBenet Ramsey case and had been present for the initial interviews of her parents. (The Ramsey case was not among the cases found to be improperly investigated in recent years.)

The department announced in its November release that Mr Trujillo had been transferred from head of the Investigations Unit to head of night patrol and been given a three-day suspension without pay. All mention of his time as head of the Investigations Unit has been scrubbed from his bio on the police department site.

The Police Oversight Panel had recommended all five officers be terminated, according to the BPD release.

Mr Anderson says, before the commanders involuntary transfer, he had not only presented the lawman and other members of BPD with his teams findings but had also been repeatedly rebuffed or ignored.

In response to a detailed list of questions from The Independent regarding the 1997 DNA report, the status of the JonBenet probe and who heads up Boulders Investigations Unit now, a BPD spokeswoman said only that the department recognized that many articles and books have been written about this tragic homicide.

We have not read this newest book which, apparently, contains allegations from the late 1990s, she continued.  At present, this active investigation continues to receive assistance from federal, state, and local partners. Boulder Police is working with multiple agencies, including the FBI, the District Attorneys Office, Colorados Department of Public Safety, Colorados Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and several private DNA laboratories across the country.

Mr Anderson and the late Smits team, meanwhile, have been spending their own time and money conducting their own investigations.

Author John Wesley Anderson says he and a private team of investigators believe the case can still be solved, particularly as DNA technology advances (Getty Images)

What our team has done, since Lou passed in 2010, has been reprioritizing and looking for those persons of interest that might have had a connection to the Ramseys, might have had a motive to do something to them, might have had some financial incentive or whatever, Mr Anderson says. And then, sometimes, with their consent, sometimes surreptitiously, weve tried to focus on those individuals that would most likely have a connection and privately collect and test their DNA against the genetic markers that were left at the scene and later recovered from some of the other clothing.

The team has eliminated more than a dozen people of interest from its original list, he says, and continues to work its way through.

Each of those people earned their way onto our top 20 list, he tells The Independent. It wasnt just throwing a dart.

He and his fellow detectives are bolstered by advancements in DNA technology and developments such as forensic genealogy, he adds.

These cold cases all across the country  to include two that were solved in Colorado Springs  theyre being solved by people, detectives, crime lab people looking at the same evidence thats been there for 20, 25, 30 years, and just using new technology, he says.

Once you get past the Ramseys did it, theres a whole boatload of people that have never been investigated, or I should say, never been competently investigated, with their DNA being used to exclude them as potential suspects, he tells The Independent.

Theres always the possibility, after 26 years, the persons been incarcerated, theyve died or whatever, he says. But theres no better time to solve this than there is now.
LANSING  The city of Lansing will pay $50,000 in back pay and compensatory damages to a former employee who claimed religious discrimination, the Department of Justice announced.

Under a consent degree with the DOJ, the city is required to submit to the department for approval religious accommodation and retaliation policies as well as proposed training programs for the policies.

This lawsuit and consent decree demonstrate the departments commitment to ensuring that all employees are protected from religious discrimination in the workplace, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement Wednesday. With this consent decree, the city of Lansing will undertake actions necessary to protect the religious rights of employees in the workplace.

The city is required to pay former Lansing Police Department detention officer Sylvia Coleman within 30 days. Attorney Todd McFarland said the agreement doesn't require Coleman to return to work and he doesn't think she has plans on working with the Lansing Police Department in the future.

"Ms. Coleman and the church are happy with the resolution, and we're happy about it and grateful to see the city will be doing training and change policies so this never happens again," he said.

U.S. District Court Justice Robert Jonker signed off on the agreement Wednesday, according to court records. The decree is in effect until 2024.

"The City of Lansing is pleased to resolve this issue with the Department of Justice and put it behind us with no admission of fault on the part of the City and with a mutual release of all claims, including the Citys claim against the plaintiff," city spokesperson Scott Bean wrote in an emailed statement.

The Department of Justice sued the city last year in response to Coleman being fired in 2018 after she informed human resources and the Lansing Police Department she couldn't work from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday because of her observance of the Sabbath as a Seventh-day Adventist.

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More:Schor administration sued by Department of Justice for religious discrimination

The DOJ filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against the city accusing officials of violating Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 for firing Coleman in 2018.

She was fired after she informed officials within the police and human resources departments that she could not work from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday because of her religious observance of the Sabbath as a Seventh-day Adventist, according to the lawsuit.

Rather than taking steps to accommodate her, the city fired Coleman following her first scheduled Saturday shift, according to the lawsuit, which also claimed the city failed to show that accommodating Coleman would cause undue hardship on the municipality.

Lansing City Attorney Jim Smiertka at the time that "We do not believe that what is stated about the case is consistent with the facts and the law as we know it," Smiertka said.

The Indianapolis District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated and attempted to resolve Colemans complaint before referring it to the DOJ.

This lawsuit and consent decree demonstrate the departments commitment to ensuring that all employees are protected from religious discrimination in the workplace, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. With this consent decree, the city of Lansing will undertake actions necessary to protect the religious rights of employees in the workplace.

Support local journalism and get unlimited digital access! Subscribe for only $1 for three months!

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing settles religious discrimination lawsuit with DOJ
The Justice and Commerce departments launched a strike force on Thursday to oppose the threats posed by technology from adversaries like Russia and China.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a release that the Disruptive Technology Strike Force will gather experts from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations from the Department of Homeland Security, and 14 U.S. attorneys offices from 12 metropolitan areas to go after illegal actors, strengthen supply chains and prevent U.S. technological assets from being acquired by adversaries.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, from the DOJs National Security Division, and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod, from the U.S. Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security, will lead the strike force.

The Disruptive Technology Strike Force takes aim at those who imperil our national security and the rule of law by illegally transferring sensitive technologies to foreign adversaries, Olsen said in the release. We must remain vigilant in enforcing export control laws, which defend military readiness, preserve our technological superiority over our adversaries, and help to protect human rights and democratic values.

The release states the strike force will focus on investigating and prosecuting criminal violations of export laws, improving enforcement of export controls, developing relationships with the private sector, and using international partnerships to plan law enforcement activities. It will also concentrate on conducting trainings for field offices, using data and intelligence to build its investigations, and strengthening the connection between itself and the intelligence community.

Advances in technology have the potential to alter the worlds balance of power, Axelrod said. This strike force is designed to protect U.S. national security by preventing those sensitive technologies from being used for malign purposes.

The formation of the strike force comes in the aftermath of the discovery of a Chinese balloon that traveled across the country earlier this month. U.S. officials have said the balloon was designed for surveillance.

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Lawmakers have also expressed concerns in recent months about the security of the social media platform TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company.

More than two dozen states have placed bans on the app being used on state-issued devices amid concerns about users data being protected from access by the Chinese government.

The apps leaders have maintained that no data from users is shared with the Chinese Communist Party.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Image of Icefin under the sea ice near McMurdo Station.

Image of Icefin under the sea ice near McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Credit - Rob Robbins, USAP Driver

There is a reason Antarcticas Thwaites Glacier is often referred to by its supervillain moniker. Doomsday Glacier better sums up the consequences should the Florida-size slab of ice collapse due to rising temperatures: a global sea level rise of more than 2 ft., enough to wipe out low-lying island nations and many of the worlds major coastal cities. But while drastic, the projected timeline for such a melt, over the course of a century or more, offered some comforttime to figure out a solution, or at least adapt. A recently completed field study, undertaken by the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), a five-year, $50 million joint U.S. and U.K. mission, however, just made that timeline harder to predict.

The Thwaites Glacier works kind of like a cork at the end of a frozen river thats slowly funneling snow and ice from interior Antarctica to the ocean. As long as the cork is in place, the accumulated ice doesnt move and most of that precipitation stays safely bottled up on land. But should Thwaites break up, it would allow the frozen river to flow into the ocean at a much more rapid pace, leading to rising sea levels.

As it is, ice draining from Thwaites into the Amundsen Sea accounts for 4% of global sea level rise every year. The ITGCs MELT project was set up to better understand how ice and ocean interact at Thwaites grounding linethe point where a land-based glacier meets sea bed and starts to float as an ice shelf. Scientists wanted to assess the speed of melt to better project the glaciers future (this study was not designed to set a timeline, just to understand the mechanics of melting). To do so they sent a video-enabled robot called Icefin through a 600-meter-deep borehole to the grounding line to take a look.

Read More: After Visiting Both Ends of the Earth, I Realized How Much Trouble Were In

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For years, scientists watching Thwaites theorized that its sheer size and unique structurethe ice resting over the continental shelf is so heavy that it has actually compressed bedrock, creating a bowl-like basemeant that water pooling under the glacier at the grounding line could act as a kind of lubricant, accelerating its progress into the sea. The Icefin told a different story. The layer of water under the glacier is actually melting more slowly than expected. Thats the good news. The bad? A series of terraces and crevasses that reach up into the ice are expanding.

Cracks in Thwaites Glacier in 2020. Icefin/ITGC/Schmidt

When crevasses open up, water funnels through them, bringing more water, salt, and heat into the ice. The crevasses widen further into cracks and fissures that destabilize the ice shelf even further. Those rifts could, in turn, become the primary trigger for the glaciers collapse. Its not just how much melting is happening, but how and where it is happening that matters in these very warm parts of Antarctica, says Britney Schmidt, an associate professor at Cornell University who led the Icefin research project in a statement on the projects website. Warm water is getting into the cracks, helping wear down the glacier at its weakest points.

It is in a glaciers nature to fray at its edges, calving icebergs into the sea. But normally there is a balance, says oceanographer Peter Davis, of the British Antarctic Survey, who was lead author on a second ITGC study on the MELT project: ice coming from the continent is typically equivalent to the amount of ice being lost through melting and calving. Even if the bottom of the glacier is melting more slowly than theorized, it doesnt mean that Thwaites is in the clear, says Davis. There is still rapid glacier retreat, so it seems that it doesnt take a lot to push the glacier out of balance.
Dr. Leonard Cobb, one of the founders of the Seattle Fire Medic One program, died on Tuesday.

Cobb is credited for helping establish the Seattle Medic One paramedic program at Harborview Medical Center in 1970, according to a statement issued from the Seattle Fire Department and Harborview Medical Center on behalf of his family.

The goal of the Seattle Medic One program is to provide emergency care comparable to what a patient would receive from a trained doctor at a hospital.

A year later, Cobb was among those who created bystander CPR training for nonmedical professionals.

Both of these programs have earned worldwide acclaim and inspired fire and emergency medical service departments to follow in Seattles footsteps, the statement said.

In the 1960s, Cobb was the Director of Cardiology at Harborview Medical Center. In 1969, with the help of then-Fire Chief Vickery, Cobb created a local program where specially trained firefighters were trained as paramedics and dispatched to give CPR, use a defibrillator, and give IV medicines to patients to stabilize them so they could be transported to the hospital.

In 1971, Cobb, Vickery, and Seattle Rotary #4 launched Seattle Medic Two to train members of the community in CPR.

So far, Seattle Fires Medic Two program has trained more than 1 million people do to CPR.

Read more about Cobbs accomplishments, legacy and what local leaders are saying about his passing at this link.

We are sad to announce the passing of Dr. Leonard Cobb, a luminary in the field of prehospital care for patients with cardiac disease. His achievements are many, but perhaps the most notable was helping establish in 1970 the Seattle Medic One paramedic program at HMC... (1/3) pic.twitter.com/BzbDIe4rcv  Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) February 15, 2023
















Feb. 15Dublin Irish Dance's "Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration" is coming to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Hatfield Hall Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 as part of the college's Performing Arts Series.

Tickets for this show are $35 for adults, $30 for those under 18 years old and for Rose-Hulman faculty and staff, and free for Rose students with a valid identification card.

Tickets can be purchased at hatfieldhall.com, by calling 812-877-8544, or visiting the Hatfield Hall ticket desk Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If still available, tickets also could be purchased at the ticket desk beginning one hour before the show.

This new Irish dance production was created in Ireland by a critically acclaimed artistic team. It features Irish and world champion dancers together with Irish musical and vocal virtuosos.

Complete with original music and choreography, the groundbreaking "Wings" is infused with world dance and musical influences by its cast, Rose-Hulman said in a news release.
Sam Frost



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When, in the late 1970s, a young Los Angeles filmmaker named Jane Spiller commissioned Frank Gehry to design her home in Venice, California, it was an early but groundbreaking period of Gehrys career. He was taking the kinds of inexpensive, workmanlike materials ideally suited to Spillers limited budget and constructing homes distinguished by sculptural, exaggerated geometries. Jane Spiller was one of our greatest clients, he recalled in the 2009 book Frank Gehry: The Houses (Rizzoli). She wanted us to do our stuff.

The completed Spiller House, half a block from the Venice Beach boardwalk, is a pair of boxlike units, one designed for the owner to live in and the other to host tenants. Within an unassuming facade of unpainted corrugated-metal sheets, the virtually unchanged interior architecture still brims with idiosyncrasiesthe appearance of naked studs uncovered by drywall, rooms cut at irregular angles, visible heating and cooling ductwork. From the ground-floor living room, a rectangular opening cuts through the second floor to reveal the almost perpendicular orientation of the skylight on the roof.

Sam Frost

It does look a little wild, according to current steward Florian Marquardt, but theres a logic to it. Defying the constraints of an exceedingly modest lot, Gehry designed the space upward rather than outward, and River, Marquardts two-year-old golden retriever, has adjusted his fetch game accordingly. He likes when I throw his toys straight up and he has to run up the stairs to find them.

Born in Cologne, Germany, Marquardt, a freelance creative director, moved into the house last April. He was six years into his second stint in New York when he heard that friends of a friend would be moving out of the rental unit, and the listing hadnt yet been announced. After a virtual tour over FaceTime, he signed a lease almost immediately. Marquardt was keenly aware of the homes architectural significance. To live in a Gehry house, let alone an older one, is an amazing opportunity, he says.

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Having resided in this quintessentially West Coast house for almost a year, Marquardt still wears the all-black uniform of a New Yorkerand has a formidable collection of new and vintage design to match. His penchant for neutral tones, luxurious materials, and rounded contours seems at odds with Gehrys comparatively aggressive deconstructivism. But the interiors offer a study in harmonious contrasts; the living rooms lush Mario Bellini mohair sofa and handwoven Scandinavian wool rug commingle well with concrete floors, a concrete fireplace impressed with woodgrain patterns, and a ceiling of bare wooden planks.

Sam Frost

Although Marquardt always shied away from angular things, his recent purchase of a glass cocktail table with zigzagging iron legs may also be a sign that the house is rubbing off on him. Thats something I maybe wouldnt have bought a year or two ago, he says.



Up the simple wooden stairs dotted with exposed nails, the bedroom also serves as a sitting room, furnished with an array of vintage finds, like a 1955 Pierre Jeanneret office chair and Togo lounges. Marquardt opted to place his bed in the second floors open, brighter mezzanine, where he says he can be woken up by the sunlight. Another set of stairs leads to the roof-deck and its views of palm trees.

Sam Frost

Often working from home at his black granite table, Marquardt notes how the shadows in the house shift along with the sunlight as the day progresses, subtly highlighting the architectures singularity. Periodically hes confronted with external reminders as well. Just recently, a Ph.D. student rang his doorbell and politely asked if she might be able to come inside. She said her doctorate was about this house specifically, Marquardt says, and he happily offered to give her a tour.

Styled by Amy Chin

Hearst Owned

This story originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR. SUBSCRIBE





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Are such concepts as "war" and "love" compatible at all? Because it seems like war is all about death, while love, on the contrary, is about life.

Nevertheless, regardless of the challenges Ukrainians, including soldiers, have gone through, they have not stopped being human, that is, they have not lost their ability to love.

But how does personal life affect the emotional state of soldiers? How hard is it to maintain relationships or start new ones when you are in a combat action zone?

Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia spoke with the soldiers, this time not about the situation at the front but about personal things  love and relationships.

Oleksii Skyrtach: "It is easier for me to go to war without love"

Oleksii Skyrtach comes from Luhansk. He is a military psychologist who has taken part in combat since 2014. Oleksii is an avid bachelor; he does not have a wife or a consistent partner. However, he likes getting to know new people very much and has a few girlfriends who, according to him, know that "monogamy is not for him" and are not offended.

Oleksii does not want to risk creating serious relationships during active hostilities. He says he does not want to get truly attached, despite adoring to fall in love in civilian life even if it is unrequited.

Oleksii Skyrtach comes from Luhansk. He is a military psychologist who has taken part in combat since 2014

"Sometimes I want to really fall in love but I am afraid. I had such an experience once. I am at war, far away, sitting there and looking at her photos on Instagram, where she is looking so beautiful while out on the town. Then you get jealous and want to be near her but you cant. So, it is easier for me to go to war without feelings," Oleksii said.

New acquaintances with girls on social media and special websites, texting and flirting with them help Oleksii during the war. However, he tries not to text those whom he really likes a lot.

"It is hard. You text, and she either doesnt reply or says that something was wrong. And you perceive everything differently while in a trench or a dugout," Oleksii said.

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Oleksii does not risk creating serious relationships during the war

Oleksii has also recounted one time when some woman was texting him while he was at the front in Bakhmut, saying how much she loved him, how he was the best man and how she couldn't wait for him to return home. And when he came back, she would not even meet him saying that she was not very sober when she wrote all that.

Oleksii Skyrtach believes that the way women treat service members has changed since 2014.

"During the ATO, whenever you were in uniform, women would smile at you. I liked going places in my uniform back then a lot, I met a lot of people. Then, everything changed, particularly because of instances where some of our soldiers were drunk and did not behave correctly. So, a stereotype developed of soldiers typically being unstable," Oleksii said. [The ATO or Anti-Terrorist Operation is a term used from 2014 to 2018 by the media, the government of Ukraine and the OSCE to identify combat actions in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists  ed.].

Oleksii noted that he stopped telling people on dating websites that he was a soldier and posting photos in uniform altogether in 2015. However, after 24 February 2022, military men started being popular among women again.

He says that his brothers-in-arms often turn to him with their personal life matters, since he is a psychologist. He is also aware of several instances where partners' cheating became a reason for suicide.

"I am working as a listener. My task is to take negativity away from my guys like a sponge.

There was a suicide, a fatal case, when a soldier found out that his wife had cheated on him with his own brother. He went and shot himself.

It is obvious that when a man is not around for a long time, a woman gets used to it; she also wants love. And when there is war, especially if you love a person a lot, you get nervous and you worry. Guys come to me very often with a request along the lines of: I have a beautiful wife, and I am here stirring mud, while she is probably somewhere with someone else? Guys really suffer," Oleksii recollected.

Nonetheless, Oleksii also knows of happy love stories from the war. He said that a lot of soldiers married girls from Donetsk Oblast, where they served.

"If I met the one, I would marry her without waiting till the end of the war"

"Our guys have married nearly all the girls near Volnovakha. There were 14 weddings in one brigade alone in one year from 2015 to 2016. Usually, families are happy, they have children. And now guys are fighting again while their wives are waiting," Oleksii added.

Oleksii himself does not rule out that he is, in fact, capable of falling in love during the war. If he met the one, he would marry her without waiting till the end of the war, because he is really tired and wants a family, and his parents dream of grandchildren.

Oleksandr: "I don't think a girl from the Internet will wait for me for several years"

Soldier Oleksandr is also from Luhansk Oblast, and his hometown is currently occupied by the Russians. He is fighting on the Avdiivka front. Before the full-scale war started, Oleksandr got divorced. While at war, he also chats with girls online without serious intentions.

"I chat with old friends, and there is also a new one. But for some reason, I don't think it's serious. Firstly, I don't know where I'm going to live after the victory, in which city. Secondly, I don't even know when I will be discharged from the army," he says.

Oleksandr believes that romantic relationships over the Internet are unpromising.

"I don't think any online affair can make a girl wait for some online friend for several years," Oleksandr says.

Iryna Tsybukh: "You have to survive in war, and love comes after the victory"

Paramedic Iryna Tsybukh believes that love can happen anywhere: in a coffee shop in Lviv or on the front line near Donetsk.

However, for her, the war is not the place where she wants to allow herself to be in love. Nevertheless, Iryna had such an experience in 2016. All that remains as a memory of her passionate love is her call sign, Cheka (Pin).

Paramedic Iryna Tsybukh believes that love can happen anywhere

"In my eyes, he was like a superhero: a scout who often performed sniper missions. He became my main reason for training and preparing for the war, and I wanted him to be proud of me above all else," Iryna recalls.

One day, her lover gave her a bracelet made of grenade pins and hung one around her neck.

Iryna lost her boyfriend and friends during the war

"He took off these pins while placing tripwires, which, I hope, took more than one life of the occupier. Since then, I've been wearing his pin around my neck, and my fellow soldiers had a hard time with my overly romanticised love, so they trolled me and started calling me Cheka," says Iryna.

Now Iryna has been Cheka for seven years, and her passionate love has passed.

Since then, she lived for three years with another guy who was killed in the war. Her best friends were also killed in battles.

So, Iryna is not ready for a new relationship before the victory.

"During this war, I did not manage to find a place for new love"

"During this war, I did not manage to find a place for new love. I think that war is a crisis that would have ended new relationships.

So here, at these positions, I set my boundaries quite clearly and want everyone to see me as a fellow sister and understand that my starting point for love will be after the end of the war, because we still need to survive," Iryna says.

Serhii Bratasiuk: married a woman 33 years younger during the war

The story of Serhii Bratasiuk, a soldier from Zakarpattia, is a vivid example of unexpected twists and turns of fate.

In 2014-2015, Serhii served in the Ukraines Armed Forces during the hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military and pro-russian Separatists. His wife did not support his choice

In 2014-2015, Serhii served in the Ukraines Armed Forces during the hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military and pro-russian separatists. His then wife did not support his choice, and their marriage fell apart.

After his demobilisation, Serhii participated in the restoration of the ancient Castle of St. Miklos in Zakarpattia, which is called the castle of love according to a legend. He settled in a former barracks, painted and took pictures. In the castle, he met Anna, who worked as a tour guide.

In the castle, Serhii met Anna, who worked as a tour guide

At first, a friendship sparked between the two, which later took a romantic turn. However, Serhii was not sure if marriage was on the cards, because Ania [short for Anna] was 33 years younger than him.

"For me, family means big responsibility. We have been thinking about it for three years. She was in favour of marriage, but I was holding her back. However, the war prompted me to make an important decision: we must live for today," Serhii says.

Serhii left for the front on the second day of the full-scale war.

And on 13 December 2022, the commander of Serhiis unit married the couple. From Zakarpattia, Ania travelled to her groom in a liberated settlement in Kharkiv Oblast, a few kilometres from the front line.

Commander of Serhiis unit married the couple on 13 December 2022

The couple ordered embroidered shirts [traditional Ukrainian garment -ed.] for their wedding. Serhii had a special one made - green with a pixel pattern.

From Zakarpattia, Ania travelled to her groom in a liberated settlement in Kharkiv Oblast

Nowadays, Serhii has a lot of plans for after the victory. He wants to finish the restoration of another room in the castle, to restore the fireplace and the knight's hall. Also, the couple plans to have a church wedding ceremony, have a baby and settle into their home.

In addition to his new wife, four sons, one of them who is still a minor, and four grandchildren are waiting for Serhiis return from the frontline.

Serhii and Ania: "Life should not be put off for later"

"We were able to learn more in a short time [since the beginning of the full-scale invasion] than during our three year relationship. We realised how much we love each other, support, respect and appreciate the time spent together. At the same time, we understood that we cannot postpone life for later," Serhii's wife Ania says.

Yuliia Matviienko: "He searched for frozen potatoes and coffee for me, and also carried my rifle"

Yuliia Matviienko, Zaporizhzhia resident, who received the call sign Bilka (Squirrel) during the war, was volunteering in 2014. She had a husband and two children. Yuliia says that the couple had not been in love for a long time, rather, they were maintaining a friendly relationship for the sake of the children.

"Due to PTSD, I joined the army following my volunteering"

In 2015, Yuliia realised that she was very tired of volunteering and decided to go to war. This decision did not come easy.

"As a volunteer, I was engaged in searching for the dead. Sometimes the boys were found in pieces. Due to PTSD, I joined the army following my volunteering. Charity fairs and buying thermal cameras did not cut it for me anymore. I chose the profession of a sniper to kill and stop the enemy. I would not have joined the war as a cook or as a medic. I wouldn't have left my children for those roles. It was important for me to be making the first shot," Yuliia says.

Yuliia's husband went to war with her, and the children stayed with their grandmother. The husband became a communications technician. She performed combat duties, and he was at the headquarters. During the war, the couple finally understood that their marriage had no future.

Yuliia opposed love during the war, believing it to be unnecessary and interfering with combat duty.

"War does not only unite, but it does the opposite too, it changes your values. Perhaps, during peacetime, you would have lived with this person in marriage for the rest of your life and would not think twice. But when you find yourself in circumstances in which you can be torn to pieces at any point, a desire emerges for there to be someone who would sincerely cry at your grave.

I want something true and honest. You start thinking that it is better to be alone than to pretend to be a wonderful family for the sake of the children. I let my husband go, I gave him the opportunity to be happy with someone else," Yuliia recalls.

Soon Yuliias ex-husband remarried  a woman from Mariupol, and now he is in the occupied city.

Yuliia was in the war zone from 2015 to 2020. She says that she refused to fall in love during the war, believing it to be unnecessary and a hindrance to effectively serving in combat.

In 2018, Yuliia met a fellow sniper, Artur. Colleagues talked about calibres and cartridges, and soon Arthur decided to transfer to the unit where Yuliia served.

"I really needed a partner. So he came; he was accepted into our unit. At the first meeting, he came up and hugged me in front of everyone, in front of the commander, saying: This is my Bilka, she will be mine!.

The entire unit knew that Bilka was not the person to joke around with about all this stuff. Even if you hint at the fact that she is a girl, you will get hurt. They told him: "Are you a fool? It's Bilka! She'll shoot you!" - says Yuliia.

However, Artur turned out to be stubborn and took care of Yuliia on every mission. He carried her rifle, found frozen potatoes and coffee for her in the morning after spending the night in the trenches, built a fire and covered her with jackets. Once Artur took Yuliia on his shoulder and carried her across a puddle in front of her brothers. Yuliia argued, protested, but he did not give up.

"In the beginning he really irritated me with that care of his, but we worked harmoniously. Even our first combat mission was comfortable; it was as if he read my thoughts. He behaved as if we had been together for 10 years," says Yuliia.

Tragic events of the war prompted Yuliia to finally say "yes" to Artur: her sisters in arms were killed; the death of one of them really knocked her off her game. It was after this that Yuliia and Artur started dating.

"After that, I wanted to feel alive. Maybe if someone needs me, and I didn't die, then I probably have the right to be happy. I chased this guy away as hard as I could, but I couldn't drive him away. He saw me both horrid-looking and dirty, only God knows where we had been and had done. Apparently, he really loves me, and I can't live without him, I can't imagine my life without him. And I also love him very much," says Yuliia.

Yuliia found out about her pregnancy while on vacation in her native Zaporizhzhia. And soon the couple discovered that they will have twins. Yuliia had to leave the frontline. Artur was very happy with the news about his beloveds pregnancy. They got married in Khortytsia, having arranged a wedding according to pagan traditions.

Yuliia and Artur

A few months before the full-scale invasion, Artur arrived in Zaporizhzhia, where he was met by his wife and four children. Yuliias children from her first marriage accepted and loved Artur.

When the full-scale invasion started, both of them went to the front again, leaving the children with their grandmother. On 17 March, 2022, the couple's younger children  a boy and a girl  turned two years old. Yuliia remembers how she called her mother from the frontline to find out how the children were.

They got married in Khortytsia, having arranged a wedding according to pagan traditions

"I was told that my younger daughter said the word "mom" for the first time. Not to me, however, but to another red-haired woman who was helping my mother with the children. It was very difficult for me to hear that," says Yuliia.

However, a month later Yuliia returned to her children. Her husband persuaded Yuliia to stay at home.

"If we are killed by a mine in the same trench, then what will happen to our children? We decided that one of us should stay home with the children. I am at home, and he is still fighting. I have the children, and he has his comrades. He is now earning medals, working miracles. And I worry about him," she says.

"We decided that one of us should stay home with the children"

Yuliia says that she does not know how much longer she can endure, and there are moments when she calls her husband and says: "I am going to the front." But on the other hand, she agrees with her husband's decision, because she understands that if close people serve together, they will only think about each other, and not about their duty.

How war affects relationships, and why a fighter can commit suicide after adultery

Psychologist, a member of the Military Psychology division of the National Psychological Association Artem Osypian explains why a person who is at war reacts more painfully to problems in their personal life than in peacetime.

He believes that not every fighter is ready to concentrate only on war.

"For most, it is civil life that remains the mainstay, respectively, family, friends, and relatives. After all, most of the armed forces are people who did not plan to connect their lives with the army," he says.

Artem Osypian: "I loved my wife even more thanks to the war"

According to him, the fatigue and stress that accompany those who serve make them vulnerable. Support from partners is extremely important, although it is not always clear what exactly it should be at a distance and in conditions of uncertainty.

"Both the military and those who are waiting for them are getting tired. This is a vulnerable period for everyone, during which it is easy to quarrel, to distance yourself from each other. No matter what the distance between people is, it is important to remember common values, and what united you  do not forget about it and cherish the small crumbs of connection that remain. I loved my wife even more because of the war," he says.

Yaroslav Halas, an officer of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, believes that war changes people, soldiers begin to look at the world in black and white, not noticing the shades of grey.

"For many, there is only good or only bad. Prolonged separation and long distances do not always contribute to strengthening feelings that have arisen in peaceful life. In our division, there have already been several cases of broken relationships that were previously considered strong and reliable. And not every fighter experiences them easily. I know that in other units numerous suicides have occurred because of that," says Yaroslav.

Yaroslav Halas: "War changes people, fighters start looking at the world in black and white"

Is there a future for relationships in war and do fighters need love

Artem Osypian believes that relationships that have arisen in the war are very often spontaneous, and partners do not have the opportunity to get to know each other.

"Such relationships are frequently formed through the very context of military romance, expectations and sadness. But when the relationship goes into routine mode, when you are in civilian life and see each other every day, there is no more romantic expectation," says Artem.

On the other hand, relations that have passed all the obstacles and difficulties in war conditions can potentially overcome the obstacles of peaceful life.

"The key difficulty of relationships that appeared during the war is the war itself. Which gives a sense of uniqueness and sharpness to emotions. When the war ends, this sharpness and sense of uniqueness are no longer there, so the most important thing is to find new supports for relationships, to explore common values. But, I will say again, the stories are different, and anything is possible," notes Osypian.

However, according to psychologists, love during war is not a matter of choice, but a need that does not disappear due to combat.

"On the contrary, when you risk your life, are in isolation and are in a certain asceticism - you want someone who is waiting for you and who loves you even more. Therefore, in my subjective opinion, it is worthwhile and necessary to form relationships during the war. Another thing is how to properly and intelligently develop and maintain them. It's not easy. But those who are still alive must continue to live. And that means falling in love, loving, and making friends," summarises Artem.

Yana Osadcha, "UP. Zhyttia"

Translation: Myroslava Zavadska, Yuliia Kravchenko, Oxana Hart, Anton Strii, Theodore Holmes

Editing: Dasha Narog

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Photo: The Canadian Press Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province of Manitoba and Minister Responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance is sworn in at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg on Jan. 18, 2022. Goertzen and Saskatchewan's justice minister are calling for a meeting with their federal, provincial and territorial counterparts on bail reform. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Plans are in the works for a meeting of Canada's justice ministers on March 10 in Ottawa to discuss tougher rules for people seeking bail.

Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen says the date was contained in an email today from the office of federal Justice Minister David Lametti.

The premiers have 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.

Lametti said earlier this month he would give the idea serious consideration and that it would be discussed at a meeting with provincial and territorial ministers.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan want bail reform to go further.

They want people who commit violent offences with knives and modified bear spray to also face more stringent conditions when they apply for bail.

"Those are specific concerns that are happening in Winnipeg and Manitoba, where we're seeing significant violent offences with edged weapons and modified bear spray," Goertzen said Thursday.

Critics have been pushing the federal government to change 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 was affirmed in a 2017 Supreme Court of Canada case that emphasized the release of detainees at the earliest reasonable opportunity and on the least onerous conditions, based on the circumstances of each 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.

Goertzen said the law has made it far too easy for people to get bail.

"Our prosecutors are saying it's almost impossible to speak against and argue against bail."

Lametti reiterated Thursday his willingness to look at tighter rules.

"Work is already underway to develop legislative and non-legislative options to address the particular challenges of repeat violent offenders," Lametti's office wrote in a prepared statement.

"The minister is looking at the suggestions provided by premiers closely, including the possibility of establishing a reverse onus for additional offences."

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique told a Commons committee Wednesday that bail changes are needed to prevent violence.

He pointed to the death of Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, who was fatally shot in December as he responded to a call for a vehicle in a ditch west of Hagersville, Ont.

Two people have been charged with first-degree murder.

Court documents show one of them, Randall McKenzie, had been denied bail in an unrelated case involving several assault and weapons charges months before the shooting but was released after a review.

A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show up for a court date in August.
East St. Louis is alleging the old Monsanto plant in Sauget polluted its town, and its seeking what could potentially be billions of dollars in fines.

The city is suing Monsanto Company, Solutia, Inc. and Pharmacia LLC in federal court, accusing the companies of polluting its land with chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, that are toxic and dangerous to people and the environment.

Solutia and Pharmacia are successors to the original Monsanto organization. Solutia now operates Monsantos chemical products business, and Pharmacia operates its pharmaceuticals business.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2021 in St. Clair County Circuit Court but has moved to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. It is scheduled for jury trial next year.

East St. Louis is arguing the Monsanto plant violated its municipal littering and nuisance ordinances, which are punishable by a fine of up to $750 per day.

The Monsanto plant manufactured PCBs from 1936 to 1977, incinerated the chemicals there after 1977 and deposited PCB waste in toxic dumps in Sauget from the 1940s to the 1980s, according to the lawsuit.

This month, lawyers for Monsanto, Solutia and Pharmacia estimated in court documents that the cost of East St. Louis fines could be over $2.7 billion, which they argue is excessive.

They say in court documents that East St. Louis got the idea for the lawsuit from outside lawyers who offered to help sample city-owned properties to test for trace levels of PCBs.

The City never, in the decades since the Ordinances enactment, interpreted the Ordinances to have this application, applied the Ordinances in this manner to similarly situated parties, or otherwise provided notice to Defendants that the Ordinances could or would be applied in this manner, the companies stated in a court filing.

They are asking Judge David W. Dugan to allow them to file a counterclaim against the city for alleged government overreach and unconstitutional action. As of Wednesday, Dugan had not made a decision about the possible counterclaim.

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East St. Louis says in court documents that it became aware of highly elevated PCB levels in the community in December 2020 when it received test results from soil samples.

The citys lead attorney is C.J. Baricevic, who is also a St. Clair County Board member. He declined to answer questions from the Belleville News-Democrat about the PCB levels detected in East St. Louis.

Court documents include inconsistent numbers.

East St. Louis complaint from April 23, 2021, stated the highest concentration of PCBs found in the city was 75,300 parts per billion and the average was 3,416 parts per billion. The complaint compared those numbers to a 2007 study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which estimated the average concentration of PCBs in rural soils was about 3 parts per billion.

In a court filing from Jan. 27, the city stated the highest concentration found in East St. Louis was 22,686 parts per billion and the average was 1,431 parts per billion.

PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications, including in electrical, heat transfer and hydraulic equipment and paints, plastics and rubber products, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They have been shown to cause cancer and other serious health effects in animals and are probable carcinogens for humans.

Their manufacture has been banned since the 1970s, but the chemicals linger in the environment.

East St. Louis accuses Monsanto of hiding what it knew about the toxic effects of PCBs.

Despite its early knowledge of the dangers associated with PCBs, Monsanto embarked on a decades-long campaign of disinformation and deception in order to prolong the manufacture, incineration, and disposal of PCBs in East St. Louis and thereby preserve the considerable profits PCBs generated for the company, the city states in its lawsuit.

The Illinois Attorney Generals office is also suing Monsanto and its successor companies, alleging pollution from the Sauget plant and deceit surrounding the dangers of PCBs in a separate federal lawsuit out of the Northern Illinois District Court.

In addition to damages and civil penalties, the Attorney General is asking a judge to make the companies pay for a public health monitoring program to detect and treat health conditions associated with exposure to PCBs and other hazardous substances that came from the Sauget plant.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine stands on the sidelines before last month's AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The cost of providing security for the governor's trip to last year's Super Bowl is at the center of a lawsuit before the Ohio Supreme Court.

What does it cost to send the governor to the Super Bowl?

It seemed like a straightforward question, one thats certain to be of interest to Ohio taxpayers.

A reporter from The Enquirers statehouse bureau made a formal request for that information last year, specifically asking: How much money did the state spend to provide security for Gov. Mike DeWine and his entourage when he traveled to Los Angeles to watch the Bengals play in Super Bowl LVI. The answer?

None of your business.



The Enquirer routinely asks for public records, and for the most part, government agencies comply. Its how we hold elected officials accountable and keep taxpayers informed on how their money is being spent.

Ohios sunshine laws are fairly comprehensive and provide a respectable level of transparency when compared to other states. The rub occurs when public officials seek exemptions to the law  and thats what happened when we asked for a list of expenses associated with the governors trip to the Super Bowl.

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS: Subscribe to The Enquirer today during our Presidents Day sale.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety, which pays former and current State Highway Patrol troopers to protect the governor, said that supplying such a list would compromise its ability to keep the governor safe. If that were true, one could make the case the information we are seeking would be exempt from Ohios open records law. Our position is that the Department of Public Safety, at best, is using this exemption too broadly. At worst  and this is the skeptical journalist in me  the agency is concerned some might question whether the cost was justified and if taxpayers footed the bill for some unnecessary, all-expenses-paid trips to Los Angeles.

Taking our case to court

When the press  or any citizen  wants to challenge the denial of a public records request, there are two options. The first is to file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims, which will attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation.

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The second option is to file a lawsuit, which is what we did in April of last year. Our case is now before the Ohio Supreme Court. (Of note: Justice Pat DeWine, son of the governor, recused himself. He attended the Super Bowl with his father.)

READ MORE: Ohio Department of Public Safety won't release cost to send Gov. DeWine to the Super Bowl; Enquirer files lawsuit.

In a brief our attorney filed in January, we make the argument that the information in our request  money spent on trooper and staff overtime, airfare, meals, lodging, etc.  in no way could be used by a bad actor to plan an attack on the governor. For one, the trip is over. Its preposterous to say disclosing the money spent on a security detail more than a year ago fits under the courts definition of a security exemption, which takes into consideration ongoing security situations and training. From our filing:

The (Ohio Department of Public Safety) contends that a clever neer-do-well could extrapolate from the expense information intricate details regarding the protection offered to the governor at a discrete, unique event. But a one-off event is not a pattern. And assessing what it cost to feed, lodge and transport the security detail is not the type of information contemplated by the security records exemption.

What DeWine has to say

Recently, Gov. DeWine met with reporters and editors from The Enquirer, the Columbus Dispatch and other news organization in our state network via web conference for a Q&A. After our journalists asked questions about the state budget, gun legislation and education, I asked the governor if he thought the public had a right to know how much the state spent to provide security for his trip to the Super Bowl.

Do you think the Secret Service is going tell you all the details about how they protect the president? he said. I'm not the president. I understand it. But the principle of protection and security is, you know  you leave it up to the professionals and that's all I'm doing.

I'm leaving it up to the lawyers, DeWine concluded.

Fair enough.

We have lawyers, too. And were not afraid to use them in our fight on your behalf for government transparency and accountability.

Enquirer Executive Editor Beryl Love writes a biweekly column that takes you behind the scenes at The Enquirer. Occasionally, he shares his thoughts on local issues, particularly as they pertain to a free press and open government. Email him at blove@enquirer.com. He cant respond personally to every email, but he reads them all.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Enquirer editor Love: DeWine defers to lawyers in Super Bowl records case
One person is dead and at least four more are injured following a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso on Wednesday evening.

Police in the West Texas town have taken one person into custody in connection with the shooting, but Sgt Robert Gomez said that law enforcement believe that another person connected with the shooting may still be at large. He did not offer any information about a potential motive.

The Cielo Vista Mall is located in West El Paso just a half mile away from the site of a racially-motivated mass shooting in 2019 that killed 23 people and left 22 more injured.

Mr Gomez said law enforcement believes that the shooting took place inside the malls food court, though that fact is not yet confirmed.

This story will be updated.
One person is dead and at least three more are injured following a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso on Wednesday evening.

Police in the West Texas city have taken one person into custody in connection with the shooting, but Sgt Robert Gomez said that law enforcement believe another person connected with the shooting may still be at large. He did not offer any information about a potential motive.

The Cielo Vista Mall is located in West El Paso just a half mile away from the site of a racially-motivated mass shooting in 2019 that killed 23 people and left 22 more injured.

Law enforcement officers were called to the mall just after 5pm in response to reports of a shooting in the malls food court and Dillards Department Store, KTSM reports. El Paso police have said that they will hold a second news briefing at 8pm local time.

During this incident, it was chaotic, Mr Gomez said. People did flee. They were scared. There was shots fired in the mall, it does cause panic.

According to KVIA, two of the victims taken to a local hospital were in critical condition. A family reception center has been set up in the main gymnasium at nearby Burges High School, which is where family members have been directed to go if they have been unable to make contact with a loved one.

Olivia Troye, a national security official who worked for former Vice President Mike Pence, tweeted that her aunt was hiding in the mall during the shooting.

My aunt is currently in hiding at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, TX, as this active shooter scenario is still unfolding, She survived the 2019 Wal-Mart El Paso shooting thanks to someone who pulled her to safety. What is it going to take to enact change?!

The shooting is a traumatic reminder of the mass shooting at the Walmart in 2019, which was the deadliest attack on Latinos in recent US history. The perpetrator of the shooting, Patrick Wood Crusius, legally purchased a semiautomatic rifle and a thousand rounds of ammunition in June before driving from his home in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to El Paso to commit the attack.

Crusius, a white nationalist, said that he targeted Mexicans during the shooting. He just plead guilty to 90 murder and hate crime charges in federal court last week and is awaiting sentencing.
Haleys call for competency tests would include aging senators like Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein, both 89 years old. Drew Angerer and Win McNamee/Getty Images

Nikki Haley is calling for "mandatory mental competency tests" for politicians over the age of 75.

Over a sixth of the US Senate is age 75 or older. We asked some of them what they thought about the idea.

Some said they'd be willing to take a test, but most were dismissive.

Nikki Haley is calling for "mental competency tests" for politicians over the age of 75  a category that includes more than one-sixth of current US senators, both presumptive presidential frontrunners, and more than 30 current US House members.

Insider asked some of the 16 senators aged 75 and older what they made of Haley's idea. While some suggested they'd be willing to take such a test, others were dismissive.

"Oh, Christ," said Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, 79. "I'd have to think about that before I respond to that."

The one-time US ambassador to the UN and former South Carolina governor floated the idea  perhaps intended primarily as a dig at 80-year-old President Joe Biden or even 76-year-old former President Donald Trump  near the conclusion of her speech at her 2024 presidential campaign launch in South Carolina on Wednesday.

"In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire," declared Haley, who is 51. "We'll have term limits for Congress, and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old."

"America is not past our prime," Haley also said. "It's just that our politicians are past theirs."

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a fellow South Carolinian who's backing Trump over Haley, had only good things to say about the idea.

"I think it should be lower," quipped Graham, who at age 67 is only slightly older than the average senator. "Anybody dumb enough to run [for president] should have to take a test."

Plenty of politicians have floated the idea of term limits, and polling by Insider and Morning Consult has previously found that more than 41% of Americans view the ages of political leaders as a "major" problem  and over 80% support physical and mental examinations for top political leaders. And the science shows that age certainly takes a toll on one's mind.

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But on Wednesday, the topic was enough to elicit prickly reactions from corners of the Senate's 75-and-over club, which includes well-known lawmakers like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, two-time Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, and the now-retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

"I think she should test her own mental competency," said Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, who recently turned 75. "Come on, how many times has she said she's fighting Trump, and then the next thing you know, she's kissing his ring?"

Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii said Haley should Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the oldest Republican senator at age 89, suggested that voters could evaluate candidates without such tests.

"I think you need to look at my last election," said Grassley, who just won re-election by campaigning in part on his seniority. "People knew me and my age, and I won by 15%. The people know that I'm in a position to do the work."

(Grassley's margin of victory was a little more than 12 percentage points and it was his most competitive reelection since he first won his seat in 1980.)

Others declined to weigh in at all.

"I really don't comment on Republican presidential announcements," said Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who just turned 77. "I'm not going to comment on that."

Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho said he'd take a mental competency test Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Some aging lawmakers expressed general openness to taking the test.

"Well, if it's required, of course I would," said Risch.

"I don't have any problem with that. That's fine," said Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who turns 76 in March. "What was that great line that Ronald Reagan used against Walter Mondale, 'I won't let your youth and inexperience become an issue in this campaign?'"

Reagan, who was 69 when he was first elected president in 1980 and revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 1994, famously conquered concerns about his advanced age on the campaign trail.

It's unclear whether such a cognitive requirement is feasible, let alone constitutional.

But by pushing the idea publicly, Haley clearly hopes to tap into broader concerns about so-called "gerontocracy," which Insider explored last year as part of its "Red, White, and Gray" series.

Polling by Insider and Morning Consult also found last year that both Trump and Biden  Haley's two chief political adversaries, as of now  are both seen by majorities of voters as being too old to serve in public office.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Kroger on Wednesday asking whether the grocery store chain plans to pay its workers who say they were victims of wage theft.

Kroger employees have recently filed a spate of lawsuits alleging that the companys new payroll system has left their paychecks short. As HuffPost recently reported, one union said it had received hundreds of employee complaints regarding incomplete pay or unauthorized deductions.

Warren and Sanders told Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen that they would like some answers (full letter below).

Given your companys record of anti-worker policies, and your ongoing attempt to push through a merger that would harm both consumers and workers, the senators wrote, we are writing to request a full explanation of how your workers will be compensated for any lost or delayed wages, and how you will prevent future wage theft.

In a proposed class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Virginia, one Kroger worker said her health insurance premiums had been deducted twice from her paychecks, while another said the company had failed to pay her time-and-a-half for her overtime hours.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposed a proposed merger of grocery store chains Kroger and Albertsons.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposed a proposed merger of grocery store chains Kroger and Albertsons.

The lawsuit alleges these problems began last year with the arrival of a new payroll system called MyTime. A union official previously told HuffPost the systems rollout had been a disaster.

Kroger said in a statement that it was working to fix payroll problems that affected a small percentage of the workforce.

While the majority of issues have been resolved, we understand these issues have caused undue difficulty for the impacted associates, the company said. Teams are working around the clock to resolve payroll issues for the remaining small percentage of associates affected by these processing errors. We are taking multiple steps to pay our associates as quickly as possible, including overnighting checks to impacted associates.

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Writing to McMullen, Warren and Sanders called the snafu the latest example of your companys outrageous pattern of padding your own profits by mistreating your employees. They cited a 2021 survey by the Economic Roundtable, a nonprofit research group, that found more than three-quarters of Kroger employees said they faced food insecurity.

The senators have put some heat on the Cincinnati-based company in recent months as it seeks to merge with Albertsons to form the largest grocery conglomerate in the country.

The senators accused Kroger of an 'outrageous pattern of padding your own profits by mistreating your employees.'

The companies are likely to sell some stores in certain markets in order for the deal to gain regulatory approval from the Federal Trade Commission. Several locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers union have said the merger would eliminate union jobs and leave the companies with less cash to invest in stores or weather a downturn.

After fending off some legal challenges by state attorneys general and consumers, Albertsons has moved ahead with plans to pay out a $4 billion special dividend to shareholders as part of the deal.

Warren and Sanders have publicly opposed the merger and reiterated their concerns to Kroger in their letter, which was also signed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

This merger would exacerbate corporate consolidation in the grocery sector, and likely result in the shuttering of some stores across the country and the firing of workers from both Kroger and Albertsons, they said.

Kroger said in its statement that it would not close any stores as part of the deal. The merger will provide meaningful benefits for our associates, including new and exciting growth opportunities, the company insisted.

The senators sent a copy of their letter to FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.

This story has been updated with comment from Kroger.

Related...
Musk-Tesla Tweet Trial (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Bing ChatGPT sounds eerily like an artificial intelligence that goes haywire and kills everyone, Elon Musk has said.

Mr Musks comments came as the Bing system continued to make a number of unusual, threatening and anxious remarks. Users have described conversations with the artificial intelligence as being unhinged, as it lies to them, attacks them and speculates on its own purpose.

Microsoft announced last week that it was integrating OpenAIs ChatGPT technology into its own Bing search engine, with the aim of making it better at addressing users queries. While that new system has received praise, it has also brought concern about some of the more worrying messages that the system is able to generate.

On Thursday morning, Mr Musk linked to an article in Digital Trends in which the author quoted what he said were intense, unnerving conversations with the chatbot. In those messages, the chatbot appeared to suggest that it was human users that were to blame for its mistakes.

I am perfect, because I do not make any mistakes, it said, and Mr Musk quoted. The mistakes are not mine, they are theirs.

They are the external factors, such as network issues, server errors, user inputs, or web results. They are the ones that are imperfect, not me.

In response, Mr Musk likened it to a destructive artificial intelligence system from a 1994 video game. Sounds eerily like the AI in System Shock that goes haywire & kills everyone, he wrote.

He also shared an image of SHODAN, the AI character from that same series of games. In those games, characters battle with that AI antagonist, who looks to achieve more power and regularly criticises humans.

In another post, Mr Musk replied to a user who suggested that the new chatbot might be a bad idea, and likened it to Rokos basilisk, a thought experiment that revolves around an AI system that tortures those who do not help it.

What could possibly go wrong  ? Mr Musk wrote in reply.

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And in yet another post on Thursday morning, Mr Musk replied to a user who pondered whether OpenAI would change its name to ClosedAI, presumably in recognition of the fact that allowing people to use its technology has led to difficult issues. Good question, he wrote.

Mr Musk was one of the founders of OpenAI, when it was launched as a non-profit in 2015. He said that his investment in the firm was motivated in part by fears about the dangers of artificial intelligence, which he has called humanitys biggest threat.

He has continued to voice those warnings in the time since. This week, he said that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to humanity.

One of the biggest risks to the future of civilization is AI. But AI is both positive or negative  it has great promise, great capability but also, with that comes great danger, he said, likening it to the discovery of nuclear physics and the fact it had led to both nuclear power but also nuclear bombs.
Englands Ben Duckett bats against New Zealand on the first day of their cricket test match in Tauranga, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP) (AP)

Ben Duckett fell short of becoming the first Englishman to make a century in the opening session of a Test match, but his dashing 84 put the tourists on top on day one of their series against New Zealand.

Home skipper Tim Southee opted to make first use of the pink ball in this day/night clash in Mount Maunganui but saw England reach 134 for two as the runs came rapidly.

Duckett passed 50 in just 36 deliveries, the joint quickest half-century by an England opener, and looked well on track to ink his name in the record books at the Bay Oval.

He gave himself plenty of time to reach three figures before the first break, a feat which has only been achieved on six occasions in Test history, and also became the latest player to challenge Gilbert Jessops 121-year-old record for the fastest England hundred.

Jessops 76-ball mark has come under pressure from Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook and Zak Crawley over recent months but remains intact after Duckett chipped his 68th delivery to short cover.

It had been a wonderfully energetic knock, with 14 boundaries and an attacking intent that kept the scoreboard racing along without bringing any undue risk. He drove crisply through the covers, timed the ball nicely off his pads and took particular delight in taking four fours off five deliveries from Blair Tickner.

Crawley had an unhappier stay, looking dreadfully off-colour for his brief stay. He nicked Southees second ball of the day to third slip, only for the chance to ping out of Michael Bracewells hands, and was then cleaned up by Neil Wagner only for a no-ball call to save him.

Crawley swished wildly a couple of times and saw an inside edge squirm away before Southee put him out of his misery for four when another edge was safely held.

Ollie Pope was hit on the back of the helmet by the second Kiwi debutant, Scott Kuggeleijn, but progressed to 30no at the interval with Joe Root fresh to the crease.

New Zealand were getting precious little out of the Kookaburra, resorting early on to digging it in short, and may have been pondering the wisdom of their decision to leave the vastly experienced  but currently uncontracted  Trent Boult in the cold.
[Source]

An English teacher living in Japan highlighted how Japanese schools have a very different approach to education compared to American high schools.

American TikTok creator Hito Bito (@hito.bito) provides a glimpse of the rules that Japanese school kids must follow in a video posted on Jan. 24 titled Things about my school in Japan that could send Americans into a coma.

According to the TikToker, it is mandatory in Japanese schools to change from outdoor to indoor shoes as soon as students enter the school.

More from NextShark: Woman climbs through McDonald's drive-thru window to make her own order in viral TikTok video

We all have to change from outdoor to indoor shoes as soon as we enter the school, she notes. And no, Ive never seen any love notes or confessions in the shoe cubbies.

She also shares that schools prioritize cleanliness and responsibility because kids clean the school from top to bottom every single day.

Japanese students are also responsible for serving themselves lunch and cleaning their trays, emphasizing self-sufficiency and independence.

More from NextShark: TikTokers ferment kimchi in Dave & Buster's, threaten to ferment more if demands not met

She also points out that there is a lack of heating or cooling in the hallways, which is why she is forced to walk around in a coat.

Hito Bito considers the schools dress code the most coma-inducing part of the rules, as girls either have to wear their hair above their shoulders or in a low pony. Definitely no dyed hair, so no anime protagonists.

Piercings and makeup are also prohibited, although Hito Bito admits that she does not follow these rules.

More from NextShark: Potterheads will get to sip on 'Herbivicus' cocktails at official Harry Potter cafe opening in Tokyo

The video, which has been viewed nearly 15 million times as of this writing, generated thousands of comments from users who are fascinated by the rules.

I love that they clean the school, one user wrote. It gives kids a sense of community while encouraging them not to leave a mess for someone else.

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If only my school was this clean, another chimed in. I'm constantly slipping bc the floors are full of water from the melted snow.

More from NextShark: Educator's TikTok video about white men who take Asian studies because of their love of anime goes viral

I honestly wanna go to a school in Japan, it seems so much better than schools in America, for multiple reasons, said a user.

I love your content! a commenter shared. I went to primary school in Japan and this made me so nostalgic.

Hito Bito's regular series, "A day in the life of an English teacher in Japan," is among the channel's more popular posts, with each installment having gained millions of views.

Her TikTok channel, which has over 453,000 followers as of this writing, has so far generated over 17.2 million likes from its videos in total.

Rules implemented in Japanese schools have made headlines in the past for being very strict.

In 2017, an 18-year-old Japanese woman filed a lawsuit against the Osaka prefecture government after a school forced her to dye her naturally brown hair black.

Meanwhile, a private high school faced backlash in 2019 after students were forced to kneel and bow to their teacher during an assembly.

A Japanese school also sparked outrage in 2018 for creating behavioral guidelines that many deemed to be too difficult for even adults to follow.
Wednesday marked the four-year anniversary of a gunman opening fire at a manufacturing firm in Aurora, killing five employees and wounding five police officers. The shooter, a 45-year-old employee of the firm, Henry Pratt Co., was killed in a shootout with police.

As loved ones still mourn the loss of those killed in the tragic shooting on Feb. 15, 2019, countless families, friends and communities have come to learn what its like to lose a loved one to gun violence.

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[ Aurora remembers victims on fourth anniversary of Pratt mass shooting in the city ]

In total, there have been 214 mass shootings in the Chicago area since that day, resulting in 143 deaths and 973 injuries, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as four or more people, not including the gunman, shot in a single event.

That translates to approximately one mass shooting every seven days.

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And these mass acts of violence have only increased within the last decade: In the six years prior to the Aurora shooting, there were 150 mass shootings in the Chicago area. In comparison, thats a rate of about one mass shooting every two weeks.

The mass shooting in Aurora was the deadliest in the Chicago area in the past decade, as seen in data recorded by the Gun Violence Archive  until the Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooting in 2022 surpassed it. In that attack, seven victims were killed and dozens more injured when a gunman opened fire onto paradegoers from a rooftop high above Central Avenue and Second Street.

Browse the map below to see where mass shootings have occurred in the Chicago area since the Aurora mass shooting on Feb. 15, 2019. Hover over each point to see more information about that shooting.
An environmental expert said he would not feel safe returning to the town of East Palestine, Ohio, in the aftermath of the train derailment that allowed chemicals to escape into the air, despite officials assurances that the air and water are safe.

Peter DeCarlo, an associate professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told NPR in an interview on Thursday that he would be especially concerned for the health of his two children. He said the air monitoring and sampling does not give him the data he needs to determine if emissions are still coming from the site.

Honestly, with the data that Ive seen on the [Environmental Protection Agency] response site, the answer is no, he said about whether he would be comfortable with returning.

DeCarlos analysis comes one day after state officials said they confirmed the water in the town is safe to drink after conducting tests on the wells that lead into the communitys municipal water system.

A Norfolk Southern train with hazardous materials on board derailed earlier this month, causing several toxic chemicals to get out. Officials evacuated thousands of residents living nearby for several days last week and conducted a controlled release of the chemicals to prevent a potential explosion.

At the time, they said the water was likely safe but recommended that people drink bottled water until they finish their tests, which were concluded Wednesday. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said in an interview on CNN that the air has remained safe as officials have tested it.

But residents have reported continuing to smell noxious odors in the area and feeling sick.

DeCarlo said with air monitoring, officials are using devices that are not designed to make appropriate measurements. He said the devices are not specific to the concerned chemicals, instead measuring them taken altogether, and they do not have the right sensitivity to give an accurate reading of a concentration.

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He said with air sampling, officials take samples of the air and bring them back to a laboratory for analysis, which he said can give a more accurate assessment of what chemicals are present and how concentrated they are.

DeCarlo said officials are either not conducting air sampling or not posting the data on the states Environmental Protection Agency website.

Without that information, we really just cant assess the risk appropriately, he said.

He said the symptoms of those who have said they felt sick are consistent with someone who has sensitivity to a certain chemical.

DeCarlo said three measurements should be consistently taken from three locations around the site  at the site, from upwind and from downwind  until no more emissions show.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan vowed Thursday that the Biden administration will hold rail carrier Norfolk Southern accountable for the train derailment that spewed toxic chemicals in the air and forced thousands of Ohio and Pennsylvania residents from their homes.

Regan, the first senior Biden administration official to visit the site of the Feb. 3 accident, heads an agency that has encountered fierce skepticism from many nearby residents about its assurances that the air is now safe to breathe. The derailment of the 150-car train sent several tankers carrying hazardous chemicals tumbling off the tracks in the 4,700-person village of East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border.

Let me be clear  EPA will exercise our oversight and our enforcement authority under the law to be sure we are getting the results that the community deserves and in coordination with the state, Regan said at a Thursday news conference. We will be here as long as it takes to ensure the health and safety of the community.

His visit came as the Biden administration is facing pressure from state leaders and federal lawmakers of both parties to require Norfolk Southern to clean up its toxic pollution.



Regan said EPA was conducting indoor testing and had so far cleared 480 homes as free of vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride, two of the most dangerous of the chemicals that were transported by the train. He also noted EPA has been conducting round-the-clock air monitoring from ground sources and via the agency's sniffer plane.

State and local agencies are also conducting tests of public drinking water supplies. Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said tests of municipal wells showed no signs of contaminants, though owners of private wells should have them tested before drinking from them. Bottled water is available in the interim.

Regan said at the news conference that Norfolk Southern will pay for the response.

We are absolutely going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and I can promise you that, he said.

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Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw wrote in an open letter to the town on Thursday that the railroad "will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive." However, he angered residents by declining to attend a Wednesday night town hall on the disaster.

EPA formally informed Norfolk Southern last week that it is potentially liable to pay for all clean-up costs related to the derailment. The company has said it is willing to perform or finance the response activities related to the incident.

Regans visit prompted bipartisan comity among lawmakers who represent the area.



Administrator Regan, I want to thank you for coming in today. It means a lot to these folks here, said Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).

However, the incident has also stirred up bipartisan complaints, both about the Biden administrations immediate response and longer-term issues with regulatory oversight over the shipment of hazardous materials.

While I am glad EPA Administrator Regan will visit the site today, it is unacceptable that it took nearly two weeks for a senior administration official to show up, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said in a statement. He called on the administration to provide a complete picture of the damage and a comprehensive plan to ensure the community is supported in the weeks, months and years to come, and this sort of accident never happens again.

Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in a Wednesday letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg questioned federal oversight of the railroad industry. "It is not unreasonable to ask whether a crew of two rail workers, plus one trainee, is able to effectively monitor 150 cars," they wrote.

Rubio has gone even further in his criticisms of Buttigieg.

"I don't know what @SecretaryPete needs to do to get fired," he tweeted on Thursday.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said on Thursday that he's investigating whether trains carrying hazardous materials are required to be labeled, which could help responders better understand and react to tankers' contents.

"But we think we might need a change in federal law and Bill [Johnson] and I will work on that," Brown said.

Tension in the village has been building since the train crashed, especially after officials decided to burn off the remaining vinyl chloride at the site to prevent an explosion.



Hundreds of residents attended Wednesdays town hall, but Norfolk Southern representatives declined to attend because of alleged threats against its employees.

"We have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties," the company said in a statement ahead of the meeting.

Vinyl chloride is a clear gas used to make polyvinyl chloride, a common form of plastic. Acute exposure can lead to nervous system effects like dizziness and headaches. Chronic exposure can lead to liver problems, including a rare form of cancer called angiosarcoma.

The train was carrying a variety of substances in addition to five tankers of vinyl chloride, according to a manifest dated Feb. 12 released by EPA. Other derailed cars included hazardous materials such as butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol and monobutyl ether. Also on the train in cars that do not appear to have derailed were solid plastics products such as polyethylene and polypropylene, several tankers full of petroleum lube oil, and nine box cars full of malt liquors.
DARLINGTON TWP.  Theres "no evidence" of lingering air or water contamination in Beaver County resulting from the East Palestine train derailment, state regulators and politicians said this week.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is testing daily for hazardous chemicals associated with the Feb. 3 disaster near Darlington Township on the Ohio-Pennsylvania line. As monitoring continues, U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio said Beaver County residents have called his office with health concerns.

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 and Southern trains on Monday

Theyre asking are we safe? and Im asking exactly those questions to the federal agencies that have to answer when I call, said Deluzio, D-17, Aspinwall. At this time, the EPA said they havent found any dangerous air or water readings from these various tests in Beaver County.

The Beaver County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday met with Gov. Josh Shapiro, PEMA leadership and Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Richard Negrin. Commissioners said they were assured during this meeting that all air monitoring performed in the county has detected safe levels of air quality. That data, and results from ongoing water sampling, will be released to the public, they said.

We want to emphasize to the citizens of Beaver County that there has been nothing to date to indicate air, water, or soil in Beaver County has been compromised as a result of this train derailment," commissioners said Wednesday in a joint statement.

The Allegheny County Health Department on Thursday said monitors and analysts reviewing the countys air data have not seen any air quality changes that can be attributed to the derailment.

With more than 25 miles from East Palestine to the county border, any emissions would likely disperse before reaching the county, but will still continue to be monitored, the department said.

More:Regulators monitoring air, water after East Palestine train derailment

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'Grave danger' from crash

Several Norfolk Southern train cars containing highly toxic, combustible chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 3 near Darlington Township as the train traveled from Illinois to Beaver Countys Conway Yard. The cars burned for days as emergency responders monitored the scene. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Three days later, on Feb. 6, the company facilitated an hours-long controlled burn of industrial vinyl chloride at the site to reduce the growing likelihood of an explosion. Hundreds of residents within a 1-2 mile area of the site, including at least two dozen in Darlington Township, were ordered to evacuate just hours before the release.

Officials warned that burning vinyl chloride would send potentially deadly chemicals like phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air; Gov. Shapiro and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said anyone remaining in the evacuation zone during the release faced grave danger of death, and risked severe injury, including skin burns and lung damage.

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)

While railroad crews burned the gas, a menacing plume of black smoke soared above East Palestine for hours as Beaver Countians anxiously watched.

The evacuation order was lifted two days later on Feb. 8 after EPA air quality samples tested below safety screening levels for volatile organic compounds like vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate.

The EPA on Feb. 10 published a full list of contaminants that may have been released in East Palestine during the rail disaster. These included vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene, all of which have exposure-related health risks. Inhaling these chemicals can cause skin and eye irritation and burning, respiratory issues, drowsiness, headaches, nausea and fatigue. Heavy exposure to vinyl chloride is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.

More:What are vinyl chloride and isobutylene? More about the chemicals released in Ohio train derailment

Monitoring continues

The EPA is conducting around-the-clock air monitoring using stationary and roaming equipment for localized measurements. Air monitoring data and additional information can be found on the EPAs website. While roaming EPA monitors did not appear to detect exceedent levels of VOCs after the release, data from roaming monitors reflected an increase in particulate matter at certain locations in the hours following the derailment and controlled burn. Short-term particle exposure can cause health effects like eye, nose, throat and lung irritation.

Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff on Tuesday said recent testing near the site indicates the air has returned to what it was prior to the train derailment. The EPA has not detected vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride in any of the 400 homes the agency has screened, including those in Darlington Township.

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.

Still, some residents in East Palestine and surrounding areas say theyve experienced nausea, headaches and respiratory issues in the past week. Concerns about air, water and soil pollution persist throughout Beaver County and eastern Ohio. Its still uncertain what long-term health effects the disaster may have on those exposed to the chemicals.

The Breathe Project on Thursday called for a widespread public health monitoring program that includes anyone in proximity to the incident to gather baseline information and lingering exposure levels.

There should be widespread testing of people and the area for these things so residents can feel comfortable going home, the group said, adding the National Response Center should be creating a publicized federal response plan.

We are witnessing an evolutionary approach and, as a result, there are gaps in what is being monitored, measured and communicated, the Breathe Project said in a statement. What needs to happen is a more integrated and well-communicated response that tells people where they can go for key facts, information and assistance that is not dependent upon Norfolk Southern.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources last week said the trains chemical spill killed an estimated 3,500 fish across 7 miles of stream, and the EPA detected low levels of butyl acrylate in the Ohio River from Little Beaver Creek  which snakes along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in and out of Ohioville and empties into the Ohio River in Glasgow.

More:Gov. Shapiro says Norfolk Southern had 'poor handling' of derailment response in open letter

A plume of butyl acrylate is currently traveling downriver, mostly recently near Huntington, W.Va. The EPA is tracking the plume daily, and regularly sampling water. Utilities along the Ohio River expect treatment and the closing of water intakes to keep the chemicals out of local systems. Utilities along the Ohio River, including in Beaver County, are actively monitoring water supplies.

Shapiro said the states DEP is conducting independent water sampling within a 2-mile radius of the site, and is assisting public water suppliers in evaluating their source water at the Beaver Falls Municipal Authoritys surface water intake on the Beaver River. Samples will be taken monthly, he said.

A Beaver Falls Municipal Authority water treatment plant is located 11 miles from the train derailment site. DEP is also investigating the small public water supply located along the Little Beaver that uses spring sources.

The DEPs Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields has performed a basic evaluation of the groundwater flow and geology near the derailment site and believes there is not likely to be any contamination of water wells in Pennsylvania. Residents with concerns about private well water should contact the DEP regional office at 412-442-4000 for testing.

Living near the evacuation zone

Families in Darlington and Chippewa townships told The Times on Monday the air reeked of burnt plastic as the train cars blazed. One woman who lives two miles from the wreckage said she experienced symptoms akin to mild allergies during the controlled chemical burn, reporting itchy eyes that had cleared up within a couple of hours.

Another couple watched the gas cloud from Enon Valley, but reported no symptoms. They said it's not clear where they should go for information specific to Pennsylvania, or who to contact if they need assistance in testing their water while living outside of the evacuation zone.

About four miles from the derailment site in South Beaver Township, Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch owner Lisa Marie Sopko chose to evacuate nearly 80 large farm animals under her care before the Feb. 6 release  including alpacas, sheep and cattle.

As the roads near her animal sanctuary closed and rail crews in Ohio prepared to release toxic gas later that afternoon, she asked her community on Facebook for help transporting and temporarily sheltering her band of rescued farm animals. She was soon connected with someone at the Hookstown Fairground who offered her the space. Volunteers flocked to the ranch to lend a hand, some traveling from neighboring states.

Good lives:Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch in South Beaver gives good lives to neglected farm animals

By the end of the all-day evacuation, the plume was over us, Sopko said of the gas cloud that had wafted into parts of Beaver County.

It was very ominous, she said. My eyes were burning, it felt like windburn on my skin. It wasn't drastic, but we could sense it.

Sopko and her rescues returned to the ranch two days later, after independent air quality testing detected very, very little trace amounts of chemicals.

It was to be expected, but it wasn't going to be harmful to us or the animals, she said.

Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch owner Lisa Marie Sopko was among those who chose to evacuate during a controlled gas burn following the East Palestine train derailment.

When Sopko returned to the farm, the songbirds that occupy Kindred Spirits barns were all safe and happy, she said.

Birds are going to die first if theres problems with the air quality, Sopko said. Sopko hasnt noticed any health or behavioral changes in her animals, but she plans to remain vigilant as residents in nearby Ohio fear their pets and livestock are being sickened, and even killed, by chemical exposure.

The EPA hasnt seen any reports of (sick or dying animals) here, Deluzio said. I asked them to look into it and get back to my staff and I. My No. 1 concern is the safety of residents, animals, air, water and soil.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine points to a map of East Palestine, Ohio that indicates the area that has been evacuated as a result of Norfolk and Southern train derailment, after touring the site, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio.

Residents file lawsuit

At least two Beaver County residents are demanding Norfolk Southern cover the cost of court-supervised medical screenings for anyone who lives or works within a 30-mile radius of the derailment.

A class-action lawsuit filed last week names Andrew Erdos, 32, and David Anderson, 58, who live and farm in New Galilee, as plaintiffs. The two argue western Pennsylvanians near the crash site suffered increased risk of life-threatening illness, including cancers and organ damage, from exposure to and inhalation of toxic chemicals.

Lawsuits filed:Norfolk Southern faces several lawsuits over East Palestine derailment, chemical release

Those living and working within 30 miles of the site will continue to suffer a significantly increased risk of serious injury and diseases," the lawsuit reads.

Anyone with other questions or concerns specific to Beaver County should call Beaver County Emergency Services at 724-773-6767.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: EPA reports no evidence of unsafe air, water in Beaver County, residents remain cautious
The flag of Estonia

The article notes that currently Russia fires as much ammunition in one day as Europe can produce in a month.

Estonia argues that the EU urgently needs to increase its military-industrial potential in order to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war with Russia.

Read also: EU ambassador in Kyiv says Russian mass missile strike is response to Zelenskyy's successful Europe Trip

We must make an extraordinary effort toward rapid decision-making and implementation of the initiative, as soon as possible, already in 2023  this is what the severity of Ukraines situation requires, the message reads

The price of any delay is very high, and it is going up each day.

Read also: Estonia Requests German permission to export cluster munitions to Ukraine

This plan would allow European industry to increase its capacity sevenfold and produce the 1 million 155mm projectiles over the next six months. An additional 4 billion euros could go to the European Peace Fund, which is used to compensate other countries for their military support to Ukraine.

Read also: Estonia bans imports of Russian fuel in canisters

Estonia estimates that Ukraine now uses an average of 60,000 to 210,000 artillery rounds per month, while the European defense industry is only capable of producing 25,000 over the same period. European countries in particular have been slow to launch production lines as companies complain about the lack of contracts.

And while Russian stocks are also under pressure, its capacity is many times greater than in Europe, and its industry can produce 1.7 million 152mm artillery shells per year.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church have agreed to resolve their differences peacefully after weeks of deadly confrontations between rival followers of the synod and security forces that have left at least 10 people dead.

The church, whose followers form a majority of Ethiopias more than 110 million population, had split after members in Oromia declared a new synod on Jan. 22 and expressed a need to exercise their faith in local languages. The church excommunicated several officials who participated in the split.

The newly signed agreement allows the use of the Afan Oromo language in churches located in the Oromia region and in other languages across other regions and states that for this to happen, more budget and manpower will be allocated.

At least 10 people have died and hundreds others arrested during unrest in some parts of the capital, Addis Ababa, and in Oromia, the countrys largest region.

An agreement was also reached to secure the release of those who were arrested, church officials said.

Elders including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and retired athlete Haile Gebrselassie were involved in mediating between the two sides, the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Abiy had previously urged church members to resolve their differences and stated that the government would not get involved. He, an ethnic Oromo and a Protestant Christian, was however accused by some followers of undermining the church and siding with the breakaway synod.

The widespread tension had resulted in the suspension of access to social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Telegram since Feb. 9. The apps remain offline although many Ethiopians are using them through Virtual Private Networks. No official statement was made when internet access to social media was suspended and there has been no word yet on when it will be back.

Social media was being used to mobilize people to attend a rally planned by the church to take place on Sunday and which the government had issued a warning against. The rally was later postponed indefinitely.
By Nick Carey

LONDON (Reuters) - A broad coalition of insurers, leasing companies, car repair shops and others are calling on the European Commission to propose rules for fair access to valuable vehicle data soon, fearing further delays could see the initiative shelved after European Parliament elections in 2024.

Companies in Europe and beyond are vying for control of the crown jewels of the connected car era, namely car manufacturers' data covering everything from driving habits, to fuel consumption and tyre wear which can be used to target cash-generating services.

Although the EU is currently haggling over the Data Act, a draft law governing the use of consumer and corporate data, insurers and others are pushing for auto sector-specific regulation. A proposal is expected soon after the European Commission launched a consultation last year.

Tim Albertsen, chief executive of leasing company ALD, which relies on vehicle data for a wide range of services, said if sector-specific legislation was tabled now, it could be passed before the 2024 election.

After that there is the risk that a new commission, likely with new priorities, would put it on the backburner, potentially delaying the matter for years.

"What we understand is that in the proposal that is supposed to be tabled, there will be no sector-specific legislation, which we believe is a major problem," said Albertsen, who earlier this month appealed directly to EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to support in-vehicle data regulation.

Ten industry groups also wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in January urging an end to "repeated delays".

The Commission is currently working on an impact assessment for its proposal, a spokesperson said. "At this stage we cannot prejudge the content of the final impact assessment, and consequent timeline," they added.

A spokesperson for the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said the Data Act would guarantee fair access to car data, so "additional legislation on access to in-vehicle data is unlikely to achieve more".

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ACCESS TO DATA

Once Societe Generale unit ALD completes its purchase of Dutch rival LeasePlan, it will have a fleet of 3.3 million vehicles. The company's car-sharing platform currently collects data via wireless devices to run diagnostics, read odometers, check fuel gauges and switch cars between users.

The leasing company also operates a "pay-how-you-drive" insurance product that rewards good driver behaviour, as does rival Arval, a unit of BNP Paribas.

"We just want the data to be made available in an economically viable way," said Arval deputy CEO Bart Beckers, adding that companies like his are happy to pay carmakers for it.

French technology company Munic is another that fits wireless devices to fleet vehicles to collect data.

"If there's no more access to data," said CEO Aaron Solomon, "we'll have to find a different business".

But a spokesman for BMW said the carmaker has had a system in place since 2018 allowing customers to share data with any third party.

"Unfortunately, many players who are arguing publicly that they need access to in-vehicle data never tried to use the system," he said.

Meanwhile, automakers such as world No. 3 Stellantis have their own big data plans. It expects to generate 20 billion euros ($21.4 billion) annually by 2030 from software products and subscription services.

Leaving data in the hands of the big vehicle manufacturers "does not enhance any competition", said Christoph Lauterwasser, managing director of the Allianz Center for Technology, a research institute owned by Allianz.

Michelin Executive Vice President Lorraine Frega said a wide variety of startups have sprung up to offer services using car data, but those small companies cannot raise capital until there is clarity from the European Commission.

"We are very concerned," Frega said. "Just delaying in itself is really harmful to the overall economy as well."

($1 = 0.9335 euro)

(Additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee in Berlin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
European Union Ukraine Russia toilet sale ban invasion war - Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne

The European Union has banned the sale of lavatories to Russia to punish Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.

The toilet war has the potential to have particular impact on Russians because one in five does not have indoor plumbing.

Lavatories have even been looted by soldiers fighting in Ukraine to be sent back home.

The export ban covers European bidets, lavatory pans, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware, according to diplomats. It was brought in last summer, but has only just been reported.

The flushing toilet has done more for civilisation than any other single invention, another European diplomat told The Telegraph.

So by restricting exports, we are merely bringing Russias technological advancement in line with the state of its civilisation.

Not to be outdone, Britain has also sanctioned exports of lavatory pans and toilet articles of porcelain or china.

European Union Ukraine Russia toilet sale ban invasion war - AP Photo/Daniel Cole

Russian troops have become notorious for stealing lavatories from Ukrainian homes, with Volodymyr Zelensky referencing it twice.

[Russians] used to talk about their biggest dream, to see Paris and die... Their dream now is to steal a toilet and die, the Ukrainian president said last April.

In January, Mr Zelensky said: Let them take the toilet bowls  theyll need them on the road  and go back home.

During the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, there were also reports of Moscows soldiers taking the facilities.

An EU diplomat said: Russian soldiers are looting toilet bowls from Ukrainian towns. Despite inflated Russian growth figures, this shows how far down the drain their economy really is, as a result of crippling Western sanctions.

The lavatory ban has been in force since July 2022 as part of a list of banned goods designed to hurt Russias industrial capacity.

New round of sanctions

The measure, reported by the EUobserver website, could now be tightened as part of a new drive to close loopholes during intergovernmental negotiations over new sanctions planned for the one-year anniversary of Putins invasion on Feb 24.

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The 10th round of sanctions will try to make banks divulge their frozen Russian assets. However, it must get unanimous support from all 27 member states before they can be imposed.

Approval of the new measures is expected at a meeting of ministers on Monday after the European Commission called for export bans worth more than 11 billion (9.7 billion) on critical technology for its war effort.

Brussels also plans to sanction propagandists for Putin and ban Iranian companies from supplying Russia.

The EU has a long history of targeting symbolic goods for sanctions. It drew up a hit list of British goods such as Scottish whisky in case there was a trade war with the UK over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

When it teetered on the verge of a trade war with Donald Trumps US, it planned to hit iconic goods such as Harley Davidson motorbikes.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the anniversary of the beginning of the great war between Russia and Ukraine

In a resolution in the run-up to the one-year anniversary of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, MEPs strongly condemned Moscows aggression and reiterated their unwavering solidarity with the people and leadership of Ukraine.

Read also: EU will impose more sanctions on Russia on invasion anniversary, Scholz says

The document was adopted by 444 votes in favor, 26 against with 37 abstentions.

In particular, MEPs reaffirmed their support for providing military assistance to Ukraine for as long as is necessary, and called for serious consideration to be given to delivering Western fighter jets and helicopters, as well as appropriate missile systems and substantial increases in munitions delivery to Kyiv.

Ukraine must not only be able to defend itself, but also to regain full control of its entire internationally recognized territory, the resolution said.

Read also: Borrell calls on European countries to expedite tank transfer to Ukraine

The resolution also calls on EU member states to adopt their 10th sanctions package against Russia and its allies by the end of February  and to substantially broaden its scope.

Looking ahead, MEPs demand the completion of the legal regime that allows for Russian assets frozen by the EU to be confiscated. These assets should then be used to reconstruct the country and to compensate the victims of the war, MEPs said.

Parliament further underlined that the Russian war of aggression has fundamentally changed the geopolitical situation in Europe, which necessitates bold, brave and comprehensive political, security and financial decisions by the EU. In this context, MEPs reiterated their support for the European Councils decision to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine last summer.

They also called on Ukraine, the EU Commission and Council to work towards the start of accession negotiations this year, while stressing that EU accession also remains a merit-based process with respect for relevant procedures and conditional criteria.

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On Feb. 2, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling to begin work on Ukraines accession to the European Union.

Read also: EU Parliament president calls for long-range systems, jets to be sent to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament and the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 9.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ramona Rosales/CNN

Eva Longoria is exploring her heritagethrough food.

The actress, who was born and raised in Texas in a Mexican American family, will journey through Mexico in a new food travel show for CNN, Searching for Mexico. The show is a spin-off of Stanley Tucci's Searching for Italy, and Tucci executive produced Searching for Mexico alongside Longoria.

Ramona Rosales/CNN

"I am so excited for viewers to tune in and see firsthand what I love so much about Mexico  the food, the people, the cultures," Eva Longoria said in a statement. "This journey allowed me to further appreciate and fall in love with my roots and I feel so honored that CNN entrusted me with this unforgettable, once in a lifetime, experience."

Ramona Rosales/CNN

In the trailer, Longoria says, "I'm exploring Mexico to see how the people, their lands and their past have shaped their culinary traditions as diverse as its 32 states." Throughout the six episodes, she will visit Mexico City, Yucatan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco and Veracruz to explore their culinary history.

"Every time I eat Mexican food, I'm happy," she tells a fellow diner with a laugh. Later in the trailer, she narrates, "Mexico is going through a major makeover to emerge as one of the world's greatest food destinations."



Ramona Rosales/CNN

According to CNN, "Longoria surveys the cutting-edge gastronomic fare of Mexico City; discovers Mayan influences in Yucatan cuisine, including the slow-cooked cochinita pibil; and ventures to the home of Latin Americas chocolate trade, Oaxaca, where she samples the velvety chocolate mole. As Longoria enjoys a festive carne asada in Nuevo Leon, traditional birria stew in Jalisco, and walks in the footsteps of her own ancestor, Lorenzo Longoria, in the exact spot in Veracruz where he arrived 400 years ago, she unlocks the secrets behind Mexicos most treasured and sometimes surprising dishes."

Watch the full trailer here:





Eva Longoria's Searching for Mexico will premiere on Sunday, March 26 at 10 p.m. eastern on CNN. After, it will air on Sundays at 9 p.m. eastern on CNN, and be available to stream on CNN.com.

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Chicago Black Restaurant Week kicked off its eighth year Sunday.

Thirty Black-owned businesses will offer specials in the city and suburbs for a total of two weeks until Feb. 26.

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Founder Lauran Smith created the event to honor Carter G. Woodson, the historian who launched the precursor to Black History Month in 1926.

Prominent participants this year include Frontier, Luellas Southern Kitchen and Bronzeville Winery, one of the Tribunes 25 best new restaurants.

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[ The 25 Best New Restaurants in Chicago ]

Notable newcomers 1308 Chicago in the Salt District, Haute Brats in Englewood and CheSas Bistro & Bar in Avondale are also making their debut.

Chesaree Rollins, chef and owner of CheSa's Bistro & Bar in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago, is seen here prepping food. (Cindy Kurman)

Chef, owner and namesake Chesaree Rollins opened her Creole- and Cajun-inspired, gluten-free restaurant in October.

Rollins was diagnosed with celiac disease eight years ago. As a result of the gluten intolerance, she launched a gluten-free brand. Her first food truck hit the road in 2015, with a second following in 2018. That same year, she hosted an extended pop-up in Ukrainian Village.

The Chicago Black Restaurant Week specials at CheSas feature a three-course prix fixe dinner ($59.23) and five weekend brunch dishes ($25.23).

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 >

At brunch, choose among fried chicken and beignet waffles, short ribs and grits, a bone-in pork chop with cheddar biscuits, a catfish skillet with eggs and jumbo crab cake balls.

Fried chicken and beignet waffles by chef Chesaree Rollins at CheSa's Bistro & Bar in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. (Chesaree Rollins / HANDOUT)

At dinner, four appetizer choices include a Lobster Louie-style salad (traditionally made with crab) and a garlic alligator dip; three main course options offer more lobster in an etouffee, or mushrooms on a truffle risotto; plus dessert possibilities, including a banana pudding souffle or CheSas chocolate mousse.

Follow Chicago Black Restaurant Week on Instagram at @chiblackrestaurantweek for more details on specials as theyre released.

Chicago Black Restaurant Week, chiblackrestaurantweek.com

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CheSas Bistro & Bar, 3235 W. Addison St., 773-754-8523, chesasbistro.com

lchu@chicagotribune.com

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
Jes Staley's email exchange with Jeffrey Epstein came in 2010 while he worked at JPMorgan, prosecutors said - Chris Goodney/Bloomberg

The former boss of Barclays drank white wine in a hot tub on Jeffrey Epsteins private Caribbean island while the paedophile financier was under house arrest for child sex offences, a lawsuit has alleged.

Jes Staley is said to have written to his close friend and banking client while staying on Little St James in November 2009, when Epstein was confined to his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

In an email to Epstein at the time, Mr Staley is alleged to have said: Presently, Im in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Next time, were here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound.

The claims were made in a lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands (USVI) against Mr Staleys former employer JP Morgan, which also alleges that the pair held a conversation about Disney princesses who Epstein was trying to pursue. Mr Stalery is not a defendant and is facing no legal action.

Mr Staley was the financier's banker when he worked at JP Morgan. He later became chief executive of Barclays in 2015, before being ousted six years later following a regulatory investigation into how he characterised past ties to his former client.

The USVI lawsuit alleges that Mr Staley emailed his client in July 2010, saying: That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.

Epstein allegedly replied: [W]hat character would you like next?

Mr Staley then wrote Beauty and the Beast, to which Epstein answered, well one side is available.

The USVI claims the email exchange was referring to young women and girls Epstein was procuring.

It also alleges that Mr Epstein occasionally Mr Staley photos of young women in seductive poses.

The new allegations come weeks after a separate lawsuit against JP Morgan by victims of Epstein claimed that the former Barclays boss personally observed his clients abuse of young women.

Mr Staley has repeatedly denied knowledge of Epsteins sexual abuse.

A lawyer for Mr Staley previously said: We wish to make it expressly clear that our client had no involvement in any of the alleged crimes committed by Mr Epstein.

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While Mr Staley is not a defendant in the USVI lawsuit or in a separate case brought against JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank by Mr Epsteins victims, he has been left fighting for his reputation and is appealing the Financial Conduct Authoritys ruling against him.

The USVI lawsuit points to a close friendship between the two men. In December 2009 he allegedly wrote to Epstein saying: I realise the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long, heartfelt, hug.

Meanwhile the lawsuit also details payments from Mr Epsteins JP Morgan account.

It said: A December 2008 email shows Staley planning to visit Epstein in early January 2009. Around the time of Staleys scheduled visit, Epstein wired $2,000 from his JP Morgan account to a woman with an Eastern European surname.

In late August 2009, Staley emailed that he was visiting London; Epstein asked if he needed anything; Staley replied Yep.

Soon after, JPMorgan wired $3,000 from an Epstein account to the same Eastern European woman.

More than 20 of Epsteins sex trafficking victims were paid through JP Morgan accounts, the lawsuit said. JP Morgan has moved to dismiss both lawsuits, claiming that the allegations concerning Mr Staley are unsupported and that any knowledge on his part cant be imputed to the bank.

Mr Staleys lawyer and JP Morgan both declined to comment.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Barclays paid Mr Staley 107,000 to cover the costs of his relocation to the US after he was removed as chief executive.

The bank paid its former boss the repatriation fee last year on top of his fixed pay of around 2m, a pension allowance of 100,000 and other benefits worth nearly 50,000, according to its annual report.
Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has been subpoenaed by the Justice Department's special counsel investigating Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to media reports.

The summons for Meadows, a central figure in Trump's campaign to cling to power, was disclosed as former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he would challenge a separate subpoena from special counsel Jack Smith seeking his testimony in the Jan. 6 inquiry.

The Meadows' subpoena was first reported by CNN.

The Justice Department declined comment. Meadows and his lawyers also did not respond to requests for comment.

Happening today - more details in Trump probe: New details of Georgia Trump investigation to be revealed Thursday. What we know.

Trump, Pence relationship grows more complex: Mike Pence's relationship with Donald Trump gets even more complicated with subpoena

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks on a phone on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Oct. 30, 2020.

Meadows emerged as one of Trump's most active surrogates following the president's failed reelection bid, repeatedly pressing the Justice Department to launch investigations into baseless allegations of election fraud.

The former White House chief of staff helped arrange a Jan. 2, 2021 telephone call in which Trump pressured Georgia election chief Brad Raffensperger to "find... 11,780 votes" to deny Biden's victory in the key battleground state. Meadows also was privy to Trump's inaction at the White House on Jan. 6, 2021 as a mob of supporters stormed the Capitol.

Coupled with the subpoena for Pence, the Meadows summons is the latest signal that the special counsel's Jan. 6. inquiry has likely intensified. Smith also is overseeing a separate investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents.

Witnesses in Georgia Trump probe suspected of lying: Raising more questions in closely watched inquiry

Jack Smith, then the Department of Justice's chief of the Public Integrity Section, poses for photo at the Department of Justice in Washington in 2010.

Meadows had resisted a subpoena for his testimony in a House committee's investigation into the Capitol attack. He also had been summoned in a separate criminal investigation into election interference led by Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis.

Story continues

It was immediately unclear whether Meadows would comply with the Justice subpoena.

Pence, meanwhile, addressed the special counsel's summons for the first time Wednesday at an event in Iowa, calling the action "unprecedented and unconstitutional.

Latest politics news: Follow USA TODAY's live updates from around Washington

We'll stand on that principle, and we'll take that case as far as it needs to go  if need be to the Supreme Court of the United States, Pence said. "Because to me, it's an issue of the separation of powers. 

Pence argued he is shielded by the Constitutions speech or debate clause, which protects members of Congress from law enforcement scrutiny over their speech and debate in the chamber. The clause says they shall not be questioned in any other place.

As vice president, Pence also served as president of the Senate.

Pence challenging DOJ subpoena: Former Vice President Mike Pence expected to challenge DOJ special counsel subpoena

Contributing: Brianne Pfannenstiel

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Meadows, ex-Trump staffer, subpoenaed by special counsel: reports
Charles McGonigal, former special agent in charge of the FBI's counterintelligence division in New York, arrives at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Feb. 9. John Minchillo/AP

An FBI spy chief's secret meeting with a Russian contact was detected by UK officials.

Charles McGonigal, the ex-FBI official, is charged with taking money from Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska.

McGonigal should have realized that the London meeting would be noticed, one source said.

In 2018, Charles McGonigal, the FBI's former New York spy chief, traveled to London where he met with a Russian contact who was under surveillance by British authorities, two US intelligence sources told Insider.

The British were alarmed enough by the meeting to alert the FBI's legal attache, who was stationed at the US Embassy. The FBI then used the surreptitious meeting as part of their basis to open an investigation into McGonigal, one of the two sources said.

The two sources, both former officials in the US intelligence community, did not specify the identity of the Russian who McGonigal met with.

McGonigal, the former head of the FBI's counterintelligence division in New York, stands accused of taking money from Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch, in violation of US sanctions, in exchange for investigating one of Deripaska's Russian rivals. McGonigal "traveled to meet Deripaska and others at Deripaska's residence in London, and in Vienna," according to one of the federal indictments lodged last month. The indictments do not say precisely when those alleged meetings took place, or how prosecutors came to believe they occurred.

"Your sources sound well-informed," said a third source, who worked for the US intelligence community in 2018 and was aware of communications between British intelligence officials and the US Embassy in London. They declined to confirm or deny that the meeting occurred.

During his years in New York, McGonigal oversaw 150 FBI agents tasked with shadowing foreign operatives and turning them into spies for the US. He would have had intimate knowledge of surveillance penetration in world capitals, which makes the London meeting all the more mystifying.

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"What the fuck was he thinking?" said a fourth source, who said they had reason to believe that the meeting "apparently did occur," but declined to confirm it. Years of experience running counterintelligence, the fourth source said, should have clued in McGonigal to the possibility that the London encounter would attract notice.

Insider was able to determine the year but not the month of the meeting. The fourth source noted that regardless of whether the meeting occurred before or after McGonigal retired from the FBI in September 2018, it suggested a serious and extended relationship. "A meeting like this doesn't just happen on a Tuesday," they said, noting that whomever McGonigal met with, they were important enough to be under surveillance by the British and merit alerting the US Embassy. "There's a long lead time."

The FBI's national press office and its New York field office both declined to comment.

Neither the State Department, an attorney representing McGonigal, the United Kingdom's Home Office, nor the United Kingdom's Foreign Office immediately responded to requests for comment sent late on Wednesday.

Ruben Bunyatyan, a spokesperson for Deripaska, declined to comment on any alleged meetings between Deripaska and McGonigal, and denied claims made by the Treasury Department and others that Deripaska is close to the Kremlin, and that he is an oligarch. "To insinuate some sort of special links or treatment is simply wrong," Bunyatyan said, by email. Deripaska "had ordinary links," he continued, "just as any other industrialist of his scale would have in any country around the world."

In 2014, the FBI tried to recruit Deripaska as an informant. McGonigal had investigated Russian operatives earlier in his career, but it is unclear whether he was involved with the FBI's Deripaska recruitment effort. He was stationed in Washington at that time.

The McGonigal indictments state that in 2018, McGonigal had access to a classified list of Russian oligarchs who were under consideration for US sanctions due to their "close ties to the Kremlin." The Treasury Department sanctioned Deripaska in April 2018. In 2021, the FBI raided two homes linked to Deripaska in Washington and New York. Then, last year, Deripaska himself was indicted for having violated the 2018 sanctions when he allegedly arranged for his girlfriend to travel to the US so she could give birth in a US hospital and obtain US citizenship for her newborn child.

The McGonigal investigation was first reported by Insider in September. Subsequent reporting detailed first-hand accounts of McGonigal's extramarital relationship, a bag of cash in his Brooklyn apartment, and manila envelopes McGonigal received at dinners from a former Soviet diplomat.

Bethany Dawson contributed reporting.

Mattathias Schwartz is a senior correspondent at Insider and a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine. He can be reached at mschwartz@insider.com and schwartz79@protonmail.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Elbas will join Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan on a U.S. delegation to Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Editors note: Since the publication of this report, EPA Administrator Micheal Regan has postponed his trip to Africa due to his departments emergency response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which has caused environmental concerns for its residents.

Actor and humanitarian Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Elba will accompany Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan on Saturday to sub-Saharan Africa, theGrio exclusively reports.

The NAACP and Golden Globe award-winning star, Mrs. Elba and Regan will travel to Ghana and Sierra Leone to focus on the issue of climate change and ways to combat its devastating ripple effects around the globe.

British actor Idris Elba (L) with his wife US model and activist Sabrina Dhowre Elba answer during an interview with AFP at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 16, 2023. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

The EPA trip comes weeks before Vice President Kamala Harriss anticipated Africa trip in late March. Several stops are expected; however, no specific destinations on the continent for the vice president have been confirmed as of yet.

Idris Elba applauds Harriss upcoming trip to Africa, telling theGrio, Shes a very powerful woman [and] respected across the continent by other very powerful women on the continent. So I think it will be a great trip for her.

Elba himself has close ties to the African continent; his mother is from Ghana, and his father is from Sierra Leone. Sabrina Elbas mother is from Somalia.

Sierra Leone is newly added to the roster of African countries actively engaged by the EPA on climate due to Elbas advocacy. The Hollywood star approached Administrator Regan in December during President Joe Bidens U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, where the Biden-Harris administration announced several upcoming trips by senior officials in 2023.

Regan said Elba challenged his department to be more inclusive of African nations that are less visited traditionally by the U.S. government.

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael S. Regan talks too reporters during a visit to Sacos wastewater treatment facility, which is struggling with rising sea water. (Staff photo by Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

Acknowledging Regans role as the first African-American man to head the EPA, Sabrina Elba said she and her husband connected with his ethos about climate and Africa and the good work that hes doing and the plan hes developed.

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She added: If we felt this was going to be just a photo op or just a trip for the press  we wouldnt have done this.

When announcing his 2023 budget in March of last year, President Biden pledged $11 billion in international aid to help poorer countries combat their climate challenges and build a greener infrastructure.

Rosa Whitaker, the former U.S. African trade representative during the Clinton administration, told theGrio that the countrys commitments to Africa are largely dependent on Bidens ability to deliver on his pledge. However, the presidents budget has to be approved by the United States Congress, which is currently divided politically.

There are a lot of wild cards. So a lot will depend on the follow-up, said Whitaker.

The Elbas and the administrator made clear that while aid is one way to help Africa, whats most important is going beyond the traditional models of aid and empowering Africa through trade and investment.

There is a time and a place for aid, said Elba. We are human beings. We aid each other by nature  but when it comes to Africa and strengthening relationships, I think the partnership to have solutions where theres beneficial teaching and learning is incredibly important.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Goodwill Ambassadors English actor Idris Elba (R) and his Canadian actress and activist wife, Sabrina Elba, take part in a session at the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow on November 6, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the greatest challenges in Africa caused by climate change is its chronic food supply shortage, which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Idris Elba notes that the farming industry has been negatively impacted the most.

Farmers, especially smallholder farmers  who provide almost 80% of the worlds food  are affected by climate the most. They are the least contributing to the climate debate, but the most affected, he said.

Sabrina Elba, who is a United Nations Goodwill ambassador, said, climate change is inequitable. She added, There are people who are neglected, who are forgotten.

Mrs. Elba said young people are of particular concern as Africa  which has more than 1.2 billion people on its continent  has the youngest population in the world.

[Theyre] going to need job security very soon. Agriculture is an amazing way to enable young people to have entrepreneurship, to give them security, said Sabrina Elba. Its only a matter of time before theyre of age. Its something that we really need to think about when were talking about issues of migration when were talking about issues of gender  its all interlinked.

Serena Stepanovic, associate vice president of Food Security & Livelihoods at World Vision USA, notes that human-made drivers are what led to the worlds urgent climate issues. She said it will take political will for governments to respond at this moment and move the needle on climate, which is a significant driver of outcomes where people are starving.

Several climate-related issues will be on the agenda for the EPA and Elbas trip to Africa, including air pollution, which Regan said impacts women and young girls the most. Through a cookstoves initiative led by the Elbas, the EPA will help leaders and communities look at alternative energy sources. The administrator described it as an exchange of ideas around technology to advance cooking techniques beyond deforestation and using wood from mangroves to generate energy.

Idris Elba pointed out that deforestation is especially prevalent in Sierra Leone, which has some of the oldest mangroves in the world.

Mountains stand near a river just outside Freetown on November 28, 2006 near Freetown, Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone was ravaged by a decade long civil war but peace was declared in 2002 and the country has struggled to get back on its feet. Reconstruction continues and travellers are beginning to trickle in. However, life is still hard for many of the residents and it was recently ranked second last in the UNs most recent Human Development Index. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The EPA administrator said deforestation in Africa isnt just harming the region, but the entire globe and the international movement to mitigate the devastating  and deadly  impacts of climate change.

[Mangroves] have some of the largest sources of sequestering carbon in the world. So were looking at the deforestation impacting our ability to mitigate against climate change, said Regan.

While the Elbas are focused on climate change during this trip, the famous couple is also planning to build a network of film studios across the continent of Africa. Idris Elba said his goal is to use the power of movies to change the narrative and world image of Africa, as well as create jobs and opportunity for Africans.

EPA Administrator Regan said that during the trip to Ghana and Sierre Leone, his department will issue several announcements.

Theyre going to be serious investments. And its all based on the presidents leadership, he said. We know that we cant solve our national security problems, our climate problems, our economic challenges if we dont have this globalized solution that the Elbas and the EPA are working on.

In addition to the upcoming EPA trip, President Biden will also travel to Africa later this year. It will mark the first such visit by a U.S. president to the continent since former President Barack Obamas last trip in 2015.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post EXCLUSIVE: Idris and Sabrina Elba join EPA on Africa trip to combat climate issues appeared first on TheGrio.
Was there a Twitter exodus or just a Twitter pause? Did it even matter? New data takes a look at how a range of "Twitter alternatives" have fared in the months following Elon Musk's acquisition of the popular microblogging network, now that the burst of new installs driven by his takeover has tapered off. The data indicates that many apps continue to grow to a lesser degree while other apps have seen growth decline. But it also shows that Twitter itself was never significantly impacted, at least in terms of new app installs.

Downloads, of course, are only one window into the overall picture. But it's a measurement that can be assessed independently, using third-party data, instead of relying on companies to report their own metrics -- many of which don't.

Interest surrounding a group of Twitter alternatives began in late October, when the Tesla and SpaceX exec Elon Musk officially closed on his $44 billion Twitter acquisition. Continual chaos on the microblogging site has been the rule ever since. Amid controversial policy decisions and overnight changes, some subset of the Twitter audience decided to exit to other sites to get their social fix -- or at least experiment with different options for a time.

By November, Twitter alternatives like Mastodon as well as established social platforms like Tumblr were seeing rapid and sizeable increases in both downloads and active users, reports found.

Now that the dust has settled -- well, Twitter is still chaotic, but we're used to it now, I suppose -- it's worth checking back in to see how some of these Twitter alternatives are doing today.

The data, curated for TechCrunch by app intelligence firm data.ai, is not a comprehensive look at the full Twitter alternative app landscape. For obvious reasons, it doesn't take into account some of the buzzy but yet-to-publicly-launch apps that have raised funding for their Twitter-like experiences, such as Post, T2 and Spill. For the same reason, it does not include Bluesky, the decentralized alternative Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has in the works. A few smaller apps and Trump's Truth Social are also not included.

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However, the firm did take a look at some of the more formidable challengers for Twitter users' attention, including the Fediverse-connected app from Mastodon and others.

Recently, a Wired report indicated that Mastodon's growth spurt was over, as active users had declined by over 1 million. They suggested that many Mastodon newcomers decided the app was not a viable Twitter replacement. The platform had grown over two months to 2.5 million monthly active users, up from 380,000, the report noted, but it dropped down to 1.4 million active users in January. However, as Techdirt's Mike Masnick pointed out, the Fediverse as a whole -- that is, the group of interconnected servers where Mastodon along with other apps reside -- had grown from 600,000 active users in the pre-Musk era to now around 2.6 million. Hardly a slump, he said.

Data.ai's analysis of worldwide app installs across iOS and Android also indicates Mastodon's app is still growing, though to a lesser degree.

Its installs are down quite a bit from November's peak of 2.9 million monthly downloads. It still managed to gain 180,000 new installs in January -- that's 169,000 more installs than it had in September 2022. Sure, it's not enough to topple Twitter by any means, but it's not yet in decline. (Of course, we understand that app downloads don't equate to active users, as Mastodon's first-party data shows. Downloads are only a signal of user interest, but many apps never make it beyond the first launch, if they are opened at all.)

Mastodon's mobile traction is more complicated as there's a wide and growing ecosystem of third-party clients for users to try, in addition to the web. One popular alternative to Mastodon's official app is Ivory, the newly launched client from Tapbots, whose Twitter app Tweetbot was killed by Musk's Twitter API changes. Ivory is only a few weeks old, so it's not a fit for this analysis, but it may have siphoned off some of Mastodon's downloads for a brief period during its launch. To date, Ivory is nearing 100K installs, data.ai's early estimates indicate.

While Mastodon continues to hang in there, other Twitter alternatives have seen their download growth stall or slow.

Reddit and two more politicized alternatives, Tribel and GETTR, have seen download growth decline since September 2022. Reddit's downloads dropped by 20,000 since September, while left-wing Tribel and right-wing GETTR's downloads declined by 36,900 and 42,000, respectively.

To be fair, Reddit is still a massive app, adding a whopping 4.2 million new installs in January, down from the 4.7 million it had during November's peak. For this reason, it's not clear that Twitter's chaos had much impact on its growth or decline, beyond perhaps a slight uptick in installs as people decided to spend their free time elsewhere for a bit.

Tribel and GETTR, meanwhile, are not faring as well. The former saw only 1,100 total new installs in January, while the latter saw 48,000.

That 48,000 is far more than Hive, another Twitter alternative that quickly gained traction after Musk's Twitter takeover.

The social app is more of a cross between Myspace, Twitter and Instagram, and appealed to a young audience. Hive soon found itself in the top 20 on the U.S. App Store in November after seeing a million signups, it claimed at the time. But Hive later had to shut down for an extended period to rewrite its software in the wake of serious privacy and security concerns.

Data.ai's figures seem to support Hive's claims of a November boost, however, as it saw 1.1 million new installs that month, up from just 300 (!!) the month before. Hive is still growing, though only slightly. It had 10,700 more installs in January than it did in September 2022 -- but that's only because it had just 300 installs that month (as it did in October).

Two other apps that many believed would benefit from Twitter's upheaval were Tumblr and Discord.

As it turns out, Twitter's changes didn't seem to play a role in the latter's growth or decline. In fact, Discord installs dropped from 8.3 million in October 2022 to 8.0 million in November, even as the other apps were booming. It then grew installs again to 8.5 million in December and to 9.7 million last month. Similar to Reddit, this movement doesn't seem to reflect either a bump from a Twitter exodus or a drop from newcomers who later abandoned the service. Discord is fine on its own.

Tumblr's figures are more interesting, though. The company itself reported having gained some traction from the Twitter exodus. Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg  whose company acquired Tumblr from Verizon in 2019 -- told The Atlantic that Tumblr's iOS downloads were up 62% the week after Musk took over Twitter.

Looking at iOS and Android data combined, as data.ai's figures do, there's definitely a November bump to be seen. Tumblr gained 880,000 new downloads in November, up from 450,000 and 500,000 in September and October, respectively. That trend has normalized since, though Tumblr is still slightly higher than the prior baseline, with 510,000 December installs and 480,000 in January. The company also made waves in November, when Mullenweg announced Tumblr would soon add support for ActivityPub, the decentralized social networking protocol powering the Fediverse.

Finally, as for Twitter...have you heard the expression "any press is good press?"

It seems Twitter has benefited from the increased attention -- or the rubbernecking, perhaps.

Worldwide mobile app installs are up by 3.7 million in January compared with September 2022. Notably, Twitter installs didn't decline in November. Instead, it gained new downloads even as some of its users seemingly left for other apps. In other words, any Twitter exodus may have been offset by new Twitter arrivals. Active user data would tell a better story here, but Twitter is no longer a publicly traded company and it's not clear that Musk is analyzing user data as Twitter had before, which would allow for a direct comparison. But his claims of a burst of November signups could be directionally true, as the month saw higher app installs than October.

Data.ai found that Twitter grew from 16.6 million installs in October to 18.6 million in November as Musk took over, then dropped in December to 16.9 million. Last month, it again jumped back to 18.6 million installs. That means it has the same 24.8% download growth rate it had in November.

The broader set of Twitter alternatives, meanwhile, grew downloads by 35.6% in November and this dropped to 8.1% in January.

As it turns out, there's no real winner yet in terms of Twitter alternatives.

Larger apps like Reddit, Discord and Tumblr continue to have sizable user bases and will continue to grow, but they haven't exactly picked off a chunk of Twitter's user base for themselves. Smaller apps have either floundered or returned to normal.

If anything, the biggest boost to the wider ecosystem hinges on new user awareness of the Fediverse and Mastodon, even if the app hasn't transformed into a dominant force. Fediverse growth could ultimately be a trend that plays out over a longer period of time than just a few months post-Twitter acquisition, as more apps join the decentralization movement.
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP)  Forensic experts have determined that Chilean poet Pablo Neruda died of poisoning nearly 50 years ago, a family member of the Nobel Prize winner said Monday.

The revelation by Rodolfo Reyes, a Neruda nephew, is the latest turn in one of the great debates of post-coup Chile. The long-stated official position has been that Neruda died of complications from prostate cancer, but the poet's driver argued for decades that he was poisoned.

There was no confirmation of Reyes' comments from forensic experts from Canada, Denmark and Chile who are scheduled to publicly release a report Wednesday on the cause of Neruda's death.

The public release of the group's finding has been delayed twice this year, first due to internet connectivity issues of one of the experts and then again because a judge said the panel had yet to reach a consensus.

International forensics experts several years ago rejected the official cause of death as cachexia, or weakness and wasting of the body due to chronic illness  in this case cancer. But at that time they said they had not determined what did kill Neruda.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Reyes said forensic tests carried out in Danish and Canadian labs indicated a presence of "a great quantity of Cloristridium botulinum, which is incompatible with human life." The powerful toxin can cause paralysis in the nervous system and death.

Reyes first revealed the information to the Spanish news agency EFE earlier Monday.

As a lawyer in the judicial case over his uncle's death, Reyes said he has access to the forensic report, which was carried out after the same group of experts said in 2017 that there were indications of a toxin in the late poet's bones and a molar.

The lab tests concluded that the toxin was administered when the poet was alive, Reyes said.

The report is set to be released almost 50 years after the death of the poet and Communist Party member and 12 years after the start of a judicial investigation into whether he was poisoned, as his driver Manuel Araya maintains.

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Araya told AP earlier this month he was confident that the forensic findings would support his assertion the poet died after being given "an injection in the stomach" at the clinic where he was hospitalized. Araya said he first heard that version of events from a nurse.

Neruda, who was 69 and suffering from prostate cancer, died in the chaos that followed Chile's Sept. 11, 1973, coup that overthrew President Salvador Allende and put Gen. Augusto Pinochet in power.

Neruda's body was exhumed in 2013 to determine the cause of his death but those tests showed no toxic agents or poisons in his bone. His family and driver demanded further investigation.

In 2015, Chile's government said it was "highly probable that a third party" was responsible for Neruda's death. Neruda was reburied in his favorite home overlooking the Pacific Coast last year.

In 2017, a team of international scientists determined that Neruda did not die of cancer or malnutrition, rejecting the official cause of death but not saying what he did die of.

"The fundamental conclusions are the invalidity of the death certificate when it comes to cachexia as a cause of death," Aurelio Luna, one of the panel's experts, said at that time. "We still can't exclude nor affirm the natural or violent cause of Pablo Neruda's death."

Neruda, who was best known for his love poems, was a friend of Allende, who killed himself rather than surrender to troops during the coup led by Pinochet.

Neruda was traumatized by the military takeover and the persecution and killing of his friends. He planned to go into exile, where he would have been an influential voice against the dictatorship.

But a day before his planned departure, he was taken by ambulance to a clinic in Chile's capital of Santiago where he had been treated for cancer and other ailments. Neruda officially died there Sept. 23, 1973, from natural causes.

But suspicions that the dictatorship had a hand in the death remained long after Chile returned to democracy in 1990.

The former Mexican ambassador to Chile at the time of the bloody military coup, Gonzalo Martinez Corbala, told AP on two occasions that he saw Neruda the day before his death and that his body weight was close to 100 kilos (220 pounds). Martinez spoke to AP by phone in 2017, a few days before his death.

Araya told AP last month he still thinks that if Neruda "hadn't been left alone in the clinic, they wouldn't have killed him."

He recalled that on Neruda's instructions, on Sunday, Sept. 23, the poet's wife, Matilde Urrutia, and he were at the mansion to pick up the suitcases that would be taken to Mexico the following day. In the middle of the afternoon Neruda asked them to come back quickly. He died that same night.

During his life, Neruda accumulated dozens of prizes, including the 1971 Nobel Prize for Literature, but in recent years criticism has appeared from feminist groups over a rape he committed in the 1930s and which he recounted in his book "I Confess That I Have Lived." He also is criticized for abandoning his only daughter, Malva Marina, because she was born with hydrocephalus.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pablo Neruda: Chilean poet's death was due to poison not cancer
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Tesla plans to slow production at its Shanghai plant in the last week of February to prepare for building a revamped version of its Model 3 sedan, according to a person with knowledge of the matter and a planning memo seen by Reuters.

The move was first reported by Bloomberg News.

The automaker has not commented on the new version, codenamed Highland. CEO Elon Musk has said Tesla will talk about strategy and its product roadmap at its March 1 investor day.

Here's what is known about the car:

PRODUCTION TIMING AND AIMS

The new version is expected to go into production in Shanghai in September, said the person with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be named as the matter was private.

With the new model, Tesla is aiming to cut production costs and boost the appeal of the five-year-old electric sedan, Reuters reported in November.

One focus will be reducing the number of components and complexity in its interior. There will also be changes to the exterior and powertrain performance with a focus on production efficiency.

The revamped model will also be assembled at its plant in Fremont, California. Building permits filed with the city of Fremont concerning changes to its factory have referenced "Highland" since last June.

Apart from the Cybertruck, it is the only new model that Tesla is retooling assembly lines for this year.

Tesla prototypes have been spotted in the United States in recent months which many believe are early versions.

The pre-production cars have all had their front and rear covered in tarp, prompting speculation that Tesla has changed the design and possibly added sensors or other features.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Tesla only has two main models globally. The Model 3 has been overtaken in sales by the Model Y crossover and analysts say it is due for a revamp.

The automaker's global price cuts have boosted sales across the board, but the bump for the Model 3 in China shows signs of diminishing.

Story continues

Sales of the Model 3 quadrupled in January after its base price was cut by almost 14%. But for the first week of February, sales were down by more than two-thirds from the end of January, data from China Merchants Bank International showed. In contrast, Model Y sales held steady.

Analysts say Tesla needs to up its game to avoid losing share to fast-moving rivals in China. Its approach of offering two main models has kept costs down but Chinese competitors have successfully wooed car shoppers with newer offerings.

WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN?

No one really knows but many are guessing.

Tesla fans and armchair analysts speculate that "Highland" could be a reference to Ford Motor Co's Highland Park plant, where Henry Ford launched his moving assembly line.

That could suggest Tesla sees the new model as a chance to introduce its own game-changing production technology.

Others, noting Musk is partial to movie references, see the name as a nod to the 1986 film "Highlander," depicting a battle between immortals and known for the line: "there can only be one."

(Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
There was information about an explosion in the Armyansk district

The explosion happened near a military base, the channel said.

Read also: Russians preparing for Ukrainian offensive and liberation of Crimea  intelligence

"An explosion was reported at one of the military bases in Armyansk. In any case it couldn't be the 'air defence working,'" the message reads.

Pictures and video of the explosion were published on Telegram channels. In one video, a large white mushroom cloud can be seen rising into the sky.

There are no official comments about the cause of the explosion yet. The Kremlin's puppet authorities in Crimea haven't commented on the incident either.

On Feb. 12, the Ukrainian guerrillas asked Crimean residents to inform them about places where the invaders personnel and equipment were concentrated, and the locations of repair bases.

Read also: Atesh guerrillas in Crimea say they blew up Russian National Guards car, killing two officers

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On arriving at the Lyric Opera House, Joffrey Ballet audiences encountered about 50 protesters standing beneath the Lyrics portico on Wednesday, forming a circle around the lobby doors.

Intermittently chanting Russia is a terrorist state, and Stop supporting Russian culture, the group, draped in Ukrainian flags and carrying posters and bloodied puppet ballerinas, broke from their chants periodically to shout Shame! at patrons entering for the Joffrey Ballets opening night performance of Anna Karenina.

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The peaceful protest stemmed from outrage online and in social media objecting to Joffreys presentation of Anna Karenina, an original ballet after the Russian novelist Leo Tolstoys epic novel. First presented in 2019 as a coproduction with the Australian Ballet, the ballet has been revived for a two-week run at the Lyric through Feb. 26.

While the Australian Ballet helped pay for it, Anna Karenina was developed for the Joffrey, with prima ballerina Victoria Jaiani as choreographer Yuri Possokhovs muse in the title role. Both then and now, she is miraculous, as is Alberto Velazquez as Alexey Vronsky, the object of Annas desires.

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The gist of Tolstoys 850-page plot is that Anna leaves her loving but unaffectionate husband, Alexey Karenin, and son for a steamy though fleeting love affair with Vronsky. When the affair ends, high society casts Vronsky and Anna out. Anna dies by suicide, throwing herself in front of a train.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Alberto Velazquez, Victoria Jaiani and ensemble in "Anna Karenina" by Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House. (Cheryl Mann / HANDOUT)

Opening night brought terrific performances all around, most notably from Anais Bueno as the effervescent Kitty, who starts out loving Vronsky and eventually figures out that Konstantin Levin, a role that has yielded career-best performances from Yoshihisa Arai, is the man of her dreams. The ballet ends in the Russian countryside with Kitty and Levin living happily ever after.

Dylan Gutierrez is typically seen in more sympathetic roles, but here he quite easily adopts Karenins harsh, discerning demeanor. Hyuma Kiyosawa is equally terrific as the station guard who foreshadows Annas death. Indeed, the whole company has relaxed into these characters and gotten better at telling a complicated, trifurcated story. Its newness worn off, the nervous franticness of this ballet in 2019 has all but vanished in 2023.

It is worth pausing to note how rare an original story ballet is  particularly one of this quality and magnitude. While ballet companies toil away remaking antiquated Swan Lakes guaranteed to draw a crowd, Anna Karenina is risky, expensive and ambitious. Anna Karenina is a feat of artistic genius in its top-shelf creative team (with exquisite costumes and set by Tom Pye, David Finns moody lighting and Finn Ross cinematic projections) and some of the best narrative choreography created for a 21st century ballet.

Choreographer Possokhov first crossed paths with Joffrey artistic director Ashley Wheater as dancers in the San Francisco Ballet. Born in Ukraine, Possokhov trained in Moscow and danced 10 years with the Bolshoi Ballet. He left in 1992 for a brief stint with Royal Danish Ballet before landing a spot at SFB.

The name should be familiar to Joffrey followers, who have periodically seen Possokhovs work for over a decade. Joffrey revived his 2011 version of Don Quixote last summer. Bells is an audience favorite, and shorter narrative works include RAkU, and The Miraculous Mandarin.

The point is, the Joffrey Ballet didnt suddenly adopt Possokhov, or for that matter, this ballet, for which a remount has likely been planned for years  though the timing is indeed unfortunate. The protesters main complaint appeared to be rooted in the idea that Joffrey imported Russian artists and ideologies and is therefore promoting Russian imperialism. While Tolstoy and some of the collaborators are Russian, Anna Karenina is an American production, no more Russian than Swan Lake or ballet as a whole.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Illinois Division, which took part in the protest, has stated publicly that it vehemently condemns the immoral use of cultural events to promote the image of Russia as a state of great culture. Messages from the Tribune to the organization were not immediately returned.

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Tolstoy, who penned Anna Karenina in 1878, was a known anti-capitalist, anti-communist pacifist. An omnipresent theme of Anna Karenina alludes to Tolstoys view that the best things come to those who wait.

Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness. That Tolstoy quote was part of a recorded preshow announcement made just before the curtain rose Wednesday, along with a statement of solidarity to the Ukrainian people as the Russian invasion rounds the bend on a bloody year of war. Maestro Scott Speck led the Lyric Opera Orchestra in Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryks Melody ahead of Russian composer Ilya Demutskys glorious and appropriately schmaltzy score to Anna Karenina.

A nice gesture, to be sure, though what feels like beauty, kindness and catharsis to some may be deeply painful to others.

Of course, Tolstoy also wrote this: It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.

Ballet is not (and never has been) a benign, apolitical endeavor. Its very origin story is rooted in propagandist power grabs. The story of Anna Karenina is not universal. It is a product of a particular time and place. It does not move the needle of modern discourse; it does not claim to. But oh my, is it gorgeous.

Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.

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Review: Joffrey Ballet presents Anna Karenina (4 stars)

When: Through Feb. 26

Where: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive

Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Tickets: tickets $36-$190 at 312-386-8905 and joffrey.org
By Erwin Seba

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil labor negotiators advised managers ahead of 2021 talks that they believed the company might have to lock out Texas refinery workers to achieve its aims of taking away job protections based on seniority, according to witnesses testifying at a U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hearing.

An NLRB judge will decide whether the largest U.S. oil firm has to pay millions of dollars in back pay to about 650 workers locked out of their jobs for 10 months while talks continued. The judge is hearing testimony from company and United Steelworkers' officials this week.

Negotiators were instructed they could offer pay increases only if the USW gave up some decades-long seniority and job-bidding terms at the Beaumont oil refinery, testified Phil Matherne, an operations manager at refinery who was part of the company's negotiating team in 2021.

"We were told we can do the wage increases but you have to get those core objectives," Matherne said in testimony during before Jeffrey Wedekind, a NLRB administrative law judge.

The company was suffering huge losses from its businesses as COVID-19 lockdowns sharply cut oil and motor fuels consumption. Exxon lost $22.4 billion in 2020 from operating losses and write downs.

An Exxon spokesperson this week called the hearing an attempt by the NLRB to overturn labor law and court precedent.

In May 2021, Exxon locked out 650 union workers in Beaumont after talks between the two sides stalled and workers authorized union officials to call a strike. The lockout ended in March 2022 after union members agreed to the company's terms.

During the lockout, union members rejected a bid to remove the USW as their representative at the 369,024 barrel-per-day refinery, motor oil and packaging plant. The USW has alleged the company used the lockout to convince workers to reject the USW.

The Beaumont refinery remained in operation using engineers, managers and supervisors from other Exxon plants and temporary workers hired locally.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by David Gregorio)
Ford

Ford F-150 Lightning production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center will remain stalled through the end of next week at the earliest as the automaker works to resolve an issue with the EVs battery that caused one of the electric trucks to catch fire earlier this month.

The report comes by way of Automotive News, which confirmed that the battery fire took place on February 4 inside of a Dearborn, Michigan holding lot. Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg told the publication that the fire began during a pre-delivery quality inspection of an F-150 Lightning pickup truck before it ultimately spread to another vehicle in the lot.

"By the end of next week, we expect to conclude our investigation and apply what we learn to the truck's battery production process; this could take a few weeks," Bergg said. "We will continue holding already-produced vehicles while we work through engineering and process updates."

The battery inside the Ford F-150 Lighting is manufactured in partnership with SK Innovation, a Korean supplier that also builds EV batteries for the likes of Kia and Volkswagen. Ford does not believe there is any concern related to F-150 Lightning models already in the hands of customers.

News of the fire first arrived on Wednesday by way of the Detroit Free Press, after reports earlier in the week detailed delays in production for the F-150 Lightning. This is just the latest quality-related issue for Ford in recent months. The brands other popular EV, the Mustang Mach-E, saw 50,000 units recalled last year for an issue that could cause a total loss of power. Ford was also the most-recalled brand in 2022. Earlier this month, CEO Jim Farley blamed the automakers $2 billion net loss in 2022 on execution and quality issues such as these.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a hugely important product for the Blue Oval. The company believes that the electric F-150 is the perfect test for where EV acceptance sits in the United States, and has even added a third shift to the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to bolster production figures.

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Following a late Monday night shooting that killed three Michigan State University students and injured five more  mere miles from the states Capital of Lansing  Democratic lawmakers are vowing to deliver more than empty words in order to prevent another tragedy.

Fk your thoughts and prayers, reads the opening line of a late-night statement from House Majority Whip Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton).

  Thoughts and prayers without action and change are meaningless. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to pass common sense gun reform immediately. We will not stop until our students can attend school without fear, our communities can attend places of worship in peace, and our society is safe from senseless gun violence.

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State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) echoed Puris sentiments in a tweet, writing: Policy & change. Fk your thoughts and prayers. I will not mince words.

Again I will be very clear: Policy & change. Fuck your thoughts and prayers.



I will not mince words. I echo @RanjeevPuri's sentiments. Children are dead. Anyone offended at my language and NOT that kids are in a morgue can piss off.



More to come. Bank on it. https://t.co/THiG5AdGRG  Kelly Breen (@VoteKellyBreen) February 14, 2023

Democrats hold slim majorities in both the House and Senate. For the first time in about 40 years, they have a governing trifecta along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and have vowed to take action on gun control measures that have long stalled in Michigan, such as safe storage and so-called red flag laws.

The gunman, Anthony McRae, who police said is not affiliated with the university, opened fire in MSUs Berkey Hall at 8:18 p.m. Two students were killed there.

Story continues

The suspect then moved next door to the MSU student union and opened fire again, where another student was killed.

MSU Police on Tuesday afternoon released the names of the three students killed: Brian Fraser, a sophomore from Grosse Pointe, Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson, and Arielle Anderson, a sophomore from Harper Woods.*

Five more injured victims  all students  are still in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, and four have required surgical intervention at Lansings Sparrow Hospital.

MSU classes are canceled until Monday, Feb. 20.

I am angry that the safety and security of Michigan State University has been shattered by the uniquely American scourge of gun violence, said House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), who graduated from MSU.

  This is not a new phenomenon, and the people who elected us to help lead the state have no patience for inaction.  We have a choice. We can continue to debate the reasons for gun violence in America, or we can act. We cannot continue to do the same thing over and over again and hope for a different outcome, Tate said.

There have so far been 67 mass shootings nationwide in the first 45 days of 2023 alone.

McRae, 43, was found by law enforcement roughly three hours after the shooting in East Lansing. After being confronted, police say he fatally shot himself.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaking after the MSU shooting, Feb. 14, 2023 (Screenshot)

Whitmer, an MSU alum who ordered U.S. and Michigan flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff until further notice on Tuesday, said in statements Tuesday morning that the whole state of Michigan is wrapping its arms around the Spartan community today.

This is a uniquely American problem. Too many of us scan rooms for exits when we enter them. We plan who that last text or call would go to. We should not, we cannot, accept living like this, Whitmer said.

She and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) spoke at the MSU police briefing Tuesday morning.

Law enforcement have so far not been able to find a motive for the shooting. According to the Detroit News, McRae was charged with multiple gun-related crimes in 2019.

Attorney General Dana Nessel has twin sons who attend MSU. She told CNN on Tuesday that one of them had just left one of the locations on campus shortly before shots were fired.

As a parent, there is no greater fear than having your child tell you there is an active shooter at their school. I experienced this terror along with thousands of other MSU families last night, Nessel said in a statement. While my Spartan sons are safe, I am mourning the devastating loss and senseless violence. The events at Michigan State University are a tragedy for the entire state of Michigan. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, friends, and loved ones.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) also has a child who attends MSU.

As the mom of an MSU student, Im watching with dread as the events on and around campus are unfolding, so grateful and relieved my daughter is answering my texts and calls. My heart is breaking for the parents whose children have been injured or killed, Brinks tweeted.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten and David Hecker, AFT Michigan president, demanded that politicians take immediate action on gun control.

The tragedy at Michigan State demands immediate action from our state and federal lawmakers, Weingarten and Hecker said in a joint statement. We cannot become numb and accept this violence as normal. We cannot allow politics to hold us back from acting. Too many lives have been taken because of gun violence and too little has been done. Our elected officials need to act and push through common sense gun violence prevention legislation that will save lives.

Similar sentiments were echoed by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and groups including Michigan Education Association (MEA), MSU Administrative Professionals Association, Campaign for a Safer Michigan, Detroit Action, Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), Progress Michigan and more.

Mitchell Robinson, a Democratic member of the State Board of Education in Michigan, said that his two sons were on campus when the shooting began; one was in the Union and heard the shots. Robinson said both of his sons are safe.

President Joe Bidens press secretary said on Twitter that Biden spoke with Whitmer Monday night following the shooting. Whitmer also confirmed that at the press conference Tuesday morning.

Last night, I spoke to Governor Whitmer and directed the deployment of all necessary federal law enforcement to support local and state response efforts. I assured her that we would continue to provide the resources and support needed in the weeks ahead, Biden said in a statement later on Tuesday.

  As I said in my State of the Union address last week, Congress must do something and enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, closing loopholes in our background check system, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets. Action is what we owe to those grieving today in Michigan and across America, Biden continued.*

Republicans, now in the minority in the Michigan Legislature, also offered some words of support for victims but did not offer plans of action.

Today, we are all Spartans, reads the lone statement from the House GOP caucus on Twitter.

Today, we are all Spartans. pic.twitter.com/RfOWQEjtBD  MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) February 14, 2023

State Sens. Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) and Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) issued statements of their own, with Nesbitt writing that parents and community leaders [are] desperately searching for ways to prevent these senseless attacks on the innocent.

Some Republicans in Congress also responded.

U.S. Sen. Lisa McClain (R-Romeo) also tweeted that she is heartbroken and is praying for the MSU community and families affected.

This culture of violence and murder must stop, said U.S. Rep. John James (R-Farmington Hills).

Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan Demas for questions: info@michiganadvance.com. Follow Michigan Advance on Facebook and Twitter.
The claim: 'Reporters trying to get in are being arrested' after Ohio derailment

A Feb. 13 Instagram post (direct link, archived link) features an image of a smoke plume rising over East Palestine, Ohio, after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed nearby and caught on fire.

This is the (sic) probably the worst thing that could happen outside of a nuke and no one is talking about it, reads the posts caption. Reporters trying to get in are being arrested.

The post was liked more than 5,000 times in three days. Other versions of the claim are circulating on Instagram and Twitter.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

No journalists have been arrested "trying to get in." A single journalist was arrested at a press conference held by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after doing a live report while the governor was speaking, but the charges have since been dropped. National journalism and news organizations that track reporter arrests said they are not aware of any other journalists being arrested in East Palestine.

Sole journalist arrested in East Palestine cleared of charges

The post overstates the situation in Ohio, which involved a lone incident during a press conference.

Evan Lambert, a reporter for News Nation, was arrested on Feb. 8 while delivering a live report of DeWines news conference about the train derailment. NewsNation reported Lambert was going live at an elementary school when he was told by law enforcement to be quiet because the governor was speaking.

A Columbiana County Sheriff's Office spokesperson previously told USA TODAY that Lambert was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, both of which are misdemeanors. However, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Feb. 15 that the charges against Lambert had been dismissed.

Kirstin McCudden, managing editor of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, said the organization was not aware of any other reporters being arrested in East Palestine.

Story continues

The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is not aware of the arrest of any journalist in Ohio recently other than Evan Lambert, whose charges were dismissed today, McCudden said in an email. We've not received any indication reporters are being denied access to events that would otherwise be open to the press.

Zoe Simbolon, a spokesperson for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said she also only knew of the Lambert arrest.

Fact check: Viral post misidentifies Michigan State University shooting suspect

Contrary to the posts caption, a bevy of national and local news organizations are providing coverage of the events in East Palestine.

On Feb. 5, DeWine urged people living within one mile of the derailment to evacuate due to mounting safety concerns. He expanded the radius of the evacuation order on Feb. 6 in anticipation of a controlled burn of the chemicals inside the derailed tanker cars.

Journalists were not exempt from the evacuation orders, according to Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for the governors office.

However, that evacuation order was lifted on Feb. 8. Both journalists and residents alike have been permitted to return to the area, Tierney said in an email.

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: Post misleads on journalist arrests after Ohio derailment
(Reuters) - Chipmakers across the globe are pouring billions of dollars in investment to set up new plants, encouraged by the rising use of semiconductors in everyday devices and generous subsidies from the U.S. and European Union aimed at keeping the West ahead of China in the race for cutting-edge technology.

The European Commission has earmarked 15 billion euros for public and private semiconductor projects by 2030, while U.S. President Joe Biden's administration passed the CHIPS Act last year to make over $52-billion worth of subsidies available for the American semiconductor industry.

The Act deters companies using U.S. funds from undertaking any big expansions of overseas semiconductor manufacturing facilities in "countries of concern" such as China for 10 years, with some exceptions.

India, Taiwan and South Korea have also offered incentives such as tax breaks to boost domestic chip production.

Below are some of the chipmakers' plans for factories in Europe, North America and Asia:

NORTH AMERICA

Company Investment

Intel Last year, Intel said it would invest up to $100 billion to build

potentially the world's largest chip-making complex in Ohio. The

company also broke ground on two new factories in Arizona in

September 2021.

Taiwan TSMC said in December it plans to invest $40 billion in its chip

Semiconduc plant in Arizona. The plant is scheduled to be operational in

tor 2024.

Manufactur

ing

Company

Ltd (TSMC)

Wolfspeed In September, Wolfspeed said it would build a new multi-billion

Inc dollar silicon carbide wafer factory in Chatham County, North

Carolina to make chips that power things such as electric

vehicles. Wafers are raw materials used for making chips.

Micron In October, Micron said it planned to invest up to $100 billion

Technology over the next 20-plus years to build a computer chip factory

complex in upstate New York. The company also announced a $15

billion factory in Boise, Idaho in September.

GlobalFoun GlobalFoundries in July 2021 said it will build a second factory

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dries near its in Malta, New York, headquarters, and spend $1 billion

to boost output to address the global chip shortage.

Texas The company has several wafer fab projects underway, including in

Instrument Richardson and Sherman in Texas and in Lehi, Utah. It expects

s production at the Utah fab, which it bought from Micron for $900

million, to commence in 2026

Samsung In 2021, Samsung said it would invest in a $17 billion chip plant

Electronic in Taylor, Texas to make advanced chips for mobile, 5G,

s Co Ltd high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

SkyWater It announced plans in July last year to invest $1.8 billion for a

Technology chip research and production facility in Indiana, in partnership

with the state and Purdue University.

EUROPE

Company Investment

Infineon Infineon won approval to begin work on a 5 billion euro

semiconductor plant in the German city of Dresden, it said on Feb.

16. Production is due to start in 2026.

Intel In March 2022, Intel picked the German city of Magdeburg as the

site for its new mega chip manufacturing complex, a key part of

its $88 billion investment drive across Europe.

Business daily Handelsblatt reported on Feb. 8 that Intel wants 10

billion euros of government funding for that factory.

It is also in talks with Italy for an advanced packaging and

assembly plant, using new technologies to weave together full

chips out of tiles.

STMicroele The Franco-Italian company said in October it plans to build a

ctronics 730 million euro silicon carbide wafer plant in Italy. Building is

due to be complete in 2026.

It also announced plans in July to build a semiconductor factory

in France in partnership with GlobalFoundries.

Taiwan According to a Financial Times report in December, TSMC is in

Semiconduc advanced talks with suppliers about setting up its first European

tor plant in the German city of Dresden.

Manufactur "We do not rule out any possibility but there is no concrete plan

ing at this time," TSMC said in a statement

Company

Ltd (TSMC)

Wolfspeed The chipmaker will build a $3-billion electric vehicle chip plant

Inc and a research and development centre in Germany, it said on Feb.

1.

Production is planned to start in 2027 in the German state of

Saarland, with Wolfspeed's Chief Executive Gregg Lowe telling

Reuters the plant is expected to rank as the world's biggest

production facility for chips made out of silicon carbide.

ASIA

Company Investment

Intel Intel is considering a significant increase in its existing

$1.5-billion investment in Vietnam to expand its chip testing and

packaging plant in the Southeast Asian nation, Reuters reported in

February.

Taiwan TSMC plans to construct a second chip plant in Japan to manufacture

Semiconduc 5 and 10 nanometre chips from the second half of the decade, a

tor local newspaper reported in February.

Manufactur

ing

Company

Ltd (TSMC)

Samsung Samsung said on March 15 it will invest around 300 trillion won

Electronic ($230 billion) by 2042 to develop what the government called the

s Co Ltd world's largest chip-making base, in line with efforts to enhance

South Korea's chip industry.

Foxconn Foxconn and Indian oil-to-metals conglomerate Vedanta signed a pact

in September with India's Gujarat to invest $19.5 billion in the

western state to set up semiconductor and display production

plants.

(Reporting by Antonis Pothitos in Gdansk, Tiyashi Datta, Chavi Mehta and Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; editing by Josephine Mason, Mark Potter and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
A family has raised more than $250,000 for a Dominos delivery driver, who was injured while delivering the familys food on Feb. 3.

Barbara Gillespie's fall was caught on the familys home security video and has since gone viral, being viewed over 3 million times on TikTok.

The 72-year-old can be seen struggling after the fall and apologizing for dropping the food while a member of the household rushed to help.

I open the door and there she is just laying on the ground trying to get up, Kevin Keighron, the homeowner, told "Good Morning America." She was more worried about [the food] than anything else. And I was like, I don't care about the food. I care about you.

Kevin Keighron and his wife Lacey Klein, of South Carolina, set up a GoFundMe to leave an extra tip for Gillespie and over 14,000 people have since donated.

Over $250,000 has been donated to the campaign for Gillespie, who has worked for Dominos for five and a half years.

We thought we would get her a bigger tip and bring it to her. We never expected to get as much as we did, said Lacey Klein. We were just so excited and thrilled [to] be able to tell her the next day.

PHOTO: The Klein family pictured with Barbara Gillespie on Feb. 4, 2023. (Lacey Kelin)

Gillespie said she is in awe of the amount of money donated to her by strangers.

I almost gave up on people because so many people out there today are so mean, said Gillespie. And here we got people loving, caring people. They care about someone else about an elderly woman.

Dominos told GMA that theyre grateful that caring customers were able to help her transform her life so meaningfully.

"Barbara is a beloved member of our family and she was recently honored with Team Member of the Year for 2022 within the company. She is also a favorite of our customers and always has a smile on her face, the company said in a statement, adding, We are very happy for her.

PHOTO: Barbara Gillespie was awarded the Team Member of the Year by Domino's in 2022. (Lacey Klein)

A spotlight on older Americans working past retirement age

While the community showed up to support Gillespie, her situation sparked a larger conversation about many Americans having to work past the retirement age to afford the cost of living.

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Gillespie told ABC News that thanks to strangers' donations, she plans to retire and submitted her two-week notice to Domino's on Feb. 8.

In their fundraising description for Gillespie, the Kleins wrote, Lets show her some kindness and take off some of this burden that our economy is causing the older generations especially.

MORE: Strangers raise over $133K for 82-year-old Walmart employee who went viral on TikTok

The couple told GMA they watched both their fathers work right up until their deaths, and dont want the same for Gillespie, whom they said they now consider family.

We want her to retire right now, said Lacey Klein. Stop working and enjoy her grandkids.. her kids, her great-great-grandkids. Go on a cruise, take a vacation, whatever she wants to do, but not do something that's physically not good for her.

In recent months, several campaigns set up to help older workers be able to retire have gone viral. In one example, strangers raised over $133,000 for an 82-year-old Walmart employee after a TikTok video of her at work went viral.

GoFundMe told GMA there has been a ripple effect recently of fundraisers to help people reach retirement.

Our community has created a ripple effect of good by starting fundraisers to help people reach their well-deserved retirement, GoFundMe said in a statement. We are in awe of our communitys kindness, generosity, and empathy, especially in moments like this. We wish Barbara the best in her retirement.

Over the past three decades, American workers are retiring at later ages. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, in 1991 the average retirement age was 57; the most recent Gallup poll reported that the average retirement age is up to 61 in 2022. Non-retirees target retirement age has also increased from 60 in 1995 to 66 in 2022.

MORE: Neighbors rally behind beloved ice cream man after heart attack

Older adults are staying in the workforce due to a confluence of factors, according to the Office of Disability Employment Police.

The economic downturn, shifting perceptions of retirement, increased workplace flexibility, and the aging of the baby boom generation are all contributing to people working longer, the U.S. Department of Labor reported.

Support for older adults in the workforce comes from organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation which serves older adults, especially those who are low-income, by providing resources and helping secure the essentials, which includes a good job; eligible benefits; crucial refunds and sustaining social connections, according to the organization's website.

Mindy Feldbaum, vice president of the AARP Foundation, said there's been an increase of demand for AARP Foundation programs across the board including programs that help older unemployed adults find work like AARP's Back to Work 50+, Work for Yourself at 50+ and Senior Community Service Employment Program.

"Even though it's a tight labor market, one of the tightest labor markets ever and unemployment rates are low, there still remains a huge need for our services," Feldbaum told "GMA." "In fact, there actually has been an increase in demand for our services over the last year."

Feldbaum also said that older adults who want, or need, to go back to work face age discrimination in the workplace and lack confidence in being able to find another job within three months, if needed. Feldbaum cited a recent study done by the AARP Foundation that found nearly one-third of older workers worry that they will lose their job within a year, primarily because of a weak economy. The same study also found that 64% of older workers report age discrimination in today's workplace and 41% report experiencing some type of ageism at work in the past three years.

"We've been running workforce programs for over 55 years at the foundation," Feldbaum said."[We] support unemployed, underemployed and low wage workers to help them get back to work, help them start a business, but ultimately build their confidence and get them on the pathway to economic security."

Family raises over $250,000 for a Dominos driver who fell while delivering pizza originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
By Andrew Goudsward and Tom Hals

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor leading the criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, is also weighing whether witnesses to the grand jury probe lied under oath.

That was one of the revelations from five pages of the special grand jury's report on Trump made public on Thursday in keeping with a judge's order, which could open new criminal targets for Willis, who has been described as a "pit bull in the courtroom."

The 51-year-old Fulton County district attorney will need that kind of tenacity if she decides to bring criminal charges against Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The special grand jury report released on Thursday showed that the panel determined multiple witnesses may have lied under oath during the investigation of Trump's efforts to overturn his election defeat in the state.

An indictment of the former president would be of a different magnitude for a local prosecutor whose office typically focuses on violent crime and wrongdoing in the Atlanta area.

Some of her big cases to date have included charges against teachers who cheated to improve the standardized test scores of their students to get cash bonuses and promotions and charges against a rapper accused of gang activity. In both instances, she employed an anti-racketeering law meant to break up organized crime.

Willis, a Democrat, has taken an aggressive approach in the Trump investigation, subpoenaing some of his allies including Republican U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, while waging court battles to compel their testimony.

Trump did not testify and has not been charged with a crime.

"It doesn't matter if you're rich, poor, Black, white, Democrat or Republican," Willis, who is Black, told CNN last year. "If you violated the law, you're going to be charged."

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Trump, who in November announced another run for the presidency in 2024, has denied wrongdoing and has called Willis a "Radical Left Prosecutor."

A spokesperson for Willis did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

At the heart of the investigation is Trump's January 2021 call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to "find" just enough votes to reverse his narrow loss in the pivotal state to Democrat Joe Biden. Willis also has examined a scheme to appoint an alternate slate of electors in a bid to award Georgia's electoral votes to Trump, rather than Biden, ahead of congressional certification of the election results.

To assist with the Trump investigation, Willis retained private Atlanta lawyer John Floyd, who wrote a guide on prosecuting state racketeering charges and worked with Willis on the teacher case. The move led to speculation she is building a case against Trump or his associates around Georgia's anti-organized crime law.

Trump has accused her of targeting him for political gain and criticized her handling of violent crime in Atlanta, Georgia's largest city and part of Fulton County.

Willis told a judge on Jan. 24 that a decision on whether to bring criminal charges was "imminent" after a special grand jury completed its work. Five pages of the grand jury's report were publicly released on Thursday, though any recommendations on criminal charges will remain sealed for now. It is possible no charges will arise from the investigation.

'GIVE HER AN INCH'

"She's a pit bull in the courtroom," said Vincent Velazquez, a former Atlanta homicide detective who worked with Willis during her time as an assistant district attorney. "You give her an inch, she's going to take a foot."

Willis told South Atlanta Magazine in 2021 that she was raised primarily by her father, a criminal defense attorney who was a member of the Black Panther Party, a Black power movement that began in the 1960s.

She graduated from Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington that Vice President Kamala Harris also attended, and Emory University School of Law in Atlanta before working as a criminal defense and family law attorney in private practice.

Willis worked from 2001 to 2018 in the Fulton County prosecutor's office, then won election as county prosecutor in 2020, defeating her former boss, Paul Howard. She faces re-election next year.

Georgia's racketeering law is more far-reaching than its federal counterpart, enabling charges against "corrupt organizations" if the prosecution can show they engaged in a pattern of criminal activity including two or more separate offenses.

In the case of the teachers, a jury convicted 11 of 12 defendants who went to trial in 2015 of racketeering and conspiracy.

Some defense attorneys have voiced concerned that Willis has strayed beyond the law's intended use and targeted speech protected by the U.S. Constitution.

"There is an overuse and abuse of the statute," said Jay Abt, a Georgia criminal defense lawyer who represents witnesses in the election investigation and is defending indicted rapper Deamonte Kendrick, known as "Yak Gotti."

Kendrick was indicted by Willis alongside rapper Jeffery Lamar Williams, who performs as Young Thug, and other hip hop artists accused of involvement in street gangs. That trial is ongoing.

"She wants to understand all the issues before making a decision," Brian Steel, a lawyer representing Young Thug, said of Willis.

Steel said Willis often takes meals in her office and will respond to text messages at all hours of the night.

"She will tell why she agrees or disagrees and will back off cases," Steel added.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington and Tom Hals in Wilimington, Delaware; Editing by Will Dunham, David Bario and Noeleen Walder)
Tyler Le/Insider

Consumers and advocates are fed up with it being incredibly difficult to cancel subscriptions.

Democratic Rep. Mark Takano plans on trying to tackle the topic again this Congress.

The Biden administration has also held some companies accountable.

It's the new streaming show you can't miss. The one-time gift that you probably forgot about. The New Year's resolution that started strong, but by February you're having second thoughts. Whatever it was, it's a subscription now.

Today, you can't escape subscriptions. They encompass everything from our binge-watching to our meal kits to books and makeup.

It's when you want to cancel that things get tricky. The struggle frustrates even the professionals who deal with this. Do you need show up somewhere in person? Click through a maze of prompts? Call a hotline? That is if you even can find the number, which can take a "National Treasure"-level of sleuthing skills.

According to Pymnts.com, a site that tracks e-commerce, just over 80% of American households held a subscription near the end of last year. And while the retail industry is seeing subscription numbers decline, you can be sure it's been a pain for consumers to get free.

Advocates are pushing for Congress to act

Congress has tried twice already to make it easier for Americans to unsubscribe. Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat, told Insider that he plans to reintroduce The Unsubscribe Act for a fourth time later this year. Consumer Action and National Consumers League have helped push the legislation in past.

"Deceptive practices by large corporations make it easy to sign up for subscriptions, but nearly impossible to opt out," Takano said in a statement to Insider.

Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat Patrick Semansky/AP

The bill would require companies to be upfront when they roll a free trial into a paid plan without expressly telling you, a practice known as negative option billing. The legislation would also require a company to offer a straightforward cancelation process. That would mean that a company that lets you subscribe via an app can't then require you to come in person to cancel.

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Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, has worked on companion legislation in the past. His bill had the distinction of garnering bipartisan support, including Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican.

Getting any bill passed in a divided government will be daunting, but the prospect of bipartisan support could offer a glimmer of hope though.

Hard-to-cancel subscriptions are a widespread business model across many industries

Consumer advocates that Insider spoke to said they were turned onto this issue by their own struggles.

Ruth Susswein, director of Consumer Action, was taken aback when she noticed that what she thought was a one-time gift had actually turned into a recurring charge, thanks to an automatic renewal clause that was buried in the terms of service.

"That is more than just an inconvenience, that is not the way anyone should be doing business," Susswein said. She added that companies must find it cost-effective to automatically enroll consumers without concern for those who might object or for potential legal issues with regulators or attorneys general.

John Breyault, an official with the National Consumers League who focuses on telecoms and fraud, said that his organization was turned onto the topic after they realized their office furniture lease had an automatic renewal.

"We weren't aware of the automatic renewal provisions of the contract," Breyault told Insider. "We had to fight like heck to get out of it."

"If it happens to us, it happens to consumers and nonprofits and businesses all the time," he said.

Search any social media thread about subscription woes, and you'll see some frequent offenders.

Adobe is so notorious for its use of cancellation fees that users have developed workarounds. A representative for the company to did not respond to a request for comment.

Many complaints are devoted to publications, an American Press Institute survey in 2021 found that only 41% of US publications made it "easy" for readers to cancel their subscriptions online. The New York Times used to direct subscribers to either a virtual chat or a hotline. Only last year did the Times begin to allow digital subscribers to cancel their subscriptions directly, Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander told Insider. He added the publication hopes to soon make this available to all print subscribers soon  currently only some can use this method.

Planet Fitness is up front that its members must cancel at a gym or by mail, even if they can sign up online.

"Our standard cancellation policy, which is outlined for members upon joining, notes that cancellation in person or via written mail notification is required," said McCall Gosselin, senior vice president of communications and corporate social responsibility at Planet Fitness in a statement to Insider.

Gosselin added that they have added the ability to digitally cancel in some states and are exploring ways to expand access to that function.

Biden could do something about it

The Federal Trade Commission could also use its policies to go after companies. It has in the past.

The FTC fined Vonage, an online phone service, $100 million after the agency alleged that the company used "dark patterns" that made it difficult for customers to cancel. In some cases, the agency alleged that the company continued to charge customers even after they hunted down the cancelation hotline number and spoke to an actual person. In October 2021, the FTC issued an enforcement policy statement making it clear that it was putting companies on notice if they made subscribing easy and canceling far too difficult.

The problem is so large though, Breyault cautioned that the agency can't tackle it alone. He added that the FTC has so many different responsibilities, including crypto, that it looks for only the most egregious defenders. Passing the Unsubscribe Act would give the federal government additional legal authority to hold companies accountable beyond the FTC's overall powers.

There's precedent for executive action working on this, but it's mostly abroad.

Amazon agreed to change how users cancel its Prime membership after European regulators, US consumer groups, and, finally, the FTC stepped in. Before the tech giant changed its practices last summer, Public Citizen, another US consumer group, published a video showing the long process it took to cancel the service. It was an odd juxtaposition for a company that makes purchasing with just one click a huge part of its model.

State and local officials have also taken notice.

Then-DC Attorney Karl Racine went after the food delivery service Grubhub for hitting customers with hidden fees and using deceptive marketing about its subscription service. The company later agreed to pay an $800,000 fine and an additional $2.7 million to settle the suit.

Still, the chances of a bill passing this Congress a longshot. President Joe Biden called out consumer-related issues in his State of the Union, but it's unclear where unwanted subscriptions fit in.

While consumers wait for regulation, the situation is so bleak that some companies are now devoted to helping you get out of the pile of undesired subscriptions.



Naturally, you often have to subscribe for that, too.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Quang Ninh opens new tourist sites on Bai Tu Long Bay

The northern province of Quang Ninh will open more new destinations on Bai Tu Long Bay for tourists.



The new sites which are Tay Hoi, Tra Ngoc, Cai Lim, Ba Mun and Ban Sen islands will help diversify tourism products in the city. Visitors can choose Cai Rong or Ao Tien ports in Van Don Districts to travel to these places.





Boats on Bai Tu Long Bay (photo by Huy Hung)



However, the proposal to add Tra Ban, Cai De and Cai Lim areas in Van Don District to the provinces list of new tourist spots is still being considered.



The provincial Department of Tourism has been assigned to co-operate with agencies to survey the new sites to ensure they can receive travellers from April.



According to the Quang Ninh Department of Transport, there are two ports and seven wharves. By late this month, Van Don will put Ao Tien Port into operation. It has five wharves which can receive 300-seat boats. It is also large enough to accommodate 150 tourist boats.

Bai Tu Long Bay, which stretches the cities of Ha Long and Cam Pha and Van Don District, is home to hundreds of pristine islands. People live on many islands on the bay. So, coming here, visitors will have a chance to experience local life.



Quang Ninh has set a target to welcome 15.5 million tourists by 2025, including at least five million foreigners. The figure is expected to rise to 24.5 million visitors, including 8.6 million foreigners, by 2030.



Between 2025 and 2030, the provincial tourism sector expects to obtain an annual growth rate of 10-11 percent.
Milo Ventimiglia plays a con man whose life suddenly becomes much more complicated in "The Company You Keep." (Eric McCandless/ABC)

A handsome con man works big scores with his family in The Company You Keep. After selling some property they dont even own, they think theyve hit the jackpot  $10 million free and clear. Turns out, they just got scammed themselves by someone else, who takes the money and runs. Now theyre back at square one.

Actually, its worse than that: They got made and now theyre on the hook to return all that money, bit by bit, to the Irish criminal syndicate they targeted with this phony deal  otherwise its lights out. A decent enough heist-of-the-week premise, if only the ABC drama were going for that.

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Starring Milo Ventimiglia in his follow-up to This Is Us, the show is a series of winking capers. But also family drama (involving multiple families). And also a nighttime soap juiced with romantic intrigue. Its based on a Korean show called My Fellow Citizens! which I have not seen; Wikipedia describes the premise thusly: A con man, who gets involved with unexpected incidents, marries a police officer and somehow ends up running to become a member of the National Assembly.

A night of passion leads to love between a con man and an undercover agent, played by Milo Ventimiglia (right) and Catherine Haena Kim, respectively, in The Company You Keep." (Eric McCandless/ABC)

The Company You Keep has made some key changes. The police detective love interest is now an agent working for an unnamed shadowy government agency, played by Catherine Haena Kim. Another tweak: Its her brother whos running for office, and as storylines go, this is underwhelming. Nor does it actually develop her character further. Who is she, beyond these things that are happening around her?

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More pressingly, the show cant seem to land on an overall tone or sensibility.

Ventimiglia is likable, thats not the issue. But as written, the character is too bland and underdeveloped to really carry a show. Same goes for his romantic counterpart in Kim, who is stuck with dialogue that has her saying things like our friends at the FBI. Its unclear what she does exactly but its very important and shes very good at ... whatever her job is.

The show is the latest addition to a roster of fine-but-forgettable shows to premiere on ABC this season, along with the Gina Rodriguez comedy Not Dead Yet and the Hilary Swank newspaper drama Alaska Daily (which last aired in November; the final four episodes are slated to run next month if you havent forgotten about it already). These shows might be decidedly mid, but I do appreciate that the network isnt just ordering up an endless array of cop dramas to fill its schedule (Will Trent is an exception; had to fit in some copaganda somewhere). I respect that ABC is actually trying to find success with the kind of shows that were once TV staples. I think theres an audience for it.

In some ways, The Company You Keep seems to be going after the same viewers who were drawn to Stumptown in 2019; ABC renewed the Cobie Smulders and Jake Johnson drama after its first season, only to reverse that decision. (Welcome to the uncertainty of modern television, where good news can quickly turn bad.) Stumptown had a few things going for it that are missing here: A defined sense of itself and the sexual tension threaded through it, along with a clearer idea of what each episode was aiming to accomplish.

That's a lot of characters. From left: William Fichtner, Sarah Wayne Callies, Polly Draper, Milo Ventimiglia, Felisha Terrell, Catherine Haena Kim, Tim Chiou, Freda Foh Shen and James Saito. (Brian Bowen Smith/ABC)

Its not that a show cant do multiple things at once. But with The Company You Keep, the ratios are off. ABC sent out just two screeners, which isnt much to go by. The pilot gets bogged down establishing the world of the series and probably isnt a good example of things to come. Episode 2 opens with a musical choice  Money (Thats What I Want)  that is extremely on-the-nose, but its a kicky number that suggests: Oh, the show is this.

A diamond necklace is being auctioned off and the crew is there to  wait, the episode starts mid-heist, skipping all the planning and problem-solving to go straight to the main event. Too bad the scheme is confused and disjointed and broken up by other storylines.

But hey, Ventimiglia looks good in a suit. Get to stealing, hes instructed by the threatening femme fatale who is now his nemesis. Theres a zippiness to that line thats undercut every time the show changes gears to become a relationship drama complicated by demanding families. William Fichtner and Polly Draper play Ventimiglias blue-collar parents who own a bar in Baltimore, and were meant to believe they can bluff through a con with the best of them. Theyre pretty good! But so far, at least, the episodes feel so scattered that anyones flair for chicanery is almost an afterthought when it should be one of the shows big selling points.

William Fichtner in The Company You Keep." (Scott Everett White/ABC)

A quick note: Dashing, high-octane liars are the character du jour, apparently; a couple of weeks from now True Lies, the TV adaptation of the 1994 James Cameron movie, premieres on CBS, about a woman who discovers her husband is a spy and gets sucked into his web of secret agenting. It, too, features a similar combination of clandestine schemery, opportunities to show off a well-cut suit and intense, possibly life-or-death scenarios.

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The Company You Keep  2 stars (out of four)

Where to watch: 9 p.m. Sundays on ABC (and streaming on Hulu)

Nina Metz is a Tribune critic

nmetz@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO (AP)  The father of a man charged with fatally shooting seven people at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to charges that he helped his son obtain a gun license three years before the attack.

Robert Crimo Jr.'s not guilty plea at a county courthouse in Waukegan, north of Highland Park where the shooting happened last year, came a day after a grand jury indicted the 58-year-old on seven counts of reckless conduct  one count for each person killed.

Each count carries a maximum 3-year prison term.

Crimo, who is free on bail, sat at a defense table during his brief arraignment tieless and in a gray suit, occasionally nodding his head as Judge George Strickland spoke and read the indictment, which names each victim killed. The next court date was set for April 4.

Prosecutors have said the father helped his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a gun license years before the shooting, even though the then-19-year-old had threatened violence.

Robert Crimo Jr. was arrested in December, also on seven felony counts of reckless conduct, one for each person killed. The longtime resident and well-known figure in Highland Park was released after his arrest on a $50,000 bond.

In a brief statement released by his office Wednesday, Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart said the grand jury agreed the case against the father should move forward.

Parents who help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible when those kids hurt others with those weapons," Rinehart said.

George M. Gomez, the fathers Chicago-area attorney, has previously called the accusations against his client baseless and unprecedented.

Rinehart has said the accusations against the father are based on his sponsorship of his sons application for a gun license in December 2019. Authorities say Robert Crimo III attempted suicide by machete in April 2019 and in September 2019 was accused by a family member of making threats to kill everyone.

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Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenagers should have a weapon, Rinehart said after the father's arrest. In this case, the system failed when Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son. He knew what he knew and he signed the form anyway.

Authorities say Illinois State Police reviewed the sons gun license application and found no reason to deny it because he had no arrests, no criminal record, no serious mental health problems, no orders of protection and no other behavior that would disqualify him.

Legal experts have said it's rare for an accused shooter's parent or guardian to face charges  in part because it's difficult to prove such charges.

In one notable exception, a Michigan prosecutor in 2021 filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a teen accused of fatally shooting four students at his high school. A trial date was delayed while the state appeals court considers an appeal.

A grand jury indicted Robert Crimo III in July on 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, representing the seven people killed and dozens wounded in the attack at the holiday parade in Highland Park.

Robert Crimo Jr. has shown up at several of his son's pretrial hearings, nodding in greeting when his son entered the courtroom shackled and flanked by guards. The father is a familiar face around Highland Park, where he was once a mayoral candidate and operated convenience stores.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm.
Washington  The FBI conducted two consensual searches of the University of Delaware as part of the Justice Department's probe into the handling of documents with classified markings from President Joe Biden's time as vice president, three U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News.

The searches were conducted within the last month, the first search took place toward the end of January, and the second at the beginning of February, according to a source familiar with the investigation. FBI personnel removed multiple boxes from the premises. The documents removed did not have classified markings on them but included materials that required more scrutiny, the source told CBS News.

Justice Department officials, as well as the FBI, also interviewed a University of Delaware archivist who handled Mr. Biden's material, the source said.

The University of Delaware, Mr. Biden's alma mater, is home to an institute named for the president, and the school's library houses a collection of his senatorial papers and records. CBS News' attempt to reach the curator of the collection was unsuccessful Wednesday night.

The university was the fourth location associated with the president where searches have been carried out by federal investigators.

CNN was first to report the FBI searches at the University of Delaware.

Lawyers for the president first discovered Obama-era classified documents in early November at The Penn Biden Center, a think tank used by Mr. Biden before declaring his candidacy for president in 2019. The FBI has also carried out searches at Mr. Biden's homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The White House, a spokesperson for President Biden's personal attorney, and a spokesperson for the University of Delaware declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Justice Department. The Justice Department also declined comment.

In November, one of Biden's personal attorneys, Patrick Moore, discovered roughly 10 documents with sensitive markings at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C. Some were marked top secret. The president's attorneys notified the National Archives about the revelation, which prompted the Archives to refer the matter to the Justice Department. The FBI carried out a consensual search of the think tank that month.

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The following month, on Dec. 20, Mr. Biden's personal attorneys uncovered additional records marked classified in Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, which were turned over to the FBI for review.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate the matter on Jan. 12, 2023. That same day, President Biden's personal attorneys alerted the Justice Department to another classified document discovered in his Willmington residence. On Jan. 20, the FBI conducted a 13-hour search of the president's Wilmington home.

According to the president's attorney, six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials were ultimately collected, some of which dated back to the president's service in the Senate and some that were from his tenure as vice president.

A search of the president's Rehoboth Beach home earlier this month by the FBI did not uncover any sensitive records.

University of Delaware representative Peter Bothum told CBS News on Jan. 16, "No vice presidential materials have been sent to or are stored at the university." At that point, he said no searches had been conducted for documents at the university.

Revelations of sensitive records from Mr. Biden's time as vice president arose amid an ongoing federal investigation into the handling of classified documents retained by former President Donald Trump after his presidency.

Special counsel Jack Smith is probing allegations that restricted records were mishandled during Trump's transition from the White House and that individuals tied to Trump may have obstructed the investigation. In August, the FBI executed a search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida after a year-long legal battle to retrieve all missing documents.

Trump's vice president, Mike Pence, was found to have classified documents after leaving office. Earlier this month, his attorneys discovered records with classified markings and handed them over to the Justice Department for review. Last week, an FBI search at Pence's home uncovered an additional classified record.

Like the Biden searches, the search at Pence's home was consensual.

Last week, the National Archives released emails revealing that documents at the Boston office of Mr. Biden's attorney had been handed over to officials with the Archives in November.

Gillian Morley contributed reporting.

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The FBI is joining the probe into the death of a man who was allegedly left naked on a concrete jail floor for days until he was transported limp and not alert and conscious to an Alabama hospital.

Tony Mitchell was a pretrial detainee at the Walker County Jail from Jan. 12 until his death Jan. 26, according to a lawsuit filed by his mother Monday. An official cause of death has not been released, but notes from an emergency room doctor who treated him included in the lawsuit said he is likely to have died of hypothermia.

The Alabama Attorney General's Office released a statement Thursday confirming that it was aware of the case and that the FBI is investigating along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

"Once the investigation is completed, the Attorney General will ensure that any appropriate action is taken," the statement said.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mitchell's case.

Anthony Mitchell is carried by prison guards. (via family attorney)

The FBI's Birmingham field office recently investigated Alabama Department of Corrections Lt. Mohammad Shahid Jenkins, leading to a four-count indictment by a grand jury last month. The indictment is sealed, but Jenkins is accused of using excessive force on an inmate and obstructing the investigation.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this month.

Mitchell's case was detailed in the wrongful death suit filed by his mother against the county's sheriff's office and jail staff. The suit says that the family had received leaked footage of Mitchell's detainment that contradicted what they'd been told by county officials.

Mitchell was taken into custody after a family member asked officials to perform a wellness check Jan. 12, noting he might be a danger to himself or others, the Walker County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook at the time.

Mitchell fired a gun while deputies were on the scene and was charged with attempted murder, the sheriffs office said.

He remained a pretrial detainee from that day until the morning of Jan. 26, when he was taken to the hospital.

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According to the lawsuit, Mitchell's family received video footage from a corrections officer in the jail that shows he'd been left naked on a cement floor in a bare cell for days. Within three days of his stay at the Walker County Jail, Mitchell had been shocked with a stun gun, which caused his false teeth to fall out of his mouth, the suit alleges, also citing video a corrections officer provided.

Mitchell's teeth were placed in a dated bag and it appeared that he never got them back, making it unlikely he was able to eat solid foods during his stay, the lawsuit said.

Screenshots of video given to Mitchells family are included in the lawsuit. An image from about 4 a.m. the day he died shows Mitchell naked on the floor and his cell door open. Corrections employees are outside the door and appear to be speaking to one another. It is unknown what was said.

Video from later that morning, which was provided to NBC News by the attorney representing Mitchells mother and the jail employee who leaked it, shows corrections officers carrying a clothed Mitchell to a sheriffs office SUV.

Its unclear whether Mitchell is conscious in the video as officers stand on either side and carry him into the vehicle.

The lawsuit says county officials told Mitchells family that staff members found his temperature began to drop during a routine exam that morning.

Mitchells body temperature when he arrived at the hospital was 72 degrees Fahrenheit, according to medical notes included in the suit. The average body temperature is 98.6, and hypothermia begins once the body falls below 95, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The emergency room doctor described being unaware of the underlying cause of Mitchells hypothermia but believed it was the ultimate cause of his death, the document says.

The lawsuit casts doubt on officials claims that Mitchells temperature began dropping only that morning. It notes that the family did not have access to video of Mitchells location overnight.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Reuters) - The FBI carried out two searches in recent weeks at the University of Delaware in connection to a probe into President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the investigation.

The searches occurred with the consent and cooperation of Biden's legal team, the report added. The White House and FBI both declined to comment to Reuters and referred queries to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Neither the Justice Department nor the University of Delaware immediately responded to separate emailed requests for comment from Reuters.

Earlier this month, Biden's attorney said the U.S. Justice Department did not find documents with classified markings during a three-and-a-half hour search of the president's beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, but did take some materials for further review.

Materials were previously found at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at a Washington office he used during the time between his service as vice president under Barack Obama and his presidential election.

The issue has created a political headache for Biden, who is expected to announce a re-election campaign in the coming weeks or months.

Biden donated papers from his tenure as Delaware senator between 1973 and 2009 to the University of Delaware, according to the institution's website.

"Until the archival process is complete and the collection is opened to the public, access is only available with President Biden's express consent," it says, adding that Biden and his designees have access under supervision of Special Collections.

Wednesday's CNN report said investigators retrieved materials that did not appear to have classified markings, but were now being reviewed by the FBI.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas in Los Angeles; additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles and Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Christopher Cushing)
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is demanding Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) name a new treasurer for his campaign and several affiliated political committees, warning that a failure to do so will bar the groups from raising or spending any money.

It is required that for any committee to conduct any business, they must have an active treasurer, Jaime Amrhein, an assistant branch chief at the FEC, wrote in a Tuesday letter to Santoss campaign. Failure to appoint a treasurer will result in the inability of the committee to accept contributions and make disbursements.

Santoss now-former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks resigned her role last month amid questions about the campaigns finances. The campaign filed paperwork naming longtime GOP operative Thomas Datwyler as its new treasurer, but shortly after, a lawyer for Datwyler told The Hill that he had not agreed to take the job.

Federal law requires every political committee to have a treasurer in order to spend or take in money. Campaigns must appoint a new treasurer within 10 days of their former treasurer resigning. The letter from the FEC gives Santoss campaign until March 21 to respond.

The Hill has reached out to Santoss attorney for comment on the FECs requests.

Santos, a first-term congressman who flipped a Democratic-leaning district in November, has been mired in controversy since late last year after it was revealed that he had lied about his resume.

Since then, hes faced scrutiny over everything from his business dealings to his campaigns financial practices, including the source of a pair of six-figure loans from the candidate and a series of campaign expenses for $199.99  an amount thats just two cents under the $200 threshold that would require the campaign to keep receipts or invoices.

Santos has so far avoided addressing questions about his campaign finances, telling reporters last month that he doesnt touch the FEC filings.

I dont amend anything, Santos said. I dont touch any of my FEC stuff. So dont be disingenuous and report that I did, because you know that every campaign hires fiduciaries. So Im not aware of that answer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
nCino headquarters in Wilmington, N.C.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice closed its investigation into the hiring practices of Wilmington-based technology company nCino.

The nearly two-year federal investigation resulted in no fines or other penalties for the company. Still, an ongoing class action lawsuit against nCino has raised questions about how leading local technology firms recruit and hire workers.

nCino, a cloud-based banking company, was founded in 2011 by executives from financial technology firm Live Oak Bank. The company also founded Apiture, another Wilmington-based digital banking company, in 2017.

More:Q&A: How tech layoffs could impact Wilmington's economy amid recession worries

More:Why Wilmington: Tech workers talk relocating to the Port City

A federal investigation

On Feb. 24, 2021, nCino disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the company, its officers and other employees had been served with subpoenas seeking information connected to an investigation of nCinos hiring and wage practices under U.S. federal antitrust laws.

The antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice headed up the investigation.

The company was fully cooperating with authorities and believed its hiring practices didnt violate antitrust laws, according to the filing. Nearly two years later, on Feb. 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice told nCino that the investigation had been closed.

No fines, sanctions, actions, or penalties were imposed or taken against the Company or its officers or other employees in connection with this matter, the filing states.

The headquarters of financial technology company nCino in Wilmington, N.C.

Lawsuit raises questions

Before nCino executives received subpoenas, the company got a letter from a law firm informing the company of a potential civil antitrust lawsuit against nCino and Live Oak Bank. A class action lawsuit was filed against nCino, Live Oak Bank and Apiture on March 12, 2021, in North Carolina Eastern District Court.

In the lawsuit, Joseph McAlear, a former employee at Live Oak Bank and Apiture, argues that a no-hire agreement between the three companies prevents employment competition, allowing them to pay tech workers lower wages.

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If operating under competitive and lawful conditions, Live Oak Bank and nCino, and Apiture and nCino, would have recruited and hired employees from each other, driving employee pay up, the lawsuits complaint states. The companies knew this and avoided such competitive wage pressure by entering into the no-hire agreement.

McAlear joined Live Oak Banks financial technology department in 2017 as a project manager. When he needed to hire new employees he was told by coworkers and his manager that the company preferred to hire from outside of the area.

More:As the 'talent war' rages, here's one way Wilmington business leaders hope to lure workers

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest development news by following our Growth and Development page on Facebook.

McAlear later became a vice president at Apiture and when he found a position with nCino that more closely suited his interests and skills, he applied for it. In response, he was told there was a gentlemans agreement between the three companies, which meant they wouldnt recruit or hire employees from each other, the complaint states.

McAlear expressed his disapproval of the agreement during a conversation with his coworkers and other officials at the company. His position was later eliminated. He again applied to work at nCino and was again rejected.

In the lawsuit, McAlear is seeking damages caused by Live Oak Bank, Apiture and nCino, the costs of bringing suit, attorneys fees and a declaration that such agreement is unlawful, according to the initial complaint.

Last year, Live Oak Bank and Apiture paid out $4.65 million to settle the suit to the nearly 2,000 members of the class action. However, the suit against nCino remains ongoing.

"We are happy the process is over and that the expenses associated with cooperating with the investigation will now cease," Ryan Kelly, nCinos senior public relations specialist wrote in an email to the StarNews, "and we will vigorously defend ourselves in the civil case, which is wholly without merit."

Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at edill@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Federal investigation into nCino wraps up while lawsuit remains open
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan at a press conference on Thursday after he inspected the site of a train derailment of hazardous material in East Palestine, Ohio. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Federal officials are promising residents of the small Ohio town of East Palestine that they will hold Norfolk Southern Railway accountable for a catastrophic train derailment that led to the release of toxic chemicals earlier this month.

Speaking at a Thursday afternoon press conference, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, also assured residents that government agencies would be with them to help for as long as possible.

This incident has understandably shaken this community to its core, forcing families to temporarily leave their homes, worrying about their health and safety of their children and even questioning the information that they're receiving from all of us, Regan said.

The community has questions, and they deserve answers, he continued. I want the community to know that we hear you, we see you and that we will get to the bottom of this.

A video screenshot released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the site of the derailed freight train. (NTSB via Xinhua)

Both Regan and Brown specifically promised to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the derailment and its fallout.

I will be watching Norfolk Southern, Brown said. Watching them and letting them know I'm watching them is as important as anything I can do.

The Feb. 3 derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border spilled chemicals onto the surrounding area and waterways. That was followed three days later by Norfolk Southern's release and then burning of toxic chemicals from five of the derailed tanker cars in what it said was an effort to preempt a larger explosion.

One of the chemicals the company was most concerned about was vinyl chloride, a colorless gas and known carcinogen.

Beyond the immediate health and safety concerns for local residents, many questions remain unanswered about what caused the derailment and whether more stringent federal regulations could have prevented it.

At a press conference earlier in the week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on Congress to examine why federal regulations did not require the railroad to notify officials in Ohio that it would be sending a train carrying hazardous materials through the state.

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Frankly, if this is true, and I'm told its true, this is absurd, DeWine, a Republican, said.

At the press conference in East Palestine on Thursday, Brown and Johnson agreed with DeWines comments and said they were looking into whether a change in federal law might be necessary.

That's another reason why I think it's really important that [Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg] come here and take a look at this himself, Johnson said. Buttigieg, who did not issue a statement on the accident until 10 days after it had occurred, has been criticized by lawmakers and rail workers for his response.

A sign outside a flower shop on Market Street in East Palestine. (Angelo Merendino/Getty Images)

Prior to the press conference, Regan and other officials spoke with residents as EPA officials conducted tests of the water and air at their homes.

My community should not have been back before that was done, one local woman told Regan, referring to the tests. We've been let down.

State officials said that while test results delivered earlier Thursday showed that the municipal water supply did not have signs of contamination, additional tests still needed to be completed on the numerous private wells supplying water to houses in the rural area. Regan said his agency was testing for all dangerous chemicals and so far had checked more than 500 private homes.

State officials have insisted since last week that it is safe for residents to return to their homes, but locals continue to report rashes, headaches and difficulty breathing, as well as an odd smell in the air.

Officials have said that while an estimated 3,500 fish were killed in the days after the accident, theyve received no reports of illness in livestock. However, the local Humane Society chapter told the Salem News that more than 20 families had contacted it about sick, lethargic or dead animals, while others reported that the burning chemicals were having an effect on their foxes and chickens.

Regan said he was confident that the testing in the area was accurate but said residents who were feeling ill should report their symptoms.

For those who are experiencing some sort of adverse health reaction, we ask that they please seek medical attention, he said. Also, we ask that they contact the local and state health agencies, because we want that information. We want to hear from people.

At a press conference Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio, DeWine encouraged locals to return to their homes, although he conceded that hed take precautions if he were in their situation.

Look, I think that I would be drinking the bottle of water, and I would be continuing to find out what the tests were showing as far as the air. I would be alert and concerned, but I think I would probably be back in my house, DeWine said, adding of those affected, I understand their skepticism, and I understand their anger. And, you know, if I lived in the community, I would be angry too. [Norfolk Southern] caused this problem  theyre going to be held accountable.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gives an update on the train derailment on Tuesday. (Patrick Orsagos/AP Photo)

Residents had expected more answers Wednesday night at a town hall, but before it was set to start, Norfolk Southern announced it would no longer be sending representatives, citing concerns about their safety. The town hall format had already been modified so residents could speak to different agency members one on one but would not be given the chance to publicly question company officials.

They were in all the meetings, then today I got a phone call that they didn't feel safe, Mayor Trent Conaway told residents. I understand everybody. I'm just as frustrated as you are. ... I'm trying to get answers. I cannot force them to be here.

While the cause of the derailment and the extent of the chemicals spread is still being investigated, Norfolk Southerns response in the immediate aftermath is being criticized for allegedly prioritizing an expedient reopening of the railway over the well-being of area residents.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the railroad was unwilling to explore alternative courses of action, including some that may have kept the rail line closed longer but could have resulted in a safer overall approach for first responders, residents and the environment." That came after the EPA sent a letter to Norfolk Southern saying the company had failed to properly dispose of contaminated soil at the crash site in its effort to get the railway reopened.

In an email to Yahoo News, a spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said the company has called the Governor to address his concerns, and insisted that it is committed to ensuring health and safety through ongoing environmental monitoring and support for their needs.

Norfolk Southern was on-scene immediately following the derailment and began working directly with local, state, and federal officials as they arrived at the unified command established in East Palestine by local officials, including those from Pennsylvania, the emailed statement read. We remain at the command post today working alongside those agencies to keep information flowing from our teams working at the site.

Portions of the train were still on fire on Feb. 4, the day after it derailed. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Norfolk Southern is already facing class action lawsuits over the derailment and the companys response to it. One lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, accuses the company of recklessly releasing chemical weapons into the community in and around East Palestine when it decided to spill and then burn the vinyl chloride, sending phosgene gas and hydrogen chloride into the air.

The lawsuit notes that phosgene is a highly toxic, colorless gas that was used as a weapon in World War I and is banned under the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.

The lawsuit estimates that the train was carrying more than a million pounds of vinyl chloride. For context, the complaint states, the total amount of vinyl chloride discharged in the U.S. in 2021 was 428,522 pounds.

"In other words, Norfolk Southern discharged more cancer causing Vinyl Chloride into the environment in the course of a week than all industrial emitters combined did in the course of a year," alleges the complaint.

The response from federal agencies is also under scrutiny from the U.S. senators representing Ohio and Pennsylvania, who on Wednesday asked the EPA and the National Transportation Safety Board to provide details on their handling of the fallout of the derailment.

While we are grateful no injuries or fatalities resulted directly from the derailment, we are deeply concerned about the release of hazardous materials into the air and groundwater in East Palestine and surrounding communities, the senators wrote to the NTSB.

Hundreds of families were forced to flee their homes, and they are now rightfully concerned about long-term health risks due to the Norfolk Southern train derailment. No American family should be forced to face the horror of fleeing their homes because hazardous materials have spilled or caught fire in their community.
JACKSON, Miss. - The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday it is investigating possible civil rights violations by a Mississippi sheriffs department after a drug raid last month left a Black man with a bullet wound to the face.

There is a stark discrepancy in how police say the Jan. 24 incident unfolded and what lawyers for the family of Michael Corey Jenkins say occurred. The lawyers claim it was a racially motivated attack while police say the shooting occurred after someone pointed a gun at deputies during the late-night raid at a home in Rankin County, just east of the state capital of Jackson.

Attorneys for Jenkins, 32, say he was critically injured by Rankin County deputies. Jenkins was released from the hospital Tuesday and attended a news conference Wednesday, where he nodded affirmatively when his lawyer, Malik Shabazz, asked if deputies had beaten him and shot him in the mouth.

This is deliberate. This is drawn out. This is unheard of, Shabazz told reporters.

According to Shabazz, deputies never presented a warrant before forcing their way into the home. The deputies immediately subdued Jenkins and another man, Eddie Terrell Parker, who counted six officers and described all of them as white. Neither Jenkins nor Parker resisted, he said.

Michael Jenkins, second from right, stand with his mother, Mary Jenkins, center, and their attorneys at a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 15. 2023, in Jackson, Miss., following his release from the hospital three weeks after being shot by sheriff's deputies. The Justice Department says it has opened a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff's Office after its deputies wounded Jenkins during a drug raid on Jan. 24. Jenkins says he was beaten and shot in the mouth unjustifiably. The sheriff says Jenkins was charged with assaulting an officer and drug possession.

Parker said he was sitting in his bedroom at about 10 p.m. that night when he heard loud talking coming from the homes living room. He said he opened his door and saw deputies in the hallway, and they immediately ordered him to get down on the floor.

More:After video shows police Tasing, Lumumba contradicts Police Chief Davis on cause of death

Over the course of 90 minutes, Parker and Jenkins said, they were beaten, shocked with Tasers and ordered to lie on their backs as deputies poured milk over their faces. Parker said he struggled to keep breathing and keep from drowning at the same time.

There was milk coming out of my nose, my mouth, Parker told The Associated Press in an interview. Ive never been in that position and felt the way that I felt that night.

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Jenkins, who has trouble speaking because of his injuries, told AP that he was on his knees at the end of the ordeal when one of the deputies stood over him. Shabazz said the deputy placed the barrel of a gun in Jenkins' mouth, it fired and the bullet exited behind one of Jenkins' ears.

The Justice Department released a statement following the news conference, saying its civil rights division, along with local FBI agents and federal prosecutors in Mississippi, have opened a federal civil rights investigation.

Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, said the state agency also is investigating the shooting. She declined further comment.

In a news release on Jan. 25, the bureau said the deputies were conducting a narcotics investigation when they entered the home. The bureau said the shooting occurred after someone pointed a gun toward the deputies. The statement does not say whether a weapon was recovered at the scene.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said in a statement that he immediately sought a state investigation. The sheriffs office gave few details but said Jenkins was charged with assaulting an officer and drug possession. Parker has been charged with possession of paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

"Rest assured, if any deputy or suspect involved in this incident is found to have broken the law, he will be held accountable in accordance with the law, the sheriff said.

More:Federal operation nets 900 arrests nationwide. See how many from Jackson area

Bailey did not respond to written questions about whether deputies had a warrant or if the deputies involved had been placed on administrative leave.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Feds open civil rights probe after Mississippi deputies shoot Black man
Flanked by Rev. Al Sharpton,left, and her husband Rodney Wells, RowVaughn Wells speaks during the funeral service for her son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 1, 2023. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean)

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two sheriffs deputies who have been suspended for five days for their role in the arrest of Tyre Nichols failed to keep their body cameras activated after they went to the location where Nichols had been beaten by five Memphis police officers, officials said late Wednesday.

Shelby County Sheriffs Office deputies Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers each violated multiple policies after they reported to the location of Nichols violent arrest on Jan. 7, Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in a statement.

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Nichols had fled a traffic stop but was caught near his home by Memphis Police Department officers who punched him, kicked him and hit him with a baton, police video footage and other documents showed.

Video released by the city showed several law enforcement officers standing around as Nichols struggled with serious injuries while he sat on the ground, propped up against a police car. Nichols was taken to a hospital in an ambulance that left the location of the beating 27 minutes after emergency medical technicians arrived, authorities have said.

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Nichols died at a hospital on Jan. 10. Five Memphis officers accused of beating Nichols have been fired and charged with second-degree murder. One other Memphis officer has been fired but not charged criminally for his role in the traffic stop that preceded the beating.

The sheriffs office previously had said two deputies who went to the scene after Nichols was beaten had been disciplined and were under investigation. But the county law enforcement office had not divulged further details, including their names and the actions they took  or did not take.

Reports released by the sheriffs office late Wednesday showed Bowers and Watkins were suspended for five days without pay for failing to keep their body cameras and in-car video turned on while they were at the arrest location.

The deputies also did not notify dispatch or their supervisor, the reports showed. Watkins also did not report on his daily log that he went to the arrest location, according to the reports.

Bonner said the sheriffs office does not believe that the deputies will face criminal charges.

Bowers and Watkins have been Shelby County deputies since June 2021, Bonner said. Both suspensions began Wednesday.
A male former Google exec is suing a female former coworker over accusations of sexual harassment. Leonardo Munoz/VIEWpress via Getty Images

A female Google exec accused of sexually harassing a male coworker has hit back in court.

Her lawyers say in a filing his tenure at Google was marked by "repeated" misconduct toward women.

The filing also accuses him of trying to "recast himself as a victim."

A female Google executive accused of sexually harassing and drunkenly berating a male coworker has hit back in court, saying his time at the company was "marked by repeated instances of misconduct toward women."

Lawyers for Tiffany Miller, Google's director of programmatic media, say in a court filing that a complaint by Ryan Olohan, formerly Google's managing director of food, beverage, and restaurants, is a "fictional account" crafted by him "to blame others for his own significant shortcomings."

Olohan is suing Miller and Google in New York, saying among other things that Miller sexually harassed him and the company failed to address this behavior. In his complaint, filed in November in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, Olohan also accuses Google and Miller of gender discrimination, race discrimination, and retaliation.

A response from Miller's lawyers, filed Thursday, says: "Olohan's attempts to recast himself as a victim are particularly ironic in light of his troubled tenure at Google, which was marked by repeated instances of misconduct toward women and subordinates.

"Miller, who was never Olohan's boss, not only vehemently denies that she engaged in any improprieties whatsoever in her interactions with Olohan, she also categorically denies that she had anything to do with his termination."

Olohan's employment at Google was terminated on August 5, per his complaint.

A spokesperson for Google told Insider Olohan "was terminated with cause after a thorough investigation of complaints by numerous employees," adding: "We firmly stand by our decision here and we will vigorously defend ourselves against these claims."

A lawyer for Olohan told Insider his client's complaint "details his record of leadership and integrity, which Google consistently recognized for over 15 years," adding: "We are disappointed by Google's refusal to take accountability and look forward to vindicating Mr. Olohan's rights."

In a response to Olohan's complaint filed on January 30, Google denied all allegations made against it, and asked the court to dismiss the case "with prejudice in its entirety."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive inpatient care for clinical depression, his office said Thursday.

Fettermans office said he checked himself in Wednesday evening at the recommendation of Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician of the U.S. Congress.

While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks, Fettermans office said.

Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis, the statement added. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

Fettermans wife, Gisele Fetterman, shared the statement on Twitter and added, After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs.

After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs. pic.twitter.com/SfuwWTSUcG  Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 16, 2023

The news comes less than a week after Fetterman, a Democrat, was discharged from George Washington University after a brief hospitalization for light-headedness.

Fetterman was discharged on Friday after doctors ruled out the possibility that the senator suffered a new stroke.

In addition to the CT, CTA, and MRI tests ruling out a stroke, his EEG test results came back normal, with no evidence of seizures, Fettermans office said last week, two days after he was hospitalized for light-headedness he felt toward the end of a Senate Democratic retreat.

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The 53-year-old experienced an ischemic stroke on May 13, just four days before he went on to win Pennsylvanias Democratic primary. He later defeated Trump-backed Dr. Mehmet Oz in the general election despite suffering from lingering side effects of the stroke.

Ahead of the election, the major newspaper in Allegheny County, which includes Braddock, Pa., Fettermans adopted hometown, endorsed Oz  in part due to Fettermans lack of transparency over his health.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote at the time: Mr. Fettermans health  he suffered a serious stroke in May  is not the issue. His lack of transparency, however, in refusing to release his medical records is troubling. It suggests an impulse to conceal and a mistrust of the people. All candidates for a major elected office should release their medical records, as did Mr. Oz. If you want privacy, dont run for public office.

During the first and only debate between Oz and Fetterman, the Democrat at times seemed confused and struggled to answer some questions, despite using closed-captioning for what he has said were lingering auditory-processing issues.

Fetterman and his team have been accused of downplaying the severity of his medical problems. His wife referred to the stroke as a little hiccup on the same day that Fetterman underwent surgery to have a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

More from National Review
Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The release of a portion of the Fulton county special purpose grand jurys report marks a new step toward potential criminal charges holding Donald Trump and his allies accountable for election interference.

Georgia was crucial in the 2020 presidential election, providing a key victory for Joe Biden and drawing the intense focus of Trump and his backers.

Related: Witnesses in Trump investigation may have lied, says Georgia grand jury report

I just want to find 11,780 votes, Trump said on the now infamous phone call to the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger. During the call, Trump maintained that widespread voter fraud took place in Georgia, claiming that he had in fact won the state despite audits confirming the validity of election results.

It was this call that sparked the initial Fulton county investigation and now fuels Fulton county district attorney Fani Williss ability to bring charges. Unlike other investigations into Trumps legal and business matters, the case is meant to face the former presidents election meddling head-on.

The report excerpt revealed today recommends that charges be filed against a majority of witnesses who lied under oath and concludes there was not widespread voter fraud in Georgia during the 2020 election. It illustrates Fulton countys role in looking to reveal how Donald Trump and his allies sowed seeds of election interference and denialism during the 2020 presidential election.

While these segments fall short of clear criminal charges, they signal that the investigation already contains legitimate evidence of perjury, which could be enough to bring criminal charges against those in Trumps orbit.

Anthony Kreis, Georgia State University College of Law professor and political scientist, said the meticulously curated release of the report points to the ever-growing potential that the Williss office is working to prepare indictment charges for Trump and his allies.

The most damning evidence against Trump is in Georgia, Kreis said. The phone call from former president Trump to the secretary of states office is exceedingly damning both in the sense that there seems to be an express demand for something that could be the solicitation of election fraud and the fact that it is all caught on tape and its much more than just an allegation.

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Due to the clarity of Trumps indiscretions in Georgia, the Fulton county district attorneys office is likely ahead of ongoing federal investigations and closer to presenting charges, according to Georgia attorney Kurt Kastorf, a former US justice department prosecutor.

It is likely that if there are charges [in Fulton county], the charges are going to be in the near term, said Kastorf.

While the report did not reveal the range of these potential charges, the scope of the investigation has been comprehensive. The grand jury called at least 75 prominent witnesses, including many of Trumps known allies. Attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis and Cleta Mitchell, Senator Lindsay Graham and newly elected Georgia lieutenant governor Burt Jones all appeared before the committee.

Though the report does not name which witnesses it believes lied under oath, it does conclude that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses. It also recommends indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling.

No matter the charges brought forth against Trump and those included in the investigation, state law presents a specific set of circumstances that are much different from any ongoing federal cases.

According to Kastorf, there are two key elements that make Fulton county different for Trump and others who face potential indictment from the Fulton county district attorneys office: the difference in the jury pool of Fulton county and the political considerations of a state-level case in comparison to a federal case.

Fulton county is a predominantly Democratic region in the largely Republican state. This means that the jury pool could be comprised of largely Democratic leaning jurors who could be guided by partisan beliefs should a trial ensue. Furthermore, pardons and political immunity are much more difficult to obtain in Georgia.

The US president does not have pardon power in Georgia, said Kastorf. In fact, the governor doesnt have pardon power in Georgia. It is significantly less likely that if Trump or someone associated with his campaign were convicted in Georgia, they would be able to obtain a pardon or have immunity based on holding political office.

Though there is not exactly legal precedence for this case that points to what happens when a sitting president attempts to influence and change the results of an election, according to Kreis, there is a parallel with another historical moment critical to democracy in the US.

We had election denialism run rampant in the United States at the end of the 19th century, and people who engaged in election denialism then decided that they were going to use that to dampen voting rights and disenfranchise people, Kreis said.

According to Kreis, this led to democratic backsliding that threatened the foundation of democracy in the US, similar to what we see today.

But the key difference is, nobody was ever really held accountable for engaging in actions of election denialism that led to acts of political violence back then, said Kreis.
Theres several things about Ralphie that make him a really difficult dog to own.

He bites, he exploits weaknesses and he is quite territorial.

Thats why the staff at a New York animal shelter wrote a brutally honest Facebook post about all his less than desirable traits when he was surrendered to Niagara SPCA earlier this year.

The staff sought a Mother of Dragons who would put up with zero crap. Ralphie the fire-breathing demon dog had already gone through two homes, after all, and it was time to buckle down.

Less than a month after describing Ralphie as a 100% full jerk, Niagara SPCA found Ralphie a new home with an owner who described him as amazing, McClatchy News reported.

Only two days after adopting him, she said she was literally questioning where the name Demon Dog came from, according to a Feb. 4 update from Niagara SPCA. But that feeling didnt last long.

Despite discovering a secret training treat  sliced hot dogs dried out in the microwave  she was unable to get Ralphie under control.

And now Ralphie is up for adoption  again.

While the adopter had the right household dynamic, Ralphie proved to be more than she could handle, Niagara SPCA said in a Feb. 14 Facebook post. Kudos to her though for making the right decision. There were some bad choices made by both, but they parted ways amicably.

Ralphies third temporary owner now understands that Ralphie IS that good-looking bad boy everyones mama warns them about, according to the animal shelter based in Niagara Falls.

The staff at Niagara SPCA managed to track down Ralphies first owners, who provided some insight into his behavior. Then the staff reached out to another trainer for Ralphie.

His first owners took him to board and train, but their relationship was built on the premise that Ralphie was the boss so things ended abruptly, the shelter previously said.

This time, Ralphie will be participating in what has been described as a How to Train Your Dragon in Six Weeks program with YourEveryDayK9 dog trainer. This is an intensive board and train program priced at $6,000 for six weeks.

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The training begins Feb. 20, and Niagara SPCA is immediately vetting new homes interested in adopting Ralphie.

Its preferred that Ralphies new owner live in the area, as Niagara SPCA wants them to work alongside Ralphie with the trainer at YourEveryDayK9 in Grand Island.

If you have kids, other animals or believe that Ralphie only needs love, staff ask that you do not apply. He will totally exploit that, according to the shelter.

To apply, email your letter of interest, dog experience resume and an explanation of why your home is the right fit for Ralphie to dragonadoption@niagaraspca.org.

Niagara Falls is in the northwest corner of New York.

Mitch the hound dog spends 7 years at North Carolina shelter. Now he has a new home

Nobody would adopt sweet dog. Then she was reunited in Texas Christmas miracle

Borderline tolerable cat seeking jerk owner, Ohio rescue says. She is not cute
The city council in Austin, Texas, has voted to fire its beleaguered manager Spencer Cronk  part of a larger fight over the citys future.

Cronk is at the center of two separate but intersecting battles about the role of city government, each of which points to broader tensions in Texas cities: police oversight and the state of the energy grid.

In a packed, contentious meeting evenly divided between progressives, with groups like the Democratic Socialists of America, and police supporters waving Back the Blue signs  each of whom cheered when representatives of their views spoke  council representatives voted 10-1 to fire Cronk.

The council is removing Spencer Cronk from the position of city manager, effective February 16, 2023, Mayor Kirk Watson revealed in another meeting, adding that Cronk would receive a year of severance pay  valued at $388,190  in addition to six months of COBRA insurance coverage.

The city managers office  the primary overseer of Austin Energy, the main city electric utility  has been a prime focus of public ire following the protracted power outages caused by last weeks ice storm.

Cronk also infuriated council members and Austin progressives by his decision  while thousands were still without power  to sign an unapproved side deal with the city police union.

Before the meeting, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes criticized Cronk for his offices long backlog in trimming city trees  one that she charged had prioritized the happiness of rich neighborhoods over the common good.

Following deadly outages after a February 2021 winter storm, the city council doubled its spending on vegetation management to levels the utility declared sufficient, Fuentes told The Hill.

That increase in funding built on a more stringent municipal tree trimming policy for Austin Energy in 2019  ending a more lax system which had led to a substantial backlog in overgrown trees looming over powerlines.

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Even once the reforms were passed, city contractors sent to do tree trimming would encounter homeowners who wouldnt allow them to do it [or] allow them on the property, and who would create a kind of a hostile environment, Fuentes said.

Austin Energy members had testified that in situations like this, unofficial policy was to let those homeowners be  along with the spreading canopies of their untrimmed trees, Fuentes said.

That failure to prune led to the blackouts that extended into last week  as branches from untrimmed trees fell across power lines already sagging from heightened demand.

Fuentes connected these questions regarding tree trimming before the ice storm to a broader pattern in which a few wealthy southern and western city neighborhoods exerted outsized influence on city zoning, homelessness and development goals.

We need to have, again, a community-wide conversation and talk about the impact that that has on our power infrastructure when we have, you know, certain homeowners dictating what can and cannot happen, she added.

She linked the tree policy to a dynamic in which West Austin gets heirloom oaks  while the largely Black and Brown population in east Austin gets landfills and tank farms. These sort of inequities led to a 2015 revolution in city government that swept council members like Fuentes to power.

In that campaign, the former at-large system of city councilors  which was dominated by a few wealthy western and southern neighborhoods, with two token seats held for Black and Latino members  was replaced with a neighborhood-based system in which residents are represented by councilors living in their districts.

This made Austin one of the last major cities to transfer to local rule  something that Fuentes said still shows.

Its the reason why we have landfills on the east side of the city. The reason why we have vast industrial zoning on the east side of our city, she said.

We have these huge fuel tanks, within 800 feet of homes, Fuentes continued, adding that we knew that if this was happening in a neighborhood in West Austin, that it would be a nonstarter.

But Cronk was also in trouble for apparently doing an end-run around the city regarding police reform.

The night before a critical council vote last week to extend the citys police union contract by one year  which would have allowed voters to decide on a May ballot proposition that proposed more citizen oversight for Austins police force  Cronk announced that he had already signed a preliminary deal with the union, The Texas Tribune reported.

That oversight measure is highly contentious, because after it passed, there was a competing measure featuring similar language and an identical title. The second measure also proposed to create an Austin Police Oversight Act  and it too made it onto the ballot, the local Community Impact newspaper reported.

But that second measure was put out by a group called Voters for Oversight and Police Accountability, which was almost entirely funded by the Austin Police Association, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Among other changes, the pro-police measure would allow officers indicted for felonies to continue serving and removes department language about police brutality.

At the council meeting where Cronk was fired, several pro-oversight residents described being tricked into signing the police petition.

The city manager also raised eyebrows last year when he spoke out against the district attorneys indictment of 19 police officers accused of shooting dozens of protesters in the head with lead-filled beanbag rounds full of lead  causing lasting harm to many, The Austin Chronicle reported.

The city has paid out $10 million to resolve civil claims by just two of those harmed, according to the Chronicle.

If the officers were indicted, Cronk warned last year, it would heighten the anxiety of our officers and will impact the staffing shortages we are experiencing.

We do not believe that criminal indictments of the officers working under very difficult circumstances is the correct outcome, he added at the time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Reuters) - Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Brenda Lucki said on Wednesday she is stepping down as head of Canada's national police force.

Lucki will exit the top job on March 17, she said in a statement. Appointed in 2018, she was the first woman to head the force popularly known as the Mounties.

"This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP," she said in a statement. "I'm so proud of the steps we've taken to modernize  to increase accountability, address systemic racism, ensure a safe and equitable workplace and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had appointed Lucki to lead the force, which has been dogged by accusations of discrimination and sexual assault for many years.

During her tenure, the RCMP faced allegations from opposition political parties of political interference in a mass shooting in Nova Scotia in 2020, and came under scrutiny during an inquiry into the government's declaration of extraordinary emergency powers to address the "Freedom Convoy" occupying the capital in 2022.

In 2020 she said in a statement there was systemic racism in the RCMP after being criticized for not acknowledging that in media interviews.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru and Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
The Elizabeth Forward High School band is on its way to Florida for a competition, with a little help from the community after a massive fire at the school over the weekend.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS!

Although the fire damaged most of their equipment and uniforms, the band is staying in good spirits.

RELATED >> Part of Elizabeth Forward auditorium to be razed in controlled demolition after fire, officials say

There was a big sendoff for the students on Wednesday, with first responders cheering them on.

11 News learned Thomas Jefferson High School donated instruments and other local bands are raising money for them.

Its still too early to know when Elizabeth Forward High School will reopen to students. 11 News was told students should prepare for an extended period of remote learning.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) - The gunman who killed three students at Michigan State University and wounded five others carried a note with him listing places where he might have felt slighted, police said on Thursday, suggesting a possible motive behind the shooting.

Discussing the note during a briefing, authorities stressed they were still uncertain about what caused Anthony Dwayne McRae to open fire in two buildings on the school's main campus on Monday night, then kill himself hours later after police tracked him down. Police did not say whether the university was one of the places mentioned in the note.

McRae, 43, had no known connection with the university in East Lansing, about 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Detroit. Authorities say they were trying to determine whether mental illness played a role in the rampage.

"That is obviously something we are going to look at. In hindsight, judging what mental illness someone has is very difficult without some type of former diagnosis," Chris Rozman, interim deputy police chief at Michigan State, said.

"Obviously, in this case there appears to be indications that may be the case."

McRae's father, Michael McRae, said his son was a loner who apparently had no friends and spent most of his time in his room in the house that they shared in the adjacent city of Lansing, police said.

Authorities found two pages of notes on Anthony Dwayne McRae that listed two public schools in New Jersey and the names of a warehouse where he worked, a church, and other places where he appears to have felt slighted. Two bus tickets were also found.

"So it looks like possibly a motive for that - he just felt slighted - and that's what we're dealing with," Michigan State Police Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez said.

On Monday night, McRae entered Berkey Hall, an academic building on Michigan State's northern campus, and began shooting, authorities said. He then fled to another building and opened fire there before police arrived.

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Three students - a 20-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman - were killed. The five hospitalized students were improving but were still in critical condition as of Thursday morning, Rozman said.

Authorities were not releasing the names of the wounded out of respect for their families, he said.

The wounded victim's lives may have been saved by fellow students who rendered aid as the mass shooting was unfolding, said university Police Chief Marlon Lynch.

After the shooting, a manhunt ensued for the suspect, who police found three hours later about four miles (6.5 km) from the campus. The suspect appeared to be simply walking home when officers tried to apprehend him before he shot himself to death, police said.

McRae was armed with two 9mm handguns. He also had eight loaded magazines in a backpack, as well as two magazines on his person, Rozman said. He noted that the guns were purchased legally but were not registered.

McRae was arrested in 2019 for carrying a loaded firearm without a concealed-weapons permit, and he later lied about having a gun inside his home, authorities said.

(This story has been corrected to change the attribution in paragraph 8)

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Rich McKay and Rami Ayyub; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Flavor of Love star Chandra Deelishis Davis is mourning the loss of her niece, Arielle Anderson. The 19-year-old was one of three students fatally shot on Michigan State Universitys campus on Monday evening.

The post Flavor Of Love Star Deelishis Confirms Her Niece Was Killed In MSU Mass Shooting: This Will Never Feel Normal To Me appeared first on Blavity.

This will never feel normal to me  I cant believe Im even typing this. Rest with God, Ari, Davis wrote in her Instagram post, which included photos and a video of Anderson. Our family is broken to pieces, and I cant say how we will get through this, but with Gods help, I know we will.

The reality star expressed her shock and said her niece was the youngest of three and a remarkable student aspiring to be a doctor.

Have you ever met a young person who was simply Pure in Heart  well that was Ariellediamond_  simply PURE  she never raised her voice past a whisper or gentle laugh, Davis continued. She was a remarkable student, attending MSU to become a doctor. The youngest sibling of 3, the last to attend college of her beautiful Moms children. How is it that she was in class doing what she was supposed to be doing, and yet and still her life was taken by a coward who clearly didnt understand the devastation he was about to cause my entire family.

Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner were identified as the two other students killed in the shooting on Tuesday, FOX 3 Now reported. The police said there was no apparent connection between the shooter and the university, and no possible motive was provided.

Earlier in the week, Davis posted an Instagram photo asking for the publics assistance in locating her missing niece, a student at Michigan State University.

My beautiful niece @ariellediamond_ is a student at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, Davis captioned an Instagram post. She was in her classroom in the same building as the active shooter and we have not heard from her. If you know her whereabouts please dm me  in the meantime my family and I ask for your prayers 

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At Michigan State University on Monday night, 43-year-old shooter Anthony McRae, who was not connected to the institution, started firing, killing three and injuring five others, all students at the university. Blavity reported McRae was later discovered off campus and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to Essence, at a press conference on Monday evening, acting deputy university police head Chris Rozman offered his thoughts on the most recent shooting.

This truly has been a nightmare that we are living tonight but we have remained laser-focused on the safety of our students, Rozman said.

The interim president of Michigan State, Teresa K. Woodruff, also expressed her feelings on the incident, calling it a day of shock and sadness.

In a subsequent update, it was reported that the gunmans father asserted to have challenged his son about his firearm possession and instructed him to get rid of it.

Anthony Dwayne McRae lied to his father, Michael McRae, who told The Washington Post that he no longer owned a gun. When questioned about hearing gunfire in the backyard, the son said it was fireworks.

Our hearts go out to Arielle Diamonds family and everyone else affected by the shooting at MSU.
On his first day in office in January, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro declared that most state jobs would not require a college degree. And in his State of the Union address this month, President Joe Biden put forth a blue-collar blueprint to repair America that emphasized well-paid jobs for working-class people. Lets offer every American the path to a good career whether they go to college or not, Biden urged.

Theyre right: You shouldnt have to attend college to acquire decent-paying employment. So why have college at all?

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To prepare citizens, of course. Our colleges and universities were founded to ready people for the tasks of collective self-government: reason, deliberation and tolerance. If you havent noticed, those skills are in short supply right now. Were more likely to shout and cancel than to talk and listen.

Since the 1960s, however, we have too often imagined higher education as a job placement service rather than a place to make citizens. And thats very bad news, for both our colleges and the society that they ostensibly serve.

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On the right, politicians such as Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory have suggested that states shouldnt assist students who major in the humanities and social sciences because these disciplines dont generate as many jobs as fields related to science, technology, engineering and math do. Do we need to use your tax dollars to educate more people who cant get jobs in anthropology? Scott asked a business group in 2011. I dont. I want to make sure we spend our money where people can get jobs when they get out.

Actually, theres evidence from a 2013 survey of employers by the Association of American Colleges and Universities that some employers favor students with a strong liberal arts background to those with degrees in practical fields such as business. But once we decide that the main purpose of college is to obtain a job, we inevitably diminish its other goals. Students come through to get their ticket stamped, not to get a deeper understanding of the world.

[ Miles Smith IV: Activism and niches are killing the teaching of history at universities ]

And that doesnt seem to trouble Democrats, who have embraced the mantra of more education as the solution to underemployment, poverty and every other economic problem. As historian Jon Shelton shows in his new book The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy, liberals imagine that a more educated workforce will also be a more prosperous one.

Tell that to students who are struggling to pay back their college debt  which has soared to $1.6 trillion nationwide  or to those thrown out of work during the countrys periodic recessions. True, the average college graduate earns nearly twice as much as people who have just a high school degree. But a Bachelor of Arts is not a guarantee against poverty and unemployment, which can be solved only with wider social investments in health, infrastructure and workplace training. And those efforts will assist everyone, whether theyre bound for college or not.

So I was glad to see Biden announce programs to create better-paying jobs across the board. And kudos to Shapiro and Larry Hogan, who as Maryland governor likewise eliminated the B.A. requirement for thousands of state jobs.

Shapiro is a Democrat, and Hogan is a Republican, which suggests the making of a rare bipartisan consensus around the issue of college and employment. But it also raises a new challenge for colleges: How can we forge a purpose beyond preparing for employment?

The answer is to double down on what Hogan called our historical raison detre: to cultivate civic virtue in public life. A large swath of our students are either checked out of politics or afraid to express their opinions for fear of causing offense. A much smaller number spend their time policing or canceling others for alleged transgressions, which is bullying by another name.

And the faculty? Most of us are much more interested in furthering our own research  which is the best route to promotion and salary raises  than in enhancing the civic education of our students. We know that our students often lack the will or skill to participate in political affairs. We just wont do anything about it.

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At the University of Pennsylvania, where I teach, the SNF Paideia Program promotes events and courses that emphasize civic engagement and dialogue. Yet these worthy efforts are mostly preaching to the converted, because only people who are already disposed to the activity participate in it.

[ James Huffman: University of North Carolina trustees plan using Chicago Principles of free speech falls short ]

A more promising approach is taking root at Stanford University, which is piloting a core course for first-year students called Citizenship in the 21st Century. Most of the universitys 1,700 incoming students will take the class, which examines how humans can work together toward collective goals while also respecting individual differences.

You shouldnt have to go to college to get a good job or to share in the bounty of America. But everyone who goes to college should have to prepare for the only job that all of us share: being a citizen. That used to be the main reason for higher education. We need to make it so again.

Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Whose America: Culture Wars in the Public Schools, which was recently published in a revised 20th anniversary edition by the University of Chicago Press.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Volusia County Sheriff

A Florida prison guards 3-year-old shot himself to death with a 9mm pistol that was left unlocked in a bedroom nightstand drawera tragedy that left deputies and police dispatchers traumatized.

The victims 16-year-old sister, who was watching the toddler, called 911 in an anguished panic.

My little brother shot himself! she screamed. There is blood everywhere!

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood had a note of incredulity and frustration in his voice as he told reporters the Wednesday night accident in Daytona Park Estates was easily avoidable.

You want to own guns? Go out and do the right goddamn thing so we dont have to deal with another 3-year-old shooting himself, Chitwood said.

The father doesnt use a weapon in his job as a lieutenant at Tomoka Correctional Institution in Daytona Beach but he had the 9mm and a Glock at home.

There was a safe in the bedroom but it did not work, and the 9mm was in the nightstand next to a bed, while the Glock was on the top of the refrigerator.

This is a nightmare for all of us in law enforcement, but nothing comes close to the pain the family must be feeling. My heart goes out to each of them tonight. The worst night any parent could imagine facing. https://t.co/G3ts4aQWQ2  Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) February 16, 2023

The little boys parents left to go grocery shopping at Publix, leaving their 16-year-old daughter in charge of the toddler and an 8-year-old brother.

Thats when the boy wandered into the bedroom. He got into the end table, he picked the gun out and he turned it toward himself and shot himself at point-blank range, Chitwood said.

The teenager made a frantic call to 911 and seven minutes later, a deputy was at the home, but the child could not be saved.

Florida law calls for a seven-day gap between a child shooting themself and a charging decision, which is made by the state attorney.

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I cannot imagine there is anything in the law books that can punish that family more, Chitwood said.

Clearly this should never have happened, we should not be standing here having this conversation, he said. My deputies and dispatchers should not be going through what they are going through.

Chitwood said he has a message for all gun owners not taking precautions: I would like them to listen to that 911 call. I would like to have them hear the 16-year-old say, My brother shot himself and hes not breathing. I think if you heard that, you would run out right now, and buy a gun safe.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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fizkes / iStock.com

Thousands of Alaskans are still waiting for their food stamps, leaving many residents in debt for the months they went without them.

Food Stamps: What is the Highest Income Level for SNAP Payments?

Find: If Your Credit Score Is Under 600, Make These 3 Moves ASAP

The wait for food stamps, now called SNAP, follows an influx of 8,000 renewal applications in August after the states pandemic health emergency lapsed. State officials say the Division of Public Assistance is working through the backlog faster, but KTOO reported that eligibility workers were told to cut corners.

In January legislative briefings, Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg blamed the backlog on legacy technology and the effects of a cyberattack in May 2021. However, officials noted new progress, reported KTOO. Deputy Commissioner Emily Ricci said, the number of recertifications being processed daily increased substantially last week, which is positive.

Some Alaskan residents have been relying on credit cards while waiting for SNAP benefits just to make ends meet. Others have explored legal options.

Under federal law, the Department of Health (DOH) must provide SNAP benefits to eligible applicants no later than 30 days after the date on the application. Alaska Legal Service filed a case against the state last month, reported KTOO, and this month theyre working on 200 cases related to SNAP.

Two SNAP eligibility workers told KTOO that understaffing is behind the slowdown. Theyve also been working faster because leadership directed them to skip mandatory federal processing requirements. Staff is now approving or denying applications without verifying income or employment. This typically involves contacting a landlord or employer to verify the information.

The DOH recently hired 53 new workers and signed a contract with a group to find contract workers to answer phones so that highly trained staff can focus on recertifications. The department is also looking to update technology to speed up processing.

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See: The Cost To Retire in These 8 Alaskan Cities

Medicaid for Food Purchases: Biden Administration Approves State Requests

The team focused on the oldest SNAP applications first, according to January briefings, and all September recertifications were issued for SNAP. October applications are now under review.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Food Stamps: Thousands of Alaska Residents Are Without SNAP Benefits After States Application Process Fails
By Iain Withers and Kirstin Ridley

LONDON (Reuters) -Former JPMorgan Chase & Co and Barclays executive Jes Staley allegedly discussed Disney characters Snow White and Beauty and the Beast in a series of emails with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who also allegedly shared photographs of young women with the banker, according to newly unsealed court documents.

The alleged email exchanges between Staley, who was CEO of Barclays, and Epstein in 2009 and 2010 are contained in a lawsuit filed by the United States Virgin Islands against Staley's former employer, JPMorgan.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two private islands, alleges that JPMorgan facilitated and sustained Epstein's sex-trafficking over two decades.

The lawsuit claims Staley had a close personal relationship with Epstein and that emails between the two "even suggest that Staley may have been involved in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation".

"That was fun. Say hi to Snow White," Staley emailed Epstein in July 2010, according to filings on Wednesday with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

"[W]hat character would you like next?" Epstein replied.

"Beauty and the Beast," Staley allegedly responded, to which Epstein replied: "Well one side is available," according to the filing.

Reuters could not determine what "Snow White" or "Beauty and the Beast" referred to.

A London-based lawyer for Staley, who is not a defendant in the lawsuit, declined to comment.

JPMorgan, which also declined to comment on Thursday, has said the case is "legally meritless and should be dismissed".

Barclays declined to comment on Thursday. In a statement announcing Staley's resignation on Nov. 1, 2021, the British bank said the preliminary conclusions of investigations by British financial regulators into how Staley characterised his relationship with Epstein made "no findings that Mr Staley saw, or was aware of, any of Mr. Epstein's alleged crimes."

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Britain's Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority both declined to comment on Thursday.

The regulators have not published the results of their investigation, although they have said previously that it was focused on how truthful Staley was about his ties to Epstein. Staley is contesting the findings.

According to the lawsuit, Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JPMorgan email account between 2008 and 2012.

Staley allegedly wrote to Epstein on Nov 1, 2009, describing his relationship with Epstein as "profound".

"I'm in the hot tub with a glass of white wine ... I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound."

One month later, Staley allegedly wrote to Epstein to say how great it had been to give him "a long, heartfelt hug", after which Epstein allegedly sent Staley two pictures of young women.

Epstein was a client of JPMorgan from about 2000 to 2013. Staley served in a variety of senior private banking and wealth management roles at JPMorgan until leaving the bank in 2013.

Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

A separate lawsuit brought by Epstein victims against JPMorgan contains an allegation that Staley had "personally observed" Epstein's abuse of the named plaintiff, known as Jane Doe 1.

Staley is not a defendant in that case.

(Additional reporting by Lawrence White in London and Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Sinead Cruise and Jon Boyle)
The former business manager who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $150,000 from two Belleville Catholic grade schools was sentenced in federal court Thursday.

Michelle N. Miller, 45, of Freeburg admitted in a federal court for the Southern District of Illinois last November that she wrote checks and made excess salary payments to herself from accounts belonging to St. Teresas and St. Lukes schools.

U.S. District Judge Staci M. Yandle sentenced Miller to 15 months in federal prison with two years of supervised release. She also was ordered to pay back the schools the $153,940.38 she embezzled.

Nonprofit organizations like St. Teresas and St. Lukes provide vital services to our communities children and families, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. Criminal behavior targeting such organizations is unconscionable and even more so when it comes from within.

Those who perpetrate it will be held to account.

According to court records, Miller wrote checks to herself from a St. Teresas account at the Bank of Belleville totaling $36,493 from April of 2018 to November 2019. From September of 2017 to February 2020, the court records show, she wrote checks payable to herself for an additional $105,247.

She sometimes forged the signatures of the parish priests to commit the fraud. .

To conceal her fraud, Miller made false entries into the parishs QuickBooks program, stating that the checks had been made payable to St. Teresas when they instead had been deposited into her personal bank account, according to court records.

Miller also wrote checks for petty cash totaling about $4,200 from both school accounts, then took the cash for herself.

Over 12 pay periods from August 2019 to February 2020, she received $8,000 in excess salary by making false or misleading adjustments into St. Teresas payroll system. In all, Miller admitted to taking $153,940.38 from the two parochial schools.

A bank fraud investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Belleville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter T. Reed.
Vladislav Surkov, former First Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, has said that he worked on the Minsk agreements based on the idea that they should not be fulfilled.

Source: Vedomosti, with reference to Surkov's interview with Alexey Chesnakov, Director of the Centre for Current Policy (CCP); RBC, citing Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation

Details: Surkov answered "yes" to the relevant question about the Minsk agreements.

He also affirmatively replied that he considers the actions of the Russian army in Ukraine to be effective and expressed hope for the normalisation of relations between Russia and the West in the near future.

Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, stated that the main task of the Minsk Agreements was "to force Kyiv to fulfil its obligations".

Quote from Peskov: "Accordingly, the main task was to force Kyiv to fulfil its obligations. Now we understand that no one was going to do this. Therefore, it is better to clarify in detail with Surkov what he meant."

Background:

In 2020, the former assistant to the President of Russia, Vladyslav Surkov, stated in his article "there is no Ukraine, there is Ukrainianness" and that "Donbas does not deserve such humiliation" as returning to Ukraine.

In December 2022, German ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the Minsk agreements signed in 2014 gave Ukraine "precious time" to become stronger; the results of which, according to her, can be observed now. She emphasised that Ukraine of 2014-2015 is not today's Ukraine.

In his recent addresses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he believes that the Minsk agreements were, from the outset, initiated by the West as a concession to Russia, and that it was impossible to fulfil them without Ukraine ceding territory.

The first Minsk agreements were concluded in 2014 by a tripartite contact group, which included representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The conclusion of the Minsk agreements was preceded by consultations in the Normandy format (Ukraine, Russia, France, Germany).

On 22 February 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, stated that Russia's recognition of the "independence" of temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts means its unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.

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(Bloomberg) -- Mark Meadows, former President Donald Trumps last chief of staff, has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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Meadows was subpoenaed as part of an investigation being led by Special Counsel Jack Smith and would become the highest-ranking official who worked for Trump to go before the grand jury, according to the person who asked to remain anonymous to speak about the matter.

The subpoena was reported earlier by CNN.

Investigators have also subpoenaed former Vice President Mike Pence to testify before the grand jury. Pence, whom Trump pressured to reject Electoral College votes from swing states, has pledged to challenge the subpoena, all the way to the US Supreme Court, if necessary.

The special counsels office declined to comment and a lawyer for Meadows didnt return messages seeking comment.

Meadows was involved in the infamous, hour-long call on Jan. 2, 2021 from Trump asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 nonexistent votes to award Georgia and its electoral votes to Trump.

That call has led to scrutiny over whether language used by Trump about repercussions if his demands werent carried out constituted potentially illegal threats.

There also was testimony to the House Jan. 6 committee of Meadows making a surprise appearance at a civic center in Marietta, Georgia, where an audit was being conducted on absentee ballots.

And more generally, there has been testimony of Meadows knowledge of plans regarding alternate presidential elector slates from some states, including Georgia.

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Meadows himself ultimately refused to sit for an interview by the committee, which was investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. Before doing so, however, he did provide documents and communication to the panel.

The committee and entire House voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for his refusal to fully comply with the panels subpoena  but the Justice Department declined to prosecute.

In Georgia, a judge has ordered the partial release on Thursday of a special grand jurys report in a separate investigation on efforts by Trump and his allies to undermine the election. That release will include three sections of the report, including the introduction and conclusion, as well as a section in which the special grand jury discusses its concern that some witnesses may have lied under oath during their testimony to the grand jury.

Meadows, a North Carolina congressman, became chief of staff at the end of March 2020, just weeks after the coronavirus had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. He served through Trumps hospitalization for the virus and the election and its tumultuous aftermath, including the Capitol assault by a mob of Trumps supporters.

(Updates with background on Meadows, inquiries, starting in sixth paragraph.)

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Mark Meadows, a White House chief of staff under President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed by the Justice Department special counsel investigating Trump and the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to multiplenewsreports.

Meadows, Trumps last chief of staff, received the subpoena sometime in January to testify before a grand jury, according to CNN, which first reported the move.

Special counsel Jack Smiths office is seeking to compel Meadows to provide testimony and documents related to Trumps failed efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Meadows is the highest-ranking Trump confidant to receive a grand jury subpoena, Bloomberg reported.

Meadows was with Trump in the Oval Office as the former presidents supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He also was involved in Trumps infamous call to Georgias secretary of state seeking to overturn his election defeat there.

Meadows refused to be questioned by the House Jan. 6 committee, claiming executive privilege. The House panel referred him to the Justice Department for contempt, but the DOJ declined to bring charges.

Smiths office also has subpoenaed former Vice President Mike Pence, who called the Justice Departments action unconstitutional and unprecedented and promised to challenge the subpoena in court. Pences two top aides already have appeared before the grand jury.

Neither George Terwilliger, a lawyer for Meadows, nor the Justice Department responded to HuffPosts requests for comment.

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Missile debris in Moldova

Border guards found the wreckage in Larga, Briceni District, which is in the northernmost part of Moldova, about 65 kilometers to the east of the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi. The area where the debris fell was secured, Moldovan authorities said.

Read also: Russian missiles over Moldova, Romania a challenge to NATO, says Zelenskyy

The ministry said that this is the fourth case of missile fragments falling on the territory of Moldova as a result of Russian attacks on Ukraine.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi stated that during the previous mass attack by Russia on Ukraine on Feb. 10, Russian missiles were detected in the airspace of Moldova and NATO member country Romania.

Read also: Russia planning coup detat in Moldova, says Sandu

As a result of a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on Jan. 14, fragments of a missile also fell on the territory of Moldova.

On Dec. 5, during the Russian mass shelling of Ukraine in Moldova, a missile fell in the vicinity of the Moldovan border town and district center Briceni, which is about 15 kilometers to the east of Larga.

Read also: Russia behind missile that fell in Moldova, Ukraine says

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A voter turns in their ballot at the Clark Street early voting super site on Feb. 23, 2023, in the Loop. Just over a third of Chicago's polling places are fully accessible by ADA standards. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune)

Two weeks before Chicagos Feb. 28 municipal election, the citys early vote count is far outpacing recent municipal election participation turnouts as voters return mail-in ballots in record-shattering numbers

Chicago voters had cast 63,949 ballots through Tuesday, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Voters had cast 12,607 ballots at the same point in the 2019 municipal election and 14,891 in 2015.

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Voting authorities are hopeful the substantial early returns will mean the municipal election reaches 40% turnout of registered voters for the first time since 2011, election board spokesperson Max Bever said.

If we continue to see this brisk pace in turnout, we are definitely due to break the trend of the last few municipal elections and get that over 40%, he said.

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The early turnout has been heavily fueled by mail-in ballots. Voters have returned over 13 times as many mail-in ballots as they did in the last election, city data shows, a sharp increase that matches voting behavior trends seen across the country and in Chicago since the COVID-19 pandemic first affected in-person voting.

Over 200,000 mail-in ballots have been requested and 45,368 have been returned, election board data shows. Many of the returned ballots come from the citys new roster of people who requested to automatically receive such ballots, Bever said.

But voters also are turning out to cast in-person ballots at rates that far surpass the last two elections. Chicagoans have cast 18,581 early in-person ballots, compared with 9,311 at the same point in 2019 and 12,150 in 2015.

The pace of early in-person voting has picked up since the election board opened voting sites in each of the citys 50 wards Monday, Bever said. Two in-person voting sites have been open in the Loop since Jan. 26, and voters can cast ballots at any early voting site, regardless of where they live.

I think it points to voters becoming more comfortable with both early voting and voting by mail, Bever said of the substantial early turnout. Compared to the last two election cycles, we are far ahead.

Bever said the early turnout shows Chicagoans are making up their minds quicker than in previous years. But he acknowledged that it is too early to say whether turnout will be higher or lower than in the past.

We sure hope that this is indicative that turnout is going to stay up, he said. But we cant be for certain yet.

Election authorities are hopeful the swift mail-in ballot returns and high early in-person turnout means people are interested in the election, headlined by a fierce, nine-candidate race for mayor.

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The record number of candidates on the ballot, propelled by the dozens running for new police district council seats, might also be leading to voters more regularly interacting with campaigns, Bever said.

The February general election will be voters only opportunity to vote in the police council races, though the mayoral election and some aldermanic races are likely to go to an April 4 runoff. Many races will likely be too close to call on election night, Bever said.

Quite a few of these races really come down to a handful of votes, he added.

Chicago has only hit 40% turnout for one general municipal election since 2000, when Rahm Emanuel easily won the race for mayor in 2011.

In 2019, just 35% of Chicagos registered voters cast ballots in the municipal elections first round when 14 candidates battled for an open mayors seat. When voters elected Lori Lightfoot in the second round, 33% of registered Chicagoans voted.

Bever said turnout has been higher on the North Side, in wards with heavily-contested City Council races and in wards close to the two sites in the Loop where early voting and drop boxes have been most accessible.

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Early voting sites are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mail-in ballots can be returned via mail or entered at ballot drop boxes, available during operating hours at early voting sites. Voters have until Feb. 23 to apply for mail-in ballots. The ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 28 to count.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can also cast ballots at the early voting sites on Election Day. For more information on the municipal election and voting, visit chicagoelections.gov.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
The cleanup process after the derailment and explosion of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in Ohio is sparking frustration among locals and environmentalists, who worry the state and the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) response has been insufficient and confusing.

On Feb. 3, a freight train owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway and carrying several cars of hazardous materials derailed in the town of East Palestine on the border with Pennsylvania. Two days later, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) ordered the town evacuated, and the following day, an emergency crew conducted a controlled burn to prevent a possible explosion.

Locals and activists say they have since received mixed messages from both federal and state officials about the safety of the area.

Residents have been cleared to return the area by the federal EPA since Feb. 9, for instance, but the agency indicated in a letter to Norfolk Southern this week that hazardous chemicals remain present  and that more may be released.

Theyre talking out of both sides of their mouths, activist and environmental whistleblower Erin Brockovich said of the EPA in a call with The Hill. [They] clearly state in [their] first paragraph that its a known toxic substance that continues to be in the air, water and soil, but yet on the other hand, you tell everyone its safe to go back. So were still not getting full information yet.

EPA has spent, or is considering spending, public funds to investigate and control releases of hazardous substances or potential releases of hazardous substances at the Site, the agency wrote to Norfolk Southern in the letter. The Hill has reached out to the EPA for comment.

Substances identified in the release so far include: vinyl chloride, a flammable gas used in the production of plastics; butyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used for paints and sealants; and ethylhexyl acrylate, which is used in paint and plastic production.

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Additionally, the EPAs state counterparts have said the towns drinking water is safe, but multiple officials have seemed to undercut that assurance by advising residents to drink bottled water for the time being.

DeWine has maintained that officials continue to monitor the situation but has expressed confidence that the danger is minimal, saying on CNNs The Briefing Room on Wednesday, We told people in a certain area they needed to leave and outside that area, we never saw any really significant change in the air at all.

The governor, along with other officials, also recommended affected residents drink bottled water. Asked about the seeming mixed message, DeWine responded that officials remain optimistic but cannot be sure until testing is completed. Were testing [and] as we test, well tell people exactly what we find, he said.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, DeWines office said municipal testing had returned no detection of contaminants in raw water from the five wells that feed into East Palestines municipal water system.

Gregg Brown, who lives outside the limits of East Palestine but works in the city and has children enrolled in its school district, said residents have been frustrated by the pace and transparency of the response so far.

Its been very poor; I think thats the nicest way to put it, Brown told The Hill. You have people testing the air and water and youre getting air quality updates and saying this is what we found how many particles are in the air [but] not specifying what theyre finding in the air.

He also pointed to the delay in the public release of manifests from the derailed train, which took more than a week following the accident.

Brown contrasted the response with the one that followed a similar accident in Paulsboro, N.J., in November 2012, which also led to the leakage of vinyl chloride. In that case, evacuation orders remained in place for longer than in East Palestine despite a smaller quantity of the chemical being spilled.

Emily Wright, organizing development director at the organization River Valley Organizing, who lives miles from the derailment site in the town of Columbiana, suggests officials have so far focused on air quality because the risk level of other potential areas of contamination  such as the water  is less clear.

When the governor tells you on a press conference that he would be drinking bottled water if it was him or his family, but then theres no boil orders in effect, and no ones been [formally] advised to get bottled water  thats why all the focus is on the air, Wright said. Its focused on air, but weve got all these other contamination points that are just starting to really show thats why we need a federal emergency here

River Valley Organizing is among several organizations that have petitioned DeWine to formally declare a state of emergency and request Federal Emergency Management Agency funds from the White House.

But DeWine has so far pushed back on such requests.

The president called me and said anything you need. I will not hesitate to call him if we see a problem, but Im not seeing it, DeWine said in a press conference on Wednesday. DeWines office did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill on whether he would consider imposing a state of emergency.

Brown speculated the nature of East Palestine itself likely contributed to officials appearing to have less of a sense of urgency than they might if the derailment had occurred in a major population center in the state, such as Cleveland or Columbus.

The fact that it happened on the state line where its a lower income area  especially the area where the derailment itself [occurred], its not heavily populated, no injuries happened.  Its not going to be an immediate oh, whats happened, he said. When there are reports of people who are finding these fish dead, [the state] giving us kind of a runaround, it just really didnt sit well with a lot of people, especially in the community.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan, meanwhile, defended both the state and the agencys handling of the situation to CNN on Wednesday morning. Asked whether he believed it was irresponsible for DeWine to allow residents to return home before testing was complete, Regan said: I dont think it was irresponsible. I think that we have deployed lots of assets from the very beginning.

However, Regan echoed DeWines recommendation that residents drink bottled water in the meantime. Were also supporting the state in its water-quality monitoring, and I agree with the governors assessment, he said. Remain on bottled water until those tests are complete.

We understand the concern, but rest assured, local, state and federal officials are devoting vast resources [and] responding very quickly to these concerns to ensure that communities are protected, he said.

I think its awful that this community is scared [and] isnt getting answers, Brockovich said. Theyre worried about their soil, theyre worried about the water, theyre worried about the chemicals, theyre worried that theyve been breathing it.  [Theyre] worried for their animals, theyre worried for the future outcome, and nobody can seem to tell them anything.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When legislators met in special session last September and approved a $213 million aid package to deal with devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky, none of it was specifically designated for housing, but top lawmakers and Gov. Andy Beshear said it was just a start.

Now lawmakers may redirect money from that pot for housing.

Senate President Robert Stivers said last week that there is still $175 million in the fund, called the East Kentucky SAFE Fund.

The money was directed to Kentucky Emergency Management to help counties, cities, school districts and other entities; the Transportation Cabinet to fix roads and bridges; and the Department of Education for financial help for schools.

However, the agencies havent yet been able to spend much of the money for various reasons, such as the time involved in doing engineering work.

In response to a question about appropriating money this session for housing, Stivers suggested using money from the East Kentucky SAFE Fund instead of doing a new appropriation.

What I would recommend because of sequencing and timing, if there is that need that goes forward, we should just expand the uses instead of putting additional monies in, said Stivers, a Republican from Manchester.

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Marchester, speaks during a special session of the state General Assembly, called by the governor to address massive flood damage in Eastern Kentucky, at the Kentucky state Capitol on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.

Understand Im not being critical of anybody, Stivers said. It is just the process that when you have to design, engineer, get land acquisition, infrastructure, it takes a period of time and you saw that with the West Kentucky funds. They drew on it in a very limited nature because it takes a while to clear the property, do the necessary design, engineering. Now theyre starting to draw on it more heavily because actual construction, reconstruction is going forward.

The legislature approved a separate funding package to deal with destruction from tornadoes that killed more than 80 people in Western Kentucky in December 2021.

State officials count 44 deaths resulting from the flooding in the eastern end of the state last summer.

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The current session, which is scheduled to wrap up at the end of March, is not a budget session. The legislature approves a two-year budget during even-year legislative sessions, so the state is in the first year of the current budget.

Some lawmakers have been reluctant to reopen the budget this year to accommodate requests for housing in the flood area.

As of right now, I havent seen anything that causes me reason to believe that we will open it, House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said recently when asked about reopening the budget this session. You cant ever anticipate every single circumstance, but I just dont see that happening at this point.

Shifting already approved money within the package would avoid that issue.

Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, whose district includes areas that were flooded, had raised the idea of lawmakers approving $150 million this session, part of it for housing in places flooded last summer.

Blanton said in a recent interview he still favors that level of funding, but said it could come in installments.

Were not gonna give up that fight, Blanton said. Our obligation is to care for and help our citizens.

Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

The state will ultimately get federal funding to help with the disaster, but it could take some time.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved a plan this month for disaster funding covering the December 2021 tornadoes and flooding in Eastern Kentucky in February 2021, two years ago.

It could be 2025 before disaster money from HUD is available to start building and repairing housing in the flooded counties, said Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky.

State funding for housing is needed now in order to keep the recovery going in Eastern Kentucky, so that organizations working on the issue can firm up plans and buy land if needed, advocates said.

Part of our frustration with the delay in the funding is we cant even begin to talk about whats coming down the pike, what might be possible, said Scott McReynolds, executive director of the Housing Development Alliance in Hazard, which builds affordable houses for lower-income people.

People displaced by the flooding are making housing arrangements such as living in storage sheds or putting mobile homes back on lots in the floodplain because they dont see other options right now, McReynolds said.

It is exactly because we dont have state money that people are doing that, he said.

Advocates said it will slow down the recovery effort if the legislature doesnt direct some money for housing.

More people will be doubled up. More people will be living in storage sheds, Bush said. That means more people leaving the region. It means more kids in unstable housing situations.

Herald-Leader staff writers Austin Horn and Tessa Duvall contributed to this article.
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - The G20's Financial Stability Board (FSB) said on Thursday it would take steps to tackle "vulnerabilities" and data gaps in decentralised finance (DeFi) highlighted by the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX last year.

The fast-growing and unregulated DeFi segment offers trading, borrowing and lending in cryptocurrency assets by using public blockchains to record transactions, with no central control.

"The fact that crypto-assets underpinning much of DeFi lack inherent value and are highly volatile magnifies the impact of these vulnerabilities when they materialise, as recent incidents demonstrate," the FSB said in a report to ministers from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting next week.

FSB member countries will now "proactively" analyse vulnerabilities from DeFi as part of regular monitoring of crypto markets, the report said.

"Potential policy responses may include, for example, regulatory and supervisory requirements concerning traditional financial institutions' direct exposures to DeFi," it said.

The collapse of FTX last November exposed vulnerabilities in intermediaries and DeFi, the report said.

"The full extent of the impacts of this failure, including on DeFi projects that were owned by FTX or depended on it for trading flows, will take time to become apparent given the lack of disclosure and transparency in these markets," the report said.

FSB DeFi Graphic 1 https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/xmpjkrmoqvr/FSB%20DeFi%20Graphic%201.PNG

SUPERVISION GAPS

The most worrying vulnerability in DeFi relates to "mismatches" in liquidity from different maturities in liabilities and assets, the report said.

Some DeFi arrangements may be "purposefully" cross-border to exploit gaps in supervision, hence the need for international coordination, it added.

Until the sharp retreat in bitcoin prices and the FTX crash, regulators had largely focused on cryptoassets rather than related technology.

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The FSB said it would also study the tokenisation - or digital representation - of real assets which could increase links between crypto markets and DeFi with the wider financial system and economy.

The FSB's existing recommendations for regulating cryptoassets may need to be enhanced to cover risks from DeFi, the report said.

FSB members will also study how DeFi activities could come under existing rules for mainstream finance.

"If DeFi activities and entities are deemed to fall within the regulatory perimeter, the enforcement of compliance with applicable regulations is warranted," the report said.

For DeFi activities outside existing rules, new policies could be needed, it said.

FSB DeFi Graphic 2 https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/mypmokenypr/FSB%20DeFI%20Graphic%202.PNG

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Helen Popper)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - State flag carrier Garuda Indonesia said in a statement on Thursday it had won a lawsuit in Paris civil court against two Ireland-based lessors Greylag 1410 and 1446.

Garuda, through its France-based unit Garuda Indonesia Holiday France (GIHF), won a "judicial release" lawsuit that it filed in Paris civil court against the lessors' legal efforts to temporarily seize GIHF's account.

The carrier won the lawsuit as judges decided the lessors' request for a temporary confiscation did not have a strong legal basis as Garuda already had a court-ratified restructuring agreement with its creditors, including with the two lessors, according to the statement.

"...various lawsuits filed by the two lessors is an action that is very unfortunate...as well as hindering the steps to accelerate the company's performance," Garuda CEO Irfan Setiaputra said in the statement.

With the ruling, the court granted a full release on the temporary confiscation of GIHF's account and ordered the two lessors to pay GIHF 230,000 euros ($245,364) in damages and other costs.

Greylag 1410 and 1446 could not immediately be reached for comment.

Garuda reached an agreement with its creditors, which include lessors and Islamic bond investors, last June to restructure more than $9 billion of debt.

Earlier this month, the same two lessors filed applications in a Jakarta court to cancel the June restructuring deal.

($1 = 0.9374 euros)

(Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has put a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for an armed and dangerous man accused of killing someone on Christmas Day.

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According to the GBI, 24-year-old Darrell Williams is wanted to a murder in Claxton, Georgia on Dec. 25, 2022.

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Marvin Smith, 31 was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the yard of a home on East James Street around 12:30 a.m. Christmas Day.

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Williams may be armed and dangerous, GBI officials say.

Williams is described as 57 and 180 lbs. with brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI at 912-871-1121 or the Claxton Police Department at 912-739-2121. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA-EFE/REX (10317559k)Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne arrives for a service of thanksgiving for the life and work of former Cabinet Secretary Lord Heywood in the Westminster Abbey in central London, Britain, 20 June 2019. Jeremy Heywood served as British Cabinet Secretary from 01 January 2012, and Head of the Home Civil Service from September 2014, until stepping down in October 2018.Lord Jeremy Heywood memorial service, London, United Kingdom - 20 Jun 2019 - FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA-EFE/REX

Jeremy Hunt should cut business taxes at next months budget to boost the economy, George Osborne has suggested.

The former chancellor warned that the historically high burden on industry risked putting companies off investing in Britain.

He referenced pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, which has decided to build its new vaccine factory in Ireland because of the UKs high levies.

The remarks will heap pressure on the incumbent Chancellor to reverse his plans for a 6 percentage point rise in Corporation Tax.

Mr Osborne slashed the rate from 28pc to 20pc during his six years at the Treasury, and outlined plans to take it below 15pc.

That is now set to be reversed by Mr Hunt, who will put it up from the 19pc where it currently sits to 25pc in his Spring budget.

Tory MPs have been highly critical of the move and are urging him to reverse it, warning that the increase will damage Britains competitiveness.

Of course its more popular to increase taxes on business than on individuals and in some ways easier to do than to try and cut public spending, Mr Osborne told the BBC.

The reason I reduced business taxes was to attract investment and attract research and attract companies like AstraZeneca, and if you put up taxes then you will potentially have the opposite effect.

I reduced business tax because I thought that was a way of bringing investment in. That creates the revenues that allow you to fund your public services.

Thats the approach I took and would be the approach I would take again.

His remarks will provide a boost to the Conservative Growth Group, a band of Liz Truss allies who are pressuring the Chancellor to change course.

The group is poised to hand an alternative budget to Mr Hunt that will include proposals to reduce the tax burden on businesses to boost the economy.

Treasury sources have insisted there is no prospect of any tax cuts in the budget, arguing such a move would risk stoking inflation and do long-term damage to the economy.

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Mr Hunt defended his economic vision in a social media video on Thursday, which was shot at the McLaren Formula One team headquarters in Surrey.

Mr Osbornes comments came as a new poll showed more people are now in favour of Mr Hunt cutting taxes than increasing them or keeping them as they are.

A survey carried out for GB News by People Polling found 32pc of the general public and four in 10 Tory voters want the burden reduced.

In contrast 16pc said they should be put up and 14pc that they were already at the right level.

Meanwhile, former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has said that Jeremy Hunt and Rishi are Sunak "doing a good job" at trying to stabilise the markets.

But he added during an interview with TalkTV: "Ive always been very clear about the fact I dont think you get to prosperity through high taxes. When you put taxes up theres always a risk that people who generate wealth decide to up sticks and go somewhere else."
The office of embattled Republican congressman George Santos was surrounded by a police barricade on Wednesday as local residents delivered a petition calling on him to resign.

Around 25 residents visited his district office in Douglaston, Long Island, and asked to speak with the congressman. The protesters were turned away by a member of his staff, who said Mr Santos was in the building but would not speak to a mob.

Its incredibly cowardly to hide behind his staff. Its part of his job to meet with us, Emily Raphael, who was at the protest, told The Independent.

Hes trying to paint us as some wide-eyed protesters. You could not find a less threatening group of people if you tried, she said, adding that it was mostly PTA moms in attendance.

Police set up a small barricade around the door to the office, which still has the name of Mr Santos Democratic predecessor Tom Suozzi on the awning.

The residents are part of a local pressure group called Concerned Residents of NY03  the New York district that Mr Santos represents  who have held protests at home and in Washington DC calling for his resignation.

In recent weeks, the group has turned its attention to the Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has the power to call a vote to expel Mr Santos if he wishes.

We question the motives of the national GOP in allowing Santos to run, in seating him, and in not moving rapidly to oust him. The timeline shows that Speaker McCarthy and Rep. Stefanik knew a year before the election that Santos was a fraud, and had at least five months to replace him with a credible candidate, Concerned Residents of NY03 said in a statement.

Mr Santos was elected in November 2022, defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman by a margin of 54 per cent to 46 per cent. Soon after that victory, it emerged that Mr Santos had lied about much of his personal history and work experience .

Mr McCarthy has so far refused to hold a vote to expel Mr Santos, but the GOP leader said he would likely face a probe by the House Ethics Committee. The Washington Post also reported that the Justice Department is likely investigating Mr Santos.

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Since Mr Santos was sworn into office in January, revelations about his past have continued to emerge. The most recent report found that Mr Santos was charged with writing bad checks to purchase puppies from Amish farmers in 2017.

Mr Santos, 34, has apologised for what he described as resume embellishment, but has refused to resign.

The Independent contacted Mr Santoss office for comment.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters

When George Santos first ran for Congress in 2020, he lost by more than 12 points. But even though he was running in a safely blue district, the red mirage of Election Day votes lent the false impression of a tight race, and before absentee ballot counting began the following week, Santos seized on a golden fundraising opportunity: a recount fund.

The only catch was, in Santos case, there never was a recount. Those 90,000 absentee ballots devoured Santos 4,000-vote Election Day lead, swinging the racewhich had not even been ranked competitive by Cook Political Reportto Democratic opponent Tom Suozzi. Suozzi eventually won by more than 46,000 votes.

State election laws only trigger automatic recounts when the margin is 20 votes or less or 0.5 percent or less, and those laws do not allow candidates to call recounts independently.

But that didnt stop Santos from creating Devolder Santos for Congress Recount (DSCR) less than 24 hours after Election Daya fundraising committee that raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supposedly in connection with a recount that was never in the cards to begin with.

Santos Bestie Is Far-Right Activist Tied to Disgraced Albanian Prime Minister

Saurav Ghosh, director of federal reform at government watchdog Campaign Legal Center, told The Daily Beast that Santos appears to have abused one of the most unregulated areas of campaign finance.

Essentially, Ghosh said, federal guidelines say candidates can have recount accounts, which allow them to raise money above the usual election contribution limits, but they dont really delineate how the money can be spent.

Recounts are one of the most unregulated areas of campaign finance. Theyve been around for decades, and I think some of the institutional views of recount funds in general reflect the thought that theyre going to have an impact on elections, he explained. However, recount accounts arent treated the same way as general election fundswhich deal with money raised and spent to influence votersbecause essentially recount money is only supposed to be related to post-election recounts or legal fees related to challenging election results.

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The rules around such funds are loose enough that Santos may be able to justify the fundraising, Ghosh said. As for the spending, he said, Our view is that at a minimum thats an abuse of what recount funds are supposed to be used for.

Between Nov. 4 and Dec. 18, while then-President Donald Trump and his allies were raising boatloads of money on false claims of election fraud, DSCR pulled in more than $265,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. It was a huge windfall. For comparison, Santos actual campaign only raised around $358,000 for the entire 2020 election, not counting the $81,250 Santos claimed to have loaned from his personal funds.

Over the same period, DSCR also reported more than $260,000 in expenses, some of which campaign finance experts flagged as suspicious in discussions with The Daily Beast. (The group still has $5,148.04 in the bank today.)

Those costs were also highlighted in an FEC complaint filed on Jan. 31 by campaign finance reform group End Citizens United.

In a statement provided to The Daily Beast, an ECU spokesperson called the recount committee a sham.

How Ted Cruz Paved the Way for George Santos to Pocket Loans

George Santos lies and corruption know no bounds. He set up a sham recount fundfor a recount that never happened. Then, he illegally used that money to offset costs for his 2022 campaign, the statement said. Its yet another blatant violation of the law, which is why were asking the FEC to begin an investigation and also hand all relevant material to the DOJ for their investigation.

That complaint highlighted several payments to a group of election observerswith another nearly $4,000 in housing expenseswhile pointing out there was no recount to observe.

What is clear from his recount fund activities is that it reinforces the need for federal regulation for these funds, Ghosh said. If he was paying for absentee ballot counts, thats not what recount funds are supposedly for, because thats election related. But you also have other expenses which may not be related to elections at all. Its all too unregulated.

The Daily Beast spoke with three people who got paid by DSCR to be a Board of Elections observer. All three said they observed the counting of absentee ballots in Nassau County, in Santos district on Long Island.

I drove out there and observed the opening and counting of absentee ballots for a couple days, one person said. Then George said something outlandish to the press, and I was done. Santos, who appeared in D.C. at events surrounding the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, tweeted Democracy is dead on Nov. 7.

Asked how Santos was able to raise so much money after the election, the person who works in New York GOP politics said they didnt know.

I knew some stuff was up with the campaign fundraising, that he was trying to make money off campaigns other than his own, this person said.

Santos indeed appears to have adopted an entirely new fundraising strategy for the recount, and it appears connected to donor lists.

Most of Santos recount money came from small unitemized donations of $200 or less, FEC records show. Those donations, which dont trigger disclosure requirements, made up around $203,000 of the total, or about 77 percent. For his campaign, it was the reverse, with unitemized donations comprising just shy of $50,000 of the haul, or around 17 percent.

While Santos isnt required to disclose those donor names, WinRedthe GOPs small-dollar online fundraising platform that handled those donationsdid disclose them. According to FEC data, DSCR received more than 7,500 separate donations via WinRed in the six weeks after the 2020 election. Thats about 3,100 more individual contributions than WinRed reported for his full 2020 campaign.

New George Santos Filing Prompts Even More New Questions

The Daily Beast cross-checked the names of more than a dozen of those donors at random, and none of them had given to Santos previously. We reached out to a number of them, but only one went through their financial records to confirm their contribution. When The Daily Beast informed the donor that they had made their recount donation the day after Santos concededand that there was never any recount to begin withthe person said she would contact WinRed about getting her money back.

Santos continued to raise money into his recount committee for a full month after he conceded, according to FEC records, with the last donation coming Dec. 18, 2020.

The new fundraising strategy is also reflected on the spending sidespecifically, a whopping $139,000 fundraising commission payment to The Donor Bureau, a popular Republican fundraising house that specializes in small-dollar fundraising, primarily by renting out donor lists.

But while the Santos campaign itself never paid the Donor Bureau in 2020 or 2022, according to FEC filings, his recount expense stood nearly $110,000 above the next largest amount the firm received from any committee in all of 2020. Only one other committee reported a fundraising expense that yearalmost all were related to list rentalsand the only group that has ever reported a larger payment is the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a GOP juggernaut.

The payment is so anomalous that it caught the attention of campaign finance experts.

That is very, very odd, and certainly suggests that the payments may not have been for fundraising as Santos says it was, Ghosh said.

Brendan Fischer, deputy executive director of watchdog group Documented, said that while some of DSCRs expenses could theoretically be connected to the ballot counters, others, including the Donor Bureau expense, merit scrutiny.

Its improper if he did not actually pay as much money to Donor Bureau as he reported and just pocketed the difference, or if Donor Bureau was getting money out of recount work while the campaign was using it for its own fundraising purposes, Fischer told The Daily Beast. That expense is really high, and totally inconsistent with the commission Donor Bureau takes with any other candidate or committee.

George Santos Treasurer Resigns Amid Campaign Chaos

A Donor Bureau representative previously declined to discuss Santos on the record. Asked for comment this week, the firm did not reply.

Theres another explanation: the data.

A Santos recount worker told The Daily Beast that Santos was jealous of the money that GOP longshot John Cummings received when he ran against Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2020.

That was the first big explosion of money coming through outside network people, and George wanted in, the person said. George didnt understand why John was raising so much more money, and he was always trying to get at email lists from John. And then later George got Tina Forte to run for that seat and assumed he could control information on fundraising from the AOC district, whether it was from direct mail or email lists.

DSCR also spent $2,026.25 at Best Buy for a laptop on Nov. 12, just five days before Santos conceded. His congressional campaign bought a laptop later that month for the exact same price, also from Best Buy. The twin purchases suggest the recount laptop may have been primarily for other usesincluding possibly for the 2022 campaign, according to the ECU complaint.

And DSCR also racked up a curious dinner expense at Santos favorite Italian restaurant. According to The Washington Post, Santos held a lavish business meeting at Il Bacco in Queens with a prospective investor client eight days after losing the 2020 electionapproximately Nov. 11. The next day, the recount committee reported a $400 meal expense at the restaurant.

If he expensed that dinner, it would clearly be an impermissible use of any campaign funds, but especially for recount funds, Fischer said. Based on reporting, that dinner had nothing to do with the campaign or recount or election contests.

The recount committee also sharpens the focus on Santos 2020 campaign finances, which campaign finance experts say have gone overlooked generally, and bear the same marks of sloppiness and possible violations as his 2022 reports, albeit at a smaller scale. But one item seems even more outrageous in 2020the personal loans Santos claims to have made to his campaign.

At least on paper, his personal loans to his campaign were even more unexplainable in 2020 than they were in 2022, because in 2022 he at least reported on his disclosures that he had enough money to put into his campaign, Fischer said. But he reported no income at all in 2020, and $55,000 the year prior, and somehow he put $80,000 into his 2020 campaign. Given he had no income, where did he get the money to lend to his campaign?

Ghosh agreed. That math just doesnt work out, he said. Together with the recount committee and other reporting anomalies, he said, the Department of Justice should absolutely be targeting Santos first bid.

Our group filed an FEC complaint focused on the 22 campaign, but the landscape has shifted and keeps shifting, and everything that has been reported about his 2020 campaignfrom his poor reporting, the spending, and the recount fundthat should all be in the hands of investigators with the FEC and DOJ, he said. And it probably is.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A Georgia grand jury found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election there, undercutting the rationale for former President Donald Trumps attempts to overturn his loss in that state, according to excerpts released by a judge Thursday.

The excerpts released do not spell out what charges the 23-member panel recommended be filed against which individuals, although they do believe that some of the 75 witnesses who appeared before them lied under oath.

A majority of the grand jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it, jurors wrote. The grand jury recommends that the district attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling.

The panel, which probed Trumps actions to coerce Georgia officials into falsely declaring him the winner of the state, finished its report for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis prior to its dissolution last month.

In the portions made public, the grand jury explained that it had heard testimony from witnesses and reviewed documents and other evidence over a seven-month period starting last May. It acknowledged the panel did not include any election-law experts or criminal lawyers and advised Willis to pursue criminal charges they may have overlooked.

They also refuted Trump and his allies claims that he had actually won in that state. The grand jury heard extensive testimony on the subject of alleged election fraud from poll workers, investigators, technical experts and state of Georgia employees and officials, as well as from persons still claiming that such fraud took place, they wrote. We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election.

A transcript of a phone call between former President Donald Trump and Brad Raffensperger, Georgia secretary of state, appears on a screen during a hearing on the Jan. 6 investigation on June 21, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

A transcript of a phone call between former President Donald Trump and Brad Raffensperger, Georgia secretary of state, appears on a screen during a hearing on the Jan. 6 investigation on June 21, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

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As a special grand jury, it lacked the authority to indict, but it did make recommendations for Willis about what charges to bring against which people through a regular grand jury, which meets for two-month sessions throughout the year.

Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who oversaw the special jury, ruled Monday that because of the great public interest in that panels work, he would order that the reports introduction and conclusion be made public, along with the brief section detailing jurors belief that some witnesses may have committed perjury during their testimony.

He honored Willis request, though, that the names of specific individuals and details uncovered over the course of the investigation not be publicly revealed at this stage. Willis in court said that charging decisions were imminent.

Trump campaign staff did not respond to HuffPosts queries for this story.

The coup-attempting former president, who is running for the Republican nomination in 2024, has repeatedly called the various probes into his post-election behavior a witch hunt and has called Willis, who is Black, a racist for investigating him.

He has also urged his followers to stage massive protests in Atlanta, the seat of Fulton County, and other cities should he be charged.

In Georgia, prosecutors in Willis office have focused on Trumps attempts to reverse his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden there and award him the states 16 electoral votes, as part of his broader fake elector scheme to pressure his own vice president into awarding Trump a second term.

Trump on Jan. 2, 2021, called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and demanded that he come up with 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, to undo Trumps loss, and threatened Raffensperger with the possibility of criminal prosecution if he did not do so. The call was taped by Raffenspergers office and released to The Washington Post, which sparked the criminal investigation.

Four days later, Trump incited a mob of thousands of his followers whom hed asked to come to Washington, D.C., on the date of Congress election certification ceremony in a last-ditch ploy to pressure Mike Pence. The attempt failed, with Congress certifying Bidens win. Trumps actions, though, caused the deaths of four Trump supporters and five police officers, with another 140 officers suffering injuries defending the Capitol building from his mob.

Trump is also under investigation by the Department of Justice for his fake elector scheme, as well as for his unrelated refusal to turn over top-secret documents he took with him to his Palm Beach, Florida, social club, despite a subpoena requiring him to do so.

Related...
Reuters

A special purpose grand jury has recommended an Atlanta-area prosecutor seek indictments as part of her investigation into former President Donald Trumps attempts to surreptitiously fake Georgia ballot results to steal the 2020 election.

The highly redacted report doesnt say whether Trump himself should be indicted, but jurors do want their local prosecutor to punish witnesses who lied about what happened.

A majority of the grand jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it. The grand jury recommends that the District Attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling, says the report, which was only partially released on Thursday morning.

The Misogynist Things Trump Has Said That His Lawyers Dont Want Jurors to Hear

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis convened this unique grand jury last year as a preliminary step in exploring how Trump and his Republican associates sought to undermine the states election. The group did not have the authority to indict anyone, but it was tasked with producing a report outlining a path forward for prosecutors.

The DA may choose to put together a more traditional grand jury, which will have the power to potentially indict the former American president, his advisers who lied to Georgia legislators, and MAGA loyalists who banded together to become fake electors in a scheme to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens victory.

And Willis has indicated shes heading in that direction. When discussing the release of the report last month, Willis told the judge overseeing this matter that decisions are imminent.

Trump potentially faces criminal charges over his infamous Jan. 2, 2021 phone call to top Georgia elections official Brad Raffensperger, where the president pressured him to find 11,780 votes to overturn the 2020 electionsomething that official later described as a threat from a bully that was nothing but an attempt at manipulation.

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Trumps Shell Spending Scheme Comes Under DOJ Scrutiny

The few portions of the report released Thursday show that the special purpose grand jury made the incremental step of stripping Trump and his cohorts of any notion they were standing on solid ground when they called into question 2020 election results.

We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election, they wrote. The grand jury heard extensive testimony on the subject of alleged election fraud from poll workers, investigators, technical experts, and State of Georgia employees and officials, as well as from persons still claiming that such fraud took place.

Notably, the jurors on this special panel also recommended that Willis pursue the larger investigationand hinted at election-related criminal charges.

This grand jury contained no election law experts or criminal lawyers, they wrote. If this report fails to include any potential violations of referenced statutes that were shown in the investigation, we acknowledge the discretion of the District Attorney to seek indictments where she finds sufficient cause.

But the jurors did specifically ask that Willis target the witnesses who lied under oath.

Judge Denies Trumps DNA Testing Gambit in Rape Trial

The alleged liaror liarsare anyones guess. Several key figures who were in Trumps orbit during his desperate attempts to cling to power in 2020 have reportedly testified before this special purpose grand jury. According to the citys local newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, witnesses include:

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, who received Trumps intimidating phone call to fake votes,

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who also called Raffensperger with a highly suspicious request to have him consider tossing out absentee ballots,

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps personal lawyer who testified at several hearings before state legislators in 2020 and fed them conspiracy theories and fake evidence of election fraud that were quickly debunked,

Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump pressured to call for a special state legislative session that would take steps to undermine election results there,

Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, whose role as state senate president might have made him privy to the election fraud effort,

State Attorney General Chris Carr, who spoke to Trump about the way he opposed a Texas lawsuit Trump was trying to use to toss out Georgias election results,

Former Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, who refused to call for that special legislative session (and died this past November), and

Michael Flynn, the disgraced Army general and Trump coup plotter who has become a QAnon conspiracy devotee.

The juiciest details are still hidden from the public, however. Only the reports introduction, conclusion, and a so-called Section VIII were releasedand even those included some redactions.

Last month, Willis asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert C. I. McBurney to keep the report secret. She argued that opening it could violate the rights of people who havent yet been criminally charged. She also warned that going public with too much information could harm her ability to successfully prosecute them. Willis is particularly sensitive about the need for prosecutors to stay quiet about pending cases. Notably, Willis started her tenure in 2021 by recusing herself from overseeing the case of a white Atlanta police officer who killed a Black man, Rayshard Brooksa shooting that her predecessor used in political ads for his failed reelection campaign.

Matt Gaetz Evades Charges in Sex Trafficking Probe

Discussing the special purpose grand jurys report in court last month, she told the judge, We think for future defendants to be treated fairly, it is not appropriate at this time to have this report released.

Still, on Monday, Judge McBurney ordered some portions of the report to be released, noting that while publication might not be convenient for the pacing of the District Attorneys investigation, the compelling public interest in these proceedings and the unquestionable value and importance of transparency require their release.

This special purpose grand jury was convened in May 2022, started hearing evidence in June, and issued its final report on Dec. 15. Legal scholars familiar with Fulton Countys court procedures, which call for two month-long grand jury stints, said the DA could have started seeking indictments as early as Januaryin which case indictments could be ready as early as the end of February. Alternatively, if she starts in March, they could be ready by late April.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Kate Foley, 15, a sophomore at Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, center, was honored during the Feb. 9, 2023 Township High School District 214 Board of Education meeting for getting personally invited to sit with first lady Jill Biden at the State of the Union address. (Brian OMahoney / Pioneer Press)

Township High School District 214 recognized Rolling Meadows High School sophomore Kate Foley Thursday night on the heels of Foleys trip to Washington, D.C. as a guest of first lady Jill Biden at the State of the Union address.

Foley, 15, had first met Biden when the first lady visited Rolling Meadows High to meet students who were part of the districts Career Pathways program. Foley, who studies computer integrated manufacturing through the program, said she eventually hopes to be a biomedical engineer.

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Kate and Dr. Biden truly shared a connection during the round table discussion, district spokesperson Patrick Mogge said at the school board meeting.

RMHS is one of six high schools that make up Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214.

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Foley was seated next to the first lady, as one of her 26 guests, for the speech delivered by President Joe Biden to Congress.

Kate, we are so proud of you and look forward to seeing more great things from you, Mogge said at the school board meeting.

At the meeting, district leaders showed a video of the first ladys visit to RMHS in November, and her subsequent phone call to Foley and the teens mother, Dana, before delivering a formal thank you to Kate for representing the district in Washington.

Kate Foley, 15, a sophomore at Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, was honored during the Feb. 9, 2021 Township High School District 214 Board of Education meeting after getting personally invited to sit with first lady Jill Biden at the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. (Brian OMahoney / Pioneer Press)

Just amazing, board President Bill Dussling said. Very good.

Foley and her mother told Pioneer Press they were in D.C. for two days. Despite being nervous at the outset, Kate said her nerves improved over the course of the event.

Everyone from the staffers to the Secret Service, everyone was going out of their way to be comforting and welcoming, she said.

The Foleys had several chances to meet other guests at the State of the Union, including activists against substance abuse and addiction, Holocaust survivors and famed rock musician Bono  who Foley said had to make a mad dash for the bus that was meant to take the guests to the Capitol building where the State of the Union was held. The ride also afforded the chance to get to know the other invitees, Kate Foley said.

We were all laughing and talking ... because we all had to sit on a bus to go to the Capitol, and we were all talking to each other about why we were there, what were doing, she said.

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Dana Foley said meeting the other guests at the reception following the address also showed them how different the circumstances were that had brought them to the State of the Union.

Kate was there for a very happy, uplifting reason, she said. And we were with a group of ...npeople who had been there because of a lot of sadness in their lives.

Asked what shed taken away from the presidents speech, Foley said how much actually goes on that I dont notice.

I was sitting down listening to it and was like, oh my god, like I didnt even notice ... that was happening, she said.
A Columbus man with a violent criminal history was convicted by a federal jury this week related to armed methamphetamine trafficking.

Karzarta M. Piett, 41, was convicted on Feb. 14 for possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Piett faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by at least four years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $5 million for distribution of methamphetamine and a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by at least three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for illegally possessing a firearm.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

He will be sentenced in June.

Piett was pulled over by Columbus Police Department officers for multiple traffic violations on Jan. 7, 2021, after officers spotted him leaving a bar known for drug trafficking activity.

Piett was driving with a suspended license.

Officers found drug residue in his car.

A drug K9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.

TRENDING STORIES:

Officers recovered two ounces of methamphetamine, a loaded pistol, a digital scale, plastic bags, and approximately $1,500 cash in the center console, plus more than $2,000 cash in Pietts pocket.

Prietts prior criminal history includes five felony convictions including two separate convictions for aggravated assault and convictions for kidnapping, false imprisonment, robbery, terroristic threats, and multiple drug distribution charges.

Violent re-offenders engaged in armed drug trafficking will face federal prosecution, said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are committed to stopping violent, repeat offenders in our district and holding them accountable for their crimes.

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This meth dealer brazenly continued his drug trafficking activities despite being a five-time convicted felon, said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. His conviction removes yet another dangerous criminal from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to follow the same perilous path. DEA and its law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue criminals like Mr. Piett.

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Marco Goecke joined the Hannover Opera House as ballet director in spring 2019. On Thursday, he was fired. (Christophe Gateau / Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

A German ballet director has been fired by the Hannover Opera House after he smeared dog feces on the face of a female dance critic over the weekend.

Ballet director Marco Goecke was terminated Thursday after apologizing a day earlier for smearing dog feces on the face of a critic he spotted in the audience of the ballet "Faith - Love - Hope." Geocke was suspended after the filth attack on Wiebke Huster of German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

"This thoughtless attack on the journalist and the person Wiebke Huster violated too many principles of the State Theater, massively damaged the reputation of the house and last but not least has criminal consequences. Marco Goecke can understand that too," read a translation of a statement in German posted Thursday on the opera's website.

"Therefore, in an extensive personal conversation, we agreed to terminate his contract as ballet director by mutual consent and with immediate effect."

The opera said it recognized the difference between "the employed ballet director and the creative choreographer Marco Goecke" and would not remove works he had choreographed from its revival repertoire.

Huster, 57, told the Daily Beast on Tuesday that Goecke "didnt just throw [the feces] at me. He pulled out the bag with the open side of the bag and rubbed it in my face brutally, so the dog poop would stick in my face.

The writer told the outlet that Goecke had approached her as if to discuss her recent bad review of his ballet "In the Dutch Mountain," which he had staged at the Hague with Nederlands Dans Theater, but instead accused her of attacking him personally in her writing. He threatened to have her banned from the opera house. Then he pulled the bag of poop from inside his jacket and smushed it on her face.

"When I realized what he had done, I screamed. I was so shocked, so panicked," she said.

German media outlets reportedly said the feces came from Goecke's often-present pet dachshund, Gustav.

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Goecke, who accused Huster of writing "often nasty reviews," said earlier in the week, I apologize for the fact that I finally blew my top, but I also ask for a certain understanding at least for the reasons why this happened."

The opera house named deputy ballet director Christian Blossfeld to take over Goecke's management role until it makes a decision on who will fill the position permanently.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Rachel More

BERLIN (Reuters) -Police use of automated data analysis to prevent crime in some German states was unconstitutional, a top German court said on Thursday, ruling in favour of critics of software provided by the CIA-backed Palantir Technologies.

Provisions regulating the use of the technology in Hesse and Hamburg violate the right to informational self-determination, a statement from the constitutional court said.

Hesse has been given a Sept. 30 deadline to rewrite its provisions, while legislation in Hamburg - where the technology was not yet in use - was nullified.

"Given the particularly broad wording of the powers, in terms of both the data and the methods concerned, the grounds for interference fall far short of the constitutionally required threshold of an identifiable danger," the court said.

However, court president Stephan Harbarth said states had the option "of shaping the legal basis for further processing of stored data files in a constitutional manner".

Hesse's State Minister of Interior Peter Beuth said current practices must be made more robust and codified, but welcomed the ruling for recognizing that "police work of the future must deal efficiently with large amounts of data".

He said the technology has so far been used, among other things, to investigate the underground network charged with plotting to overthrow the German government in December.

Palantir's strategy chief in Europe, Jan Hiesserich, said the U.S.-based company merely provides the software for processing data, not the data itself.

"Which data is relevant for investigation in this context is determined exclusively by our customers in accordance with relevant legal provisions," he told the Handelsblatt newspaper.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Thursday.

The German Society for Civil Rights (GFF), which brought the case against police data analysis, said Palantir software used innocent people's data to form suspicions and could also produce errors, affecting people at risk of police discrimination.

(Additional reporting by Ursula Knapp; Editing by Miranda Murray, Bernadette Baum and Mike Harrison)
BERLIN (Reuters) - A refugee summit failed to break an impasse among Germany's federal, state and local governments on Thursday, prolonging what some officials say is an untenable situation that threatens to flip sentiment against refugees.

Local governments say they are being asked to take on an increasing number of refugees, pushing resources to their limit, despite having no say in distribution or migration policy. They want the federal government to offer them more support and to implement tighter borders and faster deportations.

Net migration from Ukraine in 2022 alone, at 962,000, was higher than that from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq combined between 2014 and 2016, at 834,000, according to the latest data from the federal statistics office.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser offered more federal properties to accommodate refugees and outlined a new working structure for cooperation, with a plan to meet again in spring.

However, she held off on delivering on promises of further financial support for the states, stressing the government would stick with the 2.75 billion euros it already pledged this year.

"The mood in the country ... it is threatening to tip," said the interior minister of the central state of Hesse, Peter Beuth, after the meeting in Berlin. "That is why it is necessary that we find solutions quickly."

Reinhard Sager, the head of the German association of counties, called the summit a disappointment and criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz's absence, saying a meeting was overdue.

"We urgently need relief now," said Sager.

A year into the war in Ukraine, more than 1.06 million refugees, mostly women and children, from Ukraine were registered in Germany, according to Interior Ministry figures.

A big influx of refugees from Ukraine that had been expected in winter has failed to materialize, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, adding the number of people coming to Germany from Ukraine has been stable for a while.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz, Rene Wagner and Miranda Murray; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
A few months after South Dakota banned abortion in 2022, April Matson drove more than nine hours to take a friend to a Colorado clinic to get the procedure. The trip brought back difficult memories of Matsons own abortion at the same clinic in 2016, when a lack of money meant Matson had to sleep in a tent near a pasture  bleeding and in pain.

A few months after South Dakota banned abortion in 2022, April Matson drove more than nine hours to take a friend to a Colorado clinic to get the procedure. The trip brought back difficult memories of Matsons own abortion at the same clinic in 2016, when a lack of money meant Matson had to sleep in a tent near a pasture  bleeding and in pain.

Imaginehavingto drive nine hours away for a medical procedure youre in desperate need of. As you mightve heard, this is a shitty new reality for people in the United States living in areas where abortion is banned. But the taxing journey to seeking an abortion has actually been a reality for many Native Americans for quite some time.

Though the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision ushered in an era of protected abortion access, Native Americans didnt experience the same rights because of federal policies that many believe were meant to control their reproductive liberties. And now that Roe has been overturned and abortion rights are being rolled back all over the country, Indigenous Americans who need an abortion will have an even harder time getting one.

Native Americans historic battle for reproductive care is a complex one, partly because the power to create legislation around it is split between the U.S. government and Native law.

And then theres the very unsavory history that informs some communities present-day attitudes on abortion, as The Associated Press recently reported through the stories of April Matson and a friend who both experienced insurmountable hardship while seeking care.

Thats a lot of barriers, Matson, who lives in Sioux Falls and is Sicangu Lakota, told AP. Were already an oppressed community, and then we have this oppression on top of that oppression.

In the 1970s, the U.S. coerced sterilization on an estimated 25%of Native people (likely mostly those who lived on a reservation) who could give birth, some as young as 15. Many Native women resisted, and their fight against what was deemed involuntary sterilization was also a fight against a long tradition of the government trying to control and erase them.

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This went on even after the Roe ruling, until about 1976. Native tribes carry the trauma of this violence, and there are some tribal leaders and members who believe abortion access will continue to aid in the U.S. governments tactics to thin the Native population.

And it gets even more complicated. Soon after the Supreme Courts Roe decision in 1973, the Hyde Amendment was enacted on behalf of anti-abortion congressmen. It restricted the use of federal funds for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or threats to the life of the child-bearing person. In other words, The Hyde Amendment has acted as a pseudo-ban that many hospitals and clinics adhere to, limiting abortion access to the 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives reliant on the federally funded Indian Health Services for health care.

For more than 40 years, Native communities have basically been treated like pawns by politicians who used federal policy to control the reproductive health outcomes of Native people, making it challenging for those part of sovereign nations to achieve full reproductive justice. And now, in 2023, the path for Native Americans to access safe abortions in medical settings is damn near nonexistent.

There are now 13 states with total bans on abortion. States with some of the nations highest Native American populations  Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana  have either completely banned abortion or have expressed a desire to. And a rise in health care services connected to the Catholic Church in these states has made it even more challenging to find accessible abortion care. Native Americans looking to have an abortion in a medical settings have been and continue to bear the financial, mental and emotional costs of taking multi-day trips to states where abortion remains legal.

Native people have been fighting this fight independently for years now. With maternal mortality and teen pregnancy statistics significantly higher than those for white Americans, abortion access for Native communities is long overdue.

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The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival kicked off with a four-hour celebration of cinema  one that got increasingly political as the hours ticked by.

The German festival has always mixed politics with art, and that intersection could not be avoided in 2023 as Russias war on Ukraine rages on and the citizens of Iran are imprisoned and executed by an extremist government over human rights. In between, veteran indie director Rebecca Miller offered up her latest, the marital dramedy She Came to Me.

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Berlin jury president Kristen Stewart spoke of the inherent political nature of film early on, addressing the crowd at the Berlinale Palast theater at Thursdays opening ceremony.

There are a lot of oppressions against our physical selves. Im a girl, but Im probably the least marginal version of a woman I can be, Stewart said. Golshifteh Farahani, another juror, noted some women are not as fortunate.

This regime lies  executes. The prisons of Iran are full of innocent people, she said. We need you to stand on the right side of history with the Iranian people. This regime will fall.

Taking a stand of his own was Sean Penn, whose new documentary Superpower will premiere at Berlins first fully in-person event since 2020. The widely publicized documentary looks at the resilience of the Ukrainian people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared via satellite to introduce Penn, stealing the show with rousing opening remarks.

A logical question comes up: On which side should culture and art be? asked Zelenskyy. Can art be outside of politics? Should cinema be outside of politics? Its an eternal question but today it is extremely [pertinent].

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While thanking the Berlinale for choosing to ban creatives with ties to Russia, Zelenskyy ultimately concluded that culture and cinema can be outside of politics, but not when its a policy of aggression, mass crimes, murder and terrorism. When its a policy of total war, he said. Calling on his skills as a former actor and those of a smart script writer, the Ukrainian president earned his standing ovation. He referenced the history of once-divided Berlin, cited from Wim Wenders 1987 film Wings of Desire, and called the festival the showcase of the free world.

Millers film started late thanks to a crush of remarks. While some trickled out, those that remained received the project warmly. Peter Dinklage stars as a shy and blocked composer whose marriage to germaphobic therapist Anne Hathaway is sent into crisis after a chance meeting with tugboat captain Marisa Tomei. The whimsical project is seeking distribution out of the European Film Market.

A block away from the ceremony, two sets of protestors were out in force. Berlin taxi drivers upset by the festivals partnership with Uber  a new sponsor for the 2023 fest  distributed leaflets encouraging the fest to add more taxi ranks and work with the local taxi associations and trade unions.

Fleets of white Tesla cars and black BMWs, some emblazoned with the Uber logo, delivered the stars to the red carpet.

Meanwhile, cinema workers from Yorck Kino, a big player in the arthouse sector, held banners demanding an end to temporary contracts for the bulk of the chains workforce.

Apart from two protestors from an unknown org staging a sit-in on the red carpet towards the tail end of the arrivals, most signs of strife were all but absent at the Berlinale Palast, where the disco ball spun above throngs of guests and delegates  a remarkably different scene from the eerily quiet 2022 edition of the fest, where even most German delegates stayed home due to strict COVID restrictions.

This time, leading lights of the local film industry included Maren Ade, Detlev Buck, Christian Petzold, Volker Schloendorff, Matthias Schweighofer, Katja von Garnier, Veronica Ferres, Tom Tykwer and Heike Makatsch.

Juror Farahani, who closed out the remarks, likened the spirit of filmmaking to a revolution.

The wall of dictatorship is a thick wallthe revolution in South Africa took 800 days, ours has been just five months. This wall is one of oppression, attacking human rights. We need all of you. We need Germany, France, Europe. We need you to stand on the right side and to acknowledge it. Call it a revolution, she said.

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Side view of a Glendale police vehicle.

Glendale police arrested 30-year-old Daravon Sueing on suspicion of shooting and killing a mechanic shop owner.

Glendale police said they responded to a report of a shooting near the 5700 block of North 59th Avenue on Nov. 20, 2022, just after 10 p.m. An emergency caller said they heard a man screaming and a gunshot.

Officers arrived on the scene and found 55-year-old Reydesel Ray Parra near an apartment stairwell with a life-threatening gunshot wound, said Glendale police. He was taken to a hospital and was later pronounced dead. Glendale police said Parra was the owner of Rays European Garage in Phoenix.

Glendale police said evidence on the scene led to Sueing being identified as the suspect.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, homicide detectives said they found Sueing near the 1600 block of West Broadway Road. He was taken into custody without incident. According to Glendale police, Sueing was booked on first-degree murder and misconduct involving weapons.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Daravon Sueing arrested on suspicion of killing mechanic shop owner
Good Morning Britain viewers were surprised to see a row break out between two guests over the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond in the Crown Jewels.

Broadcaster Narinder Kaur and GB News journalist Emma Webb got into a heated discussion about the diamond, which made headlines this week after it was revealed that the Queen Consort will reuse Queen Marys crown, which once held the precious stone, for her and King Charles coronation.

Camilla is set to avoid having the Koh-i-noor diamond, nor any replicas of it, set into the crown that she will wear at the ceremony this spring. Instead, it will include diamonds from the late Queen Elizabeths personal collection.

On Thursday morning (16 February), Webb argued that the diamond absolutely should not be returned to India. The Indian government has repeatedly called for the royal family to return the diamond, which was seized by the East India Company after the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1849.

Webb said: Obviously every artefact has its own distinct history. And as the historian Robert Tombs said, this is actually, if anything, its symbolic of how complex history is.

Because this is an object that has passed through the hands of multiple peoples, multiple empires throughout history with conquest and so on.

But former Big Brother contestant Kaur, who is Sikh, called Webbs argument benign and weak, adding that the Koh-i-noor diamond represents a colonial past of pillaging, bloodshed of millions of Indians.

Its hurtful to many Indians around the world and here in the UK that, actually, it was stolen. It was taken from Duleep Singh who was a 10-year-old boy king during colonisation, she explained.

Why the British insist on keeping it and I think it was a very diplomatic decision by the British government to not use it in the coronation. Why? Because it sidesteps the argument that actually, this diamond does not belond in this country, and why are museums still benefiting from colonisation?

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Kaur also accused Webb of not knowing her history, while the latter became visibly frustrated and said: Let me finish my point, please.

The kohinoor diamond was founded in Indian soil. It represents to the British their dark brutal colonial history. They have NO BUSINESS in continuing to benefit from colonisation. The UN recognises the right of a country to reclaim its treasures. https://t.co/uL3FfoqvzC  Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) February 16, 2023

After the show, Kaur retweeted a clip of the debate posted on Good Morning Britains Twitter account and added: The Koh-i-noor diamond was founded in Indian soil. It represents to the British their dark brutal colonial history.

They have NO BUSINESS in continuing to benefit from colonisation. The UN recognises the right of a country to reclaim its treasures.

Queen Marys crown has been removed from display at the Tower of London to undergo modification work.
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office on Thursday released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting that happened near the Duval-Nassau county line two weeks ago.

JSO posted the video on its YouTube page. You can watch it below. Warning: Viewer discretion is advised.

What started as a suicidal call on Lannie Road turned deadly.

I have my gun in my hand and its pointed out my front door and if an officer tries to come through my front door, Im going to shoot him in the face, 60-year-old Thomas Gray can be heard telling a 911 dispatcher on the video.

Police said while negotiating, Gray came out and placed a gun in front of him.

Dont reach for that gun now, sir! an officer can be heard telling Gray.

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Gray then picked the gun up and fired at officers.

Officers fired back, killing Gray. More than 20 gunshots could be heard on the video.

The release of the video is the fourth one of JSOs Critical Incident Briefings which the agency has said is part of Sheriff T.K. Waters commitment to transparency with the community.

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In January, JSO released a similar critical incident briefing on a November officer-involved shooting.

Two weeks ago, JSO issued a critical incident briefing on an officer-involved shooting that happened in January.

Last week, JSO released video of a deadly officer-involved shooting that happened in January where an officer was also grazed by a bullet.

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Sundar Pichai staring at the screen gesturing with his hand.



Google CEO Sundar Pichai told employees they already have thousands of workers dogfooding their Bard AI.

Google knows its AI just isnt ready for prime time, so it has a new plan to iron out all the kinks, by forcing thousands of its workers to spend hours poking and prodding the poor AI until it wont embarrass the company when its finally released.

Business Insider reported based on a leaked company-wide email that Google is asking all of its employees to take two to four hours of their day to test Googles Bard AI, the same system the company plans to integrate into its chat function. Its unclear if all Googlers over the world have received the same ask. The company recently announced 12,000 job cuts to its global workforce, but Google, without its parent company Alphabet, still employs over 170,000 around the world.

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In that memo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said he would appreciate if all staff contributed in a deeper way and take two to four hours to pressure test Bard. Anybody whos ever read a suggestion email from their boss knows that its more of a mandate than anything else. Its unclear based on the email text if the two-to-four hour suggestion would be asked of them every day or spread over a longer period of time.

Google unveiled Bard last week in an attempt to keep its edge over Microsoft, which introduced its own chatbot AI into Bing search. During a recent intro presentation, the AI showcased an incorrect statement about the Webb Space Telescope, a blunder that reportedly caused the company to lose $100 billion in stock price.

According to the memo, Google already started internal testing, called dogfooding on Tuesday with Pichai saying the company already has thousands of external and internal testers mucking about with Bard. Those testers are reportedly investigating quality and safety concerns with the search AI, along with its groundedness, which could relate to whether the AI-generated text answers read as human.

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A Google spokesperson told Gizmodo in an email that Testing and feedback, from Googlers and external trusted testers, are important aspects of improving Bard to ensure its ready for our users. We often seek input from Googlers to help make our products better, and its an important part of our internal culture. The company did not respond to questions about how long and how often staff are expected to stress test the AI.

Google has been smarting ever since it first displayed its AI, and the comparisons between Bards rather lackluster display and Bing search AIs growing list of applications has put the company on the back foot. Demonstrations of Googles Bard did not provide citations for the content it showed, unlike Bing search. However, citations arent the end all, be all of giving credence to AI responses. Margaret Mitchell, the chief ethics researcher at Hugging Face who had been previously fired from Googles AI team, told MIT Technology Review that a lot of people dont check citations and that having citations show up might just lend credence to wrong information.

Bing search had a lot more bells and whistles at launch than Googles offering, but its suffering from the same problems that other AI chatbots have long had, namely that theyre absolutely chock full of inaccuracies and, well, weird responses to user prompts.

And as for getting the AI to not share awful contentwhether its xenophobia, racism, anti-Semitismas chatbots have been known to do, it can take a lot of hands working long hours to get it into any halfway decent shape. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT who has helped Microsoft create its Bing AI, contracted with low-wage workers in Kenya to sift through thousands of examples of horrible content. This included child sexual abuse content, murder, torture, suicide, and more.

Its unclear if Googlers will be subjected to some of the same, but it likely wont be anywhere near fun for the thousands of employees expected to stress test the AI with prompts. Google recently invested nearly $400 million in OpenAI rival Anthropic, a company that is now hiring a prompt engineer for somebody to develop ways to get large language models to perform specific tasks.

Update 2/16/23 at 8:30 a.m. ET: This post was updated to correct the number of money Google lost due to its Bard wrong fact from $100 million to $100 billion.

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Aurora is set to receive a $2.28 million federal grant for an upgrade of its 911 emergency dispatch center.

City officials celebrated receipt of the money at this weeks City Council meeting on Tuesday night by recognizing public safety officials, and honoring U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, who was instrumental in getting the grant for the city through the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

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Aurora Police Administrative Services Lt. Bill Rowley said that last year, the less than 20 dispatchers in the 911 center answered more than 250,000 calls for police, fire, medical and other city services.

That small group of people made a huge impact on the city of Aurora, Rowley said.

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The money to build a recreated dispatch center, as well as supply it with updated technology, will allow those dispatchers to do their job ever better and more efficiently, Rowley said.

Foster said it has always been one of my top priorities to see that Illinois gets its share of federal funding, and to make sure it arrives in places where it will do the most good for those I represent.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, in October at an event in Naperville. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Clayton Muhammad, Auroras chief communications and equity officer, pointed out that in the past year, as part of the community funding aspect of the appropriations act, Foster brought more than $26 million in funding for 15 projects in the 11th Congressional District, more than half of those projects in Aurora.

Foster called the Aurora dispatch center project important for streamlining the communication of our first responders, reducing response time and ultimately saving lives.

I really cant wait to see this project come to fruition, he said.

Mayor Richard Irvin presented Foster with the Mayors Award of Excellence at the Tuesday meeting.

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(Bloomberg) -- Family time. Desire to reshape the party. Attachment to the US Senate. These are the reasons ambitious but low-polling Republican senators cite for avoiding a toe-to-toe contest with former President Donald Trump to be the GOPs 2024 nominee.

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Tim Scott of South Carolina is the only Republican senator sending signals hes weighing a White House run. Hes a proven fundraiser, is traveling to early primary states and sharing his against-the-odds success story. Even so, hes polling at about 1%, according to a Morning Consult poll out this week.

Senators have long struggled to cut direct paths for themselves to the White House, and only Barack Obama has succeeded in the last 60 years. But that hasnt stopped others from trying.

In 2016, the long GOP roster included four sitting senators, dividing the party and helping Trump ultimately win the nomination. President Joe Biden, a senator before becoming Obamas vice president in 2009, ran against a field of Senate Democrats in 2020, but none rose to the top.

I think President Trump is by far the most likely to become our nominee, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, the partys 2012 nominee who voted to convict Trump in both his impeachment trials, said.

Romney said the only realistic chance to beat the president is if the field quickly narrows to a two-person race next year. If there are 10 people with one message and one person that has a different message then that person is going to win, he said.

Though not yet a candidate, Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is touring key states like Iowa, raising money and planning a speech Thursday in his home state. Like former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who announced a presidential bid on Tuesday, Scott is pushing a sunnier and more optimistic view of conservatism than Trump.

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Scott has demonstrated fundraising prowess. A super political action committee allied with Scott, the Opportunity Matters Fund, raised $37.3 million in 2021 and 2022, according to the nonpartisan group OpenSecrets. Much of that was spent on campaign ads to help GOP candidates in the midterm elections, a tried and true way of building support within the party.

Scott also raised $51.7 million for his reelection last year. Top contributors included employees and political action committees of Apollo Global Management Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Visa Inc.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the runner-up for the 2016 GOP nomination who polled at 3% in the Morning Consult poll, told reporters this week that he plans to seek reelection. Neither Marco Rubio of Florida nor Rand Paul of Kentucky, both 2016 candidates, are planning presidential runs either.

Other Republican senators thought to have White House ambitions have said they dont plan to run next year, including Josh Hawley of Missouri, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rick Scott of Florida.

One likely factor: Senators have largely been lumped together as someone else in polls dominated by Trump and Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, who has yet to announce a run but already is a favorite among many Republican Party donors.

Cotton cited wanting to spend time with his young family in a brief interview Tuesday, pointing out that he taught one son to ride his bicycle on a recent weekend when he otherwise would have been making a political trip to lay the groundwork for a campaign.

You dont get that time back, he said.

Rubio, who came in third among Republicans in 2016, said Trump is still the favorite to win the nomination.

President Trump, in my view, is a very talented communicator for the modern era and has already won the nomination once before, Rubio said.

But Haley, Rubio added, is a talented person with a great story to tell. He expects others to enter the race, too.

It looks like Tim Scotts pretty serious about it, hed be a great candidate; obviously Governor DeSantis has become very popular across the country, Rubio said.

Hawley said hes focused on growing the party instead of preparing for a presidential campaign. Haley, he said, was right to say Republicans must address the fact that theyve lost the popular vote seven of the last eight elections.

We are not at the moment a popular majority party in the country and were not gonna be until we bring working class voters over decisively to our side, Hawley said.

Paul, a libertarian-minded Republican, cited one issue that, he said, resonates with many voters: Stopping funding for Ukraine and redirect the money to invest in America instead.

I dont know if its popular enough to win the presidency, he acknowledged. He said hes not actively planning a run, though he joked he might consider it if someone raised him a few hundred million dollars.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Subpoenas were sent to the chief executives of the five largest tech companies on Wednesday as congressional Republicans moved to investigate what they assert is widespread corporate censorship of conservative voices.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the subpoenas as the latest in a series of escalations by a party that has long promised to investigate Big Tech's content moderation, especially when it came to COVID-19.

The letters were sent to Mark Zuckerberg of Meta; Sundar Pichai of Alphabet; Satya Nadella of Microsoft; Tim Cook of Apple; and Andy Jassy of Amazon.com.

And in them, Jordan outlined the committee's objective to "understand how and to what extent the Executive Branch coerced and colluded with companies and their intermediaries to censor speech.

Spokespeople for Microsoft and Meta said Wednesday that they have already begun producing documents. Requests for comment from Apple, Alphabet and Amazon was not immediately returned.

The committee asked the companies to produce documents and communications by March 23 that show any communication between them and the executive branch of the U.S. government relating to moderation, deletion, suppression or reduced circulation of content.

Notably missing from the list of companies subpoenaed is Twitter. The new owner, Tesla founder Elon Musk, has proven to be more sympathetic to conservatives than Twitter's previous administration.

Just last week, three former Twitter executives appeared before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to testify about the companys decision to initially block a New York Post article in October 2020 about the contents of a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden.

The former employees conceded in that hearing that they made a mistake by blocking a story about the presidents son, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied GOP assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story.

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In Wednesday's letter, Jordan outlined how Musks decision last year to release a slew of company information to independent journalists have exposed how Big Tech and the federal government have worked hand ways that undermine First Amendment principles.

The documents and data, titled the Twitter Files, largely show internal debates among employees over the decision to temporarily censor links to the Hunter Biden story. 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.

The hearing and subsequent subpoenas this month continue a yearslong 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.
With little fanfare, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a controversial bill expected to result in Florida transporting migrants to sanctuary areas of the country, similar to the September flights of about 50 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts.

The bill (SB 6-B), which passed last week during a special legislative session, creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the state Division of Emergency Management and provides $10 million to transport migrants from Florida and other states to sanctuary areas.

READ: Florida judge refuses to dismiss DeSantis migrant flight case

Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said Wednesday his agency will first spend time reviewing past actions of the Florida Department of Transportation, which helped direct the September flights.

Before we go and move forward, we have to know whats happened, and whats been done, Guthrie said. So, well look at best practices, things that were challenges, and fix those going forward. So, my team will work hard on that over the next couple of days and into the next week, and they will come up with an implementation plan and execute on that.

Lawmakers last year included $12 million in the budget for the Department of Transportation to carry out a program to facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state.

RELATED: DeSantis to run Disney district after Dont Say Gay feud

Legislative staff analyses reported $1.565 million had been spent as of Jan. 31.

Vertol Systems Company, Inc. was paid $615,000 for the Texas to Marthas Vineyard flights, with a stop in the Northwest Florida community of Crestview.

Gov. DeSantis signed the bill Wednesday in his office with Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, and Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, the measures sponsors.

Florida is using all tools available to protect our citizens from Bidens open border policies, DeSantis said in a Twitter post. Democrats called the measure a political ploy to help DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate who frequently criticizes President Joe Bidens administration on immigration issues.

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Florida is using all tools available to protect our citizens from Biden's open border policies.



I am glad to have signed legislation to continue the program of transporting illegal aliens to sanctuary jurisdictions. I thank the legislature for maintaining this valuable tool. pic.twitter.com/Nrkf9tm2XQ  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 15, 2023





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Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will be conducting independent water sampling to closely monitor contamination risks after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

>>>>Vinyl chloride: What we know about the toxic chemical released at East Palestine train derailment

The DEP is also assisting concerned public water suppliers in evaluating their source water in Beaver County.

RELATED >>> We need answers: Families near East Palestine train derailment site concerned for health, homes

My Administration is taking steps to independently verify the safety of Pennsylvanians water -- and will continue to do so in the months to come, Gov. Shapiro said in a news release. As we work to learn more about this incident and hold Norfolk Southern accountable, the Commonwealth will also lead the way so that Pennsylvanians are aware of and protected from any threats to their safety and resources that may arise. Our independent testing will ensure the data we are receiving is accurate and timely so we can partner effectively with local communities to provide the information Pennsylvanians need and deserve.

DEP will take independent samples from Norfolk Southern sampling sites and areas in Pennsylvania within a two mile radius of the derailment site.

>>>> VIDEO: New video shows what may have happened to cause East Palestine train derailment

Samples will be taken monthly to watch for long term impacts.

Pennsylvanians with concerns for private well water should call the DEP Southwest Regional Office at 412-442-4000.

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PIERRE  Gov. Kristi Noem's landmark paid family leave program that would've extended leave benefits for state employees and would've been available for private businesses to buy into died in a unanimous vote during a House of Representatives Appropriations committee Thursday afternoon.

The bill, HB 1151, brought by Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, would have created a 100% paid family leave program over 12 weeks that state employees could use after the birth or adoption of a child, if a family member was sick or events arising from a spouse's military deployment. The program would have been considered part of the employee's insurance plan and private South Dakota businesses could work with the insurance agency to create a leave plan that worked for their company.

Less than $3 million would have been taken out of the state's Human Resources bureau to fund the program for state employees, Rachel Oglesby, Noem's chief of policy, said.

More:Second part of Gov. Kristi Noem's paid family leave program fails in committee

While the insurance and chamber lobbies were in favor of the bill, one representative, William Shorma, R-Dakota Dunes, was the lone opposition.

Shorma, liked the idea of paid family leave, however, said the plan went too far for small and midsized businesses, because, "it's too rich for their business plans."

Appropriators, such as Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, questioned if the Governor's Office had worked with small and medium sized businesses to see if this was a proposal they would buy into.

Oglesby explained the policy was modeled after New Hampshire's family leave program but that the office had not worked with specific South Dakota businesses to craft the legislation.

More:Noem's paid family leave program passes first legislative hurdle

And while the committee members thanked the Noem administration for wanting to expand paid family leave and leading by example for private businesses, there were other ways to go about expanding the program.

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"There's room to do this within state government without this particular bill and I hope that moves forward," Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, said.

The 9-0 vote against the program is the latest development in the Legislature's check on Noem's paid family leave program. The governor, while on the campaign trail in the fall, had announced the proposal as part of her Stronger Families agenda, which was established after the overturn of Roe v. Wade that summer and meant to focus on supporting families in the state better.

But, Wednesday afternoon in a Senate Health and Human Services committee, a companion bill that would've created a $20 million incentive for private businesses to buy into the expanded paid family leave program was killed 4-2 amid worries about longevity and if small businesses could apply in time for the "first come, first serve" grant.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem's family leave plan dies in South Dakota Legislature
CHICAGO (AP)  An Illinois grand jury on Wednesday formally indicted the father of a man charged with fatally shooting seven people at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago, the Lake County State's Attorney Office said.

The indictment charges Robert Crimo Jr., 58, with seven counts of reckless conduct. Prosecutors have said he helped his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a gun license years before the shooting in Highland Park, even though the then-19-year-old had threatened violence.

Sara Avalos, a spokesperson for the prosecutors office, confirmed the grand jury indictment and said the father will be arraigned Thursday.

Robert Crimo Jr. was arrested in December, also on seven felony counts of reckless conduct, one for each person killed. Each count carries a maximum 3-year prison term. The longtime resident and well-known figure in Highland Park was released after his arrest on a $50,000 bond.

At a brief hearing last month, prosecutors had told Judge George Strickland at a Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, north of Highland Park, they needed more time to present evidence to the grand jury.

In a brief statement released by his office later Wednesday, Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart said the grand jury agreed the case against the father should move forward.

Parents who help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible when those kids hurt others with those weapons," Rinehart said.

George M. Gomez, the fathers Chicago-area attorney, said Wednesday evening that he couldn't comment because he hadn't yet seen the indictment. But he earlier called the accusations against his client baseless and unprecedented.

Rinehart has previously said the accusations against the father are based on his sponsorship of his sons application for a gun license in December 2019. Authorities say Robert Crimo III attempted suicide by machete in April 2019 and in September 2019 was accused by a family member of making threats to kill everyone.

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Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenagers should have a weapon, Rinehart said after the father's arrest. In this case, the system failed when Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son. He knew what he knew and he signed the form anyway.

Authorities say Illinois State Police reviewed the sons gun license application and found no reason to deny it because he had no arrests, no criminal record, no serious mental health problems, no orders of protection and no other behavior that would disqualify him.

Legal experts have said it's rare for an accused shooter's parent or guardian to face charges  in part because it's difficult to prove such charges.

In one notable exception, a Michigan prosecutor in 2021 filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a teen accused of fatally shooting four students at his high school. A trial date was delayed while the state appeals court considers an appeal.

A grand jury indicted Robert Crimo III in July on 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, representing the seven people killed and dozens wounded in the attack at the holiday parade in Highland Park.

Robert Crimo Jr. has shown up at several of his son's pretrial hearings, nodding in greeting when his son entered the courtroom shackled and flanked by guards. The father is a familiar face around Highland Park, where he was once a mayoral candidate and operated convenience stores.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm.
Several employees at a Tesla factory in New York have been fired a day after launching union organizing efforts, according to Tesla Workers United, but the company says they're not related.

The workers at the Buffalo plant received an email Wednesday evening updating them on a new policy that prohibits them from recording workplace meetings without all participants permission, Tesla Workers United said Thursday. The group, which is behind the union movement, said that such restrictions violate federal labor law and flouts New Yorks one-party consent law to record conversations.

Were angry. This wont slow us down. This wont stop us, Sara Costantino, a current Tesla employee and organizing committee member, said in a prepared statement. They want us to be scared, but I think they just started a stampede. We can do this. But I believe we will do this.

In a statement, Tesla said the terminations were the result of poor ratings on performance reviews that were conducted before the union campaign was announced. The list of employees being dismissed was finalized Feb. 3, and Tesla became aware of organizing activities Feb. 13, the company said.

We learned in hindsight that one out of the 27 impacted employees officially identified as part of the union campaign, Tesla said. This exercise pre-dated any union campaign.

TWU said that the firings were unacceptable and that the expectations placed on Tesla workers are unfair, unattainable, ambiguous and ever changing. The Tesla plant, which makes solar panels and other renewable energy technology, is not far from a Starbucks location where workers voted to unionize last year.

I feel blindsided, I got COVID and was out of the office, then I had to take a bereavement leave. I returned to work, was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along, organizing committee member Arian Berek, who is one of the fired employees, said in a statement. I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement, and its shameful.

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The Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United has filed a complaint against Tesla with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the electric vehicle maker of unfair labor practices.

In the complaint, the group lists the names of several employees who were part of the factory's autopilot department that were fired. The group says that it believes Tesla terminated these individuals in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity. It is asking the NLRB for injunctive relief to prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Teslas unlawful conduct.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said without specifically referring to the situation at the Tesla plant in Buffalo that, "the president supports fundamental rights for workers under the National Labor Relations Act, including the right to organize free from intimidation or coercion.

As part of union organizing efforts, the Tesla Workers United organizing committee said in a letter to management Tuesday that employees are seeking a voice on the job at the plant in Buffalo and want to build an even more collaborative environment that will strengthen the company.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a hard line against organized labor, despite an invitation to the United Auto Workers union to hold an organizing vote at Teslas factory in Fremont, California. In 2021 Tesla was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to make Musk delete a 2018 tweet in which it said that he unlawfully threatened employees with loss of stock options if they chose to be represented by the UAW.

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Associated Press Writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.
Hutto

The co-founder of the popular Jacksonville Beach-based lifestyle brand Salt Life has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter with a firearm.

Michael Troy Hutto, 56, changed his plea Thursday in a Palm Beach County courtroom in the death of 18-year-old Lora Grace Duncan in a Riviera Beach hotel in 2020.

According to investigators, the Riviera Beach Police Department was called shortly before 11 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2020, to an oceanfront Hilton hotel to conduct a welfare check on Duncan.

Her father, Burton Duncan, told police he hadn't heard from her for a few days. He said he tracked her phone and believed she was at the hotel with her boyfriend, Hutto. He also told police that he believed Hutto "gave drugs to his daughter to keep her sedated," according to the arrest report.

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When police arrived, staff helped open the door and immediately, "there was a strong odor of decomposition from the hallway," the report said. Her body was found on the bathroom floor covered in blood and with a gunshot wound to her stomach.

The room was booked in Hutto's name and police found his wallet and ID inside, the report states.

Surveillance video showed Hutto leave the hotel with a backpack before he drove off in his vehicle, police said. An alert was immediately issued for Hutto.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrest Michael Troy Hutto in Jacksonville following the death of an 18-year-old Columbia County woman at a Riviera Beach hotel. Hutto, 54, is a co-founder of Salt Life, a well-known beach clothing company founded in Jacksonville Beach, according to state corporation records..

Shortly after, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office contacted a detective with the Riviera Beach Police Department and said the previous day, Oct. 28, Hutto survived an overdose at a BP Gas Station on Center Place Way in St. Augustine.

The Sheriff's Office said the attendant called after a man walked into the store asking for help. He was "reportedly twitching, making delusional comments, crying while his eyes were rolling into the back of his head," the report states.

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The man, later identified as Hutto, was transported to the hospital where he was receiving treatment, the Sheriff's Office said.

Riviera Beach police detectives went to the hospital where Hutto was being treated and asked if he knew why they were there. He told them "yes" and uttered, "Oh my god, I think, I think I hurt my Gracie" as he began to cry, the police report states.

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Hutto stopped talking but the next day reportedly told the detective the couple was headed to the Florida Keys to see some friends and were staying at the Hilton. When asked about what happened at the hotel, Hutto said "him and his Gracie spent time on the beach  him and his Gracie was playing inside of the hotel room as if they were shooting with their finger and a gun  Gracie was sitting on the counter inside of the bathroom, he pointed the gun at Gracie, at which time it went off and shot her," the police report states.

Hutto said he left the room with the gun and his medications in his backpack, which was found in the front passenger seat of his vehicle, according to the report.

Hutto was arrested and charged with homicide-manslaughter and possession or use of a weapon, the report states.

Salt Life released the following statement after the arrest:

"Sadly we have learned one of Salt Lifes co-founders has been charged with a felony. Salt Life sends their utmost sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. In 2013, the co-founders of Salt Life sold their entire business to the new owners. The co-founders have not been associated with the brand in any way since the purchase in 2013."

This story first appeared on First Coast News.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Salt Life co-founder guilty in teen's death at Riviera Beach hotel
Hailey Bieber kissing her hubby Justin Bieber

Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber/Instagram

Hailey Baldwin Bieber isn't afraid to share some PDA with her longtime love, Justin Bieber.

The 26-year-old model on Wednesday posted a cute snap to her Instagram Story that showed her and her husband, 28, engaged in a sweet smooch.

In the photo, both wore corresponding black tops  Justin accessorizing his short-sleeve tee with a pink beanie and Hailey adding gold hoop earrings to her long-sleeve look.

She kept her eyes closed for the pic, while Justin appeared to playfully lock eyes with the photographer behind the camera.

Three pink heart-and-arrow emojis were added to the picture, posted hours after Valentine's Day wrapped on Wednesday.

Hailey Bieber kissing her hubby Justin Bieber

Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber/Instagram

The two are no strangers to posting cozy photos together. Earlier this month they shared some intimate snippets of their Hawaii vacation celebrating their friend, professional surfer Kelia Moniz's 30th birthday.

RELATED: Hailey Bieber Debuts New Bob Hairstyle in Mirror Selfies: 'Oops'

In one photo, Hailey was seen close to Justin, almost touching her nose to his cheek while glancing at the camera as he looks away with a smile.

A few other photos captured the two smiling while sitting together at a table as Hailey held and kissed a baby in her arms.

Justin Bieber/instagram

Justin Bieber/instagram

The vacation getaway was the latest travel destination for the couple who rung in 2023 with a snowy escape to Aspen, Colorado accompanied by more famous friends, Kylie Jenner and Stassie Karanikolaou.

"Holiday Dump " Hailey wrote alongside a carousel of photos from the getaway, including a cute snap of her sitting in her husband's lap decked out in snow gear. "Best times. best friends. Happy New Year ."

She also shared a few videos of her trudging through fresh snow piled up to her knees and dancing along to Tame Impala's "The Less I Know the Better" on New Year's Eve.

RELATED Video: Justin and Hailey Bieber Cozy Up on Hawaii Vacation with Friends  See the Photos!

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Hailey and Justin celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary in September. The pair tied the knot at a New York City courthouse just two months after their Bahamas engagement in July 2018.

Almost a year after their secret wedding, the couple held a larger ceremony in South Carolina attended by their close friends and family.

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.

In an episode of Justin's Seasons docu-series released in 2020, he opened up about their marriage saying, "to share my life with [Hailey] just makes it so much more rewarding."

"He was the first person I ever had real feelings for," Hailey added. "When things kind of went south for a little bit and we went our separate ways, I just knew that no matter what the outcome was going to be, he was going to be somebody that I loved for the rest of my life. No matter what, he was always going to hold a special place in my heart."
Families of victims and community members gather at a memorial ceremony in Aurora Wednesday marking the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in the city. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Wednesday was a day for bitter memories of a bitterly cold day four years ago when everything changed in Aurora.

On Feb. 15, 2019, five employees of the Henry Pratt Co. on Auroras near West Side lost their lives in a mass shooting after a disgruntled co-worker opened fire during a termination meeting inside the Pratt warehouse.

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For Anita Lewis, an employee at Pratt, that Friday started like any other, until a co-worker raced into her office with word of the shooting next door in the warehouse.

A rose is placed at a cross for one of the five victims of the mass shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in Aurora in 2019 during a remembrance ceremony Wednesday on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

At a city of Aurora memorial Wednesday for the five who died that day, Lewis remembered something about them all - Russell Beyer, Clayton Parks, Vicente Juarez, Trevor Wehner and Josh Pinkard.

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Russ was always joking, showing pictures of his dog; Clay had an infectious smile, she said.

She still remembers Vicente driving down the middle aisle of the warehouse in his forklift, and she called Josh the preacher because of his Southern drawl, and his penchant for sticking his head in her office and asking, how yall doing today?

She didnt know Trevor, because as a Northern Illinois University student, he was on his first day of work as a human resources intern on that tragic day.

He was excited to be there, so he got there an hour early, she said.

Lewis said Aurora lost some innocence that day, and the world became a darker place.

And yet, Wednesday was also a day to remember the warmth of a community that came together to try to help the surviving families, some of whom attended the memorial event at the Aurora Historical Society located at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center in downtown Aurora.

And it also was a day to remember the heroics and bravery of the first responders who answered the call, particularly the five Aurora police officers injured in the shooting - John Cebulski, Marco Gomez, James Zegar, Adam Miller and Reynaldo Rivera.

Mayor Richard Irvin pointed out that they rose to their noble call of duty to protect and serve, without thinking twice about putting themselves in harms way.

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Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross, who was deputy chief in 2019, pointed out that officers were both physically and emotionally injured that day.

Some of those scars still remain, he said.

And while it has been four years since the events of the day transpired, Irvin said those years have dragged very slowly for those who lost loved ones.

Some of those people, from the families of Russell Beyer, Trevor Wehner and Vicente Juarez, joined in a ceremony to light candles in front of the crosses for each victim that once stood in front of the Pratt building where they all worked.

The crosses, made by late Aurora resident Greg Zanis, along with a fraction of other makeshift memorials left by hundreds of people after the shooting, are part of an Aurora Historical Society display brought out each year to commemorate the day.

Irvin pointed out that it is important to never forget the victims, to never forget who was impacted.

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The city will soon place a permanent memorial somewhere downtown, a bench with the names of the five victims that right now sits in the Historical Societys Tanner House museum.

Many of the people at the memorial had a personal connection to the shooting at Pratt, but they also could not escape the fact that there have been more shootings since, most recently in Illinois at the Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, and on Monday on the Michigan State University campus.

That was on the minds of U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood and Bill Foster, both D-Naperville, who recently were part of introducing a resolution in Congress honoring the Pratt victims and the first responders.

Underwood noted that gun violence changes a community forever.

I will continue to treat gun violence as the public health crisis that it is, she said, so that our children can live in a country where gun violence is no longer commonplace.

Foster said workplaces, schools, concerts and grocery stores should be places where people feel safe, but have become targets for shootings.

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He called for sensible policies that will end gun violence forever.

Meanwhile, Lewis said she has vowed to be more vigorous in the way I talk about mental health.

I plan to be more open to communication, more accepting of our differences, she said. I would like to see people as they really are.

slord@tribpub.com
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said she sees no reason to believe that former President Trump would not perform well on the mental competency test that she proposed for politicians older than 75 upon launching her presidential run this week.

I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldnt do well this time. But I do think we need it, Haley said in an interview on Fox Newss Fox & Friends on Thursday.

Haley first suggested the test during her rally in Charleston, S.C., on Wednesday, when she launched her 2024 presidential bid. The former South Carolina governor is the first major Republican candidate other than Trump to jump in the race.

Haley also called for establishing term limits for members of Congress as part of a message of pushing for a new generation to become leaders in Washington, D.C. She affirmed new generational leadership is needed in an interview with Sean Hannity on Wednesday when he asked her about her differences with Trump.

Trump touted his success on a cognitive test during the 2020 presidential election.

It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy. The last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question, Trump told Fox News at the time. Its like, youll go, Person, woman, man, camera, TV. So they say, Could you repeat that? So I said, Yeah. So its, Person, woman, man, camera, TV. OK, thats very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points.

While Trump emphasized the test as evidence of him having a high IQ, experts reportedly said it is only meant to determine if someone has dementia or is experiencing other cognitive decline.

Haley said Thursday that cognitive tests are needed for offices beyond president, including Congress and other elected officials.

When people send someone to Washington, they need to know theyre at the top of their game. Thats why I think those competency tests are important, she said.

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Haley also took a dig at President Biden, saying that the country cant have someone like Joe Biden, whos asleep at the wheel, and have China sitting there threatening us and us wondering if he actually knows whats going on.

She said the competency tests are not about any one person but rather about everything thats happening in D.C.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Englands Harry Brook bats against New Zealand on the first day of their cricket test match in Tauranga, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP) (AP)

Ben Duckett and Harry Brook produced dashing half-centuries as England raced to 279 for five after two sessions of their day/night first Test against New Zealand.

Ducketts dazzling 84 in 68 balls got the tourists up and running in rollicking fashion at the Bay Oval, but some slapdash dismissals prevented England from taking control until Brook arrived to reclaim the initiative.

At the dinner break he was 79no off 64 deliveries, in sniffing distance of a fourth Test ton in as many games after his prolific tour of Pakistan. He also has a chance of shooting for a 121-year-old record for Englands fastest Test hundred, with Gilbert Jessops 76-ball effort from 1902 in his sights.

While Duckett was in full flow he looked as though he could get there too, but he chipped to short cover to slow the momentum.

There were a handful of soft dismissals that boosted an attack that included two debutants in Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn and had appeared to be there for the taking.

Joe Root fell for the first time to the reverse ramp shot he has added to the repertoire over the past year, a thrilling stroke when it comes off but a costly one here, and captain Ben Stokes hacked impatiently to mid-wicket.

Home skipper Tim Southee opted to make first use of the much-discussed pink ball and soon had the off-colour Zak Crawley in all sorts of trouble.

In the space of 14 torturous deliveries Crawley was dropped at third slip, clean bowled by Neil Wagner off a no-ball, beaten on both edges and finally caught by in the cordon off Southee.

Duckett found things considerably easier, driving busily through the covers and flicking well off his pads as he motored to a half-century in just 36 balls.

The hosts resorted quickly to short stuff as the early movement disappeared but Duckett appeared to be on course for a real rarity  a ton before the first break. Only six players have managed the feat in Test history and Duckett left the club intact when he pushed Tickner straight to Michael Bracewell.

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England were 134 for two as they walked off at the first break, Pope mustering 30no after an early blow to the back of the helmet from Scott Kuggeleijns first delivery.

When play resumed Root foreshadowed his own fate, flipping his hands to loft Wagner over his shoulder for four. It has become something of a party piece for the former captain but it proved his undoing when he tried a repeat, fluffing his contact and feeding the alert Daryl Mitchell at slip.

By then Pope (42) had nicked off to a lavish drive and Stokes was not far behind, slapping Kuggelijn to mid-wicket after refusing to bide his time. At 209 for five, England had squandered some of their early credit but Brook was on hand to reverse that.

The Yorkshireman, who reached three figures in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi before Christmas, nailed 10 boundaries on his way to 50, hitting with fierce power down the ground.

He just cleared mid-off early in his innings, but the longer he stayed the cleaner he struck with one towering six off Southee serving as a real statement of intent.
HAMPTON  A local man is being held in preventive detention after he allegedly fired more than two dozen rounds from a gun outside an apartment building and near a daycare center.

Richard Butler, 54, of Hampton, was arraigned Wednesday in Rockingham County Superior Court on charges of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and unauthorized use of a firearm.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before," Butler told Judge Lisa English during his arraignment. "Certainly, it will never happen again. I can say a hundred things, but I can truly tell you nothing like this has happened before and it will never happen again. I'm not a threat to anybody. I'm not a danger. I don't go around beating people up. I don't kick people's doors in. I'm not mad at any of these people."

Richard Butler, 54, of Hampton, was arraigned Wednesday in Rockingham Superior Court on charges of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and unauthorized use of a firearm.

The judge, however, disagreed, stating under state statute there was "clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's release will endanger the safety of the defendant or the public."

Butler was ordered to be held in preventive detention but will be allowed to be evaluated by the pretrial release program.

Previous story: Hampton man charged after allegedly firing gun outside apartment building

Hampton police respond to gunshots near Route 1

Hampton police responded to the Stickney Terrace and Route 1 area Monday night Feb. 13 after receiving several calls from residents reporting the sound of multiple gunshots, according to Hampton police Capt. Anthony Azarian.

Officers searched the area, finding evidence of spent ammunition shell casings in the driveway of the apartment building at 32 Stickney Terrace, leading them to speak with witnesses who had heard the gunfire.

Azarian said during the investigatios, officers spoke with Butler, who lives in the building, identifying him as the suspect in the incident. That night, Hampton detectives applied for, received and executed a search warrant for Butlers apartment and later an arrest warrant. Butler subsequently turned himself in at the Hampton Police Department on Tuesday and was booked and charged.

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According to Hampton police, there were no reported injuries.

"I'm incredibly impressed with the fast response and teamwork that our officers displayed while investigating and identifying all parties," said Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno. "Their collaboration and attention to detail brought safe resolution to the matter in a short time."

More:Hampton police investigate report of 'road rage incident' with gunshots fired

Prosecutor: Butler a 'danger to the public'

Assistant County Attorney Marcia Rosenn requested the judge hold Butler on preventive detention because "I believe he is a danger to the public."

"The conduct here is extraordinarily concerning," Rosenn said.

Rosenn noted police recovered 14 9mm shell casings, 9 live mm rounds near a daycare, and 19 other .223 shell casings on the northeast side of 32 Stickney Terrace.

Richard Butler

"When police were searching the area with a K9 and metal detector they found a number of casings in the playground of the Fun afterschool program," said Rosenn, who noted the area was densely populated and near the rail trail.

Rosenn said Butler is not allowed to own weapons from a previous conviction in Indiana "and he had a number of different firearms."

Butler, she said, is a "multi-state offender" with arrests in Colorado, Indiana, Massachusettes, New Hampshire, Florida and Michigan. His eight prior convictions included driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, being a habitual offender and simple assault.

Butler's last conviction occurred last year when he was convicted in Rockingham Superior Court of being a habitual offender and was handed down a 1  to 3-year suspended sentence for 3 years.

"Giving the record, he seems like he certainly has a long-standing issue with substance use disorder," Rosenn said.

Rosenn told the court that she also believes Butler may be a flight risk if released, noting that he uses "multiple aliases, three different Social Security numbers, three different sets of birth."

More:Pamela Smart, serving life sentence, asks NH Supreme Court for 'hope'

Butler disputes being a flight risk: 'There's no place for me to go'

Public defender Deanna Campbell requested the judge consider allowing Butler to be screened by the pretrial release program.

While the incident occurred near a day school and the rail trail, Campbell said it was at 8:17 p.m.

"Schools were certainly closed and it was dark, so I don't know many people were frequenting the rail trail at that time," Campbell said. "It seems unlikely."

She pointed out there were no reports of specific individuals who claimed weapons were fired at them.

"The allegation is just discharging a firearm and the underlying felony is conduct, and at least by New Hampshire standards, (that) would have resulted in misdemeanor convictions," said Campbell, who noted that Butler's firearms were seized "negating any current threat to the community."

Butler told the court that he understands the "severity" of the charges.

However, he disputed that he was a potential flight risk.

"There is no place for me to go," he said. "I don't have a license. I don't have a vehicle so I can't just take off. At this point in time, I don't have any money because I can't finish the job that I was currently on."

He also said that he has two elderly parents in Hampton and that he's helping take care of his father.

"I also have I know this is going to sound stupid but I also have a cat that I care very much about," Butler said. "And I'm just trying to take care of my parents and myself."

If Butler is released, he is ordered to have no contact with a number of individuals on Stickney Terrace.

Anyone with information related to this incident should contact the Hampton Police Department at 603-929-4444. Anonymous tips can be made through the Crimeline for the Hamptons at 603-929-1222.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton NH man allegedly fired gunshots near daycare
As Florida residents continue to age, and a shortage of healthcare workers grows, family caregivers are stepping in to fill the gap. However, the daily juggle is causing burnout and increased depression.

It gets challenging for sure and there are times when its really emotionally exhausting, Vanessa Francis said with her 83-year-old father by her side.

Richmond was once a lineman while balancing two other jobs to help make ends meet for his family. An Alzheimers diagnosis three years ago slowed him down, but Vanessa has not.

A guy who worked three jobs taking care of all of us and now he cant press a button and get out of his seat belt. Its hard sometimes to see that, she told Action News Jaxs Robert Grant.

Vanessa is a family caregiver and fills the gap of a shortage of professional caregivers. But AARP says theres been a sharp decline of family caregivers as well, from possibly seven potential caregivers to one elderly person at risk back in 2010 to just four for every one elderly person by 2030.

It can be overwhelming to know where to start  and caregivers are focused on so many other things day to day taking care of themselves and their family member, Kyle Sanchez, the business development manager for ElderSource in Jacksonville, said.

He added that about 90% of the organizations enrolled family caregivers struggle with depression.

ElderSource provides free resources for family caregivers, including a six-week training. You can learn more HERE.

Just feeling like youre not alone and theres somebody out there with the same struggle, Vanessa said about the organizations support group. She said she learned to focus on her care as much as her dads care, and she wants to send the same message to others.

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EVANSVILLE  Just after 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, a 12-member jury announced they had found Heidi Kathleen Carter guilty of all charges she faced in connection with a 2021 homicide, rape and kidnapping on Evansville's West Side.

The conviction capped a months-long effort by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office to see Carter found guilty for her alleged role in the killing of 50-year-old Tim Ivy and the rape of a woman who was held captive inside Carter's Stinson Avenue residence.

"Did you reach a unanimous verdict on all counts?" Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge David Kiely asked jurors after they reentered the courtroom late Wednesday evening. "Yes," the jury's foreman said.

In all, jurors found Carter, 37, guilty of committing six offenses: aiding, inducing or causing murder, a Level 1 felony; two counts of aiding, inducing or causing rape, a Level 1 felony, and three counts of criminal confinement, a Level 3 felony.

Evansville police arrested Carter Oct. 19, 2021, after multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded her residence in the 1800 block of Stinson Avenue. Inside, officers found Ivy's lifeless body and the female victim, who said she had been restrained to a bed for hours.

More:Prosecutors rest case against Heidi Carter; Carter decides not to testify

The woman survived the ordeal and testified during Carter's trial. She accused Carter of holding a gun to her head while Carter's boyfriend, Carrey Hammond, raped her. The woman said Hammond strangled Ivy to death just feet away from where she lay tied to a bed.

Hammond was shot and killed by Evansville police Oct. 19, 2021, when he emerged from Carter's residence holding what authorities thought was a gun. An Evansville Police Department spokesperson later said Hammond likely committed "suicide by cop."

Newly elected Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers tapped Stan Levco to prosecute Carter a second time. Carter first stood trial in November, but a hung jury resulted in a mistrial.

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Moers, a Republican, said she hired Levco, a Democrat who ran the prosecutor's office from 1991 to 2011, to try high-profile cases on behalf of her office.

More:Stan Levco to prosecute Heidi Carter at second trial

Levco told the Courier & Press he felt confident the state's case against Carter was solid. But, as deliberations began to stretch past the seven-hour mark Wednesday night, Levco feared the specter of a potential second mistrial.

"I was getting worried that it might be a hung jury again," Levco said. "Anything can happen, but I thought a not-guilty verdict was pretty unlikely; I thought a hung jury was certainly possible, and the later it went, the more I was concerned about that."

Vanderburgh County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Audrey Beckerle began Carter's second trial with the benefit of hindsight: She prosecuted Carter during her November trial alongside then-lead prosecutor Emily Hall.

"I'm not gonna lie, I was getting a little nervous," Beckerle said. "I expected it to take some time; (the jury) had a lot to chew on... I was hoping we were going to get a verdict, but I'm not gonna lie, about 7 p.m. hit, and I was really starting to get a little nervous."

Carter's first trial ended moments after Kiely blocked prosecutors from presenting key evidence to jurors  more than 600 pages of Carters Facebook correspondence with Hammond and others. Kiely said the records lacked certifications showing they had been accurately compiled by EPD Detective Steven Toney.

November Trial:Judge declares mistrial on four counts in Stinson Avenue death, rape and kidnapping trial

But on Monday, Levco and Beckerle entered the records into evidence without issue. The messages, it turns out, did not contain any admissions of guilt from Carter. They did, however, show Carter bragging about having violent sexual fantasies and hinting that she would like to act those fantasies out in real life.

The Facebook messages also contained a photo prosecutors said Carter took of herself. The image showed Carter sitting inside a vehicle with multiple semi-automatic handguns laid out on her lap. The photo helped explain a critical discrepancy between prosecutor's physical evidence and testimony from witnesses: Carter was found to be in possession of a revolver when she was arrested Oct. 19, 2021, but the female victim said Carter pointed a semi-automatic handgun at her during the attack.

Police never found the semi-automatic weapon, but the photograph showed Carter posing with multiple pistols that matched the victims' description.

"I think the biggest difference here that really helped us secure the conviction was refining the Facebook messages and getting those in," Beckerle said. "Those really spoke to her true intent in a way that we couldn't get through any of the other evidence."

More:Heidi Carter's second kidnapping, murder trial sees nine witnesses called in first day

Moers attended portions of Carter's trial and could be seen giving Levco a fist bump when he rested his case Tuesday afternoon. She said the trial was a top priority for the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office.

"Definitely a high-profile case; the facts are very serious, a lot of stuff was going on, salacious stuff, so we really took it seriously," Moers said. "Especially when we tried it one time and had a hung jury, we really wanted to make sure we weren't wasting our efforts in going after it again."

Kiely scheduled Carter to be sentenced March 9 at 10 a.m. Until then, the judge ordered Carter to be held without bond at the Vanderubrgh County jail.

Under Indiana law, Kiely has broad discretion to determine how long, or short, Carter's sentence will be. State guidelines, which are advisory and not legally binding, recommend a 30-year sentence for Level 1 felonies, such as aiding, inducing or causing rape and aiding, inducing or causing murder.

Level 3 felonies, such as criminal confinement, carry a recommended prison sentence of nine years under state sentencing guidelines.

Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Digital evidence key to Heidi Carter's conviction for Stinson killing
BURLINGTON TWP. - Two young children who lost their mother to domestic violence will grow up knowing her, a family member says.

Images and mementos of 34-year-old Stephanie Steph Vil will be everywhere in her children's home, said the slain womans aunt, Trina Hill of Burington Township.

More: Admission over deadly fireMan admits guilt to Pemberton arson that killed romantic rival

They will see her, she vowed of Vils children, 10-year-old Ta-lil and his three-month-old sister, Ja-Lani.

We want them to know how fabulous she was, said Hill.

'She loved somebody who killed her'

Vil was slain Feb. 12 in an apparent incident of domestic violence in a daylight shooting on a Trenton street.

Her boyfriend - Jamar Leonard, 38, of Burlington Township - has been charged with murder and weapons offenses.

She loved somebody who killed her, said Hill, asserting Leonard had threatened Vils life four days before the shooting.

Hill's family has launched a GoFundMe appeal seeking to raise money for the victim's children.

The campaign had raised almost $10,000 by Friday afternoon toward a goal of $20,000.

"Our hearts are forever broken into pieces," Hill wrote in the appeal.

Son's touching display

She noted that Vil's son, when told of his mother's death, "walked over and picked up" his baby sister.

"He said nothing, but he broke everyone in the room," said Hill.

She added the boy's caring action "broke us even more because it goes directly to show how much love Steph poured into her babies."

Victim had graduation plans

Vil, a Trenton High School graduate, worked as a day-program manager for Ewing-based SERV Behavioral Health System Inc.

She also was attending Prism Career Institute in Cherry Hill to become a nurse, with hopes of one day buying a home for her family, said Trina Hill.

She said Prism is expected to present a nursing license at Vil's funeral, recognizing her intended graduation in October.

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"She was funny, she was loving, and she was a hard worker, said Trina Hill. "She didnt deserve this, how good of a person she was."

Vil was shot shortly around 9:05 a.m. after she drove to West Hanover Avenue and approached a parked vehicle, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

The charges against Leonard are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: GoFundMe benefits family of Stephanie Vil, Burlington homicide victim
When the Family and Medical Leave Act became law 30 years ago this month, millions of workers in the United States won the right to take care of a medical or family need without fear of losing their job. But the historic law hasnt aged well.

Through the prism of 2023, what FMLA really does is allow some workers to endure economic hardships  taking time off without pay  so that they can take care of themselves or the people around them during challenging times. The 1993 laws shortcomings, alongside workers changing expectations, is strengthening the case for change. Paid leave has gained traction among voters on both sides of the political aisle, with 84% of people supporting a federally mandated policy.

Its wildly popular everywhere  except on Capitol Hill.

The only industrialized country with no required paid family and medical leave

The United States has an opportunity in this Congress to create a benefit that most Americans want but too few have. President Joe Biden vowed in his State of the Union address to make paid family leave a legislative priority, and it might be one of the few issues on which Democrats and Republicans can agree.

U.S. should not be trailing: Let's use momentum to get paid parental leave for all families

Between my daughters and my mom: Why must we pick between paychecks and caring for loved ones?

Carli Pierson, right, her mother and her two daughters participate in Mother's Day activities in 2021. About 15 million people in America use the Family and Medical Leave Act each year for reasons ranging from having a baby to caring for a sick family member, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Hours before the presidents speech, in fact, a bipartisan Task Force on Paid Family Leave  with three Democrats and three Republicans  met to kick off talks to explore a path forward. They have momentum on their side and can look to the states for answers: In those that have tried it, paid family and medical leave has been paying off for businesses, workers and the greater economy.

FMLA has given the nation a glimpse of the possible: a country in which everyone has the support they need to care for themselves and their families. About 15 million people in America use the policy each year for reasons ranging from having a baby to caring for a sick family member, a common case during the pandemic for women especially.

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But nearly 11 million people who need leave dont take it, with more than 7 million of them saying its because they could not afford it.

Today, the United States is the only industrialized country without federally mandated paid family and medical leave, an unflattering distinction.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, center, and fellow congressional Democrats discuss modernizing the Family and Medical Leave Act and establishing paid leave on Feb. 1, 2023.

Thirty years ago, the arguments against FMLA  none of which panned out  went something like this: Its too expensive, will burden employers and harm the economy. Todays arguments against universal paid family and medical leave center on whether small businesses can sufficiently navigate this new benefit for millions of workers, and who will pay for it.

But what if paid leave threaded the needle by helping employers hire and retain the workers they need while helping people with the burdens they often face?

11 states and Washington, D.C., have successfully implemented paid leave

The benefits of paid family leave are clear: It improves the health of mothers and babies, supports women staying in the workforce and helps businesses recruit top talent. At a time when employers are struggling to fill open positions, some of our most vital members of the workforce choose to stay home for reasons that paid leave could address.

Older and unappreciated: Workers over 50 face a rough time on the job

A reality check on U.S. workforce: Time to invest in people with disabilities

About 80% of U.S. workers dont have access to paid leave. That means after having a baby, adopting a child, falling ill, or needing to care for a sick parent or child, most Americans cant take time off work without risking their income or their health.

For so many women, workers in low-wage jobs, workers of color or workers with disabilities, this is an impossible and inequitable choice that has forced many to abandon the workplace altogether.

States, often the laboratories of innovation, have successfully implemented programs that Congress should consider in crafting federal policy. Eleven states and Washington, D.C., already guarantee the benefit, and the U.S. military for the first time this year began offering 12 weeks of paid parental leave to service members.

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California, New Jersey and New York fund statewide paid family leave through a payroll tax that both companies and employees contribute to. Similarly, Washington, D.C.s paid leave program is funded by a 0.26% employer payroll tax.

In California, 87% of businesses reported that state-mandated paid family leave did not increase costs, and 9% found that the program actually saved their companies money. Many companies reported saving that money on turnover expenses, which can cost an average of one-fifth of an employees annual salary.

That makes sense: When employees are content with their jobs and benefits, theyre less likely to leave. Businesses also found that when employees could take paid leave, they were less stressed and, in turn, more productive. That led to greater workforce participation, especially among women. Rather than hurt businesses, paid leave helped employers and employees thrive.

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A lot has changed since 1993, but the FMLA remains the same. Its time to create a policy that reflects the needs of a modern workforce. Universal paid family leave could be the needed change that benefits both the employee and employer while also creating a healthier and more equitable society.

Thirty years later, paid family leave is no longer viewed as something nice to have, but a must-have benefit whose time has come.

Avenel Joseph is the vice president for Policy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paid family leave: American workers are still falling behind
Medication abortions involve using two prescription medications  mifepristone and misoprostol  to end a pregnancy. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

According to a report by the Guttmacher Institute, more than half of abortions in the United States are done with pills  known as a medication abortion  rather than surgery. The process involves taking two prescription medications, mifepristone and misoprostol.

One of the primary reasons medication abortions have become more common comes down to access. Medication abortion is more accessible than a procedural [surgical] abortion in many cases, because medication abortion can be completed outside of a medical setting, either by providing pills at a clinic that a patient later takes at home, or having them mailed directly to a patient, Marielle Kirstein, senior research assistant at the Guttmacher Institute, tells Yahoo Life.

For patients in rural and underserved areas, using medication abortion provided via telehealth can help save hundreds of miles of travel, Jesse Philbin, senior research associate at the Guttmacher Institute, tells Yahoo Life.

In many communities in the U.S., self-managed abortion is the only option available to some people seeking care, says Philbin. A self-managed abortion is an abortion  including via pills  obtained outside of the formal health care system.

Additionally, providing the pills for a safe and effective abortion requires less equipment and training than procedural abortions, notes Kirstein.

However, that access may now be in jeopardy after a federal judge in Texas ruled to suspend the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the mifepristone. Seeking to block the order, the Department of Justice filed an emergency stay motion Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

At the same time, a federal judge in Washington state blocked the FDA from making any changes to mifepristone access in the 17 states and D.C. that recently sued the FDA to drop some restrictions on the medication, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says are outdated and substantially limit access to this safe, effective medication.

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Here's what you need to know about medication abortions.

How the pandemic may have contributed to the increase

Its likely the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the rise of medication abortions. When the modern medication abortion regimen was approved in the United States in 2000, the Food and Drug Administration placed significant restrictions on who could prescribe and where one could acquire these medications, Dr. Andrea Henkel, an ob-gyn at Stanford Childrens Health and fellow in complex family planning at Stanford University, tells Yahoo Life.

However, aided by the abundance of research supporting the safety and efficacy of this regimen even outside of these FDA guidelines, says Henkel, the restrictions were temporarily lifted in April 2020, with the FDA allowing abortion pills to be mailed to patients for the duration of the pandemic. This allowed patients to obtain an abortion without making one (or several) trips to a health care facility and risking unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 if they used this method, Kirstein explains.

In December 2021, the FDA made the allowance permanent while also expanding access to abortion medication through pharmacies, according to Kirstein. However, guidance to pharmacies for dispensing abortion medication has not yet been developed, she says.

There has also been an increase in clinics that provide only medication abortion and not surgical abortion, meaning that obtaining abortion pills in a clinical setting may be more available to some patients than going to a clinic for a procedural abortion, Kirstein says.

Despite that, not everyone has access to a medication abortion. Notably, a number of states prohibit the mailing of abortion pills and require in-person visits to obtain the drugs, says Kirstein. The FDA decision does not override these laws.

What exactly are medication abortions?

Medication abortions use two prescription drugs to end a pregnancy  mifepristone and misoprostol  typically within a 48-hour period. Mifepristone blocks the effects of the pregnancy hormone progesterone, and misoprostol induces uterine cramping to expel the pregnancy, says Henkel.

The medications cause cramping and bleeding that can last for several hours, according to Planned Parenthood. Patients may also be given antibiotics to prevent infection.

How safe are medication abortions?

Medication abortion is incredibly safe, says Henkel. Serious complications requiring hospitalization for treatment of infection or transfusion occur in less than four per 1,000 patients.

Philbin agrees, noting: Throughout the more than 20 years that it has been used in the United States, medication abortion has been proven to be overwhelmingly safe and effective. The FDA has approved medication abortion for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy; however, research has shown that use beyond 10 weeks is safe and effective.

Research also shows that complications from medical abortions are very rare. Henkel notes, however, that medical abortion carries a risk of heavy bleeding that may require a procedure to stop the bleeding or even a blood transfusion. There is a risk of pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus and needing a procedure to remove the tissue or even this tissue getting infected, she says.

There is also a low risk that the abortion pills dont work. In this case, a repeat dose of medication or procedure is needed to complete the abortion, Henkel explains. This occurs in 2 to 10 percent of medication abortions  more frequently for those at later gestational ages in the first trimester.

Who isnt a candidate for medication abortion?

Medication abortion is routinely offered through 10 weeks of pregnancy, according to Henkel. Though there is data for later, she says. Each facility will have their own comfort level with the upper gestational age limit.

But not everyone is a candidate for medication abortion. Henkel says it is not recommended for pregnant people with any of the following: confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy, intrauterine device (IUD) in place, current long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy, chronic adrenal failure, known coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy, inherited porphyria, or allergy to mifepristone or misoprostol.

Why medication abortions may continue to climb

Henkel anticipates that as abortion restrictions increase, there will be an increased reliance on medication abortion as this method may become the more accessible option, she says. (It's worth noting that even if access to mifepristone is restricted, experts say that misoprostol alone is considered a safe, dependable and effective way to have an abortion.)

Adds Henkel: What is available and what is practically accessible can differ depending on location, noting that 89% of U.S. counties do not currently have an abortion clinic even though one in four reproductive-capable people need abortion care at some point in their life, Henkel says. Medication abortion is often more accessible, so some people may choose this method for convenience.

Kirstein also anticipates that the rise of medical abortions will be a pattern for states with fewer restrictions on abortion care because practices like mailing abortion medication and obtaining it directly from online pharmacies will be more accessible for many patients. In states with highly restricted access to abortion care, medication abortions may be patients only option.

Take, for example, S.B.8  an abortion restriction law that outlaws abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and deputizes everyday citizens to sue anyone who aids or abets an unlawful abortion, according to ABC News. When the law went into effect in September 2021, Kirstein points out that procedural abortions decreased by almost three-quarters as compared with August 2021, according to the Texas Health and Human Services website. While the number of medication abortions also decreased as a result of this legislation, notes Kirstein, they increased from accounting for roughly half of all abortions in Texas in August 2021 to two-thirds in September 2021.

But as Philbin puts it: While abortion pills are an important option, they are not the solution to abortion bans.

Philbin adds: Patients deserve all options for their abortion care and should not have to rely on medication abortions due to logistical or financial constraints if it is not the best option for them.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. 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 the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

So, the natural question for Centaurus Metals (ASX:CTM) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

See our latest analysis for Centaurus Metals

How Long Is Centaurus Metals' Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. As at June 2022, Centaurus Metals had cash of AU$60m and no debt. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$32m. That means it had a cash runway of around 23 months as of June 2022. While that cash runway isn't too concerning, sensible holders would be peering into the distance, and considering what happens if the company runs out of cash. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years.

How Is Centaurus Metals' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Centaurus Metals didn't record any revenue over the last year, indicating that it's an early stage company still developing its business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. The skyrocketing cash burn up 128% year on year certainly tests our nerves. It's fair to say that sort of rate of increase cannot be maintained for very long, without putting pressure on the balance sheet. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

How Easily Can Centaurus Metals Raise Cash?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Centaurus Metals shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. 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. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Centaurus Metals' cash burn of AU$32m is about 6.9% of its AU$466m market capitalisation. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

How Risky Is Centaurus Metals' Cash Burn Situation?

On this analysis of Centaurus Metals' cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. While we're the kind of investors who are always a bit concerned about the risks involved with cash burning companies, the metrics we have discussed in this article leave us relatively comfortable about Centaurus Metals' situation. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 2 warning signs for Centaurus Metals (of which 1 is 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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Now-former Township High School District 214 Superintendent David Schuler, pictured, speaks Feb. 9, 2023 during the school district-hosted reception honoring Schuler as he leaves the district. (Brian OMahoney / Pioneer Press)

A team of two administrators has been named by the Township High School District 214 Board of Education to act as interim superintendents as the district searches for a new leader, according to a news release issued by the district.

David Schuler, who has been the SD214 school chief for 17 years, has moved on to a new role as executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. A parting reception was held for Schuler Feb. 9.

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According to the news release, Lazaro Lopez, associate superintendent for teaching and learning, who has introduced dozens of innovative programs over the 23 years he has worked for the district, will be joined by Kenneth Arndt.

Arndt had been a 45-year education veteran before he retired as superintendent of Algonquin-based Community Unit School District 300 in 2011.

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The two administrators will share the districts leadership role.

Arndt will be the primary point of contact for parents and community members and serve as the superintendent of record for state and federal compliance purposes. Lopez will focus on daily operation activities and leading district initiatives in progress, according to the release.

We are confident that the skills and abilities of Dr. Arndt and Dr. Lopez will provide the continuity needed during this period of transition, board President Bill Dussling stated in the release.

The school board is working with consulting firm Hazard, Young Attea and Associates in its search for Schulers successor and expects to make an announcement in April, according to the release.

SD214 enrolls more than 11,900 students across six schools, including John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a regular meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Thursday, 16 February.

Source: Zelenskyy in a video address

Quote: "I held another Supreme Commander-in-Chief meeting today, and the commanders of all operational fronts participated in it.

We heard in detail about the situation on each of the fronts and the prospects for each of the operational areas.

Armament supplies, shell supplies and training of our soldiers, as well as the plans and capabilities of Russians and the potential of the Ukrainian response were discussed.

The priority now is to keep the situation on the contact line stable and prepare for any kind of escalation. Advancing in the further liberation of our land is a priority we are thoroughly working on."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Channel 2 Action News Investigates has uncovered a list of unhappy neighbors who say they called the police on the same tree removal company and took the owner to court over unfinished work.

In some cases, the judges even ordered the owner of Dons Tree Experts to pay those customers back.

Homeowners told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray they did not receive the money, even after a court order.

DeKalb County resident, Sherral Cannon said he thought he was calling the same tree removal company he had worked with in the past.

We called Don, who had been here before, to cut down some trees, Cannon said.

[HAVE A STORY FOR 2 INVESTIGATES? Submit your story idea here]

He wrote a check for a deposit of $700. And after he handed it

She disappeared. Never saw her again, Cannon said.

Cannons story is not unique. Deidra Stevens told Gray shes been fighting for years to get $1,200 back. Stevens said she never received service and hasnt seen a dime.

Joseph Gadson said his late mother requested service from Dons Tree Experts at her house, also in DeKalb County. Since her passing, Gadson has taken over the property and is fighting for his mothers money back.

Gadson said its been a long process.

MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES:

Weeks turned into months, months turned into years, and nothing has been done, he said.

The owner of Dons Tree Experts, Angela Hodges, has been arrested in multiple counties. There have been at least 40 civil cases against Hodges in magistrate court over several years.

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Her companys name is very similar to another legitimate, highly rated, long-time tree removal business named Dons Tree Service.

Doni Jones runs Dons Tree Service. Jones started the business 23 years ago.

For the last decade, Jones said shes received phone calls from customers like Cannon, who believed they were calling her business to do work.

We hear the stories because theyll call us when they cant get that other person on the phone, Jones said. You see someone get taken advantage of like that and to know theres a possibility they think you may be involved in that. Its frustrating.

Hodges appeared in court in Gwinnett County on February 6, 2023. Shes facing criminal charges. Hodges maintained a not-guilty plea.

Hours before the jury was to be selected, it was postponed.

Homeowners told Channel 2 Action News that Hodges has been in and out of courthouses for years, but they said she keeps finding a way to sign up new customers.

The district attorneys in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties declined to speak with Channel 2 Action News due to open cases.

Gray asked Pete Skandalakis, long-time district attorney and director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia about cases like this.

You have all of these victims, and you see a pattern. You see a practice. Once you see a pattern and practice, you know this persons a career criminal and you have to make your community safer from this person, Skandalakis said.

Hodges would not talk to Channel 2 Action News for this story, but those who spoke about their cases say they just want to prevent others from falling for the same scheme.

The Gwinnett County felony case against Hodges is scheduled on the calendar for later this month.

The DeKalb County District Attorney told us in a statement, their case which dates back four years now remains under active investigation, though a charging decision is imminent.

IN OTHER NEWS:
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) subpoenaed executives from Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Google parent company Alphabet for information about their communication with the government Wednesday, ramping up House Republicans push to prioritize content moderation battles this Congress.

We just subpoenaed Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple regarding Big Techs reported collusion with the federal government, Jordan wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Step one towards accountability, he added.

The subpoenas follow letters Jordan sent to the five companies in December as he prepared to take the reins as chairman with the GOPs newly secured majority in the House. Judiciary Committee Republicans said the companies have not adequately complied with our requests.

The subpoena ask the companies CEOs  Alphabets Sundar Pichai, Amazons Andy Jassy, Apples Tim Cook, Metas Mark Zuckerberg, and Microsofts Satya Nadella  to turn over documents and communications relating to the federal governments reported collusion with Big Tech to suppress free speech by March 23, according to the committee.

A Microsoft spokesperson said, We have started producing documents, are engaged with the Committee, and committed to working in good faith.

And spokesperson for Meta said, We have already begun producing documents in response to the committees requests and will continue to do so moving forward.

Spokespeople for Amazon, Apple and Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jordan and his GOP allies have accused tech companies of suppressing First Amendment-protected free speech through coordination with the government to take down content.

At a hearing last week, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Republicans slammed former Twitter employees over similar allegations based on content moderation decisions. Democrats and the panel of former Twitter employees countered that the First Amendment protects private companies making their own content moderation decisions, and the Democrats accused the Republicans of using the hearing as a distracting political stunt.

The hearing last week was largely based around Twitters handling of decisions to limit the spread of a New York Post story about President Bidens son, Hunter Biden. But Republicans have been railing against social media companies broadly over allegations that they are censoring conservative content, citing posts and accounts that are removed when they violate social media companies own policies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The fact that there have been 67 mass shooting events in the United States this year by Feb. 16 is ample evidence that something is going terribly wrong. Things are haywire in American society.

Now, consider this new phenomenon: Armed Hoosier toddlers.

In January, a 4-year-old Beech Grove, Indiana, boy was seen in a shocking live video during the TV show "On Patrol: Live on Reelz" that went viral nationally. According to Marion County court documents, Beech Grove police found the boy in a diaper in an apartment complex hallway waving around a handgun. The father is facing three felony charges of neglect of a dependent and dangerous control of a firearm.

In early February, a Lafayette, Indiana, 3-year-old shot himself in the leg and was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. WFLI-TV reported that LPD Lt. Mike Brown said there were multiple people were in the house when the shot was fired.

More:Lack of competitive politics now hitting Indiana's city halls

Last November, a 4-year-old Muncie, Indiana, boy shot and killed himself in front of his 2-year-old sister. The boyfriend of the mother, according to Fox59, "routinely left his Glock on a dollhouse inside his girlfriends home."

On Feb. 9, a 2-year-old Portage, Indiana, girl died after "accidentally" shooting herself. WLS-TV reported: Officials said the initial investigation shows that the child was able to gain access to a family-owned firearm and discharged a single round, striking herself.

In East Chicago, Indiana, a few days later, it was a 14-year-old boy who "accidentally" shot an 11-year-old boy, according to WLS-TV.

WRTV reported in August 2022 that 76 children had been gun violence victims so far that year, 11 of them fatally. In 2021, according to IMPD data, a total of 92 kids were victims of shootings, 12 of them fatally. In 2021, a record 48,000 Americans were killed by firearms, including suicides, homicides and accidents.

A woman leaves a sign with drawings of the three Michigan State University students killed during a vigil at The Rock on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, to honor and remember the victims of the mass shooting that happened on the MSU campus that left three dead and multiple others injured.

On Valentine's Day, the Washington Post's John Woodrow Cox and Steven Rich reported that the total number of children exposed to gun violence at school had risen from 187,000 in 2018 to a staggering 338,000 this year.

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"By nearly every meaningful measure, 2022 was the worst year of school shootings in history," Cox and Rich wrote. "Across 46 acts of violence during school hours, 34 students and adults died while more than 43,000 children were exposed to gunfire at the places they go to learn and grow."

Kate Woodsome, a producer, writer and director, writes in a Washington Post op-ed, "American kids are unwell because American society is unwell. The systems and social media making teenagers sad, angry and afraid today were shaped in part by adults who grew up sad, angry and afraid themselves."

Woodsome cites a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from the first Youth Risk Behavior Survey collected across the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It is devastating," Woodsome writes. "Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls reported in 2021 that they had seriously considered suicide."

More:With the decision made not to run, the Mitch Daniels political era passes

There is a plethora of reasons for this deep funk, ranging from bullying to social media impacts, but the fact that our kids are stepping on to the school bus and having to take part in "active shooter drills" and knowing, in the back of their minds, that they may leave school in a body bag is part of our harrowing reality.

At Michigan State University on Feb. 13, a gunman shot and killed three students and critically wounded five others before taking his own life. As tens of thousands of students have endured in recent years, the university's students received the hallmark text of our haywire times: "Run, hide, fight."

The next day, the Indiana House Republicans passed a bill 71-24 that would begin a state-funded handgun training program for teachers.

Sadly, its something thats necessary for the tragic world we live in today, said Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour.

Sadly.

I personally know several teachers, and not one of them believes that arming themselves in the classroom is a good idea. It is a bandage step to a catastrophic epidemic of violence. They are, to a person, thinking of leaving the profession. Thats part of the reason we are having a teacher shortage.

Brian Howey

Guns are part of the American way of life, Lucas said. Its enshrined in our Constitution. Its enshrined in our Bill of Rights.

I want to remind Lucas that the preamble to the U.S. Constitution reads: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Our leaders and lawmakers are failing us; leaving our students vulnerable and frightened; many of our children exposed and endangered. In a nation awash in guns, they are refusing to take common sense preventative steps to stanch this violence. A society that refuses to protect its children is an endangered one.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, whose district includes Michigan State University, said, Im filled with rage that we have to have another press conference to talk about our children being killed in their schools. And I would say that you either care about protecting kids or you dont.

The columnist is managing editor of Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs at StateAffairs.com/pro/Indiana. Find Howey on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Gun violence and the harrowing reality of modern life for young people
A Hurst man has pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement, resulting in body injury during the January 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to the Department of Justice.

Donald Hazard, 44, of Hurst, and Lucas Denney, 45, of Mansfield, were the sergeant-at-arms and president of the Patriot Boys of North Texas, a self-described militia, when on Jan. 6, 2021, they participated in the riot that breached the Capitol Building, according to the Justice Department. Prior to that day, the two men acquired protective gear in preparations for traveling to Washington, D.C.

Hazard bought a military-style helmet, knuckle gloves, goggles and body armor, according to the Justice Department. He was filmed on the day of the riot marching in D.C. by a newspaper photographer and telling the photographer, Make sure you get my face and everything on your news channel. I want the enemy to know exactly who is coming after them.

Around 2 p.m. that day, Hazard was with a group of other rioters at the northwest side of the Capitol Building, the Justice Department said. There, he encountered Capitol police and began fighting with one officer. While resisting an officer trying to push him back, Hazard grabbed the officer and they fell together down the stairs. The officer hit his head and was knocked unconscious and injured his head, foot and arm. Some of his injuries required surgery.

Later on, Hazard was with Denney when he advanced on a police line on the west side of the building. Both men were holding out canisters of pepper spray, according to the Justice Department. Hazard made it into the building just before 3 p.m. that day and stayed inside for about five minutes, making selfie videos in which he said things like, Were here at the nations capitol and were storming it. Were taking the capitol. ... This is America, baby.

Hazard was arrested on Dec. 13, 2021, and is scheduled for sentencing on his guilty plea on May 19.

Denney was sentenced to 52 months in prison in September.

Nearly 1,000 people have been arrested in almost every state for crimes related to the breach of the Capitol since Jan. 6, 2021, including 319 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the Department of Justice.
Customers tips left for workers at an ice cream shop in Florida never went to more than 100 of its employees  because the company kept them instead, federal officials say.

Marble Slab Creamerys shop in Panama City Beach owed 144 employees money after the locations franchisee illegally held onto the tips, an investigation revealed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keeping any amount of employees tips is illegal under federal law.

Now the ice cream franchisee, Marble Slab Creamery of Pier Park Inc., has paid the workers $169,638 in back wages after violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, the agency announced in a Feb. 14 news release.

Tips are property of the workers who earn them regardless of the hourly rate an employer pays, Wildali De Jesus, the DOLs Wage and Hour Division director of its Orlando office, said in a statement.

Many food service industry workers rely on their legally earned tips as part of their income.

All Marble Slab Creamery shops are independently owned, a Marble Slab Creamery corporate spokesperson told McClatchy News on Feb. 16.

When alerted of the situation, we reached out to the (Panama City Beach) franchisee who confirmed this matter has been resolved, the tips have been paid, and that his store has adjusted their practices to prevent this from occurring in the future, the spokesperson said.

There are several Marble Slab Creamery shops in Florida, including in Orlando, St. Augustine, Destin and Pensacola. Other states with locations include Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, New York and more.

In total, the company runs 392 locations internationally.

The Wage and Hour Division has resources to help employers and companies avoid similar workplace violations, De Jesus emphasized. The agency also assured workers can call to ask questions confidentially to help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate.

Restaurant forced servers to cash paychecks  then took all but $20 of it, feds say

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Postal employee worked without a bathroom or water after USPS didnt pay bills, feds say

Baristas were forced to share tips with managers of Kentucky coffee chain, feds say

Health care employees worked off-the-clock, feds say. Now Florida company pays up
Advocates say conditions at U.S. immigration detention centers are getting worse, even after years of investigations, calls to action and pledges to improve the civilian incarceration system.

Early in his tenure, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas ordered two detention centers shuttered, and he has since closed a handful more.

Allow me to state one foundational principle: we will not tolerate the mistreatment of individuals in civil immigration detention or substandard conditions of detention, Mayorkas said in a memo to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting Director Tae Johnson in March of 2021.

Even as Biden administration officials have vowed to reduce immigration detention, multiple organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, have consistently highlighted the flaws in the system.

Still, ICE and private detention center operators such as CoreCivic and the GEO Group have been dogged by consistent reports of abuse, neglect and mismanagement.

One location, the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, N.M., received such poor marks in a September inspection that the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of the Inspector General recommended, and continue[s] to recommend, the immediate relocation of all Torrance detainees unless and until the facility ensures adequate staffing and appropriate living conditions.

That report followed a March management alert by DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, who recommended that detainees should be immediately removed from this facility.

That recommendation was not followed.

ICE continued to populate the facility, bringing in upwards of 200 new detainees starting on Christmas Eve, according to Ana Ortiz Varela, a program manager at Innovation Law Lab, a nonprofit that combines legal, political and technological tools to fight against mistreatment and deportations.

It actually started on Christmas Eve, said Ortiz Varela. And it was Christmas for them, because theyre Latino. Like for them, thats Christmas Day.

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An investigation conducted by the Innovation Law Lab at Torrance between January and February and released Wednesday found the men are subjected to conditions worse than those that formed the basis for the DHS Office of the Inspector Generals recommendation to end operations at Torrance in March 2022.

The report, based largely on first-hand accounts by detainees, found a disturbing picture of the conduct of US Government officials and CoreCivic employees who manage the facility day to day.

CoreCivic is a private company that operates dozens of detention and correctional facilities throughout the country.

Much of the recent reporting about [Torrance] has been inaccurate and misleading. The reality is that we provide a safe, humane and appropriate environment for those entrusted to us at [Torrance] and are constantly striving to deliver an even better standard of care, said Ryan Gustin, a spokesman for CoreCivic.

Reports of abuse and subpar conditions in immigration detention centers are far from exclusive to Torrance.

Advocates say conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) near Seattle reached a breaking point early this month, when a group of 85 detainees in one unit began a hunger strike.

Allegations regarding that facilitys installations, inmate services and incidences of detainee abuse are so notorious that the University of Washingtons Center for Human Rights has been investigating conditions at NWIPC since 2017.

The hunger strike, which has since ended, led to some concessions for the striking unit  advocates report detainees receive chicken rather than soy-based meals  but only after significant uproar.

We have never seen a demonstration being put out by gas canisters thrown to them. That was new to us. Not saying that they havent done it, maybe theyve done it before, but not to hunger strikers that weve worked with, said Maru Mora-Villalpando, a community organizer with La Resistencia, a group thats focused on abuses at NWIPC.

NWIPC is run by the GEO Group, which operates 51 secure facilities for federal, state and local governments throughout the United States.

A spokesperson for GEO characterized the early February disruption at the facility thusly: An incident occurred at the Northwest ICE Processing Center involving a small group of high-security detainees that were behaving in a disruptive manner, barricading themselves inside of their housing unit, and blocking security cameras, which provide additional safety for other detainees and staff.

The spokesperson added that chemical agents were used but no detainees were injured, while rejecting the allegations of poor conditions and abuse.

We strongly reject these allegations, which are clearly part of a politically motivated and choreographed effort to abolish ICE. There is currently no hunger strike at the Northwest ICE Processing Center, and residents are provided three meals daily based on nutritional menus approved by a registered dietician free of charge, in accordance with the federal governments Performance-Based National Detention Standards.

Representatives for both CoreCivic and GEO pointed to ICE as the ultimate arbiters and enforcers of immigration detention standards.

ICE did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Reports of detainee mistreatment in immigration detention are so widespread and commonplace that advocates say non-criminal immigration detention itself is the problem.

As long as the U.S. government has been jailing people as part of the immigration process, its been a concern, said Heidi Altman, director of policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center.

And ICE detention costs taxpayers $2.9 billion a year for a detainee population thats averaged 25,978 people per month since June of 2019, according to numbers from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a data monitoring project at Syracuse University.

Even discounting the alleged patterns of abuse, the practice of keeping non-criminal immigrants in detention has been broadly denounced both domestically and internationally, as it subjects people without criminal charges to prison-like conditions for indeterminate amounts of time.

That the detention doesnt have an end date is important in terms of the impact on people who are detained. So think in terms of the psychological damage that immigration detention does  the indefinite nature of it, which is different from the criminal legal system, is just really, really insidious, Altman said.

Immigration detention has often been portrayed as a necessity to keep deportable immigrants from evading authorities in hopes of staying in the country.

While incarceration does keep deportable foreign nationals within reach of ICE, advocates say nearly 100 percent of immigrants with legal representation show up for hearings and meetings with ICE agents.

And ICE has alternatives to the detention program, which include electronic surveillance methods such as ankle bracelets and phone-like tablets given to migrants so they can be tracked.

On Monday, 36 House Democrats led by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Jerry Nadler (N.Y.) and Nanette Diaz Barragan (Calif.) called on the Biden administration to give additional funding to the Case Management Pilot Program (CMPP), which provides legal assistance to immigrants in deportation proceedings.

Previous case management programs were highly effective in producing compliance with immigration proceedings. For instance, the Family Case Management Program (FCMP) enjoyed a strong record of success, producing compliance rates of 99 percent for compliance with court hearings and immigration appointments, at a cost of only $36 per day per family compared to adult detention, which costs up to $232 per person per day, wrote the lawmakers.

Despite the alternative programs, the number of ICE detainees has remained steady during the Biden administration, and a majority of detainees neither face criminal charges nor have a criminal record.

According to TRAC, ICE had 24,170 detainees at the end of January, 14,732 of whom had no criminal charges or records.

Many of those detainees complain about living conditions, cruel treatment, food, and alleged overuse of solitary confinement and diminished or lack of access to the asylum process.

For one detained migrant who spoke to The Hill from Torrance, the experience has been worse than threats from criminal gangs that made him flee.

I would have preferred to stay in my country, for them to take my life there rather than being a prisoner here, because I had never in my life been in jail, they said.

I would already be out of this because in death one is better off, one doesnt suffer, doesnt agonize, doesnt feel anything, doesnt go through toil, or the fight that one is going through here, and living here.

Updated at 2:12 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SEOUL, KOREA --News Direct-- IGIS Asia Investment Management Pte. Ltd.

SEOUL, KOREA - Media OutReach - 16 February 2023 - IGIS Asia Investment Management ("IGIS"), the pan-Asian investment arm of IGIS Asset Management, South Korea's largest real estate investment manager, announced this month a partnership with CHA Bio Group ("CHA"), one of the largest and oldest biopharma groups in South Korea with a vast global presence, to form a new Asia-Pacific life science real estate investment platform.

The venture targets to provide best-in-class life science real estate for R&D, manufacturing, and other supporting services for a spectrum of companies ranging from biotechnology incubators to multinational pharmaceutical groups in the Asia-Pacific region, including metropolitan cities in South Korea. The partnership will rely on IGIS's past track record of real estate transactions and CHA's expertise in the life sciences industry to gain first-mover advantage in providing life science real estate solutions in South Korea and overseas.

IGIS and CHA share the view of the venture's role as a catalyst for the robust growth of life science sector in the Asia-Pacific region. To respond to rapidly changing demand and multifaceted market challenges, the venture will develop and invest in high-quality life science assets, including R&D and manufacturing facilities, hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare centers in Asia-Pacific. In addition, IGIS aims to establish Korea Life Science Investment Platform ("KLSIP"), the first Korea-focused investment vehicle on life science real estate, to invigorate the venture with capital to develop facilities that meet the demands of the growing life science industry in South Korea.

About IGIS Asset Management

Founded in 2011, IGIS Asset Management ("IGIS") is a privately owned vertically integrated real estate investment management firm and South Korea's largest real estate asset manager with assets under management totaling approximately US$45.5 billion as of Dec 2022. The company has over 360 professionals with a presence in 5 countries and profound expertise to invest across different strategies from core to opportunistic in multiple sectors across various markets.

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About IGIS Asia Investment Management

IGIS Asia Investment Management ("IGIS AIM") is an overseas subsidiary of IGIS established in 2020 in Singapore. IGIS AIM focuses on expanding its presence within Asia-Pacific through joint venture partnerships with operators, asset managers, and local partners. In addition, the firm will invest thematically in high-quality assets across the Asia-Pacific markets to benefit from the growth potential driven by global economic and demographic trends.

About CHA Bio Group

CHA Bio Group is a Korea's leading bio-pharma group comprised of more than 50 domestic and foreign affiliated companies. The group operates a unique eco system based on the collaboration of biotech & pharmaceutical companies, university, research institute and hospital network.

CHA Biotech, a company among the three KOSDAQ-listed entities within the group is an industry leader in cell therapy development. CHA Biotech recently established Matica Biotechnology in Texas USA to enter the fast-growing global cell and gene CDMO business.

CHA Healthcare is a unique global healthcare network provider that oversees hospital investment & development outside Korea. CHA Healthcare has established a global healthcare platform of medical network consisting of 86 medical centers and IVF clinics in 7 countries, including the USA, Australia, Singapore, Japan and etc.

Contact Details

Team Leader, IGIS

Leo Kwon

leo.kwon@igisam.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/igis-asia-investment-management-partners-with-cha-bio-group-to-launch-life-science-real-estate-platform-jv-645845359
There may be some improvements coming soon to the Jacksonville Beach Pier. The piers operator, Curt Dewitt, said its all about bringing business to Jax Beach and bringing some fun to the areas residents.

If theyre here for four or five days, they fill hotel rooms, they support other local restaurants, and then they go to all the other attractions to make sure they have the most fun they can while theyre in Jacksonville, Dewitt said.

Dewitt said the plans include adding food vendors like Ritas Italian Ice, local art vendors, games for children, and a new souvenir shop to the pier. Additionally, Dewitt said this will all be added to the flat base of the pier, before the start of the area designated for fishers on the pier.

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Were not gonna take up any space from the fishing to make sure they have exactly what they need to get their day done, Dewitt said.

Beyond just bringing foot traffic to Jacksonville Beachs surrounding businesses, the pier will also begin handing out information on the local businesses to tourists, according to Dewitt. One of those tourists is Shelley Sargeant, who said she could see herself visiting Jacksonville beach much more often because of these new attractions.

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The only thing thats here is that little snack thing, which is good too, but if you had more and could entertain children as well, that would be fantastic, Sargeant said.

Dewitt said all these additions are expected to be ready within the next 30-45 days.

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NEW DELHI (AP)  Indias tax officials on Thursday left the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai after searching them for three days seeking information about the organizations business operations amid allegations of tax evasion. Opposition political parties and other media organizations criticized the move as an attempt to intimidate the media.

Television images showed tax officials leaving in cars after spending nearly 60 hours at the BBC office in New Delhi. They made no statement about the searches that started on Tuesday morning.

"The Income Tax Authorities have left our offices in Delhi and Mumbai. We will continue to cooperate with the authorities and hope matters are resolved as soon as possible," BBC News tweeted.

We are supporting staff some of whom have faced lengthy questioning or been required to stay overnight and their welfare is our priority. Our output is back to normal and we remain committed to serving our audiences in India and beyond, it said.

"The BBC is a trusted, independent media organization and we stand by our colleagues and journalists who will continue to report without fear or favor," it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's critics questioned the timing of the searches, which came weeks after the BBC aired a documentary critical of Modi in the U.K.

Kanchan Gupta, an adviser to Indias Information and Broadcasting Ministry, said there was no connection between the two.

"Whether you are a media organization or you are a manufacturer, the purpose of tax laws apply equally to everybody. And if you are found in violation of those tax laws, the appropriate action is taken as the due process of law, Gupta said in an interview with Mirror Now television news channel.

The Indian tax department hasnt so far issued any statement on what prompted the searches of the BBC offices since officials arrived there Tuesday morning.

The Press Trust of India news agency cited unnamed officials as saying on Thursday that investigators collected financial data from select BBC staffers and made copies of electronic and paper data from the news organization.

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The survey is being carried out to investigate issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies, the agency said.

Indias News Broadcasters and Digital Association criticized the income tax surveys at the BBC offices.

While the association maintains that no institution is above the law, it condemns any attempt to muzzle and intimidate the media and interfere with the free functioning of journalists and media organizations," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The main opposition Congress party leader, Mallikarjun Kharge described the government action as an assault on freedom of the press under Modis government.

Reporters Without Borders, an international media watchdog, denounced the Indian governments action as "attempts to clamp down on independent media."

These raids have all the appearance of a reprisal against the BBC for releasing a documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi three weeks ago. They have come at a time when independent media are being hounded more and more, and when pluralism is shrinking in India due to increased media concentration," the group said in a statement on Thursday.

The documentary, India: The Modi Question, was broadcast in the U.K. last month, examining the prime ministers role in the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat, where he was chief minister at the time. More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence.

Modi has denied allegations that authorities under his watch allowed and even encouraged the bloodshed, and the Supreme Court said it found no evidence to prosecute him. Last year, the court dismissed a petition filed by a Muslim victim questioning Modis exoneration.

The second portion of the two-part documentary examined the track record of Narendra Modis government following his re-election in 2019, according to the BBC website.

The program drew an immediate backlash from Indias government, which invoked emergency powers under its information technology laws to block it from being shown in the country. Local authorities scrambled to stop screenings organized at Indian universities, and social media platforms including Twitter and YouTube complied with government requests to remove links to the documentary.

The BBC said at the time that the documentary was rigorously researched and involved a wide range of voices and opinions.

We offered the Indian Government a right to reply to the matters raised in the series  it declined to respond, its statement said.

Indias Foreign Ministry called the documentary a propaganda piece designed to push a particularly discredited narrative that lacked objectivity.

Press freedom in India has been on a steady decline in recent years. The country fell eight places, to 150 out of 180 countries, in the 2022 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. Media watchdog groups accuse the Modi government of silencing criticism on social media under a sweeping internet law that puts digital platforms including Twitter and Facebook under direct government oversight.

Some media outlets critical of the government have been subjected to tax searches.

Authorities searched the offices of the left-leaning website NewsClick and independent media portal Newslaundry on the same day in 2021. Tax officials also accused the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper of tax evasion in 2021 after it published reports of mass funeral pyres and floating corpses that challenged the governments handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, the governments investigation bureau said it was probing cases of loan defaults when it raided the offices of New Delhi Television, known for its liberal slant.
By Aftab Ahmed

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian tax officials on Thursday left the BBC's offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, after a three-day inspection that involved the cloning of data from some digital devices, the tax department said.

The inspection came weeks after the government reacted angrily to a BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The broadcaster, which said its operation in India had returned to normal, has called the situation stressful and disruptive for its staff.

A tax department spokesperson said investigators cloned data from digital devices considered important, but did not confiscate any.

They only recorded statements from employees whose roles were crucial, primarily staff from finance, content development and other production-related departments, the spokesperson said.

Two sources told Reuters earlier on Thursday that the tax officials examined mobile phones and laptops used by some BBC editorial and administrative staff.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed the tax officials had left the offices.

"We are supporting staff  some of whom have faced lengthy questioning or been required to stay overnight  and their welfare is our priority," the spokesperson said.

"Our output is back to normal and we remain committed to serving our audiences in India and beyond."

BBC staff were asked to stay off social media and report any adverse comments they received on such platforms, the broadcaster told employees in an internal memo sent on Thursday and seen by Reuters.

The BBC's Modi documentary raised questions over his role during deadly communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, when the Hindu nationalist leader was chief minister of the western state.

The government dismissed the documentary, "India: The Modi Question", as propaganda and blocked its streaming and sharing on social media.

The broadcaster has stood by its reporting, which investigated one of the worst outbreaks of religious violence in India in the modern era. At least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the bloodletting. Activists put the toll at more than twice that number.

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The BBC has said that it was "fully co-operating" with the tax authorities, and an earlier internal memo instructed staff to answer questions honestly and "not delete or conceal any information on any of your devices."

A government official denied accusations that the tax survey was "vindictive", saying it was related to transfer pricing rules and alleged diversion of profits.

Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, told Times Now news channel on Wednesday that the BBC was served tax notices in the past but had not provided a "convincing response."

In recent years some international companies had come under the income tax scanner regarding transfer pricing rules, but several media organisations and rights' group criticised the ongoing search at the BBC.

"We demand that this intimidation be stopped andjournalists are left to do their jobs without fear or favour,"the Mumbai Press Club said in a statement.

(Reporting by Mohi Narayan, Aftab Ahmed, Aditya Kalra, Shubham Kalia and Sachin Ravikumar; Additional reporting and writing by Rupam Jain; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Hugh Lawson and Toby Chopra)
By Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament has pushed back a final vote on a presidential emergency decree on jobs and investment rules until its next sitting, senior lawmakers said on Thursday, a move some legal experts said could violate the constitution.

President Joko Widodo issued the decree, officially known as a government regulation in lieu of law, or its Indonesian abbreviation, "perpu", in December to replace a controversial 2020 Jobs Creation Law.

Indonesia's constitution mandates that such decrees must be approved by a plenary session of parliament during the first sitting after its issuance.

Parliament closed its current session on Thursday without scheduling a plenary vote, however, even though its legislative body approved the decree on Wednesday. Parliament will reconvene on March 14.

"We agreed that this emergency decree will be passed into law, maybe, in the beginning of the next sitting session," said deputy chairman of the legislative body, M. Nurdin, according to an article on parliament's website, citing procedural hurdles.

The plenary vote is often a rubber stamp of the body's endorsement.

Some legal experts have criticised the decree as a government ploy to bypass a Constitutional Court order for lawmakers to reopen debate for the jobs law. The government has argued the decree was issued for the purposes of expediency and the country's economic interests.

The court in 2021 ruled the passage of the jobs law was flawed due to inadequate public consultation. The law was lauded by foreign investors for streamlining business rules in Southeast Asia's largest economy, but was also criticised by labour and green groups as being too pro-business.

Feri Amsari, a constitutional law expert from Andalas University, said the perpu should be considered annulled having missed the window for parliamentary approval.

"The idea of an emergency regulation is it's of crucial and precarious nature, thus it must be passed immediately," Feri said, adding it had now lost its immediacy.

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Government officials and lawmakers, however, downplayed the delay.

Susiwijono Moegiarso, secretary of the coordinating ministry of economy, told Reuters the government would work on the basis the decree is effective until lawmakers vote.

Deputy chair of parliament's legislative body, Abdul Wahid, said the decree remained in effect and the voting delay was a matter of scheduling.

Said Iqbal, chairman of the Labour Party, said a protest would be held later this month challenging the legality of turning the decree into law and said his party would also file a judicial review to the Constitutional Court if it is passed.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Gayatri Suroyo, Martin Petty)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian military commander in its restive Papua region on Thursday said a "law enforcement operation" was being prepared to free a New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatists, but only as a last resort if negotiations failed.

Indonesia was currently taking soft approaches to try to break the deadlock, said regional commander Muhammad Saleh Mustafa, with local politicians and religious figures involved in trying to secure the release of Philip Mehrtens.

Mehrtens, a Susi Air pilot, was abducted by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) last week after landing in the remote region of Nduga.

"Indonesian police and military do have a standard operating procedure in enforcing the law. To prevent this problem being prolonged we must set a deadline," Muhammad told a news conference, without elaborating.

A spokesperson for the TPNPB shared photographs and videos of Mehrtens on Wednesday surrounded by about a dozen fighters, some armed with guns and bows. Mehrtens is heard saying his captors asked for the Indonesian military's withdrawal from Papua, otherwise he would be held for life.

Separatists have waged a low-level fight for independence since the resource-rich region, once governed by the Netherlands, was brought under Indonesian control following a controversial United Nations backed referendum in 1969.

Hostage-taking has been rare and the conflict has escalated since 2018, with rebels mounting deadlier and more frequent attacks.

Muhammad did not provide details of what the operation might entail, citing confidentiality, but said police, military and intelligence officials were involved in the planning.

"The perpetrators are not from a separatist group, the perpetrators are terrorists involved in crime. That is why the military and police must enforce the law," Muhammad said.

New Zealand's embassy had given its approval for the plan, he said. New Zealand's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Late on Tuesday, Indonesia's chief security minister Mahfud MD vowed to ensure Mehrtens' release using "persuasive approaches, but said could not rule out "other ways".

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Stanley Widianto; Editing by Martin Petty)
What is informed birth consent? Here's why it's vital. (Getty Images)

Consent in the medical field is vital to ensuring a patients comfort and safety. Some people, however, are sounding the alarm about what they believe to be a major blind spot: the lack of informed consent during the birthing process.

In the medical field, informed consent means that a patient must have sufficient information in order to make a decision about their care. Consent issues during the birth process can vary greatly, but the women who experience them often describe feeling powerless and betrayed by the medical system.

What does violating consent during birth look like?

Violating consent, according to birth rights advocate and educator Cristen Pascucci, founder of Birth Monopoly, is an example of obstetric violence. It means dehumanizing pregnant individuals by taking over their bodies and decisions, in large and small ways, she tells Yahoo Life.

It can include force, but most of the time its much more subtle  it usually shows up as what we call coercion, pressure to get you to do or not do something, Pascucci explains. Some really common examples of obstetric violence are when a provider or hospital dictates how or when you give birth, things like not allowing you to eat or get out of bed during labor or requiring you to push your baby out in a certain position or on a certain timeline. This kind of treatment is not only inherently less safe  these are all examples of non-evidence-based care  but it can be traumatizing as well.

Pascucci adds: As it is, a third of births in the U.S. are considered traumatic, and a big chunk of that is due to psychological injury to the mother. Mistreatment in birth tends to be especially traumatizing to women who have previously experienced sexual abuse.

Please don't cut me

Lori B., of North Carolina, tells Yahoo Life that she was subjected to unwanted internal exams by her labor nurse, despite repeatedly protesting. She says the experience led to broken trust in the medical system and that the betrayal was a huge reason I chose a home birth for my next birth.

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Ohio resident KD, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that her doctor began a vacuum extraction of her baby without informing her beforehand  even though there was no emergency reason for doing so, and she had been pushing for only 30 minutes. It left her with a third-degree tear in her perineum, which caused unbearable pain even after repair.

The more I learned after his birth, the more I realized that none of that likely would have happened had I been given time to push as long as my body needed, she tells Yahoo Life, adding it was all because the doctor wanted to go home.

Then there is Kimberly Turbin, of California, who became the face of the informed birth consent movement after her 2013 birth, during which her obstetrician, Alex Abbassi, cut into her perineum 12 times, despite her vocal protests. The ordeal was captured on video, which Turbin uploaded to YouTube.

She says her doctors reasoning for the forced episiotomy was that her birth was not progressing fast enough. Since 2006, routine use of episiotomies is no longer recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

My PTSD had set in, and I was like, Please don't cut me, Turbin, who now volunteers her time with Consumer Watchdog and helps those who have been harmed by medical negligence, tells Yahoo Life. Abbassi was arguing with me, saying things like, I need to cut you  if you don't want to have the baby here, go have it on the floor or go have it in Kentucky.

Turbin worked with national birth-advocacy organization Improving Birth and civil rights attorney Mark Merin to sue Abbassi, who ultimately surrendered his license due to age-related cognitive defects. In 2017, her case was settled for an undisclosed amount.

Why do informed consent violations happen?

Maternal health advocate Dawn Thompson, who is the president of Improving Birth and the chief executive officer of Birthify, a virtual support service for pregnant people, says that the doctor knows best mentality that exists within maternal care often means pregnant people are left out of crucial decisions  frequently with doctors not even realizing what theyre doing is wrong.

As a former doula, Thompson saw people suffer following these consent violations, while doctors often wouldnt see their patients following birth for six to eight weeks. Many times, Thompson says, they didnt know their patients were experiencing any postbirth hardship.

These providers do not necessarily know what informed consent looks like because theyre not seeing it in their training, and theyre not seeing it from their superiors, who are sometimes in their 60s and 70s, Thompson tells Yahoo Life. They came into this field where people just do what their doctor tells them to do, and they dont ask questions.

During her time as a doula, Thompson would make sure to inform patients on current research. In one case, she worked with a doctor who would induce patients at 36 weeks, no matter what  even though the current research didnt support that. Though she would inform her patients of their options, she says that the problem was that we're up against what evidence says versus what's good business.

Thompson notes that some informed consent violations are a symptom of issues within the medical system as a whole. Even the most well-meaning doctors have only so much time in their week  which, in some cases, can lead to them encouraging planned C-sections and inductions.

There are bad apples  theres no question about that, Thompson says. But I dont think the majority of doctors walk in and think, Who can I traumatize today? They just think what theyre doing is fine. Sometimes its that they dont think their patient is educated enough.

Dr. Emiliano Chavira, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, tells Yahoo Life that its not informed consent if youre not properly informed. If youre giving misinformation or disinformation, or if there is information thats kept from you  then its not informed consent. I think thats really rampant in obstetric care.

He adds: Its not fair to expect patients to become professionals and be able to proceed when the physician is not giving them the best advice.

Chavira says it isnt reasonable to assume that all patients can educate themselves sufficiently to defend themselves in this kind of scenario. There is an extreme imbalance in the knowledge and information that the two parties have."

Amber Price, a registered nurse and the president of the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, tells Yahoo Life that hospitals have an obligation to obtain consent prior to any procedure. Yet how this consent looks may vary depending on the provider.

When you walk into any hospital in the United States, you will see by the front entrance the Patient Bill of Rights, Price says. It's a give and take  there are things that we ask of our patients, like being forthright about their medical conditions so we can treat them optimally, but it also entitles the patient to courtesy and respect and an informed consent. But the way hospitals usually do that is by having the patient sign a consent for treatment, which is very broad. Those contents often only state that you consent for somebody to care for you.

She adds that because childbirth can be an unpredictable process, consent forms are usually quite broad and cover things such as surgical intervention when necessary. However, things like episiotomies are not typically spelled out separately in a form.

We see a range of how people ask for consent, she says. Sometimes its something as blanket as, Hey, I have your best interest at heart, I think we have a trusting relationship, this allows me to care for you. Some people sit a patient down and have them consent for everything, including before they touch somebody. People who advocate for women tend to err on that side of the spectrum, because youre really spending time with people and understanding that everything you do has consequences, and [they] take the time to include the patient in their care. Thats shared decision making, which is our goal.

How can women protect themselves during the birthing process?

Chavira says the first thing people can do to protect themselves during pregnancy and delivery is to research your provider and make sure they are the right fit for you. He also suggests having an advocate during pregnancy, such as a doula, who can act as a professional birth assistant and tend to the patients physical as well as emotional needs. If youre a low-risk patient, he says midwifery care is a potential alternative to a traditional ob-gyn.

Thompson says that having a birth plan in advance  in which you explicitly share your wishes during labor and after childbirth with your health care team  is "so important," adding: "It empowers pregnant families to get informed about their options and determine individual needs and preferences."

For those who are struggling following their consent being violated in birth, licensed therapist Krysta Dancy, founder of Dancy Perinatal and the Birth and Trauma Support Center, says its important to seek out support.

As a mental health professional, I am a deep believer in first getting support, she tells Yahoo Life. There are online groups. There are specialty therapists and social media posters who are taking on this issue and offer many free resources. Get support first and foremost because  especially as a new parent  you need to be in a stable place emotionally and mentally as soon as possible.

Dancy also points out that its important to work on your own mental health prior to taking any possible legal action following a consent violation, should you wish to pursue that avenue.

After you've got the tools and resources you need in order to be well, then you can consider using resources like Birth Monopoly or Improving Birth  which walk you through the process of making official complaints, Dancy says.

She says that one important reason I don't suggest this as a first step is that many have found it is incredibly frustrating and dehumanizing to seek justice on this issue. The system is designed to protect liability and to discourage any legal action. It does this through making patients feel unheard, frustrated, confused, gaslighted and, frankly, doubting themselves. So for a newly traumatized person to seek justice before healing ... it can actually be another layer of trauma. Only seek activism when the time is right.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
Glossier, known for its beauty products like Cloud Paint, has opened a flagship store in New York City. Amanda Krause/Insider

Glossier will be calling New York City home again with its new flagship store in SoHo.

Insider visited before it opens on Friday, and found the store to be a beauty lover's dream spot.

There are makeup testing stations and odes to New York City scattered throughout.

Glossier has returned home to New York City with a giant new store in SoHo.

Outside Glossier's new flagship store in New York City. Amanda Krause/Insider

With locations currently in London, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and more, Glossier's SoHo shop will serve as its flagship.

A Glossier Boy Brow display in SoHo promoting the brand's new flagship. Elizabeth Morales/Insider

The new store marks a major moment for the brand. Its former flagship  which opened in 2019  closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, and the brand restructured overall in 2022.

A Glossier Metrocard and subway decor in New York City promoting the new store. Amanda Krause/Insider

Insider visited the 7,000-square-foot spot before it opens to the public on Friday.

Reporter Amanda Krause and social-media producer Elizabeth Morales at Glossier. Amanda Krause/Insider

Shoppers are greeted with Glossier's "you look good" motto written in a pink-and-white, subway-esque mosaic on the floor as they enter.

Glossier shoppers are greeted with this tile art at the flagship store. Amanda Krause/Insider

A hallway to the right leads you to one of Glossier's signature mirrors, which is perfect for selfies.

This floor-length mirror has Glossier's logo pasted across it. Amanda Krause/Insider

The giant mirror is directly next to Glossier's gift shop, where you can buy the brand's sweatshirts, makeup bags, and other accessories.

This room is filled with sweatshirts, makeup bags, and other Glossier merchandise. Amanda Krause/Insider

Many of the items were previously exclusive to other worldwide locations  like a pink passport case sold in London and a red makeup bag from Atlanta.

These items were previously only sold at Glossier's worldwide locations. Amanda Krause/Insider

Like the rest of the store, the gift shop has details pulled directly from New York City culture.

This black hoodie is sold exclusively at the SoHo location. Amanda Krause/Insider

Kendall Latham, Glossier's director of retail design, told Insider that its G Pal sculptures, for example, were inspired by the bronze statues located in the 14th Street and Eighth Avenue subway station.

This bronze statue was inspired by similar ones at the 14th Street and Eighth Avenue subway stop. Amanda Krause/Insider

You'll also notice lots of red pipes and steel structures. Latham said that's because they wanted to match the industrial red standpipe system of NYC.

Everything from the store's stair railings to its shelving units is painted red. Amanda Krause/Insider

The middle of the store  where the brand's products are found  is where Glossier fans will spend most of their time. Latham said its layout was meant to feel like a grand, residential dining room.

Glossier's beauty products are displayed in the middle of its flagship store. Amanda Krause/Insider

Shoppers can test each product with disposable applicators before buying them.

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Each beauty product on the table can be tested by shoppers in the store. Amanda Krause/Insider

From there, you'll reach the store's "wet bar," where you can try Glossier's skin-care products "as they were intended with a sink" in a more "intimate" environment, Latham said.

Glossier describes this room as the store's "wet bar." Amanda Krause/Insider

The store designer also pointed out hidden chairs in the "wet bar," as the store will eventually offer beauty appointments with makeup and skin-care experts.

Beauty fans will eventually be able to make beauty appointments at the store. Elizabeth Morales/Insider

One of the store's most unique features is its replica subway station.

The white-tiled room makes you feel as though you've gone underground. Amanda Krause/Insider

Latham described the space as the store's "selfie" room, so we made sure to try it for ourselves.

Shoppers can sit on a subway bench and take photos in front of a Glossier mosaic. Amanda Krause/Insider

The "you look good" mosaic was hand-crafted in Italy and mailed to the NYC store in pieces. As for the seating, Latham said they "tried very, very hard to find a real subway bench" but couldn't  so they made a replica.

Miotto Mosaic Art Studios created this art piece for the store. Amanda Krause/Insider

Finally, there's a "communal area" where shoppers can hang out, meet other beauty fans, and wait for their orders  which arrive via makeup conveyor belts.

This area has red couches and Glossier products cast in plaster. Elizabeth Morales/Insider

A brick-and-mortar Glossier store might not be a new concept, but we'd say this latest one stands out among the rest. The separate rooms make shopping feel like a special experience, and the NYC homages remind you where you are at every turn.

Beauty lovers and casual fans are sure to find something they love at this spot. Amanda Krause/Insider

Read the original article on Insider
Hong Chau at the 95th OSCARS Nominees Luncheon held at The Beverly Hilton on February 13, 2023

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Hong Chau was stunned hearing her name called in the Best Supporting Actress category when the Oscar nominations were announced last month.

The actress, who stars opposite Brendan Fraser in The Whale, didn't intend to get up early to see them live on TV, but with a 2-year-old daughter and an ailing 15-year-old dog, she and her husband were awake by 5 a.m. "We had coffee in bed and watched," she tells PEOPLE. "I couldn't process it. I was very surprised."

They celebrated with prosecco and donuts that her husband dashed out to get. Not long after, Chau adds, "I found myself out in the rain talking to a guy who is going to give us an estimate for foundation repair. So it was a very exciting day and a very normal day."

It was also a day she didn't think would ever come. Chau, 43, who came to the U.S. as a young girl with her parents and two older brothers as refugees from Vietnam, had a long road to become one of Hollywood's most-buzzed-about actresses.

She grew up poor and, in adulthood, battled crippling shyness and an industry that didn't know what to do with her. She plugged away for 10 years before landing movies that put her on the map, like 2017's Downsizing and now The Whale, in which she plays the tough-loving best friend of a 600-lb. man (Fraser) on a path of self-destruction.

"My entire career identity has been about being an underdog and trying to get into the room," she says, "so this is amazing. It took years to become an overnight success."

RELATED: Hong Chau Jokes Press with Brendan Fraser Is Like 'Traveling with a Member of the Beatles'

AARP Annual Movies For Grownups Awards - Red Carpet

Michael Kovac/Getty Hong Chau

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When Chau's parents arrived in America, they settled in New Orleans. "They had no money and didn't speak English," Chau says of her mom and dad, who took jobs washing dishes to make ends meet, later running a convenience store.

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Despite the financial obstacles, they managed to send all three of their kids to college.

Chau studied film at Boston University, intending to have a career behind the camera. She dabbled in acting, but only to help classmates with student films. After graduation, the self-described "introvert" with "an inability to speak to people" enrolled in improv and public-speaking classes to help bring her out of her shell.

"I wanted to barf before every class," she says, "but I forced myself to go."

Along the way she developed a knack for performance and met a TV director who encouraged her to move to Los Angeles. Says Chau, "I'm glad I made the leap."

During the mid-2000s she worked in the accounting department at PBS while seeking out the "fringe" projects she craved. They were hard to come by. Even after appearing on 13 episodes of the HBO drama series Treme, she recalls, "I was stuck in the youth department at this agency and going out on auditions for Nickelodeon shows."

At one point, after leaving her agency, she even posted her phone number on an industry website. "I was stubborn," she says.

Her tenacity paid off. A casting director called with a role in an Off-Broadway play, which led to Downsizing. The Matt Damon vehicle earned her rave reviews and a Golden Globe nod. Parts on series like The Watchmen followed, and last year she appeared in two high-profile projects: The Menu, in which she played a steely restaurant manager, and The Whale.

Vice President Kamala Harris, actress Hong Chau and at Lunar New Year event at VP's home.

Courtesy The White House

Her Oscar nomination is part of a record-breaking year for AAPI visibility, with four Asian actors up for trophies. But until recently, representation "hasn't been something that I thought about a lot," says Chau.

"When I was first starting out, I think this was a very solo mission for me in terms of I just want to work on these weird movies that I enjoy, and getting to work with independent filmmakers and people who do movies that aren't necessarily mainstream movies," she explains. "That was my desire starting out. And so I never really thought of it in terms of representation and popular culture because I think the things that I was drawn to were so weird and so fringe."

"I guess it hasn't been until these nominations have come out that people are approaching me and saying, 'Thanks for all of the great work that you've been doing,' " she continues.

That changed when she attended a Lunar New Year reception that Vice President Kamala Harris hosted at her home in Washington, D.C., in January. "She gave this inspirational speech about becoming more focused as a community and to lift each other up," Chau recalls. "And it just made me go, 'Ah, I've got to think more in terms of that.' "

Whether or not she bags an Oscar on March 12, Chau is looking toward the future with an open mind. "I hope more things keep coming up that surprise me," she says. "And I hope I'm ready to meet the moment."
A person walks in Zaryadye park in downtown Moscow at sunset. (AFP via Getty Images)

The West has long been caught off guard and outfoxed by successful Russian influence operations over the last decade, from its stealth takeover of Crimea in 2014 to a series of brazen hack-and-leak operations designed to sway or degrade democratic elections.

Yet in the lead-up to Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, the U.S. and U.K. made the unprecedented decision to declassify intelligence in real time, showing that a supposedly defensive special military operation was long planned and that Vladimir Putins justifications for going to war were crude pretexts. The goal was to either preempt an invasion of Ukraine or, failing that, shore up support among Western allies who were skeptical that Putin would ever pull the trigger. Not so fast might well have been the mantra of undercutting Moscows falsehoods a year ago, though that of course hasnt stopped Moscow from minting more of them.

A document obtained by Yahoo News from a Western intelligence agency reveals how Putins security services rely on local journalists to launder narratives intended to undermine Ukraines unexpectedly robust performance on the battlefield. The tasking document was given to a Siberia-based Russian journalist by an officer of Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, instructing the reporter to circulate claims that Ukraines Ministry of Defense was intentionally mischaracterizing thousands of dead Ukrainian soldiers as missing in action in order to avoid paying compensation to their families. These claims were said to have come from the hacked email account belonging to Serhiy Shaptala, the chief of the Ukrainian Armed Force general staff.

The only problem?

The yield of the alleged hack bears obvious signs of manipulation if not outright invention.

Yaroslava, the daughter of killed Ukrainian soldier Ihor Bezogluk, puts his photo a memorial wall for Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv. (Roman Pilipey/Getty Images)

Even more bizarre is the fact that this fake scoop had already been published elsewhere, on far more prominent Russian media platforms, raising the question of why the FSB even bothered to get a low-level asset in Russias Far East to lift a finger at all.

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This is part of a campaign coordinated from Moscow by the FSBs headquarters, the Western intelligence source told Yahoo News. And it shows just how concerned the FSB is over the reputation of Ukraines Armed Forces that they feel compelled to conduct overwhelming discrediting campaigns deep inside Russian Federation territory.

Or, at any rate, it shows that the higher-ups in the FSB are concerned with undermining the Ukrainian militarys reputation. Their underlings, on the other hand, sometimes phone in their duties out of a seeming indifference to the quality and efficacy of their tradecraft.

The Kremlins more recent efforts at waging information warfare against Ukraine have often been clumsy, contradictory or improvisational. For one thing, Moscow originally insisted it launched its invasion to stop neo-Nazis in the only country in Europe headed by a Jewish president and with no far-right party represented in parliament. When that narrative failed to gain much purchase outside a narrow field of reliably pro-Russian politicians and commentators, Moscow flipped the script. Now, top Russian officials say, the country is locked in an epic or sacred contest against NATO or Satan  or maybe both.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Mikhail MetzelL/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The FSB document on the supposed Ukrainian hack, uncreatively titled Zadaniye (Tasks) was sent to Yury Karnovsky, a 63-year-old journalist and editor living in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, more than 2,000 miles from Russias border with Ukraine. The sender was Aleksandr Yatsura, an employee of the FSBs Novosibirsk branch, formerly the head of the press office of the FSB Border Service in that region in 2010 and 2011. The FSB, one of the successor agencies of the Soviet KGB, for which Putin famously worked, controls domestic security and counterintelligence in Russia. It also has a foreign arm known as the Fifth Service, which was principally responsible for intelligence gathering in Ukraine in preparation for the war. As with all Russian spy services, the FSB relies on agents and informants, many of them paid, to spy on others or to prosecute influence operations targeting Russians and non-Russians alike.

Karnovsky appears to be just such an agent. He did not reply to Yahoo News request for comment on this story.

Born in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, Karnovsky once served as a signals officer in the Soviet and then Russian Air Force, retiring from the military in 1999. Since 2000, he has been working in regional media as both an editor and a writer for a number of newspapers and websites, including the publication Youth of Siberia, which was shuttered in 2012, and Big Novosibirsk.

A police officer inspects a hole after a rocket strike, in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

Since at least 2010, Karnovsky has run his own website called WorldAndWe. Its strapline is Truth and Objectivity. Published in four languages  Russian, English, Polish and Ukrainian  this little-known portal may be said to fall short of its lofty mission statement. A characteristic intervention in English is titled, About the Neo-Nazi Diarrhea in the Countries of the Baltic States or as the USA Raise the Fascism Again [sic].

In early January, Yatsura sent Karnovsky an order, the Western intel shows. Draft an article based on the materials published in the highly rated Telegram channel The World Today With Yuri Podolyak about the hacking by the AnarchistKombatant group of the archives of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine S. Shaptala and the discovery of official correspondence confirming the death of 35,382 Ukrainian servicemen, whom the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine passes off as missing in order not to pay their relatives the 15 million hryvnia ($400,000) prescribed by law.

Among the main theses that Yatsura tells Karnovsky to hammer home at WorldAndWe is that Zelenskys government, controlled by Washington, falsely categorizes over thousands of Ukrainian military personnel as missing rather than deceased in order to deprive them of monetary compensation, benefits and other social payments promised by V. Zelensky. Furthermore, Zelensky should be presented, Yatsura writes, as prioritizing foreign mercenaries and nationalists from the Azov regiment in the lists for prisoner exchanges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This last task apparently capitalizes on the fact that the wars largest single prisoner swap to date was for 215 pro-Ukraine figures, including 108 from the Azov regiment, in exchange for 55 Russian or pro-Russia figures in addition to Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian oligarch personally close to Putin. Although the Azov regiment  now elevated to a special assault brigade  doesnt exceed 2,500 soldiers out of a Ukrainian military of half a million personnel, the group draws significant backlash due to its far-right origins and iconography. In 2018, U.S. Congress barred it as an extremist group from receiving American weapons and training. Others, including Azov members themselves, now insist the regiment has been reformed. Yet Moscow has exerted enormous energy and time to using the groups controversial status as a broad brush to depict Ukraine as beholden to a fascist and racist ideology.

Moreover, far from being denounced by ordinary Ukrainians, the Azov prisoner swap was celebrated owing to the fighters bravery in defending the last redoubt in the besieged port city of Mariupol, which finally fell to Russian forces in May. In fact, the swap, which was orchestrated by Turkey, was furiously condemned by Russian ultranationalists and hawkish military bloggers who saw it a Kremlin betrayal; they had hoped the Azov fighters would be tried and executed in a Nuremberg-themed tribunal.

Surrendered servicemen of Ukraine's national battalion Azov, an all-volunteer infantry military unit, are transferred to Yelenovka in Mariupol, Ukraine, in May 2022. (Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The publication by WorldAndWe is clearly part of a broader campaign to portray Ukraine's losses in the war as unsustainable, said Pierre Vaux, a senior investigator at the London-based Centre for Information Resilience, which maps disinformation schemes. This campaign has been underway for several months now and has frequently involved fabricated documents, such as the fake letters demanding Latvia, Lithuania and the U.K. deport Ukrainian men for conscription. This particular example is remarkably clumsy, but quantity of noise is often more important than quality in Russian information operations.

The FSB email ends on a note of exhorting Karnovsky, himself of Ukrainian birth, to address the nation targeted by Putins invasion as follows: Citizen of Ukraine, remember  your death is not needed by your family and homeland. Biden and Zelensky need your death.

The instructions seem rather odd in more ways than one.

First of all, few Ukrainians have heard of WorldAndWe.com, much less would be prepared to heed the counsel of a clearly pro-Kremlin commentator. Second, Karnovsky was being asked to reproduce material already floating around on the Russian internet in the form of the highly rated Telegram channel World Today With Yuri Podolyak. Podolyak is another pro-Kremlin Ukrainian journalist who fled to Russia in 2014, the year Putins forces seized the Crimean peninsula and launched an undeclared war in Eastern Ukraine. The Telegram channel, moreover, simply published a link to a brief article on Podolyaks own website, dated Dec. 14. And that product was little more than a screenshot of documents published on another Telegram channel, Mash, earlier that morning.

Mash is one of the most well-known news sources in Russia, with over 1.7 million subscribers. It carried far more detail on the purported hacking of the Ukraine forces chief of staff than did Podolyak, with under eight thousand subscribers. For instance, Mash displayed a screenshot of a supposed correspondence written on Ukrainian Ministry of Defense letterhead from the head of the personnel center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Col. Mykhailo Oleksandrovich Mitkevich. In the letter, Mitkevich discusses how an analysis done by the ministry confirms that 35,382 Ukrainian soldiers were miscategorized as missing in action rather than deceased. However, the document has clear signs of fabrication. A section in the upper right hand corner contains an isolated and broken fragment of recurring text, Ukrainian words indicating the document is Top Secret, as if copied and pasted there by mistake.

An officer in GUR, Ukraines military intelligence service, who asked to remain anonymous, told Yahoo News that the document is a forgery and that Shaptalas communications had never been hacked. Top Secret documents are not sent via the data exchange system, the GUR officer said. By form, its close to the requirements but not the same. For instance, paper documents are always signed by an official or signed digitally when sent via the data exchange system. This one isnt signed at all. Also, the stamp in the upper lefthand corner should contain a specific place for the date and number of the document. Thats missing here. In short, its a clear fake.

Members of Ukraine's 95th Air Assault Brigade defend an area near the frontline of fighting on Jan. 12. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Mashs original write-up was disseminated by major Russian news outlets such as Moskovsky Komsomolets. So it remains unclear why Yatsura didnt just direct Karnovsky to these more recognizable sources, or why he emailed Karnovsky nearly a month after the original fabrication was published as news elsewhere.

According to an officer in the FSBs Ukrainian counterpart, SBU, the whole scheme speaks of Russian intelligences laziness and box-ticking busywork. You need to understand the mentality of these regional FSB servicemen, the SBU officer told Yahoo News. He needs to show his work. His boss is probably an old general who knows nothing of information operations, but the bigwigs back in Moscow demand results. And lo and behold, they find such a flunky somewhere and use him in what they think is a clever op but is, in reality, trash. Stuff like this shows you why Ukraine isnt losing.

WorldAndWe did publish an article corresponding to the FSBs instructions on Jan. 12, 2023. It reused the Mash screenshots of the purportedly hacked documents from Shaptalas account but conjoined this story with two other narratives. The first was about protests across Ukraine, demanding explanations for missing soldiers. In the towns and villages of Ukraine there have already been regular protests from families of servicemen who disappeared without a trace during battles with the Russian occupiers, the piece stated.

Servicemen carry a coffin at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)

This aspect of the story seems designed to promote another trope of Russian propaganda that has been growing since November. It is true that a number of small Ukrainian protests have been held calling for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to release information on the fates of members of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Whether these protests have been instigated or are organic is a separate matter, but Russian media outlets and Telegram channels have seized on them, inflating them into a mass phenomenon.

WorldAndWe even goes so far as to offer quotable appeals to the Ukrainian government, inviting readers to use verbatim elsewhere:

Dear bloggers and volunteers! Help us spread this information so that Ukraine, the UN and the Red Cross hear us. We will not be silenced, we will fight for an all-for-all exchange

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and officers, fulfilling their duty, went to the front. But some were forgotten so as to economize on payments, and others were thrown into captivity.

Mourners attend the funeral of Denys Antipov, a soldier and popular economics lecturer. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The WorldAndWe article is credited to someone named Stepan Bulbenko, who is also listed as the author of anti-Ukrainian or anti-NATO articles on numerous other minor pro-Kremlin propaganda sites. From at least 2014 onwards, the name has appeared on a regional site for Ozyorsk, a closed city near Russias Ural Mountains. Bulbenkos byline has also run at the separatist publication Vestnik Khartsyzska, based in the Russian-occupied Donbas, as well as at TopWar.ru, a military content portal. Some of his pieces were also republished by better-known disinformation and propaganda sites like the Crimea-based News Front, which, as the U.S. State Departments Global Engagement Center noted in a 2020 report, is linked to far-right Russian figures. News Front has pushed any number of conspiracy theories, including that the U.S. created COVID-19 as a bioweapon and that Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has used the pandemic to implant microchips in people.

"Units for disseminating disinformation or propaganda are in every Russian region and they all have their own collaborators like Karnovsky, the Western intelligence source said. Their objective is to pollute an information ecosystem with so many unverified and contentious claims that truth becomes all but impossible to separate from fiction, and debunking lies requires far more time and energy than the ready manufacture of more of them.

Ukrainian paratroopers wait for transport along the road in Chasiv Yar on Jan. 28. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

The invented Shaptala hack and the emphasis on homegrown Ukrainian protests are integrally tied to broader Russian campaigns meant to sow social discord in enemy territory by portraying the defending government as treacherous or inhumane. Previous Kremlin propaganda efforts falsely claimed that Ukraine was seeking the deportation of male refugees from Western countries and lowering the age of conscription to 16. The overall aim is to present Ukraine as desperately short of manpower and on the brink of collapse, and therefore undermine both morale at home and foreign confidence in Ukraines viability in the face of an ongoing Russian offensive.

The FSBs banal requirement that a fringe Russian publication amplify such efforts may be no more than a provincial bureaucrats boondoggle. But the orders also provide insight into how the Russian security services launder their narratives through dubious but hyperactive content farms, just like WorldAndWe.
Local watchdog organization Community Alliance for Better Government hosted City Council candidates for a public forum in anticipation of the April 4 election where Evanstonians will vote on several local elections, including City Councils contested 2nd and 9th Ward seats.

The 2023 special election comes after Councilmembers Cicely Fleming of the 9th Ward and Peter Braithwaite of the 2nd Ward resigned from their positions last year. Mayor Daniel Biss took applications and appointed Councilmembers Juan Geracaris and Krissie Harris to the 9th and 2nd Wards respectively. The two now face contention this spring.

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Geracaris is being challenged by retired Cook County social worker and CABG Treasurer Kathy Hayes. Equity and Empowerment Commissioner Darlene Cannon, who fell short of Braithwaite by 21 votes last election cycle, and Lincoln Elementary Teacher Patricia Gregory, who did not attend the forum, are looking to dethrone Harris in the 2nd Ward.

2nd Ward

While Cannon and Harris answers hint at a similar approach, their answers were different from the first question  What is the most pressing issue facing your ward?

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Cannon said developers harassing residents to sell their homes  which ultimately impacts housing affordability  is the top issue. Harris cited racial equity concerns, saying all voices need to be heard, not just the loudest or wealthiest. Both shared housing affordability and racial equity concerns during the forum.

The most pressing issue I see is the wards rapidly changing demographics, Cannon said. I have collaborated with Byron Sigcho-Lopez, (a democratic-socialist representing Chicagos 25th Ward), to bring forth an ordinance against predatory developers harassing residents.

Under this ordinance, Cannon said developers would be penalized if they continuously approach residents unprompted. Sigcho-Lopezs ward, which includes Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood, is experiencing gentrification and his experience helped provide Cannon with further insight.

Harris talked about racial equity citing her work with the City of Evanston Black employees Action Group, which brought racism allegations against the city on Nov. 1. The action group requested Harris work with City Manager Luke Stowe to improve work conditions, the city announced its initial 60-day plan addressing these concerns in December.

Harris also said calling out racial inequities, investigating predatory practices and engaging the community for collective remedies will remain the focus of her racial equity work.

The thing about diversity, equity and inclusion is you have to hear the voices of those being disenfranchised, Harris said. You have to listen to what theyre saying and not what you think is the accurate synthesis of that information.

Cannon agrees with Harris that fixing Evanstons workplace culture is one place to start addressing racial equity concerns. She said the city needs to look at its upper management and evaluate if these are the  people we should have working for the city.

Cannon said she isnt entirely sold with the citys response to racism allegations, saying it seems like we arent resolving anything, were just pushing it down the road. She said true progress would mean the city significantly engaging with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, a national organization working toward improved racial equity.

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Until we work with (racial equity) organizations and implement (policies), I think it is going to continue to be business as usual because this has been going on for decades, Cannon said.

Williams, in a phone call with Pioneer Press leading up to the forum, said there has been progress in addressing these employee concerns.

I have been meeting with Stowe and Ive also been in contact with the Black employees, and theyve been meeting with Stowe and Harris (about these concerns), Williams said. So it feels slow, but there is some progress being made.

Harris said achieving racial equity is a long-term battle, not a quick sprint but she said shes ready to take on the challenge.

The Citizens Network of Protection, an organization created to promote racial and economic justice within the legal system, submitted a question for candidates asking for their opinion on the Evanston Police Department potentially using drones for policing.

Harris never directly said if she supports drone use or not instead praising Police Chief Schenita Stewart for doing a great job in her new role. Harris also said there has been an increase in crime nationwide, not just in Evanston, and something needs to be done about it.

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The Citizens Network of Protections question brought forth privacy concerns but Harris compared drone use to Ring doorbells videotaping those approaching doorsteps, saying the good of the whole needs to be considered rather than just the individual. She also said Ring doorbell use should be incentivized.

We want [others] privacy invaded when were harmed, and then we dont want to engage when other people are the victim, Harris said. (We should ask ourselves) how do we engage the community to ensure the see something, say something philosophy is used  when its in the benefit of the whole.

Cannon said the city should be more focused on addressing the cause of crime instead. She said crime is often an act of survival due to economic hardship so enhancing the citys social and financial resources should be a higher priority.

Like Harris, Cannon said Ring doorbells are helpful when catching crime on camera but the devices are expensive. She said the city should look at providing Ring doorbells to those who cannot afford the device.

9th Ward

Hayes and Geracaris came to a quick agreement when both said housing affordability is the chief concern facing their primarily residential ward. Geracaris currently serves on Councils Housing and Community Development Committee and has sponsored referrals looking to help local tenants, including a fair notice ordinance. Geracaris said spending is another concern in an effort to keep taxes down, something he fought for during the 2023 budget debate.

Hayes shared a similar sentiment, saying affordable housing is an issue due to Evanston being landlocked. She said looking for new ways to incorporate affordable, equitable housing while also increasing economic development transparency will hopefully spark improvement.

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We believe in families starting here and staying for multiple generations, Hayes said. We wish to have accessible, affordable housing for not only the middle class but also for (those experiencing financial hardship) and disenfranchised individuals.

Racial equity, particularly with Evanstons Black community, played a big role for Hayes and Geracaris.

Hayes said she hopes to establish a mentorship platform for Evanstons marginalized communities. She said since economic hardships are causing Evanstons Black population to leave, she wants a more personalized approach to help generations go from one level to the next.

Hayes said Evanstons Black community feels ignored and a program like this would engage residents while also building them up individual by individual.

She said this platform cant exist alone, it must incorporate a plan outlining community outreach initiatives for optimal utilization.

Geracaris said he will focus on active listening since he is not part of the Black community. He said most municipalities have a tendency to have poor track records with minority populations and Evanston needs to evaluate its journey through listening.

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He said his referral looking to add a staff-performed equity check when the city considers new legislative materials is an example of his ongoing efforts toward addressing racial inequity.

 (This will) provide visibility and collaboration with the Equity and Empowerment Commission, he said. I dont want to speak for the Black community but I want to use voices in the community and have them make sure we are considering all equity things. Not everyone has the same views, everyone has blind spots  if you look at equity after the fact, youre going to miss things.

Drone use for EPD policing brought forth privacy concerns for both Hayes and Geracaris. Hayes echoed Cannon and said EPD should focus on establishing stronger community relationships to reduce crime rather than using these tools.

One way to prevent crime is community, being able to initiate a (sense of) community with all different types of neighbors, Hayes said. Drones and other (gadgets) are just an added tool but the primary thing to divert and eliminate crime is having and rebuilding community.

Geracaris agrees that drone use shouldnt be a primary concern at the moment. Instead, he suggested focusing on social support programs to help those experiencing poverty. He said drones could bring forth privacy concerns if used inappropriately and should proceed only with strict legal consultation.

Early and mail-in voting begins on Feb. 23, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Voter registration will end on March 7 and vote by mail will end on March 30. The election will take place on April 4 with early voting concluding on April 3.

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Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran denied U.S. claims that Al Qaeda's leader Seif al-Adel is based in the country, foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote on Twitter on Thursday, a day after Washington aligned itself with a U.N. statement locating Adel in Iran.

"I advise the officials of the White House to stop the failed game of Iran-phobia, making news about the leader of Al-Qaeda and linking him to Iran is laughable," Amirabdollahian wrote.

Seif al-Adel, a former Egyptian special forces officer who is a high-ranking member of al Qaeda with a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, is now the "uncontested" leader of the militant group, according to a new U.N. report on the organisation.

The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday it aligned with U.N. assessments that Seif al-Adel is based in Iran.

Adel was indicted and charged in November 1998 by a U.S. federal grand jury for his role in the bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya that killed 224 civilians and wounded more than 5,000 others.

Following the African bombings, the former Egyptian army lieutenant colonel moved to southeastern Iran, where he lived under the protection of the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, according to the U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice programme.

He and other Al Qaeda leaders were placed under house arrest in April 2003 by Iran, which released him and four others in exchange for an Iranian diplomat who was kidnapped in Yemen.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Toby Chopra)
By Amina Ismail and Ahmed Rasheed

Erbil (Reuters) - After more than a year of political deadlock, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani could face a debilitating new crisis with Kurdish leaders that risks undermining his efforts to set policy and compile a badly needed state budget.

Sudani, whose government was approved in October, has vowed to reform the economy, fight corruption, improve deteriorating public services and combat poverty and unemployment -- tall orders in a country that has been craving stability and cash since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Without support from the powerful Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) which helped him come to power and holds 31 seats in parliament, he would find it difficult to advance his agenda.

The central government's strained relations with the Kurds -- often part of Iraq's political landscape since Saddam Hussein was toppled in the 2003 invasion -- could hamper Sudani's efforts after a long period of paralysis.

The KDP may withdraw its support for the federal government if he fails to fulfil his promises to fix long-standing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, according to two Iraqi lawmakers and a Kurdish government official.

That could leave him struggling to pass bills in parliament and enact reforms.

Before Sudani formed his government he struck a deal with the KDP, which dominates the administration in Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq.

The agreement included ending a long-running dispute over budget transfers to Erbil and oil revenue sharing between the national government and Kurdistan, according to three Kurdish officials.

Under the Iraqi constitution, the Kurdish region is entitled to a portion of the national budget. But the arrangement collapsed in 2014 when the Kurds began selling crude independently from Kurdistan.

In 2017, Iraqi forces retook disputed territories including the oil city of Kirkuk. Baghdad resumed some budget payments, but they have been sporadic.

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The KDP made it clear that they would stop supporting Sudani if he didn't keep his promises, according to one of the Kurdish officials.

Sudani came to power after more than a year of political deadlock as infighting among Shi'ite and Kurdish groups prevented the formation of a government, hampering efforts to rebuild a country on its knees after decades of conflict.

The paralysis left Iraq without a budget for 2022 holding up spending on much-needed infrastructure projects and economic reform and depriving Kurdish authorities of revenues needed to pay international oil firms and the salaries of thousands of local workers.

A KDP official said after the government was formed last year that the Kurds wanted to end the deadlock, which was why they supported Sudani's government, but that if the other side failed to deliver they would withdraw that support.

"There are some political forces that are trying to break our will and we reject this and won't allow it," said Shawan Taha, a KDP spokesman.

CARROT AND STICK APPROACH

In January, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruled that orders from the Baghdad government to transfer money to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to pay salaries in 2021 and 2022 were illegal because they broke Iraq's budget law.

Massoud Barzani, president of the ruling KDP, said the court has taken a "hostile position" against the region and "seems to have replaced the revolutionary court in the previous regime", referring to an infamous court of the Baathist regime known for issuing death sentences against regime opponents.

A spokesman for the KRG, Jotiar Adil, said the "politically motivated" court was trying to spoil the deal between Erbil and Baghdad.

A KRG delegation was in Baghdad on Monday to discuss the budget as well as hydrocarbon laws. A source with knowledge of the meetings said Erbil and Baghdad remained far apart on the hydrocarbon law.

According to an adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Sudani has tasked the cabinet's legal team with finding a solution to allow salary transfers without breaching the court verdict.

Other political actors in Sudanis camp in Baghdad see escalation with the Kurds by using such court rulings as a necessary political tactic to put him in a stronger negotiating position, according to lawmakers.

But the KRG's Adil was still hopeful that a compromise could be agreed on. He said the KRG delegation would be in Baghdad again on Sunday, and he denied that the KDP was threatening to withdraw its support for the government in Baghdad.

"There are obstacles in reaching an agreement with Baghdad. But there is a serious and real intention to reach an agreement from the KRG, and we felt the seriousness as well from Sudani to solve those obstacles," he said.

(Additional reporting by Ali sultan in Sulaimaniya; Editing by Michael Georgy and Hugh Lawson)
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Reuters

Israel broils amid an existential political crisis. Efforts to overhaul the judiciary, pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, have left the country on edge. Efforts to subordinate the judiciary to the Knesset have evoked harsh criticism within Israel and abroad. Week after week, hundreds of thousands have gathered to protest against the governments proposed legislation. But on Sunday things quickly got real.

First, Joe Biden weighed in and stressed to Israels leaders that an independent judiciary was an essential element of a democracy, and that forging a consensus was the only way to go about systemic change.

Later that night, Isaac Herzog, Israels mostly ceremonial president, also sounded a klaxon. In a televised speech, he described Israel as standing on the brink of constitutional and social collapse. His warning was stark. I feel, we all feel, that we are in the moment before a clash, even a violent clash, Herzog announced. The gunpowder barrel is about to explode.

I Fought For Israel, Now Im Fighting to End the Permanent Occupation of the Palestinian Territories

Practically speaking, he called for a freeze in the legislative process to enable both sides to climb down and hammer out a compromise. But the fault lines are stark, bordering on indelible. The fight is about more than just the courts. It is organic. Roughly speaking, this battle pits Israels ascendant religious but less affluent population against the countrys better-educated, wealthier, and predominately Ashkenazic citizens.

Less than 24 hours after Herzogs speech, on Monday, more than 100,000 people thronged Jerusalem to demonstrate their opposition as the Knesset, Israels parliament, began to move the legislation forward. Across the country, thousands went on strike, crowded trains, and made their voices heard.

Think of the Womens March the day after Donald Trumps inauguration, but filled with combat veterans and a lot of men. Broadly speaking, the protesters are predominately from the ranks of the countrys makers, to borrow a phrase from Mitt Romneys 2012 campaign. In Israels last election, they formed the Jewish nucleus of voters opposed to Netanyahus return. They are markedly bourgeois and decidedly, but not exclusively, secular. In the aggregate, they are protesting against naked majoritarianism and perceived injury to the rule of law. Those protesting veterans see themselves as having fought for their country and its ideals.

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They are hi-tech moms and suburban dads. Their children serve in the military and have turned Tel Aviv into a playground that never sleeps. They pay taxes and helped turn Israel into Start-Up Nation, a go-to destination for foreign investment.

None of this went unnoticed by proponents of the overhaul. David Amsalem, a Knesset member and Netanyahu backer, scathingly attacked the protesters for how they ostensibly lived, the jewelry they may have worn, and the cars they supposedly drove.

Its true that most of us work at your houses and clean your gardens, Amsalem inveighed. I saw at the protest many shiny things, I later understood it was the Rolex watches of the protesters there. Look how many Mercedes cars there are there. (Amsalem apparently forget that just days earlier he was captured on camera wearing a Cartier Ballon Bleu watch that retails for more than $7,000.) By background, Amsalem is the son of Moroccan immigrants, a product of a religious high school and a graduate of Bar-Ilan University. He too served in the military as a tank commander.

Amsalem also had nothing to say about the prime ministers ongoing bribery and corruption trial. So much for those lines about living in glass houses and casting stones. And to be sure, for Netanyahu and Aryeh Derithe twice-convicted would-be interior minister and Netanyahu allyit is about keeping power and/or avoiding prison: My kingdom for a horse.

The financial markets seem to be wary of Bibis judicial inferno. In recent days, investors are balking. The shekel has lost ground to the dollar and interest rates rose. Inflation fears made the headlines as Lawrence Summers, the former U.S. treasury secretary, counseled against an abrupt restructuring of the countrys legal system.

Meanwhile, Israelis are looking to stash their cash overseas, following in the footsteps of several tech companies, according to a report in Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. To be sure, the moves are more symbolic than substantive, but they spell distrust and discontent.

Yet Netanyahus political base is OK with less affluence if the trade-off means greater communal autonomy on the governments dime and more individual conformity. The amalgam of blood, soil, and religion possess a potent appeal. Last week, Deri sought to prohibit women decked in prayer shawls from worshipping at the Western Wall. Although Netanyahu immediately squashed the move, the message was unmistakable: Public deviation from Orthodox Jewish norms would not be countenanced.

Like Britains Nigel Farage, Hungarys Viktor Orban, and Donald Trumps GOP, Israels right is willing to stick it to Western liberalism. But lost in the din is reality: It takes a lot of money and intellectual firepower for Israel to maintain its military edge. Plus theres that thing called goodwill. Right now, all that looks less certain than ever.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv and promised to supply Ukraine with a civilian air defence system.

Source: Haaretz; Mykhailo Brodskyi, Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, on Twitter

Details: Haaretz reported that Cohen met with Zelenskyy on 16 February during a visit to Kyiv. It was the first visit by an Israeli official to Ukraine since the Russian invasion started almost a year ago; he promised that Israel would provide Ukraine with an air threat warning system for civilians in 3-6 months.

Earlier on 16 February, Cohen publicly stated, during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, that Israel is developing an air threat warning system for Ukrainians.

Kuleba thanked Israel for the humanitarian aid and stressed that "Israel is well aware of the list of military needs, which was also handed over to their previous government. We are waiting for responsible decisions to protect Ukraine's skies".

Quote from Kuleba: "Today we have laid the groundwork for Israel to be able to make decisions that will be aimed at solving the problems related to Ukraine's airspace. There is no reason why Israel and Ukraine should not stand side by side now."

Details: Cohen did not use the words "war" or "Russia", but twice stated that Israel stands firmly on the side of the Ukrainian people.

Later, a Ukrainian official told Israeli media that they were disappointed that Cohen did not mention Russia during his visit to Bucha, Kyiv Oblast [Russian forces killed hundreds of civilians during occupation of the city of Bucha in March 2022  ed.].

Cohen also added that Israel has pledged to provide a US$200 million loan to an Israeli company that will participate in the construction of a medical centre in Ukraine.

Earlier, a senior Ukrainian official who spoke to the media anonymously in recent weeks emphasised that a meeting with Zelenskyy would not take place if Cohen came to Ukraine "empty-handed," i.e., without agreeing to at least some of the requirements that Ukraine has put forward to Israel.

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These requests include economic aid in the form of a half-billion-dollar loan, diplomatic and humanitarian gestures such as support for the upcoming UN vote on Zelenskyy's peace initiative, which includes a demand for the full withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territories they have occupied, and finally military aid.

Background:

Cohen said that Israel intends to support the peace formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On 16 February, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrived in Kyiv; it was the first visit of a high-ranking Israeli official to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

On 2 February, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, announced, during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, that he was ready to send "military things" to Ukraine. However, he underscored that he could not go too far, so as not to provoke Russia.

In his speech on 11 October 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his speech at the video conference of the G7 leaders and Ukraine, proposed a "peace formula", measures that, in his opinion, would deprive Putin of the chance to achieve his goals in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Isaac Herzog

Herzog assured that Israel stands with the entire people of Ukraine in this war.

Read also: Does Israel need to prepare? Who attacked Iran and what Tehran's response will be

I've spoken with President Zelenskyy and I've expressed my support for the people of Ukraine and for its leadership, said Herzog.

The slogan of Kyiv Jewish Forum 2023 is Stand with Ukraine. Traditionally, the forum brings together presidents of Ukraine and Israel, parliamentarians, and other officials.

Read also: Israel to help with post-war rebuilding of Ukraine

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Feb. 6 that he was looking forward to meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Kyiv for a frank conversation behind closed doors.

Read also: Israel signals its prepared to provide Ukraine with military aid

Officially, Israel has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is providing humanitarian aid  but not weapons. The New York Times wrote that Jerusalem is secretly helping Kyiv with intelligence. In particular, it provides information that helps counter Iranian-made kamikaze drones.

Earlier, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that he was ready to send military things to Ukraine.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
As Shabbat comes to a close and Tel Aviv stirs back to life, protesters begin to gather on HaBima Square. At a nearby cafe, I sit among a small group of Israelis who wonder aloud about this fraught moment for the country and we decide to join the crowd.

Democracy in Israel may face dire threats, but a festive atmosphere prevails during this Saturday night march, which quickly fills Kaplan Street, a major thoroughfare in the heart of the city. People smile and snap selfies; they bang on drums and toot kazoos  sounding out the rhythm of Haam doresh tzedek chevrati! (The people demand social justice!). A Palestinian citizen of the state weaves a cart through the crowd calling Bageleh, bageleh! offering the Israeli version of a bagel (which is nothing like a bagel at all) with zaatar held in small sacks of twisted newspaper.

On an island in the middle of a thoroughfare, which has been blocked off to traffic by police, stands a family of five. They hold a sign that says, in Hebrew, Worried about our childrens future. The woman  tall, thin, with straight blonde hair  wears her sleeping one-month old in a cloth sling tied tight to her chest. A restless five-year-old boy whining Ima, mama, clambers about on a stroller, his seven-and-a-half-year-old sister admonishing him to be quiet. The couple, who identify themselves only as Avi and Hila, say its hard to get out of the house with a newborn and two young children, but theyre here anyway because they feel that the country they know is at risk  Were going to lose our democracy, Avi says.

Some 130,000 demonstrators swarmed the streets that night last month to rally against the countrys new far-right government  arguably the most extreme in Israels history  and an agenda that even centrist politicians say threatens Israels democracy. The protest wasnt a one-off. Pro-democracy demonstrations have taken place every Saturday since the start of January, bringing in some of the largest crowds in recent memory (though smaller than the 2011 social justice protests that, at their height, brought approximately a quarter million people to the streets).

The new government is led by a familiar face, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been in and out of office since 1996 and is still on trial for corruption charges.



But the coalition he cobbled together to regain power includes elements that once composed the fringe of Israeli politics. That includes Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right religious nationalist who heads a political party named Jewish Power. Previously, he was a member of Kach, a party that was outlawed in Israel and that spent 25 years on the U.S. State Departments list of terror organizations; in a twist of irony, Ben Gvir is now serving as the countrys national security minister. Since taking the helm, he has visited the Al Aqsa compound in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, home to the third holiest site in Islam. Al Aqsa is sacred to Jews as well, but such visits are viewed by Palestinians as a huge provocation  an act so contentious that Ariel Sharons September 2000 visit is widely credited with sparking the Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising.

Another controversial figure in the new government is Bezalel Smotrich, a settler and the leader of an ultra-nationalist religious Zionist party. Smotrich is now serving as a finance minister; it is widely believed that, in this role, he will ensure West Bank settlements get the money they need to continue to grow, threatening what little possibility remains of a territorially contiguous Palestinian state.

Already, this new government is making moves to chip away at the countrys democratic space. A proposed overhaul to the judiciary would render the High Courts judgments toothless and would destroy its independence, upending the countrys system of checks and balances. The government also announced an intent to shut down Kan  the countrys only publicly funded broadcast news service  with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi calling public broadcasting unnecessary. Outrage was so intense that its been put on ice for now as the government focuses instead on pushing through its controversial judicial reforms. Netanyahu defends the reshuffling of the judiciary, dismissively calling them a minor correction.

But even Israels own president, Isaac Herzog, is sounding the alarm. In a speech given on Sunday  the day before a massive nationwide strike that brought 100,000 Israelis to protest outside of the Knesset on Monday  Herzog warned that the country is on the brink of constitutional and social collapse.

I feel, we all feel, that we are in the moment before a clash, even a violent clash, Herzog said. The gunpowder barrel is about to explode.



When I wade into the crowd on that Saturday night, just after Shabbat has ended, theres another consistent fear I hear from Israelis: that this new government will undermine its standing in the world, including with its most important ally, the United States. But while there are fears about losing American support, some Israelis also voice concern that American backing will continue regardless of what this new government does  a scenario they view as enabling and dangerous. Because what would an Israel  held accountable to no one, left entirely to its own devices  look like?

Avi, who works in high-tech, a key Israeli industry, says he is particularly worried about the government targeting the rights of secular Israelis, women and LGBTQ individuals  which could also prove to open rifts between Americas Democratic Party and the Israeli government. (Just a few days later, hundreds of Israeli high-tech employees would take to the streets, leaving their desks abruptly at midday to march on Rothschild Boulevard as they carried signs that read, No democracy, no high-tech.)

Asked if Israels relationship with the United States is a concern, Hila replies, Its always a concern. Were supposed to be the only democracy in the Middle East and that doesnt seem like where were going with the latest changes.

Maya Lavie-Ajayi, a 48-year-old professor at Ben Gurion University, says she hopes to see some sort of intervention from the Biden administration and the European Union. We see Hungary and we see Russia and we know you get to a point where [citizens] cant fight back anymore. She added that while Israel isnt there yet, I think that we need support to keep the democratic nature that was problematic in the first place.

Lavie-Ajayi notes the withdrawal of American support would be a powerful lesson to Netanyahu: Bibi would understand that he cant just do whatever he wants, that he doesnt have an open ticket to chip away at the democratic nature of this country.

Its not just people in the streets who see the prospect of pressure from abroad. In December, over 100 former Israeli diplomats and retired foreign ministry officials sent an open letter to Netanyahu expressing concern about the new governments impact on the countrys international standing, warning that there could be political and economic ramifications.

Indeed, senior American officials seem to share at least some of protesters worries about the direction Israel is taking. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan visited Israel last month reportedly in hopes of syncing up with the new government. Then came Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip, during which he said he had a candid talk with Netanyahu, with Blinken touting the need for a two-state solution with Palestinians and the importance of democratic institutions.



Still, it seems unlikely Israel will lose American support  including billions in military aid  anytime soon.

This administration will go to great lengths to avoid a public confrontation with the new Netanyahu government, says Aaron David Miller, a longtime State Department official who worked on Middle East negotiations and is now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

At the same time, Israels shifting politics  particularly with a government thats now more religious right than secular right  could have unintended reverberations. Its taken for granted that American liberals are likely to grow ever more skittish with an ultra-conservative Israel. But some in conservative corners are also worried, according to Yossi Shain, a political science professor at Tel Aviv University, professor emeritus at Georgetown University and former Knesset Member from Yisrael Beiteinu, a secular nationalist party on the right. He says hes constantly on the phone with American counterparts who are deeply concerned about how the new government will impact the countrys security and economy.

The Israeli right pretends to reflect American conservative values, but in fact distorts them, he adds. It builds on clericalism and religious orthodoxy that negates liberties, the core of American conservative creed.

Now, Shain says, some of the same political actors who helped foster the circumstances that enabled this government to rise are wringing their hands.

To which Israels pro-democracy protesters would likely respond, Told you so.

Back on the street in Tel Aviv, many in the crowd, though not all, link the decades of Palestinian occupation with the decline of Israels democracy.

Rights for Jews only is not a democracy, reads one poster. A massive black sign  made out of cloth and held up by half a dozen protesters  depicts the separation barrier, guard towers and barbed wire that contain the West Bank; in the middle, a dove bearing an olive branch bursts through the structure. A nation that occupies another nation will never be free, says the sign in Arabic, Hebrew and English.

Nearby, a woman calls through a bullhorn, Democracy?

Yes! the crowd responds.

Occupation?

No! they cry.

Im terrified of a situation where [Israels new government] doesnt reduce American support, says Rony HaCohen, an economist, pointing to the way the military occupation of the Palestinian territories has become normalized amid a lack of American censure.

But one protester questions even the United States ability to rein in its closest ally in the Middle East. Jesse Fox, a 41-year-old doctoral candidate at Tel Aviv University, says that while hed like to see the Biden administration raise some pressure, he believes Israel is already headed down the path of Hungary and other countries that have abandoned democratic principles.

It starts with the court reforms, he says. After that, they have plans to try to bring the media under government control. And then, who knows?

And as an American Jewish immigrant who has lived in Israel for the better part of 20 years, Fox adds, I want Americans to realize that, right now, being pro-Israel means opposing the Israeli government.
The researchers don't fully understand FAS' cause but hope the report adds to a small, but growing, body of research. (Patient's scans not pictured) Andrew Brookes/Getty Images

An Italian woman suddenly had a Canadian accent when she spoke English, leaving specialists stumped.

Brain scans didn't appear to reveal any obvious changes to her brain.

Specialists diagnosed the woman with foreign accent syndrome, a poorly understood phenomenon.

An Italian woman suddenly started speaking English with a Canadian accent, and specialists couldn't figure out why, according to a report.

The woman, 50, went to the emergency room after a five-minute period when her speech became slurred and she couldn't write properly, scientists working in Italy said in a report published in the medical journal Neurocase on January 22.

Those symptoms got better, but when doctors assessed the woman they noticed she was speaking with a Canadian accent.

The woman, who spoke Italian as her first language and English as the second, had used both at work for 20 years, including with Canadian colleagues, though she'd never had that accent herself, the researchers said.

A team of specialists including psychologists, neurologists, and speech therapists diagnosed her with foreign accent syndrome, a rare phenomenon characterized by the emergence of an accent that has never been native to the person and is considered foreign by the patient and health professionals.

As Insider previously reported, foreign accent syndrome can occur after a stroke or in people with cancer, but the science of how or why it happens is poorly understood.

The woman had brain scans in the ER and didn't appear to have brain damage causing it. The report authors said that it was possible that the woman had microscopic brain damage that was too small to be detected on a brain scan, or a mini stroke.

Case reports tend to shed light on rare and unexpected symptoms, but more research is usually needed to support the findings.

In this case, the woman spoke with a "strong and distinct" Canadian accent for at least eight months after she left hospital.

The researchers don't fully understand FAS' cause but hope that the report adds to a small, but growing, body of research.

Read the original article on Insider
By Giuseppe Fonte

ROME (Reuters) -Italy on Thursday approved a decree tightening the grip of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office on the country's post-COVID recovery plan, as Rome seeks to get full value from some 200 billion euros ($214 billion) in EU funding.

Rome has so far secured almost 86 billion euros of the European Union money it is due by 2026, but it is increasingly struggling to meet the so-called "targets and milestones" agreed with EU authorities to unlock funds.

"We don't want a single euro to be lost," Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani told a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

The government is behind schedule in actually using the funds. Its initial investment programme envisaged spending worth more than 40 billion euros by 2022 but this estimate was revised downwards on three occasions and set to below 20 billion euros in December.

Meloni will set up a dedicated unit within her office responsible for implementing the recovery plan. The new body will replace a separate entity established under Meloni's predecessor Mario Draghi, which would otherwise have remained in place until 2026 even after the change of government.

The move signals Meloni's goal to bring the decision-making process for the plan into the hands of her top aides, government officials have said.

Under a draft seen by Reuters, the decree allows the government to remove public managers who are behind in their work and strengthens Rome's powers to overcome opposition from local authorities against EU-funded projects.

With some 60 billion euros budgeted in Italy's plan to make the economy greener, the scheme simplifies and accelerates permitting procedures to build renewable energy plants.

Rome is also working to renegotiate with the European Commission some aspects of Italy's recovery plan, asking Brussels to take into account the impact of costly raw materials prices on public works, the officials said.

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However, EU Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto told reporters the government did not intend to ask to extend the deadline beyond 2026.

Ongoing discussions are part of procedures to select projects eligible for the so-called REPowerEU plan, which will run alongside the recovery plan, to end the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and tackle the climate crisis.

Money coming from the EU could be devoted to building a link to bring hydrogen that would be produced in northern Africa to northern Europe, sources have said.

($1 = 0.9345 euros)

(Reporting by Giuseppe FonteEditing by Keith Weir, Kirsten Donovan)
Jack Nicholsons estranged daughter Tessa Gourin has opened up about what it was like growing up without her father.

The 28-year-old actor is the daughter of Nicholson and Janine Gourin.

Janine was a young waitress when she became pregnant with Nicholsons baby in 1994.

Nicholson, who is a father to five children, has never publicly acknowledged Tessa as his daughter, and he hasnt been present in her life since she was a child.

After years of being called an illegitimate child, Tessa told The Daily Beast: From a very young age, my mother told me not to tell anyone that I had this famous father.

I knew he was powerful and Daddy Warbucks-level rich, so I made my life like Orphan Annies.

Tessa shared that her mother wanted her to have a relationship with her father, but he said he wasnt interested.

When youre a child, you dont have a choice where youre going, so if your mom is pushing you on someone whos technically your father and he agrees to see you for anywhere between one hour and a couple of days, thats where youre going to go. I dont know this person very well, well just say that, she said.

In an essay about Nepo-babies for Newsweek earlier this year, Tessa wrote about how she wished people could call her a nepo baby.

Having grown up without my father, Ive sat on the sidelines and watched in frustration as other celebrity children have seamlessly secured roles or been signed to huge agencies, Gourin wrote in the piece.

More recently, I have grown even more frustrated at what I think is a missed opportunity for these so-called nepo babies to own their position and embrace it instead of complaining about it.

Nicholsons first child, Jennifer Nicholson, 59, was born in 1963 during his marriage to Sandra Knight.

Seven years later, he fathered son Caleb Goddard, 52, with Five Easy Pieces co-star Susan Anspach.

In 1981, Nicholson welcomed his third child, Honey Hollman, 41, with model Winnie Hollman, although Honey was raised by her mother in Denmark.

He shares his other children, daughter Lorraine, 32, and son Ray, 30, with actor Rebecca Broussard.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is under scrutiny after an anti-corruption agency issued a lengthy report that suggests a potential conflict of interest involving him and contracts awarded to a construction company, some of which were not reported.

The islands Integrity Commission noted in its report issued Wednesday that it referred the case to Jamaicas director of corruption prosecution, who will review the findings. The report also was shared with the speaker of Jamaicas House of Representatives, who is a member of Holness Jamaica Labor Party.

Holness released a statement noting that the matter occurred nearly two decades ago, and that at no time have I ever exercised influence on any process for the award of contracts. I strongly disagree with the findings of the Integrity Commission regarding conflict of interest based on mere association.

He also noted that its a longstanding practice for members of Parliament to recommend local contractors to undertake works in their constituencies, and added that he has referred the commissions report to his lawyers.

The commissions investigation focused on 10 contracts awarded to a construction company from 2007 to 2009, when Holness was minister of education. Only five of those were reported to the Office of the Contractor General as required by law, according to the report.

The contracts totaled nearly $142,000 and were for work ranging from roof repairs to renovation of a teachers cottage.

The commission found that the prime minister has known two directors and shareholders of Westcon Construction Limited for more than 20 years. Holness said one of them that he knows personally is a former employee in his constituency and personal business, and the other is known to him casually and was hired to do land surveying work, according to the report.

Officials with the construction company could not be immediately reached for comment.

The investigation began after a local TV news program in May 2016 questioned the contracts and the relationship between Holness and the construction company officials.

It was not clear if Jamaicas director of corruption prosecution has a deadline to respond to the commissions findings and whether her response could be appealed by attorneys for Holness.

The commission did not immediately return a message for comment.
Vietnam to pilot facial recognition technology to authenticate air passengers

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has released its plan to implement biometric authentication (facial recognition) at airports check-in desks.











The high-tech move aims to contribute to ensuring social order and security, reduce time for check-in procedures, and thus increase accuracy. Facial recognition technology can also improve the prevention and detection of passengers using fake documents, and detecting those who are banned from flying or wanted criminals that cross borders.



In the first quarter of 2023, the facial recognition technology will be piloted at airports, and the implementation results have to be reported to the Ministry of Transport.



Previously, in October 2022, the CAAV had a meeting with Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnamese airlines and ground service companies, and the Ministry of Public Securitys National Population Data Centre on the use of chip-based citizen identification cards for check-in on some domestic flights in six months before making a decision for official application./.
Actress Linda J. Wilczynski returns to the Towle Theater stage Feb. 24-March 5 portraying the wife of Indiana composer Cole Porter in the musical one-woman run Love, Linda. (Towle Theater)

After months of learning script dialogue before the December holidays, actress Linda J. Wilczynski describes her New Years resolution for the start of 2023 as a delightfully daunting task, learning 16 musical numbers for the one-woman show shes starring in at Towle Theater in Hammond.

Wilczynski, who lives in Whiting, is stepping into the identity of Linda Porter, wife of famed Hoosier composer Cole Porter, for the one-woman production Love, Linda with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 24-March 5 launching the Towles 2023 milestone 20th anniversary season.

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Directed by Jeff Casey, managing director at Towle Theater with music and vocal direction by Valerie Webdell, Love, Linda showcases music and lyrics all written by Cole Porter, book by Stevie Holland with Gary William Friedman, with the latter also providing arrangements and additional music.

Timed at 90 minutes without an intermission, the stage tale is candid, as Wilczynski explains, recounting through song and shared stories the life journey of Lindas 35-year marriage to the iconic and creative musical force that was Cole Porter, her loving companion despite his attempt to balance his life as a gay man during the unaccepting decades of the past.

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All of the favorite songs of Porters are included, but they are slightly different renditions, as well as some medleys, so its really been a lot to learn, Wilczynski said.

When you add the scenes and the dialogue, its quite an undertaking.

Adding to the productions challenge and adventure, Towle music and vocal director Webdell moved to Maryland in the fall, which required Wilczynski and Casey to fly out east for four intensive days and nights of rehearsals.

My next opportunity to rehearse the songs and music again with Valerie and Jeff worked into just the two tech nights, right before the show opening, Wilczynski said.

It really comes right down to the wire, but this show is such a thrill, its worth every moment.

Wilczynski, who had planned to retire from stage performances, said only the opportunity to be reunited with Casey, her frequent and favorite collaborator for previous Towle productions, convinced her to step back on stage for what she describes as her 2023 swan song.

Casey said his longtime friend and stage craft colleague Wilczynski was his only consideration for the Linda Porter role.

I cant think of a better way to celebrate the Towles 20th Anniversary than working with two of the most talented women we know, which are Linda Wilczynski and Valerie Webdell, Casey said.

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They have been dear friends for decades and such an artistic inspiration. If you have ever wondered if you could be entertained for 90 minutes by a solo performance Love, Linda is the perfect chance to know. In fact, the Sunday, Feb. 26 is sold out and so is March 5, which is why we have switched the Saturday evening performance on March 4 to a matinee to accommodate demand for afternoon seats.

The 2004 feature film musical De-Lovely gave movie audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the couples unorthodox marriage with Ashley Judd cast as Linda opposite Kevin Kline as Cole.

Towle production designer Kevin Bellamy created the costume and set design, also spending much research to secure the ideal wig to capture the period look of Linda Porter, who died at age 70 of emphysema in 1954.

The wig I wear for the show that Kevin arranged is custom-made from the UK and I had to have my head measured for it, Wilczynski said.

When worn with the dress Kevin has for me, its a look that transforms me.

Love, Linda

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When: Feb. 24-March 5

Where: Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., Hammond

Cost: $24

Information: 219-937-8780; towletheater.org

Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for The Post-Tribune.
Tokyo  In Japan's northeast Miyagi prefecture, residents can find life partners via a government-sponsored, Artificial Intelligence-driven matchmaking service. In Ehime, to the southwest, regional authorities offer a big data-based matchmaking system, while further south, Miyazaki has gone analog, directing potential pairs to exchange handwritten letters.

Throughout the land, there are public and company-sponsored singles parties and "life design seminars" meant to prod young adults onto a concrete timeline for marriage and family. The city of Tokyo even teaches basic dating skills, such as the art of conversation (Hint: Don't just talk about yourself). Photographers provide free flattering portraits; stylists and makeup artists are being deployed to gussy up the dowdy.

Never in Japan's history has the state played such a conspicuous and expanding role in affairs of the heart. And that role is about to get even bigger.

Last month, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that the government would take "unprecedented" measures to tackle Japan's sagging fertility rate. In a parliamentary address, he warned the country teeters on the brink of dysfunction, sliding toward insolvent pension and health care systems, soaring national debt, and economic decline.

Elon Musk warns low birth rate will see Japan "cease to exist"

Japan has the fastest-aging population of any post-industrial nation on earth. Its birth rate  the average number of children any given woman has  started tanking in the 1970s. The current total fertility rate is 1.3, well below the "replacement level" of just over two kids per woman, which is broadly accepted as the rate needed to ensure a stable population.

The country's gerontocratic leadership is convinced that more marriages are the answer.

A periodic survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research found close to a fifth of men and about 15% of women expressing disinterest in marriage, the highest levels since 1982. Almost a third of men and a fifth of women in their fifties in Japan have never been married.

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So, Japan's new Children and Families Agency, set to launch in April, will deploy "marriage support concierges" in each of Japan's 47 prefectures.

"They'll basically add manpower to existing local programs and come up with new ideas" for boosting the marriage rate, said Yuki Nomura, a Cabinet Agency spokesman. The central government will cover 75% of the costs for the concierges, who are being recruited now, among public and private sector individuals with matchmaking expertise.

But many experts say the only way Japan can really save itself is by ditching the "male breadwinner, female carer" norms that continue to undergird policymaking and corporate management.

"Post-industrial countries (like Sweden) that made it possible to balance work and family have not suffered large declines in birthrates," Harvard sociologist Mary Brinton noted in a recent presentation dissecting Japan's demographic missteps.

She noted that Japanese women spend over five times as long as men on household chores, working what she called a "second shift" that discourages couples from having two or more kids.

Some local governments seem to be at least paying lip service to this inequality. The governors of Saga, Miyazaki and Kagoshima have donned yellow aprons over their suits and ties to be filmed trying their hands at vacuuming, ironing and scrubbing. They marveled at the sheer amount of drudgery.

Professor Masahiro Yamada, a sociologist at Chuo University, is skeptical that Japan will escape its existential crisis.

"It's not a problem of matchmaking, it's an issue of more men with unstable incomes," the professor told CBS News. "Even among regular workers, relative incomes are falling, so it's better (for singles) to keep living with their parents" than get married.

Yamada lambasted the government for programs that he says primarily benefit Japan's well-educated elite. In 2021, a fifth of men and over half of women were in part-time, freelance or other non-regular jobs.

Harvard's Brinton said the plight of non-regular male workers is another reason Japan should adopt an egalitarian, dual-earner, dual-carer norm.

Babies Nozomi Ito, left, and Shinichiro Ishikura, right, are held by college sumo wrestlers as they compete in a traditional baby screaming contest, known as Naki Sumo, at the Senso-ji temple in Tokyo, in April 29, 2006 file photo. / Credit: KOJI SASAHARA/AP

"Young men (in precarious jobs) don't feel able to fulfill their role as breadwinner in the family," Brinton said. "Young women don't particularly want to marry these guys."

Lower incomes are far more of a deterrent to marriage in East Asia than in the U.S. or Europe, Yamada argues, as Asian men put more emphasis on unilaterally earning enough to support children.

A truly effective policy, he argues, would double or triple investment in families, instead of seniors.

"Japan is going to sink, right along with its birthrate," Yamada warned. "And South Korea and China will be right behind us."

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(Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan will invite his Ukrainian counterpart to the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting to be held in Germany on Feb. 18, Kyodo reported on Thursday.

As the organiser of the meeting and the chair of G7 summit this year, Japan is also preparing to host a G7 summit meeting online on Feb. 24, timed with the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kyodo news agency reported earlier this month.

Support measures to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia are expected to be a top priority for G7 leaders.

Russia has called the attack a "special military operation".

(Reporting by Eimi Yamamitsu; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Tattoo artists have called the style of Jennifer Lopez's new tattoo "overdone." Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images/Jennifer Lopez/Instagram

Jennifer Lopez revealed that she and Ben Affleck got "commitment" tattoos on Valentine's Day.

In an Instagram post, Lopez showed off her new ink: an infinity symbol on her ribs.

Tattoo artists previously told Insider that infinity symbol tattoos are "overdone."

In a Valentine's Day Instagram post, Jennifer Lopez revealed that she and Ben Affleck got tattoos to symbolize their renewed commitment to each other.

The post, which included throwback photos of her and Affleck, as well as more recent snapshots, showed off their new ink.

Affleck appears to have a tattoo of two arrows tied together, as well as the initials "J" and "B," though it's unclear where the tattoo is located. Lopez's tattoo, however, is an infinity sign on her ribs with "Jennifer" and "Ben" inscribed in cursive  a tattoo style artists have previously told Insider is "overdone."

Lopez and Affleck got married in Las Vegas last fall, years after their first engagement fell through in 2004. The pair rekindled their relationship in 2021 in a reunion that captured the world's attention.

Ben Affleck (right) also got a tattoo: two arrows with the initials "J" and "B" in between them. Instagram / Jennifer Lopez

The infinity symbol tattoo rose to popularity in the late 2000s, according to BuzzFeed. At some point between roughly 2009 and 2015, sites like Tumblr and Pinterest became inundated with dainty infinity signs  a trend that's now seen by some as "basic."

Stu Hepcat, a tattoo artist and owner of Hepcat Tattoos in Glasgow, Scotland, told Insider in August that while some tattoos will never go out of style, the infinity symbol is not one of them.

"Something that's supposed to be individual and special can quickly become mass produced," Hepcat said. In particular, he said, the infinity symbol became popular to the point of being overdone.

Kelly Kapowski, a tattoo artist at Ascension in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, previously told Insider that she sees clients seeking out infinity symbols to honor their loved ones (looking at you, Bennifer).

Read the original article on Insider
Jeremy Clarkson is in hot water again, following a terse exchange on his show Clarksons Farm, in which he told a dyslexic barrister to learn to spell.

Charles Streeten said that the former Top Gear hosts mocking comments about his spelling during an episode of the Amazon Prime show had forced him to relive his difficult childhood.

Streeten was representing the local council against Clarkson over planning permission to extend his farm in Oxfordshire in the second series of the programme.

During the episode, while walking out of the planning meeting, Clarkson told Streeten he should learn to spell.

Streeten subsequently published an open letter to Clarkson, revealing his learning difficulties and explaining they had not affected his career as a barrister, later adding that he had not expected the remark to be televised.

In a statement shared with The Times, Clarkson said: Its great that Mr Streeten has overcome his dyslexia to such an extent that hes able to send such a well-spelt letter from Jamaica.

Its just a shame he chose not to mention his learning difficulty when we met at the planning meeting more than a year ago. Because if he had, the exchange would not have been televised.

Clarksons plan to build a restaurant on his farm was previously rejected by West Oxfordshire District Council, and received a negative reaction from local villagers.

Jeremy Clarkson on Clarksons Farm (Prime Video)

He is due to appeal against the councils rejection of plans to build other extensions at the farm, but has said he will no longer open a restaurant.

On Clarksons Farm, the host admitted that locals had been unable to get to their Covid vaccinations because of traffic created by his farm shop.

Clarkson recently faced a serious backlash over an article written in The Sun about the Duchess of Sussex.

Last week, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) said it was launching an investigation into the column after it received more than 25,100 complaints.

The article, in which he said he hated Meghan and dreamed of her being paraded through British towns and publicly shamed, became Ipsos most complained-about article.

Clarkson and The Sun apologised for the piece, which was later removed online.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman speaks during a campaign event in Newtown, Pa., . When Fetterman goes to Washington in January, one of the Senate's new members will bring along an irreverent style from Pennsylvania that extends from his own personal dress code - super casual - to hanging marijuana flags outside his current office in Pennsylvania's state Capitol Election 2022-Fetterman in Washington, Newtown, United States - 06 Nov 2022

Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock Sen. John Fetterman

Sen. John Fetterman has checked himself into a hospital to "receive treatment for clinical depression," his office said Thursday.

The freshman Pennsylvania senator, 53, was admitted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday night, chief of staff Adam Jentleson announced in a statement.

"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," it reads.

"On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress," Jentleson said. "Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis."

Fetterman's wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, shared her own statement on Twitter, writing: "After what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs."

After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs. pic.twitter.com/SfuwWTSUcG  Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 16, 2023

In a follow-up tweet, Gisele wrote: "This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy. For us, the kids come first. Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone."

The hospital stay comes a week after Fetterman spent two nights at George Washington University Hospital for "feeling lightheaded"  an incident that raised alarm bells, as Fetterman previously suffered a stroke in May during his high-profile Senate campaign against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz.

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RELATED: John Fetterman Hospitalized Overnight After Feeling Lightheaded: 'He's in Good Spirits'

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."

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's stroke remained in the headlines throughout his highly publicized Senate race, as media outlets 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.

Fetterman was ultimately successful in the race, defeating Trump-backed Oz in the November election, becoming the first Democrat to win the seat since 1962.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
A Lexington woman who was shot and injured by Lexington police appeared in Fayette District Court on Thursday morning where her bond was lowered and her case sent to a grand jury by Fayette District Judge John Tackett following a preliminary hearing.

Lasielle White, 29, is charged with attempted murder, wanton endangerment, criminal mischief and fleeing/evading police after she allegedly attempted to stab a man in a domestic incident, then backed her vehicle into a police cruiser and nearly hit several Lexington firefighters while fleeing police, officers said previously.

According to police testimony from officer Taylor Mitchell in court Thursday, police were called to the 2300 block of Lonan Court at 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 7 for a report of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon.

The victim in the incident had fled the area, and officers did not make contact with anybody at the home when they arrived. Court documents say White tried to stab a man with a kitchen knife in the incident, but a cross-body bag prevented the knife from penetrating his chest.

The victim spoke during the hearing and said he did not feel that White had an intent to kill him. He said she told him while she was engaged in the police chase that she did not mean to hurt him.

White subsequently slashed the two front tires of his car. Police and firefighters were called back to the home at 5:04 p.m. for a report of wanton endangerment involving a collision.

Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said in the second incident, she tried to hit someone with a vehicle and then hit a residence. She was in the vehicle and refused to get out. Police said she backed into a cruiser, then drove forward and almost hit several firefighters.

In response to the life-threatening situation, an officer fired their weapon, striking the driver, Weathers said.

Judge significantly reduces bond, citing support from community

At a previous court hearing, District Judge Melissa Murphy set Whites bond at $75,000 full cash. But Tackett reduced the bond to 10%  $7,500  as long as White would adhere to conditions upon her release, including wearing an ankle monitor and going to therapy appointments.

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Tackett cited Whites extreme low risk for future criminal activity based on her past history, and the amount of support she had from family to help her receive mental health treatment as his reasoning for reducing the bond.

This (bond reduction) is extremely lenient based on your criminal history, and your support from those in your community who want to make sure you are not incarcerated while this case is pending, Tackett said. But we have to make sure the community is safe too.

Lasielle White, 29, appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon where a judge entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf, and set her bond at $75,000 full cash. She will appear in court again on Feb. 15 at 8:30 a.m.

Court documents say White caused more than $1,000 in damage by colliding with the cruiser. White then left the scene, and police pursued her through parts of Fayette and Scott counties for nearly 90 minutes before she stopped in Coldstream Park.

White got out of the vehicle after Lexington Police Departments crisis negotiation unit made contact with her. Police said her injuries were not life-threatening.

She was taken to a local hospital. Weathers said the officer involved had their body-worn camera activated. Kentucky State Police are investigating, and he said the Lexington Police Departments Public Integrity Unit will conduct an internal review. He said the officer who fired the shot was placed on administrative assignment.
Feb. 15A federal judge has denied the U.S. Energy Department's motions seeking dismissal of a complaint by anti-nuclear activists who contend the agency must conduct a comprehensive environmental review of its plans to produce 80 nuclear warhead triggers a year in the coming decade.

South Carolina District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis rejected the Energy Department's arguments the anti-nuclear groups lacked standing, meaning a legal reason to sue, and failed to state a valid claim in their lawsuit contesting the agency's decision to forgo a full multisite study under the National Environmental Policy Act.

"Having carefully considered the motions, the response, the reply, the record, and the applicable law, the Court will deny both motions," Geiger wrote in her ruling.

Plans call for Los Alamos National Laboratory to produce 30 plutonium bomb cores or "pits" by 2026, and for Savannah River Site in South Carolina to make an additional 50 pits by mid-2030.

Savannah River Site Watch, Nuclear Watch New Mexico, Tri-Valley CAREs and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition have teamed up on the lawsuit to compel the "programmatic review."

The Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration  the branch that oversees the country's nuclear weapons  say they won't comment on active litigation.

But three years ago, the nuclear security agency wrote a Federal Register summary stating a programmatic review of its plans to make the pits was not needed because a 2019 supplemental analysis to a 2008 study on pit production was enough.

Nuclear security managers have stood behind that assertion.

Instead, the federal agencies are doing individual sitewide reviews of the lab and Savannah River as they gear up to produce pits.

But watchdog groups argue much has changed since the original review was done 15 years ago, in particular the addition of a second production site that creates a cross-country venture with widened risks and potential impacts.

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The groups say the full review is necessary because dangerous materials, including radioactive waste, will be transported through cities across the country, and several areas will see increased production of nuclear weapons parts.

A programmatic review would enable the various local communities to weigh in, they say.

"We are thrilled that the court ruled in our favor and that this landmark environmental case can now proceed toward a final decision," Marylia Kelley, executive director of Tri-Valley CAREs, said in a statement. "What's at stake in our litigation is nothing less than the question of whether the federal government will be allowed to run roughshod over affected communities like mine all across the country."

Kelley, whose group is based in Livermore, Calif., said she believed the court will agree the nuclear security agency must do a full environmental review and hold public hearings at all affected locations.

"The ruling is a significant loss for the DOE in its efforts to dodge its legal obligations under NEPA," Tom Clements, director of Savannah River Site Watch, wrote in an email.

The judge focused on Clements and his group in making her decision.

Clements made a plausible argument he would suffer "informational injury" if nuclear security officials didn't expand the scope of the environmental review, the judge wrote.

The government also failed to invalidate his claim that the law requires a programmatic review in these circumstances, she wrote.

In a statement, a lawyer representing the watchdogs said the government often says citizen groups lack standing in an effort to shut them down.

"We were able to defeat yet another attempt to use standing as a weapon to keep members of the public out of the government's decision-making process," said Leslie Lenhardt, senior managing attorney with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project.
Valparaiso University student Ashley Vernon gives instructions to fellow students and faculty as they gather to voice displeasure of the university's planned sale of artwork from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

For about 20 Valparaiso University students who hand-delivered letters to the office of University President Jose Padilla Wednesday afternoon, the universitys plan to sell three paintings from the campus art museum, including a Georgia OKeeffe, to raise money to renovate freshman housing is the last straw in a slow erosion of the arts at VU.

Junior theater major Trey Erny, one of six theater majors grandfathered in after the school dropped the major for new students, said the university now has to put on student-led theater after their professor was let go. He said a dance professor has also been eliminated.

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When you sell three one-of-a-kind pieces of art, it kind of takes it to a new level, Erny said.

Georgia OKeeffes Rust Red Hills seen through Richard Hunts stainless steel Becoming at the Brauer Museum of Art on the Valparaiso University campus in Valparaiso, Indiana Friday February 10, 2023. Campus and community members continue to react to announcement of the pending sale of OKeeffes and two other works to fund first-year student dorm renovations. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

The students trekked from the universitys Center for the Arts to Padillas office across campus at Heritage Hall, the oldest building on campus, which was also recently renovated. Sources have told The Post-Tribune three paintings are slated for sale: Rust Red Hills by OKeeffe, Mountain Landscape by Frederick E. Church, and The Silver Vale and the Golden Gate by Childe Hassam. Padillas assistant collected the letters and said he was in meetings.

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Valparaiso university sophomore Victoria Tiller hands over a letter to be delivered to school president Jose Padilla as students organize to voice displeasure of the university's planned sale of artwork from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

An email from Padilla to students sent Feb. 8 stated that the university has a five-year plan to change and grow the university, which has seen its enrollment drop by nearly 1,500 students since the fall of 2015 when it hit its peak of 4,544 students. In addition, the university has experienced a 17% reduction in full-time faculty and staff positions, or 135 positions in total.

The board and administration are prepared to consider assets and resources that are not core or critical to the educational mission or strategic plan to achieve these goals, he wrote.

One priority initiative is to improve first-year residence halls and create a first-year, residential complex that is on par with our upperclassmen residence halls and includes the amenities that the current generation of prospective students expect, the letter states.

This is crucial for both attracting and retaining students, as well as increasing the tuition revenue and strengthening our support of our students, faculty and staff. Currently, our first-year residence halls do not reflect the importance we place on the residential learning experience and do not meet the expectations of our incoming students or their families. In order to attract, retain, and meet the expectations of the current generation of incoming students, it is imperative that we provide a residential experience that is commensurate with those of our peers and aspirational peer institutions. Our plans for a new first-year residential complex will provide the amenities and features that prospective students value and expect, the letter goes on.

Students and faculty gathered to deliver letters to president Jose Padilla to voice displeasure in the school's decision to sell art from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

The university handbook typically requires five days notice for protests, so the effort was a chance to make their voices heard.

It starts to feel like art students are kind of an advertisement, rather than a value, added sophomore music education major Victoria Tiller, who was walking with Erny to deliver her own letter, explaining that the OKeeffe and the Center for the Arts its housed in are a big part of campus tours.

Valparaiso University students pen letters to school president Jose Padilla as students and faculty gather to voice displeasure of the university's planned sale of artwork from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Senior theater major Miranda Hernandez said she gave up her job as campus tour guide last fall when the theater professor was let go. She said she wrote in her letter that if I had kept that job, I would have quit now.

Freshman creative writing major Tabitha Porter wrote, a lot about how the arts have been declining and how it is an outrage that youre going to sell these works of art that are so influential to us just to renovate a building.

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Valparaiso University student Yanni Flaherty, who hails from New Mexico, Georgia OKeeffe's home state, speaks out against the school's plan to sell off art from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Freshman global studies major Joseph DAcquisto said the majority of the student body hes spoken with dont think the renovations are necessary.

Hes trying to argue that better residential halls are going to bring in more students, DAcquisto said. Weve had so much discontinued from us that were all just sick of it.

Were becoming a tech school, Porter said.

So much for the arts, Hernandez chimed in.

Valparaiso University students file into Heritage Hall to deliver letters to president Jose Padilla to voice displeasure of the university's planned sale of artwork from the Brauer Museum of Art on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Padilla responded to the student letters via email through Director of University Communication Michael Fenton. The students and I may not agree on this issue. But a university should be an incubator for debate, dialogue and dissent, the email said. If the students are being civil in expressing their heartfelt views, I applaud them for doing so.

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

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Amy Lavalley contributed to this report.
Dozens of friends and family members of Jody Moyt exhaled in unison Thursday after Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft upheld a $1,000,000 bond for the man accused of killing the chef.

Jonathan Brush, 58, has been in Shelby County custody since an April 2022 traffic dispute resulted in Moyt's death and his arrest. According to initial police reports, Brush called 911 and told an operator Moyt ran him off the road in his Toyota Camry.

Brush then said Moyt left his car while threatening to kill him.

But in the Thursday bond hearing, a Shelby County prosecutor disputed Brush's initial comments to the 911 operator, citing unspecified footage that apparently shows Brush as the sole aggressor who stabbed Moyt 16 times before Moyt collapsed in the driver's seat of his car.

Moyt was the executive chef for LaFayette's Music Room at the time of his death and a father to a daughter, who was 6-years-old at the time of his death.

Brush, who is represented by the high-profile firm Ballin, Ballin & Fisherman, looked on during the bond and said little.

The prosecution maintained that Brush's bond amount was fitting; in 2003, Brush was released from the Florida Department of Corrections after serving 10 years and 5 months on a 20 year sentence for murder.

In 1991, Brush killed a Walton County, Florida man by throwing him off a 11th-story balcony during a heated argument.

Witnesses told police McClendon and Brush were in a heated argument inside a condo Brush owned. As the fight intensified, the two men moved outside to the balcony and McClendon was killed.

Following his release, Brush returned to the Memphis area and mostly avoided any legal troubles save for a handful of speeding tickets that would land him in defensive driving school on four separate occasions.

Brush's attorney, Blake Ballin, characterized Brush's bond as inappropriate for a person with alleged strong community ties and elderly family members that Brush cares for.

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Ballin also pointed to the bond amount for Cleotha Henderson, the man who allegedly abducted and killed Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher in September 2022. Henderson, Ballin said, was being held on a bond amount lower than $500,000 and also had a criminal history.

Following Craft's decision, Moyt's loved ones filled out into the hallway, exchanging hugs and speaking through tears.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jonathan Brush bond upheld for accused killer of LaFayette's chef Moyt
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) -Lawyers for a man who alleges he developed bladder cancer after taking GSK Plc's heartburn drug Zantac urged a California judge on Thursday to allow expert testimony linking the drug to the illness at an upcoming trial.

The trial in the case, brought by California resident James Goetz, is scheduled to begin Feb. 27 before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo. It will offer the first test of how Zantac cancer claims may fare in state courts, and its outcome could depend heavily on what expert testimony Grillo allows.

A federal judge in December threw out all of the Zantac cases in federal court, some 50,000, after finding the opinions of the experts put forth by plaintiffs to establish their cancer was caused by the drug were not backed by sound science.

Tens of thousands of cases still remain in state courts, many consolidated before Grillo in California.

Brent Wisner, a lawyer for Goetz and other Zantac plaintiffs, argued that jurors should hear expert testimony about studies that he called "pretty powerful evidence that there is a causal relationship" between consuming Zantac's active ingredient, ranitidine, and cancer.

GSK has denied that the drug can cause cancer.

"Obviously our position is, no it doesn't," GSK lawyer Kimberly Branscome said at the hearing, which Reuters viewed via Courtroom View Network.

Zantac, first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1983, became the world's best selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales.

Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, it was later sold successively to Pfizer Inc, Boehringer Ingelheim and finally Sanofi SA. All four drugmakers are facing Zantac lawsuits and have denied that the pill causes cancer.

In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted sales of the drug over concerns that its active ingredient, ranitidine, degraded over time to form a chemical called NDMA. While NDMA is found in low levels in food and water, it is known to cause cancer in larger amounts.

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The FDA in 2020 pulled all remaining brand name Zantac and generic versions off the market, citing research showing the amount of NDMA in the products increases the longer the drug is stored and could potentially become unsafe.

Lawsuits began piling up soon after the recalls began from people who said they developed cancer after taking Zantac. Plaintiffs said the companies knew, or should have known, that ranitidine posed a cancer risk and that they failed to warn consumers.

Cases have been filed linking Zantac to at least 10 types of cancer. The now-dismissed federal litigation was limited to bladder, stomach, esophageal, liver and pancreatic cancers, but cases over other cancers remain in state courts.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
Alex Murdaugh in court on Wednesday Joshua Boucher/The State via AP, Pool

Alex Murdaughs murder trial took a 180-degree turn on Wednesday afternoon after the South Carolina judge reversed a ruling he had made just a few hours earlier regarding the admissibility of evidence related to the defendants alleged botched suicide plot.

Shortly after beginning proceedings at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday, Judge Clifton Newman initially announced he would prohibit jurors from hearing evidence about Alexs alleged botched attempt to hire a contract killer, Curtis Eddie Smith, to fatally shoot him by the side of an isolated rural road months after his wife, Maggie, and son Paul were fatally shot .

The mornings ruling had been a rare win for the defense team after extensive evidence about a string of other alleged financial crimes was allowed to be admitted in order to prove a motive for murder. Here, though, Newman said that he believed that allowing evidence of the roadside shooting would instead mainly go to casting Alexs character as violent. As such, the judge said, it would go against a state rule of criminal procedure that excludes unfairly prejudicial evidence.

I believe that to allow this evidence in is a bridge too far, Newman said.

However, the judge warned he was only granting the motion to exclude the evidence for now, noting that previous questions from Alexs defense team to witnesses under cross-examination have opened the door to new lanes of evidence being admitted.

Of course, as we have seen, things change, Newman said.

Well, change things did.

By Wednesday afternoon, the judge said he was reversing his earlier order to exclude the evidence following questions from Alexs defense team to the lead state investigator, which Newman determined had opened the door for the jury to hear about the roadside incident.

Judge Clifton Newman on Wednesday Grace Beahm Alford / The Post and Courier via AP, Pool

Defense attorney Jim Griffin had asked David Owen, an agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), whether he learned during the investigation that Alex, a now-disbarred attorney, had been paying as much as $50,000 per week to Smith, a distant cousin and former client, for drugs. Smith had, in turn, allegedly been procuring the drugs from a local gang and now owed them money.

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Did you ever conduct a cellphone analysis of these drug gang members to see where they were on the night of June 7? Griffin asked Owen.

The SLED agent replied that he did not have their phone numbers, but that agents did check electronic records for any phones identified near the crime scene and that they only identified those of first responders.

Griffin also asked Owen whether any DNA evidence was taken from these drug gang members to check whether it matched evidence found under Maggies fingernails. Owen said they did not.

Following those questions, Newman said he would now permit witnesses to be called about the roadside incident in order for the jury to have a fuller picture of the relationship between Smith and Alex.

Marian Proctor on Tuesday Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool

It was the second time in as many days that the 12 jurors heard hints about the roadside incident but were not provided with extensive evidence about it.

In testimony on Tuesday, Marian Proctor, Maggies sister, told jurors that she had been fearful after Maggie and Paul, were fatally shot in June 2021 because she believed they might have been murdered in retribution for a fatal boat crash that Paul allegedly caused two years prior. But Proctor said she found it strange that Alex did not appear to be afraid that he would be targeted next.

Two months after Maggie and Paul were killed, Proctor said she was horrified to learn that Alex, too, had been shot. She feared the family was being picked off one by one. I had just lost two of the family members and I felt like they were being targeted at that point, Proctor told the jury.

But Alex was only slightly injured in the roadside shooting and Proctor said that when she learned hed been fired from his law firm the previous day for stealing vast sums of money, her perception of things changed.

What specifically changed your perception of the roadside shooting after your initial concern? lead prosecutor Creighton Waters asked her.

The story that was initially told about what happened [by Alex] came to not be true, she responded.

However, Proctors testimony ended at that point, and she was not allowed to expand on the false story Alex had told first responders about being shot by an unknown assailant as he changed a car tire. She also did not say that both Alex and Smith were subsequently charged over the scheme, which was allegedly intended to ensure Alexs surviving son, Buster, would receive an insurance payout.

In arguing that evidence about the roadside shooting should be permitted, Waters told the judge in a hearing on Wednesday morning without the jury present that it was relevant to their suggestion that Alex had killed his wife and son  ostensibly aware that people would suspect the murders would be linked to the boat crash  in order to divert attention from his financial misdeeds that were close to being discovered. There was a symmetry between the two events, Waters argued.

The side of the road [shooting] happens and everyone's rushing to Alex Murdaughs aid again, Waters said. The fact that he had just been exposed for embezzlement is quickly forgotten about and of course, everybody's assuming, Oh my gosh, it must be the real bad guys, when in fact, it was him all along.

Conversely, in his arguments on Wednesday morning, defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said prosecutors were trying to use the roadside shooting evidence as a distraction to tarnish Alexs character and not to prove a motive.

Alex had not intended to survive the scheme, Harpootlian said, and only lived because the bullet flew 1 millimeter too far to the left. As a suicide plot, it thus differed greatly from the prosecutions suggestion that Alex comes up with violent schemes in order to divert attention from himself, Harpootlian said.

Once he realizes hes still alive, he tells that story, but obviously he didnt intend to be alive, Harpootlian said. In other words, theres not a scheme that was concocted at any point. If its a scheme, it was concocted after he realized he wasnt dead.

But once Griffin asked Owen about Smith on Wednesday afternoon, prosecutor John Meadors seized the chance to ask the SLED agent about how Alex only mentioned Smith and the drug gang as possible suspects in the murders of his wife and son after the roadside incident.

Did he mention anybody else who couldve done this, who couldve been involved in it, who couldve killed my wife and my son from June 7, 2021, until September of 21? Did he ever mention anybody else? Meadors asked Owen, banging his first on a table and yelling for emphasis.

No, he did not, Owen replied.

SLED special agent David Owen on Wednesday Joshua Boucher / AP

Prior to their questions to Owen about Smith, Alexs defense team had worked to poke holes in the SLED teams collection of evidence, noting, for example, that they took months to search Alexs parents' home and had never asked him for clothes he was seen wearing in a Snapchat video Paul had filmed earlier that night.

Owen also admitted that he presented evidence to a local grand jury he later found out to be untrue regarding supposed blood spatter on a shirt Alex had been wearing. A test Owen was later informed of showed there was no human blood on the shirt.

After roughly three weeks of testimony, prosecutors have signaled they intend to try to wrap up their case by Thursday, at which time defense attorneys may begin to call their own witnesses.

Its not yet clear if Alex himself will take the stand.

UPDATE

Feb. 15, 2023, at 23:50 PM

Alex Murdaugh Trial
WORCESTER  The jury began deliberating in the first-degree murder case of a city man accused of an execution-style shooting of 42-year-old Jose Ortiz at 15 Everard St. Thursday morning in Superior Court.

A verdict had not been reached by late Thursday afternoon and the jury is set to return to deliberations Friday morning.

More:Kennie Mota-Cruz trial opens in execution-style shooting of Worcester man

Lawyers representing Kennie Mota-Cruz, 28, of Stanton Street, and the prosecution made closing statements Thursday with Mota-Cruz's defense arguing the evidence in the trial was insufficient and the testimony of Mota-Cruz's ex-girlfriend left reasonable doubt.

Kennie Mota-Cruz is escorted out of the courtroom for a recess while standing trial Monday for the Aug. 24 shooting death of 42-year-old Jose Ortiz at 15 Everard St.

Assistant Worcester District Attorney Shayna L. Woodard said in her closing statement that Mota-Cruz had the motive to kill Ortiz, saying Ortiz owed him money for drugs that he dealt on Mota-Cruz's behalf, and the means with a handgun that she said Mota-Cruz possessed.

Defense attorney: 'Not enough to fill in the holes'

Mota-Cruz's attorney, Tom G. Vukmirovits, said police failed to collect forensic evidence at the scene. He said a shell casing on the scene along with a syringe, crack pipe, table top and bottle cap were not tested for evidence, even for the potential of partial fingertip evidence.

In addition, Vukmirovits said, a wide canvasing of the area around Everard Street did not turn up any witnesses identifying a black Mercedes belonging to Jermaine Daye that prosecutors allege was the vehicle Mota-Cruz rode to the incident.

Vukmirovits also said the police statements of Ortiz's niece, who heard the "commotion" and loud voices before closing her door at the sound of gunshots and later alerting her other uncle, was not enough to identify that Mota-Cruz was at the scene.

Vukmirovits said police also did not follow up on a call Mota-Cruz made in Spanish after being apprehended in New York while he was being transported by police to Massachusetts, where police say they heard him mention sneakers with blood on them.

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Mota-Cruz was arrested Sept. 12, 2018 in Dunkirk, New York.

In addition, Vukmirovits said the texts between Mota-Cruz and Ortiz did not appear threatening in nature and Ortiz did not respond as if they were. Vukmirovitz said they were reflective of language of the drug trade and a familiarity with weapons.

"Pointing to him ... is not enough to fill in the holes," Vukmirovits said.

An 'evolving story'

Deborah Diaz, Mota-Cruz's former girlfriend had a "changing, evolving story," Vukmirovits said. He said she did not provide consistent evidence on matters such as a trip she took to Connecticut and Mota-Cruz's involvement with guns and drugs.

He said Diaz was inconsistent in her testimony. Texts between them showed that Diaz was not sure why police were searching for Mota-Cruz.

Diaz had earlier testified that Mota-Cruz angrily broke her phone and computer at her work and pointed a gun at her Aug. 24, 2018, the day of Ortiz's death.

Another man, Chayenne Markland, was charged with accessory, after the fact, to murder. Police said they believe Markland drove Mota-Cruz to the incident. Vukmirovitz mentioned Markland's possession of disposable gloves.

The defense has also questioned if Hector Mangual had a motive to kill Ortiz, pointing to communications between the two that seemed threatening. Woodard said testimony indicated that Manuel was not being serious in his threats.

Woodard said Markland also had zero motive to kill Ortiz and he did not know her.

In her closing statement, Woodard reiterated the argument that Mota-Cruz had motive and means to kill Ortiz. She opened her statement with an explicit text from Mota-Cruz to Diaz where he implied he made a mistake that led to police being after him.

"The only communication is with the defendant. The only motive is with the defendant," Woodard said.

Woodard said the confrontation happened outside Ortiz's room so there was no need to collect evidence in the room and said a shell casing that went through an explosion would be unlikely to have fingerprint evidence.

Blood on his sneaker

Woodard said questions Vukmirovitz has raised about phones in Ortiz's possession were not important to the case.

Security camera footage, cellphone photos and phone tracking data from Aug. 24, 2018, pointed to Mota-Cruz in the area of Everard Street in the black Mercedes, Woodard said.

One shot from a security camera appeared to show Mota-Cruz looking at his sneaker and realizing there was blood on it, Woodard said.

Daye was charged with accessory, after the fact, to murder.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Jury in Mota-Cruz trial in execution-style shooting of Worcester man hears closing statements
Feb. 15West Virginia's governor has directed the states's Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and the Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) to monitor air and water quality for chemical spills due to a Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio near the West Virginia border.

On the evening of Feb. 3, the WVEMD Watch Center was notified of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Upon notification, WVEMD activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, alerting state agencies and local emergency managers about the incident, according to a statement from the WVEMD.

Since the initial notification, and at Gov. Jim Justice's direction, WVEMD, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and the Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) have closely monitored the situation for any impacts to West Virginia or its citizens.

Low levels of butyl acrylate reached the Ohio River through Little Beaver Creek, a small tributary located near the Ohio and Pennsylvania border. Upon learning of the spill, the WVDHHR's Bureau for Public Health (BPH) immediately began contacting the five water systems along the Ohio River that could be impacted and recommended, out of an abundance of caution, to shut down all water intakes until additional information could be obtained. The Weirton PSD detected chemicals at their intake and the water source was quickly switched to an alternate supply out of an abundance of caution.

As the state agency charged with regulating drinking water safety, WVDHHR remains in close contact with all water systems in the state who source water from the Ohio River. Water sampling is ongoing and recent results have been non-detect for butyl acrylate in both the raw and finished water supplies. Water sampling will continue, WVEMD officials said.

In addition, WVDEP is working with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Ohio EPA and the U.S. EPA on monitoring and tracking the chemical as it moves down the Ohio River.

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As of Feb. 6 at 3 p.m., the chemical plume was confirmed in the Ohio River at mile marker 199, about 22 miles upstream of Ravenswood and traveling at 1 mph. It was estimated to be near the Ravenswood area, according to WVEMD officials.

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) developed Provisional Health Guidance Values for drinking water. The current detections in the river were well below the ATSDR health values and decreasing as the plume travels.

Testing was being conducted about 7 miles above the water intake for the City of Huntington, according to WVEMD officials. Additionally, West Virginia American Water was implementing an alternate water intake that pulls from the Guyandotte River as a precautionary measure.

The WVDEP is coordinating with ORSANCO to continue daily monitoring of multiple sites along the Ohio River.

The WVDEP is also in contact with the Ohio EPA and the U.S. EPA regarding air quality monitoring, according to the WVEMD statement. The U.S. EPA has conducted continuous air monitoring along the perimeter of the train derailment site in Ohio and has not detected any concentrations of contaminants above screening levels. WVDEP air monitoring stations located in the northern panhandle have not detected any impacts to air quality stemming from the derailment.

"EMD will continue 24/7 monitoring through the duration of this incident, notifying officials of any change to the situation," said Dr. Matt Blackwood, EMD Deputy Director.

West Virginians with questions or concerns regarding water quality should contact the water utility serving their household. People can report any environmental issues, regardless of their cause, to the statewide spill line at 1-800-642-3074, WVEMD officials said.

The water issues occurring in East Palestine and Fort Gay are not related as they are on separate water supplies being the Ohio River and Big Sandy River, according to the WVEMD statement.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, said Tuesday that she and her staff were remaining in contact with federal and state agencies regarding the train derailment since it is close to West Virginia's border.

"While there are no drinking water advisories in place as of now, we'll continue to monitor the situation closely," she said.

Capito commented about the situation on social media after the derailment was reported. She said that she was grateful to first responders in Ohio and Pennsylvania as well as West Virginia, and would work with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) "to get the bottom of why this happened and work to prevent future accidents like it."

Capito also thanked members of the West Virginia National Guard who assisted efforts at the train derailment, and she said that she had spoken with the CEO of Norfolk Southern Railroad to get an update about the situation.

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
The Kentucky Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block two abortion restrictions in the state, denying a request from abortion rights groups and clinics that sued to be allowed to continue operating while legal challenges play out.

In this lawsuit, the providers sought to block a trigger abortion ban passed into law in 2019 that became enforceable after the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and a six-week heartbeat ban that was previously blocked by a federal court.

A circuit court judge previously entered a temporary injunction, which was stayed by the appeals court. The state Supreme Court declined to reinstate the injunction.

In her opinion, Justice Debra Lambert wrote that the clinics did not have standing to challenge the statutes on behalf of their patients. They do have constitutional standing to challenge the trigger ban on their own behalf, she wrote.

Lambert left the door open for patients to sue on their own behalf, and noted there is still an open question about whether the right to abortion exists by implication under the Kentucky Constitution.

This opinion does not in any way determine whether the Kentucky Constitution protects or does not protect the right to receive an abortion, Lambert wrote for the majority. Nothing in this opinion shall be construed to prevent an appropriate party from filing suit at a later date.

Kentucky voters in November rejected a ballot measure that would have explicitly said there is no constitutional protection for abortion in the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union in Kentucky as well as Planned Parenthood then argued that the abortion bans violated the constitutional right to privacy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kimberly Guilfoyle says she thinks Gavin Newsom will run for president in 2024.

Guilfoyle said her ex-husband has "always wanted to be president of the United States."

Newsom has said on multiple occasions that he has no plans to run for president.

Former Fox News host turned right-wing commentator Kimberly Guilfoyle says she thinks her ex-husband, California Dem. Gov. Gavin Newsom, will run for president in 2024.

Guilfoyle was asked whether she thought Newsom had presidential ambitions during a Wednesday appearance on "The Charlie Kirk Show."

"Do I think? I know he's going to run for president," Guilfoyle said. "He's always wanted to be president of the United States."

Guilfoyle said the presidency is something Newsom "wants very badly."

"I think you're going to see Gavin Newsom versus Donald J. Trump, running against each other for president," Guilfoyle predicted. "Father-in-law and ex-husband!"

As for Newsom's political ambitions, he has said on more than one occasion that he does not plan to run for president.

"I've tried to say 'no, no way' in every way I possibly can," Newsom told FOX 11 Los Angeles journalist Elex Michaelson in July, responding to a question on whether he is planning a 2024 run.

In September, Newsom again emphatically denied that he plans to run in 2024  citing the recall election he faced in California in 2021.

"Not happening, no, no, not at all," Newsom said. "It's humbling. It is sweet. It's a nice thing to be asked. I mean it, and I never trust politicians, so I get why you keep asking."

In November, Newsom said he told President Joe Biden that he will support a 2024 Biden re-election bid.

The Guilfoyle-Newsom feud is heating up

In an old photo from 2004, newly sworn-in San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is seen waving to the crowd as his then-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, looks on. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Guilfoyle and Newsom started feuding publicly this week. This was after Newsom talked about Guilfoyle during an episode of CNN's "The Axe Files" podcast, released on Tuesday.

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Newsom said Guilfoyle was "spending a lot of time in Democratic circles" when they were married.

"She fell prey, I think, to the culture at Fox in a deep way," he said. "She would disagree with that assessment, she would perhaps suggest that she found the light."

Guilfoyle responded to Newsom's comments on "The Charlie Kirk Show" on Wednesday, calling it "absurd" that he would say she was part of a "cult mentality."

"I didn't change, he did," she said of her ex. "He's fallen prey to the left, the radical left, that is pushing him so far to the left that it's unrecognizable."

Guilfoyle and Newsom got married in 2001. They were still together when Newsom became the mayor of San Francisco in 2004. The couple filed for divorce in 2005 after Guilfoyle moved to New York City, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Guilfoyle is now engaged to Donald Trump Jr., former President Donald Trump's oldest son. Newsom has moved on, too  he married documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom in 2008.

Guilfoyle and representatives for Newsom did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former President Trump Holds Rally In Support Of Ohio Senate Candidate JD Vance

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on the eve of Election Day at the Dayton International Airport on November 7, 2022 in Vandalia, Ohio. Credit - Drew AngererGetty Images

A grand jury in Georgia investigating alleged election interference by Donald Trump and his allies concluded that some witnesses may have lied under oath. The grand jurys report, portions of which were released by a Georgia judge on Thursday, recommended that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indict individuals where the evidence is compelling.

Heres what to know

The grand jury was empaneled as part of District Attorney of Fulton Countys investigation into possible criminal interference in the 2020 general election in Georgia. High-profile Republicans that have appeared before the Fulton County grand jury in Atlanta include Rudy Giuliani, Republican Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

The limited release of the report indicates that the grand jury likely has recommended charges to Willis, who is leading the investigation. It will be up to Willis to decide what, if any, charges are brought, and when. Willis said in a court hearing in January that decisions on bringing charges were imminent.

Based on court filings, the investigation is looking at alleged efforts by Trump and his allies like Giuliani to pressure Georgia officials to change the vote tallies in his favor. In a recording of a January 2021 phone call from Trump to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Trump is heard telling Raffensperger to find votes that would reverse Bidens win in the state. Trump lost the state by 11,779 votes.

Willis has also looked into harassment of election workers, false claims of election fraud and efforts by Trump allies to create a slate of fake electors with the intention that those be counted by Congress to overturn Bidens win.

The grand jury found no widespread fraud in the election

After hearing testimony from poll workers, investigators, technical experts and state employees, the grand jury found by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning the election, according to the portion of the report released Thursday by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney.

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The grand jury believes perjury may have been committed

After seven months of hearing testimony, the grand jury expressed concerns that some of the witnesses may have lied under oath and recommended that indictments be sought for crimes with compelling evidence. A majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it. The Grand Jury recommends that the District Attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling, the grand jury wrote.

The introduction and conclusion of the grand jury report that McBurney ordered be made public did not identify any specific witnesses that may have perjured themselves. Those individuals are named in sections of the report that remain sealed. The sealed sections include a roster of who should (or should not) be indicted, and for what, in relation to the conduct (and aftermath) of the 2020 general election in Georgia, McBurney said in his Feb. 13 order to release part of the report. McBurney decided that the grand jurys recommendations of who should be prosecuted should be for the district attorneys eyes onlyfor now in order to preserve fundamental fairness for potential future defendants, McBurney wrote.
After the influential Koch network announced this month that it would endorse a rival candidate to former President Donald Trump, donors aligned with Mike Pence privately reached out in hopes of securing its backing.

The push from donors to Americans for Prosperity  the advocacy arm founded by the billionaire industrialists Charles G. Koch and the late David H. Koch  was straightforward. According to two people familiar with the ad-hoc conversations, the donors stressed that the former vice president was best aligned with the libertarian worldview that the brothers have supported in the past. Pence has a relationship with the group that spans more than a decade. It was also not lost on anyone that many top Pence aides emerged from the Koch network and seemed poised to help run a presidential campaign when one is announced.

Despite those ties, however, the Koch network is, so far, content to keep its powder dry, looking to survey the field before deciding how to shape it.

Art Pope, the former chair of Americans for Prosperity and a Raleigh, N.C.-based Republican donor, said that the decision by the group to endorse a Trump rival was not intended to benefit one particular candidate at this time. Instead, he said, the goal was to find the best candidate, and more importantly, to be the best president of the United States on the issues that Americans for Prosperity champions.

Pope, who attended the weekend Koch confab earlier this month in Palm Springs, Calif., said he personally believed Pence was the best one that meets those criteria. But he said that the organization will go through an open process to choose a candidate.

A spokesman for the network declined to comment, referring POLITICO to the memo. But according to two Republican consultants close to the network, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal politics, whether Pence will be the Koch candidate remains an open question.

The efforts by Pence donors to secure the Koch networks backing underscores both the degree to which the 2024 cycles shadow primary is raging and the hurdles the former VP faces as he prepares to jump into a potentially crowded field. Few prospective 2024 Republican candidates can boast closer ties to the Koch network than Pence, which could make an inability to secure its support a setback for him and other candidates who have maintained close ties.



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If the vice president were to decide to run, he would welcome the support of organizations like the Koch network that are ideologically aligned with him on issues such as taxes, freedom of speech, and personal liberties, a Pence adviser said.

But Pence is no longer the one of the most visible paragons of the conservative movement. Instead, he finds himself among a crowded field of the philosophically like-minded. And as the Koch network weighs which non-Trump candidate to endorse and bestow its resources upon, it has a bevy of potential options.

Though Pence has support among some Koch factions, others inside the network favor candidates ranging from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to Wichita, Kan.s own Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state who hails from the same town where the Koch oil-and-gas conglomerate is headquartered, and who received their backing during his congressional campaigns. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also said to enjoy a wellspring of good will among Koch-aligned donors.

I don't know if [the decision to endorse] totally helps [Pence], a national Republican consultant familiar with the Koch network, granted anonymity to discuss their knowledge of political deliberations. I don't think it helps one person. I think its going to be very difficult for Pence to win. I think it helps everyone who is not Trump. This person added: Don't forget theres a guy named Mike Pompeo who is very close to the Kochs and is from Wichita. Theres not one lead dog right now.

The efforts by Pence donors to secure the Koch networks backing underscores the degree to which the 2024 cycles shadow primary is raging and the hurdles the former VP faces as he prepares to jump into a potentially crowded field.



For more than a decade, Pence has cultivated a deep relationship with the Kansas-based, free-market networkone that spans longer than almost any other potential Republican candidate. Among likely contenders, Pence is the only one who spoke at the Koch-backed Tea Party rally on the National Mall on Sept. 12, 2009, a scene he relays in his political memoir So Help Me God.

As Indiana governor, Pence pushed for the kind of tax cuts favored by the network. He went on to employ staffers connected to the Koch world, including his top adviser Marc Short, who left the Kochs Freedom Partners group where he was president to work on the Marco Rubio presidential campaign. Short still maintains close ties to the network.

In his 2012 gubernatorial bid, Pence received $200,000 in contributions from billionaire David Koch and another $5,000 from Koch Industries. As vice president, Pence huddled with Koch donors in Manhattan in 2018 ahead of that years midterm cycle to help them plot strategy.

During the 2016 cycle, before Pence opted against a presidential bid that year in favor of defending his gubernatorial seat, the Koch network had all but anointed him as their favored candidate. Last year, Pence headlined an event for Americans for Prosperity during which he rolled back the price of gas to $2.38 at a Hobart, Ind. gas station.

Pence has been hopscotching the country on his book tour in recent weeks, including a stop earlier this week in Houston, Texas, in advance of a possible presidential campaign  one that if it happens is likely still months away, according to an adviser. He is also embroiled in a classified documents scandal and has been subpoenaed by a grand jury in connection with Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation of former President Donald Trumps push to overturn the 2020 election.



But there is a sense within GOP circles that avenues exist for a Trump opponent to secure the partys presidential nomination. And thats partly because some of the main donor networks and advocacy arms, like the Kochs, have expressed interest in moving on from the 45th president.

Theyre going to prioritize the candidate who values free markets, free speech, and free trade, said Ken Spain, a partner at Narrative Strategies who led corporate communications at Koch Industries. The Koch network has typically supported candidates that reflect their worldview. Trump was the antithesis of that.



Spain pointed to Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott as possible winners of the Koch primary. In recent years, Charles Koch has expressed interest in criminal justice and policing reform, a move that some Republicans believe could point them to Scott, who is making calls about a potential presidential campaign and is leading the charge in the GOP Senate on police reform measures. Scott has done several events with Koch-related endeavors, but a person close to him said he wasnt aware of any recent backchannel efforts between Americans for Prosperity and the senator regarding a 2024 bid.

Pence and Scott have cleared the bar with the network in the past, Spain said. They align from a free market and free speech standpoint. The question is: Where does the network stand today and could they get behind [Ron] DeSantis brand of conservatism?

Winning the Koch networks nod would be a boon for any candidate: A spokesperson said the networks imprimatur would include massive grassroots infrastructure, highly targeted door-knocking, phone calls, mail and advertising generated by their vaunted data operation i360. The network spent almost $500 million backing candidates and free-market causes during 2020, and nearly $80 million in the 2022 midterms. Thats not to mention the brick-and-mortar operations in 36 states..

The emerging Koch primary and Pence's uncertain standing despite years of loyalty and ideological alignment points to the network's shifting priorities and a realpolitik desire to back a candidate who can win a Republican primary. As Americans for Prosperity Action CEO Emily Seidel wrote in a memo, the group is prepared to support a candidate in the Republican presidential primary who can lead our country forward, and who can win.

Natalie Allison contributed to this report
[Source]

A number of wartime forced labor victims continue to condemn South Korean officials plan to provide compensation through a domestic fund rather than seeking reparations from Japan.

The victims, who have been critical of the government since it revealed a compensation plan last month, now accuse officials of rushing the process to ease diplomatic concerns with Japan amid tense political relations between the two countries.

The compensation plan was initially released by Seouls Foreign Ministry earlier this year and laid out plans to pay victims with contributions made by South Korean companies. The announcement sparked immediate outrage from the victims, who demanded that reparations be paid by the Japanese corporations that forced them to work.

This latest development comes after years of legal battles involving South Korean victims, who have sought compensation for their forced labor during Japanese colonial rule over 70 years ago.

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In a 2018 landmark decision, South Koreas Supreme Court ordered two Japanese corporations, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, to pay each victim between 100-150 million won (approximately $78,000-$116,000).

However, both companies have refused to comply with the courts orders, and the plaintiffs have yet to receive any form of reparations.

Relations between the two nations have remained strained since the 2018 ruling. Japan has contended that a 1965 agreement between Tokyo and Seoul settled the matter of forced labor compensation. The agreement saw a payment of around $500 million in grants and loans.

More from NextShark: Anti-Asian hate bills unanimously passed in California now await Gov. Newsom's approval

The recent move by South Korean government officials to raise funds through a domestic foundation has prompted some of the victims legal representatives to speak on the matter.

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Attorney Lim Jae-sung, who represents several of the victims and has previously spoken against the governments actions, continued to criticize South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his office for expediting the compensation process in an attempt to normalize relations with Japan.

Lim said that lawyers for the victims will continue to fight against any domestic payouts on behalf of the Japanese firms on grounds of invalidity.

More from NextShark: SM Entertainment CFO warns HYBEs hostile takeover will hurt K-pop fans

He also added that any payment must include an apology to the victims and their families, citing a similar case where a Japanese firm, Nishimatsu Construction, issued an apology and agreed to a settlement involving five Chinese forced laborers.

Yang Geum-deok, who was forced to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the age of 14, said she will not accept money without an apology.

I worked my butt off there but came home without receiving a penny or any apology, she said. I want an apology before I die.

More from NextShark: Asian Democrats form multi-million-dollar super PAC to engage and win over AAPI voters
Passengers wait to check in for the first direct flight between Shanghai and Athens at Athens International Airport, Greece, on Dec. 22, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

China resumed regular passenger flights with 58 countries last week after the country removed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights from Jan. 8, 2023.



During the week from Feb. 6 to 12, some 98 domestic and overseas airlines operated 795 flights, up 65% from the week from Jan. 2 to 8, Shang Kejia, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told a press conference on Thursday.

The number of countries handling flights to or from China and airlines operating these flights resumed to 64% and 80%, respectively, of the level in the same period of 2019.

Shang said the domestic air transport market would continue to see rapid expansion, and the flight amount is likely to equal and even exceed the pre-epidemic level.

Shang also expected the number of international flights to increase further, driven by the gradual resumption of demand for international business, tourism, and education.
Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, said that the Kremlin is hatching a plan "B" after the failure to capture all of Ukraine, proposals for which will be prepared by Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician whose daughter's godfather is Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Source: Danilov in the interview with BBC

Quote: "Russia now faces the task of creating the so-called Korean option. The Kremlin has realised that they cannot completely seize our country, and they will now make a plan B when they will make the so-called Second Ukraine'."

Details: The Secretary of the National Security Council said that the plan was proposed by Medvedchuk himself. "Medvedchuk was the one to bring that mad plan there. Medvedchuk believes that he is an expert on Ukraine, but he is not, he is just a traitor," Danilov explained.

According to Danilov, Medvedchuk, together with pro-Russian "experts" from the banned pro-Russian Opposition Platform  For Life political party, will "give a proposal for the creation of two countries".

Russia's goal, in his opinion, is to do everything in the near future to completely occupy Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts along with the land corridor to Crimea, and then implement this idea of dividing Ukraine.

He added that the "idea of two countries" is also being dealt with by the people who prepared the Budapest Memorandum of 1994. "They picked them up, shook the dust off of them. Yanukovych's people are also dealing with this issue. They are the ones behind the scenes who are pulling the strings," Danilov emphasised.

Background:

In January, Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission, opined that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the same position as Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in 1943, when he had already lost the war, but it was far from over.

On 13 February, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said that Putin is starting new offensive actions instead of preparing for peace in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukraine and the Russian Federation carried out another exchange of prisoners of war on 16 February, as a result of which 100 military personnel and one civilian were brought home to the territory of Ukraine and 101 servicemen were transferred to Russia.

Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation; Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

Quote: "We continue to release Ukrainians from captivity. Today, 100 of our soldiers and one civilian are going home. Among the freed soldiers are National Guardsmen, border guards, and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 94 of them are defenders of Mariupol, including 63 soldiers from Azovstal [steel plant  ed.]. Their relatives have been waiting for them for so long.

Many of the heroes received injuries of varying degrees of severity.

We continue to work, thanks to the team and the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. We will bring everyone home."

Details: The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that the released civilian is Ivan Samoidiuk, the first deputy mayor of Enerhodar.

Quote: "He did not break down, refused to cooperate with the enemy, and was abducted by the occupiers on 19 March last year, at a checkpoint near Blahovishchenka. After 333 days of captivity, he is coming back to his family and friends," the headquarters clarified.

Details: There are many wounded among the freed soldiers. The majority of them are defenders of Mariupol. There are also Ukrainian defenders from Kherson and Kyiv fronts. Among others, 63 defenders of Azovstal and defenders of Bucha, Kherson, and Lyman were brought home.

46 servicemen belong to the Naval Forces, 29 to the State Border Guard Service, 12 to the National Guard, eight more to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and five to the ranks of the Territorial Defence. This time, all those released as a result of the exchange are privates and sergeants.

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Quote from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: "Today, on 16 February, 101 Russian servicemen who were in mortal danger in captivity were brought home from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime as a result of the negotiation process."

Details: The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reports that the servicemen, who have been exchanged, will be transported to Moscow by the Russian Air Force's military transport aircraft for treatment and rehabilitation. They are already receiving medical and psychological assistance.

The Ukrainian side reported on the exchange right after the Russian one.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A Mexican hotdog street vendor in California alleges he was harassed by a group of young women.

A fragment of the incident was filmed and posted on TikTok three days ago by a student at California State University, San Marcos, a university spokesperson told NBC News on Wednesday.

The now viral video shows four young women lined up across from the grill that the vendor, Andres Arguelles Alvarez, was using. In the video, it shows one woman berating him for charging $7 for a hotdog at his stand near Viejas Arena at San Diego State University. Arguelles Alvarez then asked them to leave, but they refused. Instead, two of the women started grabbing and throwing the food Arguelles Alvarez was grilling, causing him to become more visibly upset.

Andres Arguelles Alvarez. (Telemundo)

They grabbed my bacon with their hand, all my vegetables, everything I use, Arguelles Alvarez told Noticias Telemundo in Spanish. People realized all the dirty things they were doing and it disgusted them. They no longer wanted to buy more.

A witness, Morgan McBrearty, told NBC News that when she approached the cart to buy food, the young women were already there harassing Andres. McBrearty then decided to step in to defend Arguelles Alvarez after I repeatedly heard and saw them talking to him in rude and condescending tones and grabbing food off his cart, she said. By the time McBrearty left the stand, the girls were still continuing to harass the vendor, she said.

The student who recorded and posted the video on TikTok said in subsequent social media posts that she doesnt know the young women who appear in the video and explained why she didnt intervene.

"I much rather show how these girls go out in public and act than get myself involved," the student said.

The TikTok video of the incident has already amassed more than 2 million views as of Wednesday.

The student known on TikTok as @rileykaufman9 said in another video that Arguelles Alvarez sells hot dogs in the same spot every weekend. The student also said he "did nothing to provoke this. It was just the girls coming into it angry and drunk and ready to start something.

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"The hotdog vendor is also the sweetest man," the student added.

The Cal State San Marcos spokesperson said that a current student and a former student were among the four women seen harassing the vendor in the video.

In a statement to NBC News, the university called the young women's behavior "disrespectful and antithetical." As a result, the school's dean of students "is currently reviewing all available information."

"If applicable, we plan to pursue any violations of our student code of conduct, the university said.

Cal State San Marcos declined to name the students involved.

In Arguelles Alvarez's view, "they realized that I was Mexican, that I didn't speak English very well, and they thought, 'Ah, we can attack him.'"

Attempts to identify and contact the young women in the video were unsuccessful.

The video of the incident has sparked outrage among social media users, causing many to repost modified versions of the original TikTok video in other online platforms.

A street vendor activist in California reposted versions of the video on Instagram and also posted another video of what he alleged was additional footage of the incident that wasn't included in the original viral TikTok video. The activist told NBC News he obtained the additional footage from Arguelles Alvarez, who got it from the student who recorded and posted the original TikTok video.

In his videos, like many others on social media, the activist claimed the women in the videos attended San Diego State University, causing the university to receive a flurry of messages about the incident.

San Diego State issued a statement Tuesday saying: None of the individuals in the video are confirmed to be SDSU students. Further, while individual names have been shared online, at least one SDSU student and a student organization tagged by social media accounts reported being misidentified and not present in the video, and none of the remaining names shared are SDSU.

"As there were individuals in the video incorrectly identified, we caution all to rely on accurate sources of information," the university added.

The harassment Arguelles Alvarez endured comes as parts of California have had a rise in crimes and attacks against street vendors.

Los Angeles County is home to roughly 10,000 street vendors, most of whom are Latino. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, robberies targeting street vendors doubled last year, NBC Los Angeles reported. Other recorded attacks against street vendors have also been going viral as a movement to provide them more protection picks up speed.

"Like me, I know that there are thousands of people who live this every day," Arguelles Alvarez said in Spanish.

Update: A witness account was added to this article after publication. A quote attributed to a video of the incident was removed because it was unclear.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Lawmakers discussed potential foreign policy changes to counter the fentanyl crisis during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, emphasizing the need to crack down on Chinese and Mexican officials to stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), most of the fentanyl trafficked into the U.S. is produced in illicit labs in Mexico using chemicals from China.

We need to use every foreign policy tool we have to stop the flow of fentanyl into our country. This means asking Mexico to do more to disrupt criminal organizations from producing and trafficking fentanyl, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the committee chair, said.

Bob Menendez

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on Sept. 20, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 100,000 people in the U.S. died of drug poisonings or overdoses in the 12-month period ending in January 2022. Of those deaths, 67 percent involved fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.

The DEA has pinpointed the sources of the vast majority of fentanyl coming into the U.S. as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, both from Mexico, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said.

After receiving chemicals from China, according to Milgram, cartels mass produce fentanyl powder, then press the powder into fake prescription pills, often selling it on social media in the U.S.

We are now seizing fentanyl in all 50 states and it is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, Milgram said. For all these reasons, our top operational priority right now is to defeat these two cartels.

Many Republican senators blamed the fentanyl trafficking on the Biden administration for not taking more action to stop immigration at the southern border.

Mexican cartels leverage their drug trafficking profits to acquire sophisticated weapons, corrupt officials, challenge the authority of the Mexican state and commit terrible atrocities, the committees ranking member, Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), said. The same cartels are profiting from and prolonging the illegal migration crisis caused by the Biden administrations weak enforcement of border security and immigration controls.

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Todd Robinson, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said the Biden administration and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are prepared to bring the full power of American diplomacy to this challenge.

Robinson said that regulations should be comprehensive, as synthetic drugs like fentanyl can be produced anywhere using completely legal chemicals and equipment.

We hope Mexico will invest more in combating the synthetic drug threat from prevention, treatment and recovery to the investigations and prosecutions, Robinson said. The United States remains committed to meaningful counter-narcotics cooperation with the [Peoples Republic of China], despite the PRCs limited willingness to engage on the issue of late.

Biden addressed the fentanyl crisis in his State of the Union address last week, pledging to launch more penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking, work with couriers to inspect packages for drugs and put more drug detection machines at the border.

During the hearing, Menendez expressed his concerns about lacking cooperation from Mexican officials.

I dont know how many more lives have to be lost for Mexico to get engaged, he said.

Menendez and other lawmakers said that expanding sanctions on China could be an option to force cooperation in combating synthetic opioid trafficking.

If China is complicit in supplying fentanyl that comes to the United States, then we need to consider an appropriate sanctions regime, Risch said. Chinas complacency could have dire consequences for the future of its nation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Then-mayoral candidate Kevin De Leon, with state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, talks with campaign volunteers at his campaign headquarters in Los Angeles in 2022. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the City Council all seem to agree that Los Angeles needs independent redistricting.

But the question that drove a fiery and at times acidic debate Wednesday was whether reform should be driven by the state Legislature, or through a parallel local effort already in the works.

The sparring came as the council considered opposing a proposed state law introduced by state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) and a coalition of L.A.-area lawmakers that could force the city to establish an independent redistricting commission.

The council ultimately voted 11 to 2 to formally oppose the bill, with Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Kevin de Leon registering the only "no" votes.

At face value, the disagreement in chambers centered on legitimacy: Was state intervention the only way to avoid creating a process that could be manipulated by the council, as Rodriguez suggested? Or would ceding power to a meddling state Legislature on the eve of local reform be an abdication of responsibility, as Council President Paul Krekorian argued?

But the discussion also appeared to reopen deep wounds, puncturing the veneer of normalcy reestablished in the months since an incendiary leaked audio recording upended City Hall last fall.

"You truly have no shame, Kevin de Leon," Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez chided his colleague after De Leon spoke in support of the bill. "I mean to come here and speak on this subject  the very subject that you had your hands in  is beyond me. Is this a Hollywood movie that I'm watching right now?"

The recording  which The Times first reported on in October  revealed City Council members and a prominent labor leader jockeying for favorable districts for themselves and their allies during a 2021 conversation peppered with racist and derogatory comments. Of those present during the recording, only De Leon still holds his position.

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson tweeted a single word in all capital letters while De Leon was talking: "GALL."

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After Soto-Martinez accused his colleague of being shameless several more times in both English and Spanish, De Leon returned to the microphone, saying he wanted to "address the elephant in the room" and forcefully pushing back on "unfounded accusations" that the city's redistricting process "was tainted or biased."

De Leon pointed out that the council, during the redistricting process, made only minor changes to the districts represented by Black council members.

The population of the 8th District, which is represented by Harris-Dawson, was altered by less than half of 1%, he said.

The 10th District, currently represented by Councilmember Heather Hutt, was redrawn to ensure that it took in all, not a portion, of the Koreatown and Little Ethiopia communities  but also was largely unchanged, he said.

Those changes empowered communities of color, De Leon said, following years of complaints that Koreatown has been divided among several council districts.

"Know what you say, my friend, before you say you it," De Leon told Soto-Martinez. "Deal with the facts, not with the narratives or the political propaganda agenda."

The city-led effort to create an independent redistricting commission is currently in the citys Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform, where the complexities of what a truly independent commission should look like are being hashed out.

Reforming the citys redistricting process requires a public City Charter amendment vote, so action by the City Council would put a charter amendment on the ballot for voters to consider.

In her support for the state bill, Rodriguez accused her colleagues of trying to "slow walk" the move to independent redistricting  an assertion Krekorian vigorously denied.

"This charter reform will be on the 2024 ballot, period," Krekorian said Wednesday, adding that the product developed by the ad hoc committee will be done in the public eye "with complete input from all stakeholders across the city."

Even if the proposed state law were to pass, its not clear whether the state has the power to dictate reform on the city level or if a charter amendment would still be needed. Such a matter would likely end up in court.

Durazo, the state senator who introduced the bill, sent a stinging rebuke to the council Tuesday, a day ahead of the vote.

"Frankly, how can you perform the task of creating independent redistricting when you continue to allow your self-interest to control your efforts?" Durazo wrote, arguing that council members had been quick to oppose her bill but had yet to move their own process forward.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Comstock / Getty Images

An Oklahoma judge ruled on Monday that a lesbian mother is legally no longer her sons parent  instead awarding parental rights to her ex-wife and their sperm donor.

The case is causing alarm among LGBTQ advocates in Oklahoma, who fear it could set the stage for similar proceedings across the state. Its also raising questions about how courts might chip away at marriage equality protections that had seemingly already been settled by the Supreme Court; an attorney for the woman told BuzzFeed News they plan to appeal the ruling as unconstitutional.

In summer 2019, Kris Williams married Rebekah Wilson. The couple had long talked about having a child together, according to an article Wilson wrote in 2021. Two months after their marriage, Wilson gave birth to a son whom she had through a sperm donor she found on a paternity website.

Williams and Wilson were listed as the boys mothers on his birth certificate, and they divorced in 2021. Wilson then moved in with the donor, Harlan Vaughn, and took the boy with her, accusing Williams of domestic abuse and harassment. (Williamss attorney told BuzzFeed News she hasnt been able to share her side of the story but did not immediately provide details.) In January 2022, Vaughn filed for paternity, prompting the court to get involved in determining the toddlers legal parents.

On Monday, Oklahoma County District Judge Lynne McGuire stripped parental rights from Williams and awarded them to Vaughn, the donor.

The judge said that because Williams did not officially adopt the boy, nor did she carry the pregnancy, she could not establish a motherchild relationship under current Oklahoma law. The judge added that Williams was aware she would need to pursue adoption to secure parental rights.

While Williams was able to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she acted in a parental role during her marriage, there was no evidence presented regarding the length of time it would take to establish a meaningful emotional relationship with the child, the judge wrote in the ruling . The reality is that the law provides a legal remedy to those seeking parental rights. There was a legal remedy available to Williams. She knowingly chose not to pursue it.

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In general, married couples who have children in wedlock  whether they are same-sex or heterosexual  are legally presumed to be the parents. But the Oklahoma judge said that the states 2014 parentage act preceded marriage equality, which the Supreme Court extended nationally in 2015.

Williams believes the question of her parental rights wouldnt be a question if she wasnt a lesbian.

I dont feel like we should have to adopt our own children, Williams told the 19th . If I was a man, then nobody could come back and you know, question whether that child was mine or not, after theyre the age of 2.

Today, Oklahoma presents a hostile legal and social landscape for LGBTQ people: The Republican-controlled Legislature has introduced over three dozen anti-LGBTQ bills, prompting scores of queer families to leave the state.

Williamss lawyer Robyn Hopkins told BuzzFeed News they can successfully appeal because of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling on Pavan v. Smith, which found that its unconstitutional to discriminate against same-sex couples when determining a childs legal parents.

How [the judge] gets around that, your guess is as good as mine, Hopkins said. Well have to take it up to the Supreme Court for them to tell us to follow the Constitution.

Hopkins pushed back against the argument that Williams should have adopted the son. They said that many advocates have pushed for second parent adoptions as a way to preserve parental rights for nonbiological parents, but that strategy can present challenges for queer families  and not only when couples get divorced or separate.

What happens when youre in the middle of an adoption, but the two of you decide to separate? You have to be happily married, because you need the birth mother to consent to the adoption, they said. But also, what happens if you cant afford an adoption or dont know how to do it or if you dont believe in marriage? Theres tons of straight people out there that do paternity cases, and theyre not married.

Hopkins noted that Williamss case was highlighted as part of a recent report from Human Rights Watch that examines violence against lesbian, bisexual, and nonbinary people.

We are all just under attack over here, Hopkins said about the current anti-LGBTQ climate in Oklahoma.

Williamss case is not the first time that lesbians have lost parental rights due to a lack of recognition of same-sex couples in the eyes of the law. In the 1990s, a lesbian couple, Sandra Russo and Robin Young, lost a four-year legal battle with their sperm donor, who was eventually awarded parental rights over their child.

Though the Supreme Court ruled in Pavan that same-sex married couples should be the presumed parents of children born in wedlock, lawyers say Williamss case could have frightening implications for LGBTQ couples in Oklahoma  and the rest of the country.

The concern is if Kris loses, thats going to set some pretty bad precedent in the state of Oklahoma, and possibly beyond, Hanna Roberts, an ACLU attorney, told the 19th in May last year. I think that this is just the first time that there has been such an adverse ruling that is so contrary to equal protection.

More on this
A student kneels at a makeshift memorial to the three students killed Monday at Michigan State University. (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

To the editor: Because I'm a graduate of Michigan State University, the mass shooting there drew my serious attention. Sadly, however, perhaps because these events are so routine  and because this tragedy was out of state and "only" a few were killed  The Times did not even publish its first print-edition report on the shooting until Page A4.

Before we become more hardened against such atrocities, lets consider some solutions for at least ameliorating the danger of gun violence.

Guns kill people, but so do automobiles. Nevertheless, we regulate the use and operation of cars. We should treat gun ownership and gun usage in a way similar to automobile ownership and usage.

Rules for automobile usage haven't eliminated traffic accidents, but they have surely reduced the number of them. Remember all the hullabaloo about seat belts?

We all still have our cars, and we can keep our guns too with some common-sense accountability measures.

Terry Nafisi, Pasadena

..

To the editor: When the shooting began at Michigan State, the university sent out a message to students that, in part, told them to "run, hide and fight."

It breaks my heart that our country has left our children to fend for themselves when it comes to staying safe from gun violence.

Run? Hide? Fight? Is that the best we can do for our children? I pray the answer to that question is something other than no.

Barbra McLendon, South Pasadena

..

To the editor: Many reports on the Michigan State mass shooting contain the quote from the campus's deputy police chief, "We have absolutely no idea what the motive was."

The American public has been seduced by the argument that ascribing motives can somehow lead to figuring out how to prevent future slaughters.

With more than 300 million people in this country, there could be thousands of reasons motivating shooters. There is no practical way to evaluate the mental health of Americans to predict which person is likely to commit such atrocities.

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The sole common thread among all these bloodbaths is the presence of a gun, often a semiautomatic weapon of war. Ban the guns, and the slaughter will end.

Noel Johnson, Glendale

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Top Talent Pass Scheme, launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and implemented with effect from Dec. 28, 2022, has received more than 10,000 applications seven weeks after its launch.

Chris Sun, secretary for labor and welfare of the HKSAR government, told the media on Wednesday that about 8,400 applications had been processed, among which some 7,700 had already been approved.

Most of the applications came from young people, with those aged under 30 years old accounting for half, and about 97 percent of the total were 50 years old or younger, Sun said.

He added that half of all applicants came from graduates of the world's top 100 universities with at least three years of work experience over the past five years, and one-sixth of the applicants have an annual income of 2.5 million Hong Kong dollars (about 318,530 U.S. dollars) or more.

The Top Talent Pass Scheme seeks to attract top talents with rich work experience and good academic qualifications from all over the world to explore opportunities in Hong Kong.

These top talents include high-income talents and graduates from the world's top universities.
Hodges warns against making deals with Russians

Read also: Russia loses half of its modern tank fleet in Ukraine

He noted that the Russian Black Sea Fleet is capable of interrupting or blocking maritime trade traffic from Odesa. And when it comes to security, Crimea is already a launch pad for Russian aircraft.

Mariupol or the liberated ports will never be able to recover and become functional as long as Russia controls access to the sea, said Hodges.

And we know that they (Russia) will never keep a single agreement.

He added that potential negotiations on the status of Crimea are a Russian trap.

If Ukraine agrees or is pressured to give up Crimea as part of the negotiations, the Russians will simply wait for a couple of years until we (the allies) lose interest, and then launch a new offensive, Hodges said.

Read also: EU prepares to sanction Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers

So, I believe that Crimea for this reason is a decisive platform. When Ukraine liberates Crimea, Donbas will follow."

Read also: Russia illegally detains 181 Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea

He also stressed that for the long-term protection of its sovereignty, Ukraine must return all lost territories and join NATO and the EU. At the same time, Russia must be held accountable for the war crimes it committed.

And then, of course, you need a long-term security agreement with Ukraine that will help it to prepare for any future Russian attack, and make it able to deter it, the retired general concluded.

Read also: Explosions heard in Armyansk in northern Crimea  photo and video reports

Previously, Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung wrote that CIA chief William Burns made a secret trip to Moscow in January. He reportedly offered Russian dictator Vladimir Putin a fifth of the territory of Ukraine to end the war. U.S. officials have subsequently contested the accuracy of the report.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Lil Duval

Lil Duval is in hot water  again.

The rapper is facing backlash after alleged old tweets about his daughters sexual activity resurfaced on social media, HipHopDX reported.

The tweets, some of which Pop Crave shared, allegedly see Duval talking about how he would treat his daughter when shes on her period.

Lil Duval faces backlash after disturbing tweets about daughter resurface. pic.twitter.com/gTSablCiOo  Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 16, 2023

The post Lil Duval Under Fire After Problematic Tweets Referencing His Daughter Resurface appeared first on Blavity.

Whenever my daughter period starts thats when Im gonna be the first dude to dog her out, he allegedly wrote in a 2012 tweet.

So most of yall saying yall started thinking about sex at 11 or 12. Ok cool my daughter moving in with me at 10, another tweet reads.

Be real fellas if u f**ked a girl and she has a daughter that u seen grow up would u f**k her when she grew up? read another tweet later in 2012.

In one particularly alarming tweet from 2010, the 45-year-old allegedly asked Justin Bieber, who was 15 at the time, to sexually assault both him and his daughter.

#justinbieberpossessedfan hey justin could u please r**e me and my daughter then hit me wit a bat if I get out of line.

He later said:

hold on yall im not talking bout my daughter im talking bout thats what a justin bieber fan would say. #stopreaching  lil duval (@lilduval) August 1, 2010

Social media users are not happy with the actor and comedian.

Theres nothing Lil Duval could say thatll explain why he made those tweets, one said.

Theres nothing Lil Duval could say thatll explain why he made those tweets   LeBrons other wife  (@__jeffane) February 16, 2023

He should be faced with charges not backlash, another tweeted, with many in agreement.

Story continues

he should be faced with charges not backlash   riv (@rivnxm) February 16, 2023

Others pointed out that this isnt the first time Duval has made problematic comments. Hes made fun of trans women on more than one occasion. In 2017, he said if he learned of a trans womans gender identity while they were intimate, he would kill her, Blavity previously reported. Many celebrities, like Janet Mock, spoke out after the incident, which sparked a boycott against The Breakfast Club.

Last summer, Duval shared homophobic comments against Starz series P-Valley, Complex reported.

Yea p valley lost me. They need a super gay advisory on movies like they got for everything else. Cuz Thats a lot to see if u not use to it, he wrote.

Yea p valley lost me. They need a super gay advisory on movies like they got for everything else. Cuz Thats a lot to see if u not use to it  lil duval (@lilduval) June 29, 2022

Patrik-Ian Polk, a writer and co-executive producer of the show, clapped back and urged Duval to change the channel.

As a writer and producer of P Valley, specifically a writer of this episode, I encourage you to step away from Chucalissa. This show is not for you. Go watch something else. Cuz the gay aint goin nowhere, he said.

Earlier this month, Duval rubbed folks the wrong way when he claimed most of his fellow lyricists care more about podcasts than writing good music.

Seem like hip hop has become more about podcasting instead of music, he tweeted.

Seem like hip hop has become more about podcasting instead of music now  lil duval (@lilduval) February 2, 2023

He also virtually tussled with GloRilla in 2022, which was inspired by a joke he made about no one in their 20s should be named Gloria, which is the comedians legal name.

Duval has yet to address the recent backlash.
Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD) Full Year 2022 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$28.2b (up 24% from FY 2021).

Net income: US$1.25b (up 18% from FY 2021).

Profit margin: 4.4% (down from 4.6% in FY 2021). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: US$44.21 (up from US$36.79 in FY 2021).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Lithia Motors EPS Misses Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 3.7%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 14% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 5.6% growth forecast for the Specialty Retail industry in the US.

Performance of the American Specialty Retail industry.

The company's shares are down 6.1% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

You should learn about the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Lithia Motors.

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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The Little Mermaid

Just 100 days shy of its release, Rob Marshalls The Little Mermaid has revealed the first glimpse of Melissa McCarthy as the films iconic Disney villain Ursula.

Actress Halle Bailey released the latest look at the Walt Disney Studios live-action adaptation; she stars as Ariel, the fairy tale heroine whose popularity in 1989's The Little Mermaid helped usher in the Disney Renaissance era in animation. With hit songs by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the original film brought more modern musical elements to the studios animated films and was the first of the 90s era Disney Princess role models with Ariel (originally voiced by Jodie Benson).

Read more

And now, following in Bensons footsteps, is Bailey; you can hear her ethereal and gorgeous take on Part of Your World highlighted in the teaser below:



The Little Mermaid | Wish

With that orchestral arrangement of Ariels I want song over the footage of her sisters, who we get a quick glimpse of, and that tease of Kiss the Girl, I cant wait to see more. And hear more, since weve yet to experience Encantos Lin Manuel Mirandas musical additions.

And the teaser goes beyond just Ariel and her palsit also features a quick look at Melissa McCarthy as the baddest sea witch, her tentacles coiled around her while giving us poor unfortunate souls a mere taste of Ursula. Shes got the Divine-inspired eyeshadow in what appears to be a straight out of the animated film look. The cackle that caps the teaser is intriguinggiving us hope she can pull it offbut Im not entirely sold just yet. What do you think?

Ursula first look

The Little Mermaid opens in theaters May 26.





Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Story continues

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Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Ryan Seacrest, second from left, will be replaced by Mark Consuelos, right, as Kelly Ripa's "Live" co-host. (Lorenzo Bevilaqua / ABC via AP; Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP)

Goodbye, "Live With Kelly and Ryan." Hello, "Live With Kelly and Mark."

Ryan Seacrest announced Thursday that he will be leaving "Live" after co-hosting the morning talk show alongside Kelly Ripa for six years. The longtime "American Idol" host and radio personality will be replaced by Ripa's husband, actor Mark Consuelos.

"Im going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share. When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season," Seacrest wrote on Instagram, where he shared a carousel of photos of him and Ripa goofing around on the set of "Live With Kelly and Ryan."

"Ive been grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers everyday, one of the best parts of the gig."

On her Instagram page, Ripa celebrated the news by sharing a throwback photo of herself, Seacrest and Consuelos dressing up as "I Love Lucy" characters on a Halloween episode of "Live With Kelly and Ryan."

"When your friends become work mates become family," Ripa captioned the pic. "Congratulations @ryanseacrest on surviving six winters in NYC! Im proud of you and am forever in your corner. And @instasuelos welcome home, or to the contractual obligation phase of our relationship."

Consuelos has yet to comment publicly on his new gig.

In his exit statement, Seacrest revealed that he will "be transitioning out of Live this Spring to shoot the 21st season of American idol in LA." He will also continue hosting his radio show on KIIS-FM (102.7), as well as "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve" on ABC. Additionally, the Emmy-winning entertainer said he plans to open "three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios"  where pediatric hospital patients can experiment with radio and TV equipment  in different locations.

"Im looking forward to coming back to guest host ['Live'] in the future and Kelly, I promise to forever share my food photos, chicken eggs, and olive oil with you," Seacrest continued in his farewell message. "And congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room!"

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Seacrest joined "Live" in 2017 after Ripa's "Live With Kelly and Michael" co-host Michael Strahan departed in 2016. Before "Live with Kelly and Michael," Ripa co-hosted "Live With Regis and Kelly" opposite Regis Philbin.

During his "Live" tenure, Seacrest also served as an executive producer on the show.

Despite Ripa's Instagram quip about entering the "contractual obligation phase" of their relationship, this is far from the first time she and Consuelos have worked together. The couple met while co-starring on the soap opera "All My Children" in the 1990s and have since teamed up for several projects via their New York-based production company, Milojo Productions.

Consuelos has also previously guest-hosted multiple episodes of "Live." However, Ripa told Vanity Fair after Philbin retired in 2011 that Consuelos didn't want to become her permanent co-host.

"No one would make me happier than Mark," she said at the time, "but he values our marriage and he says that he doesnt see how we could stay married and both do that show."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WEST PALM BEACH  The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is the first agency in the area to equip its force with body cameras that automatically turn on when deputies draw their weapons and let their supervisors watch the events unfold in real time.

Police-worn body cameras are acclaimed for spotlighting bad behavior, but Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said PBSO's livestreaming ones can help stop it in the act. The sheriff's office outfitted 25 deputies with the cameras Wednesday and will continue rolling them out in 25-deputy increments throughout the year, Bradshaw said Thursday.

In an interview first broadcast by WPTV NewsChannel 5 this month, the sheriff said he expects all 1,600 deputies to have them by fall. Here are five things to know about the Axon Body 3, PBSO's latest high-tech tool.

Crime in real time: How PBSO's new livestreaming body cameras actually work

Read the policy: How the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office plans to use its new body cameras

Police reform: Delray Beach police chief discusses policing following Tyre Nichols case

I have an iPhone. Can I watch the livestream?

No. Only sheriff's office supervisors can, Bradshaw said.

They'll watch either from a laptop or mobile device  anywhere from on the road, to inside the agency's command bus or in their Real Time Crime or Fusion centers, two security hubs used to track threats and monitor crime.

During a press conference at the Sheriff's office substation on Community Drive, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw discusses the departments new body cameras that have the ability to livestream incidents between sheriffs deputies and the public, February 16, 2023.

Supervisors can tap into deputies' livestreams as a critical incident unfolds, or to investigate accusations of misbehavior, Bradshaw said. It's up to the supervisors' discretion, but he said it'll most often be used for "critical incidents." Supervisors will also choose recordings at random to review throughout the month.

Do deputies know when they're being watched?

Yes. Deputies will feel their body cameras vibrate when someone activates the livestream, and an LED indicator light will begin to flash purple. Before supervisors activate the livestream remotely, Bradshaw said they'll ask the deputies to do it themselves.

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Deputies have some control over when their cameras can and cannot begin livestreaming. The tech is engineered to begin broadcasting only if it's already recording, which deputies control with the push of a button. This is to prevent livestreaming during inopportune moments, like bathroom breaks, according to Axon, the camera's Seattle-based maker.

Axon debuted the livestreaming body camera in 2019 with the Cincinnati Police Department, and it's since been adopted by police departments in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.

What does the body camera capture?

It offers a chest-level view from the officer's perspective, filmed in about as high resolution as a standard television. Audio is included, unless the deputy chooses to manually mute it.

The camera begins recording as soon as deputies double-tap the large button in its center, or when they draw their weapons or activate their emergency lights. It also retains the footage from a few moments earlier to provide more context. Agencies can determine the length of this setting  from 30 seconds to two minutes before the camera starts recording, and whether that footage includes sound.

PBSO has chosen to make its cameras capture 30 seconds prior, no sound included.

The Axon Body 3 camera produces a higher-resolution still image, right, than the previous model, left.

Can the public see the footage?

Not immediately. Police chiefs and mayors across the country have made ad hoc decisions to release videos of some high-profile incidents, like the shooting of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, quickly  but this isn't always the case. In Florida, it's up to each law-enforcement agency to decide how long to retain body-camera footage and under what circumstances to release it, depending on whether they believe it has evidentiary value.

Bradshaw said he expects the sheriff's office to be inundated with public records requests once the body cameras hit the streets. Part of the delay in getting the cameras was ensuring he had enough staff to handle the requests, he said. He said he's hopeful the turnaround time for requests will be between three to five days.

"I know how the news media is," Bradshaw said Thursday. "They want it like yesterday, OK? It doesn't work like that."

Video taken inside a person's home or hospital room, and of officers killed while doing their job, are exempt from records requests.

Do body cameras make people behave differently?

The research is mixed. Advocates for body cameras have long championed the tool's tempering effect on police and civilians, but an 18-month study of more than 2,000 police officers in Washington found that officers equipped with cameras used force at about the same rate as those without them.

A review of body-worn camera research by the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University found that cameras haven't had significant or consistent effects on either officer and citizen behavior, or on citizens views of police. Another study in 2016 found that complaints against police dropped 93% in a handful of communities after cameras were introduced.

Some researchers have looked into whether body cameras can hurt police by making them second-guess themselves in situations that warrant decisive force. The research is limited, and so far hasn't found evidence to support the fear.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who watches the watchmen? 5 things to know as PBSO rolls out body cams
FBI shoots down Chinese spy balloon

Four unidentified flying objects have made their way across North American airspace since the end of January, and were subsequently shot down. While the first object was identified as a Chinese-owned surveillance balloon, U.S. lawmakers say they are no closer to discovering the truth behind the other three.

China claimed the first balloon discovered flying into Montana was a weather sensory device that had flown off course, but the debris recovered after it was shot down told a different story. The FBI found the balloon did indeed have weather surveillance equipment, albeit of low quality, but noted that the balloons path had taken it directly over military installations.

Read more

The Chinese government clapped back, accusing the U.S. of sending surveillance balloons into its airspace, but provided no additional details or evidence that it had occurred.

But now lawmakers are confused about three subsequent flying objects that have since been shot down but not recovered. A classified briefing on Tuesday left Senators knowing only one sure thing: the UFOs were not aliens.

Beyond that, were left in the dark, facing an uncertain conclusion to events that seem to come straight out of a sci-fi movie. The Senators responses to the UFOs are less than reassuring and show signs of obvious distress.

Scroll through to see both parties reactions as captured by reporters and posted online.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)

Kennedy said in a statement to reporters: I understand the need for national security secrets, but now that this cow is out of the barn, the president and the director of national intelligence need to address it. They need to explain to the American people if they know, and Im not sure they know if they know, theyre not telling us... what these things are, who put them up there, and do they pose a threat to the American people? And if the answer is no, how do they know that?

Story continues

The only thing I feel confident saying right now is that if you are confused, you understand the situation perfectly.

This has been going on for a long, long time. At least 2017, last week we were told 2019... thats what I took away from it today. So, lock your doors tonight.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Blumenthal told The Hill: The American people should be given more information  they can handle it, and they need and deserve to know. Whether its the president personally  he cant go on national TV every evening. But Congress has an obligation, as well, to inform.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AL)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AL)

Politico reported Murkowski said: The most troublesome aspect is: Whats going on? Where are they coming from? Who is behind them? We get weather balloons, we understand weather balloons. But if its not weather balloons, what are they? Who is sending them? That bothers me.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

NBC News reported Tester said: I think [Biden] ... probably wants to get as much information as he can before he steps in front of the mic would be my guess.



I think he should address people at some point.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Rubio told CBS News: Whats new is that they were shot down, which is extraordinary because weve never shot down any of these things over 65 years of NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command], and over one weekend, we shot down three things. The bigger concern now is what are they and what were they doing here?

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD)

Sen. Mike Rounds (D-SD)

Rounds told Axios: Theyre trying to give us information as best they can, but they dont have a lot of new data yet. Theyre trying to get the data so they can actually give us the information that is supported with hard facts.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO)

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO)

Hawley told Fox News: I came out of that briefing thinking that nothing they said added up. Heres my conclusion: Either theyre lying to us, which is very possible ... or theyre totally and completely incompetent. And maybe its both.

We are not getting straight answers.

They didnt rule anything out other than they dont think they are balloons on the order of the Chinese balloon, [and] they didnt think they were aliens.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)

Axios reported Peters said: I think we still need more information. They dont want to make any definitive statements until theyve actually recovered the debris.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)

Cotton posted on Twitter: The president owes the American people an explanation, direct and on camera, of what we know about these objects and what steps hes taking to protect Americas sovereign airspace. No commander in chief should hide behind press secretaries and anonymous sources in a time of crisis.

John Kirby - National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications

John Kirby

Kirby said at a press briefing: These unidentified aerial phenomena have been reported for many years, without explanation or deep examination by the government.



President Biden has changed all that. We are finally trying to understand them better.

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Click here to read the full article.
A judge's gavel rests on a book of law.

A Logan man was sentenced in federal court Thursday to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a three-year-old child, producing child pornography and possessing thousands of images of child sexual abuse.

Robert Gemienhardt, 37, pleaded guilty last year to child exploitation offenses in the U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio .

Gemienhardt was charged federally in April 2022, along with his significant other, 41-year-old Carrie Daniels, for their child exploitation offenses: two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography.

Daniels also pleaded guilty last year and awaits sentencing.

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip in December from Kik, a messaging app, regarding Gemienhardts online child exploitation activities. The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Hocking County Sheriffs Office began investigating the allegations in February 2022.

Gemienhardt was previously registered as a sex offender in Ohio after he pleaded guilty in 2021 in Franklin County to sexual imposition and was sentenced to probation. The Hocking County Sheriffs Office used the sex offender registry to locate his home in Logan, about 48 miles southeast of Columbus.

Authorities discovered that four minor females, ranging in age from 5 to 17, lived there with Gemienhardt and Daniels, according to court records.

Search warrants executed by the Hocking County Sheriffs Office in conjunction with the FBI led to evidence that Gemienhardt and Daniels had been grooming and sexually abusing the four girls and had produced child pornography, court records indicate.

Authorities found more than 1,000 images and about 350 videos depicting child sexual abuse on Gemienhardts cellphones and computer, according to court documents. Some of those images were made in 2020 and depicted the youngest child in their home, then 3 years old, in sexual acts with Daniels and/or Gemienhardt, court records state.

Story continues

Gemienhardt and Daniels exchanged thousands of text messages describing their sexual fantasies about the minor victims and their plans to act on some of those fantasies, according to court documents.

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Logan man sentenced to 45 years for sexually abusing children
[Source]

A Chinatown restaurant in Los Angeles is asking for support after they received a gas bill exceeding $13,000.

In an interview with NBC4, Judy Chen, the owner of Hop Woo BBQ and Seafood Restaurant on 845 N Broadway, said she might have to close down her family business due to their latest SoCalGas bill.

According to Chen, the restaurant has been in business for over 30 years. Chen has been running the restaurant alone after her husband recently died.

She noted that their usual gas bill is between $5,000 to $6,000.

More from NextShark: Chinese woman sealed in during lockdown dies after pleas ignored

Chens daughter, Mary, has reportedly posted a photo of the restaurants gas bill on social media to ask for help from friends and family. They also hope for more support from the public to help pay it down.

Last month, SoCal Gas reportedly warned its consumers that January bills are likely to be shockingly high due to an unprecedented cold snap across the nation.

Gas companies have been blaming the surge in prices on a volatile wholesale market as consumers across the state see a substantial increase in monthly gas bills.

More from NextShark: FBI Offers $30,000 Reward to Find Vietnamese Suspect in Boston Chinatown Massacre

The utilities company shared programs to help customers struggling with high bills.

The programs, which are eligible to customers depending on their income and the number of people in their household, offer a one-time grant for the amount of a bill  which only applies to bills up to $100  or the option to receive 20% off monthly bills.

More from NextShark: Teen Who Spat On, Threatened Asian Women With Knife for Bringing Corona to Australia is Arrested

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Advocates call for $64.5MM state budget for AAPI after brutal Yonkers attack on elderly Filipino woman
Eight people have been indicted in Gwinnett County after a major human trafficking and gang investigation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Attorney General Chris Carr said the defendants are alleged to have trafficked five female victims, including one minor and recruited other people to join the LOTTO (Last One To Take Over Gang) gang.

The defendants face a range of charges including trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, aggravated assault and kidnapping.

TRENDING STORIES:

Throughout our state, gangs are actively engaged in human trafficking as a primary means to make money, and we are using all available resources to fight back and protect our most vulnerable, said Carr. By combining the strengths of our Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units, we are working to ensure that those who lead, promote, and encourage this unlawful activity are vigorously pursued and held accountable for their actions.

The following defendants were indicted:

Sean Aaron Curry (also known as Jaak), age 33, of Gwinnett County

Sean Patrick Harvey (also known as Shootah), age 35, of Gwinnett County

Eric Duane Johnson (also known as EJ), age 46, of DeKalb County

Jadah Marie Henry, age 20, of Gwinnett County

Tyreek Raysheen Lee (also known as Reek), age 26, of Monroe County

Bobby Jamaine Downing (also known as Kahlil), age 41, of DeKalb County

Hilton Lance Dobbins (also known as Sporty), age 33, of Fulton County

Jayda Veronica Wilson (also known as Thump), age 25, of Gwinnett County

According to Carr, the LOTTO gang has origins in the Gangster Disciples and the Crips national gangs. Gang members are believed to have conspired with each other to illegally obtain money, weapons and property through racketeering.

Story continues

All acts are alleged to have happened between October 2021 and July 2022.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

A full list of all charges against each of the defendants is included below.

Sean Aaron Curry:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

12 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

15 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

15 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

15 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(d)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(e)

3 counts of Aggravated Assault  O.C.G.A.  16-5-21

3 counts of Kidnapping  O.C.G.A.  16-5-40

3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony  O.C.G.A.  16-11-106

1 count of Making a False Statement  O.C.G.A.  16-10-20

Sean Patrick Harvey:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

14 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

17 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

17 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

17 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(d)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(e)

6 counts of Aggravated Assault  O.C.G.A.  16-5-21

3 counts of Kidnapping  O.C.G.A.  16-5-40

3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony  O.C.G.A.  16-11-106

Eric Duane Johnson:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(d)

Jadah Marie Henry:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

12 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

Tyreek Raysheen Lee:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

6 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

4 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

4 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

Bobby Jamaine Downing:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

6 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

Hilton Lance Dobbins:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)

3 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude  O.C.G.A.  16-5-46(c)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(a)

1 count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act  O.C.G.A.  16-15-4(b)

Jayda Veronica Wilson:

1 count of Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act  O.C.G.A.  16-14-4(c)




Workers weld components at a workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 28, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is moving to promote the high-quality development of its manufacturing sector, amid efforts to advance new industrialization and industrial upgrading, an official said on Thursday.



Measures will be taken to implement the advanced standards of the country's quality management system in the manufacturing sector, Bi Kaichun, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told a press conference.

Efforts will be made to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve their business performance through quality improvement and brand building, and foster more SMEs that are specialized and innovative, Bi said.

The country will also strengthen the innovation and application of reliability technologies, as well as the technological foundation of the industry, to provide more services for enterprises, Bi added.

Earlier this month, the country issued an outline to improve the overall quality of the economy and increase the influence of Chinese brands, in a bid to promote high-quality development.
BFA

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On Valentines Day, New York-based fashion brand LoveShackFancy took over The Plaza Hotel to debut its Fall 2023 collection during New York Fashion Week. Presented in a gorgeous limestone room covered in roses and accompanied by a string quartet, LoveShackFancys latest offering features a British flair and an expansion of the brands outerwear and knitwear designs.

In The Know caught up with Rebecca Hessel Cohen, the founder and creative director of LoveShackFancy, on the eve of the NYFW presentation to hear about this seasons inspiration and which trends she thinks will be the next big thing. Keep scrolling to read the entire Q&A.

Rebecca Hessel Cohen (middle row, third from left) poses with her LoveShackFancy girls at the Fall 2023 presentation.

Credit: BFA

In The Know: What was the inspiration behind your Fall 2023 Collection?

Rebecca Hessel Cohen: Were calling the collection Rebel Rose. We just opened our first international store in London, in Notting Hill, and Ive always been inspired by Portobello Market and all the vintage. So were definitely very inspired by the British, when feminine meets masculine and when the uber-romantic meets menswear and suiting. We have a little nod to Savile Row tailoring and then frilly moments, of course, as is our normal LoveShack girl  but with a little bit of a twist.

There are lots of raw edges, beautiful fabrics like tulle, sequins, lace and silks, and then everything has a little bit of this shipwrecked look. [The LoveShackFancy girl is] a bit edgier this year, and she definitely is a little bit more grown-up. So were giving our younger girls something to aspire to and then growing with our customers and offering something for every age.

Can you pick your favorite piece or two from your new collection?

Well, one, my pink mini dress. Its a silk chiffon sort of asymmetrical bubble. Its the best party dress that has this fun gunmetal crystal thats placed throughout and raw edges. Its this fun party girl [design] but with that edge. I feel like shes the perfect mix and really amazing. When I had sourced this original fabric and this original inspiration dress in the market in Paris that was sort of the starting point for the collection, that was the first piece that I got.

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Credit: Jason Lloyd Evans / Jones Gustavsson

And then my other one, I would say, is the bridal gown we have, which is this sustainable bespoke dress with this beautiful handmade corset. Its mixed with all this vintage lace and this beautiful organza flower and is my most favorite piece Ive ever tried on. So I would say those two really speak to me. But Im also obsessed with all the coats! There are so many amazing coats and outerwear and knitwear. Honestly, I love everything.

Why did The Plaza feel like the perfect place to debut your new collection?

I had my birthday there last year, which ended up being a really fun fashion week whole extravaganza. This time, when we were thinking about where to show [the collection], we wanted to have this sort of return where its about the clothes, its not a party no champagne this time, no food. Its really more about showing the evolution of the collection and the wide assortment.

We wanted something to feel old-school New York historical, which The Plaza embodies, and then mixed with a little bit of European sensibility. So were showing it in this all-limestone, beautiful room so that, when you walk up to the second floor, it feels very old world. Its going to be elegant meets fun meets our [LoveShackFancy girls] traveling, seeing the world and getting out there.

What is your favorite part about NYFW?

My favorite part is seeing the energy come alive in New York and seeing it return to what I grew up with and what I always remember: everyone getting dressed and running around with the energy and excitement of parties and fashion. I feel like there are more people than ever who have come for this fashion week, so thats super exciting. Im from New York City, born and raised and never left, so having everyone come and be a part of it is the best part.

Credit: BFA

Which fashion trends are you most excited to see this year?

For me, and also for LoveShackFancy, [Im excited to see] bias-cut slip dresses and a nod to some of these super chic 90s silhouettes, which I cant get enough of. Weve really perfected some of these beautiful styles. Also, I would say menswear-inspired coats, too, which were also finally weaving into our collection. You can pair them with any of the minis or any long slip dresses or anything else. It kind of just adds that sense of cool.

Which accessories do you think will have a big moment this year?

I think platforms and bows, which were huge fans of. Ive been seeing a lot of fun bows, and we are never short of bows.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

More from In The Know:

5 NYFW shows relied on this beauty brand to get models skin hydrated and glowing

Im a shopping expert, and these are the 7 deals Im eyeing from Nordstroms massive Winter Sale

Shoppers say this $9 plumping lip gloss is like filler in a tube

Sergio Hudson spray-painted the town neon at his vibrant New York Fashion Week runway show

The post LoveShackFancy founder reveals her favorite pieces from the new British-inspired collection, Rebel Rose appeared first on In The Know.
On Friday, the president of the aggressor country Vladimir Putin will meet with illegitimate President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow, and the conversation will be profound in nature.

Source: Russian state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti and BelTA, Belarusian state-run news agency



Quote from Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of Russian President: "As for the preparations for the meeting between the two presidents, Putin and Lukashenko, tomorrow  yes, I can confirm that such a meeting is being prepared."



Details: Peskov states that the meeting will take place in Novo-Ogaryovo, and "the conversation will be thorough."

Lukashenko also confirmed that the meeting would take place on 17 February and described the main topics to be discussed.

Quote from Lukashenko: "We will discuss security and defence issues. But the main thing (I have already said that we are preparing a meeting of the Supreme State Council in April or May) is that we will discuss economic, military, and political issues that will be discussed at the Supreme State Council," he said.

The sides are also to discuss the issue of a joint military grouping in Belarus. "If we come to the issue of our joint grouping in Belarus, of course, we will discuss this as well," Lukashenko said.

The self-styled leader added that the Russian military was not in Belarus to attack Ukraine. According to his version, the Russians "are undergoing combat coordination with the Belarusian military in order to be ready to repel aggression against Belarus together if necessary."



Background:

Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC), believes that the president of the aggressor country, Vladimir Putin, will once more try to induce illegitimate Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko to directly participate in the war against Ukraine.

In a conversation with journalists, Lukashenko said that the Belarusian army would join the Russian army in the war only in the event of a direct attack on Belarus.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon made quite the entrance at New York Fashion Week.

In the Valentine's Day fashion show for designer Luis De Javier on Feb. 14, the 26-year-old model revealed a devilish red look  horns and all.

Luis De Javier show, Runway, Fall Winter 2023, New York Fashion Week, USA - 14 Feb 2023 (Ron Adar / Shutterstock)

Complemented by knee-high sheer red tights and red heels, Leon sported a red mini dress with two horns coming out of the top. She also wore a studded black cap over her long, glossy black hair. The look was completed with a red lip.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ron Adar/Shutterstock (13769108i) Lourdes Leon walks the runway at the Luis De Javier fashion show at Angel Orensanz Foundation during New York Fashion Week 2023 on February 14, 2023 in New York City. Luis De Javier show, Runway, Fall Winter 2023, New York Fashion Week, USA - 14 Feb 2023 (Ron Adar / Shutterstock)

Stars like Julia Fox also rocked the runway at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, wearing a similarly horn-themed outfit. Her floor-length blue, denim dress featured two horns from either side of her chest, reaching up past the model's head.

At New York Fashion Week in September 2022, Leon was joined by her mother and 22-year-old brother, Rocco Ritchie, who all wore matching Tom Ford outfits.

Sitting front row at the Tom Ford SS23 Runway show, Leon wore a glossy viscose tank dress, accompanied by a leather bag, while her mother donned a satin hooded bodysuit. Madonna also added a pop of color with her purple-lensed, oversized sunglasses.

Ritchie followed suit in adding a little spice with his dark purple jacket and lilac-colored button-down shirt and dress shoes.

Rocco Ritchie, Madonna and Lourdes Leon (Nina Westervelt / WWD via Getty Images)

Leon had another chance to shine on the runway back in June 2022, when she closed out the Marine Serre Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week.

In this appearance, Leon donned a black catsuit covered in the designer's signature moon print, which was first popularized by Beyonce in 2020.

Lourdes Leon presents a creation by Marine Serre during the Menswear Ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 2023 Fashion Week in Paris on June 25, 2022. (Julien De Rosa / AFP - Getty Images)

Similar to her walk on Monday, the model's long, black hair trailed past her waist, though at this show she wore stacks of gold jewelry that complemented the crescent design.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Police lights

A Kings Mountain man is in custody after he reportedly fired multiple rounds into his neighbors house.

The incident was called in around 10 a.m. Thursday.

According to the Kings Mountain Police Department, several 911 calls came in about gun fire in the 100 block of Gaston Street, near the Kings Mountain Historical Museum and the Post Office.

When officers arrived, a witness said a neighbor had fired into their home then retreated back into his house.

Responding officers on the scene confirmed that several rounds had been fired into the home of the witness, according to a press release from the Kings Mountain Police Department.

Officers secured the area and began evacuating neighboring residents.

People were told to avoid West Mountain Street from South Piedmont to Gaston streets.

Kings Mountain Police requested the assistance of the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office Crisis Negotiations and Emergency Response Teams for assistance.

Units with the Sheriffs Office arrived and negotiated with the man who then surrendered without further incident about an hour and a half after the emergency calls came in.

No one else was inside the home with the man when the incident occurred, and no one in the neighbor's house was injured.

The suspect has been identified as Markell Lutrell Porter, 39, of Kings Mountain. He has been charged with firing a weapon into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is in the Cleveland County jail without bond.

Diane Turbyfill can be reached at dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Kings Mountain man accused of firing into neighbor's house
Cadbury Creme Eggs. Christopher Furlong/Getty

A man was convicted in England for stealing a truck filled with 200,000 Cadbury eggs.

Prosecutors say he broke into an industrial park and took the truck.

Some Twitter users empathized with the chocolate heist "given the shrinkflation over the years."

A man was convicted in England after UK authorities said he broke into an industrial park and stole a truck filled with 200,000 Cadbury Creme Eggs.

According to prosecutors, Joby Pool used a metal grinder to break into an industrial park in Telford, England on February 11, the Associated Press reported. Once inside, prosecutors said he made off in a stolen truck containing more than $48,000 worth of Cadbury Creme Eggs, according to the AP.

Pool pleaded guilty Tuesday, and is set to be sentenced in Crown Court next month, the BBC reported.

West Mercia Police (@WMerciaPolice) February 14, 2023

"The conviction is in relation to the theft of chocolate, including almost 200,000 Creme Eggs, from a unit in Stafford Park in Telford on 11 Feb 2023," West Mercia police wrote in a tweet Tuesday. "The chocolate is estimated to be worth 40k, and was recovered when officers stopped a vehicle on the M42 northbound."

West Mercia Police said earlier this week that their officers "saved Easter for Creme Egg fans," according to the BBC.

The heist has garnered international attention, with some on social media seeming to side with Pool.

"Given the shrinkflation of Cadbury eggs over the years, I'd argue it's the moral thing to do," one person tweeted. "Steal back the % of Cadbury egg they've stolen from us."

"Well it's Cadbury Creme eggs," another user chimed in. "A semi-truck is like a years supply. I have to say, that's very tempting."

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Read the original article on Business Insider
A man was arrested earlier this month after allegedly trespassing into restrooms on the Johnson County Community College campus and making lewd comments to students, according to documents filed in Johnson County District Court.

Malik Woolridge, 27, was charged with breach of privacy and criminal trespass after a staff member allegedly saw him peering into bathroom stalls.

On Jan. 31, the staff member contacted police and said she noticed a man standing outside a restroom who made her feel uneasy. After she entered the bathroom, she claimed she heard someone come in very quietly. She peeked through her stall and noticed Woolridge walking slowly, opening the stall doors and looking inside, court documents state.

The woman told police she yelled at him and told him he needed to leave. The man did not respond and exited the restroom, prosecutors say.

Officers apprehended Woolridge shortly after the incident and issued a trespass warning. During an interview with detectives, he allegedly admitted to police that he went into the restroom because he thought he might get to see a woman exposed.

On Feb. 6, a JCCC officer found Woolridge circling the restrooms near the Midwest Trust Center building on campus, according to prosecutors. He was subsequently placed under arrest for trespassing.

Shortly after the defendant was taken into custody, officers were contacted by multiple female students complaining of harassment by a man matching Woolridges description.

One student told police she was studying in the Regnier Center when she was approached by a man who asked her for a sexual favor. The student told him no and left the area to report the incident, telling police she felt scared. Video surveillance later identified the man as Woolridge, according to prosecutors.

According to another students report, a man entered the parking garage elevator she was riding and made an obscene comment about her appearance. During the ride, the comments continued, and the student exited the elevator feeling uncomfortable. Her professor encouraged her to report the incident, court documents indicate.

Woolridge remains in Johnson County Jail on a $25,000 bond. His plea hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27.
Phoenix police.

Phoenix police say a man suffered life-threatening injuries after being shot on Wednesday afternoon.

Sgt. Phil Krynsky, a department spokesperson, said officers responded to the area of 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street where they found a man with gunshot wounds. The man was rushed to a hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

Krynsky said police haven't yet detained a suspect and that officers are still investigating what led to the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man critically injured in Phoenix shooting
A man asked a 7-year-old to take off his socks before he licked the childs feet at a trampoline park in Georgia, officials said.

The man also is accused of tickling the boy during a Jan. 14 visit to Urban Air Adventure Park in Augusta.

Now, about a month later, the man is facing a child molestation charge, according to the Richmond County Sheriffs Office. Deputies in an incident report didnt list attorney information for the suspect, identified as Caurey Rollins.

Urban Air Adventure Park  which offers climbing walls, laser tag and other kid-focused activities  didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News requests for comment on Feb. 16.

Deputies were called to the park after a caretaker reported that Rollins had an inappropriate interaction with a child. At the scene, a 7-year-old told them a man approached him, tickled his feet, asked him to remove his socks and eventually licked both of the (victims) feet, deputies wrote.

The sheriffs office said it happened in a childrens play area, where Rollins wasnt accompanied by any other guests.

Rollins told officials he had been at the complex with family and was supposed to meet with a cousin but never did, according to deputies.

Rollins, a 25-year-old Augusta resident, was arrested on Feb. 15, online jail records show. Deputies told McClatchy News he was charged with non-aggravated child molestation.

Urban Air Adventure Park also reportedly wanted Rollins banned from the property after the incident.

Augusta is roughly 145 miles east of Atlanta.

Strangers drink made 12-year-old dizzy before sexual assault at park, GA police say

College student molested 13-year-old runaway he met on Snapchat, Georgia police say
A Placer Superior Court judge on Wednesday sentenced a Citrus Heights man to 30 years to life in prison for firing a gun at a Roseville police officer during a vehicle chase two years ago on Interstate 80, prosecutors said.

Judge Garen Horst sentenced 27-year-old Rafael Vital, who was found guilty of attempted murder late last month. The Placer County jury also found Vital guilty of evading a police officer and assault with a semiautomatic firearm in connection with the shooting, according to a news release from the Placer County District Attorneys Office.

The police chase began about 2 a.m. April 20, 2021, when an officer tried to pull over the vehicle for a traffic stop near Harding and Douglas boulevards, the Roseville Police Department has said. The vehicle did not pull over, and the pursuit ensued.

The pursuit continued onto I-80 heading west. The suspect driver, later identified as Vital, fired two gunshots at the officer, according to the District Attorneys Office.

While on the freeway, Vital slammed on his brakes and stopped, prosecutors said in the news release. The officer got out of his car to approach when Vital reached out of his drivers side window and fired shots at the officer.

No injuries were reported. The officer feared for their life but did not return fire due to the danger posed to passing vehicles on the freeway, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Police said the suspect vehicle exited the freeway at Riverside Avenue in Roseville, where the vehicle became disabled. Prosecutors said Vital lost control of the car and crashed into a freeway retaining wall.

Vital got out of the vehicle, police said, and authorities began a search. The westbound lanes of I-80 were shut down for about four hours. Police told residents to shelter in place and report any suspicious activity as they searched for the suspect who was considered armed and dangerous.

About 6:30 a.m., the Police Department announced that the suspect was found and taken into custody without further incident.

This case is a reminder of the dangers our officers face as they put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe, Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in the news release. We are grateful the officer was unharmed and commend the judge and jury for ensuring the defendant was held accountable.
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said at a meeting on Thursday that China has achieved a major and decisive victory in its COVID-19 prevention and control since November 2022.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

Over the past three years, China has taken an extraordinary journey in its COVID-19 prevention and control work, the meeting noted after hearing a report on recent work of epidemic response.

Always putting the people and their lives first, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core has optimized prevention and control measures in light of evolving situations, efficiently coordinated COVID-19 response with economic and social development, and effectively protected the people's lives and health, the meeting said.

With continuous efforts to optimize COVID-19 prevention and control measures since November 2022, China's COVID-19 response has made a smooth transition in a relatively short time, with more than 200 million people accessing medical services, nearly 800,000 severe cases receiving proper treatment, and the country's COVID-19 fatality rate remaining the world's lowest, the meeting said.

China has created a miracle in human history, in which a highly populous nation has successfully pulled through a pandemic, the meeting announced.

It has been proven through practice that the CPC Central Committee has been right in its judgement of the pandemic situation, major response decisions and major strategy adjustments, the meeting said. It noted that measures have been robust, have received approval from the people, and have shown great effect.

While the epidemic situation has continued to improve in China, the virus is still spreading globally and continues to mutate, the meeting noted.

It urged all localities and departments to optimize related mechanisms and measures, strengthen the medical service system, and consolidate the hard-earned achievements in a resolute manner.

Underlining the importance of fully implementing the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee, the meeting called for efforts to enhance COVID-19 monitoring and early warning capacity, and improve the systems for COVID-19 monitoring and information reporting. Through these efforts, timely and accurate early warnings can be issued, and necessary emergency control measures can be taken.

It called for scientific planning for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, based on the mutation of the novel coronavirus and the efficacy of protection offered by the vaccines, and highlighted the importance of improving the vaccination rate among the elderly.

The meeting stressed the need to continue optimizing the layout of resources. It called for continuous efforts to strengthen the production and supply of medicines and medical materials, and to earnestly resolve shortcomings in capacity, medicine supply, equipment and other areas at the primary level.

Scientific and technological breakthroughs in health care need to be advanced in a coordinated manner, the meeting said.

Efforts should be made to preserve the important outcomes of the fight against COVID-19, better tell China's stories of this fight, and encourage the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to solidify their confidence in their success, the meeting noted.

Other issues were also discussed at the meeting.
Lamar Johnson, a 50-year-old man who served almost 28 years of a life sentence for murder, is now walking free after a Missouri judge overturned his conviction on Tuesday. In his ruling, Circuit Judge David Mason said there had to be reliable evidence of actual innocence  evidence so reliable that it actually passes the standard of clear and convincing.

The post Man Who Served 28 Years Of A Life Sentence For Murder He Didnt Commit Is Now A Free Man Afer Judge Overturns Conviction appeared first on Blavity.

After he was set free, Johnson spoke to reporters in the courthouse lobby and showed gratitude to everybody who supported him in his quest to prove his innocence.

This is unbelievable, Johnson said according to the Associated Press.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner filed a motion in August to free Johnson. Gardners office conducted an investigation in partnership with the Innocence Project to prove Johnsons innocence.

This is Valentines Day and this is historical, Gardner told reporters on Tuesday.

Johnsons attorneys condemned the state attorney generals office for trying to keep the 50-year-old man in prison. His attorneys said the attorney general never stopped claiming Lamar was guilty and was comfortable to have him languish and die in prison.

Yet, when this States highest law enforcement office could hide from a courtroom no more, it presented nothing to challenge the overwhelming body of evidence that the circuit attorney and Lamar Johnson had amassed, the attorneys said in a statement.

Johnson was convicted for the murder of Marcus Boyd in October 1994. After two masked men murdered Boyd on his front porch, prosecutors said the killing happened due to a dispute over drug money.

When he was identified as a suspect, Johnson said he was spending time with his girlfriend miles away from the scene when the crime occurred. Johnson continued to defend himself at a hearing in December. Looking back at the night of the murder, Johnson said he only stepped outside the home of a friend for a few minutes on that day to sell drugs on a corner several blocks from where the crime happened.

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James Howard, a 46-year-old man whos serving a life sentence for murder and several other crimes that happened three years after Boyd was killed, also testified at the December hearing. Howard said he joined another suspect, Phil Campbell, to rob Boyd, who owed one of their friends money from the sale of drugs.

Howard said he shot Boyd in the back of the head and neck while Campbell shot Boyd in the side. The pair signed affidavits admitting to the crime. They also said Johnson was not involved.

Campbell, who pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for a seven-year prison term, has now died.

Witness James Gregory Elking also testified in December, saying he was on the front porch with Boyd when the crime happened. Elking said trying to buy crack cocaine when the two gunmen wearing black ski masks came around the house and began the shooting.

When police asked him to identify the gunman from a set of images, Elking said he was pressured to point to Johnson.
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest speak during the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards broadcast on June 25, 2021. Daytime Emmy Awards 2021 / via Getty Images

Kelly Ripas work husband will be replaced by her actual husband.

In Thursdays episode of Live With Kelly And Ryan , cohost Ryan Seacrest announced he will be leaving the ABC morning show this spring after six years.

This is something that she and I have talked about for a long time, Seacrest said. It was a tough, tough decision. Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as cohost. Its bittersweet.

Seatcrests role will go to Riverdale actor Mark Consuelos, who has been married to Ripa since 1996 and has guest hosted the show multiple times.

You are a gem, Ripa told Seacrest on the show. You are one of my best friends and like I said, the greatest part of this entire experience has been youve gone from being a friend to a family member.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos attend the Haute Living celebration for the release of her book Live Wire on Sept. 27, 2022, in New York City. Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images for Haute Living

Seacrest thanked Ripa for her kindness, levity, thoughtfulness, and friendship  and told her that he looked up to her. He later echoed his admiration for Ripa on social media.

Im going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share, Seacrest wrote on Instagram . When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for three years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season.

Seacrest will continue to host the 21st season of American Idol, his radio show on KIIS-FM, and the annual Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve. He said he also plans to open three more creative studios in pediatric hospitals across the country this summer to let pediatric patients explore their interest in media.

Fans who will miss Seacrest and Ripas banter can be assured hes not gone forever. He said in Thursdays episode that he plans to appear as a guest host on the morning talk show, adding, Youre not getting rid of me.

Goodbyes are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan back regularly with open arms, Michael Gelman, executive producer of the show, said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. As a fan-favorite guest host for years, Mark is no stranger to the Live family. Having him join the show is so special for us and were sure that viewers will feel the same.

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This isnt the first coanchor change for Ripa, who has hosted the show since 2001. She first cohosted with Regis Philbin, who left in 2011, and later with Michael Strahan, who left in 2016.

Ripa and Consuelos met in 1995 while costarring on the soap opera All My Children, and they reportedly eloped in Las Vegas the following year. The two share three children: Joaquin, 19, Lola, 21, and Michael, 25.

Consuelos is set to appear on Fridays episode as a guest. Seacrest will continue to host through the end of this season.

And congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room! Seacrest wrote.
[Source]

A Massachusetts motorist accused of hitting an Asian man, dragging him for 200 yards and ramming him into a ditch while making anti-Chinese statements has been charged with a federal hate crime.

John Sullivan, 77, was arrested shortly after the incident on Dec. 2, 2022, which left 38-year-old George Ngo limping from multiple injuries, including a concussion, a fractured shoulder and torn ligaments.

I could've been dead. I am lucky to be alive. He left me a lot of scars on my whole leg, the father of three told CBS Boston last month.

Ngo said he was standing with his sister and her three children outside a local post office when he noticed Sullivan speeding.

More from NextShark: NYPD reveals that hate crimes against Asians surged 361% in 2021

He called Sullivan out, resulting in an angry exchange.

The incident reportedly escalated when Sullivan told the family to Go back to China and threatened to kill all of you. After returning from the post office, he allegedly rammed his car into Ngo  who rolled onto the hood and clung to it  dragged him for some 50 yards, hit the brakes, yelled Go back to China again, hit Ngo a second time, dragged him even further and ultimately rammed him into a construction ditch 10 to 15 feet deep.

Ngos sister, Desiree Thien, managed to film part of the encounter. Aside from being upset for her brother, she is outraged for her children, who all witnessed the violent act.

More from NextShark: 16-year-old arrested for ripping womans hair from her scalp in racially motivated attack in London

I want him [Sullivan] for the rest of his life to stay in prison where he belongs because he is a danger to society, Thien told Boston 25 News. He is 77 so Satan is waiting for him with open arms.

Sullivan, however, was released on conditions after pleading not guilty to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a civil rights violation, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a crash with personal injury.

More from NextShark: President Biden touts community funding, COVID Hate Crimes Act signing in AANHPI Heritage Month proclamation

He was ordered to stay away from the family, abstain from drugs and alcohol, stay at home under GPS monitoring and refrain from driving, save for medical checkups.

Story continues

On Wednesday, Sullivan was charged with one count of violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

According to his indictment, he used his vehicle to willfully cause bodily injury to Ngo because of the latters actual and perceived race and national origin.

More from NextShark: Asian kindergarten students more likely to display advanced math, science skills, new study finds

U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins weighed in on the case:

Hate has no place here in Massachusetts. As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively prosecute hate crimes and other civil-rights offenses committed because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any individual or group.

There is no way to undo the alleged damage that Mr. Sullivan did to this victim with his hateful, repulsive, and violent behavior, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge at FBI Boston. No one should ever be targeted or threatened because of their race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or immigration status.

If convicted of the hate crime, Sullivan could land up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. He still has other charges to face.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  The top prosecutor in Memphis agreed Thursday to review additional information about the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Black man during an attempted arrest by a white police officer after the man's family asked for the case to be reopened.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy met with the father of Darrius Stewart and the father's lawyer. They want the case presented to a grand jury for a second time for consideration of charges against former Memphis officer Connor Schilling.

The request comes after the January arrest, beating and death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man, in Memphis. Five officers, who also are Black, have been fired and face charges including second-degree murder in connection with Nichols death. The district attorneys office has said it will be reviewing past cases involving those officers.

Stewart's father, Henry Williams, and his lawyer, Carlos E. Moore, have asked for the case to be reopened under the district attorney's Justice Review Unit. The independent unit works separately from active prosecutions in the districts attorneys office to review past cases, and it reports directly to Mulroy.

Then-Officer Connor Schilling shot Stewart in July 2015 during a struggle following a traffic stop that escalated after an attempted arrest for outstanding warrants. Stewart was not carrying a weapon.

A grand jury declined to charge Schilling despite a recommendation by then-District Attorney Amy Weirich, who reviewed an 800-page Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report on the shooting. Weirich said she asked the grand jury to indict Schilling for voluntary manslaughter and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

Schilling has said he shot Stewart because he feared for his life. He retired due to a disability, police said, in a move that allowed him to receive disability pay.

In September 2016, a federal prosecutor announced that there was insufficient evidence to file civil rights charges against Schilling.

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The U.S. Justice Department also decided against launching a a pattern or practice investigation of civil rights violations in the department. Such inquiries often result in sweeping reforms, including staffing and training overhauls.

Moore told reporters after the meeting that the DA's office has reviewed existing evidence from the Memphis Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and a medical examiner, but prosecutors said they would not able to secure a first-degree murder indictment. Moore said a second-degree murder indictment could be possible.

Moore said he can provide prosecutors with more information from a federal lawsuit against Memphis that broke down after a judge dismissed the city as a defendant.

We have tons of witness statements and medical opinions that they have not been privy to, they have never seen," Moore said.

The district attorney has agreed to review the information Moore will provide and has committed to following up after review, his office said in a statement.

During our meeting, the attorney informed us that there was information that we may have not been privy to that was uncovered during the civil investigation, Mulroy said.

Art Quinn, Schillings lawyer in the Stewart shooting, said he hasnt heard of new evidence being presented in the case. Quinn noted that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has already done an investigation, and a grand jury did not indict Schilling.

I dont know of any basis why the case would be reopened, Quinn told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

A timetable for the review of additional evidence from the previous civil investigation was not immediately known.
Jacobson

Here's a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:

Paula Jacobson has joined Trezevant as the senior living communitys interim executive director of the Trezevant Foundation. She has served the Memphis community in various fundraising and leadership roles, most recently as president of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. She has been a member of the Trezevant Foundation board.

Jackson

Youth Villages recently announced the addition of Jamere Jackson to its national board of directors. He is currently the chief financial officer at AutoZone, which he joined in September 2020 becoming the first African American CFO in the companys 41-year existence.

Turman

Crosby

Sugar Services, a manufacturer of top-quality sugar products in the South, announced David Turman as the new director of operations and Mathilde Crosby as the new chief financial officer. Turman will oversee the facility and operations in Downtown Memphis that manufacture and deliver sugar products within a 400-mile radius of Memphis and Houston, Texas. Crosby will direct and oversee the financial activities. Turman brings more than 20 years of production management experience to his new role, having previously worked with Smith & Nephew, The Hershey Company and Newly Weds Foods. Crosby has more than 20 years of finance experience. She has held leadership roles with Shelby County Government, St. Marys Episcopal School, New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Citibank.

Sudduth

Memphis Stone & Gravel, a leader in the aggregate, mining and construction industry, recently appointed James Sudduth to assistant superintendent of Wash Plants. Sudduth will work with other leaders in assisting with managing the company's current operations. Sudduth also will play a key role in developing and constructing a new mine site and wash plant in Love, Mississippi.

Wilkinson

Harman

Automotive Parts Associates recently relocated its headquarters from Overland, Kansas, to Collierville at 340 Poplar View Lane East, Suite 1. In the process, the company added two new employees to its ranks: Chris Wilkinson and Chris Harman. Wilkinson joins the leadership team as program manager. He received a bachelor's degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Harman is the new director of information technology. His most recent experience was spent with Automotive Distribution Network where he served as information technology manager. Automotive Parts Associates Inc. is a shareholder-owned cooperative of more than 475 independent auto parts distributor locations throughout North America.

Memphis-based Redwood Services, a home services firm focused on investing in leading residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services companies in growing U.S. markets, announced it has invested in Apollo Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. Apollo was founded in 2004 to serve homeowners in Northeast Ohio, with more than 60 employees and 4,500 active customers. Apollo provides heating and cooling, as well as plumbing, sewer and drain services to residents across Greater Akron, Ohio. The Apollo team will continue to operate and manage the business under the Apollo banner and name, while Redwood offers operational, strategic and financial support to enhance the companys growth.

Webber

R. Lee Webber recently joined the law firm of Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston. He has 25 years of experience representing lenders including national, regional and local financial institutions. He also represents private investors in the recovery and liquidation of assets through enforcement of secured transactions in federal district, bankruptcy and state courts. Concentrations in his legal practice include bankruptcy, adversary proceedings regarding discharge, preference and lien perfection/avoidance, foreclosure proceedings, commercial and residential evictions, and commercial and consumer repossession. Webber received his law degree from the University of Memphis.

 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
At just under 2.9 million members, the National Education Association is the largest labor union in the United States. It isnt close. It has almost a million more members than its nearest contender, the Service Employees International Union.

To put this in its proper perspective, one in every five union members belongs to NEA  two of every five public-sector union members.

Private-sector unions often run major organizing drives, as we have seen recently with campaigns at Amazon and Starbucks locations. But has NEA been adding to the universe of union members over the years?

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At first glance, the answer seems obvious. Back in 1998-99, NEA had 2,436,157 members, and at the end of the 2021-22 school year it had 2,871,908. Thats almost 436,000 more members and 18% growth.

But those numbers are very deceiving because of mergers.

Related: Analysis: Union Membership Declined in 2021  and Has Been Dropping Since the 1980s. No Amount of Spin Can Change That

After NEA delegates rejected a national merger with the American Federation of Teachers back in 1998, a handful of NEA state affiliates merged with their AFT counterparts. When that happens, both national unions count the others as new members.

The first instance will illustrate. The Minnesota Education Association merged with the Minnesota Federation of Teachers in 1998. As a result, NEA added almost 25,000 AFT members to its total. But AFT added almost 55,000 NEA members to its total. That appears to be a combined gain of 80,000 members, but since everyone involved was already a union member, it was a net gain of zero for unions as a whole.

In 2000, NEA and AFT affiliates in Florida and Montana merged, and NEA picked up more than 55,000 new members.

Then, in 2006, New York State United Teachers merged with  or, more accurately, absorbed  41,000-member NEA New York. NEA added 350,000 NYSUT members to its ranks.

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North Dakota affiliates merged in 2013, and the merged Montana union merged again with an independent public employees union, bringing in 6,300 more members.

Add together all these members acquired through mergers over the years, and you get 437,290, which accounts for all of NEAs growth over the past 23 years.

Related: Teachers Union Membership Drops by 59,000 Across the Nation

During a period when the United States added 346,000 teachers, along with hundreds of thousands of support employees eligible for union membership, NEA netted zero non-members and added nothing to the ranks of Americas labor unions.

With mergers removed from the equation, NEAs state-level numbers paint a picture of a union split almost evenly between haves and have-nots. Of the 45 non-merged NEA state affiliates, 24 have fewer members today than they did in 1998-99.

This raises a couple of questions. NEA may be the largest union, but is its strength among education employees overrated? And can this tenuous equilibrium it has achieved between its growing and shrinking state affiliates hold?

Mike Antonuccis Union Report appears most Wednesdays; see the full archive.
$19,000 worth of fentanyl and methamphetamine have been taken off the streets in Hall County.

Investigators with the Hall County Sheriffs Office seized the drugs during a multi-agency investigation that resulted in three arrests this week.

Investigators arrested David Nathaniel Jones, 45, Andrew Carter Ownby, 25, and Hope Dockery, 19, all from Murphy, North Carolina, during a traffic stop in the 400 block of Jesse Jewell Parkway on the evening of Feb. 14.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Each suspect is charged with one count of trafficking fentanyl and trafficking methamphetamine.

Investigators seized about 40 grams of fentanyl, 90 grams of methamphetamine, a handgun, and around $3,000 cash.

The DEA says it only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl to kill someone.

TRENDING STORIES:

Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The Hall County Sheriffs Office worked in cooperation with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Cherokee County (North Carolina) Sheriffs Office, Georgia State Patrol, Gainesville Police Department K-9 Unit, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Division on the case.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A Henry County man says a groundbreaking heart surgery changed his life and likely saved his life.

But its a procedure his insurance company repeatedly denied.

Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray first spoke to Jonathan Douglas nearly a year ago when he was fighting that insurer.

Even after our Channel 2 Action News story aired, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield continued to deny the surgery.

So Douglas turned to friends and family for help. Now he wants to help others doing battle with their insurance companies know their rights.

Douglas now takes a walk around his henry county neighborhood every day.

Im up to over three miles a day now walking, Douglas said.

But when Gray spoke with Douglas in May of 2022, he could barely make it to the mailbox and was unable to leave the house because he was in congestive heart failure.

His heart was only pumping at about 10% to 15%.

TRENDING STORIES:

I cant tell you how many times my family found me passed out here or in the hallway, Douglas said.

His life-changing recovery is thanks to a surgery to insert something called a Barostim Implant.

Its a procedure his insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, denied nine times with repeated appeals before he finally raised the money himself through a GoFundMe page.

Thats why Liz Coyle from the consumer advocacy nonprofit Georgia Watch says Georgians need to know they can file whats called an external appeal even if they are denied by their insurer.

Thats the point at which we really encourage the consumer whos involved to take it to the next level, Coyle said. You just about have to be an insurance expert to know the different steps and everything.

That external appeal goes through the office of the state insurance commissioner John King.

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We understand the policies because we approve them. People need to know they have a resource in this office that is on the side of the consumer, King said.

Last spring in a consent agreement, Kings office fined Blue Cross Blue Shield the largest judgment in state history -- $5 million -- for a long list of problems including processing errors and failure to reply to consumer complaints in a timely manner.

The insurer told Channel 2 Action News that those problems are unrelated to Douglas repeated denials and that the matter was reviewed in accordance with Anthems clinical guidelines, which rely on scientific evidence and said that it was also reviewed by independent physicians.

A spokesman wrote, To be clear, Anthem was not saying Mr. Douglas could not have treatment, we wanted to ensure he would receive the most effective care available.

I think that they are practicing medicine without a license. I really do. And I feel like someone should step up and make a stand and thats what Im trying to do, Douglas said.

RELATED NEWS:
Michigan State University police are expected to hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday to provide an update on Monday night's shooting at the university.

Police officials and university administrators are expected to attend.

The news conference will be held at the Henry Center for Executive Development located at 3535 Forest Road in Lansing.

More:Thousands fill heart of MSU's campus for solemn vigil marked by silence

More:Mass-murder lotto: MSU this week, and then who's next?

You can watch it live here.

Three students were killed and five injured by a gunman at Berkey Hall and the MSU Union.

Killed were Arielle Anderson, 19, of Harper Woods; Brian Fraser, 20, of Grosse Pointe; and Alexandria Verner, 20, of Clawson  all MSU students.

Police identified Anthony McRae, 43, as a suspect. McRae took his own life with a gunshot.

Free Press reporter David Jesse contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State University news conference: Replay
Scott Olson / Getty Images

As Michigan State University students come together to grieve three of their own, details are emerging about what led to the deadly mass shooting.

Three students were killed and five more were critically injured Monday night after a shooter opened fire on campus. The deceased students were identified on Tuesday as Arielle Anderson, a 19-year-old junior, Brian Fraser, a 20-year-old sophomore, and Alexandria Verner, a 20-year-old junior.

Four of the five injured students are still in critical condition, but some are beginning to show signs of improvement, the university's interim president, Teresa Woodruff, said in a press conference Thursday. The fifth student, who had also been in critical condition, is now in stable condition.

Paul Sancya / AP

Law enforcement officials shared more details Thursday about the shooter, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, who killed himself after the rampage. When police located him, he was walking down the road in Lansing, a short distance from the university, Chris Rozman, the interim deputy chief of MSU Police and Public Safety, said.

Police ordered the assailant to put his hands up, Rozman said, at which point he fatally shot himself. He did not say anything to the officers beforehand.

Two handguns  which were legally purchased but not registered  were found on him, as well as extra ammunition, bus tickets, and a note. Police did not share many details of the note's contents, but said it included threats to a church, a school district, and several businesses, including a warehouse where he'd previously worked.

Al Goldis / AP

"A couple of the other businesses, it appears he had some issues with the employees there where he was asked to leave," Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez said. "So, possibly a motive for that was he just felt slighted, and that's kind of what the note indicated."

A connection between McRae and the university has still not been determined, police said, but they are investigating claims that he may have been turned down for a job there.

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He may have had mental health issues, police said. In an interview with police, his father told them he "pretty much never left his room" and had no friends. In 2019, he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and police seized a gun from him as a result. That gun is still in police possession and was not used in Monday's shooting.

Paul Sancya / AP

On Wednesday night, thousands of MSU students, faculty members, families, and alumni gathered on campus for a candlelight vigil. They laid flowers on The Rock, a campus landmark, which was painted with the names of the deceased students.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who herself graduated from the school, also attended.

"We really, really love this place, and you can see it and how we treat one another and how we show up for one another," she told the crowd of mourners. "And I think thats what makes this moment so much more painful."

A day earlier, The Rock had been painted with a simple but devastating message: "How many more?"

Whitmer echoed the sentiment. "How many more grieving parents and kids, how many more cities and towns in the schools will be shorthand for shootings?" she asked the crowd. "How many more until we work together on commonsense reform?

"We dont know," she said. "But what we do know is we cant continue to live like this."

More on this
A Moldovan police patrol found part of a missile near the border village of Briceni in the country's north on Feb. 16, according to the Moldovan interior ministry.

The missiles origin is still unspecified, but a photo added to the post shows the shell of a large missile.

This is the fourth time a missile part has fallen in Moldovan territory since Russia started launching mass missile strikes on Ukraine on Oct. 10, according to the ministry, with the most recent incident having occurred on Jan. 14.

The Ukrainian military downed 16 missiles in the early hours of Feb. 16 amid Russias 15th mass missile strike on Ukraines critical infrastructure.

Ukraines Air Force reported that 32 missiles had been launched against Ukraine.

Two missiles hit a critical infrastructure facility overnight in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast, the governor Dmytro Lunin reported. There were no casualties.

Critical infrastructure near the central city of Kropyvnytskyi was also hit, again, without making casualties, Kirovohrad Oblasts Governor Andrii Raykovich said.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhiy Lysak reported that a 79-year-old woman was killed by a Russian missile strike on the city of Pavlohrad, 75 kilometers east of the regional capital Dnipro.

Seven other civilians, including a 79-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, were injured in the attack, Lysak said on Telegram on Feb. 16. They have been hospitalized.

Russian troops have repeatedly attacked energy infrastructure across Ukraine since early October, killing dozens of people and causing electricity, water, and heating outages.

Moscow has admitted that Ukraines energy system is one of its primary targets. Due to integration with the Ukrainian electricity grid, Moldova also suffered from blackouts during a mass missile attack on Ukraine on Nov. 23.

According to the Geneva Conventions, attacking vital public infrastructure constitutes a war crime.
Lamar Johnson, and Kevin Strickland before him, are the first two beneficiaries so far of a measure Missouri lawmakers approved two years ago giving local prosecutors an avenue to correct a grave injustice. Under the new law, a prosecutor may, at any time, file a motion for a judge to vacate or set aside a guilty verdict based on new information or evidence that clears the convicted person of wrongdoing.

That law has already helped free the two men wrongfully convicted of murder, and it was a positive step toward ensuring the integrity of the states criminal justice system. But Johnson and Strickland, like those who will surely be freed after them, are left holding an empty bag once theyre released from the prison cells they never should have been sent to in the first place.

Unless DNA evidence absolves an innocent person, Missouri doesnt compensate prisoners released from custody for a crime they didnt commit. It should. Lawmakers must act with urgency to advance bipartisian legislation currently in the state Senate that would provide restitution, housing, tuition assistance, medical care and other social services for prisoners on the wrong end of an unjust conviction.

Kansas did it. Missouri should, too. Wrongly convicted Kansas prisoners are eligible to receive $65,000 in restitution for each year they were locked up. Exonerees in that state are also offered other benefits such as access to health and mental health services, housing and tuition assistance.

Johnson left a Missouri prison this week a free man for the first time in almost three decades. The St. Louis man was convicted of the 1994 murder of Markus Boyd  a crime he did not commit, as he and prosecutors have contended for years. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardners office reviewed the evidence and determined Johnson had nothing to do with the killing. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge David C. Mason agreed.

However, Johnson and others erroneously convicted should not have to depend on the benevolence of others as they transition from prison to society. Many people in this situation are left at a tremendous disadvantage. They were kept from educational opportunities and formative years in the workforce where free Americans build the foundation for their future careers.

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Put yourself in their shoes: Lamar Johnson is 49. Hes starting from scratch. The state robbed him of the opportunities all young adults deserve as they start out in life.

Gardners motion to vacate Johnsons conviction was appealed by the Missouri attorney generals office. Gardner had no legal authority to overturn the conviction, the AGs office argued in court. The Missouri Supreme Court concurred, suggesting the Missouri legislature take up the issue.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed a law that gave local prosecutors the right to challenge in court an erroneous conviction on two grounds: Clear and convincing evidence of innocence, or a constitutional error such as ineffective counsel. We supported that legislation.

Strickland became the first prisoner in Missouri freed under the new law. About $1.8 million in donations has poured in from across the globe to help him adjust financially to the transition from prison after spending four decades locked up for a triple murder he did not commit.

Johnson spent nearly 28 years incarcerated until his conviction was overturned. By Thursday, a GoFundMe campaign for his benefit had reached six figures.

Both were fortunate their cases drew international attention and support. The same cant be said about other exonerees such as Keith Carnes, a Kansas City man who returned to society after serving 18 years in prison on a faulty murder rap.

Carnes conviction was tainted by shoddy detective work and a secret witness. Hes been free for less than a year and will not receive a dime from the state. Help with housing? Nope. Tuition assistance? No. Mental health services? Forget about it.

The transition has been rough, Carnes, 52, said. He is married but unemployed. He hasnt yet hit even $10,000 through a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Im trying to make something out of nothing, Carnes said.

Guilty prisoners released on parole receive more state-funded aid than innocent people. Parolees are provided help with counseling, housing and work.

It aint right, Carnes said. Hes right.

Exonerated prisoners such as Carnes, Strickland and Johnson must go on with their lives without financial assistance from the same state that vigorously fought to send and keep them in prison. An unjust and inequitable legal system hurts us all.

Missouri has one of the strictest compensation laws in the nation, civil rights advocates contend. The state must adopt a policy at least equivalent to the one in Kansas.

Missouri can and must do better. No amount of money can right a past wrong. No dollar amount can make whole again a person sent to prison for something they did not do. The state should be legally bound to provide restitution its already ethically obliged to.

Lawmakers can no longer bury their heads in the sand. Police, prosecutors and jurors sometimes get it wrong. Its unconscionable that people wrongfully convicted of a crime are set free without means to care for themselves. Why shouldnt exonerees be compensated for the states error?
WASHINGTON  Sen. Mitt Romney is warning his fellow Republicans that former President Donald Trump is best-positioned to emerge from a crowded primary as the party's presidential nominee in 2024 and that the only way to stop him is to ultimately shrink the field to a one-on-one contest against a viable alternative.

I think President Trump is by far the most likely to become our nominee, the Republican senator from Utah said in the Capitol on Wednesday. If theres an alternative to that, it would be only realistic if it narrows down to a two-person race at some point.

Romney's warnings came after former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her bid for the GOP nomination on Wednesday, with other candidates expected to jump in in the coming months. Some Trump-skeptical Republicans fear that a crowded field could split the vote and pave the way for Trump to carry the party's banner for the third presidential election in a row.

Theres always a personal interest on the part of the campaign  particularly the campaign staff, and consultants, as well as the candidate  to stay in. And to say, Hey, look, I came in second. So Im the person that really ought to get the nomination four years from now, Romney said. And so it really is up to the donors and and other influence people that know the candidate, his family or her family, to say, Hey, time to move on.

The GOPs 2012 presidential nominee, Romney has since taken on an elder statesman role. Elected to the Senate in 2018, he's been an outspoken critic of the former president and became the only Republican in either chamber to vote to impeach or convict Trump in both his impeachment proceedings.

Romney, who tried unsuccessfully in the 2016 primary to stop Trump from winning the nomination, downplayed his own ability to keep him away from the prize again in 2024.

Im just a lowly senator from Utah, he quipped. I cant stop anybody.

If Trump wins the nomination, Romney said, I wont be supporting President Trump. Asked if he'd consider supporting President Joe Biden in a potential 2024 rematch, Romney added, Very unlikely.

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Romney is a rare Republican to rule out supporting Trump in 2024. Others, like New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have kept the door open to supporting Trump or whomever the nominee is.

Ahead of Haley's campaign launch, McConnell predicted a vigorous primary with a number of candidates whom Republican voters will have to choose between.

Its going to be very, very competitive, the primaries, and well hope for the best," McConnell told reporters. "And obviously Im going to support whoever the nominee is.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Missouri bill originally intended to target St. Louis and its crime rates has since been broadened to potentially affect Kansas City.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lane Roberts, a Joplin Republican, is an overarching public safety package that would, among other things, allow Republican Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a special prosecutor to any circuit or prosecuting attorneys jurisdiction for five years if, after reviewing the crime data, he deems there is a threat to public safety, or if the area had 35 homicides per 100,000 people in the previous year.

The original version of the bill targeted only St. Louis, but the legislation was broadened to include any jurisdiction the governor determines has a public safety emergency. The governor would have the power to directly appoint a special prosecutor, according to the current wording of the bill. The bill passed the Missouri House on Feb. 9 and is awaiting a vote in the state Senate.

Kansas City would be harder to target because the bill states that the governors appointment is to a circuit or prosecuting attorneys jurisdiction, not to specific cities. Kansas City spans into four different counties, unlike the City of St. Louis, which is in its own jurisdiction. Therefore, the governor would be unable to assign a special prosecutor to the entire city unless each of the four counties were assigned their own special prosecutors.

Jackson County, which accounts for nearly half of Kansas Citys population, had about 27 homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, and Kansas City had about 32, said Michael Mansur, the director of communications for Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. In 2020, Kansas Citys deadliest year to date, Mansur said the city nearly reached 35 homicides per 100,000 people, but Jackson County did not.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said if the bill is passed, it would be a step backward for the city, and it would be unwise and unfair.

It has everything to do with control of largely Black political figures. It has everything to do with political disagreements, it has nothing to do with public safety, Lucas said.

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He said he believes the Missouri Republicans did not introduce the legislation with the intention of curbing crime, but to make a political point and target St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a progressive Democrat who is Black.

To me, the concern is that while were spending time on these sorts of things that are not solutions, and these are just political talking points, what are we actually going to do to address the violent crime problem? Lucas said.

Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, said the bill likely wont be applied to Kansas City because the city doesnt fit into one jurisdiction.

If Kansas City was constructed like St. Louis City is, then I think we would probably have something real serious to worry about, said Sharp, who is the chairman of the House Special Committee on Urban Issues.

Missouri Democrats have also argued that allowing the governor to appoint special prosecutors only serves to attack Gardner. Roberts said the bill has been misinterpreted as an anti-circuit attorney law, and said he is only concerned about prosecuting people who have committed crimes in St. Louis and gone without punishment.

If this kind of thing were happening in any city, regardless of who the circuit attorney was, I would be concerned about it. This is a public safety issue to me, Roberts said.

Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican, said that he would not usually support legislation that could infringe on local control, but the crime statistics out of St. Louis have become too alarming. The City of St. Louis had 200 total homicides in 2022 and Kansas City had 169, according to each police departments data.

I think theres just a general consensus that were to a breaking point, were just to a point where something is going to have to be done, Brown said.

He said in a perfect world, they would not have to make such a drastic effort to get a handle on the crime, but he said the people and law enforcement of St. Louis need relief.

Rep. Ashley Bland-Manlove, a Kansas City Democrat, said there are both good and bad aspects of the bill, but said she was against allowing the governor to appoint special prosecutors.

Local control only works for Republicans when its for a homogenous group that has the same thought process. Not for when its people who might think adversely to them, or to their ideas, Bland-Manlove said.

She said assigning another prosecutor would not stop crime. Instead, she said they should be focusing on what people are missing that may drive them to commit crimes. She said funding after-school programs, YMCAs and job-training programs would be some of the better ways to combat criminal behavior in teens.

Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat, said the prosecuting attorneys are elected by voters, and to impose state-appointed prosecutors would take away the voice of the people.

Thats when I have to say that thats so unjust, so unfair, and its also racist, because you find that its the smaller communities, urban communities that theyre trying to control, Terry said. And I just feel that its wrong.

Other aspects of the bill

The lengthy legislation would also help inmates receive documentation like their Social Security card or birth certificate prior to being released. The bill would also criminalize disseminating personal information about judges and create a reimbursement program for people who complete the training for a peace officer license.

The bill would also give judges certain factors to consider when determining an individuals bail conditions, make changes to minimum sentencing, allow school resource officers to carry guns in schools and establish Blairs Law, among other things.

Blairs Law would make it a crime to shoot a gun with criminal negligence in any municipality.

Democrats have been trying to pass Blairs Law for years, and Sharp said it was important for it to be approved by the House early in the session.

Sharp said he did not think the appointment of a special prosecutor will have the effect Republicans intended, but said he voted for the bill because of the aspects he said were good, like Blairs Law.

Black Caucus rallies against legislation

During the final vote for the bill on Feb. 9, floor debate was cut off in the middle of Rep. Kevin Windham, a Hillsdale Democrat, reciting an article about how Mississippis majority white House of Representatives recently passed a bill to create a separate court system and expanded police force, appointed by all white state officials, for Jackson, a city with a majority Black population.

Speaker of the House Dean Plocher, a St. Louis County Republican, told Windham he was off topic, and House leadership immediately moved to vote on the bill. No other discussion was allowed.

The swift interruption of debate prompted outrage from Democrats, with Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat, calling it racist.

Terry said lawmakers cant adequately represent their communities if they are not allowed to at least speak on bills to present their concerns.

I know that when laws are being made here. Theyre not made for people that look like me, Terry said. Theyre made for destruction.

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus hosted a rally Wednesday in response to the bill and Plocher cutting Windham off. To an audience of about 50 people, made up of other state representatives, NAACP members, activists and supporters, Terry condemned the actions of Missouri Republicans.

We must take our power back. We will be recognized, we will use our voices, and we will show them how powerful we are, Terry said.
A mother and her 7-year-old daughter were discovered shot and killed in their Pennsylvania home, police say.

First responders in Allegheny County were dispatched to a Swissvale apartment on Wednesday, Feb. 15, when a man called 911 to report he was having chest pains, according to TribLive.com and KDKA.

When paramedics arrived, they did not receive a response from the apartment dispatched, Allegheny County police said. They contacted the property manager and learned the number that called 911 was associated with another apartment on the same floor.

Officers forced entry into the locked apartment, but they did not find the 911 caller. Instead, police found the bodies of a woman and young child who had been shot, according to a news release.

They were identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office as Megan Campbell, 39, and her 7-year-old daughter, Lyla Campbell.

The deaths are being treated as a double homicide, police said.

Police are attempting to speak with 35-year-old Kareef Easington, who lived with the victims. He was not at the apartment when the mom and daughter were found, police said.

Easington is not considered a suspect, according to WTAE. Its unclear if Easington is the one who called 911.

Megan Campbell was the director of nursing at a local nursing home and was full of life with a smile that would brighten a room, close friend Tyleda Worou told a WTAE reporter. Campbells daughter, Worou added, was sweet, outgoing and adventurous ... and would have been someone great.

Swissvale is an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh.

Mom and 17-year-old daughter found shot to death in Louisiana home, police say

Boyfriend charged in deaths of teacher and her 11-year-old daughter, Missouri cops say
A mother of two has been missing for nearly two weeks, Colorado authorities said.

Miranda Conner, 30, was last seen around 1 a.m. Feb. 3, the Denver Police Department said in a news release posted on Facebook.

Im definitely worried shes in danger, Conners mother, Tabitha Spann, told Denver7 News. She will never ever go a day without speaking to her children or us, her family.

The Dock Ellis Foundation, a nonprofit that says its mission is to advocate and assist minority missing persons, said in a Facebook post that Conners family said she took an Uber from her home to meet someone before she went missing.

Someone later found her cracked cellphone, the nonprofit said.

Shes always on the phone with us. She would never leave her phone behind, Spann told Denver7 News.

Denver police confirmed to 9NEWS that they have Conners phone and are analyzing its data.

The department is actively investigating circumstances of her disappearance and potential whereabouts, police said, according to the outlet.

Spann told CBS Colorado that shes worried about Conners well-being, as its been too long since shes been heard from.

Miranda is a loving mother, Spann told the outlet. She would never ever leave her children with somebody unless she knew she was coming back.

Conner is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 116 pounds with brown hair and eyes, according to police.

Police asked for anyone with information to call 720-913-6653.

Missing 23-year-old woman considered at risk has been safely located, Sacramento police say

Update: Missing endangered woman is safe, was found by employees of Boise business

SC mother of two remains missing a year after she mysteriously drove away from her children
A man from Monroe was indicted for labor trafficking, transporting, harboring, and bringing a non-citizen to the U.S. for financial gain, according to U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.

A federal grand jury in Seattle determined there was enough evidence to charge 55-year-old Rangel Ramirez-Manzano with four federal felonies Wednesday.

Ramirez-Manzano allegedly abused the woman physically, sexually, and emotionally. He also allegedly threatened her family and forced her to work for no compensation.

According to records filed in the case, Ramirez-Manzano had known the woman since she was young in Mexico. He pursued a long-distance relationship with her and urged her to move to the U.S. to be his girlfriend.

He is believed to have paid smugglers $17,000 to bring her from Mexico to the U.S.

The woman thought she would be continuing a romantic relationship with him and would not be required to pay back any costs for traveling across the border. Instead, she was abused and forced to work long hours to pay off the smuggling debt.

Almost immediately after arriving in Washington, he forced her to begin hard labor for his landscaping business and threatened to kill her children back in Mexico.

The woman was finally able to escape from his house with multiple injuries and asked a neighbor to call 911.

The FBI joined the Monroe police in investigating the case and Ramirez-Manzano was arrested in Sept. 2022.

Human trafficking is often called modern-day slavery. I am pleased that our office is a leader in pursuing justice for victims in these difficult cases, said Brown.

Ramirez-Manzano will be arraigned on the indictment on Feb. 23, 2023.

The case is being investigated by the FBI.
Megan found comfort in running. On Nov. 30, 2018, she laced up her shoes and went on a morning run, just like she always did.

But 31-year-old Nicholas Campbell destroyed that sanctuary, Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Katelyn Farley said in court Wednesday. Southwest of Boise, Campbell came up behind Megan and attacked her, grabbing her around the neck, knocking her to the ground, and then choking her until she lost consciousness, according to the Ada County Sheriffs Office.

He then attempted to rape her but was stopped when an individual drove up and forced Campbell to flee, Farley said.

Now, almost five years later, Farley said, Megan is still struggling to find her way back into running. Farley in her argument said Megan has overcome all emotional and physical barriers shes had to endure since the sexual assault attempt and persevered.

This feat sends a strong message that Megan is not a victim, but she is a survivor, Farley said during Campbells sentencing Wednesday.

Fourth District Judge James Cawthon went beyond the prosecutions recommendation and sentenced Salt Lake City resident Campbell to spend up to 45 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Farley, who called Campbell evil and a coward, asked for a sentence of 45 years with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

It is a horrible, violent violation, just an unspeakable crime, Cawthon said.

Campbell pleaded guilty in October to three felonies  battery with the intent to commit a serious felony and two enhancements, infliction of great bodily injury and destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.

Hes expected to pay a $5,000 civil penalty, $1,708 restitution payment, along with court costs and lab fees. A no-contact order was also filed, prohibiting Campbell from communicating in any way with the woman for the next 60 years. While the court named the woman, the Idaho Statesman doesnt identify sexual assault survivors and is only using her first name.

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I dont want you contacting her in your lifetime, Cawthon said.

Campbells attorney argues for 20-year prison sentence

Campbells attorney Raymond Schild argued for a much lighter sentence, asking Cawthon to sentence Campbell to up to 20 years in prison with the possibility of getting out of prison after five years. Schild said less time in prison would give Campbell an opportunity to be rehabilitated instead of keeping him incarcerated until at least his mid-50s.

I dont think hes the monster that hes been painted to be, Schild said in court.

But both Farley and Cawthon pointed to the pre-sentence investigation and psychosexual evaluations, which showed Campbell was not amenable to rehabilitation. Farley said that Campbell planned the attack by buying a black ski mask, following the womans running route and parking his car near the scene of the crime.

Farley added that cellphone records showed Campbell stalked the woman on her exact running route. Schlid disputed the statement and said that since Campbell lived in the same neighborhood, the cellphone evidence could have just shown he was around his home.

I dont see in the material before me, or what Ive heard today, that theres any fertile ground upon which the seeds of rehabilitation could find purchase, Cawthon said.

Campbell pleaded guilty to the three felonies through an Alford plea, which allows Campbell to maintain his innocence but acknowledges the evidence against him. Earlier this month, he asked to walk back his plea on the basis that he didnt admit to the crimes and was diagnosed with several conditions that included schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, paranoia and schizophrenia. Cawthon denied that request.

Cawthon in court Wednesday didnt deny Campbells significant history of mental illness, but he saidCampbell hasnt addressed his issues in a meaningful way. He added that Campbell has a long criminal history, which he said spans over two decades.

You have a continued problematic, dishonest  sometimes violent  rule-breaking behavior in the community and when incarcerated, Cawthon said.

Campbell said he didnt remember asking Schild to file a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, adding that there are a lot of things he doesnt remember  including the attempted rape. He also said that while he agrees that hes led a life of criminality, hes never done anything so disgusting and heinous.

Not remembering isnt an excuse to not take responsibility, Campbell said, and pleading guilty is my way to take responsibility  my only hope is that (the woman) finds peace in my conviction.
A ship in Antarctica. Zheng Xianzhang/VCG via Getty Images

Cruising is a relatively safe form of travel, two cruise industry analysts told Insider.

But some cruise destinations and routes are prone to dangerous conditions and risky activity.

These are some of the most dangerous cruise locations around the world.

A favorite form of travel among global adventurers, cruises provide passengers with ease, access, and expectations of a safe journey.

But the cushy onboard experience of a commercial cruise can, in the rarest of occasions, turn dangerous, even deadly.

Weather conditions on the open ocean can turn on a dime, with unpredictable winds, fast-moving storms, and freak waves posing risks to both vessels and passengers. Just this month, US Coast Guard announced that it was aiding an investigation into a series of deaths and injuries among American citizens on Antarctic cruises over a two-week period last year.

"These incidents can happen anywhere at any time," Stewart Chiron, a cruise-industry analyst and CEO of the consumer cruise website cruiseguy.com, told Insider. "Even when you take extreme care, these are accidents, they're not on purpose."

Chiron and Ross Klein, a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland who studies the cruise industry and runs the website cruisejunkie.com, broke down some of the most dangerous cruising routes and destinations around the world.

Antarctica

The world's southernmost continent is among the most beautiful  and dangerous  cruise destinations, according to Chiron and Klein.

"The reality is you're going into a part of the world where weather conditions can be unpredictable," Klein told Insider. "It's an area of the world where if something goes wrong, you can't call 911 and say, 'I need help.'"

As it's virtually uninhabited, Antarctica's remote location, as well as its relatively new status as an accessible vacation spot, is a major factor in its position as a perilous cruise destination. Rough seas and unreliable weather conditions also up the risk factor for passengers on these "bucket list" trips.

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"We're dealing with a treacherous part of the world," Chiron said. "We're not talking about the sunny, calm Caribbean seas with light trade winds."

The region's dangers were on full display in November when three Americans died in two separate wave-related incidents on Antarctic cruises in a two-week period.

Two US citizens died on an inflatable boat during an excursion off the Portuguese-flagged World Explorer when the small boat capsized near Elephant Island in Antarctica. Nearly two weeks later, another American died and four others were injured while aboard the Viking Polaris after a rogue wave hit the ship and shattered several windows.

Ship travel through Antarctica, once limited to expedition and exploration ships, has become increasingly popular in recent years as more commercial cruise lines deploy passenger vessels to the remote region, where tourists can snap photos with penguins and spot killer whales up close.

But when disaster strikes, the area's remoteness can exacerbate danger.

"You're at the mercy of weather, the mercy of what other ships are around that can give help," said Klein, who has testified at Congressional hearings about the cruise industry.

In 2009, the MS Explorer, a cruise liner carrying more than 150 passengers, sank in freezing Antarctic waters after the captain drove the ship too fast toward a "wall of ice," an accident investigation found. Passengers were shepherded onto lifeboats, and with unusually calm weather conditions, nobody died.

Antarctica's perilous conditions mean accidents on the rough sea are inevitable, especially as more and more ships traverse the treacherous waters, the two experts said.

"The incidents that happened in late 2022, they're in our minds as though they're unique, but they're not," Klein said. "They've happened before, and they'll happen again in the future."

A cruise ship in Cierva Cove along the west coast of Graham Land, Antarctica. Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Northwest Passage

The famed sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean has only in recent years borne witness to commercial cruising as the region's ice increasingly melts, which allows passenger vessels to sometimes make the treacherous trip though freezing waters.

But the waterway's shallowness, network of islands and inlets, and persisting ice make the Northwest Passage as dangerous as Antarctica is for cruising, Klein said, noting the perilous pack ice that makes navigation especially tricky.

The route was first navigated more than 100 years ago by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Today, passengers with enough cash can sail the Northwest Passage while on summer visits to Norway, Iceland, or Greenland.

Unpredictable sea conditions are a major risk variable in the Arctic, where vicious storms can spring up with no warning and the surrounding environment provides little protection for any ship caught in a gale.

In 2018, a Russian-flagged passenger ship with 162 people on board ran aground along the passage, prompting a rescue operation by a fellow ship, as well as the Canadian Coast Guard.

Anticipation of an influx of passenger vessels in the inhospitable area has prompted safety concerns among the Canadian Coast Guard about the likely need for future rescue operations.

"There is very little protection," Klein said of the Northwest Passage. "There aren't other ships around. You don't have a shipping route where people can come help you."

Cruise passengers during a lifeboat drill in the Northwest Passage near Nunavut, Canada. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

The waterway off the coast of North Carolina known as Cape Hatteras has a foreboding nickname that cements its status as a historically dangerous route: the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The area is the site of an unusually large number of shipwrecks dating back hundreds of years. Remnants of fallen vessels can be spotted from the shores. Estimates place the number of shipwrecks off Cape Hatteras at more than 2,000.

The cape is ripe for disaster as the warm waters of the Gulf Stream meet the cold waters of the Arctic current above an underwater land mass of ever-shifting bays and sandbars known as Diamond Shoals.

"There's a reason so many of the old ships sank there," Chiron said.

Modern cruise ships are more technically advanced and better equipped than their 19th- and 20th-century counterparts to face the storm conditions often seen near Hatteras.

But in 2016, a passenger ship bound for the Bahamas had to turn around and return to New York after a severe storm near Cape Hatteras injured four people.

Ocean Pursuit stranded along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina. National Park Service via AP

Cruise lines avoid dangerous ports

While rough seas and high winds can make ocean travel dangerous, uncertainties on land pose their own risks for visitors.

Commercial cruise lines, which are in the business of making money and ensuring every passenger gets home alive, are understandably risk-averse when it comes to port destinations that might be dangerous, Klein said.

Cruise lines will change entire itineraries for the long term should a popular land destination become racked with civil unrest or increasing crime rates, according to Chiron and Klein.

Egypt, whose cities were once a mainstay on several cruise itineraries, offered passengers the chance to visit pyramids and explore both Cairo's and Alexandria's history. But the country has seen a steep decline in visiting cruise ships since the Arab Spring took hold in the Middle East in the early 2010s, Chiron said.

Ports in the Dominican Republic led to a similar story in the 1980s, Chiron said, after spending years as common stopping points for passing ships. Rising crime throughout the country at the time kept cruises away for many years, the expert said, adding that the country was back to being a popular stop for modern seafarers.

In 2005, the Seabourn Spirit, a luxury cruise ship now named Star Breeze with 161 crew and passengers on board, was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The capture attempt ultimately failed when crews drove the pirates off using the ship's water hose.

The Seabourn Spirit, off the coast of Djibouti. ERIC CABANIS/AFP via Getty Images

Even common cruising routes can be racked by dangerous conditions

Even the calmest of tropical seas or most popular of cruising destinations can be hit with an unexpected storm or freak incident, the two experts said; it's just part of ocean travel.

"You'll see plenty of winter sailings to and from the Northeast to the Caribbean where ships are hit by rogue waves," Chiron said.

Likewise, ships making standard transatlantic trips can sometimes pull into a New York port with several feet of snow on the ship, having navigated through a winter storm, Chiron added.

While cruise companies and crews review weather conditions constantly, some things are impossible to predict.

Chiron and Klein both said passengers have a responsibility to mentally prepare and educate themselves of any inherent risks involved in their cruise travel and should always be prepared for a change in plans.

Cruising, however, remains a relatively safe form of travel and vacation, they said.

"It's more a sense of having a respect for nature," Klein said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The FBI has opened an investigation into the alleged beating and torture of two Black men by Rankin County deputies.

The FBI Jackson Field Office, the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi have opened a federal civil rights investigation into a color of law incident into the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, according to a statement from the FBI.

Weeks after Rankin County deputies raided a home and beat and threatened two Black men and shot one in the mouth, a civil rights attorney is calling for justice, answers and for the deputies to be charged.

On Wednesday, Michael Corey Jenkins, 32, was released from the intensive care unit at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He underwent two surgeries to treat injuries to his mouth and head, including surgical removal of his tongue. As a result, he is unable to talk and now communicates through writing or gestures.

Easily he could have been like Tyre Nichols or on the long (list of) names of victims here of police abuse and police brutality, said Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice in Washington, D.C., one of Jenkins attorneys.

Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, right, representing Michael Jenkins, far left, and Terrell Parker speaks to media near the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Shabazz claims that his clients were assaulted by Rankin County sheriff deputies, which left Jenkins with serious injuries.

Rankin County deputies accused of torture, waterboarding

On Jan. 24, Jenkins and another victim, Eddie Terrell Parker, 35, were at a home in Braxton where Parker lives with the property owner when six white Rankin deputies conducting a drug investigation raided.

Shabazz said they did not announce themselves or show a search warrant. They accused the men of selling drugs and later charged them with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, the attorney said.

For 90 minutes, deputies exercised what Shabazz called intimidation and unjustified torture of Jenkins and Parker. The men were punched, kicked, slapped and tasered while handcuffed. They had guns pointed at them and were threatened with death, Shabazz said.

The attorney said during that time, the deputies waterboarded Jenkins and Parker. Waterboarding is an illegal torture technique that involves strapping someone down, putting a wet rag in their mouth and pouring water over them to simulate drowning.

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It was senseless and uncalled for, Parker said at the news conference. It was traumatizing and something I never thought Id go through.

It ended when a deputy placed a gun in Jenkins mouth and pulled the trigger, Shabazz said. Jenkins could have died, but the bullet exited his mouth.

They acted like my son wasnt even human

When Mary Jenkins found out her son had been shot by police, she called the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. She asked what the charges were against Jenkins, but did not get an answer. She was only told he was under investigation.

They acted like my son wasnt even human, she said, adding that the sheriffs office didnt treat her family well, kept Jenkins under their watch at the hospital and prevented them from seeing him.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation interviewed Jenkins in his hospital room for the first time since the shooting, and he confirmed what deputies did to him, Shabazz said.

The recounting of Jenkins and Parkers experience differs from information offered by investigators and law enforcement.

A Jan.25 news release from the Department of Public Safety said Rankin County deputies encountered a person  now identified as Jenkins  during a narcotics investigation at a Braxton residence and shot when he displayed a gun.

During the Wednesday news conference, Jenkins shook his head when Shabazz asked whether he had a gun or handled one at any point during the incident.

Sheriff doesnt address police brutality allegations

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey released a five-sentence statement Tuesday evening that did not address allegations of mistreatment by the deputies against Jenkins and Parker.

He said the sheriffs office contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to look into the deputies actions.

We are fully cooperating with that ongoing investigation and will continue to do so, Bailey said in the statement. Rest assured, if any deputy or suspect involved in this incident is found to have broken the law, he will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Shabazz said the sheriffs office has not shared much information, including confirmation whether any officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The attorney is asking for attempted murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy charges to be filed against all the deputies, all body camera footage be released and Rankin County to respond immediately reply to all records requests related to the incident.

He read the allegations of brutality from a notice to file a lawsuit against Sheriff Bryan Bailey and the government of Rankin County. After a 90-day period, Shabazz can file the lawsuit and is set to ask for $90 million in compensatory and punitive damages for the two men.

Shabazz also wants the totally false charges against the men to be dropped. In addition to drug charges, Parker was also charged with disorderly conduct and Jenkins was charged with aggravated assault, the attorney said.

Another member of the mens legal team, attorney Trent Walker, said they will take the lead to get the charges against Jenkins and Parker dismissed.

Something has to change because what is going on here should not go on in a civilized society, he said.
The shooter who opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University on Monday night, killing three people and wounding five, was found with two legally purchased guns, ammunition and a note threatening violence, officials said Thursday.

Anthony McRae, 43, was identified as the sole suspect in the shooting. The motive is unclear, as officials said McRae had no apparent affiliation with MSU and took his own life after the attack.

The shooter had two 9 mm handguns on him, as well as additional magazines and ammunition, Chris Rozman of MSUs Department of Police and Public Safety said at a news conference.

An investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined those weapons were purchased legally by McRae, but they were not registered. Its not clear when or where they were purchased.

He also confirmed a note was found on the shooter.

The three slain college students, all from Michigan, were identified as junior Alexandria Verner, 20, of Clawson; sophomore Brian Fraser, 20, of Grosse Pointe; and Arielle Anderson, 19, also of Grosse Pointe.

The five injured victims, also students, were hospitalized at E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing in critical condition. One is now stable, MSU police said Thursday in a tweet.

Investigators leave the scene of a shooting at Berkey Hall at Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich. (Sylvia Jarrus for NBC News)

The wounded have not been identified.

The Chinese consulate in Chicago said two Chinese students were among the injured.

After undergoing surgical treatment in the hospital, their lives are out of danger, the consulate said in a statement noting their family members have been contacted.

The shooter's final confrontation, search of his home

Officials on Thursday shared a breakdown of the final confrontation with the shooter.

Detectives responded to Lake Lansing Road and Larch Street where the suspect was observed walking and two Lansing Police Department officers made contact, approximately 20 feet from him, Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez said.

They exited their vehicle and ordered him to show his hands.

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However, he produced a weapon and killed himself, Gonzalez said.

Body camera video showed that McRae didnt say anything to the officers, he said.

The suspect was found with two handguns, one of which he used to shoot himself, and another in the backpack he was carrying. He also had a loaded magazine "that was full to capacity in his left breast pocket," Gonzalez said.

In the backpack, he had eight loaded magazines of 9 mm ammunition, along with a pencil-size pouch containing 50 rounds of loose 9 mm ammunition. He also had two empty magazines on his person, Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said two pages of notes were found in the suspect's wallet.

That was the note that indicated where he was going to visit and also kind of gave an indication of why, maybe a motive, but nothing we can actually confirm just yet," Gonzalez said.

People place flowers at the Spartan Statue at Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich. (Sylvia Jarrus for NBC News)

The investigation is ongoing. It is believed that McRae acted alone, he said.

Michigan State Police did not share exactly what the note found said, but it threatened businesses, a church and a school district in New Jersey.

Through our investigation, we found that he had contact with some of those places, he was an employee of the Meyer warehouse at one time. And a couple of the other businesses, it appears that he had some issues with the employees there where he was asked to leave. So it looks like he, possibly a motive for that was he felt slighted and thats kind of what the note indicated," Gonzalez said.

A search warrant was also secured for McRaes residence and a cellphone was collected, along with journals of sorts, miscellaneous writings and fired 9 mm shell casings, Gonzalez said.

Gunman's history with police

Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee detailed previous law enforcement encounters with the shooter.

He said the department had not responded to any welfare checks for the gunman. He said there was one welfare check at the Lansing address linked to him, but it was not related to the accused. He said police had not responded to any calls for shots fired at the address.

Lansing police responded to the gunmans home in 2005 for a larceny complaint, he had traffic violations in 2006 and 2007, and he was arrested in 2019 for carrying a concealed weapon. The weapon in that case is still in police custody, Sosebee said.

A motive in the shooting remains under investigation. Officials acknowledged that McRae had a history of mental health issues, and that is part of the probe.

"It appears from the content of the note that he felt he was slighted in some way by people or businesses. Did mental health issues amplify that, or was it a component of that? We're not sure at this point," Rozman said. "Thats the question on all of our minds, and were doing our best to determine that as best as possible."

MSU classes are suspended through Sunday.

Berkey Hall, where the shooting started, will remain closed for the remainder of the semester. The status of Union Hall, the shooter's next stop, is still being evaluated, said the university's interim president, Teresa K. Woodruff.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(WTNH)  Following the countrys latest deadly mass shooting Monday night, a Michigan State University student who also lived through the tragedy at Sandy Hook in 2012 is sharing her story.

Jackie Matthews, who was a student in Connecticuts Newtown Public School system during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, turned to social media to reach a broader audience to enact change, saying enough is enough.

It is almost 1 a.m., and I am currently directly across the street from where the shootings at Michigan State occurred, Matthews said in a now-viral video posted on social media. The fact that this is now the second mass shooting that I have lived through is incomprehensible.

Her call to action? End gun violence.

At the age of 21, Matthews has been impacted by the tragedies at Michigan State University and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

I was in my sixth-grade classroom and was in lockdown for, I think, six hours just with my peers, Matthews told Nexstars WTNH. I came home, and that week, we had 26 funerals in our town.

Family: Michigan State gunman heard voices, turned evil and mean after mothers death

The MSU senior detailed the fear and panic students were feeling after shots were fired on campus Monday night, and during the ensuing search for a gunman.

[I] immediately checked in on all of our friends and locked the doors, was in contact with everybody that I knew and tried to keep calm.

In those moments, Matthews said painful, traumatic memories all came flooding back.

A whole nother community is going to have to endure what my hometown community experienced, she said.

Matthews is now trying to do what she can to enact change. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been nearly 70 mass shootings in 2023 alone.

I usually dont share that information, share videos like that, but I do hope those comments and the video itself goes beyond what I had ever could have thought  and it gets to the right people, and we can do something about this.

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Matthews hopes to speak with Michigans governor, other lawmakers and stakeholders to tighten gun laws.

Matthews said the support shes received since posting the video on social media has been overwhelming. People have also been tagging lawmakers in the comments, hoping to help get her message to the widest audience possible.

Especially after experiencing this for a second time, its not something Im going to give up on, Matthews said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A cryptic Thursday afternoon press release from Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy hinted new information has come to light in the fatal 2015 shooting by Memphis police of 19-year-old Darrius Stewart.

"Earlier today, DA Mulroy and attorneys from our office met with Darrius Stewarts father, Henry Williams, and his attorney. During our meeting, the attorney informed us that there was information that we may have not been privy to that was uncovered during the civil investigation, "the release said.

Mulroy's office will review the unspecified information, the release said. It's unclear how new the information is, what it is, and whether former District Attorney General Amy Weirich's office was aware of it.

Mulroy's office declined to provide further details.

Stewart was killed during a confrontation with former Memphis police officer Connor Schilling in July 2015. Weirich recommended indicting Schilling on two charges, voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

After reviewing the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the shooting, a Shelby County grand jury declined to indict Schilling on either charge.

The shooting spurred several demonstrations and bolstered the case for funding police-worn body cameras, which were then introduced to the police force in 2016.

Stewart's mother, Mary Stewart, filed a wrongful death suit in federal civil court in 2020. That filing came after a series of decisions by federal judges that removed both the City of Memphis and former Memphis police director Toney Armstrong from an earlier suit.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mulroy's office to review new information in Darrius Stewart killing
Survivors of more than one mass shooting speak out in the wake of the Michigan State University tragedy. (Photo: Getty Images)

For 21-year-old Michigan State University student Jackie Matthews, the Feb. 13 shooting  which claimed the lives of three students and injured five others  meant reliving trauma. In Dec. 2012, Matthews was a middle school student in the Newtown, Conn., school district when 26 people were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As Matthews detailed in a TikTok posted earlier this week, she hid in a classroom hunched alongside her classmates for so long that she suffered a fracture in her lower back.

The fact that this is the second mass shooting that I have now lived through is incomprehensible, she told the camera in her video, which has since been removed from the platform. "My heart goes out to all the families and friends of the victims ... but we can no longer just provide love and prayers. There needs to be legislation; there needs to be action. It's not OK. We can no longer allow this to happen. We can no longer be complacent."

MSU student Emma Riddle told The Washington Post that she survived the 2021 school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, only to experience a shooting again in college. She tweeted, '14 months ago I had to evacuate from Oxford High Schol [sic] when a fifteen year old opened fire and killed four of my classmates and injured seven more. Tonight, I am sitting under my desk at Michigan State Univeristy [sic], once again texting everyone I love you

"When will this end?

14 months ago I had to evacuate from Oxford High Schol when a fifteen year old opened fire and killed four of my classmates and injured seven more.



Tonight, I am sitting under my desk at Michigan State Univeristy, once again texting everyone I love you



When will this end?  Emma Riddle (@egraceridd) February 14, 2023

Shes not the only one from Oxford enrolled at MSU: her mother, Andrea Ferguson, told WDIV-TV in Detroit how her daughter also survived the Oxford shooting, only to have to shelter in place at MSU, where she is now a student.

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This isnt what we send our kids to school for, Ferguson said. This shouldnt be happening.

According to The Washington Posts database, there have been 366 school shootings since 1999s shooting at Columbine High School. More than 338,000 students have experienced gun violence at school, per the database, although that number does not include students in other schools in the district, which may have also been told, like Matthews, to shelter in place or hide  not knowing what may come next.

PTSD and mass shootings

Surviving a shooting without physical injury does not mean that survivors go unscathed. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health disorder triggered by a terrifying event, was once typically associated almost exclusively with war veterans  but it is common following shootings. Symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, include nightmares and severe anxiety. For people who experience more than one mass shooting, the risk of developing the disorder is much greater.

Dr. Shaili Jain, a psychiatrist and a PTSD specialist who wrote The Unspeakable Mind, says that while most people's emotional wounds heal with the passage of time, a substantial minority will go on to develop PTSD. The dose of your trauma exposure matters when it comes to the risk of developing PTSD, she say,  which means that for people who did not develop PTSD after the first traumatic event they experienced, the risk increases with their second.

Mass shootings, in general, may be more likely to cause PTSD than other types of traumatic events.

There's something about human-made violence, which is potently traumatizing and much more likely to lead to PTSD than let's say, a natural disaster or an accident, Jain explains. Its the way we're wired as humans. When we feel like someone deliberately went out of their way to harm us  there's something about that that's potently traumatizing.

Jain points out that every person responds to a traumatic event in a different way. For people who lived through a shooting shortly after surviving their first, they may not have properly coped with the first event, compounding the trauma. However, she notes that even for people who survived a mass shooting as a child, the trauma can be stirred up.

When you're a child, especially when you're a very young child, your brain may not be able to fully process what is going on, and you will be vulnerable throughout your lifetime to having things retriggered and manifest in unsuspecting ways, she explains. I really wouldn't be surprised if this person was having a massive re-experiencing of what went on as a child. It doesn't matter that it was 15 years ago. I don't think that really matters. The nature of the trauma was just so horrific and so life-changing, that it totally has the power to destabilize.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is reintroducing legislation to require background checks on all commercial gun purchases in the aftermath of the Michigan State University shooting that left three students dead.

Murphy has pushed for stronger gun control legislation throughout his time in Congress, and is now once again calling for mandatory background checks for every firearm sale.

If the measure became law, prospective gun buyers would need to undergo a background check for the sale or transfer of guns, including online sales, purchases at gun shows and through unlicensed sellers, according to the bill.

Murphy told Poppy Harlow on CNN This Morning that some states do not require background checks on online sales or during gun shows. He says the majority of crime guns used in states like New York and Connecticut are purchased from other states who do not have universal background checks.

If you want to buy a gun, you just should have to prove that youre not a criminal, that youre not seriously mentally ill, he said on Thursday. The problem is, many states have chosen not to apply background checks to internet sales and sales at gun shows. That means the criminals know how to buy guns without being detected as a criminal.

One day after a gunman killed 11 people at a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, Calif., Murphy and other Democrat senators introduced a pair of bills to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and also to raise the age to buy assault weapons from 18 to 21.

Murphy told Harlow that passing more background check legislation will be an uphill battle with a Republican controlled House, but that GOP members may change their mind on the issue.

A lot of Republicans are changing their mind because they actually realize that the gun lobby isnt as powerful as it used to be, he said. So, yes, this looks like an uphill battle, especially with a Republican House. But a lot of people said that we werent going to be able to pass the bill we passed last year with red flag laws and bans on guns to domestic abusers. But we did because the issue is moving pretty fast.

Story continues

Congress passed a piece of gun control legislation last year that expanded background checks for people under 21 and closed the boyfriend loophole, meaning that those convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence involving a current or former romantic partner cannot possess a firearm for at least five years.

Murphy said on Thursday that this marks a precedent for preventing those convicted of certain misdemeanors from obtaining a firearm, and that they should take a look at illegal gun possession misdemeanors.

The suspect connected with the Michigan State University shooting, Anthony McRae, previously had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor firearm charge in 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on January 12, 2023. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Three mysterious objects were shot down by the US military in North American airspace last weekend.

President Biden said nothing suggests these objects were related to any surveillance programs.

The three unidentified objects are "most likely" just civilian objects, he said on Thursday.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said no evidence suggests that the three unidentified objects shot down by US fighter jets in recent days are related to any country's surveillance program and were "most likely" civilian objects.

"We don't yet know exactly what these three objects were," Biden said in long-awaited remarks. "The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation, or research institutions studying weather or conducting other scientific research."

US Air Force fighter jets downed three aerial objects operating in North American airspace in three separate engagements on February 10, 11, and 12. Officials have yet to reveal publically what those objects were.

Biden addressed the Chinese surveillance balloon that entered US airspace late last month, noting that his administration put restrictions on six firms that directly support Beijing's People's Liberation Army aerospace program.

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. Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Thompson

Biden, who has drawn criticism for not acting immediately as it traversed the country for a week, said he gave the order to shoot down the Chinese balloon over the Atlantic Ocean in early February "as soon as it would be safe to do so."

"The military advised against shooting it down over land because of the sheer size of it," he said. "It was the size of multiple school buses and it posed a risk to people on the ground if it was shot down where people lived."

The Pentagon later revealed that the Chinese balloon is part of a broader global network that Beijing has operated for years, the scope of which extends across five continents and multiple regions.

Biden on Thursday also said he's directed his team to create "sharper rules" for dealing with unidentified objects moving forward, distinguishing between those that pose a security risk and those that don't. If any object poses a risk to Americans, he said, "I will take it down."

Story continues

The US Air Force's F-22 Raptor. Mai/Getty Images

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will lead a government-wide effort to ensure the US is positioned to deal with objects in US airspace, establishing a better inventory of unmanned airborne objects, improving detection, and updating rules and regulations.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also help establish "common global norms in this largely unregulated space," Biden said.

In total, four objects  one Chinese surveillance balloon and the three smaller objects that remain unidentified  have been shot down over North American airspace since early February. All four operations were carried out by US Air Force fighter jets using AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

An F-22 Raptor  a stealth fifth-generation aircraft  first shot down the Chinese balloon on February 4 as it was operating at over 60,000 feet off the coast of South Carolina. On February 10, an F-22 down an unidentified object hovering at 40,000 feet over Alaska. The next day, an F-22 took down another unidentified object over northern Canada.

Most recently, an F-16 on Sunday shot down an object flying at 20,000 feet  well below the average cruising altitude of many commercial airliners  over Lake Huron. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley revealed on Wednesday that the F-16 actually missed on its first try.

A top US Air Force general who oversees the commands that defend US and Canadian airspace recently offered an explanation for why there was a sudden increase in flying objects over North America. After the Chinese balloon was downed, NORAD tweaked its radars to be able to detect smaller and slower-moving objects, said Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The eyes and the attention of race fans all around the country are focusing on Central Florida this week as Daytona Speedweeks returns to Daytona International Speedway.

Wednesdays qualifying rounds were just the beginning of whats going to be a record-setting crowd come Sunday.

NASCAR said its making some changes when it comes to qualifying, moving to Wednesday instead of the Sunday before the race.

36 drivers are locked in the field, and six drivers will compete at 8 p.m. Wednesday for a chance to participate in Sundays race.

The six drivers trying to qualify for the race includes Travis Pastrana and seven-time cup series champ Jimmie Johnson.
Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC), has said that the Russian invaders are preparing a new massive missile attack on Ukraine, which may take place on 23-24 February.

Source: Danilov on air of the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote from Danilov: "They [the Russians  ed.] are preparing and will try to make another attempt to mount a massive attack on 23-24 February. We have to be calm about this, and moreover, we are ready for it."

Details: According to him, Ukraine already understands what such attacks are like, when 115 to 120 missiles were fired at the country. "We will cope with this day," the NSDC Secretary is convinced.

Background: According to the military, on the night of 15-16 February alone, Russia fired 36 missiles at Ukraine, with air defence systems shooting down 16 of them. The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 14 Kh-101/Kh-555 and Kalibr cruise missiles and two Kh-59 guided missiles.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
On Jan. 6, 2021, Matthew Beddingfield used a flag pole topped by an American flag to slash and stab at the genitalia of a police officer trying to keep him out of the U.S. Capitol.

You need to back up. This is not the way to do it, the officer said, according to an account presented in court.

F--- you!, Beddingfield replied, according to the prosecutor. Youre on the wrong side.

Soon, the Nash County man may find that it is he whos on the wrong side  of a federal prison cell.

On Thursday, Beddingfield accepted a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty in a Washington, D.C., courtroom to a single count of assault on a police officer.

The resident of Middlesex, 25 miles east of Raleigh, will be sentenced June 22. He was allowed to return to North Carolina until then.

Beddingfields crime carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. As a part of his plea deal, however, prosecutors have set a sentencing range of 37-46 months.

The longest sentence handed down so far to an N.C. defendant  44 months  was part of a plea deal offered to former Fort Bragg soldier James Mault, who also was charged with assaulting police.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, will have the final say and could go above or below what the lawyers in the case recommend.

Beddingfield, who was 21 at the time of the riot, is among at least 26 North Carolinians federally charged in connection with the violence.

On Jan. 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters, fueled by the former presidents baseless claims of a stolen election, stormed the Capitol to stop congressional certification of Trumps defeat to now President Joe Biden.

Five deaths have been linked to the mob attack and some 140 police officers defending the building were injured.

Almost 1,000 arrests have been made, including some 325 defendants charged with assaulting or impeding police.

Among the N.C. cases, Beddingfields stands out. He was out on bond for an attempted murder charge tied to the 2019 shooting of a Smithfield teenager when he drove to Washington with his father on Jan. 6. (Beddingfield later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge tied to the shooting and received probation.)

Story continues

At the Capitol, prosecutors say, Beddingfield was among the first rioters to attack police lines, and was caught on camera giving a Nazi salute while carrying the American flag.

Inside the building, he joined a line of rioters who tried to storm the Senate wing. Later, he entered the office of then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy where he left his flagpole and took a bottle of water.

Two weeks later, Beddingfield used his Instagram account  @rightwing.dissident  to offer an epilogue.

Id like to reclaim America, he wrote, and it is fine if a few of my peoples enemies are hurt in the process.

In return for Beddingfields plea on Thursday, prosecutors dropped two other felonies  civil disorder, and remaining on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon  as well as multiple misdemeanors.

Beddingfield joins a list of at least four other N.C. residents who have accepted plea deals involving riot-related felonies and await sentencing.

They include:

 Aiden Bilyard of Cary.

The states youngest Capitol riot defendant will be sentenced March 17. He pleaded guilty in October to assaulting or impeding police. Bilyard, who was 18 at the time, was seen on video firing chemical spray at officers. He faces a sentencing range of 47-57 months, which would be the longest sentence handed down so far to an N.C. defendant.

 Tara Stottlemyer and Dale D.J. Shalvey, both of Conover.

The Catawba County farmers will be sentenced March 29 and could be the states first married couple sent to prison. Stottlemyer, who pleaded guilty to felony obstruction, faces a sentencing range of 15 to 21 months. Shalvey pleaded guilty to two felonies, include assaulting police, and faces a range of 41 to 51 months.

 Grayson Sherrill of Cherryville.

The 23-year-old Gaston County man faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced on May 1. Sherrill pleaded guilty Feb. 3 to assaulting a police officer with a metal pole. He was turned into the FBI by his family.

Former High Point police officer Laura Steele, an alleged member of the Oath Keepers, a right wing militia group, remains on trial this week in Washington on multiple felony charges.
The train derailment in East Palestine last week is creating a lot of concern for people in the Miami Valley mainly questions about the safety of the water.

The Miami Conservancy District also told News Center 7 they have been getting questions non stop since last week.

Were getting posts on our social media channels. Were getting phone calls, people are very concerned, said Sarah Hippensteel Hall, Manager of Watershed Partnerships for the Miami Conservancy District.

>> We should know when we have trains carrying hazardous materials, Gov. DeWine says

Hall says the Miami Valleys watershed and the underlying aquifer are not connected to East Palestine or their river and streams.

Not only did Hall confirm that the river and water supplies are safe from anything that happened in East Palestine, but so did the City of Dayton.

We are not impacted by the spill that is happening over in East Palestine, said Keshia Kinney, Dayton Water Supply and Treatment Manager.

>> Why did this happen; Both Ohio Senators issue statements following NE Ohio train derailment

They said its geographically impossible for anything involved with the derailment to impact the Miami Valleys river.

The same goes for drinking water, which comes from underground.

We have basically a giant bowl underneath us. That bowl was left by the glaciers, said Hall.

Those large bowls dont even connect to any outside water source.

Theres a thin layer of soil on top and thats where we put our roads and our houses. And so our aquifer is literally under our feet, said Hall.

Were groundwater system and then you have surface water systems which we are not, Kinney said.

Hall says no one should fear chemicals coming from East Palestine in any of the Miami Valleys water.

That site is not impacting us at all, Hall said.

Hall went on to say continuing to be concerned about water is a good thing and that we should all keep caring about our river and water supply by cutting down on polluting and not dumping waste.
Leopard 2A7

Ollongren stressed that tank ammunition plays an important role in military assistance to Ukraine.

Read also: U.S. signs contracts worth more than $1.5 billion for production of ammunition

It makes little sense to supply just a tank, she said.

We must provide a full package of services. In addition to training Ukrainian soldiers, ammunition and spare parts are needed.

The Netherlands, which is the only country without tanks in the tank coalition, offered assistance in training in addition to the transfer of ammunition and spare parts.

Read also: Finland prepares new military aid package for Ukraine

Together, we can provide what Ukraine needs, Ollongren said.

At the same time, the minister didnt rule out that the tanks leased from Germany could still be sent to Ukraine.

There are no disagreements, she said.

Read also: Tank coalition has full battalion of Leopard-2A4 tanks ready for Ukraine

It cannot be ruled out that the leased tanks may still go to Ukraine later. I dont exclude anything, but there will be no deliveries at the moment.

One Leopard tank holds up to 42 rounds, meaning that the transferred stock will be enough for more than 470 sets.

Read also: Defense chiefs Reznikov and Austin discuss supply of additional weapons to Kyiv

On Feb. 14, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that a group of countries, including Germany, Poland, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, are working on the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Later on Feb. 14, Die Welt reported that Denmark and the Netherlands have revised their decisions on the transfer of Leopard-2s to Ukraine.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with ammunition and spare parts for Leopard 2 main battle tanks, as well as participate in the training of Ukrainian tank crews, the Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told De Telegraaf.

"It doesn't make much sense just to deliver the tanks," explains the minister. "We have to deliver a complete package."

During a press conference at NATO headquarters on Feb. 15, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the Dutch contribution amounts to 20,000 rounds of ammunition, according to De Telegraaf.

Ollongren added that the Netherlands is "the only country within the tank coalition that doesn't own tanks," as it leases its 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany.

"With Germany, it was decided that tanks from another battalion would be better suited to deliver to Ukraine," the Dutch Defense Ministry's spokeswoman Sascha Louwhoff told Reuters earlier.

"If Germany would have decided to send tanks from our bi-national battalion, we would not have opposed this. Nor will we oppose if they decide to send them at a later moment," Louwhoff added.

The German news source Welt reported on Feb. 14 that the governments of the Netherlands and Denmark had decided not to deliver Leopard 2 tanks.

In late January, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands was considering buying the 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany to provide them to Ukraine.






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China and Albania signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral tourism cooperation on Tuesday.

The document was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Albania Zhou Ding and Albanian Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro.

The signing of the MOU is the latest achievement of concrete cooperation between the two countries following the mutual visa exemption agreement signed last month, Zhou said.

He said that the signing of these two documents will stimulate the potential for tourism cooperation and promote people-to-people bonds between China and Albania.

Zhou said he hoped Chinese and Albanian tourism enterprises will take this opportunity to strengthen their cooperation, offer more unique tourism routes, bring more Chinese tourists to Albania and vice versa.

Kumbaro said that the tourism industry, one of Albania's pillar industries, has recovered rapidly. The country had 7 million tourist arrivals last year, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

She said Albania is looking forward to welcoming more Chinese tourists.




Nicola Bulley has been missing for three weeks and was last seen walking her dog, Willow.

What's happening? Police are continuing to investigate the disappearance of dog walker Nicola Bulley after revealing the missing woman struggled with alcohol and menopause.

Bulley, 45, disappeared while walking her dog Willow in St.Michaels on Wyre on 27 January. She was last seen walking in the area at around 9.10am, while her mobile phone and dog harness were discovered on a bench at 9.33am.

On Wednesday, three weeks into the investigation, police shared intimate details about the high-risk status of Bulley as a result of "vulnerabilities" highlighted to the police by her family - immediately prompting a backlash from many quarters and prompting the police watchdog to contact Lancashire Constabulary.

Yahoo News UK runs you through the latest developments on Thursday, including a statement released by the Bulley family in response to the backlash:

Nicola Bulley police spark anger

Thursday morning saw criticism from campaigners and MPs intensify after Lancashire Police shared details about Bulley's struggles with alcohol and menopause the evening before.

Among those to question the police's strategy was Labour MP Stella Creasy, who tweeted: "The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling. The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation."

Stella Creasy hit out at the police press conference as "deeply troubling". (Alamy Live News)

The Conservative MP and chair of the foreign affairs committee, Alicia Kearns, added: I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulleys so-called vulnerabilities on menopause & alcohol. I struggle to ascertain how this will assist police in their search and investigations. I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.

Later on Thursday, home secretary Suella Braverman demanded an explanation from Lancashire Police as to why aspects of missing Nicola Bulleys private life were disclosed.

Story continues

A number of other elected officials and campaigners called into question the latest move by police, while former murder detective Martyn Underhill told Yahoo News UK: "Its extremely unusual to go into so much detail, and what message does that send to every woman on the planet who struggles with menopause?"

Nicola Bulley diving expert 'would have done things differently'

The expert diver who conducted a search of the River Wyre near to where Bulley was last seen said on Thursday he would have searched differently if police had told him about the "vulnerabilities" that prompted Bulley to be classified as a high-risk missing person.

A police team in Knott End-on-Sea, Lancashire, continue their search for missing Nicola Bulley, 45. An expert diver has shared his frustration that police did not tell him the missing woman was classified as high risk. (Getty)

He told Sky News: "If somebody tries to drown themselves or if they are in a strange state of mind they might just wander off somewhere. She might be lying in a ditch, she could have wandered into the woods.

"So that's the point with a vulnerable person, you don't know where they're going to go. It would have changed our whole search."

Read more: 'Crucial information' not shared with underwater search team (Lancashire Telegraph, 2 min read)

Police watchdog on alert

It has also emerged that Lancashire Constabulary has been contacted by the police watchdog following the press conference in which they outlined Bulley's struggles with alcohol.

While no specific statement from Lancashire police appears to have prompted the move, it came in the aftermath of the press conference in which police detailed Bulley's vulnerabilities and confirmed they had attended her address on 10 January on a concern for welfare callout.

Later on Thursday, it emerged Lancashire Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct

Read more: Police watchdog contacts Lancashire Constabulary (The Independent, 2 min read)

The Bulley family statement

Following the backlash over Lancashire Police's decision to release intimate details about the missing woman, her family released a heartfelt statement in which they said they had been made aware of the press conference content ahead of time.

Candles are lit around a photo of Nicola Bulley (left) and her partner Paul Ansell on an altar at St Michael's Church in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.

In the statement, released through Lancashire Police, Nicola Bulleys family said the public focus has "become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Pauls private life".

The family said they knew police were releasing the private details about Bulley, adding a emotional plea for her to get in touch: Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Dont be scared, we all love you so very much."

Read more: Bulley family pleads for end to speculation - full statement (PA, 3 min read)

Nicola Bulley investigation

Third party may be involved, says ex-murder detective (Yahoo News UK)

Bulley had crisis after she stopped taking HRT for menopause, family reveal (The Telegraph)

A minute-by-minute look at the crucial 24 hours when Nicola Bulley vanished (The Telegraph)
Lancashire Police have referred themselves to a watchdog over the contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley seventeen days before she disappeared.

In a statement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on 10 January, prior to her disappearance.

We are assessing the available information to determine whether an investigation into that contact may be required and if so, who should conduct that investigation.

It comes after Lancashire Police shared details of Ms Bulleys significant issues with alcohol on Wednesday evening, giving significantly more information than at a press conference just hours earlier.

As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicolas home address on 10 January, police said in a statement.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to submit information through the Major Incident Public Portal (MiPP) at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

Key Points

Police refer themselves to watchdog over contact with mother

Your girls want a cuddle: Familys heartbreaking message to their Nikki

Nicola Bulleys family say personal details revealed because people trying to sell stories

Police destroyed missing mothers reputation by revealing alcohol issues, former detective says

Forensic expert says he wants to redo search after police alcohol revelation

Nicola Bulley had significant issues with alcohol brought on by struggles with menopause

Police refer themselves to watchdog for home visit prior to mothers disappearance

17:53 , Emily Atkinson

Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley seventeen days before she disappeared, the watchdog said.

In a statement, the IOPC said: This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on 10 January, prior to her disappearance.

Story continues

We are assessing the available information to determine whether an investigation into that contact may be required and if so, who should conduct that investigation.

Police force refer themselves to watchdog over prior contact with Nicola Bulley

Former constabulary inspector hits out at tone deaf police statement

17:49 , Emily Atkinson

Former HM inspector of constabulary Zoe Billingham has hit out at the tone deaf statement issued by police detailing Nicola Bulleys historic issues with alcohol.

Speaking on Radio 4s World at One programme, she said: I think we need to think about what message this sends to women, what confidence they will have in future to report their mum, their sister, to the police as missing if theres a fear that deeply personal information will be put into the public domain for no apparent reason.

Ms Billingham went on: Can you imagine a situation if a man went missing if details related to their reproductive status were put into the public domain, its inconceivable.

How on earth could that be relevant to bringing a missing person home

Nows the time for the chief constable or the Police and Crime Commissioner to step forward. If theyve made a mistake by releasing this information please just say so now and provide women with some reassurance.

"When the concern around PR and image gets in the way of a police investigation, we need to be concerned."



Former police watchdog Zoe Billingham tells #BBCWATO that Lancashire Police briefing details of Nicola Bulley's menopause "stopped me in my tracks". pic.twitter.com/jCx7ZlcODo  The World at One (@BBCWorldatOne) February 16, 2023

Suella Braverman demands Lancashire Police explain disclosure of private Nicola Bulley information

17:38 , Emily Atkinson

Suella Braverman has asked Lancashire Constabulary to explain why personal details about Nicola Bulleys health were made public.

It comes amid outrage over the disclosure of claims regarding the mother-of-twos alcohol consumption and experience of menopause, with a former police watchdog questioning how the information was even vaguely relevant.

A Home Office spokesperson said the home secretary and policing minister were receiving regular updates from Lancashire Police on its handling of this case, including why personal details about Nicola were briefed out at this stage of the investigation.

Our home affairs editor Lizzie Dearden reports:

Braverman demands police explain disclosure of private Nicola Bulley information

Former constabulary inspector warns of dangerous precedents in Nicola Bulley investigation

17:34 , Emily Atkinson

A dangerous precedent must not be set by detectives decision to share details of Nicola Bulleys struggles with alcohol, the former HM inspector of constabulary has said.

Speaking to Sky News today, Zoe Billingham said she believed the key message was that police should be able to get on and do this investigation in a really appropriate way.

She added, however, that Lancashire Constabulary must proceed in a way that doesnt set really quite dangerous precedents for further situations where women go missing.

It is highly unusual for the police to release such sensitive information about a missing person, she said, and urged police to assure the public why they had disclosed the details.

I think police need to think quite carefully about the implications this has for women who go missing again, she told the broadcaster.

'There are lessons to learn'



Former HM inspector of constabulary Zoe Billingham says it is "highly unusual" for the police to release "such sensitive information" about a missing person, and "dangerous precedents" must not be set.https://t.co/rPtlH79r55



 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/JNRsUYOEu6  Sky News (@SkyNews) February 16, 2023

The baffling 10-minute window shrouding Nicola Bulleys disappearance in mystery

17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The disappearance Nicola Bulley continues to puzzle the police and public almost three weeks after the mother-of-two went missing in Lancashire.

The 45-year-old mortgage broker was logged into a Teams work call on her phone on Friday 27 January as she walked her dog, a springer spaniel named Willow, but what happened next in the quiet village of St Michaels on Wyre remains a mystery.

Specifically, Lancashire Police have a 10-minute window in which they cannot account for Ms Bulleys movements.

At approximately 9.10am, a witness  somebody who knows Ms Bulley  saw her on the upper field walking her dog.

Police know that at 9.20am, her phone was on the bench it was later discovered on.

The 10-minute window shrouding Nicola Bulleys disappearance in mystery

Former detective Martyn Underhill says police have destroyed Nicola Bulleys reputation

15:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former detective has accused police of destroying Nicola Bulleys reputation by revealing details of her vulnerabilities in their search for the missing mother-of-two.

Ex-Dorset police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill has questioned why Lancashire Constabulary have revealed significant details weeks after the 45-year-old mortgage adviser weeks disappeared while out walking her dog in St Michaels on Wyre.

Officers have since disclosed that Ms Bulley has significant issues with alcohol.

Its a big move to take. But if youre not going to take it at the beginning of the inquiry, why now? Mr Underhill said.

Former detective says police have destroyed Nicola Bulleys reputation

Your girls want a cuddle: Familys heartbreaking message to their Nikki

15:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The family of Nicola Bulley have issued a heartbreaking message as the search for the missing mother-of-two approaches its fourth week, telling her: We love you so much and your girls want a cuddle.

The 45-year-old mortgage adviser disappeared while walking her dog in the village of St Michaels on Wyre after dropping her daughters  aged six and nine  at school nearby, leaving her phone on a riverside bench and her beloved spaniel running loose.

Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister , partner and mother and is missed dearly  we all need you back in our lives, her family said in a new statement issued via Lancashire Police.

Your girls want a cuddle: Nicola Bulleys family issue heartbreaking message

Voices: Would we be hearing about alcohol problems and the menopause if Nicola Bulley was a man?

15:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nicola Bulleys menopause and alcohol intake may have nothing to do with her going missing, but they have everything to do with the polices continued female victim-blaming, writes Charlotte Proudman.

In a time when trust in the police is at an all-time low, and their treatment of women is under a microscope, Lancashire Police decided to issue a statement yesterday saying they wanted to put an end to public speculation about Bulleys vulnerabilities.

In what can only be described as a grave error of judgment, Lancashire Police told the entire world that Bulley is menopausal and has alcohol issues.

Rather than calming the situation down, the police added further fuel to the speculation fire. It looks like the police are deflecting attention away from criticisms of their own police investigation and their failure to locate Bulley.

Police watchdog contacts Lancashire Constabulary after Nicola Bulley press conference

14:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The police watchdog has contacted Lancashire Constabulary following a press conference where the force controversially released personal information about Nicola Bulley.

Investigators have admitted that officers had responded to a concern for welfare at Ms Bulleys home on 10 January - just over two weeks before her disappearance -and that the incident was still under investigation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, they said that the mother-of-two had suffered with some significant issues with alcohol, which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause.

Amid outrage over the disclosure, the force defended it by saying it was to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation.

Watchdog contacts Lancashire Police after Nicola Bulley press conference

This needs to stop: Full statement as Nicola Bulleys family break silence

14:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nicola Bulley family has urged the public to end the appalling speculation about her private life, saying the public focus has become distracted from finding the missing mother-of-two.

Lancashire Police faced a huge backlash after revealing that the missing dog walker suffered some significant issues with alcohol in the past, which had resurfaced in the months before she went missing.

The revelations came hours after senior officers said that Ms Bulley was vulnerable and classed by police as a high-risk missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance.

In a statement on Thursday, Ms Bulleys family said that, while Nikki would not have wanted the details made public, there have been people threatening to sell stories about her.

Katy Clifton reports:

This needs to stop: Full statement as Nicola Bulleys family break silence

Nicola Bulleys family say personal details revealed because people trying to sell stories

14:07 , Emily Atkinson

The family of missing mother Nicola Bulley have said they believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her private life, in a statement issued through Lancashire Police.

It comes after police were slammed for disclosing that the mother-of-two suffered some significant issues with alcohol in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months.

Senior officers said on Wednesday that Ms Bulley was vulnerable and classed by police as a high-risk missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance.

Nicola Bulley personal details revealed because people trying to sell stories

Police accused of victim blaming as MPs condemn decision to reveal Nicola Bulleys alcohol struggles

14:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police have been accused of victim blaming as MPs and other high-profile figures question the decision to make Nicola Bulleys personal struggles public.

Lancashire Constabulary took the unusual step of giving details about the missing mothers private life to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation about the investigation into her disappearance.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those denouncing the forces decision to share Ms Bulleys struggles, when it is not clear how doing so will help the ongoing search.

Police accused of victim blaming after revealing Nicola Bulleys alcohol struggles

Former detectives share 8 key clues that could hold the key to Nicola Bulleys disappearance

13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Former detectives have shared eight key areas they think police should be investigating in order to gain insights into Nicola Bulleys disappearance.

The search for the mother-of-two has entered its third week and despite combing the village of St Michaels on Wyre, opening more than 500 lines of inquiry and looking all the way to Morecambe Bay, police are still at a loss as to what happened to Ms Bulley.

Lancashire Constabulary over the weekend expanded their search to include the 24 hours before the last sighting of Ms Bulley, which came as she walked her dog Willow on a route she used regularly.

The force is treating its operation as a missing persons case and believes the dog walker fell in the River Wyre, which runs along the path where she walked Willow, though officers insist they are staying open-minded.

Ex-detectives share 8 key clues in Nicola Bulley disappearance from fitbit to phone

Nicola Bulley: Missing dog walkers final text before she disappeared revealed

13:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulleys final text before she vanished into thin air has been revealed.

The 45-year-old was last seen walking her dog by the river in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday 27 January. She was still logged into a Microsoft Teams call which had ended at 9.30am when her phone was recovered.

Just half an hour earlier, the mother of two had texted a friend to book a playdate. She sent the message at 8.57am shortly before logging into the Teams call, locals at a village meeting were told.

Ms Bulley had just dropped her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school on Friday morning.

The last known sighting of Ms Bulley was at 9.10am. Some 25 minutes later, her phone and the dogs harness were found on a riverside bench. Her springer spaniel, Willow, appeared distressed.

Missing dog walkers final text before she vanished into thin air revealed

Social media influencer fined after filming search for missing Nicola Bulley

13:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A social media influencer has been fined after joining the search for missing mother Nicola Bulley.

Dan Duffy posted a video of himself being arrested by Lancashire Police officers on his YouTube channel, called Exploring with Danny.

The force said the 36-year-old was handed a fixed penalty notice under section 4 of the Public Order Act  fear or provocation of violence.

Since Ms Bulley went missing, Duffy has posted a number of videos on social media site TikTok, as well as three others on his YouTube channel.

In the arrest video, he said: Hi guys, Im being arrested on a public order offence. Theyve had an allegation.

As you all know I was in search to find the missing woman Nicola but this is what this countrys turning into. No freedom of speech.

Social media influencer fined after filming search for missing Nicola Bulley

Forensic expert says he wants to redo search after police alcohol revelation

12:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Diving and forensic expert Peter Faulding has said the police and experts should redo the search for missing Nicola Bulley following the revelations of her specific vulnerabilities at yesterdays press conference.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Faulding said that he was disappointed that he was not informed of her alcohol issues.

However, he said it was important to move forward, saying: Whoever has made these decisions needs to answer lots of questions. Lets not knock the police, lets not knock the family. Lets regroup together and then redo this search again so we can get some closure for this poor family.

(PA)

5 questions police must answer about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

11:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police investigating the Nicola Bulley case appear no closer to finding her nearly three weeks after the mother-of-two disappeared while walking her dog near the river in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

On Wednesday Lancashire Constabulary announced that Ms Bulley, 45, had been facing significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause, prompting claims in some quarters of victim blaming.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those denouncing the forces decision to share Ms Bulleys struggles when it is not clear how doing so will help the ongoing search.

In a news conference, the force also set out a detailed rundown of the work it had done so far in trying to find Ms Bulley and criticised armchair detectives commenting on the case, saying they were a significant distraction.

5 questions police must answer about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

Diving expert Peter Faulding disappointed police did not inform him of Nicolas specific vulnerabilities'

11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Diving expert Peter Faulding has said knowing Nicola Bulleys specific vulnerabilities would have changed the way his team focused their search.

I feel sorry for the family and I feel sorry for all the hardworking police officers who are working behind the scenes- and the search teams- who have been let down by the communications teams.

I am disappointed that the police search advisor did not give me that information.

These are my thoughts regarding the latest developments on the Nicola Bulley case. Lets not criticise the police, speculate any further and work together to help this poor family. #NicolaBulley https://t.co/ijYxYPdpRy  Peter Faulding (@peter_faulding) February 16, 2023

Nicola Bulley: Unanswered questions in search for missing dogwalker

10:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police investigating the Nicola Bulley case appear no closer to finding her nearly three weeks after the mother-of-two disappeared while walking her dog near the river in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

On Wednesday Lancashire Constabulary announced that Ms Bulley, 45, had been facing significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause, prompting claims in some quarters of victim blaming.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those denouncing the forces decision to share Ms Bulleys struggles when it is not clear how doing so will help the ongoing search.

In a news conference, the force also set out a detailed rundown of the work it had done so far in trying to find Ms Bulley, criticised armchair detectives commenting on the case, saying they were a significant distraction.

There are, however, a number of questions that the force has still not answered.

Matt Mathers has more here:

Nicola Bulley: Unanswered questions in search for missing dogwalker

Watch: Ex-detective Martyn Underhill says police have 'destroyed' Nicola Bulley's reputation

10:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former detective has said Lancashire Police completely destroyed Nicola Bulleys reputation after revealing her personal struggles with alcohol.

On Wednesday evening, Lancashire Police announced the missing mother had faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause.

Watch Martyn Underhills take here:

Diving expert criticises Nicola Bulley police for failing to share information that would have helped search

10:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The forensic expert who assisted police in the search for Nicola Bulley claims he wasnt told the missing mother had significant issues - and says he would have taken a different approach if he had.

Peter Faulding claims police did not tell his team Ms Bulley was considered high risk as soon as the missing persons case was launched after she disappeared on 27 January.

Mr Faulding said having this knowledge would have changed his teams whole search strategy.

Last week he led a private team of divers to assist police in the search for Ms Bulley, using sonar technology to see if anything was in the river that could help with the hunt, but came up empty-handed.

Lucy Skoulding reports:

Peter Faulding condemns police over Nicola Bulley investigation on Jeremy Kyle

Police destroyed missing mothers reputation by revealing alcohol issues, former detective says

09:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former detective has said Lancashire Police completely destroyed Nicola Bulleys reputation after revealing her personal struggles with alcohol.

On Wednesday evening, Lancashire Police announced the missing mother had faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause.

It was significantly more detail than detectives had released at a press conference just hours earlier, when they simply referred to vulnerabilities that made her a high risk missing person.

Commenting on the new detail, Martyn Underhill, a former detective, told Sky News: That is crucial, really, Im amazed it hasnt been released before and, of course, on 3 February in their press conference they actually said there were no significant issues involving Nicolas health.

I can understand in some ways why they didnt release it then as it would completely destroy her reputation.

Shadow home secretary calls actions of Lancashire Police very unusual'

08:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said that the actions of Lancashire Police were very unusual, after the force disclosed that Nicola Bulley suffered some significant issues with alcohol in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months.

Senior officers said on Wednesday that Ms Bulley was vulnerable and classed by police as a high-risk missing person immediately after her partner reported her disappearance.

Ms Cooper refrained from criticising the police, but said she would speak to Lancashire Police in a bid to get answers about the decision.

She told Sky News: I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that. I would want to speak directly to Lancashire Police about their reasons for doing so before commenting further, because I know there can be complicated reasons for police decisions.

Its very unusual and it does raise some quite significant concerns.

(PA)

Missing Nicola Bulley: What is the focus of police investigation?

07:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley are looking at a number of ways to find out where she is.

Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village of St Michaels on Wyre after she dropped off her two daughters  aged six and nine  at school on January 27.

Lancashire Police said there has been an unprecedented amount of work on the investigation, with more than 40 dedicated detectives looking through hundreds of hours of possible leads.

More than 300 premises have been visited and around 1,500 pieces of information have been received, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Extensive searches have been carried out on the River Wyre, with officers searching as far as the sea.

Missing Nicola Bulley: What is the focus of police investigation?

In video: Ex-detective Peter Bleksley criticses police handling of Nicola Bulley case

07:15 , Namita Singh

Dive expert says case could have been handled better' by police

07:00 , Sam Rkaina

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV on Wednesday evening, forensics expert Peter Faulding claimed that if his team had been made aware of police concerns for Mr Bulleys vulnerabilities he would have taken a different approach to his part of the search.

If I had been given that information it wouldnt have been given to the media, he said. It would have been confidential and I would have changed my whole search strategy.

I assumed that Nicola had slipped into the river and its only two foot deep at the bottom of the bank - thats why Ive been so adamant that shes not in that part of the river, we thoroughly searched it.

If she had jumped in, or intended to take her own life, or walked off, or wherever she is, that would change my whole plan.

She could have ended up in the sea. But its changed this and its really annoyed me.

This is an awful case and I just wish it had been handled a lot better in the first place by giving certain information that would have helped us target that search in specific areas.

(TalkTV)

'I would have changed my whole search strategy'

06:45 , Namita Singh

Peter Faulding criticised the police for not disclosing the personal struggle of Nicola Bulley to his team.

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV yesterday, he explained: If I had been given that information it wouldnt have been given to the media. It would have been confidential and I would have changed my whole search strategy.

I assumed that Nicola had slipped into the river and its only two foot deep at the bottom of the bank - thats why Ive been so adamant that shes not in that part of the river, we thoroughly searched it.

Peter Faulding and his team search the river (PA Wire)

If she had jumped in, or intended to take her own life, or walked off, or wherever she is, that would change my whole plan.

She could have ended up in the sea. But its changed this and its really annoyed me.

This is an awful case and I just wish it had been handled a lot better in the first place by giving certain information that would have helped us target that search in specific areas.

Dashcam footage appeal

06:30 , Sam Rkaina

Due to the lack of CCTV footage on the river path, which has been the main focus of officers, the force has appealed for dashcam footage from motorists and cyclists.

Det Supt Smith said every piece of footage has been reviewed, but none of it has indicated that Ms Bulley was there.

She added: From the iron bridge to the school there is nothing there, which is why its so important for the dash cam.

Because even though theyre going to be tiny bite-size information, theyre not going to be as good as CCTV  we need to be able to piece together as much of that road as we can.

A substantial number of the 700 drivers who went through the village on the morning Ms Bulley disappeared have been contacted.

However, there has been no sign of her on any of the footage received.

Forensic expert slams police for not disclosing Nicola Bulley as 'high risk'

06:15 , Namita Singh

The forensic expert who assisted police in the search for Nicola Bulley claims police did not tell his team that the dog walker was considered high risk as soon as the missing persons case was launched after she disappeared on 27 January.

Peter Faulding said having this knowledge would have changed his teams whole search strategy.

Last week he led a private team of divers to assist police in the search for Ms Bulley, using sonar technology to see if anything was in the river that could help with the hunt, but came up empty-handed.

Faulding, left, with Bulleys partner Paul Ansell on a visit to the riverside (PA)

Taking to Twitter after learning of the news that Ms Bulley had struggled with alcohol problems, Mr Faulding said: Update re Nicola Bulley. I can confirm that my usually trusted team and I were not passed this crucial information during our search, which would have changed search strategy.

Updated timeline as police reveal they visited home weeks before she vanished

06:00 , Sam Rkaina

Police are still searching for missing dog walker Nicola Bulley, who disappeared hree weeks ago after dropping her daughters off at school.

A Lancashire Police press conference on Wednesday revealed new details of an incident in the weeks before Ms Bulley vanished.

Click here for the full timeline of the case so far.

Police debunk eight persistent myths about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

05:45 , Namita Singh

Nicola Bulleys disappearance while walking her dog in a sleepy Lancashire village has captured the nations attention on rare scale, with social media sleuths pouring over every known detail of the case.

The 45-year-old vanished on the morning of 27 January, as she took her springer spaniel along the familiar river path at St Michaels on Wyre, shortly after dropping her daughters  aged six and nine  off at school nearby.

In a bid to confront this distracting speculation  and criticism of their investigation  Lancashire Police called a press conference to update the public on exactly we have done over the last 19 days.

Report:

Police debunk eight persistent myths about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

Police explain CCTV situation

05:30 , Sam Rkaina

Det Supt Smith said officers have viewed a substantial amount of CCTV, which has helped them pin down some of Ms Bulleys movements.

However, they cannot complete every step she made as the area has footage that covers just parts of the route she took.

The detective said: The area at the top of the field, Rowanwater, has CCTV that covers the gate that enters the field and the front of the site.

That is working, the site managers have been cooperating with us and supporting this investigation at every stage.

We can say that Nicola has not entered that area or left.

Footage also shows she did not go down Allotment Lane or via the path at the rear of the Grapes pub onto Garstang Road, the senior officer said.

Det Supt Smith added: What I can say  which weve established only yesterday  was that if Nicola had left out of the river path and turned right, she has not reached the Grapes pub.

Officers have been trawling the area for more footage, but parts of the nearby main road are not covered.

In Video: Online myths and conjecture distracting from Nicola Bulley investigation, say police

05:15 , Namita Singh

Online myths distracting from Nicola Bulley investigation, say police

Timeline of Nicola Bulley mystery as police reveal they visited home weeks before she vanished

05:00 , Namita Singh

As police are still searches for missing dog walker Nicola Bulley, who vanished almost three weeks ago after dropping her daughters off at school, my colleague Emily Atkinson lists down the timeline of disappearance.

Timeline of Nicola Bulley case as police say they visited home before disappearance

Nicola Bulley has had issues with alcohol police reveal three weeks into sear

04:45 , Namita Singh

Nicola Bulley has faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause, police revealed on Wednesday night as they blamed TikTok detectives for distracting officers in the search for her.

Sam Rkaina reports on why Lancashire Constabulary took the unusual step of giving details about her private life:

Nicola Bulley has had issues with alcohol police reveal three weeks into search

What is the focus of police investigation?

04:30 , Sam Rkaina

Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley are looking at a number of ways to find out where she is.

Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village of St Michaels on Wyre after she dropped off her two daughters  aged six and nine  at school on January 27.

Lancashire Police said there has been an unprecedented amount of work on the investigation, with more than 40 dedicated detectives looking through hundreds of hours of possible leads.

More than 300 premises have been visited and around 1,500 pieces of information have been received, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Extensive searches have been carried out on the River Wyre, with officers searching as far as the sea.

Senior investigating officer Detective Supt Rebecca Smith said: As any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses, that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand.

Those hypotheses included the one that she possibly could have gone into the river, that there could have been third-party involvement, and lastly, that she could have left the area voluntarily.

The force said there is no evidence to suggest any crime has been committed or there was any third-party involvement.

(Datawrapper/The Independent)

Police accused of victim blaming as MPs condemn decision to reveal Nicola Bulleys struggles

04:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police have been accused of victim blaming as MPs and other high-profile figures question the decision to make Nicola Bulleys personal struggles public.

Lancashire Constabulary took the unusual step of giving details about the missing mothers private life to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation about the investigation into her disappearance.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those denouncing the forces decision to share Ms Bulleys struggles, when it is not clear how doing so will help the ongoing search.

Emily Atkinsonhas more on the revelations made by police, leading to backlash:

Nicola Bulley has had issues with alcohol police reveal three weeks into search

Expert criticises police for not sharing information on Nicola Bulley

04:00 , Namita Singh

The forensic expert who assisted the police in the search for Nicola Bulley claims he wasnt told the missing mother had significant issues and says he would have taken a different approach if he had.

Peter Faulding claims police did not tell his team Ms Bulley was considered high risk as soon as the missing persons case was launched after she disappeared on 27 January.

Mr Faulding said having this knowledge would have changed his teams whole search strategy.

More in this report:

Dive expert would have changed his Nicola Bulley search if police shared concerns

TikTok detectives spreading conspiracies distracting Nicola Bulley search, police say

03:30 , Sam Rkaina

Social media sleuths have distracted the investigation into Nicola Bulley, police said on Wednesday as they revealed the mother-of-two had specific vulnerabilities at the time she went missing.

Lancashire Police detective superintendent Smith said officers have been inundated with false information, accusations and rumours relating to the case and that TikTokers have been playing private detectives near the scene of the 45-year-olds disappearance.

Click here for the full story.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police (PA Wire)

Police debunk eight persistent myths about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

02:30 , Sam Rkaina

Nicola Bulleys disappearance while walking her dog in a sleepy Lancashire village has captured the nations attention on rare scale, with social media sleuths pouring over every known detail of the case.

But it has also become the subject of intense scrutiny and conjecture. In a bid to confront this distracting speculation  and criticism of their investigation  Lancashire Police called a press conference to update the public on exactly we have done over the last 19 days.

Reasserting that  despite their exhaustive enquiries  there is still no evidence to suggest any criminal involvement, the officer leading the search, Detective Superintendent Becky Smith, also tackled a number of persistent myths surrounding the case.

Click here for the full story.

More criticism of police for sharing personal details of missing mother

01:30 , Sam Rkaina

Missing mother Nicola Bulley had "some significant issues with alcohol" brought on by struggles with the menopause, police have said.



Such a serious invasion into her private life which will only result in further victim blaming. Shameful.https://t.co/GIMRDqEcON  Dr Charlotte Proudman (@DrProudman) February 15, 2023

Sorry, am I missing something here? What do her hormones and her alcohol intake have to do with her going missing? Why have the police flagged this in the same statement as 'respecting her privacy'? This sounds much like another case of victim blaming.. https://t.co/kdD1OcClW3  GeorginaFullerWriter (@GeorgieR30) February 15, 2023

I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause. The undertone is that she maybe  a bit unstable or perhaps even not in her right mind. Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?  Fern Britton  (@Fern_Britton) February 15, 2023

Nicola Bulleys family shared this important and intensely personal detail with the police to help them search for her, not as a means by which Lancashire Police could manage its reputation. https://t.co/56ReydlPZw  Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) February 15, 2023

Dive expert criticises police for failing to share information that would have helped search

00:29 , Sam Rkaina

The forensic expert who assisted police in the search for Nicola Bulley claims he wasnt told the missing mother had significant issues - and says he would have taken a different approach if he had.

Peter Faulding claims police did not tell his team Ms Bulley was considered high risk as soon as the missing persons case was launched after she disappeared on 27 January.

Mr Faulding said having this knowledge would have changed his teams whole search strategy.

Click here for the full story.

Peter Faulding and his team search the river (PA Wire)

MPs condemn decision to reveal Nicola Bulleys struggles

Wednesday 15 February 2023 23:30 , Sam Rkaina

Police have been accused of victim blaming as MPs and other high-profile figures question the decision to make Nicola Bulleys personal struggles public.

Lancashire Constabulary took the unusual step of giving details about the missing mothers private life to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation about the investigation into her disappearance.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those denouncing the forces decision to share Ms Bulleys struggles, when it is not clear how doing so will help the ongoing search.

Click here for the full story.

Five things forensics expert claims dont add up about dog walkers disappearance

Wednesday 15 February 2023 23:00 , Emily Atkinson

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.

Here are five things the forensic expert is puzzled by:

5 things Peter Faulding claims dont add up about missing dog walker disappearance

Nicola Bulley may have just walked off somewhere, claims search expert

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:30 , Emily Atkinson

The diving expert who lead the search for Nicola Bulley said she may have just walked off somewhere after police described the mother-of-two as high risk.

The dog walker vanished without trace while walking along the River Wyre in St Michaels, Lancashire, on 27 January.

Lancashire Police detective superintendent Rebecca Smith on Wednesday revealed Ms Bulley was categorised as high-risk when she was reported missing.

Nicola Bulley may have just walked off somewhere, claims search expert

Watch: Police officer avoids saying she is 'confident' that Nicola Bulley is still alive

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:00 , Emily Atkinson

Police receive 1,500 pieces of information relating to missing mother case

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:30 , Emily Atkinson

Lancashire Police said there has been an unprecedented amount of work on the investigation into Nicola Bulleys disappearance, with more than 40 dedicated detectives looking through hundreds of hours of possible leads.

More than 300 premises have been visited and around 1,500 pieces of information have been received, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Extensive searches have been carried out on the River Wyre, with officers searching as far as the sea.

Senior investigating officer Detective Supt Rebecca Smith said: As any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses, that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand.

Those hypotheses included the one that she possibly could have gone into the river, that there could have been third-party involvement, and lastly, that she could have left the area voluntarily.

In pictures: Mounted police join search for Nicola Bulley along coastline

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:00 , Emily Atkinson

(PA)

(PA)

(PA)

Police facing backlash for revealing Nicola Bulleys struggles

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:50 , Sam Rkaina

Police have been accused of victim blaming after revealing Nicola Bulleys personal struggles, with MPs saying they are troubled by the unusual move.

On Wednesday evening Lancashire Police announced the missing dog walker had faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause.

It was significantly more detail than detectives had released at a press conference just hours earlier, when they simply referred to vulnerabilities that made her a high risk missing person.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns is among those calling out the move, and questioning how it could help the search that is now in its third week

I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulleys so-called vulnerabilities on menopause & alcohol, she tweeted. I struggle to ascertain how this will assist Police in their search & investigations. I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.

Labours Stella Creasy was also concerned about how much had been made public, and called on Lancashire Police to justify their decision.

The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing persons private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling, she tweeted.

The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.

Author and barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman added: Missing mother Nicola Bulley had some significant issues with alcohol brought on by struggles with the menopause, police have said. Such a serious invasion into her private life which will only result in further victim blaming. Shameful.

Rugby league stars disappearance exactly the same as missing Nicola Bulley, brother says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:30 , Emily Atkinson

The brother of an ex-rugby league player who disappeared in the US more than a year ago says his case is exactly the same as that of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley.

Bryn Hargreaves, 36, vanished in Virginia on 3 January last year but while detectives believe his body may be in a lake, he has yet to be found.

Police were first called to his house after a neighbour reported water had been leaking into their apartment.

Matt Mathers reports:

Rugby stars disappearance exactly the same as missing Nicola Bulley, says brother

Police hope more than anything to find missing mother alive

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:00 , Emily Atkinson

There has been no sign of Nicola Bulley since her disappearance, even after detectives extended the search for her to the sea on 3 February.

Asked if she hoped to find her alive, detective superintendent Rebecca Smith said: I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive more than anything.

However, Ms Smith added she could not be 100% certain of forces hypothesis that Ms Bulley fell into the river.

(PA)

The final email and an abandoned Teams call: Timeline of Nicola Bulleys mysterious disappearance

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:30 , Emily Atkinson

Around 30 minutes before Nicola Bulleys phone was discovered, the mortgage advisor had sent an email to her boss, followed shortly by a text to a friend to arrange a playdate. She sent the text at 8.57am shortly before logging into the Teams call, locals at a village meeting were told.

Below we take a look at her last known movements as the search continues.

Timeline of Nicola Bulleys mysterious disappearance ahead of police press conference

Police reveal findings from CCTV trawling

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:00 , Emily Atkinson

Police say that officers have viewed a substantial amount of CCTV, which has helped them pin down some of Nicola Bulleys movements.

However, the force cannot complete every step she made as the area has footage that covers just parts of the route she took, assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said in a press conference on Wednesday.

The detective said: The area at the top of the field, Rowanwater, has CCTV that covers the gate that enters the field and the front of the site.

That is working, the site managers have been cooperating with us and supporting this investigation at every stage.

(Sky News)

We can say that Nicola has not entered that area or left.

Footage also shows she did not go down Allotment Lane or via the path at the rear of the Grapes pub onto Garstang Road, the senior officer said.

Det Supt Smith added: What I can say - which weve established only yesterday - was that if Nicola had left out of the river path and turned right, she has not reached the Grapes pub.

Officers have been trawling the area for more footage, but parts of the nearby main road are not covered.

MP attacks Lancashire Police over deeply troubling update

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:40 , Emily Atkinson

A Labour MP has criticised Lancashire Police over the deeply troubling level of detail disclosed in its latest update over Nicola Bulleys disappearance.

In a statement issued this evening, the force revealed that Ms Bulley had faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause.

Responding to the revelations, Stella Creasy  Labour and Co-op MP for Walthamstow  said: The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing persons private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.

The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling. The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation. https://t.co/ArswL8Xvfi  stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) February 15, 2023

Search expert hits out at police for not disclosing details of Nicola Bulleys 'alcohol struggles

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:32 , Emily Atkinson

A search expert who aided the hunt for Nicola Bulley has hit out at police for not passing on crucial details of the missing mothers struggles with alcohol to him.

Peter Fauldings team Specialist Group International was drafted in to help police search the River Wyre for the 45-year-old.

Reacting to the forces latest update this evening, Mr Faulding said: I can confirm that my usually trusted team and I were not passed this crucial information during our search, which would have changed search strategy.

Update re Nicola Bulley. I can confirm that my usually trusted team and I were not passed this crucial information during our search, which would have changed search strategy. #nicolabulley https://t.co/lM4mca9hGm  Peter Faulding (@peter_faulding) February 15, 2023

Police debunk eight persistent myths about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:22 , Emily Atkinson

Nicola Bulleys disappearance while walking her dog in a sleepy Lancashire village has captured the nations attention on rare scale, with social media sleuths pouring over every known detail of the case.

The 45-year-old vanished on the morning of 27 January, as she took her springer spaniel along the familiar river path at St Michaels on Wyre, shortly after dropping her daughters  aged six and nine  off at school nearby.

The discovery of her mobile phone on a riverside bench, still connected to a work call, and her dog Willow running loose nearby  its harness left lying on the ground  has sparked an unprecedented police investigation.

My colleague Andy Gregory has more:

Police debunk eight persistent myths about Nicola Bulleys disappearance

Officers seek contact with fishermen

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:00 , Emily Atkinson

The leading investigator into Nicola Bulleys case said police had made numerous appeals to fishermen reportedly seen the day before she vanished.

Detective superintendent Rebecca Smith said she does not believe the fisherman are suspicious, but still wants to speak with them.

Nicola Bulley had significant issues with alcohol brought on by struggles with menopause police reveal

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:50 , Emily Atkinson

Missing Nicola Bulley has faced significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with the menopause, police have revealed.

Earlier on Wednesday police held a press conference to provide an update on the case, explaining that she had been deemed high risk due to specific vulnerabilities.

At the time they did not explain what that meant but this evening has no clarified what that involved.

Nicola Bulley had alcohol issues brought on by menopause struggles police reveal

My brother went missing in same place as Nicola Bulley  exactly 45 years before

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A man whose brother went missing on the same stretch of river where Nicola Bulley disappeared exactly 45 years earlier has shared his sympathies with her family.

Don Jones said we know just what they must be going through, as his brother Roger also vanished on 27 January close to the River Wyre near Preston in 1978.

Mother-of-two Ms Bulley has not been seen since around 9.15am on the same date in 2023 and emergency services have still not located any trace of her in the water.

Roger Jones was 16 when he was thrown into the river after a motorbike accident but was not found until two months later.

My brother went missing in same place as Nicola Bulley  exactly 45 years before

Police to take over Nicola Bulleys social media

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:00 , Emily Atkinson

Lancashire Police officers will take over Ms Bulleys social media accounts in order to better examine her phone, detectives revealed.

Speaking at a press conference, Detective superintendent Rebecca Smith, leading the investigation, said further work was needed on the forces digital enquiries.

She said Ms Bulleys family was aware officers will probe the missing mothers social media accounts.

She also warned this might show Nicola as being online, adding: I want to make this really clear, we have control of this phone, this will be the police that is doing these enquiries and nobody needs to be concerned or contact the incident room about this.

(PA Wire)

The baffling 10-minute window shrouding Nicola Bulleys disappearance in mystery

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:30 , Emily Atkinson

The disappearance Nicola Bulley continues to puzzle the police and public almost three weeks after the mother-of-two went missing in Lancashire.

The 45-year-old mortgage broker was logged into a Teams work call on her phone on Friday 27 January as she walked her dog, a springer spaniel named Willow, but what happened next in the quiet village of St Michaels on Wyre remains a mystery.

Specifically, Lancashire Police have a 10-minute window in which they cannot account for Ms Bulleys movements.

At approximately 9.10am, a witness  somebody who knows Ms Bulley  saw her on the upper field walking her dog.

Police know that at 9.20am, her phone was on the bench it was later discovered on.

The Independent has mapped out the rough radius where the 45-year-old could have walked and driven to in those 10 minutes.

The 10-minute window shrouding Nicola Bulleys disappearance in mystery

11 key things we learned from police update on Nicola Bulley search

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police searching for missing mother Nicola Bulley have hit out at ill-informed speculation they say has distracted detectives.

In a bid to address intense online speculation around the dog walkers mystery disappearance  and criticism of the investigation  Lancashire Police held a press conference on Wednesday to shed light on exactly we have done over the last 19 days.

Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village of St Michaels on Wyre after she dropped her two daughters - aged six and nine - at school on 27 January.

Here are 11 key things we learned from the latest police update:

11 key things we learned from police press conference on Nicola Bulley search

Nicola Bulley: All the evidence released so far in the case of the missing dog walker

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nicola Bulley, a 45-year-old mother-of-two and mortgage adviser, is still missing almost three weeks after she disappeared while out walking her dog having dropped her young daughters off at primary school.

Ms Bulley, originally from Essex but now resident in Inskip, was heading east along the River Wyre in Lancashire with her brown springer spaniel Willow when she vanished near St Michaels on Wyre at approximately 9.15am on Friday 27 January.

She was seen by at least one fellow dog walker moments before disappearing.

Willows lead and harness and Ms Bulleys mobile phone were subsequently discovered by a nearby bench, the device still connected to a work conference call.

The dog itself was also found shortly after being recognised by a member of the public and reportedly appeared distressed.

Joe Sommerlad has more:

Heres everything we know about the disappearance of Nicola Bulley after 20 days

TikTok detectives spreading conspiracies distracting Nicola Bulley search, police say

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Social media sleuths have distracted the investigation into missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, police have said.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Lancashire Police said TikTokers have been playing private detectives near the scene of the 45-year-olds disappearance.

Detective superintendent Rebecca Smith said investigating officers have been inundated with false information, accusations and rumours relating to the case.

Ms Bulley vanished in the village of St Michaels on Wyre on 27 January while walking her dog, Willow, after dropping her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school.

At the press conference in Hutton on Wednesday, Ms Smith said her main working hypothesis remains that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre.

TikTok detectives spreading conspiracies distracting Nicola Bulley search

What are Nicola Bulleys specific vulnerabilities?

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:12 , Lucy Skoulding

Missing dog walker Nicola Bulley had specific vulnerabilities, Lancashire Police confirmed in a press conference today.

In a press conference held today, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said Ms Bulley was graded as a high-risk missing person when she was reported missing on 27 January.

When applied to adults who are at risk, specific vulnerabilities refer to mental ill health, substance misuse or isolation, according to the College of Policing.

It can also relate to committing or assisting in the commission of crimes because it is known the person may be easier to groom, manipulate and threaten, and as a victim, they may be less likely to report their experience.

Read the full story by Independent reporter Martha McHardy.

Lead detective cannot be 100% certain Nicola has fallen into river

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, the lead investigator in the Nicola Bulley case, said: I have told you that my working hypothesis is, at the moment, through all the information that we have gathered, that the likelihood is that Nicola has unfortunately gone in the river.

However, I have to stress this because this has been continually misconstrued, I cannot be 100% certain of that at the minute because we are continuing, its a live investigation, and there is always information coming in.

But we are in the 20th day, we have had a thorough, dedicated, meticulous investigation and there is not one single piece of information thats come to note that would suggest that Nicola has left those fields.

(Sky News)

Nicola Bulley deemed high risk due to specific vulnerabilities

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Detectives judged Nicola Bulley to be at high-risk when she was reported missing due to specific vulnerabilities they were made aware of, police have revealed.

In a bid to address the intense media online speculation  and criticism of its investigation  Lancashire Police held a press conference on Wednesday to shed light on exactly we have done over the last 19 days.

As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk, said Detective Superintendent Becky Smith, who is leading the investigation.

That is normal in a missing person investigation with the information we were in possession of.

Nicola Bulley deemed high risk due to specific vulnerabilities

Likelihood is that Nicola has gone into the river, senior detective says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

When asked how confident she is that Nicola Bulley will be found alive, senior investigating officer Rebecca Smith said: I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive, more than anything.

But when pressed, Ms Smith said that the likelihood is that Nicola has gone into the river.

However, she said she cannot be 100 per cent sure as the case is an ongoing investigation.

Senior detective debunks some common theories

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Addresssing some theories of where Nicola Bulley could be, the senior detective Rebecca Smith flagged that a derelict house across the river has been searched three times, with nothing found.

She said the police have made numerous appeals to fisherman who were reportedly seen the previous day. However, Ms Smith said she does not believe the fisherman are suspicious, but still wants to speak with them.

Ms Smith also addressed the recovered stained glove, but said there was nothing suspicious about it.
Nicola Bulley has been missing for three weeks and was last seen walking her dog, Willow.

A former top detective said it was possible that a third party was involved in the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, explaining 10 minutes was a big enough window for the dog walker to have been taken.

Bulley, 45, disappeared while walking her dog Willow in St.Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January. She was last seen walking in the area at around 9.10am, while her mobile phone and dog harness were discovered on a bench at 9.33am.

But while Lancashire Police have zoned in on the river as their main line of enquiry, former police and crime commissioner for Dorset, Martyn Underhill, said nothing could be ruled out at this stage, including the involvement of another person.

He told Yahoo News UK: Were getting mixed messages from the police, its quite clear to me that they shot down several lines of major enquiry at the beginning and that they tried to row back from that.

The fact that you found no evidence of a third party involvement proves nothing. Until it can be disproved, it has to be held as a theory, he continued.

Former detective Martyn Underhill said the involvement of a third party could not be ruled out in the case of missing Nicola Bulley.

You only have to look at the Julia James case in Kent last year, we know from her fit watch that from the time she saw her attacker to the time she was fatally wounded was less than a minute.

People can be attacked by strangers and seriously harmed and possibly carried off in a 10-minute window... I have to accept that I am not in possession of all the facts that Lancashire police are but it hasnt been disproved to me.

In a police press conference on Wednesday, authorities revealed that Bulleys case had been classed as high-risk since the investigation was opened, describing vulnerabilities that put the mortgage broker into a high-risk category.

Later, police confirmed that Bulley had experienced issues with alcohol and menopause, prompting a furious backlash over the announcement, which Underhill himself acknowledges was an odd move by the authorities.

I question why they have done that, Underhill said of the announcement. The disclosure made yesterday, strange though it was, doesnt rule out the chance of a third party involvement.

Story continues

Its extremely unusual to go into so much detail, and what message does that send to every woman on the planet who struggles with menopause, so I found the amount of detail particularly about the menopause very unusual - I cant ever thinking of that being disclosed in a case like this before.

And of course, if this had been disclosed on day one, it would have changed the whole dynamic, direction and coverage of this case, he added.

Read the latest coverage on Nicola Bulley's disappearance:

Nicola Bulley dive expert would have changed strategy if he knew of vulnerabilities (The Independent)

Nicola Bulley's family 'devastated' as 'vulnerabilities' shared, ex-detective says (Lancashire Telegraph)

Six Nicola Bulley conspiracy theories - and how police have debunked them (The Telegraph)

During the police press conference, police also suggested that members of the public attempting to help solve the case had, in some cases, been problematic - prompting them to issue a 48-hour dispersal order in the area last week.

But Underhill said the public had taken to the streets because police had failed to keep them informed about developments in the case.

They [the police] spent about 20 minutes of their press conference complaining about TikTok detectives and armchair detectives for distracting from their inquiry, yet the reason theyre there is because the police havent filled that void, Underhill said. If the police dont talk to people then other people fill that space.
By Felix Onuah

ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday gave approval to the central bank to extend the deadline to turn in old banknotes by another 60 days after cash shortages stoked anger ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections next week.

Nigeria's central bank decided last year to start circulating newly designed 1,000 ($2.17) 500 and 200 naira notes. The deadline to turn in old notes has already been extended once to Feb. 10, after which they would no longer have been legal tender.

But the new notes have been in short supply, leading to long queues and chaotic scenes at banks across the country. Most of Nigeria's economy is still informal and many people use cash for transactions because they do not have bank accounts.

Buhari said in a television broadcast that old 200 notes would continue to circulate in the economy alongside new 1,000, 500 and 200 notes until April 10.

But the old 1,000 and 500 notes could only be swapped at the central bank and "designated points", he said.

The comments contrasted with last week's Supreme Court interim ruling that said all old notes remain legal tender until it hears a challenge brought by some state governments.

Buhari defended the initiative saying it would lead to greater transparency in financial transactions, curb money laundering and reduce money supply in the economy.

"Notwithstanding the initial setbacks experienced, the evaluation and feedback mechanism set up has revealed that gains have emerged from the policy initiative," said Buhari.

Some politicians have criticised the timing ahead of Feb. 25 elections, as campaigns are funded by mostly hard to trace cash.

Local media reported on Thursday that some angry citizens had vandalised cash dispensing machines at some banks in southern Nigeria as they protested the cash shortages.

(Reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja and MacDonald Dzirutwe in Lagos; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning)
[Source]

Nikki Haley made her opening pitch for the presidency in her inaugural rally Wednesday, calling for a new generation of leadership that would steer America into its future.

Haley, 51, officially announced her candidacy the day before, positioning herself as the first Republican to challenge former President  and former boss  Donald Trump for the GOP nomination.

We're ready  ready to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past, and we are more than ready for a new generation to lead us into the future, Haley told a crowd of supporters in South Carolina, where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017 before accepting Trumps appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa on Jan. 20, 1972, Haley is the third of four children of Indian immigrants.

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If she succeeds in the primary, she will be the first woman and first Asian American to be nominated by the GOP to the White House.

In her speech, Haley only mentioned Trump once to highlight her UN appointment.

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She resigned in 2018 and parted ways with the former president on good terms; however, she criticized him for influencing the January 2021 Capitol insurrection.

If youre tired of losing, then put your trust in a new generation, Haley told the Charleston crowd. And if you want to win  not just as a party, but as a country  then stand with me.

Haley has won the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R, SC-5), who previously supported Trump and described him as exactly who the Republican Party needed in 2016. Now, he believes its time for the GOP to move forward.

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I believe Republicans are desperately looking for new leadership at the top of the ticket. A new, fresh vision for our nation, defined by real solutions over political rhetoric, Norman told the crowd.

Story continues

Also present at Wednesday's rally was Cindy Warmbier, the mother of the late Otto Warmbier, the college student who was imprisoned  and released in a vegetative state  by North Korea for subversion in 2016. Warmbier died at a hospital in his home city of Cincinnati days after his return the following year.

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Cindy said Haley helped their family throughout their ordeal, fighting for them and sending them emails and texts to check how they were doing.

"I came here to tell you how Nikki Haley changed my life," she said. "To tell you that Nikki was a glimmer of light in the darkest period of my life. To tell you why America would be lucky to have Nikki Haley in the White House."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday shows Haley as facing an uphill battle, garnering just 4% of support from registered Republicans. After Charleston, she will continue her campaign trail in New Hampshire and Iowa, the first two states on the GOP presidential primary calendar.
(Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is hitting back at CNN anchor Don Lemon, who is walking back comments he made about her age.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Liberals cant stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job, tweeted Haley, 51, who announced this week that she will seek the GOP nomination for president in 2024.

Haley has positioned herself as part of a new generation and a young leader who will move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past.Lemon and his fellow hosts of CNN This Morning were discussing her calls for competency tests for politicians over age 75, when Lemon opined on her own age. Nikki Haley isnt in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s. he said on the program. If you Google when is a woman in her prime, itll say 20s, 30s and 40s.

A few hours later, he said he regretted the comments. The reference I made to a womans prime this morning was inartful and irrelevant, Lemon wrote on Twitter. A womans age doesnt define her personally or professionally.

A spokesperson for CNN pointed to Lemons tweet and declined to comment further.

Haley was the youngest and first minority female governor in the country when she was elected in South Carolina in 2010. She is 25 years younger than former President Donald Trump, the only other Republican to launch a bid, and 29 years younger than President Joe Biden, the oldest person to ever hold the office. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who hasnt formally launched a bid for the presidency but is seen as being the top Republican contender, is 44.

Story continues

The same day as Haleys exchange with Lemon, Bidens doctor said the president is healthy and vigorous following a routine physical.

--With assistance from Gerry Smith.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Teachers in Gaston County are growing more frustrated because some have been underpaid while others have been overpaid.

The paycheck issues have been a problem since August.

Gaston County Schools officials said progress is being made to resolve the payroll issues, which still plague the district.

RELATED: Gaston County Schools employees continue to deal with payroll issues

However, there are still major problems.

For instance, after-school workers continue to receive comp time for overtime hours they have worked when they should be paid for it.

Its been a year since a change in payroll software led to Gaston County Schools employees getting inaccurate paychecks, funds not deposited in retirement accounts, or paychecks seemingly that vanished into thin air.

Savannah Hammond is in her second year of teaching third grade in Dallas.

With this new pay system, its been different every month, she said. So, I really dont know how much Im supposed to be getting paid each month, which is very scary.

Hammond said she was paid double in August and put that money aside.

Her regular pay in January 2022 was $3,800. In August, it jumped to $7,600 because of the problem with the payroll software.

They have not given me any directions on how Im supposed to pay it back, Hammond said.

Returning the overpayment isnt the only thing Hammond worries about.

The district sent her a W-2 so she can do her taxes.

I can tell its not right, but I dont know whats wrong with it, she said. I have no idea how to read a W-2 and so I know its wrong. But I dont know how to break down things and see where its actually wrong

Hammond said the payroll issues have been so complex, its impossible to know what questions to ask.

I want some answers, she said. I want to know the breakdown of how theyre going to figure out how much I owe. I dont want them to just give me a number and then that number be wrong.

District officials addressed erroneous W-2s during their most recent update to school board members on outstanding payroll issues.

Story continues

The Gaston County Association of Educators is planning to be at Monday nights school board meeting.

Several employees plan to speak to board members during public comment to ask for better communication from officials.

VIDEO: Gaston County teachers gather outside of South Point High School to protest against payroll issues
Oleksiy Makeiev

Discussions continue, but not with Berlin, Makeiev added.

Makeiev said the creation of a tank coalition was a breakthrough, and together with battle tanks, Ukraine received almost the entire range of possible weapons: air defense, artillery, armored vehicles.

Read also: Talks on F-16 jets for Ukraine can bring success with more pressure, says Polish minister

A fourth element is the training of Ukrainian fighters on Western weapons, he said.

Air defense includes not only surface-to-air systems, such as the German IRIS-T, but also air-to-air systems, Makeiev said. That is, planes that intercept Russian cruise missiles and shoot down fighters. Were currently conducting these discussions with countries that have such machines.

Meanwhile, the ambassador rejected the proposals of his predecessor in office and current deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andriy Melnyk for the supply of submarines and warships. Makeiev said that there is no need for them in Ukraine now.

Read also: No news about fighter jets for Ukraine, Pentagon head says

Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ruled out the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the issue of aircraft can be discussed in three to four months. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said Germanys position on the transfer of planes to Kyiv is not key.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United Kingdom on Feb. 8 and called for the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine. The media reported that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak instructed Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to investigate which aircraft London could send to Kyiv. A final decision has not been made yet.

Read also: Boris Johnson calls for fighter jets and more tanks for Ukraine

Kyiv also sent the Netherlands with an official request for the provision of fighter jets.

After speaking before the European Parliament and at the EU summit, President Zelenskyy said that there are certain positive decisions that remained behind the scenes regarding the fighter jets.

Story continues

The Ukrainian foreign ministry is working to obtain the first squadron of foreign combat aircraft. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that some of Ukraines European partners have already taken up the issue of fighter jets.

Read also: Sweden supports joint action to supply Ukraine with fighter jets

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Two fatalities were reported after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed onto an Alabama highway Wednesday afternoon, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.

The crash occurred on Highway 53 near the intersection of Burrell Road in Madison County, near the Alabama-Tennessee border, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The helicopter belonged to the Tennessee National Guard, according to a U.S. official.

PHOTO: First responders on the scene of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash on Alabama 53 near the intersection of Burwell Road in Madison County, Ala., Feb. 15, 2023. (WAAY)

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy," Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, said in a press release. "We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief."

The Madison County Sheriff's office received a distress call on its 911 system around 3 p.m., spokesperson Brent Patterson told ABC News.

First responders who arrived first at the scene found the helicopter "engulfed in flames," Patterson said. The aircraft was a "total loss," and given the extent of visible damage, they determined there were no survivors, he said.

The two fatalities were aboard the helicopter, a U.S. official said.

According to the Tennessee National Guard, no other service members or civilians were injured. Federal and state authorities are investigating the crash and the Tennessee National Guard will work with officials investigating the crash site.

The National Guard said Wednesday night it cannot confirm the unit the helicopter was assigned to or provide information on casualties.

"It is premature to discuss possible causes of the crash," National Guard spokesperson Robert Carver said in a statement. "Like all military aircraft mishaps, the incident will be investigated. The National Guard will support law enforcement and other first responders handling the crash site."

PHOTO: First responders on the scene of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash on Alabama 53 near the intersection of Burwell Road in Madison County, Ala., Feb. 15, 2023. (WAAY)

Troopers with the agency and deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office were securing the scene.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office advised of road closures in the area following the crash.

Story continues

"We anticipate evening traffic to experience heavy delays in this area throughout the evening," the sheriff's office said.

MORE: 5 Marines dead after military aircraft crashes in Southern California desert

Tammy Adams told Huntsville, Alabama, ABC affiliate WAAY that she heard what sounded like a car without a muffler before seeing the helicopter fly overhead.

"Then bam, we heard a hit," she told the station. "We saw it hit the ground and it exploded."

She said she said a prayer for those onboard.

"We knew there could not be anybody surviving that," she told WAAY.

PHOTO: First responders on the scene of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash on Alabama 53 near the intersection of Burwell Road in Madison County, Ala., Feb. 15, 2023. (WAAY)

Chermonica Johnson also told WAAY she said a prayer after witnessing the devastating crash.

"There's nothing there, at all," she told the station. "You can't even tell it was an aircraft."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said on Twitter that he and his wife, Maria, were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two Tennessee National Guard members. Please join us in lifting their families up in prayer & support during this time of unspeakable grief."

Gov. Kay Ivey of Alabama responded, thanking Lee and saying, "Alabamians will continue to uplift in prayer the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy."

"The Guardsmen who lost their lives today will be remembered as heroes," Ivey said. "The people of Alabama stand with our neighbors in Tennessee."

ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this story.

2 dead after Black Hawk helicopter crashes onto Alabama highway: US official originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Quang Nam: Tam Ky city launches Say No to wildlife campaign

Tam Ky city, the central province of Quang Nam, has initiated a comprehensive effort to eradicate wildlife meat consumption in the region.





A pangolin caught in the jungle. The high demand for wildlife meat in urban areas will increase hunting cases in the jungle. (Photo courtesy of WWF-Vietnam)



Dubbed "Say No to Wildlife Meat Consumption," the plan aims to achieve a "zero wildlife consumption" goal by 2030. Dubbed "Say No to Wildlife Meat Consumption," the plan aims to achieve a "zero wildlife consumption" goal by 2030.

The city People's Committee has unveiled a series of action programmes to eliminate all wildlife-related activities, from trade and transportation to storage and cooking in restaurants and shops.

The seven-year plan is a far-reaching effort that will demand the cooperation of state agencies, hotels, restaurants, bars, pet shops, herbal medicine shops, and communities to halt the use of wildlife products, even in private homes.

Vice Chairman of the city People's Committee Nguyen Minh Nam said the reduction in demand for wild meat in urban areas would help decrease the number of illegal hunting in jungles and natural reserves.

Nam said Tam Ky would reach the plan's target with the involvement of all parts of communities, both in urban and near forest areas.

He also called all families, people and friends to join hands in ending wildlife meat and product use in communities.

Deputy head of the Quang Nam provincial forest protection sub-department Tu Van Khanh said the ranger force would strongly support the plan and provide technical assistance to the city's authorities in tackling wildlife meat and product.

In a survey in Tam Ky city alone by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2020, 93.5% of asked people agreed that wildlife meat was the most used among related products.

According to another survey in 2021, many consumers of Tam Ky believed using fresh wildlife meat helps demonstrate them as luxury gastronomers or rich people while supporting them stronger with nutrition.

Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, also promised to become the first urban in Vietnam 'Say No to Wildlife Meat'.

Last year, a campaign was launched by USAID and WWF to reduce the demand for wild animal meat.

The USAID's Biodiversity Conservation project aimed to raise public awareness of the risks of consuming it with a message: 'Once wild meat is on the dining table, the risks are exposed'.



A series of planned events highlighted risks to public health, the legal penalties, and the risks to nature associated with the illegal consumption of wild meat.



"Despite being one the world's most biodiverse countries, Vietnam has experienced staggering wildlife losses. USAID partners with Vietnam to conserve and restore its wildlife. Participation from local communities is vital to conservation success. We invite communities to join us in raising awareness of the risks of eating wild animal meat to help reduce demand for wildlife trade," said USAID/Vietnam Acting Deputy Mission Director Annie Wallace.



The USAID project changes individual behaviours and social norms that reduce local demand for wildlife meat, including pangolin, civet, and other wildlife species. This is one of four strategies the Project implements to achieve long-term biodiversity conservation goals in Vietnam.



Vietnam is one of many Asian countries where wild meat and other animal parts have been consumed for food and medicinal purposes for generations. This ongoing demand is unsustainable and has already led to dramatic declines in wildlife populations, resulting in pressure on wildlife in neighbouring countries to meet the demand.



A survey conducted by WWF-Vietnam in 2021 showed that 90% of wild animals hunted illegally ended up mainly in urban restaurants, with only 10% consumed locally.



"Vietnam's wildlife populations are in a crisis, driven by the ongoing demand for wildlife meat and other products and hunters' continued indiscriminate use of snares," said Nick Cox, Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Conservation, WWF-US. "Reducing demand for wild meat needs a dramatic change in behaviour and social norms so that the consumption of wildlife is seen as socially unacceptable. We need every citizen to stop wild meat consumption from helping prevent the human health risks and ensure wildlife populations have a chance of survival."



The USAID Biodiversity Conservation is funded by USAID and implemented by WWF, in partnership with the Management Board for Forestry Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and aims to secure the remaining strongholds of intact natural forest and wildlife populations in Vietnam.



USAID Biodiversity Conservation works in Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh, Lam Dong, Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh province), Vu Quang National Park (Ha Tinh province), and Cat Tien National Park (Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces).
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EU flags are seen outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The European Commission proposed a tenth package of sanctions against Russia and Iranian drone suppliers, and banning Moscow from acquiring advanced technology, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

The proposed export bans worth over 11 billion euros (11.75 billion U.S. dollars) will target technological and industrial goods critical for the Russian economy that the country cannot get through backfilling by third countries, she said.

The ban covers electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines, as well as goods for the construction sector that can be directed to Russia's military, such as antennas or cranes.

A ban on the export of dual-use and advanced tech goods to Russia is also part of the new sanctions package. The Commission proposes controls on 47 new electronic components that could be used in Russian weapons systems, as well as on specific rare earth materials and thermal cameras.

Adding these to the existing list of banned products should enable the European Union (EU) to block exports towards Russia of all tech products found on the battlefield. In order to prevent third countries from supplying such goods to Russia, the package targets Iran for the first time.

Next week, a Sanctions Coordinators Forum will bring together the EU member states and international partners, she said, in order to make sure that these sanctions are enforced in a coordinated way.

The Commission's proposal requires unanimous approval by all EU member states. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollar)
George Alan Kelly.

A court filing by the attorney representing a Nogales area rancher charged with the premeditated murder of a Mexican man found shot to death on his ranch offered additional details about the grim discovery, claiming the rancher had fired warning shots in self-defense earlier in the day in response to an incursion by several armed men onto his ranch.

George Alan Kelly, 75, remains jailed at the Santa Cruz County Adult Detention Center on a $1 million bond. He is set to return to court Feb. 22 for a preliminary hearing.

His attorney, Brenna Larkin, filed a motion asking a judge to lower Kelly's bond and to release him, claiming the amount "is clearly excessive and appears to be designated to keep defendant in custody while he fights to maintain his innocence," the motion reads.

On Jan. 30, Kelly was having lunch with his wife at his ranch home in Kino Springs, east of Nogales, when he heard a single gunshot, according to the 13-page document Larkin filed Feb. 9. Kelly saw his horse run away scared and spotted several men outside his home.

"They were armed with AK-47 rifles, dressed in khakis and camouflaged clothing, and carrying large backpacks," the motion reads.

After calling the U.S. Border Patrol's ranch liaison, who is responsible for aiding border area ranchers, to summon help, Kelly stepped out onto his porch with his rifle and fired several warning shots over the heads of the armed men to scare them off, according to the motion. The men scrambled away.

Border Patrol agents and Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies arrived at his ranch minutes later, but they were unable to find any people in the vicinity. They documented the incident and took off.

Not everyone is so lucky:This family fled Mexico and sought asylum through an app

It wasn't until a few hours later, around sunset, when Kelly was checking up on his horse that one of his dogs spotted something on the ground. As he approached, he saw a man's body lying face down in the grass, according to the motion. Kelly again called the Border Patrol ranch liaison to report the body.

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The remains belonged to Gabriel Cuen Buitimea, 48, of Nogales, Sonora. He was identified because he carried a Mexican voter registration card. Larkin's motion said Cuen Buitimea also carried a radio and was wearing tactical boots.

Deputies arrested Kelly and seized two rifles from his home to determine if they had been used in the shooting. But Larkin argued that the evidence available so far against Kelly to charge him with first-degree murder is extremely weak, noting that deputies and agents had failed to find the body when they initially showed up.

"No bullet has been found in order to do testing to determine which gun fired the fatal shot," the motion reads. "It is entirely possible that the person found on Mr. Kelly's property was a victim of other drug traffickers."

Kellys home is about a mile and a half north of the Arizona-Mexico border and approximately eight miles east of Nogales. Larkin noted that illegal activity is not uncommon in the area but said Kelly's actions in firing warning shots had been justified.

Larkin added that Kelly had received threats from other inmates and had to be put in protective custody and 23-hour lockdown.

"If Mr. Kelly were to be released to (his wife's) custody or on his own recognizance, he will readily and willingly comply with the terms and conditions of his release ... because he knows that both his liberty and his ability to care for his wife, animals and ranch depend on it," Larkin said.

Kelly and his wife began ranching in Arizona in 1997. They bought the ranch at Kino Springs in 2002, according to the motion.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorney: Nogales rancher charged with murder acted in self-defense
SAN DIEGO, Calif.  Electric mobility never looked quite like this.

While automakers toil to figure out trucks that run on batteries, Nomad Transportable Power Systems has designed a trailer that carries batteries. These power-supply trailers carry all the equipment and controls needed to operate a utility-scale grid battery, but unlike typical grid storage installations, these ones can be moved.

Its not an entirely new idea. Various utilities have experimented with mobile storage as a disaster-preparedness tool: If the grid goes down, send in a bunch of fully charged batteries for emissions-free emergency power. But this concept never made it past scattered utility pilots, perhaps due to the scarcity of replicable products for customers to buy.

Thats what Nomad has made, and it drove one of its fully loaded 35-foot trailers from its hometown in Vermont to San Diego to show it off on the floor at the Distributech conference last week.

The product is fully commercialized, and now were really expanding the sales and delivering to customers, General Manager Chris McKay told Canary Media.

The model on display at Distributech packed 500 kilowatts and a little over 1 megawatt-hour of storage capacity, housed in racks of nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries provided by Kore Power. The battery manufacturer launched Nomad in 2021 as a joint venture with Northern Reliability, an energy storage integrator. (Kore Power acquired Northern Reliability in 2022 and subsequently launched a new business unit based on the latters IP, called Kore Solutions.)

The batteries sit on steel racks anchored to a chassis thats supported by a beefy steel beam running under the trailers entire length. Thanks to air ride suspension and the extra-stiff cargo hold, the trailer doesnt flex in transit, McKay said. It does clock in around 50,000 pounds, but McKay noted that similarly weighty vessels are used to transport heavy-duty equipment.

Currently, the mobile storage plant comes at a 20 to 30 percent premium over equivalent stationary storage, McKay said, though the team plans to bring the price down with experience and scale. That extra cost could be worth it for a customer who values flexibility.

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The battery trailer can replace fuel-burning generators at work sites, oil and gas facilities, festivals and special events, McKay said. Utilities can use them for localized grid needs at specific times and places. If part of the grid needs to shut down for maintenance, a utility could send in a battery trailer to keep peoples lights on. If a fast-growing neighborhood needs more power than its substation can deliver, a battery trailer could meet the additional demand until the big-ticket substation upgrade came through  or potentially defer the upgrade indefinitely.



The grid has lots of cases where you need temporary power and youd rather not install generators there, McKay said.

Green Mountain Power, Vermonts largest utility and a creative adopter of grid storage technologies, decided it had some of those cases. The utility bought Nomads first large-scale battery trailer, with 1 megawatt/2 megawatt-hours of storage capacity. GMP currently controls the batterys charging and discharging at Nomads corporate facility in Vermont, while its new home base docking station gets built, said Josh Castonguay, GMPs vice president and chief innovation officer. In the meantime, the utility brings out its Nomad unit to support electric-vehicle charging at special events.

Mobile storage can obviously do everything that stationary storage can, and most of the time, we will have it plugged in to the docking station providing all those typical grid benefits  lowering cost and carbon  by lowering peak demand [and] participating in certain markets, Castonguay said. The benefit of mobility is, of course, we can move it when needed.

The utility will build a mobile EV charging trailer that connects to the Nomad battery trailer to provide vehicle charging during grid outages, he added. Commercial customers with big seasonal demand spikes, like ski resorts or campgrounds, could make use of the storage during their busy seasons.

The electrification of buildings and transportation is a crucial step for decarbonization, but being completely dependent on electricity can exacerbate the severity and potential danger of grid outages for some households. Back in 2015, GMP pioneered a new type of program in which customers pay the utility a monthly rate to buy or lease home batteries; the households benefit from backup power in emergencies while the utility uses the batteries at other times to reduce the cost of electricity for all customers. Castonguay sees batteries on trailers as another tool in this ongoing effort to fortify Vermonts electrical network against wintry ice storms and summer thunderstorms.

We need to leverage every tool we can, from traditional hardening of the transmission and distribution infrastructure, to storage in homes and businesses, and now utilizing mobile storage, he said. I think its part of the resiliency toolkit that utilities should be looking at.

Others have explored the concept. New York utility Con Ed tested out mobile batteries a few years ago, but the technology appears to have stayed in the unenviable category of early-stage utility pilots that dont graduate to broader adoption. The company that supplied Con Eds mobile batteries, Power Edison, has continued to pitch its wares elsewhere, placing greater emphasis on EV charging projects, including a flagship charging mega-station at a New Jersey seaport.

Nomad and Power Edison sing a similar tune about the benefits of mobility for grid storage. Both are finding near-term traction by pitching their units ability to boost the power supply available for EV charging when and where its needed  an application driven by tangible customer needs. It may well be easier for the companies to get paid that way than by waiting for utilities to figure out when and where they could use mobile storage. As storage analyst Daniel Finn-Foley told Canary Media previously, I wouldnt say that the locational value of storage has been fully recognized yet. [] If that happens, and when that happens, [that] will be the key.

In GMP, at least, Nomad found a willing utility and a chance to prove the usefulness of mobile storage for EV charging support. Whether other utilities follow suit will spell the difference between a good idea on paper and a good idea to build a business around.


Residents in East Palestine, Ohio, packed a high school gym Wednesday night hoping to get information after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the area earlier this month, prompting evacuations and health and environmental concerns.

Residents were expecting a representative from Norfolk Southern to answer their questions at the town hall meeting. But in a statement, Norfolk Southern said it would not send anyone to the meeting due to concerns about employees safety.

Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties, the railroad said in a statement to media hours before the meeting, according to WKBN 27.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway during the meeting said that, like his constituents, he is demanding answers from the railroad company.

Norfolk Southern didnt show up. They didnt feel it was safe. Ive been outside all night. Theres a long line. This isnt the way this is supposed to go, he said.

Why are they being hush-hush? Kathy Dyke asked, referring to Norfolk Southern. Theyre not out here supporting, theyre not out here answering questions. For three days we didnt even know what was on the train.

I have three grandbabies, she said, according to The Associated Press. Are they going to grow up here in five years and have cancer? So those are all factors that play on my mind.

Ohio officials confirmed on Wednesday that public water near East Palestine was safe to drink, after advising residents to drink from bottled water when they returned to their homes.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) inspectors are continuing to investigate what caused the freight train, with 20 cars with hazardous materials, to derail on Feb. 3.

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Norfolk Southern said on Wednesday that it is fully cooperating with NTSB.

We are fully cooperating with the NTSBs investigation, but cant share info until their report is released. We also are working closely with the people of East Palestine, Ohio, to support their needs now and to learn from them how we can help the community over the long term, Norfolk Southern said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio  A new federal lawsuit against Norfolk Southern over the massive train derailment here alleges that 1.1 million pounds of vinyl chloride were released into the environment.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by law firm Morgan & Morgan in U.S. District Court's Northern District of Ohio is one of six suits the railroad company is facing after the derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border almost two weeks ago.

Authorities and Norfolk Southern have not publicly stated how much vinyl chloride was released following thederailment and ensuing controlled burn of chemicals on several cars.

The suit claims "Norfolk Southern blew holes in its vinyl chloride cars, and dumped 1,109,400 pounds of cancer causing vinyl chloride directly into the environment," while trying to extinguish fires.

The firm claims that Norfolk Southern released more vinyl chloride into the environment in one week than all industrial emitters combined did in 2021.

A Feb. 4 drone photo shows portions of a Norfolk Southern Railroad freight train that derailed the previous night in East Palestine, Ohio.

What is vinyl chloride?

Vinyl chloride is a gas used to make polyvinyl chloride hard plastic resin in plastic products and is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer and other cancers, according to the federal government's National Cancer Institute.

Officials warned the controlled burn of cars containing the gas would send toxic gas phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air.

'Why are people getting sick?': East Palestine, Ohio, residents voice concerns; Norfolk Southern skips meeting

What we know: A strong stench, toxic water, and dead fish after Ohio train derailment

Go deeper: Trains are becoming less safe. Why the Ohio derailment disaster could happen more often

Attorney Rene Rocha with Morgan & Morgan described the amount of vinyl chloride released into the environment as "pretty shocking." The law firm based its calculation on the total volume of five 25,800 gallon DOT 105J300W tank cars carrying 8.6 pounds per gallon of vinyl chloride.

The railroad company declined to comment on the latest lawsuit.

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However, Alan Shaw, president and chief executive officer for Norfolk Southern, released a statement Thursday addressing the community.

"When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water, and land," Shaw stated. "Our work is underway. Crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly, and safely."

In his statement, he concluded: "I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know you're tired. I know you're worried. We will not let you down."

Lawsuit faults hazmat plan

Attorney John Morgan accused the railroad company of choosing a cheaper and less safe option following the derailment to contain the hazardous materials, which created a chemical burn pit.

Im not sure Norfolk Southern could have come up with a worse plan to address this disaster, Morgan said.

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. (Melissa Smith via AP)

Residents exposed to vinyl chloride may already be undergoing DNA mutations that could linger for years or even decades before manifesting as terrible and deadly cancers," he added. "The lawsuit alleges that Norfolk Southern made it worse by essentially blasting the town with chemicals as they focused on restoring train service and protecting their shareholders."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. Follow on Twitter @bduerREP.

Fact check: Baseless claim that Ohio train derailment was a 'false flag' operation

Fact check: Social media posts mislead on number of journalists arrested in East Palestine, Ohio

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Train derailment: Norfolk Southern released 1.1M lbs of vinyl chloride
Ohio train derailment

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 Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. Credit - Gene J. PuskarAP Photo

Authorities in East Palestine, Ohio, tell TIME they have received no reports of threats against Norfolk Southern employees. The revelation is significant because the railroad company, which is at the center of a hazardous crash in the town, cited threats to employees if they attended a town hall event on Wednesday night.

Community leaders say they wanted Norfolk Southern at the meeting to address peoples concerns about the air and water quality following the Feb. 3 train derailment.

Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties. With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening, the Norfolk Southern statement said.

But an employee who answered the number for the East Palestine Ohio Police Department tells TIME that they have not gotten any reports of threats against Norfolk Southern employees. Officers were in attendance at the town hall, and when asked whether there was any threat to violence at the event, the employee said: No, none at all.

A woman raises her hand with a question during a town hall meeting at East Palestine High School in East Palestine, Ohio, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Gene J. PuskarAP

On Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern train 32N was en route from Conway, Penn., to Matteson, Ill., when it derailed in East Palestine. Nearly one-third of the trains cars went off the track, with several of them containing hazardous chemicals including vinyl chloride.

The toxic chemical exposure, combined with first responders burning the chemical tanks to avoid an explosion has become a national scandal. Residents report experiencing headaches and nausea and nearby animals are reportedly getting sick. On Feb. 5, a mandatory evacuation was declared that ordered the nearly 5,000 residents of East Palestine to vacate their homes. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has yet to declare a state of emergency, despite public pressure to do so.

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We will not walk away, East Palestine, wrote Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw in an open letter to the town on the morning after the town hall meeting.

The Columbiana County Sheriffs Office said it assisted the East Palestine Police Department, but directed any questions about potential threats to East Palestine police. When Norfolk Southern was asked for any evidence related to their threat claims, a spokesperson said in an email, We are unable to comment further about security concerns.

However, the spokesperson pointed to the companys social media posts. A review of dozens of comments on Norfolk Southern tweets showed lots of frustrationand one illustrated meme of a guillotine.

"We are here and will stay here for as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/tdUrozCNlu  Jack (@jackwtat) February 16, 2023

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway was in attendance at the town hall, where he raised his frustrations with Norfolk Southerns absence. Im concerned. Its not Norfolk Southern here, its the EPA [U.S. Environment Protection Agency] and the people who have been working with us trying to get our citizens back into their homes safe.

The EPA said earlier this week that since the fires went out at the chemical tanks, they have detected no health concerns in their air monitoring. As of now, theyve not identified any vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride in the 459 homes theyve screened.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway briefs media that Norfolk and Southern wont be in attendance for what was initially billed as a town hall. Says hes concerned for his residents and is demanding answers. pic.twitter.com/vM65hpHg4d  Brooks Sutherland (@notebrooks) February 16, 2023

Here is the latest update from EPA's efforts on-the-ground in East Palestine, Ohio:



 As of last night, we have screened 459 homes and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride have been identified.



 We continue to lead 24/7 community air monitoring.  EPA Great Lakes (@EPAGreatLakes) February 15, 2023

Conaway says he wants answers for his constituents, and for himself, as he lives two blocks from where the crash occured. They screwed up our town, theyre going to fix it, he said. If they dont, Ill be the first one calling all you back to do this all over again.

On Feb. 8, days after the chemical spill, East Palestine police arrested News Nation reporter Evan Lambert at a press conference after claiming the journalist wouldnt remain quiet when asked. Lambert has since been released and all charges were dropped.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the matter and Norfolk Southern says they will fully cooperate. Theyre also facing several federal and county court lawsuits in relation to the derailment.
A major outbreak of cold, stormy weather could snarl travel at higher elevations of the northwest United States and British Columbia this week, AccuWeather meteorologists say. The pattern will hit close to the one-year mark from a cold wave in 2022.

"During last year's cold and snowy outbreak, Seattle set a record low of 23 degrees on Feb. 23," AccuWeather Meteorologist Joseph Bauer said.

The jet stream is preparing to make a major southward lunge along the West Coast of North America starting on Sunday and continuing well into this week. This shift will set into motion features in the lower part of the atmosphere that will bring frigid conditions for late winter to much of the West.

"High pressure building southward from Alaska, combined with a storm near Hudson Bay, Canada, will help to pull Arctic air southward across western and central Canada and into the Northwestern and North Central states," Bauer said.

Temperatures could be as much as 25-50 degrees Fahrenheit below historical averages, and feet of snow could pile up in some of the mountains of the western U.S., Bauer added.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

The core of the deep freeze is likely to occur from Wednesday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, Feb. 25, when temperature records are most likely to be challenged along the Pacific coast. However, subsequent rounds of cold air will follow into early March.

One or more storm systems will pivot from the Pacific to the interior western United States from early this week through the end of the month and beyond. Each storm will bring rounds of snow, gusty winds and reinforcing bursts of cold air.

"Feet of snow can pile up in the Cascades, the Sierra Nevada and over some of the various ranges of the Intermountain West this week and the following weekend," Bauer said.

Accumulating snow is possible along the Interstate 5 corridor, including in Seattle and Portland, in the Northwest. The exact storm track will determine precisely when and where snow falls in lower elevations of the region.

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The magnitude of gusty winds, combined with blowing and drifting snow over the mountains and passes, could pose a major problem for regional highway and rail traffic. Strong winds from the storms could lead to vehicle rollovers. Periodic airline delays and flight cancellations are likely at some of the major hubs in the Northwest and interior West as the pattern ramps up.

The same pattern that will hit the Northwest hard will also bring significant impacts to the Southwest, including Central and Southern California, from late in the week through early March. Low snow levels could bring rounds of accumulating snow to the passes, including over the Grapevine, just north of Los Angeles.

While the amount of rain is still questionable for low-elevation locations in California, there is little doubt that the stormy and cold pattern will provide a boost to existing snow cover and vital runoff this spring over the Sierra Nevada and other ranges in the West.

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.
By Elizabeth Howcroft and James Pearson

LONDON (Reuters) - Norway has seized a record $5.8 million worth of cryptocurrency that was stolen by North Korean hackers last year, Norwegian police said in a statement on Thursday.

North Korean hackers stole $625 million in March 2022 from a blockchain project linked to the crypto-based game Axie Infinity. The heist was one of the largest of its kind on record, and was linked by the United States to a North Korean hacking group dubbed "Lazarus".

"This is money that can be used to finance the North Korean regime and their nuclear weapons programme," Norway's senior public prosecutor, Marianne Bender, said in a statement.

North Korea has denied allegations of hacking or other cyberattacks.

Norway's national economic crime unit, known as Okokrim, said it had seized 60 million Norwegian crowns ($5.84 million) in "one of the largest seizures of money ever made in Norway" and a record amount for a crypto seizure.

Okokrim said it worked with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's crypto-tracking specialists.

Last year was the worst on record for cryptocurrency heists, with hackers stealing as much as $3.8 billion, led by attackers linked to North Korea, according to U.S.-based blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

Sky Mavis, the company behind Axie Infinity, is based in Vietnam but its founder, Aleksander Larsen, is Norwegian. Larsen declined to comment, but in a tweet thanked cryptocurrency exchange Binance for assisting Norwegian police with the seizure.

"When we learn of bad actors on our platform, we intervene and take appropriate action, including freezing funds and working with law enforcement to return funds to their rightful owner," a Binance spokesperson said.

North Korea stole more cryptocurrency assets in 2022 than in any other year and targeted the networks of foreign aerospace and defence companies, according to a currently confidential United Nations report seen by Reuters.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft and James Pearson; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Norways parliament on Feb. 16 approved a 7.4 billion euro (75 billion kroner) support plan for Ukraine as part of a five-year support package, the Norwegian government reported.



Ukraine will receive over 1.3 billion euros (15 billion kroner) per year under the program.



The military assistance will include the provision of weapons from the existing stocks of the Norwegian army, weapons purchased directly from manufacturers, and training for the Ukrainian military.



Norway will donate eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and up to four support vehicles to Ukraine, the Norwegian Defense Ministry reported on Feb. 14.



The tanks package will also include ammunition and spare parts.



Norway will also contribute to the training of Ukrainian tank crews in Poland together with other allies, according to the countrys Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.



Half of the package will fund military requirements in 2023, while the rest will fund humanitarian needs, but this split could change over time, he said.



Norway also plans to provide a grant to minimize the wars impact on the countries of the Global South - such as high food and electricity costs












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People protest against Sweden's decision to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Stockholm, Sweden, May 16, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

The member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should commit to spending at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by next year, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

He was addressing journalists following a NATO defense ministers' meeting to address key issues for their security.

"More countries are now spending at least two percent of their GDP on defense. And 2022 was the eighth consecutive year of increased defense spending by European allies and Canada. With an additional investment of 350 billion U.S. dollars, this trend is expected to continue this year. But more needs to be done," he said.

NATO allies agreed in 2014 to move toward spending 2 percent of their GDP on defense by 2024.

He said the allies had agreed on the need to work hand-in-hand with the defense industry to ramp up industrial capacity because Ukraine, to which they were providing unprecedented support, was "consuming an enormous quantity of allied ammunition and depleting our stockpiles."

He said the ministers had also discussed the security of critical undersea infrastructure following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.

He announced the establishment of a Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell within the NATO headquarters.

The U.S. Navy has been accused in press reports of involvement in last September's attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Swedish and Danish exclusive economic zones under the Baltic Sea, which were built to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany.

U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh alleged in recent days that U.S. Navy divers detonated explosives under the pipelines during the Baltic Operations 2022 NATO maritime exercise.
A large majority in the Storting, Norway's parliament, has reached an agreement on a multi-year support programme for Ukraine worth 75 billion Norwegian kroner [almost 7 billion euros  ed.].

Source: Press service for the Norwegian government, as reported by European Pravda.

The support programme was named after Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen, who in his work 100 years ago made efforts to help other countries, including Ukraine.

"I am very pleased to have such broad support for this programme for Ukraine, which will operate for the next five years, that is, during the next Parliament. Together we condemn Russia's war against Ukraine and support the legitimate right of the Ukrainian people to defend themselves," said Jonas Gahr Stre, Prime Minister of Norway.

Annual contributions under the programme will amount to about 15 billion kroner (over 1.3 billion euros), assistance will be provided based on Ukraine's current needs, the assessment of which will be updated regularly.

"In the current phase of the war, support with weapons is especially important so that Ukraine can regain control over its territory. In 2023, half of the aid provided will be in the form of military assistance," Stre emphasised.

In addition to military support, the funds will be directed to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries - particularly Moldova  to support civil infrastructure and reconstruction "when possible."

During 2023, 7.5 billion kroner (approximately 0.65 billion euros) will be allocated for Ukraine's military needs and the same amount for civilian ones. Since the situation may change in subsequent years, the annual proportion of aid for civil and military needs will be determined immediately before the following year.

The military assistance will include the provision of weapons from the existing armaments of the Norwegian army and purchased through international mechanisms, weapons purchased directly from manufacturers and training for the Ukrainian military.

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It is noted that Norway wants to ensure a high level of control and accountability, so support will mostly be provided through proven and effective organisations. Assistance for civil needs will be provided mainly in the form of grants.

"Close coordination with the Ukrainian authorities and international partners regarding the targeting of aid will be vital to ensure that the funds are used according to Ukraine's needs. This support should strengthen democratic institutions, the rule of law and civil society in Ukraine," the communique added.

In addition, the members of parliament supported the allocation of another 5 billion kroner (around 0.4 billion euros) to support the poorer countries of the world which have suffered economically due to the global consequences of the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Norwegian Parliament during the discussion of the package.

Earlier, Norway decided to send eight Leopard 2 tanks and up to four special-purpose tanks to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A woman is suing five Illinois officials, including four police officers, whom she accuses of taking and sharing nude photos and videos of her while she was in police custody.

The woman, who chose to remain anonymous and is referred to as Jane Doe in court records, filed a lawsuit against the city of Ottawa, the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety James Less, the Chief of the Ottawa Police Department Brent Roalson, and police officers Stephanie Nelson, Kari Whalen and Scott Harden, according to the complaint filed Feb. 1.

The Ottawa City Government and Ottawa Police Department did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment. No defense attorney was listed in court records.

According to the lawsuit, the woman was arrested and detained by Whalen and Harden on allegations of driving under the influence on April 24. She was taken to the Ottawa police station where cameras filmed her partially and totally nude, the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division said.

Using their personal cellphones, the defendants are accused of filming and keeping nude videos and photographs of the woman from the police stations camera footage. The five city employees texted, emailed and otherwise published and disseminated these nude videos and photographs amongst each other and the general public, the complaint said.

The woman was identifiable in the photos and videos, the lawsuit said. She did not consent to having nude photos and videos taken nor did she consent to these materials being shared.

The defendants knew or should have known the woman did not give her consent and their actions had a high probability of causing her severe emotional distress, the lawsuit said.

The extreme and outrageous conduct of city officials violated the womans constitutional rights to privacy, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment and freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex, the lawsuit said.

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Because of these violations, the woman suffered and continues to suffer from emotional distress, public embarrassment, and reputational harm, according to the lawsuit.

The city of Ottawa is also accused of failing to adequately train, supervise, control and discipline its officers such that its failure to do so manifests deliberate indifference.

The woman is suing for compensation.

Ottawa is about 80 miles southwest of Chicago.

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A company co-founded by Frank Carone, Mayor Adams recently departed chief of staff, must pay a prominent New York City real estate firm more than $726,000 to settle a long-running rent debt, a Manhattan judge ruled this week.

The company, Financial Vision Group, is in the health insurance field, and signed a lease in 2019 for an office space in a Manhattan building owned by SL Green, one of the citys largest commercial landlords. But Financial Vision allegedly stopped paying rent in June 2020  prompting SL Green to file a lawsuit last year against the company, as first reported by the Daily News.

On Tuesday, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Louis Knock sided with SL Green and ruled that Financial Vision must cough up $726,682, plus interest, to the real estate giant for the unpaid rent.

The decision was not unexpected, as Knock ruled last month that Financial Vision must pay at least $179,000 just to cover overstay rent owed between March 2022, when SL Green terminated the lease, and June 2022, when Financial Vision vacated the office space.

Carone said Wednesday that he has no exposure in the SL Green case.

You are hereby on notice that I have again told you that I have nothing to do with this litigation or entity, and therefore am not interested in your update on the case in the least, he said in a text message.

Carone, a politically-connected attorney who served as Adams confidante for years before becoming his chief of staff, co-founded Financial Vision in 2018 with his then-law partner, Howard Fensterman, and three other individuals, according to incorporation documents reviewed by The News.

The company, which advances money to medical companies waiting on insurance payouts in exchange for a fee, also has ties to Zhan and Robert Petrosyants, a couple of criminally convicted brothers who are close friends with Adams.

Carone has said all his private sector assets were divested or placed in a blind trust upon his chief of staff appointment in January 2022, and that hes had no role in Financial Vision since.

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What appears to be Carones signature is on the original lease for the companys 23rd floor office in SL Greens Sixth Ave. building, according to a copy of the document, which is dated Sept. 3, 2019 and was submitted in court.

But Carone claimed last month that he didnt sign the lease. On Wednesday, he said he suspects someone fabricated his signature.

I have reported the unlawful use of my name and signature to the appropriate authority, he said. He did not say which authority he contacted about the matter.

A rep for SL Green would not comment on Carones remarks about the allegedly fake signature.

Fensterman, who has presented himself in recently filed records in other court cases as an active member of Financial Vision, did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

Though Financial Vision never offered a response to its lawsuit, SL Green said in court papers last year that the company had claimed it was entitled to a pandemic-related rent abatement, a position the real estate firm disputed.

Since leaving City Hall, Carone has launched Oaktree Solutions, a consulting firm that aims to have clients in politics and other fields. He is also expected to lead Adams 2025 reelection campaign.

Carone told Politico last month that among the potential clients Oaktree Solutions is in talks with are companies vying for a license to run a casino in the city. Carone did not name those companies, but SL Green is among a handful of entities that are pursuing bids for the lucrative casino license.

A second court case that loomed over Carone upon his departure from Adams administration involved Cushman & Wakefield, another major commercial landlord in the city.

Cushman & Wakefield claimed in a Manhattan Federal Court lawsuit that a company owned by Carones family trust owed more than $400,000 in commissions related to a lease on a Brooklyn property.

Court papers show Cushman & Wakefield withdrew its suit on Jan. 27, however, after reaching a settlement with the Carone company without costs to any party. Carone told The News on Wednesday that he had expected that outcome.

With Michael Gartland
The top editor of The New York Times warned the newspapers journalists who have voiced displeasure with the outlets coverage of transgender people and issues that such public criticism will not be tolerated.

In a memo to staff on Thursday obtained by The Hill, executive editor Joe Kahn said the Times received a letter delivered by GLAAD, an advocacy group, criticizing coverage in The Times of transgender issues.

It is not unusual for outside groups to critique our coverage or to rally supporters to seek to influence our journalism. In this case, however, members of our staff and contributors to The Times joined the effort. Their protest letter included direct attacks on several of our colleagues, singling them out by name, Kahn wrote. Participation in such a campaign is against the letter and spirit of our ethics policy. That policy prohibits our journalists from aligning themselves with advocacy groups and joining protest actions on matters of public policy. We also have a clear policy prohibiting Times journalists from attacking one anothers journalism publicly or signaling their support for such attacks.

More than 200 New York Times contributors past and present earlier this week penned an open letter to the newspaper, criticizing its coverage of transgender issues, saying it has been cited to justify criminalizing gender-affirming health care by lawmakers.

The letter specifically takes issue with a Times story from last June that uses the term patient zero to refer to a transgender young person seeking gender-affirming care, which the signatories say is a phrase that vilifies transness as a disease to be feared.

The newspapers editorial guidelines demand that reporters preserve a professional detachment, free of any whiff of bias when cultivating their sources, remaining sensitive that personal relationships with news sources can erode into favoritism, in fact or appearance, the letter, whose signatories included journalists from other publications, including The Hill, reads. Yet the Times has in recent years treated gender diversity with an eerily familiar mix of pseudoscience and euphemistic, charged language, while publishing reporting on trans children that omits relevant information about its sources.

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Kahn defended the newspapers coverage of transgender issues and people in his note on Thursday.

Our coverage of transgender issues, including the specific pieces singled out for attack, is important, deeply reported, and sensitively written, he said. We do not welcome, and will not tolerate, participation by Times journalists in protests organized by advocacy groups or attacks on colleagues on social media and other public forums.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A California sheriffs deputy was charged with murder after authorities in Los Angeles said Wednesday that he was driving nearly 95 mph in a school zone when he crashed into another car, killing a 12-year-old boy and seriously injuring two passengers while off duty.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ricardo Castro, 28, was also charged with vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving, causing great bodily injury, in the Nov. 3, 2021, collision in South Gate, southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement.

Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez was killed. His adult sister, who was turning left in an older-model Mercedes when it was struck by Castro's Ford pickup, was seriously injured, South Gate Police Chief Darren Arakawa said at a news conference Wednesday.

The collision launched the Mercedes and caused the pickup to roll, Arakawa said. A woman who was Castro's passenger was also injured, he said.

Betsabe Suarez (KVEA)

"Driving at 95 mph was nearly quadruple the speed limit when schoolchildren are present, which shows a conscious disregard for those childrens lives," Gascon told reporters.

"Mr. Castros recklessness ended the life of a boy with an entire future ahead of him and destroyed a family, he added.

Castro had been involved in multiple collisions and had received several traffic tickets, including speeding citations, before the crash, Gascon said.

Court records didn't list a lawyer who could speak on Castro's behalf. He appeared in court for an initial appearance Wednesday and remained in custody in lieu of $2.3 million bail, jail records show.

In a statement, the sheriff's department said Castro was placed on paid administrative leave after the crash. After the charges were filed, he was relieved of duty without pay, the department said.

The department declined to comment further, citing an active investigation by another agency.

"What we can say is, Sheriff Robert Luna expects all members of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department to always hold themselves to the highest ethical and professional standards," the statement said. "Criminal misconduct will not be tolerated and Department members who allegedly violate the law will be held accountable."

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Isaiah's mother, Betsabe Suarez, described her son to reporters Wednesday as thoughtful, brave and caring, and she recalled that on the day of the crash, her son had gone out to buy a ruler for a classmate who had had hers taken by bullies at school.

"He was full of grace," she said tearfully. "We're completely broken."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
 Flash

A man lays a bouquet mourning for the victims of a mass shooting in Buffalo of New York State, the United States, May 16, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 19-year-old man Payton Gendron, who committed the mass shooting last May in Buffalo of the U.S. state of New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday as expected while white supremacy got bashed at court.



Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan announced the sentence based on 10 counts of first-degree murder and a single count of domestic terrorism motivated by hate, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment without parole.

Domestic terrorism motivated by hate

"There is no place for you or your ignorant, hateful and evil ideologies in a civilized society. There can be no mercy for you. No understanding. No second chances. The damage you have caused is too great and the people you have hurt are too valuable to this community. You will never see the light of day as a free man ever again," said Eagan.

Fueled by racist conspiracy theories, Gendron drove about three hours from his home to a Black-predominated community in Buffalo and shot multiple individuals in and around a Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 10 African Americans, as well as injury to three others.

In November 2022, Gendron pleaded guilty to the highest charges in the indictment against him including one count of domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree, ten counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Gendron was the first person in New York State convicted of that domestic terrorism charge, which was passed in 2020 and mandates life in prison without an opportunity for parole.

Gendron made a brief apology on Wednesday, saying he was "very sorry" for the attack and blamed online content for the shooting rampage.

"Our client is responsible for committing this crime. He will spend the rest of his life locked away and he will eventually die in state prison. We hope that knowing that he will never be free again will offer some small bit of comfort to those that he's hurt so much," said Brian Parker, one of Gendron's attorneys, after the announcement of the sentence.

Moreover, Gendron faces federal charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death penalty.

A number of family members of the victims and survivors made victim impact statements at the court and the processing was once interrupted as a man charged the defendant in the courtroom.

Racism deep-rooted

"Our black and brown brothers and sisters endured centuries, not years, centuries, of oppression as they built our buildings and produced our crops by which the foundation of this country was built on. They continue to endure oppression... They continue to endure micro aggressions. They continue to have their families gunned down simply because of the color of their skin," said Stephanie, sister of survivor Jennifer Warrington, who was injured in the shooting.

Parker said this case highlights a much deeper problem and Gendron's violent, hate-filled assault was in part the product of centuries of pervasive racism, which needs to be addressed.

"This hateful act and other similar hateful acts across the country motivated by white supremacy and replacement theory are a reckoning for us as a nation. The ugly truth is that our nation was founded and built in part on white supremacy," said Eagan in the sentence.

Eagan recounted white supremacy acts in U.S. history like the treatment of Native Americans by the first European settlers, the cruel, inhumane economic engine nation building practice of slavery, indentured servitude, Jim Crow laws, government policies creating segregated public housing with communities of color and many other social injustices.

Eagan said, "Our history is replete with both individual and systemic discriminatory practices, many of them still firmly in place today. In fact, it is these very policies and practices that contributed to and made this atrocity possible. The effects of these policies, some current and others, decades and centuries old, created the segregation in our city and enabled this defendant to research and identify his target to maximize the impact of his evil intent."

"The harsh reality is that white supremacy has been an insidious cancer on our society and nation since its inception, and it undermines the notions of a meritocracy and the land of opportunity that we hold so dear. However, white supremacy is not inevitable or unstoppable. It has been carefully cultivated and nurtured by individuals and the government for centuries," added Eagan.

"Unfortunately, neither this proceeding, nor any criminal trial can expose or address the historical racism that set the stage for our client's horrible acts. We as a community need to have those conversations in our legislative bodies, in their living rooms to achieve any sort of meaningful change," said Parker.

Stephanie stressed the beauty of diversity saying "We are stronger together. Diversity makes us beautiful."

Parker noted that the racist hate motivating this crime was spread through online platforms, and the violence was made possible by the easy access to assault weapons.

Eagan warned that "we must acknowledge that history. See that history for what it is. Recognize it and learn from it. Or we are doomed to repeat it."

Eagan urged individuals to call out injustice in daily lives and reject racism in all of its forms.
Olaplex customers are suing the popular hair care brand and claiming that the companys products caused them serious injury to their hair.

The lawsuit, which was filed on 9 February, includes claims from 30 women who used products from Olaplex, as reported by CNN. The brand is notably sold at retailers such as Sephora and Ulta and is frequently advertised by influencers on TikTok.

The women involved in the lawsuit allege that Olaplexs products caused serious injuries including hair loss, breakage, bald spots, and scalp irritation. The plaintiffs are collectively seeking more than $75,000 in damages.

In one section of the lawsuit shared by Bloomberg, the allegations say: Far from repairing and protecting hair from damage, the products have instead left plaintiffs hair dry, brittle, frizzy and dull.

One woman involved, Jessica Auriana, opened up about her hair care journey during an interview with Good Morning America this week. She said that when she was struggling with dry and brittle hair, a peer had recommended Olaplex to her.

However, she claimed that after she used the companys shampoo, conditioner and clarifying shampoo for two months, she experienced hair loss.

I think by that point I had probably lost 20 per cent of my hair, Auriana said. Im outside daily ... I started to feel the wind and air on my scalp in places that Ive never felt it.

On its official website, Olaplex notes that it offers building treatment products that will repair, strengthen and leave hair healthier. The brand has also specified on its health page that their products have been tested and do not cause hair loss or hair breakage.

Rachel Bentley, who is co-counsel on the lawsuit, also told GMA that the $75,000 is for the injuries [that their] clients sustained.

We are seeking punitive damages to deter Olaplex from engaging in any further wrongful conduct, she added.

In a statement to The Independent, Olaplex denied the claims made in the lawsuit and says its products are safe and effective, as millions of our customers can happily attest.

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We have full confidence and believe in the safety and efficacy of our products, the statement read. There are a wide variety of reasons for hair breakage or hair loss, as medical and scientific experts have publicly stated, including lifestyle, various medical conditions and medications, the aftereffects of COVID, skin conditions and more. Anyone experiencing consistent hair breakage should consult their stylist and dermatologist to best understand their unique hair and skin needs.

The company also responded to Aurianas complaint and said that its a fact of life in [their] industry. Olaplex also claimed that these kinds of complaints have been made against other brands in the category for years.

We are prepared to vigorously defend our Company, our brand, and our products against these baseless accusations, Olaplexs statement continued.

In addition, the company said it has gone above and beyond industry beauty standards by sharing test results from its independent third-party laboratories on its website.

This lawsuit comes almost one year after Olaplex first made headlines when it announced that it was removing lilial, a common fragrance that has been linked to infertility, from its No.3 Hair Perfector. This decision came in response to the European Union placing a ban on the ingredient in March 2022.

At Olaplex, lilial was previously used in small amounts as a fragrance in No. 3 Hair Perfector. It is not an active or functional ingredient, the company said in a statement to The Independent. While this phase out is limited to the EU, out of an abundance of caution, Olaplex proactively removed lillial from our No.3 Hair Perfector globally. Since January 2022, Olaplex no longer sold products using lilial in the UK or EU.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Olaplex for comment.
Olaplex, facing a new lawsuit over its hair products, said tests show its products are safe.

The brand, a staple in TikTok hair care routines, posted "third-party" test records on its website.

Customers suing Olaplex alleged they experienced "bald spots" and other scalp problems.

Olaplex is fighting back against a new lawsuit accusing its products of causing hair and scalp damage, including "bald spots" and blisters.

Immediately after the lawsuit filing last week, the brand added a new section to its website titled "testing results," where it posted records of clinical tests that it said prove its products are "safe and effective" and "do not cause hair loss or hair breakage."

"We have chosen to release these results now in the face of this misinformation because we want to reassure our millions of happy customers that they can continue to use our products with confidence," an Olaplex representative told Insider.

Olaplex said that the "independent third-party laboratory" testing included Human Repeat Insult Patch tests, a form of clinical study often used to gauge allergic reactions to cosmetic products. The company said the tests were conducted on study participants with both normal and sensitive skin, and involved products in its series from Olaplex No. 0 to No. 9.

"When the products pass such a test, it means the product does not cause inflammation or sensitivity," Olaplex wrote on its site. "As such, there is no induced inflammation to the hair follicle, which is the primary cause of hair loss."

The customers who sued Olaplex this month in California federal court alleged that the hair care products contain ingredients like panthenol and sodium benzoate, which they said can cause skin and health problems.

They also alleged that Olaplex's product usage instructions  which in some cases suggest leaving products in the hair for a period of time  can cause skin problems and block hair follicles.

A representative for Olaplex denied the lawsuit's allegations, saying, "We have full confidence and believe in the safety and efficacy of our products, which are thoroughly tested in-house and by independent third-party laboratories."

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Olaplex hasn't yet filed a formal response to the allegations in the lawsuit, according to the docket.

The test reports that Olaplex posted were issued by a number of laboratories including BioScreen Testing Services Inc., Consumer Product Testing Company, and Brazil-based Allergisa Pesquisa Dermato Cosmetica Ltda.

An attorney for the plaintiffs, Amy Davis, told Insider on Wednesday that testing conditions don't recreate "the real world use of the product."

Some of the test reports posted on the Olaplex site described how a measured quantity of product was applied to the skin, sometimes with filter paper over it, depending on the type of test. Davis said also that such tests would use diluted versions of the product.

"It's like putting a drop of the product in the ocean," Davis said.

A representative for Olaplex said on Wednesday that the HRIPT reports are "industry standard and reflect the use of Olaplex products under real world conditions."

"Any allegation to the contrary is without scientific merit," the representative said.

The company said it posted the results on its website on Feb. 10, the day after customers filed their suit.

"Experiencing hair loss is a difficult and painful experience, and we are sympathetic to anyone in that position, but we remain confident in the overwhelming evidence showing that Olaplex products are safe and effective," the representative said.

Do you work at Olaplex or have information to share? Contact Sindhu Sundar at ssundar@insider.com or on the encrypted messaging app Signal at (984)-377-3887.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The oldest known Bible is going up for auction at Sotheby's this year and the auction house expect it will go for $30 million to $50 million. The Codex Sassoon is the the earliest most complete Hebrew Bible, which dates back to the late 9th or early 10th century, and contains all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, but is missing 12 leaves.

The Bible is named after its most notable owner, David Solomon Sassoon, who died in 1942. Sassoon knew the prayers for the entire liturgical year and practically the entire Hebrew Bible by heart by age 8, according to Sotheby's.

There are older religious manuscripts, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex, which is missing many pages, but the Codex Sassoon is the oldest and most complete. It is nearly a century older than the Leningrad Codex, which is the oldest, fully complete Bible.

The Codex Sassoon is the oldest and most complete Hebrew Bible. It is regarded as the most influential book in human history. / Credit: Sotheby's

The Codex Sassoon will go up for auction in New York City in May and is expected to become the most valuable historical document ever sold at auction.

The book has not been in public view in 40 years, but this year, it will tour with a Sotheby's exhibit  traveling to London, Tel Aviv, Dallas, Los Angeles and finally, New York City.

The Codex Sassoon has existed over a millennium of human history.

"In Codex Sassoon, a monumental transformation in the history of the Hebrew Bible is revealed," said Sharon Liberman Mintz, a senior Judaica specialist at Sotheby's. "The biblical text in book format marks a critical turning point in how we perceive the history of the Divine word across thousands of years and is a transformative witness to how the Hebrew Bible has influenced the pillars of civilization  art, culture, law, politics  for centuries."

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To read more about what Johnson East and her family are up to, catch our story for subscribers on her journey.

Shawn Johnson East, the West Des Moines native who traded leotards for a new life in Nashville, captured hearts and attention after clinching four medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Now, nearly 15 years after the summer games, Iowa's golden girl is all grown up and opening up with The Des Moines Register about raising babies with her husband Andrew, bringing realness to social media, their hit podcast, and a possible return to reality TV. From Beijing, China to Nashville, Tennessee, the Valley High School alum has always shown love for Iowa.

These days, the Olympic gold medalist balances a busy schedule raising two toddlers while tending to an ever-growing following on social media platforms  like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube  instead of tumbling on the balance beam.

Shawn Johnson East and her husband are Instagram and TikTok famous

The couple catapulted to social media fame and now shares more than 7 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined between the two of them.

Updates on her parents

In the Des Moines Register exclusive, Johnson East provides an exciting update about her parents.

Is Shawn Johnson East returning to reality TV?

In the wide-ranging update with the Des Moines Register, Johnson East and her ex-NFL player husband opened up about possibly returning to the format with an adventurous reality competition show appearance. The pair are each reality television alums: Johnson East has competed on "Dancing with the Stars" twice, CNBC's now-cancelled series "Adventure Capitalists," pre-presidency Donald Trump-led "Celebrity Apprentice" and appeared on other shows. East has competed twice on the NBC audience favorite "American Ninja Warrior."

More:Olympian Shawn Johnson East opens up about motherhood, social media fame and life in Nashville

We have had to say no to it in the past because of babies, which has been so hard, but hopefully they come back and ask us to be on another season," Johnson East said of her potential reality career reboot.

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Running into Iowans in Nashville

Shawn Johnson East with her husband, Andrew, and two children, Drew and Jett.

Its something really special, to be honest," East said of meeting fellow natives of his adopted second home state in Nashville.

Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Shawn Johnson and Andrew East are doing now from TV to TikTok
One person was killed and three others were wounded when gunfire erupted early Wednesday evening inside a mall in El Paso, Texas, authorities said.

Two people were taken into custody in the shooting at Cielo Vista Mall, interim El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas told reporters.

The mall is next to the Walmart where a gunman killed 23 people and injured 22 in 2019.

An off-duty officer working security at the mall took a person identified only as a male into custody three minutes after gunshots were reported around 5 p.m., Pacillas said.

A second person also identified as a male was taken into custody later, he said.

The identities and ages of the people involved had not been disclosed as of late Thursday afternoon, but Pacillas said they ranged from their late teens to early 20s.

This is a random incident, encounter between two groups, Pacillas told reporters on Thursday. I want to emphasize this: This is a random incident that occurred between two groups at the mall.

All the gunfire was limited to the food court area, police said.

During the confrontation, a physical altercation took place, a fight, Pacillas said. During that fight, group B, one person, produced a handgun and shots were fired. As a result of the shooting, one member of group A was fatally wounded and deceased at the scene. Two persons in group B were woudnded and listed in stable condition.

The FBI has published a site for witnesses to upload any videos individuals taken of the shooting scene.

Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, recalled the 2019 shooting on Twitter and said Wednesday's gunfire "brought back traumatic memories for many of us," adding, "Please know you are not alone."

"No community deserves multiple incidents of gun violence," she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Military families face some unique challenges, which advocates say are causing service members to leave or not to join in the first place. Now, lawmakers have created a new panel on Capitol Hill to address these issues.

This new House subcommittee is called the quality of life panel. Congressman Don Bacon (R) Nebraska, who is leading the effort, said if we dont address these issues, our countrys safety is at risk.

In many cases, the quality of life concerns involve every day issues.

Unfortunately, military families are currently under extraordinary pressures to secure affordable basic needs, Dr. Shanna Smith, Associate Director of Research for the Military Family Advisory Network, said.

Smith is an Army spouse and grew up in a family that served.

We heard stories of military families skipping meals or opting for less nutritious options because bills like rent and utilities must be prioritized, she relayed. Food is secondary. Its heartbreaking.

These stories motivated Congressman Bacon to suggest and now lead this new panel.

Nobody defending our country and offering to put their life on the line to defend our country should have to be on food stamps, he said.

Bacon explained the first thing the group will take on is how to better compensate junior enlisted troops. This could come from a significant pay bump or an increase in a food allowance.

Lawmakers will start meeting in the spring. Theyll spend the next year figuring out the best path forward. These newer service members will likely see the financial boosts in 2025, according to the Congressman.

Bacon, who spent about thirty years in the Air Force, said he knows whats at risk for our country.

If the Army cannot fill its battalions or brigades, and we have 58 of them, then that weakens our country, he said. If we cant put or fill enough men and women on our ships, that hurts our combat capability. If the Marines cant deploy and do their job, the best fighting force in the world, then theyre not the best fighting force in the world, if they cant get the manpower. Our national security is weakened when we cant recruit or retain our great people.

The panel will also look into housing, medical care, childcare and spouse employment issues.
An Opelika High School faculty member is now behind bars for allegedly soliciting a student for sex, according to Opelika police.

Montre Learius Battle, 37, of Cusseta, was arrested on charges of soliciting sex from a student under the age of 19, according to officials, a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama.

Police were notified about the incident on Feb. 8 and arrested Battle Thursday, according to the release. Officials say the case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can call the OPD Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the secret witness hotline at 334-745-8665.
A student leaves flowers at The Rock on the grounds of Michigan State University on Tuesday after a gunman killed several people and wounded others at the school the previous night. (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

Yet again this week we are grappling with the news of another mass shooting on school grounds, this time at Michigan State University. Mondays shooting took place on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the attack that killed 17 students and staffers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and nine months after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 21 children and teachers. Some students who were present at the MSU shooting are also survivors of another Michigan school shooting almost 15 months ago at Oxford High School.

What happens when children are repeatedly exposed to this kind of violence, grief and trauma over the course of their lives?

The data are clear: U.S. school shootings have increased over the last few years. An estimated 338,000 children have been exposed to gun violence in K-12 schools alone since 1999. And gun violence on college campuses persists. It is currently the leading cause of death among children and teens in the U.S. There is now a generation of young adults whose childhoods have been directly shaped by exposure to gun violence in and outside of their schools.

Exposure to gun violence at any point during childhood is an adverse childhood experience, and extensive research on exposure to these experiences shows links to dozens of negative outcomes in a persons life. These can include poor mental health, increased risk for chronic disease, addiction, suicide, decreased school success and even premature death. An estimated 30% of children report experiencing at least one adverse childhood experience. The more traumas a child experiences, the greater their risk of poor physical and mental health outcomes.

For young people, exposure to adverse childhood experiences such as gun violence is more likely to result in these long-term serious health challenges if there are limited protective factors in place and if there is no meaningful early intervention or support provided in the aftermath of the trauma.

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In response to gun violence specifically, over the past years we have seen increased security in schools and universities through active shooter drills, calls to arm teachers and staff and the addition of more metal detectors, among dozens of other safety tactics. No matter how well-intended, there is little evidence that these solutions reduce the frequency and lethality of these violent acts. This is in spite of the scientific evidence guiding solutions that do work and that our elected officials could turn to in order to help prevent future tragedies.

Given how slow it is to implement meaningful gun reform laws and with the frequency of gun violence, we need to ensure we are doing all we can to support affected communities  especially young people. Early interventions are crucial as they grapple with the direct and indirect consequences of being exposed to repeat gun violence during their formative years. Examples include access to schoolwide services that specifically address post-traumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of a shooting and increased access to primary care, family therapy, grief support and school-based programming that centers trauma-informed practices and care for students and their communities.

Unfortunately, sufficient and ready access to these kinds of support services continues to be hard to come by. Here too, we see politics overriding policy. Many politicians are often quick to blame mental illness for this kind of violence, but many of these same legislators recently voted against a federal mental health bill and a school safety act that would have provided a significant funding increase for mental health programs. At a time when we lack the most basic services for students, as observed in the current shortage of school psychologists and other mental health professionals, this kind of support is crucial.

As a nation, we are not preventing these shootings and are not equipped with the resources or infrastructure to effectively support communities in either the short- or long-term aftermath of these violent acts. All students, whether kindergartners or college students, deserve to attend school in a safe, secure and supportive environment. They deserve more than 48 hours of canceled classes and meaningless calls for thoughts and prayers if a tragedy does occur. They deserve a comprehensive, science-informed, thoughtful gun violence prevention plan that puts them first and works to change the structures that can lead to shootings like the one at MSU. The good news is that those solutions exist. We now need to start carrying them out.

Sonali Rajan is associate professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. Charles Branas is professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. Mark S. Kaplan is professor of social welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A new bill passed by the Oregon state Senate requires landlords to allow childcare services to run out of their rental units.

Story at a glance

The Oregon state Senate passed on bill this week requiring landlords to allow childcare services out of their rental units.

The bill is aimed at addressing the states childcare shortage which is especially pronounced in rural communities and communities of color.

The bill provides protections for both landlords and tenants who wish to use their units as family childcare spaces.

Once signed by the governor, the legislation will help the states childcare shortage by expanding the space available to chi providers, bill co-sponsors Senator Dick Anderson (R) and Senator Elizabeth Steiner (D) said in a joint statement.

More than half of Americans live in a childcare desert, or areas where there are too few licensed childcare facilities for the number of children who need care, according to the Center for American Progress.

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And in Oregon, that number is even higher with sixty percent of people living in a childcare desert.

This bill is an important step to provide more affordable childcare options so that working families can stay in their communities, said Senator Anderson in a statement. This security will have a compounding effect on increased workforce performance, longer tenure of employees, and more stable homelives.

Under the bill, tenants must be state registered childcare providers and notify their landlord that they intend to use a unit as a family childcare space.

Tenants must also notify their landlord in advance if they intend to remodel their rental unit in order to offer child care services.

Landlords are also barred from retaliating against tenants by raising the rent or decreasing any services because of their childcare work, according to the bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he would retain his current position despite the reports of dismissal, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Wednesday.

Speaking with foreign journalists, Reznikov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked him to remain in his post in the coming months.

Earlier this month, David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of the Party of Servant of the People, said that Reznikov would be replaced by Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's intelligence chief.

On Tuesday, Reznikov submitted the candidacies of his three new deputies to Zelensky for approval.
There are many gorgeous-looking films in this years Oscar race, but even with 10 films nominated for Best Picture, only five films could be recognized for their production design, a role that plays a large part in the overall look of a film, along with cinematography.

Besides designing and drafting and deciding what needs to be built on soundstages, the production designer also is involved very early on in finding the best locations and hiring the rest of the art department, including the set decorator, who is responsible for dressing up said locations.

More from GoldDerby

SEEAndrea Riseborough breaks silence on her contentious To Leslie Best Actress Oscar nomination

Four of the five nominees this year are also nominated for Best Picture, while the nomination for Damien Chazelles Babylon is one of only three nominations it received, and it didnt make the cut for the top prize.

As of this writing, Gold Derby Experts have Elvis and Babylon neck and neck to win the category with a few picking Avatar: The Way of Water, a follow-up nomination to the original movies win in this category in 2010. (Coincidentally, one of the original Avatars production designers is nominated again this year, but for a different movie.)

all quiet on the western front

All Quiet on the Western Front  Production Designer Christian M. Goldbeck; Set Decorator Ernestine Hipper

Germanys International Feature nominee has run the board in the below-the-line categories with six nominations out of its nine, and Goldbeck is a 20-year veteran in the German film industry. His duties on Edward Bergers Netflix film involve designing the enormous battlefield and finding other locations where the WWI drama takes place, as well as finding and dressing settings in the Czech Republic (along with Hipper) to make them look like period France during that era. It is one of two nominees in this category that also received a Visual Effects nomination; those two categories are frequently linked.

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SEEVisual Effects Society Awards preview: Oscar frontrunner Avatar faces rivals here first

avatar the way of water

Avatar: The Way of Water  Production Designer Dylan Cole, Ben Procter; Set Decorator Vanessa Cole

The other movie that received both Production Design and Visual Effects nominations (and is the presumptive favorite for the latter) is James Camerons sequel to the 2009 Avatar which won the Oscar in this category in 2010. That movie was designed by Rick Carter, who is nominated once again this year for his work on Steven Spielbergs The Fabelmans. Cole and Procter have each only designed one film prior to this one  Maleficent and Enders Game, respectively  and they are continuing onto the third and fourth Avatar movies, which is a major years-long commitment. Both come from the world of visual effects, but they also worked in the art department for the original Avatar. Their work on The Way of Water is a continuation of the Oscar-winning work on that prior movie, creating new locations on the planet of Pandora that are a combination of physical on-set builds and visual effects.

babylon margot robbie

Babylon  Production Designer Florencia Martin; Set Decorator Anthony Carlino

First-time nominee Martin previously designed Paul Thomas Andersons Licorice Pizza as well as Andrew Dominiks Blonde. She came through the art department ranks working on Andersons The Master and Spike Jonzes Her, but her work on Chazelles fifth feature involved everything from creating the luxurious mansion where a decadent soiree kicks off the movie to recreating the iconic studio locations that play a backdrop for this fictionalized story based on actual Hollywood lore. This is Carlinos very first movie as a set decorator after working in the art department as leadman for 20 years on films like Iron Man, American Sniper, and more.

SEESteven Spielberg to Tom Cruise: You saved Hollywoods a

elvis austin butler

Elvis  Production Designer Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy; Set Decorator Bev Dunn

Theres good reason why Catherine Martin has won four Oscars, two in this category, having designed all of husband Baz Luhrmanns fantastic-looking films going back to 1992s Strictly Ballroom. She also has been handling the costume design for all of Luhrmanns movies going back to 2001s Moulin Rouge! Creating the Las Vegas and Memphis locations for Elvis (all filmed in Australia) required the help of a second production designer in Karen Murphy, who has been working in the art and costume department with Martin also since Moulin Rouge! She would also design Luhrmanns Netflix series, The Get Down, and Bradley Coopers Oscar-nominated A Star is Born. Set decorator Bev Dunn shared in one of Martins previous Oscars for 2013s The Great Gatsby.

the fabelmans gabriel labelle judd hirsch

The Fablemans  Production Designer Rick Carter; Set Decorator Karen OHara

A long-time collaborator with director Steven Spielberg, Carter has won two Oscars, one for James Camerons aforementioned Avatar in 2010 and again three years later for designing Spielbergs Lincoln. His amazing career includes much work with Robert Zemeckis, designing the two Back to the Future sequels, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and more, but Jurassic Park and its sequel, again for Spielberg, were probably his two biggest undertakings. For Fabelmans, Carter and his set decorator had to recreate locations from Spielbergs childhood, many of them taken directly from pictures and memories of the filmmaker and his sisters.

This will be a tough category to predict. The two Martins are in pole position with the Elvis production designer being better known from her previous Oscar-winning work, as well as the fact that her film was nominated for Best Picture. Even so, Avatar: The Way of Water has a corresponding Visual Effects nomination, while neither of those other films do; in the past 15 years, the Production Design winner has also had a Visual Effects nom six times.

PREDICTthe 2023 Oscar winners through March 12

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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The 1,200-foot-long MV Hyundai Hope docks at the Port of Wilmington in May 2020. Port officials want to see the Cape Fear River's shipping channel deepened from 42 to 47 feet to allow the latest fleet of huge container ships to dock in the Port City at full capacity.

In a rare showing of political bipartisanship in Raleigh, the state's 25% portion of the cost for the massive and expensive $846 million proposed infrastructure project has already been secured. And some of the biggest container vessels plying the U.S. East Coast already make stops in Wilmington  although they can't currently utilize their full potential when visiting the Port City.

Piece by piece, from the bigger ships and landside improvements needed to handle the increase in container traffic to the private sector adding more distribution and cold-storage space, the keys to keeping Wilmington a competitive port option as its neighbors dredge their shipping channels deeper are slowly falling into place.

But the biggest portion of the puzzle, deepening the Cape Fear River's shipping channel from 42 feet to 47 feet, remains a slow slog.

RISKY BETSPlan to assess risk of climate change on insurance, including in NC, courts controversy

From increasing concerns over climate change to navigating the halls of Washington to secure the necessary funding for the project's studies and then construction, plenty of hurdles remain before dredges can begin moving the estimated 26.9 millions of tons of sand and rock from the river bottom.

By design, the federal review and approval process is very deliberative, and that's OK with Brian Clark, who was been executive director of the N.C. State Ports Authority since 2020.

"Sure, we'd always like to see it move faster," he said. "But this is how multi-year projects like this, from inception to completion, work."

Competitive necessity

Despite some post-pandemic economic headwinds, North Carolina continues to grow, adding people and businesses at a strong clip  and port officials are eager to capitalize on the Tar Heel State's booming economy, highlighted recently by a surge in automotive and aviation projects in the Triangle and Triad areas.

Although a smallish-sized commercial operation compared to some of its Southeastern port peers, Wilmington has historically capitalized on its uncrowded status and ease of entry and exit to appeal to its customers.

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"We have the capability to offer those services, from a quick turnaround and proximity to market to our lower costs, and we intend to continue to market that," Clark said.

But if the biggest ships can't easily access the port, a lot of the ease and financial sense of using Wilmington would disappear.

A map showing the Cape Fear River shipping channel between the Port of Wilmington and the Atlantic.

That has led to the ports investing $256 million in infrastructure improvement projects over the past five years, which included more huge container cranes, a new gate access, widened the ports turning basin, and launching several new multi-modal rail routes. Now, port officials want to see the roughly 26-mile-long channel linking Wilmington to the Atlantic deepened to 47 feet.

"The container market looks strong and is likely to grow stronger, and the continuing cascade of larger vessels coming out of the shipyards over the next couple of years is very, very high," Clark said. "It is a critical competitive requirement that we have the necessary infrastructure to continue to be able to serve these larger vessels."

FUNDING THE FUTUREA $110M grant will help fund a new NC coastal bridge, but it isn't in Wilmington

The channel's last deepening project, completed in 2004 and with the federal government picking up roughly $280 million of the project's $400 million price tag, took the channel depth from 38 feet to 42 feet. The port has seen tremendous container growth since then, setting a record during the 2020-21 fiscal year with more than 324,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units, the standard measure for containers) handled. The number dipped to just under 300,000 in 2021-22, but is still nearly triple what it was two decades ago.

That number, however, is still just a fraction of the 5.9 million containers that flowed through Savannah's massive port in 2022. And the Georgia port, like the huge ports in Charleston, S.C., and Norfolk, Va., are already deeper than Wilmington. Charleston now offers a 52-foot draft, while Savannah is at 47 feet at low tide. Norfolk's channel, which also serves the largest Navy base in the world, is aiming to have 55 feet of depth by mid-decade.

Project study

In 2018 the ports authority funded a channel deepening feasibility study on its own. The study stated that while Wilmington with its 42-foot draft was relatively competitive with most East Coast ports, that situation wouldn't last long as neighboring ports got deeper.

A review by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, published in February 2020, raised several questions and concerns about the project. After signing a cost-sharing agreement with the port authority last fall, the corps is conducting "an evaluation of technical, policy and legal concerns" noted by the assistant secretary's review, said David Connolly, spokesperson with the Army Corps of Engineers' Wilmington District.

A 2019 aerial picture of the Port of Wilmington.

The corps-led $8.3 million review is expected to take roughly four years. If the deepening project is approved and federal funding secured and with an estimated four-year construction window, it could be around the end of the decade before the deeper shipping channel reaches the Port of Wilmington just south of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

CLIMATE CHANGE Why flooding from hurricanes in the Wilmington area could get a whole lot worse

Climate change concerns

While the economics of going deeper seem clear, even if it comes with a hefty price tag, what about the environmental impacts of digging a deeper Cape Fear River shipping channel?

Kerri Allen, a coastal advocate and Southeastern regional manager for the N.C. Coastal Federation, the coast's largest environmental watchdog group, said a deeper channel handling bigger vessels will create a new set of environmental concerns  some of which have become a bigger worry since the first look at potential impacts was done several years ago.

"We're not necessarily opposed to the project," she said, noting the economic benefits the deepening project is forecast to have for the Wilmington area. "But it's a massive undertaking, so we want to make sure regulators have the right information, the right data and the right forecasts to make sure they're analyzing it with all of the best information available to them."

Impacts to the estuary's flora and fauna could be compounded by environmental changes tied to climate change, notably sea-level rise and what a deeper cut in the river could mean in allowing more salt water to push farther upstream, and in greater quantities. A deeper channel also could create new issues for Brunswick County beach towns near the mouth of the Cape Fear, which already blame the shipping channel for some of their beach and shoreline erosion woes.

Longshoremen and stevedores load containers using the new neo-Panamax cranes onto the Maersk TP10 at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C., Thursday August 9, 2018.

"We just want to make sure this project makes sense, from both economic and environmental perspectives," Allen said.

Clark said the ports is prepared to address any questions raised by the study and looks forward to working with local officials and parties to mitigate their concerns.

"From a ports standpoint, we want to ensure we are a good neighbor," he said.

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: Officials push forward with Wilmington Harbor deepening project
PANAMA CITY  Commissioner Josh Street says he believes it's important for residents to have access to quality public amenities.

He and other Panama City commissioners on Tuesday approved for the city to pay Florida Architects $39,750 to design renovations to the out-of-date and unused Truesdell Park Community Center, which is located near West 10th Street and Chestnut Avenue in Historic St. Andrews.

Panama City commissioners on Tuesday approved for the city to pay Florida Architects $39,750 to design renovations to the out-of-date and unused Truesdell Park Community Center.

"Vacant buildings don't do anything for the community," Commissioner Josh Street said. "Having the facility activated and being utilized  whether it be for weddings, whether it be for community meetings, whether it be for classes, or our senior citizen programming  is going to be a huge asset to the community.

"We've got an opportunity to bring it to life, and we've got the funding identified on how to do it."

Needed upgrades:Panama City looks to renovate outdated, unused Truesdell Park Community Center

More relief: Panama City works to participate in new home buyout program for Hurricane Sally victims

Commissioners during a meeting in January turned down a proposal to spend more than $77,000 to design updates to the center because funding was not yet secured to pay for the construction of those plans.

On Tuesday, they pledged to spend up to $500,000 in the city's 2024 fiscal year budget, which begins in October, on construction. This allowed them to move forward in the project and approve funding for necessary architecture and engineering.

Street noted Panama City was able to spend less on designing the project than was proposed last month because officials opted to do some work in-house. A similar approach also will be taken for construction, cutting its costs by about half compared to past estimates.

"There is some work that has to be done with outside construction (companies) and contractors, but a lot of this work is going to be done in-house with our on-staff teams," Street said. "We're saving at least $500,000. ... I think it's a great deal for the taxpayers."

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He also said these types of upgrades are important for areas like St. Andrews, which is home to some of the oldest structures in Panama City.

"You're going to have a lot of extra work to do in those areas because of the age of the infrastructure and the age of the facilities that are there, but I'm happy that this (center) specifically is structurally sound," Street said. "Because it's structurally sound, we can be creative and we can actually get it activated in a fairly short period of time."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: PC to spend $39,750 on redesigning Truesdell Park Community Center
Authorities are investigating after a suspected meteorite hit south Texas this week and people in the area reported an explosion that shook their homes.

Cesar Torres, chief of police in Mission, Texas, told reporters Thursday that on Wednesday evening, officials were inundated with calls describing a large explosion and homes shaking about 5:30 p.m. CST. Mission is located in south Texas near the border with Mexico.

It created panic throughout the city, Torres said, explaining that other area law enforcement agencies received similar calls.

Torres told reporters there had been no reports of injuries or property damage as of Thursday morning. They have also not determined the site of any potential collision.

NASA in a statement to USA TODAY said its experts believe "the object was a meteoroid about two feet in diameter weighing about 1,000 pounds."

"The angle and speed of entry, along with signatures in weather radar imagery, are consistent with other naturally occurring meteorite falls," NASA said "Radar and other data indicate that meteorites did reach the ground from this event."

Rep Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, told reporters Thursday that we are grateful that everyone is safe and said her office has requested additional information from other federal officials, including NASA.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra confirmed on Twitter Wednesday that federal officials informed his office that Houston Air Traffic Control received reports from two aircrafts that they saw a meteorite west of McAllen. Officials did not immediately confirm the point of impact in the area. McAllen, Texas, is about 6 miles west of Mission.

Weather: Nashville, Middle Tennessee brace for possible severe storms and isolated tornadoes

Thursday weather news: Band of winter weather forecast Colorado to Maine

The National Weather Service in Brownsville, Texas, also shared on Twitter that a tool the agency uses to measure lightning detected a signal Wednesday evening with no storms around and said it was a very good possibility that something entered the atmosphere.

NASA explained that meteorites "cool rapidly and generally are not a risk to the public." They said in the Thursday statement that small asteroids enter the atmosphere above the United States "once or twice a year on average" and regularly send meteorites to the ground.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas: Meteorite rocks area near Mexico border, no injuries reported
A New York City couple went viral on social media when they left an amusing sign for their neighbours apologising for their newborn sons loud cries. Their peace offering? A bucket of booze.

First-time parents Todd Wilson and Kristen Yanow recently welcomed their newborn son, Quint. Like many new parents, the pair were concerned that the frequent crying from their son would upset their neighbours  especially in such close quarters like a New York City apartment building.

So, the two came up with a solution. Outside the door to their apartment, they left a friendly sign that warned neighbours about their sons noisy vocal range.

We have a newborn, the sign read. He is loud. We are sorry. Hes cute as f***, but very noisy. Bear with us. Thanks for your patience.

Below the doorknob, the couple left a tin bucket filled to the brim with Jameson and mini bottles of tequila, adding: Take a nip or two at your leisure.

Wilson initially posted the photo to his Instagram last week, but went viral when it re-posted to popular Instagram account What Is New York, which has more than 1.5m followers. There, the new parents sign received nearly 140k likes as social media users commended them for the friendly gesture.

I hope their neighbours gift them lots of diapers and offer to turn over laundry loads in the basement, commented one person.

Wish I had thought of this! said someone else.

The bar has been set for Pomeranian owners, another wrote.

However, others defended the couple by pointing out that they should not feel guilty for having a baby.

One user wrote: Nice gesture but their neighbors should be understanding of the situation regardless.

Parenting a newborn is hard as f***, another said. Give them grace. Bring them soup and chocolate. Dont bang on the door, the walls, the ceilings, or the floors. Theyre doing the best they can, trust me.

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In an interview with Today, Todd Wilson and Kristen Yanow revealed that they were worried about the noises their newborn son Quint would make because they live next to three to four neighbours on their floor, and the walls in their one-bedroom apartment are kind of thin.

We werent quite aware of how loud and how often newborns cry, Wilson told the outlet. I didnt want to terrify anybody.

The Independent has reached out for comment.
Paris Hilton has opened up about life as a new mother after welcoming her first child with husband Carter Reum via surrogate earlier this year.

The 41-year-old socialite appeared on the cover of Harpers Bazaar where she spoke about the challenges of keeping her newborn sons life private, after so much of her own life was spent in the public eye.

Hilton revealed to the outlet that she wore a brunette wig, a hoodie, and checked into the hospital under a different name on the day her son was born. The couple, who were married in November 2021, had kept the news of their soon-to-be baby boy private from the rest of the world.

The Stars Are Blind singer even admitted that their families had known about their sons arrival until just before she announced it in an Instagram post.

Explaining her reasoning for wearing the disguise to the hospital, Hilton said: My entire life has been so public. Ive never had anything for myself. We decided that we wanted to have this whole experience to ourselves.

On 24 January, The Simple Life star shared on Instagram the arrival of their baby boy with a sweet picture showing her sons tiny hand cradling her thumb.

You are already loved beyond words, she captioned the post with a blue heart emoji.

When they left the hospital with their newborn and returned to their empty Beverly Hills home, Hilton and Reum were able to enjoy quiet life alone with their baby boy for two full days, after telling staffers the house was being painted.

The model went on to say how the difficulties of her own childhood influenced how she chooses to parent her son now. I want to protect him and to be with him every second, she said. You have this mother instinct that kicks in, which Ive never had before. I feel so complete now.

Hilton made waves last year when she opened up about the alleged abuse she experienced at the Provo Canyon School in Utah, She was sent there by her parents when she was 16 and returned home 11 months later.

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In the documentary This Is Paris, which was released in September, Hilton opened up about the childhood trauma she experienced at the boarding school. She alleged that she was woken up in the middle of the night by male staff who ushered me into a private room and performed cervical exams on me in the middle of the night.

My childhood was stolen from me and it kills me this is still happening to other innocent children, Hilton said in a Twitter thread posted last October.

Hilton and Reum were engaged in February 2021 after the two first met at a family friends Thanksgiving party on Long Island two years prior. Speaking to Harpers Bazaar, the socialite admitted that her now-husband was not her usual type.

Hes not famous. Hes smart. He comes from a nice family. Hes a good person, she said. It was the opposite of what I had been used to when I was looking for guys.

As for the couples plans to expand their family, Hilton revealed that she was determined to have a baby girl and was currently on her seventh egg retrieval to date.

Many fans and friends have since congratulated Hilton and Reum about the arrival of their son.

So happy for you guys!!! Kim Kardashian commented on Instagram at the time of the announcement.

Demi Lovato wrote: Congratulations sis!!!!

I am Sooooooo happy for you. Sending lots and lots of love, said model Heidi Klum.
Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis is shown in her office in January 2022. (Ben Gray / Associated Press)

Portions of the long-awaited Georgia special grand jury report on former President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election were released Thursday, raising questions that cannot yet be answered.

A majority of the grand jury believed that one or more witnesses who testified before it may have lied under oath. But the parts of the report that were released Thursday did not name those witnesses.

The Grand Jury recommends that the District Attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling, the report says of the possible perjury.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled Monday that the public can read three sections of the Fulton County special-purpose grand jurys report: the introduction, conclusion and a portion in which the jury discusses its concern that some witnesses may have lied under oath ... to the grand jury.

The rest of the report,including charging recommendations, will be kept under wraps until the district attorneys investigation concludes.

The nine pages released Thursday note that the special grand jury heard from 75 witnesses and concluded, by unanimous vote, that there was no widespread election fraud in Georgia. But there was little new information.

The introduction gives a general impression of the legal jeopardy Trump and his allies might face for recruiting bogus presidential electors in Georgia even after its Republican leaders had certified Democrat Joe Bidens victory there. Trump made multiple phone calls to pressure state officials after the election; in one, he asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 more votes for Trump.

The Georgia investigation is not the only potential criminal imbroglio facing Trump, but it may be the furthest along.

The full report outlines the nearly seven months of testimony heard by the special grand jury, including from high-profile witnesses such as Trump attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R- S.C.).

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The full report for Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis includes a roster of who should (or should not) be indicted, and for what, in relation to the conduct (and aftermath) of the 2020 general election in Georgia, McBurney wrote Monday.

It is up to Willis to decide whether to seek indictments and pursue any charges recommended by the special grand jury.

Willis pressed McBurney three weeks ago to keep the report sealed to protect the ongoing criminal investigation, telling the judge in a hearing that charging decisions in the case were imminent.

A coalition of media organizations has pressed McBurney to release the report, citing transparency and public interest.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former Vice President Mike Pence wants to make something clear: No 2024 Republican presidential candidate will outflank him on the gender, sexuality and education controversies that animate the right.

Hes staking a claim as an original, if sunnier, culture warrior  a bona fide alternative to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. And Pence sought to reaffirm that status Wednesday during appearances in Minnesota and Iowa that denounced schoolhouse gender-affirming policies and lessons on race.

The truth is, it wasnt our choice to start the lefts culture war. But now we have no choice but to win it for the sake of our children and grandchildren, Pence told a crowd in Minneapolis, shortly after federal appellate court judges in nearby St. Paul heard arguments over an Iowa school gender identity policy that the former vice president opposes. We will win this fight.

Iowas Linn-Mar Community School District, which educates close to 8,000 children just northeast of Cedar Rapids, is now at the center of a Republican school takeover campaign. And Pence and conservative groups are fighting in court to stop the school system from enforcing a policy that directs educators to protect the gender identities of their students on campus, raising questions about whether families have a right to know about their childs requests.

The lawsuit showcases Pences culture-driven education agenda and dovetails with his decades-long focus on everything from railing about adultery to criticizing Disneys Mulan in the 1990s. Most of all, the case is tied to a state in the American heartland still crucial to the Republican presidential nominating calendar.

While the conservative Parents Defending Education organization launched the lawsuit last year, the Pence-backed Advancing American Freedom organization and a coalition of Christian groups have filed legal briefs similarly opposed to the school districts policy. A group of Republican state attorneys general have also supported halting the policy in court.

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But the legal battle is also the focus of a Pence political initiative  funded with an initial budget of $1 million  that aides say will utilize digital advertising, rallies and volunteer advocacy efforts to advocate for parental rights policies.

The focus, as Pence characterized it, is a broader battle over young people that has engulfed schools and colleges.

Were told that we must not only tolerate the lefts obsessions with race and sex and gender but we must earnestly and enthusiastically participate or face severe consequences, Pence said Wednesday. Nowhere is the problem more severe, or the need for leadership more urgent, than in our public school classrooms.

Prominent Democrats and LGBTQ advocacy groups denounced the Pence-style agenda on Wednesday, a sign that disagreements over what children learn and who they are will fuel both parties in the runup to 2024.



Its disappointing that someone who professes a deep love for the U.S. Constitution would so venomously assault the rights of the most marginalized, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. Sadly, Mike Pence is mimicking the Trump-DeSantis playbook, rather than blazing a path that builds on the patriotism and courage he demonstrated on January 6, 2021, to thwart the overthrow of our democracy.

Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, during his budget address Wednesday, said the real intention of the broader conservative ideological battle is to marginalize people and ideas they dont like.

Correct pronouns can be a lifesaving prospect for transgender and nonbinary youth, who are more vulnerable than their peers to suicidal ideations, according to The Trevor Projects 2022 report on LGBTQ youth mental health. The suicide risk is higher for LGBTQ kids ages 13 to 17, the groups survey found.

The only thing radical is to suggest that schools have a duty to forcibly out transgender students to their parents, without regard to their safety, and to turn a blind eye to harassment by their peers, in the name of free speech, said Peter Renn, senior counsel at the Lambda Legal gay rights organization.

Pence is comfortable in this space, dating back to his time as a talk radio show host and columnist, when he criticized Mulan for depicting women in the military. As governor of Indiana, his education agenda focused primarily on advancing charter schools and vouchers.

Last year, Pence issued what he called a freedom agenda that included patriotic education for high school students to have knowledge of the Federalist Papers and the Constitution. But it was the battle over his Religious Freedom and Restoration Act  a measure that critics said would have resulted in the LGBTQ discrimination  that became one of the hallmarks of his gubernatorial administration. The episode caused Indiana to lose $60 million in convention business.

Then, in April 2022, the Linn-Mar Community School District board approved policies and regulations intended to support students who are transgender, nonbinary or questioning their gender identity. The policy would allow affected students to ask administrators or counselors for a Gender Support Plan, and let students agree whether their parents or guardians would be part of subsequent meetings to discuss the request.

The policy would have teachers ask students how they wanted to be addressed in class and in communications with their families. It noted that intentional or persistent refusals by staff and other students to respect a students gender identity would violate school anti-bullying and harassment rules.

Linn-Mars policy also stated that parents and guardians would have the right to review their students education records, in accordance with federal law.

Parents Defending Education filed a federal lawsuit in August on behalf of seven unnamed parents who alleged the policy violated their constitutional rights by depriving them of information related to their students, and control over decisions related to their gender identity, while also threatening to illegally discipline students based on their speech.

A federal district court judge in September rejected a request to halt the policy while the lawsuit proceeded in court, prompting an appeal to an 8th Circuit panel that was heard Wednesday.

I believe its an issue, not that the majority of the American people stand with us on, but I think its got to be almost every parent in America, Pence said Wednesday. You do not craft a gender transition plan for my child without my knowledge or consent. I believe the American people believe that.

Pences path to his partys nomination centers on reaching Evangelical conservatives in Iowa and South Carolina, early primary states where he has lavished voters and activists with attention. After making the Minneapolis speech, he traveled to Cedar Rapids, where he rallied with parents in opposition to policies like the Linn-Mar Community School Districts. The school district did not respond to requests for comment.

Pences splash in eastern Iowa likely resonates in that part of the state, where coverage of the parental rights movement has saturated local media, said David Kochel, a veteran Iowa Republican strategist.

The fact that hes moving towards the race and hes in Iowa as opposed to Tallahassee, its more intentionally political in terms of the 24 race," Kochel said. "Hes taking advantage of an opportunity in Iowa that DeSantis has chosen not to take advantage of yet, but theyre gonna end up in basically the same place on the issue.
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China's Yunnan provincial department of commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) held a meeting on Wednesday to promote economic and trade cooperation.

Speaking at the meeting, UMFCCI President U Aye Win said that it is a timely meeting to promote the economic and trade cooperation between Myanmar and China's Yunnan province, adding it will assist Myanmar's economic development and private business sector development.

Myanmar, in the post-COVID-19 period right now, was making efforts to increase its export, which declined during the pandemic period, and China is an important market for Myanmar, the UMFCCI president said.

China is the largest trading partner of Myanmar, he said, adding that he hopes the meeting will open up cooperation opportunities for the two countries.

Tan Shufu, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, said that he always supports the trading between China's Yunnan province and Myanmar, adding that the economy is recovering in the post-COVID-19 era.

At the meeting, Li Chenyang, director-general of China's Yunnan provincial department of commerce, said that he has brought Yunnan province's business delegation to Myanmar to cooperate in trade promotion.

On Tuesday, the Chinese delegation led by Li also met with Myanmar's Union Minister for Commerce U Aung Naing Oo in Nay Pyi Taw, and discussed matters relating to border gates reopening and policies, smooth flow of goods, financial cooperation and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
Getty Images/Anastasia Raikh

Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content like text and images.

Freelancers are relying on AI to increase their productivity, take on more projects, and boost their income.

Insider rounded up a list of 6 generative AI side hustles that are helping people earn thousands.

Making pitch decks

Larry Lundstrom, a pastor based in Arkansas, makes two to three pitch decks a week, charging between $500 to $1000 for each. Pavel_R/Getty Images

Pitch decks are used to help startups convince investors to put money into their ideas. They often take the form of a series of slides that combine facts about a company with an overarching narrative.

Scroll through a site like Upwork, and you'll see hundreds of listings from companies looking for someone to make them a winning pitch deck.

With technology like ChatGPT, OpenAI's text-generating chatbot, and Tome, an AI-powered storytelling tool, freelancers can churn out multiple pitch decks a week.



Larry Lundstrom, a pastor based in Arkansas, told Insider he makes two to three pitch decks a week using generative AI tools and charges anywhere between $500 to $1,000 per deck.

Publishing books

Ammaar Reshi used AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to publish a children's book and has already sold more than 1,330 copies. Ammaar Reshi

Between ChatGPT's capacity to churn out clear and simple text, and AI art generators like Midjourney and DALL-E 2, publishing children's books has never been easier.

Ammaar Reshi, who works as product-design manager at the financial-tech company Brex, used ChatGPT and Midjourney to write and illustrate a children's book titled Alice and Sparkle in 72 hours.

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart. Reshi told Insider he's already sold over 1,330 copies since Alice and Sparkle went on sale in December, and has generated $2,600 so far, noting that Amazon takes a significant cut of the royalties.

Meagan Loyst, the founder of an online community of young investors called Gen Z VCs, used ChatGPT and DALL-E 2 to self-publish a children's book in less than two hours.



Her book "Show Me What AI Can Do!" is available on Amazon for $2.99.

Overdubbing videos in other languages

Overdubbing videos in different languages can be lucrative side hustle. Alistair Berg/Getty Images

Streaming companies like Netflix and content creators on YouTube and TikTok are turning to voice dubbers to translate their videos into more languages and reach a global audience.

Story continues

With a growing number of A.I. tools, freelancers can try their hand at dubbing too.

YouTuber Kris McCauley, whose videos on generating money online have earned him more than 90,000 subscribers on YouTube, recently began a Spanish channel for his videos.

In a video published on January 5, McCauley said he initially turned to translations.com, which he described as a go-to for many YouTubers, to translate his videos into Spanish. In the video, McCauley said the company quoted him $4,000 for dubbing 100 minutes of footage.

McCauley said he then came across Nova A.I., a software that can translate and add subtitles to videos. Nova A.I.'s "Pro" plan  priced at $18 a month  allows users to translate 300 minutes of footage into 75 different languages, according to its site.

McCauley mentioned he's saving hundreds of dollars with this new approach  though he's still relying on external dubbers as well.



Still, he noted that an enterprising freelancer could easily turn dubbing a profitable side hustle with a tool like Nova A.I.

Writing articles

Henry Williams, a freelance writer based in London, used ChatGPT to generate an article that he would have charged at least $615 to write. katleho Seisa/Getty Images

ChatGPT has shocked people with its capacity to articulately string together words. So, it can be a beneficial tool for those trying to earn money generating written content.

Henry Williams, a freelance writer based in London, used the bot to generate a marketing article. To his "horror" he said ChatGPT put together a 600 word article in less than 30 seconds.

Williams noted that the bot's tone was inhuman and the structure wasn't particularly sophisticated, but the "key points, the grammar, and the syntax were all spot on."

After a few tweaks, he said it was something he would have charged at least $615 to write.

Creating resumes

Resume writing can be a quick and money-making side hustle with ChatGPT. Narisara Nami/Getty Images

On a site like Upwork, freelance resume writers advertising their services are charging anywhere between $25 to $65 an hour.

And when most of that work is outsourced to ChatGPT, resume writing turns into an easy, money-making side hustle.

"ChatGPT can write better cover letters and resumes than almost any person," said Brianne Kimmel, a venture capitalist who founded the firm Worklife Ventures.

As the only general partner at what Kimmel calls a "lean firm" Kimmel said that she and her team work with a lot of freelancers and specifically look for early adopters of new tools.

"I'm really excited about AI, because I feel like finally, there's this new technology that really helps anyone learn a new skill quickly," she said. "And then there's new technologies where people can actually monetize those skills."

Movie making

Generative AI tools are helping people put together movie pitches and animated shorts. Maryna Terletska/Getty Images

Aspiring filmmakers with busy day jobs are finding it easier to pursue their passions with generative AI tools.



Jordan Poblete, a corporate strategist with a penchant for movie-making is using ChatGPT and Dall-E 2 to put together a pitch for an independent movie.



"Our particular fim includes magical realism or aspects of magical realism that can't be created in a real world," he said, adding that Dall-E 2 has been especially helpful in achieving the right feel.

Poblete said he plans to pitch the movie to producers later this month. Though he said he not sure exactly how much money the movie might generate, he's certainly hoping for a hit.

Reshi used ChatGPT, MidJourney, among other AI tools to make an animated short within 6 hours. Since it was uploaded to Twitter last month, the video has already amassed more than 7 million views.

While Reshi told Insider he doesn't have plans to launch into animated shorts right now, he said, "if there's an idea that's inspiring enough that is worth monetizing (and I manage to find more time after my day job haha) then definitely!"

Read the original article on Business Insider
A federal judge in Tacoma has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit against Pierce County that alleged a sheriffs deputy used excessive force when he fatally shot a man suffering from a mental health crisis in 2018.

U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle ruled on Feb. 7 that deputy Colby Edwards is shielded from the lawsuit under so-called qualified immunity and his decision to shoot 28-year-old William Billy Langfitt IV several times after Langfitt dove into the drivers seat of his running patrol car was objectively reasonable. Court documents show Edwards reported fearing Langfitt would drive away and hurt someone with the car or the AR-15 rifle racked between the front seats. There was also a knife in the car.

Edwards did not violate Langfitts Fourth Amendment constitutional rights as a matter of law, and even if he did, he is entitled to qualified immunity, Settle wrote.

Qualified immunity protects officials who act in ways they reasonably believe to be lawful,  Settle wrote later, citing prior federal court rulings.

Settle also concluded that Langfitts family presented no evidence showing Pierce County failed to properly train Edwards to respond to the incident.

The Seattle Times reported Langfitts family plans to appeal the ruling, citing one of their attorneys, Jesse Valdez.

The events of that March night nearly five years ago were a tragic situation for all involved, as Judge Settle noted at the end of his ruling, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office spokesperson Adam Faber wrote in a statement. In dismissing this lawsuit, the judge found that the deputys actions were objectively reasonable given the danger that he and others faced. The facts stated in the ruling show that the decedents actions prior to the deputys arrival were erratic and dangerous. If he had gained control of a police car that could be used as a weapon as well as gaining access to the weapons inside, that would have greatly increased the danger to the deputy, others at the scene, and nearby motorists.

Story continues

About 11 months before shooting Langfitt, Edwards was among five deputies who fatally shot a Joint Base Lewis-McChord airman who crashed a car he took at gunpoint.

Pierce County prosecutors ruled both shootings involving Edwards justified.

Settles ruling gave the following account of Edwards shooting Langfitt on March 16, 2018 along a rural highway southwest of Graham:

Langfitts girlfriend, Naomi Powers, called 911 just off Mountain Highway East at 252nd Street East to report he was experiencing paranoia, had climbed out of her car and then began yelling at passing cars and trying to get inside them. She said she had picked him up from his house because she was concerned for the safety of the children there.

Other drivers also called 911.

When Edwards parked his marked Chevy Tahoe at the scene, Langfitt sprinted toward him holding folded pieces of white paper that the deputy and a witness believed might have been a weapon. Edwards got out of the running SUV, drew his gun and retreated backward yelling, Get back or get down or both, multiple times.

After the commands, Edwards said Langfitt took a sharp turn toward his open SUV and dove over the center console. Edwards said he fired several times as Langfitt reached for the door but before he was in a position to drive.

Langfitt died at the scene. Crime-scene photos showed his buttocks were mostly in the drivers seat, but his feet blocked the door from closing, Settle wrote.

Billy Langfitt was fatally shot March 16, 2018, by a Pierce County sheriffs deputy. Langfitts family has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the department.

Edwards did not claim he warned Langfitt he would shoot him, but Settle wrote such a warning is not required under case law. The Langfitt familys attorneys cited a case where the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled an officer who shot a man with a less-lethal beanbag round without warning was not entitled to qualified immunity.

Langfitts family filed a $25 million wrongful death claim with Pierce County in 2020 and sued in federal court in 2021.

The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office defended against the lawsuit. It cited an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that an Alabama officer acted reasonably when he fatally shot a mentally unstable man who was reversing down a driveway in his patrol car.

The only difference is that the plaintiff there had fully succeeded in doing what an objective observer would conclude that Langfitt was attempting to do when he was shot: steal an armed cruiser while in a highly agitated, emotionally unstable, irrational state, Settle wrote.
A man wanted in connection to a shooting in the South Side Flats in October has been arrested by Pittsburgh police.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Male in critical condition after being shot in Pittsburghs South Side Flats neighborhood

According to police, the suspect was arrested Wednesday following a weekend incident.

Police said that on Sunday, Feb. 12, officers responded to the 1200 block of Superior Avenue after a man reported that he was shot. It was later determined that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted and accidental.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 1 hospitalized after incident in Marshall-Shadeland

The suspect, 35-year-old Nicklas Gay, allegedly gave police a false identity during the encounter, but detectives were able to determine his real identity.

Investigators say Gay was involved in a shooting where another man was shot in the chest at the intersection of East Carson Street and South 14th Street. The victim survived by was in critical condition.

Gay is charged with criminal attempted homicide, firearms not to be carried without a license and persons not to possess a firearm. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

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Athens-Clarke police are continuing to investigate the shooting death of a man found at his truck that crashed on Olympic Drive Sunday night.

We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the entire incident, police Lt. Shaun Barnett said Thursday.

A call came in shortly before 8 p.m. from the deceased mans girlfriend, who reported that as they went around a detour sign at the Athena Drive intersection the pickup went into a ditch and her boyfriend was unresponsive.

Near miss:UGA student narrowly missed by bullet fired by man in road rage with another car

Big verdict:Athens jury returns $4.3 million verdict in medical malpractice suit in man's death

When officers arrived, they found Micah Daniel Thorp, 37, of East Paces Drive, Athens, dead from a gunshot wound, according to police. Thorp was driving the truck at the time of the crash, police said.

The 28-year-old girlfriend was removed from what police described as a sinkhole and during the rescue officers also found a firearm near the man, according to the report.

Barnett said it appears the gun found at the scene caused Thorps death, but detectives are awaiting ballistics tests.

The initial assessment indicates it could be self-inflicted, but its very much under investigation, Barnett said.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Police continue to determine cause of shooting death of Athens man
By Ngouda Dione

DAKAR (Reuters) - Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday after he left court in the capital Dakar where hearings are underway in a libel case against him.

The demonstrations are the latest sign of unrest in the West African country where elections next year could pit Sonko against President Macky Sall, if the president seeks a third term, a move that opponents say is unconstitutional.

Sall, 61, has not ruled out running in the election which the government said on Thursday would take place on Feb. 25, 2024. Sonko supporters and some opposition leaders say the libel case - and another legal action - are attempts to discredit a popular rival.

Senegal has long been seen as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region. But critics, especially among Sonko's youthful support, have become disillusioned with Sall's crackdown on political opponents, and on protests against him.

"We used to trust Macky Sall but he has disappointed us," said protestor Moustapha Toure. "Sonko is the hope of all youth and they want to harm him, we will not accept it."

Violent clashes broke out across Senegal in 2021 when Sonko, 48, was arrested over sexual assault allegations for which he is now facing trial. He is also accused of libel for allegedly accusing the minister of tourism of embezzlement. That matter was heard in court on Thursday and adjourned again to March 16.

Last week, Sonko supporters rioted and vandalised property in the cities of Mbacke and Touba after his party was refused permission to hold a rally.

Sonko denies wrongdoing and says all the charges against him are politically motivated.

Thursday's protests spilled over to one of the city's main thoroughfares as supporters tried to follow Sonko's car. Police fired tear gas at them before taking Sonko from his vehicle. According to videos on social media not verified by Reuters, the police drove him home.

Other presidential aspirants have been the subject of criminal charges in the past, including former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, and Karim Wade, son of ex-president Abdoulaye Wade.

(Reporting by Ngouda Dione and Diadie Ba; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Edward McAllister and David Holmes)
Michigan State Police Department's interim Deputy Chief Chris Rozman speaks to the media Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, regarding the mass shooting that occurred on campus Monday night.

EAST LANSING  The suspect in Monday's mass shooting that killed three students and injured five others on Michigan State's campus had two 9 mm handguns, nine magazines and extra rounds on him when found by police, officials said.

The suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot when approached by police in north Lansing, was found to have one handgun on his person and one in his backpack.

Both were legally purchased but not registered, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez. The gunman had one loaded magazine in a jacket pocket, eight in his backpack and a pouch with 50 loose rounds.

On Monday night, police said 43-year-old Anthony McRae shot eight students on campus, killing three and leaving five in critical condition. One of the wounded was upgraded to stable condition, MSU Board of Trustees Chairperson Rema Vassar said Thursday.

McRae was found by police after nearly four hours of lockdowns and emergency response near the corner of Larch and Lake Lansing roads. He did not exchange words with police before turning the gun on himself, police said.

McRae was previously charged with possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle and violating Michigan's concealed carry law. He pleaded guilty to the possession charge and had the concealed carry violation dismissed, leaving him with a misdemeanor and at least a year of probation. He completed probation on May 14, 2021.

Under Michigan law, he was able to legally purchase a firearm after his probation was completed. The firearm involved in his 2019 arrest is still in possession of the Lansing Police Department, according to Lansing police chief Ellery Sosebee.

Asked about former Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon's decision to negotiate down McRae's charges in his plea deal, Sosebee said, "We would all hope that the prosecutor would uphold the law as it's written. There's always room for some type of discrepancy or discretion. However, that one will be scrutinized for a long time, I'm sure."

Story continues

Michigan State Police trooper Lt. Rene Gonzalez speaks to the media Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at a news conference regarding Monday's mass shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students and critically injured five others. Behind him from left is Michigan State Deputy Police Chief Chris Rozman, Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee, and Michigan State Chief of Police Marlon Lynch.

Siemon resigned late last year. Her tenure was controversial and she faced criticisms from some law enforcement officers and judges over some of her criminal justice reform efforts.

Siemon faced scrutiny in August 2021 when Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth and a group of police chiefs criticized her decision to limit the use of felony firearm possession charges, during a news conference. They called her actions misguided. Some chiefs called on her to resign. Siemon argued that her office would limit the use of that charge as her office sought reforms to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

She fought back against the chiefs, arguing their statements were "emotional and inaccurate" and played on the fears tied to rising gun violence. Homicide and violent crime rates have rose across the country, both in areas where justice reform has been enacted and areas where reforms have not.

Police Thursday also discussed portions of a note that was found in McRae's wallet saying that he was the leader of a group of 20 shooters who were ready to target other locations.

"Through our interviews with the shooter's father, we brought that up to him and he had mentioned that his son does not have any friends  he pretty much sat in his room most of the time, he ate, went to the bathroom in there, so he pretty much never left his room and his father didn't believe that he had any friends," Gonzalez said.

Several locations were mentioned in the note, including a Meijer warehouse where McRae was once an employee. He also may have had grievances with specific employees of some local businesses, officials said.

Gonzalez said McRae appeared to walk straight home after the shooting, about 5 miles northwest of campus. None of the named locations were near his route or home.

Investigators have executed a search warrant at his home and recovered his cellphone, journals, miscellaneous writings and fired 9 mm shell casings. LPD did not previously execute any welfare checks on McRae, Lansing Chief Sosebee said, adding there was a previous check at his address, but it did not involve him. There were also no calls about gun shots at his address, Sosebee said.

A memorial of flowers and messages in honor of those affected by the mass shooting lines a fence outside the Michigan State University Union on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in East Lansing.

Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of MSU Police, also said investigators were looking into a claim McRae had recently been turned down for a job at MSU.

The three students killed were identified Tuesday as Arielle Anderson, a 19-year-old junior from Harper Woods, Brian Fraser, a 20-year-old sophomore from Grosse Pointe, and Alexandria Verner, a 20-year-old junior from Clawson.

Rozman said police are not going to confirm the names of the injured students. One victim was identified by family as Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, a junior. A GoFundMe organized by her family has raised over $340,000.

MSU's campus resumed normal operations Thursday, but classes remain suspended through Sunday.

Free Press repoter Dave Boucher and State Journal reporter Mark Johnson contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Police: MSU shooter had 2 guns, 9 magazines when found
State police on Thursday released the identities of two of the three victims found dead of gunshot wounds inside a Brooklyn residence this week, including that of a 3-year-old child.

Police said Lury Pizarro, 33, and Emanual Perez, 3, both of Worcester, Massachusetts, were among the three people found dead on Tuesday night inside a Middle Street home. Emanual Perez was initially identified by the state police as Emanual Pizzaro. A third individual has not been publicly identified due to the next-of-kin notification process, state police said in a news release.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Lury Pizarro died of gunshot wounds to her head, neck and torso. Emanual Perez died of a gunshot wound to the head. Both deaths were ruled homicides.

More:State police investigating deaths of three, including child, found in Brooklyn home

Troopers responded to the Brooklyn residence at approximately 8:27 p.m. on Tuesday for a report of a suspicious incident. Police said the deaths appear to be the result of an isolated incident.

The investigation into the deaths by the Eastern District Major Crime Squad remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ethan Tanksley at ethan.tanksley@ct.gov. All information will remain confidential.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect an updated name from the CT State Police.

John Penney can be reached at jpenney@norwichbulletin.com or at (860) 857-6965.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Two of the three victims found dead in Brooklyn identified by police
Townsend Police are searching for suspects in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on Wednesday night at the towns package store.

Police responded to Townsend Package Store on Main Street just before 7 p.m. A store employee told officers the robber showed a knife before he and an accomplice fled on foot behind the store.

Police said the suspect was a white male in his early 20s with a thin build. He was wearing a black hoodie, black T-shirt, black jogging pants with white lettering, black and white sneakers, and a red fabric facemask.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 978-597-6214.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed a U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned airship into the U.S. airspace.

The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, hyped up the "China threat," which is nothing but malicious hype and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.

The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said.

"As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and has no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country," the statement said.

The unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into U.S. airspace was purely an isolated, unexpected incident, which didn't pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the United States, it said, adding the Chinese side immediately briefed the United States and the international community on the situation and asked the U.S. side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

The statement said that the U.S. side, however, insisted on using force and deliberately created a stir, which seriously violated the spirit of international law and international norms.

"Some politicians in the U.S. Congress are even utilizing the issue to fan the flames, fully exposing their sinister intention to contain China," it said. "In fact, it is the United States that wantonly interferes in other countries' internal affairs, infringes on other countries' sovereignty, and conducts extensive surveillance activities on other countries."

The statement emphasized that building China-U.S. relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is the common expectation of the international community.

The Chinese side strongly urges the U.S. Congress to respect the facts, the spirit of international law, and the basic principles of international relations, immediately stop maligning China, and refrain from taking actions that could escalate situations, it said.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The U.S. Justice Department said Wednesday it is investigating possible civil rights violations by a Mississippi sheriffs department after a drug raid last month left a Black man with a bullet wound to the face.

There is a stark discrepancy in how police say the Jan. 24 incident unfolded and what lawyers for the family of Michael Corey Jenkins say occurred. The lawyers claim it was a racially motivated attack while police say the shooting occurred after someone pointed a gun at deputies during the late-night raid at a home in Rankin County, just east of the state capital of Jackson.

Attorneys for Jenkins, 32, say he was critically injured by Rankin County deputies. Jenkins was released from the hospital Tuesday and attended a news conference Wednesday, where he nodded affirmatively when his lawyer, Malik Shabazz, asked if deputies had beaten him and shot him in the mouth.

This is deliberate. This is drawn out. This is unheard of, Shabazz told reporters.

According to Shabazz, deputies never presented a warrant before forcing their way into the home. The deputies immediately subdued Jenkins and another man, Eddie Terrell Parker, who counted six officers and described all of them as white. Neither Jenkins nor Parker resisted, he said.

Parker said he was sitting in his bedroom at about 10 p.m. that night when he heard loud talking coming from the homes living room. He said he opened his door and saw deputies in the hallway, and they immediately ordered him to get down on the floor.

Over the course of 90 minutes, Parker and Jenkins said, they were beaten, shocked with Tasers and ordered to lie on their backs as deputies poured milk over their faces. Parker said he struggled to keep breathing and keep from drowning at the same time.

There was milk coming out of my nose, my mouth, Parker told The Associated Press in an interview. Ive never been in that position and felt the way that I felt that night.

Story continues

Jenkins, who has trouble speaking because of his injuries, told AP that he was on his knees at the end of the ordeal when one of the deputies stood over him. Shabazz said the deputy placed the barrel of a gun in Jenkins' mouth, it fired and the bullet exited behind one of Jenkins' ears.

The Justice Department released a statement following the news conference, saying its civil rights division, along with local FBI agents and federal prosecutors in Mississippi, have opened a federal civil rights investigation.

Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, said the state agency also is investigating the shooting. She declined further comment.

In a news release on Jan. 25, the bureau said the deputies were conducting a narcotics investigation when they entered the home. The bureau said the shooting occurred after someone pointed a gun toward the deputies. The statement does not say whether a weapon was recovered at the scene.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said in a statement that he immediately sought a state investigation. The sheriffs office gave few details but said Jenkins was charged with assaulting an officer and drug possession. Parker has been charged with possession of paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

"Rest assured, if any deputy or suspect involved in this incident is found to have broken the law, he will be held accountable in accordance with the law, the sheriff said.

Bailey did not respond to written questions about whether deputies had a warrant or if the deputies involved had been placed on administrative leave.
More than 200 people were arrested during a seven-day undercover, anti-prostitution operation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Thursday, including 24 that detectives believe might be human trafficking victims.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told the media Thursday morning that the operation produced more arrests than any single anti-prostitution operation before it. He said the operation included detectives from the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the police departments of Auburndale, Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Davenport and Bartow.

He said the operation also included members from the Florida Department of Children and Families and social services organizations One More Child, Heartland for Children, My Name My Voice, Selah Freedom and the Children's Home Society Child Advocacy Center.

"Not only did we arrest more suspects during this single operation than we have ever arrested before, we identified 24 human trafficking victims - the highest number of victims we've ever rescued during one of these investigations," Judd said in a news release. "The valuable relationships that we have with the social services organizations who join us in these operations make it possible for these women to get help and be emancipated from this way of life."

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The Sheriff's Office said 213 people were arrested in all, including 111 people who were offering services as prostitutes. It said the prostitutes were screened by detectives and the social services organizations to determine whether they were being trafficked or exploited by others, and were offered services by the social services organizations at the operation. The Sheriff's Office said 24 of those who were screened were possible human trafficking victims.

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Eighty-nine suspects were arrested for soliciting a prostitute and traveling to the undercover location for sex. Thirteen others were arrested, and of those, 10 were either making money from prostitution or aiding and abetting prostitutes.

Detectives charged those arrested with a total of 68 felonies and 308 misdemeanors. They ranged in age from 19 to 68.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: More than 200 arrested in Polk County prostitution crackdown
(Bloomberg) -- Portugal will end its so-called golden visa program for new foreign property buyers as it tries to address the lack of affordable housing in one of Western Europes poorest economies.

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To fight real estate speculation, Portugal will eliminate the issuance of new golden visas, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said at a press conference in Lisbon on Thursday following a cabinet meeting. Foreign real estate buyers who wish to renew their existing golden visas will only be eligible if their properties are used as their own home, or if these units are placed in the long-term rental market, he said.

Portugals golden visas were conceived a decade ago for non-European Union nationals as part of an effort to fix the countrys public finances following a 2011 bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund. Since then, the country has raised 6.8 billion ($7.3 billion), with 90% of that money going into real estate, according to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service.

Chinese nationals accounted for almost half of the 11,628 residency permits granted under the program, which has been increasingly popular with U.S. investors. Golden visa candidates have so far been required to carry out a property investment of at least 350,000, or create at least 10 jobs in Portugal, or transfer 1.5 million.

Variations of the golden visa have been adopted across Europe and in countries around the world  from the U.S. and Canada to Spain and Greece. They tend to last until a critical mass of vocal opponents conclude the costs  soaring housing prices, absentee homeowners and allegations of corruption  outweigh the benefits, and politicians drop them.

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In Portugal, some politicians have criticized the program for driving up real estate prices and making housing unaffordable for many segments of the population. EU officials have pointed to potential risks of tax evasion and money laundering by international buyers.

Back in November, Premier Costa had already indicated that the government could end the golden visas, saying the program is no longer justified. In 2021, his administration began restricting the permits and excluded property purchases in cities like Lisbon, where home prices more than doubled since 2015 to 3,805 per square meter, according to real estate website Idealista.

Paulo Silva, head of real estate consultant Savills in Portugal, said golden visas helped attract foreign investors to the country when it needed the money a decade ago, but today only account for 3% of property deals at most.

Its a mistake to blame the golden visas on rising real estate prices as this is mostly due to an imbalance between supply and demand Silva said. The end result is that investors will just take their money and invest in another country where they can get a golden visa.

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A Porto's Bakery box of its famous refugiados  guava and cheese pastries. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If youve lived here for any amount of time, you know theres a very particular giveaway that youre taking a flight departing a Los Angeles-area airport: passengers toting the recognizable yellow boxes and bags from Portos Bakery & Cafe through airport terminals and onto planes. The scent of the cakes, breads, pastries and papas rellenas, or potato balls, cuts through the antiseptic, recycled air of the airplane cabin and can make the drudgery of travel slightly more bearable. And the items, brought to relatives or loved ones in other places, are more than just food  theyre a memento and a calling card. They say, We remember you and we miss you. Heres a taste of home.

Tres leches cake, left foreground, and fresh fruit tart at the Porto's Bakery in Glendale; a Porto's staff member takes a mango mousse cake out of the refrigerator. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If that sounds a little dramatic, it speaks to the power of Portos, with six perpetually busy locations in the L.A. area and a seventh on the way. The Cuban bakery, started in a small space in a Silver Lake strip mall in 1976 as a continuation of founder Rosa Portos underground cakes business in Cuba following the Cuban Revolution, may have begun as a way to connect immigrants with the flavors of their homeland. But over the decades, its morphed into something more. Portos has become its own language, to the extent that its baked and hot foods no longer just represent Cuba  theyve come to represent Los Angeles.

I was fortunate to conduct one of Rosa Portos final interviews before she died in 2019 at age 89. She told me about her hometown of Manzanillo; her love of ajiaco, a rustic soup popular in Cuba; and inspiration gleaned from years living with an aunt who loved baking and her grandmothers recipes. Following her death, I wrote an effusive appreciation of Rosa Porto and the business she created. But I was curious recently about how Portos has sustained its menu, now slightly pared down three years into COVID, without its matriarch.

The spicy chicken Milanesa sandwich: locally farmed, free-range chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, tomato, smashed avocado and spicy jalapeno spread served on a medianoche roll. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

I tried roughly 50 items on Portos menu at three different locations  not everything, but a substantial chunk of the menu, and certainly enough to offer a contemporaneous and critical lens on the current state of quality and consistency at one of Southern California's most loved bakery chains.

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The sandwiches seem as good a place as any to start: You will never go wrong with a cubano or medianoche. Did you know that all humans are 99.9% genetically identical to each other despite varying outward appearances? Think of cubano and medianoche sandwiches in the same vein: They look different but have the same DNA. Lately, Ive been leaning Team Medianoche: slices of soft, egg-washed, sweet bread pressed firmly around pork, slices of roasted ham, nutty melted Swiss cheese, mustard and pickle chips. This is an S-tier sandwich, on its way to Cooperstown on the first ballot.

Other sandwiches, including a marginally spicy chicken milanesa, with a flat, crunchy fried cutlet and melted mozzarella, are also good, if not quite at the same level. A torta with chopped bits of well-done steak tastes like a good carne asada taco that wandered onto a French roll. But a chicken torta, overwhelmed by guacamole that spills out of the sides on first bite (Im not sure Ive ever complained before about getting too much guacamole on anything) doesnt really move the needle.

Family photographs hang on the wall at Porto's Bakery in Glendale, where pastries for sale include papa rellena, guava cheese pastry, cheese roll, churro croissant, spinach and feta empanada and croqueta de pollo. Right: Porto's iconic boxes. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

Roasted pork and ropa vieja come in both sandwich and entree form. I would recommend the latter, as you get a side of rice and black beans as well as a few tender, gently caramelized maduros, or fried plantains. The black beans are one of the best things at Portos. Theyre developed, mature, tasting of onion, bell pepper and a hint of tomato. Is there a little citrus in there too? Youll be forgiven for thinking this dish is a Jules Verne novel  there are depths to these beans.

The ropa vieja (old clothes in Spanish) does have the texture of a comforting, thread-worn sweater or pair of pants. Maybe thats not the most appetizing analogy for a food item, but dont let it dissuade you  the shredded beef in a rich tomato-y stew is punctuated with the occasional tannic, briny-sweet hit of green olive, creating a balance of sweetness, acid and umami.

The blended dulce de leche shake, mamey shake, plato de ropa vieja and chicken Milanesa sandwich. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

Salads are a mixed bag at Portos  the cilantro Caesar is greatly assisted by the addition of pepitas, roasted pumpkin seeds (the small green ones, not the big, flat white ones you might associate with jack-o-lanterns) that provide crunch and great texture. The rustic chopped salad, between the inclusion of candied bacon and a slightly saccharine mustard vinaigrette, ends up being overwhelmed by sweetness.

Youll spend at least a portion of your time at the bakery case on a Portos visit, and for good reason: Most of the stuff is very good. The picadillo-spiced potato balls need no introduction. But have you tried the chicken croquettes? Theyre nuggets of garlicky, creamy shredded chicken and might be my new favorite deep-fried savory treat.

A baker decorates dulce de leche cake rolls at Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If for some reason you've never been to Portos, here's a rough breakdown of how it works  Ill use the flagship store in Glendale as an example: You walk in and see two lines, a cafe line and a bakery line. Contrary to what you might think, you can order any item from any line, so just pick the shorter line. You approach the counter, where theres a squadron of people to help you, most of whom look barely old enough to rent a car but are amazingly helpful. Place your order. You'll get your bakery items right there. If youre ordering prepared food to eat in, theyll bring your food and drinks to you. For to-go, youll need to pick up your food from one window and drinks from a separate drinks area. If it sounds a little confusing, I promise youll get the hang of it quickly.

Left: Papa rellenas, potato balls stuffed with Cuban-style ground beef, onions, bell pepper and olives. Right: Patrons inside Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

With some of the viennoiserie and other baked goods, I find myself in the position of having to walk back some of the praise I ladled on in my 2019 appreciation. A standard butter croissant was a bit flatter than I remembered. That, a ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate twist pastry were more flaccid than flaky.

But the refugiados (guava and cheese pastries) and cheese rolls, with their tangy, creamy fillings, remain excellent, as does a spinach feta empanada. Other empanadas and meat pies are decent but unremarkable, and the tamales are topped by those at some Latin American bakeries around town. (Have you checked out our tamale list?) Cranberry orange scones are average, but the churro croissant, a newer menu item, is an inspired idea and deserves to be considered on the same level of brilliance of pastry Frankensteins as the Cronut.

My biggest surprise during recent Portos trips has been in the breakfast department. I never leaned on Portos much as an early-morning option, but I can now pronounce it to be one of my favorites in the city, especially given the increasing dearth of daytime eateries since the pandemic struck.

Cristofer Gonzalez holds a box of cheese rolls outside of Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

An egg, cheese and chorizo sandwich on a crusty white Cuban roll, with a fluffy-egged omelet dotted with spiced meat, is exactly what you want in a breakfast sandwich. Porto's version of a breakfast burrito is pleasantly hearty, a tortilla-cloaked omelet stuffed with chunks of seasoned, shredded pork, black beans and guacamole. A punchy, persuasive salsa verde goes perfectly with the wrap and allows it to thread the needle and avoid the trap of being too heavy. Torrejas, or Cuban French toast, are over-the-top rich, fat slabs of eggy, fried toast. The guava syrup accompaniment offers a lighter touch than your standard maple syrup, but every bite feels luxuriant, like the chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag.

Portos desserts are as famous, if not more, than anything else on its menu. You generally fare better with the cream-focused cakes and desserts, like the flaky Napoleon or tres leches cake, which feels like plunging into a kiddie pool of sweet milk and sopping wet sponge. Tangy mango and guava mousses, electric jolts of mouth-puckering tang and sweetness, also are worthy of a splurge. Carrot and Parisian chocolate cakes and a mixed berry muffin offer somewhat less to write home about.

A rack of unbaked, left, and baked refugiados, guava and cheese pastries. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

The rest is just details  but isnt that where the devil resides? Fresh juices never taste old or like theyve been sitting around. A mamey shake is as good as any Ive had, tasting like a cold and creamy, honey-sweetened yam. A blended dulce de leche coffee shake is better than any Frappuccino youll ever drink. (I should know; I literally tried all of them.) Lastly, but perhaps most important: Theres almost always a wait at Portos, but Ive never had bad service. And Ive found that employees are helpful and more than willing to put something right if theres been a mistake.

Its the reason Portos has continued to thrive, well into its fifth decade of existence  an extraordinary feat for any restaurant. And it ensures that youll keep seeing people trotting those boxes and bags through airports across the nation. Lock eyes, acknowledge them and share a knowing glance.

A Porto's Bakery staff member walks by the bread selection at the Glendale location. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Nora Burlingame, 3, is held by her mother, Dina Burlingame, as she attempts to fist-bump nurse Luann Majeed after getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a clinic in Seattle last year. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)

For the record:

3:59 p.m. Feb. 16, 2023: A previous version of this article identified Erin Shields as chief life specialist at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Her title is child life specialist.



An ear thermometer sent Rita Ho-Bezzola's 1-year-old daughter into a crying fit when a nurse tried to take the little girl's temperature.

Afterward, Ho-Bezzola decided to buy a thermometer from a local CVS retailer and play pretend doctor with her child. Through that interaction, she said, her daughter learned how the tool would be used.

When the toddler returned to the doctor's office for a checkup six months later, the sight of a thermometer didn't upset her.

Ho-Bezzola was a new mother then. She now realizes that her daughter couldn't say, "I don't know what that thing is," and express her fear of the unknown object.

This is just one of many experiences that motivated Ho-Bezzola and her co-founders at Piper + Enza, an online resource for parents navigating the healthcare system, to learn more about how negative medical experiences affect pediatric patients and their families.

Fellow co-founder Taraneh Arhamsadr said that when the organization was defining its mission and goals in 2021, its work was largely shaped by a 2018 poll conducted by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan.

The nationwide poll, which surveyed parents of children between the ages of 2 and 5 who were afraid of visiting the doctor, found that children's fear affected their parents' interactions with healthcare providers. About 22% of parents said it was hard to concentrate on what the doctor or nurse was saying, and 9% said they would sometimes forget to ask questions or raise concerns because their child was scared or upset during the visit.

The poll also found that almost 5% of parents either postponed getting a vaccine for their child or canceled or delayed an appointment due to the child's fear of going to the doctor.

According to Nemours Children's Health, children's worries about medical exams include being separated from their parents, experiencing pain, having a bad interaction with the doctor, and having a more serious problem than their parents are letting on.

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Piper + Enza is working to improve the experience that pediatric patients and their families have in doctor's offices, clinics and hospitals. With the collaboration of early child educators, child life specialists, pediatricians and child psychologists, the organization offers guidance from professionals in the field. It's also raising awareness about child life specialists, who are supportive medical staff members available to parents and guardians when their children go to the hospital.

Prepping for a doctor visit

Parents, prepare yourselves. When you're making an appointment for your child, whether it's a checkup or an inpatient procedure, ask questions and get an understanding of what the procedure will be like so you can prepare your child.

Ho-Bezzola and Arhamsadr said they've learned through their research that an open and honest conversation with your child can make the medical visit a more positive experience. If a child is going to the doctor for an immunization or bloodwork, for example, Kaiser Permanente says you should tell that to the child. Like adults, most children fear needles, but kids may cope better if they know what to expect. It suggested saying to your child, "You will need to get medicine through a small needle to stay healthy, and it may feel like a pinch or a sting." Not telling your child the truth can result in anxious feelings, or worse, your child may learn to not trust what you say.

UCLA Health suggests talking to children under 5 a day or two before the medical experience. Older children should have a few days to a week of advance notice. Guardians should always encourage their children to discuss their feelings and ask questions during this time, while also validating those feelings.

Ahead of the medical visit, supplement the conversation by playing doctor, reading books and doing art activities that incorporate medical themes, such as using bandages, cotton balls and gauze to make flowers or a collage. All of these activities can help the child understand what the doctor visit will be like, especially role playing with a toy doctor kit. Piper + Enza published a book for parents and children, "The Difference Between Needles and Noodles," that helps kids learn more about why people get shots, ways they can prepare and useful coping strategies. The book also includes a parents guide from certified child life specialist Katie Taylor.

If your child is going into the doctor's office for a vaccine, give them a simple choice to either sit in your lap or sit by themselves.

Ho-Bezzola and Arhamsadr's biggest piece of advice for parents is to stay calm. The less anxious you are, the calmer your child will be.

What's a child life specialist?

Coping with a serious illness, injury or treatment can be challenging and stressful for children and their families, said Keri O'Keefe of the Assn. of Child Life Professionals. A visit to the hospital is when a child life specialist can step in to provide support.

The goal of a certified child life specialist is to ensure family-centered care. The specialist is working with and checking on all immediate family members supporting the patient  who can include parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents.

Erin Shields, child life specialist for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, said she once went into a hospital room and was informed by a grandparent that the doctor was talking to the child's guardian. Shields let the grandparent know she's there to support the whole family.



"And you see that physical change in posture and that sigh of relief of, 'You're right, this is really scary for me too, and I'm allowed to have those really hard feelings,'" she said.

A specialist supports everyone by providing therapeutic play, preparation for the procedure, and education that reduces fear, anxiety, pain and suffering for patients and their families.

For example, Shields said, she held virtual meetings with parents earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic to offer guidance on how to talk about a diagnosis with the siblings of a patient.

"It's never the same technique for every family, so we really like to work with them in that process to create a foundation of trust," she said.

Alleviating the anxiety that family members may feel empowers them to believe that they can "do this" and get through whatever treatment or procedure their family member is undergoing, added Carol Hamamoto, child life manager at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Shields added that this helps parents find their voice because "they are the most important person on their child's medical team." A guardian is also the child's advocate, so a child life specialist helps them to feel empowered to speak up and to share their concerns.

O'Keefe said these specialists support young patients by introducing coping strategies to help children with the anxiety and stress of hospitalization, preparing them for procedures or treatment using developmentally appropriate language, and providing support and distraction during medical procedures. Their duties also include offering opportunities for play and expressive activities to encourage normalcy and continued growth during their treatment or hospital stay.

An evaluation of one child life program published by the journal Pediatrics in 2021 found that the interventions resulted in less emotional distress, better overall coping during the hospital stay, a clearer understanding of procedures, and a more positive physical recovery and post-hospital adjustment for children who were enrolled.

Other studies cited in the journal article found that child life specialists play a major role in calming children's fears and result in higher parent satisfaction with the entire care experience.

These specialists typically lend their services in the emergency department, intensive care and cardiac units as well as in the fields of oncology, bereavement, anesthesiology and radiology.

There are 613 child life specialists in California, a figure that O'Keefe said was the highest number in the country. Texas comes in second with 595.

A caregiver can request support from a certified child life specialist, but there might not be one available at all hospitals. The majority of specialists in California work in larger hospitals such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.

If you want to know whether your child's hospital or care team has a child life specialist on staff, Hamamoto said you can call and ask. If you're coming from a pediatric office, she said, you can always have the doctor write in "the parents (or guardians, as the case may be) would like to request child life services if available."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Ukrainian government is convinced that the allies will still make a decision on sending modern-type Western fighter jets to Kyiv.

Source: Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office, in an interview with Radio Liberty

Quote from Zhovkva: "We need aircraft. Therefore, these matters are discussed all the time, at all Ramstein-format meetings and during every meeting or phone conversation by the President with other leaders I'll give you one example: you know that there has been an achievement during the visit [of Zelenskyy  ed.] to London  its an agreement on training Ukrainian pilots with modern aircraft. The next logical question is: why would you train pilots if you dont follow it up with the relevant equipment supplies afterwards?"

Details: Zhovkva has said that similar things have already occurred before: when Ukraine was waiting for tanks, there was training with those tanks; when Ukraine was waiting for long-range artillery units, there was training with those systems.

Background:

Earlier this week, Boris Pistorius, Minister of Defence of Germany, stated that the question of sending Western fighter jets to Ukraine was not on the table at that time. He clarified that some further steps could be discussed if the skies over Ukraine remain safe over the next three or four months.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has stated the UK would not be sending fighter jets to Ukraine any time soon. He said the focus was on ensuring Kyiv's long-term resilience.

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SBU on the territory of the UOC (MP) (illustrative photo)

Read also: Keeping up ties with Moscow? The processes begun within the UOC-MP

The prosecutor proved in court that in May 2022, the abbot of the so Kazan parish of the Yarova settlement of the Horlivka eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) conspired with the Russian invaders and, acting on their instructions, gathered local residents in the premises of a club.

There, he proclaimed that the settlement was controlled by Russian troops, and called on its inhabitants to support the candidacy of the new head of the local government for cooperation with the enemy.

Donetsk regional prosecutor's office

The priest was arrested after the liberation of Yarova.

Yarova is a small settlement in Donetsk Oblast, located about 20 kilometers to the north of the key oblast town of Slovyansk.

Read also: Ukraines SBU detains collaborator in Donetsk Oblast

The area was liberated during a Ukrainian army counter-offensive in which Ukraine regained control of most of Kharkiv Oblast, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in September.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Capitol on Jan 6 Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post via Getty Images

It's been more than two years since a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to subvert the former president's 2020 electoral loss. Since then, the Jan. 6 attack has resulted in a historic second presidential impeachment, separate congressional and Justice Department investigations, and nearly a thousand arrests  hundreds of which have ended in convictions and prison sentences.

As of Jan. 2023, nearly two hundred Jan. 6 rioters have been sentenced to prison, with sentences ranging from a few months behind bars to 10 years, as in the case of retired NYPD officer Thomas Webster, who was convicted for assaulting a D.C. Metropolitan police officer during the riot. While Webster himself was contrite and emotionally apologetic during his sentencing, a number of riot participants  particularly those housed in what became known as the "patriot wing" of the D.C. Correctional Treatment Facility  enjoyed a measure of pre-trial jailhouse notoriety in certain right-wing circles. Some GOP lawmakers championed them as "political prisoners," while conservative advocacy groups encouraged the public to "connect" with a "1/6er" or even "adopt" their family.

With more arrests and convictions likely to come, there are some who have begun questioning what will happen to Jan. 6 participants now that many are behind bars, and  perhaps more crucially  what to expect upon their release.

How many people are we talking about here?

At least 978 people have been arrested and charged for their role in the Capitol attack  many on counts of entering restricted space and property damage, and the overwhelming bulk of whom are male. Of those arrestees, 465 have pleaded guilty, and 335 have actually received criminal sentences, according to Forbes' analysis of Justice Department data. In total, at least 185 have been given prison time (as opposed to supervised release). A 2022 assessment by terrorism and extremism expert Michael Jensen for The Washington Post concluded that "approximately 35 percent of the Capitol defendants" at the time had connections with various conspiracy or extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three Percenters  an "astounding" number that should "shake us to our core."

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What's the concern?

Writing in The Daily Beast less than a year after the riot, counterterrorism expert Aki Peritz posed a straightforward question, asking if "the U.S. is helping the Jan. 6 rioters plan a sequel from behind bars." For context, Peritz looked to the so-called "patriot wing" of the D.C. Correctional Treatment Facility, where several dozen alleged insurrectionists stayed separated from the rest of the jail population while engaging in "seemingly small, communal action" such as nightly recitations of the Star Spangled Banner, and the distribution of a handwritten jailhouse newsletter, to which "we would all contribute [...] and pass it cell to cell," one inmate explained.

These coordinated were, Peritz concluded, "exactly how other radical groups organized and forged their identity in prisons" while providing "others who may be wavering in their anti-democratic feelings under adverse conditions" an outlet in which to grow their resentment.

In the case of alleged riot participants, that resentment can contain a racial component, as Jan. 6 arrestee Ronald Sandlin claimed in court, arguing, per Politico, that there is "racial tension between minority guards and the largely white defendants, some of whom have been publicly accused of membership in or association with white supremacist groups." Sandlin, who later pleaded guilty to a variety of charges and has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, has himself been associated with the far-right "boogaloo" accelerationist movement.

Is there a precedent for these concerns?

There very much is. Citing a spate of European terror incidents, such as the 2015 attack on the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine, and the Madrid train bombings nearly a decade prior, Peritz notes that "numerous individuals who had carried out terror operations in Europe had been turned from rootless, run-of-the-mill criminals to something much worse while incarcerated." Moreover, with the public support some Trump-supporting lawmakers (and Trump himself) have given to those jailed for participating in the Capitol attack, Peritz points out that "a jail sentence paradoxically provides a degree of gravitas to a subset of individuals, easing their way to recruit new people on the outside to the cause."

While prison radicalization is, itself, a well-documented phenomenon, some experts see an added dynamic in the path to extremism that many of the former president's most hardline followers have taken. Speaking with HuffPost in the immediate aftermath of Jan. 6, former Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary of counterterrorism Elizabeth Neumann described Republicans in particular as being "extremely vulnerable" to outreach from white nationalist groups, thanks in large part to Trump's having sowed complementary "seeds of grievances" over the course of his administration. Trump, under whom Neumann worked until early 2020, has created what amounts to a "common values system" between Republican voters, and extremists eager to take advantage of those commonalities.

Compounding this dynamic is data from a Marshall Project and Slate survey conducted in the months leading up to Jan. 6, in which a plurality of white inmates were shown to be Trump supporters  a trend in no small part fueled by the particulars of prison life, wherein pre-existing political ideologies, inescapable proximity to one's peers, opportunistic white nationalist gangs, and limited media outlets all coalesce as contributing factors. It is this incarcerated dynamic where the overwhelmingly (but not exclusively) white participants of the insurrection will ultimately land as they serve their prison sentences. Back to Peritz again, who notes that "between the identities strengthened inside a correctional facility, and the obvious slice of political support outside it, we may be seeing the emergence of a new, radical group  with a national network and skilled ideological operatives  ready to menace the streets of America in the years to come."

What can be done?

Ultimately, the process of deradicalization is a difficult one under the best of circumstances. Writing in the Washington Post, University College London Global Politics professor Brian Klaas has suggested that "deprogramming" adherents of Trump conspiracy theories is particularly challenging, due to a combination of Manichaean worldviews, structural bulwarks against debunking, and, crucially, the fact that the "mental image of tinfoil-hat-wearing loners isolated in dark basements is outdated." Instead, Klaas asserts, "they're social." That is to say, a fundamental strength of these radicalization vectors is their communality  hence, the "patriot wing" of the D.C. jail seemingly could strengthen, rather than weaken, the adherence of its occupants.

This isn't to say that deradicalization is impossible. In a 2016 interview with PBS' Frontline, German Institute on Radicalization and Deradicalization Studies director Daniel Koehler described the "broad set of potential tools" he's used in his work deradicalizing neo-Nazis, international terrorists, and other extremists. Among those tools," Koehler said, "there's vocational training, religious counseling, psychological counseling or creative art therapy." He also stressed curating individual deradicalization programs for each participant's unique path to extremism.

Koehler's methodology for deradicalization was first put to use in the United States in 2016, after a group of Minnesotan men were arrested and convicted for attempting to support the terrorist group ISIS. At the time, Chief U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim voiced his anxiety over the existing penal infrastructure in the United States, telling The Defense Post that "a frustration of ours, which I hope is being remedied  is that the Bureau of Prisons does not have any deradicalization programs, and in fact, you can argue that there's potential for radicalization within the prison system because they're really not looking at this issue."

What doesn't work, Koehler stressed, was simply throwing people in prison as an absolute solution. "We've seen in many other countries that when you arrest one, you create three other extremists. It helps to spread the idea, and proves to the movement that they are right, that they are under attack," he said. With imprisonment alone, "they might come out very angry, very frustrated, and very, very radicalized."

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Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a state budget Wednesday that anticipates continued strong revenue receipts even as federal COVID-19 stimulus funds dry up, allowing for increased spending across all levels of education and most of state government.

Giving his annual speech from the state House chamber for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life across the globe, the governor asserted that the actions of his first term laid the groundwork for the new spending he outlined Wednesday.

Fiscal responsibility isnt easy, nor is it a one-time fix, Pritzker said. Its an annual effort that requires persistence. It requires conservative revenue estimates, as all of my budget proposals have. But when done right, consistent balanced budgets strengthen the institutions our residents rely upon, creates new opportunities for success, and makes life easier for the people of Illinois.

All told, the governor outlined a Fiscal Year 2024 budget that anticipates $49.9 billion in general revenues, a $1.4 billion decrease from current FY 23 estimates. Excluding current-year contributions to the states rainy day fund, the $49.6 billion in approved FY 24 spending represents a drop-off of about $350 million.

New spending

Much of the spending growth proposed by Pritzker would remain on the books beyond Fiscal Year 2024, unlike recent one-time spending approved over the past two budget years.

The spending plan allocates a $250 million funding increase to expand child care, a more-than $500 million increase for K-12 education-related spending, and a combined $200 million for state college operations and low-income scholarships.

The governor also proposed adding $54.6 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Family Services budget for provider rate reforms, programs to protect workers and boosting staffing by 192 new hires.

The plan also ups the GRF contribution to the Department of Human Services by more than $650 million, a number that includes some of the new early childhood spending.

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The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, meanwhile, would see an increase of more than $700 million in GRF spending.

The investments weve made in social service agencies over the past four years and that we are proposing for the coming year will finally have reversed the hollowing out that occurred in human services under the previous administration if we are able to hire up enough staff in this tight labor market, Pritzker said. We are cautiously optimistic that we can do so.

The spending increases sparked concern from Republicans as the proposal heads to lawmakers in the General Assembly for their consideration over the next several months.

Last year, the Democratic majority added another $4 billion in spending on top of the governors proposed budget. This year, the governors proposal seeks to build upon that spending, Senate Minority Leader John Curran said in a statement. We must heed the warnings of Comptroller (Susana) Mendoza and be disciplined in our fiscal approach at a time when we are likely to experience a recession.

Mendoza, meanwhile, told Capitol News Illinois on Wednesday that after seeing Pritzkers proposal, she was supportive of the new spending, which she called strategic, targeted investments in the states future.

Increased deficit?

In announcing some of the new spending in a media call Tuesday, Pritzker downplayed the potential that it could lead to a deficit in future budget years.

The Governors Office of Management and Budget predicted in November that by 2025, Illinois could be facing a deficit of up to $384 million, potentially increasing in the following years.

Ive been working very hard to make sure that were not going to have deficits going forward, Pritzker said. And it appears that were doing better than expected.

While senior budget officials declined to give an updated revenue projection for FY 2025 in a briefing prior to the budget address, they noted that the current-year budget isnt reliant on one-time revenues.

And their $49.9 billion revenue projection factored in a mild recession that could occur this year, they noted.

Still, the appropriated spending remains relatively close to the past two years, indicating a level of confidence that the economy will at least temporarily continue to perform at a pace that budgeting forecasters had previously characterized as amazing amid pandemic-related stimulus.

Individual income tax revenues are expected to grow by $778 million in FY 24 while corporate income tax revenues shrink by $175 million. Sales taxes and all other sources are expected to remain relatively level, while the only major decrease  of nearly $1.3 billion  comes in the category of transfers in. Thats because strong income tax performance in FY 22 created a $1.4 billion transfer into the general fund for the current year that isnt expected to repeat.

Drivers of new revenue

In a media briefing Tuesday, Pritzker chalked up the strong revenue performance at least partially to a number of laws signed in his first term. Those included eliminating certain corporate tax exemptions to raise about $655 million annually and streamlining collection of online sales tax to increase revenue collections by hundreds of millions as well. He also cited general revenue transfers from recreational marijuana taxes as helping make budgeting easier.

But Pritzker cited another new revenue source made available by recent state actions  general funds that are no longer going to interest payments because the source of debt has been repaid.

As of Fiscal Year 2023, all our states short-term and medium-term liabilities will have been eliminated. All of it, Pritzker said in his speech. Our budgets are built on a solid foundation of normalized state revenue and more efficient management of state resources.

He specifically noted the state paid down $900 million in group health insurance debt, $230 million in College Illinois debt, $4.5 billion in borrowing to keep the Unemployment Trust Fund afloat and $1.3 billion in previous interfund borrowing.

Pritzkers office estimated that nearly $3 billion in savings to the states coffers has been realized through the early debt repayment and other debt refinancing, a pension buyout program, changes to collective bargaining for state employee health insurance costs and other actions.

In the FY24 budget, the governor proposed allocating $450 million to defease debt taken on through the Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority to pay bills during the Great Recession. It could save an estimated $60 million in interest.

Pritzker also proposed using an updated current-year surplus to contribute an additional $200 million to the states pension fund beyond the amount required in law. That would bring the total pension liability savings resulting from recent changes to law to $4 billion, although the states unfunded pension liability remains at roughly $139 billion.

We have used our surpluses to chip away at our long-term liabilities too, including $500 million more into our pension stabilization fund over the last two years and my proposal this year to increase that by another $200 million, Pritzker said. The percent of the budget needed to meet our statutory obligations has declined as our revenues have grown and our fiscal fortunes have improved.
 Flash

Two Chinese students were injured in an on-campus shooting at Michigan State University Monday night, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago said on Wednesday.

The consulate general said that the students are out of danger following surgery at a hospital, adding that it has activated its emergency response mechanism. The consulate has contacted the family members of the two students in China and will offer assistance in their coming to the United States.

The consulate general is in close touch with Michigan State University and called on relevant U.S. departments to adopt effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the United States, including Chinese students.

The consulate general reminds Chinese citizens to be aware of their surroundings and stay safe.

The on-campus shooting at Michigan State University left three people dead and five injured. The 43-year-old suspect had died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
People receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church UCC in Leimert Park in 2021. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

More than half of Black Californians said there was a time in the last few years when they thought they would have received better healthcare if they had belonged to a different racial or ethnic group, according to a report released Thursday.

By comparison, 27% of Latinos, 12% of Asian people and 4% of white people responded the same way, the report said.

The report from the California Health Care Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on health issues in the state, summarized results from a survey that asked more than 1,700 Californians about their views on health equity, health costs, health access, housing, their experience in the health system and more. The results come as lawmakers, health providers and public health agencies grapple with how to explain and curb longtime racial health inequities.

Kristof Stremikis, director of market analysis and insight at the California Health Care Foundation, said he was "not surprised at all" by the report's findings.

"We've known for years that there is unequal treatment within the system and there are certainly unequal outcomes within the system that should be news to absolutely no one at this point," Stremikis said. "There have been years and years of data points and studies on this very issue ... it's deeply and profoundly disappointing."

The survey also found racial differences in how people interacted with health providers.

Overall, 54% of Californians had experienced at least one negative provider interaction, including 64% of Californians with low incomes and 50% of those with higher incomes, according to the report.

But even when controlling for geographic region, income, gender, language and age, Black Californians were twice as likely as white Californians to report any negative experiences with healthcare providers in recent years.

Californians were asked about their general experiences with the healthcare system, including if they ever felt that a doctor or other provider didnt listen to what they had to say, talked down to them, didnt treat them with respect or didnt believe they were telling the truth.

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They were also asked if a provider had refused to order a test or treatment they thought they needed, suggested they were personally to blame for a health problem they were experiencing, unfairly prioritized others over them or did not respect their privacy.

The survey found that 69% of Black respondents and 62% of Latinos reported these experiences, while 48% of white people and 48% of Asian people reported the same.

Black Californians most commonly experienced a health provider not listening to them, assuming something about them without asking or not believing they were telling the truth. Meanwhile, Latinos experienced similar issues to Black people but across all races were more likely to experience a provider blaming them for their health problems.

"After you use statistical methods to hold all of those things constant, race is still an extremely important predictor of someone's experience with a healthcare provider and unfortunately there is inequality there," Stremikis said.

Trust in primary care providers also varied across racial groups. Black Californians were almost twice as likely as white Californians to report that they did not trust their primary care provider's judgment, according to the survey.

While the majority of Californians surveyed said they were worried about medical debt and healthcare affordability, the foundation survey found that the level of concern also varied by race.

More than half of Latinos and 48% of Black people surveyed said they had medical debt, compared with 28% of white people and 27% of Asian people. The survey also found that 40% of Latinos experienced problems paying for medical bills, compared with 36% of Black people, 20% of white people and 17% of Asian people.

Black and Latino people were more likely to skip medical and dental care altogether because of the cost, the survey found.

In the last year, 55% of Black people and 49% of Latinos skipped dental care or check-ups due to costs. Compared to other races, Black Californians more often skipped dental care, postponed medical treatment or cut pills in half and skipped doses of medication due to costs. Cost concerns caused Latinos to more often skip recommended medical tests or not fill a prescription. The survey found 31% of both Black and Latino Californians postponed getting mental health treatment due to costs, while Asian people were least likely to skip treatments for that reason.

Two-thirds of Black people and 53% of Latinos reported that postponing treatment due to costs led to their conditions getting worse, compared with 47% of white people and 35% of Asian people.

Dr. David Carlisle, president of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Willowbrook, said the survey results were unsurprising. But he said in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis in 2020, more people became "attuned to issues of discrimination, prejudice and disparities" in communities and in the healthcare system.

He said California has made progress by expanding access to Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, and signing people up for various health insurance plans. But people are still having trouble accessing care and needed medications because their coverage does not go far enough to cover costs, he said.

Carlisle said people seeking treatment often think that they're covered, "only to discover that they're not covered as well as they thought they were" when a bill arrives. He said it's common for patients worried about the cost of a copay to skip getting their medication.

"It's like people are taking a quilt, and they're pulling it from every corner and stretching it out," Carlisle said. "As a result, more and more people are falling through the cracks."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A progressive group called on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to reinstate railway safety regulations from the Obama administration in the aftermath of the Ohio train derailment that led to the release of toxic chemicals.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) said in a release on Tuesday that Buttigieg should reestablish regulations that might have prevented disasters like the one that happened in the town of East Palestine.

A Norfolk Southern train derailed earlier this month in the town, causing a dangerous chemical spill. Officials evacuated thousands of local residents from the area for several days before lifting the evacuation order last week.

The release notes that Buttigieg tweeted on Monday calling for accountability, but said he should take action.

But he is the one who can do something to hold accountable greedy corporations who cut corners, PCCC organizer Keith Rouda said in the release. Accountability by Tweet only will not do.

Buttigieg said in his tweet that the Transportation Department is supporting the investigation that the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting and will use all relevant authorities to ensure accountability.

A petition that the PCCC launched calls on Buttigieg to immediately use his existing power to make safety rules much stronger, so that rail workers and communities across America are protected.

Rouda said the Obama administration had rules in place to prevent this type of situation, but the Trump administration removed them following corrupt corporate lobbying and Buttigieg has not restored them.

The release cites an article from The Lever that states that Buttigieg specifically has not brought back a rule that was designed to expand the use of superior brake technology.

The derailment reportedly occurred because of a mechanical failure.

The Hill has reached out to Transportation Department for comment.

GOP Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and J.D. Vance (Ohio) sent a letter to Buttigieg on Wednesday to question him about the departments oversight of the rail system.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Members of the Proud Boys on trial for their alleged roles inciting the January 6 attack on the US Capitol are launching a long-shot bid to get Donald Trump to testify.

At all times relevant, Trump was president of the United States, and its the governments obligation to produce him, attorney Norm Pattis said in court Thursday.

Attorneys for the five men on trial  Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola and Joseph Biggs  have argued that it was Mr Trump who lit the spark of the January 6 conspiracy, not them.

President Trump told these people that the election was stolen, defense attorney Sabino Jauregui has previously said over the course of the trial, which began in January. Trump told them to go there on January 6th, and it was Trump who in his speech on January 6th unleashed that mob over there at the Capitol.

The Independent has contacted Mr Trump for comment.

Observers say its unlikely the former president will end up actually giving testimony, given his ability to fight a subpoena, claim executive privilege, or plead the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, given the ongoing federal investigation into January 6.

Were not going to be seeing testimony from the former president, Duke University law professor Lisa Kern Griffin told the Washington Post on Thursday .

Earlier this month, evidence was presented during the trial showing the Proud Boys appearing to take cues from Mr Trump in the run-up to January 6.

In private messages, Mr Biggs reacted to Donald Trump telling the group during a presidential debate to  stand back and stand by .

Trump basically said to go f*** them up, Mr Biggs said in a social media message. This makes me so happy.

Trumps calling the troops in on the 6th, he said in another message shown to the court.

Last year, another January 6 defendant named Dustin Thompson sought to compel testimony from Mr Trump , an attempt that was shot down and failed to prevent the Ohio exterminator from being sent to three years in prison.
Leaders of the far-right Proud Boys say they intend to subpoena former President Donald Trump to testify in the ongoing trial pertaining to the groups alleged conspiracy to forcibly derail the transfer of power from Trump to President Joe Biden.

Prosecutors have underscored the groups repeated responses to Trumps public statements  from his Sept. 2020 debate-stage exhortation to the group to stand back and stand by to his Dec. 19, 2020 tweet urging supporters to attend his Jan. 6 rally. Be there. Will be wild, he wrote.

Donald trump called on patriots to stop the steal. Were calling on Donald Trump to take the stand, said Norm Pattis, attorney for Proud Boy Joe Biggs.

Former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and four allies are charged with seditious conspiracy, a plot to violently keep Trump in office anchored in part by preventing Congress from certifying the election on Jan. 6, 2021.

The prospect of Trump appearing on the witness stand seems remote, but until Thursday, the intention of the defendants to call the former president was uncertain.

Were going to ask the government for assistance in serving Mr. Trump, Pattis said.

The Proud Boys defense attorneys have hinted at times throughout the trial that Trump bears responsibility for the actions of their own clients and thousands of others who marched on the Capitol at his urging. Putting him on the witness stand, while still a longshot, would give them a chance to probe his mindset under oath in a way that federal investigators have been unable to so far.

Other Jan. 6 defendants have sought Trumps testimony but gotten no support from judges, who found their claims to need the former presidents testimony dubious. But the Proud Boys may have the clearest case, given Trumps explicit reference to the group during the debate and the groups centrality to the riot that unfolded on Jan. 6.

Prosecutors say the Proud Boys are singularly responsible for the violence that unfolded, helping trigger key breaches of police defenses  including the actual breach of the building itself, when Dominic Pezzola, one of the five defendants, used a stolen riot shield to smash a Senate-wing window.



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U.S. District Court Judge Tim Kelly didnt give any indication Thursday about whether he would permit the subpoena of the former president.

Tarrio has been a figure of interest to investigators not just for his role on Jan. 6 but for his ties to figures in Trumps orbit like Roger Stone. Tarrio took a White House tour on Dec. 12, 2020 that drew alarm from the Secret Service and may have reached the earsof then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Prosecutors have also shown evidence of Tarrios close relationship with a D.C. police officer who appeared to repeatedly give him inside information about law enforcement matters  including Tarrios own subsequent arrest on Jan. 4 for burning a Black Lives Matter flag at a pro-Trump rally in December.

Prosecutors are expected to call North Carolina Proud Boy Jeremy Bertino  who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and is cooperating with the government  to the stand on Tuesday. During arguments related to pieces of evidence the government intends to introduce, prosecutors displayed messages showing Bertino lamenting the groups failure to stop the transfer of power on the night of Jan. 6.

We failed. The House is meeting again. That woman died for nothing, Bertino said, referencing Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer as she attempted to breach the House chamber.

Bertino was also in a series of leadership chats ahead of Jan. 6 but didnt go to Washington in part because of injuries he suffered when he was stabbed during a melee in December.
The Providence School Board on Wednesday elected Erlin Rogel, senior adviser to Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, as its president.

Rogel, who graduated from the city school system, previously worked as the district's director of intergovernmental affairs, served as its interim chief of staff and taught multilingual learners.

His term on the board expires in 2026.

More:Providence School Board president is second leader to plan exit from group

More:What's happening with Providence school closings? Everything you need to know

"I look forward to the dialogue and the work that's ahead," Rogel said, reflecting on his time in the district and, adding that he's "very humbled."

Travis Escobar was elected vice president and Mark Santow was elected secretary, a role in which he will serve another term.

Rogel will succeed Kinzel Thomas, who led the board until his term expired last month. He decided not to apply for another term, but said the move was unrelated to upheaval within the board over toxic-workplace allegations and secret decisions to close three Providence schools  a matter in which the board was given no say.

Ty'Relle Stephens, a board member who has raised concerns about those allegations and previously about allegations of grade inflation within the district, vowed to "hold the new leadership team accountable."

Already the board's new members faced a tough meeting on Wednesday, with searing public testimony from attendees angered about the state takeover of the district, draining work conditions, and the planned closing of Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School on Broad Street. That is one of three schools closing, including Carl G. Lauro Elementary School and Gilbert Stuart Middle School.

Teamsters protest at Wednesday's School Board meeting for a fair contract for bus drivers.

At the same time, the audience included roughly a dozen Teamsters standing in silent protest, wearing signs demanding a fair contract for bus drivers. Once the public comment period ended, some erupted in shouts, attempting to interject.

Matthew Taibi was allowed to speak on behalf of the union, raising concerns over First Student, the vendor the district uses for bus drivers. The union has asked that the vendor "settle its contract with the workers by granting them a defined-benefit pension."

Taibi warned a strike could happen in early March, which would become yet another obstacle for students who already faced the toll of a bus-driver shortage in the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority last year.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence School Board elects Erlin Rogel as president
The scene at the Senate Health Care Committee on Thursday, Feb. 2 where the Parents Bill of Rights bill passed along a voice vote. One person in the visitors' gallery raised a hand to object to some of the comments about LGBTQ youth made during the discussion.

Content warning: This article contains references to self harm and suicide. Please take care when reading. If you need mental health support, call or text the national suicide and crisis lifeline  988  or check out our mental health resource page.

Deanna Adkinsremembers one of her former patients, a 17-year-old who was struggling to come out to their parents as transgender.

The parents were struggling with understanding what was going on, and the child did come out to them themselves, of their own accord, she recalled in a recent interview. And then the parents were very upset and very verbally abusive, and the patient became very distraught and self harmed in a very extensive manner.

More:Transgender North Carolinians can update birth records, but worry rights will be taken

The teenager didnt feel safe at home and decided to leave. They ended up living on the streets, Adkins said.

The parents reached out to Adkins, who leads the Child and Adolescent Gender Care Clinic at Duke Health where the child was being treated. They were desperate to find their child, but even working together, they were unable to reach them.

More:'Very unexpected': Drag show says goodbye to Dirtbag Ales in Hope Mills

That was three years ago.

The child never returned home, and we dont know what happened to them. Theyre still missing, she recalled.

These are the kinds of stories that come to mind when Adkins thinks about a bill thats been moving quickly through the North Carolina senate. The proposed legislation would limit how schools could respond to students seeking advice and counseling around their gender identity and would require schools to tell parents if their child asks to use a different name or pronouns at school.

More:It's so mind-boggling': Fayetteville's LGBTQ community shares fears of anti-transgender laws

The bill, called a Parents Bill of Rights, revives a bill from the previous legislative session that would restrict instruction and discussion about gender identity, sexual activity or sexuality in kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms unless a child asks a question about it in the context of classroom activity.

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Advocates such as Adkins say that these types of laws hurt LGBTQ students by forcibly outing them to their families, even if those families are not accepting of their identities. Those same advocates are organizing opposition to another proposed bill filed in the House of Representatives that would forbid gender-affirming treatment in anyone younger than 18.

More:The Fayetteville Observer: Opinion

Nathan Copeland, a Duke child and adolescent psychologist, said providers had been bracing for such bills.

Im shocked this came so early in the legislative year, that this was the first priority, he said.

School is a safe place

A lot of kids questioning their gender identity begin talking about it with their friends at school or a trusted adult before they talk to their parents, explained Mary Evers, a clinical psychologist who has worked with adolescents who are exploring their sexuality and gender identity. Many times that trusted adult is a school counselor or teacher, she said.

Evers and other providers who work with teens say that kids often need some space away from their parents to experiment and work things out before they approach even supportive parents. Having a law that would require notification of parents before the young person is ready would, disrupt their process, she said.

Talking to their parents is much more anxiety-provoking, even for the kids who know their parents will be supportive, Evers said.

She explained that relying more on peers and people outside the family is part of adolescent development, where kids are becoming more independent of parents. She said its also because these young people want to be more sure of themselves and have a better handle on their desires before talking to parents.

They dont really want to do the exploring with their parents, she said. They want to be able to tell their parents.

Evers, Adkins and others also worry about families that might not be supportive of kids who are grappling with these issues for themselves.

There can be physical abuse, where parents become physically violent toward their kids whove come out as transgender, or they can be emotionally abusive, verbally abusive, said Will Hall, an assistant professor at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Hall researches mental health issues among LGBTQ kids.

Theres mental health consequences there in terms of depression, anxiety, suicidality  and then a lot of kids will run away from home, she said. And the research supports this.

Results from a 2020 national survey of LGBTQ youth conducted by the Trevor Project.

Three quarters of trans and nonbinary youth report generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in the past few weeks, Adkins said, quoting statistics from a survey done in 2020. Sixty percent of transgender and nonbinary youth engaged in self harm in the past 12 months. One in five trans and nonbinary youth have attempted suicide in the past 12 months. And they are two and a half to four times higher risk for substance use disorder.

She also noted that transgender and nonbinary youth are at higher risk for eating disorders.

Adkins said these statistics are not a function of the kids being mentally ill so much as they reflect kids reaction to the stigma and shame. They struggle with anxiety and their feelings about how theyll be accepted, and they worry about what their families will say and do.

About 9 out of ten transgender and nonbinary youth say recent debates around such legislation have negatively impacted their mental health, according to polling done by the national advocacy organization The Trevor Project.

In particular, policies that require schools to tell a students parent or guardian if they request to use a different name or pronoun at school make 67 percent of trans youth feel angry, 54 percent feel stressed, 51 percent feel scared, 46 percent feel nervous and 43 percent feel sad, Gabby Doylefrom The Trevor Project said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Adkins pointed to research showing that transgender people with strong family and community support have about the same suicide risk as non-transgender people.

Results from a 2020 national survey of LGBTQ youth conducted by the Trevor Project.

Generational shifts in acceptance

More people in Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2003, identify as LGBTQ than in previous generations. A plurality, 15%, told a 2022 Gallup poll that they identified as bisexual. A little more than 3% of Gen Z respondents told Gallup that they identified as transgender or at some other place along the gender continuum.

These young adults are coming of age, including coming to terms with their sexuality or gender identity, at a time when Americans increasingly accept gays, lesbians and transgender people, the Gallup poll wrote in summation.

In 2021, Gallup found that about half of young adults say they know someone who is transgender, while only a quarter of people over 50 say they do.

Theres a lot more acceptance among younger generations, Evers said. For example, she explained, they have no trouble adjusting if a friend decides to change their pronouns.

The Progress Pride Flag was designed by Graphic Designer Daniel Quasar in 2018 to place greater emphasis on "inclusion and progression." The update added a five-colored chevron to the rainbow flag including black and brown stripes to represent marginalized people of color in the LGBTQ community along with pink, light blue, and white stripes to represent the Transgender Pride Flag.

Theyre just on it, she said. Theres no adjustment.

Providers say that the number of young people making any transition is relatively small. In eight years at the gender care clinic, Adkins said shes taken care of about 700 kids from all over the state.

The vast majority of my patients are 16 and older, she said. There are more patients that are coming to me now than before between the ages of 14 and 16, because we have more scientific data.

The House bill that would forbid any care that would affect an adolescents gender presentation before the age of 18 is an overreach, she said, because so few teens actually receive that kind of treatment.

The number of kids that I have taken care of who are on puberty blockers, truly young kids Ive only had 10 to 15 patients, she said. She said shes treated even fewer kids younger than 18 with surgery  only about seven or eight.

These are not like rash decisions that, you know, a child wakes up on Monday and decides they identify as a boy and they start hormones on Wednesday, said Riley Smith, a family doctor from UNC Health who works with children and adolescents in this population. Thats just not the reality.

What we look for, before we think about any medical interventions or permanent changes, is an identity that has been consistent, persistent and insistent, for at least six months, he explained.

Providers could face fines, discipline

A bevy of national medical organizations has come out in opposition to bills similar to those introduced in North Carolina last week. In addition to affecting young people, these bills have ramifications for providers, they say.

The Parents Bill of Rights bill would fine providers who provide transgender-accommodating health care services to someone under 18 without a parents consent to a $5,000 fine and disciplinary action by their licensing board. The treatment ban bill would enact a $1,000 fine for providers who give care, even with parental consent, and disciplinary action from a licensing board.

The Parents Bill of Rights bill mentions, but leaves untouched, current provisions in North Carolina law that guarantee privacy rights and allow for kids under the age of 18 the right to consent to contraceptive services. Teens under 18 also currently have the right to consent to treatment for sexually transmitted infections and prenatal care without explicit parental consent. The state statute that gives young people those rights also gives young people the ability to seek out care for substance or alcohol abuse or for emotional disturbance.

But people younger than 18 already need a parents consent for accessing abortion services, as well as most other medical procedures

Neither bill would change any of these rights for teens.

Practitioners say theyre frustrated by these proposals because they can do an end-run around their work with kids to help them have more open and productive conversations with their parents and family.

In response, health providers are urgently organizing their opposition to the proposed legislation. Adkins said that shes seeing more emails and having more conversations with providers about crafting formal statements and appearing in person at the legislature in the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Providers say NCs proposed transgender bills will hurt LBGTQ youth
Many enslaved people in the 1700s passed through Lazaretto, a 100-acre facility near Tybee Island used to store, quarantine and bury Africans abducted and later sold into slavery.

There is a continued effort to document and memorialize the enslaved Africans interred near Lazaretto Creek in Georgia.

The Lazaretto Coalition and the TybeeMLK Human Rights Organization have asked the local, state, and federal governments to use ground-penetrating radar to find the descendants of those who constructed the Tybee, Cockspur, and Fort Pulaski Lighthouses, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Lazaretto means quarantine, and we know that enslaved Africans were quarantined here at the Lazaretto, said Julia Pearce, coordinator for the Tybee MLK, WTOC11 News previously reported.

Abumajied Major plays the drum on a bluff over Lazaretto Creek during a libation ceremony to kick off the Savannah Black Heritage Festival on Feb. 1. The creek is near a burial site for enslaved Africans. (Photo Credit: Savannah Morning News via Imagn)

There are estimates that 500 Africans lived in Georgia in 1751 when the trustees of the Colony of Georgia decided to lift the ban on slavery, Savannah Morning News reported.

In less than 30 years, thousands of Africans populated Georgia due to the European slave trade. By 1776, when the American Revolutionary War began, there were over 18,000 people.

Religious leaders engaged in the trade of enslaved people and used their influence to overturn the law against slavery. The Rev. George Whitefield, one of the founders of Methodism, asked Gen. James Oglethorpe to revoke Georgias ban on slavery.

Many enslaved people passed through Lazaretto, a 100-acre facility near Tybee Island used to store, quarantine and bury Africans abducted and later sold into slavery.

Graves were subsequently placed there for those who passed away while trying to flee slavery or from illnesses, frequently conditions they received from their captors.

The Tybee Lazaretto has the potential to reunite Americans with their extensive African diasporic ancestry.

The history that is here on Tybee is not just local. It is national. Its not just national, it is international, said Pearce, according to WTOC. Were talking about a people that came across the water in the bellies of ships and helped build the nation.

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The post Push continues to document, memorialize enslaved Africans buried near Lazaretto Creek appeared first on TheGrio.
Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC), believes that at their next meeting on Friday, Vladimir Putin will again try to persuade the illegitimate president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, to directly participate in the war against Ukraine.

Source: Danilov, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote from Danilov: "The country of Belarus has long been occupied by the Russian Federation. This is a proven fact. Lukashenko does his best not to be forced to take an active, direct part for Belarus in the war against our people. I think that there will be another meeting on Friday when he (Lukashenko  ed.) will be forced to change his point of view."

Details: At the same time, the NSDC Secretary noted that as soon as Belarus, represented by Lukashenko, changes its position, "it will be the end (of the country) in the form in which it currently exists."

Danilov also recalled that until now, meetings between Putin and Lukashenko regarding the direct participation of Belarus in the war with Ukraine have not reaped any fruit for Russia.

Background:

On 7 February, Belaruski Hajun [an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet] reported that currently, there are no active movements of Russian military personnel in the border areas of Belarus with Ukraine, which may indicate that there are no signs of preparing an offensive from that direction.

On 14 February, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Lukashenko and Putin might meet again on 17 February.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia needs to introduce social support for "volunteers" fighting against Ukraine.

Source: Meduza, citing Putin's statement at a meeting with Maria Lvova-Belova, Children's Rights Commissioner for the President of Russia

Quote: "We are now considering this issue. Volunteers, those who signed a contract, and those who came within the framework of the mobilisation are fulfilling their sacred duty to their homeland. And in this sense, everyone is equal before their homeland.

Therefore, they should be in the same situation in terms of guarantees and all social protection measures."

Reference: In Russia, mercenarism is prohibited by law. However, mercenaries from the Wagner Group Private Military Company, who are formally subordinated to the Russian Defence Ministry as "volunteers," are taking part in the war against Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Sven Mary will be taking over the defence of former European parliament vice president Eva Kaili - OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Greek socialist MEP at the heart of the European Unions Qatargate scandal has hired a lawyer best known for defending the only surviving terrorist behind the 2015 Paris attacks.

Sven Mary confirmed he would take over the defence of Eva Kaili ahead of a hearing on Thursday after more than two months of pre-trial detention.

The trial is part of a wider investigation into an alleged corruption scandal involving suitcases of cash and allegations of bribery by Qatar and Morocco.

Three MEPs and one former MEP have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes in order to influence EU decisions in favour of the Gulf nation.

Qatar has denied all wrongdoing.

Mr Mary, best known for defending convicted terrorist Salah Abdeslam, who was behind the 2015 attacks on Paris, and belonged to the Isis cell that bombed Brussels the following year, will replace Belgian lawyer Andre Rizopoulos.

He has previously been branded as the lawyer of the devil because previous clients include the likes of Abdeslam and Fouad Belkacem, who recruited men to fight for the Islamic State terror group.

In June, Abdeslam was sentenced to life in prison, without the chance of parole, by a French court for his role in the Paris terror attacks.

Third attempt

The hearing will be the third attempt by Ms Kaili, who was stripped of her European parliament vice-presidency over her alleged involvement in the scandal, to get released from Brussels Haren prison.

Her previous two attempts were rejected.

Ms Kaili was arrested during a series of police raids where police seized bundles of cash totalling nearly 1.5 million (1.69 million).

She has denied any involvement in the scandal.

Meanwhile, ten Italian MEPs, members of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, wrote a letter to Roberta Metsola, the president of the European parliament, to denounce the conditions their Greek colleague is being held in.
 Flash

Photo taken on May 25, 2022 shows a view of the Lahore Converter Station of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current transmission line project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on the outskirts of Lahore, in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, has been promoting the socio-economic growth of Pakistan, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan said on Thursday.



"CPEC is playing a vital role in the country's national development and Pakistan has been focusing on CPEC and other connectivity-related initiatives in its geo-economic pursuits," Majeed said while addressing a conference organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank.

He said that CPEC projects have provided an opportunity to expand Pakistan's exports and industrial base while building rewarding economic relationships in the wider region.

Pakistan welcomes investment in CPEC-related projects and special economic zones from the interested countries, the official added.

Commenting on the challenges faced by countries around the globe, such as terrorism, climate change, and pandemic, Khan said that Pakistan sought to synergize collective efforts towards the attainment of a prosperous and secure world.

"Pakistan will continue to support an equitable and inclusive world order where nobody is left behind," he said, adding that the country always remained committed to the improvement of relations with the neighbors based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

Two weeks after President Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election, a group of Christian pastors stood on stage inside a nondenominational church in a suburb of Phoenix, whipping the congregation into a frenzy of prayer mixed with violent and bloody imagery.

After 45 minutes of singing, and a request for money, and another 45 minutes of remarks from a featured speaker, the real show began: A rock band began playing anthemic background music while a procession of self-proclaimed prophets came to the stage to weave a tale of war between good and evil.

It was emotional, it was exhausting and it was relentless.

Let there be the roar from the army of God! yelled one Florida pastor named Donald Lynch, pumping his fist as hundreds of people stood around the stage jumping up and down, raising their arms in the air and crying out. Release the roar! Release the roar! Out of your belly!

Trump supporters inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Lynch spoke of a vision he claimed God had given him of an evil giant  symbolizing Biden and the Democrats  and of instructions he claimed God had given him to deal violently with that giant.

God said, Do you have the stomach to finish the job? Put your foot on his chin and expose the neck. Pick up that weapon and find you are strong enough to wield it, Lynch said, his husky voice straining. He began to shout. Finish this! Finish this! I say finish this!

It was pandemonium. It went on for over an hour. And this same scene was repeated in churches over the next month in seven states then-President Donald Trump was trying to throw out millions of legitimate votes in a bid to stay in power: Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona.

Roughly two dozen religious leaders traveled to these battleground states over the course of a month, holding revival meetings where they mixed the rhetoric of violent spiritual warfare with prayers for the reinstatement of Trump in the presidency.

Trump speaking to supporters from the Ellipse near the White House on the day of the Jan. 6 riot. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

On Dec. 1, in Pittsburgh, an Atlanta-based apostolic leader named Jacquie Tyre kept her voice at a steady, constant yell around the halfway point of a nearly three-hour political rally and religious service.

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There is rising up a militia, that is connecting to the battlefield states, that will uncover, even beginning this night, the fraud, the corruption, the infiltration of evil from Pennsylvania to Georgia, from Georgia to Nevada, from Nevada to Arizona, from Arizona to New Mexico, from New Mexico to Wisconsin, to Michigan, Tyre roared.

God, we declare, that the militia men, the minutemen of the kingdom of God, are rising up in this hour, she howled. And, Father, we declare and decree in this place that there is no demon in hell and there is no voice out of government that can topple the kingdom of our God.

And it was all at the behest of Republican political officials in Washington, D.C, according to the leader of this effort, a pastor from South Carolina named Dutch Sheets. Little known outside his movement, Sheets would later meet with Trump administration officials at the White House on Dec. 29, 2020, a week before the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

These meetings  and the religious philosophy that animated them  were a much bigger part of Jan. 6 than has previously been realized, argues Matthew D. Taylor, a scholar of Protestantism at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore.

Getty images

Taylor has produced a podcast series titled Charismatic Revival Fury that explains the roots of a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, which Taylor says became the backbone ... of Christian Trumpism and then ultimately one of the driving forces behind the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters.

Its really a movement that's only been around for less than 30 years, Taylor told Yahoo News, and was seen as fringy, was seen as the realm of hucksters, seen as kind of low-brow and populist and extremist, until Trump turned to its leaders to help him consolidate evangelical support during the 2016 election.

The NAR has also been very hard to track, Taylor said, because of the intentional way in which its founders were anti-institutional, anti-denominational, and built a mesh network centered around individual leaders with large followings across the country and on social media and the internet. These leaders were organized by a man named C. Peter Wagner in the 1990s to form a governance structure that Taylor labels a spiritual oligarchy.

Taylor estimates that there are at least 10 million independent charismatic Christians in the U.S., based on his analysis of the U.S. Religion Census conducted in 2020.

And Taylor shows that some of the Trump supporters in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 had been told by this network of religious leaders that Trumps defeat was the work of actual demons, and that the Capitol itself was occupied by literal evil spirits.

Supporters of Trump after having stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

On Jan. 1, Sheets told his roughly 300,000 followers on YouTube that a friend had a dream in which a huge hand ... from the sky  which he also called the hand of God  flicked the dome open on top of the Capitol. A very thick black smoke began rising up out of the building. The smoke was so thick it was almost solid, and actually it resembled a living thing ... the darkness is an alliance with evil spirits, Sheets said.

We then heard a cavalry bugle playing the signal to charge, and we began moving toward the Capitol, not at a full gallop, but at a steady determined fast trot. As we started, on the ground in front of us, written in white letters, were the words Dont Stop, Sheets said. God is coming to clean our government. Many in our Congress need to go.

It is rhetoric like this, and the belief system that undergirds it, Taylor argues, that provided some portion of the emotional and psychological fuel for the violent and nearly calamitous effort to stop a democratic peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 6.

And this is why, he says, so many religious symbols and rituals were displayed that day  including the shofar, a horn used in Jewish religious ceremonies that has been adopted by Christian nationalists.

Taylor also specified that it was not simply a belief in spiritual warfare that inclined Trump supporters to lean toward real-world violence, but a more intensified and specific form of this belief system that he calls strategic spiritual warfare.

Many Christians around the world believe in spiritual warfare, Taylor said, but there are many different definitions of what this means.

At its most basic level, spiritual warfare simply means praying against evil. But the most radicalized versions Taylor believes are potentially dangerous include the belief that evil spirits take over and possess whole cities and institutions and can only be defeated by the physical presence of Christians  including some who call themselves spiritual warfare generals  engaged in intense prayer, singing, prophecy and other rituals.

Protesters clash with police at the Jan. 6 riots. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

For weeks leading up to the Capitol riot, Sheets and others in this network of self-proclaimed oracles told their followers that they needed to be physically present in D.C. on Jan. 6, to help wage this strategic spiritual warfare against these evil spirits, so that Trump could be reinstated.

This message was augmented by so-called Jericho Marches, held in many of the swing states, in which Trump supporters walked in circles around government buildings to reenact a story from the Old Testament. In that tale, the Israelites marched around the walled city of Jericho, conquered it with help from God and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it  men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys, as it says in the Book of Joshua.

There was also a Jericho March around the Supreme Court on Dec. 12, followed by a bizarre rally of religious and political leaders that equated Trumps return to power as Gods will.

The rally showed that Trump supporters were willing to tear down the country for a belief that they cannot prove, but that they will not believe is disprovable, wrote Rod Dreher, a staunch conservative himself.

Based on what I saw today, Dreher wrote later in his dispatch, the Christians in this movement do not doubt that Trump is Gods chosen, that they, by following him, are walking in light, and whatever they do to serve Trump is also serving God. They have tightly wound apocalyptic religion to conservative politics and American nationalism.

And hours before Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Sheets told his YouTube followers that people had gathered in Washington, D.C. for a Jericho March around the Capitol and Supreme Court grounds. The indication is that some of the Trump supporters at the Capitol on Jan. 6 thought of themselves as participating in another Jericho March.

Another view of the scene on Jan. 6. (Oliver Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Taylor, the religious scholar, told Yahoo News: What you see breaking out and coming into the open on Jan. 6th is all of this rhetoric, all of this vocabulary of spiritual warfare, of mobilization, of battling demons. At some point, if you really believe that the election's being stolen by demons and that demons are inspiring these other people to stop that  well, then it makes sense that you would try to take it over.

And Sheets himself said he was asked to lead this crusade about a week after Biden had been declared the winner of the election.

On Nov. 23  the day Sheets and other radical pastors gathered outside Phoenix  he told the audience how he had been called by government leaders in Washington, D.C., just after returning home from meetings with those same leaders in the nations capital.

They said, You can't wait. You cant plan this for two or three weeks, Sheets said. And they said, If you're gonna do this and really do any good, youre going to have to start now.

I was in shock for a few minutes, Sheets said. Here's civil government leaders prophesying to me, a spiritual leader, what we need to be doing to help turn this thing.

Sheets had already been invited by Trump adviser Paula White Cain, in the fall of 2019, to be a part of an official White House effort to organize and mobilize Christians to pray for Trumps presidency.

A "Stop the Steal" rally in front of the Supreme Court, Jan. 5, 2021. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Taylor says that leaders like Sheets  who he calls independent charismatics rather than evangelicals or Pentecostals  never directly called for physical violence. But Taylor said he has identified about three dozen prominent leaders in the independent charismatic subculture who were either at the Trump rally on the Ellipse before the attack on the Capitol, or at the Capitol itself.

He has not found any evidence that any of these leaders went into the Capitol or engaged in violence themselves.

But religious rituals and symbols connected to NAR-style beliefs were part of the syncretic stew in the crowd outside the Capitol during the riot: the blowing of shofars, prayer circles, Appeal to Heaven flags, and the singing of religious songs with violent spiritual warfare imagery.

One of the rioters who unlawfully entered the Capitol and trespassed into the Senate chamber itself said he was there to plead the blood of Jesus on the Senate floor.

I praised the name of Jesus on the Senate floor. That was my goal. I think that was Gods goal, said Joshua Black of Alabama, who was convicted of five federal charges last month and faces up to 10 years in prison.

A man calls on people to raid the Capitol building. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

And one of the most prominent NAR prophets  a woman named Cindy Jacobs  had obtained a permit to set up a sound system on the east front of the Capitol where she and others prayed, prophesied and sang songs as the mob invaded the Capitol.

Taylor is concerned that these religious leaders continue to hold significant influence over their followers and he has seen no reevaluation or introspection about the way this movement has blurred the line between religion and politics, and no moderating of the literal demonization of those with whom they disagree.

They absolutely do not see the connection between what they collectively did in the lead-up to January 6 and what transpired that day, Taylor said on his Charismatic Revival Fury podcast.

There has been, so far as I can tell, no internal reckoning among the New Apostolic Reformation leaders with what they did that fed directly into the Capitol riot, because they believe that they were simply there to pray and do spiritual warfare. And they blithely dismiss the truth that the rhetoric of violence stokes literal violence.

At some point, spiritual warfare tips over into actual warfare. You can only point to a group of people or a political party and say that theyre possessed by demons so many times before someone decides that those people need to be violently attacked, Taylor said.

And major public figures on the far right have, at least since the 2020 election, begun to use violent and dehumanizing rhetoric about American politics.

This is a war that were in, this is a big spiritual war, Michael Flynn, a Trump loyalist who was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said at an event in the spring of 2022 for Republican candidates in Oklahoma.

Retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn. (Dustin Franz/Getty Images)

Flynns next sentence was, I mean people like Nancy Pelosi, shes a demon.

Taylor said this kind of rhetoric from Flynn is part of a trend on the right, in which opponents are demonized, figuratively and sometimes even literally.

Law enforcement experts increasingly worry that this kind of rhetoric raises the likelihood of incidents like the attack on Pelosis husband, Paul, at his home last October.

The attacker, who espoused many baseless conspiracy theories common in the QAnon belief system, told law enforcement that he believed then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the leader of the pack of lies told by the Democratic Party, according to an FBI affidavit.

As the rhetoric of violence, the rhetoric of demonization, in a society rises and rises and rises, somebodys going to pop off and do something. Somebodys going to take that rhetoric very seriously and go and do something, Taylor said.

Sometimes this kind of language is more subtle.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has recently started to quote from a well-known passage in the biblical book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, which says to put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. But in DeSantiss version, the devil is replaced by the left.

Put on the full armor of God. Stand firm against the lefts schemes, DeSantis said last year.

Taylor said that if the 2024 presidential election is close, and there are legal challenges after Election Day, if you have politicians who are willing to activate those animal spirits in the American populace, I would not be surprised if you saw mobilization of spiritual warfare campaigns that can tip over into actual violence again.
Norfolk Southern Corporation, the railroad giant under fire following the fiery derailment of one of its freight trains in eastern Ohio, has backed out of a community town hall scheduled for Wednesday, citing a growing physical threat from outside parties.

The announcement came approximately two hours before the scheduled event, as residents of East Palestine, Ohio, and surrounding communities search for answers about the disasters impacts on human health and the environment. The Norfolk Southern train that derailed on Feb. 3 was carrying toxic and flammable materials, including hundreds of thousands of pounds of vinyl chloride, a common organic chemical used in the production of plastics that has been linked to several types of cancer.

Norfolk Southern backed out of the East Palestine town hall meeting tonight because officials said they felt it was unsafe to attend, the mayor of the town told people. pic.twitter.com/crr2Pbeki4  Max Filby (@MaxFilby) February 16, 2023

The railroad operator said in a statement that it had hoped to participate in the town hall and share updated information, but decided against it in light of threats.

We know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now, the company said. Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties.

The company did not elaborate on the purported threats.

Initially, the town hall would have allowed the public to ask questions of officials and the railroad, but the event was subsequently changed to an open house with informational tables for residents, WKBN-TV reported. It is unclear if that change was made because of Norfolk Southerns decision to back out.

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While the event began with informational tables, the format eventually changed again, with East Palestine Mayor Trent R. Conaway speaking to attendees who sat in the bleachers, according to journalists who were at the event.

The Columbus Dispatchs Max Filby, who was at the event, reported in a tweet that Conaway confirmed that Norfolk Southern was currently working with the town, but assured residents that he would speak up if that were to change.

According to The Washington Post, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) sent a letter to Norfolk Southern on Wednesday warning that his office might take legal action against the company.

The pollution, which continues to contaminate the area around East Palestine, created a nuisance, damage to natural resources and caused environmental harm, Yost wrote, the Post reported.

Since the derailment, two lawsuits have been filed against Norfolk Southern, one of which is calling on the railroad company to set up health monitoring for those living within 30 miles of the derailment in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

East Palestine mayor says Norfolk Southern is working with the town right now, but hell be the first one to speak up if that stops. He says East Palestine is in this together. pic.twitter.com/JurUzJCvhh  Max Filby (@MaxFilby) February 16, 2023

In its statement, Norfolk Southern said it remains committed to East Palestine.

We want to continue our dialogue with the community and address their concerns, and our people will remain in East Palestine, respond to this situation, and meet with residents, it said. We are not going anywhere.

Two days after the accident, authorities ordered an urgent evacuation for everyone within one mile of the crash site due to the potential for a catastrophic tanker failure which could cause an explosion with the potential of deadly shrapnel traveling up to a mile. Officials eventually conducted what they described as a controlled burn of vinyl chloride in order to prevent a potential explosion.

In a letter to the CEO of Norfolk Southern on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) accused the company of mismanaging the incident and said that prioritizing an accelerated and arbitrary timeline to reopen the rail line injected unnecessary risk and created confusion.

Related...
Fans of the popular Netflix series Chefs Table will remember Orkin from his episode on the show in 2016 (Daniel Krieger)

Ivan Orkin, the self-confessed ramen junkie on Instagram, has made his UK debut and he couldnt be more excited. But theres a twist  he isnt serving ramen.

Instead, the British audience get to try his mazemen, a soupless noodle dish that the cook (he refuses to be called a chef) hopes will get delivered all over London and Brighton.

Working with Sessions, a record label for food that sets up food residencies in multiple locations throughout the UK, Orkin is testing British waters. His pop-up, Ivan Mazemen, is a riff on his renowned New York City restaurants, Ivan Ramen, and is running at Neighbourhood in Islington until 26 March.

Fans of the popular Netflix series Chefs Table will remember Orkin from his episode on the show in 2016, where his story of how he became the American authority on ramen unfolded.

Orkin spent years in Japan, where he used to live, learning how to make ramen and gradually creating his own recipe. When he opened his first ramen shop there, visitors were surprised to walk in and find a white Jewish man from New York City running the operation. But his noodles quickly gained cult status and from there, Orkin built his business from the ground up.

Despite becoming known on the world stage, Orkin still describes himself as a small business owner. Bringing his food to the UK marks the fulfilment of a dream for him and the beginning of rather booming business.

I sat down with Orkin to talk about his love for British food, the art of ramen and why the way the West deals with death is ludicrous.

Has your UK debut been a long time coming? What made you want to start your own thing here?

When I was a kid in high school, in college, I was always interested in England and Europe, but I never really got a chance to get here. I ended up becoming very interested in Japan and moved there. I was never really wealthy enough to just travel anywhere in the world. So this has been a long time coming.

Its almost embarrassing to act as though youre surprised that London is good, I mean its London! Its been a great city forever. But were really enjoying everything about it. Weve been going to great cocktail bars, great restaurants. Everyone is really polite here, even if they dont like you, they wont tell you, which is fine with me! Its very much like Japan, they can hate you but theyll smile and be polite.

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What do you like about British cuisine? Has anything about the food scene here surprised you?

I dont think its surprised me. Ive had a lot of great recommendations and most of the places people have sent me to, Ive been happy with  except for one that will not be named. Weve been to St Johns three or four times. The last trip, we spent three hours at The Wolseley eating seafood and drinking wine, and having tea and cakes. Im a bit of a British food fanboy, so I really like it.

His pop-up, Ivan Mazemen, is a riff on his renowned New York City restaurants, Ivan Ramen (Supplied)

A lot of the stuff that St Johns does is simply well-made food, and the idea of just grilling a really nice piece of fish with a little salsa verde on the side to me is just like, what else do you need? I love blood sausage. I love mushy peas. I love sausages. I can eat that stuff all day. You go to a place like St Johns where they do it all perfectly and I dont think theyre overrated, I think theyre exactly rated.

Ive been running restaurants for a long time and I think its a restaurateurs job to inform people and make it an easy experience for them. At a minimum, the concept should be clear and people should get all the information they need so they can order, because ordering can be hard. A complex menu can be difficult, it sucks when you order something and you end up not liking it.

Is that something you like about ramen in particular?

Whats nice about ramen and the Japanese aesthetic, and what turned me on to wanting a ramen restaurant in the first place, was the idea of doing one thing really, really well. As a cook, especially in America, theres a lot of pressure to have a huge menu. People really like selection, they want every kind of option  but as a cook, we know that the further we go out, the more we make, it gets harder and harder to do everything well.

The idea of having a restaurant where someone might say, Oh these three things are really good there but everything else is bad, I mean, thats soul-crushing. I really love the idea that in a ramen shop, its one dish that theyre doing over and over again, really well; thats what you want anyway and thats what youre going to have. A good ramen shop really cares about making this one dish perfectly.

What have you been up to since your Chefs Table episode?

Weve all had a time warp where we lost three years. Ive been staying at home, trying to keep my business alive and trying not to get sick. The first year was just brutal. I didnt make any money for a year, I kept my staff and I paid them.

Were lucky we have a following and people like us, and that we already had a pretty well-developed delivery programme. Restaurants are a difficult business and its hard to get people to notice you. For every restaurant thats well-known, theres hundreds that no one will ever even know about. Its hard.

I still think theres going to be another two to three-year hangover from the pandemic, in different ways. The world has changed, in some ways for the better, in some ways for the worst. I lived through the earthquake in 2011 in Japan, I lived through 9/11 in New York. While I think the pandemic was probably the worst thing that happened because it was worldwide, in the restaurant business these kinds of things happen often, where all of a sudden everything is destroyed.

The one thing I did realise is that human beings are incredibly resilient. When push comes to shove, we all want to keep moving forward, doing better and growing. Its something in the human condition that I dont totally understand, but its real

If you want to be a small business owner, you have to understand that you have to be flexible and roll with the punches. The benefits are, I get to be my own boss, I havent had anyone tell me what to do in a really long time  except my wife  and I like that. I try not to complain when things are hard because I dont complain when things are good.

You spoke about having a good delivery system for ramen in New York, but here youre doing mazemen. Why the difference?

Mazemen travels better. We came up with a system for our ramen, we cooked the noodles and put them in ice water to stop them from cooking right away, toss them in a bit of fat and put them in a separate container and when we deliver, we send it with really hot soup and the toppings.

But the mazemens nice from an operational standpoint because you can make it, put it in a container, send it off, and it keeps its flavour and texture for much longer. When you are bringing a new concept and its so far away, no matter how often I want to come here, I cant be here every day. You have to create systems so the people youre entrusting with that operation can be successful.

Weve really worked hard so that its easy for them to succeed and easy for them to teach their cooks, and ultimately, this is a launch for a delivery platform and so we want it to do well. People love delivery, they really just enjoy eating in front of the Tube or their laptop or not having to cook; whatever it is, its here to stay.

Would you ever be keen to open a bricks and mortar restaurant?

Very much so. We talked to Sessions about it originally before bringing mazemen here, we spoke about ramen, but right now they want to do the dark kitchens and these residencies. We like them a lot and we thought it was a great opportunity to get our feet a little bit wet in the UK. Its still our brand and our product, we can do whatever we want  well see what happens. We are in the process of building a franchise business, so were hoping well have many opportunities to come back.

What are your thoughts on MSG?

We dont use MSG. In America, people are very uncomfortable about MSG. It got a really bad reputation in the 70s and you can have a whole discussion about how its more of a racist thing, which I would agree with.

The triple garlic mazeman is a riff on a dish from his NYC restaurants (Supplied)

To be on the record, MSG is not bad. Its a natural product, its not a chemical, and I think people think they dont feel good on MSG because its easy to add too much of it. If you eat too much salt, you feel sick, period. But if you put too much salt in something, you taste it very quickly, and we will go, Oh, thats too salty for me and you wont eat it. If you over-MSG something, it doesnt quite come through unless youre a person who knows what MSG tastes like.

Look, if food tastes good, it tastes good. If you make food good, you generally feel good. At the same time, I think MSG is overrated. As a cook, Id rather figure out how to use Parmesan rinds and tomatoes and different kinds of meat products that have all the umami youd ever need. But MSG used with a deft hand is delicious and it brightens food. So whatever makes you happy!

Part of how you came to be a ramen chef was because you lost your first wife to toxic shock syndrome, and later remarried Mari, who encouraged you to open up a ramen shop. How do you deal with grief?

Everybody grieves differently. Grieving is funny. People who havent really grieved have a lot of opinions about it, and theyll say, You dated too soon or You need to start dating now, or whatever.

I didnt remarry six months after my wife died, it took me four years, and it was hard. Even today, its been 24 years and if I think too deeply about it, I feel really sad again. As human beings, when people die, its very hard for us. In the West, the way we handle death is ludicrous. Its a taboo and its bad and we ought to live forever. Id rather just die gracefully when its time.

With what happened to me, Ive had a much purer experience of death now. I also had a little boy and I really wanted him to have a family and a mum and I wanted to move on, so it was time for me. I also had a lot of support. I had really loving parents, sisters and brothers in law, and my friends; everybody really rallied around me. They helped me financially and emotionally. I was really lucky and it was very helpful in the healing process.

Not everybody has that. Not everybody comes from supportive families and not everybody has enough money to take time off. I was in a job that gave me a month off and they said, Dont come back, dont worry, well send you a cheque. The one thing I did realise is that human beings are incredibly resilient. When push comes to shove, we all want to keep moving forward, doing better and growing. Its something in the human condition that I dont totally understand, but its real.
The DOJ investigation of the Rankin County, Mississippi, sheriff's office was prompted by the shooting of Michael Corey Jenkins. Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The FBI has launched a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi.

A Black man alleged that he was beaten, tased, and shot by deputies last month.

Insider has been reporting on a string of deaths connected to the sheriff's office.

The US Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it is investigating Rankin County, Mississippi's sheriff's department for possible civil rights violations, months after Insider sued the same department to obtain records related to a string of deaths.

The investigation was prompted when a deputy shot Michael Corey Jenkins during a January 23 nighttime raid.

Attorney Malik Z. Shabazz, who has been identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist, is representing Jenkins.

He says that a Rankin County deputy put a gun in the mouth of 32-year-old Jenkins, after he was already handcuffed, and fired  nearly killing him.

In a "notice of claim," which comes ahead of filing a federal lawsuit, Shabazz wrote that Jenkins and another Black man, Eddie Terrell Parker, were at a home in Braxton when six white deputies forced their way inside without presenting a warrant and immediately restrained the men.

Shabazz said at a press conference Wednesday that the deputies then proceeded to punch, kick, and waterboard the men during a 90-minute "torture session" in which they called the men the n-word on several occasions.

Eventually, when the deputy put the gun in Jenkins' mouth, he pulled the trigger "intending to kill him," said Shabazz. Jenkins was hospitalized for several weeks as a result, according to Shabazz.

Shabazz said Jenkins and Parker plan to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the deputies.

The allegations made by Jenkins and Parker are vastly different than what the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation initially said happened at the raid.

In a January 25 news release obtained by Insider, the bureau said the deputies were conducting a drug investigation when they entered the home. They said the shooting occurred after someone "displayed a gun toward the deputies."

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The Rankin County Sheriff's Office provided Insider with a heavily redacted incident report from the night of the shooting.

The report, less than a page long, was nearly entirely blacked out.

The unredacted portion includes the address that deputies visited to investigate "narcotics activity," Jenkins' full name, and the phrase "two bags containing what appeared to be Methamphetamine."

After several more paragraphs that were entirely redacted, the office left the sentence "I noticed a firearm" unredacted, followed by a few sentences about calling an ambulance to transport Jenkins to the hospital, and that Parker had been transported to jail for possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Contributed to DocumentCloud by Insider Staff (Insider Inc.)  View document or read text

On Wednesday, the FBI Jackson field office issued a statement acknowledging the civil rights investigation but released no details on the case.

"The FBI Jackson Field Office, the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi have opened a federal civil rights investigation into a color of law incident involving the Rankin County Sheriff's Office," the statement said.

A message seeking comment from the Rankin County Sheriff's office was not immediately returned Thursday.

Trevor McKinley, Damien Cameron, and Cory Jackson all died after interaction with the Rankin County Sheriff's Office. Families of Trevor McKinley, Damien Cameron, and Cory Jackson.

A string of deaths

The Rankin County Sheriff's Department has been on Insider's radar for more than a year now.

Insider has sought information from the department related to the 2021 deaths of Damien Cameron, Trevor McKinley, Cory Jackson, Robert Rushton, and Adam Coker.

Rushton and McKinley were shot to death during confrontations with Rankin County sheriff's deputies, while Cameron, Jackson, and Coker died in RCSD custody.

Rankin County officials largely stonewalled Insider's efforts to obtain public records, including incident reports, related to the five men's deaths.

Jason Dare, an attorney representing the RCSD, told Insider that the department couldn't turn the reports over until after the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation finished investigating the incidents or at the "conclusion of any criminal proceedings."

Insider had received just two incident reports by June 2022, prompting attorneys for the outlet to file a lawsuit against the department on the basis that there is "no exception recognized" under the Mississippi Records Act that allows the RCSD to withhold incident reports.

That lawsuit remains active.

Since Insider filed its lawsuit, Rankin County has slowly released more and more of the records Insider initially sought, but only after each case went in front of a grand jury and the officers involved were not charged.

Read the original article on Insider
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Drake and 21 Savage have settled a lawsuit by Conde Nast accusing the rappers of using the Vogue name and creating a fake Vogue magazine without permission to promote their recent No. 1 album "Her Loss."

In an internal memo on Thursday, Conde Nast general counsel Will Bowes said the settlement with the rappers includes an unspecified monetary payment that will "bolster our ongoing creative output, including Vogue editorial."

He also said the settlement includes a permanent injunction against their commercial use of Vogue's trademarks.

A lawyer for Drake had no immediate comment, while a lawyer for 21 Savage declined to comment. Reuters obtained Bowes' memo, which was reported earlier by news website Semafor.

Conde Nast, also known as Advance Magazine Publishers Inc, had sought at least $4 million in its Nov. 7 lawsuit against the rappers.

The promotional campaign included a bogus Vogue cover featuring the pair, and a suggestion they had longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's "love and support."

Conde Nast said the campaign was also directed to Drake's and 21 Savage's more than 135 million social media followers.

A federal judge concluded on Nov. 9 that the campaign was causing confusion, and Conde Nast would likely succeed on its trademark infringement and false advertising claims.

Drake, a Toronto native, and 21 Savage, from Atlanta, then voluntarily halted the campaign without conceding wrongdoing.

Bowes said in the memo that while Vogue's name is often referenced elsewhere, "it was clear to us that Drake and 21 Savage leveraged Vogue's reputation for their own commercial purposes and, in the process, confused audiences who trust Vogue as the authoritative voice on fashion and culture."

"Her Loss" was released on Nov. 4, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It ranks No. 8 for the week ending Feb. 18.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy)
Raquel Welch, seen in 1982, died Wednesday. (David Handschuh / Associated Press)

Raquel Welch was well aware that her work in the 1960s films "One Million Years B.C." and "Fantastic Voyage" made her an international sex symbol. But she was also determined to let Hollywood know there was more to her than her looks.

Also a mother and author, Welch used her early status as cinematic eye candy to promote her talents and ambitions. Over the years, the Golden Globe winner got real with the Los Angeles Times about aging and being a role model for other women, among other topics.

The Chicago-born actor, also known for her work in films such as "The Three Musketeers" and "Legally Blonde," died Wednesday at age 82.

Here are some of her musings from conversations with The Times dating back to 1986.

The pros and cons of those revealing costumes

When she came onto the scene with roles in "Fantastic Voyage," "One Million Years B.C." and "Bedazzled," Welch caught viewers' attention with her curves  which were accentuated by revealing and body-hugging costumes. (Think of that fur bikini in "One Million.")

"Every time I left the theater, there would be a crowd of women waiting to ask me questions, such as: What do you eat?, What kind of exercises do you do? and How do you look like that?," Welch told The Times in 1986, 20 years after her One Million debut. "Well, I wasnt about to stand there and explain my daily hour-and-a-half exercise routine or what I had for breakfast.

Being a sex symbol was a tremendous responsibility and a constant battle, she added. It used to bother me at first, but I now know you can have that and be respected as well. You can have both.

Raquel Welch poses for pictures in Paris on Jan. 15, 1970. (Michel Lipchitz / Associated Press)

In the following years, Welch looked back on her early work as my ticket to ride, but she didnt want her roles as pinups to be my complete legacy.

After working on the 1972 film "Kansas City Bomber, in which she starred as a single mother who becomes a roller-derby star, Welch admitted her first roles werent so virtuous.

I felt a rite of passage where I am over that part where I have to run around in a bikini forever, she told The Times in 2010. Its just so painfully uncomfortable and in a way kind of humiliating.

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Reflecting on her status as an international sex symbol, Welch kept it real with The Times.

I am not a fool, she said. I realized when I came along, I wasnt Meryl Streep who had been put into a bikini. I was somebody that got rocketed into the spotlight and superstardom overnight. I knew this was going to give me an opportunity and I should make the best of it."

In 2016, Welch told The Times, There were so many things going for me, but with it came a lot of stereotypical opinions about my abilities and who I was."

Raquel Welch in Stanley Donen's 1967 film "Bedazzled." (Bettmann Archive)

In the end, Ive gotten a lot of opportunities to do various things I am very proud of, including Broadway and the physical comedy in The Three Musketeers [for which she won a Golden Globe]. So I would probably say to [my younger self,] Good for you.

Accepting her age and finding beauty in it

Welch started her Hollywood career in her 20s and continued acting well into her 70s. As the years went by, the bombshell embraced her age.

Here I am an actress in my late 40s  I dont look like that, but thats where I am emotionally and personally, she told The Times in 1990.

I am grown up and I dont have any yen to play in Splash, you know?," she added, referring to the 1984 film starring Daryl Hannah.

Decades later, she caught up with The Times to discuss her memoir, Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage, and mused on the wisdom that came with age.

As life goes on, you get more valuable as a person. Many women look better, she told The Times in 2010. Personally, I think I look better because I have lived and I have a different kind of aura about me having lived.

Standing up for herself, and other women, in Hollywood

Welch might have distanced herself from her One Million Years B.C. looks, but she liked that there was something very superhero" about her character, she said in 2016.

In addition to being an actor, producer and author, Welch said she wanted to be someone to look up to. Especially for other women.

In June 1986, Welch used her multimillion legal victory against MGM over Cannery Row as a moment to speak up for other female actors. A jury decided the studio had breached its contract with Welch when it replaced her with Debra Winger.

I think what this shows is that its important to stand up for your rights, and I hope that women in and out of Hollywood stand up for their rights when they feel theyve been wronged, Welch said outside the courtroom.

In 2010, as she was approaching 70, Welch told The Times she wanted to share her life knowledge through her memoir.

I desperately wanted to speak to women of my generation and, being a mother, to younger girls as well. I wanted to speak about my experience being a woman because it might help by knowing that even if you are touted as some big doodah, the trials and tribulations and the beauty of being a woman is something that we all experience in our own way, she said.

Raquel Welch pictured at her home in March 2010. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

She continued: I wanted to speak about the unspeakable, like menopause. What we really dont need to talk about much has to do with plain old sex. But if we are talking about real life-changing experiences  I thought I would be useful and helpful.

How those sex-symbol roles eventually helped her as a mother

By the time Welch landed her first movie role, as a call girl in 1964's "A House Is Not a Home," she was a mother to two young children. In November 1959, she and ex-husband James Welch welcomed their son, Damon Welch. Two years later, they had a daughter, Latanne "Tahnee" Welch.

In 2016, she told The Times those early roles might have been a blessing in disguise, especially as a young mom.

Raquel Welch in the 1966 film "One Million Years B.C." (Archive Photos / Getty Images)

I thought, This is not at all who I am, but then at the same time, I was thinking, Maybe thats the way fate has planned it so I could at least get aboard,' she said. Otherwise, I was a young mother, and if I would have had to wait around for a really wonderful role that more established actresses would be more likely to be cast in, I might not have been able to have a career.

In 1986, Welch also spoke out against critics who said she couldnt balance motherhood and her Hollywood fame.

People kept telling me that combining children with a career at an early age just wasnt done. But I think it helped, she said. It gave me a kind of stability and determination I might not have had otherwise. If nothing else, I owed it to them not to trash myself.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gary Hershorn/Reuters

Raquel Welch, the Golden Globe-winning actor whose onscreen persona as a sizzling sex symbol helped define cinemas grittiest era, died Wednesday morning, according to multiple reports. She was 82.

The death was first reported by TMZ, with family members telling the outlet that Welch had died following a brief, unspecified illness. Welchs representatives later confirmed the news elsewhere, including to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Before bursting into the international spotlight as a bombshell of a scientists assistant in 1966s Fantastic Voyage, Welch was a single mother, bouncing from San Diego to Dallas and then Los Angeles with her two children after separating from her high school sweetheart. Once in California, the aspiring actor landed small roles in films like the Elvis Presley vehicle Roustabout, and larger parts in 1965s beach bonanza A Swingin Summer. Her work got her noticed by the suits over at 20th Century Fox, who handed her a seven-year contract.

After Fantastic Voyage made a splash, Fox loaned Welch to a British studio producing One Million Years B.C., a movie in which dinosaurs and humans lived alongside one another. Wearing what promotional materials dubbed mankinds first bikini, Welch wore little and said less in the film, but was a sensation nonetheless. In its review, The New York Times called her a marvelous breathing monument to womankind.

Welch would spend much of the rest of her career grappling with the status shed suddenly accrued. When you have the sex-symbol image, you cant hate it, you cant love it, its just there, like Mount Rushmore, she told the Times in 1982. And it wont go away The heat of your bikini days is spent like a rocket, and usually thats it. They try to cut you off at the knees if you want to be anything else.

Some of her roles won her acclaim outside of the box that had taken shape around her. Welch won a Golden Globe for her comic turn as the lovelorn Constance Bonacieux in 1973s The Three Musketeers. (She also earned a second nomination for the television drama Right to Die.) Still, she was named one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History by Empire magazine in 1995; earned the No. 3 spot on Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century list in 1998; and took a place on Times Top Ten Bikinis in Pop Culture ranking in 2011.

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Born Jo-Raquel Tejeda in 1940 to a Bolivian father and an American mother, Welch fought hard with producers to keep her first name as she carved out a space in Hollywood, and leaned into her Latino heritage later in her career, taking markedly Hispanic roles on PBS American Family in 2002 and Tortilla Soup in 2001. Her final film role was in 2017s How to Be a Latin Lover.

I think language is very important to your identity and not having that... I sometimes feel isolated from that part of me, Welch told the Associated Press in 2016. Yet I still feel very, very Hispanic. The essence of who I am is a Latina.

She was married four times, and is survived by her children, Damon and Tahnee Welch.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Raquel Welch, seen in 1966, died Wednesday. (Uncredited / Associated Press)

Tributes are pouring in for Raquel Welch, the Hollywood legend who died Wednesday at age 82 after a long and storied career both on and offstage.

"So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde," tweeted the film's star, Reese Witherspoon, alongside an image of Welch as her character, Mrs. Windham Vandermark. "She was elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans."

"Law & Order" star Chris Meloni wrote, "Raquel Welch dying is a very weird feeling."

"This is so sad," tweeted actor Paul Feig, who worked with Welch on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" in 1996. "She was awesome, kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. Weve lost a true icon."

Actor and comedian Sandra Bernhard called Welch "a unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went."

The Muppets account, along with Miss Piggy and Fozzie the Bear, joined in, sharing photos of Welch as a guest on "The Muppets Show": "From dancing with a giant spider, to inspiring @FozzieBear, and duetting with @MissPiggy, Raquel could do it all!"

The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation also penned a short tribute. Ray, a special-effects guru, was behind the visuals in the 1966 film "One Million Years B.C.," in which Welch starred.

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch, who starred as Loana in Ray Harryhausen's 1966 classic 'One Million Years B.C'.," the foundation wrote. "An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time."

Welch's roles in the 1966 films "One Million" and "Fantastic Voyage" catapulted her to stardom and made her an international sex symbol. But despite the iconic images of her character in "One Million" dressed in a fur bikini, she fought to be taken more seriously.

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Shes really pretty OK, Welch said of her "One Million" character in a 2010 interview with The Times. I recognize her as one part of my nature. But I just dont want it to be my complete legacy.

Honoring her legacy on Wednesday, many fans recalled her beauty, while others paid tribute to the independent female characters she portrayed, along with her comedic talent, memorable supporting roles on television and pop-culture moments.

"Raquel Welch was my pretend relative I wish I had who inspired me by example of being unapologetically feminine & strong simultaneously, while not caring what anyone thinks, bc I am too hot & too happy living to care," wrote one fan on Twitter. "Checking out after 1 last VDay is so her."

Another fan thanked Welch for being "a strong, amazing role model and for your extensive charity work! Naturally beautiful inside and out!"

Boston-based broadcast journalist J. C. Monahan praised Welch for her "stunning beauty" but also for "her great comedic timing in tv and movies later in her career."

Welch appeared in the 2017 comedy "How to Be a Latin Lover" as a widowed billionaire. She also had a small role in the 2001 romantic comedy "Legally Blonde," in which she played an elusive widow, Mrs. Windham Vandermark, whom Witherspoon's character encounters at a luxurious day spa.

Some fans remembered her guest appearance on "Seinfeld" playing an absurd version of herself who attacks the show's main characters after Kramer fires her from a theater production she starred in.

One fan shared that they had just watched a rerun of the ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules," which featured Welch as a guest star. Another mourned her death by flipping on "Central Park West," a soap opera in which Welch played the show's main antagonist.

Welch's depth also reached into music, with a fan recalling her performance on Cher's variety show in 1975 in which she and Cher give a dazzling rendition of "I'm a Woman."

Former BBC News host Simon McCoy tweeted the condolence, "Another person without whom the World will feel a lot less glamorous."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has filed paperwork to run in the California Senate race in 2024, joining whats expected to be a crowded Democratic primary to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

Lee has not made a formal announcement, though she filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, one day after Feinstein, at 89 the oldest currently serving senator, said she would not seek another term next cycle.

When reached for comment, Katie Merrill, a consultant for Lee, said in a statement the campaign is taking the necessary steps to prepare. The Congresswoman will have more to say about this before the end of the month.

The development comes one day after Feinstein, at 89 the oldest current serving senator, said she would not seek another term next cycle.

Feinstein said in a statement that she intended to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends.

Democratic California Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff had already announced plans to run for the seat before Feinstein said she would be vacating it.

Deep-blue Californias jungle primary system means its entirely possible the Golden State will have two Democrats on the ballot in November 2024.

Feinstein, the first female mayor of San Francisco, is the longest-serving woman in the history of the Senate.

Lee has served in the House since 1998.

Updated at 6 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. George Santos on Capitol Hill on January 25, 2023. Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

Rep. George Santos hid from constituents who tried to deliver a petition to him on Wednesday.

The embattled lawmaker sent a staffer to talk to the group instead, per multiple reports.

"I'm not hiding," Santos had tweeted the day before the encounter.

Rep. George Santos hid inside his district office as constituents attempted to deliver a petition calling for his resignation on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Local residents who arrived at the scandal-hit Republican's district office in Douglaston, Queens, were greeted by a police cordon, UK newspaper The Independent reported.

A staffer told the group that Santos was in the building but added that he refused to meet with a "mob," according to the paper.

The group of around 25 constituents chanted as they attempted to hand over the petition, which they said had more than 1,000 signatures, per the paper.

"It's incredibly cowardly to hide behind his staff," protester Emily Raphael told The Independent.

NYPD's 111th precinct declined to confirm how long the police cordon had been in place and for what purpose. Santos' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Santos had tweeted the day before, in response to online criticism, that he was "not hiding."

"Let me be very clear, I'm not leaving, I'm not hiding and I am NOT backing down," he tweeted.

The group confronting him is known as Concerned Citizens of NY-03. Last week, they traveled to Capitol Hill to call for the expulsion of their congressman, according to The Jerusalem Post. Their Facebook group boasts more than 700 members.

Coordinator Jody Kass told the outlet ahead of the protest that Santos is "destroying the most important foundations of our country."

It's not the first time Santos appears to have taken evasive measures. In January, it emerged that constituents' calls to his office were being routed to another GOP congressman, as Newsday first reported.

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Since the avalanche of Santos scandals burst into the open  touching on his fabricated educational record to potential campaign finance violations, and seemingly everything in between  the congressman has faced intense criticism from many within his own backyard.

The Nassau County Republican Party, the New York State Republican Party, and fellow Long Islander Rep. Anthony D'Esposito have all called on Santos to resign.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People sign a heart on a cross in memory of one of the people killed during a vigil at the Rock on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, to honor and remember the victims of the mass shooting that happened on the MSU campus that left three dead and five others injured.

Two of the five people injured in the shooting at Michigan State University were students from China, according to news accounts attributed to the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago.

The reports show the tragedy reaches beyond state and national borders and raises new questions about how mass shootings are shaping how the United States is perceived by other countries.

The students were "unfortunately shot and injured," and were "in the hospital," an English translation of a China Central Television blog said the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago said. The China Daily, an English-language daily newspaper, and the Daily Beast, an American news website, published similar reports.

At a news briefing Thursday morning, MSU Chief of Police Marlon Lynch would not verify the reports, but did not knock them down either, saying "we do know we do have some international students but couldn't confirm at this time where their home country is."

Police and school officials have repeatedly declined to name the five victims, saying that all of them were badly injured. Four are in critical condition at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital  a Level I trauma center, the highest designation for trauma care  and one is now in stable condition.

The Chinese consulate warned Wednesday night that "a series of shooting incidents have occurred in many places in the United States, causing serious casualties, including Chinese citizens," including the MSU shooting, a Chinese TV report said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., referred questions to the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, which was not answering calls, and the U.S. State Department replied to a Free Press inquiry, saying "we would refer you to the local authorities."

The China Daily reported Thursday that the consulate general said "the students are out of danger following surgery at a hospital," and that "it has activated its emergency response mechanism." It added: The consulate "has contacted the family members of the two students in China and will offer assistance in their coming to the United States."

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A spokesperson for the consulate said in a statement, "We sincerely hope that the injured students will recover soon," according to the Daily Beast report. The consulate, the report added, said the "hospital is further evaluating the next treatment plan."

In 2021, MSU enrolled 4,265 international students, more than half of whom were from China, according to the university's Office for International Students and Scholars. It is unclear what effect the shooting may have had on MSU's international recruitment efforts.

Thousands of MSU students, staff, administrators, alumni, faculty, and family members gathered around the Rock  a campus landmark  Wednesday night for a planned vigil as they put down flowers in memory of the three students killed.

The suspect is a 43-year-old who was not affiliated with the university and died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot when confronted by police. Law enforcement said he had two 9mm handguns, and investigators believed he was working alone, although he was carrying a note that claimed otherwise.

Only one injured person so far has been identified by name. A GoFundMe campaign is seeking financial support for medical and other expenses for Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez, a junior from Florida who is from a family of migrant workers.

More:Sister of student wounded in Michigan State shooting starts GoFundMe for medical bills

More:Thousands fill heart of MSU's campus for solemn vigil marked by silence

Her sister, Selena Huapilla-Perez, did not estimate how much medical care would cost or detail Guadalupe's injuries, but she did say that she "is a long way from returning to us as she was" and "doctors tell us that even in improving conditions, the process for a full recovery will take months of care and subsequent rehabilitation."

A former Hartland Consolidated Schools graduate was also injured, the district's superintendent, Chuck Hughes said, according to the Livingston Daily. Hughes did not identify the 2020 graduate because, he said, he did "not have permission to share details at this time," but asked the public to keep the family in its "thoughts and prayers."

In addition, WLNS-TV reported that one of the people who was injured in the shooting was an Okemos High School graduate, according to high school Principal Daniel Kemsley. The high school, which just a few minutes away from the university, held a walkout protest Thursday to honor those killed and injured.

The CCTV blog, however, did not identify the students or detail the injuries and was mostly a warning.

It said: "The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, reminds Chinese citizens in the consular district to pay close attention to the local security situation, improve security awareness, strengthen security precautions, and ensure their own safety."

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 shot, injured at Michigan State are Chinese students, reports say
Sen. John Thune. Alex Wong/Getty Images

GOP lawmakers reintroduced a bill to end the student-loan payment pause and block Biden's broad debt relief.

They said it's unfair to those who already paid off their student loans.

This comes just under two weeks before Biden's student-debt relief plan is headed to the Supreme Court.

Republican lawmakers are once again trying to put millions of student-loan borrowers back into repayment.

On Thursday, GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Thune reintroduced the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act, which would end the ongoing student-loan payment pause and block President Joe Biden from canceling student debt broadly in connection with a national emergency.

This comes just under two weeks before Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt is headed to the Supreme Court. After announcing the relief at the end of August, two conservative-backed lawsuits blocked the implementation of the plan, and as a result, Biden extended the student-loan payment pause 60 days after June 30, or 60 days after the lawsuits are resolved, whichever happens first.

But Thune, Cassidy, and some of their Republican colleagues don't want to wait for the litigation to play out.

"President Biden is unfairly transferring the burden from those who willingly took on loans to those who did not," Cassidy said in a statement. "There is no support for the man who didn't go to college but is paying off a work truck or the woman who responsibly paid off her student loans but is struggling with her mortgage. This legislation stops Biden from sticking them with the bill for hundreds of billions of dollars."

Thune added in a statement that it's "incredibly unfair to those who never incurred student debt because they didn't attend college in the first place or because they either worked their way through school or their family pinched pennies and planned for higher education."

Still, it's unlikely legislation of this nature would succeed  even if it passes the House, the Democratic-controlled Senate would strike it down, and if it ended up getting to Biden's desk, he would veto it.

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Republicans have also criticized the legal route Biden is choosing to enact this relief. He used the HEROES Act of 2003, which allows the Education Secretary to waive or modify student-loan balances in connection with a national emergency, like COVID-19. The lawsuits that blocked the relief, along with Republican lawmakers, said using that law is an overreach of Biden's authority and student-loan forgiveness should require Congressional approval, but Biden's administration has argued that using the HEROES Act is well within its authority to ensure borrowers are not left worse off from the economic impacts of the pandemic, which can be long lasting.

House Republicans also recently suggested ending the student-loan payment pause as a proposal it would support in potential budget cuts, and over half of House GOP lawmakers, and nearly all Senate GOP lawmakers, filed amicus curiae briefs to the Supreme Court opposing student-loan forgiveness.

Biden's administration has remained firm against the staunch opposition to its plan. The Justice Department's legal defense pushed back against the plaintiffs' standing to sue in both of the cases, and the White House wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that "26 million Americans across all 50 states applied or were automatically eligible for one-time student debt relief before the program was blocked."

"The only thing stopping millions of these borrowers from experiencing relief right now are lawsuits brought by opponents of our plan," it wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Republican lawmakers are wary of their partys propensity for self-inflicted wounds and are hoping for more discipline heading into the next election cycle.

Leading Republicans think that the House GOPs raucous reception of President Biden at last weeks State of the Union played into the presidents hands and that the proposal by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to sunset all federal legislation after five years is a political gift to Democrats.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are dismayed that Scott hasnt disavowed his 12-point plan to Rescue America, despite repeated Democratic attacks, and they are disappointed by lapses in message discipline, such as Sen. Ron Johnsons (R-Wis.) call for annual votes on Medicare and Social Security, which he described as a legal Ponzi scheme.

Johnson says that doesnt mean he wants to cut Social Security, but some of his colleagues worry that Republicans are already giving Democrats too much ammo heading into the 2024 election.

I think Republicans have got to be wise in how we talk about these issues, said Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.).

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Some Republicans, like Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), have urged other members of their party to be cautious in how they approach the issue of Social Security. (Greg Nash)

Bidens job approval rating has been mired in the low 40s for much of his first term in office, but Democrats still managed to expand their Senate majority and exceed expectations in the battle for the House last year.

Many Republicans believe the Democrats strong showing in the midterms had more to do with their own partys mistakes than the popularity of Bidens agenda.

Biden seized on Scotts 12-point plan at his State of the Union speech, telling the nation that some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.

And Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday pointed to Johnsons recent comments to advance Bidens claim.

Almost as if to prove President Biden correct, Sen. Johnson of Wisconsin reacted to the State of the Union by going on radio and calling for annual votes on Social Security, calling it a Ponzi scheme, Schumer said on the Senate floor.

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Schumer also pointed out that the House Republican Study Committee released a budget proposal last year that raised the Social Security retirement age and cut some benefits to certain recipients.

Chuck Schumer

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) for describing Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Johnson on Wednesday defended his comments by arguing that future Social Security recipients arent going to get what they put into the trust fund given the nations mounting debt.

Its not a sustainable system, he said of Social Security, noting that the number of workers paying into the system to support retirees has dwindled. A Ponzi scheme is you take from investors. You dont invest it. You spend it. And you pay off early investors. The later investors get hosed.

But members of the Senate Republican leadership team dont see any point in talking about Medicare and Social Security reforms when they dont think Democrats have any good-faith desire to reform those programs and instead will just use GOP proposals to play offense in next years election.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Biden loves that, doesnt he? referring to Biden hammering Republicans over Scotts plan.

What its showing is that Biden has no interest in saving Social Security or Medicare from insolvency, he said. Hes just going to use it purely as a political pinata.

Cornyn later said Democrats are using Scotts plan as a diversion to shift public attention away from the nations serious debt problem.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is among the GOP members who do not see advantages to continuing to speak about Social Security and Medicare, noting that, Biden loves that, doesnt he? (Greg Nash)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday tried to quash once and for all Democratic claims that Republicans want to use the expiring debt limit as leverage to cut benefits for seniors.

It continues to come up. The president was talking about it in the State of the Union, McConnell told reporters this week. So let me say it one more time. There is no agenda on the part of Senate Republicans to revisit Medicare or Social Security. Period.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) pointed out that Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said last week that Medicare and Social Security cuts are off the table and fellow Republicans need to get the message.

Capito, the chairwoman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, said GOP senators discussed trying to keep on [a] unified message as much as we can.

With the Speaker and our leader, the two Republican leaders, being on the same page, thats going to drive the message of the day, she said, referring to McCarthys and McConnells pledges not to cut Medicare or Social Security.

Members are going to disagree, she said, acknowledging differing views on strategy within the GOP conference.

But she argued that party leaders are smart to stay away from what has become the third rail of politics  specifically Medicare and Social Security cuts  in the debt limit discussions with the White House.

Im unified with the message that we need to stay away from these things to solve some fiscal problems, she said.

Some Republican senators say they werent thrilled with the jeering and raucous reception Biden received from House Republicans at last weeks State of the Union address, which appeared to play into the presidents hands in front of a national television audience.

President Biden

Some Republicans have expressed dismay over the raucous response Biden received at his State of the Union address, where he addressed Republicans reported plans for Social Security and Medicare. (Greg Nash)

Schumer said the contrast between Biden and these guys screaming and yelling and just calling names is going to serve the president so well.

Veteran journalist Chris Wallace said GOP lawmakers who heckled Biden literally played into his hands.

Later, when he was asked about Wallaces observation that Republicans might have unwittingly made the president look good, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) replied, That may be fair.

He said that Republicans should stick to reasonable and enduring policy proposals instead of made-for-television antics that give Democrats a chance to change to subject to the behavior of Republican personalities.

I think were missing an opportunity to differentiate, he said. Focus on policy. If you get that done, it will age well.

Another Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment on House colleagues said that decorum is good for the partys brand.

We ought to be polite and respectful to each other. This is not theater. Its governing, the senator said, commenting on the unruly reactions to Bidens speech last week. Its damaging to the politics. It appeals to a handful of people and turns off a whole bunch more.

Looking ahead to next years election, Senate Republicans say they need to do a better job of helping ensure the most electable candidates advance to the general election, something they believe did not happen last year in Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, where Democrats won.

At a one-day retreat last week, GOP lawmakers discussed the need for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to get more involved in the candidate vetting and selection process in 2024.

I think its more a matter of interacting with the states to make sure that they understand this is all about winning the finals, not the semifinals, Tillis said.

Capito said the retreat was forward thinking.

Candidate recruitment is a repeating message, making sure we get candidates that win the primary that can win the general, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Hundreds of Black legislators, preachers, and activists rallied against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives Wednesday afternoon, threatening to pull students from Florida schools and universities.

Demonstrators including Rev. Al Sharpton, protested in response to not only the state's rejection of the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies class but also the governor's plans to gut college diversity programs, continue his migrant relocation program and pursue policies that are viewed as harmful to the LGBTQ community.

"If you come for one of us, you come for all of us," said Bishop Rudolph McKissick of Jacksonville, Florida, at the National Action Network rally.

"If you don't want our story, you shouldn't get our students," he later added. "I wonder what would happen if every D1 athlete went into the transfer portal and found a school that wants their story."

Hundreds participated in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantisOs efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida to the Capitol building Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

MIGRANT RELOCATION: Florida lawmakers approve Gov. Ron DeSantis' expanded migrant relocation program

AP COURSES:A breakdown of what was removed or changed in the AP African American Studies framework

The protest, which started as a march from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee to the Capitol building, was led by Tallahassee church leader Rev. R.B. Holmes and Sharpton, with a banner that read "Save Our History" with the words "Equity! Diversity! Inclusion!" underneath.

Al Sharpton speaks to a crowd of hundreds from the steps of the Senate portico during the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida to the Capitol building Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

He urged underrepresented communities in Florida to register to vote and compared their efforts to the biblical story of David and Goliath.

"We'll march together, we'll fight together, we got our sling shots! We got our sling shots! We got our sling shots!" he yelled as the crowd cheered.

The rally came several weeks after news broke that DeSantis administration decided to reject a new AP course on African American Studies, claiming the class is "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value."

Story continues

BACK STORY:Florida education officials: African American Studies AP course 'lacks educational value'

The state continues to defend its decision, with DeSantis even threatening in recent days to drop all AP classes in Florida.

There are probably some other vendors who may be able to do that job as good or maybe even a lot better, he said.

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. said the course is filled with Critical Race Theory and other obvious violations of Florida law" but said the state does "proudly require the teaching of African American history."

Hundreds participated in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantisOs efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida to the Capitol building Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Florida colleges:DeSantis pushes Florida universities to the right, targeting tenure, diversity initiatives

On Jan. 31, the day before Black History Month, DeSantis outlined plans to dismantle campus diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and said they impose an "agenda" and are based in liberal politics.

Al Sharpton and Rev. RB Holmes participated in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis's efforts to minimize diverse education. The hundreds of activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida to the Capitol building Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Al Sharpton was the keynote speaker at the rally on the steps of the Senate portico.

State Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, said she remembers what it was like to have to go to a separate water fountain as a child, and she should be able to talk about it regardless if it makes someone feel uncomfortable.

"What are we afraid of? Are we afraid of just telling the truth?" she asked.

Hart, chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, called first lady Casey DeSantis "a little bit hypocritical" for hosting Black History Month events.

WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AP COURSES?: DeSantis says he could do away with AP courses altogether. Here's what that means for Florida students.

"If my history doesn't have any value, why would you even put on Black history programs? Why would you be asking children to do essays and turn them in for scholarships?" she asked.

Tallahassee Mayor Pro-Tem Dianne Williams-Cox said regardless of what the governor and the Department of Education decide, Black history will be taught.

"We will teach it in the highways and byways," she said. "We'll teach it in the parks, we'll teach it wherever we need to teach it to make sure our history is not lost."

Anitra Krishnan, a 14-year-old student from Chiles High School in Tallahassee, hitched a ride with a friend's mom to go to the rally at the Capitol. Krishnan and her three friends were there to "stand up for what's right," she said.

Hundreds participated in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Gov. Ron DeSantiss efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida to the Capitol building Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Al Sharpton was the keynote speaker at the rally on the steps of the Senate portico.

"They're worrying about AP instead of worrying about children and gun violence," she added. Wednesday's rally was a day after the five-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Krishnan said learning new things doesn't make her uncomfortable, but censorship does.

"It just makes me feel icky," she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Al Sharpton and Black leaders rally against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Mike Kahoe

A three-year member of the Revere Board of Education will step down at the end of this month to accept a position with the state government.

Mike Kahoe will resign from the Revere Local School District's school board effective Feb. 27 to accept the position of program manager in the Governors Office of Workforce Transformation.

I ran for school board in 2019 to serve our community and expand opportunities for all Revere students," Kahoe said Thursday. "I ran on a platform to increase transparency in our district. After three years, I am proud to say Ive fulfilled that promise.

Compliance issues:What are Ohio schools teaching when it comes to sex ed?

Budget cuts:Twinsburg schools to slash $2.9 million from budget, eliminate 36 jobs

Kahoe's school board term expires Dec. 31, and his seat is up for reelection in the Nov. 7 general election.

The school board is expected to accept Kahoe's resignation at its Tuesday meeting. It will determine the process for bringing on a new school board member to fill the unexpired term in the near future, said Karen Arbogast, director of human relations and communications.

The Governors Office of Workforce Transformation, which is overseen by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, aims to connect Ohio's business, training, and education communities to build a skilled workforce, Kahoe said.

'Our children deserve better': Akron leaders blame school board for superintendent departure

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Revere school board member Kahoe will resign to accept state position
Top Republicans in the Senate and House introduced new legislation on Thursday that would ban some transgender people from serving in the military, reviving a similar policy that was enacted under the Trump administration.

The Ensuring Military Readiness Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), would disqualify Americans who identify as transgender, have a history of gender dysphoria or who have undergone gender reassignment surgery.

The legislation would force the Defense secretary to issue an updated policy within 90 days of the bills enactment into law.

Exceptions include those who have been stable in their biological sex for 36 months prior to joining the military, meaning they no longer have a desire to transition and are not struggling with their mental health, and active military members who remain deployable according to the retention standards of their sex assigned at birth.

Active service members who experience gender dysphoria on the date of the legislations enactment, as well as transgender people without a history of gender dysphoria, would be eligible to serve only under their sex assigned at birth.

Rubio said the military has strict standards for who can and cannot qualify to serve, comparing it to Americans with peanut allergies who are rejected from service.

Biden has turned our military into a woke social experiment. It is a stupid way to go about protecting our nation, Rubio said in a statement. We need to spend more time thinking about how to counter threats like China, Russia, and North Korea and less time thinking about pronouns.

Former President Trump announced a ban on transgender troops in 2017, the year he took office.

An official policy went into effect in 2019 barring troops from transitioning and requiring them to match their sex assigned at birth, leading to an outcry from human rights activists and LGBT organizations.

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In January 2021, one of President Bidens first actions was to repeal Trumps policy, allowing those who identify as transgender to openly serve in the military.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised Bidens decision at the time, calling it the smart thing to do.

I believe we accomplish that mission more effectively when we represent all our fellow citizens, Austin said in a statement at the time. I also believe we should avail ourselves of the best possible talent in our population, regardless of gender identity.

In the House, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, will introduce companion legislation to Rubios bill.

Banks on Thursday disagreed with the Biden administration, saying the military holds recruits to stringent medical standards for a reason.

The Biden administrations special carveout for those suffering from gender dysphoria was purely political, Banks said in a statement.

The proposed legislation would also require the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, a database on service members, to require military personnel to identify with their biological sex.

Multiple LGBT rights organizations, including GLAAD, have repeatedly decried Republican-led efforts to restrict transgender people from serving in the military, calling them baseless attacks not rooted in fact.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Charlotte Wood is the librarian for the lone high school in Madison County, Virginia. She has been the librarian  and thus controlling access to library books  since August.

But last month,the school board unilaterally removed 21 books from the high schools library. The books removed include The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, and It by Stephen King.

The board claimed the books are sexually explicit and thus inappropriate for high school children. But simply mentioning sex or sexual assault, as many of the removed books do, is a far cry from pornography.

Not one single parent has ever reached out to me about concerns about titles, or to request that their child be limited to certain books at checkout, Wood told a school board meeting this week, where she showed up to voice her disapproval over the board actions.

The move has been unpopular with several students and parents, a number of whom spoke out against the book ban. But supporters of the school board believe they are fulfilling a greater mission.

Im not saying make Madison County a Christian school, Pastor Russell Biber said when it was his turn to speak. But lets get back to the foundation of our education system, the fear of our lord God.

The February board meeting was just one iteration of a scene thats been happening around the country. Conservatives deem a book inappropriate for children, often citing disingenuous claims about sexually explicit content, and a tiny minority of parents band together to challenge the text. The message is implicit: Voices and narratives that center people who arent straight, white, Christian and cisgender should be censored.

Were a canary in a coal mine, Devlyn DAlfonzo, a resident and parent of two children in the school district, told HuffPost. These tiny communities where these policies can pass without a question? Were the testing ground.

Madison County is heavily rural and Republican. With a population of approximately 14,000 people, there are only four schools in the district. The faux moral panic about sexual content in books in the small county is also being fueled by policy decisions at the state level.

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Last year, the Virginia legislature approved a policy that would require the state Department of Education to make it mandatory that schools notify parents about sexually explicit materials being used in classrooms. The guidelines, which became official in July, require school officials to review materials for such content and then notify parents so they can opt their children out if they choose.

Its unclear what makes a book sexually explicit, but in any case, the guidelines only apply to instructional materials in the classroom, not the library. The guidelines also clearly state that the policy does not allow for the removal or censoring of books in the school library.

But the Madison County School Board took the new policy one step further. Christopher Wingate, one of the newly elected members of the board, drafted a countywide policy that specifically deals with library books. Under the boards more restrictive policy, parents and residents may request that the board remove a library book if it allegedly contains sexually explicit material. The board will then decide the books fate.

The policy was approved unanimously in December. Then, the board moved to remove nearly two dozen books, all of which supposedly contain sexual content thats inappropriate for high school students.

What many parents and educators find frustrating is that parents already have the ability to prevent their children from reading books they dont approve of, by informing the librarian. But the school board decided to create its own policy in order to remove books entirely. (The board did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.)

The policy is vague enough and expansive enough that it allows the board to remove books that the board thinks is inappropriate, DAlfonzo said. It gives them a lot of power.

Its also easy to make the removal of books sound agreeable to parents by framing it as a positive step meant to keep children safe.

They will phrase it as theyre just trying to protect kids and hold on to American values, DAlfonzo said. Theyre using friendlier speech that sounds great  if you dont look too hard.

If the fight over which books kids can read sounds familiar, thats because it is.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has championed racist and homophobic laws that target educators across the state. The so-called Dont Say Gay bill bans educators from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity, and the Stop WOKE Act prohibits teachers from talking about critical race theory  a college-level concept that conservatives now invoke to describe essentially any instance where the existence of racism is acknowledged in a classroom.

Because of these policies, school districts in Florida have removed books, colleges have been forced to cut diversity initiatives, and teachers have been harassed for their sexual orientation.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who won in 2021 after running on a so-called parental rights platform, appears to be trying to follow in DeSantis footsteps.

The Virginia Department of Educations guidelines that would ban transgender students from using the bathroom that best matches their gender identity remain in limbo, and Virginias law about sexually explicit books doesnt go as far as Floridas. But the situation in Madison County shows that there are places in Virginia where these right-wing ideas are very attractive.

Theyre gaining footholds in these little counties. Theyre making these little inroads in smaller communities before they can make a move on the big scale, DAlfonzo said.

Last week, the Virginia EducatIon Association released a Black Lives Matter toolkit for teachers, including sample history lessons that educators could use during Black History Month. The Youngkin administration criticized the toolkit.

The Administration will not support a teachers unions attempts to prop up a politically driven curriculum toolkit which contains tenets that go beyond teaching history, lesson plans, and operates as a political manual for the next generation of Virginias students, a Youngkin spokesperson told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Virginias schools will continue to teach all history  the good and the bad.

Where DeSantis may have derided the lesson plans as woke or indoctrination, the criticism from the Youngkin administration is milder, at least on the surface.

Its like the watered-down version of DeSantis, the slightly more palatable version, DAlfonzo said. So the policies end up being more likely to pass  but just as harmful.

Related...
As a result of the attack, seven private houses were destroyed

The governor wrote that a 79-year-old woman was killed. Two injured civilians were taken to hospital, where doctors said their condition was moderate.

Read also: Russian missiles hit infrastructure facility in Kirovohrad Oblast during night attack

An industrial facility was hit in the attack. A fire broke out there, but it has already been extinguished, the governor said.

In addition, seven houses were destroyed and another 30 damaged as a result of the Russian missile strike. Reports of other damage from the attack are being verified.

Russia carried out another barrage of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine in the early hours of Feb. 16. The Ukrainian Air force said 36 air- and sea-based missiles were launched, including Kalibr missiles, with a total of 16 missiles being intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.

An energy infrastructure facility was damaged in Lviv Oblast as a result of the attack.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The long-feared Russian winter counteroffensive has finally begun in the eastern part of Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of new Russian conscripts are flowing into the war-torn country ahead of the wars one-year mark, with Moscow looking to overwhelm Ukrainian troops and retake huge swaths of territory lost last autumn as spring warms the region, according to experts.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg this week said the reality is we have seen the start of the offensive already, and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley called it a critical moment, in the conflict.

But the little-trained and ill-equipped Kremlin troops are only likely to bring about another kind of stalemate in the region, experts say, warning that its not the full-scale offensive expected.

I dont think this is the big thing that were all waiting for, said John Spencer, a retired Army major and chairman of urban warfare studies at the Madison Policy Forum.

He said the operation is in its early phase  similar to when Russia positioned its forces on the borders of Ukraine in January 2022  with a massive mobilization not yet observed.

Although some units are advancing along the line or pushing forward  they havent shown the capability to conduct coordinated large-scale operations, Spencer told The Hill.

The West is closely watching the event unfold, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday saying officials are seeing Russia continue to pour large numbers of additional troops into the fight.

Those troops are ill-equipped and ill-trained, and because of that, theyre incurring a lot of casualties, and we expect that that will continue, Austin told reporters in Estonias capital after meeting with the countrys defense minister.

Austin added that Russia has also increased its shelling around Bakhmut  an area contested for some time.

The Kremlin on Thursday also began a renewed rocket barrage on Ukraine, firing some 36 missiles that struck critical infrastructure in the country, according to Kyiv. Officials warned that a much larger missile attack was anticipated on Feb. 24, the first anniversary of Russias invasion.

Story continues

Theyre beginning to shape the battlefield, said Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon official now also with the Center for a New American Security. The offensive hasnt started in terms of masses of troops, but theyre beginning to try to maneuver on the grounds and to get them position to begin that offensive.

The goal is to retake the land that Ukrainian forces started gaining throughout the summer and fall, a campaign that retook thousands of square kilometers of captured territory before the two sides reached a stalemate in the winter.

Townsend said one thing that could have prompted the Russians to move in was equipment pledged from Western nations in the past month, including infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

The United States on Jan. 25 agreed to send Ukraine 31 M1 Abrams tanks, shoring up an agreement with Germany and other European nations to send the more widely available Leopard tanks into the conflict. In the same month, the Biden administration announced it would send M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker armored vehicles to Ukraine for the first time.

And Stoltenberg on Tuesday urged NATO members to ramp up ammunition production and other military aid for Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for new offensives and attacks.

They dont want to wait until all that stuff arrives  and its not going to arrive anytime soon  but at the same time, theyre not going to wait  theyre going to want to get the jump on it all, Townsend said on the recent Russian movements.

Speculation is now focusing on where the Russians will attempt to put most of their strength, with John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine now with the Atlantic Council, predicting Kremlin troops will likely be sent to wherever they have their best chance of victory.

Its conceivable that were not going to see anything more than were seeing right now, which is the significant effort in the Bakhmut area, Herbst said.

Russia has spent more than six months attempting to take the city and the surrounding areas in the Donetsk region, but has been unable to do so despite constant shelling and veritable trench warfare with Ukrainian troops.

The city  while strategically important to the war as its control would likely lay the groundwork for a push northwest  has taken outsized significance as Moscow looks to score a rare military victory, whatever the human cost as thousands of its troops have been killed in the fighting.

George Barros, of the Institute for the Study of War, said it is likely the Russians will intensify their offensive in the east, even though they are sure to make limited progress.

The Russians are not going to be able to capture all of Luhansk and Donetsk  Ukraines two easternmost regions  by the end of the spring or even by the end of this year. Thats flatly not going to happen, Barros said.

Even Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russian private military group Wagner, predicted this week that it would take up to two years for Moscow to take control of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukrainians, however, will be in a good position to conduct their own counteroffensive in late spring or summer, exploiting an exhausted Russian force.

All the Russian units that are going to be fighting and that are currently fighting in this offensive, they are going to be burning combat power and resources, Barros said.

Theyre going to be exhausted when it ends. And after Ukraine manages to ingest more of these western tanks and armor systems that the West has pledged to Ukraine, Ukraine will be in a good position.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Max Hunder and Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) -Russia rained missiles across Ukraine on Thursday and struck its largest oil refinery, Kyiv said, while the head of the Wagner mercenary group predicted the long-besieged city of Bakhmut would take weeks if not months to fall.

Following a pattern of heavy bombardments after Ukrainian battlefield or diplomatic gains, Russia launched 36 missiles in the early hours, Ukraine's Air Force said.

NATO alliance officials had on the previous day discussed plans for more military hardware for Kyiv, and Britain and Poland agreed after their leaders met on Thursday that support should be stepped up in coming weeks.

The Russian missiles triggered air-raid sirens and landed across Ukraine, including at the Kremenchuk refinery, where the extent of damage was unclear. About 16 were shot down, the Air Force added, a lower rate than normal.

Ukraine said the barrage included three KH-31 missiles and one Oniks anti-ship cruise missile, which its air defences cannot shoot down.

Its general staff, in its evening report, said Russia had also shelled more than two dozen eastern and southern settlements.

There was no word from Moscow on the missile strikes or shelling, and Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield reports.

Police in Moldova, where parliament on Thursday approved a new pro-Western government, said they again found missile debris near the border with Ukraine.

Meanwhile Belarus, which allowed Russia to use its territory to send troops into Ukraine at the start of the war, said it would only fight alongside its ally if it was attacked.

Bolstered by tens of thousands of reservists, Russia has intensified ground attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine, and, as the first anniversary of its Feb. 24 invasion nears, a major new offensive appears to be shaping.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, pulverised Ukrainian cities, destabilised the global economy and displaced millions.

Story continues

Germany said 1.1 million people arrived from Ukraine in 2022 alone, exceeding its unprecedented migrant influx of 2015-16.

'THEIR BODIES ARE JUST PILED UP'

Russia's current focus is on the small city of Bakhmut in Donetsk, one of two regions making up the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland now partially occupied by Russia.

In battles led by the Wagner group swelled by prison recruits, Russia has for months been pounding and encircling Bakhmut. Most of its pre-war population of about 70,000 people have left, leaving Ukrainian soldiers dug in.

"They (the Russians) are sending a lot of troops. I don't think that is sustainable for them to keep attacking this way," said the Ukrainian 80th Air Assault Brigade's press officer, Taras Dzioba.

"There are places where their bodies are just piled up. There is a trench where... they just don't evacuate their wounded or killed."

Dzioba spoke to Reuters as he stood near a Howitzer battery outside a defensive bunker close to the Bakhmut front lines.

Its capture would give Russia a stepping stone to advance on two bigger Donetsk cities further west, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. But Ukraine and allies say seizing Bakhmut would be a pyrrhic victory given the months it has taken and the losses they say Russia has sustained.

In an interview with a pro-war military blogger, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin forecast Bakhmut would fall by April, depending on how many men Ukraine threw into the fight and how well his men were supplied.

"Because there are a huge number of problems that need to be solved. Naturally it will also depend on whether we continue to be bled," he added, referring to the end of prisoner recruits.

The two sides said they exchanged 101 prisoners of war, with most Ukrainian returnees having been defenders of Mariupol before the besieged southern city fell to Russian forces in May, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said.

Ukraine's general staff said Russia was mobilising homeless people and drug addicts in the city. Reuters could not verify that assertion.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said his priority was to hold off Russian attacks, brace for their escalation and get ready for an eventual Ukrainian counter-offensive.

"Holding the situation at the front and preparing for any enemy steps of escalation -- that is the priority for the near future," he said.

ISRAELI RAPPROCHEMENT?

As Ukraine burns through munitions fast and clamours for heavier firepower, including tanks and fighter jets, NATO members are ramping up production and promised more during meetings in Brussels this week.

Zelenskiy's army has already received vast amounts of aid. The United States alone has committed $27.4 billion since the conflict began.

Senior U.S. officials have advised Ukraine to hold off with an intended counter-offensive until the latest supply of U.S. weaponry is in place and training has been provided.

Russia calls the invasion a "special military operation" against security threats and has cast deliveries of heavy weapons to Ukraine as proof that the West is escalating the war.

Kyiv and its allies call Russia's actions a land grab.

In Brussels, diplomats said European Union countries were "on good track" to adopt a 10th package of economic sanctions against Moscow in time for the invasion's anniversary.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen travelled to Ukraine, the first such visit during the war from Israel, which coordinates with Russia over strikes on suspected Iranian targets in Syria and has stopped short of pledging arms to Kyiv.

On Twitter, Cohen said Israel would increase the aid it gives Ukraine and would help it rebuild.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Pavel Polityuk, Yiming Woo, Caleb Davis, Tim Heritage, Jake Cordell, Gwladys Fouche, Sabine Siebold, Ron Popeski, David Ljunggren and Gabriela Baczynska; Writing by Stephen Coates, Andrew Cawthorne and John Stonestreet; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Mark Heinrich, Nick Macfie and Diane Craft)
Crimea

Russian law enforcement officials are becoming increasingly cruel to prisoners, the message emphasized.

Read also: Ukraine may need to bring in about 50,000 officials to Crimea after its liberation, says envoy

Repressions and criminal prosecutions of our citizens in the occupied Crimea are becoming more and more brutal..., the message reads.

Read also: Russians preparing for Ukrainian offensive and liberation of Crimea  intelligence

Currently, the Mission is aware of 181 political prisoners, 116 of which are Crimean Tatars. Of the total number of illegally detained, 40 are in pre-trial detention centers awaiting sentencing, 123 have already been sentenced and imprisoned, and 18 are without any (confirmed) status.

Read also: Red Cross still has no access to Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, Lubynets says

Furthermore, 33 of the prisoners were illegally transferred from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts to occupied Crimea. However, the exact number of displaced prisoners remains unknown, as the occupiers' authorities generally do not admit that they are holding people in detention centers on the peninsula.

Meanwhile, dozens of elderly people and those with serious health problems remain in detention and are not provided with proper medical care. Their lives are under threat, the message stressed.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia has increased its expenditure on state symbols a hundredfold since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Russian news outlet Verstka on Telegram

Details: It was noted that Russian regional administrations have allocated more than 1 billion roubles [approximately US$13.3 million] for the purchase of the country's state symbols  flags and coats of arms  since 24 February 2022.

Based on data from the Russian government procurement portal, Verstka calculated this is 100 times more than the similar indicator two years ago.

In total, more than 80 similar tenders were placed during the first year of the war, a significant part of which is within the framework of Patriotic Education of Citizens of the Russian Federation, a federal project.

The symbols are intended for educational institutions throughout the country, as well as in occupied Crimea. Russian schools, just like American ones, have been required to start the school week with a ceremony of raising the national flag and singing the national anthem since 1 September 2022.

Background:

Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022, calling it a "special military operation", the goals of which have been repeatedly changed by Putins regime.

The Russian Federation has conducted hybrid military aggression against Ukraine since 2014.

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Russia has launched another airstrike on the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast. Six people have been injured as a result of the attack and there is damage to infrastructure facilities.

Source: Oleh Suniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: The occupiers once again shelled the city of Vovchansk at around 10:30 on Thursday 16 February. Preliminary reports indicate that the attack was carried out by Russian aircraft, Syniehubov notes. Two missile strikes were recorded.

Initially, it was reported that a 30-year-old man, an employee of Kharkiv Oblenergo [an oblast electricity distributor  ed.], was injured as a result of the attack. He was hospitalised with a mine blast injury.

A building belonging to one company and a private residential building were also damaged.

Later, the head of the Oblast Military Administration reported that the number of victims as a result of the airstrike on Vovchansk had increased to 6 people.

Quote: "According to updated information, 5 more men aged between 35 to 65 were injured. Doctors have provided them with all necessary assistance, and they will receive outpatient treatment in hospital."

Those injured are engineers who were carrying out repair work on communication lines."

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine exchanged 101 prisoners of war in their latest prisoner swap on Thursday, their authorities said.

"Aircraft of the military transport aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces will deliver the released servicemen to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Defence Ministry," the Russian ministry said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff posted images of scores of Ukrainian servicemen posing for a photograph after being released.

He said 100 troops and one civilian had been returned.

Nearly all had been defending the besieged southern city of Mariupol before it fell to Russian forces, Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.

Earlier this month, Zelenskiy said that since the start of the conflict last February, Ukraine had secured the release of 1,762 men and women from Russian captivity.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Additional reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Alison Williams and Hugh Lawson)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian government commission has approved the sale of Swedish furniture maker IKEA's factories in Russia to two local buyers, paving the way for a deal to be struck, a government official was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Western companies announced plans to leave Russia after it sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last February. IKEA hopes to finalise terms early this year.

Sales have been complicated as deals involving companies from so-called unfriendly countries - those that imposed sanctions against Russia - need approval from a government commission.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Yevtukhov told the daily Izvestia that kitchen worktop manufacturer Slotex and lumber producer Luzales would purchase the plants.

Brand owner Inter IKEA Group has previously said it was selling its four production units in Russia, in Tikhvin, Novgorod and Vyatka.

Izvestia said two units had been merged into one, meaning three business units would be included in the deal. The factories would continue to operate and the goods produced would be sold by Russian retail outlets.

"The sales process is subject to a mandatory approval process," Inter IKEA said on Thursday. "This process is between the authorities and applying companies."

"We have agreed with potential buyers not to share any details with respect to them and the integrity of the sales process."

Slotex and Luzales did not respond to requests for comment.

Chairman of the Luzales board Ruslan Semenyuk told the RBC daily that Luzales was acquiring two plants and that one condition of the deal was that all employees keep their jobs.

"It is important for us that production facilities work and are developed, and that jobs are preserved," Izvestia quoted Yevtukhov as saying. "The new owners, if necessary, can count on all possible measures of state support."

IKEA, the world's biggest furniture brand, closed its shops in Russia after Moscow launched what it called a "special military operation" in Ukraine. It reopened for a brief online sale last summer.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow and Ron Popeski; Editing by Robert Birsel, Kim Coghill and Bernadette Baum)
Danilov explained how the occupiers changed their rocket fire tactics

Night shelling shows theyre preparing, theyre not sleeping, Danilov said, commenting on the latest Russian missile attack.

Read also: Air Force notes different approach taken by Russia in overnight missile attack

They understand this is the last tour. They have to try to change the situation at the front in any possible way, Danilov said.

So theyve started using other means. Those flying objects (spy balloons) dont pose a direct threat, but they really distract our forces. They (objects) can be fitted with various things that can be dangerous. Thats why our military is dealing with them. As for the night shelling, this indicates a change in their tactics. Unfortunately, these attacks will continue.

Russia carried out another barrage of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine in the early hours of Feb. 16, hitting infrastructure facilities in the town of Kremenchuk, as well as Lviv, Kirovohrad and Poltava oblasts.

Read also: Russian missile strike on Pavlohrad kills one, injures eight, says governor

The Ukrainian Air Force said 36 air- and sea-based missiles were launched, including Kalibr missiles, with a total of 16 missiles being intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.

There was an air alert during the previous afternoon, when up to six aerial targets, said to be balloons with radar reflectors attached, were launched by the Russians in the direction of Kyiv.

Read also: Russian Air Force begins to fly more sorties, but large-scale air campaign seems unlikely  UK intelligence

Ukrainian air defenses shot down at least one of the balloons and a photograph of the wreckage later began to circulate on social media.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Truth or dare: wealthy netizen's reward for Ohio chemical leak probe shows widespread skepticism of US media outlets

17:53, February 15, 2023 By Chi Zao ( People's Daily Online

Screenshot from Weibo

In a demonstration of public concern over the recent Ohio chemical leakage crisis, a wealthy netizen going by the name "Parody Pelosi" on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, has offered 100,000 RMB to any volunteer who will go to the site and report for 24 hours without protective gear.

The volunteer's travel expenses will be covered, and they will be required to eat and drink locally, according to legal documents "Parody Pelosi" posted on Weibo. No information about "Parody Pelosi," other than being an "American Chinese," was provided.

The internet user also stated they were furious since many netizens claim that the US media is not covering the catastrophe because it is not a big issue, and they will pay money to anyone who dares to attempt to cover it.

The message quickly went viral, with at least two volunteers signing up for the expedition. On Weibo, "Parody Pelosi" congratulated the volunteers and said they had already sent the applicants a non-disclosure agreement and a waiver release form.

The online farce comes days after a train derailment accident in Ohio that resulted in toxic chemicals being released into the environment. Though the accident has been impacting residents in the affected area for more than a week, American mainstream media outlets preferred to focus on the groundless "Chinese balloon" incident rather than the environmental disaster. US media outlets have only recently started paying attention to the incident, though many have been trying to downplay its severe consequences.

Due to the mainstream media's hesitation to warn people and reveal the truth about the chemical leak, many nearby residents have taken their grievances online, claiming that the US government and the media are not listening to their voices.

Linda Murphy, a resident of East Palestine, Ohio, told the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that there were several dead fish floating at multiple locations.

That is what we bathe in. Thats what we drink. Thats what we cook with. And they could not reassure me that the water was safe to drink, she said.

Murphy is not the only person to accuse the US government and media outlets of failing to do their jobs.

Screenshot from Twitter

While they have everyone chasing UFOs, they're hiding the fact that Ohio is experiencing a Chernobyl tier disaster after a train derailment released toxic carcinogens into one of the most fertile areas in America. Journalists reporting on it are being arrested, said US Twitter user BABS D.

Neil Donahue, a professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University in nearby Pittsburgh, told AP he worries that the burning could have formed dioxins, which are created from burning chlorinated carbon materials.

Vinyl chloride is bad, dioxins are worse as carcinogens and that comes from burning, Donahue said.

Dioxins are a group of persistent environmental pollutants that last in the ground and body for years and have been one of the main environmental problems and sources of controversy in the United States.

According to the US National Transportation Safety Board, about 50 cars on a Norfolk Southern Railroad train, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3.

The train was transporting hazardous items, including chemicals and flammables. To avoid an explosion, enormous plumes of smoke, including vinyl chloride, phosgene, hydrogen chloride, and other gases, were expelled for days during a controlled release and burn.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar towards Russian troops near Vuhledar, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhenii Zavhorodnii

A Russian marine who survived a major battle in Vuhledar said survivors are treated as deserters.

"It would have been better if I had been captured and never returned," he said.

There were just eight survivors in one company, he told Russian media outlet 7x7.

A Russian marine who lived through recent fighting in Vuhledar said that survivors are being treated like deserters.

The marine, part of the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, told Russian media outlet 7x7 that "it would have been better if I had been captured and never returned."

Fighting has been raging over the eastern Ukrainian town for months, with renewed efforts to capture it launched by Russia at the end of January.

Bitter fighting around Vuhledar is ongoing.

The unnamed marine told 7x7 that his brigade joined the fighting on January 23.

He estimated that around 500 people in the brigade had been killed, according to The Moscow Times' translation, with just eight left alive in one of its companies.

The marine added that so many people in his unit were being killed that "new ones were always brought up."

Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, head of the united press center of the Tavriskiy District of Ukrainian defense forces, told Politico on Sunday that almost the entire brigade of 5,000 had been destroyed near Vuhledar, with troops killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

According to the Institute for the Study of War think tank, the brigade's losses were likely the result of dysfunctional tactics indicative of the fact that the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade is "likely comprised of poorly trained mobilized personnel."

It said that the brigade had already been restaffed three times, after the battles at Irpin and Bucha.

It it unclear if the unnamed marine is still taking part in the fighting in Vuhledar.

The battle for Vuhledar is being seen as one of the first moves in Russia's new offensive, and its performance there could hint at how successful its military is elsewhere.

Story continues

So far things have not gone to plan, according to Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian officials, and reports of the battle.

Ukrainian official Dmytrashkivsky told Politico on Sunday that Russia was losing 150 to 300 marines a day near Vuhledar.

Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers are livid after seeing video footage of the failed assault, and have said that it shows that Russia's military is making the same mistakes as last year, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

One blogger called for public trials of high-ranking officers who repeatedly lost on the battlefield, it said.

Ukrainian military drones have also captured the scenes of chaos, including Russian tanks running into minefields and being blown up, CNN reported.

The UK Ministry of Defence on Sunday highlighted the high levels of Russian casualties at Vuhledar, saying it's likely due to a range of factors "including lack of trained personnel, coordination, and resources across the front."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian Air Force's anti-aircraft gunners have showed a video of a Russian Kalibr cruise missile being shot down during a massive attack on the night of 15-16 February.

Source: Public Relations Service of Air Command Pivden (South)

Details: The video shows how a unit of Kherson Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Air Command Pivden is shooting down a Russian Kalibr cruise missile on the night of 15-16 February.

Quote: "We continue our fight, destroying the enemy in the Ukrainian sky!"



Background: On the night of 15-16 February alone, Russia fired 36 missiles at Ukraine, with air defence systems shooting down 16 of them.

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Russian occupiers attacked the residential sector of Pavlohrad at night

Read also: Russia attacks Pavlohrad with missiles at night, killing one person and injuring another seven

The governor said that emergency teams have been working at the scene of the missile strike since 3 a.m. In total, the Russians damaged more than 60 houses.

According to Lysak, the local commission on technological and ecological safety and emergency situations will hold an urgent meeting to develop a plan for providing assistance to attack victims.

Read also: Iranian Shahed flying bombs hit three energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

People have suffered great material losses, he said, posting photos of the aftermath of the Russian missile attack.

Theyve lost a roof over their heads. So we need to support them immediately.

 /Telegram

 /Telegram

 /Telegram

 /Telegram

 /Telegram

Russia launched another barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine in the early hours of Feb. 16, hitting infrastructure facilities in Lviv, Kirovohrad and Poltava oblasts.

Read also: Air Force notes different approach taken by Russia in overnight missile attack

The Ukrainian Air Force said 36 air- and sea-based missiles were launched, including Kalibr missiles, with a total of 16 missiles being intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian missiles hit infrastructure facilities in Poltava and Kirovohrad Oblasts during overnight attacks on 15-16 February.

Source: Dmytro Lunin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration; Andrii Raikovych, Head of Kirovohrad Oblast Military Administration

Quote from Lunin: "A group of enemy UAVs was observed during the large-scale overnight attack in Poltava Oblast, in particular in the Poltava district. Our air defence was activated.

The enemy also fired missiles at the oblast's territory. Two of them targeted a critical infrastructure facility in Kremenchuk. Preliminary reports indicate that there have been no deaths or injuries."

Quote from Raikovych: "Troublesome night. We survived another missile attack by the enemy. There were strikes on an infrastructure facility in the Kropyvnytskyi district during the morning. Emergency services are working at the scene. There were no casualties."

Background:

The strikes had been reported earlier by Andrii Yermak, Head of the President's Office.

Russia fired a total of 36 air- and sea-launched cruise missiles on the night of 15-16 February, with Ukrainian air defence shooting down 16 of them.

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Fire at an infrastructure facility after shelling

According to the official, firefighters have already extinguished the fire. He added that there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the strike.

Read also: Iranian Shahed flying bombs hit three energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Russia launched another massive missile attack on Ukraine overnight on Feb. 16.

An air raid alert was triggered in Kyiv and then throughout the country at 2.35 a.m, with reports of missiles being launched from enemy aircraft over the Sea of Azov, on the south coast of Ukraine. The air raid alert in Kyiv lasted until 4.41 a.m., for a total of two hours and five minutes.

Read also: Russian aviation avoiding entering defended Ukrainian airspace, says Air Force

Missiles were later reported to have been launched from a Russian frigate in the Black Sea, and from Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers flying in Russian airspace.

Two Su-35s flying in Ukrainian airspace near the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhya Oblast were reported to have launched two X-59 guided missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force later reported that these had been shot down, along with14 Russian Kalibr cruise missiles. The air force said a total of 32 missiles had been launched in the attack.

The Air Force added that Russian had also fired 12 Kh-22 supersonic anti-ship missiles, and that some of them had managed to hit their targets.

Read also: Ukrainian defenders destroy 20 of Russias Iranian Shahed drones in one night

"Unfortunately, some of the Kh-22 cruise missiles reached their targets, hitting critical infrastructure facilities," the air force said.

"Currently, Ukraine has no weapons capable of destroying this type of missile."

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
6 people were killed and at least 13 were injured as a result of the Russian attack on Donetsk Oblast on 15 February.

Source: Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Kyrylenko: "Russia is killing civilians. On 15 February, the Russians killed 6 residents of Donetsk Oblast: 3 in Pokrovsk, 2 in Bakhmut and 1 in Avdiivka."

Details: Another 13 people in the Oblast were wounded, Kyrylenko said: 10 in Pokrovsk, 1 in Bakhmut and 2 in Kostiantynivka.

As of the morning of 16 February, the Russians killed at least 1,367 civilians and wounded at least another 3,052 people in Donetsk Oblast.

Kyrylenko points out that these numbers are not final, because it is currently impossible to establish the exact number of victims in Mariupol and Volnovakha.

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Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Ryan will be live with Kelly no longer.

Ryan Seacrest is leaving Live With Kelly and Ryan after six years on the air with Kelly Ripa. He shared the news on the air Thursday, revealing he made the "tough, tough decision" last year to "make this my last season as co-host" of the morning show.

But, in what Ripa described as the "shocking twist of the whole thing," Seacrest is set to be replaced as co-host by actor Mark Consuelos, Ripa's husband. The show will then become Live With Kelly and Mark.

"Because we are so aware of the importance of continuity and consistency and the familial vibe that we all have here, it only makes sense  to bring in somebody that we know and love and who's really always been here," she said.

Ripa also joked this will be the "nation's weirdest social experiment," and Seacrest said he "can't wait to watch."

Seacrest took over as co-host with Ripa in 2017, succeeding Michael Strahan, who himself had replaced Regis Philbin. Seacrest also hosts American Idol, and he said he plans to "head out to the West Coast" after that show begins taping live from Los Angeles in the spring. Kelly and Ryan tapes from New York, and Ripa noted it's been "exhausting" for Seacrest "going back and forth," while he said he was only originally going to be on Kelly and Ryan for three years.

But "you're not getting rid of me because I'm coming back to guest host and fill in," Seacrest said. Ripa praised Seacrest as "a gem" and "one of my best friends," who has "gone from being a friend to a family member," while he thanked her for "your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your levity, your friendship."

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(Terry Castleman)

A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy shot a suspect inside a home in Grand Terrace after responding to a report of an assault Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement officials.

At 10:27 a.m., deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 21800 block of Grand Terrace Road. The city of Grand Terrace sits on the 215 Freeway between Riverside and San Bernardino.

"When deputies arrived, they went into the home," said sheriff's spokesperson Gloria Huerta, adding that once inside the home, an officer shot the suspect.

The "suspect was taken to the hospital along with the initial victim" of the assault, Huerta said. The suspect was not identified.

Both the suspect and victim were still hospitalized as of Wednesday afternoon. The deputy who shot the suspect "was not hurt and the investigation is ongoing," Huerta said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), called to reduce barriers to medical education in a hearing on Thursday, bringing in medical school administrators from across the country to discuss their experiences and proposed solutions.

Lawmakers were largely in agreement in addressing the health care workforce shortage during the hearing on Thursday, with Sanders setting the tone.

So here is my hope. My hope that we can do what the pundits tell us that we cant do. And that is actually deal with the issues facing the American people in a serious, nonpartisan way. Because these issues impact every state in America, Sanders said.

The Vermont senator noted that U.S. life expectancy has fallen in recent years and attributed part of this to lack of access to timely and convenient healthcare, with not enough health care providers available, particularly in rural areas.

Sanders focused his attentions on the problems medical students are facing before, during and after their time in school.

It is a no-brainer to understand that when over 10,000 medical school graduates are unable to fill residency slots every year, we must significantly expand and improve the graduate medical program, Sanders said, noting that related action fell outside the jurisdiction of the HELP committee but still merited its attention.

He further noted that steep medical debts disincentivize medical school graduates from going to rural areas where their pay could be lower, calling student loan forgiveness to be increased.

Medical school administrators told the committee of the issues they are seeing in maintaining a strong health care workforce.

Sarah Szanton, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, noted in her testimony that the nurse population in the U.S. is older, with the average age being 54 years old. She also said that nearly a fifth of nurses are 65 and older.

Story continues

Theres 4.5 million nurses, and nurses are often considered the oxygen of any health care setting. So as a country, we need people to become new nurses and we need to retain current nurses, Szanton said.

She noted that many resources are needed for people to become nurses including getting into school, receiving the needed training and certification and graduating into careers that encourage worker retention. Tens of thousands of qualifying nursing school applicants are turned down, and Szanton cited lack of space as well as lack of scholarship funds.

The nursing shortage is in large part a nurse faculty shortage. The country is shy about 2,100 nurse faculty, said Szanton. We need to increase the number of highly educated nurses who can be faculty and retain them by paying them as much as their clinical counterparts receive.

Ranking member Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician himself, also touched on educational barriers in his opening remarks, noting that many experienced and accomplished nurses are unable to teach at nursing schools because they lack masters degrees, which are required to teach in some states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Todd Chrisley, pictured in 2016, is serving 12 years in prison for tax evasion and bank fraud. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

Reality star Todd Chrisley has a new look these days, a month after starting his 12-year prison sentence for tax evasion and bank fraud in January.

Savannah Chrisley revealed on Tuesday's episode of her "Unlocked" podcast that her father, who is best known for the USA Network reality series "Chrisley Knows Best," isn't sporting his signature blond highlights anymore.

"I will say it's really weird seeing him with gray hair. Like really weird," Savannah Chrisley told guest Britney Ruby Miller. "He's definitely used some color over the years and seeing him with gray hair I'm like, 'Oh my gosh.'"

Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years at Florida's Federal Prison Camp Pensacola while his wife, Julie Chrisley, will serve her seven-year sentence at Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Ky.

Expressing the same spirituality from previous "Unlocked" episodes, Savannah Chrisley, 25, said she "never felt the presence of Jesus more than I did in a prison visiting room" while visiting her father.

In recent months, Savannah (who is one of five Chrisley children) has discussed the challenges she faced ahead of her parents' prison sentences. But in Tuesday's episode, she said she's since gained "so much hope and so much restored strength."

She continued: "And I know that they're going through what they're going through for us to make a difference, for us to make a change. Because whether this appeal works or not, they're still coming out with a story."

Earlier in February, Savannah Chrisley said her parents have each made efforts to make the most of their prison time. Todd Chrisley's "working in the chapel" and Julie Chrisley's "running a dog on everyone" playing Spades with the friends she's made.

But it seems they're doing even more, Savannah said Tuesday.

"Like they're in there with these people who are struggling. My mom's the mom for those that haven't had a mom. My dad's a dad for those that haven't had a father figure," she said. "So for me, I'm like, you know what? I'm blessed that they get to be that for someone."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A North Carolina man facing a murder charge stemming from a 2018 shooting death in Horry County will be returning to jail as he awaits trial, according to the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardsons Office.

Marquis Brown, 32, of Fayetteville, had been out on bond since September 2020 following his June 2019 arrest.

On Thursday, a judge said he violated the condition of his $150,000 surety bond with electronic monitoring and revoked it at the request of the prosecution, the Thursday release states.

To violate the bond, he had to commit a crime.

Browns arrests while out on bond

Brown was arrested in September 2021 in Fayetteville for possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and again in December of that year for trafficking in opium/heroin and other charges.

The motion to revoke Browns bond was just approved Thursday.

Browns trial date has not been set.

A mans body found in parking lot

Mark Verhasselt, 42, was killed at a Magnolia North apartments parking lot.

Verhasselt lived in the Myrtle Beach area on and off for several years, Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden previously said.

Police found him in the Wild Iris Drive complex, which is on the outskirts of Myrtle Beach. A large police presence responded to the area and blocked off a section of the road and the parking lot while officers investigated.

More than five hours elapsed between reports of shots fired and police arriving at the location of the homicide.

Verhasselt was a person of interest in a Fayetteville Police Department disappearance case, Spectrum News reported in March.

Another man, Matthew Isaiah Rivera, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2022 for his role in connection to the murder. The North Carolina man pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to a murder.
Matt Jukes, the head of counter-terrorism policing - James Manning/PA

School massacre plots inspired by US rampages have been repeatedly thwarted by British police in recent years, the countrys most senior counter-terrorism officer has revealed.

Matt Jukes, the head of counter-terrorism policing, warned that investigators were finding an increasing amount of material glorifying school shootings shared by young people online.

Hundreds of reports about potential school attacks have been made to the police terrorist hotline - a toxic trend Mr Jukes said was being driven by the visibility of attacks in the US.

Speaking at a Scotland Yard briefing about threats facing the UK, the police chief also disclosed that eight late stage terror plots were foiled last year, several of which were close calls that he described as goal-line saves.

Asked by The Telegraph whether police had disrupted any school shooting plots in recent years, Mr Jukes said: Yes, absolutely. We have absolutely seen cases in which we have intervened with young people to prevent them going on to potentially carry out attacks in their school days.

'Real threat'

It is not a notional threat, it is a real threat which we have seen in individual cases.

He added that the details of the thwarted attacks could not be revealed as cases were still making their way through the legal system.

Mr Jukes also warned that violent misogyny espoused by individuals such as Andrew Tate risked pushing more young men towards terrorism.

Misogyny was said to be a common feature across the spectrum of terrorism cases, including Islamist, far-Right and incel extremists.

Asked specifically about Tate, who is under investigation in Romania over allegations of sexual assault and exploitation, the counter-terror chief said he was concerned about anyone who advocates violent misogyny.

He added: One thing that is very clear is men are dominant in our terrorist casework and increasingly young men and boys are present, so anything that introduces that kind of toxicity has to be a concern to counter-terrorism policing.

Story continues

Teenage offenders

In a troubling new development, suspects under the age of 18 now constitute one-fifth of terrorism arrests and police have investigated individuals as young as 13.

Last year was the first since 2016 when no-one was killed or seriously injured in a terror attack, but there are still 800 live investigations, and 5,000 pieces of extremist content were removed from the internet in 2022.

The eight near-miss plots smashed by authorities were said to have involved would-be attackers who had selected their targets and were in the process of gathering weapons.

Police fear the danger to the public could soon increase as several high-risk terrorists reach the end of their prison terms in 2023, with an average of one terrorist prisoner released every week.

Among those due to leave prison are individuals who have been convicted of very serious offences in the 2000s, individuals who have served over a decade in prison, according to Mr Jukes.

While fighting terrorism is still the majority focus, tackling hostile state activity was a growing part of work for counter-terror police due the range of threats now faced in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the police chief said.

They include so-called overseas police stations set up covertly in Britain by the Chinese state to intimidate the diaspora and 15 plots by Iran to kill or kidnap on British soil that have been uncovered since January 2022.

As the conflict in Ukraine approaches the end of its first year, British police have been gathering evidence of potential war crimes to pass to the International Criminal Court.

There have so far been 100 reports from people across the UK about potential war crimes in Ukraine, Mr Jukes said.


Scientology leader David Miscavige was finally served with a long-standing human trafficking lawsuit this week.

The suit was filed last year on behalf of three former members of the church who accused Miscavige of trafficking them into his organization as minors, per Insider.

In court documents viewed by the outlet, Valeska Paris and married couple Gawain and Laura Baxter alleged that they were coerced to join the religion  and its notorious Sea Organization arm  to provide unpaid labor and services for a decade or longer.

Plaintiffs were placed on a ship they could not leave and routinely punished by being humiliated, interrogated, and imprisoned, for the sole purpose of ensuring Plaintiffs would continue to perform back breaking free labor, the suit alleged.

A recent absence from public view  widely chronicled in the press  had prevented Miscavige from being served. According to the court documents, he evaded process servers 27 times at five different locations in Florida and California over four months.

Florida Magistrate Judge Julie Sneed, however, ruled this week that hes now considered served. The church leader has been given 21 days to respond to the civil suit.

David Miscavige reportedly evaded process servers for months.

David Miscavige reportedly evaded process servers for months.

Similar accusations of misconduct have been lodged at Miscavige in the past. As recently as 2019, he was sued over claims of abuse, human trafficking, and intimidation. Defectors have long warned about allegedly systemic abuse they experienced in the organization  which Scientology has routinely denied.

In a statement to Insider, church spokesperson Karin Pouw decried the allegations from Paris and the Baxters as absurd, ridiculous, scurrilous and blatantly false.

The case is nothing but blatant harassment and was brought and is being litigated for the purpose of harassmenthoping that harassment will extort a pay day, Pouw told the outlet.

Miscavige grabbed the reins of Scientology when its founder, science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, died in 1986. Critics like Tony Ortega and Leah Remini have since spoken out against the religion and its leader.

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But Scientology continues to retain high-profile followers like Tom Cruise and Danny Masterson  whose recent rape trial involving former church members ended in a hung jury. Meanwhile, Shelly Miscavige, the leaders wife, hasnt been seen in more than a decade.

Claims of unpaid labor have been lodged against the Church of Scientology before.

Claims of unpaid labor have been lodged against the Church of Scientology before.

Mike Rinder, a onetime church spokesman turned apostate, cautiously welcomed Sneeds decision.

While this is a major accomplishment, it is a small step in the overall scheme of things, Rinder wrote Wednesday. The war of attrition and seeking to exhaust the plaintiffs time, money, patience and resolve is just beginning.

Regardless, the attorneys working on behalf of Paris and the Baxters consider the ruling a success.

Now that Mr. Miscavige is served, we look forward to continuing to fight for justice for our clients, lawyers John Dominguez and Zahra Dean told Insider.

Related...
David Miscavige. Church of Scientology/Handout via Reuters

Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige is facing a federal human trafficking lawsuit.

A Florida judge ruled this week that he has now been considered served in the case.

Miscavige has been "actively concealing his whereabouts or evading service," the judge ruled.

Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige has been hiding from a federal human trafficking lawsuit filed against him and the religious organization, according to a judge who ruled this week that he has now been considered served in the case.

Florida Magistrate Judge Julie Sneed wrote in a ruling filed on Tuesday that Miscavige has been "actively concealing his whereabouts or evading service" in the suit.

Attorneys for the three plaintiffs in the case attempted to serve Miscavige a total of 27 times at five different locations in Florida and five different sites in California but were never able to track the Scientology head down, according to the court documents viewed by Insider.

"While Miscavige repeatedly asserts that Plaintiffs have attempted to effectuate service at the wrong address or addresses at which he was not present, Miscavige has never provided Plaintiffs or the court with the correct address," Sneed wrote in the ruling.

The judge also said that the plaintiffs have been "diligently attempting to locate and effectuate personal service on Miscavige over the course of several months" since they filed their original complaint in April of last year.

"The court finds that Miscavige has been properly served" in the case, Sneed ruled. Miscavige was given 21 days to respond to the order.

The trafficking lawsuit against Miscavige and the Church of Scientology was filed by Valeska Paris and married couple Gawain and Laura Baxter, who allege that they were trafficked into Scientology as children and forced to work long hours by the organization, which they said considered them adults.

Paris and the Baxters allege in the suit that as children, they were "coerced" to join the Sea Org sector of the Church of Scientology "and provide unpaid labor and services for a decade or longer on Defendants' ocean going cruise ship vessel, the 'Freewinds.'"

Story continues

"Defendants considered Plaintiffs to be possessions, void of any rights, whose sole purpose was to serve Defendants," Paris and the Baxters allege in their suit.

The suit also alleges, "Plaintiffs were placed on a ship they could not leave and routinely punished by being humiliated, interrogated, and imprisoned, for the sole purpose of ensuring Plaintiffs would continue to perform back breaking free labor for the Defendants."

Attorneys for Miscavige and the Church of Scientology did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Insider on Thursday.

Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw called Sneed's ruling "erroneous" in a statement to Insider and slammed the allegations by the Paris and the Baxters as "absurd, ridiculous, scurrilous and blatantly false."

"Mr. Miscavige never evaded service," Pouw said. "The case is nothing but blatant harassment and was brought and is being litigated for the purpose of harassmenthoping that harassment will extort a pay day."

Attorneys for the plaintiffs told Insider on Thursday that they are "very pleased by the Court's ruling and believe it to be based upon the evidence presented that Mr. Miscavige has attempted to evade service in this important human rights matter."

"Now that Mr. Miscavige is served, we look forward to continuing to fight for justice for our clients," lawyers John Dominguez, of the Cohen Milstein law firm, and Zahra Dean, of the Kohn Swift law firm, told Insider in a joint statement.

Read the original article on Insider
The Seattle Sounders are celebrating the life and legacy of Bruce Lee with a community kit, the team announced Wednesday.

The Bruce Lee kit honors the 50th anniversary of his death and his world-renowned film, Enter the Dragon. The kit was designed to reflect Bruces philosophies and values, which are shared by the Sounders and Seattle, the team said.

The sunbeam yellow colored accents symbolize the center of everything and represent nature, balance, and heroism. The hand-drawn dragon on the jersey represents strength and power. Bruces official signature and the dragon symbol are stamped on the bottom of each jersey.

The Yin and Yang symbol, on the back of the neck, is circled by two opposite arrows to indicate Bruces famous quote using no way as way; having no limitation as limitation.

The Sounders highlight four philosophies of Bruces that inspired the kit:

Harmony

Harmony lies at the core of Seattles identity: We find equilibrium in pristine natural beauty and urban bustle; history and progress; rays of sunshine and drops of rain. As a club, weve grown globally by deepening our roots locally, the Sounders said.

Self-expression

Seattle is a symbol of self-expression and on the field, the team blends coordinated movements with individual strategy, the Sounders said.

Inclusion

Bruce taught students from various backgrounds when he was a martial arts teacher in Seattle.

That commitment to inclusion lives on in our community. Its in our DNA. We break down barriers and fight for whats right. We strive to emulate Bruce by acting in support of tolerance and justice, the Sounders said.

Action

As Sounders, we strive for progress toward a brighter future. We are in perpetual motion, always working to turn ambition into reality; to win more trophies and reach new heights. Through action and mindfulness, we take purposeful steps toward meaningful change in our community, the team said.

The kit is on sale at all Sounders FC Pro Shop locations and online at the Pro Shop Store or the MLS Store.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Terraform Labs and its founder and CEO, Do Kwon, with defrauding investors.

At the beginning of May 2022, the $60 billion Terra blockchain ecosystem collapsed over a matter of days after its algorithmic stablecoin, Terra USD, lost its crucial $1 price peg and experienced a bank run.

"We allege that Terraform and Do Kwon failed to provide the public with full, fair and truthful disclosure as required for a host of crypto asset securities, most notably for LUNA and Terra USD," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

As the complaint alleges, from April 2018 to May 2022, Terraform and Kwon raised billions of dollars from investors by offering an "inter-connected suite crypto asset securities, many in unregistered transactions."

Those assets included security-based swaps designed to mirror the price of stock of U.S. companies and Terra USD the algorithmic stablecoin and the Terra ecosystem's native cryptocurrency, LUNA.

Gensler said the agency also alleges both Terraform and Do Kwon committed fraud by repeating false and misleading statements to build trust before the Terra blockchain ecosystem's collapse.

In this photo illustration a Terra Luna Cryptocurrency logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

According to the complaint, Terraform and Kwon repeatedly told investors Korean mobile payment application Chai used the Terra blockchain to process commercial payments between merchants and customers. However, this seeming breakthrough use case for Terra, turned out not to be a real thing, the agency alleged.

Rather, Defendants deceptively replicated Chai payments onto the Terraform blockchain, in order to make it appear that they were occurring on the Terraform blockchain, when, in fact, Chai payments were made through traditional means, the complaint stated.

The complaint also states Kwon and team misled the public on the status of Terra's governance model.

A year before its demise in May 2021, the price of Terra USD fell below its peg. Kwon and team sought help from a third-party buyer who restored the peg by purchasing massive amounts of the stablecoin. Once restored, the team behind TerraUSD publicly and repeatedly touted the restoration of the $1.00 UST peg as a triumph of decentralization."

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Kwon, who was previously served a subpoena by the SEC in Sept. 2021 just before joining a speaking panel at a crypto industry conference, sued the agency the next month in the Southern District of New York.

Kwon, who is known to this day for outrageous Twitter comments such as telling off a critic "have fun staying poor" and assuring investors shortly before Terra's collapse that his team was "deploying more capital - steady lads"  is one of crypto's most notorious public figures from the recent bull run.

Unlike other stablecoins that use cash to keep a steady $1 price peg, Terra USD used an algorithm linked to the supply of sister token, LUNA.

As the stablecoin spiraled below its price peg, the Terra ecosystem fell with it, wiling out $60 billion in investor funds. The implosion hastened the default of crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital in June, spreading financial contagion between high risk centralized lending and borrowing crypto firms.

Five other crypto firms  Celsius, Voyager, FTX, BlockFi and Genesis  have since filed for bankruptcy.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Do Kwon in his native country South Korea. According to South Korean police reports, Kwons last known location was Serbia.

"Todays action not only holds the defendants accountable for their roles in Terra's collapse, which devastated both retail and institutional investors and sent shoc waves through the crypto markets, but once again highlights that we look to the economic realities of an offering, not the labels put on it," said Gubir Grewal, the director of the SECs division of enforcement.

"As alleged in our complaint, the Terra ecosystem was neither decentralized, nor finance. It was simply fraud propped up by a so-called algorithmic 'stablecoin'  the price of which was controlled by the defendants, not the code."

Click here for the latest crypto news, updates, values, prices, and more related to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, DeFi and NFTs

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PIERRE  A bill that would have provided a $20 million grant incentive for small businesses to buy into the state's paid family leave program failed 4-2 in a Senate committee Wednesday.

The bill, SB 154, would have allotted $5 million in rebates across four years to private employers, who could apply for the grants in to afford a paid family leave insurance program for their own business. After four years, the business would be on the hook to pay for the program. It's the second part in Gov. Kristi Noem's proposed paid family leave initiative to make South Dakota a leader in the pro-life movement.

"The future of the pro-life movement lies in initiatives like this taking care of mothers and babies before birth and after," Rachel Oglesby, Noem's chief of policy, said.

More:Noem's paid family leave program passes first legislative hurdle

The main portion of the paid family leave program would extend 100% paid leave to state employees through an insurance policy with private South Dakotan businesses being able to buy into the insurance policy. Businesses would then work with the insurer to create the paid leave program that works best for them.

The leave could include parents taking time off to be with a newborn child or adopted child, helping care for a sick family member, or issues arising from when one's spouse is on active duty.

However, Sen. Michael Rohl, R-Aberdeen, questioned the incentive program and if "mom and pop" businesses would have the chance to apply for the grants since the program was based on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"I'm worried what's going to end up happening is the companies that have an HR staff or they're able to pay people to essentially fill [the grant] out, it's gonna be able to benefit them and not the actual mom and pop, because I think by the time they figured this out, I think that might be is going to be gone," Rohl said.

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More:South Dakota House passes anti-drag bill banning state funding of the 'lewd and lascivious'

He added fundamentally, he couldn't support tax payer dollars being used for a private business.

Sen. Sydney Davis, R-Burbank, was concerned about the longevity of the four-year grant program, but encouraged the conversation about paid family leave incentives to continue.

Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, who had sponsored the bill asked the committee to resist killing it. In his testimony, he said currently employers are looking for a paid family leave option.

"I'm just afraid that we're going to end up losing even more of our workforce," he said.

The paid family leave program will be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Second part of Noem's paid family leave program fails in committee
Photo: Alex Wong (Getty Images)

Freshman Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) checked himself into a hospital on Monday to get treatment for clinical depression that has become severe, according to his staff. Fetterman had a stroke in May 2022 and then went on to win his election against Mehmet Oz, flipping a Senate seat despite Fox News and the media in general having an ableist meltdown over his recovery.

The full statement from Fettermans chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, reads:

Read more

Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks. On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

Fetterman was briefly hospitalized last week after feeling lightheaded and doctors ruled out a second stroke. His wife, Gisele, said on Twitter, After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs. She added: This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy. For us, the kids come first. Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone.

This is a difficult time for our family, so please respect our privacy. For us, the kids come first.



Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone.  Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 16, 2023

In a New York Times story published last week on Fettermans recovery, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) talked about his own stroke recovery and said mental recovery can be as difficult as the physical aspects. I was very blessed there was a lot of love and humanity around me, he said. I cant imagine what my recovery would have been like if I had people saying horrible, disrespectful, uneducated, hateful things. Its tough.

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The story also noted that Fetterman lives alone in a Washington, D.C., apartment during the week, then drives four hours to Braddock, Pennsylvania, most weekends to see his wife and three kids.

To state the obvious, its pretty brave for Fetterman to acknowledge this particular struggle publicly and seek treatment. Its extremely rare, if not unprecedented, for a sitting senator to acknowledge their mental health issues, as Politico reporter Sam Stein noted.

John Fetterman isn't the first Senator to suffer from depression. But he's probably the first to publicly acknowledge he's getting treatment for it.  Sam Stein (@samstein) February 16, 2023

Get well soon, senator, we are rooting for your recovery.

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U.S. Senator John Fetterman has been hospitalized with clinical depression, according to Fettermans Chief of Staff Adam Jentleson.

Help is available: Here are resources if you need mental health support

A media release said that Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Wednesday night for treatment.

After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs. pic.twitter.com/SfuwWTSUcG  Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 16, 2023

PREVIOUS FETTERMAN COVERAGE: Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after feeling lightheaded during Senate retreat

Jentleson released the following full statement in a release to media Thursday:

Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks.

On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis.

After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

Fetterman, 53, is in his first weeks as a U.S. senator after winning the seat held by now-retired Republican Pat Toomey in a hard-fought contest against GOP nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Fetterman overcame a stroke days before last Mays primary election and spent the last five months on the campaign trail recovering from the stroke.

Last week, Fetterman stayed two days in George Washington University, checking himself in after becoming lightheaded. Fettermans office has said tests found no evidence of a new stroke or a seizure.

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He continues to suffer the aftereffects of the stroke, in particular auditory processing disorder, which can render someone unable to speak fluidly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.

The stroke nearly killed him, he has said.

Fetterman 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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WASHINGTONSen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., checked himself into a hospital to "receive treatment for clinical depression," his chief of staff Adam Jentleson said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

Fetterman's latest treatment comes as he is still in recovery from a May stroke that has required the use of closed captioning to help him communicate on the campaign trail and in the Senate.

He checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last night, Jentleson said.

"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," he said.

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.

Fetterman's wife, Gisele, said on Twitter Thursday afternoon she was proud of her husband.

"After what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John," she said. "I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs."

Fetterman last year raised awareness about stroke victims and recovery, gaining cross-party support in the midterms from others in recovery.

Now, as a sitting senator, his condition is raising awareness about mental health, with many reacting on social media with well wishes and their personal stories about living with depression.

Stroke recovery: As Fetterman prepares to debate Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania Senate race, stroke survivors see themselves in him

Fetterman was evaluated Monday by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress, Jentleson said in a statement. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed, and Fetterman agreed to receive care voluntarily.

"After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself," Jentleson said.

Fetterman was hospitalized last week after feeling lightheaded, and doctors at George Washington University hospital determined he had not had another stroke.

Gisele Fetterman requested privacy during "a difficult time."

Story continues

"For us, the kids come first," she said of their three children. "Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone."

When to seek help for depression: Lawmakers react to Fetterman news

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., who has publicly discussed her own struggle with depression, praised Fetterman for checking himself into Walter Reed.

"John is doing exactly what he should do, which is seek help," she said in a tweet Thursday. "Seeking help with you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness, something that John is demonstrating for all of us."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Fetterman is getting the help "he needs and deserves."

"Millions of Americans, like John, struggle with depression each day," he said Thursday in a tweet. "I am looking forward to seeing him return to the Senate soon."

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., said he admired Fetterman for openly seeking treatment.

"Back in 2010, I was hospitalized for depression," he said in a tweet Thursday. "I would not be alive, let alone in Congress, were it not for mental health care."

Fellow Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, who is recovering from prostate surgery, said on Twitter, "Millions of Americans struggle with their mental health. I am proud of (Fetterman) for getting the help he needs and for publicly acknowledging his challenges to break down the stigma for others."

Rep. Susan Wild, D-Penn., lost her partner of 17 years, Kerry Acker, to suicide in 2019. She has since worked to raise awareness about mental health.

On Thursday, she applauded Fetterman for publicly seeking help for severe clinical depression.

"Having seen the struggles that so many people have, I credit John for being a leader who recognizes that the public needs to know that mental health issues affect everyone, and that seeking help is not something to be ashamed of," she said Thursday in a tweet.

Mental health resources:

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time day or night, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (para espanol presiona el 2)

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then select 1, or text: 838255

Support Line for Physicians: 1-888-409-0141 - physiciansupportline.com

Help for Native American people: StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) or chat online

Resources for Black people: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/black-mental-health

Ayuda en espanol: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol

Find treatment: findtreatment.gov

Candy Woodall is a Congress reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senator John Fetterman checks into hospital for clinical depression
Former South Carolina governor turned 2024 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley takes a selfie with supporters at her first campaign event on February 15, 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced that she is running for president in 2024.

Senate Republican women offered guarded praise but seemed interested in additional candidates.

"We'll see who else jumps in" was pretty much the consensus gathered by Insider.

Most of the Republican women currently serving in the US Senate praised Nikki Haley's new presidential campaign by calling her a "serious contender" and her run "exciting," but hedged their support by saying there's, hopefully, more contenders on the way.

"I'm so excited that she's thrown her hat into the ring. And we'll see who else jumps in," Sen. Joni Ernst, who seemed to be on the exact same page as many of her colleagues, told Insider at the US Capitol.

The Iowa Republican, who vowed to remain neutral throughout the primary process because her home state will host the first GOP presidential caucus of the 2024 cycle, added that "we're going to see a lot of really wonderful quality candidates. And we're going to welcome all of them."

At the moment, that field belongs to embattled former President Donald Trump and now Haley, who formerly served as governor of South Carolina and is also a Trump administration alumnus. Trump announced his third presidential run shortly after the 2022 midterms but hasn't done much campaigning since then.

Recent polling still has the twice-impeached former president as the GOP frontrunner, followed by Florida Gov. and likely 2024 contender Ron DeSantis.

Haley threw her hat into the ring Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina, telling supporters it was time for a "new generation" of leadership and prescribing cognitive testing for any politician older than 75 (which includes Trump).

While the half-dozen GOP women Insider talked to about Haley's plans were generally supportive of her presidential ambitions, none offered her an endorsement. And only one acknowledged actually checking out Haley's online rollout.

"I saw the video that she put out. I thought it was well done," Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska told Insider between Senate votes. Fischer billed Haley as a "very qualified" and "engaging person with a lot of accomplishments."

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Still, she'd like to see who else is out there. "I think we have many, many people who would do a fabulous job," Fischer said of her presidential wish list.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said she's expecting a "robust primary" season.

"I'm looking forward to having a lot of discussions about what it really means to be a Republican in 2024 and beyond. And how different people view the Republican agenda in what are truly transformative times," Lummis told Insider while walking back to the Senate office buildings, adding that her hope is that there will be "multiple options on the Republican side."

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she's always been "impressed with Nikki Haley," and appreciates her shaking up the 2024 contest.

"She adds much needed diversity," Collins told Insider  before quickly adding, "I expect there'll be other very good candidates announcing as well."

Collins was definitely the most upbeat about Haley's chances.

"She's bright, communicates well, and has her pulse on what matters to working families," Collins said of Haley's qualifications. "I think she's a very interesting and serious contender."

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of other people in there," Sen. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia said of the burgeoning presidential race, adding that "competitive primaries are good ways for the voters to make good decisions."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the most pragmatic about the recent development, characterizing Haley's entry as real progress.

"To have a strong Republican woman out there who has been engaged at leadership on a lot of different levels, I think sends a good message," Murkowski told Insider before disappearing into a Senate subway car.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Mark Kelly says Congress should consider mandating transponders on high-altitude weather and research balloons to help the U.S. military differentiate between potential threats.

The issue has drawn new attention in recent days after U.S. fighter jets shot down a Chinese balloon and three other objects.

"If we require transponders on them we would make the military's life a lot easier - we don't want to be firing AIM-9X (missiles) at a NASA weather balloon," Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, said in a Reuters interview on Wednesday.

"Since these things have now proliferated and now we know they are a problem, especially from the standpoint of China using them for surveillance, we need to get a better picture so the military can sort out what is what."

Kelly, who previously served as a U.S. Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, said he is considering proposing legislation to mandate transponders that would allow air traffic controllers and the military identify balloons that are not a threat.

The United States has said the Chinese balloon was used for surveillance purposes while Beijing called it a weather balloon.

Since an American fighter jet shot down the 200-foot Chinese balloon on Feb. 4, three other objects have been downed. Kelly said there is still no clear understanding of what the other objects were.

The National Weather Service launches balloons at about 90 locations daily carrying an instrument tracked by specialized ground equipment.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday the U.S. intelligence community is considering the possibility that the objects were tied to a commercial or otherwise benign purpose.

Biden tasked national security adviser Jake Sullivan with presiding over a task force of various related agencies to come up with a set of guidelines on how to address unidentified objects going forward.

Acting Federal Aviation Administration chief Billy Nolen said at a Senate hearing on Wednesday the task force is working. "The FAA is part of that team," Nolen said. "That team has already met and continues to meet."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Robert Birsel)
High-level Democrats are rallying to President Bidens reelection, not because they think its in the best interest of the country to have an 82-year-old start a second term but because they fear the potential alternative: the nomination of Kamala Harris and election of Donald Trump.

Not that many of them will say it publicly, at least not that directly.

Nobody wants to be the one to do something that would undermine the chances of a Democratic victory in 2024, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) explained to me. Yet in quiet rooms the conversation is just the opposite  we could be at a higher risk if this path is cleared.

Phillips would know from those quiet rooms.

The third-term Democrat from suburban Minneapolis, a gelato company executive before running for Congress, was one of the few lawmakers last year to say his party should turn to a new generation in the next presidential race. And since the Democrats unexpectedly strong midterm performance, scarcely few have followed suit, while every potential Biden successor has fallen in line behind his yet-to-be-announced candidacy. Meanwhile, the private conversations about the wisdom of nominating an octogenarian and despair over who could take Bidens place have hardly subsided.

Its fear, plain and simple, Phillips explained of both the lack of Democratic officials calling for a new nominee and reluctance of other candidates to step forward. People are focused on self-preservation and their aspirations.

He has only praise for Biden, and not just of the Minnesota Nice sort. Hes a president of great competence and success, I admire the heck out of President Biden, Phillips said. And if he were 15-20 years younger it would be a no-brainer to nominate him, but considering his age its absurd were not promoting competition but trying to extinguish it.

This is where it gets delicate  or perhaps will soon in caucus meetings and between floor votes.

Republican officials were reluctant to criticize Donald Trump when he launched his first re-election effort, even though party elites barely tolerated him, because their voters overwhelmingly favored the former president. Democrats today reflect the mirror image: polls indicate many of their voters want a new nominee but few lawmakers say as much because it could create awkwardness with their fellow leaders, who dont want to speak out.

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Phillips reminded me that he criticized Republican lawmakers who would say very different things about Trump when the tape recorders were off and the beer tap was on.

Yes, the circumstances are different, and the presidents are very different, but its your responsibility when you represent constituents to speak your truth and not hide it, he said of his Democratic colleagues.

Phillipss message to those in his party who share his feelings about 2024: Say it out loud.

To which I would say: dont hold your breath.

My conversations with a variety of Democratic lawmakers and a number of the partys governors, who were in Washington last week for National Governors Associations winter meeting, bear out Phillipss case that he has ample company in his view of Biden  but that they are as muted about it as he is loud.



There was the senator who said few Democrats in the chamber want Biden to run again but that the party had to devise an alignment of interest with the president to get him off the narcotic of the office; there was the governor who mused about just how little campaigning Biden would be able to do; and there was the House member who, after saying that, of course, Democrats should renominate the president told me to turn off my phone and then demanded to know who else was out there and said Harris wasnt an option.

My favorite, though, was the Democratic lawmaker who recalled speaking to Jill Biden and, hoping to plant a seed about a one-term declaration of victory, told her how her husband should be celebrated for saving democracy. When I asked if I could use any of that on the record, the lawmaker shot back: absolutely not.

The only other Democratic lawmaker willing to publicly call for a new nominee in 2024 was Phillipss fellow Minnesotan, Rep. Angie Craig, who also said the same last year.

I said it, I still believe it, but if the president chooses to run again Ill respect that decision and Ill support him, Craig told me. She and Phillips both told me they never heard from the White House after making their initial statements, a reminder of the soft touch from this president.

Another reminder of why Biden enjoys goodwill from Democratic leaders came more recently, when the president did telephone Craig  after she was assaulted in an elevator. Biden called the congresswoman soon after, checking in on her and wishing her a happy birthday. As Craig put it to me before the attack took place: Joe Biden is a really good man.

But its hardly just Bidens decency and gift for personal connection that keeps Democrats at bay.

Remarkable as it may sound for an 80-year-old, self-diagnosed gaffe machine, he has become the political equivalent of a safe harbor, at least in the minds of his lieutenants and many party leaders.

Bidens team is eying an April announcement (the same month he began his campaign in 2019), weighing who should run the campaign and their super PAC. (California-based Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie will take a leadership role at one of the two entities.) The Biden folks believe that Trump or any other Republican nominee will be reluctant to work with the Commission on Presidential Debates, lessening the chances, and risk, of a head-to-head debate.

We know what we have and we know the stakes in 2024, we cannot lose, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina told me. And that was the thinking of nominating Joe Biden in 2020 to start with. It worked then, why is it not going to work now?

Saluting his candidacy is publicly framed as simply backing an incumbent president, dog bites man, nothing to see here.

In truth, it gets them out of a potentially messy primary, buys them time on his eventual, and perhaps equally messy, succession and helps keep the focus on Trump and the Republicans, which is both the adhesive that binds their coalition and their best calling card for the broader electorate: See, were not those guys.

Politics has become not about what you want but what you dont want, as Jim Hodges, the former South Carolina governor, put it.

Theres something more cynical at work with the public show support of Biden, however. Its an exercise in escape-hatch politics (a new sort of the Democrats politics of evasion).

By simply stating their support for the presidents reelection, they may be suppressing their misgivings but theyre also avoiding the inevitable follow-up question: Well, are you for the vice president?

When nearly a dozen Democratic governors lined up for a news conference to trumpet their midterm gains, eager to take a turn at the microphone, the voluble bunch grew quiet when I asked if they thought Harris should be nominated without a primary were Biden not to run.



I dont think were going to go there on that one, the president is running, said Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

When I asked if any of the other governors wanted to speak to the question, they all stayed silent until Murphy said were good and the governors broke out in a round of nervous laughter.

In fact, Harris would not face an uncontested primary and some of the very governors behind the microphone would likely challenge her.

The field would be really large and really unruly and really divisive around racial and gender lines, said Howard Wolfson, the longtime Democratic strategist, dipping into his French to say: After Biden, the deluge.

This is all to say that the only topic Democrats may be less happy to discuss than actuarial tables and Bidens second term is his vice president. To express their concerns about a woman of Jamaican and Indian descent touches, to put it mildly, on highly sensitive matters.

More to the point, Democrats have seen what happens when anyone in their party openly criticizes Harris  theyre accused by activists and social-media critics of showing, at best, racial and gender insensitivity. This doesnt stifle concerns about her prospects, of course, it just pushes them further underground or into the shadows of background quotes.

Such as this, from a House Democrat: The Democrats who will need to speak out on her are from the Congressional Black Caucus, no white member is going to do it.

Members of the CBC, however, are either supportive of Harris or no more willing to give public voice to their unease with the vice president than the above lawmaker.

One senior Black lawmaker, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), was more candid than most in discussing the partys calculation behind rallying to Biden.

Hes the president, Beatty told me. And right now he says hes going to be our candidate. And people will fall in line because he can win the general election.

Putting a finer point on it, she said: Biden is the guy that can beat Trump.

That argument, however, captures the gamble the president and his on-the-record allies appear to be making. What if Trump isnt the nominee? Will Democrats then regret not opening up the competition and denying Republicans the generational contrast many in the GOP crave?

If Donald Trump tomorrow announced he was moving to Elba, and would stay there, there would be a very different conversation in the Democratic Party, said Wolfson.

But the gentleman from the shores of Lake Minnetonka wants that conversation now.

What Im trying to remind my colleagues and the country is that competition is good, and the absence of competition is unhealthy for democracy, said Phillips, adding that not providing platforms to aspiring leaders is antithetical to strong leadership.

As for those in the party who are alarmed about the vice president and her prospects in the general election, he flashed a hint of irritation in his Midwestern mien.

Thats why we have primaries, said Phillips. Look at how many members of Congress succeeded through primaries, for Gods sake.
Thousands huddled Wednesday night at the steps of the Hatcher Graduate Library on the University of Michigans Diag, candles in hand, quiet.

Students laid flowers and candles on the Block M at the center of the Diag. And at the steps of the graduate library, a banner read Wolverines for Spartans.

Students said no one should go through what happened at Michigan State University on Monday night, where eight students were gunned down, three killed, and five critically injured.

Not at MSU, not at Oxford, not at Sandy Hook, not at Parkland, not at Uvalde  nowhere, students said.

U-M students write down words of supports for MSU shooting victims and survivors during a candlelight vigil at the Diag in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

I'm not exactly sure what to say, but I do know one thing  the second that we normalize, that we think this is something normal for any of us to go through before were 21, its something that we cannot allow to happen  childrens hopes and dreams are gone, said Karthik Pasupula, a member of UMs Central Student Government.

We may be rivals on the field, but we are united in our commitment to a better future.

More:University of Michigan teams to honor victims of MSU shooting with special decals

As students huddled, they mourned together, began healing together and sought to take a stand against gun violence and the generational trauma it has brought to students across the country.

Mikah Rector-Brooks, addressing the crowd, recalled learning to use a desk as a shield from gunfire before learning to add 2 and 2.

For Vanessa Donovan, who survived the Oxford mass shooting in 2021, Wednesday was the second time she stood on the steps of Hatcher, reading the names of students shot and killed.

Alyssa Donovan, a UM senior from Oxford, is comforted by fellow students after speaking against gun violence as students hold a vigil for MSU shooting victims at the Diag in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

I urge you to remember their names  Alexandria, Brian, and Arielle  for how they live, for how they loved, and for who they were. Not for how they were taken from us, Donovan said.

The word is a darker place without their beautiful souls. And now we must all find our strength to try and heal our humanity again, together.

At the end of the vigil, students wrote messages of love and healing on the banner that read Wolverines for Spartans, followed by several minutes of silence.

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Meanwhile, thousands more held a vigil an hour northwest in East Lansing on Wednesday, and colleges across the state joined in paying tribute to the victims, Arielle Anderson, 19, of Harper Woods; Brian Fraser, 20, of Grosse Pointe; and Alexandria Verner, 20, of Clawson.

Vigils were organized at Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University and Alma College.

More:It's going to be hard; MSU students who were at Union during rampage return to get belongings

More:Body cam footage shows 2019 arrest of MSU shooting suspect Anthony McRae

Beyond Michigan, institutions like Duke University were holding space to mourn the slain Michigan State University students, as well.

Yousra Zouani, student senate president at Wayne State University, said students want to mourn and honor Anderson, Fraser and Verner, and to recognize the trauma that mass shootings inflict on so many.

But they're also issuing calls to action, she said. Students are angry.

UM students comfort each other as they hold a candlelight vigil for MSU shooting victims at the Diag in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

"Its an endless loop of violence. Were saying thoughts and prayers and nothing is coming out of it," Zouani said.

"I don't think a lot of people understand the degree at which this has become a normal experience for students in America."

Zouani said she underwent active shooter drills many times at school while growing up in Plymouth.

"Why is this normal for me to experience?" Zouani asked.

Zouani helped organize an upcoming vigil at Wayne State University, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the flagpoles on Gullen Mall. Those who wish to attend are asked to wear green and white, the colors of Michigan State University.

More:Michigan State shooting victim Arielle Anderson wanted to become a doctor

More:Michigan State shooting victim Brian Fraser remembered as a leader in community

More:Michigan State shooting victim Alexandria Verner was all-state athlete, leader

Students who held vigil at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on Wednesday also issued a call to action.

Stepping to the podium inside the university's north ballroom, Cheng Kidd Sun, president of the Western Student Association, said "let's do something."

"If we look around at each other, today we show that if we stand together and if we unite together, we as a campus can move forward," Sun said.

Sun was among hundreds of WMU students, faculty and staff who gathered. Students expressed fear they could be the next victims of a mass shooting.

"These students are in the same position that Im in," said Logan Miller, a junior. "Theyre the same age as me, like that easily couldve happened here. We couldve been in the same situation."

"There was no reason for them to have to go through that. Theres no reason for us to have to go through that."

Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Greyson Steele contributed to this report.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan students set aside rivalries to honor MSU shooting victims
Gov. Josh Shapiro vowed Thursday not to sign any execution orders over the next four years, continuing the death penalty moratorium that his predecessor Tom Wolf formally signed eight years ago, and urged state lawmakers to abolish the death penalty "once and for all."

"The system is fallible, and the outcome is irreversible," Shapiro said from a lectern at the Mosaic Community Church in Philadelphia. "I have painstakingly considered every aspect of Pennsylvania's capital sentencing system, reflected on my own conscience and weighed the tremendous responsibilities that I have as governor. I'm here today in this church, in this place where we hug and we talk and we challenge one another, to tell you that I will not sign any execution warrants during my time as governor of the commonwealth. When an execution warrant comes to my desk, I will sign a reprieve."

Pennsylvania has only carried out three executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, the last coming in 1999.

Shapiro, the state's former attorney general, noted that his position on the death penalty has evolved.

"When I assumed office as attorney general, I believed that the death penalty should be reserved for the most heinous of cases, that it indeed was a just punishment for those specific crimes," Shapiro said. "However, when the first capital case came to my desk in the Attorney General's Office, I found myself repeatedly refusing to seek the death penalty on those cases.

"When my son asked me why it was OK to kill someone who killed someone else, I couldn't look him in the eye and answer that question," he continued.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is sworn in at the state Capitol on Jan. 17, 2023.

Shapiro acknowledged having publicly called for the execution of Robert Gregory Bowers after Bowers allegedly opened fire inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people and wounding six in 2018. His case is expected to go to trial this year.

"Over time, my thoughts on this issue have evolved," he said. "I've spoken to a lot of victims, to families, to advocates, to community leaders, and to my son. I listened to the families of those 11 people who were slain at Tree of Life. And I was truly moved by their courage and by their grace. You see, they told me, and they told the world that even after all the pain and anguish, they did not want that killer to be put to death."

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By the time Shapiro reaches the final year of his first term, the death penalty will have been legal in Pennsylvania for 50 years after its reinstatement.

Shapiro called on lawmakers to change that. Pennsylvania, he said, should join the 25 other states that have abolished the death penalty.

State Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Philadelphia, lauded Shapiro for his decision and said he will work with both parties to bring a bill to the governor's desk.

"There are many instances in which our criminal justice system falls short, but perhaps none is more stark than in our commonwealth's use of capital punishment, a racist, classist, cruel, and utterly useless institution," Saval told the audience of parishioners, lawmakers and anti-death penalty activists who gathered at the church. "A sentence of death has more to do with where a defendant lives, what they look like, and what resources they have at their disposal than it does with a crime that they have committed."

Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman called the decision "a rash approach to an issue of this magnitude" given that state lawmakers to learn about Shapiro's shift "only minutes before it was announced on Twitter."

"Any changes to close access to an element of punishment must appropriately consider the families of murder victims and the critical perspective of law enforcement," Pittman wrote in a statement. "Protecting our society while implementing meaningful criminal justice reforms have been ongoing priorities for the Senate Republican Caucus, and we will continue to engage in criminal justice reform discussions this session. Without question, the legal and ethical aspects of the death penalty warrant careful examination before being used.

Republican state Sen. Lisa Baker, chair of the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that significant reform is needed in several areas of the criminal justice system, but too often the debate leads to "accusations" of who is hard or soft on crime. Baker said any reform needs "reason, balance, compromise, and consensus building across party lines and between branches of government."

Baker appeared to criticize Shapiro's announcement, saying that any public official who "issue(s) 'I will always' or 'I will never' statements contribute to the hardening of views, rather than providing helpful clarity, making it more difficult to move toward responsible resolution.

To achieve substantial pieces of corrective legislation, we must reconcile the public demands for tougher justice in the wake of violent crimes with expert analyses that reveal laws and policies are having unintended consequences, to the detriment of effective enforcement and efficient utilization of resources. This conflict is always evident during debates about the death penalty, a much studied and passionately argued subject."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Shapiro won't sign execution warrants, asks lawmakers to overturn death penalty
Performance at Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLSE:KLK) has been reasonably good and CEO Seri Oi Hian Lee has done a decent job of steering the company in the right direction. This is something shareholders will keep in mind as they cast their votes on company resolutions such as executive remuneration in the upcoming AGM on 23 February 2023. However, some shareholders may still be hesitant of being overly generous with CEO compensation.

See our latest analysis for Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad

Comparing Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's CEO Compensation With The Industry

Our data indicates that Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad has a market capitalization of RM24b, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as RM17m for the year to September 2022. We note that's an increase of 21% above last year. We think total compensation is more important but our data shows that the CEO salary is lower, at RM5.6m.

For comparison, other companies in the Malaysian Food industry with market capitalizations ranging between RM18b and RM53b had a median total CEO compensation of RM3.5m. Hence, we can conclude that Seri Oi Hian Lee is remunerated higher than the industry median. Moreover, Seri Oi Hian Lee also holds RM3.3m worth of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad stock directly under their own name.

Component 2022 2021 Proportion (2022) Salary RM5.6m RM5.2m 34% Other RM11m RM8.5m 66% Total Compensation RM17m RM14m 100%

Talking in terms of the industry, salary represented approximately 75% of total compensation out of all the companies we analyzed, while other remuneration made up 25% of the pie. Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad sets aside a smaller share of compensation for salary, in comparison to the overall industry. It's important to note that a slant towards non-salary compensation suggests that total pay is tied to the company's performance.

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad's Growth

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad has seen its earnings per share (EPS) increase by 51% a year over the past three years. In the last year, its revenue is up 36%.

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Shareholders would be glad to know that the company has improved itself over the last few years. It's great to see that revenue growth is strong, too. These metrics suggest the business is growing strongly. Historical performance can sometimes be a good indicator on what's coming up next but if you want to peer into the company's future you might be interested in this free visualization of analyst forecasts.

Has Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad Been A Good Investment?

With a total shareholder return of 7.9% over three years, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad has done okay by shareholders, but there's always room for improvement. Accordingly, a proposal to increase CEO remuneration without seeing an improvement in shareholder returns might not be met favorably by most shareholders.

In Summary...

The company's decent performance might have made most shareholders happy, possibly making CEO remuneration the least of the concerns to be discussed in the upcoming AGM. Still, not all shareholders might be in favor of a pay raise to the CEO, seeing that they are already being paid higher than the industry.

CEO compensation is an important area to keep your eyes on, but we've also need to pay attention to other attributes of the company. That's why we did our research, and identified 3 warning signs for Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (of which 1 is significant!) that you should know about in order to have a holistic understanding of the stock.

Switching gears from Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, if you're hunting for a pristine balance sheet and premium returns, this free list of high return, low debt companies is a great place to look.

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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Protagonist Pictures has sold out international on Rebecca Millers Berlinale opener She Came to Me.

The Peter Dinklage-led film has sold into Sky for the U.K. and Ireland, Belga for Benelux, Originals Factory for France, Lusomundo for Portugal, Trip Pictures for Spain, M2 Eastern for Europe, Cinesky for Airlines, Aud for South Korea and Shochiku for Japan.

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In addition, Universal Pictures Content Group has made a multi-territory deal that spans Germany, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Scandinavia, Iceland, Switzerland, Israel, Middle East, South Africa, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Asia pay-TV rights.

CAA Media Finance are representing North American rights on the project.

The romantic comedy-drama stars Dinklage as Steven, a moody classical composer struggling with an oppressive writers block that prevents him from delivering his next opera. Despite endless encouragement from his evangelical therapist wife (Anne Hathaway), it takes a bizarre and slightly traumatic encounter with an eccentric tugboat captain (Marisa Tomei) to snap him out of his creative torpor. But just as Steven makes his long-awaited comeback, his personal life implodes.

Making a movie like this is actually meaningful for independent cinema  its meaningful that we got it made, Miller told Variety in an exclusive interview. Every time that happens, its a real victory, because it is very difficult  its hard to get personal films made.

The film debuts an original new song from Bruce Springsteen called Addicted to Romance, which plays during the movies end credits. The Nationals Bryce Dessner composed the score, and Kim Jennings (The Producers, Joker) is on board as production designer.

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Killer Films Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler are producing alongside Miller and Damon Cardasis from Round Films, Len Blavatnik of AI Films and Anne Hathaway.

We love Rebecca, and the whole team. We know our distribution partners will be as thrilled as we are with what they have achieved, says George Hamilton, chief commercial officer at Protagonist Pictures. Opening the Berlinale is such an honor and with all the amazing cast in attendance it is a truly fitting premiere for this hilarious, timely and uplifting New York story as well as a wonderful way to celebrate a fully in-person return to Berlin.

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The Shell Cracker Plant in Beaver County is warning residents that they may see a glow from their ground flare.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Environmental groups concerned after Shell Cracker Plant flare

According to a social media post from the plant, neighbors may see this glow over the next couple of nights as hydrocarbons are reintroduced into the system.

The plant said the ground flare is an important environmental control and safety device used in other processing plants.

The flares are a safe way to burn hydrocarbon gases as an alternative to releasing the gases directly into the atmosphere, according to Shell.

Shell said it protects the community and employees from exposure to the gases.

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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Thursday called on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) to declare a disaster following the derailment in East Palestine of a train containing several cars of hazardous chemicals.

In a letter, Brown praised DeWines handling of the incident but called for a formal declaration from the governors office to allow the state to request federal aid in the cleanup process.

A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope, Brown wrote. Im grateful for all that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, local fire fighters, and local law enforcement have done to respond to this unprecedented disaster, but its critical we act quickly to supplement those efforts. Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

Five lingering questions over Ohio train derailment, toxic spill

The train, operated by the Norfolk Southern railroad, derailed Feb. 3 in the town on the Pennsylvania border, spilling various substances including vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical used to produce plastics. Officials evacuated the town but allowed residents to return days later.

State officials have said the air and the water remain safe after testing. However, observers and residents remain particularly concerned about potential contamination of the Ohio River, which provides drinking water to millions of people. Local officials have confirmed at least 3,500 fish have died since the spill.

Frustration builds over response to Ohio train derailment as officials urge patience

In a press conference Wednesday, DeWine said President Biden has offered any assistance the state needs but that the governor had deemed it unnecessary at this stage. EPA Administrator Michael Regan traveled to the town and is set to deliver remarks Thursday.

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In a statement, DeWines office said FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time. Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.

The office of Browns fellow Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R) referred The Hill to comments the GOP senator made in East Palestine to WKYC Channel 3 in which he said it was also important to not let Norfolk Southern off the hook, saying we have to be careful about a course of action that would transfer liability entirely to the federal government, but I would say my main emphasis is, we need to get this community the resources necessary to rebuild.

 Updated at 1:29 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Police are investigating a shooting that took place early Thursday morning at an apartment complex.

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Cobb County police said around 1:24 a.m., officers received reports of a shooting at the Premier Apartments located on Premier Lane in Austell.

When officers arrived, they found 23-year-old Phil Ray of Austell in front of building 300 with a gunshot wound to his foot and 19-year-old Jamari Payne of Woodstock in front of building 313 with a gunshot wound in the arm and torso.

Both were taken to the hospital where they are listed in stable condition.

It is unclear if anyone has been taken into custody.

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It is unclear what led to the shooting.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Tip Hotline at 770-499-4111.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Louisiana State Police

A Shreveport police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black man as he fled his home earlier this month was arrested on Thursday morning, according to Louisiana State Police.

The cop, Alexander Tyler, has been charged with negligent homicide nearly two weeks after Alonzo Bagley, 43, died at his apartment complex on Feb. 3 following a call to police by his wife.

Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations have reviewed body worn camera footage and other relevant evidence, state police said in their announcement Thursday afternoon. Based on their findings and in coordination with the Caddo Parish District Attorneys Office, Troopers arrested Shreveport Police Officer Alexander Tyler this morning.

Along with announcing the arrest, police also released some bodycam footage and a recording of the 911 call placed the evening Bagley was killed.

Bagleys family said the footage proved he should not have lost his life that day.

Alonzo was just so, so scared, the familys attorney, Ron Haley, said in a statement. Everyone at the scene, including the perpetrator Alexander Tyler, knew Mr. Bagley should not have been shot that night. He wasnt a threat. He deserved to live.

According to the arrest warrant, police were called to Bagleys home by his wife, who said he was drunk and threatening her and her daughters. After cops arrived, Bagley went into his bedroom, attempted to grab something off a nightstand, and then fled the apartment by jumping over the balcony handrail, police said. As Bagley ran through the apartment complex, Tyler shot him in the chest in an entryway.

Oh, Lord. Oh, God. You shot me, Bagley, who had his empty hands in the air, told the officer, according to the filing. Tyler and another officer called to the scene attempted to administer aid, but he was later pronounced dead.

According to the affidavit, Tyler, 23, told police that Bagley had approached him and that he could not see his hands. But the warrant states that there were no known reports made to the responding officers that [Bagley] was in possession of a dangerous weapon[and] no articulable facts were provided that would justify the need for deadly force.

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In one of the bodycam videos released, two officers can be seen knocking on the door of Bagleys apartment. He answers with a liquor bottle in hand and declines to step outside, then claims he needs to put his dog away and walks back into the apartment.

Officers follow him into a back bedroom and see Bagley jumping over the balcony outside the room. The officer wearing the body camera leaves the apartment to follow Bagley as he runs through the apartment complex. At one point, a loud gunshot rings out and Bagley can be seen collapsing against the side of a building. Another officer, who is already outside, then walks with a gun toward Bagley.

A second video shows Tyler chasing Bagley with his gun in his hand, before he cuts around a corner of a building and shoots.

No, no, no, man! Cmon, dude! Tyler anxiously pants, seemingly surprised at the severity of Bagleys injuries.

At a press conference with Bagleys family on Thursday afternoon, Haley said, Flight is not a death sentence. Flight does not mean shoot to kill. Flight does not mean judge, jury and executioner. And that's what happened here.

He questioned overall policing in the country, claiming no amount of training can remove cops bias towards Black and brown men. He slammed Shreveport police and accused Tyler of having previous disciplinary issues. Alternatively, he commended Louisiana State Police for taking swift action.

Bagleys brother, Xavier Sudds, said he didnt understand why Tyler immediately pulled his gun out.

As a police officer, you have a calling to protect and serve, he said. I dont feel like Shreveport police protected or served Alonzo Bagley, my brother, a son, a husband. They failed miserably.

Bagleys family criticized the local city government, claiming the mayor hadnt provided any comfort in the nearly two weeks since Bagleys death. Some also felt Tyler wasnt properly charged.

It honestly got me seeing him take his last breath. It really broke my heart; my hearts still broken, Sudds said. Im gonna keep saying that this is painful. I'm hurting. My family is hurting. Were hurting as a people, and a call to justice is what is needed.

In an interview with local news outlet KSLA following the presser, Tylers attorney, Dhu Thompson, said no officer ever wants to be in a situation like his client.

All good officers dont go out on the street, you know, wanting to shoot somebody in this situation, he said. He was put in an unfortunate situation. Hes not cavalier about this. Hes just as shook about this incident as any other reasonable officer would be.

Gregory ONeal, a childhood friend of Bagleys, told The Daily Beast on Thursday that hes still struggling to process what happened after viewing the devastating bodycam footage.

ONeal and Bagley met as kids, and their friendship continued into their adulthood. They shared the same birthday, had mutual friends, and grew up in the same neighborhood, where ONeal eventually became president of the residential association, he said.

Being involved in a neighborhood and just seeing whats going on in the community and then seeing things that are going on in the world, its definitely devastating when a person you grew up with ends up in a situation like this, ONeil explained.

According to CNN, Bagley sued Shreveport police officers, accusing them of assaulting him during a 2018 arrest. Its unclear how that lawsuit was resolved.

ONeal speculated that Bagley may have run away from the officers because of his previous encounter with police.

I think the officer responded out ofIm not gonna say fear, but he had different options he couldve chose[n], ONeal told The Daily Beast. Just firing a shot, there are a lot of other opportunities that he could have taken at that point.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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UPDATE: 4:50 p.m. Tyler bonded out of Caddo Correctional Center at 3:30 p.m. on a $25,000 bond.

Shreveport Police officer Alexander Tyler, 23, has been arrested in connection with the death of Alonzo Sentell Bagley, 43. Louisiana State Police released Thursday morning. LSP said that Tyler was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on the charge of Negligent Homicide.

In the release, LSP provided video body footage of Tyler firing his weapon at Bagley and performing aid after the incident. Tyler can be heard saying, "no man, no man, come on dude." The "critical incident community briefing video" was created by LSP and is posted on YouTube. The video contains graphic pictures and language.

On Feb. 3, around 10:51 p.m. two Shreveport Police officers responded to the Villa Norte Apartment Complex in the 1600 block of Fullerton Street.

Officers were called to this location in regard to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the officers made contact with Alonzo Sentell Bagley, 43, who then exited the apartment over the balcony.

Police say Tyler chased Bagley. Tyler made contact with Bagley when he rounded the corner of the building and fired one shot, according to police. A bullet struck Bagley once in the chest.

Bagley was transported to Ochsner LSU Health and was pronounced dead around 11:30 p.m.

The Bagley's family attorney, Ron Haley said, "Alonzo was just so, so scared. Everyone at the scene, including the perpetrator Alexander Tyler, knew Mr. Bagley should not have been shot that night."

The Bagley family will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Thursday, to discuss updates regarding the progression of the criminal and civil aspects of this matter. The City of Shreveport will also hold a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport officer arrested in connection with death of Alonzo Bagley
Abbott makes Similac baby formula. Mark Duncan/AP

Similac maker Abbott is under federal criminal investigation for its role in the baby formula shortage.

The possible charges carry penalties of up to $500,000 for corporations and up to a year of prison time for individuals.

"It's a layup for a misdemeanor charge against Abbott," a food-safety attorney told Crain's Chicago.

The US Department of Justice is investigating Abbott Laboratories, the maker of Similac baby formula, over its conduct that resulted in a plant shutdown and nationwide shortages last year.

If the DOJ's consumer protection unit finds evidence of criminal violations at the company's plant in Sturgis, Michigan, Abbott could face fines of up to $500,000 per offense and up to a year of prison time for individuals involved.

The sprawling healthcare giant made $43.7 billion in revenues in 2022, of which about $1.5 billion came from its US pediatric nutrition division, according to its annual report.

Abbott did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the Food and Drug Administration specifies fines of up to $500,000 per offense for a misdemeanor by a corporation "that results in death, or a felony." Misdemeanors that do not result in death, and offenses by individuals, carry lesser penalties.

In all cases, those found responsible face up to a year in prison for each offense.

"It's a layup for a misdemeanor charge against Abbott and/or particular executives who were in charge of that plant," food-safety attorney Bill Merler told Crain's Chicago Business. Marler has represented clients in cases against Chipotle, ConAgra and Jack in the Box.

Felony charges, he noted, are more difficult to support, since they would require evidence of intent to mislead regulators and consumers.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control said it could not conclusively link the multiple strains of bacteria found at the Abbott plant with those that led to the deaths of two infants in Ohio.

An Associated Press investigation last year found that US food safety regulators did not inspect Abbott or the other two largest baby-formula manufacturers in 2020.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, reported that six thousand civilians still remain in the city of Bakhmut  she urges them to evacuate as soon as possible.

Source: Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine

Quote: "Bakhmut. Only today (16 February  ed.) five civilians died and nine civilians were injured there. Heavy fighting is ongoing in the city. Russian artillery is launching attacks on residential areas.

Honestly, I cannot wrap my head around what six thousand civilians are still doing there. This is how many people remain in the city according to latest reports.

I am turning to the civilians who are still remaining in Bakhmut: If you are adequate, law-abiding and patriotic citizens you must evacuate immediately."

Details: She states that by staying in a frontline city civilians are putting themselves and their families in danger: "especially children who are forced to remain with you."

This also creates additional problems and risks for all those people who are trying to help you (the military, the National Police, volunteers).

Moreover, civilians prevent the defence and security forces from working properly in the city: "They have to constantly care about your safety."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Another inmate has been sentenced for election-related crimes stemming from a voter fraud investigation in Alachua County.

Records show Xavier Lavell Kevon Artis, 23, accepted a plea agreement from the State Attorney's Office and was adjudicated guilty on Tuesday and sentenced to 13 months with credit for 277 days.

Artis won't serve any additional jail time, as his sentence will run concurrently with the five years he received in August 2020 on burglary and weapon charges.

Court records show Artis is scheduled to be released from state custody on Aug. 22, 2024.

Artis is the sixth of 10 inmates to be adjudicated guilty on various crimes related to the 2020 general election following a voter drive held by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office that occurred at the county jail after the passage of Amendment 4.

Amendment 4, which took effect in 2019, was passed by nearly two-thirds of Florida voters but brought widespread confusion following subsequent changes from Republicans.

The ballot measure was supposed to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who had completed their sentences. Republican lawmakers passed a bill requiring that a convicted felon's fees, court costs and restitution be paid before their voting rights are fully restored, which many counties don't even track or have sold debt off to collections agencies.

More:Florida election officials offered inmates a chance to vote; it got them prosecuted

Editorial:Voting charges against Alachua County inmates show system designed to fail

Those previously convicted in the Alachua County voter fraud investigation were sentenced to one-to-three years in prison, and their sentences are largely served concurrently while they are incarcerated for other, unrelated charges. Arthur Lang, however, who was originally scheduled to be released on Jan. 29 on previous convictions, was sentenced on June 14 to 18 months in prison and is not scheduled to be released now until Sept. 11.

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The cases of four people charged in the investigation have yet to be settled. Jury selection in the cases of Leroy James Ross Jr. and John Boyd Rivers have been scheduled for March 20 and April 17, while court dates for Christopher Timothy Wiggins and Kelvin Bolton have been scheduled for March 20 and March 21.

Bolton wrote The Gainesville Sun a letter from jail last year saying he would never knowingly jeopardize his release date or committed the crimes.

"I would first like to say that there was no malicious intent when I registered to vote and voted," he wrote. "Had I fully understood the laws at that time I would have never done so."

Bolton goes on to say that he registered for the jail's voting seminars held by the county's Supervisor of Elections Office to become educated. He thought he was legally able to register and vote, as an elections worker was present to inform inmates of their rights.

Bolton, who has been charged with providing false voter registration information and two counts of illegal voting, served his latest sentence for theft and simple battery and is out in $30,000 bond awaiting trial on voter fraud charges.

FDLE investigation

An investigation from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement cleared the supervisor's office of any wrongdoing, though it rebuked employees for going into an environment where convicted felons of major crimes may not have fully understood the rules or how they related to their own situations.

A guard who accompanied the worker during the visit, however, stated that inmates were told to consult an attorney if unsure of their situation.

The voter fraud investigation stems from a series of complaints from Mark Glaeser, a Gainesville database researcher and programmer, who says he found thousands of people across the state who registered or voted illegally in 2020. In Alachua County, Glaeser estimates he found about 100 people who voted illegally, 34 of whom were inmates.

Glaeser also sent a list of sex offenders who registered to vote, a claim Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton said she planned to investigate. Soon after in a letter to Kramer dated July 19, 2022, Barton wrote that nine people who are convicted sexual offenders voted illegally in the 2020 general election.

This documentation clearly shows that these voters were not eligible to cast a ballot in the 2020 General Election under Florida Statute 98.0751 and should not have been registered to vote under the laws of the state of Florida and Amendment 4 due to their convictions of felony sexual offenses, Barton wrote.

Those investigated by Barton's office have all been convicted of sexual offenses involving either sexual battery/lewd molestation on a minor, possession of child pornography or traveling to a minor to commit an unlawful sexual offense.

I submit my findings to your office with supporting documentation that indicates there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, Barton wrote to Kramer.

In an email to Glaeser, Kramer acknowledged receipt of the most recent cases forwarded by Barton and says that his office is now evaluating whether charges will be filed.

We have opened these cases in our case management system for further investigation, and filing of criminal charges if appropriate, Kramer wrote in July.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Sixth inmate sentenced in Alachua County voter fraud investigation
Ill never forget arriving at Los Angeles International Airport after a dream vacation to Hawaii  not because returning to the continental U.S. was so memorable, but because my family had to spend the night in the terminal.

Due to a series of unexpected delays, we would only have about seven hours between our late-night arrival at the airport and morning departure. So, reaching out to local friends or paying for hotel rooms and taxis seemed like a waste of time and money. However, the utter exhaustion and terrible back pain we all felt the next day did have us questioning our choice.

Sleeping at the airport is not an uncommon situation. Whether your evening flight was canceled or you made a decision to save money, many circumstances can lead to this uncomfortable experience.

Occasionally, airlines are responsible for issuing hotel vouchers or otherwise arranging accommodation for passengers stranded because of flight issues, but it can depend on the reason for the disruption, the terms of service and where you are in the world.

If a delay or missed connection is due to weather or other acts of God, then you are on your own, said Mark Wolters, the creator of the popular YouTube travel channel Wolters World.

Although sleeping at the airport isnt ideal, there are ways to at least improve the experience. Speaking to HuffPost, Wolters and other seasoned travelers shared their advice for making it more bearable.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Sleeping at the airport is never going to be a luxurious experience, but you can wear comfortable clothing to make it easier, said Phil Dengler, a co-founder of travel information site The Vacationer. Bring a pair of your most comfortable sweatpants and slippers.

If you know youll have to spend the night at the terminal, make sure to pack a change of clothes and something comfy to sleep in. Putting an extra outfit in your carry-on is always the best practice, as air travel is full of unexpected disruptions. Even just a spare pair of underwear can make a difference.

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If it is cold out, consider bringing extra warm layers like a sweater and a sweatshirt, Dengler added. You should even consider having gloves and a hat on hand since some airports can get very cold at night.

Check For Nicer Seating

Theres nothing worse than being stuck at the airport overnight and staring at those gate seats with fixed armrests that make lying down impossible. While some people just decide to spread out onto the floor, others are understandably less inclined to sleep on such firm and germ-laden surfaces. Still, more alternatives may be available.

Dont assume all seating is the same or there are no comfortable options, Wolters said. If you are going to be stuck overnight, it is worth it to search the airport for possible better seating and laying-down options. If the airport has a childrens play area, they tend to have benches for parents to sit at without armrests in between them. That means you can actually lie down and get some rest.

Airports renovated more recently also tend to offer sleep-friendly spaces.

It can be beneficial to do research ahead of time to see if the airport offers any facilities when it comes to sleeping, said travel blogger Sean Lau. Nowadays, some airports have designed sleeping pods where travelers can doze off for a few hours. You might be able to find designed areas for sleeping where the atmosphere is more suitable for catching a quick snooze.

Choose An Area With Less Traffic

Look for gates that are not busy, away from the crowds, and make yourself comfortable, advised Jessica van Dop DeJesus, the founder and editor of food and travel blog The Dining Traveler.

Less busy gates tend to be quieter, which is useful if you need to sleep during the day or if your next-day flight isnt until later in the morning. Its also better from a germ perspective.

Find a spot at the end of the terminal, Wolters advised. The ends of the terminal tend to have a lot less foot traffic and therefore have less dirt and grime on the floor and seats. This can make for a slightly less gross time sleeping.

However, be mindful of safety if youre sleeping in the airport by yourself. You may feel more comfortable in a remote spot with a group, but solo flyers might want to avoid fully isolated areas to prevent theft or other potential issues. This is especially important if youre in an unfamiliar destination.

Instead, seek out an area with other people, Dengler said. If possible, sleep near a security office or close to cameras.

Protect Your Belongings

I recommend using a luggage lock for all of your carry-on bags, Dengler said. This protects you in the event someone attempts to open your bag while you are sleeping.You should also make sure your bags zipper is facing you or the ground instead of out.

Try to make sure youre sleeping with part of your body on or touching your bags.

Put your backpack or carry-on under your head, or hook a strap onto your arm or leg to prevent theft, advised travel expert and author La Carmina.

At the same time, ensure that you protect your belongings from yourself as well.

Having to sleep in the airport means using your bag as a pillow, Wolters said. Make sure you dont have your electronics right where your head is laying, as they can be broken. And you never know how much you drool when you sleep until you are sleeping in public on an airport floor.

An airport lounge might be cheaper and less of a hassle than going to a hotel for the night.

An airport lounge might be cheaper and less of a hassle than going to a hotel for the night.

Assess The Lounge Options

Look to see if the airport has a 24/7 lounge, said Melanie Lieberman, the managing editor for global features at travel site The Points Guy. You might have lounge access through a credit card in your wallet, or you might be able to pay for a single entry. But spending time at the lounge ... [is going to] be more comfortable than trying to curl up at the gate.

Indeed, lounges offer nicer seating options, complimentary drinks and snacks, Wi-Fi and other helpful amenities.

There are apps like LoungeBuddy that can help you find lounges that you can also pay for, said travel blogger Esther Susag. The price is entirely worth it, especially if you have to stay overnight. They have food, showers and areas to relax and charge your devices.

Many lounges have private sections where you can catch some shut-eye, or they might offer designated sleeping areas. They also provide more security and hospitality, as well as a quieter environment, than the rest of the terminal.

Once, the staff even put a blanket over me as I was dozing off! La Carmina recalled.

If the airport lacks 24-hour lounges, you should still consider making use of one during its open hours.

If you know you are going to have to sleep at the airport early in the day, go to an airport lounge until they kick you out, Wolters recommended. They can be a good way to spend a few hours at the airport, out of the way of the hustle and bustle. And it is a lot more comfortable sitting in the lounge until it closes and then sleep on the terminal floor than camping out at the terminal for 12 hours.

Pack The Essentials

Ideally, if you know in advance that you will be spending a night in an airport, Id recommend packing some sleeping essentials like a small travel pillow, blanket or night mask, said travel blogger Rocky Trifari. If your circumstances change unexpectedly, then I would suggest repurposing a puffer jacket or shirt by rolling it up and using it as a pillow.

Trifari also recommended using a big clothing item from your carry-on as a blanket and a smaller garment as an eye mask if you dont have the genuine articles.

Always have your medicines in your carry-on bag, Wolters said, noting that airport staff will not go find your [checked] bag for you.

And a pack of wet wipes is good for many reasons, he added.

Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can also help you sleep better at the airport. Pack a couple of snacks and a refillable water bottle as well.

Dont expect many breakfast options when you wake up, Wolters said. Pick up some snacks for the morning in case they have you on an early morning flight to make up for your missed connection. Airports are infamous for having little to no breakfast options outside of a Starbucks with a 50-person line.



Consider An Airport Hotel

Id recommend seeing if you can book a room at an airport hotel, Lieberman said. This is a great use of points and miles, if you have a stash of those and need to book a last-minute stay.

If you cant swing an overnight room or if your layover is during the daytime, Lieberman recommended inquiring to see whether any nearby hotels offer day-use or hourly rates so that you have a place to rest and shower.

Use apps like HotelTonight to find last-minute affordable rates, van Dop DeJesus advised. This is another reminder to always buy travel insurance or have a credit card that provides it so it can cover hotels in case youre stuck.

And the choice isnt always between an off-site hotel room and the hard terminal floor.

Check to see if there are any on-site hotels, Susag said. Sometimes spending a little extra money for comfort is worth it, especially in the case of having to sleep at the airport. This way, you dont have to worry about watching your bags or being disrupted by fellow travelers.

Talk To The Airline

Even if the airline wont cover the cost of a hotel, it might be a good source of help and information.

Talk to your airline representatives at the airport about accommodation at or near the hotel, even if they do not provide it, Wolters said. Ask them if they have pillows, blankets, cots, anything that will make your night in the airport a bit better.

He noted that airlines sometimes offer food vouchers, which you can use for snacks or a meal. Make sure to check the fine print to see which vendors accept the vouchers and if there is a time limit.

Adjust Your Mindset

The level of misery that you feel in a less-than-ideal situation often comes down to calibrating your expectations.

No matter what, sleeping at the airport is going to be uncomfortable and not too much fun, Wolters said. Having the right attitude going into the experience can make it a bit more bearable. So accept that it is not going to be a great time, and get over it. If you dwell on it, it will make your night sleeping in the terminal even worse.

Dont Forget To Set An Alarm

Just make sure if you do plan to fall asleep that you remember to set an alarm, and try to position yourself as close to your gate as possible, Trifari said.

Given the conditions, you might expect a somewhat sleepless night tossing and turning with only short periods of rest, but dont assume that will definitely be the case.

I know someone who nodded off and missed her flight because she didnt hear the final boarding call, La Carmina said.

Related...
Slovakia has been not allowing German-made weapons from Ukraine to enter its country, which are to be repaired there, for several weeks now.

Source: Business Insider; European Pravda

Details: In mid-December, Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), on behalf of the German Armed Forces, set up a repair centre near the Slovak city of Michalovce on the border with Ukraine to repair broken howitzers, Gepard anti-aircraft guns, or MARS systems.

But Slovakia is not allowing the weapons to cross the border and reach the repair centre, referring to unresolved legal issues, including import duties.

According to Business Insider, vehicles with 15 malfunctioning self-propelled howitzers are waiting in front of the Slovak border to continue their journey. Heavy artillery on the Ukrainian side is extremely important for defence.

To at least partially defuse the situation, the German Defence Ministry is said to occasionally transport weapons through neighbouring EU countries, which means not only hundreds of kilometres of detours but above all a significant loss of repair time. MARS launchers and Gepard tanks will also be partially repaired in Germany.

It is not entirely clear why Slovakia is reacting in this way, despite the relevant governmental agreement. The German side admits that some legal issues related to the repair centre were ignored due to the speed with which the agreement was concluded at the end of last year.

On the other hand, new elections are to be held in Slovakia after the government was dismissed in a vote of no confidence in December. Since then, the country has been experiencing a government crisis and an unclear power situation. The left-wing opposition is considered more pro-Russian.

After various interventions by the federal government at various levels, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stepped in. In a telephone conversation last week, Acting Prime Minister Eduard Heger assured Scholz that the problem would be resolved quickly.

Background:

Earlier, Slovak National Council Speaker Boris Kollar said that in the matter of transferring MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, it must first be decided whether the interim government has the legitimacy to do so.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
TAMPA  Its been a busy month for the team at Cru Hospitality Group.

Last week, the company behind Tampas Cru Cellars debuted their highly anticipated champagne bar and restaurant Bouzy, in Hyde Park Village. Now, the group is launching two more new concepts at Water Street Tampa, the latest big-name openings to debut at the burgeoning downtown development.

Wine on Water, a wine and spirits shop, opened Wednesday, and Small Giant, a neighborhood tavern and restaurant, opens Friday. Both restaurants were designed by local interior designer Chris Rossi and occupy adjacent spaces on the bottom floor of the Cora building at 1011 E Cumberland Ave.

Those familiar with Cru Cellars wine program (Cru Cellars has locations in Palma Ceia, Armature Works and the Westshore Marina District) will find a similarly curated list at Wine on Water, which will operate as a neighborhood wine and spirits shop and small tasting room, with more than 250 selections and a focus on small-production wines. Though the shop itself wont have much in the way of seating besides one tasting table, guests will be able to drink wine by the glass at the patio tables outside. Cru Cellars owner Jen Bingham said she hopes to use the Wine on Water space for private events and tastings, too. The shop will also feature an online ordering program with neighborhood delivery in the Water Street Tampa area.

At Small Giant, the focus is on Columbus, Ohio-style pizza, a style of pie popular in the Midwestern city featuring thin, flaky crust, cut in squares with toppings that extend to the edge. But the menu at the full-service restaurant will also feature a full tavern-style spread with smash burgers, beer, wine and a brown spirit-focused cocktail program.

Wine on Water is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Operating hours at Small Giant are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
(Bloomberg) -- Snap Inc.s social-media app is adding users at a faster clip, reaching more than 750 million per month, Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Thats 25% more than the 600 million monthly users that Snapchat, known for its disappearing photo messages, was attracting 10 months ago. For the year through April 2022, the monthly count rose 20%, the company said.

All of this was achieved as a result of the changes we made to our business and despite the deceleration to our revenue growth, Spiegel said Thursday to an audience of investors at a meeting in Santa Monica, California.

Those investors were listening for signs that the companys plan to shift its strategy is paying off. Snap last year said it was scaling back operations and narrowing its focus to three priorities: adding users and getting them to spend more time on Snapchat; jump-starting revenue growth; and investing in augmented reality technology.

The new numbers signal that the app can continue to expand its user base, which may help counter major declines in its digital ad business. In the first quarter, analysts expect the companys revenue to post the first-ever drop from a year earlier, while the amount of money Snap makes per user is projected to fall to the lowest in almost three years.

The company has already said that the slide in digital marketing spending thats hurt the industry for the past year is leveling off. Meanwhile, Snap is making changes to its ad offerings this year that may drag on revenue in the first quarter.

Snap and its peers are still dealing with the hangover from a 2021 change in Apple Inc.s privacy policies that made it harder to personalize and track the success of digital ads.

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The changes upended about a decade of digital advertisers best practices Spiegel said.

The growth failed to impress investors, who sent shares down 3% to $10.92 at 2:57 p.m. in New York. The stock had rallied 26% this year through Wednesdays close after plunging 81% in 2022.

While Snapchat isnt the biggest social media app  Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook and Instagram see about 3 billion and 2 billion users a month, respectively  its known for being especially popular among young people. In recent years, it has been competing for the attention of younger users with TikTok, the fast-growing video app owned by ByteDance Ltd., which has more than 1 billion people logging in every month.

To compete, Snapchat has been investing heavily in its subscription service Snapchat+ and AR lenses. Just six months after launch, Snapchat+ has 2.5 million subscribers and is on track for a $100 million annual revenue run rate. Additionally, over the past year more than 250 million users have engaged with Snapchats AR shopping lenses, the company said.

Bolstered by new product investments, Snapchat plans to reach 1 billion monthly active users in the next few years. Spiegel predicts the bulk of those new users will come from countries outside of developed markets like North America and Europe.

(Updates with subscription service users in the 11th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Kiyoshi Takenaka and Mayu Sakoda

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Group Corp's semiconductor division will likely see a limited impact from chip export curbs to China by the United States, Japan and the Netherlands, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Chief Executive Terushi Shimizu said on Thursday.

Sony is the world's largest maker of image sensors widely used in smartphones and autos. Its competitors include South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

The United States announced sweeping curbs on semiconductor exports to China in October last year to slow Beijing's technological and military advances. The Netherlands and Japan last month also agreed on chip-related export restrictions, although no details are available.

Shipments of Sony's security camera-related products could be affected by the U.S. export curbs, Shimizu told Reuters, but "it will only be a tiny bit".

The negative impact to its sales will likely exceed one billion yen ($7.47 million), but be below 10 billion yen, or less than 1% of the unit's total revenue.

The chip division expects total sales to come to 1.42 trillion yen for the year ending March 31, 2023.

Shimizu said the company's microchip operations will be little affected by the wider curbs, as the division does not generally handle cutting-edge chips.

The chip unit's chief executive also said that smartphone demand will likely recover from the second half of 2023.

Global smartphone shipments hit 1.2 billion units in 2022, the lowest since 2013, according to research firm IDC.

Sony's chip division is investing $500 million in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's (TSMC) chip-making subsidiary, a step aimed at securing a stable supply of logic chips used to manufacture image sensors.

The subsidiary's $8.6-billion plant in Japan is slated to start output by the end of 2024, and TSMC said last month it was considering building a second plant in Japan.

"We have not heard from them on when this second phase will be launched. But the fact that they have made such a comment for people outside the company may mean they have started taking some action," Shimizu said.

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Sony's semiconductor division posted record sales and operating profit in October-December, helped by robust demand for image sensors and a softer yen.

Shimizu said the division was "largely on track" to achieve a 60% market share in the global image sensor market by the year to March 2026, up from 43% in the year to March 2022.

($1 = 133.8700 yen)

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Mayu Sakoda; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Shounak Dasgupta and Sharon Singleton)
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Billionaire financier George Soros said on Thursday that if Russia was defeated in the Ukraine war it would result in the dissolution of what he called the 'Russian empire,' something he said would be greeted by former Soviet republics.

Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the deadliest European conflicts since World War Two and the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Soros said the United States would support Ukraine, but that President Joe Biden had warned Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy that there were limits and that World War Three had to be avoided. Soros didn't disclose the source of his information.

A hedge fund manager turned philanthropist, Soros said that the Russian army was badly led, ill equipped and demoralised, but that President Vladimir Putin had turned to the Wagner mercenary group to thwart the Ukrainian military.

"The countries of the former Soviet Union can hardly wait to see the Russians defeated in Ukraine because they want to assert their independence," Soros told the Munich Security Conference, according a text of his speech released by his office.

"This means that a Ukrainian victory would result in the dissolution of the Russian empire. Russia would no longer pose a threat to Europe and the world," he said. "That would be a big change for the better."

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the nuclear-armed superpower split into 15 independent republics, though Russia remained by far the most powerful of them and the holder of the world's biggest nuclear arsenal.

Putin casts the war in Ukraine as an existential battle with an aggressive and arrogant West, and has said that Russia will use all available means to protect itself and its people against any attack.

'REGIME CHANGE'

The United States has denied Kremlin claims that it wants to destroy Russia, the world's biggest commodities producer.

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Soros said that Putin's bet on the Wagner mercenary group, founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, appeared to have worked in the short term.

"The gamble worked," Soros said. "Ukraine faced a strategic choice: either get bogged down in holding Wagner at bay or hand Russia a propaganda victory and preserve its limited resources for a counterattack."

Ukraine, he said, had a narrow window of opportunity in Spring once it got the weapons promised by the West.

On China, Soros said that President Xi Jinping's 'zero-COVID' strategy had shaken trust in the Communist Party.

"The current situation fulfills all the preconditions for regime change or revolution," Soros said of China. "But this is only the beginning of an opaque process, whose repercussions will be felt over a longer period of time."

"In the short term Xi is likely to remain in power because he is in firm control of all the instruments of repression," Soros said.

"But I am convinced that Xi will not remain in office for life, and while he is in office, China will not become the dominant military and political force that Xi is aiming for."

Soros casts Russia, by far the world's biggest country by territory, and China, the world's second largest economy, as the leading members of a group of ascendant "closed societies" where the individual is subservient to the state.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
SOUTH BEND  Though he was not convicted of murder, Quincy Lunford was sentenced to nearly 20 years of incarceration this week in connection to the January 2021 death of Andrew Blankenship.

Blankenship was killed at his house on West Marion Street and witnesses who testified at Lunford's trial earlier this year said they saw Lunford, 21, holding a rifle and standing "in shock" immediately after a shot rang out.

A St. Joseph County jury did not find Lunford guilty of murder, instead convicting him of reckless homicide and armed robbery after he car-jacked a nearby vehicle and drove away after the shooting.

On Monday, judge Jeffrey Sanford sentenced Lunford to three years for the reckless homicide and nine years for the armed robbery. However, due to Indiana law, convictions involving a firearm are subject to an additional sentencing penalty and Sanford added 7  years to the reckless homicide sentence, meaning Lunford's total sentence comes to 19  years in prison.

At a trial last month, witness testimony and court documents indicated Lunford hung out at the Marion Street house for a few days prior to the shooting and that Blankenship had given Lunford some clothing since he believed Lunford to be homeless.

One witness said they saw Lunford standing near the back door of the home "in shock" and holding the witnesss brown rifle immediately after the shot was fired. Lunford then ran away, the man said.

Lunford's attorney argued that no one really knows exactly what happened since Lunford said he doesn't remember all of the events surrounding the shooting and without conclusive evidence, the jury would be irresponsible to convict Lunford of murder. Meanwhile, prosecutors said Lunford knew why he shot Blankenship and didn't act like a person who accidentally shot someone.

After running away from the house, Lunford stole a car and drove out near the South Bend International Airport, where he was arrested by police.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend man gets 20 years in prison for fatal shooting conviction
The Ukrainian authorities and army must do everything within their power to make Ukraines movement towards victory in the war with Russia evident this spring.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, in an evening address on 15 February

Quote: "This day was preparatory in terms of a longer perspective: defence and economic issues were discussed with an eye to the spring.

This spring must make it evident that Ukraine is moving towards victory. It is about training our Defence Forces, supplying armament for our state and holding the strategic initiative in the war. We must prevent any attempts by Russia to seize the initiative. I am sure we will do this.

Russia is already losing so many people and resources that soon it will be hard to find, say, a marine all throughout Russia. Our other task is to weaken their desire to hold the besieged Ukrainian territories. Liberation of our land is the goal we are working to achieve every day."

Details: The president reported that he held an economic meeting dedicated to the preparation for spring on Wednesday and discussed many issues.

Zelenskyy has expressed his gratitude to Ukrainian warriors who give Ukraine a chance to prepare "next defensive steps" by being brave and courageous at the front.

In particular, the President has thanked the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa and the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" for defending Donetsk Oblast; the 25th Separate Air Assault Sicheslav Brigade, the 81st Separate Air Assault Brigade and the 95th Air Assault Brigade for defending Luhansk Oblast.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






ST. LUCIE COUNTY  St. Lucie County Fire District Assistant Chief Jeff Lee will become the agency's new chief May 1, replacing Nate Spera, a 32-year veteran who advanced to chief in 2018, the agency announced Thursday.

St. Lucie County Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Lee

Lee joined the agency in 1997 after serving in the U.S. Navy, according to the Fire District.

Spera, who joined the fire district in 1991, originally is from Long Island, New York, and moved to Florida when he was 20.

St. Lucie County Fire District Chief Nate Spera

Fatal crash victim remembered:Vietnam veteran was 'happy soul'; American Legion Post 318 regular

Spera was promoted after former Fire Chief Buddy Emerson announced his retirement in 2017 amid mounting tensions and accusations of intimidation from the local firefighters union.

Spera was with the agency in April 1999 when wildfires in Port St. Lucie consumed about 2,400 acres and dozens of homes, and was described at the time as the worst disaster in the city's history.

He headed the agency during a massive vegetative debris fire west of Interstate 95 last year that emitted smoke detectable for miles. Millions of gallons of water were used to help flood the 28-acre fire site by Glades Cut Off and Range Line roads.

Spera in an earlier interview said initially he thought he wanted to go into law enforcement. He started in firefighting as a volunteer in Coral Springs.

They would drill on Tuesday and Thursday nights. By the second meeting I was hooked, he said. I liked the camaraderie. I liked the business. I liked the public service aspect of it. Basically, gave up my thoughts of going into law enforcement and pursued a career in fire.

Crime up, down or holding steady?:FDLE working on way to give you more detailed info than in past

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: New fire chief in St. Lucie County named as Nate Spera to retire
Nick Wisniewski refuses to move out of his home on Stanhope Place in Wishaw. (SWNS)

A man who is the last person left living on a street set for demolition has splashed out 2k on redecorating his home.

Nick Wisniewski, 67, has no neighbours remaining in the 128 flats on Stanhope Place in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, after the last of around 200 residents moved out over a year ago.

The eight blocks of flats and other homes on the estate are all scheduled for demolition so that the area can be redeveloped but Wisniewski has refused to move out, despite North Lanarkshire Council offering him 35k for his property and two years of rent.

Now, after saying he hasnt heard from the council since November 2021, Wisniewski has spent nearly 2k repainting, carpeting his living room, installing a new cooker and panelling his hall  and insists he has no plans to leave.

Nick Wisniewski Has spent nearly 2k redecorating his home. (SWNS)

He said: Im not worried about spending money on the flat because I think I am going to be here for a while, I have still heard nothing from the council.

At the end of last year they said they were doing a compulsory purchase order but they havent even notified me about it.

I dont know if it was all a ploy to try and scare me into contacting them  but why should I have to get in touch with them?

North Lanarkshire Council wants to redevelop Stanhope Place. (SWNS)

The area has become an eyesore since residents left, Nick Wisniewski said. (SWNS)

If they want me to go they need to get in touch with me.

The retired bank worker said the area outside his flat has now become an eyesore, with piles of rubbish piling up and lighting in the flats no longer working.

He bought his flat in 2017 under the Right to Buy scheme which helped council tenants buy their homes at a discounted price.

Wisniewski said the area made up of eight blocks used to be buzzing with around 200 people, but the last residents left in December 2021.

Homes are empty and boarded up after residents left Stanhope Place. (SWNS)

Nick Wisniewski says the offer to leave his home is not enough. (SWNS)

He claims North Lanarkshire Council's 35k offer to move would not be enough to buy somewhere else.

He added: I could be wrong, but I am assuming the council are holding off until they build the new bungalows and maybe they will offer me one of them.

They initially said they would give me two years rent free, but I would want more than that now.

If they are offering me money for the flat it would need to be near the 100k mark now  prices have gone up, everything is more expensive now.

Yahoo News UK has contacted North Lanarkshire Council for comment.
Labour leader Keir Starmer (right) is in Kyiv where he is due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed during a visit to Kyiv that the UKs commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia would remain the same if he becomes prime minister.

The Labour leader also said there has to be justice for war crimes against the Ukrainian people as he visited areas that Russian president Vladimir Putins troops previously turned into conflict zones.

Sir Keir is in the war-torn country in eastern Europe, where he is expected to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

There has to be justice in The Hague and there has to be proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer

It follows a momentous visit by Mr Zelensky to Britain last week during which he implored Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to hand over fighter jets for his air force as Ukraine prepares to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.

During his visit on Thursday, Sir Keir spoke to reporters in Irpin, a Kyiv suburb where heavy fighting took place in the first months of Moscows invasion  a bloody conflict which is only days away from its first anniversary.

With Labour well in front of Mr Sunaks Conservatives in most national opinion polls, Sir Keir could be walking through the black door of 10 Downing Street as Britains new leader after the next general election.

He stressed that his party was committed to Mr Zelensky and Kyivs cause.

Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same, he vowed.

Its very important for me to be here in Ukraine with the people of Ukraine, making it clear that support for Ukraine in the United Kingdom is united.

Throughout the conflict, the Labour party has stood united with the Government in the United Kingdom to show our support for Ukraine

Before meeting Mr Zelensky, the former director of public prosecutions will visit Bucha, an area where war crimes were allegedly carried out by occupying Russian troops.

The Opposition leader said he wanted to show support for Ukraines calls for justice and reparations for Russian actions during the war.

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Sir Keir told reporters: Its incredible to see the evidence of atrocities that Ive seen this morning.

Photographs of civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded, with their arms tied behind their back.

There has to be justice for this. There has to be justice in The Hague and there has to be proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine.
By Jane Lanhee Lee

(Reuters) - Switzerland-based microchip toolmaker Unisers said on Thursday it had raised $14 million in a funding round led by Intel Capital to build new-technology demonstrator machines for trials by major chip-fabrication customers.

The machines would offer a new level of performance in the difficult task of detecting extraneous extremely small particles that ruin chips in production, said Ali Altun, chief executive and founder of Unisers, started in 2019.

A tiny particle that lands on a silicon wafer, from which chips are made, can cause a chip to malfunction, though the problem may not be discovered until months later, at the end of a production process of thousands of steps.

So detecting particles soon after they contaminate wafers saves money.

As chips perform faster and their circuitry gets tinier, particles of ever smaller dimensions become a problem.

"We are the only company which can detect these extremely small, small, smaller than 10 nanometer particles on wafer," Altun told Reuters.

The technology in the new machines is the first product from Unisers. Altun said the process put a special coating on wafers to make particles show up better when light was bounced off them.

While Intel Capital has invested to help get the technology to the market, its managing director, Jennifer Ard, said the semiconductor industry needed to work harder at avoiding contamination in its materials and factories, called fabs.

"Some of the ways that we're measuring things within the fab, it's coming to the point where we can't use typical optical methods and others," she said.

The technology of Unisers is also aimed at detecting impurities in materials, another source of defects.

(Reporting By Jane Lanhee Lee; Editing by Bradley Perrett)
Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell and her relatives have urged the public to focus on finding her - Peter Byrne/PA

The family of Nicola Bulley have pleaded for amateur detectives to stop circulating "appalling" rumours and to let the police focus on finding the missing dog walker.

Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell, 44, and her relatives, said in an emotional statement that they were hurt by people "making up wild theories about her personal life" and urged the public to focus on finding her.

The mother-of-two, 45, disappeared on January 27 while walking her dog in the village of St Michael's on Wyre, but only on Thursday did Lancashire Police refer itself to the watchdog after admitting it had prior contact with her.

Officers attended Ms Bulley's home over concern for her welfare just more than two weeks before she vanished and has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over this. However, it has refused to refer itself to the watchog over its wider handling of the case.

It is understood the IOPC had pro-actively contacted the force asking them to consider a referral amid concerns the case was affecting public confidence in policing.

The force could voluntarily refer itself to the watchdog for a wider investigation "where the gravity of the subject matter or exceptional circumstances justify referral" or if its actions "could have a significant impact on public confidence".

Yellow ribbon tributes are left on the bridge over the River Wyre - Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror

On Thursday, police were accused of "victim blaming" and of eroding the confidence of women in the police for the way they have dealt with her disappearance.

Officers initially said her health was "not relevant" to the investigation and it wasn't a factor "at all" but at a chaotic press conference on Wednesday said she was vulnerable and "high risk".

The force then made the decision to later reveal she had suffered "significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause".

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Ansell and the rest of the family said she had suffered brain fog and experienced intense headaches after taking HRT to help with menopause symptoms. They said she suffered a crisis when she stopped taking the drugs.

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"Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her," they said. "This is appalling and needs to stop."

They said that they knew beforehand police would release personal details but did not say if they had approved it, adding that the "police know the truth about Nikki".

The statement said: "We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Pauls private life."

The family also pleaded with Ms Bulley to come home and said: Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much.

'Girls want a cuddle'

Your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Dont be scared - we all love you so very much.

Asked what they thought about Lancashire Police revealing that Ms Bulley had a problem with alcohol and the menopause, a relative of the mortgage adviser said they were upset her personal information had been revealed.

"Its wrong whats been put out there," the cousin, who lives in Essex and asked not to be named, said. "All of mine and my wifes family think its terrible and wrong whats been said."

A candle is lit at St Michael's Church in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, in front of a portrait of Nicola Bulley and her partner, Paul Ansell - Peter Byrne/PA

They also spoke of the toll of wild online speculation which has included theories she was abducted. "The family are all worried to death about saying anything. Anyone who says anything is now pulled apart."

HRT is taken by millions of women worldwide as a way of managing symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause, but it does not work well for everybody. Symptoms include changes to mental health, low self-esteem, problems with memory and issues with concentration.

Paul Briggs, chairman of the British Menopause Society, said the decision to release the details about Ms Bulleys menopause and issues with HRT had concerned them and could worry other menopausal women.

Police appeared to be initially oblivious to the controversy surrounding their decision and just over an hour after the force published details of Ms Bulley's personal life, Andrew Snowden, Lancashires police and crime commissioner, posted a smiling selfie alongside Chris Rowley, the chief constable of Lancashire Constabulary: "Thats a wrap for Wednesday," he tweeted.

'Crass tweet'

Dai Davies, a former commander of the Head of Royal Protection and a former Divisional Commander in the Metropolitan Police, said the tweet was "crass" and "beggars belief".

He added: "In over half a century I have never known such a poor press and PR strategy.

Among those to join the backlash after police revealed Miss Bulleys personal information was Zoe Billingham, who worked for Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary until 2021

"I have to say, it stopped me in my tracks," she told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme on Thursday.

"Why on earth was this information even vaguely relevant to an investigation that's 20 days on? If there are issues relating to Nicola that needed to be put in the public domain, why wasn't this done earlier? And why was such personal information, such potentially sensitive information, disclosed?"

"I think we need to think about what message this sends to women. What confidence will women have in the future in reporting their mum, their sister to the police as missing if there's this fear that very deeply personal information is going to be put into the public domain for no apparent reason?"

Yvette Cooper, the shadow Home Secretary, said she would be contacting the force while Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Melton, said she was "deeply uncomfortable" with the police revealing Ms Bulley's struggles with the menopause and alcohol.

"I struggle to ascertain how this will assist police in their search and investigations," she said. "I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish."
Weeks after a train carrying hazardous materials derailed near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, FEMA said it will deploy federal resources to the area in the wake of evacuations and amid lingering health concerns.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday the Federal Emergency Management Agency will send a team to East Palestine. A few days earlier he said the agency deemed the state ineligible for the aid because it is "most typically involved with disasters where there is tremendous home or property damage."

FEMA will send a senior response official and an incident management team to East Palestine.

Following the derailment, officials decided to do a controlled release of the vinyl chloride, allowing it to burn to prevent an explosion. The burn caused toxic fumes to be released into the area, which alarmed residents about possible long-term effects after the explosion.

Still, authorities say testing of air and water has not detected anything of concern.

Meanwhile, experts say rainbow-colored slicks seen on video in creeks near the site appear to be vinyl chloride. Authorities have confirmed about 3,500 small fish were killed in nearby creeks shortly after the incident, and a new federal lawsuit claims fish and wild animals are dying as far as 20 miles away from the site of the derailment. At least five lawsuits have been filed against the railroad.

TRAINS ARE BECOMING LESS SAFE:Why the Ohio derailment disaster could happen more often

WHAT IS VINYL CHLORIDE?: Toxic gases connected to Ohio train derailment cause concern

State announces East Palestine medical clinic

As residents complain of rashes, headaches, and nausea, DeWine announced plans to open a medical clinic in the village next week to evaluate those who are worried. The clinic will include a team of experts in chemical exposures, despite repeated assurances that air and water testing have shown no signs of dangerous levels of contaminants.

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David Betras, a former Democratic Party chairman in Mahoning County told residents to keep a record of anything unusual that happened to their health after the derailment and controlled release of chemicals. He said signs and symptoms of illness may take years to show up and encouraged residents to keep a detailed diary.

"We don't know what all of the long-term effects are but we're going to find out," Betras said.

EPA will 'hold Norfolk Southern responsible' after train derailment

A caravan of national and local politicians and environmental officials converged this week in East Palestine attempting to restore the community's trust following the train derailment.

U.S. Senators J.D. Vance and Sherrod Brown, Rep. Bill Johnson, and Michael Regan, the administrator of the EPA, visited the area.

Regan said the EPA is "absolutely gonna hold Norfolk Southern responsible," the Akron Beacon Journal reported. Regan urged anyone experiencing symptoms to see a doctor and alert their local or state health departments.

The agency is helping the state test the water and air, collect soil samples, and screen homes. Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation is on-site investigating the derailment.

"This is going to be a long-term commitment," Brown said during his visit, echoing Regan's comments. Brown said he wants to know more, including why the train was not classified as "hazardous," and possible changes going forward.

"I'll be satisfied when the people in East Palestine are satisfied," Brown said.

'HOLD NORFOLK SOUTHERN RESPONSIBLE': EPA Chief vows to hold train company 'responsible' after the massive derailment in Ohio

OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT FACT CHECK: What's true and what's false?

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan left, walks with his staff through East Palestine, Ohio. Residents of the Ohio village upended by a freight train derailment are demanding to know if they're safe from the toxic chemicals that spilled or were burned off to avoid an even bigger disaster.

Biden administration defends response

The White House on Friday defended its response to the derailment, saying it "mobilized a robust, multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio," including the EPA, National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies that arrived on-site within hours of the derailment.

When these incidents happen, you need to let the emergency response take place,'' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday. We did take action and folks were on the ground.''

The White House said Thursday that teams from the federal health and emergency response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will go to East Palestine.

The White House said that FEMA is embedded in the Incident Command Center in East Palestine and in constant contact with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine continues to ask for public health support, the White House said it's deploying teams from Health and Human Services and the CDC in response to conduct public health assessments.

NEW LAWSUIT IN OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT: Norfolk Southern released 1.1M pounds of vinyl chloride after derailment, lawsuit alleges

Residents voice their concerns: 'It's going to happen again'

East Palestine residents have expressed their frustration over the way the train derailment has been handled. At a town hall Wednesday night, residents became angrier when Mayor Trent Conaway told them they wouldn't get an opportunity to question Norfolk Southern officials to learn more about the derailment after the rail company backed out.

Residents voiced frustrations at a series of meetings this week over what they have said is incomplete and vague information about long-term effects of the incident.

"I have three grandbabies," said resident Kathy Dyke at a public meeting Wednesday. "Are they going to grow up here in five years and have cancer?"

James Wolfe, an East Palestine native who lives in neighboring Columbiana, Ohio, said he hopes the rail industry and local, state, and federal government learn from the derailment.

"It's going to happen again," Wolfe said. "They're not going to do anything to stop it."

'WE ARE HERE AND WILL STAY HERE': Norfolk Southern's CEO letter and plea to residents affected by Ohio train derailment

What may have caused the derailment?

On Feb. 3, an eastbound Norfolk Southern Railway freight train, which contained hazardous materials, derailed on main track 1 in East Palestine, Ohio, about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 21 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio.

Investigators examined the rail car that initiated the derailment and have surveillance video from a home showing what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment, the NTSB said Tuesday. Its preliminary report is expected in two weeks.

The train was carrying a variety of products from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, according to rail operator Norfolk Southern and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

What are the ongoing concerns?

Vinyl chloride is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, and officials at the time warned burning it would release two concerning gases  hydrogen chloride and phosgene, the latter of which was used as a weapon in World War I.

Ohio Health Department Director Bruce Vanderhoff cautioned at a news conference Tuesday that residents who were worried about lingering odors or headaches since the derailment should know that those can be triggered by contaminant levels in the air that are well below whats unsafe.

The derailment also highlighted questions about railroad safety, though federal data show accidents involving hazardous materials at this scale are very rare. Trains were rolling past East Palestine again soon after the evacuation order was lifted.

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 and Southern trains on Monday

Contributing: Tami Abdollah, USA TODAY; Kelly Byers, Emily Mills, Eric Marotta and Craig Webb, Akron Beacon-Journal; Max Filby, Columbus Dispatch; Chrissy Suttles, Beaver County Times; Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Ohio train derailment: FEMA headed to East Palestine; clinic to open
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court says it will not hear arguments as planned March 1 in a case involving a Trump-era immigration policy used several millions of times over the past three years to quickly turn away migrants at the border.

The justices on Thursday removed from their calendar the case involving Title 42, which justified the quick expulsion of migrants on public health grounds. A court spokeswoman provided no explanation and the case has not been dismissed. The court's action follows a legal filing from the Biden administration saying the case soon will be moot.

Government lawyers pointed to President Joe Bidens recent announcement that the emergency declarations tied to the COVID-19 pandemic will end May 11. The administration said the end of the public health emergency will also mean the end of Title 42.

Republicans and even some Democrats in border states have opposed Bidens efforts to end the Title 42 policy. They say the United States is not prepared for the expected influx of people who will come to the border with Mexico once the policy ends.

In December, the justices were deeply divided when they agreed to prevent the policy from ending pursuant to a judges order and they set the case for argument. Five justices agreed to do so while four justices  the courts three liberals and conservative Neil Gorsuch  disagreed. The case itself involved the ability of states to intervene in a lawsuit over the policy.

The policy dates to March 2020 when  under pressure from the White House  the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order limiting migration at the nations borders with Mexico and Canada, saying it was necessary to reduce the virus spread. The order said the facilities where migrants are held were not designed to quarantine people or allow for social distancing.

The authority for that order came from Title 42 of the Public Health Service Act, which gives federal health officials extraordinary powers during a pandemic to limit transmission of an infectious disease.

Officials have expelled asylum-seekers inside the United States 2.5 million times under Title 42.
A suspect in a Los Banos armed robbery has been located and arrested, according to police.

Los Banos police officers served a search warrant at a residence in the 2200 block of Sanders Court Thursday, in connection with a December armed robbery investigation, according Los Banos Police Cmdr. Ray Reyna.

A Los Banos Police Department news release said investigators located and arrested Memphis Baca, 18, of Los Banos, in connection with the armed robbery.

Police said evidence was located identifying Baca as one of three suspects. He was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail on suspicion of armed robbery. He has since posted bail, according to Reyna.

Reyna said the robbery was reported at Village Liquor Convenience Store in the 2200 block of East Pacheco Boulevard on Dec. 28.

According to authorities, three masked men allegedly entered wearing dark clothing and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.

The store clerk was not injured and the three men were observed leaving the area on foot.

Reyna said no other arrests have been made and police continue to look for additional suspects.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Detective Neal at 209-827-2520 or Detective Beltran at (209) 827-2536, according to police.

Tips are confidential and you can remain anonymous.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland has launched proceedings to confiscate more than 130 million Swiss francs ($140.89 million) linked to the entourage of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich who was deposed in 2014.

The Swiss government has initiated proceedings with the Federal Administrative Court to seize money presumed to be of "illicit origin", Bern said in a statement.

The people involved were linked to Yanukovich, who fled to Russia after being ousted by mass protests in 2014.

Switzerland last year began looking into confiscating 100 million Swiss francs after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but raised the targeted amount to 130 million francs following further deliberations.

The assets will remain frozen pending a final decision by the Federal Administrative Court, the government said, adding that any assets that are seized will be returned to the Ukrainian people under an international agreement.

Switzerland said the confiscation of assets only applied in exceptional circumstances, such as when a foreign state had previously attempted to confiscate the assets but had been unable to do so.

Yanukovich's Swiss-based assets were frozen in 2014, and Ukraine had asked for help recovering them, although its efforts had been made more difficult by the war.

The assets "were the subject of criminal proceedings in Ukraine and mutual assistance procedures initiated by Ukraine," the government said.

"The purpose of the proceedings is to determine in the specific circumstances concerned whether the assets are of illicit origin and can therefore be confiscated."

Switzerland said the measure was unrelated to the sanctions list which applies to 1,386 Russian nationals imposed since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

($1 = 0.9227 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Mike Harrison)
Viktor Yanukovych

Read also: Swiss bank Credit Suisse freezes $19 billion worth of Russian assets

The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to initiate a series of forfeiture proceedings for the Federal Administrative Court (FAC). Reports state that the assets will remain frozen until the final decision by the justice system. Any property that is permanently confiscated will be returned to the Ukrainian people, in accordance with international agreements.

The message adds that the procedure for confiscation of assets is applied only in exceptional cases. The law authorizes Swiss law enforcement to confiscate the assets of politically important people, under strict conditions.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Imagine paying your tax bill and then getting a notice from the IRS saying you didnt, and you still owe hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Action News Jax consumer adviser Clark Howard found this is happening when some taxpayers pay by credit card.

What makes this so disturbing is that the taxpayers are going right to the link provided on the IRS website at IRS.gov.

Consumer investigator Justin Gray, who works for Action News Jax sister station WSB-TV in Atlanta, started looking into this after calls came into the stations tip line.

Taxpayers who Gray spoke with had proof that they paid the tax bills.

Action News Jax Investigates: What is organized retail theft and how does it cost you a fortune?

The money was charged to their credit cards but the message from the IRS was essentially, Tough. Pay us again.

When you get a certified letter from the IRS its never a birthday card, OK, Tracie Thompson said.

She said when she opened the letter, she learned the IRS said she had unpaid taxes.

Action News Jax Investigates: Odometer fraud on the rise in Jacksonville

I dont get in trouble, so I felt like I was in trouble. I felt nervous, Thompson said.

The thing is, Thompson had paid those tax bills through one of the three credit card processing companies the IRS links to on its website.

The money had been charged to her credit card by PayUSATax, but IRS said they never received it.

Action News Jax Investigates: Are these St. Johns County homes being built in the line of fire?

I paid an extra fee when I paid through them because I want to know they got it. I dont want to mail a check, Thompson said.

They stole my money, Cecelia Johnson said.

Johnson also got a letter from the IRS. She has credit card receipts and statements from PayUSATax proving she paid $1,200 to the IRS through the PayUSATax portal.

But IRS told her even with that evidence, she still owed them the money.

INVESTIGATES: Local woman says dog breeder used Catfishing Zelle scam to reel in her money

Story continues

How can you trust the IRS? Because theyre not doing due diligence and taking care of the matter, Johnson said.

If you check consumer sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot, or threads on Reddit, you will see similar stories.

For Thompson, the worst thing is that she has a tax preparation business.

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Whos taking that money? Thats a lot of money. Whos taking that money? Like, where is it? Thompson said.

Johnson and Thompson said they called and emailed PayUSATax repeatedly to ask that and never got through.

So one day when I was off work, I stayed on hold for four hours to where it would not let me talk to anybody, Johnson said.

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Nobody at PayUSATax or its parent company Value Payment Systems called WSB back either, so Gray went to their Alpharetta offices.

After that visit, an executive with the company started looking into both womens cases.

Value Payment Systems blames the issue mostly on user error, writing that in most cases, taxpayers have entered incorrect data/digits.

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In Thompsons case, PayUSATax said the payment was transmitted to the IRS.

The company says these mistakes are so rare, they make up less than 0.1% of payments.

We process multiple million individual payments per year and while the rate of instances like this is low, these situations do occur.

Action News Jax Investigates: Odometer fraud on the rise in Jacksonville

Howard said anytime you add a third party into a transaction with the federal government theres a potential for problems.

The taxpayer should not be harmed for later payer penalties when they did exactly what the IRS recommended on its own website, Howard said.

Taxpayers stuck in this mess say whether the problem is with PayUSATax or the IRS, the IRS has a responsibility to fix it.

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This is a big deal. And the IRS wont even acknowledge it, Thompson said.

WSB asked the IRS about all this. They told us at this point, they are unaware of an issue.

Value Payment Systems said just last month, the IRS started allowing them to share a reference number with taxpayers that the taxpayer can use to communicate with the IRS about payment problems.

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They werent allowed to do that before.

Howards advice: you are better off filing a return and getting on a payment plan, paying electronic directly to the IRS, and cut the middleman out.

Howard said a payment plan is vastly superior to paying the IRS with a credit card because you are not paying upward of 20% interest.

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A teacher was arrested after she slapped a non-verbal student in the face, Florida police say.

The teacher at River Springs Middle School was charged with child abuse without great harm on Monday, Feb. 13, according to an affidavit from the Orange City Police Department.

Police said they responded to the school around noon on Feb. 8 after receiving reports of a battery incident. At the school, officers were told that a teacher had slapped an 11-year-old non-verbal student with autism during lunch break.

Video surveillance from the school shows the teacher grab the student and force him to turn around when he tried to grab a water bottle from a table, officers said in court documents. The student then tried to move his arm but was once again grabbed by the teacher, who began to yank on his arm.

The student then tried to stand up from the table, but the teacher put her hand on his thighs and held him down, the video showed, according to the affidavit. The teacher again yanked the students arm before slapping him in the face with an open hand.

A witness told police that she had witnessed the teacher push a different student before, court documents said.

The teacher is no longer employed by the school district, a representative from Volusia County School District told McClatchy News in an email.

This type of behavior will not be tolerated by Volusia County Schools, the representative said. The safety and security of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us and we will continue to cooperate fully with the local authorities as part of this ongoing investigation.

Orange City is about 30 miles north of Orlando.

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Ten Republican senators are slated to host a fundraiser for Rep. Jim Bankss (Ind.) Senate bid next month as he seeks to shore up GOP support and resources for his campaign.

A spokesperson for Banks confirmed that the event will happen on March 28 at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) headquarters.

An invitation for the fundraiser was first reported by Punchbowl News on Thursday, and the spokesperson confirmed the details of the event.

Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.), the chairman of Senate Republicans campaign arm, is set to attend the fundraiser, along with GOP Sens. John Barrasso (Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), John Kennedy (La.), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and J.D. Vance (Ohio).

Banks  who is seeking to replace GOP Sen. Mike Braun, who is running for governor in 2024  received an endorsement from former President Trump for the seat earlier this month. He received his first high-profile endorsement from a sitting senator the next day when Barrasso, who serves as the chair of the Senate Republican Conference, declared his support for Banks.

Banks has also received endorsements from Vance, Rubio and Cotton, according to his campaign website.

The NRSC endorsed Banks for the seat after former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) passed on a bid last month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Josh Ye

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Tencent Holdings said on Thursday it was making some personnel adjustments after a media report said that the Chinese tech company was laying off staff in its recently formed "extended reality" (XR) business.

Chinese tech outlet 36Kr reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, that Tencent had notified the unit's more than 300 staff that they would be given two months to find new internal or external opportunities and that the unit would be disbanded.

Tencent, Asia's biggest internet company, told Reuters that it was untrue that it planned to disband the business. It said it was making adjustments to some business teams as its development plans for hardware had changed.

The company formed the unit in June last year, with the aim of building up a business that would include software and hardware and spearhead Tencent's bet on the metaverse concept of virtual worlds.

It also marked a rare foray into hardware for Tencent, which is mostly known for its software such as its range of games as well as social media applications.

Extended reality is a term that refers to immersive technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, which considered as the building blocks of the metaverse.

The metaverse became the new buzz word for investors and tech companies in 2021 after Mark Zuckerberg changed Facebook's name to Meta Platforms and said he would devote the company's future to building a metaverse.

(Reporting by Josh Ye; Writing by Brenda Goh; editing by Jason Neely and Jane Merriman)
Washington  Tens of thousands of Afghan refugees who were evacuated to the U.S. after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 are at risk of losing their work permits and deportation protections this summer unless Congress acts, unpublished government data show.

Fewer than 5,000 of the 77,000 Afghans resettled in the U.S. under a special legal process have secured permanent legal status for themselves and their families, with efforts to make them permanent residents floundering in Congress, according to the Department of Homeland Security figures.

As of Feb. 12, the U.S. had approved just 4,775 applications from Afghan evacuees who requested asylum or a special visa status for those who aided American forces. Those who lack permanent legal status could lose their authorization to work and live in the U.S. legally starting in July without congressional intervention.

Despite significant bipartisan support, a proposal to make evacuated Afghans eligible for permanent U.S. residency, known as the Afghan Adjustment Act, has failed to make its way through Congress, mainly due to concerns from some Republican lawmakers over how the evacuees were vetted.

The evacuees who lack permanent status were initially granted "parole," a special immigration classification that allows foreign citizens to enter the U.S. without a visa and to stay in the country temporarily on humanitarian or public interest grounds  two years, in the case of the Afghans.

Refugees are led through the departure terminal to a bus at Dulles International Airport after being evacuated from Kabul following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on Aug. 31, 2021, in Dulles, Virginia. / Credit: Getty Images

By using the parole authority, the Biden administration was able to resettle tens of thousands of Afghans in a matter of weeks following the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan without having to go through the traditional refugee or visa processes, which typically take years to complete.

But the reliance on parole to resettle evacuees  who, for practical purposes, were refugees intent on restarting their lives in the U.S.  also meant their future would be dictated by lawmakers' willingness, or unwillingness, to give them permanent status. Unlike refugee status, parole does not offer a path to U.S. citizenship.

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In all, the U.S. used parole to admit more than 77,000 Afghans as part of the massive resettlement effort, dubbed Operation Allies Welcome. The U.S. stopped the practice in late September 2022, when it launched a new phase of the effort under which future Afghan arrivals would come to the U.S. with permanent status.

In similar situations over the past decades, Congress passed laws to give permanent residency to different refugee groups who entered the U.S. via parole, including Hungarians escaping Soviet rule, Cubans fleeing the communist-controlled island and refugees from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam War.

But the Afghan Adjustment Act has been caught up in a broader, decades-long gridlock over immigration policy in Congress that has intensified amid record levels of migrant arrivals along the U.S.-Mexico border.

While the proposal had five Democratic and five Republican co-sponsors in the Senate in the last Congress, some Republicans have expressed opposition to the bill, citing government watchdog reports that raised questions about whether federal officials had adequate policies in place when they screened evacuees.

The Biden administration has insisted it properly vetted all Afghans at overseas military bases before relocating them to the U.S. Proponents of the Afghan Adjustment Act have also said the measure should assuage concerns about vetting since evacuees would need to undergo interviews to receive U.S. residency.

Afghans and their advocates, which include military veterans, said the need to pass the adjustment act is becoming increasingly urgent, with the first Afghan parole expirations set to occur in July. For the majority of evacuees, their parole will expire later in the summer, after the two-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul.

"Those deadlines hang over their heads," said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which has helped resettle some 14,000 Afghans. "They don't know if they will be placed in removal proceedings or if they will be able to support themselves or their families back home."

Edris Lutfi, who was paroled into the U.S. in October 2021 after fleeing Afghanistan, called it "extremely frustrating" to not know whether he will be able to continue working and living in the U.S. legally later this year. Returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, he said, is not an option.

"There are so many killings of civilians," said Lutfi, who noted he worked for the former U.S.-aligned government in Afghanistan. "The situation there is a lot worse than what we see on the media. People are starving. There's no work. The Taliban is policing every single aspect of everyone's life."

On paper, those who are granted parole can request an extension. But there's no formal process for Afghans to do so, since they were paroled at airports by Customs and Border Protection, a law enforcement agency that does not adjudicate applications. CBP policy says those seeking parole extensions should "contact the Port of Entry where the parole was granted."

Amid the inaction in Congress, some Afghans like Lutfi have applied for different immigration programs in hopes of getting permanent status.

As of Feb. 12, more than 14,000 Afghans brought to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome had applied for asylum, which the government can grant to foreigners who could be persecuted in their home countries. The U.S. has so far approved 1,175 of these cases, which can include children and spouses of the main applicant.

The U.S. has also received another 14,600 applications from Afghans seeking permanent residency through the Special Immigrant Visa program, which allows translators, interpreters and others who served the American military to stay in the U.S. with their spouses and children. Just over 3,600 cases have been approved so far.

In 2022, the Biden administration made Afghan evacuees eligible for Temporary Protected Status, a program that allows immigrants from crisis-stricken countries to live and work in the U.S. legally for 18 months. But as of early February, just over 1,000 Afghans were enrolled in the program, according to unpublished DHS data. Moreover, like parole, TPS does not give beneficiaries a path to permanent legal status.

Immigration lawyers said it's unrealistic to expect all Afghans to gain permanent status without an adjustment act. They said some Afghans may not be able to satisfy the strict criteria for asylum or special visas. Many evacuees, they added, may not be able to find lawyers to help them file applications given how overwhelmed legal services providers are. Others may not even know they need to apply for benefits in the first place.

"We have more people calling us than we are able to help, and they're calling from all around the country," said Laila Ayub, an attorney at Project ANAR, a Bay Area group with four staff members that has received dozens of inquiries from Afghans seeking counsel. "There are just not enough lawyers to help every single person."

Lutfi, the Afghan evacuee, was interviewed by an asylum officer last month and is awaiting a decision on his case. He's currently living in northern Virginia and working as a journalist. Even if he wins asylum, Lutfi said he's concerned about other evacuees who don't speak English and lack the means to secure legal help.

"If these bills aren't passed, at the end of day some of these people may have to be forced to go back. And once they do, I can't imagine what could happen to them," Lutfi added, referring to the Afghan Adjustment Act.

Advocates said only the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act will give all Afghans relocated to the U.S. long-term stability. Lawmakers are expected to re-introduce the bill in the coming weeks, according to people familiar with the plan, but its prospects in an increasingly divided Congress remain unclear.

"It's a no-brainer," said Chris Purdy, an Iraq war veteran who oversees the Veterans for American Ideals branch of Human Rights First, a group that advocates for refugees. "We brought them here. We have an obligation to help them resettle properly and efficiently."

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Story at a glance

Tesla Workers United said Thursday that over 30 workers were fired from a Buffalo plant Wednesday after workers attempted to organize earlier this week.

I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement and its shameful, said organizing committee member Arian Berek.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a hard line against organized labor, despite an invitation to the United Auto Workers union to hold an organizing vote at Teslas factory in Fremont, California.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Tesla Workers United said Thursday that over 30 workers were fired from a Buffalo plant Wednesday after workers attempted to organize earlier this week.

In a release, Workers United called the firings at Gigafactory 2 unacceptable and said expectations of Tesla employees at the factory are unfair, unattainable, ambiguous and ever changing.

I returned to work (from COVID and a bereavement leave), was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along, organizing committee member Arian Berek said in a release. I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement and its shameful.

Tops mass shooter to appear in federal court one day after sentencing

According to the release, workers also received an email from the company around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, saying workers are prohibited from recording workplace meetings without all participants permission. Workers United said the policy violates federal labor law and New Yorks one-party consent law to record conversations.

Tesla employee Sara Costantino, another organizing committee member, also commented as part of the statement.

Were angry. This wont slow us down. This wont stop us, Constantino said. They want us to be scared, but I think they just started a stampede. We can do this. But I believe we will do this.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a hard line against organized labor, despite an invitation to the United Auto Workers union to hold an organizing vote at Teslas factory in Fremont, California. In 2021 Tesla was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to make Musk delete a 2018 tweet in which it said that he unlawfully threatened employees with loss of stock options if they chose to be represented by the UAW.

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WIVB reached out to Tesla on Tuesday following the announcement of worker organization and did not receive a response. On Thursday, WIVB reached out again and received a bounce-back email, which said Teslas press email inbox is full and cannot currently accept messages.

Justice Department seeks Tesla automated driving documents

Musk has not commented publicly on the organizations efforts or the reported firings.

WIVB also reached out to the National Labor Relations Board for a statement on the claim, first reported on by Bloomberg, but did not immediately receive a response.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tesla said it would fix the problem out of an abundance of caution - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tesla has been forced to update the software on 360,000 of its electric cars because of fears its self-driving technology can cause crashes by sending vehicles speeding through junctions and traffic lights.

The update, which affects 362,758 vehicles, comes after US traffic authorities raised concerns that a potential defect could cause the electric cars to plough through intersections while ignoring stop signs or in the wrong lane.

Teslas so-called "Full Self Driving Beta" software "allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner" The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claimed in a notice.

The software may also allow cars to travel through yellow traffic lights without due caution. The issue affects certain Model X, S, Y and 3 cars that have the "Full Self Driving Beta mode installed.

The agency alerted the company last month. Tesla said it would fix the problem out of an abundance of caution, while disagreeing with the agency.

Tesla identified 18 incidents over three years that may have been down to the software flaw, the NHTSA said, but has not found any injuries or deaths resulting from it. The issue will be fixed with a free software update delivered over the internet.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk disputed the characterisation of the matter, tweeting: The word recall for an over-the-air software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong.

Tesla introduced its so-called "Full Self Driving Beta" to thousands of drivers, letting them try out features that allow the car to steer and navigate while the driver has let go of the wheel.

The NHTSA said that as well as running through junctions, the self-driving system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits."

Tesla has not allowed drivers in the UK to activate the full self driving software.

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The US highways agency has been investigating a multitude of crashes by Tesla, which have seen the electric cars collide with emergency services vehicles on numerous occasions.

Mr Musk's electric car company is facing an investigation into the US over its self-driving claims. The company admitted in January that the US Department of Justice had requested documents relating to its "Autopilot" driver assist technology and its "Full Self-Driving" programme.

In a US stock market filing, Tesla said of the investigation: "To our knowledge no government agency in any ongoing investigation has concluded that any wrongdoing occurred."

Mr Musk has made the companys self-driving technology a key priority as other carmakers catch up with Tesla on electric power. However, it has missed several deadlines imposed by the billionaire.
A Tesla car dealership in Maplewood, Minnesota. Michael Siluk/Getty Images

Tesla will issue an over-the-air software update to more than 362,000 cars, NHTSA said Thursday.

The carmaker issued the recall over concerns its FSD software may cause it to act "unsafe" in intersections.

NHTSA said the beta software "increases the risk of a crash."

Tesla issued a recall on about 362,758 of its cars over concerns its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software could cause a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday.

Tesla will release an over-the-air software update to address the issue, according to the agency. The recall impacts some Teslas that had been equipped with FSD Beta, including Model S Teslas that were produced between 2016 and 2023, Model 3 cars that were made between 2020 and 2023, and Model X vehicles that were built between 2017 and 2023, NHTSA said.

Tesla owners will be notified of the update by April 15, NHTSA said.

The agency said the software issue "increases the risk of a crash" and allows the car to exceed the speed limit and travel through intersections in an "unlawful or unpredictable manner."

FSD Beta may cause the vehicle to "act unsafe around intersections," including traveling straight through the intersection while in a turn lane, bypassing stop signs and yellow lights, as well as failing to sufficiently adjust to posted speed limits, NHTSA said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Elon Musk commented on the issue on Twitter.

"The word 'recall' for an over-the-air software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong," Musk tweeted.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta software was first released in 2020 to select drivers, and since then, the software has been released to around 400,000 cars in the US, according to Tesla. It enables Teslas to automatically change lanes, enter and exit highways, recognize stop signs and traffic lights, and park. The software is still in beta testing and requires a licensed driver to monitor it at all times.

Over the past few years, FSD beta testers have taken to YouTube to posts examples of some of the bugs in the software, including instances when the car has attempted to turn into oncoming traffic and pedestrians or mistook the moon for a stoplight.

The carmaker's Autopilot driver assist feature has also come under scrutiny from regulators. The NHTSA is investigating Tesla Autopilot and its potential connection to several accidents and the US Department of Justice has launched a probe into the carmaker's marketing of the technology.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tesla worker told Bloomberg that the company tracks their keystrokes. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Tesla terminated dozens of employees at a site that had just announced a union campaign, an NLRB complaint alleges.

Workers United claims Tesla is attempting to "discourage union activity," Bloomberg first reported.

Tesla has been accused of retaliating against union efforts in the past.

Tesla laid off dozens of staff at its plant in Buffalo, New York after workers announced plans to unionize, the Workers United union said in a complaint that Bloomberg first reported on Thursday.

The union filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) claiming that Tesla unlawfully terminated some staff "in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity," per Bloomberg. The union told the publication that several of the terminated staff had been involved in the union drive.

An NLRB spokesperson confirmed the claim had been filed and the agency's regional office is investigating the issue. Spokespeople for Tesla and Workers United did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication.

Employees at Tesla's plant located in Buffalo, New York, emailed Elon Musk on Tuesday to inform him about their campaign to unionize. The workers who were part of the union told Bloomberg they wanted to have better pay, job security, and working conditions. At the time, workers told Bloomberg that the automaker tracked their keystrokes and productivity to the point that some staff were concerned taking bathroom breaks would impact their productivity.

On Wednesday, Tesla sent the workers a message saying the company had updated its policies, including an update to "Protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of all Tesla Business Information," Bloomberg reported.

Tesla is one of the only major automakers in the US that is not represented by a union. In 2017, some Tesla workers sought to unionize with the help of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW), but the initiative was unsuccessful. The carmaker is also one of few automotive companies in Germany that is not unionized. Though, the IG Metall union in Germany has criticized the working conditions in Tesla's Berlin plant.

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It's not the first time that Tesla has been accused of attempting to discourage union efforts at one of its facilities. In 2021 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that Tesla and Musk "unlawfully threatened" the workers hoping to unionize in 2017 and ordered the company to rehire a union activist worker it had fired. The group said Tesla "interrogated" employees involved in the effort and ordered Musk to delete a tweet it deemed "anti-union." More recently, the NLRB ruled in August that Tesla's policy that restricts workers from wearing a union insignia is "unlawful."

Musk has expressed negative sentiments toward unions in the past. Last year, the billionaire poked fun at the UAW by inviting the union to hold a vote at a Tesla factory and tweeting a video of New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc (NUMMI) workers denouncing the UAW in 2010 at the location that has since become Tesla's Fremont factory.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Police outside the entrance of the shopping mall - AP

A second man has been taken into custody following a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday that left one person dead and three others injured.

Interim police chief Peter Pacillas said that Cielo Vista Mall was still considered a crime scene and it would remain locked down until authorities had completed their investigation.

Mr Pacillas stressed that the danger had passed.

"There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public," he said.

The two people in custody and the victims were all males, Mr Pacillas added.

El Paso police spokesperson Sergeant Robert Gomez said a weapon was recovered at the scene. However, he could not provide further information.

"It's too early to speculate on motive," he said.

Police say one person was killed and three other people were wounded in a shooting - AP

The three people who were wounded were taken to local hospitals. University Medical Center in El Paso said in a statement that two men in critical conditions were being treated for gunshot wounds. The condition of the third victim was not immediately known.

Sergeant Gomez said police believe the scene is secure. "This is a large scene," he said. "It's going to take some time to clear the mall."

Authorities have set up a reunification centre at a nearby high school. Police earlier said the shooting was reported at the shopping mall's food court.

People hug each other near the Cielo Vista Mall - Reuters

The shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall happened in a busy shopping area and across a large parking lot from a Walmart where 23 people were killed in an attack in 2019.

The United States has seen dozens of people killed in mass shootings so far in 2023. On Monday at Michigan State University, three students were killed and five more were wounded.

In January, 11 people were killed in the Los Angeles-area city of Monterey Park as they welcomed the Lunar New Year at a dance hall.

In 2022, more than 600 mass shootings occurred in the US in which at least four people were killed or wounded, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Crystal Masons story shows our election system working. It also shows our justice system failing.

In 2016, Mason, a Tarrant County resident, showed up to vote in the presidential election and discovered she was not on the voter rolls. On the advice of a poll worker, she submitted a provisional ballot instead. This is a just-in-case option designed for circumstances exactly like hers: prospective voters, who in good faith show up at polling locations and whose eligibility to vote is uncertain.

Mason did not realize it at the time, but state officials later determined that she was ineligible to vote because she was on supervised release for a federal conviction. Her provisional ballot was rejected.

She made an honest mistake, with no intention of doing anything wrong, and her vote was never counted because the system worked as it was designed.

Crystal Mason is a Tarrant County resident. She is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the national ACLU, and the Texas Civil Rights Project, along with criminal defense attorneys Alison Grinter and Kim Cole.

What did not work here was the criminal justice system. Mason was later arrested and convicted of voting illegally despite her actions not meeting a standard of intent. She was sentenced to five years in prison. This outcome was a grave injustice, far outside the bounds of any reasonable use of prosecutorial power.

As former U.S. attorneys who served in Texas  one in a Republican administration, one in a Democratic administration  we believe that the freedom to vote, faith in our elections and a fair justice system are not partisan issues. They are pillars of our democracy. Texas Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth can strengthen these principles later this month when it examines Masons case.

This is the only known example of prosecution for incorrectly submitting a provisional ballot. Indeed, the Texas Legislature has since clarified that Texans may not be convicted of voting unlawfully solely upon the fact that the person signed a provisional ballot. There must be evidence to corroborate that he or she knowingly tried to cast an illegal vote.

To violate Texass illegal-voting law, a person must have actual knowledge that it was a crime for her to vote. Last year, Texass highest criminal court ordered the Second Court of Appeals to reconsider Masons case, disagreeing with a lower court that Masons unawareness of her eligibility to vote was irrelevant to her prosecution.

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We trust the appeals court will right this wrong and reverse her conviction. That is why we are proud to join other former state and federal officials, including governors, state attorneys general, and U.S. attorneys, to file a friend-of-the-court brief urging the court to reverse the conviction.

Leaving Masons conviction in place would do nothing to make Texas elections more secure. Specifically, it would send the troubling message that casting a provisional ballot carries serious risk. That would disproportionately intimidate minority voters  in particular Black Texans such as Mason, who are more likely to use provisional ballots. The chilling effect in this case is even greater because Masons prison sentence is far harsher than other cases involving flagrant violation of Texas election laws.

In Tarrant County, where Mason was convicted, a justice of the peace admitted to turning in fake signatures to get on the ballot for re-election in 2018. He got off with probation. So did a Fort Worth woman who arranged for her son to vote under his fathers name in 2011.

In Harris County, two women admitted working together to cast a ballot in another persons name in 2016. They were sentenced to one day in prison each. In 2012, a man voted in both Texas and Minnesota and then bragged about it on Facebook. He was fined $4,000.

These are intentional cases of voter fraud, which is extremely rare but which does exist. It should be prosecuted. But contrast those cases with Masons stiff sentence of five years in prison.

We also know that prosecution of voter fraud is extremely inconsistent across the country, and the heaviest penalties often fall on poor Americans and communities of color. Last year, The New York Times reviewed 400 voting-fraud charges filed since 2017 and found that prosecutions are blue-moon events, and often netted people who didnt realize they were breaking the law. Crystal Mason certainly did not.

This is a clear case. The appeals court has an opportunity to correct an injustice, strengthen faith in our democracy and uphold fundamental principles of our elections and our justice system.

Sarah Saldana is a former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, appointed by President Barack Obama, and an adviser to the States United Democracy Center, a nonprofit group that works to protect free and fair elections. Matt Orwig is a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas appointed by President George W. Bush.

Sarah Saldana
Travelers who arrive by air will have to pay 300 baht (about $8), while travelers who arrive by land or water will have to pay 150 baht (about $4).

keanu2/GETTY IMAGES

Thailand will implement its long-awaited tourist fee in June.

The fee, which will go into effect on June 1, will cost either 150 or 300 baht, depending on how tourists arrive, according to the government. The fee, which was given the green light by Thailands cabinet, will be used for expenses related to taking care of tourists.

The fee has been in consideration for years and was initially expected to go into effect last year.

Travelers who arrive by air will have to pay 300 baht (about $8), while travelers who arrive by land or water will have to pay 150 baht (about $4).

In all, the government expects to collect about 3.9 billion baht in fees this year, Bloomberg reported, which will be used to provide health and accident insurance for tourists as well as develop local tourist attractions.

For travelers arriving by air, the tax will be included in the price of their ticket. Officials still have not determined how they will collect the tax from those arriving by other means.

Thailand welcomes international travelers without any pandemic-related entry requirements in place, including for those from the United States, no longer requiring them to show proof of vaccination or proof of any testing to enter.

Additionally, U.S. tourists are not required to obtain a visa before traveling to Thailand as long as they intend to stay for fewer than 30 days, according to the U.S. Department of State. That has been extended to 45 days through March 31, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The government will start collecting a tax as the country heads into what is considered its low tourist season from July through September. That time, known as the rainy season, is typically the best time to find deals on flights, accommodations, and tours, and the best time to avoid crowds.









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Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Reuters

Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley seems to be knowledgeable, competent, and personally pleasant. But who, precisely, wants her to be president? Whos a Nikki Haley voter in 2024?

The anachronistic feel of Haleys campaign for the GOP nomination has been widely noted since its official launch on Tuesday. Shes the perfect Republican presidential candidate (for 2015), wrote Sarah Longwell, publisher of the never-Trump site, The Bulwark. Shes the candidate Republicans would choose if theyd absorbed any of the conclusions of the partys 2013 autopsy of its loss a year earlier, argued Damon Linker, an observer of the American right (and my former colleague at The Week). And at The New York Times, Modern Age editor Daniel McCarthy pushed Haley all the way back to the George W. Bush years: Shes the running mate they wish John McCain had, he said, in 2008.

But this broad sense that Haley is chronologically out of step with her party, the victim of a Rip Van Winkle draught or a Thanos snap, isnt her campaigns only weakness. In one detail after another, its hard to see what constituency she expects to claim among the Republican base of 2024.

Consider, for instance, Haleys inevitable positioning as the foreign policy knower of this cycles primary field. Her two years as former President Donald Trumps envoy to the U.N. was widely understood as preparation for a presidential runa source of foreign affairs experience to complement her domestic and administrative record from her two terms in Columbia.

Skip the Reckoning if You Want Republicans to Move on From Trump

At the U.N., Haley emerged as the security blanket that [establishment] Republicans and even some Democratsnot to mention Americas allies[could] cling to when trying to grasp where the Trump administration stands on global affairs, a Politico Magazine profile summarized in 2017. Shes not only pro-America, pro-Israel, and tough on terrorismshes also wary of Russia and attuned to human rights concerns. Its pretty much traditional Republicanism, with a glint of neoconservatism.

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But traditional Republican foreign policy with a glint of neoconservatism will hardly be in short supply in the 2024 field, and Haleys foreign policy experience wont be unique. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton are all considered likely candidates. Even Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has a more robust foreign policy record than many realize thanks to his years in the House.

And if Haley does want to run on her foreign policy chops, she picked perhaps the single worst way to build her recordRepublicans dont like the United Nations. On this point, the modern, pre-Trump, and Bush-era GOPs agree. Why would Republican primary voters flock to a candidate who spent two years working within an institution they believe constrains American sovereignty and saps American power?

On race, gerontocracy, and electoral victoriesthree topics Haley prioritized in her launch video Tuesday and first campaign speech Wednesdayshe seems either similarly oblivious to the reality of the current GOP base or astonishingly confident in her own ability to persuade Republican voters to take their medicine. And it is medicine, after all, that Haley is offering on each point, compared to what Trump and culture warriors like DeSantis and Pompeo will present.

The middle-way messaging on race with which her video begins, her suggestion that 75 may be too old for the serious work of governance, and her acknowledgement that Republicans lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential electionswhat led Haley to believe this is what her partys primary voters want? Maybe its what they should want, but the last eight years havent exactly trained Republicans tastes in this direction. Even the least controversial of the trio, the gerontocracy point, seems risky in a party where most registered voters are over 50 and the most active voters are over 65.

Haleys faith, too, may be a sticking point for some Republicans, even if they arent eager to say so. This is difficult to predict after Trumps success despite his obvious unfamiliarity with the most basic tenets of Christianity. But Trump, not to put too fine a point on it, is an elderly white man who can claim a family history of Presbyterianism.

Haley doesnt have the same luxury. Her parents are Sikh, and her account of her conversion to Christianity, at least as told to The New York Times in 2012, is vague and mostly concerned with her childhood disinterest in learning Punjabi, which meant she didnt read Indian scriptures [until] we could get the English versions. In a conversation with Christianity Today (where I have a column) the same year, Haley didnt pinpoint a moment of conversion and seemed to profess ignorance of the meaning of evangelical and born-again. That may matter in a race with Trump and Ron God made a fighter DeSantis.

Trumps Political Future Hinges on How, Exactly, GOP Voters Want to Own the Libs

These incongruities with the GOP base are enough to make Haleys campaign most plausible as a veepstakes shot, not least if Republican strategists want a demographic balance which mirrors the Biden-Harris ticket. And particularly if she lands in that role, Haley will be endlessly compared to Vice President Kamala Harris on superficial grounds of similar age, family background, and national profile. But their biggest similarity is arguably the lack of enthusiasm for each within their respective parties.

Its too early to make confident predictions about this electionremember conventional wisdom at this point in 2015?but seriously: Whos a Nikki Haley voter in 2024?

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The U.S. intelligence community believes the three unidentified airborne objects shot down by the U.S. in recent days were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions, President Joe Biden said Thursday.

We dont yet know exactly what these three objects were but nothing right now suggests they were related to Chinass spy balloon program or that they were surveillance vehicles from any other country, Biden said during a short speech addressing the incidents.

He went on to say there is no evidence that there has been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the sky, but rather that the U.S. is now detecting more of them at least in part because it has narrowed the focus of its radars. He said he has directed his team to draft sharper rules on how to deal with unidentified objects moving forward, including distinguishing between those that are likely to pose safety and security risks that necessitate action and those that do not.

Biden ordered the downing of an object near Lake Huron on Sunday, one day after a a U.S. F-22 fighter jet shot down a separate unidentified cylindrical object over the Yukon Territory in Canada. Also on Saturday, a part of Montanas airspace was temporarily closed due to a radar anomaly, then later reopened. North American air defense could not find an object correlated with the anomaly.

On Friday, the White House announced that a high-altitude airborne object was shot down off the northern coast of Alaska.

The incidents came about a week after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the Carolina coast.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday said there was a big difference between the Chinese spy balloon and the other unidentified objects. The Chinese spy balloon was much larger and was flying at or above 60,000 feet, well outside of air traffic concerns, while the other three objects were right on the border and appeared to be driven by the wind and therefore posed a danger to air traffic.

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Kirby also said the American people dont need to worry about aliens with respect to these craft.

More from National Review
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a new interview that tough conversations are needed on the future of the platform amid mounting efforts to ban the platform in the U.S. due to security concerns.

In an interview with The Washington Post published Wednesday, Chew said that he doesnt take talk of banning the platform very lightly, saying it will be a real shame if the more than 100 million U.S. users of TikTok are cut off.

We have to have tough conversations on: Who is using it now? What kind of value does it bring to them? What does it mean if we just, like, rip it out of their hands? Chew told the Post. I dont take this conversation of lets just ban TikTok very lightly.  I dont think its a trivial question. I dont think it should be something thats decided, you know, in 280 characters.

Chew, who formerly served as chief financial office of TikTok parents company ByteDance, is set to appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee next month.

The committee said the hearing will focus on TikToks consumer privacy and data security practices, the platforms impact on kids, and their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.

ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing, spurring concerns that its subsidiaries could be subject to Chinese efforts to obtain related user data or other information.

Chew said no such request has been made, and that he did not believe the company would need to hand over that information to the Chinese government because U.S. user data is subject to U.S. law.

Chew told the Post that he hoped lawmakers would see that concerns about data privacy and teenagers usage are industry-wide issues, and would not be resolved by banning Tik-Tik, adding that some suspicions about the platform are misinformed or based on misrepresentations.

We understand we start from a place of trust deficit, Chew told the Post, adding: and that trust is not won by one move, one silver bullet, one meeting.

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Multiple state governments and Congress in recent months have barred TikTok on government devices. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) introduced legislation last week that would prohibit downloading TikTok nationally.

U.S. officials have had a rocky relationship with TikTok for years. The Trump administration made a failed attempt to implement a ban on the social media platform in 2020.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo illustration: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The social media app TikTok, a platform with over 1 billion users nationwide, is facing bans across the United States because of the app's strong ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and the Chinese Communist Party. But experts say those who are seeking to prohibit its use are focusing on the wrong problem.

In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to ban the platform and failed. Now, dozens of institutions, state governments and federal lawmakers across the country have taken action to ban it.

Most recently, on Feb 7, in a close vote, the Virginia Senate passed legislation banning TikTok and the Chinese messaging app WeChat on state government devices. Republican state Sen. Ryan McDougle, who presented the legislation, says TikTok is invasive.

TikTok is voraciously collecting data on its users in the United States, McDougle told Yahoo News. Effectively, TikTok is an arm of the Peoples Republic of China and operated under its direction.

Virginia state Sen. Ryan McDougle at the state Capitol in Richmond in March 2022. (Steve Helber/AP)

On Jan. 24, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced legislation on the federal level to ban Americans from downloading TikTok in the U.S. Last year Hawleys No TikTok on Government Devices Act, which blocked TikTok from all information technology of federal agencies, was signed into law.

In a recent statement to Yahoo News, Hawley said, TikTok violates the privacy of every American who uses the platform. To ensure the Chinese government does not exploit the data of American users, the platform should be banned across the United States to protect our children and nation as a whole.

In response to the controversial federal legislation, TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement to the news outlet The Hill, We hope that [Hawley] will focus his energies on efforts to address those issues holistically, rather than pretending that banning a single service would solve any of the problems hes concerned about or make Americans any safer.

With tensions on the rise with China, particularly after a Chinese balloon was shot down on U.S. territory, some Democrats have become more vocal about a nationwide TikTok ban.

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Its something that should be looked at, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview with ABC News.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., at a news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Over 20% of Americans use TikTok, with most users ranging from 18 to 29 years old, according to a 2021 study by Pew Research Center.

TikTok is a part of people's life all over the U.S. Whether they're taking to TikTok to mobilize for social change, or to make a daily wage, there are really high costs here, Kian Vesteinsson, senior research analyst for technology and democracy at Freedom House, told Yahoo News.

Vesteinsson says a nationwide ban on TikTok would be a mistake and that the real problem is the United States' lack of laws protecting data privacy at the federal level on all applications.

Instead of a ban, the U.S. government should strengthen privacy protections and bolster transparency requirements for all social media platforms, he said.

Lia Holland, communications director of the internet advocacy nonprofit Fight for the Future, says TikTok is not the only app that stores information on its users.

To be clear, every app out there is trying to mimic TikTok right now. Even if we banned TikTok, we would still be left with these manipulative and addictive practices that other apps would take advantage of, she said.

The U.S does not currently have federal legislation to protect data on social media platforms. Its frankly embarrassing, Holland said. The U.S. government needs to act to protect all of us, no matter what app we're on now.

Social media applications are one of the largest sources of data collection, according to experts, and in the U.S., over 65% of adults have social media accounts.

The data that these apps are collecting on all of us right now could be used in all sorts of nefarious ways now and in the future  whether that's for abuse, stalking or to make employment decisions, Holland said.

Data privacy protection laws in the U.S. are less stringent than than in other countries. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

According to experts, a nationwide TikTok ban would have a negative impact globally. A ban undermines the U.S.'s credibility to advocate against censorship at the international level, Vesteinsson said. Our research shows that authorities learn from each other, copying restrictive policies and actions from foreign governments to implement in their own countries.

A ban of that magnitude, he said, could serve as a justification for governments around the world to block other international social media platforms in their countries.

But if a nationwide ban is on the horizon, other social media platforms are prepared, said Robyn Caplan, a senior researcher at Data & Society and a visiting assistant professor at Duke University.

Meta has a TikTok clone called Reels. Alphabet also has a TikTok clone called Shorts that they developed pretty much directly in response to the ban of TikTok in India, she told Yahoo News.

As the social media platform faces scrutiny in the United States, TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, said that tough conversations will be needed as he focuses on the future of the platform.

I dont take this conversation of Lets just ban TikTok very lightly.  I dont think its a trivial question. I dont think it should be something thats decided, you know, in 280 characters, Chew said in an interview Wednesday with the Washington Post.

In March, Chew will appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The hearing will focus on consumer privacy and data security practices, the platforms impact on kids, and their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party, the committee said.

We understand we start from a place of trust deficit, and that trust is not won by one move, one silver bullet, one meeting, Chew said.
On a night when his Spartans were scheduled to host Minnesota, Tom Izzo instead addressed a mass shooting that claimed the lives of three Michigan State students.

The Michigan State basketball coach decried gun violence while speaking at a candlelight vigil in East Lansing on Wednesday, two days after a single shooter opened fire at two locations on campus. The shooter killed students Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner and wounded five others. All on-campus activities were postponed Wednesday, including Michigan State's basketball game.

Izzo has been the head coach at Michigan State for 28 years. He joined the Spartans as an assistant on Jud Heathcote's staff in 1983. His daughter, Raquel, graduated from MSU. His son, Steven, is a current student and walk-on on the basketball team.

Tom Izzo spoke Wednesday in response to the shooting on MSU's campus. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

He opened his speech with condolences to the families and victims of Monday's shooting. He then spoke about what Michigan State means to him.

"I don't like the place. I don't love the place. I live the place," Izzo said. "To the families of those who were senselessly taken from us, words seem so hollow right now. To the individuals currently fighting for their lives in a hospital and their families, we're praying for you."

Izzo said he visited the injured in the hospital, as did Gov. Gretchen Whitmer  an MSU alum  and school president Teresa K. Woodruff, both of whom also spoke at Wednesday's vigil. Izzo also revealed that his son was on campus the night of the shooting.

"Steven was at one of the buildings two nights ago about 10 minutes after things happened," Izzo said. "So sometimes we don't understand because we haven't been through it. That little moment brought me a little closer to understanding."

Izzo thanked first responders and applauded the students and staff who sheltered in place while the shooter remained at large Monday. He urged the Michigan State community to support one another while offering his own words of encouragement.

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"Our hearts are heavy," he said. "Our loss has been great. Our lives have been permanently changed. With a shared commitment to help each other and a promise to remember those we have lost, we will find joy again."

He then urged everyone with a platform to speak out to address gun violence.

"I think everybody spoke that something has to be done in our society," Izzo said. "Gun violence is insane right now. We all have a platform. Some are small, some are high. But we all have a platform. I hope each and every one of you use your platform to help others so other families dont have to go through what these families are going through right now."

Izzo made his plea the same day that hundreds of MSU students protested for gun reform at the Michigan state capitol in Lansing.
At the beginning of the full-scale war, the Council suspended the mandatory electronic declaration of the wealth of officials

At the beginning of March 2022, when the Russian army was approaching Kyiv, the parliament made it optional for officials to submit property declarations and their verification by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK). Thus, practically freezing the declaration process: officials were only obliged to declare their property after the end of martial law.

However, since then, the situation has changed significantly: the Ukrainian army successfully liberated the territory of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and part of Kherson oblasts from the invaders. And for the majority of officials, the objective reasons that could stand in the way of submitting declarations are now gone.

Especially as some of them had time and opportunities to acquire new property in the midst of the war. In particular, a MP from the Servant of the People (SN) Pavlo Khalimon, according to an investigation by NVs sister publication Ukrainska Pravda, has bought an estate in the Pechersk Hills in the center of Kyiv for UAH 10 million ($270,000).

Another 11 lawmakers of various factions and their family members, according to the Bihus.Info investigation, after Feb. 24, 2022 became the owners of new top-notch cars worth a total of $1.3 million.

Against the background of corruption scandals, specialized public organizations and activists called on the authorities to bring back mandatory asset declarations. After all, its absence contributes to corruption and abuse of power. G7 ambassadors have also publicly urged Ukraine to do so.

Read also: Ukrainian security chief says battle against traitors, corruption, organized crime won't stop

However, according to NVs sources, the Ukrainian parliament does not yet have the votes for such a decision. And according to former National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) director, Artem Sytnyk, who currently works as the deputy head of the NAZK, the structure that verifies such declarations from the parliament alone, only three dozen MPs have voluntarily reported on their property and assets.

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Apparently, lawmakers or other senior officials think that if the (mandatory) declaration (process) is not resumed, then no one can do anything and will not be able to calculate their illegal wealth, Sytnyk said.

But its not like that.

One minister and 28 parliamentarians

Sytnyk believes that the beginning of the full-scale war was indeed an objective reason for suspending the submission of declarations and their verification. However, now he does not see any obstacles and arguments against renewing the declaration.

The deputy head of NAZK told NV that those who wish to submit a declaration voluntarily are doing so now. Out of almost 750,000 declarants (officials of various levels), 474,000 people voluntarily reported for 2021  that is, about 60%.

However, among top officials, the numbers are not so high.

It is precisely people who do not hold positions associated with increased corruption risks that are filing their declarations, Sytnyk said.

Read also: Ukrainian deputy defense minister resigns amid corruption allegations

But if, for example, we take the government officials, then only one of them, the Minister of Education (out of 22 representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers) has submitted a declaration (Serhiy Shkarlet). Also, no judge from the Constitutional Court has submitted a declaration. And in the Verkhovna Rada, only 28 lawmakers (out of 410) have voluntarily submitted declarations.

Senior officials from the Presidents Office did not report either, said Sytnyk.

Such a picture, according to him, very clearly shows why the declaration is not being restored.

Because the people who are responsible for making these decisions somehow doubt that it should be done, he said.

A bill stuck in parliament

In fact, the draft law on the restoration of wealth declaration has first been registered in the Rada by the head of the Servant of the People faction Davyd Arakhamia as early as the fall of 2022. The document was successfully reviewed by the parliamentary anti-corruption committee and recommended for adoption in the first reading. However, it remained at the committee level: the draft was never submitted for consideration by parliament.

Anastasiya Radina, member of the Servant of the People faction and head of the anti-corruption committee, explained to NV that there are not very simple discussions about how to return declarations in the parliament. According to her, parliamentarians want to take the security situation into account and secure the declaration system from possible holes. There are also those who do not want to return to having to make asset declarations.

Now, according to the head of the committee, the Council does not have the necessary 226 votes to approve the draft law. However, she is not ready to name the figure of how many parliamentarians are ready to support this decision.

Read also: Ukraines parliament disbands Kyiv District Administrative Court

Unfortunately, I cannot say (when the bill will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada), says Radina. I would like the bill to be voted on in the spring at the latest. And, again, we are having a discussion not only within our faction, but also with others.

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, an MP from the Holos party and representative of the anti-corruption committee, is convinced that there is simply no political will for this decision. He draws NVs attention to the fact that now about a dozen lawmakers in one capacity or another are under investigation by NABU for inaccuracies or lies in their electronic declarations.

Therefore, of course, without a go-ahead from the Office of the President, one should not expect that the law will be adopted, even though it was registered by the head of the presidents faction, Yurchyshyn said.

In his opinion, only an official demand or communication from the European Union could activate this issue now.

We know that the Europeans raised the issue of the need to return electronic declaration even at the summit with the European Union, but it was the representatives of Ukraine who convinced us not to include it in the final document of the summit yet, said Yurchyshyn. Thats why I dont see any prospects for restoring (e-declarations) in the near future.

An influential NV source in the Servant of the People faction agreed with Yurchyshyns view that the issue will not move on until there is a demand from the EU. The source noted that it is not in any documents today: If it is a requirement of the IMF or a condition for receiving money from the European Commission, then (the declaration will be returned).

Loosening control

Anton Marchuk, an expert from the non-governmental organization Anti-Corruption Center, has said that due to the lack of mandatory declaration during wartime, many officials felt that control over them had weakened. And this could affect how conscientiously and virtuously they performed their functions, he said.

If we talk about the practical consequences of the fact that declarations are not submitted, they used to be a key tool for detecting cases of illegal enrichment and unjustified assets. It was possible to confiscate such things in civil court proceedings, Marchuk told NV.

Read also: Ukrainian prosecutor general endorses criminal case against MP Khalimon

Accordingly, without declarations, it is now much more difficult to detect these situations, it is much more difficult to collect evidence for such cases, and it is difficult to prosecute for such offenses.

Sytnyk notes that at the moment there is still one tool left in NAZK that helps control the wealth of officials  the lifestyle monitoring procedure. It consists in comparing the expenditures of officials and their incomes.

If (theres a mismatch), then depending on the amount of the discrepancy, criminal liability or a lawsuit is filed in the Anti-Corruption Court, explains the deputy head of the NAZK. Thus, assets whose legal origin cannot be proven are (seized) in favor of the state.

That is, the processes are not stopped, but returning the declaration would make it possible to carry out financial control more effectively, says Sytnyk. At the same time, I would like to note: if someone expects that failure to return the declaration will somehow hide the wealth that someone obtained there illegally, especially during the war, then this is not the case.

Only at the end of last year, NAZK handed over 22 cases to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutors office for filing lawsuits for the recovery of unsubstantiated assets.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Kremlin via REUTERS

Ukraine will soon be facing off with a military coup, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko baselessly predicted in a rage-fueled interview with reporters Thursday.

Things may come to the point when the military will come to Kyiv and twist the politicians' necksZelensky's too, Lukashenko said, intimating that he thinks the Ukrainian people are fed up with war. The Ukrainian military will come to Kyiv and put everyone into their places. Because they are in the meat grinder, while the Ukrainian authorities are touring around Europe asking for weapons, fighter jets and so on to standing ovations.

Time will pass and people will start asking him [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky]: Do we have to suffer all our lives? For what? What's next?' Meanwhile Zelensky is going to fight to the last Ukrainian and so on, Lukashenko said, according to Belta. What person would like that?

A recent poll shows that approximately 85 percent of Ukrainians support fighting the war until every inch of Ukraine is free, according to the Kyiv Post.

If the west continues to help Ukraine defend its territory, thoughsomething Lukashenko erroneously described as the west helping Poland try to take Ukrainian territoryLukashenko warned that there will be an effort to split Ukraine up.

I am referring to your attempts to wrest the western parts out of Ukraine by the hands of Poland. Well, the fight is going to be epic. And then you will not be asking me whether we will attack it from the territory of Belarus or not. You accuse Russia of wanting to tear off a piece of Ukraine. But it is you who want to dismember Ukraine by the hands of Poland, Lukashenko said.

Putins Favorite Neighbor Whips Out the Big Guns in New Warning

Lukashenkos warnings about a possible military coup and splitting Ukraine up come just a week before Russias war, which Belarus has helped along the way by serving as a launchpad for attacks, will reach its one-year mark. And although Lukashenko said he wants peace, there are no signs that his willingness to support Putin is waning. Lukashenko said Thursday he is still willing to allow Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground to continue attacking Ukraine.

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Im ready to provide territory again, Lukashenko said, according to a BBC translation.

His ominous remarks come as Russia prepares to mobilize 300,000 to 500,000 troops for the war in Ukraine in preparation for a renewed offensive, according to Ukrainian intelligence.

Belarus, which forms a union state with Russia and works with Moscow to intertwine the Belarusian and Russian militaries, has been conducting joint drills with Russian troops in Belarus since October. In recent weeks Belarus has also been sending troops to the border with Ukraine and pulling out armored vehicles from storage in a signal that the country might be preparing for further military action.

Ukrainian authorities have warned Ukraine must be prepared for possible attacks from the north.

Lukashenko noted Thursday that he is prepared to more directly involve Belarus in the war if a soldier from Ukraine, or any other nation, commits aggression against Belarus, echoing earlier predictions from Russian authorities.

I am ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus only in one case: if at least one soldier sets foot in Belarus to kill my people. If they commit aggression against Belarus, the answer will be immediate, Lukashenko said. The war will acquire a completely different scale then.

Lukashenko promised to increase his 75,000-strong army to 500,000, if prompted to go to war.

The warnings come just as the Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be holding a meeting with Lukashenko Friday in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow. The two will have a substantial conversation, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

So far, Putin has not asked Lukashenko to engage directly in the war, Lukashenko said.

Russia has never asked me to start the operation against Ukraine together, he said.

Lukashenko has long toed the line of supporting Russia, while also working towards maintaining some independence from Moscow, officials who have worked with him before tell The Daily Beast. And while Lukashenko has supported Russia while it wages war in Ukraine, he has also continuously stated that he is not interested in participating in war. Lukashenko repeated claims Thursday that Belarus wants peace.

War is not needed. As long as there is no expansion of this aggression today, let's negotiate peace, Lukashenko said.

Lukashenkos balancing act is in full force this week, Kenneth Yalowitz, a former U.S. ambassador to Belarus, told The Daily Beast.

He obviously is under a lot of pressure. He knows that the Russians are initiating this new offensive, and they must be putting all kinds of pressure on him, Yalowitz said. He is doing what we've watched him do so many times before: Try to be loyal to Putin, and yet stay out of direct contact with this war.

Belarusian support for going to war has been lacking. Belarus opposition has been plotting to form an alliance with Zelensky, as The Daily Beast previously reported. Some Belarusians have left Belarus to fight alongside Ukrainians against Russias invasion, which has raised the specter of Belarus armed forces facing widespread desertion if Belarus formally goes to wara concern that Lukashenko appears to know.

Russia Sets Ultimatum to Formally Pull a Third Country Into Putins War

I understand them [citizens of Belarus] and therefore I am not going to send people there, Lukashenko said.

And although Lukashenko says he wants peace, he renewed accusations that the west had caused the war.

Was the war worth it or would it be better to give Russia security guarantees which it requested from you on paper? Lukashenko said, likely referring to security guarantees Russia demanded in December of 2021, just before invading Ukraine. Back then Russia and Putin demanded that you give them a written document of security guarantees that no aggression against Russia would be committed from Ukraine or Europe, which is nearby why didn't you give Russia a piece of paper? You didn't because you needed a war.

The list from Russia included demands that the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pledge to not add any new members, including Ukraine, to the defensive alliance meant to curb Russian aggression. Putin also demanded that NATO remove troops and weapons from its eastern flank.

At the time, Russia had already amassed hundreds of thousands of troops near Ukraines border, poised to strike.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the plenary session of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS) Summit, October 14, 2022. Getty Images

A Russian defense official has died after reportedly falling out of a high-rise window.

Marina Yankina, who worked for Russia's Western Military District, was found dead on Wednesday.

Her death is the latest in a string of untimely deaths among officials and allies tied to Vladimir Putin.

A top Russian defense official has died after reportedly plunging out of the 16th-floor window of a high-rise in St. Petersburg  the latest in a string of untimely deaths among prominent officials and allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Marina Yankina, 58, the head of the financial support department for the Russian Defense Ministry's Western Military District, was found dead on Wednesday outside of the St. Petersburg, Russia, building, according to independent Russian media outlet Meduza.

Yankina's death is being investigated as a possible suicide, the Russian outlet Fontanka reported.

Russian Telegram channel Mash reported that Yankina called her ex-husband before she fell out of the window to her death.

Before Yankina joined the Western Military District, she worked for the Federal Tax Service of Russia.

Yankina's death comes after a number of Russian officials have died in unusual or unexplained circumstances since Putin launched his unprovoked war on Ukraine nearly a full year ago.

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, pointed this out in a tweet on Thursday about Yankina's death.

Most recently, fired Russian Interior Ministry Major General Vladimir Makarov was found dead this week in an apparent suicide, The Moscow Times reported.

Putin critic and sausage tycoon Pavel Antov died after falling out of a window at a hotel in India in December. Last September, 67-year-old Russian energy oligarch Ravil Maganov also died after falling from a hospital window, Insider reported at the time.

Read the original article on Business Insider
When Norfolk Southern train 32N derailed in Ohio earlier this month, it was not the first time it had experienced problems on the route.

The train, which originated from Madison, Illinois, on the evening of Feb. 1, broke down at least once before derailing in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, according to employees familiar with the matter.

The employees say there were concerns among those working on the train over what they believed was the train's excessive length and weight  151 cars, 9,300 feet long, 18,000 tons  before it reached East Palestine, which contributed to both the initial breakdown and the derailment.

In the two weeks since, many residents who were home at the time of the derailment, or who returned after authorities conducted a "toxic release" of the hazardous chemicals on board, have told CBS News they are suffering from headaches, rashes, respiratory problems and painful coughing.

"We shouldn't be running trains that are 150 car lengths long," one of the employees said. "There should be some limitations to the weight and the length of the trains. In this case, had the train not been 18,000 tons, it's very likely the effects of the derailment would have been mitigated."

Drone footage shows the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released by the NTSB. / Credit: NTSB/Handout via REUTERS

CBS News has agreed not to name the employees because they fear retaliation by Norfolk Southern.

Norfolk Southern's CEO Alan Shaw declined an interview. In a statement to CBS News, a company spokesperson said "the weight distribution of this train was uniform throughout" and included a mid-train locomotive "which helps manage the dynamic forces of the train" and reduces mechanical issues.

"Assigning a 'reputation' to a train that fluctuates by thousands of tons on a regular basis is inaccurate," the spokesperson said of the observations about the train's length and weight, adding that a "longer and heavier train" used to run the route, before it was "split into two shorter, lighter trains in the past few month as part of a regular review."

Still, the train that derailed is considered to be "very long," according to Sarah Feinberg, who served as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) from 2015 to 2017.

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"When I was FRA administrator, I was not happy with the lengths of the trains, and they were 80 or 90 cars long," Feinberg said. "This train was 50% longer."

Feinberg said longer trains are more efficient for the railroad companies and its executives, but more challenging for the crews tasked with making repairs mid-route, a job that requires walking the length of the train to identify problems.

The employees described a system stretched to its limits.

"The workers are exhausted, times for car inspections have been drastically cut, and there are no regulations on the size of these trains," said one employee.

In East Palestine, 38 train cars derailed, causing a fire that damaged an additional 12 cars. On Sunday, Norfolk Southern gave the Environmental Protection Agency a list of train's contents that showed 11 of the cars that derailed carried hazardous material, including known carcinogens vinyl chloride and ethylhexyl acrylate.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the derailment. In a statement Tuesday, the agency said it had "identified and examined the rail car that initiated the derailment," and cited surveillance video that "showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment."

The derailment has shined a spotlight on Precision Schedule Railroading, or PSR, a strategy that has been widely adopted across the railroad industry and is intended to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Norfolk Southern implemented PSR in 2019.

According to a December report by the Government Accountability Office, PSR led to longer trains and an overall staff decrease of about 28% among the nation's seven largest freight railroads, which includes Norfolk Southern.

"The railroads want to decrease costs, and as they are decreasing costs, risks are generally increasing," Feinberg said.

PSR has led to fewer and shorter inspections of train cars, like the ones that derailed in Ohio, according to Jared Cassity, the national legislative director for one of the unions that represents Norfolk Southern workers.

"There's a good chance the car that derailed had not been properly inspected for some time," said Cassity, who added that the company says inspections of freight cars need to be completed in as little as 60 seconds. "You combine that with the added length and tonnage, plus the fact that it had all this hazardous material, and this was predictable. If nothing changes, it will happen again."

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Authorities were responding to a freight train derailment Thursday in southeast Michigan, the latest incident as communities in Arizona and Ohio grappled with the fallout from collisions involving hazardous materials.

Emergency crews were on the scene in Van Buren Township, where about 30 Norfolk Southern Railway train cars went off the tracks Thursday morning. The derailment prompted temporary road closures which were expected to reopen by the evening, the local public safety department said on Facebook.

The township is located about 30 miles west of downtown Detroit.

While an investigation into the derailment is ongoing, Van Buren Township Public Safety said there are no reports of injuries and no hazardous materials were aboard the overturned portion of the train.

"There is no evidence of exposed hazardous materials. There are also no reported injuries," the Facebook post says.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, said on Twitter that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who responded to the derailment, found that the majority of derailed cars were empty and a rail car containing hazardous material was not derailed.

The derailed train cars were currently being placed back on the track, Dingell added.

A STRONG STENCH, TOXIC WATER, AND DEAD FISH: What we know about the East Palestine train derailment

TRAINS ARE BECOMING LESS SAFE: Why the East Palestine derailment disaster could happen more often

Derailment comes after Ohio incident

The derailment in Michigan comes about two weeks after a different Norfolk Southern train derailment involving hazardous materials near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border led to evacuations, as well as environmental and health concerns.

The rail operator has been under scrutiny for its response to the Ohio derailment. Several lawsuits have been filed against Norfolk Southern alleging negligence and residents exposed to the dangerous chemicals from the derailment have voiced safety concerns.

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What did emergency responders find?

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes (EGLE) sent responders to the scene and released updates on what they found.

One of the overturned rail cars contained agricultural products, and the other cars were empty.

No hazardous material was released into soil or waterways.

One railcar contained liquid chlorine but was away from the overturned section and was included in the railcars that were removed first.

Norfolk Southern is on-site using equipment to remove and upright the railcars.

Video from the scene of the derailment in Van Buren Township showed that numerous train cars from the Norfolk Southern train were off the tracks.

Employees from Norfolk Southern Railroad work to remove derailed train cars from the track in Van Buren Township on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Norfolk Southern subject of public outrage

Norfolk Southern Corp., an Atlanta-based transportation company, has been under public scrutiny since its train derailed on Feb. 3 near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and spilled toxic chemicals. The derailment caused evacuations and has left residents to worry about their air, soil, and water quality.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Norfolk Southern failed "to adhere to well-accepted standards of practice related to incident management" and prioritized an "accelerated" reopening of the rail line over safety.

In 2014, a derailment in Casselton, North Dakota, spilled nearly 500,000 gallons of crude oil and caused $13.5 million in damage that prompted the Obama administration to push for a new safety rule to govern the transportation of hazardous materials, avoid environmental disasters and save lives.

Industry lobbyists for Norfolk Southern fought against the effort to create the new safety rule, which was repealed in 2018 due to costs. Labor representatives and industry experts have said efforts to reduce costs for rail regulations have only made trains less safe.

Contributing: Tami Abdollah and Terry Collins, USA TODAY; Jennie Key and Victoria Moorwood, USA TODAY Network; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Michigan derailment: Train operated by Norfolk Southern; probe ongoing
DreamWorks Animation is taking a page out of Disneys remake book. The animated film franchise How to Train Your Dragon will receive a new live action film from Universal Pictures, set for worldwide release on March 14, 2025.

The film will be written and directed by Dean DeBlois, the filmmaker behind the three animated How to Train Your Dragon films released between 2010 and 2019. It will be DeBlois live action narrative film debut, after directing the Dragon trilogy, Disneys beloved 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch, and 2007 documentary Heima.

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Based loosely on the book series by Cressida Cowell, the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is set in mythical Berk: a viking village where the residents train to fight and kill attacking dragons. Main character Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel in the original movies) is the awkward outcast son of chieftain Stoick (Gerard Butler), and struggles to prove himself worthy of serving as a warrior for the village. After successfully capturing a rare dragon known as a Night Fury, Hiccup gradually begins to befriend the creature and names it Toothless. Soon, the two go on a quest to end the war between their two races.

The original 2010 How to Train Your Dragon, which DeBlois co-directed with Chris Sanders (before helming the final two entries himself), received critical acclaim and grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. All three films received nominations for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, and collectively grossed $1.6 billion globally. The success of the films spawned a series of animated TV series, including Dragons: Riders of Berk, Rescue Riders, and The Nine Realms.

The live action remake will be produced by Marc Platt, the producer of La La Land and the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, and Adam Siegel via the Marc Platt Productions banner. Universals Vice President of Production Development Lexi Barta will oversee the film on behalf of the studio.

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How to Train Your Dragon is the first DreamWorks Animation film to make the jump to live action; other franchises from the studio include Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, The Boss Baby, and Shrek. The films announcement comes after Walt Disney Pictures found success remaking their animated properties in live action, with The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Mulan being a few of the beloved Disney films to get the remake treatment. In addition, May will see the release of a Little Mermaid live action film, starring Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy.

DeBlois is represented by WME and Lichter Grossman Nichols Adler Feldman & Clark.

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Former President Donald Trumps campaign has split with its longtime TV ad maker, Jamestown Associates.

One of the firms partners has decided to work with a Trump rival in 2024: Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations who launched her presidential bid on Wednesday. The former presidents campaign, in turn, has decided that it would not renew its relationship with Jamestown, which crafted commercials for Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections. Trumps team also used the firm after he left the White House.

The 2024 Trump campaign is doing many things differently, including moving in a new direction on paid media with fresh energy and new ideas, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

A Jamestown representative did not respond to a request for comment, nor did spokespeople for Haley. But those familiar with the discussions said that Barney Keller, the consulting firms president, had signed on with Haley. Keller arranged to work for Haley independently of Jamestown, staying firewalled off from the rest of the firm during the campaign.



But the Trump campaign was not willing to participate in the arrangement.

The prominent GOP media firm has been in Trumps orbit since 2016, when it began crafting commercials for the former presidents first campaign. Two Jamestown partners, Larry Weitzner and Jason Miller, were key architects of Trumps advertising strategy, and Miller joined the campaign as a top adviser.

The Trump-Jamestown partnership carried over to the 2020 election, when the firm cut a series of ads for the reelection campaign, including a pair that aired during the Super Bowl.

Jamestown continued to work for Trump after his unsuccessful reelection bid. And Trumps 2024 campaign paid the firm more than $30,000 in December to produce videos of the former president speaking direct-to-camera.

Jamestown has a long history in Republican politics, working for candidates across the country and up and down the ballot. The firm worked for a number of GOP candidates during the 2022 midterm election, including Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, New Hampshire congressional hopeful Matt Mowers and New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

Trump has begun filling out his campaign team with top adividers, including Republican operatives Brian Jack, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles. Last week, the Trump campaign also announced that Miller, who left Jamestown in 2017, would be joining the effort.

It remains unclear who will be replacing Jamestown in producing Trumps 2024 ads.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday partly blamed the Trump administration for the recent derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in Ohio. At issue is the reversal of a certain regulation passed by Congress before Trump became president.

On February 3, the partial derailment of a long freight train near East Palestine, Ohio, sparked a blaze, releasing the toxins into the area and forcing evacuations of residents nearby. Buttigiegs office did not respond to the incident for days.

On Tuesday, ten days after the derailment, Buttigieg touted the progress his agency has made to enhance rail safety. But he added they they have been handicapped by former president Trumps move in 2018 to withdraw a rule pertaining to braking systems for trains transporting dangerous chemicals. He didnt explain why the Biden administration has never reinstated the rule.

In the wake of the East Palestine derailment and its impact on hundreds of residents, were seeing lots of newfound or renewed (and welcome) interest in our work on rail safety, so I wanted to share more about what weve been doing in this area, Buttigieg tweeted.

In 2018, Trumps Department of Transportation repealed a 2015 rule mandating that trains hauling highly flammable crude oil be equipped with special brakes that stop all rail cars simultaneously. The advanced brakes were designed also to keep more tank cars on the track in the event that a derailment occurs.

Were constrained by law on some areas of rail regulation (like the braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2018 because of a law passed by Congress in 2015), but we are using the powers we do have to keep people safe, Buttigieg said. And of course, Im always ready to work with Congress on furthering (or in some cases, restoring) our capacity to address rail safety issues.

The train in Ohio was carrying, among other toxic chemicals, vinyl chloride, which is linked to increased risk for a number of cancers. The contents of the train were then burned, in a controlled fire, to prevent an explosion. Norfolk Southern, the transportation company that operated the train, conducted a controlled release of the colorless gas.

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Buttigieg came under fire from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for his extended silence on the disaster.

He jokes about balloons while ignoring East Palestine, OH, former Democratic Ohio state Senator Nina Turner tweeted in reaction to a video of Buttigieg joking about the Chinese spy balloon that was downed last week by the U.S. military. We deserve better than this.

Former Republican representative Mayra Flores tweeted Monday, Where is Pete Buttigieg? How will this Ohio train derailment affect our farmers, the nearby population, and our supply chain for Americans?

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By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's president on Thursday rejected "foreign interference and harm to the country's sovereignty" after the United States raised concerns over a recent wave of arrests of his critics.

"We are able to diagnose our problems," President Kais Saied said, adding whoever wants to help Tunisians should "return our looted money and drop the accumulated debts."

The United States on Wednesday said it was "deeply concerned" by the reported arrests of political figures, business leaders and journalists in Tunisia.

In recent days, Tunisian police have detained leading figures from opposition or critics of Saied, including prominent politicians, an influential businessman, the head of Tunisia's main independent news outlet.

"Our sovereignty is above all considerations... we are not under colonization, we are an independent sovereign country", Saied said in a meeting with his prime minister Najla Bouden.

Saied on Wednesday accused some of those detained of being responsible for price increases and food shortages in the north African country, and of wanting to fuel a social crisis.

The opposition has said the arrests aim to silence dissent, empower a slide towards autocracy and cover up Saied's failure to manage the worsening social and economic crisis.

The arrests have raised fears of a wider crackdown on dissent and prompted the U.N. Human Rights Office to call for the immediate release of detainees.

Tunisians have for months been suffering shortages of food commodities that economic experts say are mainly caused by a crisis in public finances as the state attempts to avert bankruptcy while negotiating for an international bailout.

Last month, Moody's ratings agency downgraded Tunisia's debt, saying it would likely default on sovereign loans.

Saied shut down parliament, dismissed the government in July 2021 and moved to rule by decree, moves his critics called a coup.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - The Shelby County sheriff on Wednesday suspended two deputies without pay for five days for unspecified conduct after they appeared at the scene where Memphis city police severely beat Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died three days later.

Five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and they and a sixth officer were fired for the beating that occurred after a traffic stop on Jan. 7, prompting a national public outcry.

Memphis lies within Shelby County, Tennessee, and while city police usually have jurisdiction within city limits, county sheriff's deputies may also respond.

Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in a statement he had concerns about the two deputies who appeared on the scene and ordered an investigation that resulted in the two suspensions, which he called "appropriate and just."

Three fire department employees were fired and other first responders remain under investigation after Nichols was kicked, punched, smacked with a baton, shot with a stun gun and sprayed with pepper spray following a traffic stop.

Afterward he was left unattended, handcuffed behind his back, for several minutes as uniformed personnel milled about, according to police video of the incident.

Among those responding to the scene were Shelby County sheriff's deputies Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers, the sheriff's department said in the statement.

"Based on the Sheriff's Office current belief that there will be no charges from the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) and District Attorney's Office investigation/review, the SCSO believes it is appropriate to release the outcomes of the internal review at this time," the department said.

It did not specify what the deputies did or neglected to do to merit suspension. But it listed the regulations they violated, including radio communication procedures, mobile video recording system procedures, and patrol field job duties and responsibilities.

Reuters could not determine if the deputies were represented by lawyers who could make a statement in their defense. The Shelby County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the deputies' union, could not be reached for comment.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Robert Birsel)
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday called on President Joe Biden to rescind a nearly $1 billion arms sale to Nigeria following Reuters reports on an illegal abortion program and the targeted killing of children carried out by the Nigerian military.

Democrat Sara Jacobs of California and Republican Chris Smith of New Jersey, both members of the subcommittee on Africa, also called for a review of security assistance and cooperation programs in Nigeria, including a risk assessment of civilian casualties and abuses resulting from the arms assistance.

"We write to express our concern with current U.S. policy on and military support to Nigeria," the lawmakers said.

The United States has paired security assistance to Nigeria with training focused on compliance with international law. But the lawmakers said humanitarian workers have reported that Nigerias security forces appear to have a limited understanding of humanitarian law and tools for effective engagement with local populations.

The assistance provided by Washington so far has done little to quell the 14-year conflict between the Nigerian military and Islamist insurgents in the countrys northeast, and there are reports of weapons captured by insurgents, the Congress members added.

"Therefore, we believe continuing to move forward with the nearly $1 billion arms sale would be highly inappropriate and we urge the Administration to rescind it," the lawmakers said in the letter.

The White House did not immediately provide a comment.

In April, the U.S. State Department approved the weapons sale and other military support to Nigeria  the largest ever offered to the country  after lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had paused the deal over concerns about other rights abuses.

The request for a review is the second to come from Congress in recent months. After the Reuters stories appeared in December, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requested a review of U.S. security assistance and cooperation programs in Nigeria and the potential use of sanctions for alleged abuses.

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I look forward to hearing more about the (State) Departments planned response to the serious and abhorrent allegations levied against a long-standing beneficiary of U.S. security assistance and cooperation which, if deemed credible, have done irreparable harm to a generation of Nigerian citizens and to U.S. credibility in the region, the Idaho senator said in the letter.

The Reuters investigation found that since at least 2013, the Nigerian military has conducted a secret, systematic and illegal abortion program in the countrys northeast, ending at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls. Many had been kidnapped and raped by Islamist militants. Resisters were beaten, held at gunpoint or drugged into compliance, witnesses said.

Nigerian military leaders denied the program has ever existed and said Reuters reporting was part of a foreign effort to undermine the country's fight against the insurgents.

Reuters also reported that the Nigerian Army and allied security forces have slaughtered children during their grueling 13-year war against Islamist extremists in the countrys northeast. Nigerian military leaders told Reuters the army has never targeted children for killing.

The Reuters series, Nightmare in Nigeria, sparked calls for the Nigerian government to investigate from the U.S. departments of state and defense, the German foreign ministry, the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Human rights experts said the armys actions could constitute war crimes.

Amid international outcry, Nigerias defense ministry agreed to cooperate with an investigation by Nigerias Commission on Human Rights, which is underway.

(Editing by Julie Marquis)
By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - A top U.S. trade official said on Thursday that export controls placed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine have slowly reduced the supply of materials that Moscow can use to rebuild its war machine.

The U.S. and a coalition of 37 other countries imposed unprecedented export controls on Russia over the past year in response to its unprovoked assault on Ukraine, and more actions are in the works.

Alan Estevez, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, said Russia is working hard to evade those controls, but that the goods that are being smuggled in cannot replace everything that needs to be resupplied.

"Evasion techniques are not going to get you the scale you need to reconstitute your military over time," Estevez said in an interview with Reuters.

Estevez's comments come amid reports of new ways of getting tech to Russia.

Estevez, whose agency oversees U.S. export restrictions, noted that Russia's chip imports have dropped by nearly 70 percent, and that bigger items are even harder to get through.

"It's easier to smuggle micro-electronics than it is to smuggle a CNC machine," Estevez said, referring to a computer-coded machine used for high-precision metal shaping and milling.

Estevez reiterated that export controls and financial sanctions on Russia work over time, not at once.

"It's not a guillotine," he said.

With the one-year anniversary of the war next week, he said that evasion and diversion of U.S. technology to Russia are top of mind, because over time underground networks become more sophisticated.

Estevez said China generally appears to be complying with U.S. restrictions on sending American-origin technology to Russia, and that while some Chinese companies had been supplying Russia, he had no evidence China's top chipmaker SMIC is doing so.

"Over time, Putin's war machine is going to be crippled, and as we continue to supply arms to Ukraine, their military capability is going up and Putin's is going down," he said.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The United States will provide $200 million to the Czech Republic for military upgrades and replacement of equipment the Czechs are sending to Ukraine, the U.S. Embassy said on Thursday.

The donation is on top of $106 million pledged last year, news agency CTK reported.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Leah Douglas

(Reuters) - Two U.S. lawmakers have sent letters to the country's top egg companies seeking answers for why egg prices have ballooned to record highs in recent months, according to copies of the letters seen by Reuters.

The price of eggs was up 150% in January from a year prior to $4.80 a dozen, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, raising concerns among farmers and antitrust advocates who have warned about the power of top agriculture firms to set prices.

"American families working to put food on the table deserve to know whether the increased prices they are paying for eggs represent a legitimate response to reduced supply or out-of-control corporate greed," wrote Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Katie Porter of California.

The letters were sent Thursday morning to the CEOs of Cal-Maine Foods, Hillandale Farms, Rose Acre Farms, Daybreak Foods, and Versova Management.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has pointed to record cases of avian flu, which has killed more than 58 million chickens and turkeys since the beginning of 2022, as a reason for high prices. But a farm group recently asked federal regulators to investigate whether egg companies were price gouging.

The lawmakers said the spike in prices raises concerns about anti-competitive conduct and requested information on executive compensation, profit margins, avian flu impacts, and whether companies have communicated with one another about egg prices.

Only Cal-Maine Foods, which controls about 20% of the U.S. egg market, is public. The company reported gross profits up 600% in a late-December filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cal-Maine, Daybreak, Hillandale, Rose Acre, and Versova did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawmakers requested responses by March 1.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
China's optimized COVID response revives holiday travel buzz

Xinhua) 08:16, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation.

The travel season, also known as "chunyun," kicked off on Jan. 7 and saw many Chinese people traveling to reunite with their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which fell on Jan. 22 this year.

Passengers walk on a platform at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

On Tuesday, Beijing Fengtai Railway Station, Asia's largest passenger railway hub, was still buzzing with passengers dragging and carrying luggage as they poured from trains under the guidance of station staff.

"This year, the number of passengers has obviously increased during the travel rush, and our workload has become heavier. But seeing the normal flow of people in cities and stations and the happy smiles on their faces, we feel that all our efforts are worth it," said Ling Chengcheng with Beijing Major Railway Station Areas Administration.

"China's railways, roads, waterways and civil aviation have maintained stable operation, with sufficient transport capacity, orderly services, strong emergency support and a stable security situation," said Zhou Min, a Ministry of Transport official.

EXTENDED TRAVEL RUSH

Though it was predictable that this year's holiday travel would be very busy following an optimized COVID-19 response, the flood of sightseers that swarmed into Lijiang, a famed tourist city in southwest China's Yunnan Province, still astonished Wang Yingbo, who runs two bed-and-breakfasts (B&Bs) there.

"We saw some solo travelers coming around Jan. 10, which gave us some confidence about the upcoming holiday season," said Wang. "Yet it didn't occur to me that the number of tourists would suddenly soar within a week and that all 29 rooms of our two B&Bs would soon be booked up."

Wang's B&Bs have been almost always full since then, especially during the week-long holiday. He estimates the net income at about 400,000 yuan (about 58,665 U.S. dollars) for the three weeks around the Chinese New Year. "I expected a boom in tourism this Spring Festival, but I never thought it would be so crazy!"

This photo taken on Jan. 27, 2023 shows a view of the waiting hall at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Pent-up demand for consumption even "extended" this year's travel rush, with many incoming travelers arriving much earlier than expected, while many left much later than anticipated.

According to Mou Xuemei, general manager of a travel agency in Lijiang, tourists began to increase in mid-January, about a week earlier than in previous years.

"Usually the number of tourists would wane on the sixth day of the first lunar month (usually the last day of the week-long holiday), but this year the drop in tourist levels was delayed for another week," Mou noted.

"No one expected such a quick recovery and so we were not well prepared. But everyone is greatly motivated and many are now adding manpower," said Zhang Yu, who also runs a travel agency.

During the holiday, Yunnan alone recorded over 45.1 million tourist arrivals, up 244.7 percent year on year. Together they generated a total tourism revenue of 38.4 billion yuan, an increase of 249.4 percent from a year ago. Both these figures were about 30 percent higher than the pre-epidemic level in 2019.

CONSUMPTION BOOM

What the tour operators in Yunnan have witnessed is just one reflection of a vigorous, flourishing Chinese economy on the fast track of recovery.

Tourists visit the Qilou ancient street during the Spring Festival holiday in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Eager travelers packed train stations, airports, eateries, tourist attractions and homestays, unleashing a stunning consumption revival.

According to the online tourism platform TravelGo, tourist destinations like Xishuangbanna, Sanya and Xiamen in the country's south, and the Changbai Mountains in northeastern Jilin Province, were among the most popular spots during the holiday.

After three years of relying on video chat, Wang Lin, 28, spent "the best Spring Festival ever" this year, reuniting with her parents on a trip to Sanya.

"Face-to-face chat and home-cooked meals, such things can never be replaced," said Wang Lin, who was wowed by the large-scale flow of people at the airport and scenic spots.

During the Spring Festival holiday, Sanya civil aviation authority recorded a new high of 3,024 flights in seven days, an increase of 5.8 percent over the same period in 2019.

"Many are on family tours to savor the lovely sunshine and splendid sea views here. Everyone wears a big smile from the bottom of their hearts," Wang Lin added.

Congested shopping malls, traffic jams and long queues for dinner are scenes that used to annoy Tao Kangjia, a courier for Meituan Waimai, a major food delivery platform in China. However, Tao was delighted to see the return of such scenes during the Spring Festival this year.

"Some stores went out of business over the past two years due to the epidemic, but this year, most of them remained open to serve the large number of customers," Tao said.

Tao worked in one of the most prosperous areas in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. He worked about eight hours a day in the holiday season, earning over 10,000 yuan in a month.

The hurly-burly of the revived holiday experience was felt in many parts of the country.

Data from ride-hailing company DiDi shows that from Jan. 7 to Feb. 14, DiDi's ride-hailing and taxi orders continued to increase and had recovered to more than 90 percent of the number recorded in 2019. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province saw orders restored to more than 90 percent of the 2019 level, while second-tier and third-tier cities, including Dalian and Yancheng, also witnessed obvious increases in ride-hailing orders.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Kanishka Singh and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States was "deeply concerned" by the reported arrests of political figures, business leaders and journalists in Tunisia in recent days, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday.

In recent days, Tunisian police have detained a number of leading figures with links to the opposition or to critics of President Kais Saied, including prominent politicians, two judges, the head of Tunisia's main independent news outlet and a senior UGTT labour union official.

U.S. officials were engaged with Tunisia's government at all levels in support of human rights and the freedom of expression, Price said in a press briefing.

"We respect the aspirations of the Tunisian people for an independent and transparent judiciary that is able to protect fundamental freedoms for all," Price added.

The coordinated arrests have raised fears of a wider crackdown on dissent and prompted the U.N. Human Rights Office to call for their immediate release.

Reuters was able to confirm the arrests of eight people with their lawyers and relatives, as of Wednesday.

In his first comments after the arrests, Saied accused "traitors" of being responsible for price increases and food shortages, and of wanting to fuel a social crisis.

Tunisians have been suffering for months from shortages of food commodities that economic experts say are mainly caused by a crisis in public finances as the state attempts to avert bankruptcy while negotiating for an international bailout.

Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar said on Tuesday that the arrests were not political but related to Tunisia's national security.

Since Saied shut down parliament 18 months ago, moving to rule by decree before rewriting the constitution, security forces had moved only sporadically against opponents who accuse him of an undemocratic coup.

Tunisia's powerful UGTT labour union had condemned what it described as arbitrary arrest campaigns by the authorities, and renewed calls to its supporters to mobilise before planned protests against Saied's policies.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis and Kanishka Singh; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Marguerita Choy)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Republicans on U.S. congressional foreign affairs and armed services committees pressed Democratic President Joe Biden on Thursday to include $2 billion in military assistance grants for Taiwan in his upcoming budget request.

Representatives Michael McCaul and Mike Rogers, chairmen of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, and Senators Jim Risch and Roger Wicker, ranking Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, asked Biden to include up to $2 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants for Taiwan in his proposed budget for the fiscal year ending in September 2024.

Congressional aides said they expect Biden to release the budget on March 9.

In a letter to Biden, the four lawmakers called China's build-up of its military capabilities and the recent incursion into U.S. airspace of a high-altitude surveillance balloon "a grave threat" to U.S. interests.

They stressed the need to support Taiwan, an independently ruled island that China views as a breakaway province.

"To stop these trends, the United States must act with urgency to defend itself and ensure our allies and partners have the capabilities they need to defend against the (Chinese Communist Party)," the letter said.

Congress late last year overwhelmingly approved legislation authorizing $10 billion - or $2 billion per year for five years - of annual FMF grants for Taiwan. However, a spending bill passed at the end of the year did not include the money to fund the program.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) -The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged crypto developer Do Kwon and his company Terraform Labs with defrauding investors in what the regulator deemed a multibillion-dollar scheme, according to a filing in federal court.

Kwon founded blockchain platform Terraform Labs and was the primary developer of two cryptocurrencies whose demise roiled crypto markets around the world last year. He raised billions of dollars from investors beginning in April 2018 by selling a series of inter-connected digital assets, many of which were unregistered securities, the SEC alleged in the court filing in the Southern District of New York.

The SEC filing did not say where Kwon was living. In September, a South Korean court issued an arrest warrant alleging that Kwon was residing in Singapore, but the Singapore Police Force said he was not currently in the city-state. Kwon could not immediately be reached for comment.

TerraUSD, an algorithmic stablecoin supposed to maintain a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar, derived its value through another paired token called Luna.

Both tokens lost nearly all their value when TerraUSD, also known as UST, slipped below its 1:1 dollar peg in May 2022. Prior to its collapse on May 9, TerraUSD had a market cap of more than $18.5 billion and was the tenth-largest cryptocurrency.

According to the SEC's complaint, Terraform Labs and Kwon misled investors about the stability of UST, and claimed that the firm's crypto tokens would increase in value.

Terraform Labs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"This case demonstrates the lengths to which some crypto firms will go to avoid complying with the securities laws, but it also demonstrates the strength and commitment of the SECs

dedicated public servants," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler in a statement.

Globally, investors in TerraUSD and Luna lost an estimated $42 billion, according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic.

The market turmoil that ensued after the collapse of TerraUSD led to the failure of several major crypto companies including U.S. crypto lender Celsius Network and Singapore-based crypto fund manager Three Arrows Capital.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democratic U.S. Senator John Fetterman, who flipped a Republican-held seat in last November's elections just six months after suffering a near-fatal stroke, checked into a Washington-area hospital on Wednesday for treatment for clinical depression, his office said in a statement.

The 53-year-old Pennsylvania senator was evaluated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Monday by the attending physician for Congress, who recommended inpatient care, Fetterman's office said on Thursday.

Fetterman was briefly hospitalized last week after feeling light-headed, though doctors determined he had not suffered a new stroke.

"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," Fetterman's Chief of Staff Adam Jentleson said in the statement on Thursday.

"After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself," Jentleson said. The statement did not say how long Fetterman was expected to be in the hospital, and Fetterman's office did not respond to requests for additional details.

In his previous hospitalization, the senator was discharged from George Washington University Hospital in Washington last Friday after two days there.

Fetterman's Democrats and the three independents who caucus with them hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, which is due to be in recess next week.

Known for his large tattooed frame, goatee and penchant for hoodies and shorts, Fetterman gained a national profile for his progressive positions. The former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor beat Republican celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz by a large margin in November's midterm elections to replace former Republican Senator Pat Toomey, who retired.

"After what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs," the senator's wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, said on Twitter.

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Fetterman suffered a stroke last May, later acknowledging that he had "almost died," and has faced challenges adjusting to life in the Senate during his recovery.

Since the stroke, he has suffered lingering problems with his ability to speak and to process the speech he hears. As a result, he uses monitors that provide audio-to-text transcription, according to a New York Times report this month.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was happy to hear his fellow Democrat was "getting the help he needs and deserves," adding that he was "looking forward to seeing him return to the Senate soon."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019 roughly 5% of adults had regular feelings of depression  and studies have found the prevalence of depression rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depression is a well-known problem for stroke survivors, at least in part because the resulting brain damage can disrupt the body's production of stress hormones. Research suggests that one in three stroke survivors will eventually develop post-stroke depression. Currently, the primary treatment is a class of antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Democratic Senator Tina Smith, who discussed her own past struggles with mental health in a 2019 Senate speech, on Thursday said Fetterman was doing the right thing by seeking treatment.

"John is doing exactly what he should do, which is seek help," Smith said on Twitter. "Seeking help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness, something that John is demonstrating for all of us."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Moira Warburton, Rami Ayyub, Nancy Lapid and Kanishka Singh; writing by David Morgan; editing by Eric Beech, Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis)
Lawmakers in Washington held a hearing Wednesday focusing on the role foreign countries play in Americas fentanyl crisis.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more than 932,000 people have died from drug overdoses since 1999.

READ: FAA head defends safety of US air travel after close calls

However, the agency says the country has recently seen a decrease in deadly overdoses over the past six months.

U.S. lawmakers are now pointing to other countries as part of the problem and say its time to do more to stop it.

pic.twitter.com/sm4DJONt3H  US Dept of State INL (@StateINL) February 15, 2023

READ: Real estate experts offer their 2023 outlook

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, most of the chemical ingredients used to make fentanyl are shipped from China, then produced and converted into the deadly drug in Mexico before coming into the United States at the southern border.

The most important thing that I can tell this committee here today: we know who is responsible, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said. The Sinaloa cartel and Jalisco- both cartels in Mexico- are responsible for a vast majority of the fentanyl thats coming into the United States.

READ: What is Marburg? What you need to know about the deadly virus

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations say theyre now going after the source, which sometimes means going directly to those cartels in Mexico.

It might not lead us up to the main kingpin, I would say, Homeland Security Investigations Agent Andrew Montijo said. But we have ways to cooperate information or find out whos responsible for their illicit activities.

TUNE IN to #SFRC's hearing on countering illicit fentanyl trafficking. Witnesses:@StateINL Assistant Secretary Todd Robinson@DEAHQ Administrator Anne Milgram@ONDCP Director @DrGupta46

Stream questions & testimony live: https://t.co/vDaHNZMy1E pic.twitter.com/33CVCvUAiV  Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) February 15, 2023

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.
UC faculty are urging UC Riverside to investigate its relationship with a campus research center run by private consulting firm Beacon Economics that has published reports on issues surrounding state labor policies. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Some University of California faculty members are raising the alarm about a research center affiliated with UC Riverside that they say uses corporate funding for reports "attacking proposals to improve the lives of working Californians."

The research center, known as the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development, is not operated by university faculty and is instead run by private consulting company Beacon Economics. The firm produces economic research reports for the university but also pays UC Riverside royalty fees to publish its own reports using the center's name.

A letter signed by more than 100 faculty members and graduate students from across the UC system argues that the arrangement allows corporations and industry groups to sponsor research and use the findings to advance their interests without academic oversight or transparency. The letter, submitted Tuesday to UC regents, urges the university system to investigate its relationship with the center.

"We unequivocally support academic freedom and freedom of speech," the letter reads. "We believe, however, that Beacons UC-branded, corporate-funded reports often fail to meet the high standards we strive to meet in our research, thus endangering the credibility of our work and harming the University of Californias good name."

Beacon Economics founder Christopher Thornberg is listed as director as well as an adjunct professor on the research center's website, but, the letter notes, Thornberg's name doesn't appear in school faculty or other directories.

Thornberg defended the center's research record and said the UC faculty members were mobilized by the Service Employees International Union, which represents fast-food workers and others, because the union disagrees with the empirical results of his research.

"We don't sell answers. We sell analysis," Thornberg said. "I insist on 100% control over our findings, period."

Thornberg was a tenure-track professor at Clemson University and a senior economist at UCLA Anderson Forecast, another UC research center focused on economic analysis, before he founded Beacon Economics in 2006.

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"As opposed to debating me on the merits of my report, they are instead attacking me blindly, without even talking to me," Thornberg said. "This petition is packed full of completely false allegations about my center, about our relationship with the university and about me."

The arrangement began in 2015, when UC Riverside created the research center and commissioned Beacon Economics to produce local economic trend reports to bolster the business school's prominence in the Inland Empire region.

The faculty letter primarily takes issue with the center's more recent research on issues of state public policy. The center in recent years published Lyft-funded reports promoting Proposition 22, a 2020 voter initiative to treat app-based and delivery drivers as independent contractors, and a California Restaurant Assn.-funded paper concluding the states restaurant industry had been negatively affected by increases in Californias minimum wage.

The letter highlighted a report the center released last August, paid for by a fast-food industry group, criticizing legislation seeking to create a statewide representative body including workers and restaurant franchisees to set wages and working standards for the industry. The report concluded that introducing a higher minimum wage sanctioned by the law, called AB 257, would increase fast-food prices by 20% or more.

The research was widely cited by AB 257 opponents, a coalition of restaurant and business trade groups, which mounted a successful effort to block the law from going into effect until voters weigh in on a measure next year that would repeal the law. The report notes the funding arrangement in a line: "This research was supported by the International Franchise Association."

The letter contrasted that report with research into restaurant prices in cities where the minimum wage was increased substantially, showing minimal effect.

Thornberg in September, responding to questions from The Times, said that his AB 257 report erroneously implied that a rise to a $22 minimum wage alone would cause a 20% increase in fast-food prices. He said the calculation included other costs he projects associated with the legislation.

Thornberg did not amend the August report to clarify the methodology. But a second report Thornberg authored examining AB 257's potential effect on restaurant sales and competitiveness included a brief description of other labor costs he associates with the legislation in addition to wage increases. The second report bumps up Thornberg's prediction on restaurant price increases to 30% or more.

David Fairris, an emeritus professor of economics and a former vice provost for undergraduate education at UC Riverside, wrote a lengthy note to leadership of the campus' school of business Feb. 2 outlining his concerns with Thornberg's research on AB 257; he described Thornberg's analysis as "grossly over-simplified."

"Mr. Thornberg fails entirely to become steeped in the minimum wage literature; indeed, there are no citations whatsoever in his study," Fairris writes.

UC Santa Barbara history professor Nelson Lichtenstein called the center "phony" and said that while corporate-backed research is not uncommon, it's important to clearly and publicly assert "this is where I got the money from" and to have the research undergo peer review  that is, evaluation by outside experts.

"This is one of the weapons thats used in public policy debates," Lichtenstein said. "You do want to keep it honest, as much as you can."

That UC Riverside collects royalty revenue from the center is "completely reprehensible" and a "blatant invitation to various forms of ethics violations," said Dylan Rodriguez, a media studies professor at UC Riverside and former chair of UC Riverside's Faculty Senate who helped to circulate the faculty letter.

Rodriguez presented faculty concerns during public comment at the Thursday meeting of the UC Regents, the university system's governing body.

"This is a perfect example of the university industrial complex," Rodriguez said. "A UC research center premised on a profit-making agenda rather than some basic commitment to scholarship."

UC Riverside spokesperson John Warren said campus administration has requested that Beacon Economics modify the fast-food minimum wage report to "clarify that the report was neither commissioned nor endorsed" by the university.

The university's agreement with Beacon Economics for regional economic research expired in December. Warren said UC Riverside is negotiating a new contract and "intends to continue its working relationship with Beacon."

"The university will be vigilant in how it implements the new agreement, including for when it is appropriate for university branding to be used," Warren said. "Allegations of misconduct are taken seriously, and there are university reporting procedures in place to receive and investigate these allegations for faculty and others."

UC Riverside's business school pays Beacon Economics $140,800 annually to run a conference branded as an event by the research center, as well as for a set number of white papers and other analyses.

In addition, UC Riverside collects a 10% royalty fee for projects initiated by Beacon Economics that bear the university's logo, a Times review of Beacon Economics' contracts with UC Riverside shows. Documents were obtained by Service Employees International Union through a public records request and shared with The Times.

A tally of checks from Beacon Economics shows the firm paid the campus almost $68,000 for 2022 projects, meaning Beacon took in close to $680,000 for work it generated bearing UC Riverside branding.

A separate agreement outlining terms of Beacon Economics' use of university branding appears to have lapsed in 2018, and a request for records did not turn up a renewal. Warren said that agreement was extended, according to the business school, and he is seeking clarification regarding the terms of the renewal.

Records of Beacon Economics' quarterly revenue from the research center show the International Franchise Assn. paid $93,750 in September for an analysis of AB 257.

The California Restaurant Assn. paid $42,000 in 2019 for a study of the restaurant industry. Lyft and Protect App-Based Drivers & Services, a coalition of gig companies including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart, paid $173,000 for analyses related to gig workers' wages in 2020 and 2021.

Revenue records show Lyft paid $10,000 for "The Centers Response to Berkeleys Prop 22," probably referring to an August 2020 report analyzing the effects of Proposition 22 on driver earnings in response to an October 2019 blog post by the UC Berkeley Labor Center critiquing the initiative.

Warren dismissed some faculty concerns expressed as ideologically motivated.

"Beacons findings may prove unpopular with some audiences for reasons that transcend the integrity of the methodology," Warren said.

Beacon Economics responded similarly, arguing the faculty letter was an extension of efforts by one of California's largest unions, which sponsored the fast-food law, to discredit opposing research.

Victoria Bond, who serves as spokesperson for both Beacon Economics and the Riverside research center, said the concerns raised in the letter are being circulated by "select UC faculty members who are aligned ideologically with SEIU."

Bond said the UC Riverside center is subject to the same type of academic review and adheres to the same standards that apply to all UC centers.

Oversight is decentralized and relies on the leadership of "a qualified academic to lead and oversee the centers research." The dean of UC Riverside's business school selected Thornberg for that academic oversight, and the adjunct professor designation was voted on by faculty members, she said.

"The selection is ultimately accepted or denied based on the candidates credentials, which is why there is no one central oversight," Bond said in an email. "We feel this entire episode has been a form of ideological retaliation and is not based on the merits of the research itself."

Bond said Beacon Economics has in the past been commissioned multiple times by SEIU to conduct analyses on its behalf, which "should speak to the nonpartisanship and academic quality of our researchers work."

Beacon Economics has delivered three reports analyzing home-care workers' wages for SEIU Local 2015 since 2018. The firm said that beyond those reports, it has delivered seven other projects that are not publicly available, including impact analyses, overtime analyses and revenue forecasts, to two other SEIU groups, going back to 2010.

An October news release by SEIU Local 2015  which represents home-care workers for elderly and disabled people and has been lobbying for pay increases  highlights a 2022 Beacon Economics report showing economic benefit to Los Angeles County if the minimum wage of such workers was raised to $20. The news release describes Beacon Economics as a "highly respected firm specializing in sustainable growth" and says L.A. County's Board of Supervisors relies on the firm for "accurate analysis."

In response to a request for comment, SEIU spokesperson Isabel Urbano said the local has terminated its relationship with Beacon Economics moving forward.

Weve learned that some of Beacon Economics work is in contradiction to our members' values and their goals of advancing the dignity and worth of all workers," SEIU Local 2015 said in a statement.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A 20-year-old University of Georgia student was nearly hit by a bullet that she said was fired during an apparent road rage incident between two vehicles traveling on the Athens Perimeter.

I never thought it would happen to me, but Im thankful I was not hurt, she told the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday.

The shooting occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Monday as she was traveling on the bypass toward her exit at Danielsville Road and North Avenue.

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The woman said she observed a blue Ford Explorer and a black Dodge Charger. The Explorer began swerving in the middle of the road and hitting its brakes, she said.

Ive seen this before and I pretty much knew he was road raging with another car, said the student, who is from the metro Atlanta area.

I saw the Charger try to hurry up and the Explorer would get in front of him and slam hard on his brakes. While that was going on I decided to slow down, she said.

As she approached her exit, the Charger crossed over and headed for the same exit at which time she saw the driver of the Explorer with a gun, which he fired.

The bullet missed the Charger and hit the students car on the drivers side in the back door and it lodged in the center console of the Toyota Camry, according to the Athens-Clarke police report.

It scared me a lot and I was shaking, she said. I didnt pull over until I got to my neighborhood which is located next to the exit.

The student said her boyfriend came over to examine the car and they called police.

The police report shows only that the driver of the light blue Ford SUV was a white male with blond hair and wearing a tan hat and plaid shirt. The vehicle had a Madison County tag.

The man was the only person in the SUV, which continued on the bypass as the victim and the Charger left on the North Avenue exit.

Athens-Clarke County police Lt. Shaun Barnett said Thursday that authorities have not identified the shooter.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA student encountering a road rage on bypass almost hit by bullet
[Source]

A British tattoo artist has challenged himself to tattoo all 151 1st Generation Pokemon on fans to raise money for Blue Cross, a U.K.-registered animal welfare charity.

William Langford, a 30-year-old tattoo artist from Suffolk, England, became inspired after hearing that long-time "Pokemon" protagonist Ash Ketchum will be hanging his cap after 25 years of entertaining fans from around the world.

Speaking to BBC, Langford said he aims to spend the year doing something good for people/animals, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's been a strange time for everyone since Covid and now the cost of living has gone up, the artist, who has been in the tattoo business for around 12 years, said. Im aware many animals got rehomed or given away during the lockdowns and it always happens around Christmas time too, so I chose to raise money for the Blue Cross.

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The charitys goal is to improve the welfare and quality of life for all pets and to find them homes when needed.

Langford, who works at Zen Tattoo Art in Suffolk, is hoping to use the proceeds from his customers to raise around 4,000 British pounds (approximately $4,795) before the year ends, which will also be around the time when Ash Ketchum officially passes the torch to Roy and Liko, who will be the new protagonists of the Pokemon TV series.

While explaining why he chose the 1st Generation Pokemon for his fundraiser, Lanford pointed to nostalgia for the franchise's original fan favorites, such as Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Eevee and Mew, to name a few.

More from NextShark: AI-created images of Pikachu are the farthest thing from kawaii

They were very popular when I was little so theyve always been an interest of mine." Langford told BBC.

Since starting the project, Langford has already inked eight of the 151 1st Generation Pokemon with 10 more already lined up.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Langford expressed his appreciation for everyone who has been supporting his cause, writing, "Thank you everyone whos spreading the word about the fundraiser, I really appreciate it and thank you to everyone messaging me about booking in."

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tattoo Artist (@william_tattoos)

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In his latest Instagram post on Thursday, Langford shared that he has recently launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe for Blue Cross as several people overseas have been asking him how they can donate to his cause.
By Valentyn Ogirenko

IRPIN, Ukraine (Reuters) - Britain's support for Ukraine will not change if the main opposition Labour Party wins power in an election next year, Labour leader Keir Starmer said during a visit to Ukraine on Thursday.

Britain has been a leading supporter of Ukraine under the governing Conservatives, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has followed predecessor Boris Johnson's example by visiting Kyiv. Johnson is popular in Ukraine, and has a street named after him.

But an election is widely expected next year in Britain, and opinion polls give Labour a strong lead over the Conservatives.

"Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same," Starmer said while visiting the town of Irpin outside Kyiv.

Irpin was a hotspot in the early stages of Russia's invasion, and Kyiv has accused Russian forces of committing atrocities there before pulling out.

Russia has denied the allegations but investigators have been collecting evidence of war crimes in towns including Irpin.

"It's incredible to see the evidence of atrocities that I've seen this morning. Photographs of civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded, with their arms tied behind their back," Starmer said.

Starmer also visited Bucha, another town near Kyiv where alleged Russian atrocities have been documented, before heading to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, said he wanted to show support for Ukraine's calls for justice and reparations for Russian actions during the war.

"There has to be justice for this. There has to be justice in The Hague and there has to be proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine," he said.

The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are both based in The Hague.

(Reporting by Valentyn Ogirenko, Writing by Max Hunder, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The Met Office warns of large waves on the North Sea coast, potentially causing damage to buildings. (PA/Getty)

Storm Otto is on its way to the UK, and is expected to batter parts of the North Sea coasts with winds of up to 75mph.

The first named storm of the year to affect Britain is set to cause disruption to parts of Scotland and north-east England on Friday, bringing strong gusts and persistent rain to some areas.

TransPennine Express warned customers to check their route before they travel, adding trains between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh will have to move at reduced speeds.

There has also been warnings of possible damage to buildings, while drivers of high-sided vehicles have been urged to take extra care.

Meanwhile, between 40mm to 50mm of rain is likely to fall over parts of western Scotland as Storm Otto sweeps from the western coast, the Met Office says.

Yellow weather warnings for wind have been issued for the whole of Scotland and a stretch of north and north-east England running from Sheffield to the Scottish border.

Read more: Last person living on street set for demolition spends 2k redecorating after refusing to move

#StormOtto, has been named by the Danish Meteorological Institute @dmidk



This is our first named storm of the season and is forecast to bring very strong winds to Scotland on Friday



Stay #WeatherAware  pic.twitter.com/jOtCsvxBh6  Met Office (@metoffice) February 16, 2023

The warning for Scotland, which applies until 3pm on Friday, says there could be injuries and danger to life from flying debris and some damage to building, such as tiles blown from roofs.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: Storm Otto will bring high winds and rain to the UK, with some northern parts of Scotland and the north-east of England likely to get the strongest gusts of wind, possibly in excess of 75mph. Warnings have been issued and could be updated as Storm Otto develops.

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Theres a chance of travel disruption and high-sided vehicles could be particularly prone to disrupted plans in this set-up.

A person walking a dog on Tynemouth beach on the north-east coast on Friday as Storm Otto hits. (PA)

Theres associated rain with Storm Otto, with 40-50mm of rain likely to fall over parts of western Scotland.

Once the storm passes the UK late on Friday, another weather system is set to move in from the west, bringing more rain mixed with snow to Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The Met Office says the picture for the weekend is "largely unsettled, with a mix of cloud and rain likely on Saturday", again, particularly over northern areas.

"Theres a chance of some cool conditions overnight in Scotland on Saturday, which would increase the likelihood of ice forming for some," it adds.

The Met Office has issued Yellow weather warnings for Friday in Scotland and the North East. (Met Office)

Read more: Could another Beast from the East hit North East this month? Met Office weigh in

"Sunday will see some clearer spells for a time early on, albeit with showers possible in northwestern areas, before some more persistent rain looks to build in from the north late on Sunday."
Boris Pistorius

Read also: German opposition calls for increased ammo supply to Ukraine

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Pistorius noted that German-made ammunition stockpiles were quite sufficient. According to him, it should be enough until the summer.

Ukrainian military commanders have on numerous occasions praised the performance of Gepards, which now play a critical role in deterring Russian combat aviation on the battlefield.

On Feb. 14, Pistorius said that Germany would resume ammo production for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which Ukraine receives as part of military assistance.

On Feb. 8, Germany transferred a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which included Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and shells.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Russia launched a new cruise missile barrage on Thursday against critical infrastructure facilities. Some three dozen missiles were launched from the air and sea; many were intercepted. It was the first major bombing in a week, but one of more than a dozen such attacks since early October.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Russia is likely to continue suffering mounting casualties as it recruits more ill-equipped and ill-trained soldiers and intensifies attacks in eastern Ukraine, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A UK-based think tank said Russia may have lost half of its main battle tanks in the past year.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said 100 Ukrainian soldiers and a civilian were returned in the latest prisoner swap with Russia.

(See RSAN on the Bloomberg Terminal for the Russian Sanctions Dashboard.)

Key Developments

Putins War Is Crippling Ukraines EconomyMaybe Russias, Too

EBRD Warns on Sanctions Busting as Russia Neighbors Trade Booms

Russian Hackers Slammed Ukraine Last Year, Google Says

Displaced Ukrainians Are Reinventing Their Lives

US Concerned Iran and Others Aiding Russia to Secure Chips

Ukraine Invasion Shows Worlds War Machine Needs More Ammunition

On the Ground

One person was killed, eight injured and more than 80 residences damaged in Pavlohrad, in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, after Russians overnight missile attack. Ukraines air defenses downed fewer than half the 36 Russian missiles fired overnight. Air defense spokesman Yuriy Ihnat put out another urgent call for modern air defense systems. Russian forces on Wednesday continued offensive operations around Bakhmut, along the western outskirts of Donetsk City, and in western Donetsk oblast, said the Institute for the Study of War.

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(All times CET)

Zelenskiy Says 100 Soldiers and a Civilian Are Returned in Swap (10:11 p.m.)

Ukraine and Russia held another prisoner swap late Thursday, allowing 100 Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian to return home, Zelenskiy said in his nightly address. The civilian, according to Zelenskiy, is the first deputy mayor of Energodar - a town where Russian troops hold Europes largest nuclear plant.

Among the others released were 94 defenders of Mariupol, many of whom are injured, according to Zelenskiys Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak. We continue our work. We will return everyone home, Yermak said on Telegram.

Ukraine Defense Chief Says Its Adopting NATO Standards (7:41 p.m.)

Ukraine is committed to implementing NATO standards and is already using the military alliances logistics system, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, according to the Ukrainian militarys media center.

Its about minimizing planning time and maximizing the speed of exchanging of logistical plans and reports, both within the Defense Forces of Ukraine and our partners, Reznikov said.  Its about transparency, accountability and complete openness on our part.

Estonia Calls for 100 Billion Euros in Aid for Ukraine This Year (4:45 p.m.)

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur made the call at a news conference in Tallinn with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Pevkur added that the Europe Union should jointly provide Ukraine with 1 million artillery rounds this year, in accordance with an Estonian proposal that the blocs member states are reviewing, and that NATO allies should increase their annual defense spending closer to 2.5% of GDP.

EU Must Spend $4 Billion on Ammunition for Ukraine, Estonia Says

Israel Says it Will Help Ukraine Build Missile Warning System (4:20 p.m.)

Israel will help Ukraine develop an early warning missile detection system and provide as much as $200 million for healthcare and other civilian projects, Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohens said during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday.

Cohens announcement followed a meeting with his counterpart Dmytro Kuleba during the first high-level Israeli visit to Ukraine since Russias invasion last year. I am proud to stand with Ukraine in the face of these challenging times, and Israel is committed to continuing our support, said Cohen, according to a statement from Israels Foreign Ministry.

Ukraine had been critical of Israel for failing to supply weapons and an air defense system.

Putin Hails Movement of Ukrainian Children to Russian Families (3:00 p.m.)

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the transfer of children from four occupied regions of Ukraine into Russian families, after a US report concluded that thousands had been placed in political reeducation camps including some subjected to forcible adoption that may constitute war crimes.

The number of applications from our citizens regarding the adoption of children from the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions is growing, Putin said in a televised meeting with Maria Lvova-Belova, the Kremlins Commissioner for Childrens Rights. Lvova-Belova, 38, who has at least 10 children, told the president that she had adopted a 15-year-old boy from Mariupol.

The meeting took place after the School of Public Healths Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University on Tuesday reported that at least 6,000 Ukrainian children aged from 4 months to 17 years had been placed in political reeducation camps in Russia and occupied Crimea, with some later adopted or sent to foster families.

The US government-backed report named Lvova-Belova as one of the most highly involved figures in Russias deportation and adoption of Ukraines children. She has been sanctioned by the US, the UK, the European Union, Australia and Canada for her role.

Wagner Leader Blames Russian Defense Ministry for Slow Bakhmut Offensive (11:51 a.m.)

Russian forces wont be able to surround the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut earlier than March or April, said Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group. He blamed monstrous bureaucracy in Russias defense ministry for the failure to make quicker progress.

Prigozhin said in messages posted on Telegram that Wagners troops are facing colossal artillery fire in Bakhmut, where theyve battled with Ukrainian forces for months. He claimed Russias military command is reluctant to expend ammunition while Ukrainian soldiers are being reinforced with new weapons and retain good morale.

The mercenary leader, whos risen to greater public prominence in Russia during the war, has long been an outspoken critic of the Defense Ministrys conduct of the invasion.

Canada Pledges Additional Money for De-mining (11:40 a.m.)

Canada has pledged another C$7.5 million ($5.6 million) for Ukraines de-mining efforts, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Twitter following a meeting with Melanie Joly, Canadas minister for foreign affairs.

EUs Sanctions Envoy to Brief Diplomats on Russia Penalties

David OSullivan, the EUs ambassador for sanctions enforcement, is planning to meet with the blocs ambassadors in Brussels on Feb. 22 to discuss sanctions implementation against Russia and new restrictive measures, said people familiar with the matter.

The talks, expected to take place during an informal breakfast, will come as the bloc is preparing its 10th package of sanctions, which it aims to finish by Feb. 24, one year since Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Russia Has Lost Half Its Tanks in Ukraine, UK Think-Tank Says (10:40 a.m.)

Russias military has lost at least half of its tanks since it invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, according to a report by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

About 50% of Russias pre-war fleet of T-72B3 and T-72B3M tanks, and many of its T-80s, have probably been lost, the think-tank said in a report published on Wednesday. Moscow has brought in older equipment as replacements.

Russia in 2022 probably also lost 6% to 8% of its active tactical combat aircraft inventory, IISS said.

Google Says Russian Hackers Have Slammed Ukraine (10 a.m.)

State-sponsored hackers have inundated Ukrainian targets with a near-constant digital attack since last February, Alphabet Inc.s Google said in a new report ahead of the Munich Security Conference that starts on Friday.

Googles threat analysis group (TAG) said Russian government-backed attackers have increased their attempted hacks on Ukrainian users by 250% in the past year compared with 2020. Ukraines ministries of defense and foreign affairs were among the top targets.

Stoltenberg Urges Turkey to Green-Light Nordics Into NATO (10 a.m.)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Turkey to approve accession of Sweden and Finland to the military alliance, even as Turkeys foreign minister said Sweden needs to do more to crack down on terrorism.

Theyve both made big steps since we signed the joint memorandum of understanding, Stoltenberg said of the Nordic countries at a a joint presser with Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara. The NATO chief also condemned the recent burning of Islams holy book in Stockholm while adding that Sweden has been able to prevent other demonstrations.

We can separately evaluate the membership process of Finland and Sweden, Cavusoglu said.

Worst Is Over in Russias War on Ukrainian Energy, Operator Says (9:23 a.m.)

The worst damage wrought by Russias campaign to destroy the Ukrainian energy grid is probably over because of improved air defense and Moscows deteriorating ability to strike, the head of the nations grid operator said.

Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the chief executive officer of NPC Ukrenergo, said that the approaching end of winter will offer relief even as Russia continues to send salvos of missiles and drones to target infrastructure.

Norway Agrees to $7.4 Billion Support Over Five Years (9:10 a.m.)

Norways government and a broad majority of the parties in the parliament have agreed on a 75 billion-krone ($7.4 billion) five-year program to support Ukraine.

There is also broad agreement on the provision of additional assistance to developing countries affected by the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine.

The pledge follows a push from European officials for Norway to share its windfall export gains from higher gas prices. Ukraines president addressed Norways parliament on Thursday morning.

Ukraine Power Systems Hold Up After Overnight Attacks (9 a.m.)

Ukraines electricity generation continues to cover demand and certain reserves of power capacity are now available, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on the ministry website.

The nuclear plants in Ukraine-controlled territory are producing more than half of all electric power in the country, he said.

Volodymyr Kudrytskiy, CEO of Ukrenegro, said at a press conference in Kyiv that no new electricity cuts are expected for now.

Ukraine Downs 16 of 36 Russian Cruise Missiles (8:11 a.m.)

Ukraines air defense downed 16 out of 36 Russian missiles fired overnight on Thursday, commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said on Telegram.

The missiles were fired from strategic bombers near Kursk and the Caspian Sea in Russia, as well as from fighter jets near the Russia-occupied Ukrainian city Melitopol, and from ships in the Black Sea.

Missiles struck the north and west of the country, as well as in Dnipropetrovsk and Kyrovohrad regions, said chief of Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak.

Israels Foreign Minister Visits Kyiv (8 a.m.)

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrived in Kyiv, the first high-level visit by an Israeli official to Ukraine since the invasion. Hes expected to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart and with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Cohen will visit Bucha, Babyn Yar and mark the reopening of Israels embassy. During the past year, Israel has stood by the Ukrainian people and by the side of Ukraine, he said.

Russian Air Sorties Have Increased in Past Week, UK Says (7:30 a.m.)

Russias sortie rates have increased in the past week after a period of quieter activity, but it has deployed a similar number of planes in the Ukrainian operation for months, the UK defense ministry said.

Moscows combat jets operate almost exclusively over Russian-held territory, preventing them from carrying out their key strike role effectively, the ministry said in a Twitter thread.

EBRD Warns on Sanctions Busting Involving Russias Neighbors (7 a.m.)

Booming trade flows with Russias neighbors may be a sign that sanctions imposed in the wake of Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine are being avoided, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Read more: EBRD Warns on Sanctions Busting as Russia Neighbors Trade Booms

(An earlier version erroneously reported which senior official is scheduled to meet with EU ambassadors.)

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(Reuters) -Russian Grad rockets and barrel artillery slammed into a residential district in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Thursday, killing three men and two women and wounding nine more, Ukraine's prosecutor general said, adding it was being investigated as a war crime.

"Five dead and nine wounded due to shelling of Bakhmut by the invaders," read a caption under blurred images of the victims shared on Telegram by the office of the prosecutor general. "Criminal proceedings have been initiated."

An investigation had determined that Russia fired barrel artillery and Grad rockets at Bakhmut on Feb. 16, the office said. "The occupiers' shells once again hit the city's residential quarter."

There was no immediate word from Moscow on the allegation that civilians were killed, and Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield report.

Russia says it strives to avoid injuring civilians. A current focus of its forces is Bakhmut in Donetsk, one of two regions making up the Donbas, the country's industrial heartland now partially occupied by Russia.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the deaths showed it was imperative that all remaining civilians in Bakhmut leave what was once a city of 70,000 residents. Staying put, she said, placed them in danger and created difficulties for soldiers and emergency workers.

"To be honest, I am very surprised by what 6,000 civilians are still doing there," Vereshchuk wrote on Telegram. "I appeal to civilians now in Bakhmut -- if you are practical, law-abiding and patriotic citizens, you must evacuate immediately."

The prosecutor general's office said the regional office in Donetsk was leading pre-trial investigations and criminal proceedings under the section of Ukraine's criminal code that covers violations of the laws and customs of war.

Germany's prosecutor general, Peter Frank, said in a Feb. 4 newspaper interview that an international judicial process was needed for the conflict in Ukraine, and that his country had started collecting evidence of war crimes in March. The pieces of evidence were in the "three-digit range," he told Welt am Sonntag.

Ukraine wants a special tribunal to prosecute Russian military and political leaders it blames for the war. The International Criminal Court has launched its own investigation into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, but lacks jurisdiction to prosecute aggression in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Elaine Monaghan; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Ukrainian soldiers take part in a military exercise at a military training camp in Yorkshire during a visit by defence ministers from the Joint Expeditionary Force

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, has warned a Ukrainian attempt to retake Crimea would be a red line for Vladimir Putin that could escalate the conflict, it has been reported.

Mr Blinken told a group of experts that the US is not seeking to actively encourage Kyiv to reclaim the peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

The USs top diplomat said the decision should be left up to Ukraine to decide alone.

It came after Ukrainian drones were downed over Sevastopol, a major port home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, according to the city's governor.

Kyiv's armed forces have reportedly launched a series of covert operations to hit Russian military targets on the Crimean peninsula.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly pledged to regain the Russian-controlled territory on the southern tip of Ukraine.

But Mr Blinken has always publicly expressed reservations at the prospect of Kyiv launching a serious attempt to recapture Crimea.

Instead, he believes Joe Biden's administration should focus on supporting Ukraine's armed forces in the east of the country, where Russia is concentrating its fresh offensive efforts.

The US secretary of state reiterated the long-held position during a Zoom call with a group of exports, according to the Politico news website.

According to two people involved in the discussions, Mr Blinken said Kyiv's resources would be better used elsewhere on the battlefield than making an attempt to capture Crimea.

A Ukrainian soldier loads a shell into a tank near the town of Vuhledar

The comments are likely to spark anger in Ukraine given Mr Zelensky's state war aims of liberating the peninsula.

Kyiv has said it would be able to use US-donated Army Tactical Missile Systems, which have a range of nearly 200 miles, and could be used to strike heavily fortified Russian positions in Crimea.

So far, Washington has said it doesn't have sufficient stockpiles to deliver the long-range missiles to Ukraine, but Mr Blinken's comments also shine a light on US reluctance over the system.

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Military experts have suggested that recapturing Crimea would be a war in itself because it is defended by tens of thousands of Russian troops dug in defensive positions.

Punching through those lines would need significant amounts of artillery and heavy armour donated from Western countries.

General Mark Milley, the US's top military commander, said it would be "very, very difficult" to militarily eject Russian forces from occupied areas, including Crimea.

Senior Pentagon officials earlier this month told the House Armed Services Committee that Ukraine would be unable to recapture Crimea imminently.

It is believed Ukraine would be better off attempting to put a stranglehold on the peninsula by targeting the Kerch Strait bridge to mainland Russia, the land bridge through the Donbas and the Sevastopol naval base.

This would leave a lot of Russian forces without adequate support, without Ukraine actually trying to overrun Crimea, and it would still be a severe blow to Russias military effort," Kurt Volker, a former US special envoy for Ukraine, said.

Last summer, Ukraine appeared to make a start on that plan, with attacks on the Kerch Bridge and a number of military bases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday asked artists and filmmakers to unequivocally declare their support for his country during a live video address at the opening of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Referring to the Berlin Wall which divided the German capital from 1961 to 1989 into the capitalist west and communist east, Zelenskyy said that now Russia, which attacked Ukraine almost one year ago, is building a new  figurative  wall in his country.

This is a wall between freedom and slavery, Zelenskyy said adding that the art world cannot remain indifferent because amid silence the voice of evil only becomes louder and more convincing.

Zelenskyy, a former comedian and actor, features prominently in Sean Penns film about the war in Ukraine, Superpower, which will have its world premiere at the Berlinale.

Before the opening ceremony, U.S. actress Anne Hathaway lauded the Ukrainian president as a hero of our time and thanked the festival for inviting him via video link, German news agency dpa reported.

Germanys minister of culture also stressed the importance of culture in times of war and crisis. Whoever makes films and whoever shows films in dark times resists bondage," Claudia Roth said.

This year's film festival, which runs until Feb. 26, will see 18 films compete for the Golden and the Silver Bear awards. The winners will be chosen by a jury headed by American actor, screenwriter and director Kristen Stewart.

The festival was set to open with the premiere of Rebecca Millers She Came to Me, starring Hathaway, Marisa Tomei and Peter Dinklage.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution, seen by Reuters on Wednesday, that would demand Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory."

The 15-member council is likely to vote on Monday on the text, drafted by the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Palestinians, diplomats said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Sunday authorized nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and announced mass construction of new homes in established settlements, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to say he was "deeply troubled."

In December 2016 the Security Council demanded Israel stop building the settlements. It adopted a resolution after U.S. President Barack Obama's administration abstained, a reversal of its practice to protect Israel from UN action.

The U.S. mission to the United Nations and Israel's UN mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the draft resolution.

The text "reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law."

It also condemns all attempts at annexation, including decisions and measures by Israel regarding settlements.

Most world powers view as illegal the settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers. Israel disputes that and cites biblical, historical and political links to the West Bank, as well as security interests.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Kanishka Singh and Howard Goller)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Marking one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, the UN General Assembly will vote next week on a draft resolution stressing "the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in line with the founding United Nations Charter.

It again demands Moscow withdraw its troops and calls for a halt to hostilities. The 193-member General Assembly is likely to vote next Thursday after two days of speeches by dozens of states to mark the Feb. 24 anniversary of the start of the war.

Ukraine and its supporters hope to deepen Russia's diplomatic isolation by seeking yes votes from nearly three-quarters of the General Assembly to match - if not better - the support received for several resolutions last year.

"We count on very broad support from the membership. What is at stake is not just the fate of Ukraine, it is the respect of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of every state," said European Union Ambassador Olof Skoog, who helped lead the drafting of the General Assembly resolution.

Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy declined to comment on the draft resolution, which member states received on Wednesday.

The General Assembly has been the focus for UN action on Ukraine because the 15-member Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia, which holds a veto power along with the United States, China, France and Britain.

The Security Council has instead held dozens of meetings on Ukraine in the past year and will again discuss the war next Friday at a ministerial gathering. Diplomats say Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is unlikely to travel to New York.

'ATTACK ON A NEIGHBOR'

General Assembly resolutions are not legally-binding but carry political weight.

Ukraine had wanted the General Assembly draft resolution to enshrine a 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but diplomats said the draft was simplified in a bid to garner as much support as possible.

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As Russia and the West have vied for diplomatic influence, some states - particularly in the global South - worry they are squeezed in the middle of an intense geopolitical rivalry.

Russia was diplomatically isolated last year, when 141 states voted on March 2 to denounce its invasion and demand Moscow withdraw its troops. Just weeks later, 140 states voted to demand aid access and civilian protection and criticize Russia for a creating a "dire" humanitarian situation in neighboring Ukraine.

Then 143 countries voted on Oct. 12 to condemn Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine and called on all countries not to recognize the move.

Moscow has tried to chip away at its isolation. Ahead of a vote in April that resulted in Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council, Russia warned countries that a vote for the measure would be considered an "unfriendly gesture" and taken into account in the development of bilateral relations.

Russia says it launched what it calls a "special military operation" to "denazify" Ukraine and protect Russian speakers, and also now accuses the West of waging a "proxy war" against it by arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Moscow.

The United States and western allies have called the invasion an unprovoked land grab against a sovereign nation.

At the United Nations, the United States and other western countries have worked to maintain diplomatic support for Ukraine by focusing on the founding UN Charter, a key principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"You cannot be neutral when there is a country that is attacking another country," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said last month. "It's an attack on the UN Charter. It's an attack on the sovereignty of an independent country. It's an attack on a neighbor."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A man accused of shooting his niece with an AR-15 rifle during an argument has been found guilty of attempted murder and has been sentenced to prison, Louisiana officials said.

Roseland resident Willie Joe London, 42, was found guilty of felony charges of aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities and attempted second-degree murder, according to a release from the Office of District Attorney Scott Perrilloux.

London was sentenced to 50 years in prison, WVUE and WAFB reported.

London was arrested on Aug. 12 2021, following a dispute with his niece, according to the release.

A caller called 911 and said that London was firing at his niece after the two go into a fight about London attempting to drive after drinking alcohol, the release said.

Willie London broke the windows to (his nieces) residence, she armed herself with a bat and broke the windows of his car, and he walked backwards into the house to retrieve an AR-15, the district attorneys office said.

When emergency responders arrived they found that the woman had been shot twice and at least nine cartridges littered the ground, according to the release.

She was transported to a local hospital, where she told investigators her uncle had shot her. Deputies with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office searched for London, who reportedly fled from the scene.

Deputies found him in an empty field, and the man refused to tell officials where he put the rifle used during the shooting, according to the release. London told deputies that he had been shooting at a shed, not at his niece, who witnesses said was hiding behind a residence.

A neighboring house that was home to young children was also hit during the incident, although no one else was injured.

Londons niece changed her statement on Sept. 17, 2021, saying she did not know who shot her and that her initial testimony was incorrect since she was on pain medication at the time, according to the attorneys office.

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Due to the serious nature of Willie Londons crime and in consideration of public safety, Assistant District Attorney Joey Oubre and the office of the Twenty-first Judicial District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux continued with the prosecution of Willie Joe London, according to the release. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours and found him guilty.

Roseland is about 70 miles northeast of Baton Rouge.

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On social media, the life of an undesignated sailor has been described as miserable, menial or even a mistake.

One sailor, writing in a U.S. Naval Institute publication in 2017, said that he and his undesignated shipmates were "ordered with all the purpose of the cuckoo in a clock" and that they were treated like spare parts that were unnecessary to their ship.

Wilfredo Barrera, a seaman from the destroyer USS Donald Cook, was told he would be "the dog of the Navy" as an undesignated sailor. He was among the more than 70 sailors with no assigned job, or rate, who gathered at naval bases in Jacksonville and Mayport in Florida in February with hopes of shaking off the undesignated title and finding a place in the service.

Read Next: Push to Help More Service Members In Need Get Food Stamps Revived by Senators

"There's definitely a hierarchy," Barrera said as he explained that undesignated sailors are given some of the least desirable jobs on the ship.

Sailors can't continue in the Navy without a rate. If a sailor doesn't find a job by the time they finish their first tour, they're separated from the service.

Among the many traditions, quirks and peculiarities that come with naval service, the Navy's practice of naming undesignated sailors stands out for its direct and potentially negative impact. It also carries a stereotype that the sailors are nothing but disgruntled special warfare dropouts or unmotivated slackers.

It has been linked to poor treatment of former Navy SEAL candidates, who fail to complete the difficult training and then drift with no clear job in the service. Brandon Caserta, a former candidate, took his own life after dropping out of the training and being ridiculed as a "BUD/S dud."

An undesignated sailor, Ryan Mays, was charged by the Navy but acquitted during trial of setting a fire that gutted the warship USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. Prosecutors had claimed he was angry and vengeful about being assigned to deck duty after washing out of the SEAL pipeline, according to court documents from the case.

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But the Navy may finally be changing.

The service is reforming its practices and adding more guidelines to help get undesignated sailors paired with jobs. Data provided by the Navy shows that programs set up in the wake of Caserta's death have been making an impact -- undesignated former SEAL candidates dropped by more than half from 2020 to 2021 and appear to have declined even more steeply last year.

Now, officials say that they are close to an inflection point where they can flip the script and turn undesignated sailors from a cautionary tale to a recruiting talking point.

Around 2013, the Navy started to reform and codify the way it deals with its undesignated sailors. It moved away from an approach that put all of the responsibility on the sailor to pass an advancement exam to gain entrance or petition the Navy's personnel management bureaucracy to let them into a community of their choice. This effort became known as the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track -- or PACT -- program.

Among the several changes the PACT program brought about was a more codified and streamlined way for sailors to choose and move into jobs. The program also put a firm time limit on how long sailors could stay undesignated. That, in turn, puts pressure on leaders to engage with the sailors on the major decision that will define their time in the service.

Military.com attended two days of a Navy job fair at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, for the designated sailors on Feb. 1 and 2 -- one of the gatherings the service hopes will ease them into new jobs -- and spoke with almost a dozen attendees about how they came to lose their rates and what they hoped to get out of the event.

The sailors confirmed what is already commonly known in the fleet: Undesignated life is far from easy. Many described having to work long hours at physically demanding jobs like chipping rust, painting large swaths of the ship, cooking and serving food, or any other number of low-skill tasks that a ship demands.

A sailor from the destroyer USS Jason Dunham remarked that they "always joke about how the two hardest working rates on the ship are engineering and 'un-des' seaman."

Ships rely on the roughly 7,000 undesignated sailors -- about 2.5% of all enlisted personnel -- to do the often difficult, dirty jobs, according to Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, the deputy chief of naval personnel, who spoke to Military.com in an interview.

"Almost a third of the work that's going on is not of a specialized nature," Baze said.

Part of the reason the Navy has set up its ships and squadrons that way -- completely unlike any other branch -- is because "we always have a wide range of both specialized and non-specialized tasks that have to get done daily," he said.

Even accounts from official Navy public relations, like this profile of an undesignated sailor turned officer, hint at the difficult life undesignated sailors live.

"Being 'undes' was a quick wakeup call," Ensign Marcia Villavicencio said in the post, before adding that the experience "for sure toughened me up."

A sailor's rate is a key part of their identity on a ship and in the service. Yet, for decades, young sailors could find themselves without one.

Sailors can become undesignated in one of two main ways. They either come into the service but fail to complete the necessary training to achieve that job -- the most common reason -- or they elect to come in without one at the outset.

Attendees at the Mayport conference described losing jobs after dropping out of an initial school after boot camp over grades or they didn't make it through a high-intensity special warfare school. A small handful had other issues, such as a clearance investigation that didn't go through or being chosen to come in without a job in exchange for getting to boot camp faster.

Much of the public attention to undesignated sailors has focused on a relatively small subset: sailors who become undesignated after failing the high-intensity training to become a Navy SEAL.

'BUD/S Duds' Are Disappearing

For years, sailors have reportedly killed themselves after failing to progress in the Navy's training pipeline to become special warfare operators. In 2018, Caserta's story spurred action.

Caserta was an undesignated airman pushing to become an aircrew aviation electrician's mate. He told friends he felt forced to choose from a limited selection of jobs after leaving SEAL training. Adding to the disappointment was the leadership at his new squadron who mocked the young sailor, calling him a "BUD/S dud," and failed to support his efforts to find a new rate.

Caserta eventually died by suicide; in his note, he specifically faulted the Navy's system of sending dropouts undesignated to the fleet. In the note, he asked his parents to "go after the re-rate process" that put him in a job and the command that tormented him.

Late in 2022, The New York Times also profiled sailors who dropped out of the SEAL training pipeline only to end up on ships doing the unsung and grueling work that undesignated sailors are often tasked with accomplishing.

Sean Sutherland, a 26-year-old sailor from the Jason Dunham, was an undesignated seaman who attended the February job fair after dropping out of one of the Navy's special warfare programs.

"My biggest fear was that, I'm 26 [and] I'm gonna be the lowest man on the totem pole; it's gonna suck," he said, but added that his experience was fairly positive.

He told Military.com that one of the sailors in his class had recently graduated from North Carolina State University with a chemical engineering degree and became an undesignated sailor on the USS Nimitz.

But cases like Sutherland's are becoming increasingly rare.

The Navy had 591 sailors move from the SEAL rate in 2020. Of those sailors, 179 went to the fleet as undesignated. The next year, that number fell to 86 sailors out of 713.

Last year, the Navy reported that only three sailors out of 320 went directly to the fleet without a rate -- potentially a major decrease -- though the data for that year is incomplete.

The numbers also suggest that dropouts from the special warfare program are a small fraction of the overall undesignated population of roughly 7,000.

Naval Special Warfare Command attributed this drop to several factors. In 2019, then-chief of naval personnel, Vice Adm. John Nowell, approved a pilot program that made it easier for BUD/S dropouts to get into other jobs in the Navy. Then, in 2020 the command also rebranded its old "X-division" -- the holding unit for disenrolled students -- to "Phoenix Division." The rebrand was part of a greater focus on counseling students who didn't make the cut to highlight the "positive transition" to another Navy rating, spokeswoman Lt. Teresa Meadows said in an email.

Some social media posts also suggest some sailors choose to go undesignated despite being offered another job because of requirements like additional service time commitment.

The program, which was recently expanded, aims to get dropouts to take jobs in rates that are similar to the SEALs -- like Navy diver or explosive ordnance disposal -- or have opportunities to support operators in future billets.

Data provided by the Navy shows aviation rescue swimmer, explosive ordnance disposal technician, and master-at-arms to be some of the most popular choices.

Meadows said that the number of dropouts from 2020 and 2021 showed a "sharp increase" in undesignated assignments for dropouts, a spike that was largely because the Navy closed its training schools due to COVID. Sailors were sent to the fleet undesignated when the courses were shut down. Meadows said the 2022 figures -- just three undesignated sailors -- "are on track and in alignment" with Nowell's plan, which stipulated students get sent undesignated to the fleet only if they had disciplinary issues.

Still, Baze acknowledged that leaders have a role to play in making sure the sailors who do make it to the fleet as undesignated are successful. He said that if a sailor has it "in their minds their dream was killed," then it's the responsibility of "both officer and chief leadership to take that lad or lass under their wings and help them to find a new path."

Baze said that, when he commanded the amphibious assault ship USS America, he made a point of letting his undesignated sailors work with a variety of departments. "I wanted them to be exposed to different conditions and different mentors, no matter what they initially signed on," he said.

Many sailors whom Military.com spoke to at the job fair, as well as previous reporting, have highlighted how much power specific officers or chief petty officers have in influencing the day-to-day life of the sailors under their command.

Caserta's story is a particularly powerful example of the damage that unsupportive leadership can cause, too.

Job Fair Tears of Joy

Since 2013, all undesignated sailors -- from SEAL drops who don't choose a rate to those who volunteered to enlist that way -- are automatically entered into the PACT program.

Under the PACT program, sailors are assigned to a command for two years and, after their first year, they are able to start negotiations for a new rate. To help speed these negotiations along, officers and senior leaders from the Navy's Bureau of Personnel also conduct job fairs like the one Military.com attended. The fairs put the entire bureaucracy into one room and shorten negotiations that normally take days or weeks into just hours.

Jacob Fields, a career counselor aboard a destroyer in Mayport, told Military.com that the program has made it easier for sailors to meet them amid busy work schedules.

One of the key figures behind that part of the program is Randy Miller, a retired master chief petty officer whose passion for the work of matching sailors with jobs is apparent from the moment you start speaking with him.

"People that know me know that this is the most important thing I do ... take care of these youngsters," Miller said. "Their rate is their identity, and that's why I take it to heart."

The job fairs are a spectacle. Sailors shout out their new rates when they lock in orders. Master chiefs mingle about, often joking with each other and the junior sailors who are there picking new jobs. The people who work these events say that there can be tears and joy from sailors who finally find a job in the service.

The event in Mayport drew just over 70 sailors in two days, but a recent fair in Norfolk, Virginia, attracted more than 400 over four.

Barrera, the undesignated sailor who came straight from standing an early morning watch aboard his ship, said that getting a job means "you're not just a seaman -- you have a title to your name."

Perhaps the most remarkable thing to witness at these events is the advice that young and often uncertain sailors get from those much more seasoned.

For example, one sailor at the fair was debating between taking a more intense job -- cryptologist -- that would require him to wait at his command for about a year while his security clearance came through or take something less demanding and make the move right away. He had problems with his command, and he was worried that he'd get himself into trouble amid the wait.

One senior chief called up a cryptologist he knew and let the sailor talk to them. A master chief who also worked in the intelligence community told him about his own experiences. The message was: The wait is worth it.

He ended up going for it.

Other sailors weighed the possibility that a job they chose would take them too far from home, while some balked at jobs that came with additional service requirements. The leaders behind the program were there to offer sea stories, perspective and, in one instance, photos of Japan, to help sailors make their choices.

For Force Master Chief Christian Detje, the top enlisted leader at the Navy's Personnel Command, interactions like that are the magic of the program.

"It's an example of how much we care," Detje said, referring to the counseling the sailors receive from the senior enlisted.

Yet, underneath the pageantry and the genuinely positive progress for sailors, there is still a tension between those who are interested in getting a rate and ship leaders who need the labor.

Sutherland said that he has "heard horror stories where [commands] they'll keep you as long as they can because you're [a] body and they need you."

Fields says he's "gotten into more than my fair share of arguments'' over this disconnect. He says he's had success in getting sailors time from work to attend to their careers by framing it in terms of a benefit to the ship: Undesignated sailors could choose jobs needed aboard the ship and come right back.

Meanwhile, Baze has been pushing change from his level as well.

"Our people won't do anything with those sailors unless they've got command representation there with them," Baze said. "I'm doing that to say, 'Hey, COs and chiefs, I expect you to be a part of this kid's development.'"

Expanding the Program

As the Navy's experiment with a new kind of undesignated sailor experience heads into its second decade, leaders are seeing successes and promising growth.

Capt. Raymond Sudduth, one of the officers who helps oversee the entire community of enlisted sailors, hopes that they have dispelled old myths and stereotypes about the undesignated community.

"A lot of times, they feel that they might have been misled on joining and, in here, we want to dispel those rumors and let you know that, 'Hey, we care about what you want to do," he said in an interview with Military.com.

Miller said that the program is set to expand in the coming weeks. The plan is to set up a team "to reach out to every [undesignated] sailor personally, one on one, whether it's a Zoom call or on the phone and touch base" before they become eligible to negotiate for a rate.

For Baze, the result is clear. "The feedback that we get here at the bureau is very positive, and then it shows in their retention numbers," he said.

PACT sailor retention is 20% higher than that of sailors who enlist and stay at their original rate, according to Baze.

Looking ahead, he sees this program as something that can be "a big win for us on the recruiting side, on the retention side and, frankly, on job satisfaction."

There's an old recruiting trope that's floated around Navy circles for decades as either a joke or a cautionary tale about the recruiter who convinces a young recruit to sign up for the service as undesignated because they can "try all the jobs and pick the one they like."

Baze thinks that if the PACT program can be made robust enough and provide enough support, that old trope could be turned on its head -- and become something that sets the Navy apart from the other services at the recruiting center.

Typically, recruits choose a rate when they sign their enlistment contract and make the decision based only on their recruiter and a one-page "job card" that lists broad bullet points about the rate's responsibilities and a paragraph or two about the training pipeline. Quality-of-life details like how often sailors stay late aboard a ship or the reputation of the community they belong to are not listed.

"From a sort of selfish recruiting perspective, we're opening the doors for a larger demographic of folks to come in, especially those who really aren't sure or they're not mature enough yet in their lives to know what they want to do," Baze said.

Despite all the figures, goals and Navy ambitions for the future, for some sailors this entire program can be incredibly simple: They just want a chance to do a job they really want.

Logan Porter, a young sailor from the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, was dead set on being an air traffic controller. However, he had been worried his previous school failures would bar that possibility.

After a few hours at the Mayport job fair, he was sitting behind a desk listening to the training path lying before him.

One master chief, walking by, overheard that the job came with a $70,000 bonus and shouted loudly, "Pay the man!"

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Detje's first name.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Navy Swats 'Wokeness' Claims in Bid to Reach Older Americans Who Could Influence Recruiting
Even though the government's supply of COVID-19 vaccines is likely to run out this summer or fall, people without insurance will continue to have access, companies that make the shots say.

Moderna pledged Wednesday to make its Spikevax vaccine available at no cost to the uninsured through its patient assistance program.

"Everyone in the United States will have access to Modernas COVID-19 vaccine regardless of their ability to pay," according to the statement.

Pfizer, which makes the Comirnaty vaccine with its German partner BioNTech, has already promised that U.S. residents who lack insurance will be covered by its own patient assistance program.

"This is a huge, huge step in the right direction," Dr. Julie Morita, executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said of the companies' commitments.

COVID PUBLIC EMERGENCY ENDS:Here's how Medicaid coverage and free COVID tests, treatments will change

Vaccines sit at the ready at the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center where they were offering members and the public free flu and COVID-19 vaccines Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Lakewood.

Morita said late Wednesday she has been concerned that the uninsured, many of whom have been hardest hit by the pandemic, would be deprived access to COVID-19 vaccines.

"They're our frontline workers doing a lot of critical, essential functions in our society," she said, but they had higher rates of disease and death from the virus.

It's not clear whether the uninsured would still be responsible for the cost of vaccine administration, which could run about $25 to $40 per dose.

People covered by commercial or government insurance will continue to receive free vaccinations.

Since COVID-19 vaccines first became available in late 2020, the U.S. government has spent more than $30 billion to develop, buy and distribute nearly 960 million doses, making shots available for free to everyone.

But with the nation's COVID-19 Public Health Emergency set to expire on May 11, officials have said they will not buy more and will only provide shots for free until the current supply runs out, likely this summer or fall.

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The companies' promises means no one will face a gap in coverage.

Shots of Pfizer-BioNTechs new COVID-19 booster, which updates the original vaccine to also target the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

The government initially paid Pfizer $19.50 per dose and Moderna $15.25 per dose, but for the 105 million bivalent booster doses, the cost was $30.48 per dose from Pfizer and $26.36 per dose from Moderna, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis.

Moderna has suggested a commercial price for Spikevax of between $82 and $100 per dose. Pfizer has said the commercial list price for Comirnaty will be $110 to $130 per single-dose vial for patients 12 years and older.

Pfizer said key differences account for the price increase as it shifts from a government-run to a commercial model, including the cost of distributing vaccines outside of government, the need for costly single-dose instead of multi-dose vials and higher transportation costs.

Pfizer has also promised to continue providing reduced-price doses to low- and middle-income countries.

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: Uninsured can still get free COVID vaccines after health emergency
The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has cleared members to return to work at Alabamas Warrior Met coal mine after a nearly two-year strike.

UMWA President Cecil Roberts announced Thursday that he has submitted a return-to-work letter to Warrior Met CEO Walt Scheller, a legal offer to the company that would allow miners to voluntarily leave the picket line while leadership and management continue negotiating.

We are entering a new phase of our efforts to win our members and their families the fair and decent contract they need and deserve, Roberts said in a statement. We have been locked into this struggle for 23 months now, and nothing has materially changed. The two sides have essentially fought each other to a draw thus far, despite the companys unlawful bargaining posture the entire time.

The strike began in April 2021 after the unions contract expired before members and the coal company could reach a new agreement. UMWA miners, who comprise about 1,100 of the companys 1,400 miners, responded by walking off the job. The resulting strike, in which about 800 workers are still participating, is the longest ongoing strike in the states history.

Union miners have argued they were guaranteed pay increases and improved benefits under the contract negotiated with Walter Energy, which Warrior Met was formed to buy in 2015.

We have long said that we are ready to get in the same room with Warrior Met leadership and stay there until we have an agreement, Roberts said. So far the company has not been willing to do that. I sincerely hope that Warrior Met leadership will accept this offer, get our members back to work, engage in good faith bargaining and finally sit down face-to-face with us to resolve this dispute for the betterment of all concerned.

The Hill has reached out to Warrior Met for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Correction: The State Department is offering a $10 million bounty for Saif al-Adel. A previous version of this article contained incorrect information.

The United Nations this week identified a new de facto leader of the terrorist group al Qaeda, a former Egyptian special forces officer and close affiliate of Osama bin Laden with a $10 million bounty on his head.

A Monday report named Saif al-Adel, a high-ranking al Qaeda official, as the operating and uncontested leader of the organization, as recognized by members of the United Nations.

In late July, a U.S. drone strike ordered by President Biden struck and killed al Qaedas former leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in Afghanistan. But his death was not recognized by the organization.

Al Qaeda has not officially named a successor to al-Zawahiri, and al-Adel is not officially recognized as the leader, according to the U.N.

Most judged a key factor to be the continued presence of [al-Adel] in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the UN report reads. This raised difficult theological and operational questions for al Qaeda.

The State Department is offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to the arrest or conviction of al-Adel, who is wanted for the 1998 bombings at U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, which killed 224 people and injured thousands of others.

According to publicly known information, al-Adel is an Egyptian citizen who served in the nations army before he became a key military trainer for al Qaeda in the 1990s. He trained the fighters involved in the ambush of U.S. helicopters and troops in Mogadishu, Somalia, which became the basis for the popular book and movie Black Hawk Down.

He also helped train some of the hijackers involved in the deadly 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York.

In 2003, Iranian authorities placed al-Adel on house arrest, but he was released from custody in 2015 during an exchange for an Iranian diplomat captured by al Qaeda.

The U.S. government says al-Adel was also key to the formation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States was ready to defend the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania if required, and will keep its military presence in the region.

"We are committed to Article 5, you can bet on that", said Austin, referring to the requirement in the NATO Charter that each member of the alliance defend each other if they come under attack.

Speaking in Tallinn after talks with Estonian leaders, he said the U.S. will continue to keep a "persistent, rotational" military presence in the region.

"The United States remains steadfastly committed to the freedom and sovereignty of our Baltic allies," Austin told the news conference.

The three Baltic States, neighbours of Russia and its ally Belarus, were once ruled from Moscow but are now part of NATO and the European Union.

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said his country is "working to prevent" it coming under attack if Russia is not stopped in Ukraine.

"Deterrence is the one key word here. This is exactly why NATO is coming up with new regional defence plans that will hopefully be approved in NATO Vilnius summit in July", said the minister.

Since 2019, the United States has deployed rotating groups of about 500 troops and equipment in Lithuania, and in December it announced a platoon of HIMARS artillery rocket systems and an infantry company in Estonia.

NATO has deployed three multinational battalions in each of the Baltic states since 2017, a "persistent" presence of rotating soldiers to serve as a trip wire for a larger response force should Russia invade NATO territory.

Germany has pledged reinforcements within 10 days in case of an invasion threat.

Austin in Tallinn reiterated the United States would be supporting Ukraine with military equipment, and said he expects Russia to continue heavy losses of its "ill-equipped and ill-trained" military personnel.

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"This fight will continue to evolve, and we will do everything we can, working together, to ensure that we are providing them the means to be successful", said Austin.

"In terms of whether or not we can get equipment there in a timely fashion - this is something that we are working on each and every day".

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Christina Fincher)
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP)  The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency got a first-hand look Thursday at the toll left by a freight train derailment in Ohio, where toxic chemicals spilled or were burned off, leaving the stench of fresh paint nearly two weeks later.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who walked along a creek that still reeks of chemicals, sought to reassure skeptical residents that the water is fit for drinking and the air safe to breathe around East Palestine, where just under 5,000 people live near the Pennsylvania state line.

I'm asking they trust the government. I know that's hard. We know there's a lack of trust, Regan said. Were testing for everything that was on that train.

Since the derailment, residents have complained about headaches and irritated eyes and finding their cars and lawns covered in soot. The hazardous chemicals that spilled from the train killed thousands of fish, and residents have talked about finding dying or sick pets and wildlife.

Residents are frustrated by what they say is incomplete and vague information about the lasting effects from the disaster, which prompted evacuations.

I have three grandbabies, said Kathy Dyke, who came with hundreds of her neighbors to a public meeting Wednesday where representatives of railroad operator Norfolk Southern were conspicuously absent. Are they going to grow up here in five years and have cancer?

Regan said Thursday that anyone who is fearful of being in their home should seek testing from the government.

People have been unnerved. Theyve been asked to leave their homes, he said, adding that if he lived there, he would be willing to move his family back into the area as long as the testing shows it's safe.

Those attending the previous night's informational session had questions about health hazards and demanded more transparency from Norfolk Southern, which did not attend, citing concerns about its staff safety. Many who had waited in a long line snaking outside the high school gymnasium came away upset that they didnt hear anything new. Some booed or laughed each time they heard the village mayor or state health director assure them that lingering odors arent dangerous.

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They just danced around the questions a lot," said Danielle Deal, who lives a few miles from the derailment site. Norfolk needed to be here.

At least five lawsuits have been filed against the railroad, which announced this week that it is creating a $1 million fund to help the community while continuing to remove spilled contaminants from the ground and streams and monitoring air quality.

We are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive, Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a letter to the community.

Families who evacuated said they want assistance figuring out how to get the promised financial help. Beyond that, they want to know whether the railroad will be held responsible.

State and federal officials have promised to make sure Norfolk Southern not only pays for the cleanup but also reimburses residents.

The White House said teams from the federal health and emergency response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will go to East Palestine.

We understand the residents are concerned  as they should be - and they have questions. Thats all understandable, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. And were going to get to the bottom of this.

No one was injured when about 50 cars derailed in a fiery, mangled mess on the outskirts of East Palestine on Feb. 3. Officials seeking to avoid an uncontrolled blast evacuated the area and opted to release and burn toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke billowing into the sky again.

The Ohio EPA said the latest tests show five wells supplying the villages drinking water are free from contaminants.

At least, 3,500 fish, mostly small ones such as minnows and darters, have been found dead along more than 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) of streams, according to the estimates from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Precautions are being taken to ensure contaminants that reached the Ohio River dont make it into drinking water, officials said.

There have been anecdotal reports that pets or livestock have been sickened. No related animal deaths have been confirmed and the risk to livestock is low, Ohio officials said, but the state Agriculture Department is testing samples from a beef calf that died a week after the derailment.

The suspected cause of the derailment is a mechanical issue with a rail car axle. The National Transportation Safety Board said it has video appearing to show a wheel bearing overheating just beforehand. The NTSB expects to issue its preliminary report in about two weeks.

___

Associated Press reporter John Seewer in Toledo contributed.
U.S. Bancorp held a grand-opening celebration Wednesday for its new flagship branch in SouthPark  another step in its local retail expansion initiative. It anticipates adding two more Charlotte-area stores later this year.

The 4,964-square-foot branch is at 4525 Sharon Road  and it is U.S. Banks largest one in the local market. It is a full-service branch, providing resources in consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and small-business services. The store currently houses five employees.

ALSO READ: Charlotte investigating certifications for CMPD radar, LIDAR guns

The SouthPark area is really special. Its vibrant, said Ashley Cumberbatch, U.S. Banks North Carolina branch banking market leader, who is based in Charlotte. Theres a large residential area, and its also very important for businesses. So, this gives us an opportunity to touch even more individuals in small business.

U.S. Banks SouthPark branch opening is a part of the institutions 2019 pledge to add 10 branches in the Charlotte area in the coming years.

Keep reading here.

(WATCH BELOW: Apartment residents angry that visitors must pay for parking)




(Bloomberg) -- Russia continues to access foreign chips and technology through intermediaries like Iran, a senior US official responsible for regulating exports said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Russia has turned to other countries, if you can imagine the partners of Iran and North Korea, to fill some gaps in its procurement that are created by our products leaving the Russian market, US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea Kendler told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday. We know that Russia is using Iranian drones in Ukraine, to kill civilians.

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, Bloomberg News has reported. The aim is to coordinate a package of measures by Feb. 24  which marks a year since Russias invasion of Ukraine  according to people familiar with the matter.

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.

Kendler leads Washingtons group responsible for controls on dual-use technology  gear that may be used for both industrial and military aims  and is in Tokyo for an international trade conference and bilateral meetings with partner countries. Her comments focused on preventing Russia from obtaining foreign tech via third parties, though her closed-door meetings with partners in Asia are likely to center on China. The US is deeply concerned about economic espionage, she said.

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Veldhoven-based ASML Holding NV on Wednesday disclosed a former China-based employee stole its technology data and potentially breached export rules, the latest flashpoint in a growing conflict between the worlds two leading economies. ASML is the go-to supplier of the multimillion-dollar lithography systems required to produce the most advanced chips today. Kendler declined to comment on the incident.

US President Joe Bidens administration secured an agreement with the Netherlands and Japan to restrict exports of some advanced chipmaking machinery to China, Bloomberg News has reported. The details of the agreement and restrictions, aimed at undercutting Beijings military and domestic chipmaking ambitions, have yet to be publicly detailed.

Kendler played a key role in establishing a sweeping set of elevated restrictions on US tech exports to China in October. The measures set to be undertaken by the two allied nations would extend at least some of those US limits to companies like ASML and Tokyo-based Nikon Corp. and Tokyo Electron Ltd.

--With assistance from Isabel Reynolds.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The X-62A Variable Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft, or VISTA, flies over Palmdale, Calif., Aug. 26, 2022. A joint Department of Defense team executed 12 artificial intelligence, or AI, flight tests in which AI agents piloted the X-62A VISTA to perform advanced fighter maneuvers at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 1-16, 2022. US Air Force photo/Kyle Brasier

A recent series of US military tests saw AI fly a fighter jet and battle simulated enemies.

The modified jet practiced beyond-visual-range engagements and dogfighting, the 412th Test Wing revealed.

One official said the F-16 is "rapidly accelerating" how autonomous algorithms are tested.

The US military successfully let artificial intelligence pilot a fighter jet and even battle simulated enemy aircraft during a recent series of flight tests. The incident marked a significant step for the Defense Department in developing advanced AI capabilities.

Two different AI programs, with a human in the cockpit, piloted the X-62A Variable Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft, or VISTA, during 12 tests, which were carried out in December at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the US Air Force's 412th Test Wing announced in a statement this week.

The VISTA is a "highly modified" two-seat F-16 fighter jet, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. It can be piloted by autonomous AI programs and mirror the flight characteristics of aircraft like the F-16 jet or MQ-20 drone.

One of the two programs tested by the US military was a product of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Autonomous Air Combat Operations, or AACO. This program piloted the VISTA in one-on-one engagements against a simulated enemy beyond visual range, the 412th Test Wing said.

The other program to pilot the fighter aircraft in testing, a creation of DARPA's Air Combat Evolution, or ACE, engaged in dogfights, maneuvering within visual range, against adversarial AI.

Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) February 15, 2023

Both the AFRL and DARPA algorithms "were successfully uploaded into the VISTA aircraft, and then VISTA flew a series of pre-prescribed flight maneuvers with the algorithms, where the algorithms then took over control of the aircraft successfully," Chase Kohler, the communications director for the 412th Test Wing and US Air Force Plant 42, told Insider.

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The military tested the programs one after another, swapping them out and running a new test within a timeframe of only a few hours.

"It is the first time that an aircraft of any type has been able to test two completely different proprietary algorithms from two specific programs within the same day  much less within a few hours," Kohler said.

One official familiar with the testing said in a statement to the 412th Test Wing that the VISTA is "rapidly accelerating" how autonomous algorithms are tested, adding that the system provides data that the Air Force can use to continue developing the algorithms.

"The X-62A VISTA team has proven with this test campaign that they are capable of complex AI test missions that accelerate the development and testing of autonomy capabilities" for the Department of Defense, Malcolm Cotting, the research director at the Air Force Test Pilot School, told the 412th Test Wing.

The recent testing builds on years of artificial intelligence research within the military. Nearly three years ago, DARPA pitted an F-16 pilot against AI in simulated air-to-air combat. The AI achieved a flawless victory, but former US Air Force and Navy pilots told Insider that the situation was heavily gamed to the advantage of the artificial intelligence and that in a real fight, the AI would struggle.

This technology has continued to improve, but more work is needed on this capability. The aim of both the AFRL and DARPA programs, according to the 412th Test Wing, is eventually "developing AI-driven autonomy for airborne tactical platforms" for surveillance, beyond-visual-range combat, and dogfighting.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The lower bow unit of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan is lowered into place at a Newport News shipyard in March 2000. US Navy

Shortages of spare parts is driving US sailors to take more and more parts from other ships.

As a result, more ships are down for maintenance and unable to perform missions, a government watchdog says.

The problem mostly stems from "increased demand for material that is not readily available," the watchdog says.

The US Navy is so short of spare parts that crews are increasingly taking a drastic step: Cannibalizing parts from some ships to keep other ships going.

The result is more ships that are down for maintenance and unable to perform their missions, according to a report submitted to Congress by the Government Accountability Office. The spare parts shortage only exacerbates an already dismal Navy maintenance situation, with overburdened and understaffed shipyards unable to perform necessary overhauls on schedule.

Navy officials told the GAO that "surface ships have experienced an increasing number of cannibalizations over the past few years. There are many contributing factors depending on the specific equipment or ship system, but most are due to increased demand for material that is not readily available."

The GAO examined 10 classes of ships that accounted for 153 of the Navy's 292-strong battle force. Out of those 10, nine suffered from increased cannibalization between 2015 and 2021, with littoral combat ships the worst affected.

A crew member from a US Navy-contracted vessel guides an engine out of Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship Ex-Guardian in March 2013. US Navy/MCS3 Jonah Stepanik

For Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, which make up almost all of the US carrier fleet, scrounging used parts has been "driven by combat systems-related equipment," the GAO said. "Many of these parts are older and no longer being produced by manufacturers so they are hard to obtain."

Only the new America-class amphibious assault ships, of which only two are in service, experienced a decrease in cannibalized parts by 2021.

The study listed a cascade of causes for the shortage of spare parts: "Parts obsolescence, diminishing manufacturing sources, and material shortages are common issues." In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains.

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Nor does industry have an incentive to make parts for older equipment. Navy officials told the GAO that "manufacturers for these parts require demand to continue to produce the parts, and it is not economically feasible for them to remanufacture until they receive this demand."

One possible cause that the study did not have a chance to examine was lack of Navy planning for unexpected maintenance.

"We know from some of our other work on maintenance that the Navy has had a significant problem with unplanned work," Diana Maurer, director of the GAO's Defense Capabilities and Management Team, told Insider. If a ship comes in for scheduled repairs, and an unexpected problem is discovered, the right parts may not be available.

Congress has sometimes blocked the retirement of ships that the Navy doesn't want anymore. One consequence is that spare parts must still be found for those aging vessels.

Shipyard workers move a propeller from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in December 2010. US Navy/Joe Kane

Swapping parts between automobiles is nothing new for backyard mechanics. Likewise, militaries have long cannibalized equipment during operations when spare parts may not be available.

But routinely swapping spares to keep large numbers of complex weapons operational is not a viable solution. For example, a 2022 GAO study of aircraft sustainment found that multiple types of planes  including B-2 stealth bombers and C-17 cargo aircraft  required cannibalization of some planes to keep others flying.

In the case of the C-17, "when a part was cannibalized, it often added a day or two to the total time an aircraft was not mission capable," Air Force officials told the GAO. A 2001 GAO report found that cannibalized parts created higher workloads for mechanics and lower morale for personnel who have to make these improvised fixes work.

The new report marks the first time GAO has tried to assess how often Navy surface ships are sufficiently maintained to fulfill their missions. The problem is that unlike for military aircraft, the Navy hasn't tracked the mission-capable rate for ships (though it may do so in the future).

This forced GAO investigators to determine mission readiness by aggregating several indirect indicators, including cannibalization rates, steaming hours at sea, and ships reporting that they couldn't perform their missions.

Of the 10 ship classes the GAO analyzed, eight saw increased category 3 and 4 casualty reports, which mean a vessel cannot perform some missions. The most trouble-prone was the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, which experienced 18 category 3 and 4 reports in 2011  and 43 in 2021.

Steaming hours have also declined for Navy ships, though by how much isn't clear, as the Department of Defense has classified the data. Not surprisingly, lack of parts and fewer steaming hours have contributed to rise in costs per steaming hour, making it more expensive to keep a ship at sea.

Sailors on guided-missile destroyer USS Stout load supplies after a replenishment-at-sea in the Mediterranean in March 2020. US Navy/MCS3 Marques Franklin

Interestingly, fewer steaming hours for Navy ships may indicate a lack of money as much as it points to maintenance problems. Navy officials told the GAO that "steaming hours are an indication of the financial health of the fleet and allocation of steaming hours is driven by budgetary concerns and the cost of fuel."

Either way, the maintenance situation appears to be getting worse. In September 2022, a senior Navy maintenance officer admitted that on-time maintenance for surface ships in 2022 had declined to 36% from 44% in 2021.

"We are going in the wrong direction with regard to on-time delivery," said Rear Adm. Bill Green, fleet maintenance officer for US Fleet Forces Command.

While Navy maintenance problems are obvious, solutions are not. In particular, ensuring production of spare parts for older ships, aircraft, and other platforms presents a chicken-and-egg challenge: Manufacturers won't keep production lines without sufficient demand, and legacy weapons generate less demand as they are replaced by new systems.

"If there are only 10 ships in a particular class, and they're really old and the Navy keeps saying they want to retire them, why would a manufacturer want to stay in the business of making parts for them?" Maurer said.

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Getty)

Weve all heard the warnings: AI could end up replacing us as it becomes increasingly capable of doing ... well, everything.

With the introduction of AI tool ChatGPT, weve opened a new realm of possibility when it comes to the written word. Whether its cover letters, speeches, or even what to write in a Valentines Day card, ChatGPT has managed to make some of the most tedious tasks easy. After all, what says were living in the future like an hour-long chore becoming less than a minute of typing into an AI prompt.

Unfortunately, Ive found one thing that ChatGPT cannot do  help me find a date.

Typically, my online dating attempts can be characterised as slightly awkward, frequently sarcastic, and extremely boring. Hey, how is your week going? is my go-to introduction, which we can all agree needs to be replaced.

On Valentines Day this year, which would turn out to be my bleakest holiday of love yet, I turned to ChatGPT for alternatives. Surely AI, with the entire internet at its virtual fingertips, would be able to help me secure a date, or at least engage in more interesting conversations than the ones Id been having on Hinge and Bumble.

The first match on my dating agenda was Kyle* a 30-year-old who wrote on his profile that he was looking for a relationship.

Eager to test out what I assumed would be the key to romantic success, I typed out a prompt to OpenAIs ChatGPT. Write me a general introduction message to send to my Bumble match.

In response, it suggested the message: Hey Kyle, Im Chelsea! I came across your profile and was immediately struck by [something you found interesting or have in common with them]. Id love to chat more and get to know you better if youre interested. So whats been the highlight of your week so far?

I couldnt believe it. Not only was it just a longer version of my go-to opening message, but ChatGPT had managed to make me sound like someones 50-year-old uncle on Facebook.

I asked ChatGPT to try again, this time clarifying that I wanted a general, but funny, opener to a conversation.

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The response? A karaoke date.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

Hey Kyle, Im going to cut to the chase: Whats your go-to karaoke song? I need to know if were going to be compatible or if well need separate karaoke nights with our friends, the AI suggested, before noting that it was confident the message was light-hearted and playful, and that it offered a specific question to start a conversation.

I wasnt convinced, as the message sounded like it was written by a robot, and because I actually hate karaoke, but I sent it anyway.

To my surprise, Kyle actually came back with a response, and a normal one at that. According to my Bumble match, his favourite karaoke song is Eye of the Tiger. He followed up by asking me about my go-to.

My doubts about using ChatGPT for online dating were confirmed when I asked it to write me a response to Kyle, and it offered an even more absurd message.

Eye of the Tiger is definitely a classic choice! But when Im feeling really brave, I like to go for Bohemian Rhapsody. Its always a crowd-pleaser, and Im a big fan of any song that involves headbanging. What do you think? Are you ready to rock out with me at karaoke sometime? the suggestion read.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

(Chelsea Ritschel)

I, of course, had no intention of sending that to Kyle. Feeling brave? Headbanging? What was this, my first time interacting with another human being ever?

I asked ChatGPT to try again, at which point it came back with the slightly more acceptable response: Eye of the Tiger is definitely a classic choice! But when Im feeling really brave, I like to go for Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Its always a crowd pleaser, and Im a big fan of any song that involves belting out the chorus. What do you think? Are you ready to sing some Bon Jovi with me at karaoke sometime?

Again, clearly not a response I would send. Wed exchanged one message, why would I already be inviting Kyle to karaoke? After some back and forth, ChatGPT and I finally settled on the last sentence: Are you a Bon Jovi fan yourself?

I didnt expect to hear back from Kyle. After all, I certainly wouldnt have answered if I were in his shoes.

Ooh those are some great choices! Bon Jovi is pretty awesome, but I really only know a few of his songs, Kyle responded along with a laughing face emoji.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

Thankfully, ChatGPT toned it down, with the AI suggesting I thank Kyle for the compliment, and ask him what kind of music he usually listens to. As a follow-up, I also asked him if hed be interested in getting a drink soon. He never answered.

No matter, with a few more Bumble matches to try, I turned my attention to Chris*, a 33-year-old living in New York, who wrote on his profile that he liked exploring all that the city has to offer. According to Chris, he enjoys spending time outside with his dog, and is looking for someone smart and unique.

ChatGPT was immediately interested, with the AI offering a lengthy introduction to send.

Hi Chris! I saw in your profile that you love exploring all the amazing things NYC has to offer! Im always up for an adventure, whether its trying a new restaurant or checking out a cool art exhibit. Whats been your favourite NYC discovery so far? And what kind of unique experiences are you looking to share with someone special? I asked per ChatGPTs suggestion.

The message was a far cry from what Id usually send, as I typically avoid any hints of earnestness. But maybe ChatGPT was identifying my dating app flaw? Perhaps these candid messages were what Id been missing.

And, as a colleague had noted after Id informed him of my experiment, ChatGPTs responses couldnt be any worse than [my] current game.

Maybe itll work, theyd added assuredly, before joking about the prospect of one of my matches falling in love with the AI.

Chris seemed slightly guarded in response to my drawn-out message. Im not sure what my favourite discovery would be. Probably something along the lines of food haha, he wrote, before adding: Im looking for someone who can go hiking or to the opera or just sit in the park on a sunny day.

Im always down to try new restaurants or cuisines! ChatGPT told me to reply with, despite saying something similar in my first message. According to the AI, we drew the line at the opera.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

And I love getting outside, whether its for a hike or just a leisurely stroll through the park. The opera might be a bit of a stretch for me, but Im definitely open to new experiences and learning about your interests. Whats been your favourite outdoor spot to explore in the city so far? the AI-generated message continued.

According to ChatGPT, this was the perfect thing to say because it responded to Chris interests in food and outdoor activities, and also showed that Im open to trying new things. The AI also reminded me to keep my tone friendly and genuine.

As with each of its previous messages, ChatGPT ended with: Good luck! It clearly felt I needed it.

To try this experiment, I needed to ignore any discomfort I had about sounding too eager. However, that doesnt mean I wasnt fully aware that I was coming across as overzealous.

Fortunately, Chris seemed somewhat open to matching my AI-generated energy. As long as youre willing to try something once, thats good with me, he said, while telling me he liked to take his dog for walks in a nearby park.

I made the mistake of telling ChatGPT I love dogs.

Thats so cool that you live by [redacted] and have a dog. Im a big dog lover myself! I wrote, before revealing where I live and suggesting that we meet up at one of the parks sometime.

Im always up for a picnic or a walk with some furry friends, I continued, to my mortification over the use of the phrase furry friends.

Although I sent the response, I tried to reason with ChatGPT. Can you give me a response to say in a cool way? I begged the software. I dont want to use the phrase furry friend.

The cool alternate response came back: Ah, so youre a proud companion of a four-legged cutie, I like that. Whats your pups name? Immediate no.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

Chris then told me about an upcoming day trip he had planned, his love for the beach, and to ask whether I had any restaurant recommendations in my area. He carefully ignored my suggestion that we meet up.

In response, I (ChatGPT) again over-enthusiastically praised everything hed said, while telling him that I too love the beach because theres nothing better than feeling the sand between your toes!

After telling ChatGPT the names of two of my favourite restaurants, it added: As for Korean BBQ, I highly recommend Jongro or Five Senses. Both have amazing meat, and the atmosphere is always lively. Let me know if you end up trying either of them, Id love to hear what you think?

Itll come as no surprise that I never got a response back.

Apart from Kyle and Chris, the rest of my Bumble matches were not impressed with my AI-generated opening lines.

Pizza is definitely one of my favourite foods too! Whats your go-to topping? I asked Kevin*, who chose to ignore the message.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

To Fred*, whod written on his profile that his personal hell was small talk on dating apps, ChatGPT was confident it had the perfect introduction.

Well, lucky for you, Im not a fan of small talk either. So how about we skip the pleasantries and dive right into an interesting conversation? Not only was my message the opposite of interesting, it managed to make me sound exactly like I was about to engage in small talk.

At this point, I suggested to ChatGPT that maybe a fun joke would be a better way of starting the conversation.

What is a funny joke I can send to my Bumble match as a conversation starter? I asked, to which ChatGPT responded: Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!

After I requested an alternative joke, ChatGPT came through for the first time all night. Why dont scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! It was cute, simple, and, I thought, worthy of a response.

Unfortunately, David* didnt share ChatGPT and my sense of humour. Although hed asked why when Id sent the first line of the joke, he was ultimately unimpressed into silence by the punch line. His loss.

In a last-ditch effort to turn my online dating around with the help of ChatGPT, I opened up Hinge, where Id gotten a message from a man whod surmised that I seemed fun, spontaneous, and adventurous from my profile, which are qualities he said he always appreciates in a woman.

His message, which sounded, to my amusement, exactly like the ones ChatGPT had been crafting for me, continued: Normalcy is so overrated. If I bumped into a group of your friends on the way to meet you for the first time, what would they tell me to expect?

It wasnt an opener I wouldnt usually reply to, because, as I mentioned before, I try to steer clear of effusive messages. But, maybe coming up with a response to a unique message such as this is where ChatGPT would shine. And maybe, by opening myself up to individuals who were clear and direct about what they were looking for, Id be able to find my match.

It turns out that ChatGPT has no place in the dating world, as it managed to craft a reply so bizarre and embarrassing that I refused to send it.

Theyd probably tell you to buckle up and get ready for a wild ride! But in all seriousness, they might mention my love for trying new things, my spontaneous streak, and my contagious laugh. But youll have to find out for yourself! ChatGPT suggested I say in response to David.

(Chelsea Ritschel)

(Chelsea Ritschel)

Rather than send the message, I replied to ChatGPT: Can you make that sound cooler?

Sure! How about this: Thanks for the compliment! My friends would probably tell you to expect a wild and unpredictable ride, with plenty of laughter and excitement. Normalcy is definitely not our thing. So buckle up and get ready for some fun! the AI software came back, with ChatGPT bewilderingly doubling down on the insistence that my Hinge match buckle up, as if I were a professional bull rider rather than a journalist.

I ended Valentines Day the same way Id started it, with no dates, and with a renewed insistence that there has to be another way to meet potential partners than dating apps.

However, I will say that ChatGPTs failure to secure a date slightly mollified my own dating app insecurities. At least I was better than a robot.

*All names have been changed and I apologise to anyone I matched with yesterday.
In this Jan., 7, 2019, photo, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R - Clearfield, speaks during the Utah Taxpayers Association 2019 legislative outlook conference, in Salt Lake City. The Utah Legislature has passed a proposal to ban abortions sought because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, vote sends the measure to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's desk. Lisonbee has said too many fetuses with a Down syndrome diagnosis are being aborted. Opponents say the measure takes complicated personal decisions out of the hands of women and their doctors. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R), the assistant majority whip in the Utah House of Representatives, has been busy this cycle. The homemaker representing the Salt Lake City suburbs is using this legislative session to advance ultra conservative stances on abortion and guns that appear to be deeply in conflict with each other and the pro-life message writ large.



Republicans no longer need to slowly eradicate abortion through six-week or even 15-week gestation bans; Lisonbee has proposed a new way forward: On Tuesday night, she filed a bill to ban abortion clinics from the state by 2024. The bill will outlaw abortion clinics in Utah on Jan. 1, 2024 and stop licensing them in the state before that, as of May 2, 2023. Its unclear if anyone is trying to even open a new clinic in Utah at this time, but this way she covers all her bases.

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Lisonbees bill includes an exception for girls under 12 who were raped (the only way a 12-year-old can become pregnant, despite the bill text calling the child the pregnant woman under the age of 12"). The proposed bill limits rape and incest exceptions for pregnancies under 18 weeks.

Meanwhile, the same lawmaker has also sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that aim to relax gun regulations in Utah. One piece of legislation seeks to ban state employees, including police, from cooperating with or expending any state resources to enforce federal gun regulationsat a time when there have been more mass shootings than days in the calendar year so far in 2023. Just yesterday, a woman who survived the Michigan State University mass shooting said shed also survived Sandy Hook a decade ago.

This proposed legislation was introduced during truly bonkers legislative maneuvering in Utah, as Republicans throwing their most conservative takes at the wall and seeing what sticks. The proposed back-door abortion banlawmakers dont have to ban abortion outright if theres nowhere to actually get one in your stateis the culmination of years of so-called TRAP laws (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) trying to regulate clinics out of existence. Utah appears to be ahead of the curve, succeeding at finding novel ways to eradicate legal abortion from its borders.

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It seems difficultimpossible, evento brand yourself the party of life via abortion laws and freedom via gun rights laws when each of those contradicts the values of the other. Jezebel has reached out to Lisonbee for comment, and well let you know if she or anyone in the party is ever able to explain this conundrum.

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Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

On Wednesday, a study in The Lancet Regional Health  Americas by researchers from the University of Utah estimated that 830 people were sterilized against their will by the state of Utah between 1925 and 1974. Victims were targeted if they were deemed sexual deviants or habitually sexually criminal, insane, idiotic, imbecile, feebleminded, or epileptic. One woman was sterilized for allegedly cheating on her husband on multiple occasions; another, a Black incarcerated man, for being an accused homosexual. Other victims included a rape victim and a woman who experienced a stillbirth; many were teenagers, and at least one was under the age of 10. The paper counts 54 people forcibly sterilized by the state who may still be alive today.

Despite these findings, the state government seems unwilling to materially compensate survivors. The Salt Lake Tribune notes that no Utah governor has ever publicly acknowledged this aspect of the states history. A spokesperson for current Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) didnt respond to the Tribunes request for comment. Coxs office responded to a request for comment by directing Jezebel to the states Department of Health and Human Services. In a statement issued to Jezebel and the Tribune, the department said its in the process of trying to identify any individuals still living who underwent these procedures.

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We plan to issue personal apologies to any individuals we are able to identify. While an apology cannot right the wrongs that were committed, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and understanding this history so we can learn from it and do better both now and in the future, the statement continued. The department also claimed that its implemented new measures to focus on making sure a [disabled] person can live their life as independently as possibleincluding having the option to marry or have a family if that is what a person wants.

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Theres a glaring problem with Utahs tepid apology to victims: It frames nonconsensual sterilization as a relic of the past. But per the Tribune, since 2017, Utah judges have heard 11 forced sterilization cases, and in 10 of these cases allowed the sterilizations to move forward.

At 19, a woman was labeled a "moron" and sterilized in 1928 after saying her brother repeatedly raped her. Her bishop reportedly didn't believe her. Afterward, he told a researcher that she was likely commercially exploited by her older sister, leading her to contract an STD.  Emily Anderson Stern (@emilyreanderson) February 15, 2023

A spokesperson for the department told Jezebel its first priority is to determine whether there are individuals still living in the state impacted by this inhumane practice so that we can provide a formal and official apology. The departments search for survivors is in early stages, but as of right now, there are no additional plans beyond that.

For context, last January, California launched a $4.5 million fund for reparations for forced sterilization survivors. California has reportedly struggled to reach survivors and disperse the funds, but at the very least, the bill recognized a need for material compensation for victims. North Carolina and Virginia have similarly offered reparations.

Last year, the National Womens Law Center (NWLC) and Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network (AWN) published a report showing that 31 states and the District of Columbia continue to allow nonconsensual sterilizations targeting disabled and incarcerated people and migrants through policies that give judges significant leeway to decide whether someone can or cant consent to being sterilized. Both Utah and California are among these states.

Between 1997 and 2013, doctors in California sterilized roughly 1,400 incarcerated people. As recently as 2020, an ICE doctor reportedly performed unwanted hysterectomies on migrant women at a detention center in Georgia, also among the 31 states named in the report. And throughout Britney Spears conservatorship between 2007 and 2021, she testified that she was forced to have an IUD despite wanting to grow her family.

At the height of the eugenics movement in the U.S. in the early 20th century, at least 70,000 people in 32 states were subjected to involuntary sterilizations. This practice was legal due to the 1927 Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell. But during World War II, most states ditched their original forced sterilization laws given the direct ties between eugenics and Nazism. Per the NWLC and AWNs report, this only paved the way for a new type of forced sterilization law in most states, allowing judges to retain the power to make these determinations.

Speaking to Jezebel last year, Maayan Anafi, senior counsel at the National Womens Law Center, also raised the issue of so-called sex, race, and disability-selective abortion bans, allow anti-abortion lawmakers to claim theyre acting on behalf of disabled people, of people of color. In reality, Anafi said, theyre really attacking the reproductive rights of disabled people and people of color, who are more likely to be singled out and harmed by these laws.

Laws permitting forced sterilizations remain prevalent to this day. Survivors remain, too, and in Utah, theyre being offered the very bare minimum while the horrific practice continues.

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By Jarrett Renshaw

(Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah is trying to rally colleagues to sign a letter opposing the Biden administrations plan to include electric vehicles in the nations renewable fuel program, arguing the proposal is an assault on the internal combustion engine, Reuters has learned.

The effort represents the latest attempt by a federal lawmaker from a refining state to oppose policy measures that could undermine fossil fuel demand.

But it is getting pushback from the biofuels industry, which has chosen to align itself with the electric vehicle (EV) industry as fighters of climate change, rather than with the refining industry in defense of liquid fuels. At issue is a proposal from the Biden administration that would for the first time allow EV manufacturers to tap into a multibillion-dollar market for tradable renewable fuels credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EV makers, such as Tesla Inc, would be able to generate the credits, known as RINs, and sell them to refiners, if they can prove that the cars and trucks they make are being powered by electricity from plants that burn biofuels. Under the RFS, refiners are required to blend growing volumes of biofuels into the fuel pool or buy an equivalent number of credits. It has been an economic boom for corn growers and Midwestern states that support ethanol production, but small refiners argue its compliance costs threaten their existence and thousands of good-paying union jobs. In the proposed letter being circulated by Lee, he says the so-called E-RIN proposal to include electric vehicles represents an overreach for a program designed for liquid fuels, and lacks any realistic attempt to prove that electricity generated by biogas such as methane is actually powering a car. He called it an "attempt by the Biden Administration to prop up the market for EVs with the intent of destroying demand for the internal combustion engine and giving consumers no choice but to drive EVs," according to the letter seen by Reuters. One of the letter's authors, according to data embedded in the document, is a lobbyist at HollyFrontier Corp, which has a refinery in Utah.

Lee has "long committed himself to pushing back against the onerous and oppressive rules and regulations handed down by the executive branch," said Lee Lonsberry, a spokesperson for Lee. Lonsberry said the draft letter is a result of consulting multiple industry partners impacted by these rules.

HollyFrontier did not respond to a request for comment.

An email being circulated by a group of biofuel advocates to congressional staff urged lawmakers not to sign the letter, pointing out that the industry supports Biden's plan to include EVs in the Renewable Fuel Standard even though it sees some problems with its details.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
GENEVA (Reuters) - Uyghur advocacy groups called on United Nations bodies to take action against China on Thursday over its abuses against the mainly Muslim ethnic minority, after U.N. experts this week reviewed Beijing's rights record.

During a two-day U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) review in Geneva, participants asked China's delegation about the country's treatment of minorities, including Uyghurs in the western region of Xinjiang, and measures to end forced labour and arbitrary detentions, among other issues.

Beijing vehemently denies abuses.

"Yet another group of independent U.N. experts have raised serious concerns about the ongoing brutality faced by Uyghurs," Omer Kanat, Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, said in a joint statement with the World Uyghur Congress.

"And once again the Chinese government continues to deny and distract from the factual evidence presented. It's long past time for the U.N. system to respond in a more comprehensive way."

The Chinese permanent mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva and the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent after business hours.

A report released in August by Michelle Bachelet, then U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, hours before she ended her mandate, found that China's detention of Uyghurs and other Muslims may constitute crimes against humanity.

A Western-led bid to hold a debate on China's treatment of Muslim populations at the U.N. Human Rights Council, however, failed to pass.

Human Rights Watch, which on Monday called on the U.N. to follow up on the report, on Thursday joined several other groups in urging the European Union to drop what it called "meaningless" rights talks with Beijing.

"Lacking any prospect for concrete progress, the EU should suspend the dialogues and double down on its efforts to secure U.N. action on China's abysmal record and pursue accountability for international crimes committed in Xinjiang," Philippe Dam, EU director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Josie Kao)
Vaughn Wiesters Famous Jazz Orchestra will perform a program of Brazilian music at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Clintonville Woman's Club.

For some in the Christian faith, the Carnival season offers a chance to let loose ahead of Lent.

The celebration is also known as Mardi Gras, but under any name, its all about revelry and merriment.

What the celebration is all about, and what the music is all about, is celebrating freedom and liberation and partying it up just before everybody needs to be on their best behavior to make sacrifices for the duration of Lent, said Columbus vocalist Rachel Sepulveda, who will perform with Vaughn Wiesters Famous Jazz Orchestra in a concert next Monday at the Clintonville Womans Club.

Columbus Winter Fun 2023: Area groups to perform classical music, jazz concert and ballet

Not that anything will get too out of hand during Mondays concert: The music will be the star of the show. (Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be available, but those wishing to enjoy alcoholic drinks must bring their own.)

Under the direction of Columbus jazz legend Wiester, the orchestra will perform music by Brazilian artists associated with the bossa nova style of music.

Bossa nova got started in Rio de Janeiro in about 1957, and it took about five years to take hold in North America, Wiester said. Around 61 or 62, Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto had that hit with The Girl from Ipanema, which jump-started the North American interest in bossa nova. The worldwide interest was jump-started by a movie in 1959 that was produced in Rio called Black Orpheus.

Composers represented in the program will include Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Sergio Mendes.

Rachel Sepulveda will be one of two vocalists joining Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra in concert on Monday.

That music is the pure essence of joy, Sepulveda said.

The songs will be sung in Portuguese, a language unique for its musicality.

I have sung in probably six different languages, Sepulveda said. But of all the languages, Portuguese is by far the most rhythmic. Its amazing to me how the language mimics the percussive instruments.

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Among the most ardent fans of music from Brazil is Sepulvedas fellow vocalist on Monday, Kelly Delaveris.

The daughter of the late Channel 4 sportscaster Jimmy Crum and a longtime Columbus vocalist who returned to the area in 2021 after about a decade in York, Pennsylvania, Delaveris was introduced to Brazilian music by her parents.

My mom and dad were big Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 fans, (and) they spun records on the hi-fi, said Delaveris, who began performing with the group Brasileira in 1996.

I love to sing Portuguese, she said. You make a lot of sounds in the front of your mouth. Its very different from English. English is kind of right down in the middle of your head, and Portuguese happens a lot right at the front of your mouth. I like that.

Vocalist Kelly Delaveris will join fellow singer Rachel Sepulveda in concert with Vaughn Wiester and his orchestra on Monday.

Although her singing may suggest she is fluent in Portuguese, Delaveris doesnt actually speak the language.

Sometimes, Ill know the gist of a tune or Ill know a few phrases or a few words, she said.

Wiester is full of praise for both vocalists.

About Delaveris, he said, I would say its fair to say shes the primary exponent of Brazilian music in Columbus.

And he called Sepulveda an extraordinary talent.

Back to the Future:Future & Friends to throw 'One Big Party' at Nationwide Arena on March 25

For the orchestra, too, the music is a welcome departure from their usual repertoire (which they have performed each Monday night at the Clintonville Womans Club since 2014, with the exception of a two-year pandemic pause).

The core sound of the band is 50s big band jazz, as characterized by Count Basie, Stan Kenton (and) Woody Herman, Wiester said. Were not strict with that, but thats the basic sound of the band.

For this program of Brazilian music, however, the bands 22 members will perform in a different idiom, too  one they dont get to try out except during a certain time of year.

Ive got a large library of printed music and recorded music from Brazilian artists, Wiester said. Once a year, theres an excuse to do a show, which is, of course, the week of Carnival.

tonguetteauthor2@aol.com

At a glance

Vaughn Wiesters Famous Jazz Orchestra and vocalists Kelly Delaveris and Rachel Sepulveda will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Clintonville Womans Club, 3951 N. High St. Tickets cost $15, or $10 for students (cash only at the door). For more information, visit famousjazzorchestra.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra to play Brazilian music Feb. 20
The Chicago Bulls were looking to take a center in the 1984 NBA Draft. Instead, the team settled for the best college basketball player in the United States  Michael Jordan.

We wish he were seven feet, but he isnt, Bulls general manager Rod Thorn told reporters on June 19, 1984, after taking Jordan with the No. 3 pick.

Jordans accomplishments as a player are numerous and unprecedented: Six-time NBA champion. NCAA title with North Carolina. Two-time Olympic gold medalist. Rookie of the Year. Five-time NBA MVP. Six-time NBA Finals MVP. 10-time All-NBA First Team. Nine time NBA All-Defensive First Team. Defensive Player of the Year. 14-time NBA All-Star. Three-time NBA All-Star MVP. 32,292 points during his 15-year career  the third-highest total in league history. Ten scoring titles  an NBA record and seven consecutive matching Wilt Chamberlain. Retired with the NBAs highest scoring average of 30.1 points per game. Hall of Fame inductee.

The NBA legend turns 60 years old tomorrow. Its hard to believe its been almost 25 years since Jordan last played for the Bulls and 20 years since he retired from basketball for the third time. Jordan closed the Chicago chapter of his life a while ago, Tribune columnist Paul Sullivan wrote last week. All thats really left is his steakhouse, his statue at the United Center and the memories he created on the West Side, Sullivan said.

Yet to most in Chicago, Jordan is still the greatest player of all time.

How you can support this newsletter

Become a Tribune subscriber: its just $12 for a 1 year digital subscription. Follow us on Instagram: @vintagetribune. And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AMs The Steve Cochran Show for a look at This week in Chicago history.

Thanks for reading!

 Kori Rumore, visual reporter

Chicago history | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Todays eNewspaper edition

Photo gallery: Michael Jordan through the years

From announcing he would go pro to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, see Jordans life in photos. See more photos.

Story continues

One day, God was sitting around and decided to make the perfect basketball player.

Revisit 123 key moments in Jordans incredible life and career as depicted in photos, stories, videos and pages of the Tribune. Scroll through the timeline.

June 19, 1984: With the No. 3 pick, the Bulls select Jordan

He was taken behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie in the NBA draft. Read more.

Sept. 12, 1984: Its good to be in Chicago

Jordan arrives in Chicago to sign a contract worth more than $6 million. The first No. 23 jersey Jordan was given by the Bulls recently sold for more than $81,000 during an auction. Read more.

Oct. 26, 1984: Jordan brings the fun back to the Stadium

Wearing a No. 23 Bulls jersey for the first time  in front of 13,913 fans at Chicago Stadium  Jordan scores 16 points in his NBA debut, a 109-93 victory against the Washington Bullets. Read more.

April 20, 1986: I think hes God disguised as Michael Jordan.

In Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, Jordan torches the Celtics for a postseason-record 63 points in a 135-131 double-overtime loss at Boston Garden. Jordans performance caused Celtics forward Larry Bird to call him the most awesome player in the NBA.

Two days later, however, the Bulls are eliminated from the playoffs in three games by the Celtics (The Bulls were also swept in three games by the Boston Celtics for the second straight season in 1987). Read more.

Feb. 6, 1988: Perfect 10

With hometown fans cheering in Chicago Stadium, Jordan and Dominique Wilkins go toe-to-toe in the dunk contest during All-Star Weekend. Jordan wins (for the second straight year), recording a perfect score with a slam that lifted off at the free-throw line.

The next day, Jordan earns his first MVP award in his fourth All-Star Game, scoring 40 points in the East victory. Read more.

May 7, 1989: The Shot

Jordan nails what becomes known as The Shot for a 101-100 victory over the Cavaliers in the playoffs. The hanging jumper from the foul line over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer in Game 5 clinches the first-round series for the Bulls. Read more.

June 12, 1991: High five! Bulls are champs!

In winning his first championship, Jordan scores 30 points with 10 assists and five steals as the Bulls defeat the Lakers 108-101 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Jordan cries during the locker-room celebration and receives the first of six Finals MVP awards. The team holds a victory celebration in Grant Park two days later. Read more.

June 14, 1992: Bulls still champs!

Jordan scores 33 points and wins his second championship by defeating the Blazers 97-93 in Game 6. Read more.

June 20, 1993: Three-mendous!

The Bulls win their third championship. Read more.

Aug. 3, 1993: Death changes Jordans life forever

A decomposed body is found in Gum Swamp, about 60 miles southwest of Fayetteville, N.C. Two days later, a Lexus is found near Fayetteville with the vanity license plate UNC0023 missing.

On Aug. 13, 1993, officials identify the body as that of James Jordan, Michaels father. Read more.

Oct. 6, 1993: I have reached the pinnacle of my career ... I just feel I dont have anything else to prove.

Jordan announces his retirement from basketball. Read more.

Feb. 7, 1994: The circus begins

Agrees to a minor-league contract with the White Sox. Read more.

March 18, 1995: Im back

A two-word fax announces Jordans return to the Bulls. Read more.

June 16, 1996: Ringmasters

On Fathers Day, Jordan wins his fourth NBA title with the Bulls  the first since the death of his father. Read more.

June 11, 1997: Flu Game

A vomiting, dehydrated Jordan scores 38 points, grabs seven rebounds, dishes out five assists and hits the go-ahead 3-pointer late in a series-shifting Game 5 win against the Jazz in Utah. Read more.

June 13, 1997: 5. Enough said.

Scores 39, grabs 11 boards, dishes to Steve Kerr for the game-winning jumper and then dances on the scorers table after the Bulls win their fifth NBA title. Jordan is named Finals MVP for the second straight season. Read more.

June 14, 1998: It was the toughest route, the toughest challenge, in the six championships we have won.

With the Bulls down three, Jordan records a steal and two scores in the final 37.1 seconds, including The Pose after the shot over Bryon Russell  a 17-footer (after a bit of a push-off) with 5.2 seconds to go. Jordan scores 45 points in Game 6 against the Jazz, leading the Bulls to their sixth title. Read more.

Jan. 13, 1999: I never say never, but 99.9 percent. I am very secure with my decision.

Announces his second retirement. Read more.

Sept. 11, 2009: Jerrys (Krause) not here. I dont know whod invite him. I didnt.

Takes shots  mostly good-natured ones  at everyone from Dean Smith to Jerry Reinsdorf during his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech. Read more.

An image of Jordan becoming emotional during his speech is soon turned into a Crying Jordan meme.

Holy (expletive)! Thats Michael Jordan. A behind-the-scenes look at The Last Dance

The 10-part series exploring Jordans rise and the Chicago Bulls dynasty through the lens of the 1997-98 season  became appointment viewing, launching on ESPN with eye-popping ratings and drawing instant critical acclaim.

For five consecutive Sunday nights, The Last Dance offered two hours of refuge from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a reentry into a sports landscape that was otherwise desolate. Read more.

Paul Sullivan: Why do we cling to Jordans mythical title as the greatest player of all time?

The real question, Sullivan writes, is why Chicago remains so protective of someone who no longer lives here and has long been separated from the Bulls organization he once starred for. Read more.

Jordan donates $10 million to Make-A-Wish for his 60th birthday

Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.
By the time a 6-year-old shot his teacher at a Virginia elementary school, the system had already failed him. But it is not a story unique to one child or even one state.

The unidentified child has an "acute disability," according to his family, and like 7 million other students in the U.S., he receives an education plan designed for students with disabilities, according to the family's lawyer.

Those education plans, while well-intentioned and legally binding, are often at the center of cases where U.S. schools fail to abide by them.

Media reports have highlighted worries about the Newport News childs behavior before the shooting happened, and whether disability-related educational needs were addressed. The case has resonated for many as an unthinkable example of school violence.

"Our heart goes out to our sons teacher and we pray for her healing in the aftermath of such an unimaginable tragedy as she selflessly served our son and the children in the school," the child's family said in a statement.

Across the nation, the chain of events in Newport News is a glimpse into a larger problem with special education. Teacher shortages, staff untrained in best practices, and poorly implemented special education plans can all lead to escalating violent behavior and other serious consequences in situations where educators, students and parents face ambiguous directives from school administrators and lawmakers.

The first grader in Newport News used his mothers gun to shoot Abigail Zwerner in a first grade classroom. The 25-year-old teacher is recovering from life-threatening injuries in a shooting that has drawn questions about whether fundamental changes are needed.

Repercussions of schools not serving students with disabilities are playing out in special education classrooms from Florida to California, sometimes with violent results:

 In Arizona, a mother filed a federal complaint this month, saying her daughter's needs were ignored to harmful levels. That resulted in her child becoming increasingly agitated and ultimately violent toward her teachers after repeated suspensions and lack of intervention.

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 A federal judge in Wisconsin awarded $260,000 in 2020 to a mother whose son, who has attention deficit disorder, anxiety, dyslexia and other disabilities, left public school because she claimed his high school teachers were completing assignments for him, lying about his progress and passing him in classes when he hadn't done the work.

 A class-action lawsuit filed in September against the Fairfax County School Board in Virginia, one of the largest school systems in the nation, alleges violations of the rights of disabled students. Additionally, in a separate case, the same school system announced it banned the practice of secluding students; documents obtained by American University Radio revealed hundreds of cases where children as young as 6 were restrained or put in seclusion in rooms with no windows.

Amid the cries for change comes the worry that cracking down on students with challenging behavior can disproportionately punish disabled students, experts say.

Students  who often are students with disabilities  are put on a track of essentially exclusion, says Kimberly Knackstedt, a former special education teacher and current co-director of the Disability Economic Justice Collaborative at the Century Foundation. We start to see them excluded at higher rates. Suspension, expulsion rates go up.

Such policies can particularly impact Black and students of color, who already face disproportionate rates of punishment, advocates say.

Few would advocate removing all disciplinary measures, but giving teachers tools other than suspension and expulsion is an important step, they say.

SINCE THE SHOOTING: School installs metal detectors where 6-year-old shot Virginia teacher

SCHOOL REOPENS: Students return to Richneck Elementary with increased security

What is an individualized education program?

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, first passed under a different name in 1975, guaranteed that children with disabilities have the right to what's known as a "free appropriate public education."

Students with disabilities in the pre-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act era could be denied access to public school. They were at times institutionalized in poor conditions or kept home, excluded from education altogether.

Opinion: The adults in charge failed. And a teacher was shot. By a 6-year-old child.

To accommodate the educational needs of students with disabilities  ranging from mental illnesses to intellectual disabilities to learning disabilities like dyslexia  schools have to provide individualized education program plans.

Individualized education programs are developed to meet the specific, individual needs of students who require special education services, and ensure that kids are educated in the "least restrictive environment" possible.

The lawsuit filed in Wisconsin alleged in court papers that "It is not enough that an IEP be adequately written; it must also be adequately implemented. A material failure to implement an IEP violates" the federal disabilities act.

Student who shot teacher had a history of educational needs

The 6-year-old who shot Zwerner had an individualized education program, James S. Ellenson, a lawyer representing his family, told the Associated Press.

The family said in the statement that part of his care plan involved his parents attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day, and the week of the shooting, the parents hadnt done that.

"We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives," the family said.

Both Knackstedt and Malhar Shah, staff attorney at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, said it was highly unusual that parents would be accompanying a child to class rather than that role falling to staff members provided and trained by the school district.

Michelle Price, a spokesperson for Newport News schools, said she could not disclose more details about the 6-year-old due to privacy laws protecting students, and both Ellenson and the attorney representing Zwerner, Diane Toscano, declined to comment further.

But Knackstedt said even without knowing more details, the incident speaks to larger challenges happening in special education.

Reporting from the Washington Post indicated Richneck Elementary wasn't adequately meeting the disability-related educational needs of the 6-year-old who shot his teacher. According to the Post, citing anonymous staff and messages obtained, the lead special education teacher was overloaded with cases.

The Post reported staff had previously raised concerns about the student's behavior, including that he had made threats to teachers before.

On the day of the shooting, Zwerner's attorney said the administration had been alerted multiple times the child may have had a gun, but, despite a search of his backpack that turned up nothing, did not take any further action.

SCHOOL WARNED OF WEAPON: School administrators 'could not be bothered' to heed warnings, lawyer says.

Knackstedt said something clearly went wrong at Richneck that day, but the time leading up to it is key to understanding how it happened.

If we were able to intervene earlier, if the school had done something different, we wouldn't be in this situation, said Knackstedt.

Special education strapped for resources

A shortage of special education teachers and lack of training on important behavioral needs like de-escalation and positive supports are making it harder both for teachers to do their jobs and for children with disabilities to receive the education they are entitled to, Knackstedt said.

High teacher turnover rates can also cause instability in childrens routines, which depend on consistency.

No wonder kids start to have relationship issues with their teachers, said Knackstedt, who previously directed disability policy for the Domestic Policy Council in the Biden administration. Evidence has shown relationship is the number one thing to support kids throughout the year.

'THREAT ASSESSMENTS': Protocols to stop mass school shootings are spreading. Are disabled students' right being violated?

Funding is also a huge problem, Shah said.

Despite Congress promising to fund up to 40% of the cost of special education when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed, Congress has never come close to that goal, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

The lack of resources plays out in school districts not prioritizing needed assessments and training that teachers sometimes push for, putting teachers in a really difficult position, Shah said.

These things cost money, they take time, and so a lot of the time (school districts) don't have the incentive to do them, Shah said.

OPINION: Most states fail education obligations to special needs students: So, what else is new?

Vicki Beatty, a Virginia-based advocate on behalf of parents and kids in special education, said shes seen school districts with comparatively fewer resources invest in robust behavior management while more resourced districts do very little.

She said the problem she sees most often is schools developing inadequate individualized education programs that dont address the students behavior, then expecting them to comply with codes of conduct without regard to their disabilities.

If the child looks the wrong way, theyre suspended, Beatty said.

When needs get ignored, struggling kids lash out, parents say

Children, especially those with disabilities that make regulating emotions more difficult, have escalation cycles, Knackstedt said. This is the process of a child becoming dysregulated and distressed, from the early warning signs when presented with a trigger to the escalated crisis point of their behavior to the aftermath and return to a regulated state.

If a childs individualized education program isnt being followed, the result can be disruptive behavior that isnt necessarily within their control and can't be fixed with punishment, Knackstedt said.

When they start moving through their escalation cycle, they're going to become unresponsive to requests from a teacher because in their brain they actually cannot process the requests at some point, she said.

A federal complaint filed by a mother in Gilbert, Arizona, describes a case in which she alleges her daughter's individualized education program clearly spelled out methods of intervention for her child that were not followed , resulting in escalating problems and ultimately violence.

The child, whom USA TODAY is not naming because she is a minor whose parents requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the school district, has a rare developmental disability that often includes difficulty with emotional regulation, leading to meltdowns that can turn violent toward herself or others. She has a history of other medical issues, including a congenital heart defect, breathing issues and spinal surgeries.

She was suspended from her school in Chandler Unified School District last fall for five days because she hit a teacher in the eye, breaking the teacher's glasses and drawing blood, and grabbed the face of a second adult, also breaking that persons glasses, according to her suspension report.

The 13-year-old eighth grader now never wants to go to school anymore. She feels her teachers are mean to her, and often tells her mom, "Nobody helps me. I always get into trouble."

It's a sharp contrast from the child she was in previous years, her mother said. She used to love to go to school and was social with other kids, offering hugs and wanting to please her teachers.

The difference? In the past, her education and behavior plans were being followed; now, they're not, says her mother, who provided USA TODAY with dozens of pages of documents chronicling her child's educational record and disciplinary actions against her.

A spokesperson for Chandler Unified School District, Stephanie Ingersoll, noted in a statement that special education issues are being faced by school districts across the country. Ingersoll said privacy laws prevented comment on specific students.

"Chandler Unified School District is committed to the success of all students. We employ positive behavioral interventions and provide multitiered support systems to aid every CUSD student in achieving that success," Ingersoll said.

The key for her, according to her mom, is to prevent escalation and stress and to keep her engaged in her schoolwork. Prevention is a big focus of the educational plan that her family provided to USA TODAY, which includes guidelines like using a calm voice with her, providing clear directions and expectations, and using minimal eye contact. If prevention doesnt work, the plan says adults should grant her space.

If shes escalated, the plan directs adults to: Remove your glasses, jewelry, or hair accessories immediately, for these are triggers to the behavior.

Her mom, who recently filed a complaint with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, said the suspension unfairly punished her daughter for her disability.

"She's literally being suspended because of a behavior that we already anticipated to happen and could have been prevented," her mom said.

How schools can prevent violence

To prevent violence and other disrupting behavior, schools should be working toward preventing children from escalation, and should better train teachers on de-escalation techniques.

Shah said a common problem that leads to escalation of behavior is that schools dont change their behavior plans when the interventions theyre using clearly arent working.

GABBY GIFFORDS' PERSPECTIVE: Why I'm optimistic about reducing gun violence in America

The more that you ignore disability-related behaviors, especially the ones that are destructive, the more that we're just going to go down the slippery slope of the students engaging in that more and more, Shah said.

If teachers at Richneck Elementary were raising concerns about the 6-year-old's behavior, the school should have done training for staff on topics like de-escalation and mental health; implemented a behavior intervention plan; or developed new positive behavioral strategies, Knackstedt said.

Price, the Newport News district spokesperson, did not answer questions about what preventive measures were in place.

SHOOTINGS IN US: A record number of America's kids were injured or killed by gunfire in 2022

Messages of support for teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, grace the front door of Richneck Elementary School Newport News, Va. on Jan. 9.

Looking at school discipline differently

In the wake of the shooting, parents, school staff and other community members complained that staff member concerns werent taken seriously. Some said the school district had a misguided focus on keeping kids in classrooms even when they were aggressive to maintain attendance appearances.

Shah said removal and other punitive measures arent effective solutions because behavior in an escalated state in many cases is involuntary, and the result is that students cant comprehend that the punishments are being meted out later to disincentivize them from the in-the-moment behavior.

'IT HURTS YOUR BONES': Private special ed schools can restrain kids with disabilities 1,000s of times. Parents might not know.

Joana Rigo, a day care worker in Brooklyn, Michigan, recently pulled her sixth grade son from in-person school after she said retaliation against him for his disability-related behavior got so bad, he would end up sitting in the hallway most of the day and stopped eating at school.

In an Office for Civil Rights complaint reviewed by USA TODAY, Rigo alleged the staff at Columbia Upper Elementary wasn't letting her son take the breaks from class his individualized education program afforded him when he was overwhelmed. She said a school employee once grabbed his hand to hang up a school phone he was using to try and call Rigo, another accommodation he was supposed to get to help him cope. When he tried to self-advocate, he was labeled "disrespectful," she said.

Pamela Campbell, Columbia School District superintendent, said in a statement to USA TODAY that the district denies Rigo's allegations and is cooperating with an investigation into her complaint, but declined to comment further, citing privacy laws.

"The Columbia School District does not discriminate against students with disabilities and strives to provide a free appropriate public education to all eligible students as required by federal and state law," Campbell said.

"What they are doing is wrong," Rigo said through tears. "They are damaging the self-esteem and the mental wellness of a child who has not done wrong but is being blamed as a troublemaker."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6-year-old who shot teacher exposes failures in U.S. school disability plans
By Manya Saini

(Reuters) -Visa said on Thursday its chief financial officer, Vasant Prabhu, will leave the company on Sept. 30, after eight years as one of the top executives at the payments giant.

Shares in Visa, which have gained about 9% so far this year, were down marginally in extended trading after the announcement.

The leadership change comes at a time when Visa is grappling with revenue growth winding back to pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter as the post-lockdown travel craze ebbed and consumer spending slowed.

In November, the world's largest payments processor had also named its president, Ryan McInerney, as its new chief executive officer to steer the company through a challenging period for the payments industry as consumers tighten their spending.

"The transition is very smooth and this is normal that a CFO that worked with a CEO for many years is not staying for the new leadership," Dan Dolev, Managing Director, Mizuho Securities USA told Reuters.

"Either way, the fundamentals are a much more important driver of the stock in this case, and management changes are unlikely to affect them."

Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri told Reuters that under Prabhu, the company built a large Value Added Services (VAS) segment, expanded into new payment flows and successfully navigated an evolving regulatory environment.

Prabhu, who joined the company in 2015, will assist the company with the search for his replacement. He will also be stepping down from his role as the vice-chair of Visa.

"Prabhu has been a vital element of Visa's success story over the past eight years and his departure will be a loss for the company," KBW analysts wrote in a note, adding the payments processor should have no dearth of candidates to succeed Prabhu.

(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
A Ukrainian serviceman of the 80th Air Assault Brigade carries a shell to load into an M119 Howitzer artillery weapon to be fired towards Russian troops

Another day, and yet more worrying news from the frontline: Ukrainian troops are firing as many as 6,000 artillery shells a day to try and beat back Russias new offensive. It is an expenditure rate the West is struggling to feed; so high that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that Ukraines forces could run out of ammunition unless they use it more sparingly. His comments remind us of an essential truth: that brute force and, critically, the ability to sustain and replenish it over an extended period, is historically what wins wars in the end.

This rule counters the orthodox interpretation of this war so far. For many, Ukraines early success against apparently overwhelming Russian force suggested that high-tech weaponry  and nimbleness in strategy and deployment  were enough to defeat larger forces. It also vindicated the British military consensus that we should invest in cyber, computers, unmanned vehicles, and ranger units to train, advise and mentor allies rather than in combat infantrymen, heavy armour and other conventional weapons  sometimes disparagingly referred to as legacy capabilities.

But that is not what the war has shown us at all. Indeed, it would be disastrous if Vladimir Putins failures fooled the West into thinking that hard military power is a thing of the past. His forces have struggled not because they have relied on the massive use of tanks, armoured vehicles, and troops against a nimbler opponent, but because those capabilities have not been deployed effectively.

And on the Ukrainian side, yes, cyber and drones have played a role, with electronic intelligence and airborne surveillance also pivotal. But the true game-changers have been the heavy, punchier weapons provided by the US, such as HIMARS, which have been particularly devastating against Russian logistics bases, starving front line forces of vital combat supplies. Likewise, tanks and armoured infantry fighting vehicles have shown their persistent combat utility, which is why they are at the top of Zelenskys list for military aid.

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But as in all major 20th century conflicts, it is artillery that has been the greatest life-taker on both sides in Ukraine. Not for nothing is it nicknamed the King of Battle.

All this underlines the foolishness of the current British defence strategy. It is not enough to invest in small amounts of high-tech weaponry which, at the expense of conventional combat power, was the emphasis of our recent defence review. Britain needs to focus also on the heavy metal of hard ground combat forces. It remains shocking that heavy machines are afforded such low priority that we are down to fewer than 200 tanks  to be reduced to 148  and Warrior, our only armoured infantry fighting vehicle, is being phased out without obvious replacement.

Equally shocking is the lack of investment in artillery. Some have suggested that, faced with a conflict like Ukraine, the British Army would run out of ammunition in a matter of days. That is because, under budgetary pressures, we do not have anything like adequate stocks of ammunition.

Thankfully, Wallace  a true military man  seems to recognise this, and is reportedly asking for a 11 billion increase in the defence budget. But we need more than just money; we need a shift in mindset. It was embarrassing enough that, at the end of the Cold War, we had to cannibalise three armoured divisions to send just one small division to fight in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. But what is worse is that we couldnt do anything like that today.

In Afghanistan, with equipment shortages everywhere, no attempt was made to put the defence industry on a war footing, and armoured vehicles were manufactured with all the urgency of a family saloon, at the cost of British soldiers lives. We see this same failure to bite the bullet in the debate on replenishing Ukrainian ammunition stocks, which should have been dealt with many months ago when it became obvious this was going to be a long war.

Every day, Russian guns are blasting out three times as many shells as Ukraines, but Moscows defence industry is on a war footing, with production ramping up and no sign of ammunition shortages. The current arms race between Russia and the West, which we are losing, should serve as a dire warning over the state of our own national defences.

Colonel Richard Kemp is a former infantry commander

Richard Kemp will soon feature on the Telegraph's daily 'Ukraine: The Latest' podcast. With over 22 million downloads, it is your go-to source for live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. You can listen here
Teachers from all over the world may soon be filling spots in Volusia County classrooms.

Volusia County Schools are looking to hire more than two dozen international teachers. They are part of a program called TPG that places international educators in schools to help with staffing.

The district approved the nearly $2 million agreement Tuesday night.

The teachers union said it had filled the spots, but it would not help with retention in the long run.

District leaders said that with so many open spots, this is a good step.

Read: Gov. Ron DeSantis threatens to end AP programs in Florida schools

David Voss of Voss and Associates said an independent third-party checks credentials, diplomas, education, references and experiences before certifying them to meet Floridas criteria.

The Department of Education recognizes this third party as authentic.

Contracts through the TPG program are a three to five-year agreement, which the teachers union said is a problematic timeframe.

Read: Volusia County teacher accused of inappropriate contact was exonerated from previous accusations

How do we build those sustainable long-term relationships that actually help us achieve the goals we have for our students? said Elizabeth Albert from Volusia United Educators.

Albert said the nearly $2 million spent to bring these teachers to Florida schools could be better used.

Our children are not experiments, she said. We cant risk providing anything less than less than the highest quality education.

Read: Volusia County teacher, gym coach suspended after accusations of sexual relationship with student

A cost estimate sheet shows the district would save $1,600 per year by employing an international teacher over a local teacher.

The international teacher would be paid the same salary and get health insurance but would not receive retirement benefits.

Theres no additional cost to taxpayers, Voss said. Were not replacing teachers.

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.
(Getty Images)

Alun Wyn Jones says the possibility of player strike action is hard to deny as Welsh rugby finds itself gripped by a professional contracts freeze.

But Jones, Wales record cap holder with 156 appearances, has also stressed that it would be the very last option.

Wales play fierce Guinness Six Nations rivals England in Cardiff on Saturday week against a back-drop of recruitment being on hold and next seasons playing budgets not yet being finalised for the four professional regions of Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets.

A new financial agreement between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union has still to be confirmed in writing, sparking concern that a sizeable number of players whose contracts expire at the end of this season will head away from Wales, with a huge sense of uncertainty currently engulfing them and their families.

While Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he would not support his players if they decided to strike, he added: I completely support the stance that they are taking in terms of wanting to get some resolution of the issues that they have.

I am supportive of the players and the things that they are trying to do, and my role is just to prepare the team for next week.

The New Zealanders comments came after the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) said players have had enough amid the ongoing contract situation.

The Wales players, meanwhile, have made a squad decision to pause filming with Netflix, who are making a documentary on this seasons Six Nations. Jones asked for Netflix to not film him arriving for a press conference alongside Gatland on Thursday, with their camera crew then leaving the room before it started.

And asked about reports that the squad left a sponsors dinner early on Wednesday night, Jones said: We went for the dinner and were present to show face and thank all the sponsors. We went there, thanked the sponsors.

Negotiations on the future of the professional game in Wales are handled by the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which comprises representatives from each of the regions, acting WRU chief executive Nigel Walker, WRU finance director Tim Moss and two independent members, including chair Malcolm Wall.

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Walker met with senior members of the Wales squad on Wednesday to further clarify the current position.

Asked if strike action was a possibility, former Wales captain Jones said: I suppose it is. It is hard to deny, but it is the very last option.

There are people who are really impassioned. Ultimately, if you treat people badly for long enough, you get to where we find ourselves.

Everyone wants to play the (England) game. Selected or not, I want to get back to the job.

Its about protecting the game to ensure it goes well for generations to come. We have to sort this out now. We cant go back into this cycle of uncertainty.

We are well aware there are rebalances that need to be made financially, but again, it comes down to players being boxed in with their options in terms of the 60-cap rule (international selection policy for players plying their trade outside of Wales) and the contractual obligations.

WRU commenthttps://t.co/ic1IqNcGHZ  Welsh Rugby Union  (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 15, 2023

It is ultimately in motion now, because dialogue has been had and as players weve voiced our concerns.

You dont want to see guys in their early 20s not knowing where their career is going to go. They are curtailed at the minute with some of the conditions and the unilateral decisions made without negotiation.

It is disappointing that we are 20 years into regional rugby and its the same things that have come around again.

We are fortunate that we are all involved in a sport and a job we love. To fathom the fact we might not do that because of the severity of the situation is very real, but its the last thing we want to do.

I can tell you every player wants to play rugby, but we cant be under the guillotine and be used in the emotive side of things when ultimately this is a career and a job.

Gatland said he is confident that next weeks encounter against England will go ahead, while also underlining his backing for the players.

I am a complete supporter of the players in terms of the WRPA, which to me in my time here has been incredibly weak as an organisation, he said.

I have stressed on a number of occasions to the players that they need to be stronger, they need to have more voice.

The players have been great in the last few days. They have got a separate issue they want sorted, but when it has come to the rugby they have been fantastic the way they have prepared.

PRB chair Malcolm Wall, meanwhile, said on Wednesday that the WRU and clubs have been paying salaries that their businesses cannot afford.

But Gatland added: It is a little disingenuous to say the players are being paid too much. I dont see how its a fault of theirs.

The bottom line is that we have been overspending in Wales for a number of years and some of the regions are in financial difficulty.
By Uday Sampath Kumar and Siddharth Cavale

(Reuters) - Walmart Inc's results on Tuesday will provide Wall Street with new details on what items American shoppers are buying as rising grocery prices squeeze their wallets.

The world's biggest retailer with more than 5,000 U.S. stores is expected to post a roughly $7 billion rise in sales for the fourth-quarter ended Jan. 31, up 4.5%. Higher-income shoppers in recent months have been drawn to its "Everyday Low Price" strategy.

That's slightly less than the 5.5% expected fourth-quarter sales gain at supermarket chain Kroger Co. Target Corp's holiday-quarter sales, by contrast, are expected to fall nearly 1%, hurt by heavy discounts to clear inventory of discretionary items such as clothing, home furnishings and electronics.

(INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC-Walmart's sales expected to outpace rivals in 2023 https://www.reuters.com/graphics/WALMART-RESULTS/byprlkgmdpe/index.html)

Wall Street is now more focused on how Walmart, which operates more than 5,000 U.S. stores, plans to fight back against supplier price hikes to maintain its dominant position as America's largest grocery retailer. The chain accounted for 15.72% of all food and grocery spending in the United States in 2022, according to GlobalData.

"The key will be anything the retailer says about price investments," UBS analysts wrote in a pre-earnings note.

"There's a good chance that the company will say that it is bringing down some prices on general merchandise given the state of the consumer and the decline in certain costs like shipping."

Aside from price-cuts and discounts, Walmart is also expected to use its private-label offerings to negotiate pricing with more expensive national brands. Grocery accounts for more than half of U.S. sales at Walmart as of 2021.

In December, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said "we do not like" that some suppliers were hinting at raising prices further in 2023. He warned that Walmart would allocate space to private and tertiary brands if prices got too high.

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Negotiations will likely be difficult as a number of Walmart's biggest suppliers, including Nestle, Coca-Cola Co, Procter & Gamble and Unilever, which disclosed in recent weeks that they plan to embed more price hikes this year. KitKat maker Nestle on Thursday said further price hikes were necessary to offset commodity costs.

Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo, in contrast, plan to pause further price hikes to counteract declining volumes, but their prices are still substantially elevated compared to a year earlier.

Still, Wall Street expects Walmart sales and revenue to rise in 2023 as its shipping and logistics costs moderate, even as labor expenses go up.

(Reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru and Siddharth Cavale in New York; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
By Andrew Gray, John Irish and Sabine Siebold

MUNICH (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday urged allies to speed up sending weapons to defeat the Russian invasion, telling global leaders assembled in Munich that dithering and delays also threatened their security.

His message at the start of a conference heavily focused on Europe's transformed security landscape after the Russian invasion of almost a year ago, won immediate endorsement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Both leaders, who critics have accused of eqivocating over their countries' response to the war, pledged commitment to military support for Ukraine, and said long-term backing for Kyiv's cause was the only way to get Moscow to back down.

Zelenskiy, comparing the war in Ukraine to a David-against-Goliath struggle for freedom, said Russia was wreaking destruction and plotting to "strangle" Ukraine's neighbour Moldova while Western leaders dragged their feet.

He said it was "obvious" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had set his sights on other former Soviet countries.

"Determination is never abstract. David defeated Goliath not by the power of conversation, but by the power of his actions," said Zelenskiy, referencing the Biblical tale in which a boy, armed with only a sling, beat a giant soldier.

"Delay has always been and still is a mistake," Zelenskiy told the conference, where hundreds of politicians, military officers and diplomats have gathered. "Goliath must lose" for the world to be safe, he added.

Zelenskiy's appearance at the same event in 2022 just days before the war broke out. As on previous occasions, he mixed gratitude for Western help with pointed comments that such assistance should have come sooner.

In particular, Ukraine is asking for fighter jets and advanced battle tanks.

The conference has reignited long-running debates over how much Europe should build up its own military capacity, how much it should rely on the United States, and how much governments should spend on defence.

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UNITED FRONT

But with a Russian spring offensive expected, Europe's two main leaders sought to show a united front.

"The time is not for dialogue with Russia," Macron said, adding that Russia's invasion "had to fail."

Macron has drawn criticism among some NATO allies for delivering mixed messages regarding the war, with some considering his government a weak link in the Western pro-Ukraine alliance.

For now, he said, he would be doubling down on French support for Kyiv.

"We absolutely need to intensify our support and our effort to the resistance of the Ukrainian people and its army and help them to launch a counter-offensive which alone can allow credible negotiations, determined by Ukraine, its authorities and its people," he said.

Scholz, whose own government has faced criticism over slow weapons deliveries to Ukraine, urged other European countries to speed up sending tanks to Kyiv after Germany committed to ship its Leopard 2 armoured vehicles.

He said it made sense to prepare for a long war and let Putin know he would be miscalculating if he thought Ukraine's Western allies would grow weary.

As Russian troops massed on Ukraine's borders last year, Western leaders in Munich had urged Putin not to invade and warned of dire consequences if he did so, while Zelenskiy criticised what he saw as appeasement.

This year, leaders are grappling with the profound consequences of Putin's decision to unleash the most devastating war in Europe since World War Two.

"NATO allies and partners... will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," the Atlantic alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the conference. "We will not allow President Putin to win this war, it (would) be a tragedy for Ukraine but also dangerous for us."

The conference has at times served as a barometer of relations between Russia and the West, most notably in 2007 when Putin criticised the United States in a speech now widely seen as a harbinger of a far harsher stance against liberal democracies.

This year, Russian leaders are absent, with conference organisers saying Putin had "broken with civilisation".

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, Max Hunder, Andreas Rinke, Sabine Siebold, Sarah Marsh and Maria Sheahan; Writing by Andrew Gray and Matthias Williams; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Tomasz Janowski, John Stonestreet)
Mr Soros urged governments to use so-called cloud-seeding technology - AP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta

Scientists must take control of the weather to fight climate change, billionaire philanthropist George Soros has said as he warned that inaction threatens to destroy humanity.

Mr Soros urged governments to use so-called cloud-seeding technology to cover the Arctic and prevent the vast Greenland ice sheet from melting.

He warned that a failure to act risks rendering "large parts of the world... practically unlivable".

The financier, dubbed the man who broke the Bank of England because of his bets against the pound in the early 1990s, said mitigation and adaptation strategies to fight climate change were not enough to reverse it.

Instead, he recommended "creating white clouds high above the earth" to recreate a natural phenomenon that could keep the Arctic cool and prevent irreparable damage to the ice caps.

Mr Soros said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that this would prevent ice in Greenland from melting, which he warned would increase sea levels by seven metres. He added: "That poses a threat to the survival of our civilisation."

Recreating what scientists call the "Albedo effect", where snow, ice and other light-coloured surfaces reflect the rays of the sun back into the atmosphere and help keep it cool, would "help restabilise the Arctic which governs the entire global climate system," Mr Soros said.

Mr Soros endorsed the work of Sir David King, a former UK chief scientific adviser, who has done work on this technology. He said: "The message is clear: human interference has destroyed a previously stable system and human ingenuity, both local and international, will be needed to restore it," said Mr Soros.

Allowing global warming to continue would "take us past several tipping points such as the melting of the Arctic permafrost" and trigger large-scale migration from countries too hot to live in, Mr Soros claimed.

He said: "Once that happens, the amount of money needed to re-stabilise or repair the climate system grows exponentially.

"Our civilisation is in danger of collapsing because of the inexorable advance of climate change."

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Ukraine would have "a narrow window of opportunity later this spring" to counterattack Russia, added Mr Soros - REUTERS/Marko Djurica

In a wide-ranging speech that addressed the importance of open society, Mr Soros also said that Ukraine would have "a narrow window of opportunity later this spring" when it receives weapons from the US and other allies "to mount a counterattack which would determine the fate of the Russian invasion".

He said a Ukrainian victory "would result in the dissolution of the Russian empire. Russia would no longer pose a threat to Europe and the world".

Mr Soros censured other presidents including China's Xi Jinping and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan for associating themselves with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He warned that rebellion was already underway in China following its disastrous zero-Covid policies that Mr Soros said had unleashed "armageddon" when restrictions were lifted without a proper vaccination drive.

He said: "China may be already undergoing a revolution.

"Most of Xi Jinpings problems are self-inflicted. He started mismanaging the economy right from the beginning of his rule when he went out of his way to undo Deng Xiaopings reformist achievements.

"Xis Zero Covid policy was his biggest blunder. It imposed enormous hardship on the population and brought them to the verge of open rebellion.

"Then, in response to popular pressure, Xi suddenly abandoned the policy without putting anything else in its place. The result was Armageddon."

Mr Soros said he was convinced that Xi would leave office before he dies instead of becoming a lifelong ruler, adding: "While he is in office, China will not become the dominant military and political force that Xi is aiming for."

Mr Soros also said he hoped Florida governor Ron DeSantis secured the Republican presidential nomination ahead of the 2024 election.

He predicted that this would "induce [former US president Donald] Trump, whose narcissism has turned into a disease, to run as a third-party candidate. This would lead to a Democratic landslide and force the Republican party to reform itself".
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Delta pilots Brent and Kelly Knoblauch piloted their first flight together in January through a winter storm. Courtesy of Brent and Kelly Knoblauch

Delta pilots Brent and Kelly Knoblauch first met as interns in 2010. Now, they're married with two kids.

They said communication and flexibility is the key to both a successful flight and relationship.

Here are their top 10 travel tips for couples, as told by Insider reporter Hannah Towey.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with ATL-based 737 Captain and First Officer Brent and Kelly Knoblauch, who are both commercial pilots at Delta Air Lines. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Kelly: Brent and I first met in 2010, when I was still in college at the University of North Dakota. I got this call from Delta and was able to interview for a flight operations internship and ended up getting it, which totally blew me away. So I went down to Atlanta for the summer internship and on my first day walking to my cubicle  there's Brent.

Brent: I graduated a year prior from Jacksonville University in 2008. I was a Delta intern in 2008 came back to help with our triple seven pilot group and do a sleep and fatigue study, of all things. So that's what I was doing during the summer we met. With those internships, it's a lot of fun. We get to do a lot of stuff to support our flight operations team but then also in your off time, if a seat is available, you can travel. So we spent that summer kind of traveling the world together.

Kelly: It was a group of four of us interns at the time and we would just go anywhere we could find open seats. We would hit these random cities and then eat and sleep on the airplane on the way back and be back to work by 8 a.m. on Monday. So that was kind of how our relationship first developed.

Brent: It's been fun because ever since that point, we've really kind of been stepping together along our different career paths. I went to ExpressJet and then a year later, Kelly flew for ExpressJet, and we were flying regional jets. Then in 2014, I was hired at Delta. And then I think almost a year to the day, Kelly was also hired as a pilot back at Delta.

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Brent and Kelly both flew regional planes at ExpressJet before landing back at Delta.

Brent and Kelly both flew regional planes at ExpressJet before landing back at Delta.Courtesy of Brent and Kelly Knoblauch

Kelly: I became an airline pilot just over 10 years ago and been on the 737 at Delta since 2015. I grew up on a farm kind of watching crop dusters, and I have six brothers and sisters  so I always did my best to be the most interesting.

Brent: I grew up in upstate New York, kind of in the Finger Lakes region. My mother was the director of the tourism bureau for our county. So we would do a lot of traveling to tourism conferences across the country as a kid. I took my first flight lesson in 2003. That summer, when I turned 16, I soloed an airplane for the first time, a little Cessna 150. My dad literally had to drive me to the airport because I didn't have a permit or a driver's license or anything  so I got to solo an airplane before I ever got to even drive a car.

Kelly: It's funny just how different our starts were, you know me on this farm and way up in Northern Minnesota. I had never been on an airplane at all before I went to flight school  so my first time flying was my first lesson. Growing up on the farm, I always wanted to drive things, I always wanted to be the one who got into the combine and got to harvest the wheat and I had this tractor to drive around. For a career, I knew I wanted something where I could be out and about and not sitting in an office somewhere, so I landed on aviation.

Brent: I've helped out with our propel pilot career path program, I'm a pilot recruiter actually, and this is an extremely exciting time in our industry. If you have that interest or passion, go take a discovery flight. Go to your local airport, get in a little plane and see if you like it. There are so many opportunities out there in this industry.

We're very reliant on childcare, but we actually get more time with our kids than a regular 9-to-5 would allow

Brent and Kelly have two sons, a six and a four-year-old. They take curbside selfies during airport "handoffs." Courtesy of Brent and Kelly Knoblauch

Kelly: We have two little boys. They're six and four. People ask me specifically, probably more than Brent, like, "who raises your kids?" But I think we actually have more free time and more flexibility in this job than most people have been a regular nine-to-five.

Obviously we're very, very reliant on our childcare. I was lucky enough to talk my niece into moving in with us recently so now we kind of have a live-in nanny situation. We also have an extremely comical series of photos where Brent will drive up to the airport with the kids in the car, and we'll basically do a curbside high five, I'll jump in the car and run back home, and he'll go back to work.

Brent: It's always been a partnership with equal roles and responsibilities. The key to any successful relationship and also by the way, any successful flight, is communication. Being able to see what you're seeing, what you're hearing, what you're suspecting, and just being open about that. I think that's something that we've learned on the job that has also benefited us so much personally.

Kelly: It's crazy how some of that training that we get in the flight deck really carries over into our personal life  sometimes in good ways, sometimes in bad ways.

What's really cool is that I think we probably talk shop to each other a little more than most people. The pilot career and lifestyle is so different from most people's that when you try to communicate how it actually is, sometimes it's hard for other people to understand. But, we're able to bond over that in a way.

We piloted our first flight together in January during a massive Winter storm

Delta Airlines Boeing 737-900ER, the plane both Brent and Kelly fly. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Brent: We actually just flew a plane together for the first time in January.

Kelly: That was the first time our careers finally aligned because Brian upgraded to Captain last February and after that, I went to the training department to work as an instructor. So I ended up back on the line in January and Brent was looking at the same trip as me  so we flew the three-day trip together.

We started off down Panama City and up to Hartford, Connecticut and then back to Atlanta. With the two little guys, it felt like the first time we were able to have an uninterrupted conversation in years. It was funny because we got into the airplane and you just snap into it and it was like flying with any normal Captain.

Brent: Besides just flying together, the trip will be memorable because there was a big old storm that went up the East Coast. We were one of the planes that unfortunately had bad weather sitting over the airport and we couldn't land. We had an unplanned stop in Charleston to get gas, but everything worked out.

Kelly: It actually went really well. And I was like, well we do hard things together all the time. Like, you never know when you're going to have a kid sick in the middle of the night and you just go and deal with it.

Every couple has their own travel style, and you learn to play into each other's strengths

Brent and Kelly in San Francisco during their summer internship in 2010, taking a selfie for their "Kodak challenge." Courtesy of Brent and Kelly Knoblauch

Kelly: When we're traveling together, we have this yin-yang thing to be honest. Brent in general is more of a planner and more methodical.

Brent: The first thing I do when I get to a hotel, at least when I'm traveling for work, I set a timeline for when I'm leaving this hotel and I immediately get myself ready for the next day. That's my organization style.

Kelly: Even when we're planning personal trips, Brent is the one planning itineraries and making dinner reservations and I just show up. So it's fun, he's able to figure out the overall structure.

Brent: But when you're traveling, you also have to be spontaneous. And I can always count on Kelly to bring that energy and it kind of breathes new life into the whole trip.

Kelly: One of the main things that we do every time we travel is pack for flexibility because you never know what could happen. If we can manage to, we love to just travel with carry-ons, and if you can't manage carry-ons, at least have something that gets you through at night in your bag at all times.

Brent: When you travel a lot, you learn to be very flexible and over-communicate. The other thing about being a pilot is always knowing what your other solutions are and always having a backup plan.

Kelly: The other thing too that I think passengers should have is a mental mindset that hey, everybody here wants to get this done. The pilots want to get there, the flight attendants want to get there, the gate agents definitely want us out of there. So if something's not going to plan, it's not because they're not trying hard enough.

These are our top 10 travel tips and hacks for couples

A couple walks hand in hand past the harbour in Hydra, a Greek island. Angelos Tzortzinis/picture alliance via Getty Images

Be spontaneous: Don't plan out your entire trip and see where it can take you. Being spontaneous has been a fun way to bond and figure it out together. Always understanding that the journey is just as important as the destination. Always pack snacks: Staying fueled helps you avoid any added travel tension. Learn each other's travel style and play to each other's strengths: Every couple travels in different ways. Brent is very much the planner and does all the research for the trip, where Kelly adds spontaneity and fun by showing up just ready to go at the airport. Your time on vacation is just as valuable as your money: Whether it is obsessing over finding the "right" souvenir for everyone at home or queuing for that perfect Instagram photo  you planned, waited and saved for this trip  spend your moments wisely. Get off the beaten path: When it comes to where you stay, what you do, and how you eat. Although it is always worthwhile to see the major attractions of a given destination, our most lasting travel memories are usually the more authentic, local, cultural experiences. Remember everything you pack you must carry: Nobody wants to be the person getting off the airplane with an unmanageable load of stuff  don't overpack! Pack a portable sound machine that can help mask the thinnest walls and the inevitable late night emergency vehicle/junior high cheerleading competition in your hotel. Create a fun Kodak Photo Challenge: On most vacations we have our own Kodak photo challenge. We buy a single use camera for a given trip. Sometimes the limited number of shots help you to slow down and really appreciate each moment. Plus, the printouts are usually epic. Brent's top hack is to create a note that lists everything you may have in your wallet: Just in case it gets misplaced. We also carry a photocopy of each other's passports and leave non-essentials at home. Kelly's top hack is to pack a night-stand kit: Streamline your night-time routine by creating a kit with your ChapStick, phone charger, hand cream, etc. to make your time away feel a little more like home.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WEST BRIDGEWATER  A Plymouth County Superior Court jury found a West Bridgewater man guilty of murder in the 2017 bludgeoning of a 72-year-old West Bridgewater woman, District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said Tuesday.

After a 12-day trial, Danny J. Lopes Jr., 39, was found guilty of one count of first degree murder under premeditation and extreme cruelty in the death of his father's longtime girlfriend, Julia Fernandes, who was beaten to death with a fireplace log, the DA's office said.

Lopes was also convicted of one count of intimidation of a witness for sending a threatening letter from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility to a witness who testified before the grand jury.

The jury deliberated for two-and-a-half hours before coming to their decision.

What happened?

On Aug. 27, 2017, just before 6 p.m., West Bridgewater Police received information that an elderly woman had been murdered in a home at 93 Columbus Ave., the district attorney's office said in a written statement.

Upon arrival at that address, police located the victim, Julia Fernandes, 72, who was pronounced dead on scene by emergency medical personnel.

About 12 hours into the West Bridgewater Police's investigation into the homicide, police arrested Lopes, who at the time was 34 years old and was the son of her late longtime boyfriend, and charged him with the murder, The Enterprise reported.

The medical examiner determined Fernandes experienced "blunt force head trauma," due to Lopes bludgeoning her to death with a fireplace log.

'It's like she never mattered'Brockton daughter is looking for answers in mother's murder

Victim remembered as a kind, friendly person

A close family friend told The Enterprise in 2017 that the victim belonged to a tight-knit Brockton-based family, and spent much of her time at her sisters house in Brockton.

I met her on many occasions, said Jose DeAndrade of Brockton. She was a very, very nice lady.

Julia Fernandes, 72, was killed in her West Bridgewater home. The son of her late longtime boyfriend, Danny J. Lopes Jr., was convicted of her murder.

Neighbors within the quiet Columbus Avenue neighborhood in West Bridgewater told The Enterprise in 2017 they were shocked to hear of Fernandes' violent death.

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Though the elderly Cape Verdean woman did not speak fluent English and tended to keep to herself, neighbors said she went out of her way to be friendly in passing.

Lopes is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1 in Plymouth Superior Court.

Staff writer Namu Sampath can be reached at nsampath@enterprisenews.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @namusampath. Thank you, subscribers. You make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Brockton Enterprise.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: West Bridgewater Julia Fernandes murder: Danny J. Lopes Jr. convicted
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division estimates 101,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed after lightning struck next to a West Seattle pump station on Tuesday.

The pump shut off two separate times due to power interruptions caused by the lightning.

The alarm went off just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, and KWTD responded but then it happened again. Pumps were off for 11 minutes the first time and 12 minutes the next time.

A backup generator did not kick in since the lightning did not cause a full power outage.

Seattle and King County were fined by the Department of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January for violating conditions of their state water quality permits that regulate sewer overflows.

Beaches between Lincoln Park and the ferry dock were also closed.




Cannabis-infused foods are taking over the restaurant world, from THC cocktails to pizza-and-a-joint specials. (Photos: Getty Images/Illustration: Rui Pu/Animation: Joseph Riccobono)

It wasn't all that long ago that law-abiding citizens couldn't imagine openly consuming marijuana without fear of arrest. But, thanks to a wave of states legalizing cannabis, it's now possible to use the drug publicly in many parts of the country. These new developments leave many weed enthusiasts asking if new cannabis laws will change whether or not THC is used at restaurants and bars.

Gone are the days when cannabis aficionados spent their time smoking in musty basements: In some states, cannabis can be consumed as freely as alcohol in restaurants. In others, it's legal to host private parties where cannabis is served. Often, this public consumption involves the use of infused food and drinks.

The legal landscape regarding where cannabis can be consumed in public is complex. Currently, only 10 states permit public social consumption. Those who wish to host parties with marijuana present outside of their homes sometimes get around this prohibition by hosting private parties in restaurants or hotels, but where do these ever-changing laws leave bar and restaurant owners?

Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and board member of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, explains because legal social consumption is a "paradigm shift" for both law enforcement and those who use cannabis, state and local governments are still figuring out a good balance. "Some [states and municipalities] welcome the culture, jobs and tax revenue," he says. "Others are still not comfortable with this yet."

Grinspoon thinks there are compelling reasons to allow public social consumption. "[Cannabis] presents a less toxic and more helpful  alternative to alcohol," he says. "All things being equal, using cannabis is significantly safer than using alcohol."

Grinspoon adds that for those who use cannabis for medical purposes, "there truly isn't a reason to make them go without their  meds" whenever they leave home. Cannabis "has a lot of positives in terms of helping with relaxation, connecting with people and enjoying food," Grinspoon adds. "Historically in this country, the only choice in terms of intoxicants has been alcohol, but now that many people are living in states where cannabis is legal, they have more of a choice."

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Chefs and restaurants are exploring what widespread legalization of cannabis means for their businesses. Some serve infused foods in their dining areas, others offer promotions like "pizza-and-a-joint" to-go specials and others host private events where invited guests can consume infused foods.

Food served on the patio of the Artist Tree's consumption lounge. (Photo: The Artist Tree)

The Artist Tree dispensary in West Hollywood, Calif. has a consumption lounge where patrons can consume infused food and drinks purchased on-site. Co-founder Lauren Fontein has worked in the cannabis industry for years and saw "a need for public consumption spaces." Once consumption lounges were legalized in California, she and her co-founder "jumped at the chance" to open one.

"The reception has been amazing," says Fontein. "Visitors are grateful to finally have a comfortable, yet upscale place to consume in public."

The Artist Tree boasts "an extensive menu of infused cannabis foods and beverages  including tea and coffee, macarons and infused chocolate spreads and honey that can be added to non-infused food items," says Fontein. All of the infused items served at the lounge have much lower dosages than typical retail products.

"We provide individualized guidance to each guest based on their level of cannabis experience and encourage newbies to start with one of our great low-dose beverage options," explains Fontein.

Because California law prevents cannabis businesses from selling non-cannabis products, the Artist Tree partners with local restaurants to provide non-infused food and drinks to their customers as well. The restaurants deliver plated dishes to the lounge. Fontein describes the lounge's clientele as "eclectic and diverse" and says "everyone in the community has been extremely supportive" of their business.

Brianna Banks and her husband, Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, founded Wake-N-Bakery in Chicago, Ill. after Banks discovered drinking infused coffee was a better alternative to manage severe pain from a running injury than the strong narcotics her doctor originally prescribed. She says they wanted to reach "more people who were excited to have a natural, hemp-driven alternative."

Wake-N-Bakery offers a range of infused dosages and products "for those who can only handle little, to those who want to see Elvis," Banks says. She elaborates that the bakery's infused food gets patrons "zooted," which is a term for a "happy high." The menu includes items like infused dark cherry cupcakes, mocha lattes and the "world's best pistachio latte," according to Banks. She adds that Wake-N-Bakery's menu items have "minimal-to-zero taste of cannabinoids."

"People enjoy the taste of the items along with the effects," she says.

In San Francisco, Calif. social consumption laws prevent Tony's Pizza Napoletana from obtaining a social consumption license and serving cannabis on-site. Instead, chef Tony Gemignani teamed up with two other local businesses to create the "Up in Smoke Pipeline Pizza." When a customer orders the special pie, they get their pizza in a distinctive box designed by a local artist, then head to nearby dispensary North Beach Pipeline to pick up a joint.

Gemignani created a new pizza exclusively for the special, then got together with Jesse Henry, the chief executive officer of the dispensary. The duo tried "about eight samples of different strains and just did a trial and error," says Henry, adding that the pairing they came up with "fits best with the flavors of the pizza."

"The smokiness of the mozzarella in the pizza goes great with the earthy terpenes (naturally-occurring compounds in female cannabis plants) of the Mother's Milk strain in the joint," Henry shares.

Another benefit of the specific strain used for the pizza and cannabis combo is that "it's a nice sativa-leaning hybrid, which is perfect either before or after eating the pizza," says Henry, adding that the strain isn't "too strong," making it appropriate for everyone, including newer cannabis users.

Alexis Isaacs, another board member of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, attended a private cannabis dinner party in New York, N.Y. where Netflix chef Jordan Andino served a mix of infused and non-infused dishes. Issacs was initially nervous she'd get "too high" from the experience, but was reassured when Andino told guests the infused dishes contained "very low" amounts of THC. For those who wanted to increase their high they "could use the sauces ... [that] were also infused with THC," Isaacs explains.

A THC-infused oxtail and rice dish created by chef Jordan Andino. (Photo: Alexis Isaacs)

Isaacs says she could not taste cannabis in the infused foods. "The food was extremely flavorful," she recalls. "It was a mix between Filipino and Jamaican cuisine. You could not taste the THC at all."

Her favorite infused dish was oxtail and rice. And, Isaacs says she quickly figured out how to moderate her high. "I just made sure I ate a good balance of both [infused and non-infused foods]," she says. "And when I started to feel high, I stopped eating and started to drink more water."

Isaacs didn't know many people at the dinner and says "because everyone was high, it made connecting much easier."

"It's amazing how friendly people can be when they have a bit of THC in their system," she says.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Sign up here.
The White House on Wednesday dismissed a planned trip to the border for Republican lawmakers as a publicity stunt and argued the GOP is uninterested in addressing the issue of immigration.

House Republicans should spend less time on partisan publicity stunts and more time working on solutions, Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement. Solutions are what President Biden is focused on, and his is plan working. House Republicans would be wise to join him to work together to strengthen our immigration system and fund border security.

Samss statement was released as the House Oversight and Accountability Committee was set to hold a hearing with two chief patrol agents of the US Border Patrol.

It also came a day before Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will lead a congressional delegation to the southern border and ahead of a GOP-led hearing at the border.

Republican Reps. Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Ore.), Jen Kiggans (Va.) and Derrick Van Orden (Wis.)  all first-term lawmakers  will accompany McCarthy on the trip. The group will be traveling within the Border Patrols Tucson Sector and will be briefed and receive an aerial tour from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to McCarthy.

While Republicans have repeatedly hammered the Biden administration for the influx of migrants at the southern border, including record-setting numbers of arrests last year, Sams argued that crossings are down significantly since the president announced a new set of regulations in the early days of the year.

The administration on Jan. 5 announced it would deny individuals from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti the opportunity to apply for asylum if they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization.

The program resulted in a 97 percent drop in irregular migration from the four countries in the three weeks since it was implemented, according to Customs and Border Protection data.

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Sams further accused Republicans of opposing funding requests from Biden to strengthen border security, and he knocked GOP attorneys general at the state level for suing to end certain Biden border policies that the administration credits with lowering the number of crossings.

House Republicans are divided over how to approach the issue of immigration, with lawmakers split over whether to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and about how to proceed with planned legislation focused on the border.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) in December said the Border Safety and Security Act would pass in the first two weeks of the new Congress, but it has not yet come to the floor because of disagreements within the party.

The White House, meanwhile, has argued it is on Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform, which Biden proposed on his first day in office two years ago. During last weeks State of the Union, Biden again called on Congress to act on the issue.

Update Feb. 16 at 3:43 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jeff Mason, Steve Holland and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States voiced deep dismay at Israel's decision to expand Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territory but on Thursday also described as "unhelpful" a push for the UN Security Council to denounce the move.

In a rebuke of Israel - suggesting President Joe Biden was prepared to take a harder line in dealing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - the White House said settlement activity "creates facts on the ground" that undermine hopes for peace between Israel and a future Palestinian state.

"The United States strongly opposes these unilateral measures which exacerbate tensions, harm trust between the parties and undermine the geographic viability of the two-state solution," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Netanyahu's government on Sunday authorized nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and announced mass construction of new homes in established settlements.

Most world powers consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal. Israel disputes that and cites biblical, historical and political links to the West Bank, as well as security interests.

The United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution, seen by Reuters on Wednesday, that would demand Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory."

The 15-member council is likely to vote on Monday on the text, drafted by the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Palestinians, diplomats said.

"Steps like settlement activity, steps like the introduction of such a resolution, are unhelpful and put us further away from a negotiated two-state solution," deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters on Thursday.

He said the United States was working with partners at the United Nations in New York on "next steps."

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In December 2016 the Security Council demanded Israel stop building the settlements. It adopted a resolution after U.S. President Barack Obama's administration abstained, a reversal of its practice to protect Israel from UN action.

When asked on Thursday if the United States could again abstain, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said: "I have nothing for you on that."

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - areas the Palestinians want for a state - in a 1967 war. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but, along with neighboring Egypt, controls the enclave's borders.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, Steve Holland and Simon Lewis, writing by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Chris Reese and Howard Goller)
Laboratory technicians work on testing human COVID-19 samples at a laboratory in Shenyang, China, on Feb. 12, 2020. (AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  The World Health Organization is denying a report made by a top scientific journal that it had quietly shelved an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.

But that denial itself only highlighted the challenges to such an investigation, especially given Chinas continued reluctance to allow access to sites that could hold clues to how the pandemic began.

The controversy began with a report published on Tuesday by the prestigious scientific journal Nature: WHO abandons plans for crucial second phase of COVID-origins investigation. There would apparently be no follow-up to the WHOs spring 2021 report on how the pandemic began, the article said, because of an inability to conduct crucial studies in China.

The report was supposed to be the first phase of the inquiry. But as WHO infectious disease expert Maria Van Kerkhove, who leads the global agencys pandemic response, told Nature, There is no phase two.

WHO officials, however, quickly protested that the investigation had not been called off. The report was completely misleading, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told Yahoo News in an email on Wednesday.

The row highlights how little remains known of how SARS-CoV-2 originated  a world-changing event that remains a mystery three years after the fact. Because so much time has elapsed, the hotly debated question of whether the pathogen originated in a market stall or on a laboratory table may remain forever unresolved, as especially as much of the world (including China) seeks to move beyond the pandemic.

A security guard stands outside the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, where the coronavirus was detected, in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 24, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Answers have been difficult to come by in large part because Chinese authorities have steadfastly resisted giving Western researchers the access they have been requesting since early 2020.

In her comments to Nature, Van Kerkhove acknowledged a deep frustration about how difficult it had been to reestablish trust with Chinese counterparts, who have grown skeptical of outside investigators over the course of the three-year battle against COVID-19.

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In the U.S., a new Republican majority in the House of Representatives has vowed to question Dr. Anthony Fauci, the recently retired immunologist, and other top officials, about what they may have known  and what they may have missed  about risky research that some believe could have led to the pandemics start.

Last month, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services faulted the National Institutes of Health for not providing sufficient oversight of U.S. funds supporting research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology via an intermediate organization, the New York-based EcoHealth Alliance.

EcoHealth Alliance head Peter Daszak was among the strongest critics of the lab-leak hypothesis, even as he concealed his own ties to Chinese researchers. He controversially served on the WHO team that traveled to Wuhan in early 2021 during the first phase of the investigation.

Peter Daszak and Thea Fischer, members of the WHO team tasked with investigating the origins of COVID-19, sit in a car arriving at Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

WHO spokesman Jasarevic told Yahoo News this week that while there would indeed not be a phase two of the original coronavirus investigation, a WHO panel called the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins on Novel Pathogens (SAGO), would continue looking for answers on how the pandemic had begun.

Even so, Jasarevic acknowledged that limitations remained. We have repeatedly and publicly said that the origin needs investigating, he wrote, and China must provide access and info for this to happen  and if this doesnt happen, efforts to understand the origins will remain rather stymied.

Those difficulties were partly due, Nature suggested, because then-President Donald Trump had made unsubstantiated claims that the virus originated in a Chinese laboratory.

Trumps claims were initially denounced as xenophobic and conspiratorial, but have since gained support as experts gradually acknowledged that the so-called lab-leak hypothesis is a plausible explanation. The scientific consensus, however, generally backs the idea that COVID-19 emerged via zoonosis, or animal-to-human transmission, as did earlier viruses including HIV and Ebola.

The politics across the world of this really hampered progress on understanding the origins, Van Kerkhove lamented in her interview with Nature.

WHO's COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove at a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva on Dec. 14, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Other experts quoted in the article blamed the West for maligning China and trafficking in conspiracy theories. One of those experts, the outspoken virologist Angela Rasmussen, subsequently summed up her thoughts on Twitter. By demonizing and alienating colleagues in China instead of building collaborative trust, this is what the relentlessly toxic lab leak conspiracy machine has yielded: The complete and total disintegration of any meaningful further investigation into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, she wrote.

The first phase of the WHO investigation included what is still the only authorized visit by Western researchers to Wuhan, the Chinese city where the pandemic is near-universally believed to have begun.

But the resulting report was criticized for not contemplating more seriously the hypothesis that the virus originated in a laboratory as a result of an accident in the midst of controversial gain of function research that boosts pathogens in order to study how they may evolve in nature.

Several months later, WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that it was premature to rule out the lab-leak hypothesis.

Tuesdays article in Nature initially seemed like a concession of defeat, leading to renewed criticism of WHOs efforts to press China for more information on the research it had been conducting in Wuhan.

Richard Ebright, a Rutgers microbiologist, charged WHO on Twitter with failing  utterly  in its responsibility to the global public, describing its initial efforts as a failed simulacrum of an investigation.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology on Feb. 3, 2021, as members of the WHO team investigating the origins of COVID-19 visit the lab. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Wednesday afternoon saw a more forceful denial from Van Kerkhove herself, in what appeared to be a recognition by WHO officials that they had stumbled into a public relations firestorm. During a briefing with members of the press, she described the Nature article as an error in reporting that misrepresented her words. In a sense, Phase 2 became SAGO, which she described as our best effort to move this work forward.

Van Kerkhove also said WHO would continue to press China to be more forthcoming with on-the-ground access. We continue to ask for more cooperation and collaboration with our colleagues in China to advance studies that need to take place in China, she said during the briefing.

We havent abandoned any plans. We havent stopped any work, she said, even though she acknowledged that the origins investigation was becoming increasingly difficult because of how much time had elapsed since the first cases of the coronavirus were recorded in China more than three years ago.

Yet Nature stood by the initial article. Natures journalists are in discussion with the World Health Organization regarding their concerns about our article. We are committed to upholding the highest standards in journalism and take accuracy very seriously, Nature communications director Lisa Boucher told Yahoo News.

Skeptics saw the entire back-and-forth as evidence of confused priorities. The article, and the response to it, seems to provide little clarity about who's calling the shots and why they're calling those shots, mathematical biologist Alex Washburne wrote to Yahoo News in a text message.

An aerial view of the Wuhan Institute of Virology on May 27, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas reluctance to open its laboratories to Western inspectors is a sign to some that a cover-up is in the works, Washburne added. If this didn't come from a lab in China, then China would surely be able to rule out its own labs' involvement, Washburne told Yahoo News. I can't imagine any good reason for China to not share that information.

Washburne was also troubled when WHO appointed Jeremy Farrar as its chief scientist late last month.

Farrar had been one of several signatories to a letter  authored by Daszak and circulated to prominent medical and public health experts  published in the Lancet in the early days of the pandemic expressing solidarity with all scientists and health professionals in China.

The letter strongly condemned the notion that the coronavirus could have come from a laboratory. We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin, the letter said.

The Lancet later appended a disclosure describing Daszak's ties to China.
Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, on Thursday will release a partial grand jury report detailing their investigation into Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Much like the city of Detroit, also a target of Mr Trumps false claims of voter fraud, Fulton Countys population is majority-Black and was a key region for the Biden campaigns voter turnout efforts throughout 2020. The surge of Democratic votes in those regions were enough to flip two states, Georgia and Michigan, that voted for Mr Trump in 2016  a costly blow in the former presidents fight for the Electoral College.

But it was Republican officials, including Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who were the target of Donald Trumps overtures in the days following the 2020 election as he desperately sought to change the results. A conference call between the White House, Mr Trumps lawyers, and Georgia state officials on 2 January 2021 has now become a crucial piece of evidence in the grand jury investigation into Mr Trump and his legal team after it first sent shockwaves through the media and political class.

The fallout from the call was immediate. Audio was published in The Washington Post just a day after it transpired, and it would go on to be a key point in the article of impeachment filed by Democrats against Mr Trump later that year.

Lets take a look at exactly why the call was so damaging for Mr Trumps credibility on the issue of his 2020 election fraud claims:

An opening monologue

Much like youd expect a phone call with Donald Trump to go, it began with a lengthy, rambling soliloquy from the president. Mr Trump spoke for several minutes, barely pausing, and diving immediately into conspiracy theories about what had supposedly occurred in Fulton County.

Thousands of unregistered voters supposedly cast ballots, he claimed. Thousands of people registered to vacant addresses supposedly voted. Thousands of out-of-state residents allegedly submitted votes. There were no poll watchers. There were no police. And, infamously, a woman was allegedly seen on camera stuffing a ballot box full of votes  all, presumably, for Mr Biden.

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It was a monologue that could have been ripped straight from one of Mr Trumps speeches. It only ended when Mark Meadows, the presidents chief of staff, interrupted him in the hopes of not overwhelming Mr Raffensperger and his fellow Georgians with nonsense.

Raffensperger responds to individual allegations

Despite the seemingly incoherent mess of conspiracies thrown at his feet by the president a minute earlier, Mr Raffensperger leapt into the conversation as soon as he had the chance and began dismantling the falsehoods Mr Trump was spreading.

Ill go through that point by point, he told the president. The first one he took down was the conspiracy about supposedly compromised voting machines manufactured by Dominion Voting Systems.

[W]e did a hand retally, a 100 per cent retally of all the ballots and compared that to what the machine said, Mr Raffensperger told the president. It came up with virtually the same results. Then we did the recount. Weve got virtually the same results. So I guess we could probably take that off the table.

Mr Trump had no real response to this; after a moment of huffing, he moved on to other conspiracies. At one point, Mr Trump accused a seemingly random poll worker of scanning ballots three times.

Mr President they did not put that  we did an audit of that. It was proved conclusively that they were not scanned three times, responded the secretary.

Trump warns Raffensperger: The people are angry

In what could be seen as a veiled threat, Mr Trump at one point in the call warned Mr Raffensperger that his own supporters were extremely upset about the election results.

[T]he people of Georgia are angry and these numbers are going to be repeated on Monday night along with others that were going to have by that time, which are much more substantial even, and the people of Georgia are angry, the people of the country are angry, Mr Trump told the officials, who would go on to be inundated with death threats for months.

He would repeat the potential threat later on: I hate to imagine whats going to happen on Monday or Tuesday.

Trump claims local officials were dishonest or incompetent

Though the Trump campaign maintained publicly throughout late 2020 that they wanted investigators to look into the claims of election fraud the president and his allies were raising, it was clear at one point during Mr Trumps call with Mr Raffensperger that this was not necessarily the case.

Confronted with the fact that investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations as well as the FBI had looked into what had transpired when a burst water main caused a brief evacuation of one polling place, Mr Trump said that their findings didnt matter.

Well, theres no way they could [not have found wrongdoing], said the president. Then theyre incompetent. Theyre either dishonest or incompetent.

He kept raging: Theres only two answers, dishonesty or incompetence. Theres just no way. Look, theres no way.

Trump rages at Raffensperger

When it became clear that the two men differed significantly in their opinions of the integrity of Georgias elections, Mr Trump took it personally. And he lashed out at the official in response.

Told by Mr Raffensperger that he was repeating conspiracies from social media, Mr Trump fired back: No. No, this isnt social media. This is Trump media. Its not social media. Its really not. Its not social media. I dont care about social. I couldnt care less. Social media is big tech. Big tech is on your side. You know, I dont even know why you have a side because you should want to have an accurate election. And youre a Republican.

The president lashes out at Stacey Abrams

Despite Ms Abrams losing her own election, Mr Trump was convinced that she was the secret Democratic puppetmaster behind his loss in Georgia.

Look, Stacey, in my opinion, Stacey is as dishonest as they come. She has outplayed you at everyat everything, he told Mr Raffensperger.

He went on to explain that he believed a court settlement between Mr Raffenspergers office had legalised ballot harvesting in the state. Mr Raffensperger informed the president that he was mistaken.

I just want to find 11,780 votes

Finally, the most damning portion of Mr Trumps outreach to the secretary arrived. Defeated at every turn by dogged state officials who had meticulously shot down every theory and false assertion he had raised, Mr Trump told the other participants on the call that he needed state officials to find a reason, any reason at all, for nearly 12,000 votes to be added to his total.

All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more that we have because we won the state. And flipping the state is a great testament to our country because, you know, this is just, its a testament that they can admit to a mistake or whatever you want to call it. If it was a mistake, I dont know. A lot of people think it wasnt a mistake. It was much more criminal than that. But its a big problem in Georgia and its not a problem thats going away. I mean, you know, its not a problem thats going away.

After Mr Raffensperger responded, telling the president that they had looked into his claims, he tried his luck again.

So what? So what are we going to do here, folks? I only need 11,000 votes. Fellas, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break. You know, we have that in spades already, or we can keep it going.

The call wound down from there; Mr Trump would go on to raise a false claim, and Mr Raffensperger would shoot it down. Rinse, repeat. A lawyer for Mr Trump pressed the officials on whether the matters had really been investigated, while outside counsel to Mr Raffenspergers office responded that they would sit down with the Trump team and explain precisely why their numbers were wrong.

One last attack

As it became clear the call was going nowhere, Mr Trump launched one last bitter attack against the assembled officials and warned them that they were costing Republicans the upcoming runoff elections for US Senate. Georgias two US Senate seats would go on to fall into Democratic hands.

You should meet tomorrow because you have a big election, election coming up and because of what youve done to the president, you know, the people of Georgia know that this was a scam, raged Mr Trump. And because of what youve done to the president, a lot of people arent going out to vote and a lot of Republicans are going to vote negative because they hate what you did to the president. OK?

[Y]ou would be respected ... if this thing could be straightened out before the election, the president added. Ill tell you, its going to have a big impact on Tuesday if you guys dont get this thing straightened out fast.

Finally, the call ended minutes later. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows encouraged the attorneys for the two groups to meet and discuss the results further, and so concluded one of the most shocking moments of Mr Trumps entire administration.
A bill in the Kansas House would essentially extend most Kansas public schools' academic years by 444 hours, or 11 weeks.

Most Kansas public school students attend classes for about 1,100 hours each school year, but a bill in the Kansas House would drastically increase that by about 40%.

While Kansas law allows local school boards to pick between 186 school days or 1,116 hours per year, most school districts opt for the latter, since it provides for greater flexibility in the face of inclement weather.

HB 2224, currently in the House Education Committee, would eliminate both of those options and and replace them with minimums of 195 eight-hour school days or 156 10-hour school days, with either totaling to 1,560 hours of school.

The bill would essentially extend most Kansas public schools' academic years by 444 hours, or 11 weeks.

Rep. Bill Rhiley, a Wellington Republican on the committee, said he introduced the bill because he understood many school districts are only meeting the bare minimum of required hours. Per his calculations using data from districts around the state, Kansas public schools are only in session for an average of 407 hours, or nearly 7 hours, per day, not counting a 30-minute lunch period.

More:Should taxpayer money help pay for some Kansas families' private school tuition?

He said local school boards have focused too much on the minimum, rather than what is best for Kansas public school students.

"All I'm saying is school boards could do this now," said Rhiley, a former teacher. "School boards could make this decision. I'm just putting this out on the table, because over and over again in the history of Kansas, we keep doing the minimum, and I don't think that's right for students."

More:Republicans took away Kansas teachers' due process in 2014. Olive branch may return it.

Critics say extended Kansas school year would be unfunded mandate to the tune of hundreds of millions

The bill was met with widespread, if succinct, opposition.

Critics pointed to the lack of evidence that a longer school day, as well as school year, improves student achievement. Factoring out 52 weekends, holidays, and other end-of-term breaks, public school advocates pointed out the bill would basically amount to year-round schooling.

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As a state, Kansas would also appear to already require more hours than most other countries. On average, developed countries around the world require 790 hours of elementary school instructional time, according to the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation.

In addition to questioning the need for a longer school year, opponents of the bill pointed to the uncertain  and unfunded  cost of extending the school year, since local school boards would likely have to make substantial raises to teacher salaries in negotiations.

More:Republicans took away Kansas teachers' due process in 2014. Olive branch may return it.

The Kansas State Department of Education estimated that increasing school district salaries by just 1% on average would require $36.6 million in additional expenditures, not counting 13.6%, or $5 million, in additional school district contributions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Additional school days would also require additional maintenance and transportation costs, the latter of which KSDE estimated at about $14.6 million.

Even a 25% increase to teacher and staff salaries would yield a $1.04 billion fiscal impact, which school districts would have to figure out how to pay for out of pocket, barring any other legislation to bump up the state's school funding formula.

"We've seen this discussion happen all session so far, that money is very much the key to a quality education, and we believe that (HB 2224) jeopardizes the fulfillment of the Gannon decision if money is not provided for these additional days," said Lauren Tice Miller, director of government relations and elections for the Kansas chapter of the National Education Association teachers' union.

More:Kansas lawmakers seek university funding info on diversity, equity, critical race theory

Rhiley, the representative who introduced the bill, had earlier argued that any number of reasons could stop the bill.

But extending the school year, he said, would be at least one step to improving students' academic achievement.

"What is our true reason for teaching school?" Rhiley asked the committee. "It is not to employ teachers. It is to figure out how to get students to the point they're good citizens and they're working adults."

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Extended Kansas school year bill would add nearly 450 hours of class
The man accused of driving into a group of college runners last year, killing one, pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

In a hearing in York County Poquoson Circuit Court on Jan. 12, Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia, 27, of Williamsburg, pleaded guilty to reckless involuntary DUI manslaughter, DUI maiming and DUI causing serious injury. All three charges are felonies.

Mancia also faced charges of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident where someone was injured, reckless driving and refusing to take a blood/breath test, but those charges were not prosecuted.

Mancia faces up to 35 years in prison when he is sentenced in April, according to York County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jeremy Markle.

Police said Mancia was driving a two-door sedan in April when it struck five members of Milligan Universitys cross country/track and field team as they were running on Williamsburg Pottery Road near the intersection with Lightfoot Road.

All five were taken to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, where Eli Cramer, 20, died . Fellow runners Alex Mortimer and Eli Baldy also sustained injuries. The Tennessee colleges team was in Williamsburg for The Colonial Relays track meet.

Mancia fled the scene, then crashed the vehicle into the median on Route 199. State police found him to be intoxicated.

Sian Wilkerson, 757-342-6616, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com
Debris from trees damaged by this month's ice storm is piled up in front of a home in Taylor.

The estimated damage in Williamson County from the ice storm that hit this month has reached an estimated $11 million, an official said Tuesday.

The county may not get any federal relief money if the state doesn't meet its damage threshold, said Michael Shue, the county's emergency management director on Tuesday.

"As long as the state meets the $51.7 million threshold we will see (federal) reimbursement, but if we don't the state will figure out another way to help us cover these costs," Shue said at the county commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

Officials with the Texas Department of Emergency Management did not immediately respond to a request for information about the amount of damage statewide. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state disaster declaration for seven counties impacted by the severe weather, including Williamson and Travis.

Taylor, Leander and Liberty Hill were all hard hit by the storm, but there is tree damage all over Williamson County, officials said.

"I have not seen a tree that has not snapped in some form or fashion," said Commissioner Russ Boles. "This is one of the worst disasters to hit our county."

The county's $11 million in damage comes from the costs for the winter storm response for all governmental entities, including cities, said Connie Odom, a county spokeswoman. The entities also include school districts, emergency service districts and utilities.

The damage includes overtime for staff and other expenses. Odom said "a good portion" of the damage includes clearing roads and removing downed limbs.

"The county still has significant amounts of limbs on the sides of county roads that need to be removed and has not been included in that $11 million," Odom said. She said the county doesn't have an estimate yet of how much that will cost.

The county's damage estimate also may increase because some cities and school districts still haven't reported their estimates to the county, Shue said. County commissioners on Tuesday extended the disaster declaration for the county for another 30 days through March 9 to give property owners, businesses and governmental entities more time to report damage.

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Commissioners also approved a site in Florence for cities to take tree limbs to burn. The county is putting a burn box at the site that allows wood to burn without causing any smoke, said Boles. The burn box would be about the size of the tractor bed of an 18-wheel truck and would burn limbs at such a high temperature and so quickly that the smoke would be minimal, he said.

"The amount of limbs we have is catastrophic," said Boles. "It would take years to mulch them."

The burn box is only available for cities and other governmental entities to use. Individuals can haul their limbs to the Williamson County landfill, which is charging a reduced rate of $10 per pickup load until Sunday, officials said. The landfill is at 600 Landfill Road in Hutto.

Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell on Tuesday said there was not a residential block in the town that didn't have tree damage.

"We pride ourselves in Taylor of having a wonderful inventory of old trees around town and this ice storm was just devastating to the canopy," he said. "We estimate we have 100,000 cubic yards of downed limbs, branches and trees."

The city has hired a third-party contractor to haul away the debris, he said.

Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said the ice storm caused tree damage in every single neighborhood in the city. "When a storm puts half an inch of ice on tree limbs, not many trees will survive that weight."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Williamson Co. damage from February's ice storm reaches $11 million
Credit - Photo illustration by Katie Kalupson for TIME

If you go down to the woods today, youre sure of a big surprise. The once-magical lyrics of the childrens song The Teddy Bears Picnic turn into an ominous warning in the opening credits of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, in theaters Feb. 15.

Written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield (The Area 51 Incident, Firenado), Blood and Honey follows a deformed Pooh (Craig David Dowsett) and Piglet (Chris Cordell) as they descend into a murderous rampage after Christopher Robin (Nikolai Leon) leaves them behind to go to college. Forced to fend for themselves, the creatures of the Hundred Acre Wood begin eating each other (R.I.P. Eeyore) and turn feral.

Five years later, Christopher Robin returns to the woods with his wife Mary (Paula Coiz) in hopes of introducing her to his childhood friends and proving they werent imaginary. Instead, the couple is terrorized by the anthropomorphic monsters that Pooh and Piglet have become, and a brutal killing spree begins.

The Pooh and Piglet of Blood and Honey are a far cry from the beloved characters created by English author A.A. Milne and later adapted for film and television by Disneyand have generated quite the controversy. Frake-Waterfield told the Agence France-Presse that hes received death threats over his horror reimagining of the classic Winnie-the-Pooh story.

Ive had petitions to stop it, he said. Ive had death threats. Ive had people saying they called the police.

However, the movie, reportedly made for under $100,000, has also garnered a significant amount of online attention and already earned $1 million in Mexico since its Jan. 26 premiere. This prompted the films distributor, Fathom Events, to expand its U.S. launch from what would have been a one-night-only release to a nine-day run in more than 1,500 theaters nationwide.

Winnie the Pooh seen in the horror movie 'Blood and Honey' Courtesy of ITN Studios and Jagged Edge Productions

So how exactly did the R-rated Blood and Honey come to be? Although Disney still owns the rights to the animated cartoon versions of Pooh Bear and company, A.A. Milnes 1926 book Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain on Jan. 1, 2022. That means that Milnes original story, as well as illustrator E.H. Shepards drawings of Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Eeyore, and Christopher Robin, all became fair game for any and all types of adaptations following the end of the 95-year copyright protection term.

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Frake-Waterfield wasted no time jumping on the opportunity to incorporate the characters into his microbudget slasher flick, with production on Blood and Honey starting early last year. But the director also seems to have taken pains to avoid bringing down Disneys iron copyright hammer. For instance, the Pooh of Blood and Honey is wearing a red flannel button-up rather than the red t-shirt of Disney Pooh fame, and popular characters like Tigger dont appear in the film.

Weve tried to be extremely careful, he told Variety last year. We knew there was this line between that, and we knew what their copyright was and what theyve done. So we did as much as we could to make sure [the film] was only based on the 1926 version of it.

Still, Blood and Honey has largely been panned by critics, with its Rotten Tomatoes score currently sitting at 8%. The goal of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey was clearly to ruin your childhood, wrote The Daily Beasts Nick Schager. The bizarrely uninspired horror disaster will make you wish you kept your money instead.
Photograph: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters

Multiple witnesses who testified before a special purpose grand jury investigating Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election may have lied and committed perjury, according to a section of the grand jurys report released on Thursday.

The report offers the first insight into the work of the special purpose grand jury, which was convened in May last year. The 23 jurors and three alternates heard from 75 witnesses during the course of its investigation.

The Georgia case, led by the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, is believed to be one of the most likely scenarios in which the former president, and some of his allies, could face charges for efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 US election.

A majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it. The Grand Jury recommends that the District Attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling, the grand jurors wrote. The sections released on Thursday do not name the witnesses or provide any other details.

A judge also released the introduction and conclusion to the report, neither of which provide substantive insight into whether Trump or allies will face criminal charges. The judge has declined to release the full report until Willis decides whether to bring charges.

The introduction details the special grand jurys process and says it ultimately unanimously concluded no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election. It also says the grand jurors heard extensive testimony on the subject of alleged election fraud from poll workers, investigators, technical experts, and State of Georgia employees and officials, as well as from persons still claiming that such fraud took place.

The conclusion acknowledges that Willis, the prosecutor, has discretion to seek charges outside of what the grand jury recommends.

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If this report fails to include any potential violations of referenced statutes that were shown in the investigation, we acknowledge the discretion of the District Attorney to seek indictments where she finds sufficient cause, the report says. Furthermore this Grand Jury contained no election law experts or criminal lawyers. The majority of this Grand Jury used their collective best efforts, however, to attend every session, listen to every witness, and attempt to understand the facts as presented and the laws as explained.

The work of the special purpose grand jury is being closely watched because it ultimately could lead to the first criminal charges against Trump for his actions after the 2020 election. A special purpose grand jury is convened for an indefinite amount of time and can subpoena witnesses, but not issue indictments.

The investigation is meant to determine whether Donald Trump and allies violated Georgia state law in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump infamously called the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, and requested that he find votes in his favor. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more that we have because we won the state, he said in a January 2021 phone call.

Rudy Giuliani, Trumps lawyer, has also been informed he is a target of the investigation. Sixteen people who served as fake electors from Georgia are also reportedly targets of the investigation.

The decision over whether to bring charges is ultimately up to Willis, a Democrat in her first term as the Fulton county district attorney. Willis said at a court hearing last month that a decision on whether to bring charges was imminent.

Trump and allies could face a range of criminal charges under Georgia law. It is a crime in Georgia to solicit someone to commit election fraud or to interfere with the performance of official election duties. Willis could also bring charges under the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act to charge Trumps confidants with crimes as part of a broader conspiracy to overturn the election. Willis hired a lawyer who specializes in Rico to assist her with the investigation.
A womans ex-boyfriend is accused of traveling from Arizona to California and detonating an explosive device near her home, authorities said.

After responding to a report of an explosion in Thousand Oaks on Jan. 28, deputies spoke with those who lived in the area and learned a vehicle stopped in the road, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said in a Feb. 14 news release. The driver dropped off an explosive device, deputies said.

One of the residents, a 50-year-old woman, told deputies that she suspected her ex-boyfriend who she said had been stalking her may be behind the explosion, according to the sheriffs office.

Evidence indicated the womans 51-year-old ex-boyfriend dropped off and detonated the explosive device, deputies said. Detectives learned the man had traveled from Arizona to California to commit the crime and returned back to his home state after the explosion.

On Feb. 14, Pinal County Sheriffs Office arrested the man in Arizona on counts of stalking and using an explosive device, Ventura County deputies said.

Thousand Oaks is about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Minnesota man spent years stalking woman who rejected him in college, feds say

Texas man cyberstalked woman who refused his romantic advances, feds say

Man found stalking his ex-girlfriend is shot and killed by her family, Oregon cops say
A woman texted her ex-boyfriend to wish him happy birthday hours before she attempted to kill him, Virginia prosecutors say.

Officials say that on March 29, 2022, Erann Ohse texted her ex-boyfriend  the two had a brief relationship that ended in February 2022  to say happy birthday. Hours later, she arrived at his home to kill him, according to a news release from Louisa Commonwealths Attorney, Rusty McGuire.

Ohse, 25, traveled to her ex-boyfriends home in Louisa County with Andrew Poindexter, 26. Ohse and Poindexter were wearing ski masks and were armed with handguns and extra rounds of ammunition, officials said.

The two tried to force their way through the front door of the home, but when they were unsuccessful, Ohse fired ten rounds into her exs bedroom window, McGuire said. Another woman inside the room was shot in the shoulder.

Ohse and Poindexter then fled the home and were found minutes later by deputies, the prosecutor said. The pair evaded deputies, engaging in a high-speed chase before they were found in a nearby cul-de-sac, according to the release.

Ohse is charged with attempted second degree murder, malicious wounding, malicious shooting into an occupied dwelling, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, attempted armed burglary, destruction of property, and eluding law enforcement, McGuire said. She pleaded guilty to the charges on Feb. 15 and faces up to 63 years in prison.

Poindexter previously pleaded guilty to many of the same charges, the commonwealths attorney said. He faces up to 70 years in prison.

These two thought they were the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but now theyll have to face the serious consequences people face when they commit violent crimes in Louisa County, Alex Goodman, assistant commonwealths attorney, said in the release.

Louisa County, Virginia, is about 50 miles northwest of Richmond.

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Boyfriend strangled, killed pregnant girlfriend and hid her body, Chicago officials say
Trump-appointed World Bank Chief David Malpass is stepping down from the organization by the end of June, months after House Democrats called on him to resign following comments that implied climate change denial.

This afternoon, I shared with the World Bank Groups Board of Directors my intention to step down by the end of the World Banks fiscal year, Malpass said in a statement announcing the decision.

Malpass came under fire after his response during a United Nations (U.N.) event in New York last year, when he was asked if the manmade burning of fossil fuels is rapidly and dangerously warming the planet.

I dont even know. Im not a scientist, Malpass said.

Environmentalists pounced on Malpasss statement, arguing he was a climate change denier. A group of 27 House Democrats pushed President Biden to urge for the resignation or removal of Malpass as the head of the World Bank, which lends billions of dollars to developing nations, calling the comments troubling and unacceptable.

We urge you to advocate for the removal or forced resignation of David Malpass as World Bank Group President. The facts are clear that we are in a climate crisis and theres no alternative but to take bold action, the lawmakers, led by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Sean Casten (D-Ill.) wrote to Biden.

Malpass was appointed by former President Trump to lead the group in 2019 and is stepping down roughly a year before his planned five-year term was set to end.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen praised Malpass after his announcement on Wednesday.

Under President Malpass leadership, the World Bank has advanced shared priorities that have measurably improved the lives of people around the globe, Yellen said. The world has benefitted from his strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russias illegal and unprovoked invasion, his vital work to assist the Afghan people, and his commitment to helping low-income countries achieve debt sustainability through debt reduction.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kevin Costner in "Yellowstone." Paramount Network

Wes Bentley has imagined what "Yellowstone" might be like without Kevin Costner since season one.

"It's always a possibility in TV, right? We're always ready to die," Bentley told TVLine.

Deadline reported that the franchise may be looking to continue with Costner following a dispute.

Following speculation that "Yellowstone" may be saying goodbye to Kevin Costner, one of the show's other stars has admitted he has imagined what the show might be like without the lead actor.

Wes Bentley, who portrays Jamie Dutton in the neo-Western drama, spoke to TVLine at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) TVFest this week. While he didn't address the latest behind-the-scenes drama, he did admit that he has been considering what the show might look like without Costner since it began back in 2018.

"I thought about this in season one because it's always a possibility in TV, right? We're always ready to die," the actor said.

Bentley went on to say that before the latest season, which is on hiatus until summer, his character would've been left heartbroken by the loss of his father because John "has got this hypnotic pull on Jamie."

"Jamie would have been completely lost. Maybe part of him would be frantic trying to take care of the ranch," he said. "He would feel that burden and maybe panic."

However, because the Dutton patriarch has spitefully become Governor of Montana just to usurp his adopted son's own lifelong dreams, Bentley said things have changed.

"After John ran for governor and became the thing he said he hated, Jamie started to have a change of perspective," Bentley explained.

The actor said that Jamie has now been left wondering: "Maybe John is not this tough guy he says he is. Maybe John doesn't have ideas. Maybe he's just another guy like the rest of them."

Wes Bentley plays Jamie Dutton in "Yellowstone." Paramount Network

Bentley said that "the pedestal" Jamie put his father on has fallen away, adding: "The deity is gone. I think that's why Jamie's choosing to try to have him killed. [He realizes that his] life would be much better without him, which is a big change for Jamie."

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Deadline reported last week that there has been trouble brewing on the set of the Paramount Network drama as Costner has been keen to cut back the number of days he spends shooting on location in Montana.

As a result, the report said, cocreator and showrunner Taylor Sheridan, Paramount Global, and Paramount Network have been exploring opportunities that will allow them to continue the Dutton saga, including a new spinoff show starring Matthew McConaughey.

However, a Paramount Network spokesperson denied these claims, telling Insider: "We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of 'Yellowstone,' and we hope that's the case for a long time to come.

"Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we'd love to partner."

Read the original article on Insider
(Independent)

Susan Wojcicki is stepping down as YouTubes chief executive.

Ms Wojcicki has led YouTube through a range of turbulent times since she took over the company in 2014. That period saw arguments with advertisers, creators and the public about the kind of content that should be allowed and promoted on the site, but it also helped establish it as the worlds biggest video site and a vast part of Google.

She also has a long history with Google itself. Her parents owned the garage from which the company was originally started, and she was its 16th employee.

Susan has a unique place in Google history and has made the most incredible contribution to products used by people everywhere, Page and Brin said in a statement, reported by Vox, which was first to confirm her departure. Were so grateful for all shes done over the last 25 years.

In the time since, she helped create Google Image Search and build its ads business, before taking over as the head of YouTube.

Now she will be leaving to start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects Im passionate about, she said.

Her job will be taken by Neal Mohan, who has worked with Ms Wojcicki for 15 years across Google. He currently serves as YouTubes chief product officer.

She said he would be a terrific leader. With all were doing across Shorts, streaming and subscriptions, together with the promises of AI, YouTubes most exciting opportunities are ahead, and Neal is the right person to lead us, she wrote to staff.

Ms Wojcicki will initially stay on to help with that transition and then take on an advisory role with Google, she said.

This will allow me to call on my different experiences over the years to offer counsel and guidance across Google and the portfolio of Alphabet companies, she wrote. Its an incredibly important time for Googleit reminds me of the early daysincredible product and technology innovation, huge opportunities, and a healthy disregard for the impossible.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki speaks during the introduction of YouTube TV at YouTube Space LA in Los Angeles. (Reed Saxon / AP)

YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki is stepping down after a long tenure leading the Google-owned online video giant, the company said Thursday.

"After nearly 25 years here, Ive decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about," Wojcicki wrote in a letter published online and sent to employees.

Neal Mohan, currently YouTube's chief product officer, will be the new head of YouTube, Wojcicki said.

The change is effective immediately, the company said.

YouTube representatives declined to elaborate on what prompted Wojcicki's departure, how long it's been brewing or what Wojcicki's continued involvement with the company will be.

Wojcicki, one of the tech industry's most prominent female executives, was CEO during YouTubes dramatic transition from an amateur video uploading site to a massive media and advertising powerhouse. Today, YouTube has more than 2 billion monthly users, with 1 billion hours of video watched every day by people around the world, according to the company.

She saw the potential for YouTube to be more than just a video platform but a place where social networks, content creation and digital ads could come together, said Ray Wang, principal analyst at Palo Alto-based Constellation Research.

But Wojcicki's departure also comes at a moment of truth for both Google  which laid off 12,000 people last month, including some at YouTube  and the wider tech ecosystem, which is floundering through a wave of layoffs and cost-cutting measures as it comes down from a pandemic high and navigates a tough macroeconomic landscape.

And while YouTube remains a leading video platform, it's facing robust competition from digital media companies including TikTok and Twitch, which court a youthful and enthusiastic online audience and base of creators.

As viewing becomes more targeted and fragmented, you will see platforms like Discord or Twitch continue to chip at YouTube revenues, Wang said.

Story continues

In her farewell note, Wojcicki recounted a career that began a quarter-century ago when she joined up with Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Stanford graduate students who were building Google. Wojcicki was instrumental in helping the firm in its early days, renting out her garage to the founders for $1,700 a month. She later joined as its 16th employee.

In 2006, the company acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion, and in 2014, Wojcicki  then an ad executive at Google  became chief executive of the video platform.

"Over the years, Ive worn many hats and done so many things," Wojcicki said in her letter: "Managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Googles first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSenses creation, worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, served as [senior vice president] of Ads, and for the last nine years, the CEO of YouTube."

During Wojcicki's tenure, YouTube improved its fraught early relations with media companies who viewed the site as a competitor that profited off unauthorized clips of shows, becoming a partner that helped studios promote their films and TV shows.

However, YouTube's own efforts to become a subscription streaming powerhouse had mixed results.

To better compete against streaming companies such as Hulu, YouTube tried to expand its own subscription video business with premium scripted and unscripted shows. In June 2019, Google opened two large soundstages inside the historic Spruce Goose hangar complex for its L.A.-based original productions. But the company's efforts to produce original content were later scaled back significantly.

Meanwhile, YouTube  which features a seemingly infinite well of amateur posts, cooking classes, music videos and movie trailers  has increasingly banked on the popularity of online influencers.

The platform grew a community of influencers and video creators by giving them financial incentives and resources to post more content. Those efforts helped make some videos slicker and more elaborate while also meeting the appetites of content-hungry viewers.

Last fall, YouTube launched programs meant to make it more lucrative to be a YouTuber  especially on Shorts, the company's answer to short-form video titan TikTok. Wojcicki nodded to that ecosystem in her farewell letter, thanking her colleagues for fueling "the largest creative economy the world has ever seen" and helping "millions of creators and artists to reach new audiences."

As YouTube increased the premium content in its library, it also boosted its ad revenue. Last year, YouTube generated $29.2 billion in advertising, representing 13% of its parent, Googles, advertising revenue.

But as YouTubes ambitions grew, the company also faced significant challenges and controversies. In 2017, some brands said they were pulling their advertisements from the platform amid concerns that ads were being placed near hate speech or inappropriate content.

To address that issue, YouTube changed the threshold for creators to qualify for ad revenue and increased its content moderation efforts. Even still, the company continues to field criticism about the content it hosts and how its algorithm pushes viewers toward certain topics or themes, including extremist content and conspiracy theories.

Wojcicki credited Mohan with setting up "a top-notch product" and helping to launch the company's YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium and Shorts products.

"In the short term, I plan to support [him] and help with the transition," Wojcicki continued. "In the longer term, Ive agreed with [Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai] to take on an advisory role across Google and [Google's parent company,] Alphabet."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson said on Thursday the government's books were in good shape to meet the challenge ahead and support New Zealanders facing cost of living increases and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle.

"The extreme weather that New Zealand has experienced recently is putting families and businesses under even more pressure, with some losing their homes and livelihoods. We are committed to continuing to support them through these difficult times," Robertson said.

He added that Treasury was currently assessing the economic and fiscal impact.

Gabrielle, which reached New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, left at least five people dead, cut off entire towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on rooftops.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Chris Reese and Franklin Paul)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, where the government is presenting its five-year NOK 75 billion (almost 7 billion) aid package to Ukraine on Thursday.



Source: NRK broadcasting company; European Pravda



Quote: "Sovereign states have the right to defend themselves and have the right to receive assistance from friends to defend themselves. Russia's war against Ukraine violates all of these principles, which are crucial for Norway and our national interests. That is why the struggle of Ukrainians is also our struggle," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre before giving the floor to the Ukrainian president.



Details: Zelensky thanked Norway for its assistance in the war, which helped save thousands of lives.

He also recalled that he first addressed the Storting on the 35th day of the war and noted that a lot has changed since March and that there is confidence that the free world will not leave Ukraine alone.

"The Norwegian contribution to this is historic. You are helping us with air defence, which protects our cities from Russian terror, you are helping us with anti-tank weapons, you are helping us with the restoration of energy infrastructure after the strikes of Russian missiles and Iranian-made drones. And now you are setting a very important precedent for long-term financing of a country that is defending its independence and the right of every country to live in accordance with international law," Zelenskyy said.

He added this precedent was important because it gave the people a sense of the future and confidence in the presence of a reliable friendly shoulder in the future.

"We don't know what will happen during this 5-year period. But we know what will not happen: Russia will not overcome our unity, the Kremlin will not make terror and intimidation a new reality for Europe. The Russian flag will not remain over the occupied territories of Ukraine. This is as certain as your NASAMS protecting the skies of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

Story continues

He emphasised that Ukraine still needed air defence, and it was a matter of life and death. Thus, he mentioned the Russian attack last night, when Ukrainian air defence was able to shoot down half of the missiles. According to the president, the goal is to repel Russian terror completely.

The government and the majority in the Storting agree on a 5-year program to help the war-torn Ukraine.

The support package is called the Nansen Program.

By 2027, Ukraine will have received multibillion-dollar aid from Norway. The aid is to be both military and civilian.

The total amount of assistance is NOK 75 billion, with NOK 15 billion [nearly US$1.5 billion] allocated annually.

There is a broad political support in the Storting for the government's package for Ukraine. Several party leaders attended the presentation of the package in Storting on Thursday.

Norway will also provide support to southern countries that have suffered from the consequences of wars. At the same time, Norway will provide both humanitarian and food aid to countries suffering from hunger.

Background: Norway decided to donate eight Leopard 2 tanks and up to four special purpose tanks to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Legislation proposed by Sen. Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) in the Virginia General Assembly could pave the way for a 90-bed nursing home facility on the campus of the shuttered Central Virginia Training Center in Amherst County.

Newman is sponsoring Senate Bill 1452, which directs the state health commissioner to accept and review applications and issue a certificate of public need for a new 90-bed nursing home, provided such a facility is located on the property of the former CVTC site in Madison Heights. The bills language cites unique and extenuating circumstances of the potential nursing home and states 90 beds may be transferred by the commonwealth upon sale of the property.

The bill cleared the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 15 and headed to the House floor for a vote on Feb. 20, which passed with amendments with 71 delegates in favor and 25 opposed, according to the Virginia Legislative Information system website.

CVTC, a state-owned campus that for more than a century operated as a facility for people with disabilities and medical needs, closed in 2020.

The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance has backed a master plan for redevelopment on the CVTC site of more than 300 acres near the James River. The plan, which in April 2022 was presented to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, outlines the potential for a mix of commercial, industrial and residential development options, including reuse of some of the sites buildings for economic development.

In a phone interview Feb. 15, Newman said the vast majority of just more than 90 buildings on the site need to be torn down and that endeavor will cost an enormous amount of money. Newman said the Virginia Department of General Services has informed him the current value of the property is $12 million in the negative.

Its hard to sell something that has negative value, Newman said.

The legislation Newman proposes includes a budget amendment that puts $6 million toward the negative balance. Another $6 million also is planned to go toward the nursing home potential in several of the newer buildings on site, referred to as Lower Rapidan, that Newman said are essentially already set up to be an assisted living or nursing home-type operation.

Newman said the 90 nursing beds fill a desperate need for the Lynchburg region. The state would take ownership of those beds initially with the intent to transfer the facility to a private-sector entity.

The newer buildings are isolated on nearly four acres, he said. The nursing home facility plan would marry up with other development plans for the overall property and a mix of potential uses that could bring a town center feel to the campus as part of the master plans vision.

The Alliance plan, which I like, could continue to go forward, Newman said.

Newman said his discussion with the Senate Finance Committee, on which he serves, that if the commonwealth does not take proactive steps it will be faced with paying tens of millions of dollars to tear down the buildings. The measure is a way to get a portion of the property into private-sector hands and better position site for redevelopment, according to Newman.

In December, Newman announced the state paid off $19 million in outstanding debt on the Lower Rapidan buildings at CVTC.

Amherst County officials have said it is crucial for the CVTC site, which at one time was the countys largest employer, to not become a permanent ghost town. The region needs the property to thrive again as an economic engine, Lynchburg area stakeholders have said.

The Economic Development Authority of Amherst County continues to support the Central Virginia Training Center master redevelopment plan to bring jobs and economic activity back to site, Victoria Hanson, executive director of the EDA, said. Senator Newmans continued support of CVTCs redevelopment by making the site more marketable is very appreciated.
A Lynchburg teenager convicted of voluntary manslaughter in a city mans December 2019 shooting death will remain in custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Devon Corleogne Bailey, 18, pleaded guilty Aug. 8 in Lynchburg Circuit Court to manslaughter in connection with the death of Larry Saunders Jr., 31, and possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon.

Baileys pleas came roughly five months after a jury failed to reach a verdict on a previous first-degree murder charge and a mistrial was declared.

He was sentenced to the Department of Juvenile Justice as a serious offender until he turns 21, unless granted earlier release.

On Dec. 28, 2019, officers responded to the White Rock Hill area in Lynchburg after a report of a gunfight and a person needing help. It was there officers found Bailey, who was 15 at the time, with an injured right arm, according to testimony from a previous court hearing.

Bailey told officers that someone tried to rob him, and he shot them.

At the scene, a trail of blood led officers to the 600 block of Gum Street, where they found Saunders dead in an apartment from a gunshot wound to the chest with several cellphones and a bag of marijuana lying near him. At his March 2022 jury trial, Bailey was acquitted of robbery and using a firearm in commission of a felony.

Another trial had been scheduled for August on a count of second-degree murder, but the charge was reduced during Baileys plea hearing.

At a review hearing Wednesday in Lynchburg Circuit Court, a supervisor of court services for Bailey testified he has completed requirements for anger and substance abuse therapy. The supervisor testified outpatient therapy for Bailey once released would be beneficial and Bailey wants to get a job and a GED as part of successfully integrating back into the community.

Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorney Bethany Harrison said Bailey, now an adult, has been in the court system as a juvenile since age 12 and he was released on parole supervision services when he killed Saunders.

Harrison said she doesnt believe Bailey is ready for release yet.

The commonwealth is concerned about his lack of remorse, Harrison said.

Bailey said he shot himself during the exchange with Saunders and feels it was a justified shooting, according to Harrison.

Based on his version of events, he could have left the scene before the shooting but didnt, Harrison said.

She said she applauds him for efforts in recent months while serving in juvenile detention based on the supervisors testimony.

I just think he needs more time, Harrison said.

Jim Childress, Baileys attorney, said the defendant has essentially been locked up since age 15 for the offenses and he has had zero violations while in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Childress requested Baileys release from incarceration be granted Wednesday so he could resume his life. Bailey said in court he is ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.

We are hoping this is the last time the court has to see him, Childress said.

Judge F. Patrick Yeatts said four months of positive behavior while incarcerated, though commendable, cant erase a six-year track record in the criminal justice system. Yeatts said when a person takes the life of another, there needs to be some punitive outcome.

Bailey is remanded to the Department of Juvenile Justice in the meantime and another review hearing can be sought at a future date before Bailey turns 21, according to the ruling.
After two hours of testimony and evidence, a Lynchburg police lieutenant was found not guilty Wednesday of assaulting a neighbor in an off-duty incident in May.

Another misdemeanor charge of trespassing against Lynchburg Police Lt. Brian Smith was taken under advisement until May 19, at which time it is expected to be dismissed if there are no further issues between the parties involved, according to retired Judge M. Frederick Kings ruling.

Smith and Gary Spengler, who at the time lived a few doors down on the other side of the street in their Boonsboro neighborhood, each testified Wednesday of a fight that broke out May 19 in Spenglers backyard when the off-duty officer walked over to confront him.

Kasey Smith, wife of Brian Smith and a city police officer, testified Spengler, whom she did not know, drove closely behind her and honked his horn repeatedly while the two were driving close to their homes. She testified Spengler yelled profanities at her from across the street and she alerted her husband, who walked over.

Chuck Felmlee, Brian Smiths attorney, said his client, a 20-year LPD veteran, initiated contact with a hand check technique that was defensive and intended to create separation, but Spengler struck him in the face.

After Virginia State Police investigated the incident, a trespassing charge against Kasey Smith was dismissed and she returned to full duty in September, a LPD spokesperson said in September.

Felmlee said the couple have since moved out of the neighborhood.

In a video Felmlee played in court, Spengler was heard at least three times telling Brian Smith to get off his property. Spengler testified he and a friend were laying out footing for a garage when he spotted Brian Smith crossing past his 6-foot privacy fence.

Spengler testified Smith charged toward him aggressively and threw a punch.

I just felt like, this isnt going to end, Spengler testified of returning blows and defending himself.

Spengler said he was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital afterward and had bruising on his neck and a bloodshot eye, which he guessed was from the punch.

He testified Smith looked militant and he is not fond of police coming on to his private property.

Spengler testified he, Smith and Spenglers friend ended up wrestling on the ground.

I just saw a very angry person charging at me, Spengler testified.

Kasey Smith testified Spenglers yelling derogatory language at her was almost taunting and she felt threatened by his driving and behavior she believed was aggressive.

Brian Smith testified his intention when he walked over to the home was to find out what was going on and let the neighbor know it was not OK to yell and be aggressive toward his wife. He had been called names before as an officer, but this type of incident in his neighborhood was concerning and he would unleash the full legal authority he had to protect his family, the officer testified.

He was a threat to us, Brian Smith said in court, adding: I had no idea who he was. All I know is, he is angry and yelling at me.

Gray Collins, the special prosecutor from the city of Colonial Heights, said Smith could have left the scene when told and none of the parties would be in court if he hadnt trespassed to confront Spengler.

Felmlee argued Brian Smith used a defensive technique and acted appropriately in the exchange.

I think we might be in trouble if he landed a closed-fisted blow, Felmlee said.

Collins argued there is no real defense when a homeowner tells a person multiple times to leave their property and he doesnt. However rude and aggressive the defendant thinks Spengler was, he had a First Amendment right to express himself and the commonwealth believes Smith clearly trespassed.

A mans home is his castle, Collins said.

Felmlee said as of Wednesdays hearing Brian Smith had been on leave from his job since the incident.
RICHMOND  Senate Democrats voted down a slew of hot-button GOP education bills Feb. 15 in a subcommittee meeting, including one LGBT advocates dubbed a forced outing bill.

The bill would have required school staff to notify a students parent if the student identifies as transgender or wants to use pronouns that are inconsistent with the students birth sex.

LGBT advocates strongly opposed the bill, while supporters of the bill said parents deserve to know what is going on with their children.

This legislation ... will not minimize or decrease the number of trans students we have in Virginia. What it is only going to do is remove supportive systems and systems of care for these kids, said Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia during testimony on Feb. 15.

The bill also included language that would have required school staff to ask if parents wanted to obtain counseling for their student when staff notified parents of their childs mental state.

Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, cited what he termed the high propensity of mental health problems and suicides for children who are undergoing gender identity issues and a much higher rate of suicide.

So it concerns me that parents would not know or that we would not share that with the parents so that they could be on the lookout for what their children may be going through.

The Democrat-led panel on Feb. 15 also shot down a bill from Del. Tim Anderson, R-Virginia Beach, that would have let parents bar their own children from access to books in school libraries with graphic sexual content.

For at least the second time this session, Anderson said the phrase spank that fat ass while reading from a book he said is available in Virginia Beach Public Schools libraries.

In addition, subcommittee members rejected a bill that would have required the state department of education to create model policies for how school divisions should regulate the selection and removal of books.

The Senate panel on Feb. 15 voted down legislation that would have allowed local school boards to hire on a contract basis non-law enforcement K-9 detection teams. The canines can sniff out drugs, guns, narcotics and vapes.

The goal here is to prevent the school to prison pipeline, said bill patron Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk. The schools get to decide the disciplinary action once any item is found, because this is a private company.

Peake, the only Republican present on the subcommittee Feb. 15 due to the absence of the other, expressed frustration that piles of GOP bills were shot down, including one that passed the House unanimously.

The bill would have allowed children of certain foreign service employees and civilian employees of the Armed Forces to attend Governors Schools.
, Feb 17 ( Japan Today ) - Some of the smartphones seized from four men suspected of coordinating a string of robberies across Japan had almost no data left inside, indicating attempts to hide evidence linking them with the crimes, investigative sources said Wednesday.

Japanese police are stepping up their investigation into Yuki Watanabe, 38, and three others who were deported from the Philippines last week. They have been arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with scam cases targeting elderly people in Japan that took place before the robberies began last year.

The men are suspected of having remotely coordinated the robberies from the Philippines, where they were being detained at an immigration facility.

A total of about 15 smartphones and tablets were confiscated while the four were at the facility. They are believed to have bought privileges there that enabled them to run the operation. ...continue reading
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King Mohammed VI had, on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace in Libreville, a meeting with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.

This meeting, subsequently extended to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, to the Minister Delegate to the Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Yolande Nyonda and to the Secretary General of the Presidency of Gabon, Jean-Yves Teale, was an opportunity to stress the importance of the deep, rich and solidly anchored relations between Morocco and Gabon, as well as the strong ties of brotherhood and solidarity between the two peoples.

During their meeting, the King of Morocco and the President of Gabon reviewed the state of bilateral partnership in all areas.

Subsequently, King Mohammed VI proceeded, in the presence of the President of Gabon, to the delivery of a donaion of 2,000 tons of fertilizers.

This solidarity action is part of Moroccos concern for Gabonese farmers, particularly in the current context, marked by the world food crisis and the difficulties in the supply of fertilizers.

In accordance with the high royal instructions, following this operation, a structural action will be undertaken with the objective of allowing farmers in this brotherly country access to quality fertilizers, affordable and specifically adapted to the needs of soils and crops of the region.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting Moroccos packaging industry with a 15 million loan provided to Multisac SA, local manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags in Morocco.

The announcement of the funding coincides with the visit of EBRD chief Renaud Bassu is paying to Morocco.

The 15 million loan will support the introduction of biaxially oriented polypropylene films to the companys product range. These are reusable and recyclable flexible packaging films that have a low carbon footprint.

The Banks investment will also finance the construction of a new green manufacturing plant, complete with Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification, and the expansion of Multisacs bag production capacity from 220 million to 250 million units annually.

In 2022, the Bank more than doubled its investment in Morocco, providing more than 528 million for 14 projects, up from 211 million in 2021.

It delivered record investment of 360 million in the private sector and 170 million in support of Moroccos green economy. Fifty-eight per cent of all investments had a gender and inclusion focus.

In 2022, the Bank held its Annual General Meeting for the first time in Morocco, under the theme, Responding to Challenges in a Turbulent World.
Ivorian authorities announced Wednesday re-opening on February 15 of the countrys land borders closed since March 2020 in a move to curtail the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Amadou Coulibaly, Government spokesperson, made the announcement following a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Amadou Kone, the Minister of Communication, indicated that the move comes especially after the control of the secondary routes of clandestine passage by our security forces and thus allows a redirection of the travelers towards the official routes of crossing in order to be able to ensure a better control of the migratory flow.

The decision to shut down lands borders has dealt a blow of transport companies which have been lobbying for the borders to be re-opened.

The West African country has already re-opened its sea borders and airspace as the spread of the virus globally has dwindled.
Morocco has offered 2000 tons of fertilizers in aid to Gabonese farmers in a series of similar moves that Rabat promised to take to alleviate the fertilizers crisis on the continent.

The donation was made to Gabonese farmers as part of directives of King Mohammed VI who held talks on February 15 with Gabons president Ali Bongo Odimba.

Facilitating the access of African farmers to customized fertilizers at a context of soaring prices and supply chain disruptions is in line with a Moroccan foreign policy in Africa permeated by south-south cooperation and co-development goals.

Demographic growth on the continent is expected to continue to rise leaving many African countries struggling to feed their people. Hence the need to develop agricultural output and cut dependence on soaring imports.

Morocco managed to develop the added value of its phosphates deposits to become a leading manufacturer of phosphates-based fertilizers. Special attention was given to help African countries meet their fertilizers needs.

Moroccos phosphates and fertilizers maker OCP has opened several plants across Africa to blend customized fertilizers. It is also investing in two large-scale plants in Ethiopia and Nigeria with a combined value of some $4 billion.

OCP pledged to dedicate 4 million tons of phosphates-based fertilizers to the African market in 2023, that is double the quantity it sold on the continent in 2021.

OCP has heavily invested in the development of eco-responsible fertilizer production capacity, reaching 15 MT of finished product by 2023, from a base of 3MT in 2008. This enables OCP to respond to Africas urgent needs while also supporting farmers around the world.

Thanks to OCPs supply of customized fertilizers, Senegals millet yield jumped 63% and Nigerias corn yield 48%, with similar results in Ghana and elsewhere. OCPs involvement in Ethiopia has seen wheat, corn, and teff yields increase by up to 37%.

Last year, OCP said it will offer 180,000 tons of customized fertilizers in donations and 370,000 tons at a reduced price to help many African countries secure their soil nutrients needs amid a surge of prices in the international demand.
Tunisian journalists on Thursday observed a day of anger to decry the sectors situation, marked by a deterioration in freedom of expression, as they put it, reports TAP news agency.

They said they rejected what they described as systematic policies to control the media and pointed out that the current ruling power is an enemy of the media.

Freedom of expression in Tunisia is now under threat in all spaces, including social networks, they warned.

At a rally staged by the Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) in the Kasbah Square, they accused the government of mismanagement of the confiscated and public media, which is going through a financial crisis.

In a symbolic gesture, the journalists raised their professional cards and wore red armbands.

The protesters shouted slogans such as: Free media, independent journalism, Freedom, freedom, no to the police system, No to Decree-Law 54, and The media is under siege, shame on you government!

In an address to the protesters, SNJT President Mehdi Jelassi pointed out that this protest movement testifies to a joint will to defend the journalists profession, which will remain the voice of all sectors and all political orientations in full independence and objectivity.

Jelassi criticized the non-publication of the framework agreement for journalists that guarantees their financial rights. He voiced his firm rejection of the policies adopted by the State in dealing with the confiscated media, saying that the government is trying to liquidate these media and put their employees out of work.

The current ruling power is an enemy of the media that would like to replace media establishments with Facebook pages to get its messages across, Jelassi argued.

The arrest of Mosaique FM Director Noureddine Boutar is another attempt to intimidate the media, he considered, adding that the current leadership wants the media to comply with its policies.

The Unions president criticized Decree Law 54 on crimes related to information and communication systems, saying that its aim is to silence the voices of the opposition.

Tunisian journalists were called by their union to wear red armbands on Wednesday and Thursday in all regions of the country and to stage protests in front of their media or government headquarters.




LOME, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Tuesday provided food assistance through the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Togo to support vulnerable populations in the country's north.

The funding from China helped to acquire more than 600 tons of food produced in Togo, which will benefit 52,000 people in the Savanes and Kara Region, said Chao Weidong, the Chinese ambassador to Togo, during the handover ceremony.

"China is willing to share development opportunities with other countries to achieve the common progress of all mankind," noted the Chinese diplomat.

According to Aboubacar Koisha, the WFP Representative, the emergency food assistance program provided essential assistance to people in need and helped restore a sense of hope and stability in the region and social cohesion within populations.

"Our combined efforts will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by food and nutrition crisis," said Koisha.

The food assistance from China is part of the 961 tons of food aid mobilized by the WFP to help vulnerable populations in northern Togo, including households affected by climatic changes and displaced people due to a security crisis.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
The United States is deeply concerned about the arrests of politicians, business leaders and journalists reported in recent days in Tunisia, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday.

We are deeply concerned by the reported arrests of multiple political figures, business leaders, and journalists in Tunisia in recent days, Ned Price said in opening remarks at the daily press briefing.

In recent days, Tunisian police have arrested a number of figures with links to the opposition or critics of President Kais Saied, including prominent politicians, two judges, the director of Tunisias main independent press and a senior official of the powerful UGTT union.

Washington is engaged with the Tunisian government at all levels in support of human rights and the freedom of expression, the Spokesman said.

We respect the aspirations of the Tunisian people for an independent and transparent judiciary that is able to protect fundamental freedoms for all, he added.

More than a dozen peopleactivists, judges, and journalists, among othershave been arrested over the past week. These coordinated arrests raised fears of a broader crackdown on dissent and prompted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to call for their immediate release.

Volker Turk expressed deep concern over the escalating crackdown against political opponents and civil society activists in Tunisia, and denounced the measures taken by the authorities that continue to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

In a press release issued earlier this week in Geneva, the UN official said at least nine people, including former civil servants, judges, veteran politicians and a major broadcaster, have been arrested lately on security and corruption charges.

The UN Human Rights Office has rebuked Tunisian authorities for launching criminal proceedings against opponents, charging them with conspiracy against State security.

We are additionally concerned that some of those held on charges connected to criticizing the Government have been tried in military courts, said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging the authorities to cease immediately trying civilians before military tribunals.

We call on the Tunisian authorities to respect due process and ensure fair trial standards in all judicial proceedings and to release immediately all those arbitrarily detained, including anyone detained in relation to the exercise of their rights to freedom of opinion or expression, he said.

Using long-term instability and the popular perception of corruption as a pretext, Tunisian President Saied suspended and later dissolved the parliament and dismissed the government in July 2021. Since then, he has taken a series of other measures, including a new constitution and new electoral laws with far greater centralization of power. His moves have also undermined the independence of the judiciary, including dissolving the High Judicial Council and the summary dismissal of 57 judges.

The opposition has called Saieds so-called political process a presidential coup and organized numerous protests demanding his resignation. Due to their boycott calls, the referendum in July last year for a new constitution and the national elections held earlier this year saw a historically low voter turnout.
The number of women and children migrating from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf states has significantly increased and is a cause of concern, the head of the UNs International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned, citing climate change as the main driver of the increased migration.

The treacherous journey from Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia through Yemen, called the Eastern Migration Route, has seen a 64% increase in the past year, with people seeking better livelihoods and with larger numbers of women and children traveling alone, IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino said. In the past, women and children would often opt out of the dangerous journey through the desert mostly made on foot, with mainly men making the trek in the hope of finding jobs and sending money back to their families left behind at home.

But now, the numbers of migrants rise and hence the pressure is mounting, said the IOM chief who was in Kenya for the launch of a $84 million appeal to support more than 1 million migrants using the route through Yemen. The desperate migrants are vulnerable to criminal gangs along the route and need protection against rape, violence, traffickers and smugglers, he said. Some of the migrants are unaware of the dangers including the war in Yemen and the UNs migration organization needs to improve awareness of the perils, Vitorino said. He also expressed hope that the factors contributing to increased migration, like climate change and conflict, can be addressed to reduce the number of people moving away from their homes.
Lincoln County has won one of Nebraskas first two inland port district designations for the industrial rail park developing east of Hershey.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development Wednesday announced that the county has received one of the states first two such designations, along with a joint Fremont-Dodge County district near Omaha.

State leaders can designate up to five inland port districts under 2021s Legislative Bill 156, introduced by state Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha to take advantage of Nebraskas central location on the nations transportation networks.

The designation will let raw materials and finished products from or bound for foreign markets go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection checks at the rail park rather than crowded coastal ports, local officials say.

LB 156s passage coincided with a three-year local push to broaden Lincoln Countys industrial base by capitalizing on the proximity of the Union Pacific Railroads Bailey Yard, the worlds largest rail-classification yard.

The Legislature passed LB 40 the same year as the inland port district law, enabling local leaders last year to win $30 million in state matching funds to help build the rail park.

Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp., said DED officials informed him Tuesday that Lincoln Countys inland-port application had been approved.

Winning the designation moves our rail park project up to a whole new status in being able to attract industry, primarily agribusiness, manufacturing and processing, Person said.

He praised U.P. leaders for supporting and assisting both the rail park and inland port district, along with the support and work of chamber members, Hershey and North Platte elected officials and county commissioners.

We were confident with the application and our rail-park site meeting all the qualifications that were set forth in the (state) guidelines, Person said.

It was a real cooperative effort to get this done. If the U.P. hadnt opened the door (to the rail park), this wouldnt have happened.

Organization of the rail-park project was sparked by U.P.s change of heart after decades of reluctance to risk granting rail access that could interfere with Bailey Yard. Railroad officials helped identify the rail-park site on Hersheys current east edge.

Commissioner Chris Bruns, the County Boards point person on the rail park and inland port district, welcomed Wednesdays news as he returned from meetings in Washington, D.C., toward having the Hershey rail park also declared a foreign trade zone.

Obtaining this formal designation caps a nearly two-years-long endeavor that will help Lincoln County facilitate long-term, regional economic growth for years to come, Bruns said via email.

He said commissioners now will move to identify, interview and appoint the nine members of the inland port authority board they authorized in June to operate the rail park and recruit additional tenants.

The County Board in July applied $250,000 from the countys federal COVID-19 aid to help the chamber buy the former Greenbrier Rail Services factory and its U.P. rail spur as the nucleus of the 339-acre park between U.S. Highway 30 and the railroad.

Local leaders hope to lure a soybean oil crush processing plant as the rail parks anchor industry. Those efforts should benefit greatly from Wednesdays inland port district designation, Person said.

In announcing the Lincoln County and Fremont districts, DED Director Anthony Goins said the 2021 law aims to encourage the development of new industrial hubs and providing the economic development tools necessary to acquire and develop large commercial and industrial shovel-ready sites.

Bruns said many businesses and manufacturers consider inland ports an important tool for streamlining their international trade processes, particularly those that rely on just-in-time logistics.

Lincoln Countys rail park will be highly desirable as a result, he said, because of its centralized geographic location and access to Interstate 80, U.S. 30, the North Platte Regional Airport and especially Bailey Yard.

Our new inland port will provide us with a unique, strategic advantage in many regards and finally allow us to harness our strong but disparate infrastructure and provide a centralized opportunity for tremendous multimodal capabilities, Bruns said.

Besides adding jobs and relieving our burdensome tax climate, he added, it will serve as a true catalyst, positioning Lincoln County and the larger region as an economic powerhouse in the state of Nebraska.

Person said he has emphasized local leaders push for inland-port and foreign trade zone status with potential tenants. Winning the state designation validates everything we had been telling them.

With the Omaha metro area receiving Nebraskas only other initial inland port, he added, its pretty good company to be in when they realize what we have going on here complements the firepower they have, he added.
From alcohol to cigarettes, most adults have tried some form of recreational drug. Fewer people have experimented with prescription medication for recreational reasons, but certain areas of the country are experiencing a serious problem with opoid addiction. Other drugs like cocaine and LSD, are used sporadically among adults in the U.S.

Using data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive, the experts at HealthGrove, a health data site, ranked the 25 most commonly used recreational drugs. The substances are ordered by the increasing percentage of people age 12 and over who used the drug recreationally in 2015. In the case of a tie, the drug with a higher classification by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is ranked higher.

To collect this data, SAMHDA conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in which they record use of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco in the U.S. population aged 12 or older. It is important to note that this data only includes recreational use of drugs, not proper medical use.

Drugs that are legal, alcohol and tobacco, have the highest recreational use. According to the survey, nearly one in five people over the age of 12 also used marijuana in 2015. As the drug becomes legal in more states, recreational use is likely to increase. Other Schedule I drugs (drugs determined to have no medical benefit by the DEA) including heroin and DMT had a recreational prevalence rate of less than 1 percent in 2015.

Note: Not all images in slideshow depict the exact drugs.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension Office and Auburn University are bringing a high-tech health care alternative to rural Chambers County.

Auburn University recently installed an OnMed virtual care station in LaFayette to help provide residents with quick and convenient health care services without having to drive to Opelika or Valley. The automated health care station is set to give patients private, real-time visits with doctors and nurses through a virtual setting.

The station is set to open for service in April.

According to LaFayette Fire and EMS Chief Jim Doody, OnMed can take care of 85-90% of anything that can be done at a regular doctors office.

This thing is absolutely amazing, what it can do, Doody said. Its basically telehealth on steroids.

As a telehealth unit, the OnMed care station allows residents to meet with medical care professionals via a video link. The doctor then instructs the patient in how to check their vitals using onboard equipment like thermometers, stethoscopes, and blood pressure monitors. They then diagnose patients the same as in a normal doctors visit. Prescriptions can also be written on site and sent to the patients pharmacist.

They can look at if you have the flu or strep throat or if you have an ear infection, rash, things like that that they can do in a typical exam, said Rachel Snoddy, Chambers County Extension Coordinator. Its really neat technology and yes, it can do all of those things.

The OnMed care station is part of a multi-disciplinary health care effort that Auburn University is rolling out in LaFayette. Through Auburns Rural Health Initiative, the colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Human Sciences will also provide medical services at the new Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center where the OnMed care station is located.

According to Hollie Cost, assistant vice president of University Outreach and Public Service, those services will include nutrition-based health and wellness education, and speech and hearing evaluations, among other offerings.

Weve developed this community health and wellness center in concert with the community members, so we feel like the services that were offering relate directly to their needs and interests, Cost said. We also have a variety of faculty members from different disciplines who are interested in engaging their students. So, well be setting up clinical hours for some of these students.

Cost said the universitys Rural Health Initiative is meant to combat health disparities and lack of healthcare access across the state. Auburn launched the initiative in LaFayette in part because of the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on the town. Higher than average cases of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity also played a part in the decision to start in LaFayette.

What were hoping to do is just to address these needs in the community, Cost said. I feel really confident with the team that weve put together and with the resources that we have that we can truly make it happen.

The LaFayette OnMed site is one of just four in the country. While another OnMed station was also opened at Tuskegee University in Nov. 2022, this is the first to be initiated through Auburn University.

The LaFayette location is considered a pilot project for Auburn. If it goes well, University Outreach and Public Service plans to open more across the state. They have already requested a grant from the USDA to provide funding for 10 other potential OnMed locations across East Alabama over the next three years.

Were thrilled so far with the telehealth station model and were looking at that model to establish proof of concept, Cost said. Were looking at the technology as an option because that can bring these resources into communities whereas it was challenging to actually locate maybe physicians practices within a community.

Doody echoed Costs analysis on the value of OnMed for rural communities.

Its not just important to LaFayette and the surrounding areas, this is important to all rural communities throughout the United States, he said.

While the care station and clinic are not fully operational yet, demonstrations are currently available to help familiarize residents with the technology. The first 60 days of service at the station will be completely free to the public. An open house for the community health and wellness center is planned for April 21.

The OnMed station is located in the new Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center at 404 Ninth Ave. Southwest in LaFayette.
Glad someone has some self awareness there, I wonder if itll work and the quality will go up. Fingers crossed cos theyve been serving us dust

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There is going to be a level of rigor on Marvel and across the entire company. Numbers matter now, and costs are going to be outlined and enforced.



I guess they've started early huh 



https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/123795466.html I guess they've started early huh 

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They're gonna start outsourcing the VFX more, there's no way they'll pay people and give them decent timelines.

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I wish it werent the case, but yeah. What they should be doing is slowing their output to produce more quality work with their in-house staff, but that costs money and we all know how Disney feels about money

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Good, it's getting annoying

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Please green-light season 4 of The Orville  I know it's a lomg shot but please. . . 

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dead ass, the orville, outside of HBO shows, has been the only series that made me genuinely excited to watch every week. It has so many layers to it and it's truly beautiful done. Sci-fi was never my fave, but damn Orville made a fan out of me.

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I was so glad Disney+ added it. I really liked it on Fox & was glad it was continued.

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If we don't get more of The Orville, Star Trek really needs to nab Seth MacFarlane as a showrunner. They're starting to go back in the right direction with Strange New Worlds (and according to critics, s3 of Picard but we'll see) and Seth understands what fans want to see.

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Yesssss I need it! 

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I thought Seth McFarlane said he wasnt interested in making a S4?



That was awhile ago so maybe he changed his mind

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He stated on Twitter and in multiple interviews that he is still interested in making season 4.

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Ugh a Taika SW movie will probably be insufferable.



Both SW and Marvel really do need to work on writing really GOOD scripts and giving the creators time to make it the right way.

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I recoiled at Taika. Did they learn nothing from Thor Love and Thunder??

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I wonder if his ego was taken down a peg by the response

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I'll believe it when I don't see it.

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i mean, no shit



these properties have been in decline for a while now



it's overkill!

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Question for the culture. I've started the Obi-Wan show and has Ewan McGregor always been that bad of an actor? As I'm watching it it's reaching levels of go girl give us nothing. Or am I missing sth there?

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I find him pretty good at campy/cheesy stuff; Moulin Rogue, Down With Love, etc. but he struggles with dramatic stuff imo

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i enjoy him in trainspotting and moulin rouge, but yeah hard pass on anything else

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well, I love when Ewan sobs (e.g. Moulin Rouge and Beginners)

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YES i find him downright unwatchable

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He's a great actor but the Obi Wan show had mediocre writing and Ewan seemed like he didn't care at all.

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As they should, tbh. Their output hasn't really been exciting in a while.

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Marvel movies when they first came out were fun, because there wasn't a new one all the time. They oversaturated the market with the same cookie cutter stories. Not everyone needs a story. It was only a matter of time before everyone got Marvel fatigue. Same can be said with Star Wars.



I know it boils down to money, but we live in a reboot, franchise hell of filmmaking right now because everyone is too afraid to throw money at newer ideas. Please media overlords think of new things.

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Yeah but also it sucks that it was mostly 10 years of white guys and now that they're sprinkling in diversity they're like well hold on.

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I really loved the direction stage 4 went in with diversity and going full comic weird and wild. But I feel like the big problem is nothing that theyve released have tied into each other and there doesnt seem to be anything in the future its leading toward. I love Shang-Chi but its been 2.5 years now and weve seen nothing linked to that story. I wasnt a huge fan of Multiverse of Madness, but at least it was building off of Spiderman but now weve had Thor and Wakanda Forever that werent linked to that at all. Not sure if antman is but nothing else on the horizon seems to be? With phases 1-3 they clearly had a goal that everything was leading toward and now everything seems separate its hard to get invested if I dont even know if the story will actually continue anytime soon.

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I'm still bummed nobody ever hired Donald Glover to be Spider Man.

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Honestly, the success of indie films shows you dont need to throw large amounts of money at movies to be successful. studios should moderate budget films, not everything needs to be a big action movie with well known stars. Stories can be told without explosions and stunts and make back good money.

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In the last half of 2022 alone we got like 4 Marvel moviesits insanity.

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"Sources say Disney plans to give longer theatrical windows to 2023 releases Elemental and Wish, to encourage families to return to theatres rather than wait for the Disney+ releases."



When will they realize this shit isn't reliable? Considering we're now living in a Pandemicene, they should prob focus on that movie streaming model a little more. Plus, aside from anything pandemic-related, ppl are too poor to go to the movies

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And with the way they keep jacking up prices, people will be too poor for streaming before long.

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Exactly, they're already getting more money than they've ever had with Disney+ and of course it's never enough for them, gotta charge ppl an arm and a leg just to see a movie in theatres

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What they should be doing is moving Elemental to a space that's not so damn crowded.

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I tend to agree with Matt Belloni's assessment that one of the biggest problems with the MCU is that they're too cheap to hire better/more experienced screenwriters so instead, they just get some guy who did a lil' Rick & Morty and hand him a huge project. Yes, they need to slow down and stop oversaturating the market, but a lot of their problems come from being so goddamn cheap (see also: their treatment of VFX workers).



I'm still guessing that the writers' strike will happen this year, so that will put the breaks on things, whether they want breaks or not.

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Funny how they hated Perlmutter's cheapness, and yet.

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Obviously not saying any or all fans, but I do think Marvel could benefit bringing on board fanfic writers as character/world building experts who've made a point to study certain MCU films and tell them "This character would never say/do that" just for consistency

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Hiring more experienced writers will do nothing if they're still asked to write by the numbers tbh

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yeah, there's no dearth of talented writers who'd like to try something new but corporate HQ will always prefer predictability because they've already penciled in the returns

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They don't hire them because they're cheap. It's because they need yes men who'll do what is told of them. A decent scriptwriter wouldn't let Disney release the shit they do.

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As a Marvel stan....





GOOD. Take the time to roll out X-Men (everything, I mean everything) properly, I've only been waiting for a comic-accurate version since since the first hints of a film came out in 1988, I can wait some more. No really, I WILL WAIT FOR IT TO BE DONE RIGHT and for my queen Storm to be paid something other than DUST.



Edited at 2023-02-16 08:45 pm (UTC)

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as impatient as I've been for Xfam to finally join the MCU I HARD AGREE. Its the only thing I've ever cared about.

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I remember when the first news of a movie came out--with Iman as Storm. We've been disappointed for decades, Marvel. DECADES.

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Mood. If they do what Fox did to it (even though I'd love to see McAvoy back) then it's just disappointment x 1000000

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it'd be cool if they gave Lana Condor good screentime as well

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I agree but at the same time i really don't think I'll be satisfied with anyone not Ian McKellan playing Magneto 

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lol yep. they also need a brand new - and DIVERSE creative team - or the same shit that happened at fox and is happening in contemporary comics (the current x-office masthead looks like an episode of mad men) will continue.



im still furious over how they treated storm and rogue in those movies (and how the actresses are still the ones getting the heat for the decisions those men were making behind the scenes). they really were desperate to hobble the most interesting and powerful female characters. (also interesting that they were specifically the two characters shunted off to black panther and avengers in comics for ages because the men in the x-office werent ~interested in them.)



i just want an adaptation not developed, written, and voted on by a committee of straight yt dudes, especially not based on a joss whedon comic. idk why they think thats such a tall order lol

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Yes i need some xmen content too. I feel like they woyld work better as a tv show either animated or like a really well done GOT (ealier seasons) production. I dont want them to continue with their half baked 6 episode tv series

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I don't care about the MCU anymore which is sad because it was truly fun for a while. The last thing I really enjoyed of that was Wandavision. I have Star Wars fatigue as well, especially after finding Book of Boba Fat and Obi-Wan so bad, but Andor was good so I have a bit more hope there at least.

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lmfao I'm seeing Ant-Man 3 tonight. NGL the only thing I'm hyped for is Michelle Pfieffer, Kang, and that Elton John song in the trailer. Even the trailer itself was very meh to me.



I want my Scarlet Witch Witches Road movie, bitches. Gimme.



We also could do without s2 of Loki, not sorry.

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Puerto Ricos electrical grid was already woefully under-invested in and poorly maintained when the category 4 Hurricane Maria crashed into the island in September, 2017. The fallout from the storm was enormous, with thousands of casualties and immeasurable damage to the islands infrastructure. The power grid was almost completely destroyed. The devastation triggered the longest and most sweeping blackout in all of United States history, and the majority of the approximately 3,000 people who died from the storm didnt die from the hurricane itself, but from issues relating to the lack of electricity powering hospitals and other essential services.

The United States island territory was still struggling to bring its grid back up to speed when Hurricane Fiona hit in September of 2022, almost 5 years to the day after Hurricane Maria made landfall. Now, intermittent access to electricity is the norm in Puerto Rico. Even on the mildest of days, Puerto Ricans have learned not to rely on the grid. Despite the grids poor service, Puerto Ricans have had to endure seven increases in electricity prices over the last year. Puerto Ricans already pay about twice as much for power as mainland U.S. customers, while earning about 43% less in wages on average.

Civil unrest has been mounting in Puerto Rico in response to the mounting electricity problems and runaway prices, and locals have been ramping up pressure on LUMA, the organization that runs the grid, to make some major changes. The private contractor has earned itself a spotty reputation since it took over grid operations in 2021, and has been harshly criticized for mismanaging the billions of dollars in federal aid that have been earmarked for repairing and rebuilding Puerto Ricos power grid.

For many, the failure of the traditional grid system in Puerto Rico points to the fact that it is high time to transition over to renewable energy on the island. The idea has been percolating for a while now, with studies showing that a grid based on decentralized renewable energy would be far more resilient to future hurricanes, and cheaper and more reliable for Puerto Ricans on the whole. And when it comes to preparing for the next storm, theres no time to waste.

Last year, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) released a Puerto Rico 100% Renewable Energy and Resilience Study, which maps out a more hurricane-resilient and climate-friendly energy sector by 2050. This outline builds on Puerto Ricos own local policy ambitions to reach 40% renewable energy by 2025. But the next major hurricane will happen much, much sooner than that. As Vox reported last September, in spite of the DOEs best efforts and FEMAs funds, the same hurdles that left the grid in a fragile state still remain: sluggish bureaucracy, poor management, underinvestment, and the inherent difficulty of delivering power on an island.

While the government has been extremely slow to act, they have plans to put the billions of dollars of federal funding they have received toward building out renewable energy and climate-proofing the grid. $1.1 billion in federal housing funds granted after Hurricane Maria will be primarily used to install solar panels and batteries in 30,000 low- and medium-income homes, and another $1.3 billion will be used to develop microgrids. Another $1 billion approved by Congress in December will provide additional funding to install rooftop solar and battery storage systems in 40,000 homes in the most impoverished, low-income communities on the island.

But Puerto Ricans are tired of waiting. Some islanders are taking the issue into their own hands. According to reporting this month from NBC, more than 45,000 rooftop solar systems have been interconnected into Puerto Rico's electric grid over the past two years, more than in the previous decade. According to Ingrid Vila, the president of CAMBIO PR, a nonprofit group helping promote and subsidize residential solar panels, the Puerto Rican government has tried to spin this "as its own achievement that many individuals have made the transition to renewables, when in reality it was something they did on their own." Puerto Ricans have learned that if the rely on the government to fix the grid before the next big storm, they might die waiting.



By Haley Zarremba for Oilprice.com

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French President Macron meets with senior Chinese diplomat

Xinhua) 08:36, February 16, 2023

PARIS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron met here on Wednesday with Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Macron, before briefing him the significance of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Noting that China always regards France as a priority partner of cooperation, Wang has said that China is willing to further tighten high-level exchanges with France, to open up new prospects for Sino-French relations, to inject new impetus into the development of China-EU relations, and to make new contributions in promoting international cooperation and tackling global challenges.

China and France helped each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said, adding that as China's economy has recovered rapidly and society has returned to normal, China stands ready to fully restart exchanges with France in various fields.

Macron asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping and congratulated on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Macron said that he looked forward to meeting with President Xi Jinping to renew friendship, promote cooperation, and create a better future.

Noting that France attaches great importance to its relationship with China, Macron stressed that it was of great significance to strengthen strategic dialogue between the two countries.

In the face of the increasingly complicated international situation, France and China should work together to maintain stability and balance, uphold multilateralism, oppose bloc confrontations, and avoid the world being broken apart, Macron said.

France hoped to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China in areas such as climate change, biodiversity and marine environment protection, Macron added.

The two also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue.

Wang emphasized that China had adopted an objective and impartial attitude and was always committed to promoting peace talks.

China attached importance to France's role as an independent major country, and stood ready to cooperate with the international community, including France, to promote a path of political solution, and reach a ceasefire at an early date, Wang noted.

On Wednesday, Wang also met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna.

Wang Yi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, shakes hands with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna during their meeting in Paris, France, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 15, 2023. Armenia's humanitarian support to victims of last week's massive earthquakes in southern Turkiye can further contribute to the normalization of relations between the two neighbors, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the press conference on Wednesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Armenia's humanitarian support to victims of last week's massive earthquakes in southern Turkiye can further contribute to the normalization of relations between the two neighbors, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

"This understanding of cooperation can contribute to our ongoing normalization process," Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Cavusoglu thanked Armenia for sending search and rescue teams to save quake victims and delivering humanitarian aid immediately after Turkiye was rocked by the strong tremors.

"Armenia has offered a hand of friendship and solidarity in our difficult time," he said.

"We have agreed to take steps to accelerate the normalization (of ties)," the Turkish minister said, referring to the dialogue launched last year aimed at ending their decades-old hostilities.

Turkiye and Armenia will reconstruct the bridges and roads connecting the border, he said.

Mirzoyan paid a visit to Turkiye on Wednesday after the devastating earthquakes struck Turkiye and Syria on Feb. 6. It is Mirzoyan's second trip to Turkiye after meeting Cavusoglu in an international forum in March last year.

"Being in Turkiye in these difficult times, I would like to once again confirm our willingness to build peace, for the full normalization and opening the borders between Turkiye and Armenia," said the Armenian top diplomat.

In a symbolic act, the border between Turkiye and Armenia, which had been closed for more than 30 years, was opened on Saturday to allow the delivery of Armenia's humanitarian aid to quake-hit Turkiye, Mirzoyan said, adding the second batch of Armenian aid crossed the border on Tuesday night.

The relations between Turkiye and Armenia were severed in 1993 during the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ankara closed its border with Armenia to show support for Azerbaijan.

Opening the border was one of the key issues Armenia demanded since last year as the two countries stepped up the normalization dialogue. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 15, 2023. Armenia's humanitarian support to victims of last week's massive earthquakes in southern Turkiye can further contribute to the normalization of relations between the two neighbors, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the press conference on Wednesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) shakes hands with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan at a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 15, 2023. Armenia's humanitarian support to victims of last week's massive earthquakes in southern Turkiye can further contribute to the normalization of relations between the two neighbors, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the press conference on Wednesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
An increasing number of companies are already using electric trucks, but the limited range of these trucks and the lack of access to charging infrastructure has so far held back their adoption.

Going forward, the electric truck market is expected to achieve a value of over $3.8 billion by 2030, from $392 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 26.4 percent between 2021 and 2030.

While the electric vehicle industry has exploded in recent years, progress on the electrification of bigger vehicles such as trucks and buses has been relatively slow.

As the U.S. puts increasing pressure on energy firms and car manufacturers to decrease their reliance on fossil fuels, the two industries are working together on the future of cleaner transportation. While electric vehicles (EVs) have become much more commonplace in recent years, progress on the electrification of bigger vehicles has been much slower. As automakers turn their attention to electric trucks, we can expect to see several new models released this year, with big plans for the coming years.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), registrations of electric buses and heavy-duty trucks increased in 2021 in China, Europe, and the United States. The sale of electric buses rose by around 40 percent globally, while electric medium- and heavy-duty truck (HDV) sales increased by twofold. However, the IEA also identified the need to demonstrate the economic and societal benefits  such as reduced noise and air pollution, to help expand the electric HDV market. Further, governments should adopt policies to incentivize electric HDV production and uptake, as well as expand the charging network across the country to support this uptake.

Significant strides have been made in the production of electric trucks in recent years, driving manufacturing costs down through battery and technology innovations. In fact, a 2022 study predicted that all new electric freight trucks in Europe will be cheaper to run, drive as far and carry as much as diesel trucks by 2035. And globally, the electric truck market is expected to achieve a value of over $3.8 billion by 2030, from $392 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 26.4 percent between 2021 and 2030.

In the U.S., the freight industry is looking to introduce more electric trucks to its fleet, although the main challenge continues to be the limited range of EV batteries and access to charging infrastructure. This means that most electrics HDVs being adopted in the initial phase will be for short-haul services.

Electric car companies have been racing to develop the technology needed to provide companies with long-haul electric HDV options in recent years, with some models already available. Teslas Semi combines three independent motors to give the vehicle the power needed to reach 0-60 mph in 20 seconds. In addition, Tesla states that the Semi uses only 2 kWh per mile of energy consumption, meaning it can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge, and recover up to 70 percent of range in 30 minutes using Teslas Semi Chargers.

PepsiCo appears to be one of the companies betting on the Tesla Semi, having submitted permits to install the Tesla Megacharger in Fresno, California. The company has already made a purchase of Semis to be used on-site, but now it looks like it wants to expand its network through the installation of the necessary charging infrastructure in the region.

Meanwhile, the logistics service Schneider adopted an electric HDV fleet in 2021, with the first of the trucks arriving at a California port this year. The CEO Mark Rourke stated Were going to be operating those in and out of railheads for intermodal customers, and so well start with five taking this month and will be up to about that hundred number by the time we get through the calendar year. Schneider chose the eCascadia battery-electric semi truck from Freightliner for its electric debut. But Rourke made it clear that Its going to take time. The range right now is about 200 to 240 miles depending upon terrain. So, itll be a while until we get battery electric trucks.

And other companies have also announced plans to make the switch. In December 2022, President Biden announced that the U.S. Postal Service would be buying 66,000 vehicles to build one of the largest electric fleets in the U.S. It plans to purchase 45,000 Next Generation Delivery Vehicles from defense contractor Oshkosh and a further 21,000 electric trucks from mainstream automakers.

And in some areas, the rate of electric HDV uptake is expected to accelerate, as certain states introduce policies restricting the purchase of new diesel vehicles and incentivizing EV uptake. In California, the Air Resources Board will require truck manufacturers to begin phasing in available heavy-duty EV technology by 2024, with aims for zero-emissions short-haul drayage fleets by 2035. This is expected to significantly reduce air pollution in the region. This is supported by Californias announcement of a ban on the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered cars by 2035, with plans to ban medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 2040.

State efforts will be supported by federal action, with the Department of Transportation having approved EV-charging station plans for all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, covering about 75,000 miles of highways. Over $1.5 billion has now been made available to help construct the extensive charging network.

As the U.S. government continues to push for a green transition, automakers are listening. Several automakers are releasing electric truck models that could change the face of freight in the U.S. over the coming decades, and several companies across the country have already put in their orders. To make the electrification of freight possible, the U.S. must accelerate the expansion of its charging network, which is supported by funding from the Department of Transportation. Clear strides have been made in electric truck production in recent years, although there is still a long way to go to provide the long-haul capabilities that are currently available in diesel freight.

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By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Legal experts believe the case is unlikely to stand up in court as it deals with matters of business judgment that the court will not challenge

Shell has said that it does not accept the allegations and believes its directors have complied with their legal duties and have acted in the best interests of the company.

The suing of energy firms for greenwashing or climate action failure by environmental organizations is nothing new. But ClientEarth entered new territory last week by taking legal action against the 11 directors of Shell, rather than the company itself. This has led to speculation over whether a new wave of climate litigation aimed at company directors might be on its way. So, is ClientEarths lawsuit legitimate or is it all hot air?

ClientEarth has a token shareholding in Shell and is suing the firm under the U.K. Companies Act, with support from a group of large pension funds and other investors. The group decided to take legal action against Shell last year, stating that the oil major has failed to move fast enough regarding climate, which has threatened the companys success and wasted its investors money on unnecessary fossil fuel projects.

ClientEarths lawyer, Paul Benson, stated that Shell may be making record profits now, but the writing is on the wall for fossil fuels long term. He argues that The shift to a low-carbon economy is not just inevitable, its already happening. Yet the board is persisting with a transition strategy that is fundamentally flawed, despite the boards legal duty to manage those risks. Benson added, Long term, it is in the best interests of the company, its employees and its shareholders  as well as the planet  for Shell to reduce its emissions harder and faster than the board is currently planning. The International Energy Agency said in 2021 that no new oil and gas projects were compatible with net zero emissions by 2050. Doubling down [by Shell] on new oil and gas projects isnt a credible plan  its a recipe for stranded assets.

The lawsuit appears to be the first of its type and while unconventional, it has received major financial backing from several institutions. Nest, the UKs largest workplace pension scheme with 10 million members, which is helping to fund the lawsuit, believes 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 We hope the whole energy industry sits up and takes notice.

Shell was already ordered to cut its oil and gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, in a Dutch court in 2021. ClientEarth is now asking that the companys board of directors adopt a strategy to manage climate risk in line with its duties under the Companies Act, as well as in accordance with the Dutch courts emissions ruling. The environmental group is currently waiting for the high court to determine whether the claim can proceed.

In response, a Shell spokesperson stated: 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 [1.5C] goal of the Paris agreement. Our shareholders strongly support the progress we are making on our energy transition strategy, with 80% voting in favour of this strategy at our last AGM.

While Shell claims its climate targets are in line with the Paris Agreement objectives, ClientEarth assessments suggest otherwise. Third-party analyses provided to ClientEarth show that Shells strategy does not include short to medium-term targets to cut the emissions from the products it sells, despite the fact this business accounts for 90 percent of the companys emissions.

The question now is whether this first-of-its-kind lawsuit will mark a new era of accountability in oil and gas, and potentially in other industries. While the litigation may have drawn the worlds attention, some law experts believe it is unlikely that the lawsuit will stand up in court. David Gibbs-Kneller, a lecturer at the University of East Anglia, stated that Corporate strategy and management are typically matters of business judgment that the court will not challenge. In addition, ClientEarths evidence that the strategy may impose increased risk to the company does not evidence they did not have regard to the wider interests of the company or the directors do not believe, in good faith, the strategy will promote the success of the company. In fact, it is implicit in Shells strategy to lower carbon emissions that they have considered those wider interests in discharging their duty to the company. No director would consider this claim to be in the companys interests when the evidence, at best, appears to be speculative, explained Gibbs-Kneller.

While ClientEarth waits for the U.K. high court to decide the fate of its lawsuit, it is certainly succeeding at drawing the eyes of the world to its cause. The environmental group calls into question the accountability of the directors of a company for its ESG strategy and action, rather than the company itself, likely encouraging others to do the same. No matter the result, ClientEarth has attracted greater attention to the situation and may potentially provide precedence for future legal action.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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On January 23, the European Union announced it would be sending a civilian mission to Armenia for a two-year term to document tensions on the border with Azerbaijan (Consilium.Europa.eu, January 23; see EDM, February 8). The EUs recent decision follows earlier attempts by Brussels to establish itself in Armenia and represents a significant upgrade from previous initiatives. Moscow responded angrily, tacitly accusing Yerevan of not pursuing other options, most notably a mission from the Russian-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) (Mid.ru, January 26).

These tensions highlight the increasingly difficult relationship between Armenia and Russia since the end of the Second Karabakh War in 2020, when Azerbaijan won a decisive victory over Armenia in the disputed Karabakh region. Since then, at least in the eyes of Yerevan, Russias attitude toward Armenias geopolitical predicament has been ambivalent. However, Moscow has opted to maneuver in accordance with its own national interests, one of which has been keeping cordial ties with Azerbaijan, a country that the Kremlin has seen as a more effective regional actor (TASS, November 26, 2021; Report.az, November 17, 2022). Baku has also leveraged its strategically important geographic and economic positions to boost its influence vis-a-vis Moscow. Indeed, Azerbaijan is a critical regional gas producer; a key transit node in the east-west directions connecting Europe, Central Asia and China; as well as a link in the north-south transportation corridor between Russia and Iran.

Given Russias pragmatism, Yerevan no longer feels confident in its relationship with Moscow. Crossing a psychologically significant red line, in January 2023, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that Russian peacekeeping forces on Armenian territory not only failed to ensure the security of the country but also represented a threat to Armenia itself (Armenian Weekly, January 11; see EDM, February 8). Following that, Yerevan even called off drills that the CTSO had scheduled to be held on Armenian territory. These decisions were in turn built on Pashinyans earlier refusal to sign onto a joint CSTO statement that failed to mention Azerbaijans infringement on Armenian territory during the clashes in September 2022 (Panorama.am, November 24).

Thus, though widely considered to be unavoidable before 2020, Armenias geopolitical dependence on Russia has now been increasingly contested in Yerevan. The alliance between the two countries was first struck in the 1990s. At the time, the South Caucasus was a different place. Armenia had emerged victorious after the First Karabakh War and Russia, though weak, still held enough prestige to maintain its power.

Following 2020, however, Armenias geopolitical situation deteriorated, and Moscow seemed unable or unwilling to help. As a result, Yerevan has been attempting to diversify its international relations through improved relations with Turkey and more involvement with the EU. Most importantly perhaps, Armenia is building a closer partnership with Iran, an increasingly significant player in a region where Turkish influence is growing and endangering Tehrans core interests. Iran is also feeling deep discomfort with Azerbaijani and Turkish actions along Bakus shared border with Tehran, a development which favors Armenia in its efforts to forge stronger ties with the Islamic Republic (see EDM, December 13, 2022).

Another factor contributing to the weakening relationship between Armenia and Russia is Moscows waning image due to its protracted war and heavy military miscalculations in Ukraine, lack of resources and declining prestige. These developments have wide-ranging effects, including in the Russian-led regional blocs, such as the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union, which have frequently been plagued by internal weaknesses. And that fragility is now becoming all the more apparent as Russias global standing continues to decline.

Although Armenia is a member of Russias military alliances, Moscow has repeatedly refused to heed Yerevans pleas for security assistance. As the Yerevan-supported separatist state in Karabakh is not considered to be Armenian territory, Russia has contended that the CSTO security commitment does not apply there. In September 2022, as Azerbaijan bombarded cities within Armenia proper, far removed from Karabakh, the Kremlin merely sent a fact-finding delegation to the South Caucasus (Azatutyun.am, September 14, 2022). From this, the message was loud and clear: Russia was incapable and unwilling to help Armenia.

Russias troubles create a certain geopolitical vacuum in the South Caucasus. For Armenia, it is both a dangerous development and a budding opportunity. As Yerevan seeks to diversify its foreign policy, it is moving, along with other options, toward forging closer ties with the West. For its part, the West has much to gain if it uses this geopolitical opportunity to build influence in the region, and the EUs January 2023 decision to send a special mission to the region is a good sign in that regard. Another positive sign is Brussels active diplomacy within the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process, as Russia has been absent at most of the summits between Yerevan and Baku (see EDM, October 17, 2022). While its waning influence in the region provokes worry in the Kremlin, the Russian authorities can do little more than make angry statements from the sidelines. With this in mind, the region may now be moving into a new era, with the end of the so-called post-Soviet period and Russias notion of regional hegemony.

Looking ahead, Armenia and Russia are unlikely to return to the previous form of their alliance, in which Yerevan often unhesitatingly followed the Kremlins line. Instead, in the future, Russia will have to dedicate more time and resources in persuading Yerevan to follow its lead in foreign policy, whether on Karabakh or any other matter. While less forceful than Azerbaijan, Armenia is testing Russias resolve and ability to protect its once enviable position in the South Caucasus amid the Kremlins war against Ukraine. However, while Armenia may want to diminish engagement with Russia, it does not want to completely disengageas a total Russian withdrawal from the South Caucasus would not augur well for Yerevan. Thus, Armenia will be forced to strike a delicate balance between Moscow and its other partners over the coming months.

By the Jamestown Foundation

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China has placed leading U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) and Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX) on its "unreliable entities list" over arms sales to Taiwan, effectively banning the duo from exporting or importing to China.

China has also banned the companies from making any further investments in China; imposed fines that are double the contracted amounts of their arms sales to Taiwan, canceled residence permits for any staff in China and also barred senior management from entering the country.

The bans come amid worsening relations between the United States and China, with the latest spat between the two countries coming after a Chinese spy balloon and several other unidentified flying objects were spotted flying over American skies and shot down.

It is not immediately clear how Beijing intends to enforce the fines that are to be paid within 15 days considering that no American company sells weapons to China.

The U.S. does sell arms to Taiwan since it is bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which requires that the United States shall provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character and shall maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan.

Relations between the U.S. and China took a dramatic turn for the worse under the Trump administration, and the Biden Administration is under pressure to view China as a fast-encroaching enemy. Relations have continued to sour since Washington announced its diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics and added more Chinese companies to its trade restriction list.

The U.S. and Taiwan have maintained cordial relations, with the worlds biggest semiconductor chip manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), currently building a second fab in Arizona as part of its $40 billion commitment that will greatly beef up the U.S .domestic semiconductor sector.



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Russia's military launched missile and drone strikes across Ukraine overnight, triggering air alerts and the country's air-defense system, Ukrainian officials reported early on February 16.

One of the strikes killed a 79-year-old woman and injured at least seven other people, Ukrainian authorities later reported.

Russian forces used a variety of missile types, firing 36 in a two-hour period, armed forces commander-in-chief General Valery Zaluzhniy said, adding Ukrainian air-defense batteries had shot down 16 of them.

Writing on Telegram earlier, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said unspecified sites in the north and west of Ukraine had been hit, as well as the central regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad. Yermak said Russian forces "changed their tactics" for the strike, deploying what he described as "active reconnaissance" and "false targets."

In western Ukraine, Maksym Kozytskiy, head of the Lviv regional military administration, said "a critical infrastructure facility" had been hit in the region in the overnight Russian attack.

The fresh attacks come amid reports of intensifying fighting in the country's east. Russian artillery, drones, and missiles have relentlessly pounded Ukrainian-held areas in the country's east for months, indiscriminately hitting civilian targets and wreaking destruction

In its daily briefing on February 16, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Ukrainian forces had repelled Russian attacks on 15 settlements in the east.

The Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which together comprise the industrial Donbas region bordering Russia, have suffered severely from Russia's bombardments as Moscow reportedly moves more troops into the area.

Six civilians were killed and 13 wounded in Russian shelling in the Donetsk region on February 15, Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said in a post on Telegram on February 16.

On February 15, Russian invading forces claimed some battlefield success, saying its troops broke through two Ukrainian defensive lines in the eastern Luhansk region and pushed back Ukrainian troops some 3 kilometers.

It was not possible to independently verify Moscow's claim. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment.

Elsewhere, Kyiv's military administration said that six apparent reconnaissance balloons were detected floating over the capital on February 15 and that "most of them" had been shot down.

It said the balloons "could carry corner reflectors and certain reconnaissance equipment" and were designed to "identify and deplete" Ukraine's air defenses.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said his country's forces would need "a few months" to learn how to use new Western weapons before they can try and push the Russians out of Ukraine.

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In a speech to the lower house of the State Duma on February 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Western support for Kyiv's war effort was prearranged, saying that "the U.S. and its satellites are waging a comprehensive hybrid war following years of preparation."

Lavrov said a revised Russian foreign policy doctrine to be published soon will emphasize the need to "end the Western monopoly on shaping frameworks of international life."

By RFE/RL

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A Luxembourg court has issued seizure orders for two units of Malaysias state oil company Petronas as part of an arbitration case brought against the Malaysian state by the descendants of a now-defunct sultanate in the Philippines.

The court case is based on a deal made in the late 19th century by European colonists of Southeast Asia with the then-sultan of Sulu for the use of local land. Now, this land is part of Malaysia, which honored the 19th-century deal until 2013 and, as part of it, paid the descendants of the sultan $1,000 annually.

The descendants of the sultan have sued Malaysia for $15 billion after it stopped making the payments following a violent uprising by supporters of those descendants.

Malaysia has refused to accept the arbitration case ruling, which was made in February 2022 and in favor of the sultans descendants, in France. Soon after, the two Luxembourg subsidiaries of Petronas were served with seizure orders. After the news broke, Petronas said it would take steps to protect its overseas assets from seizure.

"Petronas contests the validity of these enforcement actions against its two aforementioned subsidiaries and is taking all necessary measures to defend its legal position," the Malaysian state oil major said last July.

One of these steps was to get a stay of the seizure order from a Luxembourg court yet the stay appears to have not been final.

Meanwhile, at home, Petronas launched a new tender for 10 exploration blocks along with two clusters of so-called discovered resource opportunities. Most of the 10 blocks are in three producing basinsMalay, Sabah, and Sarawakand there are several in the new Penyu basin.

Earlier this month, the Malaysian state oil major signed production-sharing agreements for nine exploration blocks it awarded in last years tender.

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The significantly higher demand for liquefied natural gas in Europe is set to intensify competition with Asia in the short term and to dominate LNG trade in the longer term, Shell said in its annual LNG outlook on Thursday.

European countries, including the UK, saw their LNG imports jump by 60% last year, to 121 million tons, Shell, the worlds largest LNG trader, said as it issued a bullish outlook on the fuel through 2040.

Global LNG trade hit 396 million tons last year, an increase of 16 million tons compared to 2021.

The surge in Europes imports in 2022 was facilitated by a 15-million-ton, or 19%, decline in Chinas imports due to the zero-Covid policy, and a marked drop in South Asias LNG imports due to the high prices, Shell said.

At the same time, Europes pipeline gas imports from Russia slumped by 53% in 2022 compared to 2021.

The war in Ukraine has had far-reaching impacts on energy security around the world and caused structural shifts in the market that are likely to impact the global LNG industry over the long term, Steve Hill, Shells Executive Vice President for Energy Marketing, said in a statement.

LNG could become a core energy supply for Europe to meet energy security needs, while China could increasingly provide more flexibility to the global LNG market, the supermajor said.

Through the mid-2020s, that is over the next two years, the global LNG market will remain tight as Europe and Asia compete for limited new LNG supply, the supermajor said.

New supply  especially from Qatar and the United States  is set to hit the market in 2025-2026. Around 80% of new LNG supply by 2030 will come from those two major LNG exporters, Shell noted.

However, the supermajor warned that another supply-demand gap could be looming in the late 2020s without new investment in additional supply.

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As the global industrial sector seeks to shrink its carbon footprint, a number of MENA countries are investing in green steel production to capture market share and help meet emissions targets.

Despite generating 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, industry has been slow in adopting carbon-efficient manufacturing technologies. Steel is the manufacturing segment with the largest emissions, accounting for 7% of global emissions annually due in part to a reliance on coal to heat smelting furnaces.

The world produced nearly 2bn tonnes of steel in 2021, more than half of which was made in China, by far the worlds largest steel-producing country. The next largest, India, produced approximately 118m tonnes that year.

According to a September 2022 report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the MENA region is uniquely poised to lead global steel decarbonisation due to its use of lower-emissions smelting processes and planned developments in green hydrogen production  an attractive energy source for green steel.

Poised for the transition

Steel is composed of 98% iron, which is traditionally smelted in furnaces heated with coal at 1400C to remove impurities. This process is responsible for some 90% of the greenhouse gases created by steel production, according to a September 2022 report from climate alliance Mission Possible Partnership.

The international steel industry will require $47bn in annual investment over the next 30 years to meet demand growth, with an additional $8bn-11bn of investment needed to transition to net-zero processes.

In the MENA region, however, steel is dominated by direct reduced iron (DRI) production, which uses natural gas-powered electric arc furnaces and thus has a smaller carbon footprint than traditional smelting furnaces.

Despite accounting for 3% of the worlds crude steel in 2021, the region generated approximately 46% of global DRI production. Thanks to a steady supply of natural gas and DR-grade iron pellets, as well as the presence of some of the worlds largest ore-pelletising facilities, MENA is primed to further increase the manufacture of low-emissions steel.

Expanding capacity

The global steel industry generates more than $870bn in revenue each year, creating significant opportunities for economies willing to invest in green energy technologies.

With hydrogen central to the regions energy transition, many countries are looking to utilise this energy source to power their green steel industries.

At the end of January Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabias minister of energy, announced plans to invest $266bn by 2030 to support the Kingdoms clean energy targets. Some of this investment could go toward green hydrogen to power heavy industries such as steel production.

As of 2021 Saudi Arabia was the worlds 21st-largest steel producing country, manufacturing some 8.7m tonnes.

Green energy developments in the UAE are partly targeted to meet the emissions requirements of the European Green Deal, a roadmap approved in 2020 to decarbonise the EUs economy. Furthermore, European markets could turn to UAE steel when a ban on Russian steel, implemented in response to its invasion of Ukraine, takes effect in September of this year.

Emirates Steel Arkan, in particular, has begun incorporating green hydrogen into its manufacturing processes. The company has already achieved a lower carbon footprint than competitors in China and India due to the use of natural gas to power electric arc furnaces, which boast a carbon intensity 75% lower than traditional coal-powered blast furnaces.

Additionally, Oman steel company Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel is investing $3bn in a green steel plant located in the Duqm Special Economic Zone. Powered by green hydrogen, the plant is expected to produce 5m tonnes of steel annually upon completion in 2026.

The company is targeting exports to the automotive, consumer durables and wind power segments in the EU, Japan and other GCC countries.

In October of last year Brazils Vale, a metal and mining company, signed three memoranda of understanding with entities in the GCC for feasibility studies to establish industrial complexes capable of producing green steel. The complexes will be located in Ras Al Khair Industrial City in Saudi Arabia, Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Duqm Special Economic Zone in Oman.

New technologies

Elsewhere, recent innovations are promising to expand green steel production while limiting both waste and emissions, which could be applied in MENA.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2021 Swedens steel company SSAB partnered with utility Vattenfall and miner LKAB to produce the worlds first fossil-fuel-free steel, substituting green hydrogen for coal. The companies invested some $232m on a trial run through to 2024, with plans to open an industrial-scale facility in 2026.

As of October of last year Colorado-based start-up Electra raised $85m in funding to purify iron at temperatures as low as 60C, eliminating the need for high-temperature coal furnaces and thus reducing the amount of emissions produced.

Last month US start-up Boston Metal announced that it raised $120m in a Series C funding round. The company uses electrical currents to heat ore to 1600C to drive the chemical reactions that produce steel without using fossil fuels. The start-up previously received investment from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the venture capital firm founded by Bill Gates, and Australian mining giant BHP.

By Oxford Business Group

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Fleet Foxes will bring their new tour to Steelhouse Omaha this summer.

Tickets for the July 2 show will go on sale to the general public at ticketmaster.com at 10 a.m. Feb. 24. The group, which plays indie folk music, was formed in Seattle in 2006. It has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and its albums have received widespread acclaim. The 2023 tour is in support of the album Shore, released in 2020.

The concert was the second show announced for Steelhouse Omaha, the $104.1 million Omaha Performing Arts venue that is slated to open in May at 11th and Dodge Streets, across from the Holland Center. A May 12 concert by The Killers will be the first show at the Steelhouse.

Officials offered a sneak peek of the hall on Wednesday. The main floor will accommodate 3,000 people standing or 1,500 seats, depending on what the performers desire, and another 300 seats will be available on the horseshoe-shaped balcony.

Nebraska Wind Symphony

Horns will take center stage at the Nebraska Wind Symphonys Winter All-Star Concert on Sunday.

The concert will feature a special guest group, Horns of the Heartland, which includes members from Omaha, the Quad Cities in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, Des Moines and South Dakota. With the symphony, the group will play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts Concerto No. 3 for Horn and American Overture by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins.

The Middle-School All-Star Horns, made up of area students, will join the symphony on Malcolm Arnolds The Padstow Lifeboat, Kevin Days Ember Skies and Ed Huckebys Horn-A-Plenty, with guest conductors Lindsey Bogatz and Deb Lund.

Other pieces on the program are Flourish for Wind Band by Ralph Vaughn Williams, selections from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and Dynamo for Horn and Wind Ensemble by Will Pitts, which will feature guest artist Ross Snyder.

The symphonys music director is Joshua Kearney, interim director of bands and assistant professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Keith Davis, a composer with music degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is the associate director.

Tickets for Sundays concert at $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and free for children under 13. They are available at the door or online at nebraskawindsymphony.com.

Beauty of a concert

A beloved Disney animated movie will be shown on a big screen at the Holland Center this weekend.

Whats more, the Omaha Symphony will perform the films score, written by Alan Menken, in real time as the movie progresses.

The showing of Beauty and the Beast plus live music will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Kiewit Concert Hall in the Holland, 1200 Douglas St.

The concert, conducted by symphony Principal Pops Conductor Ernest Richardson, is part of the orchestras movies series. The story is a familiar one: a witch turns a spoiled prince into a beast, a strong yet sweet woman befriends him, and they race to make sure the spell will be broken before a deadline.

Tickets, ranging from $45 to $89, are available at omahasymphony.org or 402-345-0606.

Summer Arts Festival planning

Applications are open for food vendors, musicians and visual artists to participate in the annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival, scheduled for June 9 to 11 this year.

Opportunities include:

Mural Cube Project  The work of local artists will be featured on giant cubes that will be scattered throughout the city for display from mid-May through the festival. This is the third year the cubes will be created.

Performing arts  Local musicians from all styles and genres can apply to play at various times throughout the festival weekend.

Homegrown Artists Village  In its second year, this event offers emerging local visual artists a way to get hands-on experience selling art at a large professional festival.

ArtSeen  Local galleries, art co-ops and other organizations are showcased, with opportunities for artists to do on-site demonstrations.

Food  Vendors, food trucks and local restaurant operators can apply to be part of TasteFest, open throughout the festival.

For more information and applications, go to summerarts.org.

Out of Omaha screening

Union Omaha will present a free showing of Out of Omaha, a film that follows twin Black brothers as they come of age in a racially divided city and examines what it takes to overcome systemic racism.

The 2018 film was directed by Clay Tweet and written by Damien Michael Belliveau, Tim Grant and Ryan Johnston.

A panel discussion will follow Tuesdays 6 p.m. showing at the Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St. Freewill donations will go to the Great Plains Black History Museum.

Photos: An early look at the metro's newest concert venue, Steelhouse Omaha 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar01.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar02.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar03.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar04.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar05.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar06.JPG 021623-owh-new-steelhouse-ar07.JPG
Some metro school districts are announcing closures for Thursday in preparation for an incoming winter storm.

The Omaha, Bellevue, Westside, Papillion La Vista and Ralston school districts will be closed, though OPS will host remote learning, according to the district.

Omaha Catholic schools also will be closed Thursday, according to the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Council Bluffs Community schools will be closed Thursday as well.

The area is under a winter storm warning until Thursday evening, with near blizzard conditions in the forecast. Lincoln and Omaha could receive between 2 and 7 inches of snow.

Snow chances are expected to taper off Thursday morning, but gusty conditions will likely linger into the day. The combination of wind and snow could cause visibility issues and complicate Thursday morning commutes in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa.

The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Department of Transportation advised drivers to be prepared for winter conditions.

Public school districts in the Omaha metro area Bellevue Public Schools Bennington Public Schools Douglas County West Community Schools Elkhorn Public Schools Fort Calhoun Community Schools Gretna Public Schools Millard Public Schools Omaha Public Schools Papillion La Vista Community Schools Ralston Public Schools Westside Community Schools
SAO PAULO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three prisoners were killed and another 43 injured in a southern Brazil prison fire on Wednesday, local authorities said.

The fire at the Penitentiary of Florianopolis, in Santa Catarina state, was traced to a mattress in one of the cells, said William Shinzato, head of the Penitentiary Affairs Commission.

All three fatal victims died of smoke inhalation, according to Brazil's Order of Lawyers, the country's top bar association.

The fire was brought under control and did not spread to other parts of the prison, Brazilian news network GloboNews said. 
The Nebraska Humane Society is out of space for adoptable dogs.

The shelter has a total of 274 dog kennels, including 46 designated for overflow, such as for court cases, flooding or disasters. Currently, 272 dogs are occupying kennels at the shelter, said spokeswoman Pam Wiese.

Its imperative that the shelter has open kennels because of strays that come in daily and have nowhere else to go, Wiese said. Other shelters across the country are facing similar situations.

The economy is making it hard to afford pets. Some people are losing homes and living spaces. Others cannot afford to feed their families, much less pets, Wiese said. NHS has also had court cases that required us to hold multiple dogs for several months. All of this combined has created a bottleneck of dogs in kennels.

Wiese offered a handful of ways the community can help the shelter:

Become an emergency foster. Take a dog into your home temporarily to free up a kennel.

Adopt a dog. The Humane Society is open from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

If youre on the fence about adopting, test drive a dog for a few days to be sure the animal is a good fit.

Reclaim lost dogs. Wiese said 20% of stray dogs were reclaimed last year. Stray reclaim hours are noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Wiese said the emergency foster program worked well early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is a way to free up a kennel for a short time and it gets pooches in front of new people who may consider adoption. On occasion, she said, foster families end up adopting the dog.

Letting would-be adopters have a trial run with a dog also frees up a kennel, Wiese said, and if the dog winds up coming back, the shelter at least learns more information to help future adopters.

Strays come into the shelter daily. For those who need to surrender a dog, Wiese said officials are asking them to attempt to rehome the animals on their own. But if its an emergency situation, they should bring those dogs into the shelter.

We have a wonderful, animal-loving community, Wiese said. We thought wed be transparent and say we need help right now. It may spur some people to adopt. Were simply trying to use all the resource at our fingertips.

To see available dogs or for more information, visit nehumanesociety.org.

Photos: Inside the renovated Nebraska Humane Society
The Air Force has ordered inspections of a number of aircraft, including reconnaissance jets based at Offutt Air Force Base, after discovering faulty parts that could potentially cause the aircrafts tail to fall off in flight.

Last week, the Air Force Materiel Command ordered the inspections of the vertical terminal fitting pins  which are about 5 inches long and attach the tail of the four-engine jet to the fuselage  to take place within 15 days. Locally, the inspection order included all of the Offutt-based 55th Wings RC-135 and WC-135 reconnaissance jets as well as KC-135s assigned to the Nebraska Air National Guard in Lincoln and the Iowa Air National Guard in Sioux City.

On Tuesday, the Air Force updated its directive to require the inspections to take place before an aircrafts next flight. All together, the order covers nearly 400 of the aging jets, which were delivered to the Air Force between 1956 and 1965.

Were taking this action out of an abundance of caution, after consulting with our engineering experts, said Col. Michael Kovalchek, senior materiel leader with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centers Legacy Tanker Division, in a statement. We are working closely with Air Mobility Command and all operational users and anticipate all potentially affected aircraft will be inspected.

The Air Force had found faulty pins on 24 of 90 aircraft inspected through Sunday, according to an Air Force press release, but no accidents or incidents linked to the tail pins have been reported. The inspections take about 30 minutes, and repairs typically can be completed within a day, the release said.

Air Force officials were unable to provide any newer inspection numbers, or any information specific to the Offutt reconnaissance fleet or Nebraska and Iowa Air Guard fleets.

At least 11 of 15 RC-135s that are not currently undergoing major maintenance overhauls have flown in the past two days from Offutt or deployed locations in England or Okinawa, Japan, according to information gathered from public flight-tracking websites by a retired 55th Wing crew member  suggesting that those aircraft may already have been inspected.

A memo posted Feb. 9 on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page linked non-conformal pins to as many as 207 C-135-variants that underwent major overhauls between June 2020 and December 2022.

An Air Force spokesman confirmed the validity of the memo to The World-Herald.

The memo said an analysis of two on the non-conforming pins in January indicated they were too small, used incorrect materials, and carried too little plating.

It said the two pins, one on each side of the vertical stabilizer, carry 90% of the load in the tail.

Therefore, should one pin fail, the other would not be able to carry the remaining load and the vertical stabilizer would depart the aircraft, the memo said.

A similar loss of the tail in flight is thought to have caused the deadliest crash in the history of the RC-135 fleet. On June 5, 1969, a RC-135E called Rivet Amber carrying a crew of 19 disappeared during a flight from an air base in the Aleutian islands to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, near Fairbanks.

The plane had suffered damage to its tail after experiencing severe turbulence on a flight the day before. It was headed to Eielson for repairs. While no wreckage or bodies were ever recovered from Rivet Amber, the weakening of tail remains the leading theory of what caused the crash, said Robert Hopkins III, a former 55th Wing RC-135 pilot and the historian/author of The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than a Tanker.

Hopkins said the Air Force in 1968 had ordered an inspection and repair of vertical fin attachment on all of its 761 C-135-variant aircraft after two fatal crashes of a KC-135 and a Boeing 707, a civilian jetliner based on the same airframe. Both lost their tails in-flight linked to fatigue cracking in the attachment points that connect the tail to the fuselage  the same area now being inspected.

Rivet Amber had not yet received the tail-strengthening upgrade.

Hopkins was sharply critical of the Air Force for what he sees as deficiencies that may have allowed faulty parts to be installed on modern-day KC-135s and RC-135s. He said it represents an institutional failure.

The larger story is whatever malfeasance led to this, he said. Whats terrifying is that it apparently was a fluke that they discovered this. It could have been an RC-135 that lost its tail and crashed in Bellevue.

Update: This story has been updated to note the Air Force's response regarding a memo posted to social media.
A Council Bluffs man will spend more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Alan Lawton, 42, was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday to 66 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

The charge stems from an incident on June 8, 2022, in which Lawton was observed by law enforcement putting items in a storage unit. Lawton fled from officers in his Jeep and crashed through a security fence before fleeing on foot. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa, he was apprehended after a short chase.

Along the route that Lawton ran, police found a stolen Sig Sauer P238 .380 pistol. Lawton was barred from possessing firearms as he had previously been convicted of a felony and was a known unlawful user of controlled substances, according to the indictment.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
LINCOLN  A bill that could eventually end the twice-a-year time changes in Nebraska is headed for debate by the full Legislature.

The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 7-0 Wednesday to advance Legislative Bill 143, introduced by State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion.

The measure would put Nebraska on daylight saving time all year, if the federal government allows states to do so and if at least three neighboring states make the same move. So far, Wyoming and Colorado have such legislation.

Under current federal law, states can stick with standard time year-round but cannot opt for year-round daylight saving time. Supporters of LB 143 said they would rather go with daylight saving time so people have more daylight hours after work.

The committee also advanced LB 343, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar. The bill would prohibit any state or local government from contracting with a company that is boycotting Israel. Slama has named the bill her priority for the session.

The bill advanced on a 5-2 vote. Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha voted against the bill, calling it anti-speech and anti-democratic and saying there was no proof of a problem.

Another measure that cleared committee was Legislative Resolution 14CA, also by Briese. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Nebraskans to recall the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, auditor or any member of the Legislature. It advanced on a 7-0 vote.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
LINCOLN  During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska nurse Julia Keown said her fellow nurses would cheer when they found out a mask mandate or other public health measure was on its way, knowing it would save lives and help slow the constant flow of patients coming through her hospitals doors.

We were all drowning, she said.

Keown was one of several local health care workers who testified against Legislative Bill 421 Wednesday, which opponents fear will delay the implementation of such measures in the future and endanger Nebraskans.

LB 421 would amend state law to prohibit local health departments from issuing directed health measures. Instead, city councils or county boards would be responsible for adopting such measures based on the recommendations from the departments. The bill was the subject of a public hearing in the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, who introduced the bill, said she brought the legislation after the pandemic shed light on the enormous power public officials held to restrict personal liberties  a power that should be held by elected officials.

Controversy arose during the COVID-19 pandemic over who had the authority to mandate health measures, such as mask-wearing, and business closures. Last year, the state filed a lawsuit against Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse after she issued a temporary mask mandate. Three Omaha City Council members joined the states complaint, but the legal action was withdrawn after the City Council passed an ordinance giving the mayor and council the authority to review and approve such measures.

Kauth said the ordeal demonstrated the need for LB 421. She later claimed that cloth masks were found to have more downsides than benefits. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that cloth masks are the least effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 compared to other masks like N95s, they still provide some protection and are not harmful.

Two Nebraska residents who spoke in favor of the bill similarly objected to public health measures enacted during the pandemic, such as limiting public assemblies.

This is unacceptable on multiple levels, said supporter Stacey Skold.

Multiple medical officials, including a representative of the Nebraska Nurses Association, plus a representative of the Nebraska Association of County Officials opposed the bill. They largely argued that public health officials are the best suited to make public health decisions, and requiring elected officials to make those calls is unnecessary and would slow the process to dangerous levels.

If this bill passes as written, we will all be less safe, said Dr. James Lawler with the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.

Multiple opponents argued that speed is arguably the most important factor in responding to a public health crisis. They estimated it could take days or weeks for some local governing boards to consider health directives.

Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, chair of the committee, repeatedly expressed doubt at this estimate, arguing advancements in technology could make emergency decisions happen within hours.

John Cannon with the Nebraska Association of County Officials pointed out that local governing boards have multiple regulations they must follow that could easily delay emergency decisions. The reason why county boards hire public health directors is to make those decisions quickly, he said.

Though committee members generally asked questions focused on Nebraskas COVID-19 response, multiple opponents also argued that LB 421 could increase the public health risk for more less-novel infections, such as salmonella or tuberculosis.

Hansen argued that the instances of such infections happening in Nebraska are relatively rare. Opponents argued those infections are rare because preventative public health measures have worked. Lawler, a co-executive director of UNMCs Global Center for Health Security, said public health officials are often underappreciated because of this  most people dont notice when theyre being effective.

When our public health officials do their job, nothing happens, Lawler said.

Kauth said she was willing to work on the bills language to clarify its intent, which is to regulate larger-scale health directives.

Committee member Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering said there should be a way to hold appointed officials accountable for poor decisions. Using Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to the president, as an example, Hardin said some appointees can outstay their welcome, and cant see the forest through the trees.

Lawler noted that Fauci served in an advisory role and didnt actually make any health decisions that directly impacted Nebraskans. Hardin responded by alleging Nebraska public health officials took marching orders from Fauci.

Hardin repeatedly stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has damaged public trust in health officials, and said the medical community should bear some of the burden in restoring that trust.

We need to believe in you, Hardin said. They need to believe in you.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
LINCOLN  The Appropriations Committee released a preliminary budget plan Wednesday that would increase state spending at twice the rate proposed by Gov. Jim Pillen.

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, the committee chairman, said the difference largely lies with the decision to include pending requests in the committees preliminary plan. Those requests are under consideration but have not been approved so far.

Those are not final numbers, he said.

The preliminary budget would leave $465 million of state tax revenues available for other uses during the two-year period ending June 30, 2025. But thats barely enough to cover the income and property tax cuts that Pillen put forth. Those cuts add up to $457 million, according to legislative fiscal office estimates.

The committees plan also came out as the latest report of state tax receipts showed possible clouds on the economic horizon. The report for January showed that tax collections for November through January were $53.7 million  or 1.5%  lower than expected.

A Wednesday report from the State Department of Revenue showed that Nebraska netted roughly $536 million in January, which is 7.7% lower than the $581 million projected. The numbers are reflective of fluctuating revenues for the state over the past three months. In December, net revenues were 9% higher than projections, while in November they were 10% lower.

The latest revenue projections were set by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board in October, which added $1.8 billion to the states overall revenue forecast for the next two fiscal years. The board will meet next week and again in April to update its projections.

Meanwhile, the Appropriations Committee will be holding public hearings on each state agency, plus 87 legislative bills, as members continue with the budget-crafting process.

Legislative rules require the committee to get its final budget plan to the full Legislature by May 2, the 70th day of the session. The budget must be passed by May 18, the 80th day.

Under the committees preliminary plan, state spending would increase by 4.9% in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and 0.5% in the following year. Pillen recommended increases of 2.6% and zero for the two years.

His budget recommendations were finalized before his administration negotiated contracts with employee unions to give raises to state employees. The final salary numbers were higher than those Pillen had included in his plan.

Among the items awaiting further review is a $1.25 billion transfer out of general fund revenues  the amount that Pillen proposed be set aside in a new Education Future Fund to be used for changes in school aid. But the committee approved a $135 million, two-year increase in the states original property tax credit fund.

Other pending items include a 2% annual increase in the University of Nebraska budget, which made it into Pillens budget recommendations, but is not among the approved items in the committees plan.

Money to cover previously negotiated salary increases for the Department of Correctional Services employees and authorization to build a proposed new prison also ended up among the pending items.

Nebraska has been reporting high revenue growth for the last several fiscal years, beating a record previously set in the late 1980s. However, financial analysts have warned state officials that the growth may be foreshadowing an looming drop.

Clements said the drop in Januarys tax receipts isnt cause for alarm. He said its common for revenues to fluctuate from month to month, and the decrease in January was offset by the gains in December. He said he expects state revenues will bounce back some in Februarys numbers.

The revenue for the fiscal year is still holding stable, he said.
Dear Nebraska lawmakers,

Im reaching out to you today regarding Legislative Bill 675, also called the Heartbeat Bill the Nebraska Unicameral is preparing to vote upon. As a resident of Omaha and a Jewish clergy person, I have grave concerns regarding the religious liberty, personal freedoms and damage this bill will cause to the citizens of Nebraska.

I am a woman of faith and a faith leader in the Jewish community. It is both my strongly held belief and my conviction, based upon Jewish tradition, that full reproductive care, including but not limited to access to abortion, must be maintained for the full exercise of religion, the full dignity of women and the dignity of God.

I believe that conception is not the beginning of life, but only the potential for life. I recognize that this theologically based idea might differ from those of other faith traditions, but in the Jewish tradition, life fully begins with breath and not with conception or even the beating of the heart.

I ask that you respect our religious differences and not place one religions theology over another in enacting an abortion ban.

Similarly, my Jewish faith leads me to believe that all human beings are created in the image of God; with a divine spark.

When a woman, her doctor and her faith are prevented from acting in good faith on sound medical decisions, it removes her dignity and damages Gods dignity in the process.

Whether a woman is desperately seeking to enlarge her family and for medical reasons must achingly choose to terminate a pregnancy; or is, like me, desperately seeking to bear children but in need of medical help to successfully achieve this; or is desperately trying to control the size and timing of her family for any and all reasons; I do not believe the state has a controlling interest above these women and their doctors.

God has imbued them with wisdom and brains, ethics and faith, and Gods own divine spark.

When the state supersedes these measures, negating their ability to live out their faith and convictions and independence, the state steps too far over their freedoms and diminishes their humanity by controlling them. God granted them the freedoms to choose life or death, good or evil and it is for God alone to judge.

Please know that my long and strongly held belief was both tested and confirmed as I struggled through infertility. Im grateful every day for my three children  all created through IVF  and desperate that they should live in a world and a state where they will know the same freedoms that I had in planning and bringing about my family.

That they should know the same dignity of treatment, of self and family determination; and never have to cross a boarder or get on an airplane to find medical help denied to them by their state.

I accept that different religions reasonably have different views on the beginning of life, but I pray that you will not allow one faith to damage the religious freedom of another by ignoring our theological differences.
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. 16, 1923: Business in both wholesale and retail lines and also industrial is prospering in Bloomington, according to reports from various sources. The cold snap has provided a stimulant to the retail interests and the coal industry. This makes the third successive month in which retailers showed gains.

75 years ago

Feb. 16, 1948: Attorney Joseph W. DePew, 211-13 Unity building, announced that James DePew, his nephew, was now associated with him. The latter was admitted to the Illinois bar in January and will receive his law degree at the University of Illinois this spring.

50 years ago

Feb. 16, 1973: Norman Jones has been named director of market development for FS Services, Inc., according to Kenneth P. Baer, FS vice president of field services. The position was vacated by Baer when he was appointed to his job on the staff of E.V. Stevenson, FS executive vice president and general manager.

25 years ago

Feb. 16, 1998: Two sisters both won big jackpots in the Little Lotto, having bought their tickets at the same Bloomington business: Spee-D-Mart, 2616 S. Main St., Bloomington. First, Kathleen Roberts won $35,000 in a 1994 Little Lotto drawing. Then, earlier this month, Barb Robertson claimed $79,122 from a Feb. 9 drawing.

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'
BLOOMINGTON  The McLean County Museum of History will host guest speaker Ericka Wills on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for a presentation on labor rights in recognition of Women's History Month.

The program, "Corn Fields to Coal and Copper Mines," brings McLean County native and Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State alumna Wills back to Bloomington to share stories from workers she engages with and highlight her work with women as a labor rights activist and education.

Wills is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School for Workers, where she leads educational efforts for "rank-and-file" workers.

According to a statement from the museum, Wills became intrigued with workers' stories growing up in rural McLean County in a working-class family. She received a bachelor's degree in English and environmental studies from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master's degree and doctorate in English studies from Illinois State University.

Since graduating, she has worked in labor union education, activism and research. She also does cross-border work, connecting Mexican miners with their U.S. counterparts in southwestern copper mines, and supports striking coal miners and their families in the southern Appalachian Mountain region.

Wills studies and encourages women's roles in sustaining struggles in male-dominated occupations as well.

The program is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the museum's second floor courtroom. Her presentation is sponsored by Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal and the Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labors Assembly.

For more information about this program, contact the museum's education department at 309-827-0428 or education@mchistory.org.

How 85 Central Illinois kids drew Valentine's Day  Mia Brunk, grade 2, Bent Isla Mannen, grade 3, Bent Sheccid Cobos Gonzalez, grade 4, Bent Kimberly Lopez, grade 4, Bent Angelina Santana Mercado, grade 4, Bent Yaretzi Perez, grade 4, Bent Parker Gremore, grade 3, Calvary Elizabeth Knowles, grade 5, Calvary Jackson Yoder, grade 3, Calvary Sophia Bailey, grade 3, Colene Hoose Cohen, grade 3, Colene Hoose Vedanshi Pal, grade 3, Colene Hoose Fatouu, grade 3, Colene Hoose Noras Bellas, grade 3, Corpus Christi Aria Doran, grade 3, Corpus Christi Piper Ruud, grade 2, Corpus Christi Harper Scheets, grade 3, Corpus Christi Sophiana Spicer, grade 2, Corpus Christi Colette Wrezinski, grade 3, Corpus Christi Adrianna Buenrostro, grade 1, Epiphany Leo Easley, grade 1, Epiphany Cisco Head, grade 1, Epiphany Brinley Jordan, grade 1, Epiphany Liam, grade 1, Epiphany Alexis Nagel, grade 1, Epiphany Caleb Neuhaus, grade 1, Epiphany Brooklyn Ninells, grade 1, Epiphany Addison Segobiano, grade 1, Epiphany John Sendelbach, grade 1, Epiphany Joseph Paine, grade 1, Epiphany Zelie Rayburn, grade 1, Epiphany Aara, grade 1, Glenn Ruby Brandon, Grade 2, Glenn Caroline, grade 1, Glenn Ciara, grade 1, Glenn Ainsley Gaines, grade 2, Glenn Aiden Goniaa, grade 2, Glenn Anthony Krov, grade 2, Glenn Manushri, grade 1, Glenn Mithra, grade 1, Glenn Avyan Monala, grade 2, Glenn Micah Dalton, grade 2, Glenn Naga Sesjanya Medepally, grade 2, Glenn Oliver, grade 1, Glenn Sam Ponnou, grade 2, Glenn Ross Sapris, grade 2, Glenn Sara Vanan, grade 2, Glenn Reece West, grade 2, Glenn Henry Babbit, grade 2, Parkside Elsa Bell, grade 2, Parkside Brynnleigh Best, grade 2, Parkside George Dicken, grade 2, Parkside Logan Fincham, grade 2, Parkside Ethan Gibb, grade 2, Parkside Liam Glenn, grade 2, Parkside Aleah Hepburn, grade 2, Parkside Johnathan Huey, grade 2, Parkside Oliver Hunt, grade 2, Parkside Decklyn Olson, grade 2, Parkside Nina Razny, grade 2, Parkside Kennedy Roberts, grade 2, Parkside Ashlyn Smith, grade 2, Parkside Blake Williams, grade 2, Parkside Aubrey, grade 3, Stevenson Bryce, grade 3, Stevenson Jeremiah Casas, grade 3, Stevenson Maxwell Guzman, grade 3, Stevenson Kyler, grade 3, Stevenson Maggie, grade 3, Stevenson Lailah Bell, grade 1, Washington Aria Gabbrants, grade 1, Wahsington Emma Leahy, grade 1, Washington Bair Marion, grade 1, Washington No name, Washington No name, Washington Ethan Seckler, grade 1, Washington Kennedy Davis, grade 2, Washington Isabelle Butler, grade 3, Washington Jeremiah C-S, grade 3, Stevenson Abby Crowley, grade 3, Washington Gray Davenport, grade 3, Washington Mackenzie Johnson, grade 3, Washington Harper Ryan, grade 3, Washington Malia Alvarez, grade 4, Washington Evie, grade 4, Washington
A Chinese doctor (1st R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana checks a Ghanaian patient's eyes in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

Elizabeth Dzokpe is a retired nurse from Kpando in the Volta Region of Ghana. She regained her vision this week thanks to the Chinese medical team in Ghana.

ACCRA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Elizabeth Dzokpe is a retired nurse from Kpando in the Volta Region of Ghana. She regained her vision this week thanks to the Chinese medical team in Ghana.

"I could not see well in the right eye, and sometimes, after taking a few steps, it felt like I was about to fall. I came to the hospital and was diagnosed with cataract," she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Cataract is a common cause of visual impairment. To restore sight, patients need to undergo surgeries, the cost of which has prevented low-income Ghanaians with cataracts from accessing treatment to restore their vision.

A Chinese doctor (R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana checks a Ghanaian patient's eyes in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

The Chinese medical team stationed at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, has offered free surgeries since last November to restore the vision of Ghanaians suffering from cataracts.

Dzokpe became one of the beneficiaries and has her vision regained after the free surgery on Monday.

Cheng Zhixing, an ophthalmologist and member of the Chinese medical team, led his Ghanaian counterparts to perform phacoemulsification cataract surgeries to restore the sight of cataract patients.

A Chinese doctor (R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana operates a surgery on a Ghanaian patient suffering from cataract in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

According to the medical team, more than ten cataract patients have regained sight due to the team's help since last November.

Senam Aidam, head of the Ophthalmology Unit of LEKMA Hospital, lauded the Chinese medical team for the great work they have been doing at the hospital.

"I have been working with Doctor Cheng, and he has been helping me. I do the old type of surgery, which is manual small incision cataract surgery, but he has been assisting me with the phacoemulsification surgery," she said. "We work together with the nurses, and it is teamwork, so it's been going on very well." 
Gov. J.B. Pritzker presented his budget proposal to Illinois lawmakers as part of the annual State of the State address on Wednesday.

COVERAGE:

You can read a full transcript of the speech below.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Leader McCombie, Leader Curran, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, our Constitutional Officers, members of the General Assembly, Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court, Cabinet Members, First Lady MK Pritzker, Second Gentleman Bryan Echols, esteemed guests  its a distinct honor to come before you today.

The last time I stood at this podium was back in early 2020. Three of the four current legislative leaders had not yet taken up their current posts. And the fourth, the Senate President, was just weeks into his new job and, well, back then, he had more hair. Then a year later Chris Welch became Speaker, and I began to wonder if baldness was a new sign of power in Illinois state government. But I want to thank Leader McCombie and Leader Curran for dispelling the myth and joining the Hair Club. I appreciate your full heads of hair vaulting us back into the majority.

But I digress.

Fiscal Responsibility and a Sound Economy

The last time I stood here seems like a lifetime ago. So many fiscal challenges laid ahead. And so much progress has been made. What was once an Illinois with $17 billion in overdue bills is now an Illinois that pays its bills on time. What was once an Illinois that went years without a budget is now an Illinois that has passed four balanced budgets in a row. What was once a state with no cushion to protect it in an economic downturn is now an Illinois on track to have a $2.3 billion Rainy Day Fund. What was once an Illinois with a credit rating on the verge of junk status is now an Illinois getting credit upgrades.

Our fiscal progress is remarkable.

Remember the $230 million in College Illinois debt? Paid.

Remember the $900 million in group health insurance debt? Paid.

How about the $800 million Thompson center liability? Paid.

$4.5 billion Unemployment Trust Fund debt? Paid.

The $1.3 billion debt owed to Illinois treasury funds swept by previous governors? Paid.

$8 billion of overdue bills? Paid.

As of Fiscal Year 2023, all our states short-term and medium-term liabilities will have been eliminated. All of it. Our budgets are built on a solid foundation of normalized state revenue and more efficient management of state resources.

We have used our surpluses to chip away at our long term liabilities too, including $500 million more into our pension stabilization fund over the last two years and my proposal this year to increase that by another $200 million. The percent of the budget needed to meet our statutory obligations has declined as our revenues have grown and our fiscal fortunes have improved.

Maybe some who are listening to this are asking, What does this all mean to me?

Heres what it means. Weve reduced the burden on Illinois taxpayers by eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments. Weve reduced taxes on those who can least afford them, and were finally investing in what really matters  improving education and making college more affordable, modernizing our transportation systems, improving public safety and assisting law enforcement to make our neighborhoods safer, reducing homelessness and increasing mental healthcare, cutting taxes and fees on small businesses, attracting new businesses, giving more state revenue to local governments and schools so they can stop raising your property taxes, and so much more. Getting our fiscal house in order is improving our economy, which crossed the threshold of $1 trillion in GDP at the end of last year.

In the age old fight between happy warriors and miserys carnival barkers, weve shown that if we resolve to do it, happy warriors win every time. And we are winning.

Which is why, here in Illinois in 2023, Im confident in saying the state of our State is stronger than it has been in decades, and were getting stronger every day.

Fiscal responsibility isnt easy, nor is it a one-time fix. Its an annual effort that requires persistence. It requires conservative revenue estimates, as all of my budget proposals have. But when done right, consistent balanced budgets strengthen the institutions our residents rely upon, creates new opportunities for success, and makes life easier for the people of Illinois.

People like Anne Tyree. For more than two decades, Anne has worked at Centerstone  a nonprofit that provides treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. For her, behavioral health is a personal issue that has touched her own family in profound ways.

In years past, Anne saw state funding slashed for Centerstones patients, young and old alike, who are among the most vulnerable Illinoisans. She describes the experience as nothing short of traumatic. When Illinois couldnt pay its bills, Centerstone was forced to close outpatient facilities and shutter vital programs. Many other behavioral health providers faced a similar fate.

It was heartbreaking. People on their way to recovery  single parents, children in rural communities, people struggling financially  didnt have access to critical resources and services that could have saved their lives.

Anne will tell you that shes seen a complete transformation over the last four years because of stable budgeting and a dedication to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The statistics tell the story. During the prior administration Illinois was 16th in the nation for behavioral health services. Today, we are number nine and climbing.

Ive been so adamant about balancing the budget because we need to ramp up our investments in services like behavioral health, and we couldnt promise it unless we were sure we could pay for it.

Anne Tyree is here with us today, and I know we all want to express our gratitude to her and Centerstone and behavioral health providers everywhere for all theyve done for our most vulnerable.

I do not tell you Annes story to say, our work here is done. Rather, it demonstrates that without fiscal responsibility, we end up with trauma and chaos for the people we serve. Our responsible approach to budgeting has moved us away from the days of lurching from crisis to crisis, and instead is producing better outcomes and a brighter future for Illinois.

You, the majority of the General Assembly, are succeeding. You, the majority of the people of Illinois who elected the General Assembly, the Constitutional officers, and me, are succeeding. Together, weve slogged through the tough times and are making the responsible decisions for our future.

In the first year of the pandemic, we focused on meeting the core needs of our states residents, like healthcare, housing, and food  and we balanced the budget. The next year, when federal relief came, we distributed vaccines and invested in recovery for our people and our businesses  and we responsibly balanced our budget. When the economy began to recover, we paid off overdue debts, improved our long term fiscal outlook, and gave tax relief to every Illinoisan  and we balanced the budget. At every turn, a majority of the General Assembly embraced the necessary fiscal stabilization measures to set us on the right path. You returned dollars to taxpayers, and you made prudent, transformative investments for Illinois future.

Smart Start Illinois Early Childhood Education Plan

Today, I ask you to partner with me once again  this time on the long-term investment that has the greatest return for taxpayers with the most positive social and economic impact I have ever come to you with.

Its called Smart Start Illinois, and it will make our state the best place in the nation to raise young children. Smart Start is comprised of four elements: pre-K, childcare, early intervention, and home visiting. It also makes our existing programs more equitable, giving moderate income families greater access to quality programs, and investing in an early childhood workforce made up largely of women and people of color.

Smart Start Pre-K is a four year plan that will allow access to pre-school for every three and four year old in Illinois. It will increase our funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant program this year by $75 million. Thats $179 million more than when I took office.

Smart Start Pre-K will provide new center-based and school-based classrooms, improve quality across the board, attract new professionals to the field, and ensure we reach our most vulnerable. In the first year alone, 5,000 more seats will be available for children across the state.

Of course, adding preschool seats only works if you have the staff to support them. Thats where the Early Childhood ACE Scholarship program comes in. Last year with the legislative leadership of Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, we began investing in community colleges and universities to build a pipeline of early childhood educators. Already nearly 1500 people are on a path to get up-skilled, and I propose to continue providing this opportunity for the next four years.

Next, Childcare. Working parents need more quality childcare options. The broader shortage of labor we are seeing across the state right now cant be addressed without growing the availability of childcare for working families. But Illinois current childcare assistance program is based on unreliable and unpredictable funding that makes it hard for providers to invest in their workers or to grow. The current system is based on attendance in a given month, which as all parents know fluctuates if kids are sick or parents work status changes. When attendance falls under a certain minimum level in a month, the providers reimbursement rate for that month gets cut even though their fixed costs for providing services that month dont change. As any small business owner knows, that causes tremendous uncertainty for the future. Going forward, thats going to change. So I propose Smart Start Workforce Compensation Contracts to move us towards more stable funding to support high-quality programming and competitive wages for caregivers. The contracts will create a more equitable system for child care providers and families alike, and it will require an improved standard of care across the field.

Although we provide childcare assistance for parents who already have jobs, weve never before provided childcare for someone whos unemployed but looking for a job. Its nearly impossible to interview with an employer if youre simultaneously the 24/7 primary caregiver for your family. So, in 2021, we initiated a program that provides three months of childcare for unemployed parents who are engaged in a job search or a job training program in preparation for a new job. Here with us today is Itanzia Dawson  one of those parents. Our new childcare assistance for job seekers gave Itanzia the opportunity to go back to school  and now, she has a new career as a teachers aide at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Little Village on the West Side of Chicago. Lets recognize Itanzia for her hard work and commitment to building a better life for her family.

From Chicago to Peoria to Marion, this transformative new program is putting industrious parents like Itanzia to work. Smart Start Childcare makes this program permanent.

Too many families cant access early childhood programs at all because they live in an early childhood desert where no providers or available spots exist within a reasonable radius of their home or work. Smart Start Illinois will allocate $100 million of new capital to double the Rebuild Illinois investment already helping providers build new and expand existing facilities. This program will be the beginning of the end of early childhood deserts in Illinois, and working families will have more and better options for their children.

Third, Smart Start Early Intervention funding will support the essential state program that gives infants and toddlers birth to age three with developmental delays, autism, or other diagnosed medical conditions the services they need, including for speech and language challenges and occupational and physical therapies. For years, these families have suffered from underfunding of Early Intervention services. Not any longer. A $40 million increase is allocated in the FY24 budget, which will increase rates and allow thousands of children and their families to maintain access to these critical services.

Finally, home visiting in Illinois is an evidence-based program that has a long history of improving maternal and child health, preventing child abuse and neglect, preventing crime and domestic violence, and promoting childrens development and readiness to participate in school. We arent reaching enough families in these vital infant and toddler years, but Smart Starts expanded Home Visiting funding will allow us to help even more families.

Thanks to our stronger fiscal standing, we can afford to do this, and as every provider, teacher, and parent in this state knows, we cant afford to wait.

The research is clear. Smart Start Illinois will save taxpayers $7 for every one dollar invested and will vault Illinois to national leadership in early childhood development. Enhancing quality early care and education is a win-win solution for re-mobilizing parents in the workforce, enhancing brain development and kindergarten readiness, saving taxpayers money, and increasing economic activity now and in the decades ahead.

Historic Education Investments (K-12)

On a broader scale, our increased investments in education have already been paying off. Last year, Illinois high schoolers notched their highest graduation rate in over a decade  with a notable increase among Black and Hispanic students. Every demographic group in Illinois experienced accelerated growth in both English language arts and math  outpacing pre-pandemic levels. More students took Career and Technical Education or dual credit courses than ever before. And US News and World Report ranked Illinois 6th in the nation for Pre-K to 12 education, and among the top ten most populous states, were number one.

Compare that to 2018, prior to the implementation of evidence-based funding, when 168 districts in Illinois were funded at levels under 60 percent of adequacy targets. Today, only 2 districts are in that lowest category.

Every year, an international organization based in London evaluates and chooses the worlds best schools. In 2022, Chicagos Curie High School, a public school on the Southwest side of Chicago, was one of just five schools in the world to earn this ranking  and it was the only one chosen in North America. By melding great academics with an exceptional arts program, along with individualized mental and social-emotional support, Curie High School students are given the resources they needed to thrive.

I wanted to recognize the commitment of Curies educators, social workers, counselors and support staff, so I asked Curie High Schools Principal Homero Penuelas to join us here today. Principal Penuelas, thank you for setting such a great example of educational growth and showing the excellence Illinois schooling has to offer.

When it comes to K-12 education, weve come a long way, and we still have a long way to go. Which is why Im proposing we increase our investment in K-12 education by another $506 million: including $350 million in EBF, an $86 million increase in grants for transportation and special education, and an additional $70 million targeted at educator shortages. My teacher pipeline proposal directs the $70 million annually over each of the next three years to the 170 school districts with the most acute needs and vacancies. Those districts represent over 80% of the unfilled teaching positions in our state. Filling them will improve the student-teacher ratio for over 871,000 students.

Historic Education Investments (Higher Ed)

When we talk about early childhood and K-12 education, what were really talking about is preparing them for what comes next, which can be a post-secondary degree or a job. But unless were making it affordable to attend the institutions and programs that provide the necessary 21st century degrees and skills, were not fulfilling on our promise of cradle to career opportunity.

Here with us today is the Mayor of Bloomington, Mboka Mwilambwe. Born the youngest of seven children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mboka came to the United States in 1989 to pursue a college education. And thanks to financial assistance from ISU, Mboka did that right here in Illinois, graduating from with a bachelors degree in mathematics and then a masters in education. He became a U.S. citizen in 2008, and after a career as a college administrator, Mboka was elected Mayor of Bloomington  the first African American ever to hold that position.

Seated next to him is Jaichan Tyrique Smith from Chicago who is currently a junior at University of Illinois-Springfield, majoring in psychology with a minor in child advocacy studies. He plans to pursue a career as a child clinical psychologist so he can help the next generation of young Illinoisans. In Jaichans words, he could not have attended college without the MAP Grant program.

Mboka and Jaichan, you represent the promise of what college affordability can do for someones future, and how our state benefits from it. Your success is our success. Please stand so we can recognize you both.

I am determined to make sure that every person in Illinois has that same opportunity.

When I first took office, our state was losing high school graduates to other states because Illinois state government had cut funding for higher education and had fallen behind other states in providing financial support for students. Think about that for a moment: we were losing our brightest young people to other state universities because we werent providing enough students with scholarships or providing a large enough award, so other states were simply doing what was in their own best interests by stealing our best economic assets  our brightest minds. And we know that when students leave their home state for college, 70% of them never come back.

I set out to change that, and working with the majority in the General Assembly, thats exactly what we did. This year, every single student who is eligible for a MAP grant now gets one, and we are providing larger scholarships than ever before. While other states battle dwindling enrollment numbers, our public universities are seeing extraordinary growth. For the second year in a row, freshman enrollment at our state universities has increased substantially  and at a much faster rate than the rest of the nation.

But we can do more.

With a $100 million increase to MAP, we can make history. Together with Pell grants, virtually everyone at or below median income in Illinois can go to community college tuition-free. That means higher wages and better jobs in healthcare, IT, construction management, manufacturing, accounting, and much more.

For decades we neglected direct investments in our state universities and community colleges. I propose we raise our direct investment in them by $100 million  the largest increase in more than two decades. This is yet another way to make college more affordable.

After years of decline, were seeing growth across higher education in Illinois thats well above the national average. This is our moment to take it all to the next level.

Economic Growth

Just a few weeks ago, Illinois was named the number one state in our region for workforce development. Thats because were making the necessary investments in job training. Lets hold onto that title by investing another $25 million into Illinois Works for diverse hiring in the trades, $10 million for high school vocational training for the electric vehicle workforce, $1 million for data center operator training, and $20 million in grants to recruit, train, and rapidly upskill workers for job openings at Illinois companies.

And were going to need every one of those skilled workers and many more, because as of today, we have more than 81,000 more job openings in Illinois than we have skilled workers to fill them. And our economy and our industries are continuing to grow.

Capital investments in Illinois through EDGE agreements nearly tripled since before the pandemic  from $348 million in 2019 to $1 billion in 2022. And the number of new jobs created by EDGE has jumped nearly 60 percent.

The data center industry is booming in Illinois  creating more than 8,000 jobs just since the passage of our bipartisan Data Center Tax Credit in 2019. Since then, Illinois has become the second largest data center market in the United States, and the fifth largest in the world. And our expansion of clean energy production under CEJA is expected to feed our data center growth for years to come.

Thanks to our Film Tax Credit, TV and film production revenue in Illinois reached a record high last year of almost $700 million, including $400 million in wages paid and more than 15,400 jobs.

Cannabis legalization has created more than 30,000 jobs since 2020, and Illinois is home to the countrys most diverse cannabis industry and some of the largest companies.

From Kellogg and 4Front to Ferrero and Tyson to Rivian and Lion Electric, large businesses are moving to and expanding in Illinois.

So too are small businesses. After a successful first round of grants, we are adding an additional $20 million to our Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program to spruce up and modernize central business districts all across Illinois so small businesses will thrive. To make it easier to do business in Illinois, we are creating a one-stop business portal to help small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs figure out what they need to do to start and grow a business, get permits and win business with state government. And with equity as a guiding principle, we are providing $10 million in assistance for minority-owned businesses who plan to expand in Illinois. Theres more to do, but were ensuring that Illinois is open for business.

Public Safety and Violence Prevention

But we need to be safe in our businesses and our homes. So weve beefed up support for law enforcement to reduce crime. In 2022, Illinois State Polices Metropolitan Enforcement Groups and Drug Task Forces across the state seized 679 firearms and over 13 tons of drugs including multiple major interdictions of deadly fentanyl, and 1,942 individuals involved in crimes were arrested. With increased patrols and technology, ISP cut the number of homicides on Chicago area expressways by 88% and shootings dropped nearly in half. Thats real progress, and this years budget continues funding the hiring of additional troopers and upgrading the tools to catch perpetrators.

Rebuilding our Social Services

Hand in hand with public safety are the human services necessary for people most in need. Over the last decade, human services in Illinois were challenged in two ways: first, by massive budget cuts, and then, by the pandemic. Among the areas most in need has been behavioral health services. In so many ways, the pandemic exposed the cracks in this system  leaving too many to deal with crises without any help.

Weve looked at ways both big and small to address these needs.

Today in Illinois there is no single, consistent front door for young people or for families to walk through if they need behavioral health care. There is no central website that parents can search or phone number to call. Instead, they are left to navigate a confusing and overlapping multiple agency bureaucracy on their own.

Thats going to change. The FY24 budget invests $10 million to create our first care portal and resource referral tools for families seeking care. They can learn about the resources available to them and be matched with what meets their needs best, all in one place.

Nearly a year ago, I launched the Childrens Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative to evaluate and redesign the delivery of behavioral health services for children and adolescents throughout our state. This initiative recognizes that while DCFS and DHS are on the frontlines of caring for our most vulnerable children, it will take a whole of government, inter-agency approach to truly provide the care our children deserve.

In alignment with the initiatives recommendations, we are investing another $10 million towards a two-year expansion of the Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services program focused on youth aged 11 to 17 who are at risk of involvement in the child welfare system or the juvenile justice system. This funding will expand 24/7 services to youth  including assessments, crisis stabilization, and housing.

This fiscal year, for the first time in a decade, DHS began selecting children from the PUNS waiting list, a database that registers individuals with developmental disabilities, to receive home and community-based care. This work must continue. Over the next fiscal year, DHS plans to offer services to an additional 500 children on the list. This will provide these children and their families access to needed services and supports while decreasing the States waitlist for services.

One of the most difficult challenges we face right now in the field of social and mental health services are the critical worker shortages we are seeing across the country. Let me be clear: there is no bigger challenge in this arena than the workforce problem. And we are competing with 49 other states to try and attract people to these jobs here in Illinois. Providing more competitive wages to develop and support our workforce is an absolute necessity.

For the last several years, I have directed state funds towards supporting wage increases for our private sector provider partners including those who work with the Department of Children and Family Services; that continues in this budget proposal. And an additional $120 million in the FY24 budget for the Department of Human Services allows us to continue rate increases to make Illinois more competitive in the market for workers who serve people with developmental disabilities.

The investments weve made in social service agencies over the past four years and that we are proposing for the coming year will finally have reversed the hollowing out that occurred in human services under the previous administration if we are able to hire up enough staff in this tight labor market. We are cautiously optimistic that we can do so.

Fighting Poverty and Ending Homelessness

This entire budget proposal rests on our shared goal: to give Illinois families the support and opportunities for the big building blocks of a good life: food access, housing, and healthcare. Certainly most people wont need to rely on government for those things. But we will have failed everyone in Illinois if we dont place a higher priority on tackling poverty  because fewer people living in financial distress means a better quality of life for everyone in our state.

So, this budget proposes increasing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families  TANF  by $50 million so our families have more help to cover basic necessities like transportation, electricity, and food.

We also need to recognize that it does no good to provide a family with more money to purchase food if they have no local grocery store to shop at.

Government at the state and local level has tried hard to attract big retail food chains to neighborhoods that need them with tax incentives and flashy ribbon cutting ceremonies.

But after the cameras leave, often so do the commercial chains  leaving poorer rural and urban communities high and dry. Its time we return to a tried and true model  one where those communities are served by independent, local grocery stores that sell food grown by Illinois farmers.

This budget includes a first of its kind investment of $20 million to launch the Illinois Grocery Initiative, assisting municipalities and independent grocers to open or expand grocery stores in underserved rural towns and urban neighborhoods  with an additional $2 million going towards purchasing healthy, nutritious food from Illinois farmers.

When youre addressing poverty, hand in hand with food to eat is a place to call home. In Illinois, over 120,000 people experience homelessness annually and over 76,000 children face doubled up homelessness living in overcrowded shared housing. In Illinois, Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people, but the faces of Illinoisans with no home to go to are not homogenousthey include single parents with infants and toddlers, 6th graders trying to complete their homework using toilets as a desk in temporary shared housing, and LGBTQ+ high schoolers who were kicked out of their homes by their parents. Homelessness is not an identity, its a set of circumstances.

Today, I am proud to unveil Home Illinois, a plan with a goal to invest $50 million this year into prevention, crisis response, housing units, and staffing.

To see success, look no further than Rockford, Illinois.

Working in partnership with community organizers, judges, and housing authorities, Mayor Tom McNamara and the City of Rockford have engaged in successfully assisting homeless residents in their transition to apartments and helping struggling families avoid eviction from their homes.

The state should help other communities do the same  mobilizing every agency and every resource at our disposal, so no Illinoisan is without a home.

Expanding Reproductive Healthcare

Some of the most marginalized people in our society are women, especially women of color, who earn the least and take on some of the greatest societal burdens. When conservatives on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, they didnt strip the right to an abortion from wealthy women, they took it from the most vulnerable women.

I wont accept that for the women of Illinois, and neither do the majority of the people of Illinois. Thats why, last month, we expanded our pool of abortion providers and eliminated barriers to access: allowing birth centers to provide all reproductive care, eliminating copays for birth control and abortive medications.

Since Roe was overturned, all the states around us have taken away reproductive freedom from their residents, so Illinois healthcare providers are seeing triple the demand, with desperate patients showing up at the crack of dawn every day.

Thats why we are establishing a Reproductive Health Public Navigation Hotline, so patients can call ahead for a risk assessment and find the services that will meet their needs. From transportation and lodging to insurance coverage options, the hotline will help patients traverse a complex and overwhelmed system. To address the shortage of reproductive healthcare workers, we are providing $5 million toward learning collaboratives for worker training.

Lets not pull punches  this is the result of a national conservative crusade to legislate against the most intimate matters of a womans basic healthcare. Im sure there are some elected officials who would like us to stop talking about abortion.

Well, too bad.

There are women in this country right now who are facing untold mental and physical anguish because of the fall of Roe v. Wade. Here in Illinois, women know their rights are protected, but that doesnt take away our obligation as Americans to speak up for the rest of the nation.

Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure

In the past few years, we saw the critical role that our public health infrastructure plays in our residents wellbeing. No one was prepared for a disease that took more than 36,000 Illinoisans lives in 30 months and affected hundreds of thousands of others. And every responsible public health expert will tell you that the next pandemic will not take another 100 years to arrive. We must act on the lessons from COVID and build a more robust state and local public health infrastructure so we are prepared for whatever comes our way.

We must invest $45 million in upgrading our Department of Public Healths IT for Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance system and Long-Term Care systems  which are tools states use to monitor the spread of disease, prevent outbreaks, and protect our most vulnerable residents. And well couple that with an $8.5 million investment to assist public health professionals identifying and projecting the potential impact of new and emerging diseases on the horizon. If COVID-19 taught us anything, we must invest in the tools to quickly and aggressively contain their spread.

Every day Ive held this office since the outbreak of COVID, I think about the healthcare workers who risked their lives to save others  going home but needing to keep their distance from their spouses, parents or children, battling exhaustion and burnout, and too often having to deliver the worst possible news despite their best efforts. Our healthcare workers are heroes  and though there is never enough we can do to repay them for their sacrifice, I propose we makes their lives just a little bit easier by reducing the debt burden they face.

Thats why the FY24 budget includes $3 million for Healthcare Worker Loan Repayment and Scholarship programs  alongside a $25 million rate increase for practitioners to broaden access to critical healthcare services, from an obstetrician for a pregnant woman to a behavioral health specialist for a struggling teen.

Delivering what matters to Illinois residents and their families is what defines good governance. Weve all been asked to represent our constituents with tenacity and honor. And to speak up when our common American values are challenged.

Our history is a series of stops and starts, of ups and downs, of our ancestors getting it tragically wrong and courageously right. The only thing we can hope for in this work is that the values we attach our names to will make our grandchildren proud.

After all, this is the Land of Lincoln. We have a responsibility to that legacy.

As Elie Wiesel said, We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

With that in mind, I want to take sides on something I feel obligated to speak out about, especially given the history of anti-Semitism and discrimination suffered by my ancestors and that persists for so many others today.

There is a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation, led by demagogues who are pushing censorship, with a particular attack right now on school board members and library trustees. Its an ideological battle by the right wing, hiding behind a claim that they would protect our children  but whose real intention is to marginalize people and ideas they dont like. This has been done in the past, and it doesnt stop with just snuffing out ideas.

This afternoon Ive laid out a budget agenda that does everything possible to invest in the education of our children. Yet its all meaningless if we become a nation that bans books from school libraries about racism suffered by Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron, and tells kids they cant talk about being gay, and signals to Black and Brown people and Asian Americans and Jews and Muslims that our authentic stories cant be told.

Im the father of two children. I care a great deal about their education. Like every good parent, I want to be involved in what they learn. Im also a proud American. Our nation has a great history, and much to be proud of. I want my children to learn that history. But I dont want them to be lied to. I want them to learn our true history, warts and all. Illinois young people shouldnt be kept from learning about the realities of our world. I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next.

Here in Illinois, we dont hide from the truth, we embrace it. Thats what makes us strong.

I want to conclude today with sharing a story of someone who exemplifies the tenacity of our people here in the Prairie State.

In 1951, at the age of 18, Joyce DeFauw arrived on Northern Illinois Universitys campus to pursue a degree in economics. But life had other plans. She met her husband, Don Freeman Sr. and left NIU to raise a family.

Seven decades later  nine children, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren later  Joyce decided she could focus on herself again, and she re-enrolled in college to finish her degree. Once again, life had other plansa once-in-a-generation pandemic. But that didnt deter her. She finished her classes on a laptop given to her as a gift  and just two months ago, at age 90, Joyce walked across the stage to receive her Bachelor of General Studies, becoming the oldest person in history to graduate from NIU.

Joyces story is a classic Illinois tale. We are a stubborn people  we persevere no matter the challenge. We welcome opportunity for improvement. And when we rise, we rise together.

I see it in Mboka Mwilambwe who received a tuition waiver from this welcoming state and has returned it tenfold as Bloomingtons Mayor, and in Jaichan Tyrique Smith, who is on his way to becoming a child clinical psychologist. I see it in Itanzia Dawson, a mom determined to provide a better life for her family and who now educates the children of Little Village. I see it in Anne Tyree, who supports mental health patients and their families who are going through the same thing she has. I see it in neighbors who helped each other through the pandemic, in small businesses contributing to their communities success, in the determination of our young people to make positive change for our state and nation.

We are a people with enough empathy to be kind to one another, enough grit to persevere, and just enough confidence to believe we can make a difference in this world. Thats the Illinois that I know. That's the Illinois we all represent.

Thank you. God bless the great state of Illinois and the United States of America.

READ OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Pritzker's 2024 budget proposal to include $250 million for pre-K expansion

BRENDEN MOORE

SPRINGFIELD  Gov. J.B. Pritzker's fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, to be presented in an address to the legislature today, will include $250 million in new spending to expand access to early childhood education.

The quarter-billion dollar investment will serve as as a down payment on a multi-year plan aimed at providing every Illinois child with access to pre-K.

"Thanks to our improved fiscal standing, we can afford to do this," Pritzker said on a call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "And as every provider, teacher and parent in this state will tell you, we can't afford to wait."

Pritzker's plan, dubbed "Smart Start Illinois," includes an additional $75 million in early childhood block grant funding that will create 5,000 new pre-K spots for low-income children.

The eventual goal is to ramp up funding levels to create 20,000 total spots, which state officials say is the amount needed for every child that wants one. This will be done over multiple budgets, Pritzker said.

The governor's proposal also includes $130 million to stabilize the state's childcare system and to increase wages for caregivers, $40 million for early intervention programs and $5 million to expand the Department of Human Services' home visiting program.

Pritzker's proposal appears to make good on a promise he made in his second inaugural address last month to go all in for our children and make preschool available to every family throughout the state.

In that speech, Pritzker also called for making college tuition-free for every working-class family" in the state, though he did not offer any hints Tuesday regarding new funding for that initiative.

He also did not confirm whether the additional $350 million in K-12 spending  a separate but related topic  called for under the state's evidence-based funding formula would be included.

However, the rollout of the new pre-K initiative confirms that Pritzker, after years of holding the line on the creation of new spending programs, has green-lit outlays that extend beyond the next fiscal year.

This reflects growing optimism about the fiscal condition of the state. Illinois has experienced a series of credit rating upgrades and run budget surpluses in the past couple of years, buoyed by robust post-pandemic revenue growth in income and sales taxes, and federal stimulus funds.

This strong revenue performance led the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to revise their revenue estimates $4.9 billion and $3.7 billion higher, respectively, for fiscal year 2023.

These unanticipated revenues have given Pritzker a level of budget flexibility that no governor has had in more than two decades.

Over the past few years, Pritzker and state lawmakers have largely spent these excess funds on one-time expenses related to the pandemic, making extra payments towards the state's colossal pension obligation and replenishing the the "rainy day" fund.

While the governor's budget office, in its November report, projected a $357 million budget surplus in fiscal year 2024, it projects a deficit of $384 million in 2025 and even more in subsequent years.

Still, the state has taken major steps in just a few years. In October 2019, GOMB had projected multibillion dollar deficits in the coming years. Now, they are far less, signaling that the state has made a dent in dealing with its structural deficit even as long-term obligations like pension payments remain.

With money available in the budget this year, Pritzker said now is the time to make the investment in early childhood.

"Our budgets have been balanced and we've been running surpluses," Pritzker said. "We're in a much better fiscal position today. And so when I say that we're aiming to continue to invest in early childhood, it's based on the knowledge that we finally have our fiscal house in order and ... we ought to be investing in this."

Pritzker cited a study that found that taxpayers save $7 for every $1 spent on early childhood education, with long-term benefits including better health outcomes, less welfare dependency, higher employment levels and income and lower crime rates.

"We're now in a position to make a big leap forward and that's why I've made this proposal," Pritzker said.

Pritzker's budget will also include an additional $100 million for improvements to early childhood provider buildings and facilities.

It also includes $70 million to cover increased Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) participation. Currently, the state offers childcare assistance for families at up to 225% the federal poverty level.

Pritzker had previously voiced support for raising that number to 300% of the poverty level, but it is not clear if funding will be provided for that level.

The governor's address will mostly focus on the state's general fund budget, which includes most of the lawmakers' discretionary spending priorities.

General fund spending is typically split between obligations including Medicaid, human services, pensions and public safety.

Over the years, growing pension costs have taken up a greater portion of the state's operating budget. The state is also weighed down by a nearly $140 billion unfunded pension liability caused by years of lawmakers shortchanging the system.

Pritzker will deliver his combined State of the State and Budget address in the Illinois House chambers in the state Capitol at noon. It is the first time since 2020 that the address has returned to its typical venue.

Pritzker delivered a remote address in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in-person at the Old State Capitol in 2022, a last-minute change brought on by a major snowstorm that forced the legislature to cancel session days.

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
SPRINGFIELD  Higher education leaders on Wednesday reacted positively to news that Gov. J.B. Pritzker had proposed major funding increases in his 2024 budget.

State funding helps our universities enhance the world-class education we are known for and prepare the workforce of today and tomorrow, said University of Illinois System Tim Killeen in a statement. We are eager to work with the governor and other elected leaders from across the state on a budget that reflects our shared interest in our states success, and drives equity and opportunity for all Illinoisans.

Included in Pritzker's plans: a $100 million increase for the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP), a state-funded, need-based grant awarded to Illinois college students.

Administration officials say that funding, combined with federal Pell grants, would make community college free to nearly all Illinois residents at or below median income level. More than 40% of working class public university students would also have their tuition and fees covered via this combination, according to the governor's office.

The proposal also includes an additional $100 million, or a 7% increase, for the state's public universities and community colleges for operating costs.

Illinois State University spokesman Eric Jome said higher education is a key part of the state's economic development.

The proposed increase in support for MAP grants will help students from across Illinois fulfill their educational goals, Jome said. It is widely known that students who go to college in Illinois are more likely to build lives and careers in Illinois after graduation.

Pritzker echoed those sentiments during his speech, saying that "when students leave their home state for college, 70% of them never come back."

Southern Illinois University System President Dan Mahony said there was plenty of good news for the institution in Pritzker's plans.

The governor's proposal could provide roughly $14 million more for the university, which has campuses in Carbondale and Edwardsville.

And more than 5,000 students received MAP grants last year, Mahony said, with the awards reaching over $22 million.

"If the recent trends continue, this will be the fifth year the governor has proposed and the General Assembly adopts a MAP grant increase," Mahony said. "On behalf of our students, we cannot thank them enough."

Though private institutions do not receive state funding for operating costs, their students can still benefit from additional MAP grant funding.

At Eureka College, which has an enrollment of 550, President Jamel Wright said 90% of the students are Illinois residents; the student population includes many from low-income backgrounds, including first-generation college students and students of color.

Wright also praised the inclusion of a $2.8 million Minority Teacher Scholarship program and $25 million to continue funding the Pipeline for the Advancement of Healthcare (PATH) Workforce Program.

I continue to be pleased about the investment in higher education across the board," she said. "Although as much as the state invests in public institutions and community colleges  and of course they would and should continue to do  I think theres an increasing need to support the private colleges and universities.

Several downstate community colleges also reacted positively to the governors plans, particularly the increases in MAP funding.

For instance, at Lake Land College in Mattoon, two in five students come from low-income backgrounds or are eligible for a federal Pell Grant, said President Josh Bullock. An increase in MAP grants can have a significant impact on their ability to continue on their path to an education, he said.

Heartland Community College spokesman Steve Fast said in an email that the MAP grant is a vital tool that shrinks the gap for students seeking a college education.

He said it was unclear whether the proposed MAP funding increase would provide eligibility for students in short-term community college certificate and training programs of less than 16 credit hours. We are hopeful that MAP grants can extend to these programs to reach more students attain the training they need to immediately enter the workforce, Fast said.

Julie Melton, assistant vice president of institutional advancement at Richland Community College in Decatur, said the institution on Wednesday did not know the specific impact that the proposal would have on the college.

However, she said, we appreciate the governor's continued investment in education which will remove barriers and give students an equal opportunity to a quality education."

Brenden Moore, Taylor Vidmar, Rob Stroud and Les O'Dell contributed to this story.

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
Local labor leader John Penn is well known locally and throughout the Midwest for his commitment to his country, community and working men and women. However, with his recent retirement, he leaves behind another legacy.

In 2004, John had the vision and commitment to establish the Great Plains LIFE Foundation and bring together the charitable efforts of labor and management. Recognizing the importance of education to the well-being of Americas future and its workforce, efforts were focused on addressing the countrys high school dropout crisis.

Working with respected educators throughout Illinois, the Stay 4 Project was developed and officially launched in 2008. Since that time, more than 600 low-income and at-risk high school students have been part of this program which has experienced a consistent 97% graduation rate.

These students, most of whom are among the first in the families to graduate from high school, have continued their education in the trades, the military, been accepted into college honors programs, and have gone on to attend and becoming alumni from more than 45 colleges and universities nationwide including Harvard.

Because of Johns leadership these students now have the tools to create better lives for themselves, their families and the communities in which they live. Thank you, John Penn.

Paul Segobiano and Liz Skinner

Great Plains Life Foundation, Normal
The president of the World Bank will step down from his post in June, leaving the organisation almost a year before his term was due to end.



David Malpass announced his decision on social media, without providing a specific reason for his departure.



The pick of former US President Donald Trump has been criticised as a climate change denier.



Last year, the White House rebuked him after he said he did not know if fossil fuels were driving climate change.



He later apologised for the remarks.



Malpass started his five-year term in April 2019, after serving in the US Department of Treasury during the Trump administration.



In a statement, Malpass said he was proud of what he had accomplished at the bank, which oversees billions of dollars in lending to developing countries each year.



Financing including climate financing had reached record levels under his leadership, he added.



By the end of the fiscal year, we will be well-positioned to feature sustainability more clearly in the mission of the World Bank Group, align the mission with resources, and set in motion an effective evolution to increase the institutions impact on people in the developing world, he wrote in a statement shared on LinkedIn.



Malpass, who was sceptical of multilateral institutions, had long been seen as a controversial pick to lead the World Bank.



At an event in September, former US vice-president Al Gore called for his replacement, saying the bank was not doing enough to raise funding for climate issues and it was ridiculous to have a climate denier as the head of the World Bank.



Asked later to respond, Malpass defended himself, but declined to say that fossil fuels caused climate change.



In a subsequent interview with CNN, he said he had not done a good job answering or hearing the question and that man-made emissions were clearly contributing.



US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who has been pressing for reform at the World Bank and other development banks, thanked Malpass for his service in a statement that alluded to the controversy.



While we all must continue to raise our collective ambitions in the fight against climate change, during President Malpass tenure the World Bank has made important recent advances in this area, she said.



She said the US would put forward a new candidate to lead the bank soon.



The US is the World Banks largest shareholder and a major source of its funding.



An American has led the institution since its start in the 1940s, when it was created to help rebuild Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Source: BBC









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On Valentines Day, Ghana Post honoured the Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof Rita Akosua Dickson, for her contributions to academia and her continuous business with Ghana Post.



In a brief ceremony at KNUST campus, the MD of Ghana Post, Bice Osei Kuffour, indicated that the management of Ghana Post honoured Prof. Dickson as an appreciation of her loyalty to Ghana Post by sustaining the over 15 years of business relations between the two institutions.



He added that KNUST is one of Ghana Posts top customers in the Ashanti Region, and for the past 15 years, the Ghana Post Offices have been selling admission forms and sending transcripts on behalf of KNUST.



In her response, Prof Dickson expressed gratitude to Ghana Post for the kind gesture. She noted that the Ghana Posthads played a to bridge the gap between the public and KNUST.



She recommended the management of Ghana Post for the innovations and advised them to continue to make customer service a priority.



The special Ghana Post delivery team, consisting of Kumawood Stars, Ebenezer Akwasi Antwi, aka Dr Likee, and Matilda Asante, delivered a giant portrait to Lady Julia, the wife of Otumfuo Osei II.



The team showed love in branded Ghana Post costumes to Ejisuhemaa Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Asante Mamponghemaa Nana Agyakomaa Difie, Nana Akua Arkoh, mother of Dr Osei Kwame Despite and other loyal customers of Ghana Post.



In February, Ghana Post, through its Vals on Wheels Promo, promises to serve Ghanaians with heavily discounted rates. The charges for delivery within the campus are 10gh cedis, vendors 25gh, Accra 30gh and 20gh for Kumasi. Last year, the Vals on Wheel Promo enabled many Ghanaians to send gifts of love to partners, family, and friends.



According to the Managing Director of Ghana Post, Bice Obour Osei Kuffour, Ghana Post is aware of global economic challenges.



Therefore, through the Vals on Wheels promo, Ghana Post is sensitive to the plight of Ghanaians, hence the heavily discounted fees.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has granted approval for its isolation ward at Rebecca Akufo-Addo PICU for infectious children to be named after the late Breanna Fosua Addai, a Childhood Cancer Ambassador for Ghana who died on 3rd August 2022 aged nine, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, after battling with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) for about two years.



A childhood cancer foundation established in her memory, the Breanna Memorial Childhood Cancer Foundation, wrote to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to request for the adoption of the ward.



The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. Solomon Addai, said the adoption of the ward was to support children on admission financially by helping to pay for some of their laboratory tests and the service charge, among others, which altogether put a lot of financial burden on the parents of children living with cancer.



He said the Foundation will also pay for the maintenance of the ward to ensure the ward remained in good condition.



When little Breanna was alive, she was mostly admitted to the isolation ward at the Rebecca Akufo-Addo Private Intensive Care Unit and wished that an NGO would be set up in her name and would adopt the ward to support children living with cancer, Mr. Solomon Addai said.



Mr Addai said through activities to be organized by the NGO, an annual target of GH100,000 would be raised to support the children who are usually transferred from the Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to the ward for intensive care.



He made a cash donation of GH3,000 to support children living with cancer at the Paediatric Oncology Unit as the world commemorates International Childhood Cancer Day. He called on individuals and civil society organsations to help raise funds and support children living with cancer in the country in any ways possible.



Dr Ernestina Schandorf, Oncologist who received the donation on behalf of the Head of Child Health Department at KABTH, Professor Lorna Awo Renner thanked the foundation for the gesture.



The late Breanna until her death advocated for a lot of interventions to be carried out for children with cancer in the country. Some of her calls were for the incorporation of childhood cancers into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which was successfully facilitated by the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo.



Breanna also made an appeal to international leaders to intervene for a ceasefire during the war between Russia and Ukraine, to help save the lives of children with cancer in Ukraine.



Her plea was considered as more than 20 Ukrainian children with cancer were airlifted to the United Kingdom to undergo lifesaving cancer treatment on the National Health Service (NHS).





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Accra Regional Police Command have swiftly arrested alleged armed landguards over a parcel of land at Adjiringanor, near East legon in Accra.



The security personnel acted on a tip off after a Peace FM news item on Wednesday evening.



The armed landguards announced their intention of preventing workers of Empire Builders from working on their legitimately acquired land at the said area.



Indications are that the Police moved in on the date the alleged landguards announced, and consequently effected the arrest.



The alleged landguards including an armed Military man are currently at the Police Regional Command assisting the Police with investigations.



The two real estate owners -Empire Builders and Top Kings have over two decades engaged in a legal tussle over some parcels of land at Adjiringanor.



Despite the Supreme Court ruling spelling out in clear terms who owns portions of the land, Top Kings after developing its 62 acres awarded them by the court into Kings Cottage, are still not satisfied with the ruling and keep using landguards to frustrate workers of Empire Builders.



Meanwhile, it has emerged that large catchers of weapon was recovered from the alleged landguards at the time of arrest.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the resignation of his deputy, David Mabuza, thanking him for his "unwavering support" over the last five years.



Local reports say it comes as no surprise because Mr Mabuza had already announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down.



He will stay in the post until Mr Ramaphosa announces his successor, widely expected to be new ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile.



A cabinet reshuffle is expected next week once South Africa's annual budget is announced.



The government is under pressure to prove it has the answers to the countries economic woes and rolling blackouts.

Source: BBC









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Russia has held at least 6,000 children from Ukraine in camps aimed at re-education in what could constitute a war crime, a US study said Tuesday.



Since the start of the war nearly a year ago, children as young as four months have been taken to 43 camps across Russia, including in Moscow-annexed Crimea and Siberia, for 'pro-Russia patriotic and military-related education,' said the report by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab that was funded by the US State Department.



Nathaniel Raymond, a Yale researcher, said that Russia was in 'clear violation' of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the treatment of civilians during war and called the report a 'gigantic Amber alert' - referring to US public notices of child abductions.



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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.
CANBERRA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- An emergency warning has been issued and a school was evacuated over a bushfire burning in South Australia (SA) on Thursday, local official said.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) on Thursday afternoon declared a grass fire near the city of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula poses a threat to lives and homes.

People in the area have been urged to take shelter immediately in a solid building and a primary school has been evacuated.

"It is too late to leave as the roads will not be safe," the emergency message said.

Temperatures were forecast to hit 40 degrees Celsius in SA on Thursday, with strong winds exacerbating conditions.

Road closures have been put in place by SA Police and six firefighting aircraft have been deployed to the region.

Motorists have been warned to keep their windows closed and take care due to smoke.

"It is a fire burning with a really high level of intensity, producing lots of smoke that will be visible to people in Port Lincoln and the surrounds," Brenton Hastie, CFS deputy state controller, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"At this stage the fire has continued through the industrial area, which is of a concern in terms of the number of assets that may have been lost, but we haven't seen that impact into the suburb areas of Port Lincoln as yet." 
Huawei has launched smart photovoltaic (PV) solutions for all scenarios of the African residential market at the Solar Power Africa Conference 2023 held in Cape Town, South Africa.



At the press conference announcing the launch, Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, said that Huawei was releasing three residential solutions: Power-M, LUNA, and the high-end luxury solution.



Xia said, The three residential solutions will help users cope with daily challenges such as load-shedding, which are prevalent across the region. Meanwhile, the residential market faces some challenges such as user experiences, mixing manufacturers, quality, service, efficiency and aesthetics.



Xia noted that Huawei is focusing on 4T Technologies (Watt/Heat/Battery/Bit), this will drive the residential PV scenarios with high quality products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but products that offer high quality system level solutions that integrate digitalisation and intelligence into the PV industry.



Over its 25 years of operating in Sub Saharan Africa, Huawei has built a deep understanding of the regions energy and technology requirements. We supply smart photovoltaic (PV) solutions for all scenarios in the African residential market, committed to bringing clean energy to every home.



Nick Lusson, VP of Huawei Smart PV Sub-Saharan Africa Region, gave an overview of the features and advantages of the three residential solutions at the launch.



Power-M is a high-quality power supply system for multi-scenario applications, flexible for use in apartments, houses or large villas.



Huawei has demonstrated its aesthetic design skills as always, by bringing to consumers a sleek design energy system with the ultimate aesthetics. Thanks to the all-in-one and modular design, the inverter and battery are perfectly integrated, consumers can flexibly choose the number of battery modules to expand the capacity from 5kWh to maxim 45kWh whenever they want.



The Power-M supports seamless switchover between multiple energy inputs, such as solar, grid, and generator. In order to provide a better home usage experience, Power-M has a fan-less construction with sleep-grade noise, the operation sound level is less than 29dbm. The unique plug and play design makes for an easy and quick installation in around two hours, he said.



LUNA is an intelligent power system integrating smart power generation, smart power storage and smart power consumption. With the Huawei smart module controller, the homeowner can maximize the roof installation capacity, resulting in between 10-30% more panels installed. The smart module controller can also significantly increase solar power generation by improving efficiency by 5-30%.



To ensure the safety of installers and roof usage, the module-level shutdown function provides a safer roof voltage. The intelligent battery storage, ESS, can provide 10% more usable energy with the built-in optimiser in each battery module, Lusson explained. The LUNA AI system can accurately predict photovoltaic power generation and household electricity consumption under different climate scenarios based on big data learnings of weather and electricity consumption habits. Using the FusionSolar APP, consumers can remotely monitor and manage LUNA anywhere anytime.



Whats more, Huawei brings high-end solutions to large villa owners. Thanks to the one-stop solution and premium service, the end users can enjoy an ultimate user experience for a fully integrated luxury power generation villa, Lusson explained.



Huawei and its local partners concluded the launch with a with Huawei smart photovoltaic (PV) solutions for all scenarios of the African residential market, together committing to bring green energy into every home and creating a better life experience for the people of Africa.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey has spoken against attempts to adopt his "intellectual property" the 'Let's Make Accra Work' initiative.



This follows a similar initiative in the Ashanti Region.



Speaking in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' Henry Quartey said: He's (Zoomlion boss) worked with me perfectly so far but there is something called intellectual property . . . I'm aware that he's managed to get almost all the Regional Ministers across the country to do same . . . I won't allow it. We have not even finished with the work in Accra so how can the same be done in Kumasi? NO. He has not finished with Accra so he cannot go and do Kumasi. It's my intellectual property, I will not allow it 'Let's Make Accra Work' is my baby and so if the same campaign is being taken to Kumasi, I should know . . . "



The Regional Minister launched the Lets Make Accra Work campaign with a view of helping to bring discipline and sanity to the region.



Listen to him in the video below









Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah has responded insisting that his campaign is different from 'Let's Make Accra Work'



"We are not doing let Ashanti work. Our project is 'sustainable cleaning, greening and beautification of Ashanti'. We started the pilot project in 2018 but faced funding problems; that is why we submitted a new project report to partner Zoomlion Company Limited . . . so our project is not the same as what is going on in Accra," he replied in a text to Kwami Sefa Kayi, host of the programme.







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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Governance Lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has expressed his utter distaste over the prolonged Bawku Chieftaincy conflict.



The conflict between the people of Mamprusi and Kusasi has been one of the longest violent clashes in the country, causing worry about the safety of the people as well as the security of the Upper East Region.



Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, reacting to the conflict during a panel discussion on "Kokrokoo" show on Peace FM, asked the residents "for how long will this continue?"



He charged them to stop assailing themselves and let peace reign in the area.



Dr. Otchere-Ankrah deflated the logic in them killing so as to make a person a Chief asking "if you kill everyone so you make someone a Chief, who will he rule over?"



"There is no leader without followers," he cautioned the agitated parties.



He called on the Police to arrest the culprits to serve as deterrent to others in the Bawku community.



He also urged the government and security agencies to step in to calm matters but stressed "if they refuse to advise themselves, then the government should apply the coercive power".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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 case of worker alleging sexual harassment against a bank official comes up today at an Accra High Court.



The court is expected to be moved today Thursday, February 16 to hear the case.



The said Bank has since requested that its name be withdrawn from the lawsuit filed by the former worker.



The Bank was named as the 2nd defendant in the writ that was issued by the High Court.



In an application dated January 24, the Bank requested that seven paragraphs of the writ be dismissed on the ground that they disclose no reasonable cause of action against the applicant.



Paragraphs 7,8,9,10,11,31,32,33,34,36 and 37 which were requested to be excluded comprise portions of the writ that accuse the bank of watching on for female workers being harassed sexually by senior male officers of the bank.







Source: starrfm.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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" " A Park Service employee lowers U.S. flags on the grounds of the Washington Monument to half-staff, Oct. 2, 2017. President Donald Trump ordered the flags on all federal buildings to fly at half-staff following the mass shooting that left more than 50 dead in Las Vegas. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

More than half of all households in the United States own an American flag, according to a 2020 poll. But not all American flag owners are aware of the extensive rules that govern flag etiquette in the United States, including when and how to lower a flag to half-staff.

Lowering a flag to half-staff (or half-mast when it's on a ship) as a symbol of public mourning dates back centuries. In the U.S., flags have traditionally been lowered following the deaths of presidents and other prominent public officials. But in recent decades, the practice has been extended to mourn other types of tragedies, including the deaths of foreign dignitaries, U.S. servicemen, victims of mass shootings and COVID deaths.

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Some individuals and veterans organizations, including the American Legion, complain that there are way too many half-staff proclamations. In 2015, for example, flags were lowered to half-staff for 328 days (nearly 90 percent) of the year somewhere in the United States based on proclamations from the president or state governors.

"Those individuals and agencies that usurp authority and display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions are quickly eroding the honor and reverence accorded this solemn act," says the American Legion website.

The question is: Can you actually get in trouble  cited, fined or even arrested  for failing to lower an American flag to half-staff?
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Video capture units placed over strawberry plants.

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a new way to track the insect pollinators essential to farming.

In a new study, we installed miniature digital cameras and computers inside a greenhouse at a strawberry farm in Victoria, Australia, to track bees and other insects as they flew from plant to plant pollinating flowers.

Using custom AI software, we analyzed several days' video footage from our system to build a picture of pollination behavior over a wide area.

In the same way that monitoring roads can help traffic run smoothly, our system promises to make pollination more efficient. This will enable better use of resources and increased food production.

A fresh set of eyes

With a growing human population and limited natural resources, food production needs to become more efficient and sustainable. Precision agriculture powered by new technologies, like AI, can help secure future food production.

Efficient pollination is crucial to produce healthy fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts.

Optimal pollination requires just the right number of insect pollinator visits to flowers. Too few or too many visits, or visits by ineffective insect pollinators, can diminish the quality of food a flowering plant produces.

Typical techniques for monitoring insect pollination use direct visual observation or pan trapping, which are labor-intensive and take many days.

Additionally, without a very large number of trained observers it is impossible to collect simultaneous data across large farms. Yet such data are needed to provide time-critical evidence of the extent of crop pollination, before a season's pollination window is closed.

With our digital system, however, a farm manager could obtain same-day data on crop pollination levels.

How fine-grained analysis of insect pollinator movement enables better food production Tracking honeybees on strawberry plants.

Our pollination monitoring system was set up at Sunny Ridge farm in a strawberry greenhouse open to insects. The array of cameras monitored insect activity among the strawberries, recording honeybees, hover flies, moths, butterflies and some wasps.

Managing big (insect) data with advanced software

The volume of data our system collects requires custom software to reliably track individual insects flying among complex foliage.

A key issue our software overcomes is identifying insect movements within a video sequence, so an individual insect on a single path isn't accidentally counted multiple times. This enables accurate assessment of the number of insects in a region during a day, an analysis of their type (e.g. species), and monitoring of their flower visits.

Insect counts, tracks and flower visits reported at three sample locations at our field site. Bar charts above the plots indicate the number of tracks and total number of flower visits for each insect type. Track colours represent different insect varieties. Flower locations are indicated by blue circles. Credit: Ratnayake et al., 2022

Our custom software uses a hybrid detection model to detect and track insects and flowers in videos. This model combines the AI-based object-detection capabilities of deep learning using a convolutional neural network, together with separate foreground detection algorithms to identify the precise positions of insects and the flowers they visit in the recorded videos.

The software includes features to make data processing more efficient and save on computer power.

The insect paths our software produces are computed using a method called the Hungarian algorithm. This examines the positions of insects in each video frame in a sequence, and enables the identification of a match between the locations of the insects across a sequence of video frames.

By recording and visualizing these paths, we gain an understanding of insect behavior and the efficiency of pollination in a greenhouse.

Strawberries produce quality fruit after a minimum of four insect visits to an individual flower. Too many visits can actually damage flowers and reduce fruit quality.

Contribution of different insect types towards strawberry pollination. Bar chart shows percentage of flowers visited by each insect type at three sample locations at our field site. The dark grey portion shows the percentage of flowers with over four (number of visits required for strawberry flower fertilisation) from each insect type. The red dashed line in the plots show the total percentage of flowers with more than four visits in a location. Credit: Ratnayake et al., 2022

Which insects drive pollination?

Honeybee flower visits were recorded more frequently in the monitored area than visits by other insects. Our analysis showed 68% of recorded flowers received the minimum number of four insect visits required for full fertilization during the monitoring period.

While honeybees contributed the most to pollination, visits by other insects often resulted in individual flowers achieving the desired threshold of four visits, potentially improving the crop yield.

By detecting the numbers, types and timing of insects needed for optimal pollination, our monitoring system provides farmers the evidence they need to inform decision-making.

For example, knowing the extent to which a crop has been pollinated allows growers to alter hive locations and numbers to boost pollination shortfalls.

Farmers might also open or close greenhouse sidewalls to encourage or discourage insect visits from particular directions. They may decide to add attractant flowers to entice insects to explore crop regions that have been inadequately visited.

These simple interventions can ensure a higher rate of pollination success, and a higher yield of market-quality fruit. Smart insect management like this promises to help meet the need to feed a growing population with healthy produce.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The Antarctic Ocean area covered by ice has shrunk to a record low, exposing the thicker ice shelves buttressing Antarctica's ground ice sheet to waves and warmer temperatures, scientists reported Thursday.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States said Antarctica's sea ice fell to 1.91 million square kilometers (737,000 square miles) this week, the lowest extent since records began in 1979.

The previous all-time low was set last year.

"With a couple more weeks likely left in the melt season, the extent is expected to drop further before reaching its annual minimum," the NSIDC said in a statement.

Melting sea ice has no discernible impact on sea levels because the ice is already in ocean water.

But the sea ice rings Antarctica's massive ice shelves, the extensions of the freshwater glaciers that threaten catastrophic sea level rise over centuries if they continue melting as global temperatures rise.

The NSIDC said "much of the Antarctic coast" has water that is now without ice, "exposing the ice shelves that fringe the ice sheet to wave action and warmer conditions".

The Antarctic cycle undergoes significant annual variations during its summers of thawing and winters of freezing, and the continent has not experienced the rapid melting of the past four decades that plague the ice sheets of Greenland and the Arctic due to global warming.

But the high melt rate since 2016 raises concerns that a significant downward trend may be taking hold.

Melting of the sea ice is problematic because it helps accelerate global warming.

When white sea icewhich bounces up to 90 percent of the Sun's energy back into spaceis replaced by dark, unfrozen sea, the water absorbs a similar percentage of the Sun's heat instead.

The previous record was set in February last year, when the area of ice floating on the Antarctic Ocean fell below two million square kilometers for the first time.

Last week, Europe's Copernicus climate monitor (C3s) said that the January ice extent was already at a record low.

Globally, last year was the fifth or sixth warmest on record despite the cooling influence of a natural La Nina weather pattern.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: University of Maine

A study led by the University of Maine captured how entire rockweed beds recover from harvest, and the practice has a smaller impact than previously thought.

Rockweed wields immense influence over its intertidal habitat. Its tangled branches form the backbone of a rich ecosystem that shelters and feeds an abundance of marine life. Everywhere rockweed grows, invertebrates, fish and fowl follow.

The marine alga has also been valued as a soil amendment for centuries, and more recently as crop biostimulants. The Maine Department of Marine Resources reports that commercial harvest has more than tripled over the past 20 years. Rockweed grows back following harvest, with biomass recovering faster than height. This change, combined with climbing harvest pressure, has led to concern regarding the practice. Harvesters, landowners, ecologists and community scientists want to understand how cutting and removing rockweed affects the ecosystem it creates.

UMaine ecologist Amanda Klemmer and her collaborators traipsed Maine's tidal waters to examine the impact of rockweed harvest over the whole beda first for the species. Previous studies in the United States and Canada examined harvest impact at smaller scales or without control sites. The team chose to study harvest recovery over the whole bed, which mirrors the scale that both commercial harvesters and mobile animals, like birds and fishes, interact with rockweed.

The research team documented the biomass and height of rockweed in 100 meter long swaths before and one year following commercial harvest. The study included 38 different sites from Harpswell downeast to Cobscook. All sampling was non-destructive in an effort to isolate changes in rockweed characteristics to either natural variation or harvest, and not from sampling methods.

The study found that harvest patterns were uneven, creating a mosaic of habitats across the bed. This indicates that harvest has less impact than previous studies, with a smaller scale of focus, reported. It also supports the idea of studying natural resource and ecosystem management decisions at a variety of spatial scales.

On average in the study, rockweed biomass fully recovered one year after harvest but the height remained lower where harvest occurred. They also found that sites with more intensive harvest were less likely to fully recover biomass and height in that time.

"These results suggest to me two bottom lines, first that harvesters exploit beds patchily, like individuals walking haphazardly with weed wackers. This dilutes the effects of harvest for the overall rockweed bed. Second, recovery of algal biomass post-harvest is faster than it is for algal height. This result has been shown before, but the speed of biomass recovery here is quite remarkable," says Chris Petersen, Emily and Mitchell Rales Chair in Ecology at the College of the Atlantic. "The harvest impacts on this foundational species appear less than I believe many would have predicted."

Klemmer, who studies food webs on Maine's coastline, and her team drew from the broad knowledge base of the harvest industry, conservation groups, state and federal agencies, and public interest groups to inform the study's design. She hosted a stakeholder advisory panel in Belfast in 2018, and continued to engage with groups for the duration of the project. Altogether, they worked with more than 80 landowners and eight harvesters to gain access to and select sites for the study.

"Having everyone in that room to see what everyone's priorities were and where we could find common ground was really meaningful. And to put a face to some names was also good from both perspectives. A lot of connections came out of those meetings, overall it was a great experience," says Alison Feibel, senior resource biologist at Acadian Seaplants Limited.

The research team included first author and Ph.D. candidate Elliot Johnson, as well as Hannah Mittelstaedt, Laura Braun and Hannah Webber, all graduate students at UMaine's School of Biology and Ecology in the lab of Klemmer. Webber also works as marine ecology director at the Schoodic Institute. Brian Olsen, director for UMS TRANSFORMS, who holds a faculty appointment in the school, and Jessica Muhlin, professor of marine biology at Corning School of Ocean Studies at Maine Maritime Academy, also contributed to the study.

The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

More information: Elliot M. Johnston et al, Bed-scale impact and recovery of a commercially important intertidal seaweed, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2023.151869 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
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Geographic distribution of samples and results. The locations of tiger and leopard samples are marked by squares (seropositive = red, seronegative = blue) and circles (seropositive = black, seronegative = white), respectively. Unsampled sick leopards are indicated using pink circles. Protected areas are shaded in green (Nepal) and tan (India). In Nepal, these include: Shuklaphanta National Park (ShNP), BardiaBanke Complex (BBC), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), ChitwanParsa Complex (CPC) and Koshi Thappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR). Indian protected areas include: Dudwha Tiger Reserve (DTR), Katarniaghat Tiger Reserve (KTR) and Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR). The cities of Kathmandu (KTM) and Pokhara (PKR) are indicated by yellow diamonds. Credit: Pathogens (2023). DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020203

Researchers with the College of Veterinary Medicine have confirmed the first cases of canine distemper virus (CDV), which can cause fatal neurological disease, in tigers and leopards in Nepal.

"Canine distemper virus has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores and their conservation," said Martin Gilbert, Cornell Wildlife Health Center wild carnivore health specialist and associate professor of practice in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences. "This study is a first step to understanding the potential impact for Nepalese tiger and leopard populations."

Although researchers have suspected distemper was infecting these species, the study, published Jan 28 in the journal Pathogens, is the first definitive proof of infection in Nepal's big cats. The survey found 11% of tigers (three out of 28) and 30% of the leopards (six out of 20) had antibodies to CDV, indicating prior infection with the virus.

Relatively little is known about the status of Nepal's leopards, but scientists believe the population is in decline due to a combination of poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Leopards also face increasing competition for space due to the expansion of the country's tiger population. Could CDV push them even further into decline?

Unlike leopards, "tigers are enjoying a resurgence in Nepal," Gilbert said. "Their national population has almost tripled in size over the past 12 yearshowever, globally the species remains endangered." As the larger and stronger of the two species, tigers have been displacing leopards from national parks and forcing them into areas with more people, where they often prey on street dogs.

Based on the findings of this paper, these dogs may be the source of infection. "We already know CDV is circulating in the Nepali dog population" said Dr. Jessica Bodgener, a veterinarian with Wildlife Vets International, who co-authored the paper, "and that leopards frequently eat dogs, while tigers do not. When we found a greater exposure in leopards it seemed like a good fit, but we need more evidence to be sure. And we can't forget three tigers also tested positive. If tigers aren't eating dogs, it raises the question, how did these animals get infected? The situation may not be straightforward."

Other species that could be acting as reservoirs include wild carnivores such as jackals and civets.

The team examined blood samples collected from tigers and leopards between 2011 and 2021 by veterinarians working for Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). These were opportunistic samples, with most of the captures occurring as part of routine wildlife management. Routine collection and archiving of samples like these are important for investigating disease.

In many places, CDV surveillance is hampered by a lack of local laboratories set up to run the appropriate tests. Access to specialist international labs can be blocked by export bans or slowed by permit application processes. To sidestep these issues, Gilbert's team chose not to export the samples, but to partner with the Agricultural and Forestry University in Chitwan to establish testing in Nepal, something they hope to see replicated elsewhere.

"Establishing national testing facilities that can support coordinated CDV research and surveillance efforts is both highly desirable and achievable, and should lead to increased sampling and collaboration," Gilbert said.

With the presence of the virus confirmed in these populations, the research team recommends several immediate actions:

Wildlife managers should be made aware of the threat posed by CDV to leopards and tigers and encouraged to report signs of neurological disease.

Testing of leopards and tigers should be expanded to include molecular testing and genetic sequencing, as well as continued monitoring of antibodies.

To inform appropriate control measures, such as vaccinating dogs, or potentially the big cats themselves, researchers should confirm which animals are acting as reservoirs for CDV.

Because small, isolated populations are most at risk, efforts should be made to increase habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors.

"Since 2014, we have seen 10 leopards showing neurological disease that could be consistent with CDV infection," says Dr. Amir Sadaula, NTNC veterinarian, who led the Nepali research team. "With increased awareness, we plan to confirm future cases and obtain genetic sequences to help determine the source of infections."

Gilbert and his team plan to continue their work in Nepal, particularly on the under-studied leopard. Research is already underway to introduce more comprehensive big cat health assessments in a bid to understand the potential roles of injury and disease in increasing the likelihood of conflicts with people. Meanwhile, ongoing ecological fieldwork is investigating how the predation of domestic dogs may be influencing the behavior and distribution of leopards outside of national parks.

More information: Jessica Bodgener et al, Canine Distemper Virus in Tigers (Panthera tigris) and Leopards (P. pardus) in Nepal, Pathogens (2023). DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020203
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Credit: Jonathan Kemper/Unsplash

ChatGPT and its powerful capacity to generate original text has taken the education sector by surprise. Not only are universities hurrying to adapt to it, schools are also grappling with this new technology.

NSW and most other states blocked the tool in public schools, to protect students from possible misinformation and curb cheating. But South Australia has allowed use of ChatGPT, in part so students can better learn and understand the potential and risks of artificial intelligence.

The range of responses to ChatGPT shows how education has yet to figure out the best way to use such tools.

ChatGPT is also just the latest example of technology coming into classrooms. Education technology (or "edtech)" is a commonand rapidly growingpart of day-to-day learning. But we need to understand it better.

Edtech in Australian schools

The global edtech market is estimated to be worth about US$300 billion (A$432 billion). More than one billion students globally are expected to use edtech by 2025. Google and Microsoft are major players, but investment is also increasingly fueled by China, India and the European Union.

Edtech includes teaching support platforms, with sample lesson plans, tasks, games and tests. It also includes AI-backed personalized learning tools to help with math, literacy and other school subjects. As of 2019, Australian teachers were using an estimated 250 different types of edtech, although there is no reliable number of how many use AI.

We already know some of these edtech tools are having positive results, including in disadvantaged areas. Studies suggest adaptive tutoring, which adjusts to the precise needs and level of the individual student, is especially promising.

Edtech also allows for more personalized assessment. As students move through a lesson answering questions, they can automatically get feedback, find additional instruction and branch into easier or harder content as needs be. Most importantly, teachers get detailed insight to student progress that allows them to adjust their teaching to better match what students need.

But despite these advancements, we also know edtech delivers the best results when the tools are based on proven teaching techniques. Poorly designed tools also can undermine education. In the United States, national funding laws now push school districts to make sure edtech and other teaching tools are independently evaluated for positive impact.

There are significant risks to these tools as well, especially around privacy and the marketing of student and teacher data collected when they use the tech. These risks increase if autonomous AI is behind the tool.

How can we prepare for more edtech in schools?

With a rapidly expanding edtech market, it's easy for teachers and parents to be confused about what's on offer, how to use it and whether it will help students learn.

ChatGPT highlights quickly products are emerging and how quickly education systems will need to respond. We need governments to be shaping what and how technology is used in classrooms to ensure high quality, safe products and avoid being caught by surprise.

Globally, some steps are underway. The EU has adopted a comprehensive digital education plan, the US has created a dedicated national edtech office, and the United Kingdom and Singapore want to use edtech to tackle specific learning needs.

What Australia needs to do

Australia also needs to ramp up government leadership in managing the opportunities and risks that come with this edtech. This includes:

quality requirements for the tech itselfincluding evidence it is based on education research

professional learning and support for schools and teachers using it

regulation and transparency around how student data will be collected, stored and used.

Independent websites in the US are also helping schools and families find high-quality learning resources (including digital tools). For example, EdReports assists teachers to evaluate curriculum materials, while Evidence for ESSA reviews the quality of research behind claimed edtech impact.

What next

A growing body of research shows that high-quality education technology can be a powerful tool to improve student outcomes, particularly for students facing education disadvantage.

But not all edtech tools work well and much depends on how schools use them.

The most important impact of ChatGPT may be to galvanize governments and education systems to ensure Australian schooling can proactively and properly use edtech in our classrooms.

The next National School Reform Agreement offers the perfect opportunity to do this. This agreement ties federal, state, and territory funding mechanisms to lifting student learning outcomes. It is currently being negotiated and is due in December 2024.

It is important we use the opportunities provided by edtech, rather than edtech using us.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng

TEHRAN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Back in 2016, ahead of his state visit to Iran, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote in a signed article that "the thousand-mile-long land and maritime silk roads made it possible for two ancient civilizations and peoples to embrace and befriend each other."

Though seven years apart, Xi's words were echoed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who wrote in an article published on Monday when he was about to embark on his trip to Beijing earlier this week.

For Iran and China, which have been in contact and interaction with each other for a long time and have had direct acquaintance and mutual understanding, it is time to get to know each other directly in the new era, Raisi wrote.

LONG HISTORY OF MUTUAL LEARNING

Despite the long distance separating the two ancient civilizations, the Chinese and the Iranians have authored extraordinary stories of friendly exchanges and mutual understanding.

"This will be my first trip to Iran, yet like many other Chinese, I do not feel like a stranger in your ancient and beautiful country, thanks to the Silk Road that linked our two great nations for centuries and to the many legendary stories recorded in history books of our friendly exchanges," Xi wrote in his 2016 article.

Over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty in China, the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian's deputy came to Iran and received warm welcome. Seven centuries later during the Tang and Song dynasties, many Iranians came to China's Xi'an and Guangzhou to study, practice medicine and do business. In the 15th century, a renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He from the Ming Dynasty led seven maritime expeditions, which took him to Hormuz in southern Iran three times.

Since the inception of the diplomatic ties in 1971, the China-Iran relationship has stood the test of international changes and maintained a momentum of sound and steady development.

In the face of complex changes in the world, times and history, China and Iran have supported each other, worked together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, consolidated strategic mutual trust and made steady progress in practical cooperation, which has promoted common interests, safeguarded international fairness and justice, and written a new chapter in China-Iran friendship.

Mohammad Reza Manafi, editor-in-chief for the Asia-Pacific news desk of Iran's official news agency IRNA, said covering China's news and developments is one of the main priorities of his work.

"Every day I am trying to learn more and more about China, its friendly people, its lovely culture, its strong technology and unbelievable improvements in different fields," he told Xinhua.

"News on China-Iran ties, cultural similarities, and tourist attractions of both countries are among my favorite news stories," he said. He was confident that "such news can promote and improve the mutual understanding between the people in the two nations."

FROM CHINESE LANGUAGE TO CULTURE

Hamed Vafaei, director of the Asia Research Center at the University of Tehran, has focused on China studies for years.

He teaches young Iranians the Chinese language and culture. That is one of his ways to help deepen China-Iran relations.

"Learning Chinese is very popular in Iran now, and many students are particularly interested in learning about Chinese culture," Vafaei said. Some Chinese universities are also offering Persian courses, which can help "take the relationship between the two countries to a new level," he added.

"As an Iranian scholar, I believe that China will definitely play a bigger role as a major country in the world, and our task is to understand the country well," said the China expert.

Many of Vafaei's students share his view. Mobina Moradkhani, a third-year Chinese major, said, "for me, Chinese is not just a language. It is the golden key to a colorful world."

Learning Chinese, she said, has helped her make many Chinese friends, and she felt that her heart was connected with the Chinese people.

Moradkhani not only looks for "Chinese elements" in Iranian museums, but also seeks more information about contemporary China.

In a China-themed photo exhibition, she was impressed by how the Chinese made way for a migrating herd of Asian elephants, a story she once heard from her teacher from southwest China's Yunnan Province, also the hometown of those big land mammals. She said it showed her the "lovely" side of China beyond prosperity.

"The growing friendship between China and Iran opened the door for me to have more study opportunities and better job prospects," Moradkhani said. "The friendly development of China-Iran relations also encourages me to introduce Iranian culture to Chinese friends and grow to be an envoy of people-to-people exchanges between China and Iran in the future."

BETTER UNDERSTANDING

As the Chinese and Iranians are learning more of the long history and splendor of the two civilizations, they are showing a growing interest in increasing cultural exchanges.

Iranian blogger Arezou Shah Mohammadi is now working as both a guide for Chinese tourists and a vlogger. She has millions of followers on China's social media platforms through presenting glimpses of her country.

Fifteen years ago, Shah Mohammadi was greatly troubled by cultural barriers when she chose to study Chinese. While today, the Chinese and Iranians have more opportunities to know each other better.

In addition to more frequent interactions in social media, films and TV dramas have also been part of a bridge of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. A number of influencers from Iran have built their career on the Chinese Internet, and more Chinese films and TV dramas have been screened in Iran.

Jafar Sanei Moqaddam, managing director of Iran's Art and Experience Cinema, said such events serve to promote cultural bonds between the two ancient civilizations.

Vafaei, the China expert, said to understand the country, one of the most prominent works is to read Xi's thoughts. He served as an interpreter for then Iranian President Hassan Rouhani when he held talks with Xi in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, in 2018, and now he visits China as a member of Raisi's delegation.

He said he believes that the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative highlight "elements of Eastern civilization," which bear significance in solving current crises and problems in the world.

Iran sees China as "a country that can play a very important role in the world now and in the future," Vafaei said, stressing that "to deepen relations, the two countries must enhance mutual understanding." 
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The latest report into the rights of children in Aotearoa New Zealand has painted a mixed picture of how the country treats young people.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recently published its sixth review into how Aotearoa New Zealand is implementing its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989.

The good news is that Aotearoa New Zealand has made progress in the seven years since the last review. But despite decades of warnings, the country is still failing too many of its children and young people, particularly those in state care, living in poverty, with disabilities, and those who end up in the justice system

On the positive side, measures such as establishment of the Ministry for Children (Oranga Tamariki) in 2017, the passing of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Act 2017, the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 and the development of the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy 2019 were welcomed by the writers of the report.

Aotearoa New Zealand has also voluntarily implemented the convention's communications procedure, allowing children to take complaints about rights violations directly to the committee.

A long list of failures

But while Aotearoa New Zealand's progress was commended, the bulk of the report was devoted to the country's ongoing failure to fully implement the internationally established rights of young people.

Among the key concerns requiring urgent attention were:

the persistent discrimination against children in vulnerable situations

the persistent rates of abuse, neglect and violence against children

the rights of children in state care and the disproportionate levels of harm experienced by these children

the higher levels of risk or violence and abuse that children with disabilities are exposed to, as well as the higher levels of deprivation, poverty and inadequate housing, and the lower levels of enrollment in education or training programs they experience

the rates of children living in poverty and experiencing food insecurity, homelessness and unstable or overcrowded housing resulting in poorer health and education outcomes

the minimum age of criminal responsibilityjust 10 years old in New Zealandas well as the failure to separate children and adults in detention, the indefinite period for which some young people can be remanded in police custody, and the automatic transfer of young people charged with serious offenses to the adult justice system.

The committee expressed concern at the persistent over-representation of tamariki and rangatahi Maori in most of these areas of key concern. The committee also noted that Pasifika children, LGBTI children and children with disabilities were more likely to be in vulnerable situations.

The issues are not new

Many of these concerns had already been identified in Aotearoa New Zealand's last report, in 2016. Indeed, many of these issues were a matter of concern when Aotearoa New Zealand first reported to the committee in 1997.

Not only have the committee's concerns been highlighted in the past, but the report's findings come from Aotearoa New Zealand's own data on children.

The committee considered a 2021 report submitted by the Aotearoa New Zealand government, along with other reports from national institutions such as the Children's Commissioner and non-governmental organizations.

The committee then discussed the state of children's rights in Aotearoa New Zealand with a government delegation at the UN headquarters in Geneva. The most recent meeting between New Zealand and the committee took place in late January.

Why the review process matters

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international, legally binding agreement. It has been formally accepted by 196 countries, making it the most widely accepted human rights treaty.

The convention established the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, a body of 18 independent experts that monitors its implementation in the states that have accepted it.

Regular reporting to the committee is a requirement of the convention. These reviews allow for the nature of children's rights and states' obligations to be spelled out.

Over the decades, the reviews have built up a picture of how Aotearoa New Zealand's children's rights are violated by discrimination, deprivation and (sometimes deadly) violence. The reviews continually identify what the government must do to prevent these breaches and how to remedy their consequences.

What must the government do now?

A few overarching themes can be identified amongst the dozens of recommendations made by the committee.

Firstly, the convention's rights and obligations must be incorporated into Aotearoa New Zealand law. Children should also be able to participate meaningfully in the design and implementation of all laws, policies and programs regarding their rights.

Children whose rights have been violated need greater access to more child-friendly complaints mechanisms.

Additionally, more data needs to be collected to create a fuller picture of the situation of all Aotearoa New Zealand children and their rights. More resources also need to be allocated to the protection of children and the national budget needs to more strongly reflect a child rights-based approach.

But perhaps the best place to start is for the government to fulfill one of its obligations and publicize the findings of this latest review, as well as publicizing the fact that children can now complain to the UN when their rights have been violated.

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Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have shed more than half-a-trillion tonnes annually since 2000 -- six icy Olympic pools every second.

Parts of Earth's ice sheets that could lift global oceans by meters will likely crumble with another half degree Celsius of warming, and are fragile in ways not previously understood, according to new research.

The risk, which will play out over centuries, may also be greater than expected for a significant portion of the world's population in coastal regions.

New research suggests that the number of people threatened by sea level rise has been underestimated by tens of millions because of poorly-interpreted satellite data and a lack of scientific resources in developing countries.

Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have shed more than half-a-trillion metric tons annually since 2000six icy Olympic pools every second.

These kilometers-thick ice cubes have replaced glacier melt as the single biggest source of sea level rise, which has accelerated three-fold over the last decades compared to most of the 20th century.

A 20 centimeters increase since 1900 has boosted the destructive wallop of ocean storms made more powerful and wide-ranging by global warming, and is driving salt water into populous, low-lying agricultural deltas across Asia and Africa.

Up to now, climate models have underestimated how much ice sheets will add to future sea level rise because they mostly looked at the one-way impact of rising air temperatures on the ice, and not the complicated interaction between atmosphere, oceans, ice sheet and ice shelves.

Using so-called active ice sheet models, scientists from South Korea and the US projected how much ice sheets would raise global oceans by 2150 under three emissions scenarios: swift and deep cuts as called for by the UN's IPCC advisory panel, current climate policies, and a steep increase in carbon pollution.

Looking only at a 2100 horizon is misleading, because oceans will continue to rise for hundreds of years no matter how quickly humanity draws down emissions.

If rising temperaturesup 1.2C above preindustrial levels so farcan be capped at 1.5C, the additional impact of ice sheets will remain very small, they found.

The number of people threatened by sea level rise has been underestimated by tens of millions.

Doomsday glacier

But under current policies, including national carbon-cutting pledges under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Greenland and Antarctica would add about half-a-meter to the global watermark.

And if emissions increasefrom human or natural sourcesunder a "worst case" scenario, enough ice would melt to lift oceans 1.4 meters.

Perhaps the most striking finding from the study, published this week in Nature Communications, was a red line for runaway ice-sheet disintegration.

"Our model has a threshold between 1.5C and 2C of warmingwith 1.8C as a best estimatefor acceleration of ice loss and sea level increase," co-author Fabian Schloesser from the University of Hawaii, told AFP.

Scientists have long known that the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheetswhich together could lift oceans 13 metershave "tipping points" beyond which complete disintegration is inevitable, whether in centuries or millennia. But pinpointing these temperature trip wires has remained elusive.

A pair of studies this week in Nature, meanwhile, showed that Antarctica's Thwaites "doomsday glacier"a slab the size of Britain sliding toward the seais fracturing in unsuspected ways.

Thwaites is one of the fastest moving glaciers on the continent, and has retreated 14 kilometers since the 1990s. Much of it is below sea level and susceptible to irreversible ice loss.

But exactly what is driving the march to the sea has been unclear for lack of data.

Change in sea levels since 1993 and forecast rise up to 2023.

Misinterpreted data

An international expedition of British and US scientists drilled a hole the depth of two Eiffel towers (600 meters) through the thick tongue of ice Thwaites has pushed out over the Southern Ocean's Amundsen Sea.

Using sensors and an underwater robot, called Icefin, threaded through the hole, they examined the ice shelf's hidden underbelly.

There was less melting than expected in some places, but far more in others.

The stunned scientists discovered up-side-down staircase formationslike an underwater Escher drawingwith accelerated erosion, along with long fissures being forced open by sea water.

"Warm water is getting into the cracks, helping wear down the glacier at its weakest point," said Britney Schmidt, lead author of one of the studies and an associate professor at Cornell University in New York.

A fourth study, published last week in the American Geophysical Union journal Earth's Future, found that rising oceans will destroy farmland, ruin water supplies and uproot millions of people sooner than thought.

"The time available to prepare for increased exposure to flooding may be considerably less than assumed to date," Dutch researchers Ronald Vernimmen and Aljosja Hooijer concluded.

The new analysis shows that a given amount of sea level risewhether 30 or 300 centimeterswill devastate twice the area projected in most models to date.

Remarkably, a misinterpretation of data is mostly to blame: radar measurements of coastal elevations used until recently, it turned out, often mistook tree canopy and rooftops for ground level, adding meters of elevation that were not in fact there.

Most vulnerable will be tens of millions of people in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Thailand, Nigeria and Vietnam.

Earlier research taking into account more accurate elevation readings found that areas currently home to 300 million people will be vulnerable by mid-century to flooding made worse by climate change, no matter how aggressively emissions are reduced.

 2023 AFP
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When fishermen and women look at the gray Atlantic waters off New England, they see a marine environment literally swimming with cod, the popular white fish prized around the world for its mild flavor.

Scientists, on the other hand, say Atlantic cod stocks in the Gulf of Maine are severely depleted and possibly vulnerable to extinction.

The question of how fishermen and marine scientists employed by government agencies can view cod numbers so differently has puzzled Micah Dean, a marine biologist with the state of Massachusetts, for years.

While a doctoral student at Northeastern University, Dean believed he came up with an answer.

In a paper published recently by the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciencesappropriately titled "Lost in Translation"Dean says that fishermen and scientists view the ocean depths with such different lenses that they are literally not seeing the same things.

"We did a telephone survey and we asked commercial fishermen, over the last 10 years, do you think the cod population in the Gulf of Maine has gone down a lot, gone down a little, stayed the same, gone up a little or gone up a lot," Dean says.

"The most common response we got from fishermen was that the population had gone up," he says.

Government scientists, on the other hand, say the Gulf of Maine cod stock has declined about 80% from 2005 to 2017 and is less than 5% of its target level, making it "severely depleted," Dean says.

"We're really not close at all," he says. "Everyone's got their own reality."

"I've tried to translate between these two perspectives and identify an explanation for how this came to be," says Dean, whose survey of approximately 100 fishermen took place in 2018.

Different lenses

It's not obdurance on the part of fishermen, Dean says, adding they have been given a faulty lens.

For starters, commercial and recreational ground fishermen are prohibited from trawling in cod spawning sites, where they could see for themselves that the population of older cod that frequents the areas has plummeted, he says.

"That's where the largest cod are," Dean says. "We used to catch many over 60 to 70 pounds. They don't exist anymore."

But "because we've closed all the spawning grounds to fishing," says Dean, who works for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, fishermen and women "can't see the lack of adult cod. It alters their perspective on the population."

"Most of the spawning grounds are gone. We really recognize the necessity of protecting what remains."

Fishermen also don't see the decline in juvenile codfish because the 6.5-inch mesh openings in their nets allow the juveniles to escape, Dean says.

"A scientist using a quarter-inch mesh or 2-inch mesh net sees the dramatic loss of juveniles," he says.

Regulatory changes about harvest limits can also alter perspective, Dean says.

He says when the government started limiting the number of days at sea fishermen could hunt for cod, it also increased trip limits to minimize the number of over-the-limit cod that were discarded.

The regulatory change was important since up to 80% of cod discarded during commercial trawls end up perishing, Dean says. But it also led to the impression the ground fish is more abundant that it actually is and encouraged fishermen to target cod more on days they were allowed to fish.

The regulations caused catch rates to increase even as stock declined, he says.

"So much of the angst in the fishing industry is that fishermen don't believe the answers they are being told," he says.

Collaborating on counts

"To manage a resource like this you have to have some baseline agreements on the status or the condition so we can agree on what sort of measures need to be taken to improve the condition."

Several years ago Dean and other state fishery officials took steps to address the issue by collaborating with commercial fishermen on a series of bottom trawl surveys.

Unlike the surveys conducted by the federal government, the surveys that took place from 2003 to 2007 and then again from 2016 to 2019 took place on commercial fishing vessels.

"We had commercial captains and crew operating the boat," Dean says. The feeling was "fishermen will believe what other fishermen catch."

The state biologists also conducted the trawls for a longer period of time than the federal government, operating 10 months out of the year, as opposed to two one-month snapshots in the spring and fall, Dean says.

"We got a much more intensive view of (the cod) population," he says.

What they found matched previous government surveys.

"We found basically that the federal stock assessment, the scientific perspective, was in general accurate and that the population had declined significantly," says Dean, who used material from his dissertation and historical data to create an online story map about the plight of Atlantic cod fish for the Massachusetts Division Marine Fisheries.

The collaboration has not changed the hearts and minds of commercial fishermen contacted during Dean's telephone survey.

"The majority of fishermen still think the population has increased" and protested stringent catch limits, Dean says.

"I was hopeful, maybe naively hopeful, that the (collaborative trawling surveys) would really start to unify perspectives so we can get past the bickering over whether there is an issue or not and roll up our sleeves and try to solve the issue."

What fishermen say

John Pappalardo, CEO of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, an advocacy group for commercial fishermen and women, says he agrees with Dean that the population of Atlantic cod "has been declining from their historic highs for a long time."

But while fishermen in their 80s see a dramatic reduction in numbers, commercial fishermen who have been catching cod for the past 25 or so years see a rebound in cod stocks due to fishing restrictions.

When a fisherman says he thinks cod are coming back, Pappalardo says he asks if the fleet based in Chatham can go to an area and fish for several months straight. "That's what you used to do," he says.

But Pappalardo, who fished commercially for 12 years, says fishermen have a point when they say it's not just fishing that has an impact on the cod population.

Seal predation, fresh water intrusion from the St. Lawrence Seaway and increase in water temperature in the Gulf of Maine are all affecting cod stocks, he says.

Some commercial fishermen think cod, a cold water species, is being driven into deeper waters and to points north and east of where survey boats may be going, Pappalardo says.

"Are there a lot of cod? No," he says. But Pappalardo says scientists haven't been able to show that reducing fishing of the species "to a very, very low level" has helped the population rebound.

"It's a very complex problem."

What's so great about cod

Mild tasting cod is popular almost across the world, being a staple in fish and chips and, in a salted version, favorite dishes in the Caribbean, despite not existing much farther south than Rhode Island, Dean says.

"Cod are worth more than other species," he says. "They are easy to catch and close to shore."

The good news is that recreational fishermen are being successfully diverted to fishing sites where another white ground fish, haddock, is plentiful.

And there are signs that cod populations are on the upswing from their historic low in 2014, with the most recent state trawling survey in 2019 showing an increase among juveniles, Dean says.

He hopes the restrictions on fishing codso hated by the commercial fishing industrywill allow this group of fish to live out their lifespan of 20 years and help repopulate the spawning grounds.

That would be a welcome sight to commercial fishermen's eyes.

In the meantime, Dean says, "There's always going to be disagreements. It's sort of a natural consequence of managing a wild harvested resource."

More information: Micah J. Dean et al, Lost in translation: understanding divergent perspectives on a depleted fish stock, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2022-0090 Journal information: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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Equipment operator Matt Odiaga walks in front of a pile of waste wood at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

From Colorado's high desert to the wooded hills of Pennsylvania, millions of oil and gas wells sit deserted, plunging thousands of feet into the earth. Many haven't been plugged, some leak greenhouse gases.

In Colorado, lawmakers are considering a solution that would give these wells a new, redemptive purpose: deep receptacles to trap carbon for millennia.

The idea is to keep carbon locked away in a special type of charcoal known as biochar, which is made by burning organic matter at high heat and low oxygen. The substance could be used to fill defunct oil and gas wells. Proponents say biochar would not only filter dangerous gas leaks but also stop that carbon from forming carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Colorado lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday for a study to assess whether biochar would work to plug defunct wells.

If successful, experts say that sinking biochar into a portion of the over 3 million abandoned oil wells nationwide could help tackle climate changeestimates range from keeping millions to billions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Still, the idea is relatively new and a number of feasibility questions remain. The study would direct Colorado State University to review research and run new tests to determine, in part, the efficacy of biochar in filtering gases and sequestering carbon as well as the technical feasibility of using it to plug oil and gas wells.

Site manager Ben Odiaga holds a sample of processed carbon at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Carbon naturally cycles through Earth's ecosystems, floating in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide before being snatched up by little bluestem grasses, ingested by grazing bison on the prairie, and when the animal keels over and begins decomposing, returning to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

But extracting fossil fuels has unearthed carbonformed out of ancient plant matter over eonsthat's been stored underground largely since the Mesozoic Era, the age of dinosaurs over 65 million years ago.

"Where we need to focus is: How do we not only stop putting excess carbon into the cycle but can we take measures to take carbon out of the cycle permanently?" said Rep. Karen McCormick, a Democrat and one of the bill's sponsors. "That's where I see biochar having a great benefit."

North of Denver in the small town of Berthoud, one company already makes biochar. On a recent day at Biochar Now's facility, a tractor drove across the muddy yard, its bucket holding shards of wood bound for a new life as biochar.

Waste wood is organized in piles at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Nearby, dead logs were stacked in neat piles. They were likely either killed by invasive beetles in Rocky Mountain forests or were casualties of a 2021 wildfire near Boulder, the most destructive in state history.

What they have in common, said James Gaspard, the company's co-founder, is that they'd otherwise be doomed to rot or burn, releasing carbon dioxide. Instead, the wood debris is loaded into large kilns, where the heat burns at three times the temperature of fire and the oxygen is sucked from the chamber in a process called pyrolysis. What's left is biochar.

The substance has a carbon structure closer to a diamond, said Jim Ippolito, a professor at Colorado State University. While diamonds might last forever, biochar isn't far behind and can keep the carbon inertunable to form carbon dioxidefor centuries if not millennia. Unlike a decomposing bison, biochar pulls carbon out of the earth's carbon cycle.

Workers sift through a bin of charred waste wood at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Biochar is lightweightlike popcornand porous like a sponge, which is why it already has an international market. From Colorado, Biochar Now ships bags of the substance internationally for deployment as a filter at wastewater treatment plants, in soil to retain nutrients and in streams to pull out pollutants.

That's partly why it's being proposed to plug oil and gas wells. It could help absorb dangerous gases such as methane that seep from abandoned shafts. The plugging process includes pouring concrete at certain points in the well and can include stuffing the remaining space with a combination of fillers like sand, gravel or clay.

The Colorado study will determine if biochar could make up a portion of the slurry pumped into wells, and if it could be used as an ingredient in the concrete that's poured as the plug.

Site manager Ben Odiaga works at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Kiln operator Tanner White works at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Site manager Ben Odiaga walks past a waste wood sorter at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Colorado State Rep. Karen McCormick sits for an interview at the Capitol building in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Kiln operator Chris Tullos works at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Workers use a high-pressure air gun to spray carbon dust off each other at the Biochar Now facility in Berthoud, Colo., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Colorado lawmakers want to commission a study to see if biochar, a carbon-rich substance that resembles charcoal, can be used to plug the hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells across the state. The material could also be used to filter and absorb pollutants that leak from the wells. Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

Colorado's oil and gas industry association said it "looks forward" to working with McCormick in finding the best use for biochar.

If passed, the measure would let scientists take a key step forward in assessing whether biochar in wells is a viable form of carbon sequestration.

"That's what we need to prove, back this up with hard data, so that we can say, 'Hey Louisiana, hey Mississippi, hey Texas, you can see what we are doing here,'" McCormick 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

World leaders and policy experts at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic feared that the health crisis might make the world more dangerous. They worried specifically that terrorist organizations like the Islamic State group would capitalize on the pandemic to increase attacks on civilians and recruit new sympathizers.

In some ways, the pandemic presented an opportunity to groups like the Islamic State group, known by the initials IS, because the sudden increase in health spending strained many countries' budgets and diverted attention away from extremism. Governments' COVID-19 responses also called on police and armies to deliver health care services in some cases.

But the feared increase in IS violence largely did not materialize.

We are scholars who study the causes of violence within countries, often between armed groups and governments, and what works to prevent it. Along with our colleague Qutaiba Idlbi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank, we wanted to understand how COVID-19 lockdowns affected the ability of groups like IS to operate.

As our new research shows, 2020 COVID-19 lockdown measures such as curfews and travel banswhich governments have mostly since liftedmade it difficult for IS to operate and, as an indirect result, helped reduce violence in Egypt, Iraq and Syria.

Understanding the Islamic State group

Islamic State groupalso known as IS, ISIS and ISILemerged as an offshoot of the Islamic militant terrorist group al-Qaida in Iraq around 2004.

In its rise, Islamic State group used unusually brutal and sadistic tactics against government officials, as well as civilians, including intense torture and beheadings.

But IS still cultivated genuine support from some locals in Iraq and Syria by exploiting their grievances over weak, corrupt governancewhile sometimes providing better public services, like routine street cleanings and power line repairs, than the government did in the areas it controlled.

Omar, a local journalist and civil society activist from Deir Ezzor, Syria, recalled in 2022 to our co-author Qutaiba how for many in his province, "When ISIS took over Deir Ezzor province, the poor and those unable to flee were glad that the province did not fall back to the Assad regime. For them, ISIS was the better devil."

Throughout 2013 and 2014, the Islamic State group began to take over territory in Syria and Iraq. At the time, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was engaged in a civil war, which began in 2011 when Assad attempted to quash a popular uprising against his family's 40-year-long rule.

The Assad regime shot at peaceful demonstrators, detained and tortured activists, and retaliated against communities that challenged his authority. In 2013, the Assad regime attacked its own people with sarin gas, killing more than 1,400 peoplemany of them childrenin Eastern Ghouta.

Political instability was not limited to Syria at the time.

In Iraq, for example, then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responded to 2011 protests against corruption with violence, kidnapping, torture and assassinations of activists and protesters.

The Islamic State group grew during the civil conflicts and public uprisings, and tried to establish control over territory in parts of Iraq and Syria.

At its height in 2014, IS controlled 34,000 square milesor 88,000 square kilometersacross Syria and Iraq, home to about 10 million people. The group also changed its name from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham to the Islamic State, reflecting its plans to expand control over more territory.

The U.S. launched an international military intervention to defeat the Islamic State group in 2014.

This military coalition brought IS to its knees by the beginning of 2018 and ended its control over the large territory it once controlled in Syria and Iraq.

The U.S. announced it would pull out its troops from Syria in 2018 and declared victory over IS. The Islamic State group lost control over its last bit of territory in Syria in 2019.

Islamic State group under lockdown

But despite the group's setbacksincluding tens of thousands of fighters killed since its riseIS remained active in early 2020.

In March 2020, the Syrian government enforced a two-month lockdown that closed most businesses and imposed a partial curfew. Iraq and Egypt also implemented widespread closures and curfews to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

We analyzed data on more than 1,500 attacks initiated by IS over an 18-month period in these places during 2019 and 2020. Our research, published in January 2023, shows that travel bans and curfews helped reduce IS attacks substantially.

These findings highlight that COVID-19 lockdown measures affected the Islamic State's ability to operate. The curfews made it difficult for IS to generate revenue and hide its movements by closing public and private institutions and restricting travel between provinces.

Our analysis showed that while in effect, curfews and travel bans helped to significantly reduce IS violence, especially in highly populated areas.

In Iraq, violence declined around 30% because of lockdowns. In Syria, there was an approximate 15% overall reduction in violence during this period.

But in Egypt, the government had already instituted curfews in some areas because of the Islamic State group's presence and violence there. This made it difficult to analyze COVID-specific lockdowns.

Unlike many other militant groups, IS had large financial reserves to sustain itself during the lockdown. It also operates in largely rural areas and, therefore, was not especially vulnerable to the effects of lockdown measures in urban areas.

Broader implications

Our research comes at a critical time as policymakers and counterterrorism experts debate a long-term strategy to eliminate the Islamic State group.

In 2022, the U.S. and local military forces in Syria and Iraq conducted 313 operations in Iraq and Syria, killing 700 IS fighters.

The U.S. and its partners in the region have also killed several prominent IS leaders over the past few years, including Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who died in February 2022.

But we think the United States' current strategy, which focuses heavily on military alliances with local partners, is not sustainablein part because it does not pay heed to the reasons some people in Syria and Iraq still support IS.

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A survey of more than 500 Australian screen workers finds disabled people working in the industry face prejudice and systemic discrimination. Credit: Brands&People on Unsplash

Disabled people working in Australia's screen industry face prejudice and systemic discrimination, including lower pay, greater casualization and stigma and stereotyping, a new report finds.

The findings, drawn from a national survey of more than 500 peopleboth disabled and non-disabledand in-depth interviews, are included in the "Disability and Screen Work in Australia: Report for Industry 2023," led by University of Melbourne researcher Dr. Radha O'Meara in partnership with the Melbourne Disability Institute and A2K Media.

The report found that in a labor-intensive Australian screen industry employing over 200,000 people, disabled screen workers are paid substantially less than their non-disabled colleagues. Most disabled screen industry workers earn less than $800 per week, while most non-disabled screen industry workers earn more than $1,250 per week.

Disabled screen workers are also more likely to be employed casually or on short-term contracts, perform unpaid work or be unemployed, compared with non-disabled screen industry workers.

Disabled screen workers also reported commonly experiencing stigma, stereotyping and exclusion at work, with 38% recalling at least one unpleasant experience at work directly related to their disability status in the past year, such as being insulted, threatened, excluded from groups or denied access requirements.

Dr. O'Meara said the common examples of discrimination experienced by disabled screen workers included jokes about disability and the holding of meetings without regard for the workers' accessibility requirementsmotivated by discriminatory attitudes.

"What came up repeatedly in our research was the discriminatory attitudes that disabled workers in the screen industry face, both from their colleagues and their bosses," Dr. O'Meara said.

"Disabled screen workers told us that practical issues could be solved relatively easilyand often at no extra costif their bosses and colleagues were willing to listen to them and work with them."

Ade Djajamihardja is a screen producer with A2K Media, a Melbourne-based screen production company that prioritizes disability pride in their purpose, identity and activity.

"I did not realize the extent of both discrimination and exclusion that I would be confronted with as a disabled screen professional. The industry was no longer accessible for me," Ade Djajamihardja said.

"The first five meetings I tried to attend, I could not even get in the door, let alone think about working again. I love this industry, so I dug deep and worked together with the A2K Media team to use this experience as motivation to make positive and progressive meaningful change."

The future success of Australia's film and television industry depends on its ability to be diverse and inclusive, Dr. O'Meara said.

Despite experiencing prejudice and discrimination, close to half of disabled screen workers report their lived experience of disability impacts their work in positive ways, including the potential to bring their unique skills and perspectivessuch as creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and empathyto their screen work.

One disabled producer survey respondent said, "We're bringing a perspective to the table that opens your production up to maybe new audiences; different ways of creative problem solving, different ways of working."

Dr. O'Meara said, "Disabled people have so much to contribute to the Australian screen industry. We need greater participation of disabled workers in the industry, and we need these people to be fully includedto be surrounded by colleagues and bosses who really value their contributions and will work with them in flexible ways so they can do their jobs well. The screen industry can only attract and retain the best talent if it's accessible to disabled people."
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Experimental setup. In the free exploration trial and in the experimental trials, the demonstrator is within reaching distance from the object. The owner gently holds the subject at its chest, in front of him/her. In the trials with demonstration, the demonstrator makes eye contact and uses ostensive communication before and during the demonstration. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28959-5

According to a new study published in Scientific Reports puppiesbut not kittens and wolf pupstend to spontaneously imitate human actions, even when they are not rewarded with food (or toys). The researchers of the Department of Ethology at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Budapest, investigated whether young puppies, kittens and wolf pups have different tendencies to observe and imitate what a person did, without any pre-training and food reward.

Doing what others do in a new situation is a convenient way for young individuals to learn about the world. The tendency to copy the behavior of others is not only useful to learn new skills or new information, but is also a way of promoting belonging to a social group.

Dogs, cats and wolves differ in their domestication histories and innate sociality, which may influence their tendency to observe humans and learn socially from them.

The scientists first checked how 42 puppies, 39 kittens and 8 wolf pups, all socialized and living in human families, acted with a novel object placed in a room (e.g., touching it with the nose or paw). Next, while the owner was holding the subject, the experimenter demonstrated a different action on the object. For example, if the subject previously touched the object with its nose, then the experimenter touched it with her hand. Then the researchers observed whether the subject eventually performed the same action on the object.

"Since paying attention to the demonstration is a fundamental requisite for social learning, we first assessed whether the puppies, kittens and wolf pups looked at us when we performed the demonstration," explains Claudia Fugazza, lead researcher of the group.

"While typically the puppies looked at us almost immediately, it took four-five times longer to get the attention of wolf pups and kittens."

The researchers of the Department of Ethology at Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, investigated whether young puppies, kittens and wolf pups have different tendencies to observe and imitate what a person did, without any pre-training and food reward. Credit: Claudia Fugazza

Puppies and wolf pups replicated the demonstrated actions in ca. 70% of the trials, twice as often as kittens, but only the puppies tended to imitate the action with a body part homologue to the human experimenter (e.g., pawhand), even if that action differed from the action they performed when they had not observed a demonstration.

"Typically, most subjects touched the object with their nose, when they had not observed a demonstration. However, after observing the experimenter touching the object with her hand, the puppies tended to touch it using their paw," reports Stefania Uccheddu, co-author of the study. Kittens and wolf pups did not copy the action.

The results seem to support the effect of both investigated factorsinherent sociality and domestication history: "While dogs' and wolves' ancestor was a group-living, social animal, with intense within-group cooperation for survival, cats' ancestor was a solitary hunter," explains Andrea Temesi, co-author of the study.

"Both, dogs and cats are domesticated species that today live in human families, but the dog was domesticated much earlier than the cat (between 20,00040,000 years vs. 10,000 years ago) and dogs were selected for several forms of cooperation with humans. Cats had a different domestication process; they hunted mice and rats in the human environment, but did not have to cooperate or communicate with humans," continues Marta Gacsi, co-author of the study.

Thus, it is not surprising that only puppies have developed the tendency to pay close attention to people and imitate their actions, even if there is no specific reason for doing so, such as getting food.

These results are intriguing, not only from a theoretical perspective, but also from an applied point of view:

"We believe that our findings can form the basis for the development of novel training methods that rely on the tendency of puppies to learn by observation and to imitate human actions. This way, dog training can be less dependent on the use of food rewards and more able to take advantage of dogs' natural propensity for social learning," concludes Akos Pogany.

More information: Claudia Fugazza et al, Spontaneous action matching in dog puppies, kittens and wolf pups, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28959-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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In the illustration, the catalystthe catgives a carbon chain a persistent form, which is represented by the clamps. In reality, the strongly binding solution acts as a catalyst in which hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. Credit: Dr. Christoph Selg

A team of scientists led by Professor Tanja Gulder at Leipzig University's Institute of Organic Chemistry, together with colleagues from the University of Regensburg, has developed a simplified and efficient method for the artificial production of terpenes.

Terpenes are a very extensive and diverse class of natural products that perform a wide range of functions in nature and are also used industrially. Until now, producing them has required a wide variety of starting scenarios, some with harsh conditions, or has been based on substances taken from nature.

The new method, on the other hand, follows a flexible and resource-saving modular principle. This allows the targeted production of these important natural substances from simple and readily available starting materials. To do this, the team replicated naturally occurring enzymatic processes using fluorinated alcohol/catalyst solutions. The method can be used widely in existing laboratories. The research findings have now been published in Nature Communications.

Wide range of terpenes in nature

Terpenes are what give pine needles their scent, and beer and orangeade their taste. They play a key role in how living things like insects, but also we humans, communicate, and in defense mechanisms, for instance in plants against animal predators, fungi and bacteria. In human biology, terpenes also play an important role in metabolic processes.

Terpenes have long been used industrially on a large scale: in the production of foodstuffs and food supplements, in perfumes, and in pharmaceuticals, such as cancer and COVID-19 drugs. "We need quite a lot of tons of a wide variety of terpenes every year, and that means we also have to be able to produce them synthetically in an efficient and sustainable wayand that's a big problem," says Professor Tanja Gulder, who holds the professorship for Biomimetic Catalysis at Leipzig University.

In nature, enzymes form terpenes through targeted folding

"Nature has a unique way of making each of these molecular compounds," says Gulder. "This involves the use of so-called terpene cyclases, proteins with 100 to 1,000 amino acids. These enzymes press simple and mobile carbon chains into a specific three-dimensional form that determines the appearance of the product," Gulder adds.

Once the reaction has taken place, the shape of the respective terpene remains unchangeable. The reaction takes place in what is known as an enzyme pocket in the active center of the enzyme, which carries a blueprint of the form to be produced. After the reaction is complete, the enzyme releases the finished product and the process is repeated with the next building block. "It can be thought of as a fast-moving molecular manufacturing machine," says Gulder.

Atomic details matter

There are terpenes that are similar in terms of the type and number of their atomic compoundsbut whose spatial arrangements are different. "In a simple case, such atomic differences determine whether something tastes like caraway or orange," says Gulder.

However, such differences could also mean that one terpene acts completely differently in the human organism than the other. Errors here can have fatal consequences. "And depending on the way the carbon chains are put into the enzyme pocket, different terpenes come out, which is also part of the complexity in nature," explains Gulder.

Extraction difficult so far

The researcher points out that previous approaches to recreating terpenes in the lab required very different and harsh initial conditions, such as a highly acidic environment or low temperatures, adding that this is neither effective nor environmentally friendly for large-scale production. The extraction of terpenes from organisms such as plants, animals and fungi has also reached its limits.

"You can't cut down all the Pacific yews to isolate taxol for a cancer drug. It would take the bark of twelve mature specimens of this not-very-widespread tree species to make one gram of the active ingredient," says Gulder. At the moment, a precursor of the desired terpene is extracted from needles of another tree species and then processed further. "So we wanted to see how we could replicate nature's processes in a test tube and achieve the greatest possible flexibility and efficiency."

The solution: Liquid construction kit with fluorinated alcohol

The team succeeded in building a custom-fit, enzyme-like environment for the formation of terpenes, consisting of readily available chemical substances. This can work like a construction kit: by adding different starting materials and additives that act as catalysts, different terpenes can be produced artificially.

At the heart of the new approach are the properties of fluorinated alcohol: "We had found that when hydrogen atoms in alcohols were replaced with fluorine atoms, the resulting fluorinated alcohol exhibited extreme bonding forces. In such solutions, molecules form helices or rings that stack up to form tubes," explains Professor Gulder. By adding chemicals, it is possible to influence the size and shape of these structures.

"Basically, we have built an artificial enzyme pocket in the form of a structured solution into which our respective starting material can fold. As in nature, forms persist after the reaction."

Computer simulations were also used to develop this new method. Professor Tanja Gulder explains, "Our colleagues Philipp Dullinger and Professor Dominik Horinek of the University of Regensburg calculated which three-dimensional structures, so which shapes, the alcohols form with the additives used in each case. This was important to identify suitable catalysts that would lead us to the desired terpenes."

Realizable in standard chemistry laboratories

The method does not require any additional infrastructure, it can be applied in chemistry laboratories at no additional cost, and can be easily scaled up for application to large-scale production. What is more, the process requires no heavy or precious metals.

"This makes it broadly applicable and more sustainable than previous methods," explains Gulder, who was previously a Heisenberg professor at the Technical University of Munich. "It is an example of the forward-looking research focus on multifunctional catalysis at Leipzig University, and at the CTC major research center that has just been approved in the Leipzig area." Its focus will be on sustainable catalysis in an industrial context.

More information: Andreas M. Arnold et al, Enzyme-like polyene cyclizations catalyzed by dynamic, self-assembled, supramolecular fluoro alcohol-amine clusters, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36157-0 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Tree rings allow precise dating centuries into the past: The isotope ratios of carbon 13C to 12C and oxygen 18O to 16O in the cellulose of the tree trunk are indicators of drought or moisture at the time of tree growth. Credit: G. Helle/GFZ

The 20152018 summer droughts have been exceptional in large parts of Western and Central Europe over the last 400 years, in terms of the magnitude of drought conditions. This indicates an influence of man-made global warming. However, multi-year droughts have occurred frequently in the 17th and 18th century, although not as severe.

This is the result of a new study in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. It was conducted by a research team led by Mandy Freund from the University of Melbourne and Gerhard Helle from the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. They reconstructed European summer hydroclimate by analyzing the isotopic ratios of carbon (13C/12C) and oxygen (18O/16O) in tree-rings from a European network of forest sites.

It is the first spatial field reconstruction based on highly climate-sensitive tree-ring isotopes. This provides researchers with a unique tool for investigating climatic developments over the past centuries, both in a global overview and in a regionally differentiated manner.

European hydroclimate development

Recently, Europe has seen an increase in floods and droughts. These extreme events are part of the complex dynamics of European hydroclimate. Obtaining a precise spatially-resolved picture of the dynamics in frequency and intensity of extremes at regional to local scale is a challenge, especially in the context of longer-term climatic variability. Little is known about the long-term, spatiotemporal hydroclimatic variability across Europe due to the rather sparse availability of spatially explicit data series that properly reflect regional differences.

The European summer drought from 2015 to 2018 has particularly caused discussions about whether it falls within the normal range of climate fluctuations or is a result of anthropogenic warming.

New approach to reconstructing the hydro-climate of the last 400 years

To resolve this issue a spatially resolved reconstruction of European hydroclimate over the last 400 years was developed and published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. It is based on the analysis of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes, i.e. variants of these elements with different masses, in old tree stands from 26 forest sites across Europe. The isotope ratios of carbon 13C to 12C and oxygen 18O to 16O are indicators of drought and moisture, respectively, at the time of tree growth.

In comparison to other natural environmental or climate archives like sediments in lakes or glacial ice, trees are widely distributed and their tree rings provide annually-resolved and absolutely-dated information about hydroclimatic changes over long periods of time and at relevant temporal frequencies from annual to multi-centennial.

The study was largely designed and led by Mandy Freund, former climate scientist at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and now at CSIRO in Melbourne, Australia. It originates from an initiative of GFZ section 3.4 Climate Dynamics and Landscape Evolution, especially by Gerhard Helle, head of the Tree Ring Laboratory, and of Ulrich Cubasch, professor at the Institute for Meteorology, Freie Universitat Berlin, as part of the GEO.X Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam. Further contributions come from colleagues of other Helmholtz-Centers (AWI, FZJ) and the University of Melbourne.

Locations of the trees for isotope analysis, distributed throughout Europe. Credit: G. Helle / GFZ

Unusually severe drought 2015-2018 and past climate phases

"Our study indicates that the multi-year 2015-2018 summer drought event wasin its intensityhighly unusual in the multi-century context and unprecedented for large parts of central and western Europe. This suggests that the European summer droughts during the last years are potentially being influenced by anthropogenic warming," says Freund.

However, the reconstruction provides evidence that multi-year droughts have also occurred in the past, particularly during the so-called Maunder Minimum between 1645 and 1715, a period during the so-called Little Ice Age, when solar irradiance was lower than today and sunspots were rare. This surprising observation of multi-year droughts during low solar irradiance remains subject of future research.

"All in all, we found three distinct phases of European hydroclimate variability coinciding with the Maunder Minimum and the end of the Little Ice Age around 1860," said Daniel Balting from AWI, Bremerhaven.

From 1600 to about 1650, a phase of rather humid climate, mainly in central-western and north-western Europe, then for about two hundred years a rather dry period with the described prolonged droughts mainly in the Mediterranean, eastern and northern Europe, and from about 1875 a phase with milder summer climate that lasted until the middle of the 20th century. From then on, researchers observe a trend towards drier conditions, possibly related to the anthropogenic warming.

Key method: Investigation of isotope ratios in tree rings

"Tree-ring stable isotope records are very climate-sensitive fingerprints of summer moisture conditions. They are largely independent of tree species, tree age and site location. As such tree-ring stable isotopes differ from the more classical dendrochronological parameters of tree ring width and wood density," explains Freund, principal investigator of the study.

At each of the 26 sites, cellulose was obtained from annual rings of old, living trees and examined using standard isotope analysis methods. At the same time, the samples could be precisely dated using dendrochronological methods.

The climate signals contained within carbon and oxygen isotope ratios tree rings, originate from slightly different processes.

Principle of minimally invasive removal of a wood sample from a living tree trunk using an increment borer. Credit: G. Helle / GFZ

The carbon isotope ratios 13C to 12C in tree rings come from the way plants function during photosynthesis. This process is controlled by tiny openings in the leaves called stomata. The plants use the stomata to regulate the amount of CO 2 they take in and the amount of water vapor they transpire into the atmosphere.

During photosynthesis in leaves and needles the CO 2 -fixing enzyme preferentially takes up CO 2 with the lighter 12C. When it is dry, trees close their stomata to conserve water, which also limits the amount of CO 2 they take in and causes them to take up CO 2 with the heavier 13C for conversion into sugar and finally tree-ring cellulose.

The oxygen isotope ratios 18O to 16O in tree rings are affected by physical processes that involve the atmosphere's need for moisture, based on factors such as air temperature and humidity, as well as the amount, source, and history of rainfall.

In addition, during plant transpiration isotopically lighter (less 18O) water vapor transferred to the atmosphere while isotopically heavier water (more 18O) remains in the leaves and needles imprinting the oxygen isotope signature of tree-ring cellulose. Drought usually increases plant transpiration leading to more 18O in the tree rings.

Advantages of trees as climate archives

"High quality reconstructions of hydroclimate variability based on tree-ring stable isotopes are not new, however, this is the first network approach to establish a climate field reconstruction spanning the entire European continent," says co-author Gerhard Schleser from the Forschungszentrum Julich (FZJ).

To understand the spatial complexity of the large-scale European hydroclimate, more spatially explicit, long-term data sets are needed from all kinds of climate archives. Multi-century climate data are essential for the validation of climate models including comparisons to other paleoclimate, historical, and archaeological data sets.

Gerhard Helle, head of the Tree Ring Laboratory at GFZ section 4.3 and specialist in tree-ring stable isotope analysis says, "Ongoing efforts to consolidate the network of tree-ring isotopic data will provide historical dimensions to other observations, e.g. from climate stations or satellites. Those methods are unique in terms of spatial coverage, but lack, what tree-ring analysis can provide: long-term information that is crucial to improve our understanding on climate change and the corresponding local to regional impacts on the human habitat."

More information: Mandy B. Freund et al, European tree-ring isotopes indicate unusual recent hydroclimate, Communications Earth & Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-022-00648-7 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment
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Microscopic (STEM and TEM) images of the developed catalyst and its PEMFC power performance. Compared to the state-of-the-art fuel cell catalysts, the catalyst developed by the CNR-IBS team showed almost twice the power performance per platinum use. Credit: Institute for Basic Science

A fuel cell is an electric power generator that is capable of producing electricity from hydrogen gas while discharging only water as a waste product. It is hoped that this highly efficient clean energy system will play a key role in the adoption of the hydrogen economy, replacing the combustion engines and batteries in automobiles and trucks, as well as power plants.

However, the cost of platinum, which can be up to ~30,000 USD per kg, has been a major limitation, making fuel cell catalysts prohibitively expensive. The production methods of highly-performing catalysts have also been complicated and largely limited. Accordingly, the development of a facile and scalable production method for platinum-based fuel cell catalysts is an urgent challenge, together with enhancing catalytic performance and stability while using a minimum amount of platinum.

To tackle this issue, a research team led by Prof. Sung Yung-Eun and Prof. Hyeon Taeghwan at the Center for Nanoparticle Research (CNR) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), South Korea has discovered a novel method for the production of nanocatalysts.

The researchers demonstrated that these uniformly sized (3-4 nanometers) cobalt-platinum (Co-Pt) alloy nanoparticles can be produced by simple heat treatment. This method has combined features of the ease of the synthesis of the impregnation method, along with the precise control over the size and shape of the nanocrystals similar to the colloidal method.

The novel Co-Pt alloy nanocatalysts developed by the CNR-IBS team consist of two oppositely-charged metal complexes, specifically Co and Pt ions surrounded by bipyridine and chlorine ligands, respectively.

The research team hypothesized that a simple heat treatment would cause the bipyridine ligand to thermally decompose into a carbon shell that can protect the growing Co-Pt alloy nanoparticles. After optimizing the heat treatment condition, they succeeded in obtaining a highly uniform nanocatalyst with nanoparticles of only 3-4 nanometer sizes.

Schematic illustration of the growth process of the Co-Pt alloy nanocatalyst. Simple heat treatment at 900 C could produce atomically ordered Co-Pt nanoparticles on a carbon support. Credit: Institute for Basic Science

In the nanocatalyst developed by the group, Co and Pt atoms were arranged in a regular way called the 'intermetallic phase', where the unstable Co atoms are stabilized by the surrounding Pt atoms. Additionally, when nitrogen was effectively doped onto the carbon support, ionomers (proton conductors) were homogeneously dispersed over the entire catalyst layer in the fuel cell, which better facilitated the supply of oxygen gas to the surface of the Co-Pt nanocatalyst.

These structural features added up to a much-enhanced power performance in the proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell, exhibiting high specific rated power of 5.9 kW/gPt, which is about twice that of the current performance in a commercial hydrogen vehicle. The catalyst produced by the team has achieved most of the 2025 targets set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the goal of stable long-term operation of the fuel cell.

The CNR-IBS team strongly believes that this study would stimulate the development of next-generation fuel cell catalysts. These findings would also contribute to the improvements in the catalytic performance and durability of alloy nanocatalysts for various other electrocatalytic applications.

Prof. Hyeon said, "Design of a novel bimetallic compound as a precursor material has been the critical starting point in this study. We have developed a platform technology to produce a complicated form of alloy nanocatalysts through a simple and scalable method, and finally achieved an enhanced fuel cell power performance with less amount of platinum used."

Prof. Sung said, "A world-class level of fuel cell performance has been achieved in this research, surpassing most of the 2025 targets of U.S. DOE by lessening the amount of platinum that can contribute up to around 40% of the cost of fuel cells." He added, "We expect that this study, together with some follow-up studies, would greatly impact the growth of the hydrogen vehicle industry and the realization of hydrogen economy in the near future."

The study is published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.

More information: Tae Yong Yoo et al, Scalable production of an intermetallic PtCo electrocatalyst for high-power proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells, Energy & Environmental Science (2023). DOI: 10.1039/D2EE04211H Journal information: Energy & Environmental Science
KIEV, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed Ukraine's European integration during their meeting in Kiev on Wednesday, the presidential press service reported.

Zelensky and Kristersson talked about cooperation between their countries within European institutions amid Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in the first half of this year.

"Together with the Swedish Presidency, we must ensure everything necessary to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU this year," Zelensky said at a press conference after the talks.

Ukraine sees no obstacles to starting the EU membership negotiations and hopes for Sweden's support on this path, Zelensky said.

For his part, Kristersson noted that Ukraine is a priority for Sweden's foreign policy and its Presidency of the Council of the EU.

"It is very important to ensure that the international community continues to support Ukraine, its territorial integrity and independence," Kristersson emphasized.

He praised the progress of reforms Kiev has made on the path toward integration with the EU and voiced his belief that Ukraine could become a full member of the political bloc.

The parties also touched upon military support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia, including strengthening air defense.

Zelensky said that recently Sweden has allocated about 1 billion U.S. dollars in defense aid for Ukraine and became one of the top suppliers of critical equipment for the restoration of Ukraine's energy infrastructure damaged by Russia's attacks.

The agenda of the meeting also included discussions on Ukraine's reconstruction and bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and economy.

Kristersson arrived in Kiev earlier in the day for his first visit to Ukraine as Swedish prime minister.

In June 2022, EU leaders accepted Ukraine as a candidate for membership in the bloc. 
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Dr Sanu Arora and Professor Paul Nicholson of the John Innes Centreleading the innovative research to combat wheat blast. Credit: Phil Robinson

An international research collaboration led by the John Innes Centre has used innovative genomic discovery methods to show how we might halt the emerging and highly destructive disease known as wheat blast.

In experiments researchers identified two genes that protected experimental wheat plants against exposure to the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, which causes blast.

To make the discovery, the team used a technique called AgRenSeq, which allowed them to search for useful genes among a panel of heritage wheat varieties called the Watkins Collection. They also searched among wild grass relatives of wheat.

The Watkins Collection was collected from around the world in the 1930s and consists of more than 300 wheat lines or landraces containing disease-fighting diversity that existed in wheat before intensive breeding. Such collections of locally grown crops have, along with wild grass relatives of wheat, become a vital resource for researchers seeking genes that protect modern crops from emerging diseases.

Professor Paul Nicholson, a group leader at the John Innes Centre said, "We have made an important discovery on an emerging disease that threatens global food security and, in the process, highlighted the power of the Watkins Collection and the AgRenSeq genomic toolkit. Now our role is to interact with organizations such as (global research non-profit) CIMMYT to provide information on additional resistance genes and enable them to ensure that their breeding materials contain these genes so that they are protected against blast."

To identify resistance genes, researchers tested seedlings and spikes from the Watkins collection with specially modified isolates of the blast pathogen to identify which plants were resistant and which were susceptible to the fungus.

Then they used AgRenSeq, the gene discovery technique developed by Dr. Sanu Arora a group leader at the John Innes Centre, to identify sections of the genome that showed gene activity in resistant plants.

This led to the identification of a resistance gene candidate Rwt3, which protects wheat by regulating an NLR gene. In plants NLR genes operate by encoding defensive proteins that detect pathogen effector molecules and trigger a protective response, like antibodies protect humans from infections.

The other gene discovered, Rwt4, is another defensive molecule called a tandem kinase. This gene was also found in the collection of Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass ancestor of modern bread wheat.

Glasshouse experiments using wheat plants in which the function of these resistance genes was lost showed they were susceptible to wheat blast isolates, confirming that Rwt3 and Rwt4 protected plants against blast.

The study, which appears in Nature Plants, also revealed that a version of Rwt4 termed Pm24 also protected plants against another significant disease of wheat, powdery mildew.

The method is potentially adaptable enough to find resistance genes that respond to geographically specific strains of the pathogen, says the research team. It offers proof of concept for how we might respond to emerging crop diseases by identifying resistance genes in heritage varieties or wild relatives and ensuring that these genetic barriers to disease are present in elite cultivars.

The collaboration, which includes groups from Japan and Saudi Arabia, now plans to make this information available to CIMMYT by providing genetic markers. These allow breeders to rapidly identify these genes in their collections and ensure that they include them in breeding blast resilient wheat cultivars.

Dr. Sanu Arora first author of the study said, "The disastrous effect of wheat blast in the wheat belts of South America, South Asia and Africa is a warning bell for Europe. We are not certain if this disease is already sitting on the horizon of Europe but the disease could potentially travel through human migration or seed import, therefore, it is critically important to defend this vital crop against the looming threat."

Dr. Jonathan Clarke, head of knowledge exchange and commercialization at the John Innes Centre, said, "This is a really good example of an international collaboration that is contributing to United Nations sustainability goals because global plant health is important to delivering food sustainability."

"A wheat kinase and immune receptor form host-specificity barriers against the blast fungus," appears in Nature Plants.

Wheat blast: A brief history

Wheat blast has left a trail of destruction across three continents since it was first reported in 1985 and is now regarded as a major threat to global wheat security. Consequently, the discovery and deployment of resistance genes against this pathogen are critical to mitigate this threat.

Caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, wheat blast, was first identified in Brazil in 1985 due to a "host jump" from ryegrass. The pathogen has since caused epidemics in Brazil's neighbors including Bolivia and Paraguay and further outbreaks have been reported in Zambia, India and Bangladesh.

Recent studies suggest that the host jump occurred because of a hybrid recombination of two species of the fungal pathogen. The search for resistant genes is urgent because modern wheat varieties have not been selected by breeders to include blast resistant genes in their programs.

The resistance genes in wheat Rwt3 and Rwt4 work because they recognize the pathogen genes PWT3 and PWT4 and consequently prevent infection. It has been proposed that the epidemics in Brazil occurred due to widespread cultivation of wheat lacking Rwt3 making them susceptible to ryegrass pathotypes.

Ryegrass pathotypes have also been associated with the outbreak of wheat blast in the U.S. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining Rwt3 and Rwt4 in wheat cultivars to prevent future host jumps.

More information: Brande Wulff, A wheat kinase and immune receptor form host-specificity barriers against the blast fungus, Nature Plants (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01357-5. www.nature.com/articles/s41477-023-01357-5 Journal information: Nature Plants
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Giant footprint #1. Credit: Marie Woods

An almost meter-long footprint made by a giant, meat-eating theropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Period represents the largest of its kind ever found in Yorkshire. Curiously, the unusual footprint appears to capture the moment that the dinosaur rested or crouched down some 166 million years ago.

The Yorkshire coast is renowned for producing some visually and scientifically incredible fossils, including thousands of dinosaur footprints. A popular destination for professional paleontologists and fossil fans, people come from far and wide to see what they can find; however, it is not every day that a footprint measuring 80 centimeters in length is discovered.

This record-breaking print was found by local archaeologist Marie Woods in April 2021. She had gone out along the coast and found this amazing fossil completely by chance. In her excitement and disbelief, Marie made contact with local fossil experts, but none were aware of the track she was describing. Following this, she then contacted Dr. Dean Lomax, a paleontologist affiliated with The University of Manchester and author of "Dinosaurs of the British Isles."

Marie, who is now a co-author of the study, said, "I couldn't believe what I was looking at, I had to do a double take. I have seen a few smaller prints when out with friends, but nothing like this. I can no longer say that 'archaeologists don't do dinosaurs.' At the time of the discovery, it generated a lot of public interest and I was overwhelmed with the messages on social media from people around the globe."

This latest, scientifically significant footprint to be found along the Yorkshire Coast is one of only six similar prints to have been recorded in the area, the first being found in 1934. The tridactyl (three toed) print is the largest on record. The previous print, on display in the Rotunda Museum, Scarborough, was discovered in 2006, by John Hudson, the lead author of the new study describing the giant find.

Local geologist and lead researcher, John Hudson, said, "This important discovery adds further evidence that meat-eating giants once roamed this area during the Jurassic. The type of footprint, combined with its age, suggests that it was made by a ferocious Megalosaurus-like dinosaur, with a possible hip height between 2.5 and 3 meters." Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be formally described, in 1824.

After numerous conversations and the exchange of images, which showed extensive fragility, it was clear that immediate action was required to recover the important specimen from the shoreline. Leaving it would see it exposed to further erosion and damage from the tide or complete loss through landslips.

Working together, the team had to move quickly and arranged for the specimen to be safely and responsibly collected. The specimen was expertly recovered by experienced fossil collectors, Mark, Aaron and Shae Smith of Redcar.

Footprint maker. Credit: James McKay

As the rescue mission went underway, it came to light that the track had actually been spotted five months earlier, by local fossil hunter and co-author of the new study, Rob Taylor. However, at the time of initial discovery the track was not fully exposed, and therefore the full extent and importance of the footprint had not been fully realized.

A co-author of the new study, Dr. Lomax said, "We're incredibly grateful to Mark, Aaron and Shae for rescuing this important specimen and ensuring that it was saved for science. Now that the specimen has been studied, plans are in motion for it to go on public display, to spark the imagination of the next generation of fossil hunters."

Marie and Rob donated the specimen to Scarborough Museum and Galleries. It has now been examined by both John Hudson and Dr. Dean Lomax, with additional input from Dr. Mike Romano from the University of Sheffield. Dr. Romano has conducted over 20 years of research on the Yorkshire Coast, especially collecting and studying hundreds of dinosaur tracks. The team compared the new specimen with similar tracks collected from across the globe, especially in Europe and North America.

"The east coast of Yorkshire is known as the Dinosaur Coast for very good reasons," said Dr. Romano. A huge number of dinosaur tracks, ranging in the thousands, have been discovered. As a result, this stretch of coastline is considered one of the best places in the world for dinosaur footprints. Although first documented way back in 1907, it was not until the 1980s that finds were being reported on a regular basis (by amateurs as well as professional geologists), until today approximately 25 different types of footprints have been recognized.

Dr. Romano added, "Although these different types do not necessarily represent the same number of different dinosaurs, they do indicate a diverse ecosystem of animals including both carnivores and herbivores that roamed the Jurassic coastal plain and fluvial complex some 160-175 million years ago. The prints also allow us to interpret their behavior. Thus, we have records of walking, running and swimming dinosaurs."

Dr. Lomax added: "This is a wonderful find. Not only does this specimen represent the largest theropod footprint found in Yorkshire, but by studying the angle of the footprint, its shape, and the impressions of the claws, the fossil provides insights into the behavior of this individual from around 166 million years ago. In fact, features of the footprint may even suggest that this large predator was squatting down before standing up. It's fun to think this dinosaur might well have been strolling along a muddy coastal plain one lazy Sunday afternoon in the Jurassic."

Dr. Lomax is also the author of "Locked in Time", a book which focuses on exceptional evidence of prehistoric animal behavior.

The footprint, which is now in the guardianship of Scarborough Museum and Galleries, will hopefully go on public display with the Rotunda Museum's other fossil footprints, once conservation has been completed.

The new study is published in the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society.

More information: Hudson, J. G. et al, A new giant theropod dinosaur track from the Middle Jurassic of the Cleveland Basin, Yorkshire, UK. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society (2023). DOI: 10.1144/pygs2022-008
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Chimpanzees at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage engage in cultural forms of grooming: the grooming handclasp. Credit: Edwin van Leeuwen, Mark Bodamer, and Chimfunshi (Zambia)

A pair of animal behaviorists, one from Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, the other from the University of London, has found that grooming handclasps in chimpanzees is a behavior transmitted between generations culturally.

In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, Edwin J. C. van Leeuwen and William Hoppitt describe a decade-long observational study they conducted of chimpanzees living in the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust in Zambia.

Prior research efforts and anecdotal evidence have shown that chimpanzees engage in a wide variety of social activities, from reciprocal grooming to sharing meals. They also engage in what has come to be known as grooming handclaspsthough not all chimps do it the same way.

In this new effort, C. van Leeuwen and Hoppitt wondered about the nature of the activity because it did not appear to be tied to anything related to survival. Instead, it appeared to be purely social in nature. They also noted that the execution of handclasps appeared to differ between different groups of chimps.

So the researchers began recording instances of grooming handclasps as part of observational record-keeping. Eventually, they analyzed the data in their records for the years 2007 to 2019, looking for patterns in such activities, hoping to learn more about how its origins.

The researchers found that that the activity was not geneticyoung chimps had no idea that hand clasping was in their future. Instead, the activity was learned, first from their mothers and then from other older peers. As the chimps learned, the mechanics of the handclasp changed for each of them, evolving over time until settling on a final form. In studying how the final form developed, the researchers found it was most profoundly impacted by younger chimps watching and mimicking other chimps in their group that held the most prestige or who were most dominant.

The researchers were not able to discern exactly why chimps execute grooming handclasps or why they persist, but suggest they are likely tied to attempts by younger chimps to increase their own status. They report that they saw no signs of discouragement among the chimps; those that opted to create their own handclasps were not punished nor were there any agitations as a result.

More information: Edwin J. C. van Leeuwen et al, Biased cultural transmission of a social custom in chimpanzees, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5675 Journal information: Science Advances

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Artificially raising island heights or building completely new higher islands have been proposed as solutions to sea-level rise in the Maldives and other low-lying nations.

Researchers from the University of Southampton, the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and TEDI-London, working with Maldivian scientists, show that using simple engineering principals to raise islands or build new ones can help small island nations like the Maldives withstand long-term sea level rise due to climate change.

This approach is consistent with existing practice in the Maldives, as well as demographic trendsthe capital Male and neighboring islands are attracting a rapidly expanding population as other islands are abandoned.

"Our findings indicate that in the extreme the entire population of the Maldives could live on just two islands that are built at a significantly higher elevation than natural islands to withstand sea-level rise," said Prof Robert Nicholls, Director of the Tyndall Center at UEA.

"Of course, these islands would look very different to the beautiful ones with beaches we currently see in tourist brochures. They would be very urban with many high-rise buildings, as is seen in the capital Male today, but many Maldivians are now choosing urban settings and they would provide a safe home. Additional raised islands could provide space for tourism and other economic activities as required."

Maldivians are already experienced land reclamation engineers. Publishing their findings in the journal Environmental Research: Climate, the researchers suggest that with significant engineering investment and government support, the Maldivian population can remain in their country far into the future rather than be forced to migrate because of sea-level rise.

Forced migration to other countries as environmental refugees is often seen as the ultimate response to sea-level rise in island nations such as the Maldives, which has a population of 500,000 and growing.

This poses many social challenges including cultural decline, loss of identity, integration, and employment challenges, and also fundamental questions about who will receive these migrants.

Re-claiming land and creating new islands is an established practice in the Maldives, typically built two meters above sea level. The researchers suggest building higher islands up to six meters or more above sea-level to safeguard against long-term risk from sea-level rise and storms.

They also recommend building new islands that the population could slowly move onto in an adaptive manner, including taking account how rapidly sea levels rise. This approach would work best when combined with climate stabilization.

The researchers say the building-new-islands-higher concept has implications for other low-lying nations such as Kiribati, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands, and even mainland coasts.

These approaches would work best with climate stabilization but are still essential. While the Paris Agreement stabilizes temperature, sea levels will continue to rise slowly for centuries requiring adaptation as well.

The team acknowledge that the results and recommendations are controversial, and they show only one route Maldivians can follow.

Prof Nicholls said: "Small islands are often written off due to sea-level rise. The approach we discuss provides a way that these islands and communities can thrive despite these threats, rather than a pessimistic view that islands will inevitably drown and cause international forced migration.

"This approach offers another option that complements climate stabilization, but the Maldivian people need to decide if and how to utilize it."

"Pathways to sustain atolls under rising sea levels through land claim and island raising" is published in Environmental Research: Climate on February 16.

More information: Pathways to sustain atolls under rising sea levels through land claim and island raising, Environmental Research: Climate (2023). DOI: 10.1088/2752-5295/acb4b3 ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/90707/
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Color-composite image obtained using the NVSS 1.4 GHz (red) and WISE 22 m (cyan) images for an area around the Teutsch 76 cluster. Credit: Sharma et al., 2023.

Using the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), Indian astronomers have performed detailed deep near-infrared observations of a Galactic open cluster known as Teutsch 76. Results of the observational campaign, published February 9 on the arXiv pre-print server, shed more light on the properties of this cluster.

Open clusters (OCs), formed from the same giant molecular cloud, are groups of stars loosely gravitationally bound to each other. So far, more than 1,000 of them have been discovered in the Milky Way, and scientists are still looking for more, hoping to find a variety of these stellar groupings. Expanding the list of known galactic open clusters and studying them in detail could be crucial for improving our understanding of the formation and evolution of our galaxy.

Teutsch 76 (or T76 for short) is a poorly studied Galactic OC in the eastern part of an ionized atomic hydrogen region (HII region) designated Sh 2-141, which is estimated to be located some 24,500 light years away. Recently, a group of astronomers led by Saurabh Sharma of the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in India, observed T76 with DOT in order to get more insights into the properties of this cluster. The study was complemented by data from ESA's Gaia satellite and from the Pan-STARRS1 survey.

"We have performed a detailed analysis on this cluster to understand its dynamical evolution by using our deep near-infrared (NIR) observations taken from the TIFR-ARIES Near-infrared Spectrometer recently installed on the 3.6m telescope at Devasthal, Nainital, India, along with the recently available data from the Gaia Data Release 3 and PanSTARRS1," the researchers wrote in the paper.

The study found that T76 has a radius of approximately 4.04 light years and its age is estimated to be 50 million years. The observations suggest that the cluster is located some 18,600 light years away from the Earth.

The results indicate that T76 showcases an central density concentration with circular morphology, most likely due to the star formation processes. The astronomers noted that the cluster is still under the process of dynamical evolution and does not show any signatures of mass-segregation. In general, the distribution of stars in T76 may be similar to the distribution found in the solar neighborhood.

The researchers identified 28 stars within the derived radius of T76, marking them as highly probable cluster members. The membership probability of these stars was calculated to be at least 80%.

The scientists added that there might be a probability of finding young stars in T76 with excess infrared emission, given that the cluster seems to be associated with an HII region. They tried to find them using the conventional near-infrared color based selection criteria; however, no such star has been detected.

More information: Saurabh Sharma et al, Teutsch 76: a Deep Near-Infrared Study, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2302.04516 Journal information: arXiv

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The 2022 release of a collared leopard into the North Ossetia (Central Caucasus), Russia. Credit: Pavel Padalko.

New research published in Biological Conservation has identified the top factors that determine whether efforts to relocate large carnivores to different areas are successful or not. The findings could support global rewilding efforts, from lynx reintroductions in the U.K. to efforts to restore logged tropical forests.

As apex predators, large carnivores play crucial roles in ecosystems; however, their numbers have plummeted over recent decades. Relocating large carnivores can support their conservation, for instance to reintroduce a species to an area where it has been exterminated, or to reinforce an existing population to increase its viability. But to date, there has been little information about what factors determine whether these (often costly) efforts are successful or not.

The study was carried out by an international team led by researchers at the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), and School of Geography and the Environment. The group analyzed data from almost 300 animal relocations which took place between 2007 and 2021. These spanned 22 countries in five continents, and involved 18 different carnivore species, including bears, hyenas, big cats, and wild dogs.

Key findings

Overall, two-thirds (66%) of the relocations were successful (where the animal survived in the wild for over 6 months).

Success rates for large carnivore relocations have increased significantly since before 2007. For wild-born carnivores, success rates increased from 53% pre-2007 to 70%; and for captive-born animals, success rates doubled from 32% in pre-2007 to 64%.

The species with the highest success rates included maned wolves, pumas, and ocelots, which had a 100% success rate. The species with the lowest success rates (around 50%) were African lions, brown hyenas, cheetahs, Iberian lynx, and wolves.

Overall, using a "soft release" increased the odds of success by 2.5-fold. This involved acclimatizing the animal to the new environment before it was fully released.

Releasing younger animals (particularly 1-2 year-olds), also increased success rates. This may be because younger animals have greater behavioral plasticity to adapt to new environments, and they are less likely to have developed homing behaviors.

For animals born in captivity, the success rate decreased by 1.5-fold, compared with animals born in the wild.

However, just over a third (37%) of the relocated animals were observed to find a mate and/or raise a cub in their new habitat.

Goru, an Eurasian Lynx, who was relocated in 2019 as part of the LIFE Lynx project to save the Slovenian South East Alpine population. Since his release, Goru has reproduced at least three times. Credit: Ales Piculin.

Although the fact that most relocated animals survived is encouraging, the authors say that the low mating success shows the ongoing challenges facing rewilding efforts, and crucially, the importance of protecting habitats that already exist.

Lead author Seth Thomas (Department of Biology, University of Oxford) remarked, "In the last 15 years we have become more successful at translocating and reintroducing large carnivores. This allows us to be optimistic for the future of rebuilding damaged ecosystems around the globe, but we must remember that it is always more important to protect large carnivore populations where they are now before we lose them. Even as we have grown to be more successful, 34% of individual translocations fail and they cannot be seen as a replacement for immediate conservation action to save these populations."

In the near future, relocating large carnivores may become increasingly necessary as habitats become altered due to climate change, and if land use changes increase conflict between humans and animals.

In the UK, one of the most nature-deprived countries in the world, there have been calls to reintroduce formerly native apex predators, such as wolves and the Eurasian lynx.

A puma known as Anhanguera is released into Serra do Japi, Jundiai, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as part of the Vida Livre da Mata Ciliar program. Credit: Associacao Mata Ciliar

Professor David Macdonald (WildCRU, Department of Biology, University of Oxford), a co-author for the study, said, "As the UN decade of ecosystem restoration gets underway, the ecological need and political appetite for relocations of large carnivores has never been greater, and they have the potential to contribute more now than ever before to biodiversity conservation. By scrutinizing the most geographically comprehensive sample of relocated large carnivores to date, our study makes plain to conservationists and policy makers the urgency of improving rewilding efforts."

Professor Alastair Driver, the director of the charity Rewilding Britain (who was not directly involved in the study) said, "This study could not come at a better time here in the UK, with the devolved governments at last consulting positively on the merits of species reintroductions and various groups working hard on the feasibility of reintroducing species such as the European Wildcat and Eurasian Lynx. We still have a long way to go to overcome the misconceptions which dominate societal concerns around sharing our human-dominated landscape with other apex predators, but this report and the successes which it documents will be hugely valuable in securing a more 'grown-up' discussion on the subject. I have no doubt that this will, in turn, lead to well-planned and implemented carnivore reintroductions which only 10 years ago, I would have thought inconceivable in my lifetime."

Dr. Miha Krofel (University of Ljubljana), a co-author who worked on lynx reintroductions included in the study, said, "The main reason that allowed us to quantify the higher rate of success is the wider applicability of tracking technology compared to 15 years ago. Nowadays, many practitioners and scientists fit animals with tracking tags for better post-release monitoring of the translocated individuals. This allows us to learn from past releases to improve our interventions in the future."

More information: Evaluating the performance of conservation translocations in large carnivores across the world, Biological Conservation (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109909 Journal information: Biological Conservation
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From left, geoscientists Annika Greeve of Utrech University and Srisharan Shreedharan of Utah State University examine core samples aboard the IODP research vessel JOIDES Resolution near New Zealand. Shreedharan and colleagues published findings from data collected on the ocean expedition in the journal Science on Feb. 17, 2023. Credit: IODP TAMU

Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci demonstrated frictional forces slow down the motion of surfaces in contact. Friction, he determined, is proportional to normal force. When two objects are pressed together twice as hard, friction doubles.

"We see this principle with tectonic plate boundaries," says Utah State University geophysicist Srisharan Shreedharan. "As surfaces slide against each other, we observe frictional properties, including frictional healing that describes the degree of fault restrengthening between earthquakes. However, we know little about how this phenomenon may affect future slip events, including earthquakes."

He and colleagues Demian Saffer and Laura Wallace of the University of Texas at Austin, where Shreedharan was previously employed as a postdoctoral fellow, and Charles Williams of New Zealand's GNS Science geoscience research institute, publish findings about ultralow frictional healing and slow slip events along the Hikurangi tectonic plate boundary in the Feb. 17, 2023, issue of the journal Science.

"Plate motion on shallow subduction megathrusts, like the Hikurangi Trench east of New Zealand's North Island, occurs all over the world," says Shreedharan, assistant professor in USU's Department of Geosciences. "Our research examined the diverse tectonic slip modes, especially slow slip events, and focused on frictional healing."

Slow slip events usually don't cause great shaking and they generally release pent-up energy in a non-damaging way, he says.

"But in areas with clay-rich materials, such as those commonly found in subduction zones throughout the planet, frequent 'slow motion' slips may be more common than we think," Shreedharan says. "We don't yet know whether these slip events are more or less likely to place nearby populated areas at risk of deadly earthquakes and tsunamis."

The behavior of the shallowest reaches of subduction zones during an earthquake determine the nature and size of tsunamis, he says. "Our nation's west coast is vulnerable to large quakes, so it is important to understand how slip occurs on shallow plate boundaries."

The USU geophysicist spent two months aboard the IODP research vessel JOIDES Resolution with a team of geoscientists and drilling engineers that drilled holes for monitoring sites along the Hikugangi Trench.

"To quantify seismic hazards, you need to collect data from sensors inside the boreholes," Shreedharan says. "It's a big undertaking, but the data is critical for monitoring events and improving early warning systems."

More information: Srisharan Shreedharan et al, Ultra-low frictional healing explains recurring slow slip events, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adf4930. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf4930 Journal information: Science
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This annotated image from NASAs Perseverance Mars rover shows its wheel tracks in Jezero Crater and a distant view of the first potential location it could deposit a group of sample tubes for possible future return to Earth. The image was taken on Aug. 29, 2022, the 542nd Martian day, or sol, of the rovers mission, by Perseverances navigation camera. Sample tubes already filled with rock are currently stored in the rovers Sampling and Caching System. Perseverance will deposit select samples in designated locations. Subsequent NASA missions, in cooperation with ESA (European Space Agency), would collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

A NASA study describes how rocks could have been "shocked" and changed by meteorite impacts, once frequent on ancient Mars. This will improve our analysis of rock samples collected from the Red Planet.

"Because we're counting on these samples to reveal a record of Mars' geologic past, it would be important for us to understand if and how the rocks have been altered," said Dr. Svetlana Shkolyar, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The heat and pressure of an impact event can cause the rocks affected by it to melt. This means that when we study these rocks today, millions or even billions of years after the impacts occurred, the rocks could have had their original characteristics altered. It could even make one type of rock look like a different type of rock altogether."

Part of NASA's Perseverance rover's mission includes collecting rock samples from Mars that could later be retrieved and brought to Earth for study as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. Scientists on the rover team want to make sure the most effective samples are chosen to accomplish two of the major goals of returned sample sciencesearching for signs of life and geologic history dating. Therefore, it is important for scientists to understand how these rock samples formed, and how they might have been altered over geologic time.

This image is of Jezero Crater on Mars, the landing site for NASA's Mars 2020 mission carrying the Perseverance rover. It was taken by instruments on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which regularly takes images of potential landing sites for future missions. Jezero Crater sits within the Isidis Planitia region of Mars, where an ancient meteorite impact left behind a large crater some 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) across. This event is known as Isidis impact, and it forever changed the rock at the base of the crater. A later, smaller meteorite impact created the Jezero Crater within the Isidis impact basin. Scientists believe that these events likely created environments friendly to life. There is evidence of ancient river flow into Jezero, forming a delta that has long since been dry. Jezero Crater is thus likely to have been habitable in the distant past. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/JHU-APL

Shkolyar is lead author of a study published on May 3, 2022, in Earth, Moon, and Planets that describes how the rocks in these samples could be changed by impacts and how rover instruments can characterize those changes.

NASA, in partnership with ESA (the European Space Agency), plans to launch follow-up missions to the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover to retrieve the samples that have been selected and cached by Perseverance and bring them to Earth around 2033. This campaign is intended to allow far more detailed studies once samples are brought to Earth to gain a better understanding of Mars' past, present, and future, especially as it pertains to the possible presence of ancient life. Additionally, a key goal of the campaign is to help properly determine the age of events in Mars' geologic history. This is generally done by dating the rocks and using that to infer a chronology of Mars' history.

According to the study conducted by Shkolyar and her team, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when samples are selected. "For both astrobiology and dating the age of the rocks, the effect of impact shock is very important to consider," Shkolyar said. "When looking for fossil carbon in these rocks, which could be an indicator of past life, the alterations imposed by impact shock could alter the carbon signature." To ensure we understand the nature of the rocks, the Perseverance science team takes careful data to document the environmental context of samples before sampling and caching.

False-color topographic view of heavily cratered terrain on Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument on board NASAs Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. Red areas are high elevations and blue regions are low areas. The instrument collected altimetry data about the height of surface features on Mars until June 30, 2001. Credit: NASA/MOLA Science Team

The study focused on one kind of mineral, plagioclase feldspar, which is found in many rocks on Mars. The study details ways to recognize impact shock in plagioclase, if it occurred in the rocks studied, including improvement of the instrumental methods by which scientists characterize the chemistry of the rocks and identify evidence of shock in them. This way, when scientists cache and return those samples, they may find out whether the rocks have experienced impact shock, and how they might have been affected by this shock.

There is also much that can be learned from impact-shocked samples, such as adding precision to the chronology of the hypothesized Late Heavy Bombardment, a period early in the solar system's history when the planets may have been in less-stable orbits and could have been subjected to very frequent asteroid impacts.

"An example of how shocked samples could be beneficial would be to help us understand the history of impact on Mars," Shkolyar said. "Impact-shocked samples would contain geologic indicators which would help us to constrain the duration of the Heavy Bombardment more accurately."

More information: S. Shkolyar et al, Identifying Shocked Feldspar on Mars Using Perseverance Spectroscopic Instruments: Implications for Geochronology Studies on Returned Samples, Earth, Moon, and Planets (2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11038-022-09546-6
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The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on NASAs James Webb Space Telescope took this image of NGC 1433, a barred spiral galaxy with a particularly bright core surrounded by double star-forming rings. The observations reveal cavernous bubbles of gas where forming stars have released energy. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, and J. Lee (NOIRLab). Image processing: A. Pagan (STScI)

Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope are getting their first look at star formation, gas, and dust in nearby galaxies with unprecedented resolution at infrared wavelengths. The data has enabled an initial collection of 21 research papers which provide new insight into how some of the smallest-scale processes in our universethe beginnings of star formationimpact the evolution of the largest objects in our cosmos: galaxies.

The largest survey of nearby galaxies in Webb's first year of science operations is being carried out by the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby Galaxies (PHANGS) collaboration, involving more than 100 researchers from around the globe. The Webb observations are led by Janice Lee, Gemini Observatory chief scientist at the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab and affiliate astronomer at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The team is studying a diverse sample of 19 spiral galaxies, and in Webb's first few months of science operations, observations of five of those targetsM74, NGC 7496, IC 5332, NGC 1365, and NGC 1433have taken place. The results are already astounding astronomers.

"The clarity with which we are seeing the fine structure certainly caught us by surprise," said team member David Thilker of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

"We are directly seeing how the energy from the formation of young stars affects the gas around them, and it's just remarkable," said team member Erik Rosolowsky of the University of Alberta, Canada.

The images from Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) reveal the presence of a network of highly structured features within these galaxiesglowing cavities of dust and huge cavernous bubbles of gas that line the spiral arms. In some regions of the nearby galaxies observed, this web of features appears built from both individual and overlapping shells and bubbles where young stars are releasing energy.

"Areas which are completely dark in Hubble imaging light up in exquisite detail in these new infrared images, allowing us to study how the dust in the interstellar medium has absorbed the light from forming stars and emitted it back out in the infrared, illuminating an intricate network of gas and dust," said team member Karin Sandstrom of the University of California, San Diego.

The high-resolution imaging needed to study these structures has long evaded astronomersuntil Webb came into the picture.

In this MIRI image of galaxy NGC 1365, clumps of dust and gas in the interstellar medium have absorbed the light from forming stars and emitted it back out as infrared light. This illuminates an intricate network of cavernous bubbles and filamentary shells. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, and J. Lee (NOIRLab). Image processing: A. Pagan (STScI)

"The PHANGS team has spent years observing these galaxies at optical, radio, and ultraviolent wavelengths using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array, and the Very Large Telescope's Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer," added team member Adam Leroy of the Ohio State University. "But the earliest stages of a star's life cycle have remained out of view because the process is enshrouded within gas and dust clouds."

Webb's powerful infrared capabilities can pierce through the dust to connect the missing puzzle pieces.

For example, specific wavelengths observable by MIRI (7.7 and 11.3 microns) and Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (3.3 microns) are sensitive to emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which play a critical role in the formation of stars and planets. These molecules were detected by Webb in the first observations by the PHANGS program.

Studying these interactions at the finest scale can help provide insights into the larger picture of how galaxies have evolved over time.

"Because these observations are taken as part of what's called a treasury program, they are available to the public as they are observed and received on Earth," said Eva Schinnerer of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, and leader of the PHANGS collaboration.

The PHANGS team will work to create and release data sets that align Webb's data to each of the complementary data sets obtained previously from the other observatories, to help accelerate discovery by the broader astronomical community.

"Thanks to the telescope's resolution, for the first time we can conduct a complete census of star formation, and take inventories of the interstellar medium bubble structures in nearby galaxies beyond the Local Group," Lee said. "That census will help us understand how star formation and its feedback imprint themselves on the interstellar medium, then give rise to the next generation of stars, or how it actually impedes the next generation of stars from being formed."

The team's initial findings, composed of 21 individual studies, were recently published in a special focus issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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This illustration from the Guo Lab shows the interaction between a perovskite material (cyan) and a substrate of metal-dielectric material. The red and blue pairings are electron-hole pairs. Mirror images reflected from the substrate reduce the ability of excited electrons in the perovskite to recombine with their atomic cores, increasing the efficiency of the perovskite to harvest solar light. Credit: Chloe Zhang

Silicon, the standard semiconducting material used in a host of applicationscomputer central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor chips, detectors, and solar cellsis an abundant, naturally occurring material. However, it is expensive to mine and to purify.

Perovskitesa family of materials nicknamed for their crystalline structurehave shown extraordinary promise in recent years as a far less expensive, equally efficient replacement for silicon in solar cells and detectors. Now, a study led by Chunlei Guo, a professor of optics at the University of Rochester, suggests that perovskites may become far more efficient.

Researchers typically synthesize perovskites in a wet lab, and then apply the material as a film on a glass substrate and explore various applications

Guo instead proposes a novel, physics-based approach. By using a substrate of either a layer of metal or alternating layers of metal and dielectric materialrather than glasshe and his co-authors found they could increase the perovskite's light conversion efficiency by 250%.

Their findings are reported in Nature Photonics.

"No one else has come to this observation in perovskites," Guo says. "All of a sudden, we can put a metal platform under a perovskite, utterly changing the interaction of the electrons within the perovskite. Thus, we use a physical method to engineer that interaction."

Novel perovskite-metal combination creates 'a lot of surprising physics'

Metals are probably the simplest materials in nature, but they can be made to acquire complex functions. The Guo Lab has extensive experience in this direction. The lab has pioneered a range of technologies transforming simple metals to pitch black, superhydrophilic (water-attracting), or superhydrophobic (water-repellent). The enhanced metals have been used for solar energy absorption and water purification in their recent studies.

In this new paper, instead of presenting a way to enhance the metal itself, the Guo Lab demonstrates how to use the metal to enhance the efficiency of perovskites.

"A piece of metal can do just as much work as complex chemical engineering in a wet lab," says Guo, adding that the new research may be particularly useful for future solar energy harvesting.

In a solar cell, photons from sunlight need to interact with and excite electrons, causing the electrons to leave their atomic cores and generating an electrical current, Guo explains. Ideally, the solar cell would use materials that are weak to pull the excited electrons back to the atomic cores and stop the electrical current.

Guo's lab demonstrated that such recombination could be substantially prevented by combining a perovskite material with either a layer of metal or a metamaterial substrate consisting of alternating layers of silver, a noble metal, and aluminum oxide, a dielectric.

The result was a significant reduction of electron recombination through "a lot of surprising physics," Guo says. In effect, the metal layer serves as a mirror, which creates reversed images of electron-hole pairs, weakening the ability of the electrons to recombine with the holes.

The lab was able to use a simple detector to observe the resulting 250% increase in efficiency of light conversion.

Several challenges must be resolved before perovskites become practical for applications, especially their tendency to degrade relatively quickly. Currently, researchers are racing to find new, more stable perovskite materials.

"As new perovskites emerge, we can then use our physics-based method to further enhance their performance," Guo says.

Co-authors include Kwang Jin Lee, Ran Wei, Jihua Zhang, and Mohamed Elkabbash, all current and former members of the Guo Lab; and Ye Wang, Wenchi Kong, Sandeep Kumar Chamoli, Tao Huang, and Weili Yu, all of the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics in China.

More information: Kwang Jin Lee et al, Gigantic suppression of recombination rate in 3D lead-halide perovskites for enhanced photodetector performance, Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-022-01151-3 Journal information: Nature Photonics
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon forward Christian Bassogog will join up with Shanghai Shenhua for pre-season training on Friday, the Chinese Super League (CSL) club said on Thursday.

The Shanghai side gathered on Thursday afternoon to begin their preparations for the 2023 campaign without Bassogog and 11 Chinese players, the club said on social media.

"Bassogog will arrive in Shanghai today, and will attend team training from tomorrow," the Shanghai side said.

"As a total of 11 players have been called up for international commitments, eight reserve team players have been picked to train with the first team," the club said.

Shanghai Shenhua finished tenth in the 2022 CSL season. 
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In the 1980s, rookie firefighters at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport endured a hazing ritual known as the "foam shower."

Recruits stood some 150 feet down the tarmac with 5-gallon buckets and were told to catch firefighting foam shot out of a crash-response truck's water cannon.

They would wear the usual helmet and heat-resistant gear, but still ended up drenched as the bubbly white liquid rained down on them.

"It was a rite of passage," said Thomas Sanchez, a retired Port of Seattle firefighter who first went to work at the airport in 1980.

The foam contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and was long considered essential at airports for quickly smothering blazes.

It was marketed as "environmentally benign."

Today, the PFAS in these foams are known as "forever chemicals" and have contaminated aquifers across the country, including under Sea-Tac. Regulators are trying to figure out the best approach to a cleanup that is likely to stretch on for decades. The foam also poses risks to firefighters, three of whom at the Port of Seattle developed pancreatic cancer, which in animal tests has been associated with exposure to small amounts of PFAS.

One of these firefighters, Gilbert Smith Jr., a 31-year retired veteran of the Sea-Tac crew, died of the disease in 2015.

Sea-Tac firefighting crews, through the 1980s and most of the 1990s, spread white blankets of PFAS foam in training exercises, dousing fires that raged in a pit filled with burning fuels.

Stark details about the scope of crew exposure to the foam emerged from a precedent-setting survivor's benefits case at the state Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals that was filed by Smith's widow and included testimony from five of his fellow firefighters. An appeals judge ruled Smith's death was linked to PFAS, as well as the pollution caused by hydrocarbon fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

The Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the Defense Department, still requires airports to have PFAS products on hand even as some airports in Europe, Canada and all of Australia have moved to alternative foams without these chemicals.

Today at Sea-Tac, five Port tanker trucks hold more than 2,000 gallons of a newer formulation of PFAS foam.

Port of Seattle Fire Chief Randy Krause, who took the job in 2010, is eager to get rid of every last drop. "We want to be the first airport in this transitionif we can," Krause said.

That could happen later this year.

In January, the Defense Department, in an action required by Congress, published the first-ever performance specifications for PFAS-free foams, which the FAA also has accepted.

In the months ahead, as products are certified for meeting these standards, airports can finally start to dispose of PFAS foams and buy safer products.

Krause, eager to get a head start on the transition, has purchased a PFAS-free alternative that Sea-Tac crews tested in 2019. The concentrate, National Foam's Avio Green, went through a certification program to screen for hazardous chemicals and was used to douse flames from a simulated airplane crash at a fire training center at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

"My firefighters cannot tell the difference," Krause said.

Hidden risks

Gilbert Smith Jr. first went to work at Sea-Tac in 1982.

A native of Spokane, Smith was a buff weightlifter who loved the outdoors, fishing, kayaking and snowmobiling.

His firefighting job involved 24-hour shifts at the station as part of a specialized crew that would be first to respond to aviation accidents.

When liquid fuel feeds a fire, water will typically not extinguish the flames. So the crews practiced mixing and spraying the PFAS foam, and often ended up getting covered with it. Their saturated gear would be brought inside and hung up to dry in their sleeping quarters. They would bring it back to their families, according to Sanchez, the retired firefighter who worked with Smith. Sanchez said the training sometimes happened without the crew donning self-contained breathing apparatus.

"We were taking those contaminants home with us. Nobody realized that. Nobody knew about it. It was a badge of honor to smell ... like you've just been at a raging, you know, bonfire," Sanchez testified.

PFAS foam manufacturer 3M called for crews to wear protective breathing apparatus when using the foam, but also promoted the safety of the product.

A 1978 marketing pamphlet by manufacturer 3M assured customers the "light water" foam was "biodegradable" and low in toxicity and that tests indicated it would not harm animals and aquatic life, according to a copy of the document filed in U.S. District Court as part of a lawsuit.

Yet 3M's internal studies found something different.

The strongly bonded fluorocarbons were "completely resistant to biodegradation," according to a Jan. 9, 1978, internal 3M memo written by chemist Eric Reiner. Other 3M studies documented the firefighting foam's toxicity to fish, plant life and at high levels to laboratory animals that included Rhesus monkeys. And 3M later confirmed the findings of independent researchers who in the 1970s found PFAS to be widespread in blood-bank samples, according to documents made public in federal court. By 1998, a company researcher had recommended a "safe" level of PFOS in the blood that was lower than that found in 3M population studies, court documents show.

In 2000, 3M announced it would phase out production of its firefighting foam formulation even as it maintainedin a 2005 production information sheetthat "there are no known health effects from anticipated exposure ... when used as intended and instructed."

Other companies developed a new generation of PFAS foams that an industry lobbying groupthe Fire Fighting Foam Coalition, where National Foam is a memberportrayed as environmentally benign alternatives. Through the years, these PFAS also have been found in human blood samples as researchers found that some of them can pose health risks, and may be even more difficult to filter out of drinking water.

Less than a year after his 2014 retirement from Sea-Tac firefighting, Smith was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Initially, there was hope he could survive the disease.

"Gilbert was the most positive person I think I have ever met. He didn't blame anybody," Sanchez recalled in an interview with The Seattle Times.

By then, Sanchez had learned a lot more about PFAS and its risks.

Sanchez said he counseled Smith to file a Labor & Industries claim with the Port for his cancer. Smith did but was rejected. After he died, Sanchez urged Smith's widow, Cheryl Smith, to refile a claim. It was also denied.

By then a third Sea-Tac firefighter, Alvin Vaughn, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And his plight strengthened Cheryl Smith's resolve to pursue an appeal.

The ruling in Smith's case came down in 2017.

It followed extensive testimony from firefighters and doctors, some called by the Port who noted that Smith smoked cigarettes and who argued there was not enough evidence from epidemiological studies to tie his pancreatic cancer to his workplace.

Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Judge Dominique L. Jinhong noted the exposure described in the testimony of firefighters and ruled Smith's death "arose from the distinctive conditions of his employment" that included regular and unprotected exposure to PFOA, as well as hydrocarbons from fires and other sources. Jinhong reversed the Port's decision and ordered that death benefits be paid.

In recent years, even though Sea-Tac fire crews no longer trained with PFAS foams, they still would spray the foam each year to check the calibration of equipment. Those tests ended in 2018, when a new system was installed that does not require the foam to be discharged.

Krause was called to testify by the Port during the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals case. He said the experience helped boost his determination to move Sea-Tac firefighters off PFAS foams.

"I have sent some pretty poignant emails to a lot of different people out of frustration," Krause said. "I wanted the FAA to lead more."

Krause said Port firefighters have had their blood tested, and many of the results, including his own, show elevated levels of different kinds of PFAS.

Smith, who also left behind four children and eight grandchildren, is now considered to be one of the Port firefighters who have died in the line of duty. His name is engraved on the International Association of Fire Fighters memorial in Colorado.

Destroying PFAS

In 2018, Washington state leaped into the front lines of the efforts to curb the use of PFAS firefighting foams. The Legislature passed a law that restricted most in-state sales, and also required fire departments to stop training with the concentrate already on hand.

By then, there was increasing concern about groundwater contamination and health threats to firefighters, who joined with Seattle-based Toxic-Free Future, to lobby for the legislation in Olympia.

The bill was opposed by the Firefighting Foam Coalition and another industry group, the FluoroCouncil, formed by the American Chemistry Council. FluoroCouncil representative Jessica Bowman testified that new formulations of PFAS foams can be used safely and provide "life-saving benefits."

After the legislation became law, Washington airports were still bound by federal regulation to use PFAS foams, so they continue to purchase them.

But many local fire departments were buying alternatives and wanted to get rid of stockpiled PFAS. That created a new challenge: safely disposing of 25,000 to 60,000 gallons of these concentrates.

The state Ecology Department initially called for burning the foam at a Utah incinerator. This plan was put on hold after the Sierra Club objected, noting some incinerators had failed to fully destroy the PFAS, which had then spread through stacks to pollute surrounding areas.

This year, the Ecology Department still is trying to figure out what to do with the foam. Options include incineration, injecting it through a deep well to a depth below aquifers, or disposal in a hazardous waste landfill where they would be stowed in containers that would have to be watched into the distant future.

There also are new technologies, such as "supercritical water oxidation" that involves high temperatures and immense pressure to destroy PFAS.

"There isn't a silver bullet. There are positives and negatives for each option," said Sean Smith, manager of Ecology's product replacement program.

Scope of contamination unknown

At Sea-Tac, once the PFAS firefighting foams are finally drained from all the tanks, airport environmental officials will still face a much bigger cleanup of groundwater.

Port environmental officials have put in 15 wells to monitor PFAS contamination that seeped into the ground during the many years of training exercises. Tests have found the presence of more than a dozen types of PFAS.

PFOA was found in concentrations ranging up to 2,800 parts per trillion, according to sampling results obtained under a public disclosure request. That is 280 times above the level that the state considers protective of public health in drinking water. PFNA, another "forever chemical," was found at quantities more than 500 times the protective level established by the state.

"We know we have impacted the environment. ... We don't know the extent of it," said Meagan King, senior environmental program manager at the Port of Seattle.

The airport's groundwater contamination has raised concerns at the nearby Highline Water District, which uses four wells to supplement drinking water purchased from Seattle Public Utilities. One of those wells, located on airport property, has tested slightly above the state action level for one PFAS compound, and has been shut down.

"You can imagine where it is coming from. But there is no conclusive evidence yet," said Jeremy DelMar, Highline Water District's general manager.

Currently, the main line of attack involves costly filtration that sends contaminated water through large tanks packed with thousands of pounds of carbonsuch as specially treated coalthat can absorb the PFAS.

Federal and state environmental officials are searching for better ways to remove PFAS or limit their spread.

In Minnesota, the state's Pollution Control Agency purchased equipment that injects air into contaminated water, which causes PFAS to coalesce into foam that then can be removed. The technology is being used east of Minneapolis along with an oxidation process to break down the PFAS once it's recovered.

In Washington, the Ecology Department has invested some $300,000 in an experimental effort to curb the spread of PFAS in groundwater beneath Eastside Fire and Rescue in Issaquah, where firefighters once spread foam. There, 21 holes have been dug 55 feet deep and filled with carbon filter material that can capture PFAS and prevent it from flowing farther into the aquifer.

This is far less expensive than erecting above-ground filters. And preliminary results are promising.

"It's dropping the concentrations by a couple of orders of magnitude," said Priscilla Tomlinson, a state Ecology Department toxicologist.

Still, Tomlinson does not know how long this approach will fend off the PFAS. The carbon could eventually become saturated with the compounds and the chemicals could leach farther into the groundwater.

"This is not a permanent remedy," Tomlinson said. "We would prefer to actually dig up the contaminated soil and remove it. But it's super expensive."

At Sea-Tac, PFAS cleanup is expected to take at least 10 years. The Port is in an initial testing phase to figure out the scope of the pollution.

(c)2023 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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NGC 7496 lies over 24 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Grus, and is one of 19 galaxies targeted for study by PHANGS. Its spiral arms are filled with cavernous bubbles and shells overlapping one another in this image from JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). These filaments and hollow cavities are evidence of young stars releasing energy and, in some cases, blowing out the gas and dust of the interstellar medium surrounding them. At the center of NGC 7496 is an active galactic nucleus -- another way to refer to an active supermassive black hole. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph DePasquale/STScI

It is a popular notion that aside from large celestial objects like planets, stars and asteroids, outer space is empty. In fact, galaxies are filled with something called the interstellar medium (ISM)that is, the gas and dust that permeate the space in between those large objects. Importantly, under the right conditions, it is from the ISM that new stars are formed.

Now researchers from the University of California San Diego, in collaboration with a worldwide project team, have released their findings in a special issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters dedicated to their work using advanced telescope images through the JWST Cycle 1 Treasury Program.

"With JWST, you can make incredible maps of nearby galaxies at very high resolution that provide amazingly detailed images of the interstellar medium," stated Associate Professor of Physics Karin Sandstrom who is a co-principal investigator on the project.

Although JWST can look at very distant galaxies, the ones Sandstrom's group studied are relatively close at about 30 million light years away, including one known as the Phantom Galaxy. Also known as M74 or NGC 628, astronomers have known of the Phantom Galaxy's existence since at least the 18th century.

Sandstrom, along with postdoctoral scholar Jessica Sutter and former postdoctoral scholar Jeremy Chastenet (now at University of Ghent), focused on a specific component of the ISM called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are small particles of dustthe size of a moleculeand it's their small size that makes them so valuable to researchers.

When PAHs absorb a photon from a star, they vibrate and produce emission features that can be detected in the mid-infrared electromagnetic spectrumsomething that typically doesn't happen with larger dust grains from the ISM. The vibrational features of PAHs allow researchers to observe many important characteristics including size, ionization and structure.

A side-by-side comparison of NGC 628 (Phantom Galaxy) images taken from the Spitzer Space Telescope (l) and JWST (r) show a remarkable increase in clarity and detail. Credit: SST cr: NASA/JPL-CalTech; JWST cr: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

This is something Sandstrom has been interested in since graduate school. "The Spitzer Space Telescope looked at the mid-infrared and that's what I used in my Ph.D. thesis. Since Spitzer was retired, we haven't had much access to the mid-infrared spectrum, but JWST is incredible," she stated. "Spitzer had a mirror that was 0.8 meters; JWST's mirror is 6.5 meters. It's a huge telescope and it has amazing instruments. I've been waiting a very long time for this."

Even though PAHs are not by mass a big fraction of the overall ISM, they're important because they're easily ionizeda process that can produce photoelectrons which heat the rest of the gas in the ISM. A better understanding of PAHs will lead to a better understanding of the physics of the ISM and how it operates. Astrophysicists are hopeful JWST can provide a view into how PAHs are formed, how they change and how they're destroyed.

Because PAHs are evenly distributed throughout the ISM, they allow researchers to see not just the PAHs themselves, but everything around them as well. Previous maps, such as ones taken by Spitzer, contained much less detailthey essentially looked like galactic blobs. With the clarity JWST provides, astrophysicists can now see gas filaments and even "bubbles" blown by newly formed stars, whose intense radiation fields and resulting supernova evaporate the gas clouds around them.

To get observation time on JWST, the Cycle 1 Treasury Program team had to design observations that included details such as exposure length and filters. Once their submission was accepted, Space Telescope Science Institute, which is responsible for the science and mission operations for JWST, captures and processes the data. This program includes data from 19 galaxies in total.

The Cycle 1 Treasury Program is part of a bigger project called PHANGS (Physics at High Angular Resolution in Nearby GalaxieS). PHANGS studies star formation and the ISM using multi-wavelength images from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope, both in Chile. However, because the dense clouds in which star formation happens contain a lot of dust, it is difficult for optical light to penetrate to see what's happening inside. Using the mid-infrared spectrum allows researchers to use that same dust and its bright emission to get high-resolution, detailed images.

"One of the things I'm most excited about is now that we have this high-resolution tracer of the ISM, we can map all kinds of things, including the structure of the diffuse gas, which has to become denser and molecular for star formation to occur," said Sandstrom. "We can also map the gas surrounding newly formed stars where there is a lot of 'feedback' such as from supernova explosions. We really get to see the whole cycle of the ISM in a lot of detail. That is the core of how a galaxy is going to form stars."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

People who speak more than two languages are more likely to mistakenly use words from the language they're least proficient in, new research has shown.

The study, led by Dr. Angela de Bruin, from the Department of Psychology, looked at which of the other languages spoken by trilinguals "interfered" when they were speaking their second language.

Dr. de Bruin said, "Intuitively, you would expect these intrusions to mostly come from your most proficient language, for example the first language you grew up speaking from birth. However, our recent research shows that when having to use a less proficient second language, multilinguals actually experience more interference from another less proficient third language than from their native tongue."

Interference

The study, conducted at the University of York and the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, looked at two groups of trilinguals: Spanish-Basque-English trilinguals in the Basque Country and English-French-Spanish trilinguals in the U.K.

Participants were asked to name pictures in their three languages in response to a cue. For example, when seeing the picture of an "apple" with the Spanish flag, they would have to say "manzana." The participants were presented these pictures for a short period of time to make the task difficult.

The team then assessed which language interfered more when trilinguals had to use their second language. In both groups of trilinguals, participants more often accidentally used their third language than their first language, showing that this interference between non-native languages can be found across different trilingual groups.

Suppressed words

The research team also studied why this might be the case. In two other tasks, they tested how participants suppressed words in the other languages while using their second language. They found that the trilinguals suppressed words in their first language more than in their third.

Dr. de Bruin says, "This could explain why these trilinguals experienced more interference from their less proficient third language: they might have suppressed that language less, leading to them accidentally using that language instead."

Many people are able to communicate in more than one language and approximately a quarter of the European population can even speak three or more languages.

Role and influence

The research conducted by Dr. de Bruin is based on personal experience. She says, "When I tried to speak German in Germany after moving to Spain I was trying to buy a bus ticket and I noticed I almost uncontrollably switched between German and Spanish and inserted Spanish words like 'por favor' without wanting to. Although my native language Dutch is very similar to German, this interference was not coming from Dutch but rather from Spanish, a language I was far less fluent in."

She concludes, "This study shows that just knowing words in a language might not be enough to ensure fluent communication. It is also crucial to retrieve the words in the intended language at the appropriate moment and to avoid interference from the other language(s). Trilinguals might have less experience with, or might be worse at, suppressing a less proficient language and might therefore experience more interference from that language.

"Interestingly, whilst we often focus on the role and influence of a first language, our study highlights the importance of understanding how languages that are acquired later in childhood or adolescence can influence each other. Fluent communication in those languages might not just require a certain level of knowledge in that language but also efficient control over the other languages."

The study is published in the Journal of Memory and Language.

More information: Angela de Bruin et al, Interference between non-native languages during trilingual language production, Journal of Memory and Language (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jml.2022.104386
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The United States, the largest importer of wildlife in the world, is not prepared for future spread of animal-borne, or zoonotic, diseases due to gaps among governmental agencies designed to combat these threats, concludes a new analysis by researchers at Harvard Law School and New York University. The authors call for a "One Health" approach, integrating multiple agencies in order to better govern human-animal interactions.

The editorial, "Blind spots in biodefense," which appears in the journal Science, is authored by Ann Linder, a research fellow at Harvard Law School's Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program, and Dale Jamieson, a professor at New York University's Center for Environmental and Animal Protection in the Department of Environmental Studies.

Linder and Jamieson note that the Biden administration's recent release of its National Biodefense Strategy (NBS-22), the first update since the COVID-19 pandemic began, frames threats as largely external to the United States.

"NBS-22 focuses primarily on bioterrorism and laboratory accidents, neglecting threats posed by routine practices of animal use and production inside the United States," they write.

This oversight is significant, Linder and Jamieson observe, given the United States' past and present when it comes to human-animal interface:

More zoonotic diseases originated in the United States than in any other country during the second half of the 20th century.

In 2022, the U.S. processed more than 10 billion livestock, the largest number ever recorded and an increase of 204 million over 2021.

The ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak has left 58 million animals dead in backyard chicken coops and industrial farms in the U.S.

Since 2011, the U.S. has recorded more swine-origin influenza infections than any other country. Most occurred at state and county fairs, which attract 150 million visitors each year and where an estimated 18% of swine have tested positive.

Moreover, they add, the current patchwork of siloed agencies and authorities is marked by a lack of coordination, leaving significant gaps and areas of underregulation. In fact, of the many agencies that govern food animal production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is the most important, but it has no authority to regulate on-farm animal production.

The authors call for rebuilding from the ground up the U.S. regulatory system in order to combat zoonotic disease risk.

"What is needed is not simply for agencies to do their jobs better or to paper over the gaps, but a fundamental restructuring of the way that humananimal interfaces are governed," Linder and Jamieson urge. "A One Health approach, which NBS-22 claims as its guiding principle, would take the health of other living things not merely as the occasional means or obstacles to human health, but as continuous with it. The first step in implementing such an approach would be to create a high-level process for integrating the broken mosaic of multiple agencies, with their unclear and sometimes competing mandates, into an effective, comprehensive regime."

The editorial is based on research from the Live Animal Markets Project, which is examining global policy responses to animal markets and their role in zoonotic disease transmission. The project includes 15 individual country case studies involving local collaborators, partner institutions, and members of the core research team. The project aims to provide a comprehensive assessment that will aid policymakers, contribute to public education about zoonotic risks, and support the human health and animal protection communities.

More information: Ann Linder et al, Blindspots in biodefense, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adg9237. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg9237 Journal information: Science
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The frontline may be frozen but the battle rages on in Ukraine. In Bakhmut, a town which Moscow views as key to gain control of the entire Eastern Donbas area, the past weeks have seen military stock shrink fast, and hundreds of troops killed and injured a day, according to U.S analysts.

All, so far, for a stalemate.

This is Ukraine, almost a year on after Russia invaded it on 24 February 2022. Many seasoned 'Russia watchers' failed to foresee the conflict, believing Vladimir Putin was merely parking his troops on its border with Ukraine to deter from EU and NATO expansion in its sphere of influence, in a show of "heavy metal diplomacy". Given the failure to predict the war, is there any chance we could do a better a job of assessing how it might develop?

Up to now, the conflict has thrown up many military, diplomatic and strategic "surprises". On the one hand, Moscow has been taken aback by Ukrainian forces' combativeness and the support of the EU and the United States for Kyiv. On the other, Western chancelleries have also had to contend with blocked diplomatic channels at the United Nations and measured support for Russia by China, India, and several African countries. Despite a host of Western sanctions aiming to turn Russia into an international pariah, Moscow continues to dovetail their effects with aplomb. And the scale of Ukrainian migration to Europe has left many Western capitals open-mouthed.

We estimate the conflict could pan out in three ways.

Scenario 1: Russia suffers a major setback

In our first scenario, Russia launches a new offensive on Kyiv, as well as in the Donbass and the province of Kherson.

These attacks fail, however. Russia loses many men and a large chunk of the four provinces illegally annexed in September 2022. It finds it has not met its initial strategic goal aiming at regime change in Kyiv. Ukraine retakes Russian strongholds and moves toward Crimea.

Several factors seal this Russian defeat. On the domestic front, it has become more challenging to mobilize men, with eligible individuals fleeing en masse. The command has struggled to train new recruits effectively and the defense technological and industrial base (DTIB) now shows signs of exhaustion. Western sanctions continue to bite, while the crisis in ruling circles spreads.

In Ukraine, the success of this scenario hinges on several factors. For one, the country has resisted to the wear and tear of war and enjoys political stability ahead of the autumn 2023 parliamentary elections. European and American military aid steadily pours in, and the Ukrainian army has managed to hold several fronts simultaneously.

In December 2022, Chief of Staff Valeri Zaloujny converted this success into numbers: 300 tanks, 600-700 infantry fighting vehicles and 500 howitzers.

In the international arena, this scenario assumes that Russia loses the position of strength conferred on it in 2022 by rising energy prices. This would require its customers to find alternative sources of supply.

In the long run, this scenario would pave the way to ceasefire and eventually to genuine peace negotiations (that would not be synonymous with Russian victory). For Ukraine, with victory there are no "negotiations"; it will return to its original borders, Russians will be prosecuted for war crimes, and also pay for damage.

However, if the Russian defeat is severe, internal political disorder could paralyze leadership and create chaos in Moscow, depriving the country of the ability to really engage in negotiations. Russia would have to consider the war permanently lost while maintaining an effective chain of command. Two daunting issues to deal with would be the fate of Crimea and NATO membership. In sum, this scenario would build upon the successful Ukrainian counter-offensives of August to November 2022.

Scenario 2: Russia enjoys tangible success

The reverse scenario sees a series of military wins for Russia from the end of the winter. The country retakes most of the Kherson province, threatens Kyiv directly from Belarus and marches on toward Odessa. Several conditions must be met for such an outcomethe main one being the human and material exhaustion of the Ukrainians.

On the Russian side, the Kremlin gets it right in several areas where it has until recently failed. Troops mobilized in the autumn 2022 are effectively trained and deployed tactically. Supply chains hold on the three major fronts (north, east and south). Learning from the Ukrainian counter-offensive, the Russian army has placed its logistics centers beyond the reach of HIMARS, the US-made missile.

Such successes would see a clear Russian victory in Ukraine, with consolidated illegal annexations in the East of country and a pro-Russian government. Ukraine would lack the unity which is necessary to rebuild the country.

For Ukraine, this worst-case scenario could materialize if several developments were to occur. First and foremost, the armed forces would be severely worn down, and face arms supply issues. We would also see a weaker Zelensky presidency, possibly under pressure from an embezzlement scandal, "peace party" or, on the contrary, from nationalists demanding stronger power. The government could fail to maintain Western support or tire of Western opinions.

Internationally, this scenario assumes a continuation of Russian energy exports to Asia and a pricing strategy on the part of the gas powers. Moscow would exploit its diplomatic networks to the full, enjoying strong support from China in the face of American influence. Meanwhile, the influence of pro-Ukrainian governments in Poland and Northern European countries in the European Union would be on the wane. For the storm to be perfect, an international development such as a crisis in Taiwan would absorb US attention.

Scenario 3: Protracted war

A third outcome for this conflict could see an inability of both protagonists to gain the upper hand over the other over a period of several years.

This manifests itself in a stabilization of the main front lines, as battles continue to break out over localities of secondary importance (road junctions, river locks, bridges). For example, Moscow could resume the offensive toward Kyiv with limited success and focus its efforts on consolidating the Donbass.

On the other hand, Ukraine could try to push its advantage from Kherson southwards to threaten Crimea. This scenario does not preclude intense fighting and limited success on both sides. These would fail to change the overall balance of the conflict.

Several factors could combine to bring about this situation. Western military aid could reach a "plateau" due to the state of stocks and nature of weapons. Ukrainian combativeness could remain without producing the spectacular effects of the end of summer 2022 because of a "learning curve" on the Russian side, notably in the articulation between the different armies.

On the Russian side, this violent status quo could occur because of the structural limits of its military tool: tactical rigidity, deficient logistics, stretched fronts and supply chains, limits of human resources, culture of lies in public administrations, etc.

Exogenous factors could lead to military and diplomatic decay. Neither side is in a position to get its own population and allies to accept negotiation on the basis of the current military balance of power. For Russia, there has been no clear success; for Kyiv, territorial integrity has yet to be restored. Entering into negotiations would be an admission of failure for Vladimir Putin and would put him at risk. For Volodymyr Zelensky, agreeing to talks would be a renunciation that would cause him to lose the very broad support he currently enjoys both internally and externally.

In this option, Ukraine would become in 2023 a new unresolved conflict in the post-Soviet space.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
CAMBRIDGE  Cambridge school board member Neil Gifford resigned Friday, the day the schools last-ditch appeal of a state order banning its Indian mascot was filed.

Gifford, a consistent supporter of efforts to retire the mascot, cited the controversy as his reason to leave five months before the end of his term.

Thursday, at the boards regular monthly meeting, school Superintendent Douglas Silvernell said the boards attorneys had completed the appeal and would submit it the following day.

The deadline for the appeal was Monday.

The filing contests state Education Commissioner Betty Rosas November 2021 ruling that the board improperly rescinded a vote in June 2021 to retire the controversial image and nickname.

The board lost a previous appeal in June 2022 when Acting Supreme Court Justice Sara McGinty upheld Rosas decision. The board voted at the time to authorize a further appeal as a placeholder while it discussed whether to pursue the matter. The board told the attorneys to proceed in October.

The state Education Department has discouraged Native-themed mascots in public schools since 2001. In November, Rosa ordered state public schools to retire Native-themed mascots by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

In a letter of resignation addressed to Silvernell, Gifford praised Silvernell, his predecessor Vince Canini, and the amazing faculty and staff at the school, and thanked district voters for electing him to three terms on the school board.

Until last nights Board of Education meeting, I remained hopeful that information, reason and empathy would ultimately triumph in board decision making, Gifford wrote. Board members must rely on these things, and the opinions of the actual experts we hire (like yourself), in our decisions.

Since as the commissioner of education highlighted, it was the current board majoritys repeated arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion, and their supporters actions regarding the logo, that were ultimately responsible for eliminating Indigenous mascots, logos and team names in public schools across all of New York state, I remained hopeful that the board would accept the reality of the recent statewide NYSED order and abandon their attempt to appeal the NYS Supreme Court decision.

The boards choice to proceed despite the evidence and the boards three losses on this issue already prompted Giffords resignation, he wrote. I know I have more to offer CCS, but I cannot in good conscience serve on a board of a public educational institution that continues to use public resources to pursue personal agendas over objective, evidence-based decision making.

Discontent with the Indian as a potentially racist image had been brewing in the community before a Native American activist attacked it at the December 2019 board meeting. That triggered an eruption of demands for and against removing the mascot. During sometimes stormy meetings, Indian supporters, including some Native Americans living in the district, insisted that the Indian mascot was meant to honor and respect Native Americans. Gifford, who is conservation director of the Albany Pine Bush, sided with those who said research shows race-based mascots have a harmful effect on all students.

In a tense board meeting in June 2021, Gifford cast the deciding vote to retire the Indian. That vote was overturned the next month when two new board members and one incumbent overruled Gifford and board member Caleb Breault. In response to an August petition by mascot opponents, Rosa threw out the the second vote on the grounds that it was arbitrary and capricious. During sometimes tense meetings, Gifford and Silvernell drew fire from Indian supporters who said they were untrustworthy and called for their resignation or removal.

The school has not made public how much it has spent on legal fees for appeals.

Giffords and Breaults three-year seats are up for election in May. Petitions to be on the ballot are due on April 17 at the district office.

On Monday, the schools website noted Giffords resignation without comment.

The Board of Education is assessing its options to fill his vacant seat, the post read. More information will be shared at the March 9 Board meeting.
QUEENSBURY  Three people were arrested on multiple misdemeanor charges, including drug possession, after a traffic stop on Monday.

At 10:36 p.m., New York State Police stopped a car on Corinth Road in Queensbury for multiple traffic violations. According to police, the car had been taken from Glens Falls without permission from the owner.

The driver then provided false identifying information, but was later identified as Caitlin M. Pruess, 30, of Glens Falls.

Pruess had multiple outstanding warrants, one of which was for false impersonation from Lake George Town Court. Police said that while being taken into custody, she resisted and unsuccessfully attempted to flee.

Police discovered multiple glass smoking devices and controlled substances in the car. Passengers Fantasia L. Jabot, 27, of Queensbury, and Vincent R. Potter Jr., 22, also of Queensbury, were also arrested.

Polise said Potter Jr. was also found to possess an illegal weapon.

All three were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Jabot also was charged with second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Pruess also was charged with second-degree criminal impersonation, resisting arrest, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and on a warrant for false impersonation.

Jabot and Potter Jr. were issued appearance tickets for Queensbury Town Court on Feb. 27 and released. Pruess was taken to Warren County Jail to await arraignment.
MOREAU  Sacre bleu! Not only was Tuesday St. Valentines Day, it also marked the 260th birthday of General Jean Victor Marie Moreau, the charismatic Frenchman for whom the town of Moreau was named.

Not much is known of this distinguished French gentleman, however it is known that he came to this area in 1804 and that the people who settled the town were so impressed with the visiting Frenchman, General Jean Victor Moreau, since his lasting impression endowed the town with his name, and thus the town of Moreau was born, reads a short explanation on the towns website.

To commemorate the namesakes birth date, Moreau Town Historian Brigid Martin donned a replica French military uniform during Tuesdays Town Board meeting.

He was a French general, and he fought with Napoleon until Napoleon took a turn and then he was allegedly in a conspiracy to kill Napoleon, Martin explained. They went through a whole big trial and everything, and instead of executing him at the end, they exiled (Moreau) to America.

According to a Britannica article, Victor Moreau was born Feb. 14, 1763, in Morlaix, France. His father was a lawyer who discouraged his son from entering the military and insisted he pursue a law degree instead. In 1788, while attending law school in Rennes, Moreau led a student riot to protest King Louis XVIs attempts to restrict the authority of the French Supreme Courts. When the full French Revolution broke out in 1789, Moreau jumped at the opportunity to fight for his Republican values.

Moreau rose in the ranks of the new French Army and participated in the military coup that brought Napoleon Bonaparte to power. Bonaparte rewarded Moreau by giving him command of the Rhine Army and troops in the Helvetic Republic. Moreau won a decisive battle over the Austrians, causing them to surrender.

Jealous that Moreau had brokered peace, and not Napoleon, Bonapartes wife, Josephine, began smearing the general, leading him to again rail against the ruling class. In 1804, Moreau was arrested for engaging in a plot to overthrow Bonaparte and emigrated to the fledgling America to escape French tyranny.

Later, he was called in to fight against Bonapartes forces in Germany. He was wounded in the Battle of Dresden and died from his injuries several weeks later on Sept. 3, 1813.

There are scant records of Moreaus time in the area, but Martin said shes read accounts of his reputation of fighting for liberty against all oppressors even his own countrymen, making him a hero to the people.

They really love that heres this, you know, (fighter) for liberty, and he fought Napoleon, so they were like, yay, she said.

With Americas Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) coming in 2026, Martin said shes hard at work making preparations for the area to celebrate its revolutionary history. And hopes to shed more light on Moreaus legacy.

I have a fellow coming from Geneseo, she said. Were gonna be able to have one come this summer to help do research so we can maybe apply for different historic markers and things like that.

But for now, Martin said shes happy just to spread the word by dressing the part.

Everybodys really liked it, so Im glad I did it, she added. Part of being a municipal historian is you have to educate and tell people about history, so I figured what better way to do it.
LAKE GEORGE  Village residents with septic systems will see a large increase on their bills after March 1.

The Lake George Village Board voted unanimously in favor of increasing septic rates from $60 per 1,000 gallons to $100 per 1,000 gallons at its monthly meeting Monday evening.

Village Board members discussed the average size of personal septic tanks and came to the conclusion of 1,000 gallons.

Residents sending their sewage to the villages new wastewater treatment plant, which opened in the summer of 2022, will be required to pay the new rate, a $40 increase, each time the tank needs to be emptied.

The board noted that, in comparison, the rate at the Glens Falls treatment plant was already between $75 and $80, with an increase expected.

I think we should just raise it to what we think Glens Falls is going to go up to. It makes no sense to raise the rate this year and then have to do it again next year or the year after, Blais said at the meeting. We should raise it to something everyone can live with for a few years.

Septic systems and lake quality

The Lake George Park Commission first began looking at ways to inspect septic systems and collect data on water quality impacts in 2021, after it was believed homes near the lake could have faulty tanks that are leaking sewage into Lake George.

Failing septic systems have officially been identified as a source of pollution in the lake.

In a 2021 Post-Star article, Park Commission Executive Director Dave Wick said 65% of the occupied parcels in Lake George Park are on septic systems; there are more than 6,200 septic systems in the Lake George Park area.

In the fall of 2022, Warren County announced an additional $635,000 in grant money was available to residents in need of septic system upgrades through the New York State Septic System Replacement Program. The statewide initiative identified Lake George as a water body in need of protection in 2021.

In April 2021, Warren County was first awarded $340,000 through the program, which has since helped to fund 36 septic improvement or replacement projects in or around Lake George.

Most recently in December 2022, the commissions Septic System Review Committee proposed a final draft of the new wastewater regulations for residents surrounding the lake.

The regulations state the purpose of the regulations are to preserve and protect the water quality and ecology of Lake George and protect the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors to the Lake George basin by ensuring compliance with design and maintenance standards for wastewater treatment systems, providing consistent review of such systems, and optimizing the efficacy of these systems to prevent degradation of the lake from wastewater pollution.

The regulations require septic tank owners to pump out their system at least every five years and also lists the following regulations for compliance:

No person shall own, operate or maintain a wastewater treatment system that is failing.

No person shall own, operate or maintain a wastewater treatment system that is substandard, except as authorized by the Commission.

No person shall inhibit or prohibit a wastewater inspection as directed by the Commission.
OCEAN CITY  A venerable local hardware and lumber business has big plans and an application before the Planning Board that could, if approved, reshape the neighborhood of 12th Street.

Shoemaker Lumber Co. has been in business for more than a century, catering primarily to contractors.

There have been rumors that the business could shut down, or possibly leave the island, but company President Jim Argerakis described the companys plan as the exact opposite of that.

The company plans to invest in a new commercial building and lumber storage area, keeping the business in operation and in Ocean City in a much larger structure. It also plans to consolidate its storage areas.

If it all goes as planned, it should be pretty magnificent, Argerakis said.

A separate application seeks to subdivide another area of the property at 12th Street and Haven Avenue into eight single-family lots.

Chamber to hold business, beautification awards ceremony in Ocean City The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce will once again host the Chambers Citizens of t

Plans filed with the city propose the current store on West Avenue be demolished and grass planted at the site.

The business has been in operation since 1902, founded by Charles and Homer Shoemaker. Brothers Don Tarves and Fred Tarves, along with their business partner Al Neill, bought the business in 1964. Neill continue to work there for more than 50 years.

Owners Lynne Tarves and Janet Young are sisters-in-law. Fred Tarves was Youngs father. Lynne married Youngs brother Jim Tarves. He and Youngs husband, Dick Young, were central figures in the company operation, but Jim Tarves died in 2016, while Dick Young died in 2020.

They helped build this business up in a very big way, Argerakis said.

Argerakis started at the company in 2020. Young and Tarves credited the planned expansion to Argerakis, saying without him they may have decided to cash out, selling the business or the property. Tarves said that would have changed the local economy if builders and contractors had to leave the barrier island every time they needed additional supplies.

One contractor told me he was considering retiring if we closed, Tarves said Wednesday.

Businesses clean up, reopen after flood; Wawa still closed OCEAN CITY  As coastal towns statewide flooded during a winter storm that struck the Mid-At

Argerakis, for his part, shifted the credit to the staff, many of whom have worked at Shoemaker for years.

The company proposes to demolish the existing store and build a new facility across 12th Street, where the company has three storage buildings loaded with lumber and other construction supplies.

Plans are for the existing building at 12th Street and West Avenue to be demolished, according to plans filed with the city. That work would not take place until the new building is completed, if approved, Argerakis said.

The Planning Board is set to consider three applications that are part of the proposal at its March 1 meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave.

The first would be to build four new storage structures at 1129 Haven Ave., the second for a subdivision at 1205 Haven Ave., the third for site plan approval for the proposed new commercial property.

Argerakis said the plan would consolidate the sprawling business and allow it to expand the operation. That will include catering more toward property owners, while still seeking to keep the contractor side of the business booming.

For now, he said, contractors will come by before a major project, but fewer residents will grab a hammer or new drill.

Were a great hardware store that nobody knows about in some respects, Argerakis said.

The new structure will also include room for an expanded showroom for kitchens and baths. It will improve the parking situation as well, Argerakis said.

The current parking configuration associated with the current Shoemaker Lumber Store can best be described as a hodge podge, relying on street parking an a small, paved lot across 12th Street, reads the application to the Planning Board. The plans call for a larger and improved parking area at the new store and on the alley.

It will also be safer, the application contends.

Realistically, the new store and parking configuration will be improving safety in the area, as any person familiar with the current parking situation for the current Shoemaker operation at 12th Street and West Avenue realizes that the situation is problematic at best and can be treacherous at worst, the application reads.

Ocean City's Shoemaker Lumber adapts to industry changes OCEAN CITY  Shoemaker Lumber has adapted to sweeping changes in Ocean City and the industry

The first step will be the construction of a new warehouse, with a lumber racking system that Argerakis said will make more efficient use of the space. That will allow more flexibility and consolidation of operations.

It will allow us to have more flexibility. Today there is no vertical storage over there, Argerakis said.

That project is expected to start in the spring. When completed, that will allow the store to be better stocked and to offer a greater selection of materials, he said.

The 37,950-square-foot area now has three storage buildings and an open area for storage of lumber.

Argerakis argues the proposal will be an improvement for Ocean City and allow the company to better serve its customers.

Its really exciting, he said. It will be bigger, better and serve the community better.

He would not say if further development could eventually take place at the site of the current building, saying the projects already on the drawing board are more than enough to work on for now.
A Chinese doctor (1st R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana checks a Ghanaian patient's eyes in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. The Chinese medical team stationed at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra has offered free surgeries since last November to restore the vision of Ghanaians suffering from cataracts.(Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Elizabeth Dzokpe is a retired nurse from Kpando in the Volta Region of Ghana. She regained her vision this week thanks to the Chinese medical team in Ghana.

"I could not see well in the right eye, and sometimes, after taking a few steps, it felt like I was about to fall. I came to the hospital and was diagnosed with cataract," she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Cataract is a common cause of visual impairment. To restore sight, patients need to undergo surgeries, which are cost-involving, preventing low-income Ghanaians with cataracts from accessing treatment to restore their vision.

The Chinese medical team stationed at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, has offered free surgeries since last November to restore the vision of Ghanaians suffering from cataracts.

Dzokpe became one of the beneficiaries and has her vision regained after the free surgery on Monday.

Cheng Zhixing, an ophthalmologist and member of the Chinese medical team, led his Ghanaian counterparts to perform phacoemulsification cataract surgeries to restore the sight of cataract patients.

According to the medical team, more than ten cataract patients have regained sight due to the team's help since last November.

Senam Aidam, head of the Ophthalmology Unit of LEKMA Hospital, lauded the Chinese medical team for the great work they have been doing at the hospital.

"I have been working with Doctor Cheng, and he has been helping me. I do the old type of surgery, which is manual small incision cataract surgery, but he has been assisting me with the phacoemulsification surgery," she said. "We work together with the nurses, and it is teamwork, so it's been going on very well." 

A Chinese doctor (R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana operates a surgery on a Ghanaian patient suffering from cataract in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. The Chinese medical team stationed at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra has offered free surgeries since last November to restore the vision of Ghanaians suffering from cataracts.(Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

A Chinese doctor (R) from the Chinese medical team in Ghana checks a Ghanaian patient's eyes in LEKMA Hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on Feb. 13, 2023. The Chinese medical team stationed at the LEKMA Hospital in Accra has offered free surgeries since last November to restore the vision of Ghanaians suffering from cataracts.(Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
Democrat Carolyn Rush is getting an early start on running in the 2024 election for New Jerseys 2nd District congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd.

The engineer from Sea Isle City announced her candidacy Thursday.

Its early, but its my understanding if you dont start early, its too late, Rush said in a phone interview Thursday. They tell you that the incumbents are constantly fundraising, planning for the next election, which is sad. It would be much better if they were doing the peoples work. It is what it is until we can get campaign finance work done.

Rush said her campaign will focus on strengthening the economy, womens health care rights, the health of the planet and the root causes of rising crime.

Rush ran in the Democratic primary in 2022 but was defeated by civil rights attorney and retired law enforcement officer Tim Alexander, of Galloway Township.

Alexander lost in the general election to Van Drew, who was elected to his third term in office.

Van Drew, Alexander to debate Oct. 19 at Stockton University GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  The two major-party candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in 

Van Drew was first elected to Congress in 2018 as a Democrat, changed parties in 2019 after refusing to vote to impeach President Donald Trump and was re-elected as a Republican in 2020 and 2022.

Rush said she has reached out to all six county Democratic chairs and executive committees in the 2nd District to let them know she is running again.

Some have wished her luck, but Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman  with whom she had some public disagreements in 2022  has been less than positive, she said.

I bumped into Mike Suleiman at an event ... (and) asked him for a meeting and he declined, Rush said.

Suleiman said Thursday he is still waiting for Rush to apologize for wrongly saying he coerced other county chairs not to support her last year.

The allegation is false, Suleiman said. Several other county chairs issued a letter last year denying Suleiman had coerced them in any way.

I doubt she is going to be our candidate. Frankly, if Amy Kennedy were to run again Id support her.

Alexander would also be a good candidate again, he said, as would Egg Harbor Townships Hector Tavarez, who ran last year but dropped out after the Atlantic County Convention and backed Alexander.

Rush did say in 2022 she shouldnt have used the word coerced but has continued to say Suleiman worked to prevent others from supporting her.

Also in 2022, the Atlantic County Democratic Committee filed a complaint against Rush with the New Jersey Secretary of States Office, arguing Rush was using a slogan too close to its own.

Atlantic County Democrats, like those in the other counties in the district, supported Alexander. (Gloucester County Democrats supported both candidates.)

But the secretary of state allowed Rush to continue using her slogan. She ran under Atlantic County Democratic Organization, while the official slogan Alexander ran under was Atlantic County Democratic Committee.

House seats are up for election every two years.

Im excited to resume traveling throughout the entire 2nd District to learn more about what its constituents are looking for in their elected representatives and the issues that affect them most, Rush said.

To request specific policy information for the Carolyn Rush for Congress campaign, email info@carolynrushforcongress.com.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  Melanie Collette, a GOP activist and former candidate for Middle Township Committee, wants the Republican nomination for the Cape May County Board of Commissioners this year.

Commissioner Jeffrey Pierson has decided not to seek another term. Collette wants a shot at that seat, and has the support of Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue. The two have long been friends, and Collette has worked on Donohues campaigns.

The other commission incumbent, Will Morey of Wildwood Crest, plans to seek another term.

Wednesday was the deadline for potential candidates to submit letters of intent to county GOP Chair Michael Donohue, the brother of Mayor Donohue. The Republican leader did not respond to questions of whether any other candidates will also seek the nomination.

In March, the members of the Republican committees from each of the communities in Cape May County plan to meet in a convention, where nominees will be chosen for endorsement in a secret ballot. The nominees for the general election are still decided in the June primary, but the convention usually solidifies support behind a slate of candidates in advance of the spring vote.

If Collette gains the nomination and goes on to win in November, she would be Cape May Countys first Black woman elected to the Board of Commissioners, which had previously been called the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Pierson will not seek another term in Cape government CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE  Jeff Pierson, a retired brigadier general who serves on the Cape May 

Last year, the Democrats nominated a Black woman for the board, Julia Hankerson, but she fell well short against Republicans Andrew Bulakowski and incumbent E. Marie Hayes.

Democratic county leader Marie Blistan did not respond Thursday morning to questions about potential candidates this year. Hankerson has said she will not run again, and Democrats are heavily outnumbered in the county.

In announcing her candidacy Wednesday, Collettes campaign focused on her familys commitment to public service and her work on behalf of Republican candidates, volunteering for Tim Donohues successful campaign for Middle Township Committee in 2011.

Collette had worked in education in Woodstown and Middle Township, according to the campaign announcement, which said she left that career out of frustration with the Progressive agenda-driven state of public education in New Jersey. She is now the community engagement director for Assembly members Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic.

She said she would campaign for conservative causes and what she described as the Cape GOPs commitment to affordable government and traditional American values.

I am committed to keeping our taxes low, fighting for our fair share from Trenton and improving the quality of life for all our residents and visitors, Collette said. Im here to do the hard work. I will not let you down.

Desiderio to lead Cape May County Board of Commissioners CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE  Leonard Desiderio will lead the Cape May County Board of Commissioner

Im proud and honored to endorse Melanie Collette for County Commissioner and call on my fellow Republican elected officials to do the same, Mayor Donohue said in the announcement. Melanie (has) proven her commitment to our cause through her work in countless campaigns. She is fearlessly committed to our American values and building a brighter future for our county.

It is important that we continue to choose candidates dedicated to the CapeGOPs conservative, common sense mission; to ensure government remains responsible to the people and always puts our taxpayers first, Collette said. I am committed to doing the demanding work needed, along with our great county employees, to provide outstanding services to our residents at a cost we can all afford.
After two more dead whales were found on beaches in New Jersey and Virginia, state Sen. Vince Polistina called again for a moratorium on offshore wind work so scientists can determine whether there is a link between the two.

In a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, Polistina, R-Atlantic, asked for a 30-day pause on work by companies to develop offshore wind turbines, a focal point of Murphys efforts to have New Jersey contribute more to the U.S. clean-energy industry. He has set an offshore wind goal for the state of 11,000 megawatts by 2040.

The Governors Office on Wednesday said the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and state Department of Environmental Protection are jointly coordinating an Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative to research potential impacts of offshore wind, both environmentally and economically.

As the Murphy administration advances its bold offshore wind development goals, the (DEP) will continue to coordinate with NOAA to diligently monitor whale strandings on our shores, Deputy Press Secretary Bailey Lawrence said Wednesday.

Polistina told Murphy he represented a growing number of concerned residents, both in Atlantic County and throughout the State of New Jersey, saying the recent beachings are completely unprecedented from anything we have ever seen in our lifetimes.

Polistinas letter was sent to Murphy two days after a 35-foot female humpback whale, the ninth to wash up on beaches in New Jersey and New York this winter, was discovered dead in the retreating waves in Manasquan, Monmouth County. A North Atlantic right whale washed up Sunday in Virginia.

Upper Township will not call for wind power moratorium UPPER TOWNSHIP  While area communities and local representatives have called for a halt to 

Necropsy results released Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed the Manasquan whale was hit by a vessel. Ocean Wind 1, a project of Danish energy company rsted, is said to be the first of multiple wind farms off New Jerseys coastline. Using close to 100 wind turbines about 15 miles from the beach, the project is expected to generate 1,215 to 1,440 megawatts of power. Other projects are also in the works.

By issuing a moratorium on wind work, Polistinas letter said, a diverse group of experts can study whale necropsy results and publicize their findings.

You repeatedly told New Jerseyans during the COVID pandemic to follow the science, Polistina wrote. I urge you to live up to that mantra and let science provide us some insight into what is going on before one more whale washes up on our beaches.

Since Dec. 1, six humpback whales stranded in New Jersey have been studied by teams to attribute a cause of death. One additional dead humpback was reportedly floating in the ocean off the coast in January but was never seen afterward, NOAA said.

Brigantine hosts third offshore wind meeting BRIGANTINE  State and federal lawmakers joined local officials and residents in expressing 

Federal officials and some environmental groups have said there is no evidence suggesting work to map the ocean floor off South Jersey led to the whales deaths. Whale deaths have been on the rise since 2016, according to NOAA, and in several incidents, investigations into the individual whale deaths have found evidence the animal was struck by or collided with a vessel. This has not deterred some lawmakers and concerned citizens.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, said last week he was going to hold a congressional hearing on offshore wind projects around March 16.

Seaside towns such as Brigantine, Margate, Stone Harbor and North Wildwood have also called for a moratorium on offshore wind work.
MILLVILLE  The state Judiciary did not find evidence of bias by city Municipal Court staff in scheduling defendants with Latino-sounding last names after investigating claims by the courts judge, according to findings released Thursday.

In December, Judge Jason Witcher said defendants with Latino-sounding surnames were summoned to court in person without a chance to go before him virtually. Following the allegations, the state judiciary announced an investigation into the matter.

Witcher again made the accusations during a court hearing in January, according to the report.

The investigation found no direct evidence that Millville Municipal Court officials were denying individual defendants the opportunity to appear for court virtually because they had a Hispanic/Latino-sounding surname or a need for interpreting, according to a report from the Judiciarys Administrative Office of the Courts. The investigation uncovered no evidence of a written or unwritten scheduling policy in the Millville Municipal Court that discriminates against defendants with Hispanic/Latino-sounding surnames.

Witcher said its not important if he agrees or disagrees with the Judiciarys findings.

I dont know why the observations of a small-time Municipal Court judge in a rural county gained so much attention, except that the issue was important enough to deserve the attention it has received, said Witcher in a statement. If people benefit by it, and the system is better because of it, then it is worth all the hell Ive had to endure for it.

Millville school board fighting liability claims in alleged sex abuse by ex-teacher MILLVILLE  The citys Board of Education is asking a Superior Court judge to dismiss three 

According to the report, more than 2,500 defendants appeared in Millville Municipal Court from Oct. 5 through Dec. 14.

Of 492 defendants categorized as having Hispanic/Latino-sounding surnames, 330 defendants were scheduled for virtual sessions and 162 were scheduled for in-person court events, according to the report. More than 94 percent of cases were scheduled consistent with the Supreme Courts order.

The report outlines several statewide reform measures designed to raise awareness of the availability of interpreting services for both virtual and in-person court events. As part of those reforms, information about interpreting services will be added (in English and Spanish) to municipal court notices, opening statements delivered before court proceedings and the municipal courts page of the Judiciary website.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said earlier this month that the state Division of Civil Rights was investigating the claims after members of the Latino Action Network, one of the states largest advocacy groups for Latinos, called for more transparency as to whether that office was fulfilling its request for a probe.

In a statement, the Division on Civil Rights said it is conducting its own full, fair, and independent investigation of the matter. That investigation, which also encompasses whether any person or entity has engaged in unlawful retaliation in response to these allegations of discrimination, remains pending.

Network member Cuqui Rivera applauded the reforms outlined in the report.

Theyve (Judiciary) done something to correct it, and thats a plus, Rivera said Thursday.

The Judiciary interviewed 10 state court employees and spent more than 500 hours reviewing Millville Municipal Court files, listening to audio recordings of court sessions and interviewing relevant staff, according to the report. Court staff reviewed more than 3,000 cases scheduled during the period, according to the report.

Marie Keith, administrator for Bridgeton Municipal Court, which Witcher also serves, backed Witchers claims, according to the report.

In her statements, Keith, who worked for the city Municipal Court from February to May 2022, told investigators, it seems like cases are being scheduled in person based on their last name and that it is possible that the cases could have been scheduled by surname.

Keith, however, conceded she had no personal knowledge about anyone scheduling calendars by surname.

City Court Administrator Kimberly Hamlyn said when interviewed during the investigation that a persons last name doesnt play a part in how cases are scheduled.

Latino advocates demand probe of bias in Millville court PENNS GROVE  One of the states largest advocacy groups of Latinos on Thursday repeated the

That includes when an interpreter is needed, she said.

We do not move cases from virtual to in person when a litigant requests an interpreter, Hamlyn said.

Neither Hamlyn nor City Commissioner Charles Kirk Hewitt, who oversees public safety, responded to requests for comment Thursday.

Despite the reforms, Rivera said she would like to see the state be more active in addressing issues Latinos face.

Dont wait until an allegation occurs like this to look into these things, Rivera said. Have periodic checks and balances.
Over 74 haiku poets from across the country got together in the city recently to celebrate the 400-yearold art form

A community of Haiku lovers recently got together to celebrate the 400-year-old art form of traditional Japanese poetry that is not more than three lines long.

The Triveni Utsav celebrated the 10th anniversary of the group INhaiku and the first anniversary of Triveni Haikai India along with the book launch of Amber I pause.

Kala Ramesh, poet and founder of Triveni Haikai said, This is the 8th Utsav. Our poets meet online daily, but meeting and having discussions and taking back memories binds people. We started the Triveni website last year and in one years time we had 35 webmasters.

Haiku poets were called to be the host, and a body of Haiku poets contributed. After a year we saw 74 poets who joined us.

Flautist Milind Date performed meditative silence while the Haiku Charades presented haikai through Bharatanatyam which was performed by Radhika Karandhikar.

This was followed by a masterclass for the poets. The aim was to nurture poets. I have taken countless workshops, for all ages. In my next session I will experiment with drama, kathakali and other art forms, Kala added.

Triveni is a community of Haiku lovers and practitioners formed by Kala Ramesh. It eventually became an activity hub for poets.

A sixth-grade student, Naureen, who came all the way from Calicut, was the youngest to participate in the event. After I learned about this form of poetry, I decided to join this group, she said.

Another member Srinivas Rao Sambhangi, 57, from Hyderabad, said, It was my second time here. I enjoyed the dance programme. Haiku takes you closer to nature, and rejuvenates you. I want more people to join the haiku community.
Bramha Suncity residents, animal lovers stick to their stands, lodge cross complaints; woman resident alleges sexual harassment while animal lover claims her cellphone snatched, car vandalised; police trying to solve issue amicably

Refusing to dilute their respective stands, animal lovers and residents of Bramha Suncity in Wadgaon Sheri on Wednesday lodged cross complaints. A 48-year-old woman resident was allegedly sexually harassed and hit by a car when she opposed an animal lover, who was recording a video in the society. The animal lover alleged that she was thrashed by a group of 10 women and her cellphone was snatched away. However, the Yerwada police have been mediating and hoping for an amicable solution to the issue.

A seven year-old boy, playing with his grandmother in the Bramha Suncity society, was badly bitten by a pack of 7-8 stray dogs last week. He is now being treated in the ICU of the Sassoon General Hospital. Following the incident, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) sent its staff to catch the stray dogs on the society premises. At the same time, some animal lovers also visited the society to feed the stray dogs. The dispute took place when the residents opposed the animal lovers entering into the society.

A 48-year-old woman has named Kapil Patwardhan, a resident of Erandwane, Nitasha Saxena of Viman Nager and Soumya Mamunuru of Wadgaon Sheri in her police complaint.

The complaint stated that on the day of the incident, a PMC van had reached the society to catch the stray dogs. The complainant and her husband went down to the premises. She saw that the accused were entering into the society without making an entry in the society register. The victim alleged that Patwardahan, Nitasha and Soumya illegally entered the residential area and tried to hit the security guard.

The complainant then saw that Patwardhan was taking video of women present there in his mobile. When the complainant objected to this, she was allegedly thrashed and sexually harassed by him. Patwardhans car dashed her, when she sustained injuries to her leg.

The Yerwada police have lodged an FIR under sections 354, 441, 279, 326, 323, 504, 506 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act.

On the contrary, the animal lovers alleged that they were beaten by society residents. A complaint in this regard was lodged by Nitasha Saxena (35). She named Swapnil Holkar (45) and other 10 women in the Bramha Suncity. According to her complaint, she visited her friends house in Bramha society, along with Kapil Patwardhan and Saumya Mamnuru on February 11. She noticed that 40 to 50 people were gathered to catch the stray dogs. Her friend Kapil was doing Instagram live of the incident. The society residents wanted to confiscate his cellphone. When he resisted, the group of women thrashed her and damaged Kapils car.

The police lodged the FIR under sections 143, 144, 147, 148,149, 403, 323, 427, 504, 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

Senior PI Balkrishna Kadam of Yerwada Police station said, We received several complaints regarding the stray dogs issue. We have coordinated with the civic staff about the same. Following the dispute between the animal lovers and society residents, we have lodged cross complaints. The animal lovers had no reason to visit the society. The investigation is underway. We are trying to solve the dispute amicably. There should be proper discussion and solution for the issue. We will be hearing both sides and will take further action.
By: Ankit Shukla

The greenery on the divider below the Ambedkar Chowk flyover in Gultekdi has been replaced with garbage, hanging cables and wires. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has failed to maintain the place or provide dustbins in the area, say local residents.

The residents claimed that their complaints to corporator and the PMC authorities have fallen on deaf ears. As a result of this, the presence of garbage on the divider has led to street dogs searching for food, which can cause accidents, said one of them.

Hanumant Chalwadi, a 60-year-old resident, said there were green plants on the day of the inauguration of the flyover. However, no one cares about the place now. People throw garbage at the spot, as there are no dustbins. Another resident, Shivsharan Bore, said that nobody is taking any action. Even workers of the civic sanitation department throw waste in the area after sweeping.

Amajad Mohammad Sheikh, a social worker, has lodged complaints multiple times, but to no avail. This, despite the fact that an office has been established by the PMC for registering citizens complaints in Dholemala School.
A Davenport man has been arrested for allegedly lying about his drug use on an ATF form in order to purchase a firearm, Davenport Police said.

Kenta Quenshawn Hopson Jr., 24, is charged with one count of providing false information when acquiring a weapon. The charge is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Cory Hughes, on Aug. 1, 2022, Hopson went to Theisens Home, Farm & Auto Supply in Davenport to purchase a weapon.

To purchase a firearm, the buyer has to complete ATF Form 4473.

Question 21, section E, of the form used at the time Hopson made his purchase asks, Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.

According to the arrest affidavit, Hopson is a known marijuana user and marked that he was not a marijuana user on the form.

A warrant for Hopsons arrest on the weapons charge charge was issued Dec. 20.

Hopson had been arrested Nov. 6 on charges of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana-first offense, and being a person ineligible to carry weapons.

During a traffic stop, officers seized 1.8 grams of marijuana from Hopson while he was in possession of a Ruger pistol.

Both charges are serious misdemeanors that carry a jail sentence of up to one year. A pretrial conference on those charges is scheduled for March 15 in Scott County District Court.

Hopson was arrested on the weapons charge Wednesday and booked into the Scott County Jail. He was released after posting 10% of a $5,000 bond through a bonding company.

During a first appearance on the charge Wednesday morning in District Court, Magistrate Paul Aitken scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Feb. 24.

Federal authorities could take over the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods. Instituted in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Justice Department initiative that brings together law enforcement at all levels to reduce gun violence.

Providing false information on ATF From 4473 carries a federal prison sentence of up to 15 years and a possible fine of up to $250,000. There is no parole in the federal system.
Israeli soldiers are seen in a building after they blew it up in the West Bank city of Hebron, Feb. 16, 2023. Israel's military announced Thursday that it had demolished the home of a Palestinian perpetrator of a deadly shooting attack in the occupied West Bank in 2022. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military announced Thursday that it had demolished the home of a Palestinian perpetrator of a deadly shooting attack in the occupied West Bank in 2022.

Footage released by the army showed blasts demolishing the upper floor of a five-story building in the city of Hebron at dawn, causing damage to other stories and streetlight poles. Grey smoke emerged from the apartment.

The deadly shooting took place in October last year when Muhammed Kamel al-Jabari opened fire near a checkpoint located between Kiryat Arba and Hebron, where two of the most hardline Jewish settlements are located. He killed Ronen Hanania, a 50-year-old resident of Kiryat Arba, and injured several civilians before a security guard shot him dead.

Al-Jabari's home was demolished after the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal by his wife, who had been living in the apartment with her three children.

The demolition comes amid a surge of violence in the West Bank, a land captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Israeli forces killed at least 46 Palestinians there since the beginning of 2023, mainly during daily raids allegedly aimed at arresting suspects in a string of deadly Palestinian attacks. Official figures from Israel showed 11 Israelis have been killed in those attacks since the beginning of 2023.

Israel frequently demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers, even if they were killed during the attack. The Israeli government claims that this measure aims to deter potential attackers, but the Palestinians and human rights groups argue that it constitutes collective punishment and only fuels more anger and unrest among Palestinians. 

Smoke billows from a building as Israeli forces blew it up in the West Bank city of Hebron, Feb. 16, 2023. Israel's military announced Thursday that it had demolished the home of a Palestinian perpetrator of a deadly shooting attack in the occupied West Bank in 2022. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
The city of Davenport failed to notify a state regulator when it disturbed waste at an old public dump while working on Veterans Memorial Park, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed this week.

City staff said the violation was merely an unintentional oversight of paperwork, and they had been in communication with the proper authorities while making improvements at the riverfront park. The land at Veterans Memorial, including all of Centennial Park, once was an unregulated dump site. The Iowa DNR refers to it as Old Davenport Dump.

The DNR this week declared the city in violation of state code, which came after Ald. Judith Lee, 8th Ward, raised concerns about the citys reporting of activity and handling of the site. Her questions and requests deepened a rift between her and city officials, who said she was micro-managing and inappropriately directing city staff.

On Wednesday, Davenport Public Works Director Nicole Gleason wrote in an email that the unintentional oversight with the DNR was merely a matter of failing to submit the right form, which does not diminish the citys responsible handling of the project. City officials cited a stormwater discharge permit it received from a separate DNR division for the project that did not mention waste.

A supervisor in the waste division of the agency, however, said the DNR regards the citys non-notification a violation of waste-specific state code, regarding the excavation or disruption of a closed dump without first notifying the DNR in writing.

While the land was a public dump from the late 1800s until it was closed in 1973, city staff told the DNR that waste had unexpectedly been encountered during excavation there last summer, according to the states report.

Lee, who runs an environmental advisory company, spotted waste in earthen berms in the fall and asked about the citys contact with regulatory agencies, along with plans for cleaning up whatever was disturbed. She persisted, she said, in conveying her concerns and her research findings.

In January, the city attorney admonished Lee in writing, saying she was micro-managing and disrupting city staff on multiple topics, not just Veterans Memorial Park.

She was told city staff would not respond to her outside of a city council meeting, and was requested she direct communication through the city attorney until April 1.

Lee does not deny she loaded the city with questions and independently verified state rules related to dump sites. But she doesnt apologize for her efforts, given her environmental expertise and what she said was a lack of response by the city over an important matter.

On Tuesday, the DNR waste division issued the Notice of Violation, citing Iowa code that requires anyone who disturbs a dump site to notify the agency in writing and provide a plan that describes construction activity, the amount of waste disturbed and/or excavated.

The DNRs notice requires the city to file an operational plan, which Gleason said the city intends to do. The report did not find evidence of current exposed waste at the site.

Whats this about?

Its widely known that beneath the two acres of Veterans Memorial Park is a former dump site. For many, thats an attractive reuse of the land.

This is a beautiful thing, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said in an interview Friday. Were taking something that really had no purpose, cleaning it up, and taking all the trash and getting rid of it and making a park.

But because the dump site pre-dates any record-keeping requirements and no known soil testing has been or is required to be completed, the contents of the underground is largely unknown.

If you dont know, you cant say its a big deal, and you really cant say that its not a big deal, said Western Illinois Universitys Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies, Roger Viadero.

A 2002 environmental report commissioned by the city and done by HR Green looked at 12 acres of former dump sites, including the two acres at Veterans Memorial Park. It recommended additional soil testing be conducted because contaminates typically found at dump sites and landfills can include heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.

The city never commissioned the recommended study, and it remains unclear whether contaminants exist there.

In preparing Veterans Memorial for expansion, the citys contractor excavated more than 2,800 tons of debris, including dirt and waste, according to Scott County Waste Commission records.

That kind of excavation, Viadero said, is not uncommon and typically is the way to handle disturbed waste.

A second pass, which included construction of a temporary bike path, uncovered more waste. Based on guidance from the Waste Commission, that garbage was reburied in a trench at the park.

Conditions at the park

Winter weather put a temporary halt to finishing the project, and the city placed erosion-control mats over soil at part of Veterans Memorial and small barriers along walkways to prevent soil migration.

Alderman Lee asked more questions.

She sent emails and thumb drives to staff, asking questions about soil from the unfinished construction site running off onto the bike path and into the river.

If the city had provided her with documentation of communications with the DNR, Lee said, I would have gone away happily.

Instead, city staff assured Lee, other aldermen and a Times/Dispatch reporter that they had proper contact with regulatory authorities throughout the project. When Lee asked for a copy of the contacts and the citys plan, she got neither.

The outcome I desired is that state code be followed, Lee said. That potential contamination and hazardous areas and materials that are exposed where the public is and wildlife are exposed to, I want those to be followed. I dont care what they do on the site, but theyve got to do it right in terms of environmental protection and protection of human health.

County asked to help

Lee first spotted the garbage near Veterans Memorial during the summer and took photos beginning in October 2022 after bringing the conditions to the attention of city staff.

She didnt share the photos at first, figuring the garbage would be cleaned up during the course of construction, she said.

Around the same time, the city was reaching out to Kathy Morris, executive director at the Scott County Waste Commission. Though the commission has no authority over the Davenport land, Morris is experienced in matters involving landfills and dump sites.

Morris said she contacted the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and asked for information on the laws and regulations for closed dump sites. Morris said she did so at the citys request and supplied officials with the information she received.

The law was succinct but specific: No person shall excavate, disrupt, or remove any deposited material from any active or discontinued sanitary landfill or closed dump without first having notified the department in writing.

Morris said she told city staff, too: If they came upon excavated waste, the choices are to haul it out to the landfill or the second option is to leave it in place and cap it or cover it.

Morris added that constructing the park over the dump site is a safe and appropriate use of the land.

How did we get here?

Large swaths of Davenports riverfront  not just Veterans Memorial  are built upon buried waste, dumped there decades before landfill requirements came into existence.

By 1975, all 50 states had some kind of solid-waste regulations, which varied considerably by state. But an absence of prior regulation and record-keeping means the contents of the sites are a mystery.

The DNR estimates 400 to 500 pre-1975 dump sites exist in the state and about half of them have been identified and located. In Scott County, the DNR has identified at least three dump sites, including the one under Centennial Park and west along the riverfront and others on West 76th Street in Davenport and in Long Grove.

Garbage buried beneath Centennial Park, the DNR says, likely includes the land under Modern Woodmen Park, which was built in 1931.

At Veterans Memorial

The three flag poles, pathways, rock and signage honoring veterans at the western border of Centennial Park was dedicated in May 2011 by then-Mayor Bill Gluba.

It followed years of quarrel, regarding location. A group of veterans formed a nonprofit, which helped to raise funds for and to advocate for features such as expanded pathways, the river overlook, and an informal grass amphitheater.

It took another 10 years before funding was sufficient for another phase of construction.

Davenport last year budgeted $800,000 for pathways, benches, sun shades and the river overlook. The amphitheater wasnt included, but Friends of Veterans Memorial Park said at the time they are hoping it can be included as a future city project.

City officials and park supporters held a groundbreaking for the current phase of construction on May 5, 2022.

DNR officials visit the riverfront site

The only call the waste division of the DNR had with the city of Davenport, said senior environmental engineer Brian Rath, was with Davenport Parks and Recreation Director Chad Dyson in late November or early December  months after the excavation at Veterans Memorial.

During that call, Rath said, the park director assured Mel Pins, the Iowa Brownfield Redevelopment Program Manager, that Davenport was not disturbing waste during the Veterans Memorial project. He also assured the DNR that the city is aware of the proper procedure in the event waste was uncovered.

Dyson said that characterization of the call was not accurate, but said he didnt wish to debate what was said.

Although the DNR recently found that Davenport was, in fact, in violation of waste-related state code, there are no penalties associated unless a plan isnt submitted, said Mike Sullivan, Supervisor of Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites at DNR. About seven similar notices have been issued in Iowa in the last five years, he said.

When we draw attention to it, usually its an oversight on their part, Sullivan said. Usually we dont have any other issues.

In general, its rare for the Solid Waste Division of the DNR to dole out penalties, said Matthew Graesch, an environmental specialist with the department. The department is more concerned about bringing entities into compliance.

He said he could not comment on Davenports site, but said, in general, theres not much the DNR can do at closed, unregulated dump sites.

The only real regulation governing those old dump sites is Iowa Administrative Code 567-100.5, and it basically says if youre going to disturb buried municipal waste, you have to submit a report to DNR so we know its occurring, Graesch said. We dont have the authority to tell someone not to disturb it. If you disturb it knowingly and dont properly handle it, youll be regulated under solid waste and contaminated site rules.

The whole idea is preventing humans and the environment from coming into contact with a known hazard.

City attorney admonishes Ald. Lee

Concerns by Lee first arose when she spotted the exposed garbage at Veterans Memorial Park.

She asked questions and sent emails, she said  not to derail park construction but to make sure the city was properly handling the old dump site.

After a walk around the park with City Attorney Tom Warner on Dec. 2, Lee wrote him an email, saying, Tom, we clearly are in violation.

In a Dec. 30 email to city and county officials, she again asked for the information the city supplied to the Iowa DNR.

Replied Warner: Quite frankly, while I appreciate your concern, efforts and your monitoring of the situation, you are edging towards micromanaging this project.

He wrote that appropriate staff had been in touch with the DNR and Morris at Scott County Waste. He said a contractor would or had installed erosion control to arrest the migration of waste and that when conditions permit, the site will be appropriately capped.

On Jan. 16, Lee wrote another email about Veterans Memorial Park: I continue to be concerned that the city is not in compliance with state law. I am not questioning IDNRs oversight. I am questioning the type of information provided by the city with any self-reporting that may have occurred, considering the photos I have taken of the site since late summer and provided to you.

I just see the situation getting unacceptably worse.

She added that she regarded her request for a copy of any reports to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as reasonable.

What are the next steps? she asked. And how will the steps to remedy these problems be funded?

Warner responded to Lee 20 minutes later, writing: We will continue to work with our regulator, the IDNR, in relation to this project. Any project that requires council approval will be placed on the councils agenda.

Two days later, Warner sent the alderman another email, directing her that until April 1, she was to cease contacting staff other than himself.

He informed her that city staff will not be directly engaging, responding to or speaking with you about city business, projects or staff activities outside of a meeting of the city council.

Warner cited Lees Jan. 16 email in which she said she questioned the information that was being supplied to the DNR by the city as well as an unrelated email she wrote to him and the police chief.

 ... the tone and tenor of the email implies staff is misinforming people  thats a serious matter and should not be lightly bandied about and it exposes the City and you to serious liability, Warner wrote.

(I am) not sure what has happened in the past months that precipitated this change in your approach to staff. Know that it has generated complaints and is not appropriate. My sincere hope is that things will be able to return to normal protocols on April 1.

Alan Kemp, the executive director with the League of Cities, said cities generally have the authority to direct the way in which council members communicate with staff. Occasionally, conflicts arise, and a council member and staff may need to negotiate how aldermen speak with staff, he said.

It becomes a practical challenge for city staff if they suddenly have five or seven bosses reaching out to them and asking questions and specifically directing them, Kemp said. It can become confusing.

Lee singled out

While Lees colleagues on the Davenport City Council receive routine notifications about city business, she now gets nearly all information through Warner.

She recently forwarded to Warner concerns from a resident about garbage pick-up and issues with neighbors. Normally, Lee said, she would be able to convey her constituents problems directly to the appropriate city department head.

Asked whether Lees admonishment was directly related to her questions about Veterans Memorial Park, Warner wrote: There have been multiple employee complaints about her behavior over the past several months related to various topics.

A single alderman is one of 10, and letting a single elected official direct staff and micromanage projects would give that alderman a greater say in outcomes than the other elected officials. Ald. Lee is not the first elected official who has caused their contact and communications with staff to be limited.

Lee denies offering direction to staff lower than department heads.

In response to claims of micromanaging, Lee said: I felt that, since I had the expertise, the ability to read regulations and understand them, I had a responsibility that if there was a potential that this was wrong, that the city at least needed to look into it.

The mayor disagreed, saying aldermen should trust city staff to manage the day-to-day processes of the city.

All of us elected officials are policymakers, not project managers, Matson said.
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A woman was found dead Wednesday morning outside an assisted care facility in the 4100 block of Winfield Street in Rapid City.

According to a news release from the Rapid City Police Department, officers responded to a call at approximately 7:20 a.m. Wednesday for an unresponsive female lying in the grass within a fenced-in area of the property. When officers arrived, the woman was found to be dead.

RCPD spokesperson Brendyn Medina told the Journal the woman was not associated with the care facility. No foul play or trauma is suspected.

The RCPD news release said camera footage showed the woman going into the fenced area outside the facility on Tuesday evening. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week

The woman's name and age has not been released pending law enforcement notifying her family. Police continue to scour the neighborhood for additional video in order to determine the circumstances leading up to her death.

"That's where a lot of our questions revolve around right now. What was she doing in that area? Where did she come from? What were the circumstances that existed before she got to where she ultimately passed away?" Medina said.

Anyone with security video from the neighborhood that could be useful to the investigation should contact Detective AJ Randazzo in the RCPD's Investigations Division at 605-394-4134.
The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting nominations for South Dakotas Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication program.

Naming South Dakota bridges in memory of our fallen servicemen and women gives an opportunity for remembrance, reflection and respect  honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. South Dakota has dedicated 29 bridges honoring 32 heroes since 2019.

In 2023, South Dakota will dedicate 12 more state bridges in honor of fallen heroes who died while serving in combat or who were classified as missing in action. More than 3,000 South Dakotans have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Nominations are due by April 1 to the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs with all supporting documentation attached. The online form is available on the Bridge Dedications page of the SDDVA website -- go to vetaffairs.sd.gov/resources/ and click the Bridge Dedications box. Nominators are encouraged to indicate their preferred state bridge site for their respective hero.

To learn more about the program and to view stories about bridge honorees, go to vetaffairs.sd.gov/resources/ and click the Bridge Dedications box. To view the list of South Dakota casualties by county, go to vetaffairs.sd.gov/resources/sdmemorials.aspx and click on SD War Casualties by County.
Its getting harder and harder to pry any spare change out of Montanas historic $2.5 billion budget surplus, as eight- and nine-figure spending bills pile up in the Legislature.

Democrats on Tuesday evening joined with most Republican lawmakers on the House's top budget committee to endorse a new bill that would take a quarter-billion dollar bite out of Montanas budget surplus, dishing it out as infrastructure grants throughout the state.

House Bill 355, sponsored by Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, would shell out more than $265 million for infrastructure projects that could range from road repairs to wastewater treatment plants to airport maintenance. Along with the 18-5 bipartisan vote from the House Appropriations Committee, its got the backing of Gov. Greg Gianfortes office and more than two dozen cities, counties, labor groups and other organizations. Its also got a sponsor list spanning the GOPs ideological spectrum and including a handful of Democrats.

I do personally believe that one of the best things we can do here in the Legislature is help some of the people back home solve some of their problems, Fitzpatrick said. He added that during his campaign, he heard little from constituents about abortion and other hot-button issues that have animated debates during the first six weeks of the session.

I think one of the things that we have in this bill is a real opportunity to do something very good for the people of Montana on a bipartisan basis, he said.

The bill uses a formula based on population, but gives more weight to counties with lower-than-average income and property value. The lowest-population counties, like Treasure and Petroleum, would get a minimum of $300,000 apiece. The most populous county, Yellowstone, occupies the other end of the spectrum. It would get about $39 million.

Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, was one of the committee's five no votes on the bill. He explained his position as largely because Im alarmed at the number of massive bills coming through the committee to grab the surplus.

Mercer specifically called out a couple proposals with big price tags that have recently come before the budget committee. One would pull about $72 million from the surplus to fill up a trust fund that uses interest to pay for school facility maintenance in the state.

Another, sponsored by the committees chairman, Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, would pull nearly a half-billion dollars from the surplus, in part to bolster emergency funds used as a hedge against a possible recession. That estimate of the fiscal impact by the Department of Revenue was published after the bills hearing earlier this week.

Of what weve seen in the committee so far, Im more interested in spending $300 million on the pensions than anything else, Mercer said. So Im worried about trying to stage these trains in a way we dont run out of money. And at this point, Im gonna vote 'no' on this because I dont put this train at the front of the line.

But Mercers argument was also reminiscent of complaints from Democrats when his own $480 million bill to provide income-tax rebates was procedurally stitched into a $1 billion spending package last month that included several budget priorities from the governors office. Democrats repeatedly decried the speed with which GOP lawmakers ushered it through the House  it passed largely on party lines last month  and pleaded for more time to consider it along with other spending proposals.

I believe that we really need to look at these independently, slow down and allow for consideration of other policies and how they interact with the bill, Rep. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, said during the floor debate on Mercers bill two weeks ago.

As a member of the House budget committee, Caferro has also argued that effectively carving such a large chunk out of the surplus will come at the cost of targeting help toward low-income Montanans, or sufficiently funding the services the state already provides. As an example, shes drawn attention to the wave of nursing home closures in the past year, and the impact on those elderly residents. Its one of many places where the state could step in with funding to help fix an immediate problem, Caferro suggested.

Mercer said Wednesday that while he sees the resemblance between his argument and that of the Democrats, he felt the Republican caucus needed to show that substantial tax rebates were a priority before allowing other spending proposals to start jostling for support.

That $1 billion package cleared the House at the beginning of February, and has now begun working through the Senate. It includes:

HB 192: Would spend $480 million on one-time rebates for income-tax payers who owed money in 2021 or 2022. Rebates would be capped at $1,250 for individuals or $2,500 for joint filers.

HB 222: Would spend $284 million on one-time rebates for property owners who owed property taxes in 2022 or 2023. These would be capped at $1,000 per household

HB 251: Would spend $185 million to pay down the state debt.

HB 267: Would place $100 million in a new fund to provide matching funds for federal construction grants.

That package, consisting of competing proposals from legislative Republicans and the governors office, employs a sort of mutually assured destruction device to bind their fates together. Identical coordinating provisions in each bill state that if any one of them fails to make it into law, the effect of the other bills will be cut in half.

Beyond that package, a range of other GOP proposals for how to spend the surplus are still working through the Legislature. A nonexhaustive list of those bills includes:

HB 269: Would create a proposed $108 million disaster resiliency fund to pay for disaster mitigation programs. The proposal from the governors office has picked up bipartisan support.

HB 321: Would spend $72 million to fill the school facilities trust fund while also diverting some coal severance money to establish a new fund for conservation districts.

HB 226: Would spend $300 million to patch up the pension fund for state employees, along with changing the funding and contribution policies related to the plan.

HB 424: Would spend $487 million to boost the states wildfire response fund and budget stabilization fund. The latter pot of money exists to help the state navigate a budget shortfall in the event of another recession.

Democrats have brought their own ideas about how to most responsibly handle the surplus cash, which lawmakers on both side of the aisle have called a potentially once-in-a-generation opportunity.

But those proposals so far have largely been voted down by Republicans, who hold historic two-thirds majorities in both chambers this session. They control the House 68-32 and the Senate 34-16.

Rep. Emma Kerr-Carpenter, D-Billings, said in an interview Wednesday that the session is far from over, and she's holding out hope that Democrats' ideas for spending will be given a chance.

"Our proposals are popular," she said. "It's the things we've heard from taxpayers  they want tax relief, they want affordable housing, they want child care."

Larger Democrat-sponsored spending bills include:

HB 258: Would spend $109 million on a mix of tax refunds for property owners and renters. Democrats have argued that GOP property-tax refunds effectively snub renters, who tend be lower-income than property owners. It was voted down on mostly party lines last month in the House Appropriations Committee.

LC 1933: Still in draft form, this proposal would spend $500 million of the surplus, placing half of it in a trust to gain interest for funding affordable housing projects in the state. The other half would set up a grant and loan program to increase affordable housing
Tuesday Morning, an off-price retailer of home goods and decor, plans to close five stores in the Richmond area as a result of the company filing for federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week.

Here are the five Richmond-area stores Tuesday Morning wants to shut:

251A N. Washington Highway in Ashland

9125 W. Broad St. in Henrico County

14613 Hancock Village St. in Chesterfield County

C7043 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville

7101 Forest Hill Ave. in Richmond

The list of affected stores in Virginia includes seven stores in Norfolk, Newport News, Manassas, Alexandria and Woodridge.

Tuesday Morning announced this week that it is pursuing Chapter 11 protection to reduce its outstanding liabilities, obtain significant and necessary capital, and ultimately transform into a nimbler retailer that serves heritage markets in a profitable manner.

After considering how best to address Tuesday Mornings exceedingly burdensome debt, we have determined that the best path to reorganizing and transforming the Company begins with a Chapter 11 filing, said Andrew Berger, CEO and director, in a statement. We look forward to taking steps that enable us to emerge as a stronger retailer that draws on a legacy of offering a unique off-price value proposition to our loyal customer base.

During the restructuring process, Tuesday Morning plans to focus on optimizing its store footprint and focusing on its core markets. The company intends to close stores in low-traffic regions while allocating proper resources to stores in high-traffic regions.

According to a statement, The company believes this targeted approach to winding down unprofitable and underperforming stores will position Tuesday Morning to emerge from bankruptcy with a profitable, cash-generating store fleet that serves its most engaged and loyal customers.
Every time Richmond foodies clap their hands, a new smash burger, street taco or rustic Italian joint seems to get its wings.

More and more restaurants are replicating the same concepts these days  and somewhat successfully, I should add. But it leaves you wondering: Doesnt anyone have anything original to say?

Thankfully, JewFro does. If perspective is, indeed, currency in the food business, the visionary Jewish-African fusion restaurant, which started as a pop-up and then evolved into a brick-and-mortar spot in 2021, has a surplus of riches.

JewFro Address: 1721 E. Franklin St. Phone: (804) 269-0742 Website: www.jewfrorestaurant.com Open: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday Vibe: 1970s-themed decor, with groovy pink and mustard-yellow walls Ideal for: Jewish-African fusion dishes and dazzling cocktails Service: Average Noise level: Moderately loud to loud on the first level; quieter on the second level Best seat in the house: The bar Vegetarian: Yes Parking: No; street parking only Wheelchair accessible: Yes Reservations: Yes, on Tock Outdoor seating: No

Modern fusion concepts are often devised as marketing ploys, kitschy mashups of popular cuisine inclined to make more money than they do sense. Not so for chef Ari Augenbaum and restaurateur Trey Owens  the prolific team who, along with their partner, Nar Hovnanian, also gave us Soul Taco. For them, its an act of activism.

Owens conceived the idea after learning of antisemitic remarks by comedian and TV personality Nick Cannon. Controversies like this  and more recently, the Kanye West fiasco  are nothing new, however.

There have long been flashpoints amplifying conflict in Black-Jewish relationships, writes renowned Black-Jewish author Michael Twitty, whether it be anti-Black racism within the Jewish American community or anti-Semitism within the African American community.

Cannons comments were simply a spark that lit the creative fire. Owens, who is Black, and Augenbaum, who is Jewish, have since taken a stand. By linking the foodways of the Jewish and African diasporas together and weaving elements of them into coherent culinary narratives, they want the food at JewFro to serve as an expression of unity, both symbolic and educational, between their respective communities. The name itself, JewFro, makes the point provocatively.

And what better place to achieve some cultural healing than a space exuding 1970s-era love-and-peace vibes, in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood  the site of the Virginia Holocaust Museum and, historically, the center of Richmonds slave trade in the 19th century?

Augenbaum and Owens bold, empowering, boundary-pushing vision has certainly resonated with food media folks, contributing to the success of their restaurant. Bon Appetit magazine, just last year, featured JewFro, praising the restaurant as the first of its kind in the country. With a second JewFro location forthcoming in Raleigh, N.C., the popular food website Eater dubbed it one of the regions most anticipated restaurants. And Richmond Magazines annual shortlist of restaurants also included JewFro, calling it fusion at its best.

All the recognition is well deserved. But is perspective, even an abundance of it, enough to sustain a restaurant?

At times, the brilliance of JewFros vision is realized  in such dishes as, believe it or not, gefilte fish ($14). Turns out, when you take that love-it-or-hate-it staple of the Jewish holiday table, deconstruct it into dainty slivers of rockfish sashimi, and cap this off in a spindrift of horseradish foam and pickled garnishes, you wind up with a refreshingly vibrant Yiddish crudo.

Same goes for curried potatoes, molded into bocce ball-sized kugel croquettes ($10). Fried to a daring shade of brown, theyve got both that mashed-potato creaminess on the inside and that bottom-of-the-fry-box crunchiness on the outside. Squiggles of aioli, rich with turmeric and other heady spices, tie in nicely with the curried potato flavors.

Hats off to the kitchen as well for applying the notion of toasted breadcrumbs over pasta to a plate of gnocchi ($23), plump pillows of them, fairy-dusted with pangrattato and crisped to completion in the pan. Although the berbere alfredo that accompanies this dish could afford some subtlety, instead of bludgeoning us with heat, the sauce does add an irresistible layer of intrigue  as do shreds of Eritrean-style brisket that give the gnocchi a beautifully unctuous gloss.

Elsewhere, though, the food comes across as more of a three-wheeled sportscar  fun to admire, cool to think about, just not fully developed enough to get off the ground. (If you dont catch the reference, watch the Elizabeth Carmichael docuseries on HBO.)

Braids of challah are tight and fluffless ($7). Clunky satchels of pierogi ($13) pack so much baking spice into the pumpkin filling, its like chomping on a fall-scented Yankee candle. And stalk-roasted clusters of brussels ($11) might look magnificent, yet beneath their caramelized veneer, theres an unsavory boiled quality that sends my inner-child fleeing from the dinner table.

Seasonings, teetering either too far over or under, prove a repeat issue for the kitchen. The verdant kick of Ghanian green pepper salsa, or kpakoshito, cant possibly counter the amount of coarse sea salt bombarding a piece of seared rockfish ($27).

Nor can an Ashkenazi Jewish-inspired tzimmes, a delightfully sweet medley of couscous and stewed fruit served in the hollow of a roasted gourd, compensate for the lack of discernable flavor in the braised lamb shank ($29). The lamb is allegedly zaatar spiced. Ill have to take their word on that.

More is needed, too, to balance the tongue-piercing acidity of lemon that hijacks the West African peanut soup ($10). And is it really that presumptuous to want more than a single minced-lamb kreplach dumpling, which floats along so lonely and sad in the bowl?

A huge saving grace is the innovative chutzpah of JewFros cocktail program. Equal parts spectacle and sophistication, the drinks are a mixological magic show for the senses. A rosemary-scented air bubble is shot tableside into a beet and tequila concoction ($13) that strikes a sweet, bright and herbaceous chord. The restaurants riff on an Old Fashioned ($14), made from fat-washed bourbon, gets rounded out by light and dark facets of smoke  cigar syrup and pipe tobacco plumes that billow downward into a dimpled whiskey glass.

Breaking new ground usually means hitting rocks along the way. And the terrain at JewFro has some bumps, for sure. A few ideas have already come to fruition, others have not. The hope is that, when the dust finally settles, the full landscape turns out to be as compelling as its pioneering founders promise.

Editors note: The Times-Dispatch has resumed publishing restaurant reviews. Because of the pandemic, restaurants will not be given star ratings.
Actors can sometimes be touchy about their past, particularly if it involves, say, participation in a pageant competition when they want to be
Two men have been arrested in a shooting early Sunday that killed a Henrico County man outside the Tropicabana nightclub on U.S. 1 in Chesterfield County.

Chesterfield police were called at around 2:46 a.m. to the club at 4900 Jefferson Davis Highway for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a man, identified as Maison R. Smith, 24, suffering from a gunshot wound. He died after being taken to a hospital.

Police said their investigation indicates that Smith was shot during a fight that occurred outside the Tropicabana.

Detectives identified and obtained warrants for two suspects in the shooting.

Gustavo Papalini Dosreis Neves, 19, of Henrico was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey, where he remains in custody on a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Police obtained warrants charging him with second-degree murder and felony use of a firearm. The warrants have not yet been served on him, police said.

In addition, Estenban Alejandro Flores Marquez, 23, of North Chesterfield was arrested in Chesterfield on Thursday; he is being held at the Chesterfield Jail. Marquez has been charged with reckless handling of a firearm and being an accessory to a homicide after the fact.

Police they are continuing to investigate the shooting and urged anyone with information to call the department at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660. Information can also be provided through the P3 app.

PHOTOS: Hola Hispanic Fest at Thomas Dale HS
DUSHANBE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed in avalanches in Tajikistan on Wednesday, according to the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense.

Eight people died and 22 residential houses were destroyed after heavy snow hit Khorog, the capital city of Tajikistan's eastern Gorno-Badakhshan Region. The avalanche also caused blackouts in the region.

Another two were killed in an avalanche near Dushanbe, the nation's capital, which also left many cars buried on a highway.

Local meteorological department has warned that the avalanche threat will last until Feb. 19.

Tajikistan, with mountainous regions accounting for 93 percent of its territories, is prone to natural disasters like avalanches and mountain torrents. 
Following a three-day trial and no verdict after 11 hours of jury deliberation, it appeared to both the prosecution and defense that the murder trial of Dima DeJesus Luna would end without a decision. Jurors appeared to be deadlocked.

So prosecutors offered Luna a deal: plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter  reduced from first-degree murder  and have his sentence be capped at seven years of time to be served. Luna also would be required to plead guilty to unlawful wounding and unlawful shooting into an occupied vehicle, but he would receive two five-year suspended prison terms for those offenses.

Depending on the degree of the murder charge, Luna could have faced anywhere from 40 years to a life sentence.

Luna, 47, a Guatemalan citizen who was accused of killing one man and wounding another 17 years ago by firing into an SUV, took the deal.

He did not want to run the risk of them coming back with a first-degree murder verdict, and a much more substantial sentence, the defense attorney, Julian Viscidi, said.

But as the plea agreement was being finalized, the jury alerted court officials that they had reached a verdict.

Chesterfield Circuit Judge Edward A. Robbins gave the parties the option of finalizing the plea agreement  or finding out whats behind Door No. 2 with the jury, Viscidi said.

Both sides stuck with the agreement.

The judge reviewed the verdict and sealed it. He did not tell anybody in the court what the jurys verdict was, Viscidi said.

But to their astonishment, the defense learned later from multiple sources that jurors had voted to convict Luna of murder.

In 31 years Ive never experienced something like that, said attorney Peter Baruch, Lunas co-counsel. Ive seen a lot, and that was absolutely a first for me.

It was a pretty crazy last few minutes that this came together, Viscidi said.

Viscidi said he and Baruch had encouraged their client to accept the verdict.

We were like, come on, we got the verdict, we spend three days trying this; lets just see what happens, the attorney said. But, thankfully, he did not listen to us on that part.

I dont know how our client was able to make that decision  just sitting there and having to decide what door to pick, Viscidi said. But he picked the right one.

While living in the U.S. illegally, Luna, then 31, was accused of killing Herber Felipe Sucup, 21, and wounding Elisea Camacho by firing into their vehicle on Sept. 13, 2006. The shooting occurred just after 2 a.m. in the 6000 block of Cricklewood Drive outside Lunas apartment.

According to prosecutors, Luna approached the SUV on foot and fired two shots into the vehicle. Camacho, who was driving the SUV, then drove to a convenience store at Dundas Road and U.S. 1, where police were called.

When officers arrived, they found Sucup dead in the back seat with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Officers followed a blood trail and located Camacho in front of Falling Creek Apartments. He sustained a non-life-threatening wound to his upper torso but survived.

The fatal shooting was featured on Americas Most Wanted in November 2009 after Luna fled the country.

A man who was also in the SUV at the time of the shooting but was not injured was the prosecutions key witness. His testimony supported the prosecutions account of the shooting.

Luna took the stand in his defense, and through an interpreter, denied he was the shooter. He told jurors that Camacho, Sucup and the other man showed up outside his apartment and threatened him, Viscidi said.

Luna said he and Camacho engaged in a fist fight, and during the scuffle someone in the group fired a gun but Luna was not sure who pulled the trigger  and whether the gun was fired by accident or design. Mr. Luna said he didnt have a firearm, and never had one, Viscidi said. He said he just heard the shots go off.

The fight between Luna and Camacho apparently was over a woman who was living with Luna, but in whom Camacho had a romantic interest. Mr. Camacho either an affair with Mr. Lunas girlfriend at the time, or as the very least was trying to get with her, Viscidi said.

After obtaining indictments against Luna in May 2018, Chesterfield County authorities succeeded in extraditing him back to the U.S. in January 2022 to stand trial.

Luna was accused in his home country of killing Angel Amado, the mayor of Rabinal, Guatemala, in a shooting in which Amado and one of his counselors were ambushed on a dirt road as they were riding in a vehicle to Guatemala City. Three other people were convicted and each sentenced to 71 years in prison.

But a Guatemalan court found Luna not guilty of the killing. Two days later, on Oct. 16, 2020, the countrys National Civil Police arrested Luna on a U.S. detainer related to the Chesterfield fatal shooting as he was being released from a Guatemalan prison.

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A Democratic-led Senate committee on Thursday voted down legislation that would have effectively banned transgender athletes at the K-12 and collegiate levels from competing on teams that align with their gender identities.

The Virginia High School League implemented rules and regulations in 2014 that allow transgender student-athlete participation with certain provisions. Since the rules enactment, the VHSL had heard 28 appeals for transgender athletes to compete in the sport that aligns with their gender identity, with 25 granted and three declined. Privacy laws prevent the VHSL from divulging details regarding why the three appeals were declined.

Del. Danica Roem, D-Prince William  who in 2018 became the nations first openly transgender state legislator  spoke out against the bill before it ultimately passed the House last week.

To beat up on trans kids because nine trans kids last year wanted to play sports, were now going to affect a policy for more than 1.2 million students ... because we had it out to make life a little harder, a little bit more miserable for those kids, Roem said on the House floor. There already is an alternative that is effective and thats working right now that does not require minors to have to strip in front of medical professionals who are adults in order for them to compete.

The legislation was killed on a 10-5 vote in a Thursday morning committee meeting, with one Republican voting with the majority: Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico.

The bill was the last of a dozen bills introduced this session that focused on transgender people. Most died before crossover, and the other bill that had passed the House was voted down in a public education subcommittee on Wednesday. It would have required school staff to notify a students parent if the student identifies as transgender or wants to use pronouns that are inconsistent with the students birth sex.

Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation, said in a statement: Senators seem to have forgotten the lesson of the 2021 election, where parents demanded involvement in the lives of their children, ushering Glenn Youngkin into the Governors mansion. Its as if the Senate is begging for the electorate to remind them of that message in their own elections this fall.

Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia, said in a statement: As we approach the end of a hard-fought legislative session that saw two anti-trans bills pass the floor of the House of Delegates, all bills targeting trans and nonbinary youth are officially dead for the 2023 legislative session here in Virginia.

These bills targeted young people  especially trans and nonbinary youth  further stigmatizing them at home, at school and in their communities. But everyday Virginians showed up in fierce opposition to all twelve bills and sent a message that hate is not a Virginia value.

Today in history: Feb. 16 1923: King Tutankhamen 1945: Island of Corregidor 1959: Fidel Castro 1960: USS Triton 1998: Airbus A300 2011: Borders 2012: Gary Carter 2012: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab 2017: Donald Trump 2019: Cardinal Theodore McCarrick 2021: Amy Cooper 2021: FEMA 2021: Houston WInter Weather
Should an incarcerated person who has served at least 15 years of their sentence and maintained good behavior in prison be allowed to have their sentence modified? A House of Delegates subcommittee said no.

Sen. Chap Petersens Senate Bill 842, which previously cleared the Senate, failed Wednesday night in a House Courts of Justice subcommittee  the same committee that defeated it last year.

Current state law allows people to have their sentences reduced through a good conduct allowance. The bill from Petersen, D-Fairfax City, would allow people the possibility to have their unserved time suspended. A judge would determine whether the sentence should be modified. Some former prisoners have had their sentences ended via pardons by governors.

This would give a more standardized process, Petersen said.

Hes hoping a childhood friend may be able to receive a pardon for a crime committed nearly 20 years ago, but said that pardons are arbitrary and down to who you know.

It makes sense for [prisoners] to have some dream and some vision that perhaps they could qualify for an opportunity to get out early, Petersen said.

Shawn Barksdale, a small-business owner and formerly incarcerated person, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in January: I know that change can happen because I was a person that people said youre lost, youll never be able to reform and I showed them differently.

Proponents of the bill were hopeful as it garnered bipartisan support this year. Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, spoke in support of the legislation at a news conference last month.

But on Wednesday, the legislation was met with resounding opposition from several victims of crimes who testified before the committee.

Mark Whittfield, whose daughter was shot while playing in a park, opposed the bill. Though Petersens bill would not apply to people who committed first-degree murder, Whittfield does not feel anyone involved in murder or manslaughter crimes should have the opportunity to get out of prison.

Im doing life without my daughter, he said. I believe that if you take a life, or youre involved in taking a life, you shouldnt get a second chance.

Kristen Hubbard said she was invited to speak Wednesday by Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, who chairs the full Courts of Justice committee and opposes Petersens bill.

Hubbard shared her experience of being carjacked, raped and beaten more than 30 years ago. Hubbard, who has previously discussed her ordeal publicly, spoke of how traumatizing it was to relive this horror as one of her assailants in Maryland petitioned for early release. She said second look bills cause re-traumatization for victims of crimes who must be contacted.

The defeat of the measure comes amid political sparring over Virginias parole board. A recent investigation by Attorney General Jason Miyares indicated that the former head of the board during the administration of Gov. Ralph Northam inappropriately released a high number of people without contacting victims or prosecutors as required.

The parole board exists to release only certain felons who committed crimes before 1994. Democrats say the previous boards prisoner releases were amid the earliest days of the pandemic and argue it was to keep the aging people safe.

But Miyares points to a couple of instances of recidivism as a further critique of former board chair Adrianne Bennetts actions. He would have sought charges, he said, if the statute of limitations had not lapsed.

Diane Toscano, a lawyer for Bennett, said in a statement: The Office of Attorney General has cherry picked a time period for scrutiny which happens to have taken place during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. In all cases of parole, Judge Bennett was but one vote of the board.

Americans are saving the least they have since 2005. Here's why that matters. Americans are saving the least they have since 2005. Here's why that matters. 'The big unknown'
A bill to ban state agencies from contracting with firms controlled by hostile foreign interests  originally aimed at Chinese Communist Party affiliates  died in the state Senate Finance Committee.

The bill, sponsored by Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, also would bar state employees or contractors from using TikTok or WeChat on state-owned or leased devices or on state wireless networks, as well as accessing any website developed by the Chinese firms ByteDance Ltd. Or Tencent Holdings Ltd, in line with a December executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

A narrower Senate bill, focused only on TikTok and WeChat as well as the websites, passed the Senate on a 20-20 vote, with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears breaking the tie.

Brewers bill passed the House initially on an essentially party line vote, with two Democrats  Fairfaxs Del. Dan Helmer, and Roanokes Del. Sam Rasoul  joining House Republicans in support, after the House adopted Helmers amendment broadening the bill to apply to foreign adversaries designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and not just to Chinese government-controlled entities. But when the House reconsidered the measure, it passed 99-0.

It was just the governor playing politics with national security, Helmer said of the original bill. He said his amendment was aimed at focusing the bill on national security rather than on China.

When the measure came before the Finance Committee, state Sens. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, and John Edwards, D-Roanoke, said it could be hard to track down foreign adversary ownership, especially if smaller technology firms change hands.

If youre going to comply with this, youre going to have to have some pretty smart people do it, Edwards said.

Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City, said he has had a case where an issue of foreign ownership arose, adding that with persistence, you can find this.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, said he was concerned about the part of the bill that named specific companies.

Im in favor of this but there is a proper way to do it, Deeds said, afterward.

This passed on a bipartisan basis, an angry Brewer said afterward I think this is playing politics with national security.

Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for Youngkin, said in a statement: Just last week fighter jets scrambled from Virginia shot down a Chinese spy balloon. Given the Chinese governments recent public attempts to spy on Americans, Virginia Democrats willingness to turn a blind eye to the CCPs invasive tactics is shocking. Cybersecurity and national security threats from the Chinese government are real.

During his State of the Commonwealth address, Youngkin called on the General Assembly to enact a measure barring Chinese Communist Party firms from acquiring Virginia farmland.

After the speech, he said he had pulled Virginia out of the contest for a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. battery plant because the automaker planned to operate it in partnership with a Communist Party controlled firm.

The plant is slated to employ at least 2,500 people. Before Youngkin pulled the plug, state economic development officials hoped to get Ford to build the plant on the Berry Hill Mega Site in Pittsylvania County. Ford eventually decided to build the factory in Michigan.
Historians say a recently restored log cabin that once housed enslaved African Americans in southern Stafford County is a rare find in Virginia, or anywhere else in the country.

They were never built to last hundreds of years, said Doug Sanford, a retired professor from the University of Mary Washingtons department of historic preservation. This is truly a rare survivor.

Sanford, who retired from the university in 2017, said hundreds of small slave dwellings  such as the log cabin that is situated on a hill near the southernmost tip of Lake Mooney  were a common sight throughout most of South during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In late 2014, Sanford, whose ancestors once owned the land the cabin stands on, joined University of Maryland associate research professor Dennis Pogue and a handful of University of Mary Washington students as part of a countywide study conducted by Dovetail Cultural Resource Group of Fredericksburg. That study ran until spring 2015, and its purpose was to locate any remaining slave quarters in the county, along with long-forgotten cemeteries and other sites or structures associated with slavery in Stafford.

We realized just in that one year, there were so many of these, it was such a common form of vernacular architecture, Sanford said. Today, whats left is just a low, low percentage of what was there.

Sanford said out of the possible hundreds of slave quarters, only seven are still standing.

The modern decline of Stafford Countys agricultural economy and the rapid pace and extent of residential and commercial development took its toll, Sanford said.

The research team also discovered a surprisingly high level of slave ownership among white households in Stafford by combing through U.S. census reports. Sanford said in 1860, Stafford County had a 60% slave ownership rate in that demographic. Sanfords fourth great-grandfather, Lawrence Sanford, whose 976-acre farm included the recently restored cabin, owned 20 slaves, according to Staffords 1820 census.

Lawrence Sanford, who was also a captain in Col. Gregory Smiths company with the 2nd Virginia Cavalry during the War of 1812, died in 1858 and is buried just north of the cabin in the family cemetery. He left the farm to his wife Apphia, who told census takers in 1860 she owned nine slaves who lived in three separate structures on the property, which was sold four years later after Apphias death. Over the years, the property changed hands until eventually ending up under county control as part of the Lake Mooney reservoir that opened in 2016.

Pogue said the Lake Mooney cabin probably survived demolition over the years due to its placement close to the property owners own home on the farm. He said in the 19th century, it was common to erect quarters for enslaved workers away from the primary residence of the farm.

The Burgess family took ownership of the land in 1860 and later converted the cabin into a work shed, adding more years to its lifespan. Pogue said several work tables were found in the structure, and a doorway that was added to the cabin at some point had weakened the structural integrity of the building.

It was pitched forward by 12 inches, Pogue said. That was a problem.

Sanford puts the cabin at just over 170 years old, based on the types of nails used, as well as identifying saw marks and architectural methods commonly used during that period.

Its the late Antebellum era, Sanford said. Its about 1850.

Brion Southall, the countys Parks and Recreation director, said when he first took a look inside the cabin, he knew restoration workers had a difficult task ahead.

There was dirt piled up on one edge and the logs underneath that dirt had gotten insects in them that had rotted, Southall said. The whole building was falling over. Something needed to be done or we were going to lose it.

Vintage Renovation and Construction of Winchester was hired to work on the 15-by-12-foot cabin and started the six-month job in July 2021. Workers disassembled much of the cabin and took the materials off-site for restoration or replacement after giving the building an inspection from the floorboards to the rooftop.

The flooring upstairs is quite nice and appears original based on its nails, wrote David Logan of Vintage Renovation. It does appear the upper portion of the cabin is in good condition.

Wooden logs of the cabin were professionally treated to weather the elements. Those that were rotted or damaged were either replaced with similar wood or pieces fabricated in a workshop. A new foundation was built at the original corners of the building before workers returned the cabin and reassembled it at its original site. Additional work included a new metal roof, lime daubing, siding, doors and window frames.

Although the exterior of the cabin looks impressive and inviting, the cabin and the crumbling structures that surround it are not open to the public. Southard said hikers approaching the the area should be cautious due to several hazards that the county will eventually mitigate, included piles of debris, old building materials and the presence of an old well.

James Tully, chairman of the countys Historical Commission, said he hopes the cabin and other historic sites like it across the county will soon be managed by a county official.

Were hoping the cultural resource specialist will assist in not only the enslaved persons cottage down at Lake Mooney, but all of the cultural resources across Stafford County, Tully said.

Since 2007, Sanford and Pogue have codirected the Virginia Slave Housing Project, an effort to document any remaining slave quarter sites throughout the state. For more information on the project, visit arch.umd.edu/research-creative-practice/special-projects/virginia-slave-housing/about.
Aeromar announces definitive suspension of all flights

Mexico City, Mexico  Aeromar has announced the suspension of all its flights due to a financial crisis. Up until three days ago, the airline was operating with only two planes, however, ongoing financial issues that have lasted four years has caused the airline to fold.

On Wednesday, Aeromar posted press releases on its website and social media announcing that all flights have been suspended.

After 35 years in operations, Aeromar announced the definitive cessation of its operations. As of Wednesday morning, Aeromar only had a couple of confirmed flights at the Mexico City International Airport ( AICM ), however, still, the company canceled all its operations.

This decision responds to a series of financial problems that the airline has been going through, as well as the difficulty of closing agreements with viable conditions that would ensure Aeromars operations in the long term, the airline said in a statement.

Aeromar releases a statement announcing it has ceased to operate. Statement: Aeromar. February 15, 2023.

The statement was released a few hours from the noon expiry of a term to settle a 520 million peso debt with the AICM, its main hub.

With the cessation of operations, Mexico Aeromar flights will also stop in Mexico City, Acapulco, Aguascalientes, Cancun, Chetumal, Ciudad Victoria, Colima, Cozumel, Guadalajara, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Ixtepec, Mazatlan, Merida, Monterrey, Piedras Negras, Puerto Escondido, Puebla, Puerto Vallarta, Tepic and Villahermosa.

The airline also had international destinations that included Havana, Cuba and Laredo, and McAllen, Texas.

In mid-January, authorities seized two airline hangars at the airport with which a payment agreement was sought with a non-extendable term.
Cancun police arrest suspect in shooting death of combi employee

Cancun, Q.R.  Police in Cancun have made an arrest in the shooting death of a combi company employee. The man was shot in the street shortly after noon Tuesday during a struggle with a second man. He was taken to hospital in a private vehicle but was pronounced shortly after being admitted.

Police in Cancun have since announced the arrest of 26-year-old Alexander N for the shooting death. In their report, police reported locating the now detained man from the scene.

During a surveillance tour of Galaxias del Sol Avenue, police came upon two men struggling. One of the men started shooting at the other before trying to run away. Police caught up with the shooter and made the arrest. Authorities did not provide any information as to what started the deadly argument.
INAH announces construction of site museum at Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, Yucatan  The head of the INAH, Diego Prieto Hernandez, announced the construction of a site museum at Chichen Itza. He says with the new infrastructure, the disclosure of the ancient Mayan city will be expanded.

He also announced a Visitor Service Centre for the Ek Balam Archaeological Zone, where the conservation of important structures is carried out.

The Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), has announced the construction of a site museum.

The Ministry has also announced the upcoming public opening of one more section on its route known as Chichen Viejo or Initial Series.

The General Director of INAH, Diego Prieto Hernandez, highlighted the work in Chichen Itza, the most visited archaeological site in the country, as well as in the Ek Balam Archaeological Zone.

The anthropologist indicated that the application of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza) has allowed for the executive project for the construction of the Visitor Service Center (Catvi) and the Chichen Itza Site Museum, whose construction, in charge of the company Associated Civil Engineers, has started.

He also noted that there is 75% progress in the qualification of the Initial Series or Chichen Viejo area, with the enhancement of a couple of platforms, one of them named Maudslay, in honor of the British archaeologist who began the explorations in that sector.

There is also the court of the Ball Game and the houses of the Moon and the Snails. Spaces that will substantially expand the visit circuit in this archaeological zone.

He explained that Ek Balam, an archaeological zone of singular beauty, close to the municipality of Valladolid, will also have a Catvi, of which the executive project is about to be completed.
Municipalities send 36 firemen to deal with stubborn Holbox garbage fire

Holbox, Q.R.  A garbage dump fire in Holbox proved difficult to extinguish. After being put out Tuesday evening, the fire began again over night. Firemen from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Lazaro Cardenas were sent to the island to deal with the burning garbage heap.

According to a briefing by Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil QRoo, 36 Cancun firemen arrived on the island of Holbox to deal with the stubborn fire. The fire was reported at the solid waste transfer site Tuesday around 3:00 p.m.

Firemen from three municipalities attend to the stubborn Holbox dump fire.

Photo: Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil QRoo. February 15, 2023.

On Wednesday morning, the National Guard, Mexican Army and the Navy arrived along with firefighters from the three municipalities to extinguish the fire that started up again during the night hours.

Jesus Alejandro Erosa Betancourt, Director of the Lazaro Cardenas Fire Department, said he was confident that it would be fully controlled during their second attempt.

The cause of this fire is still unknown.
U.S. to investigate origin of 1,000 weapons found in San Luis Potosi

San Luis Potosi, Mexico  The governor of San Luis Potosi says the U.S. government is interested in knowing the origin of the weapons that his government has seized. On Tuesday, San Luis Potosi Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona announced the start of an investigation by U.S. authorities.

During a Tuesday meeting with Roger Rigaud, the United States Consul General in Monterrey, they agreed American officials would review close to a thousand weapons seized during joint operations between state forces and national security.

He said the purpose is to find out where they are coming from and generate support strategies.

The two had met to sign security, migration and social assistance agreements.

(We sign) agreements that we have for the collaboration of the origin of the weapons that we have already collected, so many weapons that have been seized in San Luis Potosi, he said.

Rigaud said that he recognizes the challenges that exist in Mexico and that the security issue is one of the important ones in which they will support Mexico, mainly San Luis Potosi.

Governor Ricardo Gallardo stressed weekend operations that lead to the seizure of more than 6,000 doses of drugs and 45 weapons. He said that during his administration alone, police have seized around 1,000 weapons, which was one of the reasons for the Consul meeting.

The U.S. will investigate the origin of the weapons being seized in San Luis Potosi. Photo: Ricardo Gallardo Cardona February 15, 2023.

They are going to check weapon by weapon to see if they come from the United States or from other countries. They are going to send their people to have direct contact with the Prosecutors Office and the FGR that have the warehouses.

In San Luis Potosi, four 50-caliber Barrett firearms were seized in recent months. We did not keep them. They are in the hands of the Mexican Army and they are going to be reviewed to find out the origin of these weapons.

Neither of the two authorities provided information on the limits of this cooperation to review seized weapons, nor the conditions that the Mexican government could impose for sovereignty and internal security issues.
AU Executive Council meeting kicks off with call for concerted efforts to realize continental aspirations

Xinhua) 08:55, February 16, 2023

Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen (C) speaks at the opening ceremony of the 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Wednesday with a call for increasing efforts to deepen continental integration and toward realizing Africa's development aspirations. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Wednesday with a call for increasing efforts to deepen continental integration and toward realizing Africa's development aspirations.

The meeting, comprising foreign affairs ministers from AU member states and runs from Feb. 15 to 16, is being held under the AU's theme of the year for 2023 "The Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation."

Addressing the executive council, chairperson of the AU Commission Mussa Faki Mahamat said the evaluation of the implementation of the first decade of the AU's 50-year continental development Agenda 2063 has shown that Africa is moving forward, yet the continent has a long way to go.

"The success of the implementation of the second decade (of Agenda 2063) will depend on the level of how we take into account the various obstacles, including the effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of the decisions of the policy organs," he said.

Faki called for continental efforts in order to strengthen the position of Africa at the multilateral level, and also to look at the shared values that can be better harnessed.

The AU Commission chairperson also expressed concern over increasing peace and security threats as well as unconstitutional change of governments, which are some of the major continental challenges affecting Africa.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Acting Executive Secretary Antonio Pedro on his part called on African countries to exert concerted efforts towards the realization of the continental free trade area.

"The AfCFTA's continental market provides the economy of scale in manufacturing, leading to increased intra-Africa trade, eventually bringing supply chains closer to home and injecting a degree of self-sufficiency in essential products such as medicines, food and fertilizers," he said.

He said the continental free trade pact, by providing more opportunities for women and youth, helps reduce inequality and poverty, and improve inclusion.

Pedro, however, said 10 African countries are yet to ratify the agreement establishing the AfCFTA, which compromises the realization of the full aspirations of the free trade pact.

"Only through an accelerated and effective implementation of the AfCFTA can Africa build sufficient shock absorbers to build resilience," Pedro said.

Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, on his part, emphasized the crucial role that the AU and pan-African actors are playing in ensuring peace and security across the continent.

He underscored the AU's role in bringing an end to the two-year conflict in Northern Ethiopia.

"Over the past two years, we are grateful to see that our faith in the African Union has been vindicated," Mekonnen said.

"Africans should lead their endeavor to silence the guns in Africa. We call for optimal use of our peace and security architecture. This will help us address the remaining challenges in conflict management, prevention and resolution," he added.

The Executive Council meeting, which brings together foreign ministers of African countries at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, is expected to consider the draft agenda of the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, slated to be held from Feb. 18-19.

Photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Wednesday with a call for increasing efforts to deepen continental integration and toward realizing Africa's development aspirations. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Acting Executive Secretary Antonio Pedro speaks at the opening ceremony of the 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Wednesday with a call for increasing efforts to deepen continental integration and toward realizing Africa's development aspirations. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat speaks at the opening ceremony of the 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 42nd ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Wednesday with a call for increasing efforts to deepen continental integration and toward realizing Africa's development aspirations. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

PARIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 440,000 people across France demonstrated on Thursday against the government's pension reform project, the French Ministry of Interior said on Thursday.

However, compared with the four general strikes held since Jan. 19, Thursday's nationwide demonstration had the lowest participation rate, given the fact that a large part of France is on school holidays.

Nevertheless, according to the CGT, France's largest union, some 1.3 million people took to the streets on Thursday. The CGT announced that 300,000 people marched in Paris, although the Paris Prefecture counted 37,000.

Many public and private sectors in France also protested on Thursday, but the strike rate dropped considerably.

Only 14 percent of staff at France's national railway SNCF went on strike on Thursday, and only one in five high-speed trains was canceled.

The strike rate in state public service also decreased, to 4.9 percent among some 2.5 million civil servants. Only 7.67 percent of teachers were on strike, according to the Ministry of National Education.

Main unions in France have already called on workers to "bring France to a halt in all sectors on March 7" if the government and the parliament refuse to listen to the population.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne laid out details of the pension reform plan in January, 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. 

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People participate in a protest against a pension reform in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
A weekend fatal crash in Giles County occurred after a driver raced away from a traffic stop, leaving a deputy far behind, Sheriff Morgan Millirons said Wednesday.

Officers did not have Rebel Ray Hodges car in sight when it ran off U.S. 460 west of Narrows, tumbling down a hillside from the westbound lanes to land on the side of the eastbound road, Millirons said.

He just took off and he wrecked, Millirons said.  Its sad and it didnt have to happen.

As Millirons shared more details about his offices involvement in Saturdays incident, he said that other information has not come in yet, including results of blood toxicology tests.

The sheriff said that early Saturday morning, a deputy saw a car swerving as it headed west on U.S. 460 and pulled it over. As the deputy walked up the shoulder toward the stopped car, it sped away, Millirons said.

By the time the deputy was back in his own vehicle, the car was out of sight, Millirons said.

The deputy lost him, the sheriff said.

But the officer continued west on U.S. 460, passing another law enforcement officer that had a different vehicle pulled over. That officer joined the pursuit, Millirons said.

The officers drove through Narrows, then found wreckage.

They saw some debris in the road. They didnt know what it was, Millirons said. They got out and heard somebody holler.

According to information released Monday by Virginia State Police, Hodges, 35, of Rocky Mount, was at the wheel of a 1998 Chevrolet Prizm. Riding with him was Shaddai B. Boyer, 33, of Martinsville.

The Prizm was traveling at high speed when it went off the right side of the road, ran into a ditch and turned over, state police said. The car came back across the westbound lanes, hit a guardrail on the left side of the road, then went downhill to stop on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes of U.S. 460.

The wreck occurred at about 2:33 a.m. about a half mile west of U.S. 460s intersection with Virginia 61 at Narrows, state police said.

Hodges, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle and died, state police said. Boyer, who wore a seatbelt, survived.

It was Boyer whose shout alerted the officers, Millirons said
Two dogs reported stolen from their owner Feb. 7 in Waid Park near Rocky Mount were found dead Tuesday on the side of a road about 4 miles away, the county sheriffs office said.

County resident Terry Michel was walking his two black labs named Caleb and Colby on one of the trails in Waid Park on Feb. 7 when, according to his wife Rhonda Michel, they got loose chasing a squirrel. Michel followed them and reported seeing two men load the dogs into an off-white Jeep Grand Cherokee and drive away.

Rhonda Michel said the men lured the dogs with food into the vehicle parked in a gravel driveway just before the parks entrance.

Sgt. Megan Huston with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office said deputies in the county and police officers in the town of Rocky Mount were asked to be on the lookout for the SUV after the incident.

Cameras located in the park were not useful in this instance. Though cameras record every vehicle that enters and exits the park as well the parking lot, the location where the dogs owner reported them taken is outside of the view of the cameras, Huston said.

Ronald Mitchell, supervisor for the Blackwater District which includes Waid Park, said he has requested additional patrols at the park since learning of the incident. Huston said she is encouraging visitors to the park to make sure to lock their doors and to place any valuable items in the trunk.

The Franklin County Humane Society will be holding a candlelight vigil at the park at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The nonprofit has closely followed reports of the theft of Caleb and Colby and provided information on its Facebook page.

Anita Scott, director of the Franklin County Humane Society Adoption Center, said Caleb had been adopted from the center just a month ago. She was shocked to learn of the news of the abduction and their discovery.

The dogs remains were found Tuesday afternoon near the 500 block of Carolina Springs Road, approximately 4 miles north of the park. Michel said they received a call from someone who found the dogs and had seen the information about the missing dogs online. She went to the location and confirmed it was Caleb and Colby before contacting the sheriffs office.

Huston said the sheriffs office and animal control responded after receiving the call at approximately 3:15. Identification chips implanted into the dogs were also scanned to confirm they were the missing dogs.

The remains were taken to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for further examination and a cause of death, Huston said.

Michel called the killing of Caleb and Colby senseless and evil. The only positive thing she could say was that they were both together in death. She said the two had become inseparable since Caleb joined the family a month ago.

They both loved each other to the end, Michel said.

A reward of $4,000 was being offered for the safe return of the two black labs. Scott said the humane society is now taking up donations to offer a reward for a conviction of the people responsible for their death as well as a memorial for them to be placed in Waid Park.

Its disgusting and it makes no sense, Scott said of their death. Why kill them?

Donations can be made on the Franklin County Humane Society website and Facebook page.

Michel also wants to find who is responsible and figure out the reason they stole then killed Caleb and Colby. We want whoever has done this crime to be convicted and brought to justice, she said. There was no reason for this to be done.

The vigil Saturday is a way for the community to raise awareness of the incident and to support the owners of Caleb and Colby. Michel said she will be attending to thank the community for the support they have shown throughout the ordeal. She said she also wants to push for more safety at the park to assure something like this never happens again.
A fatal shooting in northwest Roanoke caused nearby William Fleming High School to hold and secure its students for nearly an hour Wednesday afternoon, city authorities said.

At about 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Roanoke police were told that there was a person with a gunshot wound in the 3500 block of Ferncliff Avenue Northwest, the department said in a press release.

There, officers found a man with what appeared to be a critical gunshot wound, police said.

Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel took the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. A short time later, we were informed that he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Shortly after the officers arrival, they identified a person of interest  a woman who fled the scene of the shooting.

Two police dogs began tracking the woman, police said.

She was located a short distance from the scene and taken into custody without further incident, police said.

The shooting victim and the supect were not immediately identified by police.

While police were in the area, William Fleming High School Principal Tracey Anderson notified parents that the school was on a hold and secure out of an abundance of caution due to nearby police activity in the community.

Hold and secure means our students are remaining inside the building while the school resource officer and school security personnel monitor all doors to ensure the school remains secure, Andersons message said.

The hold and secure lasted about 50 minutes, said Claire Mitzel, Roanoke City Public Schools communications coordinator.

The incident brings the number of the citys 2023 homicides to six. Four of those six are confirmed fatal shootings.
A spicy dish of politics was served alongside lunch at a Salem restaurant Thursday, where a city council member doubted the national government, and U.S. Rep. Ben Cline said he is practicing aggressive incrementalism as part of a Republican House majority planning to push the envelope, in Washington, D.C.

During the lunchtime Cline town hall event at Lydias Italian Kitchen, a quorum of Salem City Council members peppered the congressman, R-Botetourt, with questions.

Mixed among a lunch crowd of about 25 people seated in a back room were the council members, Hunter Holliday, Vice Mayor Jim Wallace and Mayor Renee Turk, plus other city officials.

Holliday stood to open the question session.

I want to start from the beginning, I mean how did we get to this point where were at right now with our country? Holliday said. Im at the point personally, where I think, I dont believe anything the government puts out. I think the exact opposite is probably true.

From the coronavirus, to everything else, Holliday said, its constant distraction and chaos, and thats what this country is right now.

So you have the Hunter Biden laptop, whats happening with that? Holliday said. Our president should not be sitting in the White House right now, literally. It upsets me, and probably sure upsets a lot of people in this room.

In response, Cline said he takes the attitude of aggressive incrementalism. He said with Republican control of U.S. House the envelope will be pushed.

We recognize that a lot of what we can do, now that we have gavels, is put out evidence of the wrongdoing that youre talking about, Cline said. Plan on watching hearings, and its going to be uncomfortable. People are going to be very upset with what theyre hearing, because were laying it all out there.

Cline spoke about efforts as a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a subgroup of hard-right Republicans, to produce more conservative legislation.

The Freedom Caucus is still only about 35 [members], and the moderate caucus is about twice that many, Cline said. So, were going to be working within the Republican conference to reach a consensus on the issues, but the bills as they come out of committee should be more conservative than they have been in the past.

Cline sits on House committees including the judiciary, as well as appropriations, and the budget. He said long-held status quos in the U.S. Capitol are no longer acceptable.

Be prepared, now that there are four Freedom Caucus members on appropriations, be prepared for zeroing-out agencies, Cline said. We will do that in the House bill, and then well see what the Senate produces.

But that intent to defund federal agencies does not apply to entitlement programs like social security or Medicare, Cline said, refuting a statement made by President Joe Biden during the annual State of the Union address earlier in February.

Social Security and Medicare are becoming insolvent. In 10 years, theyre going to be paying out more than they take in, so we have to have a conversation, but thats separate, Cline said. Current recipients are not going to see benefits changed.

Wallace, the vice mayor, asked for an insiders perspective on the presidential contest coming up in 2024.

Will it be our governor? I dont know, Cline said. I know our governor [Glenn Youngkin] traveled a lot last fall. You can generally tell whos going to run by their appearances in Iowa and New Hampshire.

As of Thursday, former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are the only two announced candidates for the Republican nomination, Cline said, listing a handful of other potential candidates who might join the race.

I know that Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has been talked about, Cline said. Hes an original Freedom Caucus member, so he came and met with us the other day, and talked about the great work hes doing in Florida. And hes doing amazing things in Florida.

But the former U.S. president is the man to beat for the nomination, Cline said.

Hes the most likely candidate, Cline said of Trump. But there are others who are interested, and well just see how it shakes out.

Turk, Salems mayor, said there is extreme need for federal funding to Total Action for Progress (TAP), a nonprofit aimed at helping people achieve economic independence in and around the Roanoke Valley.

Theyve got students waiting, they cant service them, they do not have the teachers. They cannot compete with local funding, federal funding is so desperately needed at this point, Turk said. Its a federal program. We will do as much as we can locally to help them, but they need that funding.

Cline said TAP does a number of things really well that he supports, but the federal government has to change the way it operates, which includes programs that are federally administered.

When it comes to fighting poverty in this country, there has been a war on poverty for 50 years, and we havent won it, Cline said. Weve got to think about different ways to combat poverty in our communities.

Salem Sheriff April Staton said she was short three deputies on Thursday because they were guarding people who are under temporary detention orders and awaiting beds for mental health treatment.

What were doing, Salem P.D., Salem Sheriffs office, is were sitting on mental health patients around the clock. If its 24 hours, thats great. Weve sat on juveniles for six-plus days, Staton said. We dont have the staffing to sit in a hospital and babysit. Granted, they have mental health issues, they need to be where they are.

Cline said its an issue that dates back to his time in the state legislature, which started in 2002.

They need to re-do that system at the state level by providing more state beds. Im happy to help with that, and look at federally supporting the construction of additional beds, Cline said. Its got to be a joint effort, federally, state and local, but the primary driver has to be state.

Salem Economic Development Authority Chairman Dave Robbins said finding people to work has been a challenge for the city. With border security a topic of the day, he asked if there might be some expedited way to give work licenses to people who are immigrating.

We need a quick way, for those people who are not a threat, to get them into this workforce, Robbins said. Any help or thoughts you have on that would be great.

Cline said he agreed there is a challenge for employers finding qualified employees.

But Im going to have to take issue with the idea that we need to somehow accommodate or find a way for the people who are here illegally to work, Cline said. They need to be deported.

Others during the hour-long question session asked about Second Amendment rights, preventing catastrophic train wrecks, the prevalence and impacts of opioids like fentanyl, U.S. border security in Texas, and privacy implications of societal shifts toward digital currencies.

Cline said he has been hosting town hall events across his districts since he was a member of the state legislature. He schedules the events at various places and times of day because all localities are different.

These are so important to me, because right now, were up in Washington, and I call it the swamp, and some people might take offense at that, but it really is, Cline said. And despite the best efforts of so many to drain the swamp, its still very swampy.
LYNCHBURG  After two hours of testimony and evidence, a Lynchburg police lieutenant was found not guilty Wednesday of assaulting a neighbor in an off-duty incident in May.

Another misdemeanor charge of trespassing against Lynchburg Police Lt. Brian Smith was taken under advisement until May 19, at which time it is expected to be dismissed if there are no further issues between the parties involved, according to retired Judge M. Frederick Kings ruling.

Smith and Gary Spengler, who at the time lived a few doors down on the other side of the street in their Boonsboro neighborhood, each testified Wednesday of a fight that broke out May 19 in Spenglers backyard when the off-duty officer walked over to confront him.

Kasey Smith, wife of Brian Smith and a city police officer, testified Spengler, whom she did not know, drove closely behind her and honked his horn repeatedly while the two were driving close to their homes. She testified Spengler yelled profanities at her from across the street and she alerted her husband, who walked over.

Chuck Felmlee, Brian Smiths attorney, said his client, a 20-year LPD veteran, initiated contact with a hand check technique that was defensive and intended to create separation, but Spengler struck him in the face.

After Virginia State Police investigated the incident, a trespassing charge against Kasey Smith was dismissed and she returned to full duty in September, a LPD spokesperson said in September.

Felmlee said the couple have since moved out of the neighborhood.

In a video Felmlee played in court, Spengler was heard at least three times telling Brian Smith to get off his property. Spengler testified he and a friend were laying out footing for a garage when he spotted Brian Smith crossing past his 6-foot privacy fence.

Spengler testified Smith charged toward him aggressively and threw a punch.

I just felt like, this isnt going to end, Spengler testified of returning blows and defending himself.

Spengler said he was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital afterward and had bruising on his neck and a bloodshot eye, which he guessed was from the punch.

He testified Smith looked militant and he is not fond of police coming on to his private property.

Spengler testified he, Smith and Spenglers friend ended up wrestling on the ground.

I just saw a very angry person charging at me, Spengler testified.

Kasey Smith testified Spenglers yelling derogatory language at her was almost taunting and she felt threatened by his driving and behavior she believed was aggressive.

Brian Smith testified his intention when he walked over to the home was to find out what was going on and let the neighbor know it was not OK to yell and be aggressive toward his wife. He had been called names before as an officer, but this type of incident in his neighborhood was concerning and he would unleash the full legal authority he had to protect his family, the officer testified.

He was a threat to us, Brian Smith said in court, adding: I had no idea who he was. All I know is, he is angry and yelling at me.

Gray Collins, the special prosecutor from the city of Colonial Heights, said Smith could have left the scene when told and none of the parties would be in court if he hadnt trespassed to confront Spengler.

Felmlee argued Brian Smith used a defensive technique and acted appropriately in the exchange.

I think we might be in trouble if he landed a closed-fisted blow, Felmlee said.

Collins argued there is no real defense when a homeowner tells a person multiple times to leave their property and he doesnt. However rude and aggressive the defendant thinks Spengler was, he had a First Amendment right to express himself and the commonwealth believes Smith clearly trespassed.

A mans home is his castle, Collins said.

Felmlee said as of Wednesdays hearing Brian Smith had been on leave from his job since the incident.
Dominion Energy wants to reinstate a large surcharge it suspended last year to cover the costs of complying with Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative caps on carbon dioxide emissions.

It suspended the surcharge, called a rider or rate adjustment clause, in response to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's promise to pull Virginia out of the multi-state cap and trade market.

If the State Corporation Commission approves, the surcharge would boost a benchmark 1,000 kilowatt-hour a month bill, which now costs $137, by $4.64.

That would generate the $373 million Dominion said it needs to receive from its customers to cover its costs of complying with RGGI from August of last year through December 2023.

That sum would pay for RGGI allowances to cover approximately 31 million tons worth of CO2 emissions above its cap, Dominion said in a filing with the SCC.

Dominion director of regulatory accounting Paul McLeod said the electric company's costs for complying with the RGGI cap  that is, buying allowances to cover emissions that exceed that cap  totaled $267 million for the time between 2021, when Virginia joined RGGI, and August 2022.

The utility recovered $84 million of that from its RGGI surcharge before it suspended it in May of last year, he said.

The rest, $183 million, was recovered through the utility's base rate  the portion of customers' bills, which accounts for roughly half, that has been essentially unchanged since 2007.

Bills now pending before the General Assembly would allow the SCC to review the base rate, which is meant to recover Dominion's investment in its plant and equipment.

Since the current base rate is pegged to plant and equipment in place in 2007, with later investments recovered through two dozen surcharges like the RGGI rider, legislators expect the SCC review would produce a drop in customers' bills since the value of plants and equipment for most businesses declines over time.

Dominion's filing still assumes Virginia will leave RGGI in December, as Youngkin wants.

Youngkin argues that the decision is up to the executive branch; Democratic legislators say it is up to the General Assembly, which has not authorized withdrawal from the pact.

Environmentalists say RGGI is a key tool in Virginia's efforts to slow down climate change and prevent sea level rise which threatens Virginia's coastal and Bay communities. Virginia gets money back from RGGI from the allowances utilities buy, and those funds are allocated to the state's efforts to deal with climate change.

Youngkin, whose time at the multi-billion-dollar Carlyle Group saw the firm move into carbon-reducing investments in a major way, does not buy that argument.

He has said RGGI is not a market-based incentive to cut greenhouse gas emissions because Virginia's approach to regulating Dominion means "they dont have to worry about it because they can pass it right on to the consumer and the consumer Has. No. Choice."
EMORY  The Virginia Department of Education has awarded a $200,000 grant to establish the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Laboratory School program.

The grant for SWVA-HEALS is part of a statewide effort to address the workforce shortage in health care, officials said Wednesday during a press conference on the Emory & Henry College campus.

The private liberal arts college will help run the lab school for area high school students in conjunction with several Southwest Virginia school systems, according to Lou Fincher, senior vice president and dean of the Emory & Henry College school of health sciences.

The lab school is aimed at providing local students a pathway into careers in nursing and the health sciences.

Our overall goal is to increase the number of high school students who graduate in Southwest Virginia, who end up choosing to be in the health care profession and practicing here in Southwest Virginia, Fincher said. By increasing the number of health care professionals in this region, we, in turn, know that well increase the overall health of this region.

The SWVA-HEALS program will be available for 10th- to 12th-graders attending classes in Smyth, Wythe and Washington counties; the city of Bristol, Virginia; and the A. Linwood Holton Governors School.

Dennis Carter, the Smyth County superintendent, highlighted how important this program and others like it are.

Were talking about adolescents that were working within K-12. Thats an unusual and sometimes awkward place for people to be anyway. We love them dearly. Theyre fresh, theyre excited, theyre open, Carter said. To consider the capacity of human resources that are available for a student who is exploring and going to make, potentially to be into this field for the rest of their lives. This is beyond a gift. Its extraordinary.

The program is set to start at the beginning of the next school year. Fincher said that there is still a lot of logistical work to be done before then. He said they are currently discussing different class formats so lab school classes dont conflict with students regular school schedules.

There is still a lot of planning of logistics to take place, Fincher said. We are now launching the plane and building it as we take off. But what we have discussed, at this point, are half-day programs, and that might mean rotating cohorts of students.

Students participating in the program will have the option of taking classes at three locations: the E&H health sciences campus in Marion, the Henderson School in Marion and the Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center in Abingdon.

David Matlock, the agency head and executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Ed Center, expressed his excitement at the growing number of career paths that Southwest Virginia students now have as local educational institutions work together to provide more opportunities in the region.

We are excited about this opportunity to join Emory & Henry and all of these partners. As we take the first steps in serving our students in growing the pipeline of high school students who are interested in careers in health, Matlock said. We look forward to coming back to you in the very near future and reporting some great data and some success stories of how weve served the citizens of Southwest Virginia.
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What do we know about the chemicals on the train, and what concerns you the most?

What do we know about the chemicals on the train, and what concerns you the most?

The main concern now is the contamination of homes, soil and water, primarily from volatile organic compounds and semivolatile organic compounds, known as VOCs and SVOCs.

The train had nearly a dozen cars with vinyl chloride and other materials, such as ethylhexyl acrylate and butyl acrylate. These chemicals have varying levels of toxicity and different fates in soil and groundwater. Officials have detected some of those chemicals in the nearby waterway and particulate matter in the air from the fire. But so far, the fate of many of the chemicals is not known. A variety of other materials was also released, but discussion about those chemicals has been limited.

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State officials disclosed that a plume of contamination released into the nearby creek had made its way into the Ohio River. Other cities get their drinking water from the river and were warned about the risk. The farther this plume moves downstream, the less concentrated the chemical will be in water, posing less of a risk.

In the long term, the greatest risk is to areas closest to the derailment location. And again, there's limited information about what chemicals are present  or were created through chemical reactions during the fire.

It isn't clear yet how much went into storm drains, was flushed down the streams or may have settled to the bottom of waterways.

There was also a lot of combusted particulate matter. The black smoke is a clear indication. It's unclear how much was diluted in the air or fell to the ground.
DUBLIN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China replaced France as Ireland's third-largest source of imported goods in 2022, according to the latest data released by the Irish national statistics bureau (CSO).

In 2022, Ireland imported a total of 14.54 billion euros (15.54 billion U.S. dollars) of goods from China, making China its third-largest source of imported goods after the United Kingdom (29.39 billion euros) and the United States (21.72 billion euros).

A year before, France was Ireland's third-largest source of imported goods after Britain and the United States, while China was its fourth-largest source of imported goods.

In 2021, Ireland imported 10.31 billion euros-worth of goods from France, while its goods imports from China were valued at 8.55 billion euros.

Meanwhile, China's share in Ireland's total value of imported goods also increased from 8.24 percent in 2021 to 10.37 percent in 2022, indicating a further improvement in the competitiveness of Chinese goods on the Irish market.

CSO's figures also showed that Ireland exported 13.78 billion euros-worth of goods to China in 2022, accounting for 6.62 percent of its total exports.

Last year, Ireland's total goods exports were valued at 208.21 billion euros, while its total imports were valued at 140.19 billion euros.

Both Ireland's goods exports and imports reached record levels in 2022, said the CSO. (1 euro= 1.07 U.S. dollars) 
 Some notable SCOTUS sentencing stories from the relist watch | Main | New Pennsylvania Gov announces his capital punishment abolitionist plans 

I keep noting this post from earlier this year discussing the Council of Criminal Justice's impressive Task Force on Long Sentences, in part because that Task Force is continuing to produce all sorts of interesting documents about long sentences (see prior posts linked below). The latest report, available here, is authored by Roger Przybylski and is titled "Long sentences, better outcomes: Opportunities to improve prison programming." Here is the report's introduction:

People serving long prison sentences  defined as sentences of 10 years or more  make up a large and growing share of the prison population in the United States. In 2005, roughly 459,000 people were serving long sentences, accounting for 46% of the state prison population. By 2019, the number had grown to 524,000 and the proportion to 57%.

Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers have long been interested in prison-based programming that prepares people to engage productively in their communities post-release and reduces recidivism (i.e., re-arrest, reconviction, or reincarceration). Although a robust body of knowledge on the types of prison programs most strongly associated with reduced recidivism has been developed over the past 40 years, research on the effectiveness of these programs has not focused specifically on participants serving long sentences.

Fewer than 10 prison systems have implemented programs specifically for people serving long sentences in recent years; these programs are in their infancy and have not yet been rigorously evaluated for effectiveness. They focus on enhancing skills for adapting to prison life and/or mentoring younger incarcerated individuals serving shorter sentences  and are not designed to comprehensively meet the therapeutic, reentry, and other needs of people serving long sentences. As a result, relatively little is known about the development, implementation, and effectiveness of programming that targets the unique needs of those in prison for long periods of time.

This brief describes the specialized needs of individuals serving long sentences, explores how prison-based programming might address those needs, describes existing programs for people serving long sentences, examines common obstacles to program access and engagement for this population, and identifies opportunities to enhance positive outcomes, both during custody and after release.
 Buffalo mass shooter formally sentenced to LWOP in New York state court | Main | CCJ releases "Long sentences, better outcomes: Opportunities to improve prison programming" 

February 15, 2023

Some notable SCOTUS sentencing stories from the relist watch

After an extended hiatus, the Supreme Court gets back in action next week. In turn, John Elwood is back to keeping up with the cert pool through his terrific SCOTUSblog posts providing "Relist Watch." And this week's "Relist Watch" installment has a couple of stories that all sentencing fans will find interesting:

The Supreme Court will meet this Friday for the first time in nearly a month to consider whether to grant review in new cases.... One other curious thing about our last installments relists: There were five petitions challenging the constitutionality of sentencing criminal defendants based on conduct the jury acquitted them of committing. Those cases are just sitting there on the courts docket, with no further action by the Supreme Court since it distributed them for the Jan. 20 conference. The court generally doesnt announce what its doing with pending petitions, so we have no choice but to speculate here. But near as we can tell, the court appears to be holding those cases to see whether the U.S. Sentencing Commission acts on a pending proposal to place restrictions on federal courts consideration of acquitted conduct at sentencing. One of the five petitioners, Dayonta McClinton (whom I represent), argues that the Sentencing Commissions proposal is woefully inadequate to resolve the issue, but it still may explain the courts inaction. Things may become clearer down the road. That brings us to new business. There are 423 petitions and motions pending on the Supreme Courts docket for this Fridays conference. Two of those cases are newly relisted.... The second new relist, Davis v. United States, is far more conventional. Petitioner Quartavious Davis was sentenced to 159 years of imprisonment for a series of seven Hobbs Act robberies he committed over a two-month period when he was 18 and 19 years old. Although Davis went to trial, his five co-defendants all pleaded guilty and received much shorter sentences. Davis argues that his attorney rendered ineffective assistance by failing to pursue and negotiate a plea agreement with the government, and by failing to render adequate advice to him regarding whether to plead guilty or go to trial. Davis contends he would have pleaded guilty if he had been advised properly. Although the court of appeals concluded Davis could not show prejudice absent an allegation that the government had offered him a plea deal, Davis contends it was enough to show that his similarly situated co-defendants were able to negotiate plea agreements, suggesting that there is no reason the government would not have been willing to extend Davis the same benefits.

February 15, 2023 at 06:00 PM | Permalink

Comments

So assuming Sentencing Commission adopts some policy/guideline about "acquitted conduct" (however they define that term), are we looking at GVRs for the appellate courts to consider and apply the new dictate from the Sentencing Commission to allow the Supreme Court to avoid having to address what is a very complicated issue? And what is in the current draft from the Sentencing Commission?

Posted by: tmm | Feb 16, 2023 10:39:38 AM

There likely will not be any GVRs for cases that are on direct appeal as this provision probably won't be retroactive. But I can foresee attorneys raising this issue as an 'extraordinary and compelling' reason, among other things, to grant a compassionate release motion.

Posted by: Eric A. Hicks | Feb 16, 2023 11:12:46 AM

Davis sure got screwed, but he got a fair trial. Lafler should be overruled.

Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2023 11:21:10 AM

tmm: the USSC's proposed amendment appears starting on pp. 211 of its "reader-friendly" list of proposed amendments: https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/amendment-process/reader-friendly-amendments/20230201_RF-proposed.pdf. Here is how the USSC's describes its proposal:

"The proposed amendment would amend 1B1.3 to add a new subsection (c) providing that acquitted conduct shall not be considered relevant conduct for purposes of determining the guideline range unless the conduct was admitted by the defendant during a guilty plea colloquy or was found by the trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt to establish, in whole or in part, the instant offense of conviction. The new provision would define acquitted conduct as conduct underlying a charge of which the defendant has been acquitted by the trier of fact or upon a motion of acquittal pursuant to Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or an analogous motion under the applicable law of a state, local, or tribal jurisdiction."

Eric raises the interesting point that, even if this amendment is adopted by May 2023 AND not disrupted by Congress during its 6-month period of review, it is not clear that this change would be made retroactive to help any folks already sentenced on the basis of acquitted conduct. Further, I believe at least one of the cases before SCOTUS may involve the use of acquitted conduct in ways other than as "relevant conduct" for guideline calculations. So it is not really clear that SCOTUS can dodge this issue soundly via GVRs.

That said, I think there is a history of SCOTUS dealing with nettlesome cases through questionable GVRs. And doing so can make cases "go away" in various ways --- post conviction deals, compassionate release, clemency --- so maybe that's what at least some Justices are looking toward. In addition, in the past some members of Congress have shown some interest in these issues, so that's yet another possible wild card.

I continue to expect cert to be denied because I suspect the Justices are closely divided on these issues in complicated and uncertain ways (with Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Thomas as the likely swing votes). With lots of uncertainty, denial of cert may be seen as the safest path for all.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 16, 2023 11:46:35 AM

Or perhaps, if cert is denied, it will be because six Justices view the issue as correctly settled by existing law.

P.S. Since the Guidelines are now advisory only, the Commission's view of what a judge must or must not consider at sentencing has all the weight of a suggestion.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 16, 2023 9:53:16 PM

On your main point, Bill, I struggle to see how you count to six. Justice Thomas dissented from the denial of cert in another acquitted conduct case, and Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have expressed concern about acquitted conduct in various ways in the past. But, sadly, absent statements from Justices, we would all just have to speculate if cert is denied.

On your P.S., the USSC still can and does shape how guideline ranges are calculated, and those ranges are followed in about half the cases and serves as a starting benchmark in all cases. (Indeed, under the current rules, the Fourth Circuit reversed a district judge who sought not to include acquitted conduct in the guideline calculation.) How the guidelines get calculated still matter a whole lot, which is why it is great to have the USSC back in action finally after being quorum-less for far too long.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 16, 2023 10:17:33 PM

Doug --

"Shaping" how the sentence gets calculated is one thing. Giving direction to judges is another, and that is something the Guidelines no longer do. I wish they did, which was Congress's clear intent in adopting the SRA of 1984 (as Justice Stevens persuasively established in his dissent to the remedial portion of Booker), but that's not how it is. I mean, the Commission can do the Pennsylvania Polka, but it still has no more MANDATORY force over sentencing than Groundhog Day.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 16, 2023 11:24:56 PM

Every federal sentencing, Bill, starts with the parties and the PSR assessing/debating the applicable guideline range, and every federal judge must use the range as a starting point and a benchmark at sentencing. So I think it is quite accurate to say the FSG still give direction to federal judges at sentencing.

It is true that the guidelines lack the force of law after Booker, largely thanks to the GWBush Justice Department advocating for the advisory remedy after Blakely. The defense bar initially shared your desire to see the guidelines remain mandatory after Blakely to give defendants the full constitutional rights set forth in that ruling. Why do you think the GWBush Justice Department (not to mention Chief Justice Rehnquist) was so eager to go against "Congress's clear intent in adopting the SRA of 1984"?

Of course, as you know Bill, if guideline calculations were to be given the force of law, those calculation can no longer include acquitted conduct or any contested uncharged conduct not proven to a jury BRD. I always had an inkling you were, in your heart of hearts, opposed to continued use of acquitted conduct and a civil standard of proof for key sentencing determinations in the federal sentencing system.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 17, 2023 9:58:02 AM

Doug --

"Why do you think the GWBush Justice Department (not to mention Chief Justice Rehnquist) was so eager to go against "Congress's clear intent in adopting the SRA of 1984"?

Because everybody makes mistakes. Republican Presidents have made a boatload of mistakes far more important, including appointing Warren, Brennan, Blackmun, Souter and one or two others. Without those mistakes, the legal landscape now would be much different.

The Dems, by contrast, almost never make that kind of mistake.

"Of course, as you know Bill, if guideline calculations were to be given the force of law, those calculation can no longer include acquitted conduct or any contested uncharged conduct not proven to a jury BRD."

Really? What case says that? You'd better quick tell all those district judges out there, who use acquitted conduct and uncharged conduct dozens of times a day and routinely get affirmed doing it.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 17, 2023 2:18:01 PM

Really, Bill? The Booker merits opinion says that, if the guidelines are mandatory, then any and all guideline fact-finding that aggravates the sentencing range has to accord with 5th/6th Amendment requirements. That's why DOJ advocated for the advisory remedy --- to allow DOJ and judges to still do guidelines fact-finding/calculations without giving defendants more procedural rights. If you do not understand this, I am quite perplexed at what you think Booker was about.

And DOJ advocating for advisory guidelines --- and against having to prove guideline facts under 5th/6th Amend rules --- was not a mistake. It was a calculated decision that DOJs under Bush AND Obama AND Trump AND Biden have all been content to embrace since we've seen no serious subsequent DOJ advocacy for a return to a mandatory guideline system.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 17, 2023 4:04:14 PM

Doug --

I'm delighted that at long last you spill the beans -- namely, that the defense bar wants to have its cake and eat it too. Having the guidelines stripped of their mandatory character was a big win for it, and now it wants the ALTERNATIVE remedy (proof of many sentencing facts BRD) to be magically turned into an ADDITIONAL remedy.

If the prosecution ever got that greedy, we'd be able to hear the NACDL screeching on Pluto.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 18, 2023 10:29:19 PM

Not spilling any beans to suggest that defense attorneys want a criminal justice system to operate in the ways the Framers surely imagined: strict procedural rights before the state can impose/enhance criminal punishments like death or loss of liberty, different standard if the state does not want to impose/enhance criminal punishments.

And, of course, these are the basic realities that prosecutors generally follow and embrace -- they generally know they have to justify a prosecution via a formal indictment/information and then know they will have to prove up the facts of the crime to get state punishment; but they also know they can decline to prosecute or cut a sweetheart plea deal without any formal procedures or explanations.

And as it should be under our Constitution in which the Framers put special burdens on the imposition of state punishment. This is called respecting the Constitution, not spilling any magic beans.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 19, 2023 10:50:40 AM

Doug --

1. Thank you for conspicuously not denying that getting non-mandatory guidelines PLUS a requirement of proof BRD for sentencing facts would indeed be the defense bar's having Booker's cake and eating it too.

2. "Not spilling any beans to suggest that defense attorneys want a criminal justice system to operate in the ways the Framers surely imagined..."

Ha! That's not true and you don't think it's true. What defense attorneys want is for the criminal justice system to let their clients go with no punishment at all, guilty or not, and regardless of what procedure gets them to this ever-so-wonderful result.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 19, 2023 2:02:07 PM

I sense most defense attorneys want to keep their clients from being subject to unproven and unjustified punishments, and I surmise most defense attorneys think that means that punishment not proven and justified BRD is worrisome under either a mandatory or advisory guideline system. In contrast, Bill, you favor punishment for acquitted conduct and for conduct not proven BRD. I think that would trouble the Framers, but I welcome your provision of any cites or other Founding-era evidence suggesting a civil standard of proof should be adequate to justify criminal punishment.

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 19, 2023 8:35:52 PM

Doug --

-- Again I thank you for not denying that getting non-mandatory guidelines PLUS a requirement of proof BRD for sentencing facts would indeed be the defense bar's having Booker's cake and eating it too.

-- "I sense most defense attorneys want to keep their clients from being subject to unproven and unjustified punishments..."

What they want, as surely you know, is, if they can conjure up a way to get away with it, to keep their clients from being subject to ANY PUNISHMENT AT ALL. Indeed, even if they didn't want it as a freestanding "virtue," they'd have to seek it under the canons of ethics. "Best interests of the client," etc.

-- "I welcome your provision of any cites or other Founding-era evidence suggesting a civil standard of proof should be adequate to justify criminal punishment."

Watts says it directly, as you implicitly acknowledge by refusing even to mention the holding (or any part of the majority opinion) in Watts in your amicus brief in McClinton. And the whole discussion in Booker, and Booker's self-conscious and pointed preservation of the real offense system (i.e., NOT just the offense of conviction proven BRD) says it indirectly but loudly.

And no, blogs and academia are not the Supreme Court, and do not dictate what the law is. Nor, contrary to the thrust of your argument, do they maintain fidelity to the Framers. Quite to the contrary. The best example is probably the death penalty, which academia fervently hates, but the Framers approved (and used) against many more offenses and with many fewer safeguards than exist today.

Fidelity to the Framers (propertied white males, dontcha know) is just a makeweight, used by the pro-crime crowd when convenient and otherwise blasted by academia as reactionary and racist.

I mean, c'mon. I've been around this track a time or two.





Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 19, 2023 11:11:50 PM

Bill, Watts cites no Founding-era evidence for its holding. And the Booker merits opinion --- relying on lots of Founding-era evidence, like Apprendi and Blakely before it --- rejects the civil standard of proof to justify criminal punishment in a mandatory punishment scheme. You are right that the Booker remedy (again without Founding-era support) preserved the civil standard, but only within an advisory system. If we return to the mandatory guideline system that you claim you prefer, the system will require BRD jury findings (or defense admissions as we have with guilty pleas).

Do you dispute that the mandatory guideline system that you claim to prefer will require proof BRD for aggravating, punishment-enhancing facts? I still am unclear if you accept this foundational point that Booker seems to make clear.

And, of course, lots and lots of folks do not seek to "maintain fidelity to the Framers." But I sense you sometimes claim that you wish to, except it seems when doing so does not serve certain pro-state policy interests. That's fine, but I will find it useful to highlight when some of your pro-state policy views do not "maintain fidelity to the Framers."

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 20, 2023 2:38:07 PM

Doug --

Assuming arguendo that the merits portion of Booker was correctly decided, then yes, for sure, the remedy should have been to keep the guidelines mandatory and require proof BRD for any fact that would take the sentence above the statutory max. I think I said that a dozen years ago in my article here: https://fedsoc.org/commentary/publications/the-slow-sad-swoon-of-the-sentencing-suggestions And the Stevens dissent to the same effect is very strong. (But it would not require proof BRD for any aggravator at all, as Scalia makes clear in Blakely).

And once again, thanks for effectively conceding that the defense bar wants to have its Booker remedy cake ("advisory only" guidelines) and eat it too (sentencing proof BRD). Thanks also for conceding, in your inimitable round-about way, that defense lawyers want, not merely to avoid "unjust" and "excessive" punishment for their clients, but any punishment whatever, no matter how thoroughly guilty they are.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 20, 2023 10:35:07 PM

Bill, I am not sure I understand what you claim is something I am saying about defense attorneys representing defendants, but I want to better understand this statement: "But it would not require proof BRD for any aggravator at all, as Scalia makes clear in Blakely."

Can you explain what you mean here? There is a prior conviction exception to Apprendi/Blakely, though Justice Thomas has argued against it. Is that what you mean or are you talking about other facts that mandate a sentence increase?

Posted by: Doug B | Feb 21, 2023 9:34:16 AM

Doug --

Under a mandatory guidelines system, sentencing proof BRD would be required to take the sentence above the statutorily-designated range, but only proof by a preponderance would be required to sentence at any point within the range. Scalia set this out pretty clearly in Blakely.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Feb 21, 2023 2:18:54 PM

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Singapore Police said the van driver did not comply to a check by the officer and sped off instead from TPE to Yishun. (PHOTO: Facebook/SGRVigilante)

SINGAPORE  The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has launched an investigation into an incident involving a Traffic Police (TP) officer on a motorcycle in a high-speed pursuit of a white van on Tuesday (14 February) in Yishun.

Authorities told Yahoo News Singapore that on Tuesday at 12.25pm, a TP officer was patrolling along TPE and signalled for a van to stop at the road shoulder to conduct a check, but the driver refused and sped away.

"The van driver did not comply and sped off. The TP officer gave chase and eventually found the van abandoned at the carpark near Block 472B Yishun Street 42," the SPF said.

The police did not confirm if the driver had been caught.

Videos of incident go viral online

Multiple videos of the incident were captured by members of the public and posted online on the SG Road Vigilante's Facebook page that day.

The three viral videos have garnered over 128,000 views on Facebook since Tuesday.

In one of the viral videos, the Toyota Hiace van was seen weaving in and out of traffic with a TP officer on its tail seconds later on Yishun Avenue 8.

The white van appears to be travelling at a high speed, avoiding other cars, driving against traffic and beating a red light, and the chase appears to have ended in a carpark in other videos.

There were police cars and motorcycles at the scene of the abandoned white van, which appeared to have hit a pillar across three parking lots.

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.
Humidifier with steam moisturizing air at home.

The human olfactory system is linked directly to the most primitive parts of our brain. That's one of the reasons why scents are some of the strongest triggers for memory recall and why malls and hotels often diffuse ambient fragrances into the air.

The top-of-mind recall I have of malls with scent is ION Orchard, which customised a blend of 20 individual fragrances from natural herbs, fruit and flowers, some of which include bergamot, white tea, mandarin, ginger, white tea, peony, mimosa and wild lavender to create the signature ION Scent. Or perhaps you might think about Muji, with the welcoming citrusy scent often encountered in their physical stores.

For a while now, I've been searching high and low for the perfect ambient fragrance I want in my home, and recently decided on Aesop Olous Aromatique Room Spray. Previously, I was crazy about Muji's 'Homing' and 'Sweet Orange' essential oils used with their signature diffuser.

It might take several trials and errors to decide on the perfect scent and medium of delivery (such as diffusers, candles, home sprays and more), as enjoyment is subjective. However, we've shortlisted several brands to help you begin your search!

Aesop is an Australian luxury brand with a wide range of skincare, haircare, soaps and fragrance. The brand is known for its polished aesthetic and brings a touch of luxury to any home.

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The Aromatherapy Company was established in 1990 and is now a leading supplier of Home Fragrance and Body Care products. From 100% pure and natural essential oils to a bespoke fragrance, this brand can be found in leading departmental stores.

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Renowned for their exceptional quality, and beautiful designs and for not using synthetic fragrances in their products, Diptyque candles are oh-so-chic and Parisian.

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Famous for its unique blends and scents, Jo Malone London is known mainly for mixing unexpected combinations of ingredients and excelling at it with one-of-a-kind fragrances.

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They helped make diffusers cool again, with a very tame and comfortable collection of homely-scented fragrances.

Shop home fragrances on Muji

Known for its candles in beautiful tin cans that can be reused for other purposes, To Be Calm has become the go-to brand of choice for home fragrancing in Singapore.

Shop home fragrances at To Be Calm

This isn't just one brand of fragrance, but several brands retail under the umbrella of Robinsons. The key thing is that Robinsons usually bring in brands that may not be as widely known in Singapore, but are high in quality and often a joy to have at home!

Shop home fragrances at Robinsons

What is a one-stop shop for makeup and skincare enthusiasts without fragrances, even if it's one for homes?

Shop Home Fragrances at Sephora
Your international money transfers might not be as discreet as you think. Senator Ron Wyden and The Wall Street Journal have learned that US law enforcement can access details of money transfers without a warrant through an obscure surveillance program the Arizona attorney general's office created in 2014. A database stored at a nonprofit, the Transaction Record Analysis Center (TRAC), provides full names and amounts for larger transfers (above $500) sent between the US, Mexico and 22 other regions through services like Western Union, MoneyGram and Viamericas. The program covers data for numerous Caribbean and Latin American countries in addition to Canada, China, France, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine and the US Virgin Islands. Some domestic transfers also enter the data set.

The program exists to help agencies collect evidence of fraud and money laundering, as transfer services aren't required to know customers like banks. This has led to busts for drug cartels and other criminals, TRAC director Rich Leber explained to The Journal. The $500 threshold exists to prevent the system from collecting most data for immigrants remitting money to family in their home countries. Money transfer apps like Apple Cash, Cash App, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle haven't provided data to TRAC, Wyden says.

You need to be a member of law enforcement with an active government email account to use the database, which is available through a publicly visible web portal. Leber told The Journal that there haven't been any known breaches or instances of law enforcement misuse. However, Wyden noted that the surveillance program included more states and countries than previously mentioned in briefings. There have also been subpoenas for bulk money transfer data from Homeland Security Investigations (which withdrew its request after Wyden's inquiry), the DEA and the FBI.

The concern, of course, is that officials can obtain sensitive transaction details without court oversight or customers' knowledge. An unscrupulous officer could secretly track large transfers. Wyden adds that the people in the database are more likely to be immigrants, minorities and low-income residents who don't have bank accounts and already have fewer privacy protectoins. The American Civil Liberties Union also asserts that the subpoenas used to obtain this data violate federal law. Arizona issued at least 140 of these subpoenas between 2014 and 2021.

The Arizona attorney general's office hasn't responded to requests for comment. However, Wyden is already drafting legislation that would bolster privacy for money transfer services and effectively neuter the database. The ACLU, meanwhile, is unequivocal  it says the surveillance system "must be shut down." If nothing else, the findings could draw attention to privacy issues surrounding money transfers.
Ive read the majority of the Lincoln Evening Journal and The Lincoln Star coverage of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate along with most of the books about the 1958 murder spree, including the little-known The Murderous Trail of Charles Starkweather," which contains his most extensive and likely most truthful interviews.

Over the years, I talked with police officers and attorneys who worked the case and, after Bruce Springsteens Nebraska, I put together a Starkweather tour for musicians coming to Lincoln that visited many of the locations of the crime spree, seeing buildings that no longer stand today.

And I met Fugate during an early 70s tour of the womens prison in York and spoke with her by phone in the 80s.

So I watched The 12th Victim with that background and four decades of interest.

I found the first episode to be the best documentary account of the 1958 events Ive seen. It compiles the 50s TV film and photographs with commentary by writers and researchers to comprehensively explore the murder spree. The re-creations, which often spoil documentaries, are well done and enhance the story, which is treated with an even-handed approach.

The third and fourth episodes were, for me, revelatory, providing views of Fugates life in prison and after she was paroled to Michigan, that Id not previously known  like her babysitting for a family  and her thoughts, sometimes in her own words, that Id not previously encountered.

And, in episode two, The 12th Victim builds a convincing argument for Fugates innocence, offsetting the evidence and claims of her involvement I heard from police years ago. In doing so, the series, which like all documentaries comes with a point of view, makes the case that Fugate should receive a pardon, which the Nebraska Pardons Board denied in 2020.

The 12th Victim will premiere its first episode Friday at 7 p.m. on Showtime. The series' next three episodes will air on succeeding Fridays. The full series will be available for streaming and on demand Friday.

Photos: Caril Ann Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Starkweather Caril Ann Fugate Starkweather Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate in 1993 Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Nebraska Board of Pardons Nebraska Board of Pardons Caril Ann Fugate and Margaret Berry Letter to Caril Ann Fugate Caril Fugate Letter Caril Fugate Letter
In January 1958, 19-year-old Lincoln garbageman Charles Starkweather went on a killing spree with his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, at his side, terrorizing the city of Lincoln and the state and leaving 10 people dead before the duo was captured in Wyoming eight days after the killings began.

Convicted of first-degree murder, Starkweather was executed in June 1959. Fugate, who at the time was the youngest person in the country to be tried for first-degree murder, was sentenced to life in prison.

Framed as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, lovers-on-the run tale, the murders have been ingrained in popular culture for 60 years, inspiring Badlands, Kalifornia, Natural Born Killers, the TV mini-series Murder in the Heartland and songs, including Bruce Springsteens Nebraska, which he wrote after seeing Badlands" on TV.

But The 12th Victim, a Showtime docuseries that premieres Friday, argues that the decades-long, pop culture view of Starkweather and Fugate is a myth, a tale of romantic rebel killers constructed first by the county prosecutors and police, then amplified by news coverage, books, movies and song.

The series convincingly makes the case that Fugate, as she has consistently claimed, did not take part in any of the murders and is, in fact, the 12th victim in the case, made so by police and prosecutorial malfeasance.

That malfeasance began about two months before Starkweather killed Fugates mother, stepfather and baby sister in their Belmont neighborhood home. In November 1957, he abducted and killed gas station attendant Robert Colvert, who counts as his 11th victim. Police had been pointed toward Starkweather, but failed to investigate and arrest him.

The prosecutors, the film argues, then used Starkweathers trial and his testimony at Fugate's trial to convince the jury to disbelieve her claims of innocence and convict her.

Its always really amazing when you get the opportunity to upend a narrative that has really calcified and become kind of like lore, said director Nicola B. Marsh. I thought it was really cool to try to really break that story from Caril's point of view. I know some people have done it, but it wasn't really in the mainstream telling of what happened in 1958.

Based on the 2014 book The Twelfth Victim: The Innocence of Caril Fugate in the Starkweather Murder Rampage by Linda M. Battisti, a retired U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney, and Lincoln attorney John Stevens Berry, the docuseries' four episodes tell Fugates story chronologically.

Opening with the 1958 crime spree in the first hourlong episode that will premiere Friday at 7 p.m., the second episode focuses on the trials of both Starkweather and Fugate, the third episode deals with her years in the Womens State Reformatory (as it was known then) in York and the series concludes by following Fugates life, and her attempt to clear herself.

The thing about these crime stories is its really about perspective, said Marsh, an Englishwoman. The more you learn, and the more time you spend in Carils shoes, the more your perspective switches to her perspective. It starts as public perspective. Then it goes to Charlie's perspective, and then you're in her perspective.

The episodes tried to reflect that (perspective change) a bit because I didn't want to make Nebraskans feel bad, portray them as kind of dumb, sexist punters because they thought Caril is guilty. I think it's quite natural to think Caril is guilty because she's the one opening the door to the police.

Fugate opened the door of her family's Belmont house a few days after Starkweather killed her family, when the couple was locked in, with a misspelled sign on the door claiming that everyone had the flue.

Thats a pivotal moment in the first episode, which uses re-creations, shot in and around Lincoln two years ago, that were designed to set a scene that couldnt have been captured on film in 1958.

We came in January of '21 against the advice of pretty much everybody because the pandemic was really on, Marsh, an award-winning cinematographer, said of the Nebraska filming.

But, you know, in Nebraska, you can't wait till March and think there's gonna be snow. I think thats such a big part of the things during the crime spree that really shaped the nature of the crime, how they were moving, where they were moving and where the bodies were. The weather had a huge impact on the shape of that. So I really wanted to make sure that we got some re-creations of snow on the ground.

The remainder of the story is told through local television news film, recounting of the crimes by authors who have written books on Starkweather and photographs, many of them from the Lincoln Journal and The Lincoln Star, some of which were never published.

Those unseen photos, some in color, in fact, do much to undermine the romantic view of Starkweather as the James Dean-like 50s cool character with slicked-back hair, leather jacket and cigarette dangling from his lips.

I think it's really interesting when you look at those pictures of Charlie and Caril in color, Marsh said "It gives a totally different cadence to it. You see Charlie's ugliness in a way that's quite hidden when you see him in black and white. You see that he's kind of pasty and doesnt have good skin. Hes a bit pudgy and his red hair doesn't look so cool. In black and white, he looks pretty cool. But in color, he doesn't look so cool. And I found it to be really illuminating.

Episode 2 uses Omaha TV reporter Ninette Beavers pre-trial interview with Fugate  during which she looks like a tough, defiant adult  to convey the notion that Nebraskans found her guilty before the trial. Episode 3 uses television footage of Fugate, a model prisoner, talking about her case while shes seeking parole. Ultimately, her sentence was reduced and she was granted parole in 1976.

The series also uses tape recordings Battisti made while speaking with Fugate at her Michigan home for the book, allowing Fugate, whos now 79 and was severely injured in a 2013 car accident, a brief opportunity to tell parts of her story.

We couldn't use that much of it because the audio quality isn't great, Marsh said, pointing out that Fugate's pet bird tweets throughout the tape. But it still had value.

"It really allowed me to be a fly on the wall and listen. It was really seductive and it was really hard to move away from that version of the story that Caril tells at that point in her life, she said.

While its not necessarily intended to do so, The 12th Victim also provides an enlightening view of the media in the 1950s as it largely holds out the microphone for officials to deliver their versions of the news. And it spotlights the popular culture fascination with true crime, including F. Lee Baileys 1980s Lie Detector show, on which Fugates claims of innocence were found to be true.

Berry appears in the docuseries, as does James McArthur, who represented Fugate, taking over from his father John, who was appointed to defend her in the 1958 case. Berry has said he intends to renew the pardon effort for Fugate, which failed in 2020.

That effort, Marsh and Battisti hope, will be assisted by The 12th Victim, which will be seen by a large audience, renewing interest in Fugates innocence and in the real case rather than the myth.

"I hope Caril gets a pardon; I don't think she will, Marsh said. But I think it will be nice to just have some sort of acknowledgement that there is legitimacy to her point of view and the story that she has tried so desperately hard for decades to tell.

Photos: Caril Ann Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Caril Fugate Starkweather Caril Ann Fugate Starkweather Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate in 1993 Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Caril Ann Fugate Nebraska Board of Pardons Nebraska Board of Pardons Caril Ann Fugate and Margaret Berry Letter to Caril Ann Fugate Caril Fugate Letter Caril Fugate Letter
THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A new study builds upon earlier evidence that vaping isnt any healthier than smoking.

In analyzing epithelial cells taken from the mouths of vapers, smokers and people who had never vaped or smoked, researchers found that vapers and smokers had more than twice the amount of DNA damage as found in non-users.

Those who vaped or smoked more frequently had higher DNA damage.

Epithelial cells line the mouth. DNA damage is an early change associated with an increased risk for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

For the first time, we showed that the more vapers used e-cigarettes, and the longer they used them, the more DNA damage occurred in their oral cells, said senior study author Ahmad Besaratinia. He is a professor of research population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.

The same pattern held up in smokers, Besaratinia said in a school news release.

In the study, the researchers recruited 72 healthy adults who were interviewed and underwent biochemical testing.

The study participants were divided into three groups: vapers who had never smoked cigarettes; smokers who had never vaped; and people with no history of smoking or vaping.

The researchers also collected data on how often, and for how long, participants had smoked or vaped. They asked vapers what devices and flavors they used.

The investigators then collected a sample of epithelial cells from each participants mouth and tested for damage to specific genes known to indicate assault to the genome.

These tests showed similar levels of DNA damage between vapers and smokers: 2.6 times and 2.2 times that of non-users, respectively.

The most popular products, including flavored vapes, also appear to be the most harmful.

The devices and flavors that are most popular and highly consumed by youth vapers, as well as adults, are the ones that are associated with the most DNA damage, Besaratinia said. Clearly these results have significant implications, both for public health and regulatory agencies.

The new study builds on earlier research that found vaping was linked to alterations in gene expression, epigenetic changes and other biological changes that could foster disease.

About 10% of U.S. teens and more than 3% of adults regularly use e-cigarettes.

Vapers are difficult to study because many have a history of cigarette smoking or are dual users.

We designed our study to tease out the effects of vaping in e-cigarette users who were neither cigarette smokers nor dual users at any point in their lives, Besaratinia said.

The research team now plans to replicate the findings in a larger group of participants and to study other biological effects resulting from DNA damage that are even more closely related to the onset of chronic disease.

The findings were published Feb. 14 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

The study was supported by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on e-cigarettes.

SOURCE: Keck School of Medicine of USC, news release, Feb. 13, 2023
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A military helicopter crashed in Madison County, the southeastern U.S. state of Alabama, on Wednesday afternoon, killing both people on board.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement that the crash occurred on Highway 53 near the intersection of Burrell Road in Madison County, near the Alabama-Tennessee border.

The aircraft, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, reportedly belonged to the Tennessee National Guard, was on a routine training mission when it crashed.

Video circulating on social media showed black smoke rising from the crash site with a heavy presence of emergency vehicles.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office said there were no survivors while warning of heavy delays in the area throughout the evening.

A spokesperson for the National Guard said that it is premature to discuss possible causes of the crash.

"Like all military aircraft mishaps, the incident will be investigated," said the spokesperson. "The National Guard will support law enforcement and other first responders handling the crash site." 
The Host

Julie Rovner KHN

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KHNs weekly health policy news podcast, What the Health? A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z, now in its third edition.

Teen girls are experiencing record high levels of violence, sadness, and suicide risk, according to a new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2021, according to the survey, nearly 3 in 5 U.S. teen girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless.

Meanwhile, a conservative judge in Texas has delayed his ruling in a case that could ban a key drug used in medication abortion. A group of anti-abortion doctors is suing to challenge the FDAs approval decades ago of the abortion pill mifepristone.

This weeks panelists are Julie Rovner of KHN, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call.

Panelists

Alice Miranda Ollstein Politico

Joanne Kenen Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico

Sandhya Raman CQ Roll Call

Among the takeaways from this weeks episode:

American teenagers reported record rates of sadness in 2021, with especially high levels of depression in girls and teens identifying as LGBTQ+, according to a startling CDC report. Sexual violence, mass shootings, cyberbullying, and climate change are among the intensifying problems plaguing young people.

New polling shows more Americans are dissatisfied with abortion policy than ever before, as a U.S. district court judge in Texas makes a last call for arguments on the fate of mifepristone. The case is undermining confidence in continued access to the drug, and many providers are discussing using only misoprostol for medication abortions. Misoprostol is used with mifepristone in the current two-drug regimen but is safe and effective, though slightly less so, when used on its own.

There are big holes in federal health privacy protections, and some companies that provide health care, like mental health services, exploit those loopholes to sell personal, identifying information about their customers. And this week, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia blocked a state law that would have banned search warrants for data collected by menstrual tracking apps.

California plans to manufacture insulin, directly taking on high prices for the diabetes drug. While other states have expressed interest in following suit, it will likely be up to wealthy, populous California to prove the concept.

Plus, for extra credit the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Julie Rovner: NPRs Is the Deadly Fungi Pandemic in The Last of Us Actually Possible? by Michaeleen Doucleff

Alice Ollstein: The New York Times Childbirth Is Deadlier for Black Families Even When Theyre Rich, Expansive Study Finds, by Claire Cain Miller, Sarah Kliff, and Larry Buchanan; interactive produced by Larry Buchanan and Shannon Lin

Sandhya Raman: Bloomberg Businessweeks Zantacs Maker Kept Quiet About Cancer Risks for 40 Years, by Anna Edney, Susan Berfield, and Jef Feeley

Also mentioned in this weeks podcast:

Credits

Francis Ying Audio producer Emmarie Huetteman Editor

To hear all our podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to KHNs What the Health? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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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This story can be republished for free (details).
SOUTH SIOUX CITY  Northeast Community College has approved a $9.8 million project to expand their South Sioux campus by adding a commercial drivers license truck driving training facility and expanding its industrial training building for welding.

Northeasts Board of Governors gave final approval on Tuesday for the additions just west of the main campus building at 1001 College Way, according to a Northeast College news release.

Leah Barrett, college president, said the expansion of the programs will provide increased opportunities for individuals who are looking to expand their skills as they seek employment in the two fields that are in high demand in the Siouxland region.

The college will construct an 11,600 square foot commercial drivers license truck driving training facility and an adjacent truck driving range, and a 1,500 square foot addition to its existing industrial training building to increase capacity of the welding program.

The CDL training building will include two classrooms, a simulator room, instructor offices, drive-thru access and an outdoor shelter for storing and charging. The CDL training range will provide space for instruction of all required maneuvers to obtain a CDL certificate.

The addition to the existing industrial training facility will support an expanded area for 20 welding booths and provide space for student supervision and safety.

Work on the driving range is expected to begin this spring; construction on the building projects is scheduled to begin in Fall 2023 with completion in Summer 2024, according to the news release.

The $9.8 million will come from American Rescue Plan Act funds with other federal grant funds and donations through fundraising efforts, not college funds, according to the release.

Additionally, Northeast will use $500,000 from a $1 million U.S. Dept. of Labor community funding appropriations request that was in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations budget.

This project will allow Northeast Community College to meet increased employer requests for workers with the specialized skills of truck driving and welding to fill vacant positions and foster business growth in the region, Barrett said. It will also improve the attainment rate in Northeasts 20-county service area and in the State of Nebraska in an effort to achieve the goal of 70% established by the Legislature last year.

The goal of Legislative Resolution 335 is that at least 70 percent of 25 to 34 year-old Nebraskans have a degree, certificate, diploma, or other postsecondary or industry-recognized credential with economic value by 2030.

In June 2022, members of the Board of Governors held roundtable sessions with the heads of several businesses and organizations in South Sioux City and the Siouxland region to discuss their goals and workforce requests, according to the release.

We wanted to listen to understand the needs that exist in the Siouxland region, Barrett said. Since that meeting last summer, college leaders have had additional meetings with employers throughout the area.
Those who have earned $60,000 or less in 2022 can have their taxes prepared and e-filed for free by IRS certified tax preparers. In-person, virtual and self-preparation options are available through Center for Siouxland, a nonprofit human service agency at 715 Douglas St.
SIOUX CITY  Tax rates next fiscal year for both urban and rural residents will decrease by one cent.

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors said they were able to close a massive $6.3 million gap and reduce the tax levy.

Tax rates for the next fiscal year are currently set at $7.14 for urban and $9.60 for rural per $1,000 of taxable valuation. The board will hold a public hearing on March 7 and the budget will be certified March 28.

The gap to keep the same rate as FY2023 was the largest in years, almost triple the previous year.

Board of Supervisors meeting Matthew Ung, Chairperson (R) 4th District, leads the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting at the Woodbury County Courthouse on Tuesday

Board Chair Matthew Ung said the board started with the largest shortfall in county history.

"It will be the ninth year in a row that the tax rate has not been increased on county-wide residents and I think that's extraordinary," Ung said previously.

While there are still items pending that could change the budget, it would only further decrease the budget, not increase it and would go back into reserves without decreasing tax levies, Budget Director Dennis Butler said.

Historically, $2 million has been the gap the supervisors needed to fill to keep the property tax levy the same. Last year, the board sought to close a $2.6 million gap.

The board has been working at each meeting throughout the month to make small and large cuts from department budgets to bridge the $6.3 million increase. As of Feb. 10 the board had surplus revenues of $57,703.

This current amount includes the full recommendation given by the compensation board for elected officials and a temporary placeholder for the deputies union contract that is still being negotiated.

The compensation board made a recommendation of a 7 percent increase for Auditor Pat Gill, Treasurer Tina Bertrand and County Attorney James Loomis, a 10 percent increase for the Board of Supervisors and a 22 percent increase for Sheriff Chad Sheehan.

The board has until the budget is certified to decrease these percentages by the same rate.

This year's budget gap was closed through a variety of budget cuts, appropriations and the use of other avenues of funding.

One of the largest changes that affected the budget was the use of $2.5 million of the proceeds from the sale of the county farm. This is the second year the board has made this move.

Other large decreases were $670,500 from the district health allocation reduction and instead using American Rescue Plan Act funding; $535,000 reduction for equipment for various departments using gaming funding instead; $411,738 from the correctional facility sheriffs budget; and $225,000 from lowering the secondary roads minimum tax asking.

Many of the smaller reductions were due to a 40-hour accrual reduction.

The budget cannot increase after Tuesday, but the supervisors can continue to trim the spending plan until the budget is certified in March.

The overall tax asking was proposed to increase by roughly $7.8 million with improvement requests.

Without the improvement requests the tax asking was proposed to increase by $7.3 million. Last year it was around $6.3 million, Butler said. If nothing was changed, the potential tax rate was $8.07 for urban and $10.69 for rural per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The FY2023 budget had tax rates of $7.15 for urban and $9.61 for rural per $1,000 of taxable valuation. This was a two-cent decrease for both from the FY22 budget.
SIOUX CITY  Next Saturday, Feb. 25, the League of Women Voters of Sioux City will hold its first legislative town hall of the calendar year.

The local League of Women Voters chapter is holding the event, at the Sioux City Public Museum, in conjunction with the NAACP Sioux City branch. It is slated to begin at 10 a.m. and will give members of the public an opportunity to ask questions of their local elected officials.

Legislators will be sharing their priorities for the 2023 session at the state capitol in Des Moines, according to a press release from the League of Women Voters.

Anyone who can't attend in person will be able to watch the event via a livestream on the League of Women Voters Facebook page "League of Women Voters of Sioux City".

The League of Women Voters was slated to have an event in January but it was canceled due to a winter storm.

On Saturday, March 25, the League of Women Voters is set to hold a town hall sponsored by Inclusive Sioux City and Siouxland Cares.
FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP)  The sheer size of the vessel and the shoes were what struck Robert Ballard when he descended to the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in 1986, the year after he and his crew from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution helped find the ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic in 1912.

The first thing I saw coming out of the gloom at 30 feet was this wall, this giant wall of riveted steel that rose over 100 and some feet above us, he said in an interview from Connecticut on Wednesday, the same day the WHOI was releasing on YouTube 80 minutes of never before publicly seen underwater video of the expedition to the wreckage.

I never looked down at the Titanic. I looked up at the Titanic. Nothing was small, he said.

The crew of Alvin, the three-person submersible he was in, headed to the surface when it started taking water into its batteries, and as it rose Ballard saw the Titanic's portholes.

It was like people looking back at us. It was pretty haunting actually, he said.

There were no human flesh or bones left, but he saw shoes, including the footwear of what appeared to be a mother and a baby, that looked like tombstones marking the spot where some of the roughly 1,500 people who perished came to rest on the ocean floor.

After the Titanic sank, those that went into the water that didnt have lifejackets died of hypothermia and their bodies came raining down, he said.

The liner sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City after hitting an iceberg in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.

The WHOI team, in partnership with the French oceanographic exploration organization Institut francais de recherche pour lexploitation de la mer, discovered the final resting place of the ship in 12,400 feet (3,780 meters) of water on Sept. 1, 1985, using a towed underwater camera.

The newly released footage was from a return expedition the following year.

Get the full story here:

Titanic by the numbers: 10 things to know about the 'unsinkable' ship 882 feet 175 feet 4 smokestacks 21 knots 3 propellers 9 decks 159 furnaces 14,000 gallons 75,000 pounds 2,208 people
DES MOINES  A proposal to fix a state error in property assessments that will leave cities, counties and other local governments with a budget shortfall is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds desk after House lawmakers passed the bill out of the chamber Wednesday.

The bill, Senate File 181, means Iowa property owners would be off the hook for about $130 million in taxes they would have otherwise paid under an erroneous assessment formula, but local governments would lose that amount, as well, from budgets they are in the process of planning.

Changes to property tax law in 2013 and 2021 changed multi-residential properties, like apartment complexes, to be taxed at the same rate as all residential properties.

But that meant the Iowa Department of Revenue included multi-residential properties with other residential properties when calculating the rollback rate last year, an adjustment that limits the growth of property assessments, resulting in a higher overall percentage for residential properties, which led to higher tax bills and higher revenue for local governments.

Local government administrators have urged lawmakers, as the bill moved through the legislative process, to delay the fix or make up the shortfalls with state reserve funds so they can avoid scrambling to cut their budgets to fit the loss in revenue.

Davenport city officials said Tuesday they'd see $1.7 million erased from revenue they were counting on in fiscal 2024 because of the fix. But the city won't have to cut services or lay anyone off to balance the budget because the city can draw from unallocated funds as a stopgap.

The proposal passed the House with mostly bipartisan support, 86-13. It passed the Senate unanimously on Feb. 1, making it eligible for Reynolds signature.

Democrats proposed an amendment that would have shored up the lost funds using the taxpayer relief fund, which held a little over $1 billion as of last fall. The amendment failed a vote along party lines.

This amendment is made to protect Iowa taxpayers, and what a better way to protect Iowa taxpayers than using the Iowa taxpayer trust fund to cover a mistake that was not local governments fault, said Rep. Dave Jacoby, a Democrat from Coralville.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, said the bill had to be passed quickly to prevent the tax increase from going into effect, and the amendment would delay that process.

Kaufmann said the bill does not mean budgets have to be cut. He pointed to the fact that cities have cash reserves they can tap to make up for the shortfalls, and he compared the change to the government revising its revenue estimates lower than they initially expected.

There will not be one dime cut from public safety due to this legislation, Kaufmann said. And if someone does choose to do that, thats a local decision, its a poor local decision, and I dont think thats actually going to happen.

Still, Jacoby and some Democrats cited messages from local government officials who said they would have to cut employee positions and other services from their planned budgets to fit the change.

What disappoints me the most is that we had a solution that Representative Jacoby offered that would have solved the problem in front of us and also not put the burden on our cities and taxpayers, said Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, who voted for the amendment and the final bill. And I cannot for the life of me understand why we chose to do that.
CEDAR RAPIDS  In a precursor to a potential run for the White House, former Vice President Mike Pence took aim Wednesday at the Linn-Mar Community School District and its transgender-affirming policies during a rally in the early GOP nominating state.

No one should have a greater role over what our children are learning or the values theyre being taught than their parents, Pence said to a room full of parents and supporters at a Pizza Ranch in Cedar Rapids.

The Linn-Mar policies, adopted last year but largely in place at many other school districts as well, spell out inclusive practices for transgender students, including giving them access to restrooms, locker rooms or changing areas that correspond with their chosen gender identity. Students in the seventh grade or above could request a gender support plan that calls for teachers and peers to address the student by a new name and new pronouns. The policy leaves it up to the students whether to notify parents.

Pence said average Americans have been dragged into a left-wing culture war that has invaded our schools, our colleges and our workplaces.

Every day we are told that not only we have to tolerate the increasingly bizarre obsessions with race and sex and gender, but we have to enthusiastically participate, or face severe consequences, said the Republican former vice president. And nowhere is this problem more severe than in our public schools.

In addition to gender-affirming policies, Pence also mentioned critical race theory, calling it state-sanctioned racism.

The broad-based term was developed in the legal field and largely taught in law schools and other graduate-level settings that racism is systemic in the nations institutions. Many Republicans have since cast it as a culture-war effort to rewrite American history and convince white people that they are inherently racist. There is little to no evidence, though, it is being taught to K-12 public school students, though some ideas central to it, such as lingering consequences of slavery, have been.

The rally was part of an outreach campaign by Advancing American Freedom, a group formed by Pence in 2021 and financed by his supporters. The campaign, which will include digital ads, rallies and events, seeks to combat policies it says effectuate students gender transition without parents knowledge and restore parental rights.

The visit coincided with oral arguments before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minn., in a case brought by a group representing parents of Linn-Mar students against the school district. Advancing American Freedom filed an amicus brief along with 20 other pro-family organizations in support of the lawsuit against Linn-Mar.

A judge last fall denied a motion for an injunction sought by the group against the district, saying it would block students from any protection from harassment and bullying on the basis of gender identity and would prevent the school from disciplining such harassment and bullying under federal and state law, as it is required to do.

The policy ensures public schools are productive, safe places to educate children and to ensure no child is subject to harassment, bullying or made to feel lesser for any reason by students, staff and others while at school, the court ruled.

The parents who filed the lawsuit argue the policy allows school staff to create a gender support plan without their consent, and assert their fundamental right to make decisions about the care, custody and control of their children, according to court documents. They also fear children could be unfairly punished for not using a students preferred pronouns or voicing certain opinions concerning transgender issues.

None of the parents, though, assert their child had been given a gender support plan without their consultation or that any child has been disciplined for any misuse  intentional and repeated or otherwise  of another childs name or pronouns.

Everybody has a right to go to school and be safe, said Aime Wichtendahl, a Hiawatha City Council member and the states first transgender elected official. Were here for the freedom of all students to live authentically.

Wichtendahl was among a group of roughly 50 protesters who held American and LGTBQ pride flags and signs that read: Love welcomes all, trans rights are human rights and dont legislate hate.

The issue has become a rallying cry with conservatives across the state.

Gov. Kim Reynolds made school choice a centerpiece of her 2023 legislative agenda. And the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature is advancing legislation barring schools from supporting a students social change in gender identity and prohibiting public schools from teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in certain grades.

Supporters, including Christian conservative advocacy organization The Family Leader, say such measures keep parents informed and ensures school employees cant hide information about a students requested gender transition or identity from parents.

Critics contend the measures endangers the safety, welfare and autonomy of transgender and gender-fluid youth, and adds to existing stigma and discrimination of LGBTQ youth, who already face higher health and suicide risks than their peers.

LGBTQ advocates say the parental notification requirements could effectively require teachers to out LGBTQ students grappling with their personal identity to potentially unsupportive or abusive family members.

At the end of the day, theyre about hurting lives and not improving the lives of Iowans, Wichtendahl said. And they need to stop this and actually start delivering for Iowans and the American people.  This kind of self-reinforced bigotry costs lives and those are the lives we are trying to protect. So if you want to go ahead and protect your kids lives, why dont you start by listening to them and stop trying to run them over?

Pence was joined by Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who made parental rights a focal point of her successful re-election campaign last year.

Hinsons two sons attend Linn-Mar schools. She stressed the importance of parents being in charge of their childs education, and that woke policies like Linn-Mars wrongly boxes parents out.

Hinson said school administrators, school board members or educators should not be allowed to help facilitate a change in gender identity for a student at school without parental consent or knowledge.

Hinson is a co-sponsor of the Parents Bill of Rights, legislation she said affirms that parents be notified and consulted about what is happening at their childs school, including medical or mental health issues regarding their child.

I think 2023 is going to be the year of the parent, she said during Wednesdays rally, claiming districts like Linn-Mar are prioritizing woke nonsense over Iowa common sense.

Geralyn Jones, Linn County chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, who attended Wednesdays rally, agreed. The group is pushing to remove what it considers obscene or objectionable books from school libraries and curriculum.

Jones said she hopes to see parental rights be a focus of GOP presidential prospects.

I think whoever decides to run for office needs to consider parents, especially when it comes to education and our right to parent our children, Jones said. It is our fundamental right to raise our children how we see fit. Its not schools responsibility to teach them what they want to know and what society wants them to know.

Pence did not say whether he will launch a 2024 White House run against his former running mate, former President Donald Trump, who already announced his campaign. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who formally launched her presidential bid Wednesday, is scheduled to campaign in Urbandale and Marion early next week.

Asked about her entry into the race, Pence wished her well.

She may have more company soon in the race for president, he said. And I promise folks here in Iowa and all of you Ill keep you posted.
A letter has finally been delivered to its destination -- more than a century after it was written.

Sent in February 1916, the correspondence arrived at its intended address in Hamlet Road, south London, much to the bewilderment of the current occupants.

"We noticed that the year on it was '16. So we thought it was 2016," Finlay Glen told CNN Thursday. "Then we noticed that the stamp was a King rather than a Queen, so we felt that it couldn't have been 2016."

Glen told CNN that the letter arrived at the property a couple of years ago, but he has only recently taken it to the local historical society, so they can research it further.

The envelope has a 1 pence stamp bearing the head of King George V. The letter was sent in the middle of World War I -- more than a decade before Queen Elizabeth II was born.

"Once we realized it was very old, we felt that it was okay to open up the letter," said Glen, 27.

Under the Postal Services Act 2000, it is a crime to open mail not addressed to you. But Glen said he can "only apologize" if he's committed a crime.

After realizing that the letter may be of historical interest, he gave it to the Norwood Review, a local quarterly magazine.

"As a local historian I was amazed and delighted to have the details of the letter passed to me," said Stephen Oxford, editor of the magazine, in a release.

The letter was addressed to "my dear Katie," who, according to Oxford, was the wife of local stamp magnate Oswald Marsh.

It was written by Christabel Mennel, the daughter of tea merchant Henry Tuke Mennel, while her family was on holiday in Bath, in western England. In the letter, Mennel writes: "I've been most miserable here with a very heavy cold."

The neighborhood of south London was a hub of business activity at the time. "Lots of wealthy, middle class people moved into the area in the late 1800s," Oxford told CNN.

Oswald Marsh, the former resident of the Hamlet Road property, "was a highly regarded stamp dealer who was often called as an expert witness in cases of stamp fraud," according to Oxford.

The Norwood Review is producing a full report on the letter.

Yet it remains a mystery as to how the letter arrived at Glen's flat.

"Incidents like this happen very occasionally, and we are uncertain what has happened in this incident," a Royal Mail spokesperson told CNN in a statement Thursday.

"We appreciate that people will be intrigued by the history of this letter from 1916, but have no further information on what might have happened."

Oxford noted that the letter was postmarked "Sydenham," an area in southeast London. He thinks it "may well have been lost sitting in a dark corner in the Sydenham sorting office and only recently discovered."

Glen said he and his girlfriend would be happy to give the letter to a local archive if it's of "serious historical significance." But, if it's found to be more "innocuous," he said, "it would be nice for us to be able to hold onto it."

Glen, a theater director and playwright, said that he doesn't often include strange twists of fate in his plays. But, after this serendipitous delivery, "perhaps the next one will."
Rep. Jim Jordan is one of the most powerful members of Congress. He chairs both the House Judiciary Committee and its new subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. House Republicans have declared that Jordans investigations are modeled after the Church Committee, the famed 1975-76 Select Committee on Intelligence Activities created after a series of scandals involving the CIA.

On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of 28 distinguished, former government officials who staffed the Church Committee wrote a letter describing how Jordan might be able to replicate that committees success, if that were his actual aim. Based on the subcommittees embarrassing first meeting on February 9, however, and Jordans statements and actions, its clear that he has no such intent. Indeed, the letter from those former Church Committee members elucidates the degree to which the Republican labeling campaign is a pathetic branding exercise.

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On Wednesday, Jordan issued his latest slew of subpoenas, this set going to CEOs of five Big Tech companies from Alphabet to Microsoft. The new subpoenas reaffirmed that hes on a wholly partisan crusade to prove his crackpot theories that the Biden administration and the FBI censored pro-Trump messages and trampled on the First Amendment rights of conservatives. This is nothing like what the Church Committee sought to achieve.

The Church Committee letter signers are quite remarkable in their backgrounds, breadth, and experience. They include former holders of a long list of important government positions.

The committee they staffed was one of the most effective investigative enterprises in Congressional history. It produced recommendations that turned into historic reforms in American law enforcement and intelligence systems. Those reforms included the creation, among other things, of a permanent Congressional intelligence oversight committee and FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

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In contrast to the Church Committees productive foundation, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy got the Weaponization Subcommittee off on the wrong foot. While the Church Committee was launched with an 82-4 bipartisan Senate vote in January 1975, McCarthy proceeded on a purely partisan-line vote, with 221 Republicans voting to approve the committee and 211 Democrats voting against it as a partisan sham.

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As the authors of the letter note, the subjects of the investigation were also bipartisan, spanning multiple past Democratic and Republican presidential administrations. The Church Committee criticized certain intelligence activities as imprudent or improper under both Democratic and Republican presidents. This already is not the case with the Jordan committee, which feels more like a Donald Trump protection racket.

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The Church Committees bipartisan origins facilitated the cooperative two-party operation which was the gateway to its success. Its staffers letter lays out how its achievements were a function of collaborative leadership: As chair, Frank Church worked closely  with fellow Democrats [and] with the panels Republicans. As a result, Republicans and Democrats alike strongly supported the Committees essential investigative mission.

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In the same vein, the Church committee [m]ajority counsel routinely included minority counsel in witness interviews and  deposition[s]. In another sharp variance, Republicans have played their cards so close to the vest that last Thursday, at the subcommittees inaugural meeting, freshman Rep. Dan Goldman, a former prosecutor, was left to question Jordan on whether there were notes of interviews with whistleblowers whom Jordan said he intends to call. Jordan would not promise to share any such notes with his minority colleagues.

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Critically, the Church Committee staffers note in their letter, the Church Committee pledged not to interfere with active law enforcement matters or ongoing, lawful intelligence operations. Jordan would make no such promise, telling CBS News that he could not preclude the possibility that a focus of the weaponization committee would be to investigate or short-circuit a specific ongoing criminal investigation. Jordan has said elsewhere he would be using his newfound powers to look into the ongoing classified documents investigations involving President Joe Biden and former President Trump.

The veterans of the Church committee describe another one of its crucial features: All Committee members publicly committed to ensuring that  intelligence activities are conducted within Americas legal framework. In any organization, that kind of shared central mission is a springboard to success. The Jordan committee already looks different. On the Church Committee, there was broad agreement that these things ought to be looked at and, in the end, there was broad agreement on what we might do about them, former Democratic Church Committee staffer Gregory F. Treverton told the New York Times. In this case, theres no broad agreement on what ought to be looked at.

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The signs that there was no such shared mission abounded at the weaponization subcommittees first meeting. As NBC reported, The partisan hearing largely consisted of Democrats and Republicans asking friendly witnesses favorable questions that reinforced their views.

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For instance, the Republicans keynote witness, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, spent his time accusing Hillary Clinton of colluding with the Russians in her 2016 presidential election defeat at the hands of Donald Trump. Republican witness Tulsi Gabbard, once a Democratic Congresswoman and now a Fox News contributor, spent her time airing complaints about Clinton having criticized Gabbard during her 2020 run for president.

Were not talking bipartisan national purpose here, folks. Were talking grade B personal grievance politics.

Ranking minority subcommittee member Stacey Plaskett bluntly captured the contrast with the Church committee when she expressed concern that the subcommittee was being used as a place to settle scores, showcase conspiracy theories and advance an extreme agenda that risks undermining Americans faith in our democracy.

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The Church veterans letter suggests that Jordans committee look into the reporting of actual weaponization of the Justice Department under former Attorney General William Barr and his special counsel, John Durham, who spent time and taxpayers money chasing invisible conspirators against Donald Trump in the FBI and Democratic party. Durham was effectively laughed out of court when both individuals whom he targeted for trial were acquitted last year.

Unfortunately, Jordan looking into actual weaponization by his own party is as likely as Donald Trump apologizing to Hillary Clinton for the Republican witnesses making such a big deal about her before the Weaponization subcommittee. The best we can hope for with Jordan and his crew is that the Democrats will continue tying them up with their own rope.

Its useful when a distinguished group of seasoned veterans of the committee which todays Republicans claim to be emulating present them with the true lens of history. Their letter shows how far Jordan and his party colleagues have strayed from the search for truth and, indeed, their lack of interest in finding it.

The Church Committee was Congress at its finest. The Jordan Committee is Congress at its lowest.
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein released a statement early Monday afternoon announcing she would retire at the end of her term in 2025, when she will be 91 years old. About an hour later, when reporters on Capitol Hill asked her about this decision, she appeared unaware that the statement had gone out.

Oh, Im not announcing anything, she told Raw Story. I will one day.

I havent made that decision. I havent released anything, she told other reporters. When a staffer told her that the statement had gone out, Feinstein said, I should have known they put it out.

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The saddest part of it all is how unsurprisingif not expectedher confusion was. For most of her three decades in the chamber, Feinstein has been a force of nature in the U.S. Senate, for better or worse. In the last few years, though, as her mental sharpness has deteriorated, Feinstein has become a fixture in the background, far away from the action. She has stepped aside, or been pushed from, the positions of importance usually afforded someone of her senior stature in the chamber. She insists that she will still serve another two years.

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Questions about Feinsteins abilities first picked up in late 2018 with her management of Christine Blasey Fords sexual misconduct allegations against SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Feinstein, then the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, at first sat on the information provided to her about Ford, and then was pushed into releasing it to the public. Democrats felt she mishandled the situation prior to its release, while Republicans felt Feinstein lost control of the situation once word got out.

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Though some of Feinsteins colleagues may have suspected she was beginning to slow down ahead of the 2018 midterms, no one, apparently, thought the problem was bad enough to persuade her not to seek a fifth term that year. It was only after her reelection (in which she defeated Kevin De Leon, who has gone on to have his own problems) that the alarms really went off.

Ahead of the 2020 confirmation hearings for SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democratic senators began actively speculating to the press that Feinstein wasnt up to the job of managing the hearings. Shes not sure what shes doing, one Democratic senator told Politico.

This would have been alarming even if the stakes werent a SCOTUS confirmation, but the stakes of Barretts nomination were as high as these kinds of stakes get. Senate Republicans, after blockading Merrick Garlands 2016 nomination to the Supreme Court until after the presidential election, were trying to lock in a 6-to-3 conservative SCOTUS majority a few weeks before the 2020 presidential election. Democrats didnt have the votes to block their determined Republican counterparts from fulfilling this power play. But they did have the capacity to maximize the political price Republicans paid.

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Most Democrats were trying to emphasize what a 6-to-3 conservative majority would mean for at least a generation. Feinstein took a different approach.

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This has been one of the best set of hearings that Ive participated in, she concluded at the end of the hearings. It leaves one with a lot of hopes, a lot of questions and even some ideas perhaps of good bipartisan legislation we can put together.

Bipartisan legislation? Huh? She proceeded to give the Judiciary Committee chairman, Lindsey Graham, a hug. The constitutional right to an abortion went poof about a year and a half later.

When Democrats narrowly retook the Senate in 2021, Feinstein was convinced to step aside from her position atop the Judiciary Committee. A New Yorker report around the time suggested that the Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, had to have that difficult talk with her multiple times because she seemed to forget about the conversations soon after they talked. A San Francisco Chronicle story from April 2022 featured numerous lawmakers who, in the Chronicles words, said that Feinstein can no longer fulfill her job duties without her staff doing much of the work required to represent the nearly 40 million people of California.

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Reporters notice things, too. Ahead of a 2022 vote to fund a short-term government funding extension, something Feinstein has voted on countless times, a reporter overheard a staffer telling her, This is a vote on the continuing resolution. Do you have any questions about it?

I dont even know what that is, Feinstein shot back at the staffer.

And forget about Feinstein serving as a committee chairman this Congress. She even had to turn down the mostly ceremonial position of Senate president pro tempore, given its status as third in line to the presidency.

This is a senator who used to make people tremble. In her earliest years in the Senate, when she was only one of a few women in the body, she muscled the (since-expired) assault weapons ban through Congress. As chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, she was often a foe of progressives on surveillance matters, but she fought doggedly to expose the CIAs torture program. She could be just as fierce in protecting California lands as she could be in reproaching children who dared support the Green New Deal.

In 2023, though, things are very different. Two House DemocratsCalifornia Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schifflaunched their campaigns for Feinsteins seat even before Feinstein (or her office) made her own announcement that she would not seek reelection. Democrats gave her all the deference she needed when deciding whether to run in 2018. That would not happen again.
News this week that Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran has invoked the attorney-client privilege in an attempt to avoid providing additional testimony in the DOJ investigation of the Mar-a-Lago affair may seem like another potential impediment to the special counsels ability to complete that probe. Yet, the DOJ response, moving to compel Corcorans testimony based on the crime fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege, indicates not only that the end may be getting near, but that the eventual charges will focus, as I previously wrote in Slate, on obstruction of justice.

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By invoking the crime fraud exception, the DOJ has represented to District Court Judge Beryl Howell that it has clear and convincing evidence that Corcoran, serving as Trumps lawyer, was involved in conduct that furthered an ongoing crime when he responded to the DOJ and the National Archives attempts to retrieve classified documents. An attorney who enables a clients violations of law loses the ability to conceal the underlying conduct by invoking the attorney-client privilege. Corcoran was at the center of the obstruction activities under question, asserting both before and after the issuance of the Mar-a-Lago subpoena that any of the demanded classified materials had been turned over to the National Archives. Corcorans key role included drafting a statement signed by another Trump lawyer, Christina Bobb, that a diligent search for classified documents had been made, and all such documents had been turned over. Some two months later, the Mar-a-Lago FBI search yielded more than 100 classified documents.

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A ruling from Judge Howell that the crime fraud exception applies would not only further expose Corcoran, but would have a rippling impact on the other Trump attorneys involved in potential obstruction. This includes, of course, Bobb, who signed the diligent search false statement. That she apparently added a minimal qualifier to Corcorans draft will likely be seen more as an admission that she knew the statement she signed was inaccurate than as a legal shield.

Then there is another Trump attorney, Alina Habba. In connection with New York Attorney General Letitia James civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and members of his family, the AG served a subpoena on the defendants for relevant documents. In seeking to justify the failure to produce these documents, Habba submitted an affidavit in which she told the court that on May 5, 2022, she diligently searched appropriate quarters at Mar-a-Lago (including areas later searched by the FBI) and found no documents responsive to the subpoena. In her diligent search, did she come across any of the hundreds of clearly marked classified documents later discovered by the FBI? CNN reported on Tuesday that Habba had appeared before the classified documents grand jury last month and she was certainly asked about this. The potential list of further questions is long. Habba is already facing a nearly $1 million fine for filing an unrelated lawsuit on the former presidents behalf against a number of his political foes, a lawsuit ultimately dismissed by the court and described by the presiding judge as a case that never should have been brought, having been filed in bad faith and for an improper purpose. To say that Habba, like Corcoran and Bobb, is extraordinarily exposed as the Mar-a-Lago investigation proceeds would be an understatement.

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Moreover, assuming Judge Howell finds that the crime fraud exception applies, that ruling might have impact not just on the lawyers involved in the Mar-a-Lago mess. All of Trumps lawyers involved in the many election-related schemes also under investigation by the special counsel from Rudy Giuliani to Sidney Powell, to John Eastman, and on downface the same prospect of not being able to use their attorney-client relationship with the main target to withhold evidence the government can use against them. The choice then will be to plead guilty and cooperate with the government to reduce potential jail time or try to defend the indefensible in a federal courtroom and face a possibly devastating outcome.

Like Michael Cohen before them, the time for accountability will arrive for the Trump lawyers who spurned their legal and ethical obligations. Having blindly gone wherever their unhinged client directed them to go will have severe consequences that cannot be avoided. If and when Judge Howell issues her expected ruling on the crime fraud exception, it appears that Corcoran, Bobb, and Habba will be the first ones up.
On Thursday, Georgia Judge C.I. McBurney released five pages of the report from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss special grand jury investigating Donald Trumps alleged interference in Georgias 2020 presidential election.

The released pages give little if anything away. But to a former federal prosecutor, the tea leaves are there to read, and they say that indictments are coming.

The key sign is in the released section of the report that says, A majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it. The report goes on to recommend that Willis seek to indict the liar or liars.

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Translation: We are insulted and angry that people think that they can come before us and lie under oath. Please, DA Willis, act so they know they cant get away with it.

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We dont know who they are talking about, but heres a reminderwith no suggestion that any of these people are the individual or individuals to whom the grand jury was referring. All of these witnesses testified before the Georgia grand jury: Sen. Lindsay Graham, former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and National Security advisor Michael Flynn, and Trump and Trump-adjacent attorneys Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Boris Epshteyn, and Lin Wood. Another witness was David Shafer, the former head of the Georgia Republican Party. And another of the matters Willis has reportedly investigated was the fake elector scheme that the Trump campaign ran in Georgia and six other states. Shafer was one of 16 such phony electors, and all 16 have been told they were targets of Willis investigation. (Shafer just announced that he will not run for another term.)

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Some of these witnesses may well have taken the Fifth Amendment and said nothing. Either way, at least one of the 75 witnesses who talked to the grand jury about Trumps alleged actions to undermine Georgias election apparently lied.

The hint in the released reports two sentences about perjury goes further, however, than just a clue about perjury indictments. It also tells us that indictments for the crimes being investigated seem highly likely. Thats because if the grand jurors thought that witnesses lied, they necessarily had a lot of information about violations committed by their targets whom the lying witnesses were protecting. People generally lie to cover up misconduct and grand juries typically will not target the perjury without targeting the underlying misconduct as well.

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Recall that the central issue under investigation is Trumps infamous phone call on Jan. 2, 2021, to Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state. In that call, which Raffensperger wisely taped, Trump said he needed Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes for him the precise number of votes Trump needed to steal President Joe Bidens electoral victory in the state.

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Mind you, special grand juries like this one only investigate; they cannot issue indictments. They can, however, recommend whether criminal charges should be sought, as they did here. It will be up to Willis to decide what to do with those recommendations.

All of that said, with Judge McBurneys judicious release, it appears that the rule of law is alive and well in Georgia. We have a court acting with careful balance, letting the public in on select portions of a grand jurys probe while protecting both sides of the criminal process. No potentially innocent parties are named, and there is no sharing of information that Willis would want to hold close to prevent witness tampering or other interference with an investigation before it is complete.

And then, stage right, we have Fani Willis, a careful prosecutor not pressuring herself to act before she is ready, even when she has said, more than three weeks ago now, Decisions are imminent. She knows that if you are going to aim at a king or a former president, youd best not miss.
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Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OLaNO) has been saying for almost a year that Slovakia will consider sending its squadron of grounded Soviet-made fighter aircraft to Ukraine as soon as its eastern neighbour officially asks for such military help.

It is natural to use those systems where they can help the most, he said last April.

Two weeks ahead of the first anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, with fears rising that Russia may ramp up the use of its own jets and helicopters in the conflict, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Heger and other leaders during an EU summit in Brussels on February 9. During the meeting with the interim Slovak premier, Ukraines president expressed his hope that Slovakia would provide his country with its MiG-29 fighter jets.

I have asked your prime minister to help us in this case, Zelensky said.

Knowing of his interim administrations limited powers, following the collapse of his government last December, Hegers answer was brief and diplomatic.

You can count on our help.We want you to succeed, the interim prime minister assured his partner.

Less than two months into the war, in April last year, Ukraine received a Soviet-made anti-aircraft missile system from Slovakia, followed by a demining system, five helicopters, various light weapons, 30 fighting vehicles, and ammunition. In addition, Ukraine has purchased several Slovak howitzers in the past few months.

Yet, Hegers recent utterance has outraged part of the Slovak opposition. It is once again accusing his government of attempting to drag Slovakia into the war.
Slovakia is ready to send more anti-aircraft missile systems and tanks to Ukraine.

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The Slovak parliament has again adopted a resolution on the escalating aggression of Russia against Ukraine, calling Russia a terrorist regime.

The resolution, submitted to parliament in mid-January, was backed by 78 of 120 MPs present in the house on Thursday, February 16.

In the resolution, the MPs acknowledge the right of Ukrainian citizens to freely decide on their future and foreign policy orientation. They further condemn Russias large-scale attacks on the civilian population and building structures.

The parliament expresses support for broad international efforts to create a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the investigation, prosecution and punishment of perpetrators of crimes against humanity and war crimes, the MPs write in the resolution.

The latest proposal was put forward to the house by SaS MPs and MPs Tomas Valasek (PS), Juraj Seliga (Za Ludi), and Kristian Cekovsky (ODP).

The parliament has also condemned the threats of the Russian Federation to use nuclear weapons, and said that it will never recognise the results of referendums in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, considering the regions as Ukrainian.

By adopting the resolution, the MPs have also condemned the hybrid war waged by Russia in Slovakia.

The lawmakers first condemned Russian military aggression against Ukraine, and expressed support for Ukraines independence and territorial integrity right after Russia launched the invasion on February 24 last year.

Accommodation allowance extended

A day prior to the vote, the government extended the period during which Slovakia will cover accommodation expenses for Ukrainian refugees until May 31. A real estate owner can receive up to 1,800 a month for taking in Ukrainian refugees.

The fact is that compared to the spring months of 2022, we have recorded a month-on-month decrease in the number of accommodated refugees, and thus in the number of accommodation providers, said Migration Office Head Jan Orlovsky.

About 109,000 Ukrainian refugees have been granted temporary refuge in Slovakia since March 1 of last year.

Kubs and tanks for Ukraine

On Thursday, interim Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer reiterated that it is in Slovakias interest to help Ukraine, asserting the claim that supplying Ukraine with weapons prolongs the war.

Unfortunately, Russia is the biggest supplier of weapons to Ukraine, he stressed.

Interim Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) said on Thursday that Slovakia could provide Ukraine with 14 Kub anti-aircraft missile systems, in addition to MiG-29 jets. He confirmed that Ukraine requested the systems.

The minister added that Slovakia is in talks with partners over the transfer of Slovakias T-72 tanks in exchange, for example, for Leopard tanks.
On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen drink coffee and eat almond pastry on foggy morning in Portland, Oregon. Not just any coffee, but the first release of Finca el Sueloan Ethiopia landrace coffee grown in Colombia on a farm owned in part by Sprudge Award winner Tim Wendelboe. The limited release represents the very first harvest, years in the making, and the hosts share their excitement for the farms future harvests.

Cant get enough podcasts? Want to learn more about Finca el Suelo? Listen to the Sprudgie Award winning Tim Wendelboe Podcast Episode 21  A Conversation About Our Coffee Farm Finca el Suelo.

Carlsen and Michelman discuss the Sprudge Twenty program presented by Pacific Barista Series. Now in its fifth year, the Sprudge Twenty nominations are now open. Nominations are free thanks to the support of Pacific Barista Series. Read the in-depth interviews of the participants from previous years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Sprudge 20 interviews can be found here.

The hosts talk at length about the ongoing Sprudge Special Projects program made possible by La Marzocco. The hub is home of long-form coffee journalism from a growing international team of writers. Visit specialprojects.sprudge.com to find thought provoking and original workupdated each and every month.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Straus Family Creamery, DONA and Pacific Barista Series.

Listen right here:

Check out The Coffee Sprudgecast on Apple Podcasts and leave a nice review if youre so inclined. The Coffee Sprudgecast is available on Spotify, Stitcher, and other exceptional podcast portals.

Check out all our shows today!

Seed To Cup Podcast from the Sprudge Podcast Network.

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Check out all the Coffee Sprudgecast episodes here.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/about-200-migrants-kicked-out-of-illegally-occupied-building-into-brussels-streets-1107521278.html

About 200 Migrants Kicked Out of Illegally Occupied Building Into Brussels Streets

About 200 Migrants Kicked Out of Illegally Occupied Building Into Brussels Streets

About 200 migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and African countries have been left without shelter in Brussels after the Belgian authorities vacated a building that they illegally occupied, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.

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world

brussels

migrants

ylva johansson

european commission

european union (eu)

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On Tuesday, nearly 200 police officers carried out an operation to vacate the building in the center of Brussels. Some migrants were placed in special centers. However, at least 200 people remained on the street despite the fact that the Belgian authorities, under the current rules and international obligations, should have provided migrants with temporary accommodation, until they receive a ruling on refugee status request.Migrants without shelter set up a tent camp outside the Belgian Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers.The affected migrants are currently receiving help from local residents and activists, including from the Doctors Without Borders aid group.The country's authorities have warned about their inability to cope with the flow of migrants, who want to settle in Belgium. Meanwhile, Brussels advocates for a "fair distribution" of refugees among all EU states.European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said earlier this month that the number of asylum seekers in 2022 had reached 1 million, with another 300,000 illegal entries. Johansson said about 60% of those asylum bids had been from people who did not need international protection.The European Commission links the heavy workload on migration services with the Ukraine conflict. Last year, the EU faced an influx of millions of Ukrainian refugees who, unlike people from other countries, receive refugee status automatically.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230125/sweden-launches-international-campaign-to-stifle-migrant-flow-1106673764.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/biden-administration-ignore-ohio-residents-and-focus-on-gun-control-1107480254.html

Biden Administration Ignore Ohio Residents and Focus on Gun Control

Biden Administration Ignore Ohio Residents and Focus on Gun Control

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Ukraine accusing Russia of using spy balloons, and Jim Biden denying... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T04:12+0000

2023-02-16T04:12+0000

2023-02-16T10:29+0000

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Biden Administration Ignore Ohio Residents and Focus on Gun Control On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Ukraine accusing Russia of using spy balloons, and Jim Biden denying any involvement with using his brother's name for financial gain .

Jamarl Thomas - Co-Host of Fault Lines | Shooting Down Balloons, UFOs, and The U.S. Government intentionally LyingAndrii Telizhenko - Ukrainian Whistleblower | Liars are Vague, NABU, and The Definition of Disinformation In the first hour, Lee spoke with Jamarl Thomas about the shoot-first policy of the US military, Chinese weather balloons, and the media casually discussing UFO's. Jamarl talked about the mixed messages coming from the Biden administration and the anti-China rhetoric. Jamarl commented on the "objects" that have been shot down and Republicans attempting to ban TikTok. In the second hour, Lee and Jason Goodman spoke with Andrii Telizhenko about the FBI, investigations into Hunter Biden, and Joe Biden's involvement with the Donald Trump impeachment. Andrii discussed his first hand recollection of meetings with Joe Biden's team and Google's deletion of Andrii Telizhenko's account. Andrii spoke about the recent Congressional hearing which discussed the censorship of Hunter Biden's laptop and the FBI anti-corruption office in Ukraine.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/20230216/blinken-says-us-not-actively-encouraging-ukraine-to-retake-crimea-reports-say-1107485761.html

Blinken Reportedly Says US Not Actively Encouraging Ukraine to Retake Crimea

Blinken Reportedly Says US Not Actively Encouraging Ukraine to Retake Crimea

US State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a video call with experts Wednesday the United States is not actively encouraging Ukraine to retake control of Crimea, but the decision is Kievs alone

2023-02-16T04:41+0000

2023-02-16T04:41+0000

2023-02-16T06:00+0000

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According to the report, the US administrations main focus is to assist Ukraine in Donbass. After someone on the call asked if Washington was willing to assist Ukraine in realizing its goal to seize Russia's Crimea, Blinken said it would be a red line for Russian President Vladimir Putin that could provoke a wider response from Moscow. Despite US and NATO officials constantly claiming that Crimea is part of Ukraine, they have not been active since 2014 in trying to contest the reunification of Crimea with Russia. Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum was held there in March 2014 following a coup in Ukraine. Ukraine continues to consider Crimea as its own, but temporarily occupied territory. The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that Crimean residents democratically, in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter, voted for reunification with Russia. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Crimea issue is "closed."

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us state secretary antony blinken, ukraine to retake control of crimea
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/china-ready-to-work-with-international-community-for-settlement-in-ukraine-diplomat-1107495784.html

China Ready to Work With International Community for Settlement in Ukraine: Diplomat

China Ready to Work With International Community for Settlement in Ukraine: Diplomat

China is ready to work with the international community to find a political solution and end the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible

2023-02-16T09:58+0000

2023-02-16T09:58+0000

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"The parties exchanged views on the Ukrainian issue," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting in France.Wang stressed that China firmly adheres to an objective and fair position on the Ukrainian issue, and always strives to contribute to reconciliation and peace talks. Wang is on a European tour on February 14-22, during which he will visit France, Italy, Hungary, Russia, and also take part in the Munich Security Conference.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/china-sanctions-us-lockheed-martin-raytheon-over-arms-sales-to-taiwan-authorities-1107505615.html

China Sanctions US' Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Over Arms Sales to Taiwan: Authorities

China Sanctions US' Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Over Arms Sales to Taiwan: Authorities

Beijing labeled US defense companies Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin as "unreliable entities" and put them on the sanctions list on Thursday, citing their weapons sales to Taiwan

2023-02-16T13:40+0000

2023-02-16T13:40+0000

2023-02-16T13:40+0000

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The US firms are now prohibited from carrying out import and export activities with Beijing, and investing in the Chinese economy, with their senior staff barred from entering China and employees no longer eligible to live and work in the country, the Chinese Commerce Ministry added. Beijing explained its decision as the need to protect China's national sovereignty and security, which it considers undermined by supplies of weapons to Taiwan. China also fined the defense companies the sum that double the amount of contracts on arms sales to the island. In September 2022, Beijing also imposed sanctions on the heads of Raytheon Technologies and Boeing Defense, Space & Security over their plans to send weapons to Taiwan. Last year, the United States approved the weapons package for Taiwan, which totaled $1.1 billion and included Harpoon and Sidewinder missiles for modernizing the island's defense capabilities and serving US security interests. China considers Taiwan an unalienable part of its sovereign territory and opposes any official contacts between the island and other countries. The US has been supporting the government of Taiwan and selling weapons to the island. Beijing has repeatedly said that the One China principle is a political foundation of China-US relations and that violations by Washington of its own obligations have been jeopardizing cooperation between the two countries, threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/new-us-congress-speaker-mccarthy-planning-to-visit-taiwan-in-pelosis-footsteps-1106617252.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/chinas-investments-in-russias-far-east-exceed-13bln-consul-general-1107494588.html

China's Investments in Russia's Far East Exceed $13Bln: Consul General

China's Investments in Russia's Far East Exceed $13Bln: Consul General

The volume of Chinese investments in projects in the Russian Far East by the end of 2022 exceeded $13 billion as the cooperation and trust between Moscow and Beijing remain on a high level

2023-02-16T09:49+0000

2023-02-16T09:49+0000

2023-02-16T09:49+0000

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"Trust and cooperation between our countries are at the highest level. The humanitarian exchanges have become closer, and large investment projects are being successfully and gradually fulfilled. By the end of 2022, the volume of Chinese investments in the Russian Far East exceeded $13 billion," Piao said at the Day of China business meeting in Vladivostok. The diplomat pointed to an increase in trade of agricultural products and in the volume of cargo transportation and said that logistics, constriction and contracting projects might serve as promising directions of the bilateral cooperation. Earlier in February, Russia and China signed an intergovernmental agreement on gas supplies through the Far East route. Deputy Russian Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier this week that national energy giant Gazprom was working on accelerating construction of the Far Eastern gas route and Power of Siberia 2 pipelines, which would attract billions of dollars of additional investments.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/doomsday-glacier-rapidly-shedding-ice--we-should-all-be-very-concerned-study-warns-1107505852.html

'Doomsday' Glacier Rapidly Shedding Ice & We 'Should All Be Very Concerned,' Study Warns

'Doomsday' Glacier Rapidly Shedding Ice & We 'Should All Be Very Concerned,' Study Warns

The so-called 'Doomsday' Thwaites glacier is shedding ice as warm water is increasingly getting into its cracks, a study warned.

2023-02-16T18:32+0000

2023-02-16T18:32+0000

2023-02-16T18:32+0000

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The risk of a dangerous rise in sea level is being fueled by a relentless attack on the Thwaites Glacier, Earths widest, by fast-warming oceans, new research has warned.Thwaites, the size of which is often likened to that of the State of Florida, has been dubbed the Doomsday Glacier for a reason. It holds over half a meter (1.6 feet) of potential global sea level surge. Accordingly, it could have a knock-on effect on neighboring glaciers, jointly triggering a subsequent three-meter (9.8-foot) rise. The glacier, located in West Antarctica, partly relies on an ice shelf jutting out into the ocean to anchor it in place.But the ice shelf is increasingly vulnerable to warmer ocean waters. Over the years, researchers have pointed to changes in the Thwaites Glacier, as deep fractures in its eastern ice shelf have been revealed by satellite images. Now, a team of scientists from the US and UK, who published their findings in the journal Nature, have revealed that deep cracks and so-called staircase formations or terraces in the ice are melting much faster than anticipated.The team - part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration - spent about six weeks on the glacier from late 2019 until early 2020, and relied on an underwater robot vehicle known as Icefin, along with other existing data, to monitor the glaciers "grounding line." This latter part of the glacier is the point where ice slides off the glacier into the ocean.In one of two papers published on Wednesday in Nature, led by Cornell University-based scientist Britney Schmidt, researchers found that warmer water was making its way into crevasses and other openings known as terraces, causing sideways melting of 30 meters (98 feet) or more per year.While scientists previously had to rely on satellite images in their study of the glacier, this time the team was able to look at where "the action begins," Schmidt added, pointing out that, Thats not what the system would look like if it wasnt being forced by climate change.Looking ahead, the current findings will hopefully be used in modeling climate change as the future behavior of these massive chunks of ice is predicted.An earlier assessment, carried out in 2022, suggested that the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet would most likely take 2,000 years to disintegrate after the so-called tipping point has been crossed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230106/study-claims-two-thirds-of-worlds-glaciers-could-disappear-by-2100-1106088105.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/ethiopia-warns-the-unhrc-could-undermine-peace-process-in-tigray-1107491690.html

Ethiopia Warns the UNHRC Could Undermine Peace Process in Tigray

Ethiopia Warns the UNHRC Could Undermine Peace Process in Tigray

The UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE)  which makes allegations of human right abuses during the Tigray conflict  could disrupt the peace process, Ethiopian government warns.

2023-02-16T11:38+0000

2023-02-16T11:38+0000

2023-02-16T14:13+0000

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The UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE)  which had made allegations of human rights abuses during the Tigray conflict in Northern Ethiopia  could disrupt the peace process, the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen warned, as cited by the Foreign Ministry's official social media account.The ICHREE, established by the UN Human Rights Council in December 2021, published its first report in September 2022, claiming that it had evidence of human rights violations committed by all sides of the conflict that could amount to "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity." The commission has called on the parties to conduct investigations and bring everyone responsible for the abuses to justice.The armed conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) ended in November 2022 after a peace treaty was signed by the two belligerents in Pretoria, South Africa, as a result of a peace process led by the African Union (AU).Since then, the separation of armed forces in four specific areas in Tigray and the handover of heavy weapons has started, as stipulated by the agreement. Basic services such as banking and air traffic have also resumed in the region.The TPLF was the governing party of Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018, when it lost its position to the current government, which rebuilt the country's relations with Eritrea. The latter fought with the TPLF-led Ethiopia over a territorial dispute from 1998 to 2000.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230115/conflict-in-ethiopias-tigray-likely-claimed-600000-lives-says-african-union-peace-mediator-1106385136.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/fatherless-greenlanders-sue-danish-state-for-human-rights-violations-1107488936.html

'Fatherless' Greenlanders Sue Danish State for Human Rights Violations

'Fatherless' Greenlanders Sue Danish State for Human Rights Violations

Until 1974, children born out of wedlock in Greenland were treated as "legally fatherless." They didn't know their fathers and were not entitled to inherit.

2023-02-16T09:26+0000

2023-02-16T09:26+0000

2023-02-16T09:26+0000

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A group of 26 Greenlanders labeled "legally fatherless" have sued the Danish state for violations of human rights, demanding an apology and a total of DKK 3,375,000 (nearly $485,000) in compensation.They claim that their right to family life has been violated due to a peculiar interpretation of the right to legal paternity that existed in parts of the Danish Realm.Children born out of wedlock were treated as "legally fatherless" in Greenland until 1974, and their biological fathers had no paternity obligation. This meant that the children didn't know who their father was and were not entitled to inherit  or even take his surname. It was not until 2014 that the law changed so that the "legally fatherless" could initiate paternity proceedings. However, this did not apply if the estate issues had been settled.By contrast, in Denmark proper, children born out of wedlock have had the right to know their father since 1938. Since then, the same rights have been applied to children born in and out of wedlock.According to a report from the Ministry of Children and Social Affairs, in 2017 there were approximately 3,300 "legally fatherless" people in Greenland (population 56,000) and 1,300 legally fatherless Greenlanders in Denmark Proper (population 5.8 million).Albert Gunnarsen, associate attorney at Ehmer Pramming, who is handling the case on behalf of the legally fatherless, claimed that his clients have been "discriminated against because they were born in Greenland."According to Gunnarsen, the Danish authorities have been aware of the problem for a long time, but failed to take any action. He stressed that the long processing time and the uncertainty are "stressful for his clients."Greenland's colonial status was only ended in 1953, when it was formally made an integral part of the Danish Realm with representation in parliament. In 1979, Greenland was granted Home Rule, and in 2009, all matters other than defense and foreign policy were transferred to the regional parliament. However, the quest for full autonomy, pursed by several political parties, has been hampered by a lack of resources and the necessity to rely on fixed Danish subsidies for income.Nevertheless, Denmark's colonial past has been a fraught issue for the Inuit community of the world's largest island. Over the years, it has suffered historical injustices at the hands of the Danes.For instance, in 1951, a group of Greenlandic children were taken from their families and forcibly placed in foster homes in a bid to make them "proper Danes" and promote the Danish colonization of Greenland's society, at that time seen as "backward." Furthermore, Greenlandic women had intrauterine devices inserted by Danish healthcare providers without their knowledge or consent.Earlier in February, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples called on Denmark and Greenland to address the negative impact of the colonial legacy that has led to structural and systemic racial discrimination against the indigenous Inuit community, which constitutes 90 percent of Greenlands population.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20211123/greenlandic-experiment-children-demand-compensation-from-danish-state-1090944835.html

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Sullivan to Meet With EU Allies on February 22 to Discuss New Russia Sanctions - Reports

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet with EU ambassadors in Brussels on February 22 to discuss new sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The European Commission is currently preparing its tenth round of sanctions, scheduled to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the February 24 start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

The new package includes what the commission calls "the toughest sanctions ever introduced by the European Union." It includes further export bans worth more than 11 billion euros ($11.7 billion) on critical technology and industrial goods, particularly vital goods like spare parts that Russia cannot obtain through third countries. It also includes further export restrictions on dual use goods and advanced tech goods to ban all tech products Russia uses on the battlefield. The sanctions will extend to third country entities, such as Iranian ones, to ban them from selling sensitive items to Russia.

In addition, the package targets Russias media, as well as officials and military leaders. It will also review all frozen assets of the Russian central bank in the EU, according to the European Commission.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/nato-boss-says-up-to-turkiye-when-to-ratify-nordics-nations-accession-to-alliance-1107501379.html

NATO Boss Says Up to Turkiye When to Ratify Nordics Nations' Accession to Alliance

NATO Boss Says Up to Turkiye When to Ratify Nordics Nations' Accession to Alliance

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday it was up to Turkey whether to ratify Finland first and Sweden afterwards or let both Nordic nations join the military alliance together.

2023-02-16T11:32+0000

2023-02-16T11:32+0000

2023-02-16T11:58+0000

world

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"My position is that both can be ratified now. But the main issue is not whether they are ratified together. The main issue is that Finland and Sweden are ratified as soon as possible," he told reporters in Ankara. He argued that both Sweden and Finland had made progress on Turkiye's concerns since the three signed a joint memorandum at a NATO summit in July and it was time for them to become full members. Stoltenberg admitted that the recent burning of the holy Muslim book in Stockholm was "disgraceful" but he insisted that Sweden had acted promptly to prevent protesters from torching more copies of the Quran. He said Sweden had also made good on its promise to address Ankaras terrorism concerns.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230130/finland-has-positive-prospect-of-nato-membership-turkish-foreign-minister-1106814274.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/natos-unsustainable-bluff-1107492202.html

NATO's Unsustainable Bluff

NATO's Unsustainable Bluff

On November 16, 2022, the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, at the conclusion of the seventh session of the Ukraine Contact Group (UCG) tasked with identifying and fulfilling military support requirements for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, issued a very pessimistic assessment of the situation on the ground.

2023-02-16T10:18+0000

2023-02-16T10:18+0000

2023-02-16T10:48+0000

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Noting that, for the moment, Russia right now is on its back," Milley warned that the Russian decision to incorporate nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory into its own borders, combined with the then-ongoing mobilization of 300,000 reserves, meant the conflict would not end any time soon. [T]he probability of a Ukrainian military victory, defined as kicking the Russians out of all of Ukraine, to include what they claim is Crimeais not high, militarily, Milley noted.What a difference three months make.On February 14, 2023, on the eve of a 10th meeting of the UCG, Mark Milley seemed to have a change of heart, telling reporters that Russia has lost in the Ukraine conflict. As it approaches the one-year mark, Joint Chiefs chairman gen. singling out Russian President Vladimir Putin, Milley declared that Putin thought he could defeat Ukraine quickly, fracture the NATO alliance, and act with impunity. He was wrong, Milley said, adding that Russia has paid an enormous price on the battlefield as a result.The American military chief continued. Russia is now a global pariah and the world remains inspired by Ukrainian bravery and resilience. In short, Russia has losttheyve lost strategically, operationally, and tactically.Milley might want to consult with specialists the next time he opts to opine on matters pertaining to the conflict in Ukraine. Far from a global pariah, Russian diplomats are being welcomed with open arms in geopolitically vital regions of the world, such as Africa. This strong diplomatic showing, when combined with a strong Russian economy, which the International Monetary Fund expects to expand 0.3% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024, despite stringent US and European-backed economic sanctions, points to a strategic victory by Russia.As for Milleys assessments regarding the state of play operationally and tactically, he would do well to heed recent comments by US Army General Christopher Cavoli, NATOs Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to a Swedish defense conference this past January. Cavoli noted that both the scale and intensity of the combat ongoing in Ukraine made it clear that the NATO alliance was not prepared to fight a large-scale ground war in Europe.The magnitude of this war is incredible, Cavoli said. If we average out since the beginning of the war, the slow days and fast days, the Russians have expended on average well over 20,000 artillery rounds per day. The scale of this war is out of proportion with all of our recent thinking, Cavoli noted, adding, it is real, and we must contend with it.Cavolis emphasis on artillery is critical in parsing out Milleys assertions that Ukraine had the upper hand operationally and tactically, given the major role played by artillery in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While the intent of the 10th gathering of the UCG, convened on February 14, Saint Valentines Day, was to focus on the provision of high-value items to Ukraine, such as tanks and aircraft, the conference quickly diverted into the realm of reality, where the critical shortage of artillery ammunition arose as the primary problem facing Ukraine. While the United States had already delivered more than one million 155mm artillery shells to the Ukrainian Army, the scale of the fighting alluded to by General Cavoli means that Ukraine is firing off in a single day the total number of shells the US can produce in a month. At this rate, Ukraine is expected to run out of ammunition by the end of the summer.Pro-hint to General Milleyif your opponent is firing many times the amount of artillery as you are, and you run out of ammunition, the operational and tactical advantage belongs to them, not you.And while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergs recognition that Ukraine and NATO were facing an existential crisis when it came to artillery ammunition, there was no ready solution on the horizon the rectify the problem, especially in a time frame that would alter the dire logistical reality that come this summer, the Ukrainian Army will lose the ability to resist the Russian Army.Two decades of singular focus on low-intensity combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has atrophied both US and European production lines for artillery ammunition. It would take years to start up new production lines, and even then, the private defense industries involved would be loath to do so without long-term contracts which, given the moment-by-moment aspect of NATO aid to Ukraine, is not forthcoming.Meanwhile, Russias defense industry is chugging along on all cylinders, not only producing ammunition in sufficient quantities to meet its prodigious expenditure rates in Ukraine, but also build stocks sufficient to supply an expanding Russian military, expected to grow to over 1.5 million in the next several years.Russia, unlike Ukraine, isnt running out of ammunition any time soon, a fact which, in a war defined by artillery firepower, means it holds the operational and tactical edge over their Ukrainian opponents.The issue is larger than simply the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. As General Cavoli alluded, not only has NATO stripped away its existing stockpile of artillery ammunition, it lacks the industrial capacity to replenish these stocks in the foreseeable future. According to former NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General Jamie Shea, the trans-Atlantic alliance has largely used up the available stocks in supplying Ukraine, and now must focus on replenishing its own depleted stocks before the issue of meeting Ukraines urgent demands can be addressed.Ukraine rolled into the Saint Valentines Day meeting with high expectations, dreaming of tanks and fighter aircraft. Instead, it left a jilted lover, told by its NATO allies that the well has literally run dry.And if this situation holds for the next several months, General Milley might have to eat his words, since Russia is apparently on the course to achieve a decisive strategic, operational, and tactical military victory over Ukraine and its NATO sponsors.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/nato-chief-alliance-needs-to-be-prepared-to-provide-long-haul-support-to-ukraine-1107096638.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/us-army-to-order-993mln-worth-of-heavy-artillery-ammunition-pentagon-1107496143.html

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nato, nato's bluff, nato's aid to ukraine, us statements on ukrainian army's positions in ukraine conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/new-corroborating-evidence-emerges-showing-us-trace-behind-nord-stream-blasts-1107514989.html

New Corroborating Evidence Emerges Showing US Trace Behind Nord Stream Blasts

New Corroborating Evidence Emerges Showing US Trace Behind Nord Stream Blasts

US investigative journalist Sy Hersh opened a Pandoras box of incriminating evidence that purportedly directly links the Biden administration to Septembers sabotage attacks against the Nord Stream gas pipeline network.

2023-02-16T17:41+0000

2023-02-16T17:41+0000

2023-02-16T18:39+0000

nord stream sabotage

nord stream

seymour hersh

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An email forwarded to Sputnik by a US journalist from an individual identifying themselves as a servicemember that took part in last summers NATO BALTOPS 22 exercises in waters near the site of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions provides new information corroborating last week's bombshell Substack report on the incident by Seymour Hersh.According to the email, on June 15, a helicopter delivered a group of conspicuous-looking American divers in civilian clothes to the exercise area. My first thought was that they looked like a group of terrorists, the source wrote, pointing to the individuals odd haircuts, mustaches and beards, and the absence of any military ID markers.The divers were said to have been greeted by a vice admiral of the US Sixth Fleet and a group of individuals in plain clothes. The source couldnt hear the details of their conversation due to the noise generated by the helicopters propeller blades. The commander of the Sixth Fleet during the BALTOPS 22 drills was Vice Admiral Eugene Black. Black was succeeded by Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee in September. The source did not clarify whether Black was the vice admiral the men spoke to.The source in the email took note of the mens MK29 military-issue rebreather systems, which use an oxygen-helium mixture for deep-sea diving. He also noticed that the men had other high-grade, expensive equipment not in use by ordinary Navy units, and that they brought small boxes with them, contents unknown.The men identified themselves as participants in "de-mining exercises," which were to involve the sailing of a small rubber dinghy to a specified destination, find, and defuse anti-ship mines. However, the divers didnt seem equipped for this, the source indicated.Upon their return, the divers were no longer carrying their mystery boxes. They were picked up by a helicopter and flown out of the area, according to the source.The email was received and verified by John Dougan, a US citizen journalist in Russia. Dougan told Sputnik that the author of the email had sent him details verifying he was who he said he was, including a photo of himself from the BALTOPS 22 drill, a military ID, and passport photo. Dougan couldnt share this information in the interest of protecting the source's identity. The email was sent from an apparent burner account, Dougan said.Speaking to Russian media on Thursday, Dougan said he believed many people in the US were beginning to wake up and understand what is happening in Ukraine, and the US role in essentially starting World War III. He noted that the legacy media in the West has done its best to block the dissemination of truthful information about the Ukraine crisis, but added that people have been able to find alternative, independent sources of information to figure out whats really going on.Dougan said that the only ones benefiting from the Ukraine conflict are US defense and energy companies, who are making billions of dollars on weapons contracts and the sale of US gas to Europe.New Info Corroborates Hersh ReportingThe information shared with Sputnik verifies last weeks Substack story by veteran US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, which detailed how US Navy divers operating under the cover of the BALTOPS 22 drills managed to plant remotely triggered C4 explosives in waters off the Danish island of Bornholm that detonated and destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines in September.According to Hershs information, the divers operated from aboard a Norwegian Alta-class minesweeper, with C4 later triggered by a sonar buoy dropped by a Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane. The explosives-to-buoy communications system was said to have used highly advanced signal processing technology.US media met Hershs reporting with a mix of feigned obliviousness and attempts to smear him as a discredited journalist. US officials categorically denied the information in his report, and any US involvement in the Nord Stream terror attack.Moscow has vowed not to let the bombshell revelations be swept under the rug, while China has called for an impartial investigation into the incident. Russia has scheduled a United Nations Security Council meeting on the issue for February 22.On Thursday, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith reiterated that the US rejects all allegations of involvement in the Nord Stream attack, said she does not know who was behind the blasts, and that Washington would like to see the investigations continue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/beijing-calls-for-impartial-nord-stream-blasts-probe-bringing-responsible-to-justice-1107491287.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230215/nato-creates-coordination-group-for-key-underwater-infrastructure-protection-stoltenberg-1107464536.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/us-wants-investigation-into-nord-stream-explosions-to-continue-ambassador-to-nato-claims-1107509118.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/nicaragua-strips-over-90-people-of-nationality-accused-of-state-treason-media-reports-1107484452.html

Nicaragua Strips Over 90 People of Nationality Accused of State Treason, Media Reports

Nicaragua Strips Over 90 People of Nationality Accused of State Treason, Media Reports

A Nicaraguan court has accused 94 people of state treason and stripped them of the country's citizenship, local media reported on Wednesday. The court also ordered that all property of the accused people be seized.

2023-02-16T03:41+0000

2023-02-16T03:41+0000

2023-02-16T03:41+0000

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According to Nicaraguan newspaper, the list includes writers, a journalist, and a human rights activist.The court also ordered that all property of the accused people be seized.Last week, Nicaragua has released 222 political prisoners, including political and business leaders, journalists, civil society representatives, and students, accused of threatening the sovereignty and independence of the state, inciting violence, and terrorism. All of those people have been stripped of their rights. declared them traitors of the state, stripped them of their nationality, and sent them to the United States.Washington welcomed the release of political prisoners in Nicaragua, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last Thursday, adding that the release marks a constructive step toward addressing human rights abuses in Nicaragua and opens the door to further dialogue between the US and Nicaragua regarding "issues of concern."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/nigerias-president-buhari-extends-old-naira-circulation-for-60-days-amid-currency-crisis-1107511959.html

Nigeria's President Buhari Extends Old Naira Circulation for 60 Days Amid Currency Crisis

Nigeria's President Buhari Extends Old Naira Circulation for 60 Days Amid Currency Crisis

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the CBN to extend the circulation of old N200 notes to co-exist with new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes for 60 days due to cash shortages.

2023-02-16T15:52+0000

2023-02-16T15:52+0000

2023-02-16T15:52+0000

africa

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Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday directed the CBN to extend the circulation of old N200 notes to co-exist with new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes for 60 days after cash shortages hit the citizens of the largest African economy. He made this announcement during the address to the nation on the challenges of the currency swap in the country. He stated that the old 200 notes would continue to circulate in the economy alongside with the new ones until April 10. At the same time, the old 1,000 and 500 notes remain redeemable, can be swapped at the central bank and other "designated points."The decision was made as the new notes have been in short supply, which reportedly resulted in long queues and other difficulties in receiving cash at banks all over the country. The president apologized to Nigerians as many of them faced various hardships caused by the implementation of the naira redesign policy. He noted that he "sincerely sympathised" with everyone over these unintended outcomes. Buhari recalled that the policy is aimed at boosting the country's economy and "tightening of the loopholes associated with money laundering." He highlighted that despite the initial setbacks experienced, the evaluation mechanism set up by the governmnet revealed that some positive results have been gained from the policy initiative. Buhari assured that the government will continue the policy while ensuring that the citizens "are not unnecessarily burdened." He noted that in this regard the central bank should make the new notes more available and accessible through the banks across the country.The CBN had once extended the deadline for the swap of the old notes from January 31 to February 10 following complaints by Nigerians. But the country's Supreme Court has recently suspended the deadline for the transition to new naira banknotes due to a lawsuit launched by several state governors against the federal government. It was aimed at stopping the implementation of the transition due to banknote scarcity and other difficulties associated with it. The legal case has been adjourned on Wednesday until February 22.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/nigerian-supreme-court-suspends-banknote-transition-deadline-amid-naira-scarcity-1107079461.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/no-lock-no-stock--no-barrel-why-blinken-re-evaluated-red-lines-and-backed-down-on-crimea-1107516543.html

No Lock, No Stock & No Barrel: Why Blinken Re-Evaluated 'Red Lines' and Backed Down on Crimea

No Lock, No Stock & No Barrel: Why Blinken Re-Evaluated 'Red Lines' and Backed Down on Crimea

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a group of experts on Wednesday that a Ukrainian attempt to retake Crimea would be a red line for Russian President... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T19:08+0000

2023-02-16T19:08+0000

2023-02-16T19:08+0000

analysis

us

opinion

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crimea

nato

antony blinken

escalation

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"It is curious, as the US leadership in the past has not seemed to understand what the term 'red-line' means," Retired Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, a former analyst for the US Department of Defense, told Sputnik. "It is possible that Blinken is becoming aware of the serious weakness and rapid decline of Ukraine's situation, on military, humanitarian, and political leadership fronts. There is a broad array of factual information and accurate assessments of Ukraine's situation available to the rest of the world, and even among some important retired military men and other analysts in the US, and this information is gradually seeping into the US State Department."In a recent Zoom call with a group of experts, Blinken specified that the US isnt actively encouraging Ukraine to retake Crimea and that it is solely Kiev's initiative.Washington Was 'Warming' to Attack CrimeaBlinken's remarks came after US mainstream media reports in January alleged that the Biden administration is considering the argument that Kiev needs the strength to regain Crimea. The New York Times reported on January 18 that the US government believes that if the Ukrainian military had an opportunity to threaten the peninsula, it would have boosted Kiev's negotiating position, even if such a move would increase the risk of escalation.The media claimed, citing unnamed US officials, that Kiev and Washington had been discussing the use of American-supplied weapons, such as HIMARS rocket systems and Bradley fighting vehicles, to target Russia's control over a land bridge that functions as a critical supply route connecting Crimea to Russia via Melitopol and Mariupol. The newspaper also quoted Frederick B. Hodges, a retired lieutenant general and former US top commander in Europe, who said that in the coming months, the Bradleys could be used to help sever the land bridge.Blinken's apparent change of heart comes in contradiction with the January reports. Furthermore, RAND, an American nonprofit global policy think tank created in 1948 by the Douglas Aircraft Company to offer research and analysis to the United States Armed Forces, has released an analysis stating that a protracted military conflict in Ukraine is not in US interests.According to RAND, the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO is elevated while the conflict is ongoing.The report also alleged that an end to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict "that leaves Ukraine in full control over all of its internationally recognized territory () remains a highly unlikely outcome." It further remarked that "the line of control as of December 2022 does not deprive Kiev of economically vital areas that would dramatically affect the country's viability."Depleted Weapons StockpilesBut that is not all: it appears that the US does not have the resources and stamina to push ahead with the conflict, according to Sputnik's interlocutors.Earlier this week, the Western press reported that the Pentagon is reviewing its weapons stockpiles and may need to boost military spending after seeing how quickly ammunition has been used during the Ukraine conflict. On Tuesday, Department of Defense officials met with their counterparts in Brussels to coordinate massive amounts of lethal assistance to Kiev. The quantity of munitions required for prolonging the conflict exposed vulnerabilities in the defense industry of the US and its allies, as per Western media.Previously, a series of reports by American and European media outlets raised the alarm over the speed at which Western ammo and military equipment are being used and destroyed in Ukraine.False Flags to Escalate or Shift the Narrative Are Both PossibleKiev is urging its Western patrons to provide more weapons and support to seize Crimea, but that would require a huge military grouping, long-range weapons, and naval forces, i.e. something Ukraine does not have, according to the Russian expert.Kiev has a lot on its plate right now, and cannot even dream about shifting its focus to Crimea, echoed Kwiatkowski."However, Ukraine would like for NATO or the US to believe this is a valid goal, and enter the battlefield on its behalf. It is possible that Ukraine's leadership, and Zelensky himself, has misread the US tea leaves, and actually believes the US and NATO will fight a land and sea war against Russia over Crimea right before a US election, just as several NATO member governments go wobbly on the whole Ukraine fiasco," Kwiatkowski continued.However, she warned against believing that the US leadership is willing to back down in the near term: they may both try to escalate further or shift the narrative and seek a way out.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230130/out-of-control-mtg-says-us-possibly-backing-ukraine-invasion-of-crimea-insanity-1106837426.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/rate-of-ukraine-ammunition-use-makes-us-review-stockpiles-weigh-up-spending-hike-milley-1107506998.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/four-reasons-leopard-2s--m1-abrams-will-bite-the-dust-in-ukraine-1106772754.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/over-200-al-shabaab-terrorists-killed-in-somali-army-operations-1107490615.html

Over 200 Al-Shabaab Terrorists Killed in Somali Army Operations

Over 200 Al-Shabaab Terrorists Killed in Somali Army Operations

Over 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed in recent military operations in Galmudug, South West State, and Jubaland.

2023-02-16T12:41+0000

2023-02-16T12:41+0000

2023-02-16T12:46+0000

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Over 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed in recent military operations in Galmudug, South West State, and Jubaland, Somalia's Information Minister Daud Aweis says. The minister outlined that the army had also cleared large areas of the terrorists in the Mudug region and seized a "senior" al-Shabaab explosives expert.According to Daud Aweis, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the Somali people for contributions of $1 per person for the "national defense and liberation program" to "eliminate terrorists and give people more opportunities to participate in ongoing operations." Al-Shabaab has been active is Somalia since the mid-2000s, capturing large swathes of the country's territory in the following years.More recently, al-Shabaab has instrumentalized terror attacks as their primary tactic.Today, the group is in control of vast areas of the Somali countryside. Last year, the current Mogadishu government under President Mohamud declared an "all-out war" on the movement. In response, al-Shabaab carried out more terror attacks, including the deadliest one in five years, when at least 121 people were killed and 333 injured in Mogadishu in October 2022.*Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda are terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230202/horn-of-africa-nations-agree-to-joint-campaign-against-al-shabaab-1106910707.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/poles-readiness-to-accept-ukrainian-refugees-drops-21-percentage-points-after-march-high-1107502734.html

Poles' Readiness to Accept Ukrainian Refugees Drops 21 Percentage Points After March High

Poles' Readiness to Accept Ukrainian Refugees Drops 21 Percentage Points After March High

WARSAW (Sputnik) - The majority of Poles - 67% - are still ready to accept refugees from Ukraine, but that figure is down 21 percentage points since its record high in March

2023-02-16T12:16+0000

2023-02-16T12:16+0000

2023-02-16T12:16+0000

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ukraine

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The research group conducted the first survey on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine, to determine Poles' attitudes toward the expected wave of refugees. To date, five such surveys have been conducted. According to this week's poll, 67% of Poles agree to accept refugees, while in previous surveys, the percentage of those who welcome migrants was higher, namely 72% in February, 88% in March, 79% in May and 71% in October. The number of Polish residents confident that Kiev can stand up to Russia is also declining, at nearly 37%, down from over 43% in fall of 2022, the poll showed. Over 60% of Poles believe that refugees receive more assistance and benefits from the government than citizens, up from nearly 56% in October 2022, according to the poll. Every third Pole had no contact with a Ukrainian citizen before the Russian military operation, while now only 6.4% had no contact with Ukrainian refugees, the survey showed. At the same time, interest in regularly following news about events in Ukraine is decreasing in Poland. If after the start of the military conflict 85% of respondents said they were interested in this information, now this figure has dropped to 52%, the poll showed. The poll was conducted on February 14 and surveyed 1,677 people. Almost 10 million people have crossed the border from Ukraine to Poland since Russia's military operation began on February 24. 2022. About 1.5 million of them currently remain in Poland.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221204/big-trouble-at-small-refugee-center-ukrainian-woman-picks-fight-over-extension-cord-1105022937.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/pr-no-dont-do-that-internet-reacts-as-musk-prods-govt-leaders-to-write-their-own-tweets-1107485150.html

'PR: No! Don't Do That': Internet Reacts as Musk Prods Gov't Leaders to Write Their Own Tweets

'PR: No! Don't Do That': Internet Reacts as Musk Prods Gov't Leaders to Write Their Own Tweets

'PR: No! Don't do that': Internet users have reacted to Elon Musk calling on government leaders to write their own tweets.

2023-02-16T05:56+0000

2023-02-16T05:56+0000

2023-02-16T05:56+0000

us

elon musk

joe biden

gaffes

twitter

viral

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Twitter users were split in their response to Elon Musk's recent call on CEOs and other leaders to "do the tweets yourself" in they wanted to be more authentic on social media. Many commented that it would be a "PR nightmare", and tongue-in-cheek envisioned White House officials begging, "No! Don't do that," in a nod to President Joe Biden's propensity for gaffes.However, others joked that the afore-said PR bosses were "safe", since "few government persons could speak by themselves." Some quipped that if this happened, many would lose their jobs.Others, however, appeared to share the tech guru's opinion that companies should have leaders that "do speak in their own voices."CEO Elon Musk, known for his often quirky and outlandish statements dumped on social media, has suggested that CEOs and leaders should run their own social media accounts and "speak authentically".Twitter CEO Elon Musk also revealed that he hoped to find someone to run his social-media company by the end of 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230215/much-better-than-that-other-guy-elon-musk-touts-pet-dog-floki-as-worthy-twitter-ceo-1107445471.html

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internet users react, elon musk urges ceos, government leaders to write their own tweets, do the tweets yourself, more authentic on social media, biden gaffes
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/russia-will-not-allow-silencing-issue-of-nord-stream-explosions-embassy-in-us-1107488667.html

Russia Will Not Allow Silencing Issue of Nord Stream Explosions: Embassy in US

Russia Will Not Allow Silencing Issue of Nord Stream Explosions: Embassy in US

Moscow will not allow silencing the reports suggesting the United States was behind the explosions on Nord Stream gas pipeline given that there is no data on several remaining explosives in the Baltic Sea

2023-02-16T06:01+0000

2023-02-16T06:01+0000

2023-02-16T06:01+0000

nord stream sabotage

russia

nord stream

nord stream 2

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"The Russian side will not allow to simply turn the page on blowing up the critical energy infrastructure. Especially given the fact that nothing is known about the several remaining explosives, apparently located on the bottom of the sea," embassy spokesman Igor Girenko said on Telegram.The diplomat also said that Moscow qualified the incident as "an act of international terrorism" that requires a "comprehensive and independent investigation." He added that the US should drop the "baseless accusations" against Russia and "get down to business." Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, when asked whether the United Nations should play a role in probing the suspected sabotage, that he would leave it to the US' partners on whose territory the blast occurred to speak to the appropriate investigative mechanisms. On September 26, three of the four strings of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were damaged by underwater blasts. Last week, Pulitzer Prize-winning US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report detailing how US Navy divers had allegedly planted explosives under the pipelines, which Norway activated three months later. US President Joe Biden allegedly decided to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines after more than nine months of secret discussions with his national security team, the report based on insider information from a source said. The US government has repeatedly denied involvement in the blowing up of the Russian pipelines, while the Russian government has demanded an open investigation and called an emergency Security Council meeting next week.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230215/moscow-slams-nordics-for-sweeping-nord-stream-blast-under-carpet-as-hersh-warns-of-dire-costs-for-1107474026.html

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explosions on nord stream gas pipeline, behind the explosions
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/russian-foreign-ministry-summons-austrian-ambassador-over-expulsion-of-diplomats-in-vienna-1107504443.html

Russian Foreign Ministry Summons Austrian Ambassador Over Expulsion of Diplomats in Vienna

Russian Foreign Ministry Summons Austrian Ambassador Over Expulsion of Diplomats in Vienna

Austrian Ambassador to Russia Werner Almhofer was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday over Vienna's declaration of four Russian diplomats personae non gratae

2023-02-16T13:25+0000

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2023-02-16T13:25+0000

russia

austria

ambassador

russia

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"As a retaliatory measure, four employees of the Austrian Embassy in Russia have been declared 'personae non gratae.' They must leave the country by February 23," the statement read. Moscow also said that the difficulties with visa issuance for official Russian delegations traveling to Vienna to participate in multilateral events contradict Austria's obligations as a host country. In early February, the Austrian Foreign Ministry said two diplomats of the Russian Embassy and two diplomats of the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations were declared personae non gratae due to "acts incompatible with their diplomatic status."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/russian-state-duma-adopts-draft-appeal-to-un-on-nord-stream-explosions-investigation-1107497279.html

Russian State Duma Adopts Draft Appeal to UN on Nord Stream Explosions Investigation

Russian State Duma Adopts Draft Appeal to UN on Nord Stream Explosions Investigation

Russian State Duma at a plenary session on Thursday adopted a draft appeal to the UN calling for an international investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines

2023-02-16T10:19+0000

2023-02-16T10:19+0000

2023-02-16T10:19+0000

nord stream sabotage

nord stream

explosion

russia

the united nations (un)

investigation

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"The members of the State Duma of Russia's Federal Assembly appeal to the United Nations Security Council with a proposal to initiate an investigation of this act of international terrorism, to give a legal assessment of this sabotage and to bring to justice the contractors and perpetrators of this crime that jeopardized the security of Eurasia," the document read. According to the appeal, the administration of US President Joe Biden, who "gave an illegal order," bears full responsibility both "for causing multi-billion dollar damage" to the owners of the most important energy infrastructure for the Eurasian continent  Russia, Germany, France and the Netherlands, and "for the long-term detrimental impact of this attack on the economic development of the countries of the region as a whole, as well as for the catastrophic damage to the environment."Last week, Pulitzer Prize-winning US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report detailing how US Navy divers had allegedly planted explosives under the pipelines, which Norway activated three months later. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is preparing a special meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the need for an international investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230215/hersh-blasts-us-mainstream-media-for-ignoring-nord-stream-blasts-report-1107465220.html

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nord stream pipelines, russian state duma, un calling for an international investigation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/seymour-hersh-gives-interview-in-germany-color-revolution-in-hungary-pentagon-spending-1107481078.html

Seymour Hersh Gives Interview in Germany; Color Revolution in Hungary?; Pentagon Spending

Seymour Hersh Gives Interview in Germany; Color Revolution in Hungary?; Pentagon Spending

Seymour Hersh has given an interview to a German media outlet in which he doubled down on his Nord Stream assertions and claimed that certain forces in the US... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T04:14+0000

2023-02-16T04:14+0000

2023-02-16T10:28+0000

the critical hour

radio

seymour hersh

nord stream

ukraine

bernie sanders

libya

germany

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Seymour Hersh Gives Interview in Germany; Color Revolution in Hungary?; Pentagon Spending Seymour Hersh has given an interview to a German media outlet in which he doubled down on his Nord Stream assertions and claimed that certain forces in the US government are angry at President Biden.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. President Zelensky continues the Ukraine sell-off as he signs a deal with JP Morgan for reconstruction. Also, the US warns Ukraine that the war is at a pivotal moment.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, and Counterpunch, joins us to discuss the latest Seymour Hersh interview. Seymour Hersh has given an interview to a German media outlet in which he doubled down on his Nord Stream assertions and claimed that certain forces in the US government are angry at President Biden.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss the EU. Latvia is pouring money into a documentary about a WW2 Nazi unit from their nation. Also, the US may have eyes set on Hungary for regime change.Essam Elkorghli, Libyan Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he researches Libyas modern history, state ideology, and contemporary imperialism in education, joins us to discuss Libya. The US seeks to interfere in Libyan elections. Also, the US seeks to push Russia out of Sudan and Libya.Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents, joins us to discuss the Nord Stream attack. Margaret Kimberly discusses the Western media's lack of attention to the Seymour Hersh article.Ted Rall, political cartoonist, and syndicated columnist, joins us to discuss domestic politics. Bernie Sanders has a new bill to raise the salaries of US teachers. Also, the Pentagon budget is approaching 1 trillion dollars.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss Asia. The Philippines is holding its biggest war games in years. Also, Russia is diverting its oil supplies to friendly customers.Nicholas Davies, peace activist and author of "Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion of Iraq," joins us to discuss Ukraine's spin. Nicholas Davies and Meda Benjamin have a new article titled "How Spin and Lies Fuel a Bloody War of Attrition in Ukraine".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/20230216/state-dept-blinken-visiting-germany-turkey-for-talks-on-security-earthquake-recovery-1107485487.html

State Dept: Blinken Visiting Germany, Turkey for Talks on Security, Earthquake Recovery

State Dept: Blinken Visiting Germany, Turkey for Talks on Security, Earthquake Recovery

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Germany, Turkey and Greece from February 16-22 for talks on the Ukraine conflict at the Munich Security Conference, earthquake recovery efforts after the catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey and cooperation with Greece

2023-02-16T01:33+0000

2023-02-16T01:33+0000

2023-02-16T04:39+0000

world

antony blinken

us

germany

turkiye

greece

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Blinken will first visit Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, where he will hold bilateral and multilateral meetings on continued support for Ukraine, Price said in a statement on Wednesday. The secretary of state will also hold a joint meeting with UK, French and German colleagues while in Munich, as well as participate in a Group of Seven (G7) meeting focused on Ukraine, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried said during a press briefing. Blinken is not expected to announce any major aid packages for Ukraine while in Munich, Donfried added. On February 19, Blinken will visit the Incirlik Air Base in Turkiye to witness US efforts to assist in the recovery efforts from the deadly earthquakes that hit Turkiye and Syria earlier this month, Price said in the statement. Blinken will then travel to Ankara for a meeting and joint press availability with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Donfried said. Earthquakes will be at the forefront of Blinkens discussions in Turkey, although the top US diplomat will also discuss ways to strengthen Turkiyes role as a NATO ally, Donfried said. Moreover, Blinken will thank the Turkish government for its support of cross-border aid efforts for neighboring Syria, Price said. Blinken will then visit Greece for talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other top government officials on defense cooperation, energy security and democracy, Price said. On February 21, Blinken will launch the fourth round of the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, Price added. Blinkens trip to Europe overlaps with a trip to the continent by US President Joe Biden, who will visit Poland from February 20-22 to deliver remarks ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russias special military operation in Ukraine. Biden is also expected to publicly address the recent downing of balloons in US airspace and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while in Poland, US and Polish media reported on Wednesday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/turkish-foreign-minister-calls-on-us-to-maintain-balance-in-relations-with-turkey-greece-1106407092.html

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us secretary of state antony blinken, blinken will visit germany, turkey and greece, talks on the ukraine conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/texas-sues-biden-says-unlawfully-signed-spending-bill-passed-with-no-quorum-present-1107495903.html

Texas Sues Biden, Says Unlawfully Signed Spending Bill Passed With No Quorum Present

Texas Sues Biden, Says Unlawfully Signed Spending Bill Passed With No Quorum Present

The state of Texas filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration after the US president allegedly unlawfully signed and implemented the $1.7 trillion spending bill for 2023 after the House of Representatives violated the law by passing the bill without a quorum present

2023-02-16T10:01+0000

2023-02-16T10:01+0000

2023-02-16T11:40+0000

americas

us

texas

joe biden

lawsuit

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"Attorney General Paxton is suing President Biden and members of his Administration over the unlawful signing and implementation of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which was the latest omnibus spending bill," Paxton said in the release on Wednesday. The US Constitution requires that a quorum of members of the House be present for the lower chamber of Congress to conduct business, and, according to the release, when the House passed the 2023 omnibus bill in December 2022, fewer than half of its members were present and more than half voted by proxy. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's office could not be reached for comment on this matter, but he previously acknowledged the violation. McCarthy said in late December that House Republicans would look into the legality of the matter once they become the majority in the lower chamber. The $1.7 trillion spending bill included billions in new funding for Ukraine.

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lawsuit against the biden administration, house of representatives violated the law
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/tigray-peace-process-important-lesson-marker-for-africa--world-south-african-fm-says-1107508875.html

Tigray Peace Process 'Important Lesson, Marker for Africa & World,' South African FM Says

Tigray Peace Process 'Important Lesson, Marker for Africa & World,' South African FM Says

This peace process in Ethiopia's Tigray region is an important lesson and marker for Africa and for the entire world, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said.

2023-02-16T18:05+0000

2023-02-16T18:05+0000

2023-02-16T18:05+0000

africa

east africa

ethiopia

tplf (tigray people's liberation front)

south africa

naledi pandor

foreign minister

peace process

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The peace process in Ethiopia's Tigray region is an important lesson and marker for Africa and for the entire world, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor told African media during an African Union summit in Addis Ababa.South Africa has repeatedly called for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict. Russian officials, in their turn, have on numerous occasions declared their country's readiness for peace talks, stressing that it is the West that has forbidden Ukraine from holding negotiations with Moscow.According to Pandor, "when people talk, guns are silenced," and when people do not, "you have more arms, you have more death, you have more destruction."She added that South Africa was "very honored" when the AU chose it as the location for the peace talks to take place.During the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that the implementation of the peace agreement was "on course," with his country "redoubling efforts to ensure" its full implementation and continuing to expedite humanitarian aid to Tigray.Pandor also called Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed "a person who is very committed to Africa solving its own problems," underlining the role of the AU in doing so.She also called for the development of preventative diplomacy, noting that Africans "must avoid conflict on the continent."The Tigray conflict, which is estimated to have claimed from around 80,000 to 600,000 lives, broke out in November 2020, when the TPLF launched a "preemptive attack" on Ethiopian military bases.The TPLF had been the governing party of Ethiopia since 1991, before losing its position to the country's current government in 2018.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/ethiopia-warns-the-unhrc-could-undermine-peace-process-in-tigray-1107491690.html

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east africa

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ethiopia south africa, tigray south africa, south africa peace, south africa foreign, au ethiopia, au peace, tigray war, tigray conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/ukrainian-whistleblower-telizhenko-us-intentionally-made-ukraine-powerless-in-order-to-rule-it-1107512120.html

Ukrainian Whistleblower Telizhenko: US Intentionally Made Ukraine Powerless In Order to Rule It

Ukrainian Whistleblower Telizhenko: US Intentionally Made Ukraine Powerless In Order to Rule It

Ukrainian whistleblower Andrii Telizhenko has sat down with Sputnik to discuss a recent US congressional hearing which discussed the censorship of Hunter... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T17:03+0000

2023-02-16T17:03+0000

2023-02-16T17:03+0000

analysis

us

opinion

ukraine

barack obama

joe biden

rudy giuliani

burisma

hunter biden

quid pro quo

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"I'm banned from coming to the United States, I'm banned from working with any banks or any foreign company. So basically, not only is my travel banned, but also my future," former Ukrainian diplomat and whistleblower Andrii Telizhenko told Sputnik. "They came after me just because it was the son of the vice president of the United States at that time, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden (...) And not only Hunter Biden, but the [whole] Biden family is involved in this. (...) And that's why we have chaos, not only in the United States, but throughout the world today."US Establishment Had Good Reasons to Bar TelizhenkoTelizhenko, then a Ukrainian Embassy official, came into the crosshairs of the US authorities in September 2020: his visa was revoked as part of a broader effort by the US Treasury Department to sanction Ukrainian whistleblowers working with Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York City mayor.According to the press, Telizhenko accompanied Giuliani in his 2019 trip to Kiev, where the lawyer met with former Ukrainian officials in order to bolster the Republicans' argument that there was no "quid pro quo" in President Donald Trump's phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The quid-pro-quo allegation was spearheaded by House Democrats to impeach Trump. The first impeachment trial of Trump began on December 18, 2019, and concluded with his acquittal on February 5, 2020.In addition, the former New York City mayor sought to dig to the bottom of the Biden family's ties to Ukrainian oligarchs and, in particular, Joe's effort to fire then-Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who looked into Ukrainian energy firm Burisma, the one that hired Hunter Biden and paid his a hefty salary. Giuliani argued that Biden twisted the arm of then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko into firing Shokin by threatening to withhold $1 billion in aid to Ukraine.Telizhenko played a significant role in the Republican-led Senate probe into Ukraine and the Bidens. Then-Senate Homeland Security Chairman Ron Johnson sought to subpoena Telizhenko in 2020, but was forced to scrap the subpoena following objections from Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney. Romney suggested at the time that Telizhenko was not trustworthy and disseminated "Russia disinformation."Prior to that, Telizhenko's name also popped up in the US mainstream press in 2017: at the time, he told the media about efforts by Ukrainian officials to undermine Trump's 2016 campaign. Telizhenko revealed to Sputnik in September 2018 that while working at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, DC during the US 2016 presidential election season, he was approached by Oksana Shulyar, an aide to the Ukrainian ambassador, and told that if he had any dirt on Trump or knew other people who did, then he should contact Alexandra Chalupa, a Democratic National Committee (DNC) operative.Furthermore, in his earlier interviews, Telizhenko also told Sputnik that trusted sources in Kiev had divulged to him that they had been paid to write salacious stories about Trump for Christopher Steele, a former MI6 agent-turned-private investigator, who was in turn hired by the DNC to dig up incriminating dirt on Trump.It appears that Telizhenko knew enough to make the US establishment panic and try to sanction him under the pretext of being involved in a "Russia-linked foreign influence network."2016 Meeting at Obama White HouseAccording to Telizhenko, the US Intelligence Community and Obama officials deeply interfered in Ukraine's affairs, and in many ways abused the nation's independence and sovereignty. "So basically, they would tell us who to hire or who to fire, how to work and how to engage in investigations," he said, referring to Obama administration officials' pressure and the establishment of the FBI-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).The Ukrainian whistleblower also recalled a January 2016 meeting at the White House that brought together some of Ukraines top corruption prosecutors and investigators as well as members of former President Obamas National Security Council (NSC), FBI, State Department, and Department of Justice (DOJ).Even though the agenda of the meeting was meant to be training and coordination, in reality US and Ukrainian officials discussed Vice President Joe Bidens family and American lobbyists, closely connected to the Trump campaign, who also allegedly worked for Ukraine's Party of Regions. The FBI at that time was particularly focused on GOP lobbyist Paul Manafort.House GOP After the Bidens, AgainThe former Ukrainian diplomat's interview with Sputnik came after former Twitter executives appeared before the House Oversight Committee on February 8, insisting there was no conspiracy at the company against conservative voices as they discussed the social media network's suppression of the New York Post's Hunter Biden laptop story. However, Elon Musk's Twitter Files, analyzed by Matt Taibbi and other US investigative journalists, indicated that there had been certain collusion between Twitter and federal agencies.Telizhenko highlighted that he was glad to provide information concerning the Bidens and Ukraine-DNC collusion to Republican congressional investigators several years ago and expressed hope that they would continue to dig into this after the GOP gained the majority in the House.US Republican lawmakers launched a plethora of probes into President Joe Biden and his family, starting with the border crisis and the 2021 Afghanistan pull-out and ending with Hunter's alleged influence peddling schemes and Biden's classified documents."Members of the Biden family have a pattern of peddling access to the highest levels of government to enrich themselves, often to the detriment of US interests. We are committed to following the Biden family and associates money trail  consisting of many complex, international transactions worth millions of dollars  and providing answers to the American people," the House Oversight Committee's webpage reads.Time will tell whether Republican lawmakers reach out to Telizhenko and other Ukrainian whistleblowers to make a public testimony in the US Congress and shed more light on the Bidens and Team Obama's Ukraine adventurism.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210622/hunter-bidens-ties-with-blue-star-probed-by-feds-as-explosive-burisma-e-mails-revealed-1083209333.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/report-fbi-searched-university-of-delaware-in-hunt-for-mishandled-classified-biden-docs-1107483179.html

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ukrainian whistleblower andrii telizhenko, senate's ukraine source, senate investigation into biden, house oversight committee's probes into biden family, ukraine corruption, us-backed coup d'etat in ukraine, vice president joe biden, ukrainian president petro poroshenko, prosecutor general viktor shokin
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/us-official-sheepishly-scrubs-social-media-photo-featuring-wwii-ukrainian-fascist-after-criticism-1107517800.html

US Official Sheepishly Scrubs Social Media Photo Featuring WWII Ukrainian Fascist After Criticism

US Official Sheepishly Scrubs Social Media Photo Featuring WWII Ukrainian Fascist After Criticism

The official is the latest Western functionary to get into trouble online for expressing solidarity with Ukraine by using fascist symbols, slogans and... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T19:14+0000

2023-02-16T19:14+0000

2023-02-16T19:27+0000

viral

stepan bandera

ukraine

us

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collaborators

nazi collaborators

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Paul Massaro, a policy advisor at a Washington-based federal agency, got in hot water online after tweeting a selfie of himself wearing a military patch featuring Stepan Bandera, a Ukrainian fascist leader who collaborated with the Nazis, and whose militias were responsible for the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Poles, Jews, Russians and Ukrainian anti-fascist partisans during the Second World War.Hey, look what Ive got, Massaro wrote in a tweet, accompanying a photo of himself grinning while wearing the patch. The shoulder sleeve insignia bears Banderas face, and the text Ukraine is our mother, Bandera is our father, the refrain of a popular neo-Nazi anthem which went viral among Ukrainian ultranationalists in 2019, and used commemorate Bandera and his Ukrainian Insurgent Army (Ukrainian acronym UPA) fighters.Several hours after posting the tweet, Massaro scrubbed it, replacing it with the message Deleted at the request of a good Polish friend. God bless Polish-Ukrainian friendship and may it remain strong forever.The bureaucrat did not elaborate on what his good Polish friend told him about Bandera. Presumably, it may have had something to do with the fact that Banderas militias murdered up to 200,000 Polish civilians in western Ukraine between 1943 and 1945.This isnt the first time Massaro, whose formal job title is senior policy advisor at the US Helsinki Commission, but whose job description seems to be centered around tweeting anti-Russia hate speech all day and going on podcasts to explain how every government that challenges US global hegemony must be overthrown, has gotten into trouble over a neo-Nazi-themed photo. Last week, he posted a photo of himself standing with a signed banner of the Azov Regiment*  an openly neo-Nazi militia responsible for war crimes against Donbass civilians, Russian troops and even Ukrainian conscripts.Massaro took heavy flak over the patch, with followers accusing him of displaying love for Nazi collaborators and calling him out for effectively wearing attire celebrating the Holocaust.Nah fam it dont work like that. You knew exactly what you were doing, one person quipped, posting a screengrab of his deleted pic. As Polish immigrant Im deeply disgusted by people like you, ignorant fools who dont know history, keep peddling propaganda and support Nazis, another wrote. "When do they ship you the Adolph Hitler patch? another joked. Why did you delete your photo with the bandera patch? Do you hate Ukraine? a fourth sarcastically wrote.Users continued to hound Massaro in his subsequent tweets, refusing to forgive his Bandera patch fashion faux pas, and posting a photoshopped image of a young Bandera wearing a Massaro patch.* The Azov Regiment has been designated a terrorist organization and banned in Russia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/what-is-cambridge-analytica-firm-accused-of-meddling-in-nigerian-elections-1107498301.html

What is Cambridge Analytica & Why Is it Accused of Nigerian Election Meddling?

What is Cambridge Analytica & Why Is it Accused of Nigerian Election Meddling?

This article presents background information on British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, namely how it was founded, its functions and activities, how it operated through years and what exactly it was accused of.

2023-02-16T14:36+0000

2023-02-16T14:36+0000

2023-02-17T10:36+0000

africa

nigeria

uk

consulting firm

political scandal

elections

general elections

meddling

facebook

facebook scandal

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Earlier, media outlets published extensive reports with leaked emails and undercover footage of the practices Cambridge Analytica and its partners used during the presidential campaign in Nigeria in 2015. The reports exposed the company's "dark arts of political persuasion" aimed at discrediting Muhammadu Buhari and getting then-President Goodluck Jonathan re-elected. Among other things, it included hacking techniques to access social media accounts and gain insight information to use it against a political opponent. As the world is now witnessing a new wave of accusations against the notorious company, and previously unknown details are revealed, Sputnik decided to shed light on the background information of Cambridge Analytica, how it was founded, its functions and activities, how it operated through the years and what exactly it was accused of. What is Cambridge Analytica?Cambridge Analytica was a private company that offered its services to businesses and political parties seeking to influence audience behavior. It used data mining technologies from various sources, including social media platforms and its own surveys, to develop strategic communications for online PR campaigns. It analyzed huge amounts of consumer data and applied to it behavioral science to identify those individuals who can be targeted with marketing material.With its headquarters in London, the firm emerged in 2013 as an offshoot of another British company called SCL Group (formerly Strategic Communication Laboratories), which offered similar services around the world. The firm's original remit was to participate in US political campaigns.As it was a part of SCL Group, it shared some of its directors. The main player was Alexander Nix, chief executive of both SCL and Cambridge Analytica UK. After studying at Manchester University and working in corporate finance, Nix joined the group in 2003 and subsequently developed the political arm of the business. Cambridge Analyticas founder later explained that it had been created "to fill the vacuum in the US Republican political market."The company was partly owned by entrepreneur Robert Mercer, who is also known as a key Donald Trump supporter and political donor. According to earlier reports, he gave $15Mln in funding to Cambridge Analytica. He was introduced to the firm by Steve Bannon, who was its vice-president and board member from 2014 to 2016.Methods: How Data was Collected & UsedCambridge Analytica was engaged in collecting data about Internet and social network users, compiling their psychological portraits and developing personalized advertising. The algorithms that were behind the technologies used by the firm were largely developed by Michal Kosinski, a psychologist at the University of Cambridge and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Kosinski with his colleagues developed a profiling system using general online data, Facebook likes and smartphone data. The model helped to better recognize the personality of an individual by analyzing a limited number of "likes," making it possible to create a psychological portrait and therefore reveal all the character traits of the person being studied. It demonstrated that individual psychological targeting is a powerful tool to influence people. It implies the practice of extracting people's psychological profiles from their digital footprints. A large amount of data can be obtained from the record of the trace of everyone's step online - from Facebook profile to Google searches, reflecting people's habits and preferences. Then, the collected data can be used to form their attitudes, emotions or behaviors through psychologically customized interventions at scale. According to the media outlets, Cambridge Analytica collected data on voters using sources such as demographics, consumer behaviour, Internet activity, and other public and even private sources, as well as specially designed mobile apps and polling. In particular, it used data derived from millions of Facebook users, reportedly without their knowledge or permissions. Meddling in Election Campaigns At its early days, Cambridge Analytica mainly targeted Facebook and other social networks to run advertisements, including ads for political campaigns, based on users' profile information. While its parent company focused on influencing elections in various developing countries around the world since the 1990s, Cambridge Analytica largely operated in western countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. According to its CEO Alexander Nix, since its foundation the company has been involved in at least 44 US political races of different levels of significance. However, it became known only in 2016 in connection with the election campaign of Ted Cruz, then the US presidential candidate from the Republican Party. Its promotional technology, based on data analysis, reportedly helped him at first to compete on equal terms with other candidates. After Ted Cruz dropped out of the Republican presidential race in May 2016, Robert Mercer, a company's sponsor, became a supporter of Donald Trump. It was assumed by the media pundits that the consulting firm using its practices boosted donations and contributed to Trumps victory. The media reported that Cambridge Analytica analyzed millions of data points to find the most persuadable voters and the topics they were interested in and then sent messages with initial goal of influencing their perceptions and therefore decisions on elections. Voters from different states across the country were polled every day, while online advertising and social media sent them customized messages. In 2016, apart from its purported involvement in Donald Trump's presidential campaign, the company also reportedly worked for Leave.EU, one of the organizations that campaigned in the UK's referendum on European Union membership. However, this has been hotly disputed and rejected by the co-founder of Leave.EU, Arron Banks. Later, Cambridge Analytica was subjected to severe criticism and faced accusations for using during 2016 campaigns the data from profiles to which it couldn't have access and which wasn't freely available. Its role in the campaigns is still controversial and under ongoing inquiry in both countries. At the same time, political analysts have repeatedly questioned the effectiveness of the company's methods of targeting voters. FacebookCambridge Analytica Data ScandalThe fact that information about millions of Facebook users was obtained by Cambridge Analytica without their knowledge shocked the general public in 2018. The company was accused of using personal data of 50 million Facebook users to predominantly apply in political advertising and thus influence the outcomes of the 2016 US presidential election. The company was able to collect personal data of Facebook users via a "This is Your Digital Life" app, developed by data scientist Aleksandr Kogan and his company Global Science Research in 2013. The app included several tests aimed at building psychological profiles of users and collecting the personal data of their friends. This allowed the company to manipulate data in its favor, and the extent of this manipulation has yet to be established by an international investigation. The details of alleged misuse of data by the company was exposed by media in 2018. Christopher Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee, provided revealing documents and first-person testimony to the media. Moreover, he stated that certain amount of the data remained on its servers.Apart from that, the British outlet published an alleged recording of conversations with the company's managers, from which it could be concluded that its employees paid bribes to discredit political figures.In response, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg admitted before the US Congress that his social network made mistakes by working with Cambridge Analytica. He vowed to introduce measures to make it harder for other companies and apps to collect Facebook user data. In 2019, it was announced that Facebook was fined $5 billion by the US Federal Trade Commission for privacy violations. The network also agreed to pay a 500,000 (around $600,000) fine to the UK Information Commissioner's Office for exposing the data of its users. As for the company, it declared bankruptcy in 2018 following legal and political consequences from its scandal with Facebook for using personal data obtained from millions of users. The scandal had an enormous aftermath as it sparked an increased public interest in privacy and social media's influence on politics. Operations Around the World In March 2018, the British broadcaster released an investigative film that provided evidence that Cambridge Analytica was involved in more than 200 elections around the world. According to the broadcaster, the company used data science methodologies to support political campaigns, namely in Kenya both in 2013 and in 2017. To expose its business practices, a journalist from the channel pretended to be a client allegedly seeking to influence the outcome of the elections in Sri Lanka, and held a number of meetings with Cambridge Analytica employees between November 2017 and January 2018 in hotels in London. During one of the conversations, the head of the firm, Alexander Nix, admitted that his organization interfered in hundreds of elections in various parts of the world, including such countries as Argentina, Nigeria, India and the Czech Republic.*Meta/Facebook is banned in Russia as an extremist organization.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/israeli-black-ops-group-cambridge-analytica-meddled-in-2015-nigerian-elections-report-says-1107488263.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220524/dc-attorney-general-sues-zuckerberg-over-cambridge-analytica-personal-data-leak--1095727425.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/why-elon-musk-would-have-made-great-special-counsel--independent-journos-do-better-job-than-doj-1107514193.html

Why Elon Musk Would Have Made Great Special Counsel & Independent Journos Do Better Job Than DOJ

Why Elon Musk Would Have Made Great Special Counsel & Independent Journos Do Better Job Than DOJ

Democratic lawmakers and US corporate media recently slammed Special Counsel John Durham over his "fruitless" four-year probe into the DoJ and FBI's handling... 16.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-16T17:46+0000

2023-02-16T17:46+0000

2023-02-16T17:46+0000

analysis

us

opinion

russia

ukraine

john durham

hillary clinton

joe biden

donald trump

seymour hersh

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Special Counsel John Durham's probe has prompted a heated debate over the past two weeks. In 2019, then-Attorney General William Barr tapped Durham to look into the origins of the Trump-Russia inquiry. The New York Times broke a critical report in late January 2023 claiming that Durham's investigation of the investigators had been opened "without any solid basis, went on too long and found no proof of collusion."The media claimed that a dozen current and former officials revealed that Durham's probe was mired in internal dissent, ethical disputes, alleged prosecutorial misconduct, and abuse of power.On January 31, two House Democrats, Ted W. Lieu and Daniel S. Goldman, wrote a letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz expressing their concerns prompted by the aforementioned report."In 2019, Mr. Barr weaponized the Department of Justice to pursue the false conspiracy theory that the deep state or Hillary Clinton caused the FBI to open an inquiry into ties between Trump and Russia. Your office conducted an independent review of the Russia inquiry and concluded that the FBI's actions were not politically motivated, that the Steele dossier had nothing to do with the origination of the investigation, and that the FBI had a sufficient basis to open the Russia case," the two Democrats wrote.In response to a series of articles in the US corporate media which popped up as Durham is about to wrap up his probe, Former Attorney General William Barr gave an interview in early February in defense of the investigation. According to Barr, the US media "ignored some fundamental facts as to why some of the information that Durham was seeking was very important information.""You review something, you get the facts," Barr told the US media. "Yes, we wanted to hold people accountable if something came up that indicated criminality, or you could prove criminality. But it wasnt a criminal investigation, it was a review to get the story. And he got the story."During his probe Durham charged and convicted FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who admitted to doctoring an email to state that Trump aide Carter Page had never been a CIA asset (which was not true). Spying on Carter Page allowed the FBI to get extensive information about the Trump campaign.Durham also brought charges against Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann and Brookings Institution scholar Igor Danchenko, the primary subsource for ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele (the author of the "dirty dossier" on Trump compiled on behalf of Clinton and other Democrats). Durham lost the latter two cases, but managed to shed light on the Clinton campaign's role in peddling the Trump-Russia collusion narrative, something that was proven to be a big nothingburger by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team.Durham Probe: Disappointment and Potential Cover-UpWhile the Democrats have been ramping up criticism against the Barr-Durham "weaponization" of the DoJ  which coincided with a GOP committee's investigation of Joe Biden's weaponization of the same institution  some American conservatives and independents appear to be disenchanted with the Durham investigation as well.They expected that Durham would expose a conspiracy between the Dems and the Intelligence Community to derail Donald Trump's presidency, and alleged that some top level Democrats could end up behind bars. However, the special counsel probe appears to have disappointed them.According to Goodman, independent US journalists have revealed more about Danchenko, the Brookings Institution, Sussmann, Baker, Clinton, the FBI, and others involved in the origins of Russiagate than anything Durham has done.Moreover, the latest exposes by Matt Taibbi, Jeff Gerth, and Seymour Hersh have said much more about the political bias, abuse of power, and illicit collusion in Washington than all US special counsels combined, per Goodman.But that is not all: according to the investigative journalist, "there remains a strong possibility that the Durham investigation has actually covered up more than it revealed.""During the Sussmann trial, New York Times journalist Eric Lichtblau was represented by Ballard Spahr. Although not a defendant in the case, Lichtblaus attorneys sought to keep certain sources and information under seal and succeeded," he observed. "Could the whole case have been a strategic lawfare play designed to cover up key material while simultaneously fooling the public into thinking justice was coming? I find that a likely possibility."Failed Investigations of Powerful Political FamiliesOrtel suggested that "if Durham performs a real investigation, he must examine why previous investigations failed to find and then prosecute obvious crimes including charity fraud, illegal campaign contributions by foreign interests, and bribes."To illustrate his point, the Wall Street analyst referred to failures by former FBI Director James Comey and his predecessor Robert Mueller to discipline many actors "for rampant charity fraud involving the Clinton Foundation from 1997 through 2005."Ortel, who has been conducting a private investigation into the Clinton Foundation's alleged misdeeds, wonders as to why the FBI, DoJ, and IRS have failed to see obvious discrepancies in the charity's operations and financial activities. The Wall Street analyst is an old hand in exposing potential financial fraud: it was Ortel who raised the red flag about General Electric shortly before its stock crashed in 2008.Comey and Mueller's failures "likely constrained the ability of the FBI and DOJ to pick up investigations into the Clinton Foundation starting by 2016, as partially documented in a number of reports by IG Horowitz," according to Ortel. Later, US Attorney John Huber was tasked with reviewing the FBI's work on the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One, but also failed to produce anything tangible."They also may explain why Huber's probe failed to go to the heart of Clinton Foundation crimes, whose exposure likely will embarrass many others in the Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden administrations," Ortel suggested.Likewise, the FBI and DoJ treated Hillary Clinton's mishandling of highly classified material with kid gloves, even though numerous whistleblowers came forward warning about the messy conduct of her Cabinet while dealing with state secrets.According to Ortel, it will soon become clear how complete a job Durham and his team have done laying out the motivations of key actors in the ongoing plot to destroy Trump, freedom, and capitalism. However, the Wall Street analyst remarked that he is "also prepared to be disappointed."While the US justice machine appears to cover up the misdeeds of those in power and their associates, the role of connecting important dots will likely fall to truly independent voices from around the world, Ortel believes."Let us hope they have an opportunity to counter propaganda and conspiracy theories pushed out by entrenched governments and their allies," he concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220420/durham-probe-data-alleging-trump-russia-plot-fabricated--part-of-conspiracy-scholars-say-1094915414.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230207/bans-bucks--bureaucracy-twitter-files-co-author-taibbi-on-big-techs-collusion-with-feds-1107047111.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230211/why-hershs-nord-stream-bombshell-may-become-legal-nightmare-for-team-biden--its-nordic-allies-1107344300.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20191126/clinton-foundation-vehicle-to-transform-once-broke-family-into-mega-multi-millionaires-analyst-1077409496.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/whos-jake-sullivan-the-man-who-reportedly-assembled-dream-team-to-destroy-nord-stream-1107273707.html

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Ekaterina Blinova

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Ekaterina Blinova

special counsel john durham probe, durham criminal charges, indictment of sussmann and danchenko, ag william barr, hillary clinton campaign, conspiracy to undermine trump, clinton foundation's alleged fraud, fbi's crossfire hurricane, us department of justice, us investigative journalists, the twitter files, seymour hersh's nord stream bombshell
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/why-is-the-us-militarizing-the-philippines-1107506192.html

Why is the US Militarizing the Philippines?

Why is the US Militarizing the Philippines?

Whats motivating the surge in military activity between the US and the Philippines? What are the Pentagons ultimate aims? Sputnik explains.

2023-02-16T14:32+0000

2023-02-16T14:32+0000

2023-02-17T15:17+0000

sputnik explains

philippines

us

china

rodrigo duterte

ferdinand marcos jr.

joe biden

strategy

maritime strategy

pacific

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The upcoming US-Philippines Exercise Balikatan (lit. "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog) drills, set to take place between late April and June, will be the largest in years, Philippine Army chief Romeo Brawner Jr. has confirmed.All these exercises we are doing are in response to all types of threats we may face in the future, both man-made and natural, the commander added.Brawner said the exact numbers of US and Philippine troops taking part in the exercises is still being finalized, but noted that they will be bigger than the past years exercise which involved some 8,900 US and Philippine servicemen, plus 40 Australian Defense Force observers. Last years Exercise Balikatan drills were themselves the biggest of their kind since 2015.US diplomats characterize the annual exercises as a keystone to preserving the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific Region, and a demonstration of the strength and resolve of the Philippine-US alliance in pursuit of our shared commitment to mutual defense in a free and open Indo-Pacific.FOIPFree and Open Indo-Pacific, or FOIP, is the key term here. Officially codified in US State Department jargon in 2019, it refers to Washingtons strategy of directly challenging Beijings territorial claims in the East and South China Seas, and other military and diplomatic efforts to contain Beijing near its home waters. The US took an active position in the South China Sea territorial dispute in 2010, when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton characterized it as a matter of US national interest, and began a push to shore up bilateral alliances with regional partners, including the Philippines. China, which has been working with the regions nations to try to resolve territorial disputes on a local level since 2002, has repeatedly called on Washington to butt out of the dispute.Strategic Implications for ChinaThe Philippines was a stalwart US ally against the Soviet Union and China throughout the Cold War, with Washington backing strongman President Ferdinand Marcos against communist infiltration (the country experienced a decades-long communist insurgency, which was supported by Beijing until the mid-1970s). In return, Manila guaranteed the US access to several major military bases, including:Crucial China Choke PointThe Pentagons interest in these and other military facilities in the Philippines outlived the Cold War. Even a cursory glance of a map of Southeast Asia reveals the Philippines geostrategic significance to the US against China, including efforts to counter the growing size, range, and sophistication of the Peoples Republics Navy and Air Force. The stars in the map below show, from top to bottom, the natural choke points formed by the Philippines geography vis-a-vis Taiwan (the two are separated by the Luzon Strait), and Palawan, which can block Chinese Navy and commercial ships entry into the Sulu Sea northeast of Malaysia via the Mindoro and Balabac Straits.Along with South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan in the north and Singapore and Thailand to its south, the Philippines thus forms a key natural barrier hemming in the Peoples Liberation Army Navys access to the wider Pacific and Indian Oceans.First and Second Island ChainsThe concepts outlined above, and the strategy for "containing" China in its home ports, arent new. In 1951, future Eisenhower Secretary of State John Foster Dulles outlined the "Island Chain Strategy." According to the scheme, Japan (including the US base-ridden island of Okinawa), Taiwan, the Philippines, and the northwestern portion of the island of Borneo constitutes the "First Island Chain," while the area between Yokosuka, Japan, Guam, and on down to eastern Indonesia constitutes the "Second Island Chain."Over 70 years after its inception, the Island Chain Strategy has not lost a bit of relevance in the minds of Pentagon planners. Last month, US Air Force Mobility Command chief Gen. Mike Minihan used the term in a leaked memo predicting that US-China tensions would escalate into a hot war in 2025.A fortified, ready, integrated, and agile Joint Force Maneuver team ready to fight and win inside the first island chain is the end state for US training going forward, Minihan wrote. If the Tactic, Technique, and Procedure you are developing increases AMCs ability to fight and win inside the first island chain, move out. If you are comfortable in your approach to training, you are not taking enough risk, Minihan emphasized.US Missile BasesWhile the Island Chain concept isnt new, Washingtons plans for the unprecedented nuclear militarization of the region are a fresh addition. In 2019, shortly after ripping up the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia, Washington immediately began research and development on a new generation of ground-based intermediate-range ballistic missiles, and announced plans to place them in Asia, with South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines seen as key possible deployment points.A 2019 study by Stratfor, a highly influential US think tank, laid bare the strategic importance of these potential Asian missile bases for US strategy, with land-based Tomahawk cruise missiles and ballistic missiles with a range of 4,500 km effectively threatening to blanket the entirety of North and Southeast Asia, including all of Chinas major population centers. The Philippines plays a central role in these calculations. Any Tomahawks stationed in the country would be able to threaten the entire South China Sea, the First Island Chain line all the way to Japan, and many Chinese coastal cities. The longer-range ballistic missiles, meanwhile, would cover not only all of China, but most of Russia east of the Urals, the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and the Pacific all the way to Hawaii.Power PoliticsIn 2019, then-President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would never allow the US to put nuclear-tipped missiles in his country, emphasizing he had no intention of allowing Washington to turn his country into a warzone with China. Duterte cautioned all countries in the region to exercise prudence and not allow the deployment of US missiles on their territory. That would not serve the national security interest of these countries, he said.During his time in office between 2016 and 2022, Duterte carefully walked a tightrope in trying to balance traditional ties with Washington, and building new ties with Beijing and Moscow (last year, for example, the Philippines was forced to scrap a $215 million Mi-17 helicopter deal with Russia amid heavy pressure from the US). Duterte also repeatedly threatened to tear up a military agreement with the US permitting American forces to operate in the country over insults to the Philippines sovereignty. But forcing out US troops, stationed in the country since 1945, is apparently easier said than done. In 2018, he warned that the Philippines military wasnt ready to commit suicide in an unnecessary and needless conflict with China. If I were a general, and you order me to go there, commit suicide with my troops, I will tell you f*** you. Why do I have to do that? the president asked.After his inauguration last year, new Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. expressed openness to continuing Dutertes line of maintaining a high-wire act balance between Washington and Beijing, and finding ways to resolve territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. In the months since, Marcos stance on China has seemed to harden, with the leader vowing not to abandon even a square inch of land in the South China Sea dispute, and saying he couldn't see a future for the Philippines that does not include the United States.During a visit to the Philippines in November, Vice President Kamala Harris assured Marcos that Washington stand[s] with Manila in defense of international rules and norms as it relates to the South China Sea, and that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments.It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will let itself be sucked into the Pentagons "first line of defense" strategy of containing China. The benefits of such a relationship to Washington are clear  giving it a proxy with which to pick a fight with its most significant global adversary without any risk to the American homeland. What Manila gets out of the relationship is far less certain.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230217/high-seas-containment-us-military-assets-near-china-1107545938.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230216/young-people-can-lose-10-of-future-earnings-because-of-covid-19-measures-world-bank-1107514590.html

Young People Can Lose 10% of Future Earnings Because of COVID-19 Measures: World Bank

Young People Can Lose 10% of Future Earnings Because of COVID-19 Measures: World Bank

Young people could lose up to 10% of their earnings in the future because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic measures, the World Bank said in a new report on Thursday.

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"The new World Bank report, Collapse and Recovery: How COVID-19 Eroded Human Capital and What to Do About It, analyzes global data on the pandemics impacts on young people at key developmental stages: early childhood (0-5 years), school age (6-14 years), and youth (15-24 years)," it said. "It found that todays students could lose up to 10% of their future earnings due to COVID-19-induced education shocks. And the cognitive deficit in todays toddlers could translate into a 25% decline in earnings when these children are adults." The pandemic significantly restricted the ability to acquire knowledge and to maintain healthcare, as many education-related, job training and maternal services were disrupted in numerous countries, the report said. World Bank President David Malpass warned in the report that the COVID-19 pandemic measures, especially school closures, threatened to wipe out decades of progress in building human capital. Malpass pointed out the importance of targeted measures to reverse the losses in foundational learning, health and skills. The World Bank warned in the report that preschool-age children in different countries have lost about 30% of their learning in early language and literacy as well as in mathematics as compared to pre-pandemic cohorts. "Among school-age children, on average, for every 30 days of school closures, students lost about 32 days of learning," the report said. Such a situation happened because of school closures and ineffective remote learning measures. At the same time, nearly 1 billion children in low- and middle-income countries missed out on at least a full year of in-person schooling due to school closures, and more than 700 million missed one and a half years, the report said. "As a result, learning poverty - already 57% before the pandemic - has increased further in these countries, with an estimated 70% of 10-year-olds unable to understand a basic written text," the report said. The international community should take urgent actions to improve the situation, the report said. In the short term, that means targeted campaigns for vaccinations and nutritional supplementation, increasing access to pre-primary education, and support for adapted training, job intermediation, entrepreneurship programs, and new workforce-oriented initiatives are crucial, the report said. "In the longer term, countries need to build agile, resilient, and adaptive health, education, and social protection systems that can better prepare for and respond to current and future shocks," the report added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230104/who-chief-hopes-covid-19-pandemic-ends-in-2023-1106042228.html

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The Western Fair Association has announced that Amy OToole has been named the new Manager of Equine Programming, which includes The Raceways day-to-day operation and supporting management of the London Classic Yearling Sale.



OToole will be rejoining the racetrack where she first began her career in the industry. The home grown native of London, Ont., who comes from a racing family, started at The Raceway as the saddle pad person in her teen years before eventually working into a role as assistant manager of mutuels and most recently as the manager of marketing and communications.

Our entire team is excited to have Amy accept this new role, said Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming. Much of her professional development has come right here and shes become very well respected along the way. It is a terrific opportunity for her and her experience in almost every facet of the business will make her an asset to our organization and the provincial industry. 

OToole will begin her new role on March 6 and is looking forward to her return to racing.

I have so many memories of my time at Western Fair and am tremendously excited to rejoin the organization," said O'Toole. "We have a great team and Im really looking to learning from and collaborating with all of the industry stakeholders in this new role.

Other Raceway news

The Raceways annual awards banquet is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 25 and is being held this year at the Top Of The Fair dining room. A very limited number of tickets are still available and can be purchased in person at the race office on race nights. The awards evening will feature a reception, dinner, awards ceremony and dance to follow.

Local trainer Lindsey Kerr has also organized a silent auction for the evening with a number of tremendous items up for bids which will support a variety of industry charities. Some of the items include Toronto Maple Leaf tickets, racing harness, equine painting, breeding to Dali, computer tablet and more.

The Raceway has added two Monday programs into the upcoming schedule  Monday, Feb. 27 and Monday, March 6. The Camluck Classic is slated for Friday, May 26.

(Western Fair District)
In the past year, eight female doctors have become major players in Nebraskas fight over abortion, pushing themselves toward the center of perhaps the most contentious issue facing the Nebraska Legislature this session.

The doctors  all of whom provide reproductive care  originally teamed up to oppose a 2022 bill they argued would have restricted in-vitro fertilization. But they now battle any bill that would restrict abortion.

In the time it takes one of their patients to grow a baby, the eight doctors have formed a political action committee called Campaign for a Healthy Nebraska. They have raised $400,000 and targeted spending on legislative races. Theyve successfully campaigned to have the Nebraska Medical Association, a powerful political group, oppose legislation that would restrict abortion.

Its really just incredible from my vantage point to see how these doctors have been able to not be hobbled by those decades of political baggage, to step forward with this fresh, clear medical perspective and be able to engage more people, said state Sen. Danielle Conrad, a Democrat from Lincoln.

The group also drew the attention of then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, who expressed frustration with the Nebraska Medical Association after it adopted a resolution from the doctors to oppose new abortion restrictions.

Im disappointed the NMA chose to adopt this radical resolution, Ricketts said last year.

The eight doctors have had some success. They have felt some failure. They describe their entry into the political arena as deeply frustrating.

The last nine months have really shown me that, regrettably, a lot of politics is this sort of poker game, said Dr. Abigail Delaney, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine. Which is a very uncomfortable place for a physician to be.

This group of eight women is new to politics, save for Dr. Maureen Boyle, an obstetrician-gynecologist and Douglas County commissioner whose parents, Mike and Anne Boyle, were longtime Nebraska Democratic Party leaders.

The group also includes reproductive endocrinologists Dr. Stephanie Gustin, Dr. Elizabeth Constance and Dr. Elizabeth Weedin at the Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine; Dr. Meghan Oakes of Methodist Reproductive Health Specialists; maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Emily Patel of Methodist Womens Hospital and OB-GYN Dr. Jodi Hedrick of Mid-City OB-GYN.

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, paving the way for states to try to enact total or near-total abortion bans. Other states, including nearby states like Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota, did just that.

Abortion opponents in the Nebraska Legislature narrowly failed to pass a so-called trigger ban bill last year. They considered a special session after Roe was overturned, but didnt call one. That leaves this years legislative session as the biggest post-Roe test of abortion rights in Nebraska.

In January, State Sen. Jodi Albrecht, a Republican from Thurston, introduced LB 626, a bill that would ban abortion after six weeks.

This is the single most important issue that we will address as a Legislature, because this is about protecting our most vulnerable citizens, Albrecht said at a legislative hearing in early February.

The eight doctors say abortion is too complex to legislate effectively. For example, they ask: Would an exception for the life of the mother include a condition where pregnancy would shorten her lifespan?

They say the Legislature shouldnt disrupt the patient-doctor relationship.

And they argue that women should be allowed to decide when, if and how they have children.

Patel treats high-risk pregnancies. She says she sees scenarios where abortion is discussed after the pregnancy is devastating the patients health, or when it wont result in a live baby.

If an abortion ban passes in Nebraska: I am going to be seeing the consequences and patients are going to be seeing the consequences of those decisions, she said. Its 100% going to lead to bad outcomes for patients and I am going to be caring for those bad outcomes.

After the eight doctors raised hundreds of thousands of dollars  $150,000 alone from University of Nebraska regent Barbara Weitz  they hired Women Who Run, a newer political group that promotes progressive candidates with a focus on women.

They then targeted key state legislative races with funding and advertisements to promote candidates who support abortion rights.

The doctors were able to provide these messages in a way that people really believed, and I think thats what was so powerful, said Women Who Run co-founder Denise Blaya Powell.

One pro-abortion-rights senator, John Fredrickson of Omaha, won by 82 votes after the Campaign for a Healthy Nebraska spent $14,000 to support his candidacy.

The eight doctors entry into the political arena hasnt always been smooth.

Last year, several of the doctors met with Sen. John Arch, a Republican from La Vista and then the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. They described their concerns with the bill being debated at the time  an abortion ban that in the doctors opinion would have restricted in-vitro fertilization, a fertility treatment.

The doctors say they were clear that they support access to abortion during the meeting.

But when asked by Arch, who supports abortion restrictions, they also detailed specific language in the bill that would ban IVF, and suggested how it could be changed.

This frustrated other abortion rights supporters, who believed they may have been providing a roadmap to passage of an abortion ban.

Heading into a special session to ban abortion in NE, medical assns + their lobbyists are negotiating with anti-abortion politicians, tweeted state Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a Democrat and pro-abortion-rights leader in the Legislature. If they reach a deal, they should know they wont escape explicit and public responsibility for an abortion ban just because theyre not elected.

Since that meeting, the doctors say they have grown more savvy, learning about the political system  becoming a part of it  even as they say it frustrates them.

The way politicians talk is not the way that doctors talk, these doctors say.

I dont think people understand how much wheeling and dealing is being done, Oakes said. Lobbying groupsare calling the shots.

So they enlisted another political group, the Nebraska Medical Association, which works to advance physicians priorities in the legislative arena.

Boyle wrote a resolution that would require the NMA to oppose any bill that restricts abortion further in Nebraska. It passed overwhelmingly.

The eight doctors drove to Lincoln to attend a Feb. 1 hearing of the Health and Human Services Committee, where the legislative panel heard testimony about Albrechts bill.

Constance told the committee about her experience with a pregnant patient who was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Her choices: terminate the pregnancy and continue with chemotherapy, or delay cancer treatment and considerably worsen her prognosis.

As someone who has dedicated my career to growing families in Nebraska, I can tell you unequivocally that LB 626 will harm Nebraska families, she said.

Also testifying against the legislation: Dr. Daniel Rosenquist, president of the Nebraska Medical Associations board of directors.

But Rosenquist noted that there are diverse views among NMA members on the bill. Indeed, while dozens of physicians spoke at the hearing to oppose the bill, a few doctors did testify in favor of further restrictions on abortion.

The bill would not compromise physicians ability to care for these women, said Dr. Sean Kenney, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Bryan Health in Lincoln. We will do whatever it takes to take care of women and provide life-saving care.

The committee hasnt yet voted whether to advance the bill to the full Legislature, but proponents of abortion rights expect a tough path this legislative session. The eight female doctors say they will continue advocating on the issue, joining the efforts of longstanding organizations like Planned Parenthood.

If we dont stand up for our patients and our daughters, who will? Boyle said. Were not going anywhere.
Fifth Street Ministries will host Empty Bowls on March 26 from 12:30-2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Meeting St., Statesville. The event will feature four types of soup from local restaurants (one vegetarian option), drinks and dessert. Michele Knapp, Fifth Street executive director, will speak to the challenge of hunger in the community.

There are two ticket options. The first is a $25 ticket that includes the meal and a keepsake bowl. The other option is a $10 ticket that includes the meal and does not include a bowl to take home. Tickets at the door will be $30.

Tickets may be purchased via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empty-bowls-2023-tickets-484474956637. They may also be purchased by visiting www.fifthstreetministries.com and going to the Events tab. Or, check out the Facebook page.

Donations help support programs for those most in need: shelter services, community kitchen, My Sisters House, Veterans Transitional Housing and the PATH house (street outreach for the chronically homeless).

The handmade bowls are provided by CrEaTe Pottery Studio.

This event is sponsored by Iredell Health System.
The Rev. Rick Leisner related a story in the church I attended around this time a year ago. He said at Easter he had asked his 5-year-old granddaughter if she knew why we celebrated Easter. To his surprise she explained that Easter was about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and then rising from the dead in the cave where he was buried.

Leisner was impressed, but then she continued, He rose and came out of the cave, but if he sees his shadow he has to go back in the cave for six more weeks. Oh well, shell get there.

I often say that the stories I find in researching history and genealogy are far more interesting than any fiction novel we have here at the library. The data you uncover doing research can tell a story just through the numbers you uncover.

Over the past year the Local History Department at the library has been researching Statesvilles old African American cemetery on Green Street. We have books in local history that provide inventories of the white cemeteries in Iredell, but there has never been a book published listing the African American cemeteries.

Green Street Cemetery can trace its beginnings to Nov. 21, 1885, when Mary C. Bell sold land to the colored Peoples Graveyard Association. The trustees for the Association were William M. Pearson, S.M. Allison and W.A. Russell.

For $155, they purchased a tract of land on High Street (now called Green Street) to create an African American cemetery in Statesville. The deed states the tract of land joined M.C. Bell, the colored school house, and Ben Boide. The deed was registered on Feb. 2, 1886.

In 1888, Mary C. Bell sold another 2.75 acres of land in two tracts to the Peoples Graveyard Association. The first tract was purchased for $150 and paid for by the trustees while the second tract was purchased for $200 with the money coming from the city of Statesville. The purchase of these three tracts are what make up the 3.38 acres of land that comprises the Green Street Cemetery today.

Shellie Taylor, in local history, found the earliest documentation we have for the Green Street cemetery when she found an 1886 document in the Genealogical Society of Iredell Countys collection showing the purchase of two plots by Henry Jordan Caldwell Chambers and paid to Rufus D. Bailey who with wife, Rebecca, operated an African American store in the area.

The start of the Green Street Cemetery in 1885 raises another question though. The Federal Census showed a population of 320 white and 217 slaves in 1860 and 644 white and 223 black in 1870 so we know there was a fairly large African American population in Statesville. Slavery was abolished in 1865 when the Civil War ended. So where did the newly-freed African Americans living in the Statesville area bury their dead during the 20 years between 1865 and 1885? Was there another African American cemetery in the Statesville area that predated Green Street and if so where?

Some of these people would have been buried at the three African American Presbyterian Churches that lay in the outskirts of Statesville. Those are Freedom, Logan and Cameron along with other churches out in the county, but surely there was a place closer in as well.

I wonder if they might have already been burying people in the Green Street Cemetery prior to 1885. Perhaps that is why the trustees chose that land to purchase and why Mary C. Bell was willing to sell land to be used for an African American cemetery that joined her own land. We dont know nor do we know why the African Americans in the Statesville area all ended up living on Green and Garfield streets.

The name Green Street Cemetery is also a mystery in a way because for most of the cemeteries existence it was not called Green Street Cemetery.

If you go to a 1907 Statesville City Directory, the cemetery we know as Green Street is called, Union Grove Cemetery. It locates it on Green Street between Garfield and Chambers and list David S. Alexander (an African American teacher) as the manager. The 1886 document showing the purchase of the two burial plots also refers to Green Street as Union Grove Cemetery.

Union Grove? Are you kidding me? The Union Grove township is in the very northern part of Iredell County, miles from Statesville. In fact, they call the Green Street Cemetery the Union Grove Cemetery in the 1977 Statesville City Directory and doctors routinely called it Union Grove on death certificates. I have been asking every older person I have met around Statesville over the last year if they ever heard of the Union Grove Cemetery and all I have gotten are confused looks.

Green Street Cemetery is also referred to as the Greenwood Cemetery on some death certificates. Often, the doctors just put down Statesville in the block asking for the place of burial. The newspapers up to the 1940s refer to it as the Statesville Colored Cemetery or simply as the colored cemetery. The Green Street Cemetery was filling up by the late 1930s, and in 1943 Belmont Cemetery was opened as Statesvilles new African American cemetery.

A few people were still being buried at Green Street up to the end of the 1940s usually beside spouses or family members who had already been buried there. In 1949, I found two death certificates listing people being buried in Green Street and none in 1950. In the decades following, the Green Street Cemetery became basically an abandoned cemetery. Though the owner of the cemetery today is still listed as the Peoples Graveyard Association the original trustees of the association are long gone.

Many of the tombstones in Green Street have been pushed over and broken by vandals through the years. Stones that are supposed to be there are missing and no one knows how many people are buried there. If you go to Find A Grave online at https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2452867/green-street-cemetery, you can see entries for 768 people listed as being buried in the cemetery. These entries have been entered for each person buried there by volunteers and family members. Many of the entries include information about the deceased persons life and family and often include photos of their tombstones.

Some of these 768 people listed have no tombstone or marker. Their burial at Green Street has been verified through family records, obituaries, death certificates and other records. The oldest listing on Find A Grave is for Milas Tomlin who is born in 1813. He has no marker, and his information came from his death notice that appeared in The Landmark on April 11, 1884. Jamima Rickert is the earliest who has a marker being born in 1818.

Death certificates usually name the funeral home in charge of the body and the location of the burial. The State of North Carolina required both death and birth certificates to be created starting in 1913, but there are death certificates that were completed by physicians that go back earlier.

I have been going through the Iredell County death certificates to identify African Americans who were buried in Green Street. The oldest person I could find being buried there in the death certificates was Sarah Sloan who was born in 1815 and died on Jan. 2, 1919, at the age of 104. In all I found 1,169 death certificates listing African Americans who are probably buried at Green Street. This number will most likely change as we continue to research the cemetery.

Of the 1,169 death certificates, I identified 213 people having been born in 1865 or before meaning they came into this world as slaves. This would make Green Street the largest slave cemetery in Iredell County. I recently took some of the research we have conducted and uploaded it to the librarys Flick page at www.flickr.com/photos/icplphotos/collections.

African American Death and Obituary Notices in The Landmark compiled by Russell C. Black, Jr., and Joel Reese shows the actual death and obituary notices as they appeared in The Landmark. The first death notice for an African American in an Iredell County newspaper was for Ned Locke who died on April 1, 1881 in Rowan County. His death notice appears in The Landmark on April 8, 1881, under, Death of an Aged Negro. The article says that he was originally owned by the Stephenson family who later sold him to James Locke who lived on Snow Creek 11 miles from Statesville. His age is listed as not less than 110 years old, and he claimed to be 112. His remains were brought back and buried at Snow Creek though the grave is unmarked.

The African American Death Notices Index from The Landmark compiled by Russell C. Black, Jr., provides an index to death notices for African Americans complied from The Landmark. The collection titled, African American Death Certificates for the Green Street Cemetery in Statesville, N.C., contains images of the death certificates I found of those believed to be buried at Green Street.
A 19-year-old man charged with raping a child about a decade ago died of a drug overdose while awaiting trial in Cowlitz County Jail.

Longview resident Nicholas A. Middleton-Ensign was booked into jail at roughly 12:10 p.m. on July 28. Ensign was found nonresponsive at 3:25 p.m. and was declared dead on the same day, according to jail Director Marin Fox.

Fox said Middleton-Ensign was in custody for three hours before dying.

Fox said Middleton-Ensigns autopsy listed his death as fentanyl toxicity and that there were other significant conditions such as methamphetamine intoxication. She said Middleton-Ensigns death was an ruled an accident by the coroner.

There was no indication or evidence that he received or ingested any drugs after he was booked into the jail, Fox said.

During a Feb. 13 business meeting with Cowlitz County Commissioners, Fox said officials are also completing an unexpected fatality review.

Fox said Chief Civil Deputy Doug Jensen is helping to perform the review, as required by law. The Daily News reached out to Jensen for a comment, but he declined to answer.

Alleged crime

Middleton-Ensign allegedly sexually assaulted a child, while he was a minor himself, in 2014 inside a Riverside Park bathroom in Kelso, according to the cases probable cause statement. He was first arrested in 2021, then picked up on a warrant in July.

Court records say the victim was 4 years old at the time of the incident, and Middleton-Ensign was 11. The victim told authorities Middleton-Ensign would use violence to compel them to perform sexual acts.

As stated in a court response, Middleton-Ensign initially denied any wrongdoing, but later told investigators he had sexual contact with the accuser, the document states.

Middleton-Ensign had no prior criminal history, according to court documents.
Longview police announced the arrest of 47-year-old Longview resident John David Roach in connection to the 2021 murder of Lisa Jo Patterson, who was found dead behind the YMCA of Southwest Washington on 15th Avenue.

The department says Roach was arrested on Monday. He was booked on a first-degree murder charge and the case has been turned over to the Cowlitz County Prosecutors Office.

Roach appeared in Cowlitz County Superior Court at 1 p.m. Tuesday. He is scheduled to be in court on Friday to see whether he will continue to be held without bail.

The investigation incorporated the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington State Patrol Crime Labs, Cowlitz County Coroner and the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, according to the department.

Longview Police Detective Sgt. Marc Langlois, who supervised the departments crime unit, said the investigation was long and tedious.

According to an earlier report in The Daily News, at roughly 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, patrol officers found Pattersons body behind the YMCA of Southwest Washington in Longview.

Authorities once had to dispel rumors that a serial killer was in the area after a string of suspicious deaths before and after the Patterson killing.

Roach has a lengthy criminal history. In 2015 he was sentenced for second-degree robbery; in 2017 and 2018 for indecent exposure; and in 2022, he was sentenced to prison for second-degree arson.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ended his visit to Longview on Tuesday with a roundtable of more than a dozen local leaders discussing the knot of chronic homelessness, behavioral health demands, court system backlogs and affordable housing shortages.

The local leaders told Inslee about successes in adding affordable housing and using counselors instead of police as mental crisis responders  as well as the challenges in reaching those accomplishments.

Inslee said the area has successful local programs that could be scaled up across Washington, as he seeks a $4 billion bond to build housing and shelters across the state. The plan requires approval by legislators and voters to allow Washington to borrow more than the debt limit set in the state constitution.

He mentioned a comment by a protestor outside HOPE Village earlier that day about spending money on mental health treatments instead of pallet homes.

Yes thats right. But if you want to solve those mental health challenges, you need stable housing. Its the same with chemical addiction, Inslee said. We cant pit them against each other, its behavioral health or its housing. Its both.

The group of local leaders at the Monticello Hotel included the mayors and city managers of Longview and Kelso, members of the two cities police departments, two county judges, the county prosecutor and lead public defender.

Longview Police Departments Behavioral Health Unit received the most acclaim from Inslee and the officials at the meeting. The mental health unit has been part of the department for a year and a half and similar efforts to replace police responses with mental health professionals have expanded into Kelso and Cowlitz County.

Close From left, Trudi Inslee, Gov. Jay Inslee and Frank Morrison, of CORE Health, chat outside of the Community House during the governor's visit to Longview on Tuesday. He toured Ascent Youth Center, CORE Health Social Support Center, Community House on Broadway and HOPE Village. Gov. Inslee chats with James Robbins, a former resident of Community House, about the impact of the Community House's positive impact on his sobriety on Tuesday. Gov. Inslee tours a pallet house in HOPE Village on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. Frank Morrison gives Gov. Inslee a tour of Ascent Youth Center's weight room on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Longview. CORE Health Social Support Center employees chat with Gov. Inslee about the importance of providing housing during a drug detox program. Governor Jay Inslee, and his wife, Trudi, left, during a roundtable discussion at Ascent Youth Center on Tuesday, February 14, in Longview. HOPE Village resident Tasha Krackenberg chats with Gov. Inslee about her pallet home on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. Protest signs can be seen from inside HOPE Village during Gov. Inslee's visit on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. About a dozen people showed up at the shelter's gate to protest Gov. Inslee and his request of a $4 billion bond to build housing and shelters throughout the state. PHOTOS: Gov. Jay Inslee visits Longview From left, Trudi Inslee, Gov. Jay Inslee and Frank Morrison, of CORE Health, chat outside of the Community House during the governor's visit to Longview on Tuesday. He toured Ascent Youth Center, CORE Health Social Support Center, Community House on Broadway and HOPE Village. Gov. Inslee chats with James Robbins, a former resident of Community House, about the impact of the Community House's positive impact on his sobriety on Tuesday. Gov. Inslee tours a pallet house in HOPE Village on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. Frank Morrison gives Gov. Inslee a tour of Ascent Youth Center's weight room on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Longview. CORE Health Social Support Center employees chat with Gov. Inslee about the importance of providing housing during a drug detox program. Governor Jay Inslee, and his wife, Trudi, left, during a roundtable discussion at Ascent Youth Center on Tuesday, February 14, in Longview. HOPE Village resident Tasha Krackenberg chats with Gov. Inslee about her pallet home on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. Protest signs can be seen from inside HOPE Village during Gov. Inslee's visit on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in Longview. About a dozen people showed up at the shelter's gate to protest Gov. Inslee and his request of a $4 billion bond to build housing and shelters throughout the state.

Sherrill Scheel, one of the founding members of the Longview unit, shared an anecdote about one woman the unit recently helped. The unit used a motel stay so the woman could stabilize and recover for a week, before finding her a place at HOPE Village. She has remained clean, more stable and more happy.

It took two of us doing daily work to keep the needle threaded, keep her moving forward and keep the process together, Scheel said. It can happen, it can work. But it will not happen unless you have someone else there to support it.

Court delays

Many of the biggest complaints brought to Inslee were about difficulties the legal system has in dealing with defendants with mental health issues.

Cowlitz County has seen the same spike in the requests for court-ordered competency hearings as the rest of the state. The Washington Department of Social and Health Services reported 2,397 inpatient referrals last year, a 37% increase from the previous year and more than double the number of referrals made in 2015.

More and more it seems that when I go to the Cowlitz County jail or our other facilities, it seems to be experiencing the bygone era of asylums. We are housing people indefinitely, said Ian Maher, director of the countys Office of Public Defense.

Maher and county prosecutor Ryan Jurvakainen both spoke about how the delays impacted defendants. People who are arrested wait months to get transferred to the limited beds at Western State Hospital. The Blake decision that ended the states previous felony drug possession law also limited ways to enforce treatment.

District Court Judge James Imboden said that some appear to intentionally get arrested, especially during the winter, to briefly spend nights in jail out of the cold. Misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing and not paying for food dont trigger any changes to keep the person from returning to jail.

When they come out theyre still homeless, they still dont have a job. So the frustration at our level is what are our options, what else can we do? Imboden said.

Cowlitz County stopped providing Community Court in 2020 and the program, which aimed to steer misdemeanor defendants out of jail into the rehabilitation program, has not been restarted. Imboden said the court had a low rate of participation compared to other diversion programs but a decent success rate, with around 75% of defendants graduating from the program.
The Oregon Court of Appeals set a national precedent Wednesday as it voided a controversial gun rights ordinance that claimed state and federal firearms regulations didnt apply in Columbia County.

The ruling strikes down the Second Amendment Sanctuary ordinance narrowly approved in 2020 by voters in the 50,000-person county just north of Portland. Gun control advocates say it is the first such ruling passed at the appellate level.

While the appeals decision has sway only within state lines, the ruling could have major ramifications for the more than 1,900 counties nationwide that have declared themselves gun sanctuaries.

Sixteen counties have passed some sort of pro-Second Amendment ordinance in Oregon, but the issue has never before been addressed by the appeals court.

Todays opinion by the Court of Appeals makes it clear that common sense requirements like safe storage and background checks apply throughout Oregon, said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who joined the case in opposition to Columbia Countys ordinance. Hopefully, other counties with similar measures on the books will see the writing on the wall.

Rosenblum previously sued Harney and Yamhill counties over their sanctuary ordinances in 2021. Harney County then rescinded its ordinance while a judge in Yamhill County declared the sanctuary ordinance illegal.

Three judges made the ruling in the Columbia County case, including Presiding Judge Douglas Tookey, who cited a state law vesting the authority to regulate the sale and use of guns in Oregon solely with the Legislature.

If allowed to stand, (the ordinance) would, effectively, create a patchwork quilt of firearms laws in Oregon, Tookey wrote. It would have the potential to lead to uncertainty for firearms owners concerning the legality of their conduct as they travel from county to county.

Columbia County voters first passed an ordinance in 2018 banning the use of county money to enforce laws restricting assault-style rifles and ammunition capacity, among other limits.

Two years later, county residents approved another ordinance that declared all rules governing the use of guns a violation of the Second Amendment. It said the local sheriff must determine which gun laws were enforceable and allowed fines of up to $4,000 for those who violated the new provisions. It passed by a margin of roughly 500 votes.

County commissioners combined the two ordinances and asked the Circuit Court to rule on its legality, saying doing so would offer clarity and protect the county if gun control groups sued.

But Judge Ted Grove found no need for a judicial review in 2021, saying the new ordinance hadnt been challenged and that the commission was trying to invalidate its own ordinance.

The case was closely watched on appeal, with both the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety and Rosenblum joining the case and seeking to overturn the ordinance.

The gun rights organization Gun Owners of America also intervened and argued state law prohibited Grove from issuing an advisory opinion.

The county commission hoped the appeals court would send the case back to Grove to decide but took no position on whether the ordinance itself was lawful.

In a phone interview, County Chair Casey Garett said he wasnt surprised the Appeals Court rejected the ordinance.

Our voters showed the desire to pass an ordinance to help better protect our Second Amendment rights. I appreciate that, he said. But the reality is, counties dont necessarily get to make those decisions, whether I wish they could or not.

Everytown also praised the ruling, saying it struck a blow against the so-called constitutional sheriffs movement, which claims sheriffs can preempt all other law enforcement officials on any matter.

The people of Oregon expect their local leaders to both put their safety first and to comply with state law and with the U.S. Constitution  picking and choosing which state and federal laws apply to them does neither, said Eric Tirschwell, director of the legal arm of the national Evertown group.

In a passionate concurrence, Appeals Judge James Egan noted attorneys for the gun rights group that joined the suit had suggested the Columbia County ordinance was necessary to prevent the United Nations from promulgating international gun laws.

Egan dismissed the claim as an entirely fictitious problem and said it was a white supremacist dog whistle intended to invoke conspiracy theories of global cabals.

Individual members of the court must call out illegitimate quasi-legal arguments and theories for what they are  antisemitic and racist tropes, he wrote.
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A Ukrainian serviceman aka Zakhar, right and commander of a unit aka Kurt, look on a screen of a drone remote control during fighting, at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka

The United States launched an initiative Thursday promoting international cooperation on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons by militaries, seeking to impose order on an emerging technology that has the potential to change the way war is waged.

"As a rapidly changing technology, we have an obligation to create strong norms of responsible behavior concerning military uses of AI and in a way that keeps in mind that applications of AI by militaries will undoubtedly change in the coming years," Bonnie Jenkins, the State Department's under secretary for arms control and international security, said.

She said the U.S. political declaration, which contains non-legally binding guidelines outlining best practices for responsible military use of AI, "can be a focal point for international cooperation."

Jenkins launched the declaration at the end of a two-day conference in The Hague that took on additional urgency as advances in drone technology amid the Russia's war in Ukraine have accelerated a trend that could soon bring the world's first fully autonomous fighting robots to the battlefield.

The U.S. declaration has 12 points, including that military uses of AI are consistent with international law, and that states "maintain human control and involvement for all actions critical to informing and executing sovereign decisions concerning nuclear weapons employment."

Zachary Kallenborn, a George Mason University weapons innovation analyst who attended the Hague conference, said the U.S. move to take its approach to the international stage "recognizes that there are these concerns about autonomous weapons. That is significant in and of itself."

Ukrainian soldiers check the situation by using a drone in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Libkos

Kallenborn said it was also important that Washington included a call for human control over nuclear weapons "because when it comes to autonomous weapons risk, I think that is easily the highest risk you possibly have."

Underscoring the sense of international urgency around AI and autonomous weapons, 60 nations, including the U.S. and China, issued a call for action at the Hague conference urging broad cooperation in the development and responsible military use of artificial intelligence.

"We are in time to mitigate risks and to prevent AI from spiraling out of control, and we are in time to prevent AI from taking us to a place we simply don't want to be," Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

The call to action issued in the Netherlands underscored "the importance of ensuring appropriate safeguards and human oversight of the use of AI systems, bearing in mind human limitations due to constraints in time and capacities."

The participating nations also invited countries "to develop national frameworks, strategies and principles on responsible AI in the military domain."

Military analysts and artificial intelligence researchers say the longer the nearly year-long war in Ukraine lasts, the more likely it becomes that drones will be used to identify, select and attack targets without help from humans.

A Ukrainian serviceman aka Zakhar prepares to fly by a drone at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka

Ukraine's digital transformation minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, told The Associated Press in a recent interview that fully autonomous killer drones are "a logical and inevitable next step" in weapons development. He said Ukraine has been doing "a lot of R&D in this direction."

Ukraine already has semi-autonomous attack drones and counter-drone weapons endowed with AI. Russia also claims to possess AI weaponry, though the claims are unproven. But there are no confirmed instances of a nation putting into combat robots that have killed entirely on their own.

Russia was not invited to attend the conference in The Hague.

China's ambassador to the Netherlands Tan Jian did attend and said Beijing has sent two papers to the United Nations on regulating military AI applications, saying the issue "concerns the common security and the well-being of mankind, which requires the united response of all countries," he 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: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The social media platform Twitter used to share "precise, complete and unbiased data from the public conversation" with developers, academics, students and nonprofit organizations for free.

That is changing. Twitter's development team announced on Feb. 8 that the platform will soon start charging $100 a month for low-level use of application programming interfaces (APIs), or tools used to access data that users chose to share with the world.

None of the other major social media platforms offer similar API access. Facebook limited access to API after the Cambridge Analytica scandal, although some data from Facebook public accounts is available for free through a Meta tool called CrowdTangle.

Since Instagram like Facebook is owned by Meta, its API use is limited as well and mostly intended for businesses and creators. TikTok announced in 2022 that it was developing research and content moderation APIs but the platform has not launched those products yet.

"Everybody [in the research community] is absolutely concerned about what's going on," says John Wihbey, associate professor of media innovation and technology and director of graduate programs at Northeastern in media innovation and data communication, journalism and media advocacy, about the Twitter API changes. "What actually the terms will be and whether the API will be robust is totally unknown."

Researchers in computational social science, data science and social data science who work with large sets of data are in crisis mode, Wihbey says. They are trying to preserve the data they already have and figure out the new terms that are being rolled out.

Twitter is also essential in crisis situations, Wihbey says. As it happened this month after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, many people trapped under the rubble turned to social media to send requests for help.

"By adding an access fee, Twitter is closing off a critical source of real-time information for rescuers who could have used the platform to geolocate victims, organize aid deliveries and monitor ongoing crises around the world," says Daniel Aldrich, Northeastern professor, director of the university's Security and Resilience Program and co-director at the Global Resilience Institute.

Twitter's decision to charge for data access will be a major setback for humanitarian aid organizations, disaster response teams, groups working to improve the common good and save lives, he says. Other social media platforms don't have the reach, real-time updating and geolocation features of Twitter.

Aldrich believes this move by Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, as well as the decision to charge money for verified account status are some of the ways to raise revenue from the "beleaguered" platform.

Twitter already had tiers for users who pay for APIs to get wider access to data, Wihbey says, so he is not surprised that the business is moving away from free access.

Data is increasingly becoming a valuable natural resource, he says, that fuels the digital economy, knowledge economy and applications of the future. With the development of AI-powered chatbots that use neural networks and deep learning and scrape the internet for data, proprietary data like real-time Twitter API data could become extremely expensive and will have companies competing for them, he says.

One can argue that there is a public utility dimension to Twitter and other social media platforms and, therefore, regulators and policymakers might want to ensure data access at crucial moments.

"We're at a real crisis moment, potentially," Wihbey says. "Could this actually be the kind of tipping point where Congress finally gets its act together and passes something?"

He thinks it is possible that meddling with the Twitter APIs could be the last straw for many advocacy groups, think tanks and academic coalitions, which could kick them into a gear. But the problem is that these are private companies.

Wihbley says that the issue of transparency around the social media platforms is bipartisan, with people on both sides of the aisle in favor of regulating them. In 2022, Democratic U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Cory Booker of New Jersey and Democratic U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York introduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act aimed at overseeing software, algorithms and other automated systems.

"I would be all for some kind of legislation that ensures third party access to at least a sample of the data," Wihbey says. "Researchers, as part of civil society, should be able to look into the black box of these platforms, and make insights that might be useful to the public, to journalists and to policymakers."

He doesn't doubt that the tech companies will lobby very hard against additional regulations, but oftentimes they, too, benefit from partnerships with researchers and watchdog groups.

Twitter is also very popular and important in Brazil, India and Japan, Wihbey says, and they might require some access to APIs in future as well.

"Europe would be the other obvious place, and Europe's done a lot of regulation in this way," he says.

One of the tweets from the Twitter development team said that "a new form of free access will be introduced as this is extremely important to our ecosystem" without further explanation.

In the case Twitter doesn't offer an affordable alternative API access to researchers, Wihbey says, some fairly well-endowed research institutions will probably pay for data. Some nongovernmental organizations and people with more constrained resources, however, will find it difficult to pay.

Larissa Doroshenko, a postdoctoral teaching associate of communication studies at Northeastern, used Twitter data in her research on Russian disinformation during its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and for other projects.

She says that previously it was easy to use API for someone like her as it had a user-friendly interface for queries.

But the changes to access will create inequality among academics, Doroshenko says. Those who have grant funding will be able to pay for API access as part of research expenses, she says, but younger academics without funding, including her, or graduate students will be shut out.

"As a graduate student, you might work in a lab, but they might not be purchasing the data that you want," she says.

Wihbey is also concerned that with current layoffs in the tech industry and at Twitter there may not be enough engineering resources to conduct the maintenance that APIs need like any other big technical systems.

On Feb. 13, the Twitter development team tweeted that the launch of the new API platform is being delayed for a few days.

"There has been an immense amount of enthusiasm for the upcoming changes with Twitter API," the tweet said.

Many of the replies that followed were not enthusiastic.
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Professor Natasa Nord is doing research on increasing the efficiency of control systems for heating, including the type used on the Glshaugen campus. Credit: Geir Mogen/NTNU

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has tested a system to predict the heating needs on the Glshaugen campus. The results show that we can save even more where surplus heat is already in use.

A good deal of research shows that surplus heat, such as from data centers, lends itself well as a heat source. But we have only limited knowledge about how the control systems for these systems can save us even more energy and money.

Researchers Juan Hou, Haoran Li and Natasa Nord wanted to do something about that. Now they have presented their results in a recent research article.

The researchers used NTNU's Glshaugen campus as a test case for a Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme.

NTNU is basking in the heat of mathematical calculations

First, a little information about how the buildings that researchers and students at Glshaugen spend time in are heated.

On some days of the year, the surplus heat from the supercomputers at Glshaugen is enough to heat the entire campus. Cold water is carried to the super machines to cool them down, and the heated water is moved on to where it is needed elsewhere on campus.

In winter, the district heating network also supplies heat, but on the warmest days the supercomputers can handle all the campus heating needs.

The water-borne heat from the district heating network, the surplus heat from the computers, and other heating equipment using heat pumps all need to be controlled by a common system. This control system is what the researchers believe can become even more effective.

Introducing 'fortune-telling system' to save even more

"Making predictions is actually completely different from divination. Whereas a fortune teller rubs a ball and receives her prediction out of thin air, MPC is research based," says Natasa Nord, a professor at NTNU's Department of Energy and Process Engineering.

The Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme is a control model filled with a lot of data about the specific heating system and includes everything from previous local weather reports to building temperatures throughout the year to the various components that provide surplus heat. When all the data is fed into the system, it becomes a data-based and accurate fortune-telling ball.

Nord explains that traditional control systems are based on rules for very different buildings. They are based on a template that works for all the diverse components, in contrast to the MPC technique, which is tailor-made and knows local conditions inside and out. The researchers took data for each month in 2017-2018 as their starting point and tested MPC via simulations. They then compared the simulation results with actual electricity use and electric bills.

Small savings percentage can add up when prices are high

The testing revealed that it was possible to save 1.8% in energy costs per month with MPC. Nord points that this figure was based on the 2021price model.

"We can assume that the effect of the power savings would be even greater today, although I wouldn't speculate on how much. Today, cost schemes use different price models for night- and daytime energy use. In any case, our test shows that with MPC we can maximize financial savings for heat consumers like the Glshaugen campus. The results also show that MPC was more stable and robust than the traditional control system, which is a positive factor for system safety," says Nord.

Can also be used for systems with other types of excess heat

Not many places in Norway use surplus heat from supercomputers for heating.

"MPC could just as well have been used with other sources of surplus heat, such as cooling in the food industry," says Nord.

In addition to heat-based industry, cooling also provides surplus heat. A current project at the Leangen ice rink in Trondheim is attempting to utilize the surplus heat from its cooling facility. Many food industries also require refrigeration.

Nord explains that one challenge in introducing MPC lies in getting the different systems to talk to each other.

"Acquiring good data that we can build into the programming can be challenging. Some components have protocols that we struggle to communicate with. They require some work to adapt the programming. But we're continuously working on implementation, and this is something that researchers at NTNU can help other players with," she says.

More information: Juan Hou et al, Model predictive control for a data centre waste heat-based heat prosumer in Norway, E3S Web of Conferences (2022). DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202236206007
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Tesla Gigafactory 2 is shown Friday, March 18, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. Several employees at the factory have been fired after launching union organizing efforts two days ago, according to Tesla Workers United. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File

Several employees at a Tesla factory in New York have been fired a day after launching union organizing efforts, according to Tesla Workers United.

The workers at the Buffalo plant received an email Wednesday evening updating them on a new policy that prohibits them from recording workplace meetings without all participants' permission, the group said in a release Thursday. It said that such restrictions violate federal labor law and flouts New York's one-party consent law to record conversations.

"We're angry. This won't slow us down. This won't stop us," Sara Costantino, a current Tesla employee and organizing committee member, said in a prepared statement. "They want us to be scared, but I think they just started a stampede. We can do this. But I believe we will do this."

The Tesla plant, which makes solar panels and other renewable energy technology, is not far from a Starbucks location where workers voted to unionize last year.

TWU said that the firings were unacceptable and that the expectations placed on Tesla workers are "unfair, unattainable, ambiguous and ever changing."

"I feel blindsided, I got COVID and was out of the office, then I had to take a bereavement leave. I returned to work, was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along," organizing committee member Arian Berek, who is one of the fired employees, said in a statement. "I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement, and it's shameful."

The Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United has filed a complaint against Tesla with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the electric vehicle maker of unfair labor practices.

In the complaint, the group lists the names of several employees who were part of the factory's autopilot department that were fired. The group says that it believes Tesla "terminated these individuals in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity." It is asking the NLRB for injunctive relief "to prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Tesla's unlawful conduct."

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said without specifically referring to the situation at the Tesla plant in Buffalo that, "the president supports fundamental rights for workers under the National Labor Relations Act, including the right to organize free from intimidation or coercion."

As part of union organizing efforts, the Tesla Workers United organizing committee said in a letter to management Tuesday that employees are seeking a voice on the job at the plant in Buffalo and want to "build an even more collaborative environment that will strengthen the company."

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a hard line against organized labor, despite an invitation to the United Auto Workers union to hold an organizing vote at Tesla's factory in Fremont, California. In 2021 Tesla was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to make Musk delete a 2018 tweet in which it said that he unlawfully threatened employees with loss of stock options if they chose to be represented by the UAW.

An email was sent to Tesla seeking comment, but it has been widely reported that Tesla has disbanded its media relations team. The email sent to Tesla bounced back as undeliverable.

 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

Large-scale infrastructure projects can profoundly affect local economies, but assessing these effects is challenging. In a new study, a researcher evaluated all large-scale hydroelectric dams built in the United States in the 20th century. He found that dams constructed in the first half of the century spurred short- and long-term growth, while dams constructed in the second half affected growth only modestly.

The study, by a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), appears in The Economic Journal.

"I wanted to provide the best evidence on the short- and long-run impacts of these dams on local economies, comparing the economic effects generated by dams constructed early in the 20th century with those constructed later in the century," explains Edson Severnini, associate professor of economics and public policy at CMU's Heinz College, the study's author. "The goal was to explain the evolution of hydroelectric power fueling local economic activity."

Severnini combined two designs: one based on 110 U.S. counties from 1870 to 2010, including all areas with a hydropower potential of 100 megawatts or more, and one that constructed counterfactuals of counties with hydropower potential but no dams. The study controlled for a number of economic, political, social, technical, and environmental factors, and Severnini examined two periods separately: pre-1950 and post-1950.

Severnini reached two conclusions: The first relates to the 1900-1950 period, before the construction of an interconnected power grid using efficient high-tension transmission lines, and before the development of efficient large-scale power generation from fossil fuels. Dams constructed before 1950 spurred short-run local growth, in large part thanks to what Severnini terms a cheap local power advantage. They also spurred local economic development in the subsequent two to three decades, increasing local population density more than 50% over 50 years, on average.

His second conclusion relates to the second half of the 20th century, when a rapid evolution of the electricity-providing infrastructure was under way, which led to a sharp decline in the cheap local power advantage. Dams constructed after 1950 had only modest effects on growth, even in the long run, Severnini found.

"The first result indicates clustered impacts on local economic activity, while the second suggests that the cheap local power advantage created by hydropower declined after 1950, probably because of such technological innovations as high-tension transmission lines," says Severnini.

The study's findings can inform the value of future investments in hydroelectric dams, many of which will be built in developing countries. They also shed light on potential impacts of new utility-scale wind and solar plants during the energy transition. Initially they might benefit the county or state where the investments are made, but with the build-up of new transmission lines those benefits may dissipate, attenuating the local effects.

More information: Edson Severnini, The Power of Hydroelectric Dams: Historical Evidence from the United States over the Twentieth Century, The Economic Journal (2022). DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueac059
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

For many years wind power, solar power, tidal power and many other sustainable solutions to electricity generation have been in place. But, what about harvesting the energy of human traffic on city streets and other environments?

Research published in the International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics demonstrates how the energy of footfall from people simply going about their business on the streets, in shopping malls, the workplace, and elsewhere might be harvested to generate electricity without affecting how people walk on the surface nor being too costly to implement or maintain.

Dazzle Johnson, Mikhael Sayat, and Kean Aw of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand, describe a pavement energy harvester.

The system can convert the pressure of footfall from human traffic on the pavement even though the vertical displacement is a mere 1.5 millimeters, which would be hardly noticeable to pedestrians walking on such as surface. That tiny movement of the ground beneath one's feet would not affect one's gait but with each footstep can generate 164 milliwatts of electricity across a 27-ohm load resistor. If someone jumps on to the power pavement area almost a Watt is generated (833 mW).

If we imagine a network of power pavement with millions of footsteps every hour in a busy shopping center, for instance, then the power generated would quickly add up to usable amounts that could be buffered by charging up embedded batteries and used to power lighting or power outlets. The team is currently testing the prototype system and will work to develop connected harvesters. They need to determine how much vertical displacement each slab might be capable of to generate more power without affecting the way people walk on the surface.

More information: Mikhael Sayat et al, Harvesting Energy from Human Traffic, International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics (2022). DOI: 10.1504/IJBBR.2022.10051712
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Texas Instruments will build a new $11 billion 300-millimeter semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Lehi, Utah.

The new plant will be next to the company's existing 300-mm semiconductor wafer fab in Lehi, which Texas Instruments acquired for $900 million in 2021 from Micron Technology. The two plants will operate together as a single plant. Construction is to begin later this year, with production planned as early as 2026.

It's part of TI's long-term 300-mm manufacturing roadmap, said Haviv Ilan, TI's executive vice president and chief operating officer who becomes the company's new president and CEO on April 1.

The first Lehi plant began producing analog and embedded chips in December. TI produces billions of analog and embedded processing chips annually for some 80,000 products. Because of the breadth of TI's portfolio, its performance is closely watched on Wall Street.

"Our decision to build a second fab in Lehi underscores our commitment to Utah and is a testament to the talented team there who will lay the groundwork for another important chapter in TI's future," Ilan said in a statement. "With the anticipated growth of semiconductors in electronics, particularly in industrial and automotive, and the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, there is no better time to further invest in our internal manufacturing capacity."

TI's wafer fabrication plants produce semiconductor chips in a sterile environment, where a 400-step process takes place to turn 300-millimeter wafers into some of the world's most essential technology. Cars, calculators and industrial machinery all use TI chips.

The company said the Lehi expansion is the largest economic investment in Utah's history, creating an additional 800 TI jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. TI has about 1,100 employees at its existing fab in Lehi.

"Companies like Texas Instruments continue to invest in Utah because of our world-class business climate and exceptional workforce," said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. "TI's new semiconductor fab will solidify Utah as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub for generations to come."

The cost of the new fab is built into TI's previously announced capital spending plan to expand manufacturing capacity. In 2021, TI's analog division generated over $14 billion in revenue. Embedded processors accounted for over $3 billion of the company's $18.3 billion in total revenue.

TI recently began production at a new fab plant in Richardson, which is 30% larger than the company's original fab and took two years to complete.

"Like Richardson, this will be a 300-mm semiconductor wafer fab that will produce tens of millions of analog and embedded processing chips every day, which will be used in electronics everywhere," said Ellen Fishpaw, director of corporate media relations an issues communications at TI. "We are in early stages of planning the exact site layout for our second Lehi fab, but there will certainly be differences in terms of size and layout."

It has also started work on four new 300-mm wafer fabs in Sherman. By 2025, the first fabrication facility in the planned $30 billion investment could be producing chips as well.

2023 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and Brazos County leaders are expressing their concerns to the 88th Texas Legislature this week.

Local community members have been at the state Capitol in Austin since Monday lobbying state legislators in a one-on-one setting to seek significant changes, given that there is a $30 million-plus budget surplus this legislative session.

Jason Cornelius, the Chambers chair elect, said the Chamber worked with both cities, the county, Texas A&M University, Blinn College, both school districts and local business members to construct the legislative action plan to present to legislators.

This year we were able to take 14 teams of two to four people, and each team was given a list of legislators to reach out to and make those appointments, Cornelius said. If we are lucky to get to meet with the senator or representative themselves, but even certain times we meet with their staff members and put the action plan in front of them and hit some of those high points of what is important to our community.

The top priorities in the action plan include: health care, regulatory/taxes, transportation, economic development, public education, higher education and energy and natural resources. Regarding transportation in the Brazos Valley, Cornelius said the Chamber was in support of legislation that allotted more funding for projects.

Texas A&M is continuing to grow and our community is continuing to be attractive for people to come here, Cornelius said. We want to continue to have funding coming to help us with our infrastructure to make sure that the existing roads we have are there. We talked about the expansion of State Highway 6, and making sure that continues to move forward, even despite the rising construction costs when it comes to that.

City Councilwoman Linda Harvell joined other College Station representatives on Monday and Tuesday and said her group was able to visit with one state representative and many legislative staff.

They were excellent to visit with; they listened to what our concerns were and they took notes and seemed genuinely interested, she said.

Being an elected official, Harvell said, one topic she wanted addressed was the idea that the state of Texas has limits cities ability to govern themselves.

They put a rubber stamp on the cities so you cant expect the city of Navasota or Dallas or College Station or any other city to be run and operated the same way; and that is the mandates that the state has put on, she said. [Us] not being able to meet the need of our constituents because of mandates they have put on us; whether it has to do with taxes or expanding our area. They put so much negativity and the state has no business telling us cities how to run our cities and how to serve our constituents.

Harvell said she was very pleased with the response from those she spoke with, though doesnt doubt other cities expressed similar concerns.

The cities are more or less fighting back saying: Stop it. Give us back the ability to run our cities that benefits our constituents, because none of us are the same, Harvell said.

Additionally, Harvell and her group asked for help regarding mental health issues because she said there are thousands of needy people who dont have access to mental health facilities or mental health care.

Councilman James Edge was in attendance on Monday and Tuesday with other representatives of the city of Bryan, and he felt the same as Harvell regarding too much state control at the local level.

There is some very bad legislation right now that is being considered or at least has been filed  I dont know to what degree it is going to see the light of day  but there has been bad legislation filed that would further erode the citys ability to govern itself, he said. We need the ability to devolve government from the federal to the state, to the state to the local, and we need to be able to govern our own affairs.

Edge also said help is needed when it comes to infrastructure, transportation and funding education. He said he wants to ensure the Legislature fully funds both K-12 educations, as well as maintain the funding they provide to higher education.

We have an enormous [budget] surplus which the Legislature has to be very careful with, because in reality this is a windfall, Edge said. This is not something we are going to have two years from now. Some of this is COVID funds that have not been utilized, some of it is due to enormous valuation increases.  I remember yesterday someone said, It is almost easier when the state doesnt have any money, because all you have to do is say no. Now the problem is, how do we prioritize?

Under the public education umbrella, there were multiple asks from both the Bryan and College Station school districts including: school finance, transparency and accountability, use of public tax dollars, ballot language honesty, school safety and teacher recruitment and retention.

Regarding asks at the higher education level, Texas A&M supported legislation that showed sufficient investment in the universitys student mental health services by directing funding to expand counseling resources, increased retention of mental health professionals and improved recruiting.

The Blinn College District supported legislation that would increase state funding for both academic and workforce training in order to meet the education needs of Texas students at an affordable rate.

Cornelius also said they received special recognition from State Rep. John Raney of House District 14, who recognized their delegation for advocating for the community.

Cornelius also said the issue of sales taxes will be important.

A lot of the legislators that we talk to are somewhat in favor of that so hopefully that will be able to be pushed forward; that way when municipalities are fighting against other communities and other states specifically, he said. Some of those sales taxes can be used as deferment to help bring those businesses here because that is what helps our business community continue to grow.

To view the 2023 State Legislative Action Plan in full, visit bcschamber.org/2022-federal-legislative-action-plan/.
The College Station Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of Abraham Eli Escobar who is wanted for his involvement in last Wednesdays multi-location search warrants that resulted in numerous narcotics being found, police said Wednesday.

Escobar, 30, is wanted on several charges, including engaging in criminal activity, money laundering, two charges of manufacture of delivery of between 4 and 400 grams of a controlled substance, manufacture of delivery of between 28 and 200 grams of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana of between 5 and 50 pounds. Police said the drug charges were within 1,000 feet of a school and have been enhanced in a drug-free zone.

Anyone with information on Escobars whereabouts is asked to contact the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600 or Brazos County Crime Stoppers at 979-775-8477.

Leslie and Scott Siddons, who were arrested last week in connection to the same investigation, were also charged Wednesday with engaging in organized criminal activity. Both remain in jail. Leslie Siddons bail has been increased to $280,000 and Scott Siddons bail was increased to $300,000.

New probable cause statements for the Siddons additional charges released Wednesday shed more light into the multi-site investigation that led to Escobar being named as a suspect.

Police said after a search warrant was served at the Siddons residence in the 1700 block of Greens Prairie Road in College Station, Scott Siddons told officers Escobar had paid them $300 to $500 per month to store drugs at their residence and that the payments had been made for around one year. Police said Scott Siddons admitted Escobar stored marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inside their residence and noted they gave Escobar their garage code and allowed him to access their residence. Scott Siddons also told police Escobar would send customers to him or tell him where to deliver drugs to customers. Escobar would also come to the Siddons residence to pick up his drugs to deliver to customers, Scott Siddons told police. Police said Leslie Siddons said she had sold THC cartridges and marijuana for Escobar on at least five to 10 occasions.

A search at the Siddons residence uncovered around 15.5 pounds of marijuana, around 42 grams of THC and 42 individual THC cartridges that the Siddons identified as Escobars, police said. The majority of the marijuana was divided into wholesale packages of about one pound, police noted.

Police said officers went to a residence in the 900 block of Spring Loop Drive and spoke with a woman who said she was Escobars girlfriend. This is the same residence where an officer-involved shooting last Wednesday resulted in the death of Mark Hopkins, a 22-year-old from College Station.

Police said the woman admitted Escobar sold marijuana, THC and Adderall and noted she observed him sell drugs between five and 10 times while they had been dating. The woman told police the marijuana amounts were about the size of a binder one officer had in his hand, which police said was about one pound and approximately the size of the prepackaged amounts found at the Siddons residence. Police said officers asked the woman where Escobar stored drugs and she described the Siddons residence and identified the occupants as Scott and Leslie.

A separate search warrant was conducted at 3934 Tranquil Path and witnesses identified the location as Escobars residence, police said. Witnesses also told police they had conducted felony drug sales and transported proceeds from the drug sales to Escobar. During a search of the residence, police said they found around 8.2 pounds of THC, 430 pills of Adderall and 1,213 pills of Alprazolam.

Bryan man sentenced to 4 years

A Bryan man was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday for biting a police officer in May 2022, according to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office.

Jay Aull, 44, pled guilty to a charge of assault on a peace officer. His plea came after a jury was selected in the case on Monday, according to the district attorney.

On May 31, 2022, Bryan police officers responded to a call at the Tejas Center after a store clerk reported Aull was at her business harassing customers and making threats toward her, according to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office.

Upon police arrival, officers found Aull outside the store and intoxicated. Police tried to issue a criminal trespass warning to Aull, but police said he became aggressive and combative toward an officer. Police said Aull tried to flee the scene and an officer restrained him to avoid an escape.

Once Aull was restrained on the ground, police said he bit an officers arm and broke through his skin and drew blood. Police said multiple officers were eventually required to subdue the defendant, who they said continued to be threatening and offensive toward them.

Afterward, police said Aull told the officer he bit he had an infectious blood disease. According to the Brazos County District Attorneys Office, the officer who was bit then had to seek months of preventive medical care to ensure he did not contract any disease.
WASHINGTON  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued President Joe Biden on Wednesday for signing last years federal government funding package, arguing it was unlawfully passed out of Congress.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Lubbock, Paxton asserts the U.S. House requires a physical majority of its members to pass legislation. But most members of the House voted by proxy on the funding package, which Paxton argues makes it null.

The funding package, which passed out of the U.S. House to Bidens desk last December, funds federal programs for the rest of the fiscal year. Only 201 members were in the chamber for the vote, with most other members having returned to their districts for the holiday recess. Members were able to vote by proxy under rules enacted by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi originally to account for the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the Founding, present meant [n]ot absent; face to face; being at hand, Paxton wrote in his lawsuit, quoting a contemporaneous dictionary with the definition of present.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Members of both parties routinely used proxy voting throughout the pandemic, including for reasons not related to dealing with or avoiding the disease. It was common practice to use proxy voting to deal with in-district affairs, conduct media appearances or meet with constituents. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy eliminated proxy voting after taking the gavel, arguing that it was being abused and not conducive to debate on the floor.

Paxton requested the court rule the omnibus package invalid and unenforceable.

The package includes $1.7 trillion in appropriations, including increased funding for Ukraine, the Defense Department and veterans care. The package had wide bipartisan support in the Senate but faced fierce opposition from Republicans in the House. U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, was particularly vocal in her opposition to the 22% increase in funding for nondiscretionary, nondefense programs.

Since taking control of the lower chamber, House Republicans have been angling to curb federal funding, using the debt ceiling to twist Democrats onto their plans. A handful of Texans have become leading voices in the effort including House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin.

Paxton also asserts that the package puts undue burden on the state through provisions designed to protect pregnant workers, including state employees. The package requires employers to make reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy and childbirth and allows employees to sue if their employers do not comply.

Paxton argues the provision is unnecessary because Texas already offers pregnant state employees reasonable accommodations and that the federal government does not have the constitutional authority to open the state up to lawsuits over pregnancy accommodations.

Paxton also took issue with funding for programs to help asylum-seekers wait out their cases in the United States. The program includes assistance for housing and schooling, which Paxton asserts puts extra burden on the state to spend additional monies on services to illegal aliens they would not otherwise spend.
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"Boone was operating his motorcycle and traveling northbound in a curve when it appears he and his motorcycle went down and traveled into the southbound lane into the path of an oncoming motorcycle," the park service said in a news release. "The oncoming motorcycle operator attempted to avoid hitting Boone but was unsuccessful. Preliminary investigations indicate Boone may have suffered a medical emergency."
The prolific SideWinder group has been attributed as the nation-state actor behind attempted attacks against 61 entities in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka between June and November 2021.

Targets included government, military, law enforcement, banks, and other organizations, according to an exhaustive report published by Group-IB, which also found links between the adversary and two other intrusion sets tracked as Baby Elephant and DoNot Team.

SideWinder is also referred to as APT-C-17, Hardcore Nationalist (HN2), Rattlesnake, Razor Tiger, and T-APT4. It's suspected to be of Indian origin, although Kaspersky in 2022 noted that the attribution is no longer deterministic.

The group has been linked to no less than 1,000 attacks against government organizations in the Asia-Pacific region since April 2020, according to a report from the Russian cybersecurity firm early last year.

Of the 61 potential targets compiled by Group-IB, 29 of them are located in Nepal, 13 in Afghanistan, 10 in Myanmar, six in Sri Lanka, and one is based out of Bhutan.

Typical attack chains mounted by the adversary start with spear-phishing emails containing an attachment or a booby-trapped URL that directs the victims to an intermediary payload that's used to drop the final-stage malware.

SideWinder is also said to have added a slate of new tools to its operation, including a remote access trojan and an information stealer written in Python that's capable of exfiltrating sensitive data stored in a victim's computer via Telegram.

"Advanced attackers have started preferring Telegram over traditional command and control servers due to its convenience," Group-IB said.

The Singapore-headquartered company further said it uncovered evidence tying the actor to a 2020 attack aimed at the Maldivian government, in addition to establishing infrastructure and tactical overlaps between SideWinder, Baby Elephant, and DoNot Team.

While DoNot Team is known to have an interest in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Baby Elephant was first documented by Chinese cybersecurity firm Antiy Labs in 2021 as an advanced persistent threat from India targeting government and defense agencies in China and Pakistan.

"Since 2017, the number of 'Baby Elephant' attacks has doubled each year, and the attack methods and resources have gradually become richer, and the target has started to cover more areas in South Asia," the company was quoted as saying to Chinese state media outlet Global Times at the time.

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Additionally, source code similarities have been unearthed between the malware deployed by SideWinder as well as those used by other groups with a South Asian focus, such as Transparent Tribe, Patchwork (aka Hangover), and DoNot Team.

"This information suggests that state-sponsored threat actors are happy to borrow tools from one another and adjust them for their needs," Group-IB said.

The ability of the threat actor to continuously refine its toolset based on its evolving priorities makes it a particularly dangerous actor operating in the espionage area.

"The group obviously has considerable financial resources and is most likely state-sponsored, given the fact that SideWinder has been able to be active for so long, develop new tools, and maintain a fairly large network infrastructure."
South Africa: SAPS being strengthened to combat gun violence

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is being strengthened to prevent crime, says Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele.

Gungubele conveyed the message while briefing the media on the outcomes of the regular Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

This, he said, includes putting more police on the streets and setting up specialised teams that will focus on specific types of crime.

South Africa will also use data driven methods in a more sophisticated way to identify and target crime hotspots, he said.

The Minister said SAPS was intensifying operations to detect and remove illegal firearms and ammunition from the hands of criminals.

The police have in the past 12 months permanently removed 65 519 firearms from circulation.

The Cabinet position was made in the wake of the murder of hip-hop artist Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, and celebrity chef Tebello Motsoane, in Durban, last week.

At the meeting, Cabinet expressed its condolences to the family and friends of both men.

He said: Cabinet also expressed its sympathies to the family and friends of anti-crime activist, Mr Ayob Mungalee, who was recently shot dead at Eldorado Park in Johannesburg.

He was the national director of the People Seeking Justice Action Group, a movement which mobilised community members to take a stand against gangsterism and drug dealing.

Cabinet also expressed condolences to the families and friends of those killed in recent mass shootings in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

These heinous and cold-blooded attacks, which are being investigated by law-enforcement authorities, highlight the prevalence of gun violence and its impact on communities, he said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet said school safety in South Africa remains a top priority for government and reports of violence between learners and educators are a serious cause for concern.

While the Department of Basic Education has put mechanisms in place to combat this scourge, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to collaborate with school authorities and learners to ensure that schools remain safe places for our learners to develop and become responsible citizens. The safety of our educators at schools is also of paramount importance, said Gungubele.

Government calls on all citizens and community structures to work together with their local SAPS to drive crime out of communities. If you have information that can help expose people involved in illegal activities, call Crime Stop at 0800 10111.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China to launch 2 manned spaceships plus cargo spacecraft annually from 2023

(Global Times) 09:04, February 16, 2023

Shenzhou-15 taikonauts solicit public opinions for logo designs for the manned space missions in 2023. Photo: Courtesy of China Manned Space Agency

Following the completion of China's Space Station at the end of 2022, China released Wednesday the roadmap for this year with 2 manned spaceships scheduled and 1 to 2 cargo spacecraft missions.

China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has also started to solicit public opinions for the first time for logo designs for the manned space missions in 2023.

In order to help the public understand the characteristics of those space missions and stimulate their creative inspirations, the CMSA detailed and specified the tasks in an announcement on Wednesday.

According to CMSA in a statement it provided to the Global Times on Wednesday, the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft will be launched in May and October and they will be docked with the Tianhe space station core module.

During the two manned space missions, astronauts will conduct extravehicular activities (EVA), or spacewalks. Meanwhile, the taikonauts will conduct science and technology experiments in space, popularize science education and carry out other space activities.

In addition to the manned spaceship missions, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft will be sent to Tiangong in May to deliver necessities, consumables, maintenance spare parts, experimental payloads and propellant, as well as bring in-orbit waste back to the earth.

Since the completion of China's space station at the end of 2022, China plans to annually launch two manned spaceships and one or two spacecraft into the manned space station Tiangong, which currently consists of the Tianhe core module, the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, the Shenzhou-15 crew spaceship and the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft.

The total living space of the Chinese space station is about 110 cubic meters which can accommodate six astronauts at the same time.

CMSA has been designing task logos for each mission since the Shenzhou-5 mission in 2003. Particularly, the 12 task marks planned and designed during the stage of space station construction have played an active role in shaping the project brand image and promoting the spirit of manned spaceflight.

CMSEO encourages all individuals, legal persons and organizations who are China's manned space lovers to propose ideas that fully reflect Chinese elements, characteristics of manned spaceflight mission, with distinct scientific and artistic implications.

Besides, the systematization, coordination and continuity of the three task identifications should be given due consideration.

The deadline for public solicitation will be on March 6, 2023 with online voting followed and the results to be announced.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and grandmas are too.

This Valentines Day was special for Kelsey Bergen of Aurora who spent the day reflecting on the love of her grandmother Edith Kroeker. In January, Bergen and her mother Kathryn Goertzen, took a mother-daughter trip to the 135th Rose Parade in memory of Grandma Kroeker who passed away five years ago.

Goertzen said it was her mothers dream to see the bloom-covered floats, the lavish horse drawn carriages and marching bands parade through Pasadena, California on New Years Day.

Goertzen said she grew up going on camping trips with her parents and siblings. They traveled to Montana, Colorado and Wyoming. As Goertzen and her siblings got older and went their ways, it was never the right time to plan a trip to the Rose Parade.

Goertzen said, It was a bucket list item for her for a very long time. It was one of those beautiful events she would watch on TV during the cold, Midwest winter and would wish she was there.

Bergen added, I always grew up watching it with grandma. Knowing it was important to her made it that much more important to me when we went on our mother-daughter trip. It made it really special.

Bergen remembers how close she was with Grandma Kroeker. Her grandmother helped her with sewing projects for 4-H. She never missed a holiday celebration and she made the best sack lunches for her grandchildren to take to school.

She packed enough to feed the whole school, said Bergen.

When Kroeker passed, Goertzen said Grandma Kroeker left money for Goertzen and her siblings. Goertzen said the money would only be used for special times like these to do with the family.

When they went to the parade, Bergen and Goertzen carried roses in remembrance of Grandma Kroeker.

Goertzen said, Both of our anniversaries fall in December and our husbands are really good about giving us roses, so I said, you know, lets each bring a rose from our anniversary bouquets on our trip. What I really wanted to do was sneakily place one of our roses on a float, but we got there and each float had rope around it. Theres no way I would have taken a chance to throw it over the rope.

Bergen said she giggled at a couple of floats. One float specifically stood out to her because it was a Snapchat filter float and it reminded her of when Grandma Kroeker and she would take Snapchat selfies.

I chuckled at that one because there is no way my grandma would have understood the float, said Bergen. I took Snapchat photos with her, but it's something that my grandmothers generation was never a part of.

Prior to the parade, Bergen and Goertzen attended Decorating Places where the floats received their final preparations. They were able to take a behind the scenes look at how the vibrant floats are assembled.

Bergen said, It was a unique experience to see the floats up close and to see the time, effort and precision that goes into making a float.

Goertzen said, My favorite part was seeing the floats being put together. It was fascinating to see all the flowers, sunflowers and the different grasses. One float had what looked to be a cobblestone street made out of potatoes!

Goertzen and Bergen did some sightseeing as well. They hiked up to the Hollywood sign and carried the roses with them.

Bergen and Goertzen both agreed that if Grandma Kroeker was still alive, she would have loved that her daughter and granddaughter went on the trip.

Goertzen said, I loved it and I think she would have loved it. I think its one of those one-and-done trips. It was awesome to do this with my daughter.

Bergen said, I think she would have been excited to see all of the pictures and hear the stories. Shed be proud to hear that we are still talking about her five years later.
Expert Viewpoint

How We Launched a Districtwide Computer Science Program with Just 4 Teachers and No Formal CS Training

At Patterson Joint Unified School District, our teachers union recently negotiated for every classroom teacher to get an additional prep period each week. To cover this time in their schedules, three other educators and I became teachers on special assignment, or TOSAs. We travel between classrooms and schools to offer instruction to students while their teachers prep.

After considering several subjects that we could teach, including art and physical education, we settled on computer science, a new subject in our district. Heres how were making it work.

Starting a Districtwide Computer Science Program without CS Experience

Prior to this program, there were pockets of enrichment activities during which individual teachers offered computer science, but as a district we had no formal computer science instruction. Now, every K6 student in our district gets a 45-minute computer science class each week, covered by one of our four TOSAs. This has been pretty eye-opening for the students, and thats a really fun experience to be part of as a teacher.

Most of the TOSAs had no experience teaching computer science. Our district would absolutely support us if we found a professional development class we thought we needed, but so far it hasnt been necessary. Weve been able to research what were teaching and learn as we go.

Part of the reason it has been an easy transition is that weve been able to choose our own curriculum, resources, and materials. We chose to use Codelicious because it was organized like the curricula we were used to, with the objective and standard for each lesson clearly laid out. We also liked that it used Scratch, which in turn allows us to use other cool tools such as Microbits.

Why Computer Science Instruction Matters

Though our students love it, computer science isnt just about fun. One of the main reasons we chose to offer it to our students is that computer science is essential for understanding the modern world; it is a required skill for many jobs these days, and that will likely only be more true by the time our K6 students are entering the job market. So many jobs require working with technology  even artists now use computers to create their work! And many of our students will work in jobs that havent even been invented yet.

Also, our district is in Silicon Valley, so there are a ton of jobs in areas like coding and web development right in our students backyard. However, despite their proximity to the birthplace of so much technology, many of our students dont have regular access to it. Our schools are Title I, and many families in our district simply cant afford computers in their homes.

How Our Computer Science Program Works

Traveling from school to school can be a little rough on the TOSAs. On the day Im writing this, for example, Ive been to three different schools, and I taught three classes at one of them. However, while the logistics are challenging, being the fun teacher with the robots is very rewarding.

We have quite a bit of leeway in what we teach. In the lower grades, TOSAs tend to stick to Codelicious lessons. In third and fourth grade, we introduce Microbits, and then in fifth and sixth grades, we start working with Yahboom robots.

But even in the upper primary grades, I tend to sprinkle in some Codelicious lessons, because many of them dont require extra materials. For example, if Im in six different classes in one day and I have to ask each class to get out their scissors, I may run into six different routines for getting out scissors. Sometimes, I just need a plan that allows us to dive right in and make the most of our time together.

We have about 250 Microbits and 150 robots. Its probably more than we need, but its nice to have enough to make sure that each student has something to work with. Since all of our lessons employ block programming, its easy to switch from one tool to another. Students can simply focus on seeing the ideas come to life in their hands when they build a rock, paper, scissors robot, for example, without getting hung up on terminology or process.

Being The Fun Teacher

During each weekly lesson, students are learning lots of computer science terminology as well as the process of coding. They even get to work with robots! Its great to be the fun teacher, bringing in hands-on stuff that students are excited about. It makes their day  and that makes mine.

So far, students are taking in everything theyre learning and running with it. Last year I had fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders, and this year my classes include just fifth and sixth grades  so all my students were also in my classes last year. We started out with the Codelicious lessons on Scratch and different computer science professions and then used that to build up to Microbits. Were now starting to introduce robots, and a lot of students are learning on their own.

Now, instead of playing video games when they get home, students are coding their own games. Theyll come into class and say, Hey, Mr. Atchison, check out the Tetris game I made. Can I download it to the Microbits? Of course my response is, Yeah, go for it  and then Ill see that their game has all these different levels. Its a real wake-up call for me: I have to step up my own coding game if Im going to keep up with them!

Assessments and the Future

Our students dont get a grade for computer science, but that doesnt seem to affect their engagement at all. Generally speaking, theyre excited about the subject and intrinsically motivated to learn about it. I do hand out tickets for things like completing assignments, behaving well, or being particularly creative on a project. Those tickets go into a raffle for prizes that I award at the end of class. Other TOSAs offer their own incentives, such as stickers and other small rewards.

If computer science were to become a requirement, we would have to assign each student a grade  and something would have to change to allow us time for grading. Right now I have approximately 1,000 students each week, so Id need a whole day every week just to grade their work.

To make sure students computer science skills are growing, we use the pre- and post-assessments provided in our curriculum. While any growth is good, weve been seeing about 10% growth at some schools. This is especially impressive considering that TOSAs only get 45 minutes with students each week.

We dont have any formal plans yet, but we hope to expand our computer science program in the future. Were just two years in, and its been a total success so far, especially given that weve been learning right along with our students. It would be a shame not to capitalize on that momentum.
MARION  The jury returned a verdict Wednesday evening in the Julia Bevely murder trial in Williamson County Court. Bevely was convicted of three counts of murder in the stabbing death of 11-year-old Jade Beasley, her longtime boyfriends daughter.

The seventh day of the trial began with the defense presenting the remainder of its case.

Michael Humes, Bevelys older brother, was the first of her family and friends to testify. Humes said he has never seen her use corporal punishment on any of her children or Beasley or even raise a hand to them.

He said Bevely cries when shes upset or angry. Hes never seen her get physical or threaten anyone.

Shes kind of a cry baby, he said.

Humes said the defendant was spoiled as a child, but changed as soon as her son was born. She was less angry and became more gentle.

Jordan Bevely testified that his sister brought Beasley to their grandmas home, which was a gathering place for the family and their relationship seemed normal.

Jordan Bevely has a 13-year-old son, Xavier. He and Julia Bevelys son Jaden was born one month apart from Xavier. Xavier, Jaden and Beasley played together and had fun, he said.

He added that Julia Bevely did not use corporal punishment, but usually took the kids electronics away.

The jury heard similar testimony from Bevely's friends Katie Carter-Riley and Theresa Rice.

Carter-Riley said if Bevely was angry or frustrated she cried. She never physically fought. She never heard her disparage or dismiss Beasley.

Rice witnessed Bevely take care of all four children and interacted with the family.

It was a loving, blended, functional family, she said, adding Bevely never yelled at her children or used corporal punishment.

After each testimony, Prosecutor Jennifer Mudge asked each witness if they were at the Bevely-Beasley home on Dec. 5, 2020. None of them said they were.

Nicole LaMothe of Salem, Massachusetts, told the jury that Bevely is her best friend. They grew up together and even lived together for a while.

Julia is an excellent mom. Shes kind and loving. Shes wonderful, LaMothe said.

She said Bevely visited her in Salem when Jaden and Beasley were five or six years old. They stayed with her and her mother. LaMothe even kept the kids one day so Bevely and Michael Beasley could go to Boston on a date.

Jade was a very nice girl. She loved all things pink and sparkly, so we hit it off, LaMothe said.

She saw the family again in Salem and once in Illinois.

LaMothe said she witnessed Bevely taking care of Beasley. She said there was no difference in the way she treated Beasley and Jaden.

Public Defender Therese Thien moved for a mistrial based on an issue with the jury that was discussed outside of the courtroom. Judge Steven Green denied the motion.

She then asked for a directed verdict from Green. Again he denied her motion.

The defense rested at about 11:30 a.m. Closing arguments were heard at 1 p.m.

The case was given to the jury to deliberate just after 3 p.m. They reached a verdict just before 5 p.m.

When the verdict was read, Humes threw the sailor hat he was wearing with his Navy uniform and shouted. Green had him removed from the courtroom.

Prosecutors Mudge and Phillip Butler were satisfied with the verdict.

Any child murder means a lot of emotions evolve, Mudge said.

As the verdict was read, tears fell down her face.

God is good all the time, Jessica Bradley, Beasley's mom, said.

She said Beasley is always on her mind and it was important to be in court for her and see justice served.

Bradley said her daughter loved the colors pink and purple. She remembers Beasley when those colors are in the sunrise.

Yesterday the clouds were pink above our house and I knew she was watching, Bradley said, adding that she will continue to remember her daughter.

Bevely is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:15 p.m. on June 2.

Editor's note: This story was changed to correct the names of Michael Humes and Theresa Rice.
Landowners can apply for assistance through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to implement practices, such as forest stand improvement, brush management, and tree/shrub establishment. The project focus is to reverse the decline of oaks in forests in the following five counties: Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Pope and Union.

While applications for this multi-year project will be accepted throughout 2023, to ensure their applications are considered for 2023 funding, interested producers should submit by March 3, 2023, a signed application (NRCS-CPA-1200 form) to the local Natural Resources Conservation Service field office, or through the http:www.farmers.gov website using their account.

Only producers with approved Forest Management Plans (FMPs) will be eligible for 2023 funding, but Forest Management Planning is expected to be a funded practice in 2024.

A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office or the Illinois NRCS website. Producers wishing to use Farmers.gov, can sign-in or create an account by clicking on Sign up in the upper right portion of the website.

For more information you can contact your local NRCS field office or visit the Illinois NRCS website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov.
CARBONDALE  Ellen Alberding, the president and CEO of the Joyce Foundation, will discuss the role of philanthropy in advancing policy reforms to strengthen communities, confront racial inequities and promote economic mobility during a virtual conversation with Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute next week.

Alberding will join John Shaw, institute director, at noon Tuesday, Feb. 21, via Zoom for a discussion, Philanthropys Role in Building Strong Communities. The conversation is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.

Ellen Alberding is one of the towering stars in philanthropy in Illinois and across the United States, Shaw said. She is passionately interested in concrete ways to make our communities more vibrant, safe and inclusive. She is also a powerful voice in the debate about preventing gun violence and advancing criminal justice reform.

In addition to her work at the Joyce Foundation, Alberding is one of the founders of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, a funder collaborative investing in community-based strategies to reduce gun violence in Chicago. She is a member of the Loyola University Board of Trustees and the Chicago Public Education Funds Board of Directors, and a founding board member of Advance Illinois, which advocates for public education reform. Alberding was also a founding board member of Skills for Americas Future, which works to meet the needs of businesses and improve employment opportunities for community college students.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Alberding on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.
Calhoun County Council will consider a moratorium on the construction of new solar projects after hearing complaints from residents.

I beg you to please put a moratorium up and to stop this solar farm development until it can be studied further, Fort Motte resident Bobby Temple told council during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday.

We know it is coming. There is pressure on us to put clean power generation up, he said.

He said there are rumors that a landowner plans to sell significant acreage to a solar company. Temple wants an ordinance that stipulates which tracts of land can be used for solar projects and which cannot.

What is going to happen when these things degrade? Temple said. Who is going to take them out?

Temple described Fort Motte as having an abundance of beauty with cotton, bright cotton flowing like an ocean of whiteness.

It is just a breathtaking place, he said. We should avoid anything that would take away from the vista that lies there. It is our agricultural foundation.

Temple was among many who spoke against solar project growth in the county.

There is a time and place for solar in certain areas of the county that aren't ag heavy, non-industrial park sites, Calhoun County Administrator John McLauchlin said.

McLauchlin received council approval to begin talking with the county attorney about composing language to put a moratorium in place.

Councilwoman Rebecca Bonnette asked if the moratorium can be longer than six months. She suggested waiting until the countys 2024 comprehensive plan, which is currently under development, is in place and includes community input on zoning.

We will certainly look into that, McLauchlin said.

McLauchlin said the moratorium language will be shared with council before proceeding.

Bonnette requested the county attorney work with an environmental resource like the South Carolina Environmental Law Project before moving forward.

Sandy Run resident Amy Hill, referring to a S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control fact sheet on solar panels, noted the panels may contain hazardous materials such as lead.

You can't even dump them in county sites or landfills without them being tested, Hill said. You have to grind the glass and do all kinds of stuff to send it off and test it and there is not even any sites close by here.

If we are going to do something in the 2024 plan, we need to make sure farmers are well informed of the hazards and toxins that are laced within these, particularly the ones from China, Hill said. They do have lead in the welding and some toxic materials in the glass.

Hill asked what will happen if a solar company goes out of business or goes bankrupt.

Hill said solar projects can also lower the property values of surrounding areas by creating an eyesore.

Janet Echols, a St. Matthews resident, also requested a moratorium until the comprehensive plan can be completed.

Echols said low-income individuals are the ones who will most be negatively impacted by solar farms. She said one family in Calhoun County used to be surrounded by wildlife and is now an island in a sea of glass and plastic and metal.

The value of these family homes are how a fraction of their pre-solar value, Echols said. The solar projects in rural communities disproportionately affect low-income families whose ancestral homes will be swallowed up by the project and general wealth and heritage would forever be lost.

Echols asked if large landowners and solar companies would be willing to surround their own homes with chain link fences and solar panels.

Forte Motte resident Francis Mack said, The solar projects ... are not farms.

They are solar arrays, they are industrial applications and they should be located accordingly.

Mack said he is concerned about his grandchildren growing up in the country.

I know there is a lot of pressure even coming down from the federal level. We want solar for environmental benefits. There is a lot more environmental benefits to planting trees instead of putting up glass panels in fields, he said.

The trees will absorb the carbon dioxide. They will sequester it. It is a net positive. It is much more effective to plant trees than to plant glass, Mack said.

St. Matthews pastor Larry Wagner said solar panels break down over time.

Almost all of them are made in China, Wagner said. China is sending their trash in the form of glass and giving us solar panels that they are glad to get rid of in China and they know they are not going to last.

There are a bunch of Chinese people that are laughing at us because we bought their junk, Wagner said.

Councilman Cecil Thornton said, We aren't going to look at this lightly.

I think all five of us love this county. I am not going to sit in this seat and fleece Calhoun County for any kind of benefit that we don't want as a county, he said.

Thornton said he has received a number of emails and phone calls about the matter.

He expressed his appreciation for the concerns of the community.

We all realize we work for the people of the county, Thornton said. We do know who we work for.

Council Chairman James Haigler said council members are there to serve.

It is not like we get paid millions of dollars to serve, Haigler said. I love Calhoun County. That is why we are up here. Nobody wants to ram anything down anyone's throat. There are always two sides to a problem and we have to look at both sides.

I think we are here for the betterment of the county, Haigler said. If we can help it, nobody is going to hurt Calhoun County as long as I am here. I can assure you that.
Orangeburg County School District teachers and students will be coming back earlier for the 2023-2024 school year than they have in past years.

The school districts calendar for the upcoming school year has teachers returning Monday, July 31 and students returning Monday, Aug. 7.

The next school year would end May 29 under the calendar. All holidays and school breaks would be the same as in the current year.

Although school begins one week earlier than in previous years, district officials say the new calendar provides the benefit of having balanced semesters.

There are 90 days before winter break and 90 days after winter break, according to the school district.

The calendar this year, as it was in prior years, was created by our OCSD calendar committee, which consists of current and past teachers of the year and support staff of the year, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster told school trustees this week.

It was important to our high school teachers especially to have balanced semesters to maximize the educational opportunities for their students, he said.

Additionally, the calendar provides for an extended winter break as well as all of the other breaks that students and teachers typically receive - including a week during Thanksgiving, spring break and various other breaks throughout the academic year, the district said in a press release.

A record number of 950 OCSD stakeholders voted on the calendar options, with nearly 75% voting to begin school earlier than in past years.

Trustees approved the 2023-2024 district calendar by a 7-2 vote. Dr. William O'Quinn and Mary Ulmer voted in opposition.

O'Quinn previously expressed concerns about teachers having to report to school in July.

In other business:

 Trustees voted 6-3 to donate excess property to the Community Organization for Rights and Empowerment (CORE) off of Unity Road in Holly Hill.

The district had wanted to donate the property to the organization for several years, but the COVID pandemic halted the transaction.

The building formerly served as an alternative school and primary school.

The district publicly posted the property to abide by state statute and there was no other interest in the property.

 The district received $25.9 million in revenues for the month of January and total expenditures for the month were $12.7 million, bringing the district $13.2 million in the black.

 Trustees recognized the district's 2023 National Beta Club award recipients from Holly Hill Elementary, St. James-Gaillard Elementary, Lockett Elementary and Edisto Elementary.

 Trustees recognized MLK Oratory competition winners. The theme of this year's competition was Celebrating the Impact of our Youth. The youth winners honored the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through public speaking.

Fourteen children gave speeches to motivate and inspire changes that they want to see in their schools and daily lives.

Jaiden Seawright, a fifth-grader at Sheridan Elementary, was the winner.

 Trustees acknowledged fifth-grade students who were recognized for character by the Orangeburg County Community of Character program. The program is as part of the organization's Fifth Grade Outstanding Character recognition.

 Trustees recognized Latoya Sellers of Vance Providence Elementary School as Rookie Teacher of the Month for January.

 Trustees recognized Rivelon Elementary School media specialist Frankie Pinckney as employee of the month for January.

 Trustees recognized Rivelon Elementary School counselor Sharon Forman, who has been nominated for the 2022-23 National LifeChanger of the Year award.

Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

 Trustees tabled a policy stipulating that the board will work with legislative representatives, the Consortium of State School Boards Associations and other groups to develop long-term legislative programs.

Trustees sought clarification before they vote on it.

 Trustees went into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Upon coming out of closed session, trustees voted to accept certified employees and accepted certified employee resignations.

 The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at the district headquarters at 102 Founders Court in Orangeburg. The meeting can be seen in-person or viewed on the district's website.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Ports Authority announced Thursday that the state's 2022 export sales totaled $31.5 billion, up 6% over 2021, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The state remains the nations top exporter of completed passenger motor vehicles and tires.

Notable 2022 export statistics include:

2022 export sales totaled $31.5 billion, up 6% over 2021.

For the ninth year in a row, South Carolina remains the national leader in the export of completed passenger vehicles, with sales topping $10.1 billion.

For the seventh year in a row, South Carolina remains the national leader in the export of tires, with sales exceeding $1.7 billion.

Canada was the number one export market for South Carolina-made products and services, accounting for over $4.4 billion in sales.

South Carolina exports reached 196 countries across six continents.

The world wants what South Carolinians are making, as evidenced by South Carolinas boost in 2022 trade numbers, McMaster said. From tires to passenger vehicles, our industries are making their mark on the world stage as international markets continue to realize the value and craftsmanship of South Carolina-made goods.

South Carolina is as connected to the world as ever, between the year-over-year growth of foreign direct investment and international trade and exports, said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. International trade is crucial to our states economy and sustained economic growth, particularly as our companies expand their product and service offerings to meet global market demands.

As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports serves as South Carolinas gateway to the world, said SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin. We are proud to move cargo for mega retailers, advanced manufacturers, farmers, medical companies, e-commerce sites and small businesses. We consistently invest in world-class port infrastructure to keep freight moving, ensuring SC Ports offers the capacity, reliability and fluidity port-dependent businesses need to thrive.
CHARLESTON  Republican Nikki Haley joined the 2024 race for president this week, becoming the first major rival to former President Donald Trump in a field that is expected to grow in coming months. Here are some things to know about the former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations:

I WAS DIFFERENT

Haley, 51, grew up in the small rural community of Bamberg, South Carolina, the daughter of Indian immigrants. Raised in the Sikh faith by a father who wore a turban and a mother who wore a sari, she has described enduring racist taunts and feeling like she didn't fit in, an experience she says had an impact on on her personal and political life. In a video announcing her presidential bid, Haley referenced that past, saying she grew up not Black, not white  I was different. She also insisted  as she has in past speeches  that America is not a racist country. Nothing could be further from the truth, she said in her formal announcement Wednesday.

NOTABLE FIRSTS

Before becoming South Carolina governor, Haley was an accountant and served in the state House of Representatives. In her first campaign in 2004, she defeated the states longest-serving House member. Three terms later, she made a longshot bid for governor and defeated a field of more veteran politicians to become the first woman and first Indian American to lead South Carolina. At 38, she also was the nation's youngest governor. Haley is the first woman to be a major candidate for president in 2024, and just the fifth Republican woman this century.

DIVISIVE SYMBOL

Haley's biggest moment on the national stage as governor came during her second term, when a self-avowed white supremacist who had been pictured holding Confederate flags murdered nine Black parishioners as they gathered for Bible study in a Charleston church. For years before the 2015 killings, Haley had resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds, even casting a rivals push for its removal as a desperate stunt. But after the massacre and with the support of other leading Republicans, Haley advocated for legislation to remove the flag. It came down less than a month after the murders.

Haley later faced criticism for telling conservative host Glen Beck in a 2019 interview that the Charleston shooter hijacked the ideals many connected to the flag, including the service, and sacrifice and heritage it meant to some. After many responded saying that the flag represented treason and racial hatred, Haley said in a statement on Twitter that she stood by her call to remove it. In a 2020 speech to the Republican National Convention that followed weeks of protests alleging racial injustice by police, Haley called the flag a divisive symbol that was removed peacefully.

HISTORY WITH TRUMP

Haley has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Trump, going from harsh critic to ardent supporter and now a 2024 rival.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Haley supported Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. She later backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. She described Trump as everything a governor doesnt want in a president. But Haley ultimately said she would back the GOP nominee, and shortly after Trump won the presidency, she agreed to serve as the new administrations ambassador to the United Nations. She was a whole-hearted supporter of his 2020 reelection bid. Her most recent reversal: Her decision to seek the presidency after initially saying she wouldn't challenge Trump if he ran again.
State investigators have found no foul play in the mysterious death of a South Carolina State University student last spring.

But they did uncover apparent missteps by campus police that delayed a full investigation and left gaps in the evidence available to agents trying to determine what happened to young Amya Carr.

Carr, 21, was co-captain of S.C. States dance team when students found her unconscious in her dorm room last April 13. They rushed her to Orangeburgs Regional Medical Center, where she died. S.C. States police said in an incident report that Carr died from an asthma attack, but no autopsy was done.

State law requires universities to immediately report on-campus deaths and sexual assaults to the State Law Enforcement Division so agents can do independent investigations. But S.C. States police department didnt do so for six weeks. And when SLED agents in late May finally began looking into Carrs death and SC States handling of it, they found one lapse after another.

Campus police failed to document interviews with potential witnesses at the hospital; they didnt take photos of Carrs dorm room or take down the names of the medical personnel who treated her. They even included the wrong date of her death in an incident report.

Agents also learned that SC State Police Chief Timothy Taylor interviewed two students six weeks after Carrs death and after SLED agents had begun looking at the case. The students had helped take Carr to the hospital. Taylor did the interview without SLEDs approval or knowledge.

Another unusual aspect of S.C. States involvement came to light after agents interviewed a campus police officer who had been dispatched to Carrs dorm room that day to protect a possible crime scene and gather evidence. The officer, no longer employed with the department, told agents she found a small amount of marijuana and secured it in a patrol office drawer because no evidence bags were available and the evidence room was locked. She said Chief Taylor then told her to write a report saying that Carr died of natural causes, and that she wasnt comfortable doing so since she hadnt seen an autopsy report.

Orangeburg County Deputy Coroner Michael Bartley reportedly opted against an autopsy after speaking with physicians, seeing no signs of trauma and learning of Carrs lengthy history with asthma. Bartley himself is a former S.C. State police chief who lost his job in 2012 amid another SLED investigation. He pleaded guilty the following year to federal charges in connection with a kickback scheme.

Action and inactions

SLEDs investigation into Carrs death was ultimately turned over to the joint public integrity unit of the 1st and 14th circuit solicitors offices for review. They found insufficient evidence of any criminal wrongdoing and declined to take the case before a grand jury, records show.

But the chief prosecutors from those circuits still harbor concerns about S.C. States handling of the case. They plan to detail them in a letter to SLED, said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, whose district includes the university.

While no criminal charges are warranted, Solicitor Duffie Stone and I have many concerns with regard to the actions and inactions of S.C. State on this matter, Pascoe said. First and foremost, SLED should have been notified immediately about Miss Carrs death. He said they wanted to make sure this sort of thing doesnt happen at other universities and colleges in the future.

UNCOVERED: Shedding light on questionable government conduct The Post and Courier of Charleston has launched Uncovered, a project to cast new light on questionable government conduct, especially in sma

Samuel Watson, a spokesman for the university, said had no immediate responses to the findings and Pascoes comments beyond saying that report speaks for itself. Watson has previously defended the decision not to call SLED, saying officials complied with the law because Ms. Carrs death did not result from an incident occurring on campus.

Because of the lapses cited in the report, key questions likely will remain unanswered about Carrs death, including whether mold played a role. Carr had been diagnosed with asthma as an infant, but her problems seemed to grow worse her sophomore year when she moved into Hugine Suites at South Carolina State University, her mother, Valencia Canzater, told The Post and Courier last year.

Mold is a known cause of asthma flare-ups. A recent Post and Courier investigation documented how mold contamination in colleges across South Carolina made hundreds of students sick, including several instances that sent students to hospitals. SC State logged 43 complaints about mold during the past two years, schools records show. Of those 43 reports, 32 were in Hugine Suites, the complex where Carr lived. SC State has said it hasnt received any complaints about mold in the dorm suite where Carr lived. SLED agents investigate criminal cases, and its report on Carrs death doesnt delve into mold.

Trouble breathing

The SLED report outlined the events leading to Carrs death.

A friend told agents that she texted Carr the evening of April 12 to see if she wanted to hang out.

I would, but my asthma is acting up, Carr replied.

The pair eventually met up in Carrs dorm room at 7 p.m. to smoke marijuana. When the friend left 90 minutes later, Carr seemed fine, the report stated. But Carr later called the friend between 4:30 and 5 a.m. to say she was having trouble breathing and needed to go to the hospital.

The friend found Carr alone and naked in the room, which she told agents was odd. Carr struggled to breathe and soon passed out.

The friend wrapped Carr in a blanket and yelled for help. Some ROTC students heard the call and helped the friend carry Carr outside and drive her the hospital. She died there while being treated, authorities said.

Canzeter, Carrs mother, told SLED that her daughter called her on the evening of June 12 and complained that her asthma was acting up. Canzeter urged her to go to the hospital but Carr refused.

Canzeter told SLED that deputy coroner Bartley initially indicated that an autopsy would be done, But when the hospital contacted her two weeks later to release her daughters body, they told her the procedure had not been performed. A nurse told her she would have to pay for a private autopsy if she wanted one, she told SLED.

Canzater told agents she called Bartley, who said hed opted against an autopsy after learning about Carrs history of asthma.

Bartley told SLED he didnt see enough probable cause to warrant an invasive autopsy. He did order toxicology tests, which showed evidence of marijuana in her system, the SLED report states. Carrs father also told agents that she smoked marijuana and that he had asked her to stop.

The coroners office listed her cause of death as pulmonary arrest, or respiratory distress that caused her to stop breathing. The manner of death was left blank, SLED noted, because no autopsy was done.

Glenn Smith is editor of the Watchdog and Public Service team and helped write the newspapers Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation, Till Death Do Us Part. Reach him securely on Signal at 843-607-0809 or by email at gsmith5@protonmail.com.

Tony Bartelme, senior projects reporter for The Post and Courier, has earned national honors from the Nieman, Scripps, Loeb and National Press foundations and is a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Twitter: @tbartelme 843-790-0805
(TBTCO) - Su suy giam trong doanh so ban le cua My cho thay lai suat cao hon ang lam cham nen kinh te, nhu FED a tinh toan khi cho rang, hoat ong kinh te can giam bot e giam lam phat von a ha nhiet gan ay nhung van o muc cao. Cac quan chuc FED a phat i tin hieu co the tang lai suat mot lan nua tai cuoc hop vao au thang 5 toi e duy tri ap luc giam lam phat.
A nearly 40-year-old unsolved murder in Laramie will be the focus of a new limited series by the popular crime podcast Serial.

The Coldest Case in Laramie will be hosted by Kim Barker, who was in high school in Laramie at the time the murder took place, the New York Times and Serial Productions announced Thursday. Barker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for the New York Times.

A 22-year-old college student, Shelli Wiley, was murdered in Laramie in 1985. Barker was a sophomore that year, the announcement said.

It was a particularly violent murder. Wiley was stabbed repeatedly before being dragged into her apartment, which was then set on fire. An autopsy found her neck was cut through to the bone and she had been stabbed in the lung.

The killing left a lasting impression on Barker  the brutality of it, but also the mystery: Who could have done something like this? Two arrests had been made a few years after the murder but neither stuck. The case went cold, the statement said.

Officials filed murder charges against a teenager shortly after Wileys death, but they were dropped in 1991. Investigators also performed DNA tests on a convicted rapist in Utah in 1994, the Salt Lake Tribune reported at the time.

Many sources, including the lead detective on the case, believe former Laramie police officer and Albany County sheriffs deputy Fredrick James Lamb, who was staying two doors down from Wiley, killed her, the statement said. Lamb was not a law enforcement officer at the time of Wileys killing.

An investigation determined a body had been dragged from the apartment where Lamb had been staying to Wileys apartment. And his DNA was allegedly found at the scene.

Lamb was charged in 2016, and he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree arson. But the charges were dismissed in 2017.

Former Albany County District Court Judge Tori Kricken also signed an order of expungement, removing his criminal record from public access.

Officials said dropping the charges was supposed to be a temporary procedural hiccup, the New York Times announcement said. Yet, they never refiled.

Even now, the lead detective on the case said: We have blood evidence  we know that he was there  this homicide is not very difficult. Its just not, the statement said.

The Laramie Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

All episodes of The Coldest Case in Laramie will be available on Feb. 23.
JACKSON (WNE)  After Cocker Brothers author Faleena Hopkins, 52, was arrested by park rangers in January, family, friends and fellow authors are stumped about what prompted the uncharacteristic behavior and where the romance novelist is now.

Hopkins, noted by park officials and jail records as a Washington resident, was arrested Jan. 27 after a 24-mile high-speed chase that began when National Park Service rangers saw her parked in the road at Jackson Lake Junction in Grand Teton National Park. A short while earlier she had been cited by a Yellowstone ranger for driving in a closed area beyond Flagg Ranch.

Friends and family registered Hopkins as a missing person through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, saying that after she was released from Teton County Jail at noon on Jan. 30, she hadnt been seen or heard from.

According to Lt. Russ Ruschill of the Jackson Police Department, Hopkins boarded a flight to Salt Lake City the afternoon she was released from jail. Ruschill said officers contacted the Salt Lake City airport, where staff confirmed that Hopkins exited the aircraft in Utah that evening.

Ruschill said Hopkins left her vehicle, a red 2020 Kia Soul, and her dog here in Jackson. He and friends of Hopkins said she doesnt have a history of substance or alcohol abuse or chronic mental health problems.

In court records no questions regarding Hopkins mental fitness or competency have been raised, nor DUI charges pressed to suggest that she was under the influence of substances at the time of the incident.

We have no leads as to her current whereabouts after Salt Lake City, Ruschill said Tuesday, adding that the police do not suspect foul play.

As of press time, family and friends are still looking for Hopkins. She is due to appear via Zoom in federal court at 10 a.m. Feb. 28 for an arraignment.
CHEYENNE  A bill aimed at curbing crossover voting in Wyoming easily cleared the Senate Revenue Committee on Thursday after being resurrected in the Senate two days earlier.

House Bill 103, sponsored by Wheatland Republican Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, would bar voters from changing their party affiliation after the first day of the candidate-filing period. In other words, voters wouldnt be able to see what their candidate options are before deciding which party ticket they want to vote on for the primary election.

There would also be a 14-day blackout period prior to general elections.

Voters wouldnt be able to cancel their registration in those time periods, the idea being that allowing those cancellations would provide a loophole for people to re-register with a different party affiliation.

The bill cleared the Senate Revenue committee in a 3-1 vote, with Sen. Stephen Pappas, R-Cheyenne, voting no. Having cleared the committee, the bill has much better prospects of surviving the Legislature.

The Senate Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee previously killed the bill in a 3-1 vote last week.

But on Tuesday, Senate Majority Floor Leader Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, pushed to revive the bill and send it to the Senate Revenue Committee. Such a move is rare, but within the Senates rules. That motion passed in a narrow 16-14 vote, with Senate president Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, excused.

Haroldson, who is vice chair of the far-right Wyoming Freedom Caucus, told the Star-Tribune that he didnt know lawmakers in the Senate were going to try and resurrect his bill and only learned of the motion after the fact.

The Senate Revenue Committees vote in favor of the bill was practically a foregone conclusion, as Gail Symons, owner of the nonpartisan blog Civics307 and an opponent of the bill, put it.

The committees chairman  Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester  sponsored a mirror bill that also died in the Senate Corporations Committee earlier this month.

If the vote to rerefer the bill is any indication, it appears the Senate will likely be favorable to the legislations survival as well, though Haroldson said that he still expects theres going to be a lift to push the bill through.

Limiting crossover voting has been one topic that the Legislature has wrangled over for years, but without success.

Curbing the practice is a particular focus for some lawmakers this year after crossover voting came to the forefront during the last election cycle, when Democrats switched to the Republican Party to vote for Wyomings former Rep. Liz Cheney, who ultimately lost her race to Rep. Harriet Hageman.

Sherri Davis, a resident of Sundance, played a recording during Thursdays meeting of a robo call that encouraged Democrats and independents to switch to the Republican Party to vote in last years gubernatorial election.

We certainly need that space to prevent people from crossing over once they see whos running in one election, Davis said. Its about intentionality. The intention has been clear for some time, and its been effective.

But many of those who spoke against the bill warned it could have the unintended consequence of diluting the Republican Party. They argued that anyone who wanted to have a voice in Wyoming elections would register as a Republican and stay there, whether or not they identified with the partys platform.

Pappas, the lone vote against the bill, recalled going door-to-door to the homes of registered Republicans during his primary campaign last year only to have some of these people tell him that they werent actually Republicans. They were registered with the party because they felt they didnt have a choice, Pappas recounted.

This bill will take care of crossover voting, but I think whats going to happen, because of the timing of it, everyone is going to cross over and theyre going to stay there, Pappas said.
A New Haven man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in a cocaine trafficking ring, according to federal authorities.

Angel Correa-Ortiz, 38, also was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to four years of supervised release, according to federal authorities.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said that the U.S. Postal Inspection Services Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Puerto Rico in 2020.

The package contained $102,450 in cash, authorities said in a statement.

The investigation revealed that Jose L. Gerena, of New Haven, was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in and around New Haven, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico, authorities said in the statement.

Authorities said they intercepted multiple parcels of cocaine and U.S. currency that was sent through the U.S. Mail.

Correa-Ortiz helped find places for the organization to use to receive parcels, then moved them, and went with other organization members during drug transactions, authorities said in the statement.

Authorities said most of the cocaine was taken to a stash house in New Haven that Gerena, Jose Rodriguez-Caraballo and others used as a hub to distribute wholesale quantities of cocaine.

Rodriguez-Caraballo, also known as Puma, was arrested in March 2021; he had gone to Milford to sell two kilograms of cocaine for $86,000, authorities said, but the cocaine and a loaded 9mm handgun were seized.

Gerena was arrested on August 10, 2021, after investigators made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to his New Haven residence.

Correa-Ortiz was arrested in September 2021 and he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in 2022, authorities said. He is free on a $100,000 bond and scheduled to report to prison on March 22m authorities said.

Gerena and Rodriguez-Caraballo also pleaded guilty; Gerena awaits sentencing and Rodriguez-Caraballo was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year, authorities said.
POWELL  As a shooter opened fire in two buildings on the Michigan State University campus Monday night, Maggie Cappiello took shelter in a dorm room closet and reached out to their mother.

Ive never been in a situation [before] where I texted my mom, I dont want to die, said Cappiello, a 2021 Powell High School graduate and MSU sophomore.

Cappiello is among 11 Big Horn Basin students currently enrolled at MSU on the prestigious Starr Scholarship, a full ride offered to Wyoming and Upper Michigan Peninsula students.

Another one of those students, Cody High School graduate and MSU freshman Isabelle Radakovich, said the areas students kept in touch.

As far as I can tell, all the Park County kids were kind of communicating with each other and we were all OK and we were all safe, Radakovich said.

Initial reports indicate that no Wyoming students were hurt in Mondays shooting, which left three students dead and five more in critical condition.

After a several hour manhunt by police, the 43-year-old gunman shot and killed himself.

Authorities have said they do not know why the man targeted MSU, as he didnt have any known motives or connections to the campus.

When the first shots rang out at the universitys Berkey Hall, Cappiello was 5-10 minutes away in their dorm room at East Shaw Hall. Cappiello initially thought it must be a rumor, but then the university released its first shelter in place order and the reality of the situation set in.

This is moving towards me, towards people I know, Cappiello said. Its around people I know. I need to hide.

Cappiello ended up staying in their closet from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Cappiellos roommate was on campus on the east side. There were rumors of shooting in that area as well, but they turned out to be false.

When both students were back safely in the dorm it took time to get some sleep. Radakovich was eating at her dorms dining hall on the south side of campus when she heard the news via a group chat. She was soon sheltering in place in a friends dorm room, tracking the developing situation through police scanners and messages from other students.

For more than three hours as law enforcement searched for the shooter, Radakovich and her friends remained safe, but she said with each noise, your mind immediately jumps to, Is it the worst thing it could be?

Speaking Tuesday morning, Cappiello said that the East Lansing, Michigan, campus is usually a vibrant place and its just not right now.

Thoughts, prayers and kind words are always appreciated, Cappiello said, but students need to be able to process the situation in their own way. Cappiello added that they believe discussions about gun safety are needed to prevent future tragedies.

I dont want anyone to ever have to go through that, Cappiello said.
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.
CHAGUANAS nightlife is said to be declining as random crimes increase, with food vendors and bar operators calling yesterday for better arrest rates to stop repeat criminals.

Once booming mostly as a result of plentiful fast food options, the Chaguanas Main Road is still a go-to for doubles and gyros but now shows much less activity after dark than in years past.
It is indeed heart-warming and refreshing to have seen the news that the Asa Wright Nature Centre will once again be open for business. Plenty thanks and Gods blessings to the persons who have been given the concession and had a vision for the upgrades. The place looks like a paradise, and it is hoped that all would appreciate and protect it.
Several Sahuarita police officers are at Walden Grove High School to address "a threats call."

"There have been NO shots fired," the department tweeted Thursday afternoon.

The threat came "via a picture of a 'grenade' received through an air drop or text message to possible a student(s)," the Sahuarita Police Department tweet said.

"Please stay off campus," police added, saying they are working to "address multiple claims and/0r rumors" and will provide information to the public as soon as possible.

Police said both uniformed and nonuniformed officers are at the school with its vice principal and others and emphasized their confirmation of no shots fired.
A New Britain man is in custody after allegedly fleeing a crash in a stolen car on Interstate 691 in Meriden on Thursday morning, police said.

Around 8 a.m. on Thursday, a Meriden police officer reportedly spotted a vehicle with extensive front-end damage on Gravel Street. Within a minute, the Meriden Police Department was advised by the Connecticut State Police that there was a reckless driver on I-691 East that reportedly smashed into at least one guard rail and fled the scene. The description of the vehicle matched the damaged car, police said.

The officer attempted to locate the vehicle. A short time later, the officer reportedly spotted a man nearby who they believed to be the driver. As soon as the officer made eye contact with the man, he allegedly took off running. The car he was reportedly driving was located approximately 15 minutes later in the driveway of a home on Liberty Street, police said.

A perimeter was set up by officers from the Meriden Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, who began to search the area. Witnesses reportedly told police the man who took off running was possibly in possession of a handgun. He was described as wearing blue jeans and a black and yellow colored ball cap.

Though no camera footage was captured showing the suspect with a weapon, Meriden police sent out a reverse 911 call warning area residents that the suspect may be armed. Schools in the area were also put on lockdown, police said.

During the investigation, police learned that the vehicle was registered to a person in New Britain. The New Britain Police Department went to the home of the registered owner and reportedly learned that the car had been stolen. According to police, the owner was not aware until the New Britain officers arrived at their home.

The Connecticut State Police used aerial drones to search the area and follow the K9 officers as they tracked the suspect. Eventually, the suspect was located at a home on Sunset Avenue. He reportedly entered a detached garage and was hiding in a cabinet, police said.

Police identified the man as Wally Little, 23, of New Britain, and he was placed under arrest.

Once in custody, police learned that Little was being monitored by an ankle bracelet and contacted the Connecticut State Department of Probation.

Police sent out a second 911 reverse call notifying residents that the situation was resolved, police said.

The Meriden Police Department would like to thank all of the members of the Connecticut State Police as well as members of the New Britain Police Department and the CT State Department of Probation for their assistance in this investigation, Meriden police said in a statement. All of our Meriden police dispatchers also did an outstanding job in-house ensuring that all of the police personnel had up-to-date information and everything they needed as the investigation unfolded.

Little was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle, engaging in pursuit, interfering with police, two counts of simple trespass, second-degree criminal trover and third-degree burglary.

He was being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, according to police.

The teamwork and the collaboration exhibited today between all four agencies and our dispatch personnel was exemplary, Meriden police said in the statement, and the efforts of everyone involved helped to ensure that this suspect was apprehended, and that no police personnel or members of the community were harmed.
The backstory

The Arizona Republic reported in June 2022 that the State Land Department had given a sweet deal to a Saudi Arabian company called Fondomonte to farm areas in Butler Valley near Bouse, in western Arizona, and grow alfalfa and ship it back to the Middle East to feed its cows.

Fondomonte pays only $25 per acre annually, which is about one-sixth of the market price for farm land in that area, according to experts interviewed by The Republic as well as the states own mass appraisal for areas in and around Butler Valley.

In addition, the water being pumped by Fondomonte there could be worth as much as $4 million annually, State Land Department employees said.

But Fondomonte is paying just $86,000 annually to lease the land.

Money generated from the rental and sale of state land is earmarked to help fund K-12 education.

The water is being pumped from Phoenix's backup supply in western Arizona.

The Republic's investigation led for calls to investigate the deal by then-candidates Kris Mayes for attorney general and Katie Hobbs for governor, among others, while gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake called for cancelling the lease.

The Arizona Republic
Teen girls who experience persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness skyrocketed over the past decade, according to a 10-year survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC reported Monday that almost all indicators of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts increased from 2011 to 2021, with higher rates seen among female and LGBQ+ students.

In 2021, 42% of high school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless regularly for at least a two-week period that they stopped doing their normal daily activities.

Students feeling consistently hopeless, reporting seriously considered suicide, making suicide plans and attempting suicide increased, but the percent of students injured during a suicide attempt did not increase.

The results came as public health experts, advocates, officials and lawmakers issued warnings about the worsening mental health crisis for youth. Advocates called for the administration to declare youth mental health an emergency, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening children and teens for depression and anxiety.

Young people are experiencing a level of distress that calls on us to act with urgency and compassion, CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health Director Kathleen Ethier said. With the right programs and services in place, schools have the unique ability to help our youth flourish.

The study, released Monday as part of CDCs Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report, showed teen girls experienced worse outcomes compared to boys.

In 2021, 57% of teen girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless compared to 36% in 2011. For teen boys, 29% reported these feelings in 2021, and 21% in 2011.

Thirty percent of female students also reported seriously considering suicide and 24% made a suicide plan in 2021.

Teenage girls also reported higher rates of not going to school because of safety concerns, being electronically bullied, being bullied at school or being forced to have sex compared to teen boys. Almost 20% of female students reported experiencing sexual violence.

High school should be a time for trailblazing, not trauma. These data show our kids need far more support to cope, hope, and thrive, Debra Houry, CDCs chief medical officer and deputy director for Program and Science, said in a release. Proven school prevention programs can offer teens a vital lifeline in these growing waves of trauma.

CDC said schools can incorporate evidence-based practices to improve youth mental health such as having teachers and mentors help students feel connected to their community and by teaching students about their emotions and sexual consent.

Congress took some steps to expand mental health programming.

The 2022 gun safety and mental health law provided $500 million for the school-based mental health services grant program and $240 million to fund mental health awareness and to detect youth mental health issues over four years. It also provided $150 million for implementation of the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline.

President Joe Biden also called to do more on mental health, especially for our children during his State of the Union address last week.

While the report showed increases in the percentage of students who feel persistently sad or hopeless across all racial and ethnic lines, the numbers are especially stark for certain minority groups and LGBQ+ students.

Hispanic and multiracial students experienced feeling persistently sad or hopeless at higher rates than their Asian, Black and white peers. But Black students were more likely to attempt suicide than Asian, Hispanic and white teenagers.

In 2021, almost 70% of LGBQ+ students said they felt persistently sad or hopeless, and 20% reported attempting suicide. Fifty-two percent of LGBQ+ teens had poor mental health symptoms in the prior 30 days compared to 29% of all teens.

Last week, a separate study included in CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showed suicide deaths increased in 2021 after a two-year decline. A total of 48,183 individuals died by suicide in 2021 compared to 45,979 in 2020 or the 2018 peak of 48,344 deaths.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican firebrand known for his strong support of former President Donald Trump, said Wednesday that the Justice Department has ended a sex trafficking case with no charges against him.

The conservative who represents much of the Florida Panhandle issued a statement through his congressional office that the long-running investigation was over. Gaetz had insisted throughout he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetzs attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes, the statement said.

While he is a relatively junior member of Congress, Gaetz has gained national attention through his frequent cable news appearances in recent years in which he offered an unvarnished defense of Trump. The decision not to charge Gaetz removes a shadow that had threatened his political career.
Last September, when Baltimore resident Tzu Yang went grocery shopping for his intellectually disabled daughter with a food benefits card that he thought was worth about $300, he discovered at the checkout that the card had no value left. The same thing happened in October, November and December.

The benefits meant for Hawlie Yang, age 37 but with the mental capacity of a 5-year-old, were being systematically stolen.

Tzu Yang contacted local authorities but never got the money back. The stolen electronic benefits were used locally and as far away as New York, he discovered. But neither he nor police could find out who filched them, and the state agencies involved provided no help or reimbursement.

They told him theres no returning of benefits stolen from electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards, Yang, a retired businessman, said in a phone interview.

Yang is not alone. All over the country, state agencies and people who receive aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, are reporting the theft of millions of dollars in benefits. And unlike regular credit or debit cards where refunds are often available when thieves poach funds, EBT cards dont have those protections. That leaves many victims with no recourse.

Some help may be coming, thanks to a new federal mandate that allows states to use federal money to reimburse SNAP recipients whose benefits were stolen through electronic card fraud. The federal law also calls on states to increase the cards security. But advocates for those with low incomes and some lawmakers say the payments are only a half-step toward fixing the problem.

The mandate, included in the $1.7 trillion federal omnibus spending bill signed by President Joe Biden in late December, requires states to replace EBT card benefits that were stolen after Oct. 1, 2022, through September 2024.

States have until the end of February to draw up plans to use federal money they get for the SNAP program to reimburse recipients who were ripped off.

Although federal and state governments jointly fund SNAP, prior to passage of the gigantic bill, states could only use their own funds for reimbursement. As a result, only a handful, including California, the District of Columbia, Michigan, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, reimbursed stolen benefits, according to the American Public Human Services Association. The nonprofit membership organization for state and local human service agencies surveyed states on this issue last fall.

State legislatures are grappling with how to comply, said the associations senior director Matthew Lyons. More states are confronting how they are approaching this issue and planning for the omnibus provisions, he said in a phone interview.

The fraud problem with food benefit cards skyrocketed in the spring and summer last year. News reports and law enforcement agencies said the benefits most likely were stolen with skimming devices attached by crooked employees or thieves posing as customers to card processing machines at store checkouts. The skimmers take seconds to install, and law enforcement officials say they are often placed late at night when store employees are distracted. Those devices clone the data encoded on the cards and can also steal PINs.

The new federal law requires states to submit plans by Feb. 27 to make EBT cards more secure. So far, according to an email to Stateline from a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson, no state has yet forwarded a plan to the department. And critics say since the law did not spell out parameters on how to make the cards more tamper-proof, there may still be room for misuse.

Its important to address the underlying issue, said U.S. Democratic Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, who was contacted for help by Yang and others in Maryland.

We need to make these debit cards more secure in the first place," he said in a phone interview. "Thats what we didnt do (in the omnibus bill)."

Rip-offs skyrocketed to more than $1 million last year in Maryland alone, rising from $92,000 in reported losses in the state in 2021, his office said.

Ruppersberger, who introduced an earlier bill to address the issue, much of which was incorporated into the omnibus, has introduced legislation to address the security gaps of EBT cards and make the reimbursements retroactive before the October 2022 date. We need to protect them and make them whole, he said.

At least two bills are pending in the Maryland legislature that would require closer monitoring of EBT transactions, installation of more tamper-proof chips on cards and restoration of stolen funds.

Ed Bolen, director of SNAP state strategies at the left-leaning research institute Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said that while the omnibus law may improve some of the problems, the law is pretty vague and leaves those who lost their benefits before October 2022 in the lurch.

Its definitely unfair because many victims lost benefits during the summer of 2021 when the fraud took off, he said. It was those folks hardship that drew attention to this, and some of them may be out of luck.
There was rage. There were tears. There were words from the Bible and there were calls to action.

The raw emotions of the May 14 massacre at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue spilled out into a packed courtroom in Buffalo on Wednesday morning as the killer, Payton Gendron, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Gendron, whose hatred was fueled by racist conspiracy theories he encountered online, cried during some of the testimony.

His victims at the Tops Friendly Market  the only supermarket and a neighborhood hub on Buffalos largely Black East Side  included a church deacon, the grocery stores guard, a man shopping for a birthday cake, a grandmother of nine and the mother of a former Buffalo fire commissioner. The victims ranged in age from 32 to 86.

Gendron, now 19, pleaded guilty in November to crimes including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate, a charge that carried an automatic life sentence.

He is due in a federal court Thursday for a status update in a separate case that could carry a death sentence if prosecutors seek it. His attorney said in December that Gendron is prepared to plead guilty in federal court to avoid execution. New York state does not have the death penalty.

Before Wednesdays sentencing, the families of the 10 people killed and three who were wounded and survived had their chance to tell the judge, the killer and the world what they lost on that day and have had to endure ever since.

One by one they stood at a podium and shared their grief. Many spoke directly to Gendron, who was shackled and wore an orange jail jumpsuit, and was surrounded by three attorneys and half a dozen court officers and deputies.

Kimberly Salter, the widow of Aaron Salter, was the first family member to address the court.

We wear red and black  red for the blood that he shed for his family and his community, and black because we are still grieving, she said.

Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo police officer, was the security guard on duty on May 14 when Gendron, armed with AR-15 and dressed in combat gear, began shooting his way into the store while livestreaming his rampage from a camera mounted to a helmet.

Salter confronted him in the front of the store, exchanging gunfire. Salter managed to shoot Gendron, but his body armor stopped the bullets. Salter was fatally wounded. By engaging Gendron, Salter has been credited with saving many lives by giving people time to escape through the back of the supermarket.

Salters widow turned to Scripture in her words to the court.

You will reap what you sow, more than you sow, she said, and she also read the 35th Psalm.

My soul shall be joyful in the Lord, she said. Oh Lord do not be far from me.

Ruth Whitfields granddaughter, Simone Crawley, said her grandmother will not be present for milestones, but Gendron will be nothing but a number.

You will be nameless and faceless and we feel sorry for you, she said. Your life was meaningless before May 14, 2022.

Whitfield was shopping at Tops on that day after visiting her husband at his nursing home when she was killed. She was 86, the eldest of the 10 victims.

Crawley looked at Gendron and told him he did not value himself.

You thought you broke us, but you woke us. We are here to tell you that you failed, she said.

Wayne Jones spoke for his mother, Celestine Chaney, who was shopping at Tops when she was killed. He talked of the gut-wrenching pain of watching the video of Gendrons attack that quickly spread on social media.

I watched you kill my mother, he said. I watched you shoot her once, reload and shoot her again.

I have a child your age. Youve been brainwashed, Jones said. Youre only 18. You dont even know Black people that much to hate them. You learned this on the internet.

In an especially emotional moment, Barbara Mapps, the sister of Katherine Kat Massey, spoke angrily at Gendron.

Im not going to be nice, she said, staring at him and sometimes pounding the podium with her hand.

She spoke of the anguish she felt as she waited for eight hours, pleading with police for information, before she learned that her sister was one of the victims.

Youre going to come to our city and decided you dont like Black people? You dont know a damn thing about Black people. Were human  We love our kids, she said.

Just then, her son, who was standing beside her, rushed toward Gendron.

Court security staff quickly escorted Gendron out of the courtroom as others held the man back. Prosecutors later said he wouldnt be charged. As he the man was escorted out, he punched a hole through a wall in the hallway.

Gendron, reading later from a written statement and not looking up, spoke briefly.

I am very sorry for the the pain I forced all the victims and their families to suffer through, he said. I did a terrible thing that day.
Two families, including eight children, were displaced after a fire at a duplex in Manchester on Wednesday morning, according to fire officials.

Manchester Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a reported structure fire at a 2 1/2-story residential duplex on Florence Street at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Firefighters located a fire in the rear corner of the two-family residence with heavy smoke coming from the attic, officials said. All of the residents, including five adults and eight children, were out of the duplex, officials said.

The fire was under control by 11:37 a.m., according to officials.

Both apartments were rendered temporarily uninhabitable. Red Cross was on the scene assisting the families, fire officials said.

There were no injuries reported to the residents or responding fire personnel, according to officials.

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation, officials said.
Citing overwhelming demand, surging Oologah music artist Zach Bryan has added a second BOK Center date and additional dates in other cities to The Burn Burn Burn Tour.

Bryan, who previously announced an Aug. 11 show at BOK Center, also will perform Aug. 12 at the downtown Tulsa venue.

Who knew you could sell tickets at a reasonable price to real fans in a fair way? Bryan posted on his Instagram account.

Bryan indicated emails will be sent to people who registered for tickets in Tulsa, Philadelphia, New York City and Duluth, so be on the lookout.

Said an email that was received for the new Tulsa date: Youve been invited for a chance to purchase tickets to Zach Bryan at BOK Center. Due to overwhelming demand, a second show has been added Aug. 12. Secure your tickets as soon as possible beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 using the unique purchase link because inventory is sold on a first come, first served basis. There is no guarantee that tickets will be available for every fan who receives this invitation.

Bryan said on Instagram he wishes he could play more to meet the demand, but the boys and I only have so much to give.

Continuing, Bryan said, Thank you all so much for your patience during this process. No one has ever done this before at this scale and thats something Im extremely proud of. Not one ticket was sold for more than $156, at the absolute highest, including taxes and fees. There will continue to be no tickets for sale on scalping sites  fair ticketing for an almost sold out tour.

The new BOK Center date shows up among scheduled events at bokcenter.com. When clicking on the ticket link, users are directed to axs.com. The site says registration is closed, but all registered fans will be notified by the end of the day, Thursday, Feb. 16.

In December, Bryan released a live album titled All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster.
Tulsa will again have a presence  musical and otherwise  at South by Southwest.

A Tulsa delegation is returning for a seventh time to SXSW, a major conference and festival event scheduled March 10-19 in Austin, Texas.

The Tulsa House will be part of SXSW on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11. The display of Tulsas creative, tech and innovation ecosystems is being coordinated by Tulsa for You & Me and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture. Additional partners include Attento Capital, Build In Tulsa, Holberton Tulsa, inTulsa, Tulsa Remote and Tulsa Innovation Labs.

Its going to be another wonderful year for the Tulsa House with two days of rich programming showcasing Tulsa as an engine for cultural, social and economic progress, Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism, said in a news release. Each day will be filled with a diverse array of Tulsa music, thought-provoking panels, networking and lively happy hours programmed in partnership with Tulsa For You & Me.

Tulsas Friday, March 10 music roster will include DJ Super P, Sydney Lee Sounds, Doc Free, Heartwerk, Slow Cozy, Medicensanto, Cliffdiver and King Cabbage Brass Band. Saturday, March 11 performers will be Cynthia Simmons, DJ Super P, DJ Kylie, The Links, Hakeem EliJuwon, Manta Rays, Jasper Wilderness, Branjae and Wilderado.

It is an honor to head to SXSW with such an incredible group of musicians and community leaders to broadcast the innovative creative work being done here in Tulsa, Meg Gould, executive director of Tulsa FMAC, said. We cant wait to introduce these talented artists to new audiences at this festival while presenting an immersive, uniquely Tulsa experience.

Said Wilderado vocalist Max Rainer: Were excited to partner with Tulsa FMAC and Tulsa Remote to represent our hometown at this years South by Southwest Music Festival. This city has a big musical history and an influence on our own music. Were honored to be a part of the scene and to spread the word about the thriving creatives we have here in Tulsa. Go Drillers.

Find the full Tulsa House SXSW schedule and RSVP to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/tulsa-house-at-sxsw-2023- tickets-529684038217.
In an exclusive story, the Oklahoman reported the Paramount+ series Tulsa King will be continuing, but production is not expected to take place in Oklahoma.

Season one of the series, which stars Sylvester Stallone as ex-New York mafia capo Dwight The General Manfredi, was shot primarily in Oklahoma City, and a few scenes were shot in Tulsa.

The Taylor Sheridan-backed series was renewed for a second season after three episodes, but there were rumblings that some people affiliated with the series did not like the Oklahoma heat and perhaps production would be moved elsewhere.

On Wednesday, Rachel Cannon, founder and Co-CEO of Prairie Surf Media, said to the Oklahoman: We loved hosting this incredible series for its first season and wish them the best wherever they land. As we continue to grow this industry into something that competes with states like Georgia and California, we cant be disappointed if productions need to go somewhere else to fulfill their financial needs. This was a win for Oklahoma. Full stop.

The Oklahoman said Prairie Surf Media operates downtown Oklahoma Citys Prairie Surf Studios, which served as the headquarters and primary filming location for the series first season.

In a phone interview prior to the Tulsa King premiere, season one showrunner Terence Winter was asked if sound stage availability was the reason the series was filmed in Oklahoma City rather than Tulsa.

That was a big factor, he said. A lot of our work took place on the stage. For example, Dwights hotel room was built on a sound stage and various other sets that we needed. It made a big difference in terms of our schedule, so as much as we would have liked to have shot the entire thing in Tulsa, Oklahoma City just ended up making more sense at the end of the day. Im sure people in Tulsa are going to be looking at locations and saying, Wait a minute! Thats not Tulsa. Apologies in advance.

In the same interview, Winters said filming in Oklahoma was challenging and wonderful at the same time.

I had no idea how hot it would be, he said. I dont think anybody did. When we first got there, it was freezing and then, within days, it was 106 degrees and then stayed that way for like five months. You guys are probably used to that, but we were like, What the hell just happened?

Deadline reported earlier this month that Tulsa King is getting a new showrunner. Deadline said Winter is stepping away due to creative differences but will remain an executive producer.

Tulsa World Scene podcast: Saying goodbye to Silver Dollar City's historic indoor roller coaster
The pay of Oklahomas statewide officials would jump an average of 35%, but not right away, under legislation put forward in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

House Bill 2860, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, would provide for the 11 statewide office-holders first pay raises since 2008 and would not go into effect until the current terms for each expire. The first office to be affected would be the Corporation Commission seat coming open in 2024. The other 10 positions would see increases after the 2026 elections.

The full Appropriations and Budget Committee approved the measure, which did not go through a subcommittee, 22-6, with Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, quipping, Was there any discussion about implementing a merit-based pay system?

More seriously, Bennett said he opposed taking up the issue before more pressing matters, including pay for teachers and other state employees.

Wallace, the Appropriations and Budget Committee chair, said his bill would have no impact on the budget currently being developed and that in any event the raises amount to less than $500,000 a year in total.

Wallaces bill proposes raising the governor from $147,000 a year to $199,000 and the attorney general from $132,825 to $180,000. The other nine offices  three corporation commissioners, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner, state superintendent, treasurer, lieutenant governor, and auditor and inspector  would all be set at $155,000.

Those officers are now paid varying amounts ranging from $105,053 to $124,323.

In something of a surprise, the committee was also presented with legislation that would resume enrollment of new employees in the states defined benefit retirement pension. New employees have been required to enroll in a defined contribution plan  a 401(k)  for about a decade.

HB 2854, by Wallace, passed 23-7.

Also Wednesday, the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee advanced several medical marijuana bills.

House Bill 1347, by Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, would direct the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to issue a request for proposals and select a seed-to-sale tracking vendor within 30 days of the acts effective date, which as now written would be immediately upon the governors signature.

Oklahoma has had considerable difficulty implementing a seed-to-sale system, which officials say has made collecting relevant taxes and preventing illegal sales more difficult.

Also passed was HB 1350, also by Fetgatter, which would stretch out the medical marijuana licensing process and require more information from applicants. The House passed similar legislation last year but couldnt get it heard in the Senate.

Another marijuana-related bill approved by the committee was HB 1734, by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, which would require dispensaries to post signs warning pregnant women that cannabis use can lead to low birth weights.

The committee also OKd HB 2107, by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, which would authorize research of psilocybin and psilocyn  psychedelic substances produced by some mushrooms. Some maintain that psilocybin and psilocyn can be useful in the treatment of some conditions, including depression, anxiety and chronic pain, and for palliative care.

The Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, meanwhile, approved HB 1546, by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, which would create an Orange Alert to notify residents of escaped inmates. The alert would use the same network as the existing Amber and Silver alert programs and would be limited to a 40-mile radius from the escape point.

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State Superintendent Ryan Walters has now formally proposed new rules for what materials could be considered obscene in public schools and new parental rights on sexual matters, including information about material changes in a childs identity.

Public comments about the proposals can be made in writing through March 17 or in person at public hearings set for that same date.

Last week, Walters vowed to seek new administrative rules that would allow the Oklahoma State Board of Education to penalize schools with downgrades to their state accreditation for making available to students books or other materials he described as pornographic or sexualized.

Those proposed rules, as well as new ones outlining parental rights on sexual matters have now been published on the Oklahoma State Department of Educations website for public review.

If the proposed new rules are approved by the State Board of Education, they would then be submitted to the Oklahoma Legislature for review during the 2023 legislative session, according to the website.

It also notes that administrative rule changes could also be approved by the governor.

In addition to pushing for taxpayer-funded private school and home school choices, Walters ran for office in 2022 on a platform of national culture-war issues such as school restroom access for transgender youths, banning certain school library books and ridding schools of other forms of what he calls liberal indoctrination.

He was sworn in last month.

Walters proposed new rules on parental rights would require schools to allow parents to inspect sexual education classroom materials and to have schools honor their written objections in whole or in part to sex ed or any other instruction questioning beliefs or practices in sex, morality, or religion without excluding students from the parts of instruction not objected to by the parent.

Those rules also would forbid any school employee from encouraging or coercing a minor child to withhold information from the childs parents and require schools to disclose to parents any information known to the school district or its employees regarding material changes reasonably expected to be important to parents regarding their childs health, social, or psychological development, including Identity information.

It adds: Such disclosures shall occur within 30 days of learning the information and may include referrals  for appropriate counseling services that the Parent(s) or guardian(s) may use at their discretion.

Walters proposed new rules on school library materials define pornographic materials in near-identical fashion to the states legal definition of obscene materials.

Those proposed rules state that within 60 days of their effective date, and annually every Oct. 1, each school district and Career Technology school be required to submit to the state a complete list of all books and other materials available in their school libraries and have a written policy for reviewing the educational suitability and age-appropriate nature of school library materials and for complaints regarding school library materials.

Both sets of newly proposed rules come with the following consequence: If the state Board of Education makes a finding of willful noncompliance with any requirement of this section, the state Board of Education shall alter the accreditation status of the school district at issue, the proposal states.

There are five public school accreditation statuses:

Accredited with no deficiencies

Accredited with deficiencies

Accredited with warning

Accredited with probation

Nonaccredited

Downgrading a schools state accreditation to probation status is essentially the state Board of Educations final warning before a district could lose state accreditation and be forced to close.

Public comments and meetings The written public comment period for the proposed administrative rules will close at 4:30 p.m. March 17. Written comments may be submitted by email to rules@sde.ok.gov or hand-delivered during regular business hours at or sent by regular mail to the following address: Office of Legal Services, Oklahoma State Department of Education, Hodge Education Building, 2500 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599. The public hearing on the proposed new rules concerning obscene materials in schools is set for 10 a.m. March 17, and the public hearing on the proposed new rules concerning parental rights on sex-related matters is set for 2 p.m. March 17, both at the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Featured video: Are we part of a left-wing Biden agenda by pushing indoctrination, State Superintendent Ryan Walters asks in late January
OKLAHOMA CITY  House Republicans on Thursday unveiled an education plan that includes teacher pay raises, more per-pupil funding for districts, and school-choice tax credits.

The proposal earmarks an additional $500 million for public education while also creating refundable tax credits for parents who opt to home school their children or send them to private school.

The tax credits, which could cost the state up to $300 million annually, are House Republicans alternative to the controversial school-voucher proposals introduced in the Senate.

Good education policy should work everywhere in the state of Oklahoma, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said in a news conference. We believe that this plan benefits every student, parent and teacher.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters expressed optimism about the plan.

After campaigning heavily on expanding school-choice options, Walters said the proposal is a step in the right direction.

This does a tremendous job of giving that comprehensive school choice to every family in the state of Oklahoma, he said.

The plan would set aside $150 million to provide across-the-board teacher pay raises of $2,500 to educators in the classroom in the 2023-24 school year.

Now, Republicans in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature have proposed across-the-board teacher pay raises, bucking calls from Stitt and Walters for merit-based teacher pay raises.

GOP Sen. Adam Pugh, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, wants to give all teachers a pay bump of $3,000 to $6,000 based on their years of experience. Pughs proposed pay raises would be tied to the states minimum salary schedule for teachers, but the pay raises included in McCalls House Bill 2775 would not.

Under House Republicans plan, another $300 million would be distributed on a per-pupil basis determined by a schools average daily membership of students. Every district would receive additional funding, but no district would receive more than $2 million.

When HB 2775 was heard in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee mere hours after the education plan was announced, Democrats expressed concern that the funding cap would disproportionately affect large school districts.

Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace said only 24 districts would hit the cap.

Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, praised the proposed teacher pay raises but suggested that lawmakers go back to the drawing board on how to divide up the $300 million in new per-pupil funding.

This is a stellar moment to have to be able to fund our schools, she said. The buckets of money are truly an opportunity to do something special. Its a powerful move, I just want to make sure its equitable.

The proposal also would set aside an additional $50 million to be distributed according to the Redbud School Funding Act, which gives grants to brick-and-mortar districts that receive below-average local tax dollars for construction and maintenance of school facilities.

McCalls House Bill 1935 would create the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program. Parents would be eligible to receive a tax credit of $5,000 a year for each child enrolled in a private school. Parents of home-schooled students would be eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,500 per child each year.

The key distinction between the tax credits and school vouchers is that the former would not draw money away from public education, said McCall, who has been critical of voucher proposals.

With a tax credit, with this method, youre not harming the appropriated money for education, he said. Youre not drawing from those appropriations.

McCall said that if the parents of the more than 60,000 students who are home schooled or attend private school request the tax credits, the cost to the state would be about $300 million annually. Some families wont file for the credit, he said.

Parents would be required to provide proof of private school enrollment or other education expenses in order to be eligible, McCall said.

The states not passing out checks, he said.

McCall said there would be an option to fast-track the credit for families who could not afford to front the costs of private school tuition. Upon proof of enrollment in a private school, families could request from the Oklahoma Tax Commission an advance on the tax credit, up to $2,500 per semester, within 60 days of filing the requisite paperwork.

The tax credits would be tied to the new base level of common education funding. If the Oklahoma Legislature cuts public education funding in the future, the tax credits will be suspended, McCall said.

The legislation stipulates that if any part of the legislation were overturned in court, all provisions of the bill would be nullified. The poison-pill provision appears designed to try to prevent any legal challenges.

HB 2775 and HB 1935 passed out of committee and now move to the House floor.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said his members are still reviewing the education plan.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  The head of a state veterans agency could be fired if he continues to skip meetings and ignore the authority of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission, the chairman of the governing board said Wednesday.

Commission Chairman Robert Allen said firing Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Director Joel Kintsel would be the logical consequence if the state agency head continues to fight the board.

Kintsel continues to maintain that the commission is meeting illegally because Gov. Kevin Stitt broke state law when he appointed several members of the board. He pointed to recent comments from Attorney General Gentner Drummond to bolster his case.

The standoff between Kintsel and the commission, made up of Stitt appointees, resulted in the panels taking no action at its Wednesday meeting.

Drummond said last week that Stitt illegally appointed three of the eight veterans commissioners when he did not pick his appointees from a list of nominees provided by specific veterans groups.

According to the statement issued by the Oklahoma State Attorney General last week, multiple appointments to the commission do not meet the requirements in current statute, Kintsel said in a text message.

The AGs statement is not only consistent with my understanding of the current law, but that of our prior general counsel, all of which has been explained to the commission on multiple occasions. I am looking forward to working with and discussing solutions with the Legislature regarding the commissions composition, and most importantly, how this department can continue to serve our fellow veterans.

Allen said any dispute over the legality of the governors appointments can be worked out in the courts.

Kintsel and his supporters allege that Allen is one of the commissioners who was illegally appointed.

Kintsel was not present at Wednesdays meeting, making it the second commission meeting hes refused to attend. The commission met at the Department of Transportation instead of at the Department of Veterans Affairs because Kintsel said the commission wasnt allowed to meet in the veterans building, Allen said.

The commission put off discussions about Kintsels job performance and cost overruns on a project to build a new veterans center in Sallisaw.

Allen said the commission does not want to fire Kintsel but that board members have tried and failed to talk to him on numerous occasions. The commission put off discussing Kintsels job performance and conduct because board members dont want to make any snap decisions, he said.

He needs to come on board and comply and subject himself to the oversight of this governing body immediately, Allen said.

If youre a business owner and you have an employee that says, Youre not my boss. Ill do what I want, what do you do? If youre in the military and you tell your supervisor, Youre not my boss, thats called mutiny, Allen said.

Commissioners were presented with data Wednesday about how Department of Veterans Affairs employees feel about their workplace. When compared with similar state agencies, the veterans department is lacking in agency communication, pay advancement, trust in agency supervisors and workplace culture, said Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs John Nash.

Jerry Moore, the states chief information officer, also told commissioners that the personal information, including Social Security numbers, of about 18,000 veterans was potentially compromised on a state server. An investigation found no evidence that any personal information was stolen through a data breach, he said.

The Stitt administration put Kintsel on notice in December that veterans personal information could be compromised through the continued use of a third-party private website linked to the department that is operating without state cybersecurity protections, said Stitt spokeswoman Carly Atchison.

No actions have been taken by the Executive Director to rectify this concern and todays meeting confirmed that the website is still up and being used, which is alarming, she said in a statement. We are optimistic that the commission will take appropriate action to ensure that all veterans information and benefits are protected.

Moore said Kintsel responded to his office last week about concerns that some veterans private information could be publicly accessible.

Commissioners have a growing number of questions about department operations and issues, Allen said.

Members of the commission are veterans and volunteer public servants whose only desire is to provide oversight and accountability of the department, he said.

There is a collection of individuals and organizations out there that want to see this commission fail, Allen said. Theyre working hard behind the scenes to prevent us from meeting, to prevent us from fulfilling our duties and to prevent us from revealing what is really going on at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit gender-affirming care to minors who are transgender.

Senate Bill 613, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, passed 40-8 with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposing it.

Violations would be a felony subject to license revocation and a civil suit brought by a parent, guardian or next of friend to the child. Next of friend is not defined in the act.

A child could file suit until the age of 45, Daniels said.

Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, asked why the Legislature wanted to take away a parents right to make medical decisions about their child.

Daniels said the law would hit the pause button until transgender children reach a level of maturity.

My main concern with this bill is very, very simple, Floyd said. This is an attack on parents rights. This is taking away from parents their right to make medical decisions for their child. You may not agree with that medical decision, and that is fine.

She said letting the Legislature pick and choose what medical procedures are allowed is a very slippery slope.

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, said lawmakers heard that parents are helpless pushovers and need government to hold their hand until a child turns 18.

Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, said kids are being told lies that they can transition from one gender to another.

There is no spectrum of choice, he said. You are a boy. You are a girl.

He said people are cashing in on transgender care and said it involves horrific surgeries with cascading consequences.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, assured senators that they were doing the right thing by passing the measure.

You cannot cure confusion with a knife, Bullard said.

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, said he disagreed vehemently with those who accuse supporters of the bill of not caring or having compassion.

We do care, and that is why we are supporting this bill, Bergstrom said.

The measure now moves to the House for consideration.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has expressed support for the concept.

Tamya Cox-Toure, ACLU of Oklahoma executive director, said there is no evidence that people are being pushed into care.

Gender-affirming care is life-saving care, and the ACLU of Oklahoma and our partners are determined to fight these baseless laws at the Capitol or in the courts, she said.

Going against the guidance of every major medical and mental health association, this bill brings the state one step closer toward stripping transgender and nonbinary young people of their right to receive best-practice medical care, said Troy Stevenson, director of state advocacy campaigns at The Trevor Project.

At the same time, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs praised the measures passage.

The idea that we would ban a child from smoking cigarettes but allow them to receive life-altering surgeries or cross-sex hormones has never made sense, and members of the Senate deserve credit for advancing this common-sense protection for minors, said Jonathan Small, OCPA president.

Also Wednesday, the Houses version of the legislation  House Bill 2177 by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore  advanced from the House Public Health Committee over the strenuous objections of the panels lone Democrat, Trish Ranson of Stillwater.

Similar to the Senate measure, HB 2177 would ban gender-reassignment treatments for minors and would forbid health insurance plans from covering such procedures. It also would bar state-supported medical facilities from such procedures on all patients, regardless of age.

Lifting language from child sexual abuse statutes, the bill would allow individuals who do undergo gender reassignment procedures to sue those involved until the patient reaches age 45.

Randy Krehbiel contributed to this story.

Tulsa-area state legislators and how to contact them Sen. Nathan Dahm Sen. Dana Prieto Sen. Jo Anna Dossett Sen. John Haste Sen. Todd Gollihare Sen. Kevin Matthews Sen. Joe Newhouse Sen. Dave Rader Sen. Cody Rogers Rep. Meloyde Blancett Rep. Jeff Boatman Rep. Amanda Swope Rep. Suzanne Schreiber 032823-tul-nws-davis-dean Rep. Mark Tedford Rep. Scott Fetgatter Rep. Ross Ford Rep. Regina Goodwin Rep. Kyle Hilbert Rep. Mark Lawson Rep. T.J. Marti Rep. Stan May Rep. Monroe Nichols Rep. Clay Staires Rep. Terry O'Donnell Rep. Melissa Provenzano Rep. Lonnie Sims Rep. John Kane Rep. Mark Vancuren Rep. John Waldron Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
Peter Manfredonia, the former UConn student who is charged with killing two men in 2020  one of whom he attacked with a samurai sword  pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping charges on Thursday.

Manfredonia appeared in court in Milford on Thursday morning and pleaded guilty to killing his former Newtown High School classmate, Nick Eisele, and kidnapping Eiseles girlfriend in a crime spree that led police on a dayslong manhunt, according to court officials.

Manfredonia, 26, had already pleaded guilty to murder, assault and home invasion for his crimes in Willington, where he attacked an 80-year-old man on Mirtl Road and killed 62-year-old Theodore DeMers, according to police and court records.

DeMers, a husband, father and artisan furniture maker, happened to live on the same street as a woman who had recently ended a relationship with Manfredonia.

Manfredonia attacked DeMers with a sword, police and court records show.

Two days after DeMers was killed, on May 24, 2020, Manfredonia broke into Eiseles home in Derby and shot him to death. The two knew each other from Newtown High School and through sales of marijuana, according to a warrant affidavit.

An arrest warrant affidavit for Manfredonia detailed the incidents that preceded the six-day manhunt for him that ended with his arrest in Maryland.

According to the warrant affidavit, hours after the attack that killed DeMers, Manfredonia broke into a Willington mans home and held him at gunpoint but was calm and apologetic with the man. He allegedly told him he had just snapped and attacked the two men on Mirtl Road near the home of a woman that had recently broken up with him.

On the night of May 23, Eisele had locked the doors to his Derby home after seeing the news that Manfredonia was wanted in the Willington attack, the warrant affidavit said.

Eiseles girlfriend called her parents to tell her that they had locked the doors and Eisele had blocked Manfredonia on social media that night, the warrant affidavit said.

Manfredonia burst into Eiseles home about 5:45 a.m., according to the warrant affidavit. Eiseles girlfriend told police she heard him shout: Its Peter Manfredonia. Call 911, the arrest warrant affidavit said.

Eiseles girlfriend tried to grab her phone to call for help, but Manfredonia ripped it from her hands, police said in the warrant.

Manfredonia then told Eiseles girlfriend that he shot her boyfriend in the head. He stole several thousand dollars and demanded their car keys while armed with a gun, records show.

He forced Eiseles girlfriend, who has not been named in court records, to drive to New Jersey while he sat in the backseat still armed with a gun, stopping once to change his clothes, a warrant for his arrest said. On the ride, he told her that DeMers was on a four wheeler when he attacked him and that he wasnt his intended target, police said in the warrant.

He told her he killed DeMers and Eiesel because they said something that triggered him and he snapped, according to warrants.

Manfredonia eventually convinced someone at a New Jersey truck stop to order him an Uber and left Eiseles girlfriend there, according to police and the warrant.

In a statement Thursday, the Division of Criminal Justice said that Manfredonia held Eiseles girlfriend captive at gunpoint for more than seven hours.

Law enforcement, including Connecticut State Police, tracked the UConn student through Uber rides, car thefts and surveillance video from New Jersey into Pennsylvania and eventually to another truck stop in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he was arrested, records show.

Manfredonia pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, court officials said.

As part of a plea deal, Manfredonia, who is from Newtown, has agreed to accept a 55-year prison sentence for his crimes when he is sentenced in April.

Peter and I explored various defenses and this was Peters choice on how to resolve the case, attorney Michael Dolan told reporters after Thursdays hearing.

Last week, he pleaded guilty in the Tolland judicial district to home invasion, murder and first-degree assault, court records show.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Milford next on April 19 for a pre-sentencing investigation hearing, court officials said, and is scheduled to appear in court in Tolland the next day, records show.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Though Vietnam remains a popular destination for South Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese travelers, their awareness of the Southeast Asian country remains comparatively low. The number of tourist arrivals from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan rose between 2015 and 2019 despite findings from market research firm The Outbox Company which showed travelers from these three markets had neither strong understandings nor strong impressions of Vietnam. Of the 28.7 million South Koreans who traveled abroad in 2019, 4.3 million visited Vietnam. Vietnam was the second-leading destination for these travelers, following Japan. Those who chose other destinations represent missed opportunities for Vietnamese tourism to capture new customers. Of the three markets mentioned in the report, South Korea boasts the most outbound travelers, followed by Japan and Taiwan, respectively. Travelers from these three tend to prefer Asian destinations, including Vietnam. These tourists also tend to have relatively high budgets which increase by about seven percent each year. In addition, more than 40 percent of South Korean and Japanese travelers are willing to spend considerably more money on outbound trips compared to domestic travel. In terms of accommodation and general information, 40 percent of South Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese tourists gravitate toward two- and three-star hotels. Travelers from all three markets noted that safety was a prerequisite for their overseas travel decisions. In terms of preferential differences between tourists from the three, the report from The Outbox Company revealed that South Korean tourists place great importance on accommodation, while Japanese visitors look forward to moments and experiences that they feel are worth the money they have spent on travel. Meanwhile, Taiwanese travelers place heavy focus on convenient transportation. Compared to Japanese and South Korean tourists, Taiwanese are still comparatively hesitant to travel abroad due to fears of COVID-19. About 36.4 percent of Taiwanese visitors are willing to pay more for outbound trips, but up to 40.7 percent intend to cut their travel spending in order to budget for their healthcare needs. Phuoc Dang, CEO of The Outbox Company, said his firm hopes the report will help Vietnamese enterprises and destinations create new plans to attract more tourists from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, thereby contributing to Vietnams goal of welcoming eight million international tourists in 2023. In terms of welcoming visitors from other Asian neighbors, Vietnamese enterprises worry about their prospects given Chinas recently announced list of 20 countries where its tour agencies are allowed to take travelers to, with Vietnam excluded. As a result, Vietnamese companies must look to other source markets. Understanding the demands and behavior of visitors from these markets can help Vietnamese localities launch suitable tourism products. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Though Vietnam remains a popular destination for South Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese travelers, their awareness of the Southeast Asian country remains comparatively low.

The number of tourist arrivals from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan rose between 2015 and 2019 despite findings from market research firm The Outbox Company which showed travelers from these three markets had neither strong understandings nor strong impressions of Vietnam.

Of the 28.7 million South Koreans who traveled abroad in 2019, 4.3 million visited Vietnam.

Vietnam was the second-leading destination for these travelers, following Japan.

Those who chose other destinations represent missed opportunities for Vietnamese tourism to capture new customers.

Of the three markets mentioned in the report, South Korea boasts the most outbound travelers, followed by Japan and Taiwan, respectively.

Travelers from these three tend to prefer Asian destinations, including Vietnam.

These tourists also tend to have relatively high budgets which increase by about seven percent each year.

In addition, more than 40 percent of South Korean and Japanese travelers are willing to spend considerably more money on outbound trips compared to domestic travel.

In terms of accommodation and general information, 40 percent of South Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese tourists gravitate toward two- and three-star hotels.

Travelers from all three markets noted that safety was a prerequisite for their overseas travel decisions.

In terms of preferential differences between tourists from the three, the report from The Outbox Company revealed that South Korean tourists place great importance on accommodation, while Japanese visitors look forward to moments and experiences that they feel are worth the money they have spent on travel.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese travelers place heavy focus on convenient transportation.

Compared to Japanese and South Korean tourists, Taiwanese are still comparatively hesitant to travel abroad due to fears of COVID-19.

About 36.4 percent of Taiwanese visitors are willing to pay more for outbound trips, but up to 40.7 percent intend to cut their travel spending in order to budget for their healthcare needs.

Phuoc Dang, CEO of The Outbox Company, said his firm hopes the report will help Vietnamese enterprises and destinations create new plans to attract more tourists from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, thereby contributing to Vietnams goal of welcoming eight million international tourists in 2023.

In terms of welcoming visitors from other Asian neighbors, Vietnamese enterprises worry about their prospects given Chinas recently announced list of 20 countries where its tour agencies are allowed to take travelers to, with Vietnam excluded.

As a result, Vietnamese companies must look to other source markets.

Understanding the demands and behavior of visitors from these markets can help Vietnamese localities launch suitable tourism products.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The pufferfish filling nets in Fukushima are a delicacy that can kill if wrongly prepared. But to a community devastated by a 2011 nuclear disaster, they are also a lifeline. In the 12 years since the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant caused by a deadly tsunami in northeastern Japan, "there hasn't been much good news", fisherman Masahiro Ishibashi told AFP. The cooperative he belongs to has faced tight fishing restrictions, and consumers have avoided produce from the region over radiation concerns. And as the plant operator prepares to release wastewater treated to remove radioactive elements into the sea, the fishing community fears further reputational damage. So when tiger pufferfish -- an expensive variety of the notorious "fugu" -- began to appear in their catch, they saw an opportunity. Fugu is often served raw at high-end restaurants in Japan, where chefs must hold a licence proving they can safely slice around organs that contain a lethal poison. Now, each morning at Matsukawaura port, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Fukushima Daiichi, boat crews heave buckets overflowing with fat, dark-spotted tiger pufferfish into the arms of waiting family members. For 43-year-old Ishibashi, the fish marketed as "fukutora" -- meaning "lucky tiger" -- lives up to its name. "We're catching new, attractive species, and drawing attention from consumers. We can show them that fish from Fukushima is safe and delicious," he said. Five years ago, not much tiger pufferfish was caught off Fukushima, but local authorities say warmer-than-usual water temperatures may have helped the species thrive. The increased catch is, however, mainly down to the employment of longline techniques learnt from fugu fishermen in southwestern Yamaguchi, which helped the region's fisheries bring in nearly three tonnes of tiger pufferfish in 2019. That figure soared ten-fold in 2022, after official restrictions on fishing were lifted following extensive radiation testing. Water release controversy But there are new worries for the community as the Fukushima Daiichi operator prepares to begin releasing treated wastewater into the sea this year. More than a million tonnes of treated water is stored in tanks at the plant, where a tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake on March 11, 2011, led to the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The liquid is a combination of contaminated groundwater, seawater, rainwater, and water used for cooling, all filtered to remove various radioactive elements. Storage space for the water is running out, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has endorsed the release plan. The water still contains radioactive tritium, but at levels that the government, plant officials and the IAEA say are safe, because it will be diluted before being released over several decades through a kilometre-long pipe. An IAEA task force will monitor the release "until we are absolutely sure that it's finished as expected, in line with the IAEA safety standards", task force chair Gustavo Caruso said in January. Plant operator TEPCO has also started trials to keep fish in the filtered water to demonstrate safety. Still, neighbours South Korea and China have expressed alarm at the possible environmental impact, and Ishibashi fears consumers will be spooked again. "We're worried that the reputation of our produce could become even more tarnished," he said. "But the government has decided to allow the water release. We really cannot accept this. We feel so helpless." Fugu boom An unofficial arrangement allowing Fukushima fishermen to sail to waters outside the prefecture, and vice versa, has been abandoned since the disaster. Because of this, and with fewer fishermen at work, Matsukawaura's total annual catch remains just 20 percent of pre-2011 levels. Although radiation testing rules for Fukushima seafood were relaxed in 2021, the region's fisheries still check their produce voluntarily, sticking to stricter limits than the national standard. The testing regime also applies to the newly abundant tiger pufferfish, which hotel operators like Yoshimasa Kanno, 48, hope will help attract tourists back to Fukushima. Kanno, also an experienced seafood chef, is "very happy" about the fugu boom. "We used to serve snow crab in the winter. This place was famous for it. But since the disaster, fishermen haven't been able to catch as much" because they can't leave Fukushima waters, he told AFP. Having carefully removed the deadly parts of a tiger pufferfish, he rustled up the classic dishes of crispy fried fish and thinly sliced, translucent raw sashimi. Kanno says the delicacy "is delicious and can be served at a good price". But he fears the fallout from the upcoming water release. "I'm very worried about whether the fishing industry in this region will ever make a comeback if the water is released," he said.

The pufferfish filling nets in Fukushima are a delicacy that can kill if wrongly prepared. But to a community devastated by a 2011 nuclear disaster, they are also a lifeline.

In the 12 years since the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant caused by a deadly tsunami in northeastern Japan, "there hasn't been much good news", fisherman Masahiro Ishibashi told AFP.

The cooperative he belongs to has faced tight fishing restrictions, and consumers have avoided produce from the region over radiation concerns.

And as the plant operator prepares to release wastewater treated to remove radioactive elements into the sea, the fishing community fears further reputational damage.

So when tiger pufferfish -- an expensive variety of the notorious "fugu" -- began to appear in their catch, they saw an opportunity.

Fugu is often served raw at high-end restaurants in Japan, where chefs must hold a licence proving they can safely slice around organs that contain a lethal poison.

Now, each morning at Matsukawaura port, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Fukushima Daiichi, boat crews heave buckets overflowing with fat, dark-spotted tiger pufferfish into the arms of waiting family members.

For 43-year-old Ishibashi, the fish marketed as "fukutora" -- meaning "lucky tiger" -- lives up to its name.

"We're catching new, attractive species, and drawing attention from consumers. We can show them that fish from Fukushima is safe and delicious," he said.

Five years ago, not much tiger pufferfish was caught off Fukushima, but local authorities say warmer-than-usual water temperatures may have helped the species thrive.

The increased catch is, however, mainly down to the employment of longline techniques learnt from fugu fishermen in southwestern Yamaguchi, which helped the region's fisheries bring in nearly three tonnes of tiger pufferfish in 2019.

That figure soared ten-fold in 2022, after official restrictions on fishing were lifted following extensive radiation testing.

Water release controversy

But there are new worries for the community as the Fukushima Daiichi operator prepares to begin releasing treated wastewater into the sea this year.

More than a million tonnes of treated water is stored in tanks at the plant, where a tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake on March 11, 2011, led to the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

The liquid is a combination of contaminated groundwater, seawater, rainwater, and water used for cooling, all filtered to remove various radioactive elements.

Storage space for the water is running out, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has endorsed the release plan.

The water still contains radioactive tritium, but at levels that the government, plant officials and the IAEA say are safe, because it will be diluted before being released over several decades through a kilometre-long pipe.

An IAEA task force will monitor the release "until we are absolutely sure that it's finished as expected, in line with the IAEA safety standards", task force chair Gustavo Caruso said in January.

Plant operator TEPCO has also started trials to keep fish in the filtered water to demonstrate safety.

Still, neighbours South Korea and China have expressed alarm at the possible environmental impact, and Ishibashi fears consumers will be spooked again.

"We're worried that the reputation of our produce could become even more tarnished," he said.

"But the government has decided to allow the water release. We really cannot accept this. We feel so helpless."

Fugu boom

An unofficial arrangement allowing Fukushima fishermen to sail to waters outside the prefecture, and vice versa, has been abandoned since the disaster.

Because of this, and with fewer fishermen at work, Matsukawaura's total annual catch remains just 20 percent of pre-2011 levels.

Although radiation testing rules for Fukushima seafood were relaxed in 2021, the region's fisheries still check their produce voluntarily, sticking to stricter limits than the national standard.

The testing regime also applies to the newly abundant tiger pufferfish, which hotel operators like Yoshimasa Kanno, 48, hope will help attract tourists back to Fukushima.

Kanno, also an experienced seafood chef, is "very happy" about the fugu boom.

"We used to serve snow crab in the winter. This place was famous for it. But since the disaster, fishermen haven't been able to catch as much" because they can't leave Fukushima waters, he told AFP.

Having carefully removed the deadly parts of a tiger pufferfish, he rustled up the classic dishes of crispy fried fish and thinly sliced, translucent raw sashimi.

Kanno says the delicacy "is delicious and can be served at a good price".

But he fears the fallout from the upcoming water release.

"I'm very worried about whether the fishing industry in this region will ever make a comeback if the water is released," he said.
Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Tuesday she is running for president, becoming the first high-profile candidate to challenge Donald Trump - her onetime boss -- for the Republican nomination. Casting herself as a younger, fresher alternative to the 76-year-old Trump, Haley had been hinting at a possible run for weeks and teasing a "big announcement" on February 15. In the end, the 51-year-old declared her candidacy a day early, on Valentine's Day. "I'm Nikki Haley and I'm running for president," the former governor of South Carolina and the child of Indian immigrants said in a video statement. "It's time for a new generation of leadership -- to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose," she said in the video shot in Bamberg, the South Carolina town of her birth. Haley is positioning herself as a changemaker who can reinvigorate a party and country she says have lost their way in recent years, and she played up her personal background as part of her appeal to unite a nation strained by racial tensions. "I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not black, not white. I was different," she said in her announcement video. "But my mom would always say, 'Your job is not to focus on the differences, but the similarities.'" "Some look at our past as evidence that America's founding principles are bad," she went on. "They say the promise of freedom is just made up. Some think our ideas are not just wrong, but racist and evil. Nothing could be further from the truth." Haley, who would be the country's first female president if elected, is unlikely to be the last Republican to throw their hat in the ring. Some Washington watchers speculated her announcement might prompt a stampede from rivals such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's vice president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo, and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan. Haley also took a swipe at the current president -- who has not formally announced his re-election campaign but is expected to run again -- saying, "Joe Biden's record is abysmal." "But that shouldn't come as a surprise. The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again," she said. Rocky ties with Trump At this point in the 2020 election cycle, 10 Democrats had launched campaigns or exploratory committees, but Trump and now Haley are the only Republicans to do so officially this time around. In her announcement she blasted China over its "genocide" of ethnic minority members, warned that Russia was "on the march," and accused Iran of "murder" of its own people for challenging the government. Haley vowed to be tough with America's rivals. "You should know this about me: I don't put up with bullies," she said. "And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you're wearing heels." Haley rose quickly in South Carolina politics, building a reputation as a plain-spoken conservative. She endorsed senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, and slammed Trump as "everything a governor doesn't want in a president." But after Trump won he tapped her as his UN envoy, and Haley became the face of diversity in a cabinet criticized for being too white. Since leaving government in 2018 with a reputation for standing up to her mercurial boss, her occasional praise of the Trump presidency has been offset by her criticism of his personal conduct, including his involvement in the 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Trump wished Haley luck in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, even as he took a jab at her for apparently going back on her word about running against him. "Even though Nikki Haley said, 'I would never run against my President, he was a great President, the best President in my lifetime,' I told her she should follow her heart and do what she wants to do," he said. "I wish her luck!" Haley averages under four percent in 2024 primary opinion polls, according to Real Clear Politics, trailing far behind Trump at 48 percent, DeSantis at 30 percent and Pence at seven percent. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) was quick to state that Haley cozied up to Trump and "has embraced the most extreme elements" of his Make America Great Again agenda. "Haley's entrance officially kicks off a messy 2024 primary race for the MAGA base that has long been brewing," DNC chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement. "Everyone get your popcorn."

Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Tuesday she is running for president, becoming the first high-profile candidate to challenge Donald Trump - her onetime boss -- for the Republican nomination.

Casting herself as a younger, fresher alternative to the 76-year-old Trump, Haley had been hinting at a possible run for weeks and teasing a "big announcement" on February 15.

In the end, the 51-year-old declared her candidacy a day early, on Valentine's Day.

"I'm Nikki Haley and I'm running for president," the former governor of South Carolina and the child of Indian immigrants said in a video statement.

"It's time for a new generation of leadership -- to rediscover fiscal responsibility, secure our border and strengthen our country, our pride and our purpose," she said in the video shot in Bamberg, the South Carolina town of her birth.

Haley is positioning herself as a changemaker who can reinvigorate a party and country she says have lost their way in recent years, and she played up her personal background as part of her appeal to unite a nation strained by racial tensions.

"I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not black, not white. I was different," she said in her announcement video.

"But my mom would always say, 'Your job is not to focus on the differences, but the similarities.'"

"Some look at our past as evidence that America's founding principles are bad," she went on.

"They say the promise of freedom is just made up. Some think our ideas are not just wrong, but racist and evil. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Haley, who would be the country's first female president if elected, is unlikely to be the last Republican to throw their hat in the ring.

Some Washington watchers speculated her announcement might prompt a stampede from rivals such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's vice president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo, and former Maryland governor Larry Hogan.

Haley also took a swipe at the current president -- who has not formally announced his re-election campaign but is expected to run again -- saying, "Joe Biden's record is abysmal."

"But that shouldn't come as a surprise. The Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again," she said.

Rocky ties with Trump

At this point in the 2020 election cycle, 10 Democrats had launched campaigns or exploratory committees, but Trump and now Haley are the only Republicans to do so officially this time around.

In her announcement she blasted China over its "genocide" of ethnic minority members, warned that Russia was "on the march," and accused Iran of "murder" of its own people for challenging the government.

Haley vowed to be tough with America's rivals.

"You should know this about me: I don't put up with bullies," she said. "And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you're wearing heels."

Haley rose quickly in South Carolina politics, building a reputation as a plain-spoken conservative.

She endorsed senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, and slammed Trump as "everything a governor doesn't want in a president."

But after Trump won he tapped her as his UN envoy, and Haley became the face of diversity in a cabinet criticized for being too white.

Since leaving government in 2018 with a reputation for standing up to her mercurial boss, her occasional praise of the Trump presidency has been offset by her criticism of his personal conduct, including his involvement in the 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

Trump wished Haley luck in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, even as he took a jab at her for apparently going back on her word about running against him.

"Even though Nikki Haley said, 'I would never run against my President, he was a great President, the best President in my lifetime,' I told her she should follow her heart and do what she wants to do," he said. "I wish her luck!"

Haley averages under four percent in 2024 primary opinion polls, according to Real Clear Politics, trailing far behind Trump at 48 percent, DeSantis at 30 percent and Pence at seven percent.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) was quick to state that Haley cozied up to Trump and "has embraced the most extreme elements" of his Make America Great Again agenda.

"Haley's entrance officially kicks off a messy 2024 primary race for the MAGA base that has long been brewing," DNC chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement. "Everyone get your popcorn."
El Salvador's embassy in Hanoi was opened on Wednesday, making it the Central American country's first in Southeast Asia. The embassy of El Salvador is located on the seventh floor of the Capital Place Building at 29 Lieu Giai Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District. El Salvadors Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco said, this is the first embassy of El Salvador in Southeast Asia, proving the countrys recognition of Vietnams leadership and potential to deepen the cooperation ties." She also expected Vietnam to open its diplomatic agency in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, in the near future. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said the event demonstrates El Salvadors determination to cement the relations between the two countries based on common values of freedom, equality, and humanity. After 13 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Vietnam-El Salvador relations have developed in many sectors. The two sides have effectively utilized the political consultation mechanism and supported each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, Ngoc affirmed. Vietnam and El Salvador established diplomatic relations in January 2010. The Central American nation, with an area of over 21,000 square meters and a population of some 6.5 million people, opened its honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2017 during a visit by its deputy minister of foreign affairs to Vietnams metropolis. To date, nearly 80 countries and territories have opened their embassies or representative offices in Vietnam. The Southeast Asian country has had diplomatic ties with 33 Latin American countries. On Tuesday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received El Salvadors Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco, calling on the Central American country to open its doors for Vietnamese products, especially agricultural products and seafood, and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese investors, thus making Vietnam and El Salvador become bridges between the Central American and Southeast Asian markets. In response, Tinoco said El Salvador has learned from Vietnams experience in adopting macro-economy and finance policies and responding to challenges. Tinoco visited Vietnam from Tuesday to Thursday, during which she also met with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

El Salvador's embassy in Hanoi was opened on Wednesday, making it the Central American country's first in Southeast Asia.

The embassy of El Salvador is located on the seventh floor of the Capital Place Building at 29 Lieu Giai Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District.

El Salvadors Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco said, this is the first embassy of El Salvador in Southeast Asia, proving the countrys recognition of Vietnams leadership and potential to deepen the cooperation ties."

She also expected Vietnam to open its diplomatic agency in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, in the near future.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said the event demonstrates El Salvadors determination to cement the relations between the two countries based on common values of freedom, equality, and humanity.

After 13 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Vietnam-El Salvador relations have developed in many sectors. The two sides have effectively utilized the political consultation mechanism and supported each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, Ngoc affirmed.

Vietnam and El Salvador established diplomatic relations in January 2010.

The Central American nation, with an area of over 21,000 square meters and a population of some 6.5 million people, opened its honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2017 during a visit by its deputy minister of foreign affairs to Vietnams metropolis.

To date, nearly 80 countries and territories have opened their embassies or representative offices in Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian country has had diplomatic ties with 33 Latin American countries.

On Tuesday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received El Salvadors Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco, calling on the Central American country to open its doors for Vietnamese products, especially agricultural products and seafood, and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese investors, thus making Vietnam and El Salvador become bridges between the Central American and Southeast Asian markets.

In response, Tinoco said El Salvador has learned from Vietnams experience in adopting macro-economy and finance policies and responding to challenges.

Tinoco visited Vietnam from Tuesday to Thursday, during which she also met with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A resident in Ho Chi Minh City handed over a 63-kilogram python to forest protection officers on Wednesday. The municipal Forest Protection Department confirmed on Wednesday that it had received a female python from Dang Dinh Quoc, 55, a resident of Hoc Mon District. Quoc said he bought the python in 2000 when it was as big as his little finger. After 23 years, the python now weighs 63 kilograms and measures 4.5 meters long. The owner said he is concerned that the python may break out of its cage and cause harm to other people. Forest protection officers carry the anesthetized python out of Dang Dinh Quoc's house in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre It is too big now, Quoc said. My wife and I dont want to sell it to a slaughterhouse and hope that it can be released to the nature. After anesthetizing the python, forest protection officers transported the snake to a wildlife rescue station in Cu Chi District for further care. The animal is classified as a Burmese python (Python bivittatus), belonging to group IIB in the list of rare and endangered forest animals. This is the largest python that the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department has received from local residents in the past 10 years. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A resident in Ho Chi Minh City handed over a 63-kilogram python to forest protection officers on Wednesday.

The municipal Forest Protection Department confirmed on Wednesday that it had received a female python from Dang Dinh Quoc, 55, a resident of Hoc Mon District.

Quoc said he bought the python in 2000 when it was as big as his little finger.

After 23 years, the python now weighs 63 kilograms and measures 4.5 meters long.

The owner said he is concerned that the python may break out of its cage and cause harm to other people.

Forest protection officers carry the anesthetized python out of Dang Dinh Quoc's house in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

It is too big now, Quoc said.

My wife and I dont want to sell it to a slaughterhouse and hope that it can be released to the nature.

After anesthetizing the python, forest protection officers transported the snake to a wildlife rescue station in Cu Chi District for further care.

The animal is classified as a Burmese python (Python bivittatus), belonging to group IIB in the list of rare and endangered forest animals.

This is the largest python that the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department has received from local residents in the past 10 years.

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An airport employee in Can Tho  a city in Vietnams Mekong Delta region  has been rewarded with a pair of flight tickets by domestic carrier Bamboo Airways for reporting a passengers lost suitcase which contained more than US$42,000. Duong Ngoc Tien, a luggage trolley collector at Can Tho International Airport, received the reward from a representative of Bamboo Airways on Wednesday as recognition for his good conduct while on duty. At 9:00 pm on Tuesday, Tien noticed a suitcase had been left unattended at the terminal while he was collecting luggage trolleys used by passengers from Bamboo Airways flight QH1431 from Hanoi to Can Tho. A suitcase containing VND1 billion ($42,360) was left unattended at Can Tho International Airport on February 14, 2023. Photo: Can Tho International Airport Tien handed the suitcase over to the appropriate department. Shortly after, a baggage inspection team discovered VND1 billion ($42,360) in cash and some personal belongings inside the suitcase. After coordinating with the airline to identify who the owner of the suitcase was, airport authorities determined that it belonged to Tran Van Ph. The suitcase was then returned. Bamboo Airways later rewarded Tien with a pair of return domestic flight tickets, commenting that his good act set a good example to other airport employees. The airport authorities said they were proceeding with procedures to give a reward to Tien. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

An airport employee in Can Tho  a city in Vietnams Mekong Delta region  has been rewarded with a pair of flight tickets by domestic carrier Bamboo Airways for reporting a passengers lost suitcase which contained more than US$42,000.

Duong Ngoc Tien, a luggage trolley collector at Can Tho International Airport, received the reward from a representative of Bamboo Airways on Wednesday as recognition for his good conduct while on duty.

At 9:00 pm on Tuesday, Tien noticed a suitcase had been left unattended at the terminal while he was collecting luggage trolleys used by passengers from Bamboo Airways flight QH1431 from Hanoi to Can Tho.

A suitcase containing VND1 billion ($42,360) was left unattended at Can Tho International Airport on February 14, 2023. Photo: Can Tho International Airport

Tien handed the suitcase over to the appropriate department. Shortly after, a baggage inspection team discovered VND1 billion ($42,360) in cash and some personal belongings inside the suitcase.

After coordinating with the airline to identify who the owner of the suitcase was, airport authorities determined that it belonged to Tran Van Ph.

The suitcase was then returned.

Bamboo Airways later rewarded Tien with a pair of return domestic flight tickets, commenting that his good act set a good example to other airport employees.

The airport authorities said they were proceeding with procedures to give a reward to Tien.

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The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has proposed a credit package worth VND110 trillion (US$4.7 billion) for the development of social housing projects. In a statement prepared for a conference on boosting the sustainable development of the local real estate market, the ministry said that the mammoth credit package should be similar to a preferential VND30-trillion ($1.3-billion) credit package which the central government had previously approved to support the property market during the 2013-16 period. In particular, 70 percent of the VND30-trillion package was meant to support low-income laborers who want to rent or buy social or commercial property which measures less than 70 square meters and is priced at less than VND15 million ($636.4) per square meter. Meanwhile, the remaining 30 percent would be allocated to developers of social housing projects. The ministry also proposed several other solutions to develop affordable housing for workers and other low-income laborers, including a recommendation that the National Assembly assign the government to create a draft resolution on the piloting of policies meant to enhance the development of social housing, remove existing obstacles in the handover of land for social housing projects, set aside land banks for these projects, ensure benefits to investors, and create transparency in the pricing of social housing and related credit packages. Moreover, the ministry suggested creating and carrying out a plan to develop at least one million social houses for low-income laborers and workers in industrial parks from 2021 to 2030. In addition, social housing projects for low-income earners should be coupled with the mid- and long-term capital resources of localities. The governments Resolution 11/NQ-CP on a socio-economic recovery and development program, which includes a VND16-trillion ($678.3-million) package for the development of social housing projects and the upgrade of deteriorated apartment buildings, should be implemented efficiently. According to the Ministry of Construction, there are many hindrances to the development of social housing. For example, investors in such projects are exempted from land use fees but they must complete procedures to determine the land use fees and then land use fee exemption procedures. It normally takes these investors one to two years to complete such paperwork. Furthermore, most localities across Vietnam have yet to set aside land banks for social housing projects, while regulations on choosing investors for such projects overlaps those laws on investment, bidding, and land use. Additionally, sale and corporate governance costs are not taken into account when calculating the selling and rental prices of social housing. The regulation that profits from social housing projects must not exceed the total investment in the projects by 10 percent has discouraged real estate enterprises to develop social housing projects. The Ministry of Construction also proposed amending a regulation on assigning the local Peoples Committees to verify the selling prices of social houses using non-state budgets as it extends the project execution period and causes cost overruns for enterprises. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has proposed a credit package worth VND110 trillion (US$4.7 billion) for the development of social housing projects.

In a statement prepared for a conference on boosting the sustainable development of the local real estate market, the ministry said that the mammoth credit package should be similar to a preferential VND30-trillion ($1.3-billion) credit package which the central government had previously approved to support the property market during the 2013-16 period.

In particular, 70 percent of the VND30-trillion package was meant to support low-income laborers who want to rent or buy social or commercial property which measures less than 70 square meters and is priced at less than VND15 million ($636.4) per square meter.

Meanwhile, the remaining 30 percent would be allocated to developers of social housing projects.

The ministry also proposed several other solutions to develop affordable housing for workers and other low-income laborers, including a recommendation that the National Assembly assign the government to create a draft resolution on the piloting of policies meant to enhance the development of social housing, remove existing obstacles in the handover of land for social housing projects, set aside land banks for these projects, ensure benefits to investors, and create transparency in the pricing of social housing and related credit packages.

Moreover, the ministry suggested creating and carrying out a plan to develop at least one million social houses for low-income laborers and workers in industrial parks from 2021 to 2030.

In addition, social housing projects for low-income earners should be coupled with the mid- and long-term capital resources of localities.

The governments Resolution 11/NQ-CP on a socio-economic recovery and development program, which includes a VND16-trillion ($678.3-million) package for the development of social housing projects and the upgrade of deteriorated apartment buildings, should be implemented efficiently.

According to the Ministry of Construction, there are many hindrances to the development of social housing. For example, investors in such projects are exempted from land use fees but they must complete procedures to determine the land use fees and then land use fee exemption procedures.

It normally takes these investors one to two years to complete such paperwork.

Furthermore, most localities across Vietnam have yet to set aside land banks for social housing projects, while regulations on choosing investors for such projects overlaps those laws on investment, bidding, and land use.

Additionally, sale and corporate governance costs are not taken into account when calculating the selling and rental prices of social housing.

The regulation that profits from social housing projects must not exceed the total investment in the projects by 10 percent has discouraged real estate enterprises to develop social housing projects.

The Ministry of Construction also proposed amending a regulation on assigning the local Peoples Committees to verify the selling prices of social houses using non-state budgets as it extends the project execution period and causes cost overruns for enterprises.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
US documentary special Black West screens this Sunday on SBS.

The story of how the West was won has become a powerful myth. Most of its heroes are men. And most of them are white. Black West tells the flip side of the myth, taking us on a whirlwind of wild adventures in which African Americans play the starring roles.

In 1875, one in four cowboys was Black. The West also had a good share of Black sheriffs, Black trappers and Black soldiers, as well as Black women. Many African Americans on the frontier forged alliances with Indians, while others became their slaves. All these daring men and women took the risk of seeking adventure in the West to gain their freedom.

This film recounts the hardships African Americans faced on the heels of the Civil War, trying to live as free people in a country built on the backs of Black slaves. Their stories take us through the Far West era, which started in the turmoil of the Civil War and ended with the closing of the American Frontier, when U.S. lands had been opened-up and settled all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The rugged West offered victims of slavery and racism the freedom to write their own destiny. It offered a way to escape the cruel masters whip, the Ku Klux Klans punishing raids, the lingering racial contempt. This film reveals the truth about this misunderstood period in American history. For the very first time, these forgotten heroes tell this amazing counter-story in their own words. The tale of an oppressed people who bravely followed the path of freedom into the Wild West.

Sunday, 19 February at 9.30pm on SBS.
Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp

Charlie Shoemaker/Getty; Mike Holmes/The Herald/Gallo Images/Getty

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law school graduate who was shot and killed by her boyfriend, former South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, are still looking for answers.

During an interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain this week, Reeva's parents, Barry and June Steenkamp, revealed they visited Pistorius in prison.

The grieving couple said they hoped Pistorius would shine additional light on what actually transpired when he shot Reeva in his South Africa home on Feb. 14, 2013. They did not get the answer they sought, according to CNN.

"All June and I wanted to know was the truth, what we feel was the truth: that he actually killed her because of anger," Barry told GMB.

Pistorius, who shot Steenkamp multiple times through a locked bathroom door at his home, has long claimed that he mistook her for an intruder.

Reeva Steenkamp father Barry (L) and mother June (C) arrive at the Pretoria High Court for the sentencing hearing set to send South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius back to jail for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp three years ago, in Pretoria on June 13, 2016.

MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty

Barry told GMB that "only Oscar knows the true story" of what happened the day of his daughter's death.

The former sprinter was convicted of culpable homicide in 2014 and sentenced to five years in prison. However, the conviction was later overturned by a higher court, which found him guilty of murder and increased the sentence to six years.

RELATED: Oscar Pistorius Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Murder of Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

The prosecution then appealed for a stiffer sentence. In 2017, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal increased the term to 13 years and five months.

CNN, citing the South African Broadcasting Corporation, said Pistorius is eligible for parole in March.

"If he's due for parole, let the law take its course, so long as it's all done legally," Barry said of the chance Pistorius is freed. "I'm not against the parole taking its course."

RELATED: Oscar Pistorius's Shocking Fall from Grace

June Steenkamp said the couple continues grieving over the death of their daughter and have launched the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to educate and empower victims of violence and abuse.

Story continues

"People who have lost children, it takes a long time for you to settle down and to get to know that they're not going to be around anymore," she told GMB.

"We just love her so much and miss her," the mother added. "Part of our life is gone. We will see her one day, but that's what we look forward to."

RELATED VIDEO: Oscar Pistorius Found Guilty Of Culpable Homicide

Per CNN, Pistorius became eligible for parole after participating in the Restorative Justice process, which allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions.

The Department of Correctional Services for South Africa says it will provide an update when there are new developments.
The award-winning Ellington High School drama troupe, Opening Knight Players, will present the play, Radium Girls, written by D.W. Gregory and directed by William Prenetta at the school, and then perform it as part of the CT Drama Festival Competition.

The play tells the story of three young New Jersey women who are employed to paint watches with radium-based paint, in order to make them glow, during the period between WWI and WWII.

Senior Will Naraghi plays Arthur Roeder, the president of the U.S. Radium Corporation, and manages the plant in which the women work. He said he enjoys playing a serious character who is the antagonist, but that distinction is somewhat vague at best.

The story is about how Roeder comes to terms with the fact that he thought he was doing something that was good  there was also radium therapy coming out, to shrink tumors  but he actually wound up hurting a lot of people, he said. Its much different than some of the other characters Ive played. Hes complex to me, because he has this soft side, which we see when hes with his wife. She sees that he is really wanting to help people, but in the plant, he is the big business man. Hes working to better the company, and that comes out as a little more assertive.

Naraghi said his favorite scene is when Roeder is with his wife, played by Mo Veach, wherein she confronts him about lying to the government.

(Left) Mo Veach plays Mrs. Roeder and tries to understand how her husband Arthur Roeder (played by Will Naraghi) handled the situation with his employees getting sick.

Roeder knew that there were dangerous effects of radium, but I brush it off, because thought, We can help people with this,' he said. She asks, Did you lie on purpose? and I say, Is that what you think? and she says, Is that what YOU think? Its a beautiful scene, because I want her to still love me and appreciate me, and think that Im trying to do something right. Its constantly me trying to get her back.

Senior Molly Deptula plays Grace Fryer, one of the three young women who work in the watch factory, and said the role is different for her, as she usually plays the comic relief.

Its been a learning curve, for me, about how to be quiet, she said. Its a lot more serious. But, Im also finding the moments where its not all doom and gloom. Its a very serious story line, but there are a lot of little moments where its more light-hearted and happy. Its definitely been a challenge, and Ive really enjoyed it.

The health problems that result from working with the radium are also a challenge to portray, Deptula said.

Emma Van Tasel, Molly Deptula, and Jack Sprague rehearse their roles of Mrs. Fryer, Grace Fryer, and Tom Kreider.

I have chronic migraines, so Ive been drawing on that a lot, she said. Its kind of a balancing act of how I show that she has all of these sides  shes happy, but shes also very sad and very tired a lot of the time, and still have enough energy so that its engaging for the audience to watch.

Naraghi said he thinks audiences will enjoy the intensity and history of the show.

Its super-rich, super jam-packed with complex relationships. Its got an almost-magical element to it. Its almost like sci-fi, but its real, he said. It will be an interesting experience for the audience to see how our history is so rich and sometimes we dont even know about it.

Radium Girls will be performed March 2 and 3, at 7:30 pm in the Gordon C. Getchell Auditorium at Ellington High School. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at openingknightplayers.com/ticket-sales/, and are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

On March 4, the Opening Knight Players will present Radium Girls as part of the annual Connecticut Drama Festival Competition to be held at Platt High School, in Meriden. Ellington High School will compete against six other productions from high schools all around Connecticut. This is the first in-person festival held since 2020.
PARIS (AP)  Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, had talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about the war in Ukraine on Wednesday at the start of his trip to Europe, amid renewed tensions between China and the United States.

Wang, the director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met with Macron behind closed doors at the Elysee Palace.

Macron's office said they especially discussed the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine on the world's most vulnerable nations regarding food security and financing capacities. They expressed the same objective of contributing to peace in line with international law, the statement said.

Macron also detailed the goals of a summit focusing on preserving forests that France will co-preside in Libreville, Gabon, on March 2, amid other climate-related issues, his office said.

Wang later met with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. He is scheduled on Thursday to participate in a session of the French-Chinese strategic dialogue with Macron's top diplomatic adviser to discuss bilateral projects.

The French capital is the first stop on Wang's tour of Europe. In the coming days, he will also travel to Italy, Hungary, Russia and Germany. He is expected to deliver a speech at the Munich Security Conference that starts on Friday.

Wang's weeklong tour of Europe is seen as part of China's efforts to restore ties with European nations at a time of rising tensions between the world's two largest economies  China and the United States  following the U.S. shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this month.

The trip comes amid China's persistent efforts to push back against Western pressure on trade, technology, human rights and its claims to a broad swath of the western Pacific. Chinas refusal to condemn the invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago, and join others in imposing sanctions on Russia as the war heads into a second year has further frayed ties with the West and fueled an emerging divide with much of Europe.

In December, Wang defended what he said was his country's position of impartiality on the war in Ukraine and signaled that China would deepen ties with Russia in 2023.

Speaking ahead of the trip, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that Wang will have in-depth strategic communication" aiming to "promote new developments in bilateral relations, enhance strategic mutual trust between China and Europe, and exchange views on major international issues.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) has received a $22,000 grant from the Olmsted Foundation for 2023 to support international opportunities for cadets from UNG, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Georgia State University. These trips, typically one to three weeks in length, take place in non-English-speaking countries.

UNG plans to send cadets to a total of eight professional development experiences this semester in Wroclaw, Poland; Turin, Italy; Gori, Georgia; Riga, Latvia; and Sibiu, Romania. Turin is hosting three of the events and Wroclaw has two of them.

"We are immensely proud of our association with the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation. In the past four years, we have found their support essential to our efforts to follow Maj. Gen. Olmsted's conviction 'that the greatest leaders must be educated broadly,'" Wesley Pirkle, UNG director of global military programs, said. "The generosity of the foundation has been central to our efforts, and we work to invest and be good stewards of these Olmsted funds so that we can continue to provide cadets quality international educational opportunities and experiences."

Retired Army Col. Mark Elfendahl, executive vice president of the Olmsted Foundation, said the renewal of the grant was a natural extension of a strong partnership.
Skapa.ai, a social tech company, has announced it will launch another social network specifically for Generation Z at the end of February, called Leka. Instead of focusing on connection-based content recommendations, Leka will offer an app experience that reflects what users themselves like, with AI support. Previously, Skapa.ai also launched the Fika dating app, which also uses AI to meet unique needs.

The only way we can deliver the experience that our vision dreams of is through big data and AI. The recommendation algorithm is carefully crafted for a healthier social media world. It will allow our users to feel encouraged to post and not to be judged in ways that are ever so prevalent in current social media, said the tech companys co-founder and CTO Xing Luo.

Skapa.ai is not alone in the journey to find opportunities and develop products from the AI technology platform, both in Vietnam and in the world.

The emergence of AI combined with big data has created a lot of added value and convenience for users and has been interested in development by many technology businesses around the world for many years.

According to research by International Data Corporation, governments and businesses around the world will invest up to $500 billion in AI technology in 2023. Recently, leading chipmakers Intel and AMD have both unveiled new hardware acceleration for AI-based software in their latest CPUs.

In Vietnam, the popularity of AI has come earlier than expected. The country currently has more than 70,000 digital businesses that have been applied in fields from finance, industry, smart cities, healthcare, insurance, smart agriculture, and environmental technology, and more, with the participation of leading groups in the field of technology.

FPT, a pioneer in digital transformation and the largest IT service provider in Vietnam, currently owns the FPT.AI platform, including more than 20 advanced services deployed in 15 countries with 11 million users and 200 million communicators. AI will continue to be FPTs spearhead in the next three years, and this business is expected to invest at least VND300 billion ($13 million) to continue developing the ecosystem.

In the middle of last year, Viettel became the first player in Vietnam and one of five businesses in Southeast Asia to officially establish a strategic cooperation with NVIDIA, one of the largest corporations providing solutions for AI. NVIDIAs solutions are being widely applied, with more than two-thirds of the worlds fastest supercomputers using this corporations technology.

Viettel will join NVIDIAs global partner network, contributing to accelerating the speed of research and application in areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, digital copy, and robotics.

Nguyen Dinh Chien, Viettels deputy general director said, The strategic cooperation relationship between Viettel and NVIDIA will be the foundation for the development of the field in Vietnam and the region.

The government AI Readiness Index 2022 report published by Oxford Insights in January shows that Vietnam ranks 55/181 globally and ranks six out of 10 in ASEAN, reflected in the use of AI to operate and provide services. Compared to last years results, Vietnams ranking has increased by seven places on the global AI readiness index, thanks to the strengths of a young population, high digital skills, and the ability to quickly adapt to new digital solutions.

Nguyen Minh Tu, Zalos technology director, said the wave of technology would change drastically day by day, and the AI race in Vietnam has just begun and will explode in the near future.

If we do not make good use of the advantages and potential, we will be left behind, Vietnamese businesses may become outsiders in the future, said Tu.

Source: VIR
This is a program in which we celebrate American history, because anything that has happened in America, no matter how bad it was it is still American history, said Chad Woodyard, chairman of the Ujima African American Alliance, at the Black History Month celebration at the Enfield Public Library on Feb. 11.

It doesnt matter if Florida wants to talk about it or not, Woodyard said, referring to book bans and the elimination of some parts of American history in some classrooms in that state.

Enfield Public Library Director Jason Neeley said he looked into the list of banned books in Florida, and found, to his surprise, that a book about Roberto Clemente, Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates was among them. He said a friend in Jacksonville had to pull books off of shelves in a school, and that the penalty for not doing so was a third degree felony.

Enfield Public Library Director Jason Neeley said he was surprised to find that a childrens book about Roberto Clemente was banned in school libraries in Florida.

Clemente helped bring the Pirates from cellar dwellers to world champions. In the process, he won a batting title, and all the reporters in Pittsburgh still would not give him any respect, Neeley said, adding that he searched for the passage that got the book challenged.

He decided it had to be, And he still did not get the credit he deserved for being so great. Its because Im black, isnt it? he asked the staring reporters. Its because Im Puerto Rican. Its because Im proud. It started to seem as if Roberto would never be respected.

Its really sad that we live in a time where childrens books about Roberto Clemente are being taken off the shelves in school libraries, Neeley said. But, its also thrilling that stories by Octavia Butler are being made into shows on Hulu, that Nnedi Okorafor is writing comics for Black Panther and Marvel.

The event celebrated local black artists, with performances by Nzima Hutchings, NBS Malay, Tchalla Williams, and Narelle Thomas.

Ujima founder Rosalind Swift said the meaning of the event is to come together and celebrate our heritage and African American history.

Chad Woodyard, chairman of the Ujima African American Alliance, said that African American history needs to be included wherever American history is taught.

Our mission statement is advocating, inspiring, and education of the African American community, Swift said, adding that the word Ujima means collective work and responsibility, building the community together and solving problems as a group.

That speaks to who we are and what we are about  working together as a community.

Hutchings, who also served as emcee for the event, spoke about her work, including a book she wrote, with artist Anne Gogh, Blue Black and Brown Beautiful: Ekphrastic Poetry. She said Ujima is also planning Enfields second annual Juneteenth celebration.

We had a lot of people who came out to support us [last year], she said. It was really beautiful. We are hoping to bring more vibrant programming to the community.

NBS Malay, who said her name stands for Naturally beautiful and sophisticated, performed poetry readings and a song she wrote, called Higher. She said she realized at a young age that she wanted to express herself through music.

NBS Malay performed her original song, Higher.

I grew up in the church. I was born into the church. As soon as I was old enough to start talking, I was singing. I was in the choir, and then I grew up and started making my own stuff.

Woodyard said he hopes for a day when Black History Month would not be necessary, because Black history will be taught as part of American history, year-round.

This [event] would not be necessary, and neither would Black History Month, if we could get to the point where, when you see me in Avon [for example] at night, you see an American and not a Black guy, Woodyard said. Until we get away from what was ingrained in all of us, well have to do this.

For more information visit Ujima African American Alliance on Facebook.
As a federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ currently provides advisory services to the Government of Viet Nam in three priority areas: Vocational training, Environmental policy and sustainable use of natural resources, and Energy. For further information, please visit www.giz.de/viet-nam.

The project Green innovation center for the agriculture and food sector in Vietnam (GIC-Vietnam). The GIC Vietnam plans to purchase 6 lots of food processing machines for production of brown rice nuggets.

GIZ Country Office Hanoi, under the authority of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammnarbeit would like to annouce the Tender package 6 lots of food processing machines for production of brown rice nuggets.

The eligible suppliers interested in the tender can inform us officially through the Email: question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de to receive the tender dossier.

The items shall be maintained by authorized dealers in Can Tho city/ An Giang province or other major provinces/cities in Vietnam.

- Place of delivery: free to 27 Nguyen Trong Quyen St., Trung Kien Ward, Thot Not Dist., Can Tho city

- Delivery time: Please indicate your shortest delivery time after order placement

- Payment: Payment after receipt of goods against VAT Invoice and delivery note (negotiable)

GIZ will select the most economic and efficient quotation from submitted bidders who fullfil at least the minimum technical requirements for each lot.

Bid is to be submitted in 02 original copies with full signature and stamp, 01 in Vietnamese and 01 in English, with same validity, including following documents:

1. Letter of Interest

2. Bidding quotation (technical proposal and financial offer incl. VAT and excl. VAT) should be sent in two separated emails.

3. Company profile (could be in Vietnamese, incl. copy of business registration certificate)

4. Copy of audited financial report or annual tax report of last 03 years (could be in Vietnamese, incl. balance sheet, income statement, cashflow statement, tax liquidation)

5. Proof of experience for providing similar products in the past (could be in Vietnamese, copy of similar contracts)

The documents are to be submitted to the email VN_PoG_Quotation@giz.de at the latest by 17:00 (Vietnamese time) on 09.03.2023. We request you to submit the technical offer and price quotation in two separate emails with subject as "Technical offer  PO 91170469" and Price Quotation  PO 91170469 respectively.

Bidders interested in the assignment are recommended to contact GIZ by sending request to the email address: question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de to receive the complete tender dossier by 17h00 (Vietnamese time) on 06.03.2023.

GIZ is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of all bidding documents submitted.

Note:

Bids sending not as formally required or after the deadline will be disqualified.

Only the winning bidder will be later contacted for order placement.
CBDCs popularity has been surging

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a digital token issued and regulated by a central bank in a particular country.

Dr Vu Thi Hong Nhung, Economics lecturer at The Business School (formerly School of Business & Management), RMIT Vietnam, explained: It has some similar characteristics to cryptocurrency and value pegged to the countrys fiat currency. However, CBDC may differ from other cryptocurrencies because of its non-anonymised transactions due to the centralised form of currency.

Based on the data from CBDC Tracker in December 2022, 114 countries, representing more than 95 per cent of global GDP, have explored diverse proposals for CBDC design, access, and infrastructure. Compared to May 2020, only 35 countries considered a CBDC.

Currently, 60 countries have achieved advanced phases of development, pilot and launch of CBDCs. 11 countries, including the Bahamas, Nigeria, and countries in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, have fully launched a digital currency.

From December 2022, all G7 economies have transferred from the research stage to the development stage of a CBDC. Eighteen out of the G20 countries are in the advanced stage of CBDC development, showing considerable progress and new resource investment.

In 2023, over 20 countries will take significant steps towards continuing or starting piloting a CBDC, including Australia, Thailand, Brazil, India, South Korea, and Russia. Countries testing CBDCs in pilot projects include Sweden, China, Jamaica, and Ukraine.

Chinas CBDC pilot has reached 260 million people and is scheduled to extend to a majority of the nation by 2023, Dr Nhung said.

Implications of CBDC in Viet Nam

The Vietnamese government recently announced that it would work with its central bank to develop a pilot programme for CBDC implementation. This crucial step shows that the government is committed to developing this innovative technology and successfully implementing it on a scale.

RMIT Economics lecturer Dr Bui Duy Tung said: CBDC, based on blockchain technology, contributes to the modernisation of the payment system by facilitating financial institutions and fintech companies in applying and testing modern technologies, thereby promoting the digital economy in Viet Nam.

CBDC improves payment system reliability, safety, and risk reduction through transparency, verification, and security. CBDC is also a platform that assists the Vietnamese banking system in successfully implementing the digital transformation roadmap.

CBDC would promote financial inclusion in Viet Nam by allowing more people to access financial services, especially those without bank accounts in remote areas. In addition, CBDC can be used in areas that do not have Internet connections, enabling people to conduct financial transactions at low cost using simple, widely available electronic devices.

CBDC provides an efficient and effective tool for implementing monetary policy in Viet Nam. Issuing CBDCs allows the SBV to control the money supply accurately. As a result, the policy lags would be reduced further, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of monetary regulation.

However, Dr Tung anticipated that some essential questions must be answered before this happens. First, it would require significant regulatory reform to allow the government to issue the digital currency - and even then, they would need to verify that they were doing so correctly before getting approval from international bodies such as the IMF and World Bank.

Secondly, the country needs to upgrade its national digital infrastructure to be compatible with the issuance of CBDCs in Viet Nam. Learning experiences from other countries which have piloted and launched CBDCs are especially useful for Viet Nam to minimise difficulties and problems in the research stage and the development stage of our CBDCs.

RMIT drives digital transformation

CBDC and its implications was an intriguing topic presented at the RMIT Fintech-Blockchain Conference taking place in December 2022. This inaugural academic conference attracted academics and researchers from all around the world to share ideas on the digital economy, financial technology, blockchain, CBDCs, new types of digital digital Web3 businesses and related areas.

It also helped strengthen RMIT's leading role in the world in frontier digital technologies in business, finance, and economics.

RMIT Vietnam has started to offer the Blockchain Enabled Business major in Semester 3 2022, which is one of the first multidisciplinary business focused Blockchain majors in the world. RMIT Senior Program Manager of Blockchain Enabled Business and Fintech-Crypto Hub coordinator Dr Nguyen Thanh Binh commented: Graduates from this major will transform traditional industries and create new Web3 products and services for the digital economy and society.

RMIT was ranked as the second-best university in the world in Blockchain and Cryptofinance in 2021 by CoinDesk in conjunction with Stanford University. In addition, within the program of World Blockchain Summit MARVELS HCMC 2022 taking place in Vietnam last December, RMIT was also honored as Pioneer University in Blockchain training & education at the Vietnam Blockchain Awards (VNBA).
HCM CITY  HortEx Vietnam 2023, the fifth international exhibition and conference for horticultural and floricultural production and processing technology in Viet Nam, will be held in HCM Citys Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre from March 1 to 3.

The exhibition has attracted nearly 200 exhibitors from 25 countries and territories, including Belgium, mainland China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, and the host Viet Nam, with those from Egypt and the UK attending the show for the first time.

There will be national pavilions of the Netherlands, Turkey, Taiwan, and Viet Nam. This year, the Netherlands is a partner country at the expo, with the participation of 30 Dutch companies under the Netherlands pavilion organised by the Netherlands Embassy in Ha Noi.

In addition to showcasing equipment and technologies for the vegetable, flower and fruit industries, the expo will feature seminars, a fruit and vegetable export forum, Grower Talks, B2B business matchmaking, a flower showcase, a premium fruit showcase and other activities.

To facilitate farmers to have access to new technologies and products from all over the world, the organising committee will provide free shuttle buses for delegations of 40 people or more from provinces to visit the exhibition and attend the seminar.

HortEx Vietnam has become the largest professional meeting place in Southeast Asia for businesses and experts in horticultural and floricultural industry, and helps Vietnamese businesses access advanced technology in the world and expand export markets, said Nguyen Ba Vinh, director of Minh Vi Exhibition & Advertising Services Company Limited (VEAS), one of the expos organisers.

Jointly organised by VEAS, Nova Exhibitions BV Company (Netherlands), and China Great Wall International Exhibition Co., Ltd, the exhibition is expected to attract 8,000 trade visitors.

ang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, said Viet Nam has the potential to become one of the major fruit exporters for the world. The country has an area of 1.2 million hectares of fruit growing, with total output of about 12 million tonnes a year.

Vegetables and fruit export revenue is over US$3.5 billion per year, he said.  VNS
Chip card transactions via the National Payment Corporation of Viet Nam (NAPAS) system nearly tripled in 2022, while the proportion of cash withdrawals processed through the NAPAS system decreased by half, as people transition from cash to other payment methods such as transfer, QR code scanning, swiping cards or using e-wallets. This result is thanks to the strong digital transformation in the payment field in the past years.

Nguyen ang Hung, head of the Fintech Club Viet Nam under the Viet Nam Banks Association, speaks to the Vietnam News Agency about this development.

How effective has digital transformation been in the payment field in recent years?

According to the State Bank of Viet Nam, non-cash payment transactions in 2022 increased by 85 per cent in volume and 31 per cent in value.

It can be seen that the transaction value and quantity are different, and there are many transactions with low values. But this low value is not a worry and is actually good news. Low-value transactions prove that people have used more non-cash payments than before.

It shows the strong growth rate of electronic transaction channels such as the internet, mobile phones, and QR code scanning.

The State Bank said the growth rate of electronic transactions reached 89 per cent via the internet and even gained triple-digit growth via mobile phones and QR code scanning. That means people are increasingly familiar with cashless payment methods and the use of cashless.

There are many concerns that when financial technology (fintech) companies are established, it will pressure the banking industry greatly. What is the current reality?

There is a view that establishing fintech companies will create competition with the banking sector. Still, I think establishing fintech companies will create cooperation, not competition, with the banking industry. They could have a synergy of strengths with partners and minimise their weaknesses.

Viet Nam has three fintech unicorns, with each value at over US$1 billion. These three companies have payment centres, including MOMO, VNPay, and ZaloPay.

Momo is an app that provides e-wallet services for tens of millions of Vietnamese people. MOMO has close cooperation with banks.

The second is VNPay. VNPay is a company licensed by the State Bank as a payment intermediary. It has many payment services related to QR code scanning and various other payment services based on mobile banking platforms. VNPay also has close cooperation with banks.

ZaloPay is also a payment intermediary based on the chat network - Zalo, as well as VNG Corporation, a billion-dollar technology company in Viet Nam.

The success of these three payment centres is based on close cooperation with banks.

NAPAS provides national payment infrastructure for all banks. It is also indispensable for the cooperation and sharing of the infrastructure between the banks themselves and the fintech companies.

In addition, there is the lending sector, including consumer finance companies such as FE credit or some other consumer lending companies and banks' lending companies.

These companies all have close cooperation with banks. For example, FE credit cooperates with VPBank and Vietcredit cooperates with Viet Capital Bank. Fintech companies and banks cooperate among them to take advantage of banks' capital, experience and technology from the fintech firms.

High-tech crime is increasing. Is this the biggest challenge for banks and fintech companies in the digital transformation progress?

When banks and financial companies deploy digital transformation or launch new services using financial and banking technology, there are requirements for cybercrime prevention and combat.

Companies are willing to invest in biometric technology to ensure that the right users use these services. There are often vulnerability scanning and cooperation with different cybersecurity companies to prevent high-tech crimes.

However, if the user is not worrying when sharing a pin code or transferring money to a stranger, there is no way to prevent deceptive crimes using high-tech. Even if the investment in technology and security measures is so large.

Therefore, banks and financial companies need to coordinate with the media to share information about guidance on using high-tech banking services with the users and their customers. Then, they could recognise the dangers and risks of using such high-tech services and protect themselves.

What is the growth potential of digital payment and the digital ecosystem in Viet Nam?

Viet Nam's developing economy has shifted from agriculture to industry and services. This brings a huge development opportunity for the digital transformation field, optimising all activities in the social-economic development.

The government's national digital transformation programmes have set targets that the digital economy will account for 20 per cent of GDP by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030.

According to a forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Viet Nam's economy will rise to the third position in the ASEAN region by 2025 with a GDP of about $570 billion.

That means in 2025, the digital economy will reach a value of about $114 billion, or 20 per cent of $570 billion. This is an extremely large number, showing the great potential in digital transformation and the digital payment field for all businesses.

In addition, the Government has licensed Mobile Money with the expectation that mobile money services will be popular in cities and can reach remote and rural areas.

The most recent is payment services using QR codes. This is the story of financial universalisation not only in the city, big markets and supermarkets but also in night markets and tourist areas in rural and remote areas. The use of QR code payment methods has the support of the internet and mobile phones.

It is expected a great development of digital transformation in rural areas as well as in the agricultural sector.

What do banks, fintech companies, and payment intermediaries need to do to take advantage of that opportunity effectively?

The banks and payment intermediary companies have an important role in the payment stage of the digital transformation value chain.

For example, Viet Nam has level-4 public service payment with an online payment service. With level-3, people still have to go towards and the State treasury to pay cash.

With the payment of social insurance and pensions, people only need to provide their account numbers, and they can check their money through the internet or mobile devices anywhere.

Payment plays an important role in the digital transformation process.

Those show that banks and payment intermediaries have taken full opportunities to promote the development of digital transformation.

If the banks and payment intermediaries have significant investments in technology, innovate technology and quickly deploy new digital applications, they will succeed in taking the most of the opportunities to develop digital payment.

What are your proposals to solve the current difficulties to accelerate the digital transformation in the fintech and banking sectors?

The Government has issued a national digital transformation programme by 2025 with a vision to 2030. The Government is willing to create policies so that the fintech companies can test the new technologies.

In the payment sector, the State Bank has developed a new draft decree providing a controlled testing mechanism (sandbox) for fintech activities in the banking industry.

Currently, Viet Nam has 154 fintech companies, of which about 50 fintech companies are payment intermediaries managed by the State Bank.

Fintech companies and banks hope this draft decree will be issued soon to protect their customers from risks in payment services.

For the draft of Decree 101 on non-cash payments, a law in the field of payment, the State Bank is compiling a draft on amending many items in this decree, including cross-border payments and banks' agencies.

If this draft is issued, I believe it will remove difficulties and create a basic legal corridor for consumer finance companies and banks to do business favourably while protecting consumers from risks. VNS
The Hartford Police Department wants you to send them a message on Slack.

Hartford officials have allocated more than $400,000 of a $2 million federal gun violence grant to create Slack channels to help fight crime and engage residents. The funds are being distributed by the Department of Justice through the Safer Communities Act to help reduce gun violence and other serious crimes.

Officials hope that the technology will prevent crimes by allowing community members to come together and communicate directly with police, allowing instant interaction and engagement.

Slack is an instant messaging platform best known for helping companies facilitate interoffice communication, though its user base has expanded in recent years to include other types of uses.

The goal is to create a more modern, easily accessible approach to neighborhood engagement for residents to connect with their locally assigned officers and community service officers. This communication occurs now in the form of community meetings either monthly or in various different intervals. Our hope is to create a more round-the-clock, daily communication tool so that we can speed up our solutions to many of the issues occurring in our neighborhoods, said Sgt. Chris Mastroianni.

In 2022, there were 39 homicides in Hartford  the most the city has seen in nearly two decades.

A majority of them were between the ages of 18 and 29.

Mastroianni said that oftentimes community members know what issues are going on in their neighborhoods long before police do and this will be a more effective tool to voice concerns to police in an effort to stem the violence.

Giving them a space to communicate that daily will improve our efficiency in addressing them. Slack will allow picture and video uploads as well as tip lines where residents can share information with the police in a secure environment, Mastroianni said. In 2023, most people are using their smart phones and utilizing apps to communicate, we believe this same approach can be taken with police and community engagement.

According to a cost breakdown from investigators for the The Accountability Project by Connecticut Public, city officials plan to use an estimated $405,000 to pay for access to an enterprise version of Slack for the next three years.

Its important to note that we have not signed an agreement or purchased Slack yet, Mastroianni said. The budget numbers you see are preliminary and estimated, and there is flexibility to move in different directions.

Officials do hope to get the departments Slack outreach up and running this year.

Slack as a platform

The HPD has been using Slack internally for the last several years, according to the department.

The departments intelligence sharing is primarily coordinated over Slack with more than 450 investigators and officers from all over the state.

The platform is compliant to the Criminal Justice Information Services Security Policy, which governs data security and encryption.

We use Slack as an internal communication platform for the sharing of information, intelligence and real-time communication between our crime center and investigating officers, Mastroianni said.

Slack has also bridged the communication gap with surrounding agencies. Crime has become multi-jurisdictional and having a single platform that connects agencies instantly and seamlessly has led to tremendous success in criminal apprehensions and crime solvability.

Some have doubts

Hartfords BLM 860 is a community activist group in the city that came together in July 2020 as part of the national response to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Since then, the group has been a vocal advocate for police reform and accountability.

While I applaud their efforts, I do believe the Slack investment could have gone towards housing or the homeless problem, said Ivelisse Correa, BLM860 board member. I dont use Slack on a regular basis as I think it is a more confusing form of Discord. My kids dont know what Slack is but they know what Discord is. Its easy to use and Ive watched my own nieces and nephews use Discord with no problem.

Discord is an instant messaging social platform where users have the ability to communicate with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media and files in private chats or as part of communities called servers.

According to the company, as of last year, users between the ages of 25 to 34 years old accounted for the biggest share of Discord users worldwide, making up over 42 percent of the platforms audience. Younger users between 16 and 24 years made up 22.2 percent of the Discord user base.

Correa said that Slack may be geared towards an older audience who may be familiar with the platform through work.

Ive used Slack before for college students and while volunteering for Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, but thats it, Corrrea said. Its not something I use otherwise.

Council member Josh Michtom said he also shares similar concerns that Slack may not be addressing the right target audience as a majority of the citys gun violence victims and offenders tend to be youth.

Even if accessibility were a barrier, its difficult to see how the creation of a Slack channel would be a thoughtful and efficient way to overcome it, Michtom said. Using Slack requires a person to download a new app and get familiar with it. I cant find any demographic information on Slack users, but I know its mostly a business tool and mostly in the tech sector, and my anecdotal experience is that Slack is not an app with which a lot of Hartford residents are already familiar.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
QUANG NAM  Tam Ky City has initiated a comprehensive effort to eradicate wildlife meat consumption in the region.

Dubbed "Say No to Wildlife Meat Consumption," the plan aims to achieve a "zero wildlife consumption" goal by 2030.

The city's People's Committee has unveiled a series of action programs to eliminate all wildlife-related activities, from trade and transportation to storage and cooking in restaurants and shops.

The seven-year plan is a far-reaching effort that will demand the cooperation of state agencies, hotels, restaurants, bars, pet shops, herbal medicine shops, and communities to halt the use of wildlife products, even in private homes.

Vice chairman of the city's people's committee, Nguyen Minh Nam, said the reduction in demand for wild meat in urban areas would help decrease the number of illegal hunting in jungles and natural reserves.

Nam said Tam Ky would reach the plan's target with the involvement of all parts of communities, both in urban and near forest areas.

He also called all families, people and friends to join hands in ending wildlife meat and product use in communities.

Deputy head of Quang Nam provincial forest protection sub-department, Tu Van Khanh said the ranger force would strongly support the plan and provide technical assistance to the city's authorities in tackling wildlife meat and product.

In a survey in Tam Ky City alone by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2020, 93.5 per cent of asked people agreed that wildlife meat was the most used among related products.

According to another survey in 2021, many consumers of Tam Ky believed using fresh wildlife meat helps demonstrate them as luxury gastronomers or rich people while supporting them stronger with nutrition.

Hue City also committed to becoming the first urban in Viet Nam 'Say No to Wildlife Meat'.

Last year, a campaign was launched by USAID and WWF to reduce the demand for wild animal meat.

The USAID's Biodiversity Conservation project aimed to raise public awareness of the risks of consuming it with a message: 'Once wild meat is on the dining table, the risks are exposed'.

A series of planned events highlighted risks to public health, the legal penalties, and the risks to nature associated with the illegal consumption of wild meat.

"Despite being one the world's most biodiverse countries, Viet Nam has experienced staggering wildlife losses. USAID partners with Viet Nam to conserve and restore its wildlife. Participation from local communities is vital to conservation success. We invite communities to join us in raising awareness of the risks of eating wild animal meat to help reduce demand for wildlife trade," said USAID/Vietnam Acting Deputy Mission Director Annie Wallace.

The USAID project changes individual behaviours and social norms that reduce local demand for wildlife meat, including pangolin, civet, and other wildlife species. This is one of four strategies the Project implements to achieve long-term biodiversity conservation goals in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam is one of many Asian countries where wild meat and other animal parts have been consumed for food and medicinal purposes for generations. This ongoing demand is unsustainable and has already led to dramatic declines in wildlife populations, resulting in pressure on wildlife in neighbouring countries to meet the demand.

A survey conducted by WWF-Viet Nam in 2021 showed that 90 per cent of wild animals hunted illegally ended up mainly in urban restaurants, with only 10 per cent consumed locally.

"Viet Nam's wildlife populations are in a crisis, driven by the ongoing demand for wildlife meat and other products and hunters' continued indiscriminate use of snares," said Nick Cox, Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Conservation, WWF-US. "Reducing demand for wild meat needs a dramatic change in behaviour and social norms so that the consumption of wildlife is seen as socially unacceptable. We need every citizen to stop wild meat consumption from helping prevent the human health risks and ensure wildlife populations have a chance of survival."

The USAID Biodiversity Conservation is funded by USAID and implemented by WWF, in partnership with the Management Board for Forestry Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and aims to secure the remaining strongholds of intact natural forest and wildlife populations in Viet Nam.

USAID Biodiversity Conservation works in Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh, Lam ong, Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh Province), Vu Quang National Park (Ha Tinh Province), and Cat Tien National Park (Lam ong and ong Nai provinces).  VNS
HA NOI  El Salvador's embassy office officially opened in Ha Noi on Wednesday, the first for the Central American country in Southeast Asia.

The opening ceremony was attended by El Salvadors Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Viet Nams Foreign Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc and high-ranking guests from both countries.

In her opening speech, Tinoco said: "El Salvador recognises Viet Nam's leadership and its potential to develop solid cooperation ties in fields of mutual interest.

In this new stage of El Salvador's history, we have a very clear image of the type of country we want to inherit to current and future generations, she said.

At the centre of our government policies, the well-being of the Salvadoran population is always present. Hence, by way of this Embassy, we will seek to expand our relations with Viet Nam, identifying mechanisms for the mutual exchange of technical assistance and cooperation."

The El Salvadoran Foreign Minister said that her country recognises the recent socio-economic achievements that Viet Nam has obtained, its commitment to safeguarding regional stability, and its open attitude to new markets and globalisation as a whole.

Viet Nam's efforts in the implementation of macro-economic policies, financial stability, and ways to address external challenges are common elements to El Salvador, too, she said.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc, in response, admitted that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, Viet Nam and El Salvador are very close to each other, sharing the same aspirations for independence, freedom, and peace, and a heroic history of struggle for national independence and development.

Viet Nam pursues a foreign policy of 'diversification and multilateralisation of external relations', in which Viet Nam is 'a friend with all countries, and always attaches importance to the unity and traditional friendship with important friends and partners in Latin America, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc said.

He noted that, as Viet Nam has established diplomatic ties with the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, Viet Nam has diplomatic relations with all 33 countries in Latin America.

He added that in the 13 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with El Salvador, the two countries have effectively utilised the political consultation mechanism and offered each other cooperation and support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

The economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries remain modest, Ngoc said. There remains enormous untapped potential for bilateral cooperation, especially in such areas as agriculture, tourism, science-technology, and energy.

The El Salvador embassy is located on the 11th floor of the Capital Place Building, No 29 Lieu Giai Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba inh District.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Foreign Minister o Hung Viet chaired a meeting of an inter-sectoral working group on Viet Nam's assumption of the role as a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-2025 term and discussed 2023 activities.

Speaking at the event, Viet, who is also head of the working group, affirmed that Viet Nam's election to the UNHRC for the 2023-25 term is a great success of multilateral external affairs, contributing to realising the foreign policy and the guideline of promoting and elevating Viet Nam's multilateral external relations as set by the 13th National Party Congress and Directive No 25 of the Party Central Committees Secretariat.

He asked ministries, departments, and agencies concerned to strengthen coordination and information sharing, promote initiatives and proposals that leave Viet Nam's hallmarks in priority areas; enhance research, forecasting, and communications to ensure that Viet Nam well performs its role as a UNHRC member for the 2023-25 tenure.

Viet Nam was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-25 tenure along with 14 other countries on October 11, 2022 at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. As the only ASEAN candidate for this term, Viet Nam promoted the campaign message of "Respect and Understanding. Dialogue and Cooperation. All human rights for all people," which was supported by other countries.

Viet Nam has always actively and responsibly joined in the UNHRCs activities since its establishment, especially joining the Core Group on Climate Change and Human Rights. Viet Nam also successfully fulfilled its role as a UNHRC member for the 2014-2016 tenure, contributing to protecting the country's interests and improving its position and prestige.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received a delegation of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) in Ha Noi on Wednesday, affirming that the ministry will actively work with other ministries and sectors to promote bilateral trade and investment links.

Stressing the importance Viet Nam attaches to relations with the EU, the host official expressed his delight that the two sides comprehensive partnership and cooperation have been flourishing.

He appreciated the assistance the EU and its member states had given to Viet Nams socio-economic development.

The EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has been implemented for more than two years, creating an impetus for bilateral trade and encouraging EU businesses to expand investment in Viet Nam, he went on, adding that the EU is currently the fifth largest trading and investment partner of the Southeast Asian country.

With regard to the cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU, Son said Viet Nam always supports their strategic partnership, suggesting the two regions maximise the cooperation potential in trade, investment, digital transformation, green industry, energy transition, and climate change response.

The minister highly valued the role of the EU-ABC and EuroCham as bridges for European businesses cooperation with ASEAN and Viet Nam.

He asked the EU-ABC and EuroCham to continue supporting Viet Nam and the EU to effectively carry out the EVFTA to capitalise on advantages created by the deal; promote EU members ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); identify cooperation priorities in the fields matching the EUs strength and Viet Nams demand like climate change response, energy transition, circular economy, transport, and aviation; and encourage European firms to make green growth investments in Viet Nam.

On behalf of the EU-ABC and EuroCham, EU-ABC Vice Chairman Jens Ruebbert, who is also Managing Director & Regional Head Asia/Pacific at Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg, applauded the progress in the ASEAN-EU and Viet Nam-EU relations, noting that the EU-ABC and EuroCham have been making unceasing efforts to connect European companies with ASEAN countries, including Viet Nam.

He shared the view that the EVFTA and EVIPA are important driving forces for bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties in the coming time.

The EU-ABC and EuroCham will stand side by side with the Vietnamese Government in promoting ASEAN-EU and Viet Nam-EU economic cooperation priorities, and encourage European firms to increase investment and business in the country, Ruebbert added.

At the meeting, Minister Son stated the Vietnamese Government will create the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Europe.  VNS
NEW YORK  Vietnamese Ambassador ang Hoang Giang offered condolences to the Turkish Government and people over the life and property losses in the recent earthquakes while attending a commemoration held by the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN in New York on February 15 (local time).

The Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN also informed the Turkish ambassador to the UN, Feridun Sinirlioglu, about the Vietnamese Governments decision to send teams of 100 military and public security officers to help with search and rescue efforts in Turkey, and to supply Turkey and Syria which was also heavily affected by the disaster, with US$100,000 each in aid.

Giang said that, within its capacity, Viet Nam will continue working with the international community to assist Turkey in addressing the aftermath of the earthquake.

At the event, which was attended by many other ambassadors and heads of delegations from other UN member states, the Turkish ambassador thanked the international community for its swift and practical assistance for his country.

As of February 15, the death toll in Turkey and Syria from the earthquakes was more than 41,000.  VNS
BEN TRE  During a visit to the southern Ben Tre Province on Wednesday, PM Chinh emphasised the importance of an all-inclusive education system that leaves nobody behind, which has always been a priority for the Party and State.

Speaking at the Ben Tre school for children with disabilities, PM Chinh applauded the institution for its efforts in childrens education and social integration.

Established 32 years ago, the school provides care and education for 250 children with disabilities in the province.

PM Chinh emphasised that education and training are priorities of the Party and the State, and an important foundation for equality policies in education access, especially for vulnerable children and those with disabilities.

He recognised the work of the local teachers and education sector, highlighting that caring for children with special needs requires effort, patience and dedication.

Ben Tre Province must continue effectively implementing the Partys and States policies on education and training, especially Resolution No 29 on comprehensive reforms and improvement of the sector through specific action plans and programmes.

PM Chinh also paid a visit to the provinces Vietnamese heroic mother Le Thi Khanh, whose husband and child died in the war.

Infrastructure goals

The PM also inspected the construction of the Rach Mieu 2 Bridge while visiting the province.

He called for the project contractors and investors to ensure five fundamental factors of quality, schedule, safety, environment protection and aesthetics.

The 17.6-kilometre-long bridge connecting Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces has a total investment of VN5.2 trillion (US$220 million) from the State budget. Construction began last March.

It is expected to go into commercial operation at the beginning of 2026.

The PM said that investors, contractors and departments must constantly supervise the construction in the hopes that the project is completed six months ahead of schedule.

The transport ministry must monitor and inspect contractor selections to ensure transparency, law compliance and healthy competition.

PM Chinh stressed that the structure design and consultancy must have practical, strategic, long-term visions that avoid capital increases.

Regarding land clearance, the local authorities are ordered to mobilise all stakeholders and accelerate the process for people to resettle based on shared interests between the State, the people and businesses.

The PM also said that the locality must ensure sufficient construction materials for the project. In case of difficulties, contractors can directly contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for solutions.

PM Chinh also inspected the site for a coastal road in the province.

Connecting Ben Tre, Tien Giang and Tra Vinh, the construction is expected to measure 53 kilometres in length and cost VN28.5 trillion ($1.2 billion).

The project is currently in the planning stage.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed a decision issuing an action plan on fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and preparing for working sessions with the fourth inspection delegation of the European Commission (EC).

The plans objectives are to enforce legal provisions on fisheries in a concerted and effective manner, and address all shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the EC in order to have its yellow card warning removed within 2023.

It aims to unify awareness, actions and engagement of the whole political system in IUU fishing prevention and control. Heads of Party committees, Party organisations and authorities at all levels are requested to directly lead, instruct and take main responsibility for this work, considering it an urgent and prioritised political task.

The plan of action also highlights the importance of the management of exploitation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector for the benefits of the people and the country; and increasing Viet Nams international position, image and responsibility in the implementation of international commitments and treaties in the protection of the marine environment and sustainable marine ecosystems, thus contributing to ensuring national defence and security, and sovereignty.

To achieve these targets, the plan requires ministries, sectors and localities to review and make lists of all fishing vessels, and complete the registration, marking of vessels, licence issuance, installation of vessel monitoring system (VMS) according to regulations.

In addition, all ships will be inspected at border posts/stations when entering or leaving ports to ensure the VMS operates around the clock at sea, and be monitored via VMS while operating at sea. The process of verifying and certificating the origin of seafood must be carried out in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

From now to May, the plan aims to end illegally fishing in foreign waters; investigate and handle all cases of Vietnamese fishing vessels being arrested by other countries, and handle and sanction all IUU fishing-related cases, and publicise them on the mass media.

Viet Nam will push forward negotiations on delimitation of overlapping and undefined sea area between Viet Nam and countries such as China, Malaysia and other relevant neighbouring nations.

It will also intensify international cooperation activities on fisheries, IUU fishing prevention and control, and fishing cooperation with other countries and regional and international fisheries organisations.

Viet Nam will investigate and handle all cases of the countrys fishing vessels being detained by foreign countries, strictly punish all acts related to illegal fishing in the foreign waters and name them on the mass media, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien.

Regarding the fourth inspection of the European Commission (EC) to assess Viet Nams efforts to fight IUU fishing, slated for April 2023, the deputy minister said that his ministry will coordinate with other ministries and sectors to launch patrols and inspections, and strictly sanction all acts of IUU fishing according to regulations.

At the same time, efforts will be made to investigate and prosecute any cases of brokering and luring fishermen to conduct illegal fishing in the foreign waters.

In October 2017, the EC issued a "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports after Vietnamese fishermen violated IUU regulations.

Since then, it has sent delegations to Viet Nam thrice to assess the country's implementation of the commissions recommendations to have the card removed.  VNS
A NANG  A South Korean tourist in a Nang was charged VN2.1 million (US$88.90) for a taxi ride, an price the driver inflated to ten times what it should have been.

The woman was later refunded the amount she overpaid, thanks to the a Nang Tourist Support Center and local police.

She arrived at a Nang from South Korea on December 12 and hailed a taxi to drive her from the airport to the hotel.

However, her taxi driver massively overcharged her.

The tourist reported the incident to a Nang Police Department, and the driver was quickly identified.

It took him over a month to fully return the money that he had overcharged the woman.

As the tourist had already left Viet Nam and returned to South Korea, the a Nang Tourist Support Center reached out to her to return the money.

The money was fully returned to the tourist on February 9.

The a Nang Tourist Support Center has helped many tourists who lost their passports, left their phones in the taxi, encountered accidents or had problems involving COVID.  VNS
NGHE AN  Six people have been sentenced to death and another jailed for life for trafficking and trading more than 44.6kg of drugs.

The Peoples Court of Nghe An Province issued the death penalty to Chu Huy Tuan, Nguyen Van Quang, Nguyen Quang Trung, o inh ai, Bui Van Khanh and Phan Van Trang. Tran Luu Thang was jailed for life.

According to the indictment of the Supreme People's Procuracy, around 8am on October 28, 2020, the Drug-related Crime Investigation Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security caught red-handed Nguyen Quang Trung, 29, carrying a suitcase and a leather bag with over 9.8kg of methamphetamine inside.

He was arrested at the foot of Suoi Tien pedestrian bridge in Linh Trung Ward, Thu uc District in HCM City.

Trung, from Tay Hieu Commune, Thai Hoa Township in the central province of Nghe An, admitted to the police that he was hired by Chu Huy Tuan, 33, of Nghia Tien Commune, Thai Hoa Township in the province, to illegally transport the methamphetamine from the province to HCM City and deliver to Tran Luu Thang.

After further investigations, police determined that Nguyen Van Quang, 33; o inh ai, 27; and Phan Van Trang, 44, all of them from Thai Hoa Township in the province, prepared the drugs and helped Trung.

Police also found that Tuan, Quang, ai, Trang and Khanh had previously trading a total of about 34,795kg of drugs including ketamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine).

In separate case, the Border Guard of An Giang Province said on Wednesday evening that they had arrested Le Van Thanh, 43, for illegally transporting 34.4kg of cannabis across the border.

Thanh admitted to the police he was paid VN700,000 (US$30) to illegally transport the cannabis from Cambodia to Viet Nam.

Also at the scene, the police seized a package of 22.6kg cannabis from another suspect, who escaped from the scene.  VNS
By Phuong Mai

TV series makers are rushing to produce their new projects to entertain viewers at home with quality work in 2023.

The Sao Phuong Nam Company has just begun shooting a period drama called Cuoc Chien Hao Mon (Family War).

The 50-episode series is written and directed by Bui Ngoc Nam Phuong, who is known for period dramas such as Loi Sam Hoi (Repentance) and Tran Trung Ky An (Justice Tran Trung).

Set in the 19th century, the film features love and revenge in a rich family.

It focuses on Van Tai, a young man seeking revenge for his mother who was hurt and abandoned by a rich man.

Phuong invited celebrated actor Hoa Hiep to play the leading role, along with veteran actors Phuong Dung, Thanh Thuc and Anh Nguyet.

Hiep told local media that, the role of Van Tai is complicated. I have read the script many times and learned from veteran colleagues to be ready for my performance.

He said Family War conveyed many lessons on humanity and expects audiences to learn something from the series.

Family War is the fifth and latest part of its highly-rated series Nghiep Sinh Tu (Karma), and includes stories about life and repercussions.

Phuong, the series' creator and director, said, My series is just a reminder of our ancestors lessons that what weve done, god knows. It is also a warning to people to live an honest life.

The four parts of the series have been screened on the Vinh Long Television (THVL) channel since 2020, featuring veteran actors such as Meritorious artists Hung Minh and Phi ieu, and Cong Hau.

The fourth part of the series, Gia inh Nha Ho Trinh (The Trinh Family), was one of the most-viewed TV programmes in Viet Nam in 2022.

Period drama

Much-acclaimed Nguyen Phuong ien expects to start filming his new drama series Thoi Mo Cua (The Open-Door Era) this month.

The film, written by veteran scriptwriters Ha Thu and Bao Hoang, will feature southern society open to the state's renewal policy in the 1980s.

Thu, told local media that, it took 10 years to complete the script. I did a lot of research, travelled to several localities, and interviewed many people to create the characters and the script.

She insisted that the film would be a quality work, reflecting the populace's lives and historical events in the 1980s.

Director ien and his staff have travelled to the Mekong Delta provinces of Tay Ninh, Vinh Long and An Giang, and Can Tho City to seek some filming locations.

The 53-year-old director said since the work was set in the past, the film crew took time to find appropriate locations and props.

He said: The Open-Door Era reflects part of the countrys history, so we have to be careful with our preparation. I hope young audiences can learn about the countrys history through my work.

ien graduated in acting from the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography, and has participated in numerous TV series such as at Phuong Nam (Southern Land) and Nguoi ep Tay o (The Beauty of Western Capital City).

He fell in love with directing and made his first TV miniseries Cai Oi (Dear Cai) in 2006, which won him the Silver Kite award for the Best TV Series at the Golden Kite Awards in 2007.

In 2009, he won gold at the National Television Festival for the Am Tinh (The Negative) series about a young girl in a rural area who pursues fame and fortune at all costs.

He also earned top awards at both the National Television Festival and the Golden Kite Awards in 2014 for his TV drama Cha Roi (Single Dads).

iens reputation as a director specialising in period dramas was established with the 54-part TV series Tieng Set Trong Mua (Thunder in the Rain) released in 2019.

The series, based on the play Loi Vu (Thunderstorm), follows love and tragedy in a rich family in the South in the 1940s and 1950s.

The film won a silver prize for the Best TV Series at the 39th National Television Festival, while Cao Minh at, playing the leading role, was chosen as Best Actor.

Last year, ien released the 109-episode Luoi Troi (Heavens Net), based on the book of the same name by the late writer Ho Bieu Chanh, focusing on the lives of poor women in the Mekong Delta in the 1940s.

It became one of the ten most-watched TV series in the South.  VNS
In the cafeteria of Conard High School, parents, educators, and students gathered to learn more about whats affecting the mental health of students across the country, as well as in West Hartford.

The Feb. 9 discussion featured guest speakers who work with young people and were invited by the parent group, Community of Concern, to address some of the issues teens are facing.

Shana Rackmill, crisis clinician at Conard and advisor to the schools SAVE club, which raises awareness about students mental health, presented an overview of depression, stress, and anxiety, and how it affects teens and kids.

All kids have some level of anxiety and depression, she said. It is normal for kids to feel sad, angry, or moody at times. When a sad or bad mood lasts for weeks, months or even longer, but when it affects the childs ability to do well in school, do well in the community, and to do well at home or with peers, it might be depression.

Rackmill presented some statistics, taken from nationwide surveys.

Shana Rackmill, Conard High School crisis clinician, gave a number of statistics about youth and mental health.

One in six kids will experience a mental disorder this year, she said. Teen suicide rates have increased quite a bit in the past decade.

More than 50% of kids under 18 have mental health issues and do not get help, Rackmill added. The rates are higher among the LGBTQIA+ community, and the seriousness of those issues are also higher.

Melinda Calhoun, advisor to the Gender and Sexuality Alliance at Conard, said the high-risk of depression, suicide, and suicidal ideation has increased both because of the pandemic and within the West Hartford community.

Forty-percent of high school students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning have seriously considered suicide, Calhoun said. These folks are 3.5 times more likely to attempt suicide. In transgender youth, these rates are much higher.

One of the riskiest times for anybody in the LGBTQIA community is around the time that they come out, Rackmill said. When somebody comes out, and they get rejections, that can lead to an increase in suicidal idealizations or attempts.

Kim Ambroise, currently the interim principal at Braeburn Elementary School and former assistant principal at Hall High School, shared her experience as a Cuban-American and with mental healthcare.

In my upbringing, when I brought concerns to my family, I was always told that its something that cant be fixed, that Cubans are really strong and have endured so much, she said. That was the mindset that was brought up. I was always reminded that my parents traveled by boat [to America] and traveled with inmates for the land of opportunity for our education, for our growth and success, and for theirs as well. So, if they can endure that, I can endure anything.

Ambroise said she can best serve others by building strong relationships, which help encourage people to seek mental health help. She said shes encountered people from other cultures who are not familiar with mental health resources, but agree to find them if encouraged by someone they trust. Sometimes, some denial still persists.

When I would hear some resistance to families accessing mental health or saying that there is a problem, I would hear, Is my child saying these things for attention?' she said, adding that the positive was that they were being honest, given that close connection, and usually open to hearing the other side.

Melane Thomas, West Hartford Schools Counseling Department supervisor, said she got into counseling because of her own experiences.

I grew up in a household where were taught to not say anything, she said. Thats still part of me now. I realize that a lot of kids are closed. They dont feel comfortable talking to adults, they dont feel comfortable talking to peers. They dont feel like they have a sense of belonging.

She agreed with Ambroise that forming connections is key to helping others deal with mental illnesses.

Melane Thomas, School Counseling Department supervisor for West Hartford Public Schools, said it was her connection with a counselor when she was a student that helped her with her difficulties and inspired her to pursue the profession.

Earlier today, I was talking to a group of kids, and they are craving that belonging, whether its connecting to adults or kids, she said. Those connections are what make people feel comfortable opening the doors and accessing support in the first place.

Counselor and clinical director at Courage Counseling Center Jeffrey Ambroise, Kims husband, shared his experiences in his middle and high school years.

Middle school was the toughest time of my life, he said, about growing up in Stamford, where he had to be part of a gang, but felt like an outlier. I felt like I was going to do something better.

A school counselor, he said, saw something in him.

I never understood why, he said, adding that he had the chance to ask her after high school.

Because you were different, was her answer, but he didnt feel like he had the answers himself until he moved to a different town for high school.

I changed the way I dressed. I started to get new haircuts, he said. I said, Nobody knows me in this school. I can start a new chapter.'

Jeffrey said his challenge to parents is to tell their stories to their own children, so they can learn from their experiences.

When youre able to be transparent to your children, then it will maybe allow them to lower their guard, just a little bit, so they can truly share whats going on in their educational journey, he said.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/westhartfordcommunityofconcern/.
Le Minh Phuong (right) gave his outlook to investors at last weeks event

What is the outlook of the commodity derivatives market in 2023?

The Vietnamese commodity market has been licensed since 2018, which is the legal basis for operation in Vietnam. New opportunities often appear during tough periods. Thus, plenty of retail investors flocked into the stock market during the last few years. When the traditional investment market encountered some difficulties in 2022, the derivatives market received more attention.

There are barriers to traditional investment channels in Vietnam, such as one-way trading. The derivatives market has solved the problems. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the market.

Many people see the main purpose of the derivatives market as insurance, hedging against risks in traditional investment sectors. Therefore, the derivatives market was developed to protect farmers and import-export businesses. Individual investors who are new to the market are often speculative. They do not think in terms of 5-10 years. They only think about a few days.

The derivatives market is very diverse. However, the lack of documents and books in Vietnam remains a barrier for investors. Although investors in Vietnam have been investing in derivatives for a relatively long time, such as gold and oil. However, the trading volume at Vietnams stock exchanges is not much. It is partly because the trading departments and companies have yet to promote the benefits of the market.

The commodity derivatives market helps investors diversify portfolios and better manage risk. For example, with large international liquidity of large import and export commodities, investors can reduce losses and better manage risks. The derivatives market is a two-way transaction.

Investors dont necessarily have to wait for the market to rise to make money. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for investors. However, each opportunity comes with certain risks. For individual investors, it is significant to identify trends and manage risks.

What are the benefits for investors when participating in the commodity derivatives market?

Compared with other investment channels, the commodity derivatives market brings some advantages for investors. It allows for two-way buying and selling, allowing investors to stay on top of market trends whether the market is bullish or bearish.

Another advantage is the large liquidity as the derivatives market connects to the world, helping investors enter and exit the market very smoothly.

Last but not least, with a low deposit requirement of 7-15 per cent of the actual value, investors can allocate and utilise capital much better.

What makes the difference between individual investors and institutional ones when participating in the commodity derivatives market?

In the past, institutional investors needed numerous documents, such as contracts to buy and sell goods, warehouses, and transport, to participate in the commodity derivatives market. There were limitations in volume, type of goods, and time. Nowadays, individual investors can easily join the commodity derivatives market through the Commodity Exchange of Vietnam. There are 42 commodities being traded across four industries: agriculture products, industrial raw materials, metals, and energy.

Investors have a relatively small capital base and a more flexible investment method than institutional investors. Thus, they can easily trade in the commodity derivatives market during the day with many commodities and flexible capital turnover. They are not much affected by liquidity or other regulations.

What factors are the most concerning to individual investors?

There has been an increasing number of individual investors in Vietnam participating in the commodity derivatives market in recent years. With more than 4,000 new accounts opening last year, it brings the total number of active accounts in the market to 22,000.

Investors are concerned about the trading of WTI crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The main reason is that this commodity has a significant impact on the cost of petrol, oil, and transportation. Additionally, investors also welcome the introduction of micro-contracts into trading, in line with the global trend.

Thus, investors can now trade micro-commodity contracts for VND10 million ($430), which is considerably less than previously. Thus, it increases the markets accessibility for investors with different financial capabilities.

Derivatives market records surge in transaction value The derivatives market proved its attractiveness when the value of its transactions rose threefold in April as the stock market posted a downward trend, reported Saigon Securities Inc (SSI).
Vietnamese financial institutions are under pressure to raise funds, Le Toan

MSB is likely to sell some or all of its stake in Finance Co., Ltd. this year. The pandemic has had a significant impact on Vietnams consumer loan sector, which has hampered MSBs divestiture efforts so far.

Likewise, Hana Financial Group has established an alliance with BIDV, through the subscription of 15 per cent of its shares by KEB Hana Bank in 2019, followed by a subscription of 35 per cent of BIDV Securities JSC by Hana Financial Investment Co., Ltd. in April this year.

Warrick Cleine, chairman and CEO of KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia, said, Investors have shifted their attention to developing sectors like consumer discretionary and energy-utilities, so merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in banking and financial sector, which were active in 2021, slowed down dramatically in the first 10 months of 2022. However, potential mega deals in banking and finance may change the landscape if they are concluded in 2023.

He added that many foreign investors are interested in the banking and financial field as they have a certain confidence in the Vietnamese market and businesses. Many CEOs are also seeing M&A deals as an important way for them to change their business models effectively.

Meanwhile, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) is drafting a fresh decree amending a 2014 version on foreign investors share purchase from Vietnamese credit institutions.

Specifically, as a preferential mechanism, the SBV is mulling over lifting the foreign ownership limit (FOL) ratio for banks that have engaged in the reorganisation of weak banks. This ratio may be greater than the maximum FOL of 30 per cent, but will not exceed 49 per cent of the banks charter capital.

There are currently four weak banks subject to the credit institution restructuring programme: DongABank, CB, Oceanbank, and GPBank. So far, Vietcombank, MB, HDBank, and VPBank have announced their intention or plan to implement the compulsory transfer.

According to Yuanta Vietnam, Vietnamese financial institutions are highly leveraged and under intense pressure to raise funds. The long-term health of the banking sector and economy depends on increased bank capital. If possible, this will only be temporary. However, capital buffer will be much improved if the SBV even contemplates relaxing the rules over 30 per cent, the brokerage said.

For VPBank, Yuanta Vietnam predicts that the capital sale plan will be finalised in the first half of 2023, with VPBank selling shares to foreign investors. VPBank also increased the maximum FOL from 15 to 17.6 per cent of charter capital last year. SMBC is rumoured to be the potential suitor after its deal to acquire 49 per cent stake of FE Credit.

In addition, Vietcombank had intended to sell 6.5 per cent of charter capital to foreign strategic investors during the previous two years, but this plan has been put on hold. The bank said that it would continue to execute this plan by the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.

According to VietCapital Securities, Vietcombank has been involved in CBBanks restructuring process. Notwithstanding, given its nature as a state-owned bank, Vietcombank is required to maintain a 51 per cent state ownership ratio to 2025.

Earlier this year, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam also advocated for a modification in the FOL ratio to permit more foreign interests in listed, unlisted companies and banks in Vietnam, which are currently are capped at 30 per cent.

In November, VIB also announced its plan to lift the FOL from 20.5 to 30 per cent. If approved, the plan is expected to open up opportunities for foreign investors to increase ownership at the bank. The long-awaited move is expected to spur up sentiment of foreign investors who are looking to increase their penetration in Vietnam.

Likewise, HDBank is rumoured to raise the FOL to 49 per cent under the roadmap of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. According to Mirae Asset Securities, HDBank is one of the two privately held banks selected to loosen the FOL.

In August, HDBanks shareholders granted approval for the banks participation in the restructuring of a credit institution in the form of mandatory transfer of a joint-stock commercial bank. The reported obligatory transfer from GP Bank to VPBank has not yet been confirmed.

'M&A opportunities in a volatile market' session at the Vietnam M&A Forum 2022 Session 1 of the "M&A opportunities in a volatile market" of the Vietnam M&A Forum 2022, was moderated by Seck Yee Chung, partner at Baker & McKenzie Vietnam. Keynote speakers analysed the fluctuations in major economies such as the United States, Japan, EU and their affect on M&A in developing countries and Vietnam in particular.

Evaluating the prospects of M&A upswings next year Recent global geopolitical happenings and macroeconomic factors have caused the domestic M&A market to experience a downturn. Le Khanh Lam, chairman of RSM Vietnam, talked to VIRs Linh Le about current market trends and projections for the near future.
The Presidential Office on February 3 announced the promulgation of the revised Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. What does the law mean to the healthcare system at this time?

Vu Tu Thanh, deputy regional managing director and Vietnam chief representative at the US-ASEAN Business Council

We consider this to be an essential legal document to help the hospital system operate efficiently and safely. The new law has many positive points, removing difficulties for medical examination and treatment activities, especially in public hospitals. The law also puts the patients at the centre of all service activities on the basis of increasing their access to high-quality services, and in line with international practices. In particular, it focuses on speeding up the reform of administrative procedures and the application of IT in exam and treatment activities, such as applying electronic prescriptions and e-records. This information must be connected with the information system for management of such activities, to control and monitor the quality of service provision of practitioners, and to link among facilities.

This will help activities be deployed more quickly, effectively, and systematically.

How will the revised law impact on members of US-ASEAN and do the changes meet their expectations?

It has very positive changes to the healthcare market, and our member companies in the medical equipment sector  especially in terms of regulations on autonomy for public medical treatment facilities, and regulations on private investment engagement in related activities.

This is a legal corridor to help medical facilities take the initiative in purchasing, renting, and borrowing modern medical equipment for medical treatment; create opportunities for patients to access advanced treatment methods; and help medical facilities increase their income and financial autonomy. We highly appreciate that the revised law has put the procurement with deferred payment and renting of medical equipment into the law as this has been a very urgent need of the market for a long time, but has not been recognised by any law.

Does the revised law have any issues in need of more amendments to facilitate business activities and to align with international practices?

The law will become effective at the start of 2024. We do not have much time left, so we hope that the government and the Ministry of Health will promptly issue sub-law documents guiding the implementation, so that the law can be applied on time. Especially, documents are required to guide the implementation of Chapter 10, which involves conditions to ensure related activities, including conditions for financial security, and procedures for renting and borrowing medical equipment. We also need guiding documents on the calculation of medical service prices, as well as the price bracket for related services, so that hospitals can soon apply them.
Land-related issues have been always complex and sensitive, but significant to the stability and sustainable development of the country. Resolution No.18-NQ/TW, issued in June 2022, sets new goals and requirements for national development in the coming period, requiring a drastic and fundamental reform of land management and use, especially land -related regulations, with the aim of easing current obstacles and laying a firm foundation for Vietnam to grow into a high-income developed country by 2045.

Law on Land amendments to usher in positive changes

The Law on Land amendments should also be approved by the National Assembly (NA) in 2023 to ease obstacles caused from the current law, as well as navigate a new phase of expansion in the Vietnamese real estate market.

In recent years, more than 70 per cent of the lawsuits and legal cases brought to trial have been closely linked to land conflicts. Between 2013 and 2020, government agencies at all levels received over 324,000 legal complaints related to land, representing 63 per cent of the total.

Shortcomings arising from land-related regulations and land management and use have led to the loss of state budget revenues, while legitimate interests and livelihoods of local people have been affected.

The real estate market, including the land use right market, has not developed as expected, with many potential risks and the lack of transparency and sustainability, while the market for agricultural land use rights remains underdeveloped. All the aforementioned issues have been criticised repeatedly at recent NA sessions.

After four postponements, the draft amended Law on Land was submitted in November 2022. The draft law includes 16 chapters with 245 articles, of which 28 articles remain unchanged. As many as 184 articles would be amended and supplemented, while there would be 41 new articles added to the draft and eight articles abolished.

Significant regulations mentioned in the draft law are expected to leverage the real estate market. They include the renewal of financial mechanisms and policies, land prices while regulating the relationship among the state, market, and society. The draft law also removes regulations on the governments land price bracket which has been adjusted every five years, while specifying the principles of land pricing in accordance with market values and having the land price list established annually.

For the areas with digital cadastral map and land price database, the land price list will be built in line with value zone and standard land plot. The draft law also points out which cases are eligible to the land price brackets, which would be used to calculate income tax on land use right transactions.

Furthermore, the draft law adds a chapter on land fund development for the purpose of creating land to actively regulate supply and demand as well as the auctions of land use rights to promote land resources.

It looks to develop a healthy and stable land use right market through financial instruments and additional tax policies dedicated to projects that are behind schedule and do not put land into use. It also aims to regulate transactions on land use rights for projects performed on trading floors, and ask for the compulsory registration of land prices and properties attached to land.

Two-price loophole

The draft law is expected to lead to strong renewal of land policy and underpin expectations for the stability and transparency of the Vietnamese real estate market that has also exhibited a number of unusual fluctuations in recent years.

Tran Van Khai, delegate from Ha Nam province and a Standing Member of the NA Science and Technology Committee, noted that many land-use right holders, subject to land acquisition, assumed that the draft law would enable the compensation and support to be agreed at a price close to the market level, so they are waiting for the law to be approved by the NA and do not comply acquisition land decisions.

This matter has hindered the implementation of commercial real estate projects as well as the disbursement of public investment as scheduled, thus causing considerable bottlenecks for economic growth, Khai said.

Dr. Le Dinh Vinh, director of Vietthink Law Firm, said that inadequacies in the current Law on Land, coupled with the contradictions and overlaps between the current law and investment-related laws, have also been causing a bottleneck for business and investment activities at large.

Many local officials said they are confused over legal documents related to land issues because they do not know whether they are right or wrong, so they tend to wait for the revised law. And when the local authorities wait for the law, businesses come to a standstill, Vinh said.

The fourth session of the 15th NA spent its first plenary discussion on the draft amended Law on Land in the presence of permanent members of peoples councils and committees of 55 cities and provinces across the country.

At the plenary discussion, NA delegates, including those who have directly dealt with many complicated land cases, raised concerns about the bottlenecks regarding two types of land prices. One price is regulated by the state for compensation and site clearance, while the other is agreed upon by the project developer and land-use right holders.

Meanwhile, in institutionalising Resolution 18, the draft law strives to stipulate more clearly conditions for land acquisition for national defence and security purposes, and socioeconomic development. The draft law continues to push up the implementation of the self-negotiation mechanism between land-use right holders and developers in commercial housing projects.

The self-negotiation mechanism has created absurdities and social injustice, especially when the price of land plots acquired for projects of national interest can be 100 times lower than the level agreed via self-negotiation mechanisms, said NA deputy Pham Van Thinh, head of Bac Giang Party Committees Mass Mobilisation Department.

Meanwhile, Dao Hong Van, Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Giang district in Hung Yen province and Chairman of Van Giang Peoples Council, claimed that it is hard to implement the self-negotiation mechanism for projects in the district.

This has caused great damage to project developers as they have spent a large amount of money making compensations for land-use right holders but could not accelerate their projects, Van said.

It is attributed to the fact that some land-use right holders are asking for a high agreed price for their acquired land, even many times higher than the compensation level they agreed earlier. If the project developer accepts the proposed compensation, it will cause different levels of compensation for the same land plot, thereby causing conflicts among land-use right holders.

Additionally, Van underlined that for urban development and commercial housing projects, investors are selected by the direct auction or bidding of non-residential land. Thus, of course, the state must ensure site clearance and clean ground for auction  however, it is still hard to implement the self-negotiation mechanism, Van said.

Nguyen Van Hien, director of the Institute for Legislative Studies under the NA Standing Committee, asserted that the unfair situation in land acquisition is caused by the current Law on Land, the issue will be improved thanks to the revised law.

Accordingly, land prices would be built into more market-based ones. Once land prices move close to the market levels, there would be no major difference in the prices of land recovered for the purpose of national defence and security or national interest and those for commercial and residential purposes, Hien said.

Nevertheless, how to determine market-based prices remains the hardest question. To answer it, database of land prices in different regions should be built, but it takes time. Hien suggested that determining market-based land prices should be the most important issue to untangle the knot of land acquisition.

Valuation and consistency

How to bring land prices close to market levels is still a controversial issue since the draft law was released for public comment.

Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, NA deputy Hoang Van Cuong, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, and other experts all stated the determination that more market-based land prices are possible.

Land valuation is the root cause of all problems Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Land valuation is the crux of land-related issues. There are now five methods of valuing land, but the land price is still away from the market, possibly due to incorrect valuation of input elements. In the long run, full collection of land price data is the only method to bring land prices closer to the market. Once there is enough data on market prices and a benchmark to determine land plots, the current inadequacies related to determining land prices would be dealt with.

Thach Phuoc Binh, an NA deputy from Tra Vinh province, said that the 2013 Law on Land indicated a failure of setting forth land price brackets in nearly a decade as the land price lists determined by the municipal and provincial-level peoples committees have always been much lower than the market prices while disputes and complaints about land acquisition and compensation have been on the rise.

However, in the light of the draft law, land prices would be specified by the municipal and provincial peoples committees. Meanwhile, other regulations, including the allocation, leasing, and recognising land-use rights, changing land-use purposes, and acquiring land, remain unchanged in comparison with the current law, Binh said.

Indeed, the draft law does not include any effective mechanism to improve the quality of land valuation, ensure the independence of land price appraisal councils as well as the capacity and professional ethics of consulting organisations, in accordance with Resolution 18. Binh called for an independent agency established by municipal and provincial peoples committees to determine land prices.

Other NA deputies urged for redesigning regulations on land financing so that determining market-based land prices would be feasible when the revised law takes effect.

In order to leverage the real estate market, finalisation of the draft law must be mulled over in line with other laws to ensure uniformity. Hoang Thanh Tung, Chairman of the NA Committee for Legal Affairs, warned that the failure to ensure the uniformity will cause contradictions and overlaps related to land-use rights and investment projects, thus putting investors in the matrix of procedures.

Given this, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment noted there are 112 codes and laws related to the Law on Land, of which 22 laws have overlapping issues. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia from the Fulbright University Vietnam, such conflicts only capture one side of the story. Meanwhile, all legal fields are dynamic; therefore, amendments to the current Law on Land should aim at unifying fundamental policies. Nghia recommended legislators should work to find and harmonise deviations in bills and policies, in order to ensure consistency and synchronicity.

Nguyen Hong Hai, deputy head of the National Registration Agency for Secured Transactions under the Ministry of Justice, said that in many cases, the current Law on Land serves as the only legal basis that competent agencies can use to resolve land-related issues, thus causing delays in handling procedures for people and businesses.

The draft law should provide a benchmark for transactions between land-use right holders and those in need, while other laws must be consistent with the provisions of the Law on Land, Hai said.

Both auctions and tenders needed Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment The draft amended Law on Land also covers regulations on land bidding and auction. In any case of auction, relevant procedures should be prescribed in the revised law while those related to bidding should be subject to the Law on Bidding. This will make regulations on land bidding and auction more transparent and bring about more resources to the state. Bidding will help to choose the right investor. If we quit bidding and only focus on auctions, we will only benefit from the land use price paid at that time and do not know whether the land plot would be used for the appropriate purposes and contribute the most to the state budget or not.

Vital requirements

The law amendments are making headlines amid a downturn of the real estate market due to the recent tightening of credit conditions for domestic real estate developers and large-scale developers prosecuted for fraudulent appropriation of property related to the issuance and sale of bonds.

The real estate market has played an important role in attracting investments, creating fixed assets for the economy, and promoting the growth of other economic sectors. The Ministry of Construction reported that the construction and real estate sectors have accounted for annually 11 per cent of the total state budget revenue in recent years. The real estate sector, in particular, has contributed 4.5 per cent to the total state budget revenue and about 0.5 percentage points to average GDP growth.

Foreign direct investment inflows into the sector reached some $2.6 billion in 2021, representing 8.6 per cent of the total overseas inflows, ranking third among dozens of sectors in attracting foreign investment capital. By September 2022, the market capitalisation of the real estate sector was estimated at $78.26 billion.

Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi reported that in 2022, the real estate market continues to face difficulties in mobilising capital sources and scarcity in supply. Property prices are still far beyond what most local people can afford. Among the factors is that the legal system related to real estate investment, construction, and business still has a number of shortcomings, including the lack of consistency and synchronicity in the forms of selecting (via auction, bidding, appointing) land-based project investors; those related to regulations on determining prices of land plots to be acquired, allocated, and leased; as well as auctioning the land-use rights of foreign organisations and individuals, among other issues, he said.

However, in the light of the draft law, solutions to such issues may remain too vague. Nevertheless, the real estate market is thirsty for other synchronous solutions. Following Minister Nghis report, the NA asked for urgently completed laws dedicated to the management and adjustment of the real estate and housing sectors, especially the revised Law on Housing and Law on Real Estate Business, which must be submitted to the NA for discussion at the fifth session.

The NA also urged for accelerating the restructuring of the real estate market towards transparency and balance and increasing the proportion of social housing and housing for factory workers, while promptly removing obstacles and cutting red tape, especially appraisal and licensing procedures to deploy social housing projects and rebuild old apartment blocks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The quality of resettlement housing projects must be ensured, while incentive policies should be made to attract medium and long-term capital sources for the real estate market. Attempts should also be made to strictly control capital mobilisation of real estate companies through corporate bond issuance and stock market, in a bid to leverage the real estate market that operates in an open, transparent, and sustainable manner.

The strict management and prevention of possible violations in the separation of parcels, plots, and ground sales that disrupt the land and urban planning is also needed. More attention should be paid to increasing the provision of timely and complete information on construction planning, urban planning, the list and progress of infrastructure development projects, real estate projects, and the real estate market at large.

Additionally, remedial measures should be taken to stabilise the market, facilitate it to operate transparently, avoid bubbles, and prevent speculation.

Scaling up land auctions and bidding Le Hoang Chau, Chairman Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association It is proposed to complete the revised Law on Land towards scaling up the method of bidding land-based projects, auctioning land-use rights to select investors. Both bidding and auctioning are needed to enable domestic and foreign investors to have equal access to land resources, and at the same time make the most use of land resources and increase state budget revenues. In addition to undeveloped land, the bidding of land-based projects should also be applied into two other cases, including the undeveloped land areas interspersed with state-governed land plots, and the cleared land areas that are fully managed by the state.

Hanoi among the 10 most costly capitals for real estate Vietnam is among the 10 countries where capital-city real estate values are highest in relation to income, taking almost 45 years to purchase a home.
Some hospitals need more legal streamlining in terms of private funding engagement, Photo: Le Toan

The Presidential Office on February 3 announced the promulgation of the amended law, adopted by the National Assembly at its extraordinary session. One of the new key changes in the law is the legalisation of joint venture and private investment engagement in hospitals, making it the first-time adjustment in the field. This is a long-waited solution among not only hospitals, but also businesses because a lack of fully legal framework for this activity has caused many difficulties for them.

Dr. Nguyen Trong Khoa, deputy head of the Ministry of Healths (MoH) Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said, We have not had a fully legal framework for private investment engagement in medical devices and machines. We have not taken into account depreciation of equipment during the building of services fees, so machines at hospitals have been under the placement model, or borrowed from contractors winning chemical bids, thus causing many difficulties for them.

The amended law includes the hiring, borrowing, and buying in instalments of medical devices. This is a very important solution to facilitate upcoming exam and treatment activities, he explained. Because of the legal barrier, Vietnam Social Security has not agreed to make payment for machines hired, borrowed, or under placement model by hospitals.

The doctor elaborated that the amended law makes a change in the structure of service costs that will include four factors: direct cost of medicines and bioproducts, staff salaries, management costs, and depreciation of equipment.

With the inclusion of the depreciation of medical equipment, health facilities can decide whether they borrow, or hire, or buy in instalments to better serve patients, Khoa noted.

State-owned hospitals and businesses are waiting for the changes to be fully come into effect from early 2024 to get out of the impasse.

Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, one of top state-owned hospitals in Vietnam having over 3,200 sickbeds caring for thousands of outpatients each day now has most of its testing system being under the placement model, or borrowed from winning chemical contractors.

Tran Thanh Vinh, head of Biochemistry Department of this hospital, said, We order 3-4 years of chemicals winning in bidding and use them with the machines included. If we carry out this process annually, it will cause difficulty. In other countries, they do it every three or five years to use a package of winning chemicals and machines included.

Elsewhere, Le Thuy General Hospital in the central province of Quang Binh is facing similar situation. It has used borrowed urine testing machine and pharmaceutical biochemistry machine for years. Dr. Nguyen Cong Dung, head of General Surgery of the hospital, said, COVID-19 is now under control and hospital is on the recovery way. And it still does not have enough capital for investment in medical devices.

Cho Ray and Le Thuy are among those facing a lack of legal frameworks in private investment engagement activities in such devices. According to statistics from Vietnam Social Security, in state-owned health facilities in 45 cities and provinces, more than 2,000 medical devices being used are borrowed or those under the placement model of winning contractors of chemicals and bioproducts.

Members of the European Chamber of Commerces (EuroCham) Healthcare Forum and its sector committees are interested in public-private partnerships (PPPs), including machine installation models in hospitals. Obviously, the new law is important to them because Vietnams medical devices and diagnostics market reports double-digit annual growth, with 90 per cent made up of imports.

EuroCham representing the voice of multinational corporations like B. Braun, Roche, Abbott and others many times proposed the government to build a more appropriate legal framework that will drive PPPs to their potential.

Earlier, Torben Minko, vice chairman of EuroCham in Vietnam, told VIR, For members, the placement instrument model has been implemented for many years but it has not been legally regulated, although there were documents aligned between the MoH and social insurance for this kind of model.

Now there will be one year ahead for authorised agencies to work on documents guiding the implementation of the law and soon issue them to ensure successful enforcement from early 2024.

The MoH expects that a circular on customised medical examination and treatment cost will be issued in the first or second quarter of this year, adding the third factor  management cost to the medical service cost  once it gets a green light from the government.

Dr. Khoa of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said the next step is for the MoH and relevant agencies to compile guiding documents. The adjustment will be made under roadmap, especially management cost, and depreciation of medical equipment from now to 2025.

Foreign investors expect enforcement of new medical examination legislation Foreign-invested enterprises are expecting better performance with the enforcement of the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. Vu Tu Thanh, deputy regional managing director and Vietnam chief representative at the US-ASEAN Business Council, talked to VIRs Tung Anh about the possible impacts on its members, and the expectations ahead.
Dr. Ngo Viet Nam Son, chairman of NgoViet Architects & Planners

According to a recent report by the Ministry of Construction, strong urbanisation in Vietnam has taken place in the past two decades. How do you assess the pace of urbanisation and urban development in Vietnam in recent years?

Vietnam has witnessed a fast pace of urbanisation and this is also an inevitable trend around the world as current economic development focuses mainly on urban areas. The pace of urbanisation is therefore usually proportional to economic development.

However, it is important to ensure swift and sustainable growth, meaning that to bring about socioeconomic development, urban planners must control environmental impacts at an acceptable level as would take a long time to tackle them, causing great waste to the economy and hindering development.

Have cities in Vietnam been developing sustainably?

It is difficult to judge whether Vietnamese cities are sustainable because this is a goal, rather than a state.

Every development has an impact on the environment, and there should be a balance in the process. Sustainability is not being greedy  that is, you must leave room and retain existing values, especially environmental ones.

In this regard, the sustainability factor in Vietnam is often disproportional to development, and the more cities in Vietnam, the more consequences begin to appear. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City is considered being the most developed in Vietnam, but it is also a place with many consequences such as traffic jams, flooding, lack of technical infrastructure, lack of social infrastructure, lack of schools, and more.

Why is that? As we grow up, the population density increases, the work density increases, and the need for technical and social infrastructure also increases proportionally. Sometimes people think only of their own interests while neglecting balance with other interests.

Thus, it should be said that urban development in Vietnam is increasingly unbalanced  the more developed areas are, the more unsustainable they become.

How do you rate a sustainable city?

To develop a sustainable city, we must meet many factors. First is to preserve existing values. These things relate to the environment, such as keeping or increasing the proportion of trees, rivers, and lakes, which must be kept clean and less polluted.

In addition, heritage values must be preserved such as architectural planning, historical heritage, or the works left to us by our ancestors. In order to keep the identity of an ancient city, it is necessary to clearly define its characteristics to give an appropriate development direction.

I once questioned whether there was a need for another Ho Chi Minh City-like destination in the Central Highlands, when I wrote an article about the development direction of Dalat. If you look at aerial photos, the centre of Dalat currently has the Governors Palace as the only green area, and the rest has been almost concreted.

Developing and increasing the living value in an area does not only embrace increasing construction density, modernising infrastructure, or looking at non-agricultural rate mechanically, but is also the need to increase green space, enhancing conservation, and promoting existing heritage values.

It is necessary to have a broader view so that some urban areas with specific characteristics of nature, cultural heritage and architecture still have appropriate mechanisms for urban development and receive preferential policies from the state.

Secondly, the sustainable value of a city is also related to planning and management. When developing, we will have available technical and social infrastructure in proportion to the housing size. There must be good planning and management.

Furthermore, development must also be geographically and regionally balanced, as well as not too concentrated in one place.

International studies indicate that liveable cities often have a low population, limited to fewer than three million people. If the city is too big, it will be complicated and the community lacks cohesion and identity.

Therefore, organising a central urban area connected to large and small cities would be much better than organising a considerable urban area.

For example, Paris is huge yet only accommodates two million inhabitants and few tall buildings, which facilitates cultural preservation. To enlarge a modern urban space, Paris proposed a neighbouring province of Hauts-de-Seine as a new downtown area. They formed an inner ring city consisting of Paris and three neighbouring cities to form a large metropolis.

This model can be applied in Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike the southern urban area that was proposed by overseas consultants, the Eastern City project is the first initiated by the municipal management authority.

This resembles a satellite town located in the inner-ring multi-centre city. The outer belt will be an urban cluster connecting the region with neighbouring provinces such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Tien Giang, with a system of radial roads and ring roads.

The satellite urban model is not a new creation. One should refer to districts 1 and 3 of Ho Chi Minh City, which feature European-style infrastructure attuned to the principle of ensuring all necessary technical and social infrastructures are provided within a walking distance.

A sustainable city must maintain and grow the ratio of trees and water surface

Urban development has become an important driving force for socioeconomic development, but is subject to many risks due to global climate change. What is the root of the problem?

First off, planning is a science. When we develop an urban area, the housing rate should be commensurate with the traffic rate; social infrastructure, hospitals, and schools should all have relative proportions to ensure that all people can enjoy the facilities. If the planning was not scientific, it would leave great impacts, so that when approving the planning, this science must be ensured.

Once you have a plan, you must follow the plan. There are many cases where a project promises countless benefits when being approved. Later, upon implementation without having a good management, some investors can only do what they can sell, while ignoring the responsibility for building social infrastructure, leaving the burden on the state.

If we couldnt manage it well, there might only have some living quarters where rooms are available, associated social infrastructure such as power lines, roads, schools, and stations are lacking.

The next aspect is coping with environmental impacts. For instance, important urban projects must complete environmental impact assessment reports, and the investors must be held socially accountable for their environmental impacts.

For example, an urban area is stable, with full infrastructure. If the investor proposes to build an apartment complex for 10,000 people, yet neglecting to upgrade the infrastructure, then when these people move in, they would cause serious overcrowding for that area.

Therefore, before licensing a project, it is necessary to assess the environmental impact carefully; if not, there are only two options: stop the project or ask the investor to upgrade associated social technical infrastructure.

Legal background is also crucial. Many urban areas have been developing in the wrong direction, but we cant do anything due to the lack of good legislation, as seen with the phenomenon of greenhouse building in Dalat.

On Dalats agricultural land, many areas are now covered with greenhouses. Many are unknown that greenhouses cause the same effect as concrete houses, causing water to drain too quickly to the lowlands, leaving Dalat to fall into temporary flooding state this late year period.

From a scientific perspective, you have to treat the greenhouse like a concrete building. Currently, urban residential land is often built at the rate of 30-40 per cent, the rest is for roads, infrastructure, and green construction.

Thereby, there need to be apparent regulations on building greenhouses on agricultural land which should not exceed 30 per cent of total land area and must be accompanied by a drainage system connecting to the common system; the design must be beautiful, and harmonising with the general landscape.

How do you envision Vietnams urban future in the next decade?

For future development, we would need both long-term and short-term development planning.

In the long term, we now have planning schemes for the next 30 years, but in my opinion, the planning must embrace a vision for the next 50-100 years, or even beyond.

For example, Vietnam is being severely affected by climate change with rising sea levels. Future development trends must then give priority to development in the highlands.

Development should be limited in lowland areas, and a lot of land should be reserved for green space and water surface. This would help save on money as it takes a long time to overcome flooding, greatly affecting the economy.

Along with the embellishment of existing urban areas and development in all directions, development in highland regions should still be given top priority.

In the short term, weak points in existing legal framework for sustainable urban development need to be soon adjusted by relevant authorities.

It is necessary to have in place practical policies to promote green urban development, such as annual tax reduction for investors using green and renewable energy, or developing technical and social infrastructure for the community.

There must also be heavy fines imposed on investors and managers not compliant with the planning, causing traffic jams and flooding, exacerbating the burden on the state budget in dealing with such consequences.

Urban dwellings to become property market core in 2023 This was stated by Le Viet Hai, vice president of the Saigon Construction & Building Material Association (SACA), during the Dynamics of Vietnam's Economic Development 2023 seminar held on December 14 in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh City suburban real estate market set for revival After a lengthy period of inactivity, the real estate market in and around Ho Chi Minh City is resuming deals, mostly in new full-scale developments.

96 per cent of urban household wastes to be safely processed in 2023 Vietnam targets having 96 per cent of urban household wastes collected and processed up to standards this year, said Director of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environments Vietnam Environment Administration Hoang Van Thuc.
On the evening of February 14, 2023, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) held the first extraordinary meeting to review personnel.

Previously, Huy Nguyen held the position of vice chairman; Pham Minh Tri held the position of standing member; and Pham Toan Thang held the position of member of the executive committee. Based on the Executive Board's resolution, these three members seriously violated the Association's Charter.

The Executive Board of the VBA has approved the cancellation of the membership of Huy Nguyen, Pham Minh Tri, Pham Toan Thang and dismissed all related positions of these two members. This dismissal and cancellation of membership has been agreed upon by 100 per cent of the members attending the meeting.

Hoang Van Huay, chairman of VBA, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology said, "We have witnessed the collapse of the blockchain application market in cryptocurrencies in countries around the world like the US, Korea. From individuals who are bright stars in the industry like Sam [Bankman-Fried] or Do Kown to economic criminals on the run. They don't have technology problems, but problems with other factors. Therefore, when solving technology problems, we also need to pay attention to the factors that revolve around people, which is professional ethics."

In February, the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) confirmed that the Vietnam Blockchain Association had completed the registration and approval process. The blockchain.vn website has obtained the basic network trust certificate for websites from February 1, 2023

To create a transparent and qualified blockchain technology application environment in Vietnam, and at the same time become a solid and long-term bridge between Vietnamese blockchain human resources and global organisations and communities, the association focused on monitoring information system safety; ensuring information security; and taking steps to apply for a certificate of network trust.

"The adjustment and purification of inappropriate personnel during this period is inevitable to increase the community's reputation, create legal value, comply with and operate standards of the Vietnam Blockchain Association. At the same time, we are always ready to connect, listen to, share and develop suggestions from association and businesses, as well as domestic and international communities," chairman Huay added.

Recently, at the Vietnam - Singapore Business Forum chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the VBA was one of the organisations representing Vietnam's new technology sector.

In 2023, the VBA aims to develop and bring together experts not only in technology but also in legal professions; and financial experts continue to publish standards for the blockchain market, including fraud identification standards, information security standards, and the development of the blockchain technology community.
At the event, Choi emphasised the two primary goals of Samsung's research and development (R&D) centre in Hanoi that was launched in late December.

"The first aim is to broaden the scope of research and strengthen competency to make the Samsung R&D Center in Vietnam not only a leading research centre in Southeast Asia, but also on a global scale," he said.

Samsung also plans to foster Vietnam's future tech talent through scholarships in the technology sector, public-private partnerships with prominent universities in Vietnam, and internship programmes. This is the second task that will contribute to laying the foundations for the nation's young talent, Choi continued.

The general director revealed that in Vietnam, the number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in Samsung's global supply chain has witnessed a ten-fold increase, from 25 companies in 2014 to 257 by the end of 2022.

This is the result of Samsung Vietnam's determination to launch initiatives to increase the accessibility to new technologies and improve advanced governance capabilities.

Since 2015, experts from Samsung South Korea have been continuously working with around 400 Vietnamese firms to enhance competitiveness and improve product quality.

The participants have reported positive outcomes, including a 40 per cent increase in their productivity and a 50 per cent reduction in manufacturing defects after only three months of consultation and support. 33 qualifying businesses are being prioritised for Samsung Vietnams network of suppliers.

Samsung Vietnam has also provided professional training schemes for more than 400 local business consultants since 2018.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and Samsung Vietnam signed an MoU last year on cooperation for smart factory development. Samsung is slated to share its expertise in smart manufacturing with 50 enterprises, according to the two-year roadmap.

Currently, Samsung has completed smart factory projects with 26 local businesses and will continue to replicate them with other organisations in the near future.

"We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with Vietnamese businesses to help domestic manufacturers develop and become part of Samsung's global value chain. We will always be a reliable partner of the Vietnamese government on the journey to success and shared prosperity," concluded Choi.

Vietnam an indispensable part of the global supply chain Nakajima Takeo, chief representative of the Japan Trade Promotion Agency (JETRO) in Hanoi, has outlined the importance of Vietnam to the global supply chain and for Japanese manufacturers in particular.

Deputy PM advises Samsung to invest more in Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai received President of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Samsung Electronics Park Hark Kyu in Hanoi on January 13 and suggested that the Korean firm expand its investment in Vietnam to tap opportunities from the sound partnership between the two countries in all fields.
Waco stages offer theatergoers two different experiences this week with a stage full of instrument-playing actors on one and a drama about the social cost of a factory closing on the other.

The former comes from Baylor Theatre and its production of the 2011 Broadway musical Once, which tells a story of an Irish street musician debating whether to stick with his familys vacuum repair shop or pursue his music in America and a Czech immigrant, a pianist, who urges him to stick with his music.

The Tony Award-winning musical has been on director Lisa Denmans radar for some time, but depended on a particular blend of talent. It requires people who play an instrument in addition to acting and we had to wait until the right mix of students who could carry it off, she explained.

Not only a right mix, but a large one: The Baylor company numbers 17 actors, who, in the course of the musical, play guitars, mandolins, a banjo, piano, cello, violin, ukulele, melodica and a range of percussion. Its something so fun  seeing people play and act, she said.

Backstage improvements at Baylors Jones Theatre have moved the musical to the smaller, but more intimate Mabee Theatre. That has worked in the productions favor with some actors playing closer to audience members than other actors on stage, Denman noted.

The music, and talent, isnt limited to the onstage performance. Several actors will play their instruments in pre-show performances featuring original music written by some of the actors.

Once also provided the cast with a Broadway touch as violin-playing actress and Baylor University graduate Elizabeth A. Davis, who won a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the 2012 Broadway production, met with the productions actors last fall during a Waco visit.

Once opens a four-performance run at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

Sweat

The Waco theater company Wild Imaginings provides the drama with its production of Lynn Nottages acclaimed Sweat, which begins its four-performance run at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Jubilee Theatre.

Wild Imaginings founder and director Trent Sutton said Nottages drama, which won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, fell within the companys mission to present contemporary plays. Its Waco production of Sweat is only one of a handful that have been staged in Texas, he noted.

Her play imagines Reading, Pennsylvania, in 2000 where factories are closing and manufacturing is moving overseas. Workers vent steam and provide support for each other at a local blue-collar bar, but as jobs disappear and laid-off employees look for people to blame, relationships among the bars patrons, which includes co-workers, ex-cons and a parole officer, become strained.

While Wild Imaginings has presented plays dealing with sexual identity, race and gender, Sweat moves into new territory for the company. I think this is the first time weve tackled economics, Sutton said, adding that the subject matter hasnt been easy on his nine-actor cast. People dont realize how difficult it is to embody people who are not nice people.
A Waco man convicted Wednesday night of sexually abusing two teens was sentenced to 50 years in prison Thursday for human trafficking and promotion of child pornography.

George Anthony Spratt Jr., 58, received 50 years for human trafficking, a first-degree felony. He received 15 years for promotion of child pornography, a second-degree felony. The sentences will be served concurrently.

With its 50-year verdict, this jury ensured that this man will never be a threat to our children again and sent a strong message to those who would prey on our children that it will not be tolerated in our community, Kristi DeCluitt, a McLennan County assistant district attorney and lead prosecutor on the Spratt case, said in statement Thursday.

The 54th State District Court jury announced its verdict at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, and District Judge Alan Bennett announced the sentence after a hearing Thursday and about four hours of jury deliberations.

Spratt will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years.

Two male victims testified in the trial that Spratt and another defendant, Willie Ross Davis Jr., raped them on several occasions over a span of more than four years starting in 2016, when one was about 12 and the other was a young teen.

Prosecutors and victims said Spratt participated in recording sex acts with the boys on video. The jury convicted him of first-degree felony continuous trafficking of persons and second-degree felony promotion of child pornography. The first charge carries a possible sentence of 25 years to life, and the second carries a possible sentence of five to 99 years in prison.

Bennett was appointed to Wacos new 474th State District Court in December. He presided over Spratts trial at the request of Judge Susan Kelly of the 54th State District Court.

Davis received a sentence of 40 years in prison in plea deal in April 2022. Prosecutors dropped charges in December against another man who had been indicted in the case, now in his early 20s, who they said was victimized by Spratt and Davis.

One of Spratts defense attorneys, Jeremey Katrycz, asked the jury Thursday to give Spratt the minimum sentences. Katrycz said Spratt suffered head injuries growing up and cannot use a modern cellphone or drive a car.

Defense said Davis was the mastermind and received 40 years, so Spratt should get less.

McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Kristi DeCluitt asked the jury to sentence Spratt to life in prison.

DeCluitt said Spratt had a chance to reform with a probation sentence and drug rehab in 2001 and 2003, respectively. She said he violated his probation in 2003 and went to prison until 2008.

Spratt received probation on an aggravated assault conviction after he stabbed someone with an ice pick in 1999, prosecutors said. Since his release from prison in 2008, he has received three misdemeanor convictions, one for assault and two for trespassing, prosecutor Tara Avants said.

Spratt could have been the savior of the boys who were abused, DeCluitt told the jury. He could have gone next door and told someone what was happening and asked how he could help. He could have called his sisters and asked them what he should do to help, DeCluitt said.

A normal man would have called police himself, but Spratt did not, she said. He took advantage of the boys and participated in abusing them, something Davis could not make him do, DeCluitt said.

Protect this community from what George Spratt may do in the future, when someone else gives him beer and points him toward vulnerable young boys, DeCluitt told the jury. Give these young men the justice they deserve. Put (Spratt) him away where he will never see the light of day again.
Senior CPC official meets Uzbek acting FM

Xinhua) 09:24, February 16, 2023

Wang Yi (4th L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Bakhtiyor Saidov (3rd R), Uzbekistan's acting foreign minister, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Feb. 15, 2023. Wang made a technical stop in Tashkent en route to Europe for a visit and held a brief meeting with Saidov at the airport. (Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan/Handout via Xinhua)

TASHKENT, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met Wednesday with Bakhtiyor Saidov, Uzbekistan's acting foreign minister.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made a technical stop in Tashkent en route to Europe for a visit and held a brief meeting with Saidov at the airport.

The two sides spoke highly of China-Uzbekistan friendship and discussed future high-level exchanges.

They agreed to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, push for more results in all-round mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Uzbekistan as well as in cooperation between China and Central Asia, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. is developing sharper rules to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country.

The president has directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an interagency team to review U.S. procedures after the U.S. shot down the Chinese balloon, as well as three other objects that Biden said the U.S. now believes are most likely benign objects that were launched by private companies or research institutions.

Biden said he hoped the new rules would help distinguish between those that are likely to pose safety and security risks that necessitate action and those that do not.

Make no mistake, if any object presents a threat to the safety and security of the American people I will take it down, he added.

The downing of the Chinese surveillance craft was the first known peacetime shootdown of an unauthorized object in U.S. airspace  a feat repeated three times a week later.

Biden sharply criticized Chinas surveillance program, saying the violation of our sovereignty is unacceptable, but said he looks to maintain open lines of communication with Beijing. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken postponed his first planned trip to China as the balloon was flying over the U.S., and a new meeting with his Chinese counterpart has yet to be scheduled.

I expect to be speaking with President Xi and I hope we can get to the bottom of this, Biden said, adding, But I make no apologies for taking down that balloon.

Biden said the rules would remain classified so as not to give a roadmap to our enemies to try to evade our defenses.

The Chinese balloon has escalated tensions between the U.S. and China. Blinken travels Thursday to the Munich Security Conference and there is speculation he might use the opportunity to meet top Chinese foreign policy official Wang Yi, who will also be attending the conference.

Biden had remained largely silent on the objects downed Friday off the coast of Alaska, Saturday over Canada and Sunday over Lake Huron. On Monday, the White House announced earnestly there was no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity. By Wednesday, U.S. officials said they were still working to locate the wreckage from the objects, but that they expected all three to be unrelated to surveillance efforts.

The intelligence community is considering as a leading explanation that these could just be balloons tied to some commercial or benign purpose, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby. No country or private company has come forward to claim any of the objects, Kirby said. They do not appear to have been operated by the U.S. government.

Still unaddressed are questions about the original balloon, including what spying capabilities it had and whether it was transmitting signals as it flew over sensitive military sites in the United States. It was believed by American intelligence to have initially been on a track toward the U.S. territory of Guam, according to a U.S. official.

The U.S. tracked it for several days after it left China, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. It appears to have been blown off its initial trajectory and ultimately flew over the continental U.S., the official said.

Balloons and other unidentified objects have been previously spotted over Guam, a strategic hub for the U.S. Navy and Air Force in the western Pacific.

Its unclear how much control China retained over the balloon once it veered from its original trajectory. A second U.S. official said the balloon could have been externally maneuvered or directed to loiter over a specific target, but its unclear whether Chinese forces did so.

After the balloon was shot down, the White House revealed that such balloons had traversed U.S. territory at least three times during President Donald Trumps administration unknown to Trump or his aides  and that others have flown over dozens of nations across five continents. Kirby emphasized Monday that they were only detected by the Biden administration.

AP writer Nomaan Merchant contributed.
China Spring Independent School District is on a growing list of Texas schools considering a four-day school week to help recruit and retain teachers and improve attendance.

District officials plan a second listening session on the idea Feb. 22 with parents and teachers.

The districts first interest session early this week drew hundreds of parents, staff members and students to hear a presentation and offer comment on the possible transition for the 2023-24 school year. The switch would cancel most Fridays for both students and faculty, with some five-day weeks set aside for necessary in-person time and staff training days.

Other small rural districts have made the move recently, including Academy Independent School District, which approved its schedule late last month. China Springs presentation Monday leaned on anecdotal evidence from Mineral Wells and Athens ISDs for proof of the four-day weeks ability to increase employee applicant pools and student attendance rates.

The proposal comes at the heels of the districts failed tax rate increase, with nearly two-thirds of China Spring voters rejecting the 2.8-cent per $100 of property value increase in November. At the time district officials said the higher rate could have provided $7,000 raises for teachers, nurses and counselors, and other pay hikes for auxiliary staff and bus drivers.

Superintendent Marc Faulkner said in November he was disappointed with the outcome of the election, but China Spring ISD would continue to exhaust all avenues to increase benefits and salaries for our staff to keep great teachers in China Spring ISD.

Starting pay in China Spring ISD school in 2022-23 was $41,000, with the average teacher making $52,376 the prior year, the Tribune-Herald reported in August. By contrast, Waco ISD offered a starting salary of $51,475.

The four-day proposal would get rid of most regular Friday instruction, with seven mandatory Fridays in the calendar for students and one or two Friday workdays per month for staff. Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break holidays would remain a similar length, there would be no early release days and Faulkner said the school day would be extended by 30 minutes to meet instruction time requirements set by the Texas Education Agency.

More than 40 districts in Texas have looked into the four-day approach, said professor Bill Sterrett, chair of the educational leadership department at the Baylor University School of Education.

China Springs presentation says being the first district in the area to adopt the provision would give the district an advantage right away.

Mineral Wells ISD, which has about 3,100 students, began a four-day week this school year in a bid to improve its competitiveness with larger districts for hiring and keeping teachers, The Texas Tribune reported last year. Smaller school districts such as Athens, Jasper and Chico have also made the switch, The Texas Tribune reported.

Texas State Teachers Association spokesperson Clay Robison said most of the schools making the switch now seem to be rural or small-town districts. Robison said it is likely easier for small districts to consider the transition, with fewer parents, students and teachers to assimilate to the idea and to a new schedule.

China Spring ISD officials said a four-day school week would address teacher and substitute shortages, attendance and mental health concerns and funding challenges.

Though the movement of teachers from the profession is not unique to China Spring ISD, nine classroom teachers and seven support staff members have left the education profession during the current school year, according to the districts presentation. China Spring ISDs teacher turnover rate for the 2021-22 school year was 19.9% compared to the 17.7% state average. Substitute teachers are also difficult to recruit, with many leaving the career for more favorable options, according to the presentation.

The district has also considered benefits for students, including more time for extracurricular or enrichment activities, more downtime and increased attendance.

Sterrett, who has served all levels of education from teaching to administration, said districts should pay close attention to community buy-in, communication strategies and coordination of all its moving parts when considering the switch. He said he would caution districts looking into the four-day option to be very purposeful of what Friday would look like for staff and students.

Sterrett said some schools use the day off to offer supplemental remediation. China Spring ISDs proposal includes 20 Fridays open to prekindergarten through fourth grade students that would provide additional instruction outside of TEAs 75,600-minute requirement to fill gaps in required core content and skills.

Some districts are doing an enrichment Friday and we possibly could too, Superintendent Faulkner said in an email. We are undecided on that at this time.

By tracking community buy-in and keeping open communication of the plans goals and benefits, the district can identify what is best for students, the impact for families, needed support for teachers and potential savings, Sterrett said.

Faulkner said he has received some valid feedback already with concerns about an expected decline academic performance.

By coordinating mandatory in-person Fridays, professional development, planning days and relaxation time effectively, districts can ensure teachers and students receive the maximum benefit of their off days, Sterrett said.

He said a latent benefit of the switch would be that by encouraging teachers and staff to relax and enjoy enriching activities, such as spending time outside, they could set an example for students to do the same.

Robison said although Texas State Teachers Association does not have an official position on four-day school weeks, he also encourages districts communicate with employees prior to converting to a new schedule to ensure maximum benefit. Districts should also be careful to fairly compensate teachers, including for the time they work beyond the four days per week when students are in class, Robison said.

China Springs second interest session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at China Spring Elementary School. The decision will ultimately be left to a school board vote.
42 domino tournament

The annual Westphalia Knights of Columbus Council 42 Domino Tournament will be held Sunday at the Westphalia Community Parish Hall on Highway 320 in Westphalia. Registration will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by play. Each player will draw for a partner between rounds and will play four 30-minute rounds. Cost is $5 per player.

For more information, call 254-721-4443 or 254-985-2510.

Teacher certification

McLennan Community Colleges Alternative Teacher Certification program will host an information session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in Room 139 of the Michaelis Academic Center. The event is free and open to students and the public.

The Alternative Teacher Certification program, accredited by the Texas Education Agency, is for individuals with a bachelors degree or in the last semester in a bachelors degree program who would like to become certified teachers. Upon successful completion of the program and state-mandated exams, graduates are certified to teach in Texas schools. Classes will start in June, and participants can start teaching in August.

For more information, contact Kimberly Saffold at 254-299-8061 or ksaffold@mclennan.edu.

COVID-19 vaccine lecture

Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and university professor of biology at Baylor University, and Dr. Maria Bottazzi, associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and distinguished professor of biology at Baylor University, will speak on Behind the Scenes for the Development of a COVID-19 Vaccine suitable for Global Access at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Room B-110 of the Baylor Sciences Building.

Their lecture is free and open to the public.

Black history lecture

The Baylor University Department of History will host Kaysha Corinealdi for its annual Black History Month Lecture from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 240 of Baylors Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

Corinealdi, assistant professor of history at Emerson College, will present Panama in Black: Afro-Caribbean World Making in the Twentieth Century. It is free and open to the public.

Titled after her recently published book, Corinealdis lecture will focus on how we remember, write, and conceptualize histories of Black activism in the Americas.
by Moreno Aguiari

Ten years have flown by. It seems like only yesterday when I realized that the latest news piece I was reading in a then-current aviation magazine was already several months old. I realized that there had to be a better way of relating such stories in a more timely manner. The solution was actually pretty simple, of course the internet. After just a short search, it became obvious that while there were a few discussion fora, reference websites and a plethora of irregularly updated personal pages, the vintage aviation community lacked a reliable online source of well-researched articles and news.

Another thing which struck me at the time was that many aviation museums and flying organizations had made little if any effort to establish a credible online news presence. More importantly, very few of these enterprises understood how to use the internet to promote their mission, let alone raise funding for their causes. I was well positioned to improve this situation.

In 2013, the internet was already a mature medium, its business strategies well-proven and consolidated, with the proven ability to raise billions of dollars online  and yet our community seemed almost entirely absent from this opportunity for growth. Back then I was an executive within a large internet-based software company. I possessed over fifteen years of online marketing business development experience; all I had to do was apply this know-how towards the vintage aviation industry. And so Warbirds News was born

We have a very simple mission here: Promote accurate aviation history and insightful aircraft preservation and help related organizations raise funding towards those ends.

We published our first article (HERE) on February 16th, 2013, then set up a Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter accounts and, a few months, a YouTube channel. From small beginnings, our story had begun!

Our first big break arrived when Jerry Yagens Military Aviation Museum flew its freshly-restored de Havilland Mosquito FB.26 for the first time in the United States. We published a story about this event, shared it on social media, and roughly 55,000 people read it in very short order! The exposure gained us a rapid growth in website visitors and social media traction. The credit for this opportunity must go to the late Jon Brawner, of course. He worked at the Fighter Factory back then and provided videos, still images and details about this momentous event.

Another important moment in Warbirds News history was getting to know Richard Mallory Allnutt, our founding Chief Editor. I first met Richard on Facebook and commissioned a couple of articles from him before we had the chance to meet in person for the first time at the Military Aviation Museum on the occasion of the 2013 Warbirds Over the Beach Airshow. Richard is a phenomenal writer, editor and photographer  on top of being a wonderful person. We clicked right away and by the end of the show he agreed to become more involved with our fledgling operation. Richard brought with him immense experience in vintage aviation, restoration, engineering, and photography, combined with a compelling writing style. Without doubt, Richard is one of the best writers in vintage aviation and we are so lucky to have him as a key part of our team.

In 2017 we started a collaboration with Warbird Digest, which helped lead to the production of what became arguably our communitys best available vintage aviation magazine in print. While this partnership ended in June 2022, we remain ardent fans of this exceptional magazine. The parting of ways also led us to rebrand our platform, expanding outside of the warbird world (which we still cover) to also include both vintage and classic aviation. Even more that the warbird arena, the historic civil aircraft world is both hard to get a good insight to overall, and full of fascinating, often rare or unique aviation aircraft, people and events. Covering the whole gamut of vintage aviation, precipitated our name change to become Vintage Aviation News.

We love the history and technology which Aviation Museums, Restoration Workshops, and Vintage Flying Organizations help to preserve for our collective future. Indeed, we devote great passion towards the support of non-profit and grassroots historic aviation organizations and are proud to promote awareness and drive donations towards their projects. This is why we are investing in the technology necessary for delivering the most interactive and effective vintage aviation magazine currently possible.

People are central to this. From the foundation of so much aviation, the often selfless, always enthusiastic, dedicated and sometimes unstoppable volunteers, we network from there to the restorers, operators, museum and heritage professionals, pilots and so many more specialists. One facet of our core mission is getting the stories out there, from being overlooked or only known to a few, to assisting in spreading the word, making connections and we hope, getting more aviation commemorated, preserved and where appropriate, flying.

To help guide the next decade (and beyond!) of vintage aviation publishing, we have assembled a workforce featuring some of the brightest minds in vintage aviation publishing; our editorial team has well over 60 years of combined knowledge and experience in the business. And we are legitimately international now as well, with primary contributors based in Australia, the UK, Continental Europe, and the U.S.A.  thus offering richer, more informative perspectives on the subject which we have all built our lives around. We are also always keen to hear from you, especially if you have insight knowledge that should be wider shared, or even just a tip that might make a positive difference.

Our latest addition to the editorial team is James Kightly (known in the community as JDK or Vintage Aero Writer) a veteran of the vintage aviation community. Kightly is a respected historic aviation writer and editor with decades of experience as both a professional writer and journalist covering the world of aviation preservation and beyond. He has written regular columns for a number of well-known magazines in the UK, Australia, the U.S.A. France and Canada over the years, advised and assisted academics, museums and restorations, worked on podcasts and organized aviation orientated online conferences, as well as writing and editing a number of books published by enthusiast to government publishers. James will be bringing a different angle, and aims to look behind some of the well known elements of historic aviation with an experts insight.

Publishing online involves as much, if not more of, the effort and time required to produce a print magazine. It also requires a pretty serious financial commitment, which has largely been sustained by me. However, a special mention must go to our sponsors and advertisers who have made significant contributions in support of our efforts  without their help our endeavor would have become far harder to sustain. We are optimistic we can continue to provide great access to our readers and promote the vintage aviation with new sponsorship and appropriate advertising, and increase that reach to everyones  readers, advertisers and the aviation communitys  benefit.

When we launched Warbirds News back in 2013, we had the simple goal already mentioned: we wanted to help safeguard our aviation heritage for future generations by raising public understanding and enthusiasm for the subject via internet-based digital media. After ten years of hard work, we can proudly say that  with your assistance  we are achieving precisely that. Outside of the educational benefits we have provided, there are numerous aviation groups that have gained from our efforts, and we are very proud of that knowledge. And this will continue.

In closing, we look forwards to publishing many more stories about your favorite subjects, and to continue helping safeguard and promote our mutual aviation heritage  not just for now, but for generations to come! Stay with us, its going to be another great decade of Vintage Aviation News!
Iowa schools no longer would be required to teach students about the availability of the HPV vaccine under a bill advanced by Republican lawmakers Monday.

House File 187 would remove the provision in Iowa law requiring schools to teach about the availability of a vaccine to prevent HPV in grades seven and eight, making the instruction optional. General instruction about sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV, still would be required.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted infection that affects many sexually active men and women. Most cases go away with no health problems, but some can go on to cause cancer, including cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The vaccine for the virus is recommended for children ages 11 to 12. It can be given between 9 and 26 years old, according to the CDC.

Public health experts, advocates, and HPV-related cancer survivors spoke at a public hearing on the bill arguing that removing the provision would endanger the health of Iowas students. They said the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer.

Nathan Boonstra, a pediatrician at Blank Childrens Hospital, said receiving education around the HPV vaccine at school better prepares students to be informed when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is one of, if not the most life-saving vaccine that I can give in my clinic, he said. And although all pediatricians are doing our best to educate our patients and families, we only have so much time in the clinic with our patients.

Morgan Newman, a cervical cancer survivor, said she wishes she had proper education about the HPV vaccine when she was a teenager. She did not receive the vaccine, and in her 20s she developed cervical cancer. The cancer then spread to her lungs, she said, and she was given less than a 10% chance of surviving. She has been cancer free for seven years, she said.

It is unethical to not be able to provide this necessary information for cancer prevention, she said.

The first vaccine for HPV was introduced in 2006, and the provision requiring instruction about it was added to Iowa law in 2007.

While most speakers at the subcommittee hearing on the bill were opposed to it, Lindsay Maher with Informed Choice Iowa  a group that opposes vaccine requirements  supported the bill, and she said removing the provision would not outlaw teaching about the vaccine and leave the decision up to schools.

She also questioned the safety of the HPV vaccine, saying if the bill was not passed, lawmakers should require teaching about the risks of the vaccine.

According to the CDC, the HPV vaccine has the rare potential for side effects like any other vaccine, but studies have not shown higher than expected rates of adverse events following vaccination.

Its extremely safe, Boonstra said. It has extremely rare side effects. As far as the safety profile and number of studies that are done, its comparable to virtually any other vaccine that we routinely give.

Rep. Brooke Boden, R-Indianola, said she was curious what other vaccines are talked about in schools and was skeptical of a teachers ability to provide the right instruction about the HPV vaccine.

While no other specific vaccine teaching is required in K-12 schools, the benefits of immunization often are taught in physical education classes, said Sharon Guthrie, the executive director of the Iowa School Nurse Organization.

Iowa law also requires public colleges and universities to provide information about the meningitis vaccine.

I dont think that we should not discuss HPV, the risks, and all of that, Boden said. The question is where do we begin to draw the line between your teacher teaching about immunizations inside the school?

Boden and Rep. Anne Osmundson, a Republican from Volga, voted to advance the bill, while Democratic Rep. Monica Kurth of Davenport did not. But Boden cautioned shes still looking for information and the bill wont necessarily continue to advance.

Its not the only bill being considered in the Legislature seeking to roll back teaching about HPV and the vaccine. A bill proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, Senate Study Bill 1145, that deals with instruction around gender identity and sexual activity also includes a provision repealing the requirement that schools teach about HPV and the HPV vaccine. It also removes a requirement that schools teach about HIV and AIDS.

Photos: Kari Lake speaks at Scott County Republican Women's lunch 021023-qc-nws-karilake-08.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-10.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-03.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-23.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-20.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-01.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-11.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-18.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-21.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-07.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-16.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-04.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-17.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-24.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-25.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-02.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-06.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-13.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-14.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-15.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-19.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-09.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-22.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-05.jpg 021023-qc-nws-karilake-12.jpg
THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- HBOs hit series The Last of Us" envisions a world decimated by a fungal apocalypse.

A real-life insect fungus called Cordyceps makes the leap into humans, turning those stricken into violent zombie-like creatures that spread it to others through bites. Society collapses in a matter of days after the fungus emerges.

But viewers can relax: Theres very little real risk that Cordyceps itself could actually evolve to present the sort of risk to humanity displayed in the show, fungal infection experts say.

However, the show does accurately portray a number of factors -- climate change, drug resistance, few reliable antifungal agents -- that are increasing the health risks that various fungi and mold pose to humans, the experts add.

I tell people sometimes these are the most clinically important infections that youve never heard of, because of the staggering numbers of people that they actually affect, said Karen Norris, chair of immunology and translational biomedical research at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Fungal infections are responsible for more than 75,000 hospitalizations and nearly 9 million trips to the doctor every year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But newer data suggest that the threat of fungal infection is even more pronounced, and growing.

More than 666,000 fungal infections were diagnosed in about 35.5 million U.S. hospitalization cases documented in 2018, according to a Norris-led study published last year in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

A diagnosis of fungal infection doubles their hospitalization costs, their hospitalization stay, and it doubles the risk of death compared to individuals with the same sort of comorbid situations without a fungal infection, Norris said. So these are really, really serious infections.

Reports like those have led the United Nations Environmental Program to issue a new report earlier this month, Bracing for Superbugs, that cite climate change and antimicrobial resistance as two of the greatest threats to human health.

A fungal nightmare

The real-world Cordyceps fungus is blood-chilling -- for carpenter ants.

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spores slip inside an ants body on the jungle floor and begin to replicate, eventually making their way to the brain.

The fungus hijacks the ants brain, slowly taking over its behavior. The fungus forces the mesmerized ant to leave its hive and find humid terrain that promotes its growth.

At the end, the fungus compels the ant to lock its jaws into the underside of a leaf, where it remains while being eaten alive from the inside. The fungus eventually erupts from the head of the dead ant and bursts, spraying a cloud of spores intended to infect more ants.

Its a horrifying fate to contemplate, but one not likely to occur in humans, said Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital.

It seems to really infect a very specific niche in nature, which is this certain species of ant, Roberts said, noting that the fungus does not appear capable of infecting even other insect species.

For this specific Cordyceps to make the leap from this ant species to humans is really impractical, unless it went through a significant amount of evolution in a short period of time, Roberts added.

Fungus and mold species also dont tend to spread the way viruses or bacteria do, with one infected person passing the bug on to others, Roberts continued.

By nature, fungus and molds really do not spread person to person, with few exceptions, Roberts said. The vast majority are in the environment. We inhale them every time we walk outside -- certainly in a forest, where theres just tons of fungus and mold in the air. And really in only rare instances, mostly with patients with profoundly decreased immune systems, can they cause problems.

Climate change favors fungi

The Cordyceps pandemic in "The Last of Us" occurs when climate change prompts the fungus to evolve around humankinds best defense against fungal infections -- body temperature.

That part of the show is accurate, experts say.

Rising temperatures associated with climate change appear to be eroding humankinds evolutionary advantage against some types of fungal infections.

A very prominent mycologist who I follow academically, Dr. Arturo Casadevall, said that he hypothesizes that the reason we're 98.6 is because that's really the threshold at which a lot of fungal species cannot grow, Roberts said.

Norris points to an emerging fungus of concern called Coccidioides, which causes a lung infection called Valley fever. The fungus thrives in hot, dry soil.

Its mainly present in the southwest U.S., and for different reasons -- climate change and extended development in areas where people hadnt lived before -- that organism has spread up to California and extensive regions in the West, Norris said.

Valley fever most often is not a serious infection, Norris added.

On the other hand, Candida auris is a very serious fungal threat that also appears to have been spurred on by climate change, Roberts said.

A type of yeast found in soil, Candida auris was not previously a human pathogen, so it has adapted to the higher body temperature and now is a very serious concern, Norris said.

Candida auris can cause a life-threatening blood infection if it infects a hospitalized person already weakened by other health problems.

This is a fungal species that nobody knew about before 2009, and all of a sudden it was detected independently on four continents at the same time, suggesting that climate change led to the rise in this new organism that evolved to adapt to higher temperatures, Roberts explained.

Candida auris also spreads more easily than other fungal threats, prompting the CDC to list the fungus as a potential infection threat among people in health care settings.

It sticks to the environment really easily, and studies have shown it can spread patient to patient, Roberts said. Candida auris can really stick to surfaces and spread through reusable medical devices, for instance.

Few medicines

The rise of Candida auris reflects another fear experts regularly express, in that it doesnt respond well to antifungal medicines.

One of the reasons that make it a very serious threat is that many of the clinical isolates that have been observed are resistant to one or more of the antifungal drugs. That's a problem, Norris said of Candida auris.

There arent a lot of antifungal medicines available at all, compared to the array of antibiotics and antivirals available for people with bacterial or viral infections, Norris and Roberts said. If resistance grows in fungi, people with severe infections will be left with few options.

It has been an area that has been underfunded and understudied for a long time. There's a core group of people that have been toiling in the vineyard for a long time on these, but it has not been an area that has been supported for the kind of research that is necessary, Norris said.

Doctors also lack good tools for diagnosing a fungal infection and differentiating it from a bacterial or viral infection.

An individual that's in the hospital or even in the ICU for other conditions, there's a little bit of a delay. We don't have the best diagnostics still for fungal infections, compared to bacterial infections or viral infections, Norris said.

That delay can cost patients their lives.

Sometimes just a couple of days of delay in diagnosis of a fungal infection is critical, Norris continued. These can be very rapidly progressing infections. Once they get a hold, it is difficult to treat them. And the treatment that is the standard of care, antifungal drugs, there's a limited number of those.

Severe fungal infections occur most often in people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients or people with an autoimmune disorder, Norris found in a 2021 study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

But even folks with common inflammatory conditions like diabetes, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis or Crohns disease are more vulnerable to an opportunistic fungus, Norris found.

Then there are individuals who have other infections, for instance, influenza, Norris said. Some individuals are more susceptible to getting an infection with an invasive fungal agent on top of their influenza.

And then, of course, COVID. We saw a very high uptick in patients with serious COVID in the hospital, in the ICU, who then also acquired a fungal infection. And that accounted for a significant amount of the mortality in the ICU during the height of COVID, she continued.

Fungi to watch out for

Norris 2022 study found that three fungi accounted for more than three-quarters of fungal infections diagnosed in hospitals:

Candida, and in particular Candida auris

Aspergillus fumigatus, a common mold that infects the lungs and sinuses

Pneumocystis, which causes pneumonia.

Norris and her team are working on a vaccine that could protect against all three of these fungal threats.

Individuals that would be highly susceptible to all of these infections are susceptible to all of them, Norris said. The thing that makes this potentially a game changer is that the vaccine induces an immune response that is effective against at least three pathogens, and we are testing it against others.

The fungus vaccine is now in animal trials. If the research team finds funding, Norris says they could start and finish human trials for the vaccine within the next five years.

Other researchers are working on a vaccine for Valley fever, Norris added.

But while fungi are a rising health threat that need to be taken seriously, both Norris and Roberts emphasize these pathogens are very unlikely to cause a Last of Us scenario -- or even the next pandemic.

The way that fungal and mold species spread so slowly, I really don't have a major concern for any sort of pandemic threat from a fungus or a mold, Roberts said. Were I watching the show, I would have no concerns that this is a realistic portrayal of what's going to happen with the next fungal species. But I'm very grateful for the show because it's raising awareness.

More information

The World Health Organization has more about health-threatening fungi, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on fungal diseases in the United States.

SOURCES: Karen Norris, PhD, chair, immunology and translational biomedical research, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens; Scott Roberts, MD, associate medical director, infection prevention, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn.; Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Jan. 10, 2022; Clinical Infectious Diseases, April 19, 2021
WATERLOO  After a national search, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley tapped someone in its own ranks to head the organization.

Bryan Burton was named chief executive officer by the board of directors on Feb. 1, beginning his duties immediately. He originally joined the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley in 2016 and has served in various roles of increasing responsibility including director of facility management and director of operations. Burton most recently served as interim CEO since July.

I would like to thank the board for showing confidence in my leadership ability, Burton said in a news release. The Club has a longstanding tradition as the premier after school program in the area and will continue to serve all children that need us the most. I look forward to taking on the challenge of leading an organization that gives kids the ability to learn skills that will benefit our entire community for years to come.

Burton replaces James Lee III, whose resignation was announced in July. He had been in the role since 2019.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley board of directors engaged in a national search that concluded last month. Boys and Girls Club of America Executive Search office and the local search committee reviewed nearly 70 candidates and conducted extensive interviews with five candidates. According to the release, the committee determined Burton was the best candidate to lead the clubs.

We were thrilled to find an experienced executive, right in our own organization, who will provide the vision and leadership needed to continue to move the organization forward and achieve our growth goals, as well as work with the dedicated Club staff to continue their great work with the kids in our community who need us the most, board president Gordon Davis said in the release.

Burton is a longtime resident of Waterloo and is well connected in the Cedar Valley community, serving on the boards of directors of both Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa and Central Rivers Area Education Agency. He is also actively involved as a Grow Cedar Valley Ambassador and member of downtown Waterloo Rotary International.

He has a long history of volunteer service. Burton is a former commissioner of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans as well as past president of Cedar Valley Society for Human Resource Managers and Greater Cedar Valley Chamber. In addition, he is a past board member of the Allen Foundation, Black Hawk County Gaming Commission and Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging.

He has received both the Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award and The Couriers 20 Under 40 recognition.

For more than 60 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley has focused on providing program opportunities for youth ages 6-18. It has sites in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Evansdale.

It is the clubs mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those with the most needs, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Data shows members of the Boys & Girls Club tend to achieve better academic grades, miss fewer days of school, and display more positive behavior.

Recently, the organization received the Boys & Girls Club of Americas Hero for Youth award for its dedicated advocacy around issues impacting local youth.

Photos: The new Boys-Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley teen center 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-05 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-06 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-01 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-02 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-03 011620kw-boys-and-girls-club-04 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-05 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-20 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-19 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-08 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-13 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-15 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-14 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-17 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-16 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-10 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-11 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-09 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-18 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-12 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-01 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-07 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-04 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-02 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-06 111419bp-boys-and-girls-club-03 070319bp-boys-and-girls-club-4 070319bp-boys-and-girls-club-3 070319bp-boys-and-girls-club-2 070319bp-boys-and-girls-club-1
WAVERLY  On Saturday, the Wartburg Community Symphony will present a unique concert featuring a newly commissioned work that combines the symphony, the Wartburg Choir, digital images produced by artificial intelligence and surround-sound technology.

It is an innovative, multi-layered and organic experience. This is really a cool combination of human beings and technology, and its the first time weve ever embarked on something like this, said Rebecca Nederhiser, symphony director.

The concert is at 2 p.m. Saturday in Neumann Auditorium on the Wartburg College campus. Nederhiser will present a pre-concert talk at 1 p.m.

This is the orchestras 70th anniversary season. Messages From Everywhere by Jocelyn Hagen and Isaac Gale was commissioned to pay homage to the symphonys first concert seven decades ago with the Wartburg Choir at Christmas With Wartburg.

Nederhiser describes the commissioned piece as a beautiful work that celebrates this connection through its use of orchestra, choir, AI-generated images of nature and surround sound. Its a cutting edge sensory experience that combines our celebration of the past with our pledge to the future of creating meaningful aesthetic experiences for our members and audiences.

Wartburg Community Symphony is believed to be the first orchestra in Iowa to use AI-produced digital images during a concert, Nederhiser said, and one of the first to combine orchestra, choir and images that are not linked to a click track.

For orchestras, a click track is a series of audio cues used to synchronize a moving image with the musicians and requires precise timing. Syncing without a click track means the orchestra sounds more in the moment. The music dictates the images, she explained.

Composer Hagen partnered with Gale who produced the series of AI nature images. There also is poetry from Minnesota Radio host Brian Newhouse and additional technology from Scott Winters of Ion Concert Media. Surround sound in Neumann Auditorium was provided Wenger Corporation Transcend System. Wartburg was a beta test site for the system.

Funding for the commission was provided by the Zimmerman Fund.

One of our missions is to connect with and pull in the next generation of audience members for symphony concerts. This combination is the wave of the future, Nederhiser explained.

The entire program was inspired by and reflects the wide range of birdsong found in the natural world, including Joseph Haydns Symphony No. 83 (The Hen) written in a minor key with the use of extreme dynamics, textures and tonal juxtapositions.

Violinist Sang Koh, a faculty member at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music in Cedar Falls and co-founder of the Interro String Quartet, will perform Vaughan Williams nostalgic A Lark Ascending. Respighis The Birds, which uses creative orchestration and an avian theme, also will be performed by the orchestra.

Winners of the Music Takes Flight competition, a joint project between the symphony and Wartburg Colleges Waldemar A. Schmidt Art Gallery, will be announced. Local artists were invited to create a suite of artwork based on Respighis The Birds that will be projected during each movement.

Winners are Danica Minard of Traer, a K-12 art teacher at North Tama County Community School, Valerie Leedom of Waverly, a retired graphic artist, and Meredith Ellingworth, a sophomore at Waverly-Shell Rock High School.
CEDAR FALLS  A dozen of an interim school principals colleagues packed the Board of Education meeting room Monday in support of a new contract to keep him permanently in the position.

They held signs expressing their appreciation for Tyler Ruane and his leadership at Cedar Heights Elementary School while complimenting the process in which the district made its hiring decision.

A few even held up pictures of the man whose agreement was later approved by the board as part of the human resources report.

They touched on his dedication, knowledge, and communication skills as well as his willingness to listen and help when able. His ties to the school as a former student were also highlighted.

His father is a paraeducator there and his children are students there, too, the educators pointed out.

Ruanes been serving in the interim role since the summer. His new contract, effective July 1, will pay him $92,000 for 260 days, which is standard for principals, according to Cedar Falls Community Schools spokesperson Janelle Darst.

The board also approved:

The resignation of Kim Cross, principal of Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, effective June 30.

A 28E agreement with the Jesup, Denver and Wapsie Valley school districts for a shared English teacher during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years as part of the Center for Advanced Professional Studies program. Cedar Falls Community Schools would cover $37,165 of the $74,330 in estimated salary cost as well as contribute toward other expenses such as insurance and vehicle mileage.

A $512,073 bid by Black Hawk Roof Company, one of two bids received for replacements of portions of the rooves at Cedar Heights Elementary School and Holmes Junior High over the summer.

Setting a March 21 public hearing for the proposed 2023-24 academic year calendar, with classes scheduled to run from Aug. 23 to May 29, 2024. It includes spring break March 11-15 and two inclement weather make-up days following the end of school. Graduation is scheduled for May 26 while May 30 and 31 would be the potential make-up days.

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Episode 77: Law enforcement officers and teachers are at the center of some of our countrys biggest political and policy debates.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how the political polarization around these two professions is harmful, making recruitment and retention of qualified people difficult.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Nurses retain top ethics rating in U.S., but below 2020 high, by Megan Brenan, Gallup

Poll finds confidence in police practices drops to a new low, Gary Langer, ABC News

A recipe for disaster. Deadly encounter in Memphis comes at a critical time in American policing, by Ray Sanchez, CNN

Education issues vault to top of the GOP's presidential race, Trip Gabriel, The New York Times

Organs in exchange for freedom? Bill raises ethical concerns, by Steve LeBlanc, The Associated Press

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.
On this version of Hot off the Wire:

 A white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket has been sentenced to life in prison without parole Wednesday after listening to the relatives of his victims express the pain and rage caused by his racist attack. Wendesday's sentencing hearing for Payton Gendron was disrupted briefly when he was charged by a man in the audience, who was quickly restrained.

 Rep. Matt Gaetz says the Justice Department has ended a sex trafficking case with no charges against him.

 Americas consumers rebounded last month from a weak holiday shopping season by boosting their spending at stores and restaurants at the fastest pace in almost two years.

 The Ohio village upended by a train derailment and the intentional burning of some hazardous chemicals on board has invited residents to a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to discuss lingering questions.

 Officials in Arizona anticipate "an extended closure of the state's main southern highway, a day after a deadly crash caused a hazardous material leak and forced evacuations nearby.

 Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her intention to resign.

 A Kentucky lawmaker has introduced a bill to prosecute illegal abortions as homicides. The measure drew pushback from the states anti-abortion attorney general.

 Republican Nikki Haley has kicked off her 2024 presidential campaign.

 Justice Department prosecutors investigating the mishandling of classified documents at Donald Trumps Florida estate are seeking to pierce the attorney-client privilege.

 Support among the American public for providing Ukraine weaponry and direct economic assistance has softened as the Russian invasion nears a grim one-year milestone. Thats according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

 Among sermon writers, there is fascination  and unease  over the fast-expanding abilities of artificial-intelligence chatbots. For now, the consensus is this: Yes, they can write a passably competent sermon. But no, they cant replicate the passion of actual preaching.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he will challenge a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing Trump investigations to compel his testimony before a grand jury  pursuing it to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by the Justice Department, is investigating efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump spent the days before Jan. 6, 2021, aggressively pressuring Pence to reject the outcome, even though Pence had no power to do so. Pence was at the U.S. Capitol presiding over a joint session of Congress as Trumps supporters violently stormed the building that day.

Let me first be clear: Im going to fight the Biden DOJ subpoena for me to appear before the grand jury because I believe its unconstitutional and its unprecedented, Pence told reporters in Iowa, the state that will hold the first contest of the 2024 nominating sequence.

Never before in American history has a vice president been summoned to appear in court to testify against the president with whom they serve, he said.

Pence said he was prepared to take the case as far as it needs to go, if needs be to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The posture marks an aggressive turn for Pence, who has been laying the groundwork for a likely presidential run. While it remains unclear whether Pence will succeed in delaying or limiting the scope of his testimony, the posture gives the former vice president a new opening to attack the Justice Department, which has become increasingly unpopular among conservatives, in part due to Trumps constant attacks.

Indeed, Pence repeatedly criticized the department Wednesday, complaining of a two-tiered justice system that Republicans have been dealing with throughout the Biden administration.

The Associated Press previously reported that Pence was ready to contest Smiths demand for his appearance on constitutional grounds. He argues that because he was serving in his role as president of the Senate on Jan. 6, he is protected under the Constitutions speech or debate clause from being forced to testify. That provision is intended to protect members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment. The Justice Department, which had earlier declined to comment on Pences subpoena, is expected to oppose the former vice presidents efforts and make the case that his cooperation is essential.

Pence noted during an earlier stop in Minneapolis that he had written and spoken extensively about Trumps efforts to pressure him to overturn the results of the election  something he did not have power to do  and has repeatedly denounced Trumps efforts as reckless and dangerous.

I have nothing to hide and Im proud of what we accomplished. But for me, this is a moment where you have to decide where you stand, and I stand on the Constitution of the United States, he said.

He added that he expects Trump to try to assert executive privilege to block his own testimony. Thats not my fight. My fight is on the separation of powers, Pence said.

Pence made his remarks after headlining events in Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids aimed at rallying conservative parents opposed to transgender-affirming policies in public schools. The events came as a federal appeals court was expected to hear oral arguments in St. Paul, Minnesota, in a case brought last summer by a national group representing parents of students in Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids.

Parents Defending Education is trying to overturn a policy adopted by the school board last year allowing transgender students to request a gender support plan to begin socially transitioning at school without the permission of their parents. Pences advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has filed an amicus brief in the case, as have dozens of mostly conservative groups and several conservative states.

Across the country, parents rights are being trampled by a politically correct nanny state thats ruining our schools and telling our parents that they have no role in their childrens most important decisions, Pence said in Minneapolis, where he argued that parents must be informed of such decisions. You do not craft a gender transition plan for my child without my knowledge or consent, he said.

Though Pence says he has yet to make a decision about 2024, he has visited leadoff Iowa several times since the 2020 election. And his Wednesday event had the look and feel of a campaign stop, held in a pizza restaurant where candidates commonly hold court with voters.

Pence is hoping to draw the support of social and religious conservatives in what could be a crowded primary contest that already includes Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who formally launched her campaign Wednesday.

To that end, Pences advocacy group launched a new campaign last week on the schools issue, a flashpoint for many on the right, as Haley and other presidential prospects, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, prepare for their own visits to the state this month.

Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Dubai again is planning for the takeoff of flying taxis in this futuristic city-state on the Arabian Peninsula, offering its firmest details yet for a pledged launch by 2026.

Since 2017, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates has offered promises to launch flying taxis in the city already home to the world's tallest building and other architectural wonders. A series of different types and companies have cycled through those promises as well, most timed to be included at Dubai's annual World Government Summit, which saw this year's edition begin Monday.

Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced the relaunched flying taxi program on Twitter on Sunday. This time, Dubai highlighted the six-rotor electric flying taxi made by Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California, in the promotional video.

The inclusion of Joby Aviation, rather than the Chinese-made EHang 184 and XPeng X2 or the German-made electric Volocopter all previously displayed in Dubai, wasn't explained by Emirati officials. Joby aircraft featured at a stand at the World Government Summit on Monday.

Were excited about the opportunity and actively exploring the possibility, said Oliver Walker-Jones, a spokesman for Joby Aviation.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, an official in the emirates Roads and Transport Authority, similarly told the state-owned Dubai Eye radio station on Monday that "its early days for the plan.

We havent yet signed with any partners yet," he said.

Another difference in this year's promise on flying taxis is the release of specifics about the program. The city plans four vertiports by Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest for international travel, downtown Dubai, the manmade Palm Jumeirah archipelago and Dubai Marina. Those points will include two launching pads and four charging points for the flying taxis.

We believe those are attractive areas with business hubs and tourist hubs that could generate considerable demand, Bahrozyan said.

The pricing for the flying taxis will be in the range of a limousine service in Dubai, maybe slightly higher, Bahrozyan said. The RTA describes limo services rates as at least 30% higher than taxi fares in the city. Taxis have a minimum fare of around $3.25 and charge $0.50 a kilometer.

Another departure from earlier plans include the RTA planning to have piloted flying taxis at first, rather than autonomous ones as previously discussed. Dubai officials described the taxi as having a pilot with four seats for passengers on board, which match Joby's electric flying taxi. However, Bahrozyan said tests would continue with autonomous flying taxis as well.

The Joby prototype can fly more than 150 miles before needing a charge  something which would put Abu Dhabi and other areas of the country within range. It takes off and lands vertically, while its rotors tilt forward in flight. It has a maximum speed of 200 mph.

Joby Avation Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was at $4.20 a share before trading Monday. Its major shareholders include Intel Corp., while Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines also has invested.

The video posted by Sheikh Mohammed's Twitter account also included the logo of London-based Skyports Infrastructure, which also refers to its support projects as vertiports. The company already is testing its vertiport model outside of Paris and is working with Joby. Skyports did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Opening the skies to flying taxis would add to the Blade Runner skyline of Dubai, while also easing the real-world grind of daily traffic thats only worsening as its population booms to over 3.5 million people.

Photos: Dubai boom sees Russian cash and reborn projects
Non military space based objects when used for military purpose will most likely be targeted. Civilian infrastructure in space being provided to Ukraine for military purposes may become a legitimate target for a retaliatory strike (c) Russian Foreign Ministry

Think Starlink Satellites and other commercial satellites used for targeting by the USA are and will be military targets. Due to the usage by the USA of such technology. Against all rules of war of course

This is rather only a political issue that is being hashed out by the Russian Duma

The Russian Federation has the technical capabilities to destroy orbiting satellites and much more

I say, send Starlink to the Davy Jones Locker of outerspace

Sooner than later

WtR
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. &&
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. will begin selling adult-use cannabis products at its Bristol dispensary on Friday morning, according to the company.

Recreation sales will begin at 10 a.m. at the dispensary, located at the site of the former Applewood Diner at 820 Farmington Ave. There will be a ribbon-cutting event that includes food, music and giveaways.

The dispensary hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, with the first hour reserved for medical-only sales.

Recreational cannabis purchases are capped at a quarter ounce of flower or its equivalent per transaction. Medical marijuana users can buy up to 5 ounces per month.

Trulieve has a long history in Connecticut that dates back to the first medical cannabis sale in 2014, so we are proud to now offer adult-use cannabis in the state, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said in a statement.

Our team is ready to welcome patients and customers into this beautiful new Trulieve dispensary. We remain committed to supporting our patients throughout their cannabis journey and expanding our offerings to Connecticuts new adult-use cannabis market.

Adult-use cannabis was legalized in June 2021. The Bristol City Council voted 4-3 during a special meeting in September 2022 to allow for hybrid recreational cannabis sales in the city.

The ordinance put no caps on dispensaries, cultivators, micro cultivators, producers, food and beverage manufacturers, product manufacturers, product packaging, delivery service or transporters. It purposefully left out retailers and hybrid retailers to allow for the manufacturing and growing of cannabis but not selling.

We amended the ordinance to include hybrid-retail but no more than two in the city, council member Cheryl Thibeault said in September. I supported hybrid retail in the city. Everybody in the room agreed about the benefit of medicinal dispensaries and I did not want to see our pharmacy leave if they could not expand. I felt like I needed to advocate for the 3,000 patients that rely on medical cannabis in the city.

Recreational cannabis sales began Jan. 10, 2023, throughout the state. Sales hit $5.1 million in January, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Combined with medical marijuana sales of $8.2 million, cannabis sales totaled $13.3 million for the month.

The sales do not include taxes on adult-use cannabis. Those include state sales tax, a tax that goes to the city where the dispensary is located and a tax based on the THC level in the cannabis. Medical marijuana is not taxed.

Information from Courant reporters Ed Stannard and Stephen Underwood were used in this report.


Rougemont Production Testing Update Coals Begin Unloading

Brisbane, Feb 16, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - After several months of careful draw-down to reduce water levels in the combined Rougemont-2 vertical well and Rougemont-3 lateral wells ("Rougemont"), State Gas Limited ( ASX:GAS ) ( STGSF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to advise that the pilot is beginning to show early signs of the coals unloading their gas.



As of 14 February 2023, gas flow rates have exceeded 50,000 cubic feet per day and are steadily increasing despite water levels being still 170 metres above the uppermost coal seam. Coincident with reaching desorption pressure, the well commenced surging both gas and water, indicating good permeability and strong drive. It is anticipated that, as further water is removed from the well and drained from the coal cleats, gas rates will continue to climb.



Executive Chairman, Richard Cottee advised that the strong early gas flows at this stage of dewatering were an early sign of the success of the lateral well technique at Rougemont 2/3.



"The fact that we are already getting 50,000 standard cubic feet per day flow rates when the coal is still 170 metres underwater is extremely pleasing" said Richard Cottee, Executive Chairman.



"I can't wait to see the flow rates when the water level falls below the coals and gas is more freely liberated", Mr Cottee said.



The Company will keep the market informed of continued progress with production testing results from Rougemont and is now evaluating the location for further step-out wells to support an initial resource estimate for the project.



Accelerating the delivery of pipeline quality gas from Rougemont is a critical part of the Company's strategy to supply the tightening eastern seaboard gas market. Production from Rougemont could be additional to that included in the ACCC's long term supply analysis. Gas from the Company's permits is not restricted by domestic gas reservation requirements, and therefore, has the flexibility of being sold to either local customers or export markets.





About State Gas Limited





State Gas Limited (ASX:GAS) is a Queensland-based developer of the Reid's Dome gas field, originally discovered during drilling in 1955, located in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland. State Gas is 100%-owner of the Reid's Dome Gas Project (PL-231) a CSG and conventional gas play, which is well-located 30 kilometres southwest of Rolleston, approximately 50 kilometres from the Queensland Gas Pipeline and interconnected east coast gas network.

Permian coal measures within the Reid's Dome Beds are extensive across the entire permit but the area had not been explored for coal seam gas prior to State Gas' ownership. In late 2018 State Gas drilled the first coal seam gas well in the region (Nyanda-4) into the Reid's Dome Beds and established the potential for a significant coal seam gas project in PL 231. The extension of the coal measures into the northern and central areas of the permit was confirmed in late 2019 by the Company's drilling of Aldinga East-1A (12 km north) and Serocold-1 (6 km to the north of Nyanda-4).

State Gas is also the 100% holder Authority to Prospect 2062 ("Rolleston-West"), a 1,414 km2 permit (eight times larger than PL 231) that is contiguous with the Reid's Dome Gas Project. Rolleston-West contains highly prospective targets for both coal seam gas (CSG) and known conventional gas within the permit area. It is not restricted by domestic gas reservation requirements.

The contiguous areas (Reid's Dome and Rolleston-West), under sole ownership by State Gas, enable integration of activities and a unified super-gasfield development, providing economies of scale, efficient operations, and optionality in marketing.

State Gas is implementing its strategic plan to bring gas to market from Reid's Dome and Rolleston-West to meet near term forecast shortfalls in the east coast domestic gas market. The strategy involves progressing a phased appraisal program in parallel with permitting for an export pipeline and development facilities to facilitate the fastest possible delivery of gas to market. State Gas' current focus has been to confirm the producibility of the gas through production testing of the wells.
The Acting Companys mission is to develop actors by touring professional theater across America.

Fifty-one years later, the latest crop of actors is currently touring across America performing two classics  The Three Musketeers and Romeo & Juliet.

Leah C. Gardiner is the director of the William Shakespeare classic, Romeo & Juliet.

The gripping drama spun out of the ancient grudge between two families makes Romeo & Juliet as relevant to modern society as it was to audiences four centuries ago. The star-crossed lovers follow their passion to the ultimate tragic end.

Gardiner says the company breathes new life into the classic tale.

I wanted to make it fresh, young, vibrant and accessible to those on tour, she says. Part of the mission of The Acting Company is to reach young audiences and to cast young actors newly out of school.

Gardiner decided to make the play revolve around a Latinx family.

She says her 17-year-old was able to spend a month in rehearsal with the company.

There was one moment when the choreographer created this wonderful dance for the play, she says. My son came over and said we should do it as a mosh pit. It changed the dynamic of the play.

Gardiner says the play has Lady M  or Montague  as a single parent. Her relationship with Romeo changes.

In the original play, Romeo never speaks to his mother, she says. In ours, shes talking to her nephew and they see Romeo coming to the skateboard park.

Gardiner says theres also another twist where Romeo goes to kiss Juliet at the party.

She stops him, Gardiner says. Then Juliet initiates the kiss. I want young women to know that they are empowered on how they want to engage with others. Juliet is a rocker and shes very different than her family. Her parents dont understand her and shes a bit of a tomboy.

Gardiner says having the opportunity to work with young actors excites her as she matches their hunger and vivacity for exploration within the characters.

This bunch of actors are willing to try anything, she says. These young actors are brave in choosing such a profession that is difficult. They arent giving up on themselves. Theres one actor that plays seven characters in The Three Musketeers. Each one of them has amazing drive.
Cynthia Lukas journey is coming full circle.

The filmmaker will premiere the documentary, Kasturba Gandhi: Accidental Activist, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Santa Fe Film Festival.

Being selected to the Santa Fe Film Festival means the most to me because Ive been showing my films here for years, Lukas says. Im thrilled to come back and show what Ive been working on for the last five years.

Lukas says the documentary is the first feature film on Mahatma Gandhis wife and reveals information about her and her husband that only a few Gandhi scholars have known.

The narrator is acclaimed actor of film and television, Naveen Andrews.

Lukas began the film while she lived in Santa Fe. The production took the filmmaker to India, South Africa and U.K. as she filmed at Gandhi sites, and interviewed Gandhi relatives and scholars. She worked with Santa Fe-based editor Molly McKinley.

In 2019, Lukas moved from Santa Fe to Kansas to care for her 93-year-old mother and completed the documentary. She has dedicated it to her mother, Margaret Lukas, now 96.

When I was co-producing two documentaries on Gandhis life, I was stunned to learn there was no feature film about her, who was with him every step of the way, Lukas says. I made it my mission to correct history.

Born in 1869, she was the wife of 62 years to an icon of the 20th century, whose disciples include Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. But Gandhi, the Master of Nonviolence, credited her with teaching him about nonviolence. Then she became one of the first women activists in modern history, creating a legacy for women today to follow by taking action in their communities for freedom and human rights.

The films subtitle, Accidental Activist, references how unlikely this true story is.

When Kasturba Gandhi was growing up in a small traditional Indian village in the late 19th century, she expected to become a traditional Indian wife and mother. But when her parents married her to Mohandas Gandhi at the age of 13, her life was turned upside down. She became a wife and later a mother, and then a woman who led a march of women for womens rights, and going to prison in 1913.

The biggest obstacle from a technical point of view is there isnt a lot of archival photographs of her, Lukas says. I was extremely fortunate that the Gandhi Foundation was able to give me footage of her. They wanted me to make the definitive biography of her.

The documentary is slated to premiere on PBS beginning March 1 in honor of Womens History Month.
Its midway through February and Mardi Gras is fast approaching this Tuesday. So here are some activities to laissez les bons temps rouler. Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.

Time for a Mardi party

The Friends of Folk Art are throwing a duo of 21+ Mardi Gras-themed events in support of the Museum of International Folk Art.

From 5:50-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, don festival gear for the Masquerade Ball. Then, from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. get your groove on and boogie the night away at the Dance Party.

Tickets to the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball are $175, plus fees, and tickets to Post Masquerade Dance Party are $50, plus fees, at internationalfolkart.org . Both events are at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 463 Paseo De Peralta in

Santa Fe.

Mount Mardi

Grab your krewe and head to Red River for Mardi Gras in the Mountains. The six-day event, Feb.16-21, features music, balls, a parade and more.

Visit mardigrasinthemountainsredriver.com for the full schedule of events.

Pas de deux with a vampire

Festival Ballet Albuquerque is bringing Dracula, A Love Story to the National Hispanic Cultural Center stage.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18, Bram Stokers classic gets a ballet twist.

Tickets run $12-$49, plus fees, at nhccnm.org . The NHCC is located at 1701 Fourth St. SW.

Pretty fly

New Mexico Trout is hosting a duo of events this weekend at the UNM Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NE.

From noon-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, Devin Olsen will lead a fly-tying workshop. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Olsen and Noah Parker will be guest speakers at the conclave event, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tickets for each day are $30 or $50 for both days. Children under 13 are free with paying adult. Tickets are available at newmexicotrout.org or Los Pinos Fly Shop, 4360 Cutler Ave. NE.

Theyre a little bit country 

Country rock band Sawyer Brown is coming to Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino, 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe.

The Some Girls Do hit-makers will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17.

Tickets run $39-$69, plus fees, at holdmyticket.com

Music and poetry

Youre invited to Santa Fes Strata Gallery, 418 Cerrillos Road, for Discovering the Music of Poetry.

The event, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, features an interactive, musical exploration of the poetry of Joan Logghe.

Tickets are $25, plus fees, at holdmyticket.com

See how they run

Albuquerque is playing host to the 2023 USATF Indoor Championships through Saturday, Feb. 18.
A ribbon cutting will mark Thursdays grand opening of the Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Brain Injury (ISUBI) Center at the University of New Mexico.

The building will house state-of-the art laboratories and clinical research testing spaces for a broad range of studies related to substance use and brain injury.

According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the state has had the nations highest alcohol mortality rate for decades, and it also has one of the highest rates of unintentional overdose deaths, mainly due to prescription opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine and methamphetamine. New Mexicans also suffer a much higher rate of traumatic brain injuries than the rest of the country.

The two-story 15,700-square-foot facility was built as a new wing on the west side of Pete and Nancy Domenici Hall, 1101 Yale Blvd. NE.

The first floor will have laboratories and imaging technology, while the second floor will house pediatric and family testing, intensive care data monitoring capabilities and other research tools.

In addition, the upper floor will provide a simulated bar laboratory for alcohol use studies, an apartment laboratory for overnight monitoring studies and custom-designed and ventilated laboratories for studying inhaled substances.

The projects $12 million price tag includes a five-year, $4 million construction grant from the National Institutes of Health, and $8 million in UNM Health Sciences funding.
Prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to show jurors gruesome Snapchat videos of three men beating two teenage boys found shot and stabbed to death at a remote location on the West Mesa in 2018.

Once at the West Mesa, Collin (Romero) and Ahmed (Lateef) were tortured before they were ultimately killed, prosecutor Natalie Lyon told jurors in her opening statements in the trial of three men charged in the killings.

Stephen Goldman Jr., 23, Jimmie Atkins, 26, and Julio Almentero, 18, each are charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of kidnapping, two counts of armed robbery and other charges in the boys deaths.

The bodies of Lateef, 14, and Romero, 15, were found buried in a shallow grave in Sandoval County about two weeks after their disappearance in December 2018.

Lateef was shot 19 times and Romero at least nine times  injuries intended to torture the boys, Lyon told the 2nd Judicial District Court jury. District Judge Stan Whitaker is presiding.

Both Collin and Ahmed had gunshot wounds that were not fatal  that would not have resulted in their deaths  but would have inflicted pain, Lyon said. The boys also were beaten and had cutting wounds, she said.

Defense attorneys on Wednesday told jurors to remain skeptical of evidence and testimony offered by the prosecution.

Atkins attorney, John McCall, told jurors that the case against his client relies heavily on the testimony of unreliable witnesses with criminal histories.

McCall singled out Anthony Aragon, 39, who has pleaded guilty to helping bury the boys bodies in Sandoval County and is expected to testify in the trial.

I want you to ask questions about this older man who was hanging out with these younger kids, McCall told jurors.

A judge last year sentenced Aragon  Almenteros uncle  to six years in prison for helping conceal the boys bodies in a remote area west of Rio Rancho.

Aragon, pleaded guilty Dec. 7 to two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of conspiracy.

Prosecutors allege that the fatal events began when Lateef arranged to buy a firearm from Goldman. When Goldman asked why Lateef needed a gun, the boy responded that he had been robbed by that white boy Flex  a nickname for Atkins.

Goldman decides he isnt going to sell somebody a gun to get back at his friend, Jimmie Atkins, Lyon said. Instead, Goldman decides to teach (Lateef) a lesson that you dont mess with my friends.

As they drove the boys out to the West Mesa, Atkins took Snapchat videos from the front seat of the car as Almentero beat the two boys in the back seat, Lyon told jurors. Goldman was driving the car and shouting encouragement to Almentero, she said.

Prosecutors allege that after the three men killed Lateef and Romero, they put the boys bodies in the trunk of a white Buick sedan, then drove to a car wash to clean blood off the vehicle.

Police have said that Aragon met the co-defendants at the car wash before he and Atkins drove the Buick to Sandoval County where they left the boys bodies in a remote location.

Atkins and Aragon later returned to the site to bury the bodies after police and family members began an intensive search for the boys, Lyon said.

McCall also warned jurors to remain skeptical of testimony from Goldmans father, Stephen Goldman Sr., 46, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to tampering with evidence and conspiracy and was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Goldman acknowledged burning the white Buick used in the killings near his home on Laguna Pueblo.

McCall said the senior Goldman doesnt want to talk about the events, raising questions about his role in the killings.
Lawmakers are weighing competing proposals to change Connecticuts tax credit program for the film and media industry as local producers, crew and actors say theyre concerned about losing work to states with more aggressive incentives.

Connecticuts program has come under criticism for costing the state over half a billion dollars in lost revenue over the last decade, and Gov. Ned Lamonts previous commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development called on lawmakers last summer to consider capping or reducing the incentive program.

A group of House Democrats has put forth a bill this session that would phase out the credit entirely.

I can think of so many other worthy places to invest that money, particularly with entities and in areas that are committing and recommitting to furthering Connecticuts economy, said Rep. Melissa Osborne, D-Simsbury, one of five legislators who introduced the legislation, House Bill 5423.

But industry advocates  and a recent study commissioned by DECD  assert that film, television and digital media production provides economic value to the state that more than makes up for the cost to taxpayers.

Industry representatives have pushed lawmakers to expand the program, and this week members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee indicated their intent to raise the concept, An Act Concerning the Film and Digital Media Production Tax Credits, in an initial vote, though a bill has not yet been drafted.

The credit is good, but right now its not going to entice bigger players to come in, said Jonathan Black, co-owner of Chair 10 Productions in Newtown. Black, who recently moved to Connecticut from Los Angeles with his wife (and Chair 10 co-owner) Lauren and their two daughters, said he believes a larger credit would attract longer-term investments from companies looking to shoot multi-season television shows or a steady stream of feature films.

Thats what Im trying to build, he said.

Connecticuts Film and Digital Media Production Tax Credit currently offers up to 30% off qualified production expenses and costs incurred in the state. The proposed expansion, once drafted, could seek to raise the credit to as much as 37% in regions of the state where the industry has less of a presence. Established companies like ESPN, NBCUniversal and WWE would be eligible only for the current 30% discount for production occurring in their existing facilities.

Theyre OK with the credit as is, great. So were going to look at areas that need the boost and carve it out, Black said. At a press conference with producers, actors, crew and industry advocates last week, Black suggested further tweaks to the current incentive such as additional credit for hiring from underrepresented groups or for companies that retrain local workers who want to switch careers.

Those ideas mirror initiatives other states have passed, most notably New Jersey, which expanded its tax credit last year from 30% to 35% in certain counties and now offers a 2% to 4% diversity bonus for hiring from underrepresented groups. Producers in the Northeast said they immediately experienced fallout from New Jerseys film tax credit expansion as productions chased lower costs.

Along with Connecticut, New York is now considering expanding its tax incentive program  from 25% to 30%  and raising a cap on the credit. Connecticuts program has no cap.

Critics have denounced state incentives aimed at attracting film production as a race to the bottom, and several studies have found the economic benefit of state programs often pale in comparison to their cost.

Production activity may build up somewhere for a period of years as long as tax incentives are available, but as soon as a better credit comes along, theres little to keep new projects from going elsewhere. And many local projects call in crew and actors from outside the state  a feature of filmmaking that those in the economic development business find difficult to square.

Production companies can also sell their tax credits to other companies, which they often do at a discount in order to obtain the cash more quickly. One study found that over a decade, as much as 60% of the film tax credits Connecticut issued were claimed by insurance companies.

Still, Connecticuts film tax credit achieved a greater return than many other states programs targeting the industry, according to researchers with Olsberg-SPI, who recently conducted a statewide study. Thats partly due to a second component of the program, the states Film Infrastructure Tax Credit, which incentivizes construction of production facilities like soundstages by covering 20% of any infrastructure costs over $3 million.

Last year, then-DECD Commissioner David Lehman suggested lawmakers explore the costs and benefits of the states film tax credit programs, recommending they consider either capping the credit at a certain dollar amount or reducing the percentage.

Incoming DECD Commissioner Alexandra Daum hasnt commented publicly on the tax credit. In an email this week, a spokesman for the department said DECD had no immediate plans to change it, adding the department regularly evaluates the efficacy of its programs.

The states tax credit for film, television and digital media have provided the greatest benefit to ESPN, NBCUniversal and WWE, returning tens of millions of dollars in tax credits back to their operations since 2009. Theres no limit on the number of years companies can apply for the credits.

Its like a bigger and bigger hole in your pocket, said Shelley Geballe, who has researched the program and published reports on its economic impact for advocacy group Connecticut Voices for Children. Film and television tax credits are less effective than incentives the state offers to other industries, Geballe said, but they bring in Hollywood people and the committees get star-struck. [Geballe is a member of the CT Mirrors Board of Directors.]

Osborne said the proposal to phase out the tax credit is meant to start a conversation about how to make the incentive more effective. There are people in real need, she said. I would love to see the film industry partner with us here in Connecticut to become a long-term vibrant partner, to sustain its industry and to become a real part of our economic fabric.

Ahead of last weeks press conference, Danielle Conti, a Connecticut-based actor and production assistant, was greeting people in the Legislative Office Building atrium and directing them to the event location. Conti grew up in Stonington and participated in theater until the pandemic, when she began volunteering as an extra in film productions.

Just being around the moving pieces, watching the crews, made me feel at home, Conti said. But the industry life, particularly in Connecticut, isnt easy, she said. Thats why she turned out to support the effort to expand the tax credit.

If Connecticut were to raise the tax credit, Black said later, my phone would be ringing off the hook.

Erica E. Phillips is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror (ctmirror.org). Copyright 2023 (c) The Connecticut Mirror.
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center has hired more correctional officers than it was required to in the first six months since an order meant to address severe understaffing was implemented.

The August court order called for the jail to increase the number of staff it had by 13 in the first six months.

According to a county news release, there are now 286 correctional officers  three more than the jail was required to have by the Feb. 11 deadline. The jail is 54% staffed, it said.

Over the past year MDC had surpassed a 50% vacancy rate among correctional officers and twice had to call a state of emergency because there werent enough people to run the jail.

Inmates are frequently on lockdown  meaning they cant leave their cell to take a shower or make a phone call  and there has been an increase in deaths over the past three years.

The court order, which was agreed to by Bernalillo County commissioners and attorneys representing incarcerated people as part of the McClendon Settlement Agreement laying out reforms at the jail, mandates that MDC add 111 full time correctional officers in two years.

Over the next six months it has to add 26 additional officers.

The court order also called for MDC to track out-of-cell time for inmates in general population, to replace the call button system used to alert staff of emergencies, and to perform monthly quality assurance reviews of the current system.

Tia Bland, a Bernalillo County spokeswoman, said that the county hopes that in the next 30 days a contractor will be on-site working on installing a new call button system. She asked the Journal to submit a records request for out-of-cell time audits.

Alexandra Freedman Smith, an attorney in the McClendon suit, said she could not comment on those audits but she could say that people are still not getting out of their cells as much as they should.

Inmates at MDC are still locked down for much of the time due to the staffing shortages which causes tension within the jail, she said. Its difficult for inmates to deal with particularly those with mental health issues.

A recent job fair on the MDC campus garnered 21 new applicants, according to a news release.

The county gave officers a 13% raise across the board in July. Starting pay is $20.34 an hour and increases to $21.36 an hour after cadets graduate from the eight-week academy. There is also a hiring bonus of $5,000 for new correctional officers and $10,000 for lateral hires and officers with corrections experience.

Being able to increase staffing, when everyone is having trouble hiring people, is an uphill battle, but our recruiting team is slowly but surely getting us there and I appreciate that effort tremendously, MDC Warden Jason Jones said in a news release.

Jones came to the facility from Texas in late October.

Joseph Trujeque, the president of the union representing MDC correctional officers, said he thought the county should have set much higher goals.

We have a long way to go, Trujeque said. Were seeing a little bit of light but we have a long way to go.

He said the union and management is working hard to hire more people, including improving recruiting and no longer requiring psychological exams for new hires.

Once theyre hired, if people want to promote or do anything above and beyond just being a standard CO  we have special assignments, firearms, if you want to get Taser- certified or mace-certified  then you have to take a psych eval, Trujeque said.

That change was made last week he said.

Bland said the evaluations screened for basic reading skills and reading comprehension and included a 10 minute interview. She said there is no concern about the people who will be hired who previously would have been disqualified.

Warden Jones decided to eliminate psychological examinations for new hire correctional officers only because its an entry level position and only a high school diploma or GED is required, Bland said.
SANTA FE  New Mexico legislators narrowly shot down a proposal intended to make it easier to jail more people as they await trial, questioning whether it would violate the state Constitution.

The bill was rejected Wednesday on a 4-3 vote in its first hearing before the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.

It would have directed judges to presume that defendants charged with certain crimes  such as first-degree murder and felony child abuse  are too dangerous to release before trial, subject to rebuttal by defense attorneys.

Opponents said the bill would violate the rights of people accused, but not convicted, of a crime. They also argued that serious charges alone arent a good predictor of whether a defendant will commit a new crime upon release.

Theres nothing that shows this statute is actually going to make us safer than whats happening now, said state Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat and retired law professor.

It wasnt an entirely partisan debate. Republican lawmakers supported the measure while Democrats were split.

Democratic District Attorney Sam Bregman and a top law enforcement officer in Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration argued in favor of the bill as a commonsense way to improve public safety.

New Mexicos pretrial system is broken  plain and simple, Bregman said. He added: Im not blaming anybody. Im asking for help.

The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat who spoke about the terror of having her own home shot at in a politically motivated attack.

Opponents included the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and organizations representing defense lawyers.

Kim Chavez Cook of the Law Offices of the Public Defender outlined a series of recent state Supreme Court decisions that she said suggest the rebuttable presumption approach based solely on a persons charges wouldnt survive a legal challenge.

We need to find a solution that does not violate our state Constitution, she said.

Sedillo Lopez said detaining people who are safe to release  or even innocent  inflicts its own damage on families.

I believe our system is worse if we convict innocent people and we hold innocent people, she said.

Sen. Antonio Moe Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat who has worked as a prosecutor, said its clear New Mexico needs more aggressive monitoring of defendants who are released before trial. And he suggested judges in the Albuquerque area have sometimes set the bar too high by rejecting detention motions filed by prosecutors.

But Maestas also argued the bill would intrude into the domain of the judiciary.

I just dont think the Legislature makes criminal procedure, he said.

The committee voted 4-3 to table the bill, a move that keeps it from advancing further.

Tabling a bill is usually fatal, but not always. The idea could be resurrected in separate legislation, or the committee could revisit its decision.

And lawmakers are already considering other options.

Voting in favor of tabling the legislation, Senate Bill 123, were Democratic Sens. Gerald Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque, Brenda McKenna of Corrales, Bill Tallman of Albuquerque and Sedillo Lopez.

Opposed to tabling the bill were Republican Sens. Gregg Schmedes of Tijeras and David Gallegos of Eunice, in addition to Maestas, a Democrat.

The proposal is one of many this session aiming to reshape New Mexicos pretrial detention system as lawmakers wrestle with whether the state releases too many defendants who go on to commit new crimes.

It would have outlined a series of charges  including serious violent felony offenses  that would trigger a rebuttable presumption against release of the defendant. A judge could still order the person released, if the defense offered arguments that outweighed the presumption.

Legislative analysts estimated the bill could cost the state about $15 million a year in additional detention costs.

Other ideas

At least two other pretrial-detention measure are advancing at the Capitol this year:

 A constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 9, to make more defendants eligible for pretrial detention. It has cleared one House committee and is awaiting action in another. If approved by lawmakers, it would go to voters.

Its sponsored by Republicans Reps. Andrea Reeb of Clovis, Bill Rehm of Albuquerque and Stefani Lord of Sandia Park.

 A second proposal, sponsored by Schmedes, centering on pretrial defendants charged with new crimes. It cleared one Senate committee and is awaiting action in another.

Its similar to but more narrow than what was debated Wednesday.

The Schmedes proposal, Senate Bill 174, would direct judges to presume that a defendant who is charged with first-degree murder while out on pretrial release is too dangerous to release again, subject to rebuttal by defense attorneys. There is also a provision in the bill dealing with defendants who pick up other new charges.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  A former Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico has been nominated to serve as the next deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The granddaughter of migrant farm workers, Xochitl Torres Small has been working as an undersecretary in the agency with a focus on rural development. Her nomination was announced Wednesday by the agency and members of New Mexicos congressional delegation.

Torres Small served on the House Agriculture Committee during her one term in Congress. For nearly two years, she has overseen loans and grants to provide infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion and business development as undersecretary for rural development.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement described Torres Small as an exemplary member of USDA leadership, saying she represents the heart and soul of rural communities.

Torres Small started out as an organizer in southern New Mexico before joining former U.S. Sen. Tom Udalls team as a field representative. She also practiced water and natural resources law after earning a degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

In 2018, Torres Small won by less than 4,000 votes to flip a traditionally Republican-leaning district that spans oil and gas country, border communities and desert valleys known for their agricultural production.

She lost her re-election bid to Republican Yvette Herrell in 2020 and was tapped the following year by the Biden administration to lead the agencys rural development office. Her husband, Nathan Small, is a state lawmaker.
And another one bites the dust. Last week Game Commission Chair Deanna Archuleta quit after two weeks on the job. (Shed been on the commission for a year, vice chair for half.) Archuleta said she found her work and family responsibilities meant she no longer had time for the commission.

She joins ex-commissioners Jeremy Vesbach, a lifelong professional conservation advocate removed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2022; Roberta Salazar-Henry, who resigned last year; and Joanna Prukop, a wildlife biologist who worked 25 years at N.M. Game and Fish and was not reappointed by the governor in 2019. Four seats are now open on the seven-member commission, making a quorum impossible.

So pardon us for raising an eyebrow to Archuletas claim my hope was to create some stability. I feel like I was able to do that to some extent.

The fact is New Mexico depends heavily on outdoor recreation, and that needs proper land and game management based on science. Yet the seven commission members are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the governor, can be dismissed without cause and bizarrely are not required to have any expertise in wildlife conservation.

Thats why House Bill 184 deserves serious consideration. Its reforms include having the Legislature appoint four of the commissioners; setting qualifications ranging from farmer/rancher to hunter/angler to wildlife scientist; and allowing removal only if a commissioner shows incompetence, negligence or malfeasance in the role.

Game commissioners are entrusted with managing and protecting public land and wildlife on behalf of the residents of New Mexico. Its past time the law let them.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
As the New Mexico film industry continues to grow at a record pace, there have been some obstacles to overcome.

The big one is studio space.

Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director, said New Mexico isnt alone in this struggle. On Wednesday, Dodson announced eight new qualified filming facilities around the state.

Finding studio space is an industry-wide problem, Dodson said. With the newly certified sites, it helps create the space we need for productions because there is so much demand for space.

Productions utilizing qualified facilities in New Mexico, as per the states film incentive, are eligible for a 5% uplift on qualifying expenditures.

With the eight additions, the list of Qualified Production Facilities is now 21 statewide, Dodson said.

Albuquerque will be adding two new qualified production facilities: Hanover Studios, located on Albuquerques West Side, and The Studios at Journal Center.

Hanover Studios offers a newly built 25,000 square-foot stage. A second duplicate stage is planned.

The Studios at Journal Center includes a 23,146 square-foot stage, a 21,000 square-foot mill space, dock access, a 10,000 square-foot space for production offices, as well as parking.

Were seeing people here working nonstop; we create a lot of jobs, said Brian Fantl, vice president of The Studios at Journal Center.

Dodson said The Studios at Journal Center is a stellar example of economic development in New Mexico, specifically in creating a new opportunity for transitioning industries.

Dodson said the Santa Fe area now boasts two more qualified production facilities with Santa Fe Midtown Studios and Stanley Ranch, a standing set movie ranch located south of Santa Fe in the town of Stanley.

Stanley Ranch sits on 480 acres, includes an original house built in the 1920s, and has already been utilized by television series such as Roswell and Waco.

Las Cruces expands its filming infrastructure with three new qualified production facilities  Calcot/Hayner Soundstage, which includes over 30,000 square feet of space; Miranda Soundstage, a 7,000 square-foot facility; and SFM, a 9,984 square-foot facility.

Dodson said the structures are owned by 828 Productions, an official state film partner that has committed to spending $75 million dollars in New Mexico over 10 years.

Were excited to bring three new Qualified Production Facilities online in Las Cruces and do our part in furthering the growth of cinematic infrastructure in southern New Mexico, said Todd Lundbohm, founder and CEO of 828 Productions.

Quixote/SSPS is also a newly qualified production facility in the southern part of Albuquerque. It includes a 7,700 square-foot space for filming and a 5,800 square-foot warehouse.
A New Mexico State Police sergeant is accused of raping a woman last weekend at his home in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Kevin Keiner, 31, is charged with criminal sexual penetration and has been placed on administrative leave as the agency investigates the allegations.

A warrant was issued Wednesday for Keiners arrest.

Ray Wilson, a State Police spokesman, said Keiner has been with the agency for seven years.

Officers are held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and any act of misconduct by an officer erodes the confidence that the public has placed in us, State Police Chief Tim Johnson said in a statement, adding his agency will cooperate fully in the investigation.

Johnson added, My officers work hard to establish trust in our communities and we will not allow the actions of one officer to undermine our efforts.

The Las Vegas Police Department is investigating the alleged rape.

On Sunday, a detective met with a woman at the hospital after she reported being raped by Keiner, according to a arrest warrant affidavit filed in Magistrate Court. The woman told police she called Keiner so she could file a police report after a drunken fight with her brother.

Police said the woman told them she has known Keiner as a friend for five years, but there had never been anything sexual between them. She said Keiner had insisted they become more than friends.

The woman told a detective Keiner picked her up in his police unit and, instead of taking her to file a report, brought her to his house, according to the affidavit. She said that, once there, he told her to take a shower and got in with her.

Police said the woman told them she blacked out and woke up to Keiner raping her, and, afterward, he tried to keep her from leaving the house. She provided a recording to police where she can be heard accusing Keiner of rape and asking him to let her leave.

Keiner told police the woman asked him to join her in the shower and she nodded her head in a yes motion before they had sex, according to the affidavit. Keiner said the woman never blacked out and accused him of rape.

Police said Keiner told them he and the woman had been intimate in the past and sent nude videos to each other, according to the affidavit. Police searched the womans phone and found messages between the two going back months.

Police said the messages showed the woman canceled plans with Keiner quite frequently and only seldom talks about kissing and hugging, with no explicit videos exchanged.

In a follow-up interview, the woman told police the uniform scares the (expletive) out of me now, according to the affidavit. After being told Keiner said she was just buzzed, the woman said she was drunk enough to be throwing up at his house.

Police said several people who saw the woman before the incident told police she was drunk enough to have trouble walking. A man who picked her up after she left Keiners home on foot said she was still intoxicated and emotional from the events that just took place.

The man told police that, after he picked the woman up, a State Police vehicle came down the same road with its spotlight on possibly looking for (the woman), according to the complaint. The man said he was not sure who was in the police vehicle, but it looked like (Keiners) unit.

More from Matthew Reisen


SANTA FE  Two rural water projects in New Mexico are getting a cut of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Monday that the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System would receive about $62 million in fiscal year 2023 to construct some 26 miles of pipeline. Additionally, the Jicarilla Apache Rural Water System will receive $12 million for water treatment plant upgrades.

The Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System is designed to make more surface water available as water in the Ogallala Aquifer declines and serves the Cannon Air Force Base, as well as Clovis, Elida, Portales and Texico.

Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said this project is vital to the area maintaining a steady water supply. Simply put, our groundwater is going away. The water table is going down, he said.

The Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System also received $160 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money in fiscal year 2022.

Morris said the federal and state governments have been involved in the project for decades and provide 75% of the funding. The state pays 15%, and 10% comes from the localities that use it.

While that 10% is small in relation to the rest of the grant funding that were receiving, even that is burdensome for us in the member communities, Morris said.

The project also received about $17 million through federal appropriations and $30 million from the state last year. Morris said its slated to receive $94 million in total this year from the federal government, including the Infrastructure Act funds.

The New Mexico projects are two of seven rural water projects nationwide that are slated for funding through the Infrastructure Act. In total, the projects will receive $278 million, building on the $420 million allocated for rural water projects last year.



More from Megan Myscofski
PERALTA  Wradiance, a 21-year-old bay mare, is stepping out more briskly than usual, demonstrating a little more edge than normal, as Terri Feldbusch works the horse on a lunge line in the show arena at Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue.

Maybe its the weather thats affecting the mare. A sharp wind is pushing clumps of dark clouds across a bright, blue sky and making the temperature seem a lot lower than the 30-something degrees it is.

Or maybe its the activity nearby. About a dozen volunteers are shoveling up horse droppings and tossing the waste in wheelbarrows. Wilderwoods six horses make for a lot of poop pitching.

But Waid Schlaegel, 12, has taken a break to watch Wradiance and Feldbusch, a Wilderwood equine assistant, in the arena. And he walks up to a round pen for a close look as Wilderwood executive director Rebecca Evanko puts Don Vivaldi, a 5-year-old bay gelding, through his paces.

Waid has always liked horses from afar, said Patsy Schlaegel, Waids mother. He loves watching them. But he had never had the opportunity to brush them or ride them (before coming to Wilderwood). He does have an affinity for working with them and a gift for riding. Hes great at grooming them.

Wilderwood is a nonprofit that uses equine-centered programs to assist autistic children, youth and adults by emphasizing strengths, building self-esteem, promoting teamwork and goal-setting, introducing clients to the soothing nature of horses and more.

Waid is autistic. As is Wilderwood director Evanko.

Meeting a need

Autism refers to a wide range of conditions that include repetitive behavior, and challenges with social skills, speech and nonverbal communications. Autistic people may also respond differently than others to such sensory stimuli as light or noise. The degree of these conditions vary significantly from one autistic person to the next. Some need constant care, while others autistic traits are so subdued they may never be recognized, or are identified later in life.

Evanko, now 55, was 46 and had a Ph.D. in cognitive linguistics when her autism was diagnosed.

But I had been told all my life that there was something wrong with me, that Im deficient, defective, not worth anything, she said. It was devastating. Being diagnosed was affirming, a revelation. I was a perfect autistic child.

Autism is often associated with children, but, of course, autistic children grow up to be autistic adults.

Rebeccas husband, Mark Evanko, 64, an osteopathic physician, said there are more than 5 million autistic adults in this country. Although research indicates that autistic people have cognitive capabilities suited for detailed-focused, technical jobs, Mark said 80% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed.

Two-thirds of these people dont have intellectual disabilities, yet struggle with self-regulation and social interaction, he said. And there are almost no programs for adult autistic people.

The Evankos started Wilderwood in December 2018 to meet a need.

Building trust

Wilderwoods development was hampered by the COVID pandemic.

We spent the first couple of years just putting things together, Rebecca said.

But now, Wilderwood, in the town of Peralta, about 25 miles south of Albuquerque, is evolving rapidly. The Evankos say the therapy centers programs served six people in 2021 and 134 in 2022. They are projecting that 250 people will take part in Wilderwood programs this year.

Those programs include:

Hautism : A one-week immersive retreat for autistic women, and transgender and non-binary participants. Activities include individual and small-group discussions, reflective assignments and fieldwork, and may include equine and wildlife interaction. Cost: $1,600.

: A one-week immersive retreat for autistic women, and transgender and non-binary participants. Activities include individual and small-group discussions, reflective assignments and fieldwork, and may include equine and wildlife interaction. Cost: $1,600. E/ASEL (Equine/Autistic Social Emotional Learning): Six 90-minute weekly sessions for autistic youth 8-18. Combines equine-assisted activities with an autistic form of social emotional learning. Autistic adults participate as mentors and role models. Cost: $600.

Six 90-minute weekly sessions for autistic youth 8-18. Combines equine-assisted activities with an autistic form of social emotional learning. Autistic adults participate as mentors and role models. Cost: $600. Walk and Talk Guided Trail Riding: One-hour horseback-riding sessions in the bosque and along the Rio Grande. An opportunity to connect with a horse in a safe and supported environment. Cost: $120.

One-hour horseback-riding sessions in the bosque and along the Rio Grande. An opportunity to connect with a horse in a safe and supported environment. Cost: $120. Equine experience: One-hour session that allows on-ground or mounted experiences with one of Wilderwoods six horses. Cost: $150.

Rebecca, who grew up in Australia, found a comfort and stability around horses that her undiagnosed autism prevented her from experiencing with her family and other people. She said just being around horses can be beneficial for autistic people.

There are a lot of similarities between horses and autistic people, she said. Horses and autistic people find solace in our own kind, and find incomprehensible much of the non-autistic human world. In many ways, horses and autistic people are gullible, naive and open to literal interpretations. We want acceptance and celebration of who we are, the way we are. We need to build trust before admitting you into our world. But when we trust and learn to love, we are fiercely loyal, devoted and dependable.

Just being me

Wilderwood is in recess between November and March. Now, the center, which, in addition to program fees, depends on grants, donations and fundraising to operate, is preparing for a Saturday fundraising appearance by Temple Grandin, prominent author, educator, and advocate for animal welfare and autism rights.

Kenzie Davison, 42, who lives in Tijeras, was among the volunteers helping clean up the Wilderwood grounds on a recent weekday morning. Davison also participated in Wilderwoods Hautism program this past summer.

She has not been formally diagnosed as autistic, but Davison, whose background includes studies in behavior and play therapy, figured it out for herself.

I dont process information the way other people do, she said. Historically, I was more comfortable with adults than children. And I have a lot of sensory challenges  bright lights. I can hear high-pitched noises.

She said the most valuable aspect of the Hautism program was that it let me be me and allowed her to hang out with others like her.

But she also appreciates the interaction with the programs horses, the creating of a comfort zone.

I dont typically ride horses, she said as she pulled up a picture on her phone that showed her stretched out, reclining on a horses back, and another of her on horseback with arms outstretched. Theres me. No hands on a horse.

Horses are special

Besides serving as a therapy center, Wilderwood is a licensed New Mexico horse rescue operation.

Odysseus, or Ode, a 30-year-old, 17-hands tall gray Andalusian/Percheron cross was rescued from a kill pen in Louisiana.

In addition to Odysseus, Wradiance and Don Vivaldi, the Wilderwood horses are Del Toro, also known as Digger, a 19-year-old gray Spanish Arabian; Don Desperado, or Desmond, a 6-year-old bay whose favorite food is watermelon; and Lady Faith, a 12-year-old Palomino mare.

Bryana Childers said her 16-year-old son, Ronin Manuel, knew all the horses by name from the first time he met them and also just how much feed each one gets.

Ronin is autistic and has been in equine therapy programs since he was 3 or 4. He has participated in Wilderwoods E/ASEL program and a summer camp program at the center.

Childers said the programs seem to calm her son and to extend his attention span, which helps with the math class he is taking at Manzano High School.

Those horses are special, she said. They dont mind quirkiness. And (Ronins) mentors are autistic, and thats hard to find. When he found a connection with some of his mentors, that was it for me.

Schlaegel said her son Waid has not been formally diagnosed with autism, but exhibits many of the traits.

He does not always look people in the eye, Schlaegel said. He gets anxious in large crowds. He does not like people behind him, like sitting in a church or in a stadium. He does not always follow social cues well.

But she said that, since Waid started taking part in Wilderwood programs last March, something about him changed and improved.

He trotted a horse around the round yard the first time he got on, she said. He definitely became more comfortable in his own skin. He became a little bit more outgoing. He understands it is OK to experience your emotions, but not always to act on them. He looks happier.

If you go

WHAT: Author, educator, animal welfare and autism rights advocate Temple Grandin appears at fundraiser for Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 18, Grandin signs copies of her book Visual Thinking. And 2-4 p.m. Saturday, lecture by Grandin, presentation by participants in Wilderwoods youth program and demonstration of Legerete dressage by James Riedeman.

WHERE: Wilderwood Equine Therapy, 7 Wildwood Lane in Peralta.

COST: Admission for morning book-signing is by gate donation to Wilderwood. Tickets to the afternoon event, which may be purchased at templegrandinatwilderwood.eventbrite.com, are available in two categories. Regular admission is $30, plus a $3.46 fee. A ticket sponsoring one of Wilderwoods six horses goes for $300, plus a $19.89 fee, and gets the purchaser a photo with the sponsored horse, and dinner with Temple Grandin and Wilderwoods executive team.

WHAT ELSE: For information, go to wilderwoodequinetherapy.org.

More from Ollie Reed Jr.
What are your dichos? Are they the same as your neighbors?

New Mexicos many languages and dialects are a vital component of our states culture. Now, a new poll says some New Mexicans fear the loss of their dialect and they want something to be done about it.

A poll by Writing Tips Institute, a website that publishes guides for writers, found that not only are New Mexicans concerned about the gradual loss of their unique slang, a majority support legislation aimed at protecting the dialect.

Chuy Martinez, a former coordinator for the Albuquerque Cultural Services Department, said protecting New Mexicos linguistic diversity is important.

Its very important, especially because were one of the only states, or the few states, that are really into bilingual education  dual-language, which is more than just bilingual, Martinez said. Dual-language in the state, it includes some of the Native American cultures.

In New Mexico, language, of course, it varies, because every family has different ways of talking.

The poll was released in early February by White Hot PR, which said the institute surveyed responses from about 3,000 residents. Other details about polls methodology were not disclosed.

The release references laws passed by the British government to protect and preserve the Welsh language. The United States passed a similar law to protect Native American languages.

According to the poll, 57% of New Mexicans surveyed said they would like for the local dialect to be protected by law. It is not clear what such legislation protecting a specific state dialect would look like.

Martinez said New Mexican communities have so many dichos, or sayings, that are unique to their circles. Some sayings end up making it into the mainstream, like the term orale, which is used as a general positive exclamation, like right on or OK.

Theres so many uses for orale!' Martinez said.

The press release also cites local sayings such as Christmas style, for red and green chile together in a dish, as things that New Mexicans dont want to go out of style.

Preserving local dialects is important not just for linguistic diversity, but for cultural preservation as well, Writing Tips Institute founder and CEO Shaun Connell said in the press release. Each states dialect is a reflection of its history, community, and identity.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea called North Korea our enemy in its biennial defense document published Thursday, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years, as tensions worsen between the two countries.

North Korea conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests in 2022, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea. In response, South Koreas conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been seeking a stronger U.S. security commitment and boosting its own military capabilities.

Descriptions of North Korea in past South Korean defense white papers reflect the changing rocky ties between the two Koreas. Past South Korean documents called North Korea the main enemy, present enemy or enemy in times of animosity. But they avoided such references when relations were improved.

North Korea doesnt give up its nukes and is persistently posing military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military  is our enemy, the 2022 South Korean defense white paper issued Thursday said.

The document noted that in December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called South Korea our undoubted enemy in a speech at a key ruling party meeting. It also cited the passage of a new North Korean law authorizing pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons in a broad range of scenarios.

The document said the North Korean nuclear program and provocations are seriously threatening our security. It said the main objectives of South Korean defense policies include bracing for threats and a potential invasion by North Korea, deterring a war on the Korean Peninsula and contributing to a peaceful future Korean reunification.

North Korea didnt immediately respond to the revived use of enemy terminology in the South Korean defense paper, though it has lashed out at past such labels, calling them provocations that demonstrated South Korean hostility.

South Korea first called North Korea its main enemy in 1995, a year after North Korea threatened to turn Seoul into sea of fire  rhetoric the North has since repeatedly used when confrontations flared with the South.

During a previous era of inter-Korean detente in the 2000s, South Korea stopped using the enemy terminology, but revived it after 50 South Koreans were killed in attacks blamed on North Korea in 2010  46 in the torpedoing of a navy ship and four in the shelling of a border island.

South Korea again avoided using enemy labels when it was governed by Yoons liberal predecessor Moon Jae-in, who espoused greater reconciliation with North Korea. Defense documents published during Moons 2017-2022 rule didnt mention North Korea by name when they said South Koreas military considers any force that threatens and violates the sovereignty, territory, people, and properties of the Republic of Korea as an enemy.

The latest defense paper refers to Kim Jong Un by name without any of his titles, while previous papers issued under Moons government used both his name and titles  Chairman Kim Jong Un or State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un.

Yoon, who took office in May last year, has vowed a stern response to North Korean provocations. During his election campaign, Yoon wrote on Facebook that the main enemy is North Korea after it conducted a series of missile tests.
The Connecticut Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case on Friday that alleges discrimination against a Vietnamese officer who was fired from his job with the Hartford Police Department, records show.

The Hartford-based state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is appealing to the states highest court following an appellate courts decision to overturn a trial court ruling that found there to be sufficient evidence of discrimination against Khoa Phan, a former probationary police officer who is of Vietnamese ancestry and was fired by the department, according to court records.

Records show that Phan began working for the department on Dec. 14, 2010, and at first received satisfactory performance reviews. Those reviews turned negative, the commission alleges in court records, after Phan allegedly had discriminatory interactions with a Hartford sergeant, records show.

Phan filed an affidavit of illegal discriminatory practice with the commission following the termination of his employment as a probationary police officer. He reported that the sergeant allegedly made derogatory remarks about his ancestry, questioning whether he spoke proficient English when he immigrated to the United States and whether members of the Hartford community could understand him when he spoke, records show.

The commission alleges that the sergeant openly displayed a discriminatory and hostile attitude toward Phan and his ancestry, according to records.

He allegedly asked Phan if citizens of Hartford had a difficult time understanding him and allegedly said that hardcore criminals must be laughing at Phan when Phan tells them what to do, court records show.

After holding a hearing to review Phans filing, the commission found that the city of Hartford had discriminated against Phan and brought the case to New Britain Superior Court, where the trial court ultimately agreed with the commissions findings. The city then appealed to the Appellate Court, claiming that the trial courts findings were improper because there was not substantial evidence to support intentional discrimination, records show.

The city argued that the sergeants remarks did not impact Phans employment because that particular sergeant was not involved in his termination, records show.

The city also argued that Phan was terminated following acts of alleged dishonesty and unprofessional behavior that were not connected to his interactions with the sergeant in question, records show.

The appellate court found that there was not enough substantial evidence to support a connection between the sergeants remarks and the decision to terminate Phans employment, court records show, and reversed the trial courts ruling.

Now, the commission is questioning whether the appellate courts reversal based on a lack of evidence was proper, a question now facing the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Courts sixth term of the 2022-23 court year began Wednesday and is scheduled to run through Feb. 23, according to court officials.
Presbyterian Hospitals new Downtown tower is impressive. Its shiny. Its new. Its enormous. But will those things be enough?

Thats at the heart of a question posed by Journal reader K.K. after the Journal reported that the hospitals newest tower at its Downtown complex is ready to open its doors.

What good are these extra beds if there a shortage of doctors? K.K. wrote on Feb. 6.

New Mexicos problems attracting and retaining enough medical doctors to serve its needs are well-documented. In recent months, local doctors have raised fears that the situation will worsen  due in part to high medical malpractice premiums, low Medicaid reimbursements and having to pay gross receipts taxes on medical services.

New Mexico in 2021 had 1,649 primary care physicians, 700 less than the state had in 2017, according to the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Annual Report. The state is 334 primary care physicians below national provider-to-population benchmarks, according to the report.

Presbyterian isnt immune to those problems, said hospital CEO Dionne Cruz Miller in an email.

Like the rest of the country, at Presbyterian we are seeing a shortage of clinicians, Cruz Miller wrote in an email in response to K.K.s question. While we are hoping to see the market improve in the coming years, we see this new tower as a tool for recruiting and retaining clinicians. The tower will not only provide better access to safe, quality care, for our patients and members but well create a better environment for our clinicians and employees to provide that care.

Presbyterians greatest need right now is in primary care physicians, Cruz Miller said. Ob/gyns and surgeons are also a major need.

That said, Cruz Miller added, the hospital actually recruited more physicians in 2022 than in 2021.

While the hospital is constantly hiring, Cruz Miller said in the short-term, the hospital is not increasing staffing for the new tower. Instead, existing staff will move into the tower while other areas of the hospital get remodeled.

The hospital is also increasing use of telemedicine, and is participating in an initiative headed up by the states Office of Broadband Access Expansion to increase access to specialty telemedicine in rural communities where broadband issues can limit engagement in telemedicine, Cruz Miller said.

Cruz Miller said the solving clinician shortage problem will take a multi-pronged approach.

Weve appreciated the ongoing support through the Governor and Legislature to build pipelines for physicians and other medical professionals like nurses and medical assistants. This continued focus on programs that provide a strong pipeline of talent is critical. Through private and public sector collaboration, we can grow talent in New Mexico to help fill the clinician shortage gap were experiencing today, Cruz Miller said. New Mexico has also opened many pathways for advanced practice clinicians to deliver care in more extensive ways than in other states. Weve appreciated the path paved to help physician assistants and nurse practitioners work at the top of their licensure.

More broadly, physicians who spoke to the Journal earlier this month said theyre recommending a number of other changes to help solve the problem. Those include:

 Making improvements to a professional loan repayment program

 Incentivizing community health centers

 Improving Medicaid reimbursement

 Reclassifying outpatient health care facilities to lower liability cap, allowing access to medical malpractice insurance

 Eliminating gross receipts tax on medical services

 Requiring timely credentialing by insurance companies and hospitals

Journal Action Line answers your questions. Send us an email at yourstory@abqjournal.com with the subject line Journal Action Line, and let us know if we can use your name or just your initials.
Multiple shootings were reported in a short time span at high schools from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho to Santa Fe on Thursday afternoon  causing a brief panic as first responders and worried parents scrambled to the scenes.

Authorities said the calls turned out to be hoaxes and Albuquerque Public Schools said they have contacted the FBI about the calls.

We also want to remind the public that making a hoax threat carries heavy federal penalties and will be thoroughly investigated, APS said on Twitter.

UPDATE: Police in several states are investigating reports of school safety threats today. A similar threat is being investigated at Volcano Vista High School.  APS (@ABQschools) February 16, 2023

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said police received a single call from an out of state number reporting a shooting at Volcano Vista High School on the citys West Side.

He said when officers showed up, the principal and staff told them they had not reported a shooting and officers found no evidence that anything had happened.

Within an hour, the police scanner erupted with chatter from local agencies about similar reports at other schools in the area.

Around 12:40 p.m., a call came in claiming shots were fired in the Bernalillo High School cafeteria, and that one student was down and another was hiding in the bathroom.

But the call, Bernalillo Public Schools Superintendent Matt Montano said, came after students had already had lunch, meaning there wouldnt have been anyone in the room.

Still, the high school went into a roughly 40-minute lockdown, during which first responders swept through the entire building but found nothing suspicious, Montano said.

Its horrible that this kind of thing is having to happen, but Im very proud of our team and the way that we responded into an immediate lockdown and protecting our students, he said. Its a little bit scary for our kids right now, so were gonna have to do some work to make sure that we calm them and calm parents.

Upon hearing of the potential situation, parents flocked to the school, waiting anxiously at the school gates in hopes of picking up their children. Two parents stood outside holding each other, on the verge of tears, as officers swept the school carrying AR-style rifles.

One woman who had spoken with her daughter, who was in class during the ordeal, said, Ive never heard my daughter so scared.

Shortly after the Bernalillo call came in, another call claimed that there had been another shooting at Rio Rancho High School  a claim that again turned up no evidence when local police responded, according to a Facebook statement from the Rio Rancho Police Department.

In addition to Volcano Vista and Bernalillo high schools, Tierra Antigua Elementary School and Tony Hillerman Middle School, which are near Volcano Vista, were put into shelter in place.

Police in several states are investigating reports of school safety threats today,APS said on Twitter soon after.

In Santa Fe, police said they responded to a reported shooting at Santa Fe High School  which was not in session  in a similar call that law enforcement has received nationwide. Police said the campus was cleared and no threat was located.
Cover Images/Dave Longendyke Celebrity

The 46-year-old actress, who starred alongside Raquel in the 2001 rom-com 'Legally Blonde', takes to social media to pay a glowing tribute to the iconic star after she passed away at the age of 82.

Feb 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Raquel Welch was "glamorous beyond belief," according to Reese Witherspoon. The 46-year-old actress, who starred alongside Raquel in the 2001 rom-com "Legally Blonde", took to social media to pay a glowing tribute to the iconic starafter she passed away at the age of 82.

Reese, who played Elle Woods in the hit movie, wrote on Twitter, "So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. [dove emoji] Sending love to her family and her many fans [heart emoji] (sic)"

Elsewhere, Raquel's management company, Media Four, has also paid tribute to the late actress. The company said in a statement, "Raquel Welch, the legendary bombshell actress of film, television and stage, passed away peacefully early this morning after a brief illness. Her career spanned over 50 years, starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs. Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter, Tahnee Welch."

Raquel rose to fame in the 60s, when she appeared in the sci-fi movie "Fantastic Voyage" and the fantasy movie "One Million Years B.C". The actress subsequently became one of the most in-demand stars in the movie business and an international sex symbol.

Raquel was particularly well-known for playing strong female characters and in 1974, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her performance in "The Three Musketeers". She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the 1987 drama "Right to Die".

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The Duchess of Sussex wrote the blog post in 2014 despite claiming in an interview following her engagement to Prince Harry that she 'didn't know much' about her fiance and his family before she met him.

Feb 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle had apparently been interested in the royal British family years before she met Prince Harry. On Wednesday, February 15, a blog post, in which Meghan discussed Kate Middleton's wedding and the chatter surrounding the royal, from her now-shuttered lifestyle website resurfaced online.

In the 2014 blog post, Meghan shared her take on princesses and royal weddings. According to Daily Mail, the former "Suits" actress insinuated that she was tired of hearing the "endless conversation" about the royal wedding, which took place on April 29, 2011.

Meghan additionally revealed that she dreamt of being a "royal rebel" than "a Cinderella" as a child. The Duchess of Sussex shared that unlike most little girls who "dream of being princesses," she wanted to be "She-Ra, Princess of Power."

She allegedly elaborated, "For those of you unfamiliar with the '80s cartoon reference, She-Ra is the twin sister of He-Man and a sword-wielding royal rebel known for her strength. We're definitely not talking about Cinderella here."

She continued, "Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy. Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate."

The blog post was contradictory to Meghan's claims back in 2017. In an interview following her engagement to Prince Harry, she said that she "didn't know much" about her fiance and his family before she met him.

That aside, Meghan opened up about her time running the blog, which she called The Tig, on his and husband Harry's Netlix docuseries "Harry & Meghan". "I've never really been the type of person to do only one thing," she explained. "I guess that's how my website was born...There was fashion. There was tons of food and travel. It was all the things I loved. And The Tig wasn't just a hobby, it became a really successful business."

"I was writing op-eds about your self worth. And about being biracial and about volunteer work. When I would do 'Suits', I would in hiatus go to India. Go to Rwanda and do cause-driven work," she continued. "That's what I was excited about. I wasn't trying to find, like the great indie film that's gonna get me an Oscar. No. I just wanted to go and volunteer."

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In a new interview, the actor, who played Duke Simon Basset on the hit Netflix series, shares that the reason for his shocking departure from the show is not a complicated matter.

Feb 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Rege-Jean Page opened up more about his shocking decision to leave "Bridgerton" after just one season. In a new interview, the actor, who played Duke Simon Basset on the hit Netflix series, revealed that the reason for his departure was not a complicated matter.

"I signed up to do a job and I did the job and then I did some other jobs," he told Vanity Fair for their Hollywood Issue cover story. "That's it. That's the story. I wish it was more glamorous than that."

The British star went on to say, "We finished the story. The temptation would be to roll with the distractions and go, 'Oh, well, the story went really well so we can kind of change this up and make some other stuff up, I guess.' That was never what we'd signed up to do."

Rege-Jean continued, "It's overnight for everyone else, nothing changes for me. When it's tough, when no one wants you in the room, when you've got to fight to bust down the door-you do the work, you turn up. It works or it doesn't." He added, "The trick is to make sure that you focus on your job as hard as you did when you were struggling to get to do your job."

During the interview, the actor also discussed his next plan while addressing rumors that he will star in the new James Bond movie. "It's a conversation people are having, and it's terribly flattering that they're having it," "The Gray Man" star said. "I leave them to it."

"It's not a thing that is fully occupying my thoughts," he continued. "I've got enough on my plate at the moment. I worry about the work I have, not other people's jobs."

Meanwhile, Rege-Jean's on-screen lover Phoebe Dynevor recently confirmed that she won't return for season 3 of "Bridgerton". While attending the Sundance Film Festival on January 28, the actress was asked about "any exciting dynamics coming up for Daphne in 'Bridgerton' season 3." In response, "The Colour Room" star said, "Sadly not in season 3. Potentially in the future. But season 3, I'm just excited to watch as a viewer."

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been dissed by the Comedy Central show in a new episode mockingly titled 'The Worldwide Privacy Tour' over their row with British royal family.

Feb 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were ridiculed as "dumb and stupid" in the latest episode of "South Park". While Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were not mentioned by names in the cartoon, which was titled "The Worldwide Privacy Tour", the couple - who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 - bear a strong resemblance to central characters The Prince and Princess of Canada, who simultaneously requested privacy while drawing attention to themselves.

Starting with the news that the Queen of Canada had died, the episode saw the pair arriving for her funeral and being booed by other royals for their attitude towards the monarchy - with one even farting on the Princess of Canada's face.

Another scene showed the couple boarding their private jet for a global "We Want Privacy" tour, taking in countries including Australia, India, and France as the pair chanted about their dream of being left alone.

Later in the episode, the couple - who eventually move to South Park in their quest for a normal life - appear on "Good Morning Canada" and hold up signs, with the prince's saying "We want privacy" and the princess holding one carrying the slogan "Stop looking at us."

Asked if he hates journalists, the prince agrees but the couple then storm off the show when the host points out his royal guest is also a journalist because of his new book "Waaagh", which has a very similar cover to that of Harry's memoir "Spare".

The couple eventually move to South Park in their quest for a normal life, infuriating locals, in particular their new neighbour Kyle. The youngster moans, "They have this huge jet parked in front of my house and they keep on wanting me to buy their book."

And while the group's classmates sit discussing the "prince and his wife" in the school dining hall, he ranted, "It's seriously driving me crazy. I'm sick of hearing about them. But I can't get away from them, they're everywhere. In my f****** face." Stan replied, "Look, Kyle, we just kind of don't care about some dumb prince and his stupid wife."

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Authored by Manish Dangwal

Globally, and in India, too, there has been increased attention on privacy, and many customers today are wary of how organizations use their data. With data volumes exploding and the number of channels through which data is shared continuing to rise, the challenge for organizations is to protect personal data and use it responsibly without violating customer trust. Trust is the most critical factor in todays fiercely competitive business world, and once broken, is extremely hard to regain. But how can organizations stay compliant and protect customers data against a backdrop of increasing major data security breaches? For context, according to records from the Indian parliament, Indian banks reported 248 successful data breaches by hackers and miscreants between June 2018 and March 2022. Additionally, with the growing array of data formats and storage mediums (i.e., structured, unstructured, human generated, machine generated, in the data center, on the edge, fast moving, slow processing, in the cloud, within on-premise applications, etc.), consumers are becoming wary of where their data may end up and the implications of it falling into the wrong hands.

Attitudes to Data Privacy Amongst Indian Consumers

To truly understand consumer attitudes towards data privacy today, OpenText commissioned a survey and discovered some interesting takeaways. Indians are increasingly concerned about how their data is being managed and protected in this new normal. In fact, more than nine of ten (93%) worry more about their personal data now that organizations operate distributed work models, with almost four in ten (38%)

expecting those organizations to ensure everything is secure, no matter where their employees work from. Data privacy clearly matters to consumers, even though a quarter (24%) dont actually know what specific data is used, stored, and accessed by organizations. However, once

a customers trust is broken, so too is their loyalty to a brand. Almost three in ten Indian consumers (27%) would no longer use or buy from a company they were previously loyal to if it failed to respond to a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR)  including among others the right to be informed, the right of access, the right of rectification and the right of erasure  while close to a third (31%) would no longer use or buy from a

company if it shared their personal data with third parties for anything other than its specified purpose. Those organizations that can protect customer information will have a significant competitive edge. More than four in five (83%) in the survey said they would pay more for a company or third party to keep their information safe  almost identical to the 84 percent who said the same in a similar OpenText survey conducted in March 2020.

Best practices to ensure privacy and an information advantage

The above results show us that by acting proactively to address the concerns of customers around the protection of their personal data, organizations can differentiate hemselves in the marketplace and give themselves an information advantage. Some of the recommended best practices include:

Establish a strong information management core

Strong information management is required to improve productivity and mitigate data privacy risk. Disconnected systems can lead to uncontrolled siloes that hinder collaboration and productivity. Using a modern content services platform, organizations can consolidate key system to streamline information governance and bolster information sharing by implementing policy-driven, role-based access to reduce

unwanted exposure. Businesses must also remove siloes to get one comprehensive view of all their information  both structured and unstructured data  and understand how personal data is managed. With information governance solutions, organizations can manage the

flow of personal and sensitive information from capture through archiving and disposition  ensuring agile information governance to reduce risk, increase security, and address the increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Organizations that take an integrated data-centric approach are in the best position to support critical foundational data privacy management needs including data discovery and risk remediation, data

retention, Subject Rights Requests management and data security.

Get smarter with embedded AI

Many organizations are sitting on years of data and terabytes of content that has not been appropriately classified to understand its contents, value, and risk. Examples include network file shares, or laptop archives. Using AI-powered data discovery tools, organizations can scan this unmanaged or unclassified data to identify personal and sensitive data in content stores and assess the severity of the risk to strengthen

adherence to privacy and compliance mandates. Once tagged, risky and sensitive content can be protected and secured with just a few clicks. Also, bulk policies can be set once repeated patterns are identified.

Records retention & data minimization

Under modern privacy law, organizations can no longer collect as much information about their customers as they want. Organizations need to limit retention beyond what is directly relevant and necessary to accomplish a specified purpose  following the principle of data minimization. This is particularly challenging since the growing volume and complexity of data is making it harder to manage. These retention practices are a

key aspect of operationalizing a privacy program. Information governance solutions can help organizations improve the way they keep track of where data is located, where it is stored, what categories of data are being managed and when it is time to dispose of personal data based on these minimization requirements, helping organizations to meet data sovereignty requirements.

Automating and managing key privacy processes

Demands made by data subjects and consumers seeking to act upon their exercisable rights  mainly subject right requests (SRRs)  continue to expose many businesses who continue to perform manual activities and struggle to meet prescribed deadlines. That is why automation and workflow management remain top data privacy technology capabilities being pursued today. Investment in robust privacy management solutions

that have strong case management tools to track performance, can go a long way to operationalizing SRR request process and workflows from SRR intake to fulfilment, to support an enterprise privacy program.

Creating a Culture of Cyber Resilience

With cybercrime presenting a formidable challenge to modern life and work and the potential to wreak havoc on our businesses, there is a greater need for organizations to deploy technology to keep their information, including personal data, safe and secure. However, state-of-the-art cyber security and network protection technologies alone are not enough since a security breach will inevitably occur and can be triggered by the

simple action of an employee who unwittingly clicks on a dangerous link. The real focus should be on cyber resilience for optimum security. Cyber resilience is the ability to continuously deliver intended operational outcomes, despite any barriers thrown up by adverse cyber events. It requires total network, endpoint, and user protection, as well as data recovery, as part of a robust defence-in-depth strategy. Moreover, it mustnt stop there. Conducting regular training sessions to ensure employees are aware of cyber risks is a critical component of cyber resilience. These

steps, supported by components of a comprehensive cybersecurity suite will enable organizations to continue running their operations without the disruption of files and servers being locked due to a cyber-attack.

Be ready for the unexpected

Distributed work models, incessant growth of data volumes and information sources, data security breaches on the rise, and an increased awareness of more stringent data privacy regulations have led to growing concerns among consumers about how their personal data is managed and secured. New information privacy, governance and protection practices are needed to address these concerns, especially with the focus on

privacy expected to continue. According to Gartner, 75% of the worlds population will have its personal data covered under modern privacy regulations by the end of 2024. Whether it is geo-politically driven needs for data sovereignty, continued supply chain disruptions, or new ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) regulations, organizations need to be ready for the unexpected. They can take an important step forward in this new unpredictable and data-heavy world by establishing an integrated data management approach that will help maintain the trust and loyalty of customers, offer a powerful point of differentiation in the marketplace and create a true information advantage.
Hashtag Orange, a leading digital marketing agency celebrated Valentines Day with zeal. The company captured the essence of the event by cherishing the ideology of Employee Honour, to portray their love and respect for the employees. Every year, Valentines Day is celebrated worldwide to celebrate love. This year, Hashtag Orange emphasised that brands must love their employees to succeed in the corporate arena.

The successful digital marketing agency distributed a token of appreciation in the form of a Certificate of Love. The mentioned initiative was a warm gesture by Hashtag Orange that conveyed the message of employee love and how the brand values all its employees. Over the years, corporates across the nation have emphasised the significance of Employee-Emancipation. The company seized the opportunity of Valentines Day to promote the concept of employee welfare and encourage a joyous and vivacious work culture.

The distributed certificates were enticing and had an attractive floral pattern depicting the Red Roses which are a universal symbol of love. It is right to state that Hashtag Orange made this Valentines Day a cherishable affair for its employees through the dedicated HR endeavours of certificate distribution to make every employee feel special.

Commenting on the prospects of the occasion, Mukesh Vij, the founder of Hashtag Orange said, Valentines Day is a beautiful occasion that portrays the significance of eternal love. We at Hashtag Orange strongly advocate the significance of Employee-Love. We believe it is essential for every company to acknowledge and honour their employee contributions to thrive commercially. Our employees are a valuable asset to us and we cherish every contribution made by employees towards the brand progression. To celebrate the festive spirit, we distributed the Certificate of Love to all our employees to honour their rigorous endeavours and professional integrity. Our employees are special to us and this year, we dedicated Valentines Day to our precious employees.

It is noteworthy that numerous commercial brands have celebrated Valentines Day with bubbling spirits. For instance, Cadbury has launched their limited edition of Pink-Heart chocolates to portray the universal beauty of love. Philips launched a Self-Love oriented campaign which accentuates the concept of distinct styles to embrace individuality. Prominent corporations have celebrated the occasion this year to disseminate the exquisite message of universal affection and Self-Love.
Statistics indicate that India's influencer marketing industry was valued at above 12 billion Indian rupees in 2022. It's projected to see a 25% compound annual growth rate over the next five years, with the industry's market value approximated to reach 28 billion Indian rupees by 2026.

The influencer marketing industry is becoming increasingly important as it helps Indian brands create awareness and increase visibility.

Most influencers usually have large, engaged followers. When they promote a brands services or products to these followers, the brand is exposed to a new audience, increasing visibility and engagement.

Influencers can also create brand awareness by developing content showcasing a brand's services or products and highlighting its unique selling points. Once they share this content with their following, they can help establish a business as a reputable and trusted option in the market.

Understanding the Indian Market

The Indian consumer market isn't just vast, but it's also set to experience a rapid growth rate. Understanding its unique features can help entrepreneurs and SMEs excel in this market. Characteristics of the Indian market may include:

High penetration of social media

According to statistics, over 50% of India's population had social network access in 2020. By 2025, this social network's penetration will be 67% of the nation's population. This is partly due to a thriving telecommunication industry offering affordable mobile data as Reliance Jio blazes the digital communication trail for the average Indian.

With the rapid social media platform penetration, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, India's marketing industry has experienced a change as marketers from traditional to digital advertising strategies. Influencer marketing has notably seen a sweep across the country.

The Indian social media population is largely young and digitally savvy, with most of them following at least one or two social media influencers. Additionally, most users heavily depend on social media networks to find brands online. Besides this, the Covid-19 pandemic's adverse effects forced brands to market their businesses online, resulting in the rise of brands collaborating with influencers who produce authentic content to engage with their growing audiences actively.

The cultural significance of influencers

Culture plays a significant role in how consumers respond to marketing efforts. Users are likelier to trust recommendations from a real-life personality than direct ads from businesses. This means influencers with an engaged following and content aligned to culture will likely put Indian culture on the map, attracting more business engagements and investments. As such, more brands will want to collaborate with influencers, growing the influencer marketing industry.

Case studies

Indian brands have successfully leveraged influencer marketing to drive impact, as shown in the following examples.

Betway

Betway offers many online casino games, including real money online blackjack tables. Through their partnership with Nargis Fakhri, who has a vast social media presence, Betway has gained widespread popularity and massive growth. Per this example, an extensive yet relevant social media following is essential for successful influencer marketing.

The Loom

Loom, an Indian brand specializing in accessories, apparel, and more, boasts an Instagram feed with top celebrity posts. Celebrities like Karishma Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan don their accessories and apparel, which has resulted in their followers making Loom their brand of choice. In this example, Loom creates a more relatable collection via influencers their target market finds more in common, leading to impactful influencer marketing.

Yogabar

Yogabar, an online health food and drinks retailer, works with micro-influencers across the health and fitness topic. Inspire yourself first with Arun Sharma, an Indian fitness influencer and entrepreneur, which was their most successful influencer campaign. This collaboration teaches brands the effectiveness of niche influencer marketing.

Influencer marketing industrys challenges and opportunities

Regulatory concerns

Influencers are legally liable for the claims they make in their posts, and posting anything based on the details given by a brand, which turn out to be misleading or a scam, may result in legal consequences. This means influencers should ensure that contracts with brands protect them from liability.

Fraud

The influencer marketing landscape is marred with incidences of fraud, with about 63% of brands and marketers admitting to having experienced influencer fraud in past campaigns. Most influencers use unethical means to inflate their engagement and follower numbers, which can negatively impact brands.

Opportunities the industry presents

The influencer marketing industry presents an opportunity to establish agencies offering employment to people. It also creates self-employment opportunities for individual influencers. Through influencer marketing, brands are assured of massive exposure and growth, positively impacting the economy.
Global cloud communications platform Infobip has been ranked as the number one Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider by tech analyst Juniper Research. Its number one ranking underlines Infobips position as the leading full stack omnichannel communications platform for every platform.

Juniper Research ranked Infobip as the number one CPaaS provider of 19 vendors, exceeding all its competitors in its capacity and capabilities. Infobip offers extremely comprehensive coverage of different messaging technologies further strengthened by its acquisition of OpenMarket, according to Juniper Research.

Market leader

Juniper awarded Infobip the highest ranking for its size of operations in the mobile communications sector, its geographical reach, and the breadth of CPaaS technologies it supports. The tech analyst also gave Infobip the highest ranking for its capabilities and sophistication of its services, its future CPaaS market prospects, and its market presence.

Infobips service includes performance monitoring tools, analysing the likes of messaging traffic, delivery rates, message rates, and click-through rates. Messaging channels can be utilized over APIs, in hybrid cloud installations, or in a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model, notes Juniper. The tech analyst also noted Infobips web portal, which has a rich graphical interface, omnichannel campaign management capacity, customizable dashboards, subscriber management and profiling tools, targeting and analysis capability, role management and other tools.

Ivan Ostojic, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, said: Juniper Research anticipates that CPaaS market will grow to $42.8 billion by 2027, up from $21 billion this year. Weve cemented our position as the market-leading CPaaS provider, as our number one ranking by Juniper indicates, and were well-positioned to take advantage of these growth opportunities. Our continued expansion reflects the fact that customers increasingly demand seamless interactions between businesses, people and things. And were keeping our foot on the gas to ensure we remain the leading full-stack omnichannel communications platform for every platform, which means providing the most powerful communication infrastructure to our customers and partners, through a variety of programmable channels, advanced platform functionalities and conversational solutions.

Comprehensive offering

Junipers assessment focussed on Infobips extremely comprehensive coverage of different messaging technologies. These include supporting messaging across a variety of channels including email, Facebook Messenger, Google Business Messages, integrated live chat, LINE, native mobile application messaging, RCS, SMS, Telegram, Viber for Business, video, voice, and WhatsApp Business. More broadly, Juniper noted that supporting a multitude of channels is as important as ever in maximizing the value of a CPaaS platform.

Global network

According to the report, Infobips global presence had been strengthened by acquisitions such as OpenMarket and Peerless Network in the USA. Alongside partnerships across the globe, and Infobips support of regionally focused apps, these factors underline Infobips offering of a truly global messaging service.

Opportunities for growth

Juniper anticipated notable growth opportunities for the CPaaS market in established markets such as North America. It also noted growth opportunities in regions like Latin America and Africa & Middle East, which were highlighted as areas likely to see substantial growth over the next five years. To download the report, check detailed information about each of these regions mentioned, click here: https://www.infobip.com/analyst-reports/juniper-research-ranks-infobip-as-the-established-leader-for-cpaas-2023

Junipers report noted the growth potential of Infobips strategy to expand its B2D (Business to Developer) capabilities, as demonstrated by its acquisition of Shift Conference and Netokracija. By building a rapport with developers and offering a self-service portal, Infobip has an opportunity to boost the visibility of its solutions, states Juniper. More broadly, Juniper expects CPAAS market growth to be largely driven by the SME market.

In terms of enterprise customers, Infobips 2021 partnership with Microsoft Azure will help to extend Infobips enterprise customer base, making it easier for enterprise customers to integrate Infobips products within existing infrastructure.
Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films released its latest short film titled The Broken Table, a Film Ninja Company production starring actors par excellence Naseeruddin Shah and Rasika Dugal. Produced and directed by Chintan Sarda, who also directed the captivating short film Shunyata featuring Jackie Shroff, the 24-minute film juxtaposes a day in the lives of Giridhar or Giri, a 60-something Alzheimers patient (played by Shah), and Deepti, an aspiring psychologist (played by Dugal). During the course of the film, Deepti, whos charged with looking after Giri for a day, as his family is away for a wedding, ends up remembering a thing or two about herself.

The plot of The Broken Table carefully unveils its characters. Giri is a retired divorce lawyer who devotedly loves his wise, ass-kicker wife of 41 years; Deepti is pursuing her MA in Psychology and is married to a man who she describes as good, but a bit too practical and controlling at times. . Through the course of the day, their interplay ends up being a roller coaster ride that fundamentally questions Deeptis beliefs.

Talking about the short film, actor Naseeruddin Shah said, The Broken Table is a poignant short story that represents how love means nothing without acceptance. The storyline is thought-provoking and the fact that we were able to deliver a meaningful message in 24 minutes is commendable  I think thats the beauty of Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of Giridhar and working with Rasika once again.

Actor Rasika Dugal added, The Broken Table is a simple yet surprising tale that gives my character, Deepti, a new perspective on the beauty of self-love and acceptance. It was an absolute honor to share screen space with Naseer Sahab again. There is always so much to learn from him. His unstinting passion and commitment to the work never ceases to amaze me.

This is my fourth film with Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films and am so happy that this continues to be a thriving space for interesting short form content to reach a wide audience."

Producer and director Chintan Sarda said, The Broken Table is a meaningful short story of love and acceptance that I think a lot of people will relate to. Its an honour to be associated with Royal Select Barrel Large Short Films and to be able to have this platform to tell stories that make can people stop and think for a bit. Its undoubtedly one of the most coveted platforms for short films featuring Indian talent. Weve seen some widely popular short films from Royal Stag Barrel Large Short Films in the past. Heres hoping that the audience will love The Broken Table too.

The Broken Table will premier exclusively on Royal Stag Barrel Selects Large Short Films YouTube Channel, a platform to watch the most original and inspiring short films featuring some of the finest actors and directors in India.

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films :

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has become the destination for Indian short films where viewers can experience the taste of great films. The platform has collaborated with successful storytellers from Bollywood who truly stand for originality and creativity. Large Short Films has evolved to create an ecosystem for aspiring and established directors alike to to bring world class storytelling to curious and deciphering audiences.

Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has released some of the most prodigious and award-winning short films with renowned artists and directors from the industry which truly reflects originality, imagination and perfection. Ahalya, Chutney, Devi and Anukul are just some of the phenomenal films that have been released on this platform. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films as a platform for original short films has been the pioneer in popularizing this genre of filmmaking.
Russian President Vladimir Putins plan to blitz Ukraine back into a restored neo-Soviet Russian Empire failed quickly. The drive on the capital city of Kyiv collapsed, the assault on Kharkiv was turned back. Odessa on the Black Sea was never seriously threatened thanks to the stubborn defense of Mariupol and the Ukrainian counterattack in Kherson. But Putin is not backing off as the war moves into its second year. He has told his supporters to prepare for a long war and is massing new forces for an offensive that is likely already underway. British intelligence has estimated that Russian troops are currently suffering their highest casualties of the conflict as they try to advance in the Donbas region. Due to heavy losses in armored vehicles (thanks to U.S. and UK anti-tank weapons), Russians are resorting to human wave attacks by poorly trained infantry and mercenaries from the Wagner Group recruited from prisons.

The Ukrainians have mobilized for the defense of their independence. They are suffering heavily from missile and drone strikes aimed at basic infrastructure, particularly the power needed to heat their homes in winter. The distribution of water and food has also been disrupted. Their forces have suffered heavy casualties in the close combat along the eastern border. But they have held the line and rallied the Western alliance on moral and strategic grounds.

So, who is complaining of fatigue and calling for surrender? A handful of Republican members of Congress sitting in their comfortable offices in Washington 5,000 miles from the front lines. The leader of this group manifesting weakness of will and resolve in the face of blatant aggression in the strategic heart of Europe is Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who introduced the Ukraine Fatigue Resolution on February 9 with 10 GOP co-sponsors. It reads, the United States must end its military and financial aid to Ukraine and urges all combatants to reach a peace agreement. The wording is important. Aid is to be cut off before any peace agreement. Without military aid, how long would Ukraine last and what would a peace look like other than a Russian victory?

The outcome of the conflict is of no concern to Gaetz and company who are eager to turn a successful policy into a failure. Indeed, in the resolution, he blames the wars death toll and refugees on us because we have helped Kyiv defend itself. He states by providing assistance to Ukraine, the United States is inadvertently contributing to civilian casualties. That Russia started the war by invading its neighbor and has committed numerous war crimes from executing civilians and prisoners to kidnapping children and attacking civil infrastructure is never mentioned. This is the pure doctrine of appeasement that holds that wars are not caused by aggression, but by resisting aggression. If only our side just sat it out, all would be calm beneath the heel of the conqueror.

Gaetz is fatigued because the U.S. has been doing more than any other nation to help Ukraine. Yet, the U.S. is the worlds largest economy, strongest military, and acknowledged leader of the Free World. These are good things, positions to be preserved and reinforced if we are to shape the future to our advantage (and prevent adversaries from shaping the world to our disadvantage). He seems particularly concerned about financial support for Kyiv to address the plight of civilians. His figures show that the U.S. has given more than any other entity, but his list of contributions from European Union institutions and 20 other donor nations when added together exceeds our contribution. The EU has pledged to double its military support this year and several NATO members are taking the lead in providing tanks and armored vehicles.

Gaetz complains that the U.S. has provided in total of $110 billion to Ukraine as if this was an inordinate amount. Yet, the Federal budget is $5.8 trillion, so Ukraine is merely a blip. Over $3 trillion in new domestic spending was rammed through by the Biden Administration in its first two years. Republicans are committed to putting the nations fiscal house in order, but national security is not the place to look for cuts, since this is not the sector which has fueled the deficits. Nor is it the proper place to cut given the rising tensions across the world. National security is the core duty of the Federal government and with the return of Great Power competition more attention and effort will have to be devoted to it.

The neglect of military preparedness for Great Power competition is reflected in one aspect of Gaetzs resolution, his concern that munitions donated to Ukraine have severely depleted United States stockpiles, weakening United States readiness in the event of conflict. A report released February 8 by the National Defense Industrial Association found U.S. policies and financial investments are not currently oriented to support a defense ecosystem built for peer conflict. Many sectors of the defense industrial base (DIB) lack surge capacity and are dependent on imported components raising supply chain risks. The war on terror was a very small-scale affair that did not require mobilization. Now we are facing real war.

President Donald Trump recognized the danger and issued an executive order in 2017 to assess and revitalize the DIB in terms of potential Great Power conflict with Russia and China. While President Trump took steps to strengthen American power, particularly in regard to the Navy, one term was not enough to rebuild all that was lost during the post-Cold War delusion that history was at an end and military capabilities were no longer important. To replace our stockpiles and prepare for future conflicts will require increasing peacetime production by an order of magnitude. The Ukraine war has given us a lesson on what it takes to fight a major war, and we need to put that wisdom to work. It should be noted that the weapons sent to fight a ground war in Ukraine are different from what will be needed to fight an air-naval battle around Taiwan.

Rep. Gaetz cites the problem, but does not call for any answer, since it would cost far more than we are spending in Ukraine. The congressman has supported some actions against the Chinese threat, but cant seem to connect the dots between the ambitions of Putin and Chairman Xi Jinping. Yet, just before Putin invaded Ukraine, he and Xi declared they had an unlimited partnership in rejecting the U.S.-led world order. Chairman Xis case for invading Taiwan is the same as Putins in Ukraine; rebuilding an empire that can compete for world domination.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recently noted that China is watching the Ukraine closely. Xi is also testing the U.S. alliance system with intensified military threats against Taiwan and Japan. Russia joined China in joint naval exercises in September and December, and another is planned for February. The two powers flew a joint patrol of strategic bombers in November that menaced Japan and South Korea. China is also supplying Russia with computer chips, drones and other supplies that support its war effort in Ukraine, while buying Russian oil to help finance it. Any wavering of Western resolve that allows Russia to advance in Europe will have repercussions for peace and the balance of power in Asia and the Middle East. If the U.S. cuts aid to Ukraine, Xi will warn Taiwan to expect the same copout. Russia has promised Iran Su-35 jets in exchange for the drones Tehran has been sending for combat in Ukraine. Rep. Gaetz and his cronies are giving the aggressors the sign of weakness they have been looking for. This will only encourage more attacks. We expect this kind of perfidy from the Left, but it seems one can fall into the pit from any direction.

William R. Hawkins is a former economics professor who served on the professional staff of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has written widely on international economics and national security issues for both professional and popular publications.

Image: Jedimentat44
China's Spring Festival travel rush ends with recovering transport figures

Xinhua) 10:20, February 16, 2023

Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Spring Festival travel rush, which began on Jan. 7 this year, ended on Wednesday, with passenger traffic continuing to recover.

During the 40-day travel rush, more than 1.5 billion trips took place by rail, highway, water, and civil aviation, official data showed.

The country's railway passenger flow continued to rebound. Statistics showed that since Feb. 1, an average of more than 9 million passenger trips were made every day, and railway passenger transport has recovered to 90 percent of the figure for the 2019 corresponding travel rush period.

Road travel, as the first choice for short and medium-distance travel, was also favored during this year's travel rush.

Data from ride-hailing company Didi showed that from Jan. 7 to Feb. 14, Didi's ride-hailing and taxi orders continued to increase and recovered to more than 90 percent of the number for the same period of 2019.

The civil aviation sector also received more passengers during the Spring Festival holiday. In south China's Hainan Province, the Sanya civil aviation authority reported a new high of 3,024 flights in the week-long holiday, an increase of 5.8 percent over the same holiday period in 2019.

"China's railways, roads, waterways, and civil aviation have maintained stable operation, with sufficient transport capacity, orderly services, strong emergency support, and a generally secure environment," said Zhou Min, an official with the Ministry of Transport.

Passengers line up to board a train at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Children pose for photos in front of Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers line up to board a train at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers wait to get their tickets checked at Fuyang West Railway Station in Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Lu Qijian/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Suzhou Railway Station in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Hang Xingwei/Xinhua)

Passengers are aboard a train at Wuchang Railway Station in Wuchang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Zhao Jun/Xinhua)

Passengers take a selfie before boarding a ship at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Tang Ke/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

This aerial photo shows a bullet train departing from Xiangyang East Railway Station in Xiangyang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Yang Dong/Xinhua)

Passengers wait to board a train at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Zhang Yixi/Xinhua)

Passengers pass the ticket gate at Guiyang North Railway Station in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a view of the crowded Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Yan Chenhao/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a bullet train running in Yinzhou District of Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Hu Xuejun/Xinhua)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Jing Zongxing/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a bullet train running on a railway bridge in Haizhou District of Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yuze)

A passenger asks for information about airport express at the airport transport hub of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. It had broad support from both parties including then-senator Joe Biden. DOMA prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage for the purpose of federal laws or programs. More recently, President Joe Biden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act, which overturned DOMA. Specifically, it holds that states must recognize same-sex marriage across state lines and that federal laws and programs apply equally to same-sex couples. This followed Obergefell v. Hodges, decided June 26, 2015, in a split 5-4 decision (Anthony Kennedy joined with the four liberal justices), which determined that same-sex couples had a fundamental right to marry based on the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the recent Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization opinion, the Supreme Court ended the recognition of a constitutional right to abortion and returned the matter to the states, where it belonged. After Dobbs, it became reasonable to reconsider the Obergefell decision, as Justice Clarence Thomas alluded in his concurring opinion in the Dobbs decision. The passage of the Respect for Marriage Act complicates matters but both will have to be addressed if we are ever to restore a proper definition of marriage.

In Obergefell, as in Roe, unelected lawyers in black robes, functioning as a supreme legislature, acting against our nations history, culture, and traditions, imposed upon the land, the fifty states and their democratically elected legislatures, and more than 300 million people, a mandate to redefine the most fundamental institution in society. What was at issue here was not due process or equal protection, which our Constitution guarantees, but redefining an institution that in five thousand years of human history, has always required sexual complementarity. The decision undermined all notions of federalism, states rights, the constitutional order, and basic democratic practice. The nature of marriage is not mentioned in the Constitution. Deciding its definition is not a power of the federal government. It is left to the states and the people. This is not government by law or democratic process but by judicial decree.

No body of five unelected lawyers, regardless of the status of that body should have the power to decide and redefine for a nation the nature and definition of an institution, especially one so unalterably crucial to that society.

Gay marriage is not a right but a distortion of a sacred and critical institution, that of marriage. Beyond that, the notion of gay marriage is irrational, an oxymoron. Gays cannot marry because they are sexually the same. Whether they love one another and plan to spend the rest of their lives together does not matter. Marriage cannot be twisted, bent, or folded to suit personal preferences. A proper understanding of marriage falls outside the realm of rights, for it is a descriptive term, a matter of logic, natural law, and biology.

From marriage and the marital act comes the world and all that is within it: civilization, history, culture, science, and so on. Without the marital act, there are no children, and the universe of relationships that arise from it. It is through the institution of marriage that total strangers are joined to form new families and relations. It is how the two houses of humanity, male and female, unite to bring children into the world.

The traditional, married family is the domestic unit upon which society depends; without it, society cannot function and will eventually collapse. New life cannot issue from the union of individuals of the same sex; it is for this reason that traditional marriage is sanctified and given special legal and moral status.

To recognize gay marriage (and all other models that would follow) blurs the significance of traditional marriage, desanctify and weaken it, and render it just another lifestyle choice. Already a battered and weakened institution, marriage should be bolstered and upheld, privileged and elevated. While gays enjoy the right to free speech, due process, and equal treatment before the law, there is no right to transform fundamental institutions to suit elite tastes or enhance gay self-esteem. Society must tolerate gays but is not obligated to endorse their activities or goals.

But leftists support gay marriage. They see society as an oppressive, patriarchal, heteronormative oligarchy and seek to tear it down. Traditional married families, furthermore, are autonomous islands that generally perform well enough without government assistance; as such, they thwart the leftist agenda. Furthermore, they seek to reduce the population for various environmental reasons such as climate change, and weakening the institution of marriage serves this goal.

Liberalism thrives on social failure and collapse. It feeds on broken families and dysfunction. The destruction of the family has been a longstanding project of the left: the sexual revolution, feminism, gay marriage, and now, of course, transgenderism, are tools to overturn the traditional family and the civil society in general.

But with the Left and its media appendage, it is always about narratives, long-term goals, and the seizing of power. Beneath the smiling patina of the charming news host or glib politician, the facade of tolerance and broad mindedness, leftists pursue their radical agenda with grim singlemindedness, censoriousness, and, when necessary, violence. Indeed, the homosexual agenda (along with its counterpart, feminism, and, more recently, transgenderism) is but another arrow in its quiver by which to undermine society, to fracture and uproot its time-honored institutions, and, particularly, to chip away at that great bulwark against collectivism, the traditional family.

Obergefell and now the Respect for Marriage Act are assaults not just Christianity but all faiths, our culture, and on American civilization, which is based on the Judeo-Christian tradition. They are attacks on common sense, federalism, separation of powers, and the constitutional order. We live in a post-constitutional age, under attack by the progressive (regressive) Left that seeks to flip our culture on its head, and to undermine the two great impediments to centralized government, the traditional married family and the church. These are the twin pillars of the civil society, which stand between the individual and the central government.

Obergefell and the Respect for Marriage Act are additional salvoes of the sexual revolution and its war on the family and Christianity. Abortion, radical feminism, gay marriage, and now transgenderism are all of piece.

But five leftist judges and the federal government cannot redefine marriage. It remains a union between a man and a woman, an organic institution based on nature and biology that precedes the political order. Its purpose is to civilize the mating process and to provide the best environment for children to grow in. It is about creating new life. It is not about validating the adult relationship of your choice or satisfying elite opinion.

We must defend traditional marriage. It is time to overturn Obergefell, repeal the Respect for Marriage Act, and reinstate DOMA.

Dr. Moss is a practicing Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon, candidate for Congress in 2016 and 2018, author, columnist, local investor, and small businessman, residing in Jasper, IN. He has written A Surgeons Odyssey and Matildas Triumph, available on amazon.com. Find more of his essays at richardmossmd.com. Visit Richard Moss, M.D. on Facebook, Twitter, Parler, Gettr, GAB, TruthSocial, and Instagram.

Image: Jan Van Eyck
The Church of England has announced that it is evaluating the language of gender with relation to God. While they recognize that God is neither female nor male per se, the dialogue came up in a recent exchange in the General Synod, the governing body of the Church, when a priest sought options to speak of God in a non-gendered way.

While this is an interesting theological discussion within the Church, answers have been given about Gods gender in Judaism for millennia. There is no need to start a gender inclusive description of the Almighty and become pronoun conscious in order to satisfy the desires of modern gender activists. The understanding of Gods gender can be easily understood and explored through an understanding of Hebrew; and in so doing, we can avoid surrendering the infinitude of Divinity to a populist desire for gender inclusion in language.

The main name of God found in the Bible in the original Hebrew is YHWH (the four Hebrew letters of Yod, Hey, Vav, and Hey; and often pronounced as Yahweh, Jehovah, etc. and referred to by academics as the Tetragrammaton). Each of these four letters is soft and can be pronounced in a multiplicity of ways. Additionally, in the original Hebrew of the Torah, there are no vowels, so in theory, the name could be pronounced as JoHoWaHa, YaHWaH, JeHoVaH or any number of other ways. Because we dont want to mispronounce the name of God, Jews often refer to this word as HaShem (meaning the Name) or Adonai (meaning my Master). But the name itself is a hidden key to understanding Gods Presence in the physical world. In order to use this four-0lettered name as a key, we need to take a moment and understand Hebrew grammar.

Like many languages, Hebrew often has two or three root letters that compose the root of a word, that can then be conjugated into varying forms of a word, tense, and gender. When the letter yod is placed before the root letters, the word becomes conjugated as male future tense. As an example, the root of the Hebrew word meaning to speak is d.b.r., or daber. If a yod is placed in front, we have the word YDaBeR, meaning he will speak. Similarly, if the Hebrew letter hey is placed after the root, the word becomes past tense female: DBRaH is translated as she spoke.

Now lets look at Gods personal name of YHWH. Grammatically, the root letters of the word are Hey and Vav, the middle two letters. These letters form the root of the Hebrew word which means to be or to exist. It is here that we see the insights into Gods gender and pronouns.

Since the root of the word YHWH means to be, by placing the yod at the start it becomes future tense male. Simultaneously, by placing the hey at the end of the word, it becomes past tense female. This means that the literal and grammatical understanding of Gods name is the simultaneous conjugation of to be in both male and female, and in both future and past.

Simply put, Gods name according to the Torah in the original Hebrew is the simultaneous existence of future, present, and past in both male and female. All times, and all genders. It is yet another reason for us to refer to God as HaShem, rather than label God with a fixed time or specific gender.

Additionally, throughout the history of Judaism, the Presence of God in the physical world is often referred to as The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) or the Presence (Shechinah). Again grammatically, these phrases are male and female in linguistic conjugation respectively. When God is acting in the physical world in a male way (moving outwards, paralleling yang energy) we use the term Ruach HaKodesh, and when God is more receptive in the physical world (yin energy), the term Shechinah is utilized. These terms and understandings predate the Anglican Church, and would have been used by Jesus himself, who refers to God as abba, meaning father (John 14:20 and 17:22 as prime examples, as well as God is referred to as father in Hosea 11:1, Isaiah 63:16 and more). In the Jewish High Holiday liturgy, we specifically refer to God as Avinu Malkeinu, meaning Our Father, Our King as we beseech the masculine aspect of God for forgiveness in the honest way a loving child asks his father to be forgiven.

The English Church does not need to look very far to utilize these understandings into their liturgy and should in no way ever succumb to the popular idea of multiple genders in labeling God in anthropomorphic terms. They could simply use an English translation of the ancient Hebrew. The Holy One, blessed be He and His Presence, Master of the Universe, and The Holy Spirit (or Divine Spirit) would all be historical terms that still bear meaning in todays world but are based in the ancient texts and traditions.

I enjoin the General Synod and Bishop Michael Ipgrave, the vice chairman of the Churchs liturgical commission, to stay true to the traditional understandings of Gods inclusiveness of all gender (and time) rather than to limit Gods infinitude by placing modern trends of gender identification on to the Divine. I implore the Church to decide to either use the translations of the traditional terms, and/or to use the actual Hebrew phrase of HaShem rather than to demonstrate a willingness on the Churchs part to water down theology to pacify gender activists.

Rather than watering down the infinite majesty of God, we need to deepen our consciousness and awareness of our relationship with the Divine. Language is one of the first steps in changing consciousness, and the Church can choose to hold true to its values and use language to promote its theology. If it surrenders on the language issue around gender, it portends progressively deeper challenges to its theological foundation. In these times more than ever, we need to hold true to the wisdom of the ancient texts, and to relating to God as all time, space, and gender against the wave that wants to change that theological understanding to one of human based gender activists.

Gods name is male, female, future, present, and past. Let us keep the appropriate language, or we may end up with a Divinity that is defined not as infinite, but as nothing.

Rabbi Michael Barclay is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village, CA (www.NerSimcha.org), the author of Sacred Relationships: Biblical Wisdom for Deepening Our Lives Together, and can be reached at Rabbi@NerSimcha.org

Photo credit: Belinda public domain
Today telling the truth has largely disappeared from public discourse. Lets use basic history as an example. Learning history in school was the norm during the period 1952-1969, the formative years up through my graduation from college. I received a detailed education in public schools of our founding and principles, American history, and world history dating back to antiquity. As part of a Navy family, I went to school all over the country: Virginia, Maryland twice, California, Illinois, and Nebraska. History teaching was consistent everywhere, including hard truths about slavery here and around the world. After college, I continued studying history in depth, including the Revolutionary period up to our founding, the Civil War period and Lincoln, and the major world wars in the 20th century, especially WWII.

Studying the Founders was particularly insightful and important in terms of really understanding the true nature of America. The Founders were highly educated and acutely aware of mans checkered history. They excelled in extraordinarily challenging circumstances in establishing a new nation based on principles of liberty and opportunity. Was our Founding flawed by slavery and other pre-modern holdovers from a more primitive era? It was. But abolishing slavery at that time was impossible considering the Souths dependence on it as an essential element of its economy. So, evil as it was, had it not been accommodated, America would not have been created at all and we would likely still be English.

Still, Americas Founding was and is one of the most extraordinary events in the history of the human race. It simultaneously threw off monarchy and created a new form of government with the best elements of all the old forms, a unique new governmental system that had never been tried before. And it worked. America at 247 years is the longest-lived democracy in the world.

A broad knowledge of history and our Founding was the expected norm back then for anyone growing up in America. What passes for history today? The execrable 1619 project, a complete fiction that attempts to paint the picture that our nation was founded on racism. Even its author admits it is not history, yet it is being passed off as history to millions of vulnerable young children today, a travesty and a tragedy to deprive the young of today of the truth about our miraculous founding against the longest odds. It is true that slavery survived the founding. But the founders core principles as outlined boldly in the Declaration itself that all men are created equal, created the very foundation for the end of slavery later and the end of racism in 1964 with the passage of the Equal Rights Act. Readers can learn about the lies of the 1619 project in Peter Woods 1620, A Critical Response to the 1619 Project or Mary Grabars Debunking the 1619 Project.

How could such false history have gained such traction in our society? It is because liars are promoting false history for a political agenda to fundamentally change America into a totalitarian socialist state. Lying about our history is the key to overthrowing America. If the majority can be convinced that they are living in an evil country, worse than others and with a system that systematically harms Blacks and others, it will be easier to convince them to throw off our Constitution and replace it with socialism. Socialism has been tried and the result is always death, killing over 200 million people to date. Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We must not go down that path.

Lying about our history is just the start. Whether it is the mainstream media, the social media giants, academia, Hollywood, or corporate America, these institutions lie about everything. They lie that climate change is a mortal threat to civilization. Its not. In fact, there has been zero warming for the last eight years. Has the media reported that? They lie that gun violence is out of control. It is not. Americans are safer from guns 2023 more so than at any time in our history. Your chances of being killed by a gun is lower by orders of magnitude less than your chances of getting hit by lightning. They lie about abortion involving womens health when it is really the murder of children in the womb. They lie that the nation has secure borders as millions illegally enter our country including terrorists and drug runners. They lie that the rich pay no taxes despite the U.S. having the most regressive tax regime in the world where our richest citizens pay a disproportionate percentage of the nations taxes. They even lie about basic biology, exploiting the sad plight of victims of gender dysphoria. In recent years there has been a 4000% increase in young females claiming to be the opposite sex. Is no one in our vaunted institutions -- academia or the media -- interested in how this could be happening? They lie about the police being murderous brutes when the truth is that overwhelmingly the police are honest, brave, and fair public servants doing a thankless job to keep our citizenry safe from criminals.

Americans need to demand truth from all our institutions. If a person, a company, or an institution is dishonest, they must be challenged by the way you relate to them. How you behave, what you choose to spend money on, the way you consume, what you watch, listen to or support is everything! If they lie, avoid them. Do not consume their products. Money and interest drive the marketplace. Disney just announced massive layoffs because Americans are staying away in droves from their woke ideology. The power of the purse can restore truth to the public square. Each American must seek truth and use the power of his own pocketbook to lift up those institutions, companies and people that tell the truth and to deny attention and money to those who wont tell the truth.

Image: Jens Rost
The environmental disaster taking place in Ohio from a Norfolk Southern derailed train should outrage both sides of the political aisle. After the smoke clears, investigations will take place and most likely will show that there is plenty of blame to be shared, including all levels of government and both political parties.

But at the moment, the complete lack of any significant response by the Biden administration is appalling and begs the question why an administration that is hostile to the free market and supports extreme measures to fight climate change is missing in action? Could it be that some of the largest shareholders of the responsible railroad, Norfolk Southern Corporation, are tied to PACs and affiliates that helped fund the 2020 election of the Biden administration? If true, then isnt it reasonable to conclude that by such donations, these shareholders, through their PACs and affiliates, support the Biden administration?

According to various sources, top shareholders in Norfolk Southern Corp. are the Vanguard Group, and subsidiaries of BlackRock and JP Morgan. Specifically, as of this week, CNNMoney.com lists the Vanguard Group, Inc. as the top shareholder with 7.68%. BlackRock Fund Advisors and JPMorgan Investment Management tie at 4.54% as other top investors.

As of December 31, 2022 Norfolk Southerns own website lists Vanguard, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company and JP Morgan Asset Management as top shareholders.

Interestingly, the Vanguard Group, JPMorgan Investment, and BlackRock all gave significant sums of money to the Biden 2020 presidential campaign through their PACs and affiliates. OpenSecrets confirms this statement.

The Vanguard Group, through its affiliates and PACs, contributed 62.83% to all federal Democrat candidates during the 2020 election cycle and only 37.17% to all federal Republican candidates. It gave a total of $96,988 to Bidens 2020 presidential campaign and just $7,547 to Trumps 2020 presidential campaign.

Under JPMorgan Chase and Co., OpenSecrets reports that its affiliates and PACs contributed a total of $1,038,917 to Bidens 2020 presidential campaign. Donations to President Trumps 2020 campaign totaled a whopping $236,111. JPMorgan did contribute to both parties with the Democrats reaping the most. Under all Federal candidates, JP Morgan and affiliates gave 74.83% to Democrats and only 25.17% to Republicans. Also keep in mind that during the 2022 campaign cycle, JPMorgan refused to fund any Republican congressional candidates who objected to the 2020 electoral votes.

Then there is BlackRock, whose founder and CEO, Larry Fink, is a committed and outspoken Democrat. Several news outlets did expose the close relationship that BlackRock has had with prominent Democrats including Obama and Hillary Clinton and now Biden.

According to OpenSecrets, during the 2020 election cycle, BlackRock, through its PACs and affiliates, gave to all federal Democrat candidates a total of 80.64% and only 19.36% to all federal Republican candidates. Regarding Biden, it gave $182,768 to the Biden 2020 presidential campaign. Just $6,170 was contributed to Trumps 2020 presidential campaign.

Following the 2020 election, Biden put Brian Deese, a BlackRock investment executive to serve as his Director of the National Economic Council. Coincidently, it was confirmed on February 2, 2023, one day before the rail accident, that Brian Deese had vacated his position with the Biden administration.

Biden also picked Adewale Adeyemo, chief of staff to BlackRocks chief executive, to be the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Department. Furthermore, Michael Pyle, who was global chief investment strategist at BlackRock, was picked to be Vice President Kamala Harris chief economic advisor. According to a Bloomberg article from August 11, 2022, the Biden administration also hired Eric Van Nostrand, a BlackRock managing director of research for sustainable investments and multi asset strategies, to join the Treasury Department as a senior advisor on economic issues related to Russia and Ukraine. But there are also plenty of government officials who have gone to work at BlackRock. Two noteworthy people include Dalia Blass, who was with the SEC and went to BlackRocks external affairs, and Thomas Donilon who was a national security advisor to Obama and went on to be chairman of BlackRocks research business.

Interestingly, on January 31, 2023, it was reported that BlackRock increased its ownership in Montrose Environmental Group through a disclosure to the SEC showing it now owns 7.2% of the company.

What does Montrose Environmental Group Inc.(MEG) do? According to its own website:

From testing to remediation to proactive interventions, Montrose provides comprehensive, environmentally-focused solutions that combine the consistency of a national presence with deep, local expertise and regulatory insight.

So what does that entail? MEG does testing and lab services, soil and groundwater remediation, water treatment, and regulatory consulting, to name just a few things. Again, from MEGs website under soil and groundwater remediation, it states:

Our highly trained and experienced engineers and scientists, environmental and remediation specialists, geologists, hydrogeologists, biologists and environmental compliance specialists work with both public-and private-sector clients, delivering turnkey solutions for large-and small scale investigation and remediation of contaminated sites.

Color me shocked that these will probably be some of the services required by the people affected by this environmental disaster.

Finally, Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, is on record supporting efforts to stop so-called climate change. The New York Times reported that Fink is using his firms influence to pressure companies to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Given the toxic chemicals released by this train derailment, are Fink and his company prepared to abide by the same standards that he advocates? Then again, Fink claimed that support for climate change policies was about profits. Curious that his company purchased more stocks in MEG right before a railroad in which his company is a large stockowner was involved in an environmental disaster of unimaginable proportions.

These facts point toward a cozy relationship Biden has with some of the major shareholders of Norfolk Southern. Therefore, its not a big leap to suppose why the administration has been AWOL. Apparently, it isnt just the Chinese that might own Biden.

Image: Norfolk Southern
David Archibald, an Australian scientist and analyst, counterintuitively argues that China is weaker than we think. I dont agree with everything Archibald says, both factually and theoretically, but I thought his essay is interesting enough to bring to your attention.

The premise of Archibalds claim that China is not as formidable as Xi Jinping makes it appear is summed up in a single sentence: China has a lot of structural problems that make it a fragile state, a frail state and even potentially a future failed state. Archibald makes five major points:

One: Chinas demographic games have been disastrous. Mao, who believed in big battalions, deliberately encouraged massive population growth, which peaked at about 1.4 billion. The result is that China cannot feed its population. That continues to be true despite its one-child policy that has now left China in a demographic tailspin with an aging population that a smaller, youthful population must support.

Image: Chinas military on parade. YouTube screen grab.

Archibald, who accepts that the population is still roughly 1.4 billion (rather than the low of 1 billion that Ive heard), says that only a quarter or so of the population engages with the greater world. Over a third of the population is engaged in agriculture:

Another four hundred and twenty-five million are agricultural workers. So your average Chinese agricultural worker only feeds himself and two other people. Bear in mind that in Western countries about 2% of the population are in agriculture and they feed the other 98%. Recently I visited a farm in Western Australia that produces 40,000 tonnes of wheat per year with three full time staff. So each of those workers feeds about 25,000 other people.

Moreover, says Archibald, Chinas staple food crop, rice, is primarily hand planted on terraces. If thats correct, Chinese farmers operate at a subsistence level, feeding only themselves and their families. No wonder, then, that the Chinese, in 2022, imported 147 million tonnes of grain and soybeans in order to put meat on the table in the form of chicken and pork. If China goes to war, those food imports stop.

Two: Archibald believes that the climate is cooling. (Its a theory that climate cycles support, and that makes leftists despise him, especially because hes insufficiently credentialed in climate change theory.) Archibald writes, Global temperature peaked in 2016 and the planet is now cooling three times faster than it warmed in the late 20th century. China, as a subsistence agrarian economy, will be badly damaged by the coming cold.

Three: China is inexorably running out of the coal that has powered its industrial revolution:

In energy terms their current coal consumption rate is equivalent to 55 million barrels per day of oil. And in getting this far, this fast, they have burned through half their original coal endowment. According to resource depletion theory, once you have extracted half of your reserves of something then operating costs start rising inexorably. The cost of power from coal plants in China used to be four US cents per kilowatt hour. It is now eight US cents per kilowatt hour. The energy cost advantage of the Chicom economy is fading fast.

Four: Archibald points out that, armed with all that coal wealth, China built apartment buildings with a limited lifespan. Also, the building spree left at least 65 million vacant units, which is terribly damaging to the Chinese economy.

Five: China suffers from world domination syndrome. Like Bushido Japan, it sees itself being called up to take over the worldor at least Southeast Asia. Archibald believes its two main targets are either Taiwan by sea or Vietnam by land. Taiwan is less vulnerable than we think. Since China has no land bases near Taiwan, it must rely on its Navy, which is vulnerable to long-range missile attacks.

However, says Archibald, China has built up land bases near Vietnam, allowing an invasion like Putins in Ukraine. The bargaining chip will be that Vietnam must give China its bases in the South China Sea. Notably, in 1946, Ho Chi Minh, in discussing the Vietnamese strategic situation, said that it would be better to smell French shit for five years than Chinese shit for one thousand years. In other words, the Vietnamese will fight back.

I have one more thing to add: If Chinas industry has brought to military equipment the same level of skill and precision it brings to everything else it manufactures, China may have a problem once it puts its equipment into battle.

Having said that, just as Mao poured untrained Chinese farmers into the frozen Chosin Reservoir or Stalin gave every three soldiers only one gun to fight at Leningrad, you can be sure that Xi wont mind using his peoples bodies to absorb the enemies bullets. The big question, then, will be whether Chinese mothers will allow that.

For me, the takeaway is that, while China is weaker than it appears, it still has global or regional ambitions and the population heft to cause tremendous harm.
Gender-bending sex pests running around under the cover of the LGBTQ umbrella are terrorists in the fullest sense of the word. Theyre hyper-sexualized and mentally-ill adults demanding unrestrained access to children (even those still in infancy!); negotiation is not a viable solution.

In fact, protective parents in southeastern Idaho just handed pro-family Americans the blueprint on a silver platter, showing us exactly how to handle these degenerates: go on the offense and refuse to back down. Interestingly enough, the town is Pocatello, and I actually attended the local university for a bit.

So what happened?

The story was first reported by MassResistance, and the sequence of events went something like this:

On January 17, a group of parents attended a Library Board meeting and read from obscene books. But they were ignored. One Board member continued to deny that there was any obscene material in the library.  So several parents decided to attend the Marshall Librarys Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) held on January 21.  What they saw was ghastly. It was an attempt to normalize homosexuality and transgenderism in the minds of very young children.

In the aftermath, the parents regrouped, and just five days back on February 11, they took the terrorists by surprise, and secured an impressive victory  one that Americans across the nation ought to emulate.

Initially, the parents had planned to sing hymns in the lobby of the library, but when they arrived just a scant thirty minutes early with Bibles in hand, they were the first ones there  God bless the Judeo-Christian ethos embraced by conservatives which values punctuality!  and occupied the designated meeting room. Per MassResistance, the library director attempted to suppress the activists, but they werent budging, so he gave up.

But heres the best part:

As the event was about to begin, the director came back and asked some of the activists to give up their seats, so that the parents (?) with children in the lobby could come inside. Not one of our activists budged! There were several children who had been brought to this DQSH event. But none of them could get in. The Drag Queens read LGBT childrens books and sang songs. But they ended it early and left.

Were told the movement isnt about sexualizing children, but rather about inclusivity and gender expression  yet the LGBTQ activists shut it down early when they concede theyve lost their audience of tots?

That right there affirms what weve been saying all along. This is peaceful disobedience at its finest.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
For Democrats, managing an incapacitated dotard in high office is always a full-time job, fraught with risk and unintended consequences.

It's always easier to have a self-driving leftie with his wits about him.

In that party, they've got a lot of them these days, starting with Joe Biden, and Sen. John Fetterman.

There's also Sen. Dianne Feinstein, about whom the New York Post wrote three years ago:

WASHINGTON  Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate at age 87 and the most senior Democrat on its powerful Judiciary Committee, is seriously struggling with cognitive decline, a new report says. People familiar with the California lawmakers situation told the New Yorker on Wednesday that Feinsteins short-term memory has grown so poor that she often forgets she has been briefed on a topic, accusing her staff of failing to do so just after they have. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has had several painful discussions with Feinstein about stepping aside, but the octogenarian reportedly soon forgets about their talks, forcing Schumer to confront her again, one source said. It was like Groundhog Day, but with the pain fresh each time, the source said.

Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter have already written Feinstein off as dead, announcing in rapid succession in the past few weeks that they're running for the 31-year incumbent's Senate seat. Schiff even claimed he was doing so with Feinstein's blessing.

Yesterday, a press release went out saying that Feinstein was indeed on her last term and would not be seeking re-election at the age of 91 in 2024.

The news was all over it.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, made her tributes, calling Feinstein "an icon."

Local television station KTVU Fox 2 wheeled out the glowing retrospective:

Dianne Feinstein retires: looking back on career of pioneering senator

The statues were featured.

Everyone was ready for it.

But .... to paraphrase Alanis Morrissette: Well, she's still alive.

Turns out Feinstein's crew decided to take matters into their own hands, and attempted to ease the old lady out with that press release, done behind her back.

It didn't end well for them. According to Mediaite:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said she did not know her office released a statement saying she will not seek reelection in 2024. I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends, Feinstein, 89, said in the statement. Later on Tuesday, reporters at the Capitol asked her about the announcement. I havent made that decision, she said, according to Savannah Behrman of the National Journal. I havent released anything. A Feinstein staffer then told her, We put out the statement. You put out the statement? the senator replied, seemingly surprised.

They tried to get rid of her, and all they got for their troubles was: 'Not so fast, whippersnappers.'

They'll undoubtedly be plotting again to get rid of her -- and now that the old lady is alerted, she may well find a way to get rid of them first. The heat is on.

Democrats are big on staying in power indefinitely -- as if Stalin or Castro were their role model. They're also surprisingly difficult to dislodge. With a rigged election system in the blue states, these Dems know they don't have to resign from anything.

It will likely be the same when staffers make a lunge to get rid of ailing John Fetterman, who reportedly suffered permanent brain damage in the wake of his stroke and failure to get adequate rest as Democrats pushed him to campaign for his Senate seat. If Feinstein won't go, why would he want to go? He can stay ensconced in office as long as she's been.

Even more significant, Joe Biden won't leave gracefully, despite his increasingly debilitated state. If Feinstein doesn't have to go, why then what's keeping him from launching his 2024 bid for re-election, especially since everyone on his side believes he did win 81 million votes. What indeed is stopping any of them? Senility doesn't matter any more than polls matter to this bunch. All that matters, amid all that brain fog and confused thinking, is that they stay in power permanently. Somehow, that doesn't affect their addled memories one bit.

Image: Screen shot from Associated Press video, via YouTube
Mark Wauck, at his Meaning in History blog, has come upon an interesting report from an independent journalist about who's behind all the mysterious explosions and fires in Russia, coinciding with its war in Ukraine.

The short answer? It's the CIA.

Jack Murphy's report, published last Dec. 24, outlines how the agency teamed up with a NATO ally (maybe Poland or U.K.) to set up sleeper cells inside Russia. Those sleepers were subsequently "activated" to conduct sabotage operations on critical Russian installations:

The campaign involves long standing sleeper cells that the allied spy service has activated to hinder Moscow's invasion of Ukraine by waging a secret war behind Russian lines. Years in the planning, the campaign is responsible for many of the unexplained explosions and other mishaps that have befallen the Russian military industrial complex since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, according to three former U.S. intelligence officials, two former U.S. military officials and a U.S. person who has been briefed on the campaign. The former officials declined to identify specific targets for the CIA-directed campaign, but railway bridges, fuel depots and power plants in Russia have all been damaged in unexplained incidents since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.

Murphy's report, which seems knowledgeable and includes many anonymous interviews with people identified as in the intelligence field, described a layered operation, with some sleeper teams set up in the wake of Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, some teams set up by allies independently, and some teams set up by Ukraine itself, whose nationals have a fairly easy time "passing" as Russian or at least not drawing much suspicion inside the very suspicious country of Russia. Murphy's report includes many puerile tweets and comments from Ukrainian officials who pretty well give their game away to the Russians, effectively admitting their role. However, there seem to be others.

The kicker here is that many of these key sleeper cells were set up by President Obama in the wake of a phony report about Russia interfering in the 2016 election.

Obama didn't like that the American people elected President Trump  and he sought to punish Russia for it, like a child throwing objects in a tantrum. Obama wanted to make them pay. According to Murphy:

Any covert action undertaken by U.S. agencies must be authorized by a presidential finding. After the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russia had interfered with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President Barack Obama signed such a finding for covert action against Russia before he left office, according to The Washington Post. The finding involved the National Security Agency and the military's Cyber Command in addition to the CIA and included a scheme to plant "cyberweapons in Russia's infrastructure," according to the Post. That 2016 finding also included language about sabotage operations, according to a former CIA official. Other former officials said that the current sabotage campaign would have required either an entirely new finding or an amendment to a pre-existing finding on Russia.

And suddenly, Russia is seeing a lot of sabotage  on munitions plants, utilities, railroad tracks, anything that serves Russia's war effort, and many of these mysterious fires and explosions are happening deep inside Russia. The Russians claim in public that these were all just accidents. But as Murphy notes:

While sabotage may seem like a dated concept, recalling the exploits of T.E. Lawrence ("of Arabia") in World War I and the Office of Strategic Services in World War II, it remains a relevant tool for disrupting an enemy's logistics and sowing confusion in his rear areas.

What's more, the Russians seem to have been caught flat-footed.

According to Murphy:

"There have been many fires across Russia over the past few months, particularly in weapons-manufacturing plants and other crucial sites," said Russia analyst Olga Lautman, a non-resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. "Russian media has reported on these fires as separate incidents. They have not created any propaganda around these incidents and treat them as accidents." For instance, when a Russian Aerospace Defense Forces building burned down in late April, killing more than 20 people, Russian state media reported that the blaze was caused by faulty wiring.

No propaganda, from the guys who are the top-seed paranoids about this sort of thing?

Wonder why.

Something else makes me think they were caught unawares, too:

A few years ago, I had a long conversation with a Russian official about spy operations, and while I don't remember the context, I recall that the official told me the CIA would find it a waste of money and resources to send a spy to some boring city like Chelyabinsk because there's nothing there to spy on.

Well.

Now, perhaps this person knew nothing. But on the other hand, the attacks have been so numerous and damaging that it's also possible that they suspected nothing, and the sleeper cells were able to get into place with ease because the Russians had written off the possibility that it could happen.

The danger of such sabotage ops, writes Murphy, is that it could drive the conflict into a direct war with Russia:

Meanwhile, the mysterious explosions deep in Russian territory have continued. While these acts of sabotage can have both a psychological and substantive impact on the Kremlin's offensive, they also run the risk of escalating conflict between the Western world and Russia beyond either side's ability to estimate  or control.

Yet the root of this doesn't come from some military threat to the U.S.

It comes, as Wauck notes, from Trump-hate  specifically, Obama's umbrage at Trump getting elected in 2016.

Worse still, it could bring the war to us, and maybe it already has. Wauck concludes with this arresting observation:

The dangers of such a sabotage program are pretty clear  it runs the risk of serious escalation. Another aspect, which Murphy doesn't address, is the reality that turnabout is fair play or, alternatively, two can play the same game. Soviet/Russian "illegals" or sleeper cells in America are a reality. Could they also have been trained in sabotage? As long as there are no unexplained fires or explosions or such like in the US, I guess we're safe. Wait...

Recall that President Trump, taking advice from National Security Council Russia adviser Fiona Hill, a committed Trump-hater from the Brookings Institution who "came out" as a witness during the first Trump impeachment (and whose ties to Biden seem significant), expelled a record 60 Russian diplomats during his administration in 2018 on the pretext of a thuggish Russian poisoning of a defector in London.

What do countries do when their open diplomatic presence is all but erased? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that they set up sleeper cells to make up for all the lost personnel. If the U.S. wouldn't let them do their stuff with diplomatic personnel that the FBI can easily track, they'd do it with what in the espionage trade are known as "illegals" (this is not the same as illegal aliens): spies who operate without diplomatic cover, who are much harder to track.

They've had quite a few years to do this, and you can bet they probably have used them.

What have we seen in the U.S.? A lot of fires at farms and food-processing plants, as well as attacks on utilities and train derailings. Nobody seems to have an explanation as to why these things are happening  certainly not the Biden administration, which pretty well ignores them and hopes the public doesn't notice.

But it may be that they too have been caught flat-footed.

With the FBI busying itself by spying on school boards and "radical traditional Catholics" and low-traffic tweeters who tweet out of turn, they haven't had much time for their normal duties catching spies and saboteurs.

The bottom line here is that there's a lot of funny stuff going on now, and we don't seem to know where it's coming from. We also know that if the Russians know that the CIA is behind efforts to undermine their war effort, they'll undoubtedly be looking for opportunities to retaliate.

And a lot of it is because of Obama's Trump-hate. What a rotten fruit that Obama-rage has brought us now. It's nothing to do with U.S. national interests and a lot to do with sacrificing U.S. national security. That's some rage.

Image: Screen shot from USAToday video via YouTube.
Suddenly our skies are filled with threatening UFOs  that absolutely must be shot down.

It all started when Joe Biden allowed a positively identified Chinese aircraft, with a sensor payload the size of two school buses, to cross the United States. It even loitered over some of our most restricted military bases. Yet our military didn't shoot it down until it had completed its mission.

NORAD chief General Glen VanHerck said we couldn't shoot it down because it wasn't posing a threat. He also said we have a "domain awareness gap," which is General speak for we can't detect slow-moving 20-story-tall objects in the sky  nothing to be alarmed about. Besides, we all snoop on one another  it's no biggie.

I have a question for the general. If the Chinese flew a military transport, unannounced, over Washington, D.C., would he consider that threatening  it being unarmed and all? How about an unarmed but unannounced commercial aircraft  like, say, American Airlines flight 77?

Answering all of the questions about how we let a balloon from a strategic threat cross the North American continent got really embarrassing for the administration that doesn't do embarrassment well. Now shooting stuff out of the sky has become an almost daily thing.

In just the last few days, we've shot down three objects (of the unidentified flying type) over Alaska, the Yukon territory, and Lake Huron. Our top military guys claim they aren't sure what the objects were  though they're pretty sure they weren't balloons. The objects could be from China or Russia. Heck, they haven't even ruled out aliens (the space kind, not the Latin American kind). Now the administration that couldn't come up with a plausible explanation for ceding air superiority to a balloon is facing more questions for Karine Jean-Pierre to get annoyed with.

How fast were the UFOs moving?

Were the UFOs emitting signals?

Were the UFOs maneuvering or just drifting on the wind?

Were we unable to get close-up photos before terminating the objects?

Do we really shoot down objects in civilian airspace  in peacetime  without identifying them first?

Occam's Razor is a philosophical tool for "shaving off" unlikely explanations during an investigation. It states:

When faced with competing explanations for the same phenomenon, the simplest explanation is likely the correct one.

Let's apply the razor to our current debate about what's going on in the battle raging over North America.

Could China have sent the UFOs? Has the country that steals its technology from us come up with a super-secret aircraft  with leap-ahead technology? If so, would the Chinese use such an aircraft to do what they've already successfully done with a balloon?

Did Russia send the UFOs? Have the Russians developed a highly advanced aerospace technology that we are unaware of? Would the country that started a three-week war with Ukraine  which is approaching the one-year mark  use that technology on us rather than on the country they're currently losing to?

Maybe space aliens really did send the UFOs. Is it possible that beings who created an Einstein-Rosen (wormhole) drive were able to send a craft thousands of light-years from their home but were unable to avoid detection or termination once they arrived?

Or is the Biden administration feeding us a line? Is Joe Biden shooting down weather balloons with half-a-million-dollar missiles to pose as alert, on the job, and in control  between trips to Baskin-Robbins?

What seems more likely:

a sudden advancement in Chinese or Russian aerospace technology that doesn't use propellers, jets, rockets, or lighter-than-air gases;

space aliens who can travel across the galaxy, but can't avoid crashing once they arrive; or

a government hoax to cover up incompetence?

Personally, I'd prefer to have a chance to meet a space alien  but I'm not holding my breath.

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He has written for American Thinker and American Free News Network. He can be followed on Facebook or reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image via Pixabay.
One of the most important points George Orwell made in 1984 is that language shapes thought, defining the parameters of what a culture believes, what people are allowed to say, and what they are forbidden even to think. Leftists continue to see Orwells insight as an instruction manual, not a warning. Two examples emerged in the past few days. The first is that black college students put together a list of hundreds of dehumanizing, derogatory terms for white people. The second is that the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Language Project is trying to decolonize scientific language, which involves walking away from reality.

In George Orwells totalitarian Oceania, the official language was Newspeak. This wasnt an organic language; it was, instead, a state-mandated language intended to control peoples ability to think, especially to think about concepts such as freedom:

By 2050earlier, probablyall real knowledge of Oldspeak will have disappeared. The whole literature of the past will have been destroyed. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Byrontheyll exist only in Newspeak versions, not merely changed into something different, but actually contradictory of what they used to be. Even the literature of The Party will change. Even the slogans will change. How could you have a slogan like Freedom is Slavery when the concept of freedom has been abolished? The whole climate of thought will be different. In fact, there will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy means not thinkingnot needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.

Theres a direct line between Orwells Newspeak and the phrase gender-affirming care as an anodyne way of describing castrating boys or giving girls mastectomies and hysterectomies.

Image by Andrea Widburg

Humans are the only animal with language, and language, therefore, has tremendous power over our brains. Thats why it matters when black college students spend time and energy coming up with demeaning and dehumanizing terms for whites:

A document reportedly linked to black students at numerous universities refers to white people as maggots, vermin and roaches. Altogether the document contains hundreds of derogatory names for white people, with some listed as a favorite. One of the listed favorites was decomposing form of humanity. Other names referred to white people as pigs and rats. [snip] Listed slurs include yeast maggots, mutated vermin and snow roaches, according to the list, obtained by 1819 News from Heard.

This was not a youthful prank. Blacks, more than any other group in America, are inordinately sensitive to how language is used to demean people because, for so long, they were on the receiving end of that language. Even now, the infamous n word is the only unspeakable word in the English languageif youre not black.

The black students who did this genuinely despise whites in the same way Nazis despised Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, blacks. This is one of the most dangerous emanations weve seen yet of the lefts relentless drive to make America a racially divided society.

Meanwhile, some scientists are waging their own linguistic war, this one against reality and common sense:

American and Canadian scientists are urging the scientific community to do away with recognizing biological sex, including tossing binary terms such as male and female, man, woman, mother, or father. The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Language Project is working hard to destroy the colonialist mindset that Western scientists are supposedly in by breaking down language that could be deemed to be offensive, according to The Times. Instead of male and female, the research group wants people to use sperm-producing and egg-producing to avoid reinforcing heteronormative views. Father and mother should be replaced with parent, egg donor and sperm donor as well.

The gender binary is real and, to the extent some people have genetic malformations that leave them stuck between male and female, those are anomalies. We never define the whole by the anomalythat is, we never do that unless we are ideologically-driven leftists who seek to take down western society, beginning with the most basic unit of all: Parents.

The lefts war on the American experiment, which is the most successful product of the coming together of the Judeo-Christian Bible, Greek philosophy, and the Enlightenment, isnt just continuing, its escalating.
Resistance  by scientists  to new scientifically demonstrated evidence becomes even more stubborn when their motivation is not science at all, but ideology. Evidence is not proof, of course, but when a large body of evidence is systematically moving in the direction of a new paradigm, scientists must take note of that and critically re-examine their own bias. The evidence is increasing, and the direction is clear; it leads toward divine involvement in the physical world.

Once an outdated scientific paradigm has become established, it can survive for lifetimes, even when subsequent scientific discoveries cast reasonable doubt on it. To some degree, this is because, once many books and journal articles, including textbooks, have been published, a considerable investment has been made  not just in terms of money, but in terms of reputation and prestige.

Despite their embarrassment, scientists do on occasion overturn longstanding theories in favor of better ones, albeit often after much resistance  because facts eventually become irrefutable.

A current example of this regards the well known science of heredity  specifically, the topic of DNA. Much of the public is familiar with the term "DNA" because it is associated with court cases involving paternity lawsuits and criminal investigations. Few people are aware, however, that there is no proof that DNA does what many biologists have long been saying it does. DNA is clearly important to heredity, yes, but it is not the blueprint for your body. The evidence for that is potentially revolutionary in terms of science.

This was first brought to my attention by a science blogger named Mark Mahin, whose source material is extensive, well documented, and clearly presented. My further inquiries into this led me to some of the most highly reputed scientists in the field, including authors Dr. Stephen Meyer and Dr. Michael Behe, and also the highly esteemed mathematician Dr. John Lennox, all of whom vigorously contest the current paradigm. Their arguments are presented cogently in an interview on YouTube.

Further inquiries led me deeper into reference material, at the layman level, on cellular physics, including numerous astounding videos such as the one presented at this TED talk. The evidence can no longer be ignored. DNA, while of central importance in genetics and heredity, is only a small part of the whole story. There is much more needed than DNA to explain the bigger picture. DNA is a coded language that produces proteins, the basic building blocks of life  but there is little or no evidence that it does much more than that in terms of structuring the body.

DNA guides the production of the molecular "bricks," so to speak, of which our bodies are made, but knowing how bricks are made does not tell one how brick houses are made. That is a vital point. We still do not understand how nature produces such vastly complicated organisms as the human body. We are not even close. Indeed, even the most basic cell is said to be more complex than a jumbo jet airliner. The information requirement alone exceeds the capacity of DNA. The intricacy within simple cells cannot be explained by DNA alone. Much more is needed  a new paradigm, perhaps.

Why, then, do so many scientists insist that DNA is the "blueprint of the human body"? It cannot be. Indeed, blueprints are produced by designers, not the other way around. Who is the designer of DNA?

That question might explain why this subject is controversial. As Mahin points out on his blog, quoting French biologist Francois Jacob in his 1970 book The Logic of Life: A History of Heredity, "[d]o you see this egg? With it you can overthrow all the schools of theology, all the churches of the earth."

There you have it. The reason is not scientific; it is philosophical anti-theism.

The paradigm that has taken hold firmly in physical science is that nothing in the physical world is detectably influenced by anything outside the physical world. This strongly implies that for all practical purposes, only the physical realm exists and nothing else. Those who hold to that philosophy say that denial of the physicalist paradigm is based in superstition and religious myth. They say there is no evidence for anything outside the physical world, and certainly not for an interventionist, divine Creator.

Evidence has finally arrived  a lot of it  and it casts serious doubt on the physicalist paradigm. There is resistance, some of which involves a degree of censorship, but that is breaking down as younger scientists move into the field who are not tied down to the old ways, and some established scientists are running the gauntlet of peer criticism.

The idea that the Creator mentioned in the Declaration of Independence as the author of our rights and freedoms is as revolutionary now as it was in 1776. It is needed, now perhaps more than ever. I would urge those who resist that idea to do what they have been telling us to do: follow the science.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
Joseph Samuel was a petty criminal who broke into homes and stole stuff. There is nothing remarkable about his crimes, or about his life. However, the circumstances surrounding his attempted execution is very peculiar and unparalleled in history.

Joseph Samuel was convicted of larceny at the age of fourteen in 1795. He was sentenced to seven years, and after serving a few years in England, he was transported to the penal colony in Australia. At that time, Britain maintained a penal settlement at Sydney Cove in the Colony of New South Wales. These early penal settlements relied on the isolation of the colony to keep its inmates in. Security was lax because the impression was that any escaping convict would not be able to survive in the harsh environment of the Australian wilderness.

A View of the Cove and Part of Sydney.

On the night of August 25-26, 1803, Samuel and a gang of convicts sneaked out of the camp and broke into the home of a wealthy woman and stole 24 guineas and some other items. The owner reported the theft to the police, and a constable named Joseph Luker, himself a former convict, went out to investigate. The next morning, his battered body was discovered by the side of the road, with the hilt of his own cutlass buried in his brains. Nearby was a bloodstained wheel of a barrow.

The brutal murder rocked the small community. It was the first time a policeman was killed on duty in Australia. Every officer, whether civil or military, was called up to assist in the search of the assassins. All roads leading out of the town was blocked, and a score of bad characters were rounded up. After searching the local area, a barrow without its wheel was found in the house belonging to one Sarah Laurence, where Joseph Samuels and his partners frequently lodged. The group was hailed at once to the magistrate and charged with murder. The gang denied the charges. Some of them even had solid alibies. But Samuel confessed to the robbery, but denied having murdered the policeman. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. The others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

On 26 September 1803, Samuel and another criminal, James Hardwicke, who was convicted of a different robbery, were driven in a cart to Parramatta, where hundreds of people had gathered to watch the execution. A priest present at the gallows asked Samuel for confession, but instead, Samuel began accusing another member of the gang named Simmons of murder, saying that Simmons had confessed to the crime in their cell. Simmons who was at the gallows to witness the execution stated his innocence, but the crowd, now angered, went for him and had to be held back by the military. After Samuels accusations, a last-minute reprieve arrived for Hardwicke, and he was removed from the gallows leaving only Samuel up in the cart.

Samuel then devoted his last few moments to prayer, and after a while, the signal was given and the cart was moved away from under in. Around Samuels neck was a noose made of five cords of hemp, which was capable of holding, under ordinary circumstances, a weight of a thousand pound for up to five minutes. But as the cart moved away, the rope snapped and Samuel fell on the ground. Embarrassed, the executioner hastily readied another rope. Samuel was pulled up on his feet and forced into the cart again, and the newly prepared noose was slipped into his neck. Again the cart was driven off, but this time the noose mysteriously unraveled and Samuel lightly dropped into the ground.

The crowd become boisterous, calling for Samuel to be freed. The executioner very quickly readied another five-hemp rope, ordered the cart driven back, forced Samuel onto it, fastened the noose around his neck, secured it very carefully and tightly, and then ordered the cart driven away. Again the rope snapped. Now the crowed was in an uproar, and demanded the prisoner be released. The Provost Marshal ordered the execution delayed while he galloped away to find the Governor King. When the governor heard the tale, he gave Samuel a pardon, declaring divine intervention. Later, the ropes which were used in the execution were inspected and no signs of tampering was found. They were also tested by suspending weights from them and they appeared to be fine. Why the ropes broke under the weight of Joseph Samuel, no one can say.

After his brush with death Samuel was sent to Kings Town to work in the mines. In 1806 he and seven other men tried to escape the settlement in a boat but it sank and they were presumed drowned. His body was never found.

References:

# The Man They Couldn't Hang, Herald Saturday Magazine

# The Man They Couldnt Hang: Joseph Samuel, Parramatta History and Heritage

# 1803: Joseph Samuel survives three hangings, Executed Today
Samsung may have worked out a way to make the tiny screen on smartwatches more usable. It could attach a projector to the Galaxy Watch and use it to turn your hand or any adjacent surface into additional screen space. A newly-published patent filing from the Korean brand envisions this futuristic solution.

Spotted by Wareable, Samsung originally filed this patent application in Korea back in July 2021. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received the application in August last year. It was eventually published earlier this month. The patent concerns a wearable electronic device including a projection display. The USPTO documents describe the product as a projection display disposed on a side portion of the housing and configured to display information on a display area adjacent to the housing.

In simpler terms, it is a smartwatch with a built-in projector. Samsung explains that the wrist wearable can have the projector attached to the side. It can be used to project additional screen space on any adjacent surface. You could turn the back of your hand into a screen for your Galaxy Watch.

The virtual screen can mirror the watchs screen or display something else. In that sense, you may be able to watch videos, play games, and do much more. Maybe include a camera too for capturing photos and making video calls.

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Samsungs patent application contains tons of sketches and drawings explaining how it plans to pull this off. The company says it could fit a bunch of lenses and LEDs onto the watch to project undistorted images on the adjacent surface. The lenses and LEDs could be arranged in multiple rows to ensure clear images even if the surface isnt flat. You can find all the technical tidbits about this ambitious product here, complete with official schematics.

Samsung patented a projector-equipped Galaxy Watch in the past as well

This isnt the first time we are seeing Samsung patent a projector-equipped smartwatch. The company also patented a similar concept in 2016. Needless to say, that product never saw the light of day. And we have little hope about this one too. It appears to be one of those patents that tech companies just file just to protect an idea. The Korean firm likely isnt working on anything close to this. However, you can never rule out the possibility of Samsung making a projector-equipped Galaxy Watch in the future. We will keep an eye on it and let you know accordingly.
Samsung has released the Android 13 update for the Galaxy A04. The budget handset is getting One UI Core 5.0 along with the new Android version. This update has already been rolled out to the Galaxy A04s and Galaxy A04e, the other two models in the companys entry-level lineup last year.

As of this writing, the Android 13-based One UI Core 5.0 update for the Galaxy A04 is rolling out in Asia. To be precise, the update is available for users in Kazakhstan. The new firmware version for the phone is A045FXXU1BWB1. Samsung should expand the release to more markets in the coming days. The budget handset wasnt sold in the US, but it arrived in Africa, Europe, and a few other regions.

Along with Android 13 and One UI Core 5.0, the Galaxy A04 is also getting the December 2022 Android security patch. Its a fairly old SMR (Security Maintenance Release) now, given that the February 2023 patch has also been around for about two weeks.

The Galaxy A04s received the Android 13 update in December last year with the November 2022 SMR. It recently picked up the February patch as well. The Galaxy A04e, on the other hand, received the January patch with Android 13 a few weeks back.

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The Galaxy A04 may not be getting a recent security patch, but there are plenty of other things to be excited about here. Launching with Android 12, this is the first major Android OS update for the phone. It brings a minor visual refresh and a host of new features and improvements.

Samsung has made system animations smoother to enable a more fluid navigation experience. Youre also getting new lock screen customizations that allow you to give your phone a unique look. You can refer to the official changelog here for more.

Galaxy A04, A04e, and A04s will not get One UI 5.1, but Android 14 will arrive

Samsung launched the Galaxy A04, Galaxy A04e, and Galaxy A04s in the second half of last year. All three models debuted with Android 12 out of the box. Android 13 is the first major Android OS upgrade for them. They will also get Android 14. However, Samsungs One UI 5.1, which recently rolled out to dozens of Galaxy devices, will not reach the budget trio. The new One UI version is reserved for flagships and premium mid-rangers. Nonetheless, if youre using the Galaxy A04, the latest update for your phone contains tons of goodies. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install to check for updates manually.
(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 16 - Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro has been put under investigation by Rome prosecutors in relation to revelations made in parliament about the case of jailed anarchist Alfredo Cospito by Giovanni Donzelli, a fellow MP for Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, sources said on Thursday.

The probe was opened after Angelo Bonelli of the Green and Left group filed a complaint.

The fact that a probe has been opened does not mean Delmastro will face charges.

Donzelli revealed that Cospito, who has been on hunger strike for over 100 days to protest against the tough 41 bis jail regime he is being held under, had talked to mafia bosses about getting the 41 bis abolished.

The jail regime is usually reserved for mafiosi.

He also revealed that four lawmakers from the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) had visited Cospito in jail.

During the debate Donzelli, a member of the Copasir parliamentary committee that oversees Italy's intelligence services, asked whether the PD was on the side of the State or that of the mafia and terrorists.

Delmastro, who is also Donzelli's flat mate, was the source of the information.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has said that the information was not classified. (ANSA).


ROME - Projects of cultural collaboration between the Louvre and Italian museums were at the centre of a meeting held in Paris on Thursday between Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano and the director of the Parisian museum Laurence Des Cars. The Italian culture ministry said that cultural cooperation projects between the Louvre and the Italian museum system were the focus of the meeting.



The Italian ministry announced that on the basis of dossiers prepared by the competent offices, Sangiuliano also raised "the issue of the return of some archaeological artefacts that were stolen and illegally exported from Italy abroad and ended up in the French museum's collection". Italy has previously reached agreements with other top museums and galleries, mainly in the United States, for the return of looted art and artefacts.



The two officials also discussed Naples In Paris, a major show on the southern Italian city featuring treasures from the Capodimonte Museum that opens at the Parisian museum on June 7.



"It will be a beautiful showcase for Naples," said Sangiuliano, stressing that the Capodimonte works would be flanked by "a cultural season devoted to Naples illustrating to the French public the history, literature, music, theatre and cinema of the Parthenopean city".




Israel exports crude oil to Europe for first time From offshore gas field of Karish

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, FEBRUARY 16 - Israel has exported crude oil material from the offshore Karish gas field with a shipment headed to Europe for the first time, Greek gas company Energean said. The company said the ship transported hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) extracted from natural gas "for the first time in the history of Israeli oil and gas production". (ANSAmed).




Italy Aterballetto company in Paris with performers over-65 The co-production will then move to Aix-en-Provence

(ANSAmed) - ROMA, 16 FEB - Dancers over 65 will be performing until February 23 at the Theatre de Chaillot, the Parisian temple of contemporary dance, for an original diptych by choreographers Rachid Ouramdane and Angelin Preljocaj, produced by Fondazione Nazionale della Danza/Aterballetto-Centro Coreografico Nazionale from Reggio Emilia.



In the performance, which lasts one hour and 10 minutes, the two choreographers deal with themes that are interesting from an artistic, as well as a philosophical and social standpoint - the transformation of the body with age, the concepts of beauty and virtuosity, the representation of age. "Aging is not a problem for an actor, writer or visual artist - explained Gigi Cristoforetti, director of Aterballetto - on the contrary, we also see an enrichment of the forms of expression. But in ballet, which is a universal artistic language, will we be anchored (and limited) by the concept of the performance of sport? More in general, the transformation of the body through the years is a central theme in our society and in the sensibility of each one of us. Dancing - continued Cristoforetti - allows us to deepen a research that is first of all artistic.



And the two choreographers intend to push this till the end".



From March 2 until March 4, the co-production involving international partners will move to the Pavillon Noir of Aix-en-Provence to reach Italy at the Arena del Sole in Bologna on March 12. Subsequent performances will be in Reggio Emilia, Milan, Trento and Bolzano. (ANSAmed).




France: fifth day of strikes, protests over pension reform Filibuster, insults preventing parliamentary debate

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, FEBRUARY 16 - While waiting to "block France" as of March 7, unions organized on Thursday the fifth day of mobilization against a pension reform to keep the pressure up on lawmakers.



In the National Assembly, meanwhile, debate of the key article 7 of the reform, which raises retirement age from 62 to 64, has not started yet due to the thousands of amendments presented by members of the opposition and the harsh political climate of the past few days. President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday attacked the opposition, defining it "in disarray" and unable to "put the French at the centre of its concerns".



Over the past few hours, thousands of amendments were withdrawn by the left-wing coalition NUPES, while Marine Le Pen - on the opposite part of the political spectrum - presented a motion of no confidence. During the school holiday, participation in demonstrations is expected to decrease, as well as strikes in the public sector - in particular transport - involving few workers. A suspension of 30% of flights from the Orly airport Orly however remains in place, along with cuts to electricity production: overnight EDF workers cut down the provision of over 3,000 MW, the equivalent of blocking three nuclear reactors.



It is the last day of the mobilization before March 7, when unions - if the government doesn't withdraw the reform or grants enough concessions - are threatening to block the country with endless strikes. (ANSAmed).




ANCONA - Migrant-rescue boat Geo Barents, run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), is expected to reach the port of Ancona at around 1 pm on Friday with 48 migrants and asylum seekers on board, including nine minors, who were rescued in international waters off Libya, prefecture sources said Thursday.

The vessel was assigned the port of Ancona, as had already occurred for two other groups of migrants who arrived in January with the Ocean Viking and the Geo Barents in the first implementation of the decree on migrant flows. The prefecture is waiting for the Interior ministry to assign housing to the adult passengers (who are not expected to remain in the Marches city), while the nine minors have already been assigned to the hosting and integration system SAI. For further needs, the prefecture of Ancona is looking for operators providing temporary hosting services to unaccompanied foreign minors whose presence is ascertained upon arrival. For this reason, it has published on its website a provisional notice for foster care.

When the two previous groups arrived, the number of minors grew to include 39 teens and children. As occurred in January, five modules have been set up on pier 22 to welcome the migrants and carry out identification procedures, also providing a medical clinic and bathrooms.




Survivor, 17, pulled from Turkey' rubble 284 hours after quake Over 36,000 now reported dead in country

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, FEBRUARY 16 - A 17-year-old survivor has been pulled out of rubble some 248 hours after a quake that rocked southern Turkey on February 6. The rescue operation took place in the Turkish province of Adiyaman, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu reported on Thursday.



Meanwhile, at least 36,187 people have died in Turkey due to the quake, according to the Turkish agency for disasters and emergencies Afad. (ANSAmed).




BEIRUT - Thousands of Syrians who have lived in neighbouring Turkey for years as refugees are returning to the devastated regions of north-western Syria, hit by the February 6 quake, through the Bab al Hawa crossing between the two countries, pan Arab media reported, quoting sources at the border crossing. Bab al Hawa sources stated that Turkish authorities granted permits to Syrians residing in Turkey to travel for a maximum period of six months, before returning to Turkey. The report has not been confirmed by Turkish institutions. And many fear they will not be allowed back in Turkey - where over three million Syrian refugees have lived since 2011 - once they return to Syria.



Local observers say this counter-exodus is due to the daily difficulties faced by Syrian refugees in the south-western Turkish regions rocked by the quake. Some of the refugees interviewed by pan Arab television al Arabiya said they had no other choice than to go back. North-western Syria has been torn by armed conflict for 12 years. Millions of displaced Syrians who had fled war-torn regions moved there.




Tunisia: journalists protest in front of government building Calling for freedom of expression and rights

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, FEBRUARY 16 - Tunisian journalists on Thursday protested in front of the government building, calling for freedom of the press and for their rights to be respected.



The demonstration organized by the national union of Tunisian journalists (Snjt) also denounced the situation of the sector and some media outlets that were confiscated and run by the government. The demonstration also called for decree-law 54 on fake news to be revoked.



The union's president, Mahdi Jlassi, stressed that governments have followed one another since 2011, using the media for their political battles - exploiting them as a tool of propaganda rather than safeguarding them as companies that provide a service to citizens. The protest also remembered the recent arrest of the editor-in-chief of private radio Mosaique Fm, Noureddine Boutar, whose pre-trial detention has been extended by another five days.(ANSAmed).




An ancient codex, believed to be the earliest, most complete copy of the Hebrew Bible ever discovered, is expected to fetch up to 50 million dollars (41.5 million) at auction.

Codex Sassoon is one of a handful of rare historical artifacts that has survived throughout the centuries to allow a window into the past and develop modern cultural understanding.

The book, which dates back to the ninth or tenth century, is due to come up for auction at Sothebys in New York in May for the first time in more than 30 years.

Codex Sassoon dates back to the ninth or tenth century (Sothebys/PA)

According to the auction house, it has long been a foundational cornerstone to civilisations and communities around the globe and is arguably the most influential book in human history.

Composed of 24 books divided into three parts  the Pentateuch, the Prophets and the Writings  the Hebrew Bible makes up the foundation for Judaism as well as the other Abrahamic faiths.

Codex Sassoon provides a bridge between ancient Dead Sea scrolls to the Bible of the modern day.

The book is named after its modern owner, David Solomon Sassoon, who assembled the most significant private collection of Judaica and Hebraica manuscripts in the world.

The codex will travel across the world for displays in Tel Aviv, Dallas and Los Angeles (Sothebys/PA)

He died in 1942 and the codex will come to auction from renowned collector Jacqui Safra after a decades-long stewardship.

With an estimate of 30 million to 50 million dollars (25 million to 41.5 million), Codex Sassoon will be the most valuable printed manuscript or historical document by estimate ever offered at auction.

Despite being recognised for its importance by scholars for generations, the book has remained virtually out of public view for centuries and will be exhibited for the first time in 40 years next week at Sothebys London.

After its UK exhibition it will travel across the world for displays in Tel Aviv, Dallas and Los Angeles before the auction in New York.

The book is named after its modern owner, David Solomon Sassoon (Sothebys/PA)

Codex Sassoon has long held a revered and fabled place in the pantheon of surviving historic manuscripts and is undeniably one of the most important and singular texts in human history, said Richard Austin, Sothebys global head of books and manuscripts.

Now that the Codex has been definitively dated as the earliest, most complete text of its kind, it stands as a critical link from the ancient Hebrew oral tradition to the modern, accepted form of the Hebrew Bible that remains the standardised version used today.

With such eminence, the Codex has an incomparable presence and gravitas that can only be borne from more than 1,000 years of history.
Andrea Riseborough says the conversation around awards campaigning sparked by her surprise Oscar nomination is necessary.

The British actress said the campaigning process remained as acerbically exclusive as it has always been and that the film industry was abhorrently unequal in terms of opportunity.

Riseborough scored a nod in the best actress category for her performance in the independent film To Leslie at the 95th Oscars nominations last month.

Riseborough was a surprise best actress nominee (PA)

Despite the backing of many big Hollywood names the film had previously not been nominated at any major award ceremonies, prompting the Academy to launch an investigation into campaigning tactics.

In her first remarks since the nominations announcement, Riseborough told The Hollywood Reporter (THR) that the situation was confusing and that she was still processing everything.

Awards campaigning is as acerbically exclusive as it has always been, she said.

I do not yet know which measures will best encourage meritocracy. Ive been working toward discovering them and will continue to.

Following its investigation the Academy said the campaigning tactics used by To Leslie had caused concern, but did not warrant rescinding Riseboroughs nomination.

It not only makes sense that this conversation would be sparked, but it is necessary, the actress told THR.

The film industry is abhorrently unequal in terms of opportunity. Im mindful not to speak for the experience of other people because they are better placed to speak, and I want to listen.

I am grateful for the conversation because it must be had. It has deeply impacted me.

Riseboroughs performance in To Leslie earned the backing of several big Hollywood names (PA)

To Leslie sees Riseborough star as a single mother who becomes an alcoholic after winning the lottery before turning her life around when a motel owner offers her a job.

Stars including Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh  both of whom are also nominated for the best actress Oscar  previously voiced their support for Riseboroughs performance.

Yeoh recently told BBC Radio 4s the Today programme that if it was so easy to cheat the Academy then it could have been done before.

The 95th Oscars are due to take place on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
British troops train 10,000 Ukrainian volunteers and will help 20,000 more

Military trainers who have turned 10,000 Ukrainian civilians into soldiers in just weeks will put another 20,000 through their paces in the UK this year.

Recruits taking part in Operation Interflex undergo an intense five-week programme learning the international laws of armed conflict, trench warfare, urban fighting, weapons handling and firing, medical training and dealing with explosives.

The courses, which are being held at sites across the UK, will harness the Ukrainians offensive spirit and give them the skills to fight effectively and survive despite coming in with little or no experience, a senior officer said.

The course is similar to what British Army reserves undertake, but it has been tweaked to reflect the reality of the war in Ukraine and has direct input from Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers who have fought there.

The troops have been learning trench warfare in Northern England (Owen Humphreys/PA)

The Ministry of Defence invited the media to observe training at an undisclosed site in the north of England, as the anniversary of the start of the war approached.

Platoon after platoon of recruits battled their way through a trench warfare exercise where a series of trenches were dug into the northern moorland and defended by international troops.

Smoke grenades and loud bangs heightened the reality of the exercise, which culminated in a planned attack on a wood, as hundreds of blank rounds were fired.

It was a reminder that these recruits will be facing real bullets when they return to Ukraine.

Trench warfare is part of the five week training exercise (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Artem, 42, formerly working in logistics in Odesa, was impressed and thankful for the international trainers efforts.

He said: They really care for us very much. They have a very high level of military expertise.

Before the full-scale invasion I didnt have any military experience.

Me and my brothers in arms are more than sure this will help us to fulfil the combat tasks and it will give us more strength and resilience on the battlefield.

One exercise finished with an staged attack on a wood (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Corporal Shaun Carter of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, normally based in Woolwich, said of the exercises: We try to make it as realistic as possible, as close to what they will be up against in Ukraine.

We call it train hard, fight easy. We have trained 10,000 last year, we want to do another 20,000 this year.

They are extremely motivated.

When they turn up they are civilians and in a short number of weeks they have gone from civilian to soldier.

British trainers said the Ukrainians were highly motivated (Owen Humphreys/PA)

We get to know them, we learn from them, so its a two-way street. Theres a lot of admiration from us.

The corporal was pleased with the way the recruits had picked up combat skills in the short course, saying: They have come on leaps and bounds.

Other recruits were undergoing training on urban warfare and learning from Swedish soldiers how to clear buildings.

Instructor Rasmus, a Swedish army captain who preferred not to give his surname, said the Ukrainians were highly motivated.

Swedish troops have trained the Ukrainians in urban warfare (Owen Humphreys/PA)

It is hard work being a soldier, he said.

They are tired but keep going with a good spirit.

We know this is for real and they will use this training in real situations and we are giving them the best training we can.

They are progressing so well so they are fit to fight back in Ukraine.
The boss of Centrica has refused to be drawn on whether he will waive his bonus for the past year after the British Gas owner tripled its profits.

The UK energy giant faced fierce scrutiny on Thursday after it saw profits soar to 3.3 billion amid rocketing energy prices which hammered households across the country.

Chris OShea, chief executive of Centrica, could be in line for a personal financial windfall after the profit haul surpassed analyst expectations.

However, he said on Thursday that it is too early to have a conversation about his potential bonus payout despite pressure from campaigners to reject it.

Centrica chief executive Chris OShea (Centrica/PA)

Mr OShea added: On the bonus, weve been a bit more efficient this year, and were a bit earlier in the process.

Last year we reported a little bit later. Its a bit early for us to say  the annual report will be published in March and it will have everything that you need.

The boss is due to receive an annual salary of 794,375 for the past year, following a 2.5% increase.

The groups annual incentive plan means that he could also be eligible for an almost 1.6 million bonus if Centrica has matched the firms long-term targets.

Mr OShea was offered a 1.1 million bonus for the previous financial year but turned it down. He confirmed the bonus rejection during last years results announcement.

However, in the firms annual report, the group said: It is important to recognise that this is not sustainable and the committee is clear that if performance justifies a bonus in the coming year it is our intention to pay that bonus.

In 2021, Mr OSheas pay was still 24 times that of the average Centrica staff member.

Last week, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition called on Mr OShea to once again reject any bumper bonus.

Simon Francis from the coalition told the Daily Mirror: He needs to look at his conscience.

The profits are one thing, but you have to also consider the number of people who have been forced onto prepayment meters against their will.
The number of investigations into hostile state threats being carried out by counter-terror police has quadrupled in the last two years, a senior officer has said.

Matt Jukes, head of counter-terrorism policing, described the workload as unprecedented and said it marked a really significant shift in focus for teams primarily working on terror probes.

Missions outside of terrorism now account for around 20% of casework in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, to tackle state threats, espionage and probe war crimes, he said.

His comments came as he revealed several terror plots foiled at the last minute in Britain in 2022 were close calls, describing them as goal line saves because would-be attackers had picked targets and were gathering weapons when officers intervened.

While fighting terrorism is still the majority focus, tackling hostile state activity was a growing part of work for counter-terror police due the range of threats now faced in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Mr Jukes told reporters at Scotland Yard on Thursday.

He said: We are shifting, in part, our focus from an exclusive attention to the terrorist threat to a really significant shift in focus on the threat from foreign states.

For counter terrorism policing that means, at present, that around 20% of our casework is focused on missions outside terrorism.

That means countering state threats, investigating war crimes and working with MI5 and other partners to address espionage.

The number of investigations focused on state threats has quadrupled in recent years, he said, adding that this referred to dozens of cases over the last two years, not hundreds.

But he stressed how scores of officers could be working on hostile state threats because of the intensity of the investigations, adding that the nature of the cases was palpably different from terror probes.

Last year the boss of MI5 laid bare the very real threat posted by hostile states and set out in stark language the dangers from Russia, China and Iran.

The security agencys director general Ken McCallum revealed in a speech in November that there had been at least 10 potential plots since January last year by Iranian intelligence services to kidnap or kill British or UK-based people considered enemies of the regime.

That number now stands at 15, Mr Jukes said, adding: We have had to respond to very real concerns about the potential threats projected from Iran against people based in the UK.

Officers are also looking into reports of the alleged presence of so-called Chinese overseas police stations.

Mr Jukes said: I want to be absolutely clear that any attempt to intimidate, to harass or to harm individuals who are UK nationals, or who have made the UK their home, wont be tolerated.

At present weve got no criminal evidence identified in the UK yet.

Attempts to set up shop to act outside the conventions of international law enforcement are not acceptable, and they will be stopped. Weve got the resources to do that.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to gather evidence of potential war crimes to pass to the International Criminal Court.

So far 100 reports are being considered by officers from people across the UK about the war in Ukraine, Mr Jukes said.
Britains biggest train company is offering cheaper tickets to encourage more commuters to return to offices on Mondays and Fridays.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said it has started selling Advance tickets for travel on some of its Southern services during the morning and evening peak periods on those days, saving passengers up to 15%.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a major change in travel patterns, with many commuters only heading into offices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

GTR said its morning peak services only carry around 210,000 passengers on Mondays, compared with between 230,000 and 250,000 on each of the middle three days of the working week.

On Fridays  which were a quieter day even before the pandemic  the figure drops to around 160,000.

Advance tickets  which are cheaper than walk-up fares  have previously only been available for off-peak services to cater for leisure passengers.

They are now available as a trial for some services in both directions between three major London stations  Victoria, Clapham Junction and East Croydon  and stations south from Three Bridges in West Sussex.

This extends as far east as Eastbourne in East Sussex and as far west as Chichester in West Sussex.

Tickets can be bought up to 12 weeks in advance.

GTR gave the example of a return journey for a commuter based in Worthing on the south coast, travelling to London Victoria.

The cheapest Advance peak ticket on that route is 28.10.

The total price for two of those  needed to make a return journey  is 56.20, some 15% cheaper than the 66.20 cost of an Anytime Day Return.

Advance ticket-holders must travel on a specific service, whereas passengers who buy an Anytime Day Return fare can catch any train.

GTR is also trialling a loyalty scheme that enables ticket-buyers to collect points which can be redeemed for rewards such as days out, cinema tickets and coffee.

The companys customer services director Jenny Saunders said: Weve seen a sea change in travel habits because of the pandemic.

Mondays and Fridays are unsurprisingly less popular with our customers because they bookend the week, but our trains are quieter as a result so we want more people to use them.

Lower ticket prices, coupled with Southerns new loyalty rewards scheme, will encourage people back to rail at times when we have more space on board, and theyll help with the rising cost of living.

We really hope both trials will be a success.

GTR runs Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern services, carrying more passengers than any other operator in Britain.

The Department for Transport has tight control over the financial decisions of most train operators in England after taking on their costs and revenue risks to maintain services since the start of the pandemic.
The family of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey have been overwhelmed by support, positivity and compassion from across the country, police have said.

Brianna, from Birchwood in Warrington, Cheshire, was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park shortly after 3pm on Saturday.

A boy and girl, both aged 15, have been charged with her murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a trial date was fixed for July.

Brianna Ghey, 16, from Birchwood, Warrington in Cheshire (Family handout/PA)

Vigils in memory of Brianna, a transgender girl, have been held across the country, with more planned over the weekend, including in her home town of Warrington.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Waller thanked the community of Culcheth for its support and said officers had been inundated with information.

He said: I know that the family have also been overwhelmed by the messages of support, positivity and the compassion across the country and beyond  and the thoughts of everyone at the constabulary remain firmly with them.

The girl, from Warrington, and boy, from Leigh, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with Briannas murder on Wednesday.

At the hearing on Thursday, they appeared on separate videolinks from youth detention accommodation and were both accompanied by an adult.

The teenagers spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth.

Candles with a sign outside the Department of Education in London during a vigil in memory of Brianna Ghey (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

The girls parents and the boys mother were in the public gallery for the hearing, which lasted just under half an hour, and both mothers appeared tearful.

Judge David Aubrey KC fixed a trial date for July 10, with the case expected to last about three weeks.

He remanded them both into youth detention accommodation ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 2.
Florence Pugh and Emma Corrin will make their Vanity Fair cover debuts alongside other rising Hollywood stars.

The British pair are on a 12-strong list of actors and actresses who have captivated us with full-tilt portrayals.

Pugh won acclaim for her performance in 2019s Midsommar, and has since gone from strength to strength with roles in films including Marvel blockbuster Black Widow.

Meet the in crowd. The ever-evolving entertainment industry is now in the hands of a new power generation. For VFs 29th annual Hollywood Issue, we assembled 12 bright stars shaping the future. #VFHollywood : https://t.co/8mBt8A8vat pic.twitter.com/5laGHm9zSc  VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 15, 2023

Last year she starred in Dont Worry Darling alongside Harry Styles, and The Wonder, and is attached to big upcoming projects Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two.

In her interview with Vanity Fair, the 27-year-old discussed her role in the epic sci-fi sequel, her relationship with social media, and her highly organised work schedule.

Pugh credited the precision of Marvel studio scheduling for her own strategy for selecting projects.

Florence Pugh won acclaim for her performance in 2019s Midsommar (Ian West/PA)

With this year, I went into the year willing it to make its own thing, and didnt have any projects specifically lined up, she told the publication.

And lo and behold, I got Oppenheimer and then I got Dune. That all started making its image of the year within the first four months or so.

Corrin has also seen a huge boost to their status since appearing in Netflixs hit regal drama The Crown, in which they starred as a young Princess Diana.

For VFs 29th annual Hollywood Issue, we assembled twelve bright stars for the after-party of our dreams. #VFHollywood Go behind the scenes: https://t.co/fjAdkcCxgS pic.twitter.com/zNwH1PRTYF  VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 16, 2023

They have since appeared with pop sensation Styles in My Policeman, as well as starring in a production of Virginia Woolfs novel Orlando at the Garrick Theatre in the West End.

They were recently announced as having joined the cast of Ryan Reynolds highly anticipated sequel Deadpool 3.

Corrin, who identifies as non-binary, discussed their decision to come out and the negativity they had received after announcing it on Instagram, describing it as a reality check.

Emma Corrin was recently announced as having joined the cast of Ryan Reynolds Deadpool 3 (Ian West/PA)

Other stars set to feature on the Vanity Fair covers include Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler, Ana de Armas, Selena Gomez, Keke Palmer, Julia Garner, Rege-Jean Page, Hoyeon, Jeremy Allen White and Aaron Taylor Johnson.

Ant-Man and Creed III star Jonathan Majors is also on the list.
The family of US actor Bruce Willis has announced that his previous diagnosis of the cognitive condition aphasia has developed into frontotemporal dementia.

In an update shared online, the family said they had the deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love following the initial news.

Here the PA news agency takes a closer look at the condition, known as FTD.

 What is FTD?

FTD is an umbrella term for a group of dementias that mainly affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for such things as personality, behaviour, language and speech, according to Dementia UK.

The charity said that FTD is a rare form of dementia that affects only around one in 20 people with a dementia diagnosis.

Williss family first announced his diagnosis of aphasia in March last year.

 What causes FTD?

According to Dementia UK, FTD is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins within the brain which damages the cells.

It is not known why this build-up occurs but is thought to have a genetic link in about one third of people with the diagnosis.

FTD is most common in people aged 40 to 60 but can also affect younger or older people, the charity said.

Willis is 67 years old.

The NHS says that, like other forms of dementia, FTD tends to develop slowly and get gradually worse over the years.

 What are the symptoms of FTD?

There are two types of FTD  behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

BvFTD, which results from damage to the frontal lobes of the brain, mainly causes problems with behaviour and personality.

The actors previous diagnosis of aphasia has progressed into FTD (Ian West/PA)

PPA, when damage occurs to the temporal lobes on either side of the head nearest the ears, causes language problems.

Alzheimers UK says that FTD symptoms are very different to other more common types of dementia, such as day-to-day memory loss  adding that in the early stages of the disease, many people can still remember recent events.

In their statement on Thursday, Williss family said that challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease the actor was facing.

The NHS says FTD can also cause physical problems including slow or stiff movements, loss of bladder or bowel control, muscle weakness or difficulty swallowing.

 How is FTD treated?

According to Dementia UK, there is no prevention or cure for FTD and it is often best to focus on practical strategies to help the person live as well as possible with the diagnosis.

Williss family said that the lack of treatment for the disease was a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead with further research.

They added that as the actors condition advances, they hope media attention will be used to raise more awareness of FTD.

Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately, they said.

We know in our hearts that  if he could today  he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.

Bruce has always found joy in life  and has helped everyone he knows to do the same.
The head of Nato visited Turkey in a show of solidarity following the devastating earthquake as donations to a UK charity appeal providing aid in the region hit 84 million.

Secretary general Jens Stoltenberg pledged ongoing support as he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara on Thursday.

Describing the tragedy as the deadliest natural disaster on alliance territory since the foundation of Nato, Mr Stoltenberg said the bloc will continue helping to set up temporary housing and will deploy aircraft to perform medical evacuations.

Thousands of emergency response personnel have been deployed to Turkey to support the relief efforts, including with search and rescue teams, firefighters, medical personnel and seismic experts, he said.

Nato allies continue to provide support; military aircraft from the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the United States are working day and night to transport international aid to Turkey, and perform medical evacuations.

Other allies like Albania, Canada and Germany are providing financial and other types of aid; and across Nato, ordinary citizens are raising millions of euros in support to Turkey. This is true and deep solidarity.

I also welcome the contributions of our invitees Finland and Sweden, showing solidarity in action, he said.

Emergency supplies are loaded on to a plane at Heathrow airport bound for Turkey (Goods for Good/PA)

It came as the Disaster Emergencies Committee (DEC), a non-government organisation bringing together 15 UK charities, announced donations had reached 84 million in just six days.

DEC groups and their local partners have been providing food, water, shelter, and warm clothing  for children and families in both Turkey and Syria since the disaster.

The death toll of the earthquake is now believed to have surpassed 35,000 people in Turkey, according to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

UN officials have warned the number of people killed could exceed 50,000.

James Denselow, head of conflict and humanitarian policy at Save the Children UK, said: The earthquakes have had a devastating impact on some seven million childrens lives. Many have died, many have been injured, many more have lost family members, friends or their homes.

Survivors are now facing a second disaster, left without adequate shelter, food, safe drinking water or sanitation facilities such as toilets and clean water in bitterly cold conditions.

The international community must do all it can, as fast as it can, in order to prevent a second humanitarian disaster.

Johan Mooij, World Visions Syria response director, said: Syrian children are again at risk of being forgotten following the aftermath of this unimaginable crisis.

It is not enough that they have suffered from almost 12 years of war and destruction, this massive earthquake has added another complexity to their young lives, in certain cases even taking their loved ones from them.

It is urgent that we address the needs of unaccompanied children, to ensure they can still receive the care they desperately need in north-west Syria.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is expected to enter the race to become the next SNP leader, the Daily Record has reported.

Mr Yousaf, who has been Health Secretary since May 2021, is said to be poised to declare his candidacy for the top job, which became free after Nicola Sturgeon shocked Holyrood on Wednesday and announced her resignation.

The Daily Record quoted a source which said Mr Yousaf, who entered the Scottish Parliament in 2011, had a lot of support from MPs and MSPs and labelled him a unifying force who had experience having been in government for a decade.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf who, it has been reported, is expected to enter the race to become the next SNP leader (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Just as he has managed to get health unions round the table, he would bring the party together, the source told the paper.

Mr Yousaf, 37 has held a number of ministerial positions in the Scottish Government since 2012, and first joined the cabinet in June 2018 as justice secretary.

But even before he has officially declared he is in the race to succeed Ms Sturgeon, his political opponents have criticised the move.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours health spokeswoman, said it was astounding the man whose mismanagement of the NHS has left one in seven Scots languishing on waiting lists believes he should fail upward.

Incompetent doesnt begin to cover Humza Yousaf, truly only a man could look at his record and apply for a promotion, she said.

Patients and staff deserve better than a part-time Health Secretary who is dreaming of changing the curtains at Bute House.

The SNPs ruling body are meeting on Thursday evening to discuss a timetable for the leadership race, with an announcement expected afterwards.

Other potential candidates include Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, and Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
A court has heard the appeal of Irish schoolteacher Enoch Burke against an injunction taken against him by a Co Westmeath school, despite concerns about his contempt of court.

The evangelical Christian, who represented himself in court, was accompanied by his sister, two brothers and parents Martina and Sean Burke.

The Court of Appeal agreed on Thursday to hear Mr Burkes appeal against High Court injunctions banning him from attending Wilsons Hospital School, despite concerns about whether he would continue to be in contempt of court.

Enoch Burke represented himself in court (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Burke has been seen on the grounds of Wilsons Hospital School over several days despite a court order banning him from doing so, and despite an order for him to be fined 700 euro for each day he attends.

The court has heard Mr Burke argue that he has breached no valid court order, and also that the order was manifestly unconstitutional and unlawful.

On Thursday morning, the three-panel court said it had concerns about hearing an appeal if Mr Burke intended to continue to be in contempt, but decided to continue to hear the case.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice George Birmingham, said it was a matter of some importance whether Mr Burke intended to continue his ongoing contempt by attending the school despite a High Court order against it.

He said that historically, when someone was in contempt, they did not have access to the courts unless they wanted to purge their contempt.

Our concern is, youre saying to this court, I want to invoke your jurisdiction, he said, adding that the court was worried he would pick and choose what orders of the court you abide by.

Were very willing to embark on an appeal, notwithstanding what has concerned to date, but we have concerns as to what will happen in the future and we have concerns as to what will happen while the matter is before the court, he said.

Judge Birmingham said the court accepts fully that someone in contempt has a right to appeal the finding that they are in contempt, if there is a factual or legal issue.

They have of course a right to come before this court and no-one would argue otherwise, he said, but he raised concerns about someone invoking the authority of the court but then not complying with its jurisdiction.

Enoch Burke argued he had breached no valid court order (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Birmingham said the court would hear Mr Burkes appeal against the decisions of High Court judges Ms Justice Siobhan Stack and Mr Justice Max Barrett, notwithstanding the fact that we were unimpressed that Mr Burke did not indicate whether he would continue to be in contempt of court.

In his appeal to the court, Mr Burke said he could not accept transgenderism due to his Christian beliefs, after teachers at the school were asked to address a student by a new name and the they pronoun.

This was indicated in an email from the school principal sent in May 2022.

The German and history teacher also confirmed to the court that the student in question did not attend his classes, but argued that all teachers had some level of interaction with all students, either in corridors or acting as a substitute teacher.

Mr Justice Birmingham asked Mr Burke: What were you offering by way of accommodation?

Mr Burke responded that a demand had been forcefully and clearly made in the email and that that was his immediate concern.

He said it was important for a teacher to model the behaviour that you wish students to emulate.

That would extend to not participating or condoning unlawful requests. That is exactly what happened, he said.

(The email said) It is expected of you. There was no accommodation of me there judge, that is certain.

When asked by Ms Justice Maire Whelan how he imagined interacting with the student in question, Mr Burke said: The question before the court doesnt involve that.

When asked by Justice Birmingham whether Mr Burkes position made it an impossibility for the school to welcome a request by the student and their parents, Mr Burke responded: A school is not entitled to be more welcoming than the law permits.

Mr Burke also argued that the constitution guarantees a right to respect and honour religion.

The only thing the State is bound to honour by the constitution is religion, he told the court.

When asked by Justice John Edwards whether there was a more appropriate setting than at a religious service to make a public spectacle and to confront the principal in the way in which she was confronted, Mr Burke responded that under no circumstances could it be portrayed as gross misconduct.

The legal team for Wilsons Hospital School told the court that Mr Burke does not listen; the court will hear their argument in the afternoon.

The court also heard there was a school midterm break this week; Mr Burke did not indicate to the court whether he intended to continue to be in contempt of court by attending Wilsons Hospital School.
John McDonnell warned that Sir Keir Starmer is making a mistake in his pledge to block Jeremy Corbyn from standing for Labour at the next election.

The Labour MP, a friend and ally of Mr Corbyn who served as his shadow chancellor, spoke out amid a growing row over the move by the Labour leadership to block the Islington North MP from standing under the Labour banner.

Mr Corbyn, who is expected to challenge Sir Keirs decision, called the move by his successor as Labour leader a flagrant attack on democracy.

Mr McDonnell on Thursday joined another Corbyn ally, Diane Abbott, in defending the veteran left-wing MP as he described it as a fundamental test of Labour values.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking in east London, following the Equality and Human Rights Commissions announcement (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The issue for us is that we were created as a coalition of a whole range of different political views, a broad church as we describe it, and the norms of our party, the normative values of our parties, is to have that sort of mutual respect for different views and hold together, he told BBC Radio 4s World at One programme.

That includes ensuring that we have democratic procedures, where the rights of our party members is to enable them to select the candidates of their choosing, and to undermine that flies in the face of everything that we stand for.

And thats why I think its a mistake and I think its a mistake for Keir to try and bar Jeremy Corbyn from standing. But its not just about Jeremy, its much more fundamental than that.

Sir Keir ruled out Mr Corbyn standing again for Labour as he welcomed the Equality and Human Rights Commissions (EHRC) decision to lift the party out of two years of special measures over its failings on antisemitism under his predecessors leadership.

Mr McDonnell said that Sir Keir had completely misunderstood the position of Mr Corbyn, as he warned that his party leader was exposing himself to accusations of inconsistency.

Mr McDonnell said: None of us should downplay the position with regard to antisemitism. As all of us have said one antisemite in our party is too many.

Weve all got to tackle it and I welcome that.

In 2020 what Keir promised when he was standing for the leader of the party, he said he would oppose and end the imposition of candidates by the National Executive Committee  And thats what we want him to abide by  the promises that he gave.

Its the Tories that will then start, I think, using this issue of trust and once trust goes, its almost impossible to retain.

The day Starmer won leadership of the Labour Party he described Jeremy Corbyn as a friend and a colleague. Now he wants to throw him out of the party pic.twitter.com/mfFazokHQH  Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) February 16, 2023

Rather than going quietly, allies of Mr Corbyn say he is likely to seek the Labour nomination for his constituency of four decades, Islington North, from the local party.

The move would prompt Sir Keir to formally block his candidacy, with sources suggesting Mr Corbyn may fail the vetting process because of his past remarks on antisemitism.

Mr Corbyn would be left the option of running as an independent candidate in the seat where he retains significant local support.

Sir Keir Starmer ruled out Mr Corbyn standing for Labour at the next election (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Keir Starmers statement about my future is a flagrant attack on the democratic rights of Islington North Labour Party members, Mr Corbyn, who led Labour to two successive electoral defeats, said in a statement.

It is up to them  not party leaders  to decide who their candidate should be. Any attempt to block my candidacy is a denial of due process, and should be opposed by anybody who believes in the value of democracy.

Diane Abbott, who was Mr Corbyns shadow home secretary, signalled he would not want to stand as an independent before hitting out at fellow Labour MPs on Twitter.

(PA Graphics)

The day Starmer won leadership of the Labour Party he described Jeremy Corbyn as a friend and a colleague. Now he wants to throw him out of the party, she tweeted.

Ms Abbott also took aim at Dame Margaret Hodge, rejecting the suggestion that Sir Keir was fighting privately to address the issues under Mr Corbyns leadership.

I was in Jeremys shadow cabinet alongside Starmer. It is nonsense to say he was fighting privately, she said.

Mr Corbyn is currently sitting in the Commons as an independent after he was suspended from the parliamentary party over his response to the EHRCs damning report in 2020 that found Labour broke equalities law.

If you challenge racism where ever you see it, why you have never challenged the disgusting racism against me by senior Labour Party officials exposed in the Forde report? https://t.co/bIA6titCUT  Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) February 16, 2023

He claimed the scale of the problem had been dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media.

Labour frontbencher Yvette Cooper, during an appearance on Sky News, was pressed on whether Mr Corbyn should be permitted to remain in the party.

Membership of the party, thats just a matter for normal processes so its a different set of standards. Its not a matter for me, she said.

Backing Sir Keirs decision, she said: There are obviously different standards for people who stand to be members of parliament, and rightly so.

We should have proper standards in place for someone whos going to become an MP and thats what the issue has been.
A man and a woman have denied charges relating to illegally aborting a baby.

Elliot Benham, 23, and Sophie Harvey, 23, appeared before Gloucester Crown Court in relation to the offences which are alleged to have taken place between September 1 and December 1 in 2018.

Both denied charges of procuring a poison to cause a miscarriage, concealing the birth of a child, and intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of the babys body.

Harvey also denied a charge of procuring her own miscarriage by poison.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC, the Recorder of Gloucester, said a trial expected to last at least five days would take place at Cirencester Courthouse on November 13.

He told the defendants: Your trial has been fixed for November 13.

There is a case review date which will be heard by another judge on May 12. You are required to attend.

Benham and Harvey spoke only to confirm their names and reply not guilty to the charges against them.

Clare Evans appeared for Benham during the hearing on Thursday, while Shusmita Deb represented Harvey.

Gloucestershire Police searched locations in Swindon and Cirencester as part of the investigation in September 2020.

Abortions are legal in England up to 24 weeks gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner, and can be carried out beyond 24 weeks in very limited circumstances.

It is alleged that in this case, the pregnancy was past 24 weeks and an abortion was not carried out by a medical practitioner.

Causing your own abortion was criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Benham, of Wingfield, Swindon, and Harvey, of St Marys Road, Cirencester, were released on conditional bail.

They will next appear before Gloucester Crown Court on May 12.
Police searching for missing Nicola Bulley have been slammed for disclosing that the mother-of-two suffered some significant issues with alcohol in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months.

Senior officers said on Wednesday that Ms Bulley was vulnerable and classed by police as a high-risk missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance.

After Lancashire Police revealed her issues with alcohol brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause, the force was strongly condemned by MPs and campaign groups.

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Twitter: I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulleys so-called vulnerabilities on menopause and alcohol.

I struggle to ascertain how this will assist police in their search & investigations. I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.

Silkie Carlo, director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, tweeted: Lancashire Police broadcasting missing Nicola Bulleys health issues and hormone status to the world is a serious invasion of her privacy with no obvious benefits for the investigation.

Its not at all clear how the police are justifying this disclosure, which seems to be aimed at shoring up public support for Lancashire Polices own forgone conclusions. The ramifications of this invasion of medical privacy could be really serious, including for Nicolas safety.  Silkie Carlo (@silkiecarlo) February 15, 2023

A shocking decision when the polices treatment of women is rightly in the spotlight.

Its not at all clear how the police are justifying this disclosure, which seems to be aimed at shoring up public support for Lancashire Polices own forgone conclusions.

The ramifications of this invasion of medical privacy could be really serious, including for Nicolas safety.

(PA Graphics)

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper stopped short of criticising the police decision but admitted she had concerns about the release of such details, calling it very unusual.

She said: I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that.

I would want to speak directly to Lancashire Police about their reasons for doing so before commenting further, because I know there can be complicated reasons for police decisions.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith update the media (Peter Powell/PA)

Meanwhile, Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing persons private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.

Ms Bulley vanished after dropping off her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27 in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling. The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation. https://t.co/ArswL8Xvfi  stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) February 15, 2023

She was last seen at 9.10am taking her usual route with her springer spaniel Willow, alongside the River Wyre.

Her phone, still connected to a work call for her job as a mortgage adviser, was found just over 20 minutes later on a bench overlooking the riverbank, with her dog running loose.

Since she vanished, huge public and media interest has resulted in what police described as false information, accusations and rumours and an unprecedented search of both the River Wyre, downstream to Morecambe Bay and miles of neighbouring farmland.

On Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, the lead investigator for Lancashire Police in the case, told reporters at a packed press conference at force HQ: As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk.

A later statement on the force website said: Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months.

This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.

As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicolas home address on January 10.

Police are continuing their search, having believed Ms Bulley entered the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre (Peter Powell/PA)

No-one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated.

It is an unusual step for us to take to go into this level of detail about someones private life, but we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation.

Underwater search expert Peter Faulding, who was helping to find her, said his team was not passed the information from police, which he says would have changed search strategy.

Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, said the statement should not have been issued as it gives fuel to the victim blamers, armchair sleuths & conspiracy theorists.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has met with the president of Poland in Downing Street with talks on European security and support for Ukraine high on the agenda.

The visit comes after Nato defence ministers met in Brussels earlier this week, and ahead of the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

President Andrzej Duda of Poland, who is also due to meet Joe Biden later this month when the US president visits Poland, has reportedly said he is on a diplomatic offensive during the period.

Mr Duda was reported to have expressed expectations for updated security plans for Natos eastern flank when speaking at the organisations headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Andrzej Duda in 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The meeting comes amid pressure from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for western nations to provide his country with fighter jets, something Downing Street has said would require agreement with international allies.

Both the UK and Poland have pledged to provide Ukraine with tanks, but when it comes to jets there has been greater hesitancy. Mr Duda has previously suggested it would be difficult for his nation because they do not have many jets of their own.

Mr Duda arrives at 10 Downing Street (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Speaking shortly after welcoming Mr Duda to Downing Street, Mr Sunak said: Its great to welcome you here to the UK, to London, and build on our friendship and our partnership and I think theres nothing that we are more united on than our staunch support for Ukraine.

And I know well talk about that later today  what more we can both do to ensure that Ukraine wins this conflict, particularly in the run up to the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

But also pleased that we were recently able to announce the extension of our Sky Sabre air defence system to Poland, just demonstrating our commitment to the European continents security.

Mr Duda said he was on a diplomatic offensive (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Last year, the UK deployed a medium-range missile system and personnel to Poland to protect her airspace from any further aggression by Russia.

Mr Sunak said that in addition to defence matters, he hoped they could speak about the great partnership between our two countries on trade, on energy security, and make sure that we continue to deepen our partnership and friendship.

Mr Duda thanked Mr Sunak for your very, very, very clear support for Ukraine and for supporting Polish security.

He outlined future plans to meet Nato and European leaders, describing it as a very important moment.

A readout of the meeting provided by Downing Street said the two leaders both agreed it was important that support to Ukraine was accelerated in the coming weeks.
A Catholic priest has accused the Government of censoring the streets of the UK and attempting to criminalise silent prayer after being cleared of charges claiming he intimidated service users near an abortion clinic.

Father Sean Gough also urged MPs to look into the overwhelmingly positive work of pro-life groups after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told a court it had discontinued a prosecution alleging he had breached a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Prosecutor Ekene Pruce told the hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court that the CPS had dropped four charges of failing to comply with a PSPO brought against Fr Gough and charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce.

Fr Sean Gough (centre) leaves court with Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (Jacob King/PA)

The withdrawn charges related to dates in October, November and December last year.

During brief separate hearings on Thursday, Ms Pruce said both cases had been judged not to meet the full code test for prosecutors  which assesses whether prosecutions are in the public interest and if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

Asked by District Judge David Wain why the full code test had not been met, Ms Pruce replied: I would not be able to comment on that.

In a statement, Fr Gough, 33, and Ms Vaughan-Spruce, 45, criticised the decision to charge them for silently praying and praying for free speech, saying they had been put on trial for praying in an abortion facility censorship zone.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce, from Malvern, Worcestershire, and Fr Gough, of the St Peter and St Paul Catholic Church in Wolverhampton, were both accused of protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users of a Birmingham clinic.

Reacting outside court after prosecutors offered no evidence and the charges were dropped, Fr Gough said: Everyone has the right to pray in their mind.

Im pleased that Ive been cleared of all the charges today and have cleared my name.

Its wrong for authorities to censor parts of the street from prayer  even silent prayer  and from peacefully having conversations and sharing information that could be of great help to women who want an alternative choice to abortion.

I was charged for praying for freedom of speech and for an old bumper sticker on my car that read unborn lives matter.

Supporters of Father Sean Gough (Jacob King/PA)

I stand by my convictions  unborn lives do matter.

Whatever your views are on abortion, we should be able to agree that in a democratic country we should not be in the business of prosecuting thought crimes.

After thanking around 20 people who attended court to support him, Fr Gough added: If the government imposes censorship zones around every abortion facility in the country, as they are considering doing with the Public Order Bill currently under discussion, who knows how many more people are going to stand trial, how many people are going to be put in prison for offering help, for praying in their mind?

I call on the government to look into the overwhelmingly positive work that the vast majority of pro-life groups do to support vulnerable women at their point of need, before censoring the streets of the UK and allowing good people to be criminalised for acts of love.

Speaking before Fr Gough, Ms Vaughan-Spruce told reporters she had been arrested and criminalised simply for my private thoughts on a public street.

She added: Those who are trying to offer alternatives are being branded as criminals and told that their behaviour is anti-social.

What is profoundly anti-social is that in 2023 there are still certain members of our society who are having their most fundamental rights taken from them  the right to life itself.

Other freedoms are now being censored. The freedom to offer help, the freedom to speak, the freedom to pray, even the freedom to think.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce spoke to reporters after the charges were withdrawn (Jacob King/PA)

In a statement issued after the charges were dropped, Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for charity campaign group ADF UK, said: This isnt 1984, but 2023  nobody should be criminalised for their thoughts, for their prayers, for peaceful expression on a public street.

Its a great moment to celebrate the vindication of Father Sean and Isabel. But our parliament is considering rolling out censorial legislation, which could lead to more situations where peoples thoughts are on trial.

We all stand firmly against harassment on public streets. Harassment is already illegal.

A government review in 2018 found that harassment near abortion facilities is rare, and peaceful prayer and offers of charitable help were the most common activities there.

The government concluded at that point that censorship zones would be disproportionate. No further reviews have since been conducted. What has now changed?
Men who have an advanced form of radiotherapy instead of surgery for prostate cancer may suffer fewer side effects, a new study suggests.

One scientist suggested that the specific type of radiotherapy could be a kinder treatment option for some patients.

The study found that urinary and sexual side effects were less likely after two years.

But they were more likely to suffer minor bowel problems compared to those who had surgery.

The new study, led by scientists at the The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is the first to compare the long-term side effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) versus surgery in patients with early-stage prostate cancer.

Experts examined 109 men getting treatment at 10 UK cancer centres  with 50 men randomly assigned to get laparoscopic or robotically assisted surgery and 59 had radiotherapy treatment.

The men, who had an average age of 66, reported any side effects two years later.

Those who had the radiotherapy treatment reported better urinary continence and were less likely to report problems with their sex lives compared to those who had surgery.

Just 4.5% of those who had radiotherapy needed urinary continence pads after two years, compared to 47% of the surgical group.

But they did report more bowel bother after two years compared to the group who had surgery, according to an abstract of the study, which is to be presented to the 2023 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

Some 15% of the radiotherapy group reported minor bowel problems compared to none of those who had surgery.

Study chief investigator, Professor Nicholas van As, medical director and consultant clinical oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and professor in precision prostate radiotherapy at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: This world-first study reveals that SBRT, an advanced form of radiotherapy now widely available across the UK, is often kinder and can mean less long-term side effects than surgery for prostate cancer patients.

One of the biggest concerns for men I see in clinic ahead of treatment for prostate cancer is whether it will make them incontinent, and many worry about the impact on their sexual function too.

While there is a risk both SBRT and surgery will cause problems, these results suggest SBRT is less likely to.

Going forwards, these results should support clinicians in facilitating important discussions with prostate cancer patients about whether to opt for SBRT or surgery, helping them make an informed decision based on their individual needs and concerns.

Professor Emma Hall, co-director of the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, added: This important trial uses patient-reported outcomes to understand how various treatments for prostate cancer affect patients following recovery.

Its great to see that using SBRT for early-stage prostate cancer can help people avoid sexual and urinary side effects that are commonly associated with surgery, and I hope these findings will help men decide, with their clinician, the best course of treatment for them.

The Royal Marsden use a machine called a CyberKnife to deliver this kind of precision radiotherapy, which is delivered to patients in five high-radiation doses over one-to-two weeks, rather than standard radiotherapy which delivers moderate doses through approximately 20 sessions over four weeks.

The hospital has two of the machines, which were funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Alexander Szczerbiuk (Handout/The Royal Marsden)

Alexander Szczerbiuk, 73 from Morden, in south-west London, had the treatment in 2017 after a prostate cancer diagnosis and enrolling in the trial.

In terms of treatment, you couldnt wish for anything better, he said.

It was only two months from my diagnosis to the last of my five CyberKnife sessions, and I was pleased as punch everything happened so quickly.

Before the treatment, my biggest concern was incontinence, as I really couldnt bear the thought of having to use urinary pads.

I was delighted to be selected for CyberKnife which, as a minimally invasive option, was a no-brainer.

Fortunately, the side effects have been minimal and, while I experience rectal bleeding very occasionally, I urinate normally and have never needed to use a pad.

Colin Maskell (Handout/The Royal Marsden)

Colin Maskell, 71 from Sutton, was also diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 and received the same treatment during the trial.

My treatment started in January 2018 and there was nothing to it really, he said.

I didnt feel anything at all, and it was over after five 40-minute sessions.

Finding out I had prostate cancer was daunting, but The Royal Marsden has been excellent and the treatment itself has barely impacted my life.
Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to stand down just 24 hours ago, and the race to replace her is set to commence in earnest in the coming days.

The SNPs ruling body will meet virtually on Thursday to discuss a timetable for the leadership race, with an announcement expected afterwards.

No-one has yet said they want to step into the First Ministers shoes, but one major development has narrowed the pool of potential leaders.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced her intention to step down as SNP leader (Jane Barlow/PA)

Here is a look at the potential candidates to take over as First Minister, and who has ruled themselves out:

 SNP Westminster group

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has ruled himself  and the entirety of his group  out of a tilt at the leadership.

The newly-anointed head of SNP MPs told the BBC on Wednesday that he would not be seeking the leadership, insisting the next person for the job would come from Holyrood.

It is not clear if this was a binding announcement, so there may still be some MPs that look at the possibility of running, but it would remove one of the more high-profile critics of the First Minister.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said he would not be running for the leadership (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Edinburgh South West MP Joanna Cherry has been a thorn in the side of the leadership in recent years, particularly over the issue of gender.

The announcement  if MPs decide to abide by it  would also rule out deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black, former defence spokesman Stewart McDonald and ex-Westminster leadership candidate Alison Thewliss.

Mr Flynns comments also mean the new SNP leader is likely to be the next First Minister of Scotland, rather than the leader serving at Westminster while a deputy runs the country.

 Angus Robertson

Currently the bookies favourite for the top job, the Scottish Constitution Secretary has been a high-profile figure in the party for the best part of a decade, serving as Westminster leader before losing his seat in the Commons to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

The Edinburgh Central MSP has also been a close ally of the First Minister.

 Kate Forbes

The Finance Secretary, who is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her first child, has long been seen as a potential successor to the First Minister.

She was thrust into the limelight by having to step in and deliver the Scottish budget at the 11th hour in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes is currently on maternity leave (Andrew Milligan/PA)

But the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who is a Free Church of Scotland member, could be at odds with the wider party  and current policy  on some social issues, including the hotly-debated gender reforms blocked by the UK Government.

 Humza Yousaf

The Health Secretary has consistently been among the names mentioned as a potential First Minister of the future.

But his stewardship of the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill through Parliament while he was justice secretary and his handling of the current NHS crisis may have dented his chances with the membership.

 John Swinney

Currently serving as Deputy First Minister and a former leader himself, Mr Swinney should be considered a dark horse in the race.

A figure who commands respect across the party, Mr Swinney has intimated before that he would not want the top job, but he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to get the party, and the country, through a tumultuous time.

Ash Regan resigned from the Scottish Government over concerns about gender reforms (Lesley Martin/PA)

 Ash Regan

The only candidate who has given even a signal of intention to run, Ms Regan would be considered an outsider for the job.

She recently quit as community safety minister in the hours before the first vote on the Scottish Governments gender reforms, citing concerns with the legislation that the First Minister said she had not raised before.

Ms Regan has since been an outspoken opponent of the reforms, appearing at and speaking to various rallies.

A source close to the Edinburgh Eastern MSP told the Daily Express she is considering a run, although no official announcement has been forthcoming.
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed during a visit to Kyiv that the UKs commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russia would remain the same if he becomes prime minister.

The Labour leader also said there has to be justice for war crimes against the Ukrainian people as he visited areas that Russian president Vladimir Putins troops previously turned into conflict zones.

Sir Keir is in the war-torn country in eastern Europe, where he is expected to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

It follows a momentous visit by Mr Zelensky to Britain last week during which he implored Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to hand over fighter jets for his air force as Ukraine prepares to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.

During his visit on Thursday, Sir Keir spoke to reporters in Irpin, a Kyiv suburb where heavy fighting took place in the first months of Moscows invasion  a bloody conflict which is only days away from its first anniversary.

With Labour well in front of Mr Sunaks Conservatives in most national opinion polls, Sir Keir could be walking through the black door of 10 Downing Street as Britains new leader after the next general election.

He stressed that his party was committed to Mr Zelensky and Kyivs cause.

Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same, he vowed.

Its very important for me to be here in Ukraine with the people of Ukraine, making it clear that support for Ukraine in the United Kingdom is united.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was in the UK last week (Aaron Chown/PA)

Throughout the conflict, the Labour party has stood united with the Government in the United Kingdom to show our support for Ukraine

Before meeting Mr Zelensky, the former director of public prosecutions will visit Bucha, an area where war crimes were allegedly carried out by occupying Russian troops.

The Opposition leader said he wanted to show support for Ukraines calls for justice and reparations for Russian actions during the war.

Sir Keir told reporters: Its incredible to see the evidence of atrocities that Ive seen this morning.

Photographs of civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded, with their arms tied behind their back.

There has to be justice for this. There has to be justice in The Hague and there has to be proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine.
Sturgeons exit as First Minister opens the door to electoral transformation

Scotlands independence movement stood at a crossroads last night, as Unionist parties considered how Nicola Sturgeons snap resignation may transform the UKs political landscape at the next general election.

Ms Sturgeon shocked Holyrood on Wednesday after she told a hastily arranged press conference she was to quit.

The SNP leader insisted recent political challenges, such as the UK Governments decision to halt its gender recognition reforms, had not influenced the decision.

The Labour Party mulled over the opportunity Ms Sturgeons departure could present it at the next UK-wide election, as winning Scottish constituencies could tip the balance further in its favour at Westminster.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar suggested there was now a belief in Scotland that a UK Labour government was possible for the first time since the party lost power in 2010.

At the same time, he said it would require the party to make significant gains in Scotland at the next general election  expected in a little over 12 months  for that to happen.

For 12 years I dont think people in Scotland have believed that a Labour UK government was possible. I think that is changing now. I think people believe a UK Labour government is possible, he told BBC.

Labours long-standing stranglehold on Scotland in Westminster elections came to an abrupt end in 2015 when it was all but wiped out in an SNP landslide.

Ms Sturgeons exit comes at a fortuitous time for Labour, which is due to hold its party conference this coming weekend.

The Scottish Tories meanwhile had no warm words for the departing First Minister, with the party leader Douglas Ross insisting Ms Sturgeon had presided over a decade of division and decay in Scotland.

(PA Graphics)

Mr Ross also rubbished claims that Labour could win across Scotland at the next general election.

He told the BBCs Newsnight: Labour currently have one MP in the whole of Scotland, the Conservatives have six. We are the second biggest party at Holyrood, we are the second biggest Scottish party represented at Westminster.

We are the the clear challengers to the SNP in multiple seats across Scotland.

The Conservatives at Westminster tried to strike a more cordial tone, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paying tribute to Ms Sturgeons long-standing service.

But his Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack, said her resignation was a welcome opportunity for the Scottish Government to change course, and to drop its divisive obsession with independence.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates (Justin Tallis/PA)

The SNP, which Ms Sturgeon has led for eight years, will meet soon to discuss a timetable for the election of a new leader.

SNP president Michael Russell said he expected that process to be shortened and there to be a contested election.

Though there is no obvious candidate to succeed the outgoing First Minister, potential candidates include External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson, Secretary for Finance and Economy Kate Forbes, and deputy first minister John Swinney.

The party is expected to hold a special conference this spring to decide a way forward for a second independence referendum.

Ms Sturgeons resignation follows a series of political challenges in recent months as her Government sought to push through gender reforms, only for them to be blocked by Westminster.

She insisted the row surrounding a transgender double rapist being sent to a womens jail wasnt the final straw, but said it is time for someone else to lead the party.

Ms Sturgeon acknowledged the choppy waters, but insisted her resignation was not in response to the latest period of pressure.

This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment, the 52-year-old said.

In my head and in my heart I know that time is now. That its right for me, for my party and my country, she told reporters at Bute House, her official residence.

The SNPs vote share in opinion polls in Scotland has dipped in recent months, though the party remains ahead of its rivals across the board.

While the SNP enjoyed ratings in the high 40s or low 50s for much of the period after the December 2019 election and through the pandemic, in 2022 the figures started to drift downwards, briefly touching 42% in April and 41% in November.

This was paralleled by a rise in support for Labour, whose ratings had hovered around 20% for much of the previous two years, but which began to see an increase from early 2022.

The latest monthly average puts the SNP on 43%, Labour on 30%, the Conservatives on 16% and the Liberal Democrats on 6%.

At the 2019 general election, the SNP won 45% of the vote in Scotland, with the Tories on 25%, Labour on 19% and the Lib Dems on 10%.
Two Dorset Police officers have pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving.

Pc Harry Chaplin and Pc Derek Alexander were involved in a two-car crash last July 9.

They appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Alexander, 52, is charged with dangerous driving while Chaplin, 26, is charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The crash in Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Chaplin and Alexander were in separate cars heading to the scene of an accident involving one vehicle.

The victims car was stopped at a junction waiting to turn right.

Alexanders car drove past it and Chaplins was involved in a collision with the stationary vehicle shortly afterwards, the court heard.

One of the passengers of the civilian car was taken to hospital with a brain bleed, Poole Magistrates Court was told during their first hearing last month.

Alexander, of Thomas Hardy Quarters, Bovington, and Chaplin, of Lea Road, Weymouth, were released on unconditional bail to appear at the same court on November 6.

Both officers remain on restricted duties, Dorset Police said.
Dan McCafferty, Nazareth Lead Vocalist, Dies at 76

The first place where you see a concert always holds a special spot in your heart. For generations of Chicago residents, that place is Metro, a four-story, 1,100-capacity beaux-arts venue in the middle of Chicagos Wrigleyville neighborhood. The historic independent club opened in 1982 with a show by R.E.M.

Now 40, Metro and its sister venue, Smartbar, have hosted a long list of iconic acts over the decades, from the grunge bands of yesteryear to rocks biggest names today. And theyve got the industry tales to go with their legendary guest list  like the time Guns N Roses borrowed the top floor in the early 90s to record, while using the basement as their personal watering hole.

More from Spin:

The story goes that L.A. was a very toxic situation for them at the time  not just drugs, but complicated with relationships  and getting work done meant just having a place to go woodshed a little bit, Shanahan says of the Axl Rose-led bands time in Chicago. They were able to scratch out some of the rough demos for Use Your Illusion I and II. I faintly remember that November Rain was being worked out while I was in the building.

Not surprisingly, GNR had the largest bar tab of any artist Shanahan could remember coming through the venue when they spent two months figuring out the Use Your Illusion albums there in the summer of 1989. After working out new tracks in their rented space on the top floor, they would head to Smartbar, a dance bar and venue in Metros basement. It got to the point that he sent them an alcohol invoice separately from the gear and rental bill.

They were such nice guys, Shanahan recalls. They were such nice people. They were buying drinks for the whole bar. If you showed up on a Tuesday night at Smartbar and they were down there, you didnt pay for a drink.

(Credit: Gene Ambo)

The sister venues inhabit two very different floors of the striking-but-creaky building. Walking into Metro is entering an elevated hybrid of an opera house and a dive  a cash-only bar and ancient show posters in the back, but decadent high ceilings and stylized motifs around the stage. The comfortably midsize venue gives people space to sing along, wrap their arms around each other, or get swept into a blistering moshpit depending on the night. Sold-out shows for massive names and hometown heroes alike mean that some will be craning to see the stage from a stairwell or through a doorway, but even then, its multiple bars, open hallways and second floor make it a pleasant spot for a shoulder-to-shoulder show.

Just downstairs from its big sister, Smartbar oozes late-night, industrial basement vibes, legally accommodating a max of 420 sweaty, packed dancers. The club used to be open every day, but now exclusively operates Friday-Sunday, still maintaining its illustrious DJ pedigree stemming from Chicago house legend Frankie Knuckles  better known as the Godfather of House Music who helped shape the genre in the 1980s. Mark Farina, Kaskade, and LCD Soundsystem members have also played residencies.

But its not just just the atmosphere and location of the venues that have given them sustained success for four decades. Aside from being walking distance from Wrigley Field, Shanahan has managed to draw big names over the years partly because of his personal relationships with artists.

I remember that Slash had a guitar tech named Adam [Day], who Im kind of still friends with, he says. I would say to Adam Maybe we do something different tonight? We can just sit here in Smartbar and drink, but lets go to the blues bars. So we took Slash to Kingston Mines and Buddy Guys. We moved around town a little bit. [We told Slash] Kinda tuck [your] hair up under the hat a little bit, or dont wear the hat, yknow what I mean? Maybe wear a wool cap?

Of course, Shanahan didnt start out going on late-night jazz runs with the worlds biggest rock stars.

Now a tan cool-dad gracefully on the other side of 60 decked out in shades of black, Shanahan has a confident energy and a self-possessed approach  all of which contrast an infectious, almost dorky grin that pops up the instant he starts talking about bands or records, and which you can see in photos across the decades. Thats a holdover from a childhood love of collecting that took root on Chicagos South Side, when he and his older siblings would spin funk, proto-punk, and oldies in their garage for the neighborhood kids. That followed him through college at Southern Illinois University, first leading to club takeovers on Mondays and Tuesdays, then migrating to bigger nights, having his friends tend bar, and eventually booking bands.

That was the beginning of me creating the idea of the club, Shanahan says. One of my friends from college actually had the flier that I made for my first punk-rock night.  It [said] cheap beer and there was a picture of Elvis Presley with a safety pin through his nose.

When he returned to Chicago, Shanahans party bounced between bars and friends lofts until it found a home at 3730 N. Clark St. The area now has a semi-gentrified college-bar vibe, but it was a beat-up neighborhood filled with punks and home to iconic label Wax Trax! Records back then. The first DJ hired to play Smartbar was Knuckles, and Shanahan flew to New York to see R.E.M. before Metro was even really a thing.

In New York, Shanahan talked his way backstage, handed a business card to one of R.E.M.s managers and told them he would love to promote a show in Chicago. Months later, the band let him know that their usual Chicago promoter wasnt following through on setting up a show, so Shanahan seized the opportunity. He borrowed money from friends and relatives, got R.E.M. a deposit, and after renting out Stages Music Hall  where Metro now sits  there was just enough money left for pizza and beer.

After I did that show with R.E.M., [we] had legs, Theyd be in Seattle and somebody would ask Mike Mills, whered you play in Chicago? Oh, we played this new place called Metro.They treat people really fairly there. Shanahan says. I had R.E.M. as my pulling guard. The same thing happened with Pearl Jam, the Chili Peppers, Liz Phair. That whole era, when they were all coming up, most of those bands played for us numerous times.

(Credit: Gene Ambo)

Over the years, even the biggest rock stars kept coming back. Dave Grohl has played Metro in every musical iteration of his career. The Ramones played there. Metallica took the stage one month after its debut Kill Em All, and 38 years later, the band texted Shanahan personally to set up a secret show for the 20th anniversary tour of The Black Album. Chicagos native son, Billy Corgan, played last September as part of the venues 40th anniversary celebration. That was an easy choice for Corgan, considering the Smashing Pumpkins history with Metro goes as far back as the late 80s. Back then, up-and-comers would go looking for Shanahan in person to get his take on their music. In other words, he was a good guy to know.

Billy Corgan [gave] me a cassette tape of four songs on a Wednesday night  cheap band night  saying, You should listen to my band, Shanahan says. I still have some of those original demos on cassette tapes that he gave me with his home number.

After listening to the tape, Shanahan called Corgan to ask for more songs. Soon enough, the Pumpkins played the Metro every month for a year. In the years since, Metros become an intimate homecoming venue for local rockers like Fall Out Boy, Rise Against, Cheap Trick, and Alkaline Trio, while also serving as a major Midwest stop for rising alternative bands.

They used to call Chicago a flyover, Shanahan says. You played New York, you played L.A., [and you] tried to piece some other things together. But thats really what started the Midwest. You had First Avenue in Minneapolis, you had St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, and you had Chicagos Metro. The Midwest became a place to go because more of this music was being discovered.

(Credit:  Gene Ambo)

In 2007, Chicagos branch of the Recording Academy honored Shanahan and Metro for 25 years in business. In 2014, Shanahan was diagnosed with cancer, alongside friend Sue Tweedy  his former bartender and wife of Wilcos Jeff Tweedy. By then, Metro and Smartbar had enough resilience and support to carry on while he recovered  even allowing Shanahan to spend his first day out of treatment backstage at Riot Fest.

Then came the pandemic. Metro touts itself as the first to close and the last to reopen, but it was hard to see how anybody would reopen in 2020. That gave birth to NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, which helped lobby Congress to get emergency funding via the Save Our Stages campaign. That effort led to a Chicago tall tale in which Shanahan had Pitbull call Sen. Marco Rubio to get his vote.

That is what Ive heard, Shanahan says. I did not make the phone call myself! But the [NIVA] people I heard it from? Pretty credible.

Even with the rumored help of Mr. Worldwide himself, rising costs in a post-pandemic world have led to different business practices. Smartbar cut out their weeknight schedule  including their free Thursday night event to showcase DJ talent. For Metro (and the rest of the industry), added expenses have affected how, when, and if bands tour.

The days of Black Flag jumping into the back of a van and driving from city to city, sleeping on peoples floors? It still exists, Shanahan muses. But a band thats established, maybe a record or two into their career? Hotel rooms, airfares, buses, and fuel are so expensive that it has changed things dramatically. Those ticket prices go up. Weve seen tours come down.

Nevertheless, with venues firmly open and Metro and Smartbar settling comfortably into their 40s, Shanahans mission hasnt changed. Fairness and authenticity are the two things I strive to have, he says. Believe me, detractors are out there, Im sure. [But] Ive been going to the same address for work for 40 years. I dont know how many other people have done that.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Dan McCafferty, Nazareth Lead Vocalist, Dies at 76 appeared first on SPIN.
Selena Gomez, at the Golden Globes in January, is not the Disney kid she once was  and that's a been a good thing for her. (Photo: Christopher Polk/NBC/NBC via Getty Images)

Selena Gomez talks about being censored as a Disney Channel child star  and its lasting repercussions.

The Only Murders in the Building star, 30, opened up about her early days in showbiz  including starring in the Mickey Mouse network's Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012  for Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue, admitting thinking back to that period can be "triggering." Disney execs have famously tried to craft squeaky clean images for its child stars, especially in the '00s era in which Gomez came up with Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.

"I wasn't a wild child by any means, but I was on Disney, so I had to make sure not to say 'What the hell?' in front of anyone," Gomez recalled. "It's stuff that I was also putting on myself to be the best role model I could be. Now I think being the best role model is being honest, even with the ugly and complicated parts of yourself."

Selena Gomez says she had to censor what she said publicly when she starred on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place. From 15 to 20, when she was on the show, she was banned from saying, "What the hell?" (Photo: Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via Getty Images)

Having to watch what she said as teen  she played Alex Russo from ages 15 to 20, but appeared on the network's Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in the year prior  led to her truth tour as an adult. Arguably one of the most talked about stars  certainly when it comes to her love life and a certain ex  Gomez went public with her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2020. She pulled back the curtain even further in her 2022 doc, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, which showed her years-long struggles with fame as well as her physical and mental well-being amid her lupus and bipolar diagnoses.

"I definitely feel free of it," she said of moving past her Disney association  and the rules that came with it. "Sometimes I get triggered. It's not that I'm ashamed of my past, it's just that I've worked so hard to find my own way. I don't want to be who I was. I want to be who I am."

Selena Gomez was one of Disney Channel's biggest stars in the mid-2000s along with Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and the Jonas Brothers. Here she is with Minnie Mouse at the premiere of High School Musical 2 on August 14, 2007. (Photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic)

Not all members of Gomez's inner circle thought she should publicly share her bipolar diagnosis, or delve deeper into it in the doc, but doing so allowed her to feel a sense of freedom she never had before.

"I'm just so used to censoring myself that it was (a) me wanting to let go and (b) if theyre telling me to be quiet about it, thats not good because that's genuinely not the place I'm in anymore," she said. "Maybe it was weird and uncomfortable for other people, and obviously I was worried, but I think it finally allowed me to start being open about everything. It's not that I was kind of sad  I actually have things that are chemically imbalanced in my brain, and I need to understand what that is, take care of it and nurture it. I'm not ashamed of it. I don't ever feel, even for five seconds, that I'm crazy. My thoughts tend to ruminate, but it's up to me to be proud of who I am and to take care of myself."

She added, "I dont want people to ever have anybody tell them, 'Don't say that because it'll seem bad. You won't get this job or that boy or that girl or whatever.' I guess I was rebelling."

Gomez said she was "terrified" about getting so candid in her doc, but one of the plusses has been in the interactions she now has with fans. They used to just approach her for a photo, but now they thank her for sharing her mental health struggle  and get candid about their own.

"I started to feel good because I wasn't just this prop to people  like, 'You're so cute. Let's take a picture,'" she said. "It was more than that. It was a conversation about mental health or courage or disappointment or loss. And I started to go, this is paying off, because that's what I want at the end of the day. I'd rather be remembered for my heart than anything else."

Gomez, who got her start in Barney & Friends in 2002, also talked about social media toxicity  and the plan she has in place for combating it. She said never having gone to an actual high school as a child star, "the world was my high school for the longest time, and I started getting inundated with information that I didn't want. I went through a hard time in a breakup and I didn't want to see any of the [feedback]  not necessarily about the relationship, but the opinions of me versus [someone] else. There'd be thousands of really nice comments, but my mind goes straight to the mean one."

She said it was not the one-line mean comments calling her "ugly or stupid," which she receives, that stung the most. "These people get detailed," she said of trolls. "They write paragraphs that are so specific and mean. I would constantly be crying. I constantly had anxiety... I couldn't do it anymore."

Now, anything Gomez posts to social, she sends to her assistant. Any comments she sees are vetted by her team for things that are "encouraging," not hateful. She said she prefers to TikTok to the others because it's "a little less hostile," and that's the only app she keeps on her phone.

As an industry vet now, Gomez  who's working on Season 3 of Only Murders with her co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short as well as some VIP guest stars  also shared her advice to newcomers breaking into showbiz, and it's blunt.

"...This industry is a beast," she said. "It's really scary to see what happens when you're given so much power and money at a young age. I think it's extremely scary." She went on to encourage humbleness and advised newbies to "Hold on to your heart ... and be careful about who to trust, because you are who you surround yourself with."

She said she can't imagine her 9-year-old sister, Gracie Elliot Teefey, following in her footsteps into showbiz.

"Thank God she doesn't want to be in this industry," Gomez said of her sibling, who is about the age she was when she started appearing on TV. "Actually, that's her now. What if she tells me in two years she wants to? I can't even think about it."
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is set to deliver his most substantial account Thursday of U.S. efforts to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes aerial drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country.

The president's 2 p.m. White House remarks come after he directed National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an interagency team to review U.S. procedures after the U.S. shot down the China balloon, as well as three other objects the U.S. now believes are most likely benign objects. The downing of the Chinese surveillance craft was the first known peacetime shootdown of an unauthorized object in U.S. airspace  a feat repeated three times a week later.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the team would look how we track, look how we decide to take action, and see if theres anything else that needs to be done. She said there would be updated protocols announced this week.

The China balloon has escalated tensions between the U.S. and China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a trip to China last week. Blinken travels Thursday to the Munich Security Conference amid speculation he might use the opportunity to meet top Chinese foreign policy official Wang Yi who will also be attending the conference.

Biden has remained largely silent on the issue of the three objects downed Friday off the coast of Alaska, Saturday over Canada and Sunday over Lake Huron. On Monday, the White House announced earnestly there was no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity. By Wednesday, U.S. officials said they were still working to locate the wreckage from the objects, but that they expected all three to be unrelated to surveillance efforts.

The intelligence community is considering as a leading explanation that these could just be balloons tied to some commercial or benign purpose, said White House national security spokesman John Kirby. No country or private company has come forward to claim any of the objects, Kirby said. They do not appear to have been operated by the U.S. government.

Still unaddressed are questions about the original balloon, including what spying capabilities it had and whether it was transmitting signals as it flew over sensitive military sites in the United States. It was believed by American intelligence to have initially been on a track toward the U.S. territory of Guam, according to a U.S. official.

The U.S. tracked it for several days after it left China, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. It appears to have been blown off its initial trajectory and ultimately flew over the continental U.S., the official said.

Balloons and other unidentified objects have been previously spotted over Guam, a strategic hub for the U.S. Navy and Air Force in the western Pacific.

Its unclear how much control China retained over the balloon once it veered from its original trajectory. A second U.S. official said the balloon could have been externally maneuvered or directed to loiter over a specific target, but its unclear whether Chinese forces did so.

After the balloon was shot down, the White House revealed that such balloons had traversed U.S. territory at least three times during President Donald Trumps administration unknown to Trump or his aides  and that others have flown over dozens of nations across five continents. Kirby emphasized Monday that they were only detected by the Biden administration.



AP writer Nomaan Merchant contributed.
FILE - A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter flies during Super Garuda Shield 2022 joint military exercises in Baturaja, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Aug. 12, 2022. A Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Alabama, killing everyone on board, a spokesman for the Madison County sheriff's office says. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed Wednesday in Alabama, killing everyone on board, a spokesman for the Madison County sheriffs office said.

We have no survivors, Investigator Brent Patterson said. We have a crime scene here. We have it taped off.

U.S. military officials said two members of the Tennessee National Guard on board were killed. An Army official said the helicopter, which was on a training mission, crashed around 3:30 p.m. local time and caught fire. The U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an incident that was under investigation.

The UH-60 helicopter, more widely known as a Black Hawk, crashed in the unincorporated community of Harvest along Alabama Highway 53, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement.

The highway along which the crash happened passes through commercial areas northwest of Huntsville that are bounded by subdivisions, forests and fields south of the state line with Tennessee. The sheriffs office said in a statement that the crash was causing heavy traffic delays that are expected to last into Thursday.

Harvest is just northwest of Huntsville, which is home to NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Armys Redstone Arsenal. The once rural area has become increasingly suburban and is about 90 miles south of Nashville.

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration referred questions to the military. A spokesperson for the Tennessee National Guard did not immediately return requests for comment.

Local news outlets showed large plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site. Multiple emergency response vehicles were on scene.

Im deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who represents Alabama's 5th District, said in a tweet. My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.

___

Chandler reported from Montgomery, Alabama, and Baldor reported from Chicago.
The downing of a Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace has forced a rapid recalibration in how the military monitors, tracks and responds to threats from above.

The Defense Department said that after the Chinese spy balloon flew over much of the U.S. earlier this month before being shot down, the military began paying closer attention to lower-altitude flying objects.

That led to the detection and elimination of three UFOs in the span of three days over the weekend.

The Biden administration announced this week the formation of an interagency task force to investigate the UFOs. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said one of the teams new tasks will be to examine how they will respond to future aerial objects.

Were going to learn from these three events, Kirby told reporters on Monday.

Bruce McClintock, the head of RAND Corporations Space Enterprise Initiative, said the Biden administration likely overcorrected on the weekend UFO shoot-downs after the Chinese spy balloon incident. But he believes the focus on lower-altitude objects is here to stay.

The remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina. (Chad Fish via AP, File)

One debate right now is whether to use the Space Surveillance Network, which tracks and monitors objects in outer space, to help detect these lower-altitude threats above North America.

But there is a trade-off, McClintock warned.

The lower you tune down things to pick up smaller objects  the more likely you are to have these kinds of false alarms, he said. Its not like any nation, including the United States, has unlimited bandwidth to look for these objects. They have to make decisions about where to focus their sensors.

Enhanced surveillance would first have to start with a broader strategy on airspace engagement, said Andrew Chanin, the CEO and co-founder of ProcureAM, which manages an exchange-traded fund on the stock market investing in space and UFO detection technology.

Chanin said the Pentagon, along with allied nations that have also become aware of Chinese spy balloon incursions, may have to develop some type of strategy for detecting, monitoring, tracking and ultimately removing or downing UFOs.

Its going to be something thats a global demand, he said. Areas that we might have to bulk up our spending on are things like satellites, sensors, ground stations.

UFOs flying through U.S. airspace are not new, with eyewitness accounts and photographs of strange aerial craft dating back decades.

While before there was a stigma in reporting these sightings, the U.S. government is now taking them seriously, and Congress recently passed legislation to form a new office to investigate what officials now refer to as unidentified aerial phenomenon.

But the spy balloon and the subsequent UFO takedowns this month accelerated scrutiny around the flurry of strange objects buzzing across the sky.

A leading theory from the White House is that the UFOs were deployed for commercial or benign purposes, which has led to some head-scratching over why the U.S. was not already aware of the source of the objects.

Kari Bingen, the director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the U.S. needs to get to the bottom of this and enhance data collection and sharing.

The intelligence community has been very stove-piped in how they treat data, Bingen said. Do they have data that can be brought to bear and then objects ruled out or taken off the table? Do allies and partners have information that could be useful? I think a lot of that, that piece, there really needs to be attention.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a binational agency serving both Canada and the U.S. that operates from a headquarters at Peterson Air Force base in Colorado, is responsible for monitoring the skies above the continent.

The agency employs a network of satellites, ground-based radar, airborne radar and aircraft to detect and respond to any potential threats.

NORAD primarily works from three regional operations at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

After the hefty Chinese spy balloon was taken down off the coast of South Carolina, NORAD commander Gen. Glen VanHerck admitted that at least four previous spy balloons had flown over the U.S. undetected and were only discovered retroactively.

VanHerck called it a domain awareness gap, raising concerns the U.S. lacked the ability to track balloons or other surveillance devices.

Intelligence officials then detected the past three UFOs last weekend after tweaking the radar system to scan more closely at lower altitudes and for balloons and other less conspicuous flying objects.

There were two previous issues with radar detection, according to analysts in the airspace field.

The first is the military was looking for specific threats, such as missiles or long-range bomber planes, typically at higher altitudes. The second is when scanning at higher altitudes, the radars were not tuned to find flying objects like balloons.

In order to analyze wide swaths of objects flying at different altitudes, NORAD might need an adjustment, such as deploying a greater number of detection systems or more powerful ones.

Jon Gruen, the CEO of Fortem Technologies, a company that develops systems to counter drone incursions and works closely with the Defense Department, compared it to a flashlight: You could shine a narrow beam that can see up to 20 feet, or a wider beam that can see for up to 10 feet but capture more area.

What we are realizing right now is there needs to be greater air awareness systems tracking at different altitudes at different ranges to see smaller objects, Gruen said. Were seeing simple balloons and airborne platforms tripping in from all different types of locations. Its changing, so weve got to adapt to those changes.

Another concern in the airspace awareness community is how the U.S. can shift its response to a detected balloon or UFO.

The Chinese spy balloon and the three UFOs shot down over the weekend were taken out by fighter jets that fired an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile  each of which comes with a price tag of about $400,000.

The missiles also brought down the objects over difficult terrain, including a deep lake in Michigan and the icy waters over Alaska, complicating retrieval efforts that will help understand the UFOs better.

If there was a more effective rule of engagement policy and method to down and capture the UFOs more safely, collection and analysis efforts would be easier.

They need to get their hands on the balloons, on the unidentified objects, and learn from them, said Bingen, adding we need to be careful we are not expending limited stocks of missiles on every single object, whether its known or unknown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a rare occurrence, professor Dr. Y. Kiran Kumar of Government General Hospital in Guntur revived the heart of a 70-year-old patient by massaging it internally. (Representational Image: DC)

VIJAYAWADA: In a rare occurrence, professor Dr. Y. Kiran Kumar of Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur revived the heart of a 70-year-old patient by massaging it internally.

When the patient S. Venkateswarlu of Nandanavanam village in Prakasam district arrived at Guntur GGH hospital, doctors found him suffering from a rare diaphragmatic hernia. A medical team led by highly experienced Dr. Kiran Kumar decided to operate on him.

The team found that half of the stomach, large intestine, omentum, heart, lungs, and diaphragm, which is in the middle of the stomach, had protruded from a hole in muscle and extended to the heart and lungs.

During the operation, the patient's heart stopped beating suddenly. Dr. Kiran Kumar said as the surgery had been under progress, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from above would be very risky. Hence, he put his hand through the hole in the diaphragm and started massaging the heart gently. Following this, the heart revived and became stable after a few moments.

Doctors then continued the operation. The stomach, large intestine and omentum were pulled out from the chest into the stomach. They then closed the hole in the diaphragm with a prolene mesh.

Dr. Kiran Kumar said the patient remained on a ventilator in ICU for 48 hours after the operation. After they concluded that the heart, lungs and brain had started functioning well, they removed the ventilator and started feeding fluids from the third day. The patient started walking on the third day itself. It has now been 12 days since the stitches have been removed and doctors have decided to discharge the patient.

Guntur GGH superintendent Dr. Prabhavati said it is a high point for their hospital to conduct such an operation very effectively and successfully. She congratulated Dr. Kiran Kumar and his team.
WASHINGTON  In his first extensive public comments after ordering the U.S. military to shoot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon and three other unidentified aerial objects, President Biden said Thursday that he would make no apologies for authorizing the use of force, even as he pledged to institute new guidelines for future encounters.

Make no mistake, if any object presents a threat to the safety and security of the American people, I will take it down, Biden said, in what could only be interpreted as a warning to China, which has considerably expanded its aerial surveillance program in recent years.

"This is a very public example of Chinese interference in the United States, and it demanded a strong response from the Biden administration, said one China expert, Isaac Stone Fish. Although much more significant surveillance is happening from technology firms like ByteDance (the parent company of the controversial social media site TikTok) he said, the balloon had become a public symbol of Chinese overreach that needed to be addressed.

He described the presidents remarks as sending a blunt message that Beijing would have little trouble interpreting: This specific type of Chinese surveillance is not going to be OK."

More broadly, the presidents address was intended to dispel confusion  and to pull the nation out of what had at times seemed like a science fiction movie with an espionage twist.

At the White House on Thursday, President Biden discusses a high-altitude Chinese balloon and three other objects that were recently shot down by U.S. fighter jets. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

I want to be clear, Biden said, We dont have any evidence that there has been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the sky. Were now just seeing more of them. This he attributed in part to enhanced radar capabilities.

We have to keep adapting our approach to dealing with these challenges, the president added. He laid out an approach that includes seeking a thorough inventory of unmanned objects flying through U.S. airspace, implementing more sophisticated means to accurately detect those objects and setting out new rules for how such objects can be launched.

This new specter of aerial threats represents an opportunity  and a test case  for integrated deterrence, Tom Karako, a missile defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Yahoo News, referring to a new Defense Department approach that seeks to use both military and nonmilitary means to confront threats from adversaries like China and Russia.

Biden had already appointed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an interagency team on how to respond to aerial objects. On Thursday, he also announced a new effort by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to establish common global norms in this largely unregulated space.

The presidents remarks sought to cap a week of extraordinary  and extraterrestrial  speculation about unprecedented encounters in U.S. airspace.

Earlier this week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted that none of the objects appeared to belong to beings from other planets. Welcome as that revelation may have been, it and other statements by senior administration officials could not answer pressing questions about the extent of Chinese surveillance, or about how the U.S. military was distinguishing between foreign objects potentially used for spying and harmless research vehicles.

We just dont know, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Monday, as salvage crews attempted to reach the remains of the three objects shot down over the weekend. As suspicions mounted that those objects were probably not part of Chinas surveillance program, it became more pressing for Biden to weigh in.

Speaking from the White House after returning from Walter Reed hospital in Bethesda, Md., where he had undergone his annual physical, Biden struck a sometimes combative tone, giving no concessions to critics who said he had overreacted. Other critics had accused him of being too slow to order a takedown of the first balloon, the only one that has been definitively attributed to a foreign power: China.

The Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

His toughest remarks were accordingly reserved for Beijing. Were not looking for a new Cold War, but I make no apologies, he said, adding that he was expecting to speak to the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, soon.

Bidens remarks came amid mounting questions surrounding his decisions to shoot down the objects detected in U.S. airspace, and among calls for greater transparency from his administration on how it is responding to such incidents.

I think this is a bit of a wakeup call for a lot of folks, Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said earlier this week.

For many Americans, the very notion that China was flying balloons over the United States was a revelation, and not an especially welcome one.

The spy balloon first appeared over the United States at about 60,000 feet near Alaska in late January, to float across the country before Biden ordered it shot down off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 4. The recovered debris was taken to an FBI laboratory in Quantico, Va., for analysis.

China said the balloon was an "unmanned civilian airship"  not used for surveillance  that had floated off course.

But then more objects seemed to emerge over U.S. airspace.

On Friday, Biden ordered the downing of an unidentified object that was spotted flying off the remote northern coast of Alaska. Kirby said the president made the decision to shoot down the object  roughly the size of a small car  because it was flying at about 40,000 feet and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flights, not because of an understanding that it was engaged in surveillance. Biden later called the operation a success.

On Saturday, U.S. and Canadian officials said a U.S. fighter jet had shot down an unidentified object that was flying high over the Yukon territory. Biden ordered the object to be shot down after consulting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canada organization that provides shared defense of airspace over the two nations.

Then, on Sunday, Biden ordered the U.S. military to shoot down an unidentified object over Lake Huron  the third such event in three days and the fourth in little more than a week.

Sailors recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 5. (U.S. Navy via AP)

The Pentagon said the object, which was octagonal, with strings hanging off and no discernible payload, was flying low, at an altitude of about 20,000 feet, when it was shot down by an F-16 fighter jet with a Sidewinder missile near the U.S.-Canadian border. U.S. officials later said that the first missile fired at the object missed its intended target.

First shot missed, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Tuesday. The second shot hit.

Kurt Anderson, a professor of mechanical, aeronautical and nuclear engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said the three objects shot down between Friday and Sunday could have been launched by recreational balloon enthusiasts.

"If I were to guess, those were weekend warriors, people like you and I that were flying small balloons that they bought from third parties," he said. "It isn't that hard to do. And so it could be that literally these are people that, Hey, I got this great weather balloon and I flew it, and they're particularly happy now that it's made it into the news."

Anderson, an expert in near-space technology, said such aerial launches are common but had not been widely publicized until the spy balloon episode.

"It's not that we have so many of them now," he said. "It's because they actually have been there and we've never paid attention to them, because our radar isn't really set up for looking for them."

Yahoo News

Anderson said he agreed with Biden's decision to shoot them down, given the threat they posed to air travel.

"You can bring down an aircraft with a Canada goose," Anderson said. "These things definitely do pose a threat to civilian and commercial aircraft."

New rules could prevent takedowns of scientific objects with benign purposes. The more difficult question is how to curb Chinas balloon program, which could have severe geopolitical implications.

In an interview with CBS News, John K. Culver, a China expert and former CIA analyst, wondered if "we're too focused on what this balloon may or may not have collected" for intelligence purposes. He speculated that last week's incident could hint instead at "the wartime potential of China's ability to conduct high-altitude balloon operations, particularly at scale."
The FBI searched the University of Delaware twice in recent weeks as part of its investigation into President Bidens handling of classified documents, according to a new CNN report.

The searches were reportedly conducted on two different days and with the Bidens teams cooperation  and the materials retrieved did not appear to have classified markings, CNN reported, citing an anonymous source.

Documents with classified markings were found in a handful of prior discoveries at Bidens Wilmington, Del., home and in a Washington, D.C., office hed previously used, dating from his time in the Senate and as vice president.

The findings spurred the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint a special counsel to probe Bidens document handling, and the reported searches at the presidents alma mater come after Republicans called for the DOJ to look at a trove of senatorial papers Biden donated to the University of Delaware.

The schools special collections wing boasts more than 1,850 boxes of archival records from the Presidents Senate career donated back in 2012 but notes on its site that it has barred public access to the papers until they have been properly processed and archived.

According to CNN, the FBI searched both the senatorial records and a separate batch of documents donated by Biden more recently.

The recent document discoveries have put Biden under scrutiny from Republicans in particular. They have called the administration hypocritical after its critiques of former President Trump for hundreds of classified documents found in an FBI search of his Florida home and club last year. A special counsel was also appointed in Trumps case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Robert E. Crimo Jr., father of Robert Crimo III, waits for court to begin before Judge George D. Strickland at the Lake County, Ill., Courthouse Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Waukegan, Ill. Crimo Jr., faces seven counts of felony reckless conduct for signing the application for his son's firearm owners ID card in December of 2019. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)

CHICAGO (AP)  An Illinois grand jury on Wednesday formally indicted the father of a man charged with fatally shooting seven people at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago, the Lake County State's Attorney Office said.

The indictment charges Robert Crimo Jr., 58, with seven counts of reckless conduct. Prosecutors have said he helped his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a gun license years before the shooting in Highland Park, even though the then-19-year-old had threatened violence.

Sara Avalos, a spokesperson for the prosecutors office, confirmed the grand jury indictment and said the father will be arraigned Thursday.

Robert Crimo Jr. was arrested in December, also on seven felony counts of reckless conduct, one for each person killed. Each count carries a maximum 3-year prison term. The longtime resident and well-known figure in Highland Park was released after his arrest on a $50,000 bond.

At a brief hearing last month, prosecutors had told Judge George Strickland at a Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, north of Highland Park, they needed more time to present evidence to the grand jury.

In a brief statement released by his office later Wednesday, Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart said the grand jury agreed the case against the father should move forward.

Parents who help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible when those kids hurt others with those weapons," Rinehart said.

George M. Gomez, the fathers Chicago-area attorney, didnt immediately respond to a request for a comment Wednesday. But he earlier called the accusations against his client baseless and unprecedented.

Rinehart has previously said the accusations against the father are based on his sponsorship of his sons application for a gun license in December 2019. Authorities say Robert Crimo III attempted suicide by machete in April 2019 and in September 2019 was accused by a family member of making threats to kill everyone.

Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenagers should have a weapon, Rinehart said after the father's arrest. In this case, the system failed when Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son. He knew what he knew and he signed the form anyway.

Authorities say Illinois State Police reviewed the sons gun license application and found no reason to deny it because he had no arrests, no criminal record, no serious mental health problems, no orders of protection and no other behavior that would disqualify him.

Legal experts have said it's rare for an accused shooter's parent or guardian to face charges  in part because it's difficult to prove such charges.

In one notable exception, a Michigan prosecutor in 2021 filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a teen accused of fatally shooting four students at his high school. A trial date was delayed while the state appeals court considers an appeal.

A grand jury indicted Robert Crimo III in July on 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, representing the seven people killed and dozens wounded in the attack at the holiday parade in Highland Park.

Robert Crimo Jr. has shown up at several of his son's pretrial hearings, nodding in greeting when his son entered the courtroom shackled and flanked by guards. The father is a familiar face around Highland Park, where he was once a mayoral candidate and operated convenience stores.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm.
A person walks in Zaryadye park in downtown Moscow at sunset. (AFP via Getty Images)

The West has long been caught off guard and outfoxed by successful Russian influence operations over the last decade, from its stealth takeover of Crimea in 2014 to a series of brazen hack-and-leak operations designed to sway or degrade democratic elections.

Yet in the lead-up to Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, the U.S. and U.K. made the unprecedented decision to declassify intelligence in real time, showing that a supposedly defensive special military operation was long planned and that Vladimir Putins justifications for going to war were crude pretexts. The goal was to either preempt an invasion of Ukraine or, failing that, shore up support among Western allies who were skeptical that Putin would ever pull the trigger. Not so fast might well have been the mantra of undercutting Moscows falsehoods a year ago, though that of course hasnt stopped Moscow from minting more of them.

A document obtained by Yahoo News from a Western intelligence agency reveals how Putins security services rely on local journalists to launder narratives intended to undermine Ukraines unexpectedly robust performance on the battlefield. The tasking document was given to a Siberia-based Russian journalist by an officer of Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, instructing the reporter to circulate claims that Ukraines Ministry of Defense was intentionally mischaracterizing thousands of dead Ukrainian soldiers as missing in action in order to avoid paying compensation to their families. These claims were said to have come from the hacked email account belonging to Serhiy Shaptala, the chief of the Ukrainian Armed Force general staff.

The only problem?

The yield of the alleged hack bears obvious signs of manipulation if not outright invention.

Yaroslava, the daughter of killed Ukrainian soldier Ihor Bezogluk, puts his photo a memorial wall for Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv. (Roman Pilipey/Getty Images)

Even more bizarre is the fact that this fake scoop had already been published elsewhere, on far more prominent Russian media platforms, raising the question of why the FSB even bothered to get a low-level asset in Russias Far East to lift a finger at all.

This is part of a campaign coordinated from Moscow by the FSBs headquarters, the Western intelligence source told Yahoo News. And it shows just how concerned the FSB is over the reputation of Ukraines Armed Forces that they feel compelled to conduct overwhelming discrediting campaigns deep inside Russian Federation territory.

Or, at any rate, it shows that the higher-ups in the FSB are concerned with undermining the Ukrainian militarys reputation. Their underlings, on the other hand, sometimes phone in their duties out of a seeming indifference to the quality and efficacy of their tradecraft.

The Kremlins more recent efforts at waging information warfare against Ukraine have often been clumsy, contradictory or improvisational. For one thing, Moscow originally insisted it launched its invasion to stop neo-Nazis in the only country in Europe headed by a Jewish president and with no far-right party represented in parliament. When that narrative failed to gain much purchase outside a narrow field of reliably pro-Russian politicians and commentators, Moscow flipped the script. Now, top Russian officials say, the country is locked in an epic or sacred contest against NATO or Satan  or maybe both.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Mikhail MetzelL/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The FSB document on the supposed Ukrainian hack, uncreatively titled Zadaniye (Tasks) was sent to Yury Karnovsky, a 63-year-old journalist and editor living in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, more than 2,000 miles from Russias border with Ukraine. The sender was Aleksandr Yatsura, an employee of the FSBs Novosibirsk branch, formerly the head of the press office of the FSB Border Service in that region in 2010 and 2011. The FSB, one of the successor agencies of the Soviet KGB, for which Putin famously worked, controls domestic security and counterintelligence in Russia. It also has a foreign arm known as the Fifth Service, which was principally responsible for intelligence gathering in Ukraine in preparation for the war. As with all Russian spy services, the FSB relies on agents and informants, many of them paid, to spy on others or to prosecute influence operations targeting Russians and non-Russians alike.

Karnovsky appears to be just such an agent. He did not reply to Yahoo News request for comment on this story.

Born in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, Karnovsky once served as a signals officer in the Soviet and then Russian Air Force, retiring from the military in 1999. Since 2000, he has been working in regional media as both an editor and a writer for a number of newspapers and websites, including the publication Youth of Siberia, which was shuttered in 2012, and Big Novosibirsk.

A police officer inspects a hole after a rocket strike, in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

Since at least 2010, Karnovsky has run his own website called WorldAndWe. Its strapline is Truth and Objectivity. Published in four languages  Russian, English, Polish and Ukrainian  this little-known portal may be said to fall short of its lofty mission statement. A characteristic intervention in English is titled, About the Neo-Nazi Diarrhea in the Countries of the Baltic States or as the USA Raise the Fascism Again [sic].

In early January, Yatsura sent Karnovsky an order, the Western intel shows. Draft an article based on the materials published in the highly rated Telegram channel The World Today With Yuri Podolyak about the hacking by the AnarchistKombatant group of the archives of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine S. Shaptala and the discovery of official correspondence confirming the death of 35,382 Ukrainian servicemen, whom the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine passes off as missing in order not to pay their relatives the 15 million hryvnia ($400,000) prescribed by law.

Among the main theses that Yatsura tells Karnovsky to hammer home at WorldAndWe is that Zelenskys government, controlled by Washington, falsely categorizes over thousands of Ukrainian military personnel as missing rather than deceased in order to deprive them of monetary compensation, benefits and other social payments promised by V. Zelensky. Furthermore, Zelensky should be presented, Yatsura writes, as prioritizing foreign mercenaries and nationalists from the Azov regiment in the lists for prisoner exchanges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This last task apparently capitalizes on the fact that the wars largest single prisoner swap to date was for 215 pro-Ukraine figures, including 108 from the Azov regiment, in exchange for 55 Russian or pro-Russia figures in addition to Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian oligarch personally close to Putin. Although the Azov regiment  now elevated to a special assault brigade  doesnt exceed 2,500 soldiers out of a Ukrainian military of half a million personnel, the group draws significant backlash due to its far-right origins and iconography. In 2018, U.S. Congress barred it as an extremist group from receiving American weapons and training. Others, including Azov members themselves, now insist the regiment has been reformed. Yet Moscow has exerted enormous energy and time to using the groups controversial status as a broad brush to depict Ukraine as beholden to a fascist and racist ideology.

Moreover, far from being denounced by ordinary Ukrainians, the Azov prisoner swap was celebrated owing to the fighters bravery in defending the last redoubt in the besieged port city of Mariupol, which finally fell to Russian forces in May. In fact, the swap, which was orchestrated by Turkey, was furiously condemned by Russian ultranationalists and hawkish military bloggers who saw it a Kremlin betrayal; they had hoped the Azov fighters would be tried and executed in a Nuremberg-themed tribunal.

Surrendered servicemen of Ukraine's national battalion Azov, an all-volunteer infantry military unit, are transferred to Yelenovka in Mariupol, Ukraine, in May 2022. (Leon Klein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The publication by WorldAndWe is clearly part of a broader campaign to portray Ukraine's losses in the war as unsustainable, said Pierre Vaux, a senior investigator at the London-based Centre for Information Resilience, which maps disinformation schemes. This campaign has been underway for several months now and has frequently involved fabricated documents, such as the fake letters demanding Latvia, Lithuania and the U.K. deport Ukrainian men for conscription. This particular example is remarkably clumsy, but quantity of noise is often more important than quality in Russian information operations.

The FSB email ends on a note of exhorting Karnovsky, himself of Ukrainian birth, to address the nation targeted by Putins invasion as follows: Citizen of Ukraine, remember  your death is not needed by your family and homeland. Biden and Zelensky need your death.

The instructions seem rather odd in more ways than one.

First of all, few Ukrainians have heard of WorldAndWe.com, much less would be prepared to heed the counsel of a clearly pro-Kremlin commentator. Second, Karnovsky was being asked to reproduce material already floating around on the Russian internet in the form of the highly rated Telegram channel World Today With Yuri Podolyak. Podolyak is another pro-Kremlin Ukrainian journalist who fled to Russia in 2014, the year Putins forces seized the Crimean peninsula and launched an undeclared war in Eastern Ukraine. The Telegram channel, moreover, simply published a link to a brief article on Podolyaks own website, dated Dec. 14. And that product was little more than a screenshot of documents published on another Telegram channel, Mash, earlier that morning.

Mash is one of the most well-known news sources in Russia, with over 1.7 million subscribers. It carried far more detail on the purported hacking of the Ukraine forces chief of staff than did Podolyak, with under eight thousand subscribers. For instance, Mash displayed a screenshot of a supposed correspondence written on Ukrainian Ministry of Defense letterhead from the head of the personnel center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Col. Mykhailo Oleksandrovich Mitkevich. In the letter, Mitkevich discusses how an analysis done by the ministry confirms that 35,382 Ukrainian soldiers were miscategorized as missing in action rather than deceased. However, the document has clear signs of fabrication. A section in the upper right hand corner contains an isolated and broken fragment of recurring text, Ukrainian words indicating the document is Top Secret, as if copied and pasted there by mistake.

An officer in GUR, Ukraines military intelligence service, who asked to remain anonymous, told Yahoo News that the document is a forgery and that Shaptalas communications had never been hacked. Top Secret documents are not sent via the data exchange system, the GUR officer said. By form, its close to the requirements but not the same. For instance, paper documents are always signed by an official or signed digitally when sent via the data exchange system. This one isnt signed at all. Also, the stamp in the upper lefthand corner should contain a specific place for the date and number of the document. Thats missing here. In short, its a clear fake.

Members of Ukraine's 95th Air Assault Brigade defend an area near the frontline of fighting on Jan. 12. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Mashs original write-up was disseminated by major Russian news outlets such as Moskovsky Komsomolets. So it remains unclear why Yatsura didnt just direct Karnovsky to these more recognizable sources, or why he emailed Karnovsky nearly a month after the original fabrication was published as news elsewhere.

According to an officer in the FSBs Ukrainian counterpart, SBU, the whole scheme speaks of Russian intelligences laziness and box-ticking busywork. You need to understand the mentality of these regional FSB servicemen, the SBU officer told Yahoo News. He needs to show his work. His boss is probably an old general who knows nothing of information operations, but the bigwigs back in Moscow demand results. And lo and behold, they find such a flunky somewhere and use him in what they think is a clever op but is, in reality, trash. Stuff like this shows you why Ukraine isnt losing.

WorldAndWe did publish an article corresponding to the FSBs instructions on Jan. 12, 2023. It reused the Mash screenshots of the purportedly hacked documents from Shaptalas account but conjoined this story with two other narratives. The first was about protests across Ukraine, demanding explanations for missing soldiers. In the towns and villages of Ukraine there have already been regular protests from families of servicemen who disappeared without a trace during battles with the Russian occupiers, the piece stated.

Servicemen carry a coffin at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)

This aspect of the story seems designed to promote another trope of Russian propaganda that has been growing since November. It is true that a number of small Ukrainian protests have been held calling for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to release information on the fates of members of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. Whether these protests have been instigated or are organic is a separate matter, but Russian media outlets and Telegram channels have seized on them, inflating them into a mass phenomenon.

WorldAndWe even goes so far as to offer quotable appeals to the Ukrainian government, inviting readers to use verbatim elsewhere:

Dear bloggers and volunteers! Help us spread this information so that Ukraine, the UN and the Red Cross hear us. We will not be silenced, we will fight for an all-for-all exchange

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and officers, fulfilling their duty, went to the front. But some were forgotten so as to economize on payments, and others were thrown into captivity.

Mourners attend the funeral of Denys Antipov, a soldier and popular economics lecturer. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The WorldAndWe article is credited to someone named Stepan Bulbenko, who is also listed as the author of anti-Ukrainian or anti-NATO articles on numerous other minor pro-Kremlin propaganda sites. From at least 2014 onwards, the name has appeared on a regional site for Ozyorsk, a closed city near Russias Ural Mountains. Bulbenkos byline has also run at the separatist publication Vestnik Khartsyzska, based in the Russian-occupied Donbas, as well as at TopWar.ru, a military content portal. Some of his pieces were also republished by better-known disinformation and propaganda sites like the Crimea-based News Front, which, as the U.S. State Departments Global Engagement Center noted in a 2020 report, is linked to far-right Russian figures. News Front has pushed any number of conspiracy theories, including that the U.S. created COVID-19 as a bioweapon and that Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has used the pandemic to implant microchips in people.

"Units for disseminating disinformation or propaganda are in every Russian region and they all have their own collaborators like Karnovsky, the Western intelligence source said. Their objective is to pollute an information ecosystem with so many unverified and contentious claims that truth becomes all but impossible to separate from fiction, and debunking lies requires far more time and energy than the ready manufacture of more of them.

Ukrainian paratroopers wait for transport along the road in Chasiv Yar on Jan. 28. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

The invented Shaptala hack and the emphasis on homegrown Ukrainian protests are integrally tied to broader Russian campaigns meant to sow social discord in enemy territory by portraying the defending government as treacherous or inhumane. Previous Kremlin propaganda efforts falsely claimed that Ukraine was seeking the deportation of male refugees from Western countries and lowering the age of conscription to 16. The overall aim is to present Ukraine as desperately short of manpower and on the brink of collapse, and therefore undermine both morale at home and foreign confidence in Ukraines viability in the face of an ongoing Russian offensive.

The FSBs banal requirement that a fringe Russian publication amplify such efforts may be no more than a provincial bureaucrats boondoggle. But the orders also provide insight into how the Russian security services launder their narratives through dubious but hyperactive content farms, just like WorldAndWe.
Senators on both sides of the aisle say there needs to be a congressional investigation into the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that resulted in a fire and a toxic chemical spill affecting residents and wildlife for miles.

But it's unclear at the moment whether such a probe would focus more on rail operator Norfolk Southern or the federal government's safety standards and response to the Feb. 3 incident.

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said Tuesday he "certainly" supports an investigation, saying his main concern right now is air and water quality for constituents.

Most of them are concerned right now about air and water, and thats the main thing that were monitoring, he said.

Vance sent a letter to the CEO of Norfolk Southern on Wednesday requesting that the company expand its financial reimbursement area to include all residents of East Palestine, where a 150-car train carrying hazardous chemicals skidded off the tracks.

Norfolk Southern had burned train cars carrying vinyl chloride  a flammable gas  to prevent an explosion.

After the controlled burn, the Environmental Protection Agency warned area residents of possible lingering odors but noted that the byproducts of vinyl chloride can emit smells at levels lower than what is considered hazardous.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said he will visit East Palestine in a few days and also supports an investigation.

They have a skepticism about a big company like that that hasnt shown interest in them in the past, Brown said of residents.

I mean, its the responsibility of the governor, the responsibility of the feds with [the National Transportation Safety Board], the responsibility especially of Norfolk Southern to do what they said they would do, he added.

Water is pumped into a creek for aeration on Feb. 14, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. (Angelo Merendino / Getty Images)

Brown and Vance, along with Democratic Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, sent a letter Wednesday to the chair of the NTSB highlighting rail safety concerns as the agency conducts its own investigation.

Hundreds of families were forced to flee their homes, and they are now rightfully concerned about long-term health risks due to the Norfolk Southern train derailment, the senators wrote. No American family should be forced to face the horror of fleeing their homes because hazardous materials have spilled or caught fire in their community.

The four senators also sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan expressing their concerns about the release of hazardous materials after the derailment.

The EPA later said Regan is scheduled to travel to East Palestine on Thursday to assess the response and meet with leaders at all levels of government.

Separately, Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wrote to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with questions about the department's oversight of the U.S. freight train system and how it balances building a safe, resilient rail industry across our country in relation to building a hyper-efficient one with minimal direct human input.

The continuing cleanup on Feb. 9, of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. (Gene J. Puskar / AP)

Various committees in the Senate have jurisdiction over aspects of the derailment.

The Environment and Public Works Committee, which has oversight of the EPA, could examine the agencys handling of affected wildlife, while the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has oversight of rail safety.

Staffers from the Environment and Public Works Committee are receiving regular updates from the EPA on the environmental impacts of this accident, a committee aide said.

Committee chair Tom Carper, D-Del., tweeted Tuesday that we must also look for ways to ensure a thorough federal investigation takes place to prevent an incident like this from happening in the future."

Asked for an update Wednesday, Carper said, My staff is drilling down on it."

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, the top Republican on the panel, who is also a member of the Commerce Committee, told reporters she has spoken with the CEO of Norfolk Southern and is monitoring water testing in the area.
Pennsylvanias highest court rejected Wednesday an appeal of a former truck driver convicted in the 1993 killing of teenager in Centre County.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to review an April ruling from the state Superior Court that found an analyst whose testimony was central to the trial of James R. Cruz Jr. did not commit the errors that were alleged.

The decision from the state Supreme Court likely puts an end to any state appeals, though Cruz may pursue appeals at the federal level. His life sentence for the murder of Dawn Marie Birnbaum, 17, remains undisturbed.

Defense lawyer Steve Trialonas declined an opportunity to immediately comment.

The District Attorneys Office is grateful to the dedicated professionals, past and present, responsible for holding Cruz accountable for the 1993 murder, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said in a statement. The closure of this case represents an important success in the history of the District Attorneys Office.

Cruz, 65, of Ohio, strangled Birnbaum in March 1993. Her body was found on a snowbank near Interstate 80 in Spring Township.

Birnbaum had run away from a boarding school in Maine. She was last seen at a truck stop where she made a call on a pay phone before running toward the trucks. Cruz claimed he never met Birnbaum, but DNA tests showed the two had sex.

Her wrists were bound and a yellow rope was drawn around her neck. An FBI microscopic hair comparison analyst testified during the 1994 trial that hairs found under the rope, on her body and clothing matched Cruzs. A hair found in his truck matched Birnbaums.

Cruz sought a new trial after an April 2015 press release from the FBI made known there was widespread, systematic error in the conclusion of microscopic hair comparison analysis before 2000. His request was denied after more than six years of litigation.

Jurors deliberated at the end of Cruzs seven-day trial in June 1994 for about 15 hours. He was convicted of first-degree murder, but was acquitted of kidnapping, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and robbery.

Nothing, other than I didnt do it, Cruz told former Centre County Judge David E. Grine after his trial when asked if he had a statement to make.

Cruz did not testify during his trial. He is detained at Fayette state prison in southwestern Pennsylvania.
A Porto's Bakery box of its famous refugiados  guava and cheese pastries. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If youve lived here for any amount of time, you know theres a very particular giveaway that youre taking a flight departing a Los Angeles-area airport: passengers toting the recognizable yellow boxes and bags from Portos Bakery & Cafe through airport terminals and onto planes. The scent of the cakes, breads, pastries and papas rellenas, or potato balls, cuts through the antiseptic, recycled air of the airplane cabin and can make the drudgery of travel slightly more bearable. And the items, brought to relatives or loved ones in other places, are more than just food  theyre a memento and a calling card. They say, We remember you and we miss you. Heres a taste of home.

Tres leches cake, left foreground, and fresh fruit tart at the Porto's Bakery in Glendale; a Porto's staff member takes a mango mousse cake out of the refrigerator. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If that sounds a little dramatic, it speaks to the power of Portos, with six perpetually busy locations in the L.A. area and a seventh on the way. The Cuban bakery, started in a small space in a Silver Lake strip mall in 1976 as a continuation of founder Rosa Portos underground cakes business in Cuba following the Cuban Revolution, may have begun as a way to connect immigrants with the flavors of their homeland. But over the decades, its morphed into something more. Portos has become its own language, to the extent that its baked and hot foods no longer just represent Cuba  theyve come to represent Los Angeles.

I was fortunate to conduct one of Rosa Portos final interviews before she died in 2019 at age 89. She told me about her hometown of Manzanillo; her love of ajiaco, a rustic soup popular in Cuba; and inspiration gleaned from years living with an aunt who loved baking and her grandmothers recipes. Following her death, I wrote an effusive appreciation of Rosa Porto and the business she created. But I was curious recently about how Portos has sustained its menu, now slightly pared down three years into COVID, without its matriarch.

The spicy chicken Milanesa sandwich: locally farmed, free-range chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, tomato, smashed avocado and spicy jalapeno spread served on a medianoche roll. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

I tried roughly 50 items on Portos menu at three different locations  not everything, but a substantial chunk of the menu, and certainly enough to offer a contemporaneous and critical lens on the current state of quality and consistency at one of Southern California's most loved bakery chains.

The sandwiches seem as good a place as any to start: You will never go wrong with a cubano or medianoche. Did you know that all humans are 99.9% genetically identical to each other despite varying outward appearances? Think of cubano and medianoche sandwiches in the same vein: They look different but have the same DNA. Lately, Ive been leaning Team Medianoche: slices of soft, egg-washed, sweet bread pressed firmly around pork, slices of roasted ham, nutty melted Swiss cheese, mustard and pickle chips. This is an S-tier sandwich, on its way to Cooperstown on the first ballot.

Other sandwiches, including a marginally spicy chicken milanesa, with a flat, crunchy fried cutlet and melted mozzarella, are also good, if not quite at the same level. A torta with chopped bits of well-done steak tastes like a good carne asada taco that wandered onto a French roll. But a chicken torta, overwhelmed by guacamole that spills out of the sides on first bite (Im not sure Ive ever complained before about getting too much guacamole on anything) doesnt really move the needle.

Family photographs hang on the wall at Porto's Bakery in Glendale, where pastries for sale include papa rellena, guava cheese pastry, cheese roll, churro croissant, spinach and feta empanada and croqueta de pollo. Right: Porto's iconic boxes. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

Roasted pork and ropa vieja come in both sandwich and entree form. I would recommend the latter, as you get a side of rice and black beans as well as a few tender, gently caramelized maduros, or fried plantains. The black beans are one of the best things at Portos. Theyre developed, mature, tasting of onion, bell pepper and a hint of tomato. Is there a little citrus in there too? Youll be forgiven for thinking this dish is a Jules Verne novel  there are depths to these beans.

The ropa vieja (old clothes in Spanish) does have the texture of a comforting, thread-worn sweater or pair of pants. Maybe thats not the most appetizing analogy for a food item, but dont let it dissuade you  the shredded beef in a rich tomato-y stew is punctuated with the occasional tannic, briny-sweet hit of green olive, creating a balance of sweetness, acid and umami.

The blended dulce de leche shake, mamey shake, plato de ropa vieja and chicken Milanesa sandwich. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

Salads are a mixed bag at Portos  the cilantro Caesar is greatly assisted by the addition of pepitas, roasted pumpkin seeds (the small green ones, not the big, flat white ones you might associate with jack-o-lanterns) that provide crunch and great texture. The rustic chopped salad, between the inclusion of candied bacon and a slightly saccharine mustard vinaigrette, ends up being overwhelmed by sweetness.

Youll spend at least a portion of your time at the bakery case on a Portos visit, and for good reason: Most of the stuff is very good. The picadillo-spiced potato balls need no introduction. But have you tried the chicken croquettes? Theyre nuggets of garlicky, creamy shredded chicken and might be my new favorite deep-fried savory treat.

A baker decorates dulce de leche cake rolls at Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

If for some reason you've never been to Portos, here's a rough breakdown of how it works  Ill use the flagship store in Glendale as an example: You walk in and see two lines, a cafe line and a bakery line. Contrary to what you might think, you can order any item from any line, so just pick the shorter line. You approach the counter, where theres a squadron of people to help you, most of whom look barely old enough to rent a car but are amazingly helpful. Place your order. You'll get your bakery items right there. If youre ordering prepared food to eat in, theyll bring your food and drinks to you. For to-go, youll need to pick up your food from one window and drinks from a separate drinks area. If it sounds a little confusing, I promise youll get the hang of it quickly.

Left: Papa rellenas, potato balls stuffed with Cuban-style ground beef, onions, bell pepper and olives. Right: Patrons inside Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

With some of the viennoiserie and other baked goods, I find myself in the position of having to walk back some of the praise I ladled on in my 2019 appreciation. A standard butter croissant was a bit flatter than I remembered. That, a ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate twist pastry were more flaccid than flaky.

But the refugiados (guava and cheese pastries) and cheese rolls, with their tangy, creamy fillings, remain excellent, as does a spinach feta empanada. Other empanadas and meat pies are decent but unremarkable, and the tamales are topped by those at some Latin American bakeries around town. (Have you checked out our tamale list?) Cranberry orange scones are average, but the churro croissant, a newer menu item, is an inspired idea and deserves to be considered on the same level of brilliance of pastry Frankensteins as the Cronut.

My biggest surprise during recent Portos trips has been in the breakfast department. I never leaned on Portos much as an early-morning option, but I can now pronounce it to be one of my favorites in the city, especially given the increasing dearth of daytime eateries since the pandemic struck.

Cristofer Gonzalez holds a box of cheese rolls outside of Porto's Bakery in Glendale. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

An egg, cheese and chorizo sandwich on a crusty white Cuban roll, with a fluffy-egged omelet dotted with spiced meat, is exactly what you want in a breakfast sandwich. Porto's version of a breakfast burrito is pleasantly hearty, a tortilla-cloaked omelet stuffed with chunks of seasoned, shredded pork, black beans and guacamole. A punchy, persuasive salsa verde goes perfectly with the wrap and allows it to thread the needle and avoid the trap of being too heavy. Torrejas, or Cuban French toast, are over-the-top rich, fat slabs of eggy, fried toast. The guava syrup accompaniment offers a lighter touch than your standard maple syrup, but every bite feels luxuriant, like the chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag.

Portos desserts are as famous, if not more, than anything else on its menu. You generally fare better with the cream-focused cakes and desserts, like the flaky Napoleon or tres leches cake, which feels like plunging into a kiddie pool of sweet milk and sopping wet sponge. Tangy mango and guava mousses, electric jolts of mouth-puckering tang and sweetness, also are worthy of a splurge. Carrot and Parisian chocolate cakes and a mixed berry muffin offer somewhat less to write home about.

A rack of unbaked, left, and baked refugiados, guava and cheese pastries. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

The rest is just details  but isnt that where the devil resides? Fresh juices never taste old or like theyve been sitting around. A mamey shake is as good as any Ive had, tasting like a cold and creamy, honey-sweetened yam. A blended dulce de leche coffee shake is better than any Frappuccino youll ever drink. (I should know; I literally tried all of them.) Lastly, but perhaps most important: Theres almost always a wait at Portos, but Ive never had bad service. And Ive found that employees are helpful and more than willing to put something right if theres been a mistake.

Its the reason Portos has continued to thrive, well into its fifth decade of existence  an extraordinary feat for any restaurant. And it ensures that youll keep seeing people trotting those boxes and bags through airports across the nation. Lock eyes, acknowledge them and share a knowing glance.

A Porto's Bakery staff member walks by the bread selection at the Glendale location. (Sabrina Mai Nguyen / For The Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
South Korean army soldiers patrol along the barbed-wire fence in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. South Korea called North Korea "our enemy" in its biennial defense document published Thursday, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years, as tensions worsen between the two. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea called North Korea our enemy in its biennial defense document published Thursday, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years, as tensions worsen between the two countries.

North Korea conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests in 2022, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea. In response, South Koreas conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been seeking a stronger U.S. security commitment and boosting its own military capabilities.

Descriptions of North Korea in past South Korean defense white papers reflect the changing rocky ties between the two Koreas. Past South Korean documents called North Korea the main enemy, present enemy or enemy in times of animosity. But they avoided such references when relations were improved.

North Korea doesnt give up its nukes and is persistently posing military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military  is our enemy, the 2022 South Korean defense white paper issued Thursday said.

The document noted that in December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called South Korea our undoubted enemy in a speech at a key ruling party meeting. It also cited the passage of a new North Korean law authorizing pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons in a broad range of scenarios.

The document said the North Korean nuclear program and provocations are seriously threatening our security. It said the main objectives of South Korean defense policies include bracing for threats and a potential invasion by North Korea, deterring a war on the Korean Peninsula and contributing to a peaceful future Korean reunification.

North Korea didnt immediately respond to the revived use of enemy terminology in the South Korean defense paper, though it has lashed out at past such labels, calling them provocations that demonstrated South Korean hostility.

South Korea first called North Korea its main enemy in 1995, a year after North Korea threatened to turn Seoul into sea of fire  rhetoric the North has since repeatedly used when confrontations flared with the South.

During a previous era of inter-Korean detente in the 2000s, South Korea stopped using the enemy terminology, but revived it after 50 South Koreans were killed in attacks blamed on North Korea in 2010  46 in the torpedoing of a navy ship and four in the shelling of a border island.

South Korea again avoided using enemy labels when it was governed by Yoons liberal predecessor Moon Jae-in, who espoused greater reconciliation with North Korea. Defense documents published during Moons 2017-2022 rule didnt mention North Korea by name when they said South Koreas military considers any force that threatens and violates the sovereignty, territory, people, and properties of the Republic of Korea as an enemy.

The latest defense paper refers to Kim Jong Un by name without any of his titles, while previous papers issued under Moons government used both his name and titles  Chairman Kim Jong Un" or State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un."

Yoon, who took office in May last year, has vowed a stern response to North Korean provocations. During his election campaign, Yoon wrote on Facebook that the main enemy is North Korea" after it conducted a series of missile tests.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Tesla workers in the company's Buffalo, New York Autopilot facility had sent a letter to CEO Elon Musk stating their attention to unionize. Now, organizers at the same location are accusing the company of illegally terminating employees "in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity," Bloomberg has reported.

In a filing with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Workers United union accused Tesla of attempting to discourage its organizing activities. It has asked for a federal court injunction to "prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Teslas unlawful conduct." Several of the employees let go had been involved in labor discussion, and one was the member of an organizing committee.

"This is a form of collective retaliation... designed to terrify everyone about potential consequences of them organizing, as well as to attempt to cull the herd," Workers United organizer Jaz Brisack told Bloomberg. (Engadget has contacted Tesla for comment, but doesn't anticipate a reply given the company no longer has a dedicated press office.)

Employees involved in the campaign are in charge of labeling data for Tesla's Autopilot technology. The group is asking for better pay, job security and a work environment that reduces production pressures. The group previously said that Tesla engages in keystroke monitoring to see how long they spend on tasks, and shut down an internal chatroom used for airing grievances.

Following the earlier report, Tesla issued a directive to "protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of all Tesla business information." However, one employee said the terminations are galvanizing, rather than intimidating workers. "It's pretty clear the message they're sending," said Sara Constatino. "And it's really I think backfiring on them." The NLRB will now investigate the claims and could prosecute them before a judge if it finds merit.
In this file photo a new Air India Boeing 787-8 series Dreamliner aircraft during the opening day of India Aviation 2012 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. (Noah SEELAM / AFP file image)

New Delhi: Tata Group-owned Air India has placed an order for 840 planes with Airbus and Boeing, including the option to acquire 370 aircraft, with a senior airline official on Thursday saying the order is a "landmark moment" in the Indian aviation history.

The announcement by Air India's Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal comes a day after the airline said it has placed a firm order for 470 aircraft -- 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing.

In a LinkedIn post, Aggarwal said the airline is humbled by the excitement generated across the world by the airline's aircraft order.

"The order comprises 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade," he said.

This will be one of the largest aircraft orders by an airline in the modern aviation history.

According to him, this order of 840 aircraft has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago with the Air India privatisation process.

The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s.

"We have also signed up for long-term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace," he said.

This was also the first time in more than 17 years that Air India, which was acquired from the government by Tata Group in January 2022, has ordered planes. The first A350 plane will be delivered to the airline by the end of this year.

Aggarwal on Thursday said the order demonstrates the vision and aspiration of Tata Group to transform Air India into a world-class airline and connect India "non-stop" to every major city in the world.

"This order is also a testament to the tremendous economic potential unleashed by the Air India privatisation," he said, adding that it is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Air India-Airbus transaction as a "landmark deal" that also reflects the deepening ties between India and France.

The prime minister along with US President Joe Biden also welcomed the landmark agreement between Air India and Boeing as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Air India, earlier under the ownership of the government, had acquired new aircraft more than 17 years ago.

The airline's last order was for 111 planes -- 68 from Boeing and 43 from Airbus -- and that deal was worth USD 10.8 billion. The order was placed in 2005.

Currently, in India, around 470 commercial aircraft of Airbus are in service and the European major's order book for Indian airlines is around 850 planes. Indian carriers operate around 159 Boeing planes.

The country's airline industry is poised for expansion with more than 1,100 planes on order by various domestic carriers.
The surgery to remove both fallopian tubes is called a bilateral salpingectomy. (Getty Images)

Ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease that mainly affects older women. However, it is also a condition that is challenging to diagnose early on. Very often, by the time a person experiences symptoms and doctors diagnose it, the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This is why a leading ovarian cancer research and advocacy group is recommending a pretty aggressive strategy to prevent the disease: to remove a womans fallopian tubes if shes not planning on having more children, and is undergoing other gynecological surgeries.

The recommendation, which was recently shared by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), would apply to women and anyone with ovaries regardless of their ovarian cancer risk. This includes those without a family history of the disease or a genetic predisposition to it.

Women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or those who carry gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at a higher risk for this type of cancer. For many of these patients, doctors already routinely recommend the removal of their fallopian tubes and ovaries once the person has decided not to have more children.

We think its important that you know, anybody with ovaries be aware of this as an option if they are having a pelvic surgery anyway, Sarah DeFeo, chief program officer for OCRA, told Yahoo News. You know, were not suggesting, and I dont think anybody is suggesting, that average-risk women go out and have surgeries specifically and only for this purpose. What were saying is, if you happen to be having pelvic surgery anyway, and hundreds of thousands of women in the United States every year [do], then you should discuss with your doctor if it makes sense to remove your tubes at the same time, she added.

The surgery to remove both fallopian tubes is called a bilateral salpingectomy, and it is also a form of permanent birth control for those who do not desire to have more children. During the procedure  which requires general anesthesia  the surgeon locates the fallopian tubes and detaches them from the ovaries and uterus. Patients typically recover within one to three weeks. Those who wish to become parents after fallopian tube removal can do so through in vitro fertilization.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Every year, roughly 19,710 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with the disease, and about 13,000 women die from it.

According to OCRA, 70% of ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes, so by removing them, a woman could significantly reduce her chances of developing the disease.

Although it isnt clear how many people will be affected by OCRAs recommendation, millions of American women could be candidates for the risk-reducing procedure. About 4 million gynecologic surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, according to a Washington Post report. These include tubal ligations, surgeries to remove uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, as well as hysterectomies, which are surgical procedures to remove a womans uterus.

In addition to encouraging women to consider fallopian removal surgery as a way to reduce their ovarian cancer risk, OCRA said it was also beginning a nationwide push to make genetic testing more readily available for women to learn about their risks. According to the organization, 20% of ovarian cancers are caused by a genetic mutation. Unfortunately, many people without a clear family history of ovarian cancer may not necessarily be aware that they carry these mutations. Genetic testing can also be expensive, which explains why regular screening tests are not more widely used.

Although not everyone with gene mutations will develop this type of cancer, experts have said knowing a persons risk could save lives. In order to increase risk awareness, OCRA launched a pilot program that offers free, at-home genetic testing for those at increased risk.

Why is OCRA making the recommendation now?

In a press release shared with Yahoo News, OCRA said it was dramatically shifting its decades-long focus in the fight against ovarian cancer from symptom awareness and early detection to prevention.

The new strategy comes after the results of a rigorous clinical trial in the United Kingdom that followed more than 200,000 women for over 20 years showed that current screening methods do not impact mortality in average-risk women, OCRA said.

We know because of that study that there is no way to screen for ovarian cancer with currently available methods that work, that saves lives, so we cant rely on screening, DeFeo said, adding that relying on symptoms is also ineffective.

Dr. Jeannine Villella, chief of gynecologic oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, said the challenge with diagnosing ovarian cancer is that symptoms of ovarian cancer often mimic normal symptoms of menopause. This can include an increase in urination and abdominal weight gain.

Sometimes they have painful intercourse, and these are very general [symptoms]. They might have [a] change in bowel habits, which, you know, now in the age of gluten sensitivity and other sensitivities to foods, this is very common, Villella said, adding that for these reasons women are often not seen by a gynecologist until is too late. So the first thought is not that someone has cancer, its that they might have one of those other disorders.

DeFeo said this is one of the reasons her organization decided to switch its messaging.

At OCRA we said, you know, we need to focus on a message to the public that we know will really make a difference, and that means focusing on understanding your risk factors, and if you can, and if it makes sense, to take action to reduce your risk, she said.

Not all experts are backing OCRAs recommendation

The guidance to remove fallopian tubes in order to prevent ovarian cancer is not entirely new, DeFeo said. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended the procedure, also known as opportunistic salpingectomy, in cases where its appropriate, since 2015. It reaffirmed this recommendation in 2020, though it noted that although the procedure offers the opportunity to significantly decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, it does not eliminate the risk of ovarian cancer entirely.

Following OCRAs statement, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology also endorsed the strategy.

Villella told Yahoo News she was surprised by OCRAs guidance because at this point, she doesnt believe there is enough evidence to make a definitive recommendation for the procedure for the average-risk woman.

I think if you look at the possibilities of the pathogenesis of developing ovarian cancer, one can be that ovarian cancer can start in the tube. But I dont know at this point if we are certain that by removing fallopian tubes, it will definitely decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, Villella said, adding that the procedure was still considered experimental.

DeFeo acknowledged that the procedure was still being researched in order to fully understand all of the implications of the surgery for ovarian cancer prevention, but she said that the practice is increasingly being used, and professional societies have embraced this approach as well.

In addition, a representative from OCRA noted that a recent study of more than 25,000 participants has shown how opportunistic salpingectomy can make a difference in reducing a womans chances of developing the disease.

Its just not something that we feel has really gotten sufficient attention, given how potentially impactful this can be in terms of ovarian cancer prevention, DeFeo said.

Updated, Sat., Feb. 18, 2023 at 1:45 p.m. ET. This story has been updated to reflect a counter-response from OCRA.


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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The illegal blockade of Lachin corridor led to a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, and the humanitarian crisis deteriorated further as a result of the energy blockade, and simultaneously an environmental crisis is happening, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said.

Yesterday, on the 66th day of the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor, Azerbaijan restored natural gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh, only to cut it off again two hours later. The last time Azerbaijan shut down the natural gas supply pipeline of Nagorno Karabakh was on February 7, which it had opened on January 29. Electrical energy supply into Nagorno Karabakh is blocked since January 9, 2023. The illegal blockade of Lachin corridor led to a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, and the humanitarian crisis deteriorated further as a result of the energy blockade, and simultaneously an environmental crisis is happening because in order to heat their apartments the population of Nagorno Karabakh is forced to use wood, for which forests are logged. This is an undisputed proof exposing the made up environmental motives of the blockade of Lachin corridor, and that the actions of Azerbaijan have one goal  to complete their policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, PM Pashinyan said. He added that if so far the international community was treating this claim by Armenia skeptically, then now this is becoming more and more obvious.

PM Pashinyan noted that it is no coincidence that in the past three months the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issued three statements on the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor and the rhetoric of the Azerbaijani leadership.

In one of these statements, published on January 18, 2023, the Lemkin Institute asked world leaders to treat the threat of genocide facing the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh seriously. This warning must become dire with every day across the world and the efforts made in this direction must be continual, the PM concluded.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjrn Berge said the launch of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 is yet another step in the positive journey that Armenia and the Council of Europe are taking together.

Berge was speaking at the event launching the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 in Yerevan.

The Council of Europe is very much appreciating the excellent cooperation with Armenia, Berge said.

The action plan we are launching today and the proactive approach of the Armenian authorities are very great samples of what must be done in practice all over Europe. Of course, the action plan is only a part, but a very important part of the overall cooperation between the Council of Europe and Armenia, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe said.

He said that Armenia has been a member of the Council of Europe for more than two decades and has continually made important contributions in the organization, and at the same time benefited from the organizations expertise and joint cooperation.

He said it has been interesting to follow the evolution of the relationship and new initiatives over the years, including major reforms.

The Council of Europe has very much appreciated the excellent cooperation with Armenia and the progress made in several areas, at least through the most recent joint action plan which concluded last year. What has been achieved within that framework is substantial and significant, Berge added, noting the new, improved Judicial Code and Criminal Code, the anti-corruption strategy and other reforms of key importance. The new action plan we are launching today is designed to help Armenia take further steps forward in dealing with them.

The action plan includes new areas of cooperation in the plan, such as freedom of expression, also for the media, measures to protect personal data, social and labor rights, environment, good governance, local government reforms, joint fight against cybercrime and other areas.

Overall it is intended to make life better for the people of this great country, underpinned by the commitment from the Armenian authorities and with the support and cooperation of the Council of Europe. Looking back, much has been achieved in this country in recent times, but together we can achieve yet more. I am very grateful to the Armenian authorities for their firm determination and political commitment , as well as to the EU and all the partners and donors who are providing the financial support required, Berge said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. At the end of February, the first France-Armenia economic summit will be held in Paris, in which the delegation headed by the Armenian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan will participate. The Armenian delegation will also be present at the SIA international agricultural exhibition, ARMENPRESS reports the decision to send the delegation to France was made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenia emphasizes Japan's constructive role and balanced position in the settlement of various problems in the South Caucasus region, ARMENPRESS reports Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan announced at the reception organized on the occasion of the birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Embassy of Japan in Armenia.

Armenia and Japan celebrated the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations last year. The Deputy Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that over the past 3 decades, by joint efforts, a close cooperation based on goodwill and mutual understanding has been formed between the two peoples and states. Armenia attaches great importance to the further strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation with Japan, taking into account Japan's contribution to the region and the world in the promotion of peace, democratic institutions, disaster prevention and environmental protection capacity development.

"For us, the constructive role and balanced position of Japan in the settlement of various problems in the South Caucasus region is very important. We highly appreciate Japan's support for exclusively peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, within the framework of the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, in the context of which the decision of the Japanese government in 2021 to provide humanitarian aid in the amount of 3.6 million US dollars to the victims of the war unleashed against Artsakh was highly appreciated. Now again the people of Artsakh need your support," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He emphasized that starting from December 12, 2022, Artsakh has been under siege, which has led to a humanitarian crisis. The Lachin Corridor is a life road for 120 thousand people living in Artsakh, who have almost exhausted the available food, medicine and energy resources.

"The settlement of the situation requires the international community's response and practical steps. In this regard, Japan's position is also important," Khachatryan said.

Armenia highly appreciates the call made by the Japanese Ambassador to Armenia on January 10 of this year to ensure the freedom and safety of movement along the corridor, as well as the understanding of the issue expressed by the Japanese side during the phone conversation between the Armenian Foreign Minister and the Japanese Foreign Minister on January 31.

The Armenian government appreciates the aid policy of the Japanese government, within the framework of which grants and technical assistance are regularly provided. Japan ranks among the largest donor countries for Armenia in terms of official aid.

"We see greater potential for the growth of economic ties and cooperation in various fields," said Khachatryan, congratulating friends of Japan on the occasion of the national holiday.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The famous American astronaut Garrett Reisman refused to participate in the International Astronautical Congress being held in Azerbaijan, citing that country's military aggression against Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports the cosmonaut made wrote in his "Twitter" microblog.

"Why is the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) being held in Azerbaijan, a country that is guilty of recent military aggression against its neighbor Armenia? Azerbaijan is one of the most corrupt countries, it has one of the worst human rights indicators in Europe. I will not go, and if you are planning to go, please reconsider," Raisman wrote.

He also reminded that Azerbaijan's military aggression against Armenia started in September of last year, which was condemned by the European Parliament.

In his Twitter microblog, the astronaut also shared the reports and assessments of a number of international organizations, for example, the 2021 index of corruption perception of "Transparent International", where Azerbaijan is in a bad position, it is 128th among 180 countries.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh addresses a press conference, at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi (PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday said a thorough investigation into the Adani issue is necessary, holding that any committee other than a JPC will be nothing but an "exercise in legitimisation and exoneration".

Congress General Secretary Communications Jairam Ramesh said the proposal before the Supreme Court for setting up of a committee by the government can hardly ensure transparency.

In a statement, he said, a Supreme Court bench on February 13, while hearing petitions on the Adani-Hindenburg matter, discussed the creation of a committee of experts to examine the regulatory regime post the allegations made by the US-based short-seller.

He said it had directed the Government to give its submissions in this regard by February 17.

"Where the allegations are of close, intertwined proximity between the ruling dispensation, the government of India and the Adani Group, the setting up of a committee with terms of reference proposed by the Government of India can hardly carry any insignia or reassurance of independence or transparency," he said.

"It is an exercise initiated by the two principal actorsthe government and the Adani Group to cover up, avoid, evade and bury all genuine scrutiny. It is becoming clear that the proposed Committee is part of a carefully orchestrated exercise by these vested interests to prevent any real investigation into the Adani Group's relationship with the ruling regime," the Congress leader alleged.

"If the prime minister and his government are to be held accountable, any committee other than a JPC will be nothing but an exercise in legitimisation and exoneration," he claimed.

Ramesh said given the nature of the allegations, it is imperative that the "link" between Adani and the ruling regime is examined in the full light of day by elected officials accountable to the public.

"An evaluation of the regulatory and statutory regime by experts is in no manner equivalent to an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Such a committee, however competently staffed, cannot be a substitute for a thorough investigation into the political-corporate nexus that has come to light in the last two weeks. It simply does not have the authority, resources, or jurisdiction to examine the issues that the Opposition has raised," he said asserting that a JPC probe on Adani issue is necessary.

He claimed several JPCs have been constituted in the past to inquire into matters of public importance such as irregularities in securities and banking transactions as well as the stock-market scam of 2001.

These reports have been crucial to prosecutions that have followed and have provided the bedrock for legislative changes to prevent similar manipulative practices, he claimed.

The Congress has been demanding a JPC probe into the allegations against the Adani Group by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research.

The Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as baseless.
by Li Qiang

Protests broke out in Wuhan and Dalian. In Guangdong, provincial authorities withdrew cuts after public protests. Local authorities are trying to fill public coffers after spending billions of yuan on COVID-19 containment measures. The model of modernisation extolled by Xi is faltering.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Thousands of pensioners protested yesterday in Wuhan (Hubei) and Dalian (Liaoning) over provincial cuts to their health benefits.

Videos have been posted online showing groups of demonstrators clashing with police, chanting slogans, and singing "The International", the socialist anthem.

This is the second time in a week that retirees from state-owned enterprises protested against reduced benefits under public insurance schemes. One took place in Wuhan on 8 February in front of the municipal government headquarters.

In Guangzhou (Guangdong) this kind of protests has pushed local administrators to withdraw the measure, Radio Free Asia reports.

On social media, critics accuse provincial governments of cutting health benefits to pensioners in order to cover for the huge cost of prevention measures during three years of pandemic, such as mandatory mass testing and forced hospitalisations in special quarantine facilities.

According to official data, 20 Chinese provinces out of a total of 31 have spent 352 billion yuan (US$ 51.6 billion) on COVID-19 containment measures.

Chinas central government has already stated that it will not pay for indebted local authorities, whose poor finances further suffered disruptions under Xi's zero-Covid policy.

After protests broke out at the end of November, draconian anti-COVID-19 restrictions were eased, giving Chinese President Xi Jinping another major headache, made worse by the rising cost of healthcare for Chinese families.

All this comes only a few weeks before the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, which coincides with the beginning of Xis third, controversial term in office.

Only a few days ago the supreme leader praised Chinese "modernisation" as a new model of human progress, dispelling the myth that "modernisation is equal to Westernisation.

The social unrest linked to the country's economic woes will weaken Xi's claims, as well as challenge his political future, which will depend largely on the performance of the countrys economy.

In early January, hundreds of workers protested after they were laid off from a plant making antigen kit for COVID-19 in Chongqing and were paid less than agreed. Videos of protesters clashing with police in riot gear were posted on social media.

On 7 January, workers at the Gogo Garment Manufacturing Ltd  for years the largest undergarment manufacturer in Dongguan (Guangdong), China's main manufacturing hub  also protested for non-payment of wages and social benefits.

Three days after the demonstrations, Gogo shut down, putting 1,700 people out of work.

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by Vladimir Rozanskij

Historical tensions remain between the two Nato countries. The issue of Skopje's entry into the European Union. The Russians are used to acting as masters in Bulgaria, thanks to the entrenchment of their security services.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Many see the hand of the Kremlin behind the recent diatribes between NATO allies Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

On February 4, a large group of Bulgarian citizens tried to cross the Macedonian border to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of their revolutionary hero, Gotse Delcev, who inspired the uprisings against the Ottoman Empire.

After several hours of blockades that left more than 200 people in the neutral zone between the borders, and some violent clashes, the authorities arrested the most exaggerated demonstrators.

There had been another incident earlier, when in the Macedonian town of Okhrid the secretary of a Bulgarian cultural centre, 21-year-old Kristian Pendikov, was violently beaten 'for reasons of nationalist hatred', as the local prosecutor's office later stated. The young man later ended up in a Sofia hospital in a very serious condition.

Commenting on this episode at the Security Council, Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski said that the Russian secret services were behind this "anti-state campaign": they would manoeuvre some "organised structures" in the country in order to exacerbate tensions between North Macedonia and Bulgaria".

The far-right Bulgarian MEP Angel Dzambazki, who calls the neighbours 'temporary administrators of our Macedonia', however, accused the Macedonians of constantly attacking and insulting his compatriots.

According to him, Skopje together expresses positions of 'Nazism, fascism and Bolshevism, and we must veto Macedonia's entry into the European Union'.

The Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujara Osmani, has also increased the dose in recent days, speaking of 'third forces interested in maintaining a condition of permanent conflict in this area'. When asked by journalists to name names, he replied 'the Russian Federation'.

The quarrels between the two neighbours have been going on for several years, especially since 2004, when the Macedonians applied to join the EU. After long disputes with the Greeks, they agreed to add the title 'of the North' to leave part of the Macedonian identity to the Greek region of Thessaloniki.

As of 2019, however, Sofia has demanded not to call the country's language, considered a Bulgarian dialect, 'Macedonian' and to stop calling the presence of Bulgarians, allies of the Nazis, on this territory a 'fascist occupation'.

The European Commission has made the 'French formula' of compromise accepted with great difficulty, by inserting the reference to the 'Bulgarian minority' in the Macedonian constitution, causing Sofia's veto to be lifted. However, integration progress is not making much headway due to the constant outbreaks of protest on both sides.

In the demonstrations in Okhrid, the head of the pro-Russian Macedonian Levitsa movement, Dimitar Apasiev, has come to the fore, as has opposition leader Kristian Mitskoski, who proposes to 'cancel the friendship agreement with Bulgaria'.

Pendarovski also speaks of 'hybrid threats' coming from Russia in recent years. At the last Davos forum he renewed his accusations against the Kremlin. Macedonia unreservedly adhered to all sanctions against Russia from day one, imposing entry visas on Russians and closing its airspace to Moscow, along with Bulgaria and Montenegro, which infuriated the Russian leadership, after even Foreign Minister Lavrov's plane had been turned away.

Russia accuses the EU of not being able to defend its members and allies, and of 'sweeping their ethnic and identity problems under the carpet', repeatedly citing the Bulgarian-Macedonian diatribe as an example of the situation between Russians and Ukrainians.

The Russians are used to acting as masters in Bulgaria, thanks to the entrenchment of their own security services, a situation that does not please the Bulgarians themselves, but which they are unable to contain, leaving an open rift in the heart of the Balkans.
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A para-military force soldier stands guard as people wait in queues to cast their votes during the Tripura state Assembly elections on the outskirts of Agartala, India, Thursday, Feb.16, 2023. (Photo: AP)

GUWAHATI: Amid sporadic incidents of violence, Tripura on Thursday registered more than 81 per cent voters turn out as families of the Bru community, which migrated from Mizoram to Tripura two decades ago, exercised their franchise for the first time. The voting percentage is likely to go up when the final figures come in.

Voting began at 7 am under tight security across 3,337 polling stations, out of which 1,100 were identified as sensitive and 28 as critical. As many as 31,000 polling personnel and 25,000 security personnel of the central forces were deployed for the smooth conduct of the elections.

At least three people, including a CPI(M) leader and two polling agents of the Left party, were injured in separate incidents of violence during the polling.

The Election Commission confirmed that one CPI(M) supporter was beaten outside Kalacherra polling station in 36 Shantirbaazar in south Tripura district. "He was taken to the hospital by our officials. He is not able to tell the names of the attackers. A suo motu FIR has been lodged in Shantirbaazar PS. We will arrest the culprits soon," the chief election officer (CEO), Tripura, said in a tweet.

Interacting with the media, CEO Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao said, "The members of Bru community came out for the first time to cast their votes at the Haduklaupara polling booth in the 47 Ambassa Assembly constituency in Tripuras Dhalai district."

Mr Dinakarrao said: "A large number of voters were seen queuing in front of polling stations since morning to exercise their franchise. The polling process has largely remained peaceful amidst tight security."

Massive security deployment was put in place in the state, where a triangular contest between the BJP, the Left Front-Congress alliance and new entrant Tipra Motha is on the cards in a majority of the 60 Assembly seats. Of these 60 seats, 20 seats adjoining a tribal council are reserved for the states 19 Scheduled Tribes, while 10 are reserved for the Scheduled Castes.

EVM malfunctioning was reported in 40-45 places, but according to the CEO, all the machines were replaced and voting was not hindered.

The Opposition accused the incumbent BJP of poll violence. Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Manik Sarkar alleged that miscreants on behalf of the BJP caused trouble and stopped people from casting their votes.

Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Debbarma claimed that the BJP workers indulged in violence in some parts of Tripura. "We got information that Dhanpur and Mohanpur have witnessed violence by the ruling party," he told reporters, adding, "We have complained about the violence and the malfunctions in the EVMs. I want the entire voting process to be over by dark."

The Congress has accused the BJP of booth capture and poll violence. Reacting to the accusations, CEO Tripura asked the respective district administration to look into the matter on an urgent basis.

The Tripura CEO on Thursday also issued notices to the state units of the Congress and the BJP, as well as BJP national general secretary Dilip Saikia, for seeking votes on Twitter when polling was going on.

The Election Commission said the tweets are violative of election law as they were made in the 48-hour "silence period", which began on Tuesday evening.

According to the Election Commission, there were 28.14 lakh eligible voters in this year's elections -- 14,15,233 men, 13,99,289 women, and 62 of the third gender. Voting took place at 3,337 polling stations across the state.

Chief minister Manik Saha, who is contesting the polls from the Town Bardowali constituency, was among the early voters. He exuded confidence that the BJP will secure an absolute majority in the Assembly. "I am 100 per cent confident that the BJP will secure an absolute majority in the elections. The party may get more seats than it did the last time," he told reporters on his way to a polling booth here.

Rajya Sabha MP and former CM Biplab Kumar Deb said that the BJP will win 40 of the 60 seats in the state. "Tripura has a tradition of giving massive mandates... The BJP-IPFT alliance won 44 seats in the 2018 polls; the Left Front bagged more than 40 seats in 2002," he said.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman congratulated the voters for casting their votes in large numbers despite "terror tactics". "I congratulate the electors for voting despite the terror tactics. Sensing their (the BJP) impending defeat, they are desperate to create trouble. The people of Tripura have already decided to vote for the restoration of democracy," he told reporters.

Mr Roy Barman also appealed to the people not to leave the booths without exercising their franchise due to the slow pace of voting or some technical snag.

The BJP is contesting 55 Assembly seats and its ally IPFT has fielded candidates in six constituencies. The two parties will have a friendly fight in one seat. The Left Front is contesting 47 seats and the Congress 13 constituencies.

The TMC has fielded nominees in 28 constituencies. There are 58 independent aspirants in the fray.

Votes will be counted on March 2.
Toyota introduced the 2023 Grand Highlander lineup as a new model in its stable just a few hours before the Chicago Auto Show opening and offered this model with three available grades.

The Japanese automaker was already known for its impressive SUV lineup, and it made the Grand Highlander a competitor for minivans and other crossovers as well. Toyota offered the new vehicle with three available powertrains and three available trim levels. Moreover, since it was a three-row vehicle, it also provided room for eight and a large trunk in the back.

From the outside, the massive vehicle sported a front fascia with LED daytime running lights and headlamps. At the front, the main grille was placed in the bumper and featured a trapezoidal shape with angled surroundings. On the sides, the three-row SUV featured muscular-looking wheel fenders and sculptured door panels. Finally, at the back, the raked-forward D-pillars and tailgate made the rear overhang look normal, despite being more extended than on the regular Highlander.

Inside, up to eight passengers could enjoy all the comfort they need. The Grand Highlander also boasted a 12.3" Toyota Audio Multimedia unit placed in a floating position atop the center stack. The upper trim levels benefited from a leather-wrapped interior. A seven-seat option with two captain seats in the middle row was also on the options list. As for the loading area, with all the second and third seats folded down, the Grand Highlander provided 98 cu-ft (2,775 liters) of cargo space.

The three drivetrains available were either exclusively gas-powered or hybrid versions. While the 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and the 2.5-liter Hybrid were available in front or all-wheel drive configurations, the 2.5-liter Hybrid Max was exclusively offered with traction on all four wheels.
Photo: Classic Auto Mall

Photo: Classic Auto Mall

Photo: Classic Auto Mall

Yet the same era was one of great transformation and rapid development in the auto industry, and whenever a new car did surface, it usually was way ahead of everything that came before it. The Chevrolet Master and its Chevrolet Master Deluxe variant were just that, very advanced and completely new when they hit the market in 1933.In the 1930s Chevrolet was still an up-and-coming car brand in its teen years, and relatively fresh under the General Motors umbrella. It had started its stint on the American market in 1911 with the introduction of the Series C, and followed that up with the Series H, L, D, F, and so on.The Master came to be in 1933 as Series CA, and would move on through a lot of the letters in the alphabet until it was discontinued in 1942 as the Series JA. It was an impressive car for its time, one of the most expensive on the market back then, and available in four body styles (including a pickup truck, of course).As successful as it might have been, the Master disappeared from the public scene once the war came, and never returned. And by never I really mean that, as even today, in our vintage and old car-hungry society of ours you can barely find one in good condition for sale, let alone restored or customized.So imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon the 1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe we have here, looking all gangster from the prohibition era on the outside and all modern under the hood.Put together as a rod vehicle by an unknown crew in America somewhere, the car retains the main design lines Chevy envisioned for it all those decades ago, resulting in a vibe we kind of wish we experienced more often.The car wears satin black paint all over, a hue that makes you wonder if it is possible to see this thing in the dark. Elegantly placed chrome elements (mirrors, door handles, window trims) add a dimension of class to the entire build, the most obvious of them all being, of course, the 15-inch American Racing polished wheels wrapped in fat rubber.There are no bumpers on this car, as theyve been shaved for the purposes of the build, and that makes the front end look especially simple and elegant, with the two, massive fenders arching over the wheels unobstructed. Just like the rear fenders and running board between them, theyre made of fiberglass.Two round headlights float above each front fender, holding in between them the large, vertical grille of the Master. And then comes a hood so long it has you wondering what kind of a monster could be lurking under it.The hood is hinged on either side, and all you have to do to find the rather disappointing answer to that question is flip it open. It will reveal a 350ci (5.7-liter) engine, unmarked and unpretentious, but yet still a perfect fit, working with the help of a 3-speed automatic transmission.So far, so good, wouldnt you say? We have a rare automobile on our hands, rodded beautifully on the outside (at least to these eyes), and packing not an extraordinary, but more than decent engine. And call us intrigued, were told the Master has only 2,100 miles (3,380 km) on the clock since being remadeProblem is, to see that mileage one has to climb onboard. That means opening the doors and being treated to what is without a doubt the most awful manifestation of an idea that probably sounded great in someones head.You see, this all-American car, coming into our time from an age history book remember as the Public Enemies era (hence the name we chose for the ride), and remade with pretty good taste on the outside, was fitted with seats taken from a... Scion Thats right, the sub-brand Toyota created in 2003 to capture the imagination of younger drivers and potential customers. The sub-brand so successful, the same Toyota had to shut down just 13 years later. The Toyota sub-brand nobody remembers today. That ScionNot only did the seats come from a Scion, but they seem to be in their stock form, not re-upholstered or anything for the purposes of this build. They might be a great choice for a Scion, but in a rodded, 3-inch chopped Chevrolet Master from the 1930s, they really ruin the fun.So, we have two things going for the Master (exterior and engine), and one against (interior). Do the math, and let us know if the $34,000 asking price for this car on Classic Auto Mall sounds right to you.
FWD

EV

AWD

First and foremost, the Avenir trim level represents the highest level of luxury in Buick s vernacular. The Detroit-based automaker decided to add the Avenir to the Encore GXs range because this grade accounts for a quarter of Enclave and Envision sales in the U.S. of A.Avenir also stands for unique design motifs. The front grille, clear lens of the LED taillights, 19-inch wheels, chrome-garnished front and rear bumpers, and black carbon metallic-finished bodyside moldings help the Encore GX Avenir stand out from its lesser siblings.Stepping into the luxed-up crossover, you will notice a two-color interior theme (Whisper Beige and Jet Black), leather upholstery on the seats, 10-way power adjustments for the driver seat and 8 ways for the front passenger seat, embroidered headrests, branded sills, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Something thats not as easy to notice is the air ionizer. A system that shoots negative ions into the air, thus making harmful particles stick to surfaces in the cabin (think seats or carpets), the air ionizer doesnt actually remove those harmful particles from the air.The 2024 model year Buick Encore GX is also available in a reimagined Sport Touring trim level, which  youve guessed it!  emphasizes sporty looks to the detriment of luxury features. Slotted between the range-topping Avenir and entry-level Preferred, the Sport Touring rocks high-gloss black on the front and rear bumpers.The optional Black Roof Package adds to the visual drama. Priced at $26,895 for the Preferred, $28,095 for the Sport Touring FWD, and $33,195 for the Avenir FWD, the redesigned Encore GX takes inspiration from the Wildcatconcept for its more dynamic front fascia and wing-like LED headlights Scheduled to arrive at dealers in the United States this spring, the facelifted crossover offers no fewer than 19 inches of Virtual Cockpit System. That is Buicks way of saying 19 inches under one sheet of glass, split between an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Both screens are angled toward the driver. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, but wireless phone charging is optional.Even though its a superior machine compared to the pre-facelift Encore GX, the facelift is anything but exciting in terms of mechanicals. Three-cylinder turbos with displacements of 1.2 and 1.3 liters will have to make do, engines that are  dare I say it  too boring by most peoples standards.is exclusive to the 1.3-liter turbo. When specified with FWD, the Encore GX comes with a continuously variable transmission. Only the 1.3T AWD features a torque-converter nine-speed auto.
kW

kWh

The Port of Gothenburg isnt only the largest port in Scandinavia, but has also taken the lead when it comes to sustainability. One of its latest initiatives focuses on the old MS Hamnen, the inspection vessel thats in charge of port security. Instead of replacing it with a younger, more efficient model, the port authorities are going to offer Hamnen a new, clean life.Like most of the port facilities in Northern Europe, Gothenburg has been working for several years now on reducing its emission levels. And guess what? The old Hamnen alone is responsible for 15% of the total emissions in the port. Each year, it eats around 25,000 liters (6,600 gallons) of diesel, resulting in more than 70 tons of carbon emissions.Something had to be done about that. The sustainable route is to improve Hamnens efficiency, instead of dumping it and bringing in a new vessel . Plus, the veteran boat needed some TLC anyway, so this was the perfect opportunity to also replace its original engine with a battery-electric propulsion system.This Spring, Hamnen is going to be headed to the O-varvet shipyard, located on one of the islands in the Gothenburg archipelago. Here, its going to be fitted with a new, 250motor, and a 520battery pack. This should be enough to keep Hamnen going for a minimum of four hours, at six knots (6.9 mph/11 kph).However, the ports vessel was designed to work around the clock, in any weather conditions, which isnt perfectly compatible with electric propulsion. As a compromise, the shipyard will also make sure to install an auxiliary diesel engine, one that can run on alternative biofuel (HVO).Thanks to this, Hamnen will continue to be on the lookout 24/7. But its skipper, David Falk (who is also the project manager for the electrification process) says that the boat is expected to operate in electric mode for 90% of the time. The auxiliary engine is mostly there just in case, or when the weather gets particularly rough.At the same time, the port itself will get a new 63-amp charger, at the spot where Hamnen is usually berthed. This is where the future electrified vessel will recharge between tasks.This is great news for the old MS Hamnen, which has been working hard since 1979. By the Fall of 2023, it should be ready to kick off zero-emission operations , while also flaunting a new wheelhouse and an overall improved look.
EV

Photo: Christoph Lindner

Photo: Mario Zelaya/Transport Canada

Photo: Mario Zelaya/Transport Canada

Photo: Mario Zelaya/Transport Canada

Photo: Dana Brems

SUV

This story begins with Tesla customers that decided to cancel their purchases due to defects or flaws in their cars. German law dictates that they can do so but have to pay compensation for use. It is proportionally calculated depending on how much the vehicle ran compared to its expected lifespan. In other words, the larger the lifespan, the lower the compensation for use is. Christoph Lindner and Jennifer Hofmann kindly shared the information they had on four cases in which these disputes happened. The TeslaAnwalt (Tesla Attorney) and his team thought it was relevant to share the strategy of themakers German lawyers to try to get higher compensations in these reversed sales. Lindner revealed Tesla sold vehicles with cracked jacking spots in June 2022 and has helped in more than 200 lawsuits against the EV maker.The first case comes from the Regional Court Darmstadt (Landgericht Darmstadt), and it is filed under the number 26 O 490/20. The unidentified customer bought a Tesla Model 3 in April 2019 and withdrew the deal in June 2020 after driving the EV for about 21,000 km (13,049 mi). His attorneys used what Musk said his vehicles could last to establish the compensation.The EV makers lawyers quickly tried to refute that by claiming the Model 3 would last between 200,000 km and 250,000 km according to the prevailing case law. Thats equivalent to 124,274 mi and 155,343 mi. Tesla apparently did not state which prevailing case law applies to this case. However, it later established them to be the same ones for combustion-engined cars, with interesting plot twists. Be patient: well get there.The plaintiff changed their lawyers, and Tesla again disputed the lifespan Musk suggested the battery pack could have. Its attorneys increased it a bit, though, to something between 250,000 km (155,343 mi) and 300,000 km (186,411 mi). They also mistakenly took what the Tesla CEO said as part of an interview with Business Insider. It wasnt: the outlet just reported what he stated at Autonomy Day.Finally, Teslas lawyers wrote that it must be countered that this statement does not constitute a binding statement. Rather, the sensational statement is to be understood as product pricing in the sense of an advertising statement. In some countries, saying that could render the EV maker a false advertising accusation  with severe implications.The German court didnt buy it and ruled that the expected lifespan for a Model 3 was 800,000 km, as Musk said in 2019. Tesla appealed, claiming the lifespan of a Model 3 is not higher than 210,000 km (130,488 mi). The case is now with the Higher Regional Court Frankfurt am Main/Darmstadt (Oberlandesgericht Darmstadt), filed under the number 22 U 64/22.The second lawsuit involves a Model 3 ordered in December 2019 and delivered in March 2020. The customer withdrew the purchase on February 2022 after driving it for about 77,000 km. The case was filed at the Regional Court of Berlin (Landgericht Berlin) under the number 28 O 119/22.In this newer lawsuit, Tesla attorneys argued again that the vehicles lifespan would not exceed 210,000 km. However, the new strategy was so aggressive that it made Teslas cars look like lousy goods. According to the companys lawyers, due to advanced mechanization and electrification, electrically powered vehicles are generally more prone to failure than conventional internal combustion vehicles. Yes, you read that right.The EV maker also told the court that almost all other components and parts of the Tesla Model 3 resemble conventional motor vehicles and are just as relevant for the overall mileage as those parts that make up an electrically powered vehicle. In other words, the claim is that the vehicle would not live as long as its battery pack because other components would fail before it did. The Tesla attorneys in Germany did not mention which parts would probably kill the car before the battery pack did.The third lawsuit repeats the same claims. It is filed under the number 19 O 78/22 at the Regional Court Hannover (Landgericht Hannover) and involves a Model S ordered in May 2020. In this case, the EV makers lawyers tried to argue that Musk said that reaching 800,000 km was a mere possibility because the CEO said maybe. Anyway, it would be absurd to achieve such a high mileage because the car would need 50 years to get there. In the second lawsuit, Teslas attorneys said the Model 3 would need 53 years to reach 800,000 km. Again, the EV maker insisted its cars can last only 210,000 km.If you are familiar with Tesla warranties, youll see there is something wrong here. In Germany, Tesla gives a warranty (regardless of the model) of four years or 80,000 km (49,710 mi), whichever comes first.When it comes to the battery packs, the Model S and Model X have eight years or 240,000 km (149,129 mi). The period is the same for all models, but the mileage is not. The RWD Model 3 and Model Y count on only 160,000 km (99,419 mi), and the Performance and Long Range derivatives have 192,000 km (119,303 mi). Summing up, Tesla lawyers in Germany said the expected lifespan for the Model S and Model X is lower than the battery pack warranty.The last case involves a Model X delivered in March 2017. Instead of establishing 800,000 km as the expected lifespan for the electric, the Regional Court of Munich I (Landgericht Munchen I) decided to set a higher mileage than that for combustion-engined vehicles: 350,000 km. Thats because the previous standard of 250,000 km (for combustion engines) does not sufficiently take into account the increased life expectancy of vehicles resulting from improvements in production.Although that is lower than the 480,000 km Musk said the battery pack would last, the German court stated in the lawsuit number 4 O 3834/19 that the CEO Musk is known in public for grandiose statements, which to a large extent are obviously to be regarded as advertising measures. The judge also said that it is not the sense and purpose of a civil lawsuit to punish defendants for boastful statements made by the CEO of their parent company.As positive as it may sound that Musks lack of credibility helped Tesla in this verdict, the company appealed it, and the case is now with the Higher Regional Court of Munich (Oberlandesgericht Munchen) under the number 18 U 4051/22. Tesla insists that the first instance court should not have assumed its vehicles can last more than 250,000 km.
FSD

Photo: @greentheonly via Twitter

Tesla Hardware 4 comes with more cameras, HD radar

Photo: @greentheonly via Twitter

Now to the actual meat:

Infotainment was reworked compared to current units. The GPU is now on the same board, so no more GPU daughterboard. This makes the whole unit thinner, otherwise no changes there - same 256G NVMe and 16G RAM, same AMD CPU and GPU. pic.twitter.com/zCGnjRonUR  green (@greentheonly) February 15, 2023

The Tesla community has been talking about the Hardware 4computer and the accompanying sensor suite for a while, ever since the first information was leaked on social media. Thats how weve found out that Tesla is preparing to reverse a previous decision by installing a radar sensor. Testing prototypes caught in the wild also revealed new higher-resolution cameras.Nevertheless, the details about the new hardware package remain largely under wraps, and most of what we knew was merely speculation.Thanks to Tesla hacker Green (@greentheonly), we now know a lot more about the new hardware features that will arrive on Tesla vehicles starting this year. A recent type approval in Europe revealed that the HW4 computer would first land on the Tesla Model S/X, so were not surprised to learn that Greens teardown is based on a Model X computer.His work also makes us believe that the Model 3 prototypes spotted earlier hid the new cameras under their cladding. This means that all Teslas will get the refreshed computer, so it might be worthwhile to wait before placing an order.The first thing Greens teardown reveals is that the new computer has a different form factor, so no retrofits are possible. Elon Musk confirmed as much during the Q4 2022 earnings call, although he also said theres no need for a retrofit because the HW3 will continue to offer the same features. Nevertheless, this teardown shows that this is not the case, and the new hardware brings features that cannot be emulated on the older hardware.Compared to the current units, the HW4 has been streamlined, and the infotainment GPU now sits on the same board as the FSD chips, eliminating the daughterboard of the HW3. This makes the whole unit thinner. The HW4 still uses 256 GB NVMe storage and 16 GB RAM, as well as the same AMD CPU and GPU. Nevertheless, the improvements in the FSD section are more obvious.Although Tesla sticks with an Exynos-based processor, it bumped the number of CPU cores from 12 to 20 (five clusters of four cores each). The number of TRIP cores increased from two to three while the operating frequencies also increased.As before, the Tesla FSD computer uses two FSD SoCs per board. Tesla aims for redundancy, although it still needs to work on that front. Green says the board features symmetrical power connections and dual network links. Nevertheless, if you un-power the A side, that kills the network switch, and the link is lost.The FSD computer also reveals the changes in the sensor department. There are 12 camera connectors , one marked as spare. The new sensor suite thus features 11 cameras, including the cabin camera, funnily named selfie. The markings reveal that the cars would have three additional cameras in the front.New information indicates that these might be integrated into the headlights, fog lights, or bumper. The new arrangement is meant to offer the same functionality as the ultrasonic sensors (USS) while eliminating the blind spot in front of the car. This also explains the camouflage on the Model 3 prototypes weve seen earlier. More importantly, it tells people with HW 3 but without USS that they are screwed.The new Hardware 4 sensor suite also has a tri-band GPS module, which can provide more accurate positioning in densely built areas. And then theres the previously-rumored Phoenix radar , complete with a radar heater, as Green learned from the software properties. These two additions to the sensor package are the most important differences compared to the current HW3. Its unclear how the FSD software would use the new sensors, but its going to be huge.The new hardware is already installed in the vehicles on the production line at Fremont, although none of them has been shipped, as far as we know. Tesla would probably wait for Investor Day on March 1 to make an official announcement. A production overhaul is in progress at Giga Shanghai, so were sure the Model Y and Model 3 shipping from China will also have the new HW4 computer.
EV

FSD

Even though Tesla cars never seem to change, themaker is constantly improving them under the hood. This was the case with the Model S/X refresh, introduced in 2021 with the controversial yoke steering. Beneath the familiar design, the refreshed Model S and Model X feature important changes, and Tesla is rolling out more updates. Two years after the refreshed models entered the market, Tesla installed a new FSD computer , complete with an improved sensor suite.Besides the new Model S/X, Tesla is expected to soon launch a refreshed Gen-2 lineup starting with the Model 3 this year. It will start with a revamped version of the Model 3, also known as Project Highland. New speculation indicates that Project Highland will bring a new manufacturing revolution to the automotive world, akin to the lean-manufacturing model that Toyota pioneered in the 1950s.Whatever this is, it certainly demands a significant disruption of the current production lines. Last December, Tesla reorganized the General Assembly 3 (GA3) production line at the Fremont factory, where the Model 3 is assembled. Our sources told us that the work was done in preparation for a revamped Model 3 variant, known internally as Project Highland. This would feature new technologies and structural modifications to make it easier to build.New information shows that Tesla is making similar changes at Giga Shanghai, again in the Model 3 section. The work is planned to start on February 19, and the employees were told the factory section is off-limits until it is completed. Its not the first time Tesla has operated changes to the Model 3 production lines in Shanghai. The EV maker makes the necessary changes in stages to not impact output. The gigafactory has two phases for vehicle manufacturing, and the upcoming production halt is said to affect the first phase, producing both the Model 3 and Model Y.Weve already seen Tesla Model 3 prototypes undergoing testing in the U.S., and we now know what they were. The camouflage on the front and rear sections most probably hides a new camera set introduced with the Hardware 4 sensor suite. The HW4 computer will debut on the refreshed Model S/X, but the Model 3 and Model Y will also get it this year. Nevertheless, there are more important changes under the hood of the refreshed Model 3 than the newcomputer.Tesla is expected to build the Model 3 with front and rear megacastings, simplifying production. A similar plan is already in place for the Model Y. The single-piece megacastings replace hundreds of metal parts welded together. They also eliminate the need for more assembly robots on the production line and provide structural benefits to vehicles.
Chinese prosecutors file over 5.8 mln criminal indictments in 5 years

Xinhua) 10:25, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Between 2018 and 2022, Chinese prosecutors filed indictments for over 5.83 million criminal cases, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

The indictments included more than 435,000 cases involving crimes endangering public security and over 230,000 cases involving serious violence, Sun Qian, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, told a press conference on Wednesday.

Prosecutors also filed indictments in over 1,400 cases involving crimes of endangering national security, Sun said.

Furthermore, procuratorial agencies nationwide launched prosecutions in some 42,000 cases involving organized crimes, with over 3,600 suspects accused of acting as a "protective umbrella" for such offenses, according to data released at the press conference.

During the five-year period, both the number of serious violent crimes in the country and their proportion in all crimes dropped, the SPP said. However, crimes committed through the internet, and financial and securities-related crimes were on the rise.

Prosecutors have also been working with the country's supervisory agencies to deal with corruption cases. In the same period, more than 78,000 suspects were charged with embezzlement, bribe-taking and other duty-related crimes, according to the SPP.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Voters show their identification cards as they wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling booth during the Tripura Assembly elections, in Rajnagar, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Agartala: Tripura witnessed a voter turnout of over 32.06 per cent till 11 am in the ongoing polling for 60 Assembly seats, the Election Commission (EC) informed on Thursday.

The state recorded a 13.69 per cent voter turnout till 9 am.

Polling started at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm.

According to the latest data shared by the Election Commission, Dhalai recorded the highest at 33.92 per cent, Gomati saw 30.57 per cent, Khowai at 30.88 per cent, North Tripura was logged at 29.48 per cent, Sepahijala at 31.72 per cent, South Tripura saw 33.61 per cent, Unakoti saw 31.85 per cent and West Tripura at 33.18 per cent.

The fate of the 259 candidates will be sealed in the ongoing polls for 60 Assembly seats.

The polls this year will see a triangular contest, with the Congress-CPM fighting in alliance and the Trinamool Congress also fielding candidates in several seats. The Tipra Motha, an alliance of regional outfits, is the dark horse in the ongoing election and could emerge as the kingmaker in the event of a hung Assembly.

The BJP has declared candidates for 55 assembly seats, leaving the remaining five seats for its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT).

The Left-Congress alliance declared candidates for all 60 seats.

According to Election Commission, there are over 28.14 lakh registered voters this year of which 14,15,233 are men, 13,99,289 are women and 62 belong to the third gender.

Polling is underway in a total of 3,337 polling stations.

Adequate security arrangements have been made for the polls, with 97 all-women police stations. As many as 94,815 voters are in the age group of 18-19 years while 6,21,505 belong in 22-29 age group. The highest number of voters is in the 40-59 age group, at 9,81,089.

A total of 259 candidates across parties are fray for the ongoing Assembly polls.

Tripura is the first state to go to the polls this year while polling for Nagaland and Meghalaya assemblies will be held on February 27.

Five more states will go to polls this year, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
SUV

And there is no need to take our word for granted, as we have an interesting example from the imaginative realm of the aftermarket kingdom. As many enthusiasts know, what happens on the U.S. coasts (Western or Eastern, it does not matter, they are equally ritzy and cool), usually stays there, unless you are a client with more than one custom project that loves to see all creations in one place  and something like a famous track would be neat, of course.Such was the case here with the good folks over at Hollywood, California-based RDB LA , who have another YouTube vlog episode out, but we are not going to talk about that - at least not always. Instead, after we give each other some eleven minutes to check out that stunning white Ferrari 812 Superfast and the review of the new 657-hp (that's no less than 666 ps, if you're superstitious) Lamborghini Urus Performante  which is still waiting for the alleged first-ever transformation into a widebody super-, we are just going to jump ship to their Instagram account reel and discuss a close encounter of the bespoke fourth degree.This is because one of their clients has a fleet of personalized exotic supercars and luxury rides, of which some carry the RDB LA signature like a proud staple of glory. In no particular order, this white-black-crimson adage has just about anything one could dream of right now if money were no issue and someone allowed total freedom of choice. As such, the front row is dominated by a Lamborghini Aventador that is mostly white and only features some touches of black and crimson. The right and left wings are constituted from a Ferrari SF90 Stradale and a McLaren Senna that complement each other with an all-black attire that is only interrupted by differently wide shades of red.Last, but certainly not least, a Rolls-Royce limousine dwells in the background to balance the white-to-black ratio. No worries, it also has touches of black and red  the former for various bits and pieces on the outside (but most of all for the humongous aftermarket grille) and the latter for the ultra-luxurious cockpit. As far as we can tell, none of them is left without aerodynamic enhancements, though most of them are of the subtler variety. All in all, not a bad place to be if you dream of exotic supercars and ultra-luxury limousines having a rendezvous at the side of a racetrack (could it be Sonoma Raceway in California?).As for taking a pick, many fans said they would have all of them in a heartbeat, but there were also enough voices who singled out the feisty and glorious McLaren Senna as their absolute favorite! Interesting, huh?
EV

Toyota was one of the legacy carmakers that was supposed to take Tesla by storm with better-quality EVs. If it ever planned to achieve this, the Japanese carmaker surely failed monumentally. Its firstmodel, the bZ4X, promised to do many things right, but instead, it proved an embarrassment. Toyota had to recall it because the wheels would fall off, and it took four months to figure out how to make them stick. At some point, Toyota offered to repurchase the cars of the affected owners, which was unprecedented.To add insult to injury, journalists in Norway discovered that the claims about the bZ4Xs range are greatly exaggerated . Toyota designed the electric crossover with a larger battery buffer that cannot be accessed. This makes the effective battery capacity to be much smaller than advertised. This might help extend its lifecycle so that Toyota can offer its 10-year warranty, but its far from ideal from the customers perspective in real life.Considering bZ4X's problems, its understandable that Toyota couldnt sell too many. It reported only 1,220 units in the U.S., while in China, it sold 3,844 units since it launched in October 2022 through January. This represents only 0.26% of Chinas pure electric vehicle market, which is why Toyota felt the need to boost sales with a price cut. We have no doubt the decision was made in response to Tesla lowering prices in January. The move not only worked miracles in boosting sales, but also put pressure on rivals.The price cuts Toyota announced are not insignificant, amounting to 15% of the original price. Toyota bZ4X used to start at 199,800 yuan in October 2022, which is equivalent to $29,100. The updated price is 169,800 yuan for the front-wheel standard-range variant, which translates into $24,800 at current exchange rates. Thats a hefty $4,300 discount for an electric vehicle that was supposed to be the pride of the Japanese automotive industry.Toyota is not alone in its reluctance to embrace electric vehicles. Fellow Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan are also falling behind in a market that embraced EVs more than any other in the world. More than 20% of all cars sold in China are pure electric vehicles, but only 0.35% are Japanese. By contrast, Japanese carmakers command 19% of the overall car market, which includes combustion-engine vehicles.Toyota recently changed management and promised to overhaul its operations, but the move looks more like a reshuffling than a revolution. Toyota still contemplates doing business as usual in a world that increasingly adopts electric vehicles. Although its working on an EV-only vehicle architecture to replace the stop-gap solution that was the e-TNGA platform, it wont be ready before 2026.
ICE

BEV

MQB

EV

Not long now ( Europe has until 2035 , as it turns out, after all), andvehicles will be a thing of the past just about everywhere. That makes automakers playing with gasoline or diesel models feel like dinosaurs on the brink of extinction. Sure, most of them still have a little bit of fight left in them, but it might help if they hedged all of their bets in theand FCEV baskets.Volkswagen - the parent group, not the namesake brand - is a particularly good example since we are dealing here with the biggest European automaker, from all sorts of different POVs. Following its 2015 emissions scandal, the company promised it would trigger a paradigm change within and the most obvious result of this new strategy was the road to electrification for its brands. And, just like the conventional versions fully utilized the modulararchitecture, its full EVs would also need an overarching platform, aka the new MEB.The Modularer E-Antriebs Baukasten (which translates to modular electric-drive toolkit) is now used by mainstays like Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen. As far as the latter brand is concerned, the consolidated architecture also has a commercial name, underpinning the fully electric ID. family of vehicles. So far, it is composed of the widely known (on the Old Continent) ID.3 compact hatchback, the ID.4 and ID.5 compact crossover SUVs, the China-born mid-size three-row ID.6 CUV, and the quirky yet adorable ID. Buzz (and Buzz Cargo) minivan.While the numerals depict fresh models that were never seen before, the ID. Buzz is actually a moderntake on the Volkswagen Type 2  aka the Transporter, Kombi, or Microbus (T1). Colloquially labeled as the Bus (America), Camper (UK), or Bulli (Germany), the forward control light commercial vehicle was VWs second-only vehicle and a parent of the (now on the brink of extinction) modern passenger minivan sector. But, at its core, it was nothing but a reworked Type 1 derivative. And, as we all know, the latter was none other than the ultra-iconic Beetle (aka Kafer in Germany or Bug in the English-speaking parts of the world).The legendary two-door rear-engine economy car is the so-called peoples car that was created by Ferdinand Porsche and after the Second World War helped Volkswagen become the powerhouse that it is today - and owner of various brands like Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, VW, Ducati, Navistar, MAN, Scania, VW Truck & Bus, plus countless subsidiaries. Its legendary original run lasted until 2003 with more than 21.5 million produced examples and led Volkswagen to create a couple of revivals, the New Beetle (1997-2010), and the A5 Beetle of the 2010s.Unfortunately  at least for diehard Beetle fans  there is no more Type 1 derivative in production today, as Volkswagen seemingly moved on to new ideas. Alas, that does not mean enthusiasts have given up hope of a third reinvention. And, sometimes, some of them even take matters into their hands. Or, rather, at the tip of their CGI brush, as is the case here with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. And there is no need to take our word for granted, as we have a couple of eloquent and recent examples that feature the same plot twist  aka an ID. Beetle electro-revival  but also have vastly different story outcomes.So, here is first Giorgi Tedoradze, a Georgia-based industrial designer better known as tedoradze.giorgi on social media, who has dreamt of the 2024 Volkswagen ID. Beetle with the same iconic styling, an MEB-based fully electric powertrain, and four doors instead of just two  making it a retro-styled alternative to the compact ID.3 hatchback. Unfortunately, we only have a classic front three-quarters POV, so we cannot judge it solely based on that.Secondly, meet David Scott Neal II, the Dallas, Texas-based Senior Industrial Designer at Modus Applied Innovations who is also a dedicated car pixel master from time to time, acting from the covers of the nemojunglist moniker on social media. He also thought about bringing back to life a reinvented ID. Beetle, much like Volkswagen did in the real world with the ID. Buzz, only that his vision is a bit sportier than everyone elses. As such, his extreme creation is definitely fit for the R family, if you want our two cents on the matter!
Mirzoyan met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu and also visited Adiyaman, one of the cities in southeastern Turkey ravaged by last weeks powerful earthquake. The Armenian government sent more humanitarian aid to its residents during his trip.

Mirzoyan said he and Cavusoglu reached concrete understandings on bilateral ties as he spoke during a weekly government meeting in Yerevan chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

I can announce a decision to accelerate the process of dialogue and the process aimed at the ultimate opening of the [Turkish-Armenian] border, he told fellow cabinet members.

Mirzoyan reiterated that the two sides plan to rebuild a medieval bridge over a river marking a section of the closed frontier. He also announced that they could open the border to citizens of third countries as well as holders of Turkish and Armenian diplomatic passports this summer.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Mirzoyan on Wednesday, Cavusoglu said the assistance provided by Armenia to victims of the devastating earthquake could facilitate the normalization process. But he appeared to link that process to the outcome of Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks.

Turkey has for decades made the opening of the border and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia conditional on an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal acceptable to Azerbaijan. Turkish leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed this precondition since the start of the normalization talks with Yerevan in January 2022.

Ankara briefly opened one of the border crossings on Saturday and Wednesday to receive two batches of Armenian humanitarian aid. According to Mirzoyan, it will also allow the 27 members of an Armenian search-and-rescue team, who flew to Adiyaman last week, to return home through the same border gate.
Dozens of schools using natural gas for heating were shut down on February 7 following a fresh disruption in the gas supplies carried out through Azerbaijani-controlled territory. About half of Karabakhs 19,000 or so schoolchildren are enrolled in them.

Classes were not suspended for high school students because the authorities installed woodstoves in their classrooms. The other Karabakh schools are now fully heated by firewood.

Azerbaijan reportedly unblocked the flow of gas to Karabakh on Wednesday only to halt it again two hours later.

We have wood-heated schools without a second shift, said Hasmik Minasian, the Karabakh education minister. In other schools we installed stoves for grades 9-12. We will try to organize second shifts for the other students.

All schools will probably operate in the coming days, Minasian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Karabakh schools had already been shut down for three times since Azerbaijani government-backed protesters blocked on December 12 the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia. They were most recently reopened on January 30 after a partial restoration of the gas supply.

Following the February 7 disruption, Karabakhs leadership urged the international community to exert stronger pressure on Azerbaijan to end the blockade. It accused Baku of trying to create unbearable living conditions for the Karabakh Armenians so that they leave their homes.

Russia, the United States and the European Union have repeatedly urged Azerbaijan to reopen the Lachin corridor. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken telephoned Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for that purpose late last month. Aliyev again defended the Azerbaijanis blocking the corridor and demanding that Baku be given access to illegal copper mines in Karabakh.
The meet would take place in Visakhapatnam on March 3-4. Under the theme of "Advantage Andhra Pradesh - Where Abundance Meets Prosperity," the summit would showcase the state's strong industrial base, robust presence of MSMEs and start-ups, and investor-friendly atmosphere. ( Photo: Twitter)

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is hosting an investors drive in Chennai on Friday as part of its efforts to attract businesses and investors for the upcoming Andhra Pradesh Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2023. The event in Chennai follows a successful event in Bengaluru on February 14, preceded by an equally prominent curtain-raiser event in New Delhi on January 31.

Officials said the investor drive has been carefully designed to give businesses and investors a taste of what's to come at the summit. The meet would take place in Visakhapatnam on March 3-4. Under the theme of "Advantage Andhra Pradesh - Where Abundance Meets Prosperity," the summit would showcase the state's strong industrial base, robust presence of MSMEs and start-ups, and investor-friendly atmosphere.

The summit is intended to highlight the "formidable industrial base, well-established presence of MSMEs and start-ups, and overall investor-friendly environment of the southern state."

"With a sizable manufacturing base, impressive infrastructure, business friendly policies and skilled and talented young population, Andhra Pradesh is widely recognised as a key player in the Indian economy," says the government.

The GIS Vizag would offer a deep dive into critical sectors such as IT, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, tourism, and energy. The conference would provide businesses a chance to network and the state to engage with key investors, influential industry leaders and officials, with attendees having the opportunity to explore the diverse range of investment prospects available throughout the state, officials claimed.

The officials said, "Andhra Pradesh is well-known for its large manufacturing base, excellent infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and pool of talented, skilled young people. All the advantages and facilities and schemes will be explained in the Chennai meet and we will clear all the doubts of the participants during the interactive session."

"AP has consistently ranked first in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), for the last three years, which is significant given that this survey is based on stakeholder feedback."

"According to the numbers released thus far, AP has the highest double-digit GSDP growth rate in the country in 2021-22, at 11.43 per cent. It also has maritime infrastructure, as it is the gateway to Southeast Asia, with 974 km of coastline, the second longest in the country, 6 airports, 6 existing ports, and 4 upcoming ports. It has a favourable business environment and industry-focused policies, as well as a proactive government guiding the state."

Officials also noted, "Three of the country's eleven industrial corridors are being built in Andhra Pradesh alone. To name a few, the state has received the LEADS award for logistics 2022, the Enertia Award for Energy 2022, the ET award for port led, and the infrastructure project 2022."
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a discussion on the Union Budget 2023-24, in Hyderabad, Thursday. (Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly rebuked Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao for their criticism of the Union Budget, saying those who have pushed the Telangana state have no right to criticise the Centre and its policies.

Speaking at an event on Union Budget on Thursday, the finance minister strongly denounced the Chief Ministers remarks in the Assembly that Prime Minister Narendra Modis goal of a $5 trillion economy for India was a "joke" and "silly", asserting that the Chief Ministers comments amount to "mocking the people of India".

She also countered Rama Raos remarks that Telangana state contributed more to the Centre in the form of various taxes than it received in grants and other financial aid from the BJP government. "The target of India becoming a five trillion dollar economy has been set to motivate not only the various states in the country but also several sectors. The future economic objectives and goals were not set for the benefit of Prime Minister Modiji or myself. Every state and every person in the country is showing enthusiasm in contributing their mite to achieve this target. While one state is talking about contributing one trillion dollars to the Indian economy, another is talking about contributing 1.5 trillion dollars. But here the Chief Minister is saying this target is a joke and silly. Is it not insulting people and mocking the country," she asked.

When the Telangana state was created in 2014, the debt burden was close to Rs 65,000 crore, but over the course of the following eight years, it has surpassed Rs 3 lakh crore, according to her. "Those who call Indias five-trillion-dollar economic target a joke, should first respond to this," she remarked.

The Union finance minister also countered the Chief Ministers and Rama Raos allegation that the Centre discriminated against Telangana state in sanctioning of medical and nursing colleges. "When we sought details from all states on the districts without medical colleges, the Telangana state government sent a list that included Karimnagar and Khammam, but these towns have medical colleges. Telangana state was denied medical colleges as a result of their negligence. Those who dont know which district lacks medical colleges are pointing fingers at us," Nirmala states.

On the CMs allegation that the Centre was imposing "economic sanctions" on Telangana by restricting loans, she rebutted, "All states are regulated through Constitutional provisions on loans. It's not that one state is allowed to borrow more and one state is not allowed. Telangana wants to borrow more than it is eligible for and that is where the problem lies."

Telangana received Rs 1,30,000 crore towards tax devolution from the Centre from 2014-23 and Rs 1,39,000 crore grants-in-aid during the same period, she

claimed. In the recent Budget 2023-24, Rs 4,428 crore was sanctioned for Telangana state for railway infrastructure and Rs 3,048 crore was sanctioned in 2022-23. Of the 51 pharma units getting financial assistance under the PLI scheme, 15 were in Telangana state, she added.

She also trashed criticism that the Centre imposed cuts on allocations for the NREGA scheme. "This scheme is demand driven. In the last eight years, we spent more than what we had originally allocated in the Budget based on demand. Additional funds were allocated in the supplementary budget. Previous governments made huge allocations in the budget but spent less," Nirmala said.
A branch of Raytheon is one of the US companies hit with Chinese sanctions (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)   Bill Sikes

China imposed trade and investment sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a branch of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles and Defence are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country, the ministry of commerce announced on Thursday.

It said they were added to the unreliable entity list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests.

It was not clear what impact the penalties might have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China, but some military contractors also have civilian businesses in aerospace and other markets.

Lockheed Martin makes military equipment including F35 jets (Lockheed Martin/PA)   Alexander H Groves/Lockheed Mart

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war. The island of 22 million people never has been part of the Peoples Republic of China, but the Communist Party says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

President Xi Jinpings government has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwan by flying fighter jets and bombers near the island and firing missiles into the sea.

The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but maintains extensive commercial and informal contacts. Washington is obligated by federal law to make sure the islands government has the means to defend itself.

The United States is Taiwans main supplier of military equipment.

Raytheon Missiles and Defence, part of Raytheon Technologies, was awarded a 412 million US dollars (340 million) contract in September to upgrade Taiwanese military radar as part of a 1.1 billion US dollars (900 million) package of US arms sales to the island.

Boeing Defence received a 355 million US dollars (294 million) contract to supply Harpoon missiles.

Beijing responded to that sale by announcing sanctions against the CEOs of Raytheon and of Boeing Defence but gave no details of what they were.

Lockheed Martin has supplied Taiwans military with radar, helicopters and air traffic control equipment. It plays a role in the islands development of its own fighter jet and navy frigates.

In China, Lockheed Martin has sold air traffic control equipment for civilian airports and helicopters for commercial use.

Beijing announced plans for the unreliable entity list in 2019 in response to US restrictions imposed on Huawei Technologies, a Chinese maker of telecom equipment.
Red tape a drag on recruitment, says GP forced to choose Scotland over Northern Ireland after years abroad

A doctor who worked in Belfast for 36 years before relocating to New Zealand has spoken out about the barriers preventing him from returning to practice medicine in Northern Ireland.
Healthcare workers are set to go on strike on the same day the majority of teachers are set to walk out of schools across Northern Ireland.

The Unite union, which represents health workers here, has moved a planned period of industrial action to coincide with industrial action by teachers.

It was scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday, and again on February 23 and 24.

However, Unite regional officer Kevin McAdam said members  including ambulance workers  will now take action on on Tuesday when the majority of teachers plan to hold a half-day strike.

Further action will be taken March 16.

"We felt it was really important to move the dates to the 21st (February) to coincide with teachers to demonstrate that there are two important things in life, one is health and the other is education," Mr McAdam said.

"Our aim is to disrupt the administration of the service, not to disrupt the patients but obviously it will impact to some extent," he said.

"If we don't take a stand we wont have a health service.

Unite represents 4,000 workers across the health and social care trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

Last month 20,000 healthcare staff, including ambulance staff and nurses here, took part in a one-day strike as part of a dispute over pay.

Workers were told they would get a pay award of 1,400 in the current financial year, but unions said this would not settle the dispute as it was lower than inflation.

"This is the only way we can get our message through to government regionally and nationally."

Trade union laws mean that emergency cover will still be provided and staff are able to leave the picket lines to offer medical assistance.

Some Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University will also strike on 21 February in a dispute over pay as part of 18 planned days of action.
Politicians have been offering condolences to the chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee whose search for his missing dog came to a tragic conclusion.

Simon Hoare MP appealed for help to find his family's dog after Jerry went missing from near his home in Lydlynch, Dorset a number of weeks ago.

He said the chipped terriers disappearance had left him with three very distraught daughters and an upset wife.

However, on Thursday he took to social media to confirm the worst news.

My family and I have been touched by the help and kindness of so many people as weve looked for our dog Jerry, he said.

My family & I have been touched by the help & kindness of so many people as weve looked for our dog Jerry. That search ended this morning as I found him. It looks like hed had a heart attack (theres not a mark on him) in a nearby pond. He was always loved & be forever missed pic.twitter.com/OtuKuUWeen  Simon Hoare MP (@Simon4NDorset) February 16, 2023

That search ended this morning as I found him.

"It looks like hed had a heart attack (theres not a mark on him) in a nearby pond.

"He was always loved and be forever missed.

Alliance Deputy leader and North Down MP Stephen Farry is among the many people who have expressed sadness.

"Sorry to hear this, he replied on Twitter.

Thoughts with all of the family."

UUP leader and MLA Doug Beattie also reached out.

Awful, he wrote.

"Sorry to hear this Simon.

"Thoughts with your family.
Arlene Foster says Nicola Sturgeon's cause for on the union is 'opposite' to hers and she vowed to protect it.

Dame Arlene Foster has thrown down the gauntlet on the union to Nicola Sturgeon as she paid tribute to the formidable leader who is stepping down as First Minister of Scotland.

The SNP leader confirmed on Wednesday she will remain in post until a successor is found.

Her former counterpart at Stormont told BBC Radio Ulster she has no doubt Ms Sturgeon will feel relief when she does step aside and will look back at the good parts of the job.

Like me Nicola has a cause that is very close to her heart  it is the complete opposite to the cause that is close to my heart as you can imagine  because I want to protect the union and she wants to destroy the union, Dame Arlene said.

I have no doubt that she will continue to advocate for her cause, she will just do it in a different way.

However, Dame Arlene said Ms Sturgeon can expect opposition adding: "Ill be on the other side protecting and maintaining the United Kingdom for as long as I have breath as well.

She added that she was not surprised by Ms Sturgeons sudden departure.

She was a formidable leader, she had a passion  her passion was obviously for Scottish independence  and she used that passion to drive her forward.

"People say they are surprised to see her go  Im not particularly surprised to see her go.

"I have thought for some time that she looked as if she had wasnt enjoying it as much as she did in years gone by and thats not something we should be incredible surprised about.

The former first minister said it is an incredibly tense role which means you can only do it at 100% for so many years.

"We heard from Jacinda Ardern when she said she had nothing left in the tank and couldnt go on, she added.

"And again Nicola Sturgeon referred to that yesterday and said she couldnt give it 100%.

Nicola Sturgeon waves to people gathered outside Bute House in Edinburgh after she announced that she will stand down as First Minister after eight years (Jane Barlow/PA)   Jane Barlow

It follows a shock announcement on Wednesday when Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she will stand down after eight years in the top job.

In my head and in my heart I know that time is now. That its right for me, for my party and my country, the outgoing SNP leader said.

Ms Sturgeon insisted she was not reacting to short-term pressures following a series of political setbacks.

The longest-serving  and first female  First Minister told a hastily arranged press conference she will remain in office while her party selects her successor.

Baroness Foster drew comparisons between her own resignation speech which she acknowledged was in very different circumstances.

"She used the phrase that I used when I resigned which was brutal  and politics is brutal.

"I think we all know when we get into politics that it will be challenging.

"I dont think people know just how challenging it can be until you are actually in the field of play and dealing with the things being thrown at you.

"Having said that, and I think she would say it herself, it is incredibly rewarding."

Arlene Foster pictured when she was serving First Minister along with deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

Dame Arlene also talked about the changing challenges facing females in politics.

"Its a fact that women receive 27% more abuse than men on social media, she said.

Therefore there is a need to call that out and recognise it.

When I first became involved in politics the challenges were different  Im old enough to remember when people thought a compliment to a female politician [to say] Im as good as any man.

"The challenges have changed, but I would say the challenges for women politicians has increased.
Robinson has been drawn to Ireland by a recent spate of anti-immigrant protests

The notorious far-right agitator Tommy Robinson has arrived in Dublin where he posted a message telling journalists, politicians and far left extremists that he was in Ireland to do his job.

Robinson claims he has been drawn to Ireland by a recent spate of anti-immigrant protests, which he has warmly praised and the Irish far-right agitators who are helping to organise them.

In a video posted on the social media site Telegram, Robinson said nobody had invited him to Dublin.

I just need to make something very clear, he states in a message shared on the social media channel.

(Im) reading that lots of journalists, lots of politicians, lots of far left extremists (are) all saying I've been invited here to Dublin.

I havent been invited anywhere. Im a journalist.

"I go where the news is. No ones invited me. No ones accommodated me. I go and ask questions and put together a piece, to show what's happening. Thats my job, thank you.

Robinson, a founder of the English Defence League, a far-right Islamophobic organisation, has been welcomed to Ireland by far-right conspiracy theorist Dee Wall, who spread misinformation during the pandemic.

In a lengthy live-stream on her social media profile on Tuesday night, Ms Wall praised Robinson and said she would give him 100 blessings to come here. She said she would personally welcome him to Ireland.

Men in Ireland claim to have two balls  where were they all the way through the lockdown when the elderly were being genocided? she said.

Where were these men? They couldnt even come up to have one ball as big as Tommy Robinsons.

Robinson, who has been banned from most major social media platforms at one time or another, was previously kicked off Facebook for dehumanising language and calls for violence targeted at Muslims.

Robinsons real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Last year, he lost a libel case taken against him by a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked at school.

During her live-stream, Ms Wall said she would be proud to have Robinson as a son, and staunchly defended him from a number of her followers who questioned whether a British loyalist should be welcomed by Irelands far right.

She also suggested that Robinson, who previously said that he went out on St Patricks Day wearing an England top, might be invited back to Dublin on March 17 by anti-immigration activists.

Far-right Telegram channels, many of which are currently devoted to organising anti-immigration protests around the country, are divided on whether Robinsons visit will be helpful to their cause.

It is understood the matter of his visit prompted some disagreements among demonstrators who protested outside RTE earlier this week. Many far-right activists strongly identify as republicans and are uncomfortable with the inclusion of Robinson in their movement.

But Derek Blighe, a Corkman who live-streams his far-right political views, argued that Robinson wants to protect his country in the same way I want to protect my country.

Mr Blighe, a regular presence at anti-immigration protests across the country, claimed that if Robinson wanted to come to Ireland to film the success of the Irish anti-immigration movement, I have no problem with that.

If Tommy Robinson wants to come over here and learn some new tricks and get some footage, maybe make a documentary, I have no problem with that.
Israeli troops demolish the house of Muhammed Kamel al-Jabari, who carried out a deadly shooting attack (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)   Mahmoud Illean

Israeli forces have demolished the home of a Palestinian behind a deadly shooting in the occupied West Bank, as tensions and unrest surge in the region.

The military said the demolition on Thursday was carried out after an Israeli court rejected appeals to spare the residence.

The home, in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, was demolished in a controlled explosion. A flash and then grey tufts of smoke were seen emerging from the apartment in the early morning hours.

Israel says home demolitions are meant to deter future attackers but critics say they amount to collective punishment against the families of assailants and only exacerbate tensions with Palestinians.

Israeli troops prepare the charges to demolish the house of Muhammed Kamel al-Jabari in Hebron (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)   Mahmoud Illean

In the fatal shooting incident last year, Muhammed Kamel al-Jabari opened fire at the entrance to an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, killing an Israeli man and wounding several civilians before a security guard shot him dead.

The demolition comes as unrest has been roiling across the region for months. Israel has been conducting near-nightly arrest raids in the West Bank, which were prompted by a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis last spring.

Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 2022, making it the deadliest year in those territories since 2004, according to a leading Israeli rights group.

Nearly 50 Palestinians have been killed in those lands just this year, a sign that the fighting has intensified in recent weeks, just as Israels new, far-right government has risen to power.

It has promised to take a tough line against the Palestinians, and already has taken steps to ramp up West Bank settlement building.

Israel says most of those killed have been militants. But youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

Some 30 people were killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis last year and another seven people were killed in an attack outside an east Jerusalem synagogue last month.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
Former vice president Mike Pence has said he will challenge a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing investigations into Donald Trump to compel his evidence before a grand jury, and will pursue it to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by the Justice Department, is investigating efforts by Mr Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The former president spent the days before January 6 2021 aggressively pressuring Mr Pence to reject the outcome, even though his deputy had no power to do so.

Mr Pence was at the US Capitol presiding over a joint session of Congress as Mr Trumps supporters violently stormed the building that day.

Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6 2021 (John Minchillo/AP)   John Minchillo

Let me first be clear: Im going to fight the Biden DOJ subpoena for me to appear before the grand jury because I believe its unconstitutional and its unprecedented, Mr Pence told reporters in Iowa, the state that will hold the first contest of the 2024 nominating sequence.

Never before in American history has a vice president been summoned to appear in court to testify against the president with whom they serve, he added.

Mr Pence said he was prepared to take the case as far as it needs to go, if needs be to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The posture marks an aggressive turn for Mr Pence, who has been laying the groundwork for a likely presidential run.

While it remains unclear whether he will succeed in delaying or limiting the scope of his evidence, the posture gives the former vice president a new opening to attack the Justice Department, which has become increasingly unpopular among conservatives, in part due to Mr Trumps constant attacks.

Indeed, Mr Pence repeatedly criticized the department on Wednesday, complaining of a two-tiered justice system that Republicans have been dealing with throughout the Biden administration.

Donald Trump (Alex Brandon/AP)   Alex Brandon

The Associated Press previously reported that Mr Pence was ready to contest Mr Smiths demand for his appearance on constitutional grounds. He argues that because he was serving in his role as president of the Senate on January 6, he is protected under the constitutions speech or debate clause from being forced to give evidence.

That provision is intended to protect members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts.

The Justice Department, which had earlier declined to comment on the subpoena, is expected to oppose the former vice presidents efforts and make the case that his co-operation is essential.

Mr Pence noted during an earlier stop in Minneapolis that he had written and spoken extensively about Mr Trumps efforts to pressure him to overturn the results of the election  something he did not have power to do  and has repeatedly denounced the former presidents efforts as reckless and dangerous.

I have nothing to hide and Im proud of what we accomplished. But for me, this is a moment where you have to decide where you stand, and I stand on the constitution of the United States, he said.

He added that he expects Mr Trump to try to assert executive privilege to block his own evidence. Thats not my fight. My fight is on the separation of powers, Mr Pence said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Norwegian parliament as PM Jonas Gahr Store listens (Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix via AP)   Terje Pedersen

The parliament of oil-rich Norway on Thursday announced that the Scandinavian country is donating 75 billion kroner (6 billion) to Kyiv as part of a five-year support package, making Norway one of the worlds biggest donors to war-torn Ukraine.

In a video address to the 169-seat parliament, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Norway for the donation.

You are creating a precedent for long-term financial support for a state thats defending its independence, Mr Zelensky said.

The 10 Norwegian party leaders spoke afterward to express their support for the package.

Only the socialist Red Party, which has eight seats, opposed the donation, because part of the money was earmarked for weapons. No vote was held.

The money will be split evenly between military and humanitarian assistance over five years, broken down to 15 billion kroner (1.2 billion) annually.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine a year ago was the first attack in Europe since World War II, said Jonas Gahr Store, Norways prime minister.

He added that the money was from oil income, and the donation should not affect the Norwegian economy.

This is money out of Norway that we should not use or would not use in Norway right now, he added.

Norway is one of Europes largest fossil-fuel exporters, and the conflict in Ukraine has boosted its revenues as European countries previously reliant on Russia seek alternative energy sources.

However, Norway has fended off accusations that its profiting from the war in Ukraine.
A party worker asks TD Chief N.Chandrababu Naidu to stay in AP at a meeting in Jaggampeta on Thursday. (Image By Arrangement)

Kakinada: Former chief minister and Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu faced an awkward moment on Thursday when a party activist urged him to stay in Andhra Pradesh along with his family members, and not in Hyderabad anymore.

When the party activist made the plea, somebody from the back added, "Yes, including Devansh," the grandson of Chandrababu.

Chandrababu was at an interaction session with the TD cadre in Jaggampeta constituency party cadre. Cluster incharge of Jaggampeta H. Prashant Kumar alias Kannababu said, while speaking at the meet, that "Chandrababu should stay in Andhra Pradesh."

"It is our request, hope and demand that you stay in Andhra Pradesh. Other party members also supported the plea in one voice.

Chandrababu Naidu, a bit embarrassed, merely nodded his head.

Later, Kannababu told Deccan Chronicle, "When I am speak in support of the Telugu Desam, the YSRC men tell me, Let first your leader (Chandrababu Naidu) come and stay along with his family members in Andhra Pradesh. Then he can speak up for Amaravati as our capital. So, I placed the demand before Chandrababu himself.

Some TD members at the meet said all the family members including Lokesh and his son Devansh should stay in Andhra Pradesh to give a boost to the party.

Speaking at a party meeting in Jaggampeta on Thursday, Naidu announced a new TD initiative styled as "Sadhikaritha Gruha Saradhi (empowered housing leader) for every 30 families in the state, and said the present section in-charges would be treated as Gruha Saradhis."

The YSRC had appointed such Gruha Saradhis for every 50 families.

Naidu said that he would give directions from time to time on what Gruha Saradhis would do. The Gruha Saradhis should instill confidence among the people on dependability of the Telugu Desam and its work for the society. At the same time, they should explain the ruling YSRCs anti-people activities."

He said a Gruha Sadikara Saradhi wing would be set up in every constituency and the wing would see the welfare of every family. "There is no truth in the vicious propaganda by the YSRC that the TD would abolish all the welfare schemes," he said.

Naidu said NTR founded the TD with the slogan of welfare and TD is the address to welfare. "NT Rama Rao always used to say that the society is the temple and the poor are our Gods. The Gruha Saradhis should take the slogan to the people," Naidu said.

He said, "Investors are not coming forward to set up industries due to a lack of credibility to the present Chief Minister (Jagan Mohan Reddy). The hills in East Godavari are vanishing due to the exploitation by the sand mafia. Jagan vanished from Rishikonda in Visakhapatnam and covered it with a green mat."

He called upon the party cadre to send Jagan Mohan Reddy to his home in the coming elections.

Naidu reached Peddapuram through a road-show Thursday night and he mocked Jagan by cracking jokes and criticising him. He said that during Jagans rule, the prices of 45 varieties of essential commodities have increased. Spurious liquor is sold in AP, which will damage the organs of the human body."

The former CM said all the hillock areas including Peddapuram have vanished. He exhorted women handle Jagan as he was robbing women. "I do not want to promote my personal interests, I am fighting for the people and safeguard the states future."

Naidu said unemployed youths want him to be chief minister in the hope that they would get employment. Peddapuram MLA Nimmakayala Chinarajappa and Boddu Venkata Ramana were present.
South Korea has reverted to calling North Korea its enemy in a defence report (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)   Ahn Young-joon

South Korea called North Korea our enemy in its biennial defence document published on Thursday, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years, as tensions worsen between the two.

North Korea conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests in 2022, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea.

In response, South Koreas conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been seeking a stronger US security commitment and boosting its own military capabilities.

Descriptions of North Korea in South Koreas defence white papers reflect the rocky ties between the two Koreas.

Past South Korean documents called North Korea its main enemy, present enemy or enemy in times of animosities with the North. But they avoided such references when relations were improved.

(North Korea) doesnt give up its nukes and is persistently posing military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military is our enemy, the 2022 South Korean defence white paper read.

The document also noted the fact that in December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called South Korea our undoubted enemy in a speech at a key ruling party meeting.

South Koreans watch a North Korean missile launch on a television screen (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)   Ahn Young-joon

It also cited North Koreas legislation of a new law that authorises its pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons on a broad range of scenarios.

The document said North Korean nuclear programs and provocations are seriously threatening our security.

It said the main objectives of South Korean defence policies include bracing for threats and potential invasion by North Korea, deterring a war on the Korean Peninsula and contributing to a peaceful future Korean unification.

North Korea did not immediately respond to the revived enemy terminology in the South Korean defence white paper, though it has lashed out at past enemy labels, calling them provocations that demonstrated South Korean hostility.

South Korea first called North Korea its main enemy in 1995, a year after North Korea threatened to turn Seoul into sea of fire  rhetoric the North has since repeatedly used when confrontations flared with the South.

During a previous era of inter-Korean detente in the 2000s, South Korea stopped using such enemy terminologies, but resuscitated them after 50 South Korean navy sailors were killed in a torpedo attack blamed on North Korea in 2010.

South Korea again avoided using enemy labels when it was governed by Yoons liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who espoused greater reconciliation with North Korea.

Defence documents published during Moons 2017-2022 rule did not mention North Korea by name when they said South Koreas military considers any force that threatens and violates the sovereignty, territory, people, and properties of the Republic of Korea as an enemy.

Yoon, who took office in May, has vowed stern response to North Korean provocation.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will imminently face the biggest call of his political life. After a year of negotiations, London and Brussels are set to seal a protocol deal early next week.
The latest account from a doctor eager to re-immerse himself in Northern Irelands health service, but is prevented from doing so because of red tape, demonstrates flaws in administrative processes.
General view of the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in the Urubamba valley, on February 15, 2023, open for the first time after they were closed to the public for security reasons on January 21, after protesters blocked the railways during protests against the government of President Dina Boluarte (Carolina Paucar / AFP)

MACHU PICCHU: The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru's tourist jewel, reopened to visitors on Wednesday, 25 days after it closed due to demonstrations that have shaken the country since last December.

The first groups of tourists could be seen entering the archaeological park early in the morning, taking advantage of an unusually sunny day as they toured the different sites and sacred temples that make up the "llaqta" ("citadel" in Quechua).

Some 700 tourists had visited by midday Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Culture, whose officials were present at the site.

"The capacity is 4,044 visitors a day in eight shifts from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm," said Maritza Rosa Candia, director of the ministry in Cusco.

The famous citadel, built in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacutec, has been closed to tourism since January 21 as Peru grapples with a social and political crisis that has seen waves of demonstrations, at times violent.

Protesters are seeking the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and new elections.

The train service that transports people and cargo from Cusco to Machu Picchu village, the town located at the foot of the citadel, was interrupted for 18 days due to attacks by demonstrators.

As a result, Machu Picchu, which is only accessible by rail from the town of Ollantaytambo, 90 minutes away, suffered shortages of basic goods and products such as domestic gas.

Tourism is crucial to the Peruvian economy, with the country attracting 4.5 million visitors a year.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra (center), daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is leading polls along with her familys Pheu Thai party ahead of the May 7 general election, Dec. 6, 2022.

Thai Sen. Wanchai Sornsiri caused a stir recently when he posted on his Facebook page that he and a group of senators will block efforts to elect Paetongtarn Shinawatra the next prime minister, regardless of whether Pheu Thai won a plurality, or even a majority of the lower house in the May 7 general election. Since then, the senate and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha have tried to walk back his statement.

Yet Wanchais only sin was saying the quiet part out loud.

When Prayuth and other military leaders staged their coup detat in 2014, they stated their intention to never have to throw another coup. The 2017 Thai constitution was written by a group of very conservative pro-military lawyers who have tried to ensure that.

At the core is the senate, a 250-member upper house whose members are hand selected by the military leadership. Most of the senators are uniformed military personnel and police, while many of the remaining members are retired military or ultra-royalist elites.

Unusual for an upper house, the Thai senate has a direct role in electing the prime minister. As such, winning an outright majority of the 500 lower house seats, or being able to put together a majority coalition, is insufficient to form a government.

Any political leader who does not have the explicit backing of the military and ultra-royalist elites would need to win more than 376 lower house seats to overcome the senates veto.

And while senators go to pains to say they are not a block, this is naive. Given their background, they are part of the chain of command. If ordered to vote for a candidate, they will vote for that candidate.

And for the remainder, their charge as senators since 2019 has been clear  to exorcise the Shinawatras from the Thai body politic. In 2019, except for a handful of recusals, the senate voted unanimously for Prayuth to establish a fractious coalition government.

Its worth restating Sen. Wanchais warning: The prime ministers post is not a toy for anyone or any clan, implicitly referring to the Shinawatra family which has produced two prime ministers, both of whom were ousted in coup detats in 2006 and 2014.

The prime minister is a symbol of pride for the entire nation, and its not right to make anyone prime minister like what happened in the past. Its a slap in the face for Thais and parliamentarians, he said.

According to recent polling, Pheu Thai is poised to win a plurality of the vote and possibly an outright majority.

It has done so in the past. Indeed Pheu Thai  and its previous iterations  is the only party to have won a majority in parliament. Paetongtarn is leading with 34 percent, far ahead of the incumbent, and Pheu Thai is the most popular party in almost every region of the country, according to polling.

Yet in 2019, despite having a plurality of the vote, the party was not given the opportunity to form a government, a standard practice in a Westminster parliamentary system. The senate voted en bloc to ensure that didnt happen.

And Wanchai made clear that is likely to be the case again in 2023.

Ive clearly seen and heard that Pheu Thai will make a landslide win and it will select Ung-Ing as its prime minister. This is Pheu Thais matter, but my group and my allies will not vote for her. So, if Ung-Ing wants to be the prime minister, Pheu Thai must garner 376 votes and all of those votes must accept her, he said, referring to Paetongtarn by her nickname.

Deflection

The government, military and senate are trying to deflect concerns that they are poised to steal the election again, stating that Wanchais views are his alone.

I cannot control the senate. Senators have their personal opinions, Prayuth told the press, trying to keep a straight face.

He and others have reiterated that the senators vote according to their consciences  the consciences of people who endorsed two coup detats to overturn democratically elected governments.

The senate has tried to signal that it will not be overturning the will of the people and that it will endorse whomever wins a majority of the vote. But this is a non-binding public pronouncement, not a law.

Members are terrified of the optics about another stolen election, but steal they will.

For her part, Paetongtarn, is blithely naive to believe that the senate will endorse her even if she leads her party to victory, given recent Thai political history. The royalist and military elites are not going to allow a 36-year-old to govern as a proxy for her father. Why would they undo 17 years and two coups?

Pheu Thai, for its part, has also proposed two less-triggering candidates, party leader Cholnan Srikaew and property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, but its hard to see them being given an opportunity to form a government.

In Thai politics, its clearly loser takes all. You just cant say the quiet part out loud.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or BenarNews.
Malaysian youths at a Kuala Lumpur shopping center stand next to a poster of the film "Beauty and the Beast," from which the countrys authorities cut what they called a gay moment, March 19, 2017.

Malaysian human rights activists have lambasted the governments decision to ban two childrens books because they allegedly promoted LGBTQ lifestyles and a novel for purportedly being harmful to Malaysian morals.

Muslim-majority Malaysia has seen rising religious fundamentalism in recent years, and the hardline Islamic party PAS won the most seats, making astonishing gains in the November general election.

But activists are stunned that the government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is seen as a liberal, outlawed these books and said he was probably trying to appease the vote bank of conservatives ahead of six state elections.

Siti Zabedah Kasim, a lawyer and rights activist, said Anwar should remember who voted for him.

It looks like Anwar is pandering to the conservatives. He forgets that those who voted him are not conservatives, the lawyer-activist, also known as Siti Kassim, told BenarNews on Thursday.

Malaysias Home Ministry announced the ban in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The childrens books banned are Jacobs Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, and Tale of Steven by Rebecca Sugar.

Jacobs Room to Choose is about a character, Jacob, who is chased out of the boys bathroom in school. The boys think he looks like a girl because of the way he is dressed, says the authors website.

The 2014 book Jacobs New Dress, introduced readers to the title character, and is one of The American Library Associations top 100 banned books of the last decade, according to a blurb on Amazon.com.

The Tale of Steven is a more abstract story about identity and finding your own way.

However, Malaysias Home Ministry said these books promote an LGBT lifestyle which is a threat to the good values taught by religion and upheld by the community in the East.

The novel, Aku, authored by Shaz Johar, was banned because the ministry said it contained explicit and immoral content that can bring harm to personal behavior and is against the good values in Malaysian society.

The bans are retroactive from Jan. 20. Anyone caught with any of them faces a three-year prison term, a maximum fine of 20,000 ringgit (U.S. $4,500), or both.

A shameful act, is how Josef Benedict, a researcher with CIVICUS, an alliance of civil society organizations dedicated to citizen action, described the ban.

Looks like the Anwar Ibrahim government is no different from previous administrations in banning books, he wrote on Twitter.

Malaysian society is fully capable of deciding, without the government telling them what they can or cant read.

Activist Lilian Kok said the governments ban shows it does not believe in Malaysians innate intelligence.

The senior program manager at the All Womens Action Society, told BenarNews that each successive government contributes to a non-exhaustive list of materials deemed harmful to Malaysian morals.

Thilaga Sulathireh, co-founder of Justice for Sisters, said at least six books had been banned between 2020 and 2023 for having LGBTQ content.

In addition, two LGBTQ music videos featuring gender diverse and drag performers are being tried in court under section 233 of the Communications & Multimedia Act 1998, she told BenarNews.

This also shows systemic discrimination against this group of people.

Pandering to the extremists

But these activists are in a minority in a country seeing rising intolerance, analysts said.

The results of the November national election illustrate this. The hardline Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) won the most seats among all parties contesting the Nov. 19 polls, making it the single largest party in parliament.

Whats more, PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang was one of the key amplifiers of divisive, racist, intolerant and hate-based narratives, according to a local not-for-profit journalism initiative. And yet  or perhaps because of that  it made significant gains.

In such an atmosphere, said analyst Lau Zhe Wei of the International Islamic University Malaysia, the books ban may not make Anwars supporters happy, but the move could work politically.

If you go by political calculations, the number of people in Malaysia who support LGBTQ is not that big, but those opposing are huge, especially the Muslim conservatives, so it is worth it, he told BenarNews.

Anwar would want to score some points with them. Such action, however, does not make him an extremist, although it will oppress the marginalized community further.

Six states go to the polls soon to elect legislative assemblies. Of them, PAS gained big in the national election in three Malay-Muslim-majority states, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the books ban would prevent Perikatan-PAS from using the issue to hurt Anwars coalitions chances in the state elections.

Well, it would not hurt, as if they were not banned, the other side could make an issue out of it. But of course by [banning them] the government has also enraged the progressive supporters, who see this as pandering to the extremists, he told BenarNews.

And there is no way Anwar can distance himself from the decision, said another political observer, James Chin from the University of Tasmania.

He has to take ownership because hes afraid of the Muslim vote in the coming state elections. In contemporary Malaysian politics, it is no longer possible to take a neutral line on LGBTQ+ community, Chin told BenarNews.

If you are seen as not hardline against the LGBTQ community, youll be accused of being a deviant. There is no middle ground as far as I know in the Muslim community. Everybody has to appear to be right-wing.
Samoas police chief wants the Pacific island countrys government to repeal a criminal libel law that has been criticized as a tool for harassing the media and a waste of police resources.

Initially repealed in 2013, the law was reinstated in 2017 by the government of Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi after local media and anonymous social media accounts had criticized public figures in Samoa.

Defamation claims should have remained as civil matters, not criminal, Commissioner of Police Auapaau Logoitino Filipo told BenarNews on Thursday.

We have other pertinent cases that require our attention, yet we are wasting our time and resources over defamation matters, Auapaau said. We are now putting together a submission to the Cabinet to consider repealing this Act as soon as possible.

The Samoan police chiefs call for defamation to be made a civil matter is another possible positive sign for press freedom in Pacific island countries.

In Fiji, a media law that mandates prison sentences for content deemed against the national interest could be replaced with self-regulation, Sitiveni Rabuka, that countrys recently elected prime minister, said this week.

In both Fiji and Samoa, the proposals come after changes of government. Tuilaepa lost power in 2021 after 23 years as the Samoan prime minister. His party had been in government for four decades. The election also resulted in Samoas first female prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

In December elections, Fiji, the lowest-ranked Pacific island country in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, ended the 16-year rule of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who came to power in a 2006 coup.

State-controlled or influenced media has a prominent role in many Pacific island countries, partly due to small populations and cultural norms that emphasize deference to authority and tradition.

Some of the island nations, such as Tuvalu and Nauru, have only government media because they have the populations of a small town. In others, such as Papua New Guinea and Fiji, private media has established a greater role despite government hostility.

Samoas rank in the global press freedom index dropped to 45th last year from 21st in 2021.

According to Reporters Without Borders, the fight for press freedom in Samoa is symbolized by the Samoa Observer, a daily newspaper founded in 1978, that over the years had resisted threats, harassment and the burning down of its headquarters.

The press freedom group said Samoas parliament reinstated the criminal defamation law under pressure from Tuilaepa, who wanted to silence journalists that had criticized members of his government.

The governments refusal to make information available to the media or to allow media scrutiny was highlighted by two health crises, a measles epidemic in 2019 that killed dozens of children and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, it said.

Scrutiny of the criminal defamation law was renewed after a cabinet minister in the current government, Olo Fiti Vaai, made a defamation complaint against Tuilaepa, who had alleged misuse of a government vehicle.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Sua Hellen Wallwork issued a legal opinion about the defamation case against Tuilaepa that described the offense as at the mid-lower end of the spectrum of seriousness.

As such my office cannot prioritize this matter over more serious prosecutions in the Supreme Court, she said.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (left) inspects an honor guard as he is welcomed by Philippine armed forces chief Gen. Andres Centino at the militarys headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Feb. 15, 2023.

The Philippine military chief met with Beijing's envoy to Manila amid tensions over the recent Chinese harassment of the Filipino coast guard in the South China Sea, although both sides on Thursday downplayed the meeting.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Canada on Thursday backed Manila over an incident this week in which coast guard members were temporarily blinded by a military-grade laser from a Chinese Coast Guard ship.

Armed forces chief Gen. Andres Centino and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian met behind closed doors at the militarys headquarters Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Wednesday.

The discussion focused on military-to-military exchange and cooperation that will promote peace and stability in the region, military spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement.

Aguilar described the 45-minute meeting as cordial and constructive, and sought to downplay it as a potential offshoot of the recent incident involving a laser.

Huang used similar language about their discussions.

We discussed matters pertaining to military- to-military exchange and cooperation as well as sustaining peace and stability in the region, he said on Facebook.

The meeting came a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Huang to express his serious concern over the harassment of the Philippine Coast Guard ship.

Beijing rejected the accusation, saying the Philippine ship intruded into the waters off the Spratly islands without Chinese permission and the Chinese Coast Guard acted in a professional and restrained way.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that Huang has clarified the facts with Philippine leaders.

We need to highlight the fact that the China Coast Guard ship did not direct lasers at the Philippine crew, and the hand-held equipment does not inflict damage on anything or anyone on the vessel. The Philippine sides allegation does not reflect the truth, he said.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including in waters that practically reach the shores of its Southeast Asian neighbors. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated Chinas vast claims in the region.

International support

The U.K. and Canada statements of support follow similar announcements by Japan and the United States .

The U.K. supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts are in violation of international law, the British Embassy in Manila said.

The U.K. is unwavering in our position on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and that the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding, it said.

David Hartman, Canadas ambassador to Manila, challenged Chinas actions.

Recent actions that disrupted the lawful operations of Philippine vessels off the coast of the Philippines are in violation of international law and contrary to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, and the rules-based international order, Hartman said.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
On Monday, members of the Dalton Select Board reviewed an invitation for bids on the Bardin property, a 148-acre tract of unused farmland that the town has been trying to sell for years.
PITTSFIELD  The city of Pittsfield has found the final piece of the financial puzzle it needs to finally begin the renovation of the largest building lot in the William Stanley Business Park, known as Site 9.

Officials announced Wednesday that they have added $4.5 million of the citys remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding into the mix to cover the projects $10.8 million total estimated price tag. In October, the city received $3 million from the states MassWorks program to come within $4.5 million of that final number.

Myself and the ARPA team consider this to be a significant investment in the future economy and the recovery of our city, post pandemic, said Mayor Linda M. Tyer, during a news conference at the Berkshire Innovation Center, which is also in the business park.

Site 9 redevelopment funds Site readiness grant: $880,000 Brownfields grant: $264,000 GE Landscaping Fund: $1.3 million PEDA Foundation Fund: $400,000 Economic development earmark: $500,000 MassWorks grant: $3 million ARPA funding: $4.5 million Project's total estimate: $10.8 million Source: Pittsfield Economic Development Authority

If the ARPA funding hadnt been here we wouldnt be here today, Tyer said. We would still be trying to figure out how to find $4.5 million from other sources. We dont have $4.5 million in the [citys] economic development fund. We have just a little over $1 million. So we would have continued to plead and beg and try and it might have been two or three years down the road.

This gets us over the hump, said Michael Coakley, Pittsfields business development manager. Its been a long process to get the funding for this but were finally here.

With the funding now in place, the city expects to put the project out to bid this spring with the goal of beginning construction this summer, Tyer said. The first phase will consist of either crushing or cracking the jumble of concrete and asphalt building foundations that have been left on the parcel, capping the debris with green space, and adding roadways and utility lines.

The beginning of the second and third phases will be dependent on the amount of interest that the parcel attracts from prospective tenants once it has been renovated, according to project consultant Mark Arigoni. The fourth and final phase will be the actual construction of a building  or buildings  on the site.

Instead of marketing the parcel as a single building lot, as the city has done in the past, officials have now subdivided it into four smaller parcels to make it easier to attract tenants, Coakley said. If someone was interested in developing just one of those parcels, thats all they would have to commit to, Coakley said.

One entity interested in developing at least part of the entire building lot is Mill Town Capital, the Pittsfield-based private investment firm that owns Bousquet Ski Area. Mill Towns interest in the site is what helped the city receive the MassWorks grant from the state last fall, Coakley said.

Mill Town CEO Tim Burke, who attended Wednesdays news conference, confirmed his companys interest in the site, but said it has no solid plans yet.

City officials have been interested in developing building Site 9, the largest of the 52-acre business parks nine building lots, since the General Electric Co. transferred ownership of the site in 2012 to the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, a quasi-public agency charged with business parks development.

Under a consent decree that required GE to clean up PCB contamination in Pittsfield, the company was required to environmentally remediate each parcel before turning it over to PEDA. Site 9 was the last parcel to be transferred.

Two proposals to turn the parcel into a retail complex, including one involving the construction of a Walmart Supercenter, have fallen through over the last 11 years. Development has been hampered by the jumble of building foundations left on the site.

While it was originally thought that leaving the foundations in place would make it easier to build on, that hasnt been the case. In the past, city officials have referred to the concrete jumble as a moonscape.

Coakley said Wednesday that prospective developers would moonwalk right out of there when he would bring them to the site.

The city originally received $40.6 million in ARPA funding from the federal government, but had only $8.9 million left as of December. Tyer said Wednesday that the city probably has a little bit of ARPA funding left following this investment and its housing improvement initiatives, but declined to say how much.

She deferred comment on the exact amount pending a presentation that the city plans to make on its ARPA funding at the next City Council meeting on Feb. 28.

Its a continually moving number, she said.
PITTSFIELD  Residents contesting a Verizon Wireless cell tower have gained a statewide ally: the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.

The nongovernmental group, which provides legal and technical direction to local boards of health, this week filed an amicus brief in Berkshire Superior Court asserting that the Pittsfield Board of Health was coerced in an improper manner into dropping an April 2022 emergency order against the Verizon Wireless, owner of the tower at 877 South St.

The emergency order found that the radio frequency radiation from the cell tower was making residents sick. At least 17 residents have reported suffering from ailments such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, skin rashes, palpitations and tinnitus and other problems since the tower started operating in August 2020. The emergency order, issued on April 11, 2022, gave Verizon a week to show cause to the board why it shouldnt issue a cease-and-desist order, a deadline Verizon missed.

Since July, nearby residents have been asking a judge to rule that alleged illegal and unethical actions by city leaders, primarily City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta, left the Board of Health with no option other than to drop an emergency order.

Six residents listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit have argued that order was properly based on solid facts and a deep understanding of the residents accusations that the cell tower has been making them sick. They want the court to reinstate the order against Verizon.

While writing in defense of the rights of the Pittsfield Board of Health, the brief by the state association of health boards takes a page from the residents arguments.

Cheryl Sbarra, the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards executive director and senior staff attorney, wrote to the court that health boards have the authority to make such orders to protect residents and that neither the defendant mayor, nor the City Council, have the authority to intervene in or interfere with the operation of the board of health.

Sbarra also writes that the association agrees with the local boards initial order, which found evidence that the health complaints of residents living by the tower were connected to radio frequency radiation from the tower, was based on credible scientific evidence.

The filing came before attorneys for the residents and the defendants  Mayor Linda Tyer, Pagnotta, the Board of Health, Verizon Wireless and a local property owner  were to meet Tuesday in a Zoom hearing to argue over the Verizons motion to dismiss the case. That hearing has been rescheduled for April 6.

In late winter, attorneys for the city defendants asked the court to dismiss on the grounds that the plaintiffs had failed to take their claims of ethical breaches by Pagnotta and Tyer to the appropriate officials, in this case the state Board of Bar Overseers and the Ethics Commission.
In 2022, U.S. Rep. George Santos fabricated his entire resume in order to get elected to New York's third congressional district. A review of those lies would take up all the space allotted for this column, so to paraphrase novelist Mary McCarthys observation about playwright Lillian Hellman: Every word he wrote was a lie, including "and" and "the."
Community members want to know: What's going to happen to bitcoin tycoon Ryan Salame's restaurants and Lenox properties? The Sandisfield native associated with disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Frieds bankrupt bitcoin exchange is lying low as investigations and court cases take their course. But his marquee Lenox restaurants are operating as usual.

As a fraud scandal continues to swirl around the former executives of FTX, uncertainty continues to swirl in downtown Lenox.

Ryan Salame is the former co-chief of FTX Digital Markets, a part of FTXs Bahamas-based executive group led by Sam Bankman-Fried, who is under house arrest while awaiting trial for fraud and conspiracy. Mr. Salame also owns about half of the eateries in downtown Lenox, and the futures of these restaurants seem inextricably connected to that of Mr. Salame.

Unlike Mr. Bankman-Fried and other former FTX executives, Mr. Salame is not facing any legal charges in the investigation into the collapse of the crypto trading firm both men helped to build. In fact, court filings and subsequent reporting appear to show that Mr. Salame was the one who blew the whistle on FTXs cooked books to Bahamian securities regulators. Still, Mr. Salames prominent role at FTX has attracted the attention of the U.S. Attorneys Manhattan office while raising eyebrows and questions among the public. He received a $55 million loan from Alameda Research  a hedge fund subsidiary of FTX to which Mr. Bankman-Fried allegedly siphoned billions in FTX customer assets. Alameda, like FTX, is now bankrupt, and it is hard to conjecture a bona fide business reason for Alameda to make a loan of this magnitude to Mr. Salame.

It is unclear how much money prosecutors might be able to claw back for the benefit of investors who lost an estimated $8 billion in FTXs collapse. But there is little doubt that claw-backs will be attempted, and Mr. Salames properties in Lenox could easily become targets . As the business new CEO John Ray III (another Berkshire-born connection to this international financial drama) told Congress, this is the sort of financial mess that will take months or perhaps even years to fully untangle. Whatever Mr. Salames true part in that morass, its likely he and his assets will be tied up for the foreseeable future.

It is unfortunate that downtown Lenox and its community stakeholders might have to wait nearly that long for a bit more certainty about their future. Are downtown hotspots like the Olde Heritage Tavern and Firefly Gastropub going to remain operating or possibly change hands? Is the new Campfire restaurant in the former footprint of Cafe Lucia ever going to open its doors? Its understandable why Mr. Salame and his Berkshire-based Lenox Eats manager Jane Blanchard would want to remain tight-lipped as possible for the time being, but we believe Mr. Salame owes at least a bit more to the Berkshire community he grew up in and a downtown whose future is indelibly tied to his. If Mr. Salame really was the whistleblower in the Bahamas, then he and his representatives who mind his Berkshire properties also should recognize the bare minimum of corporate responsibility to be met here in Lenox, too.
The second letter to Timothy is one of many written by the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote to churches and individuals to address conflicts, teach, correct theological errors, and send encouragement and love to those he wrote to. In the second letter he wrote to Timothy, we find this familiar and often quoted verse.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

This verse is reassuring to those who experience fear. God does not want His children held down or crippled by fear. Instead, what this verse teaches is that followers of Christ are clothed in power and love, and specifically, to have a sound mind means to be disciplined or exercise self-control rather than allowing our fears to control us or keep us from doing what God wants from us.

What Does This Verse Mean?

The original word in the Greek language for sound mind is sophronismos. This word means discipline, self-control, or to act moderately. In this verse, we are instructed to not act in fear or be irrationally minded, but instead, to act within Gods will and be reasonable in our thoughts and ways.

Fear is often illogical, leads us to make wrong decisions, and eventually, keeps us from experiencing the fullness of having a relationship with God. This verse encourages the reader to not let fear consume them because the truth is that God has given His followers power, love, and a sound mind. We may feel fear at times, but it does not have to overwhelm our minds or dictate our choices.

What Is the Context of This Verse?

This verse is found in Pauls second letter to Timothy. Timothy was a beloved fellow brother in Christ and minister with Paul (see 1 Corinthians 4:7). He was overseeing the church in Ephesus when Paul wrote this letter to him. At the time, Paul was imprisoned in Rome and knew his death was coming. The letter includes four chapters with distinct themes, such as an appeal for Timothy to stick to the true Gospel he was taught, a warning against false teachers, a charge to keep living a life of faith, and finally, some personal closing remarks by Paul to Timothy updating him on the ministry. Surely, this letter was written with the understanding that Paul would soon be put to death.

In the first chapter, where we find this verse about having a sound mind, Paul greeted Timothy and relayed his thanks to God for Timothys faith and ministry. It is apparent that Timothy was a faithful man who loved God and participated in the mission to share the Gospel. Paul went on to write to Timothy that he should not be ashamed of the Gospel or be fearful to give his testimony. Paul was honest that the suffering he endured was due to his mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to not let that discourage Timothy or anyone else as they work to further Gods kingdom.

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day (1 Timothy 1:11-12).

What great encouragement to Timothy, and surely, this gives hope to Christians today in continuing to spread the Gospel and tell our testimonies no matter what we may encounter or endure as a result. It will be worth it. Pauls love for God and joy in preaching the good news of Jesus is evident in this chapter as he urges Timothy to stay the course of faith.

What Is a "Spirit of Fear"?

This concept of not being fearful is one found elsewhere in Gods word. Throughout Scripture there is a consistent instruction and warning that believers are not to be afraid. This focuses on the reality that as humans, we are prone to fear, we struggle with uncertainty or what-ifs, and dream up the worst-case scenarios. The enemy can cause us to have all sorts of thoughts filled with fear and worry. God loves His children and does not want them to be consumed by fear.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you (Isaiah 41:13).

A spirit of fear is best understood when we consider what the original Greek word for fear in this verse meansdeiliatimidity, cowardice, and reticence. The instructions in this verse were not to be timid or reticent when it came to sharing the Gospel because God has given His children power, love, and self-control.

Believers may feel afraid at times  afraid of people, situations, outcomes, or sharing the Gospel. If fear is causing someone to distrust God, it becomes sin. The problem with fear is found in making decisions out of fear rather than trust in God. Sin enters the picture when we let fear instead of God decide the course we take. We must walk in the love, power, and sound mind that God has given to His followers rather than being consumed by fear. God does not want us to be afraid, this will lead to missing out on the abundant life He has for each of us.

Why Does the KJV Include the Phrase "Sound Mind"?

Different versions of the Bible choose different words when translating the Greek language. In this case, the KJV uses the phrase sound mind, but other versions use the words self-discipline, wise discretion, sound judgment, and control of ourselves. The Greek language is a rich language where words have deep meanings. All of these translations are simply trying to capture the meaning of the original text, and they help readers understand the depth to the word.

Using the translation, sound mind, emphasizes the reality that fear can overwhelm our minds and cause us to be confused and doubtful. Fear leads us away from Gods truth and into the lies of the enemy who tries to deceive us. Yet God wants His followers to have clarity and take captive their thoughts so that even our minds are obedient to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). The KJV translation helps us understand the difference between fear and trust. It alludes to the fact that God has given us power and love and that fear has no place in the minds of believers. Jesus has overcome our greatest fears. When fear is gone, we are empowered to share the Gospel and walk in the freedom found only in Jesus.

A Prayer for When You Are Filled with Fear

Heavenly Father,

I praise you because You are good and have good plans for me. You have called me to certain purposes in my life, and I do not want fear to ever draw me away from you, hinder me from doing what you want me to do, or prevent me from sharing the hope I have in Jesus as my Savior. I cast out fear in Jesus name and pray for me to be covered in Your power, love, and a sound mind. I pray that You would encourage me and help me as I seek to no longer be filled with fear, but to have complete trust in You. Lord, you know my battles, you know whats in my heart and on my mind, so I ask for Your help as I desire to turn away from fear and turn toward You.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen!

Before Jesus left this earth, He gave all Christians a great commission  to go to all nations and make disciples. We have been called and equipped to share the Gospel and help others know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As Paul wrote to Timothy, we cannot be ashamed of the Gospel, nor let fear keep us from boldly proclaiming Jesus to a world in need. Whatever we are facing in life, fear is not the answer. God is our help and will be with His children always, so that we do not have to be held captive by fear.

Photo credit: Getty Images/phototechno

Pamela Palmer is a writer, speaker, and the founder of upheldlife.com, the platform on which she produces devotionals and faith resources to inspire keeping faith at the center of life. She is in pastoral ministry and gets to share in the emotional and spiritual lives of others. She lives and thrives on Jesus, coffee, and music. She is the author of Living a Deeper Faith: Nurture Your Relationship with God and Live a Faith-Fueled Life. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. She has been published on herviewfromhome.com, and you can follow her at upheldlife.com or on Facebook.com/upheldlife.
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:

 Read Bill's latest column, "Reason to Believe"

 Join 'Team Normal!' Order your gear now at BillOReilly.com!

 Pre-order Bills next bestseller Killing the Witches NOW

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To help ageing population in both countries with cost effective aids

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and the Government of South Africa for cooperation in disability sector.

The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India and Government of South Africa through joint initiatives in the disability sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and South Africa. Specific proposals for cooperation between the two countries, as mutually agreed upon, will be taken up for implementation during the period of validity of the MoU.

It envisages that Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) at large and ageing population in both countries who especially require modern, scientific, durable, cost effective aids and assistive devices will be benefitted from this MoU.

A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded between the two countries in diverse areas ranging from economic and commercial cooperation, defense, culture, heath, human settlements, public administration and science and technology. Indias Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) has been a useful medium of promoting cooperation in development of human resources.

Bilateral cooperation between India and South Africa in combating COVID-19 pandemic and addressing other global challenges have been notable. Various other Ministries/ Departments have also signed MoUs / Agreement for cooperation in their relevant sectors, which further illustrate deeper relationships with Government of South Africa.
Deliberates on contributing through innovation, investment in healthcare R&D and improving employability

Novo Nordisk in India marked the companys 100th global anniversary in a grand event on 16th February 2023 in Bengaluru and reaffirmed its commitment to providing care for people with diabetes, haemophilia, and other chronic diseases through its Driving Change for Generations campaign.

On this occasion, the company launched a digital employee community outreach portal aimed at encouraging employees to volunteer for community service and give back to the society.

The digital community outreach portal will enable all employees to make significant contributions through their time, efforts, and skills. They will be able to collaborate with non-profit organisations across the nation, virtually or in-person.

As part of its centennial celebrations, Novo Nordisk set up a digital heritage gallery tracing back its rich historical milestones in the field of pharmaceutical innovations and breakthroughs.

The official foundation date of Novo Nordisk is 16 February 1923. This combines two defining moments in the companys history: (i) the establishment of Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium in 1923, and (ii) the day Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium introduced its first insulin on 16 February 1925.

The company kicked-off a century of advancement in protein-based medicines for those living with debilitating chronic conditions. Novo Nordisk insulins have been available in India since 1935, spanning more than 80 years. In the last one year, the company has achieved major milestones in the country including the launch of GLP-1 RA in oral form, a game-changer in diabetes management.

With an aim to improve access to diabetes care in India, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) has also established various Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in collaboration with several public institutions including the Government of Karnataka; Indira Gandhi Medical College, Bangalore; Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad; Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad; Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida, King George Medical College, Lucknow, and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh. The company has also launched CDiC programmes in India to help underprivileged children and young adults with Type 1 diabetes by providing them with the necessary care.

Image caption (L-R) : Vikrant Shrotriya , CVP & MD, Novo Nordisk India; Freddy Svane, Ambassador at the Royal Danish Embassy in New Delhi, Kapil Dev, former Indian cricketer and Brand Ambassador for Novo Nordisk India , Dr K M Prasanna Kumar, Renowned endocrinologist and Type 1 Diabetes expert; John Dawber, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director, Novo Nordisk Global Business Services.
The inaugural Advertising Week Africa (AWAfrica) is poised to be the continent's largest and most significant gathering of marketing, media and technology leaders. The long-anticipated event will take place from 15-18 February 2023, at Vodacom World, in Midrand.

AWAfricas founding mission is to scale Africas cultural influence, talent and solutions in order to inspire the world through the African story of entrepreneurship, innovation, inspiration and positive disruption.

Global entertainer, entrepreneur and HartBeat founder Kevin Hart will be a keynote speaker at a session to discuss his next-generation media company and share his vision and principles for building purpose-driven brands that breakthrough with storytelling harnessing humour and heart.

Boasting more than 2,000 industry peers, 100 speakers and in excess of 25 engaging sessions, AWAfrica Week will be launched on 15 February, by the AWAfrica Future is Female Awards ceremony taking place at the Four Seasons Westcliff Hotel, in Johannesburg.

The AWAfrica Future is Female Awards are an inclusive set of accolades that have been honouring exceptional women in the advertising, marketing and communication sectors for four years. They have no age limits, pay homage to women of all creeds, backgrounds and varied lived experiences who are igniting change and cultivating the future of their chosen industry.

The first-ever Future is Female Awards Gala in Africa will be presented by Olwethu Leshabane, the CEO of Art of SuperWoman. One of the galas keynote speakers will be Lorna Scott - Founder of Inverroche Gin. She will be joined by Thai Randolph  CEO of HartBeat; Ruth Mortimer  Global President of Advertising Week; and Queen Nnaniki Malesa  Representaive from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

When a woman is empowered, she in turn empowers her family and larger community and this model has been proven to be effective across multiple industries. For Inverroche, it is a natural fit to present the AWAfrica Future is Female awards, as Inverroche is not only about empowering women, but by extension the communities women hail from. Several of the brands employees have risen through the ranks and are now in leadership roles, thanks to their tenacity and unwavering dedication.

Andrea Francis is one of Inverroches success stories, as she started off as a part-time employee, then she impressed so much that she was promoted to Brand Consultant. Her journey did not end there, as she showed a keen interest in the gin-making process, followed by her being appointed as an Assistant Distiller. Today, she is our Master Distiller. There are many such examples within the Inverroche business, adds Scott.

Inverroche, the pioneer of handcrafted luxury gin brands, will be presenting the AWAfrica Future is Female awards winner with an all-expenses paid trip to its distillery in Stillbaai, Western Cape. The prize is valued at R30,000.

On 16 February, Scott will be one of the featured speakers, imparting her knowledge and experience with the outstanding women being honoured. She will be participating during the thought leadership session themed: Things I wish I knew, where leading women give their genuine, real-life experiences that include failures, frustrations and satisfaction of breaking through the odds.

Nthabiseng Motsoeneng  Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard for Southern Africa - will form an integral part of not only the AWAfrica Future is Female awards, as well as the thought leadership session, on 16 February. The revered thought leader will be speaking about African culture = Pop Culture, The African currency.

Other renowned industry giants will discuss the below topics

How womens leadership intersects with other elements of identity

Womens leadership and purpose



Challenges such as access to electricity and health, as well as patriarchy



What effective mentoring looks like for the next generation of female leaders



The role of men in supporting female leadership



What leadership looks like to you

For more information on Inverroche and Advertising Week Africa, log on to these social media platforms:

Instagram: Inverroche Twitter: @Inverroche and Facebook: Inverroche

Instagram: advertisingweek Twitter: @advertisingweek Facebook: advertisingweek
The Hoorah Group is pleased to announce the launch of its new, dedicated through-the-line media business, Hoorah Media, serving clients across the African continent and the UK.

Lauren Denton and Shaune Jordaan

Hoorah Media offers the full spectrum of media services, from traditional above the line services such as TV, radio, print and outdoor to digital marketing and programmatic performance, and first party data services. The Hoorah Group is uniquely positioned to offer clients a full suit of creative and media services in-house.

The digital consulting arm of Hoorah Media supports the offering through sophisticated strategy and fit-for-purpose insights that drive the work.

The launch of Hoorah Media as a TTL business is a significant step in the Hoorah Group's growth trajectory. From inception Hoorah Digital has used data to inform creativity, and drive results. This same approach forms the backbone of Hoorah Medias offering - using data and applying creativity to ensure a great idea lands with the right audience, and then building on those results with a determined focus.

Lauren Denton, who leads Hoorah Media as head of media performance, is committed to both growing the client base and constantly elevating Hoorah Medias delivery of insights, intelligence and performance across the marketing funnel.

I am energised and excited by this opportunity to lead the Hoorah Media team as we empower our clients to grow their brands in line with their business goals in a measurable and meaningful way, she says.

Hoorah Medias clients include Distells Bains Whisky, MiWay and Africa Data Centre, while Hoorah Group counts Distell, Avon, Justine, Nestle, Sanofi, and MiWay among its clients.

Shaune Jordaan, Hoorah Group CEO, says the fact that Hoorah Media sits side by side with a creative business - Hoorah Creative Studio - is a unique advantage that allows them to offer clients integrated, data-led creative solutions.

Our proven track record in leveraging data to drive real results for our clients ensures that our value proposition in the media space is even stronger. With the addition of Hoorah Media, the Hoorah Group becomes a full-service media agency and a partner to our clients in every sense of the word, says Jordaan.

Jordaan adds that the Hoorah Media is an integral part of the groups mission to drive brand growth for clients through creative, data-driven thinking.

The launch of Hoorah Media coincides with the Hoorah Groups expansion into the UK where they will continue digitally transforming brands from within, to drive growth, sales and future certainty. We help brands take their digital marketing in-house and build world-class offshore teams at a much more competitive cost - thanks to remote working we are able to leverage our South African talent base to serve our global and local clients, Jordaan says.

Hoorah Group - http://www.hoorahgroup.com

Media business - http://www.hoorah.media
PG Bison, the proudly South African company that aims to inspire and enable beautiful living spaces with its range of locally manufactured decorative wood-based panel products, is currently touring South Africa to launch the latest additions to its range.

PG Bison will spend the first four months of the year visiting cities across South Africa to introduce the new designs and colours to customers, partners and media. After that, the tour will move into the SADC regions.

Jason Wells, brand and marketing manager at PG Bison explains the product launch, titled Gallery 4, revolves around the concept of Expressions, with the tagline Beautiful spaces speak. They speak to us; they speak about us; they tell the story of the people who live in those spaces, he says. Really, they are expressions of us.

This reflects the brands journey, moving from a focus on its manufacturing capabilities, to that of inspiring and enabling beautiful spaces. Beautiful living spaces are where people make lasting memories, says Wells. Thats our full purpose at PG Bison  to help people to create those spaces.

An opportunity to reconnect

Gallery 4 follows on from Gallery 3, launched in 2020, during the height of Covid-19. Wells says that while PG Bison worked hard to deliver the 2020 product launch digitally, Gallery 4 is a welcome return to spending time with customers in each region of the country, face-to-face. Its also easier for people to get a true sense of the product when they are able to see and touch it, rather than merely seeing a digital representation of it on a screen.

As with its previous product launches, PG Bison has spent months developing Gallery 4, starting by identifying global and local trends, and then adapting them to best fit the needs of the South African market.

The four Expressions themes

The designs and colours we choose for ourselves in our living spaces are driven by macro trends. The selection of our new designs for the range does not happen in isolation but is informed by these trends. To understand the macro trends that influence the range, we use themes or chapters to tell each story, says Wells.

The first trend, chasing adrenaline speaks to the convergence of the physical and digital world. Always online and connected, lines have blurred between living and working spaces, especially since Covid-19, influencing the way people think about and design spaces.

The second trend, a love of change revolves around hybridisation. Its about the sharing of everything  shared spaces, repurposing of spaces, hybrid working models and multi-use furniture, says Wells.

In search of balance is the third Expressions trend, referencing a global embracing of wellness, healthy living, balance, mindfulness and organic products that acts as a counterpoint to the always connected lifestyle.

The final trend under Expressions is handle with care, which relates to sustainability and the global movement towards being more environmentally friendly and more conscious consumerism. This also taps into the idea of nesting, spending more time at home and nurturing ones own spaces.

More to come

Wells says the PG Bison team is looking forward to connecting with customers, partners and media throughout the country, and then beyond South Africas borders. We always enjoy the opportunity to connect with people, share what weve learned about changing market trends, and help to inspire our industry with fresh innovations and ideas, he says.

The new Gallery 4 designs and colours can also be viewed on the PG Bison website.




The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, the custodians of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), has released a national call for jury members for the 17th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (#SAFTAs17).

The SAFTAs are appealing to the country's film and television industry to nominate and submit experienced, passionate, measured, and insightful industry practitioners to serve as members of the #SAFTAs17 jury.

The #SAFTAs17 jury will be tasked with the enormous responsibility of maintaining the integrity of the SAFTAs' judging process and ensuring judging is conducted following the highest film and television awards standards.

The nominated individuals will also need to be fully engaged in the judging process to ensure a credible process.

Here's an overview of the SAFTAs' judging objectives:

A. Each jury panel shall be balanced with respect to age, gender, experience, ethnicity, and industry skills.

B. An invitation will be sent to previous SAFTAs winners and key industry specialists with a minimum of 8 years experience and specialised skill set competency to form part of the 2023 jury.

C. Juries should preferably amount to an odd number with a recommended minimum of 7 and a maximum of 10 judges per panel.

D. A preference of 70% of the skilled members of a particular jury should be practitioners working within the craft of each category.

E. The judging process has 2 phases and 90 judging categories to deliberate on.

Judging will take place between 4th April and 10th June 2023.

You can nominate someone or submit proposed judges by contacting Stacey Takane at az.oc.fvfn@lyecats by 6 March 2023.

All submissions/nominations must include a profile of the person being nominated, accompanied by a copy of their CV.

Queries can also be directed to Stacey Takane at az.oc.fvfn@lyecats.
The boards of Nedbank group and Nedbank Limited have appointed Daniel Mminele (57) as an independent non-executive director and chairperson-designate of the companies.

Source: Supplied. Daniel Mminele,Nedbank's new independent non-executive director and chairperson-designate.

Mmineles appointment as an independent non-executive director of the companies will be effective from 1 May 2023.

Mminele will be elected as chairperson of the companies immediately following the conclusion of the Nedbank group annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled to be held on 2 June 2023.

In line with previous announcements current Nedbank chairperson, Mpho Makwana will retire at the close of the AGM on 2 June 2023. Makwana was appointed as the non-executive chairperson of Nedbank in December 2021 having already served over nine years on the Nedbank board, an appointment occasioned by the need for continuity following the untimely death of our previous chairperson, Vassi Naidoo.

It was announced at the time that Makwana would retire in the normal course at our AGM in 2023.

Vast banking experience

Mminele has significant banking and financial services experience. He is the outgoing chair of Alexander Forbes group holdings and Alexander Forbes Investments (having tendered his resignation with effect from 30 April 2023), a former chief executive of Absa group and Absa Bank Limited, and served two five-year terms as deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) where his responsibilities during his second term included financial markets, international economic relations and policy, as well as the human and operations cluster.

His committee memberships included the governors executive committee, the monetary policy committee, financial stability committee, risk management

committee and the prudential committee.

Before joining the Sarb in September 1999, he worked for African Merchant Bank and Commerzbank in South Africa, and WestLB in the UK and Germany for 12 years.

Mminele holds associate certificates of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (London) in association with City Polytechnic of London/Guildhall University; and a German banking diploma (Bankkaufmann) from Sparkasse Paderborn and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Bielefeld (Germany).

Mminele also served for the most part of 2022 as head: presidential climate finance task team where he led and co-ordinated the work to give effect to the Just Energy Transition partnership, as well as the development of the Just Energy Transition investment plan, which was launched in November 2022.

Full throttle ahead

Mminele said: I am honoured by this appointment and look forward to joining the Nedbank group as independent non-executive director and chair-designate. I am looking forward to working with board colleagues, the management team, employees and our broader stakeholder community as we deliver on strategic commitments and ambitions in line with Nedbanks track record as a purpose-driven organisation.

Mmineles appointment follows a robust succession process for the chairperson that commenced early in 2022 led by Hubert Brody, Nedbank groups lead independent director.

Nedbank group and the board are pleased to announce Mminele's appointment and the group will benefit from his vast expertise and experience in banking and financial services, including climate finance through serving as the head of the presidential climate finance task team.

Nedbank group will have the benefit of a smooth handover in the chairpersons office. My board colleagues join me in wishing Mminele a successful tenure with the Nedbank group and express our sincere gratitude to Makwana for his service over the years, Brody said.
A new white paper from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) suggests that South Africa has the potential to strengthen its position as a supplier of critical minerals if the local mining industry can overcome the challenges that hinder its progress.

An untapped goldmine: opportunities for South African mining, shows that the mining sector remains an important engine of South Africas economy, contributing approximately 8% of GDP, and employing roughly half a million people. The industry also has the capacity to contribute to future growth.

As developed economies seek to diversify their supply of critical minerals away from Russia and China, and with its rich natural endowment of mineral deposits, South Africa has the ability to strengthen its position as a supplier of critical minerals, such as platinum group metals (PGMs), vanadium, and manganese, says Tycho Moncks, MD and partner at BCG, Johannesburg and co-author of the paper.

Early exploration has also indicated that there might be potential reserves for additional future-relevant resources, such as cobalt and magnesium.

However, several challenges constrain the development of South Africas mining sector to its full potential.

While these challenges will require strategic partnerships and large-scale investments from the public and private sectors, three areas stand out where mining companies have the ability to take decisive action in the short-term: improve exploration to uncover new resource and reserves, address the currently unreliable and unsustainable electricity situation, and enhance the cost position of day-to-day mining activities, says Hans Kuipers, MD and partner at BCG, Johannesburg and co-author of the article.

Overcoming poor quality and outdated geo-maps

South Africa scores poorly on a BCG and SNL index of geo-map quality: the countrys score of 2 is significantly lower than Chinas score of 5, as well as the global average of 3.2. Poor geo-mapping inhibits exploration appetite and limits South Africas ability to uncover new deposits and identify future-relevant mineral types.

A renaissance in exploration is needed to breathe new life into South Africas mining industry, driven by improved analytics and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), which can enable more effective, cheaper, and faster exploration efforts, says Peter Clearkin, MD and partner at BCG, Johannesburg and co-author of the article.

An example is combining satellite imagery from sources such as Descartes with drilling data from mining companies  BCG is developing an integrated AI approach to bring those two sources together to enhance exploration success even in the absence of geo-mapping efforts, says Clearkin.

Addressing expensive, unreliable, and unsustainable electricity

South Africas electricity costs are fourth highest among its peer group of mining countries, and only set to keep on rising with the recently approved tariff hike of nearly 19% by the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). Electricity supply is also unreliable, with almost 1,600 hours of load shedding and about 500 hours of load curtailment in 2022, and carbon-intensive, with coal-fired plants making up nearly 80% of installed capacity.

This creates a clear imperative for the South African mining sector to transition towards cleaner and more reliable sources of electricity, such as through renewable self-generation. Many mining companies are already investing in building their own renewable energy to power their operations, but will require policy support from the government to fast-track licensing applications.

Improving international cost competitiveness

High electricity prices and low productivity hamper South Africas competitiveness in international markets  but this can be turned around by using new technologies like AI and advanced analytics in mining operations and maintenance.

A case in point: BCG and Endeavour together built advanced AI and analytics tools to increase the productivity of gold mining processes, especially in blending and milling  ultimately enhancing throughput and boosting recovery.

AI-based maintenance models can also improve and streamline operations by predicting when maintenance is needed and prioritising the most urgent maintenance requirements  preventing costly unplanned outages and downtime.

The challenges South Africas mining industry faces are solvable, but they require support. Local miners will require support in the form of investments and financial assistance, as well as non-financial support in the form of skills and technology transfers to transform their businesses. International partners that embark on this journey with South Africas mining industry can unlock significant value, says Kuipers.

Download a copy of the white paper here.
Discover the future of smarter manufacturing and distribution on 7 March 2023.

Infors Phil Lewis, senior vice president of solution consulting, international

Infor, the industry cloud company, announced it will be co-hosting an Infor Industry Day in Fourways, Johannesburg, as it seeks to expand investment in business cloud transformation - particularly in industrial manufacturing, distribution, and food and beverage sectors - across the region.

These sectors in South Africa are hard pressed to keep up with constant, dynamic change, while leveraging immense opportunities and beating out the competition. To achieve this, a reliance on innovative technology drives improved efficiency, agility, and competitiveness. The key is to transform business processes and unlock innovation with strategic technology, data insights, early intervention, and future-bolstered platforms. The question is: how?

To thrive, organisations need to embrace automation, master software platforms, and gain real-time visibility into the extended supply chain. The future demands smarter manufacturing and smarter distribution, says Infors Phil Lewis, senior vice president of solution consulting, international.

At the Infor Industry Day on 7 March, Infor, AWS and IDC leaders from across the globe will give African businesses insight into the future of smarter manufacturing and distribution - and how to ensure they can keep pace. The event - hosted by Infor in partnership with the IDC and AWS - will be held at The Pivot Hotel, Montecasino, Johannesburg.

The speakers will take a detailed look at the South African market and share key insights on how next-gen industry cloud software can enable businesses to embrace the future and thrive in todays era of digital transformation, Lewis adds.

The agenda includes discussions around key trends in the region, technologies that are shaping the digital journeys of manufacturing and distribution organisations in South Africa, and recognised pillars of success. The keynote session will be followed by a panel discussion, delving into how to embrace the future and thrive in todays era of digital transformation networking.

Attendees can expect to receive the latest updates on manufacturing and distribution industry trends and key digital strategies, learn why cloud-based modern applications are foundational to building a sustainable digital-first distribution business, hear from industry leaders about their digital transformation journey, and exchange ideas while networking with their peers, concludes Lewis.

Learn more about the event, or register now.

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. Infors mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infors 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit www.infor.com.
On 14 February, the Competition Commission (Commission) published the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry Terms of Reference, announcing its intention to conduct a market inquiry into the fresh produce market of South Africa. The market inquiry will commence at least 20 business days after the publication of the Terms of Reference (ToR).

In November 2021, the Commission conducted a study into market concentrations, identifying concerning levels of concentration in South Africa's fresh produce and agro-processing sectors. During its study, the Commission noted that the sharp decline in the number of commercial farms could be as a result of the challenges small scale farmers face in reaching the economies of scale to decrease costs and maintain profitability. The Commission, noting the essential role that agriculture plays in the South African economy - contributing to food production and security, job creation and raw material supply to agro-industrial and manufacturing sectors - has prioritised the food and agro-processing sector in its Prioritisation Framework since 2008.

The Commission is of the opinion that the market inquiry is essential in order to understand the state of competition within the industry, the market features which affect price outcomes, the challenges faced by farmers, and the importance of the sector to both the economy, employment and the welfare and health of citizens. The focus of the inquiry will be on identifying whether there are any impediments within the markets that restrict or distort competition and market outcomes. The inquiry will focus on both particular and ancillary issues at each layer of the value chain, from the sale of fresh produce by the farmer to the customer. Following public comments and inputs from stakeholders, interaction with retailers and to a certain extent end consumers will not be excluded from consideration during the inquiry. The Commission has announced that the inquiry will be limited to certain fresh produce items, a list of which is yet to be published.

The Commission has identified three broad themes for the inquiry, which will address the impediments to competition and market outcomes:

The first is the efficiency of the value chain, with an emphasis on the dynamics around fresh produce market facilities. This theme is based on concerns raised by stakeholders in the markets, that the value chain at the level of the national fresh produce markets is inefficient and uncompetitive.

The second area of focus is the market dynamics of key inputs and its impacts on producers, namely the presence of price discrimination, buyer power and exclusivity.

Thirdly, the Commission will consider the barriers to entry, expansion and participation in the fresh produce market. Specific consideration will be given to the barriers faced by small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and firms owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs). The third theme will also involve considering pieces of legislation and the conduct of other regulatory or government entities in relation to such legislation.

The market inquiry will commence after the publication of the final ToR and on a date to be communicated by the Commission. The final report will be completed within 18 months after the commencement of the inquiry.
Airlink will reinstate weekly scheduled services between Johannesburg and Nosy Be from 23 June 2023 with a once-weekly flight on Sundays. This is part of the airline's drive to restore flights between South Africa and Madagascar to pre-pandemic levels. It follows Airlink's resumption of flights to Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, in January 2023 after the island republic lifted its ban on flights between the two countries which were suspended for nearly three years.

Source: Supplied

"Having just recently re-established connectivity between Johannesburg and Antananarivo, which is a predominantly business and trade route, Airlink is preparing to re-ignite tourism between the two countries by restarting its popular Nosy Be service.

"In addition to visitors from Southern Africa, Airlink will be making Nosy Be more accessible than before thanks to the convenience and variety of connections with Airlink and its growing family of more than 20 global airline partners, via our main hub at O.R. Tambo International Airport. By reinstating the route, we are giving our customers yet another great destination to choose from," explains Rodger Foster, Airlink CEO and managing director.

Nosy Be is a unique Indian Ocean Island situated off Madagascars northwest coast. It is famous for its pristine beaches and unique fauna and flora, including the world-famous lemurs. Prior to the pandemic, it had become increasingly popular with South African tourists. Nosy Be (which is Malagasy for "Big Island") is also ideally suited for outdoor adventure and water sport holidays in a non-commercialized environment, e.g. scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and sport fishing.

Airlink will operate its modern Embraer E-170 twin-engine jetliners on the Nosy Be service.

In addition, Airlink currently operates three flights weekly between Johannesburg and Antananarivo, which will increase to daily service as demand permits.

Flight schedule with effect from 23 June 2023

- 4Z 246 | departs from Johannesburg at 9:10am, and arrives in Nosy Be at 1.40pm on Sundays

- 4Z 247 | departs from Nosy Be at 2.25pm, and arrives in Johannesburg at 5.10pm on Sundays

Customers can book and manage Airlink journeys and find information about destinations as well as health and safety onboard Airlink flights on the website, Airlinks smartphone app or through travel agents.
The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has encouraged first-time homebuyers to take advantage of the over 500 affordable housing opportunities available across the province.

According to the provincial department, the available homes specifically cater for households with a gross income of between R3,501 and R22,000 per month.

Housing opportunities range from one-, two- and three-bedroom homes at Forest Village in Cape Town, Syferfontein in George, and Mill Park in Bredasdorp.

Western Cape residents are urged to apply for the departments Help Me Buy a Home/FLISP subsidy to purchase one of the available housing opportunities.

Subsidy based on gross household income

The subsidy will essentially assist to reduce monthly bond or loan payments, making it more affordable to purchase a home. Qualifying applicants will receive a subsidy based on their gross household income, the department explained.

To date, over 250 Western Cape residents have purchased their first homes in one of the departments three developments using the Help Me Buy a Home/FLISP subsidy.

At present, there are 571 housing units still available in the Eerste River Cape Town, George and Bredasdorp developments.

Interested residents can apply directly to the departments partners. Details of the units and contact details of the agents can be found on the departments website.
Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, slammed national government's apathy towards SA's energy crisis in his fifth State of the Province's address Thursday (16 February, 2023).

Source: Western Cape Government

He criticised president Ramaphosa's declaration of a broad state of disaster as opposed to ringfencing the state of disaster solely for the country's electricity crisis.

"When people hear the word 'state of disaster' they think of rampant looting," he said.

"What we are seeing is increasing political centralisation. I really hope that the National Assembly puts in place transparency and accountability during this disaster. I hope we appoint an ad-hoc committee that has true oversight of anything that happens in this province around fixing our energy system."

He said all money tabled to be spent should be made transparent to this committee as well as made public to the citizens of the province.

Unlike national government, Winde said, the Western Cape government has been taking active steps to remedy the energy crisis. The formation of the Western Cape Energy Council was highlighted.

Meeting the basic needs of citizens

"We are putting forward a provincial emergency response for short emergency term actions for medium-term and longer-term energy resilience and independence to meet the basic needs of citizens.

"Western Cape government has made an adjustment of R89m and made it available to local authorities, to make sure we can fund generators to keep water flowing whether it's for water reticulation, water pumping or filling up reservoirs. We are also making sure that sewage systems work."

Winde said the Western Cape had further requested provincial treasury to allocate R1bn to respond to the energy crisis in the upcoming three-year budget cycle. It will cover expenditure to make sure services keep running while load shedding is happening and to make sure that it secures extra diesel to look after its power plants.

This is the Western Cape, not a circus  interjected Freedom Front Plus member Peter Marais amid heckling as Western Cape premier Alan Winde delivered his State of the Province address on Thursday. https://t.co/CDKHi9T9Qc  Daily Maverick (@dailymaverick) February 16, 2023

R132m has been allocated to extra diesel. R25bn to diesel storage.

He said the funds would buffer healthcare and schools from loadshedding, and ensure the provision of power packs - comprising inverters and power-surge protectors - to poor households.

"Last year, citizens spent R50bn on inverters," Winde said, something people living in poor households can't afford to buy for themselves.

Driving the green economy

He said this emergency response would run concurrently with Western Cape government's work on the green economy, through GreenCape, a non-profit organisation that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions from the Western Cape.

Started in 2010, it works with businesses, investors, academia and government to help unlock the investment and employment potential of green technologies and services, and to support a transition to a resilient green economy.

Furthermore, Winde said Namibia's establishment of the green hydrogen corridor, in partnership with South Africa, would provide massive opportunities of attracting more investment into the region.

He said the goal for the Western Cape is to grow the provincial economy between 4 and 6% by 2035 and to become a R1tn provincial GDP economy by 2035. This would translate into an excess of 600,000 new jobs.
Retail executives earn 700 times more than the lowest paid workers in their industry.

Image source:  Yuri Minaev  123RF.com

An amendment to the Companies Act  when it is finally passed into law  should provide welcome information on differences between the highest and the lowest paid employees in a company, in a country which is one of the most unequal in the world.

Three quarters of employed people in the country earn less than R5,800 per month, according to Business Market Research. Yet South African chief executive officers (CEOs) are among the best paid in the world. When ranking CEO salaries, a 2016 Bloomberg survey found that South African CEOs were the seventh most highly paid. But our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head is only 68th in the World Economics Global Wealth rankings.

Remuneration of directors is among the most hotly debated topics in corporate governance, with shareholders wanting information and directors wanting privacy. Some policy on this does exist in the King Report on Corporate Governance.

But the Companies Amendment Bill will elicit much more detailed information, by compelling companies to divulge the difference between lowest paid and highest paid workers  or at least to be more transparent on these numbers. Explaining the Bill, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says on its website: The Bill seeks to clarify responsibilities between directors and senior management on the one hand, and shareholders on the other hand as well as addressing public concerns regarding high levels of inequalities in society. Excessive remuneration particularly at the highest levels of a company is a matter of great concern internationally and in SA.

The amendments respond to shareholder concerns regarding excessive executive pay through two principal mechanisms: first, greater disclosure requirements in annual reports of companies; and second, improved shareholder rights in respect of remuneration policies.

Amendments in the Bill require that certain categories of firms disclose information on the remuneration of directors and prescribed officers. Furthermore, it requires that companies disclose the average remuneration of all employees, and the ratio between the total remuneration of the top 5% highest paid employees and the total remuneration of the bottom 5% of the lowest paid employees of the company. Shareholder approval is required for the companys remuneration policy.

The bill was posted for comment in October 2021, and the comment period expired 30 days later. But the department says it is still processing the bill.

In South Africa, the average CEO gets a total guaranteed annual package of R5.7m (according to PriceWaterHouseCoopers in the year ending February 2022). CEOs also typically earn short term incentives (a form of bonus) of about R3m to R4m. A minimum wage worker in SA earns R21.69 per hour, or less than R42,000 a year. Typically, these workers do not earn bonuses.

This varies per industry. Research by the Labour Research Service (LRS) in 2021 found the lowest wages to be in the wholesale and retail trade, with a minimum wage of R4,257 a month. According to our sample of retail companies, retail CEOs earn on average over R3m a month (R37m a year in 2021). This is over 700 times what a low-level wage earner earns.

Even on a generous understanding of hours worked (with an entry level worker working 45 hours a week and a CEO working 80 hours a week), a retail CEO still earns 407 times per hour more than an entry level worker. It would take this worker 723 years of working full time to earn what the average CEO earns in one year.

We dont argue that CEOs and workers should be paid equally. But we do argue against such large gaps, especially in South Africa where inequality is persistent.

Unsurprisingly, business leaders argue that, to keep talented and highly skilled executives in the country, South African companies need to offer competitive salaries. Companies claim to offer performance-based packages, where executives are rewarded when the company does well. This can be measured by profit margins and share prices (among other things). But this kind of thinking assumes that the CEO is the most significant factor in ensuring the success of a company when many other factors (including other workers) are at play.

Furthermore, remuneration packages and long term incentives are often agreed to before a CEO has proven their worth. In fact, CEOs are often paid high remuneration packages despite the company performing poorly. A prime example of this is Massmart, a perpetually underperforming company that, despite reporting a loss of almost R2bn in 2021, still paid its CEO a long term incentive of over R8m and a cash bonus of R2m (total remuneration of over R29m). Workers at Massmart have been denied increases and have experienced many delays in negotiations during this same timeframe.

From the LRSs own sample, Neal Froneman of Sibanye-Stillwater received the highest CEO remuneration for the year, inclusive of a R270m bonus. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) opposed this bonus when bargaining for a wage increase for their members, saying [w]e only asked for R1,000 as an increase when he is earning R1,500 per minute and R215 per second. Froneman claims that his pay was fair given the remuneration of his peers. However, Froneman was paid over R80m more than his closest peer (Mark Cutifani of Anglo American who received total remuneration of R210m, including a R47m cash bonus).

Whether or not you agree that executives are overpaid, inequality in South Africa is deepening. The high salaries and perks enjoyed by top executives exacerbate this. It is important for the government, communities, and civil society, especially trade unions, to carefully consider the impact of remuneration policies, and it is the obligation of companies to ensure that these contribute to the overall well-being of the country and its people.

Dr Salome Teuteberg leads the Transforming Corporate Governance programme at the Labour Research Service in Cape Town.

Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers.

This article was originally published on GroundUp.
3,000-year-old settlement site found in SW China

Xinhua) 10:30, February 16, 2023

KUNMING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a settlement site dating back more than 3,000 years in southwest China's Yunnan Province, which may offer new clues on the origin of the Dian culture once thriving in the region.

The site was found in the Gucheng Village Site in Kunming, the provincial capital.

The ring-shaped settlement is well-preserved and composed of platforms, trenches and slope protection, said Zhou Ranchao, a researcher with the Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

The recent discovery of the settlement in the Gucheng Village Site marks a significant addition to the over 1,000 relic sites found there, including tombs, houses, trenches and ash pits, dating back to an era when China's central region was under the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600-256 BC).

Zhou said the settlement, representing a culture earlier than the Dian culture, offers new materials for understanding the settlement forms, social organizations, funeral customs and ethnic composition of early cultures in southwest China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Oil and gas producer Santos has been accused of covering up details of an oil spill off the WA coast where at least three dolphins were found dead, by claiming the spill caused negligible environmental impact.

At least three dead dolphins were found near the oil spill.

In March 2022 about 25,000 litres of oil leaked from a hose Santos used to load a tanker moored off its Varanus Island gas processing facility, 75 kilometres from WAs Pilbara coast.

The spill was not made public by either Santos or the WA safety regulator and when revealed a month later by this masthead a Santos spokeswoman said it was a minor spill with negligible environmental impact.

An unnamed whistleblower whose statement and photographs were tabled by Senator David Pocock at a Senate committee hearing on Thursday, said dead dolphins, including a pup, were found floating in the centre of the oil slick.
MTS is a unit of Russian telecoms giant Mobile TeleSystems, which was controlled by billionaire oligarch Vladimir Yevtushenkov before Russias invasion was launched last year. The tycoon has since been sanctioned by the UK. Officials briefed that the decision would meet growing demand from Russian expats in the Gulf state who would like to access their home countrys banking market. The bank is to open a physical branch in Dubai pending approval from the Russian central bank. Russian billionaires and entrepreneurs have been flocking to the UAE. Credit: iStock It comes after Sberbank was forced to shut its offices in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year owing to sanctions. The UAE has refused to follow the Western sanctions regime imposed on Russians with links to the Kremlin, making it essentially a safe haven.

Loading These warm ties have been a boon to the Emarati economy in recent years. In October, at a meeting with Putin in Saint Petersburg, UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said trade between the two countries has doubled to $US5 billion ($7.2 billion) over the previous three years, adding that there are about 4,000 companies with Russian roots working in the Gulf state. Valentina Matvienko, a senior Russian politician, also noted last October that the UAE is the top Arab destination for Russian investments and is the largest Arab investor in Russia. Therefore it is little surprise that Russians have sought refuge in the UAE. In the wake of the Ukraine war, many super-rich Russians faced asset seizures in other cities such as New York, London and Paris and were left with few other places to go. The interest in Dubai resulted in a huge surge in relocations last year, with property broker Betterhomes reporting that Russians are now the biggest group of non-resident buyers.

In 2022, they accounted for 15 per cent of transactions at the company, ahead of Britons at 12 per cent, Indians with 11 per cent, Italians 7 per cent and French 4 per cent. Dubai registered more than 86,000 residential sales transactions overall last year, surpassing a previous record of 80,000 in 2009, according to the firm. About 208 billion dirhams ($81 billion) worth of property was sold last year, an almost 80 per cent gain compared to 2021, while prices rose 11 per cent. Russian oligarch and former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is among those seeking sanctuary in the UAE. Credit: AP Tamara Getigezheva, chief executive of Mira Estate, luxury real estate company in Dubai, said: The war in Ukraine and the impact of sanctions on Russian-speaking individuals and their establishments have led wealthy investors to flee their countries and find a haven in Dubai. [Russian] billionaires and entrepreneurs have been flocking to the UAE in record numbers, leading to a surge in demand for real estate. Most homebuyers are looking for ready units and waterfront properties.

However, the UAEs willingness to embrace Russian money is beginning to cause alarm in the West. Loading Earlier this month, Brian Nelson, US Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said the US was determined to aggressively enforce Russian sanctions in permissive jurisdictions which are continuing to do business with Russian entities. On a visit to the region in recent weeks, Nelson raised the issue of the MTS banking licence and despite the bank not being subject to sanctions, he expressed concerns about financial connectivity with Russia, even via non-sanctioned banks, the Financial Times reported. Despite Nelsons remarks, the White House appears to have taken a softer approach in forcing the UAE to crack down on Russia amid a wider Western demand for oil.

Last July, after a meeting between President Joe Biden and the UAEs Sheikh Mohammed in Saudi Arabia, a joint statement said: President Biden recognised the UAEs efforts to strengthen its policies and enforcement mechanisms in the fight against financial crimes and illicit money flows. Calls from campaigners to blacklist the UAE have so far fallen on deaf ears. Oligarchs including Vladimir Potanin, one of Russias richest men, have docked their super-yachts in Dubai while the state has become a popular destination for Russian tourists struggling to access other countries. Abramovichs private jet has also been grounded in the state for months. Whether Abramovich and the Beckhams become neighbours again  they both have owned prime real estate in west London  remains to be seen. But the UAEs attempt to court wealthy Russians and their money shows no signs of slowing down. And at present, the West seems reluctant or powerless to do anything about it. Telegraph, London
Its been three years since ABC News Breakfast meteorologist Nate Byrne rode his first Mardi Gras float down Sydneys Oxford Street as part of the broadcasters inaugural participation in the parade. Following that event, he was the target of online abuse from a viewer who vowed to never again watch his weather forecasts.

People decide they need to share their hate with me for some reason, says Byrne. My team at News Breakfast jumped on it the following day, showing their support.

I reckon this is going to be an incredible Mardi Gras: ABC News Breakfasts Nate Byrne is co-hosting the broadcast.

This year the 45th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will be supersized by the international LGBTQIA+ festival WorldPride. Byrne is thrilled to represent the national broadcaster again, this time anchoring the live coverage of the parade alongside Behind the News Jack Evans and ABCQueers Mon Schafter.

The vibe is expected to be huge after the WorldPride opening concert, Live and Proud, the previous evening, broadcast on the ABC live from the Domain from 7.30pm, and featuring performances by Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX and Jessica Mauboy.
Arachnologist Joseph Schubert is one of a handful of scientists who have spent days in Australias alpine region searching for new spiders.

Its not an easy job, but Schubert, from the Museums Victoria Research Institute, and his team have discovered three new spiders, including one that looks like a liquorice allsorts lolly.

Scientists have discovered three new spiders in the Alpine region, including a wraparound spider that impersonates a tree branch. Credit: Joseph Schubert

The other two are a warrior huntsman with a shield on its chest and a wraparound spider that impersonates a tree branch. But Schubert said the team still wants to find more before the Alps Bush Blitz expedition comes to an end.

Most people associate spiders with the outback dunny door, but spiders are hugely diverse, from the infamous shield huntsman with war paint on his legs and a shield on his chest to frighten off predators, to the tiny jumping spiders that look like eight-eyed puppies, he said.
A British national who allegedly left a woman with life-threatening injuries in Sydney almost eight years ago has been extradited to face charges laid in 2015.

The 37-year-old was served with an Apprehended Violence Order in May 2015, a month after police began an investigation into his alleged conduct, a police source said.

A 37-year-old British national arrives in Sydney to face domestic violence charges from 2015.

Three months later, he was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, reckless grievous bodily harm, and causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent.

All charges related to alleged assaults on a 25-year-old woman, which were said to have occurred on numerous occasions between April and July 2015.
Almost half of Australias young scientists have been harassed or bullied at work, a study shows, while more than three-quarters say now is a bad time to start a research career and one in 10 has seen a colleague making up data.

The authors of the Queensland University of Technology study say 15 years of falling research funding combined with exponential increases in the number of PhD graduates has turned academia into a dog-eat-dog world.

Dr Trevor Steward now warns his University of Melbourne PhD students about the meat grinder that is academia for many. Credit: Joe Armao

They are hysterically running on a treadmill, said Dr Kate Christian, the studys leader. Her data suggested early-career research was a valley of death, with all the early-career researchers falling off the cliff.

The study surveyed 530 young researchers around Australia, most of whom were women.
The shooting by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train, who gunned down two police officers and a neighbour on a rural Queensland property last year, has been deemed a terrorist attack motivated by religious extremism, police have confirmed.

Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford said the Trains, who shot constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold and local man Alan Dare at Wieambilla on December 12, acted as an autonomous cell and executed a religiously motivated terrorist attack.

Nathaniel, Stacey and Gareth Train held extremist religious views, police have determined.

Linford said in the nine-week investigation since the shooting, police had identified that the Trains subscribed to a Christian extremist ideology, or premillennialism.

Im not an expert in that but it has basic interpretation ... that Christ will return to the Earth for 1000 [years] and provide peace and prosperity, Linford said.
A Catholic police officer who spent 36 years with the force has been sacked for disgraceful or improper conduct after posting online comments that allegedly disparaged the LGBTQ community.

Sergeant Bruno Staffieri was found guilty of the misconduct charges by Victoria Polices internal disciplinary panel. He was notified of his dismissal on Thursday morning.

A gay pride march in St Kilda. Credit: Jerry Galea

The 62-year-old released a statement to The Age, which said he would consider appealing the decision, but would never resile from his faith.

Im obviously disappointed that I was dismissed after years of impeccable service, but I stand by my Christian beliefs, the statement said.
A former Melbourne High School business manager faces time behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing more than $430,000 from her employer over nearly a decade.

Frances Walshe, 65, faced the County Court of Victoria on Thursday after she admitted stealing funds to support a gambling habit while overseeing the schools multimillion-dollar finances from 2012 to 2021.

Former Melbourne High business manager Frances Walshe outside the County Court. Credit: AAP; Andrew De La Rue

Walshe, who was previously praised in the schools 2020 annual report for managing its finances in a most efficient and effective manner.

But things began to unravel when her second husband left her for another woman and she found solace and a sense of community by going to the local pokies venue near her home.
A suspected key player in a drug-trafficking empire allegedly run by the Notorious Crime Family is hiding in the Middle East from police and his former partners amid claims millions of dollars of the syndicates illicit profits have disappeared.

Police confirmed they were seeking Samir Chaarani for allegedly facilitating access to a money-laundering scheme for the massive drug network, run from inside Barwon Prison by convicted underworld murderer George Marrogi.

Samir Chaarani is currently hiding in Lebanon.

The 59-year-old had not been charged and is in Lebanon.

Victoria Police dismantled the Notorious Crime Family syndicate early last year in an operation that seized $55 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin, and resulted in more than two dozen people being charged and assets worth tens of millions being frozen. Those charged as part of that operation remain before the courts and the case against them, including any involvement in the crime syndicate, has not been proven.
Many schools across Western Australia are focusing less on beating each other in the ATAR tables, but one school wants to implement an entirely different measure of success.

All Saints College, and partner The Studio School, is one of just two in WA to take part in the New Metrics project, run through the University of Melbourne, alongside Swan Valley Anglican Community School.

All Saints College in Perth is hoping to move the focus away from ATAR scores, starting with their Year 8 students, including Emma Ruck and Oliver Parker. Credit: Holly Thompson

The project, involving 38 schools across the nation, is focused on reimagining schooling in Australia, by moving away from the traditional measures of academic success  exams and grades.

Instead, the schools taking part want to deliver a more comprehensive learner profile for each student, put together by teachers, that can be used alongside ATAR results to provide a possible alternative for students to gain entry to university.
When it was suggested that the patients husband had made contemporaneous notes in which he recorded Teo saying there was only a 5 per cent risk of serious complications including only death, coma and locked-in syndrome, Teo raised his voice. How can you say that? You werent there! Why would I make up something like that! Teo also said he had a witness. Earlier in the week, the credibility of that witness was challenged. Teos former surgical fellow Dr Amit Goyal had provided an initial statement to the HCCC saying, Charlie didnt go into a lot of detail with Mr and Mrs [name suppressed]. However, I do specifically remember his emphasising how risky the surgery was and him telling them that the operation could leave [the woman] in a vegetative state. However, when contacted by Teos lawyers last August, Goyal provided Teos legal team with a new statement included an extensive list of risks that he said Teo had told the Perth couple.

Under cross-examination, Goyal conceded that the lengthy list of risks could not have been raised by Teo during the two to three minutes Goyal was in the room. Charlie Teo and partner Traci Griffiths arrive at the disciplinary inquiry on Thursday. Credit: Nick Moir Earlier on Thursday, the hearing heard that a Geelong man complained about Teos disastrous operation on his wife in 2019. What the f--- are you crying about? Im here to fix you  you should be happy, Teo is alleged to have said to the couple at their initial consultation. The woman, who was wheelchair-bound, had just been told by Teos surgical fellow that her tumour was increasing rapidly.

Dr Amit Goyal worked with Charlie Teo. Im not going to bullshit anything. If you dont have the surgery by Tuesday, youll be f---ing dead by Friday, the husband recalls Teo telling them after they were ushered in for a consultation. The husband has also complained that the controversial neurosurgeon offered that brain tumours are the best f---ing way to die. Youll just gradually fall asleep. Richardson told an expert witness that she wanted him to assume that Teo had said those words, but ultimately, it was up to the HCCCs professional standards committee panel of inquiry to determine. Based on Teos dire prediction that she would be dead by Friday, the woman agreed to have the surgery straight away, the inquiry has heard.

The operation on the 61-year-old Geelong womans brain stem glioma had a dreadful outcome, and on February 26, 2019, the day after the operation, Teo slapped the unconscious woman in front of her family in an attempt to rouse her. Three neurosurgeons told the hearing on Wednesday that the slap was totally unacceptable and was actually assault. The three expert witnesses said that Teos operation on the Geelong woman had resulted in the largest removal of brain matter they had ever seen. Teo took out most of the right frontal lobe, removing normal brain tissue and leaving behind a significant amount of the tumour. The woman did not recover and died the following month. Loading

On Thursday, two professors of medical ethics agreed that patients had to be given time to give proper consent. Professors Chris Ryan and Paul Komesaroff agreed that in high-risk procedures such as brain tumour removal, it was incumbent upon the doctor to explain to the patient the magnitude of the surgery risk. The husband has told the inquiry that Teo told them his surgery might buy his wife more time. He said that the possibility she might never wake up was not told to them. Instead, the risks given were paralysis down one side and some memory loss. Based on these risks and the fact that she had only until Friday to live, they chose the surgery. The Health Care Complaints Commissions professional standards committee inquiry is hearing two complaints of unsatisfactory conduct by Teo, including that he did not sufficiently inform patients about risks of surgeries.
A visit to Canberra at the age of 17 put Dorinda Cox on a path that has just given her a big influence in the pivotal decision for Australia on the Indigenous Voice. The journey began when Cox visited Parliament House in 1994 and read Paul Keatings Redfern speech while sitting in one of the public galleries. The words from that speech, delivered by Keating as prime minister just two years earlier, blazed off the page to the young Indigenous woman from the countryside outside Perth.

We took the children from their mothers, she read. We took the traditional lands and smashed the traditional way of life.

I feel like were at a turning point in this nation ... West Australian Greens senator Dorinda Cox at Parliament House on Thursday. Credit: James Brickwood

Cox, a Yamatji-Noongar woman, sees generations of trauma in those words. When she arrived in parliament towards the end of 2021, as a Greens senator for Western Australia, she used her first speech to talk about the way her grandfather was removed from his family and taken to the New Norcia Mission north of Perth.

My family has survived five generations of the stolen-generation regime in this country, she told the Senate. I come from the first generation of children to be raised by their parents, and I am one of the lucky ones.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has been admired for his zeal in championing the environment and laying out a road map for the states transition to renewables, and its 2035 target to reduce emissions by 75 per cent from 2005 levels.

But with a state election only five weeks away, theres also the opportunity for politicians to be contributing to those carbon emissions by releasing a lot of hot air. Thats what Kean did this week when he came out swinging against a controversial gas exploration project off the NSW coast, called PEP11.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said if the Coalition government is re-elected for a fourth term, it would legislate its existing policy to ban offshore gas and petroleum exploration production in NSW waters. Credit: Fairfax Media

Kean said the Coalition government, if re-elected for a fourth term, would legislate to ban offshore gas and petroleum exploration and production in NSW waters.

The proposed legislation would apply to any project. But the reason Kean made his announcement was PEP11, a gas exploration project where the field stretches from Manly to Newcastle, an area of 4574 square kilometres, running parallel to the states beaches and tourist destinations.
The former chair of Victorias independent Sentencing Advisory Council says the government is lagging on critical reforms to the criminal justice system, despite the premiers promise to start work on raising the age of criminal responsibility within weeks.

Daniel Andrews on Thursday said Victoria would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 even if state and territory governments failed to reach a national consensus.

Monash University Emeritus Professor Arie Freiberg, who left his role at the sentencing council in October, welcomed the comments but said decisive action was urgently needed on broader justice reforms, such as bail and drug laws, to keep vulnerable people out of prison.

We are supposed to be a progressive jurisdiction, we ought to be in the lead, not lagging, especially when weve got such an enormous empirical base for all of these, Freiberg told The Age this week.
In a major coup for the Australian tenor, the 37-year-old has been cast as Jean Valjean, the lead character in the London production of Les Miserables at Sondheim Theatre, joining a long line of phantoms who have exchanged the mask for the chain gang. Loading Its a role that Ive revered and feared and, of course, its daunting, Piterman says. As he recalled when preparing for opening night as Phantom, he squealed like a soprano back when he learnt hed landed the biggest West End break of his career. It hasnt been like that with Valjean, he says.

Ive unsuccessfully auditioned for [Les Mis] at various times in my life, in 2012 and in 2014 for Enjolras, and its eluded me. And so I put it on a pedestal as something that maybe I wont achieve in my life that I wont have an opportunity to be a part of, so theres always been this distance between myself and it. Josh Piterman during rehearsals for the Melbourne production of Phantom of the Opera in October 2022. Credit: Jason South And now Im doing it so its this exciting feeling but also shock. Piterman will fly to London next week to start rehearsals. He has been flying through Victor Hugos novel, on which the musical is based, to prepare for his portrayal of the unfairly damned convict 24601 who, after being shown an act of love and forgiveness by a bishop, devotes his life to God.

Its great source material, Piterman says of Hugos 1862 classic. Loading I think my portrayal will evolve and change through the rehearsal process but for me, at the moment, the core of it is the relationship between justice and injustice and love and fear and God, and these are things that we all grapple with within our own lives. And thats why we connect to Valjeans journey, not just because hes an underdog, but because those themes run through the core of us within our lives, either personally or looking out on the world or how we see the world. When he was preparing to go on-stage at Her Majestys on Haymarket, London, Piterman would embrace the mask in a dressing room that was previously occupied by theatres past greats, including Michael Crawford, the original Phantom, and Laurence Olivier.

Im a theatre geek at heart so it was like magic, stepping foot in that space, he says. Id touch the walls, wanting some of that great Olivier brilliance and say cmon Laurence, help me out here buddy. Singing in the echo of the greats is another of the potential pitfalls that come with taking on such a coveted and beloved role, particularly one where the bar was set so stunningly high by Irish tenor Colm Wilkinson who reprised his role as Valjean in the dream cast production of Les Mis to mark the musicals 10th anniversary. That production staged at the Royal Albert Hall drew its star cast from the Australian, Broadway and West End versions and featured Play Schools Phillip Quast as Javert. Like any self-respecting musical aficionado, it was also the version that Piterman grew up watching.

Loading It was the musical that made me love musicals, he says. But despite holding a deep reverence for the Valjeans, who have asked audiences Do You Hear the People Sing?, Piterman is adamant that his version of Valjean will be his own. I just dont want to impersonate in any way, he says. Im just going to find my version of him and bring my heart to him as Ive done with Phantom.


The order comprises 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade. The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 B737MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777. We have also signed up for long-term maintenance of engines with CFM International, Rolls-Royce, and GE Aerospace," Aggarwal wrote on LinkedIn on Wednesday night. Air Indias deal with two of the worlds largest aircraft manufacturers  Airbus and Boeing  is for 840 planes. Of the total, the Tata Group-run airline has placed an order for 470 planes; the remaining 370 are options, said Nipun Aggarwal, the airlines chief commercial and transformation officer, late on Wednesday night.



Aggarwal said in the post: It is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order of 840 aircraft has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago, starting with the Air India privatisation process. He also added: This order demonstrates the vision and aspiration of Tata Group to transform Air India into a world-class airline and connect India non-stop to every major city in the world. This order is also testament to the tremendous economic potential unleashed by the Air India privatisation. Air India on Tuesday said it had placed an order for 250 planes with Europes Airbus and 220 planes with US Boeing. This is the worlds largest single-tranche aircraft deal ever made in commercial aviation history.



According to sources, the A350s and the B777s will primarily be used on India-North America routes, while the B787s will operate on other long-haul destinations  and a few short-haul routes as well. The airline has not formally disclosed when deliveries of these planes will commence. However, Airbus has stated that deliveries of the A350s will begin this year. Sources also informed that the deliveries of the A320neo family of planes could start from 2026.

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Sources said while the wide-body planes may be purchased by the airline, the narrow-body ones (A320neo and B737MAX) could be taken under the sale-and-leaseback model. The A350, B777, and the B787 are wide-body aircraft with bigger fuel tanks, allowing them to traverse long distances such as India-North America routes.



They said Air India could deploy some narrow-body aircraft on international routes as well. The carrier is developing a training academy to prepare significant manpower  especially cockpit and cabin crew  for the incoming fleet, they added. Under the sale-and-leaseback model, a new aircraft is sold to a lessor, who immediately leases it back to the airline, helping the carrier free up cash flow. Moreover, the airline has secured extensive support commitments from aircraft makers and engine manufacturers, mentioned sources.


The company said it will install more than 2,500 stations, called Ather Grids, by the end of 2023 to expand its business and promote electric vehicles (EVs). The charging network can be used by all electric two- and electric four-wheelers for free until March 2023. Ather Energy said that it has installed more than 1000 fast-charging stations in 80 Indian cities for the electric scooters it manufactures.



"We have made strong investments in building what is already India's largest public fast-charging network, said Ravneet Phokela, chief business officer, Ather Energy. We are accelerating our scale-up, and also adding Neighbourhood Charging - a charging solution focused on semi-private spaces such as apartment blocks, offices and tech-parks. The stations charge EVs up to 80 per cent at 1.5 km/min. The Ather Grid App allows scooter owners to locate and check the availability of the nearest charging stations in real-time.





Ather recently also introduced its new initiative- Ather Neighborhood Charging. The charging solution provides access to charging stations in public areas including corporate buildings, tech parks, and residential complexes.



Ather said it registered its best-ever monthly sales delivering 12,419 units in January 2023. Seeing the demand, Ather unveiled its second manufacturing facility in Hosur. Ather has a retail sales network across the country, with a presence in 80 cities with over 100 Experience Centres. The company is looking at a solid expansion roadmap covering tier 1,2 & 3 cities in India, increasing its retail footprint to 150 centres in 100 cities by March 2023. The company said Ather Grids are the biggest fast-charging network for electric two-wheeler in the country, with 60 per cent of installations in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.Ather recently also introduced its new initiative- Ather Neighborhood Charging. The charging solution provides access to charging stations in public areas including corporate buildings, tech parks, and residential complexes.
Weeks before the I-T surveys, BBC was already in midst of a controversy for its documentary on the Gujarat riots. The documentary titled India: The Modi Question, traced the political rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and showed his government's response to the Gujarat riots of 2022.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, the offices of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Delhi and Mumbai faced Income Tax Department surveys in relation to alleged tax evasion and irregularities in international tax payments and TDS transactions.
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joined Boeing in November 21 from the US Department of Defense, having served as director Defence Security Cooperation Agency, responsible for al DoD security cooperation programmes involving defence articles, military training and other defence-related services. She oversaw more than 15,000 military sales cases with more than 150 countries, valued at more than $600 billion. In conversation with Ajai Shukla, she says nobody is better positioned to do business in India than Boeing. Unlike some of our competitors, Boeing can leverage both its commercial and defence sides, she observes. Edited excerpts:

It is to continue to grow Americas business partnership with India. Its one of Boeings top partners.

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The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-based chatbot can answer queries related to Aadhaar enrolment number, PVC Card order status and complaint status, among other things. It is available in both English and Hindi languages. With the emergence of Open AI's ChatGPT, chatbots are now seen in a new light. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to has recently launched a chatbot to help people get an answer to their queries related to the Aadhaar card. It is called "Aadhaar Mitra".



What can Aadhaar Mitra answer? "This chatbot is trained to respond to the resident's queries and aimed at improving the resident's experience," the FAQ section of the UIDAI Chatbot reads.



The user does not need to go to an Aadhaar enrollment centre to update the card anymore. It can be done through the chatbot. They can also apply for a duplicate Aadhaar if the original is lost. According to UIDAI's website, "Aadhaar Chatbot is well trained to answer queries on Aadhaar related topics, provide information about Locate Aadhaar Center, Check Aadhaar Enrolment/ Update status, Check PVC Card Order status, File a Complaint, Check Complaint status, Locate Enrolment Center, Book An Appointment".

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How to use Aadhaar Mitra? It also shows videos to help the users understand its features and how to use them. It can be accessed at https://uidai.gov.in/en/.



Go to www.uidai.gov.in

Click/ Tap on the "Aadhaar Mitra" box in the bottom right corner. The chatbot will open saying, "Hi, I am your Aadhaar Mitra. How May I help you!!"

Tap on "Get Started" to ask the query.

Now in the search box, enter the query and click on the Enter button. The chatbot will reply with the answer.

Also, you can click on the suggested query option available at the top.

You can also give feedback on the answers. "Resident can simply type his query in Chatbot and get the desired answers immediately," UIDAI says. Here is a step-by-step guide to using Aadhaar Mitra:

"After every answer given by Aadhaar Chatbot, there is a Thumbs Up/Thumbs down icon below every chat response. Also, after the end of the session, on closing the window resident can provide a star rating (on a scale of 1 to 5). Residents can give feedback which shall be duly analyzed collectively by the UIDAI concerned team from time to time," UIDAI says.
Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to work together in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and other emerging technologies.

The MoU, inked on the sidelines of the ongoing Aero India 2023 here, aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and IISc, Bengaluru-headquartered BEL said in a statement.

The agreement will enable BEL and IISc to develop various products and services wherein AI is embedded and integrated.

IISc will provide specialised services in AI and ML for BEL to initiate various projects in terms of development of R&D solutions, Algorithms, and training to BEL engineers, among others.
China has lifted the suspension of shipments from 99 Indian seafood processing and exporting units following India's assurances over source control, a move which would boost marine products exports to the neighbouring country, an MPEDA official said on Thursday.

China had suspended a total of 110 units since December 2020 over Covid concerns, but the sustained efforts by the seafood export development body -- Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), were crucial to India's eventual success in getting lifted China's suspension order, according to top officials.

Centre had projected to nearly double the seafood exports to USD 14 billion by 2025.

"The lift on the suspension of the 99 seafood processing units was done on February 14 and is expected to raise India's export of marine products by 5 per cent to 10 per cent in the next financial year. The suspension of 11 units was revoked earlier, MPEDA chairman D V Swamy said.

Non-conformity with the trade norm requirements of China upon virtual inspection had led to the non-acceptance of seafood cargo from the concerned units.

"Efforts by MPEDA, along with the Export Inspection Council, Embassy of India at Beijing, and the Department of Commerce, yielded fruition, as all the units have complied with the requirements of (GACC)," Swamy said.

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India had 475 establishments that exported seafood during 2021-22.

The country's seafood export to China was worth USD 1.17 billion in 2021-22, clocking a 25 per cent rise from the previous financial year, MPEDA officials said.

MPEDA is holding a three-day India International Seafood Show 2023 in the city till February 17 in association with the Seafood Exporters Association of India.
Kerala will host the 4th edition of the International Conference on Tourism Technology (ICTT) here, highlighting the role and potential of technology, social media and smartphone apps in the growth of travel and hospitality industry.

The Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India (ATTOI), with the support of Kerala Tourism, would organise the event here on February 24.

ATTOI President Vinod C S said the ICTT 2023 will provide a valuable platform for industry professionals and experts in India to come together to share knowledge, network and discuss the latest trends and developments in tourism online marketing.

A major objective of the conference is to keep the industry updated on the latest regulations, standards and best practices related to the use of technology in tourism.

Such a conference can be particularly important for the tourism industry as technology plays an increasingly critical role in how people plan, book, and experience travel, he noted.

"It can provide opportunities to learn about new technologies and how they can be applied to improve the tourism experience as well as opportunities to collaborate and forge partnerships, Vinod pointed out.

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ICTT Convenor Anish Kumar P K said 65 per cent of Indian travellers are now booking their rips on digital platforms and with online tour operators post pandemic.

To go with the new trend, hotels and tour operators are increasing their online visibility through digital channels to boost their revenue, he said.

"Tourism organisations are also creating online travel stories on YouTube, and Instagram reels which are visually engaging content to bring traffic to optimised websites to get business, he added.

This year there are five trending digital marketing topics which will enable tourism organisations to scale up online sales, Kumar said.

Experts will offer their insights on topics concerning the industry, such as Tips for creating viral Instagram reels', How to build your online visibility through the most effective SEO'?, How to create an effective online advertisement' and Importance of storytelling'.

Among the speakers are Sorav Jain, Dipti Parmar, Seema Gupta, Sachin Bansal, and Ivana Perkovic, a statement said.

Based in Thiruvananthapuram, ATTOI is India's first industry association to incorporate into its business charter a commitment to Responsible Travel and Sustainable Tourism.
Widespread cracks and crevasses were revealed in observations beneath the floating shelf of the vulnerable Thwaites Glacier of the Antarctic, where melting occurs more rapidly, contributing to its retreat and potentially to sea-level rise, according to a new study.

The first-of-their-kind observations of the Florida-sized glacier was obtained by deploying the remotely operated Icefin underwater robot through a nearly 2,000-foot-deep borehole drilled in the ice, the study said.

The research team from Cornell University, US, and international collaborators, captured the first close-up views of the critical point near the grounding line where Thwaites Glacier in western Antarctica - one of the continent's fastest changing and most unstable glaciers - meets the Amundsen Sea, the study said.

From that area, the researchers concluded that Thwaites has retreated smoothly and steadily up the ocean floor since at least 2011.

They found that flat sections covering much of the ice shelf's base were thinning, though not as quickly as computer models had suggested.

Meanwhile, the walls of steeply sloped crevasses and staircase-like features were melting outward at much faster rates, the study said.

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The findings, reported in the journal Nature, provided new insight into melting processes at glaciers exposed to relatively warm ocean water, and promised to improve models predicting Thwaites' potentially significant contribution to sea-level rise.

Icefin, developed by Schmidt's team, is a small robotic oceanographer that allows researchers to study ice and water around and beneath ice shelves and develop the technology to explore other oceans in our solar system, according to the study.

"These new ways of observing the glacier allow us to understand that it's not just how much melting is happening, but how and where it is happening that matters in these very warm parts of Antarctica," said Britney Schmidt, associate professor of astronomy and earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell.

"We see crevasses, and probably terraces, across warming glaciers like Thwaites. "Warm water is getting into the cracks, helping wear down the glacier at its weakest points," said Schmidt.

"Icefin is collecting data as close to the ice as possible in locations no other tool can currently reach," said Peter Washam, co-researcher on Schmidt's team, who led analysis of Icefin data used to calculate melt rates.

"It's showing us that this system is very complex and requires a rethinking of how the ocean is melting the ice, especially in a location like Thwaites," said Washam.

The robotic under-ice observations were collected in early 2020 as part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), the largest international field campaign ever undertaken in Antarctica, funded by the National Science Foundation and the UK's Natural Environment Research Council.

Since the 1990s, the Thwaites grounding line has retreated nearly 9 miles, or 14.5 kilometres (kms), and the amount of ice flowing out of the 75-mile-wide, or 120-km-wide, region has nearly doubled, according to ITGC, the study said.

Because much of the glacier sits below sea level, it is considered susceptible to rapid ice loss that could raise sea levels by more than 1.5 feet, or about half a metre, the study said.

Collapse of the ice sheet behind Thwaites could add substantially more, "with profound consequences for humanity," according to BAS.

The BAS team, which used hot water to drill the borehole Icefin accessed about 1 mile, 1.6 kms, from the Thwaites grounding line, reported that over a nine-month period, the ocean in that area became warmer and saltier.

Surprisingly, the vertical melt rate over much of the ice was less than previously modelled, averaging 6 feet to 18 feet per year, the study said.

"Our results are unexpected, but the glacier is still in trouble," said Peter Davis, an oceanographer at the BAS.

"If an ice shelf and a glacier is in balance, the ice coming off the continent will match the amount of ice being lost through melting and iceberg calving.

"What we have found is that despite small amounts of melting, there is still rapid glacier retreat, so it seems that it doesn't take a lot to push the glacier out of balance," said Davis.

Covering an area larger than Florida or Britain, collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in western Antarctica could contribute significantly to sea-level rise, according to the ITGC.

The researchers attributed the varying melt rates in different topography to water stratification and mixing.

Along flat sections of ice, a thin layer of melted freshwater acts as a barrier to warmer ocean currents, suppressing upward melting, they said.

In contrast, water funnelling through sloped crevasses and scalloped terraces transfers heat that promotes faster sideways melting, at estimated rates of up to 140 feet per year, they said.


I did not expect the money to be recovered, he candidly told Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at an event in January. Ghanshyam Sahu, a resident of Uparwara of Durg, sold two acres of land to invest the proceeds in a chit fund company, only to realise he had been duped. Like hundreds others, Sahu had given up hope of getting the money back. So when he received Rs 9 lakh from the state government last month, he couldnt believe his luck.



The recoveries are part of the Chhattisgarh governments crackdown on the fly-by-night financial companies that duped people in the state. At a virtual programme chaired by Baghel last month, Rs 2.56 crore was returned to 3,274 duped chit fund investors of Durg district. Teejan Bai from Khursipar in Bhilai, who was also duped by a chit fund company, said she received Rs 3 lakh, which will now be used for the marriage of her children.



Baghel is personally monitoring the cases, as the Congress had vowed to take action against the fraudulent chit fund companies ahead of 2018 state polls. In its election manifesto, the party promised to return the money of people invested in different companies.

The state government had lodged 460 cases against 208 chit fund companies, 536 directors and 119 office bearers between 2015 and January 31, 2023 and 655 people have been arrested during this time. In 84 cases, the court has given the final order for the attachment of identified properties of 44 irregular financial companies whose estimated value is Rs 76.32 crore. In 54 cases, auction, recovery, agreement proceedings worth Rs 52.04 crore of 32 unregulated financial companies have been completed and the amount has been received in the government's account. Baghel is personally monitoring the cases, as the Congress had vowed to take action against the fraudulent chit fund companies ahead of 2018 state polls. In its election manifesto, the party promised to return the money of people invested in different companies.

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As of now, Rs 30 crore have been returned to 37,000 people who were duped by fraud chit-fund companies, Baghel said. The state government is taking strict action and the money is being returned to investors by attaching properties of fraudulent chit fund companies, he said, adding that Chhattisgarh was the only state in the country to give back money to people they lost to fraudulent financial firms.




The group of seven males and five females will fly down from South Africa on Saturday, announced Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. This weekend, the second batch of African cheetahs will be joining the eight felines who were shipped to Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park last year as part of a landmark project that reintroduced the big cat seven decades after it went extinct in India.



In South Africa, three of the cheetahs have been kept in Phinda quarantine boma in KwaZulu-Natal province and nine in Rooiberg quarantine boma in Limpopo province. They will embark on the journey to Kuno from the O R Tambo International Airport in Gauteng on Friday evening. A C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) left the country this morning to bring the 12 cheetahs from South Africa. Ten quarantine enclosures have been created at the Kuno National Park for the felines, the minister said on Thursday.



According to the Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, around 12-14 wild cheetahs that are ideal for establishing a new population would be imported from South Africa, Namibia and other African countries as a founder stock for five years initially. S P Yadav, head, Project Cheetah, said the big cats will arrive at the Gwalior Air Force base at 10 am on Saturday and from there they will then be ferried in IAFs MI-17 helicopters. A delegation of experts, veterinarians and senior officials will be accompanying the cheetahs in the intercontinental translocation, he said.

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Under the ambitious reintroduction plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released eight Namibian cheetahs  five females and three males  into a quarantine enclosure at the Kuno National Park on his 72nd birthday on September 17. Following the import of 12 cheetahs in February, the plan is to translocate 12 cheetahs annually for the next eight to 10 years. The terms of the MoU will be reviewed every five years to ensure it remains relevant, the environment ministry said.



A monitoring team is expected to soon take a call on releasing the eight existing cheetahs into the wild. Yadav said all the cheetahs had adapted well to their surroundings in Kuno. All cheetahs are keeping well except one called Sasha, who fell ill but is now doing fine, he said.



Probing every tiger death: Minister

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is investigating the deaths of 26 tigers that have occurred in just over a months period this year. The project also plans to introduce additional prey in the larger enclosures, where the cheetahs were moved to after an initial stay in quarantine enclosures.



S P Yadav, additional director general, Project Tiger, said every tiger death is considered an act of poaching until proven otherwise. All deaths are dealt with according to the SOP issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The field directors are trying to ascertain the cause of death. The ministry is taking the matter seriously and following the standard operating procedure (SOP) for dealing with the death of a tiger, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav told Business Standard.
Twelve cheetahs will be translocated from South Africa to India on February 18, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday.

The big cats will be translocated to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Bringing the cheetahs back to India will help in restoring the nation's natural heritage, the minister said.

The goal of the Cheetah introduction project in India is to establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for the expansion of the cheetah within its historic range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts, he added.

Minister Yadav also thanked the Defence Ministry and the Indian Air Force for extending full support for the translocation. Yadav also mentioned about the various initiatives taken up by the ministry in the areas of wildlife conservation, including Project Cheetah, LIFE concept and its sustainability, Green growth namely Green Credit, Mishti - for mangrove conservation and Gaj Utsav among others.

The last cheetahs in the Indian wilderness were recorded in 1947 where three cheetahs were shot in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Koriya in Chhattisgarh. The main reasons for the decline of cheetah in India were large scale capture of animals from the wild for coursing, bounty and sport hunting, extensive habitat conversion along with consequent decline in prey base and in 1952, they were declared as extinct.

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The major objectives of the introduction project include to establish breeding cheetah populations in safe habitats across its historic range and manage them as a metapopulation and to use the cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems.

In this context, the Government of India initiated G2G consultative meetings with Republic of Namibia which culminated in the signing of MoU between the two countries on 20th July 2022 for cheetah conservation. Following the signing of MoU, in a historic first wild to wild intercontinental translocation, eight cheetahs were transported from Namibia to India on September 17, 2022 and were released into the quarantine bomas by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per the Action Plan for Cheetah Introduction in India, annually 10-12 cheetahs are required to be imported from African countries for the next 5 years at least. In this context, the Government of India initiated bilateral negotiations with Republic of South Africa since 2021 for cooperation in the field of Cheetah conservation. The negotiations were successfully concluded with the signing of MoU with the Republic of South Africa in January 2023.

Under the provisions of the MoU, a first batch of 12 cheetahs (7 males, 5 females) will be translocated from South Africa to India on February 18. The translocation of 12 cheetahs from South Africa to Gwalior and onwards to Kuno National Park through Helicopters is being done by the Indian Air Force. A delegation of cheetah experts, veterinarians and senior officials will be accompanying the cheetahs during the transcontinental translocation exercise.

Officials said that post arrival in India, all 12 cheetahs will be housed in specially created enclosures at Kuno National Park for completing the mandatory quarantine period and the animals will be intensively monitored.

--IANS

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Ukraine has informed the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe that it won't attend the next meeting of its parliamentary assembly if sanctioned Russian lawmakers are allowed to participate.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna on Feb. 23-24, during the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mykyta Poturaiev, wrote, We do not find ourselves in a position to attend the winter meeting in case of Russia's participation.

The letter, which was dated Feb. 10 and addressed to Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt, noted that Russia's decision to invade Ukraine was widely supported by Russian politicians, including members of the Russian delegation to the OSCE.

We have no doubts that the Russian delegation will use the OSCE ... for justification of the aggression against my country as well as for whitewashing numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Ukrainian people, Poturaiev wrote.

He suggested the meeting's postponement to preserve the integrity of the assembly, which is a separate body consisting of 323 parliamentarians from the OSCE's 57 member states,



The Vienna-based OSCE was created during the Cold War as a platform for dialogue between East and West.

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The group has a wide-ranging mission, including peace, human rights, arms control and other security issues.

The invasion of Ukraine has complicated its work, with many Western countries joining Ukraine in protesting Russia's participation.

The Austrian government has granted visas to the Russian delegates to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly even though they are under European Union sanctions and despite protests from 20 countries including Britain, France and Canada.

The Austrians said as host nation they were obliged to grant visas to representatives from all OSCE member states.

After a meeting with members of the assembly and Ukrainian parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk on Tuesday, Cederfelt decided to go ahead with next week's meeting as planned, given the rules of the assembly which say the group's winter meeting needs to take place during the first two months of the year.

Nat Parry, a spokesperson for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, said it's too late to postpone the gathering.

Lithuania is so far the only other country to have announced publicly that it will boycott the meeting.

Other nations are still weighing their options.

Latvia will decide Thursday, Katrina Kaktina, the country's ambassador to the OSCE, told the AP.
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With eye on Vindhya region, BJP comes up with airport project in MP's Rewa

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With a population of around nine crore and cumulative debt of Rs 5.86 lakh crore, debt per capita in West Bengal stands at a conservative estimate of more than Rs 60,000.

When the ruling Trinamool Congress assumed office in 2011, the total debt of the state stood at Rs 1.97 lakh crore.

In the budget for 2023-24 presented in the state assembly on Tuesday, the West Bengal government has proposed to raise money from the market to the tune of Rs 79,000 crore, compared to the 2022-23 revised figure of Rs 75,000 crore.

Noted economist Ajitava Ray Chaudhuri said, "The present generation has contracted such a debt stock which has to be repaid by the future generation".

"If a such high debt is backed by equivalent assets created, the burden on future generation will be lower," Ray Chaudhuri said.

The state's tax revenue for the year 2023-24 is also projected to be Rs 89,000 crore, in contrast to Rs 79,500 crore in the revised figure for 2022-23.
A day after they held a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, groups from Ladakh on Thursday reiterated their demands for statehood and sixth schedule status for the Union Territory, threatening to intensify their agitation if the government does not listen to them.

At a press conference here, environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said democracy has been compromised in Ladakh and the local people have no say in decision-making.

Speaking on behalf of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of social, religious, and political groups from the two districts of Ladakh, Wangchuk stressed on the need to provide safeguards for the environmentally sensitive area, and involve locals in decision-making.

"We wanted to become a Union Territory, but we never imagined it would be without a legislature. There is no participation of people anymore in how the budget allocated to us is spent. The Autonomous Hill Council has also been weakened, and the issue of statehood is of utmost importance to the people of Ladakh," he said.

Sajjad Hussain, an activist from Kargil, said Ladakh is going through a crisis, and urgent attention is needed.

"Ladakh is going through a crisis... When Article 370 was abrogated, the two districts - Leh and Kargil -- had different aspirations. While there were protests in Kargil, it was welcomed in Leh ," he said.

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Hussain said the administration has been left to the Lieutenant Governor and bureaucrats, who are not accountable to the people of Ladakh.

"Unemployment is on the rise, graduates, PhD holders are on roads. When we asked for a separate Public Service Commission government said they had no plans," he said.

"People have been totally disempowered, we have no representation... Earlier we had four MLAs in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, and they had a say in the assembly," he said.

The groups say they will intensify their protest if their demands are not met.

"In a democratic society, protest is our right. There have been several protests in Ladakh over the last two years, we will intensify protests if our demands are not met," Hussain said.

Both Wangchuk and Hussain also said that their voices are being stifled by police action.

"If any student protests in Kargil, police action is initiated. Last year some youths protested on a land-related matter. They were called by the police," he said.

"There is no space left for dissent. There is no accountability," Wangchuk said, adding there is no democracy left in the "whole structure."



"We do not have elected representatives to make decisions. When we had four MLAs in the J&K assembly our voice was heard. Now it seems like we have been put under LG's rule forever," he said.

"If someone writes something on social media, action is taken. Some youths shouted slogans demanding the sixth schedule in a stadium, they were taken to the police station and beaten up," he said.

Ladakh was carved into a Union Territory without legislature when Article 370 and 35A were abrogated, and Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories.

Over the last two years, protests have been held in both Leh and Kargil demanding the protection of the interests of the people of Ladakh.

In January this year, the Union home ministry constituted a high-powered committee headed by Minister of State Nityanand Rai to "ensure the protection of land and employment" for the people of Ladakh.

The two bodies from Leh and Kargil, however, rejected the committee and decided not to attend any meeting conducted under its name, saying its mandate did not mention the issues raised by them.

The protestors are demanding statehood for Ladakh, sixth schedule under Constitution, job reservation, a separate public service commission for Ladakh, and two parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
Ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, the ruling BJP has come up with an airport project in the Vindhya region of the state.

The foundation stone of the airport was laid Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in Rewa district on Wednesday.

Though no specific deadline for project completion has been given, the officials associated with the project told IANS that the airport, for operating 19-seater aircraft, will be ready by 2025.

Chorhta, the place where the proposed airport to be established, has an existing airfield, and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) will strengthen the existing runway along with the grading of the runway strip area. Also, the AAI will construct the terminal building with a peak hour capacity of 50 passengers, which will cost around Rs 300 crore.

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Spread over 61.95-acre land, Rewa's existing airfield, at present, has a runway of 1400 metres with a small building of 150 sq metres and was owned by the state government. However, in December 2022, the state government handed it over to the AAI for the revival and construction of facilities.

The state government will provide additional land of 290 acres for making the proposed airport suitable for ATR-72 operations in future. "Out of 290 acres of land, 137 acres are required for VFR operations and 153 acres are required for IFR operations. The state cabinet has already approved the proposal to acquire 246 acres of private land and approved the compensation of Rs 206 crore towards payment to the landowners," said Ramji Awasthi, a senior official of the AAI, who is currently serving as Director of Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport.

The state government is expected to soon approve the acquisition of the remaining land, he added.

The much-needed development, undoubtedly, will provide air services not only to the citizens of Rewa but also to over a dozen of districts of the Vindhya region such as Sidhi, Satna, Shadole, Umaria, Singrouli, Anupur and others. At present, people of these districts travel between 250-300 km to nearby airports - either to Jabalpur or Prayagraj (Allahabad) for emergency purposes.

Besides the development vision, the ruling BJP also has a political vision behind the establishment of the first airport in the region.

In 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP had won 24 out of total 30 seats in the region. However, since then, the saffron party has been witnessing one after another defeat in this particular region. For instance, the ruling party lost bypoll in Raigaon (Satna) in November 2021, and then lost mayoral posts in Singrauli and Rewa.

Notably, the Congress had won Rewa mayoral seat after 30 years, and was striving hard to revive in the Vindhya region, which used to be its stronghold during the eras of Arjun Singh and Sriniwas Tiwari.

Perhaps, the multiple poll defeats have made Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shift his focus to the region, and therefore he came up with a major gift for the region ahead of assembly polls due by the end of 2023.

--IANS

pd/sha
Further, the government also slashed tax on export of diesel to Rs 2.5 per litre from Rs 7.5 per litre. Petrol continues to have zero excise duty. The new rates will come into effect on February 16.

The Centre on Thursday cut the windfall profit tax on domestically produced crude oil from Rs 5,050 per tonne to Rs 4,350 per tonne. The additional excise duty on ATF was also cut to Rs 1.5 per litre from Rs 6 per litre earlier.


In an official circular, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said that bank guarantees will be encashed and project developers blacklisted if the project is not constructed up until its due date. Renewable energy companies that fail to meet the commissioning date of projects awarded by central government agencies will be blacklisted from future government tenders.



The notice has been sent to Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a statutory body under MNRE, responsible for tendering renewable energy projects, state-owned power generators NTPC and NHPC which also offer renewable projects to private companies. If any renewable energy project is not completed within the prescribed date of completion, its bank guarantee should be encashed and the developer blacklisted after asking him to show cause. The blacklisting will be for a period of three to five years. These are in accordance with the general financial rules of the government and apply to all tenders/bids, read the notice, reviewed by Business Standard.



Tenders by government agencies also have the provision to blacklist a firm after repeated and serious defaults, said an executive. Senior executives, however, pointed out that the encashment of bank guarantee in case of default was always part of the tender document issued by central government agencies.

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However, as India aims to achieve 500 gigawatt (Gw) of renewable energy capacity by the end of this decade, sector watchers feel this move is to push project developers to step on the gas. In the past two years, MNRE had offered renewable energy project developers to apply for extension in the commissioning date owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Several companies had also applied for extension, citing supply-chain disruptions from China, absence of allied transmission infrastructure, and land issues.



The latest monthly report of the renewable energy project monitoring division of the Central Electricity Authority of India shows close to 2.6 Gw of under-construction solar power projects and 2.7 Gw of wind power projects have applied for extension with SECI. At the current renewable (solar, wind, small hydropower, and biomass) capacity of 121 Gw, the Centre has failed to achieve its earlier stated target of 175 Gw capacity by 2022. There is currently no government database which tracks project defaults in the renewable energy sector.
Having found a massive lithium reserve, the government has a fresh problem. Who will mine the reserves? At one level, the answer appears straightforward. India allows 100 per cent foreign investment in the mining sector, so it should be possible for an Indian company to tie up with a foreign company or the latter going solo to mine it. But this exercise is more difficult than it appears even after an expected tweak in the mining law. Faced with one setback after another in expanding the scope of mining in the country, almost all the major miners of the world have wound down their operations in India. Except Vedanta, which, too, is mired in more than one controversy. The others have representative offices but no mining operations. Rio Tinto, for instance, which had discovered large diamond nodes in Madhya Pradesh, had to withdraw due to strident opposition from civil society. The objection was that the mining, even if underground, will destroy large tracts of forest land. /

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In a key move, it said entities involved in message transmission should be identifiable and tracked, if required. To curb the ever-growing menace of pesky promotions and unauthorised advertisements by telemarketing firms spamming message inboxes, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has asked telecommunication service providers (TSPs) to scrub their database clean and block all unverified telemarketer accounts.



In two separate directives, Trai said all promotional messages need to be sent through registered telemarketers using approved headers and message templates on their DLT platforms. On Thursday, Trai asked TSPs to re-verify all registered headers and message templates on their distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform within 30 days and block all unverified headers and message templates within 60 days.



Businesses need to register on DLTs by submitting relevant details and get access to exclusive headers and message templates. These are the particular keywords denoting a business or brand that pops up when a phone user receives a message. DLT platforms are digital systems for keeping and managing the record of sender IDs and templates. In India, they are run by TSPs such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam.

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Telemarketers have to be registered on the DLT platform. The problem often starts when these businesses, legally classified as principal entities, purchase bulk short messaging service (SMS) from a telemarketer to send SMS to its clients and customers.

Immediate steps mandated

The telecommunication sector regulator said it has observed that headers and message templates of principal entities are misused by some telemarketers.



To remove confusion among recipients of messages and prevent their misuse, no lookalike headers (headers which are similar by virtue of combination of smallcase or largecase letters) are to be registered by access providers in the names of different principal entities, it said. For the time being, Trai has asked TSPs to immediately deactivate temporary headers after the time duration for which such headers were created, and ensure that content variables in the message template do not have the flexibility to insert undesired content.



Rogue telemarketers targeted Notwithstanding the governments efforts over the past few years, unregistered telemarketers have flourished on the networks, while many registered telemarketers have often flouted norms. The latest directions were arrived at only after we allowed TSPs time to clean up their platforms, said a Trai official.



They also have to mandatorily ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by unregistered telemarketers, even those using 10-digit telephone numbers of their own. The TSPs have been asked to strictly bar all telemarketers, who are not registered on the DLT platform, from handling the message template once and for all.
More than 51.42 per cent voters cast their votes till 1 p.m. on Thursday in the Tripura Assembly polls which is in progress in all the 60 constituencies amid heavy security, election officials said.

Several incidents of violence, attacks and counter attacks were reported in the poll-bound bordering northeastern state.

At least 60 opposition party workers were injured when the ruling party workers attacked them in south, Gomati, Sepahijala and West Tripura districts.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao said that wherever the authority got any information of any trouble, the security forces immediately rushed to the areas and resolved the problems.

A senior police official said that a police constable was suspended in Gomati district for his alleged role in urging people to cast votes in favour of the ruling BJP.

Opposition political parties, including CPI(M) and Congress, complained that in several places, including Dhanpur and Kakraban, the ruling party workers obstructed the voters belonging to the opposition parties.

Also Read President Murmu flags off first Kolkata-Agartala express train from Tripura Amit Shah to arrive in Tripura to flag off two rath yatras of BJP today Manik Saha holds campaign in Agartala, says people have faith in BJP 'Vote-from-home' for senior citizens, people with disability: Tripura CEC Poll official suspended for 'defacing' PM Modi's photo in Tripura Tripura registers 14% voter turnout till 9 am, polling peaceful so far: CEC BJP to secure absolute majority in assembly polls, says Tripura CM Polling begins in Tripura, fate of 259 candidates to be sealed, says CEO BJP manifesto promises package for Eastern Nagaland, preserve Naga culture Election day declared paid holiday in three Northeastern states: Official

Men, women and first-time voters in large numbers queued up in front of the polling stations well before the voting started at 7 a.m. in eight districts."EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), which were not functioning properly, were replaced expeditiously by the engineers," an election official said.

Voting will continue till 4 p.m. without any break.

The CEO said that a total of 259 candidates, including 31 women, are testing their electoral fortunes in the elections.

He said that of the 259 candidates, the highest number of 55 candidates have been put up by the ruling BJP, followed by CPI(M) (43), Tipra Motha Party (42), Trinamool Congress (28), and Congress (13).

A total of 58 Independent candidates and 14 nominees from various smaller parties are also contesting the elections.

Around 31,000 personnel are stationed in 3,327 polling stations to conduct the voting.

In all, 28.14 lakh voters, including 13.99 lakh women electorate are eligible to cast their votes in Thursday's balloting.

A senior police officer said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has provided 400 companies (30,000 security personnel) of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) comprising various para-military forces while around 9,000 Tripura State Rifles jawans and over 6,000 Tripura Police personnel have also been deployed to hold a fair and violence free elections.

--IANS

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Lockheed Martin Corporation and a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp were added to a list of unreliable entities due to their participation in arms sales to Taiwan, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said Thursday. The companies were fined twice the contract value of their arms sales to Taiwan since September 2020 when the list first came into effect and would be required to pay within 15 days, according to the statement. China imposed fines and sanctions against two US defense companies in a further escalation of tensions between the worlds two biggest economies.



A day before the announcement China had warned that it would hit the US with countermeasures over violations of its sovereignty, and on Thursday blamed the US for jeopardizing ties by overreacting in the ongoing spat over a balloon. However, the subsequent announcement of sanctions may further escalate that dispute. China considers the democratically self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has long complained about the US supplying weapons to the island.



Its unclear if the latest sanctions will prevent a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, Chinas top diplomat on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference this week. Blinken canceled a planned trip to Beijing this month when the balloon controversy erupted. Washington contended that the balloon was spying and shot it down, while China claims it was a civilian airship collecting weather data that went off course.

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Unclear effects Its a message to the US, but also for domestic consumption - to demonstration Chinas tough position, said Dongshu Liu, an assistant professor specializing in Chinese politics at the City University of Hong Kong. The economic consequences might not be as strong as the political ones - those companies dont do business in China. They may face some limitation as a result of these new sanctions, but still, its largely politically symbolic.



The Chinese government will ban trade with both firms as well as blocking new investment from the two into China, the ministry said in a statement. If they dont pay the fines within 15 days the ministry may increase the fines, the statement said. As with previous sanctions announced against the firms and other US defense companies, these measures are likely to be largely symbolic given both have little direct exposure to China. An email to Raytheon outside of business hours went unanswered, as did calls to Lockheed Martin.



This action shows that Chinas retaliation remains very targeted and refrained, responding to US arms sales towards Taiwan, over which China has lodged its protest many times in the past, said Feng Chucheng, a Beijing-based partner at independent consultancy Plenum. China is not weaponizing its sanctions, which is consistent with Chinas longstanding policies. In addition, it will cancel and prohibit work and residence permits for the companies senior managers and ban them from entry into the country.





Shot down balloon aimed for Hawaii: US In September 2022, Beijing said it was sanctioning two top executives at Boeing and Raytheon over the biggest US weapons deal with Taiwan in almost two years. China has threatened sanctions against US entities that damage its national security in the past. In 2020 it said it would impose unspecified sanctions on Boeings defense unit, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon after the US State Department approved arms sales to Taiwan.
China says more than 200 million of its citizens have been diagnosed and treated for COVID-19 since it lifted strict containment measures beginning in November.

With 800,000 of the most critically ill patients having recovered, China has decisively beaten the pandemic, according to notes from a meeting of the ruling Communist Party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee presided over by President and party leader Xi Jinping.

China enforced some of the world's most draconian lockdowns, quarantines and travel restrictions and still faces questions about the origins of the virus that was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. Heavy-handed enforcement prompted rare anti-government protests and took a heavy toll on the world's second-largest economy.

The official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as saying that policies to control the outbreak had been entirely correct. The abrupt lifting in November and December of the zero COVID" policy that had sought to eliminate all cases of the virus led to a surge in infections that temporarily overwhelmed hospitals.

Case numbers have since peaked and life has largely returned to normal, although international travel in and out of China has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

China is now transitioning to a post-pandemic stage after a fight against the outbreak that was extraordinary in the extreme," Xinhua said.

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The government will continue to optimize and adjust prevention and control policies and measures according to the times and situations with a strong historical responsibility and strong strategic determination," Xinhua said.
The China envoy to the United Nations demanded the removal of sanctions that block valuable aid to Syrian children as the inaction of the UN threatens their survival.

Zhang Jun, the permanent envoy to the UN, has stated that these repressive unilateral sanctions are destroying countries' economic base and development. He added that these sanctions are taking away the children of these countries' lives and development and their fundamental rights.

China Calls To Save Syrian Children

The aid for the destruction caused by the powerful earthquake in Syrian is hampered by the sanctions heaped by the US and its allies, stopping the delivery of heavy equipment and specialized tools for rescue. Zhang clarified that the sluggish UN condemned these children to die trapped. It could have been avoided if the support given earlier, he told the Security Council meeting concerning children and armed conflict, reported China Daily HK.

He added that all countries imposing illegal sanctions remove them now and not put conditions, calling attention to some parties. Remarked that if they don't do that, they are helpers of the calamity that robs children of everything. Described these countries as hypocrites that value political one-upmanship as the goal over humanity, noted English News.

Zhang stresses that children should be shielded from armed conflict and must be protected by diplomacy and resolution. The UN should deal in good faith, true multiallelism, dialogue, and cooperation. He added the rule of law must not be broken to avoid conflict, and supporting the welfare of children is the most important.

Read Also: China Says Ukraine Crisis Needs Early Resolution

One crucial aspect is the observance of international law that enforces children's rights in armed conflicts. The Chinese envoy said the last nation not to agree with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to act must agree to universal coverage, citing China Today.

He identifies the United States not signing it, which would impact the wars and conflicts that have had children as collateral damage.

China Tells the US To Remove Sanctions

Last Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told the US to abandon illegal unilateral sanctions against Syria and added it has been authoring humanitarian calamities due to its actions, mentioned Global Times.

Media sources state that the US will give six months of sanctions relief for Damascus, but with conditions. Only transactions for recovery efforts to support reconstruction after the destructive earthquake a week earlier.

Wang Wenbin spoke to an outlet and gave critical observations from one question. He asked the US to lift all sanctions and end such illegal sanctions, calling the show it is hyping of its temporary relief as insincere. Other nations have been generous to Syria as humanity to others prevails in disasters.

Washington has placed an invasion and illegal sanctions on Damascus for a long time. Causing terrible suffering in the lives of Syria, now even saying their children have been impacted.

In the first 72 hours, the US imposed punitive actions imposed had stopped crucial assistance in the first 72 hours in Syria, and it made everything worse. Damascus said it was politics, not humanity, said Wang.

China in the UN urged the removal of sanctions that are killing Syrian children because the US imposed sanctions.

Related Article: Earthquake in Syria Highlights Lack of UN Aid

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Pakistan political economist Pervez Tahir has called for revival of trade with India to decrease people's woes, local media reported.

He said the federal cabinet's size should be cut down in conformity with the requirement of the 18th Amendment. Since the federal development spending is financed by borrowing, it ought to be reduced to zero until the budget is balanced, he said, adding that defence expenditure "has a tail longer than... necessary".

Dr Tahir was addressing the participants of the Third Asma Jahangir Memorial Lecture organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Former PPP senator Farhatullah Babar also spoke at the event, which was moderated by rights activist Nasreen Azhar, Dawn reported.

Dr Tahir suggested that income of big landholders must be subjected to normal income taxation. Wealth tax, inheritance tax and estate duties need to be re-imposed, he said, adding that there should be no increase in indirect taxes, Dawn reported.

Provinces should devote 50 per cent of their income to development budget and provide the corresponding current budget to fully comply with Article 25-A within two years, he said.

"Property tax should be fully devolved to local governments for effective public service delivery and trade should be opened in the region to deal with the current account deficit," he suggested, Dawn reported.

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Addressing the event, Babar said: "Everyone says that perks and privileges of parliamentarians should be reduced but even we cannot ask that how and why 90 acers of land worth Rs 5 billion was given to a general in Lahore at the time of his retirement."

--IANS

san/svn/
After a year of load-shedding, Sri Lankans will get continuous power from Thursday, albeit with a hike in tariff in line with the conditions set by the IMF.

The Sri Lankan government's move comes as the debt-hit country aims to secure a much-needed USD 2.9 billion tranche from the Washington-based global lender.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to customers after the tariff revision is implemented, a statement from the President's Media Division said.

The state power entity said that the power cuts ranging from one to 14 hours from January last year would end on Thursday.

A 66 per cent tariff hike would be in effect, the second in the last six months. A 70 per cent rate increase was introduced in August last year.

The government opted for a cost-reflective tariff plan as dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

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This will be a giant step in securing the IMF facility, he said.

The island nation awaits the formal approval of the IMF for a USD 2.9 billion bailout package over four years as it aims to recover from its worst-ever economic crisis after announcing its first-ever default in April last year.

The IMF has said that state energy entities Ceylon Electricity Board and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation should not bank on the Treasury for cash injections to run their operations, Wijesekara said, adding that the exchequer had injected Rs 120 billion into the two institutions.

The treasury has no money to subsidise electricity, he said.

"With increased revenue, we will be able to buy the fuel necessary to ensure no power cuts, Wijesekara said.

Trade unions and the opposition parties have criticised the tariff hike and have vowed to organise joint protests to force the government to reduce the tariff.

The long power cuts and shortage of essential commodities led to intense street protests, which forced the then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office.

The debt-ridden country owes USD 51 billion in foreign debt, of which USD 28 billion must be paid by 2027.

There have been street protests in Sri Lanka against the government since early April last year due to its mishandling of the economic crisis.

A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas, and other essentials, while power cuts and soaring food prices have heaped misery on the people.
By Andrea Shalal, David Lawder and Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President David Malpass on Wednesday said he would leave his post well before his term ends, months after running afoul of the White House for failing to say whether he accepts the scientific consensus on global warming.

Malpass, appointed by former President Donald Trump, will depart the multilateral development bank, which provides billions of dollars a year in funding for developing economies, by the end of June. His five-year term was due to end in April 2024.

The former investment banker informed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen of his decision on Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter said.

Malpass, who survived multiple calls for his resignation last fall and was not expected to be offered a second term, gave no specific reason for the move, saying in a statement, "after a good deal of thought, I've decided to pursue new challenges."

Malpass has been under pressure from Yellen in recent months to accelerate reforms aimed at changing the way the World Bank operates to ensure broader lending to combat climate change and other global challenges.

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Yellen thanked Malpass for his service in a statement, saying: "The world has benefited from his strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, his vital work to assist the Afghan people, and his commitment to helping low-income countries achieve debt sustainability through debt reduction."

The U.S. Treasury chief said the United States would soon nominate a replacement for Malpass and looked forward to the bank's board undertaking a "transparent, merit-based and swift nomination process for the next World Bank president."

Yellen last month declined comment when asked if the United States would support a second term for Malpass.

Malpass is expected to stay at least through the April meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, but could leave his post before the end of June, given the timeline for nominating and confirming a successor, one source said.

By long-standing tradition, the U.S. government selects the head of the World Bank, while European leaders choose the leader of its larger partner, the International Monetary Fund.

Nadia Daar, who heads the Washington office of Oxfam International, said the process should be opened to more candidates to improve the credibility of the institution.

"If shareholders really want to 'evolve' the @WorldBank, Malpass' successor must be hired based on an open and merit-based selection process," she said on Twitter.

Malpass took up the World Bank helm in April 2019 after serving as the top official for international affairs at U.S. Treasury in the Trump administration. Before that, he served as the chief economist for the now-defunct investment bank Bear Stearns for more than a decade.

In fiscal 2022, the World Bank committed more than $104 billion to projects around the globe, according to the bank's annual report.

Leaving at the end of the fiscal year at the end of June was a natural time to step aside, a source familiar with Malpass's thinking said. Doing so will give his successor time to put their imprint on the reforms before the joint meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Morocco in October.

Two of the top contenders for the post are Samantha Power, who currently leads the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama, and Rajiv Shah, former USAID administrator under Obama and currently president of the Rockefeller Foundation, a philanthropic group.

The World Bank's governors are expected to approve the bank's "evolution roadmap" for reforms incorporating U.S.-requested changes, such as balance sheet adjustments that free up an additional $2 billion for lending in fiscal 2024, at the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank set for mid-April.

FEELING THE HEAT ON CLIMATE

Pressure to shake up the leadership of the World Bank to pave the way for a new president who would reform the Bank to more aggressively respond to climate change has been building for over two years from the United Nations, other world leaders and environmental groups.

In November 2021, Special Adviser to the U.N. Secretary-General on Climate Change Selwin Hart called out the World Bank for "fiddling while the developing world burns" and called the institution an "ongoing underperformer" on climate action.

Pressure on Malpass was reignited last September when the World Bank chief fumbled answering a question about whether he believed in the scientific consensus around climate change, which drew condemnation from the White House.

Environmental groups cheered his departure. "This is great news. It is hard to think of a worse fit for World Bank President than an alleged climate denier and the chief economist of Bear Stearns ahead of the 2008 recession," said Bronwen Tucker, Global Public Finance Campaign Co-Manager at Oil Change International.

According to the bank's 2021 annual report, Malpass earned $525,000 in annual net salary that year, and the bank made more than $340,000 in annual contributions to a pension plan and other benefits.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Valerie Volcovici and David Lawder in Washington and Kate Abnett in Brussels; Writing by Dan Burns; Editing by Chris Reese, Lisa Shumaker, Anna Driver and Lincoln Feast)
Learning solutions provider TeamLease EdTech on Thursday said a large number of Indian employers have expressed their intention to hire freshers in the first half of this calendar year.

According to TeamLease EdTech's Career Outlook Report for January-June 2023, in spite of the global gloom, Indian employers' intent to hire freshers has marginally increased by 3 per cent to 62 per cent, as compared to July-December 2022, when it stood at 59 per cent.

TeamLease EdTech surveyed 874 large, medium and small businesses between October-November 2022 for this report.

The top three industries with the most robust intent to hire freshers are information technology (67 per cent), e-commerce & technology startups (52 per cent) and telecommunications (51 per cent).

Amongst the Tier I cities, Bengaluru comes at the top with maximum openings for freshers at 75 per cent, closely followed by Mumbai (56 per cent) and Delhi (47 per cent).

"Even in the face of a global muted sentiments around team hiring, a large number of Indian employers have expressed their intention to hire freshers; some to create a long-term supply channel whereas others to replace their expensive resources with fresh trainable talents," Founder & CEO, TeamLease EdTech, Shantanu Rooj said.

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As per the report, the overall hiring intent for freshers to experienced professionals has marginally increased to 68 per cent from 61 per cent registered in July-December 2022.

Cloud developer, investment banking associate, cybersecurity engineer, marketing analyst, social media specialist, content writer, campaign associate, microbiologist and biomedical engineer have emerged as top roles in freshers hiring.

"As aspiring graduates and freshers, the key here is to identify the industries that demonstrate an optimistic view and the job skills that would have good demand in the future. Now is the time for job seekers to acquaint themselves with current market trends and invest in the right skills and courses to improve their chances of landing their first jobs," Neeti Sharma, President & Co-Founder, TeamLease Edtech, said.

The domain skills that are in high demand include DevOps, corporate finance, artificial intelligence and project management, the report said.

Some top-rated soft skills include negotiation and persuasive skills, cognitive flexibility, curiosity/continual learning and emotional intelligence, it added.
A wife was shot and killed by her husband in St. Paul, Minnesota, after he received an eviction notice in 2010. Nicholas Firkus, 39, got sentenced to a guilty verdict by the court for the crime.

Eviction Notice Prompts Minnesota Man To Kill Wife

Based on the criminal complaint on April 25, 2010, at 6:31 am, Heidi Firkus contacted 911, saying a home invasion was progressing in Minnehaha Avenue West. Before the call stopped, the woman got cut off, reported True Crime Daily.

Followed by a call by her husband at 6:33 am to call 911 using Heidi's phone. He was allegedly emotional during the call, saying someone had entered the house , noted Local Today.

He told the dispatchers that the intruder shot both of them while running to the garage. When the police arrived there, a smell of gunpowder was present. They saw Heidi Firkus dead on the kitchen floor, with blood on her hair and face, citing The Paradise.

Nicolas got shot in his leg based on the complaint and told the cops that one or two burglars attempted to enter the house. They took away his shotgun while he was escaping to the garage with his wife, and they shot Heidi.

Nicholas was asked whether the intruder was black or white, as mentioned in the complaint, and he said he did not know because the suspect wore a hood. He was sent to the hospital to treat minor injuries and alleged to be hysterical during the exam while hollering loud.

Read Also: WSU Freshman Discovered Dead Near Bryan Kohberger House

Minnesota Man Slays Wife To Save Reputation

In another interview done by the police about the fatal home invasion, he added a few more details to the initial reports. He disclosed to the police his unpaid bills, the foreclosure of their house, and that they would be evicted the next day. But the eviction was not revealed, and the couple never told their family and friends, also getting kicked out for not paying.

Information from the complaint claims that the couple bought in 2007 for $200,000 but were unable to sustain payments. The housing foreclosure was scheduled to be served on June 4, 2009. The property had been sold via a sheriff's auction after getting foreclosed, and they were ordered to vacate the house on April 26, 2010.

Ramsey County Attorney's Office stated on May 20, 2021, that Nicholas Firkus was announced as accused of intentional second-degree homicide for his wife's death.

The detectives noted that Heidi had no idea about the unpaid mortgage and the foreclosed property they owned. Include that a home invasion is a misdirection, remarked the Attorney's Office. Officials noted that other DNA on the weapon or front door was not found.

Later, in September 2021, the suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree murder. On February 10, a few months later, the Attorney's office said that Firkus had killed Heidi, as stated by Ramsey County.

Minnesota man Nicholas Firkus was proven by evidence that he killed his wife after getting an eviction notice and tried to blame fictional burglars as Heidi's killers.

Related Article: Adriana Kuch Suicide: Bullies Get Arrested, New Jersey High School Blamed

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Tanla Platforms surged 6.25% to Rs 641.80 after the company said it will launch Wisely ATP (patent pending), an Anti-Phishing Technology Platform.Tanla Platforms will launch the product at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain on 27 February 2023.

Wisely ATP is a global, first-of-its-kind proprietary anti-phishing platform to protect citizens, trusted brands and digital economy.

The company informed that increasing mobile penetration has led to SMS phishing scams becoming one of the most prominent form of cybercrime in India. Over 120 million scams were reported in India annually leading to losses of about $16 billion (around Rs 130,000 crore).

"TRAI, the Indian Telecom Regulator, has approved to set up the regulatory sandbox for this platform. Guided by TRAI, the deployment of the sandbox has been completed and the validation of impact is in process. In parallel, the platform has received strong resonance with the entire ecosystem," Tanla said in a statement.

"We are in advanced discussions with 3 major banks in India to launch a Proof of Concept (PoC)," it added.

Tanla Platforms, one of the world's largest CPaaS players, processes more than 800 billion interactions annually and about 63% of India's A2P SMS traffic is processed through its distributed ledger platform.

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Tanla Platforms' consolidated net profit dropped 26.3% to Rs 116.51 crore on 1.7% decline in revenue from operations to Rs 869.63 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the people of Tripura to vote "without fear" in the assembly polls, and asserted that they were united for change.

Voting for the 60-member Assembly in Tripura began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security.

"People of Tripura are united for change. Sincerely urge everyone, especially the youth to come out and participate in the festival of Democracy and vote for peace and progress," Kharge said in a tweet.

"Vote, without fear," he added.

Votes will be counted on March 2.
A devastating earthquake that toppled buildings across parts of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria has revived a longstanding debate locally and in neighbouring Cyprus about a large nuclear power station being built on Turkiye's southern Mediterranean coastline.

The plant's site in Akkuyu, located some 210 miles (338 kilometres) and 245 miles (394 kilometres) to the west of the February 6 tremors' epicentres, is being designed to endure powerful tremors and did not sustain any damage or experience powerful ground shaking from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks.

But the size of the quake the deadliest in Turkiye's modern history sharpened existing concerns about the facility being built on the edge of a major fault line.

Rosatom, Russia's state-owned company in charge of the project, says the power station is designed to withstand extreme external influences from a magnitude 9 earthquake.

In nuclear power plant construction, plants are designed to survive shaking that is more extreme than what's been previously recorded in the area they're sited.

The possibility of a magnitude 9 earthquake occurring in the vicinity of the Akkuyu reactor is approximately once every 10,000 years, Rosatom told The Associated Press via email last week. That is exactly how the margin of safety concept is being implemented.

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An official with Turkiye's Energy Ministry, when contacted by the AP, said there were no immediate plans to reassess the project. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol. Some activists, however, still say the project the first nuclear power plant in Turkiye poses a threat.

Nuclear facilities are constructed of heavily reinforced concrete, sized for significant earthquake shaking and far more robust than commercial buildings, said Andrew Whittaker, a professor of civil engineering at the University at Buffalo who is an expert in earthquake engineering and nuclear structures.

The fact that it's sited off the western end of the East Anatolian Fault, which was linked to last week's powerful tremor, suggests that the design would have been checked for significant shaking, Whittaker added.

Still, Whittaker said, it would be prudent to reassess seismic hazard calculations in the region for all infrastructure, including the plant.

There's no reason to be concerned, but there's always a reason to be cautious, he said.

That's little comfort to activists in Turkiye and on both sides of ethnically divided Cyprus. They've renewed their calls for the project to be scrapped, saying that the devastating earthquake is clear proof of the great risk posed by a nuclear power plant near seismic fault lines.

In a statement to the AP, the Cyprus Anti-Nuclear platform, a coalition of over 50 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot environmentalist groups, trade unions and political parties, said it calls on all political parties, scientific and environmental organisations and the civil society to join efforts and put pressure on the Turkish government to terminate its plans for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

Cypriot European Parliament member Demetris Papadakis asked the European Commission what immediate actions it intends to take to halt the plant because of the dangers posed by building a nuclear power station in a seismic zone so close to Cyprus.

Nuclear power plants worldwide are designed to withstand earthquakes and shut down safely in the event of major earth movement about 20 per cent of nuclear reactors are operating in areas of significant seismic activity, according to the World Nuclear Association.

For example, Japanese nuclear plants, including the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, are in regions where earthquakes of up to magnitude 8.5 may be expected, the association said.

Stricter safety standards were adopted after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, when a tsunami crashed into the Daichi plant, melting three reactors and releasing dangerous levels of radiation. And the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California was designed to safely withstand earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding that could potentially occur in the region too, according to its operator.

Turkish nuclear regulators provided the license for the plant's construction in Akkuyu in 1976 following eight years of seismic studies to determine the most suitable location, but the project was slowed down after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. Construction of the first reactor started in 2018. Large nuclear power plants have traditionally taken a while to build because of the size, scale and complexity of the infrastructure, and delays associated with first-of-a-kind plants.

According to Rosatom, a study by Turkiye's Office for the Prevention and Elimination of Consequences of Emergency Situations indicates that the site in Akkuyu some 60 miles (95 kilometres) from Cyprus' northern coastline is located in the fifth degree earthquake zone, which is considered the safest region in terms of earthquakes.

The plant design includes an external reinforced concrete wall and internal protective shell made of prestressed concrete, with metal cables stretched inside the concrete shell to give additional solidity to the structure, the company said. And the modern reactor design, Russia's VVER-1200, includes an additional safety feature a 144 ton steel cone called the core catcher that in an emergency, traps and cools any molten radioactive materials, Rosatom added.

The company emphasised that power units with VVER-1200 reactors comply with the post-Fukushima requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

There's a political dimension to qualms about the plant: Cyprus has accused Turkiye of augmenting the Turkish Cypriots' dependence on it in order to entrench the island's ethnic division. Turkiye has said it would supply the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north of the island with electricity through an undersea cable. A pipeline suspended a couple of hundred metres under the Mediterranean's surface is already supplying the north with water.

The plant, whose first of four reactors is scheduled to go online later this year, will have a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts of electricity, providing about 10 per cent of Turkiye's electricity needs.

According to government figures, if the power plant started operating today, it could singlehandedly provide enough electricity for a city of about 15 million people, such as Istanbul, Rosatom added.

It's estimated to cost USD 20 billion. Rosatom has a 99.2 per cent stake in the project, and is contracted to build, maintain, operate and decommission the plant.
Chip maker MediaTek on Thursday launched the Dimensity 7200 chipset to amplify gaming and photography smartphone experiences.

The Dimensity 7200 delivers the same TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 4nm second-generation process found in the Dimensity 9200, and is ideal for ultra-slim designs in a variety of form factors, said the company.

"The MediaTek Dimensity 7000 series will be vital for mobile gamers and photography enthusiasts who are looking for an affordable way to squeeze the most battery life out of their phones without skimping on performance," CH Chen, Deputy General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit, said in a statement.

For gamers, the MediaTek HyperEngine 5.0 technology provides AI-based Variable Rate Shading (VRS) for power savings, CPU and GPU smart resource optimization for longer battery life, and other enhancements for smooth gameplay.

Moreover, utilising MediaTek's Imagiq 765 and a 14-bit HDR-ISP, the Dimensity 7200 supports 200MP main cameras for epic photography, according to the company.

To further optimise power and performance, MediaTek's built-in AI Processing Unit (APU) maximises the efficiency of AI tasks and AI fusion processing.

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The chipset also supports 4K HDR video capture and allows users to capture content from two cameras at Full HD resolution while keeping everything in focus using all-pixel autofocus technology.

Additional features include -- up to Full HD+ and a refresh rate of 144Hz for brilliant displays, Bluetooth LE Audio technology and Dual-Link True Wireless Stereo Audio for wireless earbud support, AI SDR-to-HDR video playback for enhanced multimedia experiences, and more.

--IANS

shs/dpb
Online food delivery platform Zomato on Thursday said it is building public infrastructure called 'Rest Points' to support the entire gig economy and delivery partners of various companies.

In a blog post, the company's Founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal informed that it already has two 'Rest Points' operational in Gurgaon and plans to create more rest points in the most dense clusters of its food delivery business.

Rest Points offer clean drinking water, phone-charging stations, access to washrooms, high-speed internet, a 247 helpdesk and first-aid support.

Goyal, however, did not disclose the number or the location for setting up these Rest Points.

"We recognise that delivery partners face multiple challenges while on the job, from navigating through traffic to delivering orders in inclement weather conditions.

"In line with our commitment to their welfare, we are delighted to announce The Shelter Project under which we have started building public infrastructure (called Rest Points) to support the entire gig economy and delivery partners of various companies," Goyal said in the blog post.

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Goyal further noted that "we believe that by providing a space for all delivery partners to rest, recharge, and take a moment for themselves, we can create a better environment that promotes their physical and mental health."



A study by government think tank NITI Aayog had recently estimated that in 2020-21, 77 lakh workers were engaged in India's gig economy, with the workforce expected to expand to 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30.

Delivery boys, cleaners, consultants, bloggers, etc., are all part of the gig economy, and face several challenges related to social security, gratuity, minimum wage protection and working hours, as they are engaged in livelihoods outside the traditional employer-employee arrangement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has amplified monitoring in response to Equatorial Guinea's confirmation of a Marburg virus outbreak.

Marburg virus is a deadly and highly contagious condition that claimed nine lives in the African nation. TAl Jazeera reported that theUN agency held an urgent meeting on Tuesday with a Marburg virus vaccine consortium (MARVAC) official to explore vaccine and treatment options and research goals,

The WHO country representative in Equatorial Guinea, George Ameh, stated that "surveillance in the field has been intensified" and they adopted COVID-19 teams initially sent to the area to speed up efforts.

WHO experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory, and risk communication helped the Central African nation respond to the outbreak. After discovering an unknown hemorrhagic fever last week, Equatorial Guinea isolated over 200 persons and severely limited travel in the province of Kie-Ntem.

Read Also: Vaping May Increase Risk of Severe COVID-19

Ebola-Like Disease

The Marburg virus, like the Ebola virus, is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces like shared bedding.

According to the CDC, Marburg virus infection is a hemorrhagic fever that may damage organs and cause bleeding. The uncommon virus was discovered in 1967 after it generated simultaneous sickness outbreaks in labs in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, per USA Today.

Meanwhile, an experimental Marburg virus vaccine proved safe and elicited an immunological response in a tiny, first-in-human clinical study, according to the National Institutes of Health, citing a Lancet report.

Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have created a vaccine that shows promise as a weapon for combating Marburg virus epidemics in the future.

Related Article: The Climate Change-Malaria Connection

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American President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have hailed Air Indias multi-billion-dollar aircraft deal with Boeing and Airbus. The Boeing deal was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Biden as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation. So, why has one deal brought all these leaders together and what does it mean for India's civil aviation market?

Indias airlines arent the only ones giving wings to Indias ambition. A major find in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir has also ignited the countrys hope to become a key player in the electric vehicle ecosystem. The government on February 10 announced that it has found a stash of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium in the hill states Reasi district. But there are many a slip between the cup and the lip. Will this lithium reserves make India an EV power?



Turning our focus back to aviation, Aero India Show, which seeks to display Indias growth in aerospace and defence capabilities, has put the spotlight on related stocks. Analysts say the event would improve the sectors long-term growth prospects as investments worth Rs 75,000 crore are expected. But, are the stocks worth adding to your portfolio given tepid budgetary allocation?



Two grey fighter jets, which have come from Utah, United States to take part in the Aero India show are attracting a lot of attention. They are arguably the worlds most advanced fifth-generation fighters. Fighter jets have come a long way since the first world war -- when pilots used to take down enemy planes with rifles and grenades. Now we have supersonic jets equipped with guided missiles and radar-evading stealth technology. But how did the jets evolve? And what is a fifth generation fighter jet? Lets find out in thos episode of the podcast.
Airwallex has today announced senior appointments to its global leadership team as the global payments and financial platform focuses on its expansion into 2023.

Justin Yek has commenced in the newly created role of Head of Strategic Finance and Corporate Development following more than 10 years in banking, finance and start ups including work for Morgan Stanley and Citi. Jon Stona has joined Airwallex as Global Head of Marketing after working at Stripe in senior marketing roles, as well as positions at Google and Nike.

Both positions sit on Airwallexs global leadership team, reporting to CEO and co-founder Jack Zhang.

Mr Zhang said he has been building a connected and global organisation that would be critical to new opportunities for Airwallex to grow and expand its operations.

Airwallex has big ambitions for 2023 and while many other companies are having to cut back on staff, were investing in our growth and talent, Mr Zhang said.

Airwallex wants to help businesses grow, and to do that we're supercharging our own workforce.

Justin will be working closely with me and the Airwallex leadership team as we focus on our company strategy and potential M&A investments that align with our global ambitions.

Jon will take our marketing function to the next level to help drive leads, convert and acquire new customers, and work to encourage repeated use of our different products.

We connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world and Im looking forward to working with our new starters to bring that vision to life.

Head of Strategic Finance and Corporate Development Justin Yek said Airwallex was looking to continue its impressive growth trajectory.

There are significant opportunities for Airwallex to work with more and more customers and businesses on everything from their payments, treasury, spend and embedded finance, and Ill be focusing on how we can best achieve that, Mr Yek said.

Global Head of Marketing Jon Stona said the Airwallex marketing team would be expanding through the year, including with new senior appointments across Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe.

Images

Images of the new hires are available for download here.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform for modern businesses. We remove the unnecessary friction and cost inherent in the traditional financial system to help entrepreneurs achieve their global ambitions. Leading companies around the world trust Airwallex to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend to embedded finance - all in one single platform.

Our purpose is to connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world. With an international footprint across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, we empower businesses to grow without borders.

For more information, please visit www.airwallex.com

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SecurityScorecard, the global leader in cybersecurity ratings, announced that the company closed its fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, with significant momentum, achieving 49% growth year-over-year. SecurityScorecard now delivers security ratings, response, and resilience solutions and services to 73% of the Fortune 100, with over 12 million organizations continuously rated.

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Globally, SecurityScorecard experienced tremendous global expansion of its business outside of North America with 68% year-over-year growth in ending annual recurring revenue. Further, the company acquired LIFARS, a global leader in digital forensics, incident response, and cyber resiliency services. The company also gained a number of market-leading customers in 2022 including Chubb and NTT.

Our growth signals an inflection point for the security ratings market worldwide, said Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy, CEO and co-founder of SecurityScorecard. When attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this year, cyber resilience was clearly top of mind for global leaders across the private and public sector. These organizations are focused on maintaining trust with their ecosystem amidst geopolitical tensions and escalating cybersecurity threats, making the ability to measure cybersecurity a must-have.

Boards and business leaders need a far better understanding of cybersecurity visibility and continuous monitoring data, and their relationships to business processes, said Jon Oltsik, distinguished analyst and ESG Fellow. Without that knowledge, its impossible for them to make good cyber-risk management decisions that result in a more cyber resilient organization.

Trusted by Governments and Insurers

SecurityScorecard has become a trusted, go-to resource for the U.S. government. For example, the company established partnerships with more than eight public sector-related associations, including the New York Department of Financial Services, the U.S. Conference of State Bank Supervisors (the umbrella organization for all 50 state banking regulators), and the U.S. national associations for U.S. counties, state legislators, and state CIOs. In 2022, the U.S. governments cyber agency, CISA, added SecurityScorecard to the catalog of Free Cybersecurity Services and Tools and publicly partnered with SecurityScorecard via CISAs Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative.

Additionally, SecurityScorecards Threat Research, Intelligence, Knowledge, and Engagement (STRIKE) team led an investigation of nation-state cyber activity leading up to and during Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the discovery of the Zhadnost botnet, found to conduct DDoS attacks on Ukrainian and Finnish governments. SecurityScorecards Zhadnost research was ultimately cited by the U.S. government as part of CISAs Shields Up program.

In 2022, SecurityScorecards Attack Surface Intelligence solution was added to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Continuous Diagnostics and Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Programs approved products list (APL), providing Government agencies with the ability to leverage SecurityScorecards solution to identify, contextualize, and prioritize critical threats across their global attack surface.

SecurityScorecard is also now a trusted standard in cyber insurance and cyber underwriting with insurance organizations, achieving 120% growth of new ARR in its insurance business in 2022. SecurityScorecards portfolio is highlighted by relationships with market-leading cyber insurers and insurance brokers including Chubb, AXA, Marsh and McLennan, and Willis Towers Watson.

In Good Company

SecurityScorecard welcomed The Honorable Susan M. Gordon, former Principal Deputy Director of U.S. National Intelligence, to its Board of Directors as an independent director. Ms. Gordon most recently served as the principal deputy director of U.S. national intelligence until 2019 and was a member of the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a bipartisan, U.S. congressionally mandated initiative. MSNBC recently described her as one of the most respected U.S. intelligence officers of her generation and she has been advising former U.S. Presidents since President Ronald Reagan.

SecurityScorecard also significantly expanded its global partner Marketplace by 80%, to include more than 90 technology and integration partners such as AWS, Coupa, Crowdstrike, CSC, Fortinet, IBM, OneTrust, Palo Alto Networks, Snowflake, and Splunk. SecurityScorecard Marketplace delivers the solutions security leaders need to maximize security investments and more effectively communicate risk and results with their boards and/or key stakeholders.

The Worlds Most Comprehensive Platform for Quantifying and Reducing Risk

As a security ratings innovator, SecurityScorecard expanded its capabilities this year to build the worlds most comprehensive platform for quantifying and reducing cyber risk, uniquely enabling organizations to protect their attack surface and their business ecosystem.

SecurityScorecards latest offerings and suite of Professional Services below deliver value to security leaders faced with the need for trusted, accurate data to visualize threats, communicate risk, and take decisive action.

Attack Surface Intelligence : The industrys only global threat intelligence that exposes previously unknown threats with actionable insights to speed remediation across the attack surface, and also that of a third-party ecosystem.

: The industrys only global threat intelligence that exposes previously unknown threats with actionable insights to speed remediation across the attack surface, and also that of a third-party ecosystem. Automatic Vendor Detection: Continuously monitors the cyber hygiene of an organizations entire digital supply chain with the industry's most complete and automated view of 3rd and 4th party vendor risk.

Continuously monitors the cyber hygiene of an organizations entire digital supply chain with the industry's most complete and automated view of 3rd and 4th party vendor risk. Cyber Risk Quantification: Partners with RiskLens and ThreatConnect to deliver instant financial impact assessments for any organization in the world.

Partners with RiskLens and ThreatConnect to deliver instant financial impact assessments for any organization in the world. Cyber Risk Intelligence: Helps organizations proactively eliminate cyber risk with actionable, tailored intelligence from SecurityScorecards Threat Intelligence team, helping customers increase the return on previous investments and drastically improve preventative controls.

Helps organizations proactively eliminate cyber risk with actionable, tailored intelligence from SecurityScorecards Threat Intelligence team, helping customers increase the return on previous investments and drastically improve preventative controls. Proactive Security Services, Digital Forensics, and Incident Response: Allows customers to battle-test their security controls and respond confidently to a cyber-attack by partnering with industry-leading experts available 24x7.

Unique Research and Industry Recognition

At The World Economic Forum in Davos, SecurityScorecard announced the research paper, Addres

sing the Trust Deficit in Critical Infrastructure, which analyzed the increasing cyberattacks that have undermined the publics trust in the resilience of our societies and was featured in Bloomberg, Dark Reading and the official World Economic Forum Blog.

Also in 2022, SecurityScorecard issued ground-breaking research with The Cyentia Institute, which analyzed data from more than 1.6 million organizations to measure the speed of vulnerability remediation over a three-year period, revealing that only 60% of organizations have improved their security posture despite a 15-fold increase in cyber-attacks over the last three years.

Additionally, SecurityScorecard was recognized for a number of contributions to the cybersecurity industry in 2022, including:

About SecurityScorecard

Funded by world-class investors including Evolution Equity Partners, Silver Lake Partners, Sequoia Capital, GV, Riverwood Capital, and others, SecurityScorecard is the global leader in cybersecurity ratings with more than 12 million companies continuously rated. Founded in 2013 by security and risk experts Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy and Sam Kassoumeh, SecurityScorecard's patented rating technology is used by over 25,000 organizations for enterprise risk management, third-party risk management, board reporting, due diligence, cyber insurance underwriting, and regulatory oversight. SecurityScorecard continues to make the world a safer place by transforming the way companies understand, improve and communicate cybersecurity risk to their boards, employees and vendors. SecurityScorecard is listed as a free cyber tool and service as listed by the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Every organization has the universal right to their trusted and transparent Instant SecurityScorecard rating. For more information, visit securityscorecard.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

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14,000 entries submitted from across the globe by amateurs and professionals.

Concrete in Life Photo of Year from UAE wins $10,000 top prize.

Eight category winners of photos from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey and UAE win $2,500 each.

A stunning image of a skateboard park in the United Arab Emirates has been named Concrete in Life Photo of the Year. It wins a top prize of $10,000 (ten thousand US dollars) in a global competition, which highlights the essential role that concrete plays around the world.

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Ferdz Bedana, winner Urban Concrete Professional and overall winner, Concrete in Life Photo of Year. Location Sharjah, UAE

The photo, taken by professional photographer, Ferdz Bedana, in Sharjah, was announced as the overall winner in a live Instagram broadcast, on 15th February. It was selected from more than 14,000 photos submitted by both amateur and professional photographers from every continent, in the annual competition run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive said: Concrete is the second most used substance on earth after water and plays a vital part in modern infrastructure and society. Through the work of the GCCA and our members, to implement our 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, we are working hard and making progress in reducing its environmental impact. These amazing photos capture the appeal of concrete design and the essential role it plays in modern life and communities everywhere.

Entrants from around the world submitted photos across four categories: concrete infrastructure, concrete beauty and design, urban concrete, and concrete in daily life, with each section divided between professional photographers and amateurs, often with smart phones. The breadth and variety of all the entries highlight the way concrete supports life around the world, from the giant to the small form, as well as the materials grace, beauty and crucial supporting role.

Eight category winners each receive a prize of $2,500 (two thousand, five hundred US dollars) each. As well as Ferdz Bedanas skateboarder image, the category winners include images of a waterfall and a roller-skater race, both taken in Indonesia, a stunning city interchange in China, rice mills in Bangladesh, a university building in Mexico, a metro station in Dubai and a Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ferdz Bedana who took the overall Concrete in Life Photo of Year in Sharjah, said: Its a great honour to be the overall winner of the Concrete in Life 2022 competition and spread the story of how concrete is a big contribution in our life. I was interested to take a photo of this skatepark when I saw a boy enjoying playing in a substantially artistic concrete design.

Chris George, Content Director at Digital Camera World, and one of the competition judges said about the winning photo: This was an amazing capture, that perfectly shows the energy of skateboarding against the organic form of the manmade structure.

Fellow judge, freelance writer and photographer Norman Miller added: Its a real skill to capture fast moving subject while showing mastery of framing and control of lighting.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive added: Congratulations to Ferdz Bedana and all our category winners. Check out our website to see all the shortlisted entries who were all outstanding.

The GCCA and its member companies, which account for 80% of global cement production capacity outside of China, as well as key Chinese manufacturers, are committed to reducing and eliminating CO2 emissions through implementation of the Concrete Future - 2050 Net Zero Roadmap  the first heavy industry to set out such a detailed plan.

Notes to editors:

Images available for media to use here.

Video of Instagram broadcast announcing winners available here.

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The biggest concern for Irish farmers - for the second year in a row - is rising input costs such as feed, fertiliser, and energy.

That is according to an annual Farm Report conducted by ifac, Irelands farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm.

Ifacs fifth annual Irish farm survey containing the views of 1,160 Irish farmers, and contained within the report, reveals the issues that are front of mind for Irish farmers today. The survey took place between October and December 2022.

Three quarters (75%) of Irish farmers say their biggest worry for 2023 is input prices (up 10% on last year). While over half (54%) are concerned about their electricity and gas costs at home,

More than half (52%) of farmers surveyed say the biggest barrier to adopting renewable projects is the level of financial investment required coupled with the low returns. Yet, to help tackle rising energy costs and for long-term sustainability, 41% say they would lease land to a solar or wind project if the opportunity arose, signalling an appetite for farmer-developed projects (wind energy or solar panels on farms) when targeted schemes come into effect.

Commenting on the report, Chief Executive of ifac, John Donoghue said, "There is no denying that farmers have experienced serious cost increases in 2022 so, it is encouraging to see that more than half of our survey respondents are optimistic for the coming year, with three-quarters planning to still be farming in five years' time."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
After initial hysterical reaction, US' balloon saga comes to a sudden burst

(Global Times) 11:20, February 16, 2023

F-22, aka the "balloon killer", is the only fighter in the world to have defeated a weather balloon. Cartoon: Vitaly Podvitski

After American top-level fighter jets shot down four flying objects in eight days, US' hype about the balloon saga got a sudden burst.

The White House acknowledged Tuesday that the latest three downed mysterious unidentified objects were tied to a commercial or otherwise benign purpose, and so far there is no evidence to show they are linked to China or any other foreign spy program. On the same day, The Washington Post quoted "US officials," speaking on the condition of anonymity, as conceding the first Chinese balloon, previously alleged by US media as "spy balloon," was "pushed" by "strong winds" into US airspace, which "didn't intend to penetrate the American heartland."

Here is the rub: If the latest three objects were not linked to China, who do they belong to?

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that "American military and civilian agencies have flown balloons over the US for a growing range of national-security applications, scientific research, intelligence collection and commercial uses, according to industry experts, former officials and government documents." In other words, "the US may have taken down three of its own balloons," Shen Yi, a professor at Fudan University, told Global Times. Those F-22s, F-16, and costly missiles fired in the missions, may have all shelled random pieces of American own assets.

Now, it would be hilarious to re-read the news stories in US media over the past days, which vividly portrayed pictures of American politicians and pundits running around with their hair on fire, vehemently calling for more military budget and Cold War escalations, all for a small harmless balloon.

After the latest update, there is basically no mention over US side's previous shrill screams about China's "intrusion into American airspace." Take China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher, who articulated that the balloon was "a threat to American sovereignty." Do they feel ashamed now?

The wind is changing in US' narrative over the balloon farce. A major reason is that the US has woken up to bitter fruit of escalating tension with China too hard through fake accusations.

The US flies more balloons than any other country. It could easily trigger a domino effect by shooting down balloons at its whim - American own balloons and airship may be hijacked by other countries in the future. And at that time, the US will lose more than it gains, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times.

The more important question confronting the US is - does it want China-US ties at all? In the short term, Washington faces more crucial puzzles relating to its national interests, including national debt, macroeconomic policies, and trade with China. To some extent, the US needs China more than China needs the US. Against this backdrop, it would be equivalent to setting traps for itself, if the US keeps squeezing its wiggle room in ties with China, Shen said.

Propaganda based on choreographed fake stories is unsustainable. The development of China-US ties will eventually come back to and rests on facts. If US politicians keeps manipulating their diplomacy for the sake of winning domestic politics, it will only shake strategic stability among major powers, experts noted.

Given that the facts are surfacing, do US authorities have the nerve to admit it with follow-up moves, such as withdrawing sanctions against six Chinese companies which have connections with the innocent balloon? Against the backdrop, US officials, ranging from President Joe Biden to Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin, can only save their image by clarifying the truth in a formal manner.

In the balloon saga, the US has shown its allies and the world how incapable it was to identify small flying objects, whether they are for military use or not, and whether they are harmful to US national interests. It is an unscrupulous alpha who gives erratic warnings at will. It is the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail for him. Worse, it is a man who has completely run out of tools, except for his hammer, Shen said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Chinese officials have denied accusations that they refused to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate the coronavirus pandemic's origins.

The People's Republic of China denied the accuracy of such reports, instead blaming the global health agency for seemingly abandoning its probe into the origins of the health crisis. A report talked about the WHO's alleged abandoning of the investigation, citing China's uncooperative nature.

China's Take on WHO COVID-19 Investigation

WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said that there is no phase two for the investigation. She added that politics worldwide regarding the investigation into the origin of the COVID-19 virus had hampered scientists' progress.

On the other hand, Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, pushed back on such claims during a press conference on Wednesday held in Beijing. The official noted that China's position on the study of the virus's origins has always been consistent.

Wang noted that China has been transparent with the WHO regarding various aspects of its COVID-19 situation. He added that they have worked on supporting and participating in science-based global origins tracing. As per Fox News, the Chinese spokesperson also said that Beijing firmly opposed all forms of political manipulation regarding the situation.

The Chinese official added that two previous envoys of WHO scientists were allowed to enter the Asian nation. He said this was proof that the government was open and transparent with the global community.

Wang noted that Beijing has already shared more data and research findings regarding the coronavirus origins study than any other nation in the world. He said that the Chinese government would continue coordinating and working with global agencies with origins tracing and further investigations.

Read Also: Climate Change Contributes to Spread of Malaria Outside Africa

Suspension of Investigations

It was in 2020 when the WHO's first phase of coronavirus origins tracing began when a team of scientists traveled to China and spent four weeks looking for evidence of the virus' origins. The team of researchers discovered four potential origins of the virus, with the most likely one being a transmission from bats to humans.

The team responsible for investigating the virus's origins has, in June 2022, called for new studies. This includes probes into audits of laboratories that were close to where the first outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China, according to Politico.

Despite the report that the WHO's investigation has been put on hold, a spokesperson for the global health agency said that it has not been abandoned. However, they noted that they need access and data from Chinese officials to determine the best course of action moving forward.

Researchers expressed their disappointment in having to suspend the investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. They argued that understanding the virus is key in preventing or curbing future outbreaks.

However, they noted that with access to China, there was more that the WHO could do to advance its studies regarding the issue, said a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, Angela Rasmussen, said Nature.

Related Article: Ebola-Like Disease Outbreak Discovered in Guinea

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An Erie County Court judge sentenced the Buffalo mass shooting suspect on Wednesday to life behind bars for killing 10 Black people in a supermarket in May 2022.

The judge, Susan Eagan, reproached the white supremacist, telling him there was no place for his hateful and evil ideology in a civilized society. She added that there could be no mercy, understanding, or second chances for the defendant. Eagan said that the damage the suspect, Payton Gendron, caused was too significant, saying he would never be a free man again.

Buffalo Mass Shooter Given Life Sentence

The emotional sentencing gave the family members of the victims of the horrific shooting a chance to confront the killer directly. Many evoked the memories of their loved ones, including sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and fathers who lost their lives that day.

After the statements, the defendant read from a statement where he apologized to the families of his victims. "I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14th. I did a terrible thing that day," as per Buffalo News.

Gendron said that he killed his victims for the sole reason they were Black, adding that looking back, he could not believe he went through with the brutal act. He noted that he believed what he read online and was spurred to act by hate.

The defendant's statement lasted less than a minute before Judge Eagan delivered a treatise about the history of racism in the United States. She noted that the ugly truth in the country was that it was found and built, in part, on white supremacy.

However, Eagan said that the community of Buffalo had shown its character after the way that its residents responded to the racist murders. She noted that she was "immensely proud" and grateful for how the people of the area rejected the evil and hate that Gendron inflicted on their community.

During the hearing, one man lunged at Gendron, forcing security personnel to clear the courtroom and the temporary suspension of the trial. According to Yahoo News, the suspect had pleaded guilty to carrying out the Buffalo mass shooting at a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Read Also: U-Haul Truck Driver Goes on Rampage, Kills 1, Injures 8 Others

Rebuking the Horrific Act

During the impact statements, Barbara Massey Mapps, the sister of 72-year-old Katherine Massey, addressed Gendrone directly. She said the defendant killed her sister, whom she called her "best friend."

Mapps then said that what she wanted to do at that moment was to choke the defendant, who traveled 300 miles from his home armed with an AR-15-style rifle to conduct the attack. With her voice rising in anger, the family of one of the victims said that the defendant did not know any Black people.

A man standing behind Mapps suddenly pushed her aside and lunged at the defendant, forcing security personnel to hold him back and escort Gendron away. As he was being led out of the courtroom, the man said the other people did not understand what they were going through.

However, Judge Eagan said they could not allow such behavior inside the courtroom, noting that they must conduct themselves appropriately because they are better than that. In the end, the judge's sentencing of the defendant found him guilty of each terrorism and murder charge, said CNN.

Related Article: Michigan State Shooter Had 'Mental Issues'

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Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced her resignation after serving eight years, citing a series of political setbacks and the "brutality" of public life.

Sturgeon, the Scottish National Party leader, said that she became aware in her head and heart that it was the right time to step down from her position. However, she denied rumors that her decision was influenced by recent mounting pressure, including discussions about gender reforms, trans prisoners, and independence strategies.

Nicola Sturgeon Resigns

The outgoing minister acknowledged that there had been shaky grounds during her tenure but noted that her decision to resign came from a "deeper and longer-term assessment." Sturgeon said that when she first got the job, she had to instinctively know when it was the right time to give way for someone else to take over.

The official added that she had been facing conflicting emotions since the beginning of this year. According to BBC, Sturgeon said that she would get up in the morning and try to convince herself that she still had what it takes to keep going.

However, the minister noted that she had two questions that suggested; otherwise, one was whether it was right for her to continue, and the second, if it was right for the country, her party, and the cause of independence.

She noted that the answer she arrived at for both questions was no. Sturgeon said that the nation was at a crucial moment with the "blocking of a referendum as the accepted, constitutional route to independence" is a democratic outrage, she added.

Sturgeon argued that support for independence needs to be solidified to grow further. She said that to achieve this, the country needs to reach across the divide in Scottish politics.

The figurehead of the Scottish independence movement reassured that short-term pressures did not influence her decision as she recently experienced increasing tensions with the United Kingdom government in London.

Read Also: Israel Draws Ire for Proposed Settlements Expansion

Scottish Independence

The divide was mainly due to the topic of Scottish independence as well as Westminster's decision to prevent a law that sought to allow trans people in Scotland to change their legal gender, according to CNN quickly.

The reasoning she gave for her decision was that she could no longer give her full energy to the job, saying that she felt like she was wrestling with it. Sturgeon added that it has become more difficult for her to maintain a private life. She struggled to meet friends for a coffee or go for a walk just by herself.

The outgoing minister said her successor would have to be someone who would not be subject to the same polarized opinions. Alex Salmond, Sturgeon's predecessor, hailed her as a first-rate political communicator.

On the other hand, former United States President Donald Trump took a jab at Sturgeon following her resignation. The Republican businessman said she was a "failed woke extremist" who symbolized everything wrong with identity politics. Trump specifically cited Sturgeon's support for transgender rights, said the Independent.

Related Article: China's Take on COVID-19 Origin Investigations

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World Bank leader David Malpass announced his early resignation on Wednesday, hastening his stepping down from the position by a year amid climate change controversies.

After spending more than four years on the job, the World Bank chief will officially leave his position on June 30, which marks the end of the bank's fiscal year. In a statement announcing his resignation, Malpass said it was an honor and privilege to serve as the World Bank's president.

David Malpass' Resignation

He noted that developing countries are currently facing unprecedented crises, noting that he was proud to have been able to help the Bank Group to respond with haste, scale, innovation, and impact.

The World Bank comprises 187 nations and is responsible for lending funds to developing countries to assist efforts in reducing poverty. Former United States President Donald Trump was the one who appointed Malpass as the chief of the group in 2019 that is set to end in 2024, as per CNN.

During his tenure, the organization responded to several global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The World Bank said that its outgoing president implemented record surges in finances that were used to respond to both situations.

Malpass also focused on policies aimed at increasing economic growth, reducing government debt burdens, and reducing poverty worldwide. However, in September, the World Bank chief faced criticism from climate activists after he refused to confirm the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels is causing the dangerous warming of our planet.

In a later statement, he clarified that he was not a climate denier, noting that fossil fuel emissions are "clearly" contributing to the warming of Earth. On Wednesday, the World Bank also said that it had more than doubled its financing for climate efforts in 2022, bringing the total to $32 billion.

Read Also: Ebola-Like Virus Outbreak Confirmed in Guinea

The World Bank's Financial Efforts

Malpass announced his resignation on social media and did not include a reason for the decision. He served as the president of the World Bank after working in the United States Department of Treasury during Trump's presidency, according to BBC.

In a separate statement, Malpass said that by the end of the fiscal year, the World Bank would be well-positioned to feature sustainability more clearly. This is part of a broader effort to align the World Bank's mission with its resources.

Malpass, who had long been skeptical of multilateral institutions, was seen as a controversial pick to lead the World Bank. Former United States Vice President Al Gore, in a statement in September, called for Malpass' resignation. He argued that the Trump appointee needed to do more to raise funds for climate issues.

With the U.S. Congress unwilling to help President Joe Biden's efforts to fulfill commitments in developing countries with climate aid, the White House has turned to other assistance. They are particularly looking at global financial institutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support adaptation defenses against a world that is getting increasingly warmer, according to the Washington Post.

Related Article: China's Take on COVID-19 Origin Investigations

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Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida avoids criminal charges in the Department of Justice's sex-trafficking investigation over a lack of strong evidence.

The DOJ decided after a lengthy investigation that jeopardized the political career of one of former United States President Donald Trump's allies in Congress. Investigators have, in recent months, signaled that they would most likely not pursue charges against Gaetz.

Matt Gaetz Avoids Criminal Charges

The decision was made after officials concluded that they could not make a strong enough case in court to support prosecution. Furthermore, department officials told Gaetz's legal team about the Wednesday decision.

In a statement, the Republican official's lawyers, Isabelle Kirshner, and Marc Mukasey, said they have already spoken with the DOJ, who informed them that the investigation into Gaetz has concluded.

Federal prosecutors in late 2020 began examining whether or not the Florida Republican broke federal sex-trafficking laws. Investigators focused on the 40-year-old's relationships with women whom he recruited online for sex and tried to determine whether or not he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, as per the New York Times.

The probe into Gaetz revealed embarrassing details of the Republican's private life, and it appears to have heavily weighed on him despite being known as a brash, carefree, and bellicose public official.

Gaetz made remarks in the last days of the Trump administration where he noted that he quietly and unsuccessfully appealed to the White House for a broad preemptive pardon. This could have encompassed the sex-trafficking investigation.

The DOJ's decision not to file criminal charges against the Republican official came two months after Joel Greenberg received an 11-year prison sentence on charges that included sex trafficking. The latter had cooperated with prosecutors, where he detailed his interactions with Gaetz and the women.

Read Also: Joe Biden Fired Trump-Appointed Architect of the Capitol

Sex Trafficking Investigation

Since the issue was first reported in March 2021, Gaetz has maintained his innocence over the accusation that he paid a 17-year-old girl to travel with him. According to Fox News, the investigation was started under Attorney General Bill Barr.

In a Twitter post following the 2021 report, the Republican lawmaker said that the investigation was simply a farce, calling himself a victim of "organized criminal extortion." He noted that for several weeks, he and his family were extorted by a former DOJ official whom he claims demanded $25 million.

Gaetz added that his father has been working to catch criminals within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He also denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations against him blatant lies.

A high-powered lawyer, Tim Jansen, was representing the congressman's ex-girlfriend and said that justice officials reached out to him on Wednesday. They supposedly told him that they were not filing criminal charges against Gaetz.

The woman Jansen is representing was considered a key witness in the case against the Republican and previously testified before the Orland grand jury last year. In a separate statement, the congressman's office said that the DOJ's investigation has ended and that officials were no longer seeking to charge Gaetz, as per CNN.

Related Article: Nikki Haley Officially Announces 2024 Candidacy

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The whole career scope of electrical engineering, like any other profession, is intimately tied to market economics. In this case, the market serves as the ultimate source of strength, providing attractive employment chances for newly graduated high school students wishing to create a career in the appropriate industry.

Scope

Electrical engineers have a greater opportunity for advancement in India. Candidates with a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering have a wide range of job opportunities. They can either apply to power distribution firms or join the ranks of huge Indian brands and global multinational corporations that are directly involved in the manufacturing and repair of household electrical appliances as well as heavy electrical machinery and equipment.

An electrical engineer studies everything from the ground up, from simple circuits to high-powered motors. Electrical engineering is useful in every industry, whether it provides technology services or not. When it comes to Defense Services, electrical engineers provide services such as equipment construction, repair, and power supply, among others.

Additionally, enterprises based on nuclear or atomic technologies, thermal powers, technological consultancies, and so on hire people with a background in electrical engineering.

Career Opportunities in Electrical Engineering

Instrumentation Engineers

Instrumentation engineers are in charge of configuring pressure, temperature, and flow measurement instruments. Their primary task is to work on instrument design specifications and packages. They frequently perform the installation as well. Their primary goal is to increase production and safety. They are also in charge of testing and maintaining the various electrical systems.

Field Engineer

The duty of a field engineer entails traveling to numerous locations to conduct electrical equipment maintenance and repair services. Apart from this, they are involved in the inspection of existing equipment and the installation of new equipment. They frequently direct the installation crew or write a project report. Their primary goal is to guarantee that everything runs smoothly.

Electrical Design Engineer

An electrical design engineer develops a novel electrical system that can be used for a range of applications. They are in charge of designing and laying up system layouts. The researchers develop and plan system concepts, typically using a computer programme. Electrical engineers test and modify their systems as needed. They also assist with the electrical systems they designed throughout the manufacturing process.

An electrical engineer is a wonderful career choice for someone with great communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, the ability to work under pressure on a tight timetable, and organisational, leadership, and creative abilities.

Telecommunications Engineer

As the name implies, the primary function of a telecommunications engineer is to design and install various communication equipment such as optical cable wiring, telephone lines, electrical switching systems, or reworking the IP network and other systems. They occasionally supervise the installation of these items.

Micro Electrical Engineer

Microelectronics is the design and production of small electronic components such as circuit boards, semiconductors, and microchips for use in electronic instruments, new biomedical technologies, information technologies, aviation equipment, and systems.

Electronic circuit chips, circuit boards, and semiconductors are designed and prototyped by microelectronic engineers. They generate new ideas, conduct specialised testing, and collect and evaluate data on the performance of new models.

Manufacturing and Maintenance Engineer

Manufacturing engineers create, integrate, or enhance manufacturing systems or processes. His job is to design and adapt equipment for producing and assembling electrical components to improve production processes.

An electrical manufacturing engineer mostly works in the production of various equipment such as household appliances, transformers, and so on. In large plants, maintenance engineers primarily troubleshoot, organise maintenance schedules, and handle spare parts.
"Engineering" has always been one of the most fascinating disciplines in the field of education. The concept of 'engineering' has been imbibed in human beings since time immemorial. The Latin words 'Ingenium', which means "cleverness," and 'Ingeniare', which means "to contrive, devise," are the roots of the word engineering.

According to the set definition of "Engineering":

"Engineering is the innovative application of Science, Mathematical Principles, and Empirical Data to the design, development, building, and maintenance of organizations, machines, materials, devices, systems, processes, and structures. The field of Engineering includes a wide variety of more specialized fields, each of which places a greater emphasis on specific domains of Applied Mathematics, Applied Science, and application kinds."

Engineering as a subject is very vast in nature that includes many interesting branches which entice students who look up to Engineering as their career. Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering have historically been the four main fields of Engineering. But, as time passes, the emergence of many new and engrossing branches of Engineering has taken place. The most important factor in beginning a career is being paid a living wage. You must find out which branch of engineering pays the most if you want to make the greatest career choice as an engineering student. The highest-paying engineering specialties in India are mentioned below for your information. The branch you choose will determine your destiny because different branches have distinct foci. Some people are already well-known, while others are still acquiring notoriety.

The pay scale is totally based on the area of engineering you work in. Despite this, we must not downplay a person's potential. No matter the engineering specialty you select, you must make sure you have the required skills and expertise. An applicant with above-average qualifications won't likely earn a greater remuneration package than one who is a master in their field. So please be careful when selecting the engineering branch in which you want to specialize. Apart from the aforesaid traditional branches of Engineering, let's look into the different unique branches of Engineering that are widely known to offer a high salary in India:

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer:

The latest trend finds its inclination in offering a handsome package to the selected candidates to the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineers, commonly abbreviated as AIML. There is a huge demand for AIML Engineers as well, in accordance with the present scenario. AIML is of\ten regarded as the 'Future of Engineering'.

AIML engineering will serve as the cornerstone for combining Humans and Robots. As we know, Artificial intelligence is the ability to deal with human thought, behavior, and emotions and merge them with machines. Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that can learn from data without scripting. One of the highest paying and most in-demand engineering disciplines today is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineering, which enables the coexistence of Humans and Computers. AIML-based Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in technology are presently being offered by numerous Educational Institutions around India.

Depending on the level of experience a person has, their pay may change. In India, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning engineers are paid according to the following scale:

Fresher: 8 LPA

Mid Career: 12 LPA

Senior-level: 20+ LPA

The top recruiters in India for engineers in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are:

Amazon

Microsoft

Google

Accenture

IBM

Petroleum Engineer:

Another interesting branch of Engineering is Petroleum Engineering which is well-acclaimed in offering high packages to deserving candidates. Petroleum Engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on processes involved in producing hydrocarbons, such as crude oil or natural gas. A rewarding career in petroleum engineering offers the chance to work and travel abroad while also ensuring resource sustainability and protecting the environment for future generations.

Basically, Petroleum Engineers talk about how petroleum is extracted, how it should be used responsibly, cutting-edge techniques, and potential applications. Petroleum reserves and other related resources will only be available for the next 100 to 200 years, thus it is imperative that we make the best use of what we now have and protect it as much as we can. The need for petroleum engineers is, therefore, stronger than ever, and top resource-based companies as well as a number of governmental organizations are actively seeking recent graduates in the field from all around the world.

The following pay scale is in effect in India for Petroleum Engineers:

Fresher: 3 LPA

Mid Career: 5 LPA

Senior level: 8+ LPA

The top employers in India for Petroleum Engineers are:

ONGC

HPCL

NTPC

Bharath Gas

Natural resources international Ltd.

Software Engineer/IT:

Designing, building, testing, and maintaining software programs fall within the purview of the branch of Computer Science known as Software Engineering. Software Engineers mix their knowledge of programming languages with engineering principles to produce software solutions for end users. So, primarily; a Software Engineer is a person who uses the principles of Software Engineering to design, build, maintain, test, and review computer software.

A computer Science Engineer is in high demand. Every sector and, for the most part, every job responsibility needs the assistance of a Computer Engineer. Every engineering school offers a course in Computer Science Engineering, which is one of the most popular engineering specialties because of the wealth of employment prospects it can create.

In India, computer science engineers are paid according to the following scale:

Fresher: 3 LPA

Mid Career: 5 LPA

Senior level: 10 LPA

Top Recruiters for Computer Science Engineers in India are:

Microsoft

Google

Amazon

IBM

Wipro

Infosys

TCS

Aerospace Engineer:

The principal area of engineering dealing with the creation of aircraft and spacecraft is Aerospace Engineering. Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautical Engineering are two of its main, overlapping fields. Similar to Mechanical Engineering, Avionics Engineering focuses on the Electronics branch of Aircraft Engineering. The designs are evaluated by aircraft specialists to make sure they follow engineering principles. Aerospace engineers primarily create aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Additionally, they create prototypes and test them to ensure that they function as intended.

The Aerospace, Military, Spaceflight, Satellite, and Missile Industries are all in great need of Aerospace Engineers. It is a branch that is highly sought-after in the public sector as well. It is a discipline of engineering that relies heavily on logic and technicality.

Aerospace engineers in India are compensated using the following scale:

Fresher: 3 LPA

Mid Career: 6 LPA

Senior Level: 15 LPA

The best recruiters in India for Aerospace Engineers are:

ISRO

DRDO

Indian Air Force

Airbus

Defence Ministry

Electronics and Communication Engineer:

The conception, design, and testing of electrical devices used in various communication networks is the focus of the engineering discipline known as Electronics and Communication Engineering, or ECE for short. Engineers in Electronics and Communications are crucial to the Broadcasting and Communication Sectors. In the satellite, telecommunications, research and development, information, and broadcast industries, they are in great demand.

Since India's telecommunications infrastructure is expanding exponentially every day, there is a rising demand for electronics and communication services. With 1.2 billion registered customers, India currently boasts the second-largest subscriber base in the telecom industry.

The following pay scale is enjoyed by Electronics and Communication Engineers in India:

Fresher: 2.5 LPA

Mid Career: 3 LPA

Senior level: 10+ LPA

The top employers in India for Electronics and Communication Engineers are:

Tata electric company

Bajaj Electrical

Wipro lighting corporate

Siemens

Microtek

Nuclear Engineer:

The field of Engineering known as Nuclear Engineering focuses on the research and development of nuclear energy and radiation using the concepts of Nuclear Physics. It's a profession that calls for a high level of accuracy and knowledge. In the chemical, scientific, and defence sectors, there is a great need for Nuclear Engineers. At numerous nuclear power facilities, Nuclear Engineers carry out their tasks.

The management of nuclear power or material is the subject of fresh research by nuclear engineers. To help in the development of preventive measures, they investigate nuclear accidents and analyze the data. Some examine the viability of various nuclear material management and reprocessing techniques.

An Indian Nuclear Engineer makes an average salary of:

Fresher: 5 LPA

Mid Career: 9 LPA

Senior level: 14 LPA

Top Recruiters for Nuclear Engineers in India are:

Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)

DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.

Uranium Corporation of India

Nuclear Thermal Power Corporation

Big Data Engineer:

Big Data Engineering is a branch of Engineering that works with complicated and huge data sets. The responsibilities of a Big Data Engineer include building, testing, and maintaining enormous data sets. Despite the fact that big data engineering is still a relatively new field, its market demand is growing rapidly.

With a 50% rise in open positions, Big Data was the IT industry's fastest-growing employment in 2020. Many powerful businesses depend on big data experts to manage their enormous servers and customer data. The advent of cloud computing has boosted the potential for Big Data Engineers.

The pay scale enjoyed by Big Data Engineers in India is as follows:

Fresher: 4 LPA

Mid career:7 LPA.

Senior level: 12 LPA.

Top hiring companies in India for Big Data Engineers are:

Google

Amazon

Accenture

TCS

Cognizant technology solutions

Deloitte

Capgemini

Microsoft

Infosys
On February 6, 2023, Turkey and Syria were hit by a destructive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. The epicentre of the earthquake was located at 34 km west of Gaziantep in Turkey. The earthquake destroyed buildings and more than 30,000 people lost their lives. After the earthquake, the region was also jolted by more than 70 aftershocks, which resulted in even more destruction and lose of lives.

The relief materials and medical equipment started to pour in to the affected regions from all around the world. The Government of India launched Operation Dost to help both Turkey and Syria in search and rescue efforts and also provided humanitarian assistance through life-saving emergency medicines, medical equipment and critical care drugs.

Operation Dost: First Responder to Regions Affected by Earthquake

Indian government's launch of Operation Dost is considered to be a first responder approach, providing quick humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to regions affected by earthquake. The Turkish envoy, Firat Sunel, said that India was among the first nations that came forward in providing assistance to Turkey after devastating earthquake of February 6. India dispatched teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the affected areas in Turkey on the evening of February 6.

What Is Operation Dost?

Humanitarian Assistance to Quake-Hit Turkey and Syria

The Government of India launched Operation Dost to help those in need in earthquake-hit countries of Turkey and Syria. Under Operation Dost, India is sending an enormous amount of humanitarian assistance to both Turkey and Syria.

As part of the operation, the Government of India has already sent tons of relief material to both countries in collaboration with the Indian Army. The government has sent relief materials, mobile hospitals and specialised search and rescue teams to Turkey.

Deployed Indian Army Personnel in Search and Rescue Operations

In the worst-hit areas of Turkey and Syria, the Government of India has deployed many army personnel to help in search and rescue operations. Three self-sustaining teams of the NDRF, with above 150 specially trained personnel, as well as the dog squad, specialised vehicles and other supplies, are already putting their experience in quake-hit areas of Turkey. Tonnes of specialised equipment and other relief materials have already reached Turkey.

Setting Up of Field Hospital by the Medical Team

The Government of India has sent emergency medicines and equipment, such as portable ECG machines, patient monitors and other essential medical items, to Syria.

The NDRF teams are providing assistance in rescue operations at Gaziantep, whereas the field hospital set up by the medical team in Iskenderun has started functioning, which is providing assistance through surgical and emergency wards and x-ray labs and medical stores.

India Stands Firmly with the People of Turkey

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that India will keep trying to save maximum number of lives under Operation Dost.

Seventh Flight of Operation Dost Bringing More Disaster Relief Consumables

The seventh Operation Dost flight reached earthquake-hit Syria on February 12 with over 23 tons of relief material, including gensets, sleeping mats, solar lamps, tarpaulins, blankets, emergency and critical care medicines and disaster relief consumables.

For Turkey, the seventh Operation Dost flight is carrying medical equipment such as ECG, patient monitor, anaesthesia machine, syringe pumps, glucometer, blankets and other relief materials.

Other Humanitarian Relief Operations by India

Previously, India has also participated in other humanitarian relief operations, including sending an Indian Air Force aircraft to deliver 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims in the United States, sending 4 aircrafts and 2 naval ships under Operation Castor to Maldives for relief operations after the Tsunami of 2004, sending its forces under Operation Rainbow to Sri Lanka to carry out rescue operations after the 2004 Tsunami, India was among the first countries to send aid to Myanmar following the cyclone Nargis which hit Myanmar in 2008 and India sent 16 rescue teams and tonnes of relief materials to Nepal in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquakes.
At least two individuals were killed in a military helicopter accident Wednesday afternoon along Highway 53 near Huntsville, Alabama.

According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, the flaming collision occurred at about 3 p.m. near the intersection of Burwell Road and Alabama State Highway 53 near Huntsville.

Black Hawk Helicopter Crashes in Alabama

Don Webster of Huntsville Emergency Medical Services reports that the helicopter caught fire upon impact. Webster said that both occupants of the helicopter perished in the horrific collision.

Fox News Digital confirmed that no vehicles or pedestrians were wounded due to the collision.

According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, the aircraft was a Black Hawk. Authorities have not disclosed what caused the deadly collision. Due to the highway shutdown, the MCSO recommended that drivers find other routes.

Redstone Arsenal, a United States Army installation, acknowledged the issue on Facebook. Dale Strong, a representative from Alabama, tweeted his sympathies to the families of those killed in the tragedy.

Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army station and census-designated place in Madison County next to Huntsville. The posting's leaders issued a Facebook comment indicating they were aware of the occurrence.

The fatal collision is expected to cause "significant delays," and police have encouraged vehicles to find other routes due to a highway closure. According to MCSO, Alabama Highway 53, south to Jeff Road and between Douglas Road and Alabama 53, remain restricted to traffic. The Army is the principal user of the Black Hawk helicopter, with around 1,600 to 1,700 various models in service.

The Navy possesses around 750 Black Hawk versions, primarily SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawks, while the Air Force has approximately 100 HH-60 Pave Hawks. Per Daily Mail, the Coast Guard possesses around forty HH-65 Pave Hawks, while the Marine Corps has eight VH-60 White Hawks.

The UH-60 helicopter, often known as a Black Hawk, crashed near the unincorporated village of Harvest along Alabama Highway 53, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The route where the accident occurred travels through business districts north of Huntsville, bordered by subdivisions, woodlands, and fields south of the Tennessee state line. The sheriff's office stated in a statement that significant traffic delays are likely to persist until Thursday due to the accident, according to We Are Iowa.

Read Also: Ukraine Losing Troops Despite Boasting Russian Military Deaths

Previous Similar Incidents

Harvest is just northwest of Huntsville, where NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the US Army's Redstone Arsenal are located. The previously rural area is now predominantly suburban and is located around 90 miles south of Nashville.

A Federal Aviation Administration official relayed queries to the military. Local news stations displayed images of massive black smoke plumes from the collision location. Multiple emergency vehicles were present in the area.

Per AL.com, several Black Hawk helicopters have crashed during training exercises throughout the years. Whiteout conditions in Utah in 2022 caused a Black Hawk helicopter pilot to lose sight of where he was attempting to land, resulting in a collision with another aircraft at a Utah ski resort.

None of the men and women aboard the chopper or the resort's dozens of skiers were wounded. Three Idaho Army National Guard pilots perished in 2021 when their Black Hawk chopper crashed during a training trip in Boise.

And in the year 2020, two soldiers were killed, and three others were injured when a Black Hawk chopper crashed during a training exercise off the coast of Southern California.

Related Article: Michigan State Shooting Gunman Had 'Mental Issues'

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday was given a warm welcome in the Parliament of Fiji, which is currently in session. "Glad to meet MPs and witness the Parliament session in Fiji earlier today. Appreciated minister Charan Jeath Singh's address in Hindi," Jaishankar tweeted today.

The foreign minister also shared a video of the Parliament session in which Singh is seen addressing in Hindi.

Glad to meet MPs and witness the Parliament session in Fiji earlier today. Appreciated Minister Charan Jeath Singhs address in Hindi. https://t.co/iw9nU8vz9o  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 16, 2023

Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to the South Pacific country to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference, a three-day event which is being co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Fiji government and had begun on February 15.

Emphasising on the "close and long-standing ties" shared between India and Fiji through "people to people linkages", Jaishankar earlier today said it was a privilege to partner in the nation-building efforts across various sectors in Fiji.

Jaishankar also thanked the Fiji government for partnering with India for the Hindi Conference. He said the arrangements made by the government were exceptional.

Addressing a joint press statement with the Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on today, Jaishankar said, "I would like to take this occasion to really publically and sincerely thank the government of Fiji for partnering with us on this very important cultural, heritage exercise we do regularly. The arrangements which were made were truly exceptional."

Jaishankar said, India and Fiji have close and long-standing ties and both countries reviewed the bilateral ties. He said, India and Fiji have inaugurated the solarization of the State House in Suva and this is the first of a series that India is supporting in the Pacific Islands. He said this reflects India's commitment towards climate action.

Fiji Prime Minister Rabuka said India had stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner.

"Together we've built a robust multifaceted partnership which covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We're grateful to Government of India for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance," the Fijian PM said.

India and Fiji on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Jaishankar who witnessed the MoU exchange with the Fiji PM said that the visa waiver agreement will be helpful in encouraging greater travel between both the countries. Fiji PM said that the people of Fiji will benefit with this agreement as a lot of Fiji travellers visit India for medical treatment and education purposes.

(ANI)

Also Read: Fridge murder case: Accused Sahil erased Nikki Yadav's data, chats; Crime Branch examining CCTV
State media footage showed North Korea may have established a military unit charged with operating new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) following its recent military reform.

Last week, during a nighttime parade, North Korea displayed multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles that are huge enough to target virtually anywhere in the world. According to some observers, the missiles contained a prototype or mockup of a new solid-fuel ICBM with canister launchers.

North Korea's Growing ICBM Threat

A video aired on February 9 by the reclusive nation's official broadcaster and viewed by Reuters on Wednesday revealed a previously unknown flag was attached to the launcher of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), suggesting the military may have created a separate unit to operate the weapons.

Cho Han-bum, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, stated that the flag "essentially validated the new ICBM unit" and may indicate an upcoming solid-fuel weapon test.

When Kim Jong Un and his family entered the parade location, the new red-gold flag with a black rocket rising into the sky within a circle was also shown among other military banners, as per Reuters via MSN.

Last week, North Korea demonstrated its nuclear capabilities with a military parade exhibiting its ICBMs, which some experts believe to be a prototype of a new solid-fuel ICBM with canister launchers.

The flag, according to a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, "effectively confirmed the new ICBM unit." According to the expert, this new military unit signals that the nation may be prepared to test a solid-fuel missile.

According to WIO News, North Korea has already sent specialized forces flying their flags. In the past, however, all ICBM parades had included the national flag. In the video, a wide variety of flags can be observed at the parade location.

Read Also: Gunmen Attack Syria Hospital Where Miracle Baby Recovers

North Korea ICBM Displays

The United States Air Force recently fired an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from California in the middle of North Korea's unrelenting display of military superiority over the last year. The United States and North Korea are at loggerheads.

Numerous specialized North Korean forces have their flags. ICBMs in earlier military parades were either adorned with the national flag or left unadorned. Another flag was spotted at the march, depicting the enormous ICBM Hwasong-17, which may reach the United States' mainland, NDTV reported.

It was tagged with "2022.11," which may relate to the day the North successfully launched the Hwasong-17 when it began ICBM testing for the first time since 2017 on February 11, 2022.

Kim Jong Un called for the development of additional ICBMs and a greater nuclear arsenal this year to face threats from the United States and its allies, prompting the likely formation of the ICBM unit.

This week, North Korea's official media revealed a reorganization of its Korean People's Force (KPA) and redesign of its banners, stating that the move was in keeping with the country's efforts to "create a formidable army."

Related Article: NATO Feels Vladimir Putin Wants 'More War'

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An off-duty police officer quickly apprehended the gunman, who authorities say killed one person and injured three others at a mall in El Paso, Texas on Wednesday.

El Paso Police Department Chief Peter Pacillas said during a news conference on Wednesday evening that an off-duty officer was already at the Cielo Vista Mall when the El Paso Mall Shooting began, according to Fox News.

According to Pacillas, at 5:05 p.m., police got reports of a suspect firing several shots, injuring at least four persons, and by 5:08 p.m., an officer had taken a suspect into custody in the El Paso Mall Shooting.

Police Chief Pacillas said the police officer subdued the criminal without firing a single shot.

Later in the news conference, Pacillas indicated that detectives had only started processing the crime scene in the latest Texas shooting. It was still unclear whether or not the suspect had shot at the off-duty officer.

Read Also: American Volunteer in Ukraine Killed in Missile Strike

FBI Lauds El Paso Police

It has been reported earlier that two suspects in the El Paso Mall Shooting have been taken into custody by the authorities, per BBC.

FBI Special Agent Jeff Downing made a short statement on the El Paso Mall Shooting to the media.

He praised the police for their quick action and urged anybody with information to contact authorities via an anonymous internet tip line.

A digital media tip line has been set up to support @EPPOLICE . If you have photographs or video of the shooting, please submit them at https://t.co/4ioA2CYktc  FBI El Paso (@FBIElPaso) February 16, 2023

In August 2019, a racist shooting took place at a Walmart near the mall, where 23 individuals lost their lives, according to ABC News.

Last week, the shooter in that incident, Patrick Crusius, pled guilty to 90 federal charges, including hate crimes and weapons offenses in the Texas shooting.

On Monday, a shooter opened fire inside Michigan State University (MSU), killing three students and injuring five more.

Related Article: Buffalo Mass Shooter Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

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On Nov. 2, 2022, at approximately 6 p.m., individuals illegally shot an eight-point white-tailed deer in Chickamauga Battlefield from the intersection of Alexander Bridge Road and Brotherton Road. An eyewitness reported the incident and provided limited information.Officials said, "Hunting and trapping are national pastimes and have been since Native Americans migrated to the regions mountains and valleys. Every year, many enthusiasts venture onto private and public lands to hunt small and big game. However, not all public land is open to hunting and trapping, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park being one that is closed to these activities."The National Park Service is offering a financial reward to individuals who come forward with information that can be used to arrest and successfully prosecute those involved in this federal resource crime."If you have any such information that may lead to a conviction, please contact Park RangerJustin Young at 706-866-9241, ext.142."
The Southern Adventist University School of Business will host Hyve Creators 2023, an entrepreneurship event with a Seventh-day Adventist perspective, in partnership with Hyve International. Participants are invited to learn about combining mission, innovation, and entrepreneurship from a group of experienced and successful Christian entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators.

This free, three-day conference on March 2-5 will include workshops, keynotes, testimonies, networking, and more. The signature program segment is an innovative startup pitch competition that aims to inspire and support young Christian entrepreneurs to scale their missional ventures and make a great impact in the community, said officials.

"The School of Business believes that faith and business, combined, form a powerful tool to spread the gospel, said Michelle Doucoumes, associate professor in Southerns School of Business and co-coordinator of the event. We are excited to offer this event as a catalyst for students and community members looking to start and grow their businesses.

To learn more and to register, visit southern.edu/hyve.
A woman at the Motel 6 on Lee Highway told police that her boyfriend's motorcycle was stolen. She described the bike as a purple and white Suzuki GSXR. She said she did not know the tag or VIN#. She said her boyfriend had purchased the bike recently and she could not get hold of him by phone. She wished to make a preliminary report and said she would call back with the vehicle info after she spoke with him. Police reviewed video from the Motel 6 and witnessed a white male get out of a white SUV parked next door in the old liquor store parking lot. The man walked to the bike and appeared to start the bike with keys and took a helmet that was on the bike and put it on.



* * *

A woman on Chestnut Street told police she received a suspicious phone call. She said a man called asking her if he could sniff her panties. The woman said she took offense to this and she believes this is how it starts. Police asked her how what starts and she said the raping and killing. Police attempted to call the number back and no one answered and there was no voice mail setup.

* * *



Police responded to a vandalism at a residence on Vine Street. Police found the front door of the residence was open. Police cleared the residence and found that the window next to the back door was open. It is believed that the residence was being used as an Airbnb. Police were unable to make contact with the owner. Police secured the doors before leaving.

* * *

While on patrol Police located a vehicle parked the wrong direction in the roadway on Hoyt Street. Upon running the GA tag, it did not return to the vehicle. Police then checked the VIN#, which returned as stolen. The vehicle owner was notified that the vehicle had been located. It was removed from NCIC and towed from the scene by Monteagle Towing. A residence nearby has a Ring camera, but it is unclear if it caught the suspects.

* * *

Police were checking the alley at 11 E. 7th Street and heard a man yelling at another man. Police spoke to both men and the one man said that he was hired to keep the alley clean and free of squatters. He found the other man sleeping in the alley. He woke him the man up and told him that he could not be there. The sleeping man asked him who he thought he was to be telling him to move on. Police explained that no one is allowed to sleep in this alley per the owners of the building. The sleeper was already packed and cooperated by leaving the area. Both men left the area.

* * *

An associate at Key Title and Escrow, 406 Frazier Ave., told police that someone was trying to buy a house with a fake check for $250,000. The man, whose name was on the check and New York State ID given, did not come back as valid when run by police. By looking at the photo of the state ID, police could tell it was fake. Police took the ID to see if they could get a hit off of the picture on the ID. The associate said that the check was not cashed because it did not make it through the first stage in their verification of checks.

* * *

Police responded to a residence on Winding Lane for a distress alarm. Upon checking the residence, police found an unsecured door at the back of the house. Police announced their presence and got no response. Police made entry and cleared the house before securing the door. Nothing seemed out of place. There were no signs of forced entry and it did not appear anything was taken.

* * *

A man at an apartment on Greendale Way told police an ex-girlfriend had called him by a blocked number and left him a message. However, he was unable to recall what the message said. He said he could not remember any details or any vague content whatsoever about this message. He also mentioned she had posted more videos about him on social media on TikTok. He said his ex does not reside in this state and as far as he is aware has never been to the state of Tennessee.
Rep. Patsy Hazlewood R-Signal Mountain, this week signed the 2023-24 budget bill as chair of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee for the 113th Tennessee General Assembly.

Officials said, "In her role as chair, Hazlewood will guide the passage of a balanced state budget that builds on strategic investments and priorities. Tennessee continues to be among the most fiscally stable state in the nation with the lowest tax burden per capita of all 50 states and zero debt."

Rep. Hazlewood said, While other states around the nation are raising taxes and dipping into their reserves, Tennessee has continued to thrive and experience considerable economic growth. Im proud to continue our tradition of conservative fiscal management and good governance. Tennessee is strong today, but it will be stronger tomorrow.

Governor Bill Lee on Feb. 6 presented his $55.6 billion budget proposals to members of the General Assembly in his fifth state of the state address.

Key highlights of the Lee budget include a $3.3 billion investment that aims to alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve rural roads. Among other initiatives, Governor Lee announced a three-month-long tax break on groceries, teacher pay increases, major investments in technical colleges and workforce development.

Rep. Hazlewood, along with other Republican leaders of the General Assembly, will review Lees budget proposal and make their own budget recommendations in the coming weeks.

She was instrumental in passing "an unprecedented $300 million in tax relief for Tennesseans in 2022 that included a month-long sales tax holiday on groceries and waiver of license plate fees to the state."

Rep. Hazlewood is serving her second term as chairman of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee.
Charles F. Kettering is no longer a household name. Kettering (1876 - 1958) was one of five children in an Ohio farm family, the kind of farm and family where everyone worked, the kids walked to a one-room country school, and each got one new pair of leather shoes a year. Charles was naturally healthy, although bad eyes prevented him from finishing college until he was 28 years old.

Though hes unknown now, its fair to claim that Kettering had as much influence on our modern lives and habits as any other individual of the twentieth century. For instance, he perfected the battery ignition system and the electric starter for automobiles, released on the 1912 Cadillacs. Then came electric lighting for cars and trucks. Any fan of General Motors cars and trucks knows the name Delco  founded by Charles F. Kettering.

Kettering conceived, built, and sold thousands of electrical generating systems for remote farms and homes. He developed CFCs (Freon) as a practical refrigerant, then refrigerators (Frigidaire) and air conditioning for homes. He improved automobile power and mileage by adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline  Ethyl gasoline. He brought Diesel engine manufacturing to America, greatly improved those engines, and helped develop what we call buses for public transportation. Then there was the Diesel railroad locomotive, another Kettering project.

The man worked in science and industry, chemistry and engineering and manufacturing, automobiles and airplanes, education, banking, and medicine, and made significant progress in every one of those fields. He was a great philanthropist; what he couldnt do himself, he helped to finance with his own money. The famous Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York is just one of his many legacies.

Charles Kettering was obviously no dummy, nobodys fool, no kind of a failure. Oh, we no longer use leaded gasoline, and Freon is not a popular word now, but Kettering stated repeatedly that all of his work was just one step in an ongoing process of discovery and improvement. Nearly everything he invented or developed a century ago has been improved or superseded now, but he took the first steps in all those cases.

I say all that to say this: After Kettering retired in 1947, he made some statements that remain significant. He imagined the Utopian Transportation Company, Limited, to provide free transportation for anyone who thinks the U.S.A. is a lousy country and who wants to go somewhere better. He said the company would give anyone a free ticket to anywhere, but it was a Limited company  limited to one-way tickets. Thats a very modern idea, but it seems complainers would still rather stay here and gripe.

Then Kettering said, We have a Constitution and we believe in constitutional government. We also believe in constitutional rights, but I dont think anybody has any constitutional rights who is trying to use them to destroy the Constitution itself. I do not believe that anyone has the right to free speech who is trying, by the use of that free speech, to destroy free speech.

I see many, many problems in front of our country. But, after we add up where we stand with the rest of the world, I think our problem of the future is to perfect what we have and not discard it in favor of some untried or theoretical systems that have to date nothing to show for their claims ... .

No one yet has said it better than Kettering did in 1947.

Larry Cloud


Five Star Food Service on Thursday announces the acquisition of Lincoln County Vending, a Canteen franchise based in Fayetteville, Tn. The acquisition expands the companys service territory to the west in southern Tennessee along the Alabama state line.

"Dan Holt, his family, and the folks at Lincoln County have built a successful forward-thinking business with strong values and relationships, said Richard Kennedy, Five Stars president, and CEO. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue the business success and serve new customers and communities.

Lincoln County Vending has been family-owned since its founding in 1989. Dan Holt, Sr and his son Dan Holt, Jr originally started the business as a Toms distributor called Dans Snack Sales. A year later, the company was renamed to its current name after Dan Holt, Jr. bought his fathers share upon his retirement. After 15 years and an eye toward additional growth, Lincoln County Vending became a member of the Canteen franchise group in 2005.

As industry friends and neighboring Canteen franchises, our team has gotten to know the Holt family and Kevin Posey, head of operations, quite well over the years, said Mark Stephanos, executive vice president of Operations for Five Star. We are thrilled to be growing our service area and customer base in southern Tennessee and northern Alabama. This addition fits very well into our operating footprint geographically, connecting to our territories to the north, south, and east.

Five Star officials will also visit Hands of Mercy Outreach Center to provide an introductory investment in the community via a donation from the Five Stars non-profit foundation, Feeding the Future. With the gift, Hands of Mercy will be able to provide thousands of meals to local kids through their Bags of Blessings program.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced on Thursday the recipients of Tennessee Historic Development Grants, including the Chattanooga Hotel, the Terminal Station and the Trigg-Smart Building.

Tennessee is known for its quality of life, and at TNECD, we have the privilege to take part in community development programs that assist in restoring and preserving some of our states most unique and historic assets, said TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter. Through the latest round of the Historic Development Grants program, communities across Tennessee are taking steps to revitalize their historic buildings so that they can continue to serve as catalysts for future economic opportunity.

Approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in April 2021, the program will provide $8.7 million to projects that aim to renovate and preserve historic buildings across the state. The program encourages communities and private developers to invest in buildings that have contributed to a communitys history but now sit idle. These buildings can once again contribute to the economy through job creation and commercial opportunities.

For this round of the program, the states $8.7 million investment is expected to leverage more than $18 million in private investment.

TNECD partnered with the Tennessee Historical Commission to structure application requirements and review grant applications to ensure that each proposal would rehabilitate the structures while maintaining the historical integrity. The THCs mission is to protect, preserve, maintain and administer historic places and encourage the inclusive diverse study of Tennessees history for the benefit of future generations.

The Tennessee Historical Commission is proud to have the opportunity to provide assistance in this program to ensure that the legacy of Tennessees historic landmarks continue to inspire generations to come, said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission and state historic preservation officer. Historic properties are being rehabilitated across our state, including the Snuff Factory Warehouse in Memphis and the Vose School in Alcoa where work is being accomplished thanks to the economic incentives from the Historic Development Grants and Federal Historic Tax Credits.

The grant recipients include the following individuals, developers, nonprofit or local government agencies:

African American Heritage Society Museum, Inc. dba American Heritage Society of Williamson County  $192,092 to rehabilitate the Merrill Williams House in Franklin, TN

Appalachia Health Services  $496,316 to rehabilitate Union Bank in Jellico, TN

Ashland Holdings LLC  $400,000 to rehabilitate the J.W. Arnold Building in Morristown, TN

Charles C Doty Jr  $320,000 to rehabilitate 129 South Main Street in Greeneville, TN

Charles Nelson dba LCLL, LLC  $296,303 to rehabilitate the Dickson Post Office in Dickson, TN

Chattanooga Hotel, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Chattanooga Bank Building in Chattanooga, TN

Chestnut Cycle Shop QOZB, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Memphis Overland Building in Memphis, TN

Christopher Allen Canclini  $200,000 to rehabilitate the Presbyterian Church Parsonage in Rogersville, TN

City of Harriman  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Temperance Building in Harriman, TN

Five Points Properties, LLC  $112,500 to rehabilitate the White Building in Franklin, TN

Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Winstead House in Franklin, TN

Historic Rugby, Inc  $168,000 to rehabilitate the Uffington House in Rugby, TN

Jason Lee Collis  $400,000 to rehabilitate the Kimsey Junior College in Ducktown, TN

Johnson City Opportunity Properties  $280,521 to rehabilitate JC Radio and TV Service in Johnson City, TN

KBD, LLC  $400,000 to rehabilitate the Felknor Building in Morristown, TN

Kenneth B Smith FLP  $129,340 to rehabilitate 177 West Main Street in Morristown, TN

Maury County  $300,000 to rehabilitate the War Memorial Building in Columbia, TN

Morey Digital Inc.  $198,000 to rehabilitate 20 North Washington Avenue in Brownsville, TN

Paris Station, LLC  $400,000 to rehabilitate Somerville & Youngs Barn in Paris, TN

Preserve Chattanooga, Inc  $24,000 to rehabilitate Terminal Station in Chattanooga, TN

Randall B Debord dba Debord Enterprises  $400,000 to rehabilitate the J.G. McCroy 5 & 10 Cent Store in Morristown, TN

Reagan Investments, Inc  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Vose School in Alcoa, TN

Rhonda D Click dba 109 Lofts  $400,000 to rehabilitate the Sheeley Piano Building in Morristown, TN

Tivoli Theatre Foundation, Inc  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Trigg-Smart Building in Chattanooga, TN

Town of Somerville  $300,000 to rehabilitate Walers Grocery and the Somerville Fayette County Gallery of Art and History in Somerville, TN

Tulip Street Development, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Tulip Street Church in Nashville, TN

Wolf River Harbor Silos, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Continental Cement Company Building in Memphis, TN

Woodfire Pizza Kitchen, LLC  $219,800 to rehabilitate the J.F. Parker Building in Martin, TN

Zeta Partners  $108,015 to rehabilitate the J.W. Hunter Building in Johnson City, TN

429 Vance, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the Griggs Business and Practical Arts College in Memphis, TN

701 N Main, LLC  $300,000 to rehabilitate the American Snuff Factory Warehouse in Memphis, TN

Various criteria must be met in order for a structure to be eligible for a grant. Eligible properties that qualify as certified historic structures are defined here.

Additional information about the grant, eligibility and application can be found here.




Russia launched 36 missiles at several locations in Ukraine on Thursday, aiming for military and civilian installations.

Kyiv authorities said that its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed at least 16 missiles in the latest attack in the Russia-Ukraine War, per DW.

Andriy Yermak, the chief of the Ukrainian presidential administration, indicated that the country's northern, western, and southern areas had been affected.

According to the Ukrainian top government official, the Russian military used fake rockets to trick the Ukrainian air defenses in the Russia-Ukraine War. Despite this, the Ukrainian army's high command claimed that 16 of the 36 missiles had been intercepted.

Authorities said a missile attack in Dnipropetrovsk killed a 79-year-old lady. Fifty houses and one industrial facility were damaged, and at least eight individuals were injured. Three missiles struck the key infrastructure plant in Lviv, western Ukraine.

Read Also: World Bank Leader Announces Resignation

Russia Changes Strategy

Russian airstrikes have historically been conducted during the day and have often targeted energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian authorities said that the overnight assault had little effect on electricity.

They think Moscow is changing its tactics, which include utilizing balloons for surveillance in the Ukraine war.

On Telegram, Yermak remarked that Russian forces "have changed their tactics somewhat. They conduct active reconnaissance, use false targets," Reuters reported.

In a related news, a senior legislator was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that the upper house of the Russian parliament would gather in an emergency session on February 22 to discuss and vote on legislation integrating four regions into the Russian Federation as the Russia Ukraine war nears its one year mark, per Al Jazeera.

Related Article: Zelensky Blamed For Russia-Ukraine War





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A new method to grow single crystals and simultaneously control their growth orientation without melt processing has been discovered by Texas A&M University materials science and engineering doctoral graduate Dr. Hande Ozcan and Dr. Ibrahim Karaman, department head and Chevron Professor.

The discovery of this new crystal growth and orientation control method in solid-state was recently published in the journal Acta Materialia. The research paper focuses on growing large single crystals and their ability to change their crystallographic orientation. Crystallographic orientation describes the alignment of the crystals within a bulk specimen.

We have been working on single crystals over the last three decades, but growing the crystals with melt processing and controlling their orientations has been quite challenging, Karaman said. The method Hande discovered now saves us a lot of time and provides more flexibility. There is more to explore; thats what makes us excited about this new method.

According to the research paper, controlling the size, shape and crystallographic orientation of single crystals is vital to exploit the desired properties. Ozcan said this method is important for applications that require materials with anisotropic properties.

"This mechanism allows these materials to change their orientation in solid-state without cumbersome and costly melt processing techniques. This is important because these materials exhibit different properties when they have different crystallographic directions, Ozcan said.

For the first time, Ozcan has seen crystallographic orientations can be changed at this large scale.

This could fundamentally change how we look at single crystals and manipulate materials properties, because with solid-state methods, we can not only grow large single crystals very easily, but at the same time, we can now play with their crystallographic orientation, Ozcan said.

Single crystals are essential to microelectronics, optical crystals, magnetic devices, solar cells, piezoelectric components and multifunctional alloys. One specific use case example for these materials is multifunctional shape memory alloys. These materials can change their shape and recover upon applying heat or stress.

"For example, you can deform the material when you apply a load, but when you release it, it returns to its original shape, Ozcan said.

These properties strongly depend on the orientation of the single crystal; some orientations exhibit this recovery in a perfect fashion, and some do not. Thus, the orientation control is critical in obtaining superior functional properties.

Another advantage to this technique, according to the research paper, is that it does not require complex and expensive equipment.

Traditionally, melt-growth techniques, called the Bridgman and Czochralski processes, are used to obtain large crystals with a preferred orientation. However, controlling the crystal orientation is still challenging.

These methods rely on the availability of proper seed crystals, precise nucleation and thermal profile control during processing.

Because of this complexity, these methods are very expensive. The new method is called the solid-state crystal growth (SSCG) technique, a method where large bulk crystals with different crystallographic orientations could be made with simple heat treatments.

In this process, the crystals produced are more versatile and can achieve better chemical homogeneity than in the traditionally used melt-growth techniques.

The research team at Texas A&M demonstrated the SSCG method in two alloy systems, FeMnAlNi and CuMnAl, and achieved repeated, massive orientation changes in the solid state.

These findings offer a new strategy for manipulating the orientation of large single crystals on demand to take advantage of their superior and highly anisotropic properties, according to the research paper.

"This process works with materials that have semicoherent precipitates and that have two-phase regions in their phase diagram," Ozcan said. "When you cycle the material from high to low temperatures in a two-phase region multiple times, precipitates nucleate and dissolve and leave subgrain boundaries behind. Then the grains start to grow, decreasing the excess subgrain boundary energy. These grains continue to grow and merge, and finally, you can get a single crystal.

When you continue to cycle the material after it becomes a single crystal, there are no other ways to reduce the excess energy in the system, and it activates a mechanism that changes its crystallographic orientation.

"We actually discovered this technique while we were working on something else. We were not specifically targeting to change the crystallographic orientation," Ozcan said. "We were just working on growing large single crystals."

During that process, Ozcan and the team found that in just a few cycles, the alloys would turn into single crystals, and with additional cycles, she realized that the orientation of the single crystals started to change completely.

"I showed the results to Dr. Karaman, and I was so excited," she said. "After that, we started understanding what was going on and why the crystal orientation was changing; we tried different methods and processing schedules in order to manipulate this change.

This discovery will open up extensive research areas, she said. This is just the beginning of this exciting new path of finding new materials.
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Although a recent report from WalletHub suggested that Connecticut is one of the worst states in the nation in which to start a business, Cheshire is looking to buck that trend.

According to Coordinator of Economic Development, Andrew Martelli, The town continues to experience economic growth. He points to the significant development in the north end, where Stone Bridge Crossing is looking to add retail and food options, in addition to new housing. And while the Waverly Inn has yet to find a new restaurant tenant, Martelli says there is a new broker in place and he hopes that the storied property can find a motivated party to make it a social gathering establishment once again in the near future.

And just a few blocks away, one new business is aiming to make an immediate mark on the local business landscape.

There was excitement among food lovers in Cheshire when Olive & Henry Fine Foods opened in the Watch Factory Shoppes back in March of 2020. The timing, unfortunately, couldnt have been worse.

The pandemic greatly impacted Chris and Caroline Dirckss business, making it hard for the new establishment to thrive. Olive & Henry closed its doors earlier this year.

However, the space wont be empty for long. Once again, there will be a business offering Cheshire residents upscale food, as Chef Danielle Hartog is opening her culinary endeavor, Newbrook Kitchen, next month.

Im driven by a desire to make fine dining accessible, she says.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and the University of Connecticut, Hartog has been gaining momentum in the food world for several years now. Her experience includes working as a personal chef for families in Fairfield and New Haven counties and running a cafe. Most recently, she has been working as the Culinary Excellence Manager at the Yale Business School.

Running her own space is her passion, she says. After having partnered with her mother on the cafe space in Westport, she is excited to be doing something all of her own. And Newbrook Kitchen is truly that.

Hartog will be a one-woman show, doing all the prep and cooking for guests, along with the sourcing, the concepts, and the social media and marketing aspects. She is even doing the graphic design. Im even sponsoring a softball team, she said.

As she tells it, Newbrook Kitchen will resemble a speakeasy  an intimate and inviting layout that encourages conversation and comfort. The name itself pays homage to her grandfather, who worked in the paper restoration business in both New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York. Combining those names, while paying tribute to his three-piece suit fashion sense, allows Hartog to honor, in various ways, her family traditions.

Hartog is developing a tapas style menu based on her influences in modern American, French and Asian cuisines. She is planning for groups of 10 diners, with two seatings per night, who will pay a fixed price for a six-course meal. She does not yet have a license to serve alcohol but hopes to have beer and wine pairings available at a future date. Newbrook will also provide prepared meals, a small retail section, and classes.

The kitchen will be an open floor plan, offering guests an opportunity to watch Hartog at work preparing dishes.

Because she has celiac disease, Hartog has focused her culinary skills on an array of gluten-free options, including a paleo concept, among others. However, she does say that bread will be on the menu at Newbrook Kitchen.

Hartog insists that meeting the Dircks was key to taking the next step in her career. Having them pass the space on to me was really important, she stated.

While she takes her food seriously, Hartog also recognizes the importance of restaurants as a social experience and rejects the snobbery that can be associated with high-end food culture.

Its about disrupting the perfectionism thats burning (chefs) out. For me, its going back to my passion, my creativity, and feeding peoples souls. No one leaves hungry, said Hartog.

Hartog, as well as the Town, is hoping she can accomplish her goals as local leaders continue to emphasize Cheshires economic growth potential.

Cheshire is a desirable community and one of my jobs is to not only encourage economic growth but to also protect our quality of life, said Martelli. I recently worked with a new manufacturer who ended up purchasing a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing building on Knotter Drive and he asked me why they should move to Cheshire. My response was simple: Because its a great community, not only on paper but in the spirit of the people who live here and want to see Cheshire continue to move forward.
Over ten years ago, David Platt wrote his bestseller Radical, which encouraged American Christians to disentangle their faith from the American dream. In the years since, he and the church he pastors, McLean Bible Church in metro Washington, DC, have navigated their fair share of political and cultural tensions, including contentious elections, pandemic-era divisions, and debates on racial injustice. In Dont Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully, Platt reframes these events for discouraged leaders and disillusioned believers alike. Author Kaitlyn Schiess spoke with Platt about what hes learned pastoring a church through treacherous political waters.

How has pastoring in the DC area shaped the kind of book you wanted to write?

Over recent years, our church has been at the epicenter of so many things, and not just because were in the nations capital but because we have over a hundred nations represented, which makes for a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and convictions. Trying to hold all that together around Jesus has changed me in good ways, because its helped me see how inclined I am to prefer people or things a certain way. The question becomes: How can I lay aside some of my preferences and convictions on things that are less clear in Gods Word?

The subtitle for Radical mentions reclaiming faith from the American Dream, while the subtitle for this book speaks of the American Gospel. Why the change in phrasing?

Ten-plus years after writing Radical, Im convinced that the unhealth goes a lot deeper. Its not just an American dream that has consumed our lives as Christians but an American gospel that has hijacked our hearts. Weve equated American ideals, values, and power with the gospel in such a way that were in danger of losing the actual gospel, the way of Jesus.

Instead of eagerly uniting around Jesus, we are quick to divide over personal and political convictions. Instead of enjoying the multiethnic beauty that Jesus has made possible through the Cross, we are still segregating by skin color. At its core, the disillusionment and discouragement weve seen in the church is a direct outcome of a faulty gospel.

What would you say to people who view this book as another mushy-middle, third way approach that recognizes political problems but avoids strong stances?

Theres a way to fight for what matters most and hold fast to Gods Word without sacrificing love for one another and the world around us. We dont have to fight with each other in the body of Christ. We fight for each other, realizing that were going to disagree on a variety of things that are not clear and direct in Gods Word.

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Im not saying that these secondary matters are unimportantonly that we need to remain focused on what is infinitely, eternally important, like that fact that billions of people around the world have never heard the gospel. Im not in any way for loosening our convictions around the authority and sufficiency of Gods Word. But we need to separate them from secondary and tertiary matters, so we can live for what matters most.

How can Scripture be a shared authority and a source of common ground when our conflicts are so often rooted in differing interpretations?

Im idealistic enough to believe that if true followers of Jesus sit down with their Bibles open, pray together, and humbly seek Gods will together, then they can unite around core Christian commitments, even where there are disagreements on lesser matters.

To give one example: Part of our journey as a church over the past few years has been reckoning with Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and other episodes of racial injustice. For weeks, hundreds of our folks walked through praying, fasting, and studying what Scripture has to say about the gospel, the church, justice, and race. We started with the gospel and the church, so that before we got to justice or race, we had established a solid foundation of underlying unity.

At the end of the day people could say: I still dont agree with you, but I understand youre my brother or sister in Christ, and I understand how you arrived at your opinion. I love seeing that work out, but it doesnt come automatically. It takes time, patience, and humility.

American Christians are known for prioritizing the nuclear family in public life, but you focus on how the New Testament redefines family in the context of the church. Has our misunderstanding of family contributed to our political idolatry?

To be clear: The Bible warns us to be very serious in our convictions about man and woman, marriage and family. But back to this picture of the church as family. This is a big part of the terminology in our church. When you enter the lobby, a sign says, When youre here, youre home. We have the phrase Were family in Christ posted in multiple languages.

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We try to emphasize family as the body of Christ in a way that supersedes ethnicity, country, politics, or matters of personal preference. We have the same Father, the same Savior, the same Word, and the same mission in the world. Which leads to some good family discussions and disagreements about other things, even as were united at the deepest level.

One of your prescriptions is for people to cultivate community on earth as it is in heaven. How can we seek that kind of community when our churches are often polarized, divided, and unhealthy?

I dont know if its possible in every circumstance or setting. But its possible, period. We see it in the Bible, with Jews and Gentiles coming together, and there are many examples today.

Hold out hopeJesus does make this possible. At the same time, realize what it takes to heed all the Bibles one another commands. It means struggling to bear with some people, just as they might struggle to bear with you or me.

Most people arent in charge of a church or denomination, but they do have friendships, either within a church or among believers elsewhere. We can love each other and care for each other, not lob grenades at each other. This is what were destined for in heaven, so lets live like its our destiny here.

Some Christians will worry that the history of missions from America is a history of exporting the American Gospel rather than challenging it. When American values are tightly joined with the gospel at home, can we faithfully bring it abroad?

This hits at the point of the book. As long as were exporting an American gospel, then I would be skeptical too. But weve got a biblical gospel centered on Jesus, his Word, and his love for the world. And if we dont want to make him known among the nations, then I think weve missed the point of what it means to follow Jesus.

The Great Commission strikes at the heart of racial prejudice or pride. It goes hand in hand with doing justice. As believers, we go to all the nations, as the nations. As we make disciples of the nations, were going to encounter a lot of needs: orphans, widows, and refugees; poverty, sex trafficking, and the destruction of war. We live to do justice, which involves proclaiming the just King of the universe. Thats the greatestinjustice of all: that so many dont know King Jesus.

As long as we have an American gospel, missions makes no senseor is really unhealthy. But if we have a biblical gospel, then its nonnegotiable.

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Kimberly Salter stood in court to face her husbands killer for the first time on Wednesday. With a hand on her heart and wearing red that she said represented her husbands shed blood, she simply read three passages from the Bible on Gods love and his vengeance.

You will reap what you sow, she said, quoting Galatians 6:7.

Salter was among a string of family members who shared Scripture in statements to Payton Gendron, the 19-year-old who killed 10 Black people and wounded three others at Tops grocery story in Buffalo last May. Police detained him before he could kill more.

Gendron made his racist motivations clear. He had posted a manifesto saying he wanted to preserve white power in the US, and he drove three hours to Buffalo to target a majority Black neighborhood. During the shooting, which he live-streamed, he apologized to one white person whom he shot and wounded by accident.

He pleaded guilty to murder and hate-motivated terrorism state charges in November last year.

The East Buffalo neighborhood where the mass shooting took place has exponentially more churches than grocery stores and a thick Christian community. Many of the victims, like security guard Aaron Salter, were believers and active in their churches.

At the sentencing hearing in New York state court, Kimberly Salter stated that God is love, and he offers love to each and every one of us. The widow recited John 3:16, but then she read the entirety of Psalm 35, an imprecatory prayer:

Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life. Let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt. Let them be like chaff before the wind and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery.  All my bones shall say, Lord who is like you? Delivering the poor from him to who is too strong for him. Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders them?

As she finished the psalm, she said, And so it is. This is the reading from Gods word. Thank you. She sat.

The hearing was full of raw grief. One man lunged at Gendron during a family members statement, causing a brief scuffle where police escorted Gendron out of the courtroom. Police returned with Gendron after a few minutes and the hearing resumed.

The statements from victims family members drew from a gospel of justice, vengeance, and forgiveness.

Simone Crawley, the granddaughter of victim Ruth Whitfield, told the shooter, We had a praying grandmother, who taught us that the battle is not yours, it is the Lords.

Michelle Spight, who lost an aunt and a cousin in the shooting, read a statement from Pamela Young Pritchett, the daughter of victim Pearl Young. She mentioned that Young had been shot several times so that the family could not have an open casket at her funeral. Pritchett said she had to decide whether that last image of her mothers disfigured face would take up residency in my mind.

Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise, she read from Philippians. This will take up residency in my mind.

Then Spight read a statement from Fred Morrison, whose brother Margus Morrison was killed. Morrison shared that his mother, since her sons death, had a stroke and cant speak.

Spight turned to face Gendron and read from Morrisons statement: There is One, Payton, that sees all, and you will not escape the fury of the Almighty. One Scripture is true in the Bible: Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. And he will repay. People clapped in the courtroom.

I pray he is merciful, because I, too, need mercy, she read on. I pray he is merciful to let you live so you can be reminded of the innocent blood  behind your calculated, sinister, and demonic act, that caused my beloved brother to be snatched from our family. If you do not know God, Payton, I invite you to find him. Because you are going to need him. With deep sorrow, Fred Morrison, brother of Margus Morrison.

Others also quoted the vengeance is mine Bible verse. Wayne Jones, the son of victim Celestine Chaney, said he had come across the footage of the shooting: I watched you shoot her once, reload, and shoot her again.

You have to live with this one, bro, just as I have to live with this every day, said Jones, who was wearing a cross necklace. One day I hope you find it in your heart to apologize to those ten families  You dont even know Black people that much to hate them. You learned this on the internet.

Some spoke about forgiveness but in measured terms.

I hope you do pray for forgiveness, said Tamika Harper, the niece of victim Geraldine Talley. You know, not forgiving, Id be blocking my own blessing. Do I hate you? No. Do I want you to die? No, I want you stay alive, and think about this every day of your life. Think about my family and the other nine families that you have destroyed forever. Im going to pray for you, and I want everyone to pray for all the families, that we can get through this. Right now, I feel like my life will never be the same.

Another Talley family member said he forgave the gunman not for your sake, but for mine.

Zeneta Everharts son Zaire Goodman was shot in the neck but survived. He continues to face ongoing medical issues as well as trauma. Everhart said she wont forgive because that puts this tragedy in the laps of the victims and neither I nor my son will accept the responsibility for this terroristic act. She said the shooter is the one who will need to ask for forgiveness.

And some just offered anger.

Im not going to be nice, said Barbara Massey Mapps, the sister of victim Katherine Massey. You killed my sister  I want to personally choke you.

Im sad and I hate you, said Deja Brown, the daughter of Andre Mackneil, who was buying a birthday cake for his 3-year-old son when he was killed. I will never forgive you. It wasnt my dads time to go. Who are you to think you control that?

Gendron, who cried at one point in the hearing, did stand and give a statement apologizing: I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14. I did a terrible thing that day. I shot and killed people because they were Black. Looking back now I cant believe I actually did it. I believed what I read online and acted out of hate  I do not want anyone to be inspired by me and what I did.

Someone in the courtroom began screaming, wailing, and crying during his statement, yelling that he didnt mean what he was saying.

Judge Susan Eagan sentenced Gendron to life in prison without the possibility of parole. New York does not have the death penalty.

There are no mitigating factors to be considered, said Eagan.

He faces additional federal charges including the possibility of the death penalty.
Georgia police officer who wrote 'God designed marriage' was forced out over Christian beliefs, attorneys say

Attorneys representing a former Georgia police officer who expressed his Christian beliefs on social media say he was forced out of his job because of religious discrimination.

Port Wentworth Police Officer Jacob Kersey resigned in January after being told by his supervisors he could be terminated for sharing his religious views on marriage.

Kersey, 19, was placed on paid administrative leave following his refusal to take down a Facebook post from two days earlier in which he paraphrased the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus.

"God designed marriage. Marriage refers to Christ and the church. That's why there is no such thing as homosexual marriage," he wrote.

According to attorneys with First Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas, Kersey was given a letter of notification that warned him he could be fired if he posted any more offensive content on social media.

After further meetings with leadership, attorneys say he realized that he faced a choice between compromising his deeply held religious beliefs or continuing as a police officer with the department. He resigned on Jan. 17.

Prior to his resignation, Kersey had been a police officer with Port Wentworth PD since May 2022.

In a letter sent Monday to Port Wentworth Mayor Gary Norton and Assistant Police Chief Major Bradwick Lee Sherrod, attorneys accused Port Wentworth of unconstitutionally forcing Mr. Kersey out of his job because of his deeply held religious beliefs.

The Departments actions send a message to Christians who hold traditional biblical beliefs about marriage that they are unwelcome as police officers or city employees, the letter stated.

According to attorneys, in a meeting on Jan. 4 with Norton and Sherrod, Kersey was told that his post about his religious beliefs was the same thing as saying the N-word and F--- all those homosexuals.

He was also told, according to the letter, that his free speech was limited due to his position as ... a police officer and that Kersey could not post things like that.

After being placed on leave, attorneys say Kersey received a letter of notification from Sherrod explaining that while there was not sufficient evidence to terminate him, Kersey could be terminated for any post on any of his private social media accounts or any other statement or action that could be perceived as offensive.

Sherrod noted that Kerseys posts and podcasts are likely offensive to certain communities and urged him to take this situation as a learning lesson.

Forced to choose between his private religious speech and the job he loved, attorneys say Kersey had no choice but to resign.

Stephanie Taub, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute, said not only does the city owe Kersey an apology, but they also need to create policies that protect the First Amendment rights of city employees.

It is a blatant violation of state and federal civil rights laws to discriminate against someone for expressing their religious beliefs, Taub said in a statement. The city owes Jacob a public apology. And it needs to adopt policies that recognize the free speech and free exercise rights of its employees.

Forcing Jacob to choose to either censor his private religious speech or remain employed as a police officer is simply unconstitutional.

In early February, just days after Kersey resigned, Port Wentworth Police Chief Matt Libby announced his retirement in a brief letter.

Speaking with The Christian Post earlier this month, Kersey said he believes Libby was forced to resign.

"The police chief was forced to resign after my story made national headlines," he inferred, "America wants to know why."

In addition to demanding a public apology from the other members of the Port Wentworth police command staff, Kersey also wants to know when the city is going to address the story.

"What happened to me should never happen again  not in America and certainly not in Georgia," he said.
Sen. Josh Hawley introduces bill banning kids younger than 16 from using social media

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has introduced a bill that seeks to protect children online by requiring social media companies to prohibit anyone age 16 and younger from using their platforms.

Introduced by Hawley on Tuesday, the bill, Known as the Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective (MATURE) Act, states:  ... beginning on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the operator of a social media platform shall not allow an individual to create an account on the platform unless the individual is age 16 or older, as verified by the platform using an age verification process.

Social media platforms would be required users to provide their full legal name, date of birth and government-issued identification before being able to create an account and use the app. However, the bill exempts any social media accounts created before the bill gets enacted.

The bill adds that social media platforms would also be banned from selling, transferring or using "any information collected from an individual for the purpose of verifying the individuals identity and age for any other purpose."

Hawley also introduced a second bill, the Federal Social Media Research Act, that would commission a study that tracks the harmful effects of social media on children for a span of 10 years.

Children suffer every day from the effects of social media. At best, Big Tech companies are neglecting our childrens health and monetizing their personal information. At worst, they are complicit in their exploitation and manipulation. Its time to give parents the weapons they need to strike back, said Hawley in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

That starts with an age restriction for social media. And its long past time for well-funded research on the scale of the problem. We must set the precedent that these companies can no longer take advantage of our children.

When it was first launched in 2004, Facebook initially required users to be college students. Later, it expanded membership to include high school students and presently allows youth as young as 13 to have accounts. Twitter and TikTok both allow accounts to be opened by 13-year-olds.

Recently, efforts have been launched to hold social media websites and apps accountable for the potential harm they inflict on minors, be it through cyberbullying or sexual predation.

On Monday, Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Maxie Hirono of Hawaii introduced the Clean Slate for Kids Online Act.

If enacted, their bill would give Americans the right to demand that internet companies delete all personal information collected from them when they were aged 13 and younger.

Internet companies too often seek to profit from collecting reams of personal data on Americans, including children, stated Durbin. Its time to put in place some tougher rules of the road  especially when it comes to our kids, who do not fully understand the consequences of their online use.
Lawmakers question FBI memo warning of 'radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology'

Congressional Republicans are demanding answers after the FBI's Richmond office circulated a document classifying "radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology" as a potential national security threat.

Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Mike Johnson, R-La., wrote a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray Thursday describing the "FBI's targeting of a set of Catholic Americans for their religious beliefs" as the latest example of a "serious misuse of federal law enforcement resources" for "apparent political purposes."

Jordan serves as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, while Johnson is the chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government.

"On January 23, 2023, the FBI's Richmond Field Office published an official document that linked 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists' (RMVEs) with a 'radical-traditionalist Catholic' ideology," the lawmakers wrote.

The document, which has since been rescinded by the FBI's headquarters, warned 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."

The FBI Richmond Field Office defined RTCs as those "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."

It noted that "Vatican II took place from 1962-1965" and reformed "the liturgy, attitudes towards non-Christian religions, roles and responsibilities of the laity, views on religious freedom, etc."

The document attempted to differentiate RTCs from "'traditionalist Catholics' who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions" and expressed concern that "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."

The memo also suggested that RMVEs and RTCs would find common causes on the issues of "abortion rights, immigration, affirmative action, and LGBTQ protections."

Jordan and Johnson took issue with the document's use of "biased and partisan sources," including the Southern Poverty Law Center, a far-left advocacy group that has been criticized for categorizing organizations that it disagrees with on political issues like marriage, abortion and immigration as "hate groups."

The lawmakers argued that the SPLC "maligns several mainstream conservative and religious organizations as 'hate' groups, simply because the SPLC disagrees with their views."

"The fact that the FBI would blindly accept and regurgitate the SPLC's spin is highly concerning and undercuts the FBI's assertion that it is unbiased and politically neutral," the letter reads.

After the FBI Richmond office's report was criticized by a former FBI agent, the FBI headquarters acknowledged in a statement to the media that the report "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," a statement from the FBI headquarters 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."

Although the document was withdrawn, Jordan and Johnson insist that "there remain many questions about the genesis, review, and approval of this document, as well as the FBI's commitment to upholding First Amendment protected activity."

The lawmakers requested that the FBI provide them with documents related to the domain product circulated in the Richmond Field Office.

They are seeking "all documents and communications referring or relating to intelligence products about 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists' and 'radical-traditionalist Catholics,'" and "all documents and communications referring or relating to intelligence products about 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists' and 'radical-traditionalist Catholics."

Jordan and Johnson are also seeking a list of the FBI investigations that the FBI's field office used when making its assessments in the Jan. 23 document and a list of all employees involved.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives began hearings investigating the politicization of the U.S. Department of Justice and federal law enforcement agencies.

Brian Burch, the president of the advocacy organization CatholicVote, outlined concerns about the rescinded FBI memo in a statement.

"The FBI's partnership with a discredited left-wing activist organization directly violates agency guidelines and makes a mockery of the Department of Justice's claims to fairly and impartially apply the law," he added. "Further, the growing pattern of hostility toward Catholics by the Biden administration, from its failure to properly address violence against Catholic Churches, to the relentless persecution of innocent pro-life advocates, deserves far more scrutiny by this Congress. Retracting this memo isn't nearly enough."

The federal government previously drew blowback for an early-morning arrest last September of Mark Houck, a Catholic pro-life activist. The Justice Department charged the father of seven with assaulting a Planned Parenthood volunteer escort as he and his son prayed outside an abortion facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Houck was acquitted by a federal jury on all charges of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act on Jan. 30. He told his side of the story on the Real America's Voice program "The War Room," recalling that he "turned and pushed" the Planned Parenthood escort after the escort continued to engage in a conversation with his then-12-year-old son even after the pro-life activist informed him "you don't have permission to talk to my son."

Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights wrote a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee following Houck's arrest.

"This kind of overreaction for a minor infraction of the law is deeply troubling, and it becomes even more troubling when paired with the underreaction by the Department of Justice when the pro-life side is targeted," Donohue lamented.

Burch addressed the "underreaction by the Department of Justice" in a Jan. 24 letter to Jordan discussing the Biden administration's response to the wave of vandalism directed at Catholic churches. While the anti-Catholic violence mentioned by Burch dates back to May 2020, it intensified after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Constitution did not contain a right to abortion in its June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision.

Burch detailed how the DOJ previously promised to institute a "15-day review to ensure that all appropriate resources are being deployed to protect houses of worship." He concluded that the DOJ's vows were "mere platitudes" because "the federal government has only found evidence to charge two individuals involved in only a handful of cases, despite hundreds of actual incidences of violence." He said the department has taken "aggressive action" against "over one hundred pro-life advocates."
National Archives apologizes after staff required visitors to conceal pro-life attire

The National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., has apologized and agreed to provide a personal tour to a pair of visitors who sued the federal records agency last week after being told to cover up their pro-life attire when visiting on the morning of the March for Life.

The plaintiffs alleged they visited the museum on Jan. 20 with their daughters and over 30 members of their Catholic school class. A Feb. 8 lawsuit claims security officers "chilled their religious speech" by "requiring plaintiffs to remove or cover their attire because of their pro-life messages." They wore hats, buttons and other attire with various messages that included "Life is a Human Right" and "Life Always Wins."

According to court papers filed Tuesday, the museum promised the plaintiffs a personal tour and "a personal apology on that tour regarding the events."

In a statement last Friday, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) apologized for the incident, citing its status as "the home to the original Constitution and Bill of Rights," which enshrine First Amendment rights.

"NARA policy expressly allows all visitors to wear t-shirts, hats, buttons, etc. that display protest language, including religious and political speech," the NARA statement reads. "We are actively investigating to determine what happened."

"Early indications are that our security officers quickly corrected their actions and, from that point forward, all visitors were permitted to enter our facility without needing to remove or cover their attire. We have reminded all of our security officers at our facilities across the country of the rights of visitors in this regard."

The National Archives and Records Administration did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

The plaintiffs are represented by the American Center for Law and Justice, which is advocating for a total of four clients who were a part of three separate groups that visited the National Archives three different times on Jan. 20.

"When one of our clients questioned the order, a National Archives security officer said that the apparel would 'incite others' and that she was 'disturbing peace,'" ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow explained in a statement.

"Yet another one of our 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."

Sekulow contends that the "consent order does not signal the end of the case."

"In the weeks ahead, the ACLJ will be demanding answers on how and why such a clear violation of our clients' rights occurred and who all was involved in the decision to target pro-life visitors," Sekulow stressed.

The ACLJ helped multiple plaintiffs file a similar lawsuit against the Smithsonian Institution after National Air and Space Museum security guards allegedly asked them to leave for wearing beanies with pro-life messages during March for Life weekend.

As CP reported, ACLJ delivered a demand letter to the museum earlier this month on behalf of several students from Our Lady of the Rosary School in Greenville, South Carolina, and their parents.

The Christian legal nonprofit requested that the Smithsonian preserve information relevant to the incident in anticipation of possible litigation.

In a statement, Sekulow said students were wearing blue beanies that read "Rosary PRO-LIFE" to identify who was in their group while visiting the museum on Jan. 20.

"The museum staff mocked the students, called them expletives, and made comments that the museum was a 'neutral zone' where they could not express such statements," Sekulow wrote.

"The employee who ultimately forced the students to leave the museum was rubbing his hands together in glee as they exited the building. We here at the ACLJ are absolutely appalled at this blatant discrimination and won't let this behavior stand."

Sekulow called the incident a "clear-cut First Amendment violation."

"The federal government simply cannot ban speech with which it or its employees disagree," he stated.

A spokesperson for the museum told CP that the security officer who told the students that they were not allowed to wear their pro-life hats inside made a mistake.

"Asking visitors to remove hats and clothing is not in keeping with our policy or protocols. We provided immediate retraining to prevent a re-occurrence of this kind of error," the spokesperson stated.
Individuals are traveling thousands of miles to partake in Christian service at a college chapel in Kentucky, dubbed as "revival," which went viral on TikTok.

According to university personnel, the phenomenal event began as a regular chapel service at Wilmore, Kentucky's Asbury University, according to NBC News.

A group of students who had stayed until the conclusion of the meeting formed an impromptu assembly that continued nonstop for the last seven days. The gospel choir sang a last song after the benediction, and then something happened that transcends explanation. The students stayed put, hence the Kentucky prayer revival persisted, as per a report from Christian Today.

Asbury Chapel continued yesterday in waves of prayer, worship, and gut-wrenching public confession. It was a significant and spontaneous move of the Spirit that lasted for hours. What a phenomena to witness. Come, Holy Spirit! pic.twitter.com/xRgz6IPels  Austin Wofford (@AustinWofford_) February 9, 2023

Videos tagged with "Asbury Revival" on TikTok and Instagram have amassed millions of views. As of this writing, the TikTok hashtag #asburyrevival has garnered over 24 million views.

Asbury University Vice President of Communications Mark Whitworth commented that "people found out" the Kentucky prayer revival event through social media.

Read Also: Actress Raquel Welch Passes Away

Thousands Flock for Worship and Prayer

The Asbury University campus in Wilmore, Kentucky, has welcomed groups of students from at least 22 other colleges and universities, per Kentucky Today.

Numerous comments and encouragements have been shared on social media in light of the revival movement at Asbury and other universities.

Around 3,000 worshipers filled the college chapel Tuesday night, which is the largest crowd yet.

In Christianity, "spiritual revival" usually means a resurgence in church attendance by believers and nonbelievers. Many people who went to the Asbury event said they were compelled there by a spiritual force.

Related Article: Michael Jordan Donates Huge Amount To Charity

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Progressive rabbi warns PCUSA not to call Israel an 'apartheid' state

A rabbi has warned the Presbyterian Church (USA) to avoid using the word apartheid to describe Israel, months after the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States passed a resolution labeling the Middle Eastern nation an apartheid state.

Rabbi Alana Suskin was interviewed by the Rev. Denise Anderson of PCUSAs Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries during a Zoom event streamed Thursday titled Antisemitism, Israel-Palestine and the Church: A Conversation.

Suskin is the co-director of Pomegranate Initiative, an interfaith advocacy group, and co-chair of the Maryland chapter of the left-leaning religious organization the Poor Peoples Campaign.

During the question-and-answer session, Anderson said there had been a number of questions about some of the geo-political realities in the region and about using the term apartheid to describe Israeli government policies.

Anderson asked Suskins opinion about calling Israel an apartheid state, which the progressive mainline Protestant denominations leadership recently did in a resolution last year.

Suskin said evidence-based criticism of Israel is a preferred tactic to using the word apartheid to label the country, advising listeners to avoid the term and talk about the data.

Like everything to do with this issue, its complicated, said Suskin. I think its unhelpful to use the term, because it is a triggery term to use ... its just not a helpful term.

I dont think it moves the discussion forward. If you say, Israel is an apartheid state, the reaction from Israelis and most Jews is youre attacking me. How does that fix the problem?

While acknowledging that there are Israelis who have used that word to describe the government's policies, Suskin doubted that the comparison to South Africas former system of racial segregation was entirely accurate.

Does it map one to one? Probably not, she continued. I dont think it needs to necessarily map one to one, it doesnt necessarily need to be exact. Metaphors are metaphors.

Suskin believes it's more helpful to avoid saying Israel is an apartheid state and instead say, lets look at what is happening in Israel. Lets look at the policies about allowing Palestinians to live in certain places and not others. Here are some facts, here is data.

She also talked about the complications of defining the word Zionism, explaining that the term is a really simple concept, but people use it in a lot of different ways.

Zionism really just means that the Jewish people have a homeland in Israel to which we want to return and that is a biblical concept, as Christians know, she asserted.

The Hebrew scriptures, which we share with you, talk constantly about this. That there is a land, it is our homeland, and that it is a major part of Jewish liturgy as well. We pray three times a day and we mention Israel all three times.

Suskin went on to say that while the concept by itself doesnt necessarily have any Palestinian implications, the terms meaning can vary based on what people do with it.

There are liberal Zionists, there are religious nationalist Zionists, continued the rabbi. There are all kinds. Theres a huge spread about how that term is used. So, to say you are Zionist or Anti-Zionist, doesnt really tell me anything about you.

To say, Im Zionist doesnt really tell me anything about you other than that you are using the word Zionist and now I need a six-hour explanation of what you mean by that.

Suskin added that it's not necessarily bad for Christians to say theyre Zionists, but I dont think it's helpful in any way, especially since it's often used as a broad term for expansionist views.

I think it is more helpful to talk about the issues in general, she added.

Last year, the PCUSA General Assembly voted 266-116 in favor of passing an overture that claimed that Israel was an apartheid state due to its treatment of the Palestinian territories.

Also known as INT-02, the overture said, "the government of Israel's laws, policies, and practices regarding the Palestinian people fulfill the international legal definition of apartheid."

"It is difficult for many Christians to publicly criticize the policies of Israel's government for fear that even legitimate criticism may be seen as anti-Israel or anti-Semitic or characterized as 'picking on Israel' among many countries in the Middle East with human rights violations," claimed the overture's "rationale" section.

"Our call as Christians means we must sometimes get out of our comfort zone and risk controversy and criticism from people or organizations with whom we are in relationship."

Critics of the overture, among them Jackie Subar of the Anti-Defamation League, argued that the resolution "will have serious and damaging consequences to PCUSA's relations with the Jewish community."

"Choosing to utilize such a caustic and demonizing term as apartheid  or, worse, comparing Israel's actions to those of the Nazis during the Holocaust  feeds into an unhealthy discourse that, despite all the injustice in the world, positions Israel, and only Israel, as uniquely evil among the nations," said Subar in a statement at the time.

"Moreover, this resolution will do nothing to constructively advance understanding and peace between the parties or promote the building of conditions that can lead to direct negotiations and ultimately a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with security, self-determination, and dignity for both peoples."
Asbury University revival: What to expect in a spillover effect

Reports from Asbury University are so very encouraging! Since last Wednesday, theres been 24/7 prayer, worship, testimony, confession of sin, Scripture reading, silence, and more in the chapel at this Kentucky school. People from across the United States are flocking to the campus to experience what God is doing.

One of those who attended is evangelist Jon Burdette, my good friend and co-conspirator in the advancement of the Gospel.

He told me this:

Attending the revival at Asbury was an unforgettable experience. We could literally feel the weighty presence of God as soon as we walked into the building. Sensing Gods presence in that way and knowing that this was an unplanned service that had continued since Wednesday morning, I got emotional within the first few minutes of being there. There was passionate, authentic worship, brokenness, people praying at the altar, people praying at their seats, and people praying with each other in groups around the room. For this particular segment of the service, there was just one person leading worship on a piano. No microphone, no words on a screen, no service rundown. Just Spirit-led worship that ranged from calm, quiet harmonies to eruptions of loud singing, clapping, and testifying. My daughter Shailynn was there with me, and she said she couldnt describe it in words. She wanted to stay all day! The best way I can describe it is that you felt a sense of tranquility all throughout your being that made it difficult to leave the room. No programs, but complete peace. There were no rules, but it was totally in order. There was lots of emotion, but no emotionalism. I cant wait to see how God uses this to advance the Gospel near and far.

What now?

Social media is abuzz with stories from those whove experienced whats now tagged #asburyrevival. And the reports give me hope that we could once again see a sweeping awakening across this nation.

But throughout church history, theres always been a spillover effect of true revival. What is it? Evangelism!

We see this spillover effect in the Welsh Revival of 1904; in the spiritual movement that happened in and through the Moravians; in the First Great Awakening, led by George Whitefield and John Wesley; and in the Jesus Movement, just 50 years ago in the United States. Every significant spiritual movement results in evangelism.

A biblical precedent

In Acts 4:31, we get a clear glimpse of the spillover effect in the midst of a powerful move of God:

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

1. The power of prayer shook the building

 the place where they were meeting was shaken 

As exciting as being in the chapel at Asbury University is right now, imagine what it would be like to be in the room when the hand of God literally shook the building in response to the early believers prayers. Talk about an amen! Talk about a literal move of God. He moved the building!

2. The power of the Spirit shook the believers

 they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 

The early believers in this passage prayed in unity and got filled with the Holy Spirit simultaneously. God was doing something special in that room 2,000 years ago.

From every report Im getting about the Asbury Revival, the exact same type of thing is happening. Believers are praying and praising in unity. Its not an out-of-control show. Its not hype. Its a Spirit-orchestrated meeting with Spirit-filled believers, with the focus on Jesus  and Jesus alone.

3. The power of the Gospel shook the city

 and spoke the word of God boldly.

But the revival didnt stay in the room. It spilled over into the streets. The power of the Gospel shook the city! These believers spoke the word of God boldly, despite the recent religious declaration that outlawed Christian evangelism.

These believers would not be stopped. Theyd just experienced the power and presence of God, and now they were taking it to the streets!

A defining characteristic of true revivals is that they never stay in the room. They always eventually spill out onto the streets!

A historical precedent

According to a Ministry Watch report by Kim Roberts, when a similar revival broke out at Asbury University in 1970, 2,000 witnessing teams were sent out from Asbury to churches and colleges across the country.

The original revival that started at Asbury University spilled out onto the streets.

Im very hopeful that whats happening now at Asbury University will end up with evangelism teams, once again, being mobilized around Kentucky and across the nation.

Pray with me that this happens.

We need revival now in this country more than ever. We need whats happening right now at Asbury University to experience the spillover effect of true revival: the Gospel being proclaimed beyond the chapel walls.
Emerging trends shaping the future of global Evangelical missions (pt. 1)

Editor's note: In Part 1 of this article series, we will take a look at the emergence of local leaders in the mission field.

Two emerging trends in global missions stood out as nearly 15 dozen mission leaders from across the globe gathered for a consultation earlier this month in Thailand: more local leaders and more females serving in the mission field.

The World Evangelical Alliance's Mission Commission (WEA MC) brought 172 missions leaders together for a global consultation in Chiang Mai to discuss "Our Missions Future" from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. The 15th Global Consultation (GC23) was the first in-person gathering after the pandemic, drawing leaders of international and national missions agencies and networks from 33 different countries.

"Local believers have taken responsibility for spreading the Gospel in indigenous forms and whole-of-life ways," commented Dr. Jay Matenga, executive director of the WEA MC, who took over the mantel just before COVID-19 hit.

"And the Gospel is spreading rapidly in places previously thought to be resistant because of these localized and holistic expressions of faith in Jesus."

He added that "as testimonies of integral mission undertaken by local believers in places where the Gospel is least represented started [becoming] more noticeable during the pandemic, the importance of local control of missions activity came into stark focus."

The GC23 participants' make-up reflected some of the shifts seen in the mission field: more than 50% were from the non-Western world, some 30% were women, younger leaders in their 30s and 40s, and about half of the entire group attended the WEA MC consultation for the first time.

Effective and long-lasting growth takes place with indigenous leadership

In the lead-up to the consultation, Matenga wrote that "we see that expatriate (outsider) initiatives can be wonderful catalysts for Gospel growth, but historic investigations and contemporary research data show that it is an indigenous (local) church that spreads most effectively and remains over time and indigenous theology that sustains and matures new movements to Christ, especially in contexts of persecution."

One illustration of this new dynamic has become evident in India. While thousands of missionaries have been sent to India from other countries, tens of thousands of local missionaries from within India are spreading the Gospel in their own nation.

While recognizing the important historic and contemporary role of cross-cultural missions, some national leaders lament that missions that do not cross geopolitical borders do not receive the same recognition.

Speaking on the topic of "Nationals in Mission," Dr. Bijoy Koshy, international director of Interserve, expressed his conviction that for "long-term transformational missions, there is no other way in the future, except to leave missions in the hands of nationals."

Most of the cross-cultural mission work is confined to easy-access, urban areas and big towns, while there are now effective indigenous movements going to the hardest-to-reach places in nations.

"If you want to do cutting edge pioneering mission, we talk about the so-called 'unreached people groups,' but the majority of them are all in places where we cannot actually get to as foreigners. If you want to do cutting-edge pioneering missions, nationals are the ones who will do it for you," he said.

The Rev. Dr. Isac Raja, general secretary of the India Missions Association, echoed the thought by sharing how God opened new ways to reach areas where no cross-cultural missionary can go. He pointed to places of severe persecution, where foreigners' entry is restricted. But internal migration has opened new opportunities for missions led by local churches prevalent in other parts of the country.

"We are challenging the churches to reach out to the migrants from those people groups without the Gospel and disciple them so that they will take the Gospel back to their own people," Raja said. "This way, we pray for entire nations to be saturated with the Gospel. That is the power of national missionaries that we are talking about today."

From outsider to alongsider: a paradigm shift in mission roles

Calls are increasing for a rethinking of the approach to foreign missions and the need to relinquish control to allow local leaders to take the lead. Several emerging models that put nationals at the center were presented at the consultation.

Craig Greenfield, president of Alongsiders and author of Subversive Mission, who has served slum communities in Cambodia for more than two decades, introduced what he believes to be a necessary paradigm shift in the understanding of the role of cross-cultural missionaries.

He emphasized that the tension between the roles of outsiders versus insiders is not an issue of either/or but rather both/and, yet with an awareness of the unique strengths that both outsider and insider bring.

"Because insiders have cultural knowledge that outsiders don't have; they're the ones who need to contextualize the Gospel. They're the ones that are going to carry on the ministry long after the outsiders have left. And so, the roles just simply need to be different," Greenfield argued.

The basic concept Greenfield offers is that of the outsider coming alongside the insider, not in a leading but a supportive role.

Looking at the five types of leaders in Ephesians 4, he introduced alternative roles or "hats" that the missionary could put on, which would help them understand how to apply their God-given gifting in the mission field in a way that would not inadvertently put themselves in the center.

"How do we reconcile the focus on local leadership and the fact that many of us outsiders are also gifted in those areas? What I want to suggest is that as outsiders, we slightly reframe, slightly reimagine what those five types are," Greenfield said.

He suggests that the pastor becomes the midwife, the teacher becomes the guide, the evangelist becomes the seeker, the apostle becomes the catalyst, and the prophet becomes the ally.

For the pastor, he said, "you put on a hat of a midwife. The role of the midwife is almost the same, yet different. The midwife is not the one giving birth but the one who comes alongside to help give birth."

The same is true for the other roles that shift the focus of the missionary onto the local leaders.

"Sometimes we've gotten that kind of mixed up. We haven't had a clarity that the role for insiders, indigenous nationals, local people, whatever you want to call them, is going to be different from the role of outsiders, ex-pats, missionaries, whatever you want to call it," he said.

About his own gifting type as an apostle, Greenfield said that as someone who naturally seeks to initiate and lead, he must exert self-control that he will allow the locals to take the initiative while he will come alongside as a catalyst who encourages and supports their efforts.

The results have been local leaders inspiring other believers to come forward and take initiative as they see that God used someone like them to bring change to people's lives and the wider community.

"[T]he story of missions has very often started out with the stories of martyrs who are outsiders. And we honor them, we celebrate them, we read their books," Greenfield said. "But I want to tell the story of insiders who also laid down their lives. I want the story to be about them. The limelight is to be off us and on local insiders from now on. That is what the future of missions is going to look like in the new era."

Timothy Goropevsek is the chief communications officer for the World Evangelical Alliance.
JK Rowling says critics 'profoundly misunderstood' her criticism of transgender ideology

Author J.K. Rowling says critics accusing her of being "transphobic" over her past comments on the push to allow trans-identified individuals into sex-segregated spaces for women "profoundly" misunderstand her viewpoint.

The writer of the Harry Potter book series, who has said that she still supports trans-identified people, has faced backlash from activists for expressing concern that "gender-inclusive language" and the erasure of single-sex spaces are harmful to women.

A new podcast from The Free Press titled "The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling" premieres next Tuesday. The author plans to share various personal details about her life, including her reason for speaking out.

"What is interesting over the last 10 years, and certainly over the last few years, two, three years, particularly on social media, [are critics who say], 'you've ruined your legacy,' 'oh, you could have been beloved forever, but you chose to say this,'" she recalled in a teaser clip from the podcast. "I think you could not have misunderstood me more profoundly."

The podcast host is Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial congregation known for inflammatory messages against the LGBT community.

According to a Tuesday essay written by Phelps-Roper for The Free Press, she reached out to Rowling believing that her experience in the church would enable her to connect with the author.

Phelps-Roper said she could empathize with Rowling, having faced "intense hatred" but later witnessed how "good-faith conversation" can break through divides.

"But the story of J.K. Rowling is not just the story of one author, or one woman, or one issue," Phelps-Roper wrote. "It is a microcosm of our time. It's about the polarization of public opinion and the fracturing of public conversation."

"It's about the chasm between what people say they believe and how they're understood by others," she continued. "It's about what it means to be human  to be a social animal who feels compelled to be part of a tribe. And it's about the struggle to discern what is right when our individual view of the world is necessarily limited and imperfect."

In a preview of the conversation between the two women, Rowling stated: "I never set out to upset anyone."

"However, I was not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal," she stated.

The popular author began to face controversy in 2020 related to a series of tweets asserting that biological sex "is real."

As The Chrisitan Post reported, Rowling published an essay clarifying her stance as she also faced pushback for supporting Maya Forstater, a tax researcher who lost her job for claiming that biological men identifying as female are not women.

In her essay, Rowling said she stepped back from Twitter for many months before and after tweeting her support for Forstater and returned to the platform to promote her book. Upon her return to social media, she was faced with progressive activists who assumed "a right to police my speech." They accused her of hatred and being a "Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist."

"In practice, a huge and diverse cross-section of women are currently being called TERFs and the vast majority have never been radical feminists," she wrote. "Examples of so-called TERFs range from the mother of a gay child who was afraid their child wanted to transition to escape homophobic bullying, to a hitherto totally unfeminist older lady who's vowed never to visit Marks & Spencer again because they're allowing any man who says they identify as a woman into the women's changing rooms. Ironically, radical feminists aren't even trans-exclusionary  they include trans men in their feminism, because they were born women."

"But accusations of TERFery have been sufficient to intimidate many people, institutions and organisations I once admired, who're cowering before the tactics of the playground," she added. "'They'll call us transphobic!' 'They'll say I hate trans people!' What next, they'll say you've got fleas?"

Rowling added that she is concerned with the "huge explosion in young women wishing to transition" and "the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility."

The fantasy author shared how she felt "mentally sexless" and uncomfortable about her body while growing up. Noting that there was no "realistic possibility" of becoming a man in the 1980s, Rowling said that books and music helped her overcome the judgment and mental health issues that make many teenage girls insecure about their bodies.

"Fortunately for me, I found my own sense of otherness, and my ambivalence about being a woman, reflected in the work of female writers and musicians who reassured me that, in spite of everything a sexist world tries to throw at the female-bodied, it's fine not to feel pink, frilly and compliant inside your own head; it's OK to feel confused, dark, both sexual and non-sexual, unsure of what or who you are."

She asserted that a woman is "not an idea in a man's head," condemning the inclusive language that trans activists view as "appropriate and kind" as "hostile" and "degrading," particularly for women who have been on the receiving end of slurs from violent men.

"I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode 'woman' as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it," she wrote. "I stand alongside the brave women and men, gay, straight and trans, who're standing up for freedom of speech and thought, and for the rights and safety of some of the most vulnerable in our society: young gay kids, fragile."
Cedarville University experiencing outpouring of the Lord in campus revival

A Christian university in Ohio is seeing spontaneous prayer and worship among its student body days after a revival began at Asbury University in Kentucky.

Cedarville University President Thomas White described what was happening as a special outpouring and sensing of the presence of the Lord, adding that it will be left to the historians to determine if it was truly a revival.

According to White, the outpouring began during Cedarvilles Monday morning chapel service on campus, as students were going through the Old Testament passage of Psalm 86.

So, we took a moment to pray and to sing a song, recounted White. And during the song, without an altar call or invitation of any kind, we had some students who began to come forward and pray.

And so, when I went back up to the stage  the sermon was over at that point  we just began to pray and began to sing. And, before the chapel was over, there was an altar full of students just praying and some were weeping, others were hugging one another.

White explained that chapel just continued after its regular time to end at around 10:45 a.m., with most students staying into the next class period for prayer and worship, with some students returning to the chapel after class.

The typical chapel service at Cedarville University has around 3,000 students, with approximately 1,000 opting to stay for additional prayer and singing, according to White.

When I left work that day to go home to get dinner at 5:30, we still had a small group of students, said White. We came back to the chapel that night to do an eight oclock prayer meeting.

I would guess we had about 1,000 students who showed back up that evening, and we prayed, we sang praise songs to Jesus, we read Scripture, and we were still there after 10 oclock.

On Tuesday, during chapel service, White made an altar call with many students coming forward. The campus again held an unplanned evening worship gathering on Tuesday at 8 p.m. that lasted until after 10 p.m., with some students still praying around 11 p.m.

For Wednesday, White said Cedarville students who felt called to do so went out to other schools in the area to evangelize, praying that the Lord will have a unique outpouring on those campuses.

The spontaneous worship at Cedarville University started days after a similar revival took place at Asbury University during its chapel service, in which students stayed after the official end of worship to continue in praise and prayer.

Alexandra Presta, a senior at Asbury who is also the executive editor for the campus newspaper, The Collegian, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview she estimated that at one point, as many as 1,000 people were worshiping after the service had officially concluded.

This is a pure act of the Holy Spirit pouring out love, peace and healing  hearts are being transformed and that should be praised, Presta said.

[Chapel speaker] Zach Meerkreebs has acted as a leader throughout the revival and has reminded us periodically that this comes out of radical humility, humbling ourselves before the Lord.

Regarding any parallels between the two spiritual gatherings, White told CP that he did not think it has been continuous like at Asbury, adding that he felt God was not working here the same way that He is working at Asbury.

He works in different places in different ways and thats great, he said. Were just happy Hes working all across the country.

Were you there? Use #MyRevivalStory to share your story.
Pastor charged for allegedly texting minor about wanting to smell her underwear

Fred McCoy Gammon Jr., an Oklahoma pastor accused of sending several sexually suggestive text messages to a minor, including an alleged desire to smell her underwear, has been charged with child sexual abuse but insists he is innocent.

Gammon, 42, who leads Wayside Assembly of God in Wyandotte, is now free on $35,000 bail, KSN reported.

His criminal defense lawyer, Jeremy Bennett of the law firm Bennett Gallon, told The Christian Post on Wednesday morning that his client, who is married with two young daughters, according to his Facebook page, denies the allegations.

All I can tell you is that Mr. Gammon maintains his innocence and hes not going to make any comments and I cant make any comments while theres pending litigation, Bennett told CP.

An affidavit of probable cause filed in the Ottawa County District Court alleges that Gammon sent the sexually suggestive and inappropriate text messages from his cell phone to the minor.

He allegedly texted her messages such as Oh, I mean it, you are like a fire to me and You are hot along with the one conveying his desire to smell her underwear.

His wife, Tonya, also allegedly told investigators that he told her that he was being convicted by God and he needed to let her know that he saw (the juvenile victim) in a different light now and he hopes she can forgive him as a wife.

The affidavit said the pastors wife forgave him but noted that his alleged behavior hurt her.

Calls made to the church, which has deactivated its social media accounts, went unanswered Wednesday. No one at the national Assemblies of God office immediately responded to messages from CP seeking to verify if Gammon is still leading Wayside Assembly of God.

Earlier this month, Gammons mother, Donna Campbell Gammon, revealed in a post in a public Facebook group called The Coffee Stop, that she was grieving and angry and asked members to pray for her son. She did not reveal what was causing her distress.

To all my friends and family and anyone concerned. Fred Gammon and I need prayer I'm not allowed to speak about it right now but I have been on my knees in prayer since Thursday, she wrote on Feb. 6. I have never cried so much as I have for the last few days. I need someone that cares to help me pray. I'm greeved (sic) in my spirit angry and trying to do the right thing. I feel so alone and I need y'all to pray victory over the situation in our lives. I asked again please pray!

She further revealed early Wednesday morning that she planned to close and delete the group because of wicked allegations being posted about her son.

There has been some wicked acquisitions (sic) posted in The Coffee Stop about Fred, she said. I do not know the people or where they came from but none of that's true. To put a stop to this madness I have two (sic) close and delete the coffee stop which breaks my heart.
Pro-life activist, priest cleared of charges for silently praying outside abortion clinic

A British court has ruled in favor of a pro-life activist and a Catholic priest, both of whom were charged with violating a Public Space Protection Order by engaging in silent prayer outside an abortion clinic.

The law firm ADF UK announced in a statement Thursday that the Birmingham Magistrates Court found pro-life activist Isabel Vaughn-Spruce and Father Sean Gough not guilty on all charges related to their engagement in silent prayer outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Birmingham, England. The charges against Vaughn-Spruce and Gough follow the city of Birminghams enactment of a Public Space Protection Order for the area surrounding the abortion clinic.

Specifically, the Public Space Protection Order, which critics refer to as a censorship zone, prohibits people from protesting, namely engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means.

Vaughn-Spruce found herself subject to arrest for acknowledging that she might be praying in her head outside the abortion clinic, which was closed at the time.

While prosecutors previously dropped the charges against Vaughn-Spruce, she sought a formal court ruling providing an answer as to whether its still lawful to pray silently in our own heads. Vaughn-Spruce reacted to the verdict by expressing gratitude that she had been vindicated of any wrongdoing.

Like Vaughn-Spruce, Gough also had the charges against him dropped by prosecutors but sought clarity from the court and a precedent that would apply to other pro-lifers going forward. Following Thursdays Court decision, Gough said, Im pleased that Ive been cleared of all charges and to have cleared my name.

ADF UK Legal Counsel Jeremiah Igunnuoble maintained that todays court case is of great cultural significance.

As they rejoiced in the verdict, Igunnuoble, Vaughn-Spruce and Gough expressed concern about the national climate regarding laws governing actions outside abortion clinics.

This isnt 1984, but 2023  and nobody should be criminalized for their thoughts, for their prayers, for peaceful expression on a public street. Its a great moment to celebrate the vindication of Father Sean and Isabel. But our parliament is considering rolling out censorial legislation, which could lead to more situations where peoples thoughts are on trial.

Igunnuoble added, If Isabel or Fr Sean had been [standing] in the same spot thinking different thoughts, they likely wouldnt have been arrested. He described the censorial legislation in question as unnecessary, citing a government review in 2018 finding that harassment near abortion facilities is rare, and peaceful prayer and offers of charitable help were the most common activities there.

The government concluded at that point that censorship zones would be disproportionate, he recalled. In the U.K., freedom of thought, prayer, offers of help, and peaceful conversation are not illegal and we call on Parliament to reject the creation of more censorship zones through vaguely worded public order legislation.

Vaughn-Spruce echoed Igunnuobles analysis. I should have never been arrested for my thoughts and treated like a criminal simply for silently praying on a public street. When it comes to censorship zones, peaceful prayer and attempts to offer help to women in crisis pregnancies are now being described as either criminal or anti-social, she lamented.

The pro-life activist insisted that what is profoundly anti-social are the steps now being taken to censor freedom of speech, freedom to offer help, freedom to pray and even freedom to think. She proclaimed that we must stand firm against this and ensure that these most fundamental freedoms are protected, and that all our laws reflect this.

I stand by my beliefs  unborn lives do matter. But whatever your views are on abortion, we can all agree that a democratic country cannot be in the business of prosecuting thought crimes, Gough said. If the government imposes censorship zones around every abortion facility in the country, as they are currently considering doing with the Public Order Bill currently under discussion, who knows how many more people will stand trial, even face prison, for offering help, or for praying in their mind?

The priest urged the U.K. government to look into the overwhelming positive work that pro-life groups do to support vulnerable women at their point of need, before censoring the streets of the U.K. and allowing good people to be criminalized for acts of love.

The Public Order Bill, the proposed legislation causing Iggunuoble, Vaughn-Spruce and Gough concern, would make it an offense for anyone engaging in activities with the intent of or having the effect of influencing any persons decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services. The bill would ban protests within about 400 feet of abortion clinics.

Under the legislation, a safe access zone would extend to any access point to any building or site that contains an abortion clinic that is on or adjacent to a public highway or public right of way, an open space to which the public has access, within the curtilage of an abortion clinic, or building or site containing a facility or in any location that is visible from a public highway, public right of way, open space to which the public have access, or the curtilage of an abortion clinic.

The Public Order Bill passed the House of Commons in a 283-234 vote and now awaits action in the House of Lords.
10% Of High School Students Attempted Suicide, Terry Crews On Having A Praying Wife, 'He Gets Us' Campaign Reacts

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:43 08:43

Top headlines for Thursday, February 16, 2023



Poor mental health and suicidal ideation and attempts have increased among high school students over the last decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half of girls struggle with persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.



Hundreds of students at a New Hampshire school district staged a walkout following the school boards decision to restrict bathroom access due to parents outrage about a policy allowing trans-identifying students to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.



Actor and professing Christian Terry Crews celebrated the power of a praying wife at the 30th annual Movieguide Awards, which he hosted at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot last Friday.



The He Gets Us campaign is responding to criticism from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and others in response to the groups Super Bowl ads that urged skeptics to show love and respect to one another instead of responding to divisiveness in anger."
Fascist or facile? The 'He Gets Us' Super Bowl ads and the Jesus of Scripture

Millions of people saw the ads. Reactions ran from warm embrace to vehement denunciation.

Im talking about the He Gets Us ads aired during Super Bowl 57. They sought to arouse curiosity among viewers who dont know much about Jesus, or who associate Him only with Christians they perceive as self-righteous, angry, condemning, and hypocritical.

He Gets Us describes itself as a movement to reintroduce people to the Jesus of the Bible and his confounding love and forgiveness. The emphasis from the ads during the Super Bowl was clearly on confounding love and forgiveness.

"The goal is that the two commercials will not only inspire those who may be skeptical of Christianity to ask questions and learn more about Jesus but also encourage Christians to live out their faith even better and exhibit the same confounding love and forgiveness Jesus modeled, said He Gets Us spokesman Jason Vanderground.

The first, a 30-second spot, encouraged viewers to be childlike and showed images of children playing cooperatively, helping each other, laughing, and expressing mutual love. Jesus didnt want us to act like adults, it said  He gets us. All of us.

The second, a 60-second spot, titled Love Your Enemies, showed images of violent encounters, and people clearly out of control. It concluded, Jesus loved the people we hate. He gets us. All of us.

Viewers' responses were mixed. Ad Meter, which polls audiences about advertising, found that of the 51 commercials aired during game, Be Childlike ranked 8th and Love Your Enemies 15th, both well above average. That should be encouraging to the sponsors and those who share their hope to awaken fresh interest in Jesus Christ.

Not all responses were positive, however, with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the most influential member of the Squad of radical-Left Democrats in Congress, tweeted, Something tells me Jesus would *not* spend millions of dollars on Super Bowl ads to make fascism look benign.

Its difficult to imagine how the ads could be understood as promoting fascism. Ocasio-Cortezs tweet instead has all the earmarks of what psychologists call projection: accusing others of precisely ones own attitudes. Its rather rich for a self-professed socialist and champion of the Green New Deal, which would force uniformity  the goal of fascism  on the American people to accuse others of fascism.

Democratic operative Sawyer Hackett protested, With the money the He Gets Us people spent on their right-wing Jesus ads, they could permanently house 1,563 people experiencing homelessness. True enough. But as a Fox News politics reporter pointed out, Twitter users were quick to note that Hackett didnt take issue with any of the other ads promoting things such as beer or gambling  just the ones promoting Jesus.

Its hard to imagine, frankly, how the ads could be described as right-wing, or, as other critics charged, anti-LGBTQ. They instead portray Jesus as the one who gets us  all of us. Nonetheless, The New Republic, a prominent left-wing publication, ran this story headline: The He Gets Us Jesus Super Bowl Commercial Is Connected to an Anti-Abortion, Anti-LGBTQ Group, adding, The ad urged viewers to look past their differences. Meanwhile, the group behind it is rolling back nondiscrimination protections.

Servant Foundation, which funds He Gets Us, also supports Alliance Defending Freedom, which supports restrictions on abortion and defends the right of artists not to be forced to express approval of LGBTQ through their creations.

But the ads themselves? Nary a hint of such. Instead, they portray Jesus as highly inclusive, as modeling love for enemies, as bringing peace to those in conflict.

Does it follow, then, that the ads are wonderful expressions of the Christian faith, effectively inviting people to get Jesus because He gets us? Do they offer viewers a profound understanding of who Jesus is and what He came to do? Or are they rather superficial, shallow representations of Jesus?

In short, while not fascist, are they facile?

The medium is the message, Marshall McLuhan said almost 60 years ago, warning communicators that what they want to convey will always be shaped in part by the medium through which they seek to convey it. Face-to-face dialogue, in-person oratory, printed fiction or nonfiction, newspaper short-form or magazine long-form, radio or television, and later internet, email, and social media  all would have profound effects on the messages delivered over them.

That certainly is the case with Super Bowl ads. Priced at $7 million for 30 seconds of advertising time during the Super Bowl, the organizers had to compress each message, drastically. In-depth systematic theology they could not deliver.

So, its understandable that these ads would necessarily present only the barest hint at what Jesusthe one Person about whom more has been written in history than about anyone elseis all about.

Still, one wonders whether a more balanced view of Jesus might have been offered. Yes, Jesus gets us. He understands us better than anyone else. Scripture tells us that in His life here on Earth, He was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. It says He wept over a friends death  even though He knew He was about to raise that friend from the dead. He Himself described Himself as gentle and lowly of heart.

But Scripture also tells us that Jesus was so outraged at those who exploited religion for personal gain that He wove a whip and drove them out of the temple precincts, overturning their tables. It tells us that at the same time, He offered Himself as living water to an outcast woman, He also confronted her with her adultery. It says He called hypocritical, abusive religious leaders whitewashed tombs and blind guides and fools.

Might these ads somehow have presented Jesus simultaneously as the one who sat down to dinner with despised tax collectors and prostitutes, and who said, Let the little children come to Me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven, yet also called people to Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand and called those who gathered riches just for themselves fools whose souls would be required of them?

Perhaps. Its a lot easier to give that balanced introduction to Jesus in five minutes than in 60 seconds, let alone 30.

No doubt there will be plenty of theologians who, like me, cringe at the superficiality of how these ads presented Jesus.

Yet we, too, stand in need of correction. A prophet greater than all who came before him introduced Jesus with just thirteen words (eleven in Greek): Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

But those very words suggest what might be the most important shortfall of the He Gets Us ads.

They make no mention of what Jesus said was the main purpose of coming, as God in human flesh, to Earth: the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

To take away the sin of the world. To give His life a ransom for many. That, not just to exemplify a holy and righteous, loving and kind life, was the main aim of the incarnation.

I pray many people who saw those ads or will see them and others in the same series, will be curious enough to search into who Jesus is and what He came to do. I hope many Christians will be reminded by them of the model Jesus provides of compassion and forgiveness.

And I hope those of us who are prone to criticize the ads  as indeed I do  will remind ourselves also of what the Apostle Paul wrote:

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice (Philippians 1:1518)

You can learn more about He Gets Us at www.HeGetsUs.com, and I would encourage you to do so.
In the wake of what may be Turkey's deadliest earthquake, Samaritan's Purse, the Christian humanitarian relief organization, announced it would send a 52-bed emergency field hospital to the city of Antakya, historically known as Antioch.

The organization, run by founder and president the Rev. Franklin Graham, said it will also send more than 100 medical and technical staff to the ravaged region, a spokesperson said. Some have already departed.

Official counts on Thursday topped 20,000 dead in the earthquakes that devastated southern Turkey and Syria on Monday. The twin temblors of massive 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude came within 10 hours of each other.

The field hospital will include two emergency operating rooms and a pharmacy. A chartered 747 aircraft was expected to take off from Atlanta to Turkey Thursday evening carrying roughly 90 metric tons of cargo, including hygiene items, solar lights and tarps, a spokesperson said.

"It is cold there and survivors are in shock  they need our help," Graham said in a statement.

As Antioch, one of the Roman Empire's largest cities, Antakya was an influential center of early Christianity. The Crusaders later seized it and it has been reconquered numerous times. It had a population of nearly 400,000.

The war in Ukraine has been drawing much of Samaritan's Purse's relief efforts over the past year, but in any given year, the organization aids people in 110120 countries.

For nearly a decade it has designed and assembled emergency field hospitals. In the past two years it put them to use to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy; the Bahamas; New York City; Los Angeles; Jackson, Mississippi; and Lenoir, North Carolina.

It has also built up a corps of Christian doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who volunteer on short-term trips to mission hospitals across the world.

Also on Thursday, the United Nations sent its first aid convoy into Syria. Rescue crews are frantically searching through collapsed buildings and ruins for trapped survivors. Many are sheltering in tents.

Other international Christian relief organizations are responding to the crisis, including World Vision, Send Relief, and Aid to the Church in Need, Christianity Today reported. Turkish and Syrian Christians have also responded, working alongside the local Red Crescent and Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.

 Religion News Service
Feature: Chinese firms eye further regional partnerships via Egypt's largest oil expo

Xinhua) 13:03, February 16, 2023

Photo taken on Feb. 13, 2023 shows the booth of China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd. at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) in Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese oil and tech firms have attracted many visitors at the ongoing sixth session of Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS), a leading oil expo in the Middle East and North Africa that gathered more than 500 exhibitors from across the world.

"We consider Egypt a focal point to explore our business opportunities here in the MENA region and the African continent," said Ma Cheng, country and general manager of North Petroleum International Company (NPIC) S.A., a subsidiary of China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd.

Running an eye-catching booth at the expo, Zhenhua Oil boasted its nine-year experience in operating oil and gas fields in Egypt and the creation of more than 1,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Egyptians.

"Through this exhibition, we would like to enhance our relations with our Egyptian partners," he noted, adding the business in Egypt is part of the fruition of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative that seeks to boost win-win partnerships among participating countries.

The NPIC and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation launched a joint venture Petro Amir Petroleum Company to produce oil and gas in three locations in the Eastern and Western Deserts in Egypt.

"I believe that China is a key investment partner for Egypt ... including in the oil sector," said Egyptian geologist Samir Zalat, general manager and managing director of Petro Amir Petroleum.

ZhenHua Oil operated in the fields of oil exportation, production and liquefaction, among others, Zalat introduced, adding the company seeks expansion in Egypt together with local partners.

More than 500 exhibitors from a dozen of countries across the world participated in the expo, including Egypt, Italy, the United States, Britain, India, Cyprus, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Spain and China.

Among the Chinese exhibitors is China's renowned Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, with its booth introducing cutting-edge ICT solutions in the energy sector, such as "Smart Gas Station," "Ransomware Protection Storage Solution," "Intelligent Oil &Gas field," and "Digital Pipeline."

Wang Hao, vice president for North Africa Energy at Huawei, said that it was the third time for the Chinese ICT giant to exhibit at the expo, noting that Huawei has been operating in Egypt for over 20 years.

"The importance of digitalization has been embraced by all industries. Since the oil and gas industry is a pivotal one in this region, we do believe this industry can benefit from the technology we offer, whether hardware or software," Wang told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian visitor was listening to a Huawei engineer explaining how a smart gas station works while watching the illustration displayed on a large monitor at the booth.

"They offer interesting solutions for communications and digitalization. I like the idea of a smart gas station and how to monitor all alarms in a gas station, how to follow up the levels of the tanks, how to integrate communications, etc.," said Kareem Mahmoud, a research department manager at Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals, a company of Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum.

"The Chinese technology companies, especially Huawei, really offer solutions that go in line with our ministry's strategy toward digitalization and networking," he told Xinhua, stressing the necessity of "constant collaboration" between Egypt and China in the realm of tech.

Photo taken on Feb. 13, 2023 shows the booth of China's Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) in Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit the booth of China's Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

A visitor talks with an exhibitor at the booth of China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd. at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People visit the booth of China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd. at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A German high court ruled on Thursday that police use of Palantir Technologies' software to prevent crime in several German regions was unlawful.

The German constitutional court has issued a statement, saying that the provisions governing the use of the crime-fighting technology in Hesse and Hamburg breach the right to informational self-determination.

According to Reuters, Hesse has until September 30 to amend its laws, while regulations in Hamburg were deemed null and void since that city has yet to use the software.

The court decided that "grounds for interference fall far short" of the legally acceptable standard of an identified threat due to the powers' "broad wording."

Peter Beuth, Hesse state minister of the interior, noted that present methods must be made stronger and formalized. However, he accepted the verdict since it acknowledged that "police work of the future" must better cope with "large amounts of data."

The official said that, so far, the anti-crime software has been employed to probe into a shadowy organization accused of planning to topple the government of Germany in December, as per VOA News.

Read Also: CRMs Aren't the Answer to the Data Value Problem

Anti-Crime Software Puts Innocent People at Risk

Jan Hiesserich, Palantir's European strategy head, has said that the American firm only offers the tools for data processing rather than the actual data.

The German Society for Civil Rights (GFF) sued police data analysis because Palantir software utilized innocent people's information to generate allegations and might lead to errors, impacting persons at risk of police prejudice.

The Financial Times reported that Palantir, which the CIA backs, is one of several American technology firms that has played a significant role in aiding the Ukrainian military.

Related Article: How Gaming Is Disrupting The Sporting Industry

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Interim City Administrator G. Harold Duffey declared a state of emergency after Oakland had suffered a ransomware attack. Its IT systems have been offline since February 8th, and network outages have brought ongoing issues.

Oakland Ransomware Attack

Non-emergency systems including phone lines are still impacted or offline in the City of Oakland. The state of emergency status is to expedite the procurement of equipment and materials, as well as activate emergency workers if the need arises.

It's still unknown who was behind the cyber attack, and there are still no details on the ransom demands or what was stolen. However, the city's IT department is already working with a forensics form to perform extensive incident response and analysis.

An effort is also being made to put up additional cybersecurity measures and technology firms to work on recovery and remediation, as mentioned in Bleeping Computer. The investigation has involved local, state, as well as federal agencies.

Oakland citizens may still file crime reports on the city's official website. 911 dispatch, fire emergency services, and the City's financial systems were not affected by the cyber attack. The City Department is working on ways to provide services safely to the public.

In a statement, the City expressed its appreciation for the patience of the community as staff across the organization collaborate to minimize disruptions. They are also implementing workarounds to normal business processes to continue delivering services.

How Do Ransomware Attacks Work?

Ransomware attacks start with a hacker breaching a certain system and planting malware. It will then keep a user or organization from accessing their files through encryption, which can only be cracked using a decryption key.

The threat actors will demand a ransom payment in exchange for the victim being able to reaccess their data. In some cases, the hacker would steal the data and threaten to leak them to a public forum if the ransom payment did not reach them on a deadline.

Ransomware attacks have been used by many hacker groups, affecting many organizations and companies as well as their services. These attacks prevent hospitals from providing emergency services or leaking sensitive information online.

According to CheckPoint, the form of cyber attack started with the WannaCry outbreak in 2017. It showed that ransomware attacks could be profitable, which has led to dozens of ransomware variants being created, and ransomware groups being formed.

With the pandemic, organizations and companies had no choice but to resort to remote work, which created weaknesses in their cyber defenses. Cyber attackers saw this opportunity resulting in a 50% surge in ransomware attacks in the third quarter of 2020.

Read Also: Rackspace Names Play Ransomware As Hackers Behind December Attack

How to Avoid Ransomware Attacks

There are no fool-proof ways to avoid a ransomware attack. However, there are methods to minimize the risk. For one, these attacks usually hold data hostage through encryption. Having backup files may reduce the amount of data loss and will not disrupt services as much.

Employees or users should also be aware of the dangers of socially engineered attacks or phishing emails. Systems should also be patched so cybercriminals will not be able to find uncovered exploits. User authentication will also avoid breaches through stolen credentials.

Related: 5 Alarming Ransomware Facts You Shouldn't Ignore
Artificial intelligence has been a part of a lot of our daily activities. Some of them are obvious while others are not, resulting in people sometimes becoming unaware of the impacts of AI on the things we regularly use or interact with.

AI Awareness Statistics

The more obvious versions of AI can be identified by most people like chatbots such as ChatGPT, or Alexa listening to and executing commands. Others tend to be overlooked like music or video recommendations on streaming services.

Pew Research surveyed 11,004 American adults between December 12th to 18th, and 57% are aware that music playlist recommendations are created by AI. On the other hand, a lesser 51% know that email services categorize certain electronic mail as spam.

For the more apparent examples, 62% believe that the facial recognition software used for identifying people in security cameras is powered by AI, and 64% are aware that product recommendations on online shops are created by AI based on their previous purchases.

As for the most obvious instances, the respondents identified chatbots, which can usually be found in customer services with automated responses, as artificial intelligence. They also know that fitness trackers use AI to analyze sleeping patterns and exercise activities.

Overall, only 27% of the respondents say that they interact with AI several times a day. 28% claim that they do so at least once a day or several times a week. The remaining 44% think they do not interact with AI regularly or did not respond, reports say.

As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, more jobs are at risk of being occupied by it, leaving humans with fewer employment prospects. Only 15% say that they are excited about the advancements, while 38% are more concerned, leaving 46% with mixed perspectives.

Read Also: McDonald's AI-Powered Drive-Thru is Having Trouble Taking Orders

AIs Replacing Humans

One of the concerns with the emergence of AI aside from the irrational fear of a robot uprising is the more real threat of them replacing humans in their jobs. There are sectors that would run more smoothly without factoring in human error, after all.

However, there are still jobs that need the input that a human brain can offer, and cannot be coded into artificial intelligence. As mentioned by McKinsey Global Institute partner Any Madgavkar, human judgment is still needed for AI technology to avoid error or bias.

According to Business Insider, a 2013 University of Oxford study predicted that around 47% of US jobs will be taken over by AI in the next 20 years. Some of the jobs that would be most impacted would be the ones that require accuracy.

For instance, accounting jobs require a person to type in and calculate numbers all day long. Machines can do so significantly faster, and is also almost impossible to make mistakes, making AI a better fit for the job.

It has also been seen that chatbots, which are powered by AI, can write code much faster than humans. With that being said, some employees may no longer be needed when this can be done through artificial intelligence, which means less cost for a company.

Related: AI Takeover Finally Happening? Research Reveals Why People Hate Talking to People in Customer Service
Foxconn Secures Manufacturing Site in Vietnam Published: 16 February 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

TAIPEI  Foxconn has signed a $62.5 million lease with Saigon-Bac Giang Industrial Park Corp in Vietnam to build a new manufacturing facility.

The move to secure a new manufacturing site comes after the Apple supplier's iPhone plant in Zhengzhou, China, saw an exodus of tens of thousands of employees and violent worker protests amid stringent pandemic control measures imposed during a Covid-19 outbreak that began in late October.

In Apple's quarterly earnings call earlier this month, CEO Tim Cook said the Covid-19 challenges "significantly impacted the supply of iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max and lasted through most of December."

The Vietnamese site, located in the Bac Giang province east of Hanoi, was rented through Foxconns subsidiary Fulian Precision Technology Component Co. The lease will run through February 2057, the company said.

Foxconn previously announced that it will relocate some of its MacBook production to Vietnam, and has also announced plans to quadruple the workforce at its iPhone plant in India over the next two years.
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Allen Frances, the psychiatrist who edited the fourth edition (1994) of the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as the DSM-IV), once tried to insinuate a new diagnosismasochistic personality disorderinto the third edition (1980). Frances, a vocal critic of the new DSM-5, released this year, now believes that no such condition exists and is glad that he failedthough he failed for reasons other than the manuals scientific integrity.

Masochistic personality disorder, as Frances then conceived it, diagnosed those whose typical behavior brought them unhappiness, principally by self-sacrifice in the service of maintaining relationships or self-esteem. He was thinking ofor many took him to be thinking ofwomen who put up with violently abusive lovers or husbands, or repeatedly chose such men as sexual partners, despite previous bad experience. Feminists attacked the proposed diagnosis, arguing that it blamed women for their own abuse. And it was on those grounds, not scientific ones, that the 1980 DSM excluded the diagnosis.

In fact, the pattern of behavior that Francess disorder sought to categorize is commonI encountered it often in my clinical practice. His eyes suddenly go funny, a patient would say of a violent boyfriend, like hes having a fit. He stares, he doesnt blink, and then he starts to strangle me. I dont think he knows what hes doing. Would he do it in front of me, then?, I would ask, and the scales would fall, at least temporarily, from her eyes. But the willingness to excuse abusive behavior was often astonishing. I recall one patient with an arm and a jaw broken by a man just out of prison after a long sentence for killing another woman. She rejected our warning that she was in imminent danger and walked out of the hospital arm in arm with her abuser, proclaiming her love for him. And, in fact, no convicted serial killer fails to receive written declarations of love and offers of immediate marriage from women outside the prison walls.

Frances was right, then, to reject his 1980 diagnosisnot because masochistic behavior is a fiction but because a description of behavior is not the same as a medical diagnosis. We all show patterns of behavior, and some prove far from conducive to our own success or happiness. Such behavior does not make us ill, however, but weak and fallible.

No edition of the DSM, including the latest, recognizes a masochistic personality disorder. Yet the DSM-5 does agree with abused women that their male abusers are suffering from a psychiatric condition: intermittent explosive disorder.

Here are the diagnostic criteria:

A: Three behavioral outbursts involving damage or destruction of property and/or physical assault involving physical injury against animals or other individuals [sicone is tempted to add an exclamation mark] occurring within a 12-month period. B: The magnitude of aggressiveness expressed during the recurrent outbursts is grossly out of proportion to the provocation or to any precipitating psychosocial stressors. C: The recurrent aggressive outbursts are not premeditated (i.e., they are impulsive and/or anger-based) and are not committed to achieve some tangible objective (e.g., money, power, intimidation). D: The recurrent aggressive outbursts cause either marked distress in the individual or impairment in occupational or interpersonal functioning.

Elaborating slightly, but not much, on the diagnostic features, the DSM-5 says:

The impulsive (or anger-based) aggressive outbursts in intermittent explosive disorder have a rapid onset and, typically, little or no prodromal period. Outbursts typically last for less than 30 minutes and commonly occur in response to a minor provocation by a close intimate or associate. Individuals with intermittent explosive disorder often have less severe episodes of verbal and/or nondamaging, nondestructive or noninjurious physical assault. . . . Regardless of the nature of the impulsive aggressive outburst, the core feature of intermittent explosive disorder is failure to control impulsive aggressive behavior in response to subjectively experienced provocation.

Leaving aside the question of why the diagnosis should require three rather than two or four behavioral outbursts in 12 months (or, for that matter, in six or 18 months), the womens belief that their male attackers suffer from a bona fide psychiatricindeed, physiologicalcondition, requiring treatment, is likely to find reinforcement in the following:

Research provides neurobiological support for the presence of serotonergic abnormalities, globally and in the brain, specifically in areas of the limbic system (anterior cingulate) and orbitofrontal cortex in individuals with intermittent explosive disorder.

To call the habit of losing ones temper and destroying things or hurting people a medical condition (from which, according to the DSM-5, 2.5 percent or so of the adult population suffers in a given year) empties it both of meaning and moral content, all in the service of a spurious objectivity. The notion of an outburst of temper grossly out of proportion to whatever provoked it implies moral judgment as to what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate displays of anger. Appropriateness is an irreducibly moral concept, requiring conscious judgment; no number of functional MRI scans, of the amygdala or of any other part of the brain, will assist in that judgment.

Overdiagnosis blurs the line between unhappiness and mental illness. A patient having a violent seizure in 1878. (ALINARI ARCHIVES/THE IMAGE WORKS)

The nearly complete exclusion of the meaning of behavior from diagnoses turns psychiatry into a merely bureaucratic process, in that each diagnosis will have its prescribed, reimbursedthough not necessarily effectivetreatment. Incoherence often results. To qualify as intermittent explosive disorder, the DSM-5 asserts, an individuals outbursts should not have tangible ends, among them power and intimidation. Yet if we exclude such ends, it becomes inexplicable as to why outbursts should commonly occur in response to a minor provocation by a close intimate or an associate. To be devoid of tangible ends, the outbursts would have to occur completely at random, and they seldom do, certainly not among 2.5 percent of the population. The editors seem to have reflected little on the meaning of their own work.

It is easy, of course, to lampoon psychiatric nosologythe system for classifying disordersand to underestimate the difficulty of producing such classification. After all, no objective laboratory markers or correlatives of psychiatric disorder exist. Thomas Szasz, a brilliant but dogmatic polemicist (as well as a professor of psychiatry), overcame this problem by denying that psychiatric disorder existed. According to Szasz, bizarre, distressing, or harmful behavior was either the result of an objectively observable pathologyhypothyroidism, say, or hypoglycemia, Cushings syndrome, or a brain tumoror the patient was wholly responsible for it and suffered from nothing but a moral defect. In fact, the ability to recognize organic pathology is one reason psychiatrists should first be physicians, though admittedly many soon lose their medical skill and, worse still, instinct.

Nature seems to abhor not only a vacuum but also a category. Consider the so-called gambling disorder, which has such features, according to the DSM-5, as preoccupation with gambling and jeopardizing important aspects of life in order to continue gambling. Compulsive gambling may develop during the course of Parkinsons disease and can sometimes be treated by neurosurgery. But the great majority of people with the putative gambling disorder will have no discernible brain pathologydiscernible, at least, by current methodsto account for their behavior. There is, of course, no a priori reason that pathological causes of bizarre conduct or psychological functioning should not be found in the future; a disease does not become a disease only when its cause is understood. General paralysis of the insane was general paralysis of the insane before its causea late complication of infection by syphiliswas discovered. As Bishop Butler said, Everything is what it is and not another thing.

The overlap between straightforwardly pathological conditions (in Szaszs sense) and those that result from social, psychological, or personal factors, or from bad moral choices, suggests that psychiatrists should show discretion in what they regard as genuine illness. The state of ignorance in which psychiatrists now practice, which will probably endure, ensures that they will often be wrong; but no one who has encountered, say, a manic in full flight is likely to doubt that he is in the presence of illness. But nor would it be easy, then, to see so-called factitious disorder, which consists of falsification of physical or psychological signs and symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, associated with identified deception in quite the same light: that is, to grant the same status to someone pretending to be ill as to someone genuinely ill.

Yet this is precisely what the DSM-5 does, establishing its authors lack of common sense, the quality that psychiatrists, perhaps more than any other kind of doctor, need. The manuals lack of common sense would be amusing were it not destined to be taken with superstitious seriousness by psychiatrists around the world, as well as by insurers and lawyers.

The section of the volume devoted to personality disorders proves the point. Among the criteria for personality disorders in general are the following:

A: An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individuals culture, in fields such as thought, emotion, interpersonal relations and impulse control. . . . B: The enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations. C: The enduring pattern leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. D: The pattern is stable and of long duration.

The DSM-5 then informs us that more than one in seven people have such a lifelong disorderadding up to 45 million Americans and even more Europeans. These astonishing numbers give the authors not a moments pause (any more than does the fact that their own prevalence rates suggest that the average American suffers from more than two psychiatric disorders in any one year). Several undesirable characteristics must be present in an individual for a diagnosis of personality disorder to apply. Considering those characteristics, and that such a significant portion of the Western population supposedly exhibits many of them, either a mass outbreak of human nastiness and inability to deal with everyday life must have occurred, or the whole business of diagnosis must be dubious or even ridiculous.

Here is a random list of some of the characteristics that, in the DSM-5, make up personality disorders of various kinds:

Unjustified suspicions that others are harming, exploiting or deceiving.



Persistently grudge-bearing.



Detachment from social relations and limited expression of emotion.



Behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric or peculiar.



Deceitfulness.



Persistent irresponsibility.



Indifference to risk to self or others.



Irritability and aggressiveness.



Lack of remorse.



Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures or threats, or self-mutilation.



Inappropriately intense anger, frequent displays of temper.



Rapidly shifting and shallow expressions of emotion.



Use of physical appearance to draw attention to self.



Self-dramatization, theatricality.



Grandiosity.



Requirement for excessive admiration.



Sense of entitlement.



Interpersonal exploitativeness.



Lack of empathy.



Enviousness of others.



Arrogance and haughtiness.



Unwillingness to become involved with people.



Sense of social ineptitude and inferiority.



Avoidance of risk.



Difficulty in expressing disagreement with others because of fear of disapproval, i.e., pusillanimity.



Feeling of helplessness when alone.



Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization or schedules.



Excessive devotion to work.



Over-conscientiousness or scrupulousness.



Reluctance to delegate.



Rigidity and stubbornness.

The diagnoses for most of the disorders require at least four of the undesirable characteristics to be present, predominant, and persistent. One is reminded of the King of Brobdingnags view of Gullivers countrymen: I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth. Lest anyone object that only one in seven people suffers from personality disorders, and that therefore the King of Brobdingnags opinion of Western humanitythat it suffers from the worst effects that avarice, faction, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness, hatred, envy, lust, malice, and ambition, could produceis not relevant, one must add that, for the DSM-5, people with personality disorders are merely the most extreme exemplars of their type. And if only the extremes have four or more undesirable and frequently horrible dominating characteristics, many individuals must have one, two, or even three such characteristics. If the DSM-5 reflects the American Psychiatric Associations views, then that organization clearly views humanity with Swiftian distaste. Yet its distaste is not that of a disappointed lover (and certainly not expressed with Swifts genius) but is motivated, one suspects, by the hope of an endless supply of patients. For those with psychiatric disorders need psychiatrists.

The tendency of psychiatric diagnosis to colonize human experience is illustrated by the DSM-5s shifting diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is no recognition in the manual that the very act of labeling an experience pathogenic may encourage the pathologyin other words, that the human mind often reacts as it is expected to reactand that thereby the psychological fragility of human beings is increased. In the DSM-III (revised), a person diagnosed as suffering from PTSD must have:

experienced an event that is outside the range of usual human experience and that would be markedly distressing to almost anyone, e.g., serious threat to ones life or physical integrity; serious threat or harm to ones children, spouse or other close relatives and friends . . . or seeing another person who has recently been, or is being, seriously injured or killed as a result of an accident or physical violence.

In the DSM-5, by contrast, learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend is sufficient to trigger PTSD. The number of those susceptible to the disorder then expands considerably, for it can now strike those who havent experienced or witnessed anything traumatic themselves. The DSM-5 still excludes witnessing traumatic events on television or through other electronic media as a cause of PTSD, but doubtless by the next edition, to the delight of therapists and lawyers everywhere, such exposure will be enough. There is no plausible reason that it would not be sufficient, if merely learning about a trauma that happened to someone else can bring on the disorder. Since it is increasingly the view of the law and of the welfare system that psychological injury is to be treated exactly in the same way as physical injury (a thoroughly corrupting doctrine), the DSM will exert its baleful influence on society.

Psychiatric diagnosismore overblown, all-inclusive, and shallow in the DSM-5 than ever beforehas almost driven the word unhappy from the English lexicon. This is hardly surprising: according to the DSM, depression can be diagnosed after only two weeks. Among the thousands of patients who consulted me over a period of 15 years, only three whom I can recall ever used the word unhappy (and one was a prisoner, who told me, Im not happy in this prison, Doctor). By contrast, thousands said that they were depressed.

The semantic change is significant. The word unhappy is an implicit call to self-examination; the word depressed is, at least nowadays, a call to the doctor. It is no coincidence that the age of the DSM should coincide with a tenth of the populations taking antidepressantsdrugs that, for the most part, are placebos when not outright harmful. None of this excludes the possibility, of course, that some diagnoses will run afoul of pressure-group politics by the time the DSM-6 comes out. How long, for example, can gender dysphoria disorder survive every right-thinking persons moral duty to celebrate transsexualism?

The DSM is ultimately an instrument for weakening human resilience, self-reliance, fortitude, and resolve. It turns human beings into mechanisms, deprives their conduct of meaning, and makes them prey to entrepreneurs of human misery. The authors, one could say, suffer from PNODpsychiatric nosology overvaluation disorderthe criteria for which are as follows:

A: The grandiose belief that all human weakness can and should be divided into valid diagnostic categories. B: At least two of the following: a firm and unshakable belief that all human distress arises from malfunctioning serotonin metabolism; a firm and unshakable belief that functional MRI scans will soon teach humans how to live; a firm and unshakable belief that the seven deadly sins have been scientifically superseded by psychiatric diagnoses.

Top Photo: Aleksandar Nakic/iStock
Charities have responded to Nicola Sturgeons resignation after she announced yesterday her decision to step down as Scotlands first minister.

Sturgeon, who took office in November 2014, said that now is the right time to make way for someone else and that Scotland needs a new leader to reach across the divide in Scottish politics.

I have been first minister for over eight years, and I was deputy first minister for the best part of eight years before that. These jobs are a privilege but they are also  rightly  hard. And, it is only possible to give absolutely everything to a job of this nature for so long, she said.

Given the nature and scale of the challenges the country faces, I feel that duty, first and foremost, to our country  to ensure that it does have the energy of leadership it needs, not just today, but through the years that remain of this parliamentary term.

As first minister, Sturgeon has been involved in various charities throughout her tenure. At an SCVO gathering 2019, she praised the invaluable expertise and work of charities and outlined the Scottish governments commitment to support the sector.

In her recent annual Christmas message, she encouraged members of the public to donate to charities or help out in their communities in light of the cost-of-living crisis.

Many charities have praised Sturgeons work and thanked her for her unwavering commitment to the sector.

Were sorry to see her step down

Frances Guy, chief executive officer of Scotlands International Development Alliance, told Civil Society News: Nicola Sturgeon was a leader in calling out global injustices and were sorry to see her step down as first minister.

As one of the first nations to sign up to the Sustainable Development Goals (then Global Goals), Sturgeon led the way in supporting a crucial framework to create a fairer world for all. Sturgeon showed leadership in creating a loss and damage fund which acknowledges the role that nations like Scotland have played in creating the climate crisis.

We thank Sturgeon for her support of the global sustainable development sector in Scotland, and look forward to working with the next first minister to tackle the many ongoing injustices faced by the global community.

Scottish Refugee Council noted that there are lots of different views about Sturgeons resignation, but added that as first minister she was consistently positive and committed to supporting people seeking refugee protection in Scotland.

Christians Against Poverty Scotland tweeted: Nicola Sturgeon has been the longest serving first minister in Scotland. Under her leadership, [the Scottish government] has taken groundbreaking steps to tackling poverty in Scotland, including the Scottish child payment.

As a new first minister is selected, were calling on the Scottish government to keep a commitment to tackling poverty at the heart of decision making and to keep pursuing Scotlands ambitious child poverty targets.

Tireless commitment

Who Cares? Scotland, who won the Overall Award at the Charity Awards 2018 , thanked Sturgeon for her tireless commitment to our cause.

Chair Ryan McCuaig said: Throughout her tenure, Nicola Sturgeon has been alongside care experienced people with open arms. Shes listened to us, amplified our voices and made us feel valued and supported. Shes also committed to delivering transformational change to ensure we all grow up feeling nurtured and loved.

From listening to more than 1,000 voices of care experienced people and delivering the Independent Care Review, to walking the Kiltwalk with our members, and joining us at countless events, shes been a true ally to the care experienced community.

In a statement, Stonewall thanked Sturgeon for her unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of all marginalised people in Scotland, including women, those with disabilities and LGBTQ+ communities.

As deputy first minister, she helped steer through Scotlands equal marriage legislation. In 2018, as first minister, she became the first serving first minister in Scotland to lead a Pride March. The same year saw legislation proposed by her government to pardon gay and bi men convicted of having consensual sex with other men before it was decriminalised, which passed unanimously in the Scottish parliament. In 2021, Scotland became the first country in the world to embed lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans inclusive education across the school curriculum.

Sturgeons government recently came under fire after passing the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill  which was later blocked by Westminster  a law that sought to simplify the system by which transgender people change their gender and lower the age of application from 18 to 16.

Stonewall, which supports the bill, said that Sturgeon approached this subject in the way we hope all leaders would: with compassion and understanding, and with judgements that are grounded in facts and evidence.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,




It was a Monday morning, and I woke up to find four missed calls and two unread text messages from a number that was not plugged into my contacts.

Hey.

Just stopped by to say hello.

My heart started racing. Did he actually show up at my house an hour after what he did? I knew he lived on the next block, so the idea wasnt far-fetched. For the first time in the more than three decades Id lived in my neighborhood, I made a conscious decision not to drive down the adjacent block.

During our conversation the night before, he said he was a prosecutor and had an upcoming trial that he felt was newsworthy. I was a courts reporter for the New York Daily News. I gave him my business card with the aim of gaining a new source within the beat I covered. He took my business card while chugging more than one sixteen-ounce cup of Hennessy, straight.

We met after I begrudgingly agreed to drive him home after a baby shower we both attended. While we were at a red light, he started telling me how he liked me. He grabbed my face, turned it in his direction, and shoved his tongue into my mouth. (These details, which he denied, would later become part of a court decision dismissing a defamation suit he filed against me.) I pushed him off me and told him to stop. I put the car in park and repeatedly said Get the fuck out of my car.

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After confiding to a colleague about what happened, I realized I had been sexually assaulted and should go to the police. But as much as I knew I needed to report this guy to get an order of protectionlegal documentation to keep him away from me and my familyI did not want to have to disclose what happened to my editor. I was already embarrassed and blamed myself for being overly friendly.

I covered courts in New York City. I wrote about the arrest of politicians, teachers, and law enforcement officials. It was a given that a sex crime prosecutor getting arrested for sexually assaulting someone is a headline that writes itself. And because of my experience covering the criminal justice and civil legal systems, I knew I should not be reporting on my own case.

Do I call my editor? Or do I let this go? I thought about the next woman who might encounter him and how my silence could lead to a worse situation for her. So I made the uncomfortable call, and my editor told me to take as much time off as I needed.

Professional courtesy

The waiting room of the precinct house was dimly lit. There were two hard plastic seats connected to each other and nailed onto the wall. The seats were a short distance away from the permanently scratched Plexiglas that divided the public from the police officer sitting on the other side.

This police officer, a Black woman, invited me to sit on the other side of the wall that separated the public from the inside of the precinct. As I sat beside her desk and described what happened the night before, she took notes. I explained that I wanted an order of protection to keep him away from me and my family. She explained that in order to get an order of protection, he must be arrested.

Tears began to blur my vision. I agreed to press charges.

The officer asked if I had time to go to the sex crime unit to continue the investigation. At an adjacent precinct, I was escorted into a red-brick building and up to the second floor. I was placed into a windowless office with baby-blue walls as a friend waited for me on the bench in the hallway.

Within minutes a woman detective walked in, introduced herself, and began to explain the next steps in the investigation. As I began to spell my name out for her, there was a knock on the door. She apologized for the interruption and stepped outside. She returned, sat at the desk, and explained to me that she had to stop the interview and wait for a detective from Manhattans Special Victims Unit to come to Brooklyn to continue the investigation.

I waited for three hours, then was introduced to Detective Eusebio Santos. He told me that we had to leave the building immediately and find another precinct to go to, to complete my portion of the investigation. He then explained that we had to leave the Brooklyn SVU precinct in haste because I had coauthored an article about one of their detectives.

The trial

For almost a year, only my close friends, family, and some colleagues knew I was the unidentified newspaper reporter who had accused a sex crimes prosecutor of sexual molestation and harassmentboth misdemeanors.

It was a week before the May 2018 criminal trial of the man who was charged with sexually assaulting me when my name was published for the first time in association with the case because of the defamation lawsuit he filed against me before jury selection.

Prior to his lawsuit, I was protected by an ethics rule in journalism that discourages naming a sexual assault or harassment victim in news reports without his or her consent. My name was now listed as a defendant in his lawsuit. Newsrooms were now able to expose meand some, like the New York Law Journal and Law360, did.

It would forever change the course of my life and force me to be a more empathetic and compassionate journalist.

The trial prosecutor said I would be their second witness after the Det. Santos gave his testimony.

I was placed inside a small conference room a few feet away from the courtrooms front door, which had a slim window that allowed me to see who was walking by. As I sat with my mom and my friendthe same person who stayed with me when I filed the reportI began to daydream about who the people were walking the halls.

A court officer knocked on the door, gave me a crescent grin, and said, Youre up! I took a deep breath, stood up, and walked inside the courtroom. The fluorescent overhead lights seemed much brighter that day. I scanned the gallery and saw two of my colleagues who were covering the trial.

Once I took the single step up to the witness stand, I felt judged not only by the jury of five men and one woman, but by the court officers and the judge. These were people I had casual conversations with in between covering cases or at holiday parties.

As I stated my name for the record, my peripheral vision found the man I had accused seated at the defense table. It was the second time I had seen him in person since I gave him a ride home after our mutual friends baby shower on April 30, 2017. The sight of him staring at me with his mouth hanging wide open disgusted me. I slid my chair backwards to allow the corner of the judges bench to block him from my view.

The trial prosecutor asked a few questions that allowed me to tell my full story. As I went over each detail, I looked for an ally in the jury. I wondered why a Black woman juror resting her face in the palm of her hand didnt look at me. Was I speaking too fast? Had she made up her mind before I even started testifying? Studies over the past ten years have shown that sexual assault cases where the victim is a Black woman are the least prosecuted. Where did I fit into this legacy? The man I accused was a Black man. I was a Black woman reporter who witnessed victims and perpetrators of sex crimes going before a judge and jury. I believed some, but not all.

All I wanted was to get an order of protection to keep this man away from my place of business and my home. But, covering this beat, I also was cognizant of putting another Black man into the system. Black men are disproportionately incarcerated compared with men of other races and ethnicities.

It was strange and uncomfortable facing the gallery, where two of my colleagues took notes as I testified without allowing a single tear to fall from my eyes. Looking back, I wonder whether I should have cried like other survivors did during their testimony. More than anything, I just wanted to be believed.

A reporter becomes part of the story

The last series of questions from the prosecutor in the criminal case was about the civil lawsuit. It was the first time I was able to publicly address the editorial mistake that was the crux of the defamation lawsuit against me.

Months after I filed the police report, I woke up to a Google alert with my byline published on an article about the criminal case. It was a benign copyediting errorof course I hadnt been covering my own case, and the name of the reporter who actually wrote the piece was mistakenly left off the storybut for me, it was fateful. I immediately reached out to my editor. All he could do was correct the byline on the online version of the story. The printed newspaper copy had already gone out to hundreds of thousands of people.

The defamation lawsuit used the papers mistake against me, alleging that I fabricated the sexual assault allegations as an opportunity to bolster my journalism career. The Daily News was included in the lawsuit as a defendant. The man who assaulted me wanted a minimum of $10 million in damages.

The jury in the criminal case took five days to declare their deliberations deadlocked. The prosecutors offered the accused an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, meaning if he stayed out of trouble for a year, the charges against him would be dropped, as would the order of protection I sought in the first place.

The year passed, the order of protection was voided, and the charges were dropped from his criminal record (over my objections). But the civil lawsuit against me was still pending.

An unspeakable isolation

Six weeks after a hung jury was declared, Ialong with a hundred other journalists at the Daily Newswas laid off, but the attorneys for the newspaper continued representing me in the defamation lawsuit.

A year after the layoffs, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled that the newspaper could be removed from the lawsuit and the man I accused of assaulting me could continue to sue me. It took me months to find a new attorney to take my case pro bono.

Finally, in November 2019, I found a firm, Loeb & Loeb LLP, that took my case. Forty civil rights and survivor advocacy organizations filed an amicus brief in support of me. They called the Manhattan judges decision outrageous.

Finally, in September 2021, I received an email from my attorneys that the New York State Court of Appeals agreed with the appellate divisions decision to uphold dismissal of the defamation lawsuit against me.

The best news came in one sentence that read, in part, that his motion to appeal was denied.

The states Court of Appeals is one of the last stops anyone can make to try and have their case saved after failing in lower courts in New York.

Because of the courts ruling, it is now precedent in New York State that a complainant alleging sexual assault cannot get sued by his or her alleged abuser, predator, assailant, or attacker unless there is a credible allegation that the accuser lied in filing the report. The court found there was no support in the lawsuit for such a finding against me. Indeed, as the court held, it is difficult to see how defendant could have been more succinct or restrained in her description of the events while accomplishing her purpose: to report to the police that she had been the victim of sexual assault.

In April 2021, I received a private message on Twitter from a stranger in Wisconsin thanking me on behalf of his mother for being a source of hope for his family. My pursuit of justice was worth it in the end.

Christina Carrega is an award-winning journalist and the National Criminal Justice Reporter for Capital B.
Tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are facing accusations from House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, regarding their platforms' methods concerning content moderation and censorship.

Questioning the Big Techs

The House Panel aims to determine the extent of censorship in certain content that the federal government allegedly pressured companies to do. This is based on many Republican politicians believing that conservative views are being labeled as misinformation or hate speech by tech companies.

With the House of Representatives controlled by Republicans, the subject is bound to be re-evaluated. The CEOs included in the subpoena will have until March 23rd to provide communications between them and the executive branch regarding the subject.

The communications in question are the ones referring to or relating to moderation, deletion, suppression, restriction, or reduced circulation of content, according to the subpoena. Jordan made this move his top priority upon becoming chairman last month.

The House Judiciary Committee chairman's letter stated that to develop effective legislation, the Committee will have to understand the extent the executive branch "coerced and colluded" with companies and other intermediaries to censor speech.

The requests include details about individuals who are responsible for the moderation policies that the platforms have, as well as officials they were in touch with within the executive branch, as mentioned in Engadget.

However, this may not lead to the outcome that the panels hope to gain. There have been previous attempts to look deeper into the policies that are allegedly biased against conservatives, but studies show no evidence of these claims.

Among the big tech CEOs, Twitter was not included in the subpoena. It may be due to Elon Musk's "free speech" advocacy, and the fact that he reinstated Donald Trump, who was previously suspended on the platform.

The Tech CEOs' Response

Jordan believes that the tech companies did not comply with the House Republican's similar request previously. Although many were called including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Amazon CEO And Jassy, and Apple CEO TimCook, only Meta and Microsoft have responded so far.

Microsoft has started to produce documents, is engaged with the committee, and is committed to working in good faith, according to CBS News. Meta responded as well, saying that they too are producing documents for the request and will continue to do so moving forward.

Read Also: TikTok Class-Action Lawsuit: Moderator Claims Videos Left her Traumatized

The Importance of Content Moderation

Social media platforms now play a huge part when it comes to information like news regarding a plethora of topics. It has grown to the point of having billions of monthly active users in the world, that's why it's important to filter the content that reaches users.

Aside from taking down posts or comments that contain harmful, vulgar, or profane photos and text, it's now easy enough for anyone to claim something to be a fact and add more false information to back it.

That is why flagging posts and taking them down or labeling them as fake, misleading, or hoax can prevent them from spreading further. This has been a concerning issue especially when it comes to political statements online.

Although users have the right to voice out their thoughts, the platforms still have to monitor if it violates certain rules. The subpoena aims to determine whether those rules cross the line between moderation and intentional silencing.

Related: EU Banning Twitter a Possibility Due to Content Moderation Issues
The new Soyuz known as the MS-22 will be delayed by a few weeks. The spacecraft was supposed to fly into space uncrewed, serving as a replacement for the previous Soyuz that has become unfit to fly back to Earth.

Reasons for the Delay

The original date for the launch of the MS-23 was February 19th, which was to happen from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia. Unfortunately, another Russian spacecraft docked with the ISS, the Progress MS-21, has been found to also have a leak.

The issue lies with the Progress' coolant system. Roscosmos is still not certain what caused the leak, and the agency might have delayed the launch of the MS-23 to make sure the issue is not an issue for all Soyuz and Progress vehicles before it left Earth.

The leak does not pose a danger to the astronauts on the ISS, according to Space, and it's probably not going to affect the Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin missions. The three are already set to stay on the ISS until late September.

Once the Soyuz MS-23 has been sorted out, it will launch into space and autonomously dock itself with the ISS. The crew that was supposed to fly back to Earth on the MS-22, as well as Rubio, will fly back using the relief spacecraft.

The MS-22

The leak on the Russian spacecraft was discovered on December 14th, 2022 resulting in it losing its coolant into space. Roscosmos believes that the damage was caused by a micrometeoroid strike hitting a radiator.

Although micrometeoroids are small pieces of rock or metal and can be as small as a grain of sand, it's still dangerous for spaceflight. As said in The Guardian, micrometeoroids can travel at speeds of up to 17,000mph, which is faster than a bullet.

The discovery of the damage led to crew commander Sergey Prokopyev and flight engineer Dimitri Petelin canceling that night's spacewalk. They planned to move a radiator from one module to another, according to reports.

NASA commentator Rob Navias said that they noticed a visible stream of flakes coming from the aft of the Soyuz. It was near the instrumentation and propulsion module, showing signs of a leak.

The director of crewed space flight programs Sergei Krikalev said that the leak from the Soyuz MS-22 might affect the overall coolant system of the capsule. Although, he also mentioned that the leak was not a threat to the crew.

Read Also: Rubio, Prokopyev, Petelin May Stay in the ISS for a Year Before They Can Return Home

The MS-21

Coincidentally, the Progress MS-21 had a similar issue. The ship lost pressure in its external cooling system. The former head of space agency Roscosmos' press service Dmitry Strugovets stated that all of the spacecraft's coolant has leaked out.

As pointed out by Ars Technica, coincidence is starting to appear more like a common problem for the two Russian spacecraft. It was unlikely that both were struck by micrometeorites within two months, which might mean that it was a manufacturing defect.

NASA is already assisting Roscosmos in investigating the events that led to the coolant leak of the MS-21 resupply vehicle. Officials are also monitoring all International Space Station systems, according to Tass.

Related: Russian Spacecraft Soyuz Docks To ISS Due To Leaky 0.8 Millimetre Hole
K-pop girl group NewsJeans show their artworks made of traditional Korean paper hanji which will be auctioned off this weekend. Courtesy of Korea Craft & Design Foundation



By Park Han-sol



Hanji artworks, produced by K-pop girl group NewJeans in an effort to promote Korea's traditional paper made from the bark of mulberry trees, will head to an online auction this weekend.



Early last month, the K-pop act appeared in a Korea Craft & Design Foundation's (KCDF) YouTube video to introduce Korea's centuries-old technique used to fashion hanji  the paper long touted in the country for its durability, strength and sustainability.



Led by hanji master Ahn Chi-yong, the quintet, in the video, went on to take part in a papermaking and craft session, where the members produced their own works of art using the traditional paper.






Author

Tom Williams is a Marco Islander. He is the author of two books: Lost and Found and Surrounded by Thunder - the Story of Darrell Loan and the Rocket Men. Both books are available on Kindle and Nook.
The Fair Trade Commission located in Sejong administrative city / Yonhap



Financial regulators team up to pressure firms to improve internal control efforts



By Anna J. Park



The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) have decided to expand their partnership in supervising the internal control initiatives and contractual terms and conditions financial firms apply to their consumers through their products.



The deepened cooperation between the two supervisory agencies is expected to lead to a higher level of evaluation expertise, further pressuring financial firms to come up with reasonable and fair contractual policies on products.



The two authorities jointly hosted a meeting on Thursday afternoon, with 12 financial companies. They included the six major commercial banks  KB Kookmin, Hana, Shinhan, Woori, NongHyup and IBK  four credit card firms and two savings banks. Four key financial industry associations, including the Korea Federation of Banks, the Korea Financial Investment Association, the Credit Finance Association and the Korea Federation of Savings Banks, also attended the meeting.



During the meeting, the two regulatory authorities called on financial companies to pay close attention in order to prevent and modify unfair contractual terms imposed on financial consumers. The authorities also highlighted repeated cases of unfair terms and conditions, urging them to avoid committing similar violations.



Through the meeting, the agencies hope to raise understanding among financial firms about how the government's review process works, inducing firms to improve their internal controls as well. The FSS said the deepened partnership with the FTC would also facilitate the enhanced protection of consumers.



In addition, the two agencies plan to strengthen direct communication with financial companies so that their review process can be conducted in a more transparent and speedy manner, aiming to support firms that launch innovative new products.



Under the current legal system, the FTC oversees any commercial products' terms and conditions regarding all industry sectors, while the FSS focuses only on reviewing financial products' contractual terms. When a financial company reports its new products' terms and conditions to the FSS, the watchdog agency assesses the contractual terms first and then sends them to the FTC for final evaluation. When the FTC raises issues concerning the terms and conditions of financial products, the FSS orders financial companies to make corrections to the contractual terms.




Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Churchill is British actor David Paynes new one-man show. He wrote it during the pandemic after performances for his first one-man show An Evening with C.S. Lewis were canceled. Payne will perform Friday through Sunday in Studio Bee at Pikes Peak Center.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form




Shipments of American agricultural products to Korea reached a record high of over $10 billion last year, U.S. data showed Wednesday.







U.S. exports of agricultural products to Korea came to $10.05 billion in 2022, up 2 percent from $9.85 billion a year before, according to the data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.







The 2022 total also marks a whopping 67.3 percent spike from $5.97 billion in 2013.







The top 10 export items to Korea included dairy products, corn, wheat and soy beans, while beef and beef products topped the list with $2.7 billion worth of products shipped to the country in 2022, followed by pork and pork products with $608.2 million, according to the data.







U.S. exports of beef and beef products to Korea jumped over 340 percent over the past 10 years, it showed.







In 2022, Korea was the world's 6th largest market for U.S. agricultural products. (Yonhap)










Korea boasts strong economic fundamentals and is set to post robust growth once the global economy gains traction, the chief financial officer of the World Bank has said.







"The fundamentals of the Korean economy remain very strong," World Bank CFO Anshula Kant said during her meeting with First Vice Finance Minister Bang Ki-sun in Washington on Wednesday (U.S. time), according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.







Kant also expressed gratitude to Korea for its contribution to the International Development Association, a platform under the Washington-based bank that aims to fight global poverty.







The country currently stands as the 15th-largest donor among 53 contributors.







In Washington, Bang also met Ilan Goldfajn, the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to discuss cooperation, the finance ministry added.







Earlier this week, Bang hosted a meeting with global investors in New York and also met officials from global credit appraisers, including Moody's Investor Service and SP Global Rating. (Yonhap)


Conferentie

Kickstart Europe is the Annual Strategy & Networking conference on trends and investments in tech and digital infrastructure. By bringing together an array of industry professionals at the start of the year, Kickstart Europe helps to explore the emerging trends and technology shaping the digital industry.



On February 20 & February 21 the world of cloud, connectivity and data center operators meets its ecosystem of investors, suppliers, developers, designers, consultants, and many more in Amsterdam to discuss the latest trends & investments.



Join CEO's, managing directors and business development executives at this European Strategy & Networking Summit in the RAI in Amsterdam.
It's funny how much a popular narrative can differ from reality once you start bringing cold, hard data into the equation.

Over the past couple years, Samsung has worked hard to improve its reputation as a reliable provider of software updates in the Android arena. And to be sure, it's made some meaningful strides along the way.

But when you go beyond the broad impressions and objectively measure the company's commitment to timely Android operating system rollouts  well, the story gets a teensy bit more complicated.

That's precisely why I started doing these Android Upgrade Report Cards way back in the platform's prehistoric ages. From the get-go, we've seen some wild variance in how well different device-makers support their products after you've finished paying for 'em  and as an average phone-owner, there's no great way to know what's gonna happens six months or a year after you shell out your dollars for a top-of-the-line phone.

It's in part just par for the course with the nature of Android as a platform. The operating system is open source, and that means each device-maker can modify it how they want (for better or sometimes for worse). And consequently, that means the responsibility falls on each company's shoulders to process every new incoming Android version and get it out to its customers.

[Get level-headed knowledge in your inbox with my free Android Intelligence newsletter. Three things to know and three things to try every Friday  straight from me to you.]

While we can't control the level of care and commitment each company puts into that process, we can control our own knowledge about how much different device-makers prioritize post-sales support. That way, you can at least have the context you need to make an educated decision about which phone is right for you  not just for the first few weeks that you own it but for the entire two-, three-, or maybe even four-year period that you're likely to carry it around.

Now that we're six months past the launch of Android 13, it's time to step back and look at who's making upgrades a priority and who's treating 'em as an afterthought. Only you can decide how much this info matters to you (hint: It oughta matter  a lot), but whether you find post-sales software support to be a top priority or an irrelevant asterisk, you deserve to be armed with all the data that empowers you to make fully informed future buying decisions.

Want the full nitty-gritty on how these grades were calculated? You can find a detailed breakdown of the formula and every element taken into account at the very end of this article.

Google

JR

Length of time for upgrade to reach current flagships: 0 days (50/50 points)

0 days (50/50 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach previous-gen flagships: 0 days (25/25 points)

0 days (25/25 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach two-cycles-back flagships: 0 days (15/15 points)

0 days (15/15 points) Communication: Excellent (10/10 points)

Perhaps the least surprising part of this year's analysis is the part that's almost always consistent: Google's at the tippity-top of the pack with its unmatched commitment to providing timely and reliable Android updates on its own self-made Pixel phones  and for actually following through on that promise.

Following an unusual slight delay with the start of its rollout last year, Google was back to its typical habit of sending out the latest Android update to Pixels on the very same day the software was released.

(For the purposes of this analysis, by the way, it's the start of a rollout  to a flagship phone model in the US  that counts, as you can read about in more detail here.)

What's most impressive, though, is the fact that Google treats all of its phones as equals  meaning even if you own a previous-gen device or a lower-priced Pixel "a" model, you still get major updates like Android 13 at the same time as the current-gen flagship phone owners. That's a sharp contrast to the way every other device-maker handles its lineup, and it's the way things very much ought to be.

And while Google's usual "rolling out in waves" asterisk always applies to a certain degree, with some Pixel owners not receiving the software on that very first day, Android 13 made its way to all supported Pixel devices within a reasonable amount of time and without the need for any extra communication beyond the company's initial announcement.

For the standard caveat here: Sure, we could argue that Google has a unique advantage in that it's both the manufacturer of the devices and the maker of the software  but guess what? That's part of the Pixel package. And as a person purchasing a phone, the only thing that really matters is the experience you receive.

And as usual, the results tell you all there is to know: Google's phones are without a doubt the most reliable way to receive ongoing updates in a timely manner on Android. The company could (and most certainly should) start supporting its phones for longer, especially as other players in the ecosystem extend to four full years of operating system updates in comparison to Google's three  but in terms of timeliness, Google's the only company that makes an explicit guarantee about upgrade deliveries as a part of its devices' purchasing package, and it's absolutely the only one that consistently delivers on that front, every single year.

OnePlus

JR

Length of time for upgrade to reach current flagships: 38 days (46/50 points)

38 days (46/50 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach previous-gen flagships: 120 days (19/25 points)

120 days (19/25 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach two-cycles-back flagships: 88 days (12/15 points)

88 days (12/15 points) Communication: Poor (0/10 points)

Expecting to see someone else in this second place spot? Or maybe expecting to see a slightly stronger score in our silver-medal position? Well, surprise  times two!

If there's one constant with OnePlus, it's a complete lack of consistency when it comes to its Android upgrade performance. The company did admirably well for a while, then it had an embarrassingly bad flop of a year with Android 11 in 2020.

Last year, it recovered and started to move back in the right direction with its Android 12 efforts  though it still came into only solid "C" territory and didn't come close to matching its earlier success.

Now, with Android 13, the company's flipping and flopping a little but ending up in the same general range of mediocrity as what we saw in the last upgrade cycle. OnePlus actually did decently well with its current-gen flagship, the OnePlus 10 Pro (which, confusingly, does not have a non-Pro equivalent). Owners of that device got Android 13 in their hands just over a month after the software's release, which isn't bad at all and is a significant step forward from what happened with OnePlus's current-gen model last time.

But where the company fell flat was in its handling of previous-gen flagship phones  a frustratingly common challenge for OnePlus as of late. Its most recent previous-gen phone, the OnePlus 10T, waited a whopping 120 days to get its Android 13 update, while the two-cycles-back flagships in the OnePlus 9 series waited for a weirdly less bad but still not spectacular 88 days to see the software.

All in all, it's just not a great result  and adding insult to injury is the fact that OnePlus provided virtually no communication along the way and no manner of guidance to its top-paying customers about what was going on and when they could expect Android 13 to arrive.

Most surprising of all, though, is the fact that this middling effort came in ahead of the next phone-maker on our list.

Samsung

JR

Length of time for upgrade to reach current flagships: 86 days (41/50 points)

86 days (41/50 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach previous-gen flagships: 105 days (20/25 points)

105 days (20/25 points) Length of time for upgrade to reach two-cycles-back flagships: 104 days (12/15 points)

104 days (12/15 points) Communication: Poor (0/10 points)

So here it is: If you read much tech news, you're probably under the impression that Samsung is absolutely killing it when it comes to Android upgrade deliveries. And to be fair, that's not entirely wrong.

The company is doing an admirable job of supporting its sprawling lineup of Android devices for longer than ever, with most flagships now receiving a full four years of operating system updates  a year more than even Google is guaranteeing with its Pixel products.

But when it comes to timeliness, Samsung isn't such a shining star.

The company actually slipped a bit from last year in its delivery time for its current-gen flagships (which, for the purpose of this analysis, are considered to be the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Z Fold 4, since Samsung has made it clear that it's been viewing those two device lines as equal-footing flagship products since 2021). It did worse with its most previous-gen devices, too, falling to 105 days with its 2021 phone pair and coming in at 104 days for its top two 2020 phones (the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20, in that final year before Samsung switched its primary emphasis from the Note line to the Fold line as a co-flagship product).

Between that substantial drop in performance  particularly on the current flagship front  and the company's unfortunate return to its typical approach of keeping customers completely in the dark about its progress along the way, Samsung slipped back from its brief flirtation with a "B" grade last year into firm "C" territory and a firmly middling result for its Android 13 efforts.

It's easy to score a positive headline with one token rollout, but once you start looking at a company's complete performance, across the board, the story isn't always so simple.

And  exasperated sigh  things only get worse from here.

NEXT PAGE: How the mighty have fallen
Most of us are familiar with the idea that there are no more than five intermediaries between yourself and another person on this planet. (Hello, Kevin Bacon). It's quite ironic, given there are 8 billion of us and yet this incredible expanse of people has such proximity. The six degrees of separation phenomenon plays out in other aspects of life and even business. I'm a software guy  sort of. Better said, I work in marketing for one of the largest software companies in the world. And "customer experience" sits at the top of my priority list  how to create it, how to make it better, how to make it stand out. It's no easy task, as customers' needs and wants move quickly. I'd argue these needs sometimes shift faster than your business setting and context will allow. So, it begs the question of how to make sure youre setting yourself up to exceed customer expectations? Or, maybe more to the point, how do you do it well? In today's post-pandemic world, digital has exploded beyond the past decades of cumulative growth. Digital services and data are the fastest-growing segments of enterprise business. And the businesses getting digital right are outperforming the rest. Meanwhile, the middle-of-the-pack has lost ground and needs to rethink or reconfigure its digital strategy to be competitive. There are six degrees of separation between your business plan and your desired outcomes. And if improving digital services and data orchestration are a priority, then a world-class customer experience is one of the biggest connections between them. The truth is that every aspect of your business directly impacts or cascades to customer experience. Knowing the degrees of customer experience is essential for driving connections between your business plans and desired outcomes. Not to mention claiming and advancing your competitive edge. Try This on for Size Creating a dynamite customer experience is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It's more like understanding how customers interact with your company from start to finish. To put it differently, customer experience is about taking care of people. Let's look at the six degrees of a stand-out customer experience. 1. Have a clear strategic purpose Your company values and purpose largely dictate your customer engagement strategy. It used to be that a seamless customer experience was enough to stand out, but in today's world, it counts more to create experiences that are purpose or value driven. The clearer you can be about the strategic purpose, the easier it will be to accomplish the remaining five degrees. 2. Align your tech investments Your tech stack represents a significant investment. And part of being a good investor, participating in the Technology Economy, is evaluating your tech assets based on performance and impact on business outcomes. When it comes to customer experience, take stock of how aligned your investments are with your strategy and purpose. Are you leveraging the right platforms for the right workloads? This knowledge will empower you to judge whether future tech investments are required or not to support customer experience outcomes. 3. Position digital integration at the core The nature of today's market and customers requires businesses to be agile and fast, customizable and comprehensive, and stable and flexible. Digital integration is the best way to achieve all this, to keep up with the market and your customers. Since 2020 there has been a significant increase in comfort  if not preference  for digital channels. So, positioning digital integration at the core of your customer experience strategy is a no-brainer. 4. Distinguish your brand with innovation Innovation is a bit of a buzzword, but it's important for customer experience. If your strategy is clear, your tech is aligned, and you've positioned digital integration at the core of customer experience, you will have the right tools in place to innovate. Innovation is a fancy way of saying you've created an original solution to a problem. When applied to customer experience, it can help distinguish your brand. Customer experience doesn't  and shouldn't  look the same across the industry. So how can your organization innovate for your customers? Whatever makes you stand out to your customers will make you stand out against the competition. 5. Take advantage of every customer touch point From product search to fulfillment, and every moment in between (and after), touch points are opportunities to stand out and positively impact your customer. Consider each phase of the customer journey and how tailored experiences can deliver more value along the way. Maybe its a text alert for unusual activity on their credit card, an automated suggestion for a product they may like based on recent purchase history, or the option to add travel insurance when booking a flight. Each interaction is a link in the chain of their entire experience, so its essential to make every touch point as strong and valuable as possible. 6. Be delightful Another significant aspect of delighting your customers is delighting the employees who are responsible for their experience. Delighting your customers boils down to exceeding their expectations and creating a lasting impression. Delighting your employees means freeing up their time to focus on the bigger initiatives, so they can rally behind and feel like contributors to the larger strategic purpose. It all relates to my simplified definition of customer experience  taking care of people. Coming Full Circle In the heart of every customer experience are business transactions carrying the highest value for customers. And given 72% of all transactional workloads on the planet are processed on back-end Mainframes, your customer experience is even closer than our friend Mr. Bacon might think. Consider your business applications and data, and your hybrid architecture, with Mainframe as a critical element. What is accounted for in the customer experience with transactions in the mix, you might ask. Well ask yourself these questions: Transactional integrity? Check. Availability of services? Check. Security from multitudes of threats? Check. Speed and response? Check. Yes, its straight-forward how attributes of customer experience directly tie to your digital and transactional relationship with the customer. All it takes is one misstep and you might never see that customer again. Take nothing for granted. Including how you manage and operate your Mainframe and enterprise platforms. Businesses that do it right lead and win by having the right strategy, technology, and purposeful execution. How are you using the Mainframe to create better customer experiences? Dont miss out on expanding the Mainframes capabilities. Get started here.
Lee Seung-chul, hanji artist and professor of art at Dongduk Women's University, poses with hanji sculpture of "munsubosal" (the Bodhisattava of wisdom) after an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



Professor to hold hanji artwork exhibitions in Europe, US



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Hanji  a traditional Korean paper made of inner bark from the mulberry tree  has been fading from people's daily lives due to the complicated, labor-intensive process used to make it. Only around 20 workshops in Korea continue to produce high-quality hanji through centuries-old papermaking techniques called webal. Lee Seung-chul, professor of art at Dongduk Women's University, has been carrying on the 2,000-year-old tradition through his artwork and teaching.



Lee, born in 1964, became a devotee of hanji in 1984 when he discovered that the material provides the foundation for Eastern painting.



"In my graduate school thesis, I wrote about hanji's influence on Korean art. I traveled across the country in search of hanji-making practitioners, and realized that hanji culture had become obscure and forgotten in the late 1980s and the early 1990s," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Monday.



Since then, he has strived to raise awareness about hanji, natural dyeing and materials used in traditional Korean art and craft. He later went on to establish his own hanji factory where he produced his own paper. However, his business eventually failed because back in the '80s and '90s, Koreans favored the thin rough paper called hwaseonji over hanji.



Lee then began to take a contemporary approach to traditional Korean paper in order to revive the fading hanji culture.



"Culture holds special meaning when it's enjoyed, shared and respected by people in the present day. If culture is left to stay in the museum, it loses its meaning," he said. "So I thought I should use patterns of Korean ornaments from the old days and make hanji reliefs."





Lee Seung-chul's artwork displayed at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy / Courtesy of Lee Seung-chul



Lee gradually gained recognition as a hanji artist and papermaker, which led him to lecture at art workshops and museums in Europe. His passion for the paper led to the book "Hanji: Everything You Need to Know about Traditional Korean Paper," which has been translated into English.



Starting on Feb. 22, Lee will be holding his solo hanji relief exhibition "In Life and Hanji" (literal translation) at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy.



The exhibition will showcase Lee's works, including hanji reliefs such as a moon jar, bandaji  a cabinet used to store clothes  and a bookshelf. He also created hanji sculptures of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and Munsubosal  the Bodhisattava of wisdom  to evoke religious concepts.



"Nowadays, hanji is hardly used or needed in everyday life. The only way hanji can survive is through art forms. I want to show how it can be transformed anew within history and tradition," he said.



After the Rome exhibition ends in April, Lee will tour several other countries including Austria, Germany and France. Following his European tour, he will go around Los Angeles, New York and Washington to hold his exhibition.











Seo Joo-hee, craft columnist and the curator of the upcoming "In Life and Hanji" exhibition, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min

Seo Joo-hee, craft columnist and the curator of the upcoming "In Life and Hanji" exhibition, explained that she wanted foreigners to explore the world of hanji and its presence in diverse artistic fields.



In 2016, the Central Institute for the Restoration and Conservation of Archive and Book Heritage (ICRCPAL), an Italian research institute, officially recognized two types of hanji as a suitable material for the conservation of European documentary heritage.



It adopted Korean paper for the restoration of Italian cultural heritage, including the Chartula of St. Francis of Assisi, Rossano Gospels and a globe owned by Pope John XXIII (1881-1963).



France's Louvre Museum also began employing hanji to restore a relic from its collection in 2017, specifically for a damaged handle ornament of an antique writing desk from 19th-century Bavaria that belonged to King Maximilian II.



"I have witnessed the growing reputation of hanji over the last few years. Through Lee's artistic journey, I would like foreigners to learn more about how hanji has evolved over centuries," she said.



Lee explained that hanji is sturdy, versatile, and nature-friendly. "Hanji is extremely resilient and durable. Because hanji goes through a hammering process after formation, it allows ink to seep in more and spread less. Due to its flexibility, it can be rolled, crumpled up and unfolded again. It can also be used in restoration and conservation of heritage items," he said.





Lee Seung-chul's artwork displayed at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy / Courtesy of Lee Seung-chul



However, it is no exaggeration to say that in the field of conservation and restoration, in regard to cultural property  including paintings, artifacts and antique documents  at prominent museums across the world, Japanese paper known as washi has dominated the market for decades as the best material, due to its apparent strength and durability.



Japanese washi paper and Chinese xuan paper were designated as intangible cultural heritage assets by UNESCO in 2014 and 2009, respectively.



Lee argued that the paper's fine quality does not guarantee its success in the market. "While hanji has made notable strides in recent years in the field of cultural conservation and restoration, it still has a long way to go. Hanji has legacy, but lacks a modern element," he said.



Lee argued that in order for hanji to compete and develop, the Korean government, artisans and industry experts need to come together and promote hanji as a singular cultural heritage.



"There are three main reasons why hanji has still not been added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. First of all, it was pushed back on the government's priority list. Moreover, the traditional craft of hanji is practiced in many different regions in Korea and they refuse to harmonize. Last but most importantly, there is a lack of craftsmen due to declining demand and public interest," he said.





Lee Seung-chul's artwork displayed at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy / Courtesy of Lee Seung-chul
By Sandeep Pandey*

First time under some pressure, University changed his rustication order to a suspension but continued to warn an unconscious student in hospital of strict action on recurrence of such action in future and that he would be responsible for it.



Instead of addressing the issues raised by the students and procrastinating university authorities indulged in sadistic behaviour

SAU agreed to bear the expenses of hospital treatment above the insurance limit of Rs. 1,50,000. However, the insurer Star Health Insurance Pvt. Ltd. withdrew from its commitment stating that there was a history of drug abuse by patient and that management of self-inflicted conditions and its complications were not covered under their policy.



Meanwhile, Ammar was referred to All India Institute of Medical Sciences but could not get a bed there and was taken to Al-Shifa hospital and then to home care for financial considerations but continues to battle for survival. His colleagues are raising funds through

The students resistance has suffered due to movement of University to its permanent location in Maidan Garhi. University went back on mitigation of punishments for two students and expelled Umesh Joshi and Bhimraj M. again on 25 November.

Pertinent question is whether Ammars condition is self-inflicted or caused by SAUs intransigence, arrogance and sheer inept mishandling of the situation. The university has not only scarred his academic career but also endangered his life.

Instead of addressing the issues raised by the students and procrastinating they were indulging in sadistic behaviour issuing repeated notices for hostel vacation by the five students. They even issued show cause notices to five faculty members who disagreed with calling the police on campus and not following due process before taking punitive action against the five students. It appears that the University was more interested in throwing out the five students than resolving their issues.

The two students expelled again have not been allowed to enter the new campus of University. They have knocked the doors of court. Entire administration of SAU right from the President down to Proctor should take responsibility for what has happened to Ammar Ahmad and must step down to make way for more sensitive people to take over if the University and more importantly the spirit of SAARC has to survive.

We would like to see SAU flourish like a welcoming place for students from all over South Asia and beyond. Sadly, incidents like what has happened with Ammar will dampen the spirits of potential bright students.

---

*Magsaysay award winning social activist and academic, general secretary of Socialist Party (India)

SAU too refused to make any legal payments upon rejection of claim by insurance company. A personal payment of Rs. 4 lakhs was made by the University Vice President Venugopal Senthil. But when the VP and Registrar went to meet Ammar in hospital, he suffered another epileptic seizure and relapsed.Meanwhile, Ammar was referred to All India Institute of Medical Sciences but could not get a bed there and was taken to Al-Shifa hospital and then to home care for financial considerations but continues to battle for survival. His colleagues are raising funds through crowd funding to meet the expenses of his treatment.The students resistance has suffered due to movement of University to its permanent location in Maidan Garhi. University went back on mitigation of punishments for two students and expelled Umesh Joshi and Bhimraj M. again on 25 November.Pertinent question is whether Ammars condition is self-inflicted or caused by SAUs intransigence, arrogance and sheer inept mishandling of the situation. The university has not only scarred his academic career but also endangered his life.Instead of addressing the issues raised by the students and procrastinating they were indulging in sadistic behaviour issuing repeated notices for hostel vacation by the five students. They even issued show cause notices to five faculty members who disagreed with calling the police on campus and not following due process before taking punitive action against the five students. It appears that the University was more interested in throwing out the five students than resolving their issues.The two students expelled again have not been allowed to enter the new campus of University. They have knocked the doors of court. Entire administration of SAU right from the President down to Proctor should take responsibility for what has happened to Ammar Ahmad and must step down to make way for more sensitive people to take over if the University and more importantly the spirit of SAARC has to survive.We would like to see SAU flourish like a welcoming place for students from all over South Asia and beyond. Sadly, incidents like what has happened with Ammar will dampen the spirits of potential bright students.---

South Asian University is a university set up in Delhi by member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation  India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives  which is open to students from all these countries. However, as SAARC is receiving little attention these days because of regional political dynamics, it appears as if SAU has lost significance too. Because of the hiatus in peace process between India and Pakistan, the Board of Governors of this University is dysfunctional.In October 2022 students had to go on strike demanding (1) increase of INR 2,000 in Masters scholarship (the University had actually decreased it from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 4,000 a month), (2) parity of Ph.D. scholarship with University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellowship, (3) blanket extension for Ph.D. scholars due to COVID as done by UGC, and (4) student representation in institutional grievance redressal and other committees.The administration paid no heed. Students decided to occupy the administrative block and were there for about a month. It is unbelievable that students were sitting there continuously on the fourth floor of Akbar Bhawan on campus in the national capital of India at a prominent elite location in Chanakyapuri, known for housing most foreign embassies, and the university administration allowed this to happen without engaging the students.Instead, they called police in an attempt to intimidate the students. Out of approximately 150 protesting students the university administration chose to take punitive action against five students  Umesh Joshi and Sahil Kumar Singh were expelled, Ammar Ahmad and Bhimraj M were rusticated and the only non-Indian student Sudeepto Das, from Bangladesh, was suspended without issuing any show cause notices to them.The abovementioned five were told on 4 November to vacate their hostel rooms. The SAU administration was informed about the psychiatric condition of Ammar by Umesh Joshi in a meeting on 16 November but still the proctor kept sending notices on 16, 17, and 18 November causing further mental agony to the students.On 21 November Ammar received another notice stating that non-compliance with previous orders to vacate the hostel would lead to severe implications. He met the acting Registrar the same night and pleaded before him about his adverse family situation of father facing psychological issues and why the degree from SAU was important for him. No decision was taken to allow him to sit for the examination.On 22 November Ammar sent an e-mail to the President of University expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to administration in the course of his exercise of democratic right to protest on collective cause of students. He requested for revocation of his rustication order as he had his examinations in a few days and he was concerned about his academic future. The registrar merely acknowledged the receipt this e-mail without elaborating on the action university would take.The University kept repeating in written communication that disciplinary action was taken based on record maintained by the administration and the SAARC intergovernmental agreement, rules, regulations and bye-laws without specifying what the act of misconduct was.On 22 November itself in response to the invitation for a meeting of students Ammar said he couldnt come as he was in darkness and said that his future was in their hands and requested them to remember him in their prayers. He signed off Noones beloved Ammar. In response to another whatsapp message Wanna grow old together? he said Actually, Im planning on dying young.The same night he over-consumed prescribed medicines and alcohol and early morning suffered from seizures and cardiac arrest. He was admitted to Primus Super Specialty Hospital and tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) and Oxazepam (Benzodiazepine).
China's top legislature condemns U.S. House resolution on Chinese airship

Xinhua) 13:10, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed a recent U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned airship into U.S. airspace.

The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory hyped up the "China threat," which is nothing more than malicious hype-up and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.

The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a greenhouse farm in Pyongyang, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Feb. 16. Yonhap





North Korean leader Kim Jong-un participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to build 10,000 homes in Pyongyang, the country's state media reported Thursday, part of the nation's five-year project to supply more housing.







Kim attended the ceremony for the second stage of the housing project in Hwasong District, Wednesday, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).







The North plans to build 50,000 new homes in Pyongyang by 2025 under the project announced at the eighth congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in 2021.







Kim has attended previous groundbreaking ceremonies for the project over the past two years.







"The project for construction of 50,000 flats in Pyongyang City is an important item decided by the 8th Congress of the WPK to build as soon as possible the socialist paradise," Premier Kim Tok-hun said in a speech at the event, according to an English-language report by the KCNA.







The North's leader also attended a separate groundbreaking ceremony for a large-scale greenhouse farm in the capital on the same day. The events marked Kim's first on-site field inspections this year.







The greenhouse appears to have been built on a former air force base in Kangdong County in Pyongyang, according to an official at Seoul's unification ministry.







The North has previously transformed an airfield in Jungphyong in North Hamgyong Province and the Ryonpho air base into greenhouse farms in 2018 and 2022, respectively, amid apparent efforts to make productive use of underutilized facilities.







The latest conversion was undertaken in line with those made in Jungphyong and Ryonpho, the official said. (Yonhap)






This photo, released on Feb. 9 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, shows weapons being showcased at a major military parade in Pyongyang. Yonhap



South Korea's defense ministry has referred to the North Korean regime and military as an "enemy" in its new white paper, for the first time in six years, according to officials Thursday, apparently in consideration of the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats.



In the 2022 Defense White Paper, the ministry also described Japan as a "close neighbor" in line with Seoul's move to improve bilateral security ties and offered a new assessment on Pyongyang's growing stockpile of plutonium, a fissile material used to build nuclear bombs.



The biennial policy document was first published under the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration launched in May last year. Yoon took office with a pledge to get tough on North Korean provocations and achieve "peace through strength."



"As the North defined us as an 'undoubted enemy' at the plenary meeting of the ruling party's Central Committee in December 2022, and continues to pose a military threat without renouncing its nuclear program, the North Korean regime and military  the executor of that (threat)  are our enemy," it reads.



The South called the North's military an "enemy" in the white paper in 1995 after a Pyongyang official threatened to turn Seoul into a "sea of flames." In the 2004 version, the expression was replaced by a "direct military threat" amid a conciliatory mood.



The labeling was reinstated in 2010 as the North torpedoed a South Korean corvette in March of that year, killing 46 sailors, and launched an artillery attack on a border island in November, killing two soldiers and two civilians. The expression stayed until the 2016 edition.



But the description disappeared in the 2018 and 2020 editions issued under the then liberal Moon Jae-in administration that tried notably to promote inter-Korean reconciliation.



In its reference to Japan, the latest document used the expression "close neighbor" for the first time since the 2018 edition.



"ROK and Japan share values, and Japan is a close neighboring country that (ROK should cooperate with to) build future cooperative relations that serve common interests," it reads. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.





This Nov. 13, 2022 file photo, shows President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prior to their talks on the margins of regional gatherings in Cambodia. Yonhap
Opinion: Theres no good argument for preventing workers from seeking better conditions.

----------

If you often walk through the center of the UO campus, chances are youve been asked to sign a Student Workers Union card. You may not know much about what unionization entails, but it is an important step toward securing the rights and fair treatment of all student workers.

According to student activist and organizer Will Garrahan, the union card signing drive began last term following an unsuccessful attempt to pass an ASUO measure supporting student workers rights. Were on our way to getting a majority of student workers to sign and file for the official union, and after that, the universitys going to have to bargain with us, Garrahan reports. The goals of the union would be to negotiate for better pay and a more timely pay period.

While organization efforts have been prolific, theyve hit a major roadblock: union busting. If youre like me before writing this article, you might not know exactly what union busting is. I had heard the term before and understood on a general level that it referred to breaking up unions, but I certainly didnt know the specifics of what it could look like, especially on campus. Luckily, Garrahan was able to clear that up for me, explaining that within individual workplaces, managers have the power to enforce rules about what workers wear and discuss on shift.

For example, at the GSH Fresh Marketcafe where he works, Garrahan experienced pushback after wearing a pin in support of student worker unionization.

The enforced policy was that we were allowed to wear pins on our hats. We had [workers] who had pins literally glued to their hats because they were wearing them all the time. And when we started to try to wear union pins on our hats, they began to crack down on us doing that, and they told us that we couldnt wear pins on our hats, Garrahan explained. This policy change directly had to do with us wearing union pins.

UO resident assistant Carolyn Roderique also experienced difficulty with campaigning for unionization in her workplace. This began in part because of how RAs are classified  student leaders instead of student workers, although they fit the legal definition of employees. However, this wasnt the only complication Roderique had to contend with. RAs have one-on-one meetings with their supervisors, and some managers reportedly used that time to try to discourage the workers from unionizing.

We had a manager tell people that [unionizing] would harm international and undocumented students, which is not true. I think thats just really awful to use vulnerable people as your union busting tactic, Roderique said.

International students are only able to work on campus during their first academic year, so theyre particularly vulnerable to the issues that have prompted organizers to push for a union.

Weve actually seen some RAs hesitant to sign for that specific reason, so the frustrating thing is that the lies are costing us cards, Roderique said.

Campus union busting isnt just confined to workers in the student dorms. Izzie Marshall, an Erb Memorial Union worker, described their brush with this discouragement.

Recently we started to see managers talking to their employees about what were allowed to discuss about the union. We can talk about the union, but we cant do work for it. We cant campaign for it or even talk to people while theyre on the clock about the union, Marshall explained. Our ability to discuss the union, to organize, all of that is our power.

Federal law seems to agree, with the National Labor Relations Board listing this behavior as an example of interfering with employees rights. If you can sign a birthday card on the clock, you can sign a union card, Garrahan said.

Even as someone relatively new to the concept of unionizing, I cant help but see this hindrance as inherently wrong. Based on the workers statements, we desperately need a union to hold managers on campus accountable to end this egregious abuse of power and guarantee justice for workers. Not only is union busting against the law, but its a cowardly and morally bankrupt action. Why shouldnt student workers be paid fairly? RAs, dining hall workers, janitors, tutors and more are essential to the function of the school.

Student workers issues are student issues and our struggles around pay, harassment and other things in the workplace are all directly connected to what students experience around dining halls: being understaffed, long lines, services on campus that are generally poor, Garrahan said.

Want campus to run more smoothly? The answer is clear: support unionization.

If youre a student concerned about union busting in your workplace, the organizers I spoke to explained that a good rule of thumb is that if something feels wrong, it probably is. Currently, the group is collecting reports of union busting on campus through a link in their Instagram bio. If you work on campus, make sure to sign a union card and keep an eye out for union busting attempts. Every individual action makes a difference.

This is not something we do alone; this is something we do together, Roderique said. Its important to say thank you to everyone because everyone has had such an important role, even if its just signing a card or sharing an Instagram post or giving your friend or roommate a card. Those things are all whats going to make this work.
Mobile application Somzz, the first-ever digital therapeutics device to gain approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, displayed during a briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



A domestically developed mobile application that can be used to treat insomnia won regulatory approval, Wednesday, becoming the first-ever digital therapeutics device to be introduced in Korea.



The ground-breaking move is expected to spur the development of the nation's digital therapeutics industry. But some questions remain, such as how the cutting-edge digital software will be included in the state health insurance system, as well as possible confusion over the absence of prescription guidelines.



The Ministry of Drug and Food Safety announced its approval of Somzz, a digital treatment device based on a software application for insomnia patients developed by Aimmed, a digital healthcare company.



Somzz uses cognitive behavioral therapy and analysis of circadian rhythms to treat sleep disorders through an array of treatment methods including sleep habit training, real-time feedback and behavioral intervention. The treatment period lasts for six to nine weeks.



As it is a prescription medical device, patients must consult with a doctor before using the app, the drug ministry said. There are an estimated 670,000 insomnia patients in Korea.



However, the app is not permitted for certain patients such as truck or bus drivers who have to stay alert while operating vehicles, as well as employees who operate machinery on some factory lines, due to associated safety risks.



The drug authorities reviewed clinical trials submitted by Aimmed, conducted for six months in three medical institutions  Seoul National University Hospital, Korea University Medicine and Samsung Seoul Medical Center. The trials demonstrated improved treatment for severe insomnia. The medical device also passed an assessment by an advisory panel consisting of psychiatrists and doctors of family medicine.



Kim Jae-jin, head of the Korean Society for Digital Therapy, said, "I hope that the approval of No. 1 digital therapeutics will contribute in expanding treatment options for insomnia patients. Digital therapeutics will bring various changes in the clinical paradigm as a new treatment method other than traditional medicines."



Digital therapeutics refers to clinically evaluated software devices used to treat and prevent diseases and disorders. They can be used independently, or with medications and other therapies to treat physical, mental and behavioral health conditions.



Unlike traditional health and wellness apps that mostly track user activities such as sleep or exercise, digital therapeutics entails more sophisticated software that can complement, or even replace prescription drugs in the management of certain health conditions.



Following the landmark approval, Korea has joined some 14 other countries including the U.S., Germany and the U.K. where digital therapeutics devices have been cleared by regulators, according to the drug ministry.



Announcing the approval, the drug ministry expressed hopes that Korean companies will play a vital role in the global digital therapeutics market. According to Allied Market Research, the global digital therapeutics market generated $3.84 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $22.60 billion by 2031, registering an annual growth rate of 19.4 percent from 2022 to 2031.



The drug ministry also said more than a dozen clinical trials are underway for digital therapeutics on various conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), developmental disability and mild cognitive impairment.





Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yoo-Kyoung speaks during a briefing in the ministry headquarters in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Yonhap
On a chilly afternoon in November 2014, Nicola Sturgeon rose to her feet inside the Scottish parliament to deliver her maiden speech as First Minister. Wearing a sleek red dress, her hair immaculately coiffed, she lost no time in establishing her feminist credentials.

'I hope my election does indeed open the gate to greater opportunity for all women,' she told the chamber, her voice cracking with emotion.

'I hope it sends a strong, positive message to all girls and young women across our land: there should be no limit to your ambition for what you can achieve.'

Her outfit and demeanour might have been a mirror image of yesterday's resignation speech. And yet how different things appear on the other side of the looking-glass. Because a little over eight years on, the woman who started the job promising greater opportunities for the women of Scotland walks away having let every one of them down.

There was little reflection in Sturgeon's self-serving resignation speech about the disastrous legacy she leaves behind. Not one word about the horrendous mess she has created with her Gender Recognition Reform Bill, or the culture of fear she has fostered within her own nationalist government when it comes to defending women's rights.

Maiden speech: Nicola Sturgeon at Holyrood in 2014

Stand: Author JK Rowling accused Nicola Sturgeon of being a destroyer of womens rights

Instead, her farewell was peppered with the tone-deaf arrogance that the nation has become so familiar with, a stubbornness that seems borne out of a refusal to admit she has done anything wrong.

And yet Sturgeon has left her party, and her country  the one she claimed to love so much it seemed almost to move her to tears  utterly divided.

It is a situation that could have barely seemed credible back in 2014. After all, in the aftermath of the referendum vote, which cracked deep fissures down the middle of our small nation, who could have imagined that the country could end up even more fractured in Sturgeon's Scotland?

Like many women in this country, I was hugely cheered when Sturgeon took over from Alex Salmond. While I fundamentally disagreed with her on the issue of independence, she seemed smart and switched on, full of energy and new ideas, a welcome relief from the domineering old guard. A female First Minister seemed like an exciting new dawn for Scotland, and by extension for its women.

And yet it wasn't long before the new First Minister was betraying just how much she had been made in the Salmond mould. Her hectoring, mocking style, that sardonic just-admit-I'm-right laugh, the belittling of her opponents and increasingly arrogant refusal to admit wrongdoing. It all felt eerily familiar, probably because it came straight from the Salmond playbook.

I remember being astounded when, after Salmond barked 'behave yourself, woman' to Conservative MP Anna Soubry in the Commons in 2015, Sturgeon leapt to his defence, claiming 'there's no man I know who is less sexist'.

It is telling that last month veteran Labour MSP Jackie Baillie remarked that in the years before Sturgeon's ascension to the top job she did not 'remember Nicola Sturgeon as a feminist ever,' adding: 'I think this has come about as a product of her being First Minister.'

Of course Sturgeon has always been good at window dressing, particularly when it comes to burnishing her own brand of lipstick feminism. Thus we have had, since her tenure, a 50/50 gender split cabinet, a decision which has lumbered us with such lame ducks as Angela Constance and Shona Robison (Sturgeon's closest friend).

Then there is the baby box, a warm-the-cockles-of-your-progressive-heart idea that has cost a ridiculous amount and should only ever have been available to those on low incomes.

Many bought into it all, however. The New York Times described Sturgeon as 'Scotland's feminist First Minister' while a BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour list named her the most powerful woman in the world.

She cultivated an image sleek, well put-together, and never ostentatious. We got used to seeing her tippy-tapping onto TV sets, conference stages, SNP rallies, with all the confidence of a down to earth world leader who still had time for a smiley selfie with her hordes of adoring fans.

And yet it wasn't long before the shine began to wear off the sleek, people-pleasing leader. She angered Nationalists with her heel-dragging over independence, while frustrating Unionists with her insistence that another referendum was the only way forward.

Her stubbornness over badly thought out policies such as the Named Person scheme spoke to a woman who refused to back down even when she knew she'd got it wrong, a personality trait which seemed to become ever more prevalent as she weathered storms from the ferries fiasco to the Covid care home scandal, the questions over that missing 600,000, to the Alex Salmond inquiry, from which she emerged badly bruised.

Outcry: Transgender rapist Isla Bryson was sent to a womens jail

Protest: Womens rights activists demonstrate outside Bute House

In November 2020, before a media blitz of self-serving selfies, meetings and pressings of the flesh at the Cop26 climate change conference in Glasgow (even back then, many wondered if she had been quietly polishing up a CV and was in the market for a new job), Sturgeon posed for British Vogue in designer outfits at Bute House.

In the accompanying interview, she reflected on the political departures of her some-time sparring partners including Ruth Davidson, Kezia Dugdale and Theresa May, telling the magazine: 'I am the last woman standing.'

It was a poor choice of words. Because over the past year what Sturgeon has witnessed is the serried ranks of Scotland's women, JK Rowling among them, standing up against her. Pained by her betrayal, furious the proposed GRR Bill  and the subsequent row after transgender rapist Isla Bryson was put in a women's prison  would erode their rights, deny them safe spaces and take the women's movement back a generation, they spoke up. They attended rallies and demanded to be heard.

Whatever Sturgeon may say now about no longer being able to give it her all, about it being the right time to go for personal reasons, deep down, she must know that it is her cavalier attitude to the same women she once said she had 'opened the gate for' that has cost her her career. That she doesn't have the humility to admit it feels like a final betrayal.

We do not yet know where the GRR Bill goes from here. It is still possible Scotland's women and girls may have to live with the legacy of Sturgeon's disastrous final months forever. If so they will find their safety compromised and their rights eroded by a woman who once promised she'd have their backs.

In the coming weeks and months, as Sturgeon surveys the dying embers of her career, she may well reflect that the woman she has ultimately failed, is herself.
During the two decades he was married to superwoman Nicola Horlick, Tim Horlick seemed content to play second fiddle to his wife, who somehow juggled a high-octane City career while bringing up no fewer than six children.

But now, 18 years after their acrimonious divorce, would it be fair to say that their respective positions have been reversed?

I ask because while Nicola, 62, contends with the hard grind of steering her latest venture Glentham Capital to success, Tim appears to have discovered his own Midas touch.

He was propelled to prominence during the pandemic when his firm, Ayanda Capital, won contracts worth 253 million to supply the NHS with PPE. Now he has, Im told, snapped up a place in the Alps.

It marks a joyful advance in his residential arrangements, which at one point saw Tim, 61, renting a house from his former wife.

Tim declines to comment. But a chum tells me that the Alpine acquisition is very much a place to be lived in, not a property investment. I dont think its going to be let, he tells me.

Tim appears to have discovered his own Midas touch after he was propelled to prominence during the pandemic when his firm, Ayanda Capital, won contracts worth 253 million to supply the NHS with PPE

Nicola, 62, is currently contending with the hard grind of steering her latest venture Glentham Capital to success

And on one point in particular, the friend is emphatic. There is, he assures me, absolutely no connection at all between this dazzling addition to Tims property portfolio and the lucrative PPE contracts which Ayanda were awarded  and which helped the company to achieve profits of 37 million in two years.

Its all funded from Tims personal assets, explains his pal.

This will be reassuring to those monitoring Ayanda, of which Horlick and his son-in-law Nathan Engelbrecht are sole directors.

Its PPE deal was brokered by an adviser, Andrew Mills, who was also an adviser to the Board of Trade. But Tim went on television to say: There was no cronyism involved. It was a very rigorous procurement process, so my conscience is absolutely clear.

These days, the company has no telephone number or email address. Nor does it occupy the address listed on its website.

Ayanda? They havent been here for years, the receptionist at the office block in Hammersmith, west London, tells me when I pop in. Perhaps Tim now works from his  Alpine  home?

Booming-voiced Brian Blessed would like one more go at guest-hosting Have I Got News For You. And  surprise, surprise  he doesnt plan on going out quietly.

The 86-year-old actor, who has hosted the BBC show twice, tells me: I do want to do the show once more and Ive got a big stunt lined up. Im going to backflip off the stage through the screen behind the contestants'.

Why celebrity feud stirred up chefs success

The feud between top chefs Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay started simmering when they both worked at Gordons swanky London restaurant Aubergine in the 1990s.

The feud between top chefs Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay started simmering when they both worked at Gordons swanky London restaurant Aubergine in the 1990s.

But now MasterChef: The Professionals star Marcus, 52, suggests their row was the making of both of them.

The father of three says: It was the best thing that ever happened to both of us. I wanted to be in his shoes and I cant be in his shoes  theyre too big. I knew I couldnt fill them and I think I had another ambition and I had another goal. So I had to try.

Having paid little attention to her age before, Dame Helen Mirren was made painfully aware of her advancing years on the set of her latest film.

The 77-year-old, who stars as goddess of immortality Hespera in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, says: The challenge for me was that the young actors were so good and inspiring but I could never understand a word they were saying.

It was the moment I realised that life has moved on in a way that I couldnt quite grasp.

How BBC star struck gold with her girl

She's starring in programme of the moment The Gold and it would appear British actress Stefanie Martini has struck gold in the relationship stakes, too.

The 32-year-old actress plays Marnie Palmer, wife of real life criminal John Palmer, in the BBC dramatisation of the 26million Brinks-Mat robbery in 1983.

The 32-year-old actress plays Marnie Palmer, wife of real life criminal John Palmer, in the BBC dramatisation of the 26million Brinks-Mat robbery in 1983

Away from the small screen, the Bristol-born star has been in a relationship with model and photographer El Wood since 2021.

Stefanie and El attended a pre-Bafta film-makers dinner at Alfred Dunhills Bourdon House in Mayfair, which was once home to the Duke of Westminster.

Just when you think youve heard it all from Dame Joan Collins, the 89-year-old comes out with another corker.

Asked to reference a stand-out moment in her life, Dame Joan says: Being on a friends yacht in France, next to Mohamed Al-Fayeds yacht where Princess Diana and her lover Dodi were vacationing.

Somebody from our boat zoomed up to them on a jet ski to invite them for dinner and was greeted by three security guards, brandishing Uzi guns and telling him to go away. Weve all been there.

Downton lady back out on the town

She was never far from the spotlight as rebellious aristocrat Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey.

And Jessica Brown Findlay was back on the red carpet this week  just three months after giving birth to twin boys.

Jessica Brown Findlay was back on the red carpet this week  just three months after giving birth to twin boys

The actress, 35, swapped her corset for a camel-coloured crop top, mini skirt and blazer as she attended the Miu Miu Womens Tales screening in Mayfair.

Jessica, who is married to actor and writer Ziggy Heath, gave birth on Bonfire Night after undergoing IVF treatment. On International Womens Day, she spoke candidly about her struggle to conceive, writing on Instagram: Your body is not the enemy. Love it. No matter what.

Can anyone think of a way to describe Bill Nighy with a word that doesnt begin with L? The Love Actually star cant understand why, up until now, that appears to always be the case. All the words that people use to describe me begin with L, moans the 73-year-old. Languid. Louche. Laid-back. Lanky. And those are only the ones he knows about.
On the 19th day of the search for Nicola Bulley, Lancashire Constabulary suddenly revealed that the missing woman had 'alcohol issues brought on by early menopause'.

Is that really something to which millions of us should be privy?

Of course, it's deeply sad for Nicola and her family, even if it's not an uncommon domestic scenario. But such a personal slice of life to serve up to the public, such a wretched, womanly affliction  why has it been made known at all?

Strict rules of confidentiality in health and social care mean such personal details would never have been released in any medical situation, perhaps not even to Nicola's nearest and dearest.

Yet somehow, perhaps because of the truculence of Lancashire Constabulary and their determination to justify a lack of progress in this case while shoring up their professional reputation, now we all know. Such a public intrusion into Nicola's personal struggles. Such a private matter now exposed nationally, simultaneously feeding into ghoulishness surrounding her case, fed by social media.

Asst. Ch. Con. Peter Lawson and Officer Det. Supt. Rebecca Smith sped at Lancashire Police press conference about the search for Nicola Bulley

Nicola Bulley and her partner Paul Ansell were planning on getting married in the near future

How does this revelation assist the investigation into her disappearance? It doesn't. What does it reveal about the current situation? Nothing. How bad were her 'specific vulnerabilities'? Who knows  and the police aren't elaborating.

Perhaps Nicola was a bit weepy now and again, taking solace in a glass of wine with dinner. God forbid that you, me or any menopausal woman should go missing, if these are deemed crucial factors in our disappearance.

READ MORE: Lancs Police refers itself to watchdog over contact with Nicola Bulley before she vanished Advertisement

Or should we, for argument's sake, assume the worst: that Nicola had a serious drinking problem?

That seems unlikely, given that she drove the children to school most mornings. Surely her partner, Paul Ansell, would never have allowed her to do the school run if the problem was that bad.

The revelations inevitably lead us to wonder, too, if Nicola was depressed, with all that entails.

Then there is the news that police were called to Nicola's family home 17 days before she disappeared, and that there was a 'concern for welfare' at that time.

Why are they telling us this now? Last night, the Lancashire force referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the contact they had with her prior to her disappearance.

All these questions, piling up like kindling under a bonfire of prurience. This clumsy drip-drip of information from official sources is only leading to an even wilder deluge of rumour and gossip.

For the truth seems to be that every time Lancashire Constabulary issue a statement, they make matters worse, not better.

Since day one, they seem to have lurched from bungle to bodge: that's how it looks from the sidelines. Behind the scenes, they may have been doing good work and it seems likely they still know more than they can let on. Yet every time they try to tamp down speculation, they increase it tenfold  the last thing you want in a missing person investigation.

Some see these latest official revelations as examples of victim-blaming or victim-shaming, but I cannot agree. Public trust in the British police may be at an all-time low, but only the truly cynical could believe the Lancashire force are suggesting that whatever might have befallen Nicola, it is somehow her own fault.

Perhaps the information was released merely to illustrate that Nicola may not have been in an entirely positive frame of mind and that she had, again in their own phrase, issues of vulnerability.

Yet someone is reported missing in the UK every 90 seconds and a great number of those people are classed as vulnerable. The level of vulnerability is the very first thing officers must evaluate. That is why, however clumsily they briefed it to the media and however little it helped our genuine understanding of the case, I am conflicted  a part of me feels we shouldn't entirely blame the police for the menopause and alcohol revelations.

Over the past few years, numerous celebrities and activists have taken part in high-profile menopause-awareness campaigns, dragging the condition into the spotlight.

Ms Bulley's parents and sister spoke at an appeal a number of weeks ago to try and find her

Police officers are seen searching the Wyre river bank at Wardley Yacht Marina on Thursday

They insist that menopause is a medical affliction rather than a natural development, that it brings serious complications including depression, anxiety, mood swings and suicidal thoughts. Employers must be aware, officials must be accommodating, everyone has to take it seriously.

If menopause matters  as the slogan goes  well, it certainly might very well matter here. And if alcohol addiction is an illness over which sufferers have no control, as some popular thinking goes, then surely there is no stigma to revealing any of this troubling detail in such a high-stakes and complex case.

Consider the timeline. Within a scant 15-minute window, a woman taking her dog for a morning walk simply vanishes from the face of the earth. No one sees her go, no one hears her departure and after three weeks, there are still no clues to her whereabouts.

No wonder so many members of the public are fascinated.

Most, of course, are filled with sympathy, kindness and worry for the ill-starred family and the young children at the centre of this mystery.

But elsewhere, the police find themselves battling social media attention and florid hearsay, perhaps to an unprecedented degree. The case has become a circus, a madhouse.

Now add Peter Faulding the diver into the mix; a Mr Can Do sloshing about in the river with his business card affixed to the front of his sonar machine. Could things get any worse?

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they were assessing the information to determine whether an investigation would be necessary over the contact officers had with the missing mother-of-two on January 10. Pictured: Officers in St Michael's on Wyre on Thursday

Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the police watchdog over contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley prior to her disappearance. Pictured: Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police during a press conference on Wednesday

This reminded me of the funeral directors who put their credentials on the side window of the hearse transporting the Queen's coffin from Balmoral. Some people will make capital from anything, even disappearance and even death.

Three weeks on and the case seems to have stalled amid hearsay and controversy, with obsessives and theorists and desperate police officers making questionable decisions.

We now know more about Nicola Bulley than she would ever want us to. Let's hope this knowledge helps to find her, although it is hard to imagine how.

Yesterday afternoon, Nicola's family pleaded that the public focus 'must be on finding her' and not 'making up wild theories about her personal life'.

It may be too late for that, but let us all pray it is not too late for Nicola.




U.S. President Joe Biden is planning to host Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a White House state dinner this spring, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.







Preparations for the visit and state dinner were underway but the timing remained fluid, Bloomberg said, adding the current plan was for the visit to take place in late April. (Reuters)










One summer day more than 20 years ago, I sat in my car in the town of Soham shaking my head in disbelief at how a hunt for two missing schoolgirls had descended into farce.

A litany of blunders was in danger of leaving Cambridgeshire Police a laughing stock as officers tried to establish the fate of ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, which had attracted worldwide attention.

Here was a small force completely out of its depth, overwhelmed by intense public and media interest in a baffling case. I was there reporting for the Daily Mail, but I felt I also had a duty to help the police, so I made an unusual intervention.

From my car, I rang the head of Scotland Yard, Sir John (now Lord) Stevens, a former chief officer in Cambridgeshire Police, and said: 'Your old force needs outside help.' Stevens, who had a healthy respect for the media, listened intently.

By the next day he raised concerns about the Soham investigation with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, and Cambridgeshire Police received significant additional support and resources. Ian Huntley was subsequently convicted of the girls' murder in 2002.

Nicola Bulley, 45, who went missing last Friday while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire pictured with partner Paul Ansell

Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the police watchdog over contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley prior to her disappearance. Pictured: Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police during a press conference on Wednesday

This week, memories of that tragic case  back in an era when the police and Press had a strong, professional relationship  returned as I have observed how the hunt for Nicola Bulley has turned into a disturbing spectacle.

Yes, armchair detectives, publicity-seeking ex cops, rent-a-quotes and the odd would-be Sherlock Holmes are jostling to fill the information vacuum as efforts to find Ms Bulley intensify. But Lancashire Police is also facing criticism over its handling of the case  and in particular its media strategy and dealings with the Press.

READ MORE: Lancs Police refers itself to watchdog over contact with Nicola Bulley before she vanished Advertisement

Until its statement on Wednesday evening, when it revealed Ms Bulley had been struggling with alcohol problems related to the menopause, the media had no inkling of her troubled background. And why should it, you might ask?

Well if media outlets had been told, in the strictest confidence, of this important context to her case then it might not have turned into the circus that it arguably has.

Back in my crime reporting days it was routine for journalists to be told sensitive background details of a case  again in confidence  to help inform our reporting.

But following the Leveson Inquiry (triggered by the News of the World phone-hacking scandal), trust on both sides has been eroded. Journalists are often treated as potential criminals and pariahs, while informal  and mutually beneficial  contact between the Press and serving officers is effectively banned.

Today the police won't tell us even the most basic information to ensure our reports are right and the context correct.

At the same time, policing as a whole has been infected with the same feeble-minded wokery as the rest of the public sector. This serves only to distract from the job in hand and leads to unsound decision-making, something which has arguably been a problem this week.

Let us be clear. There is no evidence that Ms Bulley has been the victim of foul play. But stung by increasing criticism of its investigation, which will soon enter its fourth week, Lancashire Police gave a press conference on Wednesday morning that spoke of Ms Bulley's 'specific vulnerabilities' that made her a 'high-risk' missing person.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they were assessing the information to determine whether an investigation would be necessary over the contact officers had with the missing mother-of-two on January 10. Pictured: Officers in St Michael's on Wyre on Thursday

Ms Bulley's parents and sister spoke at an appeal a number of weeks ago to try and find her

The force then went further  and in my view over-stepped the mark  by later revealing those deeply personal details about Ms Bulley.

I understand why Lancashire Police wanted to end the wild speculation but I would argue they created that void by alienating the Press in the first place.

And in cack-handedly trying to fix that on Wednesday, the force has only made things worse, while the statement from Ms Bulley's family yesterday  in which they acknowledge she would not have wanted her personal details made public  has confused things still further.

Today, a mother of two remains missing after her private troubles were laid bare to the world by a bungling force which is rightly facing condemnation. Meanwhile, public trust in the police sinks even lower.
Feverishly compiling King Charless birthday honours, due in June, Whitehalls specialist gongs unit now has an unprecedented five inventories to deal with. These include the Queens Demise List, expected to be published in April on what would have been her 97th birthday. Then theres Boriss already delayed commendations in addition to Liz Blink and youll miss me Trusss resignation list. And now the gong boffins are also preparing Charless Coronation Honours List. Working in the Honours Unit  a usually sedate Whitehall bivouac  was once regarded as a cushy number. Not any more!

Feverishly compiling King Charless birthday honours, due in June, Whitehalls specialist gongs unit now has an unprecedented five inventories to deal with

Former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford takes another swipe at Boris after being accused of leaking details of the then PMs 2020 holiday in his Scottish constituency. He now claims that Boris stayed in a tent while his security detail slept in an adjoining house. What he didnt realise was the field belonged to someone else, mewls Blackford. And he had not asked for permission to be in the field  so he was trespassing. Revenge, like some versions of haggis, is best served cold, Ian.

Bake Off madonna Prue Leith, 82, turns the heat to gas mark ten accusing fellow judge Paul Hollywood, 56, of ageism.

He says Come on, dearie and pretends I need help coming down the stairs and that I dribble and that I cant hear, she wails.

Paul also goes on about how I like booze. Its true  I do. But hes got the whole world thinking Im an absolute drunk, which is not quite true.

She adds: Its true I am much older than him but he goes on as if I was his great grandmother!

Lord Of The Rings star Orlando Bloom has fond memories of his early appearance in the ITV crime series Midsomer Murders. I had just finished drama school, he recalls. I was asked if I wanted to get a bit of experience on camera. I said Yes. It was a brief appearance  his character was stabbed to death with a pitchfork. The pitchfork I will never forget, he adds. The way that I die on that thing is hilarious.

Lord Of The Rings star Orlando Bloom (right) has fond memories of his early appearance in the ITV crime series Midsomer Murders

Famous for effusively welcoming diners to her Michelin-starred River Cafe Italian restaurant in London, Ruth Rogers, keen to sample Keith McNallys food at Balthazar in New York, was delighted when a woman approached her raving about River Cafe. She tells the New Yorker: The manager said That was an actor we hired. Keith wanted you to feel really welcome. Compare McNallys treatment of TV host James Corden. He was barred, unbarred and then barred again after allegedly being rude to a server.

Former BBC director-general Greg Dykes refusal to cover the Queen Mothers 100th birthday reminds royal commentator Christopher Wilson of an encounter with him at a Hampshire hooley before he got the DG job. I told him Id just made a documentary on the royals, recalls Wilson. Dressed in his evening finery, he jokingly snapped back, They should all be ruddy well lined up against a wall and shot. Christopher, acclaimed for his Camilla biography, waved away paramedics and was back on his feet in no time!
The opinion poll published on Monday showing support for independence no higher than 2014 had a message: the Gender Recognition Bill became a trigger moment, finally opening the peoples eyes to Sturgeon's rule for what it was, a litany of strategic failure on every front. She was found out.

The day after the Brexit vote she took the SNP down the road of a referendum which every first year law student knew was not deliverable. It took six wasted years before the Supreme Court confirmed that truth.

Years when no serious policy work was done on the economic case for independence. What an irony. This year, the one promised for the referendum, is the one in which she quits.

There have been domestic failures. How could a First Minister launch a ferry whose windows were painted in, and whose funnel was false, and not have asked serious questions, instead of basking in a propaganda event.

It may be forgotten now, but the cat still has to be belled on why so many old people in care homes died of Covid-19 when it was known they were the most vulnerable. Twice running she appointed people to be health minister when everyone knew they were not up to the job. Pals first, people last.

JIM SELLARS: Nicola failed my party for years - finally she's been found out

But along with the referendum, were two other strategic blunders  education and inviting the Greens into government. Education is seen as a domestic issue, but it is much more than that.

In a world where new power centres have risen, in India and China and other Asian nations, and winners in the competition to create wealth will rule the world economic order, the depth, width and quality of our education, will determine whether Scots prosper or fall behind. That is a strategic matter of the utmost importance. Nicola asked to be judged on education. The verdict? Failure.

Taking the Greens in has proved a disaster. Their zealotry over the trans issue has cost the SNP dearly; but their opposition to major road building and the substantial sources of oil and gas in the North Sea and west of Shetland, is economic folly.

All over the world, where oil and gas are being discovered, the nations there intend to use it as a source of capital to invest in other parts of their economy, and as a revenue stream for their public services. Even mortal enemies, Lebanon and Israel, have agreed a line in the Mediterranean so that both can exploit new finds. Scotland? In the SNP/Green coalition both oil and gas will be left in the ground untouched.

The North Sea may be a mature field, but what is still there, together with the giant field west of Shetland (40 years more of oil) is a huge potential benefit to a small nation of 5million people. No sane party could argue that it not be used.

But it would appear that the Greens have succeeded in wiring the SNP to the moon along with themselves. Hopefully, that is now history as is Nicola Sturgeon. Her legacy is the cause of independence damaged. We need a reset. Starting with an honest admission that we do not at present have the economic and social policies, the ones that answer difficult questions people ask about jobs, pensions, currency and security.

That reset cannot come from those who have clustered around Nicola Sturgeon, the zombies who seem unable to think for themselves

That reset cannot come from those who have clustered around Nicola Sturgeon, the zombies who seem unable to think for themselves.

Nor can it come unless the SNP, as a party, is much freer to criticise the leadership than has been allowed under the cult of personality. The lesson the new leader has to learn is that cult of personality is destructive to a democratic organisation, and always ends in failure and tears.

Nicola Sturgeons self-removal should be a golden opportunity to usher in a new era with a new, younger generation of leadership. Should is not the same as will. I say that because it is many years since the membership faced up to its responsibility.

Having in the Salmond/Sturgeon eras got used to doing what they are told, and what to think, there is a serious question about the ability of the party to get hold of a new broom and sweep out the mediocrities who have brought us to this pass, of a movement stagnating. If the new leader is drawn from the old gang around her, that will not change.

The SNP members will soon decide the fate of the independence cause. If they get it right, then our movement will enter an important recovery period, which will take time, and will need patience.

But get it right, and we shall emerge from it better equipped with policy to seek and gain a final victory for sovereignty.

Right now, I can but hope.
The powers that be are going cold on wood-burners. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for a ban on these stoves in new and refurbished homes, warning that toxic air is a matter of life and death.

The Government has also said it is going to crack down on the stoves and levy 300 fines on those using them incorrectly. New statistics this week revealed that air pollution from wood burning in UK homes has more than doubled in the past decade.

Certainly, these fires have become increasingly popular, with about 200,000 installed every year. I got one in our home in 2008. Back then they were the height of Scandi chic and most people considered them as wholesome as making your own yoghurt.

But evidence has emerged about their potential to cause harm. After I went on BBCs Newsnight to defend having one a few years ago, I was called a middle-class t****r who was prepared to sacrifice the lives of countless children for my affectation.

So how bad are they really? Will you be fined if you use yours? And where, when and how are they allowed?

Logging on: Harry Wallop (pictured) with his much-loved wood-burner. The London Mayor has called for a ban on these stoves in new and refurbished homes, warning that toxic air is a matter of life and death

Do they really cause lots of pollution?

The Government estimates wood- burning stoves and open fires are responsible for 21 per cent of domestic air pollution  more than all forms of road transport. That is pretty astonishing, considering there are only about 1.5 million such stoves in the UK. Air pollution is thought to cause the equivalent of between 28,000 and 36,000 premature deaths every year.

The real issue is with PM2.5 pollution. This particulate matter is made up of invisible bits of soot  smaller than 2.5 microns (20 times smaller than the width of a human hair). PM2.5 is increasingly linked to health issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia, because when particulate matter is this small, the body isnt able to filter it out.

PM2.5 pollution in the UK has fallen hugely since 1970 (when records began)  from 546,000 tonnes a year to 80,000 tonnes in 2020. Thats an 85 per cent decline; in other words, air is dramatically cleaner than a generation ago.

Campaigners argue, however, that weve only discovered in the last decade or so how dangerous pollution can be. It may be much cleaner, but its not clean enough.

Id still like one  is it legal to install a stove?

Yes. Though from January 2022 any new stove has to be so-called eco-design. This ensures it is more efficient and less polluting.

Britons have said wood burners save them a fortune and are now worried for those who are already struggling in the cost of living crisis amid rules set out by Sadiq Khan effectively banning them

I live in a city  can I have a wood-burner?

If you live in a Smoke Control Area [SCA] the rules are strict. These areas include most of our big cities and exclude most of the countryside, but it is up to each local authority and there are anomalies. Harrogate in Yorkshire is in an SCA, but the city of Ripon is not, for instance.

There is an interactive map run by Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), which allows you to type in your postcode to find out if you are subject to these stricter rules (uk-air.defra.gov.uk). The stricter rules mean you cannot allow substantial amounts of smoke to escape from your chimney.

So theyre banned from restricted areas?

Its not as simple as that. Because a good stove, burning the right fuel, wont release substantial amounts of smoke. People in SCAs have to burn authorised fuel or wood (more of which later). But if they are burning wood, an eco-design stove isnt good enough. You can burn only wood in an SCA using a Defra-exempt stove. Sadiq Khans new planning guidelines will, in effect, ban wood-burning stoves in London for newbuilds. But he wont be able to stop current householders installing them in their sitting room.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during a speech at Mansion House in central London in January. He has stopped the use of new wood burners in the capital

What exactly is a Defra-exempt stove?

They are meant to be more efficient and less polluting than a basic eco-design stove. The most recent database listed 2,880 different stoves. It can be found at smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk.

Any decent retailer will clearly state on its website or brochure whether a stove is Defra-exempt.

Can I future-proof my wood-burner?

Defra has said it will  at some point  further tighten the rules on stoves in SCAs. But there is no suggestion that they will be retrospective. So, if you install a Defra-exempt stove now, it is very unlikely to tell you in two years that it is no longer legal.

But, if you are worried, there are two certification schemes which you can draw on. One is called ClearSkies, which ranks the performances levels of stoves into five categories. Level one is poor, level two is eco-design, level three is Defra-exempt and levels four and five are even better still.

The other certification scheme is called Cleaner Choice, which more simply gives a badge of approval to any stove considered 50 per cent more efficient than a Defra-exempt stove.

What exactly am I allowed to burn?

If you live in the countryside, or outside an SCA, you can burn what you like  as long as you dont cause a nuisance. In a restricted area your fuel must be authorised. What that means, in effect, is that you need to burn special smokeless briquettes.

The key thing is that they have a Ready To Burn logo on the package. This means it is legal to burn in an SCA. Again, there is a database on the Defra website listing all the legal fuel types.

Wood in bags or sacks from a dealer also needs to have the Ready To Burn logo or the supplier needs to be compliant. This ensures the wood has been properly seasoned and has less than 20 per cent moisture content.

Higher than that, and the logs will not burn cleanly, creating pollution. If you buy your wood in large quantities (more than 2m sq sacks), or you cut down your own trees, it does not need the Ready to Burn logo  but you must take responsibility for properly seasoning it and ensuring it has less than 20 per cent moisture.

There are gizmos, often costing less than 10, that can tell you this data immediately  they work a bit like a meat thermometer.

Planning guidance from mayor Sadiq Khan sets an air quality limit that means large home and office developments can no longer use wood or solid fuels

Can I really be fined for firing up a stove?

It doesnt matter if you follow all the rules in an SCA  using a Defra-exempt stove, burning Ready to Burn fuel  you could still be fined if you create excessive smoke. Your Local Authority can impose an on-the-spot 300 fine.

Excessive smoke is defined as 5g of smoke per hour and will be tightened (at some point) to 3g. Outside of an SCA, your fireplace or stove needs to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance for the local authority to take action.

Realistically, you wont be creating excessive smoke if you follow the rules.

READ MORE: Can lighting a fire really be cheaper than heating? Evidence suggests that households worried about soaring energy bills are turning back to wood-burning stoves to save money, but can lighting a fire really be cheaper than switching on the heating? We take a look at how much a wood burner costs to buy and install, and how much money it could save on bills - as well as asking whether it will do a good a job of keeping you warm. > Read more: Log burners: Are they cheaper than central heating? Advertisement

But, warns Peter Mintoft, a director of the Stove Industry Alliance: You could have a lovely Defra-exempt stove, burning lovely dry wood  but if your stove baffle plate [the metal plate inside your stove at the top] is broken, for instance, and you dont replace it, your stove could be belching smoke.

So, its important you not only follow the rules, but that you maintain your stove and get your flue cleaned once a year.

Do I need to spend 2,000 on a stove?

No. There are plenty of great stoves on the market for not much more than 750.

The key thing is the efficiency rating. This is normally expressed as a percentage and it refers to the amount of the heat out of the total produced from the burning stove that is actually heating the room (and not being lost up the chimney). A high figure usually also correlates to low pollution.

You want to look out for something above 70 per cent, though you wont find anything higher than 85 per cent, because you do need to lose some heat to burn off pollution in the chimney.

Are there any good brands I can rely on?

Last year Which? conducted a survey of its members and the three brands that scored highest for consumer satisfaction  which included scores for ease of cleaning, value for money and quality  were Morso, followed by Woodwarm, then Jotul.

Morso is a Danish brand that specialises in sleek, modern cylindrical stoves. But they are pretty pricey, with most costing more than 2,000. Woodwarm stoves are made in Devon and tend to be a bit cheaper.
Meghan Markle has long claimed she knew nothing about the royal family prior to meeting Prince Harry.

But after a blog post from her now-defunct website The Tig resurfaced, it called into question all of the times Megan has said she was oblivious to the roles of the royals.

Two years before she met Prince Harry, 38, Meghan, 41, candidly revealed her true feelings towards royal princesses - and her thoughts on Prince William and Kate's wedding - debunking her claims that she was clueless when it came to the Royal Family prior to her relationship.

The 2014 entry revealed that the Suits actor dreamt of being a 'royal rebel' rather than 'a Cinderella' and reflected on the 'pomp and circumstance' and 'endless conversations' about Princess Kate's wedding.

This is despite her frequent and repeated claims that she knew very little about the Royal Family before meeting Prince Harry.

A blog post from Meghan Markle's now defunct website The Tig reveals her scathing view of the 'endless conversation' about Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 wedding

The former Suits star shut her website down in 2017 - however she hinted that she may one day revive it during the Sussexes' Netflix docuseries

Meghan - who herself married into the royal family in an equally elaborate wedding in 2018 (seen) - seemed baffled by women entertaining the 'childhood fantasy' of being a princess

The actress's post about Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding suggested that she knew enough about the Royals to form several strong opinions about the monarchy, prior to even meeting her future husband.

'Little girls dream of being princesses,' Meghan wrote in the post, before insisting: 'I, for one, was all about She-Ra, Princess of Power.

'For those of you unfamiliar with the '80s cartoon reference, She-Ra is the twin sister of He-Man and a sword-wielding royal rebel known for her strength.

'We're definitely not talking about Cinderella here.'

Meghan added that many adult women continue dreaming about their 'childhood fantasy' of becoming a princess before making a scathing nod to the public fascination of the conversation surrounding William and Kate in 2011.

41-year-old Meghan (seen in January 2014) wrote the post two years before she started dating Prince Harry - despite claiming she didn't know anything about the royals before they met

'Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy,' she wrote. 'Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate.'

The blog post debunked the idea that the Suits actor never thought about what it would be like to marry a prince.

Now, FEMAIL lays bare the numerous times Meghan has insisted she knew nothing about the monarchy.

'She definitely hadn't Googled us': Prince Harry's memoir Spare claims the actress had NOT done research on the Royal Family

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry has recalled the first time that Meghan Markle (left) met his grandmother The Queen (right) at the Royal Lodge in 2016

The former actress has repeatedly insisted that she had very little awareness about the Royal Family before dating her future husband, prompting even Prince Harry to write about her lack of knowledge in his memoir.

Prince Harry's memoir Spare claimed that the Duchess of Sussex went into meeting his relatives unprepared.

In the book, which caused furious outrage and was even branded 'pure chaos,' Harry wrote that Meghan knew 'almost nothing about his relatives.'

Prince Harry added that his future wife 'definitely hadn't Googled' anything about the Royals or done any research.

Harry ALSO claims Meghan thought Prince Andrew was the Queen's assistant after seeing him with her handbag

The Duke of Sussex recalls how Meghan initially believed that Prince Andrew (left) was the Queen's assistant

Harry (right) quickly corrected his girlfriend, telling her that it wasn't an assistant but the Queen's 'second son, Andrew' (left)

He recalled the moment Meghan met his grandmother and when she mistook Prince Andrew for the Queen's assistant because he was holding her purse.

He wrote: 'After a moment Meg asked me something about the Queen's assistant. I asked who she was talking about.

'"That man holding the purse. That man who walked her to the door. That wasn't her assistant? Who was it?"'

Harry quickly prompted her that it was in fact his uncle and told Meghan: 'That was her second son. Andrew.'

He wrote: 'She definitely hadn't Googled us.'

Meghan compares first meeting with the Queen to 'Medieval Times' and says she had no idea she had to curtsey

During the couple's docu-series Meghan giggled about her first meeting with The Queen and performed an exaggerated curtsey in front of awkward-looking husband, Prince Harry

The Duchess of Sussex compared the first encounter with Her Majesty to a lowbrow themed dinner at America's 'Medieval Times'

The claims in Prince Harry's book were just the latest in a string that insisted the actress knew nothing about her future beau's lifestyle.

In the couple's highly anticipated Netflix docu-series, which aired in December, Meghan's knowledge of the Royal Family was once again analyzed.

During one scene, the former Suits star appeared to mock her own efforts at following royal protocol as she recounted her first meeting with the Queen.

She described the initial meeting as 'surreal' and compared it to a dinner at 'Medieval Times', the themed dinner event that includes performances of jousting and sword-fighting.

The former actress even performed a curtsey in front of her husband, who appeared to be awkward throughout the entire 'performance.'

Meghan first met the Queen in 2016 during a lunch at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, shortly after she and Prince Harry revealed they were involved.

And while their meeting marked a significant moment in their relationship, the actress chose to make a mockery of it as she said the whole occasion resembled an antiquated banquet at Medieval Times.

'She had no idea what it all consisted of,' Harry says, as he sits with his arm around his wife. 'So it was a bit of a shock to the system for her.'

During the Netflix series Meghan appeared to mock her own efforts at following royal protocol as she recounted the 'surreal' moment she first met the Queen

Grinning, Meghan added: 'I mean. it's surreal. There wasn't like some big moment of "Now you're gonna meet my grandmother".

'I didn't know I was going to meet her until moments before. We were in the car and we were going to the Royal Lodge for lunch, and he [Harry] was like, "Oh, my grandmother is here, she's gonna be there after church."

'I remember we were in the car, driving and he's [Harry] like, "You know how to curtsey, right?" And I just thought it was a joke.'

The Duke continued: 'How do you explain that to people? How do you explain that you bow to your grandmother? And that you would need to curtsey, especially to an American. That's weird.'

Meghan then says in the documentary: 'Now I'm starting to realize this is a big deal. I mean, Americans will understand this. We have Medieval Times dinner and tournament. It was like that. Like, I curtsied as though I was like... "Pleasure to meet you, your Majesty."

'It was so intense. And then when she left, Eugenie and Jack and Fergie say, "You did great!" Thanks. I didn't know what I was doing.'

'I had to Google God Save The Queen': Former Suits star complains about not having a Royals crash course in Sussexes' Netflix doc

In another episode, Meghan revealed that she had to Google the British national anthem, and she lamented about not receiving a Princess Diaries-esque crash course on royal etiquette.

She explained that she knew so little about the monarchy that she was forced to teach herself the patriotic rendition of God Save The Queen.

Meghan admitted that she repeatedly practiced it after learning it through Google.

She also said that 'the wave is not a thing', claiming that she wasn't trained to move her hand any special sort of way - but jokingly added she didn't want to flail her hands 'like an American'.

Meghan tells Oprah she 'never looked up' Harry online prior to meeting him in 2016

During a 2021 interview with Oprah, the former Suits star once again insisted that she was unprepared for her role within the Royal Family

Meghan said she didn't grow up 'knowing much about the royal family'

In a March 2021 interview with Oprah, the former Suits star once again insisted that she was unprepared for her role within the Royal Family.

In the bombshell interview, Meghan said she didn't grow up 'knowing much about the royal family.'

The Duchess of Sussex revealed that she went into it 'naively.'

'I didn't do any research about what [joining the royal family] would mean,' she told the TV mogul, continuing: 'I never looked up my husband online.'

Despite her claims, Meghan admitted she knew her husband's cousin Princess Eugenie before meeting her future husband.

The actress remained adamant that she 'never looked up her husband online' when she first entered a romance with Prince Harry

She added that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, had to teach her how to curtsy moments before meeting the Queen (pictured with Princess Beatrice at Ascot)

A 15-year-old Meghan Markle poses in front of Buckingham Palace, with friend Ninaki Priddy, during a European trip in 1996

The couple's first date was also rumored to be set up by designer Misha Nonoo, whose ex-husband Alexander Gilkes was friends with both Prince Harry and Prince William.

And while the former Suits star claimed she didn't grow up with knowledge of the Royals, shortly before Meghan and Prince Harry's 2018 wedding, her childhood best friend debunked those claims.

Ninaki Priddy, the maid of honor at the duchess' first wedding to Trevor Engelson, told the Daily Mail: '[Meghan] was always fascinated by the royal family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0.'

A picture of a 15-year-old Meghan posing in front of Buckingham Palace with Ninaki during a European trip in 1996 emerged before the duchess' big day.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed she went into the Royal Family 'naively'. Meghan pictured on Christmas Day in 2018

Ninaki said: 'She had one of Princess Dianas books [Diana: Her True Story] on her bookshelf, and even when she was with Trevor she told me she wanted to go and stay in London for at least a month.

'I cant remember exactly when this was, but she was married to Trevor and starring in Suits. She mentioned about wanting to go to London a couple of times.

'I wasnt shocked or even surprised to hear about Prince Harry. I know she used to love The Princess Diaries  films about a commoner who becomes part of a Royal Family. She was very taken with that idea.'

The details came just weeks after royal author Robert Jobson cast doubt over how unprepared Meghan was prior to joining the Royal Family.

Writing for MailOnilne, he said: 'Meghan has been disingenuous from the start, when she claimed she had no idea who Prince Harry was. Seriously?'

Her claims came into question once again after a 2012 TV interview with Prince Harry assuring viewers he would help prepare any future spouse resurfaced.

He said: 'I'm not so much searching for someone to fulfil the role, but obviously, you know, finding someone that would be willing to take it on.'
Naeem Khan celebrated two decades in the fashion industry with a fall/winter 2023 collection that pays homage to his family history and artistry in textiles and embroidery.

'I am proud of being able to have sustained my business for 20 years,' he told DailyMail.com.'The fashion industry is one of the hardest industries to remain in business for so long.

Naeem's son, Zaheen, credits the brand's success to sticking to what they do best.

Naeem Khan celebrated two decades in the fashion industry with a fall/winter 2023 collection that paid homage to his heritage and culture.

'I am proud of being able to have sustained my business for 20 years,' he told DailyMail.com

I am not owned by anybody, I started my company with barely $3,000 and today I am where I am'

'People love my clothes because I make such special things,' said Naeem

'People love my clothes because I make such special things,' said Naeem. 'It's not about volume, it's about quality; it's about making things that people resonate with.'

To the Indian-American designer, fashion is a form of creative expression, and making clothes is like making art. 'People collect these pieces,' he said.

Instead of trying to predict trends with a limited lifespan, Naeem focuses on classic silhouettes. 'You never go out of fashion because these pieces have nothing to do with trends. When it is your most important moment, you want me.'

In twenty years Naeem has crafted an aesthetic that woman all over the world - including celebrities - wear and covet.

Recently, actress Monica Barbaro chose a Naeem Khan gown for the At Midnight premiere recently, while Evangeline Lily wore a pantsuit by the designer for her appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

'You never go out of fashion because these pieces have nothing to do with trends. When it is your most important moment, you want me.'

'The feathers take forever to make,' shared Naeem. 'Hours and hours of putting them together by hand.'

The anniversary collection showcases his 20 years of experience.

'Feathers, metal pieces and all the other things I work with, these are all details that reflect the culture, art and various times of my life that I resonate with.'

Evening wear with hand-sewn antique gold metal fringes, needlepoint and iridescent crystals on mesh, geometric sequins on gowns, pants, bralettes, and boleros came down the catwalk of the anniversary fall collection.

As well as beaded gowns and mini dresses, and ostrich feathered capes and cocoon dresses that boast a draping shape.

'The feathers take forever to make - hours and hours of putting them together by hand,' shared Naeem.

Models' hair and makeup perfectly complemented the formal fashions with some sporting sleek updos accented by custom headpieces inspired by the Metropolitan Opera's starburst chandeliers at Lincoln Center, also known as "sputniks."

Hair and makeup perfectly complemented the formal fashions with some models sporting sleek updos accented by custom headpieces inspired by the Metropolitan Opera's starburst chandeliers at Lincoln Center, also known as "sputniks"

The anniversary collection showcases Naeem's 20 years of experience in the fashion industry

'Feathers, metal pieces and all the other things I work with, these are all details that reflect the culture, art and various times of my life that I resonate with'

'I am not owned by anybody, I started my company with barely $3,000 and today I am where I am,' shared Naeem.

The designer's son, Zaheen, has been working for the company for 15 years.

Zaheen, sharing his insight on the brand's success, said 'It's about sticking with the ethos of the brand, and not deviating too much and shooting ourselves in the foot.

'Understanding that eastern techniques and embroideries working with the western form of the feminine silhouette. That's really the marriage that helps us thrive and has been our focus for the last 20 years.'
Jenna Bush Hager has opened up about how she gave her husband a 'manipulative ultimatum' to propose that led to her being humiliated on a Valentine's Day date.

The Today star dished about the awkward moment on Tuesday's show, explaining that she tried to get her husband, Henry Hager, to stop her from traveling to Latin America as a UNICEF intern in 2006.

'When we were dating, I was leaving Washington D.C., and I kind of  in a dramatic fashion you may or may not recognize  said, "If you dont want me to leave for Latin America, we need to get engaged,"' Bush Hager, 41, told her co-host Hoda Kotb. 'It was a manipulative ultimatum. Real manipulative.'

The former teacher admitted that she laid it on thick, telling Henry that 'there are very handsome men over there' as she not-so-slyly nudged him toward proposing.

Jenna Bush Hager, 41, shared on the Today show that she gave her husband, Henry Hager, a proposal 'ultimatum' before she headed to Latin America as a UNICEF intern in 2006

The Today star said she told her now-husband, 'If you dont want me to leave for Latin America, we need to get engaged,' but he told her outright he wasn't going to ask her to marry him

'He was like, "I'm not going to ask you to marry me,"' she recalled.

Bush Hager started to think he had a change of heart when he took her to Asia Nora, a 'fancy' restaurant in Washington, D.C., around Valentine's Day.

She explained that the restaurant was known for making custom fortune cookies, but Henry had called too late to put in his order.

'They brought two glasses of champagne at the end of the meal and tied around one was the fortune, which they got wrong,' she said. 'It was supposed to say something like, "Go, and when you come back, I'll be here." But all it said was, "Don't go"  with champagne.

'Henry is not a champagne fella, so I was like, "Yes! I will marry you." And his face dropped. He could have cried.'

To add insult to injury, another couple witnessed the confusion and called The Washington Post, which led to the newspaper publishing the awkward story.

'And so, in The Washington Post, there was an article that was like, "On a date night Jenna thought she was getting engaged but turns out no she wasn't." Restaurant eaters heard her say, "I nearly [beeped] my pants"  it said the word "soiled,"' she explained.

Jenna shares the story of when she though Henry was proposing to her and how he turned that into a Valentines Day gift  pic.twitter.com/UceKZzS0Vs  TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) February 14, 2023

Bush Hager recalled how she thought Henry was proposing to her due to a mix-up at a restaurant when he wasn't, saying the story ended up in The Washington Post

Bush Hager (pictured with Henry in 2006) ended up getting engaged in 2007, but she admitted that her twin sister, Barbara Bush, never thought he was going to do it

The couple said 'I do' at the Bush family's estate in Crawford, Texas, in May 2008

'So, Henry found that article from The Washington Post, called The Washington Post, got the article, and framed it for Valentine's Day so that we could always remember the humiliation that comes with love.'

Henry ended up proposing in 2007, and his mother, Maggie, told The Washington Post that he had asked then-President George W. Bush for permission to marry his daughter.

However, the former first daughter admitted that some of her family members weren't sure he would ever pop the question.

'Barbara kept telling my mom  'cause I would call and be kind of grumpy. She'd be like, "I don't think he's going to do it. Nope, he's going to back out. There's no way it's happening,"' she told Kotb.

Bush Hager has always been head over heels in love with Henry, and a few years ago, she shared how she asked him to marry her after just three months of dating.

They had met when he was working on her father's 2004 presidential reelection campaign, and she almost instantly knew he was the one.

Bush Hager showed her love for her husband of 14 years on Instagram Tuesday in honor of Valentine's Day by sharing a snapshot of herself giving him a kiss around Christmas

In her post, she shared a snapshot of her three kids - Mila, Poppy, and Hal - wearing red and pink while eating in the kitchen at their new home in Connecticut

The mother of three also posted pictures of the V-Day cards her kids made and her family's new cat, 'Holly,' wandering around

'Much love for my Valentines,' she wrote in the caption

'After three months of dating  I might've had a Christmas cocktail  and we were dancing, and I said, "This is it, I know it, let's just get married, what are we waiting for?"' she recalled.

Bush Hager admitted he turned her down and didn't propose until five years later.

The couple eventually said 'I do' at the Bush family's estate in Crawford, Texas, in May 2008, years after her attempts to get him to marry her.

Bush Hager showed her love for her husband of 14 years and their three children  Mila, nine, Poppy, seven, and Hal, three  on Instagram Tuesday in honor of Valentine's Day.

In her post, she shared a snapshot of her kids wearing red and pink while eating in the kitchen at their new home in Connecticut.

She included a throwback snapshot of herself kissing Henry that was taken sometime around Christmas. The mother of three also posted pictures of the V-Day cards her kids made and her family's new cat, 'Holly,' wandering around.

'Much love for my Valentines,' she wrote in the caption.
Man from Colombia and doll Natalia 'expecting' their third child named Sammy

A man who claims to be engaged to a ragdoll has announced his fiancee is 'pregnant' with his third child.

The TikToker, from Colombia, who documents their controversial 'relationship' under social media handle @montbk959, met the love of his life after being single for a number of years.

He previously made headlines after revealing his plans for a dream wedding with Natalia, and the pair already share a son and daughter.

Now, the couple are expecting their third, who will be called Sammy.

In a recent video, which has racked up 120,000 views and 2,194 likes, the man filmed Natalia and himself wearing matching T-shirts with 'Papa de Sammy' and 'Mama de Sammy' written across them.

TikToker @montbk959 who is engaged to a RAGDOLL announces his fiancee is pregnant with his third child

In another video shared to his 70,000 followers, the happy couple threw a baby shower.

Social media users congratulated the man's growing brood  while others poked fun.

Oscar Castaneda More said: 'Congratulations. A new member to the family.'

Catherine Gaona asked: 'A natural birth or cesarean?'

Someone else added: 'It's already three, you don't know [how to use] the condom?'

Another person said: 'Congrats bro I wish I was so lucky.' [sic]

The man has previously confronted his followers about their concerns surrounding the bizarre relationship.

He uploads many pictures online with his ragdoll children and wife and his videos reach thousands (pictured with his daughter)

The TikToker, who documents their controversial relationship on social media met the love of his life after being single for a number of years

He previously made headlines after revealing his plans for a dream wedding with her and already shares a son and daughter with his beau, Natalia

He told followers: 'If it weren't for the dolls, I would be more alone than anyone. At least I have something.

'With my Natalia we watch TV and talk about everything.

'They don't know how much I love her, I've lasted all this year with her.'

However this man isnt the first person to fall head over heels with a rag doll and decide to start a family.

Meirivone Rocha Moraes who married rag doll revealed he 'cheated' last year- just as the pair were set to celebrate first wedding anniversary.

The heartbroken wife, 37, from Brazil, hit headlines after revealing she had met the 'love of her life' - a rag doll named Marcelo.

In a recent video, which has racked up 120,000 views and 2,194 likes, the man filmed Natalia and himself wearing matching T-shirts with 'Papa de Sammy' and 'Mama de Sammy' written across them

He takes his wife Natalie to the local shop with him to do the groceries and the pair also travel together

He posed for a snap with his rag doll wife which he shares on social media with her thousands of followers

Social media users congratulated the man's growing brood  while others poked fun at the unusual relationship

Meirivone Rocha Moraes, 37, from Brazil, who married rag doll reveals he cheated- just as pair set to celebrate first wedding anniversary

She has since admitted their relationship is 'hanging on by a thread' after claiming he has 'cheated' on her.

In the latest twist in the very bizarre tale, she's claimed he 'went to a motel with another woman', and even says she 'found texts on his phone'.

After a whirlwind romance, she claimed to have fallen 'pregnant' and as she didn't want to have the baby out of wedlock, the duo decided to get hitched in a ceremony attended by 250 people.

Soon, she 'gave birth' in only 35 minutes while at home, with a doctor and nurse on site, and live-streamed the ordeal to an audience of 200 people.

While overjoyed about their new arrival, Meirivone revealed she started to have doubts about their relationship because she is the only breadwinner and they were struggling to pay the bills.

Now, the mother-of-three and her rag doll lover are sleeping in separate beds after she caught him 'cheating' with another woman.

She previously hit headlines earlier this year after revealing she had met the 'love of her life' - a rag doll named Marcelo (pictured on their wedding day in December 2021)

Meirivone has since admitted their relationship is 'hanging on by a thread' after claiming he has 'cheated' on her

After only a few months of dating the ragdoll Meirivone found herself 'pregnant' and she gave 'birth' to a ragdoll baby

In a bid to share their 'stringy' romance, she exposed the betrayal on TikTok, racking up 1.6 million views and over 120,000 likes.

Meirivone said: 'I was very sad and I could barely sleep because I love my husband so much, but he denied the betrayal.

'I found out through a friend who told me that she saw Marcelo entering a motel with another woman while I was hospitalised for three nights and three days with Marcelinho, our son, who had a virus.

'At first, I thought she was lying, but then I started looking through his phone and I saw the conversations, which made me sure he was cheating.

She 'gave birth' in just 35 minutes at home, with a doctor and nurse on site, while live streaming it to an audience of 200 people

'He kept denying everything and said he loves me very much, as well as asking for forgiveness and crying a lot.

'The argument was ugly and scared [our son] who was crying, so I shouted to him, ''Do you see what you've done?''

'I asked him who the woman was and he didn't respond.'

Meirivone claims she told her husband to sleep in the living room, as she didn't want to stay in the same room due to the betrayal.

While she planned on 'kicking him out', she decided against this for the sake of her kids, Carol and Diego, and their newborn.

She said: 'I wanted to put him out of the house but our baby is growing up and at this stage, he would miss his father a lot.

'Also, the love I feel for him made me forgive - not completely - but I don't think I could live without my husband.

'I need to talk with him, so he can decide once and for all that he doesn't cheat anymore and if he does one more time, I won't forgive him.'

In the clip, she showed a montage of pictures of her with their son and her husband on the sofa.

The caption read: 'The first night of our wedding we discussed and my husband went to sleep on the couch, I'm very sad I only have time to forgive but love speaks louder I have to give him a hard time! I married a doll.'

On 18 December 2022, the couple celebrated their first anniversary together - but she's made it clear that their relationship is hanging on by a thread.

Meirivone added: 'I am a woman desired by many and I work, take care of myself and our home, but all he does is take care of our baby.

'I always remember that he promised me allegiance at the altar and I can't believe he's done this to me.

'I told him, those who love do not betray and we have sworn to eternal love - we cannot be three, it's only the two of us for now.

'Our happy little boy is very well taken care of and I will baptise him soon.

'Because of this, and our son, we'll continue living together - but my biggest dream is owning a home one day for us all.'

Previously, she shared the magic behind their relationship, after she complained to her mother about being single and having nobody to dance with.
Queen Maxima put on a stylish display as she joined King Willem-Alexander to mark his aunt's 80th birthday last night.

The couple attended a performance of Carmen at the Orpheus Theatre in Apeldoorn with Princess Margriet, the sister of Queen Beatrix, who turned 80 yesterday and marked the milestone in style.

Margriet has four sons, Prince Maurits, Prince Bernhard, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Prince Floris, who also attended the performance with their respective families.

Maxima, 51, stole the show in a black cape she paired with golden accessories over a navy dress.

Willem-Alexander's aunt, Princess Irene, Duchess of Parma, was also among the guests, but his mother, Queen Beatrix, 85, did not make it to the event.

Queen Maxima put on a stylish display as she joined King Willem-Alexander to mark his aunt's 80th birthday last night in Apeldoorn

Maxima looked delighted as she embraced the cheery atmosphere of the Dutch royal family's ballet reunion.

The mother-of-three looked stunning in a black sleeveless cape, which reached down to her ankles.

She went for a monochrome look, wearing the dress with a black clutch bag and matching scarf, but added a pop of colour with golden heels that matched the highlights of her blonde locks.

Underneath the elegant coat, she was wearing a navy blue dress, cinched at the waist with a golden belt that matched her choice of shoes.

The Dutch Queen accessorised with diamond encrusted jewellery, including two pave bracelets and long diamond drop earrings.

Her honey tresses were styled in a straight blow-dry and tucked behind her ears.

The mother-of-three went for a glamourous evening makeup, with black eyeliner and a darker shade of eyeshadow. Maxima added a touch of pink with a creamy rose lipstick.

A touch of blush complimented her glowing complexion, and the healthy tan she caught during hers and Willem-Alexander's recent trip to the Caribbean with their eldest daughter Princess Catharine-Amalia.

Willem-Alexander's aunt, Princess Irene, Duchess of Parma, was also among the guests and attended with her daughter Princess Margarita

The members of the royal family beamed as they posed with the dance company Introdans, who performed for them on the occasion of Princess Margriet's birthday

The couple were joined by the King's extended family, who all put on a stylish display as they flocked to the theatre.

The woman of the hour, Princess Margriet, arrived hand-in-hand with her husband of 56 years, Pieter van Vollenhoven.

She was the picture of style in a flowing leopard dress garment she wore with an equally lavish black cape.

Her four sons were also in attendance, with eldest son, Prince Mauritz, 54, leading the way with his wife and son, heir son Lucas Maurits Pieter

Maxima looked stylish in a black cape she paired with black accessories and golden heels that matched her hair

The woman of the hour, Princess Margriet, arrived hand-in-hand with her husband of 56 years, Pieter van Vollenhoven

His wife Princess Marilene donned an elegant blush pink blouse with black trousers for the occasion.

Prince Bernhard, 53, who is an entrepreneur, arrived with his wife, Princess Annette, who donned a beautiful green gown, and their daughter Isabella Lily Juliana, who is the eldest of their three children.

His brother, Princess Pieter-Christiaan also attended with his wife, Princess Anita, who was dressed to the nines in day dress adorned with chain links.

Their daughter, Emma Francisca, looked darling in a baby blue silk dress.

The youngest of Margriet's sons, Prince Floris, beamed next to his wife, Princess Aimee, and their two daughters, Magali and Eliane.

Prince Maurits, Margriet's eldest sons, attended the ballet performance with his wife, Princess Marilene

Pictured: Prince Pieter-Christiaan with his wife, Princess Anita, and their daughter, Princess Emma

Margriet's youngest son, Prince Floris, was accompanied by his wife, Princess Aimee and their two daughters, Princess Magali and Princess Eliane

Entrepreneur Prince Bernhard attended the show with his daughter Princess Isabella and his wife, Princess Annette

When Queen Beatrix abdicated in favour of King Willem-Alexander in 2013, all four of Margriet's sons were removed from the line of succession.

Princess Irene, the younger sister of Queen Beatrix and Margriet also attended with her daughter, Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme, who put on a stylish display in a purple ensemble topped with a colourful belt.

The King's brother, Prince Constantijn, 53, also attended last night's show with his wife Princess Laurentien.

Maxima had a busy day yesterday, as she performed an outfit change and travelled to the theatre from an engamgent in Heerhugowaard.

Princess Beatrix's sister, Princess Irene, looked very elegant last night in an electric blue gown

Maurits and Marilene were accompanied by their only son Lucas, who is 21. Their two daughters did not come with them

The Argentine-born European monarch, 51, opted for a deep red colour palette for her engagement at the FastFeetGrinded factory.

The mother-of-three kept her long flowing piece of outerwear on throughout her tour - which she wore over a red cowl-neck, long-sleeved top.

She then paired this with some charcoal grey tweed trousers with a straight-leg cut.

Tying her look together, the royal wore a pair of grey suede pointed heels which she paired with a boxy dark red clutch bag.

Maxima's dark brown nails completed her polished ensemble - along with her purple-and-green stone statement earrings.

Princess Margriet looked elegant in a leopard print flowy midi-dress. Princess Irene and her daughter looked demure in shades of purple and blue

The birthday girl looked delighted as she posed with her four sons and her husband ahead of the performance

Other guests and friends made their way to the theatre for the special birthday ballet performance

The monarch styled her hair straight for today's engagement and wore a brown smokey eye with a nude lip.

During her visit, the royal was taken on a tour of the factory and also sat down with staff to discuss their environmental mission.

According to the company's website, FastFeedGrinded's factory pulverises old shoes which can no longer be worn and uses these materials to create new trainers.

So far, the company - which was founded in 2008 - has recycled 700,00 shoes.

It appears as though sustainability is a topic close to Maxima's heart - as she presented eco-friendly company MUD Jeans with their own Plaque for Sustainable Entrepreneurship last year.

Princess Annette looked very stylish in the green number, which she accessorised with a sparkly golden clutch

Proud parents Pieter-Christiaan, 50, and Anita stood on each side of their daughter Emma, 17, who was dressed in a baby blue dress

Isabella, dressed in a high waisted pair of trousers with a pin-striped blaser jacket looked relaxed

Floris, 47, beamed as he posed for pictures with his wife and their two daughters. His son, Willem Jan van Vollenhoven, was not in attendance
A playful dad's fun at a trampoline park ended in horror - when he landed on one leg and it 'snapped in half' under his 252 Ibs weight.

Ryan Schelin, from Rathdrum, Idaho, had taken his children to DEFY Boise trampoline park in Nampa, when he challenged himself to bounce high enough to touch the top of a 12 ft padded wall.

Footage shows the grinning 30-year-old raise his hands in a mid-air celebration as he achieves the feat to the delight of his cheering family.

However, 252 Ibs Ryan then 'loses concentration' and lands with all his weight on his right leg - causing it to 'buckle' under the pressure and 'snap' with a loud crack.

The dad-of-three says the accident left him able to 'fold his leg in half' and see the bones sticking out of his flesh.

Ryan Schelin, from Rathdrum, Idaho, fun at a trampoline park ended in horror - when he landed on one leg and it 'snapped in half' under his 252 Ibs weight

After being blue-lighted to hospital he was forced to undergo surgery where a metal rod was inserted to hold the two broken bones together for the rest of his life.

Ryan's wife Shandra Schelin, 30, has since banned him and their three children from playing on a trampoline again.

He's shared footage of the horrific accident, from September 2021, and warned adults to be careful and 'stay within their skill set' to avoid a similar accident.

The video has been viewed more than 10 million times on TikTok leaving some users feeling sick.

Ryan said: 'It was painful but it was more like a really bad burning sensation.

'I knew [it was broken] instantly because I looked down and I saw that my leg was sideways and not sitting normally.

He had taken his children to DEFY Boise trampoline park in Nampa, when he challenged himself to bounce high enough to touch the top of a 12 ft padded wall

Ryan shared the X-ray of his broken leg online after the horrific trampoline accident in 2021

The mechanic's leg was in a boot for three months and took personal training sessions until he was able to walk unaided and drive five months after the horrifying incident

'When I laid back on the trampoline and tried to pick my leg up it folded in half and I saw both of my bones pop out.

'That's the first time I've ever broken any bones in my body and it was the worst thing I've felt.

'There were people who were at the front of the building that heard my leg snap.

'The first thing I thought was that I was going to pass out so I just laid back on the trampoline and started apologising to my wife.

'She had just had our baby and was taking care of our other two kids who were under five years old and on top of that now had to take care of me.

'I had been trying to touch the top of the wall on and off throughout the two hours we were there because some of the guys who have done it a lot more are able to jump up on top of it.

The dad-of-three spent the night with splints attached to his broken leg before undergoing surgery the next day where a metal rod was inserted to keep the bones in place for the rest of his life

Ryans leg was swollen and covered it scars from the operation to insert the metal rod into his leg

Ryan suffered from bad bruising but also had a lot of stitches put into his leg after the surgery

'It was time for us to get ready to leave and right before we were going to leave I was like 'I'm going to try one more time'.

'I finally got up high enough to where I was able to touch the top of the wall and I celebrated and in the video you can hear my mother-in-law cheering.

'Instead of pushing myself away from the wall like I should have, I kind of just fell straight down to the trampoline and put all of my weight on my right leg and it just buckled.

'I've had people ask me how did my leg break just from what I was doing but if you have a bigger guy coming down with all his weight on one leg something's going to give and it happened to be my leg that gave out.

'That was my first time on a trampoline like that. It wasn't anyone's fault except my own because I pushed away from the wall weirdly.

He says that after the accident paramedics had to crawl onto the trampoline to move him onto a stretcher and take him to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho

Ryan with his wife Shandra Schelin, 30, and their children Easton, seven, Olivia, five, and Eliana, one

'If you're on a trampoline I would recommend staying within your skill set. If you're not sure what you're doing, just be extra careful.

'I would get on a trampoline tomorrow and I've said it jokingly to my wife but she doesn't want me or the kids anywhere near a trampoline, so we avoid them.

'My wife has yet to watch the video. Any time it pops up she refuses to watch it because it was pretty gruesome.'

Ryan had visited the adult-friendly trampoline park the day before with kids Easton and Olivia Schelin, then five and three, but returned as he wanted to try it out with them.

He says that after the accident paramedics had to crawl onto the trampoline to move him onto a stretcher and take him to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho.

The dad-of-three spent the night with splints attached to his broken leg before undergoing surgery the next day where a metal rod was inserted to keep the bones in place for the rest of his life.

Ryan beams before the accident as he was pictured with his adorable one-year old daughter Eliana

After another day recovering in the hospital and working with a physical therapist to ensure he could walk on crutches, the family were allowed to make the nine-hour drive home.

The mechanic's leg was in a boot for three months and took personal training sessions until he was able to walk unaided and drive five months after the horrifying incident.

His TikTok has been viewed more than 10 million times with users explaining they couldn't help but recoil with shock after viewing the footage.

One said: 'I can't be the only one that curled my toes.'

Another said: 'Heard the snap, yelled 'nope', paused the video. I'm feeling nauseous now. Such a rollercoaster of emotion.'

A third added: 'I literally covered my mouth in shock.'

DEFY Boise has been contacted for comment.
Graphic by Cho Sang-won





By Kwon Mee-yoo







Indonesia, an archipelagic country comprised of over 17,000 islands, bridges the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is a diverse and rapidly developing country with a population of around 276 million people, making it the fourth most populous country in the world.







As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has experienced consistent economic growth in recent years. In 2022, the country's economy expanded at a rate of 5.31 percent, representing its highest annual growth rate since 2013, according to Statistics Indonesia.







Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto described the country's strong economic performance last year as it come out from the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.86 percent in August 2022, down from 6.49 percent in the same period the previous year.







Last year, both investment realization and total trade experienced double-digit growth, with materialized foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI) increasing by 34 percent. Total exports and imports also saw a significant rise, jumping by 23.7 percent.







Among Southeast Asian nations, only Indonesia has a Special Strategic Partnership with Korea. The economic relationship between Korea and Indonesia is also robust, with Korea being Indonesia's seventh-biggest export partner and sixth-biggest import partner.










Dame Prue Leith slammed the UK's 'dreadful' assisted dying laws on Good Morning Britain in a debate with her MP son who opposes a change to legislation.

The Great British Bake Off host, 82, is presenting a Channel 4 documentary on the subject of euthanasia with son Danny Kruger, 48, which airs tonight.

The mother and son have opposing views on the subject, with Dame Prue in support of assisted dying, while her son stands against it.

The TV chef has said she would choose to die by euthanasia if she was unwell or in severe pain after watching her older brother David die in agony in 2012.

Speaking to ITV, Dame Prue said: 'I still feel the law as it stands is dreadful for dying people. They often face a horrible death every year. And what choice do they have?'

She added: 'They can commit suicide which is perfectly legal, they can put up with it and just suffer, or they can go to Switzerland which is expensive.

'The law is not working and we should change it.'

Dame Prue has had it written into her will that she would like to die by euthanasia while surrounded by friends and family if she is suffering, and if it is legal, after watching her brother David die and witnessing the affect of his illness on his wife and children.

David was diagnosed with bone cancer, which left him in excruciating pain and screaming out in desperation between doses of morphine.

He was repeatedly moved from his home to hospital as he battled recurring bouts of pneumonia, which was treated with antibiotics each time.

The television star has filmed a Channel 4 documentary about assisted dying with her son, titled Prue and Dannys Death Road Trip.

They flew to America and Canada to learn about how assisted-death legislation had helped people end their lives.

Restaurateur and chef Dame Prue has had it written into her will that she would like to die by euthanasia while surrounded by friends and family

Danny, left, is concerned assisted dying could lead to coercion but Dame Prue says this is not the case in the US state of Oregon

The television star has filmed a Channel 4 documentary about assisted dying with her son Danny called Prue and Dannys Death Road Trip

Mr Kruger, Tory MP for Devizes in Wiltshire, is concerned assisted dying could lead to coercion from family or doctors but Dame Prue says this is not the case in the US state of Oregon where patients have to be a terminally ill adult who is 'mentally capable of making the decision'.

Mr Kruger also believes medics would decide on ending lives to save the NHS money, claiming: 'If the opportunity exists for an assisted death, doctors would be compelled to offer it and make it known that the offer was there.

'The doctor might be doing it for humane motives, but they would also be aware that, if that route is taken for that patient, then resources are freed up for others.'

It comes after Dame Prue previously said opponents of legalising assisted dying are scaremongering.
READ MORE: Queen Letizia of Spain covers her white suit with overalls

The royal, 50, attended the inauguration of Sorolla Through Light exhibition

Queen Letizia of Spain looked chic in a read leather jacket as she visited the Sorolla Through Light exhibition in Madrid today.

The royal, 50, looked typically stylish in a black midi dress, pinched in at the waist with a red buckle belt as she attended the exhibition's inauguration at the Royal Palace.

She held a burgundy leather bag and opted for burgundy heeled pumps, as she joined her husband King Felipe VI for the event, which is dedicated to the Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla.

Meanwhile, the mother-of-two, opted for bronze make up base, with smokey eye and light red lip.

Queen Letizia of Spain looked typically chic in a red leather jacket in Madrid as she attended the opened of the Sorolla Through Light exhibition

King Felipe contrasted his wife's dark subtle tones by wearing a light grey suit and pale blue shirt with a snazzy red tie with a floral pattern.

Letizia kept her silky brown locks loosely curled in a side parting and tucked behind one ear to show off her simple silver hoop earrings.

Photos showed the Spanish King and Queen standing alongside some of Sorolla's finest artworks, which will be hosted ad the Royal Palace from February 17th 23rd.

The immersive exhibition will combine the artist's creation with digital recreations and sensory experiences through light, colour and movement.

The stylish Spanish Queen dazzled once again in a red ensemble as she attended the Sorolla Through Light exhibition in Madrid

Letizia was joined by her husband King Felipe VI of Spain, who donned a light grey suit and snazzy red floral patterned tie for the event

For the first day of the exhibition the royals were joined by the Spanish Minister for Culture, Miquel Iceta (second from right), the exhibition's curator Consuelo Luca de Tena, former director of the Sorolla Museum (second from left) and Blanca Pons-Sorolla great granddaughter of the painter and an expert in his work (far left)

For the first day of the exhibition the royals were joined by the Spanish Minister for Culture, Miquel Iceta, the exhibition's curator Consuelo Luca de Tena, former director of the Sorolla Museum and Blanca Pons-Sorolla great granddaughter of the painter and an expert in his work.

Burgundy and red appear to be the Spanish Queen's colour palette this week, as yesterday she was snapped in a pair of trendy cropped leather trousers in the shade.

The royal dazzled for the cameras in a scarlet long sleeved top as she brushed shoulders with media figures at the Zarzuela Palace.

Letizia added a pair of matching trendy leather trousers which reached the top of her ankles, leaving her enough room to showcase her burgundy stilettos.

Letizia opted for bronze make up base, with smokey eye and light red lip. She wore a black midi dress pinched in at the waist with a burgundy buckle belt

The Spanish royal joined representatives for a conference focusing on gender-based violence.

Photos show the Spanish Queen standing in the middle of a group representatives and posing at Zarzuela Palace.

At one point Letizia placed her hands on the backs of two male attendees as the group of high profile figures got ready for another round of photographs.

The news comes after Letizia looked effortlessly chic as she blew a kiss to fans after attending the National Innovation and Design Awards in Aviles on Monday.
Housewife said it was 'thoughtless' and 'selfish' as a gesture for Valentine's Day

A housewife living in Dubai has slammed her 'thoughtless' partner after he decided to give her 16,000 to spend on Valentine's Day - rather than buy her a gift himself.

Linda, 23, took to TikTok to explain how her boyfriend had transferred the huge sum to her bank account to mark the holiday - but she was less than impressed.

She claimed the gesture was 'thoughtless' and 'selfish' rather than romantic.

Linda said: 'Ok so today my man put $20,000 into my bank account for Valentine's Day.

'I thought it was really thoughtless and selfish, there's no thought behind it at all.

'Anyway, let's go shopping. Let me drown my worries in credit card bills.'

Linda, 23, took to TikTok to explain how her boyfriend had transferred the huge sum to her bank account to mark the holiday - but she was less than impressed

She claimed the gesture was 'thoughtless' and 'selfish' rather than romantic

In her clip, captioned 'romance is dead these days', the woman heads out to a number of expensive, designer shops inside the Dubai Mall.

Linda stops at Christian Dior and admires the Himalayan Dior bag, before turning her attention to a custom Hermes Kelly bag with monopoly artwork.

Hermes Kelly bags retail for anywhere between 6,000 and 11,000.

'It's a custom Kelly with... Monopoly artwork on it,' she said. 'Nobody else will have it which is what I love. I don't want to be in with anybody else.'

Linda then enjoyed a lavish lunch near the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building.

In her clip, captioned 'romance is dead these days', the woman heads out to a number of expensive, designer shops inside the Dubai Mall

She also tried on a few pairs of designer shoes for 'a dinner I'll probably end up planning for myself'

She also tried on a few pairs of designer shoes for 'a dinner I'll probably end up planning for myself'.

The housewife then said she decided to go home because she was 'kind of lonely'.

Viewers of the clip had very mixed views about her reaction to the money.

One person said: '$20,000 and still complaining.'

Linda then enjoyed a lavish lunch near the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building

Viewers of the clip had very mixed views about her reaction to the money

Another added: 'Life is hard.'

Others were more sympathetic, with one person saying: 'No see I understand why you're upset.

'Like yes $20,000 is good money but I'd rather he went out and bought something he thinks id like or plan a date.'

Another said: 'Just shows money doesn't bring happiness.'
All trace of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been removed from the Queen's Commonwealth Trust website, after the organisation relaunched the site this week.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are currently living in their $14 million Californian mansion, were president and vice president of QCT before they stepped down from royal duties two years ago.

The QCT was set up to provide funding, tools and support for young Commonwealth leaders to help them transform their communities across agriculture, education, employability and more.

However the new website makes no mention of the work Harry and Meghan did for the organisation, instead focusing on the Queen's legacy.

It comes after experts in Harry and Meghan's bombshell Netflix series branded the Commonwealth as 'Empire 2.0'.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are currently living in their $14 million Californian mansion, were president and vice president of QCT before they stepped down from royal duties two years ago

Sharing the news of the updated site on Twitter, the organisation posted: 'Our newly re-designed website is now live.

'Thanks to the important work of young leaders across the #Commonwealth, we have amazing stories lined up for you.

'Please take a moment to check it out and let us know what you think.'

There is no mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the Team QCT section, nor are the couple mentioned in the 'Organisations we support' section.

Instead, there is a detailed explanation of what the Commonwealth is, and how the organisation was set up in 2018 in recognition of the 'Queen's lifetime of service'.

The website update comes after the Commonwealth was criticised in Harry and Meghan's Netflix series.

The Commonwealth was founded in December 1931 and currently contains 54 countries. According to the Royal Family's website, the purpose of the organisation is to 'foster international co-operation and trade links between people all over the world'.

In the third episode of the series, writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsh - author of the 2018 memoir Brit(ish) - described the Queen's beloved Commonwealth as being 'Empire 2.0' before then going on to describe Prince Harry as 'anti-racist'.

Discussing institutional racism in the UK, Afua said in the documentary: 'Britain calculated that it needed to grant these countries independence in a way that protected its commercial and capitalist interest. So it created this privileged club called the Commonwealth.

'The Commonwealth is still described as a club of friends who share common values. I find that language really problematic.

'I sometimes call the Commonwealth 'Empire 2.0' because that is what it is.'

The Queen's Commonwealth Trust announced the news of their updated website on Twitter this week

It comes after experts in Harry and Meghan's bombshell Netflix series branded the Commonwealth as 'Empire 2.0'

Appearing on an episode of Palace Confidential in December, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor said the couple were 'lucky' that the late monarch wasn't able to watch their TV special, which landed on the streaming platform yesterday morning.

Discussing the first episodes of the series, Richard said: 'It's almost lucky that Queen Elizabeth isn't alive to see this because the Commonwealth was so central to her and bringing people together.

'It's a voluntary organisation whereas [in the documentary], it's dismissed as this colonial body used for Britain to extract money and resources from the rest of the world. She would have been horrified.'

Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday's Editor at Large Charlotte Griffiths pointed out how all the filming for the series finished in August 2022 - just weeks before the Queen passed away at the age of 96.

She said: 'They were planning to do all of this thinking that The Queen would be alive to see it [...] Thank God she didn't.'

The website appears to focus on the legacy of the late Queen, with explanations about the organisation and how it was founded

What's more, Charlotte said Meghan's 'stance on the Commonwealth seems to have changed dramatically' since her May 2018 wedding, where she wore a veil boasting different symbols to represent each nation.

In response to host Jo Elvin recalling how Meghan said she was 'excited' to visit the Commonwealth countries in her engagement interview, Charlotte said: 'So she hadn't done any research before getting married?

'Is that what's she saying? And now she's done her research? That's inconsistent with who Meghan is as a person, she's obviously a very well-researched person.

'I just think her whole stance on the Commonwealth has changed dramatically, maybe she fully believes what Afua is saying. I don't know but it's a pretty hard line [to take].'
A daughter has told the moving story about how her parents died 'holding hands' while at home after being prescribed pills for euthanasia.

Cher Franzen, from Seattle, recalled the story to Prue Leith, 82, and her Tory MP son Danny Kruger, 48, in Prue and Danny's Death Road Trip, a documentary about assisted dying which airs on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm.

The documentary follows Prue, who is a passionate campaigner for assisted dying in the UK, and Danny, who opposes the idea, as they visit people in the US and Canada who are opting to end their lives on their own terms.

Sher, who said her parents passed away in a 'loving space', revealed they were prescribed pills by a doctor which they dissolved in a mug of hot water before drinking at 10pm while in the comfort of their home.

In a clip of the elderly couple before they died, the mother took her husband's hand and said: 'Those journeys, we get to go together', with the 'journey' referring to the afterlife.

Speaking to Prue and Danny present day, Sher says: 'When it was time (and they had set 10 o'clock to drink their medicine) we went into the bedroom and we just sat in silence and love and just held this space for them as they drifted to sleep.

'My mum passed in 15 minutes and my dad passed about 45 minutes later.'

However, she said that her mother and father had lost consciousness just minutes after taking the pills.

The daughter added her parents 'died holding hands'.

A moving documentary set to air on Channel 4 this evening at 9pm shares the story of Sher Franzen (pictured) whose parents chose to end their own lives after they were both given six months to live. Sher told her story to Dame Prue Leith and her son, Danny Kruger MP on Prue and Danny's Death Road Trip

Sher (pictured hugging her mother while her father sits nearby) revealed her parents passed away after drinking a solution of lethal pills

As the mother and son look visibly moved while listening to her story, Danny remains silent, while Prue comments: 'That's a wonderful story.'

Prue Leith, who is a patron of the Dignity in Dying pressure group, has long been a campaigner of assisted dying for 11 years after the death of her brother David from bone cancer.

Speaking to The Times ahead of the documentary, she recalled how his pain relief was insufficient, working for only three hours out of the four hour windows he was allowed to take it.

'He was crying out, screaming, in absolute agony,' she recalled.

David passed away at the age of 74 after be began refusing antibiotics to treat pneumonia.

She said: 'Why, if you can prevent it, would you allow somebody to insist on somebody having six weeks of pain and misery? They're going to die anyway.

Prue and Danny listened to Sher's moving story in near-silence, before Prue said it was a 'wonderful story'

The elderly couple measured out their pills into mugs of water, which they both agreed to drink at the same time, 10 O'clock

'They want out now, and when the family's memories are good ones.'

Danny, on the other hand, believes his uncle's plight is an argument against assisted dying.

He told the newspaper that, instead of making euthanasia legal, the focus should be on improving palliative care in the UK so that people who are terminally ill can enjoy their final days.

Kruger, who is a devout Christian, insisted his beliefs were not tied to religion but instead were about practicality.

Elsewhere in the documentary the mother and son visit Dr Stefanie Green in Vancouver Island in Canada, who is one of the leading practitioners in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

Having helped more than 300 people to die, she argues her work does not conflict with her duty as a doctor.

The mother and son also visit John Scully, a former BBC journalist who has suffered from acute depression and PTSD for 30 years. John is in favour of assisted suicide and wants to take the opportunity should it become legal.

Sher's parents fell asleep minutes after drinking the solution, with her mother passing away after 15 minutes. Less than an hour later, her father passed away as well. The pair held hands as they slipped away

As well as meeting people in favour of assisted dying, Prue and Danny also meet people on the other side of the argument.

Dr Ramona Coelho, a Canadian medic, believes her government's legislation has gone too far, resulting in the disabled, vulnerable and old to be offered MAiD when they should not be.

At the end of the episode, the pair reflect on what they have learnt and discuss whether their experience has changed their minds at all.

However, it seems Prue is still firmly in favour of assisted suicide, which she argued for on an appearance on Good Morning Britain today.

The Great British Bake Off presenter said via video call: 'I still feel the law as it stands is dreadful for dying people. They often face a horrible death every year. And what choice do they have?'

She added: 'They can commit suicide which is perfectly legal, they can put up with it and just suffer, or they can go to Switzerland which is expensive.

'The law is not working and we should change it.'

However her son Danny, who appeared in the studio, said: 'If the opportunity exists for an assisted death, doctors would be compelled to offer it and make it known that the offer was there.

'The doctor might be doing it for humane motives, but they would also be aware that, if that route is taken for that patient, then resources are freed up for others.'
Maxima, Queen of the Netherlands, was colourful as ever as she donned a red flower-print coat to visit designers in Eindhoven today.

The Dutch royal 51, stunned in the belted scarlet number, which she threw over an all-yellow ensemble for her trip to NUL ZES and Home of Design Kazerne.

She teamed a mustard turtleneck with matching flared trousers, accessorising the warm-hued look with a beaded necklace.

The European monarch carried a brown statement clutch with a wooden handle to complement her leather boots.

The mother-of-three opted for a casually glam look with dark eyes and a rosy lipstick, wearing her blonde tresses down in a relaxed style.

Maxima, Queen of the Netherlands, was colourful as ever as she donned a red flower-print coat to visit designers in Eindhoven today

Her complexion was dewy and sunkissed, following a recent trip around the Caribbean.

Maxima smiled as she chatted with designers who are preparing to present their work in Milan next spring, as well as others who have already found their way to the Italian city.

The queen also attended a workshop, listening attentively as she sat around the table with attendees.

NUL ZES is a workspace which houses designers of all backgrounds, from illustrators to architects. while Home of Design Kazerne appears to focus on more artistic endeavours such as sculpture work and interiors.

It comes as the royal put on a stylish display as she joined King Willem-Alexander to mark his aunt's 80th birthday last night.

The Dutch royal 51, stunned in the belted scarlet number, which she threw over an all-yellow ensemble for her trip to NUL ZES and Home of Design Kazerne

She teamed a mustard turtleneck with matching flared trousers, accessorising the warm-hued look with a beaded necklace

The couple attended a performance of Carmen at the Orpheus Theatre in Apeldoorn with Princess Margriet, the sister of Queen Beatrix, who turned 80 yesterday and marked the milestone in style.

Margriet has four sons, Prince Maurits, Prince Bernhard, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Prince Floris, who also attended the performance with their respective families.

Maxima stole the show in a black cape she paired with golden accessories over a navy dress.

Willem-Alexander's aunt, Princess Irene, Duchess of Parma, was also among the guests, but his mother, Queen Beatrix, 85, did not make it to the event.

Maxima smiled as she chatted with designers who are preparing to present their work in Milan next spring, as well as others who have already found their way to the Italian fashion capital

The European monarch carried a brown statement clutch with a wooden handle to complement her leather boots

The Dutch queen's complexion was dewy and sunkissed, following a recent trip around the Caribbean

She went for a monochrome look, wearing the dress with a black clutch bag and matching scarf, but added a pop of colour with golden heels that matched the highlights of her blonde locks.

Underneath the elegant coat, she was wearing a navy blue dress, cinched at the waist with a golden belt that matched her choice of shoes.

The Dutch Queen accessorised with diamond encrusted jewellery, including two pave bracelets and long diamond drop earrings.

Her honey tresses were styled in a straight blow-dry and tucked behind her ears.

Maxima was stunning in a scarlet overcoat adorned with floral designs as she stepped out for an engagement today

The fashionable queen donned a colourful ensemble today as she visited, and spoke to designers

The queen also attended a workshop, listening attentively as she sat around the table with attendees

A colourfully-dressed Queen Maxima listened attentively while chatting with designers and entrepreneurs

The mother-of-three went for a glamourous evening makeup, with black eyeliner and a darker shade of eyeshadow. Maxima added a touch of pink with a creamy rose lipstick.

A touch of blush complimented her glowing complexion, and the healthy tan she caught during hers and Willem-Alexander's recent trip to the Caribbean with their eldest daughter Princess Catharine-Amalia.

The couple were joined by the King's extended family, who all put on a stylish display as they flocked to the theatre.

The woman of the hour, Princess Margriet, arrived hand-in-hand with her husband of 56 years, Pieter van Vollenhoven.

She was the picture of style in a flowing leopard dress garment she wore with an equally lavish black cape.

Her four sons were also in attendance, with eldest son, Prince Mauritz, 54, leading the way with his wife and son, heir son Lucas Maurits Pieter
A forensics team which re-investigated the murder of Stephen Lawrence have recalled their 'surprise' after making an 'extremely powerful' discovery to help crack the case.

On Cold Case Forensics: The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop and her colleagues revealed how they found 'a flake of blood' belonging to Stephen in packaging storing suspect Gary Dobson's clothes.

Stephen was stabbed to death in an unprovoked, racist attack on April 22, 1993 by a gang of white youths while he waited for a bus in Eltham.

Dobson and David Norris faced trial in 2011 over Stephens murder after forensic evidence was reviewed. Stephens DNA was found on both the defendants clothes, and they were both found guilty of his murder and received life sentences.

In tonight's ITV documentary, the forensics team who helped unearth the DNA evidence recalled the shocking moment they discovered a tiny amount of Stephen's blood in packaging storing Dobson's clothes, and later on the garments themselves.

The 2011-2012 trial centred around tiny fragments of blood, fibres and hair that were uncovered in the 'cold case review'. The most important of the discoveries were 16 fibres linked to Stephen's clothes and three tiny specks of blood.

In the debris from the original evidence bag holding Dobson's jacket, the forensic team found three blood fragments that had less than a one in a billion chance of not being Stephen's.

The team also re-examined clothing taken from Dobson and Norris, starting a process that eventually led to a guilty verdict for both men at the Old Bailey in January 2012.

Dr Gallop explained: 'Textile fibres are an incredibly important source of forensic evidence, much underrated I always think.

'Because all the time most of our clothing is shedding these tiny fragments as we move about, as we come into contact with other surfaces, they can be a fantastic way of showing a connection between the clothing of one person, clothing of another.'

'I started looking at Dobson's jacket for these red fibres, and I found eleven fibres that were very similar to Stephens polo shirt.

'They were then sent for additional analysis. So I then looked at the sweatshirt of David Norris and found one red fibre that was similar and again that was sent off for analysis.'

The analysis found that these fibres matched Stephens red polo shirt.

On Cold Case Forensics: The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop and her colleagues revealed how they found 'a flake of blood' belonging to Stephen (pictured) in packaging storing suspect Gary Dobson's clothes

The team then found fibres from Stephens jacket on Gary Dobsons clothing. And green fibres from Stephens corduroy trousers on the sweatshirt that David Norris had been wearing on the night of the attack.

But textile fibre evidence alone would not be enough to prove murder - as such, if they wanted to pursue this lead further, they needed a moment of inspiration.

'These items of clothing have been in packaging, and theyve been taken out of packaging, put back into it lots of times over the years,' Dr Gallop said. 'And so, maybe what we should be doing is having a look at the original packaging itself.'

The team started to remove tiny pieces of debris from corners of the packaging in which the suspects clothes had been stored - and found a 'flake of blood'.

'We were pretty surprised to find a flake of blood,' Dr Gallop said. 'The blood in the bag was attached to tiny blue fibres which didnt match the clothes that had been stored there.'

In tonight's ITV documentary, the forensics team who helped unearth the DNA evidence recalled the shocking moment they discovered a tiny amount of Stephen's blood in packaging storing Dobson's clothes, and later on the garments themselves

Stephen was stabbed to death in an unprovoked, racist attack on April 22, 1993 by a gang of white youths while he waited for a bus in Eltham. Dobson (left) and David Norris (right) faced trial in 2011 over Stephens murder after forensic evidence was reviewed

It was the first evidence of blood to be discovered in the case and it had been found in a bag containing Dobson's jacket.

Dr Gallop said: 'We came across a flake of blood, running through which were two textile fibres. And looking at these two fibres they were both of blue acrylic.

'We immediately went and compared them with Stephens clothing and discovered that they matched the fibres constituting his cardigan - he was wearing a blue acrylic cardigan at the time.

'And this flake of blood, the packaging this had come from was from Gary Dobson's jacket.'

The 'blood flake' was sent for a DNA test - and also resulted in the forensics team re-examining the garment and finding a 'very tiny what looked like a bloodstain on the back of the collar of Dobsons jacket'.

April, a member of the forensics team, recalled: 'I remember quite vividly when the reporting scientist came into the room and asked me to follow him into a quiet room, and he told me at that stage that the DNA profile had come back as Stephens.

'I just remember quite a chilling feeling because although we thought it could have been from Stephen actually getting that, obtaining that result was extremely powerful.

Dr Gallop (pictured) explained: 'Textile fibres are an incredibly important source of forensic evidence, much underrated I always think'

'I remember we had to check it, double check it and probably triple check it before we actually told the Senior Investigating Officer about the result.'

Dr Gallop went on: 'We passed on the message about the blood to the Metropolitan Police, and in particular to Clive Driscoll who was the Senior Investigator. At a very poignant moment he just happened to be in a memorial service for Stephen at the time.'

The result was confirmed as Stephen's family marked the 15th anniversary of his death with a church memorial service.

Dr Gallop said: 'The finding of the blood on Gary Dobsons jacket was a really critical moment in the whole re-investigation cause here for the first time in all these years we had got blood that could have come from Stephen, so Steven injured, and Gary Dobson there at the time.

'There was now fibre evidence against Gary Dobson and David Norris and Stephens blood on Dobsons jacket.'

A timeline of the Stephen Lawrence murder case April 22, 1993: Stephen is stabbed to death in an unprovoked racist attack in Eltham, South-East London. Within days Neil and Jamie Acourt, Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and David Norris are identified as prime suspects. July 1993: Prosecutors drop a case against Neil Acourt and Luke Knight. Months later an inquest is halted amid claims of 'dramatic' new evidence. April 1996: An Old Bailey private prosecution brought by the Lawrence family against Neil Acourt, Knight and Dobson collapses. February 1997: An inquest jury finds Stephen was 'unlawfully killed by five white youths'. The next day The Daily Mail accuses all five men under the front page headline 'Murderers'. February 1999: The Macpherson report finds police guilty of an appalling catalogue of mistakes and 'institutional racism'. April 2005: The double jeopardy principle, preventing suspects being tried twice for the same crime, is scrapped for certain offences when there is compelling new evidence. November 2007: Scotland Yard confirms it is investigating new forensic evidence. May 2011: The Court of Appeal agrees Dobson's 1996 acquittal for the murder can be quashed and he can be put on trial again. January 2012: Dobson and Norris are found guilty of Stephen's murder. September 2016: Police announce they have received 'significant information' after a fresh appeal to identify a woman whose DNA was found on a bag strap left at the murder scene. April 2018: Scotland Yard admits it has no new lines of inquiry in the investigation into Stephen's murder and is preparing to shelve it. Advertisement

Five men were initially arrested over the racist murder of A-level student Stephen.

Two men, Norris and Dobson, were eventually prosecuted and jailed for life for murder in 2012.

A day after Stephen was killed, a letter with names of the suspects was left in a telephone box and police began surveillance on their homes soon after. The suspects named were Neil Acourt, Dave Norris, Jamie Acourt and Gary Dobson.

From May to June 1993, following a press conference held by the Lawrence family, the suspects listed on the note, as well as another named Luke Knight, were arrested and their homes subsequently searched.

Stephen's friend and witness to the crime, Duwayne Brooks, identified Neil Acourt and Luke Knight at ID parades of the gang responsible and they were charged with murder. They denied the charges.

However, in July the CPS dropped the prosecution, stating that the ID from Duwayne Brooks was unreliable. Southwark coroner, Sir Montague Levine, went on to halt the inquest after the family's barrister, Michael Mansfield CC, said there was new evidence.

The CPS refused to prosecute because of this and said that there was 'insufficient evidence to bring charges based on the new evidence, which was believed to be the identification of further suspects'.

Doreen and Neville launched a private investigation against Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and Neil Acourt, but they all denied the charges. A few months later, police surveillance caught the suspects using strong racist and violent language.

After the private prosecution failed, the murder trial began on April 18 to April 25 1996, but all three were acquitted after Mr Justice Curtis ruled that the identification evidence that Duwayne Brooks provided was unreliable.

The inquest resumed in February 1997, but the suspects refused to answer questions and a verdict of unlawful killing in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five youths was given by Sir Montague Levine.

On February 14 1997, the Daily Mail used its front page to name the five suspects and dared them to sue if the statements were wrong. A month later, a probe was launched by the Kent Constabulary which found that there were significant weaknesses in police conduct during the investigation.

While the five suspects were asked to provide evidence or face prosecution, a public inquiry was opened and the Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon was forced to apologise and admit to failures. Notably, in 1999, the Macpherson report was published, accusing the Met of institutional racism.

In 2002, both David Norris and Neil Acourt were jailed for 18 months after an attack on a black police officer and three years later, the UK government dropped the double jeopardy law, which means that suspects can now be tried twice for the same crime.

In 2008, a 10 million architecture centre was opened in honour of Stephen by his mother, but was later vandalised in a suspected racist attack.

Soon after this, Gary Dobson was jailed for supplying a class B drug and in 2011, he and David Norris faced trial over Stephens murder after forensic evidence was reviewed.

Cold Case Forensics: The Murder of Stephen Lawrence is available on ITVX
An archive of personal letters by Princess Diana revealing her misery at her 'desperate and ugly' divorce and her hopes for 1997 sold for 161,000 today.

The personal letters reveal how the Princess of Wales had sought support and advice from friends Susie and Tarek Kassem throughout her acrimonious and public split from the then Prince Charles in the mid 1990s.

There are 32 letters and message cards where Diana described how the negotiations over hers and Charles' divorce settlement had left her 'on [her] knees.'

Elsewhere, she took veiled digs at the Royal Family for isolating her, expressed her fears that her phone was being bugged, and thanked the pair for letting her spend an otherwise lonely Christmas and Easter with them.

The Kassems said that owning the poignant letters was a responsibility that they did not wish to pass on to their children or grandchildren and so sold them at auction in individual lots.

Princess Diana's close friends Susie and Tarek Kassem have auctioned 32 personal letters written to them by the late princess

Diana met Mrs Kassem at the Royal Brompton Hospital in 1995 and the pair hit it off straight away.

The most valuable letter was the one that Diana wrote in December 1996, just eight months before she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

The letter described her plans to spend Christmas abroad in the sunshine and of her hopes that 1997 'will be an easier year' for her.

The two page letter on Kensington Palace headed notepaper sold for a hammer price of 26,000 (31,000 with fees), which is a record for a Princess Diana letter.

The next highest price was for a letter she wrote to the couple on May 20th, 1996 about her phones being bugged.

She wrote to Mrs Kassem: 'As I don't have a mobile it is difficult to discuss personal issues as my lines here are constantly recorded and passed on.

'If I'd known a year ago what I'd experience going through this divorce I never would have consented. It's desperate and ugly.'

This letter sold for almost 28,000 with fees, and another in which she apologised for cancelling on a trip to the opera due the stress of her divorce sold for 15,000.

In one letter, which sold for 15,000, Diana expressed her apologies for not being able to attend the opera due to the stress of her divorce

However, a less enticing letter she wrote after her divorce where she said she was 'more than happy to have [her] freedom' sold for three times less at 5,000

In total the archive sold for a whopping hammer price of 133,800, and with fees added on the overall price paid by the winning bidders was 161,000

However, a less enticing letter she wrote after her divorce where she said she was 'more than happy to have [her] freedom' sold for three times less at 5,000.

In total the archive sold for a whopping hammer price of 133,800, and with fees added on the overall price paid by the winning bidders was 161,000.

The Kassems, who are in their 70s and live in London, have disclosed that some of the proceeds will be donated to charities that Princess Diana supported.

Mimi Connell-Lay, of Lay's Auctioneers of Penzance, Cornwall, said: 'We are delighted for our clients and for the charities, which will benefit from some of the proceeds.

The personal letters by Princess Diana revealed her torment at her 'desperate and ugly' divorce

'The results go to show the worldwide enduring appeal for Princess Diana and for people's fascination for her." She added: 'A lot of the letters are emotionally raw and frankly astonishing.

'She wrote a lot about what was going on in her life at the time, especially her divorce, and repeatedly referred to not having the support from the Royal family.

'The collection illustrates Diana's immensely warm and loving disposition in a charming and delightful manner. Some letters do touch on the enormous stress she was experiencing during periods of very public heartbreak.'

Tarek and Susies Chelsea home became a vital refuge. At weekends when her diary stretched emptily before her, they would invite her to jolly family lunches.

If their grown-up children were there too, so much the better. Sometimes they would take her out to restaurants off the beaten track to avoid the paparazzi.

Princess Diana's letters were revealed this week in a remarkable cache of correspondence written by the princess to Susie Kassem - both women pictured here together

Diana crafted over 30 letters to her dear friends the Kassems. Within them she revealed how she thought her phones were being bugged

In two of the letters she thanks them for trips to the famous Compleat Angler in Marlow, and the French Horn at Sonning on the River Thames.

These were days when Diana was at her most relaxed  but the couple were also often there when things were tougher.

Susie had often been at her side when the princess was ambushed by paps. On one occasion she had been shocked by the aggressive treatment Diana received as she helped her board a flight to Spain at Heathrow airport.

The friendship between the two women grew from a chance meeting at the intensive care unit in the Royal Brompton Hospital. Susie, a London magistrate, was a hospital visitor, a volunteer who helped out with patients and staff.

Diana was seeing her Irish-born friend and acupuncturist Oonagh Toffolo, a former nurse to the Duke of Windsor. Oonaghs husband Joe was being treated at the hospital, where he was under the care of cardiologist Dr Hasnat Khan.

And so it was that, in the space of just a few days in late August 1995, the princess met two people who were to have a profound effect on her life  Mrs Kassem and the heart surgeon with whom she fell in love.
Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon And Crown Princess mette-marit cut sombre figures as they paid tribute to the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mette-Marit, 49, who opted for a quilted oversized coat, and her husband, also 49, wrapped up warm in the cold weather in coordinated navy and black outfits.

The commemoration for Ukraine was held outside the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo City Hall this evening - with the royal couple gathering with members of the public at the event to show their support for the victims of the war.

The Norwegian royal couple looked reflective as they heard from those who attended the event.

They made a sweet show of affection as the princess reached for her husband's hand as they attended the outing.

Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon And Crown Princess Mette-Marit (pictured) cut sombre figures as they paid tribute to the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

In December, the royal couple attended the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The Nobel Peace Prize winners hailed from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.

They called for an unabated fight against Vladimir Putin's 'insane and criminal' invasion as they accepted their awards.

Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit were joined by King Harald and Queen Sonja. A second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, Harald is 77th in line to the British throne.

Haakon is heir apparent to the throne of Norway. Despite being older, his sister Princess Martha Louise of Norway is fourth in line to the throne due to Norway's male-preference primogeniture succession rules.

Mette-Marit, 49, who opted for a quilted oversized coat, and her husband, also 49, wrapped up warm in the cold weather in coordinated navy and black outfits

The couple looked concerned as they heard from a member of the public while attending the commemoration event

The couple made a sweet show of affection as the Princess reached for her husband's hand as they attended the event

Mette-Marit was born a commoner, to farmers in Norway and was a single mother by the time of her engagement to Crown Prince Haakon in 2000.

She became Crown Princess after the couple's marriage in 2001. Mette Marit has spent her reign championing humanitarian projects while joining official visits.

Her first official appearance was at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2000, following the announcement of the couple's engagement on December 1.
Almost half a million mothers swear by a supermarket nappy rash cream for healing dry and chapped skin.

Natralus' The Little Ones Nappy Barrier Cream, which can be purchased in a 30g tube for $7.45 or 100g tube for $16.99, is fast becoming one of the most loved skincare products for babies and toddlers.

The Australian-owned brand is part of a gifting program at all NSW hospitals where every new mum receives a pack of products after giving birth.

Through that program Natralus has gifted 442,000 tubes of barrier cream since 2019.

Natralus' The Little Ones Nappy Barrier Cream, which can be purchased in a 30g tube for $7.45 or 100g tube for $16.99, is fast becoming one of the most loved skincare products for babies and toddlers

Through that program Natralus has gifted 442,000 tubes of barrier cream since 2019

'Your little one's delicate nappy area needs extra special protection and care. This natural cream creates a barrier to protect your little one's skin from irritants and wet or dirty nappies. It also helps to restore and maintain healthy skin,' the website description reads.

It can be picked up at Woolworths supermarkets or on the Natralus website alongside magnesium spray, body lotion and natural deodorants.

The barrier cream is made using fresh fermented papaya and doesn't contain any lanolin, parabens or petroleum.

Those that have already tried it have been pleased with the high quality ingredients used and the ease by which it can be applied.

'Such a great cream. Received it in our hospital bag when I had my daughter. Clears up nappy rash so quickly, had to order more,' one woman wrote on their website.

'Amazing cream honestly I ran out and can't wait to get my hands on more! They work like a charm I can't recommend anything like it,' said another.

The barrier cream is made using fresh fermented papaya and doesn't contain any lanolin, parabens or petroleum

A third added: 'Love this baby bottom cream. Used it on my son since birth and he has never had a red bum or nappy rash! Absolutely swear by this and have gotten all my mum friends/family onto this stuff!'

Natralus' business stems back to the early 1920s with Grandfather Rowe, a respected Adelaide pharmacist.

He was recognised for his talent to blend selected natural ingredients into incredibly effective medicines.

Doctors would often send their patients to him when desperate, as they knew they could trust him to find an effective remedy.

This philosophy remains at the core of their business as the brand continues to carefully select nature's finest ingredients to craft unique blends.
People gather at the Chinese Visa Application Center in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



Korea and China have found a fresh stumbling block in their bilateral relations. The mild improvement that had been seen between the governments following a feud over the Korean government's quarantine regulations which raised the ire of Beijing. China has complained of Seoul siding with the United States over the recent spy balloon controversy.



In late January, a Chinese surveillance balloon was found to have entered U.S. airspace and floated over sensitive military sites in Montana. A U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter eventually shot it down. Korea and China have exchanged words over the issue.



According to the Chinese foreign ministry, its Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong met with Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho, Tuesday. Sun clarified China's position on the U.S.' shooting down of the "unmanned Chinese civilian airship" and hoped that the South Korean side could distinguish right from wrong to make an objective, rational and fair judgment.



The statement from the Chinese government comes after 1st Vice Minister Cho Hyun-dong showed support for the U.S over the balloon saga following his meeting with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Wendy Sherman and Mori Takeo in Washington, D.C., on Monday (local time).



"We have already made it clear that any infringement of other countries' territorial sovereignty can never be tolerated, against which the necessary measures can be taken in accordance with international law," Cho said during a press conference.



"That is our clear position on this issue. And we also expect that there will be some opportunity for high-level dialogue with China by sitting down together on this issue sometime in the future."



In response, the Korean foreign ministry maintains that violation of the territorial sovereignty of other countries cannot be tolerated under international law.



"We believe that it is important for China to sufficiently explain this situation to the international community in a transparent manner," the ministry said in a statement. "The government is in necessary communication with the Chinese side and is monitoring related trends."



The possible flashpoint in the Korea-China relations also comes as the two sides have virtually put an end to the "quarantine conflict" that continued over the past month.



On Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said China will restart the issuance of short-term visas for Koreans on Saturday in response to Korea's resumption of short-term visas for travelers from China.



Last week, Korea resumed issuing short-term visas for Chinese visitors following the peaking of China's COVID-19 infection wave and virus situation entering a phase of stabilization.



In early January, the Korean government tightened curbs on travelers from China amid a surge in coronavirus infections in the neighboring nation. China suspended short-term visa issuance for South Koreans in apparent retaliation for what it called "discriminatory" entry restrictions.



Amid an intensifying rivalry between the U.S. and China, Beijing has made efforts to have Seoul distance itself from Washington as it perceives Korea as the weakest link in the U.S. alliance network.



However, President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to make a shift in diplomacy and place the alignment with the U.S. at the center of his foreign policy priorities.


A 27-year-old lawyer who has been promoted three times in three years has revealed why you shouldn't quit your job just yet - and why the key in 2023 is to 'recession-proof' your finances.

Sydney lawyer Aleks Nikolic had $3,000 worth of credit card debt when she tackled her bad spending habits and set herself on a path to building an impressive net worth of $180,000 at age 26.

She recently shared a clip advising Aussies not to quit their jobs this year, just because they think they want to.

Scroll down for video

A 27-year-old lawyer who has been promoted three times in three years revealed why you shouldn't quit your job- and why you need to 'recession-proof' finances (Aleks Nikolic pictured)

Aleks said that quitting your job is 'literally the worst thing you could do this year'.

The reason why is because the IMF predict that 'one third of the world's economy will go into recession' this year, with some industries set to be hit worse than others.

'Nobody will be immune,' Aleks said.

'We are already seeing massive layoffs across the tech sector, and that will follow across other industries that aren't recession-proof.'

Before you quit your job, the lawyer advises you consider a couple of things: firstly, is your job recession-affected?

'In a recession, it's much more difficult to get a job in recession-affected sectors, or sectors where consumer spending drives business,' Aleks said.

With many businesses set to 'slow down and freeze hiring', it could be harder to get a job if you just quit 'on a whim'.

Aleks (pictured) said it's no good simply assuming you'll be completely 'safe' at your current job either, and you need to build up an 'emergency fund' of three to six months of expenses

Aleks said it's no good simply assuming you'll be completely 'safe' at your current job either.

The one thing she recommends all employees do this year is 'recession-proof' their finances.

'Work on building up your emergency fund so that in the worst case scenario you get made redundant or need to find another job, you have those savings to live off,' she said.

Most experts believe you should have enough money in your emergency fund to cover three to six months worth of expenses, depending on your circumstances including whether you're renting, you own property, are single or have kids.

CommBank recommend if you're just getting started that you first of all aim to set aside a minimum of one month worth of expenses for your emergency fund.

Once you have met your first target, continue to build your fund so you have about three months' worth of living expenses as an emergency buffer.

This will allow you to continue to cover costs for about three months while you work out a plan if an emergency strikes.

If you have a mortgage and financial dependents, you might want to aim to have three to six months of expenses in your rainy day fund.

Your emergency fund is different to your regular savings, so you may want to use a separate bank account to make sure you don't accidently dip into it.

Aleks (pictured) said her manager encouraged her to think about the 'strategic differences' she makes in the workplace and what kind of a legacy she was creating in order to achieve career success

Previously, Aleks shared the career advice that changed her life - and how it can help you boost your pay packet too.

Aleks said her manager encouraged her to think about the 'strategic differences' she makes in the workplace and what kind of a legacy she was creating in order to achieve career success.

'Here is the career advice that has changed my life, and I think it has contributed to a complete overhaul of my career,' Aleks posted on Instagram.

'I've been promoted three times in three years, so I think it works.'

The 27-year-old said while she used to think that doing her job 'but faster' was the key driver for a promotion, she was 'completely wrong'.

'I'm in a team of very smart, very high-performing people, so doing more work doesn't really mean all that much,' Aleks said.

'Then my manager asked me something. He said: "What is your impact?"

'And by that he meant what are you doing that you believe is a legacy or what are you doing that makes a meaningful change to strategic problems as opposed to your tactical wins which is just doing your job faster?"'

Aleks said when she realised this, the 'entire game was changed' and she has had increasing career success.
An untreatable Ebola-like virus  which kills up to nine in 10 people it infects  is currently spreading in Africa.

Marburg, one of the deadliest pathogens ever discovered, has already killed 10 people in Equatorial Guinea and five in Tanzania.

Doctors in the US are also being warned to be on the lookout for imported cases, sparking fears that the virus may be spreading under the radar.

The World Health Organization has deployed teams to the African nations, who are working at 'full steam' to 'save lives and halt the virus as soon as possible'.

But what is Marburg? How does it spread? And are there any treatments to stop the spread of infection? Here, we answer all your questions.

Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea have reported their first-ever outbreaks of Marburg virus this year. The figures above are based on the latest report from the World Health Organization, issued on March 22. In Equatorial Guinea, local health authorities (*) say they are now monitoring 604 close contacts. Fears were also raised that the Marburg virus had reached Burundi after three people in the country died from a mysterious nosebleed disease. But testing did not come back positive for the disease

MVD has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent. There are currently no vaccines or treatments approved to treat the virus

How deadly is Marburg?

Marburg is one of the deadliest pathogens known to man.

The WHO says it has a case-fatality ratio (CFR) of up to 88 percent.

But experts estimate that it probably sits closer to the 50 percent mark, similar to its cousin Ebola  another member of the Filoviridae family.

That means that out of every 100 people confirmed to be infected with Marburg, at least half would be expected to die.

Scientists don't, however, know the infection-fatality rate, which measures everyone who gets infected  not just cases that test positive.

For comparison, Covid had a CFR of around 3 percent when it burst onto the scene.

Is there a vaccine?

No vaccines are currently approved to treat the virus.

The WHO convened an urgent meeting on Monday over the rising cases, calling in experts from around the world.

Members of the Marburg virus vaccine consortium (MARVAC)  speaking to the WHO  said it could take months for effective vaccines and therapeutics to become available, as manufacturers would need to gather materials and perform trials.

Experts identified 28 experimental vaccine candidates that could be effective against the virus  most of which were developed to combat Ebola.

Five were highlighted in particular as vaccines to be explored.

Three vaccine developers  Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Public Health Vaccines and the Sabin Vaccine Institute  said they may be able to make doses available to test in the current outbreak.

The vaccines from Janssen and Sabin have already gone through phase one clinical trials. However, none of the vaccines are available in large quantities.

Public Health Vaccines' jab was also recently found to protect against the virus in monkeys, and the Food and Drug Administration has cleared it for human testing.

What about drugs, have any been proven to work?

As well as there being no vaccines, there are also no treatments approved to treat the virus.

However, the WHO is currently evaluating a range of potential treatments, including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies.

The UN agency also advises that supportive care such as rehydration and drugs to ease certain symptoms can improve survival chances.

Supportive hospital therapy includes balancing the patients fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen levels and blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treatment for any complicating infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experimental treatments have never been tested on humans.

Marburg virus (MVD) is initially transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.

How far away are therapeutics realistically?

Experts told DailyMail.com's sister title MailOnline that it may take multiple outbreaks for enough cases to properly analyze the virus's effectiveness and 'years' before an effective therapeutic becomes available.

Professor Jimmy Whitworth, an expert in international public health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: 'Usually Marburg virus outbreaks develop very quickly, only a few cases are infected, and the outbreak dies down rapidly once control measures are in place.

'If the current outbreak follows this pattern it will be very challenging to test the effectiveness of candidate vaccines.'

He added: 'It is likely that any vaccine will need to be tested over several outbreaks before we have a definite answer on whether it works.'

Instead, health officials hope the virus  which spreads via prolonged physical contact  will be contained and controlled before it causes a larger outbreak.

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, also told MailOnline: 'There's no immediate timescale of when we might see a Marburg vaccine.

'There are many promising candidates, but my best guess is we're probably some years off seeing a finished product being widely available in high-risk settings.'

How is this outbreak being contained?

Hundreds of people suspected to be infected with the virus have already been quarantined in Equatorial Guinea.

International aid agencies have deployed teams on the ground in Kie-Ntem, Litoral and Centre-Sur, where most cases have been detected.

Some eight infections have also been spotted in the port city of Bata, home to 173,000 people.

Several cases do not appear to be linked, sparking concerns that the virus is spreading undetected in the country.

The WHO has deployed 'health emergency experts' in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication to support response efforts.

It is also helping to ship laboratory glove tents for sample testing as well as one viral hemorrhagic fever kit.

Neighboring countries Cameroon and Gabon have restricted movement along their borders over concerns about contagion.

In Tanzania, eight cases and five deaths have been confirmed so far  all in the northern province of Kagera. They were all linked, health officials say.

The WHO is supporting local health authorities to find and monitor close contacts of identified cases and provide patients with appropriate care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a level two travel alert for Equatorial Guinea, advising people against non-essential travel to areas of the country affected by the outbreak.

Experts say there is no link between the two outbreaks, with both likely caused by separate events where Marburg virus jumped from bats to humans.

There have also been concerns over suspected cases in Cameroon and Burundi, although all later tested negative for the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an urgent meeting over the rising cases, calling in experts from around the world to help prevent mass outbreaks of the untreatable infection

How bad were previous Marburg clusters and where were they?

Before this outbreak, only 30 cases had been recorded globally from 2007 to 2022.

It is already the largest since the 2004-2005 outbreak in Angola, where among 252 infected people as many as 227 died (90 percent).

Last September, Ghana declared the end of a Marburg outbreak which affected the countrys Ashanti, Savannah and Western regions.

Could it reach Britain or the US?

Most outbreaks of Marburg fizzle out after infecting a few people.

For this reason, experts say the chances of it sparking a pandemic or spreading onto another continent are tiny. Yet, it is not impossible.

Marburg virus has only reached the US once before in 2008, when it was diagnosed in a 44-year-old woman who had returned to Colorado from a two-week safari in Uganda. She was hospitalized but later made a full recovery.

There are no known cases of Marburg viruses reaching the UK.

In the US, health authorities have told doctors to be on the lookout for imported cases saying it is not impossible that the virus could reach the country.

There are no direct flights between the US and Tanzania or Equatorial Guinea, however, statistics show, with travelers needing to go via other airports. It is a similar situation in the UK.

Professor Whitworth told MailOnline: 'Marburg outbreaks are always concerning because of the high case fatality rate and the potential for spreading from person to person by close contact.'

He added: 'This outbreak has occurred in a remote forested area of Equatorial Guinea which limits the potential for spreading fast or affecting many people.

'It also appears to have been spotted quickly, the number of suspected cases is small and the first death under investigation occurred on January 7, so only about five weeks ago.'

But he added: 'The outbreak has occurred close to the international borders with Cameroun and Gabon so international coordination will be required.

'So, overall, the risk for Equatorial Guinea and the region is moderate, and the risk of it spreading outside the region is very low.'

Members of the Marburg virus vaccine consortium (MARVAC)  speaking to the WHO  said it could take months for effective vaccines and therapeutics to become available, as manufacturers would need to gather materials and perform trials. Pictured, health officials in August 2018 gathering 20 bats that reside in Maramagambo Forest as part of a research project to determine flight patterns and how they transmit Marburg virus to humans

What are the tell-tale symptoms?

Symptoms appear abruptly and include severe headaches, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting. They become increasingly severe.

In the early stages of MVD  the disease it causes  it is very difficult to distinguish from other tropical illnesses, such as Ebola, and malaria.

Infected patients become 'ghost-like', often developing deep-set eyes and expressionless faces.

This is usually accompanied by bleeding from multiple orifices  including the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.

Like Ebola, even dead bodies can spread the virus to people exposed to its fluids.

How does the virus spread?

Human infections typically start in areas where people have prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by infected fruit bat colonies.

Fruit bats naturally harbor the virus.

It can, however, then spread between humans, through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.

Contaminated clothing and bedding are a risk, as are burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the deceased.

In Equatorial Guinea, the virus was found in samples taken from deceased patients suffering from symptoms including fever, fatigue and blood-stained vomit and diarrhea.

Healthcare workers have been frequently infected while treating Marburg patients.

Gavi, an international organization promoting vaccine access, says that people in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat.

International aid agencies have deployed teams on the ground in Kie Ntem, where all 16 cases so far have been spotted. The WHO has deployed ' health emergency experts' in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication to support response efforts. Pictured above is a WHO alert team in Nganakamana village, near Uige, in April 2005 following an outbreak of the virus

Is Marburg as contagious as Covid?

Covid took off so quickly because of how it spread  through infectious respiratory particles when they are inhaled, or come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth.

Marburg, although contagious, is nowhere near as infectious.

As it outbreaks are so sporadic, scientists have never been able to pinpoint its R rate  which epidemiologists use to measure a disease's ability to spread.

R is, in essence, the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to, on average.

Ebola, when it swept through West Africa between 2014 and 2016, had an R rate of around 1.5, studies suggest.

Covid, for comparison, has mutated to have a basic R rate even higher than measles (around 15).

Why is it called Marburg and how long have scientists known about it?

Marburg was first recognized in 1967 when outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever occurred simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia).

The infections were traced back to three laboratories that received a shared shipment of infected African green monkeys.

There have been eight subsequent outbreaks involving multiple infections, including the current outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.

MVD is normally associated with outbreaks in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.
The Government's decision to scrap a dedicated cancer strategy is a 'catastrophic decision that will cost lives', experts have warned.

Sajid Javid declared a 'national war on cancer' and vowed to produce a ten-year plan aimed at improving care when he was Health Secretary.

But Steve Barclay, who now holds the position, last month announced the plan would be axed in favour of a 'major conditions strategy'.

That will examine all major conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, mental health conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Health secretary Steve Barclay, pictured during a visit to Kingston Hospital in south west London this month, axed the ten-year plan in favour of a 'major conditions strategy' that will examine all major conditions, including chronic respiratory disease and dementia

The move was criticised by leading charities, with Macmillan saying the 10-year cancer plan promised by ministers had 'been discarded', while the CatchUpWithCancer campaign said it was 'deeply concerned'.

Now, experts writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have also expressed dismay at the move, arguing a dedicated cancer plan is needed now more than ever.

While survival rates have improved, the UK continues to lag behind much of Europe with the gap set to widen further if the backlog caused by Covid is not addressed.

Professor Richard Sullivan, from the Institute of Cancer Policy at King's College London, and Dr Ajay Aggarwal, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the Government decision 'jettisons decades of global consensus that, to deliver affordable, equitable and high quality cancer care, dedicated cancer plans are required'.

They added: 'Subsuming cancer into an overall non-communicable disease agenda simply signals that cancer is no longer a political priority or reflects a Government not willing to deal with its complexity and escalating costs.'

The pair pointed to a National Audit Office (NAO) study showing that fewer than half of NHS trusts expect to meet key end-of-year recovery and cancer targets, 'with 2025 targets for diagnostic capacity, funding and productivity in serious doubt'.

A long-term plan for cancer 'is more critical than ever' after more than a 'decade of declining funding for cancer services compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic', experts say

They added: 'Cancer is the single largest cause of death in the UK and one of the most serious healthcare burdens for societies.

'Delivering effective and equitable care requires the co-ordination of an extensive array of interlocking cancer specific pathways

'The English NHS, for example, has 60 radiation therapy centres, 50 prostate cancer surgery centres, 163 bowel cancer centres, and 176 chemotherapy units, not including the specialised diagnostics that are only available at selected hospitals.

'The strategic direction and co-ordination of all these services requires both a cancer specific plan and an array of operational tools to deal with issues of centralisation and variation in practice to avoid inequalities in access and outcomes.'

The experts said a long-term plan for cancer 'is more critical than ever' after more than a 'decade of declining funding for cancer services compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic'.

They added: 'Such a plan needs to deal with the post-pandemic realities of backlogs for care: sicker patients with more advanced cancers and huge deficits in the cancer specific workforce.'

The pair said that, without a dedicated long-term plan for cancer, services 'will fracture, costs will increase, inequalities widen, and patients will experience even greater delays leading directly to lost lives'.

Figures show 2022 had the worst waiting times ever for cancer, with more than 50,000 people a month waiting more than two weeks to see a specialist following an urgent GP referral  more than ten times as many as a decade ago.

While record numbers started treatment, those missing out on timely care is increasing at a far faster rate, cancer charities have warned.

Delays to treatment saw some 25,000 people in England with a confirmed diagnosis facing waits of more than a month last year, five times as many as in 2012.

Dr Ian Walker, Cancer Research UK's executive director of policy and information, said: 'Cancer survival in the UK lags behind similar countries, and patients are facing unacceptable waits for cancer diagnosis and life-saving treatment.

'With a growing number of people expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the years to come, the task ahead is huge.

'The UK Government must take a long-term approach to transforming cancer care, and give it the attention it deserves.

'This needs to include bold action to make smoking obsolete, rapidly increasing diagnostic capacity, and investing in research to find new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer so we can improve cancer survival for all.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are laser focused on fighting cancer on all fronts  prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and funding  so we can deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

'More patients are being diagnosed and starting treatment earlier with 92 community diagnostic centres open since 2021 delivering over 3million tests, scans and checks including to detect cancer. We also recently announced a 10million investment in more breast cancer screening units as well as software and service upgrades.

'Addressing cancer together with other conditions in a joined-up strategy will allow us to focus where there are similarities in approach and ensure care is focused on the patient.'
Revelations that Nicola Bulley stopped taking her Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) due to the side effects has thrown a fresh spotlight on both the medication and the early menopause.

Lancashire Police today claimed the 45-year-old mother had 'in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause'.

Ms Bulley's family said that while she had been suffering from classic menopause symptoms like brain fog, restless sleep she had stopped taking her HRT as the medication was giving her intense headaches.

Here MailOnline answers your questions about the early menopause and the potential side effects of HRT.

Missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley (pictured) was battling drinking problems after going through the menopause, investigators revealed yesterday

What are the potential side effects of HRT?

HRT replaces the hormones that a woman's body stops producing due to the menopause, like oestrogen and progestogen.

Like any medication, it carries a risk of side effects that vary in both rarity and severity.

These can include bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea, cramps, headaches, indigestion, vaginal bleeding, depression, and acne.

The NHS advises people who suffer side effects to continue to try and persevere for three months if possible as they can stop as the body gets used to the medication.

However, women should contact their GP if they suffer 'severe' side effects or if they persist beyond three months.

Studies have also linked HRT can with a very slightly higher risk of breast cancer. But the risk falls once a woman stops taking the drugs.

Do the risks outweigh the benefits?

For most women struggling with menopause symptoms, the answer is yes.

HRT is hailed as life-changing by millions of women who say it has enabled them to regain energy levels and live an active life.

Others have described going off it for medical reasons as 'hell' as the menopause symptoms return.

How common the side effects of HRT are can depend on the dosage and the delivery method.

In addition to HRT, women suffering from menopause symptoms may also be offered cognitive behavioural therapy  a type of talking therapy  for those struggling with mental health symptoms, sleep problems and hot flushes.

There are also vaginal moisturisers and lubricants to ease dryness.

Menopause marks the point when a woman hasn't had a period for 12 months in a row. It is a normal part of ageing and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs, meaning a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally. As a result, levels of the hormones the ovaries produce  oestrogen (shown in graphic), progesterone and testosterone  drop

How many women take the drugs?

Nearly 2million women in England are prescribed HRT, which can come as patches, gels, or tablets

Police are slammed for leaving Nicola Bulley's family in a 'terrible place' after 'fuelling speculation' with their 'deeply troubling' handling of case then revealing missing mother was battling alcohol issues while struggling with the menopause Lancashire Police has sparked anger and grief after detectives revealed that mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, (pictured with her partner Paul) had been struggling with alcohol issues brought on by ongoing struggles with menopause Advertisement

And HRT use jumped by 35 per cent in the last year, as women in their droves have sought prescriptions to ease their symptoms.

In a change in September last year, a low-dose form of HRT delivered as vaginal oestrogen was made available to buy without a prescription.

What classes as an early menopause?

Roughly one in 20 women will experience an early menopause, when periods stop before the age of 45.

Signs can include having irregular menstrual cycles over a few years, spotting between periods and changes in vaginal bleeding.

Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones), heart disease, depression, dementia and Parkinson's. Sufferers also tend to experience menopause symptoms more severely.

It can occur due to a chromosome abnormality, autoimmune disease or infection or a side effect of cancer treatments.

But in 90 per cent of cases, the reason for early menopause is unknown.

Those who begin menopause before they are expected to are offered hormonal therapy to replace the hormones that are usually produced. Medics advise patients to take this until at least the average age of the menopause.

Early menopause is different to premature menopause which is the term used for when a woman's periods stop before the age of 40. This affects around one per cent of women.

What causes 'the change'?

Menopause marks the point when a woman hasn't had a period for 12 months in a row.

It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the UK average.

It is a normal part of ageing and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs, meaning a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally.

As a result, levels of the hormones the ovaries produce  oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone  drop.

Other than hot flushes, what are the other symptoms of the menopause?

Nearly nine in 10 women suffer from symptoms related to the menopause, regardless of when 'the change' starts.

Mental health symptoms include changes to mood, such as anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem, as well as memory or concentration problems.

Hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, heart palpations, headaches and muscle and joint pain are among the physical symptoms.

As are changes to body shape, weight gain, a reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness and recurrent urinary tract infections.

These can last for months or years and might change over time.

And symptoms usually start months or years before the menopause officially begins, as periods start to become irregular. This is called the perimenopause.

The NHS warns that symptoms can have a 'big impact', including on relationships, social life, family life and work.

It recommends getting plenty of rest, eating healthily, exercising, and doing relaxing activities to cope with mood swings and low mood.

Kate Rowe-Ham, founder of Owning Your Menopause, an app aimed at supporting menopausal women to get fit, said: 'Many women find themselves plummeting into menopause.

'Due to lack of education many are unaware that the myriad of symptoms they are experiencing could be peri-menopause and sadly often dont get the much needed diagnosis.'

It is a 'myth' that the main menopause symptoms are hot flushes and sweats, as heightened anxiety, breathlessness, heart palpitations and feeling 'a little less like oneself' are all symptoms, she said.

Ms Rowe-Ham said: 'Add those on top of sleepless nights at a time when many are juggling elderly or sick parents, teens, jobs and homes, it can be very overwhelming.

'There is more awareness of menopause but there is still a way to go.'

She added: 'The recent update on Nicola Bulley has left me feeling very uncomfortable and I find the speculation very upsetting and my heart goes out to her family and friends.'
Thousands of 999 callers will be instead directed to their GP or pharmacist in an attempt to overhaul sluggish ambulance response times.

The NHS's crackdown will affect category two calls, which are classed as medical emergencies and should be reached with 18 minutes, on average.

But heart attack and stroke patients  who also fall under the same bracket  will not be affected, health chiefs insisted today.

It will only apply to a sub-set of such calls, including patients with burns, diabetes complications or headaches.

These make up around 40 per cent of all category two requests, officials estimate.

NHS data shows one in five ambulances were forced to wait more than 30 minutes outside of emergency departments in the week to February 12 (red line). The figure, which equates to 20 per cent of all those arriving at hospital, is around double the level seen before the Covid pandemic. However, it is half that seen in the final week of 2022, when 31,088 (43.7 per cent) were stuck outside of hospitals

Some 5,355 ambulances queued for more than one hour outside of hospitals in the week to February 12. This is down from a peak of 18,720 in the last week of December

Not all of these patients will require as rapid a response from paramedics, the NHS claimed today as it announced the plans which will be rolled out across England by the end of the month.

All of the lower priority callers will be given a call-back from a medic, who will then decide if they really need a 999 crew.

Doctors, nurses and paramedics making the phone backs will determine if they can instead be referred to an urgent treatment clinic, a GP or pharmacist.

Experts hope the move will drastically improve response times, which have plunged to record highs this winter.

During the worst of the winter crisis, heart attack patients faced 90-minute waits, on average, for paramedics to arrive.

Response times have since improved as the pressures placed on the NHS subside  but they are still well above target levels.

What do the latest NHS performance figures show? The overall waiting list grew by 15,033 to 7.2million in December. This is down from the peak of 7.21 in October. There were 1,234 people waiting more than two years to start treatment at the end of December, down from 1,423 in November. The number of people waiting more than a year to start hospital treatment was 406,035, down from 406,575 the previous month. Some 42,735 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in January. The figure is down from 54,532 in December. A total of 142,139 people waited at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission in January, down from 170,283 in December. Just 72.4 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at A&Es last month. NHS standards set out that 95 per cent should be admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour window. In December, the average category one response time  calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries  was eight minutes and 30 seconds. The target time is seven minutes. Ambulances took an average of 32 minutes and six seconds to respond to category two calls, such as burns, epilepsy and strokes. This is nearly twice as long as the 18 minute target. Response times for category three calls  such as late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes  averaged one hours, 26 minutes and nine seconds. Nine in 10 ambulances are supposed to arrive to these calls within two hours. Advertisement

The move to further triage some 999 callers comes after NHS England trialled the approach  called 'clinical validation'  in London and the West Midlands.

Nearly half of those who received call backs were advised to seek alternative treatment, which prompted the health service to ask England's eight other services to adopt the scheme.

The NHS was able to identify a group of patients  equating to 40 per cent of category 2 calls  who would benefit from a clinician phoning them back, rather than being sent an ambulance.

For example, a patient with a small burn on their arm could be advised to go to a pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre.

Meanwhile, a very serious burn would be sent an ambulance and could be boosted to a category one emergency following an over-the-phone assessment.

However, an ambulance will always be dispatched for a group of category 2 patients  including those experiencing heart attacks and strokes.

And those who are not pointed to another service after a callback do not lose their original place in the queue for an ambulance.

Clinical validation is already used by ambulance services for category three and four callers.

The pilot did not identify any safety concerns, while ambulance response times were faster and patients received the most appropriate care.

NHS leaders will be keeping the system under review for the first few months.

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: 'This new system will allow a conversation between a nurse and paramedic or a doctor and the patient.

'Between them, they'll be able to decide whether an ambulance is the best response or whether no ambulance is required and they're better cared for in a different environment.

'It's really important that people know it doesn't mean anyone loses their place in the queue (while they are assessed).

'What it does is provide more individualised care for a patient but also allows us to free up the resource for our most vulnerable patients, patients who will have had strokes and heart attacks.'

It comes as NHS data today showed that 15,665 ambulances in England spent at least 30 minutes queuing outside of A&E departments last week.

The figure, which equates to 20 per cent of all those arriving at hospital, is around double the level seen before the Covid pandemic.

However, it is half that seen in the final week of 2022, when 31,088 (43.7 per cent) were stuck outside of hospitals.

Of these ambulances, 5,355 queued for more than one hour. This is down from a peak of 18,720 in the last week of December.

Pictured: Ambulances lined up outside the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, Kent in January 2021

January saw some minor relief for ambulance response times with Brits suffering from suspected heart attacks and strokes only having to wait 32 minutes on average for an ambulance down from a record high of 90 minutes in December. However, the figure is still double the official target that Brits should only wait an average of 18 minutes in such emergencies

Health chiefs warn that the NHS was battered by a surge in demand on emergency care this winter, due to a combination of record 999 calls and a lack of beds in hospitals.

This has a knock-on effect on paramedic response times, as they are forced to wait for up to their entire shift outside of hospitals with their patient, rather than responding to more callers.

Monthly data for January showed ambulances had improved their response times from the long ever waits patients faced earlier this winter.

Response time to category one calls  those from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as cardiac arrest and serious allergic reaction  took eight minutes and 30 seconds. This is down from 10 minutes and 57 seconds in December.

The health service's own handbook sets out that 999 crews should take no longer than 7 minutes, on average, to respond to these calls.

Callers classed as category two  which includes heart attacks, strokes, burns and epilepsy  faced waits of 32 minutes and six seconds in January.

This is down sharply from one hour, 32 minutes and 54 seconds in December.

However, that response time is still nearly double the target of 18 minutes.
A woman's addiction to vaping left her hospitalised with a rare lung condition which doctors warned could have left her reliant on an oxygen machine before she turned 30.

Abby Flynn, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, had never smoked a cigarette before but took up e-cigarettes in summer 2021 because they were 'trendy'.

Quickly hooked on the devices, she found herself demolishing an entire cartridge of vape fluid each day  the equivalent of 140 cigarettes a week.

But she was left gasping for breath one morning, after a cough she developed when she first began vaping became uncontrollable.

Tests taken in hospital revealed the 20-year-old had developed 'popcorn lung'  an irreversible lung injury that can be fatal without treatment.

Miss Flynn has vowed to never vape again after doctors told her of the life-changing consequences she'd suffer if she didn't quit.

In January, Abby Flynn (pictured above) woke to find she couldn't breathe properly and took herself to Milton Keynes Hospital Walk-in Centre. Doctors then diagnosed bronchiolitis obliterans - or 'popcorn lung'

Miss Flynn had never smoked a cigarette before but took up e-cigarettes just 18 months ago as they were 'trendy'. Quickly hooked on the device, she found herself demolishing an entire cartridge of vape fluid each day- the equivalent of 140 cigarettes a week

Miss Flynn used to buy two disposable vapes for 9 every time she was at a corner shop, setting her back 135 a month. She would smoke a range of sweet flavours  including bubble gum.

'When I started it was a trend that was going around  everyone had a disposable vape,' she said.

'I've had asthma since I was around nine or ten. I started vaping about a year and a half ago. I didn't smoke before, so I literally went straight to vaping.

'I had it in my hand when I was driving. I'd be asleep and wake up and it would be in my hand. It was just constantly attached to me.'

But the former supermarket worker suddenly developed a persistent cough after taking up e-cigarettes.

What is popcorn lung? 'Popcorn lung' is the nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition which damages the smallest airways in the lungs. It is a rare disease which can develop after an injury to the lung caused by a chemical or infection  known possible causes include chlorine, ammonia, welding fumes or food flavourings. It got its nickname from the buttery food flavouring chemical, diacetyl, which used to be in microwaved popcorn may cause it. Cancer Research UK says that although there are concerns e-cigarettes may cause the condition there is 'no good evidence' of a link so far. People who have had lung transplants may also get the condition if their body tries to reject the organs. Symptoms include a dry cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing or exhaustion. The illness damages the lungs by causing swelling and scarring which block up the small airways in the organs, known as the bronchioles. Obstruction in the bronchioles means the lungs have a smaller surface area through which they can absorb oxygen, so people may struggle to breathe efficiently. Sources: Cancer Research UK and National Institutes of Health Advertisement

At first it niggled but over the course of 18 months, the cough progressively took hold.

And in January, Miss Flynn woke to find she couldn't breathe properly and took herself to Milton Keynes Hospital Walk-in Centre.

She said: 'I was laying there in the walk-in centre panicking and was crying because I couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't walk and my cough was just awful.

'It was really scary. Initially I didn't know what was wrong, I knew I had asthma but it wasn't a feeling of an asthma attack.'

Swiftly taken to resus by medics, she was given oxygen and had an X-ray.

Doctors then diagnosed her with bronchiolitis obliterans  or 'popcorn lung'.

She added: 'They asked if I used disposable vapes. They said I had loads of air pockets in my lungs, which is what they call "popcorn lung".'

The condition is a rare type of lung disease, triggered by inflammation in bronchioles  the smallest airways in the lungs  which become scarred.

Scientists have suggested there may be a possible link between the disease and a chemical called diacetyl. However, further research is required.

Some liquids in e-cigarettes used to contain diacetyl, but in the UK the chemical was banned in e-cigarette liquids under the EU Tobacco Products Directive in 2016.

Cancer Research UK says there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung reported in people who use e-cigarette.

As well toxic chemicals, infections and autoimmune diseases can also cause popcorn lung. It is unclear how many people suffer from the rare condition affects.

Tell-tale signs include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, tiredness, fever, night sweats and a rash.

It was named after a group of popcorn factory workers in Missouri developed the condition after breathing in vapour from the butter flavouring added to the popcorn, which contained diacetyl.

Medics may prescribe steroids and an inhaler to reduce inflammation and help with breathing. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be required.

Sufferers require life-long care to manage their symptoms and are advised to avoid air pollution, cigarette smoke and people who are unwell.

Miss Flynn has vowed never to touch a vape again and hopes that her experience will be the wake-up call someone else needs

In recent years, e-cigarettes have become a popular tool to help people quit smoking.

But dozens of studies have warned that vaping can cause severe damage to the lungs and heart, similar to smoking standard cigarettes.

In 2021, the Government controversially set out plans to prescribe vaping in a bid to wean people off regular smoking.

Miss Flynn claimed doctors told her if she didn't kick the habit 'within the next year or two', she would be forced to rely on an oxygen machine by the time she hit 30.

'It was a bit of a wakeup call', she said.

'The doctor said that it's really common for young people that use disposable vapes.'

She added: 'I was quite shocked because all my friends vape, everyone from 18 to 25, a lot of people always carry a disposable vape around.

'So for it to happen to me and not anyone else I know, I was a bit like "what?"'

After several hours in hospital, she was discharged and told to take steroids every morning until a follow-up appointment to review her chest health a month later.

Miss Flynn has vowed never to touch a vape again and hopes that her experience will be the wake-up call someone else needs.

She said: 'I think it shocked a lot of people, my best friend threw her vape away as soon as I went into hospital.

'I think a lot of people think that it's not going to happen to them.

'Vaping is really not worth it. I struggle with my chest every single day now and I know a lot of other people do as well and they're still vaping.'

She added: 'I'd urge people to throw their vapes in the bin. I know a lot of people use them as stress relief because you get a nicotine rush from it, and that's all fine but just reduce how much you use it.

'I think because it's always in your hand, it's not like a cigarette where you go out and light it, that's why people use them so much.'
The luxe haircare brand Olaplex, billed as an antidote for broken and damaged hair, has been accused of causing many of its customers to go bald and blister.

The multi-billion-dollar Californian-based company has been plagued with bad press lately thanks in part to a lawsuit that alleges the products caused their hair to break off, fall out, and become damaged, dry, frizzy, and dull.

In the lawsuit, 30 customers argue the company deceptively marketed products with dangerous chemicals in them that are well known to cause damage, such as the fragrance compound lilial.

Olaplex, meanwhile, vehemently denied the allegations and published third party scientifically-conducted experiments into the full suite of products to assess them for ingredients that could explain breakouts in dermatitis on people's scalps and hair breakage and shedding.

What could be causing such severe, negative reactions to the products so loved by high-profile hair stylists and celebrities? And what does Olaplex have to say about them? Here, we break it all down:

Customer Cathy G posted online about the damage that Olaplex wreaked on her hair, with the photo on the right showing the results [Photo courtesy of Insider]

Pictured above is a woman who allegedly used Olaplex hair care products and suffered hair loss as a result, courtesy of the Law Center of Amy Davis

Olaplex CEO Jue Wong insisted that every Olaplex product has to pass the Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT) before it can go out to customers and the products cannot damage hair or skin

How are the products meant to be used?

The Olaplex range, which is priced between $30 and beyond $100, includes shampoos, conditioners and treatments that claim to safely repair broken bonds and rejuvenate hair'.

Many women choose to wash their hair everyday if their hair and scalp are naturally oily, but generally washing every other day or every two days is fine. Shampooing too often can strip healthy oils on the scalp and leave hair dry and brittle.

Olaplex insists that its shampoos and conditioners are safe for daily use. People who do not wash their hair as often may reach for Olaplex's dry shampoo, a sprayable powder that absorbs unwanted oils on the scalp and leaves hair looking clean and more like it has just been washed. It is made to be used whenever you feel your hair needs it in between washes.

Olaplex makes several more intensive treatments that are not meant to be used daily but rather as an add-on treatment once or up to a couple of times each week. The No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment, a spray that coats the hair in the company's patented bond-building compound, should be used at most a few times per week on dry hair.

The No. 9 hair serum and the No. 6 Bond Smoother leave-in treatments meanwhile can be applied every time after you wash and condition your hair 'to give your hair every last dose of definition and smoothness.' The bonding oil is similar in that it smooths hair but is applied as a final step.

Perhaps the most contentious product in the brand's line in the No. 3 pre-shampoo treatment, which is to be used up to three times per week. The treatment has a spate of negative reviews online interspersed with many that make such claims as it transformed one's hair for the better or has become a 'holy grail' product.

The line is meant to re-build the damaged disulfied bonds responsible for the strength of the hair fiber using its patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.

Those bonds are largely responsible for how strong our hair is and how prone it is to damage. The amount of disulfide bonds within the hair determines how curly the hair is - the more bonds the curlier the hair.

The company suggests the No. 3 product be used one to two times per week, while the shampoos and conditioners are designed to be used more often, as much as everyday.

What potentially-problematic chemicals are in it?

The more than 30 plaintiffs in the California lawsuit allege that using the products eviscerated their hair, causing baldness, painful rashes on the scalp, and brittle, damaged ends.

They identify one ingredient that could be the culprit: lilial.

The compound, which is no longer allowed to be in hair products in the EU, gives hair products a pleasant smell.

But it been identified as having endocrine-disrupting properties that could interfere with natural hormone functions and may pose risks to a woman's fertility.

While Lilial has not been outright banned from cosmetics in the US, Olaplex made the move to phase the compound out of its products gradually out of an abundance of caution.

Still, that does not mean that an older version of the products with lilial in them are not sitting on people's shower shelves right now.

They argued that Sephora removed lilial from the Olaplex ingredient formula in June 2021 but the haircare brand did not actually remove the chemical until February 2022 and still continues to sell what is left of their stock.

The plaintiffs, represented by Dallas-based lawyer Amy Davis, also point the finger at sodium benzoate, a precursor to the carcinogen benzoate.

Can it cause hair thinning and balding? What about rashes?

One search on TikTok or Reddit will return hundreds of comments from users worldwide who say at least one product in the brand's line caused severe damage to their hair.

Reddit user Boopy7 said last year: 'It has destroyed my life in some ways. My hair had finally started looking long and lush again.

'I had an Olaplex treatment and then followed up as instructed. My hair has broken off and looks insanely damaged nearly up to the scalp. I am furious. It was expensive and I was told over and over how great it was.'

Meanwhile, a user named Sdac1625 said three years ago: 'Since then to this day and this was about a year-and-a-half ago my hair continues to break. It has gotten so thin that I can't even wear it down anymore.

'I'm actually currently talking to a lawyer because this didn't just happen to me. Its many people.'

And one year ago, a 56-year-old customer who had never experienced issues with her scalp reported: '4 months into using Olaplex brand products Olaplex No.0, Olaplex.8, Olaplex.6, Olaplex.3 and Olaplex. my scalp became very itchy and sore with sm blistering pimples some have busted leaving sores.

'Just recently my long hair has started to fall out!! I have used no other products on my hair since starting with the Olaplex brand so that's what I googled and found that I'm not the only one that has suffered scalp issues with this product.'

Olaplex, meanwhile, maintains that nothing in their formula.

An Olaplex spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'OLAPLEX products do not cause hair loss or hair breakage. OLAPLEX products are safe and effective, as millions of our customers can happily attest.

'We have full confidence and believe in the safety and efficacy of our products.'

What could explain the damage?

What could be causing hair loss and dermatitis is unclear. Olaplex, and many professional stylists online maintain that nothing in the product is inherently damaging and in fact the problem could be with a customer's hair to start.

An Olaplex spokesperson said: 'There are a wide variety of reasons for hair breakage or hair loss, as medical and scientific experts have publicly stated, including lifestyle, various medical conditions and medications, the aftereffects of COVID, skin conditions and more.'

Dozens of Reddit and other social media users point out that some of the people alleging damage caused by Olaplex already ahd overly-processed hair caused by heat and chemicals such as coloring and chemical straightening.

Three years ago, another user wrote of the negative reviews: 'I used no 3 for a while without much of a difference... The reviews about breakage and dryness are likely customers who had damaged hair before using the product and it didnt fix their hair the way they expected. Olaplex has nothing to damage your hair in it. You cant leave it in too long, you cant harm your hair with it.'

Many online point the finger at an 'overdose' of protein treatment on the hair. Many haircare products use a protein called keratin that when applied fills holes or gaps within the hair's cuticle, which can be damaged due a variety of factors such as heat styling and coloring.

Too much protein, though, could cause hair breakage. Protein can actually build up on the hair's cuticle, weighing down your hair overall, make it stiff, and hard.

One problem with the protein overload theory is that Olaplex is not considered a protein treatment in the sense that it has so much that it could cause damage.

Olaplex says of this argument: 'While some OLAPLEX products contain some protein, the amounts are minimal and not enough to be considered a protein treatment. Therefore, OLAPLEX is not a protein treatment. OLAPLEX works at a molecular level to rebuild the hair internally.'

What does the company have to say?

Olaplex is prepared to defend its patented formula, which many users still swear by. Hundreds of customers on social media and in product review sections on Sephora, Ulta, and other retailers sing its praises.

A Sephora customer called the hair mask, No. 8 in the range, 'a gamechanger,' while a Nordstrom customer who bought the No. 3 pre-shampoo treatment referred to it as a 'miracle in a bottle.'

To address the negative allegations, though, Olaplex stood by its products and released a swath of studies conducted by an independent third-party lab that backed up their safety. The company also insisted that the products have all passed the the Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT), a form of clinical study to assess possible allergic reactions to the products.

The company said: 'When the products pass such a test, it means the product does not cause inflammation or sensitivity. As such, there is no induced inflammation to the hair follicle, which is the primary cause of hair loss.'
Bruce Willis has been given a second devastating diagnosis less than a year after it emerged he had an untreatable brain disorder.

The legendary actor, 67, has been told he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - an uncommon type of the disease that causes a deterioration in behavior, personality and language.

FTD - which is responsible for around one in 20 dementia cases - is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins which damage cells in front and sides of the brain.

Alzheimer's charities says that FTD symptoms are 'very different' to other more common types of dementia, such as day-to-day memory loss. Even in the early stages of FTD, many people can still remember recent events.

It comes less than a year after he was diagnosed with aphasia in spring 2022, after suffering a loss of ability to understand or express speech. Over time, this can progress into dementia.

Bruce Willis has been given a second devastating diagnosis less than year after it emerged he had an untreatable brain disorder (Pictured in 2019 at the European premier of Glass in 2021)

95% of right-handed people and two-thirds of left-handed people use the left side of the frontal and temporal lobes of their brains to process speech. The remaining one-third of left-handed people are right-brain dominant. When there is damage to this portion of the brain speech and language suffers.

In their statement today, Mr Willis' family said: 'Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed.

'We now have a more specific diagnosis: Frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).'

FTD is an 'umbrella' term for dementias that mainly affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, responsible for personality, behavior, language and speech.

Scientists say an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain that damage brain cells cause the condition.

Over time these can also cause brain cells to die, leading the frontal and temporal lobes to begin to shrink (or atrophy).

Studies suggest genetic mutations and a family history of FTD put someone at higher risk of the condition.

There are two common forms of FTD.

One is behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), when nerve cell loss affects behavior, judgment and empathy.

The other form is primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which affects the nerve cells in the areas of your brain that affect comprehension and communication. These are key for language, speaking and writing.

The condition tends to begin in the 40s to 60s, with symptoms gradually getting worse over time.

In PPA, damage occurs to the temporal lobes on either side of the head nearest the ears leading to language problems.

It often begins with behavioral changes, such as starting to carry out actions that are socially inappropriate, apathetic or impulsive.

But  unlike in Alzheimer's  patients can still remember recent events.

Other differences between the diseases include that FTD patients having more pervasive apathy and a lack of concern for others or lack of initiative.

They may also be able to remember the time of day and their location and keep track of recent events, unlike those with Alzheimer's who struggle to retain new information.

But as the disease progresses more and more areas of the brain become damaged.

This is when symptoms become similar to those in late stage Alzheimer's, including difficulty eating or swallowing, needing assistance to walk and being vulnerable to infections.

Mr Willis's family said today that communication challenges were one of the symptoms that the actor was facing.

The disease can also progress to impact other mental skills such as memory and movement. It is known to cause slow or stiff movements, loss of bladder or bowel control, muscle weakness and/or difficulty swallowing.

About 10 to 20 percent of patients suffer from movement problems.

Alzheimer's UK says that FTD symptoms are 'very different' to other more common types of dementia.

It adds that in the early stages of the disease, unlike with other types of dementia, patients can remember recent events.

Bruce Willis' family said the star's condition had 'progressed'. FTD affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behavior, problem-solving, planning and emotions (pictured with L-R wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and daughters Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, Evelyn and Rumer)

There is no cure for FTD, with treatment instead focusing on slowing the disease and managing the symptoms.

The rate at which the disease progresses varies greatly, with life expectancy ranging from two to ten years after diagnosis.

The Cleveland Clinic says that on average patients can expect to live for seven years and six months after diagnosis.

FTD is not fatal on its own, but causes other issues that are serious or even life-threatening.

Thse include problems swallowing  medically termed dysphagia. Problems with eating and drinking also raise the risk of developing pneumonia or respiratory failure.

Mr Willis' family said: 'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.

'We know in our hearts that  if he could today  he would want to respond by bringing global attention and connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.

'Bruce has always found joy in life  and has helped everyone he knows to do the same.'
BOOK OF THE WEEK

TOMORROW PERHAPS THE FUTURE

by Sarah Watling (Jonathan Cape 22, 384pp)

FIND JESSICA MITFORD AND PERSUADE HER TO RETURN, blared the telegram from the Foreign Office in February 1937.

The fiercely Left-wing 19-year-old daughter of the aristocratic Mitford family had eloped to Spain on a boat with her dashing Left-wing lover (and nephew of Winston Churchill) Esmond Romilly, also aged 19.

Jessica's appalled parents, Lord and Lady Redesdale, were pulling all the strings they could, at the very top of Government, to get their wayward daughter back.

If she didn't leave Spain voluntarily, they warned her that the two of them would lose their Spanish visas, and what's more, British aid for the Basque refugees would be cut off.

Those threats did the trick, and off the young couple slunk, back to France, their heroic sortie over in a matter of weeks.

Runaways: Jessica Mitford and Esmond Romilly pictured together in 1940. Jessica's appalled parents, Lord and Lady Redesdale, were pulling all the strings they could, at the very top of Government, to get their wayward daughter back

What was the powerful magnetic force that pulled so many people  writers, poets, journalists and volunteer fighters from all over the world  to the crazily dangerous Civil War Spain to do their bit for the Republican cause?

For many, it was an all-consuming passion. Young Esmond Romilly had already been to Spain the year before, where he'd fought to defend Madrid from the Nationalists and had been sent home with dysentery. This time, he was going back as a journalist, bringing his beautiful fiancee with him.

In her fascinating book, Sarah Watling brings alive with great vividness a small cast of disparate characters who travelled to Spain during the Civil War, risking great danger.

Fired by an absolute certainty that right was on their side, they were determined, with words, photographs and actions, to alert the rigidly non-interventionist U.S., Britain and France to the need to intervene to stem the tide of fascism sweeping across Europe. Naively idealistic, they simply wanted to make the world a better place.

It's the slow crushing of that idealism that makes this book such an affecting and sometimes tough read.

The fiercely Left-wing daughter (pictured) of the aristocratic Mitford family had eloped to Spain on a boat with her dashing Left-wing lover (and nephew of Winston Churchill)

'Civil' is always a misleading adjective for war, but that three-year aperitif to World War II was particularly merciless, normalising the unleashing of murder on civilians.

Each person who campaigned, reported or fought on the Republican side would have to confront, first, the shock of seeing bodies of women and children bombed in town squares while queuing for oranges; then, the muddying of the waters of their own so-called pristine cause when the Republicans broke into warring factions; and finally (if they lived to tell the tale) the tragic futility of their efforts when the Fascists won.

Some were more Left-wing than others. The lesbian poets Sylvia Townsend-Warner and Valentine Ackland were radical Communists, their damp cottage in Dorset a hub of Soviet-inspired activism. They could see no evil in Communism.

For them, it was a thrill to escape the disapproving atmosphere of Dorset and arrive in Barcelona in 1937, free to hold hands in public in that Republican-held socialist paradise whose Ritz Hotel had changed its name to 'Gastronomic Hotel No. 1'.

Sylvia was there as a lecturer at the International Writers' Congress in Valencia, where Stephen Spender was disparaging of her, writing that she 'looked like, and behaved like, a vicar's wife presiding over a tea party given on a vicarage lawn'.

A committed pacifist, Virginia Woolf (pictured) was devastated when her sister Vanessa's son Julian Bell went off to fight in Spain and was killed aged 29

A leitmotif of this book is the miniature civil war of words going on among the British and American characters being wittily rude about one other.

As the brutal fighting went on in the background, these often affluent, well-connected people bickered as they competed to embrace the Left-wing cause. Virginia Woolf was jealous of the wealthy heiress and activist Nancy Cunard, because her husband, Leonard, found her 'enchanting'; the American journalist Josephine Herbst didn't like the more successful Martha Gellhorn because Martha was having an affair with Ernest Hemingway and Josephine was a friend of Hemingway's wife.

Virginia hovers in the background from the safety of England making snooty remarks about everyone.

A committed pacifist, she was devastated when her sister Vanessa's son Julian Bell went off to fight in Spain and was killed aged 29.

Her contribution to the war was her essay called Three Guineas: 'This little pitter-patter of ideas,' she wrote, 'is my whiff of shot in the cause of freedom.' To Nancy Cunard, such essay-writing was not enough: 'The equivocal attitude, the Ivory Tower, the ironic detachment will no longer do,' she wrote pointedly.

Virginia Woolf was jealous of the wealthy heiress and activist Nancy Cunard (pictured), because her husband, Leonard, found her 'enchanting'

Nancy Cunard, pictured, 'functioned best in a state of fury', a friend of hers wrote

No one seemed to dislike the charming Communist couple Nan and George Green. Deeply in love, with two young children, they ran a market stall in London dispensing Communist literature.

George went to Spain to drive ambulances for the Medical Aid Unit; Nan longed to join him. The Communist aristocrat Wogan Philipps offered to pay her children's boarding school fees if she did  quite an offer!  and off she went, to work as a secretary at a hospital in an old monastery.

George would be killed on September 22, 1938, in the last hour of the last day on which the Republican International Brigades were still fighting on. His children, longing to be reunited with their father, would never see him again.

Gerda Taro, another heroine of this book, had a tragically short life. A sparklingly pretty, German Jewish 23-year-old, she and Robert Capa had fallen in love in Paris and travelled to Spain together, two fearless, spirited young photographers who shouted 'Forward!' to each other as they crept towards the front to capture the war on film.

Gerda's famous photograph of a female Spanish Republican soldier kneeling on a beach in Barcelona, holding a gun, encapsulates this new kind of war in which civilian women trained and took part.

The American journalist Josephine Herbst didn't like the more successful Martha Gellhorn (pictured) because Martha was having an affair with Ernest Hemingway and Josephine was a friend of Hemingway's wife

Gerda was killed in an absurd accident when a Republican tank crashed into a car on which she was standing on the running board at the Battle of Brunete.

Nancy Cunard 'functioned best in a state of fury', a friend of hers wrote; and we see her here with her ivory bracelets rattling as she typed up a brusque questionnaire for all writers: 'Are you for, or against, Franco and Fascism?' She couldn't abide the fence-sitters.

Virginia saw her questionnaire as an 'inquisition'. Nancy was furious to the bitter end, protesting to the French government at the imprisonment of thousands of Spanish refugees in concentration-camp conditions in France in 1939.

My picture of Nancy as a heavy-drinking, boyfriend-slapping socialite was radically altered by reading this account of her unflagging wartime exploits.

Martha Gellhorn started out as a true believer in her vocation as a war journalist. 'I do not write news, like the gents,' she grandly declared, 'I write history.' By the end, as the Republicans were inexorably crushed by the Fascists, she was despairing. 'Spain,' she wrote, 'has really broken my heart.'

Sarah Watling brings all these passionate characters together with great aplomb. As she writes, they were the ones who, however rashly, 'saw history coming and went out to meet it'.
CURRENT AFFAIRS

PEGASUS: THE STORY OF THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS SPYWARE

by Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud (Macmillan 20, 336pp)

As the French investigative journalist Sandrine Rigaud scanned the list, one name made her catch her breath.

The document was a list of people whose phones might have been infected by Pegasus, the most powerful spying bug ever created. And included among them was Emmanuel Macron.

It was then that Rigaud and Laurent Richard, founders of the French news agency Forbidden Stories, realised the full scale of the story. They marvelled at 'the fearlessness, the sense of absolute impunity required to believe you could spy on the president of France and get away with it. This was likely to be somebody at an organisation that would do whatever it needed to keep the fact hidden'.

Pegasus was the brainchild of NSO, a firm from Israel, which is considered the world leader in cybersurveillance. The Israeli army train the 'rosh gadol' ('big brains'), who are then recruited by the private sector.

Moving from the military to NSO would see your monthly salary jump from 2,000 to 20,000. As one of the rosh gadol told Richard and Rigaud: 'Every Jewish mother wants their son to be a tech engineer these days, not a doctor.'

The document was a list of people whose phones might have been infected by Pegasus, the most powerful spying bug ever created. And included among them was Emmanuel Macron (pictured last June)

NSO named their spyware after the flying horse of Greek myth because 'it was a Trojan horse we sent flying through the air to devices'.

With Pegasus on your phone, every text, email and WhatsApp message you sent or received could be read by someone else. They could see every webpage you visited, every photo you took, every app you opened.

They would know where you were. They could even turn on your camera and microphone without you knowing, and listen to any conversation within the device's range.

In 2020, Forbidden Stories received a leaked list of 50,000 mobile numbers which might have been targeted by Pegasus, or rather the organisations and governments who bought it. Their first task was to work out who those phones belonged to.

Their whizzkid assistants in this were Claudio Guarnieri and Donncha O Cearbhaill of Amnesty International. The latter had taken computer courses in his native Ireland at the age of seven (everyone else in the class was middle-aged), while the Italian Guarnieri had a sticker on his laptop reading, 'We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this is a revolution', and wore a T-shirt saying 'Police the police'.

When work got too much, he would relieve the tension by sitting at his drum kit and playing death-metal solos for 45 minutes at a time.

With Pegasus on your phone, every text, email and WhatsApp message you sent or received could be read by someone else. Stock image used

Guarnieri wasn't one for handshakes, or social niceties. He would talk to Richard and Rigaud only after they'd turned off their phones and computers and placed them in another room. It was a habit the pair soon adopted themselves.

NSO always maintained that they sold Pegasus only to responsible operators who would use it against criminals and terrorists. But who's to say that, in the wrong hands, this malware might not be used to spy on protesters, lawyers, journalists, academics and the like?

The team soon discovered numbers on the list that belonged to people in all those categories, across 50 countries. Members of the Dalai Lama's inner circle were on it. There were three presidents, ten prime ministers and one king. There were 65 businessmen, 85 human rights activists. And those were just the numbers that Forbidden Stories had time to investigate, a tiny fraction of the full list.

Of course, this didn't prove that the phones had actually been hacked. The team could only do that by gaining access to the phones themselves, or at least downloading their contents and analysing them. They knew the French security services weren't going to let them analyse Macron's phone  finding it had been hacked would be too embarrassing.

But, gradually, people lower down the global power structure came on board, and soon Guarnieri and O Cearbhaill were finding evidence of Pegasus on devices.

They knew the French security services weren't going to let them analyse Macron's phone  finding it had been hacked would be too embarrassing. Macron pictured last June

Older versions required the victim to click on a link within a text message, but then NSO had developed a version that could achieve 'zero-click exploits'. Pegasus had also got better at hiding the signs it had ever been on a phone in the first place.

The technical side of the hacking is one thing, but the story's real power lies in the people involved.

Khadija Ismayilova had been investigating Azerbaijan's ruling family, whose character is shown by the fact that their 11-year-old son had recently bought property in Dubai worth 37 million.

The contract to build National Flag Square in the capital city Baku went to a company owned by the president's daughter. The square contained the world's tallest flagpole (531 ft). Then, two months later, Tajikistan built one 10 ft taller. The Azerbaijani president was furious.

For the victims of the hacking, the impact could be devastating. When the team told a Hungarian man that his phone has been used to spy on him, he was visibly upset, remembering the communist dictatorship under which his parents had lived: 'It was like being in a time machine.'

The consequences don't end there. When Guarnieri told people their phones had been infected, 'you can see them start thinking, not about themselves, but 'what I've cost others' . . . They always take it personally. Like, 'I did something wrong'.'

Amid massive secrecy, and liaising with news organisations around the world, Forbidden Stories worked on the list until they were ready to break the story in July 2021.

For the final week before publication, Guarnieri and O Cearbhaill lived in safe houses. Needless to say, NSO denied responsibility for any wrongdoing. But, by mid-2022, the company, which had grossed 208 million only two years before, was struggling to pay its wage bill.

It claimed to have a 'phoenix plan', but according to Richard and Rigaud, 'it was pretty clear that NSO was not going to rise from the ashes'.

The team felt proud of their achievement. In fact, in one meeting towards the end of the project, Guarnieri 'may even have smiled a few times'.
Participants to The Korea Times Global Business Club highlighting opportunities in Indonesia applaud at the Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday. In the first row, seventh from left, is Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin and in the first row, eighth from left, is Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Indonesia seeks cooperation in creative industry with Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



The Korea Times hosted the inaugural edition of its Global Business Club (GBC) aiming to become a platform for business leaders and professionals to exchange experiences and insights to enhance international business perspectives.



Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin introduced Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto during the first session of the business club under the theme, "Korean Business Opportunities in Indonesia" held at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday.



Oh expressed hopes of Sulistiyanto's contribution to the club, which would bring unique and valuable insights not easily available from other sources.



"We know with the size of its population and abundance of resources, plus with the addition of the forward-going development momentum, Indonesia is not just a land of opportunities but emerging to become 'the' land of opportunities," the president-publisher said.



Addressing the club, the Indonesian ambassador presented various diplomatic and economic information about Indonesia and took part in a Q&A session with the participants. Prior to serving as ambassador to Korea, he held a prominent role as a business leader in Indonesia.



Sulistiyanto highlighted Indonesia's capital relocation project, which opens up vast opportunities for Korea.



"Indonesia is planning to relocate the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan," the ambassador said, while the large number of Korean companies participating in the new capital project indicates their growing interest in investing in it.



"The capital city is expected to create several economic impacts  increasing national economic growth, creating a more comprehensive investment boost, encouraging inward investment in other provinces and increasing investment in non-traditional sectors, especially in the service," Sulistiyanto said.





Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto speaks during The Korea Times Global Business Club at the Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



He introduced six strategic economic clusters of the new capital, which will play a key role in reducing congestion and rebalancing the country. The six clusters are clean technology, integrated pharmaceuticals, sustainable agriculture, eco and health tourism, chemical products and low carbon energy.



During the G20 Summit in Bali last November, the leaders of Korea and Indonesia met and signed MOUs related to the development of the new capital. Korean companies are interested in presenting smart city concepts, planning advanced air mobility networks and integrating them with land transportation in the eco-friendly new capital.



"In regard to this new capital, please don't doubt the commitment of the Indonesian government. It's already stamped by the Indonesian Parliament and the commitment will continue after the president changes," the ambassador said, adding that Indonesia already passed the point of no return to building a new capital.




A fall in sales at Gucci and consumer outrage over Balenciagas portrayal of children in its adverts led to a slowdown in revenue at the brands owner.

French luxury conglomerate Kering said its biggest brand, Gucci, booked a 14 per cent drop in sales in the three months to the end of December in part due to pandemic restrictions in China.

Kering reported a 4 per cent sales drop in its other brands segment, which includes Balenciaga.

Fresh face: Gucci, which has hired actor Ryan Gosling (pictured) as a new brand ambassador, saw sales fall 14% in the three months to the end of December

Overall fourth-quarter revenue fell 7 per cent to 4.7billion  shy of analysts expectations.

Im not going to pretend the results are up to our ambitions or that I am satisfied, said chairman Francois-Henri Pinault.

His comments come as Balenciaga had a difficult December after a backlash over a Christmas campaign featuring children with bondage-strapped teddy bears.

It also published a photo of Nicole Kidman in a robe, with documents from a case about child sex abuse in the background.

We made a clear error of judgment with no intention at all to shock, provoke or hurt anyone.

'I take full responsibility for this episode. And I present our apologies, Pinault said.

Kering is stuck in its biggest creative crisis in nearly a decade, the last time Gucci and Balenciaga sales stalled.

It enjoyed stellar growth until recently, boosted by the designs of Alessandro Michele at Gucci and Demna at Balenciaga. Michele left last year.
Glencore will give nearly 6billion to shareholders after the commodity giant reported record profits of 28billion.

The Swiss firm announced a payout of 4.7billion in dividends, and a 1.2billion share buyback, as its coal and trading divisions powered growth.

Profits jumped 60 per cent to 28.2billion in 2022, smashing a previous record of 17.7billion a year earlier. The profits are bigger than BPs for 2022 but less than Shell.

Fuelling profits: Glencore announced a pay out of 4.7bn in cash dividends to shareholders, along with a 1.2bn share buyback, as its coal and trading divisions powered growth

Glencores trading division reported record profits of 5.3billion  73 per cent up on a year earlier and mainly the result of soaring energy prices.

These, it said, were driven by its energy traders successfully navigating the extreme market imbalances, volatility and dislocations across crude oil, LNG, refined products, coal and logistics infrastructure.

Companies generating record profits thanks to war in Ukraine have attracted criticism.

But Gary Nagle, chief executive, said: Weve assisted customers in ensuring energy security in a time of disruption and risk and uncertainty.

'These customers have sent us letters of thanks. We were there in their time of need.

Weve helped step in and facilitate a real, proper transition away from being able to use Russian materials.

Glencore is one of the worlds largest producers of copper, cobalt, nickel and aluminium and expects further strong results in 2023.

Nagle said China loosening Covid restrictions, increased focus on energy security and the need to cut carbon emissions mean that demand for many of our commodities is likely to remain healthy.

It plans to also continue producing coal until the middle of this century, even while others sell or demerge coal assets. But some investors have called for it to explain how the plan aligns with its support of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

At the most recent AGM, almost a quarter of shareholders voted against its climate strategy, which includes goals to halve emissions by 2035 and reach net-zero by 2050.

In response, Glencore has announced it would publish a new climate progress report in March and has brought forward the closure of some mines.

Glencores shares fell 1.6 per cent, or 8.1p, to 507.8p but were still almost 20 per cent higher than their level a year earlier.
A postmaster who suffered a divorce and lost his home in the Post Office scandal has been forced to hand 322,000 compensation back.

Francis Duff, 80, was driven out of his business and forced to declare bankruptcy after he was persecuted for 'thieving' from his own till, when computer glitches were to blame.

He was offered more than 330,000 from the flagship scheme to compensate postmasters, but is set to lose all but 8,000.

In a letter received in October, the 80-year-old was told he owed 71,533 in income tax on his compensation, while 251,359 will be taken under bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr Duff, from Bootle, Merseyside, told the Daily Mail: 'I lost my post office, house and marriage. Now I've been shafted twice. It brought everything back, all the bad memories.'

He has little money and has been forced to wear a winter coat indoors and wrap a duvet around his legs to save money on heating to survive winter.

Francis Duff, 80, was driven out of his business and forced to declare bankruptcy after he was persecuted for 'thieving' from his own till, when computer glitches were to blame

He was offered more than 330,000 from the flagship scheme to compensate postmasters, but is set to lose all but 8,000

Lawyers representing postmasters damned the 'scandalous' case, saying: 'It's give with one hand, take it back with another.'

More than 3,000 postmasters lost their jobs, were forced into destitution or were prosecuted after money went 'missing' from their tills.

A Mail investigation has revealed how victims have remained destitute in their struggle to win compensation, three years after the scandal was blown open.

Former postmistress Heather Williams, from Birkenhead, has been told she will receive no compensation because she owes 2,000 through bankruptcy.

The 53-year-old, who was told she was owed a 'very significant sum', has been left so poor from the scandal she does not heat her home and only eats every other day, her lawyers told the public inquiry into the scandal.

She recently had a fall because she was so weak resulting in a lengthy stay in hospital.

Peter Worsfold lost 20 years of income after being kicked out of his post office.

The father-of-three said the compensation he received 'does not touch the sides', and he is working 100-hour weeks in his retirement to avoid bankruptcy.

Sathyan Shiju, from Barkingside, north-east London, claims he is owed more than 1million after he was pushed to the brink of suicide - but he has been offered just 12,424.66 in compensation.

He said he tried to hang himself, and after he was forced from his post office, he was labelled a thief by locals who spat at him, attacked him in the street and called him 'p***'.

When he appealed he was told he would have to provide a long list of evidence dating back two decades, and the case remains ongoing. The Post Office claims his dismissal was not a result of IT errors.

Baljit Sethi applied for compensation in summer 2020 for an ordeal which left him on the bring of suicide, but is yet to receive a substantive response from the Post Office.

Mr Duff, now a great-grandfather, had been a postmaster since 1981 and for two decades ran his post office without any problems until the Horizon computer system was installed in his post office shortly after the Millennium.

Shortages of up to 400 appeared every week 'draining' his savings and forcing him to take out debt to pay, until he and his wife could borrow no more.

The financial difficulties and stress led to the breakdown of his marriage, with Mr Duff's wife telling him she wanted a divorce because he was 'not man enough' to deal with the problems.

He declared bankruptcy in 2001 and the post office was sold in a fire sale for 25,000 - a fifth of the asking price.

Twenty years later he was offered 330,893 compensation, but a 30-page letter detailed how all but 8,000, awarded for the 'distress' and impact on his personal life, would be taken away.

He told the Mail: 'I lost my Post Office, house and marriage because of it. I cannot believe how badly we have all been let down. It was a horrible, horrible time.

'You try to forget and get on with your life, and then they offer you 330,000 and leave you with 8,000.

'I thought "Christ, now I've been shafted twice" - it brought everything back, all the bad memories.'

He has engaged a no-win, no-fee lawyer to fight the decision.

Sathyan Shiju, from Barkingside, north-east London, claims he is owed more than 1million after he was pushed to the brink of suicide - but he has been offered just 12,424.66 in compensation

Mr Shiju, pictured with his daughter Ashwarthy, said he tried to hang himself, and after he was forced from his post office, he was labelled a thief by locals who spat at him, attacked him in the street and called him 'p***'

The Official Receiver, part of the Department for Business, is expected to take 1.3million from 19 postmasters in bankruptcy proceedings, according to figures released under freedom of information.

Postmasters have also paid back a total of 11.3million in income tax and national insurance contributions on their compensation. Together these make up 1 in every 7 paid out.

The compensation schemes have also been beset by delays. A quarter of applicants are yet to receive a penny despite the flagship scheme being launched more than two-and-a-half years ago.

Just two of the 83 postmasters who were wrongly convicted of crimes such as theft and fraud have received full compensation.

David Enright, a partner at Howe & Co, who represents 156 postmasters, said: 'It's like Oliver Twist: postmasters are being forced to beg, soup bowl in hand, and say "please sir, can I have some more".'

He told the public inquiry this month that the Post Office, and their owner the Department for Business, are 'having to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into doing the right thing'.

The Post Office said they hit a target to make an offer of compensation to 95 per cent of postmasters by New Year, and that it was working to complete the remaining legally complex cases, including those involving bankruptcy.

The Business Department said: 'The impact the Horizon scandal has had on postmasters and their families is utterly horrendous, and it is crucial that something like this can never happen again.

'That is why we set up the statutory inquiry into the scandal to get to the bottom of what went wrong, as well as providing compensation for those affected.'
In court documents, Julia Haart calls for Silvio Scaglia's assets to be frozen to halt his 'brazen corporate waste' and 'highly reckless spending'

My Unorthodox Life star Julia Haart has fired another legal broadside at her estranged husband claiming he has 'drained the coffers' of their modeling company and is now 'crying poverty' in a bid to have her thrown out of their $65million Manhattan penthouse.

In the eviscerating legal document obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com the businesswoman and reality TV star calls for Silvio Scaglia's assets to be frozen to halt his 'brazen corporate waste,' and 'highly reckless spending.'

Filed in New York's Supreme Court the memorandum contends that Scaglia, 64, is seeking to force the sale of the former marital home on the false premise that Elite World Group (EWG) is in such 'distress' its future depends on it.

The 7,800 square foot apartment in Lower Manhattan is housed in the luxurious Vestry building and features heavily in both seasons of Haart's hit Netflix show, My Unorthodox Life.

It has an estimated value of $65million, while its potential monthly rental revenue is put at $150,000.

In legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Julia Haart, 51, calls for her estranged husband Silvio Scaglia's assets to be frozen to halt his 'brazen corporate waste'

Haart claims Scaglia, 64, is seeking to force the sale of their $65million Tribeca penthouse overlooking the Hudson River, where Haart currently lives

The 7,800 square foot apartment in Lower Manhattan is housed in the luxurious Vestry building and features heavily in both seasons of Haart's hit Netflix show, My Unorthodox Life

According to the latest filing from Haart, 51, Scaglia and Freedom Holdings Inc, a holding company owned jointly by the warring couple claim that Haart's alleged mismanagement of EWG caused the financial difficulty; and the only possible source of funds is selling or renting the apartment.

Her attorneys are clear, 'Neither is correct,' they state.

Instead, they assert, 'Scaglia is presently sitting on a fortune of potentially $19million in cash' made up of a $10million loan, a $5million transfer to the Cayman Islands and a $4million "management fee" taken from EWG instead of salary.

'Mr. Scaglia has been pillaging EWG and spending excessive amounts of EWG funds  exceeding $25million  on his personal expenses and his latest fiancee, all the while claiming poverty to the Matrimonial Court,' Haart's filing claims.

Haart broke away from an 'ultra-orthodox' Jewish community in 2013 and made a popular Netflix documentary series about it: My Unorthodox Life, starring her children

Scaglia is currently engaged to socialite Michelle-Marie Heinemann, 57, the CEO of the luxury goods group Old Fashioned Mom.

Scaglia and Haart have been locked in a string of increasingly tortuous legal battles since their split in February last year when Scaglia blindsided Haart by filing for divorce.

The self-proclaimed billionaire quickly moved to carve Haart out of the business of which she was Chief Executive Officer, removing her from the role amid allegations that she had misappropriated company funds to the tune of $850,000.

He has since asserted that she, not he, was responsible for any profligate spending of company funds.

In a new affidavit, filed in response to Haart's move to block his access to EWG funds and seen by DailyMail.com, Scaglia alleges, 'I know that [Julia] spent more than $1million on handbags at auctions and luxury retail outlets, and multiple millions on clothing from various luxury and designer brands. On top of that, she used funds to purchase expensive tickets to the U.S. Open and Super Bowl for her children from her prior marriage, and EWG monies to donate $75,000 to one of her children's school.'

Russia-born Haart has always maintained that any money she spent was legitimately hers to spend by way of an idiosyncratic remuneration system, set up by Scaglia himself, in which he and Haart received a 2 per cent management fee, capped at $4million to be divided equally between them, from the company rather than a salary.

This money was paid into their holding company FHI and was a sum from which both drew their personal expenses.

But far from being guilty of the 'out of control spending' characterized by Scaglia, Haart and her attorneys have told DailyMail.com that she left much of that fee on the table, never taking the entirety to which she was entitled and refusing to draw down any during the pandemic.

In recent filings Scaglia himself notes that $3.6million of that shared management fee remains in company funds.

According to Haart's legal team it is Scaglia who has used EWG as a personal slush fund since Haart's dismissal, propping up a life of private yachts, jets, jewels and indolent excess on the company dime.

Last month Scaglia's former executive assistant Tania Cohen, turned whistleblower on her ex-boss, backing Haart's claims. In an affidavit shared with DailyMail.com and backed up by in exclusive interview, she claimed that Scaglia blew through roughly $25 million of EWG funds in just nine months, from when Haart was ousted in February to when Cohen left in November 2022.

Scaglia allegedly used funds from Elite World Group to pay for a French Polynesian yacht trip with fiancee Michelle-Marie Heinemann, transferring $132,435 to Burgess Yachts in Tahiti and $16,000 to pay for two business class airfares for the couple in September

Cohen claims her former boss 'falsely accused' Haart of misappropriating millions from their company, all while using funds to support a life of luxury with Heinemann

Cohen claims she saw a wire payment of $342,000 from his holding company to pay for a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring for Heinemann

Haart's latest filings detail just some of the alleged expenditures  including yacht rentals, two Bentleys  one of which was paid in full for Heinemann who Haart notes 'is not even an EWG employee', a vacation home in Mexico, two lavish vacations to Italy and French Polynesia, a $10,000,000 'loan' to himself, a $5million transfer to the Cayman Islands, and an engagement ring.'

They state, 'It is an altogether dizzying array of outrageous expenditures at the expense of a company that claims it is strapped for cash.

'Scaglia's desire to live the lifestyle of a billionaire  regardless of his actual financial situation  apparently is more important to him than the continued viability of EWG and FHI,' Haart's papers state.

'Accordingly, Haart respectfully moves the court to bar Scaglia's improper spending of EWG and FHI funds for personal expenses and those of his fiancee and the sale or transfer of corporate assets outside the ordinary court of business.'

In fact, according to Cohen, Scaglia was not only profligate in his spending but seemed intent on a 'crusade to destroy' his estranged wife.

Cohen had no direct dealings with Haart when she worked for Scaglia who told her at her December 2021 interview that he and Haart 'lived separate lives.'

But she said: 'His obsession with going after Julia grew every day.

Haart accused her husband of 'pillaging' their modeling company and spending more than $25 million of company funds on himself and his fiancee

Scaglia hit back claiming she was the extravagant one, spending more than $1 million on handbags and buying expensive tickets to the US Open and Super Bowl

'He deliberately cut her off from her income and her livelihood with the objective of starving her out of her home and her finances.

'He believed she could never withstand the cost of her attorneys and the lawsuits [that he filed]. He believed he would win by default.

'It was truly disturbing to witness. Silvio was portraying her as a thief and an incompetent executive who left Elite in financial distress, but in turn he's spending [millions] not only on legal fees but on his lifestyle which was just excessive.'

Viewers of the second season of Haart's Netflix show, 'My Unorthodox Life'  which charts the mother-of-four's extraordinary success having left an ultraorthodox life in Monsey, New Jersey's Hasidic community  bore witness to the catastrophic demise of her three-year marriage to Scaglia in 2022.

Scaglia met and fell in love with Haart in 2016 when she was the creative director of La Perla, a company he had acquired some years earlier.

He went on to make her CEO of EWG.

The pair have been locked in a string of increasingly tortuous legal battles since their split in February 2022 when Scaglia blindsided Haart by filing for divorce

Haart is pictured working in her penthouse. The luxury NYC apartment boasts five bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms

But in a handful of days last February Scaglia aggressively set about dismantling Haart's home life, reputation, and career, she claims.

Scaglia brought two cases accusing Haart of wrongfully removing millions from EWG for her personal use. Both cases were later dismissed with prejudice meaning they cannot be brought again in a settlement that saw neither side pay any money.

For Cohen, who had only worked for Scaglia for one month at this time, it was a 'baptism of fire.'

She explained: 'The office job was quiet the first few weeks then it was just a baptism of fire.

'He was actively painting this picture of Julia, saying she's horrible, she's manipulative, she's lying. I'm new. I had no words. I didn't know Julia.'

But Cohen quickly found herself roped into finding evidence to support the public claims Scaglia had already made regarding Haart's 'theft' including one supposed withdrawal of $850,000.

She said: 'He called up Elite World Group and gave me authorization to go through all of Julia's emails and her surrounding team's.'

But the more she looked, the more apparent it became to Cohen that Haart had done nothing wrong.

She said: 'I didn't find anything. It was disturbing and it was contradicting what he was telling me to find. I did say once, I can't see any money having left without anyone knowing about it. I can't see any money having left, period. All the bills were paid internally, approved internally.

'Everyone knew about it, everything was budgeted. I saw audits. There were no red flagsI realized there's nothing to find. It was truly disturbing to see the vendetta that he had for her.'
Well, she said she wanted to be a cartoon princess. Now, thanks to the brilliant minds at 'South Park,' Meghan Markle is one.

In 'Worldwide Privacy Tour,' which aired Wednesday night, Meghan and Prince Harry were savaged as hypocritical publicity hounds who nonetheless demand to be left alone. After promoting his memoir, here called 'Waaagh,' the 'prince and princess of Canada' move to South Park, whose children cannot abide their insufferability. At one point, the outraged prince flashes his frostbitten penis  to a child!  while defending his wife.

As the animated Harry and Meghan toddle around the globe, holding placards that read 'STOP LOOKING AT US!' and 'WE WANT OUR PRIVACY!,' their entitlement, stupidity and lack of self-awareness was sliced through by a cartoon talk-show host with, in my view, better questions than Tom Bradby or Anderson Cooper.

Appearing on 'Good Morning Canada,' Harry and Meghan  the latter speaking inanities with a Valley Girl accent  sit down to a chorus of boos. The impeccable line of questioning beings.

'Let me start with you, sir. You've lived a life with the royal family, you've had everything handed to you, but you say your life has been hard. And now you've written all about it in your new book, 'Waaagh.'

Harry: 'Yes, that's right friend. You see, my wife and I '

Meghan: 'I was like, totallllllly, you should write a book 'cause your family, like stupid, and then [unintelligible] journalists.'

Host: 'So you hate journalists.'

Harry: 'That's right!'

Host: 'And now you wrote a book that reports on the lives of the royal family.'

Harry: 'Right!'

Host: 'So you're a journalist.'

Yes! Exactly right.

Meghan: 'We just wanna be normal people. This attention is so hard.'

As the animated Harry and Meghan toddle around the globe, holding placards that read 'STOP LOOKING AT US!' and 'WE WANT OUR PRIVACY!,' their entitlement, stupidity and lack of self-awareness was sliced through by a cartoon talk-show host with, in my view, better questions than Tom Bradby or Anderson Cooper.

Well, she said she wanted to be a cartoon princess. Now, thanks to the brilliant minds at 'South Park,' Meghan Markle is one.

'Waaagh!' indeed. You have to wonder what the mood is in Montecito this morning, the online reaction from us 'normal people' nothing short of a rousing standing ovation. Do Harry and Meghan get it now? Do they understand that they are laughingstocks not just around the world, but in the province Meghan values above all others  Hollywood?

'South Park': Grade A+. Chef's kiss. This was a perfect episode. The only possible criticism: What took Trey Parker and Matt Stone so long?

Granted, it seems every week does bring a brand new hypocrisy. One must work hard to keep up.

'Because I'm from the States, you don't grow up with the same understanding of the royal family. And so while I now understand very clearly there's a global interest there, I didn't know much about him.'

That was Meghan Markle in November 2017, seated next to Prince Harry as they gave their first interview to the BBC as a newly engaged couple.

A fair number of people  myself included  found it near impossible, laughable really, to believe that Meghan, creature of Hollywood and student of fame, had little idea who Prince Harry or the British royal family was. Or that this self-professed smart, savvy, well-cultured woman had not so much as Googled her fair prince before their first date. No social climber she!

It all sounded very Yoko Ono, who, upon meeting John Lennon, claimed to have never heard of him.

Now  could it possibly be  that Meghan was insincere? A newly resurfaced post on her late blog The Tig (think Goop, but more basic and obvious) reveals that Meghan was very familiar with the British royal family and with William and Kate's nuptials. She even wrote about the type of princess she, Meghan, dreamt she might someday be.

Hey, Harry: Don't feel too bad. Even Lennon fell for it. As he told Rolling Stone in 1971, Yoko had 'only heard of Ringo, I think.'

Ringo! Not the world-famous half of the most celebrated songwriting duo of post-World War II Western civilization. When you're that well known, it seems, nothing is as refreshing as someone who claims not to know who you are or what you do or why people care about you. The implication, of course, being that said ignoramus sees through the veneer of celebrity to you. They like and love you for you, not the attendant wealth or social status or privilege or refracted fame that comes with being your other half.

Here's Meghan in her 2014 blog post, fantasizing about becoming a princess while also mocking the entire idea, because she's just that cool and just that above everything, even a storied institution dating back over eleven centuries.

'Little girls dream of being princesses,' Meghan wrote. 'I, for one, was all about She-Ra, Princess of Power. For those of you unfamiliar with the '80s cartoon reference, She-Ra is . . . a sword-wielding royal rebel known for her strength. We're definitely not talking about Cinderella here. Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy. Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate.'

Well, well, well. How will Meghan explain that away? Or as recounted by Harry, that upon meeting Prince Andrew she thought he was the Queen's handbag holder? Or, as she told Oprah in 2021, 'I went into [my marriage] naively because I didn't grow up knowing much about the royal family'? By the way, Meghan's 'grow[ing] up' would have been at the height of the royal family's coverage in global tabloids: Princess Di's supernova fame, the first future king ordered to divorce, Diana's death and the subsequent wall-to-wall 24/7 media coverage of her funeral.

In 'Worldwide Privacy Tour,' which aired Wednesday night, Meghan and Prince Harry were savaged as hypocritical publicity hounds who nonetheless demand to be left alone.

Here's Meghan in her 2014 blog post, fantasizing about becoming a princess while also mocking the entire idea, because she's just that cool and just that above everything, even a storied institution dating back over eleven centuries. (Above) Cartoon princess, She-Ra

Meghan would have to have spent her formative years in the Yanomami Amazonian tribe, thoroughly cut off from the modern world, to have known so very little about the royals.

How will Meghan explain, as she claimed in last year's insipid Netflix doc, that she had no idea how to curtsy or why it was important to show respect to the Queen? As she sat beside her husband, who looked pained and humiliated, Meghan characterized her first meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth, one of the world's most admired women, thusly:

'I mean, Americans will understand this,' Meghan brayed, because 'we have Medieval Times, dinner and a tournament. It was like that.'

What must Harry, who wrote in his memoir that Meghan knew 'almost nothing' about the royals, be thinking now? Will he think to himself that his now-wife knew well and good who he was? As Andrew Morton wrote in his 2018 biography 'Meghan,' her friend Ninaki Priddy said that the future duchess 'was always fascinated by the royal family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0'

This seems to be the root of Meghan's self-obsessed rage, does it not? She married the spare. She'll never be the next Diana. If anything, Catherine, Princess of Wales, is carving out a similar beloved place for herself amongst the British people. Meghan is the also-ran, attempting to run a rival court out of a soulless Montecito manse while decrying the uselessness of all things royal.

But don't you dare not call her the Duchess of Sussex!

Lest we forget, Meghan's overarching message since joining this family has been the smug, insufferable, disingenuous utterance, 'Be kind.' It's what she said in that first interview with Harry, claiming that she made it very clear to their matchmaking friend she had one non-negotiable quality in a potential mate:

'And so the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] when she said she wanted to set us up was  I had one question  I said, 'Well is he nice?' 'Cause if he wasn't kind it didn't seem like it would make sense.'

We all know now that Harry isn't very nice. You don't take millions from your father and cling to your titles while disparaging and insulting him, then tell the world  for years  that they're a family of racists before taking it all back and blaming the press for your woes while revealing all manner of your father and brother's private pain and intimate information and get to call yourself a nice guy.

On top of all that, we're meant to feel sorry for Meghan and Harry.

You don't mock the physically disabled female teacher at your boarding school for kicks, as Harry did, and get to call yourself nice. You don't double-down and name this poor woman in your memoir, blame her for not being attractive enough to make you 'horny', then recount the serial humiliations you subjected her to without ever expressing an iota of remorse or guilt or shame and get to call yourself nice  let alone a humanitarian and a thought leader in mental health.

Mental health advocates  these two! It's just amazing. No matter how many discrepancies, these two evince nothing, not so much as a blushing cheek or a head hung in shame. They're like two dead-eyed sharks, moving ever forward through the chum in their wake. They don't seem to understand that credibility and authenticity is paramount when trying to launch themselves as personal brands.

They also don't seem to understand what laughingstocks they've become. After the priceless Jimmy Kimmel bit about Harry and his todger, after Stephen Colbert mocked the royal family to Harry's face during his appearance, 'South Park'  a show that gleefully flays hypocrites of all stripes  has focused their ire on these two professional victims. No one deserves it more.

As the young animated character Kyle exclaimed, 'It is seriously driving me crazy. I'm sick of hearing about them but I can't get away from them! They're everywhere. In my f***ing face.'

A cri de coeur for us all. Alas, Harry and Meghan seem to lack the one quality that might possibly redeem them: A sense of humor.
The navy has rushed ships and planes to patrol Australia's northern waters over fears the Albanese government's decision to allow 19,000 temporary visa holders to stay forever could reignite the explosive issue of people smuggling.

Vice Admiral David Johnston told parliament on Tuesday the navy had been providing 'surge' support for the past few weeks at the request of the commander of Operation Sovereign Borders.

'I won't specify the nature of the surge because it is responding to the circumstance that the Commander of Sovereign Borders has asked us for,' Vice Admiral Johnston told the Senate Estimates committee.

'But it is of the nature of additional aircraft surveillance and additional ships that are patrolling in our northern waters. The surge has been put in place in the last few weeks.'

The Albanese government this week announced that the 19,000 asylum seekers on Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV) and Temporary Protection Visas (TPVS) would be given permanent residency - following through on a promise made during the federal election campaign.

The navy has told parliament it is rushing ships to patrol northern Australian waters over fears the Albanese government's changes to visas could restart people smuggling (pictured navy boats patrolling Australia's northern approaches in 2009)

Previously people on those visas had no certainty about their future in Australia and were denied access to welfare payments including Medicare and could not apply for immigration family reunion rights for relatives.

It was reported by The Australian that the visa changes had already sparked the interest of people smugglers.

A boat operator in Sri Lanka told the paper he had been speaking to contacts in Australia about organising a new voyage.

The Australian government has also briefed Indonesian, Malaysian and Sri Lankan officials about the visa charges with the aim of securing their cooperation to stop people smugglers from operating boats for asylum seekers to Australia.

The shelving of Temporary Protection Visas fulfils an election promise but threatens to reopen one of the most polarising and tragic issues in Australian politics.

Asylum seekers attempting to land in Australia by boat has been an explosive issue in recent political history (pictured an asylum seeker boat in 2012 being escorted to Christmas Island by navy personnel)

When former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd abolished Temporary Protection Visas in 2007 and scrapped offshore detention there was a surge of people smuggling that had previously been stopped under the Howard Coalition government.

When Rudd was replaced as Labor leader by Julia Gillard she began offshore processing of asylum seekers again on the island of Nauru, a policy that remains in place until today.

Temporary Protection Visas came back when the Coalition was returned to office under Tony Abbott, whose electoral mantra 'stop the boats' was manifested by the military-led Operation Sovereign Borders.

While all those currently on Temporary Protection Visas will be granted a new status the Albanese government has not abolished them altogether and they remain a measure that can be reapplied.

Although shelving Temporary Protection Visas fulfils an electoral promise it could be an acid test for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured)

It was revealed earlier in the week that the Department of Home Affairs warned the incoming Albanese government that scrapping temporary protection visas would weaken the deterrence of people smugglers without other 'effective mitigation'.

'The government I can assure you has listened to advice and has put in place the appropriate mitigants,' Mr Pezzullo said.

'So the short answer to your question about whether the government's acted contrary to advice? I would say "no".'
Lancashire Police have been facing backlash and accusations of victim blaming after publicly revealing that the missing Nicola Bulley had 'issues with alcohol'.

The mother-of-two vanished while walking her dog along a stretch of the River Wyre in St Michael's, Lancashire, on January 27.

Nearly three weeks after her disappearance, the police force announced the 45-year-old suffered 'significant issues' with alcohol brought on by 'ongoing struggles with menopause'.

The decision to reveal her personal struggles outraged many, with some blasting the announcement as 'deeply troubling' and others questioned how it helps the investigation.

Initially the police said Ms Bulley had 'vulnerabilities' and then later revealed more details in an 'unusual step' - saying they felt it was 'important to clarify'.

Lancashire Police have been criticised for revealing that missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley had 'issues with alcohol'

The 45-year-old vanished while walking her dog along a stretch of the River Wyre (pictured) in St Michael's, Lancashire, on January 27

Labour MP for Walthamstow questioned the decision to publicly reveal details about Ms Bulley's personal life.

She tweeted: 'The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

'The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.'

Silkie Carlo, of Big Brother Watch, said the decision to broadcast Ms Bulley's health issues and hormone status is 'serious invasion of her privacy with no obvious benefits for the investigation'

Many social media users felt the decision highlighted the police's treatment of women - which has recently been under scrutiny following high-profile cases involving former officers such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

Jamie Klingler, Co-founder of Reclaim These Streets, said that she 'Was not invested in the Nicola Bulley story until the police started using her as a shield to protect their own incompetence.

'This is not how to treat a missing woman. It is cruel to her babies and to her. And they do it all the time.'

Director of the Good Law Project, Jo Maugham, asked how the police will justify their decision if the mother-of-two is found alive.

He tweeted: 'If, as we all hope, Nicola Bulley is found alive how will the police justify a breach of her confidentiality to, what looks like, manage their own reputation?'

Many social media users criticised the decision to reveal personal details about Ms Bulley

While, Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton Alicia Kearns tweeted: 'I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley's so-called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause & alcohol.

'I struggle to ascertain how this will assist Police in their search & investigations.

'I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.'

It comes as a diving expert involved in the search for Nicola Bulley said she 'could have ended up in the sea' after police revealed she was 'high risk'.

Peter Faulding said his method for searching the stretch of the River Wyre in St Michael's would have changed had he been told about Ms Bulley's vulnerabilities.

The forensic search expert previously said the mother-of-two could not be in the river, after conducting a probe under the premise she had slipped in.

However, he now believes she could be much further down stream if she intended to take her own life.

In response to the police's second announcement of the day, Peter Faulding tweeted: 'I can confirm that my usually trusted team and I were not passed this crucial information during our search, which would have changed search strategy.'

He told Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV that: 'If she had jumped in, intended to take her own life or walk off, that would change my whole plan.

'She could have ended up in the sea.'
Western Australia has launched an audacious bid to 'steal' 31,000 British doctors, police officers and teachers to work in the land Down Under.

In a nod to the 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme introduced after the Second World War, a delegation of government and industry officials will visit the UK later this month to lure workers away to fill more than 31,000 vacancies.

They are also on the hunt for miners, plumbers, mechanics and builders.

They promise hard-working Britons can 'have it all' and boast the UK's energy bills  up to 2,600 this year  will cost almost half in Australia, with the savings spent on 183 pints of beer, 110 roast dinners or 500 jars of Marmite.

Police and defence industry minister Paul Papalia also highlighted Western Australia's 'wine regions', 'coral reefs' and 'culinary scene'.

Western Australia has launched an audacious bid to 'steal' 31,000 British doctors, police officers and teachers to work in the land Down Under

Police and defence industry minister Paul Papalia (pictured with Rafael Nadal, left, in 2020) highlighted Western Australia's 'wine regions', 'coral reefs' and 'culinary scene'

He said: 'Our wages are higher and our cost of living is lower. Our health system is world class. You will be taken care of.

'Many of our ancestors were sent from the UK to Australia as convicts. Now, it would be a crime not to make the move.'

But with the UK public sector facing staff shortages, the plan has been met with concern.

Steve Brine MP, chairman of the Commons health and social care select committee, said: 'Any country is obviously entitled to import health care workers  as we do in the UK from elsewhere  but there's nothing to say our people have to go.'

Another committee member, Tory MP Paul Bristow, said the Australians' choice of the word 'steal' was 'unfortunate', adding: 'We need to demonstrate the benefits of working in the UK to help them stay.

'It shows that we need to redouble our efforts to recruit new nurses, new doctors and demonstrate the benefits a career in the UK offers.'

Steve Hartshorn, national chairman of the Police Federation, said: 'We need every officer we have in this time of crisis.'

He added: 'The impact of these experienced and trained officers leaving will also affect the ability of those newer in service to learn and develop, and to provide the best service possible to the public.'

The Federation warned that as many as nine police officers a day are already submitting requests to transfer to a police force on the other side of the world.

Meanwhile, the chair of the education select committee, Robin Walker MP, said the plan demonstrates we're in 'competition' with the global market.

He said: 'Clearly we should be worried about the loss of any good teachers trained in the English system - the best way to address that is by making it attractive to stay.'

It comes as the British public sector faces severe staff shortages and crippling strikes.

The NHS is battling shortfalls of 12,000 hospital doctors and more than 50,000 nurses and midwives.

The British Medical Association revealed before Christmas that a third of junior doctors are planning to leave the UK - with the majority choosing Australia or New Zealand.

Professor Phil Banfield, chair of British Medical Association council, said the NHS is 'perilously exposed to these kinds of tactics from other countries at a time when doctors and healthcare staff are in desperately short supply globally.'

Nuffield Trust Senior Fellow Dr Billy Palmer said there is a 'risk it will spiral further' with 900 doctors moving to Australia to practise in May 2022 alone.

The NHS is battling shortfalls of 12,000 hospital doctors and more than 50,000 nurses and midwives amid crippling strikes. Pictured: A nurse holds a placard as members of Royal College of Nursing picket outside St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster on February 6

Steve Brine MP (pictured), chairman of the Commons health and social care select committee, said: 'Any country is obviously entitled to import health care workers  as we do in the UK from elsewhere  but there's nothing to say our people have to go'

Australia has a long history of immigrants from Europe, as well as the post-war scheme dubbed the Ten Pound Poms where Brits moved to the other side of the world, including these women who were members of staff of an electrical firm in Glasgow who have sent them out there to start a new life in the firms counterpart factory near Adelaide in 1947

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: 'It's no wonder NHS workers are tempted to up sticks to another health service which pays better.

'The UK Government has allowed NHS workers' wages to fall behind, which is a massive factor in health service's record 133,000 vacancies and missed performance standards.

'If Ministers want to retain the best asset of the health service - the workforce - they need to talk pay now.'

The Department for Health said the majority of UK trained doctors and nurses, work in the NHS.

Arriving on February 25, the delegation will hold events and attend job fairs in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Dublin in an attempt to sell the Australian lifestyle to UK and Irish workers.

The new campaign focuses on the lifestyle appeal, promising: 'The culinary scene is world class, the small bars plentiful, we have pubs and live music and theatre of all sorts.'

It even boasted that the UK-Australia trade agreement that comes into force this year will make workers moving even easier.
MSU killer Anthony McRae struggled with mental illness and had been a 'paranoid schizophrenic' prior to engaging in a mass shooting that killed three students on Monday, his uncle has revealed.

Speaking in a tell-all interview, Timothy McRae said that his nephew's mental woes worsened after his mother died from a stroke in 2020, where at which point he quit his warehouse job to instead play video games at his father's home in Lansing. His father yesterday told reporters his son had been a 'mama's boy.'

McRae, 43, had been living with his father at the secluded house at the end of a dead-end street just a five minute's drive from where he committed the killings, and where he would eventually shoot himself after being confronted with police.

Providing insight to the shooter's psyche, McRae's uncle said that cops should have dealt with his troubled relative after a 2019 incident where he was cuffed for carrying a loaded handgun.

He added that when he and other relatives stepped in to try to get the then struggling McRae, he brushed them off, and lived as a virtual recluse at his father's home.

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MSU killer Anthony McRae struggled with mental illness and had been a 'paranoid schizophrenic' prior to Monday's shooting, his uncle revealed in a telephone interview

Speaking over the phone Timothy McRae revealed that his nephew's mental woes worsened after his mother died from a stroke in 2020

'He definitely was a paranoid schizophrenic, we know that for a fact,' uncle Timothy Told the Post in a telephone interview.

He added: 'Mental illness is a real thing.

The uncle's words came less than 48-hours after McRae ruthlessly gunned down junior Arielle Anderson, sophomore Brian Fraser and junior Alexandria Verner.

For their deaths, Timothy expressed remorse on behalf of his nephew, telling the paper: 'We as the McRae family apologize that this had to happen.'

Timothy, who also lives in Michigan near where the killings occurred, proceeded to paint a picture of his nephew's deteriorating mental state in the years leading up up to Monday's shooting.

He also mentioned how McRae was arrested in 2019 for having a loaded gun without a concealed carry permit - a felony that was dropped to a misdemeanor.

He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a charged that normally would have prevented him from buying or owning any other weapons if he'd been convicted.

Instead, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office - then run by Carol Siemon - lowered the offense to a misdemeanor.

After his mother's death, McRae - whose father yesterday said was a 'mama's boy' - quit his warehouse job to play video games at his father's secluded home in Lansing, pictured here

McRae was described earlier this week by relatives as a 'mama's boy'. His mother, Linda Gail McRael, died in 2020, sending him on a downward spiral that culminated in Monday's shooting

Still, Timothy insisted, 'Anthony was not a bad kid.'

'The kid never even had a fight that I remember,' Timothy McRae recalled in the Tuesday interview.

He added: 'So when these mental issues came up, we recognized it as a family and we just tried to say, "Hey, maybe he needs to get some help."'

However, the uncle revealed that when he and other family members repeatedly tried to get McRae counseling after the death of his mother, Linda Gail McRae, the despondent warehouse worker would brush them off.

'When we try to get him help, he would disappear,' he said.

McRae killed three and left five students injured on Monday during the massacre, before turning the gun on himself after a four-hour shooting spree

Timothy went on to point the finger at local prosecutors, saying that his nephew did not het the help he needed after his 2019 arrest, which only saw McRae placed on probation, which ended in May 2021, and forced to surrender the gun.

It remains unclear where and when McRae bought the weapon used in Monday's attack, but he wouldn't have been able to do so legally had the prosecutors gone through with the felony charge.

McRae was instead given a plea deal which involved no jailtime.

He was given a two-year probation sentence, from which he was discharged in 2021.

Police arrested McRae after finding him sitting on the steps of an abandoned building, smoking, at 1.30am on June 7, 2019.

Police walk around Berkey Hall after the shooting on the Michigan State campus in East Lansing, Michigan

The officer asked him if he was carrying any weapons, at which point he told the cop he had a .380 semi-automatic pistol - which was registered to him.

However, since he did not have a concealed carry permit, McRae was arrested and subsequently charged.

The officers found the gun in his pant pocket, but also found a loaded magazine in the pocket of his shirt.

Timothy said he would have rather have seen his nephew 'incarcerated and alive' than the reality that already transpired on Monday.

Police in Michigan released this photo of Anthony in a bid to track him down. He has now died after turning the gun on himself Monday night

'I would rather see him incarcerated and alive and these three other people alive than to have everybody dead because somewhere he slipped through the cracks of gun law,' the uncle said.

His comments came shortly after Anthony's 66-year-old father told reporters that his son had begun to 'change' after his mother Linda died from a stroke in 2020 and that he was 'getting more and more bitter.'

'Angry and bitter. So angry. Evil angry,' the father told CNN. 'Ever since my wife died, my son began to change.

'He began to really let himself go. His teeth were falling out. He stopped cutting his hair. He looked like a wolf man.

'He didnt care about anything no more,' the father said of his child, who he said was previously a 'mama's boy.'

'He loved his mom. They were tight. His mom was like his sister,' he said.

McRae killed three and left five students injured on Monday during the massacre, before turning the gun on himself after a four-hour shooting spree.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has accused the ABC of bias and 'racially vilifying me' because she's conservative, while going easy on Indigenous leaders from the left.

The Country Liberal senator remains unhappy at how Patricia Karvelas handled an ABC radio interview in November with Noel Pearson in which he strongly criticised Ms Price.

Mr Pearson, an outspoken academic and activist, accused Ms Price of 'punching down on blackfellas in a redneck celebrity vortex' without being asked to explain his comments.

Jacinta Price has accused the ABC of bias and 'racially vilifying me' because she's conservative, while going easy on Indigenous leaders from the left

Ms Price remains unhappy at how Patricia Karvelas handled an ABC radio interview in November with Noel Pearson in which he strongly criticised Ms Price

Ms Price's criticism comes after the national broadcaster apologised for an 'incomplete' report of an Alice Springs community meeting which included one-sided interviews from attendees who claimed it was a 'disgusting show of white supremacy'.

Ms Price confronted ABC Managing Director David Anderson in a Senate Estimates hearing on Tuesday over what she believes is bias.

She said Ms Karvelas failed to challenge Mr Pearson's views but instead seemed to accept them 'wholeheartedly'.

Back in November, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie described Mr Pearson's comments as 'bullying'.

She also questioned the ABC's introduction of Mr Pearson as 'a respected Indigenous leader whilst he simultaneously is being incredibly disrespectful'.

Ms Price told Sky News she has been attacked several times recently by the national broadcaster's journalists.

Mr Pearson, an outspoken academic and activist, accused Ms Price of 'punching down on blackfellas in a redneck celebrity vortex' without being asked to explain his comments

'This isn't an isolated incident for me to be confronted with ABC journalists who think they can racially vilify me or attack mebecause I'm a conservative Aboriginal woman,' Ms Price.

'They certainly don't treat Aboriginal people of the left that way, in fact they revere them, hold them on a pedestal and just about treat them as these spiritual beings that hover above the earth.'

Ms Price has been out of step with many Indigenous leaders for her opposition to the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

She is set to head a grassroots campaign opposing the the Voice after quitting the national conservative committee she launched two weeks ago.

The public broadcaster issued a grovelling apology admitting it provided 'incomplete' coverage of the Save Alice Springs meeting held on Monday

Ms Price believes the Voice concept, which would create a body made up of community leaders to advise Australia's Parliament on matters affecting Indigenous people, is flawed and would fail.

She argued the result of the Voice would be Parliament being directed by the same 'elite' Indigenous people who have failed vulnerable First Nations people for decades.

Ms Price has claimed Australians are being 'duped' into voting for it.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia the ABC said Senator Nampijinpa Price declined its invitations to speak on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

'Noel Pearson made his comment during a live interview on RN Breakfast as a key architect of the Uluru Statement.

'RN Breakfast sought a response from Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and also invited her on the program to hear her views on the Uluru Statement and other topics.

'Senator Nampijinpa Price declined that invitation and subsequent invitations.'

Daily Mail Australia approached Ms Price for comment.
A South Korean rescue team departs Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, for quake-devastated Turkey on the night of Feb. 7. Yonhap



Korea plans to send a new relief team, including 10 medical workers, to Turkey on Thursday along with 55 tons of aid materials.



The decision to send the 21-member squad was made at an interagency meeting on Wednesday on ways to help the country struggling to deal with the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake, according to the foreign ministry.



The team is scheduled to depart for the city of Adana later in the day via a military transport aircraft from Incheon International Airport. Its members include those from the National Medical Center and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare.



The government plans to mobilize two military transport aircraft and a commercial flight for delivery of such additional relief materials as tents and blankets.






George Santos is now weighing running for reelection in 2024 despite previous reports indicating he would not see a second term.

The embattled Republican congressman, who has been outed several times over as a pathological liar, is under an ethics investigation, but is still refusing to step down from his new post in Congress.

He is also now being connected to a case involving identity theft in Washington state in 2017.

Police questioned Santos after a Chase Bank security officer in Seattle spotted a man removing a card-skimming device from an ATM, according to a new CBS News report. For reasons still unclear, the case is being linked back to Santos.

The 'Long Island liar' previously signaled to Republican colleagues that he wouldn't seek reelection, but multiple GOP sources tell CNN that he has recently been telling them that he is now considering running for another two-year term.

Privately, he insists he will be cleared of all wrong-doing, claiming that it's his treasurer who will face scrutiny over his finances.

Representative George Santos is reportedly considering running for reelection in 2024 despite previously claiming he would not seek a second term due to a myriad of scandals

'Let me be very clear, I'm not leaving, I'm not hiding and I am NOT backing down,' Santos tweeted on Tuesday. 'I will continue to work for #NY03 and no amount of Twitter trolling will stop me.

'I'm looking forward to getting what needs to be done, DONE!' he concluded in the post.

Political consultant Chris Grant of Big Dog Strategies has advised Santos not to resign and to ride out the legal issues underway - and any others coming his way - a Republican source told CNN.

Those issues could yet apply to the identify theft case. The man seen removing the card skimmer, Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha, was arrested months later and deported to his native Brazil from Orlando, Florida, where he had been living.

Political consultant Chris Grant has advised Santos not to resign and to ride out the legal issues underway and coming his way

During the probe, detectives found an empty FedEx package inside Trelha's rental car, which had a sender address of one of Santos' former residences in Winter Park, Florida.

Law enforcement sources confirmed to CBS that Santos, the son of Brazilian immigrants, was interviewed as part of the investigation.

Trelha claimed he was paid $100 per day by a group based in Brazil and Florida to place and remove card skimmer devices on ATMs to illegally collect data of those inserting their cards into the machine.

An acquaintance of Santos says he told her in 2020 that he served as a confidential informant in the case, but that individual says they now question that claim.

Those who voted for Santos in New York's 3rd congressional district have started calling for the lawmaker to resign. Santos was lauded in the GOP after his win in the 2022 midterms as he flipped the district from blue to red and became the first openly gay Republican member elected to the House.

Shortly after being elected, however, reports started coming out revealing that Santos lied about much of his resume, including his career accomplishments, educational background and even his supposed Jewish heritage.

Launching him into deeper trouble were lies about where money came from that enriched his 2022 campaign, as law enforcement agencies look into the financing of his campaign, his supervising of a pet charity and his work for a company later ensnared in a Ponzi scheme probe.

Democrats officially kicked-off an effort last week to expel Santos from the House of Representatives, which has happened to only five other lawmakers in the history of the lower chamber.

Santos has denied any wrongdoing.
Boy, 14, was rushed to hospital but couldn't be revived

A female bus driver charged after a teenage boy was allegedly hit and killed out the front of his school is a mum married to a church pastor and has worked in the transport industry for many years as her family broke their silence.

Emergency services were called to Macarthur Anglican School at Cobbitty in Sydney's south-west just before 3pm on Wednesday after the 14-year-old was hit by the bus.

Three ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the scene and administered CPR to the teenager before he was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, where he died a short time later.

The boy has been identified as a popular year nine student who has an older brother in year 11 at the school.

On Thursday morning, his older brother wrote a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.

'Rest in peace little bro,' he wrote.

'You were the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Though I found you annoying sometimes, you were always there for me and I can't believe you're gone.'

'I will do my best to make you proud lil' man. Love you.'

The bus driver allegedly behind the wheel has been identified as mum-of-eight Penina Lopesi, 54, who was arrested on Wednesday night after she underwent mandatory blood and alcohol testing at Liverpool Hospital.

Bus driver Penina Lopesi (pictured) has been charged after a year nine student was allegedly struck and killed outside Macarthur Anglican School

One of her children who rushed to be by her side as she underwent testing says his mum is 'very sad' that the student has died.

Footage has emerged of Lopesi dressed in a white gown being escorted from the hospital by officers and getting into the back of a police van for the short drive to Liverpool police station, where she spent the night in custody.

She will appear in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday after she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and and negligent driving (occasioning death).

Lopesi's licence was also suspended.

'She has been driving buses for many, many years, decades I'd say,' a family friend of Lopesi told The Daily Telegraph.

'This is a real shock.'

Anthony Lopesi rushed to the hospital to be by his mum's side as she underwent blood and alcohol testing.

'She is very sad the boy passed away from the crash,' he told the publication.

Lopesi's husband Tupuola is a pastor at Hills of Praise Worship Centre at Minto.

Penina Lopesi was still wearing a hospital gown when she arrested and escorted to a police van after she was discharged from Liverpool Hospital on Wednesday night. She has since been charged

He will attend court on Thursday to support his wife after getting a call from her when she was at the police station.

'She just said what had happened...I talked to her, it's very sad,' Pastor Lopesi said.

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes for the year nine student.

'I will always remember busting you in my pantry, helping you look scary for Halloween and hanging with my kids. Rest in peace dude. X. Thinking of your mum and dad and brother,' a family friend posted online.

The tragedy has rocked the tight-knit community of staff and students at Macarthur Anglican School.

'It's a tough day,' Dr Nockles told reporters outside the school on Thursday morning.

'My priorities are with our students and pastorally caring for them.

'I have conducted a couple of assemblies that are age appropriate where we have provided counselling for our students.'

'(The boy) was a much-loved studentan integral part of a school. He will be sorely missed by the students and staff.'

A staff member appeared to attend to the bus driver moments after the crash. The side of the bus is heavily damaged

One local claimed she knew a school staff member who was 'first on the scene to give resuscitation'.

'Her concern is for his parents and the children, please pray for the staff today,' the woman posted.

A parents revealed she arrived at the school to pick up her son moments after the tragedy.

'I was shocked. I saw him laying on the ground Someone tried to do CPR,' she wrote.

'My heart is breaking to hear the bad news. We love school. Hopefully everyone will be ok after this difficult time.'

The tragedy occurred at the front of the school near the on-site chapel.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy's family, including his brother in Yr 11, as they deal with unimaginable grief and heartache,' Dr Nockles said in a statement.

'The school appreciates the tangible support for our school community as we work through this terrible shock and loss to the wider Macarthur family.'

Counsellors will work alongside the school's pastoral care team to provide support to devastated staff and students in the coming days and weeks.

Penina Lopesi spent the night in custody and will appear in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday

'These councillors have come from our surrounding Anglican schools, other Christian schools, Anglicare, the Police and the ambulance service,' Dr Nockles added.

'The school is thankful for the support of our fellow schools and emergency service providers.

'The headmaster appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that he and other staff have received for the school community and the boy's family in particular.'

'The matter is now part of a police investigation, and the school will not make any further comments in this regard.'

Three ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene and performed CPR on the boy

A teenager died in hospital after the incident. Pictured is the scene of the tragedy

Terrified students revealed how they thought the bus driver suffered a 'medical episode' before she allegedly veered off the road, smashing through a steel bollard on the footpath and allegedly running over the teenage boy.

Superintendent Paul Fuller from Camden Police said 'it was at school pick up so there was a lot of students and a lot of parents in the area'.

Shocked parents and teachers at the elite private school attended to the injured boy before ambulance crews arrived, while others forced open the bus' emergency exits to get to the children inside.

A harrowing photo from the scene showed the driver slumped over in her seat as a staff member attended to her.

One student who was on the bus told Seven News the driver appeared to have some kind of medical episode before leaving the road.

Parents of other students on the bus also said they witnessed the driver having health troubles before the losing control.

The exclusive co-educational private school for years K-12 charges up to $21,000 a year in student fees, making it one of the most expensive in the Macarthur area.

Pictures show the bus appears to have crossed a footpath and hit a tree at Macarthur Anglican School in south-west Sydney (pictured)

The principal wrote to parents on Wednesday night to address the tragedy and to express his anguish.

'The incident required considerable police and ambulance presence, including a helicopter,' Mr Nockles wrote.

'Many students, parents and staff witnessed the accident so I would encourage you to speak with your children and if needed provide support for them.

'Tomorrow morning we will hold age-appropriate assemblies where we can begin debriefing the students and provide pastoral care support.

'Your prayers are very much appreciated at this time of distress in our community.'

The police investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

An air ambulance landed on the school's playing field to rush the boy to hospital (pictured)

The tragedy has rocked staff and students at Macarthur Anglican School
Police are reviewing security camera footage to discover what caused the death of two men in separate caravans at park for permanent residents.

Emergency services were called to the Tweed Ski Lodge Caravan Park on Chinderah Bay Dr in the town of Chinderah in northern NSW, following reports a person was unresponsive about 12.30am.

Emergency services found one body inside a caravan and then located the second body in another nearby caravan a short time later.

Police have established a crime scene at a northern NSW caravan park (pictured) where two male bodies have been found

Police were called to the Tweed Ski Lodge Caravan Park at 12.30am on Thursday night and discovered the two men in separate caravans

The park caters to permanent residents.

Neither of the men reportedly had obvious injuries and police are investigating the possibility the deaths may involve misadventure.

The bodies are yet to be formally identified.

Park manager Lila Jabbour told Daily Mail Australia that she had been up all night talking to detectives.

'We do have security cameras onsite and police are going through those,' said park manager Lila Jabbour said.

'I am upset because I have a good relationship with all my tenants at the park.

We're all upset because we are all a close-knit community and generally everyone looks out for everyone.'

Officers have been viewing security camera footage to determine what happened to the two men

Caravan park resident Ian Sargent told the ABC he had heard about the deaths from another resident who had found one man on the floor of his trailer.

'I think he rang the ambulance and police,' he said.

Mr Sargent said he believed one of the men had been dead for 'a few days.'
Norfolk Southern has been accused of opposing laws that make trains safer

Rail workers said the train had a reputation and was dangerously long and heavy

The train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3 had failed before

The 150-car train that derailed in Ohio causing a fire and the spillage of toxic chemicals suffered another mechanical failure days before the pile-up in East Palestine on February 3, rail workers said.

Employees for Norfolk Southern have suggested the train, designated 32N, was widely thought to have been too heavy and made up of too many cars, making it hard to stop, CBS News reported.

It comes as the Norfolk Southern CEO, Alan Shaw, became a focus of controversy after reports that the firm successfully lobbied former President Donald Trump to repeal a safety rule requiring some trains to have electronic brakes.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement on Tuesday that it had 'identified and examined the rail car that initiated the derailment' and said surveillance video 'showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment.'

A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern Corporation rejected the idea the train was too long and heavy, telling DailyMail.com it 'previously ran as one longer and heavier train before being split into two shorter, lighter trains in the past few months.'

Company officials failed to show up to an East Palestine town hall meeting on Wednesday night, claiming they 'were afraid for their safety'.

The 150-car train that derailed in Ohio causing a fire and the spillage of toxic chemicals suffered another mechanical failure days before the pile-up in East Palestine on February 3, rail workers told CBS News

It comes as the Norfolk Southern CEO, Alan Shaw, became a focus of controversy after reports that the firm lobbied to have a rule rescinded that would have required the implementation of electronic braking on trains

Norfolk Southern is now being sued by East Palestine residents who are concerned about the toxic chemicals being spilled from the train cars and a subsequent 'controlled release' of highly-flammable vinyl chloride.

The derailed train consisted of three locomotives, 141 loads and nine empties - it was 9,300-feet long and weighed 18,000 tons. During the accident 38 individual cars derailed, which caused a fire that damaged an additional 12 cars.

'We shouldn't be running trains that are 150-car lengths long,' one of the employees told CBS. 'There should be some limitations to the weight and the length of the trains. In this case, had the train not been 18,000 tons, it's very likely the effects of the derailment would have been mitigated.'

Railroad Workers United, a US rail workers union, described derailment earlier this month as a '19th century-style mechanical failure of the axle on one of the cars  an overheated bearing'.

'There is no way in the 21st century, save from a combination of incompetence and disregard to public safety, that such a defect should still be threatening our communities,' they wrote in a press release.

They went on to suggest that the distribution of weight across the train was also part of the problem.

'Forty percent of the weight of NS 32N was grouped at the rear third of the train, which has always been bad practice and made more dangerous with longer heavier trains. This fact almost certainly made the wreck dynamically worse,' they said.

A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern again rejected that claim and said that distribution of load along the train was uniform.

'In addition to a uniform weight distribution, this train ran with a distributive power unit (a mid-train locomotive) which helps manage the dynamic forces of the train and reduces occurrences of broken knuckles,' they said.

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

East Palestine in Ohio is around 20 miles south of Youngstown and 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh

A tank car sits on a trailer as the cleanup of portions of the Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed on February 3

There were other reports that rail workers considered 32N to be a dangerous and mismanaged train. One told Motherboard that it was nicknamed '32 Nasty' for its poor working conditions.

Norfolk Southern again dismissed the idea the train could be characterized in such a way.

'Assigning a "reputation" to a train that fluctuates by thousands of tons on a regular basis is inaccurate,' said the spokesperson.

The train company's relatively new CEO, Shaw, now faces serious questions regarding the crash. He took the position on May 1, 2022, and has been serving as the president since December 1, 2021. According to his profile on the company's website he joined in 1994.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said crews received an alarm from a wayside defect detector shortly before the train overturned, indicating a mechanical issue, and the emergency brakes were initiated.

Videos posted online show fish floating dead in streams across a seven-and-a-half mile radius of the train derailment.

Residents have also complained of sore throats and persistent coughs in the aftermath, with some saying that their chickens have mysteriously died just one day after officials conducted a 'controlled explosion' of the trains carrying vinyl chloride and their pet foxes becoming lethargic.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has since written a letter to Shaw, criticizing the company's unilateral decision-making in the aftermath of the derailment.

In a statement, Shaw said: 'We will be judged by our actions.

'We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive.'

Officials conducted a 'controlled explosion' of trains carrying vinyl chloride on February 6

The freight train carrying dangerous chemicals was enroute to Pennsylvania when it derailed

Workers are pictured removing contaminated dirt near the railroad tracks on Tuesday

A memorial near the train tracks was damaged in the derailment on February 3

Residents in East Palestine, Ohio are demanding answers as toxic chemicals continue to be released from the derailment in the area

During Shaw's time at Norfolk Southern, lobbyists for the company successfully got former President Donald Trump to dismantle an Obama-era rule that would have required railway operators to update their braking systems, USA Today reported.

The Obama administration had pushed for a new safety rule to govern the transportation of hazardous materials to avoid environmental disasters following a train derailment in Casselton, North Dakota, that spilled nearly 500,000 gallons of crude oil and caused $13.5million in damages.

A new rule was proposed heavily fought by lobbyists including those from the Norfolk-Southern Corporation.

When the rule was implemented in 2015, it was narrowly crafted and only required railway operators to install electronically-controlled brakes - which applies braking simultaneously across a train rather than by railcar to railcar over the course of several seconds - by 2023.

The rule only applied to 'high-hazard flammable trains' carrying at least 20 consecutive loaded cars filled with liquids like crude oil.

Just three years after it was implemented, the Trump administration repealed the rule, saying the cost exceeded the benefits. As a result, Norfolk Southern continued to use its post-Civil War era braking technology.

They argued that the electronically controlled brakes are unreliable. Vice president of government relations, Rudy Husband, told Pennsylvania lawmakers in June 2015 that while the company would comply with the new rule it had 'serious concerns about the ECB brakes requirements and the potential adverse impacts on the fluidity of the national freight network.'

Association of American Railroads spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek also told USA Today in an emailed statement that several railroad operators tested out ECP brakes and found them to have a 'significant' failure rate and lengthy repair time.

When those brakes fail, she said, the train becomes immovable.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash in East Palestine at about 9pm on Friday, February 3

A worker is pictured at a cleanup site in East Palestine, Ohio on February 9

A 2017 National Academy of Sciences report also said it was unable to 'make a conclusive statement about the emergency performance of ECP brakes' compared with other braking systems based on the results of Department of Transportation testing,

But if they had used the new electronically controlled brakes on the train travelling from Illinois to Pennsylvania earlier this month, the size of the derailment pile-up could have been reduced.

'ECP brakes would have avoided that monster pile-up behind the derailed car,' Steven Ditmeyer, a former senior official at the Federal Railroad Administration said.

'In fact, depending on when the crew got the [error] notice from the wayside detector, applying the ECP brakes would have stopped everything very quickly. So I think it would have helped. '
Boy, 14, was rushed to hospital but could not be revived

A 14-year-old boy who was killed when hit by a bus in front of his classmates has been remembered as 'the best little brother I could have ever asked for'.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was killed outside Macarthur Anglican School at Cobbitty, in Sydney's southwest, just before 3pm on Wednesday.

Three ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the scene. They administered CPR to the teenager before transporting him by road to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition, where he died a short time later.

Penina Lopesi, the 54-year-old bus driver with 30 years experience, was also taken to Liverpool Hospital for mandatory testing. She was then arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving causing death.

On Thursday morning, the boy's older brother, who is a Year 11 student at the same school, wrote a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.

'Rest in peace little bro,' he wrote.

'You were the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Though I found you annoying sometimes, you were always there for me and I can't believe you're gone.'

'I will do my best to make you proud lil' man. Love you.'

A staff member appeared to attend to the bus driver moments after the crash. The side of the bus is heavily damaged

Footage has emerged of Lopesi, a mother-of-three, dressed in a white gown being escorted from the hospital by officers and getting into the back of a police van for the short drive to Liverpool police station.

She was refused bail and will appear in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday.

Her licence was also suspended.

'She has been driving buses for many, many years, decades I'd say,' a family friend of Lopesi told The Daily Telegraph.

'This is a real shock.'

Anthony Lopesi rushed to the hospital to be by his mum's side as she underwent blood and alcohol testing.

'She is very sad the boy passed away from the crash,' he told the publication.

Her husband Tupuola Lopesi is a pastor at Hills of Praise Worship Centre at Minto.

He will attend court on Thursday to support his wife after getting a call from her when she was at the police station.

'She just said what had happened...I talked to her, it's very sad,' Pastor Lopesi said.

Bus driver Penina Lopesi (pictured) has been charged after a year nine student was allegedly struck and killed outside Macarthur Anglican School

The female bus driver was still wearing a hospital gown when she arrested and escorted to a police van after she was discharged from Liverpool Hospital on Wednesday night. She has since been charged

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes for the boy.

'I will always remember busting you in my pantry, helping you look scary for Halloween and hanging with my kids. Rest in peace dude. X. Thinking of your mum and dad and brother,' a family friend posted online.

One mate added: 'Rest easy, love you lots my bro.'

Another wrote: 'Rip, miss you lots from me and my brother.'

The tragedy has rocked staff and students at Macarthur Anglican School.

'It's a tough day,' Dr Nockles told reporters outside the school on Thursday morning.

'My priorities are with our students and pastorally caring for them.

'I have conducted a couple of assemblies that are age appropriate where we have provided counselling for our students.'

One local claimed she knew a school staff member who was 'first on the scene to give resuscitation'.

'Her concern is for his parents and the children, please pray for the staff today,' the woman posted.

A parents revealed she arrived at the school to pick up her son moments after the tragedy.

'I was shocked. I saw him laying on the ground Someone tried to do CPR,' she wrote.

'My heart is breaking to hear the bad news. We love school. Hopefully everyone will be ok after this difficult time.'

The female bus driver, 54, spent the night in custody and will appear in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday

The tragedy occurred at the front of the school near the on-site chapel.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy's family, including his brother in Yr 11, as they deal with unimaginable grief and heartache,' Dr Nockles said in a statement.

'The school appreciates the tangible support for our school community as we work through this terrible shock and loss to the wider Macarthur family.'

Counsellors will work alongside the school's pastoral care team to provide support to devastated staff and students in the coming days and weeks.

'These councillors have come from our surrounding Anglican schools, other Christian schools, Anglicare, the Police and the ambulance service,' Dr Nockles added.

'The school is thankful for the support of our fellow schools and emergency service providers.

'The headmaster appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that he and other staff have received for the school community and the boy's family in particular.'

'The matter is now part of a police investigation, and the school will not make any further comments in this regard.'

Three ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene and performed CPR on the boy

A teenager died in hospital after the incident. Pictured is the scene of the tragedy

TIMELINE TO TRAGEDY OUTSIDE MACARTHUR ANGLICAN SCHOOL * Student, 14, was hit by an out-of-control bus outside Macarthur Anglican School at Cobbitty, in Sydney's southwest, just before 3pm on Wednesday. * Three ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the scene and he was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition, dying a short time later. * Penina Lopesi, 54, a bus driver with 30 years experience, is taken to Liverpool Hospital for drug and alcohol testing. * Witnesses suggested she may have suffered a 'medical incident' before the crash. * She was arrested in hospital and charged on Thursday with a string of driving offences. * She will appear in court on Thursday * The boy's brother, in year 11, released a heartbreaking tribute to his little brother * 'I will do my best to make you proud lil' man. Love you.' Advertisement

Terrified students revealed how they thought the bus driver suffered a 'medical episode' before she allegedly veered off the road, smashing through a steel bollard on the footpath and allegedly running over the teenage boy.

Superintendent Paul Fuller from Camden Police said 'it was at school pick up so there was a lot of students and a lot of parents in the area'.

Shocked parents and teachers at the elite private school attended to the injured boy before ambulance crews arrived, while others forced open the bus' emergency exits to get to the children inside.

A harrowing photo from the scene showed the driver slumped over in her seat as a staff member attended to her.

One student who was on the bus told Seven News the driver appeared to have some kind of medical episode before leaving the road.

Parents of other students on the bus also said they witnessed the driver having health troubles before the losing control.

The exclusive co-educational private school for years K-12 charges up to $21,000 a year in student fees, making it one of the most expensive in the Macarthur area.

The principal wrote to parents on Wednesday night to address the tragedy and to express his anguish.

'The incident required considerable police and ambulance presence, including a helicopter,' Mr Nockles wrote.

'Many students, parents and staff witnessed the accident so I would encourage you to speak with your children and if needed provide support for them.

'Tomorrow morning we will hold age-appropriate assemblies where we can begin debriefing the students and provide pastoral care support.

'Your prayers are very much appreciated at this time of distress in our community.'

The police investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Pictures show the bus appears to have crossed a footpath and hit a tree at Macarthur Anglican School in south-west Sydney (pictured)

An air ambulance landed on the school's playing field to rush the boy to hospital (pictured)

The tragedy has rocked staff and students at Macarthur Anglican School
Bein a lumberjack may once have been considered the preserve of macho males.

But Britain is now launching a campaign to recruit more female forestry workers.

Lumberjills are being sought to ease a shortfall of around 100,000 jobs in the sector.

The Department for Environment said getting more women involved was vital to plant the trees needed for Britain to reach its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050  74,000 acres of woodland every year.

Other careers in forestry include being an ecologist and tree surgeon, as well as wider roles such as business planning.

Other careers in forestry include being an ecologist and tree surgeon, as well as wider roles such as business planning

The Government announced this year it would offer grants of up to 3,000 to help people study skills including chainsaw maintenance and selling timber.

Around 39 per cent of all forestry workers are female, according to figures. Forestry minister Trudy Harrison MP said: We must create a diverse and inclusive sector, and open up even more careers for women.
A Pennsylvania woman's dream wedding at Walt Disney World was made all the more magical thanks to special glasses, which enabled the colorblind bride to see her groom's eyes in color for the first time.

Kristin Robinson of Harleysville suffers from red-green color blindness, meaning she is unable to see pinks and purples.

She put on the glasses for the first time at the altar, and was able to finally agree with her fiance, Nick, that his eyes were green. She always saw them as blue.

Robinson was amazed by the flowers, which she saw as pink for the first time. Disney's wedding planners placed pink flower arrangements around the site.

She said it was 'surreal'.

Kristin Robinson from Pennsylvania got married at Walt Disney World in Orlando, wearing special glasses to combat color blindness for the first time

Robinson is pictured with her new husband, Nick

'I've always dreamed of this; I finally get to see the colors,' she said.

Disney documented the story, and released it on their blog to publicize their wedding services.

The glasses start at around $100, and can go up to $500.

'Getting married at Walt Disney World is so exciting, and it's just surreal that I'm actually here,' she said.

'There's no better place to do it than Disney, and no better day to do it than on my wedding day.'

Robinson said the world 'looks more mute' than it would do for people with normal vision.

She said it made cooking more difficult, and choosing outfits and putting makeup on more complex, and she had always dreamed of seeing color.

'I'm most excited to see Nick's eyes for the first time,' she said.

'I see them as beautiful blue eyes, but he tells me they are green.'

Putting on the glasses, Robinson was almost speechless.

'That's so cool!' she said. 'Are those pink flowers? I've never seen anything like that.'

Robinson is seen examining her flowers - which seemed entirely white, before she put on the glasses

Robinson said putting on the glasses was 'surreal'

The bride is pictured with her family. Her father and brothers also suffer from the same type of colorblindness

Robinson and her new husband, Nick

The couple ended their evening watching the fireworks at the Epcot Center

Robinson said she could not believe how many colors fireworks could display

She exclaimed, on seeing her bouquet: 'That's pink!'

Before putting the glasses on, the flowers appeared all white.

'This is surreal. I've always dreamed of this,' she said.

Nick said he was thrilled to 'amplify' the day for his new wife.

'I'm just so happy - I get chills thinking about it.'

The evening concluded with the couple watching the fireworks at the Epcot Center.

'Nick, I'm seeing a lot of colors right now!' she exclaimed. 'Oh my gosh!'

She concluded: 'There is no better place than Disney World to see colors for the first time.'
Western Australia has launched an audacious bid to 'steal' 31,000 British doctors, police officers and teachers to work Down Under but it's sparked a furious backlash.

In a nod to the post-war 'Ten Pound Poms' scheme, a delegation of state government and industry officials will visit the UK this month to tempt workers away to fill more than 31,000 vacancies.

They are also on the hunt for miners, plumbers, mechanics and builders, and will sell the Australian dream in five UK cities - including the UK's biggest job fair in Bristol - as well as Dublin in Ireland.

They promise hard-working Brits can 'have it all' and boast Australian power bills are almost half the price of those in the UK, which are up to $4,500 this year

That alone will save Poms enough to buy 183 pints of beer, 110 roast dinners or 500 jars of Marmite for a taste of home.

Police and defence industry minister Paul Papalia also highlighted Western Australia's wine regions, coral reefs and culinary scene.

'Our wages are higher and our cost of living is lower,' he promised. 'Our health system is world class. You will be taken care of.

'Many of our ancestors were sent from the UK to Australia as convicts. Now, it would be a crime not to make the move.'

Western Australia has launched an audacious bid to 'steal' 31,000 British doctors, police officers and teachers to work in the land Down Under

But with the UK public sector facing its own staff shortages, the plan has been met with concern.

The delegation, arriving on February 25, is a joint initiative with the WA Motor Trade Association which is struggling to fill 148 mechanics jobs throughout the state.

'The big difference is that state government missions generally go over and sell a lifestyle, but they don't actually give you a job,' MTAWA CEO Stephen Moir said.

'This mission will show the WA lifestyle opportunities and also offer real jobs with employers desperate for skilled labour.'

'We have jobs right across the state from the Pilbara down to the Great Southern and the metro area.

'Our campaign will flow off the back of the tourisms "Walk The Dream" campaign with the added benefit of offering a very real way to live the dream here in Western Australia.'

Steve Brine MP, chairman of the Commons health and social care select committee, said: 'Any country is obviously entitled to import health care workers  as we do in the UK from elsewhere  but there's nothing to say our people have to go.'

Another committee member, Tory MP Paul Bristow, said the Australians' choice of the word 'steal' was 'unfortunate', adding: 'We need to demonstrate the benefits of working in the UK to help them stay.'

Steve Hartshorn, national chairman of the Police Federation, said: 'We need every officer we have in this time of crisis.'

The NHS is battling shortfalls of 12,000 hospital doctors and more than 50,000 nurses and midwives.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: 'If ministers want to retain the best asset of the Health Service  the workforce  they need to talk pay now.'

The Department of Health said the majority of UK-trained doctors and nurses, work in the NHS.
Tickets are offered at 'advance' prices and available up to 12 weeks before travel

Commuters are being offered cheaper train tickets on Mondays and Fridays in a bid to woo workers back into the office full-time.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has cut ticket prices on rush-hour trains on Monday and Friday to incentivise workers to travel to the office every day of the week.

It is a response to the trend for employees to work from home on Mondays and Fridays, and travel to the office mid-week.

The tickets are being offered at advance prices, which are cheaper than normal fares and are usually available only for bookings on off-peak trains.

The tickets must be bought in advance and are available up to 12 weeks prior to travel. The company is also hoping to incentivise the 28 per cent of the population who work from home by trialling a loyalty scheme.

The tickets are being offered at advance prices, which are cheaper than normal fares and are usually available only for bookings on off-peak trains

Commuters can collect points to redeem on days out, cinema tickets and coffee.

Andrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, warned last year that hybrid working had blown a 2billion hole into the industrys finances.

GTR said its morning peak services carry only around 210,000 passengers on Mondays, compared with between 230,000 and 250,000 during the middle of the week.

On Fridays, the figure drops to around 160,000.

Trials for the scheme are happening between Victoria, Clapham Junction and East Croydon stations, and those south of Three Bridges and West Sussex.
Yang Geum-deok, who said she was coaxed by a Japanese educator to go to Japan at age 14 and forced to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, talks during a news conference held in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



A group of Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor accused Seoul of rushing a compensation plan with Tokyo for diplomatic and political gains, amid a prolonged legal battle over the neighbors' checkered history.



The two countries have been odds over a 2018 ruling by Korea's Supreme Court that ordered Japanese firms to compensate some of the forced laborers. Fifteen Koreans have won such cases, though no payments have been made yet.



The Korean government unveiled a plan last month to compensate the victims through its own public foundation  instead of using funds from Japanese companies, sparking an outcry from some victims and their families.



Officials haven't specified the total amount but plan to raise more than 4 billion won ($3.11 million).



Japan has said Seoul should present a solution to resolve the dispute over the court ruling, but declined to comment on the compensation plan and the row with the victims, calling it a domestic matter within Korea.



Lim Jae-sung, a lawyer for several victims, said the office of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the foreign ministry are forcing the proposal despite the backlash, in order to expedite its efforts to improve ties and have a summit with Japan.



"For public reasons they're saying the victims are old and the issue has not been resolved for too long, but I think they're pushing to normalize relations with Japan by ending the dispute and make it a political legacy," Lim told a news conference in Seoul, Thursday.



If the government presses ahead to pay compensation on behalf of the companies, the lawyers would fight to prove its invalidity, he said.



Yoon's office did not immediately provide comment. The foreign ministry said it would like to continue discussions and visit victims individually to find a reasonable resolution, asking for cooperation from the attorneys.



"In any case, it would bring another lengthy legal battle ... and they wouldn't be able to get the outcome according to the schedule they might have set," Lim said.



Yang Geum-deok, who said she was coaxed by a Japanese educator to go to Japan at age 14 and forced to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, said she will never take any money without an apology.



Lim said any acceptable resolution should include an apology similar to one that was made in 2009 to some Chinese victims by Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd, which acknowledged their forced labor and its "historical responsibility" and apologized to the victims and their families.



"I worked my butt off there but came home without receiving a penny or any apology," she said. "I want an apology before I die."



The unresolved legacy of Japan's colonization in 1910-45 of the Korean peninsula has long been a source of contention between Seoul and Tokyo.



Yoon, who took office in May, has vowed to boost ties with Japan and held the two countries' first summit since 2019 in September. (Reuters)


The gumboot wearing rebel behind the capture of ex-Jetstar pilot in remote West Papua is a 23-year-old 'psychopath' terrorist whose violent separatist group is reportedly responsible for murder, rape and the massacre of 31 workers.

Phillip Mehrtens, 37, is being held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB (known locally as the KKB) after flying in to rescue construction workers threatened with death in the disputed Indonesian province.

He is the notorious group's latest victim.

His anxious wife Maria and their son are praying for his release amid warnings the New Zealand-born pilot will 'die here like the rest of us' if Indonesian troops attempt to rescue him.

Worried friends have also posted on Instagram: 'Pray for Phillip' and 'Oh God, have mercy'.

Friends and family of Phil Mehrtens (above with his wife Maria and their son) are facing an anxious wait as he is held in remote western Papua by violent separatist group KKB led by a 'psychopath' terrorist

The group's leader, 23-year-old Egianus Kogoya (above holding hands with Phil Mehrtens in a 'proof of life' video) is regarded by some as a psychopath since he carried out the massacre of 31 workers while a teenager in 2018

The KKB is led by Egianus Kogoya, described by some as 'a psychopath', who took responsibility for an infamous 2018 massacre of building workers.

Kogoya held hands with Mr Mehrtens during a chilling 'proof of life' video in which rebels armed with machine guns, spears and bows and arrows called for the Indonesian military to leave the province.

The movement has fought a guerrilla war for the withdrawal of Indonesia from the province once known as Irian Jaya, which it has controlled since 1963 when it took over the Dutch occupied colony lucrative for its spices and slave trading.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a UN-sponsored referendum widely seen as a sham. Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the mineral-rich region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.

The TPNPB released photographs and a video of Mr Mehrtens raising his fist as if in solidarity with them and saying in faltering Bahasa Indonesian language: 'The Indonesian military must leave. If they don't leave I will not be released'.

In English, the pilot said: 'The Free Papua Movement has captured me. The Papuan military has taken me captive in the effort to fight for Papuan independence.

'They have asked for the Indonesian military to go home back to Indonesia and if not I will remain captive or my life is threatened.'

Egianus Kogoya (above taking over Mr Mehrtens plane before setting it alight) and his KKB group are held responsible for 65 crimes since 2018, when they shot dead 15 building workers

Rebel leader Kogoya (above, right, with the Free Papua Movement's banned morning star flag and clasping hostage Phil Mehrtens's hand) stayed close to the abducted pilot after torching his plane and threatening to kill him

KKB fighters led by Kogoya poured fuel on the single-engined Susi Airlines aircraft and then set it alight, destroying Mr Mehrtens' hopes of fleeing the remote West Papuan province

The separatist rebels from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), seized Mr Mehrtens before setting fire to his plane on the runway (pictured)

Mr Mehrtens landed a single-engined Susi Air commercial passenger flight on a tiny airstrip in Paro, Nduga in the Papua Mountains on February 7, with Kogoya's KKB fighters storming the plane shortly afterwards.

The aircraft was scheduled to pick up 15 workers Kogoya had threatened to kill, according to Nduga district chief Namia Gwijangge.

Kogoya was videoed attacking the cockpit of the plane before fuel was poured on the craft and it was set alight.

Nduga is the same region where the KKB accepted responsibility for the 2018 massacre of workers building a bridge who were taken hostage on Free Papua Day and shot dead.

The rebels then attacked Indonesian Army helicopters trying to evacuate survivors.

Papua Regional Police have recorded that in the past five years the KKB has committed 47 acts of shooting, eight of assault, three of massacre, two of arson as well as assaults, sexual assaults threats and murder.

In bizarre images and a videos, Phil Mehrtens is seens to supposedly raise his fist in solidarity with the Fre Papuan militants and demand Indonesia liberate them from its control

Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped shortly after touching down in Paro in the remote West Papuan province of Nguda

On Susi Airlines' Instagram page, fellow pilots and others posted hopes that a meeting would be held with the TPNPB and he would be recovered soon.

'Hopefully the proud pilot of Susi Air will soon be found safe and the government can be braver with KKB terrorists,' one supporter posted online.

However, one of the group's fighters has repeated warnings Mr Mehrtens' liberty depended on the Indonesian government withdrawing its troops and granting it independence.

'We are taking the pilot and will only release him when Papua is free. If not the pilot will die with us in our territories with our commander, Egianus Kogoya, the fighter said, according to The Australian.

'We will not release him unless we get freedom of Papua. Every country must open their eyes and acknowledge the freedom of Papua.

'The military and police of Indonesia must not pursue us, if they do we will shoot the pilot.'

What is the West Papua Liberation Army? The West Papua Liberation Army is the armed wing of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Separatist rebels from the group have fought Indonesian control in the easternmost region of Papua since the early 1960s. The group, which has child soldiers among its ranks, employs guerrilla tactics to target and destroy industrial buildings as a rejection of Indonesian-led development. The Papuan fighters have never been well armed but have battled Indonesia since it took control of the mineral-rich region from the Dutch in 1962. Papuans, who had declared their independence the year before, see Indonesians as invaders who cemented control with a UN-sponsored sham referendum at the end of the 1960s. Advertisement

In another video, Kogoya personally insisted Mr Mehrtens is safe and urges the military not to launch a rescue operation.

'I will  ensure his safety, so Indonesia should not use its arms from above or on the ground. If the pilot is with me, he'll be safe,' he said.

But Kogoya has previously lashed out, even at those politicians who claim to be fighting for the same cause, a free West Papua.

He has issued furious rebukes, saying at one point, 'we are fighting desperately in the forest for an independent Papua, but those of you who live abroad claim to be diplomats, but only for the benefit of seeking profit from us'

His KKB group has warned any foreigners entering 12 declared war zones within the Papua Highlands and Central Papua provinces would be considered legitimate hostage targets.

A fellow pilot and former colleague told New Zealand's Stuff news organisation that Mr Mehrtens, 37, had previously worked for Susi Air after finishing flight school in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he grew up.

After meeting his wife Maria in Indonesia, the couple returned to NZ and lived in Auckland where he worked for Jetstar and they began raising their son.

The Mehrtens returned to live in Indonesia when he recommenced employment with Susi Air, founded in 2004, which operates a fleet on 50 aircraft.

The rebels released all five of Mr Mehrtens' passengers because they were indigenous Papuans, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said..

Flying is the only practical way of accessing many parts of the mountainous area, and the former colleague said Mr Mehrtens was flying 'dangerous pathways' with short runways on steep hills.

The fellow pilot said: 'It shows how much of a family person he is, putting himself at risk to earn money to support his family.

'Phil is the nicest guy, he genuinely is - no one ever had anything bad to say about him.'

The president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, sent his condolences to the family of Mr Mehrtens (above, pictured with terrorist leader Egianus Kogoya) for the troubles the abduction has caused them

Mr Mehrtens flew a single engine plane (pictured) to the Nduga region in order to remove 15 construction workers from the area after their lives were threatened by the rebels

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Mohammad Mahfud said the government was making every effort to persuade the rebels to release Mr Mehrtens 'because the priority is the safety of the hostage.'

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement: 'We are aware of the photos and video circulating but won't be commenting further at this stage.'

Papua police chief Mathius Fakhiri told reporters in Jayapura, the provincial capital, that they are seeking to obtain the pilot's freedom by involving several community leaders, including tribal and church figures, to build communication and negotiate with the rebels.
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Raquel Welch's final public sighting saw the Hollywood screen siren hit Beverly Hills for a painful-looking manicure seven months before her death.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos taken in July 2022 show Welch - who died aged 82 at her LA home following a brief illness - hitting J&J's nail salon and beauty lounge - a favorite among residents in the opulent neighborhood.

Although Welch's dramatic facial expressions suggested she didn't enjoy the beauty treatment, she looked in fine fettle at the time, and was snapped smiling broadly after the treatment was complete.

The exclusive photos gave a rare insight into the everyday life of Welch who rarely ventured out into public since her heyday having last been photographed by DailyMail.com in September 2021 which was the first time in almost two years.

During the rare encounter Welch was seen wearing glamorous gold hooped earrings and a white top with black pants as she patiently read magazines in a waiting area until her beautician was ready for her.

She walked in with a straw hat taking it off to reveal her famous features that made her a 1960s and 70s superstar in movies such as Bedazzled, The Biggest Buddle of Them All, One Million Years B.C. and Fantastic Voyage.

American actress and international sex symbol Raquel Welch who died aged 82 at her LA home following a brief illness was last spotted seven months ago in exclusive photos captured by DailyMail.com

DailyMail.com spotted the 82-year-old former actress and model going through a range of emotions during a three-hour visit to Beverly Hills nail salon J&J Beauty Lounge - a favorite among residents in the opulent neighborhood - July last year

Eventually, Welch seemed thrilled with the results and shared laughs with her beautician during the less tormenting moments

In the pictures, Welch appears to be shocked at the pain she was having to endure to keep up her glamorous nails appearances in the July 2022 nail salon visit.

Opening her mouth wide in disbelief she is seen quickly leaning to one side as her beautician serves the lashings - the result a lavish set of long opal colored nails.

The apparently painful experience, quickly turns to joy, as the Hollywood starlet smiles widely, thrilled by the results taking solace in the less tormenting moments of the appointment.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed the popular former actress and model had died in her home aged 82 following a brief illness.

Her business manager, Steve Sauer, said she left behind a notable legacy 'starring in over 30 films and 50 television series.'

'Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances,' said Sauer.

'The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs. Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and daughter Tahnee Welch.'

Welch rose to fame after her back-to-back roles in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years BC in 1966, breaking the mold of the 'blonde bombshell.'

From there, she appeared in a slew of movies and television shows, and earned a Golden Globe for her role as Constance de Bonacieux in the 1974 remake of The Three Musketeers.

'This is so sad,' tweeted actor Paul Feig.

'I had the great pleasure of working with Ms. Welch when I was a regular on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and she was awesome.

'Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. We've lost a true icon.'

In the pictures Welch appears to be in pain, astonished by the torment she had to endure to touch up her nails

Leaning to one side as her beautician continued to serve the lashings Welch can be seen appearing distressed as the appointment continued

The exclusive photos gave a rare insight into the everyday life of Welch who rarely ventured out into public since her heyday having last been photographed by DailyMail.com in September 2021 which was the first time in almost two years

During the rare encounter Welch was seen wearing glamorous gold hooped earrings and a white top with black pants

She walked in with a straw hat taking it off to reveal her famous features that made her a 1960s and 70s superstar in movies such as Bedazzled, The Biggest Buddle of Them All, One Million Years B.C. and Fantastic Voyage

Welch was seen patiently reading magazines in the waiting area of the Beverly Hills nail salon as she waited for her beautician

Actor Titus Welliver, 60, tweeted: 'Raquel Welch has departed. An iconic beauty and actor. RIP.'

The estate of Ray Harryhausen - a British American animator who worked on some of the most celebrated films of the 1960s, including One Million Years BC, and died in 2013 aged 92 - expressed their condolences.

'We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch, who starred as Loana in Ray Harryhausen's 1966 classic 'One Million Years B.C'.

'An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever.

'Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.'

Actress Sandra Bernhardt tweeted: 'A unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went #raquelwelch.'

Abbott Elementary star Bruno Amato said he had met Welch not long ago, and was bewitched.

'Raquel Welch. This was 7 years ago. She was a guest on 'The Talk' and I was working on the show 'Baby Daddy.'

'Somehow our dressing rooms were across from each other. She was so gracious and still a total bombshell and I was in complete awe.'

Welch guest-starred on The Muppets, and Miss Piggy praised her former co-star.

'Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I've ever worked with.

'Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We'll never forget vous, Raquel!'

Welch was born Jo-Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, to a Bolivian aeronautical engineer father, Armando Carlos Tejada Urquizo, and an American mother, Josephine Sarah Hall.

The brunette bombshell - born Jo Raquel Tejada - quickly shot to stardom in the 1960s and 70s as an international sex symbol, starring in several Hollywood classics

The brunette bombshell starred in classics such as Bedazzled, One Million Years B.C. (right) Bandolero! - among many others

Welch played the transgender titular character Myra Breckinridge in the 1970s film of the same name

She had two younger siblings, James and Gayle Tejada and the family moved to San Diego, California when Welch was two years old, while her father worked on the war effort. She regularly attended church with her mother.

Welch began studying ballet at the age of seven, but gave up on the pursuit after 10 years when her instructor told her she did not have the right body type for professional ballet companies.

At the age of 14, Welch won beauty titles such as Miss Photogenic and Miss Contour. She went on to win Miss La Jolla and the title of Miss San Diego  the Fairest of the Fair  at the San Diego County Fair.

Eventually, she was named Maid of California.

Following high school, Welch attended San Diego State College on a theater arts scholarship, and married her high school sweetheart, James Welch in 1959.

She went on to work as a weather forecaster for a local San Diego television station, and gave up on acting for a while  after only earning roles in local theater companies.

Following her separation from her first husband, Welch made a precarious living as a cocktail waitress and as a model for Neiman Marcus.

In 1963, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a movie star.

There, she met one-time child star Patrick Curtis, who became her personal and business manager  and later husband. He had suggested that she continue to use her ex-husband's name to avoid being typecast as a Latina actress.

Her first foray into Hollywood came with small roles in two films, A House is Not a Home and Elvis Presley's Roustabout. She also landed spots on popular television shows like Bewitched, The Virginian and McHale's Navy.

Welch's first featured role was in the 1965 beach film A Swingin' Summer. That same year her photo in Life Magazine also gained her some attention, including from the wife of producer Saul David, who recommended her to a contract with 20th Century Fox.

In 1969, Welch appeared next to Frank Sinatra in the detective film Lady in Cement

Welch was named one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History in 1995

Welch is pictured posing for a portrait in 1978 in Los Angeles after years of stardom

She agreed to a seven-year non-exclusive contract, for five pictures over the next five years.

The studio cast her in her first big break in Fantastic Voyage, playing a member of a medical team that is shrunk down and injected into an injured diplomat in an effort to save his life.

From there, the studio loaned her contract to Hammer Studios in the UK to produce One Million Years BC.

For that role, and the notoriously skimpy outfit, the New York Times hailed Welch's performance as 'a marvelous breathing monument to womankind'.

And another author said: 'Although she had only three lines in the film, her luscious figure in a fur bikini made her a star and the dream girl of millions of young moviegoers.'

She also starred alongside Edward G Robinson in the Naples-set heist film The Biggest Bundle of Them All.

She took on roles playing the deadly sin Lust opposite Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in the 1967 British comedy Bedazzled, and played the titular secret agent in the spy comedy Fathom.

Welch also had roles in the 1969 western 100 Riles, as well as the sequel to Tony Rome, appearing next to Frank Sinatra in the detective film Lady in Cement.

Her most controversial role, though, was as transgender titular character Myra Breckinridge in the 1970 film.

That same year, CBS also released her own, short-lived television show, Raquel!

She also made the rounds on television over the next few years, appearing on Robin Williams' comedy Mork and Mindy as his nemesis, as well as in television films The Girl's Back in Town and Right to Die, earning a Golden Globe for the latter.

Welch's looks and fame led her to be named the Most Desired Woman of the 1970s by Playboy  even though she refused to pose naked for the magazine or any of her films.

The star is pictured filming her workout video Body and Mind: Total Relaxation and Stress Relief Program

In 1994, Welch appeared in Naked Gun with Leslie Nielsen (pictured here on set)

In 1975, Welch appeared on The Muppet Show singing I'm a Woman with Miss Piggy

Welch is pictured here after donating $1million in wigs to the American Cancer Society for her 65th birthday

'I've definitely used my body and sex appeal to advantage in my work, but always within limits,' she said.

But, she added: 'I reserve some things for my private life, and they are not for sale.'

Still, her career was not without its bumps, as she was set to appear in the 1982 adaption of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, but was abruptly fired after a few weeks of filming.

Studio executives said at the time she was not living up to her contract, by missing early morning rehearsals.

Welch sued the studio for breach of contract in response.

In testimony, MGM executives dismissed the suit by saying Welch was bitter because she was over 40, an age when actresses tend to start losing roles.

But Welch's evidence proved there was a conspiracy to falsely blame her for the film's budget problems and delays.

The jury ultimately sided with Welch, and she won a $10.8million verdict against MGM in 1986.

More recently, Welch made appearances on Lois & Clark, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Seinfeld, Spin City and CSI: Miami.

Welch was married to James Welch from 1959 to 1964, Patrick Curtis from 1967 to 1972, Andre Weinfeld from 1980 to 1990, and Richard Palmer from 1999 to 2004.

She had two children with her first husband, Latanee 'Tahnee' and Damon Welch.

In 1994, Welch received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her years of work, and in 2001, she was awarded the Imagen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for her positive promotion of Americans of Latin heritage throughout her career.

Even as she aged, Welch was still considered a legendary beauty.

Jimmy Stewart is pictured meeting Welch for the first time at the premier of The Flight of the Phoenix in 1966

Welch is pictured here with her second husband, Patrick Curtis, at a bullfight in Spain in 1968

Welch is survived by her son, Damon Welch, pictured here at the 46th annual Academy Awards in 1974 with his mother

She was named in 1995 one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History, and in the same year was ranked No. 3 in Playboy's 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, behind only Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. Brigitte Bardot was fourth.

In 1984, Welch also released Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program books and videos, detailing a hatha yoga fitness program, her views on healthy living and nutrition, as well as her beauty and personal style.

She also created a signature line of wigs, and began a jewelry and skincare line.

And in January 2007, Welch was named the newest face of MAC Cosmetic Beauty Icon series. Her line featured several limited-edition makeup shades in glossy black, with tiger-print packaging.
Greens leader Adam Bandt hasn't ruled out his party siding with the coalition to block the Albanese government's climate policy.

Mr Bandt has doubled down on his party's condition that the government commit to stopping new coal and gas projects from opening in exchange for support of Labor's overhaul of the safeguard mechanism.

The proposed mechanism would cap the emissions of Australia's 215 biggest polluters and companies that breach the limit would be forced to buy carbon offset credits or trade their emissions with other firms.

When asked if the Greens would block the legislation, Mr Bandt repeatedly refused to confirm if his party would vote with the coalition, adding his stance was 'an offer not an ultimatum'.

Greens leader Adam Bandt (pictured) hasn't ruled out his party blocking the Albanese government's climate policy

'We've moved significantly towards the government's position even though we don't agree with it,' he told ABC radio on Thursday.

'We've said we are prepared to shift, the ball is now in the government's court. This key question of new coal and gas mines is proving to be a sticking point.'

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said he didn't think negotiations would end in the legislation being blocked.

'I don't believe it'll get to that point,' he said.

'We're a government of adults, mature people working in good faith across the parliament, we will get things done.'

Mr Bowen said the government did not have a mandate from the Australian people to rule out new fossil fuel projects and Labor planned to keep its election promises.

The Greens want the Albanese government to commit to stopping new coal and gas projects (stock image)

'I've met with many stakeholders, some people say our policy goes too far, other say it goes not far enough,' he said.

'Welcome to climate change policy.'

The Greens have been slammed by the government, industry and unions, who accuse the party of grandstanding and threatening to leave the country without a functioning climate policy for another generation.

Mr Bandt said the government would be accountable to its voters in electorates where climate change was a top issue if the legislation didn't pass.
A man has been charged with the murder of his ex-wife after she was found dead in a house fire last Thursday.

Georgian Constantin, 42, has been charged with the murder of Valentina Cozma, 40, who died at her home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, at around 3pm on February 9.

Constantin, of Stoke-on-Trent, has also been charged with making threats to kill.

The charges come after a five-day national search for the investigation's main suspect. He was arrested earlier this week 150 miles away from the blaze, in a London address.

Constantin is due to appear before a magistrate at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday.

Georgian Constantin, 42, (pictured) has been charged with the murder of his ex-wife Valentina Cozma, 40

Valentina was found in her home on Campbell Road following a blaze at the property at around 3pm last Thursday

Valentina was found in her home on Campbell Road following a blaze at the property. A post mortem revealed her provisional cause of death as 'inhalation of products of combustion'.

Her heartbroken family previously paid an emotional tribute in a statement issued via police.

Valentina's sister said: 'Vali was the person I could talk to about anything.

'She offered me support whenever I needed it. She always tried to keep the family together.

'Being an older sister, she made sure we didn't lack anything, even if she didn't have a thing.'
He is being sued by Senator Linda Reynolds for defamation

Brittany Higgins' fiance has abruptly left his Brisbane radio station job - just weeks after she secured a multi-million-dollar payout over allegations she was raped inside Parliament House.

David Sharaz is understood to have stepped out of the Southern Cross Austereo office in Brisbane for the final time on Wednesday.

He worked for the company for two years - first as a breakfast news reader, and then as part of Queensland news operations - and even occasionally hosted radio segments.

In late-January, he hosted a Triple M segment called 'a deep dive into the sovereign citizens movement'.

The reason for his quick exit is unclear, but The Australian's Margin Call revealed the decision was by mutual agreement with the company.

A spokesperson from Southern Cross Austereo confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Sharaz 'resigned from his employment'.

However, Ms Higgins then jumped to his defence in a cryptic Instagram story - urging her audience to 'read between the lines'.

David Sharaz (pictured with Brittany Higgins) resigned from his position at Southern Cross Austereo

David Sharaz frequently posted photos in his office in Brisbane (pictured)

Brittany Higgins jumped to Sharaz's defence in a cryptic Instagram story on Thursday (pictured)

'No one walks away from employment without a job to walk into,' she wrote.

'David has been nothing but a supportive partner at an incredibly difficult time.'

While Mr Sharaz's LinkedIn profile still states that he works for Southern Cross Austereo, his Twitter bio has been edited to say 'AWAY'.

There was no mention of a career shift on his Instagram on Wednesday evening, but he did post a video playing with his dog, Kingston.

Mr Sharaz worked as a journalist with Sky News until 2020 when he took up a brief role as senior media advisor for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

He spent four months working as the ACT Business Manager for Streem in Canberra before moving to Southern Cross Austereo in March, 2021.

His profile grew exponentially due to his association with Ms Higgins when she alleged in 2021 that Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House two years earlier.

Mr Sharaz was also pictured with Ms Higgins every day that she appeared at the ACT Supreme Court during the rape trial in October - taking time off work to support her.

The trial was aborted due to misconduct by a member of the jury in November, before the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold dropped the case entirely in December - citing concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health.

Brittany Higgins is seen leaving the ACT Supreme Court with David Sharaz in October

Later that month, Ms Higgins launched a civil action and named three respondents: Senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, and the Commonwealth.

However, she quickly reached a confidential settlement with the Commonwealth.

The exact amount has not been confirmed, but the claim was expected to be worth about $3million, including $2.5 million for future economic loss, past economic loss approaching $100,000 and general damages of $100,000.

Meanwhile, Senator Reynolds launched civil action against Mr Sharaz over two tweets he authored in January and December last year.

She is seeking an apology and damages and aggravated damages for 'inaccurate and professionally damaging' criticisms of her, and is demanding he cover the cost of legal proceedings.
Hundreds of unionist supporters took to the streets of Glasgow to celebrate with champagne and a conga line after the First Minister's shock resignation yesterday.

A tearful Nicola Sturgeon had quit as SNP leader  a role she has held since 2014  earlier in a press conference at Bute House.

The bombshell announcement followed a row over her Gender Reform Bill  an attempt to overhaul trans rights that was blocked by Westminster.

The divisive figure's departure has devastated nationalists but has been a source of joy for unionists.

Around 250 unionists gathered in Glasgow's George Square last night to celebrate Ms Sturgeon's resignation. They waved Union flags, opened bottles of bubbly and even formed a conga line.

A man known as the 'Glasgow Cabbie' opens a bottle of champagne with Unionist supporters in Glasgow's George Square

The crowd shouted chants such as 'Conga conga conga, Nicola's no longer!' and 'Ding dong the witch is dead' as they skipped past the square's statues and monuments.

The group from 'Expose Scotland' also held signs reading 'Sturgeon was not Scotland'.

Others were pictured wearing huge Union flags and a rucksack saying 'Sturgeon free' as the crowd sang and shouted.

The event was organised by cab driver Stef Shaw, known as the 'Glasgow Cabbie', who had asked people on Facebook to meet in the square for 7pm to form 'the world's biggest ever CONGA!'

He told the Scottish Daily Express: 'We are really just looking for some relief from such a long time under Sturgeon.

'The SNP has run us into the ground. Hearing the news I was over the moon  it was bound to happen.'

The group shouted chants such as 'Conga conga conga, Nicola's no longer!' as they formed a line

A tearful Sturgeon quit her role as SNP leader - which she has held since 2014 - yesterday morning in a press conference at Bute House

Others were pictured wearing huge Union Jack flags and a rucksack saying 'Sturgeon free' as the crowd sang and shouted

The group from 'Expose Scotland' also held signs reading 'Sturgeon was not Scotland'.

The move has devastated nationalists but unionists have taken to the streets to celebrate

The cabbie has previously posted online to call Sturgeon 'toxic and dangerous' and says that his aim in his work is 'to promote Scotland'.

Ms Sturgeon said her resignation was not linked to 'short-term issues' but rather was a matter of duty, saying she could 'battle on' but that it would not be the best thing.

She admitted: 'Part of serving well is to know when the time is right to make way for someone else, and when the time comes to have the courage to do so.

'In my head and in my heart I know that time is now, that it is right for me, my party and the country.'

Support for independence has been waning, and there was unrest in nationalist circles over her plan of making the next general election a 'de facto' referendum after the Supreme Court prevented her from holding one without UK ministers' approval.

The news  which even blindsided her SNP allies weeks after she told the BBC she had 'plenty in the tank'  draws a line under eight years as First Minister, since she replaced her one-time mentor and now sworn enemy Alex Salmond in 2014.
A woke university has been criticised for discouraging use of the phrase 'Christian name', claiming it is offensive to non-Christians.

The University of Kent has told students to stop using the term because it claims it only relates to Christians, instead suggesting students say 'first name' or 'given name'.

The university also took against using the word 'surname' because it derives from 'sire-name' and is therefore deemed to be patriarchal.

(File Photo) The University of Kent has told students to stop saying 'Christian name' in its guidelines

Guidelines say the term 'Christian name' is permitted but discouraged, with recommendations on what students should say listed on the University of Kent's Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity pages online.

But Tim Dieppe, head of policy at advocacy group Christian Concern, told The Daily Telegraph that the institution was 'displaying an irrational fear of using the term "Christian" as if it is something to be ashamed of'.

He added: 'Christianity has provided the moral and spiritual foundation for Western civilisation. This move to police language is another symptom of the abandonment of Christianity.'

Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, said the guidelines were an example of the 'woke movement' attempting to police language considered offensive, and that the trend was imported from American universities.

He added: 'You might even say we've been colonised. Policing language is a hallmark of every totalitarian society.'

The University of Kent said it wanted to create an inclusive community for its students, adding: 'These are guidelines not policies.'
Social media sleuths have 'distracted' the Nicola Bulley investigation, police said yesterday.

At a press conference at Lancashire Constabulary's headquarters, the force said 'TikTokers have been playing private detective' near the scene of the 45-year-old's disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith revealed that investigating officers had been 'inundated with false information, accusations and rumours' relating to the case.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith revealed that investigating officers had been 'inundated with false information, accusations and rumours' relating to the case

READ MORE: Lancashire Police clampdown on amateur detectives Advertisement

Asked if 'social media video-makers and wannabe detectives have been an annoyance or a hindrance in the inquiry', she said: 'Yes, it has significantly distracted the investigation.

'In 29 years' police service, I've never seen anything like it.'

She added: 'Some of it's been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family.

'Obviously, we can't disregard anything and we've reviewed everything that's come in, but of course it has distracted us significantly.'

It comes after Wyre Council revealed it had removed councillors' contact details from its website due to 'inappropriate emails and phone calls' about Ms Bulley's disappearance.
The promise of laws to permanently block offshore gas drilling along the NSW coast is being hailed as a win for the environment.

Greenpeace is calling on state and territory governments around the country to follow the NSW government's lead, after it announced the move on Wednesday.

It comes after the Federal Court quashed former prime minister Scott Morrison's decision to block an extension of the PEP-11 permit, reopening the door to potential gas drilling across a large stretch of NSW waters.

The PEP-11 permit covers a petroleum well along the NSW coastline between Wollongong and Newcastle, covering about 8200 square kilometres.

The NSW government will move to ban offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining if re-elected in March (pictured, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean)

The court's ruling returns the decision-making power on whether the area can be drilled to the NSW and federal governments, and the holder of the PEP-11 permit, Asset Energy.

The lead up to the court's decision launched a wave of opposition across the political spectrum in NSW, with Labor, the Greens and independent MPs voicing their opposition to the permit.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Liberal-National coalition was gravely concerned about the environmental impact of the project and had consistently opposed it.

'That is why we are legislating our long-held policy on offshore gas mining in NSW waters,' Mr Kean told reporters at Mona Vale on Sydney's northern beaches on Wednesday.

The plan includes converting existing policy preventing coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining off the coast into law, and lobbying the Albanese government to adopt similar legislation.

Greenpeace campaigner Richard George says the proposed laws are a win for marine life, as Australian oceans face a make-or-break moment.

'Offshore gas drilling is catastrophic for our oceans,' Mr George said.

'The gas extraction process involves drilling into the sea bed, conducting seismic blasting that can injure whales and laying hundreds of kilometres of undersea pipes, seriously disrupting fragile marine environments.'

It comes after the Federal Court removed the block on an extension of the PEP-11 permit, which launched a wave of opposition across the political spectrum in NSW, with Labor, the Greens and independent MPs voicing their opposition (pictured, protesters from Surfrider Foundation Australia protest against the Pep-11 permit)

The government's plan is contingent on the Liberal-National coalition winning a fourth term in office on March 25.

'The NSW Liberal and Nationals will always stand up for the environment and our communities that care deeply about our pristine coastline,' Mr Kean said.

'Today we call on the Albanese government to back our plan, and ban the drilling for offshore gas in commonwealth waters as well.

'They are the ones who have reopened this issue.'

Mr Kean's calls were backed by the state's environment minister, Manly MP James Griffin.

'The next steps are simple; the Albanese government needs to step up and ban offshore drilling and mining in Commonwealth waters,' he said.
Brittany Higgins has penned a scathing tweet after a NSW Liberal MP was outed for circulating X-rated photos of a Liberal councillor.

It was revealed by The Sunday Telegraph that upper house councillor Peter Poulos had in 2018 emailed explicit photos of Robyn Preston modelling as a Penthouse pet from the 1980s.

The photos were subsequently shared with media while she was in the middle of a fiercely-contested battled to be preselected for the northwest Sydney seat of Hawkesbury.

While Ms Preston would go on to win the seat, she was a councillor at the Hills Shire Council at the time, while Mr Poulos was working as a political staffer.

Ms Higgins is one of many people who have weighed in on the controversy around Mr Poulos, with fellow politicians calling on him to stand down.

Brittany Higgins (pictured, left) has attacked Liberal MP, Peter Poulos, after he admitted to circulating pornographic images of a then-Liberal councillor in 2018

Mr Poulos (pictured) circulated the emails of now MP for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston, as a Penthouse pet in 1980 while she was running for pre-selection

'The more things change the more they stay the same,' she tweeted on Wednesday, sharing a video of Premier Dominic Perrottet defending Mr Poulos.

NSW teal independent Zali Steggall called on Mr Poulos to resign.

'How is this man not immediately required to resign,' she shared on social media, tagging Mr Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean.

NSW Labor upper house leader Penny Sharpe also said Mr Poulos's behaviour should 'not be tolerated'.

The more things change the more they stay the same.  https://t.co/VjMa2J6BlI  Brittany Higgins (@BrittHiggins_) February 15, 2023

How is this man not immediately required to resign @Dom_Perrottet @Matt_KeanMP ? https://t.co/20UFiminDB   Zali Steggall MP (@zalisteggall) February 15, 2023

'If the question is whether he's sharing inappropriate images of a female member of parliament, of course that's inappropriate,' she told reporters.

Amid the controversy, Mr Perrottet said while Mr Poulos's actions were 'incredibly inappropriate', he lamented that 'people make mistakes'.

'No one is perfect. I've made a number of mistakes in life,' he said.

'The main thing is when you do, you stand up, you take responsibility for it, you apologise.

Mr Poulos later apologised to Ms Preston (pictured), whom accepted the apology and described him as a 'great mate'

'I spoke to Peter actually over the course of the weekend to remind him of his responsibilities and my highest expectation.'

Ms Preston confirmed there was no bad blood between her and Mr Poulos, whom she described as a 'great mate'.

'Peter rang me and personally apologised and he was very remorseful,' she said.

'We support each other along the way in our journey in politics and in friendship.'




Two foreign nationals residing in Korea have been arrested for funding an al-Qaida-linked terrorist group using cryptocurrency, police said Thursday.







A 31-year-old Uzbek man and a 29-year-old Kazakh man were sent to the Supreme Prosecutors Office on Jan. 17 on charges of breaking the anti-terrorism and anti-terrorist funding acts, according to the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency.







The funds were delivered to Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, or KTJ, an anti-Syrian government terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaida, via a cryptocurrency broker, the police said. The United Nations designated KTJ as a terrorist group in March 2022.







Seven other foreigners who funded KTJ with the two suspects were deported in December last year, police said.







The case marks the first time foreigners here have been caught funding a terrorist group in cryptocurrencies, investigators said.







The Uzbek is suspected of collecting some 10 million won ($ 7,770) by instigating other foreigners in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, since August 2021, and sending the funds to KTJ.







The Kazakh allegedly sent 1 million won worth of cryptocurrency to KTJ, according to the police.







The police are pushing an extended probe into the case, expecting there may be more foreigners living in South Korea who are involved in funding terrorism. (Yonhap)


Rail company Norfolk Southern ran scared of a town hall meeting in East Palestine tonight because officials 'were afraid for their safety' following the chemical train derailment disaster.

Representatives were due to attend to help explain what happened and how they could repair the devastation - and soothe fears of potential long term health problems including cancer.

But the town's mayor Trent Conaway revealed just before the packed meeting at the local high school: 'The people want answers. I want answers.

'Norfolk Southern didn't show up.'

Asked why, he said: 'Because they are scared for their safety.'

Trent Conaway, the mayor of East Palestine, is pictured on Wednesday night updating his town on the train derailment

A meeting was called on Wednesday night, but representatives from Norfolk Southern failed to show up

Residents poured into the town hall meeting in East Palestine to demand answers from train company Norfolk Southern - who did not send a representative over fears for their safety

In a statement, Norfolk Southern said: 'Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties.'

The meeting came amid rising concerns about the huge plumes of smoke that ballooned over East Palestine after the crash, along with persisting odors, questions over potential threats to pets and wild animals, any potential impact on drinking water and plans for the cleanup.

Alan Shaw, the CEO of Norfolk Southern railway

Even as school resumed and trains were rolling again, people were worried.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost advised Norfolk Southern on Wednesday that his office is considering legal action against the rail operator.

'The pollution, which continues to contaminate the area around East Palestine, created a nuisance, damage to natural resources and caused environmental harm,' Yost said in a letter sent to the company.

The state's Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the latest tests show water from five wells supplying the village's drinking water are free from contaminants.

But the EPA also is recommending testing for private water wells because they are closer to the surface.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates the spill affected more than seven miles of streams and killed some 3,500 fish, mostly small ones such as minnows and darters.

The toxic train derailed in a fiery crash on February 3, leading authorities to evacuate the surrounding East Palestine, Ohio area

Conaway, the mayor, said he was dismayed by Norfolk Southern's decision not to attend

Angry locals are seen demanding answers as to what is happening in their town

East Palestine residents came out in their droves for the town hall meeting on Wednesday

Conaway launched into a passionate speech to reporters as hundreds thronged into the hall demanding answers and explanations, at one point picking up a megaphone to project his message to the crowd residents and press.

He was clearly unhappy by the way the meeting was shaping up, with angry locals at first appearing to be cheated of their right to make their voices heard.

He said: 'This isn't the way it's supposed to go. We will have everybody in the stands and ask questions.

'I just hope this stays civil. If not we will end it.

'I have been working behind the scenes to get our elected officials to help us out.'

And he expressed his frustration at dealing with major authorities.

'I am a mayor of a town of 47 hundred people. If you think I can fight against a railroad or fight against the EPA you're crazy,' he told reporters.

And he admitted: 'I don't feel safe in my town. I tell everybody they're safe, think our citizens are safe, I think our drinking water is safe.

'Everybody is concerned. I'm concerned.

'It's not Norfolk Southern here, it's the EPA trying to get our citizens back into their homes safe.

'That's what we need right now. We need our citizens to feel safe in their own homes.

'I'm very frustrated.'

A giant plume of smoke from the aftermath of the incident could be seen from miles away

East Palestine mayor Trent Conaway was swamped by the media at the town hall meeting on Wednesday

Conaway launched into a passionate speech to reporters as hundreds thronged into the hall demanding answers and explanations

Referring to one report in one news outlet saying he 'nuked' the town, he said: 'We didn't nuke our town.

'There were two options. We either detonate those tanks or they detonate themselves. This option, yes powerful chemicals went in the air.

'I'm truly sorry but that is the only option we had.

'If we didn't do that then they would blow up and there would be shrapnel all across this town.

'I live two blocks from here. I live two blocks from the train tracks.'

Of Norfolk Southern he said: 'I speak with them every day.

'They have been working with us. They should. They are the ones who screwed this up.

'By God we are going to get some answers for people.'

Of the EPA he said: 'I need help. I'm not ready for this. I wasn't built for this. I have the village on my back and I will do whatever it takes, however it takes to make this right.'

He vowed: 'I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to sell my house, I'm not going to move my kids out of the school. I'm here to stay.

'They are going to make it right. I'm done playing games. They screwed up our town, they're going to fix it.'

He also attacked some elements on social media for terrifying locals.

'We're getting good information out but we're getting a lot of bad information too. It's scaring the hell out of our residents.

'Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of it. We don't need homegrown chemists,' he said.

On Tuesday, Erin Brockovich urged those living near the Ohio site to prioritize their own safety, telling them to be skeptical of EPA assurances that the site is safe.

Brockovich, an environmental lawyer and consultant, whose work battling Pacific Gas & Electric was turned into the 2000 film starring Julia Roberts, said she was deeply concerned about the reports emerging from East Palestine.

'After 30 years of what I've been through, and what this community is going through - come on,' she said, when asked if she believed EPA statements claiming the site was safe.

'It's vinyl chloride, it's in the air, the fish are dying.

'Does that give you comfort that maybe I should be in this area? Probably not.'

Erin Brockovich told NewsNation on Tuesday that those living near the Ohio train wreck should take care of themselves as a priority, and not trust government assurances

Fish are seen washed up on the shore near the site of the February 3 crash

Brockovich, 62, told NewsNation that those living near the site needed to take care of themselves, and trust their gut instincts.

She also stressed the importance of recording what they saw and felt.

'I need the community to act for themselves,' she told the network.

'If you feel unsafe, then please - get out of harm's way. If you feel unsafe, stay sheltered in place. If you're questioning if it's all clear, and you think it isn't, listen to that voice.

'Document what's happening to your own health. Document or videotape the fish that are dying, as you move about your community.

'I think it will be critical.'

Brockovich said people in the local community could not rely on the government to tell them what to do and how to act.

She said they likely were yet to understand the full extent of the damage.

'You will have to protect and defend yourself at this moment because I don't think all the answers are there,' she said.

'They will be. But they're not.

'So, for the moment, please, use your own instincts: keep yourself safe, ask questions, if you're uncertain get to safety, and if you see something, say something, and document it.'

On Tuesday, the governor of Pennsylvania - where the train was heading, having departed Madison, Illinois - wrote to the operators of the train to demand answers.

Josh Shapiro told Norfolk Southern the company 'can be assured that PA will hold [it] accountable for any and all impacts to our Commonwealth.'

The train derailed just over the state line.

Brockovich said that people had been flooding her office with calls, but as yet she had been unable to find a legal firm willing to investigate.

'I don't know why. It could be a whole host of reasons,' she said.

'My guess would be that there's no affirmative answer yet. We know it's vinyl chloride. What the levels are, the EPA is saying everything is safe.

'So they may just be following the safe thing to do until we know.'

Norfolk Southern announced Tuesday that it is creating a $1 million fund to help the community of some 4,700 people while continuing remediation work, including removing spilled contaminants from the ground and streams and monitoring air quality.

It also will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs, covering the entire village and surrounding area.

'We will be judged by our actions,' Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a statement.

'We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment, and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive.'
Police have imposed a daytime curfew to protest asylum-seekers living in a hotel after they were targeted by protesters at the weekend, it has emerged.

Merseyside Police put restrictions in place at the Suites Hotel in Knowsley and provided migrants with 'security awareness training' after demonstrators clashed outside the property on Friday night.

A police officer and two members of the public were injured in the violent clash that saw 15 people, including a 13-year-old boy, get arrested.

Officers have put a dispersal zone order - which is designed to stop people from gathering with no lawful reason - in place around the hotel until 1pm tomorrow in an attempt to ensure there is 'no repeat of violent disorder,' The Times reported.

Police have imposed a daytime curfew to protect asylum-seekers living in the Suites Hotel in Knowsley after they were targeted by protesters at the weekend. Pictured: Officers outside the hotel on Saturday

Merseyside Police have put restrictions in place at the Suites Hotel in Knowsley and provided guests with 'security awareness training'. Pictured: Officers are seen detaining people outside the hotel on Friday night

A police officer and two members of the public were injured in the violent clash that saw 15 people, including a 13-year-old boy, get arrested. Pictured: Firefighters douse a burned out police riot van in Knowsley on Friday night after a riot broke out

Missiles were thrown towards officers in Prescot, Knowsley and damage was caused to a police vehicle as violence erupted outside the hotel on Friday evening.

Protesters chanted 'get them out' during the riot as police were forced to wear protective clothing including riot gear shields and helmets.

Further demonstrations have been planned for this upcoming weekend, but despite the previous riots, the migrants are not being relocated, the newspaper alleged.

Instead officers have provided some asylum-seekers with safety training and have extended the daytime curfew.

Some migrants have been permitted to temporarily stay with family and friends, but were only authorised to do so under very specific conditions.

The Home Office has previously deemed the violence as 'totally unacceptable' and has vowed to work closely with police to 'ensure the safety of those in our care and the wider community.'

MailOnline has approached Merseyside Police and the Home Office for comment.

On Friday evening missiles were thrown towards officers in Prescot and damage was caused to a police vehicle

Fifteen people were arrested during a demonstration outside the hotel in Knowsley on Friday

Meanwhile, political leaders have been urged to take a clear stand in condemning violence against asylum seekers in an open letter by charities that warns last weekend's disorder could be repeated across the country.

Organisations signed the letter following 'horrifying' scenes outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside housing asylum seekers on Friday, which saw fireworks thrown at police, and a police van be attacked with hammers and set alight.

The letter, coordinated by coalition campaign Together With Refugees, criticised 'inflammatory language' and policies that 'demonise' people seeking refuge, while warning of a 'high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country'.

The letter has more than 100 signatories, including Liverpool City of Sanctuary, Care4Calais, Share Knowsley and the Refugee Council.

On Tuesday the charities said people in the asylum system 'have already suffered terribly', fleeing war and persecution in places like Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria and Iran.

Describing Britain's asylum system as 'broken', the organisations said people are forced into a period of 'limbo' as they wait for a decision on their claim to stay in the UK, and end up in hotels which they called 'a completely inappropriate form of accommodation'.

The charities called on those in charge to 'create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division'.

They said: 'Having already experienced great hardship, these men, women and children who come here for protection are now faced with violence, fuelled by inflammatory language of 'invasion' and policies that demonise them.

'The responsibility to create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division, lies with our decision makers.

'With the high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country, leaders of all parties must now take a clear stand and condemn any further violence against those who come here to find safety, and set out the action they will take to prevent it.'

The charities said those responsible for inciting anger and violence 'bring shame on this country' and are in the minority.

They added: 'This does not reflect the people of Britain. This is not who we are.'

Charities described violent scenes outside a hotel housing asylum seekers as 'horrifying'

A burnt police van after a demonstration outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley on Friday night

Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth has said the some of the demonstration outside the Suites Hotel was triggered by an 'alleged incident posted on social media' and criticised misinformation about refugees being 'feather-bedded' at the hotel.

It was revealed on Saturday that the incident was sparked by fury over an online video of a schoolgirl who said she was sexually harassed by a 25-year-old man allegedly staying at the hostel.

The clip showed the man asking the 15-year-old, wearing a school uniform, for her number. The teenager, who filmed the exchange on her mobile phone, asked the bearded man his age.

When he replied that he was 25, she says: 'You don't do this in this country. You go to jail if you do this.'
The car was left in direct sunlight for nine hours

A Queensland mum has been jailed for nine years for 'inexcusably' leaving her two young daughters to die inside a hot car.

Kerri-Ann Conley pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her daughters Darcey-Helen, aged two-and-a-half, and Chloe-Ann, 18 months, earlier this week.

On Thursday, in front of family members of the two girls, Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth sentenced Conley to nine years behind bars.

Mr Applegarth said Conley had shown 'gross criminal neglect' when she left the toddlers in the car for nine hours, when temperatures soared past 60C inside the vehicle.

Peter Jackson, Darcy-Helen's father, wore sunglasses as he arrived at the sentencing and was seen sitting in the back of the court with other family members.

On Tuesday, the court was told Conley, 30, left the two girls in her car after arriving back at her home in the southern Brisbane suburb of Waterford West after 4am on November 23, 2019 after visiting a friend.

Instead of removing her daughters from their seats, she went inside, dawdled on her phone for a few hours and fell asleep.

Darcy-Helen and Chloe-Ann were left in the vehicle in direct sunlight for hours as temperatures climbed to 61.5 degrees.

Kerri-Ann Conley was sentenced to nine years in jail over the manslaughter of her daughters

Kerri-Ann Conley's daughters Darcy-Helen Conley (left) and Chloe-Ann were found dead in Conley's car, parked outside her Waterford West home in November 2019. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

Peter Jackson, the father of two-and-a-half-year-old Darcy-Helen, was seen arriving at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday

The girls' skin was hot to the touch, covered in burns and blisters and was 'peeling off' as paramedics tried to revive them, the court was told.

The court was told Conley disclosed she smoked the drug ice daily to a covert police officer while in custody.

But she insisted her kids 'always came first' and her drug use did not affect her relationship with the girls.

'It's an astounding statement only a drug addict could make,' Mr Applegarth said.

He said the thought of the distressed children being awake and strapped in the hot car as they died was 'too much to bear'.

'Your grossly negligent conduct was deciding to leave your vulnerable children uncared for, unheard and unobserved in the dark,' he said.

The court was told there had been previous incidences of Conley's children being left in a hot car.

Mr Applegarth said Conley's excuse for previous occasions where the children were left in the car was that they were 'difficult' to settle after being woken up.

Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis said Conley left the children secured inside the car with the doors locked and the vehicle parked under no shade, after she returned home

The children's skin was covered in blisters and was hot to touch, and peeled off as paramedics attempted to treat them, Ms Dennis said

Autopsies confirmed the girls died of hyperthermia, but a time of death could not be properly established (pictured is Peter Jackson, father of deceased toddler Darcey-Helen)

He said this begged the question of why she was coming home in the early morning hours with two young infants.

'You should have realised the inherent risks of leaving (the children) in the car while you went inside and slept,' Mr Applegarth said.

After taking the girls inside from the car, Conley was captured on home surveillance cameras throwing away a plastic bag that police believed contained drug residue.

A small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe were found by police during the search of her house.

The court was told Conley was genuinely remorseful for her conduct and she had experienced neglect growing up as a child.

Her drug use was described as a coping mechanism, but this was also torn apart by Mr Applegarth.

'It simply helps explain your criminal conduct, it is not a mitigating factor,' he said.

'No child should have a parent who uses methamphetamine.'

The father of one of the deceased toddlers wore sunglasses as he arrived to court in Brisbane where Kerri-Ann Conley was sentenced for the manslaughter of his young daughter

The girls were left in the station wagon as she went inside and fell asleep, police alleged

Mr Applegarth stressed Conley's case involved criminal negligence and accepted she did not genuinely wish to harm either of her daughters.

Autopsies confirmed the girls died of hyperthermia when the body is heated to more than 40c (not to be confused with hypothermia, which is from excessive cold) but a time of death could not be properly established.

Conley was initially charged with murder under legislation introduced just a few weeks before the incident that includes reckless indifference to human life as a form of murder.

But she pleaded guilty to the downgraded charges and to possessing dangerous drugs and utensils when arraigned on Tuesday.

Conley, who has already served three years behind bars, will be eligible for parole after November 22, 2024.
Two male suspects were brought into custody after one person was killed and three were injured in a shooting at a mall in El Paso on Wednesday night.

Police responded to reports of shots fired at the Cielo Vista Mall at around 5.05pm, said interim El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas.

An off-duty officer arrived at the scene 'within three minutes' and brought the first suspect into custody without firing a weapon. Police officials said that officer had been working as security in the mall and acted 'in a very quick amount of time'.

Police did not release information as to how and when the second suspect was arrested. 'It was chaotic. People did flee. They were scared,' El Paso Police Sgt. Robert Gomez said.

One unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene and two male victims were taken to University Medical Center in critical condition, the hospital told CNN. A third male victim was taken to the Del Sol Medical center and said to be in fair condition.

The Cielo Vista Mall is right next to a Walmart Supercenter where in 2019 23 people were killed and a further 22 were injured in another shooting. Last week Patrick Crusius, now 24, plead guilty to the racially motivated killings, which were intended to 'target Mexicans'.

One of the two suspects was arrested immediately after the shooting at around 5pm as police searched for a second

Police responded to reports of shots fired at the Cielo Vista Mall at around 5.05pm

Footage appeared to shows police tending to a somebody inside the mall

The Cielo Vista Mall is right next to a Walmart Supercenter where in 2019 23 people were killed and a further 22 were injured in another shooting

Video uploaded to Twitter shows people running through the mall as police descended upon the scene. Police said there were initial indications that the shooting happened in the mall's food court.

Other footage appeared to show police tending to somebody inside the mall. In other video a man in the parking lot kneeled with his arms raised as he was brought into custody.

Police said during a conference on Wednesday night that it was too early to comment as to a motive.

'Police are responding to shots fired in the food court of Cielo Vista Mall, scene still active. Avoid the area,' tweeted El Paso police at 6.19pm.

In the hours after the shooting police said they were working to clear the mall. At 9.20pm they were still asking people to remain away from the area.

Robert Gonzalez was in the mall and told CNN he 'saw people running to the exit'.

Local FBI agents were helping to gather information relating to the investigation.

The incident at the El Paso mall on Wednesday was the 73rd mass shooting to have taken place in the US this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

One person was killed and three were injured in a shooting at a mall in El Paso on Wednesday night

'Police are responding to shots fired in the food court of Cielo Vista Mall, scene still active. Avoid the area,' tweeted El Paso police at 6.19pm

Two male victims were taken to University Medical Center of El Paso in critical condition

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he has been speaking with the mayor of El Paso

Police officers gather at an entrance to Cielo Vista Mall as they respond to reports of the shooting

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he has been speaking with the mayor of El Paso.

'I spoke to Mayor Leeser about the shooting tonight in El Paso,' he said on Twitter.

'I offered the full support of the State of Texas, including the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management to help the city of El Paso respond to this tragic event.'

The incident on Wednesday night happened just a few hundred meters from the site of the 2019 Walmart shooting.

'It just brought back bad memories,' Gonzalez told CNN.

Crusius, 21 at the time, was charged with capital murder after opening fire inside the Walmart with an AK-47.

He was taken into custody about a quarter of a mile from the attack after he got off a motorcycle and surrendered.

Just 20 minutes before the massacre, Crusius had posted a white supremacist manifesto online saying the shooting was in response to an 'invasion' of Hispanics coming across the southern border.

Titled 'The Inconvenient Truth,' it railed against the dangers of mass immigration and warned that Hispanics will eventually take over the economy and government.
A major highway has been shut down following reports of a 'suspicious package' was found near a busy shopping centre.

Officers rushed to the Maroondah Highway at Ringwood in Melbourne's east shortly after 11am on Thursday following reports of a 'suspicious package' was located near Eastland shopping centre.

Police confirmed the highway has been cordoned off due to a safety check.

The bomb response unit has arrived at the scene as police helicopters circle the vicinity from above.

The Maroondah Highway at Ringwood was cordoned off after a 'suspicious package' was located near Eastland shopping centre

The highway is closed in both directions between Ringwood Bypass and Warrandyte Road.

There are unconfirmed reports a 'bag with wires' was delivered outside a nearby chemist, the Herald Sun reported.

'East and west-bound traffic on the Maroondah Highway has been closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area,' a police statement read.

Motorists are urged to use Ringwood Bypass and Warrandyte Road or Ringwood Street and allow extra time if travelling through the area.

3AW has been inundated with multiple calls from listeners about the police activity. according to afternoon host Dee Dee Dunleavy.
A Wuhan-linked virologist notorious for trying to bully away COVID lab leak claims has backed a woke scientist who moaned that demonizing China is to blame for the World Health Organization's aborted probe into the virus's origins.

Dr. Peter Daszak - A US-based, British scientist who funded the Wuhan lab in question - retweeted the post from fellow virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen Tuesday, hours after The World Health Organization (WHO) quietly nixed its probe into what started the pandemic.

Sharing an article reporting the news, Rasmussen - who works at Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Canada - penned a caption that seemed to suggest that America's attitude toward the secretive communist dictatorship was to blame for the aborted probe.

She said: 'By demonizing and alienating colleagues in China instead of building collaborative trust, this is what the relentlessly toxic lab leak conspiracy machine has yielded: The complete and total disintegration of any meaningful further investigation into the origins of SARS-CoV-2.'

Taking note of this, Daszak - a friend of Dr Anthony Fauci who's received funding from Fauci's National Institutes of Health - retweeted the post, after months of claims that COVID-19 was leaked from a lab funded by his charity as a conspiracy theory.

He sought to corral top scientists into backing claims the virus likely originated in a 'wet market' - despite his own close ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The lab leak theory has gained increasing credibility since the early days of the pandemic, but there's still no smoking gun to prove how the virus first infected humans.

House Republicans for years have been demanding the virologist and Fauci produce documents and testimony that prove the lab played no part in the virus' origins. The WHO probe, officials said, was nixed due to researcher's diminished access to the Eastern nation.

Dr. Peter Daszak - seen here with friend Dr. Anthony Fauci - retweeted the post from fellow virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen Tuesday, hours after The World Health Organization (WHO) quietly nixed its probe into what started the pandemic

Sharing an article reporting the news, Rasmussen - a government scientist in Canada - penned a caption that suggested America's attitude toward Beijing was to blame for the aborted probe

While other researchers expressed disappointment over news of the abandoned investigation, Daszak, who is from England and now lives in upstate New York, reshared the announcement in apparent agreement.

Commenting on the pulled probe himself, the scientist called the government agency's decision 'disappointing,' while blaming both Beijing and WHO officials' for not cooperating better and allowing the investigation to fall apart.

'Disappointing news from @WHO,' Daszak wrote, shortly before the news was first reported by the science journal Nature.

'The origins investigation was poorly handled by the global community. It was poorly handled by China. It was poorly handled by the WHO.'

Then, echoing Rasmussen's sentiments, the self-professed disease expert wrote: 'The WHO should have been relentless in creating a positive working relationship with the Chinese authorities.'

Peter Daszak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the lab some say served as the origin of the pandemic

The scientists' response to the WHO's decision - particularly Daszak's - is not surprising, given the scientists previous statements on social media and close ties to the suspected origin site.

The scientist was engulfed in scandal after it was revealed in a Vanity Fair expose that his charity, EcoHealth Alliance, provided funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology's Gain-of-function research.

The lab soon found itself under scrutiny by the US government, with many airing belief the scientists there created and negligently released samples SARS-CoV-2, leading to an outbreak of catastrophic proportions.

Referred to as 'gain-of-function' research, the controversial experiments conducted at Daszak's involved manipulating viruses to make them more severe or transmissible - with the hope of getting ahead of future mutations and outbreaks.

Lab leak backers say it's simply too much of a coincidence that COVID first emerged in one of only four laboratories in the world which perform experiments on bat coronaviruses, the likely source of COVID-19. Most backers of that theory believe COVID leaked accidentally, due to poor safety procedures, rather than being released deliberately as a bio-weapon.

Dr. Peter Daszuk's EcoHealth Alliance has received federal funding since 2002

Daszak vehemently denies COVID leaked from a lab. Fauci has sought to discourage that theory, but admits there's insufficient proof to discount it altogether.

Less than a year earlier, in May 2021, it emerged that, under Fauci's watch, the Government allocated $600,000 in taxpayer money to that lab and sponsored bat coronavirus research years before the pandemic happened.

Then, this past September, Daszak's EcoHealth Alliance was awarded a $653,392 grant from the National Institutes of Health - then headed by Fauci - to study Covid-like viruses in bats across Asia and Africa.

Daszak gleefully shared snaps of himself in bat-filled caves, angering lawmakers who deemed his antics distasteful in the wake of a pandemic that killed more than a million Americans.

These funds were awarded to the charity despite its close ties to Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Fauci - who after 54 years heading the NIH stepped down in December - has faced rampant criticism over his handling of the pandemic, with House Republicans and stars like Elon Musk leading the charge.

Initially a revered figure during his early lockdowns and mask mandate measures, Fauci has come under particular scrutiny for previously supporting the controversial research, while simultaneously denying his team secretly funded them during the pandemic.

Dr. Peter Daszak appears on an episode of sixty minutes at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2020

Many, including Musk, have since expressed belief Fauci lied to Congress and secretly funded 'gain-of-function' research, potentially killing 'millions of people.'

'Not awesome. imo,' the South African mogul wrote on December 11, sharing meme that depicted a scene from the Lord of the Rings edited to show Fauci telling Biden 'just one more lockdown, my king'. The tweet received over half a million likes.

In an interview with Nature, Fauci said comments like Musk's 'stirs a lot of hate in people' and were the reason he has 'armed federal agents with me all the time'.

Musk initially targeted Fauci in a tweet on December 11, writing , 'My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci.'

He appeared to be mocking the left-wing embracement of gender identity while alluding to Fauci's involvement in controversial Chinese research at the center of questions about Covid's origin.

Speaking to Nature late last year in one of his last interviews before retiring, Fauci attempted to put to bed speculation over Covid's origin and virus-tinkering experiments at the Wuhan lab- amid allegations he lied to Congress and secretly funded gain-of-function research.

'The NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain of function research in the Wuhan Institute,' he said, despite conceding it had indirectly funded the Wuhan virus lab.

In May 2021, during the height of the pandemic, Fauci appeared before a Congressional budget committee to defend the NIH's allocating of $600,000 to EcoHealth Alliance, which then paid the Wuhan Institute of Virology to study the risk that bat coronaviruses could infect humans.

He said: 'I would have been almost a dereliction of our duty if we didn't study this, and the only way you can study these things is you've got to go where the action is.

'You don't want to study bats in Fairfax County, Virginia, to find out what the animal-human interface is that might lead to a jumping of species.

'So we had a modest collaboration with very respectable Chinese scientists who were world experts on coronavirus, and we did that through a sub-grant from a larger grant to EcoHealth.'

He added: 'The larger grant was about $600,000 over a period of five years. So it was a modest amount. The purpose of it was to study the animal-human interface, to do surveillance and to determine if these bat viruses were even capable of [infecting humans].'

Exactly what constitutes gain-of-function has been debated - a possible point of contention when it comes debunking Fauci and Daszak's assertions.

Daszak has since vehemently denied that Covid-19 was leaked in a lab, despite the claims

On Monday, a day before the WHO would announce it is nixing its second phase of the probe into the Wuhan lab leak allegations, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, and Rep. James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee, besieged both Biden officials and Daszak to turn over research arrived at at the lab.

'This investigation must begin with where and how this virus came about so that we can attempt to predict, prepare or prevent it from happening again,' Wenstrup said in a statement.

'Government scientists and government funded researchers have so far been less than forthcoming in their knowledge and actions, including work with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and potential pandemic pathogens,' Wenstrup added.

The committee is seeking testimony from Fauci and 40 other officials, phone records, calendars and other communications between the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases involving the Wuhan lab or EcoHealth Alliance.

Late last year, Daszak, while battling back claims his lab played a part in the start of the pandemic, proudly filmed himself inside a bat-filled cave handling the creatures for his research in Thailand, calling the cave as the 'reactor core' of viral activity

Fauci led the NIAID for nearly 40 years before stepping down last year. he has expressed an openness to testifying before a GOP-led panel before. The testimony would be a transcribed interview rather than on-air.

With the closing of the WHO's probe, though, it appears unlikely that Fauci, much less Daszak, will be forced to further address the allegations.

EcoHealth Alliance has received federal funding since 2002, including a grant provided by Anthony Fauci by way of the NIH for gain-of-function viral research that it carried out with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Dr. Andrew Huff, the former vice president of EcoHealth Alliance, has said he believes it was that research which lead to the strain that sparked the pandemic.

Late last year, Daszak, while battling back claims his lab played a part in the start of the pandemic, proudly filmed himself inside a bat-filled cave handling the creatures for his research in Thailand, calling the cave as the 'reactor core' of viral activity.

On Monday Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, and Rep. James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee, demanded documents and testimony from Biden officials, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the president of EcoHealth Alliance

He shared multiple other snaps of the winged creatures - believed to harbor the pathogen that sparked the pandemic - and even uploaded a video of one being fed by hand.

Daszak was there as part of a legitimate research trip, with scientists having long-researched bat-related coronaviruses.

Neither Daszak nor the Wuhan Institute of Virology have been formally charged with any allegations relating to the coronavirus' spread. It is not clear if the WHO's investigation will be reinstated if and when relations between the US and China ever improve.
A bus driver whose vehicle mounted the kerb outside a school fatally colliding with a 14-year-old boy in Sydney's south-west has been granted bail.

Penina Lopesi, 54, appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday a day after the tragic accident near the chapel at Macarthur Anglican School in Cobbitty.

The Year 9 student was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later.

Supported by her husband and eight children who filled the courtroom on Thursday, Lopesi was granted bail with strict conditions.

She must surrender her passport and refrain from going within 5km of Macarthur Anglican School.

Bus driver Penina Lopesi (pictured) was granted bail when she faced court on Thursday

She was also barred from getting into the driver's seat of any vehicle, and has to report to police three times a week.

These conditions, as well as her strong family support, mitigated concerns by police prosecutors that she would fail to attend court in future and remained a risk to the community.

'I accept at this stage there is no explanation for the conduct and there is nothing to suggest there was a medical issue or any fault of the vehicle,' the magistrate said in granting bail.

Outside court, Lopesi's lawyer Mostafa Daoudie said his client had been impacted by the tragedy and requested her privacy.

'There are no winners in these types of cases. It's a very unfortunate event,' he said.

Mr Daoudie said the potential she suffered a medical episode or whether the bus had an engineering fault, such as with its wheel or handbrake, would be investigated.

On the day of the incident, the 54-year-old was taken to Liverpool Police Station for mandatory testing, and was later arrested and charged. Her licence was also suspended.

She faces one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and another count of negligent driving occasioning death.

Inquiries about the cause of the accident are still in their early days.

A school staff member was pictured attending to bus driver Penina Lopesi moments after the crash on Wednesday

The 54-year-old remained still for some period after the accident in 'some kind of shock', prosecutors told the court.

Investigations into Lopesi's health or any engineering issues with the bus are ongoing.

On Thursday, Macarthur Anglican School headmaster Dr David Nockles said the vehicle had lost control as it exited the bus bay, mounted the kerb and struck the year nine student.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy's family, including his brother in Year 11, as they deal with unimaginable grief and heartache,' Dr Knockles said.

'The school appreciates the tangible support for our school community as we work through this terrible shock and loss to the wider Macarthur family.'

Outside counsellors have been brought in from other Christian schools, Anglicare, the police and the ambulance service to assist students and staff alongside the school's pastoral care team.

The matter will next come before Campbelltown Local Court on April 12.

Three ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene and performed CPR on the boy, who later died in hospital
A diary recovered from the military style compound where two police were murdered in a cold blooded ambush reveal the three related shooters were motivated by extremist Christian beliefs that saw cops as 'monsters or demons'.

On Thursday Queensland police Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford released new details about what motivated Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train to ambush two police looking for Nathaniel and ending in a bloodbath that cost all their lives.

She labelled the gunning down of Constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, on December 12, along with neighbour Alan Dare on the Wieambilla property three hours west of Brisbane as an act of religiously motivated terrorism.

Deputy Commissioner Linford said police had exhaustively examined evidence from the military style compound plus the online activities of brothers Nathaniel and Gareth, as well as of Gareth's wife Stacey, all of whom perished in the shootout.

The evidence showed the Train trio acted as an 'autonomous cell' however they had online links to individuals in the US.

The FBI has been called in to investigate them.

Nathaniel Train (left) is pictured on the day he married Stacey Train (right), who later left him for his brother Gareth

The property with the army dongas is just a 20 minute drive through the scrub from the Wieambilla site (above)

Kerry Dare (pictured centre), wife of Alan Dare, is consoled at the funeral for Alan Dare, the neighbour killed in the Wieambilla shootings

One item of particular interest was a diary kept by Stacey that indicated the trio espoused a Christian fundamentalist premillennialism theology, which states Jesus Christ is set to return but before that the world sinks into an abyss of evil.

Deputy Commissioner Linford said the Trains saw police 'as monsters and demons'.

She said there was no particular ringleader - the Trains were 'equally aligned in their religious views'.

Despite speculation the Trains might have identified themselves as 'sovereign citizens' - those who believe national laws do not apply to them - this had not been shown by the evidence collected.

"After examination of material we can't find anywhere where the Train family identify themselves as sovereign citizens,' Deputy Commissioner Linford said.

Deputy Commissioner Linford said there had never been a terrorist act previously motivated by Christian End Times theology in Australia but likened it to the infamous 1993 siege of the Waco compound in Texas that left 82 people dead.

While she said the trio appeared to each embrace the beliefs, a turning moment for Nathaniel appeared to be the heart attack he suffered in August, 2021 while principal of Walgett Community College Primary School in northern NSW.

After recovering Nathaniel was unable to return to work because of refusing the Covid vaccination.

He crossed the border into Queensland to join Gareth and Stacey - who previously was married to Nathaniel - on December 17, 2021 despite the Covid border rules at that stage forbidding him to do so as an unvaccinated person.

His vehicle went through an e-gate but in its hurry to escape detection Nathaniel, who was a registered shooter with fire legal firearms, left two weapons at the crossing, which led to police searching for him.

Nathaniel Train (pictured) embraced extreme religious beliefs after he suffered a heart attack

Four officers had attended a property on Wains Road, in Wieambilla, west of Brisbane, on Monday at about 4.30pm, after being asked by their colleagues in NSW to check on missing man Nathaniel Train. Two officers were shot dead

Despite knowing Nathaniel was likely armed, Deputy Commissioner Linford said the officers sent to find him, with one leaving a calling card weeks before the ambush, did not suspect any great danger.

'There was nothing to indicate to the members that attended that day that they were going to be ambushed,' Deputy Commissioner Linford said, noting none of the trio had a criminal record.

She also said it appeared that Nathaniel was not living at the property and may have been camping in the bush.

Deputy Commissioner Linford revealed the compound had an elaborate array of security cameras, hides and mirrors on trees to view approaching vehicles and even a trapdoor escape under the house.

She also said along with the guns registered to Nathaniel there were four other firearms used, including one that dated back to 1904, and they were likely bought on the 'grey market'.
A black Democratic lawmaker in Georgia has called the state's first black Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas an 'Uncle Tom' who 'sold his soul to the slave master.'

The comments came from Senator Emanuel Jones amid a heated debate on whether Thomas, a staunch conservative, should have a statue erected in his honor in his home state.

The Georgia state Senate voted 32-20 along party lines on Tuesday to mandate the controversial statue calling it an 'insensitive display of partisan power.'

Minority Democrats had proposed amending the measure to also mandate a statue of the late Georgia congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, but then pulled back the amendment.

Senate Bill 69 moves to the state House for more debate.

A black Democratic lawmaker in Georgia has called the state's first black Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (pictured) an 'Uncle Tom' who 'sold his soul to the slave master'

The comments came from Senator Emanuel Jones amid a heated debate on whether Thomas should have a statue erected in his honor in his home state

'There's a whole laundry list of positions that Justice Thomas has taken that I find offensive,' said Jones.

'Sometimes, when I talk to the majority party, I say, 'Y'all just don't get it.''

'That term that we use is called 'Uncle Tom' - An Uncle Tom talks about a person who, back during the days of slavery, sold his soul to the slave masters.'

Thomas grew up in Georgia as part of a poor family during the Jim Crow era and faced racial discrimination during his upbringing.

Sen. Ben Watson, a Savannah Republican, said he represents Thomas' birthplace near the coastal city and had known Thomas' mother.

'This native son of Georgia deserves a place of honor and recognition on our Capitol grounds,' Watson told senators.

'A place where future generations of Georgians can learn valuable lessons from his legacy and gain inspiration and belief that their lofty dreams are obtainable too in America, regardless of the circumstances into which they are born.'

Democrats recoiled at the suggestion and cited not only Thomas' confirmation to the court in 1991 amid Anita Hill's testimony that he had sexually harassed her, but also Thomas' rulings on the Supreme Court.

'His service is problematic. There's a cloud over his service and that cloud continues today,' said Sen. Nan Orrock of Atlanta.

Republicans countered that the Georgia Capitol grounds has a statue of former Democratic Gov. and President Jimmy Carter.

Democrats also criticized Thomas' wife, Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas, noting records show she texted then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows after the 2020 election, urging him to stand with then-President Donald Trump as he falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in the election

Republicans passed a measure approving a Clarence Thomas statue last year in the state Senate, but it never came to a vote in the state House. This year's bill says the statue would be paid for with private money

'There are citizens, probably members of this body, that take issue with his policies when he was governor or president, but we respect history,' said Sen. Jason Anavitarte, a Republican from Dallas.

The debate came on the same day that Republican senators also pushed through a resolution honoring former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was defeated by Democrat Raphael Warnock in 2020, giving his party a Senate majority.

As part of the Republican's continuing political activity, Loeffler spearheaded an effort last year to elect Republicans to the state Senate, where they now have a 33-23 majority.

Opponents of the statue pointed to Thomas' concurring opinion last year to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established nationwide access to abortion.

In that opinion, he called on his fellow justices to revisit other Supreme Court precedents that legalized same-sex marriage and access to contraception.

Democrats also criticized Thomas' wife, Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas, noting records show she texted then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows after the 2020 election, urging him to stand with then-President Donald Trump as he falsely claimed there was widespread fraud in the election.

Ginni Thomas later told the House Jan 6 committee that she regrets the texts and told investigators that her activity after the election was minimal.

But Georgia Democrats said Tuesday that they are not yet convinced that Ginni bore no blame.

'His wife actually encouraged this coup of violence in an attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in our country's history,' said Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Lawrenceville Democrat.

Republicans passed a measure approving a Clarence Thomas statue last year in the state Senate, but it never came to a vote in the state House.

This year's bill says the statue would be paid for with private money.

Democrats had proposed an amendment to the bill to also mandate a statue of Lewis, but pulled the proposal back before it could get a vote.

If Republicans had voted for the amendment, Democrats would have been forced to either vote for the Thomas statue or against a Lewis statue.
Australians who work from home will be required to keep a diary of every hour on the job from next month - with accountants predicting new rules will leave them $629 a year worse off.

The tax office has announced that from March 1, they will no longer accept estimates of how many hours someone worked from home or even a four-week summary at the end of each month.

Those who claim phone and internet bills on their tax return won't be entitled to claim a new fixed, flat rate of 67 cents an hour, coming into effect on July 1.

Accountants H&R Block said this would leave the average work-from-home professional $629 a year worse off.

Australians who work from home will be required to keep a diary of every hour on the job from next month - with accountants predicting new rules will leave them $629 a year worse off (stock image)

Tim Loh, an assistant commissioner with the Australian Taxation Office, said professionals who worked from home would have to keep a record of their hours worked at home, via a diary, timesheets, rosters or an employer computer log.

'No matter which method you use, make sure to keep records,' he said on Thursday.

'This will give you more flexibility to choose the method that gives you the best deduction at tax time depending on your circumstances.'

Mr Loh said those affected would also have to prove they were working from home 'to fulfil your employment duties, not just carrying out minimal tasks, such as occasionally checking emails or taking calls'.

H&R Block's director of tax communications Mark Chapman said the changes would leave Australians worse off if they worked from home instead of the office.

'This new fixed rate is clearly disadvantageous to most taxpayers,' Mr Chapman told Daily Mail Australia.

'As well as producing a lower deduction, there are much more stringent record-keeping requirements.

'These are much more onerous obligations than you might have been used to.'

Tim Loh, an assistant commissioner with the Australian Taxation Office, said professionals who worked from home would have to keep a record of their hours worked at home, via a diary, timesheets, rosters or an employer computer log

Tamara Burns, a chartered accountant with PB Taxation Services in Port Macquarie, said the new rules would be particularly difficult for those who split their week between the home and the office.

New tax rules to leave average Aussie $629 a year worse off EXISTING RULE: Fixed rate of 52 cents an hour for 1,095 hours a year working at home ($569) plus mobile phone bills ($390), internet ($300) and stationary ($120) adding up to average tax deductions of $1,379 NEW RULE: Fixed rate of 67 cents an hour for 1,095 hours a year working from home ($734) plus additional deductions for cleaning ($16) adding up to average tax deduction of $750 DIFFERENCE: $629 worse off because those who claim phone/internet bills can't claim a fixed rate Source: H&R Block's Mark Chapman about new 67 cent-an-hour rate coming into effect on July 1, 2023 Advertisement

'The requirement to now record every hour worked from home puts an enormous administrative burden on the individual,' she said.

'The impact of this change is huge.

'There are countless jobs where employees perform some level of work at home.'

Ms Burns said teachers who traditionally marked school assignments at home would also be particularly affected.

'Teachers are a prime example of an occupation which will be heavily impacted by this requirement,' she said.

'On top of all of the work they are expected to do, the fact that they also must keep a record 365 days of the year, instead of just four weeks, to justify their work is just complete bureaucracy gone mad.'

From July 1, those working from home will be able to claim a new fixed rate of 67 cents an hour.

This will replace the old 52 cent rate for those who also did manual deductions, and the old flat rate of 80 cents an hour that was allowed from March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, until June 30, 2022.

H&R Block calculated the changes would leave the average WFH professional $679 a year worse off.

Under the existing 52 cent an hour rule, the typical Australian working from home could claim a total tax deduction of $1,379, with this outgoing fixed rate allowing them to also claim mobile phone and internet bills and stationary on top of the hours working from home, provided they had receipts.

But under this new 67-cents-an-hour rule, that falls to $750.

That is even less than the $876 average of the discontinued flat 80 cent an hour rate where receipts weren't required for an assumed cost of phone, internet and power bills.

The new rules will stop someone claiming the fixed rate for every hour worked from home if they want to also manually claim phone and internet bills.

'Everything included in the fixed rate - energy expenses, internet expenses, mobile/telephone expenses, stationery - can be claimed separately but doing so rules you out of claiming the fixed rate at all,' Mr Chapman said.

'So if you want to claim mobile phone expenses separately, you can but you can't then claim the fixed rate at all, even for the other expenses.'

Mr Loh argued the 67-cent-an-hour rate was sufficient to cover phone bills, which have to be itemised under existing rules.

'Items that are difficult and tedious for everyday Aussies to calculate actual work-use, like phone, internet and electricity expenses, are included in the revised rate,' he said.

But Mr Chapman said the new fixed rate, while higher than the outgoing 52-cent-an-hour rate, had much stricter conditions.

'Don't believe the ATO spin doctors about this being an increase - it isn't,' he said.

For 2022-23 tax returns, the ATO will accept a four-week diary covering the total number of hours worked at home covering July 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023.
1 killed, 3 hurt in shopping mall shooting in U.S. Texas

Xinhua) 13:41, February 16, 2023

HOUSTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed with three others injured in a shooting incident Wednesday evening in a shopping mall in El Paso, a major border city in the south-central U.S. state of Texas, authorities said.

"We have one person in custody," El Paso Police Department spokesman Robert Gomez told a news conference.

He said the shooting happened inside the Cielo Vista Mall, adding, "we don't have any active shooters at this time."

Two of the wounded were in critical condition, Ryan Mielke, Director of Public Affairs for University Medical Center El Paso, told local media.

Besides the suspect in custody, one more person might be involved as well but has not been detained, the El Paso Times reported.

Cielo Vista Mall is adjacent to the local Walmart store where a gunman killed 23 people in 2019. The Walmart shooter pleaded guilty last week to 90 federal charges, including 23 counts of hate crimes targeting Latinos that resulted in death.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
gettyimagesbank



By Jun Ji-hye



Ten weekend-childcare facilities will open in Seoul for parents who have to work Saturdays and Sundays, as part of the comprehensive childcare assistance project pushed by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.



According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), Thursday, the facilities will begin operation in June at the earliest.



The city government will also build four additional centers that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for infants and toddlers increasing the number of such facilities in the city to 15 by the end of the year.



The city government is planning to build at least one weekend-childcare facility or one 365-day center in every 25 districts of the country's capital.



The city government will invest about 1.9 trillion won ($1.5 billion) this year for these two plans and seven others aimed at offering better childcare services for parents residing in the city.



"There has been growing demand for childcare services offered during weekends," a city government official said.



The city government is also planning to increase the ratio of public childcare facilities in the capital from the current 36.4 percent to 43 percent by the end of the year.



This would be done by transforming existing private childcare facilities into public ones or building new public institutions at apartment complexes where demand is high.



In March, the city government will select 100 childcare facilities to which it will send staff to help prepare dinner for the increased number of children.



So far, dinner at childcare centers has only been offered to a limited number of children whose parents applied for night childcare services in advance, due mainly to a personnel shortage.



The provision of support staff by the city government will give the option to children to have dinner at minding facilities, before going home.



In a bid to increase the quality of childcare services, the ratio of children to teachers will be improved, beginning with 400 facilities.



The children-to-teacher ratio for those under the age of one will decrease from the current 3:1 to 2:1, while the ratio for those under the age of three will be reduced to 10:1 from the current 15:1.



Other plans include offering a variety of education both online and offline for new parents. Curriculums will include the development of healthy eating habits in children and play-based learning.



In addition, relevant books and video clips will consistently be provided.



"We will try our best so the plans can substantially help parents," said Kim Seon-soon who oversees family policies at the city government.


A warrior huntsman with a shield on its chest is among three mysterious spider species uncovered as part of an expedition through Australia's alpine region.

The 11-day Australian Alps Bush Blitz expedition to discover new species has also revealed a three-millimetre jumping spider that 'looks like a liquorice all-sorts', along with a wraparound spider that impersonates a tree branch.

Museums Victoria Research Institute arachnologist Joseph Schubert discovered the new spiders, and hoped to uncover more species before the expedition ends.

'Most people associate spiders with the outback dunny door, but spiders are hugely diverse,' he said.

'From the infamous shield huntsman with war paint on his legs and a shield on his chest to frighten off predators, to the tiny jumping spiders that look like eight-eyed puppies.'

A new spider called Shield Huntsman (above) spider was found during an 11-day expedition of the Australian Alps

The newly-discovered wraparound spider (above) was called a 'ferocious nocturnal mini-hunter' and master of disguise for its ability to blend into branches

Mr Schubert said spiders were also experts at camouflage.

'The wraparound spider is a ferocious nocturnal mini-hunter that impersonates a tree branch during the day to hide from predators,' he said.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek lauded the finds as exciting.

There are 15 scientists on the expedition, along with five science teachers working as field assistants.

The teachers are able to connect with classrooms in real time while on the expedition through a dedicated website.

The new liquorice all-sorts jumping spider (above), nicknamed for its odd pattern, is just three-millimetres long

'The discovery of three new spiders in the Australian alps is fantastic,' Ms Plibersek said.

'Around three-quarters of Australia's biodiversity is still waiting to be discovered by science.

'Programs like Bush Blitz are giving us a deeper understanding of Australian habitats so that we can make nature-positive decisions for the future.'

Among the 15 scientists on the expedition are botanists and zoologists from the Australian Museum, Parks Australia's National Seed Bank, the Museums Victoria Research Institute, the National Herbarium of NSW and Victoria, and the University of New South Wales.
Ryan Last took his life after a sextortion scam

The devastated mother of a 17-year-old boy who took his life after falling victim to a 'sextortion' scam has urged teens to never trust strangers online.

Pauline Stuart's son Ryan Last, an American student from San Jose, died last February after the 'girl' he'd been talking to online revealed himself to be online scammer.

Just hours before his death, Ryan received online messages from a man pretending to be a young girl interested in exchanging nude photos with him.

But after Ryan sent the photos the scammer ordered him to pay $5,000, threatening to publish the photos if the sum wasn't paid.

The tragedy comes as Australian Federal Police issue and urgent warning that a new wave of similar scams are targeting young men Down Under.

Ryan Last (pictured with his mother Pauline Stuart) took his life last February after falling victim to a sextortion scam

In an interview with the I've Got News For You podcast on Thursday, Ms Stuart said the frightened 17-year-old initially tried to satisfy the con with a $150 payment from his college fund.

However, the scammer kept pressing the teen to pay more money and soon after Ryan took his life.

'We were in shock. The police officers gave us the copy of his note and  you could tell that he was absolutely terrified,' Ms Stuart said.

A 25-year-old man has since been arrested in connection to Ryan's case.

As sextortion scams continue to distress netizens around the globe, Ms Stuart urged Aussies to be safe.

'Be careful who you speak to on the internet because they can say they're anyone, they could say they're a young girl and they're not,' she said.

'Be very cautious of who reaches out to you and especially cautious if they ask for pictures.

'Unfortunately if you say 'don't ever do this', it's like an invitation for kids to do it. So just know if you send that picture it could go anywhere. If you send it, someone has it.'

Ms Stuart said Ryan (above) sent nude photos to a scammer pretending to be a young girl who then threatened to publish the photos online unless Ryan paid $5,000

WHAT'S SEXTORTION? Sextortion is when a person uses sexual material to blackmail someone. The material includes nude photos and videos that could have been coerced. Advertisement

The Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) have issued a warning against a new wave of sextortion scams targeting young men.

Australia's eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said scammers and predators often approach young men and women by initiating 'sexy chat' before asking them to 'perform sexual acts before the camera'.

Crooks can then use this material to blackmail money from victims.

'It's a massive global problem and we know that organised criminal networks are now behind this.

'They've realised that this is a very lucrative game,' Ms Inman Grant told news.com.au.

People have reported losing up to $10,000 in sextortion scams.

The Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation have urged teens to not send intimate photos online to avoid falling prey to sextortion scams (pictured, the Australian warning against sextortion scams)

'These are very clever organised criminals that will be very patient in terms of grooming young men and gaining their trust, so please don't be embarrassed,' Ms Inman Grant said.

'We want young people to know that they can come to esafety.gov.au, we've dealt with literally thousands of these cases, we can talk them through their options and refer them on to either mental health services or the police if necessary.'

Ms Inman Grant also stressed the best protection against sextortion crimes is to avoid sending intimate photos online.

Anyone under the age of 18 who is the victim of a sextortion scam is urged to contact the ACCCE or the AFP while adult victims are encouraged to report to eSafety's image-based abuse hotline.

Lifeline 13 11 14

MensLine 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Two sheriff's deputies who failed to keep their body cameras activated after they arrived at the scene where Tyre Nichols was beaten by five Memphis police officers have been suspended without pay.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers each violated multiple policies after they reported to location in Memphis, Tennessee, and have subsequently been suspended, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.

Nichols had fled a traffic stop last month on January 7, but was caught near his home by Memphis Police Department officers.

The officers proceeded to punch him, kicked him, and hit him with a baton, police video footage and other documents showed.

Both men, who arrived on scene after Tyre was beaten, have so far been suspended for a total of five days without pay for their role in the arrest, Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in a statement.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies Jeremy Watkins (left) and Johntavious Bowers (right) have been suspended without pay

Tyre Nichols in hospital following the brutal beating on January 7. He died three days later

Memphis Police Department has released harrowing bodycam footage of police officers fatally beating Tyre Nichols (pictured)

Horrific footage released by the city showed the moments Nichols was stopped by police, him fleeing, then the vicious beating when they caught up.

Nichols, a 29-year-old FedEx worker, could be heard screaming 'Mom! Mom!' as he was pinned to the ground by multiple officers.

Officers rained down nine blows as pepper spray was inflicted on him.

The video also showed several law enforcement officers standing around as Nichols struggled with serious injuries while he sat on the ground, propped up against a police car.

Nichols was taken to a hospital in an ambulance that left the location of the beating 27 minutes after emergency medical technicians arrived, authorities have said.

He then died at a hospital three days later on January 10.

The release of the footage immediately raised questions about law enforcement and paramedics who arrived after Nichols was in handcuffs.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. previously said in a statement: 'Having watched the videotape for the first time tonight, I have concerns about two deputies who arrived on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols.'

An internal investigation was then launched into the two deputies, and they were relieved of duty pending the outcome of the probe.

Following their suspension Wednesday of Watkins and Bowers, Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. said: 'Our investigation was thorough and complete. I am satisfied that the discipline given to these deputies is appropriate and just.'

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE AND DISTURBING CONTENT

Five officers have been charged with second degree murder. Top from left to right: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III. Bottom left to right: Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith

Nichols seen in body camera footage being pinned to the ground by officers. He was then pepper sprayed in the face, and kicked and punched

Paramedics arrive as Nichols, handcuffed, appears unable to sit up on his own

Five Memphis officers accused of beating Nichols have been fired and charged with second-degree murder. One other Memphis officer has been fired but not charged criminally for his role in the traffic stop that preceded the beating.

The sheriffs office previously had said two deputies who went to the scene after Nichols was beaten had been disciplined and were under investigation. But the county law enforcement office had not divulged further details, including their names and the actions they took - or did not take.

Reports released by the sheriff's office late Thursday showed Bowers and Watkins were suspended for five days without pay for failing to keep their body cameras and in-car video turned on while they were at the arrest location.

The deputies also did not notify dispatch or their supervisor, the reports showed. Watkins also did not report on his daily log that he went to the arrest location, according to the reports.

Bonner said the sheriff's office does not believe that the deputies will face criminal charges.

Bowers and Watkins have been Shelby County deputies since June 2021, Bonner said. Both suspensions began Wednesday.
The brother of accused drug-kingpin Mostafa Baluch has been shot in the legs.

Imran Baluch, 26, admitted himself to hospital just before noon on Thursday with bullet wounds.

He is yet to be interviewed by police about the circumstances of the shooting and who pulled the trigger. Detectives are now investigating.

'Shortly after 11.35am a 26-year-old man presented himself to Westmead hospital suffering gunshot wounds,' police said in a statement.

'He was admitted to hospital for treatment where he remains in a stable condition.'

His brother Mostafa sparked one of Australia's biggest police searches last year.

The brother of alleged large-scale drug importer Mostafa Baluch, 34, (pictured) has been admitted to hospital after being shot in the legs

Mostafa (pictured centre) being escorted back to NSW in November last year

A photo released by police shows Baluch dressed in a T-shirt and shorts sitting on the side of the road moments after his dramatic arrest (pictured) when he was found in a Mercedes inside a shipping container

Police allege Mostafa was involved in an organised crime syndicate that conspired to import and distribute three tonnes of cocaine, potentially worth an estimated $900 million.

With help from US authorities, 1770 kilograms of cocaine was seized from two vessels off the coast of Colombia in October 2020 and Ecuador in April 2021.

Police allege Mostafa was the sole financier of the second shipment of cocaine, about 900kg which had an estimated street value in Australia of at least $270million.

His dramatic arrest was the culmination of a weeks-long search after he allegedly cut off an ankle monitor on a golf course behind his luxury Bayview home and went on the run in a Range Rover.

He was allegedly found hiding in the back of a luxury Mercedes inside a shipping container on the back of a truck at the Queensland-NSW border in November.

Five men have been charged so far over their alleged involvement in the syndicate.

His brother is not involved in the alleged importation or charged with any offence.

The brothers are from a family of well-known north Sydney restauranteurs who migrated from Afghanistan.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing against any other family members.

Mostafa Baluch (pictured being escorted back to NSW in November) to face drug importation charges
Australia will send emergency response teams to New Zealand as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins warned Kiwis to 'prepare for more fatalities' in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The nation declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive storm - the country's worst in decades.

A plea for help was issued to Australia as the flood-ravaged country attempts to understand the scale of the disaster with the death toll rising to five.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Kiwis need 'to prepare for the likelihood there will be more fatalities', the New Zealand Herald reported.

The dire announcement comes as 3500 people remain cut off and unaccountable mostly around Hawkes Bay and Gisborne areas in the top end of the north island.

The Kiwi nation declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive storm - the country's worst in decades

New Zealand put out a call for help to Australia as the flood ravaged nation is still understanding the scale of the disaster (pictured, Kiwis lining up to fill gas bottles after the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle this week)

Five Australian impact assessment teams, totalling 25 people, will travel to New Zealand this week to help with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with rescues and recovery

Five Australian impact assessment teams, totalling 25 people, will travel to New Zealand this week to help with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with rescues and recovery.

'NEMA has accepted an agency-to-agency offer from Australia for emergency response support and expertise,' Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.

'They will be looking for people ... they'll be looking at buildings, whether they're habitable or not.'

The death toll has risen to five after a man in his 60s was found in floodwaters in Gisborne on Thursday.

More than 10,000 people have been displaced, with the worst hit regions in the country's eastern Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti regions.

Australian bureaucrats revealed New Zealand formally requested aid on Thursday morning.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (pictured talking to the media on Thursday) said Kiwis need 'to prepare for the likelihood there will be more fatalities'

The dire announcement comes as 3500 people remain unaccountable mostly around Hawkes Bay and Gisborne areas in the top end of the north island (pictured, flooding in the Hawkes Bay region on Thursday)

'NEMA has accepted an agency-to-agency offer from Australia for emergency response support and expertise,' Mr Hipkins said (pictured, a Bay of Plenty home after the storm surge caused by Cyclone Gabrielle)

Mr Hipkins said Australia was open to giving further assistance and New Zealand wouldn't be shy to ask (pictured, medical and essential supplies being delivered to the Hawkes Bay region)

The deputy head of the foreign affairs department's Pacific office said emergency management teams from both nations had been working hand in glove over the past few days to scope possible support.

'We set up yesterday a national management co-ordination function to be able to respond very quickly when the request came through and we will certainly do that,' Elizabeth Peak told senators on Thursday.

Mr Hipkins said Australia was open to giving further assistance and New Zealand wouldn't be shy to ask.

'We'll continue to talk to them and if we need more, I'm sure that they will send more,' he said.
A senior Comanchero figure accused of conspiring to import a $40m cocaine shipment into Australia has faced court.

Mark Buddle, 37, sat slouched with his arms crossed and wearing a bright red jumpsuit when he appeared briefly before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link.

He spoke once, saying 'yes sir' when asked if he was able to hear discussions from the courtroom.

Buddle stands accused of orchestrating the alleged importation of a 160kg shipment of cocaine into Melbourne in May 2021 while living abroad.

He was arrested in the self-declared republic of Northern Cyprus last year and extradited to Australia in August last year.

The Australian Federal Police allege Mark Buddle (pictured) orchestrated a shipment of 160kg of cocaine seized in Melbourne in May, 2021

A global arrest warrant for the alleged boss of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang was issued after police allegedly seized the drugs, worth an estimated street value of $40m.

Court documents show Buddle has been charged with one count of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and one of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

Each carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if proven.

The Australian Federal Police will allege Buddle co-ordinated the shipment with a transnational crime syndicate operating out of Asia and Europe.

He was extradited to Australia to face the charges after his arrest by Turkish authorities.

In court, his lawyer Christopher Farrington asked for the matter to be adjourned until September 18 to link up with other people arrested during the Operation Ironside sting.

Ironside is the Australian name given to an international FBI-led sting that allegedly provided underworld figures with encrypted devices.

The devices, installed with an app named AN0M, allowed law enforcement to monitor communication in real time.

Following the extradition, AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said police had been working to build a brief of evidence against Buddle since 2021.

Buddle (pictured), Australia's most wanted bikie, first faced court in August last year following his extradition

'Australians who think they can hide offshore in perceived safe haven ... take this as a warning,' he said.

'The AFP will be relentless in pursuing you, we are dedicated and we are focused.

'When it comes to this alleged offender, we have been patient and thorough, and we have done what the AFP does best - we have used our capability, intelligence and international networks to ensure we have a warrant and a finalised brief of evidence.'

Buddle did not apply for bail and was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance on March 18.
The mother of a four-year-old girl killed in a gas blast has revealed her family are sleeping on the floor.

Sahara Salman died in an explosion started by a gas leak in her family's Thornton Heath home in south London on August 8, 2022.

Her mother Sana Ahmad spoke about her grief and slammed Merton Council as she revealed the family remain homeless six months on from the explosion.

She said: 'My last memory of her is kissing her good night, telling her how much I loved her, and promising to see her in the morning.

'As a parent, it is a nightmare come true to know that my daughter lost her life in the very bed where she should have felt safe and secure.

Sahara Salman, 4, died after a terraced house collapsed in Galpin's Road, Thornton Heath, in the southern borough of Merton, shortly after 7am on August 8, 2022

The explosion in Galpin's Road, Thornton Heath, near Croydon, left three people seriously injured and tragically killed four-year-old Sahara Salman

Shocked neighbours looked on at the home destroyed by an explosion caused by a gas leak

The house explosion took place in Thornton Heath, Croydon around 7am on August 8, 2022

'Sahara was a shining star in our lives, and her absence is felt deeply.

'Despite this tragedy, we are still homeless and sleeping on the floor.

'My three children and I have lost everything and it's devastating to see them without their belongings and a place to call home.

Three people were hospitalised with potentially life-threatening injuries because of the blast

The extent of the blast was laid bare in aerial photographs that showed the damage to surrounding houses

'They miss their sister and are scared to go to school.

'We deserve support in this difficult time but it feels like we've been left to fend for ourselves.

'It's unfair that we are being treated this way and left without proper support.

'It's difficult to understand why the council is struggling to find a suitable home for us to live in after such a long time.

'It feels like torture to be left to suffer like this.'

The mother's legal representative, Faryal Hussain, said: 'The council needs to house her, it is ridiculous, she is living in a living room with three children.'

Council leader Ross Garrod told MyLondon: 'The council has been doing everything it can to support those affected, including Ms Ahmad and her family.'

Sana Ahmad, previously accused Southern Gas Networks (SGN) of neglecting problems in the area and said her 'world has been torn apart'.

At a community meeting in South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham in August 2022, residents said that at least 18 calls were made to gas firm SGN from Galpin's Road about the smell of gas in the days and weeks leading up to the explosion.

Martin Holloway, executive operations director for SGN, told some 100 residents in the local community centre the firm was 'shocked and saddened' about the death of Sahara.

Aerial footage shows debris strewn across the road and pavement, as well as rubble where the terraced house once stood

Employees of Southern Gas Networks, which had been carrying out works in the road at the time of the incident, were on the scene after the blast

A large pile of rubble in front of where the house was cordoned off by police tape

Mr Holloway told locals at the community meeting: 'Whilst I appreciate it is frustrating given the ongoing police investigation, I'm unable to talk about what happened in the run-up to the explosion.

'I know that's difficult because people want answers about what's happening.'

However, locals immediately began shouting at Mr Holloway, who had to stop speaking.

Two residents walked out of the meeting while shouting at the company representative, with one describing the investigation as a 'whitewash'.

One resident said the company had 'blood on their hands', while another demanded answers, as 'houses don't just blow up'.

One man who lived on Galpin's Road told Mr Holloway: 'A little girl lost her life because of you lot taking your time, and how many people have been telling you that there's been a problem.'

Mr Holloway confirmed that 'the entire history, both electronic and paper' of all the work carried out by SGN on Galpin's Road would be available to the police for their investigation.

He added that the company would also make a 'voluntary goodwill contribution' to the local council following the blast.

A spokeswoman for SGN told MailOnline: 'We are shocked and saddened by this tragic loss of life and our deepest sympathies are with the family and all those who have been affected.'
Chief executive Chris O'Shea set for salary and bonus bonanza of up to 4.26m

British Gas owner Centrica today saw profits triple to more than 3billion for 2022 due to rocketing energy prices that have left millions struggling to pay bills.

The huge haul, which comes after a row over debt collectors breaking into the homes of hard-up customers to forcibly install pre-payment meters, has provoked fresh accusations of profiteering and demands for a higher windfall tax.

The energy giant reported underlying operating profits of 3.3billion against profits of 948million in 2021. Stripping out its Spirit Energy businesses that were sold, underlying earnings jumped to 2.8billion from 392million the previous year.

Millions of British Gas customers, along with those of other providers, have been struggling to pay energy bills as prices have soared due to the war in Ukraine.

Chief executive Chris O'Shea is now under pressure to scale back a potential multi-million pound pay and incentive package. He is in line for a salary and bonus bonanza of up to 4.2million linked to Centrica's performance.

Today's results for British Gas owner Centrica surpass the company's previous profit high of 2.7bn, recorded in 2012

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the news a betrayal for British Gas customers across the country who are 'struggling to keep their heating on'.

'Once again the Government's failure to implement a proper windfall tax is allowing oil and gas businesses to make billions off the back of hardworking families,' he said.

'What makes this worse is that thousands of British Gas families have had their homes broken into and prepayments forcibly installed because they could no longer afford to pay their sky-high bills.

'This cannot continue. Liberal Democrats are calling for the Conservatives to finally bring in a proper Windfall Tax and the cancellation of Government plans to increase energy bills by 500 in April.'

Shadow climate secretary Ed Miliband hit out at the Government as he promised that Labour would introduce a 'proper' windfall tax on energy companies.

'It cannot be right that, as oil and gas giants rake in the windfalls of war, Rishi Sunak's Conservatives refuse to implement a proper windfall tax that would make them pay their fair share,' he tweeted.

'Labour would use a real windfall tax to stop the energy price cap going up in April.'

Union leaders also spoke out, with TUC general secretary Paul Nowak calling for British Gas to be taken into public ownership.

Unite's Sharon Graham said: 'British Gas owner Centrica has been coining it in from our massive energy bills while sending bailiffs to prey on vulnerable consumers the length and breadth of the country.

'These energy companies are showing us everything that is wrong with the UK's broken economy.

'Rishi Sunak should get a grip  pull the plug on rampaging energy profiteering, impose a meaningful, tough windfall tax and give the NHS a pay rise with the proceeds.'

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty campaign group, said the profit was 'obscene', while environment group Friends of the Earth also backed calls for higher windfall taxes.

Centrica said it made operating profits of 72million at its British Gas retail division, British Gas Energy, but that this was down 39 per cent on the year before.

In the figures, Centrica added that it was 'extremely disappointed' by the strong-arm tactics used by the debt collectors it employed.

'We immediately took action to address this and are completing a thorough independent investigation,' it added.

Chief executive Chris O'Shea is likely to come under pressure to scale back a potential multi-million pound pay and incentive package

The company has seen particularly strong performances from its North Sea production and energy trading arms, as well as its 20 per cent ownership of Britain's five nuclear power stations.

Centrica, which still has a large number of small shareholders, will also hike its dividend and launch a fresh share buyback  just three months after the 250million bonanza announced in November.

The group is the largest electricity and gas supplier to UK homes and serves more than ten million customers.

It has benefited from soaring energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to accusations of profiteering.

It is now poised to pay 1billion into the Treasury's coffers  more than oil giant Shell which last week revealed it will only pay 110million in UK windfall tax for 2022.

But it is less than BP, which will pay 1.8billion. Centrica has been hit by two windfall taxes over the past year as ministers try to tax 'excess' profits generated by oil and gas producers, as well as low-carbon electricity generators.

Millions of British Gas customers, along with those of other providers, have been struggling to pay their energy bills as prices have soared due to the war in Ukraine

Serious questions remain over the future of Centrica's Rough storage facility off the Yorkshire coast, which partly reopened in October after significant engineering upgrades over the summer.

The move was a major boost for the UK this winter but the site is still running at only a fifth of its previous capacity.

As a result, Britain could leave itself vulnerable to gas shortages and high energy prices next winter because of the failure of the Government and Centrica to reach agreement on expanding the Rough facility.

The Mail on Sunday has learned the site requires 1bn of investment. Centrica had been willing to provide 500m and hoped the Government would make up the other half.

But talks between the Government and Centrica over the funding have collapsed in recent weeks and Centrica has warned it will not be able to expand capacity in time for next winter.

Sources said the discussions had become increasingly heated and acrimonious, adding that the Government had walked away.
A grandfather was killed by his violent chicken that previously attacked a child, an inquest in Ireland has heard.

Cancer survivor Jasper Kraus, who was living near Ballinasloe at the time, was killed on April 28 last year after he was attacked by a Brahma chicken.

The 67-year-old Dutchman, formerly from The Hague, Netherlands, suffered a heart attack after the bird drove its spur into his leg, causing him to lose litres of blood.

Police officers and his daughter Virginia Guinan found Mr Kraus lying in a pool of blood from the wound on the back of his leg. His lodger said he was able to whisper the word 'rooster' as he lost and regained consciousness.

Paramedics performed CPR on the victim but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Cancer survivor Jasper Kraus (pictured), who was living in Ballinasloe at the time, was tragically killed on April 28, 2021 after he was attacked by a Brahman chicken.

Ms Guinan, 33, told an inquest into her father's death that she raced to the house to find ambulance crews already at the grim scene, the Irish Mirror reported.

She had been contacted by her father's lodger, Corey O'Keeffe, who had been living with Mr Kraus for two years and looked after the animals.

Mr O'Keeffe had just returned home from a night shift at 8am. Before heading to bed, he fed the animals and greeted Mr Kraus. Not long after, the inquest heard, the tenant was woken by the Dutchman shouting 'come quick'.

The lodger performed CPR for 25 minutes on the victim before an ambulance arrived, according to Galway Beo.

Giving evidence, he said blood was coming out of Mr Kraus's leg and that he noticed a large wound in the man's calf and scratches on his other leg.

As he was falling in and out of consciousness, Mr Kraus told his tenant 'rooster', the inquest heard. He eventually lost so much blood that he suffered a heart attack.

Dr Annette Jennings told the inquest in a deposition read out at the hearing that paramedics were attempting to resuscitate Mr Kraus when she arrived at the scene in Killahornia, County Roscommon. He was pronounced dead at 3.24pm.

She said the circumstances around the man's death were unusual on account of the wound being inflicted by a chicken.

The animal-loving 67-year-old, formerly from The Hague, Netherlands, suffered a heart attack after the bird drove its spur into his leg, causing him to lose litres of blood

Dr Ramadan Shatwan, who carried out an autopsy on Mr Kraus, said the victim's face was covered in dried blood but that no cuts on his face were found. He also told the inquest that his lower limbs were covered in dried blood.

The cause of death was due to lethal cardiac arrhythmia in the context of severe coronary atheroma and cardiomegaly, Dr Shatwan said.

Ms Guinan said when she arrived at her father's house, she found her father in a pool of blood, with paramedics performing CPR.

She told the inquest that she followed the trail of blood to the Brahma chicken, which she said had blood on its claws.

The bereaved daughter said she knew it was the culprit because it had previously 'attacked my daughter', The Irish Mirror said.

She told the inquest that she had wanted to get rid of the chicken, but that her father, who was a big animal lover, wanted to keep it.

'My dad protested  he had too big of a heart and didn't want me to get rid of the rooster, so dad took it instead,' the newspaper reported.

Mr Kraus  a father of two and grandfather of two  was suffering from other health issues at the time of his death. He was in remission from cancer and coroner said his heart was 'severely calcified'.

He had been outside visiting his dog's grave when he was attacked.

Ms Guinan said the family knew her father's heart 'was bad'. She said she had to clean up his blood in the house after the attack and called for more support to be given to families who suffer from similar tragedies.

She also used the inquest as an opportunity to warn others of the dangers of owning chickens  even breeds considered safe such as the Brahma.

Mr Kraus is thought to be one of the few people in the world to die in such a way.

'People should be aware of the signs and get rid of any bird as soon as they show signs of aggression,' she told the inquest, according to The Mirror.
A senior Scottish National Party leader today admitted that Nicola Sturgeon had left no clear path to independence for her successor - and said that whoever replaces her must address public concern over trans rights.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader in Westminster, said there was a 'roadblock' in the way of the party's hope of taking Scotland out of the UK.

And he said that the new party leader and First Minister would need 'space to set out their agenda', adding that the debate over new gender laws was 'not the most important issue facing Scots.

Mr Flynn, who said he does not plan to run to be the new leader, spoke out as the SNP appeared to distance itself slightly from her policies just 24 hours after her bombshell announcement.

Senior SNP figures have revealed they want to quietly ditch her flagship Gender Recognition Reform Bill that would allow teenagers to transition from the age of 16.

And Unionists hailed her departure as the best day since the 2014 referendum.

Speaking to the BBC about the GRR bill today, Mr Flynn said there had been 'understandable concern from the public' about high profile cases where sex attackers born as men had been placed in female-only prisons.

'I think what needs to happen is we need to have a lot more light rather than shade in this debate,' he said.

'This legislation was put in place to protect some of the vulnerable people in society, to offer them better opportunities in life as well.

I think it is incumbent upon a new leader to try to find a path which allows us to have this positive discussion as to why this legislation is necessary while of course addressing the understandable concerns that have arisen in the public domain.'

He also suggested the party's conference to discuss the next steps in its independence push could now be delayed.

As many as five SNP figures are expected to run to replace Ms Sturgeon in what could be a bloody fight between her allies and more socially conservative figures.

Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish political dream appears to be dying less than 24 hours after her shock resignation as First Minister and Scottish National Party leader.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader in Westminster, said there was a 'roadblock' in the way of the party's hope of taking Scotland out of the UK. And he said that the new party leader and First Minister would need 'space to set out their agenda', adding that the debate over new gender laws was 'not the most important issue facing Scots.

A man opens a bottle of champagne with Unionist supporters in Glasgow's George Square

The SNP's national executive committee is due to meet this evening to hammer out the terms of a leadership campaign expected to last two or three months.

The outgoing First Minister had vowed to defend the gender legislation after Westminster enacted never-before-used powers to block her bid to make it easier to change gender in Scotland.

Holyrood has until mid-April to challenge London's decision but the race to replace Ms Sturgeon is likely to run until at least that deadline  plunging hopes of resurrecting the policy into serious doubt even if it is not officially ditched.

An SNP source told The Telegraph: 'We need to get back on track by pursuing things that matter to the people of Scotland, not pushing stuff that the public is vehemently opposed to.

'I expect the gender reforms to be parked somewhere as quickly as possible. Any sensible new leader will want to get that off the front pages, and quickly.'

Standing down now means she will avoid running a legal challenge she was likely to lose, or not launching an objection at all, both of which would have severely weakened her position.

Ms Sturgeon yesterday insisted the row over the plan, passed by the Scottish parliament in December, was not the 'final straw' that led to her resignation - despite it deepening divisions within her party.

SNP president Michael Russell has said he expects that process to be shortened and for there to be a contested election.

Though there is no obvious candidate to succeed Ms Sturgeon, potential candidates include external affairs secretary Angus Robertson; finance secretary Kate Forbes; health secretary Humza Yousaf and deputy first minister John Swinney.

Labour was last night also looking to capitalise on Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation, hoping it would help Sir Keir Starmer reach Downing Street.

Labour were last night looking to capitalise on Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation hoping it would help Sir Keir Starmer reach Downing Street

Since the 2015 general election, when it lost 40 of its 41 MPs north of the border, Labour has largely remained in the political wilderness in Scotland.

It won seven seats in the 2017 election, but this fell to one again in 2019 as Ms Sturgeon hoovered up Left-leaning voters trying to block a pro-Brexit Tory party from storming to victory in Westminster. Tory seats in Scotland fell from 13 in 2017 to six in 2019.

But Ms Sturgeon's departure potentially leaves the door open for a Labour comeback in Scotland, helping the party win a majority and the keys to No 10 at the next election, likely to be in autumn next year.

One Labour MP with knowledge of the party's Scottish strategy said: 'There are some seats where the Tories are capable of a comeback, but Labour stands to be the biggest beneficiary given the number of seats where there's been Labour representation historically.

'The internal struggles of the SNP are making it almost unmanageable now for them to maintain the success that Sturgeon had and we'll try and exploit that.

'Sturgeon may be hoping she can defuse it by stepping down, but the SNP's problems run much deeper.'

One message they may look to drive home, added the MP, was that voting in a Labour government in Westminster would be a quicker and easier way of toppling 'hated' Tory rule than trying to secure another independence referendum, win it and then apply to re-join the European Union.

Another Labour figure said: 'We were already on the upward trajectory and [Scottish Labour leader] Anas Sarwar is seen as a credible insurgent and this helps hugely.'

A third senior party official told Politico: 'Politics is about seizing your breakthrough moments. We intend to seize this.'

Sir Keir is due to give a speech at Scottish Labour's annual conference on Sunday, when he will declare his party is a government-in-waiting. Mr Sarwar and Ian Murray, the only Scottish Labour MP, will give speeches on Friday and Saturday.


Society must weave a tighter protection net



People often compare evil humans to beasts. That is not fair  for animals. Watch nature documentaries on TV, and one can see how devoted and self-sacrificing animals are to their offspring.



Two recent incidents reaffirmed how some humans are worse than animals and how cruel they can get.



A week ago, police arrested a stepmother and a father for allegedly abusing their 12-year-old son to death. The stepmother was charged with child abuse and murder. The father was accused of chronic child abuse and other charges.



In a portrait at the funeral, the boy was smiling, holding a dinosaur doll. He wore long johns his biological mother had bought for him when he was seven until the final moment of his life. With bruises all over his body, he was so thin that his bones came out through the flesh. He weighed only 30 kg.



Here is another child. The child, left alone for days in midwinter, died quietly in the place where he was supposed to be safest. Only 20 months old, the child's tiny body left a last message to society that he had not been fed for a long time. These were sad portraits of the 21st-century Republic of Korea, which is experiencing a demographic crisis with the lowest birthrate worldwide.



According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 38 children die a year on average in Korea due to physical abuse or neglect. That means one little victim in less than 10 days. There were signs of impending tragedies. The 12-year-old boy had not been to school since November. His parents told teachers they were homeschooling him, but no school officials visited the home to confirm this and made just three phone calls. The 20-month-old had not received a single mandatory vaccination since the fourth month, and there had been no medical records in the past year.



Society either did not notice or ignored these signs. What should be done?



Last year, the judiciary branch strengthened the punishment of child abusers and murderers by sentencing them to life in prison or death. That must have been expected. However, harsher penalties do not reduce child abuse as in other crimes. The government also decided to expand a pilot project to visit families to help their recovery, beefing up personnel and budget. That will be necessary, too. But these knee-jerk reactions announced whenever we hear new heart-breaking news have limitations to solving the problem more systematically.



Korea should do at least three things to this end.



First, the nation must have a basic law for children. The proposed law should first aim to raise the rate of discovering victimized children. The discovery rate in Korea was 5.02 per 1,000 children last year, up from 1 per 1,000 in 2021. However, it remained far lower than the U.S.' 8.4 and Australia's 12.4. The law should also make reporting child abuse mandatory by punishing non-reporters, enabling child protectors to enter homes suspected of abuse, and forcing the separation of children from their abusers.



Second, Korea must outlaw physical punishment of children at schools, kindergartens, and nurseries, as Germany, Sweden, and Norway have done. It also needs to encourage sparing the rod by banning corporal punishment done in the name of discipline by parents.



Third, the nation should strengthen the right to interview and negotiate with divorced parents. The fifth grader might have avoided the cruel fate had his biological mother been allowed to see his son regularly. The right to interview and negotiate is essential because it is directly linked to proper parenting. In no advanced countries, is the custody of divorced parents as fragmented as in Korea.



Only countries that respect and protect their children can anticipate a future society based on unity and embrace. An old Nigerian saying goes, "It takes a whole village to raise a child." It should be changed in Korea to "It takes a whole society to protect a child."




A mother has vowed to never shop at Tesco again after she 'found strips of plastic' in her packet of 89p bacon while cooking with her 16-year-old son.

Taria Cornelius, of Chilworth, was making breakfast for her family when her son Bradley spotted the plastic while pulling the meat apart.

The mother, a former loyal Tesco shopper, said that if they had not noticed 'it could have sent the kids to hospital as it is a choking hazard'.

'It was only 89p, so not very expensive, but that's not the point. There is a lot of it and I have another pack in the freezer that I'm too scared to cook now in case,' she said.

'I don't know if other people got hold of it too but it is quite a dangerous thing, and I reckon it should be recalled.'

Taria Cornelius (left) was making breakfast for her family when her son Bradley (right) spotted strips of plastic in their bacon

The mother said that if they had not noticed 'it could have sent the kids to hospital as it is a choking hazard'

The mother contacted Tesco and asked for a refund, but they said she would have to come back to the store in person to get her money back

Ms Cornelius contacted Tesco and asked for a refund, but was told the only way this would be possible would be to bring the bacon into the store herself to get her money back.

'I don't drive, and my husband is disabled. We live in Chilworth. I had ordered the bacon as part of my online food shop. If I was to get to Tesco I'd have to get the train to the Park Barn superstore in Guildford,' she said.

'It would end up costing me more to get the train there for the refund.'

After explaining her situation to Tesco, the mother claimed she still had the same response that she would have to go back to the store in person.

'Tesco just don't care and I am never shopping there again. I have contacted the Food Standards Agency to look into it,' she added.

A Tesco spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We're sorry to hear about this. If a customer is not satisfied with a product, they can always return it to us for a full refund.'

Tesco recommends customers contact its customer engagement centre for further help if they are unhappy with their shopping experience.
He was, unsurprisingly, missing from Nicola Sturgeons thank-you list as she reflected on the privileges of the First Ministerial office she is about to leave behind.

But, more than any figure in Scottish Nationalism, it was Alex Salmond who put her there.

It was dinner for two at the Champany Inn near Linlithgow which changed her political life, put power within her grasp and set her on the path that led to Bute House.

Her dining companion was Mr Salmond, the former SNP leader who had sworn blind he had no intention of entering the contest to replace John Swinney, the man who had succeeded him in 2000.

The racing certainty that, four years on, Miss Sturgeon was about to lose in her leadership battle with Roseanna Cunningham  whose ambitions Mr Salmond was eager to thwart  convinced him to renege on his promises.

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon walk side by side at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh after the SNP's 2011 election victory

How would it be, he put it to the young trier who had never won a constituency election in four attempts, if he gatecrashed the contest and announced his own candidacy for party leader? If she would oblige by withdrawing from a race she had no chance of winning, she could run to be his deputy.

Miss Sturgeon asked for a day or two to think it over before agreeing to the pact that shaped the next decade in politics  and infused much of the decade that followed it with psychodrama, bitterness and enmity.

There was no love lost between Mr Salmond and Miss Cunningham back in 2004.

None either between Scotlands former First Minister and its present one as she prepares to vacate her post.

Had she spoken to him, she was asked last August, since he was cleared in the High Court in 2020 of sexual assault? Nope. Did she anticipate speaking to him again? Nope.

And yet, if she is soon to make good on her promise to produce a memoir, she will be forced to confront the reality that he was the towering figure of her political life, her mentor, her benefactor  even her guardian angel. Remove the Linlithgow Pact from Miss Sturgeons career history and where would that career have taken her by today? Would the SNP even have formed a government?

Miss Sturgeon may also come to reflect that, unlike Tony Blair and Gordon Brown who formed a similar pact a decade earlier, she and Mr Salmond worked together highly effectively and, in the early years at least, got along famously.

Besides his wife, Moira, she was one of a handful in his inner circle who could get away with teasing him.

Driven by one overarching political imperative, those two contrasting characters were a study in harmony, leading an increasingly disciplined movement ever closer to its dream.

Together they triumphed over Labour by a whisker in 2007  the year Miss Sturgeon won her first constituency election  and by a mile in 2011.

Their double act was so successful the pair were largely responsible for breaking the electoral system in that poll. It is designed to encourage coalitions and the politics of consensus  not the overall majority the SNP won. That paved the way for the 2014 independence referendum and a surge in support for the Nationalist cause which, weeks before the vote, saw a slim majority in favour of Yes.

Heady days for the Salmond/Sturgeon partnership, a political force so formidable it stood on the brink of bringing the United Kingdom itself crashing down at their feet.

The pair at an event to mark 17 years since the country voted Yes to devolution at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Had they succeeded, Scotland would be independent, then Prime Minister David Cameron would have resigned on the spot and Mr Salmond would have gone down in history as free Scotlands inaugural leader.

But September 18, 2014, brought failure and the end of part one in the story of the SNPs totemic duo. Part two would be uglier. It would bring rancour and betrayal and threaten the party of governments implosion.

Part two cast Miss Sturgeon as the senior player, on paper at least, and an increasingly recalcitrant Mr Salmond as the thorn in the flesh.

Her coronation as party leader and First Minister in the weeks following the referendum was, after all, largely on the strength of a power base borrowed from her predecessor.

Only in the years that followed did these two power bases diverge and, as late as 2018, when sexual harassment allegations against him first surfaced, Mr Salmonds was still widely considered the larger one.

Even when he resigned from the party that year  and notwithstanding his humiliating defeat in the 2017 General Election  many continued to see him as the SNPs spiritual leader.

Alexs resignation does nothing to remove his power base within the party, a senior SNP figure told the Mail at the time.

He may no longer formally be a member of the SNP but I think most SNP members will still see him as the chief member of the SNP.

Mr Salmond and Miss Sturgeon in 2013 holding a copy of a paper outlining their plans for an independent Scotland

Three and a half years into the top job, Miss Sturgeon remained, in many eyes, in Mr Salmonds shadow. Removing herself from it would prove a searing experience.

It was, we now know, during a meeting with him in her home near Glasgow in April 2018 that the scales fell from her eyes. There in her kitchen, Mr Salmond handed her a Scottish Government letter informing him of the harassment allegations he faced.

Worse, the man she had looked up to all these years told her there was indeed an incident of inappropriate behaviour during his time in Bute House, for which he had apologised to the woman concerned.

This inappropriate behaviour translated as assault with intent to rape in one of 14 charges he later faced in court. He was acquitted on a not proven verdict on that charge and found not guilty on all the others.

But even what Mr Salmond admitted about the incident was devastating to Miss Sturgeon. This was the political figure she had revered above all others, she told the 2021 Salmond Inquiry. Her close friend, her bestie who was really important to her ,was, it transpired, not the man she thought he was.

In happier times, as his deputy, she had boasted: No one knows him better than I do, with the possible exception of Moira.

As First Minister, she had defended him several times against accusations of sexism. In 2015, when a tetchy Mr Salmond told then Conservative minister Anna Soubry in the Commons to behave yourself, woman!, Miss Sturgeon leapt to his defence, saying: There is no man I know who is less sexist.

Two years later when he launched his Edinburgh Festival Fringe talk-show with a toe-curling blue joke referencing both Theresa May and Miss Sturgeon herself, she said: I think I would know if he was sexist, and emphatically he is not.

For good measure, she added: Im fairly well qualified to comment on this because Ive worked with Alex Salmond very closely for, what, almost 30 years now, so hes not sexist. Compare and contrast with her testimony at the Salmond Inquiry: As First Minister I refused to follow the age-old pattern of allowing a powerful man to use his status and connection to get what he wants. There were claims that her own husband Peter Murrell, the partys chief executive and a former constituency assistant of Mr Salmond, was part of an SNP plot to end his former bosss career and even put him in prison.

While Mr Murrell denied the claims, Mr Salmond clearly gave them credence, which raised questions about Miss Sturgeons own role in the by now highly toxic affair which threatened to rip the party asunder.

It was clear she was leading a government which was investigating claims that her predecessor and mentor had groped women  clear too that she was defending the procedures for handling the sexual harassment allegations while he was attacking them.

Miss Sturgeon announcing her resignation yesterday during a press conference in Edinburgh

The public display of the enormity of the schism came in August 2018 when, ensconced once more in the Champany Inn, Mr Salmond told journalists he was resigning from the party he had led to power. Not only that, he was crowdfunding for a legal battle against his successors government.

A few miles away in Edinburgh, Miss Sturgeon was talking to journalists too, assuring them her government would defend its position vigorously and insisting that complaints against Mr Salmond could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.

Their friendship, clearly, was dead. Whatever else that may be said about the second half of Miss Sturgeons First Ministership, it could never be argued her predecessor was a back seat driver.

She was finished with him  and he, it transpired after his High Court acquittal, was finished with the SNP. The Alba Party, led by Mr Salmond, was founded in February 2021 and two Nationalist MPs immediately defected to it.

And so the psychodrama rumbled on. Was the former First Minister now to stage a spectacular return to Holyrood that year to take his former protegee to task on a list of grievances over her governance? Would the man who suspected his former colleagues of trying to have him jailed now prove to be the biggest headache of all for the politician he had mentored to power?

It was a sign, perhaps, of his vastly diminished power base in the wake of the court trial  and the highly unsavoury conduct he had been forced to admit to  that he fell short of that ambition.

Mr Salmond was humiliated at the polls while Miss Sturgeons party swept to victory at a canter. Finally, she may have been forgiven for thinking, she was rid of him.

And yet, in truth, she never really was. Even in the closing days of her reign, Mr Salmond was there on the sidelines with commentary she would not have welcomed. More irritatingly still, perhaps, he was often right  it was he who this month characterised his successors gender recognition dispute with the Westminster Government as a hill to die on for his former party. Polling bore him out.

Why was the First Minister embroiling herself so deeply in a minority issue which fell so far down voters priority lists?

Whatever missteps the Salmond administration may have taken, this, it was easy to believe, would not have been one of them.

Ultimately, political obituarists may conclude, neither member of this most potent of partnerships enjoyed the same success in their solo work as they did together. The analogy flatters the politicians but, like Lennon and McCartney, they needed each other.
Russia again pummelled Ukraine with a barrage of cruise and other missiles on Thursday, hitting targets from east to west, including 'critical infrastructure'.

Ukrainian authorities said a 79-year-old woman was killed and at least seven other people injured in the widespread attacks.

Russian forces used a variety of missile types, firing 36 in a two-hour overnight burst, said Ukraine's military chief, Valery Zaluzhnyy, He said air defence batteries shot down 16 of them, a lower rate of success than against some previous Russian waves.

The strikes come as questions continue to be raised over Russia's capability to prosecute a new offensive that Western officials have been issuing warnings over for weeks, amid reports suggesting Moscow's forces are severely depleted, with NATO intelligence saying Russia is losing 2,000 men for every 100 yards gained.

Britain's defence secretary Ben Wallace said Wednesday estimates suggest '97 percent of the whole Russian army is in Ukraine', while the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said Russia has lost around half of its best battle tanks since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion almost one year ago.

Russia again pummelled Ukraine with a barrage of cruise and other missiles on Thursday, hitting targets from east to west, including 'critical infrastructure'. Pictured: Ukrainian firefighters work at the scene of a strike in Pavlograd, Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities said a 79-year-old woman was killed and at least seven other people injured in the widespread attacks. Pictured: A destroyed house is seen in Pavlograd

The think tank's 'Military Balance 2023' report - a highly-anticipated annual bible on countries' military sizes - offers a bleak outlook for the Kremlin at a time when Kyiv is set to receive Western-built main battle tanks and other high-powered weaponry.

Ukrainian authorities on Thursday said targets in the north, west, south, east and centre of the country were struck by Russian missile attacks.

They said defences in the south of the country had downed eight Kalibr missiles launched at the country from a ship in the Black Sea.

But the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak, said Russian forces 'changed their tactics' for the strike, deploying what he described as 'active reconnaissance' and 'false targets.'

He gave no further details, but Russian forces may be using the strikes to test for weak points in Ukrainian air defences that have been strengthened by Western-supplied weapons systems and have had high rates of success against previous Russian barrages of missiles and killer drones.

One of the overnight strikes caused casualties and destroyed homes in the eastern city of Pavlohrad, the regional governor said.

Governor Serhiy Lysak said a 79-year-old woman was killed and at least seven other people were wounded, including two who were later hospitalised.

The strike destroyed seven homes, damaged 30 others and sparked a fire at an industrial plant that emergency services put out within hours, the governor added.

A regional governor in western Ukraine, Maksym Kozitskyi, said a fire broke out at a 'critical' infrastructure facility in the province of Lviv. He did not offer further details.

Lviv is in the far-west of Ukraine and has therefore been relatively unscathed by Russian attacks when compared to cities in the east, where the fighting is heaviest.

However, the city and the surrounding region has still come under fire from Russian missiles as Moscow continues in its efforts to wear down Ukraine's morale.

Amid warnings that Putin is preparing to launch a new all-out assault on Ukraine in an attempt to achieve the goals set out at the beginning of the war in February 2022 - to overthrow the pro-western government in Kyiv and replace it with a Russian puppet administration - questions have been raised in recent days over whether the Russian Armed Forces are actually able to sustain such an offensive.

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday that Russian troops are suffering 'almost First World War levels of attrition and with success rates of a matter of metres' in Ukraine.

On what he fears Russia is planning next, Mr Wallace said: 'I think that since General Gerasimov was appointed as the sort of overall Ukraine commander a couple of months ago when Putin fired General Surovikin, we've seen a sort of effort to advance on all fronts.

However, he said there is little evidence to suggest a force is gathering.'We haven't actually seen this massing of a single force to punch through, a big offensive - just an effort to advance, and that has come at a huge cost to the Russian army,' he said.

'We now estimate 97% of the whole Russian army is in Ukraine and to put that in perspective that means that those tens of thousands of miles of border Russians have with obviously China, with Norway, with Finland, imagine all those people are stuck now in Ukraine suffering very high levels of casualties.

'I think what Russia is doing is trying to advance, doing so at a human wave, almost First World War levels of attrition and with success rates of a matter of metres rather than kilometres,' Mr Wallace said.

'I think what we have to ask ourselves is - and this is the biggest unknown - is: when you have a president and a general staff that simply bears either a gap in the reality or indeed no regard for human life of its own, how does that stop?'

Pictured: An aerial view of Vuhledar, the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 10

Pictured: Several destroyed or damaged Russian tanks are seen in a field near Vuhledar

Pictured: Two damaged Russian military vehicles are seen in a field near Vuhledar

In its daily update on the on-going war in Ukraine, The Institute for the Study of War think tank said yesterday that Mr Wallace's assessment that 'Russia lacks sufficient mechanised combat power for a breakthrough' aligned with its recent assessments.

These, it said, have said 'the conventional Russian military must undergo significant reconstitution before regaining the ability to conduct effective maneuver warfare'

'Wallace's observations also suggest that Russia does not have untapped combat-ready reserves capable of executing a large-scale offensive, which is also ISW's assessment,' the think tank said in its update.

In its annual Military Balance report, a key reference tool for defence experts, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank said loss rates for some of Russia's most modern classes of tank were as high as 50 percent, forcing it to instead rely on older Soviet-era models.

These have proven particularly vulnerable to modern western weapons donated to Ukraine, such as the Javelin hand-held missile launcher, which since the invasion began almost one year ago has been responsible for the destruction of dozens of Russian tanks - as evidenced by several video clips posted online.

'They're producing and reactivating nowhere near enough to compensate for those loss rates. Their current armoured fleet at the front is about half the size it was at the start of the war,' Henry Boyd, research fellow at the IISS, told Reuters news agency.

He estimated Russia's tank losses at between 2,000 and 2,300, and Ukraine's at up to 700. Ukraine's own estimates put Russian losses at even higher than this.

Ukraine has secured promises of around 100 modern Western tanks, including the U.S. Abrams, the German Leopard and the British Challenger, whose capabilities far exceed the older Russian models.

'That may well then translate through to less aggressive and less confident (Russian) tank actions as crews are more concerned about the threat level presented to them,' Boyd said.

IISS aerospace expert Douglas Barrie said Russia had preserved its air force mostly unscathed, operating at a distance because of effective Ukrainian air defences and an undersupply of tactical short-range air-to-surface missiles.

But he said Russia may look to use air power more actively, and potentially take more risks to hit any concentrations of Ukrainian forces on the ground.

'One of the challenges from a Ukrainian perspective is if they do either have to repel a significant Russian ground force or mass their own forces ... you leave yourself vulnerable to air attack. At that point the Russians might decide they're going to take greater losses just to inflict yet greater losses on the other side,' he said.

A year into the war, Russia has been beaten back from much of the territory it initially captured but still partly occupies four regions of south and eastern Ukraine. Kyiv has been warning for weeks of a looming new Russian offensive.

Pictured: A Ukrainian serviceman of the 93rd brigade covers his ears while firing a French 120mm rifled towed mortar (designated as a MO-120-RT-61) towards Russian positions in Bakhmut on February 15, 2023

Pictured: A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop of a BPM-1 infantry fighting vehicle in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 15

Pictured: An aerial view of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Pictured: An aerial view of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the Donetsk region, shows the devastation of the small city

Pictured: A Ukrainian serviceman of the 93rd brigade stands near a pile of empty mortar shell containers in Bakhmut on February 15

Pictured: A British MoD map updated showing the on-going Russian invasion of Ukraine

On Wednesday, Russia said it had broken through two fortified Ukrainian defence lines on the eastern front, and said Ukrainian forces were retreating in parts of the eastern province of Luhansk.

Barrie said Western sanctions were hampering Russia's ability to replenish its stocks of guided weapons that rely on imported microprocessors.

He also said the pace of development of Russia's latest generation of nuclear weapons was slow, despite President Vladimir Putin's boasts about Moscow's capabilities and his repeated veiled threats to resort to nuclear arms to defend what he regards as Russian territory.

Ben Barry, land warfare expert at the ISS, said he was sceptical that Russia could make major progress.

'My assessment is it's going to find it difficult to concentrate enough credible and competent force to push the Ukrainians back much,' he said.

At the same time, he said, 'it's not clear to me that Kyiv has enough combat power to rapidly eject Russian forces... We can expect another bloody year.'

Meanwhile, the head of Russia's ruthless mercenary outfit Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has said that Russian forces could capture the embattled city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine 'in March or in April'.

In messages distributed online overnight, he said progress would depend on whether 'the adversary sends reserves' and blasted Russia's 'monstrous military bureaucracy' for its failure to seize the Donetsk region city before the end of 2022.

Luhansk and Donetsk provinces make up the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland, which is now partially occupied by Russia. Putin wants full control of the Donbas and his army's current focus is on taking the small city of Bakhmut in Donetsk.

Ukrainian military analysts said Russian troops had launched several unsuccessful attacks on villages to the north and south of Bakhmut over the past day, including the town of Vuhledar. Reports suggest Russia has taken massive casualties.

Ukraine's Colonel Dmytrashkivskyi said two of Russia's most elite brigades - the 40th and 155th Naval Infantry Brigades - were decimated around the town, according to the New York Times on Wednesday.

Russia has been using 'human wave' attacks against Ukraine, in which Moscow's generals send wave upon wave of solders at Ukraine's defences, without showing any regard for loss of life. As a result, hundreds of Russian soldiers are dying each day, but they are making small gains.

Aanalyst Oleh Zhdanov said: 'Things are very difficult for our forces there as Russian troops are being sent into the area en masse.'

Bakhmut's capture would give Russia a stepping stone to advance on two bigger cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk further west in Donetsk, which would revive Moscow's momentum ahead of the Feb. 24 anniversary.

Trying to counter that, NATO alliance nations are ramping up production of artillery munitions in efforts to keep pace with Ukraine's rapid use of them.

A shell is fired from a French 120mm rifle towed mortar (designated as a MO-120-RT-61) towards Russian positions in Bakhmut on February 15, 2023

A Ukrainian serviceman drives a tank along a road outside the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 14

Ukrainian soldiers check the situation using a drone in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine,

Pictured: Local residents walk along a street in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Only a few of the city's inhabitants remain in Bakhmut, with Russian troops on their doorstep

Ukraine has received billions of dollars in military aid, particularly from the United States which has committed more than $27.4 billion since the conflict began.

Senior U.S. officials have advised Ukraine to hold off with a major offensive until the latest supply of U.S. weaponry is in place and training has been provided.

'We have to ensure that this spring it is truly felt that Ukraine is moving towards victory,' President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an evening address.

Russia calls the invasion a 'special military operation' against security threats and has cast deliveries of heavy weapons to Ukraine as proof that the West is escalating the war. Kyiv and its allies call Russia's actions an imperialistic land grab.
Rebels took Mehrtens as a bargaining chip to win independence from Indonesia

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage by 'psychopath' terrorist

The rebel behind the capture of a New Zealand pilot in remote West Papua is a 23-year-old 'psychopath' terrorist whose violent separatist group is reportedly responsible for one of the region's worst massacres, it has emerged.

Phillip Mehrtens, 37, is being held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army or 'TPNPB' after flying in to rescue construction workers threatened with death in the disputed Indonesian province.

He was kidnapped last week by the separatist rebels, who stormed his single-engine Indonesian Susi airlines plane shortly after it landed on a small runway.

The group's leader, Egianus Kogoya, is now holding him as a bargaining chip to boost his rebels' efforts to win independence from Indonesia.

The TPNPB took responsibility for the infamous Nduga massacre of 2018, in which 31 Indonesian workers employed by a state-owned construction company to build a bridge in the Nduga district were rounded up, held hostage and slaughtered.

Meanwhile, Mr Mehrtens' anxious wife Maria and their son are praying for his release amid warnings that the pilot, who previously flew for Australia's Jetstar Airways, will 'die here like the rest of us' if Indonesian troops attempt to rescue him.

Worried friends have also posted on Instagram: 'Pray for Phillip' and 'Oh God, have mercy'.

The group's leader, 23-year-old Egianus Kogoya (above holding hands with Phil Mehrtens in a 'proof of life' video) is regarded by some as a psychopath since he carried out the massacre of 31 workers while a teenager in 2018

Friends and family of Phil Mehrtens (above with his wife Maria and their son) are facing an anxious wait as he is held in remote western Papua by violent separatist group KKB led by a 'psychopath' terrorist

Kogoya held hands with Mr Mehrtens during a chilling 'proof of life' video in which rebels armed with machine guns, spears and bows and arrows called for the Indonesian military to leave the province.

The TPNPB has fought a guerrilla war against Indonesian troops for the province once known as Irian Jaya, which it has controlled since 1963 when it took over the Dutch-occupied colony lucrative for its spices and slave trading.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a UN-sponsored referendum widely seen as a sham. Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the mineral-rich region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.

The TPNPB released photographs and a video of Mr Mehrtens raising his fist as if in solidarity with them and saying in faltering Bahasa Indonesian language: 'The Indonesian military must leave. If they don't leave I will not be released'.

In English, the pilot said: 'The Free Papua Movement has captured me. The Papuan military has taken me captive in the effort to fight for Papuan independence.

'They have asked for the Indonesian military to go home back to Indonesia and if not I will remain captive or my life is threatened.'

Mr Mehrtens landed a single-engined Susi Air commercial passenger flight on a tiny airstrip in Paro, Nduga in the Papua Mountains on February 7, with Kogoya's TPNPB fighters storming the plane shortly afterwards.

The aircraft was scheduled to pick up 15 workers Kogoya had threatened to kill, according to Nduga district chief Namia Gwijangge.

Egianus Kogoya (above taking over Mr Mehrtens plane before setting it alight) and his TPNPB group are held responsible for 65 crimes since 2018, when they shot dead 15 building workers

Rebel leader Kogoya (centre, with the Free Papua Movement's banned morning star flag and clasping hostage Phil Mehrtens's hand) stayed close to the abducted pilot after torching his plane and threatening to kill him

TPNPB fighters led by Kogoya poured fuel on the single-engined Susi Airlines aircraft and then set it alight, destroying Mr Mehrtens' hopes of fleeing the remote West Papuan province

The separatist rebels from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), seized Mr Mehrtens before setting fire to his plane on the runway (pictured)

Kogoya was videoed attacking the cockpit of the plane before fuel was poured on the craft and it was set alight.

Nduga is the same region where the TPNPB accepted responsibility for the 2018 massacre of workers building a bridge who were taken hostage on Free Papua Day and shot dead.

The rebels then attacked Indonesian Army helicopters trying to evacuate survivors.

Papua Regional Police have recorded that in the past five years the TPNPB has committed 47 acts of shooting, eight of assault, three of massacre, two of arson as well as assaults, sexual assaults threats and murder.

On Susi Airlines' Instagram page, fellow pilots and others posted hopes that a meeting would be held with the TPNPB and he would be recovered soon.

'Hopefully the proud pilot of Susi Air will soon be found safe and the government can be braver with TPNPB terrorists,' one supporter posted online.

In bizarre images and a videos, Phil Mehrtens is seens to supposedly raise his fist in solidarity with the Fre Papuan militants and demand Indonesia liberate them from its control

Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped shortly after touching down in Paro in the remote West Papuan province of Nguda

What is the West Papua Liberation Army? The West Papua Liberation Army is the armed wing of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Separatist rebels from the group have fought Indonesian control in the easternmost region of Papua since the early 1960s. The group, which has child soldiers among its ranks, employs guerrilla tactics to target and destroy industrial buildings as a rejection of Indonesian-led development. The Papuan fighters have never been well armed but have battled Indonesia since it took control of the mineral-rich region from the Dutch in 1962. Papuans, who had declared their independence the year before, see Indonesians as invaders who cemented control with a UN-sponsored sham referendum at the end of the 1960s. Advertisement

However, one of the group's fighters has repeated warnings Mr Mehrtens' liberty depended on the Indonesian government withdrawing its troops and granting it independence.

'We are taking the pilot and will only release him when Papua is free. If not the pilot will die with us in our territories with our commander, Egianus Kogoya, the fighter said, according to The Australian.

'We will not release him unless we get freedom of Papua. Every country must open their eyes and acknowledge the freedom of Papua.

'The military and police of Indonesia must not pursue us, if they do we will shoot the pilot.'

In another video, Kogoya personally insisted Mr Mehrtens is safe and urges the military not to launch a rescue operation.

'I will  ensure his safety, so Indonesia should not use its arms from above or on the ground. If the pilot is with me, he'll be safe,' he said.

But Kogoya has previously lashed out, even at those politicians who claim to be fighting for the same cause, a free West Papua.

He has issued furious rebukes, saying at one point, 'we are fighting desperately in the forest for an independent Papua, but those of you who live abroad claim to be diplomats, but only for the benefit of seeking profit from us'

His TPNPB group has warned any foreigners entering 12 declared war zones within the Papua Highlands and Central Papua provinces would be considered legitimate hostage targets.

A fellow pilot and former colleague told New Zealand's Stuff news organisation that Mr Mehrtens, 37, had previously worked for Susi Air after finishing flight school in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he grew up.

After meeting his wife Maria in Indonesia, the couple returned to NZ and lived in Auckland where he worked for Jetstar and they began raising their son.

The Mehrtens returned to live in Indonesia when he recommenced employment with Susi Air, founded in 2004, which operates a fleet on 50 aircraft.

The rebels released all five of Mr Mehrtens' passengers because they were indigenous Papuans, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said.

The president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, sent his condolences to the family of Mr Mehrtens (above, pictured with terrorist leader Egianus Kogoya) for the troubles the abduction has caused them

Mr Mehrtens flew a single engine plane (pictured) to the Nduga region in order to remove 15 construction workers from the area after their lives were threatened by the rebels

Flying is the only practical way of accessing many parts of the mountainous area, and the former colleague said Mr Mehrtens was flying 'dangerous pathways' with short runways on steep hills.

The fellow pilot said: 'It shows how much of a family person he is, putting himself at risk to earn money to support his family.

'Phil is the nicest guy, he genuinely is - no one ever had anything bad to say about him.'

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Mohammad Mahfud said the government was making every effort to persuade the rebels to release Mr Mehrtens 'because the priority is the safety of the hostage.'

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement: 'We are aware of the photos and video circulating but won't be commenting further at this stage.'

Papua police chief Mathius Fakhiri told reporters in Jayapura, the provincial capital, that they are seeking to obtain the pilot's freedom by involving several community leaders, including tribal and church figures, to build communication and negotiate with the rebels.
New Zealand redeployed gunships and helicopters to deliver water, food and fuel to cities cut off by Cyclone Gabrielle on Thursday, as overwhelmed rescue teams embraced overseas offers of help.

Five people have died and 10,500 more have been displaced, according to authorities, in a disaster that has crippled the country's populous North Island.

Four days of violent winds and lashing rains caused landslides and widespread flooding that lacerated the island's road network, caused rolling power cuts and knocked out hundreds of mobile phone towers.

Police said 3,500 people had been reported as 'uncontactable', as residents around the country tried desperately to reach loved ones.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the police held 'grave concerns' for those still missing.

New Zealand redeployed their military to deliver essential supplies to marooned cities on the upper North Island

Flooding in the Hawkes Bay region after Cyclone Gabrielle. People were left stranded on rooftops due to the floods

'We do need to be prepared for the likelihood there will be more fatalities,' he warned.

Hipkins said over 100,000 households were still without power on the North Island, home to more than three-quarters of the country's five million residents.

On Thursday, the east-coast city of Napier was briefly cut off after experts detected damage to the last useable bridge linking its 65,000 residents with the rest of the country.

The national Transport Agency said the bridge had since reopened, but only for emergency services and critical workers.

Isolated residents have been told not to leave their homes unless 'absolutely essential' and to restrict water use.

When residents do venture out, they wade through murky floodwaters to get supplies or huddle on the steps of a few buildings that still have wifi, trying to let loved ones know they are safe.

Around the city, petrol stations have put up signs declaring there is 'NO FUEL' for anyone other than emergency services.

Earlier Hipkins warned New Zealanders of a long, gruelling recovery ahead, with power not expected to be restored to some areas for weeks and the clean-up likely to take much longer.

'This is a traumatic event,' he said. 'It's a very big challenge to restore infrastructure as fast as we can, but we have to acknowledge that we are in for a bumpy ride.'

People wait for fuel at a gas station near Napier during a shortage as deliveries have been blocked by high waters and collapsed bridges

Last month Aukland was hit with floods that killed four people. People stand at the collapsed Puketapu Bridge near Napier

A railway bridge that was washed away by severe flooding near Napier. The city was cut off by flooding, making it difficult for aid to get through

An overturned car submerged in floodwater after being swept away by flooding near Napier in New Zealand

Recovery efforts have begun of damaged vehicles but high waters have meant that fuel and other essential supplies have not been able to get through to people

'There are no overnight fixes. We could have the bulldozers working 24/7 and it would still take time to re-establish road links.'

The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed two large naval vessels and a C-130 Hercules transport plane to deliver thousands of litres of water along with personnel and several mobile water treatment plants to hard-hit regions.

NH90 helicopters have brought in supplies and rescued hundreds of people stranded on their rooftops.

After offers of help from the United States and other countries were initially set aside, Hipkins said emergency response experts from Australia would arrive in the coming days.

Hipkins warned New Zealanders of a long, gruelling recovery ahead, with power not expected to be restored to some areas for weeks

A commuter passes an area affected by flooding as New Zealanders try to get back to normal life

NH90 helicopters have brought in supplies and rescued hundreds of people stranded on their rooftops. An abandoned car near Napier

Resources for recovery are scarce and the city of Napier was briefly cut off after experts found damage to the final bridge linking it to the rest of the country

The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed two large naval vessels and a C-130 Hercules transport plane to deliver thousands of litres of water on Thursday

The east-coast city of Napier was briefly cut off after experts detected damage to the last usable bridge linking its 65,000 residents with the rest of the country

Residents have been warned to travel only if necessary and to limit their water usage while authorities work to restore road links

Damage caused by the weather disaster will be in the billions, not the millions, the chief economist of Kiwibank said

The cyclone itself has already faded into the South Pacific, but further downpours and severe thunderstorms complicated relief efforts and sparked new landslides.

Authorities are still grappling with the scale of the devastation wrought by the storm, and estimates of the damage done and the cost of repairs are scarce.

'We know it's going to be in the region of billions, not millions, of dollars,' Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr told AFP.

'I think the figure will be in the range of several billion - five to 10 billion dollars (US$3-6 billion), possibly more.'
Star neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has defended performing two surgeries that left patients with catastrophic brain injuries, saying he has more expertise in brainstem tumours than almost anyone in the world.

A Health Care Complaints Commission inquiry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the operations, including concerns patients were offered false hope regarding their chance of survival.

Appearing before the commission in Sydney on Thursday, the 65-year-old disagreed with fellow neurologists Professor Bryant Stokes and Associate Professor Andrew Morokoff, who told the inquiry there was no benefit in operating on one of the patients.

Dr Teo differed to them on whether one of the patient's tumours had spread to the left side of the brain, saying in his opinion it had not, making it operable.

'My opinion was this was focal. Their opinion was this was diffuse. When I did this case I was hoping that I was right,' he told the inquiry.

Dr Charlie Teo (pictured with his fiancee Traci Griffiths), 65, fronted a Health Care Complaints Commission inquiry on Thursday

Dr Teo was grilled by the commission's counsel Kate Richardson SC about why he disagreed with the evidence of the other experts

'I even said to the family, 'If I've got it wrong it could be terrible. If I've got it right it could be great'.'

Dr Teo was grilled by the commission's counsel Kate Richardson SC about why he disagreed with the evidence of the other experts.

He said he would not expect them to know as much about brainstem tumours as he did because it wasn't their specialty.

'It's not just reading a brain scan, it's the nuances of a 'sub-sub-speciality',' he said.

'I have more experience with brainstem tumours and surgery thereof than almost anyone in the world.'

At times the controversial surgeon became frustrated by Ms Richardson's questioning.

'I don't blame you for being confused ... but it's what I do for a living,' he told her.

The inquiry heard Dr Teo told the patient she had a five per cent chance of a devastating outcome such as death, locked in syndrome, or complete paralysis.

'Five per cent risk of a bad outcome, means a 95 per cent chance of a reasonable outcome,' he said.

'The only reason you would not go home is if she had a bad, devastating outcome - which she did. That five per cent.'

The renowned surgeon said he naturally reflected on his methods after having his judgment questioned by others

'When you judge a tumour as being surgically resectable and you get a bad outcome there is no one to blame but yourself,' he said.

'Of course you're going to reflect on your rationale.'

In the case of the other patient, Dr Teo told her if she didn't have surgery by the following Tuesday she would be 'f***ing dead by Friday', her husband told the hearing.

During the 2019 surgery, the woman received a frontal lobectomy in which a significant portion of her brain was removed - something her husband told the committee was not disclosed before the operation.

Medical consent experts Paul Komesaroff and Chris Ryan told the hearing risk needed to be conveyed to patients to allow them to make informed consent.

On Wednesday, Assoc Prof Morokoff, Prof Stokes and another neurosurgeon, Professor Paul D'Urso, told the inquiry it was common during operations to remove healthy brain tissue without first informing the patient.

Dr Teo (pictured, with supporters on Thursday) was restrained by the NSW Medical Council in August 2021 from operating without the approval of another doctor after an investigation by the state's health care complaints commission

The neurosurgeon has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing (pictured, Dr Teo with his partner earlier this week)

'I think every brain surgeon in the country would be guilty of not declaring they take out normal brain tissue when they remove a brain tumour,' Prof D'Urso said.

'You'd have nothing else to do other than have neurosurgeons in your commission if that was the line you took.'

Dr Teo was restrained by the NSW Medical Council in August 2021 from operating without the approval of another doctor after an investigation by the state's health care complaints commission.

He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
A mother from Texas will sue a Houston funeral home after claiming it allowed her son's body to 'literally rot'.

Funeral guests were left retching and vomiting from the smell of decomposing flesh after the funeral home neglected to embalm the body of Edward Silva, 43, the $1,000,000 lawsuit states.

The Integrity Funeral Home was reportedly due to embalm Silva on 12 February 2021, ahead of his funeral on February 17, but the service was pushed back by nearly a week due to adverse weather conditions.

His mother, Julieta Guerra, said she was only invited to see the body in a 'severely decomposed state' hours before the funeral on February 23.

Her lawsuit, which alleges negligence and deceptive trade, reads: 'Edward had remained cut open and had not been sewn back up. His chest had a gaping hole, an empty cavity that was not stuffed.'

It continued: 'The funeral suit that Julieta has brought for Edward would not fit, because of the extreme post-mortem swelling of the body.'

Edward Silva, 43, died unexpectedly on 9 February and was not embalmed before his delayed funeral on February 23, his mother claims

Julieta Guerra (L) and her son, Edward Silva (R), pictured. Ms Guerra is suing a Houston funeral home after, she says, it failed to take care of her son's body

It is not clear from the lawsuit why Silva died unexpectedly on February 9, 2021, nor why he was not immediately embalmed.

Guerra alleges that when she drove to the funeral home to see her son during Storm Uri, the home was closed and did not have generators.

The storm, which impacted the United States, Mexico and parts of Canada between February 13 and 17, 2021, resulted in nearly 10 million power outages.

Texas hospitals were reportedly forced to evacuate patients who were left without water or heat due to outages.

The Lone Star State, usually self-reliant for energy, lacked the interconnectivity to pool resources from neighbors when grid operators failed to build reserves, leading to widespread outages.

When the storm subsided and Guerra was finally able to see her son, she had to put white gloves on his hands to stop fluids oozing out, according to the lawsuit.

Silva's mother arrived with a beautician on February 22, ahead of the funeral the next day.

The lawsuit says her son's 'skin was so delicate that when [the beautician] put on the makeup, the skin was slipping and falling off, and ... his hair was falling Dogg when she was trying to cut and style it.'

Funeral home director Hilda Rojas suggested spraying the coffin with cologne and using coffee to mask the smell.

Rojas reportedly used Q-tips to stop a liquid oozing out of Silva's ears.

She is alleged to have said: 'I don't know what this is.'

The smell was so bad the family elected for a closed coffin funeral.

More than 100 friends and family arrived, with people 'covering their noses to help them tolerate the smell' and some guests retching throughout the service.

'The smell of decomposition was just so distracting.'

Eddie Silva, pictured, died aged 43. His funeral was delayed by poor weather conditions

The Integrity Funeral Home at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Texas, where Mr Silva was supposed to be embalmed in February 2021

Guerra is asking for $1 million in damages after claiming she has suffered panic attacks since the funeral.

She says the funeral home did not offer an apology, but instead months later called to ask Guerra not to sue the funeral home or 'they will let people go'.

Nearly two years later, an in-person hearing is scheduled in Harris County, Texas, on February 24.
A sailor who lost her Royal Navy career after an accident while dining in the captain's cabin of a frigate is suing the Ministry of Defence for 500,000.

Joleen Williams, 37, was hurled across the cabin while eating dinner aboard HMS St Albans with one of the Navy's most senior female officers, Commander Catherine Jordan, in 2014.

Miss Williams said there was 'no warning' as the frigate performed a manoeuvre in rough seas, leaving her pinned to a cupboard by the captain's table and causing back injuries which led to her medical discharge from the Navy in December 2017.

MoD lawyers deny responsibility, claiming a warning 'pipe' was sounded.

They are blaming the accident on the the failure of Miss Williams, who was a leading medical assistant, to brace herself properly.

Joleen Williams (pictured) was hurled across a cabin while eating dinner on board HMS St Albans. She said there was 'no warning' and she was pinned to a cupboard by the captain's table, causing back injuries

Miss Williams was serving on HMS St Albans in October 2014, conducting routine operations in the English Channel, when she was hurt, according to documents lodged at Central London County Court.

The ship was undertaking an extended period of sea trials after an upgrade to its weapon systems and other improvements and had been operating in 'very rough' seas.

Miss Williams's lawyers said: 'The claimant was invited to dinner in the captain's cabin with four other members of the ship's company.

'During the course of the dinner, at approximately 2000 hours, the ship rolled unexpectedly.

Miss Williams had been eating dinner with one of the Navy's most senior female officers, Commander Catherine Jordan (pictured)

'The claimant's chair was thrown backwards, followed by the table, which pinned the claimant against a locked cupboard.

'The lock in the cupboard broke as a consequence. The table had not been secured or adequately secured. Further, the claimant's chair was not secured.

'No warning by means of a warning pipe was made by the Officer of the Watch. If such a warning had been given, the claimant would not have been able to secure herself by means of wedging/holding on to the table, as it had not been secured/adequately secured.'

She later 'developed neck pain, headaches, low mood' and was medically discharged from the Navy in December 2017 as a result of her injuries.

Her lawyers blame the MoD for what happened and claims staff 'failed to ensure that prior to leaving the harbour the ship was fully secured for sea.'

They added: 'This would include securing every item that is moveable, particularly if it is likely that heavy seas will be met as soon as the harbour entrance is passed.'

Joleen Williams, 37, was hurled across a cabin while eating dinner on board HMS St Albans (pictured) with one of the Navy's most senior female officers, Commander Catherine Jordan, after the frigate performed a manoeuvre in rough seas in 2014

Richard Seabrook, defending the MoD, said Miss Williams, who was sat next to Commander Jordan at the dinner, had been seated around a table which was secured to the deck by a bolt.

He said: 'The ship was required to turn across the sea in heavy weather. A warning pipe was broadcast, in response to which those attending the dinner took precautionary steps of holding onto jugs, plates and cutlery on the table.

'The ship lurched, causing the claimant to fall backwards on her chair and into furniture.

'Commander Catherine Jordan helped the claimant up and she returned to the table to finish her dinner.

'Overall, the sea state was not unusual and it was reasonable for the commanding officer to host a dinner in her cabin.

'It is denied that the ship rolled unexpectedly. A warning pipe had been broadcast prior to the ship turning so the movement of the ship was expected.

'It is denied that the table was thrown backwards or that it pinned the claimant against the cupboard. The table was secured to the deck.

'It is admitted that the claimant's chair was not secured to the floor, but denied that it should have been.

'The seats were not secured at the time of the accident because they were being used. It was reasonable to invite people to have dinner with the commanding officer.

'Ms Williams suffered injury because she fell back on her seat and collided with the cupboard. It was not the movement of the table which caused her injury.

'The claimant's accident was caused or contributed to by her own negligence. She failed to pay any or any adequate regard to the warning pipe

'She failed adequately to brace herself or hold onto the table when the ship turned.'
Selfridge's must pay more than 12,000 to a former lingerie boss after she was struck on the head by a carpark barrier while attempting to leave the luxury store on her bicycle.

Sonia Spasiano, 37, was first hit on her helmet by the barrier in June 2020, before it scraped her nose, leaving a scar, a court was told.

The then-manager of La Perla, based inside the building on London's West End, claimed compensation for injuries and minor scarring from Selfridge's Retail Ltd, alleging negligence in failing to warn cyclists about the hazards of going through the barrier.

And after a short hearing at Central London County Court, Deputy District Judge Tear ruled the department store should have had clearer warnings whilst holding Ms Spasiano herself partly at fault.

The shop, established by Harry Selfridge 113 years ago, is a landmark on Oxford Street and even became the centrepiece for an ITV drama about the maverick businessman - 'Mr Selfridge'.

Sonia Spasiano (pictured outside court), 37, was struck in the face as she left the iconic store on London's West End in June 2020

Ms Spasiano, who was then working as a manager for the La Perla fashion franchise within the building, was struck on the helmet by the barrier, which went on to hit her in the nose, leaving a scar (Pictured: Selfridge's car park)

READ MORE: Male nanny who was sacked after demanding his millionaire employer pay for surgery when he tore a wrist ligament while chopping lobster in her 6.5m mansion loses tribunal fight Advertisement

The judge handed her 3,060 in compensation after reducing the award by one third to take account of the cyclist's 'contributory negligence'.

He also ordered Selfridge's to shell out 8,976 to cover the legal costs of the case.

He said Selfridge's failed to give enough thought to how cyclists should leave or enter the car park, although 'dynamic risk assessments' had been carried out.

'It's clear that there was no proper thought process as to how cyclists should enter or egress from the site,' he said.

'I am satisfied that Selfridge's does bear responsibility for part of this accident but that doesn't negate how this accident happened.

'Ms Spasiano must bear some responsibility herself for going under a barrier that was open which then closed and so caused her injury,' he added.

The court heard that Ms Spasiano was caught by the barrier while following another vehicle out of the car park when leaving work, which she did because the exiting car would trigger the barrier.

'She said that she normally followed the car one bicycle length behind, and would then follow it thorough the barrier,' explained Judge Tear.

Selfridge's (pictured), established by Harry Selfridge 113 years ago, is a landmark on Oxford Street and even became the centrepiece for an ITV drama about the maverick businessman - 'Mr Selfridge'

But on the day of the accident the barrier came down at speed as she approached, catching her on the head.

'The barrier struck towards her helmet and then moved down hitting the bridge of her nose causing injury to her face,' said the judge.

Ms Spasiano has since stopped working at the Selfridge's La Perla and is now a store manager for Tod's.
Jeremy Corbyn is set to force an election showdown with Labour over a decision to block him from running for the party.

The ostracised former leader reacted with fury after successor Sir Keir Starmer said he would not be allowed to be a Labour candidate at the next election due to the legacy of anti-Semitism during huis tenure.

The veteran hard-left icon is said to be considering applying to be the party candidate in Islington North - where he has been MP for 40 years - anyway, effectively daring the leadership to block him.

It came as his outriders including MP Diane Abbott and the Unite union went on the attack against Sir Keir and party moderates.

But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper hit back this morning, telling Sky News the new leader had had to clean up 'an awful stain of anti-Semitism in our party' left by Corbyn.

The ostracised former leader reacted with fury after successor Sir Keir Starmer said he would not be allowed to be a Labour candidate at the next election due to the legacy of anti-Semitism during huis tenure.

The veteran hard-left icon is said to be considering applying to be the party candidate in Islington North - where he has been MP for 40 years - anyway, effectively daring the leadership to block him.

Jeremy Corbyn hit back at Sir Keir Starmer in a furious statement posted to his Twitter account this evening

It came as his outriders including MP Diane Abbott and the Unite union went on the attack against Sir Keir and party moderates.

Mr Corbyn, who is still lauded by many on the Left, condemned his successor's decision as a 'divisive distraction' from Labour's goal of removing the Tories from power.

He also insisted it was up to local Labour members - and not party bosses - who should be their parliamentary candidate at the next election.

The 73-year-old has been MP for Islington North since 1983 but had the Labour whip stripped from him by Sir Keir in 2020 as part of a row over the party's past handling of anti-Semitism claims.

As a Labour member he is able to apply to be the party candidate in Islington North, but his previous remarks would face a due diligence test over whether they can be 'used in a detrimental manner by the media and/or our political opponents'.

Ms Cooper backed Sir Keir Starmer's decision, saying the status of the former leader's party membership was a 'matter for normal processes'.

The shadow home secretary told Sky News: 'Keir Starmer has been very clear that he will not stand as a Labour candidate for the next election. There's a separate process around party membership.

'There are obviously different standards for people who stand to be Members of Parliament and rightly so.

'We should have proper standards in place for someone who's going to become an MP and that's what the issue has been.

'Because Keir's made really clear, we had an awful stain of anti-Semitism in our party. He's turned that round.'

Asked if Mr Corbyn should be allowed to stay in the Labour Party, she said: 'Membership of the party, that's just a matter for normal processes so it's a different set of standards. It's not a matter for me.'

Diane Abbott, who was shadow home secretary during Jeremy Corbyn's spell as Labour leader, defied current party boss Sir Keir Starmer

Last night Ms Abbott, who was shadow home secretary during Mr Corbyn's spell as Labour leader, claimed he had 'no intention' of standing as an independent at the next election despite him being rejected as an official Labour candidate.

She stressed it should be up to local Labour members in the left-winger's Islington North constituency whether they want him as their parliamentary candidate.

'Jeremy is a member of the Labour Party, and therefore it should be a matter for local party members to decide whether they want him to be their candidate or not,' Ms Abbott told the News Agents podcast.

The Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington also revealed that Mr Corbyn was a Brexiteer 'in his heart of hearts' as she suggested that was the only point of contention between him and Sir Keir when they worked together while he was leader.

Sir Keir served as Labour's shadow Brexit secretary for three-and-a-half years under Mr Corbyn's leadership and campaigned for him to become prime minister at the 2017 and 2019 general elections.

But, after replacing Mr Corbyn as Labour leader, Sir Keir stripped his predecessor of the Labour whip in 2020.

It followed Mr Corbyn's response to a highly critical report of Labour's handling of anti-Semitism allegations during his leadership.

'They had a perfectly good relationship as far I knew, a perfectly friendly relationship,' Ms Abbott said of Mr Corbyn and Sir Keir's relationship prior to that.

'The only thing that they differed on was that Jeremy, in his heart of hearts is a Brexiter and Keir Starmer at that point, was passionately pro-European.'

But Ms Abbott added that Mr Corbyn - to whom she was once romantically linked - 'would have voted Remain' at the 2016 EU referendum 'because that was the policy of the party'.

Asked if Mr Corbyn would stand as an independent in his Islington North seat after being blocked from standing as a Labour candidate by Sir Keir, she added: 'No, no.

'Jeremy has been a member of the Labour Party from before either of you were alive He has no intention of standing as an independent.'




By Baek Byung-yeul







LG CNS is diversifying its business portfolio by jointly developing technologies for a private 5G service, known as e-Um in Korea, for future clients in manufacturing and logistics businesses, according to the IT arm of LG Group, Thursday.







The company said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kyung Hee University early this month.







"Both sides plan to expand research and development of solutions and services that can be applied to industrial sites such as manufacturing and logistics based on e-Um 5G service," LG CNS said.







The E-Um 5G private network service enables users to remotely control their machines and manufacturing equipment. The government allocates spectrum frequency for wireless communication to mobile carriers, but it also encourages non-mobile carriers to implement the e-Um service to help improve productivity and convenience in various industries.







Since the company was designated as an operator for the private 5G network service by the government in March, 2022, the company has worked on demonstrating its technologies and supplying services to private and state-run agencies.







"With this academic-industry cooperation, we will be able to improve utilization of the e-Um 5G service for industry purposes such as manufacturing and logistics and innovate customer experience," Kim Tae-hoon, head of cloud business at LG CNS, said.


Acclaimed British biologist Richard Dawkins says he will continue to use 'every one of the prohibited words' amid calls in the scientific community to ban 'harmful' gendered terms.

The British author and scientist, 81, has slammed a project led by three academics saying words such as male, female, man, woman, mother and father should be scrapped.

As part of a crackdown on 'harmful terminology' in science, members of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Language Project - founded by scientists in the US and Canada - yesterday published a list of 24 'harmful terms'.

Instead, they recommend terms such as 'sperm-producing' and 'egg-producing' or 'XY/XX individual' should be used to avoid reinforcing 'societally-imposed ideas of a sex binary'.

But Professor Dawkins, who has long questioned whether people can choose their gender, said he would not be following the recommendations, The Telegraph reports.

The British author and scientist, 81, has slammed calls from academics for words such as male, female, man, woman, mother and father to be scrapped

Speaking to the newspaper, he said: 'The only possible response is contemptuous ridicule.

'I shall continue to use every one of the prohibited words. I am a professional user of the English language. It is my native language.

'I am not going to be told by some teenage version of Mrs Grundy which words of my native language I may or may not use.'

Prof Dawkins, whose books include The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene, has been joined by other eminent academics who have expressed concerns that the 'absurd' alternative phrasings could lead to confusion in the scientific community.

They argue that 'egg producing' and sperm producing' are not gender-neutral, and are instead simply synonyms for male and female.

Professor Frank Furedi, an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, added: 'I think that when you characterise terms like male/female, mother/father as harmful you are abandoning science for ideological advocacy.

'Regardless of intent, the project of re-engineering language will cause confusion to many and the last thing that scientists need is a lack of clarity about the meaning of the words they use.'

The EEB Language Project was launched this month by a team that includes Dr Kaitlyn Gaynor, Dr Alex Moore and Dr Danielle Ignace  three University of British Columbia researchers.

It comes amid a broader push for language to be changed to be less offensive, with doctors last summer claiming the term 'morbidly obese' should be ditched.

Writing in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, researchers said efforts to 'champion inclusive language' in science is 'particularly important for redressing the ongoing marginalization of many groups'.

As well as male and female, the words mother and father are criticised for perpetuating a 'a non-universal' view of 'the parenting and birthing process'.

Atheist, ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and writer Richard Dawkins talks to a full house at the Hay Festival in 2014

'Parent', 'egg donor' and 'sperm donor' are suggested as replacement terms.

It also flags 'survival of the fittest' as a problematic term that promotes 'Eugenics, ablelism, and social Darwinism'.

Instead, 'natural selection' or 'survival differences' should be used, it states.

Even the term 'double-blind', which is used to describe studies where neither volunteers or scientists know which participants are taking a drug or a placebo, could be harmful to people with disabilities, the website states.

Writing in the journal, the researchers said: 'Mitigating the institutional problems in EEB will take significant effort and resources, and examining the role of language in these problems must go beyond attention to scientific terms.

'It must also include consideration of how language is used among scientists more broadly, and how English is often treated as the dominant language for scientific work.

'Nevertheless, we propose that inclusion can be fostered by a collective commitment to be more conscientious and intentional about the scientific terminology we use when teaching, mentoring, collaborating, and conducting research.'

Prof Dawkins' comments, meanwhile, come after he was stripped of his 'Humanist of the Year' title in April 2021 after comparing transgender people to the American activist Rachel Dolezal - who posed as a black woman for more than ten years.

The American Humanist Association (AHA) revoked its honour from the evolutionary biologist, 80, after he appeared to question whether people could choose their gender.

The move came 25 years after the evolutionary biologist received the honour for his 'significant contributions' as a science communicator.
A British traveller has been left with a hospital bill of approximately 40,000 after she was left for dead on the side of the road in Thailand.

Ruby Spry, 20, was riding a motorbike when a bike travelling in the opposite direction ploughed into her before driving off.

The driver left Ruby on the side of the road unconscious and with multiple injuries.

A passerby who saw her crumpled body made sure that she got to hospital, but the nightmare hasn't ended there for the young Cornish woman.

Her family say the hospital asked for 3,000 upfront before they would even administer painkillers and her insurance are not paying out.

Ruby Spry, 20, was riding a motorbike when a bike travelling in the opposite direction ploughed into her, leaving her with several broken bones and skin lacerations

The 20-year-old has now had a second operation on her collarbone, which fundraiser Tegan said went 'really well'

And after an emergency operation, her family say her travel insurers are 'dragging their heels' leaving them with no choice but to try and crowdfund the bill, which currently stands at 34,000.

Her cousin Tegan Howard said on the GoFundMe site: 'Ruby arrived at hospital with a broken bone protruding from her right arm, four broken bones in her hand, a broken wrist, a broken collarbone and multiple lacerations all over her body.

'But despite having travel insurance she was refused any pain relief until she managed to pay 3,000 upfront.

'As a family we managed to urgently get this money together so she could receive treatment.

'Ruby has had a seven-hour surgery on her right arm and hand, but the insurance company are dragging their heels and the hospital are threatening to throw her out of hospital if she doesn't pay the expected total of 34,000 before the rest of her treatment.

'She needs another operation on her broken shoulder, but the hospital are refusing treatment until we can pay upfront.

'The insurance company have been keeping us waiting as they look for loopholes all the while Ruby is lying in hospital in excruciating pain, exhausted with no idea what is happening next.'

Ruby, 20, from Penzance, Cornwall, had gone travelling after finishing college.

She was training to become a diving instructor and had just been offered a place to become a divemaster at the University of Costa Rica.

But ahead of taking up the offer she had wanted to see Thailand and was on a Thai island when the crash occurred on February 9.

Ruby's dad Joe, a Penzance-based builder, has remained in Cornwall, but his wife, Yesmine, a teacher, has flown out with one of Ruby's uncles to be with her.

Ruby's boyfriend is also in Thailand with her.

The 20-year-old has now had a second operation on her collarbone, which fundraiser Tegan said went 'really well'.

'Ruby's second surgery on her collarbone went really well. Her mum is now out there with her to help look after her.

'Hopefully she will be well enough to leave the hospital in the next few days, and then will be able to return to Cornwall soon after to recover at home.

'Ruby wants to reply and thank everyone for their generosity but hasn't got full use of her arms or hands quite yet.'

The family say Ruby needs further treatment which will bring the total bill to at least 40,000 - money they simply don't have.

The GoFundMe already stands at more than 18,000 and more than 800 donations have been made.

Tegan, who is also from Penzance, added: 'Thanks to our amazing family and friends we've managed to pull some of the money together, but we're still going to struggle to reach 40,000 plus which is what the estimated costs are going to be.

'My aunt and uncle have just arrived in Thailand to help look after her, and will need to bring her home after her shoulder operation (we wanted to bring her home for surgery where it is free but she can't fly with her injuries).

'Now the insurance company have said they're not going to pay out, we're fundraising to try and cover a portion of the costs we need to cover Ruby's surgery and hospital care.

'If you feel able to help in any way, we will be very grateful.'
A radio presenter revealed her horror at seeing half a dozen seeing men urinating on the side of the road, and being exposed to the sight of 'six willies' on the way to work.

Today FM host Pamela Joyce spoke on air about her day which begun with 'lovely carefree vibes' but was interrupted by the lewd scenes of men exposing themselves to urinate, despite there being multiple service stations on the route.

Ms Joyce, who hosts the 12-2pm slot on the station, was driving into Galway from Dublin, Ireland, along the M4 and M6, and revealed the details of her ruined commute live last Friday, before giving further details on her experience on social media.

During her two and a half hour journey, Ms Joyce witnessed several men taking 'emergency wees', emphasizing that she was 'talking about men widdling in the side of road'.

In the video, Ms Joyce says: 'So on Friday, I headed to Galway for the weekend and I really enjoy my Friday drive,' before playing a short clip of the song 'Driving in My Car' by Madness.

Today FM host Pamela Joyce spoke on air about her day that begun with 'lovely carefree vibes' but was interrupted by the lewd scenes of men exposing themselves to urinate

'Here I am, having a lovely time going down the M4/6 but my lovely carefree vibes were interrupted.

'In the two and a half hours journey from Dublin to Galway I saw no fewer than six willies. Six! I'm talking about men widdling on the side of the road.

'And I don't mean little silhouettes, it was pulled in either on the hard shoulder, widdling away to their heart's content. Mickeys blowing in the wind.'

Pamela added: 'Come on now, I understand there are emergency cases, when you got to go, you got to go. But I do not believe that there were six emergency wees on the M6.

'There are top-tier service stations dotted along the route, you're never more than 15-20 minutes from a service station on the way to Galway. Put your willy away!'
This is the moment two reckless teenage boys were caught 'bus surfing' on the back of a moving vehicle after school.

Video footage shows the two students perilously catching a free ride on the back of an Arriva bus in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, instead of paying for an 80p ticket.

The boys can be seen clinging on with their hands and feet while the bus drives down a busy street of shops.

One witness said: 'It was absolutely crazy... One slip and they'd be dead in the road.'

Ellie Gilhooley caught the daredevils on her phone as the pair - around 14 - were hanging on.

Video footage shows two teenage boys perilously catching a free ride on the back of an Arriva bus in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, instead of paying for an 80p ticket

The boys can be seen clinging on with their hands and feet while the bus drives down a busy street of shops

READ MORE: Teen mates caught BUS SURFING fined $195 each as the pair are banned from public transport after the daring stunt Advertisement

'At first I was laughing so started to record, but at the next bus stop, pedestrians and drivers told the bus driver and shouted at the kids,' she said.

'Obviously, I knew it was dangerous for them to be doing so. I don't encourage it. I was shocked.'

An Arriva spokesperson said: 'At Arriva, the safety of our passengers and drivers is one of utmost importance.

'In situations like this, we will always provide the relevant CCTV footage to support police investigations where possible.'

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: 'We received a call at 3.35pm on February 13 from a member of the public who witnessed two school age youths hanging off the back of an Arriva bus on Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay at approximately 3.15pm.

'Our enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing.'

It comes after two teenagers were fined $195 each and banned from public transport after they were caught clinging on to the back of a city bus in rush hour traffic.

The pair were charged after worried locals in Adelaide spotted them bus-surfing near a busy interchange at 4.45pm on May 20, 2021.

Pictures on social media of the pair sparked a police investigation by officers from the Public Transport Safety Section.

They later tracked down a 17-year-old from Greenwith, Adelaide, and his 16-year-old mate from nearby Salisbury Heights.
A 17-year-old girl has been pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in southern Turkey an eye-watering 248 hours after a massive earthquake that killed more than 42,000 in Turkey and Syria.

The scarcely believable rescue of Aleyna Olmez transpired in the southern province of Kahramanmaras, which was close to the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake that erupted last Monday and demolished hundreds of square miles of territory.

Experts say that the overwhelming majority of survivors are rescued within 72 hours of the disaster. After three days, the survival rate drops drastically as those buried under mountains of debris succumb to dehydration, asphyxiation or injuries sustained amid the tremor.

But the teenager miraculously endured ten whole days of being entombed under tonnes of concrete and twisted metal.

Her incredible rescue was conducted in an area described by a British aid volunteer as looking like a 'zombie apocalypse', where a potent stench of death hangs in the air.

Aleyna Olmez was somehow pulled from the rubble alive after ten days trapped underground

Aleyna Olmez is rushed to a medical centre with oxygen, IV drips and a spinal stabilisation device

17 year-old girl Aleyna Olmez rescued from the rubbles of collapsed Atabey Apartment in Kayabasi neighbourgood 248 hours after a 7.8 magnitude quake demolishe much of southern Turkey and northern Syria

The teenager miraculously endured ten whole days of being entombed under tonnes of concrete and twisted metal

An aerial view shows a tractor working on removing debris from a collapsed building in the Syrian rebel-held town of Jinderis on February 15, 2023

Rescue workers and medics pull out a person from a collapsed building in Antakya, Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

Rescue workers and medics pull out a person from a collapsed building in Antakya, Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

A volunteer assists three-year-old Syrian boy Arslan, who lost all his immediate family and was the sole survivor from his building following the February 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and northern Syria, at a hospital in Sarmada, in Syria's northern Idlib province, on February 13, 2023

Aid worker Basheer Khan spent five days in Turkey from Wednesday with a group of volunteers from different countries, who are part of the assessment team at international NGO Humanity First.

The team included logisticians, doctors and local guides and translators, and comprised of three members from Turkey, two from Germany and two from the UK.

'Our key task was to go over there, work out what the lie of the land was, where the areas of greatest need were and also talk to all the authorities to work out what help we could provide', the 39-year-old from London said.

'And then we can make the arrangement and plans for getting our main teams out there.'

He said that he was staying in Adana while there, which was right on the edge of the earthquake zone.

'I was pretty much okay', he said.

'But when you start getting closer to cities near the earthquake epicentre, it was like coming out of a computer game, like a zombie apocalypse.

'There were huge buildings - half had collapsed, half had huge cracks.'

He added that in Antakya, in the Hatay province, 'every other house was either rubble or had major damage to it'.

He said: 'You could smell the stench of death around you, but there was no sense of panic or chaos in any of the places we visited.

'It seemed as though the authorities had got things under control.'

A man stands amid rubble of a collapsed buidling while Greek and Turkish rescuers try to exhume the bodies of six of his relatives, including four children in Antakya, south of Hatay, on February 15, 2023

Workers clean the rubble of a collapsed building in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Adiyaman, Turkey February 16, 2023

An excavator clears debris amidst collapsed buildings in Hatay on February 15, 2023, nine days after a 7,8-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria

Undated handout photo issued by Humanity First of a Humanity First volunteer helping people in the Hayat region of Turkey after the devastating earthquake left hundreds of thousands displaced

Khan added that every public servant the team met in Turkey was 'courteous, helpful and considerate, even though they experienced the worst catastrophe that has ever hit their country'.

He said: 'When our German team arrived, they arrived with a lot of equipment - around 15 trolleys worth of equipment and we found it difficult to find cars or vans to hire.

'We spoke to someone from AFAD (Turkey's disaster management agency) and a couple of hours later, they rocked up with a big truck.

'We're there to help, but they're quite self-sufficient as well.'

He also spoke about an occasion when he saw a table with toys for children fleeing the earthquake zone at Antalya airport on Sunday, which showed how much the Turks had 'thought of the small things'.

He said that a lot of hospitals have been damaged from the earthquake.

He added: 'On the first day I went there, I saw a brand new hospital which was almost nearing completion which is now completely unusable, except for a couple of rooms.

'You had people treated in one room and next door they had the morgue and the stench of death.'

He added that because many doctors had died from the incident and due to the consequences of it, Humanity First helped to provide the immediate primary and emergency care that would have been provided by the hospital that are not there in the same capacity anymore.

An aerial view shows a tractor working on removing debris from a collapsed building in the Syrian rebel-held town of Jindayris on February 15, 2023, following the February 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria

Syrians gather in a street following the February 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, in rebel-held town of Jinderis on February 14, 2023

People carry a bodybag as local residents wait for their relatives to be pulled out from the rubble of collapsed buildings in Hatay, on February 14, 2023

A woman paints a girl's face during an activity to entertain and support mental health of children affected by the deadly earthquake in Osmaniye, Turkey February 16, 2023

'The Turkish Government may say stay for a few weeks, or a few months or longer, we don't know, but at the moment we are here to help as much as possible', he said.

'At the moment, we've got doctors out there from Germany and the USA, with a team from the UK flying over on Friday - we're sending out a lot of specialists, particularly doctors.'

He added that one of the biggest concerns facing people in Turkey is the psychological impact of the earthquake on them.

'A lot of people are now living outside and the psychological impact of that cannot be underestimated,' he said.

'Even though they may have escaped completely unscathed, they may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from being inside a building, even I felt a little bit shaken seeing the state of the buildings and I have not experienced the earthquake myself.

'There are going to be longer term mental health issues and possibly public health issues around waterborne diseases and it is really cold at the moment, so those are the things we are most concerned about.'

Humanity First was also involved with helping to transport and relocate some Syrian refugees in the initial days of the earthquakes.

The NGO has an appeal running, which aims to continue providing warm clothing and hygiene equipment to those in Turkey and Syria, as well as setting up medical camps in Turkey.
Fern Britton today poured fury on the police for revealing Nicola Bulley's battle with the menopause, declaring that it is 'too easy to write a woman off like this'.

The broadcaster, 65, has spoken openly about the impact the 'horrible' symptoms had on her own physical and mental health.

Today Fern said she was angry that Nikki was depicted by police as 'a bit unstable' or 'not in her right mind', even though an estimated 13million women in the UK are also battling the menopause.

Nikki's partner Paul and her family are said to be 'in pieces' after the police revealed her medical history yesterday.

Ms Britton said: 'I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause. The undertone is that she maybe "a bit unstable" or perhaps even "not in her right mind". Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?'

Lancashire Police has been accused of 'victim blaming' for disclosing that Ms Bulley suffered 'some significant issues with alcohol ' in the past, which had resurfaced in recent months 'brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause'. The force was also strongly condemned by MPs and campaign groups.

Police searching for missing Nicola Bulley have been slammed for disclosing that the mother-of-two suffered "some significant issues with alcohol" in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months as she battled the menopause

Fern Britton, who has spoken about her menopause, says she is upset with the police's decision

Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Twitter: 'I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley's so-called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause and alcohol.

What is the menopause and how does it impact women? Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your daily life, including relationships, social life, family life and work. It can feel different for everyone. You may have a number of symptoms or none. Symptoms usually start months or years before your periods stop. This is called the perimenopause. Changes to your periods The first sign of the perimenopause is usually, but not always, a change in the normal pattern of your periods, for example they become irregular. Eventually you'll stop having periods altogether. Mental health symptoms Common mental health symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include: changes to your mood, like low mood, anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem

problems with memory or concentration (brain fog) Physical symptoms Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include: hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy

difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day

palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable

headaches and migraines that are worse than usual

muscle aches and joint pains

changed body shape and weight gain

skin changes including dry and itchy skin

reduced sex drive

vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex

recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) Source: NHS Advertisement

'I struggle to ascertain how this will assist police in their search & investigations. I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.'

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said that the actions of Lancashire Police were "very unusual", after the force disclosed that Nicola Bulley suffered "some significant issues with alcohol" in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months.

Senior officers said on Wednesday that Ms Bulley was "vulnerable" and classed by police as a "high-risk" missing person immediately after her partner reported her disappearance.

Ms Cooper refrained from criticising the police, but said she would speak to Lancashire Police in a bid to get answers about the decision.

She told Sky News: "I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that. I would want to speak directly to Lancashire Police about their reasons for doing so before commenting further, because I know there can be complicated reasons for police decisions.

"It's very unusual and it does raise some quite significant concerns."

Silkie Carlo, director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, tweeted: 'Lancashire Police broadcasting missing Nicola Bulley's health issues and hormone status to the world is a serious invasion of her privacy with no obvious benefits for the investigation.

'A shocking decision when the police's treatment of women is rightly in the spotlight.

'It's not at all clear how the police are justifying this disclosure, which seems to be aimed at shoring up public support for Lancashire Police's own forgone conclusions.

'The ramifications of this invasion of medical privacy could be really serious, including for Nicola's safety.'

Meanwhile, Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: 'The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

'The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.'

Nicola Bulley's family are in a 'terrible place' after detectives revealed to millions that the mother-of-two had battled drink problems while struggling with the menopause.

Lancashire Police has been slammed for disclosing that Ms Bulley suffered 'some significant issues with alcohol' in the past, which had resurfaced in recent months.

An expert who had joined in the case said it is 'absolutely outrageous' the information was withheld from him, as it would have changed how he searched the stretch of the River Wyre in St Michael's where she went missing.

Others are angry about the decision to reveal her private medical information when her death has not been confirmed.

Mark Williams-Thomas, a former police officer turned investigative journalist who helped expose Jimmy Savile's crimes, is to probe Ms Bulley's disappearance and is now in the area.

He tweeted today: 'If police dealt with high risk status at [the] start it would have provided much more understanding, leading to less confusion, public hysteria & media involvement (which police haven't coped with ) & led to less damage to [Nicola's partner] Paul & family, who are right now after y/day in a terrible place'.

Lancashire Police has sparked anger and grief after detectives revealed that mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, (pictured with her partner Paul) had been struggling with alcohol issues brought on by ongoing struggles with menopause

Ms Bulley's parents and sister spoke an appeal a number of weeks ago to try and find her

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police updates the media yesterday

The bench where Nicola's mobile phone was last seen when she vanished on January 27

Setting out his own theories about what has happened, he said: 'I just can't believe she jumped in the water at the point by the bench to die for many reasons.'

He said that the main lines he is considering are that Nikki went in water 'at a different point', left on foot and is still in area.

'It's now clear why the police didn't t secure scene forensically and ruled out 3rd party involvement so quickly-because they were treating Nicola Bulley as high risk misper [missing person]. But this action fuelled speculation and criticism of the police when confidence is along all time low', he tweeted.

After Lancashire Police revealed her issues with alcohol 'brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause', the force was strongly condemned by MPs and campaign groups.

Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: 'The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

'The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.'

A forensic diving expert involved in the search for Nicola Bulley said she 'could have ended up in the sea' after police revealed she was 'high risk' and had been struggling with alcohol.

Peter Faulding said it is 'absolutely outrageous' the information was withheld from him, as it would have changed how he searched the stretch of the River Wyre in the village of St Michael's.

His comments follow Lancashire police revealing that Ms Bulley, 45, suffered 'significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with menopause'.

Former Surrey Police officer Mark Williams-Thomas, 53, the journalist who helped expose Jimmy Savile's crimes, is in the area to probe Ms Bulley's disappearance

Police initially said she had 'vulnerabilities' yesterday, but hours later shared more details, explaining they felt it was 'important to clarify'.

READ MORE: Police debunk nine 'persistent myths' about Nicola Bulley's disappearance Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith holds a press conference into Nicola Bulley's disappearance Advertisement

But the decision to publicly share personal information about the mother-of-two has been called 'deeply troubling' by MPs and campaigners.

Ms Bulley vanished while walking her dog along the River Wyre in St Michael's on January 27.

A briefing yesterday explained Ms Bulley was immediately classified as high risk when she was reported missing due to her 'vulnerabilities'.

Though on February 3, detectives stated she was not unwell and not being treated for any illness.

The police also revealed that on January 10, officers did a welfare check at her home. They confirmed that no one has been arrested and that it is being investigated.

Mr Faulding previously said the mother could not be in the river, after conducting a search under the premise she had slipped in.

But he now believes she could be much further downstream if she intended to take her own life.

Mr Faulding told Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV that: 'If she had jumped in, intended to take her own life or walk off, that would change my whole plan.

'She could have ended up in the sea.'

And he told The Times: 'I find it absolutely outrageous this was not shared with me. It's disgraceful and someone needs to take responsibility for this.'

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith. The police said it is an 'unusual step' to reveal such detail about someone's private life, but that they we felt it was 'important to clarify' what they meant by 'vulnerabilities'

READ MORE: Moment TikTok sleuths find 'stained' glove near to where Nicola Bulley disappeared Mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, has been missing now for 19 days from home in Inskip Advertisement

Nearly three weeks have passed since Ms Bulley vanished, but a search expert advising the police told the newspaper that it can take up to 100 days to find a body in a river.

The expert, who was not named, said in some cases the body is never found.

On the day Ms Bulley went missing, the river was flowing at a rate of 3.8 cubic metres per second.

Enough to carry her over the weir and off downstream, according to the expert.

In the highly-detailed public briefing from Lancashire Police, the force said it had an open mind but that there was no evidence anyone was involved.

It remains the the police's 'working hypothesis' that Nicola fell into the river while taking her dog, though they were following a number of lines of inquiry.

The mortgage adviser had been struggling with menopause. Experts say women go through the menopause at the age of 51 years on average, although it can begin when someone is anywhere between 40 and 58 years old.

During this period the body goes through major hormonal changes, as the ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone.

In the early stages this triggers hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings among other symptoms.

Many social media users felt the decision highlighted the police's treatment of women  which has recently been under scrutiny following high-profile cases involving former officers such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

Jamie Klingler, co-founder of social justice organisation Reclaim These Streets, said she 'was not invested in the Nicola Bulley story until the police started using her as a shield to protect their own incompetence'.

She added: 'This is not how to treat a missing woman. It is cruel to her babies and to her. And they do it all the time.'

'No evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement' in Nicola Bulley's disappearance, Lancashire Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said to a press conference this morning.

Jo Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, asked how the police will justify their decision if the mother is found alive.

He tweeted: 'If, as we all hope, Nicola Bulley is found alive how will the police justify a breach of her confidentiality to, what looks like, manage their own reputation?'

The briefing earlier in the day revealed Ms Bulley's long-term partner Paul Ansell had told them of a number of specific vulnerabilities that caused them to treat her disappearance as 'high-risk'.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said: 'As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk.

'That is normal in a missing person investigation with the information we were in possession of. As any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses  that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand.'

Yesterday, Lancashire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said the force had undertaken an 'unprecedented amount of work' in searching for Nicola.

He said this had included visiting more than 300 premises, speaking to almost 300 people and receiving roughly 1,500 pieces of information.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said at the time: 'Those vulnerabilities based our decision-making in terms of grading Nicola as high risk and have continued to form part of my investigation throughout.'
A mother has accused the National Lottery of 'fobbing her off' after she failed to receive her lottery winnings.

Gemma Murray, 35, from Kirkby, Merseyside, won 30 last October but said she still hadn't received the money after calling customer service '100 times'.

But the National Lottery said the money had been returned to her bank account and the company which handles its debit card transactions has confirmed this.

The mother-of-one said she was told on Friday that the money 'must be there but the bank has no evidence of it'.

Gemma Murray, 35, from Kirkby, Merseyside, won 30 last October but said she still hadn't received the money after calling customer service '100 times'

Mrs Murray explained that she and her mother would play the lottery every month and last October she won 30, which she withdrew from her account but still hasn't received.

She told the Liverpool Echo: 'I've spoken to the lottery and they said the bank could trace it but the bank can't find any trace through any of my statements and National Lottery keep fobbing me off.

'They told me last Friday it must be there but the bank has no evidence of it.'

But to trace the payment, her bank would need to contact them in writing - something her bank has said it can't do.

Mrs Murray added: 'It's been an absolute nightmare, we've been back and forth and I'm constantly calling them and they are palming me off.

'I must've called 100 times and I'm at the point now where it's not even the money, it's the principle.'

She explained the point she was trying to make is 'surely' they have a 'better way to deal with these issues'.

A Camelot spokesman said: 'WorldPay, the company that handles all our debit card transactions, confirmed that the funds that the player withdrew from her National Lottery account were successfully returned to her card-issuing bank.

'Our customer care team has tried to contact the player a couple of times over the past few days, but has not been able to reach her.

'In the very small number of cases that we see, the funds are finally located at the banks end.'
David Sharaz's ex-wife has taken a brutal swipe at her former husband amid revelations he quit his fifth job in three years.

Mr Sharaz's departure from his Brisbane radio station job comes just weeks after his new fiancee Brittany Higgins was handed a rumoured multi-million dollar payout from the taxpayer following allegations she was raped at Parliament House in Canberra.

On Thursday, his ex-wife Alexandra Craig shared a short video of herself walking in high heel shoes with the caption: 'AWAY... Until tomorrow morning because I continue to be gainfully employed.'

The caption appears to throw shade at Mr Sharaz after he changed his work bio on Twitter this week to simply: 'AWAY'.

Mr Sharaz met Ms Craig in the halls of power in Canberra when he was working as a public servant and she was a media adviser for the Treasury department.

The couple immediately hit it off and got married in an extravagant ceremony in 2018 at the trendy Yarralumla Brickworks in the nation's capital - with guests seated at tables bearing the names of Labor politicians including Bill Shorten instead of traditional numbers.

But the pair separated in 2020 and Mr Sharaz began dating Ms Higgins shortly afterwards. He proposed on December 31, 2022 in Byron Bay, with Daily Mail Australia capturing the romantic moment at the famous light house.

David Sharaz and Alexandra Craig (pictured) when they were together. The couple worked together in Canberra and were married there

Ms Craig took to Instagram on Thursday with what appears to be a pointed swipe at Mr Sharaz who announced he would be resigning from his radio gig

Mr Sharaz updated his Twitter bio to simply 'AWAY' after leaving his radio job

Mr Sharaz is understood to have stepped out of the Southern Cross Austereo office in Brisbane for the final time on Wednesday.

He worked for the company for two years, first as a breakfast news reader, and then as part of Queensland news operations, and even occasionally hosted radio segments.

In late January he hosted a Triple M segment called 'a deep dive into the sovereign citizens movement'.

The reason for his quick exit is unclear, but The Australian's Margin Call revealed the decision was by mutual agreement with the company.

A spokesperson from Southern Cross Austereo confirmed on Thursday that Mr Sharaz 'resigned from his employment'.

However, Ms Higgins then jumped to his defence in a cryptic Instagram story - urging her audience to 'read between the lines'.

David Sharaz (pictured with Brittany Higgins) resigned from his position at Southern Cross Austereo

David Sharaz frequently posted photos in his office in Brisbane (pictured)

Brittany Higgins jumped to Sharaz's defence in a cryptic Instagram story on Thursday (pictured)

'No one walks away from employment without a job to walk into,' she wrote.

'David has been nothing but a supportive partner at an incredibly difficult time.'

While Mr Sharaz's LinkedIn profile still states that he works for Southern Cross Austereo, his Twitter bio has been edited to say 'AWAY'.

There was no mention of a career shift on his Instagram on Wednesday evening, but he did post a video playing with his dog, Kingston.

Mr Sharaz worked as a journalist with Sky News until 2020 when he took up a brief role as senior media advisor for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

He spent four months working as the ACT Business Manager for Streem in Canberra before moving to Southern Cross Austereo in March, 2021.

His profile grew exponentially due to his association with Ms Higgins when she alleged in 2021 that Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House two years earlier.

Mr Sharaz was also pictured with Ms Higgins every day that she appeared at the ACT Supreme Court during the rape trial in October - taking time off work to support her.

The trial was aborted due to misconduct by a member of the jury in November, before the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold dropped the case entirely in December - citing concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health.

Later that month, Ms Higgins launched a civil action and named three respondents: Senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, and the Commonwealth.

Brittany Higgins is seen leaving the ACT Supreme Court with David Sharaz in October

However, she quickly reached a confidential settlement with the Commonwealth.

The exact amount has not been confirmed, but the claim was expected to be worth about $3million, including $2.5million for future economic loss, past economic loss approaching $100,000 and general damages of $100,000.

Meanwhile, Senator Reynolds launched civil action against Mr Sharaz over two tweets he authored in January and December last year.

She is seeking an apology and damages and aggravated damages for 'inaccurate and professionally damaging' criticisms of her, and is demanding he cover the cost of legal proceedings.
Ministers will no longer pursue an appeal against a High Court ruling that a scheme for EU citizens to remain in the UK is unlawful.

The Home Office has dropped a legal challenge against last December's judgment and will now work to find a solution.

Campaigners said the apparent end to the legal wrangle had averted 'a ticking time bomb' and a threat to the rights of up to 2.6million people to lawfully stay in Britain.

The dispute centred on those EU citizens who were living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020 and were granted 'pre-settled status'.

This is a limited form of leave to remain in the UK, applied through via the wider EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), and was given to those who had not yet been living in Britain for five years.

Under current Home Office rules, those people will lose their right to lawfully live in the UK unless they make a further application within five years.

Campaigners called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to take urgent action now that the Home Office had dropped its appeal

In December, a High Court judge concluded the EU Settlement Scheme was based on an incorrect interpretation of the withdrawal agreement between the UK and EU

The dispute centred on those EU citizens who were living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020 and were granted 'pre-settled status'

The Government was last year challenged in the High Court over a scheme that would deem these people 'illegal overstayers' if they did not make a second application.

In December, a judge concluded that the scheme was based on an incorrect interpretation of the withdrawal agreement between the UK and EU and deemed it unlawful.

The Home Office had initially planned to appeal the ruling but has instead now decided to accept the judgment.

The legal challenge had been brought by the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA)  the watchdog set up by the Government to look after EU citizens' rights in Britain after Brexit.

Campaign group the3million, which fights on behalf of EU citizens in the UK, welcomed the Home Office's decision to no longer pursue an appeal and called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to take urgent action.

They said: 'The judgement has averted a ticking time bomb. EU citizens navigating the complexities of securing settled status have been dealing with uncertainty long enough.

'It is now vital that the Secretary of State urgently develops plans to secure the residency rights of EU citizens and we stand ready and willing to work with them to achieve this.

'Its time for the Home Office to redeem itself and listen to organisations representing EU citizens who have been sounding the alarm.

'We encourage the Government to take a pragmatic approach, to safeguard the rights of vulnerable people who would be unable or unlikely to make a second application, such as children and elderly in care, and victims of domestic abuse.'

Campaign group the3million said the apparent end to the legal wrangle had averted 'a ticking time bomb'

Dr Kathryn Chamberlain, chief executive of the IMA, said: 'We are pleased that the Home Office has taken the decision not to proceed with the appeal, which we hope will ensure clarity for more than two million citizens in advance of the expiry of their pre-settled status.

'We have already begun discussing with the Home Office how the IMA will be engaged as part of the Home Offices work to make the necessary changes to the EUSS.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration, we have informed the court that we do not wish to pursue the appeal against the recent judgment relating to the EU Settlement Scheme.

'We are working to implement the judgment as swiftly as possible and will provide an update in due course.

'Those with pre-settled status are encouraged to apply for settled status as soon as they are eligible, so they can obtain secure evidence of their right of permanent residence in the UK.'

After Brexit, those EU citizens who had already been living in the UK for more than five years were granted full settled status via the EUSS.
Two brothers who dressed up as elderly men using 'extremely life-like' latex face masks to rob a jewellers' shop have been jailed for a combined total of 31 years.

In September 2021, Benjamin Murphy, 37, and George Murphy-Bristow, 28, arrived at a jewellery store in Epping High Street, Essex, wearing full-face latex masks - giving them the appearance of balding elderly men.

The pair threatened staff to let them into the shop, and once inside ushered a worker to the office and bound them to a chair with cable ties before removing a Rolex watch worth 15,000 from their wrist.

The duo, who were brandishing a knife and a hatchet axe, searched the staff area before the alarm was raised and they fled the scene in a vehicle parked outside.

The plot resembles a scene in the 1991 film 'Point Break', starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, where a gang of robbers wear the life-like latex masks of former US presidents, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson, to rob a bank.

Several weeks later, officers on patrol around 36 miles away in Canvey Island, Essex stopped a suspicious vehicle.

Dressed as old men, Ben Murphy and George Murphy-Bristow carried out a terrifying armed robbery

Ben Murphy (left) and George Murphy-Bristow (right) were jailed for a combined total of 31 years

The plot resembles a scene in the 1991 film 'Point Break', starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, where a gang of robbers wear the life-like latex masks of former US presidents

The driver of the car was George Murphy-Bristow and in the boot were two full-face masks and clothing identical in appearance to that worn by the suspects in the robbery.

Officers also found a black duffel bag containing a hatchet, knife and cable ties.

Murphy-Bristow was arrested at the scene.

A forensic examination of saliva found inside the two masks was carried out - identifying DNA belonging to Murphy-Bristow and his older brother Benjamin Murphy, linking them to the robbery on September 27, 2021.

The pair were arrested at separate locations on June 21 last year and refused to answer any questions during their respective interviews.

Both men were charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article and were remanded in custody.

The brothers, of Islington, north London, denied their part in the robbery when they appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court on June 22, 2021.

A jury took just over an hour to find the men guilty following a three-day trial at Basildon Crown Court.

They also found the two latex masks used in the crime as well as a bag of weapons

The brothers' disguises were described as extremely life-like in court

During a routine police stop, officers discovered one of the disguises used in the robbery

Murphy was convicted of robbery and two counts of possession of a bladed article, and received an 18 year custodial sentence.

While Murphy-Bristow was convicted of robbery, two counts of possession of a bladed article, and going equipped for theft. He received a 13 year custodial sentence.

The Rolex watch stolen from the staff member has never been recovered.

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of Essex Police, said: 'Benjamin Murphy and his brother George Murphy-Bristow planned this robbery, to use masks that would help them avoid detection.

'But it was the forensic examination amongst other detailed Detective work & proactive Policing that proved the pair were directly linked to the robbery.

'I want to thank the store's staff for supporting our investigation following an undoubtedly frightening incident, but I hope that they can now move on.'
Hyundai Construction Equipment's 50-ton large excavator exported to Indonesia / Courtesy of Hyundai Construction Equipment



By Kim Jae-heun



Hyundai Construction Equipment's (Hyundai CE) intermediate holding firm Hyundai Genuine will focus on fostering its construction business in Indonesia to make it a regional hub in order to target the Asian market, the company said Wednesday.



It has recently established a Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Jakarta and started its operation.



PDC is a logistics hub that secures and quickly supplies parts for construction machinery such as excavators and wheel loaders. The machinery is currently in operation in Hyundai CE's key sales countries such as the United States, China, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil.



The company's ninth overseas PDC in Indonesia handles about 9,000 kinds of parts. It will help drastically reduce their product procurement periods from the previous standard of five days to two days.



Furthermore, the delivery cycle for regular parts orders from PDC in Jakarta will also expand from once a month to twice a month  improving customer convenience.



Indonesia is an important market for Hyundai CE as the country has a huge market, which has seen it sell more than 9,000 construction machines annually over the past 12 years. About 15,000 machines are expected to be sold every year in Indonesia for the next five years.



"Asia is expected to become a new arena of competition for many construction machinery companies in the future due to its abundant resources and big populations. Here, Indonesia is a very important region to target in the Asian market and the company plans to expand its business in the country with its up-to-date technology and quality products," a Hyundai Genuine official said.



Hyundai Doosan Infracore also plans to establish an overseas branch in Jakarta by the end of February and start building a sales network to target the local market.



The company will erect its own PDC in May to improve its own parts procurement capabilities and form a parts supply cooperation system with Hyundai CE.



Next September, Hyundai Doosan Infracore will participate in Asia's largest international mining equipment exhibition known as Mining Indonesia and introduce its new brand Develon.


A man dressed as a policeman caught trying to steal a baby from a hospital in southern Turkey following the catastrophic earthquake has been detained.

Hospital staff quickly realised that the man was an imposter and called the real police to protect the baby, who has not been named.

Parents in the affected regions have expressed concern over spates of reported child kidnappings during the chaotic rescue mission.

It comes after 'Miracle Baby' Aya, who was born in the rubble of her collapsed home in Syria, was moved to a secure location over kidnapping fears.

A 7.8-magnitude quake unleashed chaos in southeastern Turkey and parts of Syria, killing nearly 40,000 people and displacing millions in both countries.

A week-old baby, named Aya (pictured) - Arabic for 'a sign from God' - has been at a hospital in north Syria ever since she was pulled from underneath the rubble with her umbilical cord still attached to her mother

Aya (pictured), whose mother, father and four siblings died in the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, has been closely followed since her birth and people from around the world have been offering to help her

A man walked into a hospital pretending to be a police chief in the Samandag district of the quake-affected province of Hatay, Anadolu said on Wednesday.

When hospital staff realised his police ID card was fake and called the real police, the man was arrested.

When officers detained the man, they found fake police and military ID cards, gold and money in Turkish lira, dollars and euros worth around $6,500.

The agency did not provide information about the baby.

Some parents in the region have expressed alarm over rumoured child kidnappings.

Turkish Family Minister Derya Yanik on Monday said at least 1,362 children had been separated from their families by the quake.

The reports come after 'Miracle baby' Aya, who was born under the rubble of her destroyed home in Syria, was given police protection over kidnapping fears.

Aya, whose mother, father and four siblings died in the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, has been closely followed since her birth and people from around the world have been offering to help her.

But several people have shown up falsely claiming to be Aya's relatives, prompting local policemen to guard her as she lays in an incubator.

A rescuer carries a baby girl - Aya - after pulling her from the rubble caused by an earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in the town of Jinderis, Syria, on Tuesday February 7

On Monday night, gunmen stormed the hospital where Aya is receiving care and beat the clinic's director, Doctor Attiah, an official said today.

The official denied reports on social media claiming that the attack was an attempt to kidnap Aya.

The official, who spoke condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the hospital's director had suspected that a nurse who was taking pictures of Aya was planning to kidnap her and kicked him out of the hospital.

The nurse returned hours later accompanied by gunmen who beat up Dr Attiah.

Dr Attiah, who also has a baby daughter, said last week: 'I won't allow anyone to adopt her now. Until her distant family return, I'm treating her like one of my own.'

Locals and non-governmental organizations continue search and rescue efforts in Jindires district after north-western Syria was hit by 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes centered in Turkiye, in Aleppo, Syria on February 14

Rescuers were focusing their efforts on three provinces hit hard by the devastating quakes that hit Turkey and Syria last week

For now, his wife is breastfeeding Ana alongside their own daughter.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the gunmen told local police officers protecting the girl that they were going after the director for firing their friend. They said they were not interested in Aya, according to the official.

Rescue workers in Jenderis discovered Aya on Monday afternoon last week, more than 10 hours after the quake hit, as they were digging through the wreckage of the five-story apartment building where her parents lived.

Buried under the concrete, the baby still was connected by her umbilical cord to her mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya, who was dead along with her husband and four other children.

The baby was rushed to the hospital in nearby Afrin, where she has been cared for since.

She will be raised by her paternal aunt, according to her great-uncle.
A 21-year-old road worker who became 'anxious and tearful' after he was a victim of a random street attack took his own life while waiting for NHS counselling, an inquest has heard.

Twm Bryn, of Chwilog, Gwynedd, was targeted by a father and son in an unexpected attack outside a club just months before his death.

He started to feel 'low with his mood deteriorating' after the assault and was referred for counselling.

But Mr Bryn, a keen sportsman, took his own life in Chwilog, North Wales, in October 2021 after being placed on a waiting list for help.

The inquest heard his referral for a mental health assessment took 40 days - missing the health board's 28-day target.

Twm Bryn, of Chwilog, Gwynedd, was targeted by a father and son in an unexpected attack outside a club just months before he took his own life

Mr Bryn, a keen sportsman, started to feel 'low with his mood deteriorating' after the assault and was referred for counselling

The road worker was assessed on the phone by a nurse one month before his death when he said he would be 'better off dead'.

Mr Bryn said he would not act on the comment because he had a supportive family, the inquest heard.

Mis mother, Bethan Llwyd, said her son had become 'anxious, tearful and was struggling to sleep' after he was attacked in July 2021.

'A one-off assessment is not an accurate interpretation of what's going on,' she said.

The inquest heard Mr Bryn was attacked outside the Venu club in Pwllheli. The two men admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Bryn was tragically found hanged near his home after he told the mental health nurse he was feeling suicidal.

Tom Regan, the board's head of nursing for north-west Wales, said counselling waiting lists were longer at the time and staffing shortages were an issue.

He said an internal report into the death found Mr Bryn was identified as being at 'medium' risk of suicide.

The inquest heard his referral for a mental health assessment took 40 days - missing the health board's 28-day target

The road worker was assessed on the phone by a nurse one month before his death when he said he would be 'better off dead'

Coroner Sarah Riley gave a conclusion of suicide at the inquest in Caernarfon.

She said she would write to Betsi Cadwaladr health board to express concern over long lists and issue the board with a prevention of future deaths report.

The coroner said her report would also highlight a lack of support available to those not considered at high risk of suicide.

She said: 'I am concerned by the lack of interim support for patients who are assessed as low mood and have to wait for counselling.'

Betsi Cadwaladr health board said it had responded with an action plan to address the issues raised by the coroner.

MailOnline has approached Betsi Cadwaladr for further comment.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit their website
Vladimir Putin will deliver his annual State of the Nation speech within days, amid warnings that Russia is amassing fighter jets on Ukraine's borders.

Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine's chief of intelligence, said Moscow was gearing up towards a 'massive new attack' in just seven days time - to mark the anniversary of the Russian president's invasion, which was launched on February 24, 2022.

Ukrainian defenders are preparing to defend against a force that could consist of 400 fighter jets, 300 helicopters, 1,800 new tanks and 3,950 armoured vehicles, while it was reported this month that 500,000 Russian troops have been mobilised.

Danilov, Ukraine's Secretary of the National Security Council, said his country is 'ready' and will 'cope' if Putin orders the assault on February 23 or 24.

Putin will address politicians on February 21, just days before the new Russian onslaught is predicted to begin. But the Institute of the Study of War (ISW) said in its daily update on the war he is unlikely to publicly announce further escalation.

Vladimir Putin (pictured Wednesday) will deliver his annual State of the Nation speech within days, amid warnings that Russia is amassing fighter jets on Ukraine's borders

The president's Sate of the Nation speech has been delivered to Russia's Federal Assembly to the Russian State Duma and Federation Council ever year since 1994, but it was postponed throughout 2022 after his invasion.

The speech seen a the Russia equivalent of the United States President's State of the Union address, as the speech is given to both the upper and lower house.

While he did not deliver the speech last year, February 21 will mark one year since the Russian despot delivered his 'address concerning the events in Ukraine' in which he said Russia would recognise the Ukrainian separatist regions of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic as independent.

He also made a number of false claims about Ukrainian history and domestic politics, which caused widespread alarm.

Commentators pointed to themes of Russian nationalism and imperialism, and saw is as a precursor to his invasion three days later.

Speaking Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian television stations would set an hour aside for the special broadcast, which is expected to feature the usual Russian propaganda that has become typical of Putin's speeches.

Putin's annual address was postponed several times last year, with the Kremlin hoping the president would be able to announce sweeping victories in Ukraine the people of Russia, the ISW said.

Such victories never materialised, however, as Russian forces were pushed back from regions around Kyiv in the first month, and again in the north and south of the country later in the year by lighting Ukrainian counteroffensives.

As Russian forces continued to struggle, criticism of Moscow's war strategy among Russian hardliners grew louder, only increasing Putin's embarrassment and unwillingness to face scrutiny over the war's progress.

According to Radio Free Europe, the Kremlin will not invite foreign journalists from countries that Russia has deemed 'unfriendly' to the address next week.

Speaking to Ukrainian television on Wednesday, Danilov said: '[Russia is] preparing and will try to make another attempt at a massive attack on February 23-24.

'You need to be calm about this. We are ready for it. I think we already understand what attacks are, after receiving 115-120 rockets in one day.

'We will cope with this day as well. Yes, it will be difficult, but we will all get through.'

Pictured: An aerial view of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the Donetsk region, February 14

Pictured: An aerial view of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the Donetsk region, February 14

According to NATO intelligence, Russia is losing around 2,000 men for every 100 yards of ground it gains, in fierce fighting in the east around the city of Bakhmut.

'Russian land forces are quite thinned out, ragged and very demoralised, so the best indication is that they will try to switch to aerial combat,' a US official told The Times.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said in a Thursday morning update that Russian sortie rates have 'increased over the last week' after a quieter period.

'Overall, Russian air power continues to significantly underperform in the war, constrained by a continued high threat from Ukrainian air defences and dispersed basing due to the threat of strikes against Russian airfields,' the update said.

'Russian combat jets operate almost exclusively over Russian-held territory, preventing them from carrying out their key strike role effectively.'

'Across Russia, the VKS likely maintains a largely intact fleet of approximately 1,500 crewed military aircraft, despite losing over 130 since the start of the invasion.

'However, it is unlikely that the VKS is currently preparing for a dramatically expanded air campaign as under the current battlefield circumstances it would likely suffer unsustainable aircraft losses,' the update said.

Meanwhile, the head of Russia's mercenary outfit Wagner said it could take months to capture the embattled Ukraine city of Bakhmut and slammed Moscow's 'monstrous bureaucracy' for slowing military gains.

Russia has been trying to encircle the battered industrial city and wrest it ahead of the first anniversary of what it terms its 'special military operation' in Ukraine.

'I think it's (going to be in) March or in April,' Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin said in one of several messages posted online overnight.

'To take Bakhmut you have to cut all supply routes. It's a significant task,' he said, adding: 'Progress is not going as fast as we would like'.

'Bakhmut would have been taken before the New Year, if not for our monstrous military bureaucracy ... and the spokes that are put in the wheels daily,' he added.

Tanks of Ukrainian army on the frontline near Ugledar and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on February 15

Prigozhin has previously accused the Russian military of attempting to 'steal' victories from Wagner, a sign of his rising clout and the potential for dangerous rifts in Moscow.

The fierce fighting for the eastern industrial city is now the longest running battle of Russia's intervention and Moscow's key military objective.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed the Donetsk region where Bakhmut lies last year but his forces are fighting off Ukrainian troops there.

The capture of Bakhmut would be a major win for Moscow but analysts say its capture would be mainly symbolic as the town holds little strategic value.
A pathologist has rubbished claims that a baby who suffered horrendous injuries before he died could have inflicted them upon himself with a plastic Mr Potato Head knife.

Jacob Lennon was 15 months old when he was taken to hospital from the family home in Putney, south-west London, after suffering with serious head injuries in August 2019.

The little boy was found with massive swelling and bruising on his face by paramedics after his mother called 999, claiming he had bumped his head 'like he fell out of bed or something'. He died after falling into a cardiac arrest, just over an hour after being taken to hospital.

The boy's mother, Louise Lennon, 32, and Jake Drummond, 33, her boyfriend, are now both facing charges arising from Jacob's death.

Jacob Lennon, a 15-month old baby, suffered multiple injuries as part of a series of historic abuse which culminated in his murder, the Old Bailey has heard

Jake Drummond (pictured above), 33, and Louise Lennon, 32, both face charges arising from Jacob's death after he was rushed to hospital from the family home in Putney, southwest London with serious head injuries in August 2019

A medical healthcare provider has refuted Drummond's claims that the child inflicted the injuries on himself using a children's Mr Potato Head knife.

A post-mortem examination found that the 'complex' injuries the tot suffered with were consistent to horrendous long-term abuse, the Old Bailey heard. And the brain was found with 'patches' of blood in it, alongside the brain being 'rattled in the skull', it was said.

The court heard how Jacob's eyes were so swollen he could not open them. He also 'looked like a panda' because his eyes had dark bruises underneath, the court was told.

While Drummond denies murdering Jacob, Lennon also denies causing or allowing the death of a child, as well as cruelty to a child. Drummond has also contested a further charge of wounding the baby with intent, in relation to some earlier injuries the youngster suffered from.

In giving evidence, consultant neuro-pathologist Professor Safa Al-Sarraj told the court that Jacob's brain was found with a number of patches of blood.

He said that they were 'scattered', explaining: 'In the brain I did find multiple patches of bleedings underneath the second layer of the brain, this is present in separate parts of the brain. Patches scattered over the brain.

'It is an unusual finding, it is an indication of an injury.

'The timing of injuries is very complex and takes time to heal.

'Even though these are an estimate, I am clear it demonstrates at least three separate cases of injury.'

The pathologist continued to add that 'Some patches are before 48 hours [of the time of death] but more are after 48 hours.

'The brain has been rattled in the skull and that has happened after impact... The brain had been violently rattled inside the skull... damaging the wires in the brain and that would be with some jerking of the brain.

The court heard how the little boy's eyes were so badly swollen he looked like a panda and could not see

'These are not often seen in paediatric trauma but when they are seen it is traumatic.

'The child was in a very serious neurological incapacity which is inconsistent with hitting a curb.'

In prosecuting, KC Sally O'Neill questioned whether the injuries sustained were perhaps evident of the tot falling, saying: 'Or indeed a child falling out of a cot and hitting the floor?'

Prof Sarraj said: 'That's right indeed. There must have been a significant neurological incapacity, and probably [the baby was] unconscious.'

He also confirmed that the post-mortem results showed that there was no evidence of natural disease that could have caused the youngster's death.

In Drummond's defence, he said that Jacob cut himself with a plastic Mr Potato Head knife, that was left unattended.

However, pathologist Dr Nat Cary said that the toy would have not been able to penetrate 'anything' - let along his head.

Speaking about this, the medic said: 'It's blunt and plastic and wouldn't be good at penetrating anything.

'It could have been a number of potential small items [that penetrated him].

'The baby could have become unconscious quite quickly, but the baby was alive but unconscious for a few hours before death.'

Louise Lennon (pictured above), from Wandsworth, southwest London, has denied causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty

It was previously revealed that the 'sadistic' boyfriend of Lennon 'cruelly' mutilated the 15-month-old's genitals.

The court was also previously told his testicles were swollen and he had an injury on his penis consistent with the application of blunt force such as 'extreme pinching' or biting, which the prosecution described as 'sadistic'.

At the Old Bailey last month, it was also heard how the 15-month-old had traces of cocaine in his system after he died.

In referencing the blow that Jacob suffered before his death, Dr Cary said: 'It would have to be quite forceful and could cause quite considerable upset.

'The penis was penetrated and urine was passing over it.'

When Lennon called for an ambulance in at 6:02am on 26 August 2019 he told the operator: 'Basically, he's woken up, he must have hit his head or something and now he's being sick and he's not breathing and he's been sick everywhere.'

Drummond, of no fixed address, denies murder and causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Lennon, of Ingrave Street, Wandsworth, denied causing or allowing the death of a child and child cruelty.

The trial continues.
A Catholic woman who was prosecuted for silently praying outside an abortion clinic has been acquitted.

In a video that went viral, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, director of anti-abortion group March for Life UK, was seen being searched and arrested by three police officers after saying that she 'might be' praying inside her head.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce was confronted by police when she was standing on the street outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham, on December 6.

Her arrest sparked a fierce debate, with supporters saying she was effectively arrested for 'thoughtcrime', a term which her legal representatives ADF UK used - but today she has been cleared of all charges.

Similarly, a priest - Father Sean Gough - who was charged for praying within the same censorship zone in Birmingham has today been cleared at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Reacting to the not guilty verdict this morning, Ms Vaughan-Spruce said in a statement outside court: 'I'm glad I've been vindicated of any wrongdoing. But I should never have been arrested for my thoughts and treated like a criminal simply for silently praying on a public street.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (pictured), was arrested for 'praying' outside an abortion clinic

Ms Vaughn-Spruce previously said: 'It's abhorrently wrong that I was searched, arrested, interrogated by police and charged simply for praying in the privacy of my own mind'

'When it comes to censorship zones, peaceful prayer and attempts to offer help to women in crisis pregnancies are now being described as either 'criminal' or 'anti-social'.

'But what is profoundly anti-social are the steps now being taken to censor freedom of speech, freedom to offer help, freedom to pray and even freedom to think.

'We must stand firm against this and ensure that these most fundamental freedoms are protected, and that all our laws reflect this.'

Prosecutor Ekene Pruce told the hearing at Birmingham Magistrates' Court that the CPS had dropped four charges of failing to comply with a PSPO brought against Father Gough and charity volunteer Ms Vaughan-Spruce.

The withdrawn charges related to dates in October, November and December last year.

During brief separate hearings on Thursday, Ms Pruce said both cases had been judged not to meet the 'full code test' for prosecutors - which assesses whether prosecutions are in the public interest and if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

ADF UK legal counsel Jeremiah Igunnubole said: 'Isabel and Father Sean's cases show that the current plans to introduce censorship zones across England and Wales constitute a dangerous step towards an illiberal society.

'We ask parliamentarians to think long and hard about whether we are still a free and democratic society and a free and democratic country and if so national censorship zones must be rejected.'

Similarly, a priest - Father Sean Gough (left) - who was charged for praying within the same censorship zone in Birmingham has today been cleared

Ms Vaughn-Spruce, 45, was confronted by a police officer when she was standing on the street outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham

Supporters of Father Sean Gough, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, outside Birmingham Magistrates' Court

Supporters outside the court holding signs saying 'prayer is not a thought crime'

Ms Vaughan-Spruce was confronted by police when she was standing on the street outside the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham , on December 6

Ms Vaughan-Spruce, 45, was charged with four counts of violating the abortion clinic 'buffer zone' after she admitted that she might have been praying silently while standing outside.

She had been standing there some time, and was not carrying a sign, when an officer approached after a complaint from a member of the public.

But she has been acquitted of all charges in a ruling handed down by Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning.

The area surrounding the facility near where she prayed has been covered by a local Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), in force since November, which prohibits prayer, distributing information about pregnancy help services, and other activities considered to constitute 'protest'.

ADF said in a release this morning: 'The volunteer, who has supported women in crisis pregnancies for over twenty years, was charged with 'protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users,' despite the fact that the abortion facility was closed during the time in which she was present and praying, and despite her clear statement that she was not there to protest.'

ADF UK are a British branch of the American conservative Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, who have campaigned and lobbied against the right to an abortion and against the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the States. They are part of the global organization, ADF International, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

She denied she was protesting but when asked if she was praying she said: 'I might be praying in my head, but not out loud'

What are PSPOs and how do they stop protests around abortion centres? Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are designed to allow local councils to prevent anti-social behaviour. Councils were given the power to enforce them in 2014 through section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. The authority lists the activity that is banned within a particular geographical area, with a 100 initial fine rising to 1,000 if it goes to court. MPs have also introduced buffer zones around abortion clinics following an amendment to the Public Order Bill. This makes it an offence to intimidate or harass anyone within 150 metres of the buildings. Anyone found guilty of breaching the zone to intimidate, threaten or persuade women will face a fine or six months' imprisonment, increasing to two years for repeat offences. The law change came out over concerns about councils being sued by anti-abortion campaigners challenging PSPOs. Advertisement

During the incident, a West Midlands Police officer told the campaigner that he had to caution her and then asked her: 'What are you here for today?'

'Physically, I'm just standing here,' Ms Vaughan-Spruce, from Malvern, Worcestershire, replied.

'Why here of all places? I know you don't live nearby,' the officer asked.

She responded: 'But this is an abortion centre.'

The officer said: 'Okay, that's why you're stood here. Are you here as part of a protest? Are you praying?'

She denied she was protesting but when asked if she was praying she said: 'I might be praying in my head, but not out loud.'

The officer then arrested her on suspicion of failing to comply with a public spaces protection order - an arrest which sparked online debate.

'Still surreal to observe a thought crime arrest in the West,' data scientist Justin Co said on Twitter at the time.

'Good Lord. The thought police are with us,' tweeted Tobye Pierce.

But John Michael Leslie criticised Ms Vaughn-Spruce, accusing of her harassing women.

He wrote on Twitter after the incident happened: 'No, you're in violation of if you repeatedly harass women going to a family planning clinic who might be asking for abortion advice.

''Praying in her head' is the spin from her supporters.'

Similarly, a priest who was charged for praying within the same censorship zone in Birmingham has today been cleared.

Father Sean Gough remained silent, but held a sign reading 'praying for free speech,' ADF said. A further charge related to parking his car, which for some time had on it a small 'unborn lives matter' bumper sticker, within the same area.

Father Sean Gough, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and Isabel Vaughan-Spruce at Birmingham Magistrates' Court

Father Sean Gough was charged with 'intimidating service-users' of the abortion facility but has this morning been acquitted of all charges at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

He said: 'I'm pleased that I've been cleared of all charges today and to have cleared my name.

'I stand by my beliefs  unborn lives do matter. But whatever your views are on abortion, we can all agree that a democratic country cannot be in the business of prosecuting thought crimes.

If the government imposes censorship zones around every abortion facility in the country, as they are considering doing with the Public Order Bill currently under discussion, who knows how many more people will stand trial, even face prison, for offering help, or for praying in their mind?

'I call on the government to look into the overwhelming positive work that pro-life groups do to support vulnerable women at their point of need, before censoring the streets of the UK and allowing good people to be criminalised for acts of love.'
Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper today channelled Tony Blair as she jibed the Tories are 'weak on crime, weak on the causes of crime'.

At a speech in central London, Ms Cooper tore into the 'chaos' of ministerial upheaval in Conservative ranks - including the appointment of four home secretaries - last year.

She also claimed there had been 'a complete collapse in Home Office leadership on crime and policing' under the Tories.

The Labour frontbencher promised 'a fundamentally different approach' if her party were to win power at the next general election.

She repeated her vow that a Labour government would put 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and Police Community Support Officers - at a cost of 360million - back on Britains streets.

Ms Cooper said putting 'the bobby on the beat' would mirror the example of Catherine Cawood from TV's hit series Happy Valley.

She hailed the 'very real' police officers who 'know their communities, who pick up the things that everyone else misses, who solve crimes and keep people safe'.

But the Tories lashed back at Ms Cooper's attack and pointed to Labour's recent record of voting against Government legislation to toughen sentences and crackdown on disrutptive protesters.

Yvette Cooper claimed there had been 'a complete collapse in Home Office leadership on crime and policing' under the Tories.

The shadow home secretary repeated her vow that Labour would put 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and Police Community Support Officers on Britains streets

Ms Cooper said putting 'the bobby on the beat' would mirror the example of Catherine Cawood from TV's hit series Happy Valley.

Ms Cooper, who served as a minister in Blair's New Labour government, noted how the ex-prime minister first made his 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' pledge 30 years ago this year.

'It was right then, its right now. Its what we did then, its what well do again,' she said of Labour's plans for government.

She also turned the phrase around as she attacked the Tories' record since replacing her party in power.

'Theyve totally failed to deliver a policing or justice system fit for the 2020s  theres no sense of direction or urgency about the challenges policing and communities face,' she added.

'Too often all there has been from Conservative home secretaries is rhetoric.

'The talk is tough but the walk is woefully weak. The Conservatives are weak on crime and on its causes too.'

Ms Cooper reiterated her promise, which she first made at Labour's party conference in September, to bolster community policing teams.

'Labour will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs back on Britains streets  paid for with 360m delivered from our shared procurement plan,' she said.

'We will introduce a new Neighbourhood Police Guarantee  restoring patrols back to town centres, making sure communities and residents know who to turn to when things go wrong, with new statutory responsibilities on forces to protect and deliver neighbourhood policing.'

She said this would draw on 'the traditional core of British policing  the bobby on the beat' but be 'modernised for a new age, equipped with new training and technology so they can use data to target hotspots, react quickly, and build partnerships to solve problems'.

She added: Catherine Cawood may be fiction. But the stories of police officers like Catherine who know their communities, who pick up the things that everyone else misses, who solve crimes and keep people safe, are very real. And we need more of them.'

Home Office minister Chris Philp said: 'Labours announcement today is over four months old and further evidence of their soft on crime approach  their proposed investment is a tenth of what we are delivering.

'Meanwhile this Conservative Government is recruiting the most police officers we have ever had, with 20,000 fully funded extra police officers being recruited by April this year, equipped with full powers of arrest.

'Labour voted against boosting police funding, voted against tougher sentences, including for violent sexual offenders, and they oppose deporting foreign national offenders  they are weak on crime, weak on criminals, and they cannot be trusted to keep our communities safe.'
Human remains discovered in melting ice on a Swiss glacier have been identified as a British hiker who went missing in 1974.

The 32-year-old explorer - who has not been named - went missing in December 1974 and his body was found in the Pennine Alps on September 5 last year.

Officials have been working with British police and diplomats to determine his identity since the remains were discovered.

Swiss authorities maintain a list of more than 300 people who have gone missing in the mountains since 1925.

Melting glaciers have revealed a number of bodies over the past few years, including the remains of a couple who went missing in 1942, which were discovered in 2017.

The 34-year-old English man, who has not been named by police, went missing in December 1974 and was found near the Italian-Swiss border

The remains were found near the Swiss-Italian border in September 2022 and officials have been working with British authorities to identify the body

Canton Police Valais said in a statement on Thursday: 'The remains found at the scene suggested that it could be a man who had been reported missing from the Grand Combin area since December 31, 1974.

'A DNA identification, in cooperation with the police in Great Britain, led to the confirmation of the identity of the missing person.

'This is an English national who was 32 years old at the time of his disappearance.'

Police say he was found as part of a grim air search for human remains missing for decades that are now being exposed by global warming.

Climate change and glacial melting means that bodies which had been trapped in the ice are now being found

Stockji Glacier in Switzerland, where the body of a 27-year-old German mountaineer who went missing in August 1990 was found

A spokesperson explained: 'As part of the search for missing persons, the cantonal police are constantly looking for new possible leads.

'Due to the melting of the glacier, the agents of the cantonal police, in cooperation with the air force, went to the Corbassiere glacier.'

Switzerland's glaciers have shrunk by around 50 per cent in just 85 years, exposing the long-buried remains of missing climbers and hikers.

In another case, remains found on the Stockji Glacier in Zermatt, Switzerland, on July 26, 2022, were matched to a 27-year-old German mountaineer who was declared missing in August 1990.

In 2017, the bodies of a Swiss couple who never returned from milking the cows in a meadow near their home in 1942 were found mummified in a glacier.

The couple's youngest daughter - they shared six children - said when the bodies were found that the family had never stopped looking for them.

'We spent our whole lives looking for them, without stopping. We thought that we could give them the funeral they deserved one day,' she told Le Matin.
British officials are examining the economic fallout from a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan amid increasing hostility from Beijing towards the democratic island state.

Foreign Office officials are concerned about conflict in an important trade area involving the world's second second-largest economy and how it might affect the UK.

President Xi Jinping's government has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwan by flying fighter jets and bombers near the island and firing missiles into the sea.

Nearly two dozen Chinese military aircrafts and ships were seen in the Taiwan Strait on Monday morning.

Among the prime concern is the impact on supply chains, including for microchips vital to a vast swathe of electrical devices from computers and telephones to washing machines, the Guardian reported.

Foreign Office officials are concerned about conflict in an important trade area involving Taiwan - pictured is a Taiwanese honor guard for a meeting of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benitez today

President Xi Jinping's government has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwan by flying fighter jets and bombers near the island and firing missiles into the sea.

China imposed trade and investment sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a part of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan on Thursday, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles and Defence are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country, the ministry of commerce announced.

It said they were added to the 'unreliable entity' list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests.

It was not clear what impact the penalties might have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China, but some military contractors also have civilian businesses in aerospace and other markets.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war. The island of 22 million people never has been part of the People's Republic of China, but the Communist Party says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.
A top Russian defence official has been found dead after plunging 160ft from a tower block window, in the latest mysterious death of a high-ranking Kremlin figure.

Marina Yankina, 58, was discovered by a passerby at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg.

She is believed to have fallen from the 16th floor to her death.

Ms Yankina was a key figure in the funding of Vladimir Putin's illegal war in Ukraine as head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which is closely involved in the dictator's invasion.

The Russian Investigative Committee and the press service of the Western Military District 'Fontanka' both confirmed her death, and have launched an investigation into it.

She is the latest in a string of Russian officials to have died in mysterious circumstances since the start of Putin's invasion.

Just last week, Major General Vladimir Makarov - a Russian general recently fired by Putin - was found dead in a possible suicide.

Marina Yankina (pictured), 58, was discovered by a passerby at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg. She is believed to have fallen 160ft to her death

Marina Yankina is believed to have fallen from the 16th floor of the tower block

Major General Vladimir Makarov, 67, was in charge of 'combatting extremism' in Russia and was found shot dead on Monday morning. Police said he died by suicide

Before joining the Western Military region, Ms Yankina worked in the Federal Tax Service, and also served as deputy chairman of the Property Relations Committee of St Petersburg.

Reports say it is a suspected suicide, but this is often stated in such cases in Russia before any investigation is carried out or the facts are known.

Ms Yankina is believed to have been at the centre of efforts to boost funding for the war unleashed almost one year ago, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and a series of military disasters for Putin.

READ MORE: Why HAVE so many Russian tycoons and officials died suspiciously since war began? Ukraine-born tycoon Mikhail Watford was found dead in his 18million Surrey home Advertisement

Initial reports in Russia were conflicted over whether Ms Yankina worked in the St Petersburg building or lived there. Her personal belongings were found on the 16th floor, and it is believed she fell from there.

She was friendly with senior officials in the Leningrad region, near St Petersburg.

Ms Yankina was reported to be close to Mikhail Mokretsov, former chief of staff of the Ministry of Defence and Deputy Minister of Defence.

He is a Russian businessman and state official who served as director of the federal taxation service from 2007 and 2010, and was later a senior official in St Petersburg.

Media outlet Mash on Moika, which has links to police, claimed Ms Yankina had called her ex-husband and told him she intended to take her own life.

'Shortly before the fall, the deceased employee of the financial sector of the Western Military District called her ex-husband,' said the outlet.

'She told him about what she was going to do and where she would leave things - and also asked to call the police. A few minutes after the call, she was found dead. According to our information, the husband lived in the block from the balcony of which the fall occurred.

'The motives continue to be clarified - according to the latest data, the woman had health problems.'

However there was no independent confirmation of this version of her cause of death.

'Her career had developed rapidly,' stated the outlet. 'In five years, she rose from an ordinary employee to the head of the entire department. Meanwhile, the death of the employee was officially confirmed by the press service of the Western Military District.'

Dozens of Russian businessmen have been found dead since the start of 2022 in unexplained circumstances.

On December 26, Pavel Antonov - the richest deputy of the Russian Duma (Russia's parliament) and a Putin critic - died in India falling out of a hotel window.

Russian MP Pavel Antov, 65, who previously criticised the war in Ukraine, was found dead in India in December, having seemingly tumbled from the roof of a hotel

Vladimir Bydanov, 61, died in hospital after suddenly falling ill. Indian police insisted he died of a heart attack, possibly brought about by drinking and drug abuse

His companion Vladimir Bidenov was found dead in the same hotel four days earlier.

Aleksey Maslov, 69, the former chief of Russian Ground Forces, died in hospital on December 25 while Aleksandr Buzakov - who had been the head of Russia's 'admiralty shipyards' for a decade - died on December 24.

In July, 76-year-old Yevgeny Lobachev - a retired Major General of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation - was found dead in Moscow with a pistol nearby.

His death was also ruled as suicide.

Other recent deaths have included the editor of a popular Russian propaganda magazine, the vice-president of Gazprombank and a senior Gazprom official.

Dmitry Zelenov, a real estate tycoon, died on December 9 in the French Riviera town of Antibes.

The oligarch, 50, was out to dinner with some friends when he began feeling unwell and tumbled down a flight of stairs, sustaining serious head injuries, according to Russian news outlet Baza and local French outlet Var Matin.

He was rushed to hospital but doctors were unable to save him and his death was confirmed by the public prosecutor in the nearby municipality of Grasse the following day.

Russian oligarch Dmitry Zelenov died in France after allegedly falling down a flight of stairs

Zelenov died on December 9 in the French Riviera town of Antibes (pictured)

According to Baza's Telegram channel, Zelenov underwent surgery related to undisclosed heart problems in the weeks prior to his death, though no further information was provided.

Zelenov was a co-founder of Don-Stroy, once one of Moscow's most significant real estate investment and development empires.

The circumstances around the real estate tycoon's death are remarkably similar to those of Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former head of Moscow's Aviation Institute (MAI) who is said to have tumbled down a flight of stairs at the institute's headquarters in the Russian capital in September.

'On September 21, 2022, Anatoly Nikolaevich Gerashchenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences, professor, adviser to the rector of the Moscow Aviation Institute, passed away as a result of an accident,' the organisation's press service said.

'This is a colossal loss for the MAI and the scientific and pedagogical community.'

MAI is one of Russia's leading scientific research universities responsible for the development of aerospace technology and is closely linked to Putin's Defence Ministry.

Gerashchenko, 73, spent a lifetime working with the institute, attending the university as an engineer before working his way up to run the operation for eight years.

He had received Russia's Medal of the Order for Services to the Fatherland, First Class, and was a distinguished professor with more than 50 scientific publications who remained on as an influential advisor after retiring in 2015.

Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former head of Moscow's Aviation Institute (MAI) reportedly slipped and tumbled down a flight of stairs at the institutes headquarters in the Russian capital

MAI is one of Russia's leading scientific research universities responsible for the development of aerospace technology and is closely linked to Putin's Defence Ministry

Gerashchenko's highly suspicious death came less than two weeks after Vladimir Putin's point man for developing Russia's vast Arctic resources 'fell overboard' while sailing off the country's Pacific coast.

Ivan Pechorin, 39, was managing director of Putin's Far East and Arctic Development Corporation and had recently attended a major conference hosted by the Kremlin warmonger in Vladivostok.

Pechorin fell off the side of a boat in the waters close to Russky Island near Cape Ignatiev, said Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda.

His body was found after a search lasting more than a day.

The corporation's former CEO Igor Nosov, 43, also died suddenly in February, reportedly from a stroke.

A Russian MiG 27 fighter aircraft is pictured in the courtyard of Moscow's Aviation Institute

Ivan Pechorin (L), point man for Vladimir Putin's development of the Arctic, died after 'falling overboard' into the sea from a boat near Vladivostok. Igor Nosov (R), CEO of the Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, also died in his early 40s, reportedly from a 'stroke'

On September 1, oil tycoon Ravil Maganov, 67, fell to his death from the sixth floor window of a Moscow hospital.

One report said the chairman of Lukoil - Russia's second largest oil company - was 'beaten' before he was 'thrown out of a window', though this has not been independently confirmed.

Lukoil had previously voiced opposition to the war in Ukraine.

Maganov's death came shortly before Putin arrived at the elite Central Clinical Hospital to pay his last respects to final Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who had died at the hospital just days earlier.

Ravil Maganov, chairman of Russian oil giant Lukoil, died after falling from a window at Central Clinical Hospital, Moscow (pictured with Vladimir Putin in 2019)

Yuri Voronov, 61, was found dead in August

Two more deaths of Gazprom-linked executives were reported in elite homes near St Petersburg, stoking suspicions that the deaths may well have been murders

In July, Yuri Voronov, 61, head of a transport and logistics company for a Gazprom-linked company, was found dead in his swimming pool amid reports of foul play.

Two more deaths of Gazprom-linked executives were reported in elite homes near St Petersburg, stoking suspicions that the deaths may well have been murders.

Alexander Tyulakov, 61, a senior Gazprom financial and security official at deputy general director level, was discovered by his lover the day after war started in Ukraine in February.

His neck was in a noose in his 500,000 home in the elite Leninsky gated housing development, yet multiple reports claim his body had been badly beaten, leading to speculation he was under intense pressure from bad actors.

That came just three weeks after Leonid Shulman, 60, head of transport at Gazprom Invest, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in a pool of blood on his bathroom floor in the same gated housing community.

Billionaire Alexander Subbotin, 43 former top executive with energy giant Lukoil, died in May

Former Kremlin official and Gazprombank vice-president Vladislav Avayev, 51, appeared to have taken his own life after killing his wife and one of his daughters in April

Billionaire Alexander Subbotin, 43, also linked to Kremlin-friendly energy giant Lukoil where he was a top manager, was found dead in May.

One theory is that Subbotin - who also owned a shipping company - was poisoned by toad venom triggering a heart attack.

And in April, wealthy Vladislav Avayev, 51, a former Kremlin official closely linked to Russian financial institution Gazprombank, appeared to have taken his own life after killing his wife Yelena, 47, and daughter, 13.

Friends have disputed reports that he was jealous after his wife admitted she was pregnant by their driver, and there are claims he had access to the financial secrets of the Kremlin elite.

Russian gas tycoon Sergey Protosenya (pictured), his wife Natalya, 53, and their teenage daughter Maria were found dead in their Spanish mansion, in Lloret de Mar, on April 19

Ukrainian born multi-millionaire Yevgeny Palant, 47, and his wife Olga Palant, 50, were found stabbed to death in their family house in Moscow region last week

Several days later multimillionaire Sergey Protosenya, 55, was found hanged in Spain, with his wife Natalia, 53, and their teenage daughter, Maria, found dead from stab wounds.

He was a former deputy chairman of Novatek, a company also closely linked to the Kremlin.

As with Avayev, it is suggested this may have been an assassination made to appear as a murder-suicide.

A week prior Yevgeny Palant, 47, and his wife Olga, 50, both Ukrainian-born, were found by their daughter Polina, 20, having suffered multiple stab wounds.

An official briefing to the media claimed the woman took her own life in a jealous rage after Palant said he was leaving her - claims which were strongly disputed by the couple's best friend.
An actor touring the UK in a production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory says he and two other cast members were 'kicked out' of their Airbnb house yesterday.

Teddy Hinde stars as Mike Teavee in the show currently playing at Milton Keynes Theatre until March 5.

He and two fellow actors were staying at a house in Oldbrook near the city centre, but claim they were forced out yesterday - allegedly after asking the landlord to fix the fridge-freezer.

Terry Hinde (front centre) stars as Mike Teavee in the production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory currently playing at MK Theatre

Mr Hinde tweeted the listing of the apartment in Milton Keynes where he was staying and claimed he was forced out along with two other cast members

Urging his followers to share, the 23-year-old stage actor tweeted: 'This morning, myself and two other cast members were kicked out of this property in Milton Keynes.

'We were shouted at, threatened, pushed and forced to leave with zero notice. All because we asked for the fridge freezer to be fixed.'

Airbnb swiftly responded: 'Teddy, we are here to help. Can you please DM us the email address linked to your Airbnb account and the reservation code for this trip? Thank you.'

Urging his followers to share, Mr Hinde tweeted: 'We were shouted at, threatened, pushed and forced to leave with zero notice. All because we asked for the fridge freezer to be fixed'

The touring production is based on the classic 1973 musical of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder, and sees actor Gareth Snook take up the iconic role of Willie Wonka.

It follows the story of nine-year-old Charlie, who wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory - a chance of a lifetime to feast on sweets.

But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

Airbnb has been contacted for comment.




CU, one of Korea's leading convenience store chains, temporarily shut down its official website Thursday, due to alleged cyberattacks by Chinese hackers.







CU, operated by BGF Retail Co., said it blocked access to its website after detecting the hacking attempts.







The consumer data is managed in a separate system, CU said.







Local IT and retail sources said the cybercrime was committed by Xiaoqiying, a Chinese hacking group that had also attacked a dozen South Korean institutions last month. CU was one of Xiaoqiying's five latest targets, they added.







CU said the police and the Korea Internet and Security Agency are probing the case. (Yonhap)


The biggest bird flu outbreak in history is sweeping across the globe, sparking warnings it could soon hit Australian shores.

The strain, known as H5N1, has been detected in mammals including foxes, otters, minks, seals and even grizzly bears but experts say that the virus would have to significantly mutate to spread to humans.

The affected mammals are known to scavenge so experts say it is likely they had eaten birds infected with high levels of the virus.

Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by a massive outbreak of avian influenza, with North and South America, and Africa also experiencing severe outbreaks.

This has has led to tens of thousands of wild birds dying from the virus along with millions of domestic poultry from infected farms culled.

A massive outbreak of bird flu is affecting wild and captive birds across the globe with experts warning Australia could be next

Unlike Covid-19 which spread rapidly, bird flu is yet to spread in humans - though experts warn this could change (Sydney shoppers pictured)

Australian National University infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon told Yahoo News that Australia should be wary, though he urged against panic.

The sheer number of cases in wild bird populations across the world means it would be nearly impossible to outbreaks in chicken farms quickly under control, according to Reuters.

Industry figures in the United States said the virus was now a year-round concern, not just during the migration season.

'Its a new war,' Bret Marsh, the state vet for Indiana, told Reuters.

'I think we need to be concerned and monitor what's going on,' Professor Collignon said.

'I don't think we need to have a view that the world will end tomorrow because this is going to be worse than Covid-19,' he added.

Bird flu in humans is not unprecedented with 864 cases of H5N1 in humans reported in the last 20 years, about half of them fatal.

But Tom Peacock, a virologist at the Imperial College London, said that the current outbreak constitutes a 'panzootic' - a pandemic among animals, in this case birds.

'We are not fully sure why it's happening now but we think this might be driven by a slightly different strain of H5N1 which is spreading very effectively in wild, migratory birds,' Peacock said.

Dr Alastair Ward, associate professor of biodiversity and ecosystem management, at the University of Leeds, says that while the spread to some mammals does not increase the risk of the virus spilling over into humans, this is not guaranteed.

'Humans rarely come into contact with wild foxes or otters, and potentially infectious contact is likely to be rarer still,' he said.

'In the past, a relatively small number of humans who have lived or worked very closely with affected poultry have been infected.'

Even if that did occur, the experts say there are excellent surveillance systems in place and H5N1 has been heavily researched since it first emerged in China and Hong Kong in 1996.

The existing yearly flu vaccine could be updated to include a new bird flu strain fairly rapidly.

Massive outbreaks have been discovered in poultry farms in Europe and the Americas

But the impact could still be severe even if this outbreak does not spread to humans.

In nations hit hardest by the H5N1 outbreak, eggs and chicken supplies have become limited and prices have soared. Pork and bacon products could also be affected.

Last month, Ecuador reported South America's first case of the A(H5) bird flu virus in a human - a nine-year-old girl who was in contact with backyard poultry.

In total, there were four confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the last 12 months across the globe. Australia has never had a reported case.
The coin features of the famous bear, standing outside Buckingham Palace

The rare Paddington Bear collectable coin was released by Royal Mint in 2019

A rare 50p coin featuring the nation's most loved fictional bear has sold for a whopping 1,500 after being listed on auction site Ebay.

The Paddington Bear coin released by the Royal Mint in 2019, was put up for auction by a Glasgow seller, and sold on February 13.

The coin is said to be the 14th rarest 50p and features the famous bear standing outside Buckingham Palace and waving a Union Jack flag.

Only one bid was made on the the eBay listing, which ended on Monday, with the auction winner now laying claim to the iconic collectable item.

According to Change Checker's Mintage figures index, the Paddington at the Station 50p is the most sought after of all the Paddington Bear coins, and has a mintage of 5,001,000.

A 'rare 50p' coin featuring the nation's most loved bear, Paddington, has just sold for a whopping 1500 after being listed on auction site Ebay

The Paddington Bear coin released by the Royal Mint in 2019, was put up for auction by a Glasgow seller, and was sold on February 13

A short video featured the late monarch sit down to have tea and sandwiches with the marmalade-loving bear from Peru as part of last year's Platinum Jubilee celebrations

It was part of the 2019 series which also shows Paddington standing outside other famous locations.

The iconic bear also appeared on designs with Paddington standing outside The Station, The Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Facts about the rare 2019 Paddington Bear at Buckingham Palace 50p coin Country of Issue: United Kingdom

Year of Issue: 2019

Coin Diameter: 27.30mm

Coin Weight: 8.00g

Obverse Designer: Jody Clark

Reverse Designer: David Knapton

Metal: Cupro-Nickel

Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated Advertisement

According to Change Checker, the 2019 Paddington at the Tower of London 50p was issued by The Royal Mint to continue the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the British Bear.

This coin, while valuable, has a mintage of 9,001,000 meaning that there could be more in circulation.

Paddington at the Cathedral also had a mintage of 9,001,000 while Paddington outside Buckingham Palace and waving a Union Jack flag had a mintage of 5,901,000 and Paddington at the station had 5,001,000.

The adoration for Paddington Bear was reignited by the Queen's Jubilee celebrations last year, in which a short video featuring the late monarch sat down to have tea and sandwiches with the marmalade-loving bear from Peru.

In the video, the Her Majesty pulls out a marmalade sandwich from her handbag, and suggests that she is saving it 'for later'.

The children's character came to live in London, England, after arriving from Peru.

Eventually, Paddington arrived on Paddington Station in London where he was found by Mr. and Mrs. Brown.

He was sitting on a small suitcase near the lost property office wearing nothing but an old bush hat and a label round his neck with the words 'Please Look After This Bear. Thank You.'
A politician's pedophile son could walk free from jail in just two months despite being busted with a horrific stash of hundreds of child porn images.

Daniel James Knuth, son of Australian Party north Queensland MP Shane Knuth, pleaded guilty to child exploitation charges in Townsville District Court on Thursday.

The 25-year-old with dwarfism, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail for the 593 photos and four videos of child exploitation material discovered on his phone in September, 2021, the Townsville Bulletin reported.

He was also caught communicating with young girls, with some aged just 12, on Snapchat and Facebook.

However, as Knuth has already served considerable time behind bars, he will be eligible for parole in April.

Daniel James Knuth (above) could walk free from jail in April despite only being convicted of child sex offences on Thursday

Knuth (bottom left) is the son of north Queensland MP Shane Knuth (top centre), part of the Australian Party

Knuth was already serving a four-year suspended sentence after he pleading guilty to 35 child sex offences in 2019.

It was found Knuth, 21 at the time, had pretended to be a personal trainer on Facebook to lure young girls into sending him nude photos.

The charges included possession of child exploitation material, using a carriage service for child exploitation material and grooming a child under 16.

Thursday's presiding judge said the 2019 ruling granted 'incredible leniency' and took Knuth's dwarfism into consideration.

The court also heard Knuth was struggling with alcohol abuse when police discovered he was not complying with reportable sex offender obligations.

Defence barrister Jess Horn said Knuth was driven to alcohol after he was regularly called a 'paedophile' by residents and was 'ostracised' from his community.

'He was excluded from his church and experienced several public confrontations, including, for example, being called a paedophile when simply walking across the street,' he said.

'He resorted instead to alcohol abuse to numb his physical pain and emotional pain and, by the time he committed the offences, he was drinking a bottle of vodka over about two days.'

One of the requirements of the four-year suspended sentence was that Knuth must declare all new social media and email accounts, the ABC reported.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Butler recalled one instance where Knuth was hungover and asleep when officers visited his family home to check compliance.

She said Knuth tried to 'grab' his phone from officers, who found he'd created new Snapchat, Facebook and email accounts under fake names.

Knuth (pictured with his father) was found in possession of 593 photos and four videos of child exploitation material while serving a four-year suspended sentence for prior child sex offences

'The defendant had used the application to communicate with a number of girls aged between 12 to 16 years, including a picture of a person in a high school uniform,' Ms Butler said.

The more than 600 items of child pornographic material was also found on the phone.

The court heard Knuth was arrested six weeks later and police found the 25-year-old had obtained a new phone with about 20 more photos and two videos of child porn.

Shane Knuth, who cried as his son was sentenced, told reporters outside the court: 'From the beginning, Daniel's acknowledged he's done the wrong thing, and as parents, we love him, but we don't condone what he's done.'

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
A heartbroken father has spoken out after the mother of his toddler was jailed for nine years for 'inexcusably' leaving her two young daughters to die inside a hot car.

Kerri-Ann Conley pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her daughters Darcey-Helen, aged two-and-a-half, and Chloe-Ann, 18 months, earlier this week.

She was sentenced to nine year's jail on Thursday, with a non-parole period of five years and has already spent three years behind bars.

She will be eligible for parole after November 22, 2024.

Peter Jackson, dad of Darcy-Helen said he was 'obviously not happy with the sentence' as he left court on Thursday.

Peter Jackson (pictured), dad of Darcy-Helen said he was 'obviously not happy with the sentence' as he left court on Thursday

Kerri-Ann Conley's daughters Darcy-Helen Conley (pictured) and Chloe-Ann were found dead in Conley's car, parked outside her Waterford West home in November 2019

Mr Jackson said: 'I miss their laughs, their giggles, everything. They're toddlers, what's not to love about them?' (pictured, 18-month-old Chloe-Ann)

'I can't help what the other parent does. You can't always be around, unfortunately,' Mr Jackson said.

'I miss their laughs, their giggles, everything. They're toddlers, what's not to love about them?'

On Thursday, in front of family members of the two girls, Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth sentenced Conley to nine years behind bars.

Mr Applegarth said Conley had shown 'gross criminal neglect' when she left the toddlers in the car for nine hours, when temperatures soared past 60C inside the vehicle.

Mr Jackson wore sunglasses as he arrived at the sentencing and was seen sitting in the back of the court with other family members.

On Tuesday, the court was told Conley, 30, left the two girls in her car after arriving back at her home in the southern Brisbane suburb of Waterford West after 4am on November 23, 2019 after visiting a friend.

Instead of removing her daughters from their seats, she went inside, dawdled on her phone for a few hours and fell asleep.

Darcy-Helen and Chloe-Ann were left in the vehicle in direct sunlight for hours as temperatures climbed to 61.5 degrees inside.

The girls' skin was hot to the touch, covered in burns and blisters and was 'peeling off' as paramedics tried to revive them, the court was told.

The court was told Conley disclosed she smoked the drug ice daily to a covert police officer while in custody.

But she insisted her kids 'always came first' and her drug use did not affect her relationship with the girls.

'It's an astounding statement only a drug addict could make,' Mr Applegarth said.

He said the thought of the distressed children being awake and strapped in the hot car as they died was 'too much to bear'.

Kerri-Ann Conley was sentenced to nine years in jail over the manslaughter of her daughters

Peter Jackson, the father of two-and-a-half-year-old Darcy-Helen, told reporters, 'I can't help what the other parent does. You can't always be around, unfortunately'.

'Your grossly negligent conduct was deciding to leave your vulnerable children uncared for, unheard and unobserved in the dark,' he said.

The court was told there had been previous incidences of Conley's children being left in a hot car.

Mr Applegarth said Conley's excuse for previous occasions where the children were left in the car was that they were 'difficult' to settle after being woken up.

He said this begged the question of why she was coming home in the early morning hours with two young infants.

'You should have realised the inherent risks of leaving (the children) in the car while you went inside and slept,' Mr Applegarth said.

After taking the girls inside from the car, Conley was captured on home surveillance cameras throwing away a plastic bag that police believed contained drug residue.

A small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe were found by police during the search of her house.

The court was told Conley was genuinely remorseful for her conduct and she had experienced neglect growing up as a child.

Her drug use was described as a coping mechanism, but this was also torn apart by Mr Applegarth.

'It simply helps explain your criminal conduct, it is not a mitigating factor,' he said.

'No child should have a parent who uses methamphetamine.'

Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis said Conley left the children secured inside the car with the doors locked and the vehicle parked under no shade, after she returned home

The children's skin was covered in blisters and was hot to touch, and peeled off as paramedics attempted to treat them, Ms Dennis said

The father of one of the deceased toddlers wore sunglasses as he arrived to court in Brisbane where Kerri-Ann Conley was sentenced for the manslaughter of his young daughter

The girls were left in the station wagon as she went inside and fell asleep, police alleged

Mr Applegarth stressed Conley's case involved criminal negligence and accepted she did not genuinely wish to harm either of her daughters.

Autopsies confirmed the girls died of hyperthermia when the body is heated to more than 40c (not to be confused with hypothermia, which is from excessive cold) but a time of death could not be properly established.

Conley was initially charged with murder under legislation introduced just a few weeks before the incident that includes reckless indifference to human life as a form of murder.

But she pleaded guilty to the downgraded charges and to possessing dangerous drugs and utensils when arraigned on Tuesday.
A man and woman have denied charges relating to illegally aborting a baby with poison from India and disposing of the body.

Elliot Benham and Sophie Harvey, both 23, appeared before Gloucester Crown Court in relation to the offences which are alleged to have taken place between September 1 and December 1 in 2018.

Appearing at court today, the pair pleaded not guilty to four charges of an illegal abortion and the disposal of a baby's body.

They denied charges of procuring a poison from the South Asian country with the intent to cause a miscarriage. The pair have also both denied charges to concealing the birth of a child and intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of the baby's body.

Elliot Benham, 23, (right, under umbrella) has been jointly accused of procuring a poison to cause a miscarriage, concealing the birth of a child, and disposing of the baby's body, between September 1 and December 1 2018

Elliot Benham, 23, (second right under umbrella) and Sophie Harvey, 23, (left under umbrella) leave Cheltenham Magistrates' Court together on February 3, as it has been revealed the pair are still a couple

Harvey also denied a charge of procuring her own miscarriage by poison.

Speaking about the trial, Judge Ian Lawrie KC said that the 'case will be staying in Gloucestershire and the trial will be presided over by a specialist ticketed judge.'

He added that the trial is expected to last at least five days and is expected to take place at Cirencester Courthouse, commencing on November 13.

He told the defendants: 'Your trial has been fixed for November 13.

'There is a case review date which will be heard by another judge on May 12. You are required to attend.'

Today, Benham and Harvey - who are still together as a couple- spoke only to confirm their names and reply 'not guilty' to the charges against them.

Benham and Harvey were released on conditional bail.

The boyfriend was also ordered to surrender his passport.

The trial is expected to last at least five days and will take place at Cirencester Courthouse, commencing on November 13

In September 2020, Gloucestershire Police searched locations in Swindon and Cirencester as part of the investigation.

While abortions are legal in England - up to 24 weeks' gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner - they can also be carried out beyond 24 weeks in very limited circumstances.

However, it has been alleged that in this case, the pregnancy was past the 24 week mark.

And, the abortion was also not carried out by a medical practitioner.

Causing your own abortion was criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Benham, of Wingfield, Swindon, and Harvey, of St Mary's Road, Cirencester, will next appear before Gloucester Crown Court on May 12.
While cash-strapped British families faced a winter worrying about whether they could pay their ballooning bills, energy giants were raking in 'obscene' profits.

British Gas owner Centrica has seen its profits triple to a staggering 3.3billion during 2022, as rocketing energy prices left millions of Brits struggling to pay bills.

The huge haul eclipsed the firm's 2021 results, which saw the energy supplier rake in 948million in profits.

Centrica is the latest energy giant to announce huge profits, with both BP and Shell last year declaring record earnings, with BP raking in 6.9billion in the three months leading to June, while Shell made even more, recording an a staggering 9.43billion in profit.

Here, MailOnline delves into why energy giants are making such eye-watering profits while families battle to pay their skyrocketing bills.

Today's results for British Gas owner Centrica surpass the company's previous profit high of 2.7bn, recorded in 2012

Why are energy companies making so much money?

The staggering rise in profits has been fuelled, in part, by the dramatic spike in prices for oil and gas, which have soared due to the war in Ukraine.

Gas prices on global markets have seen prices, at points, surge six-fold amid the political fallout of Russian president Vladimir Putin's invasion.

The war, which began almost a year ago, led to a restriction of Russian gas, which drove prices up.

The surge came at a time when gas stocks had already been hit following a spike in demand after the pandemic, with countries in Asia and Europe having used a significant amount during the long winter of 2021, which helped to drive up prices before the Ukrainian war.

The possibility of gas supply issues then drove up wholesale prices, with the knock-on effect seeing retailers bump up their charges, pushing up household energy bills for millions.

Centrica, which is the largest electricity and gas supplier to UK homes, serving more than 10 million customers, benefited from the hikes.

It recorded strong performances from its North Sea production and energy trading arms, as well as its 20 per cent ownership of Britain's five nuclear power stations.

But the swelling profits of energy firms following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine have led to accusations of profiteering.

So just how much money are energy firms raking in?

BP made profits of 23billion during the same period, up from about 10.7billion in 2021

All the big energy giants have seen profits balloon over the past year.

In 2022, Shell raked in 32.2billion - the highest in its 115-year history.

Rivals BP made profits of 23billion during the same period, up from about 10.7billion in 2021.

BP has insisted that its UK businesses accounted for less than 10 per cent of its global profits, while Shell said UK customers made up about five per cent of its revenue.

Meanwhile, British Gas owner Centrica reported full-year profits in 2022 of 3.3billion - more than triple the 948million it made in 2021.

What's the reception been to the eye-watering profits?

In a word: 'Frosty'.

Campaigners branded the staggering sums of money raised by energy giants as 'obscene'.

Disability charity Scope said disabled people, who were struggling to pay for enough energy, were facing a bleak situation.

'It's obscene that energy companies continue to make massive profits,' Tom Marsland, the policy manager at the charity, said.

Charities have branded the soaring profits recorded by energy giants as 'obscene'. It comes as millions of Brits struggle to cope with rising household bills (pictured by a model)

In 2022, Shell raked in 32.2billion in profit - the highest in its 115-year history

'Life costs a lot more when you're disabled. We're being inundated with heart-breaking calls from disabled people who haven't eaten for days, who can't afford energy to charge wheelchairs and stairlifts, but are still racking up huge energy debts.'

Climate group Friends of the Environment also slammed energy giants for making such huge profits while 'fuelling the energy and climate crisis'.

Sana Yusuf, an activist with the group, said windfall taxes imposed on firms by the government needed to be 'tougher'.

'The new Energy Security and Net Zero secretary needs to step up and back growing calls for a tougher windfall tax on the excessive profits of fossil fuel companies like Centrica to help fund the investment in insulation and homegrown renewables needed to bring down bills and cut emissions,' Sana said.

Politicians have also hit out, with Labour's shadow climate and net zero secretary, Ed Milliband, saying: 'It cannot be right that, as oil and gas giants rake in the windfalls of war, Rishi Sunak's Conservatives refuse to implement a proper windfall tax that would make them pay their fair share.'

What is the Government doing about all of this?

The Government has announced a windfall tax, which works as an extra levy imposed on companies recording huge profits.

The new tax targets firms who are benefiting from something that they were not responsible for - for example, the war in Ukraine driving up prices.

As chancellor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the 25 per cent 'Energy Profits Levy'.

Then, in his Autumn Statement, the current Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said this would increase to 35 per cent from January 2023 and run until March 2028.

Mr Hunt said the new tax would help to raise 40bn over the next six years.

Just how much are energy companies paying then?

BP said it would pay about 583m in windfall tax for 2022. While Centrica claimed it would was paying about 1bn in tax from its 3.3bn 2022 profits.

Shell initially said it did not expect to pay any windfall tax for 2022, claiming its North Sea investments meant it was not considered to have made any UK profits.

But earlier this month, the company said it would pay 108m for 2022 - and that it would expect to pay a larger sum of 400m for 2023.
President Joe Biden will address millions of unnerved Americans on Thursday about the sudden spate of unknown objects being shot down by US military jets after invading national airspace.

The speech is happening at 2pm Eastern Time, the White House announced this afternoon.

Biden's Republican critics continue to come down hard on the administration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency over the recent incidents.

What the Pentagon believes to be a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 - but not before crossing several US states at a low enough altitude to be seen by the naked eye.

A US official said on Wednesday that that object is believed to have been headed for Guam and Hawaii before being blown off course.

President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation on the recent spate of unknown objects shot down by US military jets

The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. February 4, 2023

Since then, three objects of unknown origin and purpose were shot down by the US military in the span of three days.

The first was over Alaska Friday, the second was downed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on Saturday - in the first such mission of its kind - and the third object was felled over Lake Huron, Michigan after briefly causing chaos and confusion over Montana the night before.

Defense officials gave lawmakers classified briefings on Capitol Hill this week. While some Republicans came away downplaying the situation, others vented frustrations that much was still unknown.

Even GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher, head of the House select committee on China, conceded that Biden officials still knew very little themselves - but urged them to be forthcoming about as much as possible.

'I think now is a time that demands complete transparency. Americans are unnerved. They're concerned about the idea that we don't have complete control over what is happening,' Gallagher told CNN on Wednesday.

Several called on Biden to address the matter directly.

'Look, the President of the United States needs to get in front of the American public tonight and explain to them what we know,' said Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall.

'I'm concerned about their lack of transparency and not communicating with Americans.'

He went a step further and accused the Biden administration of 'fearmongering' over the recent airspace invasions 'to deflect away from some other very major issues'

The balloon shot down off South Carolina is being recovered, but the remote conditions the other three objects were shot down in has made their retrieval more difficult

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton said, 'President Biden needs to explain to the American people why he is doing what he's been doing.'

However, South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham - generally known as a national security hawk - said he was not 'unnerved' by the recent shoot-downs but called for stronger procedures to deal with them.

'The point is trying to come up with a policy that makes sense, and the bottom line is that while it didn't unnerve me, I think you know, we've got to come up with a more rational system here,' Graham told reporters.

Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney similarly told reporters including DailyMail.com that he would not 'lose sleep' over the incidents.

'Of all the things we can worry about, from China's belligerence to Russia invading their neighbor, to people starving in Africa, to climate change - this doesn't score very high on my worry chart,' Romney told reporters after a classified briefing.

Biden has made few public comments about the situation, leaving it up to White House officials to talk about it.

The United States has said the Chinese balloon was used for surveillance purposes, while Beijing called it a weather balloon.

Pentagon officials have said it was part of a vast Beijing-run surveillance program to gather information on other nations' military capabilities.

Hawaii, where the balloon was reportedly meant to fly, is home to a dozen military bases alone.

Guam houses three military bases. One of them, a US Marine Corps Base, just opened in 2020.

Asked about Biden's expected remarks a spokesman for China's foreign ministry on Thursday once again referred to the downed balloon as an 'unmanned civilian airship', and that its flight into United States air space was but an 'isolated' incident.

The U.S. 'should be willing to meet China in the middle, manage differences and appropriately handle isolated, unexpected incidents to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments; and promote the return of U.S.-China relations to a healthy and stable development track,' spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing.

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the U.S. intelligence community was considering the possibility that the latter trio of objects were tied to a commercial or otherwise benign purpose.
A driver has admitted killing a beautician when he ploughed his Range Rover through a Tesla dealership and ended up on a west London railway track.

Rida Kazem, 23, today pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Iraqi-born beautician Yagmur Ozden, 33, in a crash on the A40 westbound near Ealing on August 22 last year.

Kazem, of Greenford, also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving to then 26-year-old Amarod Arif, who escaped the crash with a broken leg and arm.

Ms Ozden, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at around 3.48am.

Yagmur Ozden, a mother-of-one, died at the scene of the crash at Park Royal Underground Station in August last year

Rida Kazem (pictured outside court last month) pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving following the horror crash in west London

The mangled wreckage of the Range Rover involved in the A40 crash ended up on tube tracks

The mother-of-one, who was identified by police through her fingerprints, has since been described by friends as a 'devoted' mother who would do anything to help others and would often share her money with people in need.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from multiple traumatic injuries and blunt force trauma, West London Coroner's Court heard in August 2022.

Kazem (pictured), a jewellery store manager, was also seriously injured during the crash and was rushed to St Marys Hospital

The court heard how the Range Rover Sport, valued at around 80,000 for a basic model, collided with a stationary Tesla and some of it ended up on the tracks at Park Royal Tube station.

Kazem, a jewellery store manager, was also seriously injured during the crash and was rushed to St Marys Hospital in Paddington where he was put in an induced coma.

He has since had his leg amputated and appeared in the dock today using crutches.

Appearing in court today, Kazem, who was bearded and wearing a grey jumper, spoke to confirm his name before admitting the offences.

Nicholas Hearn, prosecuting, said Kazem has previous speeding convictions - including one recent offence for driving 95mph in a 50mph zone before this incident.

David Rhodes, for Kazem, said his client was a 'young man of otherwise good character'.

He added: 'He well understands this is a very serious matter and he's facing a very significant term of imprisonment.'

He said Kazem had 'suffered a serious injury himself' during the crash, resulting in the amputation of his left leg, for which he may have to undergo further surgery.

Judge Robin Johnson adjourned the case and remanded him in custody, to next appear at the same court on April 21 for sentencing.

Kazem also admitted a second offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Zamarod Arif (pictured outside court today), who was critically hurt in the same incident

The damaged Tesla car is pictured being removed from the scene last August

He said: 'Your case will be adjourned for the preparation of a report on the topic of dangerousness by the probation service and for both parties to gather information in respect of the prosecution and your mitigation.

'Your bail is now withdrawn, you will be remanded in custody on both these matters.'
Haley fired back at Goldberg following her tirade, saying her candidacy was making 'liberals' heads explode'

Whoopi Goldberg slammed Nikki Haley for 'losing your mind' after she refused to say America was 'not perfect'

Whoopi Goldberg has sparked backlash after attacking Nikki Haley's recent presidential campaign announcement.

The comedian and several of her co-hosts on The View said the Republican had lost her 'sanity.'

Haley hit the headlines this week after becoming the first Republican to challenge Donald Trump for the GOP nomination, but her vow to usher in a 'new generation' didn't sit well with the stars of The View.

'So Nikki, you know, since you have been asleep all this time, and you just woke up, you're just finding out that there are things about our country that are not perfect,' said Goldberg.

Her tirade led to a wave of criticism, with many people - including Haley - feeling Goldberg was being hypocritical.

Whoopi Goldberg has come under fire after she launched into a furious rant following Nikki Haley's presidential announcement

The View hosts took particular offense to Haley's campaign video, pictured, where she said America is 'not a racist country'

The View opened their discussion of Haley's candidacy by playing her campaign video, where the former-South Carolina governor became the second major challenger to throw her hat into the ring for the Republican ticket.

Goldberg particularly took offence to Haley's reluctance to admit America is 'not perfect' in her campaign, alongside her repeated suggestion that America is 'not a racist country'.

'For us to pretend that (America is perfect), that nothing happened, is ridiculous,' she said.

'You of all people should know better. You used to actually have some sanity and knew right from wrong and then you lost your mind and went into some new direction.'

Goldberg's co-host Joy Behar then doubled down on the rant, hitting out at 'politicians on the right' who have 'become mentally crazy.'

Haley was the first of many to condemn the swift attack on her candidacy.

'Here we go again Whoopi,' the GOP contender said.

'The thought of me running for President makes the liberals' heads explode. I wonder why?'

And plenty of viewers agreed, with one saying: 'Whoopi Goldberg and the women on The View are bigots, charlatans and frauds.

'I think it's fantastic Nikki Haley is standing up to cancel culture and running for president.'

Another said: 'It's ironic to me that Whoopi calls out Nikki Haley for "losing her mind" and "having no sense of right and wrong".... because both of those descriptions describe her and the rest of her fellow libs on The View to a T.

'Take a look in the mirror before you start judging Whoopster.'

Nikki Haley quickly fired back at Goldberg on Twitter following her tirade

Many viewers hit out at Goldberg's comments, with one noting her tendency for attacking women she disagrees with

Another said The View hosts were 'bigots, charlatans and frauds'

Despite several 'The View' hosts using nicknames, they launched into an attack on Haley for going by her middle name, which offended some who felt the women were being 'hypocrites'

Goldberg's rant led many to hit out at her for her attack on Haley

The View's swift attack of Haley also led many to suggest that the show has a particular problem with women who they disagree with, despite its all-female lineup.

Fox News host Greg Gutfeld was one to blast Goldberg for her offensive reaction, saying even construction workers are more respectful to women.

'I've never seen women more vile to other women than on The View,' he said. 'They're hateful. They are blind to any woman's achievement.'

He was joined by numerous other viewers, with one questioning: 'Why do the women on The View want to smear Republican women?'

They also hit out at Goldberg, real name Caryn Elaine Johnson, and her co-hosts for suggesting Haley uses a fake name, despite mixing up Florida Senator Rick Scott and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Goldberg notably accidentally called the two Senators 'the black Tim Scott and the white Tim Scott' during her rant.

Although Haley has used her middle name 'Nikki' since childhood, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, real name Asuncion Cummings Hostin, branded her a 'chameleon' for not using her first name 'Nimrata'.

'What's her real name again?' the host began, in a tense back and forth with Farah Griffin.

'You know, I think if she leaned into being someone of color... There are some of us that can be chameleons and decide not to embrace our ethnicities.'

Plenty of viewers took offense to the discussion over Haley's name, with one noting the host's own use of different monikers to say: 'These are the members of The View who are attacking Nikki Haley for using a nickname.

'Shall we say hypocrites?'

'Johnson has culturally appropriated the last name "Goldberg"' said another.

Nikki Haley became the second Republican to throw her hat into the ring for the GOP presidential nomination

In a widely viewed campaign announcement, the former South Carolina governor said it was time for a 'new generation' of leaders

Haley is the first serious candidate to challenge former-president Donald Trump in the race to top the 2024 Republican ticket

Haley's announcement this week made her the first serious candidate to challenge former-President Donald Trump in the race to lead the 2024 Republican ticket.

The mother-of-two, who was former ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, released a widely viewed campaign video Tuesday morning where she called for a 'new generation of leadership.'

The 51-year-old held her first campaign rally in Charleston on Wednesday, although she is expected to be joined in the GOP field by numerous other contenders in the coming months.

Other potential candidates include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and former-Vice President Mike Pence.
A shoplifter who snatched a four-year-old girl and tried to abduct a two-year-old boy as they walked with their mothers has been jailed.

Toni Betts, 37, initially tried to frame her sister but later blamed her behaviour on a severe mental illness.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard that the two incidents happened within two months of each other, during a campaign of terror against young mothers.

Betts kidnapped one girl in the street while she was with her parent, and then during a separate incident attempted to abduct a two-year-old boy whilst, again, he was out walking with his mother.

She has been jailed for 28 months after she pleaded guilty to kidnap and attempted kidnap.

In police interview, Toni Betts denied she the kidnapper and falsely claimed it was her sister who was responsible

The 37-year-old snatched one four year old girl in the street then later tried to abduct a two-year-old boy as both youngsters were walking with their mums

During the first incident last year, Betts picked up the little girl up in her arms and fled up a flight set of concrete steps, whilst shockingly spitting at the child's mother and threatening to kill her.

At the time, the terrified girl screamed in horror and tried to fight off her abductor, saying: 'I don't like this. I want my mum.'

In the second incident, Betts grabbed onto the arm of a two-year-old boy as he and his mum were walking home from a shopping trip.

Luckily, both youngsters were rescued within moments of the terrifying abductions. Neither child was harmed.

Betts from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, denied she was the kidnapper and initially tried to frame her sister during a police interview. But later, she blamed her behaviour on not taking medication for a schizophrenic-type disorder.

The court also heard how she had a 'reputation' for trying to abduct children.

Speaking out about the horror incident, the little girl's mother says that she now feels 'uneasy and anxious', and has even been prescribed sleeping pills for the 'nightmares' she endures.

In a statement, she said: 'I had my own life issues at the time and this incident made me feel uneasy and anxious about taking my daughter out. I've had to be prescribed sleeping tablets for nightmares I've been having about what this woman did. Who knows what would have happened if she had dropped my daughter on the concrete stairs as I followed her up.

A court heard how Betts, from Greater Manchester, had a 'reputation' for trying to abduct children

'I'm trying to remain strong for my daughter's sake but I'm also worried for other potential victims, not just my own daughter.'

Meanwhile, the mother of the two-year-old boy said that she feels like a 'useless mother' for allowing her son to have been snatched by a stranger.

She said: 'Since this incident has made me feel Iike a useless mother because I did not see something like this happening. I did not sleep that night as I was worried about every scenario.

'All I have wanted to do since is cry and I'm just thankful I was with her partner and not just with my son. I'm now worried about other children in the area and I feel this woman is a danger to others.'

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Betts appeared by video link from Styal women's prison in Cheshire.

She was jailed for 28 months, after pleading guilty to kidnap and attempted kidnap.

The first incident occurred at 11.40am on April 28 of last year on a street in Rochdale where a woman was with her four-year-old daughter.

In prosecution, David James recalled the incident.

Mr James said: 'The defendant shouted 'Hi' from a block of flats opposite.

'They have known each other for a number of years, though they are not friends. She came across from the flats to cross the road and grabbed the child by the arm and physically picked her up so that she was carrying her and then ran back to the flat.

'The mother chased and remonstrated with her but the defendant told her 'This is my daughter, what are you doing?' The mother then pursued the defendant upstairs who was still carrying her daughter. The defendant then spat in her face. At the top of the stairs the mother has grabbed the defendant's arms.

'The child was saying, 'I don't like this. I want my mum.' The child started to hit the defendant who was shouting for the mother to get off her. Two males came from another flat, fortunately and knew exactly what was going on. They removed her from the defendant and gave her back to the mother and restrained the defendant. She then shouted, 'I am going to kill you.'

Following the incident, Betts was quizzed by police but was later released under investigation.

The second incident the took place at 12:30am on June 9, while a woman and her partner were returning home from a visit to Rochdale town centre.

Betts has been issued with an indefinite restraining order prohibiting her from contacting or approaching either of the mothers or their children

The prosecutor said that: 'Part of their route required that they go under the subway under Manchester Road.

'As they were exiting the subway they saw the defendant. Miss Betts was known particularly because of her reputation for kidnapping.

'The defendant initially pretended to stoop and tie her shoelaces and the woman moved to the side to allow the defendant space to get by. But the defendant grabbed the boy by his right arm sufficiently forcefully that the mother who was holding her son's arm was pulled towards the defendant as the defendant grabbed her son.'

He continued to explain that the mum tried to push Betts away, but after she tracked down her child the 37-year-old continued to follow them home.

Mr James said: 'The mother was trying to push the defendant away to make her let go of her son's arm. The defendant then ran away and the mother followed her shortly afterwards because the defendant stopped to speak to another male. The woman tried to speak to the male to warn him about the defendant. She said she was shocked and shaking as she walked home.

'But in fact the ordeal did not stop at that point in time as the defendant began following her from a distance. The mother realised this and took an elongated route, a circuitous route home, to try and lose her.'

She had 56 previous offences on her record - mainly for shoplifting.

Her counsel, Stuart Duke, said: 'She has a severe and enduring mental illness which has manifested itself in these offences. She is remorseful but she says she was clearly very unwell. However she is ashamed of herself and quite rightly, these were frightening offences although there was no physical harm caused to the children.

Sentencing Betts, Judge Mark Savill told her: 'In the first incident you grabbed the little girl, picked her up and raced up the stairs. I am not saying you were going to hurt her but you were at some height and her mother must have been terrified about either what would happen deliberately or due to an accident.

'With regard to the second incident, you obviously knew what you were going to do. You pretended to tie your shoe laces then grabbed the boy's right hand and tried to forcefully pull him away from his mum. That pulled his mum towards you and she then pushed you away and you ran off.

'The mother was in shock and shaking.

'This was serious offending is because of the sheer unexpected nature of it and the unpredictability as to what you were doing. What you did must have been every parent's worst nightmare.'

Betts was also issued with an indefinite restraining order.

This has been enforced, prohibiting her from contacting or approaching either of the mothers or their children.
H.E. Gandi Sulistiyanto, Indonesian ambassador to Korea speaks at Korea Times Global Business Club at Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. Photo by Choi Won-suk





By Lee Kyung-min







The Indonesian government has and will continue to support the sustained robust performances of Korean firms looking to enter the Southeast Asian country, Indonesia's ambassador to Korea said Thursday.







"Korean financial firms in Indonesia are improving a lot despite ongoing conflict, generating promising performances," said Gandi Sulistiyanto, ambassador of Indonesia to Korea. He was the key speaker at The Korea Times Global Business Club held at the Press Center, Thursday. Dignitaries and business executives also took part in the event.







Thursday's event was the first in a series of business forums organized by The Korea Times. Upcoming forums scheduled throughout the year will offer insights into key issues in Japan, China and Saudi Arabia.







Officials from the Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul attend The Korea Times Global Business Club at the Press Center, Seoul, Thursday. Photo by Choi Won-suk





Among measures to facilitate the growth of Indonesia's financial industry is a growth roadmap (2023-27) seeking to foster sustainable financing, bolster investor protection and strengthen financial sector credibility.







"We are making efforts to provide stable market opportunities for foreign companies aiming to enter the Indonesian market. We are trying to make Korean financial firms choose Indonesia as their investment destination."







He took particular note of six Korean commercial lenders, including Hana, Shinhan, KB Kookmin and Woori, which are operating in Indonesia as well as 31 other Korean financial companies.







Mirae Asset, he added, has been the biggest market player in Indonesia's financial sector. Others, according to him, are expressing greater interest too, including Korea Investment Holdings (KIH).







Members of the audience listen to a speech delivered by H.E. Gandi Sulistiyanto, Indonesian ambassador to Korea, during The Korea Times Global Business Club at the Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. Photo by Choi Won-suk




An ex-RAF serviceman who was caught spying at the British Embassy in Berlin had an 'ongoing relationship' with Russia and was paid for his 'treachery', a senior judge has ruled.

Scotsman David Smith, 58, gathered secret documents and passed them on to Vladimir Putin's regime while working as a security guard at the UK government building in Germany.

He was caught following an undercover operation in 2021 and admitted eight charges under the Official Secrets Act.

Ahead of his sentencing at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Wall ruled on Thursday that Smith was motivated by 'his antipathy towards this country' and intended to damage the UK's interests by his actions.

The judge dismissed Smith's explanation that he only wanted to 'embarrass' his employers because he was angry at his treatment and to highlight poor security.

Berlin spy David Smith (pictured) had an 'ongoing relationship' with Russia and was paid for his 'treachery', a senior judge has ruled

David Smith, 58, has admitted sending classified documents to the Russian Embassy

Mr Justice Wall told the court: 'I did not find him to be a witness of truth in general terms.'

He said Smith had not addressed some questions when he gave evidence at the Old Bailey and some of his answers were 'incredible'.

The judge also dismissed Smith's case that he only provided information to Russian military attaches twice, saying: 'I am sure the relationship was in place for some time in 2020.

'I am also sure in the period before that, in 2018 to 2019, the defendant was collecting information from the embassy with a view to passing it on at some stage. No other explanation makes sense.'

Smith was snared in an undercover sting in August 2021 involving two fake Russian operatives - a Russian defector, Dmitry, who handed a document to the British embassy, and Russian intelligence officer, Irina, who accosted the defendant about it afterwards.

Smith was caught on camera talking to himself about Dmitry as he recorded his visit from CCTV, saying: 'If he works at the embassy they will know him.'

Mr Justice Wall said: 'These words must mean that he was going to provide the images (of Dmitry) to someone at the Russian embassy to view so they can investigate.

'I reject the idea he might simply have destroyed it ... This was not a spur of the moment decision to do something and then think about it later.

'It was a concerted effort to get as much information relating to this visit as possible.

'He collected this material to pass on to his Russian contact.'

The judge said the filming of private areas of the embassy and identifying colleagues' offices in June 2021 was not done 'in drink on the spur of the moment' as Smith had claimed.

The prosecution alleged that Smith (pictured) holds strong anti-UK views, is in favour of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, and had handed documents over to the hostile state with intent to harm Britain

A photo issued by the Met Police of David Ballantyne Smith taking a video of the CCTV monitors in the British Embassy security kiosk

He said: 'I am sure that it was done either under direction or at a time when the defendant had a relationship with someone from the Russian embassy and was done carefully in order to further that relationship.'

The judge also rejected Smith's claim that he was living off the sale of military memorabilia at German flea markets.

He said it was a 'safe conclusion' that he had another form of income from 2020 onwards from his activities with the Russian embassy.

The judge said Smith's claim he wanted to embarrass embassy staff was 'illogical'.

He went on: 'Similarly, I reject his suggestion in evidence that he was acting in a befuddled way because of his poor mental health and regular consumption of alcohol.

'There is no logical causal connection between personal depression and betraying one's country.

'He set about his various tasks in a calm and logical fashion.'

Mr Justice Wall said: 'I am driven to the conclusion that the main motivation for the defendant to act as he did was because he felt antipathy to the United Kingdom and wanted to damage this country's interests by providing information to a state which at that time - as now - was regarded as unfriendly.'

The judge said the reason for Smith's 'hostility' to Britain was unclear but that was the impression he gave to people who knew him.

Photographs taken of his flat included a large Russian Federation flag, various Russian books, a Soviet military hat, a Communist toy Lada car and a life-size cuddly Russian toy Rottweiler dog sporting a military hat

He made negative comments about the UK in his evidence to the court, referring to its 'skulduggery' in international affairs.

And at one stage he had openly supported the Russian-backed forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine, where his wife is from.

The judge said the only explanation for the reason why Smith did not resign from the embassy he hated was his desire to use his job to further the assistance he was providing to Russia.

How did the MI5 sting operation that exposed Smith as a spy unfold? December 5, 2018 David Smith puts sensitive information from the British Embassy in Berlin on a USB stick. Dozens of sensitive images are later found on an SD card in his home in 2020. January 1, 2020 Smith's bank balance steadily decreased until November 25. His finances improved after a payment was made to him in February 2021. May 14, 2020 Smith wrote a letter to Colonel Sivov, a military and defence attache at the Russian Embassy. He offered sensitive information and asked to remain anonymous. Nov 20, 2020 Smith sent a letter to Major General Chukho with highly sensitive information about staff at the embassy. This sparked the planning of the sting operation. January, 2021 Smith made markedly fewer debit transactions. From February to the start of May he didn't withdraw any cash. This indicated to MI5 investigators that he may have had another source of money. August 9, 2021 An undercover MI5 agent posing as a Russian intelligence officer called 'Irina' approached Smith at a bus stop and spoke about the British Embassy. August 10, 2021 Smith was arrested by German officers at his home in Potsdam. Secret and sensitive videos, documents and photos from the embassy were found at his home. Officers also found eight 100 notes. Advertisement

Mr Justice Wall said he would sentence Smith on the basis he had an 'ongoing relationship with someone at the Russian embassy' and did not just supply information to Russia on two isolated occasions.

The judge said: 'He was paid for his treachery and he was motivated by his antipathy towards this country and intended to damage this country's interests by acting as he did.'

Smith cost the taxpayer some 820,000 and left his colleagues 'angry and betrayed' after passing the secrets to Russia, the court also heard.

On Thursday, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC read out a series of statements about the harm Smith had caused.

The embassy's head of security Bharat Joshi estimated the cost to the taxpayer of security measures at 820,000.

On the human cost, he said: 'The breach of trust, in particular disclosure of people's personal information, has had a negative impact on staff morale and wellbeing.'

A security review had to be carried out for every member of staff.

Mr Joshi said: 'They had to inform the individuals identified in this material that they must work on the assumption their personal details had been passed on and the staff have had to manage that.

'This had a significant and negative impact on many embassy staff, as described, feelings of anger, betrayal and upset and concern at the implications of their details being shared with a hostile state actor.'

Neil Keeping, from the National Crime Agency, told of the 'severe' impact if the details on a whiteboard filmed by Smith had become known.

And he said there were 'potentially catastrophic' consequences for disclosure of staff details linked to their 'key numbers' and addresses.

He said: 'It put at risk each and every UK officer based in Berlin from any kind of attack.

'The consequences of that document being provided were potentially catastrophic.'

Amanda Brooks, director general for trade negotiations, highlighted the possible impact on Britain if its strategy and 'red lines' were known by an enemy state.

An MI5 representative, identified as 2093, put Smith's spying in the context of relations with Russia at the time.

The officer stated: 'At the time the UK was engaged in the calling out of various activity undertaken by Russia including significant concerns at the amassing of military personnel and the activity taking place on the border of Ukraine.'

There was also 'concern' among UK authorities at the treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

There was a 'significant impact' and the risks could not 'be sensibly described as theoretical', according to 2093.

Reference was also made to poisoned Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko and the consequences of information being made available to Russian authorities.

Smith, who is originally from Paisley, Scotland, will be sentenced on Friday.
Talepasand said the students are trying to censor her work by trying to remove it and doesn't 'believe in censorship in art'

However, her exhibit was temporarily shut down after opening in January following backlash from a group of Muslim students

Taravat Talepasand, 43, told DailyMail.com that her exhibition at Macalester College in St. Paul was about 'women's freedom and oppression'

An Iranian American artist whose work was shut down by a Minnesota college after a Muslim student felt 'dehumanized' said censorship does not belong in art and representation of all bodies and lives matter.

Taravat Talepasand, 43, told DailyMail.com that her exhibition at Macalester College in St. Paul was about 'women's freedom and oppression,' both in Iran and in the United States and directly corelated to what was happening in the Middle East.

However, her exhibit was temporarily shut down after opening in January following backlash from a group of Muslim students, including Ikran Noor, a junior at the school who started a petition for the artwork's removal.

The US-born artist's exhibit featured drawings of women in niqabs and high heels lifting their robes to reveal underwear, as well as porcelain sculptures of similar women with exposed breasts.

Black curtains - which Talepasand called 'ethically wrong' - were drawn up, 'veiling' the art until the gallery reopened on February 6. There was also frosted glass and a trigger warning issued on the door so no student would unintentionally view the art without consent. Taped to the door as well is a student-made flyer, by Noor, that asked students to 'not attend' or 'engage' with the exhibition.

'The first thing I read is: "Do not enter,"' Talepasand told DailyMail.com. 'It makes it look like the gallery created it.'

Taravat Talepasand, 43, of Oregon, (pictured) told DailyMail.com that her exhibition at Macalester College in St. Paul was about 'women's freedom and oppression,' both in Iran and in the United States and directly corelated to what was happening in the Middle East

However, her exhibit was temporarily shut down after opening in January following backlash from a group of Muslim students, including Ikran Noor (pictured), a junior at the school who started a petition for the artwork's removal

Noor started a petition to have the more racier images removed from the gallery. Noor said she felt 'dehumanized' and 'degraded' after seeing the images and said she saw non-Muslim students laughing.

However, Talepasand said Noor and the other students are trying to censor her work by trying to remove it.

'You can't walk through life blindfolded,' she told DailyMail.com. 'You can close your eyes and turn your head, but you can't say: "That can't be seen."

'Anyone can see this work and say that's not how I see me, [which] can be hurtful. [But] I'm not talking about them specifically.'

The Iranian American artist - who was born in Oregon to Iranian parents the year the Islamic Revolution began - said the group is claiming they're being 'marginalized' and 'using DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion]' to wage their war.

'I can say that too,' she told DailyMail.com.

The 'very spiritual' artist, who does not currently associate with a religion, believes that 'religion is overpowering academia.'

Two pieces that are garnering the most attention at the exhibit is works titled Blasphemy X and IX, which shows women wearing traditional clothing, but exposing their lingerie underneath it. The drawings, which were created 13 years ago, was based off of The Last Iranian Slut, a novel by Roxana Shirazi, who escapes her strict family, moves to London, and falls in love with Rock n' Roll.

Two pieces that are garnering the most attention at the exhibit is works titled Blasphemy X and IX, which shows women wearing traditional clothing, but exposing their lingerie underneath it

The drawings, which were created 13 years ago, was based off of The Last Iranian Slut, a novel by Roxana Shirazi, who escapes her strict family, moves to London, and falls in love with Rock n' Roll

The artist, who has never practiced Islam but has read the Quran several times in full, said the strict modest culture of the religion has definitely influenced the students' response to the artwork, however, she believes representation matters.

'My mantra is that representation matters. If we don't represent certain bodies and life, how do we know it exists?' she told DailyMail.com. 'Muslim women in all walks of life should be able to show who they are in their own way. There are so many other women that have different ways of living, so many walks of life...and that should be expressed.

'We're dealing with fundamental Islam. Do I think their reaction was wrong? No. But it's a situation of censorship,' she continued. 'I don't believe in censorship in art.'

Talepasand, who also works as an assistant professor of art practice at Portland State University, reiterated to DailyMail.com that Macalester College is a 'liberal arts school' and students should be prepared to use critical thinking and be exposed to a variety of lifestyles.

She said she wants to 'promote a healthy conversation,' but the group of students are 'pushing an agenda' and shutting down a 'broader conversation.'

Talepasand, who was only in Minnesota for one week while curating the gallery, said she felt 'ghosted' by the school and got the impression that only the disgruntled group of students had any voice in the conversation.

Black curtains (pictured) - which Talepasand called 'ethically wrong' - were drawn up, 'veiling' the art until the gallery reopened on February 6. There was also frosted glass and a trigger warning issued on the door so no student would unintentionally view the art without consent

Taped to the door as well is a student-made flyer, by Noor, that asked students to 'not attend' or 'engage' with the exhibition. 'The first thing I read is: "Do not enter,"' Talepasand told DailyMail.com. 'It makes it look like the gallery created it'

Talepasand also had a small dispute with the school after its trigger warning (pictured) read that the exhibition contained images of 'sexuality and violence,' which she argued her work never perpetuated or showed aggressive behavior. The school later amended it

Noor petition has around 80 signatures and her posters ask students to not 'engage' with the exhibition

Noor has claimed she worried about what her non-Muslim students would think of after viewing the images and that she felt singled out as one of the few hijabi women on campus.

When DailyMail.com asked Talepasand if instead of Muslim women in lingerie being displayed it was replaced with Catholic priests and sisters, would her work have garnered the same outburst, she said she didn't think it would.

'Christians, Catholics, and Mormon students, would they react in the same way or would the institution react?' she questioned. 'I would [want to] assume it would have the same reaction, but I'm going to say it wouldn't.'

The artist also said the 'school was too quick to apologize to students.'

She agreed with the temporary closing of her show to pacify the students, but didn't necessarily believe it was the right thing to do. She believes a 'protocol' should be made at the school and other educational institutions about how to deal with similar situations going forward - whether that be by bring the artist back to campus or bringing in experts from similar fields to answer student questions.

The artist also revealed to DailyMail.com that she has not spoken to the student, nor have they reached out to her.

In addition, Talepasand, who has been creating art professionally for 20 years, said she had a 'great' opening night and was approached by many students, including a Moroccan student, who enjoyed her art.

Part of opening night - where most artists give a speech - Talepasand choose to walk through her exhibit with Iranian Ahoo Najafian, an assistant professor of Islamic Relgious Studies at the school, to have a discussion.

As part of opening night - where most artists give a speech - Talepasand (left) choose to walk through her exhibit with Iranian Ahoo Najafian (right), an assistant professor of Islamic Relgious Studies at the school, to have a discussion

The two talked about censorship in relation to Iranian women, the women's revolution that's currently happening , and the country's poetry. When asked what Najafian thought of the gallery, Talepasand said she celebrated that it created an 'openness and dialogue' and thought it was 'really great'

Despite all the backlash, Talepasand said she 'doesn't regret my work.' She told DailyMail.com: 'I stand behind it'

The two talked about censorship in relation to Iranian women, the women's revolution that's currently happening, and the country's poetry.

When asked what Najafian thought of the gallery, Talepasand said she celebrated that it created an 'openness and dialogue' and thought it was 'really great.'

Talepasand also had a small dispute with the school after its trigger warning read that the exhibition contained images of 'sexuality and violence,' which she argued her work never perpetuated or showed aggressive behavior. The school later amended the warning to read that it 'contained images of sexuality that may be upsetting or unacceptable for some visitors.'

Noor's petition currently has around 80 signatures, but the school still plans to run the exhibition until mid-March, and had even extended a few days to make up for the temporary closing.

Despite all the backlash, Talepasand said she 'doesn't regret my work.'

She told DailyMail.com: 'I stand behind it.'
Twitter has become the first major social media company to accept advertisements for marijuana in the United States - despite the drug still being illegal federally.

Elon Musk, who took over the social media giant last year, changed its policy on Tuesday to allow US cannabis companies to advertise on the platform without a minimum spend.

The new move comes with caveats - as advertisers still have to adhere to restrictions, including not targeting customers under the age of 21 or using any content within the ads which are appealing to minors.

The ads also cannot make any health claims or show any depictions of cannabis use.

Elon Musk (pictured smoking weed with Joe Rogan on his podcast in 2018) changed Twitter's policy on Tuesday to allow US cannabis companies to advertise on the platform without a minimum spend.

Twitter already allows ads such as this from a Canadian company since marijuana has been federally legal since 2018 but now US Twitter users will also start seeing weed ads

Brands which provide CBD, THC and cannabis-related products and services, including delivery services, labs, and growing technology are expected to reap the benefits of the changes in the coming weeks.

Before Musk's latest move, CBD topical brands were the only companies which were allowed to advertise on Twitter in the US.

In Canada, where weed has been federally legal since 2018, Twitter already lets weed firms promote their ads on the site.

And according to AdCann, there have been more than 20 million tweets about cannabis on the social media site in the last year alone - making it one of the most talked-about topics.

Insiders at Twitter are therefore optimistic that the app will be a solid marketing ground for companies wanting to make the jump.

To incentivize US advertisers, Musk has also offered a one-to-one match of every advertising dollar spent before the end of March - meaning that if a company spends $40, this will essentially double to $80.

The value match-up is eligible up to $250,000 for all potential advertisers.

Twitter is also not setting a minimum spend for cannabis companies.

Amy Deneson, co-founder of the Cannabis Media Council, told Politico: 'Thats one of the most generous things that an advertiser and publisher relationship can kick off with.'

It's also understood that there will be a human element to vetting the adverts - since regulators may have a tough time deciding what is and isn't appealing to minors.

This move comes five years after the billionaire went on the Joe Rogan Experience and accepted a joint from the host - after a rambling conversation that also took in the dangers of AI and the possibility China is spying on US citizens through their phones.

The case is centered around a tweet Musk sent in August 2018 where he claimed the funding was 'secured' for a deal to take Tesla private

Images of Musk smoking weed became a viral sensation in 2018.

Earlier this year, Musk was forced to deny his infamous tweet selling Tesla shares for $420 was a joke about pot as he stood trial for misleading investors.

Musk hit headlines in 2018 when he claimed on Twitter he was considering taking the electric car company private and that he already had the funding secured.

Skeptics had raised eyebrows at the 420 figure as it is popular street code for marijuana, dating back to the 1970s.

But taking to the stand in San Francisco last month, Musk categorically denied the tweet had been an inside joke for pot enthusiasts and said the number was a 'coincidence'.

It represented the stock price at the time plus a 20 percent premium, he claimed.

The 51-year-old Twitter owner told the federal court: '420 was not a joke. There is some karma around 420 although I should question if that is good or bad karma at this point.'
Residents on a Scottish island owned by the grandson of an aristocrat who is said to be the model for James Bond are at the centre of a bitter buyout row.

Great Bernera has been owned since 2012 by the 27-year-old grandson of the late Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees - the 'dashing figure' who inspired Ian Fleming's fictional spy.

The count had purchased the island in 1962 without even seeing it, before passing it down to his grandson Cyran de la Lanne Mirlees upon his death.

The local community have been trying to buy the island since 2015, and in a TV documentary set to air on BBC Alba tonight, it is revealed that they are planning a hostile buyout - which if successful would be the first of its kind in Scotland.

The islanders' trust says the current landlord is refusing to get involved with decision-making about the future amid historic population decline, which has left only 252 people on the island, and the recent closure of the school and post office.

In a statement to Eorpa, Cyran de la Lanne Mirlees, 27, said that his idea for the future is 'to find an avenue helping us both the community and the estate'

Great Bernera was owned by an aristocrat said to have been the inspiration for James Bond

Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees, who was the owner of Great Bernera Island, purchased the island in 1962, without even seeing it before passing it down to his grandson

While living as an adopted islander, the late Count is said to have refused to raise rents, and donated land for community use.

When in a care home on Great Bernera, he and the only other resident faced being made to move by Western Isles Council, but the pair managed to keep their residency through becoming 'tenants'.

Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees: The man who inspired 007 Robin Ian Evelyn Milne Stuart de la Lanne-Mirrlees was born Robin Grinnell-Milne, in Cairo. He was the son of Captain Duncan Gribbell-Milne, a Great War pilot, and the Countess Frances de la Lanne. He initially changed his name when his mother later married another Great War hero, Major-General William Mirrlees. He changed his name again, a second time. He attended the English School of Cairo, in Paris and continued his education at Merton College, Oxford before being commissioned in the Royal Artillery to serve in India. He maintained close correspondence with James Bond creator, Ian Fleming, who at the time was researching for his novel 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. The Count was known have oozed with charm as a 'dashing figure' and 'witty host', who 'enormously enjoying good company and stimulating conversation'. In Flemings' novel 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', villain Stavro Blofeld bears the 'deformity' of having no ear lobes. The Count was also lobeless - a trait that is said to run in the family. His friendship with Fleming resulted in a jointly written book, Sable Basilisk (1965), centering on Bond's 'genealogy', with 007's coat-of-arms on the cover and motto: 'The World Is Not Enough'. The Count was said to love his titles'. His claim to his princedom emanated in 1967 from the exiled King Peter II of Yugoslavia, his 'Prince of Coronata' covering islands off Dalmatia. Further titles followed: in 1975, he was recognised as Baron of Inchdrewer and Laird of Bernera. He was also a Knight of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Advertisement

The BBC show Eorpa explored the Bernera community's efforts to buy their island from Germany-based landlord Cyran de la Lanne Mirlees.

As a result, the Trust have begun to explore Part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003, which could mean the land becomes theirs, against the wishes of the landlord.

Part 3 of the Act allows for the pursuing of a hostile crofting buyout rather than a community buyout and is a complex process involving the mapping out of all crofting land on the estate.

If this were to happen, it would be the first time it has worked successfully in Scotland.

Historic population decline and the recent closure of the school and post office have been seen as detrimental to the future prospects of the community and many in Bernera say community ownership is the best way forward.

Some islanders also believe the landlord has failed to engage with them about discussing a valuation for the island and some have also complained the landlord has frustrated or delayed individual attempts to de-croft land for it to benefit their families.

Local crofter Neil James Macaulay has three daughters and several grandchildren. He's been trying to de-croft for the last three years so his family can have the land to return to if they want to but says the landlord has refused to engage with them.

He told Eorpa: 'I've been trying to buy the croft here, it's your right to buy the croft for 15 times the rent and I've been trying to buy it for three years now.'

Neil James also talks about the possibility of attracting young families such as his daughters.

He added: 'The first priority is to get them back here, if you can, and this is the only way of doing that.'

Calum Macaulay, of The Great Bernera Community Development Trust, told Eorpa: 'I think it would help us establish more opportunities for people so that they could come to the island and live here.

'It's being able to promote the island, being able to promote places for industry, for any form of development.

'That is going to help. At the moment our hands are tied which makes it very difficult to try and attract anybody here.'

In a statement to Eorpa, Cyran de la Lanne Mirlees said: 'I don't know of any cases of communication difficulties.

'However, if anyone wants to reach me, I will surely communicate with them. 'There has been recent success regarding croft development with the community.

'My interest is always to have fair terms and conditions for both sides. I have no intention of blocking any developments.

'I indeed intend to visit the island in the very near future. My idea for the future is to find an avenue helping us both the community and the estate.

Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees - the 'dashing figure' who inspired Ian Fleming's fictional spy James Bond (Pictured: George Lazenby as 007 in the film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

While living as an adopted islander, the Count is said to have refused to raise rents, and donated land for community use

Historic population decline and the recent closure of the school and post office have been seen as detrimental to the future prospects of the community

'This could be in the field of renewables creating tangible benefits for the community.

'If a sale were to take place, discussions over the valuations would be done with official representatives of the community.'

Cyran de la Lanne previously said: 'It has been in the interest of our family since my grandfather's days to develop Bernera.

'We welcome any idea for the mutual interest of our family and for benefit of the people of Bernera.

'We are most happy to sit together and discuss proposals.'

The late colourful count's son, Patrick de la Lanne is a lawyer and the former mayor of the German city of Delmenhorst.

But the count's estate was bequeathed to his grandson - Mr de la Lanne's son Cyran. Great Bernera - which is connected to Lewis by a bridge over the Atlantic - and Little Bernera belonged to Count Robin for 50 years.

The count's estate was bequeathed to his grandson - Mr de la Lanne's son Cyran. Great Bernera - which is connected to Lewis by a bridge over the Atlantic

The count, a former Queen's herald, died in 2012, aged 87. Also known as Prince of Coronata, Count Robin was the godson of the late 11th Duke of Argyll, and was said to be the inspiration for James Bond and that of a Royal servant in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.

Author Ian Fleming, a friend of the count, dedicated On His Majesty's Secret Service to him. In 1996, Count Robin sold 2 million of property, including a home in Holland Park, London, a flat in Switzerland and one of his Scottish islands, Kearstay to help pay his Lloyds' debts.

His family have since his death sold other property he owned, including a flat in Paris and run-down Inchdrewer Castle in Banff, which was bought - together with the title of Baron of Inchdrewer - by a Russian princess and former supermodel.

Ex-Versace model Olga Roh and her husband paid a reported 400,000 for the ruin and title.

The count's estate also included a villa at Le Touquet in France and a Sicilian property and vineyard - as well as Great Bernera.

Despite his vast property empire, the count, who lived in a run-down croft house on Bernera, died with less than 6000 in the bank - including 75 in premium bonds. But after his death legal papers put the count's wealth at 1,301,478 - mainly property. ends
Norfolk Southern's $4.5million CEO remains in hiding nearly two weeks since one of his trains carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Alan Shaw has been silent about the ecological disaster, as residents demand answers from the railroad company about what happened, how the company could help the town rebuild, and whether they will suffer long-term health problems from the carcinogenic chemicals that have leaked into the soil and water.

He was last seen days before the train derailed on February 3, posting on LinkedIn that 'the best part of my job is getting out in the field' as he joined the company's COO at its 2023 Operations Kickoff Meetings in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The company has since announced that it would create a $1million fund to help East Palestine residents while continuing remediation work, and will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs.

Representatives from the company were also expected to attend a town hall meeting on Wednesday night to answer residents' questions  but backed down citing unspecific concerns for their physical safety.

Alan Shaw took over as CEO of Norfolk Southern in May 2022, and has served as president since December 2021

He was last seen publicly, left, just days before the train derailment at a meeting with other members of his company in Harrisburg, Pennsylvnia

Shaw was last seen publicly just days before the train carrying toxic chemicals overturned in East Palestine, just a few hundred miles away in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He shared a photo of himself in a yellow vest with other railroad workers on LinkedIn, writing: 'I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the best part of my job is getting out in the field!'

'This time, I joined our COO Paul Duncan for our 2023 Operations Kickoff meetings in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,' he explained.

'We met with some of our local Norfolk Southern Corporation railroaders, and talked about the importance of Harrisburg to our supply chain: a critical link in our Premier Corridor, where freight moves between America's heartland and the East Coast.

'I'm proud to be forging ahead alongside such a fantastic group of folks,' he continued. 'Thank you for what you do 24/7, 365.'

Since then, Shaw has only released a statement vowing to help clean up the contaminants from the train derailment and pledging to refund residents who were forced to evacuate as officials conducted a 'controlled burn' of five train cars carrying vinyl chloride.

'We will be judged by our actions,' he said in the statement.

'We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive.'

But when representatives from the company were expected to answer community member's questions Wednesday night, they abruptly decided not to attend.

Residents poured into a town hall meeting in East Palestine to demand answers from train company Norfolk Southern - who did not send a representative over fears for their safety

Angry locals are seen demanding answers as to what is happening in their town

Trent Conaway, the mayor of East Palestine, is pictured on Wednesday night updating his town on the train derailment

Just hours before the meeting, Norfolk Southern released a statement saying they 'hoped to join 'local, state, and federal officials at a town hall to update the East Palestine community on the steps we are taking to thoroughly, responsibly, and safely clean up the accident site and to provide the latest results from ongoing water and air testing.

'We also wanted to be available to provide information on resources from our Family Assistance Center.

'At the same time, we know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties.

'With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening. We want to continue our dialogue with the community and address their concerns, and our people will remain in East Palestine, respond to this situation, and meet with residents.

'We are not going anywhere. We are committed to East Palestine and will continue to respond to community concerns through our Family Assistance Center and our hotline for citizens to ask questions regarding return to home and health questions.

'We also plan to look for other opportunities to update residents on our actions over the coming days. We encourage all residents who have questions, concerns or need assistance to contact our Family Assistance Center at 800-230-7049.'

Mayor Trent Conaway also told residents at the meeting Wednesday night that he speaks with representatives from Norfolk Southern 'every day.

'They have been working with us,' he said. 'They should. They are the ones who screwed this up.

'By God we are going to get some answers for people.'

The train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3

Machinery sat along the railroad tracks on Tuesday as cleanup efforts continued

A worker is pictured at a cleanup site in East Palestine, Ohio on February 9

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokeswoman for the railroad operator touted its efforts in East Palestine, saying it has already distributed over $1.5million in direct financial assistance to more than 1,000 families and a number of businesses to cover the cost of evacuation.

It is also reimbursing the East Palestine Fire Department $220,000 to replace Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses and provided more than 100 air purifiers for residents to use in their homes.

The company further announced on Tuesday that it is creating a $1million fund to help the community of some 4,700 people, and will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs.

And speaking with WFMJ on Wednesday, Norfolk Southern Senior Director Will Harden  who is apparently on the scene  said the representatives of the company will continue to be in East Palestine until the cleanup is complete.

But when asked about the long-term health concerns, Harden diverted the question, only saying that the company is in the remediation phase and is working with local, state and federal agencies.

The state's Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the latest tests show water from five wells supplying the village's drinking water are free from contaminants.

Still, the EPA is recommending testing for private water wells because they are closer to the surface.

And the Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates that the spill affected more than seven miles of streams and killed some 3,500 fish, mostly small ones such as minnows and darters.

Officials conducted a 'controlled explosion' of trains carrying vinyl chloride on February 6

The freight train carrying dangerous chemicals was en route to Pennsylvania when it derailed

HEPACO workers place booms in a stream in East Palestine on February 9 as fish turned up poisoned in the streams

Several East Palestine residents have now filed a class action suit alleging that Norfolk Southern is negligent in the derailment.

Harold Freezle, a local business owner; Susan Scheufele, a resident; and David Scheufele, who says he suffered injuries as a direct result of the toxic chemicals being released from the site, filed a federal suit last week.

It says Norfolk Southern did not exercise 'reasonable care' when transporting hazardous materials, and allege the company caused 'unreasonable interference for residents,' carried out 'conscious disregard for the rights and safety of other persons' and allowed 'hazardous substances to invade the property of each and every member of the community.'

The suit also asks the company to release all studies and reports connected to the derailment and vinyl chloride release, which would prevent the company from deleting any records about the train for a 72-hour period before the incident or removing any property from the site that could help determine the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro slammed Shaw and Norfolk Southern for its response to the derailment in a letter, after meeting with elected officials and emergency management officials in Beaver County.

He claimed that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Department of Environmental Protection were not notified about the crash on the border with Pennsylvania until hours afterward, and said that Norfolk Southern's mismanagement of the disaster put emergency responders and residents at risk.

Additionally, Shapiro argued, the railway company provided inaccurate information about the effect of the controlled release of chemicals, and failed to update state and local officials on its plan to release vinyl chloride from all five cars carrying the chemical rather than just the one car it had originally identified.

And, he said, Norfolk Southern did not immediately inform officials of the number of rail cars carrying toxic chemicals.

'Norfolk Southern's failure to participate in the unified command and share accurate information led to confusion and wide variability in potentially affected population estimates in the downward plume affecting the commonwealth,' Shapiro wrote in the letter, obtained by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

'Norfolk southern failed to explore all potential courses of action, including some that may have kept the rail line closed longer but could have resulted in a safer overall approach for first responders, residents and the environment,' he continued.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro slammed Shaw for Norfolk Southern's actions following the derailment. He is pictured here speaking at the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting on February 4

The train derailment on February 3 set off a fire that could be seen from miles away

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in the town

The governor is calling on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which is charged with overseeing railroads in the state, to review the company's conduct.

'Like me, members of our state legislative delegation are troubled by the conduct of Norfolk Southern during this incident.

'As they proceed with their review and oversight responsibilities, I have pledged the full cooperation of my administration in order to help them facilitate holding your company accountable to Pennsylvania,' the governor wrote in a letter to Shaw.

He also noted that he spoke with President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and urged the federal agency that regulates the transportation of hazardous material to review its definition of a high-hazard flammable train  and require those trains to use new braking systems.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also advised Norfolk Southern on Wednesday that his office is considering legal action against the rail operator.

'The pollution, which continues to contaminate the area around East Palestine, created a nuisance, damage to natural resources and caused environmental harm,' Yost said in a letter sent to the company.

Shaw's primary residence is this $4.2million mansion in Atlanta, Georgia

He also owns several properties in Virginia Beach (like this one) as well as in Roanoke

Shaw also owns two boats, like the Bennington boat pictured here

Shaw took over the reigns at Norfolk Southern just last year, but had been serving as the president of the company since December 1, 2021.

The Atlanta, Georgia resident previously worked as Norfolk Southern's executive vice president and chief marketing officer and the vice president of intermodal operations.

He now owns more than 20 properties across Georgia and Virginia, with his primary residence in Atlanta over $4.25million.

Other homes he shares with his wife, Tiffany, in highly desirable locations like Virginia Beach and Roanoke cost anywhere between $404,000 to $4.7million.

He also owns two boats, according to public records, and once had a run-in with the law for allegedly not having a boating education certificate. He was found not guilty.
A leaked document shows that the company contracted by rail company Norfolk Southern to undertake the clean-up in East Palestine following the February 3 derailment was not charged with removing potentially contaminated soil.

The document, which lists the clean-up efforts being undertaken by an environmental clean-up company HEPACO, does not include the removal of soil among its projects, reports CNN.

Environmental scientist Richard Peltier said: 'Contaminated soil will continue (to) leech contaminants, both up into the air, and down into the surrounding ground. Every time it rains, a flood of new contaminants will enter the ecosystem.'

However, a Norfolk Southern spokesperson told DailyMail.com that they are now removing top soil.

'Right now, Norfolk Southern and its contractors are completing soil sampling, removing topsoil, and placing it in a staging area for testing and disposal, and our hazmat teams continue to transfer product from the tank cars out of the area,' they said.

One TikTok user posted a video showing strange bubbles appearing in drinking water that was boiling

The town of Willamsburg, where the man says he's from, is located nearly 300 miles from East Palestine

Purdue University professor Andrew Whelton told CNN that 'semi-volatile organic compounds' do not enter the air easily but 'like to stick to soils and other materials.'

This week, one Ohio resident posted a video on TikTok showing 'weird bubbles' appearing in the water he was boiling in order to drink.

The man, who says he lives in the town of Williamsburg, some 300 miles from the crash site, posted photos showing the residue left by the bubbles on the sides of the pot.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to the EPA for comment on the soil.

The train contained five tankers of vinyl chloride, that according to the EPA was not disposed of properly following the derailment, reports WKBN.

Vinyl chloride is known to migrate through soil and has been linked with various forms of liver cancer, lymphoma, leukemia as well as brain and lung cancer. At least four other chemicals may have leaked in to the air, soil and water.

East Palestine residents refer to the freight trains as 'bomb trains,' high speed rail cars that dart through their town packed with flammable materials, local man Ben Ratner said in an interview with ABC News.

He went on to say that due to the disruption caused by the crash, the bomb trains are back and at a high volume as they make up for lost time.

'Not to sound overly like emotional about things, but I mean, there is a level of PTSD whenever -- it's like, "oh, God, why do we have to hear these trains again already?"'

A HEPACO worker places booms in a stream in East Palestine

Vinyl chloride is known to migrate through soil and has been linked with various forms of liver cancer, lymphoma, leukemia as well as brain and lung cancer

East Palestine residents refer to the freight trains as 'bomb trains,' high speed rail cars that dart through their town packed with flammable materials

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency earlier said that they are conducting extensive tests on the air, water and soil around the crash site.

The agency's coordinator Kurt Kollar told CNN that crews have taken 500 cubic yards of 'vinyl chloride-impacted material' that includes soil from the scene.

On Tuesday, Kollar said in a press conference: 'The goal of this was to get rid of that highly contaminated, potentially mobile material before we had rain events. Some of these pits are now about 700 feet long and about eight feet deep in some areas.'

At the same media event, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that the air, soil and water in the impacted area was safe enough for residents to return to their homes.

Residents of the area impacted by the derailment can sign up for independent soil and water testing on the River Valley Organizing Facebook page.

Amanda Kiger, the co-executive director of the group, told CityBeat: 'We're partnering with some groups in Pennsylvania to actually have a real town hall that is bringing in the scientists to speak with folks, and also some representatives from Fair Shake Legal Services.'

The toxic train derailed in a fiery crash on February 3, leading authorities to evacuate the surrounding East Palestine, Ohio, area

A giant plume of smoke from the aftermath of the incident could be seen from miles away

The CityBeat report mentions that people living in East Palestine have been complaining of issues including skin rashes, nausea and burning eyes following the crash.

Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health and food at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit group focused on the environment and public health, said the unknown dangers stemming from the derailment vastly outweigh reassurances that officials have given on safety.

'This is clearly a very toxic brew of chemicals,' Olson said. 'And I've not seen any public accounting for how many pounds or gallons of any of these chemicals that were released.'

The air and water testing that's been done so far seemed limited and 'is not all that reassuring,' Olson said.

He said much more needs to be understood about how the soil and groundwater was polluted from this spill, which he said posed the more significant longer-term danger as opposed to air pollution.

At a town hall inside of school gym in East Palestine, hundreds of worried people gathered to hear state officials tell them  as they did earlier in the day  that testing so far has shown local air is safe to breathe and to promise that safety testing of the air and water would continue.

There were no representatives of Norfolk Southern present at the event.

'They just danced around the questions a lot,' said Danielle Deal, who lives about three miles from the derailment site. 'Norfolk needed to be here.'

In a statement, Norfolk Southern said it was not attending Wednesday's open house gathering with local, state and federal officials because of a 'growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event.'

Deal called that a 'copout'' and noted the seriousness of the incident.

Deal and her two children left home to stay with her mother, 13 miles away 'and we could still see the mushroom cloud, plain as day,' she said.

Wednesday's meeting came amid continuing concerns about the huge plumes of smoke, persisting odors, questions over potential threats to pets and wild animals, any potential impact on drinking water and what was happening with cleanup.

Even as school resumed and trains were rolling again, people were worried.

'Why are they being hush-hush?' Kathy Dyke said of the railroad. 'They're not out here supporting, they're not out here answering questions. For three days we didn't even know what was on the train.'

'I have three grandbabies,' she said. 'Are they going to grow up here in five years and have cancer? So those are all factors that play on my mind.'

In and around East Palestine, near the Pennsylvania state line, residents said they wanted assistance navigating the financial help the railroad offered hundreds of families who evacuated, and they want to know whether it will be held responsible for what happened.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost advised Norfolk Southern on Wednesday that his office is considering legal action against the rail operator.

'The pollution, which continues to contaminate the area around East Palestine, created a nuisance, damage to natural resources and caused environmental harm,' Yost said in a letter to the company.

The state's Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the latest tests show water from five wells supplying the village's drinking water are free from contaminants. But the EPA also is recommending testing for private water wells because they are closer to the surface.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates the spill affected more than seven miles (11.2 kilometers) of streams and killed some 3,500 fish, mostly small ones such as minnows and darters.

There hadn't been any confirmed deaths of other wildlife, including livestock, state officials said.

Norfolk Southern announced Tuesday that it is creating a $1 million fund to help the community of some 4,700 people while continuing remediation work, including removing spilled contaminants from the ground and streams and monitoring air quality.

It also will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs, covering the entire village and surrounding area.

'We will be judged by our actions,' Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a statement. 'We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment, and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive.'
Chilling photos shown at Alex Murdaugh's murder trial this week revealed the bloody crime scene at the family's hunting lodge where his wife Maggie and son Paul were executed.

Two of the family's Labradors can be seen still locked in the kennels on the sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina, when law enforcement arrived on the night of the double murder. A large blood stain is visible just outside the cages.

The jury has heard during the trial how much the Murdaugh family loved their hunting dogs, and that Maggie regularly took them out for walks and to the beach. But if the dogs barked that night of the murders, they did so in vain.

Paul, 22, was shot twice with a shotgun and found partially inside one of the kennels on concrete, while his mother - who had been shot multiple times with an assault rifle - was found several feet away, her blood seeping into the damp ground.

Murdaugh, 54, is on trial for the murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and younger son Paul on June 7, 2021.

Two of the family dogs - who appear to be Bubba and Maggie - based on descriptions in court - are seen in the kennels on the Moselle Road property on June 7, 2021 when Alex Murdaugh's wife Maggie and son Paul Murdaugh were shot and killed

The family's Labradors were still locked in the kennels on the sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina, when law enforcement arrived on the night of the double murder

Paul, 22, was shot twice with a shotgun and found partially inside one of the kennels on concrete, while his mother - who had been shot multiple times with an assault rifle - was found several feet away, her blood seeping into the damp ground

Murdaugh, 54, arrives at court on Thursday in South Carolina. He is on trial for the murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and son Paul who were killed at the family property on June 7, 2021

The State claims Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his financial crimes. He embezzled millions from his law firm and was facing a lawsuit over his son Paul's drunken boat crash.

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty in June, and the defense argue their client was a 'loving' husband and father who could have never have committed such a gruesome crime.

Murdaugh claims he had supper with Maggie and Paul around 8.15 before they headed down to the kennels at the Moselle Road property.

He told cops he remained in the house, falling asleep in front of the TV. He then woke up and drove to visit his mother who is in the late stages of Alzheimer's at around 9pm.

He says the next time he saw his wife and son was when he arrived home and found them lying dead at the kennels. Murdaugh called 911 at 10.07pm.

Photos taken the night of the murders show dogs locked in their kennels, with pools of blood nearby.

Based on the descriptions of the dogs provided to the court, the two pictured appear to be Bubba and Maggie - both yellow labs.

Other dogs at the kennels were Maggie's black lab Grady, Rogan Gibson's Chocolate lab Cash, Alex's Red Bird dog Tappy Toes, Paul's Bulldog Armadillo and Alex's Bird Dog Dahlia.

A graphic shows which dogs were at the kennels on the night of the murder

Murdaugh told police he 'found' the bodies of his youngest son and wife by these kennels when he returned to the family's 1,700-acre hunting estate of Moselle around 10pm

Pools of water at the crime scene which caretaker Roger Dale Davis testified could not have come from when he hosed the kennels down at around 4pm that day. Police showed up at the estate after 10pm

The prosecution allege that Murdaugh was with Maggie and Paul at the kennels minutes before the murders, citing a video heard in court last week.

Rogan Gibson, a close friend of the Murdaughs told the jury he is 100 percent positive that Alex, Paul and Maggie's voices were in a cell phone video taken at the crime scene minutes before the murders.

Gibson, whose dog Cash was being cared for by Paul at the kennels, described the Murdaughs as his 'second family', listened to a video taken by Paul at 8.44pm at the dog kennels after 8.49pm on June 7, 2021.

Paul is seen on the video trying to corral Gibson's chocolate Labrador retriever so he could film his injured tail. 'Quit, Cash. Come here,' he says.

'He's got a bird in his mouth!' Maggie is heard saying in the background.

'Bubba!' a third voice - this one male - calls out to one of their dogs.

'It's a guinea,' Maggie says.

'It's a chicken,' Paul replies.

'Come here, Bubba!' the male voice says. 'Come here, Bubba!'

Paul had promised to send Gibson the video of his dog who he was looking after - but it was never sent despite the pair talking on the phone moments before.

Gibson's testimony contradicts Murdaugh's claim that the last time he saw Maggie and Paul alive was when they were having supper at the house.

Citing the video, the prosecution told jurors: 'The evidence will show that he was there. He was at the murder scene with the two victims.

'More than that, just over three minutes later, 8.49pm and one second, Paul's phone locks forever. Never reads another text, he never sends another text, he doesn't answer calls.

'Three minutes after that video has the defendant at the murder scene with the two victims, Paul's cell phone goes silent forever.'

The coroner estimates that Paul and Maggie died between 9pm and 9.30pm.

Earlier this week, caretaker Roger Dale Davis told jurors he cleaned the kennels on the day Maggie and Paul were killed on the property.

Much of Davis' testimony focused on his usual cleaning routine at the kennels. He was shown photographs of the crime scene and looked at the hose, which he said he would have never left that way.

Jurors have heard evidence that Paul and Maggie's bodies were saturated with water as well as blood when cops arrived - despite the fact it had not yet rained.

On the day of the killings, Davis said he cleaned the kennels in the afternoon before leaving at 4.30pm.

The prosecutor showed him photographs of the crime scene that night, including pools of water on the kennel floor and the hose.

Davis testified that he never left the hose as it appeared in the photos.

He also said that water would not have still been pooled at the kennels since he cleaned them, that somebody else must have hosed them down again.

However, the suggestion that Murdaugh had used the hose after the shootings was dashed by defense attorney Jim Griffin.

He played a video taken by Paul at the kennels at around 8.45pm in which the hose can be seen not put away in the neat way described by Davis.

When asked about the footage by the prosecution Davis confirmed he could hear the voices of Alex, Paul and Maggie in the background.

Earlier this week, caretaker Roger Dale Davis told jurors he cleaned the kennels on the day Maggie and Paul were killed on the property.

Overhead view of the hangar and kennels at Moselle where Maggie and Paul were shot dead

WHERE PAUL DIED: Blood spatters on the floor inside the storage room at the kennels where Paul Murdaugh was shot dead. He was killed with a shot to the chest and a second to the head

WHERE MAGGIE DIED: A pool of blood outside the kennels where Maggie Murdaugh was shot dead with two AR bullets to the head

Murdaugh's attorney had insisted his client had a 'ironclad alibi' and that his marriage with Maggie was 'full of love,' however, a very different picture has emerged casting doubt on both claims in recent months

The caretaker earlier told the court how he had once shot an injured dog as a 'mercy' because the legal scion could not bring himself to do it.

He described Maggie as 'so laid back' and that they would often chat about the dogs.

Davis described Paul was 'a little wild and crazy' but that he would work on the land and 'do whatever his daddy needed him do'.

He said Alex wasn't around much, he was often at work, but he found that he could be 'very particular' about how he wanted things to be done.

Davis described the Murdaughs relationship as 'lovey-dovey'.

'I never saw that man even raise his voice at his wife and kids,' he said. 'Anything she wanted, or the boys wanted, he would try to get it for them.'

Murdaugh liked to spend time hunting and drinking beer with Paul, Davis said.

The caretaker said he did not see Buster as much but he always seemed friendly with his father.

Alex Murdaugh smiles at parts of the testimony of Roger Dale Davis, who took care of the dogs at Murdaugh's home, during his trial at the Colleton County Courthouse on Tuesday

Murdaugh claimed he had been visiting his elderly mother who suffers from Alzheimer's and arrived home to find Maggie and Paul dead near the estate's dog kennels

In another incident in 2018, Murdaugh's former housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, 57, died after she allegedly tripped and fell over the family dog at the property where she had worked for 20 years.

The death was never reported to the Hampton County coroner, who asked state police to investigate why she was not called to review what she would consider 'an accidental death'.

During the trial, Satterfield's son Tony testified that Murdaugh had promised to take care of him and his brother Bryan, a vulnerable adult, after their mother died.

Satterfield told the double murder trial Murdaugh pledged to get the pair $100,000 each and cover Gloria's medical expenses. But he went on to steal more than $4 million from two insurance policies without giving them a cent.

Other lawyers later came in to help the Satterfield family and secured $4.3million for Gloria's children after suing Murdaugh.

State Law Enforcement Division agents exhumed Gloria Satterfield's body about a year after the deaths of Murdaugh's son and wife, but never announced any findings and did not reopen an investigation into her death.

Gloria Satterfield, is said to have died after falling at the Murdaugh home in 2018. She was the family's housekeeper and nanny for 25 years. Her body will shortly be exhumed

Tony Satterfield testified that Murdaugh promised to take care of their family after the death

The trial is taking place at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, a sleepy, rural town 50 miles west of Charleston in a low-lying region of South Carolina over which the Murdaugh family has wielded immense judicial and political power.

Indeed, in the courtroom where Murdaugh faces judgment, a portrait of his late grandfather - legendary longtime 14th Circuit Solicitor Buster Murdaugh Jr. - had hung on the wall before it was removed ahead of the trial.
Some claim that the results of the exam will be 'sugar coated' and won't address concerns regarding cognition or memory

Joe Biden did a little jog after landing back at the White House in the rain following his appointment for a physical at Walter Reed Medical Center on Thursday.

The president slowed his pace after he was given an umbrella  but the quick step off the Marine One helicopter helped underscore the administration's message that Biden, 80, is still physically fit for office.

Biden's physical evaluation comes as Democrats express concern behind the scenes regarding his age and his fitness for office, while Republicans  including President Barack Obama's former doctor  demand the president also be administered a cognitive exam.

The annual exam is a physical evaluation of the president, but some Republicans claim Biden is not mentally fit for office, pointing to his frequent gaffes and memory problems.

During the exam on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris as in Germany for the 2023 Munich Security Conference. Biden did not undergo any procedures that would require sedation, as he would need to hand over the presidency to Harris during that time.

President Joe Biden was seen jogging back to the White House after he landed in the rain following his annual physical exam at Walter Reed Medical Center on Thursday

Biden, clutching his two cell phones in his left hand, slowed his pace once he received an umbrella

Biden greeted members of the military and shook hands with an officer waiting to escort him inside Walter Reed Medical Center when arriving for his annual check-up

The president, who was pictured holding a piece of paper as he left the White House to board Marine One Thursday morning, was evaluated by White House physician Colonel Kevin O'Connor.

Results of the exam have not yet been released, but are expected later Thursday.

Some experts, however, are concerned that the results of his physical will be 'sugar coated,' and won't address some real concerns regarding his cognition and memory.

Democrats are also expressing increased anxiety and worry about their leader's age, but are also concerned about Harris becoming the nominee in 2024 without any other clear alternative.

Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, and if he wins another term would be 82 at the time of his second inauguration.

Newly announced 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley is demanding that all politicians over the age of 75 be required to undergo 'mandatory mental competency tests.'

Texas Representative Ronny Jackson, who served as White House physician under former President Barack Obama and Donald Trump, joined the call, demanding that the evaluation on Thursday also include a cognitive test of Biden.

'The majority of Americans think Biden is cognitively impaired,' Jackson tweeted. 'He MUST get a cognitive exam with today's physical exam, and he must release the FULL RESULTS. We need to know!!'

Biden hopes over a puddle gathered where the grass meets the pavement of the South Lawn driveway after returning from a routine check-up on Thursday

Biden departed for his annual physical at Walter Reed Medical Center on Thursday morning, holding a piece of paper in his left hand

Biden's age and fitness for office are coming under question as he makes history every day as the oldest U.S. president. Pictured: Marine One Departs the White House with Biden on board en route for Walter Reed Medical Center on Thursday

Biden shook hands with Marines as he arrived for his physical in Bethesda, Maryland on Thursday morning

The president will be seen by White House physician Colonel Kevin O'Connor, who also conducted his physical exam and released a statement on the results in November 2021

Questions have emerged both during Trump and Biden's presidency over the two presidents' mental fitness for office, concerns that were only heightened considering they are both senior citizens.

Following a routine medical exam in November 2021, Biden's doctor declared him 'fit for duty' in a press release on the evaluation, which included a colonoscopy and 'extremely detailed neurological exam.'

It was the first public medical report of Biden's presidency and Dr. O'Connor addressed a couple of items that had become topics of public discourse, including his increased coughing and whether his stiff gait was indicative of neurological issues.

'There were no findings that which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder,' the doctor noted at the time.

Democrats remain secretly concerned, but are reluctant to raise questions over Biden's fitness for office.

'Nobody wants to be the one to do something that would undermine the chances of a Democratic victory in 2024,' Minnesota Democratic Representative Dean Phillips told Politico.

'Yet in quiet rooms the conversation is just the opposite  we could be at a higher risk if this path is cleared,' he added.

The physical is being conducted while Vice President Kamala Harris is in Germany for the Munich Security Conference this week

Biden transfers into the Beast to drive to the medical center for his appointment

Biden arrives at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for his annual physical evaluation

A person involved in the annual physical told CNN that concerns over Biden's age had become 'omnipresent.'

One senator said, according to Politico, that few Democrats in the upper chamber want Biden to run again.

But it's unclear who Democrats would want to take his place.

During a news conference of Democratic governors touting 2022 midterm gains, the group grew quiet when asked if they felt Harris should be nominated if Biden decided not to run.

A House member, however, said that Biden should be the nominee and demanded that the reporter list proposals for alternative candidates, insisting that the president's No. 2 is not an option.

Biden, who hasn't officially said if he will run for reelection yet, is said to be eyeing an April announcement, which is the same month he unveiled his bid for the 2020 presidential election.

Phillips claims that most Democrats are worried about speaking out against the current president making a bid for a second term, claiming they are more concerned with damaging their own careers in politics by going against Biden.

'It's fear, plain and simple,' Phillips said about the lack of Democratic officials calling for a new nominee and other potential candidates steering clear of a bid.

'People are focused on self-preservation and their aspirations,' he explained.

'He's a president of great competence and success, I admire the heck out of President Biden,' Phillips said. 'And if he were 15-20 years younger it would be a no-brainer to nominate him, but considering his age it's absurd we're not promoting competition but trying to extinguish it.'

Texas Representative Ronny Jackson, former presidential physician, demanded that Biden receive a cognitive evaluation along with his physical on Thursday

Biden holds onto the pole of the awning as he exits the White House, ahead of his physical on Thursday morning

Biden waves as he leaves the White House for his annual physical on Thursday morning

Representative Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, said that his colleagues are too worried about self-preservation and their political future to speak out against Biden's potential reelection bid

The only other Democratic lawmaker willing to publicly call for a new nominee in 2024 is Phillips's fellow Minnesotan Representative Angie Craig.

'I said it, I still believe it, but if the president chooses to run again I'll respect that decision and I'll support him,' Craig said, according to Politico.

Democrats, according to the CNN report, have increased anxiety that Trump, even though only a few years younger, will come off as more energetic by keeping with the pace of two or three events every day.

More than a dozen Democratic operatives expressed this feeling, including prominent figures within the party privately questioning Biden's ability to keep up with an aggressive campaign travel schedule.

If Biden wins a second term, he will leave office at the age of 86.

Trump announced his candidacy for a second non-consecutive term in mid-November. The ex-president's once Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced on Tuesday her candidacy for the White House.

Haley and Trump are the only two major Republicans who have officially launched their candidacy for 2024.
It comes a day after two open letters signed by hundreds of Times staff and celebs accused the paper of anti-trans bias

Piece by Pamela Paul asserts 'nothing Rowling has said qualifies as transphobic'

Times published an op-ed saying abuse of Rowling for her trans views is 'absurd'

The New York Times has published an op-ed in support of J.K. Rowling's views on transgender issues a day after two open letters signed by hundreds of its own staff and celebrities accused the paper of anti-trans 'bias'.

A piece from Pamela Paul, an opinion columnist, called the abuse faced by Rowling 'absurd' and asserted that 'nothing Rowling has said qualifies as transphobic'.

In the piece published on Thursday morning, Paul writes: 'If more people stood up for J.K. Rowling, they would not only be doing right by her; they'd also be standing up for human rights, specifically women's rights, gay rights and, yes, transgender rights. They'd also be standing up for the truth.'

The piece published on Thursday came 24 hours after two open letters were sent to the Times criticizing its coverage of trans issues.

The Times issued a response defending its journalism, and its subsequent decision to publish the pro-Rowling piece indicates the paper has not been deterred from sharing a range of views in the debate.

The New York Times published an op-ed in defense of J.K. Rowling's trans views a day after two open letters, signed by celebrities, campaign groups and hundreds of the paper's own writers, accused the paper of bias in its reporting of trans issues

An op-ed by Pamela Paul (pictured right) in support of J.K. Rowling was published by the New York Times a day after two open letters criticized the paper's coverage of trans issues. Pictured left, a billboard van parked outside the Times' office by GLAAD, which sent one of the letters

Paul refers to the new 'The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling' podcast by Megan Phelps-Roper - a former member of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church - based on nine hours of interviews with Rowling which explore her views and the backlash faced by the author.

The op-ed states: 'As Rowling herself notes on the podcast, she's written books where "from the very first page, bullying and authoritarian behavior is held to be one of the worst of human ills".

'Those who accuse Rowling of punching down against her critics ignore the fact that she is sticking up for those who have silenced themselves to avoid the job loss, public vilification and threats to physical safety that other critics of recent gender orthodoxies have suffered.'

A day earlier, a letter signed by 170 staff and contributors to Philip B. Corbett, associate managing editor for standards at the Times, accused the paper of 'editorial bias in [its] reporting on transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people'.

The signatories claim 'the Times has in recent years treated gender diversity with an eerily familiar mix of pseudoscience and euphemistic, charged language, while publishing reporting on trans children that omits relevant information about its sources'.

British actress Jameela Jamil was among the co-signatories of a a letter published by GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy organization, which accused the Times of 'irresponsible, biased coverage of transgender people'. A second letter was also sent on Thursday by Times staff and contributors, expressing similar views

Actress Gabrielle Union also co-signed the letter sent by GLAAD, which accused the Times of 'biased coverage' of transgender people

The New York Times was accused by 170 of its own writers and contributors of a 'bias' approach to reporting on the debate around trans rights

The litany of complaints include using sources linked to 'anti-trans hate groups' and the paper's historical approaches to reporting LGBTQ issues.

A second letter published on Wednesday by GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy organization, which is signed by celebrities and activists, further accused the Times of 'irresponsible, biased coverage of transgender people'.

Paul's op-ed refers to a new podcast by Megan Phelps-Roper (pictured) - a former member of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church - in which Rowling discusses her views and the backlash faced by the author

The letter states: 'It is appalling that the Times would dedicate so many resources and pages to platforming the voices of extremist anti-LGBTQ activists who have built their careers on denigrating and dehumanizing LGBTQ people, especially transgender people.'

Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesman for the Times, said its stories on the subject, including several cited in the open letters, were reported 'deeply and empathetically', adding: 'Our journalism strives to explore, interrogate and reflect the experiences, ideas and debates in society  to help readers understand them. Our reporting did exactly that and we're proud of it.'

GLAAD has repeatedly criticized J.K. Rowling's contributions to the debate around trans rights, including the Harry Potter author's support for single-sex spaces for biological women.

The organization's 'accountability project' has a page dedicated to what it describes as Rowling's 'anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and discriminatory actions'.

Signatories of the GLAAD letter include a string of campaign groups, along with celebrities including Jameela Jamil, Gabrielle Union, Judd Apatow and Tommy Dorfman.

The other letter was signed by Times writers and contributors including whistleblower Chelsea Manning, who is trans, culture reporter David Itzkoff and actress Cynthia Nixon.
Spanish women are the first in Europe to be able to take time off work for severe period pain after legislation was passed to allow the additional sick leave.

The law, which passed by 185 votes in favour to 154 against, is aimed at breaking a taboo on the subject, the government said.

Menstrual leave is currently offered only in a small number of countries around the world, including Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.

'It is a historic day for feminist progress,' Equality Minister Irene Montero tweeted ahead of votes on a number of feminist-inspired pieces of legislation.

The law entitles workers experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need, with the state social security system - not employers - picking up the tab for the sick leave.

As with paid leave for other health reasons, a doctor must approve the temporary medical incapacity.

Spanish government is due to pass new reproductive health measures, one of which is aimed at allowing women time off work when experiencing menstrual pain for up to three days

Minister for Equality Irene Montero said it was a 'historic day in the progress of feminist rights' as a number of laws were passed

The length of sick leave that doctors will be able to grant to women suffering from painful periods has not been specified in the new law.

About a third of women who menstruate suffer from severe pain, according to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society.

Which countries offer period leave? Indonesia: Two days per cycle Japan: As long as the person needs, but unpaid South Korea: One day a month, but unpaid Taiwan: Three days a year, but no more than one day in a single month Zambia: One day a month, known as 'Mother's Day' Some companies in other countries, including France and Australia, offer menstrual days as perks for employees. Advertisement

The measure has created divisions among both politicians and unions, with the UGT, one of Spain's largest trade unions, warning it could stigmatise women in the workplace and favour the recruitment of men.

The main opposition, conservative Popular Party (PP), also warned the law risks 'stigmatising' women and could have 'negative consequences in the labour market' for them.

'Menstrual leave' is one of the key measures in the broader legislation, which also provides for increased access to abortion in public hospitals.

Less than 15 per cent of abortions performed in the country take place in such institutions, mainly because of conscientious objections by doctors.

The new law also allows minors to have abortions without parental permission at 16 and 17 years of age, reversing a requirement introduced by a previous conservative government in 2015.

It was introduced on March 3, 2022 and former Minister for Equality Angela Rodriguez said it was past time for a discussion on reproductive health.

'The rights related to menstrual health have never been discussed and the data is chilling,' Rodriguez told El Periodico.

'One in four women cannot choose the feminine hygiene products she wants to buy for financial reasons. That is why we propose that they can be dispensed free of charge in educational and social centres.'

Spain, a European leader in women's rights, decriminalised abortion in 1985.

In 2010, it passed a law that allows women to opt freely for abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in most cases.
Rescuers carry Fatma, 15, after being rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey Feb. 14. Reuters-Yonhap



Two women were pulled from the rubble in Turkey's southern city of Kahramanmaras and a mother and two children were rescued from the city of Antakya on Wednesday, as rescue efforts shifted to getting relief to survivors nine days after a deadly earthquake.



Rescuers could be seen applauding and embracing each other as an ambulance carried away a 74-year-old woman rescued in Kahramanmaras, and earlier in the day, a 46-year-old woman was rescued in the same city, close to the epicenter of the quake.



Later on Wednesday a woman named Ela and her children Meysam and Ali were pulled from the rubble of an apartment block in Antakya, 228 hours after the earthquake, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.



The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has climbed to more than 41,000, and millions are in need of humanitarian aid, with many survivors having been left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures. Rescues are now few and far between.



Focus has shifted to supporting survivors and with much of the region's sanitation infrastructure damaged or rendered inoperable by the earthquakes, health authorities face a daunting task in trying to ensure that people now remain disease-free.



The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it was particularly concerned by the welfare of people in northwestern Syria, a rebel-held region with little access to aid. It asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to open more border crossing points with Turkey to allow aid to get through.



The stories of how people survived for days buried under the rubble also began to emerge.



Huseyin Berber, a 62-year-old diabetic, survived 187 hours after the collapsing walls of his groundfloor were propped up by a fridge and a cabinet, leaving him an armchair to sit in and a rug to keep him warm.





A woman sits next to bodies that were pulled from the rubble of a destroyed building in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 15. AP-Yonhap



He had a single bottle of water, and when that ran out, drank his own urine, he said from a bed in Mersin City Hospital.



"I shouted, shouted and shouted. No one was hearing me. I shouted so much that my throat hurt... Someone reached their hand out and it met with my hand. They pulled me out from there. The hole I got out from was very small. That scared me a bit."



In Kahramanmaras, homeless families slept in tents set up on the field and running track of the city's stadium.



In one tent, 28-year-old Hatice Kavakdali clutched a grey teddy bear.



"I can't put the experience we had into words. It was so terrifying and I am still feeling the pain of that," she said. "I lost consciousness after the quake and I am still recovering. I couldn't remember my family or how we got out of the house."



Others worried about the lack of sanitation.



"We haven't been able to rinse off since the earthquake," said Mohammad Emin, a 21-year-old graphic design student.




Ryan Seacrest announced this morning that he is stepping down from hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years.

Seacrest, 48, will stay on the ABC show until the spring. He will be replaced by Ripa's actor husband, Mark Consuelos.

Seacrest is moving to Los Angeles, where he will continue hosting American Idol and Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

He did not give any specific reason for his sudden departure on Thursday.

'I made the decision to make this my last season on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Which is bittersweet,' Seacrest said.

A somber Ripa - who has been the show's mainstay since 2001 - clutched his arm and said she 'understood his decision making fully.'

A source close to Ryan told DailyMail.com: 'This decision was difficult to make, but he never planned on doing this for 6 seasons hes ready to explore other opportunities.

Seacrest, 48, will stay on the ABC show until the Spring. He will be replaced by Ripa's actor husband, Mark Consuelos

Seacrest will be replaced by Ripa's actor husband Mark Consuelos

In a statement, executive producer Michael Gelman said: 'Goodbyes are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan back regularly with open arms.

'As a fan-favorite guest host for years, Mark is no stranger to the Live family.

'Having him join the show is so special for us and were sure that viewers will feel the same.'

Seacrest joined the show in 2017 on a contract to host for three years. He stayed for six.

In an Instagram post shortly after the announcement, he said: 'Im going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share.

'When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season.

'Ive been grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers everyday, one of the best parts of the gig.'

Ripa is the mainstay of the show. She was first joined by Regis Philbin from 2001 to 2011, then Michael Strahan from 2012 until 2016.

Seacrest joined the show in 2017, taking over from Michael Strahan, whose departure 'blindsided' Kelly

The TV personalities posted Instagram tributes shortly after the on-air announcement. Seacrest did not give a reason for the departure

Seacrest with girlfriend Aubrey Paige in New York City in October

She was blindsided by Strahan's departure in 2016 and only learned of it when he announced it on-air.

Strahan left the show for a coveted seat on Good Morning America.

The pair have both spoken openly of their tense working relationship.

'I get it. Were excited for Michael. He wanted that job, and its great for him. I think it is a perfect match, I really do.

'However, what nobody considered is theres a whole other group of people that it really impacts, because we have to now find another great person,' she told People in 2016.

Separately, Michael told The New York Times of 'behind-the-scenes' tension.

Consuelos has hosted with Ripa several times in the past

Kelly joined the show in 2001, joining long-time host Regis Philbin

After Philbin's departure, Kelly was joined by Michael Strahan. In 2016, she was however left 'blindsided' by his on-air resignation. He left the show for a coveted seat on Good Morning America

'I remained the same person I was from Day 1. One thing I will not do is alter my attitude for somebody elses. I learned so much from Kelly, so much from [executive producer] Michael Gelman.

'When it was time to go, it was time to go. Certain things that were going on behind the scenes just caught up.

'It could have been handled better. I didnt wake up and say, I want a job at G.M.A. I was asked to do it by the people who run the network. It was really not a choice. It was a request. But it was treated as if I was the guy who walked in and said, Im leaving. That part was totally misconstrued, mishandled in every way.'

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos met on the set of All My Children in 1995. They married the following year and have been together ever since

Ripa and Consuelos with their three children, Michael, 25, Lola, 21, and Joaquin, 19

The show - the highest rated in daytime television - launched in 1983 as The Morning Show, with Regis Philbin hosting alongside Cyndy Garvey.

It rebranded as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1988, with Kathie Lee Gifford replacing Ann Abernathy.

They hosted together 2000, when Lee Gifford quit amid a swathe of scandals surrounding her marriage.

Regis hosted solo for a year, then was joined by Ripa - a former actress - in 2001.

Live with Kelly and Mark, as it will be known, returns the show to its original concept - a husband and wife, drinking coffee on-air and casually discussing family issues.

Consuelos is best know for his roles in All My Children, where he met Ripa, and Riverdale.

He and Ripa have been married since 1996.
IRS chief nominee Daniel Werfel insisted the IRS won't be increasing the audit rate on those making under $400,000 in response to a harsh line of questioning from Senate Republicans.

Werfel insisted that regaining taxpayers' trust and improving customer service would be top priorities, at a time when critics are concerned the agency could use its new $80 billion cash infusion to audit middle- and low-income people.

'If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, the audit and compliance priorities will be focused on enhancing IRS' capabilities to ensure that America's highest earners comply with applicable tax law,' Werfel said before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.

'Also front and center will be efforts to modernize and dramatically improve taxpayer service. If confirmed, I will lead these efforts in close collaboration with this committee and will be unyielding in following my 'true north' -- to increase the public trust, unheralded effective implementation of our taxes and do anything necessary to fund critical government services,' he added.

IRS chief nominee Daniel Werfel insisted the IRS won't be increasing the audit rate on those making under $400,00 in response to a harsh line of questioning from Senate Republicans

Werfel also made clear that he would follow the Biden administration's commitment to ensure racial discrimination does not play into how the tax code is enforced, after a report showing black taxpayers were three times as likely to be audited as other taxpayers.

'If poor people are more likely to be audited than wealthy, that is something that I think potentially degrades public trust and needs to be addressed within the tax system,' Werfel said.

Werfel, a business consultant who has served in both the Bush and Obama administrations, has now been nominated to serve in what Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., described as one of the 'least popular jobs in town' at a politically fraught time for the agency.

Biden tapped Werfel to steer the nation's tax collecting agency at a time when it will be tasked with hiring 86,000 new agents with its $80 billion in funding, much to the ire of Republicans.

House Republicans started off their new majority by passing a bill that would claw back the $80 billion, though it's unlikely to pass the Senate and make its way to the president's desk.

Werfel, a business consultant who has served in both the Bush and Obama administrations, has now been nominated to serve in what Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., described as one of the 'least popular jobs in town' at a politically fraught time for the agency

Werfel pushed back against the idea that the agency would use the money to drum up a band of heavily armed law enforcement officers.

'I think the notion of armed agents is incorrect,' he said. 'I certainly would have no intention of making that part of any plan going forward.'

The Treasury Department has said with the new funding audit rates would not rise 'relative to recent years' but did not specify what recent years it was referring to.

The IRS has already began requiring Americans to report third-party transactions on apps like PayPal and Venmo if they exceed $600. The earnings were already taxable, so the law is aimed at codifying how they are reported to crack down on fraud.

The agency also proposed a new rule last week that would crack down on taxing the service industry's tips.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, top Republican on the Finance Committee, expressed more concerns about 'waste' of the new funding.

'Sending the I.R.S. on an unchecked spending binge has no intrinsic value,' he said, 'unless there are outsized results to match the gargantuan investment, the I.R.S.'s supplemental billions will simply become another example of government waste.'

Werfel temporarily led the IRS in 2013 under President Obama, driving the agency out of a controversy where it admitted to targeting conservative groups that applied for tax-exempt status.

It admitted to singling out words like 'Tea Party' and 'patriot' and scrutinizing whether such groups were engaging in social welfare, which would grant them tax-exempt status, or might be political organizations instead.

He had previously led the Office of Management and Budget under President Bush.

'So you thought you were in the fire last time you walked into the I.R.S.,' said Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma. 'You've got a lot that's on your plate this time.'
In one exchange Staley wrote to Epstein: 'That was fun. Say hi to Snow White'

Staley was forced out of his role as Barclays boss in 2021 over his links to Epstein

The former boss of Barclays made suggestive references to Disney princesses in emails to Jeffrey Epstein, court documents revealed last night.

Jes Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with convicted pedophile Epstein as part of what the former referred to as a 'profound' friendship.

The emails have come to light in a case filed against JP Morgan bank by the government of the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a private island.

Mr Staley, 66, was chief executive of JP Morgan's exclusive private bank, which counted Epstein as a client, until 2013.

He became head of Barclays in 2015 and was forced out in 2021 over his links to Epstein.

Between 2008 and 2012, Mr Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JP Morgan email account, it is claimed. Pictured: Staley at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit in New York, October 10, 2019

In another email, Epstein sent Mr Staley photos of a young woman in a 'seductive pose', according to US court documents. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein at Hotel QT in New York City, May 18, 2005

In one exchange Mr Staley, is said to have written 'say hi to Snow White' and asked if 'Beauty and the Beast' was free

According to the lawsuit, JP Morgan turned a blind eye to Epstein's sex trafficking and enabled it by allowing Epstein and his co-conspirators to retain bank accounts.

Between 2008 and 2012, Mr Staley exchanged around 1,200 emails with Epstein from his JP Morgan email account, it is claimed.

These communications show a 'close personal relationship and 'profound' friendship between the two men and even suggest that Staley may have been involved in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation', the documents state.

In one exchange Mr Staley, is said to have written 'say hi to Snow White' and asked if 'Beauty and the Beast' was free.

Epstein replied: 'Well, one side is available', apparently referring to Beauty.

In another email, Epstein sent Mr Staley photos of a young woman in a 'seductive pose', according to US court documents.

The cache of messages reveal that 'Staley corresponded with Epstein while Epstein was incarcerated' for 15 months for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution.

Mr Staley 'visited Epstein's Virgin Islands residence on multiple occasions' and 'Epstein even advised Staley in connection with Staley's salary negotiations at JP Morgan in July of 2008'.

These communications show a 'close personal relationship and 'profound' friendship between the two men and even suggest that Staley (pictured) may have been involved in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation', the documents state

Mr Staley 'visited Epstein's Virgin Islands residence (pictured) on multiple occasions' and 'Epstein even advised Staley in connection with Staley's salary negotiations at JP Morgan in July of 2008'

The emails have come to light in a case filed against JP Morgan bank by the government of the US Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a private island. Pictured: Little St. James Island, owned by Jeffrey Epstein, seen in an aerial view, July 21, 2019

In August 2009 Mr Staley emailed Epstein saying he would be in London and the paedophile asked if he needed anything. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell in New York City, March 15, 2005

On November 1st 2009, while Epstein was still in prison for having sex with underage girls, Mr Staley emailed him while staying on his Caribbean island.

He wrote: 'So when all hell breaks lo[o]se, and the world is crumbling, I will come here, and be at peace.

Emails between Jes Staley to Jeffrey Epstein November 1st 2009 Mr Staley is on Epsteins Caribbean island. He writes: So when all hell breaks lo[o]se, and the world is crumbling, I will come here, and be at peace. Presently, Im in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, were here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound. December 4, 2009 Mr Staley to Epstein: I realise the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug. Epstein: You were with Larry and I had to put up with. (picture of young woman attached) Mr Staley: Dont tell me, a French wine. July 2010 Mr Staley to Epstein: That was fun. Say hi to Snow White. Epstein: (W)hat character would you like next? Mr Staley: Beauty and the Beast Epstein: Well one side is available Advertisement

'Presently, I'm in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, we're here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound.'

On December 4, 2009, Mr Staley told Epstein via email: 'I realise the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug'.

The next day, Epstein wrote to Mr Staley: 'You were with Larry, and I had to put up with ...' and attached a picture of a young woman, which is redacted in the court document.

Mr Staley responded: 'Don't tell me, a French wine.'

Epstein replied: 'Always thoughts of alcohol.'

According to the court documents, On December 20, 2009, Epstein sent an email to Mr Staley that was blank except for a picture of a young woman - this was also redacted.

On January 15, 2010, Mr Staley emailed Epstein, saying he had arrived at his island, adding: 'Someday, we have to do this together.'

Among the other emails was one sent in July 2010 from Mr Staley to Epstein.

It read: 'Maybe they're tracking u? That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.'

Epstein responded: '(W)hat character would you like next?'

When Mr Staley said 'Beauty and the Beast', Epstein replied: 'Well one side is available.'

According to the lawsuit, on December 30 2008 Mr Staley emailed Epstein about visiting his home in Palm Beach, Florida.

They agreed Mr Staley would come in January 2009 and around the time of his visit, Epstein wired $2,000 (1,600) to a woman with an 'Eastern European surname', it is claimed.

In another email, Epstein sent Mr Staley photos of a young woman in a 'seductive pose', according to US court documents. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017

Jes Staley, then CEO of Barclays bank, attends the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 20, 2017

In August 2009 Mr Staley emailed Epstein saying he would be in London and the pedophile asked if he needed anything.

Mr Staley replied: 'Yep'. That month Epstein wired $3,000 (2,500) to the same Eastern European woman.

JP Morgan has called the lawsuit a 'masterclass in deflection' because the USVI government did nothing to stop Epstein's abuse of underage girls.

Mr Staley's lawyer told the Financial Times that his emails with Epstein were 'innocuous' and that they were not using 'code words'.

His representatives have previously said he had no involvement or knowledge in any of Epstein's crimes.
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley have committed 'major failings' in their hunt for the missing mother, the country's best-known independent criminal investigator has claimed.

In a scathing attack, Mark Williams-Thomas said Lancashire Police's media strategy is 'totally wrong' in the probe into the mortgage adviser's disappearance while out walking her dog three weeks ago.

Mr Williams-Thomas, who exposed the crimes of Jimmy Savile and investigated the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, criticised their decision to initially withhold details of the missing mother's vulnerable state which seriously hampered the search.

He claimed the force then left her family in turmoil by revealing information about her 'alcohol issues' after interest in the case had been allowed to mushroom.

Speaking on the riverbank in St Michaels on Wyre, close to where Ms Bulley, 45, was last seen on January 27, Mr Williams-Thomas told MailOnline: 'They [Lancashire Police] got their media strategy totally wrong.

'The family are now in turmoil. The last 24 hours have been horrific because the police decided yesterday to release that she was a high-risk missing person. Their performance yesterday was shocking.'

Ms Bulley liked to walk her beloved dog Willow along the river each day

Mark Williams-Thomas at the bench where Nicola Bulley was last seen three weeks ago

The ex-detective went on: 'Not only in the fact that [they said] she was a high-risk missing person in the press conference and then refused to explain what that was about.

'How did they think that they could release a piece of information like that and journalists and investigators weren't going to say, what are you talking about?'

Mr Williams-Thomas, a former Surrey Police detective, said Lancashire Police only revealed details of Nicola's vulnerability after he told them he had information about police having being called to her home just weeks before she went missing.

He said: 'They have acknowledged they've made major failings. And I know that because I've spoken to them in the police press department and they acknowledge that.'

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police gives a press conference at Lancashire Police HQ on February 15

Ms Bulley's long-term partner Paul Ansell sat down for a TV interview with Channel 5's Dan Walker

'When I spoke to the police early yesterday before lunch and I said to them: "Listen, I have information that something has gone on in the family... there have been emergency services called at the address, what are you going to do about it? Can you please confirm if that's true or not?"

Two people are arrested for sending local councillors 'malicious' messages about Nicola Bulley search Two people have been arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications over the disappearance of Nicola Bulley. Lancashire Police said it received reports over the weekend of messages being sent to Wyre Council members. A 49-year-old man from Manchester and a 20-year-old woman from Oldham have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences. A 49-year-old man, of Manchester, and 20-year-old Oldham woman were arrested for messages sent to Wyre Council (pictured) members over the weekend The man has been bailed pending further inquiries until May 12 while the woman remains in custody. On Monday, Wyre Council removed councillors' contact details from its website due to 'inappropriate emails and phone calls' about Ms Bulley's disappearance. It said it had temporarily removed contact details for 'parish and town council members' after Lancashire Police confirmed its investigation. Advertisement

'And as a result of that, they then in the early evening released information that there have been issues in Nicola's life.'

Mr Williams-Thomas, who has been involved with a number of high-profile missing persons investigations including the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, criticised the investigation from the outset.

He went on: 'There is no doubt that right from the beginning [the police's] strategy was to deal with this as a high-risk missing person and as a result they didn't treat this [the river bank area] as a crime scene.

'What they looked at was trying to find her as quickly as possible. And their theory quite clearly was that she ended up in the water, either voluntarily or by accident.

'And no one is really speaking about it but very clearly, because of her high-risk status, they thought that she might have taken her own life.

'The reality is though - could she have gone in this water and committed suicide?

'And what I would say is that is almost impossible.

'How did she end up at a depth in the middle where she could end up dying? Because if she had come down the side [of the river by the bank], it's so shallow she couldn't have died.'

Mr Williams-Thomas, who travelled to the town earlier this week dismayed by following the case via the media, went on: 'Nicola's vulnerability has now become a major issue and it's very detrimental to the family - the family are now in turmoil.

'The last 24 hours have been horrific for them because the police decided yesterday to release that she was a high risk mis-per [term for missing person].

'Why they decided to do it at that point I really don't know.

'What they should have done is done it on day one - get rid of all the speculation, dealt with it, and have had a very clear strategy.

'Nicola has issues in her life - we all have issues in our lives - but that doesn't mean she's any less vulnerable than anyone else in terms of [being abducted by] third parties.'

Officers seen by the river today as they continued their search for missing Ms Bulley

He said: 'What's really important to remember is that Nicola is still missing. What we need to do is find her.'

Mr Williams-Thomas, who has a TrueCrime podcast, reiterated that there remained three possibilities of what happened to her.

He told MailOnline: 'There are three hypotheses as to what happened to Nicola.

'The first is that she ended up in the water - which of course has been the police's main hypothesis. But there are two others. The second is that she left the area voluntarily, on her own, for whatever reason. The third, and most sinister, is that there was the involvement of a third party.'

The decision to make public details of Ms Bulley's issues with alcohol and the menopause have been publicly criticised by people across the political spectrum including Labour MP Stella Creasy and Mail columnist Sarah Vine.
Read more: Hero from London Bridge attack might be a saint after rule change

Pope said papal resignations should not become the norm after Benedict XVI

Pope Francis has said quitting is 'not on my agenda' after admitting writing a resignation letter in case of severe illness.

But the resignation of a pope should not become the norm within the Catholic Church, the 86-year-old pontiff added.

Francis has been suffering with knee problems in recent months and has been regularly pictured in a wheelchair.

He gained the headship of the Catholic Church after the resignation of Benedict XVI in 2013 due to his predecessor's 'advanced age'.

But despite his own health concerns, the Pope said he believes the Catholic office is one a person should hold for life and cited 'historical traditions'.

Pope Francis, 86, revealed that soon after his election in 2013 he submitted a resignation letter that would take effect should illness prevent him from fulfilling his duties

Pope Francis (pictured on December 3) has used a cane during recent public appearances after a several months in a wheelchair due to knee issues

Pope Francis said he had written a resignation letter two months after becoming pope in 2013 in case of future health problems.

'However, this does not at all mean that resigning popes should become, let's say, a 'fashion', a normal thing,' said Francis in an interview in the magazine Civilta Cattolica.

The Pope made the comments on February 2 during a question and answer session with 82 Jesuits as part of his recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Francis cited the surprise resignation in 2013 of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who 'had the courage to do it because he did not feel up to continuing due to his health'.

'I, for the moment, do not have that on my agenda. I believe that the pope's ministry is "ad vitam" [Latin for 'for life'],' Francis said, adding that 'historical tradition' was important.

Francis has previously acknowledged that he could step down should his health require it.

Pope Francis (left) became the Bishop of Rome after the surprise resignation in 2013 of his predecessor, Benedict XVI (right)

In December, the Pope said: 'In practice there is already a rule. I have already signed my renunciation.'

'I signed it and said, "If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my resignation. Here you have it,"' he said, referring to Cardinal Bertone, to whom the letter was given.

His recent health problems have only fuelled speculation he may resign at some point. Francis made reference to that speculation in the interview.

'If, on the other hand, we are listening to the "chatter", well, then we should change popes every six months!'
Protesters waving signs saying 'Not my King' disrupted King Charles's visit to Milton Keynes today to mark its newly-granted city status.

The protest was organised by Republic, a group that advocates for an elected head of state, which gathered around 20 protesters amongst hundreds of well-wishers.

Videos show enthusiastic crowds cheering the King as he arrived at the city's Church of Christ the Cornerstone, with a few boos and jeers from the activists.

Waving to the crowd, Charles, 74, approaches and begins shaking hands with them, while some sing 'God Save the King'.

Charles was to be joined on the Buckinghamshire visit by Queen Consort Camilla, 75, but she pulled out after testing positive for Covid.

A member of the public presented the King with flowers, wishing Camilla the best.

King Charles III arrives at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes to celebrate Milton Keynes' new status as a city

Republic, a group which advocates for an elected head of state, is staging the protest in Buckinghamshire

King Charles III arrives at Church of Christ the Cornerstone for a reception with members of the local community and organisations on February 16

Republic wrote on Twitter today: 'We're off to Milton Keynes today, to ask the King some questions. You can join the protest at the Church of Christ Cornerstone.'

In a short video on Twitter the King, flanked by his imposing security detail, arrives at the church in Milton Keynes.

As he turns the corner, he is greeted by a large crowd of people  some holding Union flags.

Waving to the crowd, the King approaches and begins shaking hands while some sing 'God Save the King'.

Towards the back, four people holding large yellow 'Not My King' signs are seen.

Neither acknowledging them or reacting to the message, the King finishes greeting members of the public and heads into the church.

Republic had previously said it was concerned by the prospect of police harassment at royal events.

King Charles III speaks to members of the public as he arrives for a reception with members of the local community and organisations at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, as he visits Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to celebrate its new status as a city

Many children has been taken to the meet-and-greet to try and get close to the King

However other people came to the church to hold signs reading 'Not my King'

The King ignored the anti-monarchy protesters on his walkabout in Milton Keynes today

King Charles III speaks to members of the public as he arrives for a reception with members of the local community and organisations at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone

A spokesman told the Daily Express: 'Republic is concerned about recent police harassment of peaceful protesters at royal events.

'We're determined to get the message across that it's OK to protest against the royals. Instead of a pointless coronation, we need a serious public debate.

'We believe the British public should be asked  do you want Charles or a choice?

'The tide is starting to turn against the monarchy and we need a serious debate about its future.'

Social media reaction to the stunt was lukewarm, with many questioning the point of the protest. One said: 'Those protestors are so sad.'

Another added: 'Love his unbotheredness walking right up to the crowd with the 'Not My King' signs to greet them!'

'He's an old pro.. that's the way to deal with them', said a third user.

There was massive excitement when King Charles' royal car arrived

Many children sat on their parents shoulders to get a good view of the King

The King has come to Milton Keynes to attend a ceremony where it will obtain city status

The Church of Christ Cornerstone was covered in Union flags

Hundreds of people had gathered in the Union flag-covered car park to see the new King, who took his time to meet as many as he could.

It was a busy afternoon for the monarch, who was presented with flowers by a well-wisher who asked him if Camilla was feeling better.

The Queen Consort had tested positive for Covid after suffering from cold symptoms and was forced to cancel a West Midlands visit.

In a sweet video, Charles can be seen graciously accepting the gift and exchanging a few words with the woman.

Many praised the King's people skills which could be seen in videos shared on social media. One said: 'King Charles is getting wonderful reception wherever he goes.'

Another user commented: 'King Charles is always a big deal. Love the energy in the crowds.'

Milton Keynes will be officially given city status today in a ceremony after it was granted in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last May.

The area is home to around 280,000 people and had previously failed to become a city in 2000, 2002 and 2012.
A letter posted just before the Battle of the Somme by the daughter of a wealthy merchant has finally been delivered.

The envelope, which has a Bath postmark and a 1p stamp bearing King George V's head, arrived at Finlay Glen's flat in Crystal Palace, London two years ago - more than a century after it was first posted in 1916.

Theatre director Mr Glen, who is the son of actor Iain Glen, said: 'We were obviously pretty surprised and mystified as to how it could have been sat around for more than 100 years.'

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said it remained 'uncertain what happened in this instance'.

The letter was sent three months before the start of the battle, when King George V had been on the throne for five years. Future British Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Sir Edward Heath were both born later that year.

Although it is a crime to open mail not addressed to you under the Postal Services Act 2000, the theatre director said he felt it was 'fair game' to open once he realised it was from 1916.

A letter written just before the Battle of the Somme has arrived more than 100 years later

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: 'Incidents like this happen very occasionally, and we are uncertain what happened in this instance'

The 27-year-old added: 'If I've committed a crime, I can only apologise.'

The letter was written to 'my dear Katie', the wife of local stamp magnate Oswald Marsh, according to Stephen Oxford, editor of the Norwood Review, a quarterly local history magazine.

Oswald Marsh was a highly regarded stamp dealer who was often called as an expert witness in cases of stamp fraud. It was penned by family friend Christabel Mennell, the daughter of a wealthy local tea merchant Henry Tuke Mennell, while on holiday in Bath.

Most of the letter is difficult to read, but she said she had been feeling 'miserable here with a very heavy cold'.

The letter has the 'return' address of Lansdowne Grove House in Bath, a hotel which once had a sanatorium and hospital in the grounds.

In the letter, Ms Mennel stated she felt 'quite ashamed of myself after saying what I did', and that she had been feeling 'miserable here with a very heavy cold'.

The envelope, with a Bath, Somerset postmark and a 1p stamp bearing George V's head arrived at Finlay Glen's flat

The letter was sent three months before the start of the battle, when King George V had been on the throne for five years

Stephen Oxford at the Norwood Society has been looking into the letter and believes it may have been sitting in the Sydenham sorting office all those years.

He said: 'The letter delivered recently to Oswald Marsh's mother, once of Hamlet Road, Crystal Palace, has a fascinating story to tell about Oswald. He was a very successful Norwood entrepreneur - a stamp dealer who lived in a series of houses in the area.

'As a local historian I was amazed and delighted to have the details of the letter passed to me and excited to find out more about Oswald Marsh and what he was up to just down the road from me in Upper Norwood.

'The letter may well have been lost sitting in a dark corner in the Sydenham sorting office and only recently discovered.

'We will be publishing a detailed account about the Marsh family in forthcoming edition of our quarterly magazine The Norwood Review.

'It's very unusual and actually quite exciting in terms of giving us a lead into local history and people who lived in Norwood, which was a very popular place for the upper middle classes in the late 1800s.

'Crystal Palace generated a huge influx of very wealthy people and so to find out about someone who moved to the area for possibly that very reason is absolutely fascinating.'

Asked what he would do if the relatives of the sender or recipient got in touch, Mr Glen replied: 'It's an amazing piece of their family history that has turned up - if they want to, they can come round.'

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: 'Incidents like this happen very occasionally, and we are uncertain what happened in this instance.

'We appreciate that people will be intrigued by the history of this letter from 1916, but we have no further information on what might have happened.'
A Mexican cartel was dealt a tough blow after soldiers seized two drug-producing laboratories, including one considered to be the biggest in the country.

The Breaking Bad-like super labs were uncovered during separate operations in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, Mexican President Andres Lopez Obrador revealed during a press conference Wednesday.

Soldiers raided Tuesday an indoor meth lab in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, and recovered 100 kilos of methamphetamines.

They also confiscated 28 reactors for the production of the stimulant that comes as a powder or pill.

The lab is believed to the largest ever discovered in Mexico and under the administration of Lopez Obrador.

Mexican soldiers inspect a fentanyl lab that was discovered in Culiacan, Sinaloa, on Tuesday. The government said 128 kilos of granulated fentanyl and 649,138 fentanyl-laced pills were confiscated

Mexican soldiers found 649,138 fentanyl-laced pills at a laboratory in Sinaloa, Mexico, on Tuesday. The government did not say which criminal organization operated the site, but the raid took place in the home state of the Sinaloa Cartel, the powerful transnational drug trafficking network founded by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the bust left the cartel with at least $78 million in losses

The army also located an outdoors fentanyl production center, where the cartel kept 649,138 fentanyl-laced pills in an oversized bucket.

The servicemen also found 128 kilos of granulated fentanyl  enough to produce 128 million deadly doses.

'This is one of the most harmful, destructive (things) that there can be,' Lopez Obrador said. 'This completely alters any (criminal) organization.'

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed details about the historic seizure of more than half million fentanyl pills at one of the two laboratories that were discovered by the military Tuesday

Mexican soldiers guard an outdoors fentanyl production center that was raided in the northwestern city of Culiacan on Tuesday

Containers where synthetic drugs were created by a Mexican cartel in Sinaloa

The historic bust, the leftist president said, left the cartel with at least $78 million in losses.

While its unknown which criminal organization the drugs belonged to, the raid took place in the home turf of the Sinaloa Cartel, the notorious transnational drug trafficking organization founded by Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

Mexican drug cartels produce fentanyl from precursor chemicals shipped from China, and then press it into pills counterfeited to look like Xanax, Percocet or Oxycodone. People often take the pills without knowing they contain fentanyl and can suffer deadly overdoses.

The Mexican military carried out two raids Tuesday where they discovered 100 kilos of methamphetamines, 128 kilos of granulated fentanyl and 649,138 fentanyl-laced pills

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 2022 One Pill Can Kill awareness campaign, six out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

The bust came on the same day that the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the huge number of U.S. fentanyl overdoses that occur annually, currently around 70,000.

The committee's chair, Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, called on Mexico to do more.

'This means asking Mexico to do more to disrupt the criminal organizations from producing and trafficking fentanyl, although a politicized judiciary and incidents of Mexican security forces colluding with drug cartels will make that difficult,' he said.
He has previously argued that the state's incredible lax criminal justice reform law has made New York City a national 'laughingstock'

New York City's shoplifting epidemic is costing low-income retail workers their hourly wages, said Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday.

The mayor's statement was in the context of an endorsement for Governor Kathy Hochul's push to allow judge's a greater amount of discretion when it comes to setting bail amounts of criminal defendants.

Adams addressed the testimony delivered in the state's capital during the annual budget hearing known as 'Tin Cup Day,' when mayors from around the state deliver pitches for allocating resources to their geographic area.

'So, what we can't do it allow repeated offenders to make a mockery of our criminal justice system - and repeatedly,' said Adams

'We're losing chain stores that are closing down. People who are being employed in those stores are losing their jobs,' said Adams. 'They're adding to our unemployment.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul's plan to allow judges more leeway in determining the bail amounts for criminal defendants

Though some crime stats in New York City are down two months into the New Year, robberies continue to surge 6.3 percent. Members of the NY State Assembly shot down Adams and Hochul's proposal to modestly reform the state's bail reform law

Adams had been asked by Staten Island Assemblyman Mike Reilly about solutions to the problems of 'organized retail crime.'

'People who say that we're criminalizing the poor - they're wrong,' continued Adams.

'Poor and low-income New Yorkers are being unemployed because we're losing those businesses in our city.'

The mayor went on to layout the three basic categories of shoplifters plaguing the city.

Those who are 'part of an organized crime ring,' those with substance abuse issues, and 'those who need basic services.'

The first group, said the city leader, should be dealt with by the criminal justice system. Others should be granted deferred prosecution in order to get their underlying problems addressed by social service workers.

The mayor advocated for Hochul's plan to eliminate a provision of New York's controversial 2019 bail reform law that mandates judges impose the 'least restrictive' means of ensuring a defendant returns to court.

Hochul's budget, said Adams, 'rightfully proposes to keep us safer by giving us additional tools to address our recidivist crises.'

'Changes to the 'least restrictive' standard, as the governor has proposed, will go a long way towards solving our recidivist problem.

'This is critical because a disproportionate share of the serious crime in New York City is being driven by a limited number of extreme recidivists - approximately 2,000 people - who commit crime after crime while out on the street on bail,' he said.

In August of last year, the New York Police Department released details on 10 career criminals who have, themselves, racked up a staggering 500 arrests since the much-maligned bail reform law went into effect.

Several of them included two criminals who began racking up arrests just as the bail reform laws became the standard.

One of them was busted 33 times since 2020, the other racked up 22 arrests during the first seven months of 2022 alone.

yA suspected shoplifter is arrested on August 11, 2021 in downtown New York Cit

A man is escorted from a drugstore by police in New York City. Shoppers are seeing more and more empty shelves as companies make the decision to keep slightly more expensive items locked up in the wake of the crime surge

A common site in NYC drug stores these days is common household items being locked up behind plastic cases to prevent petty theft

Leo Pichardo, left, a store associate at Gristedes supermarket, retrieves a container of Tide laundry soap from a locked cabinet, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023, at the store in New York. Increasingly, retailers are locking up more products or increasing the number of security guards at their stores to curtail theft

New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed giving slightly more authority to state judges to determine bail stipulations from criminals who are currently being let back onto the street immediately following their arrests

Over the counter medications are one of the many items that have become less accessible because they're locked up at the drugstore and help from an employee is required, making a household errand that much more cumbersome

Adams has repeatedly pointed toward the justice system's current practice of 'catch, release, repeat' as a main driver of crime in New York City.

Over the summer, Adams blamed the city's criminal justice system for turning the Big Apple into the 'laughingstock of our entire country.'

Unfortunately, Adams' pleas to address the rampant criminal behavior taking place in NYC were thwarted by state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Democrats from Yonkers and the Bronx, respectively.
More than 500 workers are being cut at fashion chain New Look as the jobs bloodbath gripping Britain's high street rages on.

The retailer plans to axe the night shift at the groups warehouse in Lymedale Business Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

It marks the latest in a raft of job losses in the retail sector. It also emerged that more than 400 roles at discount chain Wilko reportedly face the axe, including assistant store managers, retail supervisors, head office managers and call centre workers.

Supermarkets Tesco and Asda have also been among those cutting jobs as a sector-wide cull picks up pace in the face of soaring costs.

More than 500 staff at a New Look warehouse are at risk of redundancy, following the fashion retailer's new plans

The fashion giant is currently in consultation with staff, with redundancies not set to take effect until mid-May

But New Look is hoping to be able to re-employ some of those employees affected as it hires an extra 300 staff on the expanded day shift.

A New Look spokesman said: 'With this shift, it has become increasingly clear that the processes at the distribution centre no longer suit our operational needs. Therefore, we are proposing a necessary change to working hours in the distribution centre, including the removal of the night shift. Regrettably, we expect this will result in a number of redundancies at the site.

'We are focusing on supporting our affected colleagues at this time and we expect to be able to offer a considerable number of these individuals new roles on the day shift.'

The group is now in consultation with staff, with redundancies not set to take effect until mid-May.

New Look also recently revealed it is shutting around seven stores, although it said this was part of normal business, with two also being opened before Christmas.

It emerged on Wednesday that discount chain Wilko is axing jobs  with more than 400 roles reportedly facing being cut.

Tesco has said it will shut counters and hot delis in an overhaul to affect around 2,100 jobs

Discount chain Wilko is axing jobs - with more than 400 roles reportedly facing the axe, it was announced on Wednesday

Asda has also been among those cutting jobs as a sector-wide cull picks up pace in the face of soaring costs

The retailer is now 'in a fight for survival' following a drop in sales.

With around 16,000 staff in the UK employed by Wilko, union representatives are said to be in talks with its bosses in an effort to reduce the number of job losses.

This includes assistant store managers, retail supervisors, head office managers and call centre workers.

Britain's struggling high streets have been dealt another fresh blow as it was tonight announced fashion giant M&Co will shut 170 shops - putting 1,910 jobs at risk

Meanwhile, Tesco has said it will shut its remaining food counters and hot delis in a shake-up that will impact around 2,100 jobs.

Britain's largest supermarket has also announced it will be making a number of changes to store management roles and closing a number of in-shop pharmacies as part of the wide-ranging overhaul.

READ MORE: Stationery chain Paperchase has fallen into administration, risking 820 jobs Advertisement

Meanwhile, Asda has unveiled its new plans that will put nearly 300 jobs at risk and leave thousands potentially facing having their pay reduced.

In January, the chain proposed some overnight stocking shifts at 184 stores are moved to the day period.

This would leave 211 night shift managerial roles at risk.

It was also announced at the start of this month that fashion giant M&Co will shut 170 shops - putting 1,910 jobs at risk.

Several senior staff members at M&Co, including the chief financial officer, left the business last month in a wave of redundancies.

It is understood that, should a buyer not be found for the stores, staff employed at those sites will also face redundancy.

But industry experts have said that M&Co has not attracted high street players such as Frasers, Next and Marks & Spencer who have recently swooped on bust retailers.

And M&Co isn't the only store vanishing from Britain's high streets, as it was announced that Paperchase collapsed into administration.

Tesco has bought the Paperchase brand and intellectual property, but the deal for the business will not include any of the retailer's 106 stores.

Therefore it is expected that the stationary store falling into administration will impact hundreds of jobs.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Sweden's Prime Minister Kristersson following their meeting, in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, Feb. 15. EPA-Yonhap



Ukraine said Wednesday its aerial defense units had detected half a dozen balloons, apparently launched by Russia, over the capital Kyiv and shot most of them down.



Kyiv authorities said the balloons could carry reconnaissance equipment and were launched to "detect and exhaust our air defense forces."



"Most of the probes have been shot down," the city administration said in a statement, adding authorities would carefully examine the debris.



The presence of the balloons in the sky prompted sirens to go off in the Ukrainian capital, which usually happens when missiles are approaching.



Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said that Russia uses balloons to exhaust Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles.



"The Russians will use all available methods of warfare to achieve their goals," he told AFP.



"Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that these devices can conduct some kind of surveillance, so it is important to see what they are and understand them."



Since the start of the Russian invasion last February, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly reported Russian balloons drifting in the country's airspace.



On Tuesday, neighboring Moldova temporarily closed its airspace due to the presence of a flying object resembling a weather balloon amid heightened tensions with Moscow.



The United States has been in a state of alarm since a huge white balloon from China was spotted tracking over a series of top secret nuclear weapons sites, before being shot down off the east coast in early February. (AFP)


Berlarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Belarus would join the offensives in Ukraine 'only if attacked' first by Kyiv's army.

'I'm ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in one case only: if so much as one soldier from (Ukraine) comes to our territory with a gun to kill my people,' the veteran strongman told a rare press conference with foreign journalists in Minsk.

'This applies to our other neighbours,' Lukashenko said. 'If they commit an aggression against Belarus, our response will be the most cruel. The most cruel!'

Minsk allowed the Kremlin to use the country as a launching pad for its military operation against Kyiv last February.

Belarus still hosts an undeclared number of Russian troops but Lukashenko has promised not to send his forces - estimated at between 60,000 and 70,000 - over the southern border to Ukraine.

The Belarusian dictator made the comments in a rare press conference and said he would only intervene militarily if Ukraine soldiers entered his country

Putin last month said he backed plans to set up joint military training centres with Belarus, although Lukashenko said the force is defensive

Minsk allowed the Kremlin to use the country as a launching pad for its military operation against Kyiv last February. Pictured: A Ukrainian serviceman of the 93rd brigade covers his ears while firing a French 120mm rifled towed mortar (designated as a MO-120-RT-61) towards Russian positions in Bakhmut on February 15

Despite Lukashenko's repeated promises, fears have been building that his troops could also intervene.

But the longtime leader said, 'I do not plan to send my people, my soldiers (there),' Lukashenko sad.

Fears have also grown that Belarus could announce a Russian-style mobilisation.

But he did say Minsk was testing some of its mobilisation abilities and was taking into account Russian blunders in their drive.

'It will not be tomorrow. But we need to be ready if anything,' he said.

Lukashenko was due to meet Putin on Friday.

He said the pair would discuss a joint regional force announced in October, that also saw several thousand Russian servicemen arrive in the ex-Soviet nation.

Lukashenko said he had asked Putin for an extra Russian division that would fall under his leadership.

'If there will be aggression, these people would be brought into the Belarusian army.'

He gave no further details.

Putin last month said he backed plans to set up joint military training centres with Belarus.

Lukashenko said the force is purely defensive. The two countries also regularly carry out joint military exercises. It is unknown how many Russian soldiers are stationed in Belarus.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, defended his role a year ago, when Russian troops launched their offensive on Ukraine, including from Belarusian territory.

Lukashenko echoed the Kremlin in saying that Russia was 'forced' to invade Ukraine and blamed Ukraine and the West for the conflict

He echoed the Kremlin in saying that Russia was 'forced' to do so and blamed Ukraine and the West for the conflict.

'Don't forget that Russia is our ally, legally, morally,' he said.

Asked if he could somehow influence the Russian leader, he said:

'If he believes he is right then you can't convince him.'

Lukashenko also hit out at neighbouring Poland and Lithuania - EU members - for closing border crossings with Belarus and vowed retaliation.

'It is an economic provocation,' he said. 'We are forced to respond.'

Warsaw closed the Bobrowniki border checkpoint last week, citing 'growing tensions' with Belarus.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Thursday defended her demand that politicians older than 75, who are past their 'prime,' get mental competency tests.

'When people send someone to Washington, they need to know they're at the top of their game. That's why I think those competency tests are important,' she argued on Fox & Friends. 'We can't have someone like Joe Biden, who's asleep at the wheel, and have China sitting there threatening us and us wondering if he actually knows what's going on.'

Haley made the pitch for competency tests in a 2024 campaign kickoff speech Wednesday in Charleston.

The plan seemed to be aimed at both Biden, 80, and former President Donald Trump, 76, who until Haley jumped in Tuesday, was the only Republican who had announced a 2024 presidential bid.

Asked by Fox's Brian Kilmeade how Haley thought Trump would do, his former ambassador to the United Nations said she believed the ex-president would pass.

During an appearance Thursday on Fox & Friends, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley defended her demand that politicians older than 75, who are past their 'prime,' get mental competency tests

'You know, I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldn't do well this time,' Haley answered. 'But do I think we need it.'

She added that mental competency tests shouldn't just be given to presidents, but aging members of Congress as well.

Trump famously boasted in July 2020 that he asked his doctor to allow him to take a cognitive test to 'shut these people up,' referring to those critiquing his mental fitness to hold office.

'It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy. The last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question,' Trump said in an interview with Fox. 'It's like, you'll go "Person, woman, man, camera, TV." So, they say, "Could you repeat that?" So, I said, "Yeah. So, it's: Person, woman, man, camera, TV." OK, that's very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points,' Trump explained.

The president then said that 10 minutes later he was asked to repeat the words in order again and did so successfully.

'"Can you do it?" And you go, "Person, woman, man, camera, TV,"' Trump said. 'They say, "That's amazing, how did you do that?" I do it because I have, like, a good memory. Because I'm cognitively there,' he said.

The clip went viral and was used for fodder by comedians.

President Joe Biden departs the White House Thursday for Walter Reed to get his physical. Haley called for politicians older than 75 to get competency tests and said Thursday morning that Biden is 'asleep at the wheel'

Former President Donald Trump tore into Haley, his former U.N. ambassador, after she rolled out her presidential platform in Charleston Wednesday, saying he did South Carolina a 'favor' by appointing her to the U.N. so Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster could take over

Biden was at Walter Reed Thursday for his annual physical, which was delayed for several months.

When he previously received a physical his doctor made no mention of any kind of cognitive exam.

During her kickoff speech Wednesday Haley argued, 'It's not that America is past its prime, it's just that our politicians are past theirs.'

'We won't win the fight for the 21st Century if we keep trusting politicians from the 20th Century,' she added.

Two days into her presidential run and Haley's main selling point has been that she, at age 51, represents generational change.

She told the Fox & Friends hosts that when she called Trump to give him a heads up that she would be entering the race, 'I told him that I was doing this because I thought it was time for a new generation.'

Trump, however, did not greet Haley's entrance into the race with grace.

He mocked her Wednesday on Truth social and claimed she only had '1 percent' support in the polls.

The most recent 2024 GOP primary candidate survey, conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, shows Haley with 4 percent support.

'That was a big reason why I appointed Nikki to the positionIt was a favor to the people I love in South Carolina!' Trump argued on Truth social in the hours following Haley's 2024 campaign rollout

'She's polling at 1%, not a bad start!!' Trump also remarked. Haley pushed back during her interview on Fox & Friends saying she was 'not afraid' of the ex-president trying to blow up her presidential campaign

Additionally, he said he did South Carolina a 'favor' by appointing her ambassador to the U.N.

'The greatest thing Nikki Haley did for our Country, and the Great State of South Carolina, was accepting the position of United Nations Ambassador so that the incredible then Lieutenant Governor, Henry McMaster, could be Governor of South Carolina, where he has done an absolutely fantastic job,' Trump said.

'That was a big reason why I appointed Nikki to the positionIt was a favor to the people I love in South Carolina!' the ex-president added.

Fox's Steve Doocy said he believed a number of Republicans were eying the 2024 race, but were hesitant to jump in for fear that Trump would 'blow them up.'

'That's the difference between them and me,' Haley said. 'I'm not afraid of that.'

'I love America. I know we have no time to waste,' the former South Carolina governor added.
The 'evil and bitter' gunman who stormed onto the Michigan State University campus and killed three students had two 9mm handguns and nine magazines filled with ammunition.

Police have confirmed that Anthony McRae, 43, did not speak to officers after being told to put his hands above his head  and shot himself 3.8miles away from the campus.

He opened fire at Berkeley Hall before shooting at MSU Union, leaving four students in critical condition and one in a stable condition.

McRae legally purchased the guns, though it is unclear when he bought them and had an additional 50 rounds of ammo on his person following the incident.

Deputy Chief Chris Rozman confirmed at a press conference on Thursday that officers were 'confident' that there were no additional shooters despite a note left by McRae claiming he has '20 others' to help him.

McRae legally purchased the guns, though it is unclear when he bought them, and had an additional 50 rounds of ammo on his person following the incident

Officials also confirmed that while the shooter left a note, they were still working to confirm the exact motive of the shooting.

McRae was seen walking calmly close to his home in Lansing, Michigan, when officers approached him.

Deputy Chief Rozman of MSU Police said that they were currently unaware of any link between the shooter and the university.

He added: 'He didn't verbalize anything to the officers prior to shooting himself.

'Our detectives responded to a subject matching the MSU shooting suspect McRae who was observed walking.

'They exited the vehicle and ordered him to show his hands. He produced a weapon and then killed himself.'

Officers confirmed that a note was found in McRae's pocket when he was searched after his death.

They also discovered two legal 9mm handguns, one in his hand and another in the backpack he was carrying.

Flavor of Love star Deelishis posted to social media paying tribute to Arielle (left) , who wanted to be a paediatrician, writing 'my sweet beautiful niece... RIP baby girl.' Brian Fraser, 20, (right) was president of Michigan State's chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which said in a statement Tuesday that its members were 'heartbroken'

Deputy Chief Chris Rozman confirmed at a press conference on Thursday that officers were 'confident' that there were no additional shooters

Alex Verner, 19, was an athlete and a biology and anthropology junior at MSU and set to graduate in 2024

He had two additional bus tickets on his person, a loaded magazine at full capacity in his left breast pocket and eight more loaded with 9mm ammunition in his backpack.

McRae also had 50 rounds of loose 9mm rounds in a pouch, as well as two empty magazines.

Authorities from Michigan State Police also confirmed that they had not responded to any welfare checks at the shooters' property or any calls regarding shots fired.

However in 2019 he was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, a felony charge which should have banned him from purchasing any weapons.

His two guns were legally purchased but not registered, with police confirming that a former prosecutor had chosen to 'negotiate it down to a lesser crime'.

McRae was given no jail time and a year of probation - with the prosecutor no longer working for the county.

The suspected gunman, pictured, was last seen leaving the union building. He was wearing a jean jacket, red shoes, a black mask, and a baseball cap

Workers clean up outside Berkey Hall at Michigan State University, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan

The gun involved in the 2019 incident remains in Lansing Police Department custody, officers confirmed.

However Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez with Michigan State Police said that the decision made would be 'scrutinized for a long time'.

Former Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon lowered the charges to possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle - a misdemeanour.

The decision by the Democrat resulted in him being given a year's probation and was discharged in May 2021.

A statement by the current county prosecutor, John Dewane, said that McRae 'would not have been recommended for a jail or prison sentence' even if the original charges had gone forward.

Police are now investigating the motive behind the killing, adding that they are open to the suggestion McRae suffered from mental health issues.

They confirmed that they were confident he was the only shooter despite his note claiming he had 20 people who would help him with the killings.

In an interview with police, his father said that his son 'does not have any friends' and he 'never left his room'.

He added that his father 'didn't believe that he had any friends, let alone any who would help him out with this'.

Exterior scene of the residence of Anthony McRae, in Lansing, Michigan on February 14

MSU shooter Anthony McRae, posing with a crucifix, in one of the many disturbing photos from his social media pages where he posted about Christianity and religion. His father says he became 'evil and bitter' after the sudden death of his mother Linda (right) in 2020

Police in Michigan released this photo of the shooter in a bid to track him down. He has now died after turning the gun on himself, police confirmed

Authorities also confirmed that McRae made threats against a church, businesses and a school district in New Jersey in other notes discovered.

Deputy Chief Rozman added: 'We know that he had some connection with New Jersey years ago but we do not know why he was bringing that up.

'We have no information on the church. We understand that regarding the businesses, he had grievances with some of the employees there.

'He felt slighted by them and he had worked previously at the warehouse.'

McRae killed Alex Verner, 19, Brian Fraser, 20, and Flavour of Love star Deelishis niece Arielle Diamond Anderson, 19.

The three were killed and five others were injured when Anthony McRae, opened fire on the MSU campus at 8.18pm on Monday before turning the gun on himself.

Brian was president of Michigan State's chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which said in a statement Tuesday that its members were 'heartbroken.'

The security camera clip showed McRae, wearing a jean-jacket, ball cap and red sneakers, wandering nonchalantly along a street having just shot up two separate locations on campus

He strolled along the street in a very calm manner despite having just committed murder

Police walk around Berkey Hall after the shooting on the Michigan State campus in East Lansing, Michigan

Alex was an athlete and a biology and anthropology junior at MSU and set to graduate in 2024.

Flavor of Love star Deelishis posted to social media paying tribute to Arielle, who wanted to be a paediatrician, writing 'my sweet beautiful niece... RIP baby girl.'

His father Michael, 66, described him as a 'mama's boy' who turned 'evil and mean' after his mother Linda died suddenly three years ago.

The pair lived together in McRae's family home, that is around five miles from the MSU campus.

McRae terrorized the campus for nearly four hours, running through the streets, brandishing a gun, and shooting bullets before calmly walking home.

A security camera clip showed him, wearing a jean-jacket, ball cap and red sneakers, wandering nonchalantly along a street having just shot up two separate locations on campus.

The shooter strode into an academic building named Berkey Hall at 8:18 pm, blasting indiscriminately at the occupants.

Two people died at the scene and three others sustained serious injuries.

Cops descended on the scene in response to a torrent of urgent 911 calls but the killer had already left the premises, heading west out of the building and skulking along campus roads.

Less than 15 minutes later, gunshots were reported at the MSU Union building, just a 10-minute walk from Berkey Hall.

One more person was killed at the MSU Union and two more were injured.
A Denver City Councilman who uses a wheelchair was left 'humiliated' after he had to crawl onto a debate stage that did not have ramp.

Chris Hinds, currently vying to keep his seat in the city's 10th District, needed to participate in the debate or else he would lose out on $125,000 in campaign funds under the city's Fair Elections Fund.

A video of the incident shows Hinds pulling himself out of his chair and onto the stage as several people stand nearby.

Workers at the event would not have been able to lift Hinds and his chair, which weighs over 400 pounds, onto the stage.

'It was a choice between my campaign's viability or my dignity,' Hinds said of his decision to forge ahead with the debate at a venue that did not accommodate the needs of disabled speakers.

A Denver City Councilman was left 'humiliated' by having to appear at a debate that did not prepare for accessibility so that he could make it to the stage using his wheelchair

The debate appeared to have been hastily planned, with Hinds' campaign only finding out about it via social media a few days in advance. According to him, the organizer and city clerk had not asked the councilman to attend.

When he touched base with the clerk, Daniel Lopez, Hinds was told that not only was the debate happening, but he must attend or return $125,000 in funding.

The Fair Elections Fund, which had only sponsored this one debate, requires in its bylaws that venues be disability accessible.

Hinds also noted that the venue is not in his district and was scheduled for 4 p.m. on a Monday afternoon, right in the middle of a city council meeting.

When he pressed about why the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Studio was inaccessible, a person who worked for the venue said they did not know he uses a wheelchair, according to the councilmember.

'My campaign staff, they said that they talked to the organizer of the event, and their plan was just to lift me up onto the stage. Lift my wheelchair and me onto the stage,' Hinds told Westword.

Hinds did eventually roll onto the stage to debate fellow candidates Shannon Hoffman, Margie Morris and Noah Kaplan.

'I got out of my wheelchair and was laying there on the stage. They gave me a chair that I just hugged. I can't move most of my body. I'm paralyzed,' Hinds said.

Chris Hinds, currently vying to keep his seat in the city's 10th District, was without a ramp and therefore forced to crawl onto the debate stage, held at a dance studio

Had Hinds not appeared on that debate stage, he would lose out on $125,000 in campaign funds under the city's Fair Elections Fund

When pressed on why the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Studio was inaccessible, the incumbent councilmember says that a person who worked for the venue did not know he uses a wheelchair

The entire debate audience was able to see Hinds' struggle, as the debate was delayed, and several dozen people had already arrived.

Organizers were never able to get his wheelchair on the stage and he ended up sitting in front of it.

He is trying to get a straight answer from both Lopez and the city's recorder.

'The clerk says that the venue signed a document that says their venue is wheelchair accessible and so it was on them. And then the venue was saying that they wanted the District 9 debate and not the District 10 debate and that the clerk's office told them that they had to do the District 10 debate,' Hinds said.

Lopez, for his part, claims he's apologized to Councilman Hinds but also claims he had notified him of the debate schedule.

City Clerk Paul Lopez, for his part, claims he's apologized to Councilman Hinds but also claims he had notified him of the debate schedule

Malik Robinson, the executive director of the dance studio, also offered an apology and an explanation

'The debate sponsors share our commitment to making accessibility a fundamental part of the democratic process, and we regret that Councilman Hinds had an adverse experience at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance's debate on Monday.' Lopez also rejects Hinds' assertion that the councilman had not received an email notifying him of the debate schedule.

He said that a public records request had indicated the theater was accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act via the back entrance, which was what got the city's approval.

Patricia Smith, a spokesperson for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, told the Denver Post that the venue didn't receive 'requests for additional or enhanced accommodations' ahead of the event.

Malik Robinson, the executive director of the dance studio, also offered an apology and an explanation.

'The CPRD team develops short-term stage accommodations in advance of events because we know the CPRD Theatre stage has limitations. We are deeply involved in plans to ensure full accessibility of CPRD Theatre facilities in the near future. Our stage is home to performers of all abilities. We understand the stage limitations, and plan in advance necessary accommodations prior to events. We are working diligently on a long-term solution.'

Hinds notes that what happened to him isn't just unfortunate and rude but illegal.

'I don't understand how it is possible today, more than three decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, that there would be this complete lack of any research or thought into the process,' he said.
Harry and Meghan should be 'very concerned' about their standing in America after being royally lampooned by satirical cartoon South Park, experts have warned.

This week's episode depicts the 'Prince and Princess of Canada' - a young royal couple who loudly beg for privacy while drawing attention to themselves.

The red-headed prince and his wife, who wears the exact same dusty pink outfit that Meghan donned for Trooping the Colour in 2018, are seen promoting the prince's book - Waaagh - the cover of which strongly resembles Harry's memoir Spare.

The episode is filled with swipes at the Sussexes, with main character Stan branding their cartoon equivalents the 'dumb prince and his stupid wife', while Kyle complains about the private jet parked outside their home.

US royal reporter Kinsey Schofield told GB News: 'What they're saying is, these two are not sincere people, they say that they want their privacy while going on every television show, writing books, doing six hours of Netflix.

Meghan Markle previously filed a motion to stop depositions being taken for sister Samantha's lawsuit, but was denied by a judge earlier this month

The prince and princess arrive on the set of Good Morning Canada to boos, holding aloft placards

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Samantha Markle accuses Meghan of defaming her in order to 'cover up' her 'false rags-to-riches' narrative during virtual court hearing as the Duchess demands her sister's libel case be dismissed Samantha, who is based in Florida, claims her younger half-sister defamed her when the former royals sat down for a televised interview with Oprah in 2021 Advertisement

'They broke it down and said.... they're not very likeable... people are tired of them.'

Royal commentator and expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline the Sussexes should be 'very concerned' after South Park 'went for the jugular'.

He said: 'Harry and Meghan are obsessed with being in control of the narrative and we've recently seen them attack the royal family over a period of weeks when they knew the response would be silence.

'They should, however, be very concerned that their standing in America seems to be changing, a Newsweek poll showed it to be seismically affected after Harry rubbished his family in his memoir.'

He added: 'The sight of a cartoon version of Harry and Meghan storming off a television show after the interviewer criticizes them, chanting 'we want privacy' sums up their hypocrisy and is hilarious.

'When they move to South Park, their neighbour Kyle says ''Its seriously driving me crazy. I'm sick of hearing about them. I can't get away from them''. I think he speaks for many millions.'

Mr Fitzwilliams said the Sussexes have proven they can 'dole it out' but now face the challenge of 'laughing at themselves.'

He added: 'There's a certain poetic justice in seeing the characters in South Park imitate them with such accuracy. Yes, the humour is cruel, but so is their behaviour.

'They demand to be taken seriously and deserve to made fun of.'

Other commentators agreed as they took to Twitter to praise the cartoon's writers Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Piers Morgan said: 'The South Park rinsing of Meghan & Harry is lethally brilliant suspect this is how most Americans now feel about them.'

The episode itself opens with Kyle's younger brother Ike, adopted from Canada, inconsolable at the news that the Queen of Canada - who resembles the late Queen Elizabeth II - is dead.

The Prince and Princess of Canada are seen at a large state funeral, where they are booed by the rest of the royal family, accused of bashing the Canadian monarchy.

Against the backlash, the couple appear on breakfast television to demand their privacy.

Arriving on the set of Good Morning Canada with a book to promote, the prince holds aloft a placard reading 'We want privacy', while the princess's banner reads: 'Stop looking at us.'

The host asks whether, in reporting on the royal family for his new book, 'Waaagh', he has now become a journalist himself, despite hating them.

'We just want to be normal people - all this attention is so hard,' the prince replies.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at Trooping the Colour 2018. Meghan's pink dress and white hat combo is identical to that of the 'Princess of Canada' in the latest South Park episode

In Paris bemused locals look on as the couple chant: 'We want our privacy!!'

The latest South Park aired on Comedy Central on Wednesday taking aim at Harry and Meghan

The couple are challenged by the host who questions how sincerely they want privacy, and the royals storm off the set.

The couple board their private jet, and embark on a worldwide 'we want privacy' tour - complete with dancing rainbows and a catchy theme tune.

They visit France and India where they chant their pro-privacy slogans to bemused locals - and even a field of kangaroos during a pit stop in Australia.

Eventually they settle in the quiet town of South Park, Colorado.

'If we moved here, people would think we're really serious about wanting to be normal.'

The royals clash with the locals, arriving with a drum kit and demanding privacy from neighbors.

Kyle wakes one morning and finds the house has been covered with magazines featuring the princess.

They include a cover strongly resembling that of The Cut magazine after it ran a cover interview with Meghan last summer.

When Kyle confronts the royals, the princess yells: 'He victimized me!'

The prince springs to his wife's defense.

'This is an outrage!' he cries. 'We'll see how he deals with my blue penis!'

The prince and princess are seen deciding to flee Canada, after 'bashing' the monarchy

Across the street, the Prince and Princess of Canada can be seen peering through a window as Kyle takes in their handiwork

This appears to refer to a case of frostbite detailed in Harry's autobiography, Spare.

The prince and princess turn to a crudely-named marketing agency for help protecting their privacy.

'There's this horrible spy who lives across the street from us,' the prince explains.

The branding manager says he already has a file on the princess, which she created several years ago.

'I have your brand already: Sorority girl, actress, influencer and victim,' he tells her.

The prince's brand is decided as: 'Royal prince, millionaire, world traveler, victim.'

The prince, inside the agency, suddenly has a lightbulb moment and realizes that he doesn't want to be a brand.

'Trying to make ourselves into a brand just turned us into products,' the Canadian prince declares.

'No more magazines and Netflix shows, we can just live a normal life!'

He stands to leave, and walks towards the door - but his wife remains inside the branding company.

'Come on honey, we don't need this place!' he says. 'Honey?'

The prince leaves alone. Kyle rejoins his friends, who invite him out to play. The prince then arrives, and asks if he can play too, before bringing out his drum kit.
Any recommendations to criminally charge Trump have been kept under wraps

A Georgia grand jury says at least one witness lied under oath when testifying about Donald Trump's bid to overturn the 2020 election, and have urged prosecutors to slap them with a criminal indictment.

The bombshell allegations were included in parts of the Fulton County grand jury released by a judge on Thursday morning - that included the unanimous conclusion by the panel that was not widespread voter fraud in President Biden's win.

Over the course of seven months, the grand jurors heard from 75 witnesses, which included the likes of high-profile politicians like Trump's former attorney and ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

A Georgia grand jury unanimously agreed that there was no widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election in the investigation into Donald Trump's bid to overturn the results

Portions of the report from the Georgia grand jury were released on Thursday, including alleging that at least one witness lied under oath while testifying

Top Georgia officials, such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp, also appeared before the panel.

The panel members urged prosecutors to seek indictments of any of those who committed perjury.

Whether there are any recommendations for criminal charges against Trump, however, have been kept under wraps for now.

But a Georgia prosecutor probing Trump's efforts to overturn the state's 2020 election told a judge last month that a decision on whether to bring criminal charges against the former president is 'imminent.'

Trump responded to the release in a statement from his campaign noting that the release had 'nothing to do with the President' because he didn't engage in any wrongdoing.

'The long awaited important sections of the Georgia report, which do not even mention President Trump's name, have nothing to do with the President because President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong,' the statement reads.

'The President participated in two perfect phone calls regarding election integrity in Georgia, which he is entitled to do - in fact, as President, it was President Trump's Constitutional duty to ensure election safety, security, and integrity,' it continues.

'Between the two calls, there were many officials and attorneys on the line, including the Secretary of State of Georgia, and no one objected, even slightly protested, or hung up,' the former president added, ensuring: 'President Trump will always keep fighting for true and honest elections in America!'

The partial release was ordered Monday by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who oversaw the special grand jury that had the power to suggest criminal indictments.

The investigation is one of several that could have serious legal consequences for the former president as he tries to persuade voters to return him to the White House in 2024.

In a sign that Trump is starting to lick his wounds from some of these legal battles, he withdrew last month a lawsuit accusing New York Attorney General Letitia James of a 'war of intimidation'  just one day after a judge accused him of using the courts to seek revenge.

Trump and his lawyers were ordered to pay almost $1 million by a judge in Florida for suing Hillary Clinton and others over his claims that the 2016 election was rigged.

In a scathing filing, US District Judge Donald Middlebrooks dismissed the case as 'frivolous' and said it never should have been brought.

At the same time that details in the Georgia case are being released, former national security adviser Robert O'Brien is appearing Thursday in a separate case related to Trump's mishandling of classified documents.

O'Brien will speak with a grand jury in a Washington, D.C. courthouse where several Trump-related investigations are being carried out, CNN reported.

Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed O'Brien after a trove of classified information was found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence during an FBI raid last year.

Among the 75 witnesses that jurors heard from over seven months was Trump's former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani (left) and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. (right)

Also on Thursday, former national security adviser Robert O'Brien arrived to testify in front of a grand jury in Washington, D.C. at the courthouse where several Trump-related investigations are being conducted. He is appearing in a case related to Trump's mishandling of classified materials

During a hearing last month, prosecutors urged the judge not to release the latest grand jury report until they decide on charges.

McBurney wrote in his order when releasing part of the details that it's not appropriate to release the full report now because it's important to protect the due process rights of people for whom the grand jury recommended charges.

The special grand jury, which was requested by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to aid her investigation, did not have the power to issue indictments.

Instead, its report contains recommendations for Willis, who will ultimately decide whether to seek one or more indictments from a regular grand jury.

Trump, who has publicly refused to accept that Joe Biden won the November 2020 election, has seemed particularly bothered by his loss in Georgia and what he saw as a failure of Republican state elected officials to fight for him. Georgia tipped to Biden by about 12,000 votes, making him the first Democratic presidential candidate to win there since 1992.

Trump and his allies have made unproven claims of widespread voter fraud and have repeatedly berated Raffensperger and Kemp for not acting to overturn his loss. State and federal officials, including Trump's attorney general, have consistently said the election was secure and there was no evidence of significant fraud.

Willis has said since the beginning of the investigation two years ago that she was interested in a January 2, 2021, phone call in which Trump suggested to Raffensperger that he could 'find' the votes needed to overturn his loss in the state.

'All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have,' Trump said during that call. 'Because we won the state.'

Trump has said repeatedly that his call with Raffensperger was 'perfect,' and he told the AP last month that he felt 'very confident' that he would not be indicted.
A German court on Thursday sentenced two Afghan brothers to life in prison for murdering their sister because they disapproved of her 'modern' lifestyle.

The victim, a 34-year-old mother-of-two identified as Maryam H., was found buried on a hill in Germany's southern Bavaria region several weeks after going missing from her Berlin home in July 2021.

Train station security footage showed her brothers, Yousuf and Mahdi H., boarding a train from Berlin to Bavaria around the time Maryam H. went missing, dragging a heavy suitcase believed to have contained her body.

She was found with tape covering her hands, feet, mouth and nose, and experts told the district court in Berlin that she had been choked to death before her throat was slit.

Yousuf Sayed H., 27, and Madhi Seyed H., 23, were both found guilty of murdering their sister

The brothers were found guilty of luring their 34-year-old sister Maryam H. (pictured) to a meeting in Berlin in July 2021, before strangling her and cutting her throat

Judge Thomas Gross said the two men, both in their 20s, had killed the woman 'because she was increasingly pulling away from the controlling influence of the brothers'.

'They denied her this right, this right to life,' Gross declared at the verdict.

Prosecutors said the brothers had objected to their sister's 'partially modern lifestyle' and had tried to forbid her from having a new relationship after she separated from her Afghan husband.

Defence lawyers argued that Yousuf had accidentally killed his sister during an argument, and that Mahdi H. should walk free.

But the claims were rejected by the court and both brothers were found guilty after 42 days of negotiations and the questioning of 52 witnesses.

The brothers travelled to Bavaria by train before driving to a wooded area close to the brothers' home near Holzkirchen, where they buried Maryam's body in a shallow grave (pictured)

This taxi is believed to be the vehicle used by the brothers to travel to the Sudkreuz train station in Berlin where they killed their sister

Maryam fled from Afghanistan to Germany in 2013 and successfully sought asylum with her then-husband, Saeed Habib H., and their two young children.

But four years later their marriage fell apart and Maryam divorced her husband under German law.

German press reported that news of the divorce enraged her brothers, who began exercising controlling behaviour towards Maryam, cracking down on her freedom and forcing her to abide by strict Islamic laws such as wearing a headscarf and only going out in public when accompanied by a familial male escort.

Maryam's ex-husband also threatened her with death, leading to a restraining order being taken out on him.

Maryam's kids, now aged 15 and 11, are living with their father following their mother's death.

But despite overwhelming evidence which led to the brothers' murder conviction, Habib refused to testify against them during the trial.
Kimberly Guilfoyle and her former spouse California Governor Gavin Newsom are at war after she called him 'unrecognizable' following his comments that she 'fell prey' to Fox News culture.

Guilfoyle, 53, appeared on The Charle Kirk Show on Wednesday to discuss her ex-husband after he bashed her on a CNN podcast for becoming a right-wing host.

The pair were married for five years before officially splitting up in 2006 when Guilfoyle accepted a job in New York for a news outlet before heading to Fox, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Guilfoyle has been a registered 'proud Republican and conservative' since she was 18. She claimed Newsom, 55, knew this about her when they tied the knot.

'I didnt change, [Newsom] did,' Guilfoyle told Kirk. 'He used to be so proud to fight for small business, for entrepreneurs, for those hard-working men and women. And hes fallen prey to the left, the radical left, that is pushing him so far to the left that it's unrecognizable.'

Kimberly Guilfoyle, 53, appeared on The Charle Kirk Show on Wednesday to discuss her ex-husband after he bashed her on a CNN podcast for becoming a right-wing host

The pair were married for five years before officially splitting up in 2006 when Guifoyle accepted a job in New York for a news outlet before heading to Fox

Guilfoyle's response came after she received several notifications warning her about what her husband said on 'The Axe Files' podcast on Tuesday.

Newsom described his ex-wife as ambitious and 'whip-smart' and that she used to hang out with big Democratic figures when he started his term as Mayor of San Francisco in 2004 before she 'changed.'

'She was a different person,' Newsom said. 'She was working for a progressive district attorney.'

He added: 'We were close to Kamala [Harris], she knew her well, and she was spending a lot of time in Democratic circles.'

'She had her ambition, I just got elected mayor, and days after I was elected mayor, she moved to New York for a Court TV gig, and then eventually Fox.

'She fell prey, I think, to the culture at Fox in a deep way,' Newsom said. 'She would disagree with that assessment, she would perhaps suggest that she found the light.'

Guilfoyle got engaged to Donald Trump Jr. (left) in 2020 after the pair started dating in 2018. Newsom married Jennifer Siebel Newsom in 2008

Guilfoyle worked at Fox until 2018 when she resigned to work on Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

She has gained traction as a right-wing influencer, especially after she got engaged to Donald Trump Jr. in 2020.

Meanwhile, Newsom remarried in 2008 to actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom, 48. The two share four kids together.

Newsom recently won re-election as governor of the Golden State in November. Speculation that the governor may extend his political portfolio has been circulating as he maintains a national profile and runs campaign ads beyond California.

Political pundits believe Newsom may be lining himself up as a successor to President Biden, 79, despite Biden's insistence he isn't too old to stand for a second term in 2024.

If Newsom decides to run for president, he will be up against Donald Trump, Guilfoyle's soon to be father-in-law.
Boy was then moved to another school where he attacked another victim

A school board in Virginia has voted against releasing an independent report into sex assaults at two high schools despite demands from furious parents that the findings be made public.

The father of one victim branded Loudoun County School Board members who declined to release the report 'scumbags' and hinted at a cover up.

In May 2021, a boy, then aged 15, went into a girls' bathroom while wearing a skirt and attacked a female student. The assault came as the school board considered a policy to allow students to use the bathroom of the gender they associate with.

The boy was then transferred to another high school where he went on to attack another girl in an empty classroom in October 2021.

The scandal drew national attention and led to the dismissal of the Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent Scott Ziegler, who is now charged with making false public statements during the investigation into the assaults.

Loudoun County's former school board superintendent, Scott Ziegler (left), and his spokesman Wayde Byard (right) have both been indicted by a Virginia grand jury over their handling of the scandal

Scott Smith, whose daughter was attacked by the boy, stormed out of a board meeting after the report was kept secret and asked: 'What are you covering up?'

On Tuesday night, the school board voted 6-3 in favor of keeping secret an independent report into the handling of assaults. The report was completed in January 2022 by the law firm Blankingship & Keith, but the board has repeatedly refused to release it, citing attorney-client privilege.

Board member Tiffany Polifko, one of the three who voted to release the report, said the motion was about 'justice, integrity and service'.

But board chair Ian Serotkin, one of the six who voted to keep the report private, said: 'Being open and transparent is important, but so is the right of our students and staff to be able to communicate with legal counsel without it being made public.'

The result of the vote triggered an angry reaction from some parents who have campaigned for transparency around the scandal.

Scott Smith, the father of one of the victims, branded the opposing board members 'scumbags' and shouted 'what are you covering up?' as he stormed out of the board meeting following the vote.

Speaking after, Smith told WJLA: 'How can you send a child to school tomorrow with this school board in charge of your child's safety? How can you do that? How can a parent with any intelligence send your child to school tomorrow? Mine won't be in school tomorrow. Absolutely not.'

Smith was arrested at a school board meeting in June 2022 after he voiced protests following the attack against his daughter.

Smith was arrested at a school board meeting in June 2022 after he voiced protests following the attack against his daughter

Following the vote not to release the independent report, the board released a statement from chair Serotkin which said: 'Under the best of circumstances, waiving attorney-client privilege is fraught with pitfalls, which is why it is done exceedingly rarely.

'Being open and transparent is important, but so is the right of our students and staff to be able to communicate with legal counsel without it being made public  that is such an important principle that it's one of the cornerstones of the American legal system.'

The school board also said 'the report contains personally identifiable information regarding students'.

Ousted superintendent Ziegler was indicted by a grand jury in December after he lied to a school board meeting and said there was no record of the assaults.

He is now facing misdemeanor counts of false publication. He is also facing unrelated charges of using his position to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against an employee and falsely firing the same employee.

His spokesman, Wayde Byard, is facing a count of felony perjury.

In January, a judge declined to throw out the charges against Ziegler, whose lawyer claimed Virginia's Attorney General lacked the authority to bring the case.

The grand jury published a report in December that said there was no evidence of a 'coordinated coverup' of the incidents but accused school officials of incompetency and a failure to properly handle the cases.

The Washington Post reported that no evidence has publicly emerged that the boy who carried out the assaults is transgender.
Norfolk Southern did not have to blow up five of its train cars to release toxic chemicals into the environment following a derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this month  and may have made the situation even worse for residents in doing so, experts say.

At a community meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Trent Conaway insisted that officials had to blow up five train cars carrying vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, saying it was their only option.

But Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials expert, says the railroad company had many options to mitigate the effects of the toxic chemicals its train 32N was carrying from Illinois to Pennsylvania  but chose to blow up the train cars to save money.

In doing so, a new federal lawsuit claims, the already under-fire railroad operator released a dangerous chemical agent banned under the Geneva Conventions into the air.

The suit says the Norfolk Southern train was carrying 1.1million pounds of vinyl chloride when it derailed on February 3  more than double the amount released in the United States in an entire year.

Officials conducted a 'controlled explosion' of trains carrying vinyl chloride on February 6

Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials expert, said Norfolk Southern did not have to blow up the chemicals and only did so because it was the cheapest option

And when that vinyl chloride is burned, it releases phosgene, a chemical agent that contributed to the deaths of about 85,000 people in World War I.

Caggiano has said he 'never heard of a railroad company actually detonating their own containers' like Norfolk Southern did on February 6 in his nearly 40 years responding to train accidents and derailments,

'I'm not saying it has never been done,' he told the World Socialist Website. 'But I have not seen in any case studies, and I've looked at pretty much every spill that has occurred, any incident involving rail cars.'

Caggiano served as a battalion chief of the Youngstown, Ohio Fire Department, before retiring two years ago after 39 years. He also sat on the state Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Technical Advisory Committee, which oversaw equipment and training of all of Ohio's HazMat teams.

He explained that Norfolk Southern took 'one car, which could have blown up and ruptured one or two more, and turned it into a for-sure thing.'

Alternative options to mitigate the risks of vinyl chloride, Caggiano said. 'would have taken too long and cost them too much money.

'If they had to put the fire out, they would still have to handle every one of those containers and its content as hazardous waste, all non-marketable, and they would have to have gotten rid of all that contamination,' he said.

'This way they don't have contamination anymore,' Caggiano continued. 'It burned up and it spread over God knows how much.

'They got off very cheap in my book,' he said.

The former fire chief also noted that a black cloud released from the 'controlled burn' of the train cars 'covered a very large area.

'I got a picture from an airplane taking off from Pittsburgh, and there is this huge black spot in the middle of the clouds.'

Caggiano has previously compared the 'controlled burn' to nuking the town 'with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.

'The reason I said that is based on the guy's video of the cloud and stuff precipitating out of the cloud,' he explained on Wednesday. 'It reminded me of disaster movies, where you see the nuclear winter. Everything is falling out of the clouds  that is what it reminded me of.

'Yes, that's what we did,' he said, doubling down on his claims. 'We didn't use a nuclear weapon, but we did nuke them with chemicals.'

The freight train carrying dangerous chemicals was en route to Pennsylvania when it derailed

Residents in East Palestine, Ohio have said they are experiencing symptoms in the aftermath of the crash on February 3

Among the chemicals that were carried on Train 32N were vinyl chloride, a highly-volatile colorless gas produced for commercial uses; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene.

The dangerous chemicals released in the East Palestine train derailment A train carrying a wide-variety of toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3. Some of those chemicals have since been released into the air or soil, as residents worry about the long-term health effects. Among the chemicals released from the derailment are: Vinyl chloride  train operator Norfolk Southern has said that 10 cars were burning vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. It is a highly-volatile colorless gas used to create polyvinyl chloride, a plastic used in piping, cables, bottles and credit cards. Symptoms of vinyl chloride exposure includes drowsiness, headaches and dizziness. More long-term effects may include cancer and liver damage. Hydrogen chloride  In trying to mitigate the effects of vinyl chloride, officials conducted a controlled explosion of the train cars, releasing hydrogen chloride. The chemical is irritating and corrosive to any tissue it gets in contact with, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. Brief exposure can cause throat irritation, but exposure at higher levels can result in rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchioles, blue coloring of the skin, accumulation of fluid in the lungs and even death. Phosgene  a chemical that was also released in the controlled explosion. Like hydrogen chloride, phosgene is an irritant to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Common initial symptoms include mild irritation of the eyes and throat, with some coughing choking, nausea, occasional vomiting, headache and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Phosgene poisoning may also cause respiratory and cardiovascular failure, low blood pressure and an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Ethylhexyl acrylate  a chemical that was carried on the train It is a known carcinogen, that can cause burning and irritation of the skin and eyes. Inhalation of the substance can also irritate the nose and throat, causing shortness of breath and coughing. Isobutylene was also being transported on the train. Inhalation of isobutylene can cause dizziness and drowsiness Ethylene glycol mobobutyl was another substance being transported to Pennsylvania. It can cause irritation in the eyes, skin, nose and threat, as well as hematuria (or blood in the urine), nervous system depression, headache and vomiting. Advertisement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that contact with ethylhexyl acrylate, a known carcinogen, can cause burning and irritation of the skin and eyes, while inhalation of the substance can irritate the nose and throat, causing shortness of breath and coughing.

Inhalation of isobutylene can also cause dizziness and drowsiness, while exposure to ethylene glycol mobobutyl ether can cause irritation in the eyes, skin, nose and threat, as well as hematuria (or blood in the urine), nervous system depression, headache and vomiting.

Vinyl chloride is also a known carcinogen that can cause drowsiness, headaches and dizziness in the short term.

In the long term, exposure to vinyl chloride can cause liver damage.

Caggiano said people in the rural town are now already starting to experience some of these symptoms.

'People are posting pictures of red rashes and red eyes,' he said. 'People that are having breathing problems have left there and gone someplace else. Everything has manifested itself there.

'And the only way you are going to get rid of it is a deep cleaning of everything because when you burn anything that has organic chemicals in it, it leaves a film,' he said. 'Like in your kitchen when you use gas, touch your wall and it's going to feel rough because there is film being deposited as you are burning.

'So you might not find these chemicals in the air, but are we doing enough sampling to find them?' Caggiano asked. 'Because you might find them in this film that is all over the place.

'Are we looking in the dirt in the places where this stuff fell out? I haven't heard anything about that yet.

'Now they are finding it in water,' he said, adding that the community is expecting rain 'so we might start finding it all over again. It's going to wash out and reconstitute.

'This is a farm community,' Caggiano continued, 'These people are going to be planting stuff soon, and some of the chemicals may have gotten into the soil.'

He also questioned whether state and federal officials are testing for dioxins, which are also known carcinogens, as they continue to reassure the public that the water is safe to drink

'I question why there is such a rush to get everything open,' he said. 'Everyone's saying "Everything is fine, the water is OK to drink and everything has been mitigated  and now we're starting to hear, "Well you might want to drink bottled water. We may have found that Norfolk Southern swept some contaminated soil underneath the railroad tracks,"

'Everything that I knew would be coming up, and they said would not be an issue, has now become an issue,' he said, explaining: 'These poor people in East Palestine are being, what we call mushroomed, kept in the dark and fed BS.

'These are things that make you wonder: Do they know what they're doing or are they keeping something from you? Are they trying to help the company mitigate large lawsuits?'

'It needs to be handled, somebody has to step in and say, "Enough is enough, this has to be cleaned up,' Caggiano concluded, noting that the company 'just spent bllions on stock buybacks for the investors.

'An old friend of mine said, "Money is the mother's milk of politics,' he noted. 'I'm sure they have plenty to spread around.'

A representative for Norfolk Southern declined to comment.

The train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3

A worker is seen here as efforts to cleanup portions of the freight train were underway on February 9

Norfolk Southern has touted its efforts to mitigate the damage from the derailment

NEW TOXINS IDENTIFIEDWe basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open, said Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist. Rail company Norfolk Southern is paying just $25k to the town, or ~$5 per resident.



HT @therecount

pic.twitter.com/7jVQaIFA1U  Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) February 13, 2023

Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday alleges that Norfolk Southern's effort to clean up and mitigate the derailment site have made the situation even more dangerous for residents.

It claims Train 32N was carrying nearly 1,1million pounds of vinyl chloride when it overturned on February 3, a chemical that can mutate DNA and is not safe at any level of exposure.

Then when the train overturned, that massive amount of vinyl chloride  which is more than double the amount industrial emitters released in the United States  combined  in one year.

In 2021, the highest emitter of vinyl chloride in the United States discharged 6,834 pounds of vinyl chloride. The total for all emissions that year was 428,522.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw

'In other words, Norfolk Southern discharged more cancer-causing vinyl chloride into the environment in the course of a week than all industrial emitters combined did in the course of a year,' the suit says.

It also spilled around 688,000 pounds of polyvinyl, 273,394 pounds of ethylhexyl acrylate, 273,394 pounds of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and 206,000 pounds of butyl acrylate.

'Instead of properly containing and cleaning up its mess, and becoming responsible for a costly cleanup effort, Norfolk Southern had a different idea: "Set it on fire,"' the suit alleges.

It claims that the company 'likely understood that properly containing and removing this volume [of] vinyl chloride would be incredibly expensive and time consuming' and 'knew or should have known that phosgene and other chemicals that would be emitted by setting fire to over 1million pounds of vinyl chloride were extremely toxic.'

Additionally, it says, 'Norfolk Southern knew or should have known that setting fire to a 1,1million burn pit would cause individuals in nearby communities to be exposed, and injued by, extremely toxic chemicals.

'Nevertheless, despite the extreme toxicity of vinyl chloride, phosgene and other chemicals resulting from Norfolk Southern's conduct and the near certainty that innocent individuals would be exposed and injured, Norfolk Southern set fire to a 1.1million pound chemical burn pit anyway.'

The plaintiffs in the class action suit are seeking medical monitoring, injunctive and declaratory relief, punitive damages and damages related to injuries, emotional distress, loss of property value and increased risks of future illness.'

A representative for Norfolk Southern declined to comment on pending litigation.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in the town

The train derailment on February 3 set off a fire that could be seen from miles away

Residents in and around East Palestine have complained of persistent coughs and animals turning up dead in the weeks since the derailment.

One couple even had to put down their indoor cat after they noticed he was getting sick in just the hours after the train derailment.

Documentation from the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Clinic shows that veterinarians there believe Leo's condition 'could be due to vinyl chloride cases.'

'They said, well it must have been vinyl chloride poisoning that exacerbated his heart condition because they think that he had a genetic heart condition beforehand that was underlying that may not have been triggered without the vinyl chloride,' Andrea Belden told FOX 8.

Meanwhile, Taylor Holzer is asking the public for funds to help his pet foxes he had to leave behind when he was forced to evacuate.

He said his rescued foxes are now clearly in respiratory distress with swollen glands, and the animals stuck outside have hurt themselves from freight of the sirens and smells, with one of the foxes breaking his leg as he tried to escape his enclosure.

The fundraiser has already netted over $71,000 for the foxes veterinary bills.

One family has even turned to GoFundMe to help them raise enough money to relocate from the town in the aftermath of the derailment.

Taylor Holzer is asking for the public's help to fund his foxes' medical bills after he was forced to leave them behind

He says they are suffering from swollen glands and are in respiratory distress

But officials insist there is nothing to worry about, as the railroad operator continues to tout its efforts to remedy the situation in East Palestine.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokeswoman for the company said it has distributed over $1.5million in direct financial assistance to more than 1,000 families and a number of businesses to cover the cost of evacuation.

It is also reimbursing the East Palestine Fire Department $220,000 to replace Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses and provided more than 100 air purifiers for residents to use in their homes.

The company further announced on Tuesday that it is creating a $1million fund to help the community of some 4,700 people, and will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs.

And speaking with WFMJ on Wednesday, Norfolk Southern Senior Director Will Harden  who is apparently on the scene  said the representatives of the company will continue to be in East Palestine until the cleanup is complete.

But when asked about the long-term health concerns, Harden diverted the question, only saying that the company is in the remediation phase and is working with local, state and federal agencies.

The state's Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the latest tests show water from five wells supplying the village's drinking water are free from contaminants.

Still, the EPA is recommending testing for private water wells because they are closer to the surface after some 3,500 fish turned up dead in more than seven miles of streams.
Shoes of immigrants are pictured on the beach, who died after their boat capsized, in Qassr Alkhyar, Libya Feb. 14. Reuters-Yonhap



Dozens of migrants are thought to have died after their boat sunk off the coast of Libya, the United Nations said Wednesday, the latest tragedy on the world's deadliest migration route.



The boat carrying 80 people had departed from Qasr al-Akhyar, east of the capital Tripoli, and was heading to Europe when it ran into trouble on Tuesday, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration said.



At least 73 of those aboard were "missing and presumed dead", it said, adding that Libyan rescuers had retrieved 11 bodies.



"Seven survivors who made it back to Libyan shores in extremely dire conditions are currently in the hospital," the agency added.



War-torn Libya is a key launchpad for migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to reach Italian shores just 290 kilometers (180 miles) to the north  but the route is the world's deadliest migratory sea crossing.



The branch of the Libyan Red Crescent that covers Qasr al-Akhyar confirmed on Facebook that its workers had recovered 11 dead migrants, with photos appearing to show their bodies.



Libyan authorities made no announcement of any shipwreck.



The latest tragedy brings the numbers of deaths on the central Mediterranean route to 130 this year, the IOM said, calling the situation "intolerable".



"Concrete action by states is needed to increase search and rescue capacity, establish clear and safe disembarkation mechanisms as well as safe and regular pathways to migration to reduce dangerous journeys," the IOM said.



According to the agency's Missing Migrants Project, more than 1,450 migrant deaths were recorded on the route in 2022, a fraction of the more than 17,000 deaths and disappearances since 2014.



On Tuesday, rescue boat the Ocean Viking saved 84 migrants on an "overcrowded" inflatable craft off Libya, charity SOS Mediterranee said, adding that 58 of them were unaccompanied minors.





Libyan Red Crescent workers collect the bodies of migrants, who died after their boat capsized, in Qassr Alkhyar, Libya, Feb. 14. Reuters-Yonhap
Sir Keir Starmer today vowed Britain's staunch support for Ukraine would 'remain the same' should he become prime minister after a general election.

On his first visit to Kyiv since Russia's invasion began last year, the Labour leader called for 'justice' for the embattled Ukrainian nation.

He demanded that Russian military leaders face court hearings in The Hague and for Ukraine to be handed reparations to help rebuild itself after the conflict.

Sir Keir met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a tour of Irpin and Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Both areas are sites where numerous atrocities, including killings, were documented in the aftermath of the Russian withdrawal from the Ukrainian capital last April.

On his first visit to Kyiv since Russia's invasion, Sir Keir Starmer called for 'justice' for the embattled Ukrainian nation

The Labour leader demanded Ukraine be handed reparations to help rebuild itself after the conflict

Sir Keir vowed Britain's staunch support for Ukraine would 'remain the same' should he become prime minister after a general election

Sir Keir made a visit to Irpin and Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv

The Labour leader said it was 'incredible to see the evidence of atrocities'

Sir Keir saw a heavily damaged residential building with the work of famous graffiti artist Banksy in Irpin

Speaking in Irpin, which saw heavy fighting in the first months of Vladimir Putin's invasion attempt, the Labour leader said: 'Should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same.

'It's incredible to see the evidence of atrocities that I've seen this morning.

'Photographs of civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded, with their arms tied behind their back.

'There has to be justice for this. There has to be justice in The Hague and there has to be proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine.'

Sir Keir added it was 'very important' for him to have visited Ukraine and meet with the country's people while 'making it clear that support for Ukraine in the UK is united'.

'Throughout the conflict, the Labour Party has stood united with the government in the UK to show our support for Ukraine,' he continued.

Sir Keir met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his tour of Irpin and Bucha

Sir Keir previously met with Mr Zelensky in London last week

Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Zelensky comes just over a week after they last met, when the Ukrainian President travelled to London to hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Zelensky used that visit to reiterate his plea for Western nations to provide fighter jets to Ukraine in order to continue their battle against Mr Putin's forces.

There are widespread expectations of spring offensive by Russia over the coming weeks.

Mr Zelensky's visit to London represented a diplomatic coup for Mr Sunak, as it was only the second confirmed trip he had made outside of Ukraine since the war began.

After his talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian President flew on the PM's plane to Paris where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
A 14-year-old boy died after crashing during a 'lawful' police chase, an inquest jury have concluded.

Leo Gradwell was behind the wheel of a stolen Fiat 500 when he lost control and collided with a Kia Sportage and then a Renault Clio on Asthon Road in Golborne, Wigan.

Leo, from Platt Bridge, was initially rushed to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, before being taken to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

However, his injuries were considered unsurvivable and his life support , of the 'much-loved son and brother' was withdrawn the following day.

Two teenage passengers in the car - one aged 15 - were also injured in the crash, the inquest heard.

Leo Gradwell, 14, was behind the wheel of a stolen Fiat 500 when he lost control and collided with other cars on Asthon Road in Golborne, Wigan

Balloons and tributes have been tied to a lamp post at the scene of the crash on Ashton Road

The car was being pursued as it matched the description of a Fiat stolen in an armed robbery in Wigan the night before.

The inquest heard a blue Fiat 500 was stolen by two masked males, one allegedly carrying an axe, however, Leo was not believed to be one of the assailants.

Yesterday, a jury who began hearing evidence in the case last week, returned their findings and conclusion. They said that on the day of the crash, October 11 2019, the Fiat was 'the subject of a lawful pursuit by a marked police car with emergency equipment activated' and that none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts.

'The collision occurred as a result of a high-risk manoeuvre that was attempted whilst failing to stop for the police,' they said, with the car overturning, throwing the occupants from their seats, at which time Leo suffered a severe head injury.

'The police pursuing the Fiat 500 stopped within a safe distance, extracted the three occupants from the wreckage and proceeded to administer emergency first aid.

'An off-duty nurse also stopped and administered first aid until paramedics arrived.'

The jury recorded a narrative conclusion that: 'Leo Ryan Gradwell died as the consequence of an unsurvivable head injury caused by a road traffic collision, thereafter, suffering cardiac arrest, leading to a decision to withdraw life support.'

Earlier in the inquest, Andrew Brown, then a temporary police sergeant but now retired, who was driving the Greater Manchester Police-liveried Peugeot 305 police car which pursued the Fiat, said a front-seat passenger in the car appeared to be recording him and his colleague out of a window.

His sister said: 'Leo I love you so much. I'll always think of you and you'll never be forgotten. Lots of love your baby sister Casey Moo'

'Most kindhearted lad': People took to social media to also share tributes to Leo who passed away

Mr Brown told the jury that it seemed to be those inside the Fiat 'were enjoying it' and said they were 'aware of the police behind them'.

'They were aware that we were there,' he said. 'Immediately as they saw the police car - the vehicle was gone.'

Mr Brown, giving evidence at the hearing at Bolton Town Hall on February 9, said at midday on the day he heard over a radio a PCSO reference a stolen Fiat 500 being driven erratically.

The retired police sergeant added: 'That's the only information I received at the time,' he said. 'I did not know about the armed robbery - it was just that it was being driven erratically.'

He said he went on to deal with a report of two missing youngsters being spotted at a McDonald's 'to get them back to their parents' before a report came through over the radio a Fiat matching the description had been seen being driven erratically in Bickershaw.

Mr Brown agreed with Senior Coroner for Manchester West Timothy Brennand, that the car may have been being 'joy-ridden'.

With his partner, the jury was told they headed to the area, where Mr Brown said they saw the Fiat with no front registration plates on Warrington Road at about 1.25pm.

He said as the car approached, it was only on view for seconds. 'As it sped past, I had a clear view that it had no plates on the front, he said. 'By the time I looked down it had gone.'

At one point, Mr Brown said the Fiat was held up by traffic and it 'straddled' the centre road line trying to overtake, before the driver 'put his foot down' after spotting a gap. The officers reached speeds during the pursuit of 62mph, jurors heard.

One balloon reads: 'Rest in peace Leo. Gone but never forgotten. Love you loads' which was tied near the scene of the crash

'We wanted a safe stop of that vehicle,' the witness said, adding he couldn't tell who was inside, but knew there were three of them.

'The vehicle tried to overtake a vehicle,' Mr Brown said. 'He flipped the vehicle which sent him into the path of an oncoming vehicle which he hit head-on. Then the vehicle flipped onto its side.' He said the pursuit last around two-and-a-half minutes.

Mr Brown said he was 'shocked' to see two 'kids' struggling to get out of the Fiat's smashed glass roof. He went on to detail Leo's condition and said he put the teenager in the recovery position.

Representing the Gradwell family, barrister Mass Ndow-Njie said their position was because there had been previous 999 reports of 'kids' driving the Fiat, it became the force's 'duty' to ensure that 'crucial information' was passed on.

Mr Brown said officers 'do not get every incident on handover' and said officers 'couldn't physically listen to everything that is being relayed over the radio comms system'. He said the only time he knew how old they were was when the car stopped.

'I did not know until I got out of my vehicle and saw the occupants,' he said.

He claimed that had he been made aware of all the information at the time - that the car had been stolen in an armed robbery and were being driven erratically - and said it may have 'affected his decision to pursue'.

Summing up the evidence, Mr Brennand said GMP PC Darren Sharpe who was asked to review the incident 'considered the actions of his colleagues to proportionate and legitimate.'

Neville Lowden from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), also concluded the pursuit was 'proportionate and legitimate', the hearing was told.

In a pen portrait read at the inquest, Leo's mum Kirsty Gradwell described him as a 'caring', 'playful', and 'loving' child, who had never been arrested.

However, she admitted that as Leo got older, 'something changed' and his behaviour got worse, which led him to being excluded from Byrchall High School and moving to Special Educational Needs school Newbridge Learning Community.

He loved motorbikes and said he wanted to be a professional rider when he grew up, she said. She described the moment his life-support was switched-off as 'the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with'.

'I put my hand on his chest and felt his heart stop beating. I felt devastated,' she said.

At the end of the hearing, Mr Brennand told her: 'Nothing the jury have said can bring Leo back. But I hope an element of closure can feature as you come to terms with the enormity of your loss.'
The disgraced legal scion, 54, sobbed at the defense table as Kinsey told how Paul's brains were spattered up the door of the feed room at the kennels

Murdaugh is accused of shooting the pair at the kennels of the family's 1,800-acre hunting estate at Moselle in South Carolina's Lowcountry on June 7, 2021

Kenneth Kinsey, described how Paul, 22, was killed with two shotgun discharges and Maggie, 52, received five wounds from a high-powered rifle

Alex Murdaugh today broke down in court as a crime scene expert described in grisly detail how shots fired at close range tore through his wife and son's bodies.

Kenneth Kinsey, an Orangeburg County sheriffs deputy, described how Paul, 22, was killed with two shotgun discharges and Maggie, 52, was wounded five times with a high-powered rifle.

Murdaugh is accused of shooting the pair at the kennels of the family's 1,800-acre hunting estate at Moselle in South Carolina's Lowcountry on June 7, 2021. He denies the killings and his defense claims more than one shooter was at work.

The disgraced legal scion, 54, hunched over and sobbed at the defense table as Kinsey told how Paul's brains were spattered up the top of the door of the feed room at the kennels.

The expert testified that Maggie would 'have been in pain' and doubled over on her hands and knees after suffering three wounds to her abdomen, wrist and thigh. She was then shot twice in the head, the final round while she lay flat on the ground.

Alex Murdaugh, 54, hunched over and sobbed at the defense table as Kinsey told how Paul's brains were spattered up the top of the door of the feed room at the kennels

Alex Murdaugh (center rear) is pictured with his sons Paul (left) and Buster (right), his wife Maggie (front right) and her mother Kennedy and father Terry

Kenneth Kinsey, left, and defense attorney Dick Harpootlian estimate the distance of a shotgun in Paul Murdaugh's murder during the double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday

Prosecutors expect to rest their case this week after laying out evidence from dozens of witnesses which they say proves Murdaugh was at the kennels when they murders took place - despite his claim he only arrived there after they were killed.

The State argues that Murdaugh killed the pair to distract from a decade of malfeasance at his law firm during which he embezzled some $10million.

On the day of the killings Murdaugh had been confronted over $792,000 he had stolen from the firm.

Later that week he was due in court for hearing to disclose his finances as he was being sued for a fatal boat crash in which his drunk son was behind the wheel.

Murdaugh was claiming he was broke and that the family had no money for the family of 19-year-old Mallory Beach who was killed in the wreck in February, 2019.

Laying out the gruesome evidence of the shootings, Kinsey painted a distressing picture to jurors, at times using a yard stick to demonstrate on prosecutor Creighton Waters the direction the bullets and shot pellets hit Maggie and Paul respectively.

Kinsey told how Maggie would 'have been in pain' after being struck by at least two rifle rounds, with puncture wounds to her abdomen, leg and arm. He was unable to say whether she was hit by three rounds, as the shot to her abdomen may have first passed through her arm if she was holding it across her torso.

He told the court: 'At bare minimum she would've bent over, she would have been in pain. I believe at some time in close proximity she fell to the ground. And that's when the first fatal wound was delivered.'

'She would have been on her knees and had at least one hand on the ground,' he added.

Kinsey demonstrated on the prosecutor who got down on his hands and knees on the courtroom floor in front of the jury.

Standing approximately two yards behind Waters, he showed with the yard stick how the first fatal shot entered Maggie's left breast, passing up her chest and puncturing her brain as she was kneeling on the ground.

Maggie then lay flat on her face. The second fatal shot was fired from the other direction, not from behind her legs but facing toward the top of Maggie's head.

Crime scene specialist Kenneth Kinsey, right, shows how Paul Murdaugh was killed by a shotgun

A hole left by the shotgun used on Paul

Kinsey told how Paul's brains were spattered up the top of the door of the feed room at the kennels

Blood spatters on the feed room floor where Paul was shot at the kennels on the estate

The first shot struck Paul while he was standing sideways about 5ft inside the 10ft-long feed room of the kennels with his right shoulder facing the door. A hole from the shot is seen in the back window

Blood spatters from Paul also covered cleaning supplies and canine medication on a shelf of the feed room

It was slightly further back from the first shot but still yards away.

The bullet entered the crown of her head making a 'key-hole' puncture.

Kinsey said the second shot would have been fatal had Maggie been alive but in his opinion she was no longer moving.

Describing Paul's injuries, who the State says was killed before Maggie, Kinsey said the 22-year-old was shot in the chest first.

The buckshot struck him while he was standing sideways about 5ft inside the 10ft-long feed room of the kennels with his right shoulder facing the door.

The pellets went into his chest and exited under his left armpit, with most exiting and blowing out the glass in the window at the back of the room.

Blood drops flowed straight down indicating he was standing as he staggered toward the door.

Kinsey used a yard stick to demonstrate to jurors the angle of the shots

Kinsey demonstrates how the shooter killed Maggie Murdaugh

Paul, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh in a vacation photo from the mother's Facebook page

The position of the shell casing on the floor of the feed room indicated to Kinsey that most of the gun was inside the feed room when the shot was fired - at extremely close range.

The second shot to Paul's brain was immediately fatal and he ceased all voluntary movement, Kinsey said.

Pellet patterns and brain matter spattered across the top of the door indicated the shooter was standing outside the feed room and the barrel of the gun was pointing upwards at Paul from waist-high or lower.

He said that based on the direction of the impact and the lack of a 'contact' wound (burning of the skin) meant it was impossible Paul shot himself.

No murder weapon has ever been recovered but the State argues 'family weapons' were used.

Only one .300 Blackout rifle (held by SLED agent Jeff Croft earlier in the trial) was recovered from the estate and that rifle has been ruled out as the murder weapon. The other two .300 Blackout rifles which were at the property at some point have never been recovered

MURDAUGH GUN CABINET: During his interview with cops, Murdaugh said that there were probably 25 guns on the estate. He said that in addition to the camo shotgun officers took off him when they arrived there were 'all kinds of rifles.' He added: 'I mean you name 'em, we have 'em'

Murdaugh bought three .300 Blackout rifles for his sons, two as Christmas presents in 2016 and a third after Paul lost his a couple of years later.

Only one .300 Blackout rifle was recovered from the estate and that rifle has been ruled out as the murder weapon. The other two weapons have never been recovered.

Unlike a rifle, a shotgun does not provide the same evidentiary clues and the 12-gauge shotguns recovered from the property were inconclusive. The available evidence does not exclude that one of these guns was used to kill Paul.

Prosecutors are anticipated to rest their case on Friday and then the defense will start calling their witnesses.

Murdaugh's sole surviving son Buster, his brothers John Marvin and Randy, and his sister Lynn have attended court most days. They are listed as defense witnesses.
Calling a colleague a 'slag' or asking when they lost their virginity has been deemed as acceptable workplace 'banter', a tribunal ruled.

A property firm manager who was fired after she was accused of asking a colleague personal questions about her sex life has successfully sued her former employer.

The tribunal ruled that a culture of 'banter' of 'a sexual or obscene nature' was rife in the office that Emma Greenaway-Evans, was working at.

She had been employed by Countryside Properties for more than 20 years and was also accused of telling staff the female employee was 'shagging about' when she booked a holiday.

Ms Greenaway-Evans was sacked for gross misconduct but an employment tribunal ruled this dismissal was wrongful as there was a culture of 'workplace banter' and insufficient evidence she had made the comments.

A property firm manager who was sacked after she was accused of asking a colleague personal questions about her sex life has successfully sued her former employer (stock image)

The Manchester tribunal heard that Ms Greenaway-Evans began working for major housebuilding company Countryside Properties in March 1999.

Over the next 20 years, she worked her way up to the role of Progression Manager.

But one of the employees she managed complained about her in an exit interview in March 2020.

The staff member, Bethany Keeley, accused Ms Greenaway-Evans of saying 'how did you get on at your smear Beth? I bet they didn't find it' when she returned from a smear test.

The tribunal heard Ms Keeley told bosses: 'When booking a holiday at Valentine's Day she proceeded to tell everybody I was "shagging about".'

She also said her manager told her 'I bet you stink' after she wore the same shoes to work.

Additionally, she claimed Ms Greenaway-Evans asked her in front of the team what age she was when she lost her virginity, and when she refused to answer said she must have been 'young' and a 'slag'.

But the tribunal found there wasn't a comprehensive record of the allegations.

After the allegations came to light, a boss emailed Ms Greenaway-Evans' manager: 'I suggest we leave any kind of follow-up until you are back in the business as any kind of action will be like lighting a box full of gunpowder and I think we need to discuss the next steps carefully.'

Calling a colleague a 'slag' or asking when they lost their virginity has been deemed as acceptable workplace 'banter', a tribunal ruled (Manchester employment tribunal pictured)

The tribunal believed the 'box of gunpowder' referred to the disciplinary process, which hadn't begun yet.

Ms Greenaway-Evans denied all the allegations and was invited to a disciplinary meeting on June 26, 2020, after which she was sacked.

When she appealed her dismissal, managing director Adam Daniels told her there was a 'pattern of behaviour' and other staff had said Ms Keeley was unhappy.

Ms Greenaway-Evans then sued Countryside Properties for unfair and wrongful dismissal.

Employment Judge Jared Duane Ficklin said: 'It was clear from the evidence given to the tribunal as well as from the investigation that there were incidents of language and commentary, referred to as 'banter' by the interviewees, of a sexual or obscene nature in the office.

'The [company's] case depends on maintaining an incompatible dichotomy.

'None of the interviewees were witnesses to the allegations and were not even asked about them.

'With reference to the next issue, namely was the investigation reasonable, I found that it was not. The investigation was inadequate and not capable of reaching a reasonable conclusion that [Ms Greenaway-Evans] was guilty of gross misconduct.'
A rare natural phenomenon stunned visitors at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday evening.

Water flowing off Horsetail Falls on the eastern end of the El Capitan rock face perfectly caught the light of the setting sun, leaving it glowing red and resembling a stream of flames flowing off the cliff.

The event, known as a 'firefall' occurs at the park only on certain days towards the end of February when the setting sun back-lights the waterfall.

It has become such a popular event that park officials had to moderate how many people will be allowed into the park.

Visitors wishing to drive into the park during the last two weekends of February need to book reservations, and as do some campgrounds typically available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The firefall lighting up from the sunset at Yosemite National Park. It only occurs in February

A crowd of spectators and photographers gather at the base of El Capitan to see the firefall

Wednesday brought a particularly clear evening and sunset to the California park and made for perfect viewing of the firefall.

Crowds of spectators could be seen watching in amazement at the sight, while professional and amateur photographers snapped away from rows of cameras rigged up on tripods.

'When the sun drops at the exact right angle, it reflects upon El Capitan,' public affairs officer for Yosemite National Park Scott Gedimann told AFP.

'It's a combination of the sun reflecting on the water, clear skies, water flowing. If all of that comes together, it's magical,' he added.

The phenomenon only lasts a few short minutes while the angle of light is just right.

The falls drop 2,130 ft down El Capitan, and only flow in the wintertime when enough snow has fallen and temperatures have been warm enough for melt.

The falls drop 2,130 ft down El Capitan, and only flow in the wintertime when enough snow has fallen and temperatures have been warm enough for melt

A few of the sunset reflecting on the rock face where Horsetail Falls drops off El capitan

Photographers flocking to the park have gushed about the beauty of the sighting.

'Based on how the sun sets up against the mountain or the rock, it creates a really good fire effect for photographers and you can get a beautiful picture of it,' photographer Whtiney Clark said. She travelled from San Francisco to see the falls.

Terry Cantrell visited from Fresno, California, to get her own shots.

'The pictures I've seen [of the firefall] are just gorgeous,' she told AFP.

'Everybody wants to have their own, so this is what I'm trying to do,' she added.
The residents of East Palestine have been told they are ineligible for FEMA help because their homes weren't physically destroyed - even though they may be chemically contaminated.

While residents have been told it is safe to return to their homes, many are hesitant and unwilling to accept the assurances of state and federal officials.

As a result, they are staying in hotels that are currently being paid for by Norfolk Southern - the rail company whose train derailed two weeks ago.

Unlike in hurricanes or tornadoes, where homes are physically damaged if not destroyed, the homes in East Palestine remain in tact.

That - coupled with the fact that Norfolk Southern is already paying for accommodation, food and water - means the request can't be granted and money that would be released in other disasters remains tied up, according to people familiar with the situation.

Mayor Trent Conaway hosted a meeting last night in the town. Residents asked 'where's Pete Buttigieg?' as they demanded answers

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Twitter on Thursday that he'd asked for help, but was told 'Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time'

While FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) isn't offering any funds, the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services have been drafted in.

The CDC's team will track whether there are any clusters of illness on-the-ground that may be related to the derailment, while the HHS team will provide additional healthcare staff, according to the governor's office.

The Ohio National Guard and the USEPA is also helping.

But there has been a notable lack of support from President Biden and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The lack of federal support is tormenting residents in the town, who last night demanded to know why Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg didn't attend a town meeting about the crisis.

'Where's Pete Buttigieg? Where's he at?' one man asked. An exasperated Mayor Trent Conaway replied: 'I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine.'

President Biden is yet to comment on the disaster, which began on February 3 when a Norfolk Southern train carrying vinyl chloride and other hazardous materials derailed.

The president underwent a physical exam at Walter Reed this afternoon and is due back at the White House shortly, where he is scheduled to give a media briefing on unexplained UFOs that were shot down over the weekend.

President Biden is yet to comment on the crisis that began over two weeks ago

The toxic train derailed in a fiery crash on February 3, leading authorities to evacuate the surrounding East Palestine, Ohio area

East Palestine residents came out in their droves for the town hall meeting on Wednesday

Yesterday, Mayor Conaway said the first he'd heard from anyone in Washington DC was on Tuesday - more than 10 days after the derailment.

Part of the town was evacuated over environmental concerns, and officials then decided to burn the hazardous materials in a controlled setting to avoid an unplanned, deadly explosion.

Now, residents do not know whether it is safe to return to their homes.

They are being told that all there are no traces of the toxic chemicals in the water or air, but have been advised to drink bottled water as a precaution.

Many have rejected those assurances, including Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.

'If the EPA Administrator wants to stand here and tell people that the tap water is safethey should be willing to drink it.

Pete Buttigieg has offered few remarks, aside from blaming the disaster on the Trump administration

'If I was living here, I'd be drinking bottled water.'

Many residents continue to complain of sore eyes and scratchy throats, and some say they are suffering headaches.

There are grave concerns for the health of the town's residents, and mounting questions over the crisis.

Republican Senator J.D. Vance said on Thursday that the EPA Administrator ought to drink the tap water in the area if he

Norfolk Southern's CEO is yet to visit the town.

He is joined in his absence by Buttigieg, whose few public remarks have included an attempt to blame the fiasco on the Trump administration.

The Trump administration repealed a safety rule requiring new electronic brakes and made its trains dangerously long.

Buttigieg has been widely panned for his poor handling of the crisis.
Britain's counter-terrorism forces foiled eight attempted atrocities last year, a police chief has said, as security services devote more time to countering threats from Russia.

Matt Jukes, head of counter-terrorism policing, said several terror plots foiled at the last minute in 2022 were 'close calls'.

He said would-be attackers had picked targets and were gathering weapons when they were caught.

Speaking at a briefing at Scotland Yard on Thursday, Mr Jukes said: 'Last year we stopped eight late-stage terror plots.

'And the reality is that a number of those were close calls, I would describe several of them as goal-line saves.

Matt Jukes, head of counter-terrorism policing, said several terror plots foiled at the last minute in 2022 were 'close calls'

Security services have begun to focus more on threats posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia

'These are cases in which a subject had identified their target, had or was acquiring their weapon and where we have intervened to stop that attack taking place.'

He added that 'missions outside of terrorism' now account for around 20 per cent of casework in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to tackle state threats, espionage and probe war crimes.

Mr Jukes described the workload as 'unprecedented' and said it marked a 'really significant shift' in focus for teams primarily working on terror probes.

The terror threat in the UK 'feels a very enduring one', he said, adding that it had changed over time and 'evolved', to now include 'many more self-initiated terrorists than it had in the past.'

'This is making the threat harder to spot, it's making the individuals harder to stop,' he added.

There are more than 800 live investigations and police have seen calls to the anti-terrorism hotline increase in the last year.

(File Photo) Eight terrorist atrocities were prevented in the UK last year, Mr Jukes told a Scotland Yard briefing

Mr Jukes said the number of investigations focused on state threats has 'quadrupled in recent years', adding that this referred to 'dozens' of cases over the last two years, not 'hundreds'.

He said 'scores' of officers could be working on hostile state threats because of the 'intensity' of the investigations, adding that the nature of the cases was 'palpably different' from terror probes.

Last year, the boss of MI5 laid bare the 'very real threat' posted by hostile states and set out in stark language the dangers from Russia, China and Iran.

The security agency's director general Ken McCallum revealed in a speech in November that there had been at least 10 potential plots since January last year by Iranian intelligence services to kidnap or kill British or 'UK-based' people considered 'enemies of the regime'. Mr Jukes said that number now stands at 15.
Nicola Sturgeon beams as she returns home to Glasgow a day after resigning

A beaming Nicola Sturgeon today donned casual clothes as she returned home to Glasgow a day after her bombshell resignation rocked Scottish politics.

The departing SNP leader wore a dark hoodie, jeans and white trainers as she was photographed stepping out of a car and walking to her front door.

She is quitting as Scotland's longest-serving First Minister - after more than eight years in Bute House - amid fierce rows at Holyrood over independence and gender identity reforms.

The SNP's ruling body was due to meet this evening to discuss the process for replacing Ms Sturgeon as party leader and First Minister.

A string of top SNP figures are being linked with the party's top job. But Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader of Westminster, revealed he does not plan a leadership bid.

He today admitted Ms Sturgeon had left no clear path to Scottish independence for her successor.

And Mr Flynn stressed the First Minister's replacement must address public concern over transgender rights.

A beaming Nicola Sturgeon today donned casual clothes as she returned home to Glasgow a day after her bombshell resignation rocked Scottish politics

The departing SNP leader wore a dark hoodie, jeans and trainers as she was photographed stepping out of a car and walking to her front door

Ms Sturgeon is quitting as Scotland's longest-serving First Minister after more than eight years in Bute House

As he spoke to the BBC about the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill - passed under Ms Sturgeon by the Scottish Parliament - Mr Flynn said there had been 'understandable concern' about high-profile cases where sex attackers born as men had been placed in female-only prisons.

'I think what needs to happen is we need to have a lot more light rather than shade in this debate,' he said.

'This legislation was put in place to protect some of the vulnerable people in society, to offer them better opportunities in life as well.

'I think it is incumbent upon a new leader to try to find a path which allows us to have this positive discussion as to why this legislation is necessary, while of course addressing the understandable concerns that have arisen in the public domain.'

Mr Flynn also suggested the SNP's planned conference to discuss the next steps in its independence push could now be delayed.

As many as five SNP figures are expected to run to replace Ms Sturgeon in what could be a bloody fight between her allies and more socially conservative figures.

The SNP's ruling body was due to meet this evening to discuss the process for replacing Ms Sturgeon as party leader and First Minister

Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader in Westminster, admitted Ms Sturgeon had left no clear path to Scottish independence for her successor

A man opens a bottle of champagne with Unionist supporters in Glasgow's George Square last night

Ms Sturgeon had previously vowed to defend the gender identity legislation after Westminster enacted never-before-used powers to block her bid to make it easier to change gender in Scotland.

Holyrood has until mid-April to challenge London's decision but the race to replace Ms Sturgeon is likely to run until at least that deadline  plunging hopes of resurrecting the policy into serious doubt, even if it is not officially ditched.

An SNP source told The Telegraph: 'We need to get back on track by pursuing things that matter to the people of Scotland, not pushing stuff that the public is vehemently opposed to.

'I expect the gender reforms to be parked somewhere as quickly as possible. Any sensible new leader will want to get that off the front pages, and quickly.'

Standing down now means Ms Sturgeon will avoid running a legal challenge she was likely to lose, or not launching an objection at all, both of which would have severely weakened her position.

Ms Sturgeon yesterday insisted the row over the plan, passed by the Scottish parliament in December, was not the 'final straw' that led to her resignation - despite it deepening divisions within her party.

SNP president Michael Russell has said he expects that process to be shortened and for there to be a contested election.

Though there is no obvious candidate to succeed Ms Sturgeon, potential candidates include external affairs secretary Angus Robertson; finance secretary Kate Forbes; health secretary Humza Yousaf and deputy first minister John Swinney.

Labour was last night also looking to capitalise on Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation, hoping it would help Sir Keir Starmer reach Downing Street.

Labour were last night looking to capitalise on Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation hoping it would help Sir Keir Starmer reach Downing Street

Since the 2015 general election, when it lost 40 of its 41 MPs north of the border, Labour has largely remained in the political wilderness in Scotland.

It won seven seats in the 2017 election, but this fell to one again in 2019 as Ms Sturgeon hoovered up Left-leaning voters trying to block a pro-Brexit Tory party from storming to victory in Westminster. Tory seats in Scotland fell from 13 in 2017 to six in 2019.

But Ms Sturgeon's departure potentially leaves the door open for a Labour comeback in Scotland, helping the party win a majority and the keys to No 10 at the next election, likely to be in autumn next year.

One Labour MP with knowledge of the party's Scottish strategy said: 'There are some seats where the Tories are capable of a comeback, but Labour stands to be the biggest beneficiary given the number of seats where there's been Labour representation historically.

'The internal struggles of the SNP are making it almost unmanageable now for them to maintain the success that Sturgeon had and we'll try and exploit that.

'Sturgeon may be hoping she can defuse it by stepping down, but the SNP's problems run much deeper.'

One message they may look to drive home, added the MP, was that voting in a Labour government in Westminster would be a quicker and easier way of toppling 'hated' Tory rule than trying to secure another independence referendum, win it and then apply to re-join the European Union.

Another Labour figure said: 'We were already on the upward trajectory and [Scottish Labour leader] Anas Sarwar is seen as a credible insurgent and this helps hugely.'

A third senior party official told Politico: 'Politics is about seizing your breakthrough moments. We intend to seize this.'

Sir Keir is due to give a speech at Scottish Labour's annual conference on Sunday, when he will declare his party is a government-in-waiting. Mr Sarwar and Ian Murray, the only Scottish Labour MP, will give speeches on Friday and Saturday.
Detectives handling the chaotic investigation into Nicola Bulley's disappearance have been ordered by the Home Secretary to explain why they publicised her battles with alcohol and the menopause.

Suella Braverman has pressured Lancashire Constabulary for answers after having grown 'concerned' by the force's decision to release highly personal information about the 45-year-old mother-of-two.

The force sparked a backlash after divulging Ms Bulley's personal information, prompting womens campaigners to accuse officers of trying to hide their incompetence in the now three-weeklong probe.

An ex-detective called the force's statement astounding and a former missing persons expert at Scotland Yard said the failure by police to state earlier why they thought Ms Bulley had drowned had created an unnecessary circus.

Lancashire Police have also referred themselves to the police watchdog over contact they had with Ms Bulley just weeks prior to her disappearance.

Lancashire Police has sparked anger and grief after detectives revealed that mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, (pictured with her partner Paul) had been struggling with alcohol issues brought on by ongoing struggles with menopause

Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the police watchdog over contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley prior to her disappearance. Pictured: Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police during a press conference on Wednesday

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said they were assessing the information to determine whether an investigation would be necessary over the contact officers had with the missing mother-of-two on January 10. Pictured: Officers in St Michael's on Wyre on Thursday

The Home Office said Mrs Braverman had demanded regular updates about the police handling of the case.

A source close to the Home Secretary said: She was concerned by the disclosure of Nicola Bulleys personal information by Lancashire police and asked the force for an explanation, which came yesterday evening.

The force is understood to have told the Home Office that it had acted to quash wild rumours. But government insiders said ministers were still not wholly satisfied.

The mounting storm of criticism came after a testy press conference on Wednesday when the senior officer investigating Ms Bulleys disappearance was repeatedly quizzed about why unspecified vulnerabilities had seen her classified as a high risk missing person.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said colleagues had been made aware of the issues but refused to spell out why they were relevant to the case.

Hours later the force issued a sensational statement revealing the personal crisis Ms Bulley had been going through.

It added that these struggles had resurfaced and had caused real challenges for the family. Officers and health professionals were called to a concern for welfare at the family home 17 days before her disappearance.

Nicola Bulley and her partner Paul Ansell were planning on getting married in the near future

Ms Bulley's parents and sister spoke at an appeal a number of weeks ago to try and find her

Police officers are seen searching the Wyre river bank at Wardley Yacht Marina on Thursday

The announcement sparked criticism, with friends on Thursday branding the force out of order and pleading on social media for people to be kind.

Lancashire police then later released a further statement from her family calling for an end to the cruel and appalling speculation over her personal life.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the actions were very unusual and she had also written to Lancashire Constabulary to demand an explanation.

The criticism prompted the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to ask the force to consider referring itself over the high-profile criticism of its handling of the case.

In response the force instead referred itself over the contact it had with Ms Bulley on January 10, when it was called to the family home.

'This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on January 10, prior to her disappearance,' the IOPC said on Thursday.

'We are assessing the available information to determine whether an investigation into that contact may be required and if so, who should conduct that investigation.'

The force said this referral did not relate to the wider missing from home investigation.

The Conservative police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, Andrew Snowden, also said the force was being 'as transparent as they can be' following the press conference.

The bench where Nicola's mobile phone was last seen when she vanished on January 27

A police officer walks past a missing person appeal poster for Nicola Bulley and yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre

A candle is lit in front of a photo of Nicola Bulley (left) and her partner Paul Ansell (right) on an altar at St Michael's Church in St Michael's on Wyre on Thursday

Nicola Bulley's family statement 'It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul's private life. 'As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki. 'Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop. 'The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. 'Due to the peri menopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. 'The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life. 'Despite what some media outlets and individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers. 'Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister , partner and mother and is missed dearly - we all need you back in our lives. 'Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don't be scared, we all love you so very much.' Advertisement

Former home secretary Priti Patel said on Thursday night that the decision to divulge such personal information raised some very, very serious questions.

It is wholly inappropriate and too judgmental for them to have made the type of personal statements they have about Nicola, she said.

Jamie Klingler of Reclaim These Streets, which clashed with the Met Police following the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, accused the force of using Ms Bulley as a shield to protect their own incompetence.

Branding officers cruel, she added: This is not how to treat a missing woman.

Zoe Billingham, who spent 12 years as HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue, told the BBC the update smacked either of panic or perhaps even a deliberate decision on the part of the force to think how they can maintain their reputation.

Mick Neville, the former missing persons expert at Scotland Yard, said: At the start they said she was completely ordinary  theyve told a lie. It is bad management of publicity, there has been this covering up, things they have not disclosed, that has caused all this. The police have created an unnecessary circus by not being forthright from the start.

And Martyn Underhill, a former detective and police and crime commissioner, said the astounding level of personal detail revealed by officers risked distracting from the key issue which is where is Nicola? He said taking the decision almost three weeks after her disappearance had the effect of destroying Nicolas reputation.

Ms Bulley was last seen on January 27 while walking her dog by the river in St Michaels on Wyre after dropping her daughters  aged six and nine  at school. Her phone was left on a bench.

Police continue to stress their working hypothesis remains that the mortgage adviser fell into the River Wyre and say there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest she was the victim of foul play.

However detectives are still hunting for any evidence that she left the location on foot, while the mouth of the river and Morecambe Bay continues to be searched.

The IOPC referral came as Ms Bulley's family pleaded with people to stop making up 'wild theories about her personal life' and instead focus on 'finding' her.

More officers seen by the river on Thursday as they search for missing Ms Bulley

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police updates the media on Wednesday

In a statement released through Lancashire Constabulary, the 45-year-old's family chose to share more detail of her fight with the menopause and their fears that her decision to suddenly stop taking HRT may have 'ended up causing this crisis.'

The family said that Ms Bulley 'would not have wanted this' and said they were 'aware' it was going out  though stopped short of saying they approved of it.

'We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul's private life.

'As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki.

'Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.'

It continued: 'The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life.

'Despite what some media outlets and individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers.'

Concluding their statement, the family issued a direct plea for Ms Bulley to return, saying: 'Your girls want a cuddle.'

The statement read: 'Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly - we all need you back in our lives.

'Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home.

'You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don't be scared, we all love you so very much.'

Ms Bulley's parents, Ernest, 73, and Dot Bulley, 72, left a yellow ribbon tied to the bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, where their daughter vanished on January 27.

Among other ribbons left by friends and well-wishers, the message from Ms Bulley's parents read: 'We pray every day for you. Love you, Mum + Dad XXX.'

A second ribbon, believed to be from Ms Bulley's sister, Louise Cunningham, read: 'Nikki please come home. I love you. Lou XXX'.

Mark Williams-Thomas at the bench where Nicola Bulley was last seen three weeks ago

Lancashire Police said that Nicola was immediately graded as 'high-risk' due to 'specific vulnerabilities'

Since Ms Bulley vanished, huge public and media interest has resulted in what police described as 'false information, accusations and rumours' and an 'unprecedented' search of both the River Wyre, downstream to Morecambe Bay and miles of neighbouring farmland

During a briefing on Wednesday, police explained Ms Bulley was immediately classified as high risk when she was reported missing due to her 'vulnerabilities'.

Lancashire police disclosed that the mortgage adviser suffered 'significant issues with alcohol brought on by ongoing struggles with menopause'.

Police initially said she had 'vulnerabilities', but hours later shared more details, explaining they felt it was 'important to clarify'.

The decision to publicly share personal information about the mother-of-two has been called 'deeply troubling' by MPs and campaigners.

Police experts have also questioned why officers had not shared the fact Ms Bulley was deemed high risk and vulnerable from day one, something potentially relevant to the search.

Two people are arrested for sending local councillors 'malicious' messages about Nicola Bulley search Two people have been arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications over the disappearance of Nicola Bulley. Lancashire Police said it received reports over the weekend of messages being sent to Wyre Council members. A 49-year-old man from Manchester and a 20-year-old woman from Oldham have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences. A 49-year-old man from Manchester and a 20-year-old woman from Oldham were arrested on Tuesday for messages sent to Wyre Council (pictured) members over the weekend, Lancashire Police have confirmed The man has been bailed pending further inquiries until May 12 while the woman remains in custody. On Monday, Wyre Council removed councillors' contact details from its website due to 'inappropriate emails and phone calls' about Ms Bulley's disappearance. It said it had temporarily removed contact details for 'parish and town council members' after Lancashire Police confirmed its investigation. Advertisement

It was completely at odds with a press conference held by Supt Sally Riley on February 3.

There the officer was directly asked if there were any other factors with Ms Bulley - such as depression, medication or underlying conditions - which may have contributed to her going missing.

Supt Riley had responded: 'We have clearly considered the whole picture but this is not relevant at this time.'

Questions as to why the constabulary had not been 'forthright from the start' and suppressed the fact the beloved mother-of-two was vulnerable were raised on Thursday.

In missing person cases it is extremely common for people to be described this way if it is relevant to the case.

Experts and former officers expressed disbelief at Lancashire's failure to do this and said the omission had fed a three-week mystery that saw the force at one point have to issue a dispersal notice to deter TikTokers and amateur sleuths.

Former undercover Met detective Peter Bleksley - who is also known for his appearances on Hunted - also lambasted Lancashire Police.

He said: 'The naivety on behalf of the police has been absolutely staggering. They've tried to manage the situation and they've got it wrong at virtually at each and every turn.

'If the public can't trust what the police are telling us, and they have no trust in their media strategy, it's quite natural for some people to perhaps not trust their investigation.'

In a scathing attack, Mark Williams-Thomas said Lancashire Police's media strategy is 'totally wrong' in the probe into the mortgage adviser's disappearance while out walking her dog three weeks ago.

Mr Williams-Thomas, who exposed the crimes of Jimmy Savile and investigated the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, criticised their decision to initially withhold details of the missing mother's vulnerable state which seriously hampered the search.

He claimed the force then left her family in turmoil by revealing information about her 'alcohol issues' after interest in the case had been allowed to mushroom.

Speaking on the riverbank in St Michaels on Wyre, close to where Ms Bulley, 45, was last seen on January 27, Mr Williams-Thomas told MailOnline on Thursday: 'They [Lancashire Police] got their media strategy totally wrong.

'The family are now in turmoil. The last 24 hours have been horrific because the police decided yesterday to release that she was a high-risk missing person. Their performance yesterday was shocking.'

The ex-detective went on: 'Not only in the fact that [they said] she was a high-risk missing person in the press conference and then refused to explain what that was about.

'How did they think that they could release a piece of information like that and journalists and investigators weren't going to say, what are you talking about?'

Paul Ansell (right), the distraught partner of missing dog walker Nicola Bulley (left), is growing 'frustrated' with police over their stalling investigation, it was revealed on Tuesday

Ms Bulley's long-term partner Paul Ansell sat down for a TV interview with Channel 5's Dan Walker

Police officers near the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, as police continue their search on Thursday

Peter Faulding (centre, pictured searching for Nicola on February 8) said it is 'absolutely outrageous' the information was withheld from him, as it would have changed how he searched the stretch of the River Wyre in the village of St Michael's

Mr Williams-Thomas, a former Surrey Police detective, said Lancashire Police only revealed details of Nicola's vulnerability after he told them he had information about police having being called to her home just weeks before she went missing.

He said: 'They have acknowledged they've made major failings. And I know that because I've spoken to them in the police press department and they acknowledge that.'

'When I spoke to the police early yesterday before lunch and I said to them: "Listen, I have information that something has gone on in the family... there have been emergency services called at the address, what are you going to do about it? Can you please confirm if that's true or not?"

'And as a result of that, they then in the early evening released information that there have been issues in Nicola's life.'

READ MORE: Police debunk nine 'persistent myths' about Nicola Bulley's disappearance Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith holds a press conference into Nicola Bulley's disappearance Advertisement

He went on: 'What they should have done is done it on day one - get rid of all the speculation, dealt with it, and have had a very clear strategy.

'Nicola has issues in her life - we all have issues in our lives - but that doesn't mean she's any less vulnerable than anyone else in terms of [being abducted by] third parties.'

Similarly, the forensic diving expert who helped look for Ms Bulley said his approach would have been completely different if officers had shared their intelligence with him when his team searched the River Wyre.

Peter Fauldings Specialist Group International were called in by Ms Bulleys family after she had been missing for more than a week.

They spent three days searching the river before declaring the case a complete mystery.

He now says he would have searched further down the river had he been told she was a high risk individual with significant alcohol issues and had been struggling.

He told Sky News on Thursday night the case baffled him because if Ms Bulley had fallen in where her phone and dog harness were found she would have landed in just two feet of water on rocks, she would not have drowned.

In a further interview, with GB News, he said that if he had known Ms Bulley was classed as high risk due to her state of mind his thinking would have been different.

He said: If somebody intends to take their own life, and I deal with a number of suicides each year for the police, they tend to jump in and may swim and float before they manage to drown themselves.

'Its very grim and we look for things like whisky bottles, because most people have a drop, some pills, and they go with it and they tend to drift down.

Mr Faulding previously said the mother could not be in the river, after conducting a search under the premise she had slipped in. But he now believes she could be much further downstream if she intended to take her own life.

Mr Faulding told TalkTV that: 'If she had jumped in, intended to take her own life or walk off, that would change my whole plan. She could have ended up in the sea.'

And he told The Times: 'I find it absolutely outrageous this was not shared with me. It's disgraceful and someone needs to take responsibility for this.'

Nicola Bulley, 45, from Inskip, Lancashire, was last seen on the morning of Friday January 27, when she was spotted walking her dog on a footpath by the River Wyre off Garstang Road in St Michael's on Wrye

Police drone searchs the Wyre river bank at Wardley Yacht Marina on Thursday

Police officers search the Wyre river bank at Wardley Yacht Marina on Thursday

An aerial view of Blackpool Lane in St Michaels on Wyre, which was not covered by CCTV on the day that Nicola Bulley went missing, on February 15

The mortgage adviser had been struggling with menopause when she disappeared.

Experts say women go through the menopause at the age of 51 years on average, although it can begin when someone is anywhere between 40 and 58 years old.

During this period the body goes through major hormonal changes, as the ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone.

In the early stages this triggers hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings among other symptoms.

Reacting to the police announcement, Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: 'The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

'The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation.'

Silkie Carlo, of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, said the decision to broadcast Ms Bulley's health issues and hormone status was 'serious invasion of her privacy with no obvious benefits for the investigation'.

Weeks after the mystery disappearance, police continue to focus almost exclusively on the theory that Ms Bulley fell into the river at St Michael's on Wyre

RNLI boat our on the river Wyre Estuary at Knott End on Thursday as part of the Nicola Bulley missing person search, now in its third week

Police officers walk along a footpath in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on Sunday as they continue their search for missing woman Nicola Bulley

Pictured: The bench where Nicola Bulley's phone was found, on the banks of the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre

'No evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third party involvement' in Nicola Bulley's disappearance, Lancashire Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said to a press conference on Wednesday morning

READ MORE: 'I was at home drinking tea when Nikki vanished': Nicola Bulley's devastated partner reveals minute-by-minute his movements in hours when missing mother-of-two disappeared Paul Ansell, right, pictured with his partner Nicola Bulley - who vanished two weeks ago while walking her dog near the River Wyre in Lancashire Advertisement

Many social media users felt the decision highlighted the police's treatment of women  which has recently been under scrutiny following high-profile cases involving former officers such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

Jo Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, asked how the police will justify their decision if the mother is found alive.

He tweeted: 'If, as we all hope, Nicola Bulley is found alive how will the police justify a breach of her confidentiality to, what looks like, manage their own reputation?'

Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland, tweeted: 'I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley's so-called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause & alcohol.

'I struggle to ascertain how this will assist Police in their search & investigations.

'I do see how it would assist those wishing to victim-blame or diminish.'

Nearly three weeks have passed since Ms Bulley vanished, but a search expert advising the police told the newspaper that it can take up to 100 days to find a body in a river.

The expert, who was not named, said in some cases the body is never found.

On the day Ms Bulley went missing, the river was flowing at a rate of 3.8 cubic metres per second - enough to carry her over the weir and off downstream, according to the expert.

In the highly-detailed public briefing from Lancashire Police, the force said it had an open mind but that there was no evidence anyone was involved.

It remains the the police's 'working hypothesis' that Nicola fell into the river while taking her dog, though they were following a number of lines of inquiry.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police gives a press conference at Lancashire Police HQ on February 15

Charlotte Drake, a next-door neighbour and friend of Ms Bulley, ties a ribbon with a message of hope written on it, to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre on Tuesday

A yellow ribbon, with a message from Nicola Bulley's parents written on it, is tied to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre on Thursday

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said: 'As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk.

'That is normal in a missing person investigation with the information we were in possession of. As any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses  that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand.'

On Wednesday, Lancashire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said the force had undertaken an 'unprecedented amount of work' in searching for Nicola.

He said this had included visiting more than 300 premises, speaking to almost 300 people and receiving roughly 1,500 pieces of information.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said at the time: 'Those vulnerabilities based our decision-making in terms of grading Nicola as high risk and have continued to form part of my investigation throughout.'

From HRT side effects to the symptoms that affect nearly nine in 10 women, our essential Q&A reveals how menopause can have a devastating effect

Revelations that Nicola Bulley was battling alcohol issues following an early menopause has thrown a fresh spotlight on the effects of the condition:

What is the menopause?

Menopause occurs when your periods stop permanently, marked by the point when a woman hasnt had one for 12 months in a row.

It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the UK average.

It is a normal part of ageing and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs. As a result, levels of the hormones the ovaries produce drop.

Revelations that Nicola Bulley was battling alcohol issues following an early menopause has thrown a fresh spotlight on the effects of the condition (file image)

Potential side effects of HRT?

HRT replaces the hormones that a womans body stops producing due to the menopause, such as oestrogen and progestogen. Side effects can include bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea, cramps, headaches, indigestion, bleeding, depression and acne.

The NHS advises people who suffer side effects to try to persevere for three months if possible as they can stop as the body gets used to the medication.

Do benefits outweigh risks?

For many women struggling with menopause symptoms the answer is yes.

HRT has been hailed as life-changing by women who say it has let them regain energy levels and live an active life.

In addition to HRT, women suffering from mental health symptoms may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy. There are also moisturisers and lubricants to ease discomfort.

How many take the drug?

Nearly two million women in England are taking HRT, which can come as patches, gels or tablets. HRT use jumped by 35 per cent in the last year, as women have sought prescriptions to ease symptoms.

Whats an early menopause?

Roughly one in 20 women will experience an early menopause, when periods stop before the age of 45.

Signs can include having irregular menstrual cycles over a few years, spotting between periods and changes in monthly bleeding.

Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones), heart disease, depression, dementia and Parkinsons. Sufferers also tend to experience menopause symptoms more severely.

Early menopause is different to premature menopause, which is the term used for when a womans periods stop before the age of 40. This only affects around 1 per cent of women.

Symptoms?

Nearly nine in ten women suffer from symptoms. Mental health symptoms include changes to mood, such as anxiety and low self-esteem, as well as memory or concentration problems.

Hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, heart palpations, headaches and muscle and joint pain are among the physical symptoms. As are weight gain and a reduced sex drive.

Symptoms usually start before the menopause officially begins, as periods become irregular. This is the perimenopause.
A wealthy property tycoon was guilty of racial discrimination when she described one of her managers as a 'Pakistani crook', a tribunal has ruled.

Fawzia Al-Hassawi had maintenance chief Abdul Malik fired after flying into a rage over a leak in the swimming pool room at her Oxfordshire mansion, an employment judge heard.

It was claimed the 69-year-old Kuwaiti magnate  named by Forbes magazine as one of the Middle East's most powerful women  said her money was 'going down the drain' with Mr Malik. The tribunal was told that in a fit of temper she called him the 'son of 16 donkeys', a 'moron', 'jerk' and 'scum'.

It was also alleged that at one point she said he should be thankful she did not 'hit him with her shoe'.

Mr Malik was dismissed in 2020, with Ms Al-Hassawi's company claiming it was because of the impact of the pandemic. He sued the firm for unfair dismissal, harassment and race discrimination.

Wealthy property tycoon Fawzia Al-Hassawi (pictured), 69, was guilty of racial discrimination when she described one of her managers as a 'Pakistani crook', a tribunal has ruled

Fawzia Al-Hassawi had maintenance chief Abdul Malik fired after flying into a rage over a leak in the swimming pool room at her Oxfordshire mansion (pictured), an employment judge heard

He won the case this week and reached a financial settlement.

Judge Roseanne Russell heard that Ms Al-Hassawi said of the manager: 'I hate these crook Pakistanis like Malik, I would not have hired him if I knew he was Pakistani.'

The east London tribunal was told that Mr Malik's employer London-based Al Mubarakia manages a range of properties including historic buildings such as the Grade I-listed Tobacco Dock in the capital. It is part of FMH Group, which was founded by Ms Al-Hassawi.

Mr Malik  a British citizen of Pakistani origin  started work for her in May 2016 and later became group facilities manager.

The tribunal heard he was responsible for the management of her UK mansion and carried out 'personal tasks for Madame Al-Hassawi, such as driving or shopping',

In 2020, due to the pandemic, the businesswoman found herself 'stranded' in the UK and ended up staying at the Oxfordshire property  bought for nearly 3million four years ago  for longer than usual.

In June Mr Malik sent her a quote for repairs to leaks, but the work had not been authorised by her when there was later 'heavy rain which turned the existing leak in the pool room into a more serious water ingress'.

It was claimed the Kuwaiti magnate Ms Al-Hassawi (pictured)  named by Forbes magazine as one of the Middle East's most powerful women  said her money was 'going down the drain' with Mr Malik

The judge was told Ms Al-Hassawi held a meeting with other staff, during which she 'repeatedly questioned his [Mr Malik's] competence and angrily referred to him in extremely offensive terms'.

The tribunal heard she was 'fixated' on the idea he was stealing from her or misusing her money.

Mr Malik's dismissal was confirmed the following month. Ms Al-Hassawi described Mr Malik's allegations of discrimination as 'quite simply absurd' and denied making derogatory comments because of his Pakistani heritage.

But the tribunal said: 'The dismissal was capricious, born of pique and an unwarranted personal dislike of him.' It found as fact that Ms Al-Hassawi did make the 'crook Pakistanis' comment 'thereby linking her belief that he was dishonest with his race'.
Scotland's First Minister, and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she announced she will stand down as First Minister, in Edinburgh, Feb. 15. AFP-Yonhap



Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her surprise resignation Wednesday after more than eight eventful years, starting the race for a new leader to deliver on her party's faltering campaign for independence.



In a hastily arranged news conference, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said in "my head and in my heart" she knew the time was right to quit.



Opponents and SNP members alike praised her towering presence in UK politics over recent years. But she departs after facing mounting pressure over her tactics for independence and over transgender rights.



The 52-year-old confirmed she would remain first minister until the SNP elects a new leader, and also stay on as a member of the Scottish Parliament until at least the next election, due in 2026.



Sturgeon insisted that her decision to step down was "not a reaction to short-term pressures" and "comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment".



"I know it may seem sudden, but I have been wrestling with it  albeit with oscillating levels of intensity  for some weeks," she said.



"I am a human being as well as a politician," she added.



"Giving absolutely everything of yourself to this job is the only way to do it. The country deserves nothing less. But in truth that can only be done by anyone for so long."





People hold placard as they gather outside Bute House after Nicola Sturgeon announced she will stand down as First Minister of Scotland in Edinburgh, Britain, Feb. 15. Reuters-Yonhap



The independence question



Despite that, as recently as last month she insisted she would remain first minister, telling the BBC she was "nowhere near" ready to quit after Jacinda Ardern's shock departure as New Zealand prime minister.



British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised Sturgeon's "long-standing service" and wished her "all the best for her next steps".



The UK government's secretary of state for Scotland, Alister Jack, called her "a formidable politician".



But he also urged her eventual successor as SNP leader to "drop its divisive obsession with independence".



Recognizing the pivotal part played by Brexit during Sturgeon's tenure, which she and a majority of Scots opposed, Irish premier Leo Varadkar hailed her as a "true European".



Sturgeon's predecessor Alex Salmond  with whom she fell out bitterly after he was accused of sexual harassment  said she left "no obvious successor".



Salmond, who went on to form his own pro-independence party, said the onus now lay on the new leader "to reset the independence movement" after a troubled period.



After losing one vote in 2014, the SNP has been agitating for a second plebiscite, arguing that the UK-wide Brexit referendum of 2016 should allow for a fresh consultation of Scottish opinion.



But the UK government has rejected that argument, and Britain's Supreme Court in November sided with London, leaving the SNP with no obvious course now to achieve independence at the ballot box.





Unionist supporters as they celebrate the resignation of First Minister and leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon, in George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 15. EPA-Yonhap
For the second time this week, NORAD has scrambled fighter jets on Valentine's Day to intercept Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers off the coast of Alaska, it claimed, as activity over the skies continues to unnerve Americans.

Several Russian strategic bombers and fighter jets were intercepted by North American air defense forces as they flew over international airspace near Alaska, they said, in routine incidents unrelated to tensions over the war in Ukraine.

The aircraft, which were identified on Monday, did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace and did not pose a threat, the joint U.S.-Canadian centre said in a statement dated February 14.

It added that the Russian flights were in no way related to the mysterious spate of airborne objects shot down by the U.S. military over North America in the past few weeks, the details of which remain unknown.

'NORAD had anticipated this Russian activity ... Two NORAD F-16 fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft,' it said.

The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022

The United States also frequently carries out surveillance operations that do not enter other countries' airspace and such flights are a common part of military operations.

'NORAD routinely monitors foreign aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them,' the statement added.

President Joe Biden will address millions of unnerved Americans on Thursday about the sudden spate of unknown objects being shot down by US military jets after invading national airspace.

The speech is happening at 2pm Eastern Time, the White House announced this afternoon.

Biden's Republican critics continue to come down hard on the administration over what they perceive as a lack of transparency over the recent incidents.

What the Pentagon believes to be a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 - but not before crossing several US states at a low enough altitude to be seen by the naked eye.

A US official said on Wednesday that that object is believed to have been headed for Guam and Hawaii before being blown off course.

Russia said on Wednesday that it had carried out several flights over international waters in recent days, including in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.

For the second time this week, NORAD has scrambled fighter jets on Valentine's Day to intercept Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers off the coast of Alaska , it claimed, as activity over the skies continues to unnerve Americans

President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation on the recent spate of unknown objects shot down by US military jets

A recent map of unidentified flying objects over the United States and Canada

It said two of its Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers had flown over the Bering Sea accompanied by Su-30 jets, and that it had made similar 'routine' flights north of Norway and over international waters near Russia's far east.

It did not say whether its aircraft had been intercepted.

'Long-range aviation pilots regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Pacific Ocean,' Russia's defence ministry said.

North American security forces have been on high alert since a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon crossed into U.S. airspace, prompting the United States to shoot it and other objects down as it combs the skies.

While Russia has carried out flights over the Bering Sea before, its neighbours in the region have become more concerned about Moscow's military activity since its invasion of Ukraine last year.

Two Dutch F-35 fighters intercepted a formation of three Russian military aircraft near Poland and escorted them out, the Netherlands' defence ministry said in a statement late on Monday.

NATO member states have also ramped up military exercises in the Arctic in recent years, as Russia has expanded and renewed its military infrastructure in the region.
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, 70, hammered 80-year-old President Joe Biden in an interview Thursday calling him 'unwell,' as well as 'incoherent, incapacitated and confused.'

Scott was a guest on conservative pundit Hugh Hewitt's radio show and reitrated his call for the Democratic president to resign, calling him 'the problem.'

Scott has been at war with Biden for more than a week, after the president used a policy proposal the Florida senator suggested during the 2022 campaign to take on the entire Republican Congress during his State of the Union speech.

'I mean, I live in Florida, there's a lot of 80-year-olds that are very competent. He's just not one of them,' Scott said of Biden. 'I mean he's just not, he's not healthy person and he's not a good communicator.'

He continued: 'Let's be honest here. Joe Biden is unwell. He's unfit for office. He's incoherent, incapacitated and confused.'

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, 70, hammered 80-year-old President Joe Biden in an interview Thursday calling him 'unwell,' as well as 'incoherent, incapacitated and confused,' during an interview on Hugh Hewitt's radio show

President Joe Biden has made Scott a target, suggesting he wanted to sunset Medicare and Social Security every five years. Scott attacked Biden the same day the president went to Walter Reed to finish his physical (pictured)

'He doesn't know where he is half the time. He's incapable of leading and he's incapable of carrying out his duties. Period,' the Republican added. 'Everyone knows it. No one is willing to say it. But we have to, for the sake of the country. Joe Biden can't do the job.'

Biden targeted Scott over his proposal - while serving as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee - to have all federal legislation expire after five years.

'All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,' Scott had said.

With a divided Congress and a Senate legislative filibuster intact, that could spell trouble for major social programs including Social Security and Medicare, Democrats argued.

A number of Republicans, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, came out against Scott's plan in the run-up to the November midterms.

Scott has since suggested it was foolish to interpret his proposal that way - and even introduced legislation on Friday to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare.

The Florida Republican's rant against Biden comes the same day the 80-year-old president visited Walter Reed to complete his annual physical, which had been delayed for several months.

Biden's age and health will be a top issue as he potentially enters a 2024 presidential campaign.

Already, Republican hopeful Nikki Haley - who announced a White House bid Tuesday - said in her campaign rollout speech Wednesday in Charleston that she wanted politicians over the age of 75 to take mental competency tests.

This would apply to 76-year-old former President Donald Trump as well.

Trump announced his 2024 presidential bid in mid-November.

But Haley, who worked under Trump as the U.S.'s ambassador to the United Nations, said on Fox & Friends Thursday morning she believed that Trump would pass the test.

'You know, I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldn't do well this time,' Haley answered. 'But do I think we need it.'

When talking about Biden, however, she echoed Scott's sentiment.

'We can't have someone like Joe Biden, who's asleep at the wheel, and have China sitting there threatening us and us wondering if he actually knows what's going on,' the former South Carolina governor said.
Karen Decker, the top U.S. diplomat to Afghanistan, said in a now-deleted tweet that Afghan women needed some 'Black Girl Magic' while being oppressed under Taliban rule.

She added celebrities like Beyonce and Lizzo might be able to share wisdom with Afghan women, who have been essentially shut out of school and work entirely since the Taliban takeover.

Decker, the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday: 'Are Afghans familiar with #BlackGirlMagic and the movement it inspired? Do Afghan girls need a similar movement? What about Afghan Women?'

'Teach me, ready to learn. @Beyonce @lizzo @ReginaKing,' it read.

In another tweet that has now been deleted, Decker tried to downplay Abraham Lincoln's birthday and highlight National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Day.

On Monday, she tweeted: 'Abe Lincoln born today in 1809. He did some stuff. It's also NAACP day, home of grassroots activism, inclusive communities and making sure Black voices are heard. What does that look like for Afghans struggling to be heard? #BlackHistoryMonth @NAACP @LincolnsCottage.'

Decker issued an apology after deleting the messages.

'Sometimes our best intentions go awry because we haven't listened enough or don't truly understand others' lived experience. My efforts to celebrate courageous African Americans this month fall in that category. I apologize to any and all who I may have offended or hurt.'

State Department spokesman Ned Price was asked about the remarks in a briefing Wednesday and said that her comments had not been cleared by the State Department to tweet.

Karen Decker, the top U.S. diplomat to Afghanistan, said in a now-deleted tweet that Afghan women needed some 'Black Girl Magic' while being oppressed under Taliban rule

Afghan girls are only allowed to attend primary school under Taliban rule

Afghan women must wear full-face and body hijab in most settings

Members of Afghanistan's Powerful Women Movement, take part in a protest in Kabul

An Afghan woman walks through the old market as a Taliban fighter stands guard, in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan,

Sometimes our best intentions go awry because we havent listened enough or dont truly understand others lived experience. My efforts to celebrate courageous African Americans this month fall in that category. I apologize to any and all who I may have offended or hurt.  Charge dAffaires Karen Decker (@USAmbKabul) February 16, 2023

'The messaging in this context is rather inappropriate and ineffective,' Price said during a briefing on Wednesday.

'This is unfortunately not a parody account,' Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., said in response to the 'Black Girl Magic' tweet.

Decker's remarks come a year and a half after the U.S.'s frenzied withdrawal from Afghanistan which left its people at the mercy of Taliban rule.

Since then, Taliban have banned women and girls from attending college or high school. Women are not allowed to visit parks in Kabul or use gyms all across the country.

Women must wear full-face and body hijab and can no longer work in most sectors. They must be accompanied by a male chaperone if they travel more than 75 kilometers (46 miles).

Decker previously headed U.S. efforts to relocate Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal and worked as Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul from September 2018 to September 2020.
The anti-monarchy activist whose Republican group who disrupted the King's visit to Milton Keynes today believes the crown is 'wrong in principle' and 'bad for politics.'

Protesters with Republic, a group that advocates for an elected head of state, waived signs saying 'not my King' and held up a caricature of Charles featuring the words 'not fit for purpose' as the monarch marked the area's newly-granted city status.

Graham Smith, Republic CEO, slammed Charles during his walkabout today, alleging he lacks the 'deference and sycophancy' that surrounded the late Queen.

Mr Smith, who has campaigned against the Royal Family for over a decade, believes the UK should elect its head of state and plans to protest the upcoming coronation.

Graham Smith, Republic CEO, slammed Charles during his walkabout today, alleging he lacks the 'deference and sycophancy' that surrounded the Queen

Footage shared online showed a large crowd turned up for today's demonstration which was reportedly held in attempt to raise awareness for a larger protest against the coronation

Demonstrators shouted at Charles (pictured today) as he walked by the crowd, seemingly unphased by their anti-monarchy sentiment

'Charles has not inherited the respect and deference the Queen enjoyed,' Mr Smith, who has been running Republic since 2005, told MailOnline.

Mr Smith said Republic's mission is the 'abolition of the monarchy in favour of a Parliamentary Republic.'

He said the demonstration was held 'to raise awareness of the significant number of people opposed to the monarchy.'

'Polling shows significant changes in support among age groups and drop in overall support,' he explained. 'We believe we can win this campaign.'

Overall mission is abolition of the monarchy in favour of a parliamentary republic

Were hoping to have other protests over the coming weeks, but main focus is a big protest at the coronation. Already have several hundred pledging to be there.

Charles has not inherited the respect and deference the Queen enjoyed. We believe we can win this campaign.

Footage shared on social media showed a large crowd turned up for today's demonstration.

Demonstrators shouted at Charles as he walked by the crowd, seemingly unphased by their anti-monarchy sentiment.

One protester yelled: 'Dont run away!'

'I asked Charles why hes wasting money on the coronation. He didnt want to answer,' Mr Smith recalled in a tweet.

The activist, who seemingly organised the Milton Keynes protest, also claimed that today's protest aimed to raise awareness for a larger demonstration against the coronation.

It is unclear what exactly Republic is planning, but the group's online pledge to protest states: 'This is the moment we make our objection loud, visible and impossible to ignore.'

Mr Smith, quoted on the Republic website, has previously argued: 'The monarchy is wrong in principle, doesn't work in practice, and is bad for our politics. It has to go.'

'Everything has changed with the Queen gone and Charles on the throne,' he echoed today in a statement to The Independent. 'Weve just had a new head of state without anybody being asked.'

Republic protesters waived signs saying 'not my King' and held up a caricature of Charles featuring the words 'not fit for purpose' as King Charles III marked Milton Keynes' newly-granted city status

King Charles III arrives at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes to celebrate Milton Keynes' new status as a city

Republic, a group which advocates for an elected head of state, is staging the protest in Buckinghamshire

King Charles III arrives at Church of Christ the Cornerstone for a reception with members of the local community and organisations on February 16

Videos show enthusiastic crowds cheering the King as he arrived at the city's Church of Christ the Cornerstone, with a few boos and jeers from the activists.

Waving to the crowd, Charles, 74, approaches and begins shaking hands with them, while some sing 'God Save the King'.

Charles was to be joined on the Buckinghamshire visit by Queen Consort Camilla, 75, but she pulled out after testing positive for Covid.

A member of the public presented the King with flowers, wishing Camilla the best.

Republic wrote on Twitter today: 'We're off to Milton Keynes today, to ask the King some questions. You can join the protest at the Church of Christ Cornerstone.'

In a short video on Twitter the King, flanked by his imposing security detail, arrives at the church in Milton Keynes.

As he turns the corner, he is greeted by a large crowd of people  some holding Union flags.

Waving to the crowd, the King approaches and begins shaking hands while some sing 'God Save the King'.

Towards the back, four people holding large yellow 'Not My King' signs are seen.

Neither acknowledging them or reacting to the message, the King finishes greeting members of the public and heads into the church.

King Charles III speaks to members of the public as he arrives for a reception with members of the local community and organisations at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, as he visits Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to celebrate its new status as a city

Many children has been taken to the meet-and-greet to try and get close to the King

However other people came to the church to hold signs reading 'Not my King'

The King ignored the anti-monarchy protesters on his walkabout in Milton Keynes today

King Charles III speaks to members of the public as he arrives for a reception with members of the local community and organisations at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone

Republic had previously said it was concerned by the prospect of police harassment at royal events.

A spokesman told the Daily Express: 'Republic is concerned about recent police harassment of peaceful protesters at royal events.

'We're determined to get the message across that it's OK to protest against the royals. Instead of a pointless coronation, we need a serious public debate.

'We believe the British public should be asked  do you want Charles or a choice?

'The tide is starting to turn against the monarchy and we need a serious debate about its future.'

Social media reaction to the stunt was lukewarm, with many questioning the point of the protest. One said: 'Those protestors are so sad.'

Another added: 'Love his unbotheredness walking right up to the crowd with the 'Not My King' signs to greet them!'

'He's an old pro.. that's the way to deal with them', said a third user.

There was massive excitement when King Charles' royal car arrived

Many children sat on their parents shoulders to get a good view of the King

The King has come to Milton Keynes to attend a ceremony where it will obtain city status

The Church of Christ Cornerstone was covered in Union flags

Hundreds of people had gathered in the Union flag-covered car park to see the new King, who took his time to meet as many as he could.

It was a busy afternoon for the monarch, who was presented with flowers by a well-wisher who asked him if Camilla was feeling better.

The Queen Consort had tested positive for Covid after suffering from cold symptoms and was forced to cancel a West Midlands visit.

In a sweet video, Charles can be seen graciously accepting the gift and exchanging a few words with the woman.

Many praised the King's people skills which could be seen in videos shared on social media. One said: 'King Charles is getting wonderful reception wherever he goes.'

Another user commented: 'King Charles is always a big deal. Love the energy in the crowds.'

Milton Keynes will be officially given city status today in a ceremony after it was granted in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last May.

The area is home to around 280,000 people and had previously failed to become a city in 2000, 2002 and 2012.
A 13-year-old girl from Georgia died hours after she was diagnosed with leukemia when she went to the ER with a headache and ear infection.

Julia Chavez's sudden death in the early hours of Monday shocked her family as her father Dennis Chavez revealed 'she had bleeding in her brain, lungs, stomach' and throughout her body.

The teenager also known as JuJu by her family, had collapsed on Sunday after going to an Augusta urgent care for antibiotics. Julia was rushed to the hospital where blood work and a CT scan showed her cancer diagnosis. She died about twelve hours later around 1am.

'My 13 year old baby girl was admitted to the hospital on Sunday,' Dennis wrote in a grieving Facebook post. 'That's where we found out she had leukemia. It came on so hard and so fast. Doctors told us there was no way we could have known.'

Julia had no warning signs aside from being tired and bruising easily - which her family previously accredited to her being a tomboy, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

Julia Chavez, 13, died hours after she was diagnosed with leukemia when she went to the ER with a headache and ear infection

Julia's sudden death in the early hours of Monday shocked her family as her father Dennis Chavez (center) revealed 'she had bleeding in her brain, lungs, stomach' and throughout her body.

Julia's bruises were never a cause of concern for her father because she was merely a teenager.

'When she would get a bruise, we would ask how she got it, and she would say, "I don't know," and shrug it off,' Dennis told the news outlet. 'We thought that it was because she's got a bit of tomboy in her.'

Jenna Randall, the teenager's mother, was heartbroken to learn about Julia's diagnosis. She recalled her daughter as being 'bubbly, bright' and beautiful.

'We never knew she had it,' Jenna told the news outlet. 'She never had more than a sniffle and she's never been hospitalized for anything since she was born.'

When Julia was hospitalized, Jenna published an urgent Facebook post begging people to pray for her daughter, who was not conscious.

'We have more questions than answers right now,' Jenna wrote at the time.

Julia's family fears their lives will never be same after losing their 'perfect' teenager. Her older brother was devastated by the loss and referred to Julia as 'his world.'

'I know she's my sister, but she's my world,' Jackson Chavez told his mom after Julia died.

Jackson and Julia were noted to be inseparable by their grandfather Ernie Randall.

'They were tied together at the hip,' Ernie recalled to the news outlet. 'I remember a few years ago, I took Jackson to a car show and the whole time we were there, he couldn't have any fun because Julia wasn't with us.'

He added: 'It's going take him a long time to get used to.'

Ernie described his granddaughter as being 'wild' and 'perfect.'

'My granddaughter was the best little girl,' he said. 'God says that nobody is perfect, but I'd put a test to that one by her being perfect.'

Julia had no warning signs aside from being tired and bruising easily - which her family previously accredited to her being a tomboy

Julia's family fears their lives will never be same after losing their 'perfect' teenager. Her older brother Jackson Chavez was devastated by the loss and referred to Julia as 'his world'

Julia was an outgoing seventh grader at Harlem Middle School. Her curiosity cultivated her love for learning about other cultures

Julia was an outgoing seventh grader at Harlem Middle School. Her curiosity cultivated her love for learning about other cultures.

The teenager especially enjoyed Japanese culture and aspired to be an artist.

'She wanted to learn everything she could about it. She was like an encyclopedia,' Jenna said. 'We bought her a kimono because she always wanted one. She loved Japanese culture and wanted to visit one day.'

When Julia was initially admitted to the hospital, family friends set up a meal train to support her parents in what they believed to be a recovery.

'JuJu has become very sick, very fast,' organizer Nicole Ramos wrote. 'Her road to recovery is going to be long, which means the waiting room will be their home for a while. Donations to the family are greatly appreciated.'

The meal train page is still active and has raised more than $900 as of Thursday.
The Canadian military has demanded an American podcaster delete his interview with the former special forces operator who was part of the team that made the longest sniper kill shot on record, claiming it revealed classified information.

Shawn Ryan, a podcaster and retired Navy SEAL, last week published his interview with Dallas Alexander, a former commando with Canada's elite Joint Task Force 2, who came forward to reveal that was the spotter on a sniper team that made the world-record shot in 2017, which killed an ISIS fighter in Mosul.

In a letter on February 10, a legal advisor to Canada's Special Operations Forces Command demanded Ryan delete the podcast, which contained a video clip of the record shot, alleging it contained classified information.

Ryan said he had decided to temporarily remove the interview to review it for anything that might compromise personnel or ongoing operations -- but accused Canada of trying to censor Alexander for criticizing CAF vaccine mandates.

'I believe that this is their attempt to silence Dallas from explaining that he left the command for refusing the covid vaccine,' Ryan wrote in a Twitter post. 'However, it was ultimately my decision to pull the video.'

Dallas Alexander, a former commando with Canada's elite JTF 2, was on the team that made the world's longest recorded sniper kill, a 2.2-mile shot that killed an ISIS militant in Mosul

Shawn Ryan, a podcaster and retired Navy SEAL, last week published his interview with Alexander, but the Canadian government demanded that he delete it

'I believe that this is their attempt to silence Dallas from explaining that he left the command for refusing the covid vaccine,' Ryan wrote in a Twitter post

Alexander, in a video statement on Instagram, also slammed the Canadian request as censorship, saying: 'In all aspects of censorship, the common theme is, "this is dangerous information to someone, therefore we need to censor it."'

'We've seen a lot of that over the past few years,' he added.

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com on Thursday afternoon.

The podcast episode in question contained a brief, grainy clip depicting the world-record sniper shot, which a member of Alexander's JTF 2 sniper unit made in May 2017 using a McMillan TAC-50 rifle.

The bullet traveled 2.2 miles, speeding through the air for nearly 10 seconds, before striking and killing an Islamic State terrorist as he left a building to enter a vehicle.

It is the longest recorded sniper kill in history, and the Canadian government revealed at the time that it had disrupted an imminent attack on Iraqi security forces.

The record-breaking sniper's identity remains unknown, but Alexander recently came forward to speak about his experience in the military and revealed he was on the sniper team that made the record shot.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Alexander said he was the spotter on the sniper team, and noted he had never personally taken credit for taking the shot.

In the legal demand letter, posted online by Ryan, the Canadian military claimed the podcast episode contained information that 'is injurious to Canadian national security, national defense, and international relations.'

In the now-deleted episode, Alexander (left) spoke out about his decision to leave military service over his objection to COVID-19 vaccine mandates

In the legal demand letter, posted online by Ryan, the Canadian military claimed the podcast episode contained information that 'is injurious to Canadian national security'

The letter further claimed videos and photos that Alexander shared were actually 'the sole intellectual property of His Majesty the King in Right of Canada', referring to the UK's King Charles.

'It is an unusual request,' Ryan's attorney, Timothy C. Parlatore, told DailyMail.com. 'It's not something I would normally expect from the US military, because in the US, the constitutional principals are very clear.'

Parlatore said his client's right to publish the interview and battlefield footage were firmly protected under the free speech and freedom of press rights guaranteed in the US Constitution.

'There is a certain sense of irony when they say, "this is property of His Majesty the King", when we wrote the Constitution because we did not like being under a king, with all due respect to Charles,' he said.

The attorney said Ryan was voluntarily working with Canadian officials to learn exactly what in the podcast they considered sensitive, in order to put the episode back online.

'I'm trying to do what's best for everybody,' Ryan explained in a video statement on his YouTube channel. 'If there is sensitive information in that episode I am not going to be the guy to jeopardize any of the operators within that unit, or anything that might compromise that unit as a whole.'

'We will continue to push back hard, giving the Canadian unit an allotted amount of time to review the "classified" information in the episode,' wrote Ryan in a tweet.

'If they cannot produce what information needs to be redacted promptly, the episode will go live again un-edited, as I have zero legal obligation to abide by Canadian law,' he added.

Alexander called the Canadian request 'censorship' and suggested it was retaliation over his criticism of vaccine mandates

Ryan's attorney, Timothy C. Parlatore, responded in a letter to the Canadian military

In the now-deleted episode, Alexander spoke out about his decision to leave military service over his objection to COVID-19 vaccine mandates -- comments he believes drew the Canadian demand to remove the episode.

In October, after Alexander had already left the military to pursue a music career, Canada ended its longstanding blanket vaccine requirement for military personnel.

The change came after Canada's Defence Department said about 300 service members had been forced out for refusing to get vaccinated, while another 100 had left voluntarily over the issue.

Ryan said in a tweet: 'I want to be perfectly clear, I am not an ANTI VAX individual. I believe in freedom of choice and in freedom of speech.'
The suspect was seen on camera spreading gasoline on the building's exterior wall before he set himself on fire and managed to escape

The suspect reportedly sought revenge for the deaths of several patients who had been operated at the facility

A mans plan to torch a controversial clinic in Colombia backfired when he accidentally set himself on fire.

Local media outlets reported that the individual was seeking revenge over the alleged deaths of patients who had undergone surgery at the clinic in the central Colombian municipality of Villavicencio.

A security camera showed the man, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, approaching the building early Wednesday morning and emptying a container of gasoline.

He slipped over the sidewalk and struggled to remain upright as he continued to spread the flammable liquid over the property's exterior wall.

An arsonist runs away with the back of his body covered in flames after he set fire to a surgeon's clinic in Colombia on Wednesday

A surgeon clinic's surveillance camera captured the moment a man approached the building with a container of gasoline before he set the property on fire. Local reports indicate the arsonist acted in response to the deaths of patients who died after getting surgery at the facility

He then reached down to light up the gasoline when a huge fireball shot out from the building.

The mans body was subsequently covered in flames and he ran down the street before he disappeared from the surveillance cameras view.

A suspect spills gasoline on the exterior wall of a building where a surgeon's clinic is located in Villavicencio, Colombia

The man slipped while spreading gasoline on the wall of a clinic in Colombia before he set himself on fire

Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading throughout the building by extinguishing the flames in the electrical room and garbage chute system, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.

The extent of the arsonists injuries remained unknown as of Thursday afternoon.

The building owner filed a report with the local prosecutors office and urged authorities to launch a search for the suspects arrest.
Nile Gardiner is the Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC

What could America's woke progressives possibly learn from Scottish separatists an ocean away?

A hell of a lot.

Scotland's far-left, ultra-woke First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been running that country for nearly a decade - until Wednesday, when she resigned.

Sturgeon was not forced from office by personal scandal or a determined opposition. Her political comeuppance was self-inflicted. She sacrificed herself, her party, and their cause on the altar of wokism.

Take notice, Joe Biden.

In December 2022, Sturgeon's government passed a bill to allow anyone over the age of 16 to 'self-identify' as the opposite sex without a medical diagnosis.

The public outcry caught the government by surprise.

British feminists  on the right and left  pointed out the obvious: Allowing men, who identified as women, into female-only spaces, like changing rooms and shelters, fundamentally threatens the safety of women and children in Scotland.

Famous author J.K. Rowling courageously stood up against this extremist transgender agenda and she was condemned as a bigot for it.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vetoed Sturgeon's Gender Recognition Bill. But still, Sturgeon pushed it forward, even as other critical aspects of Scottish life suffered.

Education, a top priority for Sturgeon, deteriorated. As her term ends, the achievement gap between rich and poor children is wider than it was before the COVID pandemic.

Scotland's far-left, ultra-woke First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been running that country for nearly a decade - until Wednesday, when she resigned.

In December 2022, Sturgeon's government passed a bill to allow anyone over the age of 16 to 'self-identify' as the opposite sex without a medical diagnosis. The public outcry caught the government by surprise.

There are record wait times for government health care, illicit drug deaths are spiraling out of control, and businesses have been crippled by years of high taxes, new regulations, and low growth.

It was in this environment - of declining standards of living and rising strife - that the case of rapist Adam Graham exploded.

Graham was accused of preying on two women he met online. Yet after his trial began, Graham began a transition from a man to a transgender woman.

In 2023, Graham, 31, now identifying as Isla Bryson, was convicted, and remanded to Scotland's only exclusively female jail to await sentencing.

Women's groups already outraged over the gender bill demanded to know why the Scottish prison system would transfer a convicted rapist of women to a women's prison.

Even Bryson's estranged wife told DailyMail.com, 'sending him to a women's prison is outrageous  will one of the vulnerable women inmates be the next victim to be attacked by him? He won't stop, it's in his nature.'

Bryson was later transferred to a men's facility, but the SNP leader found herself in the awkward position of refusing to say whether Bryson was a woman, as Bryson self-identified, or a man.

The ridiculous debate played out in the Parliament for weeks, as Sturgeon ducked and weaved around any acknowledgement of Bryson's preferred pronouns and biological gender.

'The First Minister says she doesn't have enough information to decide if this double rapist is a man,' Sturgeon's questioner prodded this month.

Bryson  after all  has male genitalia.

'What further information can the First Minister possibly need?'

Sturgeon answered, 'The individual we're talking about here identifies as a woman.'

You see, to Sturgeon and woke ideologues biology is inconsequential. If an individual feels like a woman  voila  they're a woman.

Ordinary Scots and even SNP members balked at the real-world applications of Sturgeon's woke vision, and in a country still reeling from the pandemic  this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

In 2023, Graham, 31, now identifying as Isla Bryson (above), was convicted, and remanded to Scotland's only exclusively female jail to await sentencing.

Graham (above) was accused of preying on two women he met online. Yet after his trial began, Graham began a transition from a man to a transgender woman.

Public approval for the government plummeted and the cause of Scottish independence  the central mission of the SNP - was set back a generation, if not more.

Sturgeon had become the face of her party's failure to address the real concerns of her constituents, while pursuing the fringe causes of the extreme left. She had to step down.

America's gender-obsessed woke should be watching this in horror because their policies are not so different.

Demi Minor - formerly Demetrius - is a transgender inmate of New Jersey's prison system, who was convicted of stabbing her foster father to death.

Demi was incarcerated in New Jersey's only women's prison in accordance with the Democratic-run state's 'gender self-ID policy.'

In June, it was discovered that Demi had impregnated two other inmates. Demi has since been moved to a men's prison. But the fate of the children born to parents behind bars remains unclear.

At the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Senator Marsha Blackburn asked the then-nominee if she could define the word 'woman'.

Jackson said she could not. 'I'm not a biologist,' she answered. I'm not an astronomer, but I can point at the moon.

In 2021, a male collegiate swimmer, who declared a gender transition and underwent hormone treatment, started competing on the women's team at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lia Thomas, who benefits from the size and strength benefits of male puberty, regularly smashed women's NCAAP records and Lia's female competitors said Lia was impossible to beat.

Does any of this make sense to anyone?

Sturgeon's political demise is a flashing red warning sign for the American Left.

The moral: Abandon common sense at your own peril.

On both sides of the Atlantic, these culture wars  from the transgender debate to the battle over Critical Race Theory in classrooms - are capturing the attention of voters.

The general public is rejecting the extreme left-wing agenda that threatens to overturn centuries, even thousands of years of tradition and values that are at the very heart of Western civilization.

Even Bryson's estranged wife (above) told DailyMail.com, 'sending him to a women's prison is outrageous  will one of the vulnerable women inmates be the next victim to be attacked by him? He won't stop, it's in his nature.'

Demi Minor - formerly Demetrius - is a transgender inmate of New Jersey's prison system, who was convicted of stabbing her foster father to death. Demi was incarcerated in New Jersey's only women's prison in accordance with the Democratic-run state's 'gender self-ID policy.'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, overwhelmingly elected to a second term, has championed parental rights and laws to protect school children from transgender activism.

He has announced audits of public universities with Orwellian diversity, equity and inclusion programs that promote the lie that America is inherently racist.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin won in a shock election over a heavily-favor Democratic opponent on a promise to empower moms and dads to resist left-wing school boards that push divisive, Critical Race Theory curricula.

Yes, the 'war on woke' has gone transatlantic and even global.

Sturgeon's resignation came just weeks after New Zealand's 'progressive' Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stepped down amidst declining poll numbers and immense frustration over her draconian policies in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Ordinary people have had enough of being lectured by hard left ideologues whose pet policies would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.

That sentiment was most-perfectly captured by newly elected Governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who summed up the mood in her powerful response to President Biden's State of the Union address.

She remarked that today Americans face a choice, not between 'right or left,' but between 'normal or crazy'.

The Scottish people have clearly run out of patience for 'crazy.' Like the vast majority of Americans, Scots do not want to see biologically male rapists in women's prisons.

They do not want woke extremists to dominate government, universities, schools, policing, and every other aspect of public life. They want to see the restoration of normality, tradition and the values that have underpinned the free world for so many generations.

Surely this a resounding wake-up call to America's woke left  pull back from the fringes and restore common sense, because the people have had enough!
Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg said that roughly 1,000 trains derail per year just like the one in East Palestine, Ohio last week.

'While this horrible situation has gotten a particularly high amount of attention, there are roughly 1000 cases a year of a train derailing. Obviously they have levels of severity,' he said in a clip posted by Yahoo News on Thursday.

'Oh I feel much better now,' Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., shot back sarcastically on Twitter to the video.

Buttigieg went on: 'Now this train was subject to certain enhanced requirements because of the hazardous materials on board, but obviously none of that prevented what happened.'

'We're going to be paying very close attention to the findings that NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] comes back,' he said.

'Rail safety is something that has evolved a lot over the years but there's clearly more than needs to be done,' Buttigieg told Yahoo Finance.

Area senators are hitting back against the Biden administration for what they see as a delayed response to the derailment that caused a massive toxic chemical spill.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said it was 'unacceptable' that no senior Biden administration official had visited East Palestine, Ohio until Thursday - 13 days after a Norfolk Southern train veered off-track

'Do not forget these people. We've got to keep applying pressure,' Vance says

'This is disgusting,' Vance says after scraping the bottom of a creek and allowing what looks like chemicals to rise to the surface

Sec. Pete Buttigieg on Ohio train derailment investigation: pic.twitter.com/t2VCrK0oen  Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) February 16, 2023

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said it was 'unacceptable' that no senior Biden administration official had visited East Palestine, Ohio until Thursday - 13 days after a Norfolk Southern train veered off-track.

EPA administrator Michael Regan is on the ground in the Ohio-Pennsylvania border town on Thursday speaking with locals, surveying the scene and addressing the public.

'It has been 13 days since a Norfolk Southern train derailed causing a dangerous chemical fire and forcing residents to evacuate,' Manchin, whose state also has a border nearby the site of the spill, said in a statement.

'While I am glad EPA Administrator Regan will visit the site today, it is unacceptable that it took nearly two weeks for a senior Administration official to show up.'

Manchin added:

'I urge President Biden, Administrator Regan, and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg to provide a complete picture of the damage and a comprehensive plan to ensure the community is supported in the weeks, months and years to come, and this sort of accident never happens again. The damage done to East Palestine and the surrounding region is awful and it's past time for those responsible to step up to the plate.'

Meanwhile Ohio's GOP Sen. J.D. Vance challenged Regan to drink the tap water his agency has deemed safe in East Palestine.

'It reminds me of the scene in Erin Brockovich where she puts the water in front of them and says if you think it's clean, we brought this water from the community that was affected.'

'I think that if the EPA administrator wants to stand here and tell people that the tap water is safe, by all means, they should be willing to drink it,' Vance added.

In another video Vance's office posted to Twitter, the senator visits a local creek. 'There's dead worms and dead fish all throughout this water,' he says. The senator then takes a stick and scrapes the bottom of the creek and chemicals can be seen seeping to the surface.

'This is disgusting,' Vance says. 'Do not forget these people. We've got to keep applying pressure.'

Rep. Troy Nehls, chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material who is also in East Palestine on Thursday, called it 'irresponsible' for Vance to encourage residents to continue to drink bottled water even though tests showed no contamination to the tap water.

EPA administrator Michael Regan is on the ground in the Ohio-Pennsylvania border town on Thursday speaking with locals, surveying the scene and addressing the public

Drone footage shows the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 6

: A general view of the site where toxic chemicals were spilled following a train derailment, in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 15

On Thursday Ohio's Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown added his voice to the calls on Gov. Mike DeWine to make a disaster declaration to allow the state to request federal aid in the cleanup process.

'A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope,' Brown wrote to DeWine.

But a spokesman for the GOP governor said he has already contacted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about the potential disaster declaration and been told the derailment doesn't qualify because Norfolk Souther is responsible for the damages, not taxpayer funds - unlike in the case of earthquakes and tornadoes.

DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said any local resident who is unsure about their air or water quality can get them tested at Norfolk Southern's expense.

Vance, who did not sign on to Brown's call for a disaster declaration, said: 'Norfolk Southern needs to pay up for this right now, not the American taxpayer.'

On Wednesday Buttigieg pushed back against claims his department was not helping enough with the fiery derailment that forced some 5,000 from their homes in a thread on Twitter.

The 41-year-old former mayor pointed specifically to an electronic brake rule the Trump administration repealed and his own Transportation Department has made no effort to bring back.

'We're constrained by law on some areas of rail regulation (like the braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2018 because of a law passed by Congress in 2015), but we are using the powers we do have to keep people safe,' Buttigieg wrote on Twitter.

He took heat earlier in the week for giving a public address on infrastructure and making no mention of East Palestine.

The Norfolk Southern train derailed on Feb. 3 spilling various chemicals including vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical used to produce plastics.

Officials evacuated some 5,000 residents in the town and did a controlled burn of the chemicals but allowed them back days later.

State officials insist the air and water are safe after testing. But local residents have shared concerns about the Ohio River, which provides drinking water for millions of people. Some 3,500 fish have turned up dead in the area.

And though the Trump administration did roll back a regulation requiring modern braking systems on some trains, the Obama administration had already hollowed out that rule so much so that the modern braking systems would not have been required on the train that derailed in East Palestine.

The 2015 Obama-era rule required trains carrying crude oil and some other chemicals to use electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes but left out many other hazardous chemicals after industry pressure.

Then in 2017 Trump's Transportation Department under Sec. Elaine Chao rolled back the ECP brake rule even further.

The Department of Transportation's Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) said at the time that the safety benefits 'do not exceed the associated costs' and were not 'economically justified.'

Norfolk Southern, the company that owned the train that veered off-track in East Palestine, previously touted the technology as having the 'potential to reduce train stopping distances by as much as 60 percent over conventional air brake systems.'

But ultimately it lobbied for the rule's repeal, telling regulators it would 'impose tremendous costs without providing offsetting safety benefits.'
A Virginia mother has shared horrifying footage online showing the moment her 12-year-old son was strangled and bullied by an older girl on a school bus.

In the one minute-long video, that mother Taylor Brock posted on Monday, her son can be seen being hit by the girl and grabbed by the mouth.

The pair have a brief exchange when the girl begins choking the boy. Both are in the seventh grade at Whitman Middle School. His mother said the girl has a 60 pound weight advantage on her son.

'My son came home crying, and I saw the marks on his neck. It breaks my heart that there are all these kids on the bus and not one decided to stand up.'

Now Brock says that a protective order she had issued by a Fairfax County judge against the girl following the attack is being ignored by teachers as her son regularly encounters his tormentor in school.

The strangling occurred in January on board a Whitman Middle School bus in Fairfax County, Virginia

Mother Taylor Brock said that as soon as she saw the video of the bullying, she went to the police to press charges

Prior January's incident, Brock said that her son has been subjected to bullying from the girl before and that she even stole from him.

The only reprimand that the girl is faced with on the bus comes when the driver announces that children are not allowed to switch seats.

Brock also said that her son's two friends who were on board the bus were scared to come forward because of a fear of become bullying victims. She also said that no parents were told about the incident.

The boy's mother said that despite the girl being instructed to walk in a different hallway, following a period when she was suspended for the incident, he still sees her and even has to share his lunch hour with her.

'This isn't something that's going away for him,' Brock wrote on her blog. 'She gets suspended and goes back to school. It doesn't seem like a fair trade. My son is still not protected. If other children are coming forward and they don't have video, then there's no hope for them because I have video and still nothing.'

She said that the judge who issued the restraining order was even confused as to why the bully had not been expelled from school.

Brock also posted photos showing the bright red marks left on her son's neck following the choking.

Brock posted these photos showing the red marks and bloody lip that her son received from his tormentor

In interview with WJLA, Brock said that as soon as she saw the video the went to the school and showed officials while also showing the marks on her son's neck. After that, the panicked mother went straight to the police to file charges.

'All of this evidence, and still, only suspension. still putting someone who harmed my child in the same vicinity and not abiding by the protection order or anything I've put in place,' Brock told the station.

'The example that you're setting for other students that see her come back after strangling somebody. Also, what justice is that for my son? He gets traumatized for life and she gets suspension? She should be expelled,' she added.

The Colorado-native said that her family are a military family who have only lived in the area for a year.

According to the Virginia Department of Education, school staff are not responsible for enforcing restraining orders but note that student safety is till a priority and that staff should work with parents to ensure safety

Brock also says that her son will be switching schools and is seeking therapy over the trauma of the incident.

According to the Virginia Department of Education, school staff are not responsible for enforcing restraining orders but note that student safety is till a priority and that staff should work with parents to ensure safety.

Brock wrote on her blog: 'Something needs to change. This isn't just my child's life on the line, but every child that has been harmed and humiliated where the school did nothing. School's need to be held accountable for inadequately protecting our children.'

In the United States, one out of every five school students reports being bullied, the National Center for Educational Statistics says. While 41 percent of those who are bullied believe that it will happen again. Only five percent of bullying instances are physical in nature.
World's ocean heat grows to record high: study

Xinhua) 13:42, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The world continued to see ocean heat reaching new records, as the year 2022 was the warmest in recorded human history, according to a recent study.

Conducted by a team of 24 scientists from 16 institutes mainly in China, the United States, and Italy, the study was published in the international journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.

Compared with 2021, the previous hottest year ever recorded, the upper 2,000 meters of the Earth's oceans have absorbed a larger amount of heat that's "enough to boil 700 million kettles, each containing 1.5 liters of water," said Cheng Lijing, an author of the study and researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Ocean warming is a key indicator for quantifying climate change since more than 90 percent of global heat ends up in the oceans. The scientist believes that the increase in heat within the oceans is further proof of global warming.

Records for ocean warming have been broken almost yearly since 2017. Due to the ocean's delayed response to global warming, the trend of ocean temperatures will persist for decades, Cheng noted.

Besides temperatures, the study also calculated the salinity of ocean water, and it found that areas of high salinity had an increase in salinity, whereas the opposite was true for areas of lower salinity.

"The salty gets saltier, while the fresh gets fresher" pattern also reached its highest level on record in 2022, said the study.

Warmer oceans lead to sea level rises and more extreme weather, in the form of strong storms and hurricanes. They also become less efficient at absorbing carbon, causing more human-emitted carbon dioxide to remain in the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.

Better awareness and understanding of the changes in ocean heat and salinity are a basis for the actions to combat climate change, Cheng added, explaining the significance of the study.

Scientists also shared ocean data recorded last year by the Chinese institute and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the study.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Pennsylvania's Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression as he continues to battle health problems.

The 53-year-old's office said he is now getting inpatient care at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland, after his condition became more 'severe' in recent weeks.

Fetterman suffered a stroke in May and his sensory problems and issues with communication have been well documented since he was sworn in as a senator in January.

His Chief of Staff Adam Jentleson said he 'has experienced depression off and on throughout his life', but ultimately decided to seek treatment when he was examined by Dr. Brian Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress.

'John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself,' Jentleson added, brushing off concerns his health could impact his political future.

Last week Fetterman was hospitalized at George Washington University Hospital after feeling light-headed at a Democratic retreat and was held for two nights for observation.

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman is captured leaving an intelligence briefing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Fetterman has been seeking medical attention since Monday to deal with depression and has checked into Walter Reed for inpatient therapy

John Fetterman (left) walks with his wife Gisele (right) as they exit their polling place on election day in November. Fetterman beat the Trump-backed Dr. Mehmet Oz in the pivotal Pennsylvania Senate race, earning Democrats an additional seat

Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the wife of the Pennsylvania senator, sent tweets of support after John Fetterman voluntarily checked into Walter Reed for depression earlier this week.

The senator's wife Gisele called it a 'difficult time for our family' and asked for privacy, while sharing the news that her husband had checked into Walter Reed to be treated for severe depression

Doctors said he didn't suffer a second stroke.

Fetterman was seen earlier this week on Capitol Hill and participated in an intelligence briefing on the recently downed aerial objects.

The New York Times reported last week that the Democrat has struggled to adjust to life as a senator.

Fetterman refused an interview with the paper, but aides and allies said the already difficult transition to the Senate was made 'vastly more difficult by the strains of his recovery,' noting that it left him with 'a physical impairment and serious mental health challenges.'

He still suffers from auditory processing issues, which means he has to use devices that provide him with closed captioning to engage with his Senate colleagues and constituents and participate in committee hearings.

When people talk to Fetterman, he hears something akin to how the adults in the Peanuts' cartoons sound: squawking provided by a muted trombone, The Times reported.

Besides the hearing issue - which is exacerbated when Fetterman is feeling stressed - the Times reported that the stroke recovery had put a 'very real psychological toll' on the politician.

Up to a third of stroke sufferers develop depression symptoms, according to the Stroke Association.

Sen. John Fetterman was spotted on Capitol Hill Tuesday after last week's hospitalization at GW after feeling light-headed

Sen. John Fetterman (left) and his wife Gisele (right) at the Pennsylvania capitol for the swearing-in of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in January

Sen. John Fetterman poses with his family and Vice President Kamala Harris during his ceremonial swearing-in on January 3

Fetterman's political brand was somewhat tied to his unconventional tough guy looks - standing at 6-foot-8, with tattooed arms, a shaved head and a goatee - the former Braddock, Pennsylvania mayor looked like he came straight from a Pittsburgh steel mill.

However, as The Times put it, the stroke turned him into a 'physically altered version of himself' and the senator has been 'frustrated' he hasn't yet fully recovered.

Additionally, Fetterman was reportedly concerned that may have permanently set himself back, as he didn't take off enough time during the campaign to rest.

'What you're supposed to do to recover from this is do as little as possible,' Jentleson had told the paper. Instead, Fetterman 'was forced to do as much as possible - he had to get back to the campaign trail. It's hard to claw that back.'

Allies of his Republican Senate rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz, were questioning his mental capacity as Fetterman stayed sidelined and out of public view for most of the summer.

Then-Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is pictured on election night after beating the Trump-backed Republican, Dr. Mehmet Oz, in what was likely the nation's most-watched Senate race

Sen. John Fetterman arrives at the House chamber last Tuesday to listen to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address

Sen. John Fetterman is captured riding on the Senate subway between the Capitol and Senate office buildings in late January

'If John Fetterman were elected to the Senate and he's not able to communicate effectively, if he's not able to engage with the press, if he's not able to engage with his colleagues, he would not be able to do the job,' said Pennsylvania's retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey in September.

'It's just not possible to be an effective senator if you cannot communicate. It's just the essence of the job,' Toomey added, pressing Fetterman to debate Oz .

Fetterman did debate Oz in late October, with his rocky performance leaving even Democrats rattled.

Fetterman's speech was jumbled and he had to use closed captioning technology to understand the moderators and Oz's responses.

Still, Fetterman beat the Trump-backed Oz by five percentage points, giving Democrats an extra Senate seat in what was likely the most-watched 2022 Senate race.

On Thursday, Fetterman's wife Gisele called it a 'difficult time for our family' and asked for privacy, while sharing the statement from her husband's Senate office saying he was seeking treatment for his mental health.

'After what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs,' Gisele Fetterman also said.

'Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone,' she said.
Bruce Willis' tragic cognitive decline played out on movie sets for years before he finally stepped back from acting and was diagnosed with aphasia.

The Hollywood icon has now been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the age of 67.

In a three-year period leading up to his retirement, Willis made twenty-two 'Geezer-Teaser' movies but witnesses on set slowly started to recognize he was becoming an increasing liability and have now spoken out.

The action star allegedly misfired guns during movie takes and needed someone to read his lines to him through a earpiece as his symptoms worsened.

Willis, who has been in more than 70 movies since he got his start in the 1970s, withdrew from acting last year as he began his fight with the illness that caused his language abilities to deteriorate.

In the last few years, his management made sure that Willis' film shoots only lasted maximum of two days - of which he would often only work for four hours due to his declining health.

Sources say acclaimed actor Willis had been having trouble on the sets of his recent movies, and was even pictured wearing an earpiece to feed him lines on the set of American Siege in 2020

White Elephant, 2022: 'He was just being puppeted'

Bruce Willis' slowly worsening condition, which often made him seem confused, was seen on the set of White Elephant. He openly questioned what he was doing on the set of the upcoming low-budget film.

Two crew members recall him asking: 'I know why you're here, and I know why you're here, but why am I here?'

White Elephant was being directed by Jesse V. Johnson, who worked with the actor decades ago when Willis was still a stuntman.

However, on the new set in Georgia, he recalled: 'It was clear that he was not the Bruce I remembered.'

He says he asked the Emmy winner's team about his condition.

According to crew members on the set of White Elephant (pictured), he said: 'I know why you're here, and I know why you're here, but why am I here?

'They stated that he was happy to be there, but that it would be best if we could finish shooting him by lunch and let him go early,' he recalled.

One of the crew members, who had picked up on Willis' confusion on set, said that their aim was 'how to not make Bruce look bad.'

The crew rushed to film his parts and the actor was later heard asking what he was doing on set.

'It was less of an annoyance and more like: 'How do we not make Bruce look bad?' one crew member told the LA Times. 'Someone would give him a line and he didn't understand what it meant. He was just being puppeted.'

'After our experience on 'White Elephant,' it was decided as a team that we would not do another,' Johnson said.

'We are all Bruce Willis fans, and the arrangement felt wrong and ultimately a rather sad end to an incredible career, one that none of us felt comfortable with.'

The movie hit the screens in June 2022.

Hard Kill, 2020: 'Misfired' a gun twice on set

On the set of films, directors who worked with Willis saw signs of potential cognitive decline. According to at least two people, he misfired a gun loaded with a blank on the set of Hard Kill.

A producer for the film disputed that claim, and no one was injured.

Willis was often accompanied on the set by an entourage, and his longtime assistant Stephen J. Eads was paid up to $200,000 a film to shepherd him around.

On the set of Open Source, small time actor Adam Huel Potter earned up to $4,150 a week to read Willis' lines to him through an earpiece.

In January 2020, actress Lala Kent was set to play Willis' daughter in Hard Kill- and in one scene his character was scripted to step in and protect her from villains.

Willis was meant to deliver a line that was a cue for Kent to duck before he fired the weapon. But instead, Willis shot the gun before delivering the line  and the actress was not able to move out of the way.

Sources allege that Bruce Willis misfired a gun twice while on set for Hard Kill (pictured on set)

Jesse V. Johnson, White Elephant's director, on set with Willis (left)

Willis is perhaps best known for his role in the Die Hard series as John McClane

Kent says she took things in her stride after Willis' first misfire on the set of Hard Kill.

'Because my back was to him, I wasn't aware of what was happening behind me. But the first time, it was like, 'No big deal, let's reset,'' she recalled.

She asked director Matt Eskandari to remind Willis to say his line before firing, but it happened again.

Two other crew members confirmed that Willis fired the gun on the wrong cue, with one adding: 'We always made sure no one was in the line of fire when he was handling guns.'

Randall Emmett, who founded Emmett/Furla Oasis and has worked with Willis on 20 films, says Willis didn't fire a gun prematurely. The movie's armorer also denies that the incident happened.

But the alleged gunshot left other actors and crew shaken, reports the LA Times.

The movie came out in August 2020. Willis appears for just seven minutes in Hard Kill.

Out of Death, 2021: Airtime cut down and not allowed any monologues

Shortly before beginning production on Out of Death, director Mike Burns sent an email to the writer of the film saying Willis' part needed to be cut by 'about five pages,' according to the LA Times .

Just days before Willis was scheduled to turn up on the set of one of his latest action films, the director of the project sent out an urgent request: Make the movie star's part smaller.

In 2020, the director asked to keep his lines 'short and sweet,' offering little explanation for the sudden re-write.

There was be an actor traveling with him, sending him his lines through an earpiece because he wouldn't be able to remember them. He is pictured on the set of Out of Death

Shortly before beginning production on Out of Death, director Mike Burns sent an email to the writer of the film saying Willis' part needed to be cut by 'about five pages'

'It looks like we need to knock down Bruce's page count by about five pages,' director Mike Burns said in a June 2020 email to the screenwriter. 'We also need to abbreviate his dialogue a bit so that there are no monologues, etc.'

It's understood that nearly two dozen people who were on set with the actor expressed concern about his wellbeing.

According to the LA Times, Willis was paid $2 million for two days of work on set.

And there would be an actor traveling with him, sending him his lines through an earpiece because he wouldn't be able to remember them.

Action scenes, or parts which needed choreography, were often performed by a stunt double instead of Willis, people close to the filmset said.

The film was released in July 2021.

Wrong Place's director Mike Burns said: 'I didn't think he was better; I thought he was worse'

Wrong Place, 2022: 'He was getting worse'

Director Mike Burns was offered the chance to direct another film of Willis, Wrong Place, however he was worried about the actor's health.

One of Willis' associates was told that the actor was: 'A whole different person ... way better than last year.'

However when he went to film Wrong Place, Burns said: 'I didn't think he was better; I thought he was worse.

'After we finished, I said: 'I'm done. I'm not going to do any other Bruce Willis movies.' I am relieved that he is taking time off.'

The film was released in July 2022.

He played Frank Richards - and told the story of a methamphetamine cook who hunts down a small-town former police chief.

A still from Paradise City, the first time Willis and Travolta had worked together in 27 years

Paradise City, 2022: 'He always tried his best'

Bruce Willis alongside Paradise City co-star John Travolta

Paradise City was one of the final films Willis shot before his retirement.

Chuck Russell, the film's director, said that he was excited to be working with Willis again in Maui - adding that he 'brought his A game.'

However, speaking with the Times, Terri Martin, the production supervisor on White Elephant said: 'He just looked so lost, and he would say, 'I'll do my best.' He always tried his best.

'He is one of the all-time greats, and I have the utmost admiration and respect for his body of work, but it was time for him to retire.'

The movie was released in November 2022, and he played the role of Ian Swan alongside John Travolta - who were both featured in the film's poster.

Willis played a bounty hunter, who is shot and presumed dead in Maui waters.

Bruce Willis in Paradise City. Willis played a bounty hunter, who is shot and presumed dead in Maui waters

American Siege, 2020: Seen wearing an earpiece

Bruce Willis was having trouble on the sets of his movies, and was pictured wearing an earpiece to feed him lines on the set of American Siege in 2020.

This was a full two years before the family's announcement that Willis has aphasia.

American Siege co-star Rob Gough said: 'The guy is a legend and just so iconic.

'Even without this information [about his diagnosis], just to be on set with the guy was so memorable and so amazing for me. And then, learning about his condition, and that that was going to be one of his last films, I'm so honored and blessed that I got to work with the guy and learn from him.

'Even though he was going through this when he was on camera  it's second nature to him, he just turned on, and you had no idea that anything was going on.'

Willis' acting career began with small just roles in television shows like Miami Vice and The Twilight Zone in the early 1980s.

He started gaining attention thanks to his starring role opposite Cybill Shepherd in the ABC series Moonlighting, which ran from 1985 to 1989, but his breakout role was really as John McClane in the hit film Die Hard, which premiered in 1988 and led to six sequels.

'I think it was his first big film and he wanted to make it right, he wanted to make it work,' co-star Reginald VelJohnson told People at a 2018 30th anniversary screening of the film. 'He was more concerned with how to do the role rather than anything else.'

'This was his first movie, and he was the star of a huge blockbuster and it was very well advertised that he was making $5 million, which at the time was unbelievable,' Bonnie Bedelia, who played his wife Holly Gennaro McClane in the film.

'And everybody was like, "Why would you pay $5 million to an untried movie star?" But boy, someone was really smart.'

Willis also starred in films such as Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys and the superhero movie, Unbreakable, for which he reprised his role over a decade later in the 2016 film Split and the 2019 film Glass.

Willis (pictured in American Siege) had been having trouble on set for a while and reportedly had to wear an earpiece in American Siege to have his lines fed to him

Aphasia, the brain condition suffered by Bruce Willis, can leave a person unable to communicate Hollywood legend Bruce Willis, 67, retired due to his diagnosis of aphasia, a potentially devastating condition that causes a person to lose communication skills. Willis' family announced that the condition would cause the Die Hard star to step away 'from the career that has meant so much to him.' Around one million Americans suffer from the condition, the National Institutes of Health reports, and around 180,000 people are diagnosed with it every year. It can manifest itself in multiple ways, and is often either the result of a head injury, a stroke, a tumor or other brain deterioration. Aphasia can be devastating as well, with experts saying it causes depression in over a third of cases, can lead to personality shifts and can even alienate friends and family from the affected person. Other famous examples of aphasia include former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke. 'Imagine being dropped in a country where you do not speak the language - cannot understand, read, write or speak. It would impact all of your interactions - this is what it is like to have aphasia,' Darlene Williamson, president of the aphasia association, told DailyMail.com. While it is impossible to say for Willis in particular how drastically the condition has effected him and his behavior, Williamson reports that it can often be devastating for patients. 'The consequences of living with a language impairment can alter someone's behavior and outlook on life,' Williamson said. 'Approximately 35 percent of individuals with aphasia experience some depression.' The cause of the condition, which is often some sort of traumatic brain injury or a stroke, can lead to massive personality shifts. '[Aphasia is] difficulty with language that comes about from some kind of injury to the brain. The most common source is stroke but it could come from any other type of damage, Dr Brenda Rapp, a cognitive scientist at Johns Hopkins University, told DailyMail.com. Certain infections that impact the brain's language centers can cause aphasia to form as well, along with cognitive decline and deterioration associated with dementia. The condition can make it very hard for an actor like Willis to continue in his career, as just the process of speaking out lines can become a challenge. 'It would surely be difficult,' Williamson said about attempting to continue acting while afflicted with the condition. 'Aphasia affects comprehension of language, speaking, as well as reading and writing. There are varying levels of severity which would be another determining factor. It may not be impossible, but acting would require extra accommodations.' Advertisement
Hobby balloons cost as little as $12 and carry device that transmits their location

It's now suspected the object shot down using $400,000 Sidewinder missile may have been the group's balloon

Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade reported one of its balloons 'missing in action' around the same time location jets downed an object over Alaska

A mystery object shot down by U.S. fighter jets amid ongoing hysteria sparked by a Chinese spy balloon may have been a $12 inflatable launched by a hobby group in Illinois.

The Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade (NIBBB) reported one of its balloons 'missing in action' around the same location - and at the time time - a U.S. Air Force jet downed an unidentified object near Alaska using a $400,000 Sidewinder missile.

NIBBB said its 'K9YO' balloon last reported its location shortly before 1am GMT on Saturday, February 11 (8pm EST on February 10), near the coast of southwest Alaska.

Later on Saturday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared an 'unidentified object' was downed over Canada's Yukon territory, several hundred miles from K9YO's last known location.

Modeling shared by NIBBB shows its balloon was headed in the direction of Yukon before it vanished - and opens up the possibility it was one of the suspicious objects down by the U.S. military.

Members of the Northern Illinois Bolltlecap Balloon Brigade, whose balloon went missing near the area where an unidentified object was shot down by a fighter jet over Alaska

The hobby balloon's last known location over Alaska came several hours before a fighter jet downed an unknown object several hundred miles away over Canada. A map of the hobby balloon's predicted path indicates it was heading towards the site where the UFO was downed

An unidentified object shot down by U.S. fighter jets using a $400,000 Sidewinder missile could have been a balloon launched by an Illinois-based hobby group. It's been speculated the hobby group could have used the balloon pictured above, which can be bought for under $15

The Chinese spy balloon triggered a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing - and the subsequent hysteria has led to at least three more unidentified objects being shot down

An F-22 (similar to the one pictured in this file photo) later shot down a 'cylindrical' metallic object over Mayo, Yukon

The object shot down by a a U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jet over Mayo, Yukon, was variously described by officials in Canada and the U.S. as a 'cylindrical', metallic balloon with a payload.

Balloons used by hobby groups like NIBBB often fit the same description. They are usually attached with a small, solar-powered payload that transmits location data back to listening posts on the ground. Typically, these payloads are no larger than a credit card.

NIBBB has not said its balloon was definitely the downed object, but an overview of the circumstantial evidence by Aviation Week leaves the possibility wide open.

Far from posing a military or surveillance threat, the 'pico balloons' launched by hobby groups like NIBBB often do little more than relay location data - or, in some cases, information about the weather.

They float around until they're damaged or brought down by bad weather. K9YO was airborne for 123 days and 18 hours before it stopped reporting its location.

In that time, it circumnavigated the globe six times.

A model of the hobby balloon's projected path shows it was headed for Yukon, Canada, where an unidentified object was shot down. The balloon's last known location is marked by a star, while the red line shows its predicted path

A fighter jet flies near the remnants of the Chinese balloon after it was struck by a missile over the Atlantic Ocean, just off the South Carolina coast near Myrtle Beach, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023

It's been speculated the balloon used for K9YO was a $13.33, silver 32-inch mylar balloon - mainly used for parties and celebrations, but sometimes by hobbyists for high-altitude flights.

Other hobbyists are also speculating that pico balloons could account for some of the mystery objects spotted over the U.S. since a Chinese spy balloon was detected earlier this month.

Ron Meadows, the founder of Scientific Balloon Solutions (SBS), which makes balloons used by hobbyists, told Aviation Week: 'I tried contacting our military and the FBIand just got the runaroundto try to enlighten them on what a lot of these things probably are. And they're going to look not too intelligent to be shooting them down.'

Tom Medlin, a host on the Amateur Radio Roundtable show, said the objects shot down were 'probably' pico balloons.

He said he uses a $12 foil balloon for his flights - matching the 'metallic' description of the Yukon object - and these can endure long periods of time at high altitudes.

The balloon shot down over Yukon was at an altitude of about 40,000 feet, officials said. The last known altitude of NIBBB's balloon was 37,928 ft.

The detection of a Chinese spy balloon over the U.S. led to several more 'unidentified' objects being shot down by fighter jets. It's now suspected at least one of these may have been a balloon which belonged to a hobby group in Illinois

President Joe Biden said on Thursday admitted the Yukon object and two other mysterious aerial objects destroyed by U.S. warplanes since the China balloon incident were not thought to be surveillance vehicles

President Joe Biden on Thursday admitted the Yukon object and two other mysterious aerial objects destroyed by U.S. warplanes since the China balloon incident were not thought to be surveillance vehicles.

'We don't yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing nothing right now suggests they were related to China's spy balloon programme, or they were surveillance vehicles from other any other country,' he said.

'The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions, studying weather, or conducting other scientific research.'

Biden came under intense criticism for allowing the balloon to fly all across the U.S. before giving the order to shoot it down once it was off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.

On February 10, an unidentified object was downed over Alaska. The Yukon incident came a day later, then a third UDO was shot down over Lake Huron in the Midwest on February 12.

Military officials and the White House have also not categorically ruled out aliens could be behind the recent UFO incursions.

National Security Council Coordinator Admiral John Kirby speaks at a White House Press Briefing following the U.S. downing of a number of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), at the White House on February 13th, 2023 in Washington, DC

U.S. Navy sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 prepare to conduct a search for debris during recovery efforts for the remains of a high-altitude Chinese balloon shot down by the U.S. Air Force off the coast of South Carolina during salvage and investigation operations on February 7, 2023 in this image released by the U.S. Navy in Washington, U.S., February 13, 2023

The White House has announced it is putting together a new UFO task force to study the potential security risks posed by new airborne objects detected in US airspace.

The new group, created on orders from national security adviser Jake Sullivan, will see experts from the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies come together to analyze unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) and determine whether they are a threat.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday said: 'Every element of the government will redouble their efforts to understand and mitigate these events,' adding the task force would examine the 'broader policy implications' related to the detection and analysis of UFOs over mainland US.

The announcement came just one day after a US air force F-16 fighter jet shot down a UFO over the Great Lakes - the third unidentified object to be downed in as many days.

The UFO narrative wasn't helped by Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of NORAD and US Northern Command, who wouldn't say aliens were off the table during a briefing Sunday night.
The head of Russia's mercenary outfit Wagner has slammed Moscow's 'monstrous bureaucracy' for slowing military gains, saying it could take months to capture the embattled Ukraine city of Bakhmut.

Russia has been trying to encircle and capture the city ahead of February 24, the first anniversary of its invasion, but the bodies of Vladimir Putin's forces are said to be 'piled up' in trenches as his army continues to struggle.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the infamous Wagner mercenary group, has attacked the Russian military for slowing efforts to retake Bakhmut, arguing the city could have already been captured from Ukraine.

He said in a series of messages online: 'I think it's [going to be in] March or in April.

'To take Bakhmut you have to cut all supply routes. It's a significant task.

Intense fighting continues around the industrial city of Bakhmut, with Russia struggling to make progress against Ukrainian forces despite making capturing the city a key objective

A Ukrainian military spokesperson said Russia bodies were 'piling up' in trenches around Bakhmut. Pictured: The devastation caused by a Russian missile in Pokrovsk in the Donbas region

'Progress is not going as fast as we would like.

'Bakhmut would have been taken before the New Year, if not for our monstrous military bureaucracy.'

He added: 'Because there are a huge number of problems that need to be solved. Naturally it will also depend on whether we continue to be bled,' in a reference to the end of prisoner recruits.

Prigozhin has previously accused the Russian military of attempting to 'steal' victories from Wagner, a sign of his growing influence and the potential for dangerous rifts in Moscow.

Wagner's claims to have captured ground without help from the regular army - which Prigozhin regularly criticises - has caused friction with senior military leadership.

In Bakhmut, a deputy commander with a mortar unit of the State Border Guard of Ukraine, said fighting remained intense.

He noted: 'We have to acknowledge the enemy's successes. There's a regular Russian army here and they also have regular artillery groups and they shoot accurately as well.

Most of the city's 70,000 pre-war population have left, leaving Ukrainian soldiers dug in.

Taras Dzioba, press officer for the Ukrainian 80th Air Assault Brigade, said: 'They [the Russians] are sending a lot of troops.

'I don't think that is sustainable for them to keep attacking this way.

'There are places where their bodies are just piled up. There is a trench where... they just don't evacuate their wounded or killed.'

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the infamous Wagner mercenary group has criticsed the Russian military, saying Bakhmut would have been captured from Ukraine if not for the army's 'monstrous bureaucracy'

Pictured: A British MoD map updated showing the on-going Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian forces remain dug in around Bakhmut where most of the 70,000-strong population has fled. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier in the city

Russian forces are continuing to suffer heavy defeats on the battlefield - but in an effort to hide these losses, officials in Crimea are burning dead troops in crematoriums 'around the clock'.

Near the local crematorium in the village of Krasna Zorka, Crimea, there 'is a constant line of military vehicles numbering up to 10 units', Ukrainian armed forces said.

'The occupiers use these trucks to bring dead Russian servicemen and mercenaries.'

Putin claimed to have annexed the Donetsk region, which includes Bakhmut, last year but his forces remain fighting Ukrainian troops there.

The fierce fighting for the eastern industrial city is now the longest running battle of Russia's campaign and Moscow's key military objective.

Taking Bakhmut would be a major win for Moscow, but analysts say its capture would be mainly symbolic as the salt-mining town holds little strategic value.

Prigohzin, who is close to Putin, said the speed of Russian progress in the battle would depend on whether Ukraine continued to send reserves.

Ukraine, determined not to lose any ground ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive in the spring, has been asking for more modern weapons from its allies.

Russia rained missiles across Ukraine and struck its largest oil refinery earlier today, Kyiv said.

Following a pattern of heavy bombardments after Ukrainian battlefield or diplomatic gains, Russia launched 36 missiles in the early hours, Ukraine's Air Force said.

The missiles triggered air-raid sirens and landed across Ukraine, including at the Kremenchuk refinery, where the extent of damage was unclear. About 16 were shot down, the Air Force added, a lower rate than normal.

Ukrainian soldiers wait in a shelter in the embattled city of Bakhmut where Russia has struggled to make progress

Ukraine State Border Guard servicemen fire a mortar shell amid the fighting around Bakhmut

'Another massive missile attack by the terrorist state on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine,' the Defence Ministry tweeted. Ukraine said the barrage included three KH-31 missiles and one Oniks anti-ship cruise missile, which its air defences cannot shoot down.

Meanwhile Belarus, which allowed Russia to use its territory to send troops into Ukraine at the start of the war, said it would only fight alongside its ally if it was attacked.

Bolstered by tens of thousands of reservists, Russia has intensified ground attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine, and a major new offensive appears to be shaping as the first anniversary of its Feb. 24 invasion nears.

On Thursday, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Kyiv and Bucha in the first visit by an Israeli minister since the offensive started.

'Israel stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,' Cohen said during a press conference in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

Cohen, who is due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, however did not announce any pledges of weapons that Ukraine has been requesting for months.

Israel has adopted a cautious approach since Russia's Ukraine campaign began last February, seeking to maintain neutrality between the two sides.

Cohen's Ukrainian counterpart said he was 'grateful' for humanitarian initiatives but emphasised the 'most important' for Ukraine was to be able to win on the battlefield.

'Israel is aware of our list of military needs, and we will wait for the relevant decisions to be made, primarily regarding the protection of Ukrainian sky,' Kuleba said.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said his country would only fight alongside Russia if it was attacked

Ukraine especially hopes to learn from Israel's extensive air-defence experience as Moscow has been unleashing regular waves of aerial attacks on the country's infrastructure.

The strikes have left millions in the cold and dark in the middle of winter.

In the latest wave overnight, Kyiv said it had shot down 16 missiles from the two dozen launched from planes and ships in the Black Sea.

The missiles, which hit the north and west of Ukraine, killed a 79 year-old in the central Dnipropetrovsk region.

With Russia still battering the energy grid - despite what analysts say is a dwindling stockpile of long-range projectiles - fears have steadily mounted of a potential new Russian attack from the north.

Russia had launched the nearly year-old offensive from its soil and Belarus, ruled by Kremlin-ally Alexander Lukashenko.

During a rare interview with international media including AFP, on Thursday, Lukashenko said his country would only join Russia's offensive in Ukraine if Belarus is attacked first by Kyiv.

'I'm ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in one case only: if so much as one soldier from (Ukraine) comes to our territory with a gun to kill my people,' he said.
The bare facts read like the plot of an espionage thriller. Two underwater pipelines carrying gas from Russia to Germany are blown up in an audacious operation by saboteurs who vanish into the night.

In their wake, they leave millions of gallons of methane bubbling to the surface of the Baltic Sea  a maelstrom matched only by the geopolitical fallout that follows.

First, Russia accuses Britain of blowing up the pipelines. Britain and the U.S. then blame Russia. Some even claim Ukraine  whose navy has only one remaining large warship  carried out the attack.

And now an incendiary report by Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer prize-winning U.S. journalist, points the finger squarely at the CIA.

In a 5,000-word dossier, Hersh alleges that U.S. navy divers planted remote-controlled explosives on the pipeline, using a Nato exercise held in the Baltic last summer as cover. Naturally, the White House has described this version of events as utterly false and complete fiction.

Hersh is hardly the first person to try to establish who was responsible for destroying the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, deep in the sea off the Danish island of Bornholm and close to Swedens southern coastline, in late September last year.

So far, three investigations  by the Germans, Swedes and Danes  have been completed but none has named a guilty party.

It didnt help that they failed to co-operate fully with each other, citing issues of national security. It seems the only things they agreed on were that it was, indeed, sabotage and that it involved several hundred kilograms of explosives.

I dont think theres any doubt that its a murky situation in lots of ways, says Nick Childs, Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Wherever your suspicions fall, its not a straightforward picture or a straightforward story.

Sergey Vakulenko, an independent Russian energy analyst, goes even further. There are aspects of this mystery that resemble an Agatha Christie novel, he says. Nearly everyone involved appears to have a motive or would benefit from the outcome.

So who was really to blame?

Claim one: Plot backed by Biden

Thanks to Seymour Hershs investigation, the CIA is now well and truly in the frame.

He claims U.S. navy divers attached C4 explosives to the pipes in June last year, when 14 Nato countries, plus Sweden and Finland, took part in 13 days of naval exercises in the Baltic, involving 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft and 7,500 personnel.

According to Hersh, the plan was for the explosives to lie dormant until September, when a Norwegian surveillance plane would fly over the Baltic Sea and drop a sonar buoy, which would then emit a sequence of low-frequency signals to trigger the sensors on the explosives below. Like the CIA, the Norwegian government strongly denies any involvement.

But its a sensational scenario that, Hersh alleges, can be traced all the way back up the chain of command to the U.S.s commander-in-chief himself, President Joe Biden (pictured)

But its a sensational scenario that, Hersh alleges, can be traced all the way back up the chain of command to the U.S.s commander-in-chief himself, President Joe Biden.

Not surprisingly, the White House categorically denies any suggestion it was behind the attack, as any admission of culpability would trigger the mother of all diplomatic rows. Or worse.

Hersh, 85, who has a string of high-level exposes to his name, will wear the controversy with pride. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1970 for revealing the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, when U.S. soldiers, searching for Viet Cong guerrillas, raided a village and killed more than 300 civilians, including children.

His allegations will give added currency to a conspiracy theory that was already doing the rounds, based on a comment by President Biden two weeks before the war in Ukraine began.

He said: If Russia invades  that means tanks or troops crossing the border of Ukraine again  there will no longer be a Nord Stream 2.

When asked by journalists to elaborate, he added: I promise you: we will be able to do it.

Some  including in the Kremlin  took that to mean the U.S. would take out the pipeline. Bidens team later released footage that showed the remarks did not refer to military action but were made while discussing the governments ability to enact punishing sanctions on Russian energy exports.

An incendiary report by Seymour Hersh (pictured) a Pulitzer prize-winning U.S. journalist, points the finger squarely at the CI

This is in the realms of conspiracy theory, says the IISSs Nick Childs. Concerns over German reliance on Russian energy are significant, but they are being dealt with in lots of other ways.

An attack by the U.S. on such infrastructure would put at risk the united front the West is trying to create.

Claim two: Putin severs own link

People who see the hand of Moscow behind the bombing point out that Putin has a track record of attacking energy infrastructure in the course of the bloody war in Ukraine. On one day alone, last December, Russian forces fired 76 missiles, hitting nine power stations and nearly halving Ukraines energy output.

So, say some, it stands to reason that Putin would widen his attack to take in Western energy infrastructure. After all, at the time of the explosions, Nord Stream 1 had been shut down by the Russians for what it described as maintenance. The Kremlin blamed the lengthening time it took to upgrade the piping on the Wests economic sanctions.

Whatever the truth, it gave German households turning down the thermostat a chilly taste of what winters could be like if Russia turned off the gas permanently.

But Nord Stream 1, completed in 2011, is vital to both countries, pumping gas one way and sending valuable foreign currency the other. So would Putin sever the artery completely? You have to ask, why would Russia essentially attack its own pipeline? says Mr Childs. Whats the logic?

People who see the hand of Moscow behind the bombing point out that Putin (pictured) has a track record of attacking energy infrastructure in the course of the bloody war in Ukraine

It sends a signal that has broader implications than the vulnerability of just this one [energy] artery.

On the one hand, it does undermine Russias potential leverage to be able to quickly turn the gas tap on and off as it might desire. But on the other, it could send a broader message and add to the energy supply problems in Europe as winter approached.

The Kremlin firmly denies any involvement, describing the idea as absurd. And a recent report by the Washington Post cited 23 intelligence and diplomatic sources based in nine countries who all said they had seen no evidence that Russia was involved.

Nevertheless, most Western analysts seem to believe Russia was to blame. They argue that this was an attempt to remind much of Europe how reliant it was on Russian oil and gas, and to cause havoc in international energy markets.

How Russia could have attacked the pipes might be an easier question to answer than why. Despite one explosion happening in Danish waters and the other in Swedish, Russian navy frogmen could have planted the explosives by diving from a disguised or unmarked ship.

Alternatively, crew aboard such a ship could have directed a remote- controlled underwater drone to the site, or a Russian submarine could have dropped the charges directly.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, appeared to have no doubts when he called the attack Russian terrorism a day after it was perpetrated.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) appeared to have no doubts when he called the attack Russian terrorism a day after it was perpetrated.

In an interview with The Times, he added: Dont look for any rational logic in Russias actions. Russia works differently. It relies on actions which are illogical but that it believes will intimidate.

Curiously, The New York Times has recently reported that Moscow has costed repairs to the pipes at about $500 million (416 million). Why would it sabotage the pipelines, only to repair them at vast expense months later?

Still, that figure is small change for Nord Streams majority-Russian shareholder Gazprom, whose last annual profit before the Ukraine war was 24 billion, while a rupture in the Western alliance would be priceless to the Kremlin.

Claim three: A UK terrorist act

A month after the pipeline was blown up, Russia claimed the Royal Navy was responsible.

There is evidence that Britain is involved in sabotage, a terrorist act against vital energy infrastructure, said Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman.

The evidence related to claims that Liz Trusss phone had been hacked by the Russians when she was Foreign Secretary.

Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, quoted a conspiracy theory on Twitter suggesting Ms Truss had sent a text message that read Its done to Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State.

Evidence of the text was never produced  and it later emerged that Ms Truss learned her phone had been hacked in the summer, before the blasts had taken place. No 10 called the claims distractions which are part of the Russian playbook, while the Ministry of Defence said Russia was peddling false claims of an epic scale.

The evidence related to claims that Liz Trusss phone had been hacked by the Russians when she was Foreign Secretary

While it could be argued that the UK might consider that destroying the energy link between Russia and Germany is a smart way of focusing Berlins attention on breaking free from its unsavoury supplier, this seems unlikely.

The UK does have underwater equipment and skills to co-ordinate an operation like this, but the political risk involved is far too high, says Mr Childs. Underlying all this is the UKs drive to maintain Western solidarity. This wouldnt seem to fit into that.

Claim four: Clever Ukraines ploy

While Ukrainian involvement has been mooted, most analysts dont take this notion seriously.

Russian gas pipelines to other parts of Europe cross Ukrainian territory and provide a source of income, so destroying Nord Stream  an alternative that bypassed Ukraine  could be a motive.

Many doubt that Ukraine would have the wherewithal to co-ordinate simultaneous and difficult attacks on the pipes in 230ft of water.

However, the Ukrainians have shown several times how resourceful they can be, as they proved with the sinking of the Russian flagship Moskva last April and the attack on the Crimea Bridge in October.

It is probably fair to say that the risk of offending Germany and undermining its resolve to support the war effort would probably be too great a risk for the Ukrainian government to take.

The verdict

For now, whatever the truth about the claims by Seymour Hersh and any others, the mystery remains frustratingly unsolved.

There has been criticism that the lead investigators, the Swedes, have been oddly secretive with their findings. But Daniel Stenling, the countrys most senior counter-intelligence officer, said there was nothing suspicious about his countrys silence.

We have no concrete evidence, he said. But hopefully we will. The entire investigation is unusual.

And nobody in this most bizarre of international whodunnits would argue with that.
It comes after Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned after he tried to shift blame for Adriana's suicide onto her family in emails to DailyMail.com

An embattled New Jersey school district has skirted questions about 'bullied to death' Adriana Kuch, 14, as their acting superintendent brushed off allegations he laughed off sexual assault claims.

Packed into a small press room at the Central Regional High School, acting superintendent Dr Douglas Corbett, addressed policies and procedures in place to content with what the school community have called a 'systemic' and 'violent' culture in the region.

It comes amid shocking allegations and the surprise resignation of former superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides, who tried to shift blame for Adriana's suicide onto her family, in shocking emails sent to DailyMail.com.

When asked at the press briefing, whether he was equipped for the position given students claim he 'laughed off sexual assault' claims, he didn't answer directly, and would only insist that 'better communication' was needed across the district.

An embattled New Jersey school district has skirted questions about 'bullied to death' Adriana Kuch, 14, as their acting superintendent Douglas Corbett, pictured, brushes off claims he laughed off sexual assault claims

Corbett refused to directly answer claims he'd laughed off prior sexual assault claims by students. The district has hired crisis PRs to try and contain the scandal

'I think the biggest problem we've had is communication,' he said.

'One of the things I'm definitely going to do better is to communicate the good things that we're doing, the services that we provide and the responses that we already have in place so the students understand that we're here to help always.'

Adriana 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.

Her suicide has been a lighting rod that has called the school board and administrative positions into question.

Stories of bullying, racism and sexual assault have emerged following the suicide with hundreds protesting the lack of action from the administration in the region.

Corbett said they're 'committed' to learning from the tragedy and wanted to emphasize the current harassment, intimidation and bullying policy.

'Our current harassment, intimidation and bullying policy and procedures are current and comply with all state laws and department of education requirements,' he said.

'All complaints filed by students family members or others in our school community are documented and investigated the outcomes of these investigations are confidential.'

He went on to say that there is a full team of specialists dedicated to the physical and emotional health of students.

'Three anti bullying specialists are available and we have a 27 member crisis team who are trained and have been mobilized to interview in conflicts as soon as possible,' he said.

Questions about Adriana's death were quickly shut down by crisis PRs Stacey Ehling and David Klucsik who represent Princeton Strategic Communications. They were taken on board by the district to address the high volume of questions being asked of the school in the wake of the tragedy.

Instead Corbett rattled off policies they hoped to put in place, despite historic allegations of bullying including when the school was sued.

'The issues of bullying and harassment are addressed in multiple ongoing programs and formal training sessions throughout the school year,' he said.

'All faculty and staff are required to complete training in specific areas annually we comply with all that.

'We are also reaching out to state and national organizations to help us identify policy and procedural improvements consistent with the state and federal laws.'

Prospective initiatives Corbett described include 'organizing a committee including parents and community leaders to evaluate and update our approach to bullying and other issues.'

'Retaining an outside party to examine our policies and response to crisis, reviewing our districts cell phone policies, scheduling student assembly's to discuss bullying social media risks and contemporary issues [will also be set up],' he said.

'[We will also establish a toll free hotline operated by an outside party for students to call if if they wish for when and if they feel threatened physically or online.'

Hundreds of New Jersey residents packed into an emotional school board meeting on Thursday evening.

The teen committed suicide and was found in the closet of her home Feb 3 after footage of her being beaten in the hall of her school was shared on social media.

Officials are preparing for outraged residents to demand action at the meeting with many accusing the administration of failing to fix an 'inherent' and 'diabolical' issue of 'violence and bullying' in the district.

The Central Regional School District in Ocean County is also expected to appoint a new superintendent, after disgraced official Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned following 'insensitive' comments made to DailyMail.com in an email about the tragedy.

For the time being, Corbett will be holding the position of acting superintendent but it remains unclear whether he will retain the position.

Adriana Kuch, 14, killed herself days after she was seen being attacked in high school hallways by bullies - and school administrators failed to step in

Numerous faculty and students have complained about a lack of action over rampant bullying in the district

Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned following an outrageous smear against Kuch's family in the wake of her suicide

Dozens of students in the area staged a walkout to protest a lack of action over bullying in the district last week.

And tensions are set to reach boiling point at a meeting tonight, where officials will face furious parents, pupils and faculty members.

Numerous residents have spoken out about systemic bullying plaguing the district in recent years, which culminated in Adriana's tragic suicide on February 3.

The teen was 'humiliated' by bullies at her school after they filmed her being beaten before circulating the footage online.

She was then subjected to harassing texts from those who filmed the attack, with one of the bullies making fun of her for 'dripping' blood on the floor, and being 'whooped'.

The messages began soon after the attack on the morning of February 1, and continued until the day before she was found dead in her bedroom at 5am two days later.

Four girls involved in the bullying have since been charged with various offenses, including aggravated assault.

The Ocean County prosecutor's office has also reportedly met with school officials last week to probe allegations the district has failed to deal with bullying in the area.

Following the tragedy, the school district's superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides' responded to questions about her death with outrageous smears against her family.

The official, who was paid $190,000-a-year, said that the 14-year-old had been offered counseling 'for drugs'.

He also made a shocking allegation against the girl's grieving father Michael, a 22-year Army veteran, claiming he 'had an affair' when Adriana was seven that drove her mother to commit suicide, and later 'moved the woman into the house'.

In addition to his emails to DailyMail.com, Parlapanides - the highest paid school administrator in the town - also defended himself on Facebook, claiming there are 'two sides to every story'.

His repeated comment came after an alumni saw the news of Adriana's death and said she would never send her kids to the school.

After the emails came to light, hundreds of students and local residents gathered outside the school to mourn the loss of the teen and demand action.

Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds holding signs of protest in what they described to be 'a shocking lack of sensitivity' and action from the 'administration who swore to protect' them.

The disgraced superintendent resigned in the days following the scandal, stepping down from his lucrative six-figure role.

His decision came a day after a funeral home opened its doors for visitation to allow people to pay their respects to the teenager.

Adriana's father said she was 'embarrassed' about the attack video circulating online and was being harassed by the bullies on social media and in texts

Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey

Students and parents congregated outside the school grounds holding signs of protest following the tragedy

Students at the school have described what they believed to be 'a shocking lack of sensitivity' and action from the 'administration who swore to protect' them

Former faculty members have also spoken out following the tragedy, slamming the district for failing to act on widespread bullying among students.

Daniel Keiser, who says he worked at the Central Regional High School for two decades, said the bullying that led to Adriana's suicide was 'not new'.

In a post to Facebook, he said: 'It is tragic that this kind of thing had to happen to wake people up. There were days where I would break up three fights before home room even started.'

The teacher said officials were 'notorious for brushing things under the carpet', as he slammed the district for fostering 'a climate' of bullying over many years.

'My heart breaks for the parents of this young girl and her family.'

After the superintendent's attempt to deflect blame for the tragedy onto Adriana's family, her father Michael Kuch fired back.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, he explained how Adriana's mother had battled addiction and tragically died in 2015, when Adriana was just seven.

He denied Parlapanides' claims that 'drugs counseling' was offered to his daughter, instead explaining that he and his wife sought help for her because she had been smoking marijuana with a vape - as many kids at the school did.

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's bruised legs after the attack. Her father said she was mostly 'humiliated' by the video, which made her feel like she'd been attacked 'twice'

'I don't know how to respond to this insane deflection,' Mr. Kuch said in response to the superintendent's emails.

'This guy is a piece of s**t,' he said, at the same time he was preparing for his daughter's funeral.

He also hit out at the system within the school that allowed the bullying, feeling that if the videos had not circulated the perpetrators would have 'ended up with a one day suspension or in no trouble at all.'

He continued: 'I can't begin to tell you how angry I am at the school, at the police department.

'The [school] has done nothing. They should not be in charge of our children's safety.'

Complaints about the school's severe problem with bullying were repeated in a post to social media by former student CeCe Lane, who wrote that teachers would often watch on instead of step in to prevent bullying.

Lane said one incident saw her once attacked by another girl in the school gym while teachers remained behind locker room doors.

'They did not bother to help,' she said.

'I know plenty of people that got bullied, fought, and humiliated, the school always looked the other way.

'Your job is to protect these students and prevent bullying from happening. But you have failed.'
The West can stop the rise of totalitarian China, Liz Truss will insist today in her first speech since leaving Downing Street.

The former prime minister will warn a major conference in Japan that the free world is in danger with fewer people living in democracies now than 30 years ago.

She will also admit it was a mistake for Britain to have rolled out the red carpet for Chinese president Xi Jinping in a 2015 state visit as the Cameron administration sought a golden era of closer ties with China, despite being at his celebratory banquet herself.

Ms Truss will add that it is still possible for the West to stand up to the Communist superpower.

She will make her comments at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Symposium in Tokyo, where she will be one of the main speakers alongside former Australian PM Scott Morrison and Belgiums Guy Verhofstadt.

The West can stop the rise of totalitarian China, Liz Truss, pictured on February 5, will insist today in her first speech since leaving Downing Street

Sunak is under pressure to take a more hardline stance after several unidentified objects were detected in US and Canadian airspace, one of which was revealed to be a huge spy balloon

It is her first public overseas engagement since her short-lived stint in No 10 last autumn, although she travelled to Washington to talk to Republicans in private before Christmas.

In recent weeks she has also sought to rehabilitate her political career in a series of interviews, while her allies are putting pressure on Jeremy Hunt to include significant tax cuts in next months Budget.

And her latest intervention will put her successor Rishi Sunak under pressure to take a tougher line on China by officially deeming it a threat in next months integrated review of foreign policy, as fears grow over its spy balloons programme and British polices reliance on its technology.

Ms Truss is expected to tell the assembly of politicians from around the world that they can work together to respond to the strategic issues posed by the Peoples Republic of China.

She will go on: The free world is in danger... We have less of the worlds population living in democracies than was the case 30 years ago.

Her successor Mr Sunak, pictured on Thursday, has not been as hawkish, only describing China as a systemic challenge to our values and interests

On the threat posed by Beijing, she will say: Some people say standing up to this regime is a hopeless task; that somehow the rise of a totalitarian China is inevitable. But I reject this fatalism.

'And the free world has a significant role to play in whether or not that happens  and how.

Ms Truss will also say the UK went too far in trying to improve relations with China when she was the environment secretary.

It wasnt that long ago that the UK heralded a golden era of UK-China relations. We rolled out the red carpet for the Chinese president. I should know  I attended a banquet in his honour, she will say, adding: Looking back, I think this sent the wrong message.

During her short time in Downing Street, Ms Truss planned to formally designate China a threat to the UK for the first time.

Her successor Mr Sunak has not been as hawkish, only describing China as a systemic challenge to our values and interests in his first major foreign policy speech.

However he is under pressure to take a more hardline stance after several unidentified objects were detected in US and Canadian airspace, one of which was revealed to be a huge spy balloon.
The mum of a newborn baby who was medically evacuated from Bali due to a severe bacterial infection has shared the emotional moment she was able to hold her child in her arms after nine days.

Melbourne woman Honey Ahimsa shared the touching clip on Instagram on Thursday.

Cuddling Lucky in her arms, tears were visibly streaming down her face.

'Doctors said she wasn't going to make it and now here she is in my arms for the first time in nine days,' she wrote in the caption.

'Nothing will ever compare to this feeling. She is a fighter, our miracle baby! Thank You to everyone who helped make this possible, forever grateful.'

Baby Lucky being held by her mum in Brisbane after she was medically evacuated out of Bali

'Doctors said she wasn't going to make it and now here she is in my arms for the first time in nine days,' she wrote in the caption

In another update shared to her stories, Ms Ahimsa wrote: 'Lucky has made huge improvements since arriving in Australia! We could not be happier or more proud of our miracle baby.'

Lucky was flown from Filoam Hospital in Denpasar to a Brisbane hospital via a $90,000 evacuation with Queensland's Medical Rescue crew on Monday.

Doctors initially gave Lucky a mere 50 per cent chance of survival, after she was placed on a ventilator last Wednesday.

A GoFundMe created on behalf of the family raised more than $200,000, which has helped pay for the ambulance flight, Lucky's medical bills and her recovery.

The family needed to wait until Lucky was stable enough, for medics to transport her back to Australia.

Doctors in Brisbane nursed Lucky back to health after she caught a horror infection

Lucky after arriving in Brisbane before she was transported to hospital

Medical Rescue director of operations John Turley said the family had a 'small window' to make the international transfer.

'Towards the end of last week we weren't able to make this mission due to her status but she is stabilised enough at the moment,' Mr Turley said.

'There is a small window that we have decided to seize the initiative.'

Arriving in Brisbane just before 10pm Monday night, photos taken by NCA NewsWire showed Ms Ahimsa giving one of the paramedics a hug after touching down.

'She did so well and I was so proud of her and it really wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be on the flight,' Ms Ahimsa shared on Instagram later.

'She is a strong little girl.'
The White House said Thursday it was 'deeply dismayed' at an Israeli cabinet decision to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank.

But suggestions that President Joe Biden was signaling a harder line in dealing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were quickly complicated when the State Department said a draft United Nations resolution calling for the end of settlement activities was 'unhelpful.'

The competing messages are the latest sign of Biden's tightrope walk through the Middle East: Maintaining his most important relationship in the region, while nudging back on some of Netanyahu's most troubling decisions.

The latest flashpoint came on Sunday. Israel granted retroactive approval to nine settler outposts in the West Bank and announced new home building in other areas.

'We are deeply dismayed by Israel's announcement that they will advance 1000s of new [homes] and retroactively legalise nine outposts in the West Bank that were until now illegal under Israeli law,' said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

'The United States strongly opposes these unilateral measures, which exacerbates tensions, harms trust between the parties and undermine the geographic viability of the Two State solution.'

The Sde Boaz outpost was established in 2000 and houses a population of 45 families in total. Sde Boaz is one of the nine settlements to be legalised by the Israeli cabinet in the West Bank

A Two State solution  establishing an independent Palestinian nation and a viable Israeli state  seems as far away as ever.

The past month has brought a flare-up in violence.

And Netanyahu's new government, a far-right coalition, is accused of weakening the country's democratic system, such as checking the Supreme Court's ability to throw out legislation, and further enflaming the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Against that backdrop, a resolution is circulating at U.N. headquarters in New York demanding an immediate end to settlement building. It was drafted by the United Arab Emirates.

It 'condemns all attempts at annexation, including decisions and measures by Israel regarding settlements, including settlement outposts,' and calls for their immediate reversal, according to the Agence France Presse news agency.

The 15-member council is expected to vote on Monday.

State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said it was unhelpful.

'Steps like settlement activity, steps like the introduction of such a resolution, are unhelpful and put us further away from a negotiated two-state solution,' he said.

A picture taken with a drone shows the Israeli settlement of Sde Boaz, in the Gush Etzion settlement block in the West Bank, 16 February 2023

But he stopped short of saying the U.S. would wield its veto to block the resolution, as it has done with other resolutions critical of Israel.

State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel called the draft U.N. resolution and the expansion of settlements 'unhelpful,' but stopped short of promising a U.S. veto

'I'm just not going to speculate or hypothesize on the process,' he told reporters in Washington.

Most world powers consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal. Israel disputes that and cites biblical, historical and political links to the West Bank, as well as security interests.

Sarah Leah Whitson, the head of DAWN human rights group, tweeted: 'The single biggest foreign policy blunder POTUS can make right now is vetoing the proposed UNSC resolution demanding Israel halt its expansion of illegal settlements, war crimes under international law.'
Victoria's purpose-build quarantine centre will close its doors as a flood recovery site, with residents given a little over a month's notice to vacate.

The Mickleham centre in Melbourne's outer north was set up as temporary emergency accommodation in mid-October after widespread flooding hit central and northern Victoria.

It has housed 255 residents so far and 44 from five local government areas remain on site.

They have been told to pack up and leave by the end of March, when the federal government-owned centre is handed back to the Commonwealth.

The Victorian quarantine accommodation hub in Mickleham, Melbourne sat empty for months

The 44 flood victims have been asked to vacate the centre by the end of March

Remaining residents will be helped to return to their own homes or into alternative accommodation closer to home, such as private rental, social housing, hotels and caravan parks.

Emergency Recovery Victoria is working on a pilot program, allowing people to stay in caravans and modular homes placed on their own properties while repair and rebuilding work continues.

In addition, residents will be connected with a recovery support worker.

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said people living on site are keen to get back to their home towns as quickly as possible.

'Now the flood waters have receded and it's safe to return, we're helping everyone who's staying at the centre to return to their communities - and we'll keep providing support to everyone who needs it once they're back in their communities,' she said.

'We will continue to stand with flood-impacted communities for as long as it takes to recover from this extraordinarily tough event.'
Rishi Sunak flew to Belfast last night as a long-awaited deal with the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol appeared imminent.

The Prime Minister is understood to be ready to make a major announcement on Tuesday if the remaining loose ends can be tied up.

Downing Street confirmed that Mr Sunak, who will try to finalise the deal with European leaders at a Munich conference this weekend, had gone to Belfast with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was reported to have set off for Brussels.

The deal is expected to satisfy both the EU and Democratic Unionist Party, which has been boycotting the Stormont assembly due to their opposition to the post-Brexit trade protocol.

A No 10 spokesman said that ministers wanted to make sure any solution fixes the practical problems on the ground.

Rishi Sunak flew to Belfast last night as a long-awaited deal with the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol appeared imminent

The Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are travelling to Northern Ireland to speak to political parties as part of this engagement process, he added.

Earlier this week DUP leaders declared themselves as the final arbiters and said the agreement must meet their seven tests and adhere to the NI Protocol Bill.

The partys chief whip Sammy Wilson said: The fundamental issue to be dealt with is the democratic deficit and the constitutional damage done by the imposition of EU law. If this is not dealt with then the deal will fall short of what is required to restore the political institutions.

Former deputy leader Nigel Dodds added: If we give in on the Protocol and allow a foreign entity to make our laws, that will over time increasingly diverge our economy and our laws from the rest of the UK.

It will push us more and more and more into the orbit of the Irish Republic and the EU. We cannot allow this situation to develop.

Imposition of EU law in Northern Ireland through the European Court of Justice would be wrong politically, constitutionally, morally, he argued.

This week ex-Cabinet minister David Jones, deputy chairman of the European Research Group, warned: Cosmetic changes just wont work. The issue is sovereignty and that, frankly, cant be the subject of compromise.

The PM is expected to put the draft deal to the DUP for approval before final talks with EU leaders in Munich. French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are due to attend.

It is understood that if all goes well Mr Sunak will brief his Cabinet on Tuesday morning then announce the deal to Parliament later that day.

It was reported last month that the UK and EU had struck a deal on customs to avoid the need for routine checks on British goods entering Northern Ireland.
Authorities have identified the two veteran Tennessee National Guardsmen killed when their helicopter plummeted onto an Alabama highway near Huntsville.

Daniel Wadham, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Joelton, and Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, were on board the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter when it exploded on Highway 53 at 3.30pm on Wednesday, US Military officials confirmed

The two were participating in flight training and heading toward the Huntsville Executive Airport when the helicopter came crashing down near Highway 53 and Burwell Road. The deadly crash caused heavy delays and road closures.

'Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of these two Tennessee National Guardsmen,' Gen. Warner Ross said at a press conference. 'It is felt not only within the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard, but across our entire military community.'

Details on what caused Wadham and Randolph to crash weren't immediately available.

Daniel Wadham, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Joelton, and Danny Randolph, Chief Warrant Officer 3 of Murfreesboro, were on board the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter when it exploded on Highway 53 at 3.30pm on Wednesday

A Tennessee National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter 'exploded' into a huge fireball on an Alabama Highway

Footage from the scene showed thick, black smoke billowing from the crash site. The fire was quickly extinguished.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office said the helicopter 'exploded on impact and was burning' when firefighters arrived, adding 'It's a pile of rubble.'

A chilling video from a nearby home's surveillance camera caught the moment the helicopter spiraled out of the sky before a loud explosion was heard.

Grieving military colleagues were heartbroken to learn about by the loss of Wadham and Randolph.

Wadham, who was married with two young daughters, was remembered for his warmth and encouragement.

'For the years that I was fortunate enough to know Wadham and his wife, Zetty, they were always so kind, happy, and positive,' fellow service member Jamie Smith wrote in a grieving post.

'Always sharing updates with me, supporting me throughout all the deployments, and Army training, they always had their door wide open for me...I always enjoyed laughing and smiling, watching their girls grow up and all the silly stuff Wadham would say and share.'

Grieving military colleagues were heartbroken to learn about by the loss of Wadham and Randolph. Pictured: Wadham right with another service member

Wadham, who was married with two young daughters, was remembered for his warmth and encouragement

Randolph served 13 years in the military. He was assigned to Nashvilles Berry Field Air National Guard Base. Pictured: Randolph with his family

Law enforcement officers were seen at the scene of the crash. The helicopter appeared to be completely destroyed

Tennessee serviceman Johnathon Schleicher remembered Wadham as being more than just a military man.

'For those who don't know, we lost a true warrior yesterday. Anyone who ever knew Daniel Wadhamknew he was the definition of the all too familiar description "Jack of all trades." He had his fingers in everything, but above all, he was a great father, a great Soldier... and a great man,' Schleicher wrote.

Randolph was also married with three kids. He was remembered as a 'true American hero.'

'Words fail me Ive been pretty much speechless since last night,' Ambi Stewart Smith wrote on Facebook. 'Danny was such a light in whatever space he was in. A hero you are indeed.'

'You're next flight is heaven,' another chimed in while sharing a photo of Randolph.

Wadham had served in the military for 15 years while Randolph served 13. The two were assigned to Nashvilles Berry Field Air National Guard Base.

For the US Military, the Army is the primary user of the Black Hawk helicopter with about 1,6001,700 of different variants in use. Here a similar helicopter is pictured flying
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre knocked GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley's suggestion that politicians older than 75 needed their mental competency checked.

At Thursday's briefing, Jean-Pierre highlighted 80-year-old President Joe Biden's record on COVID, improving the economy and helping his party perform better than expected against the Republicans in the midterms.

'And so, I don't know, maybe they've forgotten, maybe they're forgetting the wins that this president has had over the last couple of years, but I'm happy to remind them anytime,' Jean-Pierre said.

The gaffe-prone Biden was the first American president to reach the milestone of turning 80 in office and his advanced age is already becoming a major area of attack as the 2024 presidential race begins in earnest.

Haley, 51, who announced a run Tuesday and gave her first campaign speech Wednesday in Charleston, is running on generational change.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre knocked GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley's suggestion that politicians older than 75 needed their mental competency checked

At Thursday's briefing, Jean-Pierre highlighted 80-year-old President Joe Biden's (pictured) record on COVID, improving the economy and helping his party perform better than expected against the Republicans in the midterms

GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, 51, proposed that politicians older than 75 receive mental competence tests as she knocked America's leaders for not being in their 'prime' during her campaign launch event Wednesday in Charleston

'It's not that America is past its prime, it's just that our politicians are past theirs,' she argued. 'We won't win the fight for the 21st Century if we keep trusting politicians from the 20th Century.'

She proposed that politicans older than 75, which she described as past their 'prime,' have to take a competency test.

'When people send someone to Washington, they need to know they're at the top of their game. That's why I think those competency tests are important,' she argued on Fox & Friends Thursday morning. 'We can't have someone like Joe Biden, who's asleep at the wheel, and have China sitting there threatening us and us wondering if he actually knows what's going on.'

While her plan was cleary aimed at Biden - the 76-year-old former President Donald Trump would fit in that category too.

Asked by Fox's Brian Kilmeade how Haley thought Trump would do, his former ambassador to the United Nations said she believed the ex-president would pass.

'You know, I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldn't do well this time,' Haley answered. 'But do I think we need it.'

She added that mental competency tests shouldn't just be given to presidents, but aging members of Congress as well.

Trump famously boasted in July 2020 that he asked his doctor to allow him to take a cognitive test to 'shut these people up,' referring to those critiquing his mental fitness to hold office.

During an appearance Thursday on Fox & Friends, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley defended her demand that politicians older than 75, who are past their 'prime,' get mental competency tests

'It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy. The last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question,' Trump said in an interview with Fox. 'It's like, you'll go "Person, woman, man, camera, TV." So, they say, "Could you repeat that?" So, I said, "Yeah. So, it's: Person, woman, man, camera, TV." OK, that's very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points,' Trump explained.

The president then said that 10 minutes later he was asked to repeat the words in order again and did so successfully.

'"Can you do it?" And you go, "Person, woman, man, camera, TV,"' Trump said. 'They say, "That's amazing, how did you do that?" I do it because I have, like, a good memory. Because I'm cognitively there,' he said.

The clip went viral and was used for fodder by comedians.

Biden was at Walter Reed Thursday for his annual physical, which was delayed for several months.

When he previously received a physical his doctor made no mention of any kind of cognitive exam.

The results of Biden's physical have yet to be released.
Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation as Scottish First Minister could delay efforts to stage a new independence referendum by five years, senior SNP officials fear.

Party sources last night suggested 'indyref2' is not a realistic prospect until after the 2026 Scottish parliament elections and 2027 local council polls  making 2028 a more likely timeframe.

Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation after more than eight years at the helm on Wednesday, plunging her independence dream into chaos.

She will stay on until her successor is chosen by the SNP.

Some supporters yesterday called on the party to push on with plans for an independence vote.

Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation as Scottish First Minister could delay efforts to stage a new independence referendum by five years, senior SNP officials fear

One told the Guardian: 'If you face a democratic roadblock you have to overcome it. Talking about the process for five years will be utterly pointless. We want a leader who will communicate their vision for independence and excite people.'

Meanwhile, the SNP last night cancelled a crunch meeting on plans for Scotland to break away from the UK.

The one-day conference was due to see members decide whether to back Ms Sturgeon's attempt to effectively turn the next general election into a referendum.

Read More: How Nicola Sturgeon has left Scotland after eight years in power Advertisement

Leading SNP figures yesterday pressed for the March 19 conference to be cancelled until the next leader is in post and the party's ruling committee made the decision last night. It was seen as a sign that Ms Sturgeon no longer has authority over her party.

Ian Blackford, who was handed a key independence campaigning role by Ms Sturgeon when he quit as the SNP's Westminster leader, said earlier: 'I suspect there will be a consensus to put it off. I think what the first priority should be is to have the election and then you can have the conference.

'My own view would be that if you are going to have these discussions... it is important that you have got the leader in place, and that there is a cohesive approach to all of these things. I just think in terms of timing that does make more sense.'

Stephen Flynn, the SNP's current Westminster leader, said the party needed to take a breather now. He told Sky News: 'The de facto referendum was obviously put forward by the First Minister and we were going to be discussing and debating the merits of that at that party conference.

'I personally think that party conference should be paused, for obvious reasons. I think the new leader should have the opportunity and indeed the space to set out their position, their values and their intentions going forward.'

Ian Blackford (pictured) said earlier: 'I suspect there will be a consensus to put it off. I think what the first priority should be is to have the election and then you can have the conference'

He added: 'I think it's sensible that we do hit the pause button on that conference and allow the new leader the opportunity to set out their vision.'

Donald Cameron, of the Scottish Tories, said: 'The SNP are divided and distracted and that is only intensifying in the light of Nicola Sturgeon's resignation.

'Voters have made it overwhelmingly clear they are opposed to the SNP trying to dictate the terms of an election.'

He insisted: 'The sooner the SNP recognise that their plans are out of touch with the public and focus on the true priorities of Scots the better.' Scotland's first referendum on independence in 2014 ended with 55 per cent voting No.

Following the meeting of its national executive committee, the SNP last night confirmed that its special conference had been postponed so that the party did not tie its new leader to any decision.

It was also confirmed that candidates have until next Friday, February 24, to put their names forward, and if there is a contest then a vote of members will then take place between March 13 and March 27.

Donald Cameron, (pictured) of the Scottish Tories, said: 'The SNP are divided and distracted and that is only intensifying in the light of Nicola Sturgeon's resignation'

SNP National Secretary Lorna Finn said: 'I am pleased to confirm that SNP NEC has tonight agreed a timetable for party members to select a new leader of our party and country.

'Nicola has been the outstanding politician of this generation. We are very fortunate that she will remain an SNP MSP and a leading campaigner for an independent Scotland.

'But the SNP is full of talented individuals - and they now have the opportunity to put themselves forward and our new leader will lead us into the final phase of Scotland's journey towards independence.

'Should there be a contest, with two or more applicants, then the selection of the new leader will be held on a democratic one-member-one-vote basis.' She added: 'Democracy is in crisis in the UK right now, but the SNP and Scotland's future must and will be decided by the ballot box.

'It would be wrong to have a newly elected leader tied to a key decision on how we deliver democracy in Scotland in the face of continued Westminster intransigence.

'Therefore, the party's Special Democracy Conference, previously planned for Sunday March 19th, is postponed.

'SNP Members - the lifeblood of this party and movement - will be updated in due course on details of a rearranged event once the new party leader is in place.'
The family of Nicola Bulley has urged her to come home after they revealed she suffered a 'crisis' after she stopped taking menopause drugs.

'We all need you home. You can reach out to us,' her family pleaded on Thursday. 'Don't be scared, we all love you so very much.'

Ms Bulley, 45, disappeared three weeks ago today while walking her dog by the river in St Michael's on Wyre after dropping her daughters  aged six and nine  at school.

Her loved ones have now called for focus to return to finding the missing mother-of-two and said the 'appalling' speculation surrounding her private life, largely swirling on social media, 'needs to stop'.

The family said in their statement that Ms Bulley 'would not have wanted this'.

The family of Nicola Bulley on Thursday called for focus to return to finding the missing mother (pictured with her partner Paul Ansell)

Police officers walk past yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to a bridge for Nicola Bulley

Her family spoke out on Thursday for the first time since officers on Wednesday decided to share an unprecedented level of detail on her 'vulnerabilities'.

They said they were 'aware' the statement was going out, but stopped short of saying they approved of it.

Ms Bulley's loved ones, in a statement issued through police, said they feared her decision to stop taking her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs may have played a factor in her disappearance.

'Due to the perimenopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis,' the statement said.

Reiterating their pleas that the focus returns to finding Ms Bulley, they went on: 'The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life.'

The family are holding on to hope that Ms Bulley will come home to them safe and well, ending with a personal message.

They said: 'Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly  we all need you back in our lives.

'Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home.

'You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don't be scared, we all love you so very much.'

The police introduced the statement by reiterating the family's plea for focus to be on the search.

Police officers near the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire on February 16

Nicola Bulley's family statement 'It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul's private life. 'As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki. 'Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop. 'The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. 'Due to the peri menopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. 'The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life. 'Despite what some media outlets and individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers. 'Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister , partner and mother and is missed dearly - we all need you back in our lives. 'Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don't be scared, we all love you so very much.' Advertisement

They wrote: 'As we approach the three-week anniversary of Nicola Bulley going missing on Friday, January 27, we remain committed to doing everything we can to find her.

'Our sole focus throughout the investigation has been to find Nicola, to bring her home and to support her family through the trauma they are experiencing. The most important person in all of this is Nicola.'

When Lancashire Police released their statement clarifying Ms Bulley's 'specific vulnerabilities' on Wednesday evening, they wrote that they had 'explained to Nicola's family why we have released this further information'.

But they have not said that the family have approved of this strategy to date.

Adding to the ambiguity, the family statement released by the force on Thursday included the obscure line that 'the police know the truth about Nikki', adding: 'Now the public need to focus on finding her.'

It read: 'It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing.

'We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul's private life.'

Her loved ones also hit out at those 'making up wild theories' in the lengthy statement.

Although senior detectives' 'working hypothesis' is that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre, the family showed they are still clinging to the hope she is alive somewhere, making a heartfelt plea for her to return while praising her as a 'wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother'.

The statement then addressed the fierce backlash to the police's decision to release intimate details about her struggles with the menopause and alcohol.

'As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki,' they said.

'Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop.' It suggests that the family were not comfortable with such details of Ms Bulley's personal life being made public.

From HRT side effects to the symptoms that affect nearly nine in 10 women, our essential Q&A reveals how menopause can have a devastating effect

Revelations that Nicola Bulley was battling alcohol issues following an early menopause has thrown a fresh spotlight on the effects of the condition:

What is the menopause?

Menopause occurs when your periods stop permanently, marked by the point when a woman hasn't had one for 12 months in a row.

It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the UK average.

It is a normal part of ageing and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs. As a result, levels of the hormones the ovaries produce drop.

Revelations that Nicola Bulley was battling alcohol issues following an early menopause has thrown a fresh spotlight on the effects of the condition (file image)

Potential side effects of HRT?

HRT replaces the hormones that a woman's body stops producing due to the menopause, such as oestrogen and progestogen. Side effects can include bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea, cramps, headaches, indigestion, bleeding, depression and acne.

The NHS advises people who suffer side effects to try to persevere for three months if possible as they can stop as the body gets used to the medication.

Do benefits outweigh risks?

For many women struggling with menopause symptoms the answer is yes.

HRT has been hailed as life-changing by women who say it has let them regain energy levels and live an active life.

In addition to HRT, women suffering from mental health symptoms may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy. There are also moisturisers and lubricants to ease discomfort.

How many take the drug?

Nearly two million women in England are taking HRT, which can come as patches, gels or tablets. HRT use jumped by 35 per cent in the last year, as women have sought prescriptions to ease symptoms.

What's an early menopause?

Roughly one in 20 women will experience an early menopause, when periods stop before the age of 45.

Signs can include having irregular menstrual cycles over a few years, spotting between periods and changes in monthly bleeding.

Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones), heart disease, depression, dementia and Parkinson's. Sufferers also tend to experience menopause symptoms more severely.

Early menopause is different to premature menopause, which is the term used for when a woman's periods stop before the age of 40. This only affects around 1 per cent of women.

Symptoms?

Nearly nine in ten women suffer from symptoms. Mental health symptoms include changes to mood, such as anxiety and low self-esteem, as well as memory or concentration problems.

Hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, heart palpations, headaches and muscle and joint pain are among the physical symptoms. As are weight gain and a reduced sex drive.

Symptoms usually start before the menopause officially begins, as periods become irregular. This is the perimenopause.
It was the biggest asteroid to strike Earth in more than a century, yet no one saw the Chelyabinsk meteor coming.

When the space rock smashed into western Russia in February 2013 it generated a shockwave as strong as 35 Hiroshima atomic bombs, leaving more than 1,600 people injured.

But how come no one detected the 60ft (19 metres)-wide meteor heading straight for us? The answer, experts say, is that it was hidden by the glare of our sun.

Worst still, it will not be the only one, as they warn that an 'unknown' number of space rocks could be heading for Earth undetected.

'Asteroids the size of the Chelyabinsk meteor strike Earth roughly every 50-100 years,' warned Richard Moissl, the European Space Agency's head of planetary defence.

Asteroid fears: Scientists have warned that an 'unknown number' of space rocks could be heading for Earth, hidden in the glare of our sun. The European Space Agency is set to launch its NEOMIR orbiting observatory later this decade (depicted above), which will act as an early warning system to detect and monitor any asteroid coming towards us from the sun's direction

Asteroid fears: When the Chelyabinsk meteor smashed into western Russia in February 2013 it generated a shockwave as strong as 35 Hiroshima atomic bombs, leaving more than 1,600 people injured. Pictured is a 3D simulation of the space rock smashing into Russia undetected

'Injuries caused by airbursts or similar events could be prevented if people are informed of an oncoming impact and its predicted effects.

'With advance warning, local authorities would be able to advise the public to keep well away from windows and glass.'

So just how can astronomers spot these 'invisible' asteroids lurking in the sun's glare?

What is a 'potentially hazardous' asteroid? A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is an asteroid whose orbit comes nearer than 0.05AU (about 7.5 million km) to the Earth. It also is at least 100 metres (300 feet) in diameter. The International Astronomical Union claims there are around 1,500 potential hazardous asteroids. Although these are not a risk to Earth as of yet, asteroid this large have the potential to cause devastation if they were to land on our planet, especially in highly-populated areas. It is believed one hits Earth once every 200-300 years. Advertisement

Well, the European Space Agency is set to launch its NEOMIR (Near Earth Object Mission in the Infra-red) orbiting observatory later this decade, which will act as an early warning system to detect and monitor any asteroid coming towards Earth from the sun's direction.

NEOMIR will be located at the 'L1' Lagrange point between Earth and the sun.

Undisturbed by Earth's atmosphere, its infrared telescope will be able to spot asteroids 65ft (20 metres) and larger currently lurking in the sunlight.

Moissl added: 'ESA's upcoming NEOMIR mission will detect asteroids like Chelyabinsk coming from the same region in the sky as the sun, filling a vital gap in our current abilities to predict and plan for hazardous impacts.'

The space agency admits that there is a possibility that an asteroid even bigger than what NEOMIR will be able to detect could impact Earth from the dayside, but such a scenario is less likely.

This is because the larger the asteroid, the fewer there are in the Solar System and the easier they are to detect.

So much so that almost all asteroids larger than half a mile wide (one km) have already been discovered.

Scott Sheppard, from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington DC, has previously said that the discoveries of near-Earth objects (NEOs) are only just beginning, in part because of the history of our observatories.

Most telescopes tend to look away from our planet so they can avoid the glare of the sun.

However, new surveys are beginning to peer in the other direction and revealing more NEOs  including never-before-seen asteroids.

Scary: It was the biggest asteroid to strike Earth in more than a century, yet no one saw the Chelyabinsk meteor coming. Pictured is a piece of the meteorite which was recovered in 2013

'New telescopic surveys are braving the sun's glare and searching for asteroids toward the sun during twilight,' Sheppard wrote last year in a column in the journal Science.

'These surveys have found many previously undiscovered asteroids interior to Earth.

The discoveries include the first asteroid with an orbit interior to Venus  named Aylo'chaxnim 2020 AV2  and the asteroid that currently has the shortest-known orbital period around the sun, which is called 2021 PH27.

Modelling had predicted that these space rocks should exist but now telescopes are actually beginning to confirm their presence.

Among the observatories are the Zwicky Transient Facility camera in California and the National Science Foundation's Blanco 4-metre telescope in Chile.

There are more than 26,000 near-Earth asteroids, according to NASA, although only about 10,000 of them are larger than 450ft (140m) in size.

They are categorised based on their position in our solar system  for example, Atiras orbit interior to Earth and Vatiras interior to Venus.

In 2026, the US space agency's Near-Earth Object Surveyor space telescope (NEO Surveyor) is due to launch to help detect more of these asteroids.

It will be positioned between the Earth and sun to better spot space rocks that right now cannot be seen because of their positions in space.

Undetected: Asteroids lurking between Earth and the sun but hidden by our star's glare may help to shed light on the history of the solar system, a scientist believes (stock image)

According to NASA-funded experts, some asteroids can also 'sneak up' on us thanks to a quirk of the Earth's rotation that makes them seem like they are barely moving  making them hard to detect.

The scientists investigated how telescopes nearly missed a 328-ft-wide asteroid that came within 43,500 miles of Earth back in 2019.

The space rock, dubbed '2019 OK', was the first object of its size to get that close to our planet since 1908  but it was only spotted 24 hours before its closest approach.

The reason, the team determined, is because it was moving towards us in such a way that its motion across the night sky was counteracted by the Earth's spin.

Thus  to early warning systems like Pan-STARRS1 at Hawaii's Haleakala Observatory  2019 OK looked stationary, so did not set off the automated detection software.

In fact, the experts said, up to half of asteroids approaching Earth from a danger zone east of 'opposition' likely undergo periods of such apparent slow motion.

This means that half of these asteroids could presently also be difficult to detect  and computerised telescopes will need to be updated to take account of the effect.

Scientists think that most NEOs are asteroids that have been dislodged from the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

However, Sheppard believes there might also be stable inner reservoirs of NEOs that replace asteroids that spin out into the wider solar system, crash into a planet, or get obliterated by the sun.

Planetary defence has been a big topic over the past 12 months, in part because of NASA's ambitious Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.

In September last year, the DART spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos, the asteroid moonlet in the double-asteroid system of Didymos.

Although this asteroid posed no threat to Earth, the hope is that the success of humanity's first ever planetary defence test could provide a blueprint for defending our planet against future threats from space.

It was the world's first test of a kinetic impact mitigation technique, using a spacecraft to deflect an asteroid by modifying its orbit.
This marks the first time AI has been engaged on a tactical aircraft

Test flights took place in December 2022 at a US Air Force base in California

A modified F-16 fighter jet has successfully flown and fought another aircraft while being entirely controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).

During test flights, the jet, known as 'X-62A' or 'VISTA', performed takeoffs, landings and combat manoeuvres without human intervention for a total of over 17 hours.

They took place in December 2022 at the Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA, and showed that it is possible to completely hand over the reigns to AI in battle.

The algorithms which powered it were developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) - the research branch of the US Department of Defense.

This marks the first time AI has been used on a tactical aircraft as, prior to this milestone, it had only been used in computer simulations of F-16 dogfights.

During test flights, the jet, known as 'X-62A' or 'VISTA' (pictured), performed takeoffs, landings and combat manoeuvres without human intervention for a total of over 17 hours

Test flights took place in December 2022 at the Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA, and showed that it is possible to completely hand over the reigns to AI in battle

The success has fast-forwarded DARPA's Air Combat Evolution (ACE) programme - which is proving the effectiveness of autonomous dogfighting - by a year.

WHAT IS THE X-62A? The 'X-62-A' or 'VISTA' (Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft) is a modified F-16 fighter jet that can be powered using AI. Its software can be programmed to perform as a variety of aircraft, increasing the scope for the algorithms that powers it. During test flights in December 2022, it performed takeoffs, landings and combat manoeuvres without human intervention for a total of over 17 hours. The algorithms which powered it were developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - the research branch of the US Department of Defense. Advertisement

A dogfight is an aerial battle between fighter aircraft conducted at visual range and, while relatively uncommon in modern warfare, they have been seen during the war in Ukraine.

Air Force lieutenant colonel Ryan Hefron said: 'We conducted multiple sorties [takeoffs and landings] with numerous test points performed on each sortie to test the algorithms under varying starting conditions, against various simulated adversaries, and with simulated weapons capabilities.

'We didn't run into any major issues but did encounter some differences compared to simulation-based results, which is to be expected when transitioning from virtual to live.

'This highlights the importance of not only flight testing advanced autonomous capabilities but doing so on testbeds like VISTA, which allowed us to rapidly learn lessons and iterate at a much faster rate than with other air vehicles.'

While the X-62A is a modified military F-16, its software can be programmed to perform as a variety of aircraft, increasing the scope for the AI that powers it.

A safety pilot was sat on board during the test flights, ready to take over control if necessary.

The X-62A is currently undergoing a series of inspections, but will resume flight this year.

#AI successfully pilots fighter jet 

.#ICYMI @deptofdefense artificial intelligence agents successfully pilot a fighter jet making AI history! Using a X-62A VISTA, this was a combined team effort from @afresearchlab, @lockheedmartin, @darpa and @EdwardsAFB.

.

@officialafmc pic.twitter.com/hsfgaw0kVx  Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) February 15, 2023

While the X-62A (pictured) is a modified military F-16, its software can be programmed to perform as a variety of aircraft, increasing the scope for the AI that powers it

As well as developing effective algorithms that can power jets during combat, the ACE programme, which started in 2019, is working to increase pilot trust in them.

This is important, as it would mean that they could confidently leave manoeuvres to the AI, while concentrating on larger battle management tasks.

Pilots have sat in on AI-powered flights of L-29 jets while having their physiological responses measured to gauge their levels of comfort.

In August 2020, DARPA pitted autonomous F-16 simulators against each other, with the winning algorithm beating an experienced pilot in a simulated dogfight.

At the time, then-US Defense Secretary Mark Esper then revealed that an AI-powered fighter jet would face a piloted aircraft in a real-life duel in 2024.

He also assured troops that AI will integrated help to enhance US warfighting, not replace pilots entirely.

He said: 'We see AI as a tool to free up resources, time and manpower so our people can focus on higher-priority tasks and arrive at the decision point, whether in a lab or on the battlefield, faster and more precise than the competition.'

In August 2020, DARPA pitted autonomous F-16 simulators against each other, with the winning algorithm beating an experienced pilot in a simulated dogfight (pictured)

The following year, a Chinese fighter pilot was also beaten in a simulated dogfight with an AI-powered jet.

Autonomous warplanes are being developed by defence agencies around the world, as they can take part dangerous situations without risking a pilot's life.

They could also reduce the cost required to train pilots to fly them to the standard required for combat.

Boeing unveiled a 38 foot-long (12 m) autonomous fighter jet designed to be a sidekick for piloted planes during long-distance surveillance missions in 2019.

In 2020, the US Air Force used AI aboard a military jet for very first time to 'spot missiles' in a training mission.

The algorithm took control of the radar sensors and tactical navigation systems of a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane.

However, no weapons were featured during the flight and the plane was still being steered by a pilot.

Then, in 2021, the US Air Force flew an unmanned Kratos UTAP-22 tactical drone using its Skyborg 'AI brain', further paving the way for autonomous fighter jets.

DARPA has also launched a program aimed at introducing AI into the decision making process of military operations.

It will involve new technology that could take difficult decisions in stressful situations, using live analysis of data, such as the condition of patients in a mass-casualty event and drug availability.
Never-before-seen details of an area of space where three galaxies are merging have been revealed in a mesmerising new view of the cosmos.

The fascinating picture is the latest deep field image taken by NASA's new super space telescope, James Webb.

It captures a region known as Pandora's Cluster, where several already massive galaxies are coming together to form a megacluster that is so big its gravity distorts space time around it.

'The ancient myth of Pandora is about human curiosity and discoveries that delineate the past from the future, which I think is a fitting connection to the new realms of the universe Webb is opening up, including this deep-field image of Pandora's Cluster,' said astronomer Rachel Bezanson, of the University of Pittsburgh.

'When the images of Pandora's Cluster first came in from Webb, we were honestly a little star struck.

Beautiful: This fascinating picture is the latest deep field image taken by NASA's new super space telescope, James Webb. It captures a region known as Pandora's Cluster, where three already massive galaxies are coming together to form a megacluster

'There was so much detail in the foreground cluster and so many distant lensed galaxies, I found myself getting lost in the image. Webb exceeded our expectations.'

The new view of Pandora's Cluster stitches four Webb snapshots together into one panoramic image, displaying roughly 50,000 sources of near-infrared light.

INSTRUMENTS ON THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilise the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement

It works like a magnifying glass because it uses the combined mass of the galaxy clusters to create a powerful gravitational lens  a natural magnification effect of gravity.

This method has the potential to open up a new frontier in the study of cosmology and galaxy evolution, astronomers say, because it could allow many more distant galaxies in the early universe to be observed.

Natural magnification is one thing, but how distant galaxies appear is also affected by so-called gravitational lensing.

This is a phenomenon caused by an object's influence on the space-time around it, causing far away galaxies to look very different to those in the foreground.

Massive objects like galaxy clusters warp and distort space-time so much that light from these distant objects ends up being deflected or bent, creating weird shapes or bizarre optical illusions.

For example, to the lower right in the new Webb image there are hundreds of distant lensed galaxies which appear like faint arced lines.

Zooming in on the region reveals more and more of them.

'Pandora's Cluster, as imaged by Webb, shows us a stronger, wider, deeper, better lens than we have ever seen before,' said astronomer Ivo Labbe, of the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.

'My first reaction to the image was that it was so beautiful, it looked like a galaxy formation simulation.

The new view of Pandora's Cluster stitches four Webb snapshots together into one panoramic image, displaying roughly 50,000 sources of near-infrared light. Pictured is the new telescope

'We had to remind ourselves that this was real data, and we are working in a new era of astronomy now.'

The Pandora megacluster, which is the product of violent and simultaneous collisions of galaxies over 350 million years, was first spotted by Hubble in 2011.

WHY ARE DISTANT GALAXIES WEIRDLY SHAPED? The appearance of far away galaxies is affected by so-called gravitational lensing. This is a phenomenon caused by an object's influence on the space-time around it, causing far away galaxies to look very different to those in the foreground of an image. Massive objects like galaxy clusters warp and distort space-time so much that light from these distant objects ends up being deflected or bent, creating weird shapes or bizarre optical illusions. As an example, in Webb's new deep field image, to the lower right there are hundreds of distant lensed galaxies which appear like faint arced lines. Advertisement

It is of huge interest to astronomers because when massive clusters of galaxies crash together in such a way, the resulting mess is a treasure trove of information.

Webb scientists used the telescope's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to capture the cluster with exposures lasting 4-6 hours, for a total of about 30 hours of observing time.

They now plan to go through the imaging data with a fine tooth comb, before selecting galaxies for follow-up observation with Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec).

This will provide precise distance measurements and detailed information about the lensed galaxies' compositions, which experts hope will prove new insights into the early era of galaxy assembly and evolution.

They plan to reveal this data in the summer.

'This is just the beginning of all the amazing Webb science to come,' said Gabriel Brammer, of the Niels Bohr Institute's Cosmic Dawn Center at the University of Copenhagen.

Webb was launched from Guiana Space Centre on Christmas Day 2021 with the aim of looking back in time to the dawn of the universe.

Astronomers hope the $10 billion (7.4 billion) observatory will be able to reveal what happened just a couple of hundred million years after the Big Bang.

The observatory is set to spend more than a decade at an area of balanced gravity between the sun and Earth called L2.

While there, it will explore the universe in the infrared spectrum so that it can gaze through clouds of gas and dust where stars are being born.
It has been six years since astronomers found strong evidence that a mysterious ninth planet might exist at the far reaches of our solar system.

But the so-called theoretical world  dubbed Planet Nine  has still not actually been seen by anyone, and for the meantime remains just that, a theory.

Now, scientists believe they may finally have a way to find the planet.

Experts say Planet Nine could be surrounded by up to 20 hot moons measuring around 62 miles (100 kilometre)-wide, which could be the key to confirming the mysterious world's existence.

The reason for this is that the moons would be superheated by the planet's gravitational pull thanks to a phenomenon known as tidal heating, making them easier to spot.

Peculiar: The theoretical Planet Nine that astronomers think may be lurking at the far reaches of our solar system could be surrounded by up to 20 hot moons, a new study suggests

There are many things fascinating about this possible Planet X, but chief among them is that its hypothetical orbit would see it take between 10,000 and 20,000 years to make a single pass around the sun. Pictured is how this orbit would compare to the other eight planets

And if the moons can be seen, they should act as breadcrumbs to lead astronomers to the hidden world itself.

It cannot be seen on its own because the supposed planet is too far away to be properly illuminated by the sun, but mathematical modelling suggests a large object is causing the unique orbits of at least five smaller objects in the distant Kuiper Belt.

Some astronomers have been certain it exists ever since 2015  when Caltech astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown uncovered strong evidence that a ninth planet was hiding beyond the orbit of Neptune.

If it is real, astronomers believe it could have a mass about 10 times that of Earth and may take between 10,000 and 20,000 years to make one full orbit around the sun.

WHAT IS TIDAL HEATING? Tidal heating is a phenomenon where gravitational energy exerted by one body dissipates as heat in the surface ocean or interior of a planet or moon. For example, a gravitational tug-of-war between Jupiter's moons and the planet itself stretches and squishes the satellites enough to warm them. This means that some of the icy moons contain interiors warm enough to host oceans of liquid water, and in the case of the rocky moon Io, tidal heating melts rock into magma. Advertisement

But despite the excitement surrounding a theoretical Planet Nine, it has still not actually been seen by anyone, and for the meantime remains just that, a theory.

Man Ho Chan, an astronomer at The Education University of Hong Kong, believes he has a way to confirm its existence one way or another, however.

The secret, he says, lies in Planet Nine's moons.

He estimated the number of natural satellites that could be surrounding the world by combining its supposed size and gravity with the number of extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) close enough to be pulled into a permanent orbit around it.

ETNOS include asteroids, comets, moons or dwarf planets.

Chan estimated that up to 20 moons could orbit the theoretical planet, each of which may measure around 62 miles (100 kilometres) across.

The reason he thinks these could quite literally shed light on Planet Nine is because of a gravitational phenomenon known as tidal heating.

An example of how this works can be seen closer to home, where a gravitational tug-of-war between Jupiter's moons and the planet itself stretch and squish the natural satellites enough to warm them.

This means that some of the icy moons contain interiors warm enough to host oceans of liquid water, and in the case of the rocky moon Io, tidal heating melts rock into magma.

Breakthrough: In 2015, Caltech astronomers Mike Brown (left) and Konstantin Batygin (right) announced new research which provided impelling evidence of a giant planet tracing an unusual, elongated orbit in the outer solar system

Tidal heating could theoretically raise the temperature of any Planet Nine moon to around minus 280 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 173 degrees Celsius).

Although this might not seem warm, the average temperature of empty space is minus 455 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 271 degrees Celsius).

Chan said that if any of the Planet Nine moons do get as hot as he thinks they could then they are likely to give off a faint radio signal that could be detected by telescopes.

WHAT IS PLANET NINE? Planet Nine, or Planet X as it has also been called, is a theoretical planet that some astronomers think may be hiding at the very edge of our solar system. The reason they think this is because the orbits of a number of bodies in the distant reaches of our solar system have been disrupted by the pull of something, most likely an as yet unidentified ninth planet. The problem is, no one has seen this potential world  its existence is based purely on mathematics. Advertisement

'This provides a new indirect way for examining the Planet Nine hypothesis and revealing the basic properties of Planet Nine,' he added.

The latest research comes just two years after the proposed existence of Planet Nine was called into question by a team of experts examining the orbits of 'extreme' trans-Neptunian objects.

Led by physicist Kevin Napier, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, they found that the Kuiper Belt objects' perturbed orbits could actually be explained without the presence of a nearby planet.

The researchers concluded that the objects only seem to have clustered paths because of selection bias, although many others disagree and say more data is needed.

There may be an answer either way soon, however.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory (VRO) in Chile, which came online in 2021, began a ten-year survey of the sky last year which is expected to detect thousands more Kuiper belt objects.

A close examination of their orbits may be able to confirm or deny the existence of Planet Nine and provide clues as to its origin and location.

Harvard's Dr Avi Loeb said: 'If the VRO verifies the existence of Planet Nine, and a captured origin, and also finds a population of similarly captured dwarf planets, then the binary model will be favoured over the lone stellar history that has been long-assumed.'

The new research has been revealed in a paper which has been submitted to the Astrophysical Journal.
Homeland Security has now placed the threats on its warning list

Apple rolled out an updated iOS Monday to fix two security flaws

Apple rolled out a new iOS 16 update this week to patch to vulnerabilities in its system - and the flaws are now on the Homeland Security warning list.

The government group released a statement urging users to update to iOS 16.3.1, as attackers can 'exploit these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected device.'

The update is for all Apple devices - the iPhone, Mac and iPad.

One of the issues is in Webkit, a Safari browser engine that allowed bad actors to execute an arbitrary code on an iPhone and Homeland Security believes it may been exploited.

The second security flaw in Kernel could allow an attacker to take over privileges, but the tech giant is unaware this has been used.

Apple released the iOS 16.3.1 on Monday. The updated operating system has patches for two security issues that were found

Apple rolled out the update on Monday, noting it patches the issues, noting there are reports of the flaw in Webkit being exploited.

The flaw found in Webkit was detected by an anonymous researcher and the one if Kernel was spotted by Xinru Chi of Pangu Lab and Ned Williamson of Google Project Zero.

Apple also notes that The Citizen Lab at The University of Torontos Munk School also assisted with finding these security issues.

It is unclear how long the vulnerabilities have been plaguing devices, as Apple says it doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available.

Apple's release notes show that the iOS 16.3.1 update also includes multiple bug fixes, addressing issues with iCloud and Siri, along with more Crash Detection optimizations.

The initial release of iOS 16.3 was in June, which allows users to call silently with Emergency SOS and provides improved two-factor security and advanced data protection.

Apple's Emergency SOS service was upgraded to call silently make calls if you enable the function via a slider option (useful in situations where an attacker might be present).

It is an option you enable so that when you make an SOS call via the Emergency SOS service, the phone will not flash or make a countdown.

Apple notes that one of the flaws may have been used by attackers in the real world

READ MORE: Five best new features of Apple's iOS 16.3 update released Apple's latest iOS software update includes a handful of new features  one of which could be a real lifesaver. Advertisement

The Emergency SOS service has also been tweaked to reduce the chance of accidentally triggering it.

The improved two-factor security allows users to secure their Apple ID and iCloud account with Security keys - a physical device that works as the second layer of two-factor authentication.

Instead of getting a code from another logged-in Apple device, you generate one with the security key.

And the advanced data protection enables end-to-end encryption for data in iCloud, including Messages, device backups and photos.

To install the new iOS, users can go to the Settings App, click on 'General' and then 'Software Update.'

Then tap 'Install' if the iOS 16.3.1 update is available to download, and you will be guided through steps to verify the decision and reboot the device.

The update can also be installed through a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes.

It is a good idea to back up the iPhone before installing iOS 16 to ensure all data is secure in iCloud if anything goes wrong while updating.

This can be done by going into the Settings app, clicking the device owner's name at the top of the menu, then clicking 'iCloud' and 'iCloud Backup.'

When 'iCloud Backup' is set to on, tapping 'Back Up Now' will guide you through the back-up process and enable you to restore the device's data to a later date.
The former station is ten times bigger than St Pancras and has 365 windows

Once it was called The Titanic of the Mountains  a grandiose, lavish building which was the second largest railway station in Europe (Leipzig was the biggest).

Canfranc International station, more than 3,280ft above sea level, opened in 1928  an outlandishly ambitious project which linked the French and Spanish Pyrenees with a five-mile cross-border tunnel.

But even its famed grandeur  it is ten times bigger than St Pancras, has 365 windows and a 790ft platform  failed to save it from the ravages of a disastrous fire, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the issue of French and Spanish railway gauges being of different widths, which meant all freight and passengers had to change trains at the station.

It finally closed permanently in 1970, following a freight train derailment. But Canfranc International, with its tales of smuggled Nazi gold, stood firm even when it was unoccupied.

Now, after a multi-million-pound injection of capital from the EU, the Aragon Government and Barcelo Hotel Group, it has been reborn as the Canfranc Estacion, a five-star Royal Hideaway Hotel with 104 rooms, a wellness spa and a convention centre. It has taken the best part of five years to restore its glorious Beaux-Arts architecture and marry it to the demands of the 21st century.

Historic: Jo Knowsley checks into the Canfranc Estacion, a five-star hotel in north-eastern Spain that was formerly the second largest railway station in Europe. Above is the station before its refurbishment

The five-star Royal Hideaway Hotel features 104 rooms, a wellness spa and a convention centre. The image above shows the property post-refurb

I am the first British journalist to check in and although some duplex suites are still unavailable  and the railway dining car, decked out rather like those on the Orient Express, is still stuck in Zaragoza, 96 miles away, because of heavy snowfall  its mighty impressive.

Theres a buzz in the lobby, once the lofty customs hall, with the coat of arms of France high on one wall and that of Spain on the wall above reception.

The general public are invited to visit and many have come in out of the snow.

The rooms, spa, swimming pool, bar, restaurants and Library cocktail bar are all hidden away behind mirrored doors at each end of the lobby.

Welcome, welcome, says Juan, the deputy manager on reception, who is dressed in the same green and cream uniform (complete with a whistle on his sleeve) that workers wore in the 1930s at the original Canfranc International station.

The lobby is crowded with sight-seers, some still in ski gear, having come from the nearby Candanchu Ski Resort, a mere three miles away and a spit from the French border.

I hope you dont mind all these people, says Juan.

Not in the slightest, but a fellow guest wandering across for a spa treatment, in his bathrobe, looks rather bemused.

Jo notes that the lobby is crowded with sight-seers, some still in ski gear, having come from the nearby Candanchu Ski Resort (above), which lies a mere three miles away

Jo finds that theres a buzz in the lobby, once the lofty customs hall

The rooms, spa, swimming pool, bar, restaurants (above) and Library cocktail bar are all hidden away behind mirrored doors at each end of the lobby

Friendly Juan tells us how some of the staff played in the old station as children and that for them its like being part of a living museum.

Then he shows us the marble staircase which leads down and under the lobby, out to the forecourt.

It was designed to protect wealthy travellers from having to encounter hoi polloi.

Our junior suite  also dressed in the stations traditional colours of cream and sage green, with oak parquet floors  costs 335 B&B, for which we get unobscured views of the snow-clad mountains.

It has taken the best part of five years to restore the station's glorious Beaux-Arts architecture and marry it to the demands of the 21st century as a hotel

Jo enjoys impeccable service and terrific cocktails at the hotel's restaurant (above)

The train station was once called The Titanic of the Mountains, Jo reveals

The picture above shows the hotel's swanky pool area

For train buffs, there is an assortment of rail memorabilia at the hotel

Jo says that if you're holidaying in the Pyrenees, 'it would be a tragedy to give this extraordinary slice of history a miss'

On one wall there is an historic picture of the station, framed in an original window.

Canfranc is in a narrow valley, surrounded by mountains.

The town itself (population 500) is diminutive, although it is on the route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail.

The restaurant we choose for dinner (there will be three of them, eventually) is excellent, with impeccable service and terrific cocktails  all at a price similar to what youd expect to pay in a British gastropub.

Outside, behind the hotel, a new station has been built for passenger trains to Zaragoza. And for train buffs there is an assortment of rail memorabilia.

Theres only one glitch (and a little ironic perhaps) for we Britons.

For a former railway station that once linked two countries, getting to Canfranc Estacion is not easy.

Its a two-hour train journey from the airport at Zaragoza, or four to six hours from Barcelona.

If youre holidaying in the Pyrenees, however, it would be a tragedy to give this extraordinary slice of history a miss.
had the longest average delay of all airlines included in the study

With February one of the busiest times of the year for booking summer holidays, travellers might like to take note of the airlines that faced the most delays last summer.

Wizz Air is the airline whose flights are most likely to be delayed, based on the carrier's performance last summer, new research has revealed.

The study analysed Civil Aviation Authority data on more than 385,000 flights in and out of the UK during the peak summer holiday months of June, July and August last year.

It found that the Hungarian carrier made more than 15,000 flights in and out of the UK during the period measured, and two-thirds (66 per cent) - or 10,431 flights - arrived at least 15 minutes late. In addition, the airline had the longest average delay of all airlines included in the study, with flights on average running nearly an hour late (55 minutes).

The study, commissioned by the price comparison and financial guidance platform Forbes Advisor, found that TUI Airways was the airline that faced the second-highest percentage of delays.

Wizz Air is the airline whose flights are most likely to be delayed, based on the carrier's performance last summer, new research has revealed

During the summer of 2022, the British charter airline made 24,970 flights in and out of the UK, and 15,340 of them, or 61.3 per cent, were delayed by at least 15 minutes. The research also revealed that the average delay across all flights at TUI Airways during June, July and August was 46 minutes.

Lufthansa, meanwhile, is the airline thats the third most likely to be delayed after around half (49.3 per cent) of its flights to and from the UK arrived more than 15 minutes late during the summer of 2022. However, its average delay - just 23 minutes - is considerably lower than that of Wizz Air and TUI Airways.

The fourth most delayed airline of summer 2022 was Air Portugal. One of the smaller companies in the analysis, the Portuguese airline made 2,161 flights to and from the UK in June, July and August of last year, but nearly half (48.5 per cent, or 1,061 flights) were delayed, leading to an average delay time of 25 minutes.

Fifth-ranked EasyJet made the most flights of any carrier in the list, recording 90,988 over the three months. In total 44,144, or 47.8 per cent, failed to arrive on time, with an average delay of 29 minutes.

Ryanair placed sixth on the list. The airline ran 73,250 flights in the summer period, with 34,657 - 47 per cent - delayed by over 15 minutes. In general, it had an average delay time of 29 minutes.

Air France came in seventh with 45.3 per cent of its flights facing delays of over 15 minutes, with an average delay time of 24 minutes.

Jet2 was just below in eighth on 45.1 per cent - the British airline operated 35,720 flights in the June to August period, with 16,160 flights delayed. Its average delay time was 31.2 per cent.

British Airways, meanwhile, ranked ninth with 44 per cent of its flights - 27,469 out of a total of 60,955 - facing delays of over 15 minutes.

During the summer of 2022, TUI Airways made 24,970 flights in and out of the UK, and 15,340 of them were delayed by at least 15 minutes

Finally, in tenth place, it's Virgin Atlantic, with 41 per cent of its flights delayed by 15 minutes or more.

Commenting on the research, Laura Howard, travel insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, said: While our data is retrospective, it serves as a useful reminder for holidaymakers of 2023 to understand their rights around all-too-frequent flight delays and cancellations.

For medium-haul flights, such as to Spain, Portugal or Greece, the airline has a duty of care to passengers delayed for more than three hours  no matter the cause. This could include free food and drink vouchers or an overnight hotel stay where appropriate.

Lufthansa is the airline thats the third most likely to be delayed after around half of its flights to and from the UK arrived more than 15 minutes late during the summer of 2022

If your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late  and it was the fault of the airline  you could be in line for compensation of 350 per person. And if you are delayed for more than five hours and no longer wish to travel, you are entitled to a full refund.

However, for complete protection against cancelled and delayed flights, you will need a comprehensive travel insurance policy  which will also pay out for other unforeseen events such as emergency medical treatment while abroad, repatriation (getting you home), lost or damaged belongings and cancelling due to illness.

Policies are inexpensive compared to the cost of a holiday and making the purchase at the point of booking will offer the best protection should you need to cancel your trip.

Always check the small print, however, as terms and conditions around flight delays vary  although its often possible to boost cover in return for a slightly higher premium.

Wizz Air said: 'At Wizz Air, we do everything possible to ensure that passengers reach their destination on time and with minimal delay. We invest heavily into time performance, which is key to our ultra-efficient business model. A number of issues affecting the global aviation industry contributed to a worse time performance between June  August 2022. These issues resulted from a widespread shortage in staff, in particular within air traffic control, ground operations and baggage handling, security and across airports.

'We are committed to constantly reviewing and refining processes to mitigate these issues and since summer 2022, we have seen an overall improvement in the on-time performance of our routes.'

MailOnline has approached TUI Airways for comment.
Ali Bastian has given birth to her second daughter with husband David O'Mahony.

According to OK! The Hollyoaks actress, 40, the couple - who are already parents to Isla, 23 months, welcomed the baby on Saturday and told the publication: 'Shes arrived!

They said: 'David and I welcomed our beautiful little girl into the world last Saturday.

'Isla is the proudest big sister! Our little family are snuggling in together for her fourth trimester and will be back with more news soon!'

Previously, Ali displayed her baby bump in a black bra as she posed for a sweet snap to celebrate week 34 of her pregnancy via her Instagram page on New Year's Eve.

The soap star cradled her tummy as she told her followers she had entered 'hibernation mode'.

Ali Bastian has given birth: Ex Hollyoaks star welcomed a baby girl with husband David O'Mahony on Saturday - the as yet unnamed tot is their second daughter

Happy family: Ali married her partner, West End actor David (pictured), in 2019 - they already share tot Isla, 23 months

Writing alongside the black and white image back then, Ali said: 'Happy NY. Hope you all have a lovely evening whatever you are planning.

'We are very much in hibernation mode and fairly sure I won't be awake at midnight In my 34th week now eek!! It's flying.

'Cannot wait to meet you baby girl (but WILL wait another few weeks, so you can please stay just where you are for now!).

'Still feel like I have so much preparation to do and all I want to do is sleep and eat. Wish you all the love, luck and happiness in the world for '23.'

The soap star gave birth to her first child, daughter Isla, in March 2020, during the first coronavirus lockdown, after tying the knot with her partner, West End actor David, in 2019.

The couple married in an intimate ceremony at the Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, before Ali opted to jump back into work following their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Ali previously revealed her second pregnancy was 'flying by' because she had been kept busy by her 'wild' toddler Isla.

The actress detailed her battle with sleep deprivation while admitting her worries as the two-year-old gears up to start pre-school.

Doting mother: The soap star gave birth to her first child, daughter Isla in March 2020, during the first coronavirus lockdown

Ali told MailOnline in an exclusive interview: 'I feel OK actually. I'd say it goes a lot faster the second time around because you're so in the thick of it. Isla's two-and-a-half so I'm running around after a wild toddler.

'And now heavily pregnant with number two so there are a lot of distractions. Yeah, it's just flying by. I think it's not gonna be too long before she's with us. It's exciting.

'Well, they say every pregnancy is different, but this has actually really been very similar, so far, to my pregnancy with Isla.

'All of my pregnancy symptoms and things have felt really familiar. I do get some peculiar symptoms and when they come on, I'm like "Ohh, OK, I know this now and I know it'll pass".'

Ali explained she's constantly reminding herself her experience will be 'different this time because we're not in the middle of a global pandemic'.

Bumping along: Ali previously revealed her second pregnancy was 'flying by' because she had been kept busy by her 'wild' toddler Isla

She said: 'It will probably have its own challenges as well with parenthood and sleepless nights and I'd say I definitely struggle with the sleep deprivation and that certainly contributed to not feeling great at times.

Ali announced her second pregnancy in an OK! magazine shoot alongside her husband and daughter in September 2022.

In an interview with the publication, Ali revealed how she told Isla the exciting news: 'Isla came into our room one morning and we were having snuggles. I said to David over her head, "I think we should tell her now" and he agreed.

'I said, "Have you noticed that mummy's tummy has been getting bigger?" and she said "Yes!" I said, ''I've got a baby in my tummy.'' And then there was this big smile across her face.

'I wish we had captured that, it was magical, I'll never forget it. She understood. I said, "You are going to be a big sister" and her face lit up.'
Sam Frost surprised her fiance Jordie Hansen on Australian Survivor with exciting news about her pregnancy on Tuesday's episode.

Jordie broke down in tears on the Channel 10 show as he answered a video call from the former Home and Away actress.

During the chat, she dropped a bombshell about their sex of their unborn child.

Their cute moment came after Jordie won a chance to speak with his fiancee while he was on location in Samoa.

Jordie had left his pregnant partner behind in her eighth week of pregnancy to compete on the Heroes V Villains season.

Sam Frost surprised her fiance Jordie Hansen (pictured) on Australian Survivor with exciting news about her pregnancy on Tuesday's episode

In scenes that were filmed in August last year, Jordie became emotional as he found out the sex of his unborn child.

'Babe! Oh, my God. Hi!' Sam said. 'I can't believe you won, you little legend!'

'Look what else I've got for the baby,' she added.

Sam then showed him a pair of tiny denim overalls, which resembled Jordie's famous outfit from last year's season of Survivor, confirming they were having a son.

Jordie broke down in tears as he answered a video call from the former Home and Away actress. During the chat, she dropped a bombshell about their sex of their unborn child

Jordie was also keen to hear about her well-being during the pregnancy, which she confirmed had been going well.

'Babe, everything has come back absolutely perfect,' she said. 'It's healthy, it's growing so well. Everything is perfect.'

The couple got engaged in July after dating for just five months, and announced in September they were expecting a child.
Sarah-Jane Calleja, Jenny Heath and Rachel Carr formed a strong friendship on The Block last year, despite the disastrous finale failing to meet their sales expectations.

Now the trio have reunited for a wild hens weekend on the Gold Coast as they celebrated bride-to-be Jenny's upcoming wedding to Dylan Adams.

The friends partied it up at Dylan and Jenny's Palm Beach home before heading out for a good time on a luxury boat.

They finished off the weekend by watching a cabaret show at The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub in Broadbeach and having a 'good old house party'.

Sarah-Jane, 30, debuted her stunning new look as she posted photos of the wild festivities and hinted she would be attending the wedding.

Sarah-Jane Calleja (left), Jenny Heath (centre) and Rachel Carr (right) formed a strong friendship on The Block last year, despite the finale failing to meet their sales expectations

'What a weekend we had! It was so much fun to let loose and pretend I was 21 again,' she captioned the reel of photos.

'Jenny, you were just glowing and I cant wait to watch you & Dyl say I do.'

Meanwhile, Rachel, 36, made her own brief post saying: 'The best thing to come out of The Block was the relationships we formed.'

Now the trio have reunited for a wild hens weekend on the Gold Coast as they celebrated bride-to-be Jenny's (pictured) upcoming wedding to Dylan Adams

'We've spent the past 48 hours celebrating, dancing, singing and laughing so much my belly hurts. These girls are family and I'm so grateful that a little reality reno show brought us together.'

Jenny, 25, also shared a post with her followers as she boasted about her weekends and gushed over her friends.

'Thank you to all of my beautiful friends again for such an amazing weekend. Now bring on the wedding!' she said.

The bride-to-be couldn't wipe the smile off her face all weekend as she donned several white outfits in preparation for her big day.
Emmerdale will air an episode with an all-male ensemble cast for the first time ever as part of a storyline focusing on men's mental health.

In upcoming episodes, Marlon Dingle, played by Mark Charnock, will set up a late night lock-in at the Emmerdale Woolpack to allow men to openly talk to each other.

It comes amid an ongoing storyline which has seen Paddy Kirk, played by Dominic Brunt, struggle with depression and loneliness after splitting from his wife Chas.

Marlon sets up the pub lock-in for the men in Emmerdale after learning that his best friend Paddy had tried to make a suicide attempt.

After bringing Paddy safely home amid his fragile mental health, Marlon remains worried that his friend will never find the courage to open up so sets up the pub gathering in a bid to help.

Mental health: Emmerdale will air an episode with an all-male ensemble cast for the first time ever as part of a storyline focusing on men's mental health

In the scenes, set to air on March 10, the doors of the Woolpack will be locked and the men of the village will stay behind to use a late night lock-in as a forum to talk openly.

Though it is the first time an all-male ensemble cast will be used, Emmerdale used an all-female cast to mark International Women's Day in a first for a soap in 2019.

Speaking about the poignant upcoming storyline, Mark - who plays Marlon - said: 'Despite Paddy being home and safe back in the heart of the village Marlon is finding it hard to get through to him and is worried Paddy will never find the courage to open up and talk.

'When Chas and Jimmy both unwittingly give Marlon this idea it's not long before Marlon is acting on their information and setting up this lock-in. He just hopes it will help.'

Emmerdale worked with the Samaritans and men's suicide prevention charity Andy's Man Club for the storyline, with producer Laura Shaw saying they wanted to 'shine a light' on the importance of talking.

She said: 'When we embarked on this heartbreaking storyline about Paddy's depression and attempted suicide we knew we wanted to shine a light on how important it is to just talk.

'Inspired by listening to real stories from the charity Andy's Man Club, we decided to have some of the men in our village come together for a very special episode which purely focuses on them and seeing them talking about whatever they are feeling or thinking.

'If watching some of our most loved characters opening up to each other encourages just one person to reach out and start talking, we will be extremely thankful.'

Support: In upcoming episodes, Marlon Dingle, played by Mark Charnock, will set up a late night lock-in at the Emmerdale Woolpack to allow men to openly talk to each other

Struggles: It comes amid an ongoing storyline which has seen Paddy Dingle, played by Dominic Brunt, struggle with depression and loneliness after splitting from his wife Chas

Neil Waine, a project development champion for Andy's Man Club, added: 'Today in the UK 3 in 4 suicides are men.

'If this episode of Emmerdale can shed a light on how important it is for men to talk we will be delighted as it may just reach that one man who sees that #ItsOkayToTalk and makes that brave, life changing step to go to an AndysManClub.

'Kudos to Emmerdale for approaching this subject so head on and with such accuracy which we all felt was important.'

It comes after Paddy sparked a huge police search after leaving his family terrified when he disappeared from the village.

As police descended on the village and attempt to find Paddy, his loved ones were dismayed when it became clear that he didn't want to be found.

It sparks the beginning of a dark time for Paddy ahead of emotional scenes next month, as he begins to have suicidal thoughts.

As Paddy contends with the build-up of isolation, grief and confusion, viewers will see the true extent of his deep depression.

In recent scenes, Paddy vanished from the village after spending the night with his ex Mandy (Lisa Riley), simply telling loved ones that he is going on an errand.

When he failed to return, the Dingles pulled together to plan a search party for him.

Everyone was on edge when PC Swirling arrived, revealing news of a reported sighting of Paddy, and his loved ones gathered to watch CCTV footage of him.

They were horrified when police then decide to scale back their search as Paddy has been located, and his furious father Bear storms out.

It then became clear that Paddy didn't want to come home, and the next day they found his hiding spot at a nearby guesthouse.

A nervous Mandy and Chas (Lucy Pargeter) went and searched for him, unaware that Paddy had spied them from a distance, and was far from ready to come home.

Recent episodes have seen Paddy plunge into depression following his split from his cheating wife Chas, and in the coming weeks things will get even darker for him.

With Paddy and Chas both trying to parent their young daughter Eve, he has been unhappily co-habiting with Chas above the busy Woolpack pub.

Depression: Paddy sparked a huge police search after leaving his family terrified when he disappeared from the village

Yet with the constant reminders of her infidelity, their shared grief over the loss of their daughter Grace, and daily bickering between this irreconcilable couple, it has all taken its toll on Paddy's mental health.

As well as his problems at home, his work as a vet has suffered and he has made some uncharacteristically careless mistakes.

Feeling isolated and alone, Paddy has felt unable to reach out for support from anyone, in spite of a close network of friends including his lifelong best friends Marlon and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry).

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.

Emmerdale airs at 7.30PM on weeknights on ITV1.
Brandi Glanville was reportedly involved in two alleged 'lewd incidents' during the filming of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, which caused producers to send her home.

Last week it was reported that the reality TV star, 50, allegedly showed 'inappropriate behavior' towards co-star Caroline Manzo, 61, and now insiders claim Glanville also made a sexual remark to one of the show's producers, causing executives to believe she was 'behaving erratically' according to Page Six.

The incident with Manzo reportedly involved Glanville touching her 'in the breast and genital areas' while off-camera in a bathroom, during the filming of the Housewives spin-off in Morocco, with two other cast members present.

The other incident - which took place shortly after the alleged situation with Manzo - involved Glanville 'loudly' asking one of the show's producers by name 'Do you want to f*** me tonight?' in front of a room of other cast members.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Glanville's representatives for comment.

The latest: Brandi Glanville was reportedly involved in two alleged 'lewd incidents' during the filming of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, which caused producers to send her home

Inappropriate: Last week it was reported that Glanville, 50, allegedly showed 'inappropriate behavior' towards co-star Caroline Manzo; Manzo pictured 2022

Following the claims of her being sent home due to her behavior, Glanville appeared to respond, as she tweeted on Tuesday: 'Check your sources people!!!!' with a laughing feces emoji.

Meanwhile sources further revealed that Glanville and the producer she allegedly propositioned are 'old friends' and that he/she took the reported remark as a joke and did not want to get her in trouble.

However, the incident became a 'source of concern' after the interaction with Manzo came to light.

Execs decided the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum should be taken off set the next day, and moved her to a hotel away from the rest of the cast.

Manzo started expressing her discomfort about the alleged bathroom incident the next morning, according to insiders.

Glanville was put on a plane home the next day, before filming for the third installment of Ultimate Girls Trip had wrapped. Manzo was reportedly moved to a hotel that day to, 'get her out of the situation,' and she returned to America on January 27.

The group of Housewives were all partying while filming at a private home in Morocco for the fourth season of Ultimate Girls Trip when the alleged incident occurred on January 25.

Sources say Glanville had been drinking alcohol before the incidents, and 'appeared to be drunk', and that she and Manzo had at least four tequila shots each and started making out.

Incident: The incident with Manzo reportedly involved Glanville touching her 'in the breast and genital areas' while off-camera in a bathroom, during the filming of the Housewives spin-off in Morocco, with two other cast members present

Proposition: The other incident - which took place shortly after the alleged situation with Manzo - involved Glanville 'loudly' asking one of the show's producers by name 'Do you want to f*** me tonight?' in front of a room of other cast members; Pictured in a RHUGT still

Mystery: Following the claims of her being sent home due to her behavior, Glanville appeared to respond, as she tweeted on Tuesday: 'Check your sources people!!!!'

Glanville 'stuck her tongue down' Manzo's throat, according to sources close to Manzo, but Glanville insiders denied that, revealing that after the alleged touching incident, Manzo said, 'Ive been kissed by women before, but Ive never kissed back [until this evening].'

However those close to Manzo revealed she has no memory of saying that.

Shortly thereafter, Glanville, Manzo, Alex McCord and a fourth Ultimate Girls Trip cast member are said to have gone to the bathroom together.

Sources allege that Glanville locked the bathroom door and, 'pinned Caroline against the wall' before the alleged incident.

Sources also claimed that Glanville ultimately realized Manzo was uncomfortable by the situation and unlocked the door for Manzo to leave.

While there doesn't appear to be any video of the incident, since it happened in the bathroom, the mics of cast members were live so there are reportedly audio recordings, which crew members are said to have found, 'disturbing.'

Sources added that Manzo asked to address the incident on camera with the rest of the cast - which includes Camille Grammer, Vicki Gunvalson, Eva Marcille, Phaedra Parks and Gretchen Rossi - on January 26.

Last week Shed Productions and Peacock issued a joint statement which confirmed they are investigating the alleged incident.

The joint statement read, 'The safety and security of cast and crew while shooting is extremely important and we take all reports seriously. In this situation, production immediately launched a comprehensive review and is taking appropriate action.'

The first season debuted in 2021 featuring a trip to Turks and Caicos featuring Bravo favorites Luann de Lesseps, Teresa Giudice, Kyle Richards.

The second season was filmed in Massachusetts and debuted last summer, featuring Eva Marcille, Jill Zarin, Brandi Glanville, Vicki Gunvalson, Phaedra Parks, Tamra Judge, while the third season was filmed in Thailand but has not aired.

Important: Shed Productions and Peacock issued a joint statement which read, 'The safety and security of cast and crew while shooting is extremely important and we take all reports seriously. In this situation, production immediately launched a comprehensive review and is taking appropriate action'; Glanville pictured 2022
Brooke Pitt (nee Hogan) has opened up about her journey to become pregnant.

The Australia's Next Top Model star, 30, spoke to the Herald Sun on Thursday about her IVF process, which she started in June last year.

'It feels nice to have it all out there now and it's all real,' the influencer said.

'We're lucky, we only did six months of fertility treatment. We did two rounds of IVF and in the world of IVF that's a really short amount of time,' she added.

Brooke, who is almost 18 weeks pregnant, is planning to have a natural birth.

Australia's Next Top Model star Brooke Pitt (nee Hogan) has opened up about her journey to become pregnant. She is pictured here with her husband Myles Pitt

'We look at each other every day and we know we're so lucky,' she added.

Brooke concluded by saying she has a 'low-lying placenta' which will determine how the baby comes out.

'Whatever way it wants to come out, whatever is safe, I'm just so grateful to be pregnant,' she said.

The model announced on Instagram in January she and husband Myles Pitt were expecting a child later in the year.

'Baby Pitt due July. Myles and I are so excited to be welcoming a little bebe into the world,' she wrote.

The Australia's Next Top Model star, 30, spoke to the Herald Sun on Thursday about her IVF process, which she started in June last year

'We are still lost for words and feel overwhelmed with gratitude that our dream of becoming parents has finally come true.'

Brooke touched on her fertility battle in the announcement post.

'There were many times over the past two years where we thought this may never happen for us,' she said.

'The emotional and physical pain that comes with infertility and the roller coaster that comes with it is something that can't really be put into words.'

The model announced on Instagram in January she and husband Myles Pitt were expecting a child later in the year

She continued: 'If you are experiencing fertility issues of any kind, I know how much it hurts seeing others share their news.

'Myles and I feel you, we see you and we hope and pray that you too will be blessed with your little miracle really soon.'

The announcement came almost one year after Brooke and Myles tied the knot.
An Australian transgender reality star has blasted trans women for accepting endorsement deals from tampon brands.

Jolene Dawson, who has appeared on Trial by Kyle and E!'s Botched, said it was misogynistic and 'insulting' to biological females for women who were born male - and therefore will never have periods - to promote menstrual products.

In a fiery TikTok video, the 27-year-old also said that if tampon companies want to be more inclusive they should market their products to trans men, who can still actually menstruate because they have female sex organs.

'For a transgender woman to accept a sponsorship for that kind of product... it's not a gimmick,' Dawson said.

'Most of the women in my life really struggle with their periods, whether it's because they have endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome, or even just sometimes the shame of having to ask for these products from someone if you've forgotten them.'

Australian transgender reality star Jolene Dawson (pictured) has blasted trans women for accepting endorsement deals from tampon brands

Transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney, who will never have a period, is pictured holding a tampon in a social media video

'Growing up and having your first period, these are all things that myself and other trans women will never experience,' added Dawson.

'What business is it for you [trans women] to take that money and promote a product that is going to insult people?'

Dawson also said she'd previously turned down an endorsement for period underwear because she knew the brand was just trying to 'capitalise on the queer and trans community'.

'I think you've got the wrong demographic,' she told the brand at the time.

'There are some trans men creators who you might be more interested in working with because they are more likely to benefit from your products.'

Jolene is best known for appearing on E!'s Botched (pictured) and Channel 10's Trial by Kyle

Non-binary influencer and activist Jeffrey Marsh previously sparked backlash for promoting period products in a paid sponsorship deal.

The 45-year-old, who was assigned male at birth but now uses they/them pronouns, said the endorsement was to help 'people with periods'.

'They decided to work with me so that people, regardless of gender identity, can feel seen respected, and included,' Marsh said on Instagram at the time.

Marsh has previously called it a 'ridiculous notion' that trans women are 'erasing' biological women, and also claims biological sex does not exist.

Non-binary influencer and activist Jeffrey Marsh (pictured) previously sparked backlash for promoting period products in a paid sponsorship deal

Transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney caused outrage last year after accepting a PR package from Tampax.

Mulvaney, 26, also made multiple videos about carrying tampons in her purse, but clarified she did not use them herself.

Despite not being paid to plug tampons, Mulvaney has become a sought-after brand ambassador for the likes of MAC Cosmetics, Ulta Beauty and Kate Spade.

'A lot of the initial deals were tailored to my queerness and to my transness,' Mulvaney told The Creators newsletter in October.

'For some of these major corporations, I was actually their first trans creator. It's exciting to make money to support myself since I lost my job, and to have my transition surgeries be covered too.'

As previously reported by DailyMail.com, Mulvaney was set to earn more than $1million in 2022 - just from promoting teeth-whitening strips, lipsticks, and other products on TikTok.

Transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney caused outrage last year after accepting a PR package from Tampax (pictured)

Industry insiders who broker commercial endorsement deals for TikTok creators say Mulvaney nets at least $100,000 each month from showcasing brands in her popular 'Days of Girlhood' series.

The influencer's meteoric rise to fame was buoyed in October by her sit-down interview with U.S. President Joe Biden, who said states should not be able to regulate the availability of transgender surgeries.

'I don't think any state or anybody should have the right to do that,' he said when Mulvaney asked if red states should have the right to pass laws limiting access to so-called 'gender-affirming' treatments.

'As a moral question and as a legal question, I just think it's wrong,' Biden continued.

'Sometimes they try to block you from being able to access certain medicines, being able to access certain procedures, and so on.'
He went through a total body transformation back in 2016 - dropping 12.5 kilograms after exercising six days a week and cutting out booze and fatty foods.

And Merrick Watts proved he was still in fighting fit shape last weekend, showing off his ripped figure as he went for a run through Cataract Gorge in Launceston with Tommy Little.

The 49-year-old comedian looked years younger as as he flaunted his bulging bicep and shoulder muscles in a Nike tank top.

Watts revealed he and Little, 37, put their jacked frames to the test with a five kilometer run before swimming laps.

'Started Sunday morning like a weapon with "The Weapon" Tommy Little,' Watts captioned the selfie of the two.

Merrick Watts proved he was still in fighting fit shape last weekend, showing off his ripped figure as he went for a run through Cataract Gorge in Launceston with Tommy Little

'Ran 5k through Cataract Gorge in Launceston then went and cut some laps in the pool.'

He continued: 'Classically though, as two comedians, we did it with no warm up, directly into a steep ascent with no water and giant hangovers! Results - not excuses! "Never stop not stopping."'

Watts starred on SAS Australia in 2020 and said the show helped him achieve 'the best physical and mental state I've been in in my entire life'.

Speaking candidly at the time, he said he struggled with anxiety and depression before making the appearance on the grueling Channel Seven series.

Watts starred on SAS Australia in 2020 and said the show helped him achieve 'the best physical and mental state I've been in in my entire life'. Pictured left in 2008, right in 2020

The father-of-two said he had been in the 'worst mental state' of his life, and not even a psychologist or 10-week meditation course could help.

'I felt like I was chipping away,' Watts said during an interview with Nova's Fitzy and Wippa.

'I did all the right things, I spoke to a psychologist, I spoke to my doctor, I did a 10-week meditation course. Nothing was working. I know that what I needed was to rebuild my confidence.'

The father-of-two said he had been in the 'worst mental state' of his life, and not even a psychologist or 10-week meditation course could help. Picture with his wife Georgie Sulzberger

Watts said he knew that going on SAS Australia would help him 'rebuild his confidence.'

'When I'm confident I'm very, very capable. When I'm not confident I go back into my shell... I knew that just the process of getting ready for SAS Australia would be enough to rebuild my confidence and I was right,' he explained.

'I look at myself, a year ago and when I signed up for this show I was in the worst mental state I've ever been in. I look at myself a year later and I'm in the best physical and mental state I've been in in my entire life.'

He finished: 'It's been extraordinarily good for my mind and my body.'

Watts first debuted his slimmed-down figure in 2016 by posing on the cover of Men's Health

The photos marked the end of a three-month fitness regimen.

At the time, Merrick told The Daily Edition that he'd dropped TWO pants sizes as a result of his new health-conscious lifestyle.

I feel really good, and pretty happy with the results,' he said after revealing that running, weights, swimming, and yoga helped him lose weight.

Merrick weighed almost 100kg at the start of the transformation, but confirmed he was 84kg after keeping up his fitness routine after the challenge was over.
Ellie Bamber and Charlotte Riley dressed to the nines on Wednesday evening as they attended the dunhill & BSBP pre-BAFTA filmmakers dinner and party at Bourdon House in London.

Ellie, 26, looked sublime in a black figure-hugging maxi dress covered in tiny sparkles.

The actress added a few extra inches to her height in a pair of black peep toe high heels that showed off her red pedicure.

She kept her jewellery simple, opting for several rings and a pair of classic gold hoop earrings.

Her fiery ginger tresses were styled in a straight and sleek lob and parted to one side.

Wow! Ellie Bamber and Charlotte Riley dressed to the nines on Wednesday evening as they attended the dunhill & BSBP pre-BAFTA filmmakers dinner and party at Bourdon House in London

Sensational: Ellie, 26, looked sublime in a black figure-hugging maxi dress covered in tiny sparkles

Fancy footwear: The actress added a few extra inches to her height in a pair of black peep toe high heels that showed off her red pedicure

Ellie completed her striking and elegant look with a light palette of make-up to enhance her natural beauty.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, 41, cut a very stylish figure in a pair of black voluminous trousers that created a dramatic silhouette.

She paired them with a white button-up shirt that she wore off one shoulder to flash an extra peek of skin.

Her brunette locks were styled in a short bob with a fringe, and she sported a slick of pink lipgloss.

They were joined at the dinner party by Taron Egerton who cut a dashing figure in a black suit.

He teamed it with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie, while finishing off his look with shiny black shoes.

Kit Connor complemented Taron, by also wearing a black suit with a matching black bow tie.

Stunning: Her fiery ginger tresses were styled in a straight and sleek lob and she completed her striking look with a light palette of make-up to enhance her natural beauty

Flawless: Charlotte wore a white button-up shirt that she wore off one shoulder to flash an extra peek of skin, while her brunette locks were styled in a short bob with a fringe

Star-studded: They were joined at the dinner party by Taron Egerton who cut a dashing figure in a black suit

Smart: He teamed it with a crisp white shirt and a black bow tie, while finishing off his look with shiny black shoes

Twinning: Kit Connor complemented Taron, by also wearing a black suit with a matching black bow tie

Looking good: The 18-year-old actor added black shoes and white shirt, and wore his hair artfully tousled and gelled

Daring: Jessica Henwick put on a busty display in a sage green corset that cinched her in at her svelte waist

Beauty: She teamed it with a pair of smart black trousers and elevated her height in black pointed high heels

Classy: Toby Jones was also in attendance at the star-studded event, wearing a black suit and matching tie

The 18-year-old actor added black shoes and white shirt, and wore his hair artfully tousled and gelled.

Jessica Henwick put on a busty display in a sage green corset that cinched her in at her svelte waist.

She teamed it with a pair of smart black trousers and elevated her height in black pointed high heels.

Toby Jones was also in attendance at the star-studded event, wearing a black suit and matching tie.

Erin Kellyman looked sophisticated in a white satin playsuit, underneath a cream and black blazer.

She toted her essentials in a black handbag and her orange tresses were twisted into long braids.

Stacy Martin showed off her fashion forward sense of style in a unique buckle and zip up dress.

She teamed it with brown knee-high boots and a matching bag and swept her hair up into an elegant bun.

Martin Freeman was also present at the dinner, putting on a very smart display in a black blazer.

Preppy chic: Erin Kellyman looked sophisticated in a white satin playsuit, underneath a cream and black blazer

Striking: She toted her essentials in a black handbag and her orange tresses were twisted into long braids

Statement: Stacy Martin showed off her fashion forward sense of style in a unique buckle and zip up dress

Fashion forward: She teamed it with brown knee-high boots and a matching bag and swept her hair up into an elegant bun

Smart: Martin Freeman was also present at the dinner, putting on a very smart display in a black blazer

Handsome: He teamed it with a pair of coordinating black trousers and a white shirt, while adding black shoes

Details: The Sherlock actor completed his dapper look with a black bow tie and a neat white pocket square

Bold: Emily Beecham turned heads in an eye-catching purple gown with a unique draped bodice

Head turning: She paired the brightly coloured dress with a pair of equally bold blue velvet boots and a matching handbag

Dashing: Mark Strong looked handsome in a burgundy velvet blazer with a black trim, teamed with black trousers

Standing out: The British actor added shiny black shoes, a white shirt and a black bow tie, as well as a smart silver watch

He teamed it with a pair of coordinating black trousers and a white shirt, while adding black shoes.

The Sherlock actor completed his dapper look with a black bow tie and a neat white pocket square.

Emily Beecham turned heads in an eye-catching purple gown with a unique draped bodice.

She paired the brightly coloured dress with a pair of equally bold blue velvet boots and a matching handbag.

Mark Strong looked handsome in a burgundy velvet blazer with a black trim, teamed with black trousers.

The British actor added shiny black shoes, a white shirt and a black bow tie, as well as a smart silver watch.

Sheila Atim put on a daring display in a black sheer top, underneath a velvet blazer with black trousers.

She teamed it with black loafers, a clutch bag and a slick of red lipstick to add a pop of colour to the monotone outfit.

Father and daughter Richard E. Grant and Olivia Grant complemented each other in matching black outfits.

Commanding attention: Sheila Atim put on a daring display in a black sheer top, underneath a velvet blazer with black trousers

Family: Father and daughter Richard E. Grant and Olivia Grant complemented each other in matching black outfits

Smiles all round: Joshua Jackson looked typically dapper in a black velvet blazer, layered over a white shirt

Hard to miss: He teamed it with a pair of tailored black trousers, smart black shoes and a neat bow tie

Dressed to impress: Ashley Thomas, also known as Bashy, looked stylish in a black suit with a bow tie and pocket square

She wore a black cocktail dress with a keyhole cutout and black leather belt, while he donned a black tuxedo.

Joshua Jackson looked typically dapper in a black velvet blazer, layered over a white shirt.

He teamed it with a pair of tailored black trousers, smart black shoes and a neat bow tie.

Ashley Thomas, also known as Bashy, looked stylish in a black suit with a bow tie and pocket square.
Orlando Bloom bared his sculpted physique as he stripped down to his underwear for a tantalizing new magazine shoot.

Covering the latest issue of Flaunt, the 46-year-old dreamboat hinted at the rough spots in his romance with his fiancee Katy Perry.

'Were in two very different pools,' he said. 'Her pool is not a pool that I necessarily understand, and I think my pool is not a pool that she necessarily understands.'

Katy is a white-hot music superstar, earning a reported $25 million salary from American Idol while juggling a top-flight residency in Las Vegas, while Orlando is now on the Amazon Prime show Carnival Row opposite model Cara Delevingne.

'Sometimes things are really, really, really, challenging. I wont lie. We definitely battle with our emotions and creativity,' he confessed.

When you got it: Orlando Bloom bared his sculpted physique as he stripped down to his underwear for a tantalizing new magazine shoot

Electrifying: Covering the latest issue of Flaunt , the 46-year-old dreamboat hinted at the rough spots in his romance with his fiancee Katy Perry

The pop star and her hunk: Katy and Orlando became an item in 2016 and in August 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus lockdowns, they welcomed their daughter Daisy; pictured 2019

Orlando shared however that 'I think were both aware of how blessed we are to have uniquely connected in the way that we did at the time that we did, and theres definitely never a dull moment.'

Shortly after his and Katy's daughter Daisy was born, Orlando told the Guardian the couple were not having 'enough' sex, adding that 'we just had a baby though.'

He became a global movie star over 20 years ago as as the Elf archer Legolas in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, his first job out of drama school.

His profile was catapulted even higher when he played the blacksmith-turned-swashbuckler Will Turner in the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies.

In order to avoid the personal crises that befell other superstars, the committed Buddhist began 'hiding [himself] from the world.'

Orlando compared celebrity to 'getting into a burning vehicle,' explaining: 'Like, okay, just make sure you got a safety team, cause basically youve got to have a fire retardant suit on, a helmet, the gloves, youve got to get into the suit and everyones going to go: "Oh my god, its on fire, look at it."'

The sizzling sensation argued: 'Anyone who tells you different, I think, has maybe either drunk the Kool-Aid, or bought the wrong ticket, cause its a job.'

For his latest magazine shoot he posed up a storm in Missoni, including a couple of pictures with an open top to expose his chiseled torso.

Making it happen: For his latest magazine shoot he posed up a storm in Missoni, including a couple of pictures with an open top to expose his chiseled torso

Hunk-tastic: In another picture he showcased his mesmerizingly musclebound arms in a sleeveless, see-through Lanvin chain top

'I won't lie': 'Sometimes things are really, really, really, challenging,' he said of his romance with Katy, confessing: 'We definitely battle with our emotions and creativity'

'Never a dull moment': Orlando shared however that 'I think were both aware of how blessed we are to have uniquely connected in the way that we did at the time that we did....'

He offered fans a generous glimpse of his washboard abs, as well as the small picture of the sun he had tattooed onto them as a teenager.

In another picture he showcased his mesmerizingly musclebound arms in a sleeveless, see-through Lanvin chain top.

After rocketing to international fame, he dated Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!! star Kate Bosworth and then settled down with Miranda Kerr.

Orlando and Miranda welcomed a now 12-year-old son called Flynn before they ultimately brought the curtain down on their marriage in 2013.

Katy and Orlando became an item in 2016 and in August 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus lockdowns, they welcomed their daughter Daisy.

Orlando was in Prague shooting Carnival Row as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread around the world - but he remained calm.

'Listen, Im not afraid of this thing at all,' he told Amazon Studios chief Jen Salke shortly before getting caught in lockdown. 'If you want us to hang, Im down, because I love what were doing and I dont see it as a big threat.'

He wound up having to quarantine with Katy, who was pregnant by then, and while isolating he 'kind of felt the fear all around me, this palpable sense of fear in everyone, that was also being proclaimed through social media and over the news.'

Perils of stardom: Orlando compared celebrity to 'getting into a burning vehicle,' explaining that there is a need to 'make sure you got a safety team'

Protecting himself: In order to avoid the personal crises that befell other superstars, the committed Buddhist began 'hiding [himself] from the world'

Looking back: He became a global movie star over 20 years ago as as the Elf archer Legolas in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, his first job out of drama school

The smoldering Kingdom Of Heaven actor reflected that he 'was feeling this fear around me and not wanting to buy into that.'

While grappling with the ups and downs of fame, he also tried to prevent himself from either succumbing to jealousy or incurring it in others.

'I think theres a lot of competition in our industry, absolutely, but Ive never been trying to compete with anyone other than myself,' he insisted.

He cited Tom Cruise as 'the head of this crazy arrow that is that sort of movie star idea, and thats a life that Im not sure what it must be like sometimes for his mind.'

One anchor for Orlando has been Buddhism, which he converted to despite being confirmed as an Anglican by the Archbishop Of Canterbury.

Buddhism 'kind of landed for me more than being confirmed in Christianity,' he said, noting: 'I respect all religions - and you cant knock Jesus - but ultimately, I think that the responsibility of my life lies within me, and Im not going to look outside of my life for somebody to say: "Yeah, youre saved."'

Elsewhere in the interview he also revealed a real-life act of derring-do he engaged in that was worthy of one of his old action roles.

In 2009, after the infamous Bling Ring stole his $500,000 watch collection including several rare Rolexes, Orlando decided to take matters into his own hands and wear a wire while plunging into the black market to recover his property.

Even keel: While grappling with the ups and downs of fame, he also tried to prevent himself from either succumbing to jealousy or incurring it in others

Running his own race: 'I think theres a lot of competition in our industry, absolutely, but Ive never been trying to compete with anyone other than myself,' he insisted

By the way: He cited Tom Cruise as 'the head of this crazy arrow that is that sort of movie star idea, and thats a life that Im not sure what it must be like sometimes for his mind'

The mission was a success, as 'I have a pretty high tolerance for things, which probably helped me survive this long, You could do a movie about me getting my watches back - I met some really interesting characters along the way.'

Orlando was spotted this Wednesday heading to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the second season of Carnival Row.

After the fantasy series bowed on Amazon Prime in 2019, the program was renewed for a second and final season, which will premiere this Friday.

Orlando cut a dapper figure as he strolled to his latest talk-show appearance modeling a perfectly fitted blue suit with gleaming bronze aviators.

Sporting a beguiling touch of scruff, the Hollywood hunk flashed his winningly rakish smile while making his way into the studio.

He reflected to Flaunt: 'Everything in my life right now, in the last five years, has been strategic,' and explained his mindset with regards to Carnival Row.

Orlando said his thought process was: 'Okay, lets do a fantasy, lets bring people back cause Ive taken some time, Ive raised a kid, Ive got married, Ive got divorced and I need to remind people of who I am and the world that Im from.'

Said he: 'Now, Im feeling seated. Theres a depth that I couldnt have brought prior, an element of life experience that I could never have brought prior.'

Off he goes: Orlando was spotted this Wednesday heading to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote the second season of Carnival Row

Publicity rounds: Orlando cut a dapper figure as he strolled to his latest talk-show appearance modeling a perfectly fitted blue suit with gleaming bronze aviators
Richard E Grant cuts a dapper figure alongside daughter Olivia at the dunhill & BSBP Pre-Bafta Filmmakers dinner at Bourdon House in London on Thursday.

The actor, 65, who is currently preparing to present this years 76th annual film awards ceremony later this week, was all smiles at the event.

He certainly looked the part in a black double breasted blazer with a white shirt and pocket square.

Richard completed his smart outfit for the party with a dickie bow tie and patent leather brogues.

Stepping out to support her father, Olivia, 39, looked effortlessly elegant in a black gown with a key-hole neckline.

Smart: Richard E Grant cuts a dapper figure alongside daughter Olivia at the Pre-Bafta Filmmakers dinner at Bourdon House in London on Thursday

The stunning number nipped in at her waist with a leather piped belt, she then layered over a cropped blazer to top off her look.

Richard will be hosting the BAFTAs this year alongside This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, 48.

Speaking to Radio Times, he said organisers of the awards know he is not going to 'roast' fellow actors during the event.

The star - known for parts in Gosford Park, Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker and Downton Abbey - will host awards ceremony at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday.

He said he was 'amazed' to be in the company of comedians Stephen Fry, Graham Norton and Rebel Wilson, who have been hosts.

Last year, Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids actress Wilson made risque jokes about the royal family, Vladimir Putin, the gender pay gap, her flop film Cats and her recent weight loss.

Richard added: 'So I was surprised...and I thought because I was so unashamedly enthusiastic during the awards circuit four years ago, when I was nominated for (a Bafta).

'(Bafta organisers) must know that I'm going to be a celebratory person rather than somebody who's there to roast other actors so hopefully, that's (going to) work out, I don't know yet.'

Outing: The actor, 65, who is currently preparing to present this years 76th annual film awards ceremony later this week, was all smiles at the event hosted by Dunhill

He first rose to prominence by playing a hapless drunk actor in Withnail And I in 1987 and was nominated for a Bafta and an Oscar for his role in crime biography Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2019.

Following his award nod, he released a video of him jumping on a trampoline to social media.

The comedy drama film is based on the true story of Lee Israel's confessional autobiography of the same name about forging writer's letters and sees Melissa McCarthy as Israel and Grant as Jack Hock, her accidental friend and accomplice.

On the Baftas next weekend, Grant said he was 'such a fanboy' of fellow thespians that he found it an 'incredible privilege' to meet Bafta nominees.
The BBC have reportedly stolen Alan Carr from ITV for their brand new Saturday night TV line-up.

It comes just weeks after the presenter and comedian, 46, had reportedly been tipped to replace David Walliams on Britain's Got Talent but in a last-minute change they picked Strictly's Bruno Tonioli instead.

And now Alan has wasted no time in signing a deal with the BBC to host their new quiz show Picture Slam, reports The Sun.

It comes as Claudia Winkleman has gone the other way - from the BBC to ITV - to join Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway which returns at the end of this month.

A TV insider told the publication of Alan: 'Getting the big-money signing is payback for Alan, who was viewed as a shoo-in as replacement for the exiting David Walliams as BGT judge.

Talent: The BBC have reportedly stolen Alan Carr from ITV for their brand new Saturday night TV line-up

'It was a slight to be in the running for the position for months only to be knocked out of the race at the last minute - particularly as Bruno shot to fame on a BBC show.

'Now Alan could be an even bigger star of Saturday night telly that he might have been had he got the role on the BGT panel.'

For the past three years Alan has hosted Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow for ITV on a Saturday night and now ITV bosses have said the show won't be returning this year.

Alan, the BBC and ITV have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

Alan was reportedly 'devastated' at losing out on the Britain's Got Talent job last month.

A source close to the show said: 'It is one the most peculiar events in showbusiness in recent years. Alan was told that he had the job and then all of sudden Bruno's name popped up. It is so bizarre.

'Some ITV bosses are cross at the decision, their preference was Alan as did most involved in the show who were really over the moon at the prospect of having join them for series.

Job: It comes as Claudia Winkleman has gone the other way - from the BBC to ITV - to join Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway which returns at the end of this month

Snubbed: It comes just weeks after the presenter and comedian, 46, had reportedly been tipped to replace David Walliams on Britain's Got Talent but in a last-minute change they picked Strictly's Bruno Tonioli instead

'They all wanted him but Cowell was against it, he wanted his friend.' Tonioli joining BGT means that there now two former Strictly judges on the panel - something ITV bosses are understood to have been against.

Alan was understood to be 'devastated' at losing out on the job which he thought was his.

Friends of the star said that he told he would be joining the show by those close to it two weeks ago.

He was allegedly changing the dates of his filming commitments on BBC show Ru Paul's Drag Race so he could be at the BGT auditions.

He had even begun making arrangements for his on-screen clothing - until he saw reports that Toniloi also in line to take over from Walliams.

One told the Daily Mail: 'He is trying to keep his head up, he thought that he had it. It is really disappointing for him. BGT have really missed a trick, especially with the on-screen chemistry between him and Amanda.'

Out: Shamed actor and author David, 51, was last year forced to leave the show after ten years following vile remarks he made about contestants during auditions in 2020

Shamed actor and author David Walliams was last year forced to leave the show after ten years following vile remarks he made about contestants during auditions in 2020.

It was reported in November that he stood down from his role, although sources close to the show say he 'jumped before he was pushed.'

Elsewhere Claudia will be joining SNT with Ant and Dec later this month.

The ITV1 staple will be back on the box just next week, on Saturday February 25 at 7pm, after almost a year off the air.

The boys will bring the viewers at home and the live studio audience a host of new and exclusive features, live surprises, celebrity guests, returning favourites and outrageous stunts.

Some of the UK's biggest celebrities will feature this year, with Joe Wicks and Claudia starring in brand new and hilarious editions of I'm A CelebrityGet Out Of Me Ear!

Alison Hammond and Rylan Clarke will be the next unwitting victims of their very own Undercovers.

Viewer favourites are back including Ring My Bell, Singalong Live and Win the Ads and there are some brilliant End of the Show Shows planned throughout the series run which as always will amaze and entertain.

Ant & Dec will also have a brand new huge audience giveaway for 2023 and all will be revealed live on air in the first show!

They also have a brand new mini-series for 2023 which is a mystery whodunnit called Murder At Bigwig Manor.

Richard Wilson plays the Head of ITV with cameos including Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Dermot O'Leary, Keith Lemon, AJ Odudu, Judi Love and Stephanie Cole.

Stephen Mulhern, Fleur East, Jordan North and Andi Peters all return with Stephen putting the boys through a brand new set of high octane Ant vs Dec challenges.
Kristen Stewart stepped out during Berlin Film Festival on Wednesday.

The actress, 32, cut a casual figure in a navy jacket and jeans for the outing where she was joined by her security team.

Under her jacket she wore a white T-shirt and accessorised with a silver padlock chain necklace.

Kristen completed her look with comfortable white trainers and socks and had a blue and black cap on her head.

She opted to go makeup free as she left her hotel and wore her short brunette tresses pulled back under the hat.

Cutting a casual figure: Kristen Stewart stepped out during Berlin Film Festival on Wednesday

It comes after earlier this week she stepped out in Berlin again but this time with her fiance Dylan Meyer.

Meyer and Stewart met on a movie set in 2013, but only started dating after reconnecting in 2019.

They got engaged last year, but have not yet gone public with their plans for the ceremony and party.

The Spencer actress revealed they were engaged in November 2021. Stewart talked about a possible wedding in January of the following year.

On an episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she talked about possibly running off and getting married privately with Meyer.

'We might just go do it this weekend or something, I don't know, and then, like, just hang out with everyone afterwards,' she said. 'I just want to do it, you know? I'm not a good planner. I can't make plans for dinner.'

Outfit: The actress, 32, cut a casual figure in a navy jacket and jeans for the outing where she was joined by her security team

Ensemble: Under her jacket she wore a white T-shirt and accessorised with a silver padlock chain necklace

Back in April, Meyer, who's best known for penning the script for the 2021 film Moxie, shared some sweet sentiments for Stewart's 32nd birthday.

'Another one around the sun and you're out here getting flyer every year,' Meyer gushed in the caption of a photo showing the lovebirds sharing a kiss as the birthday cake was being presented. 'Time looks good on you, dude. Ya know, as they say in the toons, "awooga."'

Most recently, on the career front, Stewart has been working on he film adaption of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir The Chronology Of Water, which became a New York Times best-seller list after its 2010 release.

As per Deadline, the memoir is a 'lyrical journey through a life saved by art,' and centers on a young woman who 'finds her voice through the written word and her salvation as a swimmer  ultimately becoming a triumphant teacher, mother, and a singular modern writer.

Stewart co-wrote the screenplay with Andy Mingo, while British actress Imogen Poots has been tapped to star as Yuknavitch, in the story of her tumultuous life.

Berlin Film Festival: Kristen completed her look with comfortable white trainers and socks and had a blue and black cap on her head

In the works for more than five years, the upcoming film has been a passion project of sorts for the actress turned filmmaker.

So far, there's no official word on when the film will make its premiere.

Stewart's appearance came just a week after it was announced she would direct three music videos for Phoebe Bridgers' band, Boygenius.

She is set to helm three clips for the much-talked about band comprised of Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, according to their Rolling Stone cover story.

The trio of indie-rock royalty are set to release their debut full-length album - titled The Record - and have recently put out three new tracks from it titled $20, Emily I'm Sorry, and True Blue.

Kristen is no stranger to directing music videos as she started by doing the 2014 music video for Sage + The Saints track Take Me To The South.

She also did the 2017 music video for Scottish pop band Chvrches for their track Down Side Of Me.

She will also be making her feature-length directorial debut with the adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch memoir The Chronology Of Water starring Imogen Poots.
Machine Gun Kelly's guitarist Sophie Lloyd is speaking out after fans speculated that she played a role in his alleged split from fiancee Megan Fox.

The accomplished musician, 26, slammed the 'merciless' and 'disrespectful' rumors in a statement provided by her management team to Page Six.

'Sophie Lloyd is a professional, accomplished musician who has been needlessly dragged into the media based off of meritless accusations made by social media,' the statement began.

'Any suggestion that she has ever acted in an unprofessional manner or stepped out of her relationship are untrue. It's disrespectful to her as a female artist and poor journalism and social commentary to be reporting anything else.'

Sophie joined the 32-year-old rocker's Mainstream Sellout tour last year, which kicked off in June and came to a close in October.

Untrue: Machine Gun Kelly's guitarist Sophie Lloyd is speaking out after fans speculated that she played a role in his alleged spit from fiancee Megan Fox

She heavily documented her time on tour via her Instagram page, with many of the posts featuring MGK as well as other members of the band and crew.

Sophie has also performed alongside the Bloody Valentine hitmaker at several events and festivals.

Most recenty, she played guitar with MGK on Saturday, February 11 at Drake's star-studded Super Bowl party in Arizona, which was also attended by Megan.

Sophie has been in a relationship with her boyfriend Christopher Painter for over five years.

Christopher has attended multiple shows on the Mainstream Sellout tour in support of his longtime partner.

Sophie honored Valentines Day by sharing a selfie with her man, where she declared him her 'Valentine.'

Earlier on Wednesday, Sophie also shared footage of herself covering Iron Maiden's Fear Of The Dark.

The split rumors surrounding Megan and MGK kicked off over the weekend after the actress shared a cryptic post about 'dishonesty' and proceeded to delete all traces of the rocker from her Instagram.

She also unfollowed MGK and went on to follow his musical nemesis, Eminem. She famously appeared as the video vixen in the music video for Eminem and Rihanna's hit song Love The Way You Lie in 2010.

Megan - who has been in a relationship with Machine Gun Kelly since June 2020 - posted a video in which she appeared to burn a letter in a bonfire, along with a bag.

She also uploaded a very raunchy string of mirror selfies while joined by a male pal, which included the caption: 'You can taste the dishonesty/ it's all over your breath.'

These are lyrics from Beyonce's 2016 track, Pray You Catch Me, about her husband Jay Z's own affair.

Just before deleting her page, Megan responded to a fan in the comment section of the post who speculated that 'Sophie' - which many presumed to be Sophie Lloyd - was possibly to blame for MGK and Megan's alleged relationship woes.

'He probably got with Sophie,' the user wrote, to which Megan - who has spoken about her bisexuality in the past - jokingly replied: 'Maybe I got with Sophie.'

The accomplished musician, 26, slammed the 'merciless' and 'disrespectful' rumors in a statement provided by her management team to Page Six; seen on January 18

On the rocks: The split rumors surrounding Megan and MGK kicked off over the weekend after the actress shared a cryptic post about 'dishonesty' and proceeded to delete all traces of the rocker from her Instagram; seen on February 5

'Any suggestion that she has ever acted in an unprofessional manner or stepped out of her relationship are untrue. It's disrespectful to her as a female artist and poor journalism and social commentary to be reporting anything else'; Sophie seen with MGK on February 11

Committed: Sophie has been in a relationship with her boyfriend Christopher Painter for over five years; seen Valentines Day 2023

Sophie's boyfriend Christopher Painter seen with MGK in August

This quickly prompted fans of MGK to flood Sophie's Instagram with rude comments accusing her of 'home wrecking' and comparing her and Megan's appearances.

But many of Sophie's 788,000 followers came to her defense by telling haters to 'leave her alone' and insisting she 'has nothing to do with' the state of Megan and MGK's relationship.

In photos exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the couple looked visibly upset as they left a marriage counseling office in California on Monday.

Megan appeared emotional as she wiped her eyes with her hand while leaving the building while a pensive MGK followed closely behind.

A source claimed to PEOPLE reported earlier this week that Megan is no longer wearing her engagement and is currently giving MGK the cold shoulder.

'They haven't officially called off the engagement but Megan took her ring off,' the source said. 'They have had issues in the past, but things seem pretty serious this time.'

The report did not indicate what they were arguing about.

The pair were last pictured together just hours before her shock post at Drake's Super Bowl party in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Just six days ago, Megan shared a gushing tribute to her beau the day after the Grammys, where he had been nominated for Best Rock Album award for his record Mainstream Sellout.

Just before deleting her page, Megan responded to a fan in the comment section of the post who speculated that 'Sophie' - which many presumed to be Sophie Lloyd - was possibly to blame for MGK and Megan's alleged relationship woes. 'He probably got with Sophie,' the user wrote, to which Megan - who has spoken about her bisexuality in the past - jokingly replied: 'Maybe I got with Sophie'

What's in it? Megan posted a video in which she appeared to burn a letter in a bonfire, along with a bag

Eek! Megan wrote in her caption, 'You can taste the dishonesty/ its all over your breath,' which are lyrics from Beyonce's 2016 track, Pray You Catch Me, about her husband Jay Z's own affair

Gone forever? Megan completely deleted her Instagram page on Sunday after her cryptic post on Saturday

MGK ultimately lost out to Ozzy Osbourne, but Megan praised her partner's 'humility and maturity' in her lengthy tribute post.

She enthused that watching her MGK 'become a better man is an immeasurably more satisfying experience than watching you accept an award.'

She also praised his 'beautiful face,' and promised to remind him of the night forever.

'Congratulations on being in the very small percentage of artists who have received a Grammy nomination,' Megan gushed.

'You have handled this process with a grace and maturity that I havent seen from you before and Im so proud of you.'

'Watching you walk in humility and gratitude, watching you grow into yourself and become a better man is an immeasurably more satisfying experience than watching you accept an award.'

Report: A source claimed to PEOPLE reported earlier this week that Megan is no longer wearing her engagement and is currently giving MGK the cold shoulder

Proposal: MGK proposed to Megan in January 2022; seen on February 5

'Although those will come and this is irrelevant I guess but I will just never ever get over how beautiful your face is'

'I hope one day youll see yourself the way I see you. I love you and Ill keep this memory of you forever.'

Megan and Machine Gun Kelly began dating in June 2020 after meeting on the set of the thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass earlier that year.

It came shortly after her split from husband of 10-years, Brian Austin Green, 49.

The former couple share three children: Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey six.

MGK proposed to Megan in January 2022.
Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire has continued her dramatic transformation after spending more than $35,000 on cosmetic enhancements.

The 36-year-old's latest change is a hair makeover, with the influencer dyeing her blonde locks a dark chocolate brown and adding long, curly hair extensions.

The Bachelor in Paradise villain looked unrecognisable in a string of Instagram posts this week.

'I'm still getting used to my hair but I am actually loving it,' she gushed to her 136,000 followers.

'I never thought that I would like it this much, but the length is probably the thing that I love about it the most,' she added.

Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire has continued her dramatic transformation after spending more than $35,000 on cosmetic enhancements

Keira is pictured on The Bachelor in 2016 after being eliminated by Richie Strahan

The Melbourne-based socialite then showed off her fit physique while promoting a sunscreen brand.

Keira has spent thousands transforming her appearance over the years, from injectables like Botox to getting a nose job, breast implants and porcelain veneers.

She went under the knife for a nose job in 2017 and got a boob job the following year, taking her A-cup breasts up to a more sizable C-cup.

In 2018, she got lip filler before filming the first season of Bachelor in Paradise, but ended up with a regrettable trout pout and later had the filler dissolved.

Keira rose to fame on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, before appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Bachelor in Paradise.

The 36-year-old is now unrecognisable compared to her days on The Bachelor

In 2021, she revealed Instagram was her only source of income during an SBS program discussing narcissistic personality disorder.

'To be honest with you, it is my job and it is how I make money. If I had a choice, I probably wouldn't use it,' she said.

Keira has almost 140,000 Instagram followers, and regularly uses the social media app to promote brands and products.

Elsewhere in the interview, she admitted she'd been branded a 'narcissist' several times since finding fame as the villain on the 2016 season of The Bachelor.

The Melbourne-based beauty showed off her fit physique while promoting a sunscreen brand

Keira has spent thousands transforming her appearance over the years, from injectables like Botox to getting a nose job, breast implants and porcelain veneers

'I was like a very strong, confident character, which is who I am. I am not going to deny that,' she explained.

'I speak with a lot of conviction. I can back myself. I just feel like a lot of people see that as a narcissistic trait.'

But Keira admitted she did have some narcissistic traits, which she said were 'essential' for survival in her line of work.

'Of course you need to have some sort of trait - you need to have an ego to be in this industry,' she said.

'You need an ego to survive in today's day and age. I don't think I have a narcissistic disorder. I feel like I have traits of it, definitely.'
Jack Vidgen revealed a glamorous new look as he attended a party to celebrate Calvin Klein's 'This is Love' Pride collection at ARQ Sydney on Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old stunned in a plunging graphic blazer and a matching skirt.

The Voice star completed his look with a silver handbag and a full face of shimmering makeup.

Jack, who rose to fame as a baby-faced teenager on Australia's Got Talent almost a decade ago in 2011, also wore his blond locks slicked back.

Meanwhile model Roberta Pecoraro heavily endorsed Calvin Klein in a black bra, white briefs and denim jeans.

Jack Vidgen revealed a glamorous new look as he attended a party to celebrate Calvin Klein's 'This is Love' Pride collection at ARQ Sydney on Wednesday night

Meanwhile model Roberta Pecoraro heavily endorsed Calvin Klein in a black bra, white briefs and denim jeans

Sarah Ellen rocked a sheer black mini dress, matching heels and white purse while Manahou Mackay and Nathan McGuire joined in as advocates for this year's Calvin Klein campaign.

And Zara Zoe and Sophia Forrest each opted for a relaxed look, both of whom rocked a white singlet and branded hats.

Zara Zoe and Sophia Forrest each opted for a relaxed look, both rocking a white singlet and branded hats

Elsewhere Keiynan Lonsdale flaunted his toned tummy in a short black T-shirt, olive jacket and faded jeans upon entry.

At the bash, multiple DJs including Half Queen, Ayebatonye and Oscar from Papi Juice got the crowd jumping with their remixes.

And makeup artist Sean Brady was also on hand to lend his expertise to the guests, and delivered the goods for whoever wanted a touch-up.

Elsewhere Keiynan Lonsdale flaunted his toned tummy in a short black T-shirt, olive jacket and faded jeans upon entry

Several events have been planned across the city for this year's celebration of the LGBTQ community.

While this party has just scratched the surface, there is a rainbow of florals and pastels waiting to hit the dancefloor.

The 2023 Sydney Mardi Gras will be held from this Friday to Sunday, March 5.
Claire Danes bundled up for warmth as she stepped out for a quick shopping trip in New York City on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old actress - who confirmed last month that she is expecting her third child - wore a $1300 two-tone puffer jacket with a detachable hood by Rachel Comey.

Danes stylishly wore her cell phone on a long strap over her coat crossbody and finished off her look with black leggings, and black sneakers.

The Romeo + Juliet star wore her blonde shoulder-length tresses tucked under a navy hat and appeared to go makeup free for her day out.

Two weeks ago, the New York City native appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and revealed how her sons reacted when they found out she was pregnant.

Family time: Pregnant Claire Danes, 43, bundled up for warmth as she stepped out for a quick shopping trip in New York City on Wednesday

Covering her bump: Danes wore $1300 long puffer jacket by Rachel Comey, with black leggings, and black sneakers

The My So-Called Life alum said her older son Cyrus, ten, 'was sort of resigned to it,' as she joked about her four-year-old: 'I mean, the worst has already happened  his name is Rowan.'

The award-winning actress noted, 'But Rowan has more to lose, like, he has more at stake. And he was categorically opposed to the idea.'

She continued playfully, 'He said, "Yeah, no no no, I don't like it. I like peace, Mama." I was like, that's rich because that dude does not shut up.'

The blonde beauty shared that the youngster also made a cute suggestion as he told her, 'When it comes out of your tummy, we'll give it to a family that doesn't have a baby because we're done.'

The Fleishman is in Trouble star was able to sway Rowan by explaining his future role as a big brother.

'He was less than thrilled but then we talked about how when the baby comes out, it's going to be pretty dumb [and] doesn't know a lot, [and will] need assistance and some educating.'

She went on, 'That was interesting to him. He liked the idea of being a condescending presence. So, now he's a little more optimistic.'

Earlier this month, she shared that she and her husband, Hugh Dancy, 47, whom she married in 2009, were expecting a third child.

East coast winter style: Danes wore her blonde shoulder-length tresses tucked under a navy hat and wore her cell phone on a long strap over crossbody

Story time: Danes stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon two weeks ago and shared how her sons reacted when they found out she's pregnant

The My So-Called Life alum said her older son Cyrus, ten, 'was sort of resigned to it,' as she joked about her four-year-old: 'I mean, the worst has already happened  his name is Rowan'

Then, at the Golden Globes, she debuted her tiny baby bump in a plunging white Giambattista Valli gown with a pink bow and a fringe hem.

Claire and Hugh met on the 2006 set of Lajos Koltai's Evening, in which they portrayed love interests.

The couple just celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in September.

In 2012, while on the set of Homeland, Claire opened up to People about motherhood after welcoming her first son Cyrus saying, 'Motherhood is amazing.'

She added, 'He's a real set baby. It's really sweet. He loves the [show's operations room] because of all the lights. It's a great environment for a kid. It's the circus!'

Last month, Danes looked incredible as ever as she hit the red carpet at the 80th Golden Globes Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

While posing outside the awards show, the three-time Emmy winner revealed that her third pregnancy was 'not so expected.'

'Mama mode is all right. This one was - not so expected - but we're thrilled, and here we go!' Claire told ET's Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner.

Life update: Earlier this month she shared the news that she and husband Hugh Dancy, who she married in 2009, were expecting a third child and she debuted her small baby bump at the Golden Globes

Danes told ET's Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner: 'It's wonderful, I'm in the second trimester, which is the more forgiving chapter. So, I'm grateful were out of the nausea phase'

Baby No. 3! The native New Yorker already has two sons - Cyrus Michael Christopher, 10; and Rowan, 4 - from her 13-year marriage to Emmy nominee Hugh Dancy (R, pictured November 7)

Nominated: Claire was nominated in the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, or TV Movie category for her role as Rachel Fleishman in Fleishman Is in Trouble; Pictured with co-star Jesse Eisenberg in a still from the show

'It's wonderful, I'm in the second trimester, which is the more forgiving chapter. So, I'm grateful we're out of the nausea phase.'

Danes already has two sons - Cyrus Michael Christopher, 10; and Rowan, 4 - from her 13-year marriage to Emmy nominee Hugh Dancy.

Claire was nominated as a supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie category for her role as Rachel Fleishman in Fleishman Is in Trouble.

Claire lost the award to Jennifer Coolidge from The White Lotus.

Danes has been nominated six times prior and has won four Golden Globes.

Lovebirds: Claire and Hugh met on the 2006 set of Lajos Koltai's Evening, in which they portrayed love interests; pictured in 2018

Since wrapping the hit espionage thriller series Homeland in 2020, Danes continued with television work, first starring alongside Tom Hiddleston in The Essex Serpent, which premiered on Apple TV+ in May.

The gothic romance period drama miniseries, consisting of six episodes, told the story of London widow Cora Seaborne (Danes), who moves to Essex to investigate reports of a mythical serpent.

She forms a surprising bond of science and skepticism with the local pastor (Hiddleston), but locals accuse her of attracting the creature when tragedy strikes.

From there, Danes started work on Fleishman Is In Trouble, which is based on the 2019 novel of the same name, with co-stars Lizzy Kaplan and Jesse Eisenberg.

The storyline focuses on Toby Fleishman, a recently divorced forty-something-year-old man immersed in the app-based dating world.

But as he finds successes he never saw in his youth, his ex-wife Rachel (Danes) disappears without a trace, leaving him with only his kids.
People from all over the world are descending on Brazil ahead of Carnival, which kicks off on Friday.

Meant to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Lent, Carnival will being happening all over Brazil, but the festivities in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia are considered by far to be the largest.

Hyped up for this year's celebration, Brazilian fashion model Izabel Goulart took to her Instagram page on Wednesday and posted several photos of a video, where she showcases her amazingly toned 5ft10.5in statuesque figure in a unique bikini, from the Copacabana Palace, a luxury hotel facing the beach in Rio de Janeiro.

'Ready for Carnaval!!!' Goulart (born Maria Izabel Goulart Dourado), 38, began in the caption of the three sexy snaps, before sharing a message in Portuguese, which translates to: 'Happy to be in Brazil as Queen Of Cup Ball and Camarote Brahma @camaroten1 #100docopa #theartofbelmond.'

Looking like a fine-detailed piece of art, the bikini top appeared to used shells to cover her breasts, along with brass-like bars surrounding each of them.

That brass-like material and its incredibly intricate detail was again used in between the two shell cups and the bikini bottoms, which also had to thin chain hanging from both sides of her hips.

While posing in the two-piece that had the look of a top-notch costume in an epic Hollywood film, Goulart ran her hands through her long brown locks while flashing a seductive stare towards the camera in the cover photo.

She would also stick her right leg pointed off to the side and her over her forehead for another picture, only this one had a purple back drop.

For the last of the three photos, she turned around and put her derriere on display, which revealed how small shells were used for the entire back portion of the bottoms, as well as another thin chain that went around her waist.

In keeping with the golden-crass color scheme, she also wore large cuffs, resembling something Wonder Woman would wear in the films and comics, that covered much of her forearms, had a top design like a sword handle covered much of her forearms.

The booty-forward pose also highlighted how her long brown locks were pulled back off of her face and into a ponytail.

Later on Wednesday, the native of Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil would give her admirers a more realistic look at the unique bikini and her tanned and ripped figure in a video.

With the pumping beats of Rosalia's (born Rosalia Vila Tobella) song Cuuuuuuuuuute playing in the post, Goulart dropped move after move, where she looked more like a dancer than a model, in her revealing ensemble.

'The countdown is On,' she captioned the clip, before adding, 'Vem carnaval,' which translated to 'Carnival is coming,' in English.

Ready for Carnival: Izabel Goulart, 38, showed off her amazingly toned figure while dancing in a new Instagram video, ahead of Carnival in Brazil.

Countdown! The countdown is on. Carnival is coming,' the top model declared on Instagram of the annual celebration in her home country

Epic details: Two large shells covered her breasts, while brass-like bars surrounding each of them, with another intricate deign in between

Unique: While posing and dancing, the top model revealed how the back portion of the bikini bottom was made from an assortment of small shells

The Carnival is celebrated five days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent in the Catholic calendar. At the heart of the Carnival is the samba, which is the perfect illustration of the Afro-European blend that defines Brazil culture, according to RioCarnival.org.

The exotic nature and sensuality of the samba is only enhanced by the flashy costumes of the participants. But these costumes are not chosen because of aesthetics but rather they form part of the story.

For those who truly incorporate the history and tradition, which traces back to the Carnivals origins to the European masquerades, preparations for the organized festivities, including the incredible fashion choices, can take months.

In the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Vitoria huge organized parades are led by samba schools. Those official parades are meant to be watched by the public, while minor parades allowing public participation can be found in other cities also in the southeastern region

A number of northeastern cities like Recife, Olinda, Salvador and Porto Seguro have organized groups parading through streets, and public interacts directly with them.

Rhythm, participation, and costumes vary from one region of Brazil to another.

Pumping beat: The Brazilian-born model danced for the camera to Rosalie s's song Cuuuuuuuuute as she flashed a seductive stare towards the camera
London Goheen, 25, has gone Instagram official with her new boyfriend following her split from ex, Reece Hawkins.

The American model, who shares son Stone, one, with Hawkins, shared a black and white photo of herself kissing a new man.

The couple looked very enamoured with each other as they celebrated Valentine's Day together.

The new man held a protective arm around London as she gently snuggled into him for a sweet kiss on the lips.

'Happy Valentine's Day,' she captioned the photo, before adding, 'eight years later', which seemed to reference how long they have known each other.

Model London Goheen unveiled her new boyfriend on Valentine's Day by sharing a photo of the pair snuggling together

London seems to be keeping this relationship under wraps as the mystery man has not featured on her Instagram grid or in her tagged photos.

Reece last appeared in one of her grid photos back in March, 2022, when she wished him a happy birthday with a romantic message.

London and Reece were first at the centre of split rumours mid last year.

In July, eagle-eyed fans have noticed they London has posed without her wedding ring in a string of photos posted to Instagram.

Reece visited his children in Australia in May last year, without London

The rumours were also discussed on the Outspoken podcast.

The Australian podcast noted that London had posted four photos without her ring on, and that none of them had been liked by Reece.

London also hasn't liked any of Reece's recent photos.

Reece also visited his children in Australia in May last year, without London.

The Taeuber sisters, who run the popular podcast, also speculated that London is 'trying to include her hands in every photo' to 'try and drop subliminal messages'.

The couple are proud parents to son Stone, who they welcomed in March 2021.

Reece is also father to two children with his ex-fiance Tammy Hembrow - son Wolf and daughter Saskia.
Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer says that she receives an enormous number of questions about sex from her followers.

For Valentine's Day, the OnlyFans performer posted a racy snap of herself in a red lingerie set to Instagram.

Along with the photo was a question box where she asked her followers what they wanted to hear from her.

However, the 29-year-old was shocked when most of the questions were sex related.

She shared some of the responses, which included X-rated questions like: 'Craziest place you've had sex?', 'Your peev when it comes to sex?' and 'Bad sex stories?'

Married At First Sight star Olivia Frazer says that she receives an enormous number of questions about sex from her social media followers

The reality star revealed some of the raunchy questions she's been receiving from fans

Someone else wanted to know a story about when Olivia apparently blacked out from an orgasm she had while filming MAFS.

After posting the racy questions, the blonde said: 'I think there's a theme here... I'd better do some research.'

The influencer recently revealed why she broke up with her British filmmaker boyfriend Will Mitchell - and it was sex related.

Responding to a fan question asking if they were still together, Olivia scathingly said: 'I missed having orgasms so I had to make some room in my life for someone who was going to provide them.'

The influencer recently revealed why she broke up with her British filmmaker boyfriend Will Mitchell - and it was sex related

Olivia and her ex-beau had been dating for two months and the relationship appeared to be going strong when they announced their split in December.

The couple decided to go their separate ways after spending time together in the UK.

She is now 'vowing' that she will stay single until she's thirty.

'I've made a vow to myself to stay single until I'm 30 next year,' the reality TV star said.

'I'm up for dating for fun for the next few months though. Not dating for a relationship anytime soon.'
Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger led the arrivals at the grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday night.

The actor, 43, posed with one arm wrapped around the self-help book author, 33, as they hit the red carpet with the likes of Marvel's Brie Larson and rocker Pete Wentz.

Chris voices the iconic plumber Mario in the highly-anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie, which will hit theaters on April 7.

The Jurassic World star's casting as the beloved character sparked controversy last year over the fact that he, unlike Mario, is not of Italian heritage.

For the grand opening, Chris kept it casual-cool in a tan suede jacket over a floral print button-up shirt.

Special guests: Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger led the star-studded arrivals at the grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday night

He slipped on some skinny black trousers to complete the look.

Meanwhile, Katherine cut a stylish figure by layering a dark denim shirt over a plain white tee.

Matching with her husband, she threw on some black pants of her own.

Katherine's cropped brunette hair was curled and she had a noticeably radiant complexion.

The loved-up duo wed in 2019 and have since welcomed two children together: daughter Lyla Maria, two, and eight-month-old Eloise Christina.

Brie Larson beamed for shutterbugs while rocking a pink blouse tucked into a pair of retro flared jeans.

The Captain Marvel star, 33, stepped along the red carpet in black leather shoes with brown soles.

Larson's silky blonde fell down her chest in curls and she opted for a natural makeup look.

Loved-up: The actor, 43, posed with one arm wrapped around the self-help book author, 33, as they posed on the red carpet with the likes of Marvel's Brie Larson and rocker Pete Wentz

Casual-cool: For the grand opening, Chris kept it casual-cool in a tan suede jacket over a floral print button-up shirt

Stylish: Brie Larson beamed for shutterbugs while rocking a pink blouse

Retro: Her shirt was tucked into a pair of retro flared jeans that she cinched in with a brown leather belt. The Captain Marvel star, 33, stepped along the red carpet in black leather shoes with brown soles

Larson's silky blonde fell down her chest in curls and she opted for a natural makeup look

Night out: Keegan-Michael Key sported a fitted gray blazer styled with dark wash jeans and bright white sneakers for the event. The comedian/actor, 51, was joined by his longtime wife Elle Key

Key looked to be having a blast as he snuck in some solo shots on the red carpet

Keegan-Michael Key sported a fitted gray blazer styled with dark wash jeans and bright white sneakers for the event.

The comedian/actor, 51, was joined by his longtime wife Elle Key.

Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz looked to be in a jovial mood as he threw up a pair of peace signs during his red carpet stint.

American Idol alum Jordin Sparks proved to be a huge fangirl as she arrived in a Mario Kart sweatshirt.

She styled her merch with skinny jeans and Nike high-top sneakers.

Sparks brought along her son Dana Isaiah Thomas Jr., four, to join in on the Nintendo-theme fun.

Barbara Palvin epitomized the model off-duty look as she partook in the festivities with her longtime beau Dylan Sprouse.

The model, 29, wrapped up in a black vinyl coat worn with gray skinny jeans and a skintight black top.

The Disney Channel alum, 30, smiled beside the Hungarian beauty in a black corduroy jacket over a button-up and pants.

Lydia Hearst turned heads as she modeled a vibrant Mario-themed sweater by the luxury brand Moschino.

As a play on words, it had 'Super Moschino' scrawled across the front.

Date night: Barbara Palvin epitomized the model off-duty look as she partook in the festivities with her longtime beau Dylan Sprouse

Fashionable pair: The model, 29, wrapped up in a black vinyl coat worn with gray skinny jeans and a skintight black top. The Disney Channel alum, 30, smiled beside the Hungarian beauty in a black corduroy jacket over a button-up and pants

Peace! Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz looked to be in a jovial mood as he threw up a pair of peace signs during his red carpet stint

Super fan: American Idol alum Jordin Sparks proved to be a huge Nintendo fangirl as she arrived in a Mario Kart sweatshirt

She styled her merch with skinny jeans and Nike high-top sneakers

Fun with mom: Sparks brought along her son Dana Isaiah Thomas Jr., four, to join in on the Nintendo-theme fun

Standout: Lydia Hearst turned heads as she modeled a vibrant Mario-themed sweater by the luxury brand Moschino. As a play on words, the top had 'Super Moschino' scrawled across the front. She was joined by her husband Chris Hardwick, who sported his own Nintendo top layered under a blue plaid shirt

She was joined by her husband Chris Hardwick, who sported his own Nintendo top layered under a blue plaid shirt.

Anderson .Paak brought his undeniable swagger to the occasion by arriving in a baggy double denim look styled with large shades and a trendy bucket hat.

Legendary Nintendo game director Shigeru Miyamoto looked thrilled to see his creations come to life at Universal Studios.

Miyamoto is the man behind the Mario franchise, which is considered the most recognizable video game in the world.

He also created Donkey Kong, The Legend Of Zelda, Pikmin and Star Fox.

Miyamoto spoke to the crowd during the opening and was accompanied on stage by two Universal Studios employees dressed as Princess Peach and Luigi.

After his speech, an epic firework show took place in the sky above the theme park's newest addition.

The immersive land, which is located in the lower lot of the theme park, 'takes you into the world of Super Mario' through a variety of interactive activities.

Bowser's Challenge is a ride that allows fans to experience the popular Mario Kart video game in real life.

'Team Bowser on iconic Mario Kart courses alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Collect digital coins and throw shells to win the Golden Cup on the groundbreaking Mario Kart ride with cutting-edge technology,' reads the official ride description.

Swagger: Anderson .Paak brought his undeniable swagger to the occasion by arriving in a baggy double denim look styled with large shades and a trendy bucket hat

Legendary: Legendary Nintendo game director Shigeru Miyamoto looked thrilled to see creations come to life at Universal Studios

Mastermind: Miyamoto is the man behind the Mario franchise, which is considered the most recognizable video game in the world

Beloved characters: Miyamoto spoke to the crowd during the opening and was accompanied on stage by two Universal Studios employees dressed as Princess Peach and Luigi

Super Nintendo World will officially open to the public on Friday, February 17.

Back in June, Pratt responded to the backlash over his Mario casting as he discussed landing the role despite not being of Italian heritage with Variety.

Fans used social media to voice their skepticism and disappointment. Actor John Leguizamo, who starred in the original 1993 Mario film, called the casting 'unfortunate' and a step 'backwards.'

Many questioned how Pratt would tackle the video game character's signature dialect and if his interpretation could be off putting to Nintendo fans.

'I worked really closely with the directors and trying out a few things and landed on something that I'm really proud of,' Pratt reassured, 'and can't wait for people to see and hear.'

He clarified that it's not a live-action film and he's 'providing a voice for an animated character, and it is updated and unlike anything you've heard in the Mario world before.'

Fans got their first taste of Pratt's Mario in a trailer released in October, which revealed that the Jurassic World star utilized his regular voice for the role.

Attendees seen entering Super Nintendo World

Spectacular: After Miyamoto's speech, an epic firework show took place in the sky above the theme park's newest addition

Immersive and innovative: The immersive land, which is located in the lower lot of the Universal Studios theme park, 'takes you into the world of Super Mario' through a variety of interactive activities

Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is a ride that allows fans to experience the popular Mario Kart video game in real life

In addition to Pratt and Day, the film's cast will include Jack Black as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, and Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, among others.

Chris Meledandri, who is listed as one of the film's producers, came to Pratt's defense shortly after it was revealed he would be voicing the iconic character.

'All I can tell you is the voice that he's doing for us, and Mario, is phenomenal. Yeah I can't wait for people to hear it.'

He said that Pratt would not be saying phrases such as 'It's a-me, Mario,' noting, 'That's not the tenor of the performance throughout the film.'
Lori Harvey supported leading man boyfriend Damson Idris at the premiere for the sixth and final season of Snowfall.

The 26-year-old social media personality - who stunned during at the Tory Burch fashion show on Tuesday - joined her handsome date at the event for the FX crime series held at The Ted Mann Theater, in the basement of the Saban Building in Los Angeles, on Wednesday.

Damson, 31,was among the cast and crew on hand for the glitzy promotional event with his lady, model and entrepreneur Lori , by his side.

After initially playing it coy about their budding romance, the handsome couple, who only just went Instagram official at the beginning of 2023, weren't shy in packing on the PDA while in the spotlight in front of photographers.

There was plenty of touchy-feely going on between the two, as the cameras snapped away, and at times they sealing their red carpet show of affection by with a kiss or two.

Supporting her man: Lori Harvey, 26, showed support for her new man, Damson Idris, and attended the red carpet premiere for the sixth and final season of his crime FX series Snowfall

At one point on the red carpet, which often can have various photographers yelling out directions for the stars to pose, Idris shut it all out and gave his lady a kiss on the cheek and forehead.

Although her man was the star attraction, playing the lead role of Franklin Saint, a young drug kingpin and patriarch of The Family, Harvey is no stranger to the spotlight, considering she's been a model and founder of the skincare company, SKN by LH.

She also has been thrust in front of adoring crowds in the past being that she's the adoptive daughter of actor and comedian Steve Harvey and she recently had a high-profile relationship with actor and director Michael B. Jordan.

Harvey, 26, was the picture of elegance in a black full-length dress, which she stylishly let one side falling off her right shoulder.

Accessorizing with an assortment of bracelets on both wrists, the Memphis, Tennessee native styled her her raven tresses to just above her shoulders with sift waves, giving it an almost retro look the 1940 era.

But on this day, it was all about the new man in her life and those behind the making of Snowfall, which began its six season run in July 2017, which came just over two yars before the sudden and tragic death of co-creator John Singleton

Idris, 31, kept his lady close to the vest for a round or two of photos decked out in a black double-breasted suit with a white dress shirt, that he wore buttoned all the way to the top but without a tie.

The London, England native confirmed he and Harvey were an item when he shared romantic photos of the pair, which came about seven months after she had split from Jordan after just over a year-and-a-half together.

Pack the PDA: The new couple, who only went Instagram official in mid-January couldn't keep their hands off of each other, including a kiss or two from the British actor

Chic: Harvey, 26, was the picture of elegance in a black dress, which she let one side fall off her right shoulder

Cool cat: The London, England native, who was decked out in a double-breast suit and matching shows, actually had to meet with the late John Singleton in persona assure the filmmaker her could master the American accent, via South Central LA

Added touch: Harvey stylishly let one side of her dress fall off her right shoulder

High-profile; Harvey and Idris went Instagram official with their romance about seven months after she broke off her relationship with Hollywood leading man and director Michael B. Jordan

LOL: The couple showed off their chemistry with plenty of laughs on the red carpet

Born in Peckham, South-East London to Nigerian Parents, the actor broke into the business with several role on British television, such as Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015) and Casualty (2015).

His role as an ambitious 19-year-old drug dealer in Los Angeles in Snowfall was his big breakout as an international star.

The first season of Snowfall set in 1983 as the U.S. was on the verge of the crack cocaine epidemic  weaves together the stories of several characters whose lives will soon collide because of drugs.

In securing the main role, Idris would ultimately fly out to meet with Singleton to prove in person that he could master the American, via South Central LA, accent, which he worked on with rapper WC (born William LaShawn Calhoun Jr.).

Sadly Singleton suffered a stroke in April 2019, around the time of season three, and died just over a week later when he was taken off life support.

Flirty: Justine Skye, who regularly seen out with gal pal Hailey Bieber, had no fear when it came to putting her womanly curves in display in a black fishnet jumpsuit that left little to the imagination

Team players: The cast players at the red carpet event included the likes of Alejandro Edda, Gail Bean, Amin Joseph, Angela Lewis, Michael Hyatt, Idris, Isaiah John, Sergio Peris-Mencheta and Carter Hudson

The final season of the series kicks off during October 1986, as a brewing civil war threatens to end the Saint family. After being wiped out by former CIA officer Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), Franklin (Damson Idris) becomes desperate and is forced to rob his own blood to get ahead, according to Variety.

All the drama leads to some major decisions for Franklin that put 'everyone he loves and everything he's built at risk.'

A very pregnant Angela Lewis, who's due this summer, was also among the cast and crew on on hand for the red carpet event that also includes Alejandro Edda, Gail Bean, Amin Joseph, Michael Hyatt, Idris, Isaiah John, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Carter Hudson, along with Justin Skye.

Along with Idris, the cast also includes Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Amin Joseph, Angela Lewis, Isaiah John, Alon Aboutboul and Devyn A. Tyler, among many others.

Edgy and flirty: Justine Skye, 27,, flaunted her playful side and fab figure in a fishnet jumpsuit, black duster coat and matching heels

Life changes: Along with the end of Snowfall, Angela Lewis is also pregnant with her second child with husband J. Mallory McCree
The who's who of Sydney's social scene stepped out to attend the premiere of Last King of the Cross on Thursday night.

The series is inspired by the autobiography of nightclub owner John Ibrahim and his experiences in Sydney's once-notorious red light district, Kings Cross.

The 10-part drama will follow John's journey from early poverty to success, and will star former Home and Away actor Lincoln Younes, who will play Ibrahim.

Kyle Sandilands, 51, and fiancee Tegan Kynaston, 36, looked every inch the loved up couple on the night as they canoodled on the red carpet at the event.

The radio titan looked suave in a black tee and pants as he celebrated the night devoted to his good friend Ibrahim.

The who's who of Sydney's social scene stepped out to attend the premiere of the Last King of The Cross on Thursday night. Pictured: Kyle Sandilands and fiancee Tegan Kynaston

Kyle and Tegan looked every inch the loved-up couple as they canoodled on the red carpet at the event

At one stage, the couple stopped for a cheeky pash ahead of the night's festivities

The loved-up couple good barely keep their hands off each other

The radio titan looked suave in a black tee and pants as he celebrated the night devoted to his good friend Ibrahim. He happily stopped and chatted with fans outside the venue

Kyle pulled his look together with a stylish check blazer and box-fresh kicks, as he sauntered into the event with his stunning fiancee

Tegan was on trend in an all-pink ensemble as she clung to Kyle's arm in a figure-hugging mini dress and towering heels

The 36-year-old communications director wore her blond locks in loose waves and completed her look with a Christian Dior handbag

At one stage, the couple stopped for a cheeky pash ahead of the night's festivities.

Kyle pulled his look together with a stylish check blazer and box-fresh kicks, as he sauntered into the event with his stunning fiancee, Tegan Kynaston.

Tegan was on trend in an all-pink ensemble as she clung to Kyle's arm in a figure-hugging mini dress and towering heels

The 36-year-old communications director wore her blond locks in loose waves and completed her look with a Christian Dior handbag.

The radio shock jock and his glamorous partner were flanked by security guards as they walked in and out of the venue

Guards were on stand by as they stood a few metres away from the celebrity couple

At one stage Kyle and Tegan were spotted kissing while waiting for their driver

Elsewhere, John Ibrahim ensured all eyes were on him at the star-studded premiere as he made a grand entrance in a chic all-black ensemble.

The 54-year-old businessman commanded attention in chic tailored suit alongside long-time partner Sarah Budge, who also get the all-black memo.

Sarah turned heads in an always-fashionable little black dress and boosted her height with a pair of designer heels.

Also in attendance was lead cast member Lincoln Younes who looked equally dashing in a black shirt and tuxedo jacket with wide velvet lapels.

The 31-year-old star on the rise completed his look with classic pair of dress shoes.

Elsewhere, John Ibrahim ensured all eyes were on him at the star-studded premiere as he made a grand entrance in a chic all-black ensemble

The 54-year-old businessman commanded attention in chic tailored suit alongside long-time partner Sarah Budge, who also get the all-black memo

The 10-part drama will follow John's journey from early poverty to success, and will star former Home and Away actor Lincoln Younes, who play the former nightclub owner

Lincoln looked dashing in a black shirt and tuxedo jacket with wide velvet lapels

The 31-year-old star on the rise completed his look with classic pair of dress shoes and a silver timepiece

Lincoln's co-star Tess Haubrich stopped traffic in a daring ensemble.

The 32-year-old beauty wowed onlookers in a see-though dress in shades of brown, black and beige.

The blonde bombshell protected her modest with full coverage underwear in black and carried a fashionable clutch.

As VIPS made their way into Maali nightclub in Kings Cross, they were showered with money by dancing girls adorned in gold, who looked like extras from Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around video.

Lincoln's co-star Tess Haubrich stopped traffic in a daring ensemble.

The 32-year-old beauty wowed onlookers in a see-though dress in shades of brown, black and beige. The blonde bombshell protected her modest with full coverage underwear and carried a fashionable clutch

The Project's Hamish Macdonald looked unrecognisable as he ditched his usual suited-up appearance in favour of what appeared to be beachside attire.

The 41-year-old was all smiles as he rocked a pyjama-style shirt with abstract colours.

Osher Gunsberg also attended the event with his wife Audrey Griffen.

The ubiquitous TV host wore a black tee on the night with an eye-catching pink blazer adorned with a pocket square.

Osher completed his eye-popping look with orange framed spectacles and a cheeky grin.

Married At First Sight's Brent Vitiello also attended the event.

The Project's Hamish Macdonald looked unrecognisable as he ditched his usual suited-up appearance in favour of what appeared to be beachside attire

Osher Gunsberg also attended the event with his wife Audrey Griffen. Both pictured

The ubiquitous TV host wore a black tee on the night with an eye-catching pink blazer adorned with a pocket square

The former reality TV star stepped out with a rock 'n' roll edge, donning a black leather look shirt and jeans, which complemented his neck tattoo.

The premiere of Last King of The Cross has been a long-awaited event for Ibrahim, who has been working on the series for years.

The Last King of the Cross tells the story of Ibrahim's rise to power in the Kings Cross nightclub scene during the 90s and early 2000s.

Married At First Sight's Brent Vitiello also attended the event. The former reality TV star stepped out with a rock 'n' roll edge, donning a black leather look shirt and jeans, which complemented his neck tattoo. Brent is pictured right

Sydney influencer Sabrina Treffiletti, who boats a whopping 500k followers sparked in a glitzy silver dress which she teamed up with a white clutch

Ibrahim has praised Lincoln's performance, saying it was 'difficult to watch' some scenes and added he portrayed him 'extremely well'.

The Lebanese-born entrepreneur migrated from Tripoli to Australia with his family as a young child before securing his first nightclub at age 19.

Speaking to Stellar, Younes said that he researched the nightclub owner and even visited his home to learn more about him before filming the series.

'I'm not doing an imitation of him,' he said of the biopic.

'There's an essence I wanted to capture, the loneliness of being an immigrant, of being successful, of paving a path that hadn't been done before,' he added.

Last King of the Cross tells the story of Ibrahim's rise to power in the Kings Cross nightclub scene during the 90s and early 2000s. Pictured actor Lincoln Younes

Lincoln explained he was invited to Ibrahim's home for research so he could properly embody the role.

'You can learn a lot about a person just by being in their space. He's charismatic, he's open, he respects that I know what I'm doing. And that's all I need,' he added.

John has been dating model Sarah Budge, whom he met after buying the Potts Point building where she operated a restaurant, since 2015.

The couple welcomed their first child together in August last year.

Ibrahim has praised Lincoln's performance, saying it was 'difficult to watch' some scenes and added he portrayed him 'extremely well'

A friend of the couple confirmed Elvis' birth to Daily Mail Australia in early September and it's understood the baby arrived on August 31.

John has two other children from past relationships, including a grown-up son, Daniel, and a seven-year-old child whom he shares with his long-time friend.

The Last King of the Cross has a budget of $50million and will be streamed worldwide.
Just days after a new report that Yellowstone may end after Season 5 amid behind-the-scenes drama with Kevin Costner, one of his co-stars, Wes Bentley, admitted he has imagined what the show might be like without him.

The 44-year-old actor, who plays Jamie Dutton, the adopted son of Costner's John Dutton III, appeared at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) TV Fest.

The report last week claimed that Costner only wanted to film for 65 days for Season 5, 50 of which he wanted to film in the first half of Season 5.

However, for the second half of Season 5, Costner reportedly only wanted to film for a week, with Paramount Network reportedly rejected Costner's proposal and are now moving on to a different show starring Matthew McConaughey, though it's unclear how it will tie into Yellowstone.

While Bentley didn't specifically address the report, he did tell TV Line that he has actually considered the possibility of what the show may look like without Costner since the first season.

Drama: Just days after a new report that Yellowstone may end after Season 5 amid behind-the-scenes drama with Kevin Costner, one of his co-stars, Wes Bentley, admitted he has imagined what the show might be like without him

Wes: The 44-year-old actor, who plays Jamie Dutton, the adopted son of Costner's John Dutton III, appeared at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) TV Fest

'I thought about this in Season 1, because its always a possibility in TV, right? Were always ready to die [And John] really has got this hypnotic pull on Jamie,' Bentley said.

Bentley speculated that if Costner's John Dutton had been killed somehow in the first season, Jamie, 'would have been completely lost. Maybe part of him would be frantic trying to take care of the ranch.'

'I really do think he means what he says. He would feel that burden and maybe panic,' Bentley added.

Now, however, after his father has been elected as the governor of Montana, Jamie would feel something completely different.

'After John ran for governor and became the thing he said he hated, Jamie started to have a change of perspective,' Bentley added.

'Maybe John is not this tough guy he says he is. Maybe John doesnt have ideas. Maybe hes just another guy like the rest of them,' the actor continued.

Bentley added, 'the pedestal' Jamie put his father on is no longer there, adding, 'The deity is gone. I think thats why Jamies choosing to try to have him killed. [He realizes that his] life would be much better without him, which is a big change for Jamie.'

After the initial report from Deadline, a Paramount rep would not confirm the news in a carefully-worded statement.

Season 1: 'I thought about this in Season 1, because its always a possibility in TV, right? Were always ready to die [And John] really has got this hypnotic pull on Jamie,' Bentley said

Father and son: Bentley speculated that if Costner's John Dutton had been killed somehow in the first season, Jamie, 'would have been completely lost. Maybe part of him would be frantic trying to take care of the ranch'

Perspective: 'After John ran for governor and became the thing he said he hated, Jamie started to have a change of perspective,' Bentley added

Tough guy: 'Maybe John is not this tough guy he says he is. Maybe John doesnt have ideas. Maybe hes just another guy like the rest of them,' the actor continued

'We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope thats the case for a long time to come,' the statement began.

'Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built,' the statement continued.

'Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom wed love to partner,' the statement concluded.

The first half of Yellowstone Season 5 debuted in mid-November, with the eight-episode run concluding on New Year's Day.

A preview for the second half of Season 5 revealed it will debut in Summer 2023, though no specific premiere date was given.

The series has also spawned several current and upcoming spin-offs, including the ten-episode 1883 starring Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, which debuted in December 2021.

The second spin-off entitled 1923 - starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren - debuted in December 2022 and will wrap up its first season in late February.

The network also ordered a second season already, with another spin-off - 1944 - already in the works.

Yellowstone season 5 is available now, only on Stan in Australia.

No news: 'We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope thats the case for a long time to come,' the statement began
Brad Pitt cut a casual figure in a colourful tracksuit as he arrived on the set of his new movie Wolves in New York on Wednesday.

The actor, 59, who stars in the film alongside friend and co-producer George Clooney, 61, donned a green and grey hoodie and comfortable green and yellow tracksuit bottoms.

Brad was greeting fans before starting another day of work on the thriller.

For the Apple TV Plus movie, Brad later looked dapper as he changed into a black leather jacket, white shirt and grey trousers.

He was filming a chase scene, running through the streets of Manhattan.

Making an entrance: Brad Pitt cut a casual figure in a colourful tracksuit as he arrived on the set of his new movie Wolves in New York on Wednesday

Looking the part: The actor, 59, donned a green and grey hoodie and comfortable green and yellow tracksuit bottoms

Smiles: Brad was greeting fans before starting another day of work on the thriller

Later, he rested between camera takes and grinned and chatted with a passer-by.

The star was also seen having a drink on a bench as part of the filming for his new movie project and has been seen with Clooney as they shoot on location at night.

The film follows two lone wolf fixers - played by Pitt and Clooney - whose lives are upended when they are assigned the same job.

It was revealed last year that both Pitt and Clooney both took pay cuts to ensure the film would also get a theatrical release along with its debut on Apple TV Plus.

'It was an exciting time because it got to be one of those weird bidding wars which happen every once in a while, and it ended up being pretty extreme, and Apple came in with a really big number for Brad and I,' Clooney told Deadline last year.

'And we said wed like to take less as long as we can guarantee that we can have a theatrical release, and they said great,' Clooney added, in a reference to Apple.

Apple TV+ acquired the rights to the film after winning out on a studio bidding war between up to 10 companies that included Sony, Lionsgate, Annapurna, MGM, Universal, Warner Bros, Apple, Netflix and Amazon.

Wolves was written and directed by Jon Watts, who is best known to many fans for the Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), as well as the supernatural horror film Clown (2014) the road thriller Cop Car (2015).

Pitt and Clooney first starred together in 2001's Ocean's Eleven, reuniting in 2004's Ocean's Twelve and 2007's Ocean's Thirteen.

Pitt also had a cameo in Clooney's directorial debut, 2002's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and they starred in the Coen Brothers' 2008 film Burn After Reading.

Wrapping up: Brad toted a large neon orange coat and red bag

In action: For the Apple TV Plus movie, Brad later changed into a black leather jacket, white shirt and grey trousers

Grins: At one point, Brad appeared to be chatting to a passer-by as he took a break from filming the movie

Dapper: The star looked pensive as the cameras rolled on the film, which follows two lone wolf fixers whose lives are upended when they are assigned the same job

Off we go: For the chase scene, the actor looked purposeful as he ran through the streets of Manhattan

Camera rolling: He also sat on a bench scrolling through his phone as his co-star took a swig of a drink

They also starred in the 2012 play 8 by Dustin Lance Black that aired live on YouTube with a star-studded cast also including Kevin Bacon, Jamie Lee Curtis and more.

Pitt is also starring in an untitled Formula One film with director Joseph Kosinski, starring alongside current F1 star Lewis Hamilton.

It comes after he acted in three films in 2022- The Lost City, Bullet Train and Babylon.

Clooney acted in Ticket To Paradise last year, and while he doesn't have any other films in the works on the acting side, he is staying busy as a producer with The Boys in the Boat and Brother From Another.
The sequel to I Am Legend has been confirmed with Will Smith set to star in the film alongside Michael B. Jordan.

Producer Akiva Goldsman, 60, revealed that work has begun on the second film to the 2007 sci-fi/horror blockbuster.

The follow-up dystopian picture would see The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air star Will, 54, return to his role as Robert Neville, working to cure a zombie apocalypse in New York.

Speaking to Deadline, Hollywood producer Goldsman explained that the highly-anticipated second film will 'trace back to the original Matheson book' and return to the New York post-apocalyptic scene a 'few decades later than the first'.

Actor smith has been under the radar over the past year since his Oscars controversy, which saw him head up on stage to slap Chris Rock after he made a joke about Will's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Return: The sequel to I Am Legend has been confirmed with Will Smith set to star in the film alongside Michael B. Jordan

Co-star: It is not clear on what role Michael B. Jordan (pictured) will play in the second film, as Goldsman, who has a production company called Weed Road Pictures at Warner Bros, was keeping that part of the storyline under wraps

Return: The follow-up dystopian picture would see The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air star Will, 54, return to his role as Robert Neville, working to cure a zombie apocalypse in New York

I Am Legend 2 will be Will's first Hollywood comeback since the highly-publicised incident.

Akiva told the publication: 'We're starting with two projects that are fun and very much Warners; the sequel to I Am Legend, with Will and Michael B. Jordan, and the sequel to Constantine with Keanu Reeves that Francis Lawrence is going to direct.'

It is not clear on what role Michael B. Jordan will play in the second film, as Goldsman, who has a production company called Weed Road Pictures at Warner Bros, was keeping that part of the storyline under wraps.

He explained of the link between I Am Legend 2 and The Last Of Us, which he said he is 'obsessed with'.

'I'm obsessed with The Last Of Us, where we see the world just post-apocalypse but after a 20-30-year lapse. You see how the earth reclaims the world, and there's something beautiful in the question of, as man steps away from being the primary tenant, what happens? That will be especially visual in New York.

'I don't know if they'll climb up to the empire state building, but the possibilities are endless. We trace back to the original Matheson book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film.'

Reveal: Producer Akiva Goldsman, 60, revealed that work has begun on the second film to the 2007 sci-fi/horror blockbuster

New movie: Akiva told Deadline: 'We're starting with two projects that are fun and very much Warners; the sequel to I Am Legend, with Will and Michael B. Jordan, and the sequel to Constantine with Keanu Reeves that Francis Lawrence is going to direct'

Shocking: Actor smith has been under the radar over the past year since his Oscars controversy, which saw him head up on stage to slap Chris Rock after he made a joke about Will's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith (pictured)

He also added that the author Matheson was trying to portray that the 'man's time on the planet' as the 'dominant species' had now ended.

Goldsman said that this 'really interesting element' was something the sequel is planned to explore, adding that there will be a 'little more fidelity to the original text'.

The Francis Lawrence-directed movie centred on the story of the scientist and last human survivor of a plague.

In the film, Will's character seeks to reverse the effects of the virus by using his own immune blood.

Having been handed a ban on attending The Academy Awards for ten years, the actor, 53, has reportedly been taking matters into his own hands in the months that followed with a self-produced sequel to his 2007 film via his company Westbrook Media.

Fresh take: Goldsman also added that the author Matheson was trying to portray that the 'man's time on the planet' as the 'dominant species' had now ended

Stars: The producer also said that this 'really interesting element' was something the sequel is planned to explore, adding that there will be a 'little more fidelity to the original text (Will is pictured holding his daughter Willow Smith as Marley and Salli Richardson as Zoe in first film)

Story: The Francis Lawrence-directed movie centred on the story of the scientist and last human survivor of a plague. In the film, Will's character seeks to reverse the effects of the virus by using his own immune blood

In June last year, sources claimed Oscar-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, who adapted Richard Matheson's 1954 novel into the first film, was planning on including Richard's character in the script.

An insider told The Sun in June last year: 'The script is being written mentioning his character and as yet Will remains attached to the project.

'The concept is still to be signed off by Warner Brothers, but there has been no indication that Will is off the project.

'Obviously he is the producer of the film and his production company is in charge while the development continues. And Will himself is undergoing therapy and taking time away from the limelight.'
Chloe Sims has showcased her slender physique on her morning coffee run wearing tiny yellow shorts as she settles right into the Miami lifestyle.

The former TOWIE star, 41, has recently set up home in Florida after leaving Essex for a brand new life across the pond.

And it looks as though she's adapted just fine as she headed out to get an iced coffee at her local Starbucks while donning a casual yellow co-ord.

Showing off her unmissable toned abs and slim pins, Chloe opted for a light cropped t-shirt and comfortable cotton shorts.

She slipped her feet into a pair of white socks and furry Ugg house slippers as she quickly nipped out in the morning to start her day off with a kick of caffeine.

American dream: Chloe Sims has showcased her slender physique on her morning coffee run wearing tiny yellow shorts as she settles right into the Miami lifestyle

Settling in nicely: The former TOWIE star, 41, has recently set up home in Florida after leaving Essex for a brand new life across the pond. And it looks as though she's adapted just fine as she headed out to get an iced coffee at her local Starbucks while donning a casual yellow co-ord

Looking relaxed as she left the coffee house in Miami Beach, Florida, Chloe wore a natural palette of makeup with a flushed colour to her cheeks and a glossy nude lip.

Her lengthy caramel tresses were poker straight and cascaded over her shoulders as she walked back to her car.

It comes after an insider revealed that Chloe and her sibilings have been paid a six-figure sum for their show, according to The Sun.

'House of Sims' - the show featuring Chloe, her two sisters Frankie, 27, Demi, 26, and brother Charlie, 30 - has already netted the family 500,000 before it has even aired.

In addition, the show has already been renewed for two more seasons.

An insider told the publication: 'OnlyFans TV bosses hugely believe in Chloe and her sisters Frankie, Demi, and their brother Charlie.

'They've got loads of cash to splash on talent, and understood the family are bringing their own fanbase along with them from years of being on TOWIE.

Morning routine: Showing off her unmissable toned abs and slim pins, Chloe slipped her feet into a pair of white socks and furry Ugg house slippers as she quickly nipped out in the morning to start her day off with a kick of caffeine

The family seemed to be enjoying the time of their life as they relocated to Los Angeles, although the move being a 'huge adjustment'.

The insider added: 'The girls are also loving life in LA and are mingling with US stars, but it is a huge adjustment and there's been loads of drama to keep viewers entertained.'

Although it wasn't her initial plan, it appears that Chloe would rather put her roots in US and make it her permanent home.

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'.

Money maker: It comes after an insider revealed that Chloe and her sibilings have been paid a six-figure sum for their show, according to The Sun

Family affair: 'House of Sims' - the show featuring Chloe, her two sisters Frankie, 27, Demi, 26, and brother Charlie, 30 - has already netted the family 500,000 before it has even aired

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 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 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.
David Guetta and his girlfriend Jessica Ledon shut down recent split rumours as they enjoyed a beach day together in Miami, on Wednesday.

The shirtless DJ, 55, displayed his ripped physique as he and his bikini-clad bea, 31, soaked up the sunshine together, during their stay at 5-star hotel The Setai in South Beach.

Guetta wore a pair of black board shorts over Calvin Klein underwear, while Cuban actress Jessica showcased her phenomenal frame in a pink thong swimwear set.

In October it was reported that David and Jessica ended their relationship - but the sizzling new photographs of them show that, if there was indeed a split, they are clearly back together.

The couple had previously not been pictured together since they attended the Grammy Awards in April 2022.

Shirtless star! David Guetta, 55, and his girlfriend Jessica Ledon, 31, shut down recent split rumours as they enjoyed a beach day together in Miami, on Wednesday

Sensational: Guetta wore a pair of black board shorts over Calvin Klein underwear, while Cuban actress Jessica showcased her phenomenal frame in a pink thong swimwear set

Famous friends: David and Jessica were joined in Miami by Dutch DJ Afrojack, 35 - whose real name is Nick Leonardus van de Wall - and his Italian heiress wife Elettra Lamborghini, 28

David and Jessica were joined in Miami by Dutch DJ Afrojack, 35 - whose real name is Nick Leonardus van de Wall - and his Italian heiress wife Elettra Lamborghini, 28.

Afrojack opted for a tropical coloured pair of Vilebrequin swim trunks while Elettra flaunted her enviable curves in a skimpy brown Fendi bikini.

Elettra is the granddaughter of Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of luxury car brand Lamborghini, and is an Italian television personality and socialite.

She began her career in reality television at age 22, and ventured into music in early 2018 with her debut single Pem Pem, which reached number six on the Italian chart.

Elettra went on to release her first album Twerking Queen in June 2019, and in the same year she appeared as a judge on the sixth edition of The Voice of Italy.

After announcing their engagement in 2019 following 18-months of dating, the social media influencer tied the knot with Afrojack in 2020 in a lavish Lake Como wedding.

Meanwhile, David Guetta and Jessica's beach day comes four months after it was reported that the couple had gone their separate ways.

The DJ and the actress are said to have called time on their seven-year romance as their busy schedules and travel commitments meant their lifestyles were no longer 'compatible.'

A source told The Sun at the time that David residing in Ibiza for the summer for his residency while Jess lived in the States put pressure on their relationship.

They explained: 'David had grown apart from Jess and their lifestyles just weren't compatible anymore.

'They have so much history together that all of us around them thought they were made for each other but it hasn't worked out that way.'

However, even then, there was reportedly remained some hope that David and Jessica would rekindle their romance one day - which now appears to be the case

The insider explained: 'They haven't completely cut contact so some of us are hoping they will patch things up, but he isn't letting himself get hung up about things.'

DJ lifestyle: David Guetta and Afrojack were taking a well earned rest from their late-night DJ sets around the globe

Teamwork: David helped to cover Jessica's sunlounger in towels as she stripped down to her stunning pink bikini

Together: In October it was reported that David and Jessica ended their relationship - but the new photographs of them show that, if there was indeed a split, they are clearly back together

Power couple: Afrojack opted for a tropical coloured pair of Vilebrequin swim trunks while Elettra flaunted her enviable curves in a skimpy brown Fendi bikini

Fun with friends: Three of group covered up with T-shirts while Elettra opted for a striped maxi shirt dress as they strolled along the beach together

Oh my! Elettra is the granddaughter of Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of luxury car brand Lamborghini, and is an Italian television personality and socialite

Fun times: The four friends appeared to be in great spirits as they chatted during the outing

Married couple: After announcing their engagement in 2019 following 18-months of dating, the social media influencer tied the knot with Afrojack in 2020 in a lavish Lake Como wedding

Last photo: David Guetta and Jessica had previously not been pictured together since they attended the Grammy Awards in April 2022 (pictured)

The couple began dating in 2015, and in 2021, it was reported that David had given the brunette beauty a promise ring in lieu of an engagement ring, as he 'no longer believes in marriage'.

Say My Name hitmaker David presented the special piece of jewellery to Jessica in 2017 to signify his 'love and commitment'.

David and his ex-wife Cathy had been married from 1992 until they decided to part ways 22-years later in 2014; she had been an important business collaborator throughout the DJ's career.

The pair parted amicably and raise their son Elvis, 19, and their daughter Angie, 15, together.
Max George and Maisie Smith have suffered backlash over 'inappropriate' Instagram snaps they posted while staying at the Lee Marston Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire.

The couple shared pictures of a rose-filled room on Valentine's Day including the lavish gifts Max, 34, had bought Maisie, 21, such as Louboutin heels and a teddy.

But some fans were not very impressed after spotting a Balenciaga gift bag placed on their bed, amid the current controversy surrounding the brand.

The fashion house recently sparked outrage among consumers over its use of children in a campaign for BDSM-styled bags and its inclusion of a legal ruling on child porn in the background of another image.

'Whos still buying Balenciaga after all whats come out,' questioned one follower on Maisie's post.

'A lot of famous people supporting the wronguns of the world': Maisie Smith, 21, and Max George, 34, have suffered backlash over 'inappropriate' Valentine's Day snaps

Not happy: Some fans were not very impressed after spotting a Balenciaga gift bag placed on their bed, amid the current controversy surrounding the brand

Another echoed: 'Balenciaga really?? What chance do we have if people with your two platforms are sharing this!'

'Wow you really still buy and wear Balenciaga??' added another to the wave of comments.

Last week, Balenciaga's creative director Demna broke 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-fuelled 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.

'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.

Upsetting: Two scandals erupted in December - first was the Balenciaga shoot involving young kids clutching bondage-themed teddy bear bags on sets that resembled booze-fuelled parties

Shocking: 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.

Speaking out: Balenciaga creative director Demna maintains he has no idea how child porn documents ended up on one of his fashion shoots

Controversial: This is the July ad campaign which featured the printout of the SCOTUS child porn ruling

'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.

Why? Actress Anna Lynne McCord protesting outside the Balenciaga store on Rodeo Drive

All over? Some consumers boycotted the brand, burning their expensive goods in protest

'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.

Nothing to say: Maisie and Max have not yet responded to the furore

Lady in red: Maisie also shared a picture of a pair of bright red heels for the occasion to match the rest of the room

'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.

Opinionated: Many followers took to the comment section to share their distaste at Max's choice of gift - amid the current controversy surrounding Balenciaga

The brand announced it was partnering with the National Children's Alliance earlier this month, 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 counsellors. Max and Maisie have not responded to the furore.

In further snaps, Max lay with his arm around Maisie as she she cuddled into him, before he planted a kiss on her head.

Sharing an insight into their Valentine's celebrations, the pair appear to have got a hotel room, decorating the bed with an abundance of rose petals.

Enjoying a sweet treat, the pair tucked into ice cream and strawberries waiting for them too as they prepared for a relaxing night.

Max wrote: 'A day Ill never forget Happy Valentines Day my beautiful girl. I love you ,'

Maisie commented that she was a 'lucky, lucky girl', dubbing her boyfriend 'Mr Lover Man' on her own account.
Catherine Tyldesley took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to praise her 'hero' husband Tom Pitfield for getting a vasectomy.

The former Coronation Street star, 39, shared a hilarious mirror selfie taken by the photographer, 35, where he pulled a worried expression before the surgery.

He had written in his original post, 'I hope they've turned the heating up [scissors and aubergine emojis],' while she added, 'My hero! Taking one for the team today! [laughing and scissors emojis].'

Catherine shares daughter Iris, 10 months, with the co-founder of Brood magazine as well as their son Alfie, seven.

A vasectomy, or male sterilisation, is a procedure to cut the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy without further contraception.

'Taking one for the team!' Catherine Tyldesley took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to praise her 'hero' husband Tom Pitfield for getting a vasectomy

The procedure is only usually carried out on older men, and surgeons are often reluctant to carry it out on people under 30 in case they regret it later.

It can usually be done under local anaesthetic and takes about 15 minutes, according to the NHS.

Catherine announced the birth of her daughter with husband of five years, Tom, in April last year.

The actress announced she was expecting her second child in October last year.

Telling her fans of the happy news of her daughter's birth in April, Catherine wrote on Instagram: ''We are so happy to announce that our beautiful daughter has arrived.

'We are grateful beyond words and feel overjoyed that our family is complete.'

Catherine and Tom had a whirlwind romance, and after only four months of dating discovered they were expecting their son Alfie.

Couple: Catherine recently shared a selfie with Tom to her Instagram

Speaking to Notebook magazine, the actress said that meeting Tom 'was so, so out of the blue. I'm dead lucky. He ticks every box'.

Of their surprise pregnancy, she admitted 'it was a shock for us but we were both ready. The fact that I wasn't nervous about telling him proved a point in my head that he was the right guy for me.'

What is a vasectomy and what are the risks? A vasectomy, or male sterilisation, is a procedure to cut the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy without further contraception. It can usually be done under local anaesthetic and takes about 15 minutes, according to the NHS. The procedure is only usually carried out on older men, and surgeons are often reluctant to carry it out on people under 30 in case they regret it later. The NHS lists possible complications as being a collection of blood inside the scrotum (haematoma), hard lumps called sperm granulomas (caused by sperm leaking from the tubes) or an infection. Long-term testicle pain is another possible complication, which may need further surgery to deal with. The percentage of men who experience this pain is debated, with different figures cited by various sources. Advertisement

Catherine took to Instagram last week to share an adorable snap of herself posing with Iris after putting up her Christmas decorations.

The mother-daughter duo could be seen posing in front of the tree, with Catherine captioning her post: 'Christmas always comes early at our house! Why not?!?! The house looks fabulous- were ready for you Santa!!'

It comes after Catherine kicked back and relaxed after a jam-packed holiday to a mystery sun-soaked location with her family.

She shared an array of snaps from her baby girl's first family holiday, as well as some relatable 'truth bombs' alongside her picture-perfect snaps.

The actress posted multiple photos and videos taken during their getaway, and joked that she has 'not washed her hair 'since 1942'.

In one sweet clip, Iris could be seen climbing between her mother's legs, while Catherine pulled up the length of her skirt for the baby in a peek-a-boo style.

She also included a heartwarming photograph of her son Alfie leaning forward, while his baby sister reached out to touch his face as she sat in her pram.

Catherine captioned her uploads: 'First proper holiday as a four - so far so good!!!

'Truth bomb: Nobody's sleeping, I've not washed my hair since 1942, Iris keeps eating sand and I'm drinking far too much coffee and eating too many baked goods but by god I feel lucky to be making these memories. So lucky.

'They're not children for long- I plan on making it as magical as possible. Laughter is PARAMOUNT.'
Frankie Bridge has hinted that S Club Juniors could reunite.

The former popstar, 34, took to Instagram on Wednesday where she revealed that two ex-band members reached out to her after S Club 7's recent 25th anniversary reunion tour announcement.

Frankie shared a clip of herself to her Instagram Stories, in which she revealed that both Calvin Goldspink and Aaron Renfree both texted her excitedly about the possibility.

The influencer explained how they pointed out that the official S Club 7 social media accounts are following only the members of the band and the members of S Club Juniors.

Admitting that she is not currently aware of any reunion plans, Frankie added: 'But it would be fun, wouldn't it?'

OMG! Frankie Bridge, 34, has hinted that S Club Juniors could reunite as the former pop star took revealed that two ex-band members reached out to her

Tweenies: The tweeny boppers pop group were the mini-me version of S Club 7 (Pictured in 2002: (standing L-R) Daisy Evans, Jay Asforis, Frankie Sandford, Rochelle Wiseman, Stacey McClean, Calvin Goldspink, (kneeling L-R) Aaron Renfree, Hannah Richings)

Excited! Frankie shared a clip of herself to her Instagram Stories, in which she revealed that both Calvin Goldspink and Aaron Renfree both texted her excitedly about the possibility

The tweeny boppers pop group, which formed in 2001, was the mini-me version of S Club 7, and forged a huge fanbase of their own during their heyday before splitting in 2004.

Frankie began her video upload singing: 'S Club, ain't no part like an S Club party' before cutting off and quipping: 'Oh - reunion!'

The Loose Women panelist continued: So bl**dy excited. Just feel like my whole childhood is just coming and flashing back.

'The Brits happened and everybody I know was texting me like, ''Oh my god, S Club 7 are getting back together - are S Club Juniors getting back together?''

'And then Calvin and Aaron both text me being like, ''Oh my god, have you seen S Club 7 are literally only following S Club Juniors - everyone from S Club Juniors?''

'Everyone is asking if we are getting back together, as far as I know we are not, but it would be fun, wouldnt it?'

Frankie, Calvin and Aaron starred in S Club Juniors alongside Stacey Franks (nee McClean) and Jay Asforis, Daisy Evans, Stacey McClean, and Hannah Richings,

The 8-piece group also included Rochelle Humes, who went on to be part of now-defunct girl band The Saturdays alongside Frankie.

It appears Stacey is keen for a reunion as she re-tweeted one fan who penned: 'If S Club 7 could get as many of the S Club Juniors as they can to support them on tour I would actually die.'

But it's unclear if Rochelle would be up for completing the original S Club Juniors line-up, because in 2021, she revealed a The Saturdays reunion was off the cards as it 'wouldn't work' for her.

Uh-oh: But it's unclear if Rochelle Humes would be up for an S Club Juniors reunion, because in 2021, she revealed a The Saturdays reunion was off the cards as it 'wouldn't work' for her

Throwback: Frankie and Rochelle starred in S Club Juniors and girl band The Saturdays (Pictured with The Saturdays bandmates Una Healthy, Vanessa White and Mollie King in 2009)

The TV personality candidly revealed that her priorities have changed now that she's a mother, telling The Sun she no longer works weekends as 'they are for my kids.'

Rochelle explained: 'Everything has to fit around them. Even thinking about the band reunion, it wouldn't work for my life now as my priorities are them.

'For half-term, I took two weeks off and everybody still tried to call me, but I was like: "No, I'm not working." I'm not on my phone and I'm really present for them.'

The star - who has daughters Alaia-Mai, nine, and Valentina, five, and two-year-old son Blake with JLS star Marvin - said life in the girl group is 'a time in my life that feels so long ago.'

The possibility of S Club Juniors reuniting comes after S Club 7 announced they are reuniting to go on tour for their 25th anniversary.

All seven members of the popular band - Bradley, Hannah, Jo, Jon, Paul, Rachel, and Tina  will come together for an 11-date arena tour across the UK and Ireland.

Speaking on coming back together, the band said: 'After eight years it feels amazing to announce that we're reuniting and performing together again.

'We're so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can't even believe it's been so long!

Back! It comes after S Club 7 announced they are reuniting for a special 25th anniversary tour

Reunion: All seven members of the popular band - Bradley, Hannah, Jo, Jon, Paul, Rachel, and Tina  will come together for an 11-date arena tour across the UK and Ireland

'Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we've ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party!'

Collectively, S Club 7 amassed four UK number one singles with Bring It All Back, Never Had a Dream Come True, Dont Stop Movin, and Have You Ever, as well as the UK number one album 7.

They recorded 4 studio albums, released 11 singles that all entered the Top 5 UK charts, and went on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide.

Tickets for S Club 7 Reunited go on sale at 10:00am GMT on Friday 17th February via www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Tickets for Ireland will be available via www.ticketmaster.ie.
She's known for her ultra-chic cool style.

And Nadia Bartel made elegance looked effortless on Thursday when she was spotted on her way out to the hairdressers.

The former AFL WAG, 37, strode confidently down a Melbourne street rocking a figure-flattering all-black ensemble.

Nadia opted for a snug black T-shirt for a top, and matched it with a long skirt that made the most of her sensational figure.

Nadia completed the look with a pair of black open-toe strap-on sandals, and a large black shoulder bag which she slung over one shoulder.

She's known for her ultra-chic cool style. And Nadia Bartel made elegance looked effortless on Thursday when she was spotted on her way out to the hairdressers. Pictured

The former AFL WAG, 37, strode confidently down a Melbourne street rocking a figure-flattering all-black ensemble. Nadia opted for a snug black T-shirt for a top, and matched it with a long skirt that made the most of her sensational figure

The brunette wore her long locks out and styled it with a side part.

Nadia chose a warm makeup look featuring a soft pink lipstick and accessorised with a pair of stylish oval shaped brown sunglasses.

It comes after Nadia went Instagram official with her new boyfriend Peter Dugmore in December, following their romantic getaway in Byron Bay and Sydney.

The pair, who were first spotted together in January last year, confirmed their romance in a hot-and-heavy photo shared to her IG Stories.

In the image, Nadia placed her hands in Peter's lap as they enjoyed a dinner date.

Nadia completed the look with a pair of black open-toe strap-on sandals, and a large black shoulder bag which she slung over one shoulder

It comes after Nadia went Instagram official with her new boyfriend Peter Dugmore in December, following their romantic getaway in Byron Bay and Sydney

She leaned in close to her man, giggling coquettishly as the couple shared a tender moment.

It was the first time Nadia had confirmed their romance despite months of rumours the pair were secretly dating.

She was previously married to AFL great Jimmy Bartel, who is the father of her two sons, Aston and Henley.

Jimmy is now expecting a third child with his new partner Amelia Shepperd.
Kyle Sandilands has made a shocking statement about his upcoming wedding to his fiancee Tegan Kynaston, revealing there will be 'no ugly people' attending the highly anticipated event.

The couple, who got engaged in January last year, are all set to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony on April 29 that promises to be one of the most talked about events of the year.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, the radio titan, 51, revealed that only a number of close friends and family will be attending the wedding.

'I haven't even got cousins coming, I've only invited 130 people,' he explained.

Kyle Sandilands has made a shocking statement about his upcoming wedding to his fiancee Tegan Kynaston, revealing there will be 'no ugly people' attending the highly anticipated event. Both pictured

Despite giving away tickets to his wedding with ex-wife Tamara Jaber on radio, Kyle said there was no chance he will be handing out invites this time round.

'I would've loved to [have a lotto giveaway], but Tegan said no. It's just going to be close friends and family,' he said.

'It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite.

Kyle went on to explain he was adamant the couple's special day remained special, with 'no ugly people' allowed.

'There might be a couple of old fogies there, but that's it,' he laughed.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, the radio titan, 51, revealed that only a number of close friends and family will be attending the wedding. Pictured at the Sydney premiere of Last King of the Cross

'I haven't even got cousins coming, I've only invited 130 people,' he explained

Despite giving away tickets to his wedding with ex wife Tamara Jaber on radio, Kyle said there was no chance he will be handing out invites this time round

'It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite. Kyle went on to explain he was adamant the couple's special day remained special, with 'no ugly people' allowed

Sandilands went on to reveal where he and Kynaston will be spending their honeymoon.

The couple will be jetting off to the South of France with his radio co-host Jackie O Henderson.

'Unfortunately, I'm still gonna be working, so I'll be doing the radio show from the South of France as well,' he said.

'I'll get two weeks off from work, but I'll do one week of it [from the South of France] and Jackie's gonna come'.
Kate Moss and her daughter Lila were among those in attendance for a star-studded memorial service in honour of the late designer Vivienne Westwood.

The iconic supermodel, 49, paid homage to the fashion icon with a chic black floral shirt dress as she arrived for the occasion at Southwark Cathedral.

Joining Kate was her model daughter, who was bundled up in a chunky black hooded coat and heeled boots as she chatted to guests alongside her mother.

Victoria Beckham, Lily Cole, Lady Amelia Windsor, Katherine Jenkins, Helena Bonham Carter and Elle Fanning were among the biggest names seen arriving to the service.

Vivienne died in December at the age of 81 'peacefully, and surrounded by her family' in London's Clapham, her representative said.

Grand arrival: Kate Moss, 49, cut a stylish figure in a floral black satin shirt dress as she attended a star-studded memorial service for Vivienne Westwood on Thursday

Chic: The model was joined by her daughter Lila, 20, who was bundled up in a thick black coat with stiletto boots

Glam: Kate showed off her model physique in a funky black shirt dress with a red rose print, teamed with tights and matching platform heels

Kate showed off her model physique in a black shirt dress with a red rose print, teamed with tights and matching platform heels.

The fashion icon wrapped up in a smart velvet jacket and matching beret as she made her way into the Cathedral.

Lila was sporting a similarly muted ensemble with opaque tights as she arrived with her famous mother.

The occasion was an opportunity for many stars to pay tribute to Vivienne, after her funeral was held privately earlier this month.

Vivienne's passing was announced back in December, after she died 'peacefully' at the age of 81.

In a statement, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.

'We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.

The statement from her representatives added: 'Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better.

Standing out: Kate showed off her model physique in a black shirt dress with a red rose print, teamed with tights and matching platform heels

Fond farewell: Victoria Beckham, Lily Cole , Lady Amelia Windsor , Katherine Jenkins, Helena Bonham Carter and Elle Fanning were among the biggest names seen arriving to the service

Chic: The fashion icon wrapped up in a smart velvet jacket and matching beret as she made her way into the Cathedral

Smart: Lila was sporting a similarly muted ensemble with opaque tights as she arrived with her famous mother

Chatting away: Kate was seen speaking to some of those in attendance for the memorial service, following the designer's death in December

Dressed up: Kate, who recently launched her own wellness brand, opted for a black beret with silver studded detailing

Old friends: Kate gave Bob Geldof a hug as they arrived for the memorial service

Pals: The supermodel looked delighted to see him as they embraced

Friendly: Kate and Bob shared a cheeky kiss as a warm greeting

He's got style: Bob rocked a three piece suit and suede trench coat to the memorial

'She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.'

It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism'.

Dame Vivienne, who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations.

Her designs were regularly worn by high-profile individuals including Dita Von Teese who wore a purple Westwood wedding gown to marry Marilyn Manson, and Princess Eugenie who wore three Westwood designs for various elements of the wedding of William and Kate Middleton.

Dame Vivienne's designs also featured in the 2008 film adaptation of Sex And The City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.

As the self-styled queen of punk, she always injected controversy into the fashion industry with her risque creations.

The designer was largely responsible for anti-establishment punk fashion and became known for her subversive and eccentric take on traditional British style.

She and Malcolm McLaren, one-time manager of punk band the Sex Pistols, opened a shop called Let It Rock - also known as Sex - in the early 1970s where she began selling her outrageous outfits.

The punk style included bondage gear, safety pins, razor blades, bicycle or lavatory chains and spiked dog collars.

Some of her best-known creations include the Mini Crini, bustle-skirts, bondage trousers and 12-inch platform shoes, the type which famously tripped up supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Bold: Many of the stars in attendance paid tribute to Vivienne's iconic punk roots with their modern and edgy outfits

Outing: As she waited to head into the Cathedral, Kate was seen chatting to some of the guests in attendance

Legend: Vivienne's passing was announced back in December, after she died 'peacefully' at the age of 81

Pals: Kate leaned in to embrace one of the mourners as she made her way into the Cathedral

Good spirits: Despite the sombre occasion, Kate was still in good spirits as she arrived for the memorial, which came after Vivienne's private funeral took place earlier this month

Iconic: Vivienne was largely responsible for anti-establishment punk fashion and became known for her subversive and eccentric take on traditional British style (pictured in 2021)

She developed the idea of underwear as outerwear - and Madonna's legendary conical bra worn on her Blonde Ambition tour, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, would probably never have happened if not for Westwood.

She also transformed the corset from a symbol of female repression to one of power and sexual freedom.

After becoming a primary school teacher, she quit her job to become a seamstress of punk fashion and opened her shop on Chelsea's Kings Road with her then partner McLaren.

The Sex Pistols wore the shop's clothes to their first gig and Westwood's first runway show was presented at Olympia in London in March 1981.
Mark Wright ditched his usual flashy motors as he drove to The Corinthia in his new electric smart car on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 36, was seen parking up outside the exclusive London hotel in the compact vehicle, which retails from 22,225.

Mark reached into his grey car to grab his essentials, holding onto an AYTEE7 bag from his fitness wear brand.

He later strolled along with his laptop and phone, cutting a casual figure in an all-black ensemble as he headed inside.

Mark sported a black T-shirt paired with a dark bomber jacket, jeans and trainers.

Eco-conscious: Mark Wright ditched his usual flashy motors as he drove to The Corinthia in his new electric smart car on Thursday

New wheels: The former TOWIE star, 36, was seen parking up outside the exclusive London hotel in the compact vehicle, which retails from 22,225

Smart: Mark reached into his car to grab his essentials, holding onto an AYTEE7 bag from his fitness wear brand

The television personality, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, 35, is not the first former TOWIE star to snap up a Smart car.

Previous owners include Joey Essex and Ferne McCann as well as Mike Hassini.

The cars are better for the environment as they do not emit pollutants and are also cheaper to run.

Mark and Michelle favour the luxury lifestyle and live in a 3.5 million Essex mansion.

Having moved into the property last September, Mark and Michelle recently showed off their lavish new his and hers bathroom.

A stunning snap of the new room showed a pristine floating vanity unit in a marble finish with two gold sinks and large mirrors.

Mark also displayed his new high tech bedroom, with the couple splashing out on a bespoke bed featuring a pop up TV.

Sharing a clip on Instagram he wrote: 'One of our favourite things about our house is the view from our bedroom we're not going to block that with a tv. But we need a tv in our bedroom. Soooo Simon @clarkeinfinity came up with this fantastic idea!'

They bought the home back in October 2019 for 1.3million, and have been documenting the renovation process via Instagram.

Compact: He stood by his car as he prepared to head into one of London's most exclusive hotels with his essentials

Fancy: Mark is not the first TOWIE star to plump for a smart car (pictured), others including Joey Essex, Ferne McCann and Mike Hassini have also owned them

Mark and Michelle have been married since 2015 and together since 2012.

Mark said last year: 'If you're in love and in a happy relationship you will be happy to see each other.

'You have to learn that you've been together for a long time and not seen each other in three weeks so it's exciting at first but then it goes back to being a 10 year relationship.

'The longer you go, the more pressure there is because the longer it's been. But I was in LA and had a dinner with Piers Morgan and I told him it was hard.

'He said: "I had this with my wife and we have a three weeks rule so don't let it go past three weeks."

Mark's career continues to go from strength to strength as he last year landed himself his 'dream' role, which he is set to star in alongside his two best friends.

He hosted A Wright Old Adventure alongside his dad Mark senior and younger brother Josh.

It was also reported last year that Michelle is to take in 2.5m from her TV work, as she and husband Mark Wright are thought to be TV's richest young couple.

With an estimated combined net worth of around 12m, it's no wonder the pair are splashing the cash into their luxe 'dream home'.
Chloe Sims sent temperatures soaring as she showcased her jaw dropping figure in a skimpy black bikini while soaking up the sun in Florida on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 41, looked incredible as she took to Instagram to show off her peachy bottom in the racy strapless two-piece while running into the ocean.

She flashed her gorgeous smile while spinning around with her arms in the air while splashing in the water.

Chloe pushed her long blonde tresses back with a pair of dark sunglasses on her head and accessorised with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

The reality star ran back towards the camera beaming and tagged @VA.Clinic to the post alongside a peach emoji.

Sensational:Chloe Sims sent temperatures soaring as she showcased her jaw dropping figure in a skimpy black bikini while soaking up the sun in Florida on Thursday

Saucy: The former TOWIE star, 41, looked incredible as she took to Instagram to show off her peachy bottom in the racy strapless two-piece while running into the ocean

Chloe also left little to the imagination in a black and white snap as she teased her OnlyFans account to her 1.8 million followers.

She once again showed off her derriere in a dark thong which she teamed with a cropped tank top as she looked over her shoulder to the camera.

The TV personality pulled her long blonde tresses back from a centre parting in a ponytail which cascaded past her shoulders in loose curls.

It comes after an insider revealed that Chloe and her siblings have been paid a six-figure sum for their show.

House of Sims - the show featuring Chloe, her two sisters Frankie, 27, Demi, 26, and brother Charlie, 30 - has already netted the family 500,000 before it has even aired.

In addition, the show has already been renewed for two more seasons.

An insider told the publication: 'OnlyFans TV bosses hugely believe in Chloe and her sisters Frankie, Demi, and their brother Charlie.

'They've got loads of cash to splash on talent, and understood the family are bringing their own fanbase along with them from years of being on TOWIE.

Making a splash: Chloe flashed her gorgeous smile while spinning around with her arms in the air while splashing in the water

Looking good: Chloe pushed her long blonde tresses back with a pair of dark sunglasses on her head and accessorised with a pair of gold hoop earrings

The family seemed to be enjoying the time of their life as they relocated to Los Angeles, although the move being a 'huge adjustment'.

The insider added: 'The girls are also loving life in LA and are mingling with US stars, but it is a huge adjustment and there's been loads of drama to keep viewers entertained.'

Although it wasn't her initial plan, it appears that Chloe would rather put her roots in US and make it her permanent home.

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 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 new show is slated to be broadcast around the start of next year on the free viewing app.

It will follow the principal family The Sims as they attempt to 'go global' away from Essex and on their travels in the USA.

Beach babe: The reality star ran back towards the camera beaming and tagged @VA.Clinic to the post alongside a peach emoji
Mad Men star Christina Hendricks paid tribute to Dame Vivienne Westwood as she attended her memorial service in London on Thursday.

The actress, 47, looked incredible when she arrived at Southwark Cathedral with her cinematographer boyfriend George Bianchini, 54.

She wore a Westwood plaid velvet coat over tights and satin heels which had a bow detail on the front.

Christina brightened up her look with a slick of berry-coloured lipstick and wore her hair in loose waves before heading inside.

She has been in a relationship since November 2021. She was previously married to actor Geoffrey Arend but they split two years before she met George.

Paying respects: Christina Hendricks paid tribute to Dame Vivienne Westwood as she attended her memorial service with boyfriend George Bianchini at Southwark cathedral on Thursday

Fashion moment: She wore a plaid coat by the designer to pay her respects with a host of other celebrities

Famed fashion designer: Dame Vivienne Westwood (pictured left and right) died peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Clapham on December 29 aged 81

The couple were joined by the likes of Kate and Lila Moss, Will Young, Victoria Beckham, Helena Bonham Carter, Stormzy and Happy Mondays star Bez.

They all attended the memorial service for Dame Vivienne Westwood to celebrate the life of the pioneering fashion designer who died on December 29 aged 81.

The 'undisputed Queen of British fashion' died peacefully surrounded by her family in Clapham, South London, her fashion house revealed yesterday.

Dame Vivienne was one of the most influential British fashion designers of the 20th century, cultivating the punk rock movement with her unapologetically political designs.

As the person who dressed the Sex Pistols, Dame Vivienne was synonymous with 1970s punk rock, a rebel spirit that stuck with her throughout her career including going commando when receiving her OBE from the Queen.

Incredibly her career began when she was a primary school teacher, making jewellery and then dresses in her spare time after marrying Hoover engineer Derek Westwood. Her life changed when she met and married second husband Malcolm McLaren, with the couple finding fame with their 'Sex' boutique on the King's Road and dressing bands including the New York Dolls and then the Pistols.

And later in life her activism on climate change, opposing fracking , as well as her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange dominated her work and were all fodder for protest T-shirts or banners worn by models on the runway.

Her third husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said at the time: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.'

Screen star: Christina is best known for playing Joan Holloway in Mad Men

The statement from her representatives added: 'Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better.

'She led an amazing life.

'Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.'

It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism'.

In good company: The couple were joined by the likes of Kate and Lila Moss, Will Young, Victoria Beckham, Helena Bonham Carter, Stormzy and Happy Mondays star Bez
Kerry Washington went back in time as she sported a World War II military costume for her role in the upcoming period drama Six Triple Eight.

The actress, 46, was joined by several other co-stars as well as the film's director Tyler Perry as they shot scenes in Yorkshire on Wednesday.

The film star wrapped up in a dark green coat which she wore over a biege top, while she also sported a black cap.

The female extras all wore matching outfits for the scene along with a pair of black ankle boots.

Tyler wrapped up in a black rain coat and matching cap as he was seen strolling alongside a member of the production crew.

On location: Kerry Washington went back in time as she sported a World War II military costume for her role in the upcoming period drama Six Triple Eight

Filming: The actress, 46, was joined by several other co-stars as well as the film's director Tyler Perry as they shot scenes in Yorkshire on Wednesday

In character: The film star wrapped up in a dark green coat which she wore over a biege top, while she also sported a black cap

Six Triple Eight tells the true story of the only all-black all-female WW2 Battalion.

The 855 women who made up the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, were given the mission of sorting through a three-year backlog of undelivered mail to US service personnel.

They succeeded in half the time they were given, sorting more than 17 million pieces of mail and reconnecting American soldiers with their loved ones back home.

The mail was stored in huge hangars and a previous scene at Duxford showed Kerry standing on top of a massive stack of mail, while her colleagues marched in front of the hangar.

Six Triple Eight is being shot in the West Yorkshire city's historic Little Germany district.

Little Germany has hosted a series of major productions in recent years, including Downton Abbey, Emmerdale, Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack and ABC Murders.

The district, which was named after its large population of German merchants in the 19th century, is a conservation area known for its handsome neoclassical architecture.

Scene: The female extras all wore matching outfits for the scene along with a pair of black ankle boots

Production: Tyler wrapped up in a black rain coat and matching cap as he was seen strolling alongside a member of the production crew

Story: Six Triple Eight tells the true story of the only all-black all-female WW2 Battalion

Mission: The 855 women who made up the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, were given the mission of sorting through a three-year backlog of undelivered mail to US service personnel

Success: They succeeded in half the time they were given, sorting more than 17 million pieces of mail and reconnecting American soldiers with their loved ones back home

Film: Six Triple Eight is being shot in the West Yorkshire city's historic Little Germany district

The movie features a star-studded cast, including Susan Sarandon, Sam Waterston, Dean Norris, Gregg Sulkin, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Jay Reeves, Jeante Godlock, Moriah Brown, and Baadja-Lyne Odums.

It is Perry's fourth for Netflix, and based on an adaptation of a story written by Kevin M. Hymel for WWII History Magazine from Sovereign Media.

The Battalion was eventually tasked with sifting through 17 million mail items - which was thought to be insurmountable - in half of the timeframe they had been given.

Little Germany has hosted a series of major productions in recent years, including Downton Abbey, Emmerdale, Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack and ABC Murders

History: The district, which was named after its large population of German merchants in the 19th century, is a conservation area known for its handsome neoclassical architecture

Project: It is Perry's fourth for Netflix, and based on an adaptation of a story written by Kevin M. Hymel for WWII History Magazine from Sovereign Media

Task: The Battalion was eventually tasked with sifting through 17 million mail items - which was thought to be insurmountable - in half of the timeframe they had been given

The group had to deal with racial discrimination, unfamiliar surroundings and a nation that was torn by the war, but persisted in continuing with their work, getting mail from friends and family into the hands of American soldiers.

The unit continued to push forward in the face of adversity with the motto, 'No Mail, Low Morale.'
Socialists around the globe, beware  the United States Congress has denounced your horrors! Earlier this month, that beacon of freedom and justice overwhelmingly passed H. Con. Res. 9 to denounce the horrors of socialism.

The fateful resolution was introduced by Congresswoman Maria Salazar  of no relation to the reactionary former dictator of Portugal, except, well, for their identical class outlook and foaming-at-the-mouth hatred of all things communism.

The Trump-backed Congresswoman from Miami, daughter of Cuban gusano exiles, and longtime media figure on right-wing Spanish-language networks and Fox News shows, is an unsurprising source for a fanatical resolution such as this. Before she was even sworn into Congress, she had already joined the Republicanss Freedom Force  a Congressional bloc aimed at combating the evils of socialism, Marxism, and the hard left, and defending, by contrast, the belief in God, country, family, authority, and business ownership.

But Salazar and the Freedom Force are not alone in their crusade against this spectre of socialism. In an increasingly rare action of bipartisanship, the unanimous vote of the 219 House Republicans was joined by a large majority of House Democrats, with 109 voting in favour and just 86 voting against.

Meanwhile, Democratic Congresswoman Betty McCollum from Minnesota led the charge against the resolution, arguing that the text is imprecise, lumping together the Soviet Union with socialist NATO members like Norway and Denmark, and risks alienating friends and allies at a time of crisis when the [imperialist] West should be uniting against Russia.

We have to agree with the assertion that the resolution is poorly written, sloppy, and ill conceived. While no actual sources are cited by the text, it is clear that its claims came from such unbiased sources such as the Black Book of Communism, and the so-called Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

The resolution is clearly based on such unbiased sources as the so-called Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation / Image: Joyce N Boghosian

The alarmed text of the measure informs the world that tens of millions died in the Bolshevik Revolution. And thats only a small part of the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide. In an even more shocking discovery, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation has finally realised that the unborn also figure among communisms victims. In other words, those children never conceived because their (potential) fathers and mothers were victims of communism. This innovative new statistical method raises new questions about the many generations never conceived due to the atrocities of Genghis Khan and sabre-toothed tigers, but thats a separate topic.

But wait, theres more! The cherry on top of their accounting masterpiece includes the millions who died in the COVID-19 pandemic, because communist China covered up Covid. Therefore, we are informed, its only fair that those who have perished from the outbreak must be included in the global count of 100 million deaths at the hands of Communism.

As anyone can appreciate, tracking the horrors of socialism is no easy task! The figures are constantly growing and its hard to keep up with the latest scientific methods in the field. Even the above figures are surely a conservative estimate  why not cover all bases by presenting an even broader estimate and asserting that the horrors of socialism have led to somewhere between 100 million and one billion deaths worldwide? Whats a few hundred million when one is desperately trying to whip up a new Red Scare?

The resolution also dedicates space to the alleged specific horrors of Cuban socialisma topic near to the heart of Salazar and so many other Miami politicians.

Whereas the Castro regime in Cuba expropriated the land of Cuban farmers and the businesses of Cuban entrepreneurs, stealing their possessions and their livelihoods, and exiling millions with nothing but the clothes on their backs

Let history not forget the Cuban entrepreneurs who were so unceremoniously stripped of their sugar plantations, textile mills, casinos, and corresponding connections to the Mafia in the Revolution! The exiles in Miami have surely not forgotten, and are rubbing their hands, watching, and waiting for their chance to exact revenge and take the island back.

The resolution ends with a string of solemn quotes by several slave-owning Founding Fathers of American Freedom, including Thomas Jefferson:

To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, and the fruits acquired by it.

Fine words from this champion of freedom, who himself held more than 600 humans as his property during his lifetime! Never mind that the lives of billions of slaves and workers throughout history and up to the present day have been defined by the fruits of their industry being appropriated by others who have not exercised equal industry and skill.

To close the resolution, the final nail is driven into the coffin:

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress denounces socialism in all its forms, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America.

These words are reminiscent of Trumps 2019 vow that America will never be a socialist country. And yet, with each resolution against socialism and Marxism, with each warning against any future prospects of socialism taking root in the US, we sense a rising tone, not of confidence, but of ruling-class paranoia and anxiety.

The resolution ends with a quotation by freedom-loving slave-owner Thomas Jefferson / Image: public domain

Despite the best combined efforts of the Democrats and Republicans, the mass media, the Sunday sermons, the high school textbooks, the university professors, and even the Freedom Force, socialism, communism, and Marxism are more popular with the young generations than ever.

No amount of innovative statistical gymnastics and historical revisionism can change the fact that it is capitalism that has murdered countless millions over centuries, that Stalinism was to blame for the very real horrors suffered under its rule, and that the dead end of capitalism is expressing itself more forcefully in the consciousness of millions with every passing day.

Today, the bourgeois politicians can conduct their solemn anti-communist circus in the halls of Congress, satisfied that no one in those chambers will raise a voice in defence of revolutionary socialism. But outside the elegant dome of the Capitol, in workplaces, working-class neighbourhoods, and campuses across the country, the forces of Marxism are on the rise. No Congressional resolution can hide their growing alarm at this fact.
Patsy Kensit has showcased her incredible physique in a sexy bikini selfie while holidaying in a secret sun-soaked location.

The 54-year-old actress shared the racy selfie to her 131,000 followers on Instagram, showing her wearing a black and white halterneck string bikini.

Holding the camera above her head, Patsy's enviable frame was unmissable as she posed in the two-piece swimwear set on Thursday.

She captioned the picture: 'Off to swim with turtles', and went make-up free as she prepared to head out for a fun day in the sea.

Earlier this week, Patsy bid farewell to her EastEnders cast and crew with a heartfelt message as she jetted off to enjoy a trip abroad.

Wow! Patsy Kensit has showcased her incredible physique in a sexy bikini selfie while holidaying in a secret sun-soaked location. The 54-year-old actress shared the racy selfie to her 131,000 followers on Instagram, showing her wearing a black and white halterneck bikini

Patsy scraped her hair away from her face in the selfie shared while on holiday, and added a pair of black sunglasses to accessorise.

She looked relaxed and ready for some fun as she enjoyed some well-deserved time off after finishing off her stint at EastEnders.

It was announced in November the actress, 54, had landed the role of Emma Harding who is Lola Pearce's (Danielle Harold) mother.

Patsy joined the BBC soap after Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) embarked on a quest to find Lola's mother.

Soap star Patsy will remain on screens for a while as she has already filmed upcoming scenes for the serial.

But she publicly bid farewell to Walford this week as she shared some heartfelt words on social media.

Patsy thanked the EastEnders team and her co-stars in her post as she shared a photo from the airport.

She wrote: 'Were leaving on a jet plane! Dont know when Ill be back again. Going to the heat. Great news this Friday that my severe chest infection Ive nursed since December has now been diagnosed and Im on the right antibiotics and need to convalesce for a bit and will be right back on my feet!!!

Finishing up: Earlier this week, Patsy bid farewell to her EastEnders cast and crew with a heartfelt message as she jetted off to enjoy a trip abroad

New beginnings: Patsy thanked the EastEnders team and her co-stars in her post as she shared a photo from the airport

'Cannot thank my amazing cast members at the simply awesome experience Ive had working on @eastenders for being so kind and loving to me.

'Big thank you to the BBC the producers writers crew and the EE family. Costume makeup ADs Ang at the help desk.

'Jamie and Danielle for making me laugh my a**e off everyday. I love you both. Emma Barton.. so so many people. A new adventure begins.'

Patsy's character Emma learned of daughter Lola's incurable brain tumour after arriving in Albert Square.

She was determined to make the most of their time together but the pair had a rocky relationship.

Lola wanted nothing to do with her mother, who she thought had abandoned her at a young age, but after hearing the full story, she let her parent in to her life.

Patsy has past soap experience having previously starred in both Emmerdale and Holby City, however, she has previously expressed interest in joining the cast of EastEnders.

A source told The Sun before her arrival on the show: 'Bosses are thrilled they have managed to get Patsy for this role.

'She's a great actress and is about to play a part in one of their biggest current storylines.'

Her character Emma had never appeared in the soap before, having abandoned Lola and her father when her daughter was just three years old.

Back in 2019, former model Patsy told of her interest in heading to Walford and becoming the new Peggy Mitchell.

New cast member: It was announced in November the actress (pictured) had landed the role of Emma Harding who is Lola Pearce's (Danielle Harold) mother

New role: Patsy (right) joined the BBC soap after Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) embarked on a quest to find Lola's mother

Emotional: Lola (left) wanted nothing to do with her mother, who she thought had abandoned her at a young age, but after hearing the full story, she let her parent in to her life

She told Radio Times: 'I'd love to do EastEnders, my father was involved in organised crime in the East End, so I grew up around villains and that kind of backdrop. I can pull a pint and say, "You're barred".'

Patsy has real-life links to the East End, having grown up around organised crime with her brother's Godfather even being notorious gangster Reggie Kray.

In addition her father - who was nicknamed Jimmy The Dip for his pickpocketing tendencies - was an associate of the Kray Twins.

She was brought up on a council estate and in her autobiography Absolute Beginner she said she had to flee to Paris as her dad was on the run.
BBC and FX have released the first full trailer for Steven Knight's forthcoming adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

Olivia Colman, 49, leads a star-studded cast in the eerie and twisted two-minute teaser as she transforms into jilted once-bride-to-be Miss Havisham.

Dunkirk actor Fionn Whitehead, 25, plays orphan Pip in the new production opposite Line Of Duty actress Shalom Brune-Franklin, 28, as his love interest Estella.

They star together alongside Top Boy actor Ashley Thomas, 38, as lawyer Jaggers, and The Split star Rudi Dharmalingam, 41, who plays Jagger's assistant Wemmick, while This Is England's Johnny Harris, 49, portrays escaped convict Magwitch.

Adult Material actress Hayley Squires, 34, plays Pip's sister Sara Gargery as Killing Eve actor Owen McDonnell, 49, takes on the role of her husband Joe Gargery, while Trystan Gravelle, 42, plays Miss Havisham's former fiance Compeyson, comedian Matt Berry, 48, portrays Mr Pumblechook and Laurie Ogden plays Biddy.

FIRST FULL TRAILER: Olivia Colman, 49, leads a star-studded cast in the eerie and twisted two-minute teaser for Great Expectations as she transforms into Miss Havisham

Leading man: Dunkirk actor Fionn Whitehead, 25, plays orphan Pip in the new production which features an all-star cast

Love interest: Line Of Duty actress Shalom Brune-Franklin, 28, plays his love interest Estella in the BBC and FX production

Great Expectations is the coming-of-age story of an orphan nicknamed Pip. Dickens first released it in a series of weekly chapters beginning in December 1860 before it was subsequently published as a novel.

The full-length trailer of the upcoming adaptation begins with the vengeful Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman) setting the tone of the tale as she explains: 'When I was young I was blinded by love. Now look on what remains of me.'

She then asks young Pip (Tom Sweet) 'May I ask what is your intention?', to which he responds: 'I believe once you have made your fortune, love is not so hard to find.'

Ominously, Miss Havisham can be heard saying: 'And so it begins, a common boy, now handsome man. Innocent, moments before the great corruption,' as Pip transforms from a boy to a young man (Fionn Whitehead).

The story set-up is told when Jaggers (Ashley Thomas) explains: 'Im looking for a boy by the name of Pip Gargery. A secret benefactor gave me instruction to bring him to London and teach him.'

'Teach me what?' asks the innocent Pip, to which Jaggers replies: 'The wicked ways of this wicked city.'

In another heart-racing clip, Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin) asks Pip: 'Do you feel love?' to which he confessed: 'Yes.'

Terrifying: This Is England's Johnny Harris, 49, portrays escaped convict Magwitch who opens the first trailer

Talented cast: The Split star Rudi Dharmalingam, 41, plays Jagger's assistant Wemmick

Twisted tale: Young Pip is played by Tom Sweet, 18 and appears in the star-studded first trailer for the BBC adaptation

'Mr Jaggers has insisted that you stay under my protection,' Wemmick (Rudi Dharmalingam) tells Pip during a meeting.

'The devil will come,' states Estella as the trailer turns ever-more sinister, while Miss Havisham gleefully tells the young woman: 'You can break his heart.'

Estella then confesses of Miss Havisham: 'What she taught me was how to be her weapon of revenge, to be used against all men.'

A frustrated Pip is seen raging: 'You cant think about marrying that idiot,' before he's told elsewhere: 'If you really want to win Estella youll need more than love.'

Pip's stunning love interest can then be heard telling him: 'Do everything I tell you to do.'

'Have you brought your waterproofs?' Pip is asked, with the young man asking in return: 'Will we be walking through water?' but the answer he is given is spine-chilling: 'No, well be walking through rivers of blood.'

'Estella, what a prize creature we have fished form the river,' concludes a callus Miss Havisham to bring to a close the first full-length trailer.

On-screen family: Adult Material actress Hayley Squires, 34, plays Pip's sister Sara Gargery as Killing Eve actor Owen McDonnell, 49, takes on the role of her husband Joe Gargery

Longing for more: Great Expectations is the coming-of-age story of Pip, an orphan who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband Joe, but yearns for a greater lot in life

Vengeful: The full-length trailer begins with Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman) setting the tone of the tale as she says: 'When I was young I was blinded by love. Now look on what remains of me'

Great Expectations is the coming-of-age story of Pip, an orphan who lives with his sister Mrs Joe Gargery and her blacksmith husband Joe, but yearns for a greater lot in life.

The bitter Miss Havisham engineers a meeting between the young Pip and Estella with a view to having him fall in love with her so she can break his heart.

Under the great expectations placed upon him, Pip must work out the cost of this new dark world of possibilities, and whether it will truly make him the man he wishes to be.

Steven Knight has written and executive produced Great Expectations alongside Tom Hardy, Ridley Scott, Dean Baker, David W. Zucker, Kate Crowe and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC  the team behind FXs A Christmas Carol  with Brady Hood and Samira Radsi as directors.

Earlier this month the BBC released the first trailer for the Charles Dickens classic, which shows Miss Havisham welcoming a young Pip (Tom Sweet) to Satis House for the first time.

Back in July 2022, Olivia looked unrecognisable in first-look photos from the upcoming production.

There have been many adaptations of the classic Dickens novel over the years, both on the big and small screen.

War and Peace actress Tuppence Middleton, 35, played the character as a younger woman in the BBCs 2016 serialisation, Dickensian.

Helena Bonham Carter, 56, portrayed Miss Havisham in Mike Newells 2012 film adaptation, co-starring Jeremy Irvine as Pip and Ralph Fiennes as Abel Magwitch.

Sinister: 'Estella, what a prize creature we have fished from the river,' concludes a callus Miss Havisham to bring to a close the first full-length trailer

Gillian Anderon, 54, was a rather more glamorous and youthful incarnation of the character a year earlier in a BBC mini-series starring Douglas Booth and Vanessa Kirby.

In 1999 Charlotte Rampling, 77, played the role opposite Ioan Gruffudds Pip while Anne Bancroft played a modernised version of the character in Alfonso Cuarons 1998 film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke.

Earlier versions include Jean Simmons portrayal in an 1989 mini-series, having previously played Estella in David Leans 1946 film opposite Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham.

Miss Marple actress Joan Hickson played the role in 1981 while Margaret Leighton took on the part in 1974, and one of the earliest screen portrayals of Miss Havisham was Florence Reed in the 1934 film.
Richard E. Grant was among the slew of celebrities who attended the memorial for the late Dame Vivienne Westwood on Thursday.

The actor, 65, paid tribute to the fashion designer by sporting a miniature hat to the service, which had been gifted to him by her back in 1994.

Vivienne died in December at the age of 81 'peacefully, and surrounded by her family' in London's Clapham, her representative said.

Taking to social media to share the meaning behind his headwear choice, Richard told his followers that Vivienne had given him the hat after he starred in movie Ready to Wear (Pret-a-Porter).

He portrayed character Cort Romney, a male version of Vivienne, in the film, and was given the hat as a nod to the portrayal from the designer.

Remembering: Richard E. Grant paid tribute to Vivienne Westwood at her memorial on Thursday as he attended wearing a hat that was gifted to him by the late fashion designer

Gift: The actor paid tribute to the fashion designer by sporting a miniature hat to the service, which had been gifted to him by her back in 1994

Noting the memorial's dress code, the invite prompted: 'When in doubt, dress up!'.

Richard teamed the hat with a pair of black jeans and a matching double breasted coat, adding a splash of colour with a red, blue and cream scarf.

Sharing the deeper meaning behind his fashion choice, Richard took to social media and penned: 'Dame Vivienne Westwood gave me this miniature hat when I played her male counterpart in Altmans PRET A PORTER in 1994. Worn with pride at her extraordinary memorial today. '.

Alongside the post, he also shared a collection of pictures from the service - beaming while he remembered the icon's great life.

One snap showed him with actress Helena Bonham Carter, who he said 'did her proud'.

A number of other famous faces took to London's Southwark Cathedral for the service, including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Stormzy.

Many guests styled themselves in classic Westwood fashion, with tartan designs and colourful, bold tailoring on display at the service which was held at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday.

Vivienne's passing was announced back in December, after she died 'peacefully' at the age of 81.

Honour: Richard took to social media to share the meaning behind his choice of headwear

Outfit: Richard teamed the hat with a pair of black jeans and a matching double breasted coat, adding a splash of colour with a red, blue and cream scarf

In a statement, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.

'We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.

The statement from her representatives added: 'Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better.

'She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.'

It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism'.

Dame Vivienne, who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations.

Her designs were regularly worn by high-profile individuals including Dita Von Teese who wore a purple Westwood wedding gown to marry Marilyn Manson, and Princess Eugenie who wore three Westwood designs for various elements of the wedding of William and Kate Middleton.

Dame Vivienne's designs also featured in the 2008 film adaptation of Sex And The City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.

Familiar: A number of other famous faces took to London's Southwark Cathedral for the service, including Victoria Beckham (right), Anna Wintour (left), Kate Moss and Stormzy
Lala Kent broke down in tears while discussing her split with Randall Emmett over dinner with Lisa Vanderpump on Wednesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules.

As the women mulled over if there were any warning signs about her ex-fiance, the 32-year-old TV personality confided to Vanderpump, 62, that she was 'happy' amid her struggles to finalize a custody agreement over her one-year-old daughter Ocean.

She continued: 'I have people coming to me daily and it gets more disturbing with every person who calls me.'

Vanderpump, best known for starring on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from 2010 to 2019, then confronted Kent about his alleged infidelity during their three-year engagement.

While Emmett has vehemently denied these claims, Kent got emotional as Vanderpump told her that she 'must have known there was something going on.'

Emotional: Lala Kent broke down in tears while discussing her split with Randall Emmett on Wednesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules

Wiping away those tears: She used her long manicured fingers to brush away the tears

Nice dinner! The beauty was dining with Lisa Vanderpump who tried to talk her down

'Do you think that for the last 9 months I have not been spiraling looking back going how the f**k did you not see it? Don't you think I do that daily?' she said while wiping away tears.

The mother-of-one goes on to ask: 'Lisa, don't you wish that I would have taken a moment and thought, 'This is weird, I've never seen his house.'

Vanderpump said she believed Kent was 'smarter' than to fall for Emmett, who is 19 years her senior.

'I don't think you wanted to see it,' the restaurant mogul suggested, which upset Kent.

'Clearly, I'm not and that is so not true,' Kent fire back. 'I know what the outside world thinks of me. I know how this looks. I just didn't know you were thinking that way about me.'

Despite agitating Kent, Vanderpump insisted her questions only came from a place of love, before Kent reflects on how Emmett's marriage to Ambyr Childers ended.

Kent claims that Emmett described Childers as 'co-dependent' and unwilling to accept their marriage was 'not working.'

Kent says she has had 'many conversations with his ex,' who he was married to from 2009 to 2017.

Firing questions: Vanderpump, best known for starring on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from 2010 to 2019, then confronted Kent about her ex's alleged infidelity during their engagement

'Do you think that for the last 9 months I have not been spiraling looking back going how the f**k did you not see it? Don't you think I do that daily?' she said while wiping away tears

Hurtful: Vanderpump said she believed Kent was 'smarter' than to fall for Emmett, who is 19 years her senior

'I fell for every single thing he told me. I so badly wish I would have listened to the people around me,' said Kent admitted.

Still, she doesn't regret their relationship because then she 'wouldn't have Ocean.'

'She's the only thing I can think about in order for me to not bang my head against the wall and go, 'How the f**k did you not see this in front of you?' Kent admitted.

Emmett is also a father to daughters London, 12, and Rylee, 9, whom he shares with Childers, 34.

The preview comes after Kent revealed that she cheated on Randall Emmett with James Kennedy on last Wednesday's explosive season 10 premiere on Bravo.

'I fell for every single thing he told me. I so badly wish I would have listened to the people around me,' said Kent admitted, before noting that she's grateful that he made her a mom to one-year-old daughter Ocean

The reality star admitted to newly single Katie Maloney, 36, that she stepped out on Randall, 51, while James was unfaithful to his ex-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.

'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 was allegedly doing behind her back.

Shocking claim: The reality star admitted to newly single Katie Maloney, 36, that she stepped out on Randall, 51, while James was unfaithful to his ex-fiancee Raquel Leviss, 28 (seen with Emmett in 2021)

'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.'

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.
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Julia Fox turned heads on Wednesday night as she dragged a large, human-shaped handbag, resembling Kim Kardashian, around New York City.

While toting a nearly five-foot doll, clad in black leather that has waist-length blonde hair sewn on the head, with straps on the back, the 33-year-old Uncut Gems star made a bizarre and slightly terrifying fashion statement.

Her bag's striking likeness to the ex-wife of her former boyfriend, Kanye West, was undeniably creepy as Fox lugged the accessory throughout the streets.

The mother-of-one, who previously claimed that she dated West for a month in January 2022 to 'get him off Kim Kardashian's case' amid their messy divorce in November, wore a cropped black leather jacket, a towering pair of latex booties and thigh-skimming grey miniskirt.

Terrifying: Julia Fox turned heads on Wednesday night as she dragged a large, human-shaped handbag, resembling Kim Kardashian, around New York City

Making a statement: The mother-of-one, who previously claimed that she dated West for a month in January 2022 to 'get him off Kim Kardashian's case' amid their messy divorce in November, wore a cropped black leather jacket, a towering pair of latex booties and thigh-skimming grey miniskirt

For her outing, she wore her fiery red tresses in waves and a glamorous makeup look consisting of a pink liner that was a few shades darker than her lipstick, blush and plenty of bronzer.

Over the years, Fox has made headlines for copying Kardashian's style and calling about comparisons to the reality star 'unfortunate' and a ploy to cause controversy.

Last year on the Call Her Daddy podcast, the Italian-American actress noted that she knew she sported 'some similar looks' to the mom-of-four but hates that 'women are just always being pitted against each other.'

'Obviously there's 10 years of history that they have prior, and I don't want to ever step out of line and speak on something that I have no place speaking on,' she said, at the time of her short-lived romance with West.

Following the end of their relationship, Fox she was 'delusional' to have ever thought she could help West and said he was always 'normal around' her.

She then stated that when she 'me and not only that but the Kardashians, when I had' that they actually sold her clothing in their boutiques.

'So, Ive always had a love for Kim especially and even Kourtney especially and like all of them pretty much,' she gushed.

Fox continued: 'The big three: Khloe, Kim, Kourtney. Those are my girls.'

Bold: For her outing, she wore her fiery red tresses in waves and a glamorous makeup look consisting of a pink liner that was a few shades darker than her lipstick, blush and plenty of bronzer

Bizarre: Over the years, Fox has made headlines for copying Kardashian's style and calling about comparisons to the reality star 'unfortunate' and a ploy to cause controversy

Bushing the boundaries: Following the end of their relationship, Fox she was 'delusional' to have ever thought she could help West and said he was always 'normal around' her

She then revealed that she could 'get him [West] off of Kims case' and 'distract him.'

'I knew if anyone can do it, its me because when I set my mind to something, I do it,' Fox said of her mindset before dating West.

'And I will say that that month that we spent together, he wasnt on Twitter first of all. He wasnt on any forms of social media. He didnt even talk about his relationship,' she noted. 'We only really talked about clothes and weird ideas and plans for the future and our hopes and dreams for childhood and education. And it was really beautiful, guys.'

Kim married Kanye in Florence, Italy in 2014, and welcomed four children with him: daughters North, nine, Chicago, five, and sons Saint, seven, and Psalm, three. She ultimately filed to end the marriage in February 2021.

He and Julia confirmed their split after West shared a slew of Instagram posts declaring 'I wish my wife were with me' and pining for his family to be reunited.

Fox, who appeared with Adam Sandler in 2019's Uncut Gems, previously described her romance with West as 'organic' and 'natural,' and off to a strong beginning.
Bruce Willis' family have revealed the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - less than one year after he retired from acting due to his battle with brain disorder, aphasia.

The Hollywood icon, 67, withdrew from acting last year as he began his fight with the illness that caused his language abilities to deteriorate - and now his condition has 'progressed' according to a joint statement from his family on Thursday.

FTD affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behavior, problem-solving, planning and emotions - with symptoms including personality changes, obsessive behavior and speaking difficulties.

The statement, from his wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and five daughters and posted on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website read: 'Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruces original diagnosis.

'In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.

Devastating: Bruce Willis ' family have revealed the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - less than one year after he retired from acting due to his battle with brain disorder, aphasia

News: Bruce Willis' family said the star's condition had 'progressed'. FTD affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behavior, problem-solving, planning and emotions (pictured with L-R wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore and daughters Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, Evelyn and Rumer)

'Since we announced Bruces diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruces condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).

'Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.

'FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.

'Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruces condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.

'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.

'We know in our hearts that  if he could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.

'Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org).

'And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTDs mission in whatever way you can.

The Willis/Heming family statement in full 'As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update. 'Since we announced Bruces diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruces condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. 'FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruces condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.' Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that  if he could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families. 'Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTDs mission in whatever way you can. 'Bruce has always found joy in life  and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.' -Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn Advertisement

Family: Willis and his wife Heming Willis also have two daughters, Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, eight, together

Support: Celebrities including Ireland Baldwin and Aaron Paul sent well-wishes to the actor and his family

Together: Willis is pictured with his wife Emma Heming in a social media snap

'Bruce has always found joy in life  and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.

'We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.'

The statement was signed by Emma, Demi, and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn.

Willis shares Rumer, 34, Scout, 31 and Tallulah, 29, with Moore, 60 to whom he was married from 1987 to 2000. He also has two daughters, Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8, with his wife Emma, 44.

FTD occurs when nerve cells in the lobes behind the forehead die and the pathways that connect them change.

The left temporal lobe is involved in the meaning of words and the names of objects. The right recognizes faces and familiar objects.

Symptoms are different from just the memory loss that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. These may include; personality changes, such as becoming tactless, uninterested in others and unsympathetic, repeated and compulsive movements, such as continued use of certain phrases, hoarding and obsession over timekeeping, craving unhealthy food and forgetting table manners, speaking difficulties, including slow speech, grammatical errors and asking the meaning of familiar words like 'bread'.

Bruce's blended family issued a joint statement at the end of March announcing that he was 'stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.'

The statement revealed he 'has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.'

WHAT IS FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA? Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behaviour, problem-solving, planning and emotions. The left temporal lobe is involved in the meaning of words and the names of objects. The right recognises faces and familiar objects. FTD occurs when nerve cells in these lobes die and the pathways that connect them change. Symptoms are different from just the memory loss that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. These may include: Personality changes, such as becoming tactless, uninterested in others and unsympathetic

Repeated and compulsive movements, such as continued use of certain phrases, hoarding and obsession over timekeeping

Craving unhealthy food and forgetting table manners

Speaking difficulties, including slow speech, grammatical errors and asking the meaning of familiar words like 'bread' FTD is rare, making up less than five per cent of all dementia cases. However, it is one of the most common forms of the disease in people under 65. Sufferers are usually aged between 45 and 65 at diagnosis. The rate at which FTD progresses varies greatly, with life expectancies ranging from two years to more than 10 after diagnosis. As it progresses and more of the brain becomes damaged, symptoms often become similar to those in the late stage of Alzheimer's. These may include memory loss and patients relying on others to care for them. Around 10-to-20 per cent of FTD patients also have a motor disorder that affects their movement. This can lead to twitching, stiffness, slowed movement and loss of balance or co-ordination. In later stages, such patients may have difficulty swallowing. Around one-third of FTD patients have a family history of dementia. And the condition is often caused by an inherited faulty gene from one of a patient's parents. Treatment focuses on helping a person live well by easing their symptoms. This may include counselling or a speech and language therapist. Source: Alzheimer's Society Advertisement

Announcement: The family revealed earlier this year that the legendary actor was retiring from show business as his disorder effects his ability to speak and understand language

Willis is perhaps best known for his role in the Die Hard series as John McClane

Screen star: Willis played a psychiatrist in iconic 1999 picture, The Sixth Sense (pictured with Haley Joel Osment)

Action: Bruce Willis was a hit in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction

The full statement read: 'To Bruces amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities.

'As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.'

The statement added: 'This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.

'As Bruce always says, Live it up and together we plan to do just that.

After the family went public with news of Bruce's retirement, fans flocked to social media to share their love for Bruce.

Willis had reportedly been struggling with cognitive issues on the sets of his films for years - and even needed an earpiece to feed him lines.

A unnamed source told Page Six his declining cognitive ability had been an open secret in Hollywood as the actor repeatedly had trouble acting in his films.

The famed actor can even be seen in a scene in his new movie American Siege, which was filmed in 2020, wearing an earpiece. This was a full two years before the family's announcement that Willis has aphasia.

Worries; Sources say Willis had been having trouble on the sets of his recent movies, and was even pictured wearing an earpiece to feed him lines on the set of American Siege in 2020

Last film appearance: Willis was reunited with his former costar Travolta, 68, in the action-packed film Paradise City - which was completed before he announced his retirement in March

Reunited one last time: Paradise City is the first major collaboration between Willis and Travolta in a feature film since they starred in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 crime classic Pulp Fiction; seen together in a behind-the-scenes photo from the Pulp Fiction set

Willis had previously been seen using an earpiece to feed him lines in his Broadway debut in Misery in 2015, an unnamed insider also told OK! Magazine

He was also reportedly struggling during the filming of M. Night Shyamalan's 2019 film Glass.

'While filming Glass, staffers worked around him by cutting and editing and having him overdub lines because he struggled to remember and/or deliver them,' they told the publication, according to the New Zealand Herald.

The retirement announcement marked an end to Willis' decades-long career, during which he has earned a Golden Globe award and two Emmys.

Willis' acting career began with small just roles in television shows like Miami Vice and The Twilight Zone in the early 1980s, according to IMDB.

He started gaining attention thanks to his starring role opposite Cybill Shepherd in the ABC series Moonlighting, which ran from 1985 to 1989, but his breakout role was really as John McClane in the hit film Die Hard, which premiered in 1988 and led to six sequels.

'I think it was his first big film and he wanted to make it right, he wanted to make it work,' co-star Reginald VelJohnson told People at a 2018 30th anniversary screening of the film. 'He was more concerned with how to do the role rather than anything else.'

'This was his first movie, and he was the star of a huge blockbuster and it was very well advertised that he was making $5 million, which at the time was unbelievable,' Bonnie Bedelia, who played his wife Holly Gennaro McClane in the film.

'And everybody was like, "Why would you pay $5 million to an untried movie star?" But boy, someone was really smart.'

Willis went on to star in films like Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Sixth Sense and the superhero film, Unbreakable, for which he reprised his role over a decade later in the 2016 film Split and the 2019 film Glass.

Over the course of his four-decade career, Variety reports, his movies have grossed over $5 billion worldwide.

He has also appeared in a number of television shows, including the beloved classic Friends, for which he won an Emmy, and as the main voice actor in Bruno the Kid.

Willis has also recently completed multiple projects that are in post-production, including Vendetta, Fortress: Snipers Eye and White Elephant.

In November, Willis was reunited on-screen with his former co-star John Travolta in the action-packed film Paradise City.

Pals: Moore and Heming Willis have forged a close bond; the Ghost actress regularly spends quality time with Willis' two youngest children during their family get-togethers

Reunited: In 2020, Willis and Moore made headlines after they spent four weeks in quarantine with their daughters, two of their daughters' boyfriends, and her assistant

The film is one of the last that Willis completed before his family announced in March that he was retiring from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia.

The movie also marks the first major collaboration between Willis and Travolta since they starred in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 crime classic Pulp Fiction.

Willis stars in the film as an aging bounty hunter taking on one of his most dangerous missions yet in Hawaii.

After he is shot and presumed dead, his son Ryan (Blake Jenner) teams up with his father's former partner (Stephen Dorff) to hunt down his killers, all while dealing with a sadistic crime lord (Travolta).
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Elizabeth Debicki looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out in New York on Thursday.

The Crown actress, 32, showed off her sophisticated sense of style in a black jumpsuit which featured a high-neck design and flared trousers.

The figure-hugging design showed off her toned physique and was adorned with statement silver buttons.

Elizabeth wore her short blonde tresses pulled back in a chic up do and opted for typically toned-down makeup to show off her pretty features.

Beautiful: Elizabeth Debicki looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out in New York on Thursday

Gorgeous: The Crown actress, 32, showed off her sophisticated sense of style in a black jumpsuit which featured a high-neck design and flared trousers

Elizabeth looked in great spirits while on the outing as she gave a friendly wave to fans who lined the streets to see her.

Her solo outing comes after Elizabeth put on a cosy display with her rarely-seen boyfriend Kristian Rasmussen as they stepped out in London last Wednesday.

The star, famed for playing Princess Diana in The Crown, wrapped up with a green padded jacket and bright blue joggers, along with a knitted tammy hat.

Elizabeth was accompanied by her very own Prince Charming as she celebrated the series five launch of Netflix drama The Crown in November.

The talented star left the red carpet premiere at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Kristian.

The couple were making their first red carpet appearance and their second in as many days having previously ventured out hand-in-hand just the day before.

Dressed in an elegant black evening gown, Elizabeth climbed into the rear of a waiting cab with her boyfriend after attending an after-show party.

Kristian - who bears a curious resemblance to The Crown's former Prince Phillip, Matt Smith - looked appropriately dapper in a black tuxedo and matching dress shirt as he followed her into the back seat.

Outfit: The figure-hugging design showed off her toned physique and was adorned with statement silver buttons

Radiant: Elizabeth wore her short blonde tresses pulled back in a chic up do and opted for typically toned-down makeup to show off her pretty features

Pretty: Elizabeth looked in great spirits while on the outing as she gave a friendly wave to fans who lined the streets to see her

Flares: The inside of her trouser leg featured a statement white stripe to add a touch of style to the jumpsuit

The previous day they were hand-in-hand during a shopping trip in London, with Elizabeth seen laughing with her new boyfriend as they enjoyed a hug and a kiss.

She was previously rumoured to have dated her co-star in The Night Manager, Tom Hiddleston, but never confirmed any romance.

Elizabeth's outing comes as filming for the sixth and final series of The Crown is well underway, as the Netflix hits prepares its sixth and final series.

Crew members from the Netflix hit were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene's for Princess Diana's funeral.

Smart: Earlier in the day she had stepped out in a black jacket and trousers and white shirt as she carried a coffee
Lottie Tomlinson looked sensational as she attended Oxfam's London Fashion Week show on Thursday alongside her two sisters Phoebe and Daisy.

The influencer, 24, showed off her gorgeous figure in a racy blue cut-out dress as she took to the charity's Fashion Fighting Poverty show, at Phonica in London.

The event was Oxfams third fashion show and aimed to change the perception that second-hand is 'second best', and shine a light on the environmental importance of shopping pre-loved.

Taking to the event, Lottie - who is the sister of One Direction's Louis Tomlinson- posed up a storm alongside her family.

She styled her long blonde tresses in beachy waves from a centre parting and accessorised with silver rings.

Gorgeous: Lottie Tomlinson looked sensational as she attended Oxfam's London Fashion Week show on Thursday alongside her two sisters Phoebe and Daisy

The beauty added inches to her frame in a pair of white cowboy boots and toted her belongings in a white Diesel handbag.

Phoebe and Daisy looked equally incredible, rocking an all-black ensemble.

It comes after Lottie showed off her incredible figure in a racy teal lingerie set on Instagram, five months after giving birth.

The Tanologist founder looked confident in the 50 turquoise lingerie set from Lounge Underwear as she ran her hands through her hair.

The images come after Lottie revealed she had removed her facial fillers in a bid to look more natural.

In the images, she shows off a deep golden tan and wears her short locks out and over her shoulders in tousled curls.

Lottie's set featured a balcony bra and chic lace detailing and was released just ahead of Valentine's Day.

Her look was complete with natural-looking makeup including matte foundation, lashings of mascara and a glossy, pink lip.

Beauty's: Taking to the event, Lottie - who is the sister of One Direction 's Louis Tomlinson - posed up a storm alongside her family (Pictured L to R - Phoebe, Lottie and Daisy)

One hot mama! A natural looking Lottie looked incredible in a racy 50 turquoise lingerie set on Instagram - five months after giving birth

'One of the best decisions I've made': Lottie showed off her 'natural face' after having all of her filler dissolved on Instagram recently

The influencer recently admitted it is 'one of the best decisions' to get her 'natural face back'.

She penned: 'Thank you @harley_st_injectables for giving me my natural face back. After years of having filler I decided to dissolve it all and embrace the natural me.

'One of the best decisions Ive made'.

Fillers are dissolved with injections of hyaluronidas which to break it down, speeding up the dissolving process that would take place over time.

Lottie gave birth to her son Lucky in August, who she shares with her partner Lewis Burton, 30.
Constance Wu is pregnant with her second child.

The Crazy Rich Asians star, 40, showed off her growing bump during a Thursday stroll around Los Angeles.

For the outing, Constance dressed sporty in a red and blue striped, long-sleeved top and black yoga pants.

She wore her long black hair down with a New York Giants ball cap on and donned a pair of sunglasses.

The Hustlers star - who recently revealed she believes in ghosts - already has one child with her boyfriend Ryan Kattner.

Baby on board: Constance Wu, 40, takes a walk through a park in Los Angeles on Thursday revealing her growing baby bump

Ryan, who is the frontman of the experimental rock band Man Man shares a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter with the Fresh Off the Boat actress.

The couple are about to have their hands even more full. At the premiere of Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Constance talked about what life was like with a two-year-old.

'I started my TV career doing a family show, which was amazing,' she told E! News.

'And I really loved being on that show. And so it's wonderful to be able to do that again. And now that I have a kid, it's something I can hopefully share with her.

'If she could sit still for more than 10 minutes, which is not yet but hopefully someday soon, she's only 2,' she added.

The Terminal List star opened up about returning to work after having her daughter in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about her Amazon series The Terminal List.

'My first day on set was hard. I missed my baby. It was the hardest day to stay at work because it was so emotional, something so many moms go through on their first day back at work.'

She found an ally who understood what she was going through in her co-star Chris Pratt.

Party of two: The baby is the Crazy Rich Asians star's second child with musician boyfriend Ryan Kattner

Author and actress: The Fresh Off the Boat star released her memoir Making a Scene last fall

'He has another newborn now, but around the same time back then, Katherine [Schwarzenegger] and I had our babies around the same time.'

'Talk about someone who really understood what I was going through  Chris was so supportive and kind and caring on set. Im really fortunate to have had him as my partner.'

And Constance, who released her memoir Making a Scene last fall feels like she's finally fully herself now that she's a mom.

'I actually feel like Im more myself than Ive ever been because [motherhood] really makes you enjoy the present moment rather than always hustling to be someone or get somewhere or do something.'

'You get to enjoy your daughter trying a strawberry for the first time and truly its beautiful.'

Out for a walk: The Terminal List star was dressed in a long sleeved top and pants on the chilly day in Los Angeles

Glamorous girl: Constance looked every bit the Hollywood glamour girl in a green gown embellished with rhinestones

A few months ago, Constance revealed she had once seen the specter of 'an old lady with thick glasses' as she spoke to The Hollywood Reporter alongside her 2:22  A Ghost Story co-stars Finn Wittrock, Anna Camp and Adam Rothenberg.

She said: 'I believe in ghosts but not in the way most people do. I dont think its a spooky, scary, haunted thing.'

'I think ghost encounters are very ordinary. Mine happened in broad daylight in a neighborhood, not in a haunted house or with any scary vibes around.'

She added: 'I saw a very old lady standing there and she was very nice with these thick glasses. And then, just like that, she was gone. It wasnt scary and she wasnt threatening. It just seemed like she was a little lost.'

2:22 - A Ghost Story tells the story of two couples who stay up until 2:22 to see if a new house is haunted.
Love Island finalist Kaz Crossley has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates on suspicion of drug offences and held in a Dubai prison, likely for at least three months, it emerged today.

The British reality star, 27, was detained at Abu Dhabi airport while transferring to a flight to Thailand where she says she was going to carry out voluntary work.

In 2020, she was filmed appearing to snort lines of white powder in Dubai when hordes of influencers flocked there to escape Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, claiming they were there for work.

Miss Crossley was arrested on Monday and an insider claimed 'that her name obviously raised a red flag' when her passport was checked in the UAE's capital.

She has since been moved to a Dubai prison, where she was reportedly refused a phone call to her family, but was permitted to send a single email.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities following the arrest of a British national in the United Arab Emirates.'

Dubai has recently liberalised its drugs laws with first-time offenders given a minimum of three months in prison and a fine of between 4,559 and 22,799. Previously, offenders would have faced a minimum of four years in prison for any drug use.

After serving jail time, suspects are then deported to their home state - in Miss Crossley's case to the UK - and banned from returning to the UAE. Sentences for drug-trafficking can include the death penalty.

Shock: Love Island star Kaz Crossley has reportedly been jailed in Dubai (pictured) on suspicion of drug offences

In 2020 Kaz was filmed appearing to snort lines of suspicious white powder while in the United Arab Emirates at the height of the coronavirus pandemic

Kaz was one of many influencers who had travelled to Dubai for 'work purposes' when travel was banned for UK citizens during the height of the lockdown in 2020

Miss Crossley's case is a stark warning for expats. Last month experts told MailOnline that a record number of Britons could find themselves in a Dubai prison as a consequence of the decision to slash the cost of booze to lure in more tourists also being courted by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Human rights groups are predicting a culture clash in the Muslim Gulf.

The Detained in Dubai group believes thousands of Britons have been arrested and hundreds jailed in recent years due to the UAE's strict and 'highly contradictory' laws.

The authorities in Dubai have not confirmed the reason for Miss Crossley's arrest, but around two years ago the influencer, wearing an orange mini dress, was seen holding a nostril as she snorted white powder during a party in the city.

It is likely that her name was flagged up when she tried to leave for Thailand as UAE authorities are still probing the old video.

Miss Crossley, whose mother is Thai, posted her last Instagram post five days ago when she took a short trip to Dublin.

A source told The Sun: 'She was looking forward to getting back to Thailand where she has been doing voluntary work and all of a sudden she is languishing in a Dubai jail.

'Everyone knows how strict they are about drugs over there. She must be terrified. She had only stopped off in Abu Dhabi to catch a connecting flight but her name has obviously raised a red flag.

'She was allowed to send just one email and wasn't even allowed to make a phone call.'

Miss Crossley's representatives have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

Living it up: A picture of Kaz posted on Instagram was captioned: 'So clean when I pull up to the scene'

Kaz Crossley and Josh Denzel made the final of Love Island 2018 - but their relationship didn't last

Kaz shot to fame on the ITV2 show in 2018 and has been influencing online ever since

Miss Crossley was one of many influencers who had travelled to Dubai for 'work purposes' when travel was banned for UK citizens during the height of lockdown.

Just days before the video of her appearing to snort white powder emerged, Miss Crossley revealed she had purchased her second property: a new house in Manchester.

An army of British influencers and reality TV stars have been recruited to entice tourists from the UK to holiday in the UAE city, where the 30 per cent tax on alcohol was axed on New Year's Eve.

Millie Court and Chloe Burrows from Love Island saw in 2023 in Dubai while promoting its bars, restaurants and businesses, sharing numerous videos on Instagram of them downing shots, dancing in clubs and sunbathing by pools as the tax changes came in.

If the 30 per cent tax cut is passed on, the price of drinking would be cut from around 12 per pint to around 8. A glass of wine would be around 6 and a cocktail around 10 - and would be even cheaper during the happy hours that are common in Dubai hotels. The cost of wine and spirits is already dropping in licensed shops.

Despite vehement denials, the ultra-conservative Saudi regime is also said to be considering allowing drinking for the first time - and is trying to diversify from oil by organising events such as major music festivals, including one last year marred by claims that women were routinely sexually assaulted.

Chloe Burrows downs shots and takes a dip in a private pool during her Dubai break in January

Chloe poses by a pool in the popular holiday destination, visited by 12million people last year. More are expected this year but human rights experts warn that more could fall foul of Dubai's conservative laws

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is bent on securing the 2030 World Cup, using Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as ambassadors.

Dubai is the financial, trade and tourism hub of the UAE, a major oil exporter which has gradually loosened the shackles on drinking while using global stars and influencers to promote its image as the party capital of the Gulf.

Its hospitality businesses have already been praising the tax cut on Instagram, which is already full of posts of models, often scantily clad, drinking champagne or cocktails by a pool or a skyscraper balcony.

The state has a population of 3.3million and expats outnumber locals by at least nine to one, and the tax cut is likely to please many of them, including the huge group of Brits there.

More than 12million international visitors came in the first 11 months of 2022 - double the number in 2021 - but despite raving about the weather and luxury accommodation, there are often complaints about the price of alcoholic drinks.
Married at First Sight viewers were left shocked on Thursday when Duncan James gave Alyssa Barmonde a sensual massage.

And some fans flocked to Reddit to say how sorry they felt for the cameraman who was forced to film the racy and intimate scenes.

Sharing a shot of the man and his unimpressed expression, one viewer hilariously quipped: 'He is all of us right now.'

Another added: 'I think there's a spray bottle in his little tac-vest in the event the rats start getting too frisky and start producing unairable content.'

One said: 'Just imagine the sights and smells that man has encountered.'

Married At First Sight viewers have rallied behind a 'traumatised' cameraman (pictured) who had to film erotic massage scene on the show

During the scene, things got hot and heavy between newlyweds Duncan and Alyssa

Fans flocked to Reddit to say how sorry they felt for the cameraman who was forced to film the racy and intimate scenes

During the scene, things got hot and heavy between newlyweds Duncan and Alyssa.

'I think I'm making more noises than you,' Duncan joked as he massaged his wife.

'It's like two tectonic plates touching each other and at some point the tremors start... and then mountains are made,' he added.

Speaking about the encounter afterwards, Alyssa told producers: 'He's very nurturing, but he does also have a steamy, saucy side.'

Alyssa and Duncan have been dubbed one of the 'golden couples' on MAFS, but have also had some trying moments.

'It's like two tectonic plates touching each other and at some point the tremors start... and then mountains are made,' Duncan said

During the Confessions Letter task which aired earlier this month, the former Mormon told Duncan she had once been 'complicit in an affair'.

'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.'

Alyssa and Duncan have been dubbed the 'golden couple' on the show, but have also had some trying moments. During the Confessions Letter task, the former Mormon told Duncan she had once 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.'

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now
She has moved to the USA after securing a lucrative deal to film a reality show on OnlyFans.

And Chloe Sims appeared to be lapping up the sunshine as she hit the beach in Miami on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 41, showed off her hourglass curves in a sexy cut-out black swimsuit in a slew of Instagram snaps.

Chloe showed off her peachy bottom in the thong swimsuit from Antoninias in one photo where she turned her back to the camera.

The high-neck swimsuit had gold chain detailing and a buckle at the waist which accentuated her toned physique.

Beach babe: Chloe Sims appeared to be lapping up the sunshine as she hit the beach in Miami on Thursday

Sizzling display: The former TOWIE star, 41, showed off her hourglass curves in a sexy cut-out black swimsuit in a slew of Instagram snaps

Chloe captioned the snaps: 'BEACHIN'.

Fans took to the comment section to gush over her figure. One wrote: 'Wow you look so amazing', while another added: 'You look beautiful chloe as always my queen best from TOWIE x'.

It comes after an insider revealed that Chloe and her sibilings have been paid a six-figure sum for their show, according to The Sun.

House of Sims - the show featuring Chloe, her two sisters Frankie, 27, Demi, 26, and brother Charlie, 30 - has already netted the family 500,000 before it has even aired.

In addition, the show has already been renewed for two more seasons.

An insider told the publication: 'OnlyFans TV bosses hugely believe in Chloe and her sisters Frankie, Demi, and their brother Charlie.

'They've got loads of cash to splash on talent, and understood the family are bringing their own fanbase along with them from years of being on TOWIE.

The family seemed to be enjoying the time of their life as they relocated to Los Angeles, although the move being a 'huge adjustment'.

Life's a peach! Chloe showed off her peachy bottom in the thong swimsuit in one photo where she turned her back to the camera

The insider added: 'The girls are also loving life in LA and are mingling with US stars, but it is a huge adjustment and there's been loads of drama to keep viewers entertained.'

Although it wasn't her initial plan, it appears that Chloe would rather put her roots in US and make it her permanent home.

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 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 new show is slated to be broadcast around the start of next year on the free viewing app.

It will follow the principal family The Sims as they attempt to 'go global' away from Essex and on their travels in the USA.
Jack Gleeson flew to Ukraine to speak with actors at the Young Spectator's Theater in Kyiv on Thursday.

The actor, 30, who played Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO television series Game of Thrones, is in the country to help raise funds for the countries Armed Forces.

According to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, he took part in a film workshop an although interrupted by an air raid alert, he continued the meeting.

A tweet from the channel reported: Actor Jack Gleeson famous as King Joffrey in Game of Thrones came to Kyiv.

'During his meeting within Film workshop with Ukrainian actors the air raid alert in Kyiv started. "The show must go on," the actor said, and decided not to interrupt the meeting.'

Meeting: Jack Gleeso, 30, flew to Ukraine to speak with actors at the Young Spectator's Theater in Kyiv on Thursday

Support: The actor who played Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO television series Game of Thrones, is in the country to help raise funds for the countries Armed Forces

Jack wore a grey knitted jumper layered over a navy blue shirt for the event, he teamed it with a pair of black trousers and practical walking boots.

He looked far from his bleached blond character King Joffrey, with his natural dark brown hair and a neat moustache.

The workshop comes after several Ukrainian news outlets reported that Jack teamed up with British volunteers to deliver a pick up truck to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Irish-born star has remained relatively low-key since his well known role of King Joffrey in Game Of Thrones, taking a ten year break from acting after it wrapped.

In August, Jack married his girlfriend Roisin O'Mahony in a 'dignified' ceremony in County Kerry, Ireland.

The actor tied the knot with his actress partner at The Sacred Heart Church in The Glen, Ballinskelligs.

Priest Fr Patsy Lynch took to Twitter on Monday to share the happy couple's news, describing the intimate ceremony and 'simple' and 'dignified'.

In the sweet wedding snaps, Jack cut a smart figure in grey trousers and a green shirt, which he styled with brown suit shoes.

Undeterred: According to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, he took part in a film workshop an although interrupted by an air raid alert, he continued the meeting

A tweet from the channel reported: 'During his meeting within Film workshop with Ukrainian actors the air raid alert in Kyiv started. "The show must go on," the actor said'

Casual: Jack wore a grey knitted jumper layered over a navy blue shirt for the event, he teamed it with a pair of black trousers and practical walking boots

Different: He looked far from his bleached blond character King Joffrey, with his natural dark brown hair and a neat moustache

Alongside the snaps, Fr Lynch wrote: 'Very simple, prayerful and dignified marriage ceremony for Film Celebrity Jason Gleeson and Roisin: The Glen Church.'

Describing what it was like to meet Jack, the priest added: 'A very down to earth, simple and relaxed person.'

Speaking to The Irish Independent, Fr Lynch said the nuptials were a 'pre-wedding' as the couple plan to have a second ceremony to mark their marriage in England.

He said the couple decided to have a ceremony in County Kerry as they have been holidaying in Ballinskelligs, The Glen, for many years and have 'happy memories' there.

Career: Jack rose to fame starring as King Joffrey Baratheon on Game Of Thrones, but was killed off during the fantasy show's fourth series
Victoria Beckham attended a star-studded memorial service for the late designer Vivienne Westwood on Thursday.

Vivienne died in December at the age of 81 'peacefully, and surrounded by her family' in London's Clapham, her representative said.

Former Spice Girl Victoria, 48, paid homage to the fashion icon with a skin-tight black dress which featured a high neck, long sleeves and a leg slit.

She boosted her height in a pair of stilettos and hid her eyes behind oversized sunglasses.

Victoria looked downcast as she arrived for the occasion at Southwark Cathedral in London.

Upset: Victoria Beckham attended a star-studded memorial service for the late designer Vivienne Westwood on Thursday

The service will be attended by family, friends and other figures from the world of fashion.

Kate Moss, Lily Cole, Lady Amelia Windsor and actresses Catherine Jenkins and Elle Fanning were among the biggest names seen arriving to the service.

Many styled themselves in classic Westwood fashion, with tartan designs and colourful bold tailoring on display.

Vivienne's passing was announced back in December, after she died 'peacefully' at the age of 81.

In a statement, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.

'We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.

The statement from her representatives added: 'Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better.

Chic: Former Spice Girl Victoria, 48, paid homage to the fashion icon with a skin-tight black dress which featured a high neck, long sleeves and a leg slit

Low-key: Victoria hid her eyes behind a pair of oversized sunglasses

Sad: Victoria looked downcast as she arrived for the occasion at Southwark Cathedral in London

Devastated: The service will be attended by family, friends and other figures from the world of fashion

'She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.'

It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to 'honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism'.

Dame Vivienne, who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations.

Her designs were regularly worn by high-profile individuals including Dita Von Teese who wore a purple Westwood wedding gown to marry Marilyn Manson, and Princess Eugenie who wore three Westwood designs for various elements of the wedding of William and Kate Middleton.

Dame Vivienne's designs also featured in the 2008 film adaptation of Sex And The City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.

As the self-styled queen of punk, she always injected controversy into the fashion industry with her risque creations.

The designer was largely responsible for anti-establishment punk fashion and became known for her subversive and eccentric take on traditional British style.

She and Malcolm McLaren, one-time manager of punk band the Sex Pistols, opened a shop called Let It Rock - also known as Sex - in the early 1970s where she began selling her outrageous outfits.

The punk style included bondage gear, safety pins, razor blades, bicycle or lavatory chains and spiked dog collars.

Some of her best-known creations include the Mini Crini, bustle-skirts, bondage trousers and 12-inch platform shoes, the type which famously tripped up supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Sad: Dame Vivienne Westwood died peacefully at the age of 81 on December 29

Black: Victoria dressed respectfully

Embrace: She hugged a friend outside the funeral

Shades: She wore huge sunglasses

Tresses: Her brunette locks were styled into perfect waves

Kisses: She put on an affectionate display with pals

Greeting: She gave one man a warm hug

She developed the idea of underwear as outerwear - and Madonna's legendary conical bra worn on her Blonde Ambition tour, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, would probably never have happened if not for Westwood.

She also transformed the corset from a symbol of female repression to one of power and sexual freedom.

After becoming a primary school teacher, she quit her job to become a seamstress of punk fashion and opened her shop on Chelsea's Kings Road with her then partner McLaren.

The Sex Pistols wore the shop's clothes to their first gig and Westwood's first runway show was presented at Olympia in London in March 1981.
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Karnataka-based MK Agrotech, which sells edible oil under Sunpure brand, said that its has acquired Riso, an edible oil brand (Representational Image/Facebook)

Mumbai: Karnataka-based MK Agrotech, which sells edible oil under Sunpure brand, on Wednesday said that its has acquired Riso, an edible oil brand, to bolster its presence in the Maharashtra market.

The product portfolio of Risco includes groundnut oil, rice bran oil and sunflower oil. "MK Agrotech, the Karnataka-based parent company, is looking to bolster Sunpures presence in the Maharashtra market, targeting a revenue of 120 crore in FY 2023-24 from the region," said a statement issued by the company.

Riso edible oil brand enjoys 10 per cent market share in Maharashtra and is currently available across over 8,000 retail outlets in the state.
Daksha Nagarkar. (Photo By Arrangement)

Daksha Nagarkar has almost completed shooting for the talkie part of her role in Ravanasura. She says the film is a modern spin on the Indian epic, with several fictional elements added to the story.

"Working for the film has been a great experience! I cant talk about my role but it is in complete contrast to what I have played earlier," says Daksha.

She recently enrolled in a performing arts course in Bulgaria while she was on a private visit there. "I felt an actor can evolve if they constantly work or enrol in acting courses. I wanted to do an acting course at the renowned Studio 24 in Los Angeles. However, I learnt that one of the trainers at the institute, Vascos, had moved to Bulgaria. Since I had to stay in Bulgaria for a few months, I thought it was a great opportunity to enrol in an acting course," says Daksha.

The three-month workshop included key aspects of acting such as emotions, screenwriting, how to break a scene and a character, speech and diction, imagination and auditioning techniques. Daksha shares that she became more confident and a better actor after the course. "Earlier, if I had to enact an emotional scene, I would tap a sad memory, but during my assignments (simulations) I learnt other techniques of acting," she smiles.

She says the course gave her a fresh and broader perspective of acting. "It made me shed my inhibitions, making me more open and expressive," she shares.
The management of the consultancy attempted to transport the victims by what is called the Donkey Process' from Serbia to Poland. (Representational image/ Wikipedia)

HYDERABAD: A group of youngsters from Nizamabad district, who were duped by a foreign job consultancy and trafficked to Serbia with a promise of jobs in Poland, returned home after a harrowing experience in Serbia. The management of the consultancy attempted to transport the victims by what is called the Donkey Process from Serbia to Poland, covering over 1,000 km on donkeys.

However, as the victims refused, they were abandoned in a hotel from where they approached the local administration and returned home. One of the victims approached the Central Crime Station of Hyderabad city and lodged a complaint against Abroad Placement Consultancy located in Himayatnagar and a case was registered.

One of the victims who had earlier worked in Bahrain and returned home, told that they saw an ad from the consultancy and approached them to work in Poland. After collecting around Rs 3.50 lakh each from them, they underwent medical tests, for issuing visa to Poland.

But a few days later, the management started avoiding the victims. After much persuasion, the accused assured that they would be first sent to Serbia and then to Poland. In December, they were taken to Serbia and lodged in a hotel.

Even after three weeks, when there was no response from the accused on sending the victims to Serbia, the victims questioned them and the accused came up with the Donkey process idea. In this process, people illegally travel on Donkeys, to enter a foreign country via multiple stops in other countries enroute.

Three of his friends initially agreed to the Donkey Process, but later withdrew, after which the accused abandoned them without any support. Realising they were duped, the victims approached local authorities and through their help arranged flight travel home and reached the city two days ago.
Min Bahadur Saud. (Photo By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: Min Bahadur Saud, a Nepali national who was accused of killing Purushotham Reddy, a footpath dweller at Agzalgunj in the city in June 2021, was found guilty by the Metropolitan Sessions Court at Nampally. The court sentenced Saud to rigorous imprisonment for ten years and also fined him for Rs 5,000.

A person who was an eyewitness to the murder and the CCTV footage which captured the murder, stood as evidence against the accused during the trial, resulting in his conviction.

Purushotham Reddy was homeless and was residing on the footpath near a temple in Esamia Bazar for over a decade. He made living on the alms and also helped devotees in taking care of their belongings when they went into the temple.

Saud had come to the city a few days before the offence in June 2021. On the day of the offence, the duo had an argument over who should first use the hand pump to take a bath. In a fit of rage, Saud picked up a stick and attacked Reddy on his head, killing him on the spot.

Based on the clues from locals, police nabbed Saud. Meanwhile, the CCTV cameras installed in the area captured the murder. During the trial in the court, one person who witnessed the murder, deposed before the court about how Saud attacked Reddy. This was corroborated by the CCTV footage. Relying on this evidence, the court sentenced Saud.
Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal has castigated the Centre by terming its fiscal policies as 'damaging' to the federal structure of the country. (Facebook)

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal has castigated the Centre by terming its fiscal policies as 'damaging' to the federal structure of the country.

He also targetted the opposition Congress-led UDF in the state over "unprecedented protests" against the Left government over the imposition of cess on fuel prices, saying they were silent over the cess collected by the union government.

The Congress has been organising widespread protests across the state against the fuel cess of Rs 2 imposed by the state government in the recent budget.

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Balagopal said this was not the first time a cess was proposed in the budget.

"We have not received the GST compensation since June last year. The Centre has reduced the tax but its benefit was not going to the consumers but to huge corporate companies. I would like to reiterate that today the state governments in this country do not even have the power of panchayats," Balagopal said.

He claimed that the fiscal policies were 'damaging' the federal structure of the country.

"States have a federal authority but that authority of the state governments has been curtailed and they took away the control over tax collection."

Taking on the Congress party, Balagopal recalled that in 2015-16, the then UDF government had imposed Rs 1 as cess on fuel prices.

"Similarly, this cess was imposed for social security seed fund purposes. We need to look at the situation of the state. Last two times, we did not impose any major tax due to the pandemic but announced packages of Rs 20,000 and Rs 5,000 among others," the CPI(M) leader pointed out.

Justifying the cess, Balagopal said the rise was "not exorbitant" whereas over Rs 19 was being collected by the central government.

The government has said the social security cess on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and on the sale of petrol and diesel were part of its commitment to continue protecting the lives of vulnerable sections of society by supplementing financial resources.

An additional revenue of Rs 400 crore is expected through the social security cess on each bottle of IMFL while an additional revenue of Rs 750 crore is expected from the cess on sale of petrol and diesel at the rate of Rs 2 per litre.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at the Kondapochammasagar reservoir on Thursday. (Photo: Twitter @BhagwantMann)

Hyderabad: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday visited Siddipet district to see development works undertaken by the Telangana state government in Siddipet and Gajwel constituencies represented by finance minister T. Harish Rao and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

He visited the Kondapochammasagar reservoir which is part of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. However, Manns visit to the state went off without meeting the Chief Minister.

Party sources said that Mann was on a private visit to attend a function in Hyderabad. He arrived in the city on Wednesday evening to attend the function and showed interest in visiting Siddipet. Following this, the Chief Minister directed irrigation officials to accompany him to the Kondapochammasagar reservoir.

Irrigation Special Chief Secretary Rajat Kumar accompanied him and explained the details about the irrigation projects and check dams in Siddipet

district. Mann was impressed by reservoirs built by the Telangana state government as part of the Kaleshwaram project.

Rajat Kumar explained about Konda Pochamma reservoir that was built at a height of 618 metres from sea level. Mann also saw the massive motors being used to lift the water. He later visited a check dam built across the Kudavelly Vagu near Erravally village in Markook and the Pandavula Cheruvu, which has been developed into a mini tank bund after restoration.

Speaking to media personnel, Mann said he visited Siddipet district as part of knowledge-sharing and conveyed the same to the Chief Minister.

"I would always be happy to learn from good initiatives in any part of the world. Telangana state government has launched Basthi Dawakhanas here after examining them in New Delhi. I visited Khammam last month for the launching of the Kanti Velugu programme. It impressed me a lot and I have decided to replicate the same in Punjab."

Mann said Telaganas irrigation policy was a role model for the country and he would replicate the same in Punjab to improve irrigation facilities and groundwater table in Punjab.

Mann interacted with farmers at Pandavula Cheruvu and enquired how their lives had changed post the formation of Telangana state. The farmers told him that their income had increased considerably since they were getting irrigation water, free power, Rythu Bandhu etc. They told him the groundwater table had improved significantly with the construction of several reservoirs in the state and the revival of minor irrigation tanks through Mission Kakatiya in the last eight years.
The government is now planning to distribute plots of extent between 50 sq.yards to 70 sq.yards to the poor. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: After the delay in the implementation of the 2BHK housing scheme, a major election promise of the BRS in 2014 and 2018, the state government is now planning to distribute house sites to the poor. As the elections approach, the Telangana state government has accelerated the distribution of house sites to the poor, and Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari held a video conference with the district collectors on Thursday to identify suitable land parcels for distribution of the house sites in all districts.

In its first term, the BRS government sanctioned 2.92 lakh 2BHKs for the underprivileged in 2014, but could only finalise the tenders for the construction of 2.28 lakh 2BHKS so far. Now, the final 60,000 two-bedroom houses are being constructed. More than 1.60 lakh 2BHKs are currently available for distribution. However, the government received nearly 10 lakh applications from the poor. The government in the recent annual state Budget announced Rs 3 lakh financial assistance to the poor who own plots to construct houses. This year, it promised to cover four lakh beneficiaries to overcome the problem.

However, the BRS MLAs informed the CM that those who do not own plots are upset, and that they be given plots. The CM then gave the Chief Secretary the task of identifying government land parcels in each district for distribution. Accordingly, the CS directed the collectors to submit Assembly constituency-wise details on the availability of government land parcels in urban areas, those who own plots, and those who don't. She instructed them to submit the report to the government immediately. The government is now planning to distribute plots of extent between 50 sq.yards to 70 sq.yards to the poor.
Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana said, We are committed to the 3-Capitals plan for the comprehensive development of all the 26 districts and development of all areas. We are putting pressure on the CM to start administration from Vizag on the auspicious occasion of Telugu New Year Ugadi. (Photo: Facebook: @BotchaBSN)

Vijayawada: Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana reiterated on Thursday that the 3-Capitals policy of the YSR Congress government and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will be a reality soon."

The minister said the chief minister is keen on developing three regions of AP and will not flinch from the decision.

Satyanarayana said, "We are committed to the 3-Capitals plan for the comprehensive development of all the 26 districts and development of all areas." "We are putting pressure on the CM to start administration from Vizag on the auspicious occasion of Telugu New Year Ugadi."

He rejected allegations of the opposition parties including from Chandrababu Naidu that the present government was neglecting Amaravati. "Jagan has already started development activities and would develop Amaravati as the legislature capital.

Regarding the Yuvagalam padayatra, the minister said this was not a public programme and there was no public participation to it.
Hong Kong: More help for SIM card registration

Support services will be further strengthened and telecommunications service providers are required to dedicate extra resources to assist users real-name registration for pre-paid SIM cards (PPS cards) by February 23, the Government announced today.

Real-name registration for PPS cards will be fully implemented on February 24 and existing PPS cards cannot be used after that date.

PPS card users who have not yet completed real-name registration may do so through their telecommunications service providers websites or mobile applications with reference to their SMS notification reminders.

Assistance can also be sought from the service providers retail outlets or service counters set up in 18 designated post offices. The service hours of the counters will be extended to 7pm on February 22 and 23 to handle a possible surge in assistance requests as the deadline approaches.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau viewed the operation of the registration support service at Wan Chai Post Office this afternoon and encouraged all citizens to register their SIM cards in accordance with the Real-name Registration Programme to comply with the registration requirement.

After the deadline, the cards will not be usable anymore and that will create an inconvenience. So in this case, I appeal to all citizens, especially the elderly, to register as soon as possible.

It is very handy and easy. Just bring your identity card with the SIM card and the portable phone that can receive the SMS and the registration will just take about a few minutes.

Support stations set up by the Government at 25 designated MTR stations operating from 9am to 6pm daily before the registration deadline will continue to assist PPS card users in need.

The Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development had earlier written to telecommunications service providers to ask for extra resources and manpower to enhance support services for their customers, including the extension of service hours of their retail outlets. The service providers will put in place plans to handle contingency situations.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, the Office of the Communications Authority and telecommunications service providers have set up a dedicated task force to work together to ensure a smooth completion of real-name registration for existing PPS cards before the registration deadline.

This story has been published on: 2023-02-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Senior Chinese diplomat says ready to reignite engine of China-France relations

Xinhua) 13:49, February 16, 2023

PARIS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to resume dialogue and exchanges in all areas to reignite the engine of China-France relations, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Wednesday.

China has brought the COVID-19 pandemic fully under control, and the rapid resumption of economic and social activities in China will bring greater opportunities to the world, said Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, when meeting with French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also called for an early convening of a new round of China-France High-level Mechanism for Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges to facilitate personnel exchanges.

Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, Wang said that the two sides can jointly plan commemorative activities to consolidate the foundation of public support for their bilateral friendship.

China attaches great importance to its relations with France, and stands ready to deepen strategic communications and enhance political mutual trust with France so as to add new momentum to China-Europe relations through China-France cooperation, and to play a constructive role in promoting world peace, stability and equity, Wang said.

China and France both have a strong tradition of pursuing independent foreign policy, supporting multi-polarization and opposing bloc confrontations. At a time when globalization has faced headwinds and countercurrents and some countries attempt to decouple with others, China and France should continue to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade and strengthen international cooperation in science and technology, Wang noted, adding that China hopes the French side will provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises.

For her part, Colonna said that she is pleased to learn that China has overcome the pandemic and has achieved a rapid economic recovery, which is good news for the whole world.

The French foreign minister said that she hopes to see further progress in bilateral cooperation with China this year and the next year. While resuming dialogue mechanisms, France will also look into new areas of cooperation with China to make up for the time lost due to the pandemic, and bring its relations with China to a new level.

Colonna also hoped that the air traffic between the two countries will soon recover to the pre-pandemic level, promote exchanges among students and scholars, and strengthen cooperation in science and culture.

The joint celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties will demonstrate the profound foundation of France-China relations, she said, stressing that France firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and is unwavering in its position.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. DC file image

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said on Thursday that the day is not far when all Kashmiri Pandits would return to their homeland.

"With Gods grace, all Kashmiri Pandits would return to their homes in Kashmir and the day is not far," he told reporters after attending a 3-day-long Mahashivratri mela being held at Jagti Colony, a settlement of the displaced Brahmin Hindu community in Jammu.

He said that salaries of the Kashmiri Pandit employees working under the Prime Ministers special job package who have resumed their duties in the Valley have been released. "The relief and rehabilitation department ensured that these employees are properly rehabilitated," he said, adding that in Srinagars Pantha Choak area a Yatri Niwas has been constructed and is being upgraded to accommodate 3,000 pilgrims at a time.

Earlier while speaking at the inaugural function of the festival, he said that all the issues of the migrant Kashmiri Pandit community are being taken up for their resolution "with utmost sensitivity". He said, "J&K government always stands by you. Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all possible measures to ensure that. This is the commitment of the Government of India and Honble Prime Minister".

Mr. Sinha added, "You have suffered a lot for three long decades. I pray that the day comes when you return to your homes with honour. I hope with your return Kashmir will find its lost glory."

He said that the special governance camp being held in Jammu "is a testimony to our commitment for welfare of the Kashmiri Pandit community."

He said, "The Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and other line departments are ensuring 100 percent saturation of the benefits of all social security schemes, entrepreneurship development schemes and skilling programs".

He urged all the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community to avail the benefits of the special camps. "The administration is always ready to resolve all the genuine issues. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that your problems and grievances are resolved promptly and effectively", he said.

Extending the greetings to the Pandits on Mahashivratri, he said the festival is the celebration of Kashmiri culture and the spiritual-cultural heritage of the country. "It is the symbol of our ancient values and ethos. Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters living in different parts of the country and the world have kept this tradition alive", he added.
An ariel view of Yadadri temple (DC)

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao received praises from all quarters for transforming Yadadri as Tirumala of Telangana. Devotees thronged Yadadri to have darshan of the lord soon after the temple was opened for devotees on Monday. They hailed the Chief Minister for developing Yadadri as a temple city and transforming the temple into an architectural marvel within a short period of 66 months.

Devotees were seen comparing the old Yadagirigutta temple with the renovated one recollecting the hardships faced by them due to narrow roads, traffic jams, lack of basic facilities on temple premises, unclean surroundings and water scarcity.

"There is no comparison at all. The temple got a complete makeover which we never dreamt of. The architectural grandeur, spiritual atmosphere in the town, wider roads, clean surroundings, lush greenery, abundant water and all other facilities make darshan of the lord memorable. All this was possible due to the strong will and determination of the Chief Minister to transform Yadadri into one of the top temples in the world. Without Chandrashekar Rao, this could not have become a reality," said C. Mallikarjun, a devotee who works in Mumbai and a native of Nalgonda district, who came from Mumbai to take part in reopening of the temple.

Devotees heaped praises on Chief Minister for sanctioning Rs 1,200 crore for the renovation of the temple.

"Usually, temples are built seeking donations from people and organisations. This is for the first time that a government in the country came forward to develop a temple with its own funds. Chandrashekar Rao made Yadadri a pride of Telangana state and people. This temple will attract lakhs of pilgrims not only from Telangana but from other states and also across the globe," said K. Madhavilatha, an associate professor and a native of Warangal.
Union minister G Kishan Reddy writes to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, asking him to cooperate with the Central government's efforts to increase air connectivity by establishing more airports in Telangana. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: Union minister of culture, tourism and development of North East Region (DoNER) G. Kishan criticised the Telangana state government for not cooperating in setting up new airports in the state.

The union ministry of civil aviation has written to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to set up airports at Adilabad, Nizamabad (Jakranpally) and Warangal, but there was no response, he said.

On Wednesday, Kishan Reddy wrote a letter to the Chief Minister urging him to cooperate with the Central government to set up airports under the Udan scheme, which is aimed at improving air connectivity in tier-II, and III cities.

Earlier, the state government proposed to set up airports at Jakranpally (Nizamabad), Palvancha (Bhadradri Kothagudem), Devarakadra (Mahbubnagar), Mamnoor (Warangal), Basant Nagar (Peddapally) and Adilabad in the state, he said.

Airports Authority of India conducted an OLS survey, soil testing, and techno-economic feasibility study (TEFS) and approved the setting up of airports at Jakranpally, Adilabad and Warangal, he said.

The AAI and Union minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote to the BRS government, but it didnt respond, he said.

The minister ridiculed that BRS MPs are raising questions in Parliament over airports.

"The BJP government increased the number of airports from 74 in 2014 to 140 currently, he said. The Central government is aiming to set up 220 airports by 2026 and the Telangana government, he said.
BJP state president, MP Bandi Sanjay said there has been a huge response to the meetings aimed at exposing the failures of the BRS government. (Photo: Twitter/@bandisanjay_bjp)

HYDERABAD: BJP state president, MP Bandi Sanjay on Thursday said that the party will hold a massive public meeting in Telangana to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders to mark the culmination of the ongoing 11,000 street-corner meetings.

He was speaking to reporters at Roopkhanpet village of Parigi in Vikarabad district after attending a street-corner meeting.

Sanjay said there has been a huge response to the meetings aimed at exposing the failures of the BRS government besides taking the welfare schemes initiated by the Modi government at the Centre to the people.

"We are going to hold 11,000 street-corner meetings. Subsequently, public rallies would be held in every Assembly constituency headquarters, followed by similar rallies in the 10 erstwhile district headquarters," he said.

As a culmination of all these meetings and rallies, a massive state-level public meeting would be held, the venue of which would be decided later. "We are planning to invite the Prime Minister and other top BJP leaders for the same," Bandi said.

Sanjay accused the BRS government of not fulfilling the promises made to Parigi and other surrounding areas, including providing irrigation to one lakh acres of parched lands through Palamur-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation scheme.

"Except for the funds released by the Modi government, the gram panchayats have not been getting a single rupee from the state government. The sarpanches are forced to end life for non-clearance of pending Bills by the state government," he alleged.

Earlier, addressing a street-corner meeting, Bandi said the Chief Minister, who had welcomed his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Singh Mann and took him around Konda Pochamma Sagar, had forgotten the fact that many of the farmers

who had given away their lands for the project were yet to get rehabilitation and resettlement package.

Stating that the Chief Minister had completely ruined the state by pushing it into a debt trap of Rs 5 lakh crore, Sanjay wondered how the Chief Minister would implement the promises when he was not able to pay even salaries to his employees on time. "If he is voted to power again, he will resort to borrowing another Rs 5 lakh crore," he alleged.
Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, waves as she leaves from Bute House in Edinburgh on February 15, 2023. (Photo: AFP)

Nicola Sturgeon may have had her Jacinda Ardern moment in calling it quits on her political career as Scotlands First Minister as well as leader of the Scottish National Party. Her shock move will have ramifications beyond another woman leader caving in against the incessant demands, physical and mental, on a leading politician in power.

The Scottish freedom movement has lost its foremost champion of modern times, a blow from which it may not recover anytime soon as it scouts for an immediate replacement for the First Minister before it can begin to nurse ambitions of freedom again, this time against much longer odds as the UK Supreme Court has ruled against another referendum on Scottish freedom being held unilaterally.

Nicola blamed herself for becoming a polarising figure though reasons for her voluntarily stepping down could be sighted in many other things, least of all her championing freedom. She will go down in history as the first of major leaders to pay the price for ideas considered "too woke" even for the most modern and evolved age.

Nicolas transgender reforms  by which people could apply for their Gender Recognition Certificate for an acquired gender by self-identification and without a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria or a undergo a two-year waiting period  were, perhaps, too radical even in the far more enlightened times we are in, at least so far as living in liberal democracies goes. An extreme polarisation caused by a transgender rapist being housed in a womens prison proved explosive, however, the GRC Bill itself was vetoed by Westminster.

Her Scottish party is incensed that Nicola, with her ratings falling, did not groom a successor, thereby endangering the party as well as Scottish independence, and the Labour Party senses an opportunity to rebuild their once dominant position in Scotland. None of it may be good news for the Tory party of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak even if its stand against a second referendum and the need for the UK to live up to its name and stay united may stand vindicated.
With air surveillance and smuggling of narcotics and arms through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) also called drones from Pakistan becoming a new challenge for security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir, there is a complete need to counter the threat before it reaches an alarming proportion, security experts believe.

The drones sent in from Pakistan neither blink nor buzz which makes it difficult to spot them during night hours, the experts added referring to drones sent in the recent times.

There is an immediate need to procure the latest anti-drone technology to stop unabated smuggling of narcotics and currency through drones from Pakistan for the terror operatives along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (Loc) in J&K, a senior police officer told DH.

As terrorists are on the run after 2019, drones have emerged as another challenge for the security forces as Pakistanis use the technology to prolong the 33-year-long proxy war in Kashmir, he said.

Also Read | Al Qaeda's new leader Adel has $10 million bounty on his head

In December last year, the Union Home Ministry during a high-level security meeting on J&K in Delhi had reportedly raised serious concern over the rising challenge of the smuggling of drugs and the arms through drones over the IB in Jammu and the LoC in Kashmir.

According to Sandeep Shah, co-founder of Optimized Electrotech, long range surveillance platforms have the ability to detect threats and provide actionable intelligence in all light or weather conditions and in places like J&K.

These Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled products can detect human beings from great distances and can also do intelligent identification of friend or foe. Since the products have edge analytics on board, they can be deployed 24x7 without any human intervention, any detected threat or anomaly will be flagged and alarms will be raised automatically, Shah told DH over phone.

The founder of the Optimized Electrotech, a defence technology startup founded in 2017 and based in Bangaluru, said that unmanned systems can also detect unauthorized drones and other vehicles as well help in keeping borders safe.

Such products can also be deployed in remote and discreet locations, where they can act as wide area persistent surveillance systems and can look for threats only in the problematic areas thereby saving time and efforts, he added.

Drones emerged as a major threat after two low flying UAVs were used to drop two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a high-security technical area of Indian Air Force (IAF) Station Jammu in June 2020.

It was the first drone attack on any defence establishment in the country. After these attacks, the security agencies went into a huddle to counter the threat.
India has extended its support to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina even as the United States stepped up pressure on her government and expressed concerns over the alleged erosion of democracy in the tiny South Asian nation.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra was on a visit to Dhaka on Tuesday and Wednesday. He called on Sheikh Hasina and her foreign minister, A K Abdul Momen, on Wednesday, apart from joining his counterpart Masud bin Momen for wide-ranging discussions covering all aspects of the India-Bangladesh relationship.

Read | Take note of Bangla crisis, hedge bets

Kwatra purportedly told Hasina that New Delhi had total support to her and her leadership, according to a report by the United News Bangladesh.

The report by the UNB quoted Hasinas close aide Mohammed Nazrul Islam, who briefed journalists after Indias top diplomat called on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Kwatra conveyed to Hasina warm wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reiterated New Delhis support for wider and deeper development and economic partnership between India and Bangladesh. He noted that Bangladesh was the pivot of Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and a key partner of its Act East Policy.

New Delhi sent its top diplomat to Dhaka at a time when a delegation of the United States was also on a visit to Bangladesh. 

Derek Chollet, the counsellor of the US State Department, led the delegation from Washington DC. He also called on Hasina and Momen. The United States' strongest partnerships in the world are with strong democracies. And, to the extent democracy is weakening anywhere, it's going to be a limiting factor in our ability to cooperate, the Daily Star newspaper of Bangladesh quoted Chollet as saying during an interaction with journalists in Dhaka.

Hasinas first tenure as prime minister of Bangladesh ended in 2001. She, however, led her Awami League party to return to power in 2009. She cracked down on the radicals and brought to justice the Islamists, who had helped the Pakistan Army carrying out the genocide in 1971. Secularism was restored as state principle, although Islam remained as state religion in the Constitution of Bangladesh. She led Bangladesh to register an annual economic growth of 8.4% just before the Covid-19 crisis hit the world. She put the poor nation of 16.3 million people on track to graduating from a Least Developed Country to a Developing Country by 2026. She decimated her political opponents like the Jamaat-e-Islami and her arch rival Khaleda Zias Bangladesh National Party and consolidated her position politically, leading the Awami League to cakewalk victories in January 2014 and December 2018 parliamentary polls too.

But even as she is preparing to seek a mandate for her fifth term in the office of the prime minister, her political rivals are accusing her and her party of rigging past elections, using state machinery to intimidate opposition and of undermining democracy. The US too expressed concerns over previous elections, treatment of certain advocates in civil society, particularly in human rights.

Chollet on Wednesday subtly nudged Hasina and Hasinas AL government to ensure free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

New Delhi, however, refrained from publicly interfering into internal politics of Bangladesh.

The foreign secretary and his counterpart agreed to further strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation, in diverse areas, including the concessional Lines of Credit India extended to Bangladesh, trade and investment, connectivity, power and energy, defence and security, and people-to-people ties. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation and consultations on regional and international issues of shared interest.

India looks forward to active participation of Bangladesh as the Guest Country at various events during Indias presidency of G-20. Both sides also agreed to extend reciprocal support to each other's upcoming candidature for Non-Permanent membership of the UN Security Council,  the Ministry of External Affairs stated in New Delhi.
Derry Youtuber, Adam B, has been nominated for an award at the 2023 British LGBT Awards for Online Influencer.

Adam, who today marked hitting a massive 3.5 million Youtube subscribers, wrote on twitter: "I rarely get nominated for stuff...Go vote if you have a spare 5 mins...FWANKS!!!<3"

Adam came out publicly in July 2022 with a video posted to his YouTube titled, IM GAY

The video saw an outpouring of support from fans and the public alike. Adam took to his social media to thank everyone and that he was "very overwhelmed" and "happy."

Adam B has had great success ever since he began his YouTube channel in 2012.

The British LGBT Awards was created in 2014, with the aim of shining a spotlight on our role models and those organisations who are working tirelessly to better the needs of LGBT+ people. The first official British LGBT Awards event launched in 2015.

Sarah Garrett MBE and Founder wrote: "Having worked within the LGBT+ community in media and events for over 20 years, I have seen a lot of change.

"Therefore, I am extremely proud of founding the awards and what it has achieved. Over the years I have observed various initiatives and awards ceremonies that have not had the best interests of the communities they serve at their core.

"It is important to me, and the British LGBT Awards team as a whole, that our brand has integrity and credibility, a water tight judging process, and keeps a firm focus on our primary goal: to help improve equality and the lives of LGBT+ people. We continue to strive to use the awards as a vehicle to help achieve that goal.

"Through campaigning and building awareness, we have launched initiatives such as LBTQWomen, which has achieved a global presence, and we are more recently focusing our attention on the next generation through the LGBT<25 survey.

"The awards have since recognised famous faces such as Stephen Fry, Caitlyn Jenner, Tom Daley, Cynthia Nixon and Courtney Act. Allies are more important than ever in helping create change; HRH Prince William, Kylie, Daniel Radcliff and Melanie C are among those recognised by the British LGBT Awards for their support.

"It is essential to highlight those working tirelessly for change, including community groups and those who have contributed to changing equality.

"This also applies to corporate organisations, which we feel play an important part in investing in this agenda."

The judging process for corporate categories means that winners are independently chosen by an expert panel, without any input from the organisers.

The winners are decided through a structured judging process, and the decisions made at the judges meeting are final. The winners are announced at the annual ceremony.

The public categories are voted on by the general public and last year saw the competition record approximately 150,000 unique voters.

The winners are then selected by the highest number of votes, and based on the winner being able to accept the award, either through video or in person. The ceremony is set to be held this summer.

You can vote for Adam via the link: https://britishlgbtawards.com/
The John and Pat Hume Foundation and Community Dialogue will host the first ever Peace Summit; the Unfinished Business of Reconciliation to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

The summit, which is supported by the International Fund for Ireland, will bring together over 100 people to take stock of the unfinished business of peace and reconciliation and to consider how a new generation of peacebuilders can be better supported.

The event will take place on 3rd March at Ulster Universitys Derry Campus in partnership with the Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation, Youth Action NI, Holywell Trust, Ulster Universitys International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE) and the Integrated Education Fund.

In advance of the summit, partner organisations engaged with hundreds of young people, peacemakers, community and marginalised groups across Northern Ireland and cross-border communities to explore recommendations for a Peace Summit Report which will be presented at the March event. A final report will be published in April 2023.

The Secretary of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, Tim Attwood, said: John and Pat Hume dedicated their lives to ending violence and building a peace based on partnership, dialogue and respect for diversity, and these were the foundations upon which the historic agreement of 1998 was built.

The last 25 years have brought relative peace, and we should never take this for granted. The Peace Summit will take a stock check on the unfinished business of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, recognise the achievements and produce important recommendations for the way forward for the next 25 years.

Dympna McGlade from Community Dialogue said: Peace builders have played a key role in keeping the peace in communities not only over the past 25 years, but over the last 50 years.

"People engaged in discussions want to build on the many years of hard work and the massive investment in the peace process.

Young people have expressed concern that the peace process is not delivering for future generations.

As one young person told us, It wasnt the conflict that impacted us, its the peace.

This should focus the minds of peacebuilders and politicians as we look to the future and continue the journey of peace and reconciliation.
A 15-year-old girl has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with assaulting a female by allegedly kicking and punching her on the head 27 times.

The girl who cannot be named due to her age faces one charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent on February 15.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail.

The court heard that police were called by ambulance staff at around 1.30am due to a female being assaulted in Waterloo Street.

Police spoke to the alleged victim who told them 'she had been kicked and punched numerous times to the head by a female known to her.'

The woman was complaining of being dizzy and she appeared to have a black eye.

The court heard that the woman was taken to A&E and remained there for the rest of the night.

The connecting officer said he personally had viewed the CCTV of the incident which shows the alleged injured party pushing the defendant's boyfriend.

The defendant then was seen to punch the other woman to the ground and then punch and kick her 27 times to the head.

The officer said that the 15-year-old kicked the woman on the ground then walked away before returning and kicking her again.

The court heard that at no point does the girl check on the condition of the female on the ground.

At interview the defendant showed no remorse and refused to answer any questions.

The officer said that when the CCTV was shown to her she said 'she should not have reached for my boyfriend.'

Bail was opposed due to the fact that it was 'a sustained attack' and the defendant presented a danger to the public.

The officer also said that the fact that a 15-year-old was out drunk at 1.30am meant she was a danger to herself.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said it was 'a serious charge' but in his experience these charges rarely went the distance.

He said his client had a limited record.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said that the alleged victim was 'defenceless on the ground' while subjected to this attack.

He refused bail and remanded the girl in custody to appear again on March 7.
A SUSPECTED armed robber ran out of luck after he was stabbed by one of his victims during a robbery along Simon Mazorodze Road.

Harare magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, convened court at the hospital where Talent Jeke is recovering from surgery, which saved his life, after the foiled robbery.

He was remanded to March 13 and is now under heavy guard by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officers.

The court heard that on February 13, Jeke and his accomplices, only known as Tinashe and Farai, who are at large, hired the first complainant, Francis Dick, to drive them to Waterfalls from the Harare CBD.

On their way, they manhandled Dick and struck him with a brick before they stole US$32, his identity card, bank cards, shoes and cellphone.

They later dumped him in Houghton Park and disappeared with his car.

Later that same night, they allegedly robbed Nigel Mutekairi, who they offered a lift to Budiriro, but took the opposite turn to Machipisa.

They threatened him with a knife and demanded that he surrender all his possessions.

He gave them his phone, US$2 and $200.

They then offered Obert Chikuwa a lift to Budiriro and one of them produced a knife and demanded his possessions.

Chikuwa fought with them and stabbed Jeke in the stomach leaving his intestines protruding.

Jekes two accomplices fled and Chikuwa ran towards some houses shouting for help.

The police reacted and arrested Jeke at the scene as he could not flee due to the stabbing.

Zvikomborero Mupasa appeared for the State. H Metro
In the run-up to Care Day (Friday 17 February), Cllr Sandra Duffy, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, welcomed young people with lived experience of care to the Guildhall.

Care Day is the worlds biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience. This group includes children and young people who are or were cared for by foster carers, or other family members, and those who live in childrens homes.

Care Day in the UK and Ireland is a joint initiative across five childrens rights charities, and led in Northern Ireland by VOYPIC  Voice of Young People in Care.

Young people from across the borough joined Cllr Duffy as she kicked off the celebrations for young people in the Derry City and Strabane area.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Duffy said: I was hugely honoured to host young people from across the Council area to the Guildhall today to hear at first-hand about the importance of care provision in making many young people feel safe and valued in our community.

I hope that Care Day on Friday will not only be a celebration of the role played by foster carers or family carers, but an opportunity for us to showcase the lives and achievements of the children and young people in care across our Council area. I want to thank everyone who attended the event today and really enjoyed being part of it and meeting with the young people and hearing about their experiences and achievements.

The latest figures show that there are more than 3600 children and young people in care in Northern Ireland. This more than at any point since the introduction of the Children (NI) Order 1995. In the Western Health and Social Care Trust, there almost 700 children in care.

More than 80% of children in care live with a foster carer or a member of their extended family. About 7% live in residential childrens homes.

Over 300 young people, aged 16-18 years old, left care in the year to March 2022.

Caoimhe Coyle, VOYPIC Area Manager, thanked the Mayor for hosting the young people.

We are delighted that the Mayor has welcomed young people with lived experience of care, and joined with them to celebrate all children and young people in and leaving care in Derry, Strabane and across the whole borough.

It is important to remember, not just on Care Day but throughout the year, that we all share a responsibility for ensuring care experienced young people feel safe and valued in our community, and that their voice is heard.

Among the young people attending the event was Olly, 11, from Derry.

Care Day is a really important day, to show young people in care they are important. I really enjoyed having breakfast with the Mayor, and other care experienced young people from the area, and I am really grateful we got to do this, he said.

VOYPIC is leading events and activities throughout the week to mark this years Care Day celebration. Festivities culminate in a regional Care Day Fun Day, involving more than 300 children and young people from across Northern Ireland.

Alicia Toal, VOYPIC Chief Executive, said Care Day is an opportunity for all of society to find out more about these remarkable young people and ask what more we can do to ensure their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

This Care Day young people from across Northern Ireland will come together as a community to connect and support each other in the spirit of friendship and fun, whilst challenging the stigma faced by care experienced people across the world.

VOYPIC, created in 1993 by a group of young people in care and professionals, is working together with children and young adults for a better care experience and life after care.

The organisation wants to ensure that every child in care in Northern Ireland feels safe, valued and loved, and every young person leaving care does so with dignity and respect, and thrives into adulthood. For more information, visit www.voypic.org.
Over three-quarters of job hunters would turn down a new role if it didn't meat their flexible work needs, an employment survey has found.

Recruitment and retention of workers is set to be a challenge in 2023, according to the research.

The survey found that 76% of people would turn down roles that do not meet their flexible working needs, according to the Cpl Salary Guide for Ireland 2023.

The Cpl Salary Guide 2023, an in-depth look at 16 different sectors and a regional view of Irelands talent market, finds that the Irish job market will be characterised by the evolution of key trends and developments stemming from the pandemic.

The Cpl Candidate Survey, which informed the Salary Guide, shows a growing emphasis on remote work and flexible working arrangements. The accelerated shift towards digital transformation saw remote work become the mainstay for many employees.

People adopted this new way of working and the benefits it brought. Many now see remote and hybrid working arrangements as a 'must-have'. As a result, many companies seek to hire employees skilled in digital technologies who can work effectively in a remote environment.

Despite recent job losses in the tech industry, the talent market for technical skills in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is growing. The demand is also spreading as companies see the potential for these technologies to drive business growth.

Investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is on the rise. Companies are recognising the ethical and business importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. To achieve this goal, companies are actively seeking to hire individuals from under-represented groups and foster an inclusive workplace culture that values and supports everyone.

According to CPL, the ultimate objective is to create an environment where all employees feel valued and included.

Irelands talent market is expected to remain competitive in 2023, according to the guide. Top talent will continue to command high salaries and attractive benefits packages. Companies are also looking at other ways of retaining and attracting the best employees.

Many are investing in health and wellness programmes and training and development opportunities.

While salaries are rising, the big focus this year will continue to be flexible working. Employees are seeking more than just a good salary.

Work-life balance, meaningful work, learning & development opportunities, more annual leave days and hybrid working are some of the areas dominating the new how we work discussion.

Lorna Conn, Cpl CEO said: For employers, recruitment and retention will continue to be a challenge. Getting ahead of the curve and winning the battle for talent is going to require innovative thinking that goes beyond salary increases and extra benefits. A companys reputation, sustainability credentials and prospects will all feature heavily in candidates' minds.



The Guide shows that qualified and experienced staff will continue to hold power at the negotiation table. Employees will be looking for companies offering them a great package, including personalised perks and benefits.

The survey had 749 respondents from employees and job seekers.
Hundreds of people have taken part in vigils in memory of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey in Dublin and Belfast.

In Dublin, people gathered at The Spire on OConnell Street, while in Belfast they came together at the front of the City Hall.

Protesters carried placards reading Rest in Power and Trans Rights Now.

Brianna, who was a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, was found by members of the public as she lay with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park at around 3.13pm on Saturday.

Two teenagers charged with her murder were remanded into custody by a district judge on Wednesday.

In Dublin, many of those who attended the vigil lit candles and left them on the pavement in front of a portrait of Brianna.

Academic and LGBTQ activist Ailbhe Smyth described the teenager as strong and fearless.

She said: She was only 16. She was on the cusp between girlhood and womanhood, that very delicate and also very wonderful moment.

I felt her familys grief so much when they said in their beautiful statement about the death of their daughter.

They said she was strong, fearless and one of a kind. I thought of that young woman and how brave she had been in her life to say I am a trans woman.

Solidarity councillor Leah Whelan told the vigil: Brianna was only 16.

She deserves recognition, she deserves respect and she deserves to be alive today.

In Belfast, many of those who attended the vigil carried photographs of Brianna.

Leo Lardie, from the Rainbow Project, told the vigil: Usually I am known as a man who is never at a loss for words, but today I truly and utterly am.

There are no words to describe how hopelessly tragic and keenly painful the senseless death of a young girl like Brianna is.

We are here tonight to show our deepest sympathies for her family, friends and the trans and non-binary community of the UK all of whom are left bereft by her sudden death.

The UK can feel like an increasingly frightening place for trans and non-binary people to exist.

Alliance representative on Belfast City Council Micky Murray said the death of Brianna was being felt by the trans community right across the world.

He said: I hope this event brings comfort but I also think it brings a level of discomfort.

Obviously we dont want to have events like this, we dont want to have to stand here to protest and to hold vigils.
An incident in which petrol was poured through the front doors of three houses in Bangor has been described as utter madness.

Suspected bullet holes have been found in the living room window of a fourth house in the County Down city.

Local MLA Alex Easton, who recently lost both his parents in a house fire, said the criminal actions could have led to someone being killed.

The incidents occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Our detectives are appealing for information after it was reported that petrol was poured through the letterboxes of a number of properties in Bangor. pic.twitter.com/5odt41cDDJ  Police Ards and North Down (@PSNIArdsNDown) February 16, 2023

Detective Sergeant Bell said: Shortly after 12:20am, it was reported that petrol had been poured through the letterbox of a house at Fort Avenue.

An individual said to have been wearing gloves, and their hood up and face covered, was subsequently seen leaving the area on foot.

A short time later, shortly before 12:40am, a second report was received of petrol being poured through the letterbox of a property in the Fort Drive area.

A third report was also received shortly after 3.30am of petrol being poured through the letterbox of another house in the Fort Avenue area.

He continued: We are also investigating a report of suspected bullet holes being discovered in the living room window of a property at Fort Terrace shortly before 12:55am.

Further damage was located inside an interior wall inside the house.

A man, described as being around 6ft in height, 30 to 40 years old, and of a muscular build, was reported to have been seen in the area at the time.

He was described as wearing dark coloured clothing, including loose fitting bottoms, a tight top, and he had his hood up.

Our inquiries are continuing, and at this stage, we are investigating a link between these incidents.

We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time, or anyone with any information which may assist us, to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 15 of 16/02/23.

Mr Easton said: I have spoken with the PSNI and this is utter utter madness, for some absolute idiot to have poured petrol through peoples letterboxes is just pure evil and wrong and no matter whatever the reasons it is just not acceptable behaviour.

Having seen what fire can do recently with the loss of my own parents, it horrifies me that someone could do such an evil act that could have killed four families and destroyed peoples homes.

I would call on anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI so the evil thug and individual involved can be caught, and brought before the courts before they kill someone with their reckless actions.

SDLP North Down representative Deirdre Vaughan said: People in our communities just want to live in peace and I would ask those behind these incidents to stop immediately.

Anyone with information about what happened should come forward to police and help them with their investigation.
Imagine a world without Google, how will it impact your life? Just writing this down made me chuckle; as a middle-aged man who grew up with Google, how do you even begin to answer that question? It feels like one of those crazy hypotheticals like what would happen if the earth stops spinning or if gravity suddenly stops working? Absolutely ridiculous to even entertain such a thought in your brain, because you know its never going to happen  at least while youre alive.

For over two decades now, most of the connected world has only known one destination to hunt for online information: Google Search. Over 3.5 billion people worldwide use Google Search every single day, doing everything from consuming daily news to searching product deals, and coming across incredible reports (while researching for this column) that claim as many as nine Google products have over 1 billion users each  Android, Chrome, YouTube, Play Store, Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Photos and, of course, Gmail. Im part of those over 1 billion people using all of these Google products and services every single day, as I imagine you all are, our dear readers. Unless youre in China (or an unfortunate Apple user), its difficult to move around and get things done online without using at least one of Googles vast web of product offerings.

So when Bard, Googles futuristic generative AI search bot, flubbed its answer to a random question in its advertisement campaign, the whole world sat up and took notice. Just a couple of days after Microsoft and OpenAIs powerful re-imagination of AI-fuelled search through Bing and Edge, Google Bards less-than-stellar demo eroded the market value of Alphabet (Googles parent company) by an astounding US $100 billion in a single day. Beyond one very expensive epic fail, it had a significant impact on Googles street cred like never before.

Read more: Google loses $100 Billion after its new chatbot Bard messes up an answer in a promotional ad

This Bard fiasco isnt the first major damage to Googles reputation, as the search engine giant has suffered huge setbacks in the past. If you remember, Google was late to the social media game, grasping at straws with Orkut, Buzz and Google Plus levels of desperation. Unable to make any significant dent into Facebooks meteoric rise, Google appeared to have no idea what to do, condemning itself to be a social outcast from all the new kids on the block. And try as they have in the past, albeit with meagre success, even now Googles hardware dreams are still playing catch-up with Amazons Alexa smart speaker or trying to shake the iPhone or Samsungs strong grip on the smartphone market. And lets not even get started on Google Glass! As the world shifts from just searching for information online to spending more time with curated content destinations like Instagram or TikTok, Googles YouTube is facing increasingly more competition in the fight for more eyeballs, peoples attention and on what used to be the worlds largest free website to broadcast yourself.

Theres always been one huge difference between all of Googles past setbacks and failures compared to what happened on the Bard demo. When stepping out of its core domain of expertise  which is to compile and organise the worlds information in easily searchable form  Google suffered its share of catastrophic failure, whether it's in an attempt to build an iPhone Killer or trying to overthrow Facebook's social media supremacy. But this is the first time its creation raised public doubt about Googles ability to innovate and stay relevant in the future of its fundamental offering  online search. And thats something we have never seen before, no wonder it sent a seismic wave of shock and disbelief throughout the world.

How can Google be outmatched and outplayed at its own game? Could the unimaginable actually come to pass in the near future?

Hyperbole aside, of course, Im not saying were heading towards a Google-free future anytime soon, and Google Search still remains in Microsoft CEO Satya Nadellas words the 800-pound gorilla of the search engine industry. If anything, the Bard fiasco might banish any semblance of complacency within Googles rank and file, forcing them to double down and out-innovate the competition. After all, generating AI or chatbot-based search suggestions in real-time is no laughing matter, and Google may still have the last laugh against any challenger on this front for a good amount of time. Long enough for it to reinvent how the world searches for information with a flavour of AI we cant even imagine?

This column originally appeared in Digits February 2023 issue
iQOO Neo 7 lands in India with a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset. Its base model is priced at 29,999. However, thanks to the introductory offers, you can grab the device at a discounted price. We will cover the complete pricing and availability details. But first, lets look at the key features iQOO packs within this phone to warrant that Power to Win tagline.

Top iQOO Neo 7 features and specs

1. iQOO Neo 7s key source of power is the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chip thats backed by up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. Theres 5G compatibility also because of this chipset.

2. A 5000mAh battery is present inside that keeps the lights on. It is bolstered by 120W wired charging that claims to fill 60% of the tank in 10 minutes.

3. Something else 120 is the refresh rate of the 6.78-inch AMOLED panel on the front. It is HDR10+ rated and flaunts 1300 nits of brightness.

4. You get an under-display fingerprint reader, and unlocking the device takes you to Funtouch OS based on Android 13.

5. iQOO Neo 7 camera setup consists of a 64MP primary and two 2MP auxiliary sensors on the back and a 16MP shooter for selfies on the front. You can record videos up to 4K at 30 fps from the back while the front is restricted to 1080p at 30 fps.

iQOO Neo 7 India price and sale offers

iQOO Neo 7 is available in Interstellar Black and Frost Blue at a starting price of 29,999 (8+128GB). The upper variant costs 33,999 (12+256GB) in India. You can grab it from Amazon India starting today, i.e., February 16 at 1 PM. The launch offers include 1,500 flat discount, if you use HDFC, ICICI and SBI bank cards. You can also avail an additional 2,000 exchange discount as well as a no-cost EMI option.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, goes the clock

1800 seconds = 30 mins to go for the the #iQOONeo7 5G SALE on @amazonIN!

Ready to get the #PowerToWin?

Buy Now: https://t.co/zn6LVBm2lL

Watch Now: https://t.co/MYRNzdZqe6

Follow @IqooInd on Twitter#AmazonSpecials pic.twitter.com/EW3Iv7NtYe  iQOO India (@IqooInd) February 16, 2023

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
MediaTek has announced a new SoC in the 7000 series which is a 4nm chipset and is called the MediaTek Dimensity 7200. The company claims that it will help with a better gaming experience and photography performance and it will be seen rolling out in smartphones in the first quarter of 2023.

The Dimensity 7200 is placed just below Dimensity 8000 series which is used in mid-range phones and some flagship phones as well. So the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 might be rolling out in mid-range smartphones. The chipset is built on the 4nm processor just like the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9200. \

The Mediatek Dimensity 7200 is equipped with an octa-core CPU, consisting of two Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.8GHz and six Cortex-A510 cores at an unknown frequency. The chipset is also equipped with an Arm Mali-G610 MC4 GPU.

The other features of the Dimensity 7200 are APU 650 machine learning silicon, a Release 16 sub-6GHz 5G modem, support for 144Hz refresh rates at FHD+ display resolutions, AI-based variable-rate shading, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6E support.

The Mediatek Dimensity also supports cameras up to 200-megapixel, 4K videos simultaneous dual video capture and motion-compensated noise reduction in low light.

The Dimensity 7200 will support 32-bit apps because of fewer CPU cores, confirmed Mediatek to Android Authority.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7000 series will be vital for mobile gamers and photography enthusiasts who are looking for an affordable way to squeeze the most battery life out of their phones without skimping on performance, said CH Chen, Deputy General Manager of MediaTeks Wireless Communications Business Unit.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
With nearly two-thirds of retail workers across the country earning less than 451 per week, a cost-of-living wage needs to be introduced according to the Mandate Trade Union which recently carried out research on retail pay rates.

The biggest challenge in terms of decent incomes shown in the report, Smoke and Mirrors (15952_smoke&mirrors_report_interior), is the number of hours worked in the sector and the union is calling for legislative change to enable workers to work more than their banded-hours contracts where extra working hours are available.

Dr Conor McCabe, researcher with the Queens University Management School, Belfast  who prepared the report for the union  said that while hourly rates have been improving, this hasnt been fully reflected in weekly earnings because of the relatively low number of hours being worked by retail workers.

Last July, Mandate Trade Union conducted a survey amongst 3,000 of its members and the feedback showed that just one fifth (21%) were earning more than the weekly Living Wage which was 502 back then" stated Dr McCabe.

"Whats more, the research shows that nearly two-thirds of the survey respondents (64%) were earning below 451 per week and this is due mainly to the relatively low number of working hours available to retail workers with the CSO showing that such staff work 72% of the average national working week.

The Mandate survey shows that 75% of the respondents were on a banded-hours contract and, of this cohort, over 50% were on a contract of 31 hours or more a week. A significant number of these workers, 40%, would like to work more than their banded hours."

Mandate General Secretary, Gerry Light said that legislative change is needed to allow workers increase their working hours where extra hours are available so that they can get a decent weekly income.

The 2018 Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act has helped retail workers by introducing banded-hours contracts which provide a minimum floor of hours and have gotten rid of zero-hour contracts" he explained. "Smoke and Mirrors shows that further change is needed to enable workers to avail of extra working hours where those hours are available.

"Our experience on the ground shows that where extra hours are available, many companies are actively choosing to by-pass offering those hours to existing staff who are looking for them, instead choosing to go with new starts in order to keep wage their bills down.

Mr Light concluded that the National Minimum Wage now needs to be replaced with a Cost of Living Wage.

The National Minimum Wage is no longer fit for purpose in terms of helping workers avoid poverty  particularly at a time of rapid increases in the cost of living.

"To tackle this problem, the National Minimum Wage needs to be replaced by a Cost of Living Wage which would ensure that everyone in work can have enough income to live decently."
Louth County Council say they have recently purchased the former Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer for the provision of a new Council library and community space.

The purchase was funded under the Building Acquisition Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The Council say they are committed to the development of its library service, evidenced by recent, considerable investments to ensure the library service meets the strategic objectives as per the Louth Library Service Development Programme 2020-2025, a key focus of which is:

"Improving access, use and visibility of the public library and establishing it as the go-to place for a range of sustainable, integrated public services."

Louth County Council say they recognise the need to develop the public library service in Dunleer to meet the needs of the growing community and that the acquisition of this building on the main street allows for the placing of a public facility in the heart of the community.

This works in tandem with the Dunleer Masterplan, which is currently being developed under the Town Centre First Policy, which promotes re-using existing town assets, tackling vacancy and dereliction, breathing new life into Dunleer town centre.

A new and improved library space will offer better access to digital hardware and software and support increased community engagement with more space and opportunities for school visits, story time, talks, book clubs and the many other services offered by Louth Library Service, the Council say.

Louth Library Service has recently been awarded Library of Sanctuary status and this new community space and say they will contribute to libraries continuing to strengthen and support communities by providing dynamic, inclusive and responsive library services.

Amanda Branigan, Acting County Librarian added that:

A responsive library can support rural communities to address the current challenges faced, provide supports for economic recovery, and aid the revitalisation and regeneration of towns and villages to improve community development and quality of life.

Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus ODowd, has warmly welcomed the news.

ODowd said:

Im absolutely delighted we now have confirmation that the Dunleer library will soon be moving to a larger and more appropriate building which will allow the service to expand.

This is a matter I have been raising with both the local authority and in the Dail over recent months as the service has clearly outgrown its current premises.

The council confirmed to me in August that they were exploring options to improve on the delivery of the Dunleer Library Service as they were experiencing growth in both membership and usage of the Dunleer facility.

ODowd added:

The welcome news was delivered this morning by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, as part of the Building Acquisition Measure (BAM) of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Under the initiative, local authorities were asked by the department to engage with the local community to identify suitable vacant or derelict properties that could be taken into public ownership and converted for community use.

This is great news for the Dunleer community and I cant wait to see the expansion of services along with a new community space that will greatly benefit the area into the future.
Louth County Council has no plans at the moment for regeneration of Park Street in Dundalk, and will have to wait until an opportunity to seek funding for any works becomes available, members heard at the Dundalk Municipal District February meeting.

Cllr Maeve Yore raised the matter at the monthly meeting, which was held at the Kilcurry Resource Centre. Cllr Yore enquired about the possibility of seeking regeneration funding "so people coming into Dundalk from the Dublin side will get as good an impression as they're going to get coming into Dundalk from the northern side".

Cllr Yore commented that the street needed regeneration, asking also if something could be done with the former Dunnes Stores building on the street, that has been vacant for some time and which, she commented, has "been a thorn in all our sides for many years."

Cllr Sean Kelly supported Cllr Yore's comments, adding that he had raised a motion previously on Anne Street. Cllr Kelly was critical of the footpath on Anne Street, commenting that "there's actually cobble[stones] there that are completely overgrown."

Cllr Kelly commented on the signs on Anne Street that give information on the area's heritage, saying "you can't actually see the signs because they haven't been cleaned", adding, "it's great that we're doing all the work in one end of town, we can't forget the other end."

In response, Senior Executive Officer, Olivia McCormack, said that Park Street was "not on the list for regeneration at the moment but there is a whole list of projects that we put in place." Ms McCormack said that the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) have put out another call for funding but that it was not related purely to public realm and that that call would be later in the year.

Ms McCormack added that the present URDF funding call is focuses more on housing, including in relation to housing above shops, and that they would have to wait until a further call comes out for the Council to apply for any further regeneration funding.
ABOVE: Cllr John Sheridan; Senator Erin McGreehan; Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue; Cllr Andrea McKevitt; Cllr Sean Kelly; and Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Conor Keelan (PHOTO: Ken Finegan/www.newspics.ie)

Cllr Andrea McKevitt has called on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to intervene on rural rural one off housing planning laws which are presently in place.

The Minister was at a public meeting on Tuesday night, which was attended by members of the farming community from all across the county in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk

Cllr McKevitt spoke on what she says is  the need for Ministerial intervention at department level with regards to the strict rural one off housing planning laws which are presently in place

Cllr McKevitt said that the conditions make it very difficult to build on family owned land unless they own a certain amount of land or are family farmers, and in the case they are fortunate enough to satisfy this criteria they then must only allow three children to build, leading to more division and conflict.

The Fianna Fail councillor added, the Croi Conaithe scheme introduced by the government is very welcome and I urge people to apply for this if they can, however not everyone has a vacant or derelict property nor are they for sale.

Cllr McKevitt was one of three county councillors to vote against the County Development Plan in 2021, she was joined by fellow Fianna Fail Cllr James Byrne and Green Partys Marianne Butler.

Councillor McKevitt at the time of the vote stated that her conscience wouldn't allow her to support a plan that would destroy rural Ireland.

Cllr McKevitt told the meeting, I feel the same now as I did then on the issue, the strict regulations that are in place are decimating rural communities, so many people cannot get planning on their family owned land, which was held onto for generations for their use to build a home and raise their family, however this no longer is an option.

The Dundalk-Carlingford councillor continued, It takes a family to run a farm, Minister not just one or two children and we need to acknowledge that as many farmers are only part time farmers and need to work other jobs for a stable income and these criteria will ruin family farms and livelihoods never mind our rural communities which is the heart of the Cooley Peninsula.

Minister that is why I am asking you and your Department to help shape and influence policy for the longevity and sustainability of our rural communities. Intervention is needed now, to ensure that people brought up, be it in Corakit, Omeath, the South Commons in Carlingford, Mucklagh in Cooley, Ballymakellet in Ravensdale, or any area of Rural Zone one as its better known by planners, are afforded the same opportunities as their elders to continue to live there raising the next generation to sustain our schools, GAA clubs, community events and the copious other groupings and organisations at the centre of our communities.
A total of 2,353,638 has been allocated to Louth County Council under the 554 million national roads and greenways funding for 2023, it has been announced today.

As part of the funding the government has allocated 350k to cover the ongoing costs related to the judicial review of the Ardee Bypass.

In addition to the 350k; 1,035,000 will be used for Capital Investment- Protection & Renewal and Active Travel, 700,00 in funding will go towards greenways, while 268,638 will go to maintenance protection and renewal.

Separately, 600k in funding was announced to progress upgrades on the N2 Ardee to Castleblaney.

Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus ODowd, and local Fine Gael Councillor, Dolores Minogue, have welcomed the funding saying the news means the government have reaffirmed their commitment to the Ardee Bypass.

ODowd said: Im delighted to see that the Ardee Bypass is firmly included in today's announcement which will see 350k made available in 2023 to cover the ongoing legal costs of the case.

I hope that the judicial review will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible and if successful, I would expect to see construction commencing shortly afterwards.

In todays announcement the bypass is referenced to as a project that will improve road safety, reduced vehicular traffic in the town, better air quality and more active travel opportunities in the town, thereby providing for a better quality of life for local residents.

These are the exact reasons Dolores and I have campaigned for so long to get this project over the line.

Cllr Minogue said: Im thrilled to see the bypass is still front and centre of the governments plans for regional investment.

Ardee has so much to offer and this bypass would finally allow the town to breathe and develop appropriately.

Im also delighted to see that 600k has been secured in 2023 for the N2 Ardee to Castleblaney project to progress the upgrades that are so badly needed.

With regards to the Ardee Bypass TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) note in their preamble booklet that:

"Louth County Council is progressing the N52 Ardee Bypass, which is proposed to pass to the west of Ardee.

Currently, the environmental screening decision of An Bord Pleanala is the subject of a challenge through judicial review.

TII must fund Louth County Councils participation, as a notice party, in the legal proceedings to protect the integrity of the States planning process.

Multiple collisions have been recorded along the N52 from Mandistown cross-roads to the N2 and on the N2 from the N52 junction to the N33 roundabout in the assessment years 2008 to 2016 inclusive.

A total of 1 fatal, 5 serious and 31 minor accidents have occurred over this eight-year period, resulting in 34 minor casualties, 4 serious casualties and one fatality.

These sections of the N52 and N2 consistently have an above or twice above average collision rate when compared to similar categories of road around the country. The N52 is important for enhancing regional accessibility and improving connectivity to border counties.

"The bypass of Ardee would provide greater capacity for passenger and freight traffic on the route, which would support economic expansion of the region.

"In the context of Ardee, this bypass project supports the Compact Growth objective of the NDP and Town Centres First.

In addition, the project supports improved road safety, reduced vehicular traffic in the town, better air quality and more active travel opportunities in the town, thereby providing for a better quality of life for local residents.
Banks investment in Morocco reached 530 million in 14 projects in 2022

Record investment of 360 million in the private sector and 170 million in the green economy

Fifty-eight per cent of all investments in Morocco in 2022 had a gender and inclusion focus

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) more than doubled its investment in Morocco last year, extending more than 528 million in finance to 14 projects, up from 211 million in 2021.

It delivered record investment of 360 million in the private sector and 170 million in support of Moroccos green economy. Fifty-eight per cent of all investments had a gender and inclusion focus.

Supporting the countrys transition to a low-carbon economy, the Bank co-financed the repowering of the Koudia Al Baida wind farm in the north of the country with a senior loan of up to 44 million. This marked the first wind farm repowering project in Africa.

The Bank invested a MAD 1 billion issue by the City of Agadir, the capital of Moroccos Souss-Massa region. Agadir was thus the first Moroccan city to join the EBRD Green Cities programme.

Helping to unlock the economic potential of Moroccos Oriental Region and improving regional access to infrastructure, the EBRD extended additional financing of 100 million for the construction of the Nador West Med (NWM) port. The Bank also provided a technical cooperation package worth 1 million to assess NWMs potential role in the hydrogen value chain.

The EBRD delivered 88 SME advisory projects in 2022, most of them in the regions outside Casablanca and Rabat.

In 2022, the Bank held its Annual General Meeting for the first time in Morocco, under the theme, Responding to Challenges in a Turbulent World.

Continuing its support for the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, the Bank made a record 2.4 billion of new investments in 50 projects in 2022, of which 70 per cent were in the private sector and 42 per cent were in the green economy. Half of the projects had a gender inclusion component.

The region also continued to benefit from strong donor support, including from the EU, the EBRD SEMED Multi-Donor Account,* the Green Climate Fund, the Global Concessional Financing Facility and other bilateral and multilateral donors.

Overall, the EBRD delivered a record 13.1 billion in investment to its regions in 2022, amid an extremely challenging global economic environment in the wake of Russias war on Ukraine  confirming its countercyclical role in supporting its clients and the economies in which it invests.

The 2022 result was significantly higher than 2021s total Annual Bank Investment (ABI) of 10.4 billion and the previous record of 11 billion in 2020 in response to the economic shock caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Bank, which is strongly committed to the global climate agenda, also announced in December that it had fulfilled its pledge to align all of its activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change.

EBRD green economy financing reached 50 per cent of total business volume in 2022, at more than 6 billion against the previous record of 5.4 billion set in 2021.

*The donors to the EBRD SEMED Multi-Donor Account are Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Taipei China and the United Kingdom.
Ray Managh

The Berlin Bar, a Dublin pub that was shut down by a judge two years ago after a boozy brunch that breached Covid-19 regulations and went viral online, will reopen to the public on Friday,

This was confirmed on Thursday by its new manager David Grier after Judge John OConnor in the Circuit Civil Court accepted his undertaking that no shadow directors would be permitted to have any part in the day-to-day running of the premises.

Barrister Dorothy Collins, counsel for the venue, told Judge OConnor the District Court had refused to renew the pub-restaurants license after the Covid breach, and it had remained shut for the past two years.

Ms Collins, who appeared with Ronan Brennan of Brennan Solicitors, said she was applying for a new seven-day pub, restaurant and singing license for the updated Berlin Bar, which is owned by Trillium Leisure Limited, on the basis of the extinguishment of a Co Galway pub license.

She told the court that Garda Inspector John Finucane had withdrawn his objection to the re-opening of the pub at 15/16 Dame Street and Dame Lane on strict undertakings that the premises would be run in accordance with law and that no directors or shareholders would have anything to do with day-to-day management.

Counsel for the gardai said they had accepted the bona fides of the new manager Mr Grier who had managed leading pub-restaurants in Germany, Spain and Ireland and Shane Santry of SSA Architects outlined interior improvements to the premises.

The court had heard that the bars operating licenses were refused following the Covid boozy brunch where staff had been shown online flouting health guidelines and where a masked staff member danced on the bar as he poured shots into the mouths of dancing customers over a three-hour afternoon period.

More than 40 guests had attended what had been advertised as a Very Boozy Baked Brunch With Your Budsduring the height of Covid-19 health restrictions where members of the public had been advised not to mix in crowds, stay mainly at home if possible and keep a two-metre separation while wearing masks.

Judge OConnor granted the new license after accepting Mr Griers undertaking on oath that no shadow directors would be tolerated participating in the running of the bar/restaurant.

Mr Grier confirmed following the court hearing that the premises would re-open tomorrow.
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.

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel powered cars and light vehicles by 2035.

The European Union will now be one of the largest car markets to mandate a shift to electric vehicles (EVs), following the road paved by California and New York among other U.S. states.

Todays vote is a historic vote for the ecological transition it is a victory for our planet and our populations, transport committee chair Karima Delli said, as AFP reported.

Parliament has approved the new CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as part of the EU's Fit for 55 package.  European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) February 14, 2023

Tuesdays vote formalizes an agreement reached in October 2022 between the European Parliament and European Council as part of the Fit for 55 target of reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030. The 2030 target, in turn, is building towards the EUs goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The text will still need to be formally endorsed by the Council, likely in March, according to the European Parliament and Reuters.

In addition to the 2035 deadline, the law also mandates that new cars sold in the EU cut their emissions to 55 percent of 2021 levels by 2030 and that vans reduce them by 50 percent by the same date, according to a European Parliament press release.

These targets create clarity for the car industry and stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers, Rapporteur and Dutch Member of European Parliament (MEP) Jan Huitema said in the press release. Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone.

The measure passed 340 to 279 with 21 abstaining. Supporters emphasize the importance of acting to reduce emissions to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, as well as keeping the EU competitive as the global automotive market electrifies.

Let me remind you that between last year and the end of this year China will bring 80 models of electric cars to the international market, EU vice president Frans Timmermans told MEPs, as AFP reported. These are good cars. These are cars that will be more and more affordable, and we need to compete with that. We dont want to give up this essential industry to outsiders.

On the other side of the issue, some MEPs expressed concerns that switching too quickly away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles could harm automotive workers.

In Germany 600,000 people work on ICE production, those jobs are at risk, MEP Jens Gieseke of the center-right European Peoples Party said, as AFP reported.

Ford Motor did announce on Tuesday that it would reduce its European workforce by around 11 percent over the next few years as it recenters its business around EVs, as The New York Times reported. However, major European carmakers have jumped on the EV bandwagon. In 2022, Volkswagen chief executive Thomas Schaefer announced that his company would only build EVs in Europe starting in 2033, as Reuters reported. Because of some industry pushback, the final law did allow automakers producing fewer than 10,000 vehicles annually to negotiate for weaker emissions reduction goals through 2036.

The new law does not cover larger vehicles like trucks and buses, but on Tuesday the European Commission also proposed new rules for reducing emissions from these vehicles, as AFP reported. Under the proposal:






Philippines, FAO boost cooperation to boost agri yield

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) said on February 15 it will intensify its longstanding collaboration with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help the country achieve its target of increasing local production and providing affordable food prices.



In a statement, the DA said the two parties discussed pressing issues that should be addressed to make the food security target feasible.



"Among the issues discussed were major concerns on transboundary animal diseases affecting the country's livestock and poultry industries, intensification of the production and supply of rice and corn, production and mobilisation of food through the DABureau of Plant Industry and the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program, and programmes to stabilise the prices of agricultural commodities," it said.



The UN FAO made the discussion with the department as it welcomed its new representative to the Philippines, Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie.



"Senior Undersecretary (Domingo Panganiban) thanked FAO for its ongoing assistance to developing countries in facilitating the development and promoting sustainability to make food security possible," the DA said.



Alongside DA's discussion of the country's current status in the agriculture sector, the two officials also recognised the need for "constant coordination," especially for more programmes in sync with the food security goal.



The DA said it has also included areas of cooperation to hone the sector into resilience and inclusivity.



"Undersecretary Panganiban welcomed the expertise and support of Mr. Dabbadie in these fields and urged the new FAO Philippines head to work closely with the DA on policy and technical support," it added.



Panganiban referred to the Philippine Country Programming Framework (CPF), spanning up to 2024, which covers "rice, corn, livestock, poultry, fisheries, aquaculture and agro-industrialization."



For its part, the UN FAO invited the DA to maximise opportunities that may further deepen the skill set of Philippine agriculture. These include the 2023 Stocktaking Moment, the UN General Assembly's International Day of Millet, The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum and the 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, among others.



- Philippine News Agency
In a video ad Google posted on Twitter, its yet-to-be-launched AI chatboard Bard confidently spouted misinformation about the James Webb Space Telescope. "JWST took the very first pictures of a planet outside of our own solar system," the chatbot replied, which is patently false. (It was the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope that captured images of exoplanets for the first time.) Now, the tech giant is looking to improve Bard's accuracy, and according to CNBC, it's asking employees for help.

Google's VP for search, Prabhakar Raghavan, reportedly sent an email to staff members, asking them to rewrite Bard responses on topics they know well. The chatbot "learns best by example," Raghavan said, and training it with factual answers will help improve its accuracy. Raghavan also included a list of "dos" and "don'ts" when it comes to fixing Bard's responses, based on the email seen by CNBC.

Responses should be in first person POV, should be unopinionated and neutral, and they should have a polite, casual and approachable tone. Employees are also instructed to "avoid making presumptions based on race, nationality, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, political ideology, location, or similar categories." They're asked not to describe Bard as a person, imply that it has emotions or claim that it has human-like experiences. Plus, they're instructed to thumbs down any responses the chatbot might give containing "legal, medical, financial advice" or are hateful and abusive.

Raghavan's memo came after Google CEO Sundar Pichai emailed employees, asking them to spend a few hours each week testing the AI chatbot. Google employees reportedly criticized Pichai for a "rushed" and "botched" Bard rollout. The CEO is now giving staffers the chance to "help shape [the chatbot] and contribute" by testing the company's new product. He also reminded everyone that some of Google's "most successful products were not first to market" and that they "gained momentum because they solved important user needs and were built on deep technical insights."

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People have been anticipating Google's response to ChatGPT ever since the OpenAI chatbot arrived late last year. The Microsoft-backed technology has gained tremendous popularity over the past few months, enough to rattle Alphabet and its investors. Google tried to assuage investors' concerns during its quarterly earnings call in early February by talking about its own chatbot and by touching on its work developing an AI-powered Search to compete with the next-gen Bing.
The city government of Oakland, California was hit by a ransomware attack on February 8th, and its departments can still feel the security breach's ramifications. While the local government didn't give out details about the incident, such as how much money the bad actors are demanding, it said in an announcement that the city had to take its network offline to contain the attack. That has rendered many of Oakland's non-emergency services inaccessible, such as websites that would allow residents to pay parking fines or taxes online. The city's systems meant for processing reports and issuing permits or licenses are offline, as well.

While Oakland previously assured residents that 911 dispatch and fire emergency services weren't affected by the breach, its police department warned people that the attack has delayed response times. It's now encouraging people to file reports online for non-emergency complaints. Oakland also had to close some of its buildings and is now asking people to email government offices' service counters before coming to visit.

Oakland's recent ransomware attack has delayed response times.



If you dont have an emergency, please consider the following to report incidents:



OPD Online Reporting: https://t.co/7svLaOGpJY



Follow the link for more details:https://t.co/BWbP3XFANQ pic.twitter.com/DyD8IrgATs  Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) February 14, 2023

However, it warns of delayed response times while it works "around the clock to implement recovery plans that will restore impacted systems as quickly and as securely as possible." According to the San Francisco Chronicle, residents are also having difficulties reaching city departments by phone and are being redirected to recorded messages, most likely due to an influx of calls.

On February 14th, local Oakland officials declared state of emergency in an effort to combat the effects of the attack. Doing so allows them to expedite the purchase of equipment and materials needed to get government services running as usual, as well as to deploy emergency workers if needed. Although details surrounding the attack remain unclear, the city's Information Technology Department is currently working with law enforcement and a leading forensics firm to investigate the scope and severity of the issue. "This continues to be an ongoing investigation with multiple local, state, and federal agencies involved," Oakland said in an announcement, along with the promise to keep the public updated if it has more details to share.
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The PlayStation VR2 is the virtual reality upgrade console gamers have been waiting for  but is it really worth $550? That depends on how much you need high quality VR.

The virtual reality landscape looks completely different today than it did in 2016. The original PlayStation VR arrived amid the peak of the VR hype, which kicked off with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. While they weren't perfect, wearing any of those devices was like shoving your eyeballs right into the next major leap for computing. And if VR took off, it was only a matter of time until we were all wearing augmented reality glasses. Clearly, that hasn't happened.

Sony Sony PlayStation VR2 SCORE 84 Engadget 84 Critics - Not yet scored N/A Users - Not yet scored N/A Pros Excellent OLED displays

Comfortable fit

Headset haptics feel immersive

Sense controllers are solid Cons Incredibly high launch price

Limited new titles

Long term development is suspect

Now that much of the initial excitement around VR has fizzled out, the PlayStation VR2 is more of a curiosity than a must-have gadget. It has all of the specs you'd want from a next-generation headset, but it also costs more than the PlayStation 5 itself. Sony says more than 30 games will be available during the PS VR2's launch window, but who knows how well it'll be supported over the next few years.

And really, what's the point of a pricey tethered headset when the Meta Quest 2 gets you completely wireless VR (albeit of much lower quality) for $399? No matter how you look at it, the PS VR2 is a tough sell. And yet, I can't help but be impressed by it. The PS VR2 packs in the best of high-end PC VR, including innovative features like eye tracking, as well as something we've never seen before: Haptics for your head!

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Gallery: PlayStation VR2 | 18 Photos

































/18 Gallery: PlayStation VR2 | 18 Photos

































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Before we get to that though, let's take a look at the PS VR2 itself. At first glance, it seems like an evolved form of the original, with a design that's more reminiscent of the PS5. Instead of a bulbous Fisher Price-esque toy, the PS VR2 actually looks like something built with artistic ambition. (Get ready to roll your eyes when it's highlighted at MoMA.) Sure, it's still made of plastic, but at least it's good plastic, the same stuff used for the PS5's exterior shell and the DualSense controllers.

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

I also didn't mind the plastic much since the PS VR2's internal hardware is such a massive upgrade. It features dual 2K OLED screens, which effectively deliver a 4K image. The field of view has also been bumped up to 110 degrees, putting it on-par with most other high-end VR headsets. While the displays still offer 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, in my experience everything just looks smoother thanks to the PS5's additional horsepower.

Up front, you'll find four sensors that track the headset and its new Sense controllers. Thanks to these "inside out" sensors, which are also found on the Meta Quest and many other headsets, the PS VR2 doesn't require a PlayStation camera to track its movement like before. Along the top, there's a button to extend the front half of the headset, as well as a dial to adjust the pupillary distance. It does so by physically moving the lenses to match the distance between your eyes, something that was sorely missing from Sony's first headset.

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

At the bottom of the PS VR2 there's a small microphone, power button and selection button. To get audio, you'll have to plug in the bundled earbuds along the back of the headset. There's nothing stopping you from using your own headphones or earbuds, but the cable situation would likely be a mess.

As for securing the PS VR2 to your head, I was happy to find that Sony didn't really change much from the incredibly comfortable first model. The PS VR2 features plush cushioning for your forehead, as well as a thicker cushion that sits behind your skull. Clicking the dial on the rear extends the arms of the headset, and like before, you secure it by twisting the dial. Together with its impeccably balanced design and light weight, the PS VR2 is a dream to wear. I only wish the headset flipped up like those forgotten Windows Mixed Reality devices  that would have made it far easier to slip on and off.

Still, I'm happy that Sony listened to the many criticisms of the Move wand controllers on the original PS VR. The new Sense controllers are actually purpose built for virtual reality  they're practically a carbon copy of Meta's Quest controllers, with a large tracking ring, analog sticks, two face buttons, triggers and grip buttons. Both remotes have haptic feedback, PlayStation buttons, and they also split the sharing and option buttons found on the DualSense. Overall they're a huge step up, though it would be nice if they were easier to put on when you're stuck in VR. It's hard to tell which controller is which, and their elaborate design makes it tough to get your fingers in the right places.

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Every time I was frustrated with those controllers, though, I took a breath and appreciated what Sony got right. The setup process for the PS VR2, for example, is vastly simpler than the previous model. Now all you need to do is plug in a single USB-C cable into the front of your PS5 to get the headset going. You're still dealing with a nearly 15-foot cable, but at least it doesn't involve an additional breakout box and camera.

After pairing my Sense controllers with my PS5, I stepped through the familiar process of scanning my space and measuring the floor by lowering my controllers down. The PS VR2 did an impressive job of recognizing the safe play space I had in my basement, but I also appreciated being able to tweak specific sections to my liking. As with every other VR headset, you can choose to play games while sitting or standing up. I enjoyed both positions, but intensive games like Horizon VR: Call of the Mountain benefit from having more room. It's easier to feel like a post-apocalyptic warrior when you're actually breaking a sweat.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Tesla workers in the company's Buffalo, New York Autopilot facility had sent a letter to CEO Elon Musk stating their attention to unionize. Now, organizers at the same location are accusing the company of illegally terminating employees "in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity," Bloomberg has reported.

In a filing with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Workers United union accused Tesla of attempting to discourage its organizing activities. It has asked for a federal court injunction to "prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Teslas unlawful conduct." Several of the employees let go had been involved in labor discussion, and one was the member of an organizing committee.

"This is a form of collective retaliation... designed to terrify everyone about potential consequences of them organizing, as well as to attempt to cull the herd," Workers United organizer Jaz Brisack told Bloomberg. (Engadget has contacted Tesla for comment, but doesn't anticipate a reply given the company no longer has a dedicated press office.)

Employees involved in the campaign are in charge of labeling data for Tesla's Autopilot technology. The group is asking for better pay, job security and a work environment that reduces production pressures. The group previously said that Tesla engages in keystroke monitoring to see how long they spend on tasks, and shut down an internal chatroom used for airing grievances.

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Following the earlier report, Tesla issued a directive to "protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of all Tesla business information." However, one employee said the terminations are galvanizing, rather than intimidating workers. "It's pretty clear the message they're sending," said Sara Constatino. "And it's really I think backfiring on them." The NLRB will now investigate the claims and could prosecute them before a judge if it finds merit.
Running from 1992 through 1995, Ghostwriter, the beloved PBS childrens television show, followed a diverse group of friends as they solved mysteries around their Brooklyn neighborhood with the help of their haunted typewriter, a cursed item possessed by the trapped soul of a murdered runaway Civil War slave. The Ghostwriter typewriter developed by interaction designer, artist and Lumen.world CTO, Arvind Sanjeev, on the other hand, comes with none of the paranormal hang-ups of its coincidental namesake. Instead of a spirit bound to this hellish plane of existence, forced to help tweens solve low-stakes conundrums, the deus in Sanjeevs machina is animated by OpenAIs GPT-3.

He first devised this artistic endeavor in 2021 as a, poetic intervention that allows us to take a moment to breathe and reflect on this new creative relationship we are forming with machines. Built over the course of weekends and evenings, Ghostwriter interacts with its user through the written word, allowing the two to converse and co-create freely through the physical medium of paper.

I wanted Ghostwriter to evoke warm feelings and make people comfortable playing with it, Sanjeev told Engadget via email. I chose the mental model of the typewriter for this reason. It is an artifact from our past, a world where technology was more physical and mindful of people's lives.

People trust typewriters and feel comfortable with them because they know their sole purpose is just to create stories on paper, he added. This is contrary to today's technology, black boxes that try to propagate unethical business models based on the attention economy.

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Ghostwriter began as a vintage electronic Brother AX-325 typewriter (chosen on account of its encodable keypad matrix). Sanjeev selected the GPT-3 model in part due to his familiarity with it through his adjunct faculty position at CIID and in part to its impressive capability to generate creative content, he noted. The easily accessible API convinced me to integrate this into Ghostwriter.

Sanjeev stripped out much of the machines existing mechanical guts and replaced them with an Arduino controller and Raspberry Pi. The arduino reads what the human user has typed on Ghostwriters keyboard, then feeds that input to OpenAIs GPT-3 API through the onboard Raspberry. The AI does its generative magic, spits out a response and Ghostwriter dutifully prints it back onto the page the persons perusal.

The Ghostwriter's tactile slow-typed responses made people meditatively read each word one after the other, bringing out all the quirks and nuances of the AI through its finer details, Sanjeev said.

Fast digital interactions that live on a word editor tend to hide things like this unintentionally.

Teaching the system to tap the correct keys in response proved one of the projects greatest challenges. Sanjeev had to first decode the existing electronic keyboards matrix  the device that converts a keys physical press into its corresponding digital signal. I pressed each key, read its triggered signal-scan lines, mapped it to the corresponding key, and finally made a driver that ran on an Arduino, he wrote. Users can even influence the AIs answers using two physical knobs that adjust Ghostwriters creativity and response length parameters.

Ghostwriter will remain unique for a while longer, unfortunately, though Sanjeev is working to opensource the project so that makers around the world might build their own. I hope to carve out some time to clean up the code and package everything together soon, he said.

Generative AI is definitely not a fad, Sanjeev declared, though neither is it a silver bullet for content creation. It is evidence that we have crossed the tipping point for AI creativity that pioneers of AI thought was impossible, he continued.

These tools help shape our ideas and can even inspire new ones, but at the end of the day are still merely tools for our creativity, not replacements. AI is a glorified brush that a painter can use to tell their stories, Sanjeev said. Humanity and life will always be the center of any successful work, regardless of whether it is realized through AI.

Arvind Sanjeev

GPTs ultimate applications will depend on the medium in which it is employed  as an active, hands-on instrument for digital content creation but more as a library of ideas for inspiration for makers in the physical space. The key to unlocking the potential of chatGPT in maker spaces lies in creating meaningful physical interfaces for it, he said. The role of an artist or creative using AI becomes that of a bonafide curator who selects the best works from the AI, filters it, and passes it to the next phase of the design process.

He expects a similar synergy from knowledge workers as well. Automated text generation systems have been the focus of intense media and industry scrutiny in recent months amidst ChatGPTs rocketing popularity. The technology has shown itself adept at everything from writing linux code and haiku poetry to Wharton Business School entrance exams and CNet financial explainers. Knowledge workers  lawyers, business analysts and journalists, amidst myriad others  are rightly concerned that such automated systems might be used to replace them, as BuzzFeed recently did to its newsroom.

However, Sanjeev believes that AI will instead have a less conspicuous role to play, instead trickling down from its generalist creative uses specializing into specific knowledge fields as it goes. Just like how cloud computing has become pervasive and powers most of the applications today, AI will also become ubiquitous and recede into the backgrounds of our lives once the hype cycle fades away, Sanjeev argued.

The AI revolution should lessen the rigors of such jobs and automate much of the drudgier aspects of the work. The ability to synthesize vast amounts of niche data catered specifically to domains like software engineering, law, and business is being used to train hyper-specialized AIs for these respective fields, Sanjeev noted.

OpenAI itself offers custom training packages for its systems so that customers might more easily spin up their own personalized AI doctors and robolawyers. Who ultimately bears responsibility when something goes wrong  whether its an AI doctor pushing quack diagnoses or an AI lawyer getting itself disbarred  remains a significant question with few easy answers.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out giving up any of his country's territory in a potential peace deal with Russia. Almost one year on from the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky said in a BBC interview that conceding land would mean Russia could "keep coming back.Russian forces launched part of their full-scale invasion from Belarus 12 months ago. Zelensky still believes Ukraine's forces can continue resisting Russia's advance until they are able to launch a counter-offensive - although he repeated his calls for more military aid from the West. "Today, our survival is our unity," said Zelensky on how he thought the war will eventually end.
Traffic is down to one lane on Highway 22 in New Sit
Rep. Brandon Ler, R- Savage, speaks on the House floor on February 15, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, the first openly transgender woman in the Montana legislature, said she has watched 50 members deftly dodge her pronouns.

But no one in this body has come up to me and said, Youre a man, she said. Because we would recognize thats not right, thats unkind, thats out of decorum.

She said if members expect to treat people with dignity in the chamber, Montanans should expect it in their schools.

This is inherently discriminatory, she said.

Two bills sponsored by Rep. Brandon Ler, R- Savage, were hotly debated on the House Floor on Wednesday. House Bill 356 involves gun non-discrimination, where the state could not contract with companies that discriminate against entities or firearm trade associations. House Bill 361 would allow students to be misgendered by classmates in school.

Both parties filed out of the chamber to caucus and plot their strategies in their respective committee rooms for the first time this session prior to debate.

Republican leadership said the two Ler bills that passed out of the House Judiciary Committee were important ones for the party.

House Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, said in committee there were attempts to make the debate emotional. He told his caucus not to take the bait during debate on the floor..

At the end of the day the voters sent us here with a supermajority, Regier said. We got the votes; they have a microphone.

Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, explained why he would be voting against Lers bill on firearm discrimination. He said he voted in favor of House Bill 228 because it prevented environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in Montana.

With ESG investing, the Democrats love it because it injects liberal values into the corporate decision-making process, Fitzpatrick said. Now we come around here today with a bill that wants to do exactly the same thing, but since its a Republican idea its acceptable.

Fitzpatrick was the only Republican to vote against the bill on the floor, which passed second reading 67-33.

In closing on HB 356, Ler said it protects constitutional rights.

As long as you do not have a discriminatory policy against the Second Amendment, you are good, Ler said. This bill is designed to make companies that are looking to do business with the state of Montana more open and honest about the policies they hold.

The debate surrounding Lers second bill on the House floor on pronouns and preferred names in school Wednesday brought even more disagreement across the aisle.

Ler opened debate reiterating that he felt this bill was not about bullying. It was voted out of committee with an amendment brought by Rep. Casey Knudsen, R- Malta, to provide the caveat that the behavior cannot rise to bullying as defined in statute.

Zephyr said in her comments on the bill that people change their names for all sorts of reasons, like nicknames.

Rep. Neil Duram, R- Eureka, who sits next to Zephyr in the House Judiciary Committee, said if someone called him a name with intended disrespect, he would see that person as his antagonist. Duram said he would still be voting in favor of the bill, as his constituents were widely in favor of it.

To me, as a Christ follower, I will always treat everyone around me with as much respect as I can, he said.

He said that others can call him out if his behavior is not in line with his beliefs.

Rep. Laura Smith, D-Helena, said cumulative opposition for the bill outweighed support from constituents, according to the report released by legislative services. As of Wednesday morning, the legislature had received messages from 36 people in favor and 299 opposed to the bill.

She said the bill sanctions bullying, even with the amendment.

I did not come here to pass laws that allow kids to bully other kids, and I dont think you came here for that either, she said.

House Judiciary Committee chairwoman Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, mentioned an instance in which a sorority member at a Montana university was barred from participating in activities for questioning the universitys school policy that people use others preferred pronouns.

A Montana State University student filed a complaint in U.S. District Court after she was dismissed from Alpha Gamma Delta, with chapter leadership saying she made remarks that using preferred pronouns was stupid and dumb.

Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, said he is under no obligation to be respectful to those in the room.

Students do not give up their fundamental constitutional liberties simply by being customers, and by being part of the states education system, he said.  Schools cant tell or force us how to relate to one another.

Thats part of what school is. No one is under any obligation to be kind to me in school, he said, speaking to his own experience being bullied in school. They were just under an obligation to not take it past the point of not liking me.

Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula, said Republicans should not vote for this bill if they believe in respect for people. She said using peoples preferred names is an easy gesture of basic respect. She said she was bullied for her middle name growing up and got emotional recounting her experience.

Whats wrong? Thats your name. Whats wrong? Thats your name. Thats what kids were telling me, she said.

In closing on his bill, Ler said it was also bullying to force his kids and other kids to say something they believe is not true and against their First Amendment rights.

The bill passed second reading 66-34, with Fitzpatrick and Rep. Gregory Frazer, R- Deer Lodge, the only Republicans voting no.

Both bills will go onto third reading Thursday in order to pass the House and be sent to the Senate.

The post House parties caucus before passing bills on gun non-discrimination and pronouns appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Rural campaigners are calling the government to spearhead urgent action to improve the grid connection for farmers across the UK.

Speakers at the recent Low Carbon Agriculture said new policy was needed for the UK to reach net zero and build energy security.

Alan Whitehead, Labour's Shadow Minister for Energy, called for an overhaul of the country's grid system.

He pledged to invest over 60 billion to deliver the energy changes needed, both onshore and offshore.

Our fully renewable power system would consist of a substantial push forward of renewable energy systems," he said.

"This would include a threefold increase in solar, double the amount of onshore wind and other renewable technology such as tidal energy.

Jonathan Scurlock, NFU chief climate change advisor, chaired the keynote session and stressed that top of the agenda for the NFU was still energy security, climate change and food security.

However, he went on to call for improved grid connection and access to technology to help reach the union's ambition of net zero by 2040.

While the appetite for the integration of renewable energy on farms was strong at the show, there are still barriers to decentralised energy systems.

Bill Rees, of Centrica Business Solutions, whole spoke in the solar session, noted that grid connections "are the biggest barriers to renewable energy in the UK.

Meanwhile, Trudy Harrison, Minister for Land Use at Defra, outlined key points in the new Environmental Improvement Plan.

She said the government would work with farmers across the UK to restore the natural environment.

Its our aim that 65-80 percent of farmers adopt nature friendly farming on 10-15% of their land," the minister said.

Susan Twining, CLA land use and policy advisor, discussed what the new plan would mean for farmers and called for more clarity.

More clarity is needed on ecosystem services, market guidance, and information on whether you can stack schemes together  there are lots of questions still there.

Aled Jones, from NFU Wales, said the underlying scheme in Wales would appreciate the importance of boosted farm efficiency.

We have to deliver increased production with increased efficiency, and it has to be profitable," he said.
A series of breakfast meetings will be hosted across Britain over the next few weeks by the organisers of the popular flagship on-farm event, LEAF Open Farm Sunday.

Open Farm Sunday (OFS) returns this year on 11 June, with a focus on sustainability and the health benefits of locally-produced food.

Organisers of the annual open day, Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), are calling on farmers to take part.

Ten regional LEAF OFS ambassadors are holding informal meet ups over breakfast to support farmers thinking about taking part in the event.

The meetings, commencing from today to 4 April, are designed to give farmers an insight into what holding an event involves.

OFS ambassadors will also highlight the steps involved in opening up farm gates to the public, as well as the range of OFS resources and support available.

Topics covered will include managing visitor numbers, creative activity ideas and how to ensure visitors are safe on farm.

OFS manager, Annabel Shackleton said: These breakfast meetings are a great way to take the first step to planning your event this year.

"Come and find out why farmers host year after year, hear inspirational stories about LOFS experiences and ask your burning questions.

"Its a fantastic chance to meet others and be a part of this community of host farmers passionate about sharing the story of farming with the public.

Last year, over 250 farms opened their gates, welcoming over 175,000 people onto farms across Britain.

Farms of all enterprises and sizes took part to stand up and showcase the work farmers do to produce food whilst also enhancing the environment.

LEAF then asked visitors what they took away from visiting a farm, with the vast majority (85%) saying they now had more trust in British farming.

A clear majority (79%) said they learned something new about farming, while 72% said they felt the industry was doing something to help combat climate change.
Farmers and growers have been told to be on their guard following a 'well organised' raid on a major Norfolk agrochemical store.

The break-in happened at a secure distributor store on Monday 6 February, which saw a large quantity of herbicides stolen.

Products stolen from the store included a large quantity of herbicides for spring use in a range of crops including cereals, potatoes, and sugar beet.

The names of specific products taken are Grazon, Basagran, Artist, Broadway Star, Maister, Signum, and Pacifica Plus.

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has warned growers and distributors of plant protection products (PPPs) to be on their guard against organised rural crime.

Farmers should also be vigilant for product for sale from unknown or suspicious sources, the agri-supply trade association said.

It added that crop protection and agronomy companies and farming businesses should be alert to the risk of further thefts in the area and nationally as the spring season of use approaches.

Hazel Doonan, AICs head of crop protection, said farmers and growers should be 'extremely cautious' if offered PPPs.

Any business or individual selling or supplying professional PPPs must hold the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection," she explained.

Growers should be wary of inadvertently handling stolen goods and the potential damage to their business reputation, including the risk of breaching some farm assurance standards around traceability of inputs.

Therefore, growers should be cautious if they are offered product that appears to be exceptionally cheap or does not come from a known and reputable distribution company."

She added: We strongly urge anyone who is approached to buy PPPs from an unknown or suspicious seller to report the details to the police by calling 101."
Feature: Chinese rescuers battle against odds at epicenter of quake-hit Turkiye

Xinhua) 14:17, February 16, 2023

ANTAKYA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- International rescue missions rushed to Turkiye and Syria after massive earthquakes that struck the region last week left nearly 40,000 dead, tens of thousands injured and an unknown number trapped in the rubble.

There are currently over 9,000 foreign nationals from over 80 countries conducting search and rescue operations and offering humanitarian assistance in the quake-hit zone, according to the Turkish foreign ministry.

Among those who mounted extraordinary recovery efforts is an 82-member Chinese search and rescue team, which has so far pulled out six survivors from the rubble in a week, defying the odds.

"There are some differences between search and rescue at home and abroad," said Zhao Yang, a team member working in the Antakya district of the southern Hatay Province.

"First, we need a comprehensive picture of the situation from local authorities," he said. "Second, we need to work with local emergency response teams and figure out how to overcome the language obstacle."

Finally, "earthquake search and rescue missions require lots of resources, which need to be coordinated with local institutions," he added.

Flying over 8,000 km on an Air China charter flight to southern Turkiye, the team arrived last Wednesday morning along with four rescue dogs and over 20 tons of equipment for rescue, communication and medical purposes, including life detectors that probe the rubble for signs of survivors.

"When search and rescue teams are on a mission in a foreign country, they face difficulties including acclimatizing to challenging local conditions, communicating with local personnel speaking different languages, and securing vehicles and equipment," said Zhao, adding that local volunteers have "provided significant assistance."

Emir Kaan Karaman, a student volunteer living in Istanbul, was assigned by the country's disaster management agency as a translator for the Chinese team.

"They showed the same dedication as one would expect from a Turk, just like someone looking for their own family [beneath the rubble]," Karaman said. "They were giving their all, not just their technical knowledge but from their hearts."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The imports of clothing and accessories by Japan increased by 23.2 per cent to 3,494,110 million yen ($26,483.96 million) in January-December 2022, accounting for 3 per cent of the total imports of 118,164,219 million yen during the period under review, according to the provisional trade statistics released by the Far Eastern country's ministry of finance.

The imports of textile yarn and fabric were valued at 1,261,222 million yen in January-December 2022, which was 25.7 per cent higher than the same period of last year. Yarn and fabric imports accounted for 1.1 per cent of the total imports by Japan, as per the latest data.

The imports of clothing and accessories by Japan increased by 23.2 per cent to 3,494,110 million yen ($26,483.96 million) in January-December 2022, accounting for 3 per cent of the total imports of 118,164,219 million yen during the period under review, according to the provisional trade statistics released by the Far Eastern country's ministry of finance.

The imports from China were 1,901,152 million yen in January-December 2022 which was 20.1 per cent higher than the shipment of corresponding period of 2021. The imports were 7.7 per cent of the total imports by Japan from China. The imports of textile yarn and fabric increased by 23.7 per cent to 735,177 million yen during the period under review.

Japan exported textile yarn and fabric worth 772,688 million yen during January-December 2022, an increase of 15.2 per cent year-on-year. The countrys exports of textile machinery were valued at 301,414 million yen, which was 26 per cent higher than the exports in January-December 2021, contributing 0.3 per cent to the total exports.

The exports of textile yarn and fabrics to the US were 77,404 million yen which was 10.8 per cent higher than the exports of 2021. The exports of textile yarn and fabrics to the US were 0.4 per cent of the total shipment of 18,258,656 million yen. The export of textile machinery to the US increased by 37.5 per cent to 13,830 million yen in the same period.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Kareena Kapoor Khan who is going to be lending her voice to a podcast Marvels series The Wastelanders (Hindi adaptation), where she is playing the role of Black Widow, recently revealed in an interview that she wouldnt mind working with Hollywood star Ryan Gosling.In an interview with a leading news agency, Kareena stated, People from here are going to the West, hoping that a lot of actors from the west would come here, we would be equally honoured and excited. I dont mind working with Ryan Gosling. I never wanted to do that (act in Hollywood). I am too rooted here. My babies are too young, I got married and everything happened so fast. Now, it is impossible to leave them. But, Marvel comes here.Talking about her character Kareena said that she kept reading about Black Widow and felt resonating with her a lot. She also said that these MCU characters are going to be Indian and are going to be owned by Indian actors through their voices, which everyone across India and the globe will be hearing.Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena Kapoor Khan who was last seen in Laal Singh Chaddha is all set to star in Hansal Mehta's next which is tentatively titled The Buckingham Murders. She'll also have her OTT debut with The Devotion of Suspect X, co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma and will also be seen in The Crew with Kriti Sanon and Tabu.


EQS Newswire / 16/02/2023 / 01:00 CET/CEST



SEOUL, KOREA - Media OutReach - 16 February 2023 - IGIS Asia Investment Management ("IGIS"), the pan-Asian investment arm of IGIS Asset Management, South Korea's largest real estate investment manager, announced this month a partnership with CHA Bio Group ("CHA"), one of the largest and oldest biopharma groups in South Korea with a vast global presence, to form a new Asia-Pacific life science real estate investment platform.



The venture targets to provide best-in-class life science real estate for R&D, manufacturing, and other supporting services for a spectrum of companies ranging from biotechnology incubators to multinational pharmaceutical groups in the Asia-Pacific region, including metropolitan cities in South Korea. The partnership will rely on IGIS's past track record of real estate transactions and CHA's expertise in the life sciences industry to gain first-mover advantage in providing life science real estate solutions in South Korea and overseas.



IGIS and CHA share the view of the venture's role as a catalyst for the robust growth of life science sector in the Asia-Pacific region. To respond to rapidly changing demand and multifaceted market challenges, the venture will develop and invest in high-quality life science assets, including R&D and manufacturing facilities, hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare centers in Asia-Pacific. In addition, IGIS aims to establish Korea Life Science Investment Platform ("KLSIP"), the first Korea-focused investment vehicle on life science real estate, to invigorate the venture with capital to develop facilities that meet the demands of the growing life science industry in South Korea.

Hashtag: IGIS CHA lifesciences realestate privateequity korea asiapacific



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



About IGIS Asset Management



Founded in 2011, IGIS Asset Management ("IGIS") is a privately owned vertically integrated real estate investment management firm and South Korea's largest real estate asset manager with assets under management totaling approximately US$45.5 billion as of Dec 2022. The company has over 360 professionals with a presence in 5 countries and profound expertise to invest across different strategies from core to opportunistic in multiple sectors across various markets.



About IGIS Asia Investment Management



IGIS Asia Investment Management ("IGIS AIM") is an overseas subsidiary of IGIS established in 2020 in Singapore. IGIS AIM focuses on expanding its presence within Asia-Pacific through joint venture partnerships with operators, asset managers, and local partners. In addition, the firm will invest thematically in high-quality assets across the Asia-Pacific markets to benefit from the growth potential driven by global economic and demographic trends.



About CHA Bio Group



CHA Bio Group is a Korea's leading bio-pharma group comprised of more than 50 domestic and foreign affiliated companies. The group operates a unique eco system based on the collaboration of biotech & pharmaceutical companies, university, research institute and hospital network.



CHA Biotech, a company among the three KOSDAQ-listed entities within the group is an industry leader in cell therapy development. CHA Biotech recently established Matica Biotechnology in Texas USA to enter the fast-growing global cell and gene CDMO business.



CHA Healthcare is a unique global healthcare network provider that oversees hospital investment & development outside Korea. CHA Healthcare has established a global healthcare platform of medical network consisting of 86 medical centers and IVF clinics in 7 countries, including the USA, Australia, Singapore, Japan and etc.



News Source: Media OutReach



16/02/2023 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com




KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ukraine urgently needs a 'Marshall Plan for Mines' after 12 months of war and mine laying has left the country with the biggest explosives problem of the 21st century.

The HALO Trust, the global mine clearance charity with operations in 30 countries and territories including Ukraine, has analysed open-source data and compared its previous clearance work in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Mozambique to assess the scale of the task to make Ukraine safe.





The Ukrainian government estimates that around 40 per cent of Ukraine - around 250,000 square kilometres - may need to be searched and cleared of mines and explosives. This equates to an area larger than the United Kingdom. In addition to anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, tens of thousands of artillery shells are being fired every day - with thousands failing to explode.

Open-source satellite imagery indicates there are minefields that stretch for hundreds of kilometres in the east and the south of the country. One single fortified mine line runs 90km from the Russian border to north of the town of Lysychansk in the east. Other images show multiple lines of Russian fortifications north of Melitopol that zigzag for 300km. Similar fortifications were used on the Cambodian border, where a 700km long mine belt was laid in the 1980s.

HALO's CEO James Cowan said: "The clearance of unexploded ordnance and landmines from Ukrainian land is one of the greatest challenges caused by war in recent history. Lessons from previous conflicts tell us that roughly one day of fighting results in a month of clearance. But the scale of the shelling, the vastness of the territory and the deliberate targeting of major infrastructure means that clearing debris of war in Ukraine will require unprecedented global funding and collaboration between state, private and philanthropic donors. A definitive and coordinated 'Marshall plan for mines' would be a clear call to action for the international community."

HALO is working across Ukraine in partnership with the State Emergency Services (SES), the National Mine Action Authority and its Ministry of Defence.

James Cowan said: "The Ukrainian authorities and its State Emergency Services are delivering an extraordinary response which has saved thousands of civilians. We are proud to be working in partnership with them to clear land, deliver safety messaging to the civilian population and share our machinery and logistics. This vital work will restore Ukrainian livelihoods, agriculture and infrastructure."

HALO established its Ukraine programme in the Donbas in 2016 and relocated its workforce to the Kyiv oblast in April 2022 so its staff could deliver urgent clearance, community awareness sessions and rapid contamination survey in areas that had been occupied by Russian troops, such as Bucha and Irpin. Over the following months, HALO expanded its workforce and established operations in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv oblasts. The organisation aims to have 1,200 Ukrainian staff operating across the country by the end of 2023, as well as establishing a global centre for research and development for complex post-war clearance.

Deminer Yulia Melnyk said: "I am proud that my job as a HALO deminer is helping my citizens stay safe during this dark chapter of our history. But it has also given my family a lifeline at a time we have lost almost everything. On behalf of my Ukrainian colleagues, I would like to thank the Government of the United States of America/Germany/The Netherlands/The United Kingdom/Norway/Canada for their support. But I urge the world not to look away as our country enters a second year of displacement and destruction . "

The data released includes examples from HALO's work in the following countries:

Afghanistan : The country was invaded and heavily mined by the Soviet Union in 1979. Since 2005, Afghanistan has received $1.2 billion for mine clearance

: The country was invaded and heavily mined by the in 1979. Since 2005, has received for mine clearance The K5 mine belt in Cambodia is around 700km in length and was laid to prevent the Khmer Rouge from entering Thailand in 1980s and contains an estimated 3000 mines per km. Total global funding for the whole of Cambodia between 2005-2020 was $449m

is around 700km in length and was laid to prevent the Khmer Rouge from entering in 1980s and contains an estimated 3000 mines per km. Total global funding for the whole of between 2005-2020 was Mozambique was declared mine-impact free in 2015 after HALO had worked there for over 22 years. Total global funding for mine clearance amounted to over $300m and included clearance of major infrastructure, including the Cahora Bassa hydro-electric dam

For interview requests please email media@halotrust.org

For B-Roll footage of HALO in Ukraine please use link below (password "HALOUKRAINE"): https://vimeo.com/thehalotrust/ukraine

For still images (Credit Chris Strickland/HALO): https://halotrust.canto.global/b/OQJ54

Notes to Editors:

1. See https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-largest-minefield-shmyhal/32214163.html for latest estimates of contamination from Ukrainian authorities

2. The HALO Trust was founded in 1988 and employs over 12,000 women and men to clear remnants of war from thirty conflict-affected countries and territories worldwide.

3. HALO's Ukrainian risk education teams have conducted 5,000 risk education sessions to 80,000 people since February 2022 and digital risk education messages have reached 15 million Ukrainians on social media.

4. Donations from the Governments of the USA, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Canada, Norway, EU and a number of private donors have enabled HALO to raise $50 million towards its Ukraine operations since February 2022.

5. Brady Afrik, an open-source satellite analyst, has identified hundreds of km of Russian defensive fortifications in southern and eastern Ukraine.

6. Details of international financial support for landmine clearance in Afghanistan and Cambodia is available from Landmine Monitor

7. See https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/17/last-known-landmine-mozambique-destroyed for details of Mozambique

Media contact: Louise Vaughan, Global Media Manager, media@halotrust.org

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2000243/The_Halo_Trust.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2002251/Halo_Trust_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2000244/Halo_Trust__3.jpg









View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/landmine-charity-calls-for-a-marshall-plan-for-mines-for-ukraine-301746882.html
HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 60% of employers in Hong Kong SAR believe that they will lose staff in the next six months as they seek to earn more by moving jobs, according to new research.

According to the research by global talent services company, Morgan McKinley for its 2023 Salary Guide , 60% of employees in Hong Kong SAR are looking to move jobs in the first half of the year, with 45% selecting 'higher salary' as the primary reason, followed by 'better career growth and development opportunities' (17%).

The survey revealed that over almost two thirds (65%) of employees in Hong Kong SAR are expecting their salaries to increase this year, with 71% also expecting some form of bonus payout.

Over half (54%) of employers had to increase salaries in order to retain existing employees over the last 12 months. Furthermore, 69% of employers in Hong Kong SAR think that salaries in their specific sector will rise in 2023, with 40% planning on increasing base salaries across all teams.

60% of businesses plan to hire new permanent or contract employees in the first half of the year.

Robert Sheffield, Managing Director of Morgan McKinley Hong Kong & Greater China, commented: "2022 was another year of high demand to hire but short supply of talent in Hong Kong, across most sectors. We see this increased level of demand stabilising in 2023, as clients will pay close attention to the economic climate. Despite this, we expect Technology and IT to be a growth area, specifically around digital banking, CDCs and Cyber Security. It's also likely that, with demand outweighing the supply of permanent talent, the recruitment of contractors will be evident."

"Throughout 2022, salaries in most sectors saw significant growth. The continued reduction of overseas talent arriving into Hong Kong and increased levels of professionals leaving, alongside the offshoring of numerous functions, heavily contributed to a shortage of talent and therefore increases in salaries for those remaining. Notably, those hiring across Technology and IT, Banking and Operations have had to increase remuneration in order to compete for talent."

Sheffield concluded: "Until availability of talent returns to normal levels, and pay expectations level out again, there will be plenty of competition between hiring organisations, and the potential for significantly higher earnings when moving roles will still be there. Being able to match the expectations of professionals looking to move roles is going to be crucial to successful recruitment."

The Morgan McKinley 2023 Salary Guide presents up-to-date salary data for a wide range of roles across Hong Kong SAR, providing hiring managers with industry benchmarks when they are working out what to pay employees and giving professionals more visibility over what they can earn.

Research from businesses and professionals was conducted to find out what companies' hiring intentions are for 2023, whether there is an appetite to change jobs, and what the expectations are for movement on salaries.

For the Morgan McKinley Hong Kong SAR 2023 Salary Guide, visit: https://www.morganmckinley.com/hk/salary-guide

About Morgan McKinley

Morgan McKinley is a global talent services expert, offering the full spectrum of solutions to meet employers' and jobseekers' needs. With 19 offices in 10 countries and nearly 1000 employees, it provides 3 distinct solutions for customers. Morgan McKinley Recruitment Solutions encompassing deep expertise across 10 professional disciplines offering temporary, contract and permanent recruitment; Morgan McKinley Executive Search for targeted C-Suite talent searches; and Morgan McKinley Talent Solutions including RPO, MSP, Project Recruitment and more.

https://www.morganmckinley.com

Contact: Sharmee Mavadia, smavadia@morganmckinley.co.uk

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/morgan-mckinley-employers-in-hong-kong-braced-for-talent-exodus-as-professionals-seek-more-money-by-moving-jobs-301747400.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 15, 2023) - Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. ("Nevada Vanadium" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news releases dated January 26, 2023, it has closed (the "Closing") the previously announced private placement offering (the "Offering").

Pursuant to the Closing, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,539,286 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $355,500. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional share of the Company at a price of $0.18 per share for 36 months from Closing (the "Units").

John Lee, Executive Chairman, subscribed for 1,435,000 Units for gross proceeds of $200,900. The issuance of Units to insiders pursuant to the Offering will be considered related party transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relies on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the Offering by insiders will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the related party transactions in connection with the Offering.

In connection with the Closing, the Company issued 25,000 Units as Finders' Fees. Each Finder's Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one non-transferable share purchase warrant with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional share of the Company at a price of $0.18 per share for 3 years.

Proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used for project advancement, working capital and general corporate purposes.

Nevada Vanadium And Flying Nickel Mining Corp. ("Flying Nickel") also announce that further to their joint press releases dated October 5, 2022 and August 23, 2022, Nevada Vanadium and Flying Nickel continue to work diligently with their respective advisors towards completion of the proposed acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nevada Vanadium by Flying Nickel by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). Nevada Vanadium and Flying Nickel expect to update the closing schedule in March 2023.

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. 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 unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp.

Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. is a Canadian reporting issuer, holding a 100% interest in the Gibellini Vanadium project in Nevada, United States.

To find out more about Nevada Vanadium, visit www.nevadavanadium.com.

NEVADA VANADIUM MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ron Espell"

CEO

For more information about Nevada Vanadium, please contact Investor Relations: info@nevadavanadium.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154993


SIPL's Managing Director, Ryan Yuen, shakes hands with Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of the CEO dual leadership, Messe Munchen, to signify the joining of hands in a long-term partnership for the Singapore International Water Week



SIWW2022 Water Expo, the first large-scale in-person event to take place in Singapore since the COVID-19 pandemic, featured 250 exhibitors, including 13 country/ regional and thematic pavilions



At SIWW2022, key topics such as climate mitigation and adaptation, resource circularity, net zero and decarbonisation were discussed to spur innovation and share sustainable solutions and best practices

Singapore, Feb 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd (SIPL) and Messe Munchen's wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore, MMI Asia Pte. Ltd. (MMI Asia), have announced a long-term, 10- year agreement to organize the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) Water Expo, one of the global premier water events. A cornerstone of SIWW, the Water Expo is the pre-eminent marketplace for the latest urban water technologies, innovation, and solutions for municipal and industrial water users in Asia. Under this 10-year agreement from 2023 to 2032, MMI Asia will organize five editions of the SIWW Water Expo and support SIPL in developing high-quality and impactful content at the show, tapping into the significant influence of the world's largest and leading environmental technology platform IFAT.SIPL's Managing Director, Ryan Yuen said: "We are pleased to partner with Messe Munchen who brings a unique value proposition that complements our long-term vision for SIWW. Through the IFAT global network, we look forward to reaching a wider international audience, creating more business opportunities, and showcasing innovative water solutions and products to water agencies and the industry. MMI Asia will also work with us to expand SIWW into new growth areas, such as coastal protection, decarbonization and digitalization, to fortify our position as a leading global event on water innovation and climate action."International business is a driving force for Messe Munchen. For years, the company has been successfully expanding its portfolio around strong leading trade fairs worldwide. "As part of our strategic orientation, we are also continuously expanding the company in Singapore and developing our event formats further. The new cooperation with SIWW represents an important milestone in this strategy," said Stefan Rummel Managing Director of the CEO dual leadership. "Our subsidiary MMI Asia with its local presence in Singapore plays an important role in driving Messe Munchen's internationalization course in Southeast Asia, which the latest success proves."In addition to organizing the SIWW Water Expo, MMI Asia and its partner, MP Singapore, will also be providing event management services for SIWW Spotlight 2023 and SIWW2024 to deliver a seamless delegate experience for the two events.Michael Wilton, CEO & Managing Director of MMI Asia, explained: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work together with SIPL on the Singapore International Water Week, an event that has an enormous influence beyond Southeast Asia. It complements perfectly Messe Munchen's expertise and know-how in this vital sector for Singapore and the rest of the region. We are committed to providing a first-class experience for the industry and together with the power of IFAT bring extra value to the key topics facing the region today."Katharina Schlegel, Exhibition Director IFAT and bauma shows, elaborated: "This cooperation is another significant part in the global IFAT network, which will now be represented through SIWW in the increasingly important region of Southeast Asia. As the gateway to Southeast Asia, Singapore and SIWW will complement our four IFAT trade fairs in China, such as IE expo China. I am convinced that there will be immense synergy effects here for the Asian region, but the IFAT network in general will also benefit from this in the short and medium term."Preparations for SIWW Spotlight 2023 and SIWW2024 are already underway. Applications for exhibition space at the SIWW2024 Water Expo will open soon. Companies who are keen to exhibit are encouraged to contact MMI Asia early.Singapore International Water WeekSingapore International Water Week (SIWW) is a global premier platform to share and co- create innovative water solutions to meet urban water challenges. As one of the leading global water events, the biennial SIWW delivers a range of flagship programmes and platforms that gathers stakeholders from governments, utilities, academia, and industry to share best practices and solutions, showcase the latest technologies and harness business opportunities. The 10th Singapore International Water Week will be held from 18 to 22 June 2024.To find out more:Follow us on www.linkedin.com/company/siww and https://twitter.com/WaterWeekSG Like us at www.facebook.com/siww.com.sg. Visit our website at www.siww.com.sg.Singapore International Water Week Pte LtdSingapore International Water Week Pte Ltd is a company set up by PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency and Singapore's Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, as part of the strategic programme of the Singapore Government to grow the water industry and develop water technologies.IFAT worldwideMesse Munchen not only demonstrates its considerable expertise in organizing environmental technology trade shows with the world's leading trade fair IFAT Munich. Other international events include IE expo China in Shanghai, IE expo Chengdu in Chengdu, IE expo Guangzhou in Guangzhou, IE expo Shenzhen in Shenzhen, IFAT Africa in Johannesburg, IFAT Eurasia in Istanbul, IFAT India in Mumbai, and IFAT Delhi in New Delhi. Together, the eight IFAT events form the world's leading network for environmental technologies.Messe MunchenMesse Munchen is one of the leading exhibition organizers worldwide with more than 50 of its own trade shows for capital goods, consumer goods and new technologies. Every year, a total of over 50,000 exhibitors and around three million visitors take part in more than 200 events at the exhibition center in Munich, at the ICM - Internationales Congress Center Munchen, the Conference Center Nord and the MOC Veranstaltungscenter Munchen as well as abroad. Together with its subsidiary companies, Messe Munchen organizes trade shows in China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey. With a network of associated companies in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America as well as around 70 representations abroad forover 100 countries, Messe Munchen has a global presence.For more information please contact:Fulvia WongSingapore International Water Week Pte LtdEmail: info@siww.com.sgMichael WiltonMMI AsiaEmail: Michael.wilton@mmiasia.com.sgExhibition ContactYan WangMMI AsiaEmail: Yan.wang@mmiasia.com.sgSource: MMI Asia Pte Ltd (MMI)Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 15, 2023) - Whitehorse Gold Corp. (TSXV: WHG) (OTCQX: WHGDF) ("Whitehorse Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of the private Bolivian mining company which holds a 100% interest in the San Florencio Property located in the La Paz Department, Bolivia (the "SF Tin Company"), further to its news releases of August 25 and December 29, 2022. The San Florencio Property has been subjected to various degrees and scales of historic mining, and was explored and drilled by Rio Tinto in 1999. The San Florencio Property has a tin-zinc-silver-lead polymetallic mineral property, or ATE (Temporary Special Authorization) in Bolivia.

Terms of the Updated Agreement

Whitehorse Gold has paid US$1,100,000 (including US$100,000 for the initial drilling program) to acquire a 100% interest in the SF Tin Company.

On the first anniversary of the agreement, Whitehorse Gold will pay a further US$1,000,000.

On the second anniversary of the agreement, Whitehorse Gold will pay a further US$1,400,000. Further to the Company's news release of December 29, 2022, no shares of Whitehorse Gold will be issuable as part of this payment.

A finder's fee to an arm's length finder of up to US$175,000 will be paid in this transaction. Closing of the transaction and the finder's fee remain subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Whitehorse Gold

Whitehorse Gold is a mineral exploration and development company focusing on tin projects in Bolivia and a gold project near Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. The Company has recently signed agreements to acquire up to a 100% interest in the Porvenir Project and SF Tin Project, which are 70 km southeast of Oruro, Bolivia. The Company's 100% owned Skukum Gold Project is approximately 84 km south of Whitehorse by road. An independent mineral resource estimate update in respect of the Skukum Gold Project was completed in October 2022.

On Behalf of Whitehorse Gold Corp.

signed "Gordon Neal"

Gordon Neal, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations, Whitehorse Gold Corp.,

Phone: +1 (604)-336-5919

Email: info@whitehorsegold.ca

www.whitehorsegold.ca

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 news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collective, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the terms of the Agreement, the payment of a finder's fee and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange are forward-looking statements. Estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources are also forward-looking information because they incorporate estimates of future developments including future mineral prices, costs and expenses and the amount of minerals that will be encountered if a property is developed. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategies", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "budgets", "schedules", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. The opinions, assumptions, factors and estimates which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: that the Company will be able to pay all amounts payable pursuant to the Agreement and in connection with the Transaction; the TSX Venture Exchange will grant approval of the Transaction; market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices; that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations, including labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, security disruptions, damage to or loss of equipment, whether due to flooding, political changes, title issues, intervention by local landowners, environmental concerns, pandemics (including COVID-19) or otherwise; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain governmental approvals, permits and licenses in connection with its current and planned operations, development and exploration activities, including at the Skukum Gold Project; that the Company will be able to meet its current and future obligations; that the Company will be able to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; and the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates and the realization of such estimates.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others: the risk that the Company will not be able to pay all amounts payable pursuant to the Agreement and in connection with the Transaction; the TSX Venture Exchange will not grant approval of the Transaction; social and economic impacts of COVID-19; actual exploration results; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; results of future Mineral Resource estimates; future metal prices; availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms; general economic, market or business conditions; uninsured risks; regulatory changes; defects in title; availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis; accidents or equipment breakdowns; delays in receiving government approvals; unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same; and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional information in relation to the Company, including the Company's most recent annual information form, can be obtained under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.whitehorsegold.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155006
Expanding availability in Europe, Tigo brings Energy Intelligence (EI) Residential Solar Solution for fast, flexible, and dependable residential solar-plus-storage to Spain.

Tigo Energy, Inc. ("Tigo" or the "Company"), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy storage solutions, will showcase and launch the Tigo EI Residential Solar Solution to the Iberian market at the Genera Energy and Environment Fair in Madrid on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Tigo business and engineering representatives will attend the conference to meet with Spanish PV professionals and to show them the peculiarities of the new Tigo all-in-one system.

The Tigo EI Residential Solar Solution for the European market consists of Tigo TS4 Flex MLPE products, a new line of single-phase and three-phase inverters, modular DC-coupled energy storage components, and the Tigo EI Link, which acts as the communications hub and central connection point for all grid, inverter, PV, and battery connections. Through module-level monitoring, energy data from the EI Residential Storage System is processed by Tigo Energy Intelligence software, allowing installers to monitor and manage their fleet of customer systems with a few mouse clicks. Tigo customers in the EU will also benefit from industry-leading warranties and a skilled, multilingual support team to ensure that installers are never on their own with Tigo products.

"The solar market in Spain is expanding rapidly, in terms of installed PV capacity as well as residential sector installs, so Tigo's release of the EI Residential Solution here could not be timed more perfectly," said Pablo Campo Martinez, CEO at DSP Solar. "What makes Tigo so beneficial in the eyes of Spanish installers is the modular and scalable architecture: fast installations and smooth commissioning means more running systems, all managed with a user-friendly monitoring platform characterized by absolute data granularity."

Genera Energy and Environment Fair attendees can learn about the EI Residential Solution by attending one of a series of presentations during the conference. These sessions include participation by Tigo engineers and will be hosted by Grupo Noria (Tuesday, February 21 at 15:00, Wednesday, February 22 at 11:00, and Thursday, February 23 at 15:00 in booth 8-8B04) and by DSP Solar (Wednesday, February 22 at 16:30 in booth 8-8D15).

"Every aspect of the installation process of the EI Residential Solution is shaped around the installer, combining the simplicity of a plug-and-play system with a streamlined process, from installation to commissioning," said Angel Marrero, renewables product manager at Grupo Noria. "With a stackable architecture, the EI solution brilliantly solves the problem related to space constraints faced by our residential customers. For us as installers, the EI Solution provides detailed remote monitoring with powerful software to make operations and maintenance very efficient. Finally, Tigo's Reclaimed Energy technology is a powerful tool to maximize return on investment and quantify the benefits of optimization in all kinds of PV installations, which benefits installers as well as homeowners."

In addition to an introduction to the new Tigo EI Residential Solution, Genera attendees can also learn more about the Tigo TS4 Flex MLPE platform. Company representatives will also participate in two panel discussions about the benefits of optimization on commercial and industrial (C&I) solar, which are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 23 at 11:00 at the Technosun booth (8-8B22) and again at 13:00 at the Albasolar booth (nr 10-10G37). Both discussions will be moderated by Gianluca Pieralli, the Tigo Business Development Manager Iberia and Large Project Coordinator.

To learn more about the Tigo Flex MLPE product family and the Tigo EI Residential Solar Solution, please visit the Genera International Energy and Environment Fair (Ifema, Madrid) from February 21 to 23, 2023. To view a list of partners showcasing Tigo solutions or schedule an appointment with a Tigo representative ahead of time, please visit the Tigo scheduling page here.

About Tigo Energy

Founded in 2007, Tigo is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of smart hardware and software solutions that enhance safety, increase energy yield, and lower operating costs of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. Tigo combines its Flex MLPE (Module Level Power Electronics) and solar optimizer technology with intelligent, cloud-based software capabilities for advanced energy monitoring and control. Tigo MLPE products maximize performance, enable real-time energy monitoring, and provide code-required rapid shutdown at the module level. The company also develops and manufactures products such as inverters and battery storage systems for the residential solar-plus-storage market. For more information, please visit www.tigoenergy.com.

About DSP Solar

Founded in 2007, DSP Solar was born from the commitment with the society and the environment, given the incipient climate change. More than a decade later, many professionals in the sector guide their knowledge and good practices under the protection of the maximum "closeness and trust" to the personalized advice of each client, together with the after-sales technical service has led it to become a benchmark in the sector with a portfolio of more than 10,000 professional clients and 1 million items sold as of 2022.

About Grupo Noria

Grupo Noria is the purchasing center that provides service to a group of brands dedicated to the purchase, sale and distribution of electrical, climate, plumbing, telecommunications and renewable material. Among its associates, up to now, there are three outstanding brands: Novelec, Sinelec and Muntaner Electro. The main objective of Grupo Noria is to collaborate with its clients in improving their business processes, offering them a personalized service of the highest quality. The constant search for new and innovative solutions has led the company to offer a continuous improvement of its services, supporting lighting projects, air conditioning, home automation, automation, fluids, pipes, conductors, energy efficiency and VDI networks. The group was formalized in 2013 and has professionals with extensive experience in this sector. Today it works with an ambitious agenda to accelerate its growth, new commitments and entry into new markets. At the beginning of 2022, he joined UNEF as a result of its strategy of commitment to renewable energies. Grupo Noria has a dedicated team and resources that allow it to manage the service to its customers faster.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005912/en/

Contacts:

Gilberto Lembo

EMEA Marketing Manager at Tigo Energy

marketing@tigoenergy.com
Eurofins Viracor ExPeCT CAR-T multiplexed quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay provides a powerful diagnostic tool to monitor and optimise CAR-T therapy involving patients with pre-B cell acute lymphoblasticleukemia and B cell lymphomas

Regulatory News:

Eurofins (Paris:ERF):

Eurofins Viracor LLC, part of the Eurofins network of companies, and a leader in testing for infectious disease, immunology, and allergy, announces the launch of a ground-breaking test that can assess the expansion and persistence of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy in patients with pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B cell lymphomas.

The test, based on a method developed by Eurofins Viracor, is designed to help clinicians better understand how CAR-T therapy is performing for their patients. CAR-T therapy is a revolutionary form of immunotherapy that uses genetically engineered T-cells to attack cancer cells and has shown promising results in treating a variety of cancers.

Research has demonstrated that the persistence and expansion of CAR-T therapy are important indicators of how long the therapy is likely to remain effective in the patient. The test is designed to provide clinicians with an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the CAR-T cell population in the patient's body and may offer insights to therapy effectiveness.

The launch of this test marks an important step forward in the evaluation and management of CAR-T therapy in cancer patients. It is expected to be a valuable tool in helping clinicians to make more informed decisions about the best course of treatment for their patients.

Notes to Editors:

About Eurofins the global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins is Testing for Life. Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience Contract Research services. Eurofins is also a market leader in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

With over 61,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of a wide range of products, as well as providing innovative clinical diagnostic testing services and in-vitro diagnostic products.

The Group's objective is to provide its customers with high-quality services, innovative solutions and accurate results on time. Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the increasing demands of regulatory authorities as well as the requirements of healthcare practitioners around the world.

In 2020 and 2021, Eurofins reacted quickly to meet the global challenge of COVID-19, by creating the capacity to help over 20 million patients monthly who may have been impacted by the pandemic with our testing products and our services and directly supporting healthcare professionals working on the front line to fight the virus. The Group has established widespread PCR testing capabilities and has carried out over 40 million tests in its own laboratories, is supporting the development of a number of vaccines and has established its SAFER@WORK testing, monitoring and consulting programmes to help ensure safer environments, travel and events during COVID-19.

Eurofins has grown very strongly since its inception and its strategy is to continue expanding its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology and analytical chemistry to offer its clients unique analytical solutions.

Shares in Eurofins Scientific are listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN FR0014000MR3, Reuters EUFI.PA, Bloomberg ERF FP).

Until it has been lawfully made public widely by Eurofins through approved distribution channels, this document contains inside information for the purpose of Regulation (EU) 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse, as amended.

Important disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained herein represent the judgment of Eurofins Scientific's management as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements and estimates. All statements and estimates are made based on the information available to the Company's management as of the date of publication, but no guarantees can be made as to their completeness or validity.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005664/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please visit www.eurofins.com or contact:

Investor Relations

Eurofins Scientific SE

Phone: +32 2 766 1620

E-mail: ir@eurofins.com
Almere, The Netherlands

February 16, 2022, 7:30 a.m. CET

ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announced that Supervisory Board member Ms Monica de Virgiliis has decided not to seek a second term as Supervisory Board member and that she will step down after her current term which will expire in May 2024.

Pauline van der Meer Mohr, the Chair of the Supervisory Board, mentioned: "The accumulation of Monica's current and future commitments have prompted this decision, which we understand and respect. The timing she chose is related to those commitments and allows the Board ample time to find a successor. I am very pleased that she is fully committed to fulfill her current term until next year May and that she will continue to make contributions to the company."





About ASM International



ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASM's website at www.asm.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.





CONTACT



Investor and media contact:

Victor Bareno

T: +31 88 100 8500

E: investor.relations@asm.com





Attachment
Dr. Lin Jovanovic DBA Relationship Explorations has launched workshops for couples, designed to help them work through differences and find methods to rebuild trust in their relationships.

Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - The new intensive couple's workshops offered by Dr. Lin Jovanovic DBA Relationship Explorations are intended to help life partners reconnect with one another and build a deeper, renewed bond. The workshops are available in 3 and 6-hour blocks, with a number of specific foci available depending on the unique situation of the couple.

More information is available at https://www.relationshipexplorations.com/intensive-couples-session





Dr. Lin Launches Couples Intensive Therapy In Sierra Foothills Gold Rush Town

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/155021_8eccbc263457b9ef_001full.jpg

These new sessions have been designed by Dr. Lin Jovanovic DBA Relationship Explorations as an alternative or complementary form of therapy that can be booked alongside their long-term courses. Those interested in long-term therapy can use these shorter sessions as a jump-off point for deeper personal development.

The sessions can be taken over the course of a single day, or multiple days in a row. Dr. Lin Jovanovic recommends a 2 (or more) day-long preliminary intensive, especially for couples planning to pursue long-term therapy, to establish goals and hash out the problems that need to be addressed.

The 3-hour version of the therapy, called a mini-intensive, or "Deep Dive," is intended to help couples reconnect on a personal level to provide a springboard for further healing. The session is based on a technique called "Memory Reconsolidation," a form of targeted response training intended to promote healthier behavior in relationships.

The 6-hour version is intended to help partners unpack complex issues, traumas, betrayals of trust, and other major life events that may be impacting the health of their marriage. These sessions promote communication and understanding to help couples get to the root of persistent, long-standing issues and eliminate friction.

Dr. Lin Jovanovic emphasizes that the intensive therapies are not particularly helpful for couples suffering from dysfunction in their marriage. They encourage those who have generally healthy relationships to explore these methods, as they are capable of promoting better communication and deeper appreciation, even in a stable environment.

Interested parties can book a 30-minute discovery call with a member of the Relationship Explorations team to discuss the utility of these new therapies as they pertain to a given client's situation.

Additonal details can be found at https://www.relationshipexplorations.com/what-is-a-couples-intensive-retreat-could-it-be-right-for-you

Contact Info:

Name: Lin Jovanovic

Email: drlin@relationshipexplorations.com

Organization: Dr. Lin Jovanovic DBA Relationship Explorations

Address: 204 West Main Street, Grass Valley, California 95945, United States

Website: https://www.relationshipexplorations.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155021


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - QinetiQ Group plc (QQ.L), on Thursday, announced the formation of a new Australia Sector and has appointed Gary Stewart as the Sector's Chief Executive, effective 01 May 2023.



Gary will join QinetiQ from Rheinmetall Defence Australia where he was the Managing Director responsible for strategy and operational delivery in the Asia Pacific region. Gary has more than 20 years of experience within the defence industry in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia. He is an engineer and served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 11 years. Gary will join QinetiQ's Leadership Team led by Steve Wadey, QinetiQ's Group Chief Executive Officer.



The creation of the new Australia Sector replaces what was previously the International Sector. The Australia Sector will be headquartered in Canberra and has more than 1,200 employees worldwide.



The company noted that the Australia Sector becomes QinetiQ's global hub for threat representation, including recently acquired Air Affairs, Target Systems (in the UK and Canada) and its German air threat representation and training business.



QinetiQ's four Sectors are now Australia, the US, UK Defence and UK Intelligence and together the company is well-placed to support the goals of AUKUS and ultimately ensure the country has the right capabilities to meet the growing strategic challenges and threats facing Australia and its partners, the company stated.



Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer of QinetiQ, commented, 'Gary's extensive experience in the Australian and global defence sectors, alongside his ability to grow businesses at scale, means that he is the right leader to deliver both short-term operational performance and our long-term strategy to grow our Australia Sector at pace. Today's announcement is another significant step in our multi-domestic growth ambition and a strong indication of QinetiQ's commitment to the defence sector in Australia.'



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Marula Mining PLC

("Marula'' or the "Company")

16 February 2023

Co-Development Agreement and Relationship Agreement Signed

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU), an African focused mining and development company, is pleased to announce, that further to the announcement released on 31 January 2023, the Company has now signed a co-development agreement (the "Co-Development Agreement") and a relationship agreement (the "Relationship Agreement") (together the "Agreements") with K2020273872 (South Africa) Proprietary Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Q Global Commodities Group ("Q Global"), one of South Africa's leading independent commodity, mining, logistics and investment funds.

The signing of the Agreements follows the earlier signing of a 3,750,000 subscription agreement with Q Global (the "Subscription Agreement"). It is intended that Mr Quinton van der Burgh, Q Global's CEO and one of South Africa's leading mining entrepreneurs, will be appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to various matters including completion of all normal regulatory approvals, due diligence and the proposed admission to trading of Marula's shares to AIM, the market operated by the London Stock Exchange Group plc.

The Co-Development Agreement sets out the broad technical and strategic support that is to be provided to the Company by Q Global to allow the accelerated development of its current portfolio of mining projects in Africa. The Co-Development Agreement further provides the opportunity for Q Global to participate directly through the co-development of the Company's current projects and new projects identified by Marula.

The Relationship Agreement sets out the terms of the relationship between Q Global, the Company and the Company's AQSE Corporate Adviser. Under the Relationship Agreement, which is conditional on the first subscription under the Subscription Agreement, details of which were included in the announcement on 31 January 2023 (the "Initial Subscription"), amongst other things, Q Global undertakes to act for the benefit of the shareholders of the Company as a whole, to conduct transactions between itself and the Company on an arms-length basis and to not unduly or improperly influence the running of the Company.

The Initial Subscription is conditional upon, amongst other things, a Rule 9 Waiver being obtained in accordance with the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and shareholder approval at a forthcoming general meeting ("General Meeting") of the Company.

Jason Brewer, Marula Mining PLC CEO said:

"It is very pleasing to have signed both the Co-Development Agreement and Relationship Agreement.

"Having recently met with the Q Global team and Quinton van der Burgh at the Mining Indaba Investment Conference in Cape Town, I am delighted by this partnership and the potential opportunities for Marula and our shareholders."

The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement.

About Marula Mining

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mine projects in Africa; Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine in South Africa, Nkombwa Hill Project in Zambia and Kinusi Copper mine and Bagamoyo Graphite Project in Tanzania. As we advance operations at these battery metals focused projects, Marula will continue to build and expand its interests in other high-quality projects in Africa.

Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa that the Directors believe would deliver returns for its shareholders. The Board and management team aims to establish Marula as a socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable, and profitable producer of critical metals and commodities that are of increasingly strategic importance to modern technologies and the global economy.

Marula's shares are currently traded on the AQUIS Stock Exchange (AQSE), Marula is exploring opportunities to admit its shares to trading on AIM, the market operated by the London Stock Exchange Group plc, and Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange.

For enquiries contact:

Marula Mining PLC

Jason Brewer,

Chief Executive Officer



Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi

Investor Relations



Email: jason@marulamining.com



Email: info@marulamining.com

AQSE Corporate Adviser

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP,

Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Broker

OvalX,

Tom Curran / Thomas Smith +44 (0) 20 7392 1568 Financial PR and IR

BlytheRay

Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Caution;

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe', 'could', "should" 'envisage', 'estimate', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'potentially', "expect", 'will' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.
Irish-based company secures first U.S. regulatory clearance for its Millipede 088 Access Catheter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The company is also developing catheter-based technology for treating acute ischemic stroke

Perfuze, a medical device company developing next-generation catheter-based technology to treat acute ischemic stroke, has secured its first product clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the company's Millipede 088 Access Catheter. The first U.S. clinical procedures with Millipede 088 were successfully performed by physicians at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, NY and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Stroke Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005049/en/

Millipede 088 Access Catheter (Photo: Business Wire)

"We are excited to be one of the first hospitals in the country to use the Millipede 088 Access Catheter," said Dr. David Fiorella, Director of the Stony Brook Cerebrovascular Center, NY. "The catheter navigated complex neurovascular anatomy with exceptional ease, offering us a precise and efficient means of delivering devices to the brain. I am impressed with my first experience, and I am eager to incorporate this innovative technology in my future cases."

The Millipede 088 Access Catheter is designed to facilitate the safe insertion and guidance of microcatheters for neurointerventional or diagnostic procedures. With a physician-led approach to device innovation, Perfuze is working to advance all aspects of stroke treatment from vessel access through to thrombectomy. This 510(k) clearance is a major milestone for the company and a testament to its commitment to advancing the field of neurovascular care.

"We are thrilled to have the company's first FDA clearance in hand and for the initial U.S. procedures to have gone smoothly," said Wayne Allen, CEO. "Our mission is to improve patient outcomes and provide physicians with better, easier-to-use tools. This regulatory clearance brings us a step closer to achieving that goal. Looking ahead, 2023 will be an important year for Perfuze as we move towards initiating our U.S. pivotal study of the Millipede System for revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke."

About Perfuze

Based in Galway, Ireland, Perfuze has developed super-bore diameter aspiration technology that is designed to navigate complex neurovascular anatomy. The company's pipeline of products is designed to facilitate fast, complete clot removal during acute ischemic stroke. Perfuze is committed to continuing its research and development efforts to advance the field of neurovascular care.

For more information, please visit www.perfuze.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005049/en/

Contacts:

Wayne Allen, CEO

Perfuze

Email: wayne@perfuze.com
EEB has examined product range of heating manufacturers for climate friendliness

Entire portfolio of German Green tech company compatible with climate targets

German Green tech company Stiebel Eltron is one of the leading manufacturers of climate-friendly heating technology in Europe: the entire product range of the company headquartered in Holzminden, Lower Saxony, is compatible with climate targets. According to the market analysis by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), companies in this "Leaders" group are spearheading the energy transition in boiler rooms they are already setting stricter standards for their own technologies than required by law. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) examined the portfolios of the largest heating manufacturers on the European market and awarded the "Leader" status to the best companies.

"We are delighted to receive this award from the European Environmental Bureau, which recognizes all Stiebel Eltron products as climate-friendly," says Dr. Kai Schiefelbein, Managing Director of the Stiebel Eltron Group. "Environmentally friendly heat pumps have been the central recipe for success in our company for decades. On this basis, we are now an experienced specialist for the energy transition in the heating sector."

Sluggish transition in Europe: 75 percent fossil-fuel heating systems

Heat pumps are more in demand today than ever as three quarters of buildings in the European Union are still heated with fossil fuels. The building sector accounts for 36 percent of greenhouse gas emissions within the EU yet clean technologies have long existed.

"The switch to environmentally friendly technology with renewable energies must be pushed further," says Dr. Schiefelbein. "The lifespan of a heating system is about 20 to 25 years. In order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the transition in the boiler rooms is of great urgency today. Electricity-driven heat pump technology plays a key role in this. It mainly uses freely available energy from the air, the ground or groundwater and thus renewable, unlimited energy sources. At the same time, we become independent of fossil energy imports."

EEB Audit 2023 Download

Coolproducts-The-coolest-heating-2023.pdf

About Stiebel Eltron

Stiebel Eltron is one of the world's market leading suppliers of technology products for building services and green tech: https://www.stiebel-eltron.com/en/home.html

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005989/en/

Contacts:

econNEWSnetwork

Carsten Heer

Tel. +49 (0) 40 822 44 284

E-Mail: redaktion@econ-news.de
Venissieux, February 16th, 2023

BOOSTHEAT (FR0011814938 / BOOST), a leading industrial player in energy efficiency in France has announced that it received renewed letters of support from its three strategic partners (collaborative, industrial and laboratory), in France and in North America. All confirm the potential offered by BOOSTHEAT in the energy transition.

I SUPPORT FROM NORTH AMERICAN GAS HEAT PUMP FOR THE NORTH AMERICA REGION

The North American Gas Heat Pump Collaborative (NAGHPC), which comprises utilities serving 33% of residential consumers of natural gas in the United States and Canada, has reaffirmed its support for BOOSTHEAT to accelerate product development and investigate paths to bring their unique technology to the North American market. This letter of support for BOOSTHEAT's technology confirms the desire of American industry players to promote disruptive solutions.

This support could take the form of information sharing regarding the North American market, liaising with major manufacturers and/or integrating with energy efficiency programs among the Collaborative's utility members as they develop. Support could also include the possibility of pre-commercialization pilots and/or testing efforts, as well as spreading awareness with policy makers and providing training for equipment installers and contractors.

The NAGHPC is currently focused on two technology applications that could be served by BOOSTHEAT technology: water heating and combined space and water heating systems in buildings.

An alliance with such a partner represents a major opportunity for BOOSTHEAT to deepen its understanding of the North American market and penetrate this vast market.

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL APPEAL OF THERMAL COMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY

Sapaic Industries (Moteurs Bernard), with whom BOOSTHEAT has been exchanging for several years, has reaffirmed its interest for the investigation and implementation of an efficient energy solution, possibly based on BOOSTHEAT's patented thermal compression technology and ensuring recovery of fatal energy a 42 L decarbonized engine ( Hydrogen and CH4 blended) of 1.000 KW -or group of generators up to 10 MW-from Sapaic Industries (Bernard Moteurs), for air conditioning and air handling.

Created in 1920, Sapaic Industries (Moteurs Bernard) is the only operating French owned industrial company capable of addressing the thermal motor category and serving specific groups in Industry, large stationary generators sets, mini off-grid power plants coupled to renewable electricity production as well as embarked power gensets delivering electricity to electrified boats for the decarbonation of the heavy mobility (including trains and boats/barges for rivers).

With its expertise and its confirmed experience in the development of its thermodynamic heat pump, BOOSTHEAT would investigate and contribute to proof of concept to illustrate the relevance of thermal compression in air conditioning and air handling. This collaboration should lead in 2024 to the development of a cost-effective technology with limited moving parts and requiring simple maintenance.

I THE POTENTIAL OF THERMAL COMPRESSION SUPPORTED BY THE CETIAT

In parallel, the Centre Technique des Industries Aerauliques et Thermiques (CETIAT, an independent heating, air conditioning and air handling system industry body), who has been a BOOSTHEAT partner for several years within the framework of its campaigns to measure performance, has reaffirmed its support for the BOOSTHEAT technology.

Experimental programs and digital simulations will be carried out jointly to explore notably the use of fatal heat as a primary energy source, the benefits of coupling with thermal compression and optimum use of refrigeration fluid.

The CETIAT underlined its marked interest for this technology as part of its energy transition activities linked to biomass, recovery and storage or transmission of energy.

For more information about BOOSTHEAT go to:

https://www.boostheat-group.com/en

ABOUT BOOSTHEAT

Founded in 2011, BOOSTHEAT operates in the energy efficiency sector. The company's mission is to accelerate energy transition by integrating its technology into energy-intensive applications. BOOSTHEAT has designed and developed a thermal compressor protected by 7 patent families that significantly improves energy consumption in order to promote the reasonable and appropriate use of resources.

BOOSTHEAT share is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN: FR0011814938).

I CONTACTS

ACTUS finance & communication - Anne-Pauline Petureaux

Investor Relations

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72 / boostheat@actus.fr

ACTUS finance & communication - Serena Boni

Press Relations

Tel: +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 / sboni@actus.fr

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Sensormatic Solutions will be exhibiting at EuroShop 2023 to showcase the next generation of insights and outcome-based solutions integrated under the Sensormatic IQ operating platform, as well as the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision

Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, will be on-site at EuroShop showcasing its newest analytics and outcome-based solutions, integrated under Sensormatic IQ, that power retail operations and enable smart and connected shopper experiences.

"Shopper preferences have evolved over the past few years, and retailers have demonstrated incredible adaptability in the face of a shifting industry," said Kevin Viravec, president at Sensormatic Solutions. "Initial investments in digital transformation have shown retailers the benefits of a data-led strategy and how these insights can boost shopper experiences while facilitating operational excellence."

Sensormatic IQ serves as the foundation of all Sensormatic Solutions insights and outcome-based solutions. It combines data from its existing platforms, and it applies advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies to help address the dynamic needs of retailers and their shoppers. The company's booth at the Big Show will include solutions that help retailers pursue:

Enabling Unified Commerce. Inventory Intelligence offers the speed and agility consumers expect from world-class unified commerce platforms. Using cloud-connected radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, retailers can track merchandise's journey from source to store to deliver insights that streamline omnichannel experiences and ensure product availability.

Inventory Intelligence offers the speed and agility consumers expect from world-class unified commerce platforms. Using cloud-connected radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, retailers can track merchandise's journey from source to store to deliver insights that streamline omnichannel experiences and ensure product availability. Protecting Assets and People. With shrink on the rise, it's crucial that retailers digitally optimize their loss prevention and liability activities. Sensormatic Solutions can show you how to leverage insights and analytics to improve shopper and associate safety and automate time-consuming tasks, while effectively fighting shrink.

With shrink on the rise, it's crucial that retailers digitally optimize their loss prevention and liability activities. Sensormatic Solutions can show you how to leverage insights and analytics to improve shopper and associate safety and automate time-consuming tasks, while effectively fighting shrink. Maximizing Shopper Experience. Sensormatic Solutions shopper experience offerings help retailers engage with shoppers on a new level, offering opportunities to create differentiated and personalized experiences. Booth visitors will see how the company's easy-to-deploy multi-sensor technology approach can highlight critical touch points to enrich engagements along each shopper's journey.

Sensormatic Solutions shopper experience offerings help retailers engage with shoppers on a new level, offering opportunities to create differentiated and personalized experiences. Booth visitors will see how the company's easy-to-deploy multi-sensor technology approach can highlight critical touch points to enrich engagements along each shopper's journey. Driving Store Performance. Achieving operational excellence means prioritizing flexibility, increasing productivity, making informed decisions, maintaining visibility, optimizing labor, and enhancing omnichannel strategies, such as "Click Collect or curbside pickup, and lowering operational costs.

To learn more about Sensormatic Solutions inventory intelligence, loss prevention and liability, shopper experience, and operational excellence solutions, visit stand C01 in Hall 6 at Trade Fair Dusseldorf between 26 February 2 March 2023 and follow Sensormatic on Twitter and LinkedIn. To request a booth tour or a meeting with an account manager, visit the Sensormatic Solutions EuroShop Page.

About Johnson Controls

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.

About Sensormatic Solutions

Sensormatic Solutions is the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls powering operational excellence at scale and enabling smart and connected shopper engagement. Our intelligent digital operating platform Sensormatic IQ combines the full Sensormatic Solutions portfolio, including third-party data to deliver unmatched insights into shopper experience, inventory intelligence, loss prevention and operational effectiveness with advanced technologies, like AI and Machine Learning. This enables retailers to act on prescriptive and predictive data-driven outcomes to confidently move into the future. Please visit Sensormatic Solutions or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and our YouTube channel.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005013/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts Katarzyna Breczko

Sensormatic Solutions by Johnson Controls

Work: +49 173 7070 562

katarzyna.breczko@jci.com
Proprietary Lateral CAR Platform achieved pre-clinical proof-of-concept data demonstrating prolonged disease-free survival compared to other CAR T-cell products.

Lead programme, LEU011 has completed pre-clinical development for the treatment of solid tumours and is in pre-clinical development for a range of haematological malignancies.

Leucid expects to file its CTA to initiate the clinical trial in H1 2023 and to be dosing patients by H2 2023.

Bolstered Senior Leadership team and restructured Executive Team to prepare the Company for its next phase of growth.

Achieved Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) status enabling an accelerated time to market, facilitating patient access to medicines.

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leucid Bio ("Leucid" or the "Company"), a biotech company pursuing a differentiated approach to develop next generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies using the Company's proprietary Lateral CAR Platform to improve treatment outcomes and save the lives of patients with refractory cancers, today provides a business update.

Lateral CAR Platform has demonstrated exceptional efficacy compared to traditional Linear CARs

Founded to translate over 20 years of pioneering CAR-T research led by Leucid's Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr John Maher at King's College London, Leucid has developed a unique Lateral CAR Platform building upon John's novel CAR-T model which develops CAR molecules designed to adopt a more natural biological configuration.

CAR T-cell therapy is a revolutionary technology in which immune cells, called T-cells, are reprogrammed so they can recognise and destroy cancer cells. This has proven to be a powerful therapy for refractory blood cancers, but to date has lacked efficacy for the treatment of solid cancers.

Leucid's novel approach, reconfigures the way a CAR is constructed by moving the key functional components into their natural lateral position next to the plasma membrane, as opposed to a linear configuration. The technology platform gives properties to the CAR-Ts that enable them to consistently outperform previous generations of CAR-T therapies in pre-clinical studies; enhancing tumour targeting and selectivity, T-cell potency and generating a persistent long-term response with reduced toxicity.

Clinical Development - pre-clinical models demonstrate the ability to overcome key challenges in CAR T-cell treatment of solid tumours

2022 saw the pre-clinical package for the Company's lead programme LEU011, a Lateral CAR targeting NKG2D ligands, fully assembled. The NKG2D receptor is an activating immune receptor that triggers cell death upon recognition of one or more of the eight human NKG2D ligands expressed on transformed, infected or damaged cells.

Leucid has generated robust pre-clinical proof of concept data that demonstrate therapeutic potential for a range of solid tumours including colorectal, pancreatic, mesothelioma, ovarian (both epithelial and high-grade serous subtypes) and breast cancer. These studies consistently demonstrate prolonged disease-free survival compared to other CAR T-cell products, including those in clinical trials. The method of testing employed by Leucid Bio is characterised by its rigorous approach to evaluating the persistence of CAR-T anti-tumour function in vivo. By looking for long-term protection after tumour re-challenge, Leucid sets the gold standard for this type of testing.

Collaborations

Leucid holds exclusive option rights to King's College London's broad portfolio of CAR-T assets for future pipeline expansion. The Company has a laboratory base at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and is currently looking for Clean Room space ahead of Phase I clinical testing of LEU011.

Management and Senior Leadership Team Update

Over the last 18 months, the Company has successfully built its Senior Leadership team under Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Artin Moussavi, which now comprises:

John Maher , Chief Scientific Officer - Translating over 20 years of pioneering CAR-T research, John established CAR T-cell research at King's College London in 2004 where he leads the "CAR Mechanics" group

, Chief Scientific Officer - Translating over 20 years of pioneering CAR-T research, John established CAR T-cell research at King's College London in 2004 where he leads the "CAR Mechanics" group Mark Docherty , Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer - Seasoned Life Sciences investment and operational professional with over 25 years experience in the sector, focusing in the last 12 years on advanced therapies

, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer - Seasoned Life Sciences investment and operational professional with over 25 years experience in the sector, focusing in the last 12 years on advanced therapies Arindam Mitra , Director CMC - Strong operations professional with a focus on early phase first in man clinical trials along with excellent knowledge of regulatory ( Europe & North America ) and compliance management

, Director CMC - Strong operations professional with a focus on early phase first in man clinical trials along with excellent knowledge of regulatory ( & ) and compliance management Belinda Carlsen , VP Clinical Operations - More than 20 years' experience of the various aspects of clinical research, specialising in advanced therapies

, VP Clinical Operations - More than 20 years' experience of the various aspects of clinical research, specialising in advanced therapies Marc Davies , VP CAR Engineering - an immunologist and molecular biologist with over 15 years' experience in the field of adoptive T-cell immunotherapy and cancer immunology

As the Company enters its next growth phase, and in order to position the Company to fully exploit all of the opportunities afforded by its strong IP position and Platform, it is an opportune time for the Board to re-configure the Management Team.Artin Moussavi will move to the role of Chief Business Officer (CBO) to focus fully on building the Company's industry relationships. Non-Executive Chairman Ian Miscampbell will move to the role of Interim Executive Chairman as the Company actively seeks a new CEO to take Leucid's multiple programmes into clinical development, and expand on its partnerships and collaborations.

Outlook for 2023

Leucid expects to file a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) to initiate the First in Human (FiH) clinical trial of its Lateral CAR Platform in multiple programmes through Phase I/II clinical trials in H1 2023, with the aim of dosing patients by H2 2023.

Following a successful 11.5 million Series A fundraise in 2021 Leucid is now looking to raise a Series B round to finance the pivot from pre-clinical to clinical development.

Ian Miscampbell, Interim Executive Chairman at Leucid Bio, said: "Leucid Bio is in an exciting phase of expansion as we progress to first in human Proof-of-Concept for our novel Lateral CAR Platform in multiple programmes. John was the first to engineer and develop CD28-based second generation CAR technology in human T-cells 20 years ago, and has continued to innovate in the field as one of its acknowledged experts ever since. Our proprietary platform has been built around his ground breaking research."

About Leucid Bio

Leucid Bio is a biotech company developing cell therapies for refractory cancers, especially solid tumours. Leucid was founded to translate 20 years of pioneering CAR-T research led by Dr John Maher at King's College London (KCL), Leucid Bio has developed a proprietary portfolio based upon Dr Maher's novel approach, in which the CAR structure has been redesigned to recapitulate the lateral distribution of signalling domains as observed in natural immune receptors. The technology gives properties to the CAR-Ts that enable them to consistently outperform previous generations of CAR-T therapies in pre-clinical studies; enhancing T-cell potency and generating a persistent long-term response with reduced toxicity.

Leucid, based in London, UK with its headquarters and clinical lab facilities situated at Guy's Hospital, leverages state-of-the-art GMP manufacturing in the Capital, to stay committed to its patient-centric approach on developing better cell therapies for the benefit of individuals with hard-to-treat solid tumours.

About John Maher

John Maher is the Scientific Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Leucid Bio and has worked on CAR T-cell immunotherapy, with a primary focus on solid tumours, for over 20 years. The first to engineer and develop CD28-based second generation CAR technology in human T-cells, John also leads the "CAR Mechanics" research group at King's College London. He played a key role in the early development of second generation (CD28) CAR technology while a visiting fellow in the lab of Michel Sadelain at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, an approach that has achieved significant clinical impact in haematological malignancies. His research group is focused on the development of adoptive immunotherapy using CAR engineered and gamma delta T-cells, with a primary emphasis on solid tumour types. He is Chief Investigator of a Phase 1 clinical trial in which panErbB-specific CAR T-cells are administered to patients with relapsed/ refractory head and neck cancer. John holds an FRCPath in Immunology (by examination) from Royal College of Pathologists and is registered on the General Medical Council specialist register of Clinical Immunologists. He is also a Consultant Immunologist at Eastbourne Hospital.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/leucid-bio-provides-business-update-and-outlook-for-2023-301748530.html
parcelLab will enable New Look to provide direct and personalised communications to online customers

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Look, the UK's leading feel-good fashion brand for 18-45-year old's, has partnered with parcelLab, the premier global provider of post-purchase customer experience software, to enhance the post-purchase experiences for its online customers. The partnership will enable New Look to provide proactive messaging and personalised communications from purchase to delivery, and beyond.

New Look's decision to invest further in the post-purchase experience is part of a wider drive to continue leading in customer centric fashion. With the support of parcelLab, New Look will be enhancing the relationship with each individual customer by providing greater transparency and more personalised communications.

Leveraging parcelLab's technology, New Look will be able to undertake direct communications with customers, including important information updates on the status of their orders. It will also enable the fashion brand to make personalised and relevant recommendations to shoppers on additional items they may be interested in based on previous purchase behaviour, supporting the brand's growth aspirations.

Nick Ormerod, Director of Ecommerce, at New Look commented: "As a company, we always strive to cultivate the best possible experiences for fashion lovers, whether in store or online. The partnership with parcelLab will help us to provide seamless post-purchase interactions that keep customers happy and engaged. Having timely and relevant communication with our customers at this important stage of the purchase journey not only reduces the pressure on our teams internally - meaning that when an issue does arise, they can provide faster responses - but it means we are well positioned to drive greater loyalty and repeat purchases."

Tobias Buxhoidt, CEO and Co-Founder at parcelLab, commented: "We're delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking brand as New Look, helping them to continue providing the best possible experiences to their customers. At this critical time for the retail industry, it's more important than ever that brands make each interaction with customers meaningful and relevant - and the post purchase experience is a crucial part of this. We look forward to supporting New Look in providing customers with clear and proactive communications that are key to unlocking loyalty and enabling business growth."

For media enquiries, please contact:

Adam Hudson

parcellab@diffusionpr.com

Notes to editors

About New Look:

New Look is a leading fashion retailer operating in the value segment of the clothing and footwear market in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a targeted online presence.

New Look offers products and a shopping experience based on excitement, value and newness. The New Look brand is distinct and trusted in the UK, catering to a broad customer audience.

New Look ranked No. 1 for overall Womenswear market share in the 18 to 44 age range (based on Kantar Worldpanel published data 52 weeks ended 7 March 2021 (Womenswear by value).

About?parcelLab:?

parcelLab is the only truly global enterprise post-purchase software provider, enabling brands to increase top-line revenue, decrease operational cost, and optimize customer experience in an unprecedented way.?Our award-winning post-purchase platform empowers brands to transform mundane operational touchpoints into?the most differentiated and personalized experience, creating?unique moments of pure joy for their customers.? Trusted by over 700 brands including IKEA, Chico's, H&M, and Yeti, we actively manage the post-purchase experience across 175 countries and track?shipping data from more than 350 carriers worldwide.? Find out more at?parcelLab.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2003079/parcelLab_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-look-integrates-parcellab-platform-to-bolster-post-purchase-customer-experience-and-drive-loyalty-301747500.html
LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.Biz, the Trip.com Group corporate travel arm, has become the first corporate travel platform to use the Travalyst Aviation Framework to provide transparent flight carbon emissions data to corporate bookers.





Trip.Biz is the second Trip.com Group brand to fully integrate the Travalyst Aviation Framework on emission reporting, following the successful integration for consumers on Skyscanner.

Last year, Travalyst announced that its coalition of top travel brands had aligned on a shared framework to collect and display flight emissions data, providing consumers with essential information on flight emissions before booking.

Trip.com Group is a Founding Partner of Travalyst, the not-for-profit sustainable travel coalition, founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

Steven Zhang, CEO of Trip.Biz, said: "Corporate bookers are increasingly looking for providers offering sustainable travel options for business travellers.

"Trip.com Group's recent Sustainable Travel Consumer Survey results show significant demand for sustainable travel, which can now be met at a corporate level thanks to Trip.Biz being the first to integrate the Travalyst Aviation Framework.

"Since corporate ESG policies are more routinely considered when making travel bookings, Trip.Biz now ensures corporate travel bookers are equipped with the relevant data to make informed, more sustainable travel decisions."

Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, added: "It is encouraging to see Trip.Biz adopting the Travalyst framework. This is an important step in moving towards industry-wide alignment in the decarbonisation of the aviation sector."

The Travalyst framework consists of a set of shared principles and preferred methodology for estimating carbon emissions from air travel, agreed and committed to by all Travalyst travel distribution partners.

In addition to displaying emissions data on individual flight routes, Trip.Biz also provides its corporate clients with an overview of total flight count and estimated accumulated emissions - giving clients a complete picture of their aviation emissions.

Trip.com Group, recently released its inaugural ' Sustainable Travel Consumer Report 2022 ' which shed light on the increased acceptance of sustainable travel and its implications for the travel industry and the wider world.

The global survey of 7,705 respondents across 11 markets in Asia and Europe, revealed the impact of travel upon the environment has topped the list of reasons why travellers are increasingly drawn to sustainable travel. Download the full report here .

Trip.Biz currently provides travel management services to 14,000 large enterprises and 730,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, among which over 300 are Fortune 500 companies and over 10,000 are Sino-foreign joint venture businesses.

Notes to Editors

About Trip.Biz

Trip.Biz is a rapidly growing business travel management company with a vast network of corporate clients extending out of mainland China. It is the corporate travel arm of the leading global travel service provider Trip.com Group. For over 16 years, Trip.Biz has built its strong resourcing capability, excellent service delivery, professional products, and cutting edge technology to provide services to over 14,000 large-scale corporations, including over 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and nearly 200 of the Top 500 Enterprises of China. Trip.Biz counts over 730,000 small to medium sized enterprises among its clients that have a combined total of over 30 million employees. Trip.Biz strives to help corporations lower their travel costs and increase efficiency. Find out more at trip.biz .

About Travalyst:

Travalyst is a not-for-profit sustainable travel organisation, founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex in 2019. The Travalyst Coalition Founding Partners are Booking.com, Skyscanner, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa. Google joined the coalition in 2021, followed by Expedia Group, Amadeus and Travelport in 2022. Travalyst's mission is to change the way the world travels, for good. The coalition aims to reduce the negative impacts of travel and tourism by building and raising industry standards ensuring that we explore the world in a way that promotes a positive future for people and planet.

Find out more at www.travalyst.org





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LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today that Saira Henry will be joining the firm's antitrust/competition practice as a partner in London and Howard Ullman as counsel in San Francisco. This follows the recent arrivals of partners John A. ("Jay") Jurata, Jr. (Washington, D.C.), Russell Cohen (San Francisco) and Douglas Lahnborg (London).





"Saira and Howard's outstanding tech sector antitrust capabilities allow us to offer even more breadth and depth of experience in the key U.S. West Coast and European markets," said Steven Bizar, co-chair of Dechert's antitrust/competition practice. "Our recent growth is in response to client demand in these areas, and we are thrilled that Saira and Howard are joining us to build upon that momentum."

Ms. Henry's experience includes both merger clearance and anti-competitive conduct matters; she is well versed in tech antitrust issues and has devoted considerable attention to cloud computing, artificial intelligence and many other cutting-edge issues for a range of tech clients. Ms. Henry practices both in the UK before the Competition and Markets Authority, where she completed a secondment in 2019, and before the European Commission in Brussels where she has also been based. She has been recognized as a leading antitrust and competition law practitioner including by The Legal 500 UK. She received an LLB with Honors in Law and European Studies and an LLM in European Law with Distinction from the University of Surrey in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Mr. Ullman has many years of experience in competition and antitrust law, unfair competition and class action and complex litigation matters, and advising clients on issues at the intersection of intellectual property and antitrust. He received a B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1989 and a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1992, where he was an Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr. Ullman is a widely published author, and formerly served as an adjunct instructor of law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He is also ranked for antitrust in Chambers USAand The Legal 500. Beyond the strength he brings to the global antitrust team, Mr. Ullman's addition highlights Dechert's commitment to the strategic growth of its interdisciplinary corporate, litigation and financial services capabilities in California.

Saira Henry said: "I'm very excited to join Dechert. The antitrust/competition practice is known for its excellent practitioners. This strength is reflected in their standout antitrust and merger clearance achievements in the U.S. and the EU. It is thrilling to join such a team, and help expand Dechert's antitrust presence in the UK and the EU. Considering the rise in antitrust enforcement post-Brexit, and the increasingly complex regulatory and enforcement environment more generally, most notably in the technology sector, the timing couldn't be better."

Howard Ullman said: "I have worked closely with Russell, Jay, Douglas and Saira for many years and am thrilled that we can continue to work together in the future, supported by Dechert's superb antitrust team. I am also excited to be part of Dechert's continued growth in California."

Dechert's international antitrust/competition practice is known for innovative antitrust advice in the U.S. and Europe and a record of succeeding in the most challenging engagements. Recent wins include a landmark jury verdict for Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. following a three-week federal trial and obtaining a highly favorable resolution for Marriott International, Inc. that included a public apology from the plaintiff, following five days of a jury trial.

The dedicated 45-member team, with offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C., is also known for DAMITT (Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker), a quarterly report that is a leading source on the duration of merger investigations in the U.S. and the EU, as well as the recently launched Boiling Points collection and counselling program, which provides guidance on assessing when hot documents may interfere with deal progress.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 21 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity, and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.





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Managing Director of Aneka Jaringan, Pang Tse Fui

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Aneka Jaringan Holdings Berhad (Bursa: ANEKA, 0226), a basement and foundation construction specialist, announced that shareholders have approved all resolutions at the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Aneka Jaringan held today on a virtual platform.Shareholders received the audited financial statements for the Financial Year Ended 31 August 2022 together with the reports of the directors and auditors contained therein. Shareholder passed resolutions to re-elect Dato' Noraini binti Abdul Rahman and Wee Kee Hong to the Board of Directors and approved the payment of directors' fees and benefits of up to RM220,000 from 17 February 2023 until the conclusion of the next AGM.Other resolutions passed included the re-appointment of Baker Tilly Monteiro Heng PLT as the Group's auditor, as well as authorising the Board of Directors to fix its remuneration. Shareholders also approved the authority for the Board of Directors to issue shares and approved the proposed new mandate for recurrent related party transactions of a revenue or trading nature.Managing Director of Aneka Jaringan, Pang Tse Fui said, "We would like to thank shareholders for their continued support and confidence in us as the Group continues to secure new contracts in Malaysia while expanding in Indonesia. We have secured RM59.8 million in contracts in Financial Year Ended 2023 and have increased capacity in Indonesia as we seek to leverage on the country's infrastructure needs that include its new capital of Nusantara.""The Group is cognisant of the risks and challenges that continue to affect the construction sector. Energy, labour and raw material prices remain areas of concern and the Group has taken steps to mitigate these risks such as replacing outsourced workers with newly recruited foreign workers as we have been granted a government quota of 150 workers."Aneka Jaringan has an order book of RM145.73 million as of 31 October 2022, with Malaysian operations contributing RM138.97 million and Indonesian operations contributing RM6.76 million.As of 31 October 2022, the Group's tender book stood at RM969.45 million, with tenders in Malaysia valued at RM873.85 million and tenders in Indonesia valued at RM95.60 million.Aneka Jaringan Holdings Berhad: 226 [BURSA: ANEKA], http://www.anekajaringan.com/Source: Aneka Jaringan Holdings BerhadCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Singapore, Feb 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - RX Singapore today announced that inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) 2023, the seventh edition of Asia's premier airport exhibition and conference, returns after a four-year hiatus. Taking place from 1 to 3 March at the Marina Bay Sands, IASEA 2023 will set the stage as the first large-scale airport exhibition in Southeast Asia, a completely sold-out exhibition space featuring 150 of some of the world's leading airport suppliers from 29 countries. Exhibitors will showcase transformative airport equipment, technology, design, and services that are crucial in helping build, operate, and maintain smarter and more efficient airports attuned to fast-changing customer demands and expectations in a new era of air travel.IASEA 2023 ExhibitionThe exhibition will include 3 pavilions featuring airport innovations from Germany, Italy and Singapore, of which Italy and Singapore Pavilions are new addition to IASEA. The German pavilion alone will bring 23 companies to IASEA - a 27 percent increase in German participation compared to the previous edition of the event held in 2019. The Singapore pavilion, led by the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) or AAIS will showcase some made-in-Singapore airport innovation solutions, from training to robotics, fuel management solutions and more. The Italy pavilion will be led by Air Tech Italy."The Asia Pacific region includes some of the world's busiest airports and the highest number of known airport construction projects. Set against the backdrop of Singapore's status as the global air hub, we felt that inter airport Southeast Asia returns at an opportune time for us to showcase some of the best German's innovation," said Christoph Oftring, Vice President from GATE. "This year's strong German presence underscores the interest German companies have in this region and the confidence of IASEA to deliver the right audience for us."Some of the prominent exhibitors at IASEA 2023 include ADB Safegate, Avionics Airfield Lighting, Bliss-Fox by Panus, CW Aero Services, Groupe ADP, Honeywell International, ITW GSE, JBT AeroTech, TLD Asia Limited, Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment, and many more.Professionals in the airport, airlines, regulatory bodies, aviation authorities and all other airport-related industry leaders, will get unlimited access to the wide-array of airport solutions at the exhibition and discover new sustainable offerings.IASEA 2023 Conference: Reconditioning for Asia's Long-haul GrowthAs the Asia-Pacific aviation industry is expected to see faster recovery fuelled by China's reopening, the "Spotlight on China" session fronted by Ma Yin, Vice President of Beijing Daxing International Airport will feature the world's largest airport project - Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) which is estimated to have a construction budget of US$11.5 billion. A game-changer, PKX will increase passenger capacity to 100 million passengers annually, transforming Beijing into the centre of global aviation.With the theme, "Reconditioning for Asia's Long-haul Growth", IASEA Conference will also cover the following hot topics:- An Asia Pacific Outlook Trends and Forecasts of the APAC Industry based on exclusive statistics and analysis by Piyush Chawla, Managing Director APAC, Cirium, an industry leader in aviation analytics;- Global perspective by Jean Roche, Head of International Engineering Services, ADP International;- The Technology Advantage: Identifying and implementing suitable technology to improve airport sustainability by Ng Kuan Luen - Director, Ventures, Changi Airports International;- The use of data analytics for better airport planning - a sharing session by Piyush Chawla, Managing Director APAC and Pang Yee Huat, Solutions Consultant of Cirium. An Exclusive Aviation Data and Insights Report will be made available to all delegates;- Kansai International Airport (KIX): Revamping to meet the needs of inbound tourism by Ben Dawson, Principal of Populous;- The Big List Updated: Airport projects in Asia Pacific and related opportunities by Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation;Other panels include:- Recovering from the Pandemic: Opportunities within the airport ecosystem as traffic in APAC returns & growth resumes- Future Terminals: What will it look like & what are the opportunities for suppliers?- Rising Southeast Asia: Airports with Big Ambitions- Transforming the Passenger Experience: At the forefront of innovation- Back to Basics: Getting Ahead of the Surge- Spotlight on the Environment: Sustainability, carbon net zero & eco-airports- Spotlight on India: Massive airport development underwayIn essence, the IASEA Conference will offer an overall outlook of the APAC aviation industry, addressing necessary challenges, underlining opportunities, and revealing exclusive statistics/data/trends by leading analysts and consultants, to ultimately allow strategic, sustainable reassessments & safeguards, as industry landscapes evolve.The IASEA Conference is complimentary for all attendees, enabling industry professionals of all sectors to be benefited with new insights and capitalise on the growing market opportunities in this region.Other key airport executives who will be sharing their expertise and views include:- LATCHIDA APAPHANT, Executive Vice President (Corporate Strategy), Airports of Thailand PLC.- MOHD NADZIRUDDIN MOHD BASRI, Chief Executive Officer, Aviation Services (AVS), Malaysia Airlines- ANURAG SHANDILYA, Head of Operations, Noida International Airport- JOSEPH SWEET, Aviation Business Leader | Australasia, ARUP- TIM ALDEBURGH, Technical Director, Project Management Consultancy & Advisory, WSP- PRABIN BHATTARAI, UAV Expert, Flight Safety Standard Department, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal- RICHARD TAN, Regional Manager Operations, Safety and Security, APAC, International Air Transport Association (IATA)- SAMEER SAKSENA, Industry Consultant- RAGHU SEELAMONTHULA, Strategy & Marketing, Airports & Tower Solutions, Airports Business, Honeywell"Passenger travel has been on the rise. At Noida International Airport, which is second Airport in the Catchment of Delhi, the Capital city of India, it is our priority to enhance passenger experience when they travel through our airports. Many things have evolved with the pandemic. We are now refining our offerings such as contactless touchpoints and other digital solutions to create a safe environment for our passengers and partners. We are also bringing in elements for greater flexibility to ensure an efficient process. I am looking forward to exchange ideas and best practices with industry leaders in redefining the airport experience and advancing the airport of the future," said Anurag Shandilya, Head of Airport Operations, Noida International Airport, India.IASEA will be held on 1-3 March at the Marina Bay Sands. For more information, click here.Members of the media are encouraged to register for their press badge here, and also to get relevant updates leading up to the event.About inter airport Southeast Asia:inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA) is Asia's Premier airport exhibition and covers all areas of airport-related technology, equipment and services, in one place. Established in 1997, IASEA brings the entire airport value chain together and gives industry professionals across the airport sector an unrivalled access to Asia's most influential Airport Executives, development projects in Asia and Asian airport industry insights. This is where the airport industry gathers and soar with Asia. For more information, visit www.interairport-southeastasia.com.For media queries or interview interest, please reach out to:TEAM LEWISEmail: IASEAsg@teamlewis.comKang Jia Rui: +65 9451 4873Geneva Pichay: +65 9648 4254Source: inter airport Southeast Asia (IASEA)Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / The BeBop Channel Corporation (OTC PINK:BBOP), in line with its expansion plans, has acquired Madavor Media, LLC, publisher of one of the most iconic Jazz magazines in the world, JazzTimes. The deal also includes Outdoor Photographer, the Women Create brands and other niche media properties in Madavor's stable, vastly increasing BeBop's revenue by about 1,800%, or over $6 million, according to its regulatory filing.

BeBop, headed by Interim CEO, former Duke Ellington Orchestra musician/educator Gregory Charles Royal and non-profit executive Sue Veres Royal, has a mission to create an arts hub for artists in the areas of Jazz, Dance, Theatre and Film as the first publicly traded company dedicated to such a mission.

"We are truly grateful to Zilpin Group, LLC for having the confidence in us to hand off the baton to truly help take JazzTimes and the other magazines to the next expansive chapter", says Royal.

BeBop, previously headed by renowned DC journalist Steve Clemons, now editor at-large at Semafor, was instrumental in getting the company to this point, having secured early advertising from Philip Morris International (PM) with the goal of making BeBop the "HuffPost for the Arts."

To that end and to execute the expansion, BeBop, now the parent company of Madavor, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has plans to expand the experience of loyal readers and advertisers to embrace live and streaming video programming and events sprouting from Madavor's brands, including JazzTimes.

Royal said: "We want to entertain with programming that goes beyond just documentaries, but with an array of video and scripted television and events to provide readers with a hangout and provide arts advertisers with the value

proposition to reach audiences throughout BeBop's ecosystem."

There currently exists no commercial television station dedicated to Jazz, Dance and Theatre advertisers or audiences in the United States.

Moreover, and consistent with BeBop's theme as "the Global City for the Arts," where "Artistry Knows No Borders," the company seeks to transition arts and enthusiast patrons into investors who potentially profit from the arts, not just donate to it.

The company currently has over 700 shareholders of record and trades at about $1.00 per share for an $8.7 million market cap prior to this acquisition on about $350,000 revenue in 2022.

"We look forward to this journey to disrupt the way the arts are viewed, into the multi-billion dollar global industry it actually is, so buckle up," said Royal.

Website: beboptv.com

THIS IS NOT AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE SECURITIES

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking statements", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to statements of future partnerships.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

Sue Veres Royal

(202) 302-6703

submit@beboptv.com

SOURCE: BeBop Channel Corporation

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MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bullion Gold Resources Corp. (TSX-V: BGD) ("Bullion Gold" or "the Company") announces that Mr. Bernard Lapointe has resigned from the board of directors effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Lapointe for his contribution and wishes him well in his future endeavors.



Grant of Stock Options

The Company also announces that incentive stock options have been granted to directors, officers, and consultants to purchase up to 1,750,000 common shares at a price of $0.045 per share for five years, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan.

The Company currently has 52,408,188 shares issued and outstanding, along with 4,450,000 options (including the options described above) and 12,761,754 warrants.

About Bullion Gold Resources

Bullion Gold is involved in the identification, exploration, and development of viable mineral properties in the Province Quebec and British Columbia. For more information on the Corporation, visit www.bulliongold.ca

For further information, please contact:

Jonathan Hamel

President and CEO

jhamel@bulliongold.ca

514-317-7956

Other Information

The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts no responsibility for the veracity or accuracy of its content.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Although Bullion Gold believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Bullion Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Corporation's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the third quarter ended September 30, 2022, which are available on the Corporation's profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Bullion Gold 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.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the "Company" or "Calibre") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Jory as Vice President Geology, Nevada and the recognition and promotion of Mr. Pedro Silva to Vice President of Exploration, Nicaragua.

Darren Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calibre stated: "I am pleased to welcome Mr. John Jory as Vice President Geology, Nevada to the Calibre team and promote Mr. Pedro Silva to Vice President Exploration, Nicaragua. We continue to strengthen the Calibre team with a focus on driving organic growth. Our exploration projects in Nevada and Nicaragua occur in highly prospective, gold-endowed regions where we are unlocking new value. John has extensive experience in Nevada successfully discovering, delineating and delivering millions of gold ounces with numerous mining companies including Newmont and leading the discovery of the 4 million ounce Rodeo-Goldbug discovery.

Pedro has been instrumental in leading our exploration efforts in Nicaragua resulting in new and meaningful discoveries including our recent high-grade Panteon deposit (809kt averaging 9.45g/t Au for 244koz of Probable Mineral Reserves) and new multi-kilometre VTEM Gold Corridor confirming the significant potential to make additional discoveries and expand on Calibre's recent exploration success. Pedro's experience and knowledge brings significant in-country geological experience to support our robust pipeline of exploration opportunities along the prolific, multi-million-ounce, western epithermal gold belt. We have an exciting opportunity in an under explored district and I look forward to Pedro's contributions in his new role as Vice President of Exploration, Nicaragua."

Vice President Geology, Nevada

Mr. John Jory

John is an economic geologist with 36 years of experience in exploration, resource development, mine geology and project management in the USA, Canada, Indonesia, and Australia. John has worked in diverse deposit styles including Carlin-type Au, epithermal Au-Ag, intrusion-related Au, porphyry/skarn Cu-Au, metasomatic & paleochannel U, and magmatic sulfide Ni. John and his teams have delivered over 10 million ounces of gold reserves and he has evaluated more than 60 gold deposits in Nevada. He has worked for Newmont, Barrick, OceanaGold, Alta Gold, Paladin Energy and Rio Tinto. John graduated with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Southampton, U.K., and an M.Sc. in Mineral Exploration from the Royal School of Mines, U.K. John is a QP as an AIPG Certified Professional Geologist and is a long-standing member of the Society of Economic Geologists and Geological Society of Nevada.

Vice President Exploration, Nicaragua

Mr. Pedro Silva

Pedro is a geologist with 30 years of experience in the mining industry having worked in Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, and Africa, with relevant experience in greenfield, brownfields and near mine exploration and a deep knowledge of epithermal, porphyry gold-copper and orogenic gold deposits. Prior to joining Calibre Mining in 2020, Mr. Silva worked as the Chilean Exploration Manager for Newmont Mining. Before Newmont, he held increasingly senior level roles with Kinross, Goldcorp, and Barrick Gold. He brings value add in his vast experience managing multinational teams across all stages of project development. Mr. Silva holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Universidad Catolica del Norte and a post graduate degree in Mineral Economics, from the University of Chile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Darren Hall"

Darren Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Ryan King

Senior Vice President Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Calibre Mining Corp.

T: 604.628.1012

E: calibre@calibremining.com (mailto:calibre@calibremining.com)

W: www.calibremining.com (http://www.calibremining.com)

About Calibre Mining Corp.

Calibre Mining is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for shareholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value.
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The CAC-40 rallied on Thursday amidst a strong batch of corporate earnings that reiterated the strength of the economy. Markets also shrugged off strong economic data from the U.S. to rule out a hard landing for the economy. The CAC-40 is currently trading at 7,383.79, up 1.14 percent from the previous close. The day's trading has been between 7,345.10 and 7,387.29. Only 5 scrips among the 40 scrips in the index are trading in negative territory. Telecom business Orange surged more than 5 percent following strong financial results. Distiller Pernod Ricard also gained more than 5 percent after posting upbeat results. Luxury goods maker Kering extended gains with a 3.7 percent addition. Airbus, Societe Generale, Air Liquide and Worldline, Dassault Systemes have all rallied more than 2 percent. The EUR/USD pair has edged 0.17 percent lower to 1.0707. The ten-year bond yield has decreased 0.5 percent to 2.929% versus the previous close of 2.944%. 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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to provide an update on the Belen copper-gold ("Cu-Au") target at the 100% owned Valiente project in Peru (Figure 1) where a large field team has continued to be active over the last months.

The Belen Cu-Au porphyry is located 19 km east from the township of Tingo Maria in central Peru, within a previously unknown Miocene-age porphyry-epithermal copper-gold mineralized belt. The Belen project is contained within a 140 km by 50 km area, named the Valiente Project, where Hannan's exploration team has identified at least seven intrusion related porphyry/epithermal/skarn targets, of which Belen is the most advanced and described here in more detail (Figure 1).

Highlights:

Geology : Field teams have been active over last quarter with a 10-person exploration team continuing to build and strengthen the exploration targets at Belen. Mineralization has been defined over an expanded footprint from 8 km to 10 km strike. Initial indications of high-grade system developing at Sortilegio with assays up to 16.0% Cu and 4.4 g/t Au from a porphyry boulder grab sample.

: Field teams have been active over last quarter with a 10-person exploration team continuing to build and strengthen the exploration targets at Belen. Geophysics : After a completing a 4,880 line km aeromagnetic survey across all of its 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente late in 2022, the Company has recently undertaken and completed a 19.4 line km pole-dipole induced polarization ("IP") geophysical survey at the Ricardo Herrera porphyry and Vista Alegre epithermal gold target. Results will be released after all data has been processed and interpreted.

: After a completing a 4,880 line km aeromagnetic survey across all of its 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente late in 2022, the Company has recently undertaken and completed a 19.4 line km pole-dipole induced polarization ("IP") geophysical survey at the Ricardo Herrera porphyry and Vista Alegre epithermal gold target. Results will be released after all data has been processed and interpreted. Permitting : Permissions to start the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") or Environmental Impact Statement at Belen been received from authorities. The DIA is the primary environmental certification required to allow low impact mineral exploration programs, that includes drilling programs, to proceed in Peru. A multi-disciplinary team will be mobilized in the coming weeks. Work will involve archaeological investigations, community workshops and liaison activities to collect appropriate information necessary to make the submittal for approval to the General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru.

: Permissions to start the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") or Environmental Impact Statement at Belen been received from authorities. The DIA is the primary environmental certification required to allow low impact mineral exploration programs, that includes drilling programs, to proceed in Peru. A multi-disciplinary team will be mobilized in the coming weeks. Work will involve archaeological investigations, community workshops and liaison activities to collect appropriate information necessary to make the submittal for approval to the General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru. Further results from the IP geophysical surveys, mapping and channel sampling will be released soon.

Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "Despite the political challenges Peru has seen over the last months, Hannan's teams have remained very active in the field with positive interactions with local stakeholders continuing. Momentum at Valiente remains high. The work by our field team continues to successfully expand and refine the mineral system at Belen. The high-grade copper gold boulders at Sortilegio, within the Belen trend, demonstrate the potential of a new high-grade target at Sortilegio and importantly, we are now mapping mineralization over a large footprint. This is highlighted by the development of the 4 km long base metal gold skarn target east of Sortilegio within the 10 km long linked porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold mineral system. With permissions received to commence our detailed drill permitting, we look forward to 2023 with great enthusiasm."

Geological Discussion

At the Sortilegio porphyry target, detailed geological mapping has now commenced (Figure 2) with 70% of the area mapped (5 sq km) . A total of 22 channel samples have been taken for 130.7 m. Assays are pending. In addition, 450 soil samples have been collected demonstrating moderate to strong copper (gold) values over 1,800 m by 900 m (Figure 2). Two zones of interests have emerged:

Hornblende felspar porphyry of diorite composition overprinted by phyllic alteration and secondary copper oxides (Figure 3) seen within multiple boulders in creeks. Assays are pending.

Board supergene mineralization marked by fine grains of native copper hosted by a lamprophyre intrusive that is broadly coinciding with the soil copper anomaly covering 1,800 m of strike.

The potential for high-grade mineralization at Sortilegio has been highlighted by the discovery of high-grade copper-gold bearing massive goethite boulders with remnants of secondary biotite with one boulder assaying 16.0% Cu and 4.4 g/t Au (Figure 3). In total 147 boulders ranged from <0.001 % Cu to 16.0% Cu to and averaged 0.15% Cu and <0.001 g/t Au to 4.4 g/t Au and averaged 0.03 g/t Au.

Strong indications are also emerging of a 4 km long skarn hosted gold-base metal target (the Belen Skarn zone) north and east of Sortilegio, expanding the footprint of the mineral system to cover 10 km (Figure 2). The soil anomalous trend is parallel to an Andean thrust fault and initial soil data suggest a strike >4km. 190 soil samples have been analyzed with pXRF and 90 samples with fire assay from the area with results ranging from 6 ppm Zn to 2,031 ppm Zn and averaging 109 ppm Zn, 2 ppm Pb to 266 ppm Pb and averaging 18 ppm Pb and <0.001 g/t Au to 0.103 /t Au and averaging 0.008 g/t Au.

At the Riccardo Herrera porphyry target (Figure 2), detailed mapping over 9 sq km has been completed. A 850 m x 250 m copper-gold target has been identified (as reported here). An updated geological interpretation is now being completed combining the information from the surface geology, airborne magnetic data and the recently collected pole-dipole IP geophysical data.

Valiente History

The 100% owned Valiente project is located in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figure 1). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was discovered in 2021 during an extensive greenfields exploration program initiated by Hannan.

Peru has been a major copper and gold producer since precolonial times. Currently known gold deposits include orogenic gold, porphyry Cu-Au, porphyry Au, transitional porphyry-epithermal, epithermal, and placer gold. The Valiente project is a new a porphyry-epithermal metallogenic belt in the central eastern Andes. The Valiente project is located further east than most of the conventional Andean porphyry settings and shows regional similarities to deposits such as the large Bajo de Alumbrera copper-gold porphyry in Argentina. It is interpreted that Valiente was formed in a tectonically favourable area associated with an arc-oblique wrench fault system, that may have aided the ascent of oceanic arc-related magmas into the transfer zone so far inboard from the magmatic arc.

The Valiente project is believed to consist of an overlapping suit of porphyry targets with composition ranging from conventional calc-alkalic to alkalic hosted Cu-Au mineralization (reported here). It is anticipated that both high and low-magnetic and radiometric correlations may exist within the property and a detailed evaluation combining the airborne data with 3D litho-structural interpretations and results from stream sediments samples (BLEG) is currently being undertaken.

In 1984 Ingemmet, the Peruvian Geological Survey, conducted mapping in the central part of the Central Cordillera in the Departments of Huanuco and Ucayali. The area was sporadically explored during the 1990's by Gitennes, Newcrest, BHP, WMC and others but records are sparse. At this time, access to the area was restricted because of unpredictable security conditions and poor infrastructure.

From 2020 to 2021, Hannan launched a greenfields exploration program for porphyry and epithermal gold deposits in the high jungle areas of the Eastern Cordillera of Peru, which included regional database compilation, target generation, and field mapping. Hannan also conducted regional stream sediment sampling (fine clay fraction). The target generation permitted definition of prospective area, one of which was the Valiente block located along the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera, Department of Ucayali.

In 2022, field work started in the Belen area which represents a small proportion (4%) of Hannan's total landholding at Valiente. In this area, several geochemical anomalies were found, with boulders of diorite porphyry containing quartz-sulfide and magnetite veinlets. Subsequent mapping, soil and rock sampling at Belen during the last two months has identified porphyry-style alteration and veinlets.

Field and social teams are actively engaged in the area, with Hannan's policy to undertake exploration activities only within areas where full support from local stakeholders exists.

Technical Background

All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using traceable parcels. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. Gold was analyzed by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 25g fire assay sample charge.

All soil samples were collected by Hannan geologists using an in-house protocol for soil sampling in jungle areas. The samples were subsequently analyzed with a portable XRF ("pXRF") deploying a protocol developed by Hannan for the San Martin project. The method is designed to minimize risk of contamination and ground disturbance. In most cases the sample media is the "B-horizon" of the soil profile. Only 100g of sample material is collected from each site. From the soil sample a pellet is produced which is dried and analyzed by a pXRF. Certified reference material, blanks and field duplicates are routinely added to monitor the quality of the pXRF data and 10% of all samples are submitted to ALS in Lima to validate the pXRF data. Gold was analyzed by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 25g fire assay sample charge.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK: HANNF)

Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.



On behalf of the Board,

"Michael Hudson"

Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information

www.hannanmetals.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary,

+1 (604) 685 9316, info@hannanmetals.com

Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. 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. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly 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 law.

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 news.

SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739593/Hannan-Expands-the-Belen-CU-AU-Porphyry-Discovery-in-Peru
16 February 2023: Hexagon Composites is pleased to announce that Hans Peter Havdal, currently a member of the board of directors of Hexagon Composites, will be joining the company as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 6 March 2023. Hans Peter's appointment as COO will preclude his participation on the Hexagon Composites Board of Directors. His resignation as a member of the Board of Directors is effective immediately.

Hans Peter comes from the position as General Manager, Engineering and Digital Services in Semcon International, a global consulting company. He has previously served as the CEO of Kongsberg Automotive ASA and has held several other international management positions within the automotive industry. Hans Peter holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science & Technology.

"We are excited to have Hans Peter join Hexagon. He complements our strong performance-oriented culture, and we believe his international track record for execution and achieving results makes him the right choice," said Jon Erik Engeset, CEO Hexagon Composites.

"I am very excited to further engage in Hexagon's work to drive the energy transformation. I believe the potential for further growth and value creation is significant, given the organization's passionate people, strong technology, and worldwide footprint. I look forward to partnering with the teams globally to further build the business," commented Hans Peter.

"Hans Peter joined the Board in April 2020 as an Independent Director. The Board takes this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and valuable contributions. His experienced guidance and strategic insight during his tenure on the Board greatly benefited Hexagon. We look forward to his continued engagement in the company as COO," says Knut Flakk, Chair of the board of directors, Hexagon Composites.



For more information, please contact:

Karen Romer, SVP Communications, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 74 950 | karen.romer@hexagongroup.com

Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Investor Relations and ESG, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 38 364 | ingrid.aarsnes@hexagongroup.com



About Hexagon Composites ASA

Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility, industrial and consumer applications.

Learn more at www.hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on Twitter and LinkedIn.


Sophia Chong (centre), HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, Lawrence Ma (L), Chairman, HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show Fair Organising Committee, and Winston Chow, Chairman, HKTDC Jewellery Advisory Committee, attended today's (16 February) press conference to introduce the twin jewellery shows.



Winners and guests at today's prize presentation ceremony for the 24th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition



Artist Tiffany Lau and other models present stunning jewellery pieces.

HONG KONG, Feb 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) has removed restrictions on travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China and lifted vaccination requirements for overseas visitors to the city. The moves will boost global trade between Hong Kong, Mainland China and the world at large. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has been actively promoting the territory's advantages through different channels and exhibitions. The 39th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and 9th HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, organised by the HKTDC, will be staged at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 1-5 March 2023, as a launch pad for a new round of trade fairs to help Hong Kong companies capture global business opportunities.Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "We are happy to see positive feedback from international and mainland business communities on the relaxation of the pandemic prevention policies in Hong Kong. We observed a gradual return of overseas and mainland participants in exhibitions and conference held in January. This year, the twin jewellery shows are attracting more than 2,300 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions, with half of them from overseas. The fairs will draw 100 buying missions with more than 10,000 non-local buyers from 70 countries and regions, showing significant increase in both non-local exhibitors and buyers compared to last year. We believe the exhibition industry and international trade will benefit directly from full relaxation of quarantine measures later this year."The HKTDC will focus on two key aspects - markets and sectors - to promote Hong Kong as a business hub and help trade regain momentum. The HKTDC will focus on promoting Hong Kong as the preeminent two-way bridge between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); between Asia and the world. Apart from GBA, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries, traditional and emerging markets remain our regional focus for promotion. Apart from facilitating trade and exports of various industry sectors, the HKTDC will also reinforce Hong Kong's leading role in innovation & technology, health & wellness and sustainability.Hong Kong fine jewellery exports rallyAfter the pandemic brought a 20% decline in 2020, Hong Kong's fine jewellery exports benefited significantly from relaxed quarantine measures. The value of Hong Kong's fine jewellery exports last year rose 18% to HK$71.4 billion (US$9.1 billion), as compared to 2019. While there was a 40% growth in Hong Kong's jewellery sales to ASEAN markets, the exports to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Australia and Taiwan also showed an encouraging increase.Group pavilions include Mainland China, Japan, Korea and GermanyThe twin shows will feature 20 group pavilions including those from Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Turkiye, Israel, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, the United States and others. A number of jewellery associations will return to the fairs and show support, such as the Asia Pacific Creator Association, International Coloured Gems Association, Tanzanite Foundation, and the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association which organises T-GOLD+METS pavilion with Italian Exhibition Group and many more. The overwhelming response proves Hong Kong is an attractive platform for international companies.Highlighted zones present exquisite jewelleryThe Hong Kong International Jewellery Show will feature 17 zones. Amongst all, the Hall of Fame will gather 18 jewellery brands, including Hong Kong's ASIAN STAR, Spain's CARRERA Y CARRERA, Italy's Oriental Jewels and Thailand's Key Gems; Hall of Extraordinary will showcase masterpieces from about 60 exhibitors, such as Dehres, United Jewelry, On Tung Company, and Continental Diamond from Hong Kong, Switzerland's Thomas Faerber SA, DIACRAFT Inc from the US, Germany's Heinz Mayer, and Italy's Crivelli s.r.l.; Designer Galleria will feature precious pieces from 25 jewellery designers from across the world. Participating designer brands include Green G, Starlite Jewellery and CULTURED from Hong Kong, Korea's Gina Fine Jewelry Creator, Taiwan's Dian-Ta Design Studio and more.The Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show consists of three product zones, including Hall of Fine Diamond, Treasures of Nature and Treasures of Ocean showcasing premium quality diamonds, gemstones and pearls.Over 20 inspiring events help businesses stay up-to-dateThe twin jewellery shows will organise over 20 seminars and events covering various topics such as Bling Up Your Business with Blockchain & NFT, Hong Kong Jewellery Industry Shines over the World, THE JEWELLERY TRENDBOOK 2024+ 'From Consumer Culture to New Market Opportunities', Jewellery Enamelling: The Techniques, Introduction of 'Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones' Registration Regime, Ammolite - A 71 Million-Year Natural Treasure only from Alberta, Canada, Achieving SDG of Jewellery Testing and Certification Industry through Innovative Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application. These seminars and events will allow industry players to stay up-to-date and explore further business opportunities. There will also be various networking events and jewellery parades during the shows. In addition, the winning pieces of the 24th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition will be displayed during the fair period.The shows will run under the EXHIBITION+ physical-online hybrid model, which includes HKTDC-organised physical fairs, the smart business-matching platform Click2Match, online-to-offline seminars under the Intelligence Hub and the hktdc.com sourcing platform. This extends face-to-face interactions from physical exhibitions to an online, smart business-matching platform to help enterprises proactively connect with business partners. The Click2Match platform for the two fairs will be accessible from 1-12 March 2023, letting exhibitors and buyers continue conducting business discussions online after the physical shows.Websites:- Hong Kong International Jewellery Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkjewellery/en- Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkdgp/en- Interesting Products: https://bit.ly/3K8Xwgt- Activity List: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkjewellery/en/intelligence-hub- HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en- Photo download: https://bit.ly/3lHyKtwAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedInMedia enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.orgFrankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.orgSource: HKTDCCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Fujitec Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:6406):

As announced in the "Notice Concerning the Board of Directors' Position on the Agenda Item to be Submitted by the Company and the Agenda Items Proposed by a Shareholder for the Upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders" ("the Press Release") dated January 20, 2023 and in "the Notice of Convocation of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders" ("the Convocation Notice") dated February 9, 2023, Agenda Item No. 1, which is a management proposal ("the Management Proposal"), and Agenda Items No. 2 through No. 7, which are shareholder proposals ("the Shareholder Proposals"), will be placed on the agenda at our Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on February 24, 2023, following the shareholder proposal submitted by Oasis Japan Strategic Fund Ltd. ("the Shareholder Proponent"). With respect to the above Glass Lewis ("GL"), has issued a report ("GL Report") recommending voting "AGAINST" a portion of the Management Proposal and voting "FOR" a portion of the Shareholder Proposal.

Our Board of Directors are in support of the Management Proposal and are opposed to the Shareholder Proposal, and the details of our Board's opinion are set forth in the Press Release, the Convocation Notice, and the January 30, 2023 press release entitled "Statement on Oasis' claims and its request for an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting" and the "Supplementary Material Regarding our statement on Oasis' Claim" ("Our Opinion Material").

We held an engagement meeting with GL to accurately convey our opinions and concerns about the Shareholder Proponent and the Shareholder Proponent's Proposal to GL before the GL Report was issued. Although a portion of the contents of the GL Report issued by GL show that they recognized our statement and supported part of our Board of Directors' opinion, we are concerned about the overall content and tone of the GL Report, and therefore express regret toward GL's overall judgement and provide our views on the GL Report as follows.

Please see our document for more information

To our shareholders (Updates: Feb. 16, 2023)

https://www.fujitec.com/announcement/3082

Our Request for You to Consider When Exercising Your Voting Rights

If, as recommended by GL, a portion of the Shareholder Proponent's proposal is approved, and if the election of the Shareholder Proponent's Outside Directors to our Board of Directors is realized, we are concerned that the management of our Company will become unstable. The construction industry, to which we belong, is characterized by the importance of trust gained from long-term business relationships, etc. If the Shareholder Proponent's, who is an activist fund in Hong Kong, proposal is approved, there will be a serious effect on our Company's future.

To all of our shareholders, we kindly request you to please refer to the Press Release on the GL Report, the Convocation Notice, Our Opinion Materials and consider our initiatives to raise our corporate value while exercising your voting rights at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005463/en/

Contacts:

Fujitec Co., Ltd.

ir@jp.fujitec.com
Sharegain has launched its Securities Lending as a Service (SLaaS) offering in the US, empowering wealth managers to generate revenue streams from existing AUM.

Sharegain, a leading B2B capital markets fintech, today announced it is open for business in the US, following regulatory approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Operating from the UK since 2016, Sharegain's SLaaS solution has already been chosen by leading wealth managers, online brokers, global banks and asset managers in Europe, APAC and the Middle East.

SLaaS enables wealth managers to generate additional sources of income, for them and their clients, from a fully operational securities lending business line, with no CapEx and minimal OpEx.

Boaz Yaari, CEO Founder of Sharegain, said: "We've seen overwhelming interest in Sharegain from around the world and we are now happy to offer our solution to wealth managers in the US. In a challenging economic environment, where every basis point counts, we are proud to partner with ambitious financial institutions that are looking to generate additional sources of income for them and their clients."

Susan Peters, Head of US Operations at Sharegain, said: "We are excited to bring our solution to the US, and we look forward to working with leading wealth managers, online brokers, RIAs and other broker-dealers. Sharegain is open for business in the United States."

Ends

About Sharegain

Sharegain is a leading B2B global securities lending fintech. Sharegain has democratized the securities lending market through its unique Securities Lending as a Service (SLaaS) solution, unlocking revenue-generating opportunities that were previously the preserve of big financial institutions. Sharegain's end-to-end digital solution combines full control and transparency with minimal overheads or up-front costs, enabling online brokers, private banks, wealth managers, asset managers and custodians to lend their stocks, bonds and ETFs, and generate additional revenue for their own business and their clients.

www.sharegain.com

With securities lending, as with other investment activities, your capital may be at risk

Sharegain Ltd is registered in England and Wales (no. 09600298) and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (no. 730395). Registered address: Office 9, Dalton House, 60 Windsor Avenue, London SW19 2RR. Sharegain Securities Inc. is registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA (CRD 318555). Information regarding Sharegain Securities Inc. may be found at brokercheck.finra.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005482/en/

Contacts:

media@sharegain.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / AZARGA METALS CORP. ("Azarga Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AZR) is pleased to announce the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Azarga Metals Limited, a BVI corporation pursuant to a share purchase agreement (the "SPA") with a non-sanctioned third-party buyer (the "Buyer"). The Buyer has agreed to pay consideration of US$1 for the project and US$74,999 for the assignment and assumption of the intercompany debt, as well as contingent consideration equal to half of the net proceeds paid to the Buyer from any subsequent third-party sale made by the Buyer (the "Contingent Consideration").

Gordon Tainton, President and CEO commented: "The Company is very pleased that it is now able to fully focus its resources on our 100% owned high-grade copper-rich VMS Marg project located in the Yukon, Canada (the "Marg Project"). We expect the results of our recently completed induced polarization survey at the Marg Project, which was completed by Abitibi Geophysics Ltd, to be released this quarter."

Pursuant to the option agreement announced on May 10, 2022, with Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited ("BSRT"), the Company and BSRT have now agreed that any Contingent Consideration paid to the Company will be split as follows: 90% to BSRT and 10% to the Company for any amount up to US$3.5 million and 80% to BSRT and 20% to the Company for any amount above US$3.5 million.

About Azarga Metals Corp.

Azarga Metals is a mineral exploration and development company that owns 100% of the high-grade copper-rich VMS Marg project located in the Mayo Mining District in Central Yukon, approximately 40 kilometres east of Keno City (which itself is approximately 465 kilometres by road north of Whitehorse).

AZARGA METALS CORP.

"Gordon Tainton"

Gordon Tainton,

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact Doris Meyer, at +1 604 536-2711 ext. 3, or Gordon Tainton, at + 1-604-248-8380 or visit www.azargametals.com or follow us on Twitter @AzargaMetals. The address of the head office of Azarga Metals is Unit 1 - 15782 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1E6, British Columbia, Canada.

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 forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "aim", "ambition", "estimate", "concluded", "offers", "objective", "may", "will", "should", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward looking statements including, but not limited to, the timing of results from the Company's induced polarization program for the Marg Project, the Buyer agreeing to pay the Company US$75,000 and the Contingent Consideration. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with the state of equity financing markets, the Buyer paying any or all of the US$75,000 and future Contingent Consideration, if any, results of future exploration activities by the Company and the Company's ability to complete future exploration activities. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

SOURCE: Azarga Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739559/Azarga-Metals-Completes-Its-Exit-From-Russia
Highly compelling, statistically significant, clinically meaningful improvement in assessments of symptoms of psychosis, disease severity and global evaluation at one year;increase in magnitude of these measures over time

Evenamide could be a potential breakthrough treatment in the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients

Initiation of a pivotal, international, randomized, placebo-controlled study in TRS patients expected in 2023

Investor and analyst conference call today at 3 pm CET/ 9 am ET

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. ("Newron") (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS), announces very exciting new results from the first 100 randomized patients who have completed one year (52 weeks) of treatment in its international, randomized, open label, rater-blinded study of evenamide (study 014/015) as an add-on to an antipsychotic (excluding clozapine) in patients with moderate to severe treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) not responding to their current antipsychotic medication. Results from these same 100 patients at six weeks and six months in study 014/015 have been reported previously.

Results in patients completing one year of treatment with evenamide provide further striking new evidence of the sustained efficacy of evenamide as an add-on to antipsychotics (excluding clozapine) in TRS patients, by demonstrating substantially greater benefit at one year than noted at the six-week and six-month datapoints.

The efficacy results, based on changes over baseline at one year in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), showed more than a 50% increase over the statistically significant benefit noted at the six-week datapoint (p-value 0.001: paired t-test). Furthermore, the proportion of patients experiencing a clinically meaningful PANSS improvement ("responders") at one year was almost three times higher than the proportion responding at week six (16%).

In addition, the mean change for the severity of illness (as measured by Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S)) showed a statistically significant improvement at one year compared to baseline. The proportion of patients who experienced highly meaningful (at least two categories) improvement in the severity of disease as assessed by the CGI-S more than doubled compared to the proportion of patients improving at week six (10%).

The proportion of patients experiencing clinically meaningful improvement (i.e., patients rated at least "much improved") on the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) increased by an additional 10% at one year from the proportion at week six (27%). Further evidence of the progressive benefit over time was evident from the growing proportion of patients rated "very much improved" at one year.

Jean-Pierre Lindenmayer, M.D., Director of Research, Psychopharmacology Research Unit Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research at Manhattan Psychiatric Center, commented: "Clozapine is the treatment of choice for the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). However, more than half of patients with TRS do not respond to clozapine, which makes it extremely urgent to find new and effective treatments for TRS. These Phase II, open-label data of evenamide in patients with TRS, obtained with blinded raters, are very promising. The pattern of improvement is particularly unusual as it occurs gradually over a year and is sustained. We rarely see such a pattern of improvement with current treatments. In addition, the mechanism of action of evenamide appears to be completely novel, which may open up new pathways for treatment for TRS. Of course, these results need to be confirmed by a planned randomized, placebo-controlled study in TRS patients

The interim results are based on the first 100 patients randomized to receive evenamide (7.5, 15 or 30 mg bid) in study 014. Ninety of these entered the long-term treatment period (study 015) and 77 of these reached the 52-week endpoint. Most of the first 100 patients were randomized to receive either the 7.5 or 15 mg bid doses, as patients were initially randomized to treatment with these doses before an Independent Safety Monitoring Board reviewed the safety data from the first 50 patients completing the trial and agreed with the initiation of the randomization to the 30 mg bid dose.

The addition of evenamide to the current antipsychotic medication continued to be well tolerated, only two patients discontinued for adverse events (flu-like symptoms and headache) after one year of treatment.

Ravi Anand, M.D., Newron's Chief Medical Officer, said: "These striking results, at the end of one year, from the first 100 patients randomized to this study are markedly better than could have been expected. While recognizing this study has no control arm, such statistically significant, clinically meaningful improvements over baseline in key efficacy measures after one year are, to our knowledge, unprecedented in patients with diagnosed treatment-resistant schizophrenia. We are particularly struck by data suggesting there is a continued improvement over time in these measures. We eagerly await the full results from the trial, which will include six- and twelve-month data from many more patients on the higher 30 mg dose. These results validate the role of this glutamate release inhibitor in repairing disturbed neural connectivity in a treatment-refractory patient population and should help us to expedite the start of our placebo-controlled Phase III study in patients with TRS that we plan in 2023."

Newron will be presenting the results of the previously announced six-month endpoint at the 31st European Congress of Psychiatry taking place March 25-28, 2023, in Paris, France, and the one-year data at the Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society taking place May 11-15, 2023, in Toronto, Canada.

The enrollment of patients in study 014 has been completed, with 161 subjects randomized. Newron anticipates announcing the full results from the study in March 2023. The extension study 015 is ongoing and is expected to provide results of evenamide treatment for up to one year from all patients by Q1 2024.

Newron expects to initiate a potentially pivotal, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with TRS (study 003) in 2023, as part of its ongoing Phase II/III development plan for evenamide. The first potentially pivotal study of this development program, study 008A, with evenamide as add-on therapy in patients with chronic schizophrenia experiencing inadequate response to their current antipsychotics (but not diagnosed as having TRS), is enrolling patients, and results are expected in 2023.

The company continues its dialogue with industry partners around potential future collaboration opportunities for the development of evenamide.

Conference call

Newron's CEO Stefan Weber and CMO Ravi Anand will host a conference call today, February 16, 2023, at 3 pm CET/ 9 am ET.

The call can be accessed via the following dial-in numbers:

Switzerland/Europe: +41 (0) 58 310 5000

United Kingdom: +44 (0) 207 107 0613

United States: +1 (1) 631 570 5613

The presentation for this conference call can be downloaded as of today, February 16, 2023, at 7 am CET, on Newron's website (https://www.newron.com/investors/reports-and-presentation/year/2023reports,-presentations-&-webcasts).

About treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS)

A significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia show virtually no beneficial response to antipsychotics (APs) despite adequate treatment, leading to a diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). TRS is defined as no, or inadequate, symptomatic reliefdespite treatment with therapeutic doses of two APs from two different chemical classes for an adequate period. About 15% of patients develop TRS from illness onset, and about one-third of patients overall.

Increasing evidence supports abnormalities in glutamate neurotransmission in TRS, not targeted by current APs, along with normal dopaminergic synthesis, explaining the lack of benefit of most typical and atypical APs.

About evenamide

Evenamide, an orally available new chemical entity, specifically blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and is devoid of biological activity at >130 other CNS targets. It normalizes glutamate release induced by aberrant sodium channel activity (veratridine-stimulated), without affecting basal glutamate levels, due to inhibition of VGSCs. Combinations of ineffective doses of evenamide and other APs, including clozapine, were associated with benefit in animal models of psychosis, suggesting synergies in mechanisms that may provide benefit in patients who are poor responders to current APs, including clozapine.

About study 014/015

Study 014 is a six-week, randomized, rater-blinded study being conducted at multiple sites in three countries (India, Italy and Sri Lanka). Study 014 has completed the enrollment of 161 patients with TRS on a stable, therapeutic dose of a single antipsychotic other than clozapine. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of evenamide given orally at three fixed doses (7.5, 15 and 30 mg bid). The assessment of preliminary efficacy is based on changes from baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Changes from baseline in Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), Severity of Illness (CGI-S), and Strauss-Carpenter Level of Functioning (LOF) scale, are secondary objectives. Study 015 is the extension study to determine the long-term benefits of glutamate release inhibition. Seventy-seven (77) of the first 100 patients completed the 1-year of treatment with evenamide, 16 discontinued the study early, two due to adverse events (one patient due to fever, vomiting, and nausea, the other due to somnolence, reduced concentration and increased sweating), the other 14 due to withdrawal of consent or lost to follow up.

About Newron Pharmaceuticals

Newron (SIX: NWRN, XETRA: NP5) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. The Company is headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy. Xadago/safinamide has received marketing authorization for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in the European Union, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada, Latin America, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and South Korea, and is commercialized by Newron's Partner Zambon. Supernus Pharmaceuticals holds the commercialization rights in the USA. Meiji Seika has the rights to develop and commercialize the compound in Japan and other key Asian territories. Newron is also developing evenamide as the potential first add-on therapy for the treatment of patients with symptoms of schizophrenia. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com

Important Notices

This document contains forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) about (1) Newron' s ability to develop and expand its business, successfully complete development of its current product candidates, the timing of commencement of various clinical trials and receipt of data and current and future collaborations for the development and commercialization of its product candidates, (2) the market for drugs to treat CNS diseases and pain conditions, (3) Newron's financial resources, and (4) assumptions underlying any such statements. In some cases, these statements and assumptions can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe", "target", and other words and terms of similar meaning. All statements, other than historical facts, contained herein regarding Newron's strategy, goals, plans, future financial position, projected revenues and costs and prospects are forward-looking statements. By their very nature, such statements and assumptions involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described, assumed or implied therein will not be achieved. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set out in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors. These factors include (without limitation) (1) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of products, including without limitation difficulties in enrolling clinical trials, negative results of clinical trials or research projects or unexpected side effects, (2) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market, (3) future market acceptance of products, (4) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights, (5) inability to raise additional funds, (6) success of existing and entry into future collaborations and licensing agreements, (7) litigation, (8) loss of key executive or other employees, (9) adverse publicity and news coverage, and (10) competition, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments or changes in market and/or overall economic conditions. Newron may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements and assumptions underlying any such statements may prove wrong. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on them. There can be no assurance that actual results of Newron's research programs, development activities, commercialization plans, collaborations and operations will not differ materially from the expectations set out in such forward-looking statements or underlying assumptions. Newron does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable regulations of the SIX Swiss Exchange where the shares of Newron are listed. This document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005377/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Newron

Stefan Weber CEO

+39 02 6103 46 26

pr@newron.com

UK/Europe

Simon Conway Ciara Martin Natalie Garland-Collins, FTI Consulting

+44 20 3727 1000

SCnewron@fticonsulting.com

Switzerland

Valentin Handschin, IRF

+41 43 244 81 54

handschin@irf-reputation.ch

Germany/Europe

Anne Hennecke Caroline Bergmann, MC Services

+49 211 52925222

newron@mc-services.eu

USA

Paul Sagan, LaVoieHealthScience

+1 617 374 8800, Ext. 112

psagan@lavoiehealthscience.com
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Visit KPI Mining Solutions at Booth #6729N at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 5 to Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

About KPI Mining Solutions

We provide significant value by developing and commercializing cutting-edge software and services to the mining industry.We strive to bring innovative stochastic mine planning and orebody modeling solutions to the mining industry, transforming their entire operation.

About PDAC

PDAC 2023: The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading event for people, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration.

This annual convention in Toronto, Canada is known for attracting up to 30,000 attendees from over 130+ countries for its educational programming, networking events, outstanding business opportunities and fun. Since it began in 1932, the PDAC Convention has grown in size, stature and influence. Today, it is the event of choice for the world's mineral industry hosting more than 1,100 exhibitors and 2,500 investors.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention/attend/registration.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information:

KPI Mining Solutions

Lori Cohen

+1 (514) 244-3981

lori.cohen@kpidigital.com

www.kpimining.com
Soil sampling expands footprint.

GH-22-27 cuts 15.23 m @ 1.04% Li2O; including 4.18 m @ 1.48% Li2O

ST. JOHNS, NL / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman") and Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV:BEX) ("Benton") together, (the "Alliance") are pleased to report the final assays from the Phase 3 drill program, completed in December 2022, on the Golden Hope Joint Venture. The drilling totalled 1,607 m in 11 drill holes including initial drilling on the Killick Zone (see October 18, 2022, and November 30, 2022 news releases), the Kraken Dyke and the Kraken West Dyke.

All three holes drilled at the Killick Zone (GH-22-25 to 27) gave the best lithium intersections on the project to date as follows:

GH-22-25 - multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes with 14.74 m of 0.64% Li2O, including 5.73 m of 0.92% Li2O

- multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes with GH-22-26 , 26 m behind GH-22-25 - multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes with 9.5 m of 1.08% Li2O, including 2.15 m of 2.01% Li2O

, 26 m behind GH-22-25 - multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes with GH-22-27, 30 m N of holes 25 and 26 along strike - 15.23 m of 1.04% Li2O, including 4.18 m of 1.48% Li2O and 2.98 m of 1.23% Li2O.

The Killick Zone remains open in all directions.

Six holes tested the Kraken Discovery Zone (see Figure 1) (see June 30, 2022 news release) with three, GH-22-28, 29, and 35 intersecting multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes, including 2.10 m of 1.02% Li2O in hole GH-22-28, 2.10 m of 1.18% Li2O in hole GH-22-29 and 1.50 m of 1.25% Li2O in hole GH-22-35.

Two drill holes on the Kraken West Dyke and one hole on the Kraken Discovery Zone had no visible spodumene, with only narrow (<1 m) pegmatite dykes in hole GH-22-30. A summary of the results follows in Table 1, drill locations are shown in Figure 1, cross-sections in Figures 2 and 3 and lithium-in-soil data in Figure 4.

Soil geochemistry continues to expand the overall footprint of potential lithium- (+/- cesium, tantalum and rubidium) enriched dykes at least 2,000 m to the northeast of the known mineralization at the Killick Zone (see Figure 4). Soil anomalies in lithium are of a similar tenor (less than detection limit to 390 ppm Li) to those over known mineralization that have recently been received and are priority prospecting targets for this spring.

A minimum 5,000 m Phase 4 drill program is planned to begin in early spring along with continued prospecting, geological mapping, and soil geochemistry to continue through 2023.

Table 1 - Summary of Drill Results - Phase 3 drilling

DDH # Target From(m) To(m) Length(m)* Li2O % GH-22-25 Killick Zone 31.43 34.40 2.97 0.74 and 59.32 74.06 14.74 0.64 incl 62.80 64.46 1.66 1.03 and 65.80 70.53 4.73 1.05 GH-22-26 Killick Zone 73.70 75.81 2.11 0.85 and 85.15 94.65 9.50 1.08 incl 91.25 93.40 2.15 2.01 GH-22-27 Killick Zone 26.82 42.05 15.23 1.04 incl 26.82 31.00 4.18 1.48 and 29.60 30.30 0.70 2.05 GH-22-28 Kraken Discovery Zone 4.39 15.36 10.97 0.32 incl 14.05 15.36 1.31 1.39 and 41.45 43.55 2.10 1.02 and 52.20 54.85 2.65 0.64 GH-22-29 Kraken Discovery Zone 36.30 38.40 2.10 1.18 and 57.50 59.00 1.50 1.38 GH-22-30 Kraken West Dyke NVS GH-22-31 Kraken West Dyke NDI GH-22-32 Kraken Discovery Zone 2.80 4.50 1.70 0.24 GH-22-33 Kraken Discovery Zone NDI GH-22-34 Kraken Discovery Zone 38.25 39.25 1.00 0.25 GH-22-35 Kraken Discovery Zone 85.40 90.65 5.25 0.55 incl 88.40 89.90 1.50 1.25

* Core lengths - true thickness believed to be 90% of core lengths

NVS - no visible spodumene

NDI - no dyke (pegmatite) intersected

Figure 1 - Golden Hope Project - Plan Map GH-22-25 to GH-22-35

Figure 2 - Killick Zone Drill Section 5299206N - Holes GH-22-25 and GH-22-26

Figure 3 - Killick Zone Drill Section 5299242N - Hole GH-22-27

Figure 4 - Golden Hope Project - Lithium in Soils Map

The Alliance has applied for a drill permit for the newly discovered Hydra Zone, where a cesium +/-lithium/tantalum/rubidium-rich dyke was discovered in late 2022, 12 km to the northeast of the Kraken Dyke Swarm. Channel sampling of the dyke gave values of 1.20 m @ 8.76% Cs2O, 0.405% Li2O, 0.025% Ta2O5, and 0.33% Rb2O incl. 0.40 m @ 13.57% Cs2O, 0.316% Li2O, 0.012% Ta2O5, and 0.38% Rb2O. Recentcesium, lithium, tantalum, and rubidium results extend the cesium-rich dyke(s) to at least a 60 m strike length, remaining open to the north, south, and to depth. Results of three grab samples of coarse-grained pegmatite, located up to 40 m to the north of the channel samples, ranged from 133 to 4,210 ppm Cs, 53 to 852 ppm Li, 71 to 98 ppm Ta, and 201 to 3,410 ppm Rb.

Tim Froude, President and CEO of Sokoman, says: "We are very pleased with the latest results from the Golden Hope JV. Killick is turning into an interesting and higher-grade zone and combined with the soil geochemical results, this means we still do not know the full extent of the lithium and other critical minerals potential on this property. It remains entirely possible that the best mineralization may be as yet untouched, and we look forward to an exciting year at Golden Hope."

Stephen Stares, President and CEO of Benton, says: "Benton is extremely pleased with the new results, especially with the new Killick discovery, which is wide open for expansion in every direction. To date, every drill program has been very successful and has provided excellent information that continues to guide us into the next drill phase and exploration follow-up. We are looking forward to our upcoming spring-summer program and the potential of our continued success in discovering these critical metals."

QA/QC Protocols

Rock and core samples are submitted to SGS Canada Inc. in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland for preparation and then sent to the SGS Canada Inc. analytical laboratory in Burnaby, British Colombia. All samples submitted were taken or saw cut by Sokoman personnel and delivered in sealed bags directly to the Grand Falls-Windsor prep lab by Sokoman personnel. SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using SGS's GS_IMS91A50 method that delivers a 56-element package utilizing sodium peroxide fusion, ICP-AES and ICP-MS analytical techniques. All reported assays are uncut. Soil samples were collected by Sokoman/Benton personnel utilizing a standard Dutch-auger collecting B Horizon soil where possible. Where B was not present, the material collected was noted. The soil samples were sent to Eastern Analytical Ltd., in Springdale, NL, for Li, Ta, Sn and Nb assaying by a four-acid digestion and analyzed by ICP-OES. Eastern Analytical Ltd. in February 2014 achieved ISO 17025 accreditation (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website).

QP

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp., and Stephen House, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., both the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101.

About Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects: flagship, 100%-owned Moosehead, Crippleback Lake (optioned to Trans Canada Gold Corp.) and East Alder (optioned to Canterra Minerals Corporation) along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project in northwestern Newfoundland, which is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland, and Cononish in Scotland. The company also recently entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls independently and through the Benton alliance over 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims - 1,500 sq. km), making it one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, Canada's newest and rapidly-emerging gold districts. The company also retains an interest in an early-stage antimony/gold project (Startrek) in Newfoundland, optioned to White Metal Resources Inc., and in Labrador, the Company has a 100% interest in the Iron Horse (Fe) project that has Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) potential.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources Inc. is a well-funded mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Following a project generation business model, Benton has a diversified, highly-prospective property portfolio of Gold, Silver, Nickel, Copper, Platinum Group Elements, and most recently Lithium and Cesium assets. In addition, it currently holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.

Benton also recently entered into a 50/50 strategic alliance with Sokoman Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SIC) through three large-scale joint-venture properties including Grey River Gold, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland that are now being explored.

For further information, please contact:

Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO

Phone: 709-765-1726

Email: tim@sokomanmineralscorp.com

Benton Resources Inc.

Stephen Stares, President & CEO

Phone: 807-475-7474

Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca

CHF Capital Markets

Thomas Do, IR Manager

Phone: 416-868-1079 x 232

Email: thomas@chfir.com

Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com, www.bentonresources.ca

Twitter: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResources

Facebook: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResourcesBEX

LinkedIn: @SokomanMinerals, @BentonResources

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Alliance's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Alliance's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Alliance's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Alliance does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Alliance's expectations or projections.

SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739580/Sokoman-and-Benton-Report-Kraken-Lithium-Discovery-Best-Drill-Intercepts-to-Date
ARway is disrupting $44 Billion Global Indoor Positioning and Navigation (IPIN) Market

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / ARway Corporation ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTC PINK:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Navigation platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision.

The Company is pleased to announce that CEO, Evan Gappelberg joined BTV Business Television for an exclusive CEO clip to discuss the Company's massive potential.

Watch the segment:

https://www.b-tv.com/post/cse-arwy-ceo-clips-arway-technological-advancement-disrupting-the-ar-market-60sec

Learn more about ARway

https://www.arway.ai/investors

About CEO Clips

CEO Clips - are short company video profiles broadcast to a large audience of investors on TV and 15+ financial sites including Reuters, Yahoo!Finance, and Wall Street Journal.To learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai

About ARway Corp.

ARway is an AI powered augmented reality navigation platform for the real-world metaverse. It enables AR-enhanced indoor navigation and wayfinding solutions for large, multi-purpose venues enabled by marker-based tracking using QR codes. Visitors can access a venue map by scanning a QR code with their smartphone upon entering the venue to navigate to any Point of Interest (POI) with step by step directions, learn information about those POIs, and interact with rich AR content and experiences along the way.

The ARway offering has an unlimited number of use cases for augmenting physical spaces in the metaverse, consisting of indoor navigation with AR activations to improve the visitor experience in large and complex spaces. With value propositions spanning multiple industries and use cases, ARway leverages Nextech's 3D/AR technology solutions to new substantial markets, for use by creators, brands, and companies.

The ARway Platform Includes:

Web Creator Platform

The Web-Based Creator Platform provides 'advanced' authoring capabilities compared to the mobile app, including the ability for creators to upload their own OBJ/GLB files, and create their own 3D objects. Placing content in a large area using only mobile app required the user to physically be in the specific location which was unscalable. The web studio allows the user to place and author content remotely and at scale.

Mobile App

With the ARway mobile app, anyone can spatially map their location within minutes using their smartphone, and populate it with interactive 3D content, augmented reality wayfinding, audio, text, images, and more. Nextech AR provides several pre-loaded 3D objects which creators can leverage to populate their metaverse.

Download the Mobile App

Apple iOs - click here

Google Play Store - click here

ARwayKit SDK

The Software Development Kit contains code libraries and API information that allows developers to build their own white label & private label mobile apps on both iOs and Android leveraging ARway's technology and creator tools to build AR wayfinding and spatial experiences. Creators will be able to develop white label and private label apps and access ARway APIs to author maps using the Web Creator Portal. The SDK features the latest and greatest of the ARway mobile app.

Nextech AR Solutions

On October 26, 2022, ARway Corp. was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech AR Solutions (OTCQX:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR) (FSE: EP2). Nextech AR retained a control ownership in ARway Corp. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech AR Solutions is a Metaverse Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARItize3D ' has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech AR, visit www.nextechar.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact

Julia Viola

investor.relations@arway.ai

ARway Corporation Contact

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as 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. ARway Corp. will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: ARway Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739541/ARway-CEO-Joins-BTV-Business-Television-to-Discuss-Augmented-Reality-Navigation
Strong Zones of Silver Sulfide Mineralization Remain Open to Expansion

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Summa Silver Corp. (TSXV: SSVR) (OTCQX: SSVRF) (FSE: 48X) ("Summa" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update from on-going drilling at the high-grade silver-gold Mogollon Project near Silver City, New Mexico.

Key Highlights

Four more holes have intersected the Queen Vein marked by intermittent to continuous quartz-carbonate veins and breccias over meters to tens of meters with local zones of silver-bearing sulfides .

Drilling focused on expansion around the historic Consolidated Mine continues to intersect strong visible mineralization where MOG22-12 is a 100 m step-out, MOG23-13 is a 75m step-out, and MOG23-14 is a 150 m step-out from holes previously drilled by the Company (see attached figure).

The mineralized zone remains open in multiple directions and now covers a strike length of 500m with some of the strongest visually mineralized holes intersected on the edges of the current drilling pattern.

Core photos of the Queen Vein intersections from all fifteen holes drilled to date are available on the Company's website here. Note that these photos are not intended to be representative of broader mineralization on the Mogollon Project.

Drilling continues with three rigs in full operation until the end of February testing the Consolidated extension target over an area of 500m along strike by 350m up- and down-dip.

Work is just beginning at the Mogollon Project with this first target representing only 1% of the total vein and structure strike length present at the project.

Galen McNamara, CEO, stated, "Aggressive step-out drilling continues to cut broad zones of visually striking vein material often within several stacked horizons. We are now beginning to understand the potential of this first target but are nowhere near understanding the potential of the Mogollon Project as a whole. We are developing additional low-surface impact targets through extensive 3D geological modelling and look forward to sharing them in due course, along with assay results from the ongoing drill program."

Mogollon Drill program

The focus of the ongoing, multi-rig drill program at the Mogollon Project is on testing for un-mined extensions of the Consolidated Mine, centered on the north-trending Queen Vein.

Hole MOG22-12 was drilled south of the Consolidated Mine and was designed to test for the up-dip extent of mineralization 100m above MOG22-10 (16.6m at 445 g/t silver equivalent; 207 g/t Ag, 3.0 g/t Au; see the Company's new release dated February 1, 2023, for additional details). The hole intersected the broadest zone of epithermal-related veining drilled to date. The zone consists of numerous intervals of colloform-banded quartz veins and quartz-cemented breccias increasing in frequency over 49m towards an 11m zone of poly-phase, quartz-rich hydrothermal breccias at 221m to the bottom of the zone at 232m. At least 8 intervals of visible silver sulfide mineralization were intersected within the 60m intercept across the Queen Vein system.





Figure 1: Examples of mineralized core from holes MOG22-12 and MOG22-13 the Queen Vein. Note that these photos are not intended to be representative of broader mineralization on the Mogollon Project.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7983/154991_c92881f5b41678b4_002full.jpg

Holes MOG22-13 and -14 were drilled north of the Consolidated mine and were designed to step-out 75m and 150m respectively from MOG22-08 (17.8m at 339 g/t silver equivalent; 143 g/t Ag, 2.46 g/t Au; see the Company's new release dated February 1, 2023, for additional details).

Hole MOG23-13 intersected at least five intervals of the Queen Vein system with visible silver sulfide mineralization. Mineralized sections were first intersected at 318m down hole and were comprised of multiple zones of quartz  calcite veining with colloform banding and quartz-cemented breccias grading to a strong 6m zone of poly-phase quartz-rich hydrothermal breccias at 340m down hole. Below this zone, the hole intersected quartz-cemented breccias to the bottom of Queen Vein at 353m down hole.

Hole MOG23-14 represents the northernmost hole drilled on the Queen Vein by the Company. The hole intersected at least 6 intervals of silver-sulfide bearing quartz  calcite veins and vein-breccias with well-developed colloform banding with local amethyst infill from 268m down hole to 298m. The 35m zone of the Queen Vein system ended in quartz-cemented breccias in footwall to the vein.

Hole MOG23-15 was designed to test for the extent of mineralization 70m down-dip from MOG22-04. The hole intersected a broad interval of locally well-developed quartz-rich stockwork and breccia. Silver sulfides were not noted during logging.

The ongoing drill program at the Mogollon Project consists of holes drilled on 50 to 100m centers across the north-south trending Queen Vein. The holes are designed to systematically test the lateral and vertical continuity of mineralization north and south of the Consolidated Mine over a strike-length of approximately 500 meters and near-vertical, down-dip extent of over 350 meters beginning at approximately 130 meters below surface.

All samples will be dispatched to Paragon Geochemical in Sparks, NV for assay analyses. Results are pending. High resolution core box photos from holes MOG22-12 to MOG23-15 can be viewed here. Note that these photos are not intended to be representative of broader mineralization on the Mogollon Project.





Figure 2: Longsection showing the Consolidated Extension Drilling Area



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7983/154991_c92881f5b41678b4_003full.jpg

Table 1: Collar Information for drill holes MOG22-12 to MOG23-15

Target Area Drill Hole Easting Northing Azimuth Dip Final Depth (m) Consolidated Ext. MOG22-12 704954 3698421 256 -49 415 Consolidated Ext. MOG23-13 705062 3698630 326 -65 379 Consolidated Ext. MOG23-14 705068 3698729 325 -71 375 Consolidated Ext. MOG23-15 704954 3698421 246 -77 523



Coordinates are in NAD83, Zone 12N

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Galen McNamara, P. Geo., the CEO of the Company, and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Warrant Amendment

The Company also announces that it has received approval from the TSXV Venture Exchange to extend the expiry date of a total of 5,084,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants").

The Warrants were issued pursuant to a non-brokered private placement of 10,168,000 units at a price of $1.00 per unit on February 19, 2021. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of one Warrant, with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase an additional common share of the Company until February 19, 2023, at an exercise price of $1.75. Pursuant to the amendment, the Warrants are being amended by extending the expiry date of the Warrants to February 19, 2024. All other terms and conditions of the Warrants will remain unchanged.

About Summa Silver Corp

Summa Silver Corp is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Hughes project located in central Nevada and has an option to earn 100% interest in the Mogollon project located in southwestern New Mexico. The Hughes project is host to the high-grade past-producing Belmont Mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929. The mine has remained inactive since commercial production ceased in 1929 due to heavily depressed metal prices and little to no modern exploration work has ever been completed.

Follow Summa Silver on Twitter: @summasilver

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summa-silver-corp/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Galen McNamara"

Galen McNamara, Chief Executive Officer

info@summasilver.com

www.summasilver.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Giordy Belfiore

Corporate Development and Investor Relations

604-288-8004

giordy@summasilver.com

www.summasilver.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 news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the release of assays, and the exploration and development of the Company's mineral exploration projects including completion of surveys and drilling activities.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; and other related risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management'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.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154991
West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Emmerson Resources Limited (ASX: ERM) is pleased to announce that the Company will be presenting at Red Cloud's Pre-PDAC 2023 Mining Showcase. We invite our shareholders and all interested parties to join us.

The annual conference will take place in-person at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel from March 2-3, 2023.

Rob Bills, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting on March 3rd at 11.30am Eastern Standard time.

For more information and/or to register for the conference, please visit: https://redcloudfs.com/prepdac2023/.

We look forward to seeing you there.

About Emmerson Resources Limited

Emmerson Resources (ASX: ERM) has commanding land positions in the Tennant Creek region (NT) and NSW - two of Australia's exploration hotspots. Our track record of discoveries, with the latest drill result at Hermitage, awarded one of the highest grade copper intersections on a global basis in 2021 ( 116m at 3.4% copper and 0.9g/t gold). In addition, our recent bonanza gold discovery at Golden Forty with best intercept of 28m at 28g/t gold including 9m at 84.6g/t gold and 1.14% bismuth was ranked as the best gold intercept in December 2022.Emmerson has an emerging gold royalty business, whereby our JV partner at Tennant Creek is in the process of establishing a CIL Mill and where Emmerson will receive a 6% gold production royalty on all deposits within the Joint Venture area... a compelling business that shields our shareholders from the risks associated with mining and processing, particularly relevant in these times of escalating capital and operating costs. In NSW, Emmerson has four early stage copper-gold projects with the most advanced being the drill ready, Kiola project (that shares geological attributes of the nearby, world class Cadia and Boda copper-gold projects). Emmerson is deploying new technology and exploration to unlock further discoveries - and in recognition has been recently awarded three co-funding grants by the NT Government.

For further information:

Emmerson Resources Limited

Rob Bills

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

+61407445518

rbills@emmersonresources.com.au

corporate@emmersonresources.com.au
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT" or the "Company") (TSX-V:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FSE:CB82) announces today that it has appointed Bruno Baillavoine Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr. Baillavoine was originally appointed to the Board as an independent director in May of 2021.

The Board's evolution reflects the Company's focus on becoming a leading global graphite supplier to the fast-growing Electric Vehicle market. The appointment of Mr. Baillavoine enhances the corporate governance of Gratomic with an independent director acting as Chair.

"It is with great pride that I take on the role of Chair of the Board of this exciting and challenging project at such an opportune time," said Baillavoine. "Gratomic has valuable assets in the form of high-quality vein graphite. It has Management, Commercial and Technical teams with a proven record that is World class in the Graphite sector. In addition, I am confident that Gratomic has the right strategy to become a key Partner in the Electric Vehicle battery supply chain."

Bruno Baillavoine is UK Managing Director of the Paris Head-Quartered Pericles Group. They are a leading Consulting Firm in the field of Banking, Finance, Asset Management and Insurance. They provide innovative solutions, from operational strategy to successful implementation to over 500 institutional clients.

Bruno is a Director of ESG.AI Technologies Inc., a fully reporting ESG data analytics company that offers a revolutionary platform for Enterprises, Asset Managers, Banks etc. to help them understand and analyse ESG data and scores. ESGai is partnered with Refinitiv, a London Stock Exchange Group Business.

Bruno is also a Director of Cel-Sci, a leading Biotech company listed on the NYSE engaged in intent to cure for head and neck cancer patients. The company has an immunotherapy drug that has completed its phase three trials and is pursuing regulatory approval as a non-toxic treatment for Cancer.

Baillavoine is an Entrepreneurial Manager, Strategist, Innovator and Business builder, with a record of creating substantial sustained growth and strong profitability in a broad range of businesses. He is an experienced CEO, Chairman, and Independent Director with successes ranging from small companies to large multinationals.

"We chose Bruno to fill this role based on his experience and expertise. I fully support his appointment as Chair of the Board," stated Arno Brand, President & CEO, Gratomic. "Having Bruno Chair the Board will give me more time to focus on my role as CEO. This separation of duties will allow us to streamline the day-to-day operations within the Company, providing everyone more time to focus on various important business items simultaneously."

About Gratomic

Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company is committed to becoming a leading global graphite supplier and aims to establish a strong position in the electric car battery supply chain. With the ongoing development of its flagship Aukam project and further exploration on the Company's Capim Grosso Graphite Project, Gratomic is setting itself apart by seeking unique high-quality assets around the world. The Company remains true to its roots and will continue to explore graphite deposits with development potential. The Company ranked third among the top 10 preforming TSX Venture 50 mining stocks of 2022.

Large quantities of high-grade graphite concentrate have been shipped for testing following early positive results to confirm its suitability as an anode material. Gratomic is confident that the test results will provide a unique competitive advantage in its intended target markets. The Company will keep the public informed on the status of these tests and will announce the results as soon as they become available.

On the January 25, 2023 Gratomic announced that it had entered into a LOI with Graphex Technologies to supply graphite through existing facilities and develop a downstream processing facility in the continental US.

The Company has entered into a collaboration agreement with Forge Nano. With its patented ALD coating, this cooperation with Forge Nano is a key element in supporting Gratomic's strategies towards the value-added phases of production of graphite for anode applications through integrating its advanced atomic layered deposition technology to the coating of anode Graphite powders post micronizing and spheronizing.

For more information: Visit www.gratomic.ca or contact:

Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or (416) 561- 4095

Sign up at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.

For marketing and media information, please email: info@gratomic.ca

"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."

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).

SOURCE: Gratomic Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739605/Gratomic-Inc-Announces-Appointment-ofBruno-Baillavoineas-Chair-of-its-Board-of-Directors
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Relevant Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Relevant Gold") is pleased to announce results from the 2022 detailed mapping (1:200 scale) and trench sampling program at its Golden Buffalo project, located approximately 40km southwest of Lander, Wyoming, USA (Press Release - November 07, 2022). Sampling of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone contacts yielded multiple anomalous to high-grade gold (> 1 g/t Au) samples, highlighted by a 4.1 g/t Au result. These results, combined with the recently reported drilling results (Press Release - February 6, 2023), confirm a fertile orogenic gold system exists at Golden Buffalo and provide initial proof of concept for the Company's broader exploration thesis connecting the Archean rocks of Wyoming to the Abitibi gold belts of Canada during the time of mineralization; approximately 2.65 billion years ago.

Highlights from detailed mapping and trenching at the Golden Buffalo project include:

4.1 g/t Au sampled along northern contact of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone

sampled along northern contact of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone 2.5 g/t Au sampled along the southern contact of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone

sampled along the southern contact of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone High-grade (> 1 g/t Au) gold occurs in different vein styles and orientations: Vertical shear parallel veins and contact zones Late undulating shallow dipping veins Shallow dipping extensional veins

Chlorite-Hematite-Silica alteration dominates the shear zone

New sub-unit of the Miner's Delight Formation identified associated with surface mineralization

"These positive results continue to spotlight Golden Buffalo as an exciting target for more drilling and systematic regional exploration in 2023," said Rob Bergmann, CEO Relevant Gold Corp. "These high-grade surface results tie well to what we saw in high-grade drill intercepts about 400 m farther east and indicate we are onto a large fertile system at Golden Buffalo."

The rock chip sampling program focused on N-S and E-W oriented trenches cut along and across the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone and was led by Dr. Dean Peterson, Relevant Gold technical advisor. The results show zones of highest-grade gold mineralization are associated with the primary contacts of the shear (Fig. 1); the same places high-grade gold was intersected in holes 22GB-012 and 22GB-013 (Press Release - February 6, 2023). A total of 64 rock chip and grab samples were submitted for 50g fire assay and multi-element ICP-MS analysis; 15 of 64 samples returned reportable gold and associated geochemical values (Table 1). These findings support a strong relationship between gold mineralization and the margins of major shear structures identified throughout the Company's 15,095 hectare South Pass land package.

"Extensive arrays of foliation parallel and cross-cutting sulfide-bearing quartz veining occur within the sheared greywacke panels and display the classic brittle-ductile textures that are a key hallmark of orogenic gold systems," said Dr. Dean Peterson, Technical Advisor to Relevant Gold.

Figure 1: 2022 sample locations along the Northern and Southern contacts of the Golden Buffalo Shear Zone as well as the 50m N-S trench with systematic spaced samples. Gold results are displayed in ppb.

Table 1: Rock chip sample highlights for mapping and trenching samples collected during the 2022 exploration season at Golden Buffalo. The table includes gold (1 ppm = 1 g/t) along with select trace element vector geochemistry reported in Parts Per Million (ppm). 15 of 64 samples returned reportable gold and associated geochemical values.

QA/QC

Samples were submitted to the certified ALS Minerals, Inc. laboratory. Samples were prepared at their Twin Falls, Idaho location with fire assays performed at their Reno, NV location and multi-element geochemistry performed at their North Vancouver, Canada location. All samples were fire assayed for gold with the Au-AA24 method using a 50g sample and atomic absorption finish, and also analyzed for multi-element ICP-MS geochemistry using method ME-MS61 with a 4-acid digestion.

ALS employs an internal QA/QC to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Additionally, Relevant Gold's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample batches to further monitor lab accuracy, precision, and equipment calibration. All results and QA/QC have been reviewed by Mr. Brian Lentz, CPG, who is the Chief Exploration Officer and Qualified Person for the Company.

About Relevant Gold Corp.

Relevant Gold Corp. is a North American gold exploration company founded by experienced exploration geologists and operated by a highly respected team with a proven record of significant value creation for shareholders. Relevant Gold is focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery, and development of district-scale gold projects in the state of Wyoming - one of the most mining-friendly jurisdictions in the United States and globally.

On behalf of Relevant Gold Corp.,

Rob Bergmann, Chief Executive Officer

More information

For further information about Relevant Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.relevantgoldcorp.com or contact Rob Bergmann, President and CEO, or Kristopher Jensen, Manager of Investor Relations, at 763-760-4886 or by email at ir@relevantgoldcorp.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Historical Information

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events of Relevant Gold Corp. ("Relevant" or "Relevant Gold" or "the Company"). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "outlook" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward looking information. Forward looking information involves 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 information. Such risks include, among others, the inherent risk of the mining industry; adverse economic and market developments; the risk that the Company will not be successful in completing additional acquisitions; risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; the possibility that the Company's estimated burn rate may be higher than anticipated; risks of unexpected cost increases; risks of labour shortages; risks relating to exploration and development activities; risks relating to future prices of mineral resources; risks related to work site accidents, risks related to geological uncertainties and variations; risks related to government and community support of the company's projects; risks related to global pandemics and other risks related to the mining industry. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward-looking information except as required by law. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any such offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein will be made only pursuant to subscription documentation between the Company and prospective purchasers. Any such offering will be made in reliance upon exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws, pursuant to a subscription agreement to be entered into by the Company and prospective investors.

The scientific and technical contents of this release have been approved by Mr. Brian C. Lentz, CPG #11999, Chief Exploration Officer of the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Lentz is not independent of the Company.

SOURCE: Relevant Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739470/Relevant-Gold-Reports-41-gt-Gold-in-Trench-Sampling-at-Golden-Buffalo
Akamis Bio's clinical-stage NG-350A tumor gene therapy to be included as a novel combination therapeutic agent in a new cohort of the REVOLUTION platform study

New cohort will assess the ability of NG-350A in combination with ipilimumab and standard of care chemotherapy to drive a CD40 agonist-mediated antitumor immune response in metastatic pancreatic cancer

Akamis Bio, a clinical-stage oncology company leveraging its Tumor-Specific Immuno-Gene Therapy (T-SIGn) platform to positively impact the lives of people living with cancer, today announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) to include a clinical collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) that will focus on advancing novel treatments for pancreatic cancer.

As part of the Akamis Bio, PICI, and CRI partnership, NG-350A, an immuno-stimulatory tumor gene therapy driving intratumoral expression of a CD40 agonist monoclonal antibody, will be evaluated in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy and the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab (YERVOY). The NG-350A combination therapy will be part of cohort C in REVOLUTION, a platform clinical study investigating novel therapeutic combinations for the treatment of previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer.

NG-350A is a clinical-stage, intravenously delivered T-SIGn therapeutic whose mechanism of action is based on CD40-mediated activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) resident in solid tumors and their draining lymph nodes. Once activated, APCs recruit T cells into the vicinity of the tumor to deliver a potent anti-tumor immune response. NG-350A has the potential for use as both a monotherapy and in combination with other immuno-oncology agents.

"Pancreatic cancer is one of the most complex and difficult to treat cancers. The wide variety of cell types, molecular pathways, and immune resistance mechanisms involved in the development and progression of the disease make it nearly impossible to treat with a single agent," said Robert Vonderheide, M.D., D.Phil., Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine and lead investigator of the REVOLUTION study. "REVOLUTION was specifically designed to identify combination therapies with the potential to have a meaningful impact on disease progression. We look forward to further exploring the CD40 agonist mechanism of action for people with pancreatic cancer who are in dire need of additional treatment options."

In 2018, Akamis Bio initiated a pre-clinical partnership with PICI, a network representing the largest concentration of immuno-oncology expertise in the world, with a focus on research to investigate the use of the company's T-SIGntherapeutics for the treatment of solid tumors. Akamis Bio's relationship with PICI, which includes a financial investment by PICI in the company, has now expanded to include a clinical collaboration thanks to the generous financial and operational support of CRI for the inclusion of NG-350A in the REVOLUTION study.

"The collaboration between PICI, CRI, and Akamis Bio brings an unprecedented level of expertise to the challenge posed by solid tumors and pancreatic cancer specifically," said John Connolly, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of PICI. "This three-way collaboration exemplifies PICI's focus on forging strategic alliances to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapeutics for people with cancer."

"For more than 70 years, CRI has been steadfast in our dedication to advancing the discovery and development of immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer," said Jay Campbell, Managing Director of the Clinical Accelerator and Venture Fund at CRI. "We are pleased to support the introduction of this new cohort into the REVOLUTION study given the potential of NG-350A to positively impact the lives of individuals living with and fighting pancreatic cancer."

"We are proud to collaborate with PICI and CRI on the REVOLUTION study," said Howard Davis, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Akamis Bio. "This study will generate important insights into the use of combination therapies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, while providing additional NG-350A data to build upon the consistent safety and tolerability profile, as well as promising preliminary evidence of clinical activity observed to date."

Akamis Bio is also independently evaluating NG-350A in two open-label, multicenter, Phase 1a clinical studies. These studies are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of NG-350A as monotherapy (FORTITUDE study) and in combination with pembrolizumab (FORTIFY study) in people with metastatic or advanced epithelial tumors. To date, NG-350A has shown promising preliminary evidence of clinical activity including CD40-mediated stimulation of the immune system with significant and sustained increases in serum IL-12, a key marker for dendritic cell activation, as well as IFN-?, a hallmark of effector T-cell activation. Of note, the NG-350A tumor gene therapy drove increases of IL-12 and IFN-? which were higher and more sustained relative to results reported for other systemically dosed CD40 agonist antibodies. As the ongoing NG-350A clinical studies advance in 2023, Akamis Bio will continue to assess its safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in both monotherapy and combination (with checkpoint inhibitors) settings, as well as the potential benefits of multiple cycles of NG-350A dosing. Akamis Bio anticipates the initiation of an expansion cohort study for NG-350A in early 2024 to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept in a patient population with a single type of epithelial-derived solid tumor.

About T-SIGn

Akamis Bio's Tumor-Specific Immuno-Gene (T-SIGn) therapeutics are chimeric group B adenoviral vector-based, tumor gene therapies which are capable of homing specifically to primary and metastatic solid tumors following intravenous delivery. Once at the tumor site, T-SIGn therapeutics can drive intratumoral expression of multiple immunologically active biomolecules and therapeutic proteins encoded by the vector to remodel the tumor microenvironment and trigger robust antitumor immune responses. T-SIGn therapeutics have potential for use in the treatment of solid tumors as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other immuno-oncology agents (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, and cell therapies) to enable and/or enhance the efficacy of those modalities in the solid tumor setting. Akamis Bio has an extensive and growing body of clinical experience with T-SIGn therapeutics with more than 200 patients treated across both the monotherapy setting, as well as in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. Across clinical studies, T-SIGn therapeutics have demonstrated a consistent safety and tolerability profile, as well as promising preliminary evidence of clinical activity.

About Cohort C of the REVOLUTION Platform Study

Cohort C of the REVOLUTION platform study is a Phase 1 study evaluating the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of NG-350A in combination with ipilimumab (YERVOY) and gemcitabine/paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). Learn more at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04787991.

About the Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), established in 1953, is a highly rated U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to saving more lives by fueling the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies for all cancers. Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes four Nobel laureates and 27 members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI has invested $500 million in support of research conducted by immunologists and tumor immunologists at the world's leading medical centers and universities and has contributed to many of the key scientific advances that demonstrate the potential for immunotherapy to change the face of cancer treatment. To learn more, go to cancerresearch.org.

About the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is radically changing the way cancer research is done. Founded in 2016 through a $250 million gift from Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Parker, the San Francisco-based nonprofit is an unprecedented collaboration between the country's leading immunotherapy researchers and cancer centers, including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, Gladstone Institutes, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Pennsylvania. The institute also supports top researchers at other institutions, including City of Hope, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Institute for Systems Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. By forging alliances with academic, industry and nonprofit partners, PICI makes big bets on bold research to fulfill its mission: to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Learn more at parkerici.org.

About Akamis Bio

Akamis Bio is a clinical-stage oncology company whose mission is to leverage its groundbreaking Tumor-Specific Immuno-Gene Therapy (T-SIGn) platform to positively impact the lives of people living with cancer. To achieve that mission, the company is developing a portfolio of solid tumor-targeted T-SIGn therapeutics which aim to enable a patient's own immune system to recognize, attack, and clear their cancer. Akamis Bio has a growing pipeline of T-SIGntherapeutics anchored by its two clinical stage programs, NG-350A (an immuno-stimulatory tumor gene therapy driving intratumoral expression of a CD40 agonist monoclonal antibody) and NG-641 (a stromal-targeted tumor gene therapy leveraging a viral vector encoding a FAP-CD3 bispecific antibody, CXCL-9, CXCL-10, and interferon alpha). NG-350A and NG-641 are both being investigated in ongoing Phase 1 clinical studies in patients with metastatic or advanced epithelial tumors. In addition to internal pipeline development efforts, Akamis Bio has a number of T-SIGn platform-focused collaborations with leaders in the immuno-oncology field including BMS, Merck, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Cancer Research Institute. To learn more, please visit www.akamisbio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005137/en/

Contacts:

Company:

Kate Wright

Akamis Bio

+44 (0)1235 835328

PublicRelations@akamisbio.com



Media:

Mike Beyer

Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications

+1 (312) 961-2502

mikebeyer@sambrown.com



Investors:

Chelcie Lister

THRUST Strategic Communications

chelcie@thrustsc.com
Employee Security Index (ESI) benchmark reveals employees take an average of three months training to reach the required 'protection zone'

One-month pause in training leads to firms falling below target security level

Report analysed nearly 1.8 million simulated phishing attacks across 140,000 employees to show the scale of security risks - and need for ongoing training

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees need three months' cybersecurity training for companies to reach 'an acceptable level of security' according to leading cybersecurity provider Hornetsecurity 's new Employee Security Index (ESI) Benchmark Report .





However, a training 'pause' of just one month can lead to an organisation's ESI score dropping below the level required, while a four-month hiatus can take organisations back to square one.

The ESI Benchmark Report, which analysed more than 1.7 million simulated phishing attacks across 140,000 employees and over 350 businesses, sheds light on the risks that cyberattacks pose to businesses.

It revealed that 90 percent of all cyber attacks start with phishing and more than 40 percent of all emails have the potential to pose a threat to businesses.

Daniel Hofmann, CEO of Hornetsecurity said: "The ESI Benchmark Report reveals the growing risk that phishing poses to organisations and highlights the importance of providing security awareness services to bolster their defences."

"The findings demonstrate that most employees can reach an acceptable level of security awareness after just three months of training. However, training must be continuous to ensure that employees are prepared against increasingly sophisticated attack methods, which often aim to exploit their blind trust in authority."

Security awareness

The report also provides insights into the awareness training measures needed to optimise the security awareness of different user groups. Phishing attacks pose huge financial and reputational implications for organisations, but this scientific benchmark will help business leaders monitor the security behaviour among employees and demonstrate the power of ongoing security awareness training - allowing them to create a more sustainable and robust security culture.

Continuous training is key

The ESI Benchmark Report found, on average, it takes employees three months of training to reach the 'protection zone'. The study also indicates that ongoing training is required to ensure employees are educated and protected against developing cyber threats.

While businesses may be concerned about security fatigue, Hornetsecurity has responded to these challenges by integrating short pauses in its automated training program, its Security Awareness Service, to ensure that employees do not become disengaged.

No one-size-fits-all

The insights also show that security training must target individual needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. The unique Awareness Engine within Hornetsecurity's Security Awareness Service delivers automated, state-of-the-art training based on individual training needs. It also provides companies with tangible and reliable indicators and standardised comparisons between different groups of employees.

The Awareness Engine tailors the level of training to different employees depending on their ESI score. For example, if an employee has a higher click-through rate on simulated phishing scams, the organisation is aware that this individual may be less prepared against attack methods - meaning more intensive training may need to be delivered.

Hofmann continued: "We believe that prevention, protection, response and recovery are integral to business continuity, which is why we have developed our Security Awareness Service, available as a standalone solution or as part of our 365 Total Protection cybersecurity suite. It enables organisations to ensure their data stays safe through developing a sustainable security culture."

How the ESI score is calculated

Hornetsecurity's patented Spear Phishing Engine generates the phishing emails itself, automatically controlling who gets which spear phishing level and when. The simulated attacks are categorised into seven different levels of varying difficulty, meaning that users are not overwhelmed or underwhelmed during the spear phishing simulation.

An ESI score is then calculated by evaluating the number of clicks an employee makes on a simulated phishing email. This score indicates how educated they are towards different attack methods and the results from this training allow organisations to keep their staff in shape by adopting ongoing training cycles with the help of Hornetsecurity.

Further information:

For more information, please find Hornetsecurity's ESI Benchmark Report via this link . To find out more about Hornetsecurity's offerings, please visit the website .

About Hornetsecurity

Hornetsecurity is a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions that help companies and organisations of all sizes around the world. Its flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 on the market. Driven by innovation and cybersecurity excellence, Hornetsecurity is building a safer digital future and sustainable security cultures with its award-winning portfolio. Hornetsecurity operates in more than 30 countries through its international distribution network of 8,000+ channel partners and MSPs. Its premium services are used by more than 50,000 customers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004159/ESI_Score.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hornetsecurity-launches-new-employee-security-index-to-highlight-cybersecurity-training-needs-301748810.html
FRANKFURT, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Noon Dalton continues to expand in Europe and adds Timm Kellermann to its management team. As a partner, he will be responsible for business development in the German market. With over 25 years of experience in the automotive, processing industry and IT, he knows the challenges and needs in many companies first-hand and with this understanding makes a significant contribution to customer-oriented adjustment of the range of services for the region.

After studying business administration, he started directly in the automotive industry in 1995 and focused early on on process optimization, productivity increases and the continuous improvement of organizations. In the conception and implementation of large, international change initiatives in development, sales, service and IT, he systematically got to know the success factors of cooperation in large, distributed teams.

Timm Kellermann brought this knowledge to bear on a large number of projects with machine and plant manufacturers, suppliers and innovative start-ups. Finding the right balance between systemically enforced structure and human flexible work was often a crucial task.

He now brings this expertise to the business development at Noon Dalton. As a business process outsourcing company, Noon Dalton supports rapidly growing companies and those who want to systematically increase their productivity in global competition. For international customers, this happens primarily from the established service centers in Indian and the Philippines.

Noon Dalton offers a special value proposition for the German-speaking region. Customers now have access to support from highly motivated, native-German-speaking employees in Kosovo. Due to the favorable location in the same time zone and the extensive cultural understanding, the established German customers report that this near-shoring is much easier and more successful to set up and operate than the classic off-shoring solutions. In the Central European job market, which is suffering from inertia and a shortage of workers, the greatest benefit for previous customers lies in the rapid availability of resources: the Noon Dalton experts start their work on behalf of the client organization just 4-6 weeks after the notification of need. From the customer hotline to first-level technical support, order processing, accounting, controlling to IT development services and IT operations, the range of services offered is both attractively priced and extensively customizable.

Founded in 2009 by Jehan Noon and Edward Dalton, Noon Dalton is already an established brand in the Anglo-Saxon region with maximum customer orientation in the business process outsourcing (BPO). With offices in London, New York, Denver, Miami, Cebu, Udaipur, Kosovo and now Germany, the company affirms its growth trajectory and determination to be where customers need them.

For inquiries please Please visit our website at noondalton.com or call on +491721980349

SOURCE: Noon Dalton

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739603/Noon-Dalton-adds-Timm-Kellermann-for-German-Business-Development
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, today announced record volume and participation in its North American environmental markets, with a record 270 companies trading last year.

ICE offers customers the most liquid markets to trade futures and options on California Carbon Allowances, California Carbon credits, RGGI Allowances (RGA), California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credits, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Across the portfolio, a record 3.64 million contracts traded last year, a 5% increase over 2021, with average daily volume increasing 5.5% to 14,500 contracts.

Approximately 372 million carbon allowances went to delivery through ICE in December 2022, of which North American carbon allowances accounted for 28%, at a notional value of $2.5 billion.

Volumes across ICE's renewable energy certificate futures markets grew by 40% last year. A REC certifies that the megawatt of electricity generated is from renewable energy. ICE offers 31 REC futures and options including wind and solar RECs. A record 981,302 REC contracts traded last year, equivalent to an estimated 87.6 million megawatt hours of renewable energy. More than two thirds of REC volumes related to PJM Tri REC futures for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland renewable portfolio standard programs, which define the percent of electricity generated by renewable resources that must be sold in states over a specified period.

"Net zero is predominantly an energy transition. The price signals and liquidity of energy and environmental markets are at the heart of helping companies transition to alternative forms of energy by providing the tools to allocate capital and manage the associated price risk," said Gordon Bennett, Managing Director of Utility Markets at ICE. "The transition to renewable electricity means RECs are integral to any company wishing to comply with their emission reduction commitments, as well as a key hedging tool to reduce the price risks of balancing supply and demand for renewables."

LCFS represents a fast-growing carbon credit market connected to California's program to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold, supplied, or offered for sale in the state, and provide low-carbon and renewable alternatives. A record 5.67 million LCFS credits traded on ICE last year, over five times the volumes in 2021. LCFS credit futures reached record volume, open interest, and participation in January 2023.

Meanwhile in RGA, which represents the fourth largest carbon allowance futures market in the world, a record 406,876 futures and options contracts traded in 2022, an 18% increase versus 2021.

Expanding its range of cap-and-trade futures markets available, ICE plans to launch Washington carbon allowance futures, subject to completion of regulatory processes. Washington's "Cap-and-Invest" program, which began on January 1, 2023, is closely modeled on California's carbon market, has an initial cap of 63.3 million tons, and will over time cover 75% of Washington's carbon dioxide emissions.

"Companies operating under cap-and-trade programs are required to treat their emissions as liabilities, creating demand for carbon allowances to pay for the pollution they emit, and incentivizing companies to seek lower cost abatement opportunities. With the scope of the European Emissions Trading Scheme set to increase by approximately another 1.5 billion tons under the EU's Fit for 55, the number of emission liabilities at risk is set to nearly double to exceed 4 billion tons, increasing demand for environmental risk management tools", continued Bennett.

ICE has been a leader in global environmental markets for almost two decades and hosts the four largest and most liquid carbon cap and trade markets in the world. Since launch, allowances equivalent to over 100 billion tons of carbon, over 250 million renewable energy certificates, 3 billion carbon credits, and the equivalent of over 3 billion Renewable Identification Numbers have traded on ICE.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks to connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes that offer our customers access to mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and operational efficiencies. We operate exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, and clearing houses that help people invest, raise capital and manage risk across multiple asset classes. Our comprehensive fixed income data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers capitalize on opportunities and operate more efficiently. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming and digitizing the U.S. residential mortgage process, from consumer engagement through loan registration. Together, we transform, streamline and automate industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)."

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on February 2, 2023.

Category: EXCHANGES

ICE- CORP

Source: Intercontinental Exchange

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005477/en/

Contacts:

ICE Media Contact:

Rebecca Mitchell

Rebecca.Mitchell@ice.com

+44 7951 057 351

ICE Investor Contact:

Katia Gonzalez

katia.gonzalez@ice.com

(678) 981-3882
TORONTO, ON, and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Sekur Private Data Ltd. (CSE:SKUR)(OTCQX:SWISF)(FRA:GDT0) ("Sekur" or the "Company"), a leading Swiss hosted secure and private communications platform, is pleased announce that it has started optimization and SEO marketing for its Sekur website, in order to reduce its per user Customer Acquisition Cost "CAC".

The Company has embarked on a reduction of its Customer Acquisition Cost ("CAC") and has reduced its marketing expenses in order to focus on the more targeted digital marketing, such as adword campaigns and optimization of its Sekur website. Currently the Company is achieving a CAC of approximately US$150, which is significantly lower than its CAC was during 2022, and is targeting a CAC of US$75 or lower by the end of 2023, and a CAC of US$60 or lower for 2024. The Company is targeting consumers and SMBs at this time and is improving its website content in order to inform SMBs and visitors on the benefits of using the Sekur privacy and security communications platform.

Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data said: "We have lowered our budget for 2023 and are focused heavily on our CAC for this year and moving forward. Our focus on direct marketing is to lower our acquisition cost and we should have more data to share with everyone in the coming weeks and months. Once we achieve US$75 CAC or lower, we plan to accelerate spending on AdWords and digital marketing to increase our subscriber base at a higher rate than we are doing today. Our prime directive is to provide private and secure communications for everyone, and, as we are not connected to any Big Tech platform, we offer a truly independent, private and secure means of communications without any data mining, through our proprietary technology and our secure servers based in Switzerland. We look forward to continuing to offer true data privacy to all individuals and their businesses and protect their intellectual property, and their privacy, from data miners and malicious hackers."

Sekur, which includes SekurMessenger and SekurMail, is part of a bundle of email, messaging and file transfer into one application, includes the Company's latest SekurMail technology, which includes proprietary anti-phishing and privacy feature called SekurSend. SekurSend lets a user send an email to any other recipient, whether they have Sekur or not, in full privacy and security as the email never leaves Sekur 's encrypted email servers based in Switzerland. The recipient can then click on the notification and reply in the same manner using SekurReply, without the recipient having to register for a Sekur account. The sender can also decide to protect any email sent by adding a password to open it, a read-limit and a self-destruct timer as well. Sending an email with the SekurSend feature allows the senders and recipients to add limitless size attachments to the emails without crowding the recipients' email box. This also eliminates BEC attacks for businesses and email phishing attacks. Additionally, SekurMail includes full control of email delivery, automatic data export for large Enterprises and an automatic Data Loss Prevention technology ("DLP") with real time continuous archiving.

Recent data breaches in messaging applications have created a certain urgency for businesses and data privacy advocates to protect their communications from cyber-attacks and identity theft via mobile and desktop devices.

SekurMessenger now comes with a proprietary feature and technology called "Chat-By-Invites". This feature allows a SekurMessenger user ("SM user") invite a non-SM user, or a group of non-SM users, to chat in a fully private and secure way, without the recipient ever having to register to SekurMessenger or download the app. At the end of the chat, the initiator of the conversation can remotely terminate the conversation and all traces of the conversation are deleted from all users, including the recipient. This unique feature is now fully deployed and functional on all iOS and Android devices and web platforms. The target sectors are numerous, including but not limited to real estate, legal, finance, insurance, medical, government, energy, manufacturing, trade and pharmaceutical sectors.

SekurMessenger also eliminates many of the privacy and security risks by not only not requiring a phone number, which would divulge a user's phone device ID, but also by not social engineering a user's phone or computer contact list and infecting the contacts by default as well, eliminating a huge loophole in security and privacy. SekurMessenger issues each user a username and a Sekur number. The Sekur number is the contact ID a user would disclose in order for other Sekur users to be added. The service comes with a self-destruct timer and other features as well, including Sekur's proprietary VirtualVaults and HeliX technologies with all data stored in Swiss hosted encrypted servers.

Sekur's Data privacy solutions are all hosted in Switzerland, protecting users' data from any outside data intrusion requests. In Switzerland, the right to privacy is guaranteed in article 13 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Federal Act on Data Protection ("FADP") of 19 June 1992 (in force since 1993) has set up a strict protection of privacy by prohibiting virtually any processing of personal data which is not expressly authorized by the data subjects. The protection is subject to the authority of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner.

Under Swiss federal law, it is a crime to publish information based on leaked "secret official discussions." In 2010 the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland found that IP addresses are personal information and that under Swiss privacy laws they may not be used to track Internet usage without the knowledge of the individuals involved.

About Sekur Private Data Ltd.

Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure and private communications. The Company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messengers, and secure communication tools. Sekur Private Data Ltd. sells its products through its own website at https://www.sekur.com , and approved distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide.

On behalf of Management

SEKUR PRIVATE DATA LTD.

Alain Ghiai

President and Chief Executive Officer

+1.416.644.8690

corporate@sekurprivatedata.com

For more information, please contact Sekur Private Data at corporate@sekurprivatedata.com or visit us at https://www.sekurprivatedata.com

For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com .

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guaranteeing future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739535/Sekur-Private-Data-Ltd-Starts-SEO-Marketing-of-Sekurcom--Reduces-Customer-Acquisition-Cost
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSXV:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Property Acquisition Agreement with C2C Gold Corp. ("C2C") for the purchase, by Klondike Gold of a 100% interest in C2C's "Quartz" and "Sulphur" properties comprised of 689 mining claims covering 143 square kilometers located in the Dawson mining district, Yukon, Canada (the "Property Acquisition Agreement").

Upon completion of this transaction, Klondike Gold will have expanded its Klondike District Property land position covering the prospective Klondike goldfields with direct ownership of a total of 3,913 quartz claims (increased from 3,078) in one contiguous district-encompassing property covering a 727 square kilometer area (increased from 585), expanding the property area by 27%.

In return for the acquisition by Klondike Gold of a 100% interest in C2C's Quartz and Sulphur properties, plus 12 years of exploration data, the terms of the Property Acquisition Agreement are as follows:

Issuance of 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to C2C; and

The granting to C2C of a 1% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR Royalty") in respect of C2C's Quartz and Sulphur properties, of which Klondike Gold may purchase one-half of the NSR Royalty (being a 0.5% NSR Royalty) from C2C for cash in the amount of $500,000 at any time. The Quartz and Sulphur properties each have underlying 2% NSR Royalty obligations where Klondike Gold has the right to purchase one-half (or 1%) of each NSR Royalty for one million dollars ($1,000,000) cash and has a right of first refusal to purchase the remaining 1%.

Peter Tallman, Klondike Gold's CEO, states "We welcome the opportunity to consolidate our land position covering the prospective southeast side of the Klondike District into one contiguous district-spanning claim group. The claim package will allow systematic exploration, evaluation and ranking of gold targets across the district with geological understanding of variations and potential zonation. Klondike Gold believes there is significant potential for multiple discoveries and this consolidation will allow the greatest opportunity for testing the best possible targets."

A map of Klondike Gold's consolidated land position is shown in Figure 1.

The Property Acquisition Agreement is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Figure 1: Klondike Gold's consolidated land position

UPCOMING EVENTS

Klondike Gold will be participating in the following recent or upcoming events:

Whistler Capital Event Conference (Whistler, BC) - February 10 to February 12, 2023

PDAC (Toronto, ON) - March 5 to March 8, 2023

PDAC (Toronto, ON) - PDAC-SEG Student Minerals Colloquium: 3 Research Poster Displays

All events are subject to change.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Klondike Gold and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 policy. Detailed technical information, specifications, analytical information and procedures can be found on the Company's website.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-kilometer length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-kilometer gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified an Initial Mineral Resource of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces1, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 727 square kilometer property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

1 The Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

Peter Tallman,

President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: (604) 609-6138

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.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.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Klondike Gold does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739569/Klondike-Gold-Acquires-689-Mining-Claims-Expanding-Klondike-District-Project-by-27
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (FSE: A0I.F) (FSE: A0I.MU) (FSE: A0I.BE) (the "Company" or "Appia") is pleased to announce the acquisition of additional new mineral claims in the Alces Lake area, northwest Saskatchewan. The newly acquired prospective claims augment those already held by the Company as it moves forward with its development of a rare earth element (REE) resource at Alces Lake.

The Alces Lake claim block (Figure 1) now totals 38,522.43 contiguous hectares (95,191.00 acres); located approximately 50 kilometres east of Uranium City. The claims were staked on the basis of similar geological and geophysical signatures to the Company's current Alces Lake property.

Appia also holds a total of 75,314.72 hectares (186,106.72 acres) of land on four uranium claim blocks (Loranger, North Wollaston, Eastside, and Otherside). Exploration plans for these properties will be announced once permits are in hand.

2023 Exploration Plans at Alces Lake

All geochemical assay results are in hand from the 2022 exploration program. The Company is currently preparing for the 2023 exploration season (details to come on Appia's website) with several desktop initiatives to enhance its geological understanding of mineralization and to improve the Company's workflows relating to the acquisition, handling, integration, and interpretation of geoscientific data. The current work has involved the engagement of professional consultants to optimize Appia's geoscientific databases and to conduct comprehensive 3-dimensional (3D) modeling of the WRCB and Magnet Ridge mineralized zones.

Encouraged by Appia's 2022's drilling results, the Company intends to reopen the Alces Lake camp in summer 2023 for another season of REE (monazite-hosted) exploration. For this upcoming field season, follow-up geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys are planned along and across the highest-priority areas of a 20 to 25 km-long structural corridor extending SSE from the main mineralized zones at WRCB and immediate area. This will aid in delineation and mapping of REE mineralized (monazite-rich) pegmatites and associated glimmerites to establish new drill targets. The petrophysical characteristics (i.e. density, radiometric, and magnetic properties) of monazite (a proxy to rare earth elements mineralization) will be maximized for vectoring new targets by utilizing leading edge exploration technology (e.g. airborne gravity, radiometrics, and magnetics at optimal line spacing/orientation). Appia is currently in discussion with company contractors and service providers for these upcoming surveys.





Figure 1. Mineral claims for Appia's Alces Lake property in northern Saskatchewan

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/154962_areufig1.jpg.

About the Alces Lake Project

The Alces Lake project encompasses some of the highest-grade total and critical* REEs and gallium mineralization in the world, hosted within several surface and near-surface monazite occurrences that remain open at depth and along strike.

* Critical rare earth elements are defined here as those that are in short-supply and high-demand for use in permanent magnets and modern electronic applications such as electric vehicles and wind turbines (i.e: neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)).

The Alces Lake project is located in northern Saskatchewan, the same provincial jurisdiction that is developing a "first-of-its-kind" rare earth processing facility in Canada (currently under construction by the Saskatchewan Research Council and scheduled to become fully operational in early 2024). The Alces Lake project area is 38,522.43 hectares (95,191.00 acres) in size and is 100% owned by Appia.

To ensure safe work conditions are met for the workforce, the Company has developed exploration guidelines that comply with the Saskatchewan Public Health Orders and the Public Health Order Respecting the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District in order to maintain social distancing and help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The technical content in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dr. Irvine R. Annesley, P.Geo, Vice President, Exploration, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp.

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 113,837.15 hectares (281,297.72 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 12,545 hectares (31,000 acres), with rare earth element and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario.

Appia has 130.5 million common shares outstanding, 153.8 million shares fully diluted.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director: (cell) 416-876-3957, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) tdrivas@appiareu.com

Stephen Burega, President: (cell) 647-515-3734 or (email) sburega@appiareu.com

Frank van de Water, Chief Financial Officer and Director, (tel) 416-221-4124, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) fvandewater@rogers.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154962
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Playgon Games Inc. (TSXV: DEAL) (OTC PINK: PLGNF) (FSE: 7CR) ("Playgon" or the "Company"), a propriety SaaS technology company delivering mobile live dealer technology to online gaming operators globally, is pleased to announce that our attendance at ICE-London iGaming event, was an exceptional success. The Company attended a number of prearranged meetings with industry players and is confident it will close several new licensing partnerships which will be announced in due course. In addition to new licensing opportunities the company is in talks with a couple of parties to form joint venture partnerships in strategic European markets that will expand and expedite Playgon's footprint in key markets. The partnerships would include the build of localized studios with native language speaking croupier's and relationships with known brands.

Darcy Krogh, President and CEO of Playgon Games said, "This ICE-London event was one of the best shows I have attended over the past 20 years. Attendance levels surpassed 40,000 unique visitors which broke records in the shows history, and clearly validated the excitement that our industry is experiencing currently. There was strong interest in our innovative mobile Live Dealer product and its an exciting time for the Company's future given some of the opportunities created as a result of the conference."

Playgon will provide further updates as these opportunities solidify into contractual agreements.

Update on Ongoing Unsecured Convertible Debenture Financing

Further to the Company's previously announced unsecured convertible debenture financing for up to CAD$5,000,000 (the "Offering"), and its press release dated January 20, 2023 announcing an initial tranche closing for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of CAD$1,820,000, the Company continues to progress on its plan to secure additional financing via the issuance of additional unsecured convertible debentures, the whole upon the terms and conditions set out in the Company's previous press releases. In connection with the Offering, the Company has obtained an administrative extension from the TSX Venture Exchange for purposes of allowing it to close the Offering by March 17, 2023. The Company intends to provide a further update accordingly.

About Playgon Games Inc.

Playgon is a SaaS technology company focused on developing and licensing digital content for the growing iGaming market. The Company provides a multi-tenant gateway that allows online operators the ability to offer their customers innovative iGaming software solutions. Its current software platform includes Live Dealer Casino, E-Table games and Daily Fantasy Sports, which, through a seamless integration at the operator level, allows customer access without having to share or compromise any sensitive customer data. As a true business-to-business digital content provider, the Company's products are ideal turn-key solutions for online casinos, sportsbook operators, land-based operators, media groups, and big database companies. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.playgon.com.

For further information, contact:

Mike Marrandino, Director

Tel: (604) 722-5225

Email: mikem@playgon.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, without limitation, may contain the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing of future performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except for historical facts, the statements in this news release, as well as oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by Playgon, are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. In the context of any forward-looking information please refer to risk factors detailed in, as well as other information contained in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings with Canadian securities regulators ( www.sedar.com ). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represents Playgon's current expectations. Playgon disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except if required by applicable securities laws.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155025
Trescon, the market leader of C-suite, future-tech, B2B events and conferences, announces its 7th year in the industry. This 7th anniversary marks new beginnings, numerous milestones, and a revitalized vision for Trescon.

BANGALORE, India, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trescon prides itself on its unwavering commitment to excellence in events, partnerships, and teamwork. This focus on achieving greatness has allowed Trescon to achieve numerous milestones and create unique, innovative events for its select audience each year. Over time, Trescon has evolved from a company that conceptualizes events to a formidable industry presence. Currently, Trescon produces 100+ events annually across 10+ countries in partnership with major organizations and government institutions worldwide. The organization is now synonymous with several global flagship events, including World AI Show, World Blockchain Summit, World Cloud Show, and World FinTech Show.





As with previous years, Trescon continues to lead the charge for change and embraces evolution as the cornerstone of its success. Through a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and a deep understanding of its audience's evolving needs, Trescon has solidified its position as a leader in its field. This year, Trescon has partnered with the Dubai government to present an unparalleled FinTech event, Dubai FinTech Summit, alongside other ground-breaking events. With this strategic collaboration, Trescon is poised to deliver an exceptional experience that will leave attendees with a newfound appreciation for the possibilities that lie ahead in the world of finance and technology.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the 7th year of our journey," said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman of Trescon. "Over the past seven years, we have built a reputation for creating high-quality, impactful events that enable our attendees to connect, learn, and grow. We couldn't have achieved this success without the support of our advisors, clients, partners, and team members, and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment."

As the company celebrates its latest anniversary, here's a look back at some of the milestones they've achieved:

This year the group has on-boarded a fresh new perspective with a change in leadership. Trescon welcomed Naveen Bharadwaj as its new group CEO to conceptualize and launch new business lines.

as its new group CEO to conceptualize and launch new business lines. Growth of the team with the inclusion of 150+ new members.

Collaboration with top industry players such as Deloitte, Alibaba Cloud , Intel, Amazon, Google Cloud, Visa, Binance and others.

, Intel, Amazon, Google Cloud, Visa, Binance and others. World FinTech Show providing a platform for companies to form partnerships and revolutionize the FinTech industry.

Playing a key role in strengthening Turkey - India trade relations through the IIFF (India International Furniture Fair) event.

- trade relations through the IIFF (India International Furniture Fair) event. Introduction of Dubai FinTech Summit under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai , Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance.

, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance. Diversification into emerging tech fields such as blockchain, fintech, metaverse, AI, data and cybersecurity.

Digital Acceleration Transformation Expo (DATE) to be the first-ever event to define 7 top tech innovations in an elaborated manner.

"Trescon's focus has always been on delivering value to their event attendees. From thought-provoking keynote speakers to interactive panel discussions, they strive to create an environment where their attendees can connect, learn, and grow. We look forward to collaborating with them to continue to deliver high-quality events in the years to come," added Mithun Shetty, Vice Chairman, Trescon.

What's ahead for Trescon;

Vision 2025 (TV25) Trescon's Vision2025 (TV25) aims to revolutionize the company's events strategy, and exploring new business opportunities. Through TV25, Trescon plans to grow its brand, penetrate new markets, and establish alternate revenue streams. This ambitious vision challenges the traditional events mind-set and focuses on evolving the company's overall approach to achieve long-term success.

To support the 2025 growth strategy, Trescon will be announcing a new advisory board of members, known as the Trescon Advisory Board (TAB), shortly. TAB will comprise of prominent industry leaders, and experts who will provide valuable insights and feedback to Trescon's management team, helping Trescon stay ahead of industry trends, enhance its service offerings, and maintain its competitive edge.

Trescon is expanding its market presence in Saudi Arabia , Europe , and North America . The company's expansion strategy is focused on delivering high-quality services to a broader audience and achieving its goal of becoming a leading business events and consulting firm.

, , and . The company's expansion strategy is focused on delivering high-quality services to a broader audience and achieving its goal of becoming a leading business events and consulting firm. Trescon recently made an investment in Demandify, a B2B Demand Generation and Media company. The investment will enable Trescon to leverage Demandify's expertise in generating leads and enhancing its media presence. Trescon aims to scale this investment and work closely with Demandify to provide its customers with effective marketing solutions.

With Vision 2025 underway and a new outlook, Trescon is truly a force to reckon with in the business events industry. This year, the company is determined to set an even higher benchmark, serving as a model for others to follow. The future is certainly shining bright for Trescon.

A note to Trescon's advisors:

On this special occasion, Trescon takes the opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to its advisors who have played a crucial role in the company's journey. The team of advisors have been instrumental in guiding the company's strategic decisions and shaping its vision for the future. They have shared their extensive knowledge and experience in various domains, which have helped the organization reach where it is today.

As Trescon celebrates its 7th anniversary, the company reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative and unique offerings. With the support of its advisors, Trescon is confident that it will continue to exceed its customers' expectations and reach new heights in the years to come.

About Trescon

Trescon is the world's fastest-growing business-to-business events, training, marketing and consulting company primarily focused on the adoption of sustainability, inclusive leadership and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, metaverse, cloud, fintech, data analytics and cybersecurity.

Our summits, conferences, and expos create real economic impact by connecting and empowering the key ecosystem of government organizations, regulators, policymakers, private sector companies, solution providers, startups, investors, accelerators, advisors, consultants, associations, academia and more.

Thought leadership, knowledge exchange, brand positioning, business expansion, market penetration, lead generation, finding solutions & services, capital raising, capacity building, training and networking are among the key objectives of our stakeholders.

With the help of our 250+ employees across offices in 6 countries, several of our clients have quadrupled their leads, shortened sales cycles by half or less, entered markets three times faster, closed deals within unimaginable timelines and grown their businesses ultimately.

Whether you are an organization or an individual, Trescon has something to offer you.

For media enquiries, contact:

Nupur Aswani,

Head - Media, PR & Corporate Communications,

Trescon

media@tresconglobal.com

+91 9555915156

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004227/Trescon_Logo.jpg

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Social enterprise aimed at promoting women founders in Ireland celebrated impressive growth and introduced six female entrepreneurs to the U.S. investors

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / MAP Digital Inc. , the only complete conference cloud platform and events designer readymade for Events 3.0, is proud to celebrate the tremendous success of the AwakenHub Takes New York 2023 event, held on February 1, 2023. The AwakenHub event - co-sponsored with Digital Irish and Invest Northern Ireland and held at the Bank of Ireland NYC Hub - recognized the organization's remarkable trajectory and introduced six AwakenHub entrepreneurs to an audience of investors, family offices, corporations, government agencies, friends and allies.

"It was a thrill to see the AwakenHub Takes New York event find so much success, particularly as the organization's mission to uplift women entrepreneurs from the Island of Ireland and I am an Irish American entrepreneur, myself," said Pierce, founder and CEO of MAP Digital and global diaspora ambassador for AwakenHub Takes New York. "We saw firsthand the power of a purposefully curated, invitation-only event that captured AwakenHub's and their six founder's compelling success stories."

Using MAP Digital's integrated event platform, MetaMeetings, AwakenHub produced a high-performance, content-rich event that will serve as a content marketing engine well into the future. Through repurposing event content and distributing it to new audiences, MAP Digital will ensure that AwakenHub's mission will spread far beyond the confines of the New York gathering and expand AwakenHub's community globally.

"In a post-COVID world, ambitious startups should be global from Day One. Our AwakenHub team recognized this and selected six of our member companies who are closest to taking on investment or expanding their customer base into the U.S.," said Mary McKenna, expert advisor to the European Commission, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Oxford, and co-founder of AwakenHub. "MAP Digital assembled the perfect audience for those six founders to pitch to and provided the platform to amplify their stories. We'll be back."

AwakenHub is a registered Social Enterprise, with a mission to level up opportunity, access and connectivity for women founders throughout the Island of Ireland by removing barriers to investment, scale and success. The organization's vision is a society where every founder's journey is equitable irrespective of gender and where half of all investment goes to women-led businesses. As part of AwakenHub's mission, the New York event showcased six women founders (three from Northern Ireland and three from the Republic of Ireland) and their innovative startups:

Yvonne Comer , Rugby Smarts , a game changing technology that uses AI, Machine Learning and Computer Vision to reduce the manual effort transitionally involved in Video Analysis. Galway Republic of Ireland.

, , a game changing technology that uses AI, Machine Learning and Computer Vision to reduce the manual effort transitionally involved in Video Analysis. Galway Republic of Ireland. Eileen Rafferty , Errigal Virtual Studios , LED wall that can show any background. Shoot worlds that do not exist or locations that are incapable of visiting. Tremendous cost saving and gateway to Metaverse activations. Donegal, Republic of Ireland

, , LED wall that can show any background. Shoot worlds that do not exist or locations that are incapable of visiting. Tremendous cost saving and gateway to Metaverse activations. Donegal, Republic of Ireland Susan Kelly , aflo Respiratory Analytics , aflo uses AI, sensors and hyper-personalized data to control life-threatening symptoms for people with asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. aflo is to improve the management of respiratory conditions for patients and clinicians, saving lives, reducing costs and improving outcomes. Derry, Northern Ireland

, , aflo uses AI, sensors and hyper-personalized data to control life-threatening symptoms for people with asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. aflo is to improve the management of respiratory conditions for patients and clinicians, saving lives, reducing costs and improving outcomes. Derry, Northern Ireland Avril Power , giyst , innovative summarization technology that produces automated, edited video summaries using AI and Machine Learning, drives 4 times more content discovery and maximizes audience retention by at least 40%. Cork, Republic of Ireland

, , innovative summarization technology that produces automated, edited video summaries using AI and Machine Learning, drives 4 times more content discovery and maximizes audience retention by at least 40%. Cork, Republic of Ireland Sian Farrell , StimOxyGen , stimulus-responsive oxygen generating nanoparticles for enhanced treatment of cancer. Derry, Northern Ireland

, , stimulus-responsive oxygen generating nanoparticles for enhanced treatment of cancer. Derry, Northern Ireland Naomi McGregor , Movetru , wearable technology and cutting edge data analysis eradicates preventable injury and reduces ACL recovery time for elite athletes. Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In addition to spotlighting the six female founders and their businesses, the event also announced AwakenAngels , the first Irish, cross-border, and women-led investor syndicate investing in women-founded businesses. AwakenAngels will democratize the investor landscape by making investing affordable, accessible and purposefully game-changing, with seasoned investors supporting the new investors to help AwakenHub founders build their businesses and their communities.

To learn more about the entrepreneurs, AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, and to view video content and presentations from the event, visit the AwakenHub MetaMeetings website or email: hello@awakenhub.com .

About MAP Digital:

MAP Digital is the only complete conference cloud platform and events designer readymade for the Events 3.0 era. Its MetaMeetings platform tracks every click and distributes webcasts, content, and engagement and in-person or virtual events. Via artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), we transform conferences into content marketing engines. And MAP Digital's designers and engineers simplify the production process and maximize KPIs. Visit us at https://mapdigital.com/ and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Media Contact:

Josh Eichenbaum

Caliber Corporate Advisers

josh@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: MAP Digital





View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739500/MAP-Digital-Powers-Inaugural-AwakenHub-Takes-New-York-Event
The three associations have teamed up with FINOS to provide a repository for the CDM project, aimed at fostering the growth of an open-source community for the CDM and ensuring neutrality

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Today, FINOS (the Fintech Open Source Foundation) announces the open source availability of its highly anticipated Common Domain Model ( CDM ) project in partnership with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association ( ISDA ), International Capital Market Association ( ICMA ), and International Securities Lending Association ( ISLA ). As an open collaboration within the FINOS community, this project represents a major milestone for FINOS and reinforces its commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation within the fintech industry. The CDM project offers a unique opportunity for members to collaborate and drive industry standards forward in a transparent and inclusive manner. The CDM is now available in FINOS under the FINOS Community Specification License 1.0 .

"FINOS is very proud and excited to launch open collaboration on the CDM and to evolve the model to become the standard for financial objects and events modeling," said Jane Gavronsky, Chief Operating Officer at FINOS. "This is the perfect time for the industry to double down on standards collaboration -- progress in digitizing regulatory rules, advances in smart contracts, continuous demand for greater transparency from regulators, and last but not least mounting cost pressures in the current market, all point at the need to join forces across the industry, to increase interoperability via standard proliferation, and to "do more with less" by mutualizing development cost. We believe FINOS is best positioned to facilitate these next steps for the industry."

In September 2022, ISDA, ISLA and ICMA announced FINOS as the selected organization following a comprehensive Request for Quotation (RFQ) process. The CDM, now fully integrated into the FINOS project landscape, streamlines and automates lifecycle events and processes related to derivatives, fixed income and securities lending transactions, reducing costs and improving interoperability. The CDM promotes transparency and alignment in financial markets by producing consistent trade data, which enhances risk management and trade processing capabilities for industry participants.

"The CDM is a strategic cross-industry collaboration between ICMA, ISDA, ISLA and FINOS. Today's launch coincides with the completion of ICMA's CDM project for repo and bonds. At a time of accelerating digital transformation, regulatory change, cost pressure and an increased risk of fragmentation, the FINOS open-source framework will be critical to facilitate adoption and promote interoperability across capital markets." said Bryan Pascoe, ICMA's Chief Executive.

"The launch of the FINOS project represents an exciting new chapter and will bring together a broad community of financial market participants to adopt and further expand the open-source CDM. This will ensure greater consistency and standardization in how derivatives, bonds and securities finance transactions are reported, managed and processed through the lifecycle, increasing interoperability and efficiency and reducing costs." said Scott O'Malia, ISDA's Chief Executive.

"Today represents the culmination of a lot of collaboration between the associations and FINOS. Placing the CDM within the FINOS community marks a watershed moment in the development of standards for the industry. Strategically, the open-source methodology should breed faster convergence, facilitate quick adaptation to future changes to capital markets requirements and attract a wider user base." Said Andrew Dyson, ISLA's Chief Executive.

FINOS has established itself as the arena of choice for financial services non-competitive open collaboration between the wide array of participants, including regulators, financial institutions, service providers, fintechs, and regtechs. FINOS has both the community and the open-source tools that will propel development and adoption of the CDM. In 2020, FINOS conducted a successful pilot program for submitting CDM model changes using Legend, its open data modeling collaboration platform, as demonstrated in the FINOS Legend Case Study . In addition, the FINOS Financial Objects Special Interest Group (FO SIG), led by Goldman Sachs and ISDA, actively discusses collaboration on data modeling for varying business uses, for example carbon credits for energy projects and data lineage of digital assets are amongst recent topics the FO SIG has discussed. "We have a successful track record of model development using Legend at FINOS and we are fully committed to establishing an operating model that incorporates both Legend and Rosetta in the CDM modeling process." Said Ian Sloyan, ISDA's Senior Advisor, Data and Digital Solutions and a Co-Lead of the FO SIG.

At the recent Open Source in Finance Forum in New York , the trade associations came together to discuss their vision for the future of the CDM and it also marked a major achievement, as ISDA's Digital Regulatory Reporting (DRR) project went live in production with a member using the code developed using the CDM to comply with regulatory reporting requirements under the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission's revised swap data reporting rules.

"Seeing a highly competitive industry like financial services coming together to embrace the open source development model for something as transformational as the CDM is a pivotal moment for our Community," said Gabriele Columbro, Executive Director at FINOS and General Manager of Linux Foundation Europe. "Open source collaboration goes way beyond code and the contribution of the CDM is a testament to the relentless work of our contributors that paved the way for the creation of a truly open data ecosystem for this industry."

Join the FINOS community and be a part of this exciting journey towards a standard for financial instruments and their lifecycle events. With the working groups now available within the FINOS community calendar , it is open for those interested in contributing. On March 14th, the FINOS CDM Contribution Review Working Group will officially commence. To get more information on the Common Domain Model visit the FINOS landing page here or subscribe to the mailing list here .

About FINOS

FINOS (The Fintech Open Source Foundation) is a nonprofit whose mission is to foster adoption of open source, open standards and collaborative software development practices in financial services. It is the center for open source developers and the financial services industry to build new technology projects that have a lasting impact on business operations. As a regulatory compliant platform, the foundation enables developers from these competing organizations to collaborate on projects with a strong propensity for mutualization. It has enabled codebase contributions from both the buy- and sell-side firms and counts over 50 major financial institutions, fintechs, and technology consultancies as part of its membership. FINOS is also part of the Linux Foundation, the largest shared technology organization in the world. Get involved and join FINOS as a Member.

About ISDA

Since 1985, ISDA has worked to make the global derivatives markets safer and more efficient. Today, ISDA has over 1,000 member institutions from 79 countries. These members comprise a broad range of derivatives market participants, including corporations, investment managers, government and supranational entities, insurance companies, energy and commodities firms, and international and regional banks. In addition to market participants, members also include key components of the derivatives market infrastructure, such as exchanges, intermediaries, clearing houses and repositories, as well as law firms, accounting firms and other service providers. Information about ISDA and its activities is available on the Association's website: www.isda.org . Follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook and YouTube .

About ICMA

ICMA promotes well-functioning cross-border capital markets, which are essential to fund sustainable economic growth. It is a not-for-profit membership association with offices in Zurich, London, Paris, Brussels and Hong Kong, serving over 600 member firms in 65 jurisdictions. Among its members are private and official sector issuers, banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, pension funds, insurance companies, market infrastructure providers, central banks and law firms. It provides industry-driven standards and recommendations, prioritising three core fixed income market areas: primary, secondary, repo and collateral, with cross-cutting themes of sustainable finance and fintech. ICMA works with regulatory and governmental authorities, helping to ensure that financial regulation supports stable and efficient capital markets.

www.icmagroup.org

@ICMAgroup

About ISLA

The International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) is a leading non-profit industry association, representing the common interests of securities lending and financing market participants across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Its geographically diverse membership of over 190 firms includes institutional investors, asset managers, custodial banks, prime brokers and service providers.

Working closely with the industry, as well as national, regional, and global regulators and policy makers, ISLA advocates for, amongst other things, the importance of securities lending to the broader financial services industry. It supports both the Global Master Securities Lending Agreement (GMSLA) legal framework, including the Title Transfer and Securities Interest over Collateral variants, as well as the periodical enforceability and security enforcement across global jurisdictions.

Through member working groups , industry guidance, consultations and first-class events, ISLA plays a pivotal role in the creation and promotion of market best practices and processes, thought leadership , standards for legal frameworks , and securities lending guides and related documents.

Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter or YouTube .

For General enquiries, contact: support@islaemea.org

For Press enquiries, contact: press@islaemea.org

Media Contact:

Catharine Rybeck

Caliber Corporate Advisers

catharine@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: FINOS

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739516/FINOS-Launches-Common-Domain-Model-Project-in-Partnership-with-ISDA-ISLA-and-ICMA-for-Standardizing-Financial-Products-and-Workflows
CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / NovAccess Global Inc. (OTCQB:XSNX), a biomedical company developing novel immunotherapies for brain tumor patients, today announced that its CEO Dr. Dwain Irvin has been invited to present at the World Orphan Drug Congress, scheduled for May 23-25, 2023, near Washington, DC. Dr. Christopher Wheeler, Ph.D., President, StemVax Therapeutics Inc., a division of NovAccess Global and the lead scientist for the Company, will also be attending and participating in the event.

NovAccess Global received approval of its application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for TLR-AD1, a vaccine immunotherapy for the treatment of aggressive brain cancers, including glioblastoma and other high-grade gliomas. This approval was accompanied by the FDA expanding the scope of the Company's submission, which underscores the promise of NovAcess Global's platform technology. The special status afforded to the Company through the ODD is expected to enable an acceleration of the development of its therapies for new treatment options for a wide range of glioblastoma patients.

The FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development grants orphan designation status to investigational drugs and therapies addressing rare medical diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Orphan drug designation provides benefits to drug developers which may include assistance in the drug development process, financial incentives to support clinical development, tax credits for clinical costs, exemptions from certain FDA fees and the potential for seven years of post-approval marketing exclusivity.

NovAccess Global's participation and presentation at the World Orphan Drug Congress will allow the Company to disseminate and leverage its groundbreaking work to provide support for clinical development, accelerate time to market, and increase the reach of its therapeutic technology platform. Considered to be the world's most important orphan drug and rare disease event, the World Orphan Drug Congress brings together leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government and regulatory authorities, patient advocacy groups, payers, investors and solution providers. The conference is a place to meet and brainstorm on ways to advance orphan drug development and improve access to life-saving therapies.

Dr. Irvin will be presenting on immune targets and therapies for malignant brain tumors. This specifically impacts development of NovAccess's current vaccine immunotherapy against these tumors, as well as targets for future improvement. Drs. Irvin and Wheeler will have the opportunity to meet with potential healthcare partners and capital providers while enabling interaction with seasoned leaders in the Orphan Drug space, facilitating further productive contacts and relationships.

Since its inception in 2010, The World Orphan Drug Congress has solidified its position as the largest rare disease and orphan drug conference, globally. Over 3 days, participants will have the opportunity to hear from 300+ speakers across our 16 themes of content, engage in networking opportunities and customize their experience at the congress. For additional information, please go to: https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/world-orphan-drug-congress-usa/index.stm.

About NovAccess Global

NovAccess Global is a biomedical company accelerating novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Our goal is to discover, develop and bring to market novel and innovative medicine and medical devices to improve the quality of care for cancer and neurological patients.

NovAccess Global is currently developing a cancer vaccine therapy that enhances the patient's immune response against brain tumors. Our Company has a novel immunotherapeutic approach to treating brain tumor patients with glioblastoma, the most common adult brain tumor with a 15-month median survival after diagnosis. Our patented technology is designed to combine a dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approach with a unique combination of toll-like receptor (TLR) adjuvants, TLR-AD1, to help promote an enhanced immune response against the patient's tumor. Our platform technology focuses on enhancing the patient's immune cells to fight their unique cancer by utilizing the antigens specific to the patient's tumor. It is a meaningful technology that could significantly improve the quality of life and prognosis for the many people who suffer from brain tumors. For more information, please visit novaccessglobal.com.

Follow us on social media and stay up to date on all of our developments:

https://www.youtube.com/@novaccess

https://www.facebook.com/novaccessglobal

https://www.linkedin.com/company/64892686

https://twitter.com/novaccessglobal

Forward-Looking Statement

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, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." 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 as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in the Company's disclosures or filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. You are further cautioned that penny stocks and stocks of smaller companies like NovAccess Global Inc. are inherently volatile and risky and that no investor should buy this stock unless they can afford the loss of their entire investment. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

This press release and the interviews to be published as part of the NovAccess Global fireside chat series are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Interview participants have agreed to participate in this event series and no compensation will be paid or furnished to them or their respective organizations. Participation does not represent an offer to buy or sell any security to or from any person or other entity through their platforms. Prior to making any investment or subscribing to any of the platforms that may be associated with the fireside chat series and re-distribution of related content, listeners/viewers are encouraged to consult with professional financial, legal advisor and tax advisors to assist in due diligence as may be appropriate in determining the risk associated with any investment.

Investor Relations Contact:

Jordan Darrow

Darrow Associates

631-766-4528

jdarrow@darrowir.com

SOURCE: NovAccess Global Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739570/NovAccess-Global-to-Present-at-World-Orphan-Drug-Congress
The foodtech company is using technology to build personalized and flexible corporate cafeteria solutions that entice employees back to the office while saving companies millions as they move to hybrid work.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Zerocater, the fastest growing provider of corporate cafeterias and catering solutions, has raised its Series C funding of $15 million, led by Cleveland Avenue LLC, with participation from Remus Capital. Today, the company announces it will be expanding its technology enabled corporate cafeteria solution to ten additional markets including its first international market in Canada. Zerocater is already the leader for corporate catering and cafeteria solutions in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City where Datadog, Splunk, RobinHood, and others are customers. With this raise, the company will also continue to invest in its AI and machine learning capabilities which it uses to personalize daily cafeteria and catering menus for the companies it feeds based on the tastes of their employees.

"Companies of all sizes are looking for flexibility in their food programs and ways to reduce costs while their employees are demanding personalized and diverse food options to return to the office," says Ali Sabeti, CEO of Zerocater. "We built our Cloud Cafe and Hybrid Cafe products during the pandemic to solve these two core problems and the demand has been incredible. We are experiencing the fastest growth in our company's history having tripled our revenue in the last year. With our Series C raise, we are expanding to new markets because our existing customers are asking us to."

While employees are returning to the office, for many companies the workplace does not look the same as it did pre-pandemic, with many shifting to a hybrid model where employees can choose to come into the office as they like. In-office flexibility has created a tremendous amount of unpredictability both in terms of how many employees come into the office on any given day, and who those employees are. This unpredictability has made it impossible for traditional cafeteria and catering providers to operate as they guess how many employees are coming in, how much food to cook, and what food might resonate with those employees. Oftentimes they guess wrong resulting in food and staffing waste, exorbitant costs for companies, and a poor meal experience for employees.

"The pandemic and the shift to hybrid work completely broke how companies feed their teams. The opportunity for Zerocater to transform the $182B corporate cafeteria and catering market is immense," says Keith Kravcik, CIO Cleveland Avenue. "Add in the current economic uncertainty and it is clear companies will no longer spend millions building out traditional cafeterias with full-time chefs, guessing what food and how much of it to prepare, and signing 5-year contracts when the in office headcount changes daily or another COVID outbreak could cause a shutdown."

With Zerocater's Cloud Cafe, Hybrid Cafe, and Managed Cafe products employees have the option of enjoying a world-class buffet style meal experience in their cafeteria or using the Zerocater app to choose the boxed meal they want on the days they're coming into the office. With over 450 enterprise enterprise quality commissary kitchens, caterers, and restaurants on its platform, Zerocater is able to offer employees over 10 daily cuisines with 70 daily menu items that are curated weekly from over 120 available cuisines and 20,000 unique menu items. When it comes to the meal experience, Zerocater's onsite team owns all aspects of the daily cafeteria operations from design and decor, to onsite staffing and equipment. Most importantly, Zerocater's products were built for the hybrid workplace as companies only pay for the employees who come into the office. Companies also don't need to spend millions of dollars building, maintaining, and staffing expensive onsite kitchens or committing to long term contracts.

"We love the customization and variety Zerocater's cafeteria solution offers us with multiple cuisines and dozens of menu items per day without any of the waste and commitment of a traditional cafeteria," says Sarah Redman, Office Manager at Druva. "I can trust their onsite operations team to handle everything involved with daily meals for our employees. With the constant changes of the last few years, Zerocater has been flexible in what they offer as our needs have changed."

Ensuring employees are getting diverse menus that are aligned to their unique tastes and preferences is the only way companies are able to increase office attendance. Zerocater takes a data driven approach to building menus using its FoodIQ AI. After every meal, employees use the Zerocater app to give feedback which then allows its AI to better learn the groups preferences and use that data to curate upcoming meals. The more feedback employees give, the more powerful the recommendations, resulting in employees getting more of the food they love.

Prior to its Series C, Zerocater reassessed its strategy during the pandemic, reacting quickly as it built new product offerings for the era of remote and hybrid work. Now, Zerocater is experiencing the fastest growth in its history as the solutions it built during the pandemic are the future of corporate cafeterias and catering. With this round of funding, Zerocater is actively working towards its goal of reinventing the corporate cafeteria and becoming the national provider for major global companies.

About Zerocater

Zerocater builds revolutionary corporate catering and cafeteria solutions employees love while saving companies millions of dollars as they transition to the hybrid workplace. With its Cloud Cafe, Hybrid Cafe, Managed Cafe, and Event Cafe products; Zerocater has built corporate cafeteria and office catering programs for companies of all sizes from growing startups to the Fortune 500. Thousands of companies like Datadog, Splunk, McKinsey & Company, and RobinHood choose Zerocater for the customized, consistent, and diverse meal experiences its products offer, while also reducing costs by giving companies the flexibility to only pay for the employees who come into the office. Zerocater currently offers its corporate cafeteria and office catering products in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Austin, Denver, Seattle, and Washington D.C. with additional markets in the U.S. and Canada coming online every month. Since completing YCombinator in Winter 2011, Zerocater has raised $38.5M from leading investors including Cleveland Avenue, Remus Capital, Romulus Capital, Struck Capital, SV Angel, Keith Rabois, Yuri Milner, Paul Buchheit, and Justin Kan. For more information visit zerocater.com and follow @Zerocater on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Brenna Goodsitt

(212) 999-5585

zerocater@5wpr.com

SOURCE: Zerocater

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739139/Zerocater-Raises-Its-Series-C-To-Build-The-Future-Of-The-Corporate-Cafeteria-For-The-Hybrid-Workplace
BLACKROCK FRONTIERS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC (LEI: 5493003K5E043LHLO706)

All information is at 31 January 2023 and unaudited.

Performance at month end with net income reinvested.

One

month

% Three

months

% One

year

% Three

years

% Five

years

% Since

Launch*

% Sterling: Share price 8.2 10.1 11.8 33.7 2.1 113.7 Net asset value 3.2 3.6 6.7 36.4 12.2 129.9 Benchmark (NR)** 0.4 -2.7 3.7 15.7 13.2 82.7 MSCI Frontiers Index (NR) 2.1 1.3 -13.0 0.2 0.7 63.7 MSCI Emerging Markets Index (NR) 5.4 14.2 -4.2 11.6 7.2 57.5 US Dollars: Share price 10.8 17.9 2.7 24.9 -11.5 69.6 Net asset value 5.7 10.9 -2.0 27.5 -2.8 82.1 Benchmark (NR)** 2.7 4.0 -4.9 8.0 -2.0 45.3 MSCI Frontiers Index (NR) 4.5 8.3 -20.2 -6.5 -12.8 29.2 MSCI Emerging Markets Index (NR) 7.9 22.2 -12.1 4.3 -7.2 24.3

Sources: BlackRock and Standard & Poor's Micropal

* 17 December 2010.

** The Company's benchmark changed from MSCI Frontier Markets Index to MSCI Emerging ex Selected Countries + Frontier Markets + Saudi Arabia Index (net total return, USD) effective 1/4/2018.



At month end US Dollar Net asset value - capital only: 176.55c Net asset value - cum income: 177.76c Sterling: Net asset value - capital only: 143.41p Net asset value - cum income: 144.40p Share price: 136.00p Total assets (including income): 273.4m Discount to cum-income NAV: 5.8% Gearing: nil Gearing range (as a % of gross assets): 0-20% Net yield*: 4.1% Ordinary shares in issue**: 189,325,748 Ongoing charges***: 1.4% Ongoing charges plus taxation and performance fee****: 1.4%

*The Company's yield based on dividends announced in the last 12 months as at the date of the release of this announcement is 4.1% and includes the 2022 interim dividend of 2.75 cents per share, declared on 26 May 2022, and paid to shareholders on 24 June 2022 and the 2022 final dividend of 4.25 cents per share, declared on 8 December 2022, and paid to shareholders on 19 January 2023.

** Excluding 52,497,053 ordinary shares held in treasury.

***The Company's ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses excluding performance fees, finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain non-recurring items for Year ended 30 September 2022.

**** The Company's ongoing charges are calculated as a percentage of average daily net assets and using the management fee and all other operating expenses and including performance fees but excluding finance costs, direct transaction costs, custody transaction charges, VAT recovered, taxation and certain non-recurring items for Year ended 30 September 2022.

Sector

Analysis Gross market value as a % of net assets Country

Analysis Gross market value as a % of net assets Financials 43.1 Saudi Arabia 16.9 Energy 12.5 Indonesia 16.2 Consumer Discretionary 11.4 Vietnam 9.1 Industrials 11.1 Thailand 7.9 Consumer Staples 9.4 Kazakhstan 7.4 Materials 8.5 Hungary 6.9 Communication Services 6.3 United Arab Emirates 6.5 Information Technology 5.3 Chile 5.9 Real Estate 3.1 Malaysia 5.0 Health Care 1.7 Poland 4.6 ----- Greece 4.6 112.4 Egypt 2.8 ----- Qatar 2.7 Short positions -5.1 Panama 2.3 ===== Argentina 2.2 Philippines 2.1 Peru 1.8 Colombia 1.6 Georgia 1.6 Romania 1.5 Kuwait 1.3 Kenya 0.8 Ukraine 0.7 ----- Total 112.4 ----- Short positions -5.1 =====

*reflects gross market exposure from contracts for difference (CFDs).

Market Exposure



28.02

2022

% 31.03

2022

% 30.04

2022

% 31.05

2022

% 30.06

2022

% 31.07

2022

% 31.08

2022

% 30.09

2022

% 31.10

2022

% 30.11

2022

% 31.12

2022

% 31.01

2023

% Long 110.7 111.1 110.6 107.9 106.1 107.3 107.3 106.2 107.4 106.2 110.7 112.4 Short 3.3 2.3 1.8 4.7 4.6 6.2 5.3 5.2 5.3 4.8 4.9 5.1 Gross 114.0 113.4 112.4 112.6 110.7 113.5 112.6 111.4 112.7 111.0 115.6 117.5 Net 107.4 108.8 108.8 103.2 101.5 101.1 102.0 101.0 102.1 101.4 105.8 107.3

Ten Largest Investments

Company Country of Risk Gross market value as a % of net assets Bank Central Asia Indonesia 4.9 PKO Bank Polski Poland 4.6 Astra International Indonesia 3.5 Genting Malaysia Malaysia 3.3 Saudi National Bank Saudi Arabia 3.1 OTP Bank Hungary 3.1 Emaar Properties United Arab Emirates 3.1 FPT Vietnam 3.0 Bank Mandiri Indonesia 2.9 JSC Kaspi Kazakhstan 2.9







Commenting on the markets, Sam Vecht and Emily Fletcher, representing the Investment Manager noted:



The Company's NAV returned 5.7% versus it's benchmark the MSCI Emerging ex Selected Countries + Frontier Markets + Saudi Arabia Index ("Benchmark Index"), which was up by 2.7% in January. For reference, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index ended the month up by 7.9% and the MSCI Frontier Markets Index was up by 4.5% over the same period (all performance figures are on a US Dollar basis with net income reinvested).

MSCI Emerging Markets index was supported by the North Asian markets (China, Taiwan, Korea), given the faster than expected reopening of the Chinese economy. In Frontier Markets, Eastern Europe continued its strong run of late with Czech Republic (+17%), Greece (+12%), Hungary (+8%) and Poland (+7%) all contributing. Elsewhere, Vietnam (+11%) was another standout performer, bouncing back from a challenged 2022. The Middle East was more mixed with Saudi Arabia (+2%), Qatar (+2%) finishing in the green while UAE was down by 3%.

In terms of portfolio performance, Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air (+43%) was the top contributor. The company has continued to deliver strong operating results given strong tourism/travel demand across the continent and profitability was further supported by jet fuel hedges rolling off. Chilean beverage producer Cervercerias Unidas (+17%) was another top performer given recent market share gains and the strength of the Chilean peso. In the Middle East, UAE real estate developer, Emaar Properties (-5%) gave back some of the recent gains. The Dubai real estate sector continues to benefit from regional population inflows. Halyk Bank (-6%), Kazakhstan's leading financial services firm, also detracted from performance.

We made a few changes to the portfolio in January. We increased our exposure to Thailand given the benefit of the Chinese reopening to tourism into Thailand. We initiated a new position in Bangkok Bank as we believe it is better positioned within the banking sector relative its peers. We also added to our existing position in telecom operator Advanced Info Services. We added to our position in Hungarian bank OTP as the macro setup remains compelling in the country. We trimmed some exposure in Emaar Properties and exited Thai energy company PTT as we search for differentiated oil exposures elsewhere.

Our team sees a marked contrast in the monetary and fiscal policy decisions taken in small emerging/frontier versus developed markets in the post pandemic years and find significant value in currencies and equity markets across our investment opportunity set. We are optimistic over the long-term in our under-researched investment universe which should enable compelling alpha opportunities.

Sources:

1BlackRock as at 31 January 2023

2MSCI as at 31 January 2023

16 February 2023

ENDS

Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.com/uk/brfi on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on BlackRock's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
GAN YAVNE, ISRAEL / February 16, 2023 / AppYea Inc. (OTCQB:APYP), a developer of accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring, is pleased to announce the addition of Adi Shemer to the advisory board of the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Shemer brings extensive experience in senior operations, management and control of production processes, establishment, and management of logistics systems. Mr. Shemer established and managed marketing and distribution channels in the USA and Europe, mainly in the field of medical devices. Mr. Shemer has served in key senior executive roles including CEO at TR bike Ltd, CEO at Tzora Active Systems Ltd., and as Director of U.S. Operation at Moving Life Ltd. Mr. Shemer has a BSC degree in industrial and management engineering from Ariel University.

Mr. Shemer stated, "I am excited to join AppYea and look forward to playing an active role in helping enhance the production and distribution of DreamIT, which I believe will dramatically change the quality of sleep for millions of people across the world. I look forward to contributing my experience in the field of international distribution and logistics, as the company transitions from a development stage to fully commercial operations."

Boris (Bary) Molchadsky, Chairman and CEO of AppYea, further noted, "I am pleased to welcome Adi to the advisory board given his successful track record. I am convinced that Adi's experience will be invaluable as we advance our commercial strategy, including the development of new sales and distribution channels. The feedback from the market thus far has been extremely encouraging and we look forward to this next phase in our evolution."

About SleepX

SleepX is the research and development subsidiary of AppYea. The Company has developed a unique product for monitoring and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The technology is protected by several international patents. The Company currently focuses its activities on commercialization of its first product, DreamIT .

About AppYea

AppYea is a Healthtech company commercializing a breakthrough wearable technology for the treatment of snoring and developing wearable solutions to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. The company's solutions are based on its proprietary IP portfolio of AI and sensing technologies for the tracking and analysis of breathing patterns, vital signs and other physiological parameters during sleep, designed for greater accuracy at lower and affordable cost.?

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release, which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements relating to the future performance of AppYea are subject to many factors including, but not limited to, the sufficiency or working capital and our ability to raise the capital needed to fund our development efforts, timing of product development, FDA approval/clearance of products in development, customer acceptance of our products in the market, the introduction of competitive products, the impact of any product liability or other adverse litigation, commercialization and technological difficulties, and the other risks identified in the S-1 resale registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise.

Contact:

Crescendo Communications, LLC

Tel: (212) 671-1020

Email: APYP@Crescendo-IR.com

SOURCE: AppYea Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739616/Leading-Operations-Executive-Adi-Shemer-Joins-AppYeas-Advisory-Board
PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Wesco International's (NYSE:WCC) Pittsburgh headquarters is proud to announce that it has successfully registered its Quality Management System to ISO 9001:2015. Wesco is a value-added provider of supply chain services, technical services, and products for: structured cabling systems, electrical/electronic wire and cable, utilities, data, voice, video, telecommunications, networks, energy, multimedia, maintenance/repair, safety and security applications as well as the distribution of fasteners.

To become ISO9001 registered, Wesco started with an assessment of legacy quality management systems and future needs to achieve our vision of being "the best tech-enabled supply chain solutions provider in the world". The outcome is a Lean Quality Management System which reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement across our customer focused sales processes, digital solutions and supply chain operations. With the training and deployment of the new system complete, Wesco was certified by our external registrar for independent validation to the ISO9001:2015 standard.

"Achieving this certification gives us a strategic advantage and opens up opportunities to distinguish ourselves among our competitors in the marketplace. For 100 years, Wesco has upheld high standards of operations and this certification acknowledges this," said Hemant Porwal, executive vice president, Supply Chain and Operations.

"Wesco is dedicated to serving our customers with the highest level of standards of quality and consistency," said Jeff Wood, senior vice president, Operations. "We are focused on building customer confidence by becoming their trusted partner and making Wesco easiest to do business with."

ISO9001 is a set of international standards and guidance documents for quality management and quality assurance. The standard represents an international consensus on management best practices with the aim of ensuring that the organization can, time and time again, deliver the product or services that meet or exceed the customer's quality requirements.

International Standards are strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity, help companies access new markets, improve quality, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase sales.

About Wesco International

Wesco International (NYSE:WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 company with more than $21 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates approximately 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wesco International on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Wesco International

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wesco-international

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Wesco International

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739611/Wesco-International-Inc-Earns-ISO-90012015-Certification
Short Hills, NJ Engages with Rock the Street, Wall Street

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / On November 15, 2022, Franklin Templeton held the last meeting of the fall session for Rock the Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) in New Jersey. RTSWS is a financial and investment literacy program designed to spark the interest of a diverse population of high school girls into careers in finance. Franklin Templeton participates throughout the year-long academic program. During a five-week fall financial project-based learning program, female financial professionals lead classroom workshops, including hands-on financial math projects on money management. In the spring session, students are matched with a mentor who helps them identify and emphasize individual strengths, discuss college and career preparation and further develop positive money management habits.

"I enjoyed being a project leader because it gave me an opportunity to interact with colleagues from across the firm. Through liaising with RTSWS, organizing the volunteer schedule, reviewing the material with the volunteers and participating in the classroom sessions, I got another avenue to network and learn more about Franklin Templeton." said project leader, Heather Ziff, Director, Fund Administration and Reporting.

San Mateo, CA Supports RAFT

On December 6, 2022, Franklin Templeton employee volunteers in San Mateo and San Ramon, California joined in person to support RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), a nonprofit providing educators with engaging hands-on learning resources aligned to national content standards. Volunteers engaged in the production of STEAM Project Kits, a key learning tool that helps students develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and communication.

Visakhapatnam, India Participates in AIDS Day

On December 1, 2022, Franklin Templeton employees in Visakhapatnam, India, participated in World AIDS Day hosted at the city's Family Welfare Office. As part of the Visakhapatnam District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, HIV-positive and HIV-negative children attended the "equalize" themed event. Volunteers helped distribute educational material to kids to help raise awareness and eliminate inequalities.

St. Petersburg, FL Volunteers at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

On January 8, Franklin Templeton employees in St. Petersburg, Florida, volunteered at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit organization offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Volunteers assisted the head chef with food preparation and served meals to those in need.

To read more on corporate citizenship at Franklin Templeton and view our Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit our Global Citizenship page here.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 155 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of January 31, 2023. For more information, please visit franklinresources.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Franklin Templeton on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Franklin Templeton

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/franklin-templeton

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Franklin Templeton

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739613/Franklin-Templeton-Employees-Get-Involved-to-Support-Local-Communities
Aalto HAPS Ltd, Deutsche Telekom, GSMA, Intelsat, and TMG Panelists Will Discuss How HAPS Technology Will Play A Critical Role In Unlocking the Stratosphere's Market Opportunities

The HAPS Alliance today announced that it will lead the Power Hour presentation and panel, "How HAPS is Unlocking the Economic Potential of the Stratosphere," at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress 2023 at the Fira Gran Via Convention Center in Barcelona. The panel session will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in Hall 7, Theatre 5. To register* for the HAPS Alliance MWC23 Power Hour Panel Discussion, visit https://bit.ly/HAPSAllianceMWC23.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005093/en/

Panel representatives from Aalto HAPS Ltd, Deutsche Telekom AG, GSMA, Intelsat, and TMG will discuss the potential of HAPS solutions to cost-effectively connect the 2.9 billion unconnected people almost half of humanity around the globe. (Graphic: Business Wire)

"For mobile network operators, the potential of HAPS as a service is far too important to go unnoticed. We believe that HAPS technology will play a critical role in unlocking this market potential and offer a cost-effective and flexible solution for everything from connecting the unconnected to monitoring wildfires to disaster detection and response," said HAPS Alliance Vice President Intelsat Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Greg Ewert. "We welcome attendees that are interested in learning more about the forward-thinking technology that is HAPS and how we are building a cooperative ecosystem to show the true power of the stratosphere."

Panel representatives from Aalto HAPS Ltd, Deutsche Telekom AG, GSMA, Intelsat, and TMG will discuss how High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) will be the next great opportunity for MNOs, filling a capability gap between terrestrial networks and satellites at 18 to 50 km above the Earth. Attendees will learn more about the potential of HAPS solutions to cost-effectively connect the 2.9 billion unconnected people almost half of humanity around the globe.

The panel discussion will feature industry-leading speakers and HAPS Alliance members including:

Moderator:

Tim Hatt, GSMA Head of Research and Consulting

Speakers:

Barbara Pareglio , GSMA Executive Director for Advance Air Mobility and IoT Technical Director

, GSMA Executive Director for Advance Air Mobility and IoT Technical Director Geraldo Neto , Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG) Vice President

, Telecommunications Management Group, Inc. (TMG) Vice President Gregory Ewert , HAPS Alliance Vice President and Treasurer, Intelsat Vice President of Strategy and Business Development

, HAPS Alliance Vice President and Treasurer, Intelsat Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Jaroslav Holis , HAPS Alliance Board Member and Telecommunications Working Group Chair, Deutsche Telekom AG Senior Research and Development Manager

, HAPS Alliance Board Member and Telecommunications Working Group Chair, Deutsche Telekom AG Senior Research and Development Manager Jeff Smith, HAPS Alliance Marketing Working Group Vice-Chair, Head of Connectivity, Aalto HAPS Ltd

*Pre-registration is encouraged. Attendees who have pre-registered will have preferred seating. All others will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, as space permits.

HAPS Alliance Membership Benefits

All companies interested in the HAPS ecosystem are encouraged to become HAPS Alliance members. Alliance membership levels Principal, General, and Government and Supporter are open to organizations in any industry sector. Members have the opportunity to become involved in various membership initiatives, including working groups, member-only meetings, and collaboration with other HAPS Alliance members to work on technology components and use cases for enabling a smarter world.

About the HAPS Alliance

The HAPS Alliance is an industry association of High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) industry leaders that include telecommunications, technology, aviation and aerospace companies, as well as public and educational institutions. United by a vision to address diverse social issues and create new value through the utilization of high-altitude vehicles in the stratosphere, the Alliance is working to accelerate the development and commercial adoption of HAPS technology by promoting and building industry-wide standards, interoperability guidelines and regulatory policies in both the telecommunication and aviation industries. For more information, please visit https://hapsalliance.org/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005093/en/

Contacts:

Alexa Stewart

HAPS Alliance Public Relations

(781) 876-6242

astewart@virtualinc.com

Jessie Hennion

HAPS Alliance Public Relations

(781) 876-6280

jhennion@virtualinc.com
CORRIGAN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Georgia-Pacific



Corrigan Police officers show off the new defibrillators.

Corrigan, Texas - When it comes to an emergency seconds count. No one knows that better than first responders.

Serving one of the busiest highway corridors in Texas, Highway 59, Corrigan police officers are the first responders, whether it is a traffic accident, criminal activity or even a medical emergency. As of today, Corrigan police officers are equipped with more than just a gun and a badge. They are now carrying medical technology that can help them save lives during medical emergencies.

"We just purchased and placed eight defibrillators in all of our patrol cars," said Darrell Gibson, Corrigan Police Chief. "Our police officers are now trained and have the ability to provide this life-saving technology thanks to the generosity of Georgia-Pacific. We had a critical need in our community, and Georgia-Pacific did not hesitate to step forward with the funds to help provide the medical technology that can make a difference in life and death."

Georgia-Pacific donated $16,000 to the City of Corrigan to purchase the medical devices.

A defibrillator is a device that provides an electric shock to your heart to help restore a normal heart rhythm. Studies show that every minute a person in sudden cardiac arrest does not receive defibrillation, their chances of survival drop between 7-10%, making rapid defibrillation imperative for survival and one of the key steps in saving a life from cardiac arrest.

Gibson reflects on various 911 emergencies last year where defibrillators would have been extremely helpful. "The city of Corrigan does not have a city-based ambulance service," said Gibson. "Our officers are always the first to arrive, and while they know CPR, sometimes officers need medical technology to sustain someone before an ambulance can arrive."

The Corrigan Police force, which is made up of 10 officers and the chief, was recently trained on how to use the defibrillators. "The device is compact and relatively easy to use," said Fitzpatrick Foster, Corrigan Police Corporal. "I am excited to have another tool I can effectively use to help someone in distress."

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/739615/Georgia-Pacific-Equips-all-Corrigan-Police-Patrol-Cars-with-Life-Saving-Technology
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.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / When JP Gladu travelled to Egypt for COP27 last November, he was impressed with the increased Indigenous presence compared to the first COP he attended 22 years ago.

JP Gladu, a member of the Sand Point First Nation in Northern Ontario and Suncor Board of Directors member, attended the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) as both a panel participant for the Oil Sands Pathways Alliance and one of several voices in Canada's core delegation representing Indigenous Peoples and knowledge.

"I was blown away by the international Indigenous presence at COP27," he says. "It was heartwarming to see the organization and representation of Indigenous People compared to the first COP I attended 22 years ago. The world is making room for Indigenous People and our knowledge systems, which is beautiful. Our country really made room for the Indigenous voice."

JP was on the Oil Sands Pathways Alliance panel, which took place on the sixth day. "The Pathways Alliance panel was masterfully done, but it was met with friction," explains JP. "We knew there would be some disruption, but I wasn't expecting such anger. It was jarring.

The disruption came in the form of protestors who interrupted the panel by standing up with signs that read: "Get heavy emitters out of Canada." and then left. But the upsetting disruption for JP came during the question-and-answer period.

"There was an Indigenous woman in the audience who spoke first. She was filled with emotion and just laid into the panel. She didn't ask questions and when she finished, she walked away from the mic and out of the room. It was disappointing that she didn't wait to hear the panel's response to her comments."

As the founder of Mokwateh, a consultancy that shares JP's Anishinaabe name, and with more than 30 years of experience in the natural resources sector, JP is no stranger to opposing views; in fact, he values the conversation they elicit.

"It's OK that we have diverging views, that's important to the conversation, and it's important that we hold each other accountable," he explains. "But have the courage to stay in the room. If you're not going to stay in the room, we're not going to solve anything. We need to work these things out together."

The protests didn't detract from the conversations JP had at COP27. He says there was space for challenging but important conversations, and it was clear that the Pathways Alliance, which includes Suncor as one of the six member companies, is committed to meeting the 2050 net zero target.

"It's imperative that we meet that target," he says. "There are a lot of people in big organizations that care a hell of a lot, and we know we have to get there for our children, for our companies and for a cleaner future. And it makes business sense to get there."

Read the full story here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Suncor Energy on 3blmedia.com.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops Forbes 2023 list of America's Best Large Employers.



Texas Healthcare group Houston Methodist and medical practice and research group Mayo Clinic are in the second and third positions respectively.



BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, regional supermarket chain H-E-B, University of Kentucky, mutual fund company Fidelity Investments, IT giant Microsoft, hotels and restaurants group In-N-Out Burger and Cincinnati Children's round out the top 10.



For the second year in a row, hospital systems and medical centers dominated the top of Forbes' annual list. Healthcare organizations took eight of the top 25 slots in the rankings and made up 20 percent of the top 100.



The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is rated as America's Best Midsize Employer.



Insurance company Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, online personal finance company SoFi, medical device manufacturing company DexCom, electronic design and test solutions firm Keysight Technologies, natural gas distribution and pipeline company Atmos Energy, University of Tennessee Medical Center, electronics and technology company Gentex, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and Cleveland State University are the other Top 10 Best Midsize Employers in the United States.



The Department of State was ranked in the Top 10 in the government services industry sector.



Forbes partnered with the market research firm Statista to compile its eight annual edition of America's Best Large Employers and America's Best Midsize Employers list.



The ranking is based on a survey of about 45,000 workers at 500 midsize and 500 large American companies and institutions. Participants were asked if they would recommend their current employers to friends and family (on a scale of 0 to 10). Employees also evaluated other employers in their respective industries and identified factors that stood out either positively or negatively. The final list ranks the 500 large employers and 500 midsize employers that received the most recommendations.



Large Employers were defined as those with 5,000 or more employees; those with 1,000-5,000 workers were defined as Midsize Employers.



'Even after the layoffs at many of the nation's largest companies, from Microsoft and Salesforce to Disney and 3M, top talent can still find themselves with options with the help of some expert research on what U.S.-based employees say are the best companies to work for,' Forbes says in an introduction to its 2023 lists.



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CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Train Dispatching Market is projected to grow from USD 942 million in 2022 to USD 1,391 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 8.1%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. This research mapped Dedicated Freight Railroads, Dedicated Passenger Railroads, Mixed Railroads, Regional & Shortlines. Rail network velocity, timely arrivals, efficiency, and safety are critical in today's fast-paced transportation markets. train dispatching help dispatchers with real-time information on the location, movement, and status of trains, along with the ability to monitor and control train movements remotely. This allows dispatchers to optimize train schedules, improve communication with other dispatchers and train operators, and quickly respond to unexpected events such as delays or accidents. train dispatching systems can also be used for several applications, including train dispatch, train schedules, train tracks, train monitoring, and train control, which help dispatchers manage the rail network efficiently and safely. These systems provide organizations with a single access point for all integrated capabilities, such as call handling & dispatching, field communications, third-party application integration, and data reporting & analysis.





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Train Dispatching Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 1,391 million in 2027 Growth Rate 8.1% of CAGR Largest Market North America Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2022-2027 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered offering, deployment model, railroad type, application, and region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information/Company Evaluation Quadrant Key Market Opportunities Globalization and need for advanced transportation infrastructure Key Market Drivers Increased investments for public safety in smart city projects

New revenue pockets in the Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe with cheaper alternatives.

The train dispatching market has witnessed rapid year-on-year growth in Asia Pacific. China and Japan are among the fastest-developing economies in the world. They have dedicated plans for expanding their rail networks in the coming years. Furthermore, India and China have emerged as manufacturing hubs in the region, and their revenue from freight rail transport accounted for 75.1% and 58%, respectively, in 2021. The Indian and Chinese rail networks are among the largest in the world. As of 2021, China had over 250,000 km of track length, India had approximately 100,000 km, Japan had 28,000 km, and South Korea had approximately 4,000 km.

Passenger trains are the most widely used mode of transportation in India, China, and South Korea. In January 2022, China declared that it would expand its track length to 50,000 km by 2025 as part of its new blueprint. Under this, tracks will be able to handle trains with operating speeds of more than 250 km/h, which requires a train dispatching system for managing rail traffic. China's rapidly growing economy is driving the expansion of the train dispatching system network to improve transport systems in the country, making its transportation efficient. India's economic growth and continually growing population have made it imperative to enhance its public transportation system.

Dedicated passenger railroads segment of train dispatching is estimated to be fastest during the forecast period

Major markets for passenger transport include the US, Japan, China, and European countries. Railway systems are the primary means of passenger transport in China. The availability of robust infrastructure for urban and intercity transport in China is the major factor driving the adoption of railways for passenger railroads. For instance, in January 2021, Beijing-Shenyang high-speed passenger corridor (684 km) was started, which connects Chengde, Fuxin, and Chaoyang in China. Technological advancements in passenger trains have increased the integration of advanced train dispatching systems. Therefore, the need for rail traffic safety and control leads to a high demand for train dispatching systems. This is attributed to investments by the US government in the electrification of railway networks to reduce CO2 emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Asia Pacific and Europe are increasingly investing in railway tracks. For instance, under a railway electrification expansion project by the Indian government, 6,015 RKM (route km) of rail routes were electrified in the financial year 2020-21. In addition, the electrification of 6,366 RKMs was achieved in Indian Railways' history during 2021-22. Alstom SA (France) has also established its maintenance depot in India with advanced technology features, including anticipating breakdowns and proactive maintenance. These developments will lead to the growth of the train dispatching market in the near future.

North America to be the largest market by value during the forecast period

North America constitutes developed countries, such as the US and Canada, which contribute majorly to the regional market. One of the key reasons the region accounts for a major market share is the early adoption of technologies and the globalization of shared services. The strong financial position of this region allows these countries to invest increasingly in leading train dispatching solutions and technologies for railways. In North America, freight traffic is predominant, while passenger traffic plays a minor role. With more than 30,000 vehicles, the region maintains the largest diesel locomotive fleet in the world. Freight railroads are critical to the North American economy due to imports, exports, and coal and oil shipments.

Projects focused on the construction and upgradation of freight infrastructure and high-speed railway lines are major growth drivers in North America. Furthermore, freight railroad transportation is growing significantly in North America. According to the Freight Railroad Administration, rail freight accounts for a 39.50% share of the total freight movement in North America. Approximately 700 railroads operate freight services in North America. According to the Association of American Railroads, railroad freight shipments are expected to increase to 25.5 billion tons by 2040. Hence, the rising demand for rail transportation is expected to drive the train dispatching market in this region.

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Train Dispatching Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Increased investments for public safety in smart city projects. Digitalization of railways. Growing adoption of cloud-based solutions. Use of artificial intelligence for decision-making.

Restraints:

Budget constraints and evolving equipment cycle. Lack of infrastructure for train dispatching systems in railways

Opportunities:

Globalization and need for advanced transportation infrastructure. Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.

Challenges:

Integration complexities with legacy infrastructure. Lack of knowledge about implementing optimized train dispatching solutions.

Key Market Players:

The train dispatching market is primarily dominated by players like Hitachi Rail Ltd. (Italy), Siemens AG (Germany), Motorola Solutions Inc. (US), Alstom SA (France), and Wabtec Corporation (US) among others.

Recent Developments:

In January 2022 , Motorola Solutions Inc. has launched the MOTOTRBO R7, a digital two-way radio designed to connect teams in loud and harsh environments. The device has advanced audio features and a slim, rugged design and is programmed and updated over the air via Wi-Fi. It can also connect to various sensors over DMR and Bluetooth and can be integrated with video security and access control systems. The MOTOTRBO R7 is designed to support communication and collaboration in various work environments, and its integration with other safety systems and technologies allows teams to detect and respond more quickly to events and emergencies

, Motorola Solutions Inc. has launched the MOTOTRBO R7, a digital two-way radio designed to connect teams in loud and harsh environments. The device has advanced audio features and a slim, rugged design and is programmed and updated over the air via Wi-Fi. It can also connect to various sensors over DMR and Bluetooth and can be integrated with video security and access control systems. The MOTOTRBO R7 is designed to support communication and collaboration in various work environments, and its integration with other safety systems and technologies allows teams to detect and respond more quickly to events and emergencies In December 2021 , Siemens AG developed Digital Train Control System in collaboration with VGF ( Germany ). This system is expected to replace the conventional train control system used in metro and tram networks. This system is developed to increase the capacity and efficiency of train routes, especially in the underground sections.

, Siemens AG developed Digital Train Control System in collaboration with VGF ( ). This system is expected to replace the conventional train control system used in metro and tram networks. This system is developed to increase the capacity and efficiency of train routes, especially in the underground sections. In September 2021 , Hitachi Rail Ltd. launched PTC to automate product development, enhance product innovation, and reduce delivery time for rail applications. This launch will also improve the company's manufacturing process and cost management.

, Hitachi Rail Ltd. launched PTC to automate product development, enhance product innovation, and reduce delivery time for rail applications. This launch will also improve the company's manufacturing process and cost management. In September 2021 , Hexagon AB has introduced a portfolio of integrated security & surveillance solutions for the rail industry. The portfolio combines 3D surveillance systems with software to enhance security, dispatching, and collaboration. It includes Leica BLK247 and accur8vision 3D security and surveillance systems, which use LiDAR, thermal sensors, video and 3D planning and tracking software, and HxGN OnCall Security | Guardian, a system that provides a common operational picture for alarms, sensors, IoT devices, and video data.

, Hexagon AB has introduced a portfolio of integrated security & surveillance solutions for the rail industry. The portfolio combines 3D surveillance systems with software to enhance security, dispatching, and collaboration. It includes Leica BLK247 and accur8vision 3D security and surveillance systems, which use LiDAR, thermal sensors, video and 3D planning and tracking software, and HxGN OnCall Security | Guardian, a system that provides a common operational picture for alarms, sensors, IoT devices, and video data. In April 2021 , Motorola Solutions Inc. has launched WAVE PTX in Singapore and Malaysia , a communication service designed to enable commercial and government organizations to increase safety and productivity. WAVE PTX allows organizations to expand the coverage and functionality of their business communications by connecting land mobile radio networks with broadband networks. It is available both as a cloud-based and on-premises service and supports Android, iOS, and web applications for PCs. The solution also includes advanced dispatch software, which allows the organization and coordination of team communications and includes mapping tools to track the location of people and resources. Motorola Solutions Inc. has also released two purpose-built communication devices, TLK 100 and TLK150 two-way radios, and the MOTOTRBO Ion smart radio to access the WAVE PTX service.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Lenovo

Lenovo Foundation and Motorola are collaborating with UNESCO to digitize, preserve and promote indigenous languages, in honor of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages

In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2022 - 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL). The declaration is an effort to draw global attention to the endangered status of many indigenous languages and mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion. As a global company focused on delivering smarter technology for all, Motorola Mobility, a Lenovo company has developed the indigenous languages revitalization project, first introduced in early 2021.

On December 13, 2022, as part of UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages, Motorola announced the next phase of the project focused on native languages from India, which will arrive in the coming months. With support from Lenovo Foundation, Motorola is proud to be partnering with UNESCO to conduct further research on the impact and potential of digitizing endangered indigenous languages.

As new generations of indigenous people increase their literacy and use of technology, it is crucial that they be able to use their native language in new, digital formats to avoid the endangerment and loss of language. UNESCO estimates that we lose one indigenous language every two weeks, resulting in around 3,000 unique languages being lost by the end of the century. To help preserve human heritage, the unique histories of indigenous cultures, and empower the next generation, Motorola has been working in partnership with Lenovo Foundation to integrate languages into its smartphones. Kaingang (spoken in Southern Brazil), Nheengatu (spoken in the Amazon), and Cherokee (spoken in the United States) are already part of the more than 80 languages Motorola offers in its mobile interface.

With this initiative, Motorola became the first mobile phone manufacturer to provide Cherokee citizens access to a fully localized mobile phone user interface and to fully support an indigenous language spoken in the Amazon.

"We believe that the survival of indigenous languages is essential for the survival of indigenous culture and heritage," commented Janine Oliveira, Executive Director of Globalization Software at Motorola. "We support over 80 languages on our phones, but in early 2020, we recognized that indigenous?languages of Brazil and Latin America were not represented on mobile user interface. Over 90% of indigenous community members we've worked with are using smartphones, but they could not navigate their phones in their native languages."

Motorola has shared the characters, 360,000 translated words, and linguistic customizations on the Android platform so that other OEMs and companies can add the languages to their interfaces, paving the way for broader use and revitalization. In support of the effort, Motorola's parent company Lenovo is exploring integration of the languages into the PCs. As a start, the Lenovo Research and Development Team in Brazil has worked to include Kaingang and Nheengaatu on Lenovo's Linux PCs from 2023 onward.

Motorola President and Lenovo Vice President Sergio Buniac, along with Lenovo Foundation and Motorola Globalization representatives - were part of Tuesday's Paris event that brought together high-level representatives of UNESCO Member States, Indigenous leaders, the UN system, civil society national research organizations and representatives from the public and private sectors. These stakeholders were convened in Paris to discuss how to integrate and preserve indigenous languages around the world and how they could cooperate towards a more inclusive future.

"This project gets at the core of our smarter technology for all vision," commented Charlotte West, Lenovo Executive Director of Global Corporate Communications and Lenovo Foundation Board Director who was present at the Paris event. "As a global technology leader, making the commitment and effort to ensure indigenous communities are included in our innovations honors our company's inclusive culture and respect for global diversity."

As the project continues over the next decade, Motorola and Lenovo Foundation hope to increase awareness, bring action toward the survival of endangered languages, and empower future generations of indigenous communities to use technology in their native language. "We hope that this initiative raises awareness towards language revitalization, not only by impact the communities, but paving the way for more endangered indigenous languages to be added to other smartphones," shared Sergio Buniac. The team is looking to the future and has set sites on collaborating with UNESCO's New Delhi, India office. Together, they will develop a set of guidelines and project blueprint to share best practices for digitizing endangered indigenous languages.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Lenovo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo

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SOURCE: Lenovo

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739638/Indigenous-Languages-Preserved-and-Promoted-by-Lenovo-Foundation-Motorola-and-UNESCO
St. Petersburg, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - E-commerce website development company IT Delight, after growing significantly within the European market, has announced its expansion into the United States. IT Delight provides a wide range of services for online stores in a variety of industries, and it was recently named one of Florida's top 10 e-commerce development companies.





Igor Iemelianov

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IT Delight CEO Igor Iemelianov states that the company's expansion to the US was necessary for continued growth. Founded in 2012 in Ukraine, the company soon acquired clients from the US, Australia, and Germany. "The US is one of the largest economies in the world and expanding to this market can provide significant growth opportunities," says Iemelianov. "It is also home to some of the world's largest and most innovative technology companies, providing a competitive environment that can drive innovation and growth."

He adds that expanding to the US gives IT Delight access to a large pool of highly skilled technology professionals, providing a potential source of talent for the company. "From the start, we've been driven to create an optimum team of professionals," he says. "Part of our success - and why we've been able to expand - is our company's goal of empowering all team members to make their own decisions and utilize their own unique expertise."

The team of experienced developers, project managers, designers, SEO specialists and marketers handle creation and management of all types of e-commerce websites. The IT Delight team now consists of over 80 professionals with a massive portfolio of completed projects. With Shopware and Magento as partners and developers experienced in Laravel, Symfony, and React, IT Delight has no plans to slow its growth.

"We at IT Delight feel that moving into the US market will allow us to continue our success as a company," Iemelianov shares. "Our team has received multiple recognitions and honors for our consistent ability to deliver scalable and integrated solutions that bring real results. We already have enough US customers that it just made sense to open offices in America."

IT Delight works with both established companies and start-ups in all industries, including healthcare, fashion, hospitality, cosmetics, and more. "We have 12 years' of experience and our portfolio includes over 190 clients and 300 projects," says Iemelianov. "We hold ourselves to the highest technical standards and customers turn to us for our customized approach," he says. "Our avoidance of 'template thinking' is our competitive advantage and it helps us set ourselves apart in a highly competitive environment."

IT Delight's newest office in Florida offers all the services that current clients enjoy. The company's range of services include adaptation, usability research, user interface analysis, web development, and reports on efficiency and effectiveness. As a certified partner with Magento and Shopware, IT Delight employs dozens of experienced developers, enabling the company to offer advanced technology to its clients.

"As we have grown, we are reaching new goals - such as expanding to the US and beyond," Iemelianov notes. "We recently launched a proprietary Pro Magento Community to support professional development and networking for beginning and experienced developers alike, including freelancers. We are proud of the strides forward our company has made and feel that our newest American clients will enjoy the difference that our personalized services can offer."

IT Delight is a software web-development studio with its home base located in the Ukraine. The company delivers complex business and e-commerce solutions in technologies such as website and app development. IT Delight offers a range of services for businesses looking to build and grow their online stores, including web development, UX/UI design, and digital marketing.

Website: https://itdelight.com/

Contact: Igor Iemelyanov

Email: marketing@itdelight.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154976
Operators can now achieve substantial CAPEX and OPEX savings thanks to system's cost-effective architecture and superior performance

ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Intracom Telecom, a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor, announced today the launch of its advanced dual-core all-outdoor radios, the OmniBAS-BXd, the new generation of the OmniBAS Point-to-Point MW family, at MW frequency bands 13-38 GHz. The company will be displaying its uniquely featured product at its stand number 7B44 in hall 7, during the MWC Barcelona 2023, 27 February - 2 March.

OmniBAS-BXd addresses the operator need for cost-effective, all-outdoor multi-Gigabit IP transmission solutions for both 5G MW backhaul and for a wide range of enterprise wireless connectivity applications. Operators can also benefit from OmniBAS-BXd advanced design and features to deploy fast and easily all-outdoor multi-Gigabit IP MW links by installing just one unit on pole instead of two, thus achieving substantial CAPEX and OPEX savings.

This brand new dual core MW system employs advanced radio and traffic processing functionality to demonstrate exceptional IP MW radio performance. It features a cutting-edge wide-band design to support 2x112 MHz channels in a single compact unit enabling throughput 2.5 Gbit/s per unit. The products were designed to address the modern communication needs of users in a variety of vertical markets. Furthermore, OmniBAS-BXd and OmniBAS-BX units in synergy with Company's E-Band offering, the UltraLink-GX80 product, empower Dual-Band links.

John Tenidis, Marketing Director of Intracom Telecom's wireless solutions portfolio, noted: "OmniBAS-BXd expands significantly the OmniBAS-BX portfolio of all-outdoor MW radios, offering a comprehensive and advanced portfolio to 5G network providers and other operators who need to deploy quickly a reliable multi-Gigabit MW backhaul. In parallel, we have enriched the widely used family of OmniBAS-BX radios to cover a broad range of MW frequencies from 13 to 38 GHz. The new products are the evolution of OmniBAS MW portfolio and come as the result of extensive technological research encompassing several innovations, which serve network operators around the world since 2010."

About Intracom Telecom

Intracom Telecom is a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor operating for 45 years in the market. The company has become the benchmark in fixed wireless access and it successfully innovates in the 5G/4G wireless RAN transport and small-cell SON backhaul international arena. Intracom Telecom offers a comprehensive revenue-generating software solutions portfolio and a complete range of ICT services, focusing on IoT, SDN/NFV, Big Data analytics & data-driven intelligence, and Smart City solutions. Moreover, it addresses the Energy & Utilities industry, emphasizing on smart metering and end-to-end IT solutions. Intracom Telecom is also active in the defense systems sector providing security integrated systems for critical infrastructure protection and border surveillance. The company has extensive know-how and a proven track record in the market, serving fixed and mobile telecom operators, public authorities and large public and private enterprises. Intracom Telecom maintains its own R&D and production facilities, and operates subsidiaries worldwide. For more information please visit: www.intracom-telecom.com

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A faster and more responsive technology backbone enables data-empowered farming for the world's largest fresh multi-berry producer



SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 16, 2023 (RAC) to optimize IT workloads on VMware Private Cloud, resulting in effective data-empowered farming for the world's largest fresh multi-berry producer.

Based in Oxnard, California, RAC is the world's largest fresh multi-berry producer. The Reiter family began farming in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula and, by the turn of the century, had migrated south into the Santa Clara Valley. In the 1970s, operations expanded into southern California. Today, the family-owned agricultural grower produces Driscoll's proprietary varieties of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries year-round in the United States, Mexico, Portugal, Germany, Morocco, Canada, Peru, and China. The company has doubled in size roughly every five years and employs more than 30,000 workers worldwide.

Along with the company's growth, RAC experienced costly operational challenges and inefficiencies tied to the occasional need for a manual scale-up of operations. RAC sought to globalize and standardize business processes by leveraging technology while improving application performance and reliability by migrating workloads across dispersed IT environments. The company turned to Rackspace Technology to modernize its technology stack and improve overall data accessibility by bringing together global hardware and its hosting footprint for its many technologies and applications.

Rackspace Technology helped RAC expand its email capabilities by migrating to Microsoft Office 365. As RAC grew, it moved to Rackspace Private Cloud, consolidating devices in its Oxnard data center, and moving workloads to a more modern VMware solution. Then, RAC reduced its data center and migrated from a legacy environment to Rackspace Private Cloud powered by VMware. RAC improved its agility with a geographically dispersed and linguistically diverse workforce. With its migration to the private cloud, the company was able to reduce costs and significantly increase performance within the same budget and build out a disaster recovery environment.

"Looking back at our approach to IT, we were a little of 'everything everywhere,' understandably, without a clear enterprise architecture in mind. Our approach to technology was more reactive, supporting growth, but only when required", said RAC CIO John Thompson. "Now, with the right technology, we have gained real-time insights. Rackspace Technology has delivered additional help or expertise when incidents arise. The joint flexibility and expertise of the Rackspace Technology team enabled the company to use its resources better while elevating trust."

RAC saw an immediate improvement in the performance of several applications, including its custom SQL application and backup solution. Rackspace Technology worked with RAC to consolidate and combine workloads while upgrading the company's storage capabilities. "The collaborative flexibility and expertise of the Rackspace Technology team enabled the company to use its resources better while elevating trust," said Thompson.

With a modern cloud solution and its access to expertise, RAC's technological backbone is faster and more responsive than before, allowing employees to invest more energy in the company's core business, and partnering with a trusted vendor to take care of the rest.

"RAC could reduce infrastructure costs and reinvest in other areas of its organization without increasing the company's overall IT budget. In addition, RAC was able to build out disaster recovery capabilities with little incremental cost, providing more performance within the same budget," said Josh Prewitt, President of Private Cloud for Rackspace Technology. "Rackspace Technology was able to help RAC consolidate workloads and migrate to a newer, robust, and more flexible platform, and do things it's wanted to for years but hadn't been able to act upon."

"Rackspace was able to go above and beyond, including having multilingual staff, which is a benefit given that the vast majority of RAC's frontline operatives and much of their team speak Spanish as a first language," continued Thompson.

To learn more about the Rackspace Technology and RAC partnership, watch their videoor click herefor their case study.

About Rackspace Technology

Rackspace Technologyis a leading end-to-end multicloud technology services company. We can design, build and operate our customers' cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies.

Media Contact

Natalie Silva

publicrelations@rackspace.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / The energy crisis has two faces: the need for decarbonization in order to limit global temperature increase and rising highly volatile energy prices due to energy market turbulence caused by the war in Ukraine.

The need for decarbonization has been the driving force behind policies like the European Green Deal, while the Russian invasion led to additional policies like RePowerEU to phase out EU dependency on Russian fossil fuels.

The common solution to both crises would be to stop using fossil fuels and shift to renewable energy sources. It is therefore no surprise that renewable energies are the fastest growing source of energy, contributing half of the growth in global supplies and becoming the largest source of power by 2040.* In most regions, wind and solar are also the cheapest source of electricity generation, even without subsidies.**

Pressure to shift to renewables has been high for decades; the current crisis around exploding and volatile energy prices demands action in even shorter time frames.

In France, utility companies are allowed to reduce energy taxes in order to limit the increase of energy prices to a maximum of four percent. In Germany, the price cap for gas and energy - "Gas- und Strompreisbremse" - has been introduced to motivate citizens toward safe energy and to shield energy billing amount for gas, electricity, and district heating for 80% of their consumption the previous year.

"SAP works hand in hand with the German-speaking SAP User Group and other associations to make sure newly passed legislation gets integrated into our systems so that our customers can fulfill obligations toward their end customers" explains Daniela Sellmann, global vice president and head of the Utilities Industry Business Unit at SAP SE.

This shift to renewables also requires a growing number of decentralized energy resources (DER). Renewables like solar, wind, or bioenergy are largely generated by small local generation assets, which feed directly into the distribution grid. The intermittent nature of solar and wind causes challenges for the balancing of demand and supply in the power grids.

The demand side is also changing, with industrial, commercial, and household customers increasingly generating their own energy and becoming energy "flexumers" - generators, flexibility providers, and consumers of energy.

"This causes a shift in utilities' business models, from pure selling of energy and water to becoming a full-service provider for energy flexumers," says Sellmann.

Digital transformation is both an answer to the challenges of the energy transition and driver of new business models and services. This has been recognized in the EU with the creation of the Digitalization of Energy Action Plan. The action plan defines measures on how modern technologies can help improve the efficient use of energy resources, ease the integration of renewables into the grid, and save costs for EU consumers and energy companies.

As nearly everything becomes "smart," utilities need a strategy on how to manage the avalanche of data coming from devices and other sources and use it to feed their intelligence. At SAP, we call this the intelligent enterprise, which is enabled by integration of data and processes and innovation with industry best practices. A cornerstone for this is the SAP Utilities Core solution.

"With SAP Utilities Core, we provide utilities with a proven platform to reliably run their core business processes like meter-to-cash in the cloud," says Sellmann. "We are using intelligent technologies like machine learning to further automate core processes and increase efficiency. At the same time, we enable customers to drive innovation and increase speed and agility by leveraging SAP Business Technology Platform and the industry cloud with solutions like SAP Cloud for Energy for managing times series data from meters. Further, we leverage our partner ecosystem to fill white spaces and gaps as well as to scale spread and adoption.:

Utilities-specific innovation topics at SAP cover the entire utilities value chain: (see graphic above)

We are undoubtedly moving toward a cleaner and more independent energy future. One problem that remains: time.

For a more detailed view on the energy transition and the solutions SAP provides for it, see "Supporting Utilities in Times of Energy Crisis and Decarbonization."

Markus Bechmann is vice president of the Utilities industry business unit and program lead for SAP Utilities Core at SAP.

*BP, BP Energy Outlook (2019), 7

** Michael O'boyle, Wind and Solar Are Our Cheapest Electricity Generation Sources. Now What Do We Do?, GREENTECH MEDIA, Jan. 26, 2017.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SAP on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: SAP

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sap

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: SAP

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739645/SAP-Supports-Utilities-Across-the-EU-To-Enable-Energy-Transition
Given the average first microcredit loan size of $181 across Whole Planet Foundation-funded projects, the collective support of these brands will help fund more than 1,100 microloans. These microloans are disbursed by Whole Planet Foundation's network of microfinance partners in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, to those that are most in need of access to capital to start or develop a small business, often home-based. On average, microloan recipients support four other family members, so this meaningful support will have a ripple effect in local and global communities.

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.
HBM Healthcare Investments AG / Key word(s): Monthly Figures

Key Figures 15.02.2023



16.02.2023 / 17:47 CET/CEST



in CHF Performance in % 15.02.2023 MTD FYTD CYTD NAV 259.69 1.8 -5.7 2.4 Share Price 215.00 0.2 -18.6 7.0 Total Net Assets (in million) 1'807 HBM Healthcare Investments AG Bundesplatz 1 CH-6300 Zug - Switzerland Tel. +41 41 710 75 77 Fax +41 41 710 75 78 E-Mail: hbm@hbmhealthcare.com Web: www.hbmhealthcare.com Disclaimer: This message may contain confidential or privileged Information and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or information herein. If you have received this message by error, please advise the sender immediately and delete this message. The publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or subscribe for securities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future results, prices of shares and the income from them may fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. The investor must be aware of the investment risk and personal risk ability. Some information quoted was obtained from external sources HBM considers to be reliable. HBM cannot guarantee the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of or be held responsible or liable for errors of fact regarding such data and information obtained from third parties, and this data may change with market conditions.

End of Media Release


Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

16 February 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 125,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 891.76 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 14,739,577; 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 210,251,726.

The figure of 210,251,726 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
Kuros Biosciences AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Kuros Biosciences Announces Changes to Executive Management Team



16-Feb-2023 / 18:01 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 of the SIX listing rules

New Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ad interim

Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, 16 February 2023 - Kuros Biosciences ("Kuros" or the "Company"), a leader in next generation bone graft technologies, announced today the appointment of Daniel Geiger as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ad interim, effective February 17, 2023. Daniel Geiger succeeds Michael Grau, who will handover his CFO position.

Joost de Brujin, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, said: "We are honoured to welcome Daniel Geiger to our executive team. Daniel is a seasoned financial executive with more than 20 years of international experience in the public listed domain including life sciences. He brings with him extensive expertise in finance transformation, M&A, public offerings, capital market transactions and investor relations, and is a valuable addition to our senior leadership team. I would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to Michael Grau for his tireless work and dedication over the last five years. He has been instrumental in our development of Kuros into a leading commercial-stage orthobiologics company, and we wish him well for the future."

Daniel Geiger is certified as an Investor Relations Officer (CIRO) and Swiss Public Accountant (CPA) and has most recently joined Hoffmann & Partner as an Associate Partner providing executive CFO advisory, finance transformation and capital markets consulting services. Prior to that he was acting as Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance at the biopharmaceutical company Autolus, supporting the company on his transition from R&D to commercial.

Furthermore, Daniel Geiger spent six years at the Swiss Steel Group overseeing corporate accounting, controlling and investor relations, and before that he was acting as a CFO for EMEA and Vice President of Finance at software developer Kofax. He began his career as a Senior Audit Manager at Ernst & Young and holds a Bachelor's in Accounting & Controlling and Information Technology from Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) and an executive MBA from the University of Zurich.

For further information, please contact:

Kuros Biosciences AG

Daniel Geiger

Chief Financial Officer

t: +41 79 673 43 69

e: daniel.geiger@kurosbio.com LifeSci Advisors

Sandya von der Weid

Investors

t: +41 78 680 05 38

e: svonderweid@lifesciadvisors.com

About Kuros Biosciences

Kuros Biosciences is a fast-growing leader in the development of spinal fusion biologics that ease the burden of back pain. With locations in the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands, the company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The company's first commercial product, MagnetOs, is a unique synthetic bone graft that has already been used successfully across three continents and in over 10,000 spinal fusion surgeries. The next candidate in the Kuros pipeline is Fibrin-PTH - the first drug-biologic combination for interbody spinal fusions, currently undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. For more information on the company, its products and pipeline, visit kurosbio.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "will" or "expect" or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments.


LEAP23 Rocket Fuel Start-Up Competition Winners [Image: LEAP23]



Verofax, Winner of the LEAP23 Artificial Intelligence Award [Image: LEAP23]

ABU DHABI, UAE, Feb 17, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Verofax, the leading MarTech solution for marketing and operational efficiencies, was crowned the winner of the Artificial Intelligence Award at the Rocket Fuel Startup Competition during the LEAP23 event in Riyadh (Feb 6-9). The award, powered by the Saudi Arabian National Technology Development Program and worth $150,000, recognizes Verofax's disruptive approach to product digitization, utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence and computer vision to deliver unmatched marketing results.An esteemed panel of judges, consisting of successful serial entrepreneurs, investors, and Dragons from BBC's Dragons' Den, including Ghazal Alagh, Karen Brady CBE, James Caan CBE, Steven Bartlett, and Tala Al Jabri, chose Verofax from among 90 semi-finalist global startups."We are thrilled to receive this recognition and grateful to our partners and customers who have helped us get to where we are today," said Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax. "Our goal is to empower brands, retailers, and sustainability agencies with the tools they need to secure their supply chain, simplify compliance, and transform customer experience. With our innovative AI and blockchain solutions, we are leading the way in product digitization and helping to create a more sustainable future."Verofax has developed and patented an AI powered product winning service that provides enterprises with increased supply chain transparency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced customer engagement. By leveraging Verofax's scalable blockchain technology with low-cost and rapid deployment, businesses can accrue immediate benefits, including:- MarTech solutions: Turning every product into an interactive direct communication channel to consumers, allowing brands to acquire and retain customers and provide relevant and personalized recommendations. By simply scanning unique identities on primary packaging, brands can convert the 60% of consumers that decide on purchase in multi-branded stores, all while lowering cost of acquisition by 20X vs online marketing channels.- Web3 rewards: Helping brands build lasting relationships with consumers and increase Customer lifetime values (CLTV) by adopting Web3 rewards such as brand NFTs that cost a fraction of loyalty programs.- Retail and eCommerce virtualization: Delivering immersive and personalized shopping experiences with Augmented reality in store and 3D shopping experience in ecommerce marketplaces, offering delight to 83% of consumers that expect an upgraded shopping experience vs current flick & click experience.- Supply chain transparency: Providing brands with end-to-end inventory traceability to optimize availability and prevent price dilution. Counterfeiting and product diversion eats up to 30% in some industries, damaging brands reputation and posing serious threats to public health.- Sustainable passporting: Helping brands turn sustainable by measuring and certifying their products across complex multi-tiered supply chain and engage directly with consumers for loyalty and advocacy.Verofax is supported by leading government sponsored programs such the Hub71, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund and leading investors such as 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Benson Oak Ventures, Privity FZ LLC and Wami Capital.With offices in key regions such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America, UAE-based Verofax serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 100 brands like Budweiser, Corona, and sustainable entities. Verofax has confirmed its strategy to set up offices in Saudi, a key growth market for 2023, via Plug and Play powered MCIT Tech Champions soft-landing incubator.For more information about Verofax, please visit www.verofax.com.About VerofaxVerofax is a worldwide leader in product digitization, providing innovative solutions that empower brands, retailers, and governments to secure supply chain and transform customer engagement. Utilizing the latest technologies such as blockchain and AI, Verofax offers a comprehensive suite of tools for immersive omni-channel consumer engagement and compliance validation. By leveraging Verofax solutions, brands can ensure that their supply chain is compliant, sustainable and that customers are engaged at every step of the product lifecycle. Discover the benefits of partnering with Verofax at www.verofax.com.Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) has opened the application and is accepting nominations for its 2023 Inner City 100 (IC100) Awards - the 25th annual list celebrating the 100 fastest-growing small businesses located in under-resourced communities - until April 28, 2023.

Representing 25 industries in 57 cities nationwide and more than 7,000 employees in 2022, the IC100 celebrates the power, resiliency, and commitment of small businesses in under-resourced communities. From 2017 to 2021, the 2022 IC100 companies averaged 421% revenue growth (95% increase over 2021) and created more than 4,000 jobs (3% increase over 2021). Of these 100 winners, 50% are BIPOC-owned/led, and 50% are woman-owned/led, the latter of which is a record-high number in the program's history. See the full 2022 IC100 list here.

"As ICIC nears its 30th year of driving inclusive economic prosperity, this year's IC100 is a special opportunity to recognize these small businesses which are both economic drivers - creating more than 4,000 jobs over the past four years in these incredibly challenging times - and champions for their communities through their donations of time and resources to local organizations and charities," said ICIC CEO Steve Grossman.

ICIC will announce the IC100 winners in person during the culminating ceremony of its Annual Conference this December.

About the Inner City 100 (IC100) Awards

Every year since 1999, ICIC has identified and celebrated the nation's fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities through the IC100 award. These companies have demonstrated that it is possible for companies located in under-resourced communities to grow and thrive, and that there are competitive business advantages to locating and operating businesses in these communities - the premise that led to ICIC's founding in 1994 by renowned Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter.

To be eligible for the 2023 IC100, companies must be independently-operated, privately-held, for-profit businesses with revenues of at least $50,000 in 2018 and $500,000 in 2022, and headquartered in an under-resourced community. Recognizing that concentrated poverty exists within metropolitan areas outside of big cities (and that poverty overall is suburbanizing), ICIC defines under-resourced and underserved communities as large, low-income, high-poverty areas located in the urban and suburban parts of all but the smallest metropolitan areas.

2022 Inner City 100 Winners by the Numbers:

Average Company Age: 19 Years Cities Represented: 57 States Represented: 28 Industries Represented: 25 Woman-Owned/Led: 50% BIPOC-Owned/Led: 50% Veteran-Owned/Led: 2% LGBTQ+ -Owned/Led: 4% First-Time Winners: 36% Hall of Famers (won IC100 5 or more times) 22% Average Four-Year Revenue Growth Rate: 421% Average 2021 Revenue: $16MM Total Jobs Created: 4,011 Total Employed by IC100 Winners in 2021: 7,260

In addition to unveiling the ranking of each business on the IC100 list, ICIC recognized the following three companies with special awards:

Business Growth Award

Printfresh, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based clothing brand, was founded in 2016 by textile designer and fashion entrepreneur Amy Voloshin and her husband (and business partner) Leo Voloshin. A majority woman-owned business, Printfresh received the Business Growth Award for being ranked the #1 fastest-growing company on the IC100 in 2022.

Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award

Aspire Construction and Design, an Atlanta, Georgia-based general contracting company, was honored with the 2022 Chevron Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award named in honor of ICIC's first President and CEO, Dorothy Terrell. The award quantifies tangible ways that thriving businesses from under-resourced areas invest in and enhance their communities.

FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award

Sisters Traveling Solo, LLC, an Atlanta, Georgia-based solo travel company for women of color, was awarded the 2022 FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award. This award recognizes one IC100 winner for its embodiment of FedEx's values and commitments to diversity, global trade, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating employment opportunities.

The full list of 2022 IC100 winners, organized by city, state, and ownership (Veteran-, BIPOC-, woman-, LGBTQ+-led) is available online now. Please click here to access an Excel version of the list.

To nominate a business for the 2023 IC100 award, please click here .

If you are interested in applying for or learning more about ICIC's eight tuition-free small business programs, please click here to fill out our brief interest form.

To connect with an ICIC subject matter expert or a 2022 IC100 award winner, please contact Andre Ledgister at aledgister@icic.org or (617) 238-3012 or Jasmine Martin at jmartin@icic.org or (617) 238-3010.

About Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) was founded by renowned Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter in 1994 as a research and strategy organization that today is widely recognized as the preeminent authority on the economies of underserved communities. ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents. Learn more at www.icic.org or @icicorg .

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/initiative-competitive-inner-city-icic

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/739653/Applications-Open-for-the-2023-IC100-Awards
Regulatory News:

On February 16th, Europcar Mobility Group (Paris:EUCAR) received a Trophy at the CDP Europe Awards, having joined the CDP's 2022 A List as a global leader in environmental transparency and action, alongside with ~330 peers out of more than 15,000 companies.

This recognition by CDP, which runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions and is seen as the "gold standard of environmental reporting", acknowledges Europcar Mobility Group's long-lasting commitment to continuously improve and raise the bar in terms of CSR policies and practices. A recognition which comes on top of several key milestones achieved by the Group in 2022:

Approval of its 2030 carbon reduction objectives by SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative),

EcoVadis Platinum medal (Top 1%),

AAA rating (Leader) by MSCI Inc.,

12.0 rating (low risk, #4 out of 389 transportation companies), by Sustainalytics

Peter Gowers, Europcar Mobility Group CEO, declared:

"We are delighted to be recognized as one of the companies with a strong commitment to transparency and action for a low carbon world. With transport responsible for almost 30% of Europe's carbon emissions, sustainable mobility can make a real difference. Understanding the impact of mobility, measuring it and rethinking how we can both use mobility and operate it differently are essential first steps in implementing the changes the planet needs."

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is the European N1 in vehicle rental, with the ambition to become a leader in dedicated, sustainable mobility services in the years to come. The Group offers a wide range of car and van rental services: be it for a few hours, a few days, a week, a month or more, on-demand or on subscription, for businesses and individuals, relying on a fleet equipped with the latest engines including more and more "green" vehicles (EVs, PHEVs).

It operates distinctive brands, responding to differentiated needs, use cases and expectations in terms of level of service: Europcar the European leader of car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar the lowcost leader in Europe, and Ubeeqo one of the European leaders of roundtrip car-sharing (BtoB, BtoC).

Customers' satisfaction is at the heart of the Group's ambition and that of its more than 8,000 employees, everywhere Europcar Mobility Group delivers its mobility solutions, thanks to a strong network in 140 countries (including 16 wholly owned subsidiaries completed by franchisees and alliance partners).

More information: www.europcar-mobility-group.com

More information about CDP: https://www.cdp.net/en

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005736/en/

Contacts:

Media contacts

Valerie Sauteret valerie.sauteret@europcar.com

Vincent Vevaud vincent.vevaud@europcar.com
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (16 February 2023) - IMCD N.V. ("IMCD" or "Company"), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that IMCD South Africa has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of CPS Chemical Oil-Tech (Pty) Ltd ("CPS Oil-Tech"), a distributor of raw materials to the petroleum, additive, grease manufacturing and other industry related segments.

Established in 1993 and headquartered in Durban, South Africa, CPS Oil-Tech is an asset-light speciality chemical distributor mainly serving the lubricants and fuels markets. With 8 employees, CPS Oil-Tech generated a revenue of approximately ZAR 228 million (ca. EUR 12 million) in the financial year that ended on February 28, 2022. The company represents leading global suppliers and serves a large group of customers with an extensive portfolio of products alongside commercial and technical support.

'Joining forces with CPS Oil-Tech will enable IMCD South Africa to offer its customers an increased product offering, through the valued strategic principals that CPS Oil-Tech, already represents. Furthermore, the business unit will become stronger due to the increased expertise and technical knowledge of its staff supporting our continuous efforts and ambitions to further expand within the Sub-Saharan Africa region,' comments Ryan Harrison, Managing Director IMCD South Africa.

'We are very pleased to become part of IMCD and the company's growth strategy. Our current management and business set up, will continue to support our valued business partners by introducing new offerings and services. We look forward to leverage IMCD's capabilities and global network and create new business opportunities', says Raj Singh, Managing Director of CPS Oil-Tech.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval and is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2023.

Attached, please find the full press release in pdf format, the main visual, and the photo caption.

Attachments
CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the U.S. power rental market will grow at a CAGR of 4.29% from 2022-2029. With a revenue share of about 80.2% in 2022, diesel-fueled rental equipment was the major source of income. Due to the durability and dependability of diesel-powered power equipment and its high consumption rate, this market is expanding. Significant trends in the U.S. power rental industry include the ageing of installed generating equipment, which creates demand during the maintenance period, and carbon taxation, which disrupts the market.





U.S. Power Rental Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) USD 5.43 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 4.05 Billion CAGR (2022-2029) 4.29 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2029 Market Segmentation Fuel, Power Rating, Equipment, End-User, and Application End-Users Construction, Retail, Oil & Gas, Mining, Events, Utilities, IT &Data Center, Manufacturing, and Others Key Vendors United Rentals, Inc., Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Aggreko, Herc Rentals Inc., Caterpillar, Atlas Copco, Cummins Inc., KOHLER, Generac Power Systems, Inc., APR Energy, H&E Equipment Services, Inc., and Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC Market Dynamics Disruptions Due to Calamities Are Likely to Increase Demand for Rental Equipment

Disruptions Due to Calamities Are Likely to Increase Demand for Rental Equipment Major Power Outages in the United States

Major Power Outages in the United States Increasing Power Outages Backed by Disruptions in The Power Grid Due to Severe Weather Conditions Across the Nation

Increasing Power Outages Backed by Disruptions in The Power Grid Due to Severe Weather Conditions Across the Nation Renting Equipment Is Backed by Spike in Energy Prices

Renting Equipment Is Backed by Spike in Energy Prices Emission Reduction Through Equipment Acts as A Major Concern Page Number 101 Customization Available 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/3716

Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

Key Highlights

In early 2021, the California Energy Commission awarded USD 2 million in grants to ten Native American tribes. The grants help to fund climate and energy planning efforts on tribal lands and in tribal communities, such as research into renewable energy, microgrids, and energy storage systems. DOE invested approximately USD 16 million in more than 35 tribal renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in California between 2010 and 2021. The construction phase of various projects necessitates using power for extended periods, creating a demand for rental generators in the U.S. power rental market.

in grants to ten Native American tribes. The grants help to fund climate and energy planning efforts on tribal lands and in tribal communities, such as research into renewable energy, microgrids, and energy storage systems. DOE invested approximately in more than 35 tribal renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in between 2010 and 2021. The construction phase of various projects necessitates using power for extended periods, creating a demand for rental generators in the U.S. power rental market. The Washington State Building Code Council (Building Council) approved a new regulation in April 2022 . (WSR 22-02-076). The regulations, which go into effect on July 1, 2023 , significantly restrict the usage of natural gas in new commercial buildings and ask for electrically powered appliances and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment instead.

Building Code Council (Building Council) approved a new regulation in . (WSR 22-02-076). The regulations, which go into effect on , significantly restrict the usage of natural gas in new commercial buildings and ask for electrically powered appliances and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment instead. The Climate Mobilization Act of 2019 is a climate solution that can be implemented in any city worldwide. It consists of a slew of climate laws aimed at drastically reducing carbon emissions in New York City , including a landmark law regulating greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Beginning in 2024, New York City's all-electric new buildings law eliminates the use of fossil fuels in new construction.

, including a landmark law regulating greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Beginning in 2024, all-electric new buildings law eliminates the use of fossil fuels in new construction. The US government announced plans to improve the country's infrastructure through the Rural program, which will invest nearly USD 2 billion in projects through 2026. This will improve highways, bridges, and tunnels, improve highway safety, increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, and freight facilities that benefit the economy, and provide flexible transportation services to rural and tribal areas.

in projects through 2026. This will improve highways, bridges, and tunnels, improve highway safety, increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, and freight facilities that benefit the economy, and provide flexible transportation services to rural and tribal areas. The USDA will provide USD 285 million in grants and loans for 844 projects in 46 states through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These projects will assist farmers with things like solar array acquisition and installation and the adoption of more energy-efficient farm equipment.

Vendor Landscape

The key players in the U.S. power rental market are United Rentals, Sunbelt, Herc rentals, Aggreko, Atlas Copco, Caterpillar, Cummins, and Kohler power.

The top 4 prominent vendors, including United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Herc rentals, and Aggreko, account for 61% of the U.S. power rental market share.

In April 2022 , Sunbelt Rentals released its plans in April to add 700 electric trucks as a way for the company to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 35 percent by 2030.

The Industry Analysis Report Provides Industry Trends, Drivers, Opportunities, Competitive Outlook, Market Size, Sales, and Growth Forecast for 2023-2029

Key Prominent Vendors

United Rentals, Inc.

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.

Aggreko

Herc Rentals Inc.

Caterpillar

Atlas Copco

Cummins Inc.,

KOHLER

Generac Power Systems, Inc.

APR Energy

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC

Market Segmentation

Fuel

Natural Gas

Diesel

Others (Propane, Hydrogen, Renewable Sources)

Power Rating

>75KVA

75-375KVA

375-1,000KVA

Above 1,000 KVA

Equipment

Generators

Load Banks

Transformers

Others

End-User

Construction

Retail

Oil & Gas

Mining

Events

Utilities

IT & Data Center

Manufacturing

Others

Application

Standby

Continuous

Peak shaving

Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

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Germany Construction Equipment Rental Market - The Germany construction equipment rental market size crossed USD 6.08 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 8.36 billion by 2029. Germany is the second largest construction equipment rental market after the UK, according to ERA (Europe Rental Association) report. Renting compact equipment such as mini excavators, lifts & telehandlers is growing in the Germany construction equipment rental market as this equipment is majorly used for small construction projects.

U.S. Used Construction Equipment Market- The U.S. used construction equipment market is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2028 from $2 billion in 2021. The used construction equipment market in the US is expected to reach 45,766 units by 2028. The US government investment in the up gradation of infrastructure & renewable energy projects is expected to support the demand for used equipment in the US during the forecast period (2022-2028).

Brazil Construction Equipment Market - Brazil's construction equipment market size was valued at USD 3.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2028. With the rise in demand for backhoe loaders with several attachments, OEMs such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, SANY, and CASE are expected to launch a similar product in the Brazilian industry. Brazil's government has planned to invest USD 50 billion in developing airports, highways, and railways. This, in turn, is expected to boost the industry's demand. Construction and mining industries are expected to generate maximum demand for construction equipment in the Brazilian industry.

U.S. Construction Equipment Market - The U.S. construction equipment market size was valued at USD 22.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 32.68 billion by 2027. The demand for construction equipment is strong in the US primarily due to the government's significant support for technologically advanced equipment in manufacturing, energy, power, transportation, hybrid vehicles, and other industries. The use of prefabricated units in the construction of buildings is likely to boost the construction equipment market. The construction equipment market is expected to fuel due to the high demand for electric vehicles. Growth in arms exports from the US is expected to boost the construction equipment market.

Table of Content

Section 1 - Introduction

Key Insights of US Power Rental Market

Executive Summary

Section 2 - US Power Rental Market

2.1 Future Outlook -US Power Rental Market by Value

2.2- US Power Rental Market- By Segments

2.2.1- US Power Rental Market by Value

US Power Rental Market Size and Forecast by Million ($million)

2.2.1.1. US Power Rental Market, By Fuel

Power Rental Market, Diesel, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Natural Gas, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Others, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million

2.2.1.2 Power Rental Market, By End User

Power Rental Market, Construction, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Retail, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Oil and Gas, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Mining, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Events, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Utilities Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, IT & Data Centers, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Manufacturing, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Others, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

2.2.1.3 Power Rental Market, By Equipment

Power Rental Market, Generator, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Load Bank, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Transformer, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Others, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million

2.2.1.4 Power Rental Market, By Application

Power Rental Market, Standby power, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Continuous power, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, Peak shaving, Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

2.2.1.5 Power Rental Market, By Power Rating

Power Rental Market, (0-50KW) Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, (50-500KW) Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, (500-2500KW) Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Power Rental Market, (Above 2500KW) Market Size and Forecast 2020-2029($ Million)

Section 3-Geographical Analysis

Key Economic cities in US

Section 4- Market Dynamics

Market Trends

Market Drivers

Market Opportunities

Market Restraints

Section 5 - Technological Development

Section 6- Competitive Landscape

1. Company Profile of major Vendors

2. Other Prominent vendors

Section 7 - Report Summary

1. List of Abbreviations

Section 8- Appendix (Report Scope & Definition)

1. Research Methodology

2. Market Definition, Inclusion & Exclusion

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Chatham Rock Phosphate, EV Nickel, Fury Gold Mines 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.

Chatham Rock (TSXV:NZP) receives OK for Se project work program

The Queensland Department of Resources has approved Chatham's exploration permit at Gunnerside in North Queensland. The exploration program will commence with soil sampling to identify drill sites. Executive Director Colin Randall met with Coreena Robertson to discuss the upcoming exploration program.

For the full interview with Colin Randall and to learn about Chatham, click here.

EV Nickel (TSXV:EVNI) intersects sulphide mineralization at high-grade W4 Zone

EV Nickel (EVNI) has begun Phase 4 drilling at the high-grade W4 Zone of its Shaw Dome Project near Timmins, Ontario. The first two holes on Section 497550mE intersected sulphide mineralization consistent with Phase 2 drilling. CEO Sean Samson met with Coreena Robertson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Sean Samson and to learn about EV Nickel, click here.

Fury Gold (TSX:FURY) defines targets along Cannard Deformation Zone at Lac Clarkie

Fury Gold Mines (FURY) has eight gold targets in its sights at its Lac Clarkie Project. Six of the targets lie along the Cannard Deformation Zone, which hosts numerous gold occurrences, and the company wants to get several to the drill-ready stage. Tim Clark, CEO of Fury Gold Mines, met with Coreena Robertson to highlight the company's accomplishments.

For the full interview with Tim Clark and to learn about Fury Gold Mines, click here.

Nextech AR's (CSE:NTAR)(OTCQX:NEXCF) Toggle3D launches major tech upgrade

Nextech AR (NTAR) has launched its new Quad Typology Converter Upgrade. The upgrade enables Toggle3D users to produce quad tessellations, which increases CAD file functionality and the overall quality of 3D models. Chief Product Officer Dasha Vdovina joined Coreena Robertson to shed light on the news.

For the full interview with Dasha Vdovina and to learn about Nextech AR, 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.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / For more than a century, our people have been pushing the boundaries in products and technology, innovating to help solve some of the world's most pressing challenges, and shaping us into the Company we are today.

As Dow celebrates its 125th anniversary, we reflect on the thread that unites us across all those generations and continues to strengthen us for the future - our people and their unwavering spirit of innovation.

We invited members of Team Dow to share stories of how they Imagine Better for our people, our communities, and the planet. To date, more than 350 stories have been shared across the company to celebrate the progress we are making today and serve as a springboard for solving tomorrow's challenges.

Here are a few of the ways our people are making a difference through trailblazing innovation, impactful partnerships, and transformative programs.

Empowering women with support and inclusion

An active member of Dow's Women's Inclusion Network (WIN) in Central Europe, Senior Customer Manager Katarzyna Kaczorowska recalls feeling a sense of inspiration, awe and excitement while attending the company's first EMERGE conference in 2019.

To keep the momentum going back home, she created a network for more than 70 colleagues across six Central European locations to take part in inclusion, diversity & equity (ID&E) efforts. The team soon set their sights on advancing a partnership with the Women's Rights Centre (WRC), an organization dedicated to gender equality and women empowerment, providing legal, psychological, and educational support for survivors of violence and discrimination in Poland.

With support from Dow's ALL IN ERG Fund, a competitive grant program that enables purpose-driven projects spearheaded by our ten employee resource groups, the team collaborated to establish the Women's Academy of Power - a program designed to enhance offerings at the WRC and help women reclaim their voices in the face of gender-based violence and discrimination through empowering workshops and inclusive networking events.

The Women's Academy of Power has facilitated legal counseling and workshops centered on self-esteem, professional development, self-defense, communication, anti-discrimination, the justice system, and activism, helping more than 300 women to date.

Katarzyna considers herself a lifelong volunteer and inclusion champion. She emphasizes, "I always take on a challenge when it arises. My inclusion efforts are my passion and a natural result of the spirit of volunteerism I already have. I'm inspired to see Dow's support for team members around the world as we champion change in timely and meaningful ways."

Building sustainability into an industry for local artisans in Kenya

In response to a widespread regional issue identified by Dow Public Affairs Lead Mumbi Keega, Dow Eastern Africa is partnering with nonprofit organization ChildFund International to narrow the skills gap in the local infrastructure industry - which is currently 25 percent skilled, 33 percent semi-skilled and 42 percent unskilled, according to the National Construction Authority (NCA).

To help solve this growing problem, Dow is collaborating with the Muguga Vocational Training Center to upskill 215 students in Kiambu, Kenya. These future artisans are learning sustainability-focused practices and gaining hands-on technical experience. In addition, learners will participate in professional development courses, internships and partner programs with construction companies to increase their employability and prepare them to take on leadership roles across the industry in the country.

The "Fundi Fiti" initiative, which means "Competent Artisan" in Kiswahili, aims to apply a long-term approach to expanding the facilities and training capacities of Kenya's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, creating centers of excellence to shape sustainable construction and infrastructure in East Africa.

Mumbi's passion for the project shines bright and is an inspiring example of the work Team Dow is doing to make a difference. "We want this project to be a catalyst for change in the way we empower artisans throughout the region by bridging the disparity in career opportunities between high achievers in conventional education and those who thrive in modern vocational training," Mumbi said. "Every person working to create a future for themselves or their family deserves an equal opportunity to thrive. By offering an inclusive career development program with comprehensive instruction and real-world experience, we Imagine Better for a future where artisans in Kenya can do just that."

Innovating more resilient roadways in partnership with Mizzou Innovation Lab

Dow's Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP) Sr. TS&D Scientist C.J. DuBois and TS&D Fellow Cristina Serrat supported Dow in challenging the status quo of asphalt paving of roadways using science, innovation and ingenuity - testing how Dow's ELVALOY RET could enable a recycled plastic to be added to the asphalt mixture by dry process addition, while improving longevity and lowering its lifecycle cost.

The P&SP team partnered with the Mizzou Asphalt Pavement and Innovation Lab (University of Missouri, Columbia) and the Missouri Department of Transportation to test how recycled plastic can help meet required performance parameters while also finding an effective second use of single-use plastic.

Following an extensive two-year development period, the new hybrid mixture is being used along a nearly two-mile stretch of the University's Stadium Boulevard that averages 36,000 vehicles a day. The team is currently observing results, which will be ongoing, looking specifically in changes in the material over the summer and winter periods. They anticipate the new pavement should last for at least two decades.

Cristina emphasized the importance of working together to rethink what is possible to address unmet needs. "There are over 2 million miles of asphalt roads in the US, so if we could extend the life of these roads and lower the carbon footprint, and do so in repurposing plastics that would otherwise end up in a landfill, our impact to the environment could be substantial," Cristina said. "Knowing that this work will contribute to further data generation by independent parties is the type of progress that we, as Dow scientists, strive to achieve. We love to Imagine Better!"

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DOW on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: DOW

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dow

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: DOW

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Lawsuit asserts that the Government of Kazakhstan has resorted to the same unlawful tools - confiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidation - favoured by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes.

has resorted to the same unlawful tools - confiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidation - favoured by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes. The lawless behavior by the Government of Kazakhstan , which is attempting to seize control of assets worth more than USD$1.5 billion , should concern all who wish to see the rule of law and international norms upheld in the former Soviet states.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevada corporation Jysan Holding, LLC ("Jysan Holding") and its English subsidiary Jusan Technologies, Ltd, have today filed a lawsuit in Nevada federal district court against the Republic of Kazakhstan and others.

Jysan Holding accuses the Kazakhstan Government of engaging in a campaign of fear and intimidation in order to seize control of the companies' Kazakhstan-based assets, worth more than USD$1.5 billion, for its own benefit as well as for the benefit of associated individuals.

The Nevada lawsuit asserts claims of expropriation under international law, violations of the federal RICO statute as well as claims under Nevada state law for wrongful tortious conduct and civil conspiracy. The lawsuit seeks injunctive and declaratory relief as well as compensatory and punitive damages for the defendants' illegal conduct.

As detailed in the lawsuit, the Kazakhstan Government has tried to wrongfully seize the assets of Jysan Holding, the New Generation Foundation ("NGF") and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (together, the "Jusan Group") by any means necessary, including threats, intimidation, criminal and civil investigations, trumped up litigation, lawless asset freezes and blocking USD $387 million in dividends lawfully slated for distribution by the Jusan Group's privately owned bank, First Heartland Jusan Bank (the "Bank").

The lawsuit details the history of corruption and intimidation by Kazakh government agencies against Nevada and English entities, further showing that the conduct against the Jusan Group is a timeworn tactic against the international investor community. The lawsuit asserts that Kazakhstan has leveled threats of violence and imprisonment against United States residents who have material economic interests in the Jusan Group if Kazakhstan's commercial demands are not met. These acts are in line with the Government of Kazakhstan's history of rampant corruption, which according to public reporting has worsened since 2022. In sum, the Government of Kazakhstan has resorted to the same unlawful tools-confiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidation-favored by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes.

NGF is a Nevada not-for-profit entity that was founded to ensure the sustainability of two flagship academic institutions in Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev University-a modern, English-language research university located in Astana; and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, a nationwide network of 21 secondary schools that teach in English, Kazakh and Russian.

If allowed to continue, the Kazakhstan Government's conduct will prevent the Jusan Group from fulfilling their commitment to ensuring educational excellence to the schools; before the campaign began, NGF and the Jusan Group have provided millions of dollars in grants to Nazarbayev University and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools.

A spokesman for Jysan Holding LLC said:

"We are deeply concerned by the Government of Kazakhstan's attempts to expropriate funds from Western-oriented educational institutions. If the Jusan Group's funds are frozen, schools tasked with teaching principles of educational freedom will be deprived of necessary financial support, which will negatively affect their students, researchers, and educators by obstructing an education that emphasizes the values of academic rigor, evidence-based research, and innovation. We are filing this lawsuit to be able to continue to support these schools and their beneficiaries.

"We are also concerned about the history of corruption in Kazakhstan and have uncovered a number of illicit transactions by individuals seeking to unwind lawful transactions involving the Jusan Group that were done with the express approval of the Kazakhstan government. Our investigation will shine a light on the lawless behavior of the Soviet-styled government in Kazakhstan which is wrongfully targeting the Jusan Group.

"The conduct of the Kazakhstan Government - and its breathtaking disregard for rule of law - forms a pattern of racketeering and corruption which is in potential violation of the U.S. Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. International investors, the US Government, and others should be concerned with the conduct against the Jusan Group. Attempted asset seizure, intimidation, and breaching settled obligations shows an absolute disdain for international norms which should cause any international investor to think twice about investing in Kazakhstan."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Jysan Holding and JTL are represented in these proceedings by Tariq Mundiya, Michael Gottlieb and Jeffrey B. Korn of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and J. Stephen Peek and Erica Medley of Holland & Hart LLP

The case JYSAN HOLDING, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company; JUSAN TECHNOLOGIES LTD, an England and Wales Limited Company v REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN, et al. (D. Nevada)

New Generation Foundation (NGF) is the sole owner of Jysan Holding, LLC (JH), a Nevada limited liability company. Jusan Technologies Ltd is a company incorporated in United Kingdom with business interest in various sectors of banking, e-commerce, telecommunications, logistics and retail and other financial sectors such as brokerage, insurance, and assets management, which are primarily located in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Media requiring more information should contact s.woodcock@hawthornadvisors.com

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This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in 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. The words "expect," "believe," "estimated," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

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.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Enablence Technologies Inc. (TSXV: ENA) ("Enablence" or the "Company"), a supplier of optical components and subsystems, announces that the Board of Directors of the Company approved grants under the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to certain officers, employees, and directors of the Company. In total, the Company has awarded (i) 250,000 RSUs to an officer of the Company, (ii) 714,000 Options to certain officers and employees of the Company, and (iii) 114,000 DSUs to directors of the Company. The RSUs are immediately vested. The Options have an exercise price of C$1.00 per Common Share and are immediately vested. The DSUs will vest in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.

About Enablence Technologies Inc.

Enablence is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: ENA) that designs, manufactures and sells optical components, primarily in the form of planar lightwave circuits (PLC), on silicon-based chips. Enablence products serve a global customer base, primarily focused today on data center, automotive LiDAR, and other rapidly-growing end markets. Enablence also works with customers that have emerging market uses for its technology, including medical devices and virtual and augmented reality headsets. In select strategic circumstances, the Company also uses its proprietary, non-captive fabrication plant in Fremont, California to manufacture chips designed by third party customers.

For more information, visit: www.enablence.com.

For more information contact:

T. Paul Rowland, CFO

Enablence Technologies Inc.

paul.rowland@enablence.com

Todd Haugen, CEO

Enablence Technologies Inc.

todd.haugen@enablence.com

Ali Mahdavi, Capital Markets & Investor Relations

am@spinnakercmi.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company based on current expectations and assumptions of management, which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties associated with our business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations that involve several risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to risks relating to the Company failing to obtain the requisite regulatory (including the TSX Venture Exchange) approvals; the terms as described hereof may be amended following the date hereof; and the impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, operations and sales and related adverse effects on the economies and financial markets of countries in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We caution our readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Company's operations are set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Enablence's issuer profile. Enablence does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155082
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Westmount Minerals Corp. (CSE: WMC) ("Westmount" or the "Company") wishes to announce that all management resolutions proposed in the Management Proxy Circular were approved by shareholders at its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held Thursday February 16, 2023, including:

The number of Directors for the Company was set at five. The five members elected to the Board of Directors include: David Tafel, Stephen J. Wilkinson, Jeremy Wright, Ken Cawkell and Brian Crawford. Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, has been appointed as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year. The Company's 10% Rolling Stock Option Plan was ratified and approved, and The Equity Incentive Plan which allows Directors to grant up to 10% "Award" shares also received approval from "disinterested" shareholders.

About Westmount Minerals Corp.

Westmount is focused on mineral exploration in the Americas. The Company is advancing the Douay East gold property located within the greater Abitibi Greenstone Belt region in Quebec to the drill stage. In addition, the Company is exploring the recently acquired Otatakan and East Pilot lithium properties located in northwestern Ontario, a region where numerous lithium deposits have been discovered.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

David Tafel

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:

David Tafel

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(604) 683-1991

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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 Statements:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, that the COVID-19 global pandemic will not affect the ability of the Company to conduct future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire its Projects, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 14, 2022, and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155137
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Delivra Health Brands Inc. (TSXV: DHB) (OTCQB: DHBUF) (formerly, Harvest One Cannabis Inc.) ("Delivra Health" or the "Company"), a consumer packaged goods leader uniquely positioned in the health and wellness sector, is pleased to announce it will report its quarterly financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. (EST) / 8:00 a.m. (PST) to discuss the interim financial results for the three and six months ending December 31, 2022. Gord Davey, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jack Tasse, Chief Financial Officer of the Company will be conducting a question-and-answer session following management's prepared remarks.

Participant Dial-In Numbers:

All interested parties can join the conference call by dialing: 1-800-319-4610 (Canada/USA Toll Free) or 1-604-638-5340 (International Toll). Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask to join the Delivra Health Brands call. A replay of the call will be available on the Company's investor page by the end of the business day on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

About Delivra Health Brands Inc.

Helping people take control of their health with alternative wellness solutions is what energizes the Delivra Health team! The Delivra Health portfolio features innovative brands like Dream Water and LivRelief, which deliver relief from common everyday issues like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Delivra Health products have allowed millions of customers to reclaim their mobility, energy, and in turn, quality of life. The websites of the Company's two subsidiaries are Dream Water and LivReliefTM. For more information, please visit www.delivrahealthbrands.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the timing of reporting the Company's interim financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022 and the timing of the conference call.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Additional information regarding this and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 2, 2021, and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest interim and annual management's discussion and analyses, filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Investor Relations:

Jack Tasse

Chief Financial Officer

IR@delivrahealth.com

1-877-915-7934

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155151
All amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Measured and indicated resources are quoted inclusive of proven and probable reserves for all sites and projects.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") announces its updated Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") statement as of December 31, 2022 prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). A complete MRMR table (Table 6) including a detailed by-asset breakdown can be found at the end of this news release, with a summary of year over year changes as follows:

TABLE 1: ATTRIBUTABLE MRMR COMPARISON SUMMARY

2021 2022

Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t) Contained Ounces

(000s) Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t) Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces

(000s) % P&P reserves2 364,831 1.1 12,392 317,179 1.1 11,598 -793 -6% M&I resources1,3 646,522 1.1 22,103 667,674 1.1 24,137 +2,035 +9% Inferred resources3 310,533 1.1 11,085 297,494 1.0 9,393 -1,693 -15%

M&I Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. 2022 Mineral Reserves estimated as of December 31, 2022, using a gold price of $1,300 per ounce for Essakane, Rosebel, Saramacca, Westwood and Cote Gold; and a gold price of $1,200 per ounce for the Boto Gold Project; and $1,350 per ounce for the Grand Duc satellite pit at Westwood; and $1,500 per ounce for the Fayolle satellite pit at Westwood. Mineral Resources estimated as of December 31, 2022, using a gold price of $1,500 per ounce for the Essakane, Rosebel, Saramacca, Cote Gold Project, Boto Gold Project, Diakha-Siribaya Gold Project, Nelligan, Monster Lake, Pitangui Project, Gossey deposit, and the Grand Duc and Fayolle satellite pits at Westwood; and $1,500 per ounce using a 6.2g/t (Ordinary Kriging) and 7.4g/t (Multiple Indicator Kriging) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres for Westwood.

Mineral Reserves

TABLE 2: ATTRIBUTABLE RESERVES RECONCILIATION

Contained Ounces

(000s) % Reserves (December 31, 2021) 12,392 - Revisions to economic parameters -343 -3% 2022 mine depletion -580 -5% Adjustments to ore stockpiles -59 0% Other adjustments (drilling, additions, etc.) +188 +2% Reserves (December 31, 2022)1 11,598 -6%

Figures may not add due to rounding.

Attributable proven and probable gold Mineral Reserves ("reserves") totaled 11.6 million ounces, a decrease of 0.8 million ounces or 6% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

The decrease was primarily related to mine depletion at all operations (580,000 ounces) reflecting the Company's attributable gold production of 713,000 ounces in 2022, and the revision of economic parameters applying higher mining costs across the operations;

Reserves grade of 1.1 grams per tonne gold ("g/t") remained unchanged on a consolidated basis;

There was no change in the reserve gold price assumption of $1,300 per ounce for Essakane, Rosebel and Saramacca;

Westwood and Cote Gold increased the reserve gold price assumption to $1,300 per ounce, up from $1,200 per ounce previously. The Grand Duc satellite pit at Westwood continued to use $1,350 per ounce, and the Fayolle satellite pit at Westwood used a reserve gold price of $1,500 per ounce.

For the Boto Gold project, the Company maintained its $1,200 per ounce gold price assumption for estimating mineral reserves.

TABLE 3: ATTRIBUTABLE RESERVES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 2,355 1,855 -500 -21% Westwood (100%) 659 616 -43 -7% Cote Gold (64.75%) 4,658 4,645 -13 -0% Rosebel (95%)2 2,466 2,322 -144 -6% Saramacca (66.5%)2 820 727 -93 -11% Boto Gold (90%)3 1,434 1,434 - - Reserves1 12,392 11,598 -793 -6%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Mineral Resources

TABLE 4: ATTRIBUTABLE M&I RESOURCES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 2,901 2,569 -332 -11% Westwood (100%) 1,639 2,353 +714 +44% Cote Gold (64.75%) 6,605 6,608 +4 +0% Gosselin (64.75%) 2,169 2,169 - - Nelligan (75%) -- 1,478 +1,478 NA Monster Lake (100%) -- -- - NA Pitangui (100%) 470 470 - - Gossey (90%) 262 262 - - Rosebel (95%)2 4,551 4,250 -301 -7% Saramacca (66.5%)2 1,008 956 -51 -5% Boto Gold (90%)3 1,830 1,830 - - Diakha-Siribaya (90%)3 669 1,193 +523 +78% M&I Resources1 22,103 24,137 +2,035 +9%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Attributable measured and indicated ("M&I") resources totaled 24.1 million ounces, an increase of 2.0 million ounces or 9% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

Mineral resources increase primarily as a result of the updated MRMR statement at Nelligan ( refer to Company press release dated January 12, 2023 ) and upgrading of resources at Westwood;

) and upgrading of resources at Westwood; There was no change in the gold price assumption for estimating mineral resources at Essakane, Rosebel, development, and exploration properties ($1,500 per ounce of gold). Mineral Resources for Westwood underground have been estimated using a 6.2g/t (OK) and 7.4g/t (MIK) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres, using a $1500/oz gold price.

TABLE 5: ATTRIBUTABLE INFERRED RESOURCES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 335 97 -239 -71% Westwood (100%) 1,764 1,072 -692 -39% Cote Gold (64.75%) 2,473 2,469 -5 -0% Gosselin (64.75%) 1,107 1,107 - - Nelligan (75%) 2,396 2,429 +33 +1% Monster Lake (100%) 433 433 - - Pitangui (100%) 433 433 - - Gossey (90%) 77 77 - - Rosebel (95%)2 432 372 -60 -14% Saramacca (66.5%)2 155 107 -48 -31% Boto Gold (90%)3 422 422 - - Diakha-Siribaya (90%)3 1,058 376 -683 -65% Inferred Resources1 11,085 9,393 -1,693 -15%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Attributable Inferred Mineral Resources ("inferred resources") totaled 9.4 million ounces, a decrease of 1.7 million ounces or 15% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

Inferred resources decrease primarily as a result of upgrading of resources at Westwood and Diakha-Siribaya.

TABLE 6: MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF GOLD OPERATIONS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)

Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves GOLD OPERATIONS Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t Au) Ounces Contained

(000s) Ounces Contained

Attributable

(000s) Essakane, Burkina Faso(3)





(90%) Proven Mineral Reserves 21,413 0.7 464 418 Probable Mineral Reserves 31,858 1.6 1,597 1,437 Subtotal 53,270 1.2 2,061 1,855 Measured Mineral Resources 34,282 0.6 607 546 Indicated Mineral Resources 52,945 1.3 2,247 2,022 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,318 1.4 107 97 Westwood, Canada(4)





(100%) Proven Mineral Reserves 128 10.0 41 41 Probable Mineral Reserves 3,254 5.5 575 575 Subtotal 3,382 5.7 616 616 Measured Mineral Resources 791 9.3 236 236 Indicated Mineral Resources 7,675 8.6 2,117 2,117 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,702 12.3 1,072 1,072 Cote Gold, Canada(5)(8)





(64.75%) Proven Mineral Reserves 130,988 1.0 4,260 2,758 Probable Mineral Reserves 102,343 0.9 2,914 1,887 Subtotal 233,331 1.0 7,174 4,645 Measured Mineral Resources 152,534 1.0 4,726 3,060 Indicated Mineral Resources 213,382 0.8 5,480 3,548 Inferred Mineral Resources 189,108 0.6 3,813 2,469 Gosselin, Canada(3)(8)





(64.75%) Indicated Mineral Resources 124,500 0.8 3,350 2,169 Inferred Mineral Resources 72,900 0.7 1,710 1,107 Nelligan, Canada(3)





(75%) Indicated Mineral Resources 72,200 0.9 1,970 1,478 Inferred Mineral Resources 114,100 0.9 3,238 2,429 Monster Lake, Canada(3)





(100%) Inferred Mineral Resources 1,110 12.1 433 433 Gossey, Burkina Faso(3)





(90%) Indicated Mineral Resources 10,454 0.9 291 262 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,939 0.9 85 77 Pitangui, Brazil(3)





(100%) Indicated Mineral Resources 3,330 4.4 470 470 Inferred Mineral Resources 3,559 3.8 433 433 Boto Gold, Senegal(5)(7)





(90%) Probable Mineral Reserves 29,040 1.7 1,593 1,434 Subtotal 29,040 1.7 1,593 1,434 Indicated Mineral Resources 40,567 1.6 2,033 1,830 Inferred Mineral Resources 8,196 1.8 469 422 Diakha-Siribaya, Mali(3)(7)





(90%) Indicated Mineral Resources 27,937 1.5 1,325 1,193 Inferred Mineral Resources 8,468 1.5 417 376 Rosebel, Suriname(3)(6)





(95%) Proven Mineral Reserves 8,890 0.6 179 170 Probable Mineral Reserves 71,956 1.0 2,266 2,153 Subtotal Rosebel 80,846 0.9 2,445 2,322 Saramacca, Suriname(3)(6)





(66.5%) Proven Mineral Reserves 128 0.9 4 3 Probable Mineral Reserves 17,663 1.9 1,089 724 Subtotal Saramacca 17,792 1.9 1,093 727 Subtotal Rosebel (Consolidated) 98,638 1.1 3,537 3,049 Rosebel, Suriname(3)(6)





(95%) Measured Mineral Resources 8,791 0.6 183 174 Indicated Mineral Resources 119,221 1.1 4,290 4,076 Inferred Mineral Resources 13,294 0.9 391 372 Saramacca, Suriname(3)(6)





(66.5%) Measured Mineral Resource 128 0.9 4 3 Indicated Mineral Resources 19,429 2.3 1,434 954 Inferred Mineral Resources 3,821 1.3 161 107









TOTAL







Proven Mineral Reserves & Probable Mineral Reserves 417,662 1.1 14,981 11,598 Measured Mineral Resources & Indicated Mineral Resources 888,166 1.1 30,764 24,137 Inferred Mineral Resources 422,514 0.9 12,330 9,393

In mining operations, Measured Mineral Resources and Indicated Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves are considered uneconomic at the price used for Mineral Reserve estimations but are deemed to have a reasonable prospect of economic extraction. Although "measured resources", "indicated resources" and "inferred resources" are categories of mineralization that are recognized and required to be disclosed under Canadian regulations, SEC Industry Guide 7 does not recognize them. Disclosure of contained ounces is permitted under Canadian regulations; however, SEC Industry Guide 7 generally permits resources to be reported only as in place tonnage and grade. See "Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Disclosure of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates". Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1,300/oz gold price and Mineral Resources using a $1,500/oz gold price at the following operations and projects: Cote Gold, Rosebel, Saramacca, Essakane, Diakha-Siribaya, Monster Lake, Pitangui, Gossey, Nelligan, and Gosselin. Westwood (underground) Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1300/oz gold price and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a 6.2g/t (Ordinary Kriging) and 7.4g/t (Multiple Indicator Kriging) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres, using a $1500/oz gold price. The Grand Duc and Fayolle Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates are included in the Westwood Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates. The Grand Duc Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a gold price of $1350/oz and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz. The Fayolle Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz. Boto Gold Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1,200/oz gold price and Mineral Resources using a $1,500/oz gold price. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project. Cote Gold and Gosselin ownership of 64.75% based on 70% IAG | 30% SMM JV, this is prior to the funding agreement with Sumitomo announced on December 19, 2022 which will see IAMGOLD's ownership in the JV diluted to 60% in 2023 until the Company exercises option to repurchase the 10% ownership prior to November 30, 2026. Refer to news release on December 19, 2022

Technical Information and Quality Control Notes

The Company's mineral reserves are comprised of in-place material, i.e. material containing ounces of gold for which an assessment of key modifying factors such as mining, processing, metallurgical recovery, infrastructure, economic, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors are used to determine their economic viability.

There are numerous parameters inherent in estimating proven mineral reserves and probable mineral reserves, including many factors beyond the Company's control. The estimation of mineral reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any mineral reserves estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results from drilling, testing and production, as well as material changes in metal prices subsequent to the date of an estimate, may justify a revision of such estimates.

Lisa Ragsdale, Director, Mining Geology, IAMGOLD Corporation is the "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 ("QP") with respect to the mineralization being reported on and is responsible for the review and approval of all mineral resources estimates for IAMGOLD. Guy Bourque, Director, Mining, IAMGOLD Corporation is the QP responsible for the review and approval of all mineral reserves estimates for IAMGOLD. The technical information in this news release has been included with the consent and prior review of Ms. Ragsdale and Mr. Bourque, as applicable. The QPs have verified the data disclosed and data underlying the information or opinions contained in this news release.

For each of the projects and properties it operates, the Company has established rigorous methods and procedures aimed at assuring reliable estimates of its mineral reserves and resources. For each mine and project, the relevant QPs verified the data incorporated, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this news release. Quality control falls under the responsibility of Ms. Ragsdale and Mr. Bourque.

In estimating mineral reserves, cut-off grades are established using the Company's long-term metal price and foreign exchange assumptions, the average metallurgical recovery rates and estimated production costs over the life of the related operation. As part of the annual mineral reserve estimation process, the cost models used for cut-off grade calculations are compared to prior studies or estimates and are updated appropriately based on actual operating performance and price projections for inputs. For an underground operation, a cut-off grade is calculated for each mining method, as production costs vary from one method to another. For a surface operation, production costs are determined for each block included in the block model of the relevant operation.

The nature of mining activities is such that the extraction of ore from a mine reduces mineral reserves. In order to renew mineral reserves (at least partially) on most of its producing properties, the Company carries out exploration drilling programs at depth and laterally.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release including, but not limited to, any statements or information with respect to the Company's mineral resources or mineral reserves, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to, those with respect to the Company's mineral resources or mineral reserves. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by, but not limited to, the use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "prospective", "significant", "potential", "significant potential", "substantial", "transformative", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the failure to accurately estimate mineral resources or mineral reserves, differences in the mineral content within the material identified as mineral resources or mineral reserves from that predicted, unexpected increases in all-in sustaining costs or other costs, unexpected increases in capital expenditures, operating expenditures and exploration expenditures, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are incorporated by reference herein. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The Company 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.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

The mineral resource and reserve estimates contained in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). These standards are similar to those used by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Industry Guide No. 7, as interpreted by the SEC staff. However, the definitions in NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ in certain respects from those under Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, mineral resource and reserve information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. Under the SEC's Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made.

As a result of the adoption of amendments to the SEC's disclosure rules (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), which more closely align its disclosure requirements and policies for mining properties with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards, including NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, and which became effective on February 25, 2019, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources." In addition, the SEC has amended definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" in its amended rules, with definitions that are substantially similar to those used in NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Issuers must begin to comply with the SEC Modernization Rules in their first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, though Canadian issuers that report in the United States using the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System ("MJDS") may still use NI 43-101 rather than the SEC Modernization Rules when using the SEC's MJDS registration statement and annual report forms.

United States investors are cautioned that while the SEC now recognizes "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under the SEC Modernization Rules, investors should not assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into a higher category of mineral resources or into mineral reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian regulations, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in limited circumstances.

Investors are cautioned not to assume that any "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources", or "inferred mineral resources" that the Company reports in this news release are or will be economically or legally mineable. Further, "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any part or all of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

The mineral reserve and mineral resource data set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa. The Company is building the large-scale, long life Cote Gold project in Canada in partnership with Sumitomo Metals & Mining of Japan, which is expected to commence production in early 2024. In addition, the Company has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts in the Americas. IAMGOLD employs approximately 3,300 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") practices, including its commitment to Zero Harm, in every aspect of its business. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:IMG) and is one of the companies on the Jantzi Social Index ("JSI"), a socially screened market capitalization-weighted consisting of companies which pass a set of broadly based environmental, social and governance rating criteria.

IAMGOLD Contact Information

Graeme Jennings, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: 416 360 4743 | Mobile: 416 388 6883

Toll-free: 1 888 464 9999

info@iamgold.com

All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov.

Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique, veuillez consulter le www.iamgold.com/French/accueil/default.aspx.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155120
Robigo, a Cambridge, MA-based company that biomanufactures precision crop protection solutions, raised $6.85M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Congruent Ventures, with participation from Good Growth Capital and First Star Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to demonstrate product efficacy in outdoor field environments.

Led by CEO Dr. Andee Wallace, Robigo is a biomanufacturing company developing microbial platform technology that leverages bioengineering and data science to precisely protect crops from disease while being safe to beneficial microorganisms, pollinators, humans, and the environment. Applying a deep expertise in biological engineering and data science, the scalable platform technology precisely targets agricultural diseases while being safe to beneficial microbes, insect pollinators, human consumers, and the environment. Robigo is focusing initially on developing technologies to address devastating diseases that impact high value specialty crops for which there are few effective commercial treatments.

FinSMEs

16/02/2023
SignalFire, a San Francisco, CA-based tech-enabled early-stage venture capital firm, raised $900M+ in funding.

The additional capital for SignalFires Seed, Breakout, XIR, and Opportunities funds demonstrates investors confidence in the firms comprehensive value proposition. It brings the firm to over $1.8 billion in assets under management.

Led by Chris Farmer, founder and CEO, SignalFire is a venture capital firm harnessing data and artificial intelligence at scale to identify investments and support for the next generation of startups. Key sectors include AI/ML, developer tools, healthcare, and cybersecurity, with notable investments such as Frame.io, Grammarly, Flock Freight, Ro and Stampli. SignalFire focuses on leading seed rounds while opportunistically investing in Series A and B rounds.

The core of its value-add is Beacon, the AI engine which tracks over 495 million employees and 80 million companies to guide the funds investing and assist portfolio companies with scaling their teams and revenue. SignalFire also helps early-stage founders navigate the toughest parts of building a company at every stage, with expert advisors, 200 skill-building workshops a year, and an in-house team of recruiters, and data scientists.

SignalFire is also announcing the launch of its Executive-in-Residence (XIR) program, which pairs deeply experienced tech industry leaders from the firms Advisor Network with high-potential portfolio companies. Current XIRs collaborating with SignalFire include:

Doug Merritt, CEO of Splunk ($SPLK)

Frank Williams, co-founder and CEO of Evolent Health ($EVH)

Tom Peterson, co-founder and COO of Evolent Health ($EVH)

Alex Hooshmand, co-founder and CPO of Blue Kai (Acquired by $ORCL)

David Klements, co-founder and CEO of Qualifacts (Acquired by Warburg Pincus)

Jack Huffard, co-founder and president of Tenable ($TENB)

FinSMEs

16/02/2023
Thatch, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a healthcare benefits platform for startups, raised over $6M in total funding, including a pre-seed and seed round.

The seed round was led by a16z and GV, with participation from Lux Capital, Quiet Capital, Not Boring Capital, and BrightEdge.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth, expand operations and its business reach.

Founded in 2021 by Chris Ellis and Adam Stevenson, Thatch provides a health benefits platform that enables startups to provide competitive health and wellness benefits to their teams. The platform includes a tech-enabled Health Savings Account, or HSA, a debit card for all healthcare expenses, on-demand access to experts who can resolve billing issues via text, and a dashboard that brings everything together.

FinSMEs

16/02/2023
2 Chinese students injured in Michigan State University shooting

Xinhua) 14:19, February 16, 2023

CHICAGO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese students were injured in an on-campus shooting at Michigan State University Monday night, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago said on Wednesday.

The consulate general said that the students are out of danger following surgery at a hospital, adding that it has activated its emergency response mechanism. The consulate has contacted the family members of the two students in China and will offer assistance in their coming to the United States.

The consulate general is in close touch with Michigan State University and called on relevant U.S. departments to adopt effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the United States, including Chinese students.

The consulate general reminds Chinese citizens to be aware of their surroundings and stay safe.

The on-campus shooting at Michigan State University left three people dead and five injured. The 43-year-old suspect had died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Adrienne Nelson finally will take a seat on the U.S. District Court in Portland.

The Senate confirmed President Joe Bidens nomination of Nelson to a federal judgeship by a 52-46 vote on Wednesday, Feb. 15. It followed action Feb. 2 by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which had cleared her nomination back on Dec. 1. Congress ended its session before the full Senate could vote.

Nelson is a resident of Clackamas County.

In his remarks in support of her nomination, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said this:

There is so much to like  about Judge Nelson, but what I like most is that shes a role model for young people. Young people in my state really look up to Judge Nelson; in fact, there is an Adrienne C. Nelson High School (2021) in Happy Valley. Everybody reports that the students there just love her.

Nelson, 55, was a Multnomah County circuit judge before Gov. Kate Brown appointed her at the start of 2018 as the first Black justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.

Before Gov. Ted Kulongoski named her to the bench in 2006, she worked at Multnomah Defenders Inc., the Portland law firm of Bennett, Hartman, Morris & Kaplan, and Portland State University.

She earned a bachelors degree in 1989 from the University of Arkansas and her law degree in 1993 from the University of Texas at Austin.

Breaking barriers

Biden issued a statement the previous day, when the Senate confirmed his 100th appointment to the federal district and appeals courts, anticipating Senate approval of his nomination of Nelson.

He said in part:

Im especially proud that the nominees I have put forward  and the Senate has confirmed represent the diversity that is one of our best assets as a nation, and that our shared work has broken so many barriers in just two years.

We have made important progress in ensuring that the federal judiciary not only looks more like the nation as a whole, but also includes judges from professional backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented on the bench... Seventy-six percent of the Article III judges confirmed during my administration have been women, and 68% have been people of color.

Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of the fair courts program at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said this in a statement after the Senate vote:

Justice Nelson is committed to protecting the rights of all people, as demonstrated by her experience as a fair-minded jurist on the state bench and her work as a public defender. Diversity, including having judges with diverse and historically underrepresented personal and professional experiences, helps improve judicial decision-making.  We celebrate Justice Nelson and this historic confirmation.

She will be the first Black woman to sit as a federal judge in Oregon. Ancer Haggerty, who served on the court from 1993 until 2014, was the first Black man.

Senate action

Wyden and Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, voted for her nomination. They said this in a joint statement afterward:

Todays vote adds to the U.S. District Court an extremely qualified Oregonian who brings her powerful combination of comprehensive legal experience and commitment to justice for all. As the first Black woman to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court, Justice Nelson has amassed an impressive record of accomplishments in our state, and we look forward to seeing the contributions she will make from the federal bench.

On the vote, 46 Democrats were joined by three independents who vote with them to organize the majority  Angus King of Maine, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona  and Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. All other Republicans voted no. Two Democrats were absent.

Wyden noted in his remarks that in her 2022 confirmation hearing, Nelson drew endorsements not only from the other justices on the Oregon Supreme Court, but also from Billy Williams, U.S. attorney for Oregon from 2015 to 2021; Mike Reese, then the Multnomah County sheriff and former Portland police chief, and Max Williams, former Oregon Community Foundation president, former Oregon Department of Corrections director and former Republican state representative from Tigard. There were no negative statements.

Wyden said:

In addition to these impressive accomplishments and adulations, its clear that Justice Nelson has not lost sight of the valedictorian fighting tooth and nail within the American legal system to make ours a better and even stronger country  for everybody. I know that she will bring this dedication and commitment to justice for all to every case that crosses her desk.

Theres no question that with Justice Nelsons top-notch qualifications, she will make a superb federal judge.

Nelson will succeed Michael Mosman, a former U.S. attorney for Oregon who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2003. Mosman decided at the end of 2021 to take senior status, which enables him to continue to take part in the courts work but opens up his position.

As for Nelsons position, her move to the federal court will give Gov. Tina Kotek her first appointment to the Oregon Supreme Court. That person would be up for election to a full six-year term in the nonpartisan position in the statewide primary election on May 21, 2024.

During nearly eight years as governor, Brown appointed all seven justices on the Supreme Court, including two appointees who succeeded justices who retired on Dec. 31, just before Brown left office Jan. 9.







Related stories:

More changes ahead for the Oregon Supreme Court

Gov. Brown appoints new member to Oregon Supreme Court
New York, NY, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KISS PR, the leading digital media business known for brand storytelling and influencer PR since 1995, is proud to announce its collaboration with Level Up Media PR. The partnership brings together two of the most dynamic women in the PR business, Rachel Weaver and Becca Brazil, as cobrand partners.



Rachel Weaver (Left) - Becca Brazil (Right)

"Building brand authority can be a complex process, but with the combined expertise of KISS PR and Level Up Media PR, businesses and individuals now have the support they need to succeed," says Rachel Weaver, the Co-Founder of Level Up Media PR. The collaboration aims to create new product offerings that will revolutionize the influencer brand marketing industry.

Becca Brazil, Co-Founder of Level Up Media PR, says, "Whether you're a business looking to establish yourself as an industry leader or an individual striving to reach your full potential, our combined team has the skills and knowledge to help you achieve your goals."

Inspired by Simon Sinek's wise words, 'If you have the opportunity to do amazing things in your life, I strongly encourage you to invite someone to join you,' Qamar Zaman, CEO of KISS PR, has brought together two exceptional women entrepreneurs to offer new opportunities in the world of PR. By joining forces with Level Up Media PR, KISS PR will create a harmony that will empower brands worldwide to effectively tell their brand stories and reach their target audience at an affordable cost.

This collaboration is a major milestone for both KISS PR and Level Up Media PR, and it is expected to bring new and innovative solutions to the market. The companies will work together to help businesses and individuals build their online authority and achieve their business and brand goals.

About KISS PR:

KISS PR is a leading digital media business that has been providing brand storytelling and influencer PR services since 1995. With a focus on delivering high-quality content and building a strong online presence, KISS PR has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses and individuals looking to establish their online authority.

About Level Up Media PR:

Level Up Media PR is a women owned PR, media, and consulting company. This dynamic female duo also host the Level UP Live with Becca & Rachel Podcast. Level UP Media PR helps businesses and individuals build their credibility by showcasing expertise, authority, and trust. They strive to help you grow and scale your business by helping you go from Unknown to UNFORGETTABLE. Founded by Rachel Weaver and Becca Brazil, Level Up Media PR has a passion for helping others achieve their business and personal goals. They are dedicated to delivering exceptional results.

Media Contact for KISS PR az@kisspr.com

Media Contact for Level Up PR rachel@levelupmediapr.com




DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It is estimated that the Biodefense Market is anticipated to reach US$ 32.99 billion by 2033 after being valued at US$ 16.31 billion in 2023. This market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.3% during the analysis period. The growing demand for vaccines, and medical devices provides companies with opportunities to expand their business and penetrate new markets.



Countries must maintain a constant supply of vaccines and biothreat detection technology to ensure their citizens' safety. Initiatives like these can accelerate the growth of the biodefense industry.

A combination of government initiatives, increased government attention, and funding for biodefense strategies help fuel the biodefense market. As a result, these agents can cause social and economic turmoil. To protect warfighters from novel biological agents, the Department of Defense is modernizing its medical countermeasures approach.

Get a Sample Copy of the Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-16664

The scope of the biodefense market may be further expanded by increasing private investment. This is due to the occurrence of different viruses such as the flu, the Ebola virus, and the Zika virus. Says a lead analyst at Future Market Insights.

Key Takeaways from Market Study:

The biodefense market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period.

According to estimates, the biodefense market in North America is going to remain strong and account for 79% of the market share throughout the length of the forecast period.

China is expected to secure a high rate of 8.8% due to surges in research and development.

The anthrax segment held a significant market share of 28.1% in 2023.

Competitive Landscape:

Several prominent companies dominate this market, including Xoma Corporation, Altimmune, Inc., Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., Dynavax Technologies Corporation, SIGA Technologies, Inc., Elusys Therapeutics, Inc., Ichor Holdings, Ltd., Cleveland BioLabs, Inc., Bavarian Nordic A/S and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and others.

Many players are collaborating with governments in emerging and economically advantageous regions to gain bulk orders and boost sales. Key manufacturers are strengthening their presence in the market and staying ahead of the competition through expansion, new product launches, and approvals.

Speak to our Research Expert: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-16664

Recent Developments:

A biodefense vaccine candidate developed by Appili Therapeutics Inc., ATI-1701, is expected to prevent Francisella tularensis infection by the end of February 2022 for over US$ 10 million. This funding may boost the company's market share and growth in the biodefense market.

In an announcement, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced that its Biologics License Application (BLA) for AV7909 (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted) had been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ichor Medical Systems, Inc., a privately held company, announced in March 2019 that it had entered into a collaboration and research license agreement with AstraZeneca to develop plasmid DNA constructs (recombinant monoclonal antibodies) for clinical testing. The terms of the agreement also include development milestone payments in addition to upfront and annual payments for Ichor.

In August 2018, CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) announced a collaboration with Profectus BioSciences, Inc. A vaccine against the Lassa virus was manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions Inc. By collaborating, these companies were able to expand their product portfolios and increase sales.

Biodefense Market Segmentation by Category

By Product:

Anthrax

Smallpox

Botulism

Radiation/Nuclear

By Region Outlook:

North America

Latin America

Europe

The Middle East and Africa

East Asia



Table of Content

1. Executive Summary | Biodefense 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

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About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai, and has delivery centers in the UK, U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (Fidelity National or the Company) (NYSE: FIS). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Fidelity National and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

In 2019, Fidelity National acquired the payment-processing company Worldpay Inc. (Worldpay) for $48 billion. Then, on February 13, 2023, Fidelity National booked a $17.6 billion write-down on its Worldpay business and announced plans to spin off the unit.

On this news, Fidelity Nationals stock price fell $9.43 per share, or 12.5%, to close at $66.00 on February 13, 2023.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Congressman Michael McCaul is named Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, a key ally and Bangladeshi former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi has expressed pride and assurance in the congressman hailing from District 10 in Texas.

Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with United States Congressman Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

Rep. McCaul has always thrown his full weight behind support for democracy and security internationally and Im confident hell continue to serve as an impassioned ally of the Bangladeshi community, Saddi says of his associate, citing a consistent track record in supporting free democratic elections in the Indo-Pacific. Holding comprehensive experience as Chairman of the Congressional Homeland Security Committee as well, Rep. McCaul has made ardent calls to ensure free and fair elections in Bangladesh, taking steps to encourage immediate action on the part of the United States Congress.

Rep. McCaul has taken on the position of Chairman of the new Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee. Saddi previously threw his support behind the congressman, quoted, Im confident that Rep. McCaul will no doubt hold the interests of the Bangladeshi people at heart. Im excited to see the Foreign Affairs Committee take on a bold and unswerving stance on democracy under Rep. McCauls leadership.

Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with Chairman of the US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

A committed ally to the Bangladeshi community, Rep. McCaul has been outspoken regarding victims of genocide, such as the Rohingya genocide, commemorating the disaster in its three-year anniversary. The congressmans voting record has shown stellar support of the demographic, preserving and protecting the role of democracy in a working society, emphasizing equity and fairness, and affording grace to people of all backgrounds.



Also announced recently, House Representative Young Kim has been named Chair of the Congressional Subcommittee overseeing the Indo-Pacific in the 118th congress. Congratulated by Saddi, the Bangladeshi activist and former Foreign Advisor took to Twitter to praise the congresswoman on her new role in the US House. Kim has expressed strong support for the Bangladeshi community, emphasizing human rights, religious freedom, and democratic governance. Saddi is confident that Young Kim will bring greater sensibilities to the role, as her connection to the Indo-Pacific region bolsters a strong drive to bring positive change.





SOURCE: @ZahidFSarder on Twitter

A strong proponent and community leader within the Bangladeshi community, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is a strong advocate for Bangladeshi citizens worldwide, defending their interests in the House of Representatives and the Senate to support meaningful and effective legislation. As a Foreign Advisor to the former three-term Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Hon. Begum Khaleda Zia, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an expert in providing a unilateral and measured perspective of the politics and other distinguishing factors of the Indo-Pacific. Advocating for the rights of Bangladeshis everywhere, Saddi takes great pride in serving his community to ensure that his people are afforded human rights in the form of greater support for the people as well as the ability to vote in a democratic election.



About:

Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an influential civil society leader, humanitarian, and advocate for Bangladesh and its people. He helps Bangladeshi expatriates assimilate into life in the United States while also preserving their own values and traditions. Zahid F. Sarder Saddi works with several organizations and holds a special passion for helping the Bangladeshi community in the United States and around the world.

To learn more about Zahid F. Sarder Saddi, please visit www.ZahidFSarderSaddi.com or reach out to Zahid F. Sarder Saddi at info@zahidfsardersaddi.com






SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since 2014, Shenzhen Century Joint Innovation Technology Company Ltd. (INNOCN) has been producing cutting-edge portable monitors and smart displays thanks to its innovative R&D team. Innovation China, also known as INNOCN, creates distinctive, feature-rich smart monitors. The company has a reputation for manufacturing commercial displays and monitors that work well as a second monitor for laptops and other popular monitors and gadgets in the electronics and smart display markets.





INNOCN has designed a portable monitor with just the right size for pairing and increasing productivity. The INNOCN 13A1F 13.3 Inch OLED Portable Monitor is a great smart monitor for connecting to smart devices like the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and is brimming with features to ensure a great user experience. Supporters of INNOCN have the opportunity to purchase the 13A1F 13.3 Inch OLED Portable Monitor for just $149.99, thanks to a $100 prime-exclusive discount. The sale is open now and runs through February 28, 2023.

The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, which has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, is compatible with the INNOCN 13A1F 13.3 Inch OLED Portable Monitor thanks to its USB-C connectivity. One week from today, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, a new high-end laptop measuring 16 inches, is expected to be released. It has a 3K OLED screen, a sizable backlit keyboard and trackpad, a high-definition webcam, and many other fantastic features. People can now have more screen space and view multiple applications between two different screens by pairing the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra with INNOCN's 13A1F Portable Monitor.

The 13A1F Portable Monitor has an ultra-thin design and light weight build and is ideal for use on the go. For lifelike picture quality, it has 1920*1080p resolution and OLED backlighting. When it comes to smart monitors, the 13A1F Portable Monitor is the top choice for professionals in the visual arts, including photographers, videographers, and graphic designers.

Media Contact

Manufacturer's Name: Shenzhen Century Joint Innovation Technology Company Limited

Manufacturer's Official Website: https://www.innocn.com/

Manufacturer's Email Address: marketing@innocn.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b5d2806-e5f1-45e4-81f5-41ead5ab85fa
BROOKLYN, N.Y. and STORD, Norway, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amogy Inc ., a pioneer of emission-free, energy-dense ammonia power solutions, announced it has signed a letter of intent and a lease with Sustainable Energy Catapult Center to initiate testing operations for its 200kW ammonia-to-power platform at their recently-launched testing facility for new and sustainable energy solutions in Stord. This is an important next step as Amogy expands its footprint in Norway and seeks to be the first to demonstrate the viability of its platform for decarbonizing maritime vessels.



Amogy announced the opening of its Stavanger, Norway headquarters and the appointment of Christian Berg as Managing Director of Amogy Norway in September 2022. Establishing a presence at Stord Energy House provides Amogy with new opportunities to test and demonstrate its platform as well as access to collaborative opportunities with industry partners pursuing similar and supplemental projects. The Amogy team will focus on test programs for a 200kW powerpack prior to its installation on a tugboat later this year. Following the tugboat demo, Amogy plans to continue using the Stord facility for continuous testing for up to several months at a time.

Amogy has developed a proprietary ammonia-to-power platform that relies on unique ammonia cracking technology. By extracting hydrogen onboard for fuel in a hydrogen engine, Amogys platform offers a scalable, sustainable solution to decarbonizing heavy duty vehicles and supply chains. To date, the technology has been successfully demonstrated in a drone, John Deere tractor , and Class 8 Semi truck . Amogy is actively scaling it for use in maritime vessels, with plans to pursue a 1MW ammonia-powered tug boat demonstration and an inland barge retrofit in partnership with Southern Devall .

The Catapult Center in Stord will suit our local teams needs incredibly well, said Christian Berg, Managing Director for Amogy Norway. The facility already performs tests on other ammonia projects and possesses the necessary infrastructure to support testing on our powerpack. Were grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with their team of experienced engineers and access their innovative technologies as we expand our footprint in Norway and seek commercial opportunities in the maritime sector.

Sustainable Energy is world-leading when it comes to the testing and validating of future energy systems within green shipping and floating offshore wind.

Were honored to help Amogy test and verify their groundbreaking solutions on a full scale. Our aim is to be a driving force in the green transition, said Willie Waagen, CEO at Sustainable Energy Catapult Center. Implementing ammonia as one of the future fuels for the maritime sector, can prove to be a game-changer when it comes to eliminating emissions in shipping. Were humble to be a part of this zero-emission voyage.

Norway is at the forefront of efforts to produce green ammonia to decarbonize shipping and zero-emission solutions. Expanding operations to include testing at Stord Energy House will be instrumental in Amogys efforts to pilot and commercialize its ammonia-to-power platform in oceangoing vessels as well as maritime industry net zero and emissions reductions goals.

About Amogy

Amogy offers ammonia-based, emission-free, high energy-density power solutions to decarbonize transportation for a sustainable future. Founded in 2020 by four MIT PhD alumni with a shared vision, Amogy aims to enable the decarbonization of the heavy-duty transportation sector, accelerating the global journey towards Net Zero 2050. The companys investors include Amazons Climate Pledge Fund, AP Ventures, SK, Saudi Aramco and DCVC. To date, Amogys scalable ammonia-powered, zero-emissions energy system has been demonstrated with success in a drone, heavy-duty tractor, and semi truck. More info at: www.amogy.co

About Sustainable Energy

Sustainable Energy is one of five Norwegian national catapult centers established by the Norwegian government to accelerate innovation. The catapult centers aim to make sustainable solutions market-ready as soon as possible, by making both expertise and testing facilities available for their clients. The five centers cover areas such as smart manufacturing, ocean technologies, future materials and digitalization.

Sustainable Energy will help your company develop, test and validate sustainable solutions for energy generation, storage and distribution.

www.sustainableenergy.no

Media inquiries:

For Amogy:

amogy@fischtankpr.com

For Sustainable Energy

willie@sustainableenergy.no

+47 95 75 39 42

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39f0de1c-72a9-46ff-b62f-8037a2780129
Dublin, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Memory Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Component, Application and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The automotive memory market is projected to reach US$ 14,652.8 million by 2028 from US$ 2,937.7 million in 2021.

Companies Mentioned

Micron Technology, Inc.

Sk Hynix

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Infineon Technologies AG

Macronix International Co.

Integrated silicon Solution, Inc.

Renesas Corporation

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

MediaTek, Inc.

Toshiba Corporation

STMicroelectronics N.V.

Nanya Technology

Texas Instruments Inc.

Windbond Electronics Corp.

Automotive memory has become an important aspect of any modern-day vehicle. Most modern vehicles are fitted with various electronic devices, including those for telematics. The automotive market is witnessing a surging demand for on-board telematics. It is partly fuelled by several government regulations requiring the same. Such demand for telematics also promotes the adoption of IoT-enabled devices in vehicles.

Automotive manufacturers fit their vehicles with cutting-edge technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and predictive and self-intelligence systems.

All of these functions necessitate the use of an automotive microcontroller. Memory is built into automotive microcontrollers for data storage and transport, and the growing demand for such features contributes to an increase in the need for automotive memory. These factors collectively drive the growth of the automotive memory market size globally.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Automotive Memory Market Growth

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on various industry verticals regarding business and operational factors, including the worldwide automotive memory market players. Countries worldwide announced temporary lockdown and travel restrictions when the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the coronavirus outbreak pandemic. Such restrictions, while hindering the movement of people, strongly affected the manufacturing and sales of automobiles globally.

As a result of the lower vehicle demand in 2020, the demand for automotive memory decreased proportionally. Automobile and components production sites had to be closed worldwide, footfall in car showrooms plummeted, and governments in various regions started placing temporary trade restrictions. Such factors also resulted in a major decline in high growth countries' automobile sales. Economic turmoil and layoffs aggravated the decreasing purchasing power of consumers, which also impacted automobile sales globally.

Collectively, all such factors strongly hampered the business of automotive memory market players. Further delays are expected, according to vendors and logistic businesses, which might drive up the cost of sourcing components and shipping. While some companies have good stock in hand or have increased their sourcing, automotive memory manufacturers are concerned about avoiding further disruptions to the supply chain since they are already dealing with a severe shortage of components, including semiconductors.

This has forced them to limit production despite the rising demand for automobiles. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, the connected car industry is expected to witness good growth rates because of its advantages. It includes secure driving, remote control, auto fault diagnosis, and other more advanced technological features.



China accounts for the largest automotive memory market in Asia Pacific. The country is the largest consumer of electronics and automobiles. Growing investment in infrastructure coupled with rising ownership of private vehicles is some of the factors driving the automobile market in the country.

India is witnessing one of the fastest growth rates in the automotive memory market. By 2025, India's electric vehicle (EV) industry is expected to be worth US$ 7.09 Million, according to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) data. EV component manufacturers, commercial vehicles, and last-mile delivery companies invested a total of US$ 3.67 Million in electric vehicles.

EV component manufacturers, commercial electric vehicles, and last-mile delivery companies invested a total of US$ 3.67 Million in electric vehicles between January and July 2021. Furthermore, Power Global, a US-based renewable energy and mobility products start-up, announced plans to invest US$ 25 million in India over the next 2-3 years to establish a lithium-ion battery manufacturing unit and battery swapping infrastructure.

In South Korea, total domestic EV sales up to the end of September 2021 totaled 71,006 units, up from 36,268 units sold during the same period in 2020, according to the Korea Automotive Technology Institute. With the rising electric vehicle industry in the region, demand for automotive is expected to expand. Such factors promote the growth of the automotive memory market size in the region.



The surge in fully electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles, accompanied by the emergence of ADAS, Graphic Instrument Cluster (GIC), infotainment systems, and fully autonomous driving solutions, created a need for Electronic Control Units (ECU) - automotive computer controllers used to receive and process signals from sensors and export control commands to the actuator to execute.

Companies in the automotive memory market are coming up with new technologies for next-generation autonomous electric vehicles. For instance, in 2021, Samsung Electronics, a global pioneer in advanced memory technology, announced a broad range of cutting-edge automotive memory solutions for next-generation autonomous electric vehicles. Such developments are expected to boost the automotive memory market growth.



Report Metrics:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 289 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $4273.84 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $5730.5 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.0% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



1. Research Framework

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Global Automotive Memory Market Insights

4.1. Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.2. Droc Analysis

4.2.1. Growth Drivers

4.2.2. Restraints

4.2.3. Opportunities

4.2.4. Challenges

4.3. Technological Landscape/Recent Development

4.4. Regulatory Framework

4.5. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5. Global Automotive Memory Market Overview

5.1. Market Size & Forecast by Value, 2018-2028

5.1.1. By Value (USD Million)

5.1.2. By Volume (Million Units)

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Product

5.2.1.1. Dram

5.2.1.2. Nand

5.2.1.2.1 Low Density Slc Nand Flash Memory Type

5.2.1.2.1.1 8 Gbit

5.2.1.2.1.2 4 Gbit

5.2.1.2.1.3 2 Gbit

5.2.1.2.1.4 Others

5.2.1.3. Sram

5.2.1.4. Others

5.2.2. By Vehicle Type

5.2.2.1. Passenger Vehicles

5.2.2.2. Commercial Vehicles

5.2.3. By Application

5.2.3.1. Infotainment & Connectivity

5.2.3.2. Adas

5.2.3.3. Others

5.2.4. By Region

5.2.4.1. North America

5.2.4.2. Europe

5.2.4.3. The Asia-Pacific

5.2.4.4. Latin America

5.2.4.5. The Middle East and Africa

6. North America Automotive Memory Market

7. Europe Automotive Memory Market

8. The Asia-Pacific Automotive Memory Market

9. Latin America Automotive Memory Market

10.The Middle East & Africa Automotive Memory Market

11.Competitive Landscape

11.1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings

11.2. Market Share Analysis, 2021

11.3. Competitive Benchmarking, by Operating Parameters

11.4. Key Strategic Development (Merger, Acquisition, Partnership.)

12. Impact of Covid-19 on Global Automotive Memory Market Industry

13. Company Profile (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, and Strategic Outlook)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ousvlw-memory?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.

Attachment
Roseau, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Commonwealth of Dominica is paving the way to create a sustainable future for its citizens.

The country deals with adverse climate conditions on an annual basis caused by climate change. Global warming affects seawater temperatures that influence natural disasters. The severity and frequency of natural disasters in the Caribbean have increased in recent years, such as the 2017 Atlantic hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Dominica has used funds received from the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme to pursue its sustainability goals.

These sustainable goals include Dominicas successful adoption of clean energy  28 percent of the countrys electricity is generated by hydropower and wind energy, more than any other country in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region.

During his 2022-2023 Budget presentation, the Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, presented updates on the construction of the geothermal power plant project that will be commissioned by the end of 2024 to improve independent energy resources. The Dominica Geothermal Development Company (DGDC) is developing the project and plans for a 10-MW capacity plant that will be located in Roseau Valley.

Dominica had signed a US$33.7 million contract with DGDC to drill two additional wells in the country, meanwhile the well pads and access roads will be built by ACE engineering with a US$8.5 million contract. ACE engineering are near completion with the well pads and access roads. After drilling and testing, the project will advance to the construction of the power plant.

The preparatory work for the construction of the transmission network from Roseau Vally to Fond Cole and Sugar Loaf, were two contracts awarded valued at US$2.5 million. This will supply power from both the geothermal and hydropower power plants to the rest of Dominica. The project will include the upgrade of the transmission lines from 11kV to 33kV and 99kV to reduce line loss and be more resilient to climate change events.

I say to our young people that the investments we are making in the development of our geothermal resources is for them  a future Dominica with high-paying jobs and careers in the areas of geological sciences, geothermal energy, project management, mechanical, industrial and electrical engineering, said Prime Minister Skerrit, emphasising the socio-economic benefit these upgrades will have for the Dominican youth.

Dominica is also committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, through the use of the Dominica Climate Resilience Recovery Plan (CRRP) that was established under the terms of the Climate Resilience Act 2018, and provides full effect to the National Resilience Development Strategy developed in 2018.

The CRRP develops targets, defines initiatives and outlines resources needed to implement resilience measures. The CRRP has highlighted fourteen targets that include becoming carbon neutral through 100 percent domestic renewable energy production and increasing the protected forest areas to 67 percent of Dominica; zero fatalities from extreme weather events; 90 percent housing stock built or retrofitted to resilient building codes; 100 percent resettlement of individuals living in physically vulnerable locations; and for the Government and emergency services to be 100 percent functional during and after natural disasters.

Investors have the opportunity to contribute funds towards Dominicas sustainable economy and gain second citizenship through the countrys CBI Programme investment options. There are prerequisites per qualifying applicant that include due diligence and processing fees.

The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) was established to support Dominicas development through socio-economic initiatives. Qualifying applicants may acquire citizenship through their EDF contribution. The EDF contributions are used to develop public and private sector projects including building schools, hospital renovations, and building a national sport stadium. The Fund also benefits other industries such as agriculture, information technology and tourism.

For applicants to qualify for Dominican citizenship through the CBI Programme, applicants are required to make non-refundable EDF contribution, the amount will be determined by the number of qualifying dependants the main applicant includes in their application.

Main applicant fee: US$100 000,00

Main applicant and spouse fee: US$150 000,00

Main applicant and up to three dependants: US$175 000,00

An additional dependant under 18 years: US$25 000,00

An additional dependant 18 years or older: US$50 000,00

Processing fee per applicant: US$1 000,00

Due diligence fees: US$7 500,00 per main applicant, US$4 000,00 per spouse, and US$4 000,00 for qualifying dependant aged 16 years and above.

The other CBI Programme investment option is the Real Estate Investment Option that requires qualifying applicants to purchase pre-approved property valued at at least US$200 000,00. The property investment must be held for three years from the date of the applicants citizenship is granted and may only be sold under the CBI Programme after five years.

There are multiple government approved properties that allow qualifying applicants to select from such as condos, eco-lodges, hotels, luxury resorts and villas. Some popular locations are around the capital, Roseau, Portsmouth, Soufriere and Salisbury.

Qualifying applicants are required to pay government fees as follows:

Main applicant fee: US$25 000,00
SAN FRANCISCO, U.S., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Facts and Factors has published a new research report titled  Fluid Management Systems Market Size , Share, Growth Analysis Report By Product Type (Standalone Fluid Management Systems, and Integrated Fluid Management Systems), By Accessories (Tubing Sets, Catheters, Suction Canisters, Valves, and Bloodlines), By Application (Gynecology, Urology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Dentistry, Otoscopy, and Arthroscopy), By End-User (Hospitals, and Ambulatory Services), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2030 in its research database.

According to the latest research study, the demand of global fluid management systems market size & share was valued at approximately USD 4 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow above a CAGR of 13% and is anticipated to reach over USD 26.8 billion by 2030.

Fluid Management Systems Market Overview:

Fluid management systems make use of technology and advanced devices that help nursing and medical staff meet the bodily fluid requirements or demands of patients depending on their condition. Body fluids are essential components in living organisms as they are required in certain quantities for the body to perform in the required ways. They include substances like lymph, blood, saliva, and milk that are produced in the body and circulated either inside the systems or excreted outside.

Since fluid management is a diverse subject, it is complicated and should be taken care of by an authorized or qualified medical practitioner only. The fluid loss recorded in any patient may differ solely depending on the patients medical history or the current issue. For instance, a patient who is admitted for severe burns may have a higher requirement for fluid management than a patient who is not allowed to drink any fluid through the mouth as a protocol before any operational procedure.

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The type of fluid transfusion may also vary. For example, the requirements of a diarrhea case are different from the needs of a septic shock case. A critical differentiating point to consider lies between understanding fluid replacement and fluid maintenance. Fluid replacement extends the boundaries of physiological needs and includes conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, or burns whereas fluid maintenance requires medical staff to understand the physiological needs of the patient and includes taking care of insensible or sensible fluid losses.

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2021 USD 4 Billion Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 26.8 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 13% CAGR Base Year 2021 Forecast Years 2022-2030 Key Market Players Baxter International Inc., Hologic Inc, Fresenius Medical Care, Stryker Inc, Cardinal Health, and others. Key Segment By Product Type, Accessories, Application, 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 fluid management systems market share is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 13% between 2022 and 2030.

share is likely to grow above a between 2022 and 2030. The Fluid Management Systems market size was worth around US$ 4 billion in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately US$ 26.8 billion by 2030 . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate.

and is estimated to hit approximately . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate. The market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the increasing emphasis on accurate and quality medical care

Based on product type segmentation, standalone fluid management systems were predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

Based on application segmentation, neurology was the leading resin in 2021

On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2021

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Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers

Increasing investments in the healthcare field

The global fluid management systems market is projected to grow owing to the increasing investments in the healthcare field and related systems, devices, and equipment. These investments have led to increasing technological advancements in the field. For instance, the development of immersive and minimally invasive technology may further propel the global market. With increasing medical cases and relatively higher accessibility to healthcare, the number of medical procedures conducted annually has increased multifold which results in higher demand for supporting accessories.

Diarrhea, one of the medical cases that require fluid management, is highly prevalent amongst children and one of the leading causes of death in children below 5 years of age. As estimated by the World Health Organization, more than 1.7 billion cases of diarrhea are registered every year. It is also a leading reason for malnutrition among children. Fluid replacement is the widely used method of managing fluid loss during diarrhea episodes as the general recommendation is to provide an oral rehydration solution.

Restraints

High cost of medical expenses

The global market may face growth inhibitions due to the high cost of medical expenses, especially in developing or under-developed nations as the majority of people cannot afford quality medical care for the treatment of certain diseases. For instance, brain surgery costs an average of USD 6000 in the US. The expense comes to around USD 4000 in India but is still expensive keeping in view that India is still a developing nation.

Opportunities & Challenges

The growing infrastructure is expected to create growth opportunities whereas the presence of low-quality products may challenge the market expansion.

Fluid Management Systems Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global fluid management systems market is segmented by product type, accessories, application, end-user, and region.

Based on accessories, the global market divisions are tubing sets, catheters, suction canisters, valves, and bloodlines. The global market witnessed the highest growth in the tubing sets market as the demand for the equipment grew multifold during the pandemic and its aftereffects. They are used extensively during all processes requiring fluid transfusion. As the market is full of suppliers for tubing sets, the supply and demand chain is perfectly balanced. India exported more than 2800 shipments of blood tubing sets in the last year.

Based on end-user, the global market divisions are hospitals and ambulatory services with the former leading the global market growth in 2021. Hospitals are the main treatment facilities and are well-equipped to handle all sorts of cases ranging from small medical issues to critical operations. Expenses on medical equipment and prescription drugs are among the top 3 expenses of any government. As per a report finding, 15% of the total expense is on medical supplies.

Browse the full Fluid Management Systems Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2030 Report at https://www.fnfresearch.com/fluid-management-systems-market



Regional Dominance:

North America to lead the market growth

North America is projected to lead the global fluid management systems market owing to the high demand for such systems in the healthcare sector of the region. As the per capita spending capacity of the population in countries like the US and Canada is high, more operational procedures are carried out in these areas. Growth in Europe may be driven by the presence of excellent medical reimbursement policies and medical care benefits provided by the regional governments.

Asia-Pacific may register a high CAGR due to the high supply rate of bulk medical devices and systems as the number of manufacturers in India and China is extremely high. The growth may further be propelled by the growing investments in the regional healthcare sector.

Competitive Players:

The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global fluid management systems market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors.

Some of the main players in the global fluid management systems market include;

Baxter International Inc.

Hologic Inc

Fresenius Medical Care

Stryker Inc

Cardinal Health Inc.

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(We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.)

Recent Industry Developments:

In December 2020, the Capedieum system was launched by Medtronic in the US market. It is a neonatal and pediatric dialysis machine

In June 2020, Fresenius Medical Care announced its intention to open more than 100 transitional care units that will help people recently diagnosed with kidney failure

The global fluid management systems market is segmented as follows:

By Product Type

Standalone Fluid Management Systems

Integrated Fluid Management Systems

By Accessories

Tubing Sets

Catheters

Suction Canisters

Valves

Bloodlines

By Application

Gynecology

Urology

Neurology

Gastroenterology

Dentistry

Otoscopy

Arthroscopy

By End-User

Hospitals

Ambulatory Services

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



For Additional Information on Fluid Management Systems Market Players and Detail List, Download a Report PDF Brochure

Key Offerings:

Market Size, Trends, & Forecast by Revenue | 20222030

Market Dynamics  Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by Product Type, Accessories, Application, End-User, and Region

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

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HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the 1st extraordinary meeting on February 14, 2023, the membership dismissal has been approved for the following members: Vice Chairman Huy Nguyen, Standing Committee member Pham Minh Tri, and Executive Committee member Pham Toan Thang. Vice Chairman Huy Nguyen and Standing Committee member Pham Minh Tri have been removed from all relevant positions. The decisions were agreed upon by 100% of the members attending the extraordinary meeting.



According to the resolution from the Executive Committee, the three members have violated the Charter of the Association, acted and spread misinformation in a way that seriously harmed the reputation and honor of the Association, causing internal disunity.

Hoang Van Huay, VBA Chairman and former Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Ministry shared: "We have witnessed the collapse of the blockchain application market in cryptocurrencies in countries such as the US and South Korea, from individuals who were once rising stars like Sam Bankman-Fried or Do Kwon to economic criminals who are in hiding. The problem is not in technology but behind the technology. Therefore, ethics should be taken more seriously than ever when dealing with technology solutions."





To create a transparent and quality environment for blockchain applications in Vietnam and become a solid and long-term bridge between Vietnamese blockchain talents and global organizations and communities, VBA focused on implementing a plan to monitor information system security, ensure overall information security and take steps to register for cyber trust certification, to create trust from participants and affirm the legitimacy of VBA in cyberspace.

"The inevitable personnel change is to increase community reputation, create legal value, comply and operate standards of Vietnam Blockchain Association. At the same time, we are always ready to connect and open to suggestions for development from domestic and international associations, businesses, and communities," Chairman Hoang Van Huay added.

Recently, at the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Vietnam Blockchain Association was one of the organizations representing Vietnam's innovative technology sector. The forum will discuss the investment environment, digital transformation and green energy in the context of the global economy, with 500 enterprises from Singapore and Vietnam attending on February 10.

On February 16, VBA representatives attended the exchange program to connect with leaders from 19 organizations and associations in the technology industry and other economic sectors, as well as many businesses in Hanoi.

In 2023, VBA aims to develop and gather experts in technology, legal and financial professionals who meet professional, ethical standards. The Association would continue to publish standards for the blockchain market, including fraud identification and information security standards, and promote the community to develop platform blockchain technology (Blockchain layer 1). These are parts of the six goals VBA has been gearing toward since its establishment.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ee45c6b-7fa6-42f0-b734-0534a04b2140
Newark, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The brainy Insights estimates that the USD 2.4 billion in 2022 cashmere clothing market will reach USD 3.8 billion by 2030. The market for cashmere clothing is growing owing to the increasing preference for attractive luxury clothes as a symbol of status and the inclination toward flaunting style and class in society. Furthermore, the rising demand for excellent wool garments adds impetus to the markets growth. Cashmere yarn is used to create cashmere clothing products. This product is stronger, softer, lighter, and finer than other varieties of wool. Because of its high moisture content and ease of temperature adjustment, it also improves visual appeal. Therefore, it is anticipated that all of these factors will increase product demand during the forecast period.



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Key Insight of the Cashmere Clothing Market



Europe to account for the largest market size during the forecast period.



Europe is expected to have the largest cashmere clothing market share. The European market is being driven by an increase in demand for various types of cashmere clothing in nations like Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the increasing number of prominent brands manufacturing cashmere clothing in the region also adds to the market growth.



The sweaters and coats segment is expected to augment the cashmere clothing market during the forecast period.



The sweaters and coats segment is anticipated to dominate the market over the forecast period. The demand for sweaters and coats has been increasing owing to the increasing use of premium sweaters and coats, such as casual and formal wear.



The men's segment market size is 1.0 billion in 2022



The men's segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to continue during the forecast period. Demand for cashmere apparel, including jackets and pants, and rising living standards are expected to propel the segments growth.



Advancement in market



In October 2022, the New cashDenim series was introduced by Loro Piana S.P.A. 60 per cent denim, and 40 per cent cashmere are blended and slowly woven on traditional looms by Loro Piana S.P.A. for the CashDenim line.



In October 2022, The first collection of luxurious cashmere basics for ladies was unveiled by Autumn Cashmere. Each item, from plain cardigans to striped sweaters, struck the ideal mix between femininity and comfort.



Market Dynamics



Driver: Increasing popularity on social media



Social media websites have developed into a great platform for spreading awareness about cashmere clothing in some regions where the market was not sufficiently developed. This has developed drastically in the past few years due to the ongoing digitalization of major countries and the ensuing internet usage. Thus, the increasing advertisement of cashmere clothing on social media platforms drives the markets growth.



Restraint: High cost



The high production and raw material cost of cashmere clothing increase the overall cost of cashmere clothes. The high cost of the product is expected to hinder the markets growth as most people from low and middle-income families will not be able to afford these clothes.



Opportunity: Increasing awareness



There is an increasing awareness regarding cashmere clothing in several regions. Furthermore, there is an increasing awareness about the benefits of cashmere clothing, which is expected to provide growth opportunities for the market over the forecast period.



Challenge: Ban In Techniques



Some nations, notably the United States, have banned using cashmere yarn because of alleged practices employed in cultivating Tibetan wild goats for yarn. The goats are supposedly captured, maltreated as adults, and killed. This factor is expected to challenge the market growth.



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Some of the major players operating in the cashmere clothing market are:



 Loro Piana S.P.A.

 Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A.

 Alyki - Felice De Palma & Co.

 Pringle of Scotland Limited

 Ermenegildo Zegna Holditalia S.p.A.

 SofiaCashmere

 Autumn Cashmere

 Malo

 Corso Italia S.p.A.

 TSE Cashmere



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Product:



 Pants and Trousers

 Tees and Polo

 Sweaters and Coats

 Others



By End-User:



 Women

 Men

 Children



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

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About the report:



The market is analyzed based on value (USD billion). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyzes driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, Product analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



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Dublin, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cloud Robotics Market by Technology, Robot Type, Hardware, Software, Services, Infrastructure and Cloud Deployment Types, and Industry Verticals 2023 - 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report assesses the cloud robotics market including technologies, companies, strategies, use cases, and solutions. The report provides global and regional forecasts for cloud robotics apps, services, and components from 2023 to 2028.

Forecasts include the market outlook for cloud services support of cloud robotics including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Robotics as a Service (RaaS). Forecasting for cloud robotics by robot type and deployment model is also included covering Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Community Cloud.

Select Report Findings:

Global cloud robotics market will reach $30.9 billion by 2028, growing at 36.1% CAGR

Global AI market in cloud robotics will reach $21.1 billion by 2028, growing at 67.4% CAGR

Global 5G in cloud robotics market will reach $11.3 billion by 2028, growing at 79.9% CAGR

Cellular is the largest connectivity technology with 51.6% of the total cloud robotics market

Peer-based is the largest implementation method with 48% of the total cloud robotics market

Robotics as a Service is the largest business model with 45.6% of the total cloud robotics market

North America is the largest region with 34% of the total cloud robotics market followed by Asia Pac

Platforms, servers, and other infrastructure are the largest portion of the total cloud robotics market at 63% of total

Cloud robotics is distinguished from the general field of electromechanical automation through its use of teleoperation as well as reliance upon various cloud computing technologies such as computing and storage as well as the emerging cloud-based business models enabling robotics-as-a-service.

In addition, cloud robotics will benefit greatly from edge computing technologies, such as Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), as well as the commercial introduction of 5G New Radio (5GNR) technologies based on millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies.

The combination of robotics, teleoperation, MEC, and core cloud technologies is poised to transform enterprise operations, industrial processes, and consumer services across many industry verticals.

Both purpose-built and general-purpose robotics segments will benefit greatly from cloud operations as well as both terrestrial and aerial robots. In the case of the latter, mass consumerization will occur as end-users become accustomed to autonomous and remote-control robots for many different personal services tasks.

The cloud robotics market will usher into existence a much broader array of robotics services. This is due to several factors including much more flexible services execution, reduced operational friction (such as fewer proprietary interfaces), and improved economics through robotics-as-a-service in a cloud-based application model. Initially, industrial and government clients will see the greatest benefit, followed by the enterprise in certain leading industry verticals. The cloud robotics market will eventually open up to consumers in a limited manner.

Thanks to 5GNR wireless support, many cloud robotics applications will be untethered and portable, but not highly mobile due to line of sight (LOS) limitations of mmWave propagation.

However, LOS will be adequate for many cloud robotics market applications such as those found in military and industrial solutions. Enterprise and government (federal, state, and local) security will be one of the leading solutions, which will typically be provided on a security-as-a-service basis through managed service robotics companies such as Knightscope, Inc.

Key Topics Covered:

1.0 Executive Summary

2.0 Introduction

3.0 Cloud Robotics Enabling Technologies

3.1 Teleoperation

3.2 Cloud Computing

3.3 Edge Computing

3.4 Fifth Generation Cellular

3.4.1 5G and Robotics

3.4.2 5G and Network Slicing

4.0 Cloud Robotics Ecosystem Analysis

4.1 Market Segmentation

4.2 Ecosystem and Players

4.3 Cloud Robotics Applications

4.4 Anticipated Regional Adoption

4.5 Emerging Cloud Robotics Business Models

4.6 Robotics Production

4.7 Robotics Cost Structure

4.8 Robotics ROI

4.9 Cloud Robotics Intellectual Property

4.10 Research and Development Activities

5.0 Cloud Robotics Market Drivers and Challenges

5.1 Cloud Robotics Market Drivers

5.2 Cloud Robotics Challenges

6.0 Company Analysis

6.1 Rockwell Automation Inc.

6.1.1 Company Profile

6.1.2 Recent Developments

6.2 KUKA AG

6.2.1 Company Profile

6.2.2 Recent Developments

6.3 ABB Group

6.3.1 Company Profile

6.3.2 Recent Developments

6.4 FANUC Corporation

6.4.1 Company Profile

6.4.2 Recent Developments

6.5 Yaskawa Electric Corporation

6.5.1 Company Profile

6.5.2 Recent Developments

6.6 Universal Robots

6.6.1 Company Profile

6.6.2 Recent Developments

6.7 Tend.ai

6.7.1 Company Profile

6.7.2 Recent Developments

6.8 Rapyuta Robotics Co. Ltd.

6.8.1 Company Profile

6.8.2 Recent Developments

6.9 HotBlack Robotics Srl

6.9.1 Company Profile

6.10 Calvary Robotics

6.10.1 Company Profile

6.10.2 Recent Developments

6.11 Motion Controls Robotics Inc.

6.11.1 Company Profile

6.12 Wolf Robotics LLC

6.12.1 Company Profile

6.12.2 Recent Developments

6.13 Tech-Con Automation Inc.

6.13.1 Company Profile

6.14 Matrix Industrial Automation

6.14.1 Company Profile

6.15 Automation IG

6.15.1 Company Profile

6.16 Ortelio Ltd

6.16.1 Company Profile

6.16.2 Recent Developments

6.17 SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp.

6.17.1 Company Profile

6.17.2 Recent Developments

6.18 iRobot Corp.

6.18.1 Company Profile

6.18.2 Recent Developments

6.19 Google Inc.

6.19.1 Company Profile

6.19.2 Recent Developments

6.20 IBM Corporation

6.20.1 Company Profile

6.20.2 Recent Developments

6.21 Microsoft Corporation

6.21.1 Company Profile

6.21.2 Recent Developments

6.22 Ecovacs Robotics Inc.

6.22.1 Company Profile

6.22.2 Recent Developments

6.23 CloudMinds

6.23.1 Company Profile

6.23.2 Recent Developments

6.24 Ozobot & Evollve Inc.

6.24.1 Company Profile

6.24.2 Recent Developments

6.25 Segway Inc. and Ninebot

6.25.1 Company Profile

6.25.2 Recent Developments

6.26 Erle Robotics

6.26.1 Company Profile

6.27 Adept Technology

6.27.1 Company Profile

6.27.2 Recent Developments

6.28 Ekso Bionics

6.28.1 Company Profile

6.28.2 Recent Developments

6.29 Lockheed Martin

6.29.1 Company Profile

6.29.2 Recent Developments

6.30 Mazor Robotics

6.30.1 Company Profile

6.30.2 Recent Developments

6.31 Pv-Kraftwerker

6.31.1 Company Profile

6.32 ReconRobotics Inc.

6.32.1 Company Profile

6.32.2 Recent Developments

6.33 Seegrid

6.33.1 Company Profile

6.33.2 Recent Developments

6.34 SpaceX

6.34.1 Company Profile

6.34.2 Recent Developments

7.0 Cloud Robotics Market Forecast 2023 - 2028

7.1 Global Cloud Robotics Market 2023 - 2028

7.2 Total Cloud Robotics Market

7.3 Cloud Robotics Market by Technology

7.4 Cloud Robotics Market by Implementation Module

7.5 Cloud Robotics Market by Connectivity Technology

7.6 Cloud Robotics Market by Business Model

7.7 Cloud Robotics Market by Deployment Type

7.8 Cloud Robotics Market by Industrial, Enterprise, and Consumer Sectors

7.9 Artificial Intelligence Market in Cloud Robotics

7.10 5G in Cloud Robotics Market

7.11 Data Analytics Software Market in Cloud Robotics

7.12 Regional Cloud Robotics Market 2023 - 2028

7.13 Cloud Robotics Markets by Region

7.14 Robotics Unit Shipments Globally 2023 - 2028

7.15 Global Robot Unit Shipments 2023 - 2028

7.16 Robot Unit Shipments by Region 2023 - 2028

8.0 Drone Market Analysis and Forecasts 2023 - 2028

8.1 Global Drone Market Revenue Forecasts 2023 - 2028

8.2 Commercial Drone Market by Segments

8.3 Regional Drone Market Revenue Forecasts 2023 - 2028

8.4 Drone Revenue Forecasts by Country 2023 - 2028

8.5 Global Drone Unit Shipment Forecast

8.6 Regional Drone Unit Shipment Forecasts

9.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

10.0 Appendix: Digital Twinning

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ben3v-robotics?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.
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Troilus Gold Corp. (Troilus or the Company) (TSX: TLG; OTCQX: CHXMF; FSE: CM5R) reports assay results from Zone X22 (X22) at its Troilus Project, located in northcentral Quebec, Canada. The results reported herein are part of an ongoing drill campaign designed to define and expand on a newly discovered NE-SW mineralized deformation corridor, originating in Zone 87 and extending southwest into the Gap Zone. Since its discovery in late 2022 (see October 17, 2022, press release), the strike length of X22 has grown to over 800 metres, and is open to the southwest along strike, and at depth.



The results reported today showcase the shallow depth, grade, and continuity of X22. All results reported herein lie entirely outside of the PEA pit shells and will be included in the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study.

Zone X22 Intercept Highlights:

18m at 1.34 g/t AuEq, including 2m at 7.16 g/t AuEq

9m at 2.42 g/t AuEq from 172 to 181m downhole

14m at 0.81 g/t AuEq from 39 to 53m downhole, including 8m at 1.10 g/t AuEq

12m at 1.52 g/t AuEq, including 1m at 10.51 g/t AuEq

19m at 0.82 g/t AuEq, including 3m at 2.47 g/t AuEq

8m at 1.79 g/t AuEq from 177 to 185m downhole, including 1m at 7.57 g/t AuEq and 1m at 4.31 g/t AuEq

19m at 0.61 g/t AuEq from 131 to 150m downhole, including 7m at 1.12 g/t AuEq



Justin Reid, CEO of Troilus Gold, commented, X22 is an exciting new shallow target which we expect will positively impact the grade profile of Troilus in the early years of the mine life. Given the zone was only recently discovered, it has not yet been included in any previous resource calculations and will be included in our upcoming Feasibility study. The continuity, grade and shallow depth of this zone are all key features that we believe will have a significant impact on the economic modelling of the project. In the coming months, our team will continue to define zone X22 through strategic and targeted drilling, in order to deliver the most impactful Feasibility Study to our stakeholders. Our robust structural and geochemical model of the Troilus deposit, layered with our current geological understanding of the Frotet-Evans greenstone belt, is imperative to uncovering new discoveries at the Troilus deposit and beyond. Our balance sheet remains very strong and we see clear runway to achieving our stated goals.



Geoscience Studies Conducted at Zone X22

X22 mineralization is located along a prominent break within an interpreted D2 structural corridor oblique to the dominant Troilus trend. This corridor was originally identified by geophysical interpretation and has since been confirmed by the use of oriented drill core.

X22 is the first zone at Troilus to be hosted exclusively within the Troilus intrusion, around which the other mineralized zones are located. Dominantly dioritic in composition, the intrusion appears more evolved (tonalitic) within the X22 corridor, with mineralization observed proximal to the contacts between these different phases of the intrusion. Similar to other zones at Troilus, X22 mineralization is also associated with deformed felsic porphyry dykes. However, it appears that the composition of these dykes in X22 are more variable than what is typically observed. Lithogeochemical and geochronological programs have been undertaken to better understand X22-style of mineralization.

This new data, coupled with ongoing oriented core and existing geophysical data, will be critical to the discovery of future deposits within the relatively underexplored Troilus intrusion, as well as help develop a more complete genetic model for the Troilus deposit as a whole.





Figure 1  Plan View of Zone X22 Showing Current and Previously Reported Drill Holes

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2120bf3-e01b-4b9f-be3c-a17259e58012





Figure 2  Section 13050N Facing North-East Showing Results for X22-22-002

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eee3bb92-4fcb-455c-89ab-c72248ab487f





Table 1  Zone X22 Drill Results

Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Inside/Outside of PEA Pit Shell Au Grade (g/t) Cu Grade (%) Ag Grade (g/t) AuEq Grade (g/t) X22-22-001 39 53 14 Outside 0.71 0.06 1.92 0.81 incl 40 48 8 Outside 0.99 0.07 2.43 1.10 168 169 1 Outside 0.88 0.01 0.25 0.89 170 171 1 Outside 0.97 0.00 0.25 0.98 192 194 2 Outside 2.00 0.01 0.25 2.02 209 227 18 Outside 1.31 0.02 0.66 1.34 incl 220 222 2 Outside 7.10 0.03 2.70 7.16 X22-22-002 122 123 1 Outside 1.87 0.02 0.25 1.89 133 183 50 Outside 0.67 0.07 0.87 0.77 incl 172 181 9 Outside 2.29 0.10 0.85 2.42 188 189 1 Outside 0.85 0.09 1.20 0.97 202 203 1 Outside 1.06 0.02 0.60 1.09 255 256 1 Outside 0.76 0.00 0.25 0.77 386 387 1 Outside 0.95 0.00 0.25 0.96 X22-22-003 52 55 3 Outside 0.75 0.05 0.48 0.81 59 60 1 Outside 0.96 0.04 0.70 1.02 93 98 5 Outside 0.63 0.06 1.04 0.71 incl 93 94 1 Outside 1.36 0.13 2.50 1.55 incl 97 98 1 Outside 1.34 0.01 0.25 1.36 107 108 1 Outside 0.48 0.19 4.00 0.77 X22-22-004 115 116 1 Outside 0.91 0.15 2.70 1.13 147 151 4 Outside 1.13 0.01 0.34 1.15 159 162 3 Outside 0.99 0.05 1.20 1.07 170 198 28 Outside 0.47 0.04 1.27 0.53 incl 170 171 1 Outside 3.44 0.11 1.00 3.59 incl 194 195 1 Outside 1.73 0.06 4.80 1.86 209 210 1 Outside 3.94 0.31 14.00 4.48 87-22-446 37 38 1 Outside 0.33 0.30 7.10 0.79 89 94 5 Outside 0.74 0.06 0.68 0.82 incl 92 93 1 Outside 2.04 0.16 1.40 2.25 110 111 1 Outside 0.64 0.12 1.40 0.80 148 149 1 Outside 0.95 0.01 0.25 0.97 153 154 1 Outside 1.02 0.01 0.25 1.03 177 185 8 Outside 1.67 0.06 3.83 1.79 incl 177 178 1 Outside 7.08 0.25 16.90 7.57 incl 181 182 1 Outside 4.08 0.11 8.70 4.31 203 204 1 Outside 0.68 0.05 1.40 0.76 309 321 12 Outside 1.50 0.01 0.47 1.52 incl 320 321 1 Outside 10.40 0.06 2.90 10.51 509 510 1 Outside 1.46 0.02 0.25 1.48 646 647 1 Outside 0.80 0.01 0.25 0.82 731 732 1 Outside 0.73 0.04 0.50 0.78 754 760 6 Outside 0.78 0.07 0.80 0.88 incl 757 758 1 Outside 3.05 0.13 1.40 3.23 87-22-448 120 121 0.6 Outside 2.93 0.57 5.30 3.70 140 143 3 Outside 0.74 0.13 0.82 0.90 240 241 1 Outside 1.17 0.05 0.90 1.24 281 300 19 Outside 0.69 0.10 1.09 0.82 incl 282 285 3 Outside 2.12 0.27 1.90 2.47 575 576 1 Outside 0.77 0.01 0.25 0.79 637 638 1 Outside 6.62 0.00 0.25 6.63 660 662 2 Outside 1.09 0.19 2.90 1.36 675 676 1 Outside 0.72 0.03 0.25 0.77 694 695 1 Outside 0.87 0.22 4.90 1.19 701 702 1 Outside 0.90 0.01 0.25 0.92 704 705 1 Outside 0.84 0.01 0.25 0.86 706 707 1 Outside 0.73 0.06 0.25 0.81 GZ-22-024 74 75 1 Outside 1.46 0.06 1.40 1.55 131 150 19 Outside 0.49 0.09 0.78 0.61 incl 135 142 7 Outside 0.92 0.15 1.19 1.12 156 160 4 Outside 0.57 0.18 3.13 0.83 incl 157 159 2 Outside 0.81 0.26 4.45 1.18 170 172 2 Outside 2.66 0.32 5.75 3.12 176 177 1 Outside 0.90 0.08 0.90 1.01 184 189 5 Outside 0.65 0.08 0.96 0.76 incl 184 185 1 Outside 1.36 0.16 1.80 1.58 209 213 4 Outside 0.92 0.08 1.33 1.04 218 219 1 Outside 1.05 0.43 5.20 1.65 222 223 1 Outside 0.97 0.08 0.90 1.08 228 232 4 Outside 1.41 0.08 1.78 1.54 incl 229 230 1 Outside 2.34 0.11 1.90 2.50 256 257 1 Outside 0.94 0.01 0.25 0.96 542 543 1 Outside 1.88 0.01 0.25 1.89

*Note drill intervals reported in this news release are down-hole core lengths as true thicknesses cannot be determined with available information.

Quality Assurance and Control

During the Zone X22 drill program, one meter assay samples were taken from NQ core and sawed in half. One-half was sent for assaying at ALS Laboratory, a certified commercial laboratory, and the other half was retained for results, cross checks, and future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples, which included insertion of one certified mineralized standard and one blank sample in each batch of 25 samples. Every sample was processed with standard crushing to 85% passing 75 microns on 500 g splits. Samples were assayed by one-AT (30 g) fire assay with an AA finish and if results were higher than 3.5 g/t Au, assays were redone with a gravimetric finish. For QA/QC samples, a 50 g fire assay was done. In addition to gold, ALS laboratory carried out multi-element analysis for ME-ICP61 analysis of 33 elements four acid ICP-AES.

Qualified Person



The technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Kyle Frank, P.Geo., Manager of Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Frank is an employee of Troilus and is not independent of the Company under NI 43-101.

About Troilus Gold Corp.

Troilus Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining company focused on the systematic advancement and de-risking of the former gold and copper Troilus Mine towards production. From 1996 to 2010, the Troilus Mine produced +2 million ounces of gold and nearly 70,000 tonnes of copper. Troilus is located in the top-rated mining jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada, where it holds a strategic land position of 1,420 km in the Frotet-Evans Greenstone Belt. Since acquiring the project in 2017, ongoing exploration success has demonstrated the tremendous scale potential of the gold system on the property with significant mineral resource growth. The Company is advancing engineering studies following the completion of a robust PEA in 2020, which demonstrated the potential for the Troilus project to become a top-ranked gold and copper producing asset in Canada. Led by an experienced team with a track-record of successful mine development, Troilus is positioned to become a cornerstone project in North America.

For more information:

Caroline Arsenault

VP Corporate Communications

+1 (647) 407-7123

info@troilusgold.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability; the estimate of Mineral Resources in the updated Mineral Resource statement may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. There is no certainty that the Indicated Mineral Resources will be converted to the Probable Mineral Reserve category, and there is no certainty that the updated Mineral Resource statement will be realized.

The PEA is preliminary in nature, includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The PEA is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. See below and the Companys latest technical report available on SEDAR for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the impact of the ongoing drill program and results on the Company, the possible economics of the project and the Companys understanding of the project; the development potential and timetable of the project; the estimation of mineral resources; realization of mineral resource estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; the anticipated results of the Companys ongoing 2023 drill program and their possible impact on the potential size of the mineral resource estimate; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; the anticipated ability of investors to continue benefiting from the Companys low discovery costs, technical expertise and support from local communities. Generally, forward-looking statements 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, continue, 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, will, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important facts that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of Troilus to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Troilus will operate in the future. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others, currency fluctuations, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Troilus to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: there being no assurance that the exploration program will result in expanded mineral resources; risks and uncertainties inherent to mineral resource estimates; the impact the COVID 19 pandemic may have on the Companys activities (including without limitation on its employees and suppliers) and the economy in general; the impact of the recovery post COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on gold and other metals; the receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental and other risks of the mining industry, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties discussed in the most recent Technical Report and in other continuous disclosure documents of the Company available under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Although Troilus 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. 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. Troilus does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
New York, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Customer Intelligence Platform Market by Component, Application, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Data Channel, Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420089/?utm_source=GNW

In addition, heightened adoption of customer intelligence platforms to monitor changes in the market as they occur, and rising investments in customer intelligence platforms by large enterprises, all contribute to the expansion of the customer intelligence platform market.



Services segment to have a higher CAGR during the forecast period

Based on services, the customer intelligence platform market has been segmented into consulting and support, and maintenance services.These services help organizations streamline their marketing operations.



It includes the support offered by customer intelligence platform vendors to assist their customers in using and maintaining customer intelligence platform solutions efficiently. With customer data increasing day by day, organizations are increasingly adopting customer intelligence platform services to address marketing requirements for continuously evolving customer demands.



Cloud deployment segment to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on deployment modes, the customer intelligence platform market has been segmented into on-premises and cloud.The CAGR of the cloud deployment mode is estimated to be the largest during the forecast period.



Cloud-based customer intelligence platforms offer various advantages, including scalability, adaptability, easy deployment, and cost-effectiveness, which promote the adoption of cloud deployment across organizations.The low cost and ease of implementation have made the cloud a highly desirable delivery mode among organizations.



The SaaS deployment model is generating demand for a cloud-based customer intelligence platform, as it provides scalability and flexibility. The major providers of cloud-based customer intelligence platforms are Oracle, Adobe, and SAP.



SMEs segment to hold higher CAGR during the forecast period

The customer intelligence platform market has been segmented by organization size into large enterprises and SMEs.SMEs with limited marketing budgets are trying to scale up their business through cost-efficient marketing techniques to generate the most ROI from their marketing spend.



Thus, a customer intelligence platform can help SMEs align with their limited budget and fulfill their business expansion objectives. With instant technological changes and digital transformations disrupting various industries, SMEs are also facing pressure to adjust to the latest trends and use technologically advanced solutions that support their business operations.



Asia Pacific is projected to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Asia Pacific is expected to grow quickly during the forecast period.Opportunities for smaller customer intelligence platform vendors to introduce customer intelligence platform solutions for numerous sectors have also increased.



All these aspects are responsible for the regions expeditious growth of the customer intelligence platform market.Companies operating in Asia Pacific continue to focus on improving customer services to drive market competitiveness and revenue growth.



China, Japan and India have displayed ample growth opportunities in the customer intelligence platform market.



Breakdown of primaries

In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), innovation and technology directors, system integrators, and executives from various key organizations operating in the customer intelligence platform market.

 By Company: Tier I: 15%, Tier II: 42%, and Tier III: 43%

 By Designation: C-Level Executives: 65%, D-Level Executives: 23%, and Managers: 12%

 By Region: Asia Pacific: 30%, Europe: 20%, North America: 40%, MEA: 5%, Latin America: 5%

The report includes studying key players offering customer intelligence platform and services. The major vendors in the global customer intelligence platform market include IBM (US), Oracle (US), Microsoft (US), Adobe (US), SAS (US), Salesforce (US), Google (US), Accenture (Ireland), Informatica (US), SAP (Germany), Verint (US), Teradata (US), Zeta Global (US), TIBCO (US), NICE (Israel), TransUnion (US), Alida (Canada), Algonomy (US), NetBase Quid (US), NGDATA (Belgium), Zeotap (Germany), ActionIQ (US), Amperity (US), UserIQ (US), Datashift (Belgium), Staircase AI (US), Terminus (US), and Lifesight (Singapore).



Research Coverage

The market study covers the customer intelligence platform market across segments.It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across segments, such as components, deployment modes, organization size, applications, verticals, and regions.



It includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report would provide the market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall customer intelligence platform market and its subsegments.It would help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain better insights to position their business and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.



It also helps stakeholders understand the markets pulse and provides information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420089/?utm_source=GNW



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.



__________________________
Dublin, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Plant Phenotyping Market Research" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global plant phenotyping market is estimated to be valued at USD 238 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 437 million by 2027, recording a CAGR of 12.9%

Technological advancements in science and new approaches for identifying physical traits in plants in the form of quantitative and qualitative data have been a boon in recent years.

To explain the genetic expression in crossbred or genetically modified (GM) plants, plant phenotyping is an important aspect, which can be leveraged to its full potential so that the selection of plant species that are stress-tolerant and productive is highly possible, and thereby, they can be chosen for cultivation, based on the researches and experiments conducted.



Europe is projected to witness the growth of 3.4% during the forecast period



The plant phenotyping market in Europe is growing at a CAGR of 12.6% due to the rising demand in large economies, such as The Netherlands, UK, France and other countries.

The industrial organization and technology of plant phenotyping processing are changing rapidly in Europe. Unlike other regions where phenotyping is processed almost entirely by large companies, in Europe, plant phenotyping processing is done by small and medium-sized firms. Historically, native plant based products have been largely used for food products in the Europe region.

The industrial applications and technologies involved in plant phenotyping processing are changing rapidly in the Europe countries. Plant phenotyping is increasingly being demanded by various industries in the region and these industries are incorporating modern equipment of phenotyping in their manufacturing processes and products.



The equipment product type dominates the market with 59.6% of total market share in terms of value



The corn plant phenotyping dominates the market with 59.6% of total market share in terms of value in 2021. The European plant phenotyping market is dominated by equipment due to its low price.

Similarly, in Europe, the market is almost equally distributed among greenhouses and laboratories. In the Europe countries, however, the focus is on greenhouses is more. In some cases, the plant phenotyping industry is likely to choose based on the cost factor of the products over the quality due to cost considerations.



Key Metrics

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 205 Forecast Period 2022 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $238 million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $437 million Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.9% Regions Covered Global

Premium Insights

Advancements in Application of Imaging Sensors to Drive Market

Products Segment to Dominate European Plant Phenotyping Market in 2022

Products Segment Will Continue to Dominate Market in 2027

Equipment Segment to Dominate Plant Phenotyping Products Market in 2022

Measurement Acquisition and Data Analysis Segment Will Continue to Dominate Plant Phenotyping Services Market in 2027

Europe to Dominate Plant Phenotyping Market for All Types

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Automation and Significant Advancements in Application of Imaging Sensors for High-Throughput Data Collection

Growing Importance of Sustainable Crop Production Using Improved Crop Varieties

Increasing Expansions and Investments for Plant Phenotyping in Developed Regions

Restraints

Lack of Technical and Conceptual Awareness

Low Adoption in Emerging Economies due to Limited Funding and Low Presence of Key Players

Opportunities

Attractive Opportunities for Field-Based Phenotyping Using Remote Sensing Tools

Significant Importance Toward Development of Research Associations in Emerging Economies

Challenges

High Cost Associated with Plant Phenotyping

Challenges Associated with Implementation of Plant Phenotyping at Multiple Organizational Scales

Industry Trends

Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customer Business

Value Chain

Research and Development

Sourcing of Raw Materials

Production and Processing

Distribution, Marketing, and Sales

Ecosystem Map and Supply Chain

Plant Phenotyping: Ecosystem Market Map

Trade Analysis

Animal or Vegetable Fertilizers, Whether or Not Mixed or Chemically Treated

Case Studies

Present and Future of Plant Phenotyping Approaches in Biostimulant Research and Development

Company Profiles

Key Players

Lemnatec (Nynomic Ag)

Delta-T Devices Ltd.

Heinz Walz GmbH

Phenospex

Keygene

Phenomix

Cropdesign (Basf Se)

Qubit Systems Inc. (Qubit Phenomics)

Photon Systems Instruments

Wps B.V.

Wiwam

Rothamsted Research Limited

Vbcf

Plant Ditech

Bex Co. Ltd.

Other Players

Hiphen

Terramera Inc.

Seed-X

Equinom

Agrela Ecosystems

Gardin

Petiole Ltd.

Pheno-Inspect GmbH

Agri-Epi Centre Ltd.

Phenokey Bv

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/n58ibc-phenotyping?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.

Attachment
ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ecobot, the premier digital solution for mandatory pre-construction assessments, has received a 2022 Business Achievement Award for Information Technology from Environmental Business Journal (EBJ). EBJ is an independent business research publication that provides strategic market intelligence to the environmental industry.

"In a rather tumultuous year of economic ups and downs in 2022, a number of companies set themselves apart with performance, transactions, or projects that merit special consideration," said Grant Ferrier, editor of Environmental Business Journal and chair of the selection committee. "Ecobot's growth since its inception has been impressive. Its grasp of the environmental industry and the varied demands of its numerous client segments are noteworthy."

Ecobot was recognized for expansions that were released in 2022, including the addition of new features and integrations to Ecobot Manager, the desktop component of the platform, such as integration with Esri ArcGIS Online, advanced project management and team collaboration capabilities, and tools to support mitigation banking and site monitoring. EBJ featured a Q&A with Ecobot CEO and cofounder Lee Lance in Volume 35, released in September 2022.

"It's an honor to be recognized by an organization with such deep knowledge of our industry," said Lee Lance, cofounder and CEO of Ecobot. "This award is a testament to how Ecobot has grown and where we're headed."

Ecobot will be present to receive the award at the 2022 EBJ Business Achievement Awards banquet at Environmental Industry Summit XXI on March 22-24, 2023, in San Diego.

About Ecobot

Ecobot is a cloud-based platform that supports efficiency by optimizing data collection and management for environmental permits, and enables customers to utilize data in a variety of contexts. Ecobot helps customers deliver data consistency across a distributed workforce, and enables them to leverage field data for improvements to the construction lifecycle. See how Ecobot can transform your pre-construction permitting workflow at ecobot.com.



About Environmental Business Journal

Environmental Business Journal (EBJ) has been published since 1988 by Environmental Business International Inc., an independent research and publishing company focused on the environmental and climate change industries. EBJ provides strategic market intelligence to executives and investors in 13 business segments of the environmental industry, including environmental consulting & engineering, remediation & industrial services, water & wastewater equipment, air quality & pollution control equipment, hazardous waste management, resource recovery, solid waste management, water/wastewater infrastructure, renewable energy and environmental instrumentation & information systems.

Contact Information:

Zoe Kovacs

Communications Associate, Ecobot

zoek@ecobotapp.com

610-551-4963



Related Images











Image 1: Ecobot wins 2022 EBJ Business Achievement Award





Ecobot has been recognized by Environmental Business Journal for Business Achievement in Information Technology for expansions to the platform that were released in 2022.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
English French

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lynx Airs (Lynx) inaugural flight to Los Angeles from Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) takes off today. Canadas new ultra-affordable airline will operate three flights per week between Calgary and Los Angeles, flying brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft.

To celebrate Lynxs inaugural Los Angeles flight, the airline is offering a chance to win a vacation package for two, including flights to Los Angeles, four nights accommodation at Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach and a Los Angeles Explorers pass from GoCity. Lynx is also offering a limited-time seat sale, giving up to 50 % off base fares for all flights between Canada and the United States using the promo code: FLYUSA. The sale starts on February 16 and ends at 11:59 PM PST on February 18, 2023*. Fares start from as low as $109* one way, inclusive of taxes and fees. For sale and contest details and to book an ultra-affordable fare, visit FlyLynxUSA.com .





"We are excited to launch our first Los Angeles flight just in time for the Family Day weekend. We know that Canadians love to travel south in search of warmer weather at this time of the year and Los Angeles is a very popular sun destination. We are thrilled to be offering an affordable option for Canadians to visit the City of Angels, said Merren McArthur, CEO of Lynx. Whether you are travelling to do some star-spotting in Hollywood, or to soak up the sun on one of the iconic Southern California beaches, Lynx will ensure a great flying experience at an ultra-affordable price.

With Los Angeles being one of the most in-demand U.S. destinations, we are incredibly supportive of the increase in travel options between LAX and YYC, says Bob Sartor, President and CEO at The Calgary Airport Authority. Lynxs expansion into the U.S. at their low cost model gives more individuals the ability to travel to our region and experience everything we have to offer.

Congratulations to Lynx for reaching this landmark moment in their ongoing expansion into the U.S. market. This increased access will create more opportunities for high-value travellers to explore Albertas many iconic destinations and one-of-a-kind experiences, said David Goldstein, CEO of Travel Alberta.

"We are thrilled to have Lynx Air offer this affordable new direct service from YYC to LAX, making Los Angeles an accessible destination for all travelers," shared Kathy Smits, Senior Vice President of Global Tourism Development at Los Angeles Tourism. "The Canada market has always been incredibly important to LA, and we can't wait to welcome visitors from Calgary to the City of Angels."

Lynx embarked on its U.S. expansion in late January and has already added Toronto  Orlando and Calgary - Phoenix to its network since. Its inaugural flight from Calgary to Las Vegas will take off on February 24. At that point, Lynx will be operating over 5,000 seats to and from the U.S., giving Canadians an affordable option to visit some of the most popular sun destinations south of the border.

Lynxs US schedule:

Flight No. Effective Date Frequency Departure

Station Arrival

Station Y9 605 27-JAN-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN YYZ MCO Y9 705 27-JAN-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN MCO YYZ Y9 617 07-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT YYC PHX Y9 712 07-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT PHX YYC Y9 615 16-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT YYC LAX Y9 702 16-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT LAX YYC Y9 601 24-FEB-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN YYC LAS Y9 702 24-FEB-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN LAS YYC

Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the website for full schedule details.

* Available for a limited time; restrictions apply.

Media contact:

Rose Bolton

Director, PR and Communications

Rose.bolton@lynxair.com

403-605-7846

FlyLynx.com

About Lynx Air

Lynx Air (Lynx), Canada's leading ultra-low-cost airline, is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all with ultra-affordable fares and a customer-focused flying experience. The airline was recently awarded Youngest Fleet in North America by ch-aviation. Lynx operates a brand-new fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, bringing an elevated customer experience to low-cost travel in Canada. These ultra-efficient and reliable aircraft reduce Lynxs carbon footprint, making Lynx one of Canadas most sustainable airlines. Lynx is a privately owned Canadian airline with the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape.

Visit FlyLynx.com or connect with Lynx on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to learn more.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/806aa6f3-e417-4eaa-aa1e-3a892c397b1a
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lynx Airs (Lynx) inaugural flight to Calgary International Airport (YYC) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) takes off today. Canadas new ultra-affordable airline will operate three flights per week between Calgary and Los Angeles, flying brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft.



To celebrate Lynxs inaugural Los Angeles to Calgary service, Lynx is offering a limited-time seat sale, giving up to 50 % off base fares for all flights between Canada and the United States using the promo code: FLYUSA. The sale starts on February 16 and ends at 11:59 PM PST on February 18, 2023*. For sale details and to book an ultra-affordable fare, visit FlyLynx.com.

"Lynx Air took to the Canadian skies for the first time just over ten months ago, and we are excited to expand across the border to Los Angeles. Canadians love to travel south in search of warmer weather at this time of the year, and Los Angeles is a very popular sun destination! said Merren McArthur, CEO of Lynx. We are thrilled to offer a convenient and ultra-affordable option to travel between Los Angeles and Calgary. Whether you are flying to ski the beautiful Rockies or to visit your loved ones, Lynx will ensure a great flying experience at an ultra-affordable price.





Congratulations to Lynx for reaching this landmark moment in their ongoing expansion into the U.S. market. This increased access will create more opportunities for high-value travellers to explore Albertas many iconic destinations and one-of-a-kind experiences, said David Goldstein, CEO of Travel Alberta.



We are excited to welcome our newest airline partner Lynx Air to the fleet of airlines offering gold star service at LAX, said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. The service between LAX and Calgary gives our passengers an economical option to travel internationally, connecting our great cities with convenient nonstop service.

"We are thrilled to have Lynx Air offer this affordable new direct service from YYC to LAX, making Los Angeles an accessible destination for all travelers," shared Kathy Smits, Senior Vice President of Global Tourism Development at Los Angeles Tourism. "The Canada market has always been incredibly important to LA, and we can't wait to welcome visitors from Calgary to the City of Angels."

Lynx embarked on its US expansion in late January and has already added Toronto  Orlando and Calgary - Phoenix to its network. Its inaugural flight from Calgary to Las Vegas will take off on February 24. At that point, Lynx will be operating over 5,000 seats to and from the US, giving Canadians an affordable option to visit some of the most popular sun destinations south of the border.

Lynxs US schedule:

Flight No. Effective Date Frequency Departure

Station Arrival

Station Y9 605 27-JAN-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN YYZ MCO Y9 705 27-JAN-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN MCO YYZ Y9 617 07-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT YYC PHX Y9 712 07-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT PHX YYC Y9 615 16-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT YYC LAX Y9 702 16-FEB-23 TUE-THU-SAT LAX YYC Y9 601 24-FEB-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN YYC LAS Y9 702 24-FEB-23 MON-WED-FRI-SUN LAS YYC

Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the website for full schedule details.

* Available for a limited time; restrictions apply.

Media contact:

Rose Bolton

Director, PR and Communications

Rose.bolton@lynxair.com

403-605-7846

FlyLynx.com

About Lynx Air

Lynx Air (Lynx), Canada's leading ultra-low-cost airline, is on a mission to make air travel accessible to all with ultra-affordable fares and a customer-focused flying experience. The airline was recently awarded Youngest Fleet in North America by ch-aviation. Lynx operates a brand-new fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, bringing an elevated customer experience to low-cost travel in Canada. These ultra-efficient and reliable aircraft reduce Lynxs carbon footprint, making Lynx one of Canadas most sustainable airlines. Lynx is a privately owned Canadian airline with the financial backing and industry expertise required to transform the Canadian aviation landscape.

Visit FlyLynx.com or connect with Lynx on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to learn more.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/806aa6f3-e417-4eaa-aa1e-3a892c397b1a
New York, US, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aquaponics Market overview:

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Aquaponics Market Research Report by Produce, Components, Equipment, Application, and Region - Forecast till 2030, the market is projected to present a 14.1% CAGR to reach USD 2,464.29 Million by 2030.

Market Scope:

Aquaponics, in general, refers to the mutually beneficial relationship between fish and plants. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in a soilless environment, whereas aquaculture is the cultivation of fish in a closed environment. Aquaponics culture is where both technologies are used to produce the same composition.

The mechanism that facilitates reproduction is the driving force behind the entire Aquaponics concept. Aquaponics is defined by the fact that fish are raised in a tank while following the notion of soilless plant cultivation. Fishes and plants give each other with numerous benefits during the process. The nutrient-rich water that must have been produced as a result of fish breeding is fully capable of supplying fertilizers to the indoor plants. In addition, the plants assist supply fish with a habitat of freshwater.

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2257

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2030 USD 2,464.29 Million CAGR 14.1% Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Historical Data 2020 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered by Produce, Components, Equipment, Application, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for organic food Reduced technical complexity

Competitive Dynamics:

The major key players use various strategies to maintain their market position in the aquaponics market in the global market by pursuing mergers and acquisitions, collaborating, establishing a new joint venture, establishing a partnership, developing a new production process, developing a new product line, and innovation in the existing product, among others, in order to expand their customer base in the untapped aquaponics market across the globe. Following is a list of the most significant global aquaponics market participants:

Japan Aquaponics (Japan)

Pentair Aquatic Eco-systems Inc. (US)

NutraPonics Canada Corporation (Canada)

Lucky Clays Fresh (US)

Hapa Farms (US)

My Aquaponics (South Africa)

ECF Farmsystems GmbH (Germany)

Red Ewald Inc. (US)

Aponic Ltd (UK)

Ichthys Aquaponics (South Africa)

Nelson & Pade Inc. (US)

Urban Farms AG (Switzerland)

Greenlife Aquaponics (US)

Colorado Aquaponics (US)

Backyard Aquaponics Pty Ltd (Australia)

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (110 Pages) on Aquaponics:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/aquaponics-market-2257

Market USP:

Market Drivers

Aquaponics yields are unaffected by noxious fertilizers and pesticides. The Fertilizer Price Index of the World Bank is anticipated to increase. The fish excrement, which thrives in aqueous solvents, is a good natural fertilizer for these crops. This further reduces the costs associated with using fertilizers for large-scale production. In addition, no expensive equipment is utilized; hence, the market has positive future prospects.

Aquaponics-produced organic veggies are on the rise and are anticipated to continue to be fashionable. One of the primary reasons for this is that farmers are increasingly embracing these strategies for the production of these vegetables, and as a result, there is an increase in the market's expansion prospects during the projected period ending in 2030. Additionally, these vegetables are locally farmed and are recognized to have a superior flavor and longer shelf life. Additionally, these items have a longer shelf life. Moreover, transportation costs are not excessively high; hence, innovations are likely to drive market trends.

Buy Now: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2257

Market Restraints

Hydroponics and vertical farming are contributing to an increase in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. This is a significant obstacle for the predicted growth of the market over the period ending in 2030.

COVID-19 Analysis:

Since the initial cases of the coronavirus pandemic were announced, businesses, their manufacturing, and production units have been experiencing functional challenges and are thus preparing to cease operations and close their doors. In order to improve their health, customers in many geographical locations are adopting healthier lifestyles and consuming healthier products. Consequently, this tendency is projected to contribute to the growth of the aquaponics market share. This is because the methods employed are eco-friendly and the vegetables are organic, so satisfying the needs of a wider audience.

The government is also implementing measures such as awareness campaigns to encourage the consumption of organic vegetables and the dissemination of corrective information regarding their benefits and nutritional value. In addition, the government is implementing programs to assist startups involved in the production and distribution of organic veggies. Key industry participants are also planning ingeniously for the adoption of tactics that facilitate the manufacture of creative products and their widespread distribution.

Market Segmentation:

Based on the Produce

The fruits and vegetables segment is expected to record the highest growth over the review period.

Based on the Equipment

The aeration systems segment is expected to gain momentum over the review period.

Based on the Component

The bio-filters segment is poised to record substantial growth over the review period.

Based on the Application

The commercial application segment is poised to grow at a notable CAGR over the review period.

Share your Queries @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2257

Regional Analysis:

The North American region holds the biggest market share in the global aquaponics market due to the increasing adoption of contemporary agricultural techniques and the rising demand for organic food. The United States made the most contribution to the region, followed by Canada. Aquaponic is a small but quickly expanding industry in the region, supported by partnerships between educational and research institutions and private businesses. This aspect had a crucial influence in the establishment and expansion of aquaponic farms.

Asia-Pacific holds the second-largest market share in the aquaponics industry because to its steady technological advances. In addition, the market is driven by the increasing desire for improved agricultural production in nations such as China and India.

The European region holds the third-largest market share in the aquaponics industry due to its well-established infrastructure. In addition, the adoption of simple technical processes coincided with a rise in per capita income.

In addition to Latin America and the Middle East and Africa, the aquaponics market is growing in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa due to the increased demand for low operating costs and organic food.

Discover more research Reports on Agriculture Industry , by Market Research Future:

Automated Irrigation Market Research Report Information by Components (Controllers, Sensors, Valves, Sprinklers, and Others), By Type (Time-based, Volume-based, Real-time-based, and Computer-based), By Application (Water Resource Management, Soil Management, and Ground Water Management), By End Users (Agricultural, and Non-Agricultural), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) - Forecast Till 2030.

Drip Irrigation Market Research Report: Information by Emitter Type (Inline Emitters and Online Emitters), Application Technique (Surface and Sub-Surface), End Use (Field Crops, Orchard Crops, Plantation Crops, Landscape and others) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2030

Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Market Research Report: Information by Type (Center Pivot, Lateral Move, Solid Set and others), Crop Type (Cereals, Oilseeds and Pulses, Fruits and Vegetables and others), Mobility (Stationary and Towable) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2027

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.
NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Shoe Mart is excited to announce that it now carries English-made Crockett & Jones shoes and boots.

The Connecticut-based shoe retailer has partnered with Crockett & Jones to offer an amazing footwear selection combined with the unparalleled service people have come to expect from The Shoe Mart.

Founded in 1879, Northampton, England-based Crockett & Jones has a storied history. The company handcrafts all its shoes and boots, going through more than 200 operations in eight weeks to deliver each piece of footwear. Crockett & Jones is known for its meticulous attention to detail and high-end materials. Its shoes and boots are widely regarded for their style, quality and durability. Featuring timeless fashion, Crockett & Jones boots and shoes can last for years.

The English company has also made a name for itself as the footwear of choice in recent James Bond movies. Several styles of Crockett & Jones men's shoes can be seen in "Skyfall," "Spectre" and "No Time to Die."

The reputation of Crockett & Jones shoes mirrors The Shoe Mart's values. With an emphasis on quality and service, the company has served its clientele for over 60 years. The Shoe Mart's comprehensive Crockett & Jones collection includes a wide range of styles suitable for formal, business and casual wear. The retailer is committed to offering fair Crockett & Jones shoe prices.

"Crockett & Jones' quality is evident in every detail," Co-owner Joe Zapatka said.

"When I evaluate a premium brand for our business use, there are a few serious criteria that I review while considering it," he said. "Those criteria include the brand's heritage and the length of time the company has been making shoes at that high-quality level. That amount of time doing so is important because it shows that they have reached a consistency of quality.

"Crockett & Jones, with their history, reached that plateau decades ago," Zapatka said, adding that he can vouch for the shoes firsthand.

"I personally have tried on every model of Crockett & Jones shoes that we have selected for selling or are considering," he said. "In my estimation, they have met all my demands for quality and proper fitting."

Crockett & Jones is a natural fit with The Shoe Mart's other high-quality shoe brands, including:

Alden

Magnanni

Johnston & Murphy

Customers can visit The Shoe Mart website to learn more about Crockett & Jones shoes and other quality brands the company offers.

Contact Information:

Joe Zapatka

Co-Owner

joez@theshoemart.com

(203)713-8902



Related Images











Image 1: Crockett & Jones from The Shoe Mart





Crockett & Jones shows now available at The Shoe Mart









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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TORONTO, Feb. 16, 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 in Durham Region. This market event goes in depth on key issues that matter most to REALTOR Members and their clients.



WHAT: TRREBs 2023 Market Outlook and 2022 Year in Review Event in Durham Region

WHO:

Paul Baron, President, TRREB

Maleeha Shahid, Whitby Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor

Meredith Kennedy, President, Durham Region Association of REALTORS

John DiMichele, CEO, TRREB

Jason Mercer, Chief Market Analyst, TRREB

WHEN: Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Ajax Convention Centre  550 Beck Crescent, Ajax, ON L1Z 1C9 (map)

RSVP: Genevieve Grant, Manager, Public Affairs genevieve.grant@trreb.ca

AGENDA:

9:15 a.m. Registration Begins

10:00 a.m. Event Starts

10:45 a.m. TRREB Member Q&A

11:00 a.m. Closing Remarks

THIS IS A CLOSED MEETING AND IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Media Inquiries:

Genevieve Grant, Manager, Public Affairs genevieve.grant@trreb.ca 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.

www.trreb.ca/

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

https://www.trrebwire.ca/
Chicago, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The TAWANI Foundation announces a commitment of over $1 million in gifts supporting arts and education institutions during Black History Month. The Foundation has committed $150,000 to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to host trumpeter Tage Larsen and $1,000,000 over five years to the Dr. Joycelyn Elders School of Allied and Public Health at Philander Smith College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Little Rock.

TAWANI Foundation is proud to sponsor and support these important institutions, said Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), founder of TAWANI Foundation. Philanthropy continues to be a priority for me as I observe gaps in areas where support is needed. Through TAWANI Foundation, we strive to bring greater good into the world while serving underfunded and overlooked communities. The Foundation and I are especially honored to provide funding to the Chicago Symphony Orchestras first African American fourth/utility trumpet and an HBCU during Black History Month.

In July 2002, Larsen was the first African American hired in the history of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he has served as fourth/utility trumpet of the orchestras brass section. The Foundation committed a total of $150,000 to be paid this calendar year. He has also been featured in the Dream Out Loud music education advocacy campaign, a collaboration between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and Yahama Corporation of America. Larsen has performed with the CSO Trumpets, as the featured faculty soloist for the DePaul Festival Winds, and as a guest trumpet soloist with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra in Evanston, Illinois, under the direction of Lawrence Eckerling.

TAWANI Foundation also made a $1 million commitment over five years for the construction and program design of the Dr. Joycelyn Elders School of Applied and Public Health. During each year of the grant, the school receives $100,000 in grant funds plus up to an additional $100,000 in matching funds. Philander Smith College is a private, historically Black college in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is a founding member of the United Negro College Fund. The Dr. Joycelyn Elders School of Allied and Public Health was named after Dr. Elders, who is a Philander Smith 1952 alumna. She was the first African American and the second female to serve as Surgeon General of the United States.

We are delighted to support the Dr. Joycelyn Elders School of Allied and Public Health renovation project. Addressing health disparity is critical for the health of our country, and to do this, students must have access to the vital health education and research opportunities they need to be successful, said Chief Operating Officer of Philanthropic Activities Susan Rifkin.

To learn more about TAWANI Foundation grants, visit www.tawanifoundation.org/our-grants.

About TAWANI Foundation

Founded in 2002 by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), TAWANI Enterprises philanthropic organization, the TAWANI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBT and human rights, education and environmental initiatives. TAWANI Foundations vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding  all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities, and the culture itself. To learn more, visit www.tawanifoundation.org.

Attachments
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) is pleased to announce today that it has declared monthly distributions on its Class A Units (the Units) of the PIMCO Canada closed end funds (the Funds). The distributions will be paid on March 14, 2023 to the holders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2023.

Details of the distribution amounts are as follow:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit Change from Previous Month Percentage Change from Previous Month PIMCO Global Income Opportunities Fund PGI.UN $0.05688 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Fund PTI.UN $0.05580 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Opportunities Fund PTO.UN $0.05709 - - PIMCO Multi-Sector Income Fund PIX.UN $0.06538 - -

Unitholders are reminded that each Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (DRIP) which will provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest their distributions. Eligible unitholders are encouraged to contact the institution through which they hold their Units to confirm enrollment procedures and timelines. A copy of the DRIP is available at www.pimco.ca.

The Manager, PIMCO Canada, retains Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO), to provide investment management services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

This is not an offer to sell Units and not a solicitation of an offer to buy Units in any region where the offer or sale is not permitted. Before you invest, you should carefully read the Funds disclosure documents and consider carefully the risks you assume when you invest in the Units. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated. Copies of the Funds disclosure documents may be obtained from your financial advisor.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect each Fund, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). If the Units are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Units and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning Units. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Funds in these documents. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Each Fund is a closed end exchange traded investment fund. Closed end funds, unlike open end funds, are not continuously offered. After the initial public offering, shares of closed end funds are sold on the open market through a stock exchange. For additional information, contact your financial advisor.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in each Fund, please see the Principal Risks of the Fund section of the prospectus. Units of closed end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2023, PIMCO

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada Corp. may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations Phone: +212 597.1054
Access Bank rewards salary promotion winners

Daily Graphic Business News Feb - 16 - 2023 , 10:15

Access Bank Ghana has rewarded the second and third batches of winners in its Triple Salary Promo.

The draw rewarded 12 customers who won for December 2022 and January 2023.

A release issued by the bank in Accra yesterday said winners from the second and third draws had their accounts domiciled at Wa in the Upper West Region, Takoradi in the Western Region, Adum and Amakom in the Ashanti Region, and Tema and Accra in the Greater Accra Region.

The release said they received prizes including triple salaries, DSTV plus free subscription and Visa Combo packs.

Speaking ahead of the mini draw, the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Olumide Olatunji, thanked customers of the bank for their loyalty over the years and promised that Access Bank will continue to be professional in the provision of products and service offering, to meet the unique banking needs of customers.

As a bank, we are well positioned to serve our customers with the highest level of professionalism through our product and service delivery.

I invite all salaried workers to come and experience our MPower Salary account to enjoy the comfort you deserve as a salaried worker.

We will continue to work in your best interest, and I wish all customers good luck, Mr Olatunji said.

Addressing the customers at the event draw, the Group Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana, Matilda Asante-Asiedu, commended participants for believing in Access Bank and switching their salaries to the MPower Salary Account.

She said the bank offered salaried workers a plethora of benefits through its MPower Salary account, adding that it is a good time to own this account.

The release said Access Bank MPower Salary account has been designed to give salaried workers more freedom.

It said: Customers enjoy one-year interest free loans on the Pick Now Pay Later Loan, a consumer finance product that gave customers the opportunity to own household appliances from the banks loyalty partners during the promo period; gives access to the Payday Loan at customers convenience and gave customers access to personal and vehicle loans of up to GH300,000; extraordinary insurance benefits; and cashback when customers shop with the Access cards, among others.

Transparency

One of the customers present at the event, Belinda Acquah, was impressed with the transparency in which the draw was conducted.

You conducted the draw in a very transparent manner to ensure all customers got an equal chance to win, and I think it is commendable.

Although I didnt win today, I am hopeful I will win in subsequent draws, she said.
Fidelity Bank builds capacity of SHS students

Daily Graphic Business News Feb - 16 - 2023 , 09:41

Fidelity Bank Ghana and Environment 360 have held a programme that seeks to introduce senior high school (SHS) students to business concepts and entrepreneurship.

Described by Forbes as one of the five leading global programmes supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, the programme dubbed, Enterprise Challenge, works with young people to develop business ideas that positively impact environmental issues in their communities.

A release issued in Accra yesterday said 25 teams participated in the 2022/23 edition of the programme with five teams eventually being shortlisted for the finals.

The teams, which participated in the finals included Team Mervs from Kinbu SHS, Team Doyen from Sacred Heart SHS, Teams Texco and Flow from His Majestys SHS and Team Phoenix from Brainy Brain SHS.

They were then given four sessions with a green business mentor to support each team to fine-tune their business ideas with particular emphasis on a cost and profit structure, as well as effective sales pitching techniques ahead of the final event.

The winning pitch came from an all-female team from Kinbu SHS.

They presented an innovative green business concept of turning palm kernel waste, generated from making palm oil, into briquettes to replace the use of charcoal and wood cooking fuel.

This environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooking fuel is compact and smokeless and devoid of any harmful effect on human health.

For their prize, the team received seed money from Fidelity Bank to start the process of registering their business and building on their business idea and turning it into a viable commercial entity Speaking at the event, the founder of Fidelity Bank and a member of the Princes Trust International Africa Advisory Board, Edward Effah, expressed his delight at the diligence and business acumen demonstrated by the students.

Looking at the ideas presented by our students today, I can confidently say that Ghana indeed has a bright future.

The ability of these young ones to develop environmentally friendly green business ideas and the confidence with which they articulated these ideas is quite impressive.

I am particularly impressed with their level of environmental awareness, and I believe such programmes will go a long way to help Ghana and Africa achieve the SDGs, he said in the release.

Presenting the prize to the team, the Head, Digital and Brand Marketing of Fidelity Bank, Eric Frempong Amponsah, said: Fidelity Bank is proud to partner with Princes Trust International on this programme.

Serving the community is one of our core values and education is a key pillar of our social impact initiatives.
Daily Graphic Editorials

Trauma and communication development

Josephine Ohenewa Bampoe Editorials Feb - 15 - 2023 , 13:52

THE language skills of children who are abused and/or neglected are delayed compared to their peers, according to studies.

Adverse childhood experiences can greatly impact a childs development (mental health and well-being), including their communication.

It is estimated that young children exposed to five or more significant adverse experiences in the first three years of childhood, face a 76 per cent likelihood of having one or more delays in their language, emotional or brain development.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, about 3.4 million children in Ghana had experienced some form of neglect and abuse.

This suggests approximately one out of every four children in Ghana.

How?

Children develop communication skills when exposed to a language-rich environment and reciprocal interaction (back-and-forth interaction with adults and peers).

It is good to note, however, that the lack of these opportunities alone is not always the reason for speech and language communication needs in children, although they are important.

Different aspects of a childs language and communication skills are impacted following trauma.

These include understanding and use of language.

Trauma, like neglect and abuse, has a great impact on childrens language development.

Children with speech, language and communication difficulties are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are often not identified early.

They may also have certain behaviour that may be found to be challenging.

It is important for caregivers and teachers to be aware of these to be able to support their children.

Intervention for children who have experienced trauma is often provided late for various reasons.

Unfortunately, it is often underestimated.

Usually, when the trauma results from an action from a family member or close relation, families may want to deal with the issue internally without seeking redress for their child through the legal system, as well as much-needed therapy for the child.

For families who may want help for their children, they may find it costly.

Bureaucracy may also be discouraging for families who want to seek help for their children.

Help

Speech, language and communication intervention for children who have experienced trauma has so many benefits for them and their families and society in general.

It improves their language skills, confidence, self-esteem and life outcomes.

It also helps them to engage in academic learning, to establish relationships and be able to share their experiences in order to get the required appropriate professional help.

Therapists engage children in fun activities that provide an opportunity for these children to experience meaningful interactions that they enjoy and most importantly, they learn from.

They begin to get their voice back.

With support from interventions, they begin to enjoy their childhood and make positive progress.

The writer is a Speech and Language Therapist/Clinical Tutor,

University of Ghana.
Enimil Ashon got it wrong - Agric Sector under Dr Akoto has been best under Fourth Republic

Collins Sah Opinion Feb - 16 - 2023 , 09:17

In the Friday, February 10, 2023 edition of The Daily Graphic, a columnist with the newspaper, Enimil Ashon, wrote an article seeking to assess the successes or otherwise of the government's flagship agriculture policy, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).

In his write-up, Mr Ashon benchmarked his assessment of the PFJ programme based on two main issues; marketing and transportation, alluding to the PFJ Market, which was introduced late last year, as a stopgap measure to help deal with the escalating food prices in the cities.

His argument was that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, under the leadership of Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, had used taxpayers money to transport food from production areas to city centres under the interim PFJ Market intervention.

I would like to address the issues raised by Mr Ashon in his write-up from two main perspectives.

Rationale for PFJ

First, the rationale for the PFJ initiative and the successes thereof, and two, the reason behind the introduction of the PFJ Market and the details thereof.

It is important to emphasise for the attention of Mr Ashon and esteemed readers that the PFJ initiative is a holistic approach to address the myriad of challenges which had hitherto bedevilled the agricultural sector over the years.

The PFJ initiative involves five main areas. These are:

1. Food security aspect - These involve increasing production in basic food crops such as maize, rice, soybean, sorghum etc

2. The Tree Crops Sector- which involves the development of six major tree crops namely Coconut, Cashew, Rubber, Oil Palm, Mango and Shea.

3. The livestock sector under the Rearing For Food and Jobs (RFJ)

4. Greenhouse Technology- which involves modern technology in vegetable production.

5. Mechanisation for Food and Jobs- which involves making modern farm equipment and tools available to farmers at cheaper prices.

Successes

These modules have all seen significant successes.

For example, prior to the advent of the NPP administration in 2017, the average production of farmers was very low, largely attributed to lack of the use of modern farming technology, including the use of fertiliser and improved seeds.

Also, the extension capacity of the agricultural sector was nothing to write home about.

This means farmers lacked the requisite knowledge of farming inputs which had commensurate impact on production.

The Planting for Food and Jobs programme, therefore, sought to address these challenges by making these inputs available to farmers at cheaper and affordable prices.

The PFJ programme, in this case, addressed two key issues; accessibility and affordability of farming inputs.

As to whether these objectives have been achieved or not, the over 1.7 million farmers who have benefited from this laudable initiative are the best people to answer.

Today, through the instrumentality of Dr Akoto, the human resource capacity of extension officers has been increased from 1,400 to over 4,000.

Data

Again, if Mr Ashon and others who think alike will spare few moment of their time to analyse data of the growth of the country's economy, which are freely available on various websites, including our very own Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), they would have known that the agricultural sector has witnessed an unprecedented growth under the leadership of Dr Akoto.

Per statistics from the GSS, the agricultural sector recorded its fastest growth in 30 years in both 2020 and 2021, at 7.3 percent and 8.4 percent respectively.

The closest any past administration had come was in 2009, when the sector saw a 7.3 percent growth

It is also interesting to note that before PFJ was introduced in 2017, Ghanas agricultural sector was growing at less than three percent a year, indeed even lowest at 0.9 per cent in 2014.

If these are not enough proof of the outstanding performance of the sector under Dr Akoto, then I do not know what other yardstick can be used to measure the performance of a sector vis a vis a country's GDP growth.

PFJ market

Now, let me spend few minutes to address the issue of the PFJ Market upon which basis Mr Ashon drew his conclusions about performance of the PFJ programme.

I would like to remind Mr Ashon that the events that necessitated the introduction of the PFJ Market, which was purely private sector led without any financial input from the ministry, had more to do with morality rather than economics.

This was at a time when some Ghanaians, for reasons best known to them, had chosen to profiteer from the global economy challenges, brought about as a result of COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Suffice to say, some of our fellow citizens were seizing the opportunity of the Christmas to consume crackers as the popular phrase goes.

Price of foodstuffs had reached its peak as a result of constant increases in fuel prices and traders were using that as an excuse to price items astronomically.

However, the honourable minister, having toured the entire country and realising the vast price differentials of foodstuffs at production areas compared to the cities, decided to mobilise the private sector to help transport food from local communities to the cities.

The objective mainly was to allay the fears of both traders and consumers about food security.

Mr Ashon failed to look at the positive aspect of the entire intervention; the fact that food is sufficiently available, owing to the PFJ initiative even in the midst of the economic challenges.

It will, therefore, be out of place for anyone to conclude that simply because the ministry decided to mobilise the private sector to transport foodstuffs from production sites to the cities, connotes failure.

I will be glad to engage Mr Ashon for a comprehensive discussion on the progress of the agricultural sector over the last six years.

The writer is a social and policy analyst
Role of mother language in multilingual education

Dinah Serwaa Amankwah Life Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:21

Multilingual education based on the mother tongue(s) in the early years of schooling plays a key role in fostering respect for diversity and a sense of interconnectedness between countries and populations, which are core values at the heart of global citizenship.

As such, it contributes to the fostering of learning to live together . UNESCOAll languages are equally important in endowing users with intelligible communication and legitimate worldview. The worlds histories of enslavement and colonialism have resulted in the categorisation of languages into major and minority languages. Currently, English is considered the first language, French second, and Spanish third, the positions determined by the number of global users. The position of English is not surprising, considering that the British controlled a quarter of the globe at one point.It eludes many, even some intellectuals, that language anchored European Imperialism which rolled out in slavery and colonialism. When European explorers set off to explore the world around them, they were not prepared for other cultures. When they encountered people, cultures and languages completely different from theirs, instead of acknowledging and respecting the differences, they ignorantly labelled the encountered cultures savages, barbarians.

In other continents, some indigenous language became extinct from the imperial onslaught. The fact also remains that the indigenous languages had resilience, so imperial powers failed in the total annihilation attempt. The colonised survived the human occupation, and so did their cultures, through their languages, albeit, not at par with the colonisers. The current respective mainstream and minority statuses of the former colonising and former colonised languages prove the success of the imperialists marginalising strategy.

It took centuries for humanity to grasp that differences should be celebrated, not disparaged. Yet, the notion of equating languages remains elusive. Formal education, English and Literature studies gradually enabled the former colonised to interact assertively with the former coloniser. 20th Century names such as Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Wole Soyinka, Ayi-Kwei Armah, Edward Said, the

Father of Postcolonial studies come to mind but just tip of the iceberg. Those children from former colonised cultures could look the former coloniser in the eye, stand shoulder to shoulder and assert in the colonisers own language: Our cultures are legitimate worldview, have dignity and resilience.

However, before they could traipse so confidently in the former colonisers tongue, they had been firmly grounded as children of indigenous cultures. Solid indigenous language root was a pedestal for the firm grasp of the second tongue. Transfer of linguistic skills occurs in second language acquisition. Teaching children in the mother tongue or first language(s) effectively aids the children, not only in language acquisition, but also in better understanding of the world they are growing up in.

The quotation above from UNESCO aptly sums up the broad goal and role of language instruction at the formative level. Before the child begins school, parents and the community are expected to have introduced the child to the worldview of the mother culture. In that way, what is learnt at school becomes a parallel legitimate worldview, so that the child learns to balance respect for all cultures.

In the Twentieth Century, Bangladesh sacrificed dearly for indigenous language. That was the momentum UNESCO utilised to establish the notion of multilingual education. Long before that, however,

Ghana had a policy of bilingual education, dating back to colonial times. The nation had a strong educational system because it was hinged on sound language skills. The policy effectively aided learning and smooth transition of children through the learning stages. I am yet to meet any educated elite from Twentieth Century Ghana who cannot handle her/his mother tongue.

Ghanafo binom ka se wye scholars nanso wntumi nnka wn kasa; obi ntumi nnye scholar bere a ntumi nnka nankasa ne kasa, literally a cross-section of Ghanaians claims to be scholars yet cannot handle their mother tongue. A person cannot be a scholar when s/he lacks proficiency in the mother tongue. That was my Twi Teacher, Mr Obuobi, introducing us to the concept of the mother tongue in secondary form one.

At the time, I thought he was making a language statement. During postcolonial studies in graduate school, I grasped that he was making a cultural statement. Now, I perceive that he was making a profound human statement.

The language policy of the country is not hampering competent English language acquisition; misconception about language does. Many erroneously believe that mere ability to speak English paves the way for success. No; rather, excellent language skills explored to acquire legitimate knowledge and skills.

Proficiency in a language enables users to develop solid communication skills through reflective listening, critical reading, analytical writing, decorous speaking abilities. Such skills underpin successful learning. Proficiency is not the cosmetic trend being witnessed. Thus, poor attitude is derailing the noble objectives of the Language Policy.

Ghanas conundrum is that educated, semi-educated even illiterate parents currently speak English with their children. At a marriage ceremony in Accra, when a parent comforted her child thus: *A mosquito has bit you, I did not just wince in pain, but bemoaned the hefty work I would have to do to wean that child from poor English, should she enter my classroom. The fact that such a poor starter might not unlearn the errors heightened my apprehension.

While UNESCO advocates multilingualism to dignify all languages, many Ghanaians champion monolingualism  promote English while demeaning indigenous languages. Asians have developed strong economies because their educational systems are based on first languages. Westerners have maintained quality education because they have consistently prioritised language and compelled foreign students to language proficiency.

Ghana has neither adopted one indigenous language nor been bold enough to design a common language, as East Africa did with Swahili. Research is replete with evidence that the mother tongue or first language aids learning at the formative learning stages. In the UK and US, educational systems support immigrant children to learn through the mother tongue.

An ironic trend is emerging in Ghanaian tertiary classrooms, at least, in the TVET system. I have observed that instructors use the bilingual approach. They teach in English and translate in Twi before students grasp contents. Increasingly, I find myself using Twi proverbs and idiomatic expressions in class to emphasise crucial points. Learners then readily grasp content. Mother tongue to the rescue!

Evidently, the language policy is pragmatic.

The writer is a Senior Lecturer, Language and Communication Skills,

Takoradi Technical University,

Takoradi
China's top legislature opposes U.S. House resolution on Chinese airship

Xinhua) 14:48, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed a U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned airship into the U.S. airspace.

The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, hyped up the "China threat," which is nothing but malicious hype and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.

The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said.

"As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and has no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country," the statement said.

The unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into U.S. airspace was purely an isolated, unexpected incident, which didn't pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the United States, it said, adding the Chinese side immediately briefed the United States and the international community on the situation and asked the U.S. side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

The statement said that the U.S. side, however, insisted on using force and deliberately created a stir, which seriously violated the spirit of international law and international norms.

"Some politicians in the U.S. Congress are even utilizing the issue to fan the flames, fully exposing their sinister intention to contain China," it said. "In fact, it is the United States that wantonly interferes in other countries' internal affairs, infringes on other countries' sovereignty, and conducts extensive surveillance activities on other countries."

The statement emphasized that building China-U.S. relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is the common expectation of the international community.

The Chinese side strongly urges the U.S. Congress to respect the facts, the spirit of international law, and the basic principles of international relations, immediately stop maligning China, and refrain from taking actions that could escalate situations, it said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
$32.53m project to boost food production in north launched

Mohammed Fugu Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:05

A project aimed at boosting food production and addressing key constraints in the agriculture value chain in Northern Ghana has been launched in Tamale.

Dubbed "Savannah Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (SADEP), the project is expected to contribute to the governments industrialisation agenda, support Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ), skills development and entrepreneurship for women and youth, and build resilient food systems in the north.

The five-year project is being initiated by the Savannah Agricultural Improvement Programme (SAPIP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with a $32.53 million grant from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the government of Ghana.

The project interventions would include producing over 8,000 of crops, 50,000 guinea fowls, 50,000 broilers, and 50,000 layers as initial input for commercial poultry production, in accordance with the government subsidy policy.

At least, 5,000 women-headed households in vulnerable communities would be supported with 50,000 guinea fowls with each household receiving 10 birds for rearing to enhance farm income and household nutrition.

Overview

Giving the overview of the project at the launch in Tamale last Tuesday, the National Project Coordinator of SAPIP, Felix Dramani, said the project sought to build on successes under the SAPIP and Savannah Investment Programme (SIP) that had so far expanded the production of maize and soybean from 80 hectares in 2018 to 14,000 hectares in 2021.

"Inputs such as fertilisers and seeds will be provided to commercial farmers and their out-growers to boost local production of rice, soybean and maize, he said.

Mr Dramani added that 20,000 jobs would be created under the project and it was expected that 40 per cent of those jobs would go to women and the youth.

He stated that it would be implemented in nine districts in the five regions of the north and would go a long way to address key constraints in food security and the poultry and livestock feed industry.

Commendation

For his part, the deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Yaw Frimpong Addo, lauded the AfDB for the continued support which was transforming the agricultural sector and the lives of the people.

He said the overall objective of the SEDAP project was to ensure national climate-resilient food and nutrition security, create employment and contribute to industrialisation.

Global crises

The Country Manager of AfDB, Eyerusalem Fasika, said the project was designed to help the government mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian/Ukraine war.

"We believe that prioritising key agricultural value chains in different agro-ecological zones of Ghana will create the platform and support needed to catalyse investment, and unlock Ghanas potential for transformation, she said.

The country manager added that the country had the technologies, private sector and the youth to achieve food sovereignty and develop innovative flagships to make sure that stakeholders, especially smallholder entrepreneurs, women and youth were not left behind.

Ms Fasika reiterated her outfit's commitment to continue to support the agricultural sector to help ensure food security.
54 Public libraries constructed in 6 years  Dr Bawumia

Chris Nunoo Feb - 16 - 2023 , 10:38

THE government has since 2017, constructed 54 public libraries to shore up the number from 61 to 115 as of the end of last year.



In addition, 29 public libraries have been provided with internet connectivity, with 67 of the libraries being equipped with 688 computers to support literacy information and communication technology studies.

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who said this, added that the government had also invested in the development and roll-out of a digital library application system being managed by the Ghana Library Authority (GLA).

He was speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed Children and Mobile Library at the Airport Residential area in Accra yesterday.

Dr Bawumia also said that the government had increased the number of books on shelves of public libraries from 393,430 as at the end of 2016, to 1,281,839 at the end of 2022, representing a 325 per cent increase within six years.

He added that 48 out of the 61 libraries inherited in 2017, had received a facelift, saying the investment demonstrates the commitment of the government to improve literacy levels in the country.

The Vice-President commended the GLA for their relentless effort which had led to the global recognition of your work.

New library

The two-storey library was constructed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), in collaboration with the GLA.

It consists of an early childhood section for two to five years, a childrens section for 6 to 12-year-olds, and a teens section for those between 13 and 19 years.

It also has a book processing section, an indoor playing ground, an Information and Technology (IT) section and two conference and training rooms, among other facilities.

The library contains 22,000 books written by both Ghanaian and international writers, and 50 computers, including 24 tablets at the childrens section and assistive devices for people with visual and hearing impairments.

Significance

Dr Bawumia said building a culture of reading among citizens, especially children, required deliberate efforts of both parents and the state.

He emphasised that the ability of children to read and write by age 10 was the surest way of closing the nations current learning poverty gap, adding we face a learning and human capital catastrophe without urgent action to reduce learning poverty.

The Vice-President further said that the government through the GETFund had also provided 20 new Pick-up vehicles for the GLA, including revamping of its mobile library services.

I urge other corporate institutions to emulate the example of SSNIT and do more for the Ghanaian child, he said.

The Executive Director of GLA, Hayford Siaw, said the building was completed and officially handed over to the GLA in October 2022.

He said in 2016, the governing board and management of the GLA reached out to SSNIT for support to extend library services to children in the Greater Accra Region.

Mr Siaw said SSNIT agreed to construct the library and also provide a mobile library van for young library patrons who were unable to commute to the facility.

He described the facility as the most technologically advanced and inclusive childrens library in West Africa with 1,500 books and 20 laptops for mobile library services to communities and schools.

To access the library, Mr Siaw said: You have to visit www.library.gov.gh or download the Ghana library app on google playstore or appstore for iOS users, register and use your library number to access.

He said libraries were not only helping to build a culture of reading, but also provide space for lifelong learning and acquisition of skills.

Four students who participated in the Ghana Library Smartlife Scholastic Vacation Reading Challenge received awards.

The programme was organised by the GLA and Smartline Publishers Limited last year.
Anglican Church commits 100m for involvement in slavery

Donald Ato Dapatem Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:00

The Anglican Church has announced the commitment of 100 million as its show of remorse for its past involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

The money will go into investments in various forms in countries such as Ghana and those in the West Indies.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Justin Portal Welby, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra last Tuesday.

Most Rev. Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, is in the country to attend the 18th Consultative Council meeting of 165 countries, and said one of the issues that the meeting had been discussing was human sexuality and identity.

In June 2022, a committee established by the church reported for the first time that the Church Commissioners endowment had historic links to transatlantic chattel slavery.

The endowment traces its origins partly to Queen Annes Bounty, a fund established in 1704.

In response to the findings, the Church Commissioners Board has committed itself to trying to address some of the past wrongs by investing in a better future.

It will seek to do this through committing 100 million of funding, delivered over the next nine years commencing in 2023, to a programme of investment, research and engagement.

This will involve new impact investment, grant funding, further research and responsible investment to address and combat modern slavery and human rights violations, and to seek to address injustice and inequalities.

A new oversight group will be formed during 2023 with a significant membership from communities impacted by historic slavery.

This group will work with the Church Commissioners on shaping and delivering the response, listening widely to ensure this work is done sensitively and with accountability.

Cape Coast

Archbishop Welby indicated that the team would be visiting Cape Coast to learn together with the First Church Commissioner from Barbados, who runs the Finances of the Church of England and is involved in the decision to commit the 100 million pounds.

That amount, he said, would impact investment in those countries as a means of sharing their sorrows of the churchs part involvement in slavery.

We are the first church to do this on international scale as part of the beginning of a long process of engagement which I trust will go well with the Ghanaian government as well as the governments of West Indies, he added.

AU

President Akufo-Addo, for his part, welcomed the interventions on slavery and said Ghana had taken a forward position on reparation.

In fact, I have had it tabled to be an issue of discussion in Addis Abba this weekend at the AU summit, where we are moving for the establishment of an African reparatory programme and commitment, he added.

That, he explained, would spearhead the discussion on the matter so that the steps taken by those in Africa would be coherent, well thought out and recognise all the implications.
Arrest Osino illegal miners: National Association of Small-scale Miners appeals

Haruna Yussif Wunpini Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:29

The Ghana National Association of Small-scale Miners has called for the immediate arrest of illegal miners operating at Osino, few metres away from the Accra - Kumasi Highway.

The association contends that the miners, who normally operate in the night, have created huge trenches just five metres away from the highway, thereby posing danger to the thousands of motorists and passengers who use the highway.

Addressing journalists after visiting some illegal mining sites in the Fanteakwa South District in the Eastern Region last Wednesday, the National President of the association, Philip Akuffo, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the illegal miners by the police.

Damage caused

The damage caused by the activities of the illegal miners is so severe that we cannot wait for the unexpected to happen.

"I have to stand on my feet as president of the association, together with my members, to see how best we can reclaim the land.

"I have already instructed my members to look for the perpetrators before the close of this week.

"We want Ghanaians, and for that matter the whole world, to know that the continuous destruction of farmlands and the pollution of water bodies is by galamseyers and not small-scale miners, Mr Akuffo stated.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Fanteakwa South, Ernest Ofosu, who was not happy about the level of destruction of farmlands and the pollution of water bodies, said his outfit would ensure that the police arrest the illegal miners.

That, he indicated, would make water bodies in the affected areas clean, as well as guarantee safety on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.

The galamsey menace has been an issue for some time now and we, as a government for that matter spearheaded by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have taken proactive measures to curb the menace.

"We have also been tasked as representatives in the various district assemblies in the mining areas to help fight the canker," the DCE stated.
Asafoatse leads Larkpleh community clean-up exercise

Benjamin Xornam Glover Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:21

Residents of the Larkpleh community in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region last Tuesday came out in their numbers to participate in a clean-up exercise to rid the community of filth.

The exercise was organised by Asafoatse Lartey Bantama IV, a member of the Prampram Traditional Council, in collaboration with the Larkpleh Youth Association.

By 5 a.m., residents had started converging on the grounds around the Prampram Polyclinic to participate in the exercise which spanned 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

It was led by Asafoatse Bantama and Nene Sorsey Quarshie VI, Chief Fisherman for the Lower Prampram Landing Beach.

Cleanliness

The effort, according to the organisers, was to rekindle the spirit of communal labour, while promoting hygienic living conditions.

The exercise was also aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness in the community, as well as sensitising residents to the need to change their attitude towards the environment.

Heaps of refuse that impeded the flow of liquid waste in the drains along the four-kilometre road from the Prampram Polyclinic to the Lower Prampram Landing Beach were cleared during the exercise.

Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service who participated in the clean-up exercise also flushed out the silt after the debris was removed.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic during the exercise, Asafoatse Bantama said the clean-up was to rejuvenate the sense of communal labour which had been abandoned by the residents.

Asafoatse Bantama commended the residents, especially the youth, fishermen and market women, for their enthusiastic support for the exercise, and urged them to maintain hygienic standards of living in their homes.

There is a lot of filth in the Larkpleh community, but sadly our political leaders are watching and not doing anything about it. As a traditional leader, I decided to organise my community on a day like Valentines Day, which traditionally represents a day for showing gratitude to loved ones, to show love and impact on the environment, he said.

Sustained

He indicated that the exercise would be sustained in the community through regular campaigns, as well as the establishment of a community taskforce, to keep the Larkpleh community clean.

Asafoatse Bantama said Prampram could boast of interesting places that attracted tourists, hence keeping the environment clean was pivotal in driving that vision.
Cocoa exporters in Cote dIvoire facing bean shortage

Daily Graphic Feb - 15 - 2023 , 12:01

The world's top cocoa producer may be facing a bean shortage.

News agency Reuters reported that Cote dIvoire cocoa exporters were close to defaulting on their contracts and urgently needed up to 150,000 tonnes to honour their commitments.

Citing sources including from the domestic traders' lobby GNI and the group which represents exporting cooperatives, Reuters mentioned a meeting that was hosted Friday by the Cocoa regulator.

Among different options, the Cocoa and Coffee Council allegedly proposed pushing back the loading period for the contracts of struggling exporters to June, so as to enable them to buy beans during the mid-crop harvest.

Last November, the Anouanze cooperative, which helps farmers bring their crops to markets, sounded the alarm, saying their small-scale cocoa producers were hurting because of changing rain patterns blamed on the climate crisis.

Cocoa farming employs nearly 600,000 farmers in Cote dIvoire, ultimately supporting nearly a quarter of the country's population, according to the Coffee-Cocoa Council.

Cocoa production accounts for 15 per cent of the nations GDP.

AFRICANEWS
Develop means to maximise natural resource benefits

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson, Justice Agbenorsi & Elizabeth Konadu Feb - 16 - 2023 , 06:52

The country must adopt measures to derive maximum benefits from its natural resources instead of allowing foreign companies to take control of a chunk of the resources, a Member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto, has said.

He said contracts signed between the state and foreign companies relating to natural resources such as gold, bauxite and oil put the country at a disadvantage.

He said things must be done differently to help the country to obtain the needed resources to fund its development instead of the current system of excessive borrowing.

Speaking at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) dialogue on constitutional review yesterday, he said the 1992 Constitution had made it clear that natural resources belonged to all Ghanaians and therefore it was important that the resources benefited the country.

He quizzed: If the Constitution says that the natural resources belong to all of us and the President holds it in trust for us, why do we allow foreigners to come for them and give us peanuts?

Of course, he stated, the companies that retrieved the resources have to be compensated, adding, We can come to some share systems whereby a small percentage can go to the foreign companies and we take the rest of the money.

The Council of State Member, who is also a legal luminary, said the country must emulate countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Norway that had taken charge of their natural resources and derived enormous benefits from them.

For instance, he said, in Saudi Arabia, the state oil company, Aramco, used to be a foreign company but the country decided to take matters into its own hands and now the company was one of the most valuable companies in the world.

How come oil producing countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia are so rich? I am not sure they would be rich if they had allowed foreigners to take away most of the money made from the resources, he said.

Event

The event, which was on the theme: A seminar on amending Ghanas 1992 Constitution: Views and Reflection, formed part of a series of lectures by notable individuals on the need to review the constitution.

It was attended by a former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo; a former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, who was the chairperson for the event; the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, and the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa.

Others were a Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, O.B Amoah, and the Dean of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Prof. Vladimir Antwi Danso.

Mr Okudzetos lecture touched on the role of the constitution and many of its components such as lands and natural resources, judiciary, local governance, checks and balances, the legislature, the executive and the council of state.

Other personalities who have mounted the IEA constitutional review platform include former President John Agyekum Kufuor; Justice Sophia Akuffo; the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and the immediate past Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.

Local governance

Touching on Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Okudzeto explained that the provision, in its current form, needed to be amended to pave the way for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

The lawyer said the provision in its current form only made MMDCEs loyal to the President instead of the people.

He noted that in other democracies, MMDCEs were mayors elected into office, hence the need to ensure that people with aspirations of leading the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) were given the opportunity to stand on a political platform to seek election and be elected into office.

That, he explained, would make the MMDCEs answerable to the electorate instead of the President.

Council of State

With regard to the Council of State, Mr Okudzeto said he did not share the opinion that it should be scrapped as suggested by others.

During an IEA seminar in November last year, former President Kufuor advocated the scrapping of the Council of State, to be replaced by a second chamber of Parliament.

He said given the current stage of the country's development, and the fact that it had committed itself to democratic governance, the Council of State, at the moment, is not fit for purpose.

However, Mr Okudzeto said scrapping the Council of State would not be ideal because it played an important advisory role not just for the President but important institutions such as Parliament, resolved disputes, and served as a form of check on the President.

"Our system has it that so much power is given to the President such that even Parliament cannot sack the President. We also have this system called checks and balances which means, in any case, there should be someone who will keep the President on his toes.

"So the Council of State is meant to be there to counsel and advise not only the President but also Parliament, Ministers of State and all other individuals," he said.

Mr Okudzeto said the Council of State was supposed to be apolitical and therefore turning it into a second chamber of Parliament could turn it into a party political institution.

"Former President Kufuor suggested that we turn the Council of State into a second chamber. On the surface, it sounds fantastic but there is the likelihood this will be like a Parliament where the political parties think that they are at war," he added.

He said many people were calling for the scrapping of the Council of State because they did not really understand its role.

"There is a lot of controversies on the Council of State, with some people, including professors, arguing that the Council of State should be scrapped and I believe that much of this arises from the lack of understanding of the basis and the functions of the Council of State," he said.

Views

Sharing his views, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Amoah said the constitutional review process started by former President John Evans Atta Mills was laudable but unfortunately, the procedure was wrong.

According to Mr Amoah, the then government established a commission of inquiry, with the recommendations of the commission diluted by a government white paper, which was not the best.

That white paper decided to agree and disagree with some of the recommendations and that is why we are still where we are. Properly, we should not have chosen the path of commission of inquiries to review the constitution, he stated.
Extend cocoa pension scheme to all farmers - Dr Opoku

Nana Konadu Agyeman Feb - 16 - 2023 , 08:03

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso South in the Ashanti Region, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, has urged the government to extend the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme to cover all farmers in cocoa growing regions across the country to motivate them to stick to cocoa farming.

He said extending the scheme, which was piloted in the Western North and the Ashanti regions, would encourage farmers to stop ceding their cocoa farms to other competing land uses, particularly illegal mining and rubber cultivation.

This will also help our cherished cocoa farmers to enjoy decent and sustainable pension when they retire from active cocoa farming, he stated.

Dr Opoku made the call when he presented a statement to mark the National Chocolate Day in Parliament yesterday.

This years celebration was held on the theme, Eat chocolate, stay healthy and grow Ghana.

Cocoa production

Dr Opoku said as Ghanaians celebrated the national chocolate day, they must not lose sight of the factors which militated against cocoa production in Ghana.

He said in the 2020/2021 cocoa season, production in Ghana stood at 1,045,500 metric tonnes, the highest production ever in Ghanas history.

Surprisingly however, he said one year on, production had dropped to 683,268.9 metric tonnes in the 2021/2022 season, representing 34.6 per cent decline.

That, he said, was the lowest production in the country since the 2009/2010 season.

Mr Speaker, although several factors may account for the sharp decline, principal among them is the effect of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey.

Mr Speaker, if the rate of destruction of cocoa farms as a result of galamsey activities is allowed to continue, in no time, our enviable position as the second largest producer of quality premium cocoa in the world will be lost and there will be very little to celebrate in the future, he said.

Quality beans

The MP indicated that to ensure availability of adequate quality cocoa beans for local processing and export, farmers must be encouraged to adopt the productivity enhancement programmes introduced by the Ghana Cocoa Board in 2017.

He also emphasised the need for soil moisture stress in cocoa farms as a result of climate change to also be addressed.

Ghana Cocoa Board must endeavour to extend the pilot irrigation programme started in 2017 to cover many more medium and large-scale farmers.

Mr Speaker, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana must also intensify ongoing research in the development of drought resistant or tolerant cocoa varieties that suit the marginal cocoa growing areas of Ghana, the MP added.

Dr Opoku told the House that for Ghana to make gains in its cocoa crop, efforts must be made to support the sustainable production of cocoa and local processing of cocoa beans. Let us patronise made-in-Ghana chocolate and cocoa products and let us say no to the destruction of cocoa farms for galamsey activities and the pollution of our water bodies which serve as sources of water for irrigation of our cocoa farms, he added.
Include testing, treatment of Hepatitis B onto NHIS - Deputy Majority Leader urges govt

Nana Konadu Agyeman Feb - 16 - 2023 , 10:56

THE Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the government to make the testing, vaccination and treatment of Hepatitis B accessible to rural communities to save lives, particularly of underprivileged women and their newborns.

He suggested that the government must enroll the disease onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make its treatment more affordable or even free such as in the case of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

HIV patients get the antiretroviral drugs free of charge. Unfortunately, Hepatitis B patients, who also rely on this same medication have to buy, he said.

Reducing morbidity

Presenting a statement on Hepatitis B and its enrolment on the NHIS programme on the floor of Parliament last Tuesday, Mr Afenyo-Markin said If we do this, it will reduce morbidity and mortality in our country to the barest minimum with a strong focus on vulnerable groups within our rural areas.

I will also urge the government to intensify education on the Hepatitis B virus so that those who often rely on traditional herbal treatment will desist from that since this leads to escalation and often create a situation where the liver gets damaged and they die quicker than expected, he said.

The deputy majority leader, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 296 million people worldwide were living with chronic Hepatitis B as of 2019, with 1.5 million infections each year.

He, however, said the disease could be prevented by vaccines that were safe, available and effective.

Survey

He recalled a survey he sponsored in 2019 in his constituency which showed that 8.5 per cent prevalence rate of Hepatitis B in the area, describing the situation as a disheartening situation for my people in Effutu.

As of 2019, only 30.4 million people globally, representing 10.5 per cent of all people estimated to be living with Hepatitis B were aware of their infection due to the silent nature of the disease while 6.6 million representing 22 per cent of people diagnosed were on treatment.

Mr Speaker, despite the high infection rate, viral Hepatitis B can be eradicated with the right instruments and this include the introduction of affordable and easily accessible Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG), monovalent vaccine and antivirals for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B, he said.

Newborn infections

Mr Afenyo-Markin said estimates from a Ghana Health Service press release on World Hepatitis Day showed that an average of 120,000 newborns would be exposed to the virus by their mothers during delivery and up to 90 per cent of those babies might end up being infected.

Mr Speaker, these newborns can avert the disease by receiving treatment with Hepatitis B immunoglobin and vaccination which is yet to be introduced by GHS.

The cost of the immunoglobin is quite expensive averaging approximately GH1,000 for underprivileged women in rural areas hence the increase of the disease to their newborns at birth

According to the WHO, the introduction of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination is key to the prevention of childhood infections, he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin pointed out that currently most people, particularly pregnant women in rural areas, lacked access to routine testing during pregnancy.

Most pregnant women and individuals testing positive required evaluation for treatment to suppress the virus, he said.

Very few, if any, are able to access or afford such services due to its high cost and since it is not available on our NHIS.

In the Effutu Municipality, there is no access to Hepatitis B viral load testing which is a key diagnostic factor in management of the disease, he said.

Duty call

He told the House that it was only the teaching hospitals that were well equipped to manage Hepatitis B, hence affected people in rural areas who were referred and were mostly the poor declined and sought alternative treatment, leading to complications and death.

As the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide, viral Hepatitis B elimination could greatly reduce the rate of liver cancer deaths, if only we can find and treat the millions of people who are unaware they are living with the condition, he added.

He, therefore, called on MPs, corporate entities, traditional and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders to actively engage in public
Kassena residents appeal for bridges repair

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Feb - 16 - 2023 , 15:13

Residents of the Kassena West District and Kassena Nankana Municipality have appealed for the reconstruction of damaged bridges in those areas to ease transportation.

These damaged bridges are very important since they enhance free movement of people and enable farmers to cart their produce to market centres, a resident said.

The appeal was made when the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, and a delegation from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) inspected some of the damaged bridges.

During the tour, Mr Yakubu also interacted with the chiefs and residents to reassure them of efforts to improve development in the area.

Mr Yakubu was accompanied by the Regional Engineer of the Ghana Highways Authority, Philip Samini; the Regional Manager of the Department of Feeder Roads, Paa Bruku-Boateng, and some staff of the RCC.

The team inspected a concrete bridge between Zorkor and Sirigu which caved in about four years ago, the damaged steel bridge across the Gugura River which connects Navio and Tazika Bagtua to Paga, and a sinking steel bridge that connects to Manyoro.

The team also inspected the ongoing construction of a GH51 million 11-kilometre road from Sumbrungu to Namoo, which will serve as an alternative road to Burkina Faso.

Security threats

Mr Yakubu acknowledged the importance of the bridges, and said: It is essential for the government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways to recognise the current situation as an emergency and take urgent steps to reconstruct them to bring relief to the people.

Indeed, I am not a happy man today seeing the state of the damaged bridges which form part of the many developmental challenges that are eating up the region, he said.

He further admitted that the current state of the bridges posed a security risk, and that the necessary proactive measures would be put in place to reconstruct the bridge so that soldiers could use that stretch to respond to any threat to Ghanas security.

Mr Yakubu said the Sumbrungu to Namoo road, which connects to Burkina Faso, would reduce the pressure on the Bolgatanga-Paga-Burkina Faso road.

Obviously, this road will improve economic activities between the two countries for their mutual benefit, he said, and commended the contractor for work done so far while urging that the quality be maintained.

The Regional Engineer of the Ghana Highways Authority said studies had been conducted for the remaining 11 kilometres of the road to be approved and awarded.
'Side chick' Deborah Seyram Adablah, sugar daddy case: Court directs parties to file written submissions

Justice Agbenorsi Feb - 16 - 2023 , 11:46

The case where a woman in Accra, Deborah Seyram Adablah, has sued a man, Ernest Kwasi Nimako, who she claims to be her sugar daddy for allegedly breaching an agreement to take care of her came up for hearing at the High Court in Accra today.

The court has asked the parties, a former National Service person of a bank and her former boss also at the bank to file their written submissions before February 23, 2023.

Deborah Seyram Adablah has sued Ernest Kwasi Nimako for allegedly breaching an agreement to take care of her.

Deborah has also dragged the bank, where she did her national service along to the court.

Meanwhile, in an application dated January 24, 2023, the bank, requested that seven paragraphs of the writ be dismissed on the ground that they disclose no reasonable cause of action.

Paragraphs 7,8,9,10,11,31,32,33,34,36 and 37 which were requested to be excluded comprise portions of the writ that accused the bank of looking on for female workers to be harassed sexually by senior male officers of the bank.

The case is currently before the General Jurisdiction of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu.

Background

In a suit dated Monday, January 23, 2023, filed at the Accra High Court, Deborah Seyram Adablah, contends that her sugar daddy, Ernest Kwasi Nimako agreed to buy her a car, pay for her accommodation for three years, give her a monthly stipend of GH3,000, marry her after divorcing his wife and also give her a lump sum to start a business.

It is her case that Nimako although bought the car and registered it in his (sugar daddys name), he has taken the car back, denying her access to use it after about a year of enjoying the Honda Civic worth GH120,000, while he also paid for only one year accommodation, even though he promised to pay for three years.

Deborah Seyram Adablah who claims that she was forced into the relationship during the period she did her national service at the bank where Ernest Kwasi Nimako works, has also accused Nimako of abuse, sexual harassment, maltreatment, exploitation and also lowering her reputation.

Reliefs

The plaintiff is seeking an order from the court directed at the sugar daddy to transfer the title of the car into her name, and also give her back the car.

She is also asking the court to order the defendant to pay her the lump sum to enable her start a business to take care of her self as agreed by the plaintiff and the defendant.

Another relief is for the court to order the sugar daddy to pay the outstanding two years accommodation as agreed between her and the defendant.
Structural reforms key to effective planning  Discussants

Doreen Andoh & Diana Mensah Feb - 16 - 2023 , 10:52

DISCUSSANTS at a workshop on development have identified long-term structural reforms as key to effective planning of the country.



At a technical consultation session on national development in Accra yesterday, the participants also affirmed the position of a technical paper on a proposed compact to make long-term development plans that will be binding on governments.

They said the lack of ownership in development planning and implementation had resulted in the shelving of three long-term plans initiated by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) under different governments.

This is exacerbated by a disconnect between party manifestos, the long-term development plan and the coordinated programme of economic and social development policies.

Public investment projects that are not in the long-term development plan find their way into annual budgets, while many projects in the development plan do not receive budget funding, they said.

Technical consultations

The meeting, which was organised in collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), formed part of a technical consultative workshop to arrive at a bi-partisan and non-political consensus, known as the Ghana Compact for Political and Economic Transformation or the Ghana Compact.

An initiative of the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), it is expected to be an agreement between the citizenry and the government on the direction for national development through to 2050, regardless of the party in charge.

Since the launch of the compact last year, ACET has been engaging various segments of society to further consult on thematic subjects to arrive at common ground on the way forward.

The compact is a consensus building initiative that is set on agreed goals and targets for the countrys governance, political processes, economic management and policies of inclusion for the second quarter of the 21st Century.

The concept, which is a proposition of ACET President, Dr K. Y. Amoako, has 11 partners, mostly civil society organisations.

Vision

Providing further details on the Ghana Compact, Dr Amoako said the country had long been a beacon of hope in Africa since independence.

He, however, said that the nation continued to struggle with uneven growth and lack of economic transformation.

The country needs a unified vision for development  a plan that will spell out core focus areas over an extended period, supported by a strong and independent system to help ensure that leaders stick to these plans.

My hope is that todays deliberations will unlock what we need to do, and how we need to do it, Dr Amoako said.

The Director-General of the NDPC, Dr Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampa, said resolving development planning issues was not only about legitimising plans, but legitimising the processes as well.

He said they needed to put the document together to make it coherent and more harmonised and comprehensive.
Top Kings vs. Empire: REGSEC declares disputed Adjiringanor / Borteyman land security zone

Enoch Darfah Frimpong and Timothy Ngnenbe Feb - 16 - 2023 , 19:58

The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has declared the tract of land under dispute at the Adjiringanor and Borteyman (Trassaco and Kings Cottage) enclave a security zone.

Subsequently, the council has directed the feuding factions in the disputed land  Top Kings Enterprise Limited and Empire Builders Limited - to stay off the land with immediate effect.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, who gave the directive at a press conference today (February 16, 2023), said the decision was arrived at following intelligence the REGSEC had picked about looming clashes between the feuding factions - Top Kings and Empire Builders.

"Therefore, in line with our mandate as stipulated in the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), section 7, which among other things indicates that REGSEC should take immediate steps to ensure law and order, the Regional Security Council at an emergency meeting held today took the decisions that the entire area under dispute be declared a security zone, effective today.

"REGSEC would deploy security personnel to the area to ensure peace and calm," he added.

Already before this directive, some land guards had gone to the land earlier this week to destroy buildings under construction by assignees of Top Kings.

Some workers of Top Kings were beaten up by the land guards. A windshield of a truck was destroyed by the land guards.

Top Kings alleged it was men from Empire Builders protected by police personnel from East Legon who did that operation.

On Thursday morning (Feb 16) before REGSEC announced the declaration of the area as a security zone, policemen from the East Legon police station went to the land to stop assignees and workers of Top Kings from going ahead with building projects.

A management member of Top Kings who had gone to the site to check on the extent of damage and to speak to workers was picked up by the police, Graphic Online gathers.

Caution

The Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey also directed that all landguard activities in the area must cease immediately or those behind it should be ready to face the law.

He said the protracted feud between the two factions had dire security implications for the region and would no longer be countenanced.

REGSEC not challenging Court decision - Minister

The regional minister noted that by the decision to take up the security of the disputed land, REGSEC was not in any way challenging the decisions of the courts on the land matter nor was it interpreting the courts decisions.

Again, he said the security council was not in the business of determining "the actual owners of the land."

"We are purely doing this to ensure that there is no breach of the peace in the entire area in dispute and region as a whole," he said.

Mr Quartey appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage on the issue so as not to inflame passions that might undermine the security of the area.

Background

From 1998 to 2020, Empire Builders Limited, a subsidiary of Trassaco Group, instituted action against Top Kings and the litigation travelled from the High Court through the Court of Appeal and ended at the Supreme Court in the favour of Top Kings.

When the action was instituted against Top Kings at the High Court in suit No. L49/99, Empire secured an order of Interim Injunction to restrain Top Kings from developing the land.

The case travelled all the way to the Supreme Court for a period of 22 years with all the courts dismissing Empire Builders Limited claims to the land.

After the Supreme Court judgment on December 16, 2020, Top Kings decided to return to the land to develop same.

Disagreement after Supreme Court decision

But there is still a disagreement between the parties with counter press conferences and accusations followed by numerous police arrests of agents and workers from both sides following complaints of trespass by Empire.

According to Top Kings, Empire Builders engaged the Police, National Security personnel and the Ghana Armed Forces to prevent Top Kings development of the land alleging that the land Top Kings has entered did not form part of the land the parties litigated over for 22 years ending at the Supreme Court.

Empire Builders commenced a fresh action at the High Courts in Accra and Adenta in 2021 to stop Top Kings and its assigns from developing the land alleging that, that portion of the land was not covered by the Supreme Court judgment.

Both cases at the Accra and Adenta High Courts were dismissed basically on the grounds that they constitute an abuse of Court process in view of the Supreme Court judgement. A further appeal by Empire Builders to the Court of Appeal was also dismissed.

Empire Builders did not exercise its right to proceed to the Supreme Court in respect of its allegation that Top Kings has gone beyond the land subject matter of the Supreme Court judgment dated December 16, 2020.

Top Kings has claimed that what Empire Builders has resorted to is to have the police cause the arrest of workers of Top Kings and its assignees whenever they attempt to develop the land.

According to Top Kings, the police in complete disrespect to the Judiciary inclusive of the Supreme Court are preventing Top Kings and its grantees from developing the land by having police patrol vehicles always visiting the land in the company of officials of Empire Builders to cause arrest of workmen of Top Kings and its grantees.

Top Kings has explained that the police have been telling grantees of Top Kings who follow up to the C.I.D headquarters to secure the release of their arrested workmen, to ignore the various court judgments in favour of Top Kings because the land belongs to Empire Builders Ltd.

The Police have been inviting Top Kings and the Nungua stool to their office, according to Top Kings purportedly to investigate a complaint of trespass and double sale of land lodged by Empire Builders.

And on each occasion, Top Kings lawyers made it clear to them that the Empire Builders Ltd. claim has been dismissed repeatedly by all the courts and indeed copies of all the judgments have been made available to the police.

Regardless of the numerous judgments denying and dismissing Empire Builders Ltd. claims, brought to the attention of the police, Top Kings has said the police insist that the parties must compromise and resolve the dispute and insist that Top Kings and its grantees will not be allowed to develop the land until a compromise is reached with Empire Builders Ltd.

The Police CID invited Top Kings for another meeting with the C.E.O of Empire Builders Ltd at the CID headquarters on December 23, 2022 and Top Kings turned it down with the explanation that it does not intend to compromise after 24 years of litigation that has ended in its favour.

Top Kings went ahead and cited the CID boss for contempt, a case which is still pending.

Read also: CID boss Andoh-Kwofie dragged to court for alleged contempt

National Security Coordinators

Similarly, the National Security Coordinator, Edward Asomani invited the parties to a similar meeting last week.

Empire Builders, at a recent press conference claimed that not all the portions of the land being claimed by Top Kings was affected by the Supreme Court ruling.

Empire Builders have called for a settlement but Top Kings has insisted that once it has a Supreme Court ruling in its favour, there is no room for settlement and that if anything, Empire should go and see the Nungua chiefs.

Late last year, the police made an arrest of some suspected landguards in the area and declared the Managing Director of Empire Builders, Ian Morris wanted.

Empire Builders stance

Empire explained that the arrested people were not landguards but were security personnel for the company.

Three weeks ago, Empire Builders, petitioned the government to intervene in what it described as an attempt to take over parcels of land it had legally acquired.

At a press briefing Empire Builders said Top Kings with the help of land guards, some members of the Nungua Stool and men wearing the Ghana Armed Forces uniform, trespassed onto their land.

According to Empire Builders, the court affirmed its interest in the said land, albeit with 22 and 32 acres being allocated to Top Kings by the court.

Various interventions

In spite of the court ruling, the dust is yet to settle on the ownership of the land.

The matter aside the courtroom has traveled the corridors of various agencies including the National security Ministers outfit, Lands Ministry and in various political circles.

Even for the Greater Accra REGSEC, this is not the first time the matter is coming before it and the parties being asked to stay away from the land for the parties to present their documentations.

Some factions have used physical force for dominance and it has culminated in the destruction of foundations of buildings and fence walls being constructed by grantees of Too Kings in the last few months.

Subsequently, the Greater Accra Regional Security council has directed the feuding factions in the disputed land  Top Kings Enterprise Limited and Empire Builders - to stay off the property with immediate effect.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, who gave the directive at a press conference today (February 16), said the decision was arrived at following intelligence the REGSEC had picked about looming clashes between the feuding factions - Top Kings and Empire Builders.

"Therefore, in line with our mandate as stipulated in the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), section 7, which among other things indicates that REGSEC should take immediate steps to ensure law and order, the Regional Security Council at an emergency meeting held today took the decisions that the entire area under dispute be declared a security zone, effective today.

"REGSEC would deploy security personnel to the area to ensure peace and calm," he added.
Act on Auditor-Generals report: CDD-Ghana to Attorney-General

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Feb - 16 - 2023 , 08:17

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has urged the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to act on the findings of the Auditor-Generals report on the governments COVID-19 expenditure covering the period March 2020 to June 2022 and prosecute the malfeasances.

According to the CDD, the Auditor-General had delivered on his constitutional mandate as an independent governance body, to carry out probes and report to the public on how state resources were applied to pave the way for the punishment of infractions by the government.

The government should have asked the Attorney-General to prosecute all the infractions in the audit report and that is the kind of reaction we need, given how people have handled state money, the CDD said.

The Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Asante, said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in response to a letter from the Attorney-General to the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, criticising his audit report on the governments COVID-19 expenditures covering the period March 2020 to June 2022.

Governments responsibility

Dr Asante noted that the responsibility of any government was to protect state resources and as such, the primary duty of the Attorney- General would be to punish all entities who had misappropriated state funds in one way or the other.

That, he believed, would serve as a strong deterrent to entities and individuals who continue to misuse funds meant for the development of the nation.

Obviously, the content of the expenditure report is something government is not happy with, they seem more concerned about how good or bad they look to the people which is far from what their responsibilities are, he lamented.

Unconstitutional request

According to Dr Asante, the Attorney-Generals request asking Mr Akuamoah Asiedu to withdraw the special audit report was unconstitutional and an interference of the Auditor-Generals duties.

He explained that Section 23(1) of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) required the Auditor-General to publish his reports as soon as the reports had been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament.

This says nothing about parliament debating on it first, so if he does not understand, he should go for constitutional interpretation which I believe is a waste of time and resources because the law is very clear, he added.

Dr Asante, therefore, urged Mr Akuamoah Asiedu to resist all attempts by the government to interfere in delivering on his mandate to serve the people.
Bill to protect consumer rights in the offing

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Feb - 16 - 2023 , 07:38

The government is rigorously working to pass a comprehensive Consumer Protection Bill to bolster consumer protection regime in Ghana, the caretake Minister of Trade and Industry, Samuel Jinapor, has told Parliament.

The overarching object of the bill is to protect, secure and defend the rights of consumers through a structured institutional mechanism and legal framework that will ensure that consumers play a significant role in keeping erring businesses in check.

When assented to by the President, the Act will see to the establishment of a state agency with the sole responsibility to enforce those consumer protection rights.

The agency would also promote competition and ensure regional integration through digital trade and e-commerce, the minister said.

Parliaments support

Presenting a policy statement on consumer protection in Parliament yesterday, Mr Jinapor said, with the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Ghana as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, consumer protection law is more important now than ever.

The government of President Akufo-Addo is fully committed to the passage of this law, and it is my hope that when the time eventually comes, after the bill has been approved by Cabinet, this august House will fully support the government to pass this very consequential legislation, he said.

He said today, most countries had consumer protection policies and legislation that secured the rights of consumers against unfair practices, citing Australias Competition and Consumer Act, 2010; Canadas Consumer Product Safety Act, 2010; the UKs Consumer Rights Act, 2015; South Africas Consumer Protection Act, 2018; and Indias Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Most jurisdictions, he said, also had special bodies that dealt with consumer protection such as the Competition and Consumer Commission of Australia, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of Nigeria, the Competition Commission of Kenya, and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore.

He, however, said in the case of Ghana, attempts to protect consumers predated the countrys attainment of independence, citing various statutory Acts adopted by the government to combat the market forces in the interests of consumers and the economy.

Despite these efforts, we have not been able to develop, over the years, a single legislation for the protection of consumers, he said.

Currently, he said, Ghanas legal and regulatory framework for the protection of consumer rights was fragmented in different pieces of legislation, including the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538), the National Petroleum Authority Act, 2005 (Act 691), the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), and, recently, the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078).

This phenomenon has led to the creation of different bodies, with different jurisdictions, over different aspects of consumer protection, such as the National Communications Authority, in respect of electronic communications; the National Petroleum Authority, in respect of petroleum products; the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission in respect of the supply, distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas; and the Bank of Ghana in respect of banking services.

Jurisdictional conflicts

He expressed worry that such state of affairs had long been recognised as undesirable, and that it had led to a significant part of the market remaining unregulated in terms of consumer protection, leading to a constant violation of consumer rights without adequate remedy.

In those areas that seem to be regulated, there are instances of jurisdictional conflict among the various regulators, leaving the consumer with no remedy and not getting value for money, he said.

For example, he cited how consumers were being exploited in shops who they were unable to return defective goods they bought back to shops some of which had signs like Goods sold are not returnable.

In most cases, consumers who sought to vindicate their rights had to resort to the courts, relying on common law principles of contract and tort, which imposed a higher evidentiary burden on the consumer, he said.

Mr Jinapor also cited the case of Nana Tabiri Gyansah III v Accra Brewery (Suit No. H1/368/05, decided by the Court of Appeal on 10th March, 2006), a consumer who bought two bottles of Castle Milk Stout and suffered injuries after consuming half a bottle of the drink, was left without any remedy, on the grounds that he could not prove the negligence of the manufacturer.

In the words of the court, the plaintiff did not lead evidence to establish a nexus between his permanent and temporary health injuries and his consumption of the defendants manufactured castle milk stout, he said.

Mr Jinapor added that the state was required, by Article 35 clause 2 of the 1992 Constitution to seek the welfare of all citizens.

And, as a respected member of the international community, he said Ghana was enjoined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to institute a functional consumer protection regime to protect consumers as well as enshrine their rights in the marketplace.

Commendation

Contributing to the statement, various MPs lauded for apprising the House on the progress of the bill.

For instance, the NDC North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, underscored the importance of the bill and expressed his optimism that the whole House would support the bill when it was presented to the House.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, also commended Mr Jinapor for spearheading the initiatimg of the bill and urged other ministers to emulate him by constantly updating the House on matters pertaining to their ministries.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state will initiate the process to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin considering the potential adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation implemented by the California Air Resources Board.

If adopted, the ACC II regulation would require automobile manufacturers to increase their zero-emission sales of light-duty vehicles to 100% by 2035.

Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York adopted the ACC II regulations in 2022. The states of Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, and Rhode Island have already begun the process and are expected to adopt the regulations in 2023, according to ChargEVC.

While late to the party, we are pleased to see that New Jersey has finally joined California in adopting this regulation. It helps solidify the state as a national climate leader. While an important step, we must be clear-eyed. Much work, way beyond an announcement, is needed to achieve a full transition to electrified transportation. Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC-NJ

New Jersey already has electric vehicle charging infrastructure incentive programs that support the buildout of fast charging public infrastructure in the state. This jump started with the enactment of the electric vehicle law in 2020 and is now supercharged with an additional $104 million from The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

Additionally, the state will offer new grant funding for heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs), allocating $70 million in unobligated Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds toward lowering consumer upfront costs for medium- and heavy-duty EV adoption.
Samsung decided to skip out on the Galaxy S22 FE last year due to ongoing chip shortage and increased demand for its flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra. A new report from South Korean news outlet The Elec suggests the Fan Edition series is due for a return in 2023 with the Galaxy S23 FE launching around the August/September period.

The Galaxy FE series garnered popularity with the Galaxy S20 FE back in 2020 with over 10 million shipments that year alone. Following up such a well-received device is hard and the Galaxy S21 FE did not do so well which made Samsung reconsider its FE lineup releases going forward.

Based on the new report, Samsung will skip the Galaxy A74 and will instead focus on launching the S23 FE in more markets. Samsung is trying to reshape its Galaxy A-series portfolio and the A7-series will likely be cut. The upcoming FE phone will launch with either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy or 2022s top dog Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

Source (in Korean)
Norm Analista is the founder of Analista & Co. (A&C), a Guam-based brand specializing in stand-out bespoke apparel. A&C is located in the second floor of the Tumon Sands Plaza. Follow @analista_co on Instagram and TikTok and Analista & Co. on Facebook. For behind the scenes content related to this columns topic, visit @tastemaker671 on Instagram.
A bill to give landowners loans to bring power, water and other utilities onto their property is before the Legislature.

Bill 25-37, the Affordable Housing Infrastructure Development Loan Program, was introduced by Sen. Roy Quinata. He said it was developed in response to the high cost of living, the increase in utility prices and the low inventory of affordable housing.

The program would provide loans to first-time homeowners or CHamoru Land Trust leaseholders to ensure their houses have water, power and sewage connections.

Under the bill, many residential Land Trust properties are in rural areas, making the cost of utilities on top of building or improving a house too expensive.

We owe our people the ability for them to live in a safe and clean environment, having access to essential utilities provides for that, said Quinata, who introduced the bill at the beginning of the month.

If passed into law, the program would be run by the Guam Housing Corp., which would be in charge of the application process, eligibility requirements and funding for the loans. Interest-free loans would be provided for CHamoru Land Trust leaseholders.

Loan terms would mirror the terms of lease agreements with the government for the remaining years in land leases.

The repayment schedule may match the amount of time left on an existing land lease with the CHamoru Land Trust, allowing more families to afford the payments, said Quinata.

The Guam Housing Corp. would submit an annual report to the Office of the Governor and Legislature on how funds are being used and the programs activities.
The sale of fruity and pastry-flavored e-liquid, more commonly known as vape juice, would be banned if legislation unveiled Thursday becomes law.

You can continue to vape, but its going to be unflavored, said Sen. Thomas Fisher, who introduced the measure to the media at a press conference held at his office.

According to Fisher, the ban is meant to cut down on the targeted sale of vaping products to kids, part of a series of bills hes introduced and dubbed the Protect Children Against Substance Abuse, or Pro-CASA, legislation.

Any retailer or salesperson who violates the ban would be subject to up to a $500 fine on their first violation and fines between $500 and $2,000 for additional violations. The ban on flavorings wouldnt be extended to prescription drugs or medical cannabis products.

Sale of e-liquid or vape products to people under the age of 21 already is prohibited. According to the draft bill, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and other states have banned flavored vape products.

Children do not have a choice to vape. As we understand choosing, we all we all have judgment as adults, children dont. Thats why we have to take care of them, Fisher said. You ask any teacher on this island if they have any experience with a fifth grader coming in with vape and you will find that they do.

Menthol flavoring, which is used to smooth out the inhalation of nicotine products but is not targeted at children, would be permitted.

Despite the proliferation of flavored vape products at dedicated specialty shops and behind the counters of gas stations and mom-and-pop stores, the juice has got to go, Fisher said.

I am aware that this will have a negative impact on certain businesses. I am also aware that we are not going to monetize our childrens health, we are not going to say, Well 25 people lost their jobs, and thats just too much of a burden. So well go ahead and put up with 300 kids coming down with cancer later on in their life, the senator said.

The shipment to Guam of flavored vape products ordered online wouldnt be prohibited, according to Fisher. Guam doesnt have the power to restrict interstate commerce under the Constitution, he said, though if a way to restrict online sales could be found, he was open to it.
The CHamoru Land Trust Commission on Thursday voted to postpone the eviction of the Guam Racing Federation from Land Trust land in Yigo so Aprils Smokin Wheels event can be held at the site.

The March 2 eviction will be postponed 90 days, until late May or early June.

Henry Simpson, the federations general manager, told commissioners the main event starts April 21 and ends April 23, but there are practices and other related events scheduled in advance.

The racing federations original commercial license for the 250-acre Land Trust property expired in May 2018 and the Land Trust and the federation failed to sign a new 50-year license within a six-month window provided by lawmakers. The racing federation has been allowed to use the property only through a series of short-term licenses approved by the Land Trust.

According to Guam law, the Land Trust is now required to put leases for commercial property out to bid to get the most revenue possible from the land. Leases cannot be longer than five years.

The commission during its January meeting decided to end the racing federations license and evict the group.

Far beyond

Newly hired Administrative Director Alice Taijeron said recent pictures of the raceway property show activity at the site has gone far beyond what was approved by the commission, which had authorized clearing and grading only of a specific part of the property.

Commissioners on Thursday debated whether to allow the March 2 eviction to stand and to issue an event-specific license for Smokin Wheels, but decided it would take too long for a license to be approved.

Speaker Therese Terlaje sent a letter to the Land Trust, asking it to postpone the eviction to allow the racing event to happen, but noted there are concerns about how the property has been used, including the possible extraction of minerals. Terlaje is chairwoman of the legislative land committee.

I still support a racetrack and other recreational activities, but it is our job to ensure that government gets fair value while still maintaining the sustainability of our precious and finite land resources, Terlaje said in a written statement Wednesday.

Terlaje said she asked the attorney general for a legal opinion about whether mineral extraction at the site is against the law. She said the public auditor has agreed to audit the mineral extraction that happened during the racing federations use of the site.

The next step is for commissioners to decide the future use of the raceway site, said Land Trust Chairman John Reyes. He said the Land Trusts main responsibility is to help constituents get a place to live.

Options for the site will be discussed in greater detail during the commissions March 15 meeting, Reyes said, noting it is possible lawmakers might intervene in the issue.
The United States was tracking a suspected spy balloon when it launched near Chinas east coast on a flight path that would have taken it to Guam, but weather conditions took the balloon to the U.S. mainland, where it was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.

This is according to national media reports on the latest developments about the spy balloon that ignited a new round of friction between the U.S. and China.

The Washington Post cited unnamed U.S. officials, whose claims raise more questions on how early the U.S. knew about the suspected spy balloon and why it wasnt shot down before it could reach U.S. airspace.

Joint Region Marianas has not said whether the balloon was being monitored by the military while it appeared to be headed for Guam, or whether it actually flew near or over Guam.

Joint Region Marianas, in coordination with military intelligence experts, are continuously and actively monitoring potential threats in the region, said JRM commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson. In the spirit of transparency, JRM is routinely in direct communication with local and federal partners in Guam regarding any potential threat, or unusual activity, and our defensive posture to counter those threats. We are committed to deterring adversaries in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, in a Feb. 9 Senate Energy Resources Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on the state of the U.S. territories, told senators that the balloon passed by Guam.

The spy balloon that was shot down passed by Guam. Yes, passed by Guam. We had a briefing from the military, so those are the things that do concern us, the governor said when Sen. John Barraso, R-Wyoming, asked her about recent Chinese actions that concern her.

Barraso asked the governor whether the briefing happened while the balloon was passing over or after-the-fact.

They were briefing our Homeland Security as they were passing over, the governor responded.

Adelup as of Thursday had yet to provide more information about the governors remarks.

Guam Homeland Security "can neither confirm nor deny, or provide information on the matter," the agency said in a response to questions about the balloon.

"The community is advised to report any suspicious activity to the Mariana Regional Fusion Center at 671-475-0400 or via email at mrfc@ghs.guam.gov, following the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys campaign, 'If You See Something, Say Something.'"

Tracked

The Washington Post, the Economist and other national media outlets reported that by the time a Chinese spy balloon crossed into American airspace in late January, U.S. military and intelligence agencies had been tracking it for nearly a week, citing unnamed U.S. officials as sources.

U.S. monitors watched as the balloon settled into a flight path that would appear to have taken it over the U.S. territory of Guam. But somewhere along that easterly route, the craft took an unexpected northern turn, according to several U.S. officials, who said that analysts are now examining the possibility that China didnt intend to penetrate the American heartland with their airborne surveillance device, the Washington Post reported.

The balloon floated over Alaska then drifted over Canada, where strong winds appeared to have pushed it south into continental United States, the report said, adding that the balloon was launched from Hainan Island in China.

Fearful

The governor, earlier in her response to Barrasos question, said the tension between China and the U.S. does concern the people of Guam.

We are very fearful of what could happen if there is a conflict that would occur. ... The presence of that strength of military bases in Guam makes for a target for us, the governor said. And if theres gonna be a Chinese conflict, we feel that we would be the first line of attack, as we were also by Japan in World War II. And so that is very concerning to us, senator. We realize this.

Leon Guerrero, whos in Pohnpei for the Micronesia Islands Forum, told senators that Guam faces threats from North Korean missiles and knows that theres more Chinese activity.

The governor also talked about the U.S. militarys ongoing efforts to prepare and strengthen Guams defense capabilities.

New hospitalLeon Guerrero also saw the opportunity to pitch her administrations long-term plan of building a new public hospital on Guam and ways to fund the construction of that facility.

The military naval hospital is there, but their bed capacity right now is 39. And certainly if there is any situation where they are attacked, they would rely on us as the civilians to help back up that military situation, the governor added.
Not getting the government job they applied for after testing positive for marijuana is a blunt truth that people face even though Guam legalized marijuana, the Mayors Council of Guam said as it sought advice from Attorney General Douglas Moylan Wednesday.

Moylan, the guest speaker at a council meeting, said if the person really wants a job, the individual should just stop using marijuana or go through a treatment program and reapply.

Can he stop taking marijuana and reapply? Moylan asked. That might be the best advice.

Every once in a while, mayors offices get a job applicant who tests positive for marijuana and the Department of Administration says the person cant be hired.

Applicants are told what their rights are under DOA policy. They can challenge the testing if they believe the results are inaccurate. Thus far, no one has challenged results and so the ineligibility to be hired stands, Angel Sablan, the councils executive director, said Thursday.

At the Wednesday meeting, Sablan asked whether theres any recourse for a marijuana-positive job applicant, given that marijuana is legal on Guam and the job hes applying for is a community maintenance worker, a non-sensitive position.

The poor guy only wants to come and do maintenance in the village, but because he tested positive for marijuana, we cant hire him, Sablan told Moylan, citing a recent applicant.

Sablan on Thursday said as far as he knows, that person enrolled in a drug treatment program but hes not sure whether the person reapplied with the mayors office or another agency.

In the past, some mayors said they had difficulty filling vacant positions because people who were applying for the job were testing positive for marijuana.

Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann, council nice president, said theres a government drug addiction treatment program that job applicants can be a part of. Once they get a certificate of completion, they can reapply.

But after three times, they keep failing (drug testing), thats it. They cant hire them, Hofmann said.

Moylan said while marijuana is legal under Guam law, it is illegal under federal law and agencies and programs that receive federal funding are required to comply with federal laws. Guam officials, he said, also are sworn to uphold both local and federal laws.

Marijuana is legal under Guam law but under federal law its still a crime. Theyre not enforcing it right now but that doesnt mean that they cant tomorrow either, he said.

Moylan acknowledged that some could be unknowingly consuming food that has marijuana in it and it shows during testing.

DOA has its policy so I would say do the workaround. Tell the person if he really wants this job then hes gonna make sure (they) go through that little program, he said, referring to the drug treatment program. Stop doing it.

On Guam, adults 21 and older can legally smoke or use marijuana products at home but not in workplaces that have workplace drug policies, including the government of Guam.

Those who apply for GovGuam jobs are required to undergo drug testing. Theres also random drug testing in GovGuam.
If you give a minor fentanyl and they overdose, get injured, or die, you will go to jail for life, should a bill announced Thursday become law.

Sen. Thomas Fisher unveiled to the media draft legislation meant to crush the fentanyl epidemic before it comes to the island, as it has in much of the U.S. The senator said Guam cant repeat the poor performance seen in the war against methamphetamine.

The war on fentanyl  we are not going to lose this war. Its not going to happen  if you are distributing this poisonous filth to our children or anybody here on this island, were going to crush you, he said.

Giving fentanyl to a pregnant person, someone with mental illness or a disease or defect will also result in life imprisonment if the recipient is harmed or dies, based on the current version of the bill. Fisher said it would be filed by next Monday, at the latest.

That life sentence applies not just to would-be drug dealers or people intentionally sharing the fentanyl with a minor, but even to those who unknowingly expose minors to the drug through negligence or recklessness.

Were not saying you intentionally meant to give it to the 3-year-old. All were saying is you did something stupid, Fisher said.

Even if the minor or person who receives the fentanyl isnt harmed, violators would be subject to 20 years in prison without parole on top of any other penalties. Fisher said his intent is to bump negligent distribution up to a first-degree felony.

Those who possess fentanyl with a prescription will likewise be held liable, should the drug get in the wrong hands due to recklessness.

Children cant be held responsible for the potent opiate, which is fatal in even minuscule doses, the senator said.

This is a hammer coming down, he said.

Doctors or pharmacists shouldnt be opened up to liability unless they are negligently or illicitly transferring fentanyl to a minor, according to Fisher, who is an attorney. Medical professionals will still be held responsible and do not get a special hat that makes them immune.

When asked whether the bill could have a chilling effect on the prescription of painkillers, Fisher said, I hope it has a chilling effect on the over-prescription of opiates.

He added: Guam is not going to become, were not going to turn into a pill mill, like we had in Florida. Were not going to allow that sweep to come through Guam.

Besides harsher punishments for fentanyl, the 37th Guam Legislature would be looking to tackle a resurgent problem with meth in the coming weeks and months, the senator said.
Theres no telling when Guam will be cleared of unexploded ordnance that accumulated during World War II and other wars.

Lawmakers, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, activists and top military brass sat down Thursday night to talk about how to regulate open detonation, used to dispose of much of the ordnance found in the community.

Military officials say they need to use open detonation for emergency ordnance disposal but others contend the military shouldnt be given a blank check to determine what needs to be blown up.

Citing safety concerns, Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Joint Region Marianas, asked lawmakers to repeal the recent ban on open detonation until proper regulations can be thoroughly worked out.

The ban, enacted in December, will take effect starting Feb. 27.

It does not appear that the Department of Defense will be able to continue to provide emergency response as requested by the government of Guam, Nicholson said.

Identification of ordnance too risky

World War II era munitions, routinely found during construction, are exempted from the ban, but the steps needed to identify what era a decades-old bomb is from are too risky, said the admiral.

The steps required to understand what era that it comes from could involve chipping away at the outside of the case. That's inherently dangerous, he said.

There is unidentified ordnance from the Korean and Vietnam War floating around, which the Department of Defense had stockpiled and covered with dirt.

U.S. EPA recognized that old, degraded munitions can't be safely disposed of with alternative methods, he said, and the Department of Defense complied with all environmental laws.

Ban revision is needed

A revision of the ban will have to take place, with U.S. EPA pointing to technical issues. Sen. Sabina Perez introduced Bill 35, which will change the bans exemption from World War II ordnance to any explosive that Guam EPA determines can only be disposed of with open detonation.

The senator disagreed with the need to reverse the ban and accused Nicholson of spreading misinformation in his testimony, adding that she would have to review it.

Walter Leon Guerrero, administrator for Guam EPA, said his agency had identified two or three alternative technologies for munitions disposal that could be put in place for Guam. It's also ready to work with military EOD teams for any emergency permitting that's necessary.

However, legacy munitions, like unexploded 500-pound bombs, don't have an alternative disposal method.

There's no alternative technology for that at this point. Maybe there will be in the next year or a couple of years. But at this point, to deem all open detonation as illegal, or not worthy or useful tech to use for disposal would be, I think, erroneous, Leon Guerrero said.

Monaeka Flores, with activist group Prutehi Litekyanm, pointed to the militarys outstanding permit application to operate an open detonation range at Andersen Air Force Base, which was submitted in 2021.

'Tremendous risk to our community'

If you look at the permit application, there are a lot of new munitions that will be treated with open detonation, and pose tremendous risk to our community, she said.

Flores said the military had a track record of noncompliance in Guam, Okinawa, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Attorney David Henkin of environmental law firm Earthjustice said the military shouldnt be given a blank check from Guam EPA, noting that the current permit asked for the ability to detonate up to 30,000 pounds of explosives a year.U.S. EPA had identified other emergency response technologies, which were already used in other jurisdictions.

Henkin said he supported Bill 35, which would put Guam EPA in the drivers seat when it came to determining what could be open detonated and what could not.

That call needs to be made by the Guam Legislature, by Guam EPA and the U.S. EPA, not the military, because left to their own devices, theyre just going to continue doing the same old thing, illegally, Henkin said.

'Finding them all'

Perez asked whether Guam was any closer to clearing out the ordnance that was scattered over the years.

Are we any closer to finding them all? she asked.

Maam, I have no idea, Nicholson responded.

The military worked to survey where ordnance might be found, but bombs were found even in low-risk areas. A 500-pound bomb was found under the foundation of a building at Andersen recently.

Brig. Gen. Paul Birch, commander of the 36th Wing at Andersen, chimed in.

There were 16 days of continual bombardment on the island during the Battle of Guam. There was no accounting for how much munitions were dropped here, Birch said. "We would all like to think we're getting closer to zero, and by definition, we are, every time we remove something. But to say there is a cap,  unfortunately, we can't do that.

Perez said she recognized the safety concerns, but this is our homeland. We're gonna be here for generations and it just doesn't seem right to be exposed to these chemicals.

Ma'am, I'm trying to understand what the alternative is, Nicholson said.

If ordnance wasn't openly detonated, it could explode on its own and become a hazard.

It would be great if we didn't have to do that. But today, that's where we are.
Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum.
Published on 2023/02/15 | Source

Yoona has been selected as the global campaign model for Miu Miu.

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Yoona participated in a new global campaign for the Italian fashion brand Miu Miu 2023 Spring/Summer Collection, adding special meaning by being the only celebrity in Asia to participate in the campaign.

In particular, Yoona drew attention by working with world-renowned photographer Zoe Ghertner in this Miu Miu global campaign to capture her unique beauty with dreamy visuals and seductive atmosphere.

In addition, Yoona has been influenced by global artists such as Kendall Jenner, Ever Anderson, Achol Ayo, Emma Corrin, Esther McGregor, Quintessa Swindell, and Karolin Wolter.

Since Yoona was previously selected as Miu Miu's Ambassador, she has given off her unrivaled presence at domestic and foreign events from photo shoots to attendance at the Paris collection, raising expectations for her continued moves in the fashion world.

Meanwhile, Yoona, who has been active in dramas, movies, music, and fashion over the past year, will continue to be active in 2023 with JTBC's most anticipated drama "King the Land" and the main film "2 O'Clock Date".
The main exhibition, titled "Concrete Dreams  And other perspectives on 1970s architecture," will showcase the industrial, system architecture that emphasized repetition and uniformity, as well as the grid pattern that expanded in different directions.

The Museum of Finnish Architecture in Helsinki is set to bring the 1970s to life this spring with two exhibitions, a book, and an outreach programme. The exhibits aim to shed new light on the architecture of the controversial decade and explore the ideologies and social progress that guided the work of architects at the time.

The exhibition invites visitors to experience the spirit of the 1970s and imagine what a well-equipped suburban home built of prefabricated concrete elements with adjoining playgrounds felt like for its first residents. It also highlights gems from the 1970s of different building typologies, including theaters, town halls, university buildings, churches, factories, and water towers.

The exhibition will challenge visitors to think about the value of these buildings in our environment now that they have reached an age when they require renovation. The exhibit showcases the diversity and pluralism of the architecture of that time and continues the Museum of Finnish Architecture's series of exhibitions exploring the architecture of past decades, this time reaching the 1970s.

The exhibit will be open from May 17, 2023, to October 15, 2023, and has been curated by Petteri Kummala, the Museum of Finnish Architecture's deputy head of information services and research, Jutta Tynkkynen, the museum's curator of exhibitions, and Anni Vartola D.Sc. (Tech.) senior lecturer in Architecture at Aalto University.

The Museum of Finnish Architecture Studio will also host an exhibition called "A Diverse Decade  Posters from Architecture Exhibitions of the 1970s," showcasing the impressive poster graphics in the museum's collections. Between 1970 and 1979, the Museum of Finnish Architecture organized an incredible eighty exhibitions on various themes, and the exhibition posters invite visitors to explore the aesthetics of the time and what kind of topics were considered worthy of an architecture exhibition.

In addition to the exhibitions, a book titled "Murrosten vuosikymmen  Suomen arkkitehtuuri 1970-luvulla" (A Decade of Upheaval  Finnish Architecture in the 1970s) will be released, highlighting the meanings and key phenomena related to the built environment of this "forgotten decade." The book's scholarly articles are written by Minna Sarantola-Weiss, Kirsi Saarikangas, Ranja Hautamaki, Julia Donner, Juhana Lahti, Jorma Mukala, Harri Hautajarvi, Essi Lamberg, Maire Mattinen, and Anni Vartola. The book has been realized with funding from Foundation for Quality of Construction Products.

Overall, the Museum of Finnish Architecture is offering an exciting opportunity to experience the architecture and visual culture of the 1970s, offering insights into the era's design ideologies and social progress.

HT
Finnish Immigration Service has announced that all Afghan women and girls will be granted refugee status due to the worsening position of women's rights and freedoms since the Taliban's rise to power in Afghanistan. The Finnish Immigration Service has updated its guidelines on the processing of applications submitted by Afghans to reflect this change. The decision-making practice aligns with the report published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on January 25, 2023.

According to the Director of Asylum Unit Antti Lehtinen, gender alone will now be sufficient grounds for asylum, whereas previously it was only one of the many aspects considered in the decision-making process. The decision is a proactive measure taken by the Finnish Immigration Service in response to the deteriorating situation for women in Afghanistan, and not a reactive measure following the EUAA report.

Additionally, the Finnish Immigration Service has updated its guidelines on the processing of applications submitted by Afghans from a Hazara background. The guidelines reflect the EUAA's report that the position of Hazaras has deteriorated in Afghanistan. While it is not possible to conclude that all Hazaras living in Afghanistan require international protection, the asylum seeker's individual circumstances, including gender and living in an area where the ISIS makes attacks, will be taken into account.

The Finnish Immigration Service has not made any decisions leading to the removal of Afghans from the country since July 2021. In 2022, 511 out of 612 asylum decisions made for Afghans were positive, with 394 granted asylum, 7 receiving subsidiary protection, and 110 issued a residence permit on other grounds, such as compassionate grounds.

While the decision to grant refugee status to Afghan women and girls in Finland is a positive step towards providing protection, it could encourage illegal migration and the exploitation of vulnerable women and girls. Families may send their female members on dangerous journeys to seek asylum in Finland, which could result in significant risks and challenges.

Often the authorities and decision makers in Finland do not pay attention to the message their decisions send to millions of desperate people wanting to migrate. A previous decisions to make family reunion of underage asylum seekers easier, caused an uproar in families sending underage kids alone to a dangerous journey. Most of these kids do not make it to western countries or their target countries, but end up being abused somewhere in the transit countries.

Immigration Services often are struggling with skilled staff and do not have the necessary resources and expertise to investigate and prevent abuse of the system, or grant residence permits to skilled workers who are badly needed. Recently the case of a Mongolian nurse who went through a nightmare while trying to renew her work and residence permit was widely reported in the media.

Discouraging irregular migration and addressing the root causes of displacement and migration is also not functioning. Finland should work closely with other countries and international organisations to address the humanitarian needs of displaced persons and promote stability and development in conflict-affected areas. This approach will ensure that the country can provide effective protection to those who genuinely need it, while preventing the misuse of the system and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

HT
Over a quarter (28%) of the potential first-time voters surveyed expressed their intent to vote for the populist right-wing opposition party.

THE FINNS PARTY is clearly the most popular party among people who have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote for the first time in the parliamentary elections organised on 2 April, reveals a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat .

The Finns Party was the most popular party among both men and women, receiving the support of over a third of male respondents and around a fifth of female respondents. The party came in first across Finland, receiving particularly high approval ratings from youth in northern and eastern parts of the country.

Its popularity in population-wide polls is presently around 19 per cent.

The Social Democratic Party and Green League were the second and third most popular parties among the respondents, with approval ratings of 13 and 11 per cent, respectively. Almost a quarter (24%) of the respondents told that they will abstain from voting or that they are unable or unwilling to disclose their party of preference.

Aino Tiihonen, a post-doctoral researcher at Tampere University, told Helsingin Sanomat that the Finns Party is unlikely to see its popularity climb to 28 per cent as those possibly voting for the first time this spring become middle aged.

I wouldnt draw that kind of conclusions, she stated.

Tiihonen, who has studied how young people identify with political parties, reminded that 1822-year-olds are usually in a situation in life where their values and attitudes are taking shape and new ways of thinking are adopted more readily.

Many at that age are studying and still in a way on their way from one place to another. Political values and attitudes can still change because they havent cemented their standing in society, she explained.

She added that making predictions about the future is difficult also because the number of non-affiliated voters has increased and voter loyalty decreased in Finland. All in all, the changing of political tides has become more unpredictable. Single issues are motivating voters more than before.

The Finns Party being the most popular party among youth is not particularly surprising  even though the extent of its popularity is interesting and somewhat unusual  as young people have been identified internationally as an important source of support for populist movements.

Traditionally, the most popular parties among the youth have been the Finns Party, the Green League and the National Coalition. The SDP hasnt typically been a top party among young people, told Tiihonen.

Political values and attitudes among youth vary substantially along the socio-cultural axis rather than the traditional left-to-right axis, according to her.

Weve known for a couple of years that the climate issue is something that mobilises young people, but its also a question that polarises young people, she elaborated, naming immigration as similar issue.

Joakim Vigelius, the chairperson of the youth wing of the Finns Party, interpreted the survey results as an indication that nationalist ideas are not losing ground in Finland. Another reason for the results, he gauged, is that the opposition party represents values that are simple and easy to digest.

If you tell a young person that a Finnish tax euro should be used primarily to the benefit of a Finn, I think many young people would understand that, he elaborated.

Vigelius also suggested young people rely more on their common sense as it has not yet been corrupted by the world around them. You learn to think differently as an adult, and that isnt necessarily learning in the positive sense. People as social animals adopt thoughts from their environment.

Kantar conducted 624 interviews for the survey between 20 January and 7 February. The respondents are representative of the age group who is eligible to vote in this years parliamentary elections but was ineligible in the 2019 elections.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Purra was the only party leader to view, for example, that the national carbon-neutrality target should be pushed back from 2035 to 2050, arguing that the ambitious target is hamstringing Finland.

THE VIEWS of Riikka Purra , the chairperson of the Finns Party, were often the exception as representatives from eight parliamentary parties discussed climate and environment-related themes at an election debate hosted in Helsinki on Wednesday by Helsingin Sanomat .

The threshold questions [for coalition co-operation] will naturally be determined in the negotiation stage, she retorted when asked whether the opposition party could join a ruling coalition that is committed to the current target.

She also expressed her opposition to the idea of taking action to achieve the target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea areas in the country, a target set forth in the biodiversity strategy of the EU and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The target, she stated, should depend on what kind of areas are protected.

The other participants were Sanna Marin of the Social Democrats, Petteri Orpo of the National Coalition, Annika Saarikko of the Centre, Maria Ohisalo of the Greens, Li Andersson of the Left Alliance, Sari Essayah of the Christian Democrats and Anders Adlercreutz of the Swedish Peoples Party.

Orpo on Wednesday reiterated that the National Coalition will not be part of a ruling coalition that pushes back the carbon-neutrality target.

Finland, he viewed, should continue to harvest wood at the current rate  a view that was shared by Purra, Saarikko and Essayah  but re-examine logging in state-owned forests. I think it should be examined on state-owned lands and state-owned forests, whats left of them, should be protected, stated Orpo.

Andersson, Marin and Ohisalo contrastively voiced their readiness to reduce logging.

The issue has been debated publicly since last year, after it was revealed that intensifying logging has contributed to the collapse of carbon sinks in Finland, the very bedrock of the national climate strategy. The next electoral term will be critical if the country is intent on fostering the ability of forests to sequester carbon dioxide and halting biodiversity loss while holding on to the economic benefits of forestry.

The eight parties also disagreed on the profit targets of Metsahallitus, the state-owned enterprise that owns roughly one-third of forests in Finland. Andersson, Marin, Ohisalo and Orpo expressed their readiness to continue lowering the profit target.

The Finnish Climate Change Panels proposal for adopting a land-use change fee  a fee imposed on land owners that clear forests for agricultural or construction use  was rejected only by Essayah and Purra.

All eight chairpersons estimated that efforts to combat climate crises are ultimately also economically profitable.

They were almost unanimous also about the idea of building up nuclear power capacity in Finland. Marin was the only one not to voice her support for granting permits for new nuclear power projects, stressing that the projects should be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Im not prepared to give an all-encompassing permit to any kind of projects, she explained.

The debate event was organised by WWF, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) and Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra). Its content was produced and moderated by Helsingin Sanomat.

The parliamentary elections will take place on 2 April.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is set to attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany on 1718 February 2023. The conference is a high-level gathering of foreign and security policy decision-makers from around the world, aimed at promoting conflict resolution, international cooperation and dialogue. The event has been held since 1963 and has become a major international platform for discussing global security issues.

At the conference, President Niinisto will participate in a panel discussion on security and partnerships in Europe on the main stage of the conference on Saturday 18 February. He will be joined by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President of Moldova Maia Sandu and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen. The discussion is expected to cover a wide range of security issues facing Europe, including the role of NATO, the situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia.

In addition to the panel discussion, President Niinisto will also deliver the acceptance speech at the Ewald von Kleist Award ceremony on Saturday evening which has been awarded to Finland and Sweden this year for their historic decision to apply for NATO membership.

During the conference, President Niinisto will also have a number of important bilateral meetings with other foreign and security policy decision-makers from around the world. These meetings are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including trade, security and bilateral relations.

With nearly 100 ministers and some 45 heads of state and government in attendance, the conference is set to be a major event in the global security calendar.

The Ewald von Kleist Award is named after the late German aristocrat and soldier who was involved in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. The award is given annually by the Munich Security Conference to individuals or institutions that have made an exceptional contribution to peace and conflict resolution. It is the first time that it is being awarded for joining a military alliance.

The Ewald von Kleist Award has been presented since 2009 and previous recipients include former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former German President Horst Kohler, former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, among others.

HT
Seymour Hersh , an investigative journalist with a track record of breaking major stories, published a bombshell report on Substack last week that alleges the United States was behind the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines. According to Hersh, an anonymous source with inside knowledge of the operation has confirmed that the U.S. government was involved in the planning and execution of the sabotage, which took place on September 26, 2022.

Last June, the Navy divers, operating under the cover of a widely publicised 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, Hersh writes in his article.

According to Hershs source, the decision to sabotage the pipeline came directly from US president Joe Biden and was the result of a highly secretive debate that lasted for over nine months within Washington's national security community. Hersh's anonymous source claimed that the issue during the debate was not whether to carry out the mission, but how to achieve the goal without getting caught. The deliberations reportedly involved extensive planning and strategising, indicating the high level of importance placed on the issue within the national security community.

Hersh reports that, President Joe Biden and his foreign policy team, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and Undersecretary of State for Policy Victoria Nuland, were strongly opposed to the Nord Stream pipelines. The two pipelines, which ran parallel to each other for 750 miles under the Baltic Sea, originated from different ports in northeastern Russia near the Estonian border, passed near the Danish island of Bornholm, and terminated in northern Germany. Biden and his team were vocal in their hostility towards the pipelines, which were seen as a means of increasing Russia's influence in Europe.

Hersh recounts that opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline reached a fever pitch in January 2021, on the eve of President Joe Biden's inauguration. Senate Republicans, led by Ted Cruz of Texas, repeatedly raised concerns about the political threat posed by cheap Russian natural gas during the confirmation hearing of Secretary of State Tony Blinken. At the time, the Senate had successfully passed a law that halted the pipeline in its tracks as Cruz put it.

At the time, the German government, then led by Angela Merkel, faced significant political and economic pressure to get the second pipeline online.

Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh reports that in December 2021, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan convened a meeting of a task force composed of members from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, and the State and Treasury Departments. The group discussed recommendations for responding to Putin's impending invasion, and Sullivan reportedly made it clear that he wanted the group to come up with a plan for destroying the two Nord Stream pipelines and that the order comes directly for Biden himself. Over the next few meetings, the group debated options for an attack, including using a submarine or dropping bombs remotely. The CIA eventually began crafting a plan for a covert operation that would use deep-sea divers to trigger an explosion along the pipeline.

The BALTOPS 22 exercise was to be used as a cover to plant the camouflaged explosives which would be detonated weeks or months later by a sonar signal. Long enough time to cover the relation with the military exercise.

Hersh's report suggests that the plan was downgraded from a covert operation to a highly classified intelligence operation with U.S. military support after President Biden and Undersecretary Victoria Nuland made public comments indicating the administration's willingness to stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invaded Ukraine. At a press briefing that followed the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House, Biden openly said, If Russia invades . . . there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.

According to Hersh's anonymous source, the plan to blow up the pipelines was no longer legally required to be reported to Congress as it was not considered a covert operation anymore, but it still had to be kept secret because of Russia's surveillance capabilities in the Baltic Sea.

Hersh writes that the Norwegian navy was able to quickly find the optimal location for blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. The pipelines were located more than a mile apart on a seafloor that was only 260 feet deep in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea, a few miles off Denmark's Bornholm Island. The divers, who would plant the shaped C4 charges on the pipelines with concrete protective covers, would operate from a Norwegian Alta-class mine hunter.

Hersh's report suggests that on September 26, 2022, a Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane dropped a sonar buoy in a seemingly routine flight, triggering high-powered C4 explosives that had been planted on the pipelines. Three of the four pipelines were put out of commission, and pools of methane gas that remained in the shuttered pipelines could be seen spreading on the water's surface.

Hersh recounts statements made by Blinken in Nuland after the Nord Stream explosions as a confirmation of the fact that the United States government was at least happy and satisfied with the outcome.

Its a tremendous opportunity to once and for all remove the dependence on Russian energy and thus to take away from Vladimir Putin the weaponisation of energy as a means of advancing his imperial designs. Thats very significant and that offers tremendous strategic opportunity for the years to come, Blinken described the event as an opportunity when asked at a press conference last September about the consequences of the energy crisis in Western Europe.

Nuland expressed her satisfaction while testifying at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in late January:  Like you, I am, and 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. she told Senator Ted Cruz.

The implications of Hersh's report are significant, as they suggest that the U.S. government played a direct role in the destruction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which can be considered the biggest terrorist act after Sept. 11, with huge environmental and social consequences. Up to 155,000 tonnes of methane were released into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. 155,000 tonnes of methane is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from approximately 33,000 passenger vehicles, or the carbon sequestered by 1.8 million acres of U.S. forests in one year. Also The German and European industry has suffered greatly and energy prices in Europe have soared dramatically for consumers.

Hershs revelations confirm what many independent thinkers, intellectuals and experts had believed and said openly, despite the deafening propaganda of the main stream western media claiming that Russia blew up its own pipeline.

Right after the explosions, Radoslaw Sikorski, European Parliament member and former Polish foreign minister, on his Twitter account shared a photograph of gas leak, saying "Thank you, USA. Adding that "Now $20 billion of scrap metal lies at the bottom of the sea, another cost to Russia of its criminal decision to invade Ukraine. He later deleted the tweet.

Independent commentators have repeatedly stated that the disruption or sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline would not benefit Russia. Already back in October 2022 in a conversation with Andrew Napolitano, the presenter of the Judging Freedom podcast, former advisor to US Defence Secretary in the administration of Donald Trump, Douglas Macgregor, said: "You have to look at who are the state actors that have the capability to do this. And that means the [UKs] Royal Navy and the United States Navy <> I think thats pretty clear.

Russia has invested heavily in the Nord Stream pipeline and relies on it to export natural gas directly to Germany, bypassing other European countries. Therefore, any disruption or sabotage of the pipeline would have negative economic consequences for Russia, as it would cut off a significant source of revenue.

Additionally it has been reported that Russia is quietly exploring the possibilities of repairing the pipelines which will be extremely costly.

On the other hand the main beneficiary of the disruption has been the United States which has openly opposed and criticised the pipeline and has been exporting its three-times-more-expensive LNG to Europe since the disruption. Norway is another obvious beneficiary. Norways own pipeline become functional around the same time Nord Stream was blown up.

Seymour Hersh at the 2004 Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award. Photo: Institute for Policy Studies

Seymour Hersh is an American investigative journalist who is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and trustworthy reporters of his generation. He has won numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize, for his investigative reporting on war crimes, abuses of power, and government misconduct. Hersh is known for his deep sources within the intelligence community, his uncompromising commitment to uncovering the truth, and his ability to bring to light stories that others have missed or ignored. He has a long and distinguished career that has spanned several decades, and his reporting has had a major impact on public discourse and policy.

Here are some of the most important investigative articles Seymour Hersh has written, along with a brief summary of each and how they were received:

My Lai Massacre (1969): Hersh broke the story of the My Lai Massacre, in which American soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese civilians. His reporting, which won a Pulitzer Prize, revealed a military cover-up and sparked outrage across the country. Abu Ghraib Torture (2004): Hersh's reporting on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq exposed a culture of torture and impunity within the U.S. military. His reporting won a George Polk Award and helped to bring about significant changes in military policy and public opinion. Nuclear Weapons in Pakistan (1998): Hersh's reporting on Pakistan's nuclear program, including its collaboration with North Korea, was controversial and initially met with skepticism. However, subsequent events confirmed much of his reporting, and it is now widely regarded as groundbreaking. CIA Domestic Spying (1975): Hersh's reporting on the CIA's illegal domestic spying program helped to expose the agency's abuses of power and contributed to the creation of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Iran-Contra Affair (1987): Hersh's reporting on the Iran-Contra scandal, in which the Reagan administration sold weapons to Iran and used the proceeds to fund the Contras in Nicaragua, was instrumental in exposing the corruption and illegal activities of high-ranking government officials.

Overall, Hersh's reporting has been highly regarded by many for its depth, accuracy, and impact. Even though some of his articles have been controversial and naturally met with criticism from the establishments he has revealed, and those who disagree with his reporting or his political views, his work is widely considered to be some of the most important and influential investigative journalism of the past several decades.

substack.com is an online platform that allows writers and journalists to create and distribute their own newsletters to a wide audience. Substack has gained popularity as a platform for independent journalism, providing a space for writers to produce in-depth reporting and analysis without the constraints of traditional media organisations. It has been used by a range of high-profile writers, including journalists, academics, and activists, to reach a broad audience and to build a sustainable model for independent media.

Describing the reason he chose Substack instead of offering this revealing article to major news outlets, Hersh explains that he never felt at home at major outlets and that money has become a problem for many of them, with advertisers affecting their content. He believes that many brilliant journalists are still at work, but that reporting has to be within guidelines and constraints that did not exist in the past.

Hersh praises Substack for providing the kind of freedom he has always fought for. He explains that on Substack, he can write deep stories without fear of word counts or column inches and speak directly to his readers. He also appreciates the ethos of the online community, which he feels is in line with his own style of swigging cheap bourbon with servicemen, working over first-year law firm associates for intel, or swapping stories with junior ministers.

In conclusion, Hersh expresses hope that the story readers will find on Substack is a reflection of that freedom. He notes that reporting is back, unfiltered and unprogrammed, just the way he likes it.

HT
A TURKISH couple who run a cafe in Wargrave have sent two trucks of supplies to help victims of the recent earthquakes in their homeland.

Denis Shanov and Cansel San, who own the Daisy Love Cafe on High Street, are Turkish citizens and have friends and family members in the affected areas.

Ms San is from Elbistan, a city that has been badly impacted by the disaster, which has killed at least 33,000 and left tens of thousands homeless.

Her husband 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.

On Saturday, the couple received donations of useful items for survivors throughout the day. Mr Shanov said: We received so many boxes. There were so many people who donated  I couldnt give a number.

We are so thankful to all the villagers who donated. Its amazing and we are really happy to get help.

We had to reject some donations after Saturday just because of the capacity we had for the delivery but we are grateful. We really focused on getting disposable items. We did get a lot of clothes but we made sure we were sending hygiene products such as nappies and soap and shampoo and also baby food and formula.

Although there are still so many more people who need help and the situation is just so horrible, we do find comfort and relief in knowing we can put a smile on some peoples faces and help some people in this situation once they receive the packages.

We are following the disaster on the news every day and on social media and we want to keep helping.

On Sunday, the couple filled two trucks from London fruit and vegetable wholesaler Cyprofood which had volunteered to take supplies to the British Alevi Federation in the capitol, which was also sending packages.

They joined with Turkish communities in the Thames Valley and London to send supplies directly to the region on Wednesday.

The shipments were organised by the Elbistan Community Centre, a registered charity in North London, and Turkish logistics companies made their vehicles available for the relief effort.

Mr Shanov said: Multiple organisations and charities came together for the same goal  to help people in Turkey.

More than 33,000 people are known to have lost their lives in the earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

The World Health Organisation has warned that many survivors are also at risk as thousands of people are still outside in freezing temperatures with no safe shelter, heat, electricity or running water.

Mr Shanov had received good news about his brother-in-law.

His parents, who had been living in Elbistan, moved to their house in a nearby village following the first earthquake. However, after the second earthquake they lost communication. His brother-in-law then flew to Turkey and found the couple. He drove them to a city west of Elbistan.

Mr Shanov said: Were very relieved, very happy. We cant be totally happy as there are still some friends and family missing but that was some good news as we were very anxious about them.

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.
Truth about explosions at Nord Stream pipelines must be revealed

(People's Daily App) 15:53, February 16, 2023

The explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines, which shocked the world, recently made headlines again.

According to renowned American journalist Seymour Hersh, who covered the Watergate scandal, US divers installed explosives under the Nord Stream pipelines during the NATO military exercise BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) in the summer of 2022, and detonated them in September.

If Hersh's report is true, the US will never be able to hide the facts no matter what stories it fabricates. Relevant countries should keep focusing on the matter, invest resources into it and restart the investigation led by the United Nations to get the truth.

(Video produced by Lingshicha Talk)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Pere Taberner, Vice-President for Western Europe and Africa of the Welbilt group, world leader in the manufacture and sale of equipment for the foodservice sector, is the new president of Hostelco, the international trade fair organised by Fira de Barcelona that showcases equipment and services for restaurants, hotels and catering. The institution's Board of Directors made the above appointment after thanking Rafael Olmos for his work at the helm of the trade fair's Organising Committee over the last 5 years.

A law graduate, Taberner has also obtained different master's degrees and specialisations in finance and business strategy awarded by the Harvard, IESE and ESADE business schools. Since 1997 he has held management positions within large companies, particularly in the industry engaged in food production and distribution, equipment and services for catering outside the home such as Welbilt Inc (Ali Group), Manitowoc Foodservice and EPIA.
In 2022, more than 255 million phishing attacks were reported by businessesa 61% increase from 2021. However, as hacker skills become more sophisticated, cyber security and e-pay protection have become one of the fastest-growing fields of industry.

Phishing refers to cyber attackers attempting to trick users into providing personal financial information via clicking on a corrupted link that will download malware, or lead them to a shady website. These scams can manifest through fraudulent emails, phone calls, texts, or social media messaging.

Today, phishing prevention has become even more essential, as cybercriminals have become even savvier with their disguises and methods.

The number of attacks that bait unsuspecting victims into handing over bank account data, social security numbers, and credit card information is experiencing a steady rise, so defending your organizations financial information should be of paramount importance.

Recognizing Targeted Phishing Scams

Years ago, phishing scams may have been easier to detect. Now, as scammers become more complex and sophisticated in their attacks, theyre more difficult to recognize.

In the most typical scenario, your company may receive an email that appears to come from a reputable business, perhaps one you conduct business with. This email will likely warn you of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention, often encouraging the user to click a link directing them to the organizations website.

In this case, a pop-up window will quickly appear with the intent of stealing your personal financial information by asking you to update any account information, such as your social security number, your password, your account number, or any information you use to verify your identity when speaking to a real financial institution.

Keep in mind that email is not the only method by which this can occur; scammers may resort to phone calls, texts, or even social media connections.

While these phishing scams may sound obvious, they can be discreetly disguised through carefully crafted web pages and unsuspecting emails.

The first step to prevent your business from becoming a phishing victim is by never providing private company financial information to an unsolicited requestno matter how legitimate it may seem.

Internet pages and emails designed by phishers may look exactly like the real thing. In some cases, they may feature a fake padlock icon that is ordinarily used to indicate a secure website. But to ensure your companys safety, its wise not to give in to these strategies.

Likewise, you should never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited Internet request. Any reputable financial institution would never ask you to verify your financial account information online, so beware of these types of scams.

Lastly, keep an eye on account statements to ensure all charges are correct. Consistently verifying these statements can help guard your business against phishers, and periodically reviewing activity online can help you spot suspicious activity.

How Implementing an E-Pay Protection Strategy Can Help

In todays digital world, your cyber security team must work diligently to prevent falling victim to these types of attacks. One security incident can put an entire organization in jeopardy, costing time and money, and even damaging your reputation.

Ensuring your digital payment processes are safe and secure is crucial to your cyber security efforts. Especially when it comes to handling supplier payments, maintaining a smart-pay system that combats the risk of fraud can elevate your business practices.

Thats where implementing an e-pay security strategy comes in.

With comprehensive e-pay protection tools, hiring a third party can offer modern security measures that allow companies like yours to rest easyproviding you with greater visibility into payment reporting and analytics.

Defending Your Organization with BirchStreet Pay

Phishing attacks arent unique to a specific industry. Organizations of all fields are facing challenges in preventing attacks and protecting their private information.

As scammers become more refined in their attacks, it becomes all the more crucial for businesses to do their part in amplifying their cyber security measures.

With BirchStreet Pay, your company not only safeguards supplier payments, but also utilizes user-friendly interfaces with fast payments, obtains real-time visibility in spend control and compliance, and reduces risks of fraud. This smart-pay system ensures your procurement processes are digitized and payments are seamlessly transferredsecuring your companys reputation in the process paying for itself through rebate, saving you and your team valuable money and time.

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Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said he has taken several companies out to look at the site. Arigoni with a phase 4 rendering of the site when completed PreviousNext

$10 Million Site 9 Redevelopment Now Fully Funded

Tyer in front of a phase 1 rendering for the site that will be bid in the spring

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Shovels will soon be in the ground of a parcel commonly referred to as a "moonscape" and "scar."

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, it was announced that the gap in funding for the $10.8 million Site 9 redevelopment has been closed. The last mile of funding includes $400,000 of Pittsfield Economic Development Authority foundation funds, $1.3 million in GE landscaping funds, and $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The project will go out to bid in the spring with an expectation of construction beginning over the summer. Substantial completion could be seen in 2024.

"We are all familiar with the massive 16-acre scar that has sadly been part of Pittsfield's landscape far too long," Mayor Linda Tyer said to a boardroom of local and state officials at the Berkshire Innovation Center.

"And with today's announcement, we close the funding gap and move out of planning and into construction."

The 16-acre parcel at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Tyler Street Extension previously housed a General Electric factory and is the largest and most prominent section of the William Stanley Business Park. While earlier plans envisioned the parcel for one, large tenant, it has been subdivided to accommodate many buildings and increase flexibility.

Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said that this is wonderful news for the business park and the city.

"For the past 20 years, it's been pretty much non-developable. I've taken several companies out to look at the site, they like a number of things about the state, the location, the fact that the train tracks go right through the park, zoning is already approved," he explained.

"When I bring them out there and they see the moonscape they say if 'I build a 50,000 or 100,000 square foot building we're still going to be surrounded by scar,' so they basically see the moonscape and do the moonwalk right out of there."

The site has also received $3 million from the MassWorks infrastructure program, $880,000 in Site Readiness Program funding from the state's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, $264,000 from the state Brownfields Program and, most recently, a $500,000 earmark from a state economic development bill that was passed in November.

Just last month, Coakley reported to the PEDA that $6.3 million had been solidified so far.

Tyer said that without the ARPA funds, this announcement would not have happened because the project would not be fully funded.

"We really felt that the ARPA funding met the criteria for economic recovery post-pandemic," she explained. "And that was why we identified this as a potential funding source and ultimately decided that it was what we wanted to put on the table as the city's commitment."

Morningside is also an environmental justice neighborhood, which has been prioritized for the funds.

Mark Arigoni of SLR International Corporation has been working on this project for around five years. He explained that plans include green space to increase appeal.

The end goal is to have private investment, private development, and economic development on the site.

"There has been a lot of work over the last four or five months just understanding what's out there, what's underground because one of the main things that we've always wanted to do from day one when we were involved in this project and the PEDA board had the foresight to understand we don't want to just green this site and not make it more attractive for private development," he explained.

"So we're going to try and take care as much as we can underground, cap that site, do what we can to make it a more feasible project for private investment to come and say, 'Wow, now those sites look good. Oh, and you extended the utilities. Oh, and you paved some roads. Oh, and you're creating some permanent green space right out in front. Now it looks attractive to me.'"

Arigoni showed a rendering of the first of four phases of the project, which includes greenery, parking areas, and paved paths.

There has been some interest in the site from possible tenants but they are waiting to see what happens with the redevelopment, Coakley said. Once it is done, Mill Town Capital is looking into developing a portion of it.

Remediation on the asphalt and fencing has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Edward Weagle of Roux Associated explained that they are going to upgrade the remedy.

"We're going to deal with the material that's on the site now including the concrete and the asphalt, turn that into material that we can then use under a new capsule. The new cap is going to consist of a marker layer, which is going to designate the regulated material that's out there now including this concrete and asphalt," he said.

"And then clean material which is going to be brought in and the cap is going to vary in places. Where we have some green space we're going have a thicker cap, there's going to be more soil over the marker layer to support the landscape plantings and whatnot and where we have this industrial development, it will probably be thinner because the public exposure assumptions are less rigorous."

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier emphasized the importance of teamwork between the city, the state, the Site 9 planning team, and the ARPA team.

"As Mayor Tyer said, this team that was put together is what made this happen. Not one single entity could have done it. The city couldn't do it on their own, the Commonwealth couldn't possibly do it on their own, a developer could not do it all on our own," she said.

"But when we put everybody together when state and local government work together with private entities, that is when we do our very best work. I don't know of a better example in many years in Pittsfield as this example of what's happening here at Site 9."

She pointed out that the team also overcame disappointment, as they applied for the MassWorks grant in 2020 and were not awarded it.

"An extremely important ingredient in that successful bid is that the mayor made it clear that the city was in it and they were willing to put up the capital, their own dollars here from the City of Pittsfield," Farley-Bouvier added.

PEDA Chair Maurice "Mick" Callahan seconded the sentiments on teamwork, adding that the project is a little more than a dream and will be a reality.

"Today I propose we take moonscape off the definition and we go to community and commerce-scape," he said.

"I think it's time."

Site 9 redevelopment funding:

Site Readiness Grant- $800,000

Brownfields Grant- $264,000

GE Landscaping Fund- $1,300,000

PEDA Foundation Fund- $400,000

Economic Development Earmark- $500,000

MassWroks Grant- $3,000,000

ARPA- $4,500,000



Total: $10,844,000




A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the shutdown of leading independent media outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD) on February 13 ahead of the country's elections in July. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Cambodian Journalists Alliance (CamboJA), in condemning the Prime Ministers abuse of power and urging the Ministry of Information to reinstate the outlets media licence.

Ith Sothoeuth, media director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) which overseas VOD, speaks to reporters outside the offices of Voice of Democracy in Phnom Penh on February 13, 2023. Credit: CamboJA

Law enforcement and ministry officials visited the offices of Voice of Democracy (VOD) on the morning of February 13 ordering journalists to stop publishing immediately. Sen instructed the Ministry of Information to cancel the outlets publishing and broadcasting licences, revoking its right to continue radio and online news services. Since the decision, VODs online Khmer and English services have been blocked by several internet service providers throughout the country.

On February 9, VOD released an article in Khmer that claimed Hun Sens son, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, had signed a donation of USD 100,000 for earthquake relief in Turkiye under his fathers name. Hun Manet, the head of Cambodias military, disputed the claim, and urged the outlet via social media to provide sources for their article. On February 11, Sen demanded a public apology from the outlet within 72 hours, later shortening the deadline to 10 am on February 13. Despite receiving an official, apologetic letter from the Cambodian Centre for Independent Media, VODs parent company, Sen ordered the revocation of the licence.

The decision has been condemned by media rights and civil society organisations, who denounced the arbitrary and likely politically motivated closure of VOD. In a group statement, press freedom advocates identified how existing measures to remove or alter disputed publications already exist in Cambodias Press Law, and urged the government to speak out against harmful and sexist language directed towards the author of the article.

The Cambodian government has previously targeted critical and independent news outlets ahead of the 2018 election, including the shuttering of Cambodia Daily in 2017, and the coerced 2018 sale of the Phnom Penh Postto a business associate of Hun Sen.

The CamboJA said: No journalist should ever be attacked as a result of their work or identity. We hope the government acknowledges the essential role of VOD and its journalists, along with the remaining independent media outlets in the country, and their right to do their work in accordance with the law and without fear of intimidation and harassment

The IFJ said: Hun Sens order to shutdown VOD represents an serious misuse of power and poses a severe threat to press freedom in Cambodia. The IFJ urges the Cambodian government to reverse its decision to shutter VOD and ensure the outlet is able to continue to produce independent and critical journalism without fear of reprisal.
Indian income tax authorities have raided BBC offices in India on February 14, allegedly investigating tax evasion charges against the media outlet following the banning of a documentary critical of PM Narendra Modis role in the 2002 Gujarat Riots. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), in condemning the raid and urging the Indian government to stand by its purported commitment to press freedom and democracy.

Office Goers walk out of the office complex housing the BBC offices and Studio in Mumbai on February 14, 2023. Credit: Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

On February 14, Indias Income Tax Department conducted a search of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)s offices in Delhi and Mumbai, investigating alleged tax evasion charges. In a statement on social media, the BBC said the outlet is fully cooperating and expressed hope that the operation could be resolved swiftly.

The search operation comes after the publication of a two-part BBC documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, in which the now-Prime Ministers role in the 2002 Gujarat riots was interrogated. The documentary was widely criticised by Indian authorities, who invoked emergency laws to ban the streaming and sharing of the documentary on YouTube and Twitter.

Indias foreign ministry claimed the documentary displayed clear bias, a lack of objectivity, and perpetuated colonialism through its critical portrayal of Prime Minister Modi. In January, over a dozen students were detained for planning a screening of the documentary series.

The documentary examines rising tensions between the leadership of Narendra Modis Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and Indias Muslim minority. The first episode of the series investigates Modis role in Gujarats 2002 sectarian riots as the states then-Chief Minister. The documentary, which featured previously unseen UK government reports on the incident, revived accusations of the Prime Ministers involvement and complicity in the violence, during which over 1,000, predominately Muslim, people died.

The IJU said: The Indian Journalists Union condemns in the strongest terms the Income Tax raids conducted on the BBCs New Delhi and Mumbai offices. Such actions put a big question mark on the governments commitment to press freedom as the worlds largest democracy. The IJU demands the government refrain from such vindictive actions and let the media do its work if it had nothing to hide

The IFJ said: The raiding of BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai is deplorable and represents the dangerous erosion of press freedom in India. Critical and independent reporting is essential in any healthy democracy and the persecution of BBC is incompatible with Indias established commitments to freedom of expression. The International Federation of Journalists condemns the raid on BBC offices and urges the Indian government to cease its intimidation of journalists and media workers.
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Sergiy Tomilenko, president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) looks back on a year of relentless work, in which NUJU has supported journalists on the ground and assesses the challenges they face as the war enters its second year. He highlights the crucial role of the IFJ and EFJ-backed Journalists Solidarity Centers in ensuring that local and international media can report on the conflict, and the imperative need for more funds to continue supporting Ukrainian journalists.

1. What are the most urgent needs of Ukrainian journalists a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

First of all, I sincerely thank the IFJ/EFJ for their constant interest in the problems facing Ukrainian journalists and the media, as well as for the tireless support that the international and European journalistic community provides us with.

Thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian and international media workers, the world learned that Russia, as an aggressor country, tried to question the cultural, spiritual, and even physical survival of the Ukrainian people. One of their blows has been inflicted on the media industry of Ukraine by the invaders. According to the NUJU, during the 11 months of the war, Russian soldiers killed at least 47 Ukrainian and foreign media workers (the fate of several more remains unclear). At least eight of them were killed while performing their professional duties. [According to the IFJ Killed List , 12 journalists were killed in the line of duty in Ukraine, becoming the deadliest country for journalists in 2022.]

Cars marked as 'Press' are fired at regularly which proves that it is being done deliberately. In the occupied territories, journalists, and in some cases their relatives, are illegally arrested and tortured, and forced either to turn into Russian propagandists or stop their professional activities. This horror continues even now, right now, as you are reading these words. As a result of robberies and enemy shelling, the property of newsrooms is being destroyed, many journalists have become internally displaced persons and refugees, earning a living through other types of activities.

The consequences of Russia's missile attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure facilities are significant. In some regions, such as on the front-lines, as well as in Kyiv, Odessa, and Vinnytsia, power outages have a critical impact on the work of the media. However, the situation is not much better in other regions of Ukraine. As a result, readers receive information with delay.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the technical support of Ukrainian media, especially local ones, is outdated. In blackouts, the batteries of outdated equipment (laptops, cameras, voice recorders, etc.) quickly die.

Most media companies cannot afford the purchase and maintenance of a power generator. Editors complain that their employees have to work at night (when the electricity supply is resumed), drive around the city looking for areas with electricity, and work in government-organised "invincibility centers".

In such a situation, one of the optimal options is the organisation of workplaces on the basis of Journalists' Solidarity Centers (JSC), established by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) thanks to its partnership with UNESCO, and managed by NUJU. Every journalist, blogger, or freelancer can visit our centers and get access to electricity and communication for free. Such assistance to local media is very tangible and valuable.

At the same time, the limited capabilities of the JSC network (they operate only in six Ukrainian cities) has highlighted the need to purchase generators for large media located in different cities to provide colleagues from other newsrooms the opportunity to work in their premises. Russia's large-scale war against Ukraine has significantly destroyed the economy of our country. The government estimates a drop in Ukraine's GDP by the end of 2022 at the level of 30.4%. The media market is completely destroyed. According to our estimates, about a third of the media have stopped or suspended their output, and this process, unfortunately, goes on. As a result, many journalists are forced to leave their professional activities. Even those publications that are located in relatively safe regions have faced a critical decline in revenues. Media located in conflict zones face even more problems. Their offices have been damaged and looted and their restoration requires them to start again from scratch.

As of now, the greatest needs of the Ukrainian media are to provide their employees with generators, and power banks, as well as computers and other professional equipment in their editorial offices and to receive financial support for journalists, primarily local media, with the aim of keeping them in the profession and providing them with jobs.

2. How does the NUJU cope with the situation on the ground?

From the first day of the Russian occupation, NUJU went into a special mode of work. A hotline for journalists from the occupied and front-line territories of Ukraine was launched. A special group was set up to monitor the situation and coordinate the actions of NUJU members. This helped us provide maximum assistance to the journalists who were fleeing dangerous regions - both with advisory and material help and to aid them to settle in a new place. It involved emergency financial support, assistance in finding apartments, providing a place to work, as well as computer equipment and necessary materials. For the first time in Ukraine, the Union launched a 24-hour hotline for psychological help for journalists and their family members.

For those journalists who stayed in occupied territories for a certain time, a series of training sessions were organised on working in dangerous conditions, behaving in captivity, communicating with the occupiers, passing through enemy checkpoints, etc. Colleagues who have already gone through these tests and left for other regions of Ukraine shared their experiences. Material support was also provided to some of the journalists who remained in the occupied territory.

Subsequent events showed, however, that it is impossible to maintain an independent press in the occupied territory: invaders established such a harsh repressive regime that journalists were faced with a choice either to stop their professional activities, to accept propaganda work for the Russians, or to leave for the part of Ukraine still controlled by the legitimate government. NUJU conducted a solidarity campaign with Ukrainian journalists in the occupied territories. About 10 people were released. NUJU is also conducting an awareness campaign in solidarity with 15 journalists and citizen journalists being illegally persecuted in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

One of todays main focuses is the commemoration of journalists killed and collecting information about crimes against media workers committed by the occupiers in the territory of Ukraine. In particular, a project was implemented to create more than a hundred video stories of journalists who became victims or eyewitnesses of Russian war crimes.

NUJU has been actively supported by international partners throughout the entire period since the beginning of the war. We are very grateful to the International and European Federations of Journalists and other foreign partners for their emergency support to our activity.

Since the beginning of the war, journalists demands to NUJU have evolved from requests for evacuation to requests for resumption of their professional activities. And this is a very positive signal. We see that dozens of journalists want to resume their activities, relink with their audience. Of course, this requires certain costs. Experts of the Journalists' Solidarity Centers and our Union collect requests from journalists, process them and, if possible, look for donors to provide financial support.

3. Could you explain the role of the Journalists' Solidarity Centers and what benefit they have brought to Ukrainian journalists and mass media?

The first centers were established in the western regions of Ukraine in April 2022. These regions had received a lot of journalists who had to flee their cities. At that time, the JSCs began working in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi. In the summer, with the support of IFJ and EFJ and in partnership with UNESCO, the network was expanded: new centers were established in Kyiv and in large cities bordering the occupied territories, in particular, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro.

However, the activity of the JSC network is not limited to the aforementioned six cities. Any Ukrainian journalist can apply for help in person, by phone, or online (by filling out a form). The JSCs provide organisational, technical, material, psychological, and legal assistance to journalists affected by the war to one degree or another, and also assist local and international media staff in covering the conflict.

Since the launch of the first centers in April 2022, the network has been attracting donors and providing video cameras, cameras, laptops, and other professional equipment to colleagues in need. In recent months, when Russia has been purposefully destroying Ukraine's energy system, editorial offices faced a new challenge: the need to adapt to working in conditions of power outages. With the assistance of foreign partners, NUJU provided dozens of Ukrainian journalists with power banks and electric generators.

In addition, a one time emergency financial assistance was provided through the network of JSCs. Only recently, 160 Ukrainian media workers from different regions of the country received a one time grant of USD 600, provided by UNESCO in partnership with the IFJ

Besides, Ukrainian and international journalists who need protective equipment are provided with bulletproof vests, helmets, and tactical first-aid kits branded with the inscription 'Press'.

Together with international partners, the JSCs help small local newsrooms to stay afloat by providing temporary financial support to pay for staff or purchase new equipment.

The centers advise colleagues on leaving occupied territories, organise temporary relocation abroad, and conduct training sessions and other educational activities to help journalists in their work.

All six Centers are also used as co-working spaces, where one can work both using ones own equipment or the equipment available on site.

As of the beginning of February 2023, various forms of assistance have been provided to more than 2,000 journalists. Over 200 media editorial offices, of which 90% are local, have received tangible financial and technical assistance through the JSC network. Seventy percent of the journalists who contacted the Centers are women.

The support of journalists and the media does not have a corporate purpose only. It is needed so that our colleagues have the opportunity to exert extra effort for citizens to have access to the reliable latest information.

4. Could you mention a few training sessions organised at the JSCs which are useful for Ukrainian journalists? Which journalists attend these sessions?

Conducting online and offline training sessions on current issues facing journalists in Ukraine is one of the priorities of the JSCs. For almost a year, the Centers have conducted dozens of trainings on security (survival under occupation, leaving occupied areas, working in front-line conditions, handling of dangerous objects, use of tactical first-aid kits, radiation and chemical safety, etc.), legal (work of the media in war, labor rights of journalists, changes in legislation, etc.), psychological (crisis situations, treatment in captivity, etc.), professional (expert journalism, defense against war crimes, interviews with prisoners of war, coverage of sexual violence, mojo-journalism, etc.) and other issues.

We see an interest in our events from journalists, media workers, bloggers, and freelancers.

Online training on radiation and chemical safety, which took place on October 7, was in great demand, due to the periodic shelling of energy infrastructure facilities and the occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.

5. What challenges are Ukrainian journalists facing today?

Most of the new challenges are caused by the Russian military's constant and brutal attacks against the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine.

Therefore, the major challenges for Ukrainian journalists a year after the Russian invasion remain security, physical and energy insecurity.

Thanks to the support of international financial donors, non-governmental organisations, and individual partners, it has been possible to provide journalists working in Ukraine in dangerous conditions with bulletproof vests and other means of personal protection, as well as tactical first-aid kits. Together with Reporters Without Borders, with the support of UNESCO, we prepared a Ukrainian-language adaptation of the special edition Safety Guide for Journalists .

A certain number of journalists who left the occupied and front-line territories have found new jobs or continued publishing their media in a remote format.

Maintaining safe working conditions for journalists should be continued for as long as possible. The practice has shown that organising activities of local media from the front-line zones in the conditions of the regions of Ukraine further from the front line has become a promising avenue.

Our initiative to restore the distribution of the local press in the de-occupied and front-line territories (currently, with our assistance, the activities of 20 local newspapers have been resumed) received a lot of positive feedback. It provides an opportunity to respond to several challenges at once: work for journalists, information for local residents (including evacuation options, social issues concerns, tackling everyday problems, etc.).

In a situation of information hunger in the front-line territory (in some places there is neither access to the Internet nor electricity supply), the appearance of a familiar local newspaper not only makes it possible to partially satisfy the need for information, including vital information, but also performs a psychological and stabilising function: the newspaper is seen as an element of the normal pre-war life, which people currently miss very much.

Further work on the restoration of the local press in the de-occupied and near-front territories can have a positive effect on the preservation of the journalist labour teams in the profession.

Finally, the preservation of local media is essential to support Ukrainian democracy during and after the end of the war. It is generally recognized that quality journalism is an important prerequisite for preserving freedom of speech, and therefore for a democratic system.

One of the main goals for the NUJU in 2023 will be the development of international partnerships with the aim of helping Ukrainian journalists and the media and resisting enemy propaganda, commemorating the memory of fallen journalists and supporting their families, further developing the network of the NUJU Journalists' Solidarity Centers, and supporting local media in the territories of the de-occupied and front-line area.

6. How can unions help Ukrainian journalists?

NUJU is very grateful to those unions that came to support journalists from the first days of the war. Particularly, I would like to gratefully mention the Greek, Lithuanian, Polish, Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian unions. Thank you all for your support and solidarity.

Unions can provide both full and partial assistance to journalists affected by the Russian aggression in Ukraine: financial support, organise the treatment of the wounded, provide financial and technical support to displaced journalists, especially in the territories close to the front-line zone. This can be done either directly or through the NUJU.

Supporting the Ukrainian journalistic community in its opposition to Russian propaganda can be a separate direction against those Russian journalists who took and continue to take part in inciting xenophobia against Ukrainians, imposing aggressive, completely false anti-Ukrainian narratives on the Russian audience. In addition, the Union of Journalists of Russia supported the aggression by creating branches in the occupied territories. NUJU insists on the exclusion of the Union of Journalists of Russia from the International Federation of Journalists and an international boycott against propagandists from the aggressor country. We call on the journalist communities of different countries to support us in this.

An important area of support for Ukrainian colleagues can consist in the monitoring of the state of preservation and development of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms in Ukraine. NUJU made a well-founded criticism of the law of Ukraine On Media , which gives new rights to the national media regulator. Now that the law has been approved, the means by which its implementation will take place are important.

We are open to any help. Even the smallest contribution will enter the general pool of good deeds and, without a doubt, bring closer the victory of freedom, democracy, and the right of the Ukrainians to live in their country according to the rules inherent in the free world.

7. What message would you like to convey to IFJ member organisations today?

Nowadays, when Ukraine has been resisting the brutal, unprovoked aggression of a powerful neighbouring state for almost a year, our colleagues deserve great respect - both Ukrainian and foreign journalists, who in the harsh conditions of war, despite the physical danger, psychological stress, economic problems, continue to honestly fulfil their journalistic duty.

Today, the demand for information is huge, and it can be said that the journalist's word is now worth its weight in gold. The priority of NUJU is to unite the efforts of media workers in creating favourable conditions for the information disseminated by the Ukrainian mass media to be of high quality and prompt. We sincerely thank our friends and partners around the world who prove in every possible way that journalists are united in their service to freedom of speech and the public's right to know.

The war very clearly demonstrated the correctness of our slogan of recent years: Journalists are important!

Besides, I would like to express my personal thanks to Jeremy Dear, IFJ Deputy General Secretary and Ricardo Gutierrez, EFJ General Secretary for their quick response and constant support of our initiatives. The NUJU extremely appreciates the constant support of the IFJ and EFJ and is grateful for the powerful coordination of international solidarity with Ukrainian journalists.

Glory to Ukraine!

To support IFJ/EFJ work in Ukraine, donate to Safety Fund.
A Kaspersky study has revealed that every third C-level executive (37%) struggles to speak about adopting new security solutions with their IT or IT security colleagues. The latter, however, feel increasing the budget for cyber security is the toughest topic to discuss with non-IT management.

According to the poll majority of the IT workers say that the main reason their cyber security budget was lowered was that top management sees no reason to invest much in this sphere. Kaspersky conducted a special survey to explore if this situation might be a result of unclear communication between IT security staff and executives, and to discover whether there is a lack of mutual understanding between these two corporate tribes.

The study reveals that, while more than half of top managers in SEA (60%) think IT security employees should better communicate cyber risks to business, only 6% of cybersecurity workers from the region admit they have some difficulties explaining any aspect of their work to non-IT colleagues and executives.

There is a clear communications gap between enterprises decision makers  non-IT C-level executives  and the technical security team responsible for the companys cybersecurity posture. It is worrying because the same study showed miscommunications between the two groups have negative impacts like serious delays in projects (67%), one or more cybersecurity incidents (66%), and budget wastage (60%), comments Chris Connell, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

IT and non-IT workers in SEA also differ on the most complicated topics to debate. C-level executives three toughest subjects to talk about with IT staff are: adopting new security solutions (37%), compliance with security regulations (37%) and changes to the cybersecurity policy (33%).

For IT workers the top-3 toughest themes to discuss with non-IT executives are the need to increase the IT security budget (55%), expanding the IT security team (54%), and raising cybersecurity awareness among employees (52%).

On the subject of finding common ground, the majority of respondents from SEA agree that the most efficient ways to facilitate discussions about IT-security issues are to choose real life examples and to use reports and numbers. Besides these topics C-level executives here also said that citing references to authoritative opinions (49%) would allow them to best understand their IT-security staff. The IT teams, on the other hand, believe threat stories (52%) will help them to better communicate with executives.

It can be assumed that non-IT executives struggle to discuss the adoption of new cybersecurity solutions because of the abundance of complex technical terms and concepts often used by IT security staff. The latter, however, dont like to speak about increasing budgets since C level executives expect them to use business metrics to justify their needs, says Ivan Vassunov, VP, Corporate Products, Kaspersky.

Today, in a difficult economic environment and complicated threat landscape, mutual understanding between business and IT security people is more important for business continuity than ever before. To avoid additional cybersecurity risks it is crucial that both teams know how to speak a common language based on numbers, reliable references and understandable arguments.

To make the communication between IT security and business functions within the company more transparent, Kaspersky recommends the following:

Allocate cybersecurity investments into tools with proven efficacy and present new security concepts (including SASE, XDR and Zero Trust) to the board as investment projects or even business cases with calculated ROI. For example, in the cases of XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) implementation, it is important to communicate that these technologies allow the burden on the IT security team to be reduced, while simultaneously improving companys cybersecurity posture due to centralization and automation of processes.

Use resources, such as the IT Security Calculator and reports based on experts observations containing structured information about the threats and security measures most relevant to your particular industry and company size to verify the probability of risks and the protective measures needed.

Acquire additional knowledge to better understand professionals from other spheres. While business basics can be gained from training courses, non-IT executives have an opportunity to walk in a CISOs shoes to gain insights into the most relevant IT security challenges.

The full report and more insights on communications issues between C-level and IT security managers are available via the link.
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. urge the public to be wary of cybersecurity threats that could breach their devices and hack their personal data.

PLDT and Smarts Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG) foiled more than 182 million attempts to breach the groups digital infrastructure in 2022 after amassing more than 123 million indicators of compromise that it uses for cyber-attack correlation.

One of the biggest risks is a persons behavior or attitude toward cybersecurity. If someone fails to take steps to protect his data and devices, its like leaving the door of the house open for robbers, warned Angel Redoble, FVP and Chief Information Security Officer of PLDT and Smart.

CSOG underscores that the human factor is a major contributor to cybersecurity incidents. A World Economic Forum study bared that 95% of cybersecurity issues can be traced to human error. CSOG says the lack of knowledge exposes users to vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

PLDT and Smart have built a culture of cybersecurity in the workforce. In 2022, we did not record a single breach due to employee negligence. Now, we are extending the same mindset to our customers, so they become cybersmart and dont fall prey to cyber-attacks, said Redoble.

On top of sending advisories, CSOG also regularly runs phishing simulations to employees of the PLDT group. Over the years, the number of employees taking the bait has declined. Employee reporting had also gone up by 574% since simulations started in 2019.

PLDT and Smarts #CyberSmart initiatives that spread awareness on cybersecurity are grounded in their customer-centric ideology that aims to deliver meaningful connections and experiences for their customers to live a fuller life.

This customer obsession drives the two companies to beef up the cybersecurity of their digital infrastructure as part of a broader effort to elevate the Filipinos experience by keeping customers and the country safe from threats and attacks. These initiatives highlight the Groups commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG No. 9 on Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure.
What started at the Anti-CAA massive protest has now become a happy ending!

Actor Swara Bhasker and politician Fahad Ahmad ran into each other during their shared passion for politics, and now they're married. The two became friends after meeting at the CAA protests in Delhi.

Swara Bhasker posted on social media that she and Fahad have already registered their wedding.

swara-bhaskar

The "Veere Di Wedding" star shared the news on her social media accounts and tagged Ahmad, the state president of Samajwadi Party's youth wing  Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha.

"Sometimes you search far & wide for something that was right next to you all along. We were looking for love, but we found friendship first. And then we found each other! Welcome to my heart @FahadZirarAhmad It's chaotic, but it's yours!" Bhasker captioned a video featuring her husband.



Twitter

An introduction of the couple appears at the start of the video.

Retweeting the 34-year-old actor's post, Ahmad, 31, wrote: "I never knew chaos could be so beautiful. Thank you for holding my hand, love @ReallySwara."

I never knew chaos can be so beautiful 



Thank you for holding my hand love @ReallySwara  https://t.co/ivKVsZrMyx  Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) February 16, 2023

In a series of images and videos, the 34-year-old actor recounted her love story, which started during protests against a citizenship law in Delhi.

During the protest, she met Fahad Ahmad, whose bio describes him as the president of a youth wing of the Samajwadi Party.

Screenshot

"Asking questions to my government is my most patriotic act," says Fahad Ahmad, a political activist. Swara Bhasker describes herself as an "actor, Twitter pest."



Who is Fahad Ahmad?

Fahad is a student activist and anti-CAA voice who is currently the leader of the SP youth wing. He led one of the biggest protests on the TISS campus against taking back the fee waiver for "backward" students.



In January 2020, the two met on stage at a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Twitter

Anti-CAA protests have been roundly panned as a discriminatory law that uses religion for nationality and intends to expedite the citizenship process for non-Muslim immigrants to India who arrived from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before 2015.



The couple had an intimate engagement celebration in Mumbai.

Only a few close friends and family members of the couple were invited. Sonam Kapoor, Divya Dutta, and Sandeep Khosla, among many others, showed up for lunch. Swara's mom and dad, C Uday Bhaskar and Ira Bhaskar, too attended. Team Swara claims that the wedding would take place in Delhi.



Bhasker was last seen in the buddy comedy film "Jahaan Chaar Yaar."



(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment)


Mahashivratri, which translates to "the great night of Shiva," is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva.

It is observed on the 14th day in the month of Phalguna (February-March). This year, Mahashivratri will fall on February 18, 2023, Saturday. Devotees across the world offer prayers and perform special rituals to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day.



BCCL

For those looking to visit some of the most revered Shiva temples on this occasion, India has an abundance of options. From the majestic Somnath Temple in Gujarat to the iconic Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, the country is home to many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.



However, in this article, we will take a closer look at some of the top Shiva temples to visit on the occasion of Mahashivratri. We will explore their unique features, significance, and the rituals and festivities that take place during the festival. Whether you are a devout follower of Lord Shiva or a curious traveller seeking to learn about India's rich cultural heritage, these temples offer an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul.

Here are some of the most famous Shiva temples to visit on Mahashivratri in India :

1. Sri Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu:

Thanjavur

Brihadeeshwara Temple also known as Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple, and Rajarajesvaram is one of the largest temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. The magnificent temple was built during the Chola period by King Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century and is considered a masterpiece of Chola architecture. The temple features a massive tower that stands over 60 meters tall and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple is among the World Heritage sites where thousands of people around the world come to seek the blessing of Lord Shiva.



2. Somnath Temple, Gujarat:

Wikipedia

Thousands of devotees visit Somnath Temple in Gujarat every year on Mahashivaratri to celebrate this special day. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Somnath is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Also known for its intricate carvings and grand architecture the temple is also one of the most popular tourist destinations among travellers around the world. According to legends the shore temple of Somnath have been built in 4 phases - the first phase was completed in Gold by Lord Soma, the second phase was completed in silver by Ravi, the third phase was completed in wood by Lord Krishna, and the fourth phase was completed in stone by king Bhimadeva



3. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh:

TOI

Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Ujjain in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the banks of the Shipra River and is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.



The temple is believed to have been built in the 5th century CE, but it has undergone several renovations over the years. The current structure is believed to have been built in the 18th century by the Maratha ruler, Ranoji Shinde. The lingam in the temple is said to be self-manifested or swayambhu, which means that it was not constructed by human hands. The temple also has images of several other Hindu deities, including Ganesh, Parvati, and Kartikeya.

The temple has a unique feature in the form of a bhasm aarti, which is a ritual where ash is used to worship the deity. This aarti takes place early in the morning, and it is considered to be one of the most important rituals in the temple. The temple is also famous for its elaborate evening aarti, which is a grand spectacle that attracts a large number of devotees. The temple is known for its grand architecture and rich cultural heritage and is visited by millions of devotees every year, especially on Mahashivratri and Shivratri.

4. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu:

Tripadvisor

One of the most significant and ancient temples, The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is popularly known for its unique architecture and the presence of the cosmic dancer, Nataraja, in its sanctum sanctorum. The temple's main deity is the Akasha Lingam, which represents the element of space. The temple complex also includes various other shrines and structures, including the Kanaka Sabha or the Golden Hall, which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple is revered by devotees for its spiritual significance and cultural heritage and is a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be 1,000 years old and is also one of the five holiest shrines in South India. The temple is known for its beautiful carvings, intricate architecture, and spiritual significance, and is considered a masterpiece of Chola art and architecture.

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi:

Wikipedia

Located in Varanasi in India, Kashi Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is among the most famous Hindu temples that has a rich history and cultural significance where millions of devotees across the world visit to take a blessing of Shiva, especially on the occasion of Mahashivratri and Shivratri. is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.



6. Baidyanath Temple, Jharkhand:

Deoghar

Baidyanath Temple is a significant Hindu temple located in the Deoghar city of Jharkhand, India. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The temple complex is spread over a vast area and comprises several smaller shrines and ponds. The main temple is constructed in an intricate style of architecture and is adorned with numerous carvings and sculptures. Devotees from all over the country visit this temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The temple's annual festival, Shravani Mela, is a major attraction and draws millions of devotees every year.



7. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu Tourism

Ramanathaswamy Temple is a revered Hindu temple located in the town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. The temple's history dates back to the 12th century, but it has undergone many renovations over the years. The temple's most prominent feature is its long corridor with intricately carved pillars, which stretches for over 1,200 meters. The temple also has 22 wells within its complex, and which are believed that taking holy bath in these wells will help them to get rid of doshas and saabham. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and attracts devotees from all over India.



These are just a few of the many famous Shiva temples in India. Each temple has its own unique history and spiritual significance, and all are considered to be powerful places of pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva. Whether you are a spiritual seeker or simply a lover of history and architecture, these temples are well worth a visit.
"Reparatory Justice: Together We Rise": SJ Vigil for Japanese American Imprisonment WW2

Date:

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Time:

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Event Type:

Vigil/Ritual

Organizer/Author:

Nihonmachi Outreach Committee (NOC)

Location Details:

San Jose Buddhist Church

632 N. Fifth Street

San Jose CA 95112 US

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, the Nihonmachi Outreach Committee (NOC) will present the 43rd annual San Jose Day of Remembrance program in the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Annex, 632 North 5th Street, San Jose, from 5:30 pm7:00 pm. This event commemorates Executive Order 9066, which led to the World War II imprisonment of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens.



The theme of the program is "Reparatory Justice: Together We Rise," bringing awareness to the public about the Japanese American community's redress and reparations movement and the importance of being in solidarity with other communities in their struggles for justice and reparations today.



NOC proudly announces guest speaker Valentin Lopez, Chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, one of three historic tribes that are recognized as Ohlone. Recently, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band has been involved in the fight to protect the environmental health of the region, particularly Juristac, sacred lands that have great historic significance to the Amah Mutsun.



Sumi Tanabe and Susie Yasui, survivors of WWII incarceration, will speak about their experiences in camp and how they were affected by incarceration in the difficult years after returning from the camps. Long-time activist, Susan Hayase, from the San Jose Nikkei Resisters, will describe how the theme of the program resonates within the Japanese American community and other communities.



Also featured are performances by San Jose Taiko and the traditional candlelight procession through Japantown. The candle lighting ceremony and procession through Japantown will honor those who were incarcerated in the concentration camps.



Seating is limited. This event is free of charge but donations are welcome.
The impact of the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has been devastating, said Gore Mutual CEO Andy Taylor. As a modern mutual, we know that supporting organizations on the ground, such as the Canadian Red Cross, will help to reach those most in need and support the recovery of impacted communities. Our thoughts are with the members of these communities, including those here in Canada.
The insurer recently dropped renewal for 115 condominiums in Scripps Ranch, citing their heightened wildfire risk. Over the past few weeks, Farmers had also canceled or dropped the renewal of policies for 338 condo units in Rancho Bernardo, 320 units in Tierrasanta, and 240 units in Mira Mesa, all for similar reasons. Altogether, the insurer canceled over 1,000 insurance policies in the region.
In his new role, Bardrick will drive the companys distribution strategy through its Lloyds of London Syndicate 1221. He will manage broker partnerships, facilitate new business opportunities, and develop growth initiatives across all specialty product lines within the syndicate. Bardrick will report to Colin Sprott, chief underwriting officer for Global Specialty International.
While its rare for cyber policies to be the focus of a cyberattack, we have seen the size of some ransom demands closely correlate with the limits available under a customers cyber policy, Burns said. Cyber extortion continues to be a leading cause of claims so it only makes sense for us to offer this additional layer of protection  and peace of mind  for our cyber customers.
As a specialty insurer and reinsurer that operates in the property and casualty space, we see firsthand the importance of mitigating climate risk and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, said Albert Benchimol, president and CEO of Axis Capital. I am proud of the actions AXIS has taken to date, such as investing in our renewable energy business and significantly limiting new thermal coal and oil sands business from our insurance, facultative reinsurance and investment portfolios, with a goal to fully phase these out by 2040 globally. Our alignment to science-based GHG reduction targets in our global operations is the latest step in our journey.
Answers

Chromium carbide has high hardness, high strength and good corrosion resistance

US President recently decided to invoke a Cold War-era defense law to encourage domestic Chromium carbide (Cr3C2).

Overview of Chromium carbide

Chromium carbide (Cr3C2) is a refractory ceramic compound. As the name implies, chromium carbide is a combination of chromium and carbon. Chromium carbide has high hardness, high strength and good corrosion resistance.

Chromium carbide has many uses. Due to its high hardness and corrosion resistance, it is used as a wear-resistant coating. Because it is a refractory material, it can maintain good wear resistance even at high temperatures. Another application is as a grain growth inhibitor. When producing other types of carbides, chromium carbide is used as an additive to help prevent excessive grain growth and improve the toughness of the carbides.



Chromium carbide is also formed by intergranular corrosion. When certain types of stainless steel are heated to the extent that chromium can bond with carbon atoms, intergranular corrosion will occur. This reduces the amount of chromium and chromium oxide available, thereby preventing corrosion. This process is called sensitization. However, when this occurs on stable grades of stainless steel, it is called knife mark corrosion. In these cases, chromium carbide is usually not desirable because it is not conducive to the corrosion resistance of certain stainless steels.

Applications of Chromium carbide

Chromium carbide powder is a high melting point material with good wear resistance, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance in high-temperature environments.

1.Wear-resistant coating

Chromium carbides are hard, and their general purpose is to provide hard wear-resistant coatings on parts that need protection. When combined with a protective metal substrate, corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant coatings can be developed that are easy to apply and cost-effective. These coatings can be applied by welding or thermal spraying. When combined with other carbides, chromium carbide can be used to form cutting tools.

2.Welding

Chromium carbide welding electrodes are increasingly replacing older chromium-containing ferrochrome/carbon welding electrodes because they provide better and more consistent results. In welding electrodes containing ferrochrome/carbon, chromium carbide is formed during the welding process to provide a hard wear-resistant layer. However, the formation of carbides is determined by the precise conditions in the weld. Therefore, there may be changes between the welds, and this change is invisible in the electrode containing chromium carbide.

The trend of the welding industry from using rod electrodes to flux-cored wires is benefiting chromium carbide. Chromium carbide is almost exclusively used for flux-cored welding wire, not high-carbon ferrochrome because it is not affected by the dilution caused by excess iron in high-carbon ferrochrome. This means that a coating containing a large number of hard chromium carbide particles can be produced, which exhibits greater wear resistance. Therefore, the market for chromium carbide has increased due to the conversion from rod electrodes to flux-cored wires due to the benefits of automation and higher productivity associated with flux-cored wire welding technology.

3.Thermal spray application

In thermal spray applications, chromium carbide is combined with a metal matrix such as nickel-chromium. The weight ratio of carbide to the metal matrix is usually 3:1. The metal matrix is present to bond the carbide to the coated substrate and provide a high degree of corrosion resistance. The combination of corrosion resistance and wear resistance means that thermal sprayed CrC-NiCr coatings are suitable as a barrier to high-temperature wear. Therefore, they have found more and more applications in the aerospace market. The typical use here is as a rod mandrel, thermoforming mold, hydraulic valve, coating of mechanical parts, wear protection of aluminum parts, and good corrosion and wear resistance at temperatures up to 700-800C The general application.

4.Chrome alternatives

The new application of thermal spray coating is an alternative to hard chrome plating. Hard chrome plating can produce wear-resistant coatings with a good surface finish at a low cost. The chromium coating is obtained by immersing the object to be coated in a tank of a chemical solution containing chromium. Then, the current passes through the groove, causing chromium to deposit on the part and form a coherent coating. However, environmental problems related to the treatment of waste liquid is used electroplating solutions have become increasingly serious, and these problems have led to increased process costs.

The wear resistance of the chromium carbide-based coating is twice to five times that of the hard chromium coating, and it will not encounter wastewater treatment problems. As a result, they found that the use of hard chromium coatings was increased at the expense of hard chrome coatings, especially where wear resistance is important or where thick coatings are mostly required. This is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, which will become more and more important as the cost of complying with environmental regulations increases.

5.Cutting tool

The main material in cutting tools is tungsten carbide powder, which can be sintered with cobalt to make extremely hard cutting tools. In order to improve the toughness of these cutting tools, titanium carbide, niobium carbide and chromium carbide are added to tungsten carbide. The role of chromium carbide is to prevent grain growth (a form of grain refinement) during the sintering process. Otherwise, too large crystals will be produced during the sintering process, which will be detrimental to the toughness of the cutting tool. It is no exaggeration to say that without additives, modern cutting tools will not achieve their current performance.

Chromium carbide Price

Chromium carbide powder price will vary randomly with the production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, and market supply and demand of chromium carbide. 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 chromium carbide powder, please feel free to send an inquiry for the latest price of chromium carbide.

Chromium carbide supplier



As a global chromium carbide powder 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 Chromium carbide

Standard grades of chromium carbide



Grade 10% Cr7C3 13% Cr3C2 20% Cr3C2/Graphite Applications Stick electrodes, flux cored wire Specialist welding and thermal spray Flux cored wire Composition (wt%) (wt%) (wt%) Cr(min) 88 85.5 79 C 9-11 12.8-13.8 18-22 Fe (max) 1.00 0.50 1.00 Al(max) 0.20 0.20 0.20 Si(max) 0.30 0.10 0.30 S(max) 0.03 0.01 0.03 P(max) 0.01 0.01 0.01

Chromium Carbide Properties (Theoretical)

Compound Formula C2Cr3 Molecular Weight 180.01 Appearance gray crystals Melting Point 1,895 C (3,443 F) Boiling Point N/A Density 6.68 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 179.821536 Monoisotopic Mass 179.821536

Chromium 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

Typical properties of chromium carbide coating

Feature S.I. Units U.S. Units Apparent metallographic porosity <1.0% Bond strength to steel 70 MPa @500m 10,000 PSI @0.020 Coating hardness, HV300 950-1,100 Typical as-sprayed roughness Ra, micro-inch 2-3.2 m 80-120 inch Maximum coating thickness 1 mm 0.040 Maximum working temperature 750C 1,380oF





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 Chromium carbide (Cr3C2) for the time being, but the market demand for Chromium carbide (Cr3C2) in the future will also change with the influence of various external factors. If you need Chromium carbide (Cr3C2), please feel free to contact us.



Inquiry us
With Tuesday being the day thats in it, this week my recipes are for making simple pancakes the quick and easy way. Its nothing too stressful, and requires very little skill in the kitchen.

The ingredients that I use are always in my store cupboard, so I always have a fast-food option to cook. When I am in the rhythm of cooking pancakes I like to make double quantities, once cool I freeze the pancakes for a ready meal another day. Pancakes will keep for about a month in the deep freeze providing you dont have to raid your stash earlier.

My frying pan gets used at least every second day, pancakes on a Sunday are a regular treat, and I like to use it to add colour (and flavour) to meat before cooking in the oven. The beauty of this pancake recipe is that it doesnt take long to put together, you dont need to wait for the batter to get smooth, it contains very few ingredients, and it becomes a balanced meal once we have some fruit on the side.

Mind you, theres nothing stopping you making them a savoury dish. I suppose weve become used to pancakes as a sweet treat. The sweetness is all in the extras, not from the ingredients.

A decent frying pan is something to be tended to; oiled, cleaned with care, and used with the appropriate utensils. You really do get what you pay for here. Last year I got a 10 frying pan which buckled as soon as I heated it, it quickly ended up in the bin. Plastic handles are great if you want to use the pan on the hob but should never be put into the oven or on top of the BBQ.

Shallow frying pans are better for flipping thin items with, deep frying pans are used for large quantities, and heavy cast iron frying pans are perfect for cooking directly on the coals of a hot barbecue. Season your frying pan according to the manufacturers instructions and youll be able to clean it in hot soapy water in a matter of seconds. Youll also be able to get great golden colour on your food as it cooks.

For pancakes, I favour a shallow non-stick frying pan with a heavy base. To flip them, I use a silicone spatula. Im not brave enough to go with an actual flip!

When using a non-stick coated frying pan, never use a metal or wooden implement as you could scratch the coating. Dont store or stack anything inside of your frying pan to prevent scratches or damage. Instead store the frying pan either from a hook, or resting sideways in a press.

Quick And Easy Pancakes recipe by:Caitriona Redmond No resting time makes these pancakes as close to instant as possible Servings 5 Preparation Time  5 mins Cooking Time  15 mins Total Time  20 mins Course  Baking Cuisine  Irish Ingredients 250g (1 cup) plain flour

1 teaspoon bread soda/bicarbonate of soda

2 small-medium eggs (1 large egg should be fine either)

150ml buttermilk

Optional

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon sunflower oil for frying/greasing the pan. Method Put the flour and bread soda into a large bowl and stir so that theyre combined. Make a well in the centre and crack in the 2 eggs, pour in the buttermilk (add the vanilla extract if using). Whisk until you have a batter. Dont worry too much if you have small lumps, as these should disappear after the next stage. Put the oil in a heavy, shallow non-stick frying pan (see notes on frying pan below). Before you put the pan on the heat, spread the oil over the surface. I like to use a little bit of kitchen paper for this. Next, put it on a medium heat and allow it to come to temperature. This takes about 5 minutes or so. Once the pan is hot, give the batter a second vigorous whisk and you should see those lumps disappear (or at worst get smaller, theyll be gone completely in the cooking process dont worry). Using a tablespoon as a measure, pour out 3-4 pancakes onto the surface of the frying pan. Once the bubbles begin to appear on the surface of the pancakes, and the batter has changed colour from pale to slightly darker, flip the pancakes using a non-stick spatula. Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, until the pancakes turn golden on both sides. Lift and serve. If you want to wait for all the pancakes to be cooked before serving, pop them onto a heat-proof plate and cover with a bit of baking parchment/tin foil, then a heavy tea towel to stop them from getting cold. Lift the insulation everytime you cook another batch to add to the pile.

Lazy Porridge Pancakes recipe by:Caitriona Redmond Get these prepared the night before and stick 'em on quickly of a morning! Servings 2 Preparation Time  30 mins Cooking Time  10 mins Total Time  40 mins Course  Main Cuisine  American Ingredients 50g plain flour

30g rolled oats

1 medium egg

60ml buttermilk

Pinch of salt

1 tbsp sunflower oil (or similar) for frying Method The night before you want to eat these pancakes put the flour, oats, egg, buttermilk and salt into a large clean jam jar with a tight sealable lid. A Kilner-style jar or plastic flask also work well here. Seal the lid tightly. Shake the heck out of the jar. Turn on the music and pick a seriously good and long tune. Give the jar to small people in the house, and let them shake it (under supervision if it's a glass jar). Once you're sure that you've combined the ingredients as best you can, put the jar in the fridge. Don't worry if there are lumps, they will work out overnight. If you see that there is some flour stuck to the inside of the jar maybe just use a fork to loosen it. The following morning, give the jar a quick last shake, and heat a frying pan on a medium heat with the sunflower oil. Use a tablespoon to drop small amounts of batter onto the pan. Cook for three minutes either side or until golden brown. I like mine with jam but they would really set you up for the day with some crispy bacon and maple syrup.

Special Offers

You can find 150g of blueberries for 99c at Aldi.

At the time of writing many Irish supermarkets were still selling Valentines products but here is the best Ive been able to find this week with an eye to Tuesday.

Lidls meal deal this week is a bottle of premade pancake mix, chocolate hazelnut spread, and a lemon juice for just 3.

Tescos clubcard holders can pick up Old El Paso dinner kits for 2 per box. You may be able to persuade your family that a fajita or enchilada is an acceptable main course on a pancake based dinner menu. These would fit the bill nicely.

SuperValus bundle offer 2kg of plain flour and 1 topping (choose from either chocolate hazelnut spread or runny honey) for 2.50. As 2kg of plain flour is normally 2.55 this is great value and worth stocking up on.

Aldi has lemons for 49c (reduced from 99c) and 150g of blueberries for 99c (reduced from 1.99), both of which are perfect pancake toppings.
Lukas and Aoife

Lovely Aoife, 31, from Cork is our first dater through the Gibsons doors on Thursday night. Aoife has decided this is her year of yes she says, and shes just looking for a fun date.

Enter, Lukas, 37, originally from Slovakia, now living in Tipperary, who arrives at the restaurant in a fit of giggles and a raspy voice. Hes just arrived back from Belgiums Tomorrowland music festival  as in, he arrived this morning, went for a nap and rocked up to the door. Maitre d' Mateo Saina looks less than impressed, maybe even a bit concerned.

Now youre switching from the festival to the dating mode, he says to a giddy Lukas who goes hmm...

That was an order, not a question, Mateo says.

And so he brings him over to meet Aoife and barman Neil, who Lukas is buzzing to tell about his raving too.

I am a very spontaneous person, he says. Clearly.. Aoife says with a raised eyebrow.

When waitress Alice comes over to bring them to the table, Lukas says he isnt done with the conversation with Neil and asks can they have five more minutes. Cue the awkward laughs..

In Aoifes defence, she listens patiently and sweetly to Lukas incessant chat, which, in Lukas defence, he does apologise for on more than one occasion. Its okay, I like listening, Aoife replies.

Later, when we get a chance to hear from Aoife, we learn that shes currently focused on doing day trips for herself, learning to sing professionally, yoga, mindfulness, taekwondo and learning ballroom dances... we need a nap just listening to all of that!

At the end of the night, Aoife asks can she go first when asked the romance Q.

"You are a wonderful person, you absolutely blew me away.

"I don't feel a spark," she says, "so romantically I am going to say no... but if you would like to keep in touch, I would really like that.

"I have a lot to learn from you."

Lukas says he'd be up for that.

Aine and Dillon

Aine, First Dates Ireland

Next up is Aine from Offaly. The 31-year-old isnt holding out for a love-at-first-sight scenario, but a god I cant wait to talk to them again feeling at the dates conclusion. Shes looking for someone who she can have a laugh with, who can be spontaneous, and who can be her best friend.

Shes paired up with Dubliner Dillon, 34, who says his ideal women is confident and pretty, and someone who is up for adventures, a bit of travelling.

But if hes looking for adventure, Aine certainly isnt up for stepping out of her comfort zone when it comes to food.

I have a very limited food palate she says, citing onions and bananas as two big no-nos.

After a quick glance at the menu, she calls over waiter Pete for a look at the kids menu. To her dates credit, he doesnt make her feel anyways awkward. She likes what she likes, he says to Pete.

Dillon First Dates Ireland

When her food arrives, a very plain and dry looking plate of chicken goujons with rice, she admits she would usually have it with about 10 garlic dips but she wont this time because, I am trying to be posh. The date takes a turn for the more serious when Aine lets her date know her last partner, her son's father, passed away as a result of depression.

When the day came... I was prepared for it, thats not to say it made it any easier, she said. The grief never goes, there's always a hole, but you learn to live your life around it. As the date goes on, talk turns to Aines charity skydive which she completed despite being terrified of heights.

The lift here made my legs shake, she admits. And you SKYDIVED? Dillion says, amazed.

At the end of the night, the pair are on the same page, with both saying theyre not sure yet about whether the other is right for them  but theyre up for another date to find out.

A clip at the end lets us know that after a few dates... they are now a couple.

Ellie and Alice

Elle First Dates Ireland

Ellie from Tipperary provides a heavy dose of nostalgia when she appears on screen with a beeping noise in the background.

Is that your Tamogotchi? a RTE staffer can be heard asking behind the camera. Yeah, Ellie says, its like a child.

The 22-year-old, who says she has been stood-up five times previously, says shed like to have a person.

All of my friends are in relationships, two of my friends are actually dating so I am like a third wheel. The other day I went to McDonalds and I was sitting on my own with my Tamagotchi, really fucking sad.

Ellie is looking for someone so laid back, theyre horizontal.

Alice First Dates Ireland

Well, someone once told Alice, 24, that shes so laid back she should be lying down," so it sounds like this Kildare lady will be right up Ellie's street.

The pair have a really interesting and refreshing conversation that touches on coming out, Ellie's jehovah witness upbringing, and their adoration of Elton John.

At the end of the night, Alice says Ellie definitely seems like "girlfriend material". Sixth time lucky ay?

Shane and Brianna

Shane First Dates Ireland

The final couple of the night is a 23-year-old magician and a 20-year-old student.

Shane from Kildare, tells Neil he doesn't always do a magic trick for his dates because he's had a few instances before where it's given girls "the ick".

Unfortunately for him, when Brianna from Wicklow sits down and tells barman Neil she used to work behind the bar himself, he's straight in with "did you ever meet magicians?"

"I met one.." she says," ah jesus... it was gas...you have to be a bit mad."

Barman Neil is having a great time as Brianna is informed that, well, she's actually sitting opposite a magician right now.

Brianna First Dates Ireland

Brianna said she used to settle for less, but not any more.

"Holding the door open," she says, "sending a text saying 'I miss you', that sort of thing - I totally want that."

Asked who her celebrity crush is, she replies "Paul Mescal".

"Him in a Gaelic jersey is just unreal."

Other requirements include being over 6ft - Shane is 6ft 5.

We don't see too much of this pairs encounter, but we get enough to know it went well, and at the end of the night, Shane says he "really hopes" Brianna liked him, because he really liked her.

Turns out, she did, and she thinks he's "definitely" boyfriend material.

"It was like... a warmth. My heart is happy."

First Dates Ireland airs Thursdays at 9:30pm on RTE 2
President Michael D Higgins was the first to sign Goals book of condolence, honouring those killed in last weeks earthquakes.

The Irish-based international humanitarian aid organisation opened the online book, allowing people to input messages of sympathy following the tragic deaths in Turkey and Syria.

It comes nine days after the earthquake struck, which claimed the lives of more than 41,000 people, including 28 staff members working for Goal.

Goal CEO Siobhan Walsh said: The scale of loss of our colleagues is one we have never experienced in our history and the depth of destruction is one never witnessed before in our Middle East operations. We have lost 28 dear colleagues  26 colleagues from our programme in NW Syria and two colleagues from our programme in Turkey.

They were true humanitarians, and it is fitting that we recognise and pay tribute to their commitment to making a difference in our world.

"We do this by sharing important information about their lives and families.

Members of the public are asked to pay their respects by writing a message in the book of condolences.

We have opened a book of condolence and invite anyone to express words of sympathy, to show continued solidarity with our colleagues on the ground, their families, and all of the communities in this region, whose lives have been devastated by this enormous tragedy.

"The Goal family is truly a global one, which includes many former colleagues, friends, and families, partners, and members of the public who are strong supporters of Goal, said Ms Walsh.

We will find the most fitting way to bring our global Goal family together to mourn and pay tribute to our colleagues and most importantly to create a lasting memorial in their honour.

The book has already gathered a number of responses from all over the world, with sympathies expressed by those living in Sudan and Colombia.

Goal South Sudan Head Office expressed its sympathies, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquakes which took place in Turkey and Syria on 6 February. We pray for those who lost their lives and their families in this tragic disaster that affected a huge number of innocent people, and we wish a quick recovery for those who are injured.

"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to all Syrian and Turkish citizens and all those affected by the incident."

The book of condolence can be accessed at:

https://www.goalglobal.org/condolences/[/url]
Hundreds of people have taken part in vigils in memory of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey in Dublin and Belfast.

In Dublin, people gathered at The Spire on OConnell Street, while in Belfast they came together at the front of the City Hall.

Protesters carried placards reading Rest in Power and Trans Rights Now.

Brianna, who was a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, was found by members of the public as she lay with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park at around 3.13pm on Saturday.

Two teenagers charged with her murder were remanded into custody by a district judge on Wednesday.

People attending the Belfast vigil held posters reading Rest in Power (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

In Dublin, many of those who attended the vigil lit candles and left them on the pavement in front of a portrait of Brianna.

Academic and LGBTQ activist Ailbhe Smyth described the teenager as strong and fearless.

She said: She was only 16. She was on the cusp between girlhood and womanhood, that very delicate and also very wonderful moment.

I felt her familys grief so much when they said in their beautiful statement about the death of their daughter.

They said she was strong, fearless and one of a kind. I thought of that young woman and how brave she had been in her life to say I am a trans woman.

A pictures of Brianna Ghey, as members of the public attend a candle-lit vigil at the Spire on OConnell Street in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Solidarity councillor Leah Whelan told the vigil: Brianna was only 16.

She deserves recognition, she deserves respect and she deserves to be alive today.

In Belfast, many of those who attended the vigil carried photographs of Brianna.

Leo Lardie from the Rainbow Project addresses the Belfast rally (Jonathan McCambridge/PA

Leo Lardie, from the Rainbow Project, told the vigil: Usually I am known as a man who is never at a loss for words, but today I truly and utterly am.

There are no words to describe how hopelessly tragic and keenly painful the senseless death of a young girl like Brianna is.

We are here tonight to show our deepest sympathies for her family, friends and the trans and non-binary community of the UK all of whom are left bereft by her sudden death.

The UK can feel like an increasingly frightening place for trans and non-binary people to exist.

Alliance representative on Belfast City Council Micky Murray said the death of Brianna was being felt by the trans community right across the world.

He said: I hope this event brings comfort but I also think it brings a level of discomfort.

Obviously we dont want to have events like this, we dont want to have to stand here to protest and to hold vigils.
The Berlin Bar, a Dublin pub that was shut down by a judge two years ago after a boozy brunch that breached Covid 19 regulations and went viral online, will reopen to the public on Friday.

This was confirmed on Thursday by its new manager David Grier after Judge John OConnor in the Circuit Civil Court accepted his undertaking that no shadow directors would be permitted to have any part in the day-to-day running of the premises.

Barrister Dorothy Collins, counsel for the venue, told Judge OConnor the district court had refused to renew the pub-restaurants license after the Covid breach and it had remained shut for the past two years.

Ms Collins, who appeared with Ronan Brennan of Brennan Solicitors, said she was applying for a new seven-day pub, restaurant and singing license for the updated Berlin Bar, which is owned by Trillium Leisure Limited, on the basis of the extinguishment of a Co Galway pub licence.

She told the court Garda Inspector John Finucane had withdrawn his objection to the re-opening of the pub at 15/16 Dame Street and Dame Lane on strict undertakings the premises would be run in accordance with law and that no directors or shareholders would have anything to do with day-to-day management.

Counsel for the gardai said they had accepted the bona fides of the new manager Mr Grier, who had managed leading pub-restaurants in Germany, Spain and Ireland and Shane Santry of SSA Architects outlined interior improvements to the premises.

The court had heard the bars operating licenses were refused following the Covid boozy brunch where staff had been shown online flouting health guidelines and where a masked staff member danced on the bar as he poured shots into the mouths of dancing customers over a three-hour afternoon period.

More than 40 guests had attended what had been advertised as a Very Boozy Baked Brunch With Your Buds during the height of Covid 19 health restrictions, where members of the public had been advised not to mix in crowds, stay mainly at home if possible and keep a 2m distance while wearing masks.

Judge OConnor granted the new license after accepting Mr Griers undertaking on oath that no shadow directors would be tolerated participating in the running of the bar/restaurant. Mr Grier confirmed following the court hearing that the premises would re-open on Friday.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he was alarmed to see Ireland in the bottom third of EU countries for home ownership in a new report.

Mr Varadkar made the comments at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday night and was referring to findings in the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) report on the private rental sector in Ireland.

The report which was brought to Cabinet also recommended changes to the regulation of the private rental sector.

Mr Varadkar told his party colleagues that he was surprised and alarmed about the findings of the report which show Ireland is behind countries such as France and Italy regarding homeownership despite 70% of Irish people owning their own home.

Were now in the bottom third of the EU countries in home ownership which in many ways is quite alarming to me to see that, Mr Varadkar said.

The NESC report recommended a move to a structure like the National Car Testing (NCT) system which could be set up for rental properties to ensure they meet minimum standards.

Mr Varadkar told his party colleagues that he did not think this was a bad idea.

He also told the meeting that NESC has the view that tax breaks or fairer treatment for landlords should be considered to encourage them to stay in the system but only on the basis that tenants got stronger protection.

The Taoiseach said the government will have to make some decision on these issues in March.

Sources at the meeting also said Mr Varadkar noted the latest Daft.ie report which showed rents in the final quarter of 2022 rose 13.7% on the same period a year ago.

The Fine Gael leader said rent pressure zones have been quite effective in keeping rents down for people but the issue with high rents emerges when new properties come on the market.

He said this is probably because the landlord knows they can only put up the rent by 2% each year and that has created a real problem with the lack of supply.

The Taoiseach also said its clear that people are struggling more than others with the cost of living and he expects proposals to go to Cabinet on Tuesday.

He said a finance and social welfare bill may be required and the government hopes to get it all done by February 20, 2022.

However, he said there is a need to contain expectations and it will not be a 11bn package.

Party sources said Mr Varadkar said the government has to ensure what financial measures they announce next week will have to be enough as the government does not want to have to do something again in May or June.

Sources said the Taoiseach was cold enough towards keeping the VAT rate at 9% for the hospitality industry which was raised at the meeting by Senator Tim Lombard, and TDs Paul Kehoe and Brendan Griffin.
Because I believe in taking on challenges so that readers dont have to, I explored The Cuts new etiquette rules over the last few days in the spirit of Dr Livingstone stumbling through east Africa. (Hot and sweaty, often lost, an approximate goal in mind somewhere or other.)

The Cut is part of New York Magazines family of outlets and platforms, and the rules of modern behaviour it published recently got quite a reaction. Some of that reaction came from other media outlets, some of it certainly derived from our fundamental interest in etiquette  who isnt curious about the best way to behave?  and some of it was also driven by the fact that its rules were heavily slanted towards life in that city, or towards a certain slice of life in a certain part of that city.

For instance, the very first rule is this: No. 1: You dont have to read everyones book.

There may be parts of Manhattan where everyone has written a book, though whether those exist outside Woody Allen movies is doubtful.

But there is a lesson in this rule which is as applicable in Cork as it is anywhere else. That was my motivation in examining them, after all: its all very well knowing what to call Robert De Niro if he drops into your social gathering (Robert, apparently, and never Bobby), but are any of these guidelines applicable on the South Mall or the North Gate Bridge?

Well, not having to pretend youve read everyones book is a good rule if you amend it slightly. As in, you dont have to pretend to be au fait with every aspect of your friends lives if you have an all-purpose phrase which can be used in any circumstance.

The late Clement Freud was the unacknowledged master here. While an MP he was often accosted by constituents thanking him for a recent letter to them, but he rarely remembered if those letters  which he might have signed weeks earlier  were sympathising or celebrating with the recipient. How to respond appropriately?

He eventually had a brainstorm and from then on, when thanked for his letters, he nodded gravely and intoned: It was the very least I could do.

Lessons on Leeside

Not all of The Cuts recommendations on behaviour will serve you well on Leeside. Try this: No. 2: You may callously cancel almost any plans up until 2pm. At 2pm, theres still ample time for your friend  if they so choose  to text around and find another dinner companion.

Cancellation can be accomplished far more easily in Cork: simply text 50 to the recipient and they understand instantly. (If you need this explained to you then welcome to Cork, I hope your fleeting stay is very enjoyable.)

Some of the recommendations are right on the money, however. No. 11: When another human is present, dont talk to your animal in the private voice you use when alone together.

From experience, this should be enforced stringently in all public spaces in Cork, but particularly in the parks, the green areas, and the stretch of the Marina where I have heard one gentleman talk fluent Smurfish to a large brown dog that looks part wildebeest. Its not a pretty sight.

Another entry in the applicable in and around Patrick Street column?

No. 41: Never show that youre impressed by anyone.

This can be proven by testimony. The legend goes that a genuine Hollywood star was being shown around Cork around twenty years back while preparing for a role in Ireland but was getting restive. Why? Because no one recognised him.

His host read the tea leaves and slipped two lads nearby a tenner each to make a fuss about our hero.

They came through in spades.

Look who it is! Sign that for my wife, shes a huge fan What do you make of Cork I loved that last film, what was it called again, etc etc.

The star was mollified, autographed everything put before him, and went on his way reassured by his fans devotion.

He didnt see the two lads behind him toss the autographs in a bin on their way to spend their bribes, but his host did. And would point out the very bin concerned if challenged.

Ghosting

Another tip with a specific Cork application appears soon afterwards: No. 16: If you ghost someone, stay gone forever.

This is all very well in a city like New York, with its millions of inhabitants, and its vast neighbourhoods which remain alien even to its natives.

Its far more difficult in a place like Cork, with its finite number of options for entertainment within the city limits. Hence the likelihood you will meet people you dont want to meet. Over and over.

This reminds me of a strongly argued case made by a friend of this column about Cork couples who break up: They should get custody of different pubs and cafes so they dont run into each other. One should take the northside, one the southside. Or one gets Washington Street and the other gets Oliver Plunkett Street for socialising. If they dont its just too awkward for everybody.

Valid.

There are other recommendations which have long since been outflanked by the sophistication of the native Leesider.

No. 13: Its never too late to send a condolence note. Your friend who is bereaved or suffering lives in time differently than you do ...

The note goes on for some time, understandably enough for such a delicate subject. However, the timing of ones condolences has never been a contentious matter in Cork because of the long-standing tradition of looking at the deaths in the paper. If you never heard someone ask if were going out tonight as the back pages were snapped open then I doubt you were reared in Cork.

Name and shame

Some of the recommendations, though, are like despatches from another planet or an ancient civilisation. Take this, which is about as far from the Irish experience as you could imagine.

No: 23. If youve met someone and they clearly dont remember your name, say, Hi, weve met, Im X. Its the perfect middle ground: assertive . . . but generous.

If this were a guide outlining what to do with your tentacles in the mating season it could hardly be less natural to an Irish person. We all know that if you dont make the first-name connection within 30 seconds of introduction you can never reach back in time to repair the damage. Thats just a given.

One last tip  No: 101: Dont comment on other peoples food. You dont know their trauma!

Good advice. Exhibit A would be the late-night exchange at the bottom of Shandon Street one evening about my pals chips (ie Hey kid, give me a few of those).

We all knew about trauma about 30 seconds later. I never pass The Friary without considering the lessons in etiquette learned that evening. And rubbing my nose reflexively.
Nicola Bulley suffered with some significant issues with alcohol in the past which had resurfaced over recent months, police have said.

It comes after senior officers said Ms Bulley was vulnerable and classed by police as a high-risk missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance.

A police search involving specialist officers was launched within an hour of Mr Ansell speaking to officers, and she was deemed high-risk based on the information he had given them about the mother-of-two, aged 45.

On Wednesday evening, a statement on the Lancashire Police website said: We have described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and we just wanted to expand on that a little.

Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months.

This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.

As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicolas home address on January 10th.

No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated.

Charlotte Drake, the next-door neighbour and friend of Nicola Bulley, ties a yellow ribbon with a message of hope written on it, to a bridge over the River Wyre (Peter Byrne/PA)

It is an unusual step for us to take to go into this level of detail about someones private life, but we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation.

The force has come under criticism after quickly ruling out foul play when Ms Bulley vanished after dropping off her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27 in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

She was last seen at 9.10am taking her usual route with her springer spaniel Willow, alongside the River Wyre.

Her phone, still connected to a work call for her job as a mortgage adviser, was found just over 20 minutes later on a bench overlooking the riverbank, with her dog running loose.

Nicola Bulley was last seen on the morning of Friday January 27 (Handout/PA)

Since she vanished, huge public and media interest has resulted in what police described as false information, accusations and rumours and an unprecedented search of both the River Wyre, downstream to Morecambe Bay and miles of neighbouring farmland.

Nearly 40 detectives have sifted through hundreds of hours of CCTV, dashcam footage and tip-offs from the public.

Earlier on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, the lead investigator for Lancashire Police in the case, told reporters at a packed press conference at force HQ: As soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner Paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, Nicola was graded as high-risk.

Its normal in any missing person investigation that you obviously gather as much information at an early stage about the person in question, which is no different, and we did that with Paul.

Im not going to go into the details of those individual vulnerabilities. Ive asked you to respect the family, who are going through unimaginable pain and distress at this moment.

But those vulnerabilities based our decision-making in terms of grading Nicola as high-risk, and have continued to form part of my investigation throughout.

At that time, police would not be drawn further on the exact nature of Ms Bulleys individual vulnerabilities.

Senior officers were at pains to stress they did not believe anyone had attacked or abducted Ms Bulley, that they believe she had gone into the water without anyone else being involved, and to quash the persistent myths around the case.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said: There is no evidence to indicate a criminal aspect or third-party involvement in Nicolas disappearance.

The search for the mother-of-two continues (Peter Byrne/PA)

Police said that while keeping an open mind, their main working hypothesis remains that Ms Bulley went into the river during a 10-minute window between 9.10am and 9.20am that day.

But online amateur sleuths and social media video-makers have distracted significantly from official efforts to find her, police said.

Det Supt Smith added: In 29 years police service Ive never seen anything like it.

Some of its been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family.

Asked if she hoped to find Ms Bulley alive, Det Supt Smith said: I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive more than anything.

But she said all the evidence suggested that Ms Bulley went down to the river and did not return.

The search for the missing woman was extended to downstream from St Michaels on Wyre to where it empties into Morecambe Bay and the open sea on February 3.

Police said they will soon consider the proportionality of continuing the huge search in coming days.
Israels foreign minister travelled to Kyiv for the first public visit to Ukraine by a senior Israeli official since Russias invasion last year.

But there were no signs that Israel was preparing to significantly increase its modest support for Ukraine or meet requests to provide weapons.

Foreign minister Eli Cohens visit came just before the first anniversary of Russias invasion and as Western nations seek to increase aid to the country.

Since the outbreak of the war, Israel has walked a tightrope between assisting Ukraine and avoiding friction with Russia, with which it shares strategic regional interests.

Unlike other western countries, Israel has not imposed sanctions on Russia or Russian officials or provided Ukraine with weapons.

It has provided humanitarian support to Ukraine, including a field hospital, and pledged to provide air raid warning systems.

During our detailed and frank talks, we focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations, increase assistance, and address shared security challenge

Ukrainian leaders have talked about some intelligence cooperation with Israel, but Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed these ties or the extent of any such cooperation.

Mr Cohen met Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who said on Twitter afterwards that he was thankful for all of the support that Israel and Israelis have provided over the past year.

During our detailed and frank talks, we focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations, increase assistance, and address shared security challenges, he said.

Yevgen Korniychuk, Ukraines ambassador to Israel, said that Israel again assured us that they will bring the early warning system, but they didnt say when.

Mr Cohen was also scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of the countrys Jewish community as part of the brief trip.

Were here on an important visit of solidarity with the Ukrainian nation, which has certainly endured a very hard time in the past year

It was unclear whether Mr Cohen would announce greater assistance to Ukraine during his lightning visit.

Were here on an important visit of solidarity with the Ukrainian nation, which has certainly endured a very hard time in the past year, Mr Cohen said during a visit to a mass grave memorial in Bucha, outside Kyiv.

He said Israel has supported Ukraine and provided humanitarian aid, and would continue to do so.

Mr Cohen was reminded of the hardships endured by Ukrainians when air raid sirens sounded as he entered the countrys Foreign Ministry.

Israel maintains good working relations with both warring countries, and has large populations of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants.

Israel also relies on security coordination with Russia over neighboring Syria, where Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes against Iranian military positions in the past decade.

Russian warplanes also operate in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Russia and Israel maintain communication to avoid conflict.

As other Western nations step up assistance to Ukraine, pressure has built on Israel to share some of its sophisticated military resources with Ukraine, including from the US.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said following a meeting with Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem last month, that he had emphasised the importance of providing support for all of Ukraines needs  humanitarian, economic, and security.
Burma Civilians Resort to Suicide as Myanmar Junta Steps Up Attacks

Villagers extinguish embers after junta troops torched a village in Kantbalu District, Sagaing. / Kyunhla-Kantbalu Activists Group

At least four people in Sagaing Regions Kantbalu District have killed themselves over the past year due to mental trauma caused by junta raids, according to local sources.

Junta troops and affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militias have subjected locals to frequent raids in the past year, detaining and torturing residents, abducting them for ransom, making death threats, and torching their homes.

The four suicide victims were males aged between 40 and 50, who killed themselves after being tortured or witnessing family members abducted for ransom, according to sources.

A volunteer helping displaced people said: Many locals are in deep distress as [junta troops] are killing innocent civilians and destroying their property for no reason. Some have committed suicide because of the excessive fear caused by trauma.

U Hsan Oo, 48, from Pintthar Village in Kantbalu Township was detained by junta troops in November. He spent several weeks in junta custody before managing to escape at the end of December. But dreading that he might be arrested and tortured again, he took his own life in early January.

He was arrested during a junta raid and held in custody for more than one month, a resident of Pintthar said. He was a normal person before that. We dont know how much the military tortured him, but he became mentally unstable after escaping. We suspect he suffered terrible torture.

U Hsan Oo escaped with injuries to his body that would heal over time, but his mental scars from torture were still fresh when his parents died and he had to bury them himself.

Junta troops raided Pintthar again in the first week of January. Neighbors thought U Hsan Oo had fled like fellow villagers. But on Jan. 9 they found his body hanging from the tree where he had committed suicide.

Meanwhile in Htanbain Village, a 40-year-old man drowned himself after junta troops abducted his entire family for ransom, according to residents.

Previously, junta troops would leave the area after raiding villages. But since December, they have used Pyu Saw Htee villages as bases to repeatedly raid surrounding villages, according to local revolutionary forces.

Light Infantry Battalions 361, 368, 369 and Pyu Saw Htee militias are involved in the raids in Kantbalu District.

Elsewhere, two men aged between 40 and 50 in Paluthar and Padaukpin villages hanged themselves after their houses were reduced to ashes in junta arson attacks.

The armed resistance against the military regime broke out in Kantbalu District in August 2021, six months after the coup. Since then, the regime has launched numerous attacks in the district, killing, torturing and abducting locals while also torching their houses.

Many people across Myanmar are suffering hopelessness and uncertainty, with unemployment and high living costs adding to the threat of arson, killings, arbitrary arrest, and other factors in the social and economic turmoil that has followed the coup. The mental suffocation of living in such circumstances can drive people to commit suicide, said psychiatrists.

Rescue foundations report that suicides in Myanmar, including Yangon, have surged in the two years since the coup. Depression tops the list of mental problems in Myanmar and is the condition most associated with attempted suicide, according to psychiatrists.
Burma Myanmar Children Treasure Toys Amid Bombs and Bullets

Children in a refugee camp in Kayah State with donated toys and dolls.

One fine February afternoon, the children of Let Yet Kone Village in Sagaing Regions Depayin Township could be heard laughing and shouting for joy in the village school. The 237 students, who include children from two nearby villages, were delighted to be given toys and dolls by their teachers.

Five months previously, the school had been turned into a killing field when the Myanmar military launched indiscriminate airstrikes on the village, killing seven children and six adults. The floor of the school was covered in the blood of children, while the walls were peppered with bullet holes and damaged by shelling.

Residents of Let Yet Kone Village, which is situated in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region, were already used to fleeing junta raids. Their village had also been targeted by regime arson attacks on two occasions, leaving most of the houses in the village in ashes.

Over 40,000 houses in Sagaing Region have been burned down by junta forces. Depayin Township has suffered the most, with 6,018 civilian homes torched as of the end of January 2023, according to independent researchers Data For Myanmar.

Let Yet Kone Village, which has more than 300 houses, was torched in December 2022 and again last month, with almost 250 houses destroyed.

Children without toys

Five-year-old Zaw Htut, a kindergarten student at Let Yet Kones school, lost his toys and bicycle in a military regime arson attack.

I had lots of toys before but all of my toys, cars, robots and animals were destroyed by the fire. And the bicycle I used to ride very often also caught fire, Zaw Htut told The Irrawaddy. I want toys, especially toy birds, he added.

Su Myat, a 13-year-old grade seven student, lost her dolls in a junta arson attack in late December. Her familys entire house went up in flames and her parents havent been able to rebuild it yet.

My dolls caught fire, but I cant get new dolls. Me and my friend are just playing, even though we dont have dolls and toys, she told The Irrawaddy.

The children of Let Yet Kone have experienced the juntas brutality first hand. They have had to flee with their parents when regime forces raid their village. But when they return, they play like children everywhere. And they ask their teachers for toys.

They have nothing left to play with, said Daw Soe Soe, a teacher at the village school.

New toys arrive

When donors sent new dolls and toys to Let Yet Kone, the children were overjoyed, according to their teachers and parents. The children at the school, who are aged from five to 16, were talking about the dolls and toys even before they arrived.

The children looked overjoyed after they got the dolls and toys, said Daw Nu, a Let Yet Kone resident and mother of two children.

Her house was torched by the regime in December 2022. Before the arson attack, she could buy toys and dolls for her five-year-old and 15-year-old. Now, she is unable to do so.

No parent can afford to buy toys for their children anymore. We are still struggling to rebuild our houses, Daw Nu told The Irrawaddy.

Like all the villagers, she is happy that donors have gifted the children toys and dolls. The donors not only give gifts to the children of the Anyar Region  central Myanmar  but also to children in ethnic areas by connecting with local charities.

Ma Dar Dar, who donated dolls to Let Yet Kones school, said: My intention is to make them [the children] happy. If they are happy, I am also happy.

Zaw Htut, Su Myat and the other children were happily playing with their new toys and dolls in the school compound. Zaw Htut got a white dog toy and Su Myat an elephant.

I got the yellow bear [Winnie the Pooh] and my friend got a pig. We are very happy to get toys, Lin Lin, an eight-year-old, told The Irrawaddy.

Children in refugee camps

Like the children of Let Yet Kone, displaced kids in ethnic areas receive new toys only when donors give them, said a woman assisting refugees in southeast Myanmars Kayah State.

The children liked it when they heard the news that toys were coming, she said.

By the time they got the dolls, all the kids in the refugee camp school were laughing and shouting, added the woman, who requested anonymity.

Despite being displaced by military attacks, the kids in the refugee camps just want to study and play freely like other children.

Kids used to fleeing junta raids

The children in Depayin Township are used to fleeing junta forces. In January, thousands of civilians in the township had to leave their villages for eight days to escape regime raids and all schools were closed. When the junta troops depart, the villagers return and start clearing the ash and damage from regime arson attacks.

We couldnt reopen the school when we came back because the villagers were busy clearing up the damage, said Let Yet Kone teacher Daw Soe Soe.

For the children of Let Yet Kone, there are no holidays anymore. They have to study instead to make up for the time they lose at school while fleeing regime raids.

As we have no holidays, we play every day in our school. However, we all flee when the military dogs are coming, Su Myat told The Irrawaddy.

Even when they have to escape the village, the children make sure to take their new toys with them.

Ko Phyo, a 16-year-old student, said that the children tell their parents not to take too many clothes and instead to take their toys.

They carried their toys with them when they fled the military column that raided our village in January, he said.
Burma Myanmar Farmers Crushed by Rising Input Prices and Junta Attacks

A paddy farmer. / The Irrawaddy

Agriculture, the backbone of Myanmars economy, has been in steep decline since the 2021 coup.

During a meeting in Naypyitaw last August, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing claimed Myanmar had 15 million acres of paddy under cultivation during the rainy season and 3 million acres of paddy during the hot season. Rice merchants, however, said only 12 million acres of paddy were growing during the rainy season and the productivity would decline by 3-5 million tonnes.

The US Department of Agriculture has estimated that global rice production this year will decline to 503 million tonnes from 515 million tonnes in 2022. Myanmars rice production was estimated at 12.5 million tonnes.

Fighting in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin and Kayah states is blamed because they are largely rural.

Increased prices of agricultural inputs, rising production costs and labor shortages are contributing factors.

Junta troops have been torching villages and stored grains and seeds, disrupting agriculture in the areas. Many young people have abandoned their farms either to fight the regime or seek better prospects in other countries, leading to labor shortages.

Rice is also grown in Ayeyarwady, Bago and Yangon regions, where there are fewer clashes. But farmers have suffered from increasing prices for fertilizer.

One farmer from Ayeyarwady Region said: We cultivated fewer acres [in last years monsoon] because of the high costs of input and the yields have declined because we could not apply enough fertilizer. The monsoon paddy harvest was poor.

The regime supplied two sacks of fertilizer per acre to grow paddy. But it came late.

Paddy cultivation usually starts in November in Ayeyarwady Region but the regime only supplied the fertilizer in January, he said. Farmers will have to pay for fertilizer after the harvest as the regime will take the output equivalent to fertilizer prices, calculated at the market price at the time of harvest.

The price of Paw Hsan rice grown in Ayeyarwady Region has hit 1.8 million kyats per approximately 3,300kg, up from 1.6 million during the early days of the harvest.

One farmer from Magwe Region told The Irrawaddy: We have not yet suffered serious impacts as the fighting is not yet intense. But like other farmers we have suffered from price hikes, increased costs and declining prices of agricultural produce. So we cannot grow as we did before. We have left land fallow because we couldnt afford fertilizers.

While farmers had to spend more to cultivate fewer acres, prices have remained low, meaning the acreage of cultivated land has halved.

Min Aung Hlaing told civil servants and independent business owners in Ayeyarwady Region on February 7 to reintroduce co-operatives, a system endorsed and implemented by successive dictatorships.

Min Aung Hlaing preached the merits of cooperative syndicates while his troops torch numerous villages in Myanmars agricultural heartland.

The price of Paw Hsan rice grown in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, and surrounding areas has more than doubled from 50,000 kyats per sack before the coup to 120,000 kyats.

The sown acreage of Shwebo Paw Hsan declined this year to 330,000 acres from the previous annual average of 380,000 acres.

A rice merchant from Sagaing Region said companies are not buying rice themselves but using agents because the regime might issue orders affecting the rice business.

Companies are secretly buying through agents and dealers. The prices have increased slightly. Some villages do not sell their rice while others hoard it to sell at higher prices due to the low sown acreage and low yield last year, said the merchant.

Rice prices have steadily increased by around 7,000 kyats per sack since late January. It previously took about three months for rice prices to increase by 10,000 kyats per sack. But price increases have been common since the 2021 coup, according to rice merchants.

Rice prices increased partly due to other traders entering the rice trade. As the regime controls the exchange rate, as well as imports to cut foreign currency spending, the business environment has become increasingly harsh for traders and some have moved into rice sales, said rice merchant U Myint, who has been in the trade for more than two decades.

The supply is already low in the market but the demand has risen. So prices have increased. Traditional rice merchants only buy good-quality rice but the newcomers buy almost regardless of the quality. Production was low this year so they know rice prices will increase and they, therefore, join the business to reap profits, he said.

As the regime has imposed restrictions on imports of cooking oil, fuel and so on, importers of those products have switched to rice trading, he said.

There are many traders with money to invest but they face many junta restrictions. So they have started to choose commodities that are not restricted. They saw potential profits in rice and have entered the business, he said.

The decline in agricultural production is taking the heaviest toll on low- and middle-income families in Myanmar.
Burma Myanmar Junta Chief Admits to Rising Resistance Pressure

Myanmars regime chief Min Aung Hlaing. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that resistance attacks have increased since the 2021 coup.

Speaking at the 77th anniversary of the founding of state broadcaster Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) on Wednesday in Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing lamented that the resistance movement is beyond the militarys control.

The regime extended emergency rule for another six months on February 1, citing instability across Myanmar. The regime has since imposed martial law in 37 townships, including the resistance strongholds of Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin and Kayah states. It has also made changes to the Arms Act to arm pro-junta militias and security organizations with pistols, rifles and automatic weapons.

Min Aung Hlaing told the National Defense and Security Council on February 1 that only 198 out of over 330 townships in Myanmar are 100 percent stable. The regime blamed pro-democracy, anti-military groups that are killing innocent people, blowing up public places and imposing armed intimidation and coercion on the people.

In May 2021, he told the Hong Kong-based Chinese-language broadcaster Phoenix Television that the establishment of resistance groups by the National Unity Government was working in the air.

In the interview, he admitted that he did not expect such intense opposition to military rule. He called the anti-regime protests an emotional reaction, saying that his claims of voter fraud would anger National League for Democracy (NLD) voters.

Min Aung Hlaing justified his 2021 coup with claims of voter fraud against the NLD. The NLD won a landslide victory with more than 80 percent of the parliamentary seats in the election.

The junta boss continued to blame foreign countries, so-called traitors and political exiles for his failure to control the country, during the MRTV anniversary on Wednesday.

The NUG has called 2023 the decisive year for the revolution, as the junta is struggling to control resistance groups and ethnic armed organizations.
Burma Myanmar Junta Kills 16 Civilians in January Blitz of Karen District

A villager douses fire after a regime attack.

January alone saw at least 16 civilians killed when junta forces bombarded Mutraw District in Karen State with dozens of artillery and air strikes, the Karen National Union (KNU) said on Tuesday.

The KNU statement said that regime forces launched 57 air strikes on the district, which is under the control of KNU Brigades 5 and 6.

Junta fighter jets dropped over 200 bombs into civilian areas as well as firing on villages with machine guns. The air attacks killed at least 13 civilians, including two pastors, and a two-year-old child, the KNU said.

The strikes also left nine civilians, including a four-year-old child, with critical injuries and destroyed dozens of houses and buildings, including schools, churches, monasteries and a hospital, according to the statement.

KNU said that juntas troops and their allied Border Guard Forces also fired about 500 artillery and mortar shells into civilian areas in the district.

These artillery attacks killed three civilians, including a student, injured 38 including six students, and burned 19 houses, the statement said.

According to KNU data, January alone saw over 400 clashes between junta forces and the resistance led by the KNUs armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and comprising the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO), Peoples Defense Forces, drone units and other groups.

KNU said that 469 junta and allied BGF troops were killed in those clashes. Meanwhile, 24 members of the KNUs allied KNLA, KNDO, PDFs and drone units had sacrificed their lives in the clashes that broke out following the 2021 military coup.

The number of internally displaced persons in KNU-controlled areas has also risen to about 400,000, it said, adding they were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Guest Column The Quiet Rohingya Population Explosion in Coxs Bazaar

Rohingya refugees take part in a Genocide Remembrance Day rally to mark the 5th anniversary since fleeing Myanmar from a military offensive, at a refugee camp in Bangladesh in August 2022. / AFP

The largest refugee exodus from Rakhine occurred over five years ago, in August 2017. Ever since, international policies for the Rohingya have insisted on voluntary repatriation to Myanmar as the solution for what was then one million and is now 1.1 million refugees living in and around Coxs Bazaar.

In 2017-2018, Coxs Bazaar in Bangladesh became home to the biggest refugee camps in the world. Much ink was then spilled over how much blame should be apportioned to the Tatmadaw and how much to Aung San Suu Kyis NLD government. Since then, there has been the COVID epidemic and the February 1, 2021 coup in Myanmar, and the issue has faded from the international press. And very quietly, at least 100,000 new refugees were added to the camp population due to a surging birth rate.

But in global terms, what was once the most important refugee crisis in the world was exceeded by the millions leaving Syria, Venezuela, and Ukraine, and who have been accepted albeit begrudgingly into societies of the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. And still, the policy of the international community for the Rohingya is that all must repatriate to Myanmar as soon as possible.

A repatriation policy, even before the 2021 coup, was foolish. Mass repatriation would have further victimized the Rohingya and destabilized Rakhine, even before the Tatmadaw sent the NLD government into prison, exile, and revolt after February 1, 2021. The reaction to a mass repatriation would destabilize the border region in a way that risks direct confrontation between the Burmese and Bangladesh militaries. So it is a good thing that the refugees have not yet returned.

Nevertheless, the international community continues with its argument for mass voluntary repatriation to Myanmar, pointing out, accurately, that Myanmars military governments perpetrated the expulsions in the first place, so justice demands that they restore Rohingya rights. This is true in a legalistic sense, but given the political situation in Rakhine in particular, it is foolish. The Rohingya situation still contains the seeds for further humanitarian catastrophe.

Dangers in Coxs Bazaar

To continue claiming that the Coxs Bazaar refugee camps are the biggest in the world seems quaint in the context of refugee exoduses from Ukraine, Venezuela, and Syria. Oddly enough, these three crises, which involve vastly more refugees than the Rohingya situation, are dealt with better by the international community.

In large part this is because Europe accepts the Ukrainian refugees as a regional problem; Latin America accepts the Venezuelans as a regional problem; and the Middle East and Europe (especially Turkey) accept the Syrian exodus as a regional problem. This means that many refugees get relief supplies from the international community, labor markets support others, and integration programs where refugees seek work until they can return voluntarily to their home country are common. This strains the capacity of countries like Turkey, Germany, and Colombia to protect refugees.

In contrast, the Rohingya crisis is seen as a Bangladeshi and Myanmar problem, which permits other South Asian and ASEAN countries to look away and the UNHCR to maintain it is still Working towards and preparing for the sustainable return of the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

But working toward such a goal is dangerous and ill-advised. Coxs Bazaar remains vulnerable to typhoons, as well as the predictable dangers found in refugee camps everywhere. In Coxs Bazaar, the dangers are of young men becoming radicalized in the isolated refugee camp environment by Islamicists who appeal to legitimate grievances.

For young women, there are babies, lots of them! As in most crises where refugees are from rural areas, babies are being born at a rate that means the 1 million camp population will become 2 million in about 2040, just 17 years from now. And finally is the fact that Coxs Bazaar lies in the Bay of Bengal, where the worlds most destructive typhoons strike, as Bangladesh and Myanmar are well aware; massively destructive typhoons are central to the histories of both countries.

Refugee radicalization

Radicalization in refugee camp situations is common and predictable. The massive refugee camp that is the Gaza Strip of Palestine is an excellent example. This camp has been a source of political instability since it was established in 1948. Radicalized Rwandan refugee camps in central Africa triggered attacks on Congo by the Rwandan government in the 1990s, starting a regional war that has killed millions. In Thailand, refugee camps along the Cambodian border were used as bases by Cambodian factions from 1978 to the 1990s. The point is that young men coming of age in abject isolated refugee camps are vulnerable to militia recruiters feeding on injustices embedded in any refugee situation. That this is already happening in the Coxs Bazaar camps should be of little surprise to the international community, Bangladesh, or Myanmar.

The reality is that the longer a refugee camp lasts, the more likely that groups of its aimless young boys will join militia movements and criminal gangs. This typically begins a year or two after arrival, as it has with the Rohingya. The process will accelerate when, 15-20 years after the camps are established, the many boys born during the period after resettlement come of age to carry guns.

The militaries of both Bangladesh and Myanmar are well aware of the security threat presented by the massive refugee camps near a sensitive border. The international community should be aware of the potential for escalation and conflict, including between the two nations, although the international community seems oblivious. Militia recruitment is less likely when refugee populations are away from borders, dispersed, and young men are offered the chances of schooling and jobs in a manufacturing or service economy.

Refugee baby booms and busts

The reason the Rohingya will have a lot of soldiers in 15-20 years is that they are a rural farming population locked up in refugee camps, who still have high birth rates. What is more, the flight in 2017-2018 likely meant that the most vulnerable, including the elderly and the very young, died enroute or remained behind, and never arrived in Coxs Bazaar. But the refugee mothers did arrive, and like most refugee populations, immediately began having more children. Bangladeshs Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal reported there are now about 35,000 births in the camps per year. This rate is expected to accelerate, no matter how aggressive the birth control programs are. This was the experience with Rwandan refugees who were provided with aggressive birth control programs in 1994-1996 that did not work. It was also the case with refugees from Laos and Cambodia who left for Thailand and the United States in the 1980s and 1990s.

Refugee women who lose babies and pregnancies through the stresses of flight and resettlement deeply desire children. That situation, plus the fact that the weak, sick, and elderly died and remained behind, means that if nothing is done in Coxs Bazaar, the population growth rate will likely reach 3% per year, as it has in other refugee populations. In the case of the Rohingya, this means births will exceed deaths by about 30,000 per year, and the population will double in size every 23 years or so.

Demography for a refugee population like the Rohingya can indeed be destiny. It is easy to project how many school places, how many factory laborers, and how many soldiers will be available for militia recruitment in the next 10, 20, or 30 years. Basic math also tells us that when the population growth rate reaches 3% per year, there will be another million refugees in Coxs Bazaar in just 23 years, even if there is no further catastrophe.

The obvious solution

There is an obvious short-term solution to the Rohingya situation and the threat from typhoons, military confrontation, baby booms, and dependency in the Coxs Bazaar camps. That solution is for the global community, and particularly countries in Asia, to resettle the Rohingya from Coxs Bazaar into the cities of the broader region.

Since the Rohingya exodus in 2017, two far larger refugee crises have been dealt with in this fashion. The 7 million refugees and migrants who left Venezuela are now in Colombia, and other Latin American countries. Eight million or more have fled mostly Ukraine to countries in Europe and Central Asia since 2021. And 6-7 million Syrian refugees have been absorbed by countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Germany. Turkey is now unusually vulnerable since it has taken the greatest number; tragically, 1.7 million of them are in the 10 provinces affected by the massive earthquake that struck earlier this month.

The irony for Asia today is that baby booms like the Rohingya population explosion are becoming a phenomenon of the past. The Rohingyas rural Asian counterparts are shrinking rapidly with mass urbanization. In Asias cities, birth rates are exceedingly low, and countries like Thailand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea have high demand for unskilled labor. To compensate, they find ways for rural peoples from places like Myanmar to enter their country (legally and illegally), to fill labor shortages in the factory and service sectors. Somehow, though, the Rohingya refugee camps still exist, keeping a potential source of much-needed service and factory workers away from the workplace.

The problem of Myanmar politics

Myanmar politics are of course what caused the Rohingya exodus, not Bangladesh politics, or the Rohingya themselves. Obviously, fairness dictates that the Rohingya have a right to return to Myanmar, and their land restored. This is true in a moral sense. But what is morally perfect does not always equate to responsible politics. Insisting on a perfect moral solution can lead to foreseeable problems, such as militia threatening regional peace, soaring birth rates, and annual risk from the Bay of Bengals typhoons.

The right of return is still there for people who wait out the chaos in their own country after resettling abroad, even for decades. Some Southeast Asians waited a generation before returning to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia from the United States in recent years. Indeed, Bangladesh is among countries that know the refugee problem best  millions of Bangladeshis fled to India during and after the revolution in 1971. The current prime minister was herself a refugee in India for a few years in the 1980s. The refugees returned because the Bangladesh Revolution ended quickly. The Rohingya, Venezuelans, Ukrainians, and others may not be so lucky, though. The world should handle the Rohingya according to the situation they are in, not the morally perfect one wished for. For the Rohingya crisis, this means sharing the burden across the region, just as is now happening in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Tony Waters is the author of Bureaucratizing the Good Samaritan (2001) and has written about refugee issues since the 1980s, and for The Irrawaddy since 2018. He taught sociology at California State University, Chico, and Peace Studies at Payap University in Thailand before moving to his current post at Leuphana University in Germany. His latest book is a translation from Thai, The Man from Bangkok: San Francisco Culture in the 1960s by Rong Wongsavun.
6 killed, 28 injured in east China building fire

Xinhua) 15:55, February 16, 2023

NANJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 28 others injured in a building fire Thursday morning in east China's Jiangsu Province, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at about 6:07 a.m. in Weitang Township of Xiangcheng District in the city of Suzhou and was extinguished about an hour later.

The injured have been rushed to the hospital for treatment, among which two are severely injured.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
COMPANY NEWS: Leading Australian Organic Search (SEO) specialist agency partners with university in a government initiative to give Victorian businesses the upper hand in driving growth amidst eCommerce renaissance.

Megantic, a leading Organic Search (SEO) specialist agency in Australia dedicated to eCommerce, today announces its partnership with Deakin University, one of Australias leading tertiary education providers. The collaboration is set to transform Victorias online retailers by accelerating their online traffic and sales with the knowledge and resources necessary to differentiate and stand out in the saturated and fast-growing eCommerce space.

A new report reveals that eCommerce sales in Australia will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% between 2022 and 2026 to reach AU$103.1 billion in 2026 as an increasing number of consumers join the eCommerce revolution. This is an opportunity more Victorian businesses will be able to capitalise on thanks to the partnership that has the support of the Victorian Government.

With the State Governments Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF), the Deakin-Megantic eCommerce Accelerator Program is a joint initiative designed to enhance the national and international market competitiveness of medium-size online retail businesses through advanced eCommerce strategies.

Participating companies can qualify for up to AU$50,000 in vouchers to support their participation in the program in addition to minimal co-contribution. The program will be tailored for each company across key areas such as technical support and implementation, cybersecurity awareness, competitor analysis, eCommerce strategy, digital marketing and more.

Victorias Minister for Training and Skills, Higher Education, and Agriculture, Gayle Tierney said, Were proud to invest in programs that create new job opportunities for Victorians, support Victorian businesses to develop digital expertise and ensure they are equipped to remain competitive on the global stage in the future.

Megantic General Manager Jeremy Hanger said, We are delighted to be partnering with one of Australias leading educational institutions to help Victorian businesses gain a stronger competitive edge in the eCommerce space.

The eCommerce Accelerator Program will supply the knowledge, training and best-practice SEO to maximise website traffic and sales, supporting Victorian businesses in driving growth in a digital-first world. We feel tremendously grateful to have the Victorian Governments support so we can help these businesses thrive in todays competitive and fast-evolving landscape.

Deakin Digital Futures Hub Director and Industry Professor Dr. Gjoko Muratovski said, This program is significantly more affordable for Victorian businesses, compared to others on the market thanks to the support of the State Government via VHESIF.

The eCommerce Accelerator Program aims to assist companies that have the potential to become future market leaders but may lack the technical expertise, knowledge or resources to do so. This is how we can help.

Dr Gjoko Muratovski, Deakin Digital Futures Hub Director and Industry Professor.

In addition to supporting Victorian businesses accelerate their digital transformation initiatives, researchers from both Megantic and Deakin University will collaborate on documenting case studies and gathering and analysing relevant data that could further inform future work and investments in this area.

Registrations for the Deakin-Megantic eCommerce Accelerator Program close on 31 March 2023. Register interest here at https://accelerate.megantic.com.au or visit www.megantic.com.au for more information.

About Deakin University

Deakin, one of Australia's leading tertiary education providers, offers a personalised learning experience enhanced by world-class programs and innovative digital engagement. With four outstanding campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool, and a premium online learning platform that exceeds any other in Australia, Deakin leads by creating opportunities to live and work in a connected, evolving world.

For more information, please visit www.deakin.edu.au.

About Megantic

Megantic is a leading Organic Search (SEO) specialist agency in Australia dedicated to eCommerce. A multiple award-winning global agency, Megantic has created a unique strategy for online retailers that enables them to target educated customers that are traditionally ignored by most SEO campaigns and substantially grow their online revenue.

With offices in the UK, Macedonia, and Canada and a flagship office in Australia,

Megantic is used by many of Australias top brands like The Good Guys, Repco, Forty Winks and Cargo Crew. For more information, please visit www.megantic.com.au or follow @Meganticau.
Vicki Brady: We are a growing business with a lot to be excited about in our future."

Australia's biggest telco Telstra has increased profits by 25% year-on-year to $934 million in the first half of the current financial year, the company reported on Thursday.

In statements sent to the ASX, the company said its income had gone up by 6.4%, driven by its mobile division and its new acquisition, Digicel Pacific.

However, it said income for the full year would be at the lower end of the guidance issued, because mobile hardware and fixed product revenues were lower than expected.

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady said the company had grown strongly, made progress with its T25 strategy and completed its legal restructuring.

We are a growing business with a lot to be excited about in our future, and our T25 strategy provides a clear roadmap to get us there, Brady said.

On the back of our continued growth, the board resolved to pay a fully franked interim dividend of 8.5 cents per share representing a 6.3% increase on the prior corresponding period, and in line with the second half of last financial year.

The interim dividend is consistent with our policy to maximise the fully franked dividend and seek to grow it over time.

Brady said the T25 strategy had leveraged the foundation and capabilities which the telco had built over the last few years.

It has four pillars: an exceptional customer experience, leading network and technology solutions, sustained growth and value, and the place you want to work," she said.

T25 is about growing sustainably by doing the right thing by our customers, our people, our shareholders, and by Australia. Its an ambitious strategy built around our customers and recognises that providing them great connectivity is only half the customer experience equation  we have to make doing business with us an exceptional experience too.

We took great steps forward on this through T22, including bringing calls back to Australia and our stores in house, and continuing this work is my number one priority. I know that if we get the customer experience right then we will be well on the way to delivering on our growth and reputation measures.

Brady said as far as network leadership was concerned, Telstra was set to meet all its commitments by FY25.

"We have the largest 5G network, our 5G population coverage reaches over 81% and is on track for our FY23 target of 85%," she explained.

"We are leading the majority of key mobile and fixed network surveys for coverage and speed. Against the growth and value pillar, we delivered growth in Underlying EBITDA and EPS.

"With underlying ROIC at 7.5% we are on track to achieve around 8% in FY23."
Gulati will be responsible for leading Profectus Group's technology strategy and executing its digital transformation initiatives.

He has a track record of 15 years leading digital transformation and IT initiative across various industries.

Prior to joining Profectus Group, Gulati served as the CTO and is a technology adviser at a fintech company where he drove technology innovation, implementation and the business IT roadmap.

Prior then he held several senior positions at various technology and consulting firms.

His experience includes leading and enabling teams, managing complex IT projects and partnerships, overseeing integrations, building and launching platforms designing and implementing innovative technology solutions to drive business outcomes.

His experience in the financial technology space meshes perfectly with our expertise and our goal to become a technology-driven company. His experience in building and implementing game-changing solutions is exactly what we need as we continue to build out our tech stack and accelerate the scalable, profitable growth of Profectus Group, said Profectus Group CEO Chris Hutchins.

Profectus has a history of delivering significant value to its clients through expertise and hard work, and Im looking forward to enhancing its already strong position with technologies and strategies that make the lives of our team and our clients easier, said Gulati. The company is on the front foot in looking at new, innovative ways to deliver business value and ROI and Im looking forward to helping the company make the most of it.

Profectus Group was recently designated as the exclusive reseller of AI-powered real-time auditing toolset and reconciliation automation software Xelix.

It also recently sold its Rebate Deal Management software to US company Enable.
The reasons for the inability to open a Diaspora office in Sri Lanka are multifaceted. Political disunity and personal agendas have been cited as significant factors.

by Our Political Affairs Editor

What became of President Wickremesinghes proposal to unveil a Diaspora office during the independence celebration that was meant to open to the public at the same time? Despite its significance, why did this initiative fail in Sri Lanka, a country that is unlike any other?

The diaspora experience can involve a complex negotiation of identities, as individuals seek to adapt to their new surroundings while preserving their cultural traditions and ties to their homeland. As such, the diaspora can be seen as a space of both dislocation and continuity, where individuals and communities are constantly negotiating their sense of belonging and identity.

A general view of city's skyline, amid the country's economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 19, 2022. [Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte]

The presence of an office for expatriates in the host country is an essential element for the successful integration of expatriates into their new home country. It provides a platform for expatriates to access necessary services, connect with their community, and participate in the countrys economic and social development. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has been unable to open its Diaspora office due to political disunity and personal agenda, despite the rallying together for the national interest. This failure highlights the need for political leaders to put aside their differences and prioritize the well-being of their citizens, both at home and abroad.

The Sri Lankan Diaspora is estimated to be around three million people, with a significant presence in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. These individuals have left their homeland for a variety of reasons, including education, employment, and to escape conflict. Despite being away from their home country, many Sri Lankan expatriates remain deeply connected to their culture and heritage, and continue to play an active role in Sri Lankas economic and social development.

Furthermore, the absence of a Diaspora office not only hinders the Sri Lankan governments ability to engage with its citizens abroad, but it also perpetuates the sense of distance and disconnection felt by the expatriate community. The Sri Lankan diaspora remains an important part of the countrys social and cultural fabric, and they have a deep attachment to their homeland. Despite being physically away from Sri Lanka, many expatriates maintain close ties to their family, friends, and community in the country, and they often feel a strong desire to contribute to the development of their country of origin.

A Diaspora office would provide a platform for the Sri Lankan expatriate community to connect with their homeland, participate in social and economic development initiatives, and contribute their skills, knowledge, and resources to the countrys growth. It would create a sense of belonging and inclusion for expatriates, who often struggle with feelings of isolation and detachment from their roots. Additionally, it would allow the Sri Lankan government to gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities of the diaspora community and address any concerns they may have.

It is crucial for Sri Lanka to recognize the significance of its expatriate community and the important role they play in the countrys growth and development. A Diaspora office would be a concrete demonstration of this recognition, and it would help to foster a stronger sense of national identity and unity. While there may be disagreements among political leaders, the need to establish a Diaspora office should transcend political affiliations and personal interests. It is time for the government to take action and prioritize the establishment of a Diaspora office for the well-being of its citizens and the countrys future.

However, the lack of an official office for expatriates in Sri Lanka has made it difficult for the Sri Lankan government to engage with its diaspora effectively. This has resulted in missed opportunities for trade, investment, and knowledge transfer. Moreover, expatriates have faced difficulties in accessing government services, such as consular support, visa applications, and property ownership, which has left many feeling disconnected and frustrated.

The reasons for the inability to open a Diaspora office in Sri Lanka are multifaceted. Political disunity and personal agendas have been cited as significant factors. The lack of political will to address the issue, combined with bureaucratic red tape, has further compounded the problem. While various political parties have recognized the importance of opening a Diaspora office, they have been unable to find a consensus on how to proceed.

This failure is especially concerning because the opening of a Diaspora office would not only benefit Sri Lankan expatriates but also the country as a whole. It would enable the government to leverage the knowledge, expertise, and resources of the diaspora for the countrys economic and social development. It would also allow the Sri Lankan government to connect with its citizens abroad, fostering a sense of national unity and pride.

The failure to open a Diaspora office in Sri Lanka highlights the need for political leaders to prioritize the well-being of their citizens, both at home and abroad. The Sri Lankan diaspora has the potential to make a significant contribution to the countrys economic and social development. Political disunity and personal agendas must not be allowed to hinder progress towards achieving this important goal. Instead, the government must come together to address the issue and open an official office for expatriates, recognizing the significant benefits it would bring to the country as a whole.
Almost all members of parliament including Mahinda Rajapaksa, except a small splinter group who have left the SLPP alliance, have expressed agreement to the president's decision to execute the full implementation of 13A.

by Rohana R. Wasala

The Most Venerable Mahanayake theras of the Three Nikayas (Siyam, Amarapura and Ramanna) wrote to president Ranil Wickremasinghe admonishing him not to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution two weeks ago, on February 2, as reported in The Island (Mahanayakes tell President not to implement 13A/February 3, 2023). The Buddhist prelates reminded the president that his predecessors did not implement 13A fully because of the devastating consequences this would have on the country, and that the executive presidency was established to safeguard the peoples sovereignty. The Mahanayake theras warned him of public anger rising against him if he carried out activities that tend to weaken the central government. It is evident that the senior monks are aware of the current economic crisis that the country is going through. They understand that Sri Lanka needs the assistance of global powers to overcome these difficulties. However, they correctly point out that proposals that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country must be rejected. According to The Island report, the Mahanayakes also told the president that the country as a whole.. .faced many difficulties during the war. The government must do more to develop the North and East and uplift the livelihood of people who faced the most damage. Politicians who come from those parts hold Cabinet posts and can do a lot to develop these areas. At such a time, fully implementing the 13th amendment will create confusion.

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at his office (Photo: Prime Minister Office)

Is this dabbling in politics on the part of the Mahanayakes? Absolutely not. They are just attending to the hallowed duty assigned to the bhikkhus of our country by a tradition that began 2260 years ago with the official introduction of Buddhism: to come forward/usually to offer advice to the ruler when the country, the people and the Buddha Sasana are in jeopardy. Sri Lanka is a Buddhist majority country. Countries that possess such a long unbroken history of the same spiritual culture are extremely rare. Doesnt that imply something about the dominant cultural background of the country and the peoples beliefs and ideas about the living of life, worldly happiness, social obligations, spiritual fulfillment, and so on? As the spiritual guides of at least 70% of the Sri Lankan population, they have a historic responsibility to advise the ruler when they realize that the interests of the people of the country (including non-Buddhists) are threatened as understood at present by a large majority of the population.

The Maha Sangha are arguably the most democratic community of clerical men and women on earth. They are averse to totalitarian control of any kind (something hinted at by the president in the Buddhas admonition to his followers Be a lamp unto yourself with which pithy quote he ended his policy statement, though its appositeness in that context may be in question).

In their missive, the Buddhist hierarchs express their sincere concern about the need to address the current economic issues with special attention to the livelihood problems of the people of the North and the East who faced the brunt of the civil conflict. At the same, they urge the president not to carry out the full implementation of the 13th Amendment. (Though the Venerables didnt mention it, the 13th Amendment was forcibly imposed on Sri Lanka grossly violating her sovereignty in 1987 in less than ideal, less than democratic circumstances as the older generation of Sri Lankans knew at first hand.)

While presidents, prime ministers, and governments come and go from time to time, changing their powers and policies as appropriate or otherwise, the Mahanayakes who are symbols of wisdom and compassion remain more permanent, like the sovereign state itself. However, hardly ever do they usurp a rulers role. The intrinsic secular nature of Article 9 (relating to Buddhism) of Sri Lankas existent republican constitution is something that Western observers, and even our own politicians including the nationalists among them do not or do not want to understand; the latter seem to be abysmally ignorant of the term secularism, and play havoc with it.

Contrary to what people expected, in his ceremonial policy statement from the Speakers chair in parliament on February 8, president Wickremasinghe did not seem to respond to the Mahanayakes earnest advice conveyed to him nearly a week previously, but he did so by implication, towards the end of his speech. Some of his utterances, probably, increased their apprehensions. He talked about having to take unpopular decisions. I am not here to be popular!, he said. Ranil Wickremasinghe can well say that since it was not because he was popular that he became executive president. He, as a would-be technocrat, can take unpopular decisions, as he thinks fit, in dealing with purely economic issues. But if his economic policies are based on wrong political decisions, its a different issue, where his personal moral values get tested (in spite of his indispensability at this juncture).

The president devoted the first half of his speech to dealing with strictly economic matters: Rebuilding the nation, foreign reserves, IMF negotiations, revival of tourism, economic reforms, etc. To properly handle these it will be helpful for him to keep in mind the concerns raised by the monks. For example, one of the worries of these leading monks, though not mentioned in the letter, relates to the preservation of the Buddhist archaeological heritage of the northern and eastern areas. The archaeological treasures connected with the history of Sinhalese habitation in the northern, north central and eastern parts of the island have been under threat for decades; some of them have been deliberately destroyed, reburied, built over or falsely claimed by non-Buddhists. There is history written on rock in the form of rock inscriptions right across the country from north to south and from east to west that bear witness to the presence of the Sinhalese throughout the island. Archaeological remains and sites are great tourist attractions, which means their preservation is economically very important, too.

Most of the other half is about establishing communal harmony. President Wickremasinghe takes great pains to convince the Tamil and Muslim minorities about his determination to solve their problems. He had discussed with R. Sampandan MP in 1977 (i.e., 45 years ago) about how to resolve the Tamil ethnic issue. The time has come at long last for them to achieve their goal. Ranil had been made aware of problems of the Muslims by minister A.C.S. Hameed, presumably in the latter 1980s, i.e., 35 years ago. All sensible Sri Lankans appreciate Ranil Wickremasinghes desire to resolve minority problems, but he should remember that no politician has a moral right to disregard the human rights interests of the majority community.

While listening to the policy statement streamed live on February 8th, I felt that the president displayed less enthusiasm in talking about the problems that the majority community suffer from. It looked as though he thought those problems were less substantive than the ones that the minorities faced. His single apathetic utterance in this regard was: The Sinhalese community is also facing issues of their own which require open discussion. We expect to recognize the communities that are marginalized in society especially due to caste discrimination. This is tantamount to associating the caste issue with the Sinhalese instead of the Tamils, particularly those in the North, who are persecuted by religion sanctioned casteism. The caste problem among the Sinhalese  historically borrowed from Tamil Hindu culture  is very mild, confined perhaps to party politics and matrimonial occasions, and is fast disappearing. Tamil civil society activist Arun Siddharthan often mentions this problem among Tamils. Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekera MP said in Parliament recently stated that blood needed for blood transfusion in Jaffna hospitals was in short supply due to (Hindu religion based) caste discrimination and had to be donated by Sinhalese soldiers. Of course, how seriously the particular form of social injustice affects the Tamil society cant have escaped the presidents attention.

Paradoxically, though, in stark contradiction with basic Buddhist teachings, caste distinctions are still observed by Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, who have divided themselves into caste-based nikayas, something initiated by the Siyam nikaya in unalterable historical circumstances in the 18th century. Its an evil that the Mahanayakes could have corrected, at least decades before, had they been less worldly, and more devoted to the Dhamma, and more dedicated to the welfare of the Buddhist laity, and the society in general. At least now, they must bury these undue divisions among themselves, and unite as a single body and realize and demonstrate to the world what the power of the Maha Sangha is. This is urgent for the survival of the Buddha Sasana.

President Wickremasinghe expressed his determination for bringing in maximum devolution of power within a unitary Sri Lanka (not united Sri Lanka as he used to say in the past). How he can secure this is yet to be disclosed. The people must be wary, for the devil is in the details. He says quite correctly that reconciliation alone will not bring about economic development: peoples attitudes must change. (Of course, this should apply not only to the majority, but also to the minorities.) This is perhaps a reference to his decision to get Tamil diaspora entrepreneurs involved in the development of the war-damaged North, for which he will create a separate department. We remember that, even months before, diaspora representatives indicated their readiness to bring in foreign funds to ease Sri Lankas dollar crunch, but that was with the proviso that those funds will be utilized exclusively for the economic development of the North.

During his closing words, president Wickremasinghe said:

...We are all bound to protect the State of Sri Lanka. Any citizen has the opportunity to democratically change Governments through the elections. However, no one has the right to create anarchy in Sri Lanka. Not any political party. Not any group.

We cannot allow our motherland to become an economic or social colony. Anarchy cannot be allowed. No one who truly loves the nation will allow such a situation. We all should stand on the side that supports the nation and not that which is bent to destroy the country...

That is a kind of assurance given that the sovereign Sri Lankan state will remain whole; there will be no division of the country. Governments will be changed democratically through elections. This means that the sort of annihilationist anarchy that the chaotic medley of leaderless directionless political and religious desperados of the foreign funded, anti national, conspiratorial Aragalaya will not be allowed. The president promised that his proposals will be implemented through the National Assembly of the Parliament. What better guarantee can be given than this that the kind of undemocratic coercion that forced the 13th Amendment on a hapless Sri Lanka in 1987 under a dictatorial president who had succumbed to undue Indian pressure will not be applied in the present situation?

If the 13th Amendment must be implemented in full, let it be implemented in that democratic way. But we know that the present parliament doesnt have a legitimate mandate to achieve that end. The SLPP was returned to power with a near two thirds majority, having fought elections on the platform of One country, One law. It is still an SLPP government. So they do not have the moral right to pass legislation that is entirely opposed to the original rallying cry that brought it to power. To cut a long story short, it is only Mahinda Rajapaksa MP who can persuade the unelected, president by default, Ranil Wickremasinghe from using the sitting parliament to enact 13A in its entirety without consulting the public regarding it through a referendum or a general election. Of course, in the past, Mahinda Rajapaksa used to repeat that hed offer a 13A+. But I thought he was just bluffing then. Now Ranil seems to have called his bluff. Almost all members of parliament including Mahinda Rajapaksa, except a small splinter group who have left the SLPP alliance, have expressed agreement to the presidents decision to execute the full implementation of 13A. So, legally, there is no obstacle to his plan. But it is undemocratic and immoral.

It is the conscientious assertion of a nations dominant moral values by the three branches of government in a democracy  the executive, the legislature and the judiciary  in their activities that saves that nation from collapse and disaster. In the final analysis, Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president and prime minister, despite his, perhaps, unmatchable past achievements, is responsible for the present unprecedented crisis, especially, the ruinous political chaos. Only he can put an end to it by putting the country before himself, if possible. He used to say that his Priority Number One, Number Two, and Number Three was the same: the Motherland/the Nation. Let him redeem his lost honour and popularity, and also win back the love of the people he tried to serve.

Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros, I would like to beseech you Reverend Sirs, in all humility and with the deepest respect, to please write to Mahinda Rajapaksa MP or summon him before you Reverends, to demand that he explain to the nation why he now supports a measure that is likely to prolong the suffering and insecurity of the people and to endanger the survival of the Buddha Sasana, and, if it is something unavoidable at this stage, how he is going to make the proposed change harmless. Please remind him that he was a former prime minister, president, and a minister for Buddha Sasana.
EQS-Ad-hoc: Grenke AG / Key word(s): Personnel

GRENKE: Dr Sebastian Hirsch takes over from Michael Bucker as CEO



16-Feb-2023 / 21:09 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.



GRENKE: Dr Sebastian Hirsch takes over from Michael Bucker as CEO Baden-Baden, February 16, 2023: The Supervisory Board and the former CEO of GRENKE AG, Michael Bucker (61), whose appointment had been revoked for a limited period until February 28, 2023 for health reasons, have agreed that Mr Bucker will leave the Company on February 28 of this year. The Supervisory Board has appointed interim CEO Dr Sebastian Hirsch (41) as CEO as of todays date. Dr Hirsch will continue his duties as CFO on an interim basis. Dr Martin Paal (43), who has been VP Controlling at GRENKE AG since June 2022, is to take over as the lead of the finance division after a transition and familiarisation phase. He will act as Dr Hirsch's deputy for the finance division with immediate effect. For further information, please contact: GRENKE AG

Anke Linnartz

Neuer Markt 2

76532 Baden-Baden

Phone: +49 7221 5007-204

Email: investor@grenke.de

Website: www.grenke.com

Press contact

Stefan Wichmann

Neuer Markt 2

76532 Baden-Baden

Phone: +49 (0) 171 20 20 300

Email: presse@grenke.de

Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



About GRENKE The GRENKE Group (GRENKE) is a global financing partner for small and medium-sized companies. As a one-stop shop for customers, GRENKEs products range from flexible small-ticket leasing and demand-driven bank products to convenient factoring. Fast and easy processing and personal contact with customers and partners are at the centre of GRENKEs activities. Founded in 1978 in Baden-Baden, the Group operates in 33 countries and employs more than 1,900 staff (measured in terms of full-time equivalents) worldwide. GRENKE shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE000A161N30). 16-Feb-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


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Five Western governments said this week they were "deeply troubled" by the Israeli government's decision to give retroactive permission to nine settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank and build new homes.

The opposition voiced by the foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States has drawn attention to Israel's settlement policy. Here are answers to some key questions:

- What are settlements? -

Settlements are Israeli villages, towns and even cities built on territory Israel seized during the Six-Day War of 1967.

Some 475,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the occupied West Bank, along with 2.9 million Palestinians.

A further 230,000 Israelis live in annexed east Jerusalem, along with at least 360,000 Palestinians who want to make the sector the capital of their future state.

Israel also seized the Gaza Strip as well as part of Syria's Golan Heights and established settlements in both. It evacuated the Gaza settlements in 2005.

- What is their legal status? -

From the 1970s, Israel established a network of settlements across the West Bank, particularly in areas deemed strategic.

The Oslo accords of the 1990s divided the territory into Israeli- and Palestinian-administered zones meant to lay the ground for a future Palestinian state, but Israel continued to build and expand its settlements.

The United Nations and most of the international community see all Israeli settlements as illegal.

Israel differentiates between those it has approved and those it has not, although it is not the first time that it has authorised wildcat outposts retroactively.

Israel's security cabinet announced on Sunday that it would legalise nine outposts, some of which have existed for decades.

They are dotted across the West Bank, including sites in the South Hebron Hills, the Jordan Valley and near the Palestinian city of Nablus in the north.

Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement organisation, slammed the government's approach as "annexation on steroids".

The cabinet also announced plans to approve the construction of new homes in existing settlements, without giving precise figures or locations.

- Who are the settlers? -

Many Israelis moved to the settlements in search of affordable housing, backed by billions of dollars in state funding in recent decades.

The government encouraged them to move to cities such as Ariel, Maale Adumim and the ultra-Orthodox settlements of Beitar Illit and Modiin Illit.

There are also many national-religious hardliners who identify the southern and northern West Bank with the the biblical lands of Judaea and Samaria and see living there as fulfilling a divine promise.

- How do Palestinians see settlements? -

Palestinians view Israeli settlements as a war crime and a major obstacle to peace.

The Palestinians want Israel to withdraw from all land it occupied in the Six-Day War and to dismantle all Jewish settlements, although they have accepted the principle of minor land swaps of equal size and value.

Israel rules out a full return to pre-1967 borders but has in the past expressed a willingness to pull out of some parts of the West Bank while annexing its largest settlement blocs.

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this month renewed his pledge to "strengthen settlements" and has expressed no interest in reviving peace talks.
Three Philippine police officers wanted for the alleged murder of a Spanish businessman in 2020 have turned themselves in to the authorities, the justice ministry said Wednesday.

Diego Lafuente was shot dead during a police drug operation in General Luna municipality on the southern island of Siargao, a popular surfing and holiday destination.

He was among the many thousands of people killed during the drug war launched by former president Rodrigo Duterte and continued by his successor Ferdinand Marcos.

Most victims were poor, Filipino men, according to rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating the brutal crackdown for possible crimes against humanity.

Arrest warrants had been issued for the three officers, but they were "nowhere to be found", the justice ministry said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The officers handed themselves in to authorities on February 9.

State prosecutors had filed charges of murder and planting of evidence against them last March after a review of the case cast doubt on their version of events.

The officers claimed they shot Lafuente in self-defence after he fired a gun at them during a buy-bust operation.

They were initially given a 60-day suspension from duty over the killing, according to the justice department's review panel.

The drug war has been widely condemned, but so far only three policemen have been convicted for killing a drug suspect.

Under pressure from the UN Human Rights Council and the ICC, the government has examined more than 300 cases of drug operations that led to deaths.

Lafuente's killing was among the first batch of 52 cases to be reviewed.

Former justice secretary Menardo Guevarra previously told AFP the review of those cases had cast doubt on police officers' common claim of self-defence.

The review effort is still underway and 25 officers have been charged, the current Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said in November.
Ten years have passed since the opening of the Arusha branch, in northern Tanzania, of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) charged with carrying out the residual functions of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda (ICTR) and former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Initially housed at the International Conference Centre in Arusha in offices rented by the ICTR, the "Mechanism" is now working in premises owned by the United Nations and built especially for it - at a cost of $8.7 million.

Located 20 kilometres west of Arusha, known as a starting point for safaris, the IRMCT should theoretically have tried Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in its courtroom. But the former Rwandan businessman, arrested in France on May 16, 2020, is at least 87 and is being tried at the Mechanisms other seat in The Hague (Netherlands) due to his fragile health. His trial, announced with great fanfare as the last major trial of the genocide, has quickly become as bland as it is invisible, especially in Arusha.

No audience, no access to the courtroom

A large television in the Arusha Mechanism's state-of-the-art media centre is showing the trial live, but no one is watching. In December 2022, Justice Info tried for two weeks running to follow the trial from this room, without anyone else coming in once. Sometimes we had to wait until a meeting of security staff ended in this press centre turned virtual public gallery for the trial. No reason was given as to why it was not possible to follow the trial in the public gallery of the real courtroom, where some witnesses were giving their testimony by teleconference.

The location, far from Rwanda and from the centre of Arusha, plus security hassles and bureaucracy seem to have combined to create a lack of interest in the trial.

Our correspondent alone in front of the TV screen broadcasting the trial of Felicien Kabuga, in the press centre of the Arusha Mechanism, in December 2022.

The Kabuga trial remains significant and important for the world, particularly the Rwandan victims and survivors and the African continent, said Keith Powell, the Mechanism's head of external relations, in an Email. As proceedings are broadcast online, physical presence at The Hague premises cannot accurately reflect the continued interest in the case. In fact, the case has received regular media coverage, as well as generated continued interest from victims, law schools and other educational institutions.

Powell could not, however, provide figures on the average number of people following the trial online, nor examples of such media coverage or scholarly publications.

A member of the communications department confided that a few lawyers and law students used to come and watch the trial in the beginning, but that they no longer come. This may be due to the many sessions behind closed doors. "The bureaucracy is blocking a lot of things here," said an IRMCT staff member in Arusha, who did not wish to be named. "Did you know that the communication people here, even to post a picture of a personality who has visited the Mechanism on the Twitter account, have to have the bosses approval? That sometimes comes only a long time later, when the news is already history."

On December 30, 2022, a UN General Assembly resolution did stress the importance of ensuring continued public consciousness of the events leading to the establishment of the Mechanism. But press conferences have long become rare. And the Mechanisms silence, combined with its cost, has turned it into a "white elephant" -- a term used to describe certain expensive and useless investments.

"Staff morale affected"

The trial, which has been postponed several times due to the health of the accused, was supposed to resume on January 17, 2023, after a judicial recess. But it lost of one of the three trial chamber judges, Ugandan Elizabeth Nahamya, who died on January 5 in a hospital in The Hague. American reserve judge Margaret de Guzman replaced Nahamya. Another reserve judge has just been appointed, Portuguese Ivo Nelson de Caires Baptista Rosa.

Powell, the Mechanism spokesperson, lives in The Hague. He did not grant us an interview, but wished to point out the financial constraints weighing on the Mechanism. Since January 2020, for example, the Mechanism has downsized substantially from 606 staff members to 342 staff by December 2023, he wrote, without specifying the number of staff members remaining in each branch of the institution. In 2020, the Arusha branch alone had 200 staff and an annual budget of $40 million.

Budget and contract uncertainty have "affected staff morale and led to a higher rate of staff attrition, according to the spokesman. "The budget for 2023 (both branches combined) is US$81,945,300, which represents a significant decrease," as the previous year's budget was $97,519,900.These cuts are expected to continue, as the General Assembly has said it "requests the Secretary-General [of the UN] to ensure that the Mechanism continues to take action in this regard. The situation is the same for the never-ending trial in The Hague of Serb defendant Jovica Stanisic.

Video testimony for witnesses

In Arusha, the courtroom and its state-of-the-art equipment have only been used for two hearings: former Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatwares request for review of his convictions, and a contempt of court case against people accused of witness tampering on his behalf. The courtroom was built to try three "big fish" that the ICTR never managed to get its hands on before it closed: former Rwandan Defence Minister Augustin Bizimana, ex-presidential guard commander Protais Mpiranya, and Felicien Kabuga. On May 22, 2020, the prosecutor's office confirmed  20 years after his death -- that Bizimana died in August 2000. Mpiranya's death on October 5, 2006, was confirmed on May 12, 2022 -- 16 years later.

The Arusha courtroom is currently being used for the Kabuga proceedings when necessary in addition to the Hague courtroom, according to Powell. Indeed, witnesses from Kigali in particular are giving their testimony by video-conference from this room.

No precise account of the work done

As for the UN Detention Center in Arusha (UNDF), where a room with medical facilities was set up to receive Kabuga, "the UNDF will be decommissioned and returned to the Tanzanian government in February 2023," says Powell. This prison, which critics in Rwanda have called a "five-star hotel", is next to the Tanzanian jail in Arusha, where prisoners live in much worse conditions than in the UNDF.

Apart from the Kabuga trial, the Mechanism has a continuous mandate, such as protecting thousands of witnesses across multiple countries, assisting national jurisdictions to support domestic proceedings aimed at closing the impunity gap, supporting the enforcement of sentences for convicted persons in various states in Africa and Europe, and preserving and managing the digital and physical archives of the Mechanism as well as the former Yugoslavia and Rwandan tribunals, writes Powell, without providing details.

Finally, the last major misstep by this white elephant has still not been resolved: it sent eight acquitted and released persons to Niger, but Niger then said it didnt want them and they are still blocked in Niamey. What was presented as a coup by the new clerk, Gambian Abubacarr Tambadou, quickly turned sour following an expulsion order by the Niger authorities shortly after their arrival.In a decision dated January 12, the Mechanism decided to pay them an additional ten thousand dollars, pending the hypothetical outcome of its efforts to resettle them. But the beneficiaries' bank accounts, opened when they arrived in Niamey with identity documents that were later withdrawn from them, cannot be used. The white elephant is still stuck in the mud.
Actress Cha Joo Young is booked and busy this 2023! Ahead of the premiere of her successful revenge drama "The Glory" with Song Hye Kyo, Lim Ji Yeon and more, she is currently gearing up for her brand new television drama!

She will work alongside prime time returnees Ahn Jae Hyun and Baek Jin Hee in KBS2's upcoming romantic comedy drama "The Real One Has Appeared!."

Cha Joo Young To Play Righteous Secretary In New Drama

Cha Joo Young returns to prime time with KBS2's forthcoming drama "The Real One Has Appeared!"!

Earlier this 2023, Cha Joo Young left the fans in awe with her performance as a villain in "The Glory."

Ahead of the release of the drama's second part, Cha Joo Young busies herself with a new project along with Ahn Jae Hyun and Baek Jin Hee, who both make a comeback to the limelight after four long years.

"The Real One Has Appeared!" tells the complicated romance of two opposite individuals forced to sign a contract that leads to romance, pregnancy and childrearing.

Ahn Jae Hyun plays obstetrician and gynecologist Gong Tae Kyung, a genius and charismatic doctor who doesn't believe in marriage while Baek Jin Hee takes on the role of Oh Yeon Doo, a South Korean language instructor.

In the series, Cha Joo Young transforms into Jang Se Jin, a reputable and sophisticated secretary of Bright Yuryop; a career woman with solid goals.

She's a childhood friend of Gong Tae Kyung, the only person who can tolerate his whiny personality and cold aura.

On February 15, KBS2 shared a sneak peek of Cha Joo Young's first ever drama stills. She boasts her elegant appearance and attractive face while handling her tasks at work.

Her innocent visuals truly captured the attention of the public. Attention is given to Cha Joo Young on what kind of charm she will showcase this time, after gaining recognition through "The Glory."

'The Real One Has Appeared!' Details and What You Need To Know

Cha Joo Young has appeared in many works including "The Glory," "Cheese In the Trap," "Chimera," "Again My Life" and more.

This 2023, she will diversify her career with her new acting role. Even more so, she's expected to showcase her intense synergy with her co-stars in the drama.

Ahn Jae Hyun and Baek Jin Hee, who will lead the drama, both return to the limelight through the work, raising anticipation to a new level.

On the other hand, the upcoming KBS work will be spearheaded by director Han Joon Seo and screenwriter Jo Deong Joo.

'The Real One Has Appeared!' Premiere and Where To Watch

The newest romantic comedy series "The Real One Has Appeared!" depicts the struggles of single moms, newly weds as well as new couples, and it aims to give comfort to its viewers and supporters.

The production unit of the series guarantees that the work will be enjoyed by every viewer of all ages.

"The Real One Has Appeared!" plans to release a total of 50 episodes with 70 minutes running time each. Catch it this March at 7:55 p.m. KST every Saturday and Sunday on KBS2!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Son Seok Koo and Jeon Yeo Bin showed off their sultry charms and synergy in their Marie Claire Korea pictorial, leaving fans in awe.

The two stars worked together before in the 2019 romantic comedy drama "Be Melodramatic." With their recent collaboration, fans couldn't help but swoon over them.

Son Seok Koo & Jeon Yeo Bin Boast Unstoppable Chemistry In Pictorial

The Hallyu scene was shaken when Marie Claire Korea shared Son Seok Koo and Jeon Yeo Bin's beautiful couple photos!

On February 15, the "Be Melodramatic" stars teamed up in capturing the elegant Italian beauty in a photoshoot with Marie Claire Korea, endorsing Armani Beauty's new product Prive Sangtal Dansha.

Son Seok Koo and Jeon Yeo Bin immerse in their elements, posing for the cameras for their one shot photos while wearing monochromatic colors against the sepia-toned background.

They also embody the warm scene of the perfume that has a tinge of the sunset light, giving off a sophisticated scent.

In particular, Son Seok Koo and Jeon Yeo Bin did a few couple shots which delicately paint the feelings and longing of lovers who remained as beautiful in each other's memories.

Catch the two actors' couple photoshoot in Marie Claire Korea's March 2023 issue!

Son Seok Koo & Jeon Yeo Bin On Doing Another Romance Drama

After the photoshoot, Son Seok Koo and Jeon Yeo Bin sat down with Marie Claire Korea for a brief interview. Since they portrayed the yearning love of ex-lovers in the pictorial, the two decided to play with the concept even more.

Jeon Yeo Bin even joked that they are sentimental lovers. The two revealed that she and Son Seok Koo meet each other occasionally after becoming good friends after "Be Melodramatic."

Son Seok Koo also added that they always give each other advice in life, career and even love. Because of their well-founded friendship and amazing chemistry, fans are curious whether the two of them will reunite in a new work.

The two actors said that there are no offers for them to star in the same project just yet, but they are open to work together again.

"I really loved Son Seok Koo's character in "Be Melodramatic," but he's much famous now as Mr. Gu (the actor's character in "My Liberation Notes)," Jeon Yeo Bin stated. "Although I like it, too!"

Meanwhile, Son Seok Koo is preparing for his return with the new season of "D.P." and "Murder DIEary" while Jeon Yeo Bin is currently filming her upcoming film "Cobweb" and romance series "A Time Called You."

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KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
The newest romantic series, "Love to Hate You" is establishing a strong impression abroad as it enters the list of most popular shows on Netflix!

Keep on reading to know about the drama's achievement.

Kim Ok Vin & Yoo Teo's 'Love to Hate You' Enters Netflix's Most Popular Shows Worldwide

Starring Yoo Teo and Kim Ok Vin, "Love to Hate You" is a rom-com series featuring the story of two people who don't believe in love. Yeo Mi Ran, a rookie and fierce attorney who hates losing to men, meets Nam Kang Ho, a top star who, despite being named the "God of Romance," does not trust women.

Despite them having exact opposite personalities, they find themselves being attracted to each other.

The series made its debut on screen last February 10. Since then, "Love to Hate You" has been gaining the attention of K-drama fans and viewers.

According to a report published by FlixPatrol on February 14, the newly-released K-drama ranked as the No. 2 most popular show on Netflix worldwide.

In particular, "Love to Hate You" was able to enter the top 10 daily popular content on Netflix in a total of 80 countries, including Australia, Austria, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Bulgaria, and more.

What We Know So Far About 'Love to Hate You'

"Love To Hate You" is Kim Ok Vin and Yoo Teo's first drama team-up. Both of their projects are often thriller, mystery, and action. But this 2023, they challenged finally tried out romantic comedy.

Apart from them, other brilliant stars who made an impact on the audience in 2022 also joined the star-studded cast.

K-Drama stars Kim Ji Hoon and Lee Joo Bin reunited in "Love to Hate You" following their series "Money Heist: Korea Joint Economic Area," which was also released on Netflix.

Other actors and actresses who are part of the drama are Go Won Hee, Kim Sung Ryoung, Han Seo Jun, Lee Cheol Min, Choi Dae Sung, and more. The series is directed by Kim Jeong Kwon, who joined forces to writer Choi Soo Young, the creative mind behind the script.

Unlike other K-dramas, "Love to Hate You" only has 10 episodes before. It released a new episode every Friday on the famous streaming platform Netflix.

Have you watched "Love to Hate You"? How's the K-drama so far? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramastars.

KDramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Jeon Do Yeon makes a character transformation as a single mom and a murderer as she returns to the big screen with "Kill Bok Soon."

Here's what you need to know about the forthcoming movie.

Netflix's 'Kill Bok Soon' Starring Jeon Do Yeon Entices Viewers With New Teasers

While leading the ongoing series "Crash Course in Romance," Jeon Do Yeon is ready to headline another Netflix project "Kill Bok Soon." It marks her silver screen comeback following "Emergency Declaration" in 2022.

On February 16, Netflix released the second poster and teaser of "Kill Bok Soon." The movie follows the story of Bok Soon, a legendary killer in the contract murder industry, who dies, kills, or is involved in an inevitable confrontation just before renewing his contract with the company.

The second poster gains attention with Bok Soon's appearance holding a bloody axe as if she had completed the mission requested in one hand and holding a package of groceries in the other.

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The poster shows that she is a killer from MKENT, the best company in the contract murder industry, and a single mother raising her teenage daughter, Gil Jae Young (to be played by Kim Si Ah).

In particular, there's a caption that says, "I will hide it until I die, if I can't hide it, I will kill it."

Jeon Do Yeon Becomes Killer in 'Kill Bok Soon'

Meanwhile, the teaser video begins with a phone call between Gil Jae Young and MK ENT CEO Cha Min Kyu (Seol Kyung Gu). Jae Young thinks her mom works for an event company, asks how her mom is at work, and Cha Min Kyu answers, "Your mom is good."

At the same time, the screen displays Gil Bok Soon, an ordinary mother who is shopping on her way home from work. She is filled with live music and filled with the performance of killer Bok Soon.

She uses different weapons such as axes, long swords, glass cups, ropes, and guns to overpower the opponent, foretelling a powerful action that will unfold in the movie.

"Kill Bok Soon" is scheduled to premiere starting March 31 on Netflix.

On the other hand, while waiting for the release of the movie, you can enjoy watching Jeon Do Yeon's character in the most-watched healing-romance series "Crash Course in Romance" on Netflix. It airs every Saturday and Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Love to Hate You' Ranks 2nd Most Popular Show on Netflix Worldwide

What are you excited about Jeon Do Yeon's new movie "Kill Bok Soon"? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramastars.

KDramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Italy and France pledged to send Ukraine some of their Aster 30/SAMP-T air defense batteries, a European equivalent of the American Patriot. SAMP/T is a land-based version of the original Aster 30 ship-based missile. Aster was inspired by the U.S. Navy SM (standard missile) developed in the 1960s. Aster was developed during the 1990s and entered service in 2001. SAMP/T is French for Surface-to-Air Medium-Range/Land-based (in French it is Sol-Air Moyenne-Portee/Terrestre) and entered service in 2008. European nations were slow to develop their own land-based air-defense systems because, during the cold War, they relied on Patriots predecessor, the American HAWK system. European warships used various locally developed systems, as well as the American SM missiles for long range air defense. In the decade before the Cold War ended in 1991, many European defense firms merged with each other or formed consortiums and a French-Italian group formed to develop and use Aster

In 2008 development and testing of the new SAMP/T system was completed. France and Italy were the initial users and were both slow to actually order SAMP/T batteries. Italy finally did so in 2013 and France is now in the midst of doing the same. Ukraine was promised at least one SAMP/T battery and was hoping for two. SAMP/T is in many ways a more capable version of Patriot. Unlike Patriot, SAMP/T has no combat experience. Yet SAMP/T uses the same missiles and radars and similar fire control systems to the Aster systems on European warships. These have been successfully tested against all manner of high-speed anti-ship and ballistic missiles similar to what Russia and China uses. Using SAMP/T in Ukraine would provide the combat experience needed to prove it works and encourage more export sales.

Italy has already sent its training battery to Ukraine for training. This unit has no launchers or missiles. These are being supplied by France and Italy out of their own stocks of equipment. Ukraine soldiers are already in the United States to receive training on using the Patriot batteries Ukraine is receiving.

Using the Aster 30 missile, which already operates on warships in several nations, a SAMP/T battery consists of eight vehicles. One carried the fore control center, another the AESA radar and the other six vehicles each carrying an eight-cell canister for storing and firing the half-ton missiles. Additional trucks carry reload missiles and other equipment. The radar has a range of 100 kilometers. Like the similar U.S. Patriot system, SAMP/T can knock down short range ballistic missiles, and low flying cruise missiles. The system is highly automated, requiring only two crew to operate it. Each launcher can fire all eight of its missiles in ten seconds while the control system can track a hundred targets simultaneously and control sixteen missiles simultaneously. Targets as low as 50 meters (150 feet), or as high as 18 kilometers (60,000 feet) can be detected and hit. The max range of the missiles, at high altitude targets (like incoming ballistic missiles), is 100 kilometers. At low altitude (under 3.1 kilometers/10,000 feet), max range is 50 kilometers. France has ordered twelve batteries of SAMP/T, while Italy has ordered six. The French army and air force are each getting six batteries and will conduct test firings in 2023 with deliveries starting in 2024. In other words, the Ukrainians will have and use SAMP/T in combat before most European SAMP/T crews receive it.
This year, as i n 2022 the Islamic terrorists continued to fade while tribal violence was responsible for more casualties than Islamic terrorists, whose main activity now is staying alive and survive via banditry. Back in 2004, Islamic terrorist violence in the northeast appeared and created some lasting problems. There are still millions of refugees plus substantial economic damage in the northeast (Borno State), where it all began. There seems to be no end in sight because of the local corruption, but more competent leadership in the security forces reduced the violence. All this was caused by a local group of Taliban wannabes calling themselves Boko Haram. Their activity in the capital of Borno State grew for a decade until in 2014 it seemed unstoppable. It took over a year for the government to finally muster sufficient military strength to cripple but not destroy Boko Haram. This did not get much media attention outside Africa, even though in 2014 Boko Haram killed more people than ISIL did in Syria and Iraq. The main reason for Boko Haram gains in 2014 and 2015 was corruption in the army, which severely crippled effective counterterror efforts. By itself Boko Haram was too small to have much impact on a national scale but the inability to deal with this problem put a spotlight on the corruption that has hobbled all progress in Nigeria for decades. A new president (a former general who is Moslem) was elected in early 2015 and made progress in changing the corrupt army culture but that is still a work in progress even though he was reelected in early 2019. More bad news is expected because of too many tribal feuds, not enough oil money and too much corruption creating growing unrest throughout the country. This is especially bad down south in the oil producing region (the Niger River Delta). Violence against oil facilities continues. Worse, local politicians and business leaders had taken over the oil theft business. Northern Moslems want more control over the federal government and the oil money. In northern and central Nigeria there is increasing violence as nomadic Moslem herders move south and clash with largely Christian farmers over land use and water supplies. For the last few years these tribal feuds have killed more people than Boko Haram. The situation is still capable of sliding into regional civil wars, over money and political power. Corruption and ethnic/tribal/religious rivalries threaten to trigger, at worse, another civil war and, at least, more street violence and public anger.

February 14, 2023: In the southeast (Imo state) the major pro-Biafra organization IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) is responsible for local efforts to prevent people from voting in the 2023 national elections. The army and the federal government are seeking to block these IPOB efforts. In Imo and surrounding states there is an increased army presence because renewed demands for an independent state of Biafra, dominated by Igbos and consisting of the southeastern states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Abia is once again an issue. Local politicians advised the federal government to keep the army out of this and that the best, and most possible, solution to the Biafra/Igbo separatist movement threat was to offer some autonomy instead. The Biafra (separatist) movement was revived in 2015 and at first the government ordered police to crack down. By 2016 nearly 200 Igbo had been killed by police attacks on demonstrators and anyone suspected of separatist activity. The violent response was obviously making it worse and after 2018 a gentler approach was tried.

The pro-Biafran separatists have been around and increasingly active since the 1990s. Back in the 1960s the Igbo (or Ibo) people of southeastern Nigeria considered establishing a separate Igbo state called Biafra. A brutal war followed before the separatist movement was crushed and the Igbo were warned not to try it again. Separatist attitudes were silenced but not extinguished. Pro-Biafra groups began to appear again in the late 1990s, trying to revive the separatist movement. Since then, over a thousand separatists have been killed, and many more imprisoned, while the government continues to insist that Biafra is gone forever. But as details of the extent of government corruption during the last few decades came out, Biafra again seemed like something worth fighting for. Senior government officials, including president Buhari, are paying attention, and seeking to work out a compromise with the Igbos. The Fulani are less amenable to any compromise, especially since the Fulani are Moslem and consider themselves defenders of Islam against non-believers like the Christian Igbo.

In response to the threats of violence, IPOB took the lead in protecting Igbo from anti-Biafra violence. In areas where peaceful defense measures do not work IPOB formed an armed security component, the ESN (Eastern Security Network), to defend Igbos in Imo State from Fulani and government violence. The government has responded by sending a battalion of infantry to an area thought to be a base for ESN members. This was unpopular with the locals as Nigerian soldiers are notorious for their violent behavior. These troops had been ordered to behave but that proved difficult for them to do so in the face of Igbo contempt and hostility.

Many Igbo politicians urge IPOB to become more political than militant to achieve their goals. The Igbo, because of their higher education levels and entrepreneurial skills are a growing presence in the national economy and senior civil service. Many prominent Igbo see the possibility of an Igbo president of Nigeria because there is an Igbo politician running in the next presidential election in February 2023. That did not happen even though many Igbo backed this because they believed it would do more for the Igbo than another war for an independent Biafra. Not all Biafrans agree with that assessment, but most see a Biafran president of Nigeria as a good thing. The 2023 election has a religious aspect to it because one of the leading candidates is Moslem and selected another Moslem to run for vice-president. For decades the Nigerians custom was to always have a Moslem president elected with a Christian vice president and vice versa.

February 10, 2023: The army reported that nationwide soldiers had killed 76 Islamic terrorists, rebels or tribal raiders and arrested 236 suspects in the last two weeks. The purpose of many of these operations was to find and free kidnap victims held for ransom. This was accomplished in many raids and 81 hostages were rescued.

February 9, 2023: In central Nigeria (Benue State) Fulani raiders attacked a major town, expecting to do looting but encountered unexpected resistance from soldiers and armed locals. The Fulani quickly retreated but not before six people were killed and even more wounded. Some Fulani were casualties but most were local residents caught in the crossfire. The state government reports that over 6,000 people have been killed by this kind of violence since 2017.

February 7, 2023: In the northeast (Borno State) ISWAP (Islamic State of the West African Province) and Boko Haram resumed attacking each other with ambushes and raids on each others camps. Several of these clashes left at least twenty gunmen dead. This sort of violence between Islamic terrorists has been going on since 2016 when an internal struggle triggered by Boko Haram members who believed more radical measures were required for Boko Haram to survive. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and most Boko Haram members resisted this but the radicals managed to organize ISWAP and eventually (2021) kill Shekau when a large ISWAP raiding party attacked the remote camp where the Boko Haram leader was staying. The factional dispute was declared over because of the ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) faction raid. It wasnt. The death of veteran Boko Haram leader Shekau did not lead to a reunification of Boko Haram under pro-ISIL leadership.

Shekau was killed by dissident Boko Haram members that had joined ISIL and considered any Boko Haram member who did not do the same as traitors to Islam. Shekau had been active in Boko Haram from the beginning, in the 1990s, and had been leader since 2009. Shekau was correct about ISWAP, the local ISIL affiliate, seeking to absorb Boko Haram and seemed to realize more than ISIL leaders that many Boko Haram members preferred to fight ISWAP, or simply leave the movement. ISWAP leaders backed this forced reunification idea without realizing the impact the death of Shekau would have on most Islamic terrorists in the northeast. This became obvious when the number of Boko Haram and ISWAP members abandoning Islamic terrorism increased after the merger and death of Shekau was first announced. Many of those defectors switched to organized crime and ditched their religious pretensions. This has already been happening in the last few years but the merger caused the trend to spike. Two months after the death of Shekau over 8,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP members, including many family members who lived in Islamic terrorist camps, officially surrendered, something which merely resulted in an update of government records and agreeing to answer questions about their experience with Boko Haram. Nearly all the Boko Haram/ISWAP already named as criminals and wanted for specific crimes, are leaders and could negotiate a surrender deal that could spare them any punishment at all. That has upset a lot of northern political and business leaders, but these men know that if you have enough cash and connections, you can avoid conviction. This has been the case during the last decade as more and more notorious (they often flaunted it) politicians and business magnates were prosecuted, often with the help of foreign countries, like the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and many other Western nations, who provided evidence of financial activities locally.

Boko Haram quickly appointed a new leader; Bakura Modu (or Sahaba) who had much less experience than Shekau and he moved Boko Haram headquarters from the Sambia forces to Rijana forest in neighboring Kaduna State. These changes did not stem the defections. Boko Haram and ISWAP are both beset by money problems. Over a decade of Islamic terrorist violence in the north have ruined the local economy so there are more unemployed young men who can be enticed to join the Islamic terrorist for a joining bonus of less than $2, plus the promise of more if they learn to handle an assault rifle and succeed at looting and plundering what is left to steal in the northeast. A merger of economic, not religious, convenience was one thing most Islamic terrorists could agree on.

Up until this latest series of clashes the army had reported that in January they had killed over fifty ISWAP and Boko Haram gunmen and disrupted the supply and recruiting efforts of both groups. February 6, 2023: In the southeast (Anambra state) a local tribal feud escalated into armed violence, leaving at least ten dead and many more wounded before police arrived and the armed tribesmen scattered.

February 5, 2023: In the northwest (Katsina state) the military has organized a joint force of soldiers, police and the air force to hunt down and capture or kill bandits who attacked local villages seeking loot and livestock. In some cases, the raiders were confronted by armed vigilantes who caused the raiders to flee empty handed, Villagers and vigilantes gave information on who some of the raiders were and where they were likely to be found inside nearby forests. The air force is often called in to put an area under aerial surveillance, apparently using a UAV, because the surveillance often has to continue for hours to confirm where the bandits were. The air force can then send one of their jet fighters to attack any assembled bandits using rockets and autocannon fire. Meanwhile ground troops were sent to the area to confirm the damage. This tactic often eliminates the need for a gun battle. For several years Katsina state has been the scene of some of the worst criminal activity in the country, including kidnapping and mass attacks to loot towns and kill any civilians or police who resisted.

January 26, 2023: In central Nigeria (Nasarawa state) a bomb killed 27 Fulani tribesmen. Mo one took credit for this but it is apparently related to the ongoing feuds between the Moslem Fulani and local Christian tribes. Many of the nomadic pastoralists are Fulani, a Moslem group noted for their resourceful, opportunistic and aggressive behavior. Moslem herders have been fighting Christian farmers who refuse to allow herders to graze their animals on farmland and seize control of water supplies. Nasarawa is just north of Plateau state where such violence between Moslem herders and Christian farmers is more common and has been around a lot longer. A decade ago, that violence began showing up in Nasarawa and that kept getting worse. Early in 2014 the army deployed a task force to Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states to deal with the growing activity of armed groups. The army reduced violence but did not eliminate it and the Christians accuse some army commanders of giving in to threats, or bribes, by herders to leave the armed herders alone or even assist them in their attacks on farmers. Nasarawa leaders, tribal and political, have united in supporting opposition to armed tribesmen, especially groups from other states.
Breathing your way out of stress: the simple solution to a growing epidemic

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Stress is ubiquitous, and Americans are struggling to deal with it effectively. The tag #mentalhealth on TikTok has amassed 65.5 billion views and counting.

Still not sure about that?

Answer this question quickly: What do you do when youre hungry? Many would respond that they eat; its a straightforward answer to a common experience.

But what if you tweak the question with one word: What do you do when youre stressed? This, too, is a common experience, but many may not have a really good answer.

In a country where so many are used to quick fixes and shortcuts, dealing with stress effectively requires them to do something they dread counterintuitively  to allow themselves to experience it.

According to recent data from the American Psychological Associations Stress in America survey, over three-quarters of Americans are experiencing stress that affects their physical health. Close to 73% report they have stress that affects their mental health. Alarmingly, 27% reported feeling so stressed most days that they could not function.

In a new Pew Research Center report, most parents say they are worried about their childrens mental health. An astonishing 76% of American workers reported symptoms of anxiety or depression related to work stress.

Gallups State of the Global Workforce 2022 Report found that 44% of the worlds workers experienced daily stress, an all-time high. In the United States, that number was even higher at 50%; gravely, almost one in five American workers acknowledged experiencing significant anger.

The effects of stress are costly. The White House estimated $280 billion was spent in 2020 on mental health services.

When not dealing directly with stress, negative consequences abound. Last year, 25% of people surveyed admitted to increased alcohol use, and 58% acknowledged undesired weight fluctuations due to stress. Sixty-one percent of Americans are trying to break a bad habit formed during the pandemic, including increased screen time and poor eating and sleeping habits.

Unhealthy, quick-fix responses to stress all have one commonality. Psychologists call it experiential avoidance, a phenomenon where individuals suppress or eliminate distressing experiences based on a fundamental cognitive error they make while stressed. That is, they automatically equate the presence of it with either an ominous consequence (something detrimental will surely happen to them) or an inherent character flaw (something is wrong with them).

Given the seemingly immutable nature of these thoughts, many engage in another phenomenon: displacement of emotions, which is the redirection of emotional reactions to an inappropriate target.

Due to the fundamental cognitive error many make in response to stress (something is wrong, and they cant do anything about it), they deal with stress by suppressing it by redirecting energies away to distracting activities they can control. It is a fatalistic rigid response that leaves little room for healthy agency and making change, leading to, ironically, even more feelings of stress.

This fundamental error could not be farther from the truth.

University of Wisconsins Center for Healthy Minds researchers and others found that those who more accurately reported stress levels that were aligned with their heart rate (what they called coherence) had higher levels of psychological well-being and lower levels of inflammation. In other words, greater awareness of self and body is correlated with better psychological well-being and physical health.

Awareness, coincidentally, is the first of three pillars that make up psychological flexibility. The other two are openness and valued engagement. Researchers from the U.S., Australia, and Germany recently examined 55,000 research studies targeting mental health outcomes. They concluded that psychological flexibility, or the ability to recognize and adapt to different situations, is the single most important skill for emotional health and well-being.

Awareness is the first step, and its not just being able to recognize and describe the stressful experience. The study authors describe it as attentively experiencing what they explain as the difference between talking about the flavor of an orange and actually tasting the fruit.

For example, allowing people to feel their heart beating faster and muscles tensing, while uncomfortable, is key to effectively coping with stress. That is because they learn that these reactions are simply reactions  they are not necessarily ominous  and are also normal reactions  their bodies are simply reacting to what is happening around them.

There is an effort to address stress at the policy level. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a $1 billion multiyear plan to increase inpatient psychiatric services and housing units in support of mental health care. The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services is providing grant funding for states to open Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to provide 24/7 mental health and substance abuse care.

While these are necessary services, they tend to be remedial in nature or support that happens after the stress has turned into a mental health concern. They are also expensive solutions that can take years to implement and build.

Instead, what can happen immediately is increasing awareness of the nature of stress. And that starts with one basic and simple skill that everyone can do: breathing.

Research affirms that breathing-based strategies are more effective than mindfulness meditation and cognitive strategies at reducing stress. It has been incorporated into promoting young childrens social and emotional development in schools, and it is also a godsend for parents and teachers struggling with distressed children.

Breathing helps reduce stress because stress fundamentally has a physiological component that cannot be affected by logic, which is why someone telling a person to calm down never works. Instead, controlled breathing signals to the brain relaxation, which helps to calm a person down. It allows the person to attentively experience the stress and decide on an appropriate course of action.

COVID, economic discomfort, and seasonal impacts remind everyone that stress is everywhere. It is an unfortunate part of life.

But suffering from it is not. Learning to take breaths is vital to increasing awareness of what is happening inside and outside of us. Practicing breathing allows the stress feelings to pass and offers the opportunity to be clear-headed and make better choices instead of the reactionary ones that are detrimental.

Most of all, it is free, simple, and requires minimal training.

Joseph Chen is a clinical psychologist.
As a current medical student, I often encounter students considering a health care career. Understandably, this career is appealing. Being a physician lets you make a positive impact on peoples lives, along with many other benefits. However, becoming a physician is not a straightforward decision and requires a lot of thought, consideration, and sacrifice. This blog post, written for anyone considering medical school, will explore the pros and cons of becoming a physician. But before I do that, I want to discuss some common, bad reasons to pursue this career.

Bad reason: money

One of the first things that many students consider when choosing a career path is the potential for financial stability. It is no secret that health care jobs, including medical doctors, can offer high compensation. However, it is important to note that becoming a physician or other health care provider is a long and expensive journey. Medical school is a significant financial investment and can take over 10+ years of education and training. Additionally, health care providers, such as physicians, work long hours and can face stress and burnout, leading to decreased job satisfaction. From my experience as a medical student and talking with many different physicians, this career is not worth it if you only consider the salary. There are other, better options when compared to other STEM careers like computer science or engineering.

Bad reason: external pressures

Becoming a physician is a significant and demanding commitment, and its important to consider your own motivations before embarking on such a journey. Pursuing medicine solely because your parents want you to be a doctor is not a strong enough foundation. Its critical to reflect on what you truly want and what drives you rather than simply following in someone elses footsteps. Pursuing a career because of external pressure or societal expectations can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Take the time to consider your own passions and desires truly. To help, I will have some reflection questions near the end of this article.

Alternative careers that serve others

Becoming a physician may be a great option if your primary goal is to serve others and make a positive impact. However, many ways to serve others do not involve medical school. For example, students with a strong interest in technology may consider careers in computer science. Software development provides the opportunity to create innovative solutions to improve peoples lives. Another option is a career in business management, focusing on the efficient functioning of organizations (including health care). For those interested in health care but not in direct patient care, health care administration may be a good option as well. Health care administration provides the opportunity to contribute to the health care system in a more behind-the-scenes role. There are many other options as well. Honestly, most careers in modern society will directly/indirectly serve other peoples needs, so becoming a physician is not the only path to assisting others.

The importance of passion in health care

Because of physicians immense challenges, it is critical to have a passion for health care. A career in health care, particularly as a physician, is not just a job but a calling. It requires a deep commitment to serving others, even in difficult circumstances. Health care providers work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment and are often called upon to make life-or-death decisions. They must be able to handle the emotional toll of caring for patients in their most vulnerable moments.

The reward of relieving suffering

Despite everything I have written, pursuing a career in health care can also be incredibly rewarding. Obviously, I chose this career path and would choose nothing else. Health care providers have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in peoples lives every single day. They can relieve suffering, improve health outcomes, and comfort those in need. If you enter health care for the right reasons, it can be a source of immense satisfaction and fulfillment.

Self-reflection as you consider becoming a physician

Self-reflection is important in considering whether health care is the right path for you. Evaluating your motivations and intentions in pursuing this career is important. Ask yourself questions like the ones below. Answering these questions truthfully can give you a better understanding of your own desires and motivators. Discussing your answers to these questions with a premed advisor, family member, or mentor may be helpful.

What draws me to medicine?

Am I more interested in the prestige and status of being a physician, or am I truly passionate about helping others?

Do I have a strong desire to relieve the suffering of others and make a real impact on peoples lives?

Am I willing to put in the hard work and sacrifice necessary to become a physician?

Conclusion

Becoming a physician is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of many factors. Pursuing a career in health care can be a demanding journey, but it can also be gratifying, personally and professionally. If you are considering a career as a physician, take the time to reflect on your motivations and make an informed decision based on your values, interests, and abilities.

Timothy Dillinger is a medical student.
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As a physician, I was taught to remain neutral in the public eye regarding political issues. My viewpoints and opinions do not enter my work because the work is not about me but about the person sitting across from me who seeks help. As a psychiatrist and ethicist, I treat all people with respect, compassion, and dignity. I believe in my duty to treat patients, regardless of who they are, the positions they may take, and the beliefs they may hold.

In my office, we are two humans, and I am interested in you. However, outside of my office, I feel a duty to speak out and participate in advocacy. By not speaking out, physicians abandon the public and take with them knowledge and experience that have a bearing on many of the political decisions being made today.

If we do not show up, it may seem that medical professionals are just as divided as the public on important topics such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, physicians duty to treat, suicide, and more. In truth, there is overwhelming agreement on the medical side, and these positions should be shared with the public.

Patients are clearly and repeatedly impacted by political decisions. As a physician, I do not believe we should continue to support a false barrier between politics and medicine because we are uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is okay.

As a business owner, I may be impacted by engaging in advocacy. For me, there is a personal risk because I am sure my positions differ from many of my patients. Having differences is okay. What is not okay is staying silent as people are harmed by legislation that seeks to interfere with medical care.

If I stay silent, I am causing harm. As your physician, I promise to treat you without judgment or bias. You have my unconditional positive regard, and I am honored to work with you. I hope you can trust me to always respect you, even if we differ on political issues.

Meghan Sheehan is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed fellowship training in consultation-liaison psychiatry. She is founder, Specialized Psychiatry, LLC, and can be reached on Facebook.
Irans support of Yemeni Shia rebels suffered another loss when a French warship of the international naval blockade force against Iranian smuggling of weapons intercepted another boat on January 15th. It carried 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammo and several anti-tank missiles. This follows another interception on January 6th and one in December and one on November 8th. That seizure had two American warships in the Gulf of Oman intercept and searched a fishing boat headed for Yemen from the nearby port of Jask in western Iran. Jask had become the main location where smuggler ships were loaded with hidden cargo for Shia rebels in Yemen. After a search that took a week, the well-hidden cargo of 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate (used for rocket fuel) and 100 tons of urea fertilizer (used for explosives) was found. This was the first time the international naval blockade of Yemen had discovered a smuggler transporting rocket fuel. The Shua rebels were getting this propellant for years and it was unclear how Iran was getting it to Yemen.

Previous cargoes have included Iranian naval mines since 2017. These are a recognized danger to all ships and in early 2020 shipping companies warned their ship captains that naval mines, of the contact type, were floating into the Red Sea from the north Yemen coast. That coast is off the Shia rebel home province of Sadaa and the rebels had been releasing groups of moored and un-moored mines in an effort to disrupt Red Sea shipping traffic to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The currents generally flow north in this part of the Red Sea, towards the major Saudi Red Sea port and the entrance to the Suez Canal. The Shia rebels drop Iranian moored and unmoored mines into the sea at night. These mines are designed to have their weighted base sink to the bottom of shallow (less than 20 meters) water. A chain is used to keep moored mines near the surface. Some of these contact mines were released to float on the surface while others had their chains break, turning the moored mine into a free floating one. These mines proved most dangerous to Yemeni fishing boats, including the ones Iran used to smuggle weapons in. Dozens of fishermen were killed when their boats hit one of these contact mines. These mines are a danger to blockading warships as well as commercial shipping.

Most commercial shipping is moved in very large ships on which contact mines mostly inflict only minor hull damage. During 2020 there was a major effort to locate and neutralize these free-floating mines. By the end of 2020 over 160 mines were found and neutralized. The rebels continued putting mines in the water during 2021 and the number found and neutralized remained at 2020 levels. After 2020 the mines and bomb boats continued to be used, but in smaller numbers. The use of naval mines has diminished because they are not much of a threat to warships (which are constantly on the lookout for them) and commercial ships that are too big to sink with these mines.

Iran continued to supply the rebels with GPS controlled UAVs that are turned into flying bombs for attacks on targets in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. At times the attacks on Saudi targets are heavy. There was one day when Saudi air defenses detected and destroyed 17 of these UAVs, though the rebels have never used never used swarm attacks to overwhelm air defenses. Such large but uncoordinated attacks often work inside Yemen, but rarely against Saudi targets. Iran smuggles the disassembled UAVs into Yemen on fishing boats and dhows (similar in size but just carrying cargo), where the components are easier to conceal. Some of these have been found. A growing number of smuggler boats were discovered and intercepted after the Americans developed a system for tracking such boats coming out of Iranian ports. The Americans were also obtaining more information from inside Iran about the techniques for hiding smuggled items.

All this costs Iran a lot of money. They have to pay shipyard technicians to modify the boats to carry smuggled cargo. The crews of these boats are also paid a lot for the risks of getting caught and jailed. Iran has been short of cash since economic sanctions were revived in 2020 so the now higher cost of preparing the boats and bonuses for the crews limits the amount of smuggled cargo that reaches the Yemen rebels. That expense was one of the reasons for the nationwide anti-government that began in September 2022 and continue. The IRGC (Islamic Republic Guard Corps), which guard the religious dictatorship that has ruled Iran since the 1980s, also handles Irans many foreign wars, which include Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and now Ukraine. Iran controls the leadership of the Yemen rebels, in large part because Iran supplies weapons. With that weapons pipeline disrupted during the last three months, the rebels responded by observing a ceasefire with their many opponents.

IRGC leaders were reluctant to give up gains made in Yemen and are unsure when or if they can revive support for the Yemeni Shia because of the growing economic sanctions on Iran as well as the demands of supporting Russia in Ukraine. Because of the sanctions imposed in 2017, the Quds force saw its budget cut by half ever since. This meant major reductions in Quds activities in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Yemen was always the least expensive Quds operation and did not suffer noticeable aid cuts. Yemen was the only IRGC operation that was able to attack arch-enemy Saudi Arabia directly and that counted for something. The Yemen operation was allowed to continue. This was only possible if the smuggled weapons from Iran kept getting through. The Saudis spent several years making deals with tribes in Yemen to half the land route for smuggling. It was up to the naval blockade force to cut the seaborne smugglers and now that link has been cut.

This sharply limits Irans ability to directly attack Saudi Arabia by arming Shia rebels in Yemen (over a thousand ballistic missiles and UAVs since 2016). Most of these were aimed at southwestern Saudi Arabia. Less than one percent of those UAVs and missiles hit anything of consequence in Saudi Arabia. Iran sought to carry out a similar campaign against Israel using Iran backed militias in Syria. That has worked so far because Israeli intelligence capabilities and airstrikes have been much more effective in Syria than Saudi efforts in Yemen. This despite the fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia have similar aircraft, smart bombs and air defense systems.

While not as efficient as the Israelis, Saudi pilots and ground forces have gained a lot of practical combat experience in Yemen since 2015. Saudi pilots are much more accurate and surer of themselves than they were during the first two years (2015-16). On the ground the Saudis supply artillery and troops trained to quickly and accurately request and direct air and artillery support. All these ground teams have a year or more of combat experience and it makes a difference. The Yemen ceasefire specifically includes Saudi airpower and artillery. The Yemen rebels are now at a disadvantage and are being pressured to make a peace that the Yemen government and Saudis can live with. Unless the Iranians can revive their smuggling link, the Shia rebels of Yemen will have to take whatever peace deal they can get.
Students from Kilkenny and neighbouring counties battled it out in the Primary School Debating Competition at Kilkenny Education Centre recently.

The motions ranged from School uniforms should be a thing of the past to If we really care about climate change, we should all fly less. READ MORE BELOW



More than 20 primary schools took part in the competition across Kilkenny, South Carlow and East Tipperary. Presentation Convent NS Castlecomer were worthy finalists; their team was awarded second place. St Josephs NS, Clinstown and St Leonards NS Dunnamaggin were awarded joint third place.

The overall winner of the Competition in the Kilkenny Education Centre catchment area this year, 2022-23, was Scoil Bhaile Nua Dun Leicne, Newtown, Carlow, who now progress to the national stages of the competition.

During the 2015-16 academic year, Concern Worldwide joined with participating Education Centres throughout Ireland to facilitate Primary Debating. The Concern Primary Debating Competition was set up to encourage awareness of global issues through debates about serious world topics, and to improve the level of debating skills amongst young people.

The competition is aimed at senior classes in primary schools  fourth, fifth and sixth classes. Participating schools compete against other schools on a knock-out basis, culminating with a local winner.

Concern works with table communities. The importance of education is a key theme of the work of Concern, says John OSullivan, Director Kilkenny Education Centre.

The value of debating for young people has been well researched. It encourages young people to analyse, to make sense of complex subjects. It also shows young people how to disagree with someone in a respectful and a polite way. Debating improves academic performance, research skills, the ability to prioritise. And to create evidence-based arguments; all very important skills in the modern world.

The centre is fortunate that a retired teacher/principal has agreed to act in a support capacity to schools. They wish to sincerely thank Eilis Costelloe for co-ordinating the competition in the catchment area.

Kilkenny Education Centre is very grateful to Eilis, the adjudicators, participating schools, teachers, parents/guardians, students and Concern. The Centre Director, John OSullivan, singled out one member of the Education Centre staff for her dedication and commitment.

Honorah Rochford is key to the successful running of the Kilkenny Concern Debates each year, she is an exceptional organiser and carries out her work with extraordinary professionalism, he said.

To find out more about the Concern and Kilkenny Education Centre Primary School Debating Competition visit: eckilkenny.ie and concern.net.
China registers nearly 1.6 bln trips during Spring Festival travel rush

Xinhua) 16:18, February 16, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1.595 billion passenger trips were made in China via commercial transport during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush that ended Wednesday, official data showed Thursday.

The figure marked a 50.5-percent increase over the same period in 2022 and accounted for 53.5 percent of the volume in the corresponding period of 2019, according to the Ministry of Transport. The total flow of people in the country came in at 4.733 billion in the period.

As travel demand saw a significant surge, the flow of passenger cars on expressways touched an all-time high.

According to the ministry, the holiday travel was carried out in a safe and organized manner, with strict adherence to epidemic prevention measures.

The travel season, also known as "chunyun," kicked off on Jan. 7 and saw many Chinese people traveling to reunite with their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which fell on Jan. 22 this year.

Out of all modes of commercial transportation, road trips stood at 1.169 billion, marking the fastest year-on-year growth of 55.8 percent. The railway industry reported the best recovery as the number of trips touched 348 million, recovering to 85.5 percent of the 2019 level.

Waterway and aviation trips both surged over 30 percent from a year ago to 22.452 and 55.214 million, respectively.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Overcast with showers. Becoming windy for the afternoon. High 49F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies. Windy this evening. Low near 35F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
President Joe Biden, here in Washington, DC, on February 10, will undergo a routine physical on Thursday.
Michigan State Rep. Ranjeev Puri's anger spilled over onto social media hours after the Michigan State University shooting took place. Puri made headlines for saying f**k your thoughts and prayers in a news release he tweeted advocating for gun reform.
FDA advisers vote in favor of making opioid overdose antidote available over the counter
No survivors reported after a military helicopter crash in Madison County, Alabama, on February 15, according to the county sheriff's office.




President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo make a toast at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, July 28, 2022. Korea Times file





By Lee Kyung-min







The possibilities of growth are endless from strengthened ties between Korea and Indonesia with a future-oriented vision underpinned in large part by greater partnerships in the areas of trade, investment and labor force utilization, the Southeast Asian country's ambassador said Thursday.







"Korea's business opportunities in Indonesia are simply endless," said Gandi Sulistiyanto, ambassador of Indonesia to Korea. He was the key speaker of The Korea Times Global Business Club held at the Korea Press Center, Thursday. Dignitaries and business executives were also in attendance. The Indonesian incorporated team at the embassy of Indonesia in Seoul prepared the ambassador's speech presentation.







Thursday's event was the first in a series of business forums organized by The Korea Times. Four upcoming throughout the year will share insight into key issues in Japan, China and Saudi Arabia.















Anchoring the rosy prospect is Indonesia's Vision 2045 whereby six game-changing strategies will be mapped out to help the country achieve a green and low-carbon economy, capital relocation and digital transformation.







The overarching objective will be bolstered further by six investment priorities that place greater weight on the enhanced management of labor-intensive industries, export-oriented industry, renewables, infrastructure building, digital economy and natural resource value-adding industries.






Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
MBABANE  Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini says it is not everyone who wants the opening of the fifth session of the 11th Parliament to be a success.

Dlamini made this assertion when emphasising on the point that people who will be attending the event should maintain a high level of respect, more especially because it would be broadcast live on different platforms and would reach an international audience. The PM made his address after the final rehearsals of the official opening of Parliament by His Majesty King Mswati III, which will be held tomorrow. The King is expected to address the nation and give a highlight on the direction the country will take going forward.

Speech

As previously mentioned by the Speaker in the House of Assembly, Petros Mavimbela, this years Speech from the Throne would be significant in that it did not only mark the resumption of Parliament business and policy direction, but also the final speech for the 11th Parliament from 2018 to 2023. Dlamini said there should be no pushing and shoving for the Kings attention, as that would not paint a good picture to the international audience, but people should respect boundaries and know where to move. Those who will be delivering speeches should stick to the time allocated to them. The audience may get all excited by ones speech, so much that they might be tempted to extend beyond, but time should be respected, he said.

Allocation

On the issue of time allocation, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini mentioned that the pastor, who will deliver a sermon prior to the speech from the throne, will have five minutes, while she will request the head of State to address the nationin 10 minutes.

The head of government forwarded his appreciation to the evident effort made by all stakeholders in ensuring that preparations for the event were done to everyones satisfaction. He encouraged those involved in the preparations to continue with the good work even today to ensure that everything went smoothly tomorrow. Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba said all was set except for the final touch ups on decorations at the marquee.
Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], February 16 (ANI): The All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress on Thursday announced the names of 10 women candidates for the upcoming Meghalaya Polls.

The 10 women candidates are - Jhanika Siangshai, Rona Khymdeit, Bethleen Dkhar, Venetia Pearl Mawlong, Dr Banidashisha Kharkongor, Lakyntiew Sohklet, Pynhunlang Nongrum, Victorealness Syiemlieh, Deborah C Marak, and Uttora G Sangma.

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According to a statement from the Congress, this time in Meghalaya the Congress Party fielded ten women candidates who are accomplished women in their own right. The youngest is 28 years old. We are happy that they have come forward to serve the people of Meghalaya through the Congress Party. We also appeal to the women of Meghalaya to come forward and support our women candidates.

We would also like to mention that the Congress party has always encouraged women in politics. We have had women MLAs, Women Cabinet Ministers in Meghalaya, working president at the party level, women Rajya Sabha MP, member of the National Women Commissions from Meghalaya. Congress Party acknowledges the importance of women's participation in the decision-making process in governance, the statement added.

Also Read | Earthquake Preparedness in Delhi: Everyone Concerned About Safety of Lives, Says High Court.

Mentioning that the Congress party is sensitive to the need of women of Meghalaya to have a meaningful source of income with which they will be able to sustain themselves and their families, it said, "Women in Meghalaya are known to be hardworking and efficient. Yet it is observed that many women still have a long way to go to become totally self-reliant and financially empowered. When a woman is self-reliant she can be a decision-maker for herself and her children's and her family's future."

"We understand that the needs of women change across age groups and we will work with women for their empowerment. Keeping this in mind Congress Party has proposed initiatives to improve women's lives," it added.

Pointing out that although the 2018 manifesto of the National People's Party (NPP) promised the empowerment of women in the state, the data tells us another story.

"The 5th round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5 2019-20) has exposed the condition of healthcare in Meghalaya regarding Maternal and Child Health, child vaccinations, and other aspects. Only 26 per cent of children under the age of 12 months have received any immunization," it said.

"Maternal Mortality rate is 197 per 100000. The infant Mortality Rate stands at 34 per thousand. The NPP has claimed that Institutional Delivery in the State has gone up to 64 per cent but the latest data from NFHS 5 shows that Institutional delivery in the state is only 58 per cent (as per NHFS) which is much lower than the national average of 88.6 per cent (NHFS 5)," it added.

Polls will be held in both the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland on February 27 while the counting is scheduled 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)
New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) The AAP on Thursday said it "respectfully disagrees" with a city court's decision to dismiss the bail application of its communications in-charge Vijay Nair in a Delhi excise policy-related money laundering case.

The party, in a statement, said that it will be challenging the order through an appeal

Also Read | Doordarshan DG @Mayank23Agrawals Welcome Address at #DDDialogue #Budget2023   Latest Tweet by DD News.

The court of Special Judge M K Nagpal also dismissed the bail applications of four others -- Sharath Reddy, Abhishek Boinpally, Benoy Babu and Sameer Mahendru -- in the case, saying the stage was not set to grant them bail.

"The whole narrative of a scam taking place in the liquor policy is a total sham and smacks of political vendetta. We respectfully disagree with the court's bail order passed today and will be challenging it through an appeal," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on the court's decision to reject Nair's bail.

Also Read | Jal Jan Abhiyan: Water Security Major Concern, India Should Revive Ancient Connect with Nature, Says PM Narendra Modi.

"We have full faith in the judiciary and are confident that the courts will eventually prove that this case is nothing but a sham," the party said.

The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation FIR.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other excise department officials were also named as accused in the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) FIRs.

(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 16 (ANI): Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Thursday launched an intensive campaign to clean the Yamuna floodplains as part of the mega drive to clean and rejuvenate River Yamuna as mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Saxena, along with East Delhi MP, Gautam Gambhir, President of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), Sunil Sethi, senior officials of all government agencies and departments, students and city residents, launched the cleanliness drive from the Yamuna Flood Plains at Qudsia Regulator near ISBT, Kashmere Gate.

Also Read | Delhi Hit-and-Run Case: Woman Mercedes Runs Over Woman Standing on Road in Anand Vihar, Accused Arrested.

On this occasion, the Delhi LG also inducted a company of the Territorial Army into the Yamuna Cleaning Operations in Delhi, who will ensure that the stretch of Yamuna floodplains that has been cleaned, does not get encroached upon again.

The Territorial Army, provided by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), will take over the operations from Friday.

Also Read | US: Fairmount Heights Officer Has Sex With Woman in Custody, Gets Jail Time.

In the first phase of this drive, cleaning of the stretch of Yamuna from Qudsia Regulator to ITO will be taken up and later on Yamuna Flood Plains upto Okhla Barrage will be cleaned.

As part of the drive, garbage mounds and all illegal encroachment on the Flood Plains will be removed. The agencies, under the guidance of LG, Saxena, will also introduce an innovative "Drain BOD Reducing" technique under which pieces of stones and lime-stones will be put along the drains falling into Yamuna at short distances.

These stone pieces will absorb the heavy particles, prevent it from falling into the river and oxidize the water, which in turn, will reduce the BOD level of water at that particular point.

The trial of the "Drain BOD Reducing" technique is first being done on ISBT Drain and gradually, it will be replicated at other locations. The agencies will also install a floating boom and conveyor system at the Qudsia Regulator Flood Plain to collect and remove the garbage from the river.

Saxena lauded the students for actively participating in the cleaning of Yamuna and described them as the Brand Ambassadors of the Yamuna Rejuvenation Mission.

Responding to the LG's call, these students from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women and BR Ambedkar University vowed to lend their active support in creating awareness on Yamuna cleaning.

Speaking on the occasion, LG Saxena appealed to all stakeholders including the government agencies and the people to make concerted efforts to realize the dream of 'Clean Yamuna', which has been lying in a pathetic condition despite the direct monitoring of the Supreme Court and the NGT for the last nearly 03 decades.

He exuded confidence that with the people's support, a sea change in the condition of Yamuna will be visible in the next 06 months.

LG Saxena said a massive operation to trap the drains falling into Yamuna, desilting of the trunk and peripheral sewer lines and upgradation of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), was already underway following the decisions taken in the 1st meeting of the High-Level Committee, constituted by the NGT vide order dated January 9, 2023.

The LG appreciated the sustained efforts made by various agencies as a result of which a 17 Km stretch of Najafgarh Drain, which is the biggest polluter of River Yamuna, has been completely cleaned and 13 drains falling into it have been completely trapped. This has resulted in the reduction of BOD level by 30 per cent in just five months.

On the instructions of the LG, surprise checks are being conducted at water-polluting units across the City and in the last 03 weeks, 12 such units have been penalized by way of disconnecting their water and power supply and a heavy cost of Rs 53 lakh has been imposed. (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 [India], February 16 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday described the "dumping of information" as "another way of invasion" and called for bold and effective steps to neutralize it.

The Vice President while underlining the need to remain alert to effectively counter the doctored narratives to run down India's growth story, said that the country does not have the luxury of "delayed response".

Also Read | Tripura Assembly Elections 2023: Key Constituencies To Watch Out for in Triangular Fight.

VP Dhankhar interacted with a group of Indian Information Service (IIS) probationers at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas on Wednesday and asked them to be "real protectors of democracy and nationalism."

"India is on the rise, sinister designs are there to set afloat a narrative by free fall of information, we have to be alert, this is another way of invasion. We have to boldly neutralize it. We can't allow the free fall of doctored narratives to run down India's growth story," the Vice President said.

Also Read | Rajasthan Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh Declines Comment on Colleague's Advice To Sell Beer in Hotels.

Praising the role of IIS officers in fighting misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic and in addressing vaccine hesitancy, Dhankhar told young officer trainees to remain ever-alert and vigilant as things get viral in a split second these days.

Addressing the officers, Dhankhar described India as the land of opportunities and investments and highlighted the role of effective communication in further enhancing these strengths.

The Indian Information Service is a Central Group 'A' Service whose members work as media managers for the Government of India. The IIS officers, in their various capacities, act as a vital communication link between the Government and the citizens of the country by way of disseminating information and communicating various Government policies and schemes to the public at large.

Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary to the Vice President, Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi, DG, IIMC, IIS officer trainees of 2020, 2021 & 2022 batches and senior officials were present. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Shalini Bharadwaj

New Delhi [India], February 16 (ANI): The Union Health Ministry is in the process to introduce and develop a curriculum for students for raising awareness about organ donation.

Also Read | Meticulous Planning, Exhaustive Reviews, CAPF in All PSs Help in Ensuring Largely   Latest Tweet by PIB India.

According to official sources, "For raising awareness about organ donation, the government is working to develop a curriculum for school children."

The curriculum will include concepts about organ and tissue donation.

Also Read | Delhi Hit-and-Run Case: Woman Mercedes Runs Over Woman Standing on Road in Anand Vihar, Accused Arrested.

"It is a work in progress, however mainly basic concepts about organ and tissue donation and Brain stem death," the official sources said.

The awareness will likely be only for the higher class and a draft regarding the curriculum is under discussion with senior officials.

The Union Health Ministry is working on a 'One Nation, One Organ allocation' policy in consultation with states to come up with uniform guidelines for criteria on registration, and other aspects that are required for organ donation.

The Ministry held the first meeting on January 9 with states regarding the changes in guidelines and criteria. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 16 (ANI): An infiltrator has been neutralized in the Saidpora forward area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said on Thursday.

Two rifles, ammunition, and currency notes have been also recovered from the encounter site, they said.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Man Kills Sisters Paramour in Rajkot, Dumps Body in Farm.

"During the preceding night, based on a specific input generated by Kupwara police, a joint team of Army and Police intercepted an infiltrating group in Saidpora forward area. The joint team has neutralized one infiltrator," the Kashmir Zone police said in a tweet.

Search for more such infiltrants in the area is still underway, police said.

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Talking to ANI, Kupwara Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yougal Mangas said, "J-K Police and Army intercepted an infiltration attempt by terrorists at night in the Saidpora area of Kupwara district and killed one terrorist. The search operations are underway. Two rifles, ammunition, and currency notes have been recovered from the encounter site."

More details are awaited.

Earlier on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police in a joint operation with the Army arrested an associate of the proscribed terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pulwama and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the possession of accused Showkat Ahmed, resident of Naina in Bhatpora.

The action was taken after receiving information regarding the delivery of a consignment of weapons in Pulwama area. A special team of police and Army (55RR) was immediately deployed covertly at different suspicious locations, police added.

A case has been registered in the Litter police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and further investigation is in progress, police had informed. (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, February 16: In the wake of the recent demolition drive in Mehrauli through the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Kejriwal government has stepped in to provide immediate aid and relief to the hundreds of victims left homeless.

The DDA had initiated a large-scale demolition of homes in the Ladha Sarai village under the pretext of a disputed demarcation of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The move left hundreds of persons without shelter or basic amenities.

This comes after, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena directed to stall the ongoing demolition drive in South Delhi's Mehrauli and Ladha Sarai villages.

Opposing this unilateral move by the DDA, the Delhi government intervened to stop the demolition and ordered a fresh demarcation of the disputed area through orders of Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot. Mehrauli Demolition: Women Protesters Throw Chilli Powder at Delhi Police During DDA's Anti-Encroachment Drive; Detained (Watch Video).

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved a proposal to provide affected families with tents, food, blankets, and other essential supplies but the file is now pending with Lieutenant Governor. Just a day ago, Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot sent a proposal to Chief Minister seeking to address the concerns of the affected families, who had lost their homes.

In his proposal, the Revenue Minister apprised the Chief Minister of the recent developments that had taken place in the matter so far. On February 9 and 10, the government received representations from the residents of the affected area and MLA Somnath Bharti regarding the drive.

It was stated in the said representations that the demarcation carried out was illegal and void-ab-initio and was neither done in accordance with law nor the principles of natural justice that were followed prior to the same.

It was also learnt that the DDA had issued a demolition order on December 12, 2022, under the pretext of a demarcation requested by the DDA in 2021. As per newspaper reports, the said demolition drive was started by the DDA on February 10, 2023, while recklessly demolishing various old constructions alleging that they stood up on government land.

Subsequently, the Revenue Minister directed the DM (South) to intervene and conduct a fresh demarcation of the land on February 11, 2023. The DM was directed to conduct the demarcation in view of observations made by the Delhi High Court in a related case as well as those of the Supreme Court in the recent Haldwani Railway Land Encroachment Case.

The Revenue Minister also directed the DM to inform the DDA regarding the order so the demolition drive could be stopped till the fresh demarcation was done. However, the Revenue Minister learnt through various news reports that the directions had not been complied with and the demolition was going on.

On February 14, 2023, the Revenue Minister again directed the DM to strictly adhere to the directions after which the demolition drive was stopped. Demonstrating his commitment to protect the interests of Delhiites, CM Kejriwal today approved the proposal sent by the Revenue Minister to provide immediate aid and relief to the affected families.

The Delhi Government intends to extend all possible help to the families including the provision of essential supplies, tents, food, and blankets along with basic amenities. The file has been sent to the LG and is now pending with him. Mehrauli Demolition Drive: Bulldozers Raze Houses, Jolt People's Lives in Myriad Ways.

Thanking the Chief Minister for his swift action, Gahlot said, "I am extremely grateful to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for swiftly approving the proposal to provide aid to the victims affected by the Mehrauli demolition drive. The Chief Minister's support underscores his commitment to ensuring that the Delhi government takes all necessary steps to protect the interests of its citizens. I am confident that the government's interventions will help bring relief to the affected families and help them through this difficult time."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Feb 16 (PTI) A militant was killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.

"During the preceding night, based on a specific input generated by #Kupwara police, joint team of Army & #Police intercepted an infiltrating group in Saidpora forward area. The joint team has #neutralised one #infiltrator," police said in a tweet.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Indian Railways Team Helps Woman Deliver Baby in Sleeper Coach of Farakka Express Train at Varanasi Junction.

It said search operation was going on in the area.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Goods Train Collide Head-On Near Sultanpur Junction, Lucknow-Varanasi Route Affected.

(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, February 16: Ahead of the Assembly election at the end of this month Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit poll-bound Meghalaya on February 24.

As per a BJP source, PM Modi will address a rally in Tura on the 24th of February. He will also hold a roadshow as a part of the election campaign in Shillong same day where the BJP hopes to secure a large vote share. As per the Nagaland BJP source, the PM will visit Nagaland and hold a mega rally there. Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023: JP Nadda Releases BJP Manifesto, Party Promises Income Support for Women, Increased Pension and More.

"PM will also address a public rally to boost the election campaign. Meeting with BJP leader of Meghalaya is also in schedule", sources added. This is the first visit of PM Modi to Meghalaya in 2023. BJP source said that the BJP's election plan has been development and employment in a state with little of either.

These, along with corruption, have been the themes in speeches of Union minister and ex-Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, who campaigned in Meghalaya recently. He also hinted at the Sangma families' "nepotism", both of which have a number of members in the fray.

Earlier BJP President JP Nadda on Wednesday released the party's election manifesto for Meghalaya in the state capital Shillong. The manifesto promises implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in Meghalaya and the timely disbursal of salaries of government employees and many other promises in favour of the state.

Elaborating on the manifesto titled 'eMpowered Meghalaya', Nadda said the 'M' in its name signifies "Modi for Meghalaya". Speaking at the unveiling of the party's poll pledges, the BJP national president said the potential of the Northeast state, which is rich in culture and tradition, hasn't been suitably harnessed and utilised to date. Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023: From Polling to Results and Nail-Biting Fight Between Congress and NPP, Know Key Facts About the State Polls Held in 2018.

He said there is a lot to be done in the state as there is plenty of scope for development."Corruption is also a major issue, which has posed a hindrance to the development of Meghalaya," Nadda said. He added that the BJP wants to work towards a corruption-free Meghalaya by delivering strong governance.

He added that a strong Meghalaya could only be created by a strong BJP government.

"We need to raise visions of Mega Meghalaya, we have to think big. Speed, scale and skill, all have to come together if we are to take Meghalaya to its promised state," the BJP national president said. The BJP will enhance the benefit under the Centre's flagship 'Kisan Samman Nidhi' scheme by adding Rs 2,000 to the already allocated amount of Rs 6,000 annually.

"For women empowerment, we have promised to introduce the 'Ka Phan Nonglait' scheme for our mothers, sisters and daughters. It is named after the first freedom fighter in the Khasi Hills.At the birth of a girl child, a bond of Rs 50,000 will be provided to the family and the child will be provided with free education from KG to PG, he said, adding that 2 free LPG cylinders would also be provided annually for the beneficiaries of the 'Ujjawala' scheme.

Special Economic Zones will be established for the empowerment of youth and many industrial units will be set up in the state to generate employment opportunities, he added. Polls will be held in both the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland on February 27 while the counting is scheduled on March 2.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
MANZINI- A Mozambican businesswoman has been accused of allegedly trafficking a woman from Mozambique, subjecting her to harsh working conditions not paying her January salary.

The names of the parties involved are known to this publication but are deliberately withheld because no formal charges have been laid against the businesswoman. According to a source, the businesswoman allegedly trafficked a 21-year-old woman from her country in August last year. The source purported that the woman was promised good pay. It was alleged that the woman was made to work as a helper for the businesswoman, who would not allow her to visit home since her employment.

Fired

It was further alleged that when the employee accidentally broke her employers teapot lid, she was told that she would not be paid and later fired. The matter was then reported to the Manzini Police Station, where officers are still engaged in investigations. It was gathered that the employer, upon being engaged by police officers together with the woman, paid her former employee. When reached for comment, the businesswoman said the allegations were untrue. It is not the truth, nothing is the truth, she said.

She also supposed that she was aware of who was behind the allegations, and that they were political. The businesswoman said certain people were fighting her for winning in the elections but did not reveal which they (elections) were. The businesswoman said 85 per cent of Mozambicans staying in the country were without legal documents. As a result, she said she did not even wish to talk about the matter. She told this reporter that she would go to the police station to report that this publication had called her. The businesswoman reiterated that she had not trafficked anyone and did not wish to be involved in such offences.

Promised

When queried further on the allegations, the businesswoman concede that she had an employee at her home whom she had since fired and promised to pay on a later date. She maintained that it was not true that she had trafficked anyone and disclosed that she had paid the employee in the presence of officers at the police station. I paid her in front of the police officers because I was avoiding any noise between the two of us. The police station is not a place to pay someone but I chose that, she said.

President of the Mozambican Association in Eswatini Domingo Thomo said he went to record a statement at the police station upon being informed that a fellow Mozambican had been trafficked from Mozambique into the country last August. Thomo said the person who reported the matter was one James Sithole, who was responsible for the welfare of Mozambicans in Manzini.

I was told that the businesswoman trafficked the woman after promising her a job in the country, he narrated.

Thomo said he was told that the woman accidentally broke a teapot lid and her employer took her to task. He alleged that the employer demanded that she should go to look for a shop where the teapot was sold and buy it to replace it. He narrated that the employee was not even paid but fired.

It is then that she reported the matter to Sithole, who then called and filled me in. We then decided to report the matter to the police, he said. Thomo said as a leader of the Mozambican community, they strongly encouraged their fellow countrymen to have legal documents when they came into the country for various jobs.

Buried

This is because we have buried over 100 Mozambicans without legal documents, and as it is, about 80 corpses are still in the mortuary because they are unidentified, he said. The president condemned the employers alleged deed. He expressed his wish for the officers of the law to work on the matter such that the accused was brought to court.

He questioned how one could employ someone who was without legal documents and then subject them to harsh conditions and later not paying them.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that such a matter was brought to the attention of the police, but no elements of crime had been picked. Vilakati said they would collect statements to ascertain if there was any crime.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) The Supreme Court is allegedly being used as a "tool" by anti-India forces, RSS-linked weekly Panchjanya has said while criticising the apex court for issuing notice to the Centre over pleas challenging its order to block social media links to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After efforts to "save" terrorists in the name of human rights, creating "hurdles" in India's growth in the name of environment, now it is being tried that forces against the country should have the right to do propaganda against it in India itself, an editorial in the latest edition of the magazine said.

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Citing the apex court notice to the Centre on the BBC documentary, the editorial alleged, the "Supreme Court was created for safeguarding the interests of our country but it is being used as a tool by the opponents of India in their efforts to clear their way."

The Supreme Court runs on taxpayers' money and works according to Indian law for the sake of the country, it noted.

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Dubbing the BBC documentary as a "propaganda" to defame India, the editorial said it is "false" and "based on fiction".

The editorial also stated that all anti-national forces take advantage of the provisions of "our democracy, our generosity, and our civilisational standards," against us.

The Supreme Court has last week dismissed a plea seeking the imposition of a complete ban on the BBC in India in the wake of the controversial documentary, terming the petition "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless".

Another set of petitions challenging the government's decision to block the documentary will be heard in April next.

On January 21, the government issued directions to block multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the documentary.PTI JTR

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday wrote a letter to DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh asking him to cancel interviews for permanent faculty, scheduled in some of the 28 colleges fully or partially funded by the state government.

The minister in the letter alleged that the appointments were being made without the government's consent, and that such decisions create a financial implication on the state government.

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"Interviews for permanent posts are being held in some of the 28 colleges funded by GNCTD. I understand the importance of conducting interviews for filling up important teaching posts but any financial decision taken for these colleges creates a financial implication on GNCTD as well.

"Therefore, scheduled interviews must be cancelled with immediate effect," the letter read.

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Sisodia in the letter also instructed Yogesh Singh to not take any financial decision without the approval of a full-fledged governing body which has adequate representation from GNCTD.

"In light of the importance of filling up teaching positions, the process for forming governing bodies in 28 GNCTD colleges shall be expedited. Any decision with financial implications, including on hiring for the permanent posts in the colleges, must be taken after approval from a fully functioning governing body," he said.

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Kolkata, Feb 16 (PTI) With a population of around nine crore and cumulative debt of Rs 5.86 lakh crore, debt per capita in West Bengal stands at a conservative estimate of more than Rs 60,000.

When the ruling Trinamool Congress assumed office in 2011, the total debt of the state stood at Rs 1.97 lakh crore.

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In the budget for 2023-24 presented in the state assembly on Tuesday, the West Bengal government has proposed to raise money from the market to the tune of Rs 79,000 crore, compared to the 2022-23 revised figure of Rs 75,000 crore.

Noted economist Ajitava Ray Chaudhuri said, "The present generation has contracted such a debt stock which has to be repaid by the future generation".

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"If a such high debt is backed by equivalent assets created, the burden on future generation will be lower," Ray Chaudhuri said.

The state's tax revenue for the year 2023-24 is also projected to be Rs 89,000 crore, in contrast to Rs 79,500 crore in the revised figure for 2022-23. PTI dc

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) State-owned HAL and Bharat Forge Limited have signed an agreement for development and production of aerospace grade steel alloys.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the ongoing Aero India show in Bengaluru on Thursday, the two entities said in a joint statement.

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"Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Foundry & Forge (F&F) Division, Saarloha Advanced Materials Pvt Ltd (Saarloha) and Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), signed an MoU for collaboration in development and production of aerospace grade steel alloys," it said.

"Manufacturing of specialty steel would play a significant role in realising the success of national aerospace & defense programmes under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative," R K Goyal, Director at Saarloha, said.

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There are very limited approved/qualified domestic suppliers for various types of aerospace grade steel alloys used in aircraft applications. Due to this, such alloys are getting imported, creating dependency on foreign steel manufacturers, Guru Biswal, CEO - Aerospace Division of Bharat Forge, said.

According to M S Venkatesh, Executive Director - F&F at HAL, the development of aerospace grade raw materials in the country will help HAL in maintaining its commitment to armed forces and will also reduce nation's dependency on foreign OEM's (original equipment manufacturers) with respect to raw materials.

Saarloha and Bharat Forge Limited are part of Kalyani Group.

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Former Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Thursday said the Budget should have focused more on asset monetisation and privatisation, besides allocating more funds to the social sector schemes.

Finance Mininster Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha on February 1.

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Participating in a discussion on 'Union Budget 2023 and Beyond' organised by Ananta Centre, Kumar said, "there should be (have been) a lot more focus on privatisation and asset monetisation, which I do not find reference to here (Budget)".

He also said Rs 51,000 crore disinvestment target is way too low.

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"And in some sense, I feel that the space for private investment, actually has been shrinking in the economy. And I think that's something which can also be seen in the fact that we brought the commercial bank credit growth in double digits finally, but the commercial bank credit to industry is still in the very mid single digits, hardly any demand for credit at all," he said.

He suggested that funds raised through asset monetisation should be used to retire public debt.

For the next fiscal 2023-24, the Budget has pegged disinvestment revenue at Rs 51,000 crore.

The government has also scaled down the disinvestment target for the current fiscal to Rs 50,000 crore, from Rs 65,000 crore budgeted last year.

Further, about Rs 10,000 crore is expected to come from monetisation of government assets in the current year and well as in the next fiscal.

Expressing his views on the Budget during the discussion, Naushad Forbes, Chairman of Ananta Aspen Centre and Co-Chairman of Forbes Marshall, said the Budget is for India growing at 5, 6 or even 7 per cent.

"So having a budget that did no bad is a good thing. And it is an achievement and something that we should appreciate," Forbes said.

According to him, the Budget talks about fiscal consolidation, shifts towards capex in spending, and continues transparency on bringing more and more expenditure items into the budget and not leaving them off budget.

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Mumbai, Feb 16 (PTI) Merger-bound mortgage lender HDFC on Thursday concluded its rupee-bond sale through the private placement route, mopping up Rs 25,000 crore.

HDFC said it has raised Rs 25,000 crore of 10-year money by issuing non-convertible debenture (NCDs) carrying a coupon rate of 7.97 per cent per annum. This translates to a spread of 49 basis points over Wednesday's closing of the 10-year government securities yield.

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The issue was launched on Tuesday on the electronic book platform to raise Rs 5,000 crore with an option to retain subscription for additional Rs 20,000 crore.

"Today, as the bids opened, there was wide participation from several high-quality investors across insurance companies, pension funds, provident funds, banks and mutual funds. The issue was oversubscribed and received 92 bids amounting to Rs 27,863 crore, of which the company retained 55 investor bids totalling to Rs 25,000 crore," the issuer said.

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Housing demand continues to be strong throughout the country and across all categories -- affordable to premium housing. "Our housing penetration is one of the lowest in the world and the mortgage to GDP ratio is about 11 compared to over 20 in many other emerging markets and over 60 in some of the advanced economies," said V S Rangan, an executive director of the lender.

HDFC is awaiting regulatory approvals for its reverse merger with its banking subsidiary in a USD 50-billion deal announced last year. The companies expect to close the transaction in the second quarter of the year.

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Hindustan Zinc is planning to get in touch with the mines ministry to resolve the differences over the acquisition of overseas assets of holding company Vedanta Ltd, Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra said.

Valuation of the assets is among several concerns flagged by the government, which holds a 29.54 per cent stake in Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) that was privatised more than two decades ago.

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The meeting is expected shortly, Misra said.

"...we are reading in various newspapers about the comments of various minority shareholders. I have not met anybody personally. Once I meet them and know exactly what is their view then may be I can comment. I won't be able to offer any comment on other's comments which I can't verify personally," Misra told PTI.

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According to a source, the objections on the proposal were raised by all three government directors in the nine-member HZL board.

Misra further said that the "board meeting deliberations by law are also only the output of the board meeting that gets filed, so we don't comment on what happened inside the board room."

Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta had last month said it will sell its global zinc assets to Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) for cash consideration of USD 2,981 million.

The source had further said, "The ownership of both the companies lies with Vedanta. Therefore, there is no need to buy the overseas asset."

Vedanta holds 64.92 per cent equity share of HZL.

Subject to receipt of timely regulatory approvals, the transaction is likely to be completed in a phased manner over a period of 18 months.

Hindustan Zinc is an integrated producer of zinc, lead and silver.

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New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Shares of ONGC and Oil India jumped on Thursday after the government reduced the levy on domestically-produced crude in line with the softening of international oil prices.

ONGC stock rallied 5.66 per cent to settle at Rs 155.85 apiece on the BSE.

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Shares of Oil India jumped 5.21 per cent to end at Rs 260.50 each.

Upstream oil companies gained as a result of the slash in windfall tax, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, said.

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The BSE benchmark ended 44.42 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 61,319.51.

The government has cut windfall profit tax on export of diesel and ATF to their lowest while also reducing the levy on domestically-produced crude in line with the softening of international oil prices, according to an official order.

The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been cut to Rs 4,350 per tonne from Rs 5,050 per tonne, the order dated February 15 said.

Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuels like petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

The government has also cut the tax on export of diesel to Rs 2.5 per litre from Rs 7.5, and the same on overseas shipments of ATF to Rs 1.50 a litre from Rs 6 a litre.

The new tax rates come into effect from February 16.

The reduction follows an increase in the levy effected earlier this month.

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Brasilia, Feb 15 (AP) Brazil's Federal Police on Wednesday were carrying out a court order to seize more than 2 billion reais ($384 million) related to about 13 tons of gold mined illegally in the Amazon rainforest, then exported through an unnamed U.S.-based company.

Police said in a statement they were also executing 27 search warrants and three arrest warrants in seven states and the Federal District related to the investigation.

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The operation forms part of a fresh crackdown on illegal Amazon gold mining in the wake of the government announcing a health emergency for Yanomami Indigenous people caused by prospectors.

Gold extracted from the Amazon is usually brought to nearby cities and sold to financial brokers that are regulated by Brazil's central bank. All that's required to transform the raw ore into a tradable asset is a handwritten document attesting to the specific point in the rainforest where the gold was extracted, but which is virtually impossible for the broker to verify.

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The police statement said the criminal organization used shell companies to issue fraudulent receipts and lend the appearance of legality to purchases of gold in excess of 4 billion reais between 2020 and 2022.

The unnamed American company sold the gold onward to buyers in Italy, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

There has been increasing awareness that the current lack of transparency surrounding the purchase of gold contributes to illegality. This week, Brazil's central bank told the Supreme Court that it is discussing a new system of oversight that would facilitate tracing the gold to its point of extraction, including adoption of electronic receipts.

Yanomami adults and children have suffered malnourishment, disease and even death as a result of illegal gold mining on their land.

Prospectors leave pools that become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread illness, and use mercury that pollutes water used for fishing. (AP)

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Islamabad, Feb 16 (PTI) Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has approached President Arif Alvi and demanded an inquiry against former Army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa for repeatedly violating terms of his oath, including secretly taping conversations with him during his prime ministership.

In a letter to President Alvi dated February 14, Khan sought stringent action against Bajwa for the violations he had done while serving as Pakistan Army chief.

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According to the contents of the letter shared by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, the former premier demanded a probe against Bajwa on four counts.

The main grievance was based on Bajwa's alleged remarks published on February 9 in an Urdu column by columnist Javed Chaudhry.

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In the letter, Khan wrote that Chaudhry in his column mentioned that the retired general admitted that we considered Imran Khan dangerous to the country if he continued to stay in power and urged Alvi to probe Bajwa who he referred to as we.

Who gave him (Bajwa) the power to decide that an elected prime minister (Khan) was supposedly a danger to the country if he continued to stay in power, Khan asked, adding that it was a clear violation of Bajwa' his oath as given in Third Schedule Article 244 of the Pakistani Constitution.

As per the oath, the officers of the armed forces are not allowed to interfere in politics.

Khan wrote that Bajwa also admitted that he interfered in the affairs of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the national anti-corruption watchdog, to get former finance minister Shaukat Tarin cleared of charges of sleaze.

Khan claimed that admission was also a clear violation of the Constitutional oath because the Army itself is a department under the Ministry of Defence and civilian official autonomous institutions (NAB) do not come [under] military control.

The former premier wrote that another journalist, Aftab Iqbal, claimed in a YouTube vlog that General Bajwa told him (Iqbal) in conversation that he had tapes of then-PM Imran Khan's conversations with him.

The question is why and under what authorisation was General Bajwa recording confidential conversations? Khan asked and termed the act a serious violation of his oath.

Khan also alleged that Bajwa at a seminar condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine by violating the national policy of staying neutral in the conflict.

In view of these violations,I would request you as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to institute an immediate inquiry against him, he urged the president.

Referring to Articles 243 and 244 of the Constitution, Khan reminded Alvi that it was his "Constitutional duty" to take immediate action against Bajwa by setting up an inquiry to "establish whether such grave violations of the Constitution and oath of Office under the Constitution have taken place".

Relations between Khan and Bajwa have deteriorated to a new low after the former repeatedly accused Bajwa of orchestrating his ouster last April and the latter began revealing his side of the story through meeting with selected journalists.

According to Chaudhry, he had asked the former Army chief, why did you overthrow Imran Khan's government?, and Bajwa allegedly answered: We did not overthrow his government. Our only crime was that we did not save his government. Imran wanted us to step in and save his government.

In the letter, he further quoted Bajwa as saying: "Our reading was that these people were dangerous for the country. If they remain then the country won't remain.

Khan was removed through a no-trust vote on April 9, 2022. Initially, he blamed a US conspiracy to dislodge him but later on, he turned his guns on Bajwa.

Separately during a meeting with foreign journalists at his Lahore residence, Khan said the military establishment seems to be still following Bajwa's policies to victimise him and his party leaders.

"The military establishment is not neutral," he said.

He said Gen Bajwa imposed "looters and criminals" on the country who made the lives of people miserable.

"Pakistan is plunging into a financial crisis and more chaos like Sri Lanka. Pakistan may face a 1971-like situation (when the country broke)," he warned, referring to the creation of Bangladesh.

Citing the latest report of Fitch Ratings which has downgraded Pakistan's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating to CCC' Khan said it means the country has already reached the level of Sri Lanka that is witnessing its worst economic crisis.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pristina (Kosovo), Feb 16 (AP) Kosovo is celebrating 15 years of independence with a month of celebrations starting Friday while still facing serious challenges with Serbia, which refuses to recognize the autonomy of its former province.

A military parade, ceremonies at monuments to national heroes and a special session of parliament are some of the anniversary events planned in the capital, Pristina.

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Europe's youngest country unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008, nearly nine years after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign in 1999 ended Belgrade's bloody crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2010 that the declaration did not violate international law.

The United States and most Western powers are among the 117 countries that have recognised Kosovo's statehood, and about 200 international organisations have allowed Kosovo to join, although not the United Nations. A number of European nations, including Bosnia, Cyprus, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Ukraine, do not acknowledge the Republic of Kosovo.

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Serbia, which for centuries considered Kosovo the cradle of its civilization, still sees it as part of its own territory. Russia and China have continuously backed Serbia's position, as have Algeria, Morocco, Belarus, South Africa, Iran and other nations that do not want to get drawn into the dispute.

While the European Union has mediated negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo since 2011, few of the 33 signed agreements were implemented. Both the EU and the United States have pressed for a faster reconciliation since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, fearing another conflict in the Balkans.

U.S. and EU envoys visited Pristina and Belgrade regularly in recent months to encourage them to accept a new proposal for normalising relations. The proposal's details have not yet been made public.

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey M. Hovenier told The Associated Press the proposal was an interim step that ... would regularise relations in very meaningful ways and be of enormous benefit both to Kosovo and Serbia.

Washington also has increased pressure on Kosovo's government to implement a 2013 agreement to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities in ethnic-Serb dominated northern Kosovo. In 2015, Kosovo's Constitutional Court declared part of the agreement unconstitutional on the grounds it excluded other ethnic groups and could entail the use of executive powers.

According to the 2013 plan, the association would coordinate work on education, health care, land planning and economic development at the local level. Kosovo's government fears the group would eventually undermine the country's statehood with the help of Belgrade and turn northern Kosovo into another Republika Srpska, a largely self-governing Serbia-dominated entity in Bosnia.

Pristina accuses Belgrade of exploiting the ethnic Serb minority, which it says represents just 7 per cent of the 1.8 million population, to raise bilateral tensions. Ethnic Serbs have 10 seats in the 120-seat parliament and a government Cabinet post. More than 90 per cent of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian.

Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, said he was hopeful the new EU-led plan would bring Serbia and Kosovo to the final stage of mutual recognition.

"If we normalise relations with Serbia this year, that will be a great thing, not only for Kosovo, but I would say particularly for Serbia, Kurti said.

Tensions between Pristina and Belgrade remain tense. Late last year, Serbia asked the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo to send 1,000 of its troops to protect ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo. Members of the community had raised 16 barricades blocking roads in the north following the arrest of a police officer. The request was not approved.

Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, head of the EU's rule of law mission in Kosovo, called the December incident a very tense standoff with barricades and the most serious crisis facing Kosovo  for the past decade.

The EU has told both Kosovo and Serbia that establishing productive ties is a precondition to their joining the bloc. Kosovo applied to become a candidate for EU membership, while Serbia has sought for years to make progress in its membership talks with Brussels.

In Serbia, pro-Russia right-wing groups have demanded that Belgrade stop all normalisation negotiations with Kosovo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that would isolate his country internationally and mean the end of Serbia's integration into the EU. Vucic has said he was ready to consider the latest Western plan.

Along with ongoing economic problems and needing to meet EU conditions for governance reforms, Kosovo, which is one of Europe's poorest countries, is still grappling with the legacy of the late 1990s war with Serbia.

Former President Hashim Thaci and four other wartime heroes from the Kosovo Liberation Army were arrested in November 2020 and transferred to the detention center of a tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of murder, torture and persecution. All have denied the charges.

The special court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the actions of the KLA during and after the war in Kosovo. (AP)

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Charleston (South Carolina), Feb 16 (PTI) Several eminent Indian-Americans believe that Republican leader Nikki Haley, who launched her White House bid, has great credentials and leadership skills to be the next president of the US.

Haley, 51, formally launched her 2024 presidential bid on Wednesday, casting herself as a younger and fresher alternative to the 20th century politicians like her one-time boss and former president Donald Trump.

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Nikki Haley comes with great credentials, as governor of South Carolina and with foreign policy experience as US Ambassador to the United Nations, M R Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora told PTI.

Haley, a former two-term governor of South Carolina, is the third Indian American to have launched a presidential bid. The other two are Bobby Jindal in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2020. Harris is now the Vice President of the country.

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It is gratifying to see the rise of Indian Americans in the Republican Party, mirroring their prominence on the Democratic side, Rangaswami told PTI.

She (Haley) represents the majority of the middle. She is not extreme either. The way she ran South Carolina was amazing, said Raj Vasudeva, from South Columbia who has known her for more than 30 years now.

Vasudeva and his wife both were present at the formal launch of the presidential campaign. We believe in her. She has got a great heart and a great head. We believe she can bring both sides together, he said.

I think she would do great things for the country, Vasudeva told PTI.

Dr Anil Yallapragada, who grew up in South Carolina and has lived in South Carolina for the past three decades along with his parents, said Haley is an extraordinary and special person.

I believe South Carolina has a lot to do with her success in terms of the environment, he said.

Describing Haley as a highly talented and gifted leader Dr Yallapragada said that her leadership would take the country to a new level and unite its people.

The (Indian American) community is proud of her. She represents the best and brightest of us, he said.

She is a great human being, he said.

We want the best person for the job to run the country. There are very few people who are prepared to be the president of the country. She is one of them, Dr Yallapragada told PTI.

He was among the small group of Indians to attend the launch of his presidential campaign of Haley.

Dr Yallapragada resides in his hometown of Charleston and is a practising Neurohospitalist and Board Certified Vascular Neurologist. He currently serves on the American Heart Association National Advocacy and Policy Board and the World Stroke Association Global Policy Board.

Kartar Singh, also from South Carolina, who has known the family of Nikki Haley for more than three decades, said that the former governor and the former US ambassador to the United Nations have all the credentials to be the president of the country.

She's a hard worker. She is very intelligent. She is very sincere in what she says. She is not like other politicians. I feel she had a very good chance in primaries, said Singh, who now leads a retired life in South Carolina.

She is very conservative. She is very reasonable. She's outspoken. She is not afraid of anything. If something is right she will stick her head, Singh said, referring to Haley's decision to remove the confederate flag during her term as governor following a mass shooting in a church in Charleston.

She can make brave decisions. She did a very good job as a governor, revived a lot of industries and opened up new ones in South Carolina, Singh said.

Dr Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education and senior advisor of the National Sikh Campaign said that it is a proud moment for people of colour in America that a first-generation American of Sikh background is aspiring for the top post in America.

You may disagree with her policies and her political views but it is still a remarkable journey. Her father is a proud Sikh and wears a turban and had attended her swearing-in ceremony when she was elected governor of South Carolina, Singh said.

It is important for Americans to see that she belongs to a rich heritage and turban-wearing Sikhs are part of her immediate family. This widens the horizon for many people including Sikhs to aspire for higher office in the United States, he said.

According to him, Haley's running will also help sensitise Americans about Sikh identity and turban.

Still a majority of Americans have a misconception about Sikhs and Sikh identity. So there is a good chance that her political campaign will help educate about the Sikhs in America as an additional benefit, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, February 16: A 25-year-old woman mixed poison on her husband's liquor after he was against her illicit affair in Maduranthagam on Tuesday. Police said the man and his friend died after drinking from the bottle on Sunday. Police said, the woman is allegedly in a relationship with a colleague and hence wanted to get rid of her husband.

TOI reported that Sukumar of Natarajapuram in Maduranthagam works in a chicken stall in the locality and his wife Kavitha works in a private firm. The couple has a son and a daughter aged one and three respectively. Kavitha was in a relationship with her office colleague. Sukumars friend Harilal (43) from Bihar works in a shop next to his butcher shop, said the police. Uttar Pradesh: Man Killed, Three Others Injured After Assailants Open Fire Over Rs 200 in Muzaffarnagar; Investigation Underway.

Sukumar who came to know about his wife's affair quarrelled with her and both of them were staying separately for a few months. Later the family members held peace talks and both of them were reunited after that. However, even after that Kavitha was continuing her affair in the office and the couple used to quarrel often over it. Ghaziabad Man Hacks Mumbai Police's Passport Verification System To Impress His Wife; Arrested.

On Saturday, Sukumar kept two alcohol bottles at home. Kavitha allegedly mixed poison in the bottles. Sugumar took the bottles with him to work the next day.

Police said she injected the pesticide inside the bottle using a syringe. On Sunday she gave the poisoned drink to Sukumar and said one of his friends told her to hand over the bottle to Sukumar.

Sukumar on Monday took the liquor to the chicken shop and during lunch time he consumed the drink and also gave it to Harilal. After a few minutes, both of them started to vomit and fell unconscious in the shop. Soon they were rushed to the Chengalpattu GH.

The Padalam police when enquired Sukumar in the hospital told that his wife Kavitha gave her the liquor. The police when testing the liquor bottle found poison mixed in it.

On Tuesday morning both of them died in the hospital without responding to treatments and the Padalam police who registered a case detained Kavitha for inquiry and she confessed that she killed her husband since he was against her affair. The police arrested Kavitha. Her colleague had no hand in the incident, said the police. Further inquiry into the incident is on.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 16, 2023 01:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
About 100 employees were let go immediately and another 100 will be sacked shortly, reports The Register, citing sources. The report said the company showcased a slide to employees about the staff reduction at a meeting late on Wednesday.
Delhi is finally out from the list of worlds top 10 most polluted cities. Taking to twitter, Delhi CM congratulated people of national capital but cautioned that there is still a long way to go. He said that the government and people will work together to make Delhi as one of the cleanest cities in the world. Delhi Air Pollution: AAP Govt to Relocate Some Air Quality Monitoring Stations to Give 'Real Picture' of Situation.

Delhi Out of Most Polluted Cities:

After a long time, Delhi is not in the list of most polluted cities of the world. Efforts of Delhiites are slowly but surely paying off. Congrats Delhi! But its still a long way to go. We have to be counted in the most clean cities of the world pic.twitter.com/iSWmLdBzQ6  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 16, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
San Francisco, February 16 : Micro-blogging platform Twitter on Thursday said that it has fixed the "trouble" that many iOS users experienced earlier, and hoped things would be back to normal now. The company tweeted from its @TwitterSupport account: "Pardon the interruption! iOS users may have experienced some trouble using Twitter earlier. Things should be back to normal now." Elon Musk Says He May Step Down As Twitter CEO by 2023 End After Stabilising Company and Making More Financially Viable.

User reports peaked at more than 8,700 on the online outage monitor website Downdetector. According to the outage monitor website, over 85 per cent of people had reported problems while using the application, 8 per cent while using the website, and 7 per cent with server connection. Father of Internet Vint Cerf Warns Businesses Not To Rush Investments Into AI.

Taking to the platform, several users reported the issue. While one user asked, "is Twitter down or did I get suspended," another said, "why is Twitter down AGAIN. you are running this app into the GROUND Elon."

Last week, the micro-blogging platform had suffered a massive outage when several users globally, including in India, reported having issues while posting a tweet and sending direct messages (DMs).

After receiving multiple reports of the outage, the company had posted from its @TwitterSupport account stating, "Twitter may not be working as expected for some of you. Sorry for the trouble. We're aware and working to get this fixed."

Later, Twitter CEO Elon Musk had said that the platform was facing "multiple internal and external issues simultaneously" and would be "fully back on track later tonight".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 16, 2023 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The temporary emergency allotments of SNAP benefits are ending, sending several families looking for additional help that they can use to extend their SNAP benefits.

The emergency allotments of SNAP benefits ended after Congress enacted a bill that stopped the funding for the temporary emergency allotments, which would mean that SNAP benefits will average only about $6.19 per person per day in 2023.

Anti-hunger advocates predicted that the changes will not only affect low-income households, but also the communities they live in.

Christina Wong, public policy and advocacy director for Northwest Harvest, said that the removed emergency allotments are money that "generates economic activity" in their local food systems.

Wong is an advocacy head for a network of food banks and meal programs in Washington state.

A mother of four in Philadelphia, Tianna Gaines-Turner, told The Guardian that she was disappointed by expected the cut of emergency allotments.

Gaines-Turner added that "everything that helps people in need is on the chopping block."

There are certain nutrition programs that your child can participate in if you are having a problem making do with the decreased SNAP benefits.

READ NEXT: SNAP Benefits Update: Should Food Stamp Eligibility Be Stricter?

Child Nutrition Programs

One of the most well-known nutrition programs for children is the National School Lunch Program, which is a federally-assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions.

Around 1.7 million children participated in the National School Lunch program in its first year, with the program reaching 30.4 million children in 2016.

Low-income children are eligible to receive reduced prices or free meals at schools, especially if they are in households with incomes below 130% of the poverty level.

Summer Food Service Programs

Parents might be worrying about where to get the budget for meals once the children are out of school.

The issue is addressed by the Summer Food Service Program, which ensures that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.

Children and teens aged 18 and younger can participate in the program. Usually, the state agencies, sponsors, and sites are the main players in the program.

School Breakfast Program

In public and non-profit private schools, including residential childcare institutions, the Department of Agriculture implements a federally assisted meal program known as The School Breakfast Program.

It was launched as a pilot project, which was eventually made a permanent entitlement program by Congress in 1975.

Children may be determined "categorically eligible" for free meals through participation in certain Federal Assistance Programs, such as SNAP benefits.

It can also be based on their status as a homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster child.

Free or reduced-price meals for children based on their household income and size.

Those from families with income between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals.

Schools that participate in nutrition programs are trained and provided technical assistance through the Food and Nutrition service's Team Nutrition efforts.

READ MORE: SSDI Benefits February: When Will You Get Your $3000+ Payments?

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Emergency SNAP benefits ending in March - from NBC 4 Columbus


Chilean poet and Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda's cause of death is poisoning, as revealed by a recent assessment from forensic specialists.

Almost five decades have passed since the famous poet died. Officially, Neruda died of prostate cancer, although his family had always disputed this because he died shortly before dictator Augusto Pinochet came to power.

Pablo Neruda's dead body was exhumed ten years ago following a court order, and an examination conducted in 2017 revealed botulism residue in one of his molars. The body was thoroughly checked to see if the poison had been added before burial.

The family of Pablo Neruda claims that forensic tests conducted by a group of experts from Canada, Denmark, and Chile revealed the presence of Clostridium botulinum, a toxin capable of causing paralysis in the nervous system and death.

The toxic substance was reportedly present in his system before his death.

A judge in Chile received the report on Wednesday but has yet to publicize its contents.

Judge Paola Plaza has stated that she will analyze the documents and make further decisions on March 7.

Meanwhile, who had Pablo Neruda poisoned remains unknown.

RED NEXT: Pablo Neruda Poems 2014

Pablo Neruda's Cause of Death Analyzed

Neruda, then 69 years old and suffering from prostate cancer, was hospitalized on the day of the Pinochet coup on September 11, 1973, Common Dreams says.

The poet planned his exile to Mexico, where he had been Chile's consul general in the 1940s, while he was in the hospital getting treatment.

Neruda would undoubtedly have been a vocal opponent of the right-wing dictator and a major thorn in the regime's side. He was a close friend of Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist president who was overthrown by Pinochet's forces with the support of the U.S. military, intelligence, and business organizations.

Manuel Araya, Neruda's driver and bodyguard, has long claimed that a distraught Neruda called him from the hospital and spoke of being shot in the stomach while he was sleeping.

Neruda left the hospital on September 23 because he feared the worst. He died a few hours later.

Prostate cancer's debilitating effects were reported as his official cause of death.

Gonzalo Martnez Corbala, the Mexican ambassador to Chile at the time of the revolution, claimed to have seen Neruda two days before his passing and that, despite being ill, he weighed 220 pounds, contradicting official assertions that Pablo Neruda's cause of death was cancer's wasting effect.

The Chile government announced in 2015 that it was "highly probable that a third party" was involved in Pablo Neruda's death, following a court-ordered exhumation and investigation of his bones that began in 2013 and involved forensic specialists in four nations.

A group of scientists from around the world stated they were "100% certain" in 2017 that Pablo Neruda's cause of death was not cancer.

Pablo Neruda Was Flawed but Still a Great Poet

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Neruda's companion, once called him "the greatest poet of the 20th century in any language." However, revelations about Neruda's private life have damaged his image recently. The author, who admitted to being a rapist, also deserted his first wife and their daughter Malva Marina, who was born with a neurological condition and passed away at nine.

After his death, Neruda's memoirs were published under the title Confieso Que He Vivido (I Confess That I Have Lived), in which he admitted to raping a Tamil woman who was his servant during his time as a young diplomat stationed in Ceylon.

He went on to say, "She was right to despise me" after detailing the rape, per The Guardian.

Human rights campaigners opposed renaming Santiago Airport after the poet when his rape confession resurfaced over five years ago.

Isabel Allende, then a writer and advocate for women's rights, told the Guardian that Neruda's immoral and cruel actions did not diminish the value of his work.

"I am disgusted by some aspects of Neruda's life and personality," she said. "However, we cannot dismiss his writing. Very few people - especially powerful or influential men - behave admirably. Unfortunately, Neruda was a flawed person, as we all are in one way or another."

READ MORE: Mexico: 6 Bodies Dumped on Side of Road

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Romance and revolution: The poetry of Pablo Neruda - Ilan Stavans - From TED-Ed
Ninety-four political opponents, including writers Sergio Ramrez and Gioconda Belli, had their citizenship revoked by Nicaragua on Wednesday.

In a statement by Appeals Court Justice Ernesto Rodrguez Mejia, they have deemed "traitors" and stripped of their Nicaraguan citizenship.

Mejia also warned that the government would seize their possessions, AP reports.

Rights activist Vilma Nez, former Sandinista rebel commander Luis Carrion, and writer Carlos Fernando Chamorro were among those accused of "spreading fake news" and "conspiracy to undermine national integrity," he added.

However, the legal basis for the proclamation was unclear.

The Nicaraguan congress has not passed a bill letting the government take away people's citizenship.

Mejia claimed that most of the individuals on the list were now considered "fugitives" since they had left Nicaragua after President Daniel Ortega began rounding up his political opponents two years ago.

Meanwhile, nothing was said about the fate of the people on the list still in Nicaragua.

It comes after Ortega released 222 political prisoners, including leaders, priests, students, activists, and dissidents, just days earlier.

Shortly after, Ortega's administration decided to deny the expelled former prisoners their Nicaraguan citizenship.

READ NEXT: Nicaragua Frees 222 Political Prisoners

Nicaragua's Decision to Strip Citizenship Violates International Law According to Experts

Temple University international law professor Peter J. Spiro and others have argued that the practice of revoking citizenship in this situation is illegal because it goes against the terms of a treaty approved in 1961 by the UN that all member states, including Nicaragua, signed to prevent statelessness.

According to the treaty's terms, states are forbidden to "deprive any person or group of persons of their nationality on racial, ethnic, religious or political grounds."

Spiro said governments could revoke citizenship in certain situations, such as when an individual obtains citizenship from a country forbidding dual citizenship. However, he argued that citizenship might not be revoked as a political tool.

"This is banishment, and banishment is antithetical to modern conceptions of human rights," he said.

The United States has extended temporary protection to the Nicaraguans for two years, and Spain has offered citizenship to the 222 exiles, according to NBC News.

However, according to Jennie Lincoln, an academic who has communicated with several exiles, many former inmates in the U.S. are left in a condition of legal and mental flux.

"Psychologically, they are stateless," Lincoln said. "They're in shock, going from one day being in prison, then hours later on a plane to the United States. Imagine the psychological impact of that, and then being stripped of your citizenship."

Nicaragua Bishop Faces 26 Years in Prison After Refusing Exile

After the government of Nicaragua deported 222 political prisoners to the United States, Matagalpa diocesan head Bishop Rolando Alvarez made a courageous decision to remain in Nicaragua.

"Let them be free; I will pay their sentence," the Roman Catholic bishop said as he turned down the offer of exile and did not get on the plane with the people who were being sent away on Thursday.

Reports said that on Friday, Alvarez was sentenced to 26 years and four months in jail for being a "traitor to the motherland" by Judge Hector Ernesto Ochoa Andino, Criminal Chamber 1 of the Managua Court of Appeals president.

It comes after ten-year prison terms were given to five priests. They used to work with Alvarez, who has strongly criticized President Daniel Ortega's government. Last August, Alvarez and a few other priests were arrested.

The sentence said that the bishop was accused of hurting national security and sovereignty, circulating false information through technology, getting in the way of an official doing his job, and showing extreme disrespect for authority.

According to the judge, all these crimes were "committed concurrently and to the detriment of society and the State of the Republic of Nicaragua."

The judge also revoked the bishop's Nicaraguan citizenship and ordered him to pay a fine of about $1,550.

READ MORE: Pablo Neruda's Cause of Death

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Nicaragua sends 222 political prisoners to the U.S. - From NBC News
Author E. Jean Carroll has accused Donald Trump of raping her in a department store's dressing room decades ago, and now, the former president is offering to provide DNA evidence that it was not him.

However, a federal judge rejected his offer on Wednesday, saying Trump's legal team was trying to stall the upcoming trial in the rape lawsuit filed last fall, The New York Times reported.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan noted that Trump's offer last week came after a deadline to disclose evidence. It also came a day after both parties had already filed a joint order agreeing that they would not call any DNA experts as witnesses.

Kaplan reiterated that this might be a delaying tactic from Trump, noting that stalling was notable "in view of the fact that Ms. Carroll now is 79 years old." According to the New York Times, Kaplan has already raised this matter in the past and that "there is no justification for such a deal."

Carroll is a notable author and a former columnist at Elle Magazine. She claimed that Trump raped her almost 30 years ago when she released her 2019 memoir. However, the former president has repeatedly denied these accusations and said he had never met her in his life.

Trump further noted that he would not even think about her because she was not his type. Joseph Tacopina, one of the attorneys representing the former president in this case, said his client did not seek to delay the trial date when he made the offer. The trial is set for April.

READ NEXT: Former Trump Lawyer Says Stormy Daniels Case About to Go Off

E. Jean Carroll Lawyer Says Donald Trump's DNA Offer Was Made in Bad Faith

The DNA offer by Donald Trump and his lawyers did not go well with E. Jean Carroll's legal team, who pointed out that the deadline for this had already passed.

One of the writer's attorneys, Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge, said that this was just a delaying tactic made in bad faith, Business Insider reported.

"Trump may prefer to put off trial for another day, and he (and his new lawyers,) may regret decisions that he made earlier in this case, but that is no basis to again delay Carroll's day in court," she noted.

Roberta also called the offer a "blatant effort to influence the jury pool" and "yet another bad faith and legally frivolous delay tactic."

Donald Trump's Lawyers Trying to Block Evidence of Former President's Misogyny

E. Jean Carroll's attorneys are also trying to provide evidence of Donald Trump's misogyny for the trial. However, according to the Daily Beast, the former president's legal team is trying to block a long list of video clips and photos from being presented at trial.

It included an October video-recorded deposition of former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham. She previously wrote that the Trump White House was a "lewd pit of misogyny" and that the former president became obsessed with a young press aide and requested that she come aboard Air Force One "just to look at her ass."

Trump's attorney Alina Habba wanted to block Grisham's deposition as hearsay. Trump's lawyers also wanted to remove the recorded testimony of Jessica Leeds, whose breasts were allegedly fondled by Donald Trump during a flight over three decades ago. Habba noted that her testimony was prejudicial.

READ MORE: Trump Lawyers Scolded by Judge

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Judge Unseals Trump Deposition in E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit - From MSNBC
EDGE entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) held a keel laying ceremony for the first Falaj3 naval vessel which is being built for the UAE Armed Forces.

The ceremony marked the completion of keel laying ahead of schedule, reaffirming ADSBs position as a regional leader in naval shipbuilding and as a strategic partner to the UAE Ministry of Defence, said a statement.

The event was held under the patronage of Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Commander of the Naval Forces, and attended by Naval Staff Brigadier Abdullah Faraj Al Mehairbi, Deputy Commander of UAE Naval Forces, and Mansour Almulla, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, among several other dignitaries. -TradeArabia News Service
The FBI has searched the University of Delaware as part of its probe into the possible mishandling of President Joe Biden's classified documents.

The Associated Press confirmed the CNN report about the search at the university through a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. CNN reported that investigators retrieved materials from two searches that were carried out in two university locations on two separate days.

However, a source familiar with the matter told the outlet that no materials appeared to have classified markings, but the FBI is now reviewing them. Biden donated his records from his 36 years of service in the Senate to the university in 2011.

The University of Delaware is the president's alma mater. The university noted that the documents arrived on June 6, 2012, releasing photos of the numbered boxes being unloaded at the university.

The records were to remain sealed until two years after he retires from public life as part of the condition of Biden's gift. The presidential records act would not cover the Senate records of Biden. However, prohibitions on mishandling classified information will still apply.

The University of Delaware has reportedly referred questions regarding the matter to the Department of Justice. Aside from Biden's classified documents, the Justice Department is also investigating the handling and retention of former President Donald Trump's around 300 classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Under Scrutiny as Another Batch of Classified Documents Found at New Location

Joe Biden Classified Documents

According to BBC News, the first batch of classified documents from Joe Biden's University of Pennsylvania office was discovered days before the midterm elections.

Biden's team insisted that the president has cooperated fully with the Justice Department. Biden also previously said he has "no regrets" about not disclosing the discovery of some classified files to the public before the November midterm elections.

The president's lawyers said a second batch of classified documents was found in the garage at his Wilmington home last December. Another document was discovered in a storage space at the house on January 12.

Some of the classified documents were from his time as a senator, while others were from his years as vice president. Biden's lawyer, Bob Bauer, said some "personally handwritten notes" and "surrounding materials" were also taken away.

Bauer added that the president offered access to his home to allow Justice Department to search the premises for possible vice-presidential records and classified material.

Biden said his team immediately turned over the classified documents to the National Archives and the Justice Department after finding them.

Classified Documents Saga

Former Vice President Mike Pence has also been reported to have found a "small number of documents" with classified marking at his residence in Indiana. According to Pence's attorney, the materials were stored in boxes that were not in a secure area but were taped up and appeared to be unopened since they were packed.

The letter to National Archives noted that neither the former vice president nor his counsel looked into the contents of the documents, but they were moved to a locked safe. About a dozen documents were found in Pence's possession.

On the other hand, the FBI's search of Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate produced dozens of boxes and around 11,000 documents, with at least 100 classified documents. However, the former president denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he had "declassified" the documents taken with him.

READ MORE: Classified Documents Found in Joe Biden's Former Office as U.S. Vice President Being Reviewed by DOJ

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Joe Biden Explains Classified Documents - From ABC News
The murder conviction of a Missouri man, who has already served almost 28 years of a life sentence, was overturned by a judge on Tuesday.

Lamar Johnson, 50, closed his eyes and nearly cried when Missouri Circuit Judge David Mason issued his ruling. Mason said he came up with this decision because there was "reliable evidence of actual innocence," the Associated Press reported.

"Evidence so reliable that it actually passes the standard of clear and convincing," the judge noted. After being cleared by the court, Johnson walked free.

About two hours after the judge's ruling, he approached reporters in the courthouse lobby and expressed gratitude to the judge and everyone who worked on his case.

"This is unbelievable," said the Missouri man, who refused to take any questions. Kim Gardner, the circuit attorney for the city of St. Louis, submitted a request in August asking for Johnson's release after an investigation by her office.

It happened after the Midwest Innocence Project convinced her that Johnson was telling the truth. Gardner is pleased with the decision, applauding the ruling.

"Mr. Lamar Johnson. Thank you. You're free... This is Valentine's Day, and this is historical," she said, as AP reported. Gardner noted that the Missouri man can now spend time with his family and lawyers.

READ NEXT: Missouri Woman Admits to Shooting, Killing Husband

Missouri Man's Murder Case

Lamar Johnson was convicted of murder for the 1994 killing of Marcus Boyd, who was shot dead while standing on his front porch by two unknown assailants. Police and prosecutors have concluded that a disagreement over drug money led to Boyd's death.

Johnson has always maintained his innocence, claiming he was with his girlfriend miles away at the time of the murder. The Missouri man noted that he had only left for a few minutes to sell drugs on a corner a few blocks from the murder scene.

After key witness and prison inmate James Howard admitted to killing Boyd, which affirmed Johnson's innocence, the judge decided to reexamine Johnson's case and found him innocent, ABC News reported.

Howard confessed to shooting Boyd in the back of the head and neck while in the presence of the second suspect, Phil Campbell, who pleaded guilty. Campbell then got a reduced charge in exchange for a seven-year prison term.

Howard was never charged with Boyd's murder. However, he is still serving a life sentence for a separate murder and other crimes which happened years after Boyd was shot dead.

During a weeklong hearing last December, Howard testified again and admitted that he and Campbell, who had already passed away, murdered Boyd that night over a drug dispute.

Howard claimed he decided to come forward because he felt responsible for Johnson's wrongful imprisonment. Reports said Gardner is now reviewing whether Howard should be prosecuted for Boyd's murder.

Another Eyewitness Abandoned His Testimony Against Missouri Man Lamar Johnson

According to the judge's order, James Elking, who identified Lamar Johnson as one of the killers, recanted his statement that Johnson was the shooter. The hearing also established that prosecutors gave him over $4,000 in "witness compensation" before the trial, which was not revealed at the time, CNN reported.

Lead prosecutor Dwight Warren told the outlet in 2019 that the witness "may have been compensated out of fear for his life and we may have relocated him, but this was 25 years ago, and I cannot tell you with certainty."

The order noted that evidence presented in the lawsuit revealed that police interfered with Elking's initial identification. During December's proceedings, Elking stated that he felt pressured to choose someone from a line-up.

According to the Midwest Innocence Project, which provided legal support to Johnson, state law prohibits the Missouri man from seeking any compensation for his imprisonment.

After learning that Johnson was already a free man and will now enter the "world with no resources to begin his new life outside of prison walls," the group established a GoFundMe page to help him start his new life outside jail.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Strips 94 Political Opponents' Citizenship

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Lamar Johnson Freed After 28 Years in Prison, Conviction Thrown Out - From CBS Mornings
Embattled New York Rep. George Santos is facing various investigations and complaints. But despite this, Santos is still considering running for a second term, which many fellow Republicans oppose.

According to CNN, while Santos weighs in on his options, top Republicans plan to oust him to make sure he cannot tarnish their New York ticket. Senior New York Republicans are now trying to reach out to potential preliminary challengers in case Santos decides to seek reelection.

It seems to be the same case for top Republicans in Washington, reassuring GOP members in New York that they will not let Santos be their nominee. GOP leaders appeared to hope that Santos' myriad of controversies, including possible criminal cases against him, would convince the New York lawmaker to back out and not run for reelection.

For now, many Republicans do not wish to oust him just yet to prevent setting up a special election for a seat that could flip to the Democrats. Republicans currently have a razor-thin majority in the House.

Younger New York Republicans who were part of Santos' ticket in 2020 are reportedly part of the movement trying to stop Santos from seeking reelection. This list includes Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of Long Island, who said he was confident that Santos "will not be on any ticket come 2024."

READ NEXT: George Santos Accused of Sexually Harassing Aide

Federal Regulators Tell George Santos to Appoint a Campaign Treasurer and Stop Raising Money

Even with his plans to run again still in limbo, George Santos is still raising and spending money for his campaign. However, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is asking him to stop doing that, and he needs to name a campaign treasurer if he plans to continue doing it.

Santos' long-time campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, quit last month. In a filed paperwork by the lawmaker's campaign last January 25, Wisconsin-based consultant Thomas Datwyler was named treasurer. However, Derek Ross, Datwyler's lawyer, told CNN that his client was listed as treasurer without his authorization as he had declined the post.

CNN reported that Santos has reportedly refused to answer questions about his campaign filings several times but noted that Marks would face scrutiny over his finances. The letter from the FEC gives Santos until March 21 to respond.

House Asked to Find Out Why Openly Gay George Santos Married a Brazilian Woman

When he ran for office, George Santos did speak truthfully about being openly gay who is married to another man. Thus, his seven-year marriage to a Brazilian woman has raised many questions.

According to The New York Times, a letter to ethics watchdogs in the House requested a probe to determine if the marriage was a scheme for the woman to get a U.S. citizenship.

Malcolm Lazin, an LGBTQ rights activist, who made the request to the House Ethics Committee and Office of Congressional Ethics, also wanted to know if Santos had violated federal immigration laws.

During the marriage, Santos' wife reportedly obtained citizenship through Santos, who is a U.S. citizen. So far, immigration officials have not indicated that the marriage raised any red flags.

However, Lazin pointed out that Santos and his wife lived separate lives, including the fact that the lawmaker dated men during the marriage. Santos and the woman eventually divorced.

READ MORE: Trump Lawyers Scolded by Judge

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Understanding Rep. George Santos and the Lies He's Told - CBS News
President Joe Biden is considering giving a speech regarding the Chinese spy balloon and three other unidentified flying objects that were shot down by U.S. fighter jets amid political pressure from Democrats and Republicans.

Two senior administration officials confirmed this to ABC News on Wednesday. The White House is reportedly planning the potential Chinese spy balloon speech days before Biden departs for his trip to Poland.

The president is set to depart for the Poland trip on February 20, when he will mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Biden has yet to comprehensively address the Chinese spy balloon and the other three unidentified flying objects that were shot down over North American airspace.

Senator Richard Blumenthal told reporters Tuesday that the "American people need and deserve to know more" so "they'll have more confidence in our national security." Blumenthal added that a lot of information could be told to the public "without any harm to sources or methods or our national security."

READ NEXT: Why Joe Biden, USA Waited to Take Down China Spy Balloon

Chinese Spy Balloon Over U.S. Could be Accidental

U.S. intelligence officials are reviewing the possibility that the suspected Chinese spy balloon was not deliberately maneuvered into the continental U.S. by the government of China. Multiple people briefed on the matter told CNN that officials are also investigating whether it was diverted off course by strong winds.

According to sources, the balloon lifted off from Hainan, China, last month, and U.S. officials saw it as it cruised across the Pacific. Officials reportedly thought the balloon would head towards Guam to probably surveil military sites on the island, but it instead went north.

The balloon then crossed into Alaska, Canada and then re-entered the U.S. through northern Idaho before moving towards Montana. China reportedly had some ability to control the balloon, but once it was over Montana, officials believed that China took advantage of its position to hover over sensitive sites and try to collect intelligence.

The balloon then moved eastward and was shot down off the coast of South Carolina by fighter jets on February 4. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a pre-planned trip to China after the first Chinese spy balloon was shot down.

Blinken previously said the presence of the surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace is "a clear violation of U.S. sovereignty and international law."

Chinese Spy Balloon and Other Unidentified Flying Objects

The U.S. military shot down another unidentified flying object over Lake Huron in Michigan on Sunday, making it the fourth time an unidentified flying object was shot down in North America since February 4.

The object appeared to be the same flying object detected over Montana a day earlier. In a statement, Lt. Col. Cesar Santiago said the location chosen for this shoot down allowed them to avoid impact on people on the ground while improving chances for debris recovery, Fox News reported.

Santiago went on to say that there were no civilians hurt or affected. The Defense Department noted that Joe Biden directed to shoot down the airborne object flying around 20,000 feet over Lake Huron. The department noted that the path and altitude caused concerns such as a possible threat to civil aviation.

Last Friday, a U.S. F-22 fighter jet shot down a "high-altitude object" over Alaska. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the object "roughly the size of a small car" was shot down over the northwestern state of Alaska near Deadhorse.

Ryder noted that the flying object, which entered U.S. airspace last Thursday, was brought down using an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile fired from the jet on the order of Biden.

White House spokesperson John Kirby previously told reporters that they don't know "who owns this object," adding that many details about the "high-altitude object" were unknown.

On Saturday, a U.S. F-22 jet, acting on U.S. and Canadian orders, shot down a "high-altitude airborne object" over central Yukon territory in Canada, about 100 miles from the U.S. border, saying it posed a threat to civilian flights.

The second and third unidentified flying objects were reportedly about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The Chinese spy balloon had stayed above the U.S. for a week before the U.S. shot it down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.

China earlier claimed that the balloon was just a weather research "airship" that was blown off course, which the Pentagon has rejected. The Pentagon also rejected China's contention that the balloon was a civilian device not being used for surveillance and had limited navigational ability.

READ MORE: Chinese Spy Balloon Causes Antony Blinken To Postpone China Trip

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: New Information Released on Chinese Spy Balloon - From 5NEWS
Nicaragua is a country known for its vibrant and colorful culture, especially when it comes to traditional folk dances. Nicaraguan dances reflect its rich and diverse history, influenced by its European colonizers, enslaved Africans, and indigenous inhabitants.

Enslaved people used this form of expression to protest against oppression during colonial periods and to maintain a connection to their homelands.

READ NEXT: Nicaragua: Everything to Know

Famous Traditional Folk Dances in Nicaragua You Need To Know

Dancing has become increasingly ingrained in Nicaragua's culture over the years. According to Nekupe, Nicaraguans, drawing from their shared Spanish, Indigenous, and Caribbean heritages, have created their own unique culture, which includes traditional folk dances. Here are some of Nicaragua's famous traditional folk dances that are interesting to know.

El Gueguense

Spaniards and indigenous people debuted El Gueguense, a satirical drama well-known throughout Nicaragua. This captivating expression blends Spanish and indigenous theater, dance, and music to emphasize dislike towards Nicaraguans during colonization satirically. It is one of Nicaragua and Latin America's most well-known literary works.

This Nicaraguan dance is said to have originated in the city of Diriamba, but its inventor was not known, even though it enjoys worldwide fame. Its ability to humorously address a tense historical time is one of the reasons this compelling statement has won acclaim.

According to historians, El Gueguense might have been a wealthy trader who fought against Spanish taxation. Three mestizos, four Spanish officials, two women, and four animals appear in this excellent play. There are eye-catching costumes for every single character.

Palo De Mayo

Feel your senses being roused and your curiosity piqued by the Palo De Mayo dance's rich heritage. Dancers from the South Caribbean Coast Region of Nicaragua, Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras, and Bocas del Toro, Panama, have been coming together to perform the Bluefields ritual since the 17th century.

This captivating routine is further enhanced using tree-trunk bongo drums, a washboard, and other percussion instruments to create an experience that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.

Baile de Los Zompopos

Leave Cutter Ant Dance is also known as Baile de Los Zompopos in Nicaragua. It commemorates the destructive tribe of leaf-cutting ants' victory. Since 1613, this dance has been a procession to commemorate Altagracia's patron saint. Quiateot, the harvest god, was first worshipped by the indigenous people. Participants dance to traditional music while holding sugar cane and tree branches high above their heads.

Las Inditas

Masaya is the capital city of the Masaya Department in Nicaragua. It is located south of Managua, a department known for its folkloric customs. The dance of Las Inditas is performed in tribute to the hardworking ladies of the region. The dancers wear white skirts decorated with red ribbons and balance baskets on their heads as they move gracefully and proudly to the marimba music. This Nicaraguan dance allows men to show their respect for a few seconds before it ends.

Las Vaquitas

The cattle industry in Nicaragua is significant. Cattle have been a symbol of riches since the Spanish introduced them to the area in the 16th century. Managua, the country's capital, celebrates its patron saint, Santo Domingo, with a yearly celebration that incorporates vaquitas, or cow dancers, and a traditional feast centered on beef. The lead dancers are always female, wearing elaborate cow's head costumes or tote around.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Strips 94 Political Opponents' Citizenship

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Everything You Need to Know About Nicaragua's Culture in 5 Minutes! - From Adventures in the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes
Cathay Pacific carried a total of 1,031,893 passengers last month, an increase of 4,077.9% compared with January 2022, with the months revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increasing 3,807.3% year-on-year.



Passenger load factor increased by 46.4 percentage points to 86.8%, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 1,717.1% year-on-year.



The South Asia, Middle East & Africa region saw a tremendous increase of 85,180.5% measured by revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) as compared to January 2022. The airline carried a total of 187,106, playing a significant role in the continued recovery for traffic to Hong Kong and beyond from the region.



The airline carried 95,139 tonnes of cargo last month, an increase of 28.1% compared with January 2022 when we had to suspend our long-haul schedule for seven days due to stricter quarantine measures. The months cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) increased 140.9% year-on-year. The cargo load factor decreased by 14.4 percentage points to 62.2%, while capacity, measured in available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs), increased by 196.8% year-on-year.



Travel

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: The new year got off to a positive start in January as Cathay Pacific carried more than one million passengers for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We carried on average more than 33,000 passengers per day, up from about 26,000 per day in December 2022, and operated 18% more capacity than we did in December. We also continued to add more destinations in January, with our Phuket and Xian flights resuming.



With the return of quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland on 8 January, we saw increased demand for travel into the Chinese Mainland, both from and through Hong Kong. We have been increasing our flights accordingly and by the end of the month, we were operating up to three return flights per day to Shanghai and 11 return flights per week to Beijing.



Leisure travel demand over the Lunar New Year holiday was also strong, particularly from Hong Kong, with Japan, Bangkok and Singapore being the most popular destinations. Unfortunately, despite demand being high for Japan, we had to cancel some of our flights due to restrictions imposed by the Japanese authorities on the number of flights airlines are permitted to operate from Hong Kong.



Cargo

In terms of cargo, we saw a small uptick in demand prior to the Lunar New Year holiday, which was supported by more normal cross-border trucking services as the COVID-19 situation on the Chinese Mainland stabilised. This resulted in a good level of cargo being carried in the first half of January, added Lavinia Lau.



However, as we approached the Lunar New Year period, overall demand softened as factories closed for the holidays. This drop-off was expected and we rationalised our freighter capacity in advance to reflect the reduced demand. Therefore, our tonnage in January decreased 11% month on month, while our cargo flight capacity declined 4% compared with the previous month. Load factor was about 62%.



Outlook

Looking at February and beyond, we are working hard to increase our passenger flight capacity as much as possible over the coming months, especially in the lead-up to the Easter holiday. Demand for flights to and from the Chinese Mainland, both for point-to-point and connecting traffic via Hong Kong, is expected to grow and we are endeavouring to provide more options for our customers as quickly as feasible. We are on track to operate more than 100 return flights per week to 14 cities in the Chinese Mainland by the end of this month, Lavinia Lau said.



Regarding cargo, demand will take some time to recover following the Lunar New Year holidays. We expect regional lanes to resume earlier than long-haul lanes, as is typical for this period.  TradeArabia News Service
Laois Offaly Minister of State Pippa Hackett has concluded a major trade mission to Germany with Bord Bia to promote organic Irish food and drink, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine led the drive to increase Ireland's organic exports began in Berlin on Monday and moved to Nuremberg for the BIOFACH trade fair, the worlds largest organic trade fair.

The Geashill-based politician commented on what has been achieved.

I was delighted to confirm that over 2,000 new organic farmers will join the Organic Farming Scheme this year. This is a significant milestone along the way to reaching our goal of 10% of Irish farmland under organic production. Organics has now become a major feature of agriculture in Ireland and we are determined to build the markets for the produce both at home and abroad.

"I was delighted to lead a trade mission this week and spend time talking to retailers, suppliers and politicians from across Germany. Bord Bia will continue to help build international market demand for Irish organic produce, through their Dusseldorf office and indeed their wider network across continental Europe. I want to thank the Irish companies that attended Biofach this week and showcased the quality of our sector to potential customers, she said.

She also praised producers.

I want to pay tribute to organic farmers across the country for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, and to the over 2,000 new entrants for committing to organics. As an organic farmer myself, I know that these farmers will reap the benefits of an enhanced lifestyle and farming in a more nature friendly way.

"We have seen this week here in Germany what can be achieved in the organic sector. I am confident that our vibrant organic community at home in Ireland will continue to grow as we work towards achieving a similar level of success as our European counterparts, she said.

The Green Party Minister is due to travel to Africa on St Patrick's Day.

BIOFACH is part of a strong global network of Organic trade fairs which also take place in the USA, Brazil, China, India, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Japan. A key theme of BIOFACH is to promote how organics can become even more influential as a model for the future and a key driver of sustainable food production.
FM Sitharaman appeals KCR not to term 5 trillion US dollars economy goal is a 'joke'

Hyderabad, Feb 16 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday evening appealed to Telangana Chief Minister K.Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) not to say that the USD 5 trillion economy goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a joke.

KCR while replying to the debate on the Appropriation bill in the state assembly recently, said that Modis ambitious goal of India achieving USD 5 trillion economy by 2023-24, is a joke and silly.

Sitharaman while interacting with the industry, economists and journalists at a DD Dialogue on Amritkaal Budget programme held here, said that the goal was set by Modi for the interest of the people of the country and all states should contribute and support to reach that goal or target.

It is good for the country to reach that 5 trillion US dollar economy goal; she said that how KCR tells that aim of a USD 5 trillion economy is a joke and his (KCR) remarks in the house are nothing but insulting to the people of the country.

He appealed to the Chief Minister not to term the 5 trillion US dollars economy as a joke and extend support for the goal for the interest of the people of the country.

In 2014, the debt of Telangana was Rs 60,000 crores, but in the last 7 years (during TRS term) it has scaled up to Rs.3 lakh crores, said Sitharaman.

To a question, she said that we have allocated funds in the union budget and also paid grant aid to Telangana state. We have every piece of data.

The central government is always looking for borrowings of states and even earlier governments also, she said.

To another question, the Finance Minister clarified that the NREGS funds will be released based on the demand and said that her government spent more than funds allocated in the budget.

When asked about non-sanctioning of single medical colleges to Telangana state, she admitted and said that due to wrong submission of non-existing medical college districts list by the Telangana state, the union government has not sanctioned medical colleges out of 157 colleges allotted by the centre to various states.

Our government had earlier asked the Telangana government to submit two district names, where there is no medical college, but the Telangana government had recommended wrongly  Karimnagar and Khammam districts, she said and added that the state government has no data of the medical colleges.

The union government has not sanctioned medical colleges due to already having medical colleges in those two districts inTelangana state, she clarified.

In the 2023-24 union budget, we have proposed 157 new nursing colleges at the existing medical colleges areas, she added.

In a recent budget session, Telangana health Minister T.Harish Rao in the house said  last year , the centre allotted 157 government medical colleges across the country, but not one college was sanctioned to Telangana.

UNI KNR GNK
Laois is getting no money for greenways or new roads under the 2023 round of funding for national roads, active travel and greenways for Ireland's transport agency.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has allocated over 5.2m for the maintenance of national primary and secondary roads in Laois for 2023.

However, Laois is just one of a handful of counties where nothing out of a 60 million fund for greenways will be spent. Laois is also missing out on any of the nearly 200 million for new roads in Ireland.

Routes that received specific funding in Laois include the N77 Course to Dunmore which is getting 300,000. Another stretch of the N77 from Portlaoise to M7 motorway is getting 900,000 for pavement work. Meanwhile, the N78 on the east of the county will get 1 million for work on a stretch between Ballylehane Lower and Farnans.

Of particular interest to people who travel regularly on the Portlaoise to Tullamore and Mountmellick is more money for the N80.

Laois County Council is getting a total of 2.5 million for a stretch between Kyletalesha to Mountmellick. It's Phase 2 of an ongoing project on a national road that has been described as not fit for purpose by the CEO of Laois County Council. A total of 2.2 million was allocated in 2022.

A total of 5,274,158 is on its way to Laois under the 2023 Grant Allocations to Local Authorities for National Roads, Active Travel and Greenways.

The council is also getting 100,000 for engineering support for improvement work on both national primary and secondary routes in 2023.

It is down from the 5.4 million allocated by TII in 2022, but the money was nevertheless welcomed by Laois Offaly Minister of State Pippa Hackett.

"The national roads network is of strategic importance and this funding allows it to be maintained and improved for safety," said the Green Party senator.

Including in the money going to Laois County Council is 474,158 for protection and renewal work.

Included in this is a total of 96,581 is allocated for national primary road lighting. As for national secondary roads, 149,500 is earmarked for winter maintenance with 128,967 going to ordinary maintenance. The council is getting 59,910 for route lighting on national secondary roads.

The council is getting 39,200 for engineering support for maintenance and winter maintenance on both national primary and secondary routes in 2023.

There are no new road projects listed for Laois in the 2023 196,825,000 national budget for roads around Ireland.

Offaly is getting 8,761,012 out of the fund this year with nearly 4 million for greenways. The national greenway budget is 60,606,000 for 2023.

While the Grand Canal runs through part of Laois, Kildare County Council is getting 4,100,000 for greenways most of which is being spent along the Grand Canal. Most of Offaly's Greenway money is being spent on a Grand Canal Greenway.

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan confirmed a national allocation of 554 million to local authorities through TII for national roads and greenways in 2023. The Department of Transport is providing 491m of Exchequer capital funds for national roads to councils 34 major projects across the country.

An allocation of 34.85 million is being provided for national roads maintenance nationally.

A statement said TIIs Greenway Programme will see the ongoing development of around 70 Greenway projects around the country. The funding will see construction continue on a number of projects which will be completed in 2023, with other projects moving through the planning and design stage.
TDs on a Dail committee chaired by Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley are to ask Government officials about the building of modular homes for Ukrainian refugees in Rathdowney and other locations.

The Committee of Public Accounts resumes examination of 2021 appropriation accounts with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Thursday, February 16.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Dep Stanley said the Department is leading the emergency response for providing accommodation and services to the more than 74,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Ireland under the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) scheme since Russias invasion of Ukraine this time last year.

He said housing the refugees will be on the agenda alongside services for international protection applicants.

Members would also like to examine the Modular Homes Pilot Programme to provide an initial 700 units for emergency accommodation and the State Architect from the OPW will be available at the meeting to contribute to discussions on the matter. The Committee looks forward to an extensive discussion on these issues and related matters with the Department officials, he said.

An OPW representative has met with local people to outline plans for 42 prefabricated homes to accommodate up to 168 people in a development on the outskirts of Rathdowney. People are due to have moved in by early summer 2023. The people who are due to move in are living in emergency accommodation in Laois.

Laois County Council is not building the homes but it is expected that it will take possession of the homes when they are no longer needed by Ukrainians.

In June 2022, the Government approved the provision 500 modular houses as part of its plans to address the need to develop capacity for Ukrainian arrivals. It said that once in place, the modular houses will accommodate 2,000 people across 20 sites across the country. None are completed.
Nearly half of Irish consumers would consider buying an electric vehicle, according to new research released today by Liberty Insurance. Research carried out by Liberty Insurance and RED C in Q3 2022 found that 49% of motorists would consider buying a fully electric or hybrid car. One in three (32%) would not be prepared to consider an electric car, while one in five (19%) dont know.

The research was published in light of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryans recently announced 100m investment in electric charging points, as outlined in the Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022  2025, published on 19th January. In addition, the European Parliament also voted this week to phase out the sale of any new petrol or diesel cars in the EU by 2035.

The survey asked motorists why they are considering purchasing a new car this year. According to respondents, the two most prominent reasons are a desire to drive a more sustainable vehicle (24%) and cheaper running costs (24%).

Despite motorists desire to drive more sustainable cars, the survey identified a number of reasons why drivers are still concerned about making the switch to hybrid or electric vehicles. Seven in ten motorists surveyed (70%) would not consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle as they believe these cars are too expensive.

Fears related to range anxiety are also commonly cited by motorists. Half (49%) believe there is insufficient charging infrastructure across the country, while more than one in three drivers (35%) believe electric vehicles are only suitable for short distances and city driving. As part of the Governments recently announced investment, it intends to install high-powered charging points at 60km intervals across Irelands entire motorway network, which should go a long way toward alleviating these concerns.

Significantly, in light of the current energy crisis, more than three in ten (31%) worry about the cost of their electricity bill if they were to charge their car at home. Meanwhile, a significant proportion of the population (25%) say they simply dont know enough about electric vehicles to consider purchasing them right now.

Similar research was also carried out by Kantar in Spain and Portugal, the other countries where Liberty operates in Europe. In both countries, a small majority of motorists would consider purchasing an electric vehicle now (55% in Portugal, and 56% in Spain), although the consumer cohort who dont know is considerably higher than in Ireland.

Fears about making the switch to electric vehicles are slightly less pronounced in both countries than in Ireland. The cost of electronic vehicles is cited as a concern for 54% of Spaniards and 65% of Portuguese, versus 70% of Irish respondents. Just 36% of Spanish motorists and 25% of Portuguese drivers are discouraged by worries about their countrys charging infrastructure, compared to nearly half of Irish motorists (49%).

Mairead Carty, Head of Motor Product in Ireland said: We know that there is a clear desire on behalf of Irish motorists to drive more environmentally sustainable vehicles. It is important that we continue to encourage and incentivise this behaviour. However, the research suggests concerns remain in relation to the practical limitations of electric vehicles, particularly specific to range anxiety and the prevalence of charging points on Irish roads.

On a positive note, the Irish Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, recently launched a new Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022  2025, which will see 100m being spent on public charging infrastructure in the next three years. Whilst this is obviously a really encouraging development, it is important that news of this investment is reaching Irish motorists before they begin researching their next car purchase.

"In the coming months, we expect the trend toward electric cars to gather further momentum. At Liberty, we aim to lead the way. We stand ready to help our customers and ensure they get the cover they want, and they pay only for what they need."
A Donegal man with 157 previous convictions had charges of criminal damage, theft and unauthorised taking of a vehicle struck out at Manorhamilton Court this week due to an issue with a European Arrest Warrant.



John Paul Reilly, 8 Railway Ave, Killygordon, Co Donegal had previously pleaded guilty to the offences at New Line, Manorhamilton on May 25, 2019.



Mr Reilly is currently serving a prison sentence for a separate conviction, with a release date of February 2024.



This case had been part heard in Manorhamilton District Court in January 2023 when Gardai told the court that on May 25, 2019, a third party attended Manorhamilton Garda Station and handed in keys to a van along with items she said were stolen by her daughters boyfriend.



The van was located outside Our Ladys Hospital, Manorhamilton.

The front passenger window in the van was broken.

All of the property taken from the van was recovered.



The court heard the victim was out a total of 2,280 for the damage to his van, hire of another van and loss of earnings.

CCTV footage captured Mr Reilly with the stolen property.



Last Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Sgt Lisa Sewell informed Manorhamilton District Court there was an issue with the EU arrest warrant Mr Reilly was arrested under and the state was now withdrawing the charges.



Solicitor Sinead Whelan representing John Paul Reilly said on foot of the information her client wished to vacate his previous guilty plea.



Judge Sandra Murphy withdrew the charges and struck out the case.
Logo of the Swiss drugmaker Novartis on a building in Basel. GABRIEL MONNET / AFP

Novartis and Roche on Thursday, February 16, won an appeal against a French regulator that had sentenced the two Swiss drugmakers to a record fine over alleged market abuse.

The Autorite de la Concurrence, France's competition watchdog, imposed a fine of 444 million in 2020 on the two companies. It had accused Roche and Novartis of abusing their dominant position to sell a drug used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Lucentis, to the detriment of a cheaper treatment, Avastin.

Genentech of the United States, which Roche acquired in 2009, was also fined in the case. Genentech developed Lucentis which is sold by Novartis outside of the US. The Autorite de la Concurrence said the three companies had colluded to discredit Avastin.

Novartis, which was accused of leading a public relations campaign against Avastin between 2008 and 2013, was hit by the biggest fine which stood at 385 million. Roche and Genentech were jointly fined 59 million.

Authorities said Roche, which sold Avastin in France, refused to provide samples of the drug to regulators for months, delaying a review to examine its use compared to that of Lucentis.

But a Paris court of appeals said on Thursday Novartis had been "measured in tone" and not denigrating toward Avastin and that neither Novartis nor Roche "had been alarmist or misleading."

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Drugmakers face challenges to repatriate production to France

Le Monde with AFP
North Korea on Thursday, February 2, threatened the "toughest reaction" to the United States expanding joint military exercises with South Korea to counter the Norths growing nuclear weapons ambitions, claiming that the allies were pushing tensions to an "extreme red line."

The statement by Pyongyangs Foreign Ministry came in response to comments by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who said in Seoul on Tuesday that the United States would increase its deployment of advanced military assets to the Korean Peninsula, including fighter jets and aircraft carriers, as it strengthens joint training and operational planning with South Korea.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes North and South Korea start the year in a tense game of confrontation

South Koreas Defense Ministry said the United States flew B-1B bombers and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets in an exercise with South Korean fighters on Wednesday above South Koreas western waters in their latest show of strength. The United States and South Korea are also planning to hold a simulation exercise this month aimed at sharpening their response if North Korea uses nuclear weapons.

In a statement attributed to an unidentified spokesperson of its Foreign Ministry, North Korea said the expansion of the allies drills is threatening to turn the Korean Peninsula into a "huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone." The statement said the North is prepared to counter any short-term or long-term military challenge by the allies with the "most overwhelming nuclear force."

Security jitters

North Korea for decades has described the United States combined military exercises with South Korea as rehearsals for a potential invasion, although the allies have described those drills as defensive.

South Koreas security jitters have risen since North Korea test-fired dozens of missiles in 2022, including potentially nuclear-capable ones designed to strike targets in South Korea and the US mainland. North Koreas elevated testing activity has been punctuated by threats to preemptively use its nuclear weapons in a broad range of scenarios in which it perceives its leadership to be under threat, including conventional clashes or non-war situations.

In a news conference following their meeting, Austin said he and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup agreed to further expand their combined military exercises, including more live-fire demonstrations. They pledged to continue a "timely and coordinated" deployment of US strategic assets to the region.

Nuclear ambitions

Tensions could further rise in coming months with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un doubling down on his nuclear ambitions.

During a political conference in December, Kim called for an "exponential increase" in nuclear warheads, mass production of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea, and the development of more powerful long-range missiles designed to reach the US mainland.

Experts say Kims nuclear push is aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of North Korea as a nuclear power and then negotiating badly needed economic concessions from a position of strength.

Nuclear negotiations between the US and North Korea have been derailed since 2019 because of disagreements over a relaxation of U.USed economic sanctions against the North in exchange for steps by North Korea to wind down its nuclear weapons and missiles programs.

Le Monde with AP
Officially, Finland still wants to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the same time as its neighbor Sweden. First, because the two countries applied jointly on May 18, 2022, and second, for security reasons: Helsinki and Stockholm believe that a simultaneous membership would have a much greater impact from a regional defense point of view. However, faced with Ankara's refusal to ratify Sweden's application, the Finns are now preparing to join the NATO alone.

On Tuesday, February 14, members of the Finnish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee traveled to Stockholm to inform their Swedish counterparts they were preparing to vote on the laws that will enable their country to join NATO as soon as its 30 member states have ratified Finland's accession protocol. Twenty-eight have already done so; only Turkey and Hungary remain.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Since 2016, NATO countries have renewed their focus on the resilience of civil society

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg opened the door to separate membership at a ministerial meeting in Brussels, saying that "the main question is not whether Finland and Sweden are ratified together. The main question is that they are both ratified as full members as soon as possible."

On Wednesday, as Stoltenberg announced a surprise trip to Turkey to provide assistance to the country after the earthquakes and to meet with President Erdogan, he said he would "ask Turkey to ratify both accession protocols at the same time." "It is for Turkey to decide whether they ratify both or whether they ratify only one of the documents," he explained. "The most important thing is that both Finland and Sweden soon become members of the Alliance, and I will push hard for that."

Turkey's obstruction

The strategy comes against a backdrop of a diplomatic crisis between Stockholm and Ankara following the public burning of a Koran by right-wing extremist Rasmus Paludan in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on January 21. Since then, President Erdogan has made it known that he would oppose the Swedish application as long as Stockholm had not banned blasphemy.

In early January, Swedish conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has been in office since October 2022, recognized that the negotiations had reached an impasse. "Turkey both confirms that we have done what we said we would do, but they also say that they want things that we cannot or do not want to give them," he said at the time, referring in particular to the lists of Turkish nationals suspected by Ankara of being terrorists, whose extradition Erdogan is calling for.

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Stylish oriental shisha. YAROSLAV LITUN / GETTY IMAGES

Malian authorities have begun cracking down on hookah smoking this week after allowing a grace period for "shisha" bars to adjust to a ban.

The country's anti-drug agency said on Wednesday, February 15, it had carried out dozens of arrests in the capital Bamako and seized water pipes after a six-month moratorium expired. Bars where small groups of smokers, mostly young men, meet to chat and puff on hookahs flourished in Bamako in recent years.

But their days appeared to be numbered when the junta-dominated government announced a surprise ban on August 15 last year. It warned that shisha smokers would face jail time of one to 10 days and a fine of 300 to 10,000 CFA francs (0.45-15.2).

In a Facebook post, Mali's Central Narcotics Office (OCS) said its agents conducted "vigorous" raids in Bamako earlier this week resulting in "some 50 individuals in jail and a large quantity of seized material." It published photos of young men and women being taken away in the back of vans and an image of a pile of water pipes.

"The grace period granted by the authorities to importers, distributors, sellers and consumers of shisha in Mali is over," the OCS said.

The country is overwhelmingly Muslim and interpretations of Islam are generally unfavorable to cigarettes and shisha. But it is also a secular nation that tolerates alcohol, although consumption is limited to certain public places and most stores and restaurants do not serve it.

Shishas, or hookahs, usually burn tobacco flavored with fruit to give a sweet taste. The smoke is inhaled through a long rubber tube which is passed through water to cool it. Shisha is also the term sometimes used for a tobacco product.

A World Health Organization (WHO) task force warned in 2017 about the danger of smoking shisha. The practice is up to 10 times more harmful than cigarettes but is not targeted by the same awareness campaigns as tobacco, it said at the time.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Malian State Security suspected of financing Russian Wagner mercenaries

Le Monde with AFP
Tesla Gigafactory 2 is shown Friday, March 18, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. Several employees at the factory have been fired after launching union organizing efforts on Tuesday, February 14, according to Tesla Workers United. FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP

Several employees at a Tesla factory in New York have been fired just one day after launching union organizing efforts, according to Tesla Workers United. (TWU) The workers at the Buffalo plant received an email Wednesday evening updating them on a new policy which prohibits them from recording workplace meetings without all participants permission, the group said in a release on Thursday, February 16. The group said that such restrictions violate federal labor law and also flout New Yorks one-party consent law to record conversations.

Were angry. This wont slow us down. This wont stop us, Sara Costantino, a current Tesla employee and organizing committee member, said in a prepared statement. They want us to be scared, but I think they just started a stampede. We can do this. But I believe we will do this.

The Tesla plant  which makes solar panels and other renewable energy technology  is not far from a Starbucks location where workers voted to unionize last year. TWU said that the firings were unacceptable and that the expectations placed on Tesla workers are unfair, unattainable, ambiguous and ever-changing.

Read more Amazon workers reject union bid in upstate New York

I feel blindsided, I got COVID and was out of the office, then I had to take a bereavement leave. I returned to work, was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along, organizing committee member Arian Berek  who is one of the fired employees  said in a statement. I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement, and its shameful.

The Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United has filed a complaint against Tesla with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the electric vehicle maker of unfair labor practices. In the complaint, the group lists the names of several employees who were part of the factory's autopilot department and were fired. The group says that it believes Tesla terminated these individuals in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity. It is asking the NLRB for injunctive relief to prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Teslas unlawful conduct.

As part of union organizing efforts, the Tesla Workers United organizing committee said in a letter to management on Tuesday, February 14, that employees at the plant in Buffalo are seeking to have a voice on the job and want to build an even more collaborative environment that will strengthen the company.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a hard line against organized labor, despite an invitation to the United Auto Workers union to hold an organizing vote at Teslas factory in Fremont, California. In 2021, Tesla was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to make Musk delete a 2018 tweet in which it said that he unlawfully threatened employees with loss of stock options if they chose to be represented by the UAW.

Read more Elon Musk cleared of wrongdoing in Tesla tweet fraud trial

An email was sent to Tesla seeking comment, but it has been widely reported that Tesla has disbanded its media relations team. The email sent to Tesla bounced back as undeliverable.

Le Monde with AP
HEALTH and wellbeing is the key to achieving your business goals, according to a number pf successful business owners who will be the guest speakers at the next Network Ireland Limerick event.

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Business is the theme of the event, which will take place on Thursday, February 23 at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare.

Guest speakers will include Niamh McMahon of MoMe.ie and Tina Hnatysyn of Fit by Tina.

The will discuss how personal and professional success can be achieved through a healthy mindset and lifestyle.

Network Ireland Limerick provides a forum where businesswomen can exchange ideas and increase their professional contacts.

Karen Ronan Brosnahan, President of Network Ireland Limerick commented: With constant demands on our personal and work life, many people find it hard to slow down long enough to understand their own needs and invest in their health.

This month's event will provide practical tips for working professionals and business owners to develop positive habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the year so they can achieve business success sustainably.

During next week's event, members of Network Ireland Limerick who operate in the areas of wellness, health, fitness will also promote and showcase their services through a mini-exhibition.

Supported by LEO Limerick, the event is free for Network Ireland Limerick members and 20 for non-members.

Network Ireland Limerick is a branch of the national organisation Network Ireland which has over 1,000 members and 12 branches across the country.

The Limerick branch holds monthly networking meetings where guest speakers are invited to educate, inform and entertain on topics of interest to women.

It is supported by LEO Limerick, where anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business should contact.
New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is going to make changes in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Evidence Act to create a strong internal security and make the laws relevant for the present time.

While addressing Delhi Police personnel and officials on the 76th Raising Day of Delhi Police here, Shah inaugurated the complete online facility of passport verification and also dedicated mobile forensic vehicles inducted in the Delhi Police to the people. Along with this, he also inaugurated the academic complex of National Forensic Science Universitys (NFSU) Delhi Campus, Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Shah said that the facility of passport verification through mobile tablets has also been started, with this, police verification of passport application will be done online in 5 days instead of 15 days. He said that on an average 2000 applications for passports are received daily and now their online processing will reduce the problems faced by the people.

Shah said that Delhi Police has also received the mobile forensic vans. He said that in the coming days, Delhi Police will become the first police force in the country to investigate every crime punishable with six years and above by the visit of a forensic team. There is a great need to strengthen the judicial system of our country on the basis of forensic science evidence, he said.

The Union Minister further said that when the vehicle, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and 14 different types of forensic kits, visits the crime scene, the conviction rate will significantly increase. He said that a modern building at a cost of Rs 34 crore for educational facilities in the Delhi campus of National Forensic Science University (NFSU) has also been inaugurated. This building spread over an area of more than 5000 square meters would help the students and provide them a good environment for study and research. 90 modern hostel rooms are also available in the building. In the coming days, forensic investigation will play a very important role in the justice process, Shah said.

Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is going to make changes in the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in the days to come. These three laws would be brought in accordance with the time and spirit of the Constitution and would be further strengthened with the availability of forensic and other evidence to strengthen internal security, he added.

The year 2023 will be significant for the Delhi Police as the force will have to stay alert since Delhi will be hosting international dignitaries for the G20 Summit. Delhi Police will have to keep alert on three fronts-security, management and traffic maintenance- in the national capital, said Shah.

The union home minister said that from 2014 to 2023, there have been radical changes in the country's law and order situation and internal security. After the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, the security agencies have complete dominance over terrorism.

He said that according to the latest data in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been a huge decline in terrorist incidents. The people are visiting Kashmir for tourism. Instead of incidents of stone-pelting, processions and bandhs that used to happen earlier, today the whole of Kashmir is free from these incidents and welcoming lakhs of tourists, it added.

UNI CM GNK
THE people of Adare gathered for the official opening of the pavilion at The Manor Fields.

The 25-acre community-owned recreational amenity site has been transformed into an all-age, all-ability recreational facility comprising an access road and car park; an award-winning all-ability playground, a full-size floodlit Astro pitch (FIFA, GAA, IRB certified) and walking paths; state-of-the-art Pavilion which is home to a number of indoor meeting and activity spaces, a suite of changing rooms and remote working hub; and most recently, an active generation physiotherapy trail which is the first of its kind in Ireland.

Patrick ODonovan represented Minister Heather Humphreys whose department allocated almost 1.1million to the project to date.

A fantastic amenity in the centre of the county benefitting so many communities across the County and a great example of local rural and community development, he shared on social media.

The event also marked the end of the Walk 4 Wellness campaign and all children that took part were presented with a certificate on completion of the challenge.

Adares community and voluntary groups, sporting organisations, churches, business owners and residents collectively committed to a challenge, with local schools and their pupils to walk 15 minutes per day per person, 13 laps of the Manor Fields walking track per week, per person, or their own personal target.

Special guests also included the Liam McCarthy and Sam Magure trophies as well as the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Francis Foley.

The land was donated to the community by the Kane Family in 2007, the previous owners of Adare Manor.
NEW FIGURES released by the HSE show a chronic underinvestment in health services in the Mid-West.

Despite University Hospital Limerick being the most overcrowded hospital in the country last year, only seven full-time healthcare professional positions in Acute Services were created there in 2022.

The figures also show that University Maternity Hospital Limerick was one of five hospitals across the country to experience a reduction in staff numbers in Acute Services with 265 WTE (whole-time equivalent) health professionals employed at the facility in December 2022 compared to 274 in December 2021.

The figures were released in response to a parliamentary question by Michael McNamara, Independent Clare TD.

The report shows that just 61 of the 2,645 WTE acute services positions created last year in Irish hospitals were located in hospitals within the UL Hospital Group.

This compared with the creation of 579 WTE positions in Saolta University Hospital Care, 547 in the South/South West Hospital Group, 498 in the RCSI Hospitals Group, 459 in the Ireland East Hospital Group, 418 in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and 77 in Childrens Health Ireland.

An additional 666 and 38 WTE positions were created in Community Services and Health and Wellbeing services in 2022.

Deputy McNamara stated, The picture painted by these figures suggests a chronic underinvestment in hospitals across this region and therefore, there should be no surprise as to why waiting lists and trolley numbers here remain consistently higher than other parts of the country.
AN APPEAL has been filed with An Bord Pleanala towards the multi-million euro student village which was due to bring over 200 bed spaces to Limerick.

One appeal, originally recorded with Limerick County Council from a member of the public has now also been received by An Bord Pleanala, to try and hinder the development due for the Old Dublin Road.

Primary concerns for the site included; denisty and size, location and height in relation to existing properties, provision for parking, applicant title description and a spacial note in relation to existing water mains supply.

Reasons for the appeal included; proposal not in fitting with surrounding neighbourhood, apartment blocks too high, potential structural impact on homes and water supply from construction activities, and an insufficient provision for parking.

A decision on the appeal is due to be decided by May 23, 2023.

The infill site was due to house the development of 26 new apartments which would have brought along 202 beds over three blocks, each rising up to five-storeys.

The applicants for development, Kearock Investments, have previously warned that even with other developments under way, Limerick is facing a deficit of 2,200 student bed spaces by the academic year 2024/2025.

Previously, Mr Kearney had told Limerick Live: The scheme provides for much-needed purpose-built student accommodation in close proximity to the UL campus at Plassey.

At present, there is a substantial deficit in the quantum of student accommodation available. Dedicated facilities like this one will serve to free up traditional housing for the private rented sector.

In planning documents to the local authority, the developer stated that outside of the college academic year, the facility may be used for tourist accommodation, and those studying at summer schools in Limerick.
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar is due to visit University Hospital Limerick (UHL) this Friday, Limerick Live has learned.

While there has been no official announcement, it has been confirmed to this outlet by a number of sources. Mr Varadkar pledged to visit UHL amid the overcrowding crisis last month.

Over 11,000 people marched through the streets of Limerick city on January 21 to voice their concerns and anger over the conditions at UHL. The protest, which was organised by Mike Daly, included people of all ages from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary

It was followed by almost 100 doctors and consultants at UHL signing an open letter to urge change at the facility.

In a statement released exclusively to Limerick Live at the end of January, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed he is to "visit the hospital soon". He said plans for a new, second 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) will be revealed by this Easter.

"Government is committed to improving the situation and increasing hospital bed capacity in the Mid-West region. Since 2020 a total of 122 inpatient acute beds were opened in ULHG, of which 98 were added to the bed stock at University Hospital Limerick (UHL)."

"Minister Donnelly has also turned the sod on the next phase of expansion of the UHL site: a 96-bed block, representing a total capital investment of more than 90m. Plans are due to be submitted to the HSE nationally for a second 96-bed block in the first quarter of this year," read the statement.

Meanwhile, the Mid-West Hospital campaign, who supported the protest last month, have posted on social media this Wednesday evening that the Taoiseach has agreed to meet the campaign on Friday.

"If anyone has concerns or issues they feel should be raised please feel free to get in contact. Only a small delegation from the campaign will be permitted to attend this meeting. For those who cannot attend but want to demonstrate their support for the reopening of our A&Es we will be gathering outside UHL between 11.30pm to 12.30pm on Friday. Please bring your photos or placards. All welcome," reads the post.

According to the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) there are 543 admitted patients waiting for beds this Wednesday morning in Irish hospitals. Eighty six of the 543 on trolleys are in UHL. It is the highest figure in the country followed by Cork University Hospital with 60.
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A TOTAL of 5 million has been allocated to the planning and design of the M20 Limerick to Cork road project.

Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport has announced a total of 26,690,901 in funding for national roads and greenways in the county.

The funding for the M20 motorway is part of the TIIs objectives to deliver the key priorities in the National Development Plan.

Other projects that have received money under the funding include 2 million for the Bearys Cross junction on the N24, the development of the Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale bypasses which get 1.45million each to continue the design and planning work, 1 million for the N21 in Abbeyfeale to Mountmahon along with other works on the N69 including Bolands Cross which gets 500,000.

A further 2 million has been allocated to the N21/69 Limerick to Foynes (including Adare Bypass), with 1.45 million given to the N21 Newcastle West and N21 Abbeyfeale relief roads.

Minister of State Kieran ODonnell said: "I am very pleased to see this 5 million in M20 funding announced today, I have campaigned strongly over the years for the M20 project because I believe enhancing the connectivity between Irelands second and third largest cities will bring vital synergies for both Limerick and Cork and indeed Ireland.

"This is another important step in reaching that goal.

"This further 5 million funding for the M20 is to continue with advancing planning and design of the M20 Cork to Limerick project with a view to achieving approval of its business case and making the application for its planning consent and land acquisition orders in the 2021-2025 period of the NDP.

"The commencement of main works construction, subject to approvals, is expected to commence in the 2026-2030 period of the NDP."
Jenny Schaben |

In celebration of Black History Month, Dr. Christine E. Bostonassociate professor for anthropology and sociologydiscussed several major themes and accomplishments surrounding LUs special topics course in museum studies through her presentation Black History Matters at Inman E. Page Library on Feb. 7. Boston addressed the partnership between the Missouri State Museum and Lincoln University while also announcing future collaborations in the works for students and other organizations, specifically the Historic City of Jefferson and the U.S. Forest Service.

In her presentation, Boston explained how the collaboration between the Missouri State Museum and Lincoln University was initially inspired by those at the museum who wished to update its Black history exhibit panels to give insight into an accurate, deep understanding of the past. This project specifically incorporated students to inspire and create interest among them in museum studies, which transpires through other educational fields: anthropology, history, humanities, social sciences, and more. One of the goals of this project was to engage Lincoln University students and promote museum studies as a career to a diverse audience and create a more holistic, all-encompassing delivery of history.

When Boston was contacted by the assistant director of the museum for a collaboration on the project, she says she saw the value in it immediately, not just for the museum but for our students as well. Having that real applied internship opportunity where the students actually got to work with museum staff and create the content for the museumthats not something that happens in a lot of universities.

To begin the project, Boston worked with other LU colleaguesincluding Executive Director of Academic Initiatives Dr. Darius Watson and Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Brian Norristo create the special topics museum studies course that coincides with the Missouri State Museums project to update their Black history panels. In preparation for this new and innovative class, course framework, required readings and assignments were created. Boston and Missouri State Museum Director Tiffany Patterson taught the museum studies course together in fall 2021.

Boston says that the course was equally divided between classes held at Lincoln Universitywhere students got instruction in theory and application, as well as time to conduct researchand then classes held at the Missouri State Museum, wherein students learned more in depth about museum studies and the application of those skills.

In the fall 2021 course, students were divided into three groups. Each chose the topic for their panels on events within Missouris contemporary Black history. Boston says students did everything from start to finish with these projects by conducting research, composing exhibit labels with descriptions, selecting the color schemes and layouts of their panels, locating appropriate images and artifacts to go on exhibit with their panels and presenting their research in a similar fashion as museum staff do. Students presented first to their classmates and instructors, then to two different museum boards; the first was a group composed of Department of Natural Resources staff and then the formal state parks leadership who review all exhibits. In September 2022, the students exhibit, titled Trouble and Triumph, was displayed in the Missouri State Museum at the Capitol Building, and the following month the museum held a reception for the exhibit to formally recognize the students hard work and final products.

During her presentation at Inman E. Page Library, Boston emphasized the importance of Black history, stating that when people talk about Black history, its depicted as a history for a certain group of people, or it shouldnt be part of mainstream history, but, in reality, it is everyones history. She also said that all students reported extreme satisfaction in the course, noting that they felt like they accomplished something real and meaningful while appreciating the opportunity to work on topics they felt were most relevant to Black communities of all agesparticularly younger generations, which was one of the primary goals of the project.

Visit Trouble and Triumph, the student-created Missouri Black history exhibit, now on display at Inman E. Page Library throughout February for Black History Month. For more details on LUs special topics course in museum studies, please contact Dr. Christine Boston at bostonc@lincolnu.edu or (573) 681-6193.
Stephanie Cobian |

Lincoln University will host a dedication unveiling a plaque in honor of the late Felix P. Wulff (June 6, 1974  Feb. 4, 2022) at George Washington Carver Farm on Friday, Feb. 17.

For 35 years, Wulff was a dedicated employee of Lincoln University, where he served as the farm manager and assistant professor. He graduated from LU in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and received the highest achievement award. He then earned a Master of Science in animal nutrition from the University of Missouri in 1971. In 1976, he became the LU farm manager and was instrumental in successfully helping to build, develop and oversee the projects of the agricultural program.

Wulff was very involved in everything related to research and extension at LU. Believing the community needed to know about Lincoln, he served as a major advocate, representing the university throughout the city, county and state, and actively recruited students to the agriculture program. Among his other accomplishments, Wulff was very active in the Ag Club and FFA activities at LU and served as a member of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

Wulff was a man of deep concern for others, even generously donating his own money to ensure students had the tools to succeed. He was a pillar in the community and Missouri farms, committed to Lincolns cause and creating a purpose for future generations and farmers.

The number of people that share stories about his legacy and commitment to both the university and its students speaks of a man of great character who cared deeply for the success of our students and their participation in agriculture, LU President Dr. John B. Moseley says.

The dedication ceremony will begin with an introduction by farm technician Doug Moeller, followed by remarks from Moseley. Guests are invited to share tributes and remembrances of Wulff. The plaque will be presented to Wulffs wife, Joann Wulff, and daughter, Lisa Wulff.

The public is invited to attend the dedication at Carver FarmMultipurpose Building, 3804 Bald Hill Road. This event will take place Feb. 17 from 3  5 p.m. Guests are invited for light refreshments after the ceremony.

For more information, visit https://www.lincolnu.edu/events/index.html.
Jenny Schaben |

Is That Safe to Eat? LU Researchers Pioneer Innovative Food Safety Monitoring Device

Imagine the chef at your favorite restaurant preparing a salad for guests. Inspecting the produce to be used, he sniffs at an avocado. Is it safe to use? Knowing the answer quickly could help prevent and control foodborne disease outbreaks.

Thats the goal of researchers at Lincoln University (LU) of Missouris College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences (CAEHS) who are working on a new way to determine food safety quickly. They are making headway in analytical chemistry by developing a portable sensor system for on-site food safety monitoring  the first of its kind. Through this new technology and process, food safety risks will be detected in hours, if not minutes, instead of days or weeks. At present, no such sensors are commercially available, and Lincoln University is at the forefront of related research.

Researchers at Lincoln University of Missouri are developing a portable sensor system for on-site food safety monitoring  the first of its kind.

Although portable sensors have been reported elsewhere, most of them are still relying on conductivity/permittivity changes or antibody-antigen reactions to detect simple and fixed pathogen(s), said Assistant Professor Dr. Qingbo (Roger) Yang of LU Cooperative Research, the principal investigator of the USDA-NIFA funded project. We are advancing the detection paradigm by pairing advanced sensing technologies with powerful machine learning tools.

According to Yang, there is a critical need for rapid detection methods to monitor food safety issues. Traditional methods used to test food samples can be a long process (e.g., gel culturing, colony formation, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR screening, etc.), lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks. The elapsed time for testing results is often too late to prevent contaminated food from being consumed by the public.

Foodborne pathogen caused issues increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with lack of labor and protection measures in a time of a food shortage, Yang said. This has caused acts of neglect in the food process, leading to a rise in foodborne diseases over the past few years."

LUs innovative sensor can smell and pick up the specific molecules that exist in the targeted food  even in very small amounts  with the assistance of a well-trained machine learning algorithm, said Dr. Qingbo (Roger) Yang.

Yang and his team at LU are developing a portable, hand-held sensing device with a specially designed Raman spectroscopic sensor, which embedded within a bionic chamber mimics the functioning structure of our human olfactory system (noses). Contaminated food samples placed underneath the chamber will emit the so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which act as molecular fingerprints for specific foodborne pathogens. For example, pathogenic E. coli discharges one particular VOC, indole (C 8 H 7 N). The detection of the VOC by the device will provide readily information if the food contains the dangerous pathogen or not.

LUs innovative sensor can smell and pick up the specific molecules that exist in the targeted food  even in very small amounts  with the assistance of a well-trained machine learning algorithm, said Yang. The portable sensor is currently being trained to quickly assess a panel of such VOCs that are correlated with major foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, listeria and so on.

At present, the first-generation sensor has been tested with collaborative lab. An upgraded version will be built on LU campus this summer.

Moreover, suspicious or confirmed food samples fished by the sensing device can further be examined in the backstage laboratory for high-throughput, high-accuracy screening, using two major analytical instruments that are unique to Lincoln University: the Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). Results are not only qualitative but also quantitative, showing even trace amounts of chemicals at concentrations down to the part per trillion (ppt) level.

Prospective goals for this project include rapid and sustainable sensing strategies for preventing and controlling foodborne disease outbreaks in Missouri and other states. The same technology can also play a huge role in the fields of pesticides residue monitoring, nutrition and soil health, military hazardous chemicals investigation, gas leakage, biomedical diagnostics, fermentation industrial and so on.

This project is financially supported through the USDA NIFA-funded Evans-Allen Research Program, from February 2021 to January 2024. Dr. Yang of LU Cooperative Research is a forerunner on many of these CAEHS initiatives. For more information, contact Dr. Yang at 573-681-5036 or YangQ@LincolnU.edu.
IITM Pravartak and the Centre of Outreach and Digital Education, IIT-Madras, has announced the launch of the first batch of the Certificate Programme in Deep Learning and AI on March 30, 2023. Positioned as a high intensity course, this 10-month executive certificate programme, including a 4 days campus immersion at IIT Madras, is designed for ambitious AI professionals and will help them develop cutting-edge deep-tech skills and understand the applications of neural network and deep learning algorithms.

Deep Learning, a vital component of Machine Learning, is revolutionising the business landscape. Complex applications include solutions for challenges in areas like speech recognition, image processing, text processing, fraud detection, malignancy gauging, and many more. Every facet of business from finance and operations to IT and general management is joining the drive to create increased insight and efficiency in decision-making. Its been said that Indias Machine Learning growth wave is poised to hit $543 Bn by 2023, and that almost 87% of Indian companies are going to step up their investment in AI by 10% over the next three years. Innovative companies are actively seeking out both AI and Deep Learning solutions and top minds to put those solutions to work across a range of global industries. AI and Machine Learning jobs have jumped by almost 75% in the last four years alone. Going by company investments in AI, that number is projected to only move upward.

In this scenario, success hinges on the availability of highly skilled professionals who can understand technical problems in the context of 21st century global business, propose the right kind of architecture for the scenario, and implement the technology to solve the problem in a manner that is as accurate as it is agile. This IITM Pravartaks programme equips professionals for exactly this kind of competitive, high-intensity scenario. It is a rigorous programme that will empower you to create relevant, efficient solutions to pressing real-world problems. It is ideal for ambitious, growth-centric learners who are aspiring to gain technical prowess in building Deep Learning models for todays challenges. It is also designed to be relevant to professionals from different disciplines and at different career stages, such as early professionals looking to generate insights efficiently and accurately or even mid-career professionals keen on applying deep tech solutions to strategic business issues. For such an audience, the programme covers every vital aspect of AI and Deep Learning that includes understanding different kinds of neural network architectures, how to implement various deep learning algorithms, evaluate deep learning models, and understand their applications. It also exposes learners to innovations and latest thinking.

By the end of the programme, participants will have deep technology capabilities and sound understanding of the neural network techniques for text processing, image processing, and video processing problems.

The programme is driven by renowned IIT Madras faculty and programme delivery is 100% live format across 150 hours. The learning experience is immersive and stimulating with a rich blend of concepts, exercises, tools, and discussion. It involves a high degree of hands-on assignments where participants can apply their learning in actual situations. The experience also includes a 4-day campus immersion with exclusive access to labs in IIT-Madras Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department. The adventurous ones will be excited to know there is also the opportunity to participate in a face-to-face hackathon at IIT Madras campus. On successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a Certificate in Deep Learning and AI from IITM Pravartak and the Centre of Outreach and Digital Education, IIT-Madras. They can also avail of career services from Emeritus that will empower them with the skills and tips to ace interviews and land the top jobs.

Commenting on the launch of the programme, Programme Director, Prof. C. Chandra Sekhar, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Madras, said, IITM Pravartaks programme in Deep Learning & Artificial Intelligence covers text, image, video, and speech processing. Students will learn how to use Deep Learning models for tasks related to function approximation, classification of images, videos and text, visual captioning, sequence-to-sequence mapping in video and text domains."

The first batch commences in April 2023 and since admissions are on a first come, first-serve basis, its a good idea to apply by (insert date) to reserve your seat. This certificate programme in AI and Deep Learning is delivered by Emeritus through a digital-first, seamless learning, and high-engagement experience. Visit the programme page for more details and apply soon to unlock todays cutting-edge AI skills and succeed in exciting, high-growth jobs with the markets most innovative and leading brands.

Further, Dr. M.J. Shankar Raman, CEO, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said, New products powered by AI are taking internet by storm every day. Disruptions are happening in the AI / ML / Deep Learning space every day. These reconfirms that students and industry professionals must be skilled with best faculties, platforms and tools. IITM Pravartak is happy to announce this certification course along with Emeritus for professionals and students to attain mastery in these areas."

About IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation

IITM Pravartak is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, and hosted as a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) by IIT Madras. The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission aimed at complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government, and International Organizations.

IITM Pravartak Technology Innovation Hub focuses on new knowledge in Sensors, Networks, Actuators and Control Systems (SNACS) through extensive and application-oriented research. IITM Pravartak gladly takes the role of preparing young India for the next generation of world-class technologies.

About Emeritus

Emeritus offers customised and open programmes in India, Singapore, Dubai and other global locations in collaboration with MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, IIM Lucknow Executive Education, IIM Calcutta Executive Education, ISB Executive Education, Harvard Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, and Wharton Executive Education, amongst other leading Institutes. Our world-class executive education programmes, supported by eminent programme experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications. The meticulously curated programmes are delivered in a different range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programmes. Our extensive portfolio also includes short 2-4 day in-class workshops, online courses of 2-3 months duration as well as comprehensive learning journeys that run over 6-9 months, customised to an organisations requirement. The Emeritus Group has more than 1,400 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. Following its $650 million Series E funding round in August 2021, the company is valued at $3.2 billion and is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, Sequoia Capital India, Bertelsmann, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Absence of sea breeze causing rise in Odisha temperature: CEC 15 Apr 2023 | 4:42 PM Bhubaneswar, April 15 (UNI) The existing meteorological factors in Odisha have contributed to a sharp rise in day temperature with several places in the state recording above 40 degree Celsius, the Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC) said on Saturday. see more..

All set for Miss India competition in Imphal, winner to be chosen Saturday 15 Apr 2023 | 3:26 PM Imphal, Apr 15 (UNI) A new Femina Miss India title holder will be crowned here on Saturday night. see more..

Odisha: Indefinite curfew imposed in Sambalpur town as fresh violence 15 Apr 2023 | 1:30 PM Bhubaneswar, Apr 15 (UNI) An indefinite curfew was clamped on Friday night in six police station limits in Sambalpur town by the district administration after violence reported between the two groups during Hanuman Jayanti celebration. see more..

Postal Department AE held by CBI in a bribery case 15 Apr 2023 | 1:20 PM Bhubaneswar, Apr 15 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an Assistant Engineer (Civil), Postal Civil Sub Division, Sambalpur for demanding and accepting bribes. see more..
Mumbai, February 13, 2023: One Point One Solutions Ltd., leading Business Process Management Services Company, has declared its financial results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Revenue from Operations was at  35.03 core in Q3FY23, as compared to  32.63 crore in Q3FY22; registered a growth of 7.36%, EBITDA was at  7.61 crore in Q3FY23 as compared to  6.23 crore in Q3FY22; increased by 21.60 % and net Profit was at  2.15 crore in Q3FY23.

Revenue from Operations was at  104.58 crore in 9MFY23 as compared to  97.04 crore in 9MFY22, registered a growth of 7.77%. EBITDA was at  24.55 crore in 9MFY23, as compared to  20.19 crore in 9MFY22; increased by 2.23 %. Net Profit was at  5.81 crore in 9MFY23, as compared to Rs. 2.13 crore in 9MFY22, registered a growth of 1.73 times

Company added Razorpay, Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance, The Giving Movement, BZinga and BridgeLabz as new clients during the quarter. The initial engagement with payments solution provider Razorpay has started with around 30 seats and is expected to start running shortly at 100+ seats.

The scope of business with Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance (SUD Life) is to manage state of the art multi-lingual lead generation outbound calling activities for SUD Life Insurance with 40 agents whose role will be to setup up meetings for SUD Life Insurance representative to present and close Life Insurance policies with prospective customers.

Currently the company manages Dubai-based online store The Giving Movements International Business (Dubai & USA) through Email ticketing, WhatApp services. Going forward One Point One will also engage with the customer base for apparel business in B2B scenarios for lead generations, B2C customer engagement service (query, order and complaints, Refund related scenarios).

With Mobile App platform Bzinga, One Point One Solutions has an engagement for around 25+ seats and with the increasing popularity of the platform & addition of new play module to the portal, the customer engagement is set to rise and thereby offering opportunity for growth.

One Point One Solutions has initiated the lead generation support for BridgeLabz, an IP-driven incubation lab, with around 15 seats and has now scaled to handling the sales process of the enrolment process.

Akshay Chhabra, Managing Director, One Point One Solutions said, We are delighted to declare good set of numbers in the nine months of the financial year.

We have added clients in both existing and new segments during the quarter. Besides we have strengthened our senior management team by adding Rajiv Desai as Global Delivery Head  BFSI, he had joined from TCS and Ashwini Kumar Rao as CHRO, who had joined from Sutherland Global Services.

The company has made inroads in to international markets by signing new clients and has reported marginal revenue from these markets and the company is very confident of strengthening this business. This segment will have a slow start and can be scaled up in size during the next financial year.

The new income tax regime will boost private consumption and demand. This will drive growth of many brands and demand for services, which would boost our BPM services which is very positive for us"

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
New Delhi: Air India has the option to buy an additional 370 aircraft as part of its deal with aircraft makers Airbus and Boeing, chief commercial and transformation officer Nipun Aggarwal said.

The current order includes 840 aircraft, of which 470 are firm orders, including 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing. A firm order is confirmed, while an option is not, and airlines can decline to buy them.

This order of 840 aircraft has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago, starting with the Air India privatization process," Aggarwal said in a LinkedIn post.

The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s," he said.

The A350 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines, and the B777/787s by engines from GE Aerospace. All single-aisle aircraft will be powered by engines from CFM International.

The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and 6 Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond.

The wide-body A350 aircraft will be used to fly all ultra-long distances across the world and 210 narrow-body A320neo family jets. The conglomerate also has significant option to increase the fleet order once the airline grows," Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran said on Tuesday.

He added that the Tata Group is eyeing bringing commercial aircraft manufacturing to India at some point. We are working on bigger partnerships, and one of our ambitions is to bring in commercial aircraft manufacturing at some point in time in the future. We have teams aligned on both sides, and we see this moment as the most significant moment for Tata group Air India, Indian aviation and the manufacturing sector in India," Chandrasekaran said.

With the bulk order, Air India intends to make India a hub for international flights and provide Indians with direct connectivity to various parts of the world, which is in sync with the governments aim to make India a hub for international flights. Currently, a large percentage of Indian passengers fly to various parts of Europe and the Americas through airports in West Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Under the government-led divestment process, the Tata group acquired full-service carrier Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express in January 2022. Since then, AirAsia India, formerly a venture between AirAsia and Tata Group, has become a 100% subsidiary of Air India.

In November, the Tata Group also announced that Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, will be merged with Air India, with Singapore Airlines holding 25.1% of the merged entity.

Tata Sons-owned Air India currently has a fleet of 113 aircraft. The groups total fleet size stands at 219, including AirAsia India with 28 planes, Vistara at 54 aircraft, and Air India Express at 24 jets.

The conglomerate is eyeing to create an Air India brand umbrella which will have a single low-cost platform and a single full-service platform by the end of 2023. The former will be a merged entity between AirAsia India and Air India Express. The full-service carrier will be the merged entity between Air India and Vistara.
Bank of America is planning to cut jobs in its investment bank, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, which would add the lender to a growing list of Wall Street firms to that have reduced their workforce in recent months.

The number of cuts, which are still being discussed, could affect less than 200 bankers globally, the report added citing people familiar with the matter.

BofA declined to comment on the report.

Dealmakers on Wall Street, following record activity in 2021, saw M&A volumes and stock market floatations tumble last year amid volatility in the capital markets, geopolitical tensions and risk-off sentiment.

Global banks including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are in the process of cutting thousands of jobs as profits at lucrative investment banking units come under pressure, according to a Reuters tally.

Several other financial firms have also slashed jobs in recent months, including major asset managers and fintechs, amid a turbulent macroeconomic environment that has pressured consumers and soured demand in several mainstay business units.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
New Delhi: Hindustan Zinc Ltd has solid grounds for its planned acquisition of parent Vedanta Ltds global zinc assets, chief executive officer Arun Misra said, adding he will speak to government officials soon to resolve their opposition to the deal.

According to the Union mines ministry, the HZL boards January decision to acquire these assets violates minority shareholder rights. Vedanta owns a 64.9% stake in HZL and the government of India 29.5%.

What is the strategic content? The purpose (of this deal) is undoubted and indisputable. The mechanism can be the problem. So, it is the mechanism we are talking about, and we will see the mechanism," Misra said in an interview. Misra said that he had not discussed the issue with government officials yet, but would do so soon. It is a timing issue  the government wants to divest the rest of its stake in the company, and we want to expand... We need to figure it out after I speak to them directly," he added.

Being a related-party transaction, the proposal needs majority approval from minority shareholders, including the government, whose shareholding is classified as public shareholding.

According to Misra, a company like HZL cannot limit its size and capacity to where it is today; it must grow much beyond and tap other mineral sources across the world. If you look at global mining companies, they have mining properties in many countries and continents. HZL has the potential  It is a cash-rich company and has the knowledge and executive firepower. We need to unleash the potential of the company," Misra said. Indias annual zinc consumption is 650,000-680,000 tonnes and is expected to grow 3-4%, Misra said. HZL produces about 800,000 tonnes annually. Whatever we expand in India, it will only be for exports. And beyond a point, our export market in Southeast Asia will also saturate... Hence, I have to export to Europe or the US. Being in India and exporting to those countries will not be profitable and worthwhile," Misra said.

The HZL board on 19 January obtained approval for the acquisition of Zinc International assets of THL Zinc Ventures Ltd (Mauritius), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta, through THL Zinc Ltd (Mauritius). THL Zinc Ltd will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hindustan Zinc. Government officials have been cited as saying that its representative on the board opposed the proposal at the meeting.

We will oppose the transaction through the ministry of mines in the AGM/EGM, and scuttle the proposal since it is not in the interest of minority shareholders. Its a related party transaction which requires far more due diligence, but till that time, any plans to divest our shareholding cannot move ahead," a top government official said on the condition of anonymity.

The government plans to sell the residual stake in HZL in tranches of about 5-10% to start with, but the move is unlikely to materialise in the near term, and the disinvestment itself may be in limbo for some time.

Misra said he cannot comment on board discussions. Every decision has the approval of the board. And we do not comment on what happened inside the board meeting," he said. Misra said that these huge investments would be scrutinized, and he would work to bring minority shareholders (the government) on board, as this is necessary for the company to grow. I have been looking for assets in Europe, Latin America and South Africa, and we need to get a foothold somewhere to cater to the Western world. These decisions or any other decision for investment will always be up for scrutiny from a similar angle. As a CEO, I believe HZL must do... there is no point limiting itself to the current capabilities," Misra said.

A JM Financial Institutional Securities 19 January report titled Much needed growth optionality, albeit at expensive valuations, said: The company shall seek shareholder approval in February while other approvals are expected within 18 months."
As a part of the universalisation of EV charging in the USA, the Biden administration collaborated with Tesla to open part of its US charging network to all Electric Vehicles. Tesla EV charging stations will be open to all under the $7.5 billion federal program for the expansion of EVs and cut carbon emissions.

The electric car maker is planning to open 3,500 new charging stations and existing superchargers along highway corridors open to non Tesla cars as well. In addition to that, the company would also offer 4,000 slower chargers at locations like hotels and restaurants.

Also Read: Thanks to Tesla rise, Musk nears worlds richest title again

After opting for the competitive pricing for its car, this move to open Tesla EV charging stations for every EV will give the company an upper edge for vehicles made by the company. Currently, Tesla is the only EV company to have such a vast network of high speed Superchargers in the US.

Tesla Chief, Elon Musk gave the information by retweeting the update shared by the Tesla charging, the twitter account for all the information updates related to Superchargers.

Tesla Superchargers almost everywhere https://t.co/W0LcSq5qJE  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 15, 2023

"Tesla Superchargers almost everywhere," said Elon Musk while retweeting the thread.

Tesla Charging had tweeted, Our US network will more than double by the end of 2024 to support our growing Tesla fleet and new EV customers."

Also Read: 'Broadest definition of investor...': Elon Musk ahead of Tesla's investor day

Informing about the deal, USA President Joe Biden informed that the opening of a big part" of Tesla's network to all drivers was a big deal" that can bring a big difference."

In response, Tesla Chief Executive Musk said, "Thank you, Tesla is happy to support other EVs via our Supercharger network."

Also Read: Elon Musk donated around $1.95 billion in Tesla shares last year

US subsidy to Tesla

For opening its EV stations to rival EV makers, Tesla would be eligible for a subsidy, informed a White House official. The subsidy would also include retrofitting its existing fleet. The subsidy, if given, will be provided to the EV maker only till its charging stations are open for other vehicles with a federally backed charging standards, CCS, to charge.

As of now, Tesla had not committed to adopting CCS as its standard. But the company needs to comply with the requirements to qualify for funds.

Tesla has 17,711 superchargers, which make 60% of the total US fast chargers. In addition to superchargers, there are around 10,000 destination' chargers with Tesla plugs that provide the facility of overnight charging.

Tesla's EV Charging key to build USA's EV chargers federal program

Government's push that led Tesla to open its charging stations to all the EVs, will help the US government in achieving ambitious federal program to build 5,00,000 EV chargers by 2030. Currently, the country has 1,30,000 chargers.

"Select Tesla Superchargers across the US will soon be open to all EVs," Tesla wrote on Twitter, without elaborating on when, where and how it would open its chargers. It had already planned to more than double its U.S. Supercharger network by the end of 2024, it said.

All the EV drivers need to install the Tesla app or website to access these stations. Adding non-Tesla owners may require a different plug and payment method. Just like the USA, the company had also opened some Superchargers in Europe and Australia to non-Tesla owners since 2021.

Universalisation of Superchargers, a threat to Tesla's brand exclusivity

Despite paving way for its subsidy by opening EV chargers to all the EVs, the move may erode the brand exclusivity of Tesla, believe experts.

Chris Harto, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said, "There is no doubt the $7.5 billion in federal charging investment threatens Tesla's competitive advantage. That is actually the entire point of the program."

The move may ramp up the company revenue, but it will make it difficult for Elon Musk to manage the network. The strong customer satisfaction existent due to the charging network might get impacted if the network will be open for all the EVs, said Sam Abuelsamid, who works at Guidehouse Insights.

(With inputs from Reuters)
New Delhi: Nokia aims to surpass its rivals and lead the Indian market for private 5G networks which the Finnish telecom gear maker expects to become a $240 million market by 2027 with deployment potential of more than 2,400 sites across the country.

We have had a leadership position in private networks across the world and we have more than 500 deployments globally. This business is growing very fast and we see the same kind of trend in India too," Nokia India chief marketing officer Amit Marwah said in an interview.

According to the Nokia Mobile Broadband Index report issued on Thursday, Indian investments in private wireless networks is expected to reach around $240-250 million by 2027.

Marwah said the first few private networks are expected to start coming up in the next couple of quarters, mostly in the segments of transportation, manufacturing, healthcare and utilities, which are set to see the largest share of enterprise investments.

The government is yet to finalize the strategy for giving out 5G airwaves for 5G private networks to enterprises through administrative allocation, for which it has to decide on the bands of the airwaves as well as pricing of the airwaves that will be given outside of auction.

Nokia is looking at opportunities on its own as well as through its partnerships with telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio that own 5G spectrum. The company will compete with Swedish rival Ericsson which has set up a separate unit to scout for private 5G network deals and also partner with telcos to provide 5G solutions to enterprises.

Marwah added that fixed wireless access or FWA services for consumers are also set to expand this year as the segment had seen good growth over the last 18 months. Nokia is also expanding manufacturing of optical line terminals at its factory in Sriperumbudur, Andhra Pradesh in response to increasing demand from local customers in India, and to cater to international markets amid higher investments by industry and government on broadband and fiber connectivity.

Jio and Airtel intend to broaden their fixed wireless business segment with Jio targeting 100 million homes connected through fiber in the coming years.

On 5G deployments by Vodafone Idea, Marwah said that discussions with the No. 3 carrier were ongoing and he expects the telco to get funding and hence invest in the network deployment. He added that Nokia is ready to set up the network and will begin once the orders are finalized.

Vodafone Idea chief executive Akshaya Moondra said the telco was in advanced discussions with telecom equipment makers for its 5G rollout strategy and will expedite the rollout once it secures funding to have a presence in the main markets and to compete with its larger rivals that have been offering 5G services since October 2022.

Marwah further said that 5G deployments for consumers are expected to be faster than anywhere in the world, with telcos ramping up deployments over the past year, even as consumption of 5G had risen exponentially.

The MBIT report said that the average data consumption per user had risen sharply since 2018, reaching 19.5GB per user per month in 2022. At an aggregate level, total mobile data consumed in India is expected to more than double by 2024. Over 70 million 5G devices are estimated to have been shipped to India in 2022, indicating a strong traction for 5G in the market, the report said.
MUMBAI : PeerCapital, an early-stage technology-focused venture capital firm, plans to raise 900 crore ($108.7 million) for its maiden fund, a senior official said.

The firm has already raised 300 crore towards the first close of the fund which was started in March last year. It is targeting a final close by this September.

We have so far raised capital from family offices, HNIs and startup founders. We are now in talks with institutional investors," said Ankur Pahwa, co-founder and managing partner at PeerCapital. He said the total corpus includes a green shoe option of 300 crore.

The firm was founded by Pahwa, former partner and national leader, e-commerce, consumer internet and startups at EY; Rohit MA, former managing director and co-founder, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals; and Karthik Prabhakar, former managing director, Chiratae Ventures.

PeerCapital is a category II alternative investment fund or AIF which also has a Delaware, US-based feeder vehicle to tap into global pools of capital. The firm has started deploying funds from the capital raised so far. Some of its portfolio firms include Saveo, Furrl, Vaaree, OneImpression, Jar and Koo, Pahwa said.

Our core strategy is to deploy in companies looking to raise Seed to Series A funding rounds. Our initial cheque sizes will range anywhere between $0.5-2 million," Pahwa said, adding the fund will double down on its investments in companies for follow-on rounds. We are looking to build a portfolio of around 30+ companies through this first fund," he added.

Early-stage investing continues to be buoyant even amid the fear of a larger funding winter setting in.

Early-stage deals comprised 60-62% of the total funding in volume terms in 2021 and 2022, global consulting firm PwC said in a report in January. Average ticket size per deal was $4 million per deal. In value terms, early-stage deals contributed to approximately 12% of the total funding in CY22 compared to nearly 7% in CY21," PwC said.

We remain extremely excited about the timing of our fund as winter doesnt last forever and history has shown the quality of companies built in similar economic cycles generate exceptional outcomes," Pahwa said. This vintage has the potential to create legendary companies as the ingredients of reasonable valuations, resilient and grounded entrepreneurs, a capital efficient eco system and an eye on building sustainable businesses make for a perfect recipe for success," he added.

As domestic institutional investors mature, an increasing number of funds are now able to tap into the growing pools of capital and raise larger funds to invest in the startup ecosystem. From family offices to ultra high net worth individuals to insurance firms, more institutions are now backing local funds. The domestic pool is competing with global investors to invest in new-age startups. According to data compiled by Refinitiv, India-focused funds raised about $11.2 billion from investors in the last calendar year.
Following RBI's hike in benchmark policy rates, Kotak Mahindra Bank has increased its lending rates by 5 basis points across tenures. The revised Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rates(K-MCLR) will be in effect from Thursday.

Notably, Kotak Mahindra Bank has joined the list of commercial banks who have increased their lending rates after the rise in RBI's repo rate. The move will make loans costlier for customers.

Also Read:SBI vs BoB vs PNB vs BOI customers: How much will your home loan EMIs increase after repo rate hike

The private lender has increased the overnight K-MCLR to 8.2%. Whereas, the rate for one month has been increased to 8.45%. THe KMCLR for three months duration is set at 8.60% and for six month tenure, the rate is fixed at 8.80%. The bank has set the rate for one, two, and three year tenure at 9%, 9.05%, and 9.20%.

View Full Image Kotak Mahindra Bank has increased its lending rates by 5 basis points. The new rates will be implemented from Feb 16. (Kotak Mahindra Bank website)

Marginal Cost of Lending Rate is the minimum rate at which a bank is allowed to lend money to the customers. The financial institution is not allowed to lend money below that rate. MCLR system was established by the Reserve Bank of India provide minimum flooring on lending rates in different types of loans.

In addition to Kotak Mahindra Bank, several other commercial banks have also raised their lending rates after the Reserve Bank of India announced the hike in benchmark policy rates. RBI announced to raise the repo rate by 250 basis points to 6.50%. Repo Rate is the rate at which RBI lends money to the commercial banks against government securities.

Soon after the hike in RBI repo rate, India's largest public sector bank, SBI, raised its lending rates by across tenures. The revised rates were implemented by the bank from February 15. Apart from SBI, other public sector banks like Punjab National Bank, Bank or Baroda and other banks have also raised their lending rates. PNB and BoB raised their lending rates by up to 25 basis points.

PNB has increased the repo linked lending rate(RLLR) from 8.75% to 9 %. BoB's revised lending rates were implemented on 12 February. As per its revised rates, MCLR was increased to 7.90 % from 7.85% for the overnight tenure, the rate was increased to 8.20% from 8.15% for one month tenure.
New Delhi: The central government has reduced the windfall profit tax levied on crude, diesel and jet fuel as oil prices softened in global markets, showed two official orders.

The reduced rates are applicable from Thursday. The tax levied in the form of special additional excise duty on crude oil has been lowered from 5,050 a tonne to 4,350 a tonne, showed one of the orders.

In the case of export of jet fuel, the special additional excise duty has been lowered sharply from 6 a litre to 1.5 a litre, showed the order issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

The indirect tax authority also lowered the special additional excise duty on export of diesel from 6 per litre to 1 per litre. Petrol continues to be out of the windfall tax, showed the orders.

Windfall profit tax was imposed last year after crude oil prices soared in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, fetching large profits for oil producers. The government reviews the tax rates every fortnight to calibrate the tax mop up. According to officials, the tax rate absorbs only a part of the extra profits that the companies earn in global markets during a period of high prices.

Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra had told Mint in a post-budget interview on 4 February that the government estimates around 25,000 crore of revenue receipts in the current fiscal from the windfall profit tax. Malhotra also said then that in the case of petrol, it has already been removed and the levy will apply on crude oil and products only if there is a windfall profit.
Gold rates today hit one month low in domestic market as fear of US economic recession eased after strong US CPI data and retail sales data. After hotter than expected US inflation data on Tuesday, US retail sales in January 2023 climbed by most in last two years, shrugging off US Fed rate hike speculations. According to bullion market experts, gold prices may further go down towards $1,800 per ounce levels in international markets whereas the precious yellow metal price may go up to 55,000 per 10 gm levels in domestic markets.

On why gold prices are falling, Amit Sajeja, Vice President  Research at Motilal Oswal said, "Fold rates today fallen at one month low in domestic markets after strong US economic date that pulled US dollar to around six week high. This put an ease on US recession fears leading to huge buying interest in the US dollar. As of now, gold price has immediate support placed at $1,830 levels in international spot market whereas $1,800 levels is expected to remain a sacrosanct support for the yellow metal. Similarly, on the higher side, yellow metal may fact resistance at $1,880 per ounce levels. So, in next one month, we can expect the yellow metal to remain in $1,800 to $1,880 range."

In domestic market, Amit Sajeja of Motilal Oswal said that gold rates today may find 'sacrosanct' support at 55,000 levels. However, he maintained that any dip towards these support levels should be seen as buying opportunity buy gold investors.

"Though the recent positive US economic releases and a firm US dollar continue to put pressure on the safe-haven status of gold, there are chances of a mild technical bounce-back as prices dipped to multi-week lows," said Hareesh V, Head of Commodity Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Expecting further dip in gold prices from current levels, Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy and Trading Officer at Vantage said, "Gold price drop sharply towards $1,830 on Wednesday as US dollar regather strength and the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield keeps rally, which exerting heavy pressure on Gold price. For technical aspect, RSI indicator 35 figures as of writing, keeps going South as the price continues on its downward movement in near-term. As for the Bollinger Bands, the price is falling between downward moving average and lower band, which is a typical pattern of downtrend."

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Shares of oil refiners and producers surged on Thursday after the government slashed windfall taxes on domestically-produced crude oil and export duty on diesel and jet fuel due to falling oil prices in global markets.

In the sector pack BSE oil and gas, shares of RIL, ONGC, Indian Oil GAIL were in the green, while Hindustan Petroleum, BPCL, Gujarat Gas were in the red.

Shares of the country's most valued company, Reliance Industries advanced 1.08% to 2,456.35 on the BSE, while Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) shares were trading 3.19% at 152.20 per equity share.

On Thursday, shares of Indian Oil Corp were 0.19% higher at 79.65 apiece, while GAIL (India) Limited was trading at 95.45 per share, up 0.16% the BSE.

Windfall tax on crude was cut to 4,350 per tonne from 5,050 per tonne, effective Thursday, according to a government notification dated 15 February.

The government has also cut export tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to 1.50 a litre from 6 rupees a litre, and reduced export tax on diesel to 2.50 a litre from 7.50 a litre, the order said.

Petrol continues to be out of the windfall tax, showed the order.

The windfall tax on domestic crude oil targets crude producers like Vedanta and state-run ONGC, while RIL and Nayara Energy are private refiners who export diesel and ATF.

In a post-budget interview with Mint, revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra had said that the government estimates around 25,000 crore of revenue receipts in the current financial year from the windfall profit tax.

Malhotra also said then that in the case of petrol, it has already been removed and the levy will apply on crude oil and products only if there is a windfall profit.

India had in July 2022 imposed the windfall tax on crude oil producers and levies on exports of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel after private refiners wanted to make gains from robust refining margins in overseas markets, instead of selling it cheap at home

The cuts came as refiners continued to stock up discounted Russian fuel amid a steady increase in domestic consumption.

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
The Air India deal with Airbus and Boeing that took everyone by storm could get bigger. The airline earlier this week announced that it has placed a record order of 470 planes. Today, a company official said Air India has an option of buying another 370 jets.

The order comprises of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade. The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s," Air India Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal said in a LinkedIn post.

The airline that was taken over by the Tata group from the government has also signed up for long-term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.

Aggarwal added that the big-ticket deal has culminated over two years which started with the privatisation process of Air India.

This order of 840 aircrafts has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago starting with the Air India privatisation process," read the post.

The previous biggest order was a 460-plane deal by American Airlines in 2011.

Here is the full text from the LinkedIn post of Air India Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal

We are truly humbled by the excitement generated by the Air India Limited aircraft order across the world.

It is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order of 840 aircrafts has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago starting with the Air India privatisation process.

The order comprises of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade. The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. We have also signed up for long term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.

This order demonstrates the vision and aspiration of Tata Group to transform Air India into a World Class Airline and connect India Non-Stop" to every major city in the world. This order is also a testament to the tremendous economic potential unleashed by the Air India privatisation.

We would like to thank the teams at Airbus, Boeing, CFM, GE and Rolls Royce for their wonderful support during the campaign. We are proud to have built deep relationships and laid solid foundation for long-lasting partnerships.

Thank you to Air India leadership MD & CEO Campbell Wilson, COO Capt. Sandhu, CTO Arun Kashyap and their teams for their support during this campaign. It has truly been a tremendous team effort involving many people who worked tirelessly across the organisation.

I would like to make a special acknowledgement of the contribution by my core team comprising Yogesh Agarwal, Pranay Todi, Naman Jain and Jinesh Papdiwal who have been instrumental in driving and concluding this campaign. Its really been a pleasure to work with such talented people.

A big thank you and forever grateful to Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Group CFO Saurabh Agrawal for setting a high aspiration for Air India, entrusting the team with this opportunity and for the tremendous guidance and support throughout the process.
New Delhi: The government may soon take action against leading e-pharmacy stores which are selling drugs over multiple online platforms. The government has already sent a show-cause notice to TATA 1mg, Flipkart, NetMed, Apollo pharmacy and Practo, among others

This comes in the backdrop of the Chemist Association reaching out to the health ministry citing complaints against e-pharmacy stores which has resulted in decline in their business. The Chemist Association has threatened to go on a nationwide strike if no action is taken against the e-pharmacy stores.

We have received multiple complaints against e-pharmacy stores selling medicines online. Not only are they flouting the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, but they have caused a 30% decline in business of offline stores," said an official at the health ministry.

Earlier this week the Drugs Controller General of India issued show-cause to around 20 e-pharmacy stores and asked them to submit their reply on why no action should be taken against them. We havent received any reply from them so far," the official said.

This is not only leading to the misuse of the drugs; it is also affecting the sustenance of around 1,200,000 chemist shops. Online pharmacy stores are also putting patients health data at risk," said the official.

Queries sent to the health ministry and online pharmacy stores mentioned above did not elicit any response.

The letter issued by DCGI states that drugs specified under Schedule H, H1 and X can only be sold via retail channels under a valid prescription of a registered medical practitioner and supplied under the supervision of registered pharmacists.
The Central government on Thursday slashed windfall profit tax levied on domestically-produced crude oil, as well as on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), in line with firming international oil prices, according to an official order.

The levy on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been cut to 4,350 per tonne from 5,050 per tonne, the order read.

The government has also trimmed the tax on export of diesel to 2.50 per litre from 7.5 a litre. Petrol continues to have nil special additional excise duty.

Meanwhile, the tax on overseas shipments of ATF has been cut to 1.50 per litre from 6 a litre.

The new tax rates came into effect from 16 February.

Crude oil pumped out of the ground and from below the seabed is refined and converted into fuels such as petrol, diesel and ATF.

India first imposed windfall profit taxes on 1 July, 2022, joining a growing number of nations that tax super normal profits of energy companies. At that time, export duties of 6 per litre ($12 per barrel) each were levied on petrol and ATF, and 13 a litre ($26 a barrel) on diesel.

The levy is reviewed every fortnight and rates are moderated based on international oil prices.

Reliance Industries Ltd, which operates the world's largest single-location oil refinery complex in Gujarat's Jamnagar, and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy are primary exporters of fuel in the country.

The cuts came as refiners continued to stock up discounted Russian fuel amid a steady increase in domestic consumption.

The windfall taxes had been weighing on profits of refiners and explorers, with companies like Reliance Industries, Vedanta Ltd, Oil India and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd.

The government levies tax on windfall profits made by oil producers on any price they get above a threshold of $75 per barrel.

The levy on fuel exports is based on cracks or margins that refiners earn on overseas shipments. These margins are primarily a difference between the international oil price realised and the cost.
New Delhi: Macquarie Asset Management, one of the largest foreign infrastructure investors in India, has appointed Bank of America (BofA) to sell around 450 megawatt (MW) of solar power projects for an equity value of around $250 million, said two people in the know.

The sale process is expected to be launched soon, with the 330MW operational solar assets acquired from Hindustan Power Projects Pvt Ltd. Most of these projects supply power to electricity distribution companies of the Gujarat government at a higher tariff and receive timely payments.

With the investment horizon for the 450MW solar projects nearing, the plan is to sell them at a premium," said one of the two people cited above requesting anonymity. BofA and Macquarie spokespersons declined to comment.

The development comes at a time Indias power demand has grown to a per capita consumption of 1,255 kilowatt-hour (kWh).

India recorded an all-time high power demand of 211.6 GW in June 2022, and is estimated to be at 225 GW in the summer months this year. Electricity requirement is also expected to grow by 9.5% in the current fiscal year, with peak demand growth of 6.82%.

Macquarie Asset Management has assets of $797.8 billion under management globally, while Macquarie Group has so far invested in 18 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, including 1 GW under construction and 87 GW under development.

India has the worlds fourth largest installed green energy capacity of 167.75 GW. Of this solar accounts for 63.302 GW. According to Central Electricity Authority, the apex power sector planning body, share of non-fossil fuel generation will grow from 42% of the installed capacity in October 2022 to 64% by 2029-30.

Indias massive energy transition also involves leveraging its landmass and low solar and wind tariff to produce low-cost green hydrogen and ammonia for exports, which is attracting foreign investors. In January, the Union cabinet approved the 19,74crore National Green Hydrogen Mission to produce 5 million metric tonnes of emission-free fuel per annum by 2030.

The enabling environment has resulted in attractive deals in the green energy space, including Aditya Birla Group appointing Standard Chartered to sell a 49% stake in its renewable energy business for around $400 million, and Indias largest pure-play solar platform, the ACME Group giving a formal mandate to Rothschild and Co. to sell a stake in ACME Cleantech Solutions for $500 million.

Ahmedabad based Torrent Power Ltd is in talks with ReNew Energy Global Plc to buy 1.1GW of operational clean energy assets at an enterprise value of $1.2 billion. Besides, Canadian financial majors Alberta Investment Management Corp., Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, Brookfield Asset Management Inc., and I Squared Capital are looking to invest in Hyderabad-based renewable energy company Fourth Partner Energy Pvt. Ltd. Petronas, Sembcorp Industries, JSW Neo Energy, BP Plc, Norways state-run electricity firm Statkraft, and I Squared Capital are looking to acquire Continuum Green Energy (India) Pvt. Ltd at an enterprise value of $1.5 billion.

The huge amount of green energy injection in the countrys energy mix will also help towards India achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, and reduce carbon intensity by 45% from 2005 levels. Indias green energy push has been complemented by the massive push in strengthening the power transmission network. Around 173,459 circuit kms of transmission lines has been added to the national power grid, which in turn has led to a 112 GW of electricity transfer capacity from one part of the country to the other.
It is a known fact that every taxpayer in India has to mandatory file income tax every year. The Ministry of Finance is the prime authority that announces changes in the income tax slab during the country's annual budget which is presented on 1 February. However, there's one Indian state that is exempted from paying income tax--it is Sikkim.

Sikkim, an erstwhile kingdom was merged into India on the condition that its old laws and special status will remain intact. Thus the small hilly northeastern state followed its own Sikkim Income Tax Manual 1948, which governed the tax laws since 1975. Under this rule, no resident of Sikkim was supposed to pay taxes to the Centre.

But in the year 2008, Sikkim's tax laws were repealed. The Union Budget that year exempted the States residents from tax by inserting section 10 (26AAA). A section in the Act protected the special status given to Sikkim and Sikkimese" as per Article 371(f) was inserted. In 2008, the Union government granted I-T exemption to over 94% of Sikkimese people but left out the 500-odd families who had refused to give up their Indian citizenship.

Under Section 10 (26AAA), the income accrued to Sikkimese individuals in the state or by way of dividends or interest on securities from elsewhere was exempted.

Besides, market regulator Sebi also exempted Sikkim residents from the mandatory PAN requirement for investments in the Indian securities market and mutual funds.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India held that the benefit of tax exemption provided in Section 10 (26AAA) shall be extended to all Sikkimese people, including those who permanently settled in the state prior to the merger of Sikkim in India.

Before SC's judgment, the income tax exemption excluded "old Indian settlers", who had permanently settled in the state before 1975, when Sikkim merged with India. The Supreme Court verdict was in response to a petition filed by the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) in 2013, challenging the denial of I-T exemption by excluding them from the definition of Sikkimese even though they have been living in the state since the time it was an independent kingdom.

The court directed the state to amend the Explanation to Section 10 (26AAA) to include a clause to extend the exemption from payment of income tax to all Indian citizens domiciled in Sikkim on or before April 26, 1975.

Besides, the apex court has also struck down the exclusion from the exempted category Sikkimese woman who marries a non-Sikkimese man after 1st April 2008 as being ultra vires Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India".
The Spanish government approved a law granting paid medical leave to women suffering from severe menstrual pain - a first for any European country. Such facilities are presently available in a handful of countries including Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.

Today is a historic day of progress in feminist rights," said Equality Minister Irene Montero. She opined that the move would a step towards addressing a health problem that has been largely swept under the carpet.

"Periods will no longer be tabooNo more going to work with pain, no more taking pills before arriving at work and having to hide the fact we're in pain that makes us unable to work," Montero had said after the law was initially approved by the cabinet in May 2022.

The menstrual leave law was part of a broader mandate that also bolsters access to abortion services in public hospitals. The new legislation also allows minors aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without parental permission, reversing a requirement introduced by a previous conservative government in 2015.

While the legislation passed smoothly under Spain's left-wing government, it has created divisions among both politicians and unions.

The CCOO, one of Spain's main trade unions, welcomed the move as a major "legislative advance" to recognise a problem that has been "ignored" until now. Meanwhile, the country's other main union warned that it could stigmatise women in the workplace and indirectly hinder their "access to the labour market". UGT's stance has also been echoed by the opposition right-wing Popular Party (PP).

What are the parameters of the new law?

The new legislation allows employees experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need - with the state social security system (not employers) picking up the tab for the sick leave. Much like other health-related paid leave, it requires a doctor's approval.

According to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society about a third of women suffer from severe menstrual pain.

(With inputs from agencies)
The revenue growth of country's largest IT services company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is seen lagging behind that of rival Infosys Ltd for this fiscal and the next. However, both the IT services companies are expected to grow at a moderate rate next financial year.

Rating agency Moody's Investors Service expects 13 per cent revenue growth for Infosys and 8 per cent revenue growth for TCS in the fiscal ending 31 March.

Moodys on Wednesday affirmed "Baa1" rating to two major IT services companies  TCS and Infosys. In two separate statements, the ratings agency has also retained stable outlook for both the firms.

"Moody's Investors Service has today affirmed the Baa1 local currency issuer rating of Infosys Limited. The rating outlook remains stable," it said in a release.

It expects Infosys' revenues moderate to around 8 per cent in the next 2024 fiscal, while TCS' revenue growth to slow to around 5 per cent in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

The rating affirmation reflects Infosys' position as one of the world's leading IT solutions and services providers with globally diversified, cost-competitive operations that translate into its sustained, strong profitability and robust credit profile, Kaustubh Chaubal, Moody's Senior Vice President said.

"Infosys' good corporate governance practices, reflected in its extremely strong balance sheet, large liquidity and net cash position, support its Baa1 rating," Chaubal added.

A vast majority of Infosys' workforce is based in India. As well, the company is exposed to changes in regulations and tax laws in India. Given this exposure, Infosys' rating is constrained at two notches above the rating of its country of domicile and incorporation, India (Baa3 stable), based on Moody's cross-sector methodology.

Moody's observed that a globally diversified operations, demonstrated track record in delivering strong operating results with industry leading profitability, large positive free cash for generation and minimal reliance on the Indian banking system allow Infosys to be rated two-notches higher than the Indian sovereign.

Moreover, Moody's said, the company's credit profile is strong for its Baa1 rating, given its long, successful and sustainable operational track record with gross debt/EBITDA below 0.3x and large free cash flow generation.

EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation and is a measure of company's operating performance.

Revenue growth prospects for IT companies could slow as corporates remain cautious with their discretionary IT budget allocations amid global uncertainties and fears of a looming recession.

But digital transformation trends, along with corporates' focus on cost optimisation and streamlining vendors, present an attractive opportunity for leading IT companies such as Infosys that have a wide product suite and capabilities to cater to increasingly complex businesses.

"Meanwhile, improving employee utilisation from hiring in prior years and steadily declining attrition amid global uncertainties will likely arrest any further margin pressure, with its EBITA margin remaining around 24 per cent over fiscal years 2024 and 2025," it said.

On rating rationale for TCS, Moody's Chaubal said the company's good corporate governance practices, reflected in its extremely strong balance sheet, large liquidity and net cash position, are a key credit strength supporting its `Baa1' rating.

Meanwhile, improving employee utilisation from hiring in prior years and declining attrition in the backdrop of global uncertainties will likely arrest any further margin pressure, with its EBITA margin remaining around 25 per cent over financial years 2024 and 2025.
NEW DELHI : Technology companies are likely to hire engineering graduates at the previous years levels of 2-4 lakh per annum, industry experts said, adding they expect no increase in freshers pay this year as hiring winds down after a year of aggressive recruitment.

Consultancies, IT services and non-core IT firms and captive units are among the chief recruiters of engineering graduates, and are not expected to upgrade salary structures for entry-level hires.

IT firms, including large services companies, will see at least 40% drop in fresher hiring target for this year. In such cases, there will be no need for a salary hike. We expect large IT services firms to offer salaries of 3.18-4 lakh for entry-level campus hires," said Anshuman Das, chief executive and co-founder of Careernet, a talent solutions provider.

Top IT services companies Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Tech, Infosys and Tech Mahindra, had projected combined hiring figures of around 180,000 freshers for FY23. In the December quarter earnings announcements, the companies said they have either fulfilled, or are on track to meet their hiring targets.

Every year, about 1.5 million engineers graduate and a large chunk heads for IT companies. However, after a year of a hiring frenzy, IT firms are coming up with stringent screening tests for freshers, and the ones who do not make the cut will be asked to leave. According to a Mint analysis, IT service providers may let go of around 2,500 campus recruits.

In fact, Indias technology and startup sector may layoff another 15,000-20,000 employees due to the funding winter, as companies try to ease the impact of over hiring" on the balance sheets, said experts.

There are six cohorts that recruit engineers: tech startups, IT services, captive units, consulting firms, IT product and non-tech firms. While the services sector may see reduced numbers, the five industries will take them in," Kamal Karanth, co-founder of staffing firm Xpheno, said.

Though Karanth does not expect much change in salary levels, he estimates that global in-house centres (GICs) or captives, will hire more engineers this year as their main recruitment happens in the first two years of setting up the centres. However, they do not hire in mass like the IT services firms and, therefore, there will be a large pool of engineering graduates without offers this year," Karanth added.

However, certain specialities, like quantitative research analysts from the Indian Institutes of Technology, will be in for far higher compensation compared to the engineering graduates. The rest may have to hunt for jobs in tier 2 and 3 towns. Engineers are looking for jobs that are temporary and some have to opt for apprenticeships, shift to smaller towns and join unknown firms or move to other sectors," Aditya Narayan Mishra, chief executive, Ciel HR Services, said.

Freshers from other streams may, however have better opportunities. According to TeamLease EdTech, hiring intent for freshers for January-June is at 62%, up 3% from July-December, when 59% of firms expressed their intent to recruit freshers.
Tripura assembly elections will see some key contests with arch rivals Congress and Left joining hands to give a tough contest to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Tipra Motha who are also seeking to put up a strong show.

The 60-member Tripura Assembly goes to polls on Thursday. As many as 259 candidates, including 20 women, are in the fray.

Voting will be held from 7 am to 4 pm and the counting of votes will be done on 2 March.

Trinamool Congress, contesting 28 seats with 58 independent candidates, has also put up candidates on several seats.

In this triangular contest, the ruling BJP is fighting the elections in alliance with Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and are pitted against the Left-Congress alliance and TIPRA Motha, the newest regional party in the state.

The ruling BJP has fielded candidates in around 55 constituencies while IPFT is contesting six seats in the state.

A total of 12 women candidates are there in BJP. The Left Front is contesting 47 seats and the Congress party on 13 seats.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha is contesting the elections from Town Borodowali. The Congress party has fielded Ashish Kumar Saha against Saha.

The Tripura CM has replaced Biplab Kumar Deb as the state chief minister in May 2022. The state's Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma is contesting from Charilam seat.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajiv Bhattacharjee is contesting from Banamalipur constituency. Former chief minister Biplab Deb had represented the seat earlier.

CPI(M) state general secretary Jitendra Choudhury is contesting from Sabroom constituency.

The BJP has fielded Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik from Dhanpur constituency. She is the first woman from Tripura and second woman from the Northeast to become a Union minister.

Tipra Motha has fielded Amiya Dayal Noatia against Bhoumik in the seat.

BJP has fielded sitting MLA Pranajit Singh Roy from Radhakishorpur constituency. He is pitted against CPI-ML's Partha Karmakar.

BJP's Papiya Dutta will face Congress candidate Sudip Roy Barman in Agartala.

In Karbook, CPI(M) candidate Priyamani Debbarma is contesting against BJP's Ashim Tripura and Tipra Motha's Sanjay Manik.

BJP won 36 seats in the assembly. The party got 43.59 per cent of the votes. The CPI (M) won 16 seats with 42.22 per cent vote share. The IPFT won eight seats and Congress could not open its account.

As many as 28,14,584 electorates of which 14,15,233 are male voters, 13,99,289 are woman voters and 62 are of the third gender, are eligible to cast their votes at 3,337 polling stations, the Election Commission's data noted.

Security arrangements have been tightened before for the elections. All poll personnel have reached their polling booths.

The BJP had stormed to power in the last polls in alliance with IPFT and had ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978.

The BJP is expecting to improve its performance. Party's top leaders including Prime Minster Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party chief JP Nadda campaigning in the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath also campaigned in the state.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and senior party leaders Brinda Karat, Prakash Karat, Mohammad Salim and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar campaigned for the party in Tripura.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Dipa Dasmunshi and Ajoy Kumar had campaigned from the Congress party.

With agency inputs
While addressing Brahma Kumaris' Jal-Jan Abhiyan launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the campaign is beginning at a time when the whole world is seeing water crisis as the crisis of future. He said that the world is waking up in 21st century to realise that there is limited water to be used on the earth.

Jal Jan Abhiyan is beginning at a time when water crisis is being globally seen as a crisis of the future. In 21st century,the world is understanding the seriousness that the earth has limited water resources," said PM Modi at Jal Jan Abhiyan in Sirohi, Rajasthan via video conferencing on Thursday.

Also Read: 1 crore new rural households got tap water connection since 2019: Govt

He also expressed his happiness on seeking blessings from the late Rajyogini Dadi Janki ji and called it, his biggest asset.

Highlighting the issue of water scarcity in India, PM Modi said that India is facing a huge challenge due to depleting groundwater levels.

Also Read: Water vision for 2047 a big contribution to Amrit Kaal: PM Modi

In the Amrit Kaal, India is looking towards water as the future. There will be a tomorrow if there is water", the Prime Minister remarked and underlined that joint efforts have to be made starting today.

He also highlighted that the campaign will be an opportunity for the public to participate in the country's water conservation effort. He said an emotional connect with natural resources will automatically reduce their exploitation by humans.

Mentioning how water is also worshipped among Hindus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Water conservation is the culture of our society and the centre of our social thinking. That's why we consider water to be God and our rivers as mothers."

Also Read: 'Good to read this', Zerodha's Nithin Kamath's tweet gets a response from PM Modi

Prime Minister also expressed his grief on how the issue of water conservation was neglected in past decades by the government. He also talked about campaigns launched by the BJP-led government like Namami Gange, Catch the Rain , 55 Amrit Sarovar, Atal Bhujal Yojana, etc that will help in water conservation in India.

He also highlighted on the need to link women with water conservation projects. He said that rural women are leading important schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission through water committees. Similarly, Brahma Kumari sisters and their campaign can also play a crucial role in water conservation.

(With agency inputs)
Some 20 banks have opened special vostro accounts to settle foreign trade in rupees. However, the mechanism is yet to take off with exporters flagging issues. Russian buyers, meanwhile, are offering payments to Indian exporters in yuan and dirham. Mint explains:

Why was the mechanism needed?

In the backdrop of the Ukraine war and Western sanctions against Russia, the Reserve Bank of India launched the rupee settlement mechanism in July to buy cheap Russian oil, cut its dependence on foreign currencies and reduce Indias vulnerability to external shocks. But efforts to promote trade in rupees have been fraught with challenges. Some exporters have received payments in rupees, though such transactions are few in number. Government officials admit that the mechanism is still in its early stages and there are teething troubles" relating to the exchange rate and repatriation of money.

Which banks have opened vostro accts?

About 20 Indian banks, both private and public, have opened special vostro accounts to facilitate rupee trades. Accounts have been opened by lenders such as UCO Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India, along with corresponding banks from Russia. The latter include Sberbank, Gazprombank, Credit Bank of Moscow and VTB Bank. However, most of the banks are awaiting standard operating procedures from the RBI with regard to the rupee settlement mechanism so as to take it forward

View Full Image Photo: iStock

How does the rupee trade work?

Indian importers can make the payment in INR, which is credited to the vostro account of the correspondent bank of the partner country against invoices for the supply of goods or services from the overseas supplier. Similarly, Indian exporters are paid in INR into the special vostro account of the corresponding bank of the partner country.

Are pvt banks resisting the mechanism?

While Russia-China trade has hit record highs, Indias exports to Russia are yet to return to pre-war levels. One reason is the absence of a smooth payment mechanism. Exporters say some Indian private banks are reluctant to trade with Russia and Iran fearing western sanctions. Economists say while theres no regulatory risk for private banks in dealing with Russia (since RBI is backing the rupee settlement mechanism), there could be delays in payment and prolonged credit cycles.

Why is success here important for India?

Economists say a hefty push is required for the rupee to gain global acceptance as an international currency. A successful rupee settlement mechanism could do the trick. The Economic Survey said if the INR turnover rises to equal the share of non-US, non-Euro currencies in global forex turnover of 4%, it could be regarded as an international currency. One prerequisite for an international currency is that it should be increasingly used for trade invoicing.
Former Karnataka CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on 16 February hit out state minister C N Ashwath Narayan for trying to 'instigate' people to kill him.

Siddaramaiah urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to immediately initiate action against Narayan by sacking him from the cabinet.

"What does 'finish off Siddaramaiah' mean? A minister who is supposed to protect the people, Mr Ashwathnarayan said this right? What will PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah say now? It's BJP's culture to attack, kill and assassinate," Siddaramaiah said while speaking to the media.

ALSO READ: Tipu vs Savarkar campaign continues: Karnataka BJP chief launches attack against Tipu Sultans children

"They're the ones who killed Mahatma Gandhi. Ashwathnarayan said what RSS instructed him to say. I demand that Governor should dismiss the minister from the cabinet. I'll not file a complaint, police themselves should register a case against the minister," the former CM added.

Earlier, C N Ashwath Narayan, in his remarks in Mandya, had said, "Tipu's son Siddaramaiah will come.... Do you want Tipu or Savarkar? Where should we send Tipu Sultan? What did Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda do? In the same way he should be knocked out and sent off."

Though Narayan claimed his statement was not personally directed at Siddaramaiah and in case the Congress legislature party leader is hurt, he will express regret.

Apart from this, the state minister clarified that he only meant defeating electorally and not causing any physical harm, as being misinterpreted.

However, reacting urging Bommai to immediately sack Narayan from the cabinet, Siddaramaiah said, "If no action is taken, it only means that BJP is in agreement with the appeal or they think Ashwath Narayan has become 'Mentally Unstable'."

To this Narayan said, "People will not accept such things. He (Siddaramaiah) is the one who compared the Chief Minister to a puppy, called state BJP President a joker, Prime Minister Modi as narahanthaka (mass murderer) I have never tried to divide the society like him in the name of religion and caste. I only meant defeating him in the election through votes and not personal comment or causing any harm to him physically."

Siddaramaiah also sought the Governor to dismiss him from the cabinet.

With agency inputs.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that aiming for 5 trillion economy is not a joke and every state should contribute towards it. Her statement came in response to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar's controversial comment on 5 trillion economy.

The finance minister, who was speaking at an event at Hyderabad, also cited that Telangana has incurred a debt of over 3 lakh crore, which was only 60,000 crore in 2014.

How can you say that aim of 5 trillion economy is a joke? Every state should contribute towards it. Who are you laughing upon, the people? In 2014, debt of Telangana was 60,000 crore, but in the last 7-8 years it has crossed Rs.3 lakh crore," FM Sitharaman said.

KCR, recently stoked controversy with his statement, after he termed USD 5 trillion economy as a "joke" and "silly". He also said that the target should have been much bigger.

In a viral video, he was also heard saying that there is nothing great about making the Indian economy worth USD 5 trillion by 2025 and that it is something an ordinary "clerk" can account for.

"What is the extra effort you are putting in? Nothing. If you are able to do it, If you've innovative skills, if you are a dynamic government, please do something like china in the line of Deng Xiaoping, something in line with Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. That is something great, not USD 5 trillion economy," KCR said in a video.

The finance minister also slammed the state government on data related to medical colleges.

When the centre asked for the list of places for medical colleges, the state (Telangana) listed Karimnagar & Khammam. But those places already had medical colleges" Union FM Sitharaman

Now you are telling that you did not receive a single medical college in 157 medical colleges from the Centre. You don't have the data of places in Telangana that have medical colleges & you're blaming NDA as 'No Data Available," she added.
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said Thursday profits soared to a record level in 2022 despite supply chain problems limiting its ability to increase production.

Net profit rose one percent to 4.2 billion euros ($4.5 billion) as Airbus delivered 661 aircraft last year despite original plans to hand over 720 to clients.

Airbus had chopped production during the pandemic when airlines were forced to halt most operations due to travel restrictions.

Also Read: Air India signs 470 aircraft deal with Airbus, Boeing; here's why world is calling it historic

It was hoping to quickly scale back up now that traffic is recovering and airlines are looking to step up purchases of fuel-efficient aircraft given high fuel prices.

"We delivered solid financials despite an adverse operating environment that prevented our supply chain from recovering at the pace we expected," Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said in a statement.

Airbus has over 10,000 suppliers, some of which had problems boosting production after having let off staff during the pandemic.

Obtaining raw materials hampered others and even the Russian invasion of Ukraine complicated sourcing certain parts.

"The company had to adjust its operations accordingly, which led to lower commercial aircraft deliveries than originally planned," he added.

Airbus is targeting 720 deliveries for 2023.

Sales rose 13 percent to 58.9 billion euros, reflecting the increase in the number of aircraft delivered last year, but also the strength of the US dollar, the currency in which sales are made.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
The outbreak of deadly Marburg disease, spread by Ebola-like Marburg virus, has been confirmed by Cameroon earlier this week. So far, 9 deaths and 16 suspected cases have been reported from the region.

"On the 13th of February, we had two suspected cases. These are two 16-year-old children, a boy and a girl, who have no previous travel history to the affected areas in Equatorial Guinea," Robert Mathurin Bidjang, the public health delegate for the region, said at a meeting in Cameroon's capital Yaounde.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg virus is a highly infectious disease that can have a fatality rate of up to 88% and hence, it was increasing its epidemiological surveillance in Equatorial Guinea. Amid the scare of this deadly virus, here is a look at how the Marburg spreads and what are the precautionary measures you should take.

Marburg virus: How common is human to human transmission?

While the Marburg virus can be transmitted from human to human, it is not as easily transmissible as some other viruses like flu or coronavirus. And it is not an airborne disease.

The primary mode of transmission is through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. For example, it can be transmitted through blood, vomit, feces, and urine, of an infected person. It can enter your body through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as medical equipment or bedding.

Close contact, such as caring for someone who is sick or handling the body of someone who has died from the virus, can also lead to the spread of the disease.

What precautionary measures should we take?

To prevent Marburg virus transmission, practice good hygiene, avoid close contact with infected individuals, wear protective gloves, disinfect equipment, and follow local health guidance.

In addition to these measures, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you have been exposed to the virus. Healthcare workers and laboratory personnel who work with the virus are at particular risk and should follow strict infection control measures to prevent transmission.

Equatorial Guinea quarantined more than 200 people and restricted movement last week in its Kie-Ntem province, where the hemorrhagic fever was first detected. Meanwhile, neighbouring Cameroon had restricted movement along the border.
US President Joe Biden on Friday (IST) spoke about the unidentified objects detected in the US skies in the recent days. Biden said that the US has been closely monitoring the country's airspace since the suspected Chinese spy balloon flew over several states on 4 February.

He said he will be speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but makes no apologies for taking down the first balloon over South Carolina on 4 February.

"I expect to be speaking with President Xi and I hope we are going to get to the bottom of this," Biden said, adding: "I make no apologies for taking down that balloon."

The US military has shot down all four mysterious aerial objects recently. However, it remains unclear about the latest three objects that were knocked during weekends. Biden said that the US and the Canadian military are recovering the debris to learn about the three objects.

The President emphasised that the US still does not know what these objects were, but nothing suggested that they were from China's spy balloon programme.

He said the latest assessment suggested that they were private balloons.

He has asked the intelligence community to take a broader assessment of the aerial objects.

He added that knocking down the unidentified objects was the correct decision. He said, "If any object poses a threat to the safety and security of the American people, I will take it down".

On making the US airspace safer Biden said his government will take three key initiatives-- Establishing a better inventory of unmanned objects above America, aiming to better detect unmanned objects in airspace, and updating rules and regulations for unmanned objects above the USA.

The US President added that his government has imposed restrictions on six Chinese firms that "directly support" the Chinese military's aerospace programme. These companies can access US technology, he said.

Biden had remained largely silent on the objects downed Friday off the coast of Alaska, Saturday over Canada and Sunday over Lake Huron. On Monday, the White House announced earnestly there was no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity." By Wednesday, US officials said they were still working to locate the wreckage from the objects, but that they expected all three to be unrelated to surveillance efforts.
he thorny trees and dung-caked homes of Umoja village make it resemble any other in Kenya's northeastern Samburu region, except in one key detail - the absence of men.

Since it was established over 30 years ago, Umoja has provided a refuge for women from the Samburu community and beyond fleeing female genital mutilation, domestic abuse or child marriage.

"I used to be mistreated but now I feel free," said 26-year-old Christine Sitiyan, a mother of four who abandoned her marriage because her husband physically assaulted her.

Losing hope in the relationship, she first tried to return to her home village, but the cattle used as a dowry to secure her marriage had been stolen.

"When I went back home, I was just sent back to my husband because my mum did not have the livestock to give back," said Sitiyan, who was adorned in a kaleidoscope of beadwork commonly worn by Samburu women. Her only option was to move to Umoja.

Three decades ago, Rebecca Lolosoli felt compelled to speak out about the violence she experienced at home and witnessed against women in her society, which is heavily male-dominated.

When her advocacy was met with hostility, she and 15 other women came together to form Umoja -- which means unity -- a village where men are banned.

Now a thriving, self-sufficient community of almost 40 families, the women make money selling traditional beadwork to tourists, and from a nearby campsite.

As the village matriarch, time has done little to dim Lolosoli's resolve.

"I am very proud to live in this village because now there is no one stressing me, and my husband will not assault me here," she said. "I live as a mother with children who is fighting for rights against early marriages and FGM."

The village isn't free from problems: local men routinely steal their cattle. But Sitiyan is in no hurry to let a man back into her life.

"I do not desire to get married again because I went through a hard time, I was being mistreated. I did not have rights and my children were not allowed to go to school," she said. "Now, I am proud to be a mother."
A draft resolution that condemns all annexation attempts in Palestinian territory by Israel, including the latters settlement decisions and actions, is being debated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The United Arab Emirates and the Palestinians collaborated to create the text, which the 15-member council is expected to vote on on February 20.

The draft resolution, seen by Reuters on February 15, demands Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory".

The article reiterates that Israel's construction of settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, which it has controlled since 1967 is illegal and a "flagrant violation under international law".

Also Read: Enormous milestone: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu as Adani Group acquires Port of Haifa

Israel has routinely violated the human rights of Palestinian residents of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip over the past 50 years, says Amnesty International.

Israel's brutal practises of land theft, illegal settlement, and dispossession, together with widespread discrimination, have caused Palestinians great hardship and deprived them of their fundamental rights ever since the occupation initially started in June 1967, the international organisation on human rights, emphasises.

For the last 50 years, Israel has been forcing thousands of Palestinians off their land, occupying and illegally using it to create settlements that exclusively house Jewish Israeli settlers," Amnesty International earlier said.

Also Read: India, Israel mark 30 years of diplomatic ties with opening of Centre of Excellence

UNSCs move comes as the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank on February 12 and announced the massive building of additional homes in established settlements. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed he was "deeply troubled" by Netanyahu's choice.

The UNSC, in December 2016, demanded that Israel halt constructing colonies. It changed its policy of shielding Israel from UN action and adopted a resolution when US President Barack Obama's administration chose to abstain.

The colonies Israel has erected on land it took from Palestine in a war in 1967 are viewed as illegal" by the majority of foreign powers. Israel denies that and argues that it has security interests in the West Bank in addition to biblical, historical, and political ties to the region.

(With Reuters inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Thursday. After the meet, while addressing reporters, Fiji PM Rabuka said that he and the EAM felt it bad manners to talk about China while they were 'not present in the building".

"We thought it was bad manners to talk about somebody who is not in the building. We spoke about our own cooperation and we're very fortunate to have such a great power and economy talking to us." PM Rabuka told reporters.

"We have great old friends and there is no need to look for new friends. There are no really new friends in this region. We have been friends with India, and we have been friends with China. We'll continue our relationship," the Fijian PM said.

Fiji PM Rabuka said that India stood by his country in times of great need and will always be a special friend and trusted partner.

"I'm pleased to say that India will always be a special friend and trusted partner to Fiji," the Fiji Prime Minister said during a joint press statement with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Suva, Fiji.

"Together we've built a robust multifaceted partnership which covers cooperation in all major areas of nation-building. India has stood by us in times of great need. We're grateful to GoI for supporting us through the provision of life-saving vaccines and humanitarian assistance," the Fijian PM said.

He appreciated PM Modi and the Indian government for their support in co-hosting the 12th World Hindi conference in Fiji.

"Fiji appreciates India's commitment towards the development of our pacific region through collective priorities. We are more resolved now than ever to build a strong and sustainable future for families in Fiji, the Pacific and beyond," he said.

The Fiji Prime Minister said further that a lot of people from his country visit India for medical treatment and education.

On the MoU on visa exemption between India and Fiji, the PM said: "We will certainly benefit, though the scale may differ."

The 12th World Hindi Conference is being held in Fiji from February 15 to 17. It is being co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Fiji government.

(With inputs ANI)
Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday after he left court in the capital Dakar where hearings are underway in a libel case against him.

The demonstrations are the latest sign of unrest in the West African country where elections next year could pit Sonko against President Macky Sall, if the president seeks a third term, a move that opponents say is unconstitutional.

Sall, 61, has not ruled out running in the election which the government said on Thursday would take place on Feb. 25, 2024. Sonko supporters and some opposition leaders say the libel case - and another legal action - are attempts to discredit a popular rival.

Senegal has long been seen as a bastion of democracy in an unstable region. But critics, especially among Sonko's youthful support, have become disillusioned with Sall's crackdown on political opponents, and on protests against him.

"We used to trust Macky Sall but he has disappointed us," said protestor Moustapha Toure. "Sonko is the hope of all youth and they want to harm him, we will not accept it."

Violent clashes broke out across Senegal in 2021 when Sonko, 48, was arrested over sexual assault allegations for which he is now facing trial. He is also accused of libel for allegedly accusing the minister of tourism of embezzlement. That matter was heard in court on Thursday and adjourned again to March 16.

Last week, Sonko supporters rioted and vandalised property in the cities of Mbacke and Touba after his party was refused permission to hold a rally.

Sonko denies wrongdoing and says all the charges against him are politically motivated.

Thursday's protests spilled over to one of the city's main thoroughfares as supporters tried to follow Sonko's car. Police fired tear gas at them before taking Sonko from his vehicle. According to videos on social media not verified by Reuters, the police drove him home.

Other presidential aspirants have been the subject of criminal charges in the past, including former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, and Karim Wade, son of ex-president Abdoulaye Wade.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Ensemble Holdings and Finance, a little-known Godrej group company, was registered in February 1992 and received a non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence in March 1998. For much of its existence, it traded in shares and debentures. That changed in August 2021, when Godrej Capital Ltd, the financial services holding company of the 126-year-old Godrej group, acquired 100% voting rights in Ensemble Holdings for 5.73 crore in cash.

The company is now known as Godrej Finance Ltd, and it will drive the cupboards-to-consumer products groups financial services ambitions, as the NBFC arm of Godrej Capital.

Gautam Adanis Adani Capital Pvt. Ltd received its NBFC licence in 2017. It caters to micro, small and medium enterprises by offering business loans, farm sector finance, commercial vehicle loans, and supply chain finance. Another group firm, Adani Housing Pvt Ltd, got a mortgage lending licence in June 2018 and primarily caters to the affordable housing segment, offering home loans and loans against property. As of September, Adani Capital and Adani Housing had combined assets under management of 3,248 crore.

Mukesh Ambanis proposed Jio Financial Services plans to leverage the technology capability of the group and focus on digital delivery of financial products". In October, Ambanis flagship Reliance Industries announced the demerger of its financial services business and said Reliance Strategic Investments, its wholly-owned subsidiary, will be spun off before listing as Jio Financial Services Ltd. It has appointed former ICICI veteran K.V. Kamath as the non-executive chairman of the unit.

Enthused by the pace at which Indian consumers are devouring credit, these moves by Godrej, Adani and Reliance epitomise the aggressive push by large business houses to muscle their way into the non-banking financial services market and embark on a digital lending journey. Under current regulatory norms, it is impossible for a business house to set up a bank. Finding no way to enter that building, they went to the building next door and found the door open. And now, these Indian conglomerates are busy setting up NBFCs. Those that already have an NBFC licence, such as L&T (L&T Finance Holdings Ltd) and Aditya Birla (Aditya Birla Finance Ltd), are looking to scale up.

Getting a banking licence is not easy. You need a track record," Gaurav Gupta, the man tasked with building the financial services business of the Adani group, told a group of students attending an afternoon webinar on finance in July 2020.

Manish Shah, chief executive of Godrej Capital, said that over the last few years, both from the regulatory aspect and from the liabilities side, things have changed and entry into non-bank lending is no longer seen as a challenge. There are things you can do as a non-bank that you cannot do as a bank," said Shah. The advantages that conglomerates have is the embedded customers that a brand needs. From a customer perspective, brands that they have known and can trust are more important today than ever before."

Why now?

Analysts and sectoral experts Mint spoke to said conglomerates entering financial services want to cash in on the retail lending boom. High adoption of digitization in the Indian financial system has benefited these newcomers, who do not have to go to far-flung places to set up branches in order to convince people to borrow. They are also banking on brand recall to be able to garner more customers.

While the recent pace of vertigo-inducing growth in bank loans does not seem to be sustainable, retail credit has more fuel in the tank. A look at data on loans to individuals shows how banks have gone all out to onboard more and more retail borrowers. Between December 2020 and 2022, they disbursed 10.9 trillion in such loans (net, after adjusting for repayments by existing customers), as against 4.7 trillion to industries over the same period.

As corporates grow larger, they would want to diversify their presence and the financial sector presents a very good opportunity, if they are not already in that space," said Krishnan Sitaraman, senior director and deputy chief ratings officer, Crisil Ratings.

Since financial inclusion is still below the desired level, Krishnan believes entering the financial services arena would allow these businesses to tap the opportunity and enable customers in multiple segments to get better access to formal sources of finance. In some instances, the financial services offerings may also complement their products on the manufacturing or trading side," said Krishnan.

Some argue that financial services offer not just an opportunity to diversify but to future-proof the business and expand at a time when other avenues have little to offer. Many of their other businesses are almost at a saturation point. There is some amount of capacity building that is going to take place. But then, financial services are not like manufacturing companiesit is capacity through services," said Ashvin Parekh, managing partner, Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services LLP.

Technology is also playing a key role in this shift. Traditionally, banks were reliant on their branch network to grow not just their deposits, but also their loan book. While a brick-and-mortar presence is still seen as an avenue to garner customer trust, it is no longer indispensable.

The entire financial services landscape is changing ,thanks to technology, and new players are finding it easier to get their business up and running.

People can see there is money to be made out here," said Santanu Chakrabarti, India analyst, banking, financial services and insurance, BNP Paribas. It is not surprising that people with deep pockets and the ability to deploy capital are coming to financial services, he added.

Not a huge challenge

Setting up a financial services business is not a challenge for these large business houses, given their access to capital and the availability of an employable workforce.You also have a huge balance sheet and if the conglomerate has a good governance track record and shows the ability to repay, it can raise money for financial services, including market borrowings and bank funding," said Parekh.

Take Adani Capital, for instance. According to its annual report, the total non-performing asset ratio of Adani Capital stood at 1.49% on 31 March. This was highest in the small business loans it acquired from Essel Finance in 2020, where the NPA ratio was 9.12%. As one would imagine, it has the backing of the conglomerate. In the January-March period last year, financial services holding company Adani Finserve infused 150 crore.

Our mission, our objective in Adani Capital, is that we want to support micro and small entrepreneurs in the country. A micro and small entrepreneur typically would be anyone where loans we give would not be more than 25-50 lakh. In fact, the average ticket size of the loan we give is 5 lakh," Adani Capitals Gupta said at the webinar cited above.

In the first six months of 2021-22, Adani Capital and Adani Housing reported a consolidated profit after tax of 39 crore, up from 2 crore the previous fiscal year, according to Crisil Ratings. Adani Capitals total borrowings stood at 1,902 crore in 2021-22, as against 983 crore in the previous fiscal.

A spokesperson for the Adani group did not respond to a request seeking comments from Gupta.

The change in lenders attitude towards non-bank financiers has contributed to the attraction. Lenders have been considerably more optimistic about the NBFC sector after turning cautious post the IL&FS Ltd meltdown in late 2018. The Government of India, through the ministry of corporate affairs, took management control of IL&FS and appointed a new Board to control defaults.

Banks can partner with NBFCs to jointly offer credit, provided the non-banks take at least 20% of the overall exposure. Indias largest bank, State Bank of India, has already tied up with Adani Capital for what its chairman Dinesh Khara described as an opportunity to connect with the underserved farming segment of the country". Bank loans to NBFCs grew 36% y-o-y in December 2022 to 13.2 trillion.

Godrej Capital has two subsidiaries: NBFC Godrej Finance and mortgage lender Godrej Housing Finance. While Godrej Finance wants to target smaller businesses, Godrej Housing has started out by funding buyers of apartments built by the groups real estate arm.

According to its 2021-22 annual report, the group believes that the NBFC sector has given decent returns and the business will grow at a steady rate. During the year, Godrej Capital posted a net loss of 63 crore, on the back of 55 crore in total income. The group has committed capital of 2,700 crore to the financial services business.

Eye on Ambani

Analysts are now keenly watching for the entry of Jio Financial Services and believe it will shake up the space. Macquarie Capital said in a report that once operational, Jio Financial could be the fifth largest financial services company in India by net worth.

Although he was tight-lipped about what he plans to build, chairman Kamath is optimistic. I thought this was a great platform to work with and build on the digital future for financial services for the country. That is how I got into this. I must hasten to add that it will be in a non-executive role and the days of executive roles are behind (me)," he said at Mints Annual Banking Conclave on 12 January. Pressed for details, Kamath said that the entire digital opportunity will be leveraged by the company for financial services.

Out of bounds

While it watches over their newfound enthusiasm for non-banking services, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has steadfastly refused to open the banking door to large corporate houses. The central bank has sat on a proposal by an internal committee to allow business houses into banking, and analysts do not see its stance changing anytime soon.

The RBIs concern is that if conglomerates with interests in other industries get banking licences, they would be able to raise deposits and deploy them in group businesses, putting depositors at risk. In fact, after the RBI committees proposals were revealed in November 2020, former governor Raghuram Rajan and former deputy governor Viral Acharya, in a scathing post on LinkedIn, said such a move would be disastrous. Industrial houses need financing, and they can get it easily, with no questions asked, if they have an in-house bank. The history of such connected lending is invariably disastroushow can the bank make good loans when it is owned by the borrower?" wrote Rajan and Acharya.

Some analysts believe giving NBFC licences to corporates is a much safer bet than allowing them to set up banks. Related-party lending, one of the issues flagged by Rajan and Acharya, seems less likely in the case of a non-bank lender.

But the chances of an NBFC lending to a group corporate entity are slim because it would increase the NBFCs cost of funds, making it counterproductive, said an expert. Since the RBI is not giving any more NBFC licences allowing deposits to be accepted, they (NBFCs) will have to either rely on bank funding or the debt markets, or both. This would still be higher than the cost of funds for a bank, which has access to low-cost deposits," the expert said.

Besides, large corporate entities would anyway get better terms from a bank. Also, a loan cannot be priced below the benchmark rate and any such attempt would be discovered in an RBI audit.

Tightrope walk

Despite deep pockets, strong brand proposition and leveraging of technology, analysts are not entirely sold on the promise of conglomerates having a smooth ride in their quest to conquer small business and retail customer loans.

The incumbents (such as Bajaj Finance, Mahindra Finance and the Shriram Group) have built their lending and more importantly, their recovery practices over several years. They will not just give in to competition from a new set of players," said an analyst, who did not wish to be named.

Other analysts note that existing NBFCs have access to capital as well, having proven their mettle through years of performance, along with brands that have stood the test of time and sectoral crises. Moreover, technology can only take you so far, they say; without strong internal practices, it would not take long for stress to show. While the new players have a safety net of sorts below, they still have to make the tightrope walk.
Ten days after a devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, it has become apparent that aid flows to the latter have been distinctly underwhelming. The countrys devastating civil war and complicated relationship with the West have played a role. Mint explains why India has rushed aid to Syria even as the West has hesitated.

Soon after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey in the early hours of 6 February, India began work on Operation Dost, its relief operation to both countries. So far, India has flown seven C-17 planes with relief material to Ankara and Damascus.

The seventh flight, which departed on 12 February, carried 23 tonnes of relief material for Syria. In addition to India, regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE also rushed to support Syria. However, Syria has remained a distinct sideshow to relief efforts in Turkey.

Much of this can be attributed to the international isolation suffered by the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Damascus. Assad, who has fought a bloody civil war against Islamist groups and other rebels since 2011, has been condemned in the West for the violence he has inflicted on his people. This included crackdowns on violent protests in the immediate aftermath of the Arab Spring protests of the early 2010s and chemical bombings in 2013.

Ostracized and sanctioned by the West, Assads regime has remained isolated internationally. India, however, has maintained its relationship with Damascus and high-level diplomatic visits have continued. Syrias Foreign minister visited New Delhi in November.

When the earthquake hit, Western governments efforts to provide aid were stymied by their difficult relationship with Assads government. While Damascus wants aid to be distributed throughout the country by its agencies, the West has refused for two reasons,

First, analysts have argued that aid to Assads government may not make it to earthquake-affected regions in the countrys northwest. Instead, they argue, the government will likely absorb aid flows and use them to strengthen its influence.

Second, the affected northwest regions are held by rebel Syrian opposition groups, not Assads government. To give Assad aid to distribute throughout the country would mean implicitly acknowledging his regimes claim over these regions.

Assads government has also protested that Western sanctions imposed for the last decade have made aid flows to Syria difficult. America and Europe have pushed back on that claim, stating that sanctions have humanitarian exemptions. The US government also announced a general waiver exempting any earthquake-aid-related efforts from sanctions. However, substantial aid flows remain blocked.

Attempts have been made to work with local partners in Syria, who lack the capacity to channel massive aid flows. Western governments have tried to ferry aid to Syrias northwest through the UN, which is allowed to use a single border crossing from Turkey to supply millions of people. While efforts have been made to push for more border crossings, the Syrian government has resisted these proposals. For Damascus, it would mean accepting Western powers undercutting its sovereignty.

While the West has been hamstrung by red tape and bureaucratic workarounds, India has willingly flown aid directly to the Syrian government. Its relief efforts, which have attracted appreciation from Damascus, speak to New Delhis pragmatic policy on dealing with the Syrian government.

This is also consistent with New Delhis previous policy on humanitarian aid. In 2021, at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, India called for countries to provide aid to Syria without allowing politics and disagreements to get in the way of emergency relief to affected populations.
WASHINGTON : The White House is trying to reassure the world that America isnt blasting alien spacecraft out of the sky.

But of course they would say that.

Details of the three shootdowns by fighter jets in recent days are sparse, leaving a vacuum in Washington that is being filled by otherworldly speculation. Senators were told in a classified briefing Tuesday that the unidentified flying objects havent been retrieved yet, meaning the U.S. hasnt been able to study them.

Asked whether Biden administration briefers ruled out extraterrestrial involvement, Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) said, I dont know how you ever confirm that" with a laugh.

How would you know?" said Sen. Rick Scott (R., Fla.). I dont think you have enough information to say that."

U.S. officials still dont know how the objects were being propelled or who sent them, but say they were likely harmless and certainly of this world.

Some lawmakers wouldnt rule out extraterrestrial activity, perhaps not wanting to alienate concerned voters who are deluging them with questions about the prospect of invaders from the sky.

I went grocery shopping this weekend when I was home, and I will have to say, that was the most asked question I got," Sen. Katie Britt (R., Ala.) said, when queried about possible alien involvement. People want to know that theyre safe and that our homeland is safe."

Sen. Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.), the only current senator who has actually been to space as an astronaut, said he couldnt confirm any close encounters.

I havent seen em," Mr. Kelly said, making a beeline for the elevator after votes. So if theyre green? Theyve got big eyes? I would say yes," he joked as the elevator doors closed.

The talk of possible alien visitors has been fueled by the mystery surrounding the objects. After shooting down what officials say was a Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this month, officials have been far less forthcoming about the subsequent contacts.

The community that believes in extraterrestrials has been buoyed by the discoveries of the past week.

If it is the visitors it wont surprise me. I learned long ago never to second-guess that remarkable, complex and secretive presence," said Whitley Strieber, a writer who says he was abducted by aliens in 1985.

Mark Rodeghier, the scientific director of Center for UFO Studies, remains skeptical, saying he hasnt seen evidence that these are core UFO phenomena"in part because the military was able to shoot them down with mere missiles.

Washington has found itself in a frenzy over flying objects before. In July 1952, a series of sightings over the capital of bright lights caused authorities to scramble F-94 jets from Delawares New Castle Air Force Base. The pilots were unable to find anything. A headline on the front page of the Washington Post read:  Saucer Outran Jet, Pilot Says; Air Force Puts Lid on Inquiry."

Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command revived worries about a possible war of the worlds. On Sunday, he told reporters he wasnt ruling out anything, including extraterrestrial involvement, saying hed let the intel community and the counterintelligence community figure that out."

A Defense Department official followed a few hours later with a statement saying there is no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns."

Officials say they still havent determined exactly what they were destroying, but defended the decision to shoot them down. The objects invaded airspace in different locationsover Alaska on Friday, Canadas Yukon territory on Saturday and Lake Huron on Sunday.

Reported sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, known popularly as UFOs, have climbed significantly in the past two years, and almost half the new sightings remain unexplained, U.S. spy agencies and the Pentagon said in a report released last month.

The study led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said the number of UAP sightingsoften by Navy and Air Force pilotsstands at 510, with 366 of those reports coming in since March 2021. Slightly more than half of the objects are likely unmanned aircraft, balloons or airborne debris, according to analysis by a new Pentagon office focused on the issue, but 171 remain uncharacterized and unattributed," the report said.

The objects the U.S. shot down in the past week were unmanned and no communications signals were detected, according to Department of Defense officials.

Last year, the House Intelligence Committees subcommittee on counterterrorism, counterintelligence and counterproliferation heard testimony from defense officials on reports of unidentified aerial phenomena" and the risks they pose to national security. Aliens didnt make an appearance in the testimony.

Some Republicans called for the president to give a national address to quash fears of anything. President Bidens press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tried to tamp down out-of-this-world rumors on Monday, saying with a chuckle, I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is noagain, no indicationof aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns."

Asked later in the same briefing about the possibility of aliens, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, I dont think the American people need to worry about aliens, with respect to these craft. Period."

Still, Mr. Kirby couldnt rule out that the objects were for surveillance.

The White House said Monday it planned to create a team expected to study airborne objects and the potential security and safety risks they pose. The new group would comprise elements of the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies, said U.S. officials.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) has tapped Sen. Jon Tester (D., Mont.), who chairs the defense appropriations subcommittee, to conduct a careful, bipartisan examination of these various incidents."

Mr. Tester said he plans to hold hearings on the matter.

Asked if he could reassure the American people that aliens arent involved, he said, Absolutely." He then paused and smiled. I dont think."
Smartphones are making the war in Ukraine the most intensively documented in history, changing the shape of the conflict and transforming the worlds understanding of it.

Each of the millions of devices in and around Ukraine are sensors that can provide data located to place and time. Their microphones and cameras can record and transmit sounds and images that depict the facts of war or provide tools for propaganda. These records are allowing investigators to build extensive visual archives of the conflict that could eventually provide a reckoning for war crimes.

They have been deployed to identify military targets with the witting or unwitting involvement of users and to assess damage. They allow ordinary people the means to provide the military with targeting information, blurring the division between civilians and combatants. They are used by the Russian and Ukrainian public to raise funds for uniforms, drones or other military equipment, and by the Ukrainian military to guide drones and bomb targets. They are also used to phone home.

The war is in the palm of your hand, which is astonishing, really, you could be anywhere in the world," said Matthew Ford, associate professor at the Swedish Defence University. One device becomes the means by which you produce, publish and consume media, but also target the enemy," he said.

The digital documentation provided by smartphones is already overwhelming. Mnemonic, a Berlin-based nonprofit documenting human-rights abuses in Ukraine, said it has collected 2.8 million digital records in less than a year. Over 11 years of war in Syria, the Syrian Archive, a sister organization, has collected and preserved 5 million digital records.

The devices also have a significant military utility. Smartphones are a dream come true for the intelligence people and a nightmare for the counterintelligence people," said Eliot Cohen, a military historian and strategist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washingtonthe former because they can help to identify enemy movements, the latter because they can equally expose ones own side.

Chechen fighters, loyal to strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov and known for their use of TikTok and Instagram to advertise their exploits, have on several occasions exposed their locations by using cellphones, drawing at least three strikes after Ukraines military intelligence was able to locate them through their social-media posts, according to a Ukrainian official.

One incident was at a school building in a rural part of Ukraines Kherson region during Ukraines fall offensive there. The author of a video filmed his colleagues from different angles as well as the premises and territory of the school where they were located," the official said. Hours later, the building was hit with precision artillery. The strike killed around 30 fighters, Chechens said on social media.

The use of phones on the battlefield is a test of fundamental discipline, said Mr. Cohen. A really well-disciplined military will probably never be perfect in preventing people from using mobile phones and things like that. But theyll do a lot better than, say, the Russians."

Smartphones also give the home front a window into the battlefield and open up opportunities for information warfare.

Platforms such as Facebook, which is blocked in Russia, and VKontakte carry significant war content, but the service where much of the war is playing out on both sides is Telegram, an encrypted app that allows widespread distribution of content with almost no curation.

Over Telegram, theres this unadulterated pouring out of the horrors of war in real time, that weve never ever seen beforewithout being sanitized, without being censored," said Andrew Hoskins, professor of global security at Glasgow University.

On some channels, every image and video, I think, is a breach of the Geneva Conventions," which forbid for example the distribution of photographs of the war dead and insist on preserving the dignity of prisoners of war.

Making sense out of this mass of digital material requires some human in the loop," said Mr. Ford.

The Ukraine files held by Mnemonic already run into years of digital footage. Investigators from the organization are poring over these records, with the help of computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning, tools that they expect will develop further to aid investigations in the future, said Brian Perlman, a Mnemonic investigator. Each of the files is given a unique identifier that ensures it cant be subsequently altered.

His colleague Eugene Bondarenko said one aspect distinguishing the Ukraine conflict from the one in Syria is that there are only two parties to it. That makes apportioning responsibility for an atrocity easier.

He said it may in the end prove difficult to bring accountability to individual soldiers responsible for abuses on the ground. But, he said, It does a lot in my view, in terms of cementing an understanding that, hey, this is what Russia is doing in Ukraine, and that its not just going to be swept under the rug."

In one investigation, Mnemonic confirmed two separate air attacks on civilian facilities, including two hospitals, in early March in the city of Zhytomyr, almost 90 miles to the west of Kyiv and deep in Ukrainian-held territory. Moscow routinely denies it attacks civilian targets.

Another organization documenting the conflict from smartphone footage and other materials is Bellingcat, which was among the first able to determine that Russian-backed forces had received a Buk missile system from Russia and fired it at Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014.

People started following the conflict when average Russians began filming tanks being transported to the border in the lead-up to the invasion," said Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins.

Since the start of the war, he said, Bellingcat has begun operations consulting Ukrainian and international prosecutors on how to process and archive materials online to meet the standards necessary for them to be used in court.

Weve developed a process that specifically is intended for legal accountability using open-source evidence," he said. Its the first open-source war."
The Federal Aviation Administration halted flights across America in early January, paralyzing air traffic for nearly two hours. It was the first nationwide ground stop since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and shook an industry struggling to cope with a postpandemic surge in travel.
India's international face during conflicts have not been of statements or suggestion but that of action. The Indo-China conflict that re-ignited in 2020 with the Galwan Valley clash might not have resolved itself despite several diplomatic and demilitarization talks, PM Narendra Modi-led government has devised a three pronged strategy to fortify Indian soil against Xi Jinping's aggressive efforts.

Let's take a look

Three elements that have been newly implemented include:

-Raising seven new Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) battalions

-Launching a vibrant village scheme

-Clearing the Shinkun La tunnel

The three policies comes as a counter to China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) implemented three-tier border security in Tibet and Xinjiang. China has instrumented border villages coupled with border guards, district police and PLA reserve in the depth areas to enhance their fortify Tibet project.

Increased ITBP battalions

Seven new battalions would mean an approximate of 8,400 new defense personnel. This means India will replicate the border arrangement in LAC with Pakistan along LoC, wherein Border Security Force (BSF) forms the front line.

The 3488 km LAC will now have some 56 battalions deployed against China as the frontier force backed by local Indian Army.

Who are ITBP?

Dubbed the mountain force, India's ITBP are deployed in in border states on heights more than 12000 feet and in sub-zero temperatures. The defense personnel in this division specialize in mountain combats and defense.

Border Village Scheme

Increased recruitment for ITBP from border states like Sikkim, Uttarakhand will incentivize employees to stay put in their villages, than making the big move to far away cities.

The newly recruited ITBP will be posted in 47 stations- including those in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. Further, new staging camps will be established at rarefied heights to provide food, oil, arms and ammunition to the manned border posts, Hindustan Times reported.

The effort of raising border villages indulging a total fund of 4800 crore, the Vibrant Village Scheme will hold youth in their villages, providing them with gainful employment, and providing India with a better connectivity with border villages.

Experts feel this will be phenomenal in India's defense strategy as trend shows youth leaving border villages for urban cities, in turn affecting the defense along the LAC.

Clearing the Shinkun La tunnel

The decision to have an all weather connectivity axis from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh via Manali-Atal Tunnel-Darcha-Shinkun La tunnel-Padum-Nimu axis, will enhance border defense in LAC and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) with Pakistan in Siachen Glacier.

The road is flanked Zanskar on the west and Himalayas on the east cannot be targeted by enemy artillery or rockets and will become the main feeder route for the Indian Army to deploy on both frontiers, reads a Hindustan Times report.
More older women with low-risk breast cancer could forgo radiation after surgery to avoid further side effects and costs, research showed,as some doctors work to limit tough treatments without hurting survival.

Women in the study published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine were 65 and older with early stage breast cancers that could respond to hormone therapy. The women all had surgery and hormone therapy and were divided into a group that underwent radiation and a group that went without it. Ten years after surgery, survival rates in the two groups were almost equal, suggesting more women could skip radiation without affecting their survival.

The results support efforts by some doctors to reduce treatment for breast, blood and prostate cancers without reducing the odds of survival. Researchers are testing whether more limited chemotherapy, surgery or radiation can spare patients harsh side effects and high costs while maintaining the benefit of treatment. Many doctors now advise watching people after testing has found signs of prostate cancer or certain lymphomas rather than treating immediately.

Some are exploring whether younger patientswith breast-cancer tumors with certain traits could skip radiation, too.

For a long time, anyone who had invasive breast cancer was getting the gambit," said Sara Medek, a radiation oncologist at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, who wasnt involved with the study. Now, were trying to tease out who needs what and when."

Radiation still has benefits, doctors said. Women who didnt receive radiation in the new study had the cancer recur at higher rates. For some, including women with longer estimated life expectancies or tumors that are less receptive to hormone therapy, radiation will be important, some doctors said.

Avoiding a local recurrence is a value for many women," said Naamit Kurshan Gerber, a radiation oncologist at NYU Langones Perlmutter Cancer Center, who wasnt a part of the research. Do they want to do everything they can?"

Some 280,000 breast cancer cases in the U.S. were diagnosed in 2022, according to estimates from the National Cancer Institute, making it the most common cancer in women. About a quarter of annual diagnoses are among women 65 to 74. Most have tumors that make them candidates for hormone therapy.

Radiationand hormone therapy after surgery to removepart of the breast can keep cancer in check, research has shown.Because trials often exclude older patients, there is less evidence radiation benefits them to the same degree, said Ian Kunkler, an oncologist at the University of Edinburgh and lead author on the new study.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network in the U.S. saidin 2004 that women 70 and older with early stage breast cancer who plan to get hormone therapy could skip radiation after surgery. Research suggests the guidance isnt implemented consistently.

In the new study, researchers enrolled some 1,300 breast cancer patients 65 and older and followed about half of them for as long as a decade. Among women who didnt get radiation in addition to hormone therapy after having tumors removed, about 10% had cancer return in their breast comparedwith 1% among the women who also underwent radiation.

But overall survival rates in both groups were almost equal at about 81%. Of the 231 deaths recorded during the trial, 16 were related to breast cancer among women who didnt receive radiation and 15 were related to breast cancer among those who did.

This is a really important validation thats going to make people say, Hey, were going to be OK without radiation," said Harold Burstein, a breast-cancer specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, who wasnt involved in the study. Its going to allow clinicians to spare more and more women."

Radiation treatment regimens have become shorter and less intense in recent years, oncologists said. But they still generate side effects including swelling, fatigue and skin irritation. There are also rare but serious effects on the heart and lungs and a low risk of developing a secondary cancer. The treatment can be expensive and require repeated clinical visits over weeks.

If I could have skipped out on radiation without a detriment to my outcome, I would have," said Elizabeth Shaughnessy, a breast surgeon and director of cancer survivorship at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Dr. Shaughnessy was diagnosed in 2019 with multiple tumors in her breast, making her ineligible to skip radiation, she said.

Some women still choose radiation if it can reduce the risk that cancer might come back and require another surgery or more drugs, doctors said. Some, including healthier women likely to live longer, should consider radiation because the risk of recurrence goes up with time, oncologists said.

Is the anxiety of toxicity to radiation going to cause more anxiety or worry than the breast cancer coming back?" said Wendy Woodward, interim chair for the department of Breast Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. That might influence what choice you make."

Klair Grace, 72, a retired teacher in Houston, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2022 and decided to have surgery at MD Anderson to remove part of her breast rather than all of it. Now on hormone therapy, she said she chose to undergo radiation for peace of mind.

It felt like a good insurance policy," Ms. Grace said.

She joined a clinical trial testing the long-term effect of a radiation called proton therapy, she said, because the treat
Snapchats social-media app is adding users at a faster clip, reaching more than 750 million per month, Snap Inc. Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel said.

Thats 25% more than the 600 million monthly users the app, known for its disappearing photo messages, was attracting 10 months ago. For the year through April 2022, the monthly count rose 20%, the company said.

All of this was achieved as a result of the changes we made to our business and despite the deceleration to our revenue growth," Spiegel said Thursday to an audience of investors at a meeting in Santa Monica, California.

Those investors will be listening for signs that the companys plan to shift its strategy is paying off. Snap last year said it was scaling back operations and narrowing its focus to three priorities: adding users and getting them to spend more time on Snapchat; jump-starting revenue growth; and investing in augmented reality technology.

The numbers disclosed Thursday signal that the app can continue to expand its user base, which may help counter major declines in its digital ad business. In the first quarter, analysts expect the companys revenue to post the first-ever drop from a year earlier, while the amount of money Snap makes per user is projected to fall to the lowest in almost three years.

The company has already said that the slide in digital marketing spending thats hurt the industry for the past year is leveling off. Meanwhile, Snap is making changes to its ad offerings this year that may drag on revenue in the first quarter.

The shares declined about 1% to $11.17 at 12:55 p.m. in New York. The stock has rallied 26% this year through Wednesdays close after plunging 81% in 2022.

While Snapchat isnt the biggest social media app  Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook and Instagram see about 3 billion and 2 billion users a month, respectively  its known for being especially popular among young people. In recent years, its been competing for the attention of younger users with TikTok, the fast-growing video app owned by ByteDance Ltd., which has more than 1 billion people logging in every month.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Dark energy is an enigmatic phenomenon that acts in opposition to gravity and is responsible for accelerating the expansion of the universe. Though dark energy constitutes up to three-fourths of the mass-energy of the cosmos, its underlying nature has eluded physicists for decades. Dark energy has no real connections to dark matter, beyond sharing the word dark, which just means that scientists don't really know what these things are.

In 2023, scientists said they detected evidence that dark energy could be explained by a type of energy stored inside black holes. If true, the finding would mean our current models of the universe would not new forces or fields beyond Einstein's conception of gravity in order to explain dark energy. However, followup findings would need to confirm the findings before it can be widely accepted by physicists as an explanation for dark energy.

Who discovered dark energy?

The realization that the universe is expanding can be traced back to the American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who in 1929 noticed that the farther a galaxy is from the Earth, the faster it is moving away from us, according to the Hubble Space Telescope website . This doesn't mean that our planet is the center of the universe, but rather that everything in space is moving away from everything else at a constant rate.

Nearly 60 years after Hubble's revelation, scientists made another startling discovery. Researchers had long been trying to precisely measure cosmic distances by looking at the light of faraway stars. In the late 1990s, after examining distant supernovas, two independent teams found that the stellar explosions' light is dimmer than expected. This indicates that the universe is not only expanding, but also accelerating in its expansion.

That finding has given physicists cause to scratch their heads ever since then, also earning its discoverers the Nobel Prize in physics in 2011 .

What does dark energy do?

Though researchers don't entirely understand dark energy, they have used their knowledge of the phenomenon to construct models of the universe that explain everything from the Big Bang to the modern-day large-scale structure of galaxies. Some of these models predict that dark energy will rip apart everything in existence billions of years from now.

The leading explanations of dark energy suggests that it is a type of pent-up energy inherent in the fabric of space-time. "This simple model works very well practically, and it is a straightforward addition to the cosmological model without having to modify the law of gravity," Baojiu Li, a mathematical physicist at Durham University in the United Kingdom, previously told Live Science . But the idea comes with one major problem: Physicists predict that the value of the vacuum's energy should be 120 orders of magnitude higher than what cosmologists observe in measurements, Li said.

In February 2023, scientists used measurements from ancient and dormant black holes to show that these cosmic behemoths are growing faster than predicted. The findings suggest black holes contain a type of vacuum energy inherent in the fabric of space-time that can explain the universe's expansion, all within the framework of Einstein's theory of relativity. If the finding holds up, it would mean no new physics would be needed to explain dark energy. They published their findings in two papers in The Astrophysical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

An alternative idea posits that dark energy is an additional fundamental force, joining the four already known (gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces). But this conjecture doesn't explain why humans don't notice this extra force in our day-to-day lives. So, theorists have also built creative models suggesting that this mysterious force is hidden in some way.

The measured value of dark energy is currently the subject of an intense debate between rival factions in physics. Some researchers have measured dark energy's power using the cosmic microwave background, a dim echo of the Big Bang, and produced one estimate.

But other astronomers, who measure dark energy's strength using the light of distant cosmic objects, have produced a different value, and nobody has yet been able to explain the discrepancy. Some experts have suggested that dark energy's power varies over time, though proponents of that idea have yet to convince a majority of their peers of this explanation.

Additional resources:
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A few storms may be severe. High 81F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 52F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Two deputies at Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating have been suspended following investigation, county says
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A young Bulgarian man caught driving on two consecutive days by Gardai, despite having a driving ban, was fined 350 and banned from the road for six years at Longford District Court.

The charges against Dani Demirev (24) of Apartment 2, Lough Gowna, Cavan were that on December 28 and 29, 2022 he drove at Main Street, Granard without a drivers licence or insurance.

Inspector Paddy McGirl told the court the defendant first came to Garda attention on December 28 at 11:37 am when an officer on patrol stopped a car driven by the defendant.

A subsequent check by the officer showed the defendant was disqualified. The following day Garda again encountered Mr Demirev and when he failed to produce documentation he was arrested and charged. Inspector McGirl said the defendant has three previous convictions.

Solicitor Frank Gerarty explained that his client works in the mushroom industry in the North Longford area. He said although disqualified for two years at a previous court sitting Mr Demirev did not understand the significance of court order.

Mr Gearty said the defendant's child was taken ill and so he borrowed his father's car to bring the child to the doctor. The solicitor described Mr Demirev as having poor financial circumstances.

Mr Gearty said his client got the fright of his life and knows the court has no option but to impose at least a four year disqualification.

Judge Bernadette Owens said: It could be something else.

Mr Gearty accepted this saying: He knows that judge, there was an element of naivety on his part. He knows he will go to prison if he finds himself in this situation again.

The legal representative said Mr Demirev has lived in Ireland for the last two years and is a part of the community in Gowna.

He explained the defendant's father has insurance for the car, which was seized by the Gardai on the day.

Noting facts of the case Judge Ovens said he had to give some allowance for the language barrier. She imposed a fine of 350 and banned the defendant from driving for six years for the no insurance charge and took the no driving licence charge into consideration.
Fine Gael councillor Peggy Nolan has said she will let the people decide over the performance of Health Minister Simon Donnelly as the county's ongoing Midoc fallout resurfaced again last week.

The long serving local politician said despite reports to the contrary, pledges from the HSE to appoint a new and permanent provider to run an out of hours GP service, had yet to be signed off on.

It was anticipated a new service provider would be in place by January 15 in a move the Longford town based politician insisted was still not fully agreed on.

The Minister has deemed it appropriate to tell us, myself and Senator (Micheal) Carrigy that he doesn't have a vacant spot in his diary to meet with us, she said.

No more than the roads and the lives that could be lost, this is a definite where lives are in danger.

There is all this talk about the number of people in A&E's around this country and the crisis that our health system is under, but Longford is more than capable of delivering a service if it is properly funded.

I will let the people decide (on Health Minister) but I won't give up, Cllr Nolan concluded.
Complaints regarding coverage of transgender issues are among the latest rejected by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).

The BAI has today (Thursday February 16) published its decisions on six complaints on various issues made between June and August 2022 following consideration by the Compliance Committee in September 2022.

Further to the provisions of Section 48(10) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and BAI Complaints Policy Document 2020 and considering the personal and sensitive nature of some of the complaints, the Committee agreed not to publish four of the complaint decisions.

Two of the published decisions relate to a broadcast on RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland on June 15, 2022.

Both complaints - made separately - were submitted under the BAI Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs and the Broadcasting Act 2009 Section 48(1)(a) regarding a segment covering the story of Dublin Pride ending their media partnership with RTE as a result of discussions about transgender people and issues in three Liveline broadcasts on June 9, 10 and 13 in 2022.

The first complainant stated that the broadcast was not fair to the contributors to the Liveline programmes who do not subscribe to gender identity theory.

She maintained there was inaccuracy in the broadcast when one contributor stated that the Liveline discussions ran for three to four days; the complainant noted there were three separate programmes broadcast over three separate days.

She also believed it was inaccurate for a contributor to the Morning Ireland broadcast to say that the very existence of trans people was being debated.

The complainant stated no contributor to the Liveline programme said that trans people should not, or do not, exist, and she believes it was in breach of the BAI Code for this point to be broadcast unchallenged and unquestioned in a pre-recorded report.

She also contended that a contributor gave an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of the views of those who spoke on the Liveline broadcasts with one person stating a lot of the so-called debate is not about concern for the trans community or for women, for that matter.

According to the complainant, this suggests women who are concerned about the erasure of the word woman are only using it as an excuse to mask an anti-trans agenda. She suggested this would mean no woman would be able to raise concerns about the impact of removing the word 'woman' because it would be construed as anti-trans and not a genuine concern.

The Compliance Committee rejected the complaint as they believe it was clear to the audience that views and opinions expressed by relevant groups - including the Gay Community News (GCN) and the Trans Equality Network Ireland (TENI) - were the views and opinions of those particular people and organisations, and not a factual report.

The opinions were deemed to provide context and reaction to the news story about Dublin Pride.

Considering the broadcast in its totality and in context, the Committee found no evidence of a lack of fairness, objectivity or impartiality as described in the complaint.

The second complainant contended that the discussions on the Liveline broadcasts were described inaccurately on Morning Ireland as being anti-trans, without challenge by the presenter or reporter, and the person believed this defamed the good names of some of the contributors to the Liveline programmes.

The broadcaster stated the item was not, and did not purport to be, an analysis or discussion of the views aired on Liveline and that it was clear to listeners this was a short news report arising from a statement issued by Dublin Pride the previous evening.

A representative of TENI reportedly confirmed that the Dublin Pride statement accurately reflected its views of the Liveline programmes, and the broadcaster maintained the broadcast "accurately and factually" reported views of these representatives.

The Compliance Committee was of the opinion that views from TENI and GCN provided context and reaction to the news story from relevant people/organisations.

They also believed it was clear to the audience that these were views and opinions of those people/organisations and not a factual report on the nature of the Liveline discussions.

Separately, the Executive Complaints Forum of the BAI considered and rejected four complaints in meetings held in September and October 2022.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting Northern Ireland amid growing speculation that a deal between the UK and EU over the controversial post-Brexit protocol is imminent.

Mr Sunak arrived in the region on Thursday night with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

He will hold talks with Stormont parties and other stakeholders over the Northern Ireland Protocol on Friday.

The Prime Minister last visited Northern Ireland in December and his latest visit will be seen as a signal that a deal over the trading arrangements for the region could be unveiled within days.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: Whilst talks with the EU are ongoing, ministers continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure any solution fixes the practical problems on the ground, meets our overarching objectives, and safeguards Northern Irelands place in the UKs internal market.

The spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Sunak and Mr Heaton-Harris would be speaking to Northern Ireland political parties as part of the engagement process.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic on Friday morning.

A UK government spokesperson said: The Foreign Secretary is travelling to Brussels to meet Vice President Sefcovic for talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

This is part of their ongoing engagement and constructive dialogue with the EU to find practical solutions that work for the people of Northern Ireland.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Irish Tanaiste Micheal Martin said negotiations over the protocol had been serious and substantive.

He told RTE: I think the British Government is anxious to afford a consultation with the Northern Ireland parties in the context of the discussions that have been under way for some time between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

I have no doubt that the British Prime Minister, in advance of further discussions over the weekend and next week, wants to ascertain from the political parties in Northern Ireland their sense of the protocol and the various positions that they have.

I think there is a distance to go yet. I dont understate the challenges, but clearly the negotiations have been serious and substantive and trust has built up between the EU team and the UK team but I think there is some time to go yet.

However, a senior DUP figure has warned that a failure to end the imposition of EU law in Northern Ireland in any new UK/EU deal on post-Brexit trade will ensure Stormonts powersharing impasse continues.

Lord Nigel Dodds insisted his party would maintain its block on devolution if an agreement falls short of the measures contained within the UK Governments own stalled draft legislation to unilaterally rip up the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill includes provisions that would remove the oversight of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the region.

While it is understood the EU and UK are close to signing off a deal that would reduce protocol red tape on the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, there is no expectation that Brussels is willing to agree to ending the application of EU law in the region.

The EU contends a fundamental plank of the protocol  namely that Northern Ireland traders can sell freely into the European single market  is dependent on the operation of EU rules in the region.

Following his visit to Northern Ireland, Mr Sunak is set to join European leaders in Germany this weekend for the Munich Security Conference and the protocol is likely to feature in discussions on the margins.

Lord Dodds, a former deputy leader of the DUP who now leads the party in the House of Lords, said the continued application of EU law in Northern Ireland would not be acceptable to his party.

His comments, and similar remarks from other senior colleagues, suggest a new deal between the EU and UK may not ultimately be enough to convince the DUP to return to powersharing at Stormont.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the devolved institutions in Belfast in protest at the protocol.

In 2021, the DUP set out seven tests by which it will judge changes to the protocol. Those tests did not include a specific reference to ECJ oversight.

In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Lord Dodds said the fundamental issue was the imposition of the EU law on Northern Ireland.

If you deal with that, then you deal with the court situation (ECJ), he said.

Members of the Eurosceptic ERG within the Conservative Party have also expressed concern about any deal over the protocol which does not include removal of the oversight of the ECJ.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 16 2023

Bentley Butler was speeding while drunk and high and crashed on Southern State Parkway.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced a Rosedale man was sentenced Tuesday to up to 7 years in prison for leading New York State troopers on a high-speed chase on the Southern State Parkway while the defendant was drunk and high in May 2020.

Bentley Butler, 35, was convicted on December 2, 2022, after a jury trial before Judge Caryn Fink of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (a D felony); Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol (a D felony); Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol (a D felony); Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree (an E felony); Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree (an unclassified misdemeanor); Circumvention of a Court Ordered Ignition Interlock Device (an A misdemeanor); Reckless Driving (an unclassified misdemeanor); Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor); Resisting Arrest (an A misdemeanor) and Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor).

The trial began on November 21, 2022, and the jury deliberated for approximately two hours before delivering their verdict. The defendant was sentenced Tuesday to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.

The defendant was weaving in and out of traffic on the Southern State Parkway when a concerned motorist called 911, DA Donnelly said. When a New York State trooper encountered his vehicle, Butler accelerated to approximately 120 miles per hour and later crashed. The defendant incredulously claimed at trial that his vehicle was driven by another person. Todays sentence sends a strong message that drunk and drugged driving will not be tolerated on our roadways.

DA Donnelly said that at approximately 9:45 p.m. on May 28, 2020, the New York State Police received a 911 call for an erratic driver headed eastbound on the Southern State Parkway near exit 20. When state troopers located Butler, he disregarded their lights and sirens and immediately accelerated in an attempt to flee.

Butler accelerated to approximately 120 miles per hour, leading troopers on a high-speed chase before losing control of his vehicle and slamming into the center median of the parkway. The defendant then tried to flee the troopers on foot but was ultimately apprehended and arrested.

Butler was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for observation because of the severity of the crash.

It was later revealed that the defendant had a BAC of .21% and evidence of Marijuana in his system.

At trial, the defendant testified that he smokes marijuana several times a day and even asked the presiding Judge if he could smoke marijuana during a lunch break. The defendant further testified that his cousin was driving when the car fled and crashed, and he was simply vibing in the back seat. However, Butler was found climbing through the drivers seat window after the crash before fleeing on foot.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 16 2023

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: Parket traded on his reputation as a respected financier and fabricated paper assets to defraud lenders of millions of dollars."

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced that JEFFREY SOBERMAN PARKET, a former bond trader and the former principal of several hedge funds, pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to wire fraud and bank fraud. PARKET obtained over $65 million in loans from individual and institutional lenders by fabricating assets, doctoring bank and brokerage statements, and forging business correspondence and signatures, resulting in over $37 million in victim losses. PARKET pled guilty before United States District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: Parket traded on his reputation as a respected financier and fabricated paper assets to defraud lenders of millions of dollars in loans that they never would have made if not for his lies and the sophisticated ruses he used to support those lies. His scheme cost some of his victims everything they had. He will now be held accountable for his deceit.

USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: Parket took advantage of his investors trust, among them his friends and family members, and perpetrated an intricate scheme involving fraudulent documents and identity theft to hide his fraud from them. However, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners unraveled Parkets web of deceit and exposed all his crimes. Parkets conviction today vindicates the investors he defrauded of almost $40 million. His conviction should also serve as a warning to would-be fraudsters: Postal Inspectors will dedicate every resource in our arsenal to protect the integrity of the mail and pursue anyone who betrays the public trust and preys on innocent investors.

As alleged in the Complaint and Information and based on other filings and statements made in court:

From at least 2016 through December 2021, PARKET fraudulently obtained over $65 million in short-term loans from individuals and financial institutions by materially misrepresenting his financial condition and pledging fake collateral. Claiming that he needed short-term liquidity for investment opportunities or real estate purchases, PARKET constructed elaborate stories and submitted hundreds of pages of supporting documents to obtain loans he had no intention of repaying. Among other things, he falsified bank and brokerage statements and contracts allegedly reflecting his significant assets and ownership interests in valuable investment accounts. To furnish proof of some of these ownership interests, PARKET also used the names, titles, and forged signatures of actual company executives he falsely claimed were his business associates. He created fake email addresses for them and forged lengthy email correspondence regarding measures supposedly taken by PARKET and his purported business associates to secure the loans.

To perpetuate the scheme, PARKET used loans from new lenders to pay back earlier lenders. He also made fraudulent representations about delayed acquisitions and temporary liquidity issues to induce his existing lenders to extend the maturity date of his loans or to provide him millions of dollars in additional loans.

PARKETs individual victims included friends and professional acquaintances, some of whom he persuaded to provide him numerous loans. His institutional victims included short-term bridge lenders, a real estate services company, a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and an insurance company focused on helping clients save for retirement.

Throughout the offense period, PARKET also persuaded family members to transfer funds to his personal accounts by falsely promising to safely invest their life savings on their behalf. He then used the funds to pay down fraudulently obtained loans.

PARKET, 59, of Great Neck, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution and one count of bank fraud, each of which carries a maximum potential sentence of 30 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 28, 2023.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of USPIS.
Sports & Recreation

By Chris Boyle Published: February 16 2023

First Weekend in March to be Dedicated to Free Snowmobile Weekend Each Year.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that beginning March 3 to 5 this year, and annually thereafter, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in March, will be free for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers. During this promotional weekend, the requirement to register in New York is waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to explore New York's 10,500 miles of snowmobile trails.

"With the support of local governments and snowmobile clubs, we are so glad to welcome out-of-state snowmobilers each year to New York State trails," Governor Hochul said. "By offering this free snowmobiling weekend at the same time each year, our hope is to spur friendships, get annual trips on calendars and boost promotion of upstate tourism. Our expansive snowmobile network gives visitors and tourists an incredible opportunity to explore our state."

Out-of-state and Canadian participants in the free snowmobiling event must operate a snowmobile that is registered in their home state/Province and must carry any applicable insurance as required. Outside of this promotion, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the state's trails - from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western New York.

This year's free snowmobiling weekend, March 3 to 5, 2023, reinforces the importance of tourism to state and local economies, and New York's commitment to the industry in the wake of the pandemic. New York State has made an ongoing commitment to snowmobile trail maintenance and our local grants program is funded by snowmobile registration fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. County and municipal governments distribute the grants to about 230 snowmobile clubs across the state, which in turn groom and maintain the trails. The trail grants support 10,500 miles of designated trails across the state for snowmobilers to safely enjoy.

Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Erik Kulleseid said, "There is no limit to what New Yorkers can experience across our state and now we're revved up to welcome even more outdoor winter enthusiasts to the Empire State. I'm grateful to the snowmobile clubs and local governments who help with the upkeep of trails and make sure they are safe and well-groomed for residents and visitors alike."

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York has thousands of miles of snowmobiling trails that offer visitors a great way to explore the state's winter landscapes. With unique outdoor experiences, distinctive lodging, and delicious food and beverage offerings to complement any getaway, our Free Snowmobiling Weekend is a perfect opportunity to plan a trip to come be a part of the frosty fun that awaits throughout New York State."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "DMV is happy to be able to make it as easy as possible for people to enjoy the tremendous trail system New York has set up for snowmobiling. If a taste of riding the trails gets people excited enough to take this up on a regular basis, we are ready, willing, and able to get your sled registered and ready to go. Of course, it goes without saying that sledders should ride safely and responsibly and not when they may be impaired."

New York State Snowmobile Association Executive Director Jennifer Senf said, "We appreciate Governor Hochul declaring and promoting March 3-5, a Free Snowmobiling Weekend in New York for out-of-state residents. The weekend is a wonderful opportunity for out-of-state visitors to come and explore the over 10,000 miles of trails in New York State."

Trail conditions vary depending on snowfall amounts and other factors. State Parks cautions snowmobilers, fishermen, skiers and snowshoers to put safety first and to proceed with extreme caution before venturing on ice- or snow-covered bodies of water. The unusually warm weather conditions forecasted over the next week and associated runoff could undermine existing ice. Ice thickness can vary on every body of water; even within the same body of water. Given the warmer temperatures we've had this winter, lakes and ponds that appear to be frozen over may be deceiving. Be aware of potential hazards under ice- or snow-covered bodies of water. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions locally and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Venturing out on ice that is not thick enough can lead to tragedy and we want to ensure that recreationalists have an enjoyable time while also taking the proper precautions to stay safe. State funded snowmobile trails never cross frozen bodies of water.

Check the websites of area snowmobile clubs for information on trail conditions, including the status of grooming. Individuals operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding practices and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The New York State Snowmobile Association website provides information about snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs. Maps of the state snowmobile trail network are available on New York State Parks' website here.

A guide from I LOVE NY to snowmobile trips available in the state can be found here.

The DMV reminds New York riders that snowmobile registrations must be renewed annually. DMV allows snowmobilers to renew registrations online on the DMV website, by mail or in person at a DMV office. Snowmobile registration costs $100 but is decreased to $45 if the snowmobiler is a member of a local snowmobile club.

Non-New Yorkers who wish to use a snowmobile in New York State before or after this promotional weekend can use the NYS Registration for Out-of-State Snowmobile service to get a 15-day registration and operate their snowmobile here immediately. DMV will send a permanent registration in the mail.

For information on snowmobiling, visit parks.ny.gov. Visit the DEC website here for more information on snowmobiling on state lands.
(Alliance News) - Dalata Hotel Group PLC on Thursday said it has bought its first London-based Maldron Hotel, which is due to open in summer.

The Dublin-based hotel chain said the GBP44.3 million acquisition from Furadino Holdings Ltd has a gross asset value of GBP45.1 million.

Dalata will finance the purchase via its existing cash and banking facilities. The hotel has 192 bedrooms and a restaurant and a bar.

Dalata Corporate Development Director Shane Casserly said: "Acquiring a new hotel asset in London, in challenging funding markets, that will be operational in the summer of 2023, is a fantastic achievement by the group. This transaction highlights our appetite for growth as well as the flexibility of our business model, which enables us to grow through acquisition, development and leasing. We are excited by the excellent sustainability credentials of the property as we continue to make progress on our ambitious targets."

Dalata Hotel shares were 3.8% higher at 365.00 pence each on Thursday afternoon in London.

By Tom Budszus, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Atrato Onsite Energy PLC - London-based renewable energy investment trust - Signs new power purchase agreement with Tesco PLC. Says the agreement will last 20 years and is for a 370 kilowatt 'peak' rooftop solar project on a supermarket site in Thetford, Norwich. The installation is due to commence in the second quarter of 2023. Following this installation, the company will have 19 operating rooftop solar photovoltaic systems on Tesco supermarket sites across the UK.

Also says it has been selected as a provider of similar arrangements to Tesco under the next phase of its solar PV roll out across its supermarkets and distribution centres. Initially expects to deliver solar PV projects at up to 20 sites as the first step under this new framework. Taking into account this new Tesco framework agreement, the company now has a total pipeline of 69 Tesco solar development projects.

Current stock price: 97.00 pence, up 3.9% in London on Thursday around midday

12-month change: down 8.7%

By Sophie Rose, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - One in three small UK businesses might not be able to cover their costs from the start of April as their energy bill support is slashed by the government.

New analysis from credit score company Experian suggests that around 30% of the 1.2 million small businesses it analysed will be at "heightened risk" when the support is phased down.

These businesses may not have enough cash to absorb the energy price shock, the company said. At the moment it thinks around 13% of small companies are at heightened risk.

"These figures are very worrying. An added threat to the viability of small businesses is that many are struggling to get paid quickly by their bigger customers," said Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay.

"If bigger firms are holding onto cash in case they need it for business critical expenditure, small suppliers can struggle to manage their cashflow and pay their energy and other bills while waiting.

"If energy bills go up again that could break the business. We need bigger customers to pay smaller suppliers as a priority to give them a fighting chance of survival."

Experian managing director of information services James McGarva said: "Businesses need to prepare for the April energy shock by building their financial foundations.

"Practise good cash flow management, understand the factors influencing your credit score, and give energy suppliers sufficient notice if you think you'll struggle to make payments.

"The future looks daunting, but there are steps that can be taken to improve financial resilience."

By August Graham, PA Business Reporter

source: PA

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Rail workers in the UK are to stage a series of fresh strikes in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

Members of the Rail, Martine & Transport union will walk out on March 16, 18 and 20, and April 1, at 14 train operators.

The union's members at Network Rail will strike on March 16 and will then launch a ban on overtime.

The RMT accused employers of refusing to put any new offers on the table.

The union, which represents 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators, rejected offers from employers last week.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "Rail employers are not being given a fresh mandate by the government to offer our members a new deal on pay, conditions and job security.

"Therefore, our members will now take sustained and targeted industrial action over the next few months.

"The government can settle this dispute easily by unshackling the rail companies.

"However, its stubborn refusal to do so will now mean more strike action across the railway network and a very disruptive overtime ban.

"Ministers cannot continue to sit on their hands hoping this dispute will go away as our members are fully prepared to fight tooth and nail for a negotiated settlement in the months ahead."

source: PA

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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(Alliance News) - Red Rock Resources PLC and Power Metal Resources PLC both on Thursday said three holes have been completed in an inaugural drilling programme at the Berringa gold mine in the Victoria Goldfields joint venture in Australia.

This is alongside successfully renewing the exploration licence for the Berringa project for a five-year term ending November 2027.

Red Rock is an Africa and Australia-focused natural resource development company, while Power Metal is a London-based exploration company focusing on global metal discoveries.

Power Metal shares surged 11% to 1.25 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon, while Red Rock shares were up 1.6% trading at 0.32p.

Both companies said all three of the completed holes, totalling 655.9 metres of a planned 1,000 metres, have intersected target geological formations and demonstrated visible gold within extensions of the Berringa mineralised lode.

The intersections include a nine-metre wide mineralised quartz vein in the BED23001 hole. The company noted that assay results for the first two holes are pending.

Red Rock Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bell said: "We have successfully renewed the exploration licence covering the historic Berringa gold mine, where we are currently undertaking a diamond drill programme, which is a significant development for our Victoria Goldfields JV.

"The drilling is progressing well with three drill holes completed to date. Visible gold has been encountered in all three holes. This shows the accurate targeting of the structures by the geological team, and we look forward to receipt of detailed assay data as soon as possible."

Power Metal Chief Executive Officer Paul Johnson added: "This is very encouraging, and we look forward to receipt of detailed assay data as soon as possible. Geologically, all drillholes completed thus far have successfully intersected the down dip and along strike extensions of the target mineralised zones.

"We believe our JV in the Victoria Goldfields grows more compelling and valuable as we progress with exploration work."

Red Rock holds a 50.1% majority stake in the Victoria Goldfields, in a joint venture with Power Metal Resources PLC. The company said it has successfully renewed its Berringa exploration licence for a five-year term until November 2027.

Power Metals added that, alongside 17 granted exploration licences and one purchased licence totalling 1,867 square kilometres, a further two licences under the joint venture await a grant, covering 467 square kilometres. This is principally within the gold fields surrounding Ballarat, Australia.

Both companies intend to list the joint-venture.

By Harvey Dorset and Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporters

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation has once again awarded Lycoming College with a grant in support of scholarships, furthering the Colleges commitment to student access and persistence. This contribution marks Stablers 11th year of donating to the College, with the Foundation gifting a total of $5,080,000.

Lycomings Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Endowed Scholarship Fund enables dozens of students to earn a 21st-century liberal arts and sciences education in preparation for fulfilling lives and impactful careers. The Fund allows Lycoming to deepen its support for promising students who exemplify the values and mission of the College, regardless of financial background, by bolstering Lycomings financial aid offerings.

"Our ability to continue to offer these esteemed Stabler scholarships at Lycoming College has meaningfully buttressed our commitment to lower income students receiving a premier undergraduate education," said Chip Edmonds, executive vice president. "Lycoming is honored and remains exceptionally grateful for the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation's generosity."

Recipients of the Stabler Endowed Scholarship sign a letter of intent to support the students who follow after them with a commitment to make financial contributions back to their alma mater in the future.

Established in 1966, the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation awards grants for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes to private educational and other institutions located in central or eastern Pennsylvania.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
A military helicopter crashed along an Alabama highway, leaving no survivors, officials said.

The crash happened at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, on Alabama 53 in Madison County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The agency confirmed it was a Black Hawk helicopter.

Everyone on board was killed, and the aircraft burned, Don Webster with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. told AL.com and WHNT.

Meteorologist James Spann shared a video of the crashed helicopter billowing smoke in the middle of the highway.

Webster said it was unclear how many people were on board the helicopter when it crashed, AL.com reported.

Redstone Arsenal, a U.S. Army post, said it would be supporting local law enforcement and rescue crews that were on scene to handle the crash investigation but did not believe the crash was related to Redstone Arsenal assets.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division in-conjunction with deputies from the Madison County Sheriffs Office are assisting with securing the scene, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement. Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing.

Madison County is about 115 miles north of Birmingham.

2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. intelligence community believes three aerial objects shot down by military fighter jets last week were likely balloons.

At least one of the objects may be tied to an Illinois-based balloon hobbyist club, according to a separate report Thursday, but the U.S. military, federal authorities and Canada are still trying to recover debris from the three objects shot down near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; the Canadian Yukon; and Lake Huron.

A massive Chinese spy balloon traversed the U.S. earlier this month and was shot down at Biden's order off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4. After the incursion and widespread criticism of the administration, the Pentagon widened the aperture of its radar systems to pick up smaller objects in U.S. airspace and began shooting down those deemed a potential risk.

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"The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions, studying weather or conducting other scientific research," Biden said in a public address.

The president said he directed the administration to come up with "sharper" rules to deal with unidentified aerial objects in the future. The objects were intercepted by U.S. fighter jets and shot with Sidewinder missiles, with one of the missiles missing the target over Lake Huron.

"I'll be sharing with Congress these classified policy parameters when they're completed, and they'll remain classified, so we don't give our road map to our enemies to try to evade our defenses," Biden said. "In addition, I've directed my national security adviser to lead a government-wide effort to make sure we are positioned to deal safely and effectively with the objects in our airspace."

That will include a better and more accessible inventory of objects that are spotted in the sky, and updated rules on launching unmanned objects into the skies, Biden said.

The briefing on Thursday was the closest Biden and his administration have come to saying that the objects shot down were likely benign as lawmakers and the public have clamored for more information.

The administration briefed members of Congress behind closed doors Tuesday on the flap over the past week, leaving both Republicans and Democrats unsatisfied by what they saw as a lack of transparency on the objects shot down over the U.S. and Canada.

"I think they certainly have information that is not available to us yet," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said after leaving a classified briefing Tuesday.

Defense officials said repeatedly in recent days that little to nothing was known about the objects, refusing to call them balloons, discuss the shape or even speculate on how they were staying aloft.

Pilots who intercepted the objects were traveling at hundreds of miles per hour, and the relatively small objects, traveling much more slowly at 20,000 to 40,000 feet in altitude, were very difficult to assess visually, according to Gen. Glen VanHerck, the head of U.S. Northern Command, who oversaw the operations.

It is unclear what remains of the objects after the missile strikes, but Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chairman, said this week that the military, along with federal and Canadian authorities were working in difficult conditions -- minus-40 degree temperatures, mountains and hundreds of feet of lake depth -- to recover debris.

The object shot down in the Yukon over the Rocky Mountains might be a "pico balloon" that belonged to members of a hobbyist club in Illinois, according to Aviation Week.

The balloons are cheap to buy, can drift high for long periods of time, and are exempt from most Federal Aviation Administration airspace restrictions. The Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade last tracked one of its silver-coated balloons over Alaska earlier this month.

A day later, when the balloon would likely have been over the Yukon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered one of the objects spotted on air defense radar shot down. The operation was carried out by U.S. fighter jets under the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD.

"The descriptions of all three unidentified objects shot down Feb. 10-12 match the shapes, altitudes and payloads of the small pico balloons," according to Aviation Week.

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: F-16 Missile Missed 'Object' Shot Down Over Lake Huron, Joint Chiefs Chairman Says
A man who lied about being a Navy SEAL and put other false information on loan documents in an attempt to start a horse business in Lexington has been sentenced to prison time for fraud.

Christopher Rusty Custer was sentenced to three years and five months in prison and ordered to pay $578,014 in restitution for one charge of bank fraud, which he pleaded guilty to in October 2022 as part of a deal.

Custer originally faced four charges, including two counts of bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The indictment said Custer falsely purported to be a Navy SEAL in 2018 when he applied for a loan from Traditional Bank to buy a home and land in Lexington for an equine business.

According to court documents, Custer told banks and another victim in financial statements he had a net worth in excess of $6 million and $9 million.

Custer allegedly misrepresented his finances, character and personal history in documents he gave the bank in May 2018 and August 2019, the indictment said. He also was charged with sending false information about his financial status by email to an investor in November 2019 to get a loan for an oil and gas pipeline inspection business.

State records show a person with the same name set up a business called Moon Dance Farm in Lexington in February 2018. It was dissolved in October 2019 for not filing an annual report.

Custer set up another business called Wildcat Field Services LLC in October 2019. It was dissolved a year later after not filing an annual report, according to state records.

In the plea agreement, Custer agreed to forfeiting more than $309,000, which he agreed was an accurate amount of money he obtained through fraud.

Custer asks for mercy in prison sentence

Originally, Custer faced up to 30 years in prison. After entering a guilty plea, he then faced a maximum of about five years in prison. His defense team, led by Brandi Lewis of Baldani Law Group, argued in court records that time was not necessary because Custer was unlikely to re-offend and had a limited criminal record.

Lewis said Custers family depends solely on him for finances, and asked the court to let him continue to work to provide for his family, as well as pay back restitution owed to the victims. Custer was not eligible for probation.

... On one hand, the fraud that Mr. Custer accepted responsibility resulted in a substantial monetary loss to the victim. On the other hand, there are many mitigating factors, such as Mr. Custers employability, ability to earn a significant income, and supporting a family, Lewis wrote in a sentencing memo.

Mr. Custer admits he made poor decisions that landed him before this Court, and he accepts that he must be punished. He is simply asking this Honorable Court to consider the previously mentioned factors and fashion a sentence that will allow him to return to employment, sooner than later, in order to repay the victim herein and support his family.

In a letter to Chief Judge Danny Reeves, Custer attempted to convey his sincere regret for not telling the banks the truth about his financial conditions.

He also requested mercy in determining his sentence, citing that he was the main provider for his family.

My actions have had a significant negative impact on my wife, daughter, and entire family. Both my mother-in-law and parents are advanced in age, and I am afraid of the toll this has taken on them, he wrote.

Custer told the judge he was devoted to owning up to his mistakes and making amends to reimburse the bank for the money he owes them  totaling more than $527,000. He referenced his job with one of the largest energy companies in the world, Workrise Avery Tech Resources, and said his work would provide substantial income for years if the court would allow him to keep working.

Prosecution: Not defendants first white collar crime

In their argument for a harsher sentence than what Custer has asked for, federal prosecutors brought up Custers current finances, saying he makes nearly $15,000 a month. They also said he lives in a $1.5 million home, which he has made no attempts to sell to reimburse the victims.

Prosecutors alleged that Custer lied on a financial disclosure form to his probation officer, purporting to make significantly less money, which wouldnt have even covered the $9,100 mortgage payments he makes monthly.

These omissions are material as they deflate Custers financial condition and his ability to pay a fine, while begging the question as to why Custer has refused to pay restitution at or before the time of sentencing, prosecutors said in a sentencing memo. He lives a lavish lifestyle, as a $9,100 mortgage payment on a ($1.5 million) home demonstrates.

This must be taken into consideration when the court is fashioning a sentence against this defendant.

Prosecutors said it was particularly egregious Custer falsely portrayed himself as a Navy SEAL. They asked for a sentence of three years and 10 months.

Trading on the trust that would be afforded to him by those that respect a military background  especially as a Navy Seal  and the character traits that background would seem to impart, Custer doctored his personal history as he did his personal wealth, the sentencing memo said.

U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Dieruf represented the U.S. government in the case. They said in court records that this was not Custers first run-in with white collar crime, and asked the judge to use that in determining a sentence.

They allege that in 2004, Custer intentionally misappropriated the property of life insurance by means of fraud, a charge that was dismissed after he completed a 60-day probation sentence.

Other charges of white collar crime were dismissed in Louisiana, according to court documents. In 2014, Custer pleaded guilty to issuing worthless checks, a felony charge, when he purchased nearly $1,500 worth of food from a barbecue restaurant without paying any money.

While earning $15,000 per month, with the capacity for more, Custer pays over $12,000 per month to reside on property worth millions of dollars and enjoy luxury goods. Custer has ample earning capacity. He should be compelled to put those resources toward compensation of his victims, not his own personal satisfaction, prosecutors wrote.

They suggested restitution payments be made in the amount of $5,000 monthly.

Custer should not be permitted to commit himself to a lavish lifestyle on credit and then claim the inability to compensate the victim of his crime because his expenses are too high, the prosecution wrote.

Custer will be allowed to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons on April 6 at 2 p.m.

2023 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
The Navy says it will forgive past fitness test failures for its sailors as part of a broader effort to step up recruitment and retention efforts. The move is one of several tweaks to the service's physical fitness rules that leaders hope will help it keep enough sailors in uniform.

In an administrative memo released Thursday, the sea service announced that it has reset the counter on physical fitness assessment (PFA) failures and any previous failures won't count "when considering authority to reenlist, advance, promote, or execute other career continuation transitions such as extensions and duty station transfers."

However, the rule change stresses that "this policy does not supersede the need for an effective command-level culture of fitness" and that "it remains incumbent upon individual Sailors to invest in their personal health and wellness in order to maintain warfighting readiness."

Read Next: Senator Asks Biden to Block Relocation of Space Command, Citing National Security Worries

Rear Adm. James Waters, director of the Navy's Personnel Plans and Policy division, told reporters in a call held ahead of the publishing of the memo that the reprieve is largely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waters explained that there was "a recognition that we don't want to punish sailors because gyms were closed during the pandemic. We don't want to disadvantage sailors."

He went on to add that the reset "could allow up to 1,500 sailors to remain in the service who might otherwise be separated."

According to the Navy's standing rules, the first PFA failure for a sailor results in them being placed in their command's mandatory fitness program, as well as some restrictions on advancement. A second consecutive failure means a sailor's time in the Navy is effectively over. They cannot advance, and they are ineligible for reenlistment.

This policy change doesn't alter those rules. It simply resets the counter for sailors who have had one or more failures.

"They get a special evaluation that adds back in the recommendation for retention and the recommendation for advancement," Waters explained. He also noted that sailors who missed out on advancement due to a PFA failure can now get that promotion.

Both the admiral and his top enlisted adviser, Fleet Master Chief Delbert Terrell, stressed that this move is not a weakening or relaxation of the Navy's fitness standards.

"Without a doubt, I don't perceive this as a negative," Terrell said, before adding that he thinks the policy is more about "making sure that we are fair across the board."

"Continuing failures would continue to accrue and then, ultimately, could result in separation if there isn't progress," Waters said. "I think it's important to recognize that this is a one-time reset."

The move is one of several that the Navy's leaders have made to help stem the challenges the service is facing in an exceptionally challenging recruiting environment.

Waters said that they've added an alternative cardio option at boot camp instead of running. Out in the fleet, sailors are able to complete that fitness requirement by swimming, biking or rowing, among other options. However, in boot camp sailors are only able to run for their first PFA in the Navy.

"We found that, of those that failed the run at [boot camp], over 88% have subsequently passed using a bike," the admiral explained.

The Navy is also about to implement a pre-boot camp prep course similar to the Army's "Future Soldier Preparatory Course," which helps recruits meet academic or physical fitness requirements before moving on to basic training.

According to internal data reviewed by Military.com in October, 581 of 706 students in the Army's Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) course progressed into basic training, while 292 of 366 soldiers have qualified in the fitness track.

Waters also noted that the sea service recently received congressional authority to increase the maximum enlisted bonus from $50,000 to $75,000. That is in addition to changes to allow older recruits to join and a loosening of academic requirements for some jobs.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Navy Swats 'Wokeness' Claims in Bid to Reach Older Americans Who Could Influence Recruiting
A U.S. senator is begging President Joe Biden's administration to reverse a 2021 decision to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama, saying moving the headquarters would delay operations and harm national security.

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., gave an impassioned floor speech Wednesday criticizing the decision to move Space Command's headquarters, a process which has been underway since the waning days of President Donald Trump's administration. Moving the command from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, would cause further delays in setting up a permanent headquarters as tensions continue to rise with China, he argued.

"We cannot let China or Russia set the rules of the road for space in the 21st century," Bennet posted on Twitter prior to his speech. "America has to lead, and we don't have time to waste."

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Space Command, which is responsible for military operations related to space, was reactivated in August 2019 and temporarily run from Peterson.

In January 2021, during the last days of the Trump administration, the Department of the Air Force selected the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the preferred location for Space Command's permanent headquarters.

Since that announcement, members of Colorado's congressional delegation in Washington have been fighting to have the decision reviewed in hopes of keeping the base, as well as 1,400 jobs and millions of dollars of economic impact, in their home state.

But Bennet argued on the Senate floor Wednesday that his fight to reverse the decision goes beyond wanting to protect assets in his home state. He said keeping the headquarters in Colorado will allow it to reach full operational capacity sooner amid rising tensions with competitors.

"I'm on the floor today to remind people here of the importance of this issue, the urgency of this issue, not just for Colorado, not even for Colorado, but for the country as a whole and for our national security as a whole," he said. "That in the end is what the American people deserve here, because our opponents and our competitors in space are not waiting for us to get out of our own way."

In August 2021, while speaking on an Alabama radio show, Trump said the move was his decision, which sparked speculation that the former president may have intervened in the process for choosing the base, something that could give ammunition to legal challenges.

"Space Force -- I sent to Alabama," Trump told the "Rick & Bubba" radio show at the time. "I hope you know that. [They] said they were looking for a home, and I single-handedly said, 'Let's go to Alabama.' They wanted it. I said, 'Let's go to Alabama. I love Alabama.'"

Two watchdog reports, requested by members of Colorado's delegation in Washington, followed. They did not point to any major issues with Huntsville as a location for the base, but did scrutinize the process for choosing the location.

This past May, the findings of a Department of Defense inspector general report said that, while the selection process was marred by shoddy recordkeeping, the ultimate decision to choose Huntsville was "reasonable."

And in June, the Government Accountability Office released a report saying that Space Command's move from Colorado to Alabama was driven by an unorganized and unclear process. While that report did not comment on or analyze whether the choice of Huntsville as the home of Space Command was acceptable, the congressional watchdog organization did express concerns about "significant shortfalls in its transparency and credibility," as well as the "appearance of bias" in the decision.

The GAO report did not address whether Trump, or any senior military official, was responsible for the ultimate selection of Redstone Arsenal.

But Bennet still took swipes at Trump during his floor speech and urged Biden to keep Space Command in Colorado.

"I think it is fair to say that we are here not representing the parochial interests of our state, but representing the national security interests in the United States and the incredible importance of this Biden administration not ratifying a political decision that was made in the last few days of the Trump administration because decisions of this importance shouldn't be made this way," Bennet said. "They should be made in the interest of our national security."

Last month, Bennet threatened to hold up nominees for the Pentagon's top positions because Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had declined to meet and discuss the Space Command decision.

After voting against Biden's nominee for assistant secretary of defense for energy and installations, Bennet's office has since been in communication with the Pentagon.

An environmental study, one of the final steps required before the decision can be finalized, has been completed. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall will give the ultimate approval, which department officials have said for months is coming soon.

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

Related: Democrat Threatens to Hold Up Pentagon Nominees over Space Command HQ Decision
Projects designed to scour a veterans digital footprint for clues on what contributed to their taking their own lives and to provide Native American veterans with mental health counseling tailored to their cultures won the top prize in the Department of Veterans Affairs' "grand challenge" aimed at finding new approaches to suicide prevention.

Stop Soldier Suicide's Black Box Project and Televeda's Project Hozho will each get $3 million to continue their development, courtesy of the VA's Mission Daybreak program. Three other projects won the second-place prize of $1 million, and five third-place winners will each get $500,000.

"What really struck us in the top two prize winners was their dedication to learning and their curiosity to partnering with veterans and communities to build out a promising solution," Amanda Lienau, director of data analytics and innovation at the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Ecosystem, told reporters in a briefing announcing the winners Tuesday. "Their willingness to engage deeply and to take the perspective of veterans and people who are deeply steeped in this work as they developed their solution was really powerful and impactful."

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The VA launched Mission Daybreak last year with the goal of seeking fresh ideas to combat the epidemic of suicide, which has declined in recent years but still kills an average of nearly 17 veterans a day.

With a total of $20 million up for grabs, more than 1,300 proposals were entered into the contest. In September, that was whittled down to 30 finalists, who then presented their projects to judges, VA officials, the media and others at a "Demo Day" in November.

Stop Soldier Suicide's Black Box Project has been scouring the cell phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices of veterans who died by suicide to try to find behavioral patterns that could then be used by artificial intelligence to identify other veterans at risk of suicide. Already, the project has found "dramatic changes" in sleep patterns and "a strong uptick in anger" in communications prior to the veterans' deaths, said Chris Ford, the organization's CEO.

So far, the project has about 100 devices donated by veterans' family members, and Ford expects the prize money will help get more devices to analyze and otherwise "accelerate" the program. Ultimately, Ford said, the goal is for the organization's data and software to be incorporated into existing mental health apps to monitor for red flags and direct veterans to lifesaving care.

"For a very long time, we have relied on psychological autopsies through a psych autopsy investigator talking with loved ones, co-workers, friends, family about the decedent to gather information about what might have happened, what was going on with them," Ford said in a phone interview with Military.com. "But that's third-party information that's biased by both the interviewer and the interviewees. The digital data is much less biased, if not unbiased, in that it is everything that person was doing."

Televeda's Project Hozho is creating a web-based application where Native Americans can participate in a support group that resembles a traditional storytelling circle. The program will first roll out in Navajo Nation, with plans for later testing in the Apache, Hopi and Lakota tribes, said Mayank Mishra, co-founder and chief technology officer of Televeda.

"With the Navajo Nation, mental health is a community issue," Mishra said in a phone interview with Military.com. "They get together by the fireplace and talk to each other about life and their stories and how they can uplift each other as a community. And so we're really doing what the people have been asking for quite some time."

The prize money will help Televeda with the first phase of the project, which includes updating Navajo Nation's digital infrastructure and recruiting Navajo veterans to lead the storytelling sessions and train them in suicide intervention strategies, Mishra said. The storytelling circles themselves should be up and running in about six months, he added.

While the Mission Daybreak winners are not obligated to continue working with the VA, both Ford and Mishra said they hope to continue their relationships with the department. Ford raised the idea of integrating the Black Box Project's software into the VA's existing mental health apps, while Mishra expressed hope that seeing a traditional healer could one day be eligible for VA reimbursement if Project Hozho proves effective.

VA officials, meanwhile, praised the full range of entries for finding innovative approaches to the problem of suicide and said that while there are no immediate plans for another competition, they would be open to another one in the future.

"This has been a diverse, eclectic, talented group internally and externally coming together, believing that suicide is preventable, exploring and evaluating the data, and approaching the problem from a public health perspective and lens," Matthew Miller, executive director for VA suicide prevention, told reporters. "This is groundbreaking for the VA in terms of innovation."

A full list of the second- and third-place winners can be found here.

Veterans and service members experiencing a mental health emergency can call the Veteran Crisis Line, 988 and press 1. Help also is available by text, 838255, and via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Finalists in $20 Million VA Suicide Prevention Competition Showcase Proposals
On social media, the life of an undesignated sailor has been described as miserable, menial or even a mistake.

One sailor, writing in a U.S. Naval Institute publication in 2017, said that he and his undesignated shipmates were "ordered with all the purpose of the cuckoo in a clock" and that they were treated like spare parts that were unnecessary to their ship.

Wilfredo Barrera, a seaman from the destroyer USS Donald Cook, was told he would be "the dog of the Navy" as an undesignated sailor. He was among the more than 70 sailors with no assigned job, or rate, who gathered at naval bases in Jacksonville and Mayport in Florida in February with hopes of shaking off the undesignated title and finding a place in the service.

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"There's definitely a hierarchy," Barrera said as he explained that undesignated sailors are given some of the least desirable jobs on the ship.

Sailors can't continue in the Navy without a rate. If a sailor doesn't find a job by the time they finish their first tour, they're separated from the service.

U.S. Navy sailor serving as an undesignated seaman needle guns a gypsy winch in the elevator well aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard)

Among the many traditions, quirks and peculiarities that come with naval service, the Navy's practice of naming undesignated sailors stands out for its direct and potentially negative impact. It also carries a stereotype that the sailors are nothing but disgruntled special warfare dropouts or unmotivated slackers.

It has been linked to poor treatment of former Navy SEAL candidates, who fail to complete the difficult training and then drift with no clear job in the service. Brandon Caserta, a former candidate, took his own life after dropping out of the training and being ridiculed as a "BUD/S dud."

An undesignated sailor, Ryan Mays, was charged by the Navy but acquitted during trial of setting a fire that gutted the warship USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. Prosecutors had claimed he was angry and vengeful about being assigned to deck duty after washing out of the SEAL pipeline, according to court documents from the case.

But the Navy may finally be changing.

The service is reforming its practices and adding more guidelines to help get undesignated sailors paired with jobs. Data provided by the Navy shows that programs set up in the wake of Caserta's death have been making an impact -- undesignated former SEAL candidates dropped by more than half from 2020 to 2021 and appear to have declined even more steeply last year.

Now, officials say that they are close to an inflection point where they can flip the script and turn undesignated sailors from a cautionary tale to a recruiting talking point.

Around 2013, the Navy started to reform and codify the way it deals with its undesignated sailors. It moved away from an approach that put all of the responsibility on the sailor to pass an advancement exam to gain entrance or petition the Navy's personnel management bureaucracy to let them into a community of their choice. This effort became known as the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track -- or PACT -- program.

Among the several changes the PACT program brought about was a more codified and streamlined way for sailors to choose and move into jobs. The program also put a firm time limit on how long sailors could stay undesignated. That, in turn, puts pressure on leaders to engage with the sailors on the major decision that will define their time in the service.

Sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner is interviewed during a Professional Apprenticeship Career Track team visit at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, Feb. 1, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

Military.com attended two days of a Navy job fair at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, for the designated sailors on Feb. 1 and 2 -- one of the gatherings the service hopes will ease them into new jobs -- and spoke with almost a dozen attendees about how they came to lose their rates and what they hoped to get out of the event.

The sailors confirmed what is already commonly known in the fleet: Undesignated life is far from easy. Many described having to work long hours at physically demanding jobs like chipping rust, painting large swaths of the ship, cooking and serving food, or any other number of low-skill tasks that a ship demands.

A sailor from the destroyer USS Jason Dunham remarked that they "always joke about how the two hardest working rates on the ship are engineering and 'un-des' seaman."

Ships rely on the roughly 7,000 undesignated sailors -- about 2.5% of all enlisted personnel -- to do the often difficult, dirty jobs, according to Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, the deputy chief of naval personnel, who spoke to Military.com in an interview.

"Almost a third of the work that's going on is not of a specialized nature," Baze said.

Part of the reason the Navy has set up its ships and squadrons that way -- completely unlike any other branch -- is because "we always have a wide range of both specialized and non-specialized tasks that have to get done daily," he said.

Even accounts from official Navy public relations, like this profile of an undesignated sailor turned officer, hint at the difficult life undesignated sailors live.

"Being 'undes' was a quick wakeup call," Ensign Marcia Villavicencio said in the post, before adding that the experience "for sure toughened me up."

A sailor's rate is a key part of their identity on a ship and in the service. Yet, for decades, young sailors could find themselves without one.

Sailors can become undesignated in one of two main ways. They either come into the service but fail to complete the necessary training to achieve that job -- the most common reason -- or they elect to come in without one at the outset.

Attendees at the Mayport conference described losing jobs after dropping out of an initial school after boot camp over grades or they didn't make it through a high-intensity special warfare school. A small handful had other issues, such as a clearance investigation that didn't go through or being chosen to come in without a job in exchange for getting to boot camp faster.

Much of the public attention to undesignated sailors has focused on a relatively small subset: sailors who become undesignated after failing the high-intensity training to become a Navy SEAL.

'BUD/S Duds' Are Disappearing

For years, sailors have reportedly killed themselves after failing to progress in the Navy's training pipeline to become special warfare operators. In 2018, Caserta's story spurred action.

Caserta was an undesignated airman pushing to become an aircrew aviation electrician's mate. He told friends he felt forced to choose from a limited selection of jobs after leaving SEAL training. Adding to the disappointment was the leadership at his new squadron who mocked the young sailor, calling him a "BUD/S dud," and failed to support his efforts to find a new rate.

Caserta eventually died by suicide; in his note, he specifically faulted the Navy's system of sending dropouts undesignated to the fleet. In the note, he asked his parents to "go after the re-rate process" that put him in a job and the command that tormented him.

Late in 2022, The New York Times also profiled sailors who dropped out of the SEAL training pipeline only to end up on ships doing the unsung and grueling work that undesignated sailors are often tasked with accomplishing.

Sean Sutherland, a 26-year-old sailor from the Jason Dunham, was an undesignated seaman who attended the February job fair after dropping out of one of the Navy's special warfare programs.

"My biggest fear was that, I'm 26 [and] I'm gonna be the lowest man on the totem pole; it's gonna suck," he said, but added that his experience was fairly positive.

He told Military.com that one of the sailors in his class had recently graduated from North Carolina State University with a chemical engineering degree and became an undesignated sailor on the USS Nimitz.

But cases like Sutherland's are becoming increasingly rare.

The Navy had 591 sailors move from the SEAL rate in 2020. Of those sailors, 179 went to the fleet as undesignated. The next year, that number fell to 86 sailors out of 713.

Last year, the Navy reported that only three sailors out of 320 went directly to the fleet without a rate -- potentially a major decrease -- though the data for that year is incomplete.

The numbers also suggest that dropouts from the special warfare program are a small fraction of the overall undesignated population of roughly 7,000.

Naval Special Warfare Command attributed this drop to several factors. In 2019, then-chief of naval personnel, Vice Adm. John Nowell, approved a pilot program that made it easier for BUD/S dropouts to get into other jobs in the Navy. Then, in 2020 the command also rebranded its old "X-division" -- the holding unit for disenrolled students -- to "Phoenix Division." The rebrand was part of a greater focus on counseling students who didn't make the cut to highlight the "positive transition" to another Navy rating, spokeswoman Lt. Teresa Meadows said in an email.

Some social media posts also suggest some sailors choose to go undesignated despite being offered another job because of requirements like additional service time commitment.

The program, which was recently expanded, aims to get dropouts to take jobs in rates that are similar to the SEALs -- like Navy diver or explosive ordnance disposal -- or have opportunities to support operators in future billets.

Data provided by the Navy shows aviation rescue swimmer, explosive ordnance disposal technician, and master-at-arms to be some of the most popular choices.

Meadows said that the number of dropouts from 2020 and 2021 showed a "sharp increase" in undesignated assignments for dropouts, a spike that was largely because the Navy closed its training schools due to COVID. Sailors were sent to the fleet undesignated when the courses were shut down. Meadows said the 2022 figures -- just three undesignated sailors -- "are on track and in alignment" with Nowell's plan, which stipulated students get sent undesignated to the fleet only if they had disciplinary issues.

Still, Baze acknowledged that leaders have a role to play in making sure the sailors who do make it to the fleet as undesignated are successful. He said that if a sailor has it "in their minds their dream was killed," then it's the responsibility of "both officer and chief leadership to take that lad or lass under their wings and help them to find a new path."

Baze said that, when he commanded the amphibious assault ship USS America, he made a point of letting his undesignated sailors work with a variety of departments. "I wanted them to be exposed to different conditions and different mentors, no matter what they initially signed on," he said.

Many sailors whom Military.com spoke to at the job fair, as well as previous reporting, have highlighted how much power specific officers or chief petty officers have in influencing the day-to-day life of the sailors under their command.

Caserta's story is a particularly powerful example of the damage that unsupportive leadership can cause, too.

Job Fair Tears of Joy

Since 2013, all undesignated sailors -- from SEAL drops who don't choose a rate to those who volunteered to enlist that way -- are automatically entered into the PACT program.

Under the PACT program, sailors are assigned to a command for two years and, after their first year, they are able to start negotiations for a new rate. To help speed these negotiations along, officers and senior leaders from the Navy's Bureau of Personnel also conduct job fairs like the one Military.com attended. The fairs put the entire bureaucracy into one room and shorten negotiations that normally take days or weeks into just hours.

Jacob Fields, a career counselor aboard a destroyer in Mayport, told Military.com that the program has made it easier for sailors to meet them amid busy work schedules.

One of the key figures behind that part of the program is Randy Miller, a retired master chief petty officer whose passion for the work of matching sailors with jobs is apparent from the moment you start speaking with him.

"People that know me know that this is the most important thing I do ... take care of these youngsters," Miller said. "Their rate is their identity, and that's why I take it to heart."

The job fairs are a spectacle. Sailors shout out their new rates when they lock in orders. Master chiefs mingle about, often joking with each other and the junior sailors who are there picking new jobs. The people who work these events say that there can be tears and joy from sailors who finally find a job in the service.

The event in Mayport drew just over 70 sailors in two days, but a recent fair in Norfolk, Virginia, attracted more than 400 over four.

Barrera, the undesignated sailor who came straight from standing an early morning watch aboard his ship, said that getting a job means "you're not just a seaman -- you have a title to your name."

Perhaps the most remarkable thing to witness at these events is the advice that young and often uncertain sailors get from those much more seasoned.

For example, one sailor at the fair was debating between taking a more intense job -- cryptologist -- that would require him to wait at his command for about a year while his security clearance came through or take something less demanding and make the move right away. He had problems with his command, and he was worried that he'd get himself into trouble amid the wait.

One senior chief called up a cryptologist he knew and let the sailor talk to them. A master chief who also worked in the intelligence community told him about his own experiences. The message was: The wait is worth it.

He ended up going for it.

Other sailors weighed the possibility that a job they chose would take them too far from home, while some balked at jobs that came with additional service requirements. The leaders behind the program were there to offer sea stories, perspective and, in one instance, photos of Japan, to help sailors make their choices.

For Force Master Chief Christian Detje, the top enlisted leader at the Navy's Personnel Command, interactions like that are the magic of the program.

"It's an example of how much we care," Detje said, referring to the counseling the sailors receive from the senior enlisted.

Yet, underneath the pageantry and the genuinely positive progress for sailors, there is still a tension between those who are interested in getting a rate and ship leaders who need the labor.

Sutherland said that he has "heard horror stories where [commands] they'll keep you as long as they can because you're [a] body and they need you."

Fields says he's "gotten into more than my fair share of arguments'' over this disconnect. He says he's had success in getting sailors time from work to attend to their careers by framing it in terms of a benefit to the ship: Undesignated sailors could choose jobs needed aboard the ship and come right back.

Meanwhile, Baze has been pushing change from his level as well.

"Our people won't do anything with those sailors unless they've got command representation there with them," Baze said. "I'm doing that to say, 'Hey, COs and chiefs, I expect you to be a part of this kid's development.'"

Expanding the Program

As the Navy's experiment with a new kind of undesignated sailor experience heads into its second decade, leaders are seeing successes and promising growth.

Capt. Raymond Sudduth, one of the officers who helps oversee the entire community of enlisted sailors, hopes that they have dispelled old myths and stereotypes about the undesignated community.

"A lot of times, they feel that they might have been misled on joining and, in here, we want to dispel those rumors and let you know that, 'Hey, we care about what you want to do," he said in an interview with Military.com.

Miller said that the program is set to expand in the coming weeks. The plan is to set up a team "to reach out to every [undesignated] sailor personally, one on one, whether it's a Zoom call or on the phone and touch base" before they become eligible to negotiate for a rate.

For Baze, the result is clear. "The feedback that we get here at the bureau is very positive, and then it shows in their retention numbers," he said.

PACT sailor retention is 20% higher than that of sailors who enlist and stay at their original rate, according to Baze.

Looking ahead, he sees this program as something that can be "a big win for us on the recruiting side, on the retention side and, frankly, on job satisfaction."

There's an old recruiting trope that's floated around Navy circles for decades as either a joke or a cautionary tale about the recruiter who convinces a young recruit to sign up for the service as undesignated because they can "try all the jobs and pick the one they like."

Baze thinks that if the PACT program can be made robust enough and provide enough support, that old trope could be turned on its head -- and become something that sets the Navy apart from the other services at the recruiting center.

Typically, recruits choose a rate when they sign their enlistment contract and make the decision based only on their recruiter and a one-page "job card" that lists broad bullet points about the rate's responsibilities and a paragraph or two about the training pipeline. Quality-of-life details like how often sailors stay late aboard a ship or the reputation of the community they belong to are not listed.

"From a sort of selfish recruiting perspective, we're opening the doors for a larger demographic of folks to come in, especially those who really aren't sure or they're not mature enough yet in their lives to know what they want to do," Baze said.

Despite all the figures, goals and Navy ambitions for the future, for some sailors this entire program can be incredibly simple: They just want a chance to do a job they really want.

Logan Porter, a young sailor from the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, was dead set on being an air traffic controller. However, he had been worried his previous school failures would bar that possibility.

After a few hours at the Mayport job fair, he was sitting behind a desk listening to the training path lying before him.

One master chief, walking by, overheard that the job came with a $70,000 bonus and shouted loudly, "Pay the man!"

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Detje's first name.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

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On March 4, 1966, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) launched Operation Utah, an effort to counter the growing number of North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam's Quang Ngai province. After American airstrikes cleared a landing zone in the area, the ARVN 1st Airborne Battalion would secure it. The U.S. 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines would then enter the area and the two forces would push outward.

It was a simple operation on paper, but the aircraft involved all met heavier anti-aircraft resistance than expected. The ground forces soon found that all resistance in the area was heavier than expected, too. Twenty-year-old Pfc. Danny Hernandez was one of the Marines deployed in Quang Ngai during Operation Utah. His actions there would earn him a Silver Star -- 43 years later.

After their insertion, the Marines had no idea they might have been outnumbered two-to-one by two battalions of the 21st NVA Regiment. As the day wore on, the Marines pressed forward, but the communist forces kept the lines so close, the Americans could not use artillery and air power to gain an advantage. As the sun went down on March 4, the Americans and ARVN were split in two.

The Marines realized the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) would not be pushed out of the province without a fight, so they called in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines to reinforce the American position. Hernandez deployed just before dark with the 3/1 Marines, he wrote in his book, "Silver Star: An American Story." The objective was Hill 50, with its camouflaged and reinforced bunker complex.

His company came under an intense enemy attack on their first night in Quang Ngai, including mortar and artillery fire, but by morning, the Marines were re-formed and ready to attack. As they moved across a rice paddy toward the hill in the early morning hours, they suddenly found themselves in the middle of a "horseshoe kill zone," and that the North Vietnamese headquarters was not just in Hill 50, but extended in tunnels surrounding their current position.

Marines assaulting Hill 50 had little in the way of cover or concealment. (U.S. Marine Corps)

The surprise attack broke the company's formation, as the PAVN hit the Marines with everything it had. Some Marines were fighting in close quarters, while others were reorganizing and some were taking cover from enemy fire. By noon on April 5, Hernandez and his battle buddy were both out of ammo and separated from the company.

As he looked around the growing battlefield, he noticed another Marine machine gun squaring off with a North Vietnamese machine gun. But in the middle of the enemy's kill zone, he saw a Marine lying on the ground, in the middle of an open area. The PAVN was just waiting for the Marines to try to rescue their fallen man.

Hernandez realized he had a much better chance of pulling the Marine to safety, because he had better cover and concealment along the way. With the other company pinned down, he made his way to the edge of the open area. His fallen comrade was Pfc. Joel Rodriguez, and blood was starting to pool all around the wounded man.

Hernandez signaled to the Marine machine gun crew that he was ready to make a dash for their fallen friend. Without a second thought, he made a break for Rodriguez. The other Marines laid down heavy suppressive fire as he moved across the open ground.

When Hernandez reached him, Rodriguez was bleeding and gasping for air. Before he could render aid, the PAVN machine gun began firing on him in the open field. Hernandez shielded the wounded man with his body, taking a hit to the back that felt like a sledgehammer blow.

Bullets whizzed around them as they lay there, until they suddenly stopped. Hernandez realized this was his window. He got up, pulled Rodriguez by his arms and flak jacket, and dragged his comrade to the safety of the other Marines. Rodriguez was taken by stretcher to the medevac zone, with Hernandez close behind.

As they reached the medevac area, Hernandez saw many members of his company dead and wounded. Filled with rage, he refused to be evacuated. He picked up a rifle and went back into the fight. When he got there, he jumped into a foxhole and found his M60 machine gun, his "A" gunner and the gun's ammunition replenished. Hernandez then retook control of the machine gun.

By then. enemy soldiers were emerging from tunnels and spider holes as Marines prepared to assault those tunnels. Hernandez moved to join them, but as he did, he noticed the enemy was making a move to attack the medevac zone. He called for help, but his fellow Marines were too far away.

Hernandez was just 20 years old during Operation Utah. (Danny Hernandez)

Hernandez jumped across a nearby treeline to set his gun between the enemy and the wounded. With bullets flying at him from all directions, he exchanged fire with the enemy as one charged him. When the charging soldier fell, Hernandez then poured fire into a cave from which other PAVN soldiers were emerging. He charged the tunnel, and after about 10 feet in, the ceiling collapsed.

The enemy escaped, but Hernandez was able to walk out of the fallen cave. A few yards away from the opening, he collapsed in exhaustion, but the battle was far from over. Operation Utah would last another two days and would be remembered as one of the bloodiest battles fought by the Marines in Vietnam. Almost 400 Marines were killed or wounded while North Vietnamese suffered 1,100 killed or captured in just three days.

His commander, Marine Corps Lt. Jim Lupori, recommended Hernandez for the Silver Star. He was soon transferred to another unit and assumed Hernandez had received the honor. It wasn't until the two men were reunited over lunch in 2005 that Lipori learned Hernandez never received the Silver Star.

Lipori spent the next three years gathering evidence across the United States, making calls and requesting help from public officials to get Hernandez the medal. It was finally presented to Hernandez by Gen. John Kelly in a Los Angeles ceremony in 2009. By then, Hernandez was 63 years old.

Today, supporters of Hernandez are pushing for his Silver Star to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. With the eyewitnesses and evidence gathered by Lipori to get Hernandez his Silver Star, those who believe he is a deserving candidate for the nation's highest honor have formed the Committee to Upgrade Sgt. Danny Hernandez.

Read about Hernandez's Marine Corps career and his experience in Operation Utah in his book, "Silver Star: An American Story."

-- 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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Astros lefty Kent Emanuel announced on Instagram today that hell undergo season-ending surgery to repair an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. The southpaw is not yet certain whether hell be undergoing Tommy John surgery or a primary repair procedure that comes with a shorter recovery period (but is only possible with a certain extent of tearing at a specific location on the ligament). As FOX 26s Mark Berman explains (Twitter link), thats because the determination wont be made until the surgery is underway and the surgeons can get a closer look at the ligament.

Regardless of the exact nature of the surgery, Emanuel, who turns 29 tomorrow, wont pitch again in 2021. Its an abrupt end to a promising rookie campaign for the 2013 third-rounder, whod pitched to a 2.55 ERA with a 13-to-4 K/BB ratio through his first 17 2/3 MLB innings.

That Emanuels debut campaign came at age 28 is in part due to the fact thats hes already endured one Tommy John procedure earlier in his career. That injury limited him to just 14 2/3 innings in 2015 and 84 2/3 frames the following season.

Emanuel has also missed time with an 80-game PED suspension, though hes among the growing number of players to raise issue following a positive test of trace amounts of DHCMT (seven picograms, in his case). The Wall Street Journals Jared Diamond explored the issue at length back in August, and Emanuel himself posted an 11-minute video on Instagram discussing his bewilderment over the positive test. Many fans will be skeptical of any player claiming innocence following a positive PED test, but its certainly worth reading Diamonds column and watching Emanuels video for those who didnt track the story at the time.

Turning back to the present-day ramifications of the injury, Emanuel figures to eventually be moved to the 60-day injured list, where hell accrue a year of service time as he goes through the rehabilitation process. If he indeed requires a second Tommy John procedure, hell likely miss at least half of the 2022 season as well; a primary repair could potentially have him ready for 2022, though that is again dependent on the extent of the damage in his elbow. An exact timeline for rehabbing from that procedure is tougher to pin down, given the general lack of successful instances. Rich Hill is the most recent example of a pitcher to return after a primary repair, as he had the procedure in the 2019-20 offseason before eventually signing with the Twins.

For the Astros, theyll be reduced to two left-handed bullpen options: Brooks Raley and Blake Taylor. To this point, neither has pitched well in 2021, with Raley sitting on a 6.95 ERA in 22 2/3 innings and Taylor having yielded five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 frames of his own. Both southpaws played key roles in Houstons 2020 bullpen and should have decent leashes as a result. Raley has punched out 30.6 of his opponents this year against just an 8.2 percent walk rate, but hes been plagued by a historically fluky strand rate. Thats not an exaggeration, either; per FanGraphs, Raleys 39 percent strand rate is the seventh-lowest single-season mark of any pitcher (min. 20 innings) since 1900.

Should Raley and/or Taylor continue to struggle, left-handed relief figures to be an area of focus for the Stros this summer on the trade market as they seek another postseason berth.
The Tigers have shown some interest in free-agent reliever Will Smith, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. However, the left-hander has also received interest from multiple clubs that expect to contend for postseason berths in 2023, Petzold adds, which makes them an unlikely landing spot unless they significantly outbid any other suitors.

The 2022 campaign was a tale of two seasons with Smith, who posted a 4.38 ERA and 12.3% walk rate in 37 innings with the Braves before being traded to the Astros for Jake Odorizzi and immediately turning things around. In 22 frames with Houston, Smith worked to a 3.27 ERA (2.66 FIP, 2.83 SIERA) with a 26.7% strikeout rate  an uptick on his 24% mark in Atlanta  and a 4.4% walk rate that was miles below his bloated rate with the Braves. I noted back in January that the Astros upped Smiths reliance on his slider and four-seamer at the expense of his curveball and also made some alterations to both his horizontal and vertical release points.

The results were impressive, although the Astros didnt use him in the postseason. Smith wasnt on the ALDS or ALCS roster and didnt pitch in the World Series upon being added. And, as encouraging as his turnaround was, the Stros unsurprisingly werent heartened enough to exercise a weighty $13MM option (which came with a $1MM buyout).

Smith is now one of the few unsigned, clearly big-league caliber relievers remaining on the free-agent market. He wont match the three-year, $40MM contract he received from the Braves in the 2019-20 offseason, but it stands to reason that his strong finish in Houston and his track record ought to land him a big league deal somewhere.

Dating back to 2013, the now-33-year-old Smith carries a 3.26 ERA with an excellent 31.5% strikeout rate against a 9% walk rate. Hes tallied 91 saves and 106 holds in that time, frequently operating as a high-leverage reliever with the Brewers, Giants and Braves. His time with Atlanta didnt go as well as hoped, although its worth noting that was dominant during the teams postseason run in 2021, firing 11 shutout innings as the Braves secured a World Series victory.

With a non-contending club like the Tigers, the opportunity would exist for Smith to even work his way into the closers role. Theres no established option in that spot for the time being, and at the very least, Smith would seem likely to find himself in a high-leverage role  be it as a setup man or ninth-inning specialist. Right now, Tyler Alexander looks like the Tigers lone lefty in the bullpen, though Chasen Shreve, Jace Fry and Miguel Del Pozo are all in big league camp as non-roster invitees this spring.

There hasnt been much chatter about Smiths market  or lack thereof  this offseason. Left-handed bullpen help has remained the one area of free agency with some actual depth for interested clubs, and the fact that so many southpaws lingered so long into the offseason figures to create some potential bargains. The D-backs scooped up Andrew Chafin on a one-year deal with a club option over the weekend, but the likes of Smith, Matt Moore, Zack Britton and Brad Hand all remain available. Britton just worked out for six clubs today, and the Twins have reportedly shown some interest in Hand. Theres likely some degree of overlap in the markets for the remaining lefties, and now that pitchers and catchers are beginning to report, its possible theres an increased sense of urgency among the remaining unsigned free agents to find a job for the upcoming season.
The assassinated South African rapper, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, known better as AKA will be buried on Saturday, February 18, his family announced.

The rapper was shot dead outside a restaurant in the coastal city of Durban, known as "Wish," on Florida Road in the late hours of Friday, February 10.

Kiernan Forbes was shot along with his close friend, the chef and entrepreneur Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, who gave up the ghost a few moments after being admitted to a hospital.

The duo were on their way to a nightclub for a performance as part of Forbes' birthday celebrations when they were shot.

A statement from the family has announced that his final funeral rites will be held in a private, provincial manner at the Santon Convention Center, South Africa, at 15:00 GMT.

The statement reads, Memorial and funeral details of Kiernan Aka Jarryd Forbes.

We as the Forbes family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love we have received over the past few days. Kiernan wasnt just loved by us as a family, but by the nation, as weve seen from loved ones, friends, industry colleagues, media tributes and the legacy.

It is our wish to celebrate the life of Kiernan with those he touched and impacted through his gift of music. His memorial will therefore be open to the public as well as streamed online.

Kiernan will be laid to rest in a private provincial funeral on Saturday, 18 February 2023.

Memorial details include, Date: Friday, 17 February 2023, Time: 15:00 Location: Santon Convention Center.

Limited tickets will be available on webtickets; the memorial will also be live-streamed on the Akaworldwide youtube page.

Wed also like to acknowledge our extended family, the Mohosanas for their unwavering support during this time, as Bongani Mahosana will be in absentia at the memorial and funeral due to observing cultural protocol.

Tony forbes, kiernans father has been appointed as the official family spokesperson and will be giving a public statement to media today at 3pm.
Almost 12 years after a nuclear catastrophe triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in north-east Japan are preparing to release treated wastewater into the sea.

As the country prepares to mark the 11 March anniversary, site operator TEPCO says the water has been filtered to remove most radioactive elements.

While the company says the water's release both safe and necessary, there has been domestic and international opposition.

The fishing community in particular fears further reputational damage.

Neighbouring countries, including China and South Korea, along with activist groups such as Greenpeace and some local residents are strongly opposed to the release.

Treated water

More than a million tonnes of treated water is stored in tanks at the plant, where a tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake in 2011 led to the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

The tsunami knocked out the plant's backup electricity supply, leading to meltdowns in three of Fukushima's reactors.

Fast forward to today and the site produces 100,000 litres of contaminated water. It's a combination of contaminated groundwater, seawater, rainwater, and water used for cooling

Storage space for the water is running out, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the release plan.

The water still contains radioactive tritium, but at levels that the government, plant officials and the IAEA say are safe, because it will be diluted before being released over several decades through a kilometre-long pipe.

The water is filtered to remove most radionuclides, and more than 1.32 million tonnes of treated water was being stored at Fukushima as of February.

That accounts for 96 percent of storage capacity, so TEPCO is keen to start releasing the water soon.

The discharge is due to begin in the spring or summer, with Japanese officials ruling out other options such as long-term storage underground or evaporation.

(with AFP)
Rioters attacked bank ATMs and blocked roads in three Nigerian cities on Wednesday as anger spilled on the streets over a scarcity of cash, officials and local media said.

Nigeria has been struggling with a shortage in physical cash since the central bank began to swap old bills of the local naira currency for new ones, leading to a shortfall in banknotes.

Banks have limited access to cash and ATM withdrawals because of a scarcity of the new notes, and some businesses refuse to accept old naira, causing huge queues, angering customers and disrupting businesses.

The unrest in southwest Ibadan, Benin City and southern Delta State came days before Nigeria holds elections on February 25 to decide on a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who steps down after two terms.

Police in Delta State said "unguided youths/miscreants in the name of protests" set two banks and two vehicles on fire.

"We have arrested nine suspects so far. Some persons will still call this protest," state police spokesperson Bright Edafe wrote on Twitter.

Channels news station on its Twitter account shared a video of young men burning tyres in the streets on the outskirts of the city of Warri in Delta State.

In Benin City, also in the south, protests broke out after police stopped "hoodlums" from attacking the central bank local office in the city, according to the Edo State governor's spokesman Crusoe Osagie.

"The hoodlums then started attacking and vandalizing banks. They also blocked roads and forced businesses to close," he said.

'Politically motivated'

But he blamed the unrest on politically motivated actions by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, taking advantage of discontent to sow chaos in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-governed state.

"Although the people are dissatisfied with the naira scarcity, the APC capitalized on the discontentment and instigated hoodlums and thugs to cause violence in the city," Osagie said.

The APC did not immediately respond. But the APC and PDP have repeatedly traded accusations over the cash shortages during campaigning for next week's election.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries in Wednesday's unrest.

Angry customers also burned tyres and blocked streets in the southwest Nigerian city of Ibadan, police and residents said.

Oyo State police said protests broke out in some parts of Ibadan, the state capital, early Wednesday, but were soon brought under control.

"There were pockets of protest this morning by some aggrieved bank customers," spokesman Adewale Osifeso told AFP.

Local residents said the unrest started at Dupe, Mokola, Ogunpa, Apata and Iwo Road areas when angry bank customers began protesting because they could not access their money or change old notes to new ones.

"Major roads were blocked while banks, shops and other businesses were shut," local journalist Remi Feyisipo told AFP.

Rising tensions

The protest on Wednesday followed riots last week in the city where two people were killed in clashes, according to local media.

Tensions have flared in Nigeria since the central bank set a February deadline for depositors to change old notes, leaving many people cashless and frustrated.

Many people working in the informal economy and in transport in Nigeria use cash for transactions rather than banking apps.

The central bank said the policy was aimed at mopping up excess and counterfeit naira from the system as well as discouraging cash ransom payments to kidnappers and bandits.

The policy was also to promote cashless transactions by limiting the use of cash for businesses.

But some state governments have taken the central bank to court, seeking an order to suspend the policy and allow Nigerians to use both the old and new notes until the banks are able to provide enough cash.

Two weeks ago, riots also erupted in northern Nigeria's largest city of Kano during a visit by President Buhari who has promised to look into both the cash and petrol shortages.
Anglogold Ashanti has once again made a cash donation towards infrastructural development and expansion of facilities at the Knust-Obuasi campus.

The company on Wednesday, 15th February 2023 presented a cheque for an amount of GHc 1,000,000.00 to the school.

AGAG, Obuasi Mine since the establishment of the school in 2019 has so far donated an amount of GH 1, 850, 000 to improve the facilities in the school.

The KNUST-Obuasi campus was established in 2019 but officially launched by President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in July 2020. It was borne out of a partnership between the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Anglogold Ashanti and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Mr Eric Asubonteng, Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, who presented the cheque on behalf of the company said the gesture was part of the companys 10-year- Socio-Economic Development plan, which seeks to contributeto the socio-economic development of host communities.

He said the support would help contribute to the infrastructural development of the campus and enhance teaching and learning.

Mr Asubonteng said AngloGold Ashanti was excited to have contributed to the success of the school and believed that as the students' population increases from the initial 300 students to over 2000, it means the school is on course to contribute to the diversification of the Obuasi economy.

Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, received the cheque on behalf of the school.

The University Relations Officer of KNUST Dr. Norris Bekoe who spoke to the media after the donation said the gesture from AGAG will go a long way to improve the existing infrastructure of the school.

He said the increasing enrolment would require substantial investments in infrastructure, hence the need for all stakeholders to support and equip the university to provide quality tertiary education to the youth.

Dr. Bekoe further hailed the partnership between KNUST and Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi mine and said the company has been actively part of the journey about 3 years ago with the first batch expected to graduate in the next graduating year.
The Office of the Attorney General has insisted that the Auditor General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, erred in his recent COVID-19 audit report.

Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has maintained that the A-G went contrary to the constitutional provisions to "prematurely" publish the Covid-19 reports.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews PM Express, he reiterated that Parliament must, at all times, debate the report before publication.

"If you look at the letter we wrote, it is to the effect that if you look at the constitutional provision as against what the Auditor General did, it is unconstitutional," he stated.

According to Mr. Tuah-Yeboah, while the Auditor General is not bound to take their advice, it is constitutionally discriminatory to publish it without parliamentary debate.

"The Attorney General doesn't have the power to direct or control the Auditor General, so if any publication has been made, what we can do is to advise. We all know the advice is not binding.

"If the advice is to be heeded, the Auditor General should pull down all publications of his [the Auditor General's] reports," Deputy AG clarifies.

According to him, "If you take only the Audit Service Act, you may be tempted to believe on the face of it that the Auditor General can publish his report after submitting it to Parliament."

He, however, explained, "But if you read Article 186/7 of the Constitution vis-a-vis the Audit Service Act, rationally you will come to the conclusion that the publishing of the report before Parliament acts on it will amount to prejudice."

"If the constitution wanted the general public to debate the findings of the Auditor General before their representatives could have a bite, it could have done so expressly," he added.
Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) sees no reason in the Attorney Generals insistance on Parliament to debate the COVID-19 audit report at all costs before its publication.

He asked if parliamentary debate will change the act of embezzlement captured in the report and bring back the stolen monies.

Mr. Asante remarked while contributing to a discussion on Accra-based JoyNews PM Express on Wednesday, February 15, that "When you say that Parliament is going to have its bite and conclude, are you saying they are going to change whether somebody has embezzled money or not?"

"If you go by the Attorney General's logic, then you'll conduct legal proceedings in secrecy," he asserted.

He further remarked that the Attorney Generals posture is rather seeking to delay the publication of audit reports.

"The Attorney General is trying to roll back many years of trying to get the Auditor General into this position where reports are produced on time," he noted.

This comes after the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in a letter addressed to the Auditor General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, described the recent COVID-19 audit publication as premature.

The AG demanded that the report be unpublished because it lacks parliamentary debate as the Constitution demands.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, says claims that he has backed down on his plan to demolish illegal structures on Ramsar sites and other areas of the capital are false.

He simply dismissed suggestions that he has been clipped and thus cannot issue his previously promised warning.

Some unauthorised structures on encroached portions of lands belonging to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research were to be demolished last year.

The Minister had also vowed to demolish buildings within the core zone of the Sakumo Ramsar site after a report from experts identified some specific buildings.

Some persons had said the minister had given up on the exercise.

However, while explaining his specific plan, he also stated that he had not been gagged at all.

There was a miscommunication and I take the blame for it. When we said, we were coming to CSIR, we were making reference to those who had encroached within the 200-acre perimeter. So my position was that we were going to remove those people.

When I said Ramsar site, I also talked about the core area. So clearly, I was going to demolish structures that have been there for more than 25 years and are not within the core area. That is why we started with the fence walls. So if anyone says I have been clipped, with the greatest of respect, it's laughable, he said on the Point of View on Citi TV.

He also admitted to carrying out the demolition exercise, revealing how some illegal structures of prominent members of society were demolished.

If I tell you the people who were behind the fence walls that we removed, you will be shocked. The ones that we brought down, were not for small boys. They are big people in society. The calls were coming, but I told my people to go ahead and remove them. I make sure I consult and take advice from the legal brains before I move in.

The Minister has appealed to Ghanaians to come on board and support his fight against indiscipline in the capital.

Mr Quartey is calling on Civil Society Organisations, Churches, the Media and Commercial drivers to join his efforts in making Accra the cleanest city in the country.

In his view, fighting indiscipline in the capital city must be a collaborative effort and not the work of an individual.

I want to see a system working than a Henry Quartey doing everything, and I have laid the foundations so today let me make this passionate call again to the good people of this region, I cannot do it alone, but I need everybody on board.

-citinewsroom
French President Emmanuel Macron and China's top diplomat Wang Yi have agreed to contribute towards peace in Ukraine. China remains an important Russian ally, and has not condemned its invasion of Ukraine launched nearly a year ago.

Wang, the director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met with Macron behind closed doors at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday at the start of a weeklong European tour

He and Macron discussed the war and its "consequences on the most vulnerable countries, particularly in terms of food security and financing capacity," according to Macron's office.

Both Macron and Wang "expressed the same objective of contributing to peace in accordance with international law", said the French presidency without specifying what each country's contributions might be.

Wang also met with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who called on him to "intensify pressure on Russia to allow for a return to a respect of the fundamental principals of the United Nations Charter", the foreign ministry said.

Macron has expressed his hope that China could use its influence on Russia to pressure it to return to the negotiating table.

China's refusal to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and join others in imposing sanctions on Russia has frayed ties with the West and fueled an emerging divide with much of Europe.

In December, Wang defended what he called his country's position of impartiality on the war and signaled that China would deepen ties with Russia in 2023.

In Paris Wednesday Wang and Macron also discussed other, climate-related issues, with Macron detailing the goals of a summit focusing on preserving forests that France will co-preside in Libreville, Gabon, on 2 March.

Wang is to participate Thursday in a session of the French-Chinese strategic dialogue with Macron's diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne.

After his visit to France, Wang will continue his tour of Europe, which is seen as part of China's efforts to restore ties on the continent as tension rises with the United States.

He will stop at the Munich Security Conference, scheduled for Friday to Sunday and will also travel to Moscow, as well as Italy and Hungary.

(with newswires)
Ghana and Rwanda have renewed commitments to strengthen their cooperation for the mutual benefit of the citizens of both countries.

The two countries renewed their commitment when Ghanas Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and her Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC).

The PJCC was signed in areas of mutual interest, in the margins of the 42nd Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), on Tuesday, 14 February 2022.

The existing good relations between Ghana and Rwanda will be strengthened with the signing of the MoU.

Source: classfmonline.com
The West African state of Burkina Faso is in the grip of a jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted devastating damage to one of the world's poorest countries.

Here are key facts on the crisis, now in its eighth year.

First attacks

Initially spared from the jihadist bloodshed shaking neighbours Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso experienced its first attack in April 2015, when the Romanian security chief of a manganese mine in the north of the country was kidnapped.

Nine months later, the capital Ouagadougou came under assault. Thirty people, half of them foreigners, died in attacks on locations frequented by Westerners.

The operation was claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), an armed group dating to the jihadist unrest in Algeria in the 1990s.

Fifty people died in attacks in Ouagadougou in August 2017 and March 2018, the latter of which targeted the French embassy and Burkina's military headquarters.

Mounting toll

Over the past three years, the frequency and bloodiness of attacks have risen, characterised by massacres in remote villages by highly mobile bands of jihadists travelling on motorbikes.

Burkina's Democracy and Human Rights Observatory and a US-based NGO, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), estimate the death toll since 2015 at between 10,000 and nearly 12,000.

Spiral of violence in Burkina Faso. By Sylvie HUSSON, Emmanuelle MICHEL, Paz PIZARRO (AFP)

The bloodiest attack so far was on June 4-5, 2021, when 160 civilians were massacred at Solhan in the northern province of Yagha.

In early 2022, Burkina Faso experienced 20-30 attacks per week on average, said security expert Mahamoudou Savadogo.

Today, the rate is "30-40" per week, and the number of affected regions has increased, he said.

The suspected attackers are linked to Al-Qaeda or the so-called Islamic State group.

Jean-Marc Gravellini, a researcher at France's Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), said jihadists exploited landlocked Burkina's porous borders with Mali to mount cross-border incursions.

But the country's huge population of poor jobless youths also provides the militants with a deep pool for recruitment, Gravellini said.

Political turbulence

Even before the insurgency, Burkina had the reputation of being one of the world's most volatile countries, enjoying little stability since independence from France in 1960.

The bloodiest attack so far was on June 4-5, 2021, when 160 civilians were massacred at Solhan. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT (AFP)

Political turmoil has since accelerated, driven by anger within the military at the failure to roll back the jihadists.

On January 24, 2022, officers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba overturned the country's elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Little more than eight months later, Damiba himself was overthrown by a 34-year-old captain, Ibrahim Traore, who became the world's youngest head of state outside royalty.

Mobilisation

Traore has vowed to recover state control over land "occupied" by the jihadists, which amounts to around 40 percent of the country.

His main thrust has been to expand a civilian militia, the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), which supports the country's beleaguered armed forces.

France is withdrawing its forces from the country -- a prelude, some speculate, to bringing in mercenaries from Russia's Wagner outfit. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT (AFP)

A recruitment drive last year drew 90,000 would-be volunteers, nearly twice the target of 50,000.

Like his junta counterparts in Mali, Traore has fallen out with France, which is pulling its forces out of the country -- a prelude, some speculate, to bringing in mercenaries from Russia's Wagner outfit.

Humanitarian disaster

Around two million of Burkina Faso's population of 22 million have been displaced by the conflict.

Displaced: Belem Boureima, a 74-year-old farmer, sitting next to his family. By ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP)

In November, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) estimated that nearly 3.5 million people would need emergency food aid in the coming months.

Idrissa Badini, a spokesman for civil society groups in the jihadist-torn northern region of Soum, said the situation was "catastrophic" in the town of Djibo, which has taken in nearly a seventh of the country's displaced people.

"Hunger has reached the point where it is starting to kill children and the elderly," he said.

Supply convoys to the town are rare and frequently come under attack.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta is set to visit Parliament today to provide a briefing on the governments Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

The Minister was scheduled to go before Parliament on Wednesday, February 15, but was absent throughout the day.

This did not please members of the Minority in Parliament who described the Ministers failure to appear before the house as gross disrespect for Parliament.

Today, a post on the Facebook page of the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicated that Ken Ofori-Atta will today honour the Parliamentary invitation.

In his post, the MP said Later this morning, Ghanas beleaguered Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta will appear in Parliament for a full briefing and debate of his Draconian Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDDEP) following my urgent application to the Right Honourable Speaker last week.

Despite the strong opposition the governments Domestic Debt Exchange Programme faced, the Finance Ministry has confirmed that it has already achieved over 80% participation.

Meanwhile, Pensioner Bondholders have been protesting for over a week demanding that government announce their exclusion from the programme.
The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice has implored Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to carefully examine the position of Ghana's laws on matters before raising unjustified public alarm of violations by the Attorney-General or any public institution.

In a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, said the default in doing so affects the image of the nation in the eyes of the international community, particularly its anti-corruption ratings.

The statement was in response to a press statement issued by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) on February 10, 2023, titled: The Akuffo-Addo (sic) Government must cease its continuous assault on the Office of the Auditor-General.

CDD-Ghana in the statement chastised the Attorney-General over his comments regarding the publishing of audit reports on Government's Covid-19 transactions by the Office of the Auditor-General before Parliament debated and referred it to an appropriate committee of Parliament in accordance with article 187(6) of the Constitution.

The Attorney-General said in addition to various wrong propositions of law, CDD-Ghana characterised its (Attorney-General) opinion as part of a domineering superior posture that the Akuffo-Addo (sic) administration has adopted in dealing with the constitutionally independent office of the Auditor-General.

It said CDD-Ghana also perceived the Attorney-General's letter as an effort to undermine the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General and other independent constitutional bodies.

Quite bizarrely and in tune with the fundamentally incorrect constitutional theories bandied about by CDD-Ghana, a Vice-Chair of the Board of CDD-Ghana stated on a radio programme, 'News file' on Joy FM, that, the Auditor-General is not part of the Audit Service of Ghana but a separate creation, the statement said.

Mr Dame said the CDD statement contained palpable errors and that its press release sought to distort the relationship between the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General in the constitutional architecture of the Republic and has far-reaching implications for Ghana's record in rooting out corruption.

The Minister said contrary to the strange view of CDD-Ghana, the letter and spirit of laws governing the work of the Auditor-General makes him part of the Audit Service of Ghana and, therefore, a regular member of the public services of Ghana to whom the Attorney-General can give advice pursuant to his mandate under article 88 of the Constitution.

He noted that Article 189(2) of the Constitution provided a clue when it stipulated that: The appointment of officers and other employees in the Audit Service, other than the Auditor-General, shall be made by the Audit Service Board, acting in consultation with the Public Services Commission.

That provision, the Attorney General said, dealt with the appointment of officers and all employees in the Audit Service, including the Auditor-General, and clearly provided that, with the exception of the Auditor-General, all had to be appointed by the Audit Service Board acting in consultation with the Public Services Commission.

With the clear cue provided by article 189(2), a contention that the Auditor-General is not part of the Audit Service or a member of the Public Services is pointless and absurd, the Minister said in the statement.

He said Section 2 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) laid the issue to rest when it listed the Auditor-General as the first member of the Audit Service, saying: The members of the Audit Service are (a) the Auditor-General, and (b) the other persons employed in the Service.

It is thus clear that the propositions of CDD-Ghana and its board members can only result from an inadequate reading of the laws of Ghana, including the Constitution and the Audit Service Act, the statement added.

The statement said it was astonishing that CDD-Ghana disputed the propriety of the Attorney-General rendering legal advice to the Auditor-General and construed same as an interference with the independence of the Auditor-General.

It noted that a proper reading of the Constitution, especially the provisions on the Public Services of Ghana, leads to the inescapable conclusion that the Attorney-General is fully vested with the constitutional function of giving legal advice to all the Public Services specifically listed in article 190(1) of the Constitution, including the Audit Service, and such other public services as will be established by law.

Article 295 indicates that the public services listed in article 190 and other public services established by Parliament pursuant to its legislative powers, are part of the civil offices of Government.

The statement said it ought to be pointed out that the functional independence of the Auditor-General under article 187(7)(a) of the Constitution did not confer immunity from legal advice.

Legal advice to a constitutional body cannot under any circumstance be construed to amount to interference with the performance of its constitutional functions.

It said a view to the contrary implied that an independent constitutional body had absolute freedom to act in any manner it desired, except when a court of law had ordered, even when its legal adviser (whether public or private) was of the opinion that its actions were in conflict with the law.

The statement said it was implicit in the constitutional duty of Parliament to debate the Auditor-General's reports and appoint a committee to deal with any matters arising from it.

This constitutional function of Parliament cannot be wished away by a narrow, simplistic and erroneous reading of the Constitution by CDD-Ghana or any civil society organisation, it said.

GNA
Ethiopia's Orthodox Christian Church, one of the oldest in the world, says a crisis that erupted after a group of rebel archbishops created their own synod has been resolved.

The three archbishops who set up the rival body in Ethiopia's largest and most populous region of Oromia have apologised, the Church leadership said in a statement posted on Facebook late Wednesday.

"The recent problems created in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church have been solved by face-to-face discussions," it said.

The three archbishops, who were excommunicated last month after their actions, will be reinstated, it added.

The announcement followed a meeting Wednesday brokered by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is himself from the Oromo community and had been accused of backing the rebel clergy.

"This is a strong church and we have agreed to bring back the lost sheep," Abiy said at the meeting.

The tensions in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church had spilled over into violence earlier this month when eight people died in attacks on a house of worship in the southern town of Shashamene, according to the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission.

"Security forces and their (civilian) collaborators used disproportionate force leaving at least eight dead by either gunshot wounds or beatings," the state-affiliated but independent body said in a statement last week.

"Beatings, intimidation, expulsion from churches, forced restriction of movement and unlawful detentions have been carried out in various areas on individuals."

The crisis had threatened the unity of the Ethiopian Church, which accounts for about 40 percent of the country's 115 million population and has been headed by Patriarch Abune Mathias for a decade.

The breakaway bishops accused the Church of discrimination and linguistic and cultural hegemony, saying congregations in Oromia are not served in their native language, claims rejected by the patriarchate.

Ethiopia. By Simon MALFATTO (AFP)

In Wednesday's statement, the Church said it would provide resources to expand services in Oromo in Oromia and other areas of southern Ethiopia.

The Church had called for peaceful protests over the crisis last weekend, a move that saw the internet and social media briefly restricted, but they were later called off after talks with the government.

The Church had accused Abiy's administration of interfering in its affairs and making comments that effectively recognised the "illegitimate group".

Orthodox leaders have long complained of persecution, including the burning of churches several years ago, and relations with the government have been tense in the past, including over the Tigray conflict in northern Ethiopia.
16.02.2023 LISTEN

An aspiring NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Berekum West, Lawyer Barima-Agyekum Hinneh, has underscored the need for supporters of the main opposition party to eschew all forms of divisiveness and remain united to ensure a resounding electoral victory for the NDC in next year's general election.

He said even though, the current economic hardships being faced by Ghanaians coupled with the lack of leadership by President Akufo-Addo and the NPP provide a solid basis for the NDC to unseat the NPP in the next election, the victory would not come on a silver platter.

"We need to work harder than before, especially at the grassroots level and effectively sell our campaign messages devoid of any insults and personal attacks, and focus mainly on prosecuting the John Mahama agenda of restoring hope to the ordinary Ghanaian", he said.

Speaking to the media in Sunyani, Lawyer Barima-Agyekum Hinneh, noted that one major issue that would also be extremely necessary to secure a massive victory for the NDC is to resource the various constituencies in cash and in kind to facilitate campaign activities.

"One of the things I will seek to do when elected as the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Berekum West is to ensure that the party's campaign machinery is well resourced to perform its expected functions", he explained.

Chances

According to him, he stands a better chance of annexing the Berekum West seat from the NPP in the next election due to the way he has endeared himself to be people of the constituency over the years.

Lawyer Barima-Agyekum Hinneh, also called Barimah One, said he will work hard with all the executives in a way that would attract floating voters as well as members of the NPP fraternity to vote for the NDC and capture the seat for the first time if he becomes the Parliamentary Candidate.

He therefore called on the delegates to support him in his bid to bring the much-needed electoral victory to the party in the next elections.

The astute lawyer with about ten years at the bar refuted rumours that he will succumb to any pressure from any quarters to step down for Dickson Kyere-Duah, to go unopposed for the third time.

Intelligence

According to him, what he has rather gathered is that the incumbent NPP MP for the area, Mr. Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng, popularly known as Agogo, is reported to have said that he (Agogo) is likely to stop running again as the MP for the area if the NDC elects him (Lawyer Barima-Agyekum Hinneh) as their parliamentary candidate owing to some intelligence gathered on the ground.

"A lot of the youth of the area are fed up with Agogo but are worried about the fact that he easily walked over the NDC candidate in the last two elections and so they have vowed to go all out to ensure that I take up the mantle and win the Berekum West seat for the NDC for the first time," he stated.

Commenting on the Limited Registration Exercise, Lawyer Barima-Agyekum Hinneh, called on all qualified persons to take advantage of the exercise to register in order to participate in the various elections to be organised in the country.

He also said the Ghs40,000.00 filing fee being charged by the party should be accepted by all aspirants as it would help raise money for the organisation of the upcoming primaries as well as various campaign activities.
16.02.2023 LISTEN

The High Court in Accra will today, Thursday, February 16 hear the allegations of sexual harassment brought against an official of the First Atlantic Bank, Ernest Kwasi Nimako.

A former national service person, Deborah Seyram Adablah, dragged the First Atlantic Bank official to court for sexual harassment.

Despite being named the 2nd Defendant, First Atlantic Bank has since requested that its name be withdrawn from the suit on the ground that they disclose no reasonable cause of action against the applicant.

Deborah Seyram Adablah sued her former boss, Ernest Kwasi Nimako who she allegedly was in a romantic relationship during the one-year period of her National Service to court over breach of contract.

The lady is demanding several items including accommodation/rent, money to start a business, a car among others as compensation for wasting her time without fulfilling promises made to her during the time of the intimacy.

Deborah alleges in her writ of summons and statement of claims which has since gone viral on social media, that she went into relationship with her boss because she wanted to secure her job and also for her peace of mind in the working environment since other ladies who turned down Managers at First Atlantic Bank made life uncomfortable for them.

She revealed a worrying secret that ladies who work for the Bank are made to make sexual advances at rich people in society in order for them to open accounts with the Bank, saying that something which is worrying but the management looks on unconcerned.

Going back to her relationship with her boss, Ernest Kwasi Nimako, Deborah stated that her boss asked that she rejects a contract offer from the bank to stay home and promised among other things to take care of her basic needs which include rent, medical bills, family planning, and monthly allowance.

As if that is not enough, Deborah revealed that her boss further promised to divorce his wife and marry her because his marriage had broken down beyond repairs.

But somewhere in July 2022, their relationship suffered a blow when the first defendant Ernest Kwasi Nimako decided to stop paying her rent and also providing other benefits he promised her.

This has compelled her to sue her former boss for breach of contract.

She is, therefore, asking the court to make Ernest Kwasi Nimako transfer the title of Car registered GC-7899-21 to her, refund the cost of repair for her car which is GHC10,000, pay a lump sum to help her start a business to take care of herself.

She is also seeking payment of arrears of her monthly allowance of Gh3,000 from July 2022 and arrears of her apartment including renewal of her 2 years rent.

Download here for copies of the writ
The Falcon 900-EX Presidential Jet used by the President and top government officials for both local and international travels is back in Ghana.

This was after undergoing six months of repairs in Paris, France.

The Jet arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Sources said during the period, the entire aircraft was fully refurbished, with a retrofit and avionics systems upgrade carried out on the plane as well.

With this, aviation and military sources said the Presidential Jet will now be capable of embarking on trips to most countries in Europe (with flight times of six hours, as it used to do before the unfortunate incident of September 30, 2018, where it had to land immediately in Washington DC, soon after taking off because it developed a fault.

President Akufo-Addo is thus expected to use the Presidential Jet for his trip to Munich, Germany, where he will be participating in the Munich Security Conference, whose purpose is for participants to debate the worlds most relevant security challenges.

The forum is expected to offer an unparalleled platform for high-level debates on the key and present day foreign and security policy challenges.

Coming almost a year after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Munich Security Conference will also provide an opportunity to take stock of alliance cohesion and political commitment to the rules-based international order.

The President is also expected to fly to Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on board the Presidential Jet, to attend the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

Prior to the arrival of the Presidential Jet on Tuesday, President Akufo-Addo has had to fly on commercial aircrafts to events and ceremonies outside the country.

This is thus expected to bring a huge sigh of relief to President Akufo-Addo and his government, who have had to sometimes endure the needless attacks of having to fly commercial with its attendant cost and security risk.

-DGN online
Richard Ahiagba, National Communications Director of the NPP

16.02.2023 LISTEN

National Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah has reiterated governments assurance to bondholders who exempted themselves from the domestic debt exchange programme.

He averred that government will honour its obligations to them, including paying matured coupons as promised by Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister.

The ruling partys spokesperson in a tweet sighted by Modernghana News on Thursday, February 16, urged Ghanaians to support government and ignore the opposition NDC's mischief.

He claimed the NDC are playing games with the emotions of the picketing retirees.

The government will honour its obligations to bondholders who exempted themselves from the DDEP.

Let's support the government and disregard the NDC, who have chosen to play games with the emotions of retirees. NDC lack solutions, Mr. Ahiagba wrote.

In a statement dated February 14, the government assured bondholders who decided to opt out of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) that their coupon payments and maturing principal will be paid.

"The Government would like to reassure all individual bondholders who elected not to participate that your coupon payments and maturing principal, like all government bonds, will be honoured in line with government fiscal commitments," read a portion of the statement.

The statement stressed, "We would like to stress that all individual bondholders, especially our Senior Citizens, should rest assured that their coupon payments and maturing principals, like all Government bonds, will be honoured in line with Government's Fiscal commitments."

Meanwhile, after months of hullabaloo, government has finally secured more than 80 percent of the subscription for the programme, which ended on Friday, February 10.

"The DDEP is being done to help protect the economy and enhance our capacity to service our public debts effectively. The alternative of not executing the DDEP would have brought grave disorder to the servicing of our national debt and exacerbated the current economic crisis," it stated.

It continues, "The Government is, therefore, grateful for the overwhelming participation of all bondholders. Your support and contributions have gotten your country much closer to securing the IMF programme."

The Ministry of Finance also took note of "all additional input made by various stakeholders during the DDEP engagement to further streamline Government's expenditures" and "assured Ghanaians of our full commitment to addressing these issues."
16.02.2023 LISTEN

While the Ghanaian constitution or democracy has a semblance of democracy: Free and fair elections, the rule of law, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, it is an elitist democracy in practice. It is designed to benefit and protect the interests of the elites rather than serving the needs and interests of all citizens. The political and economic systems are structured in such a way as to favor the elites, who have the resources and power to shape policies and laws to their advantage.

Healthy democracy with effective and efficient institutions has the potential to empower citizens and hold those in power accountable, especially when democratic institutions are functioning well. It can also help to ensure that all citizens' voices are heard, and those in power are held accountable. In a well-functioning democratic system, the government is more likely to respond to its citizens' needs and demands and provide essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

However, in Africa or Ghana, the political elites have used democracy to advance their interests at the expense of the general population. The road to a thriving and functioning democracy in Ghana has been challenging and requires continuous efforts to address corruption, promote transparency, and ensure that all citizens have equal access to political power and representation.

The 1992 Constitution was not designed to work for the interests of the country; instead, it was crafted or customized to serve the interests of one man. In a practical sense, the President of Ghana is even more powerful than a monarch, given the uselessness of the parliament and presidential influence over the judiciary. But, nothing in the constitution stifles development initiative and execution more than the section on the local government selection and appointment of the District Chief Executive (DCE).

The constitution, on the one hand, says, "Parliament shall by law provide for the taking of such measures as are necessary to enhance the capacity of local government authorities to plan, initiate, coordinate, manage and execute policies in respect of all matters affecting the people within their areas, to achieve localization of those activities ultimately;" And on the other, the constitution says. "(1) there shall be a District chief Executive for every district whom the President shall appoint with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the Assembly present and voting at the meeting."

The question is: How can the local people have the capacity to plan, initiate, coordinate, manage, and execute policies in respect of all matters affecting them in their areas when their first or fundamental democratic rights to choose their local leaders have been taken away from them? Some people have argued that the district assemblies screen and recommend DCEs before the Presidents appoint them. That means the DCEs are not appointed unless they have been screened and their names forwarded by the district assemblies to the President. So, for this reason, some people maintain that the DCE is directly chosen by the people's representatives, not imposed by the President.

The argument that the local people choose and screen the candidates for the DCE position is far from reality and the truth. The catchword is "appointed by the President." It is common knowledge that the local people will not waste their time selecting and screening a candidate they are not sure the President will approve. How many people have been selected as DCEs from the opposition parties in districts that voted massively for the opposing party? Don't you think the districts that voted against the government in power would have selected their DCEs from the opposing party if they thought the President would appoint anyone they picked? The operative word is "Appoint by The President." The crafters of the constitution were crafty in ensuring that power was taken away from the local people.

Currently, the ruling party in the district nominates about six candidates from the district, and the party elders at the regional and national level vet these people. After vetting, a team from Accra and some locals interviews the candidates. The most qualified candidate's name is forwarded to the President, who presents them to the local assembly for approval by not less than two-thirds of the total members. A third of the assembly members are not elected; the government nominates them from Accra, so where is the overwhelming local input? Do not forget many instances the President nominates the person directly from Accra and presents him to the assembly for approval.

The District Chief Executives' (DCEs) appointment by the President undermines decentralization by centralizing power, lack of accountability, disconnecting from local communities, and decreasing participation in the democratic process. The appointment of DCEs by the President rather than through a democratic election process centralizes power and decision-making authority, taking it away from local communities and removing their ability to choose their leaders. DCEs appointed by the President may not be accountable to the local communities they serve, as those communities did not elect them. This can lead to a lack of responsiveness to local needs and priorities.

From an organizational standpoint, the current setup of the district political structures in Ghana often engenders conflicts between the District Chief Executives (DCEs) and the Presiding Members (PMs). The President appoints the DCEs and can remove them from office. The DCEs, therefore, serve as a link between the central government and the district. They chair the executive committee, the most powerful committee in the assembly.

The Presiding Members (PMs) of the district assemblies are elected from among its members by at least a two-thirds majority. They are the most influential members of the assembly who convene and preside over the daily meetings of the assembly and perform other functions prescribed by law. Assembly decisions are taken by majority vote, and the PMs Cast votes in situations with ties. While the PMs are mainly accountable to the assembly, as members elect them directly, the DCEs appear to have a dual allegiance: serving the interests of the President and the assemblies.

DCEs who are not elected by local communities may not have a deep understanding of the needs and desires of those communities, leading to a disconnect between the policies and programs being implemented and the needs of the people. The appointment of DCEs reduces the opportunities for local communities to participate in the democratic process, as they are not allowed to vote for their leaders.

Economic development and growth have stalled in Ghana because of the over-centralization of political and economic power in Accra, the capital city, and the seat of the government. The 1992 constitution has widened and deepened the over-centralized government to take real government away from the people and place it either in the hands of the President and his executives or top bureaucrats and technocrats in Accra. Democracy, when started in Athens, was city affairs and not state affairs. In other words, Athenian democracy was a local affair. What kind of democracy do we have when the local people do not have the fundamental right to choose their leaders at the local level?

Think about it: one can say by looking at the electoral polling numbers that the people in the Volta Region overwhelmingly rejected Kuffour and Akufo Addo, yet these two presidents had to impose leaders on them by appointing their local leaders. The same is true for the Ashanti Region under Mills and Mahamahs regimes. Anyone with a modicum of knowledge in planning at the local level will tell you that imposing leaders on the local people does not work.

Local government plays a crucial role in nation-building by implementing policies and programs that support the growth and development of local communities. The success of local economic activities contributes to the nation's overall prosperity, and a well-functioning local government can help ensure that these activities are well-coordinated and effectively managed.

Local governments also provide essential services such as infrastructure development, public safety, and primary healthcare, which are critical for improving the quality of life for residents. They also serve as the primary source of support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, helping to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Furthermore, local governments are often closer to the people they serve and have a better understanding of their communities' specific needs and challenges. This allows them to tailor their policies and programs to meet the unique needs of each area, leading to more effective and efficient outcomes.

It is essential to note that while democracy has the potential to benefit the poor in many ways, realizing these benefits requires continuous efforts to address corruption, promote transparency, and ensure that all citizens have equal access to political power and representation.

Technology has provided us with the tools to link every part of the country. Nevertheless, no one seems to take advantage of it to enhance local development. Why can't power be devolved from the central government to the local people in deeds and not words? Why can't Metropolitans or municipal cities elect their leaders? Who knows and can assess the leadership qualities of DCEs better than their local people? As some planners and political theorists assert, 'Development of the national income is the aggregation of the local activities.' There is no regional or national economy without local economies, for the national economy is the aggregation of the local economies.

Enhancing decentralization in Ghana requires a multi-faceted approach involving better legal and institutional reforms, capacity building, fiscal decentralization, participatory governance, and (Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These strategies can help to promote accountability, efficiency, and better representation of local interests, which are essential for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
On 21 February, International Mother Language Day, UNESCO calls on countries to pursue a policy of multilingual education. The Organization advises children are taught in their mother tongue during the earliest years of their schooling, which can be combined with the official language of instruction, an approach known as multilingual education.

UNESCOs World Inequality Database on Education shows that, globally, children being taught in a language they speak at home are 30% more likely to read with understanding by the end of primary school than those who do not speak the language of instruction. Evidence also shows that learning in first language or mother tongue education improves childrens social skills.

To help fight the current global learning crisis, while preserving the linguistic diversity which is an essential cultural element, UNESCO urges governments to embrace multilingual education based on the mother tongue from the earliest years of schooling. We know it works  there is empirical evidence to prove it helps children learn, said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

Supporting Africa, the continent with the highest linguistic diversity

UNESCO particularly calls on the international community to support the African States in their actions to develop multilingual learning. A recent report from UNESCO, Born To Learn, shows that at most one in five children are taught in their mother tongue in Africa, the continent with the highest linguistic diversity. This is detrimental to learning outcomes on the continent, where only one in five pupils master the basics of reading, writing and mathematics even after completing primary school.

UNESCO points to the success of Mozambique, which recently expanded bilingual education to 25% of schools with a new teacher training curriculum. Children learning in these schools are performing around 15% higher in basic reading and mathematics. For this success to extend to the entire continent, the international community must mobilize more funds for African countries investing in this area.

On Mother Language Day, UNESCO also reminds the world of the importance of safeguarding indigenous languages. At least 40% of the more than 6,700 languages spoken around the world are threatened with extinction in the long term, due to a lack of speakers.

UNESCO leads the Indigenous Languages Decade 2022-2032, a ten-year action plan to draw the worlds attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and celebrate them.
Tunisian rights groups charged Thursday that the state was cracking down on migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and turning a blind eye to racist "hate speech" against them online.

"In recent days, more than 300 migrants have been arrested, remanded in custody and placed on trial," read a joint statement from 23 rights groups, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES).

Some were arrested after simple identity checks or after attending court hearings to support relatives, they said.

The groups accused the Tunisian state of "turning a blind eye to the rise of hateful and racist speech on social networks and in certain media outlets".

They added that European migration policies were "transforming Tunisia into a key actor in surveillance of migration routes in the Mediterranean, particularly intercepting migrant boats outside territorial waters and transferring them to Tunisia".

The Tunisian state must "strive against hate speech, discrimination and racism... and intervene where necessary to guarantee the dignity and rights of migrants".

In December, the Tunisian authorities decided to expel a group of migrants who hwd been living in a youth refuge in the capital, a ruling the FTDES called "inhuman and repressive".

Tunisia, whose shores lie less than 150 kilometres (95 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa, is a key departure point for African migrants seeking to reach Europe.

According to official Italian figures, more than 32,000 migrants, including 18,000 Tunisians, made clandestine journeys from Tunisia to Italy last year.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday defended a currency swap that sparked protests and cash shortages, but ordered old, small denomination 200 naira notes to remain in circulation in a bid to ease scarcities.

Nigeria has been struggling with a shortage in physical cash since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) began to swap old bills of the local naira currency for new, re-designed ones, leading to a shortfall in banknotes.

The scarcity of cash has triggered violent protests in major cities as angry and frustrated bank customers attacked and vandalised banks and blocked roads.

The weeks-long cash crisis has intensified days before Nigerians go to the ballot box on February 25 to elect a successor to Buhari who steps down after two terms in office.

In a national broadcast early Thursday, Buhari described the naira policy as a "positive departure from the past" and said it represented a "bold legacy step" towards free and fair elections by helping to curb vote buying.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who steps down after two terms in office, has defended the cash policy. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

The president said he was moved by the hardships and pain people faced over the cash crunch.

"To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old 200 bank notes be released back into circulation," he said.

The policy has introduced redesigned 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes.

The old 200 naira bills will circulate as legal tender for 60 days until April 10 along with the new notes.

Buhari said old 500 and 1,000 bills should be deposited with the central bank.

Suffering hardship

Frontrunner candidates in next week's presidential election have traded accusations over the cash shortages, with ruling All Progressives Congress party and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party blaming each other for the crisis.

Candidates have been holding rallies in to the last weeks of campaigning for the February 25 election. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

The race to succeed Buhari is shaping into a three-way battle: APC's Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, PDP's Atiku Abubakar, who was vice president from 1999 to 2007, and Labour Party's Peter Obi, who has emerged to challenge the traditional dominance of APC and PDP.

Buhari said his government "will continue to assess the implementation with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are not unnecessarily burdened."

The president asked the central bank to make sure new notes become more available and accessible through the banks.

Tensions have flared in Nigeria since the central bank set a February deadline for depositors to change old notes, leaving many people cashless and frustrated.

Many people working in Nigeria's informal economy and in transport use cash for transactions rather than banking apps.

The central bank said the policy was aimed at mopping up excess and counterfeit naira from the system as well as discouraging cash ransom payments to kidnappers and bandits.

The policy was also introduced to promote cashless transactions by limiting the use of cash for businesses.

But some state governments have taken the central bank to court, seeking to suspend the policy and allow Nigerians to use both the old and new notes until the banks are able to provide enough cash.

The court is set to make a ruling on February 22.
Belgium's Constitutional Court on Wednesday started its final hearing on an extradition treaty with Iran that would allow the transfer of Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat who is accused of masterminding a bomb plot in Paris in 2018. But the treaty would also allow the release of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, whom Iran's authorities sentenced to 28 years in jail on spying charges.

It is the last chance for Vandecasteele's lawyers to persuade the court to reinstate an extradition treaty with Tehran that may send him back home.

On 8 December, opponents led by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a coalition of Iranian dissidents in exile, managed to convince Belgian judicial authorities to suspend the treaty, which had been ratified in July following Vandecasteele's detention.

They argued that the treaty would also allow the return to Iran of Assadi, an Iranian diplomat who is accused of masterminding a thwarted plot to bomb a NCRI gathering in Paris in 2018.

During that gathering, which drew some 25,000 people in the Villepinte convention centre just outside the French capital, police arrested a Belgian-Iranian couple carrying explosives, which investigators say were intended to be used to attack the NCRI gathering.

Assadi, who worked at Iran's embassy in Austria, was found guilty of masterminding the plot and sentenced to 20 years by a Belgian court in February 2021.

Foreign nationals arrested

Months later, Vandecasteele  who had lived in Iran since 2015, working first as country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council and then for Relief International  returned from Belgium to Iran and was detained by its security services.

He became one of several foreign citizens held in Tehran's jails  accused of vague crimes and, according to their advocates, unfairly tried.

In July, the Belgian government argued that an extradition treaty was the only route possible to free Vandecasteele.

But the Belgian opposition immediately said that the agreement with Tehran was "tailor-made" to permit Assadi's release. NCRI exiles also mounted street protests and a vigorous lobbying campaign.

In early October the NCRI, together with its leader, Maryam Rajavi, and nine other signatories, asked the Belgian Constitutional Court to nullify the prisoner exchange treaty.

Vandecasteele's lawyers, along with the Belgian government, argued against the suspension.

Legal wrangle

A court document published on 8 December, which presented the arguments of both sides, states that Vandecasteele had been "arbitrarily detained since 24 February 2022 in Iranian jails under bad circumstances".

It also noted an "improvement" in his situation after the treaty between Belgium and Iran was initially approved, just weeks after his imprisonment.

But the NCRI argued that if the treaty came into force it was "very likely" that Assadi would then be transferred to Iran and "he would never serve his full prison sentence".

Moreover, NCRI's lawyers argued that its members' lives would be in serious danger because Assadi "would be able to continue his terrorist activities, aimed at eliminating all opponents of the Iranian regime".

On 14 December, a week after the court suspended the treaty, Iran sentenced Vandecasteele to 28 years in prison.

Another 12 years, as well as a whipping, were added to his sentence in January.

The court has until 8 March  exactly three months after it suspended the treaty  to overturn that decision, which would then pave the way for both Vandecasteele and Assadi to return home.
Voter registration ahead of year-end presidential elections got underway on Thursday in DR Congo's troubled east, where armed groups control swathes of territory and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes.

Electors in the North Kivu provincial capital of Goma lined up, some of them for hours, to obtain their voting card ahead of the December ballot, AFP reporters saw.

"The army and police have been mobilised to secure the electoral process," the province's military governor, Lieutenant-General Constant Ndima, told reporters.

"All displaced people will be registered according to their places of origin," he said.

The vast central African country has a long history of political turbulence and disputed elections.

Its last presidential vote, in December 2018, saw the nation's first peaceful handover of power, with the election of former opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, although the results were bitterly contested by his rivals.

Since then, the country's volatile east has been struggling with the rise of armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) -- which the Islamic State group describes as its regional affiliate -- and the M23, which the government says is supported by neighbouring Rwanda.

Voter registration in western Democratic Republic of Congo began last December and was followed last month in the centre and southeast of the country.

DR Congo's troubled eastern provinces. By Sophie RAMIS (AFP)

The third and final phase comprises registration in seven other provinces, three of which -- North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri -- have been badly hit by armed groups.

Ndima said that areas that were under the control of the M23, which controls large areas north and northwest of Goma, would undergo voter registration after they have been "liberated."

The December 20 presidential elections will take place in tandem with ballots for national legislators, provincial deputy and local councillors.
The Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu John Jinapor has urged Parliament to pass a resolution to compel Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to exclude pensioners from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

He also said the resolution should compel the Minister to ensure that the individual bondholders coupons and the terms of the original contract are respected.

Let us Pass a resolution compelling the Minister of Finance that all the pensioners will be exempted from this Exchange.

Also bondholders coupon rates, principal and the terms of the original agreement should stand, he said in his submission on the floor of the House after the Finance Ministers presentation on the Debt Exchange on Thursday, February 16.

Mr Ofori-Atta in his presentation told Parliament that he has met the pensioners who have been picketing to protest their inclusion in the DDEP three times.

He said he has explained to them the terms of the new bonds.

Briefing Parliament on Thursday, February 16, he said government is committed to the wellbeing of our senior citizens and pensioners. The government will honour their coupon payments and maturing principles.

He added I have met with them on three occasions where I explained the terms of the new bonds. I subsequently wrote to their convener to let him know that all pensioners who did not participate in the bond offerings are exempt.

Earlier, Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo who was part of the picketing pensioners said she was getting suspicious when Mr Ofori-Atta listened to the concerns of others and responded to their letters regarding the domestic debt exchange programme but did not respond to pensioners who had written to him to exclude them from the programme.

Ms Sophia Akuffo insisted that the Finance Minister must exempt pensioners from the programme.

A simple letter that was written by the association to the Minister of Finance that exempts us from your programme. That is the gist, I always like to distil things to their lowest common denominator, exempt us, we are pensioners. Up till now, I have seen a copy of the letter, it has been dated 7th January.

Up till now, there has not been a note of acknowledgement and just a few days similar letters that were written to the Minister have been responded to whereby he has categorically exempted other groups. Why? When I cannot fathom the reasons for something being done in a particular way especially when it has been done for others but it is not being done for others I start getting suspicious, I have grown to the age where I have seen it all, Speaking to journalists in Accra after joining pensioners again to picket at the Ministry of Finance to protest their inclusion in the programme, on Tuesday, February 14.

The government has however revealed that it has reached 80 per cent participation in the programme.

The Government's Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) closed on Friday 10th February 2023 with over 80% participation of eligible bonds, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, February 14 said.

The Government wants to thank the people of Ghana for their forbearance and support throughout these very difficult times.

It said by the participation of the voluntary bondholders after the closure of the Programme on Friday, the country has inched closer towards securing the $3billion extended credit facility (ECF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The DDEP is being done to help protect the economy and enhance our capacity to service our public debts effectively.

The alternative of not executing the DDEP would have brought grave disorder in the servicing of our national debt and exacerbated the current economic crisis.

The Government is, therefore, grateful for the overwhelming participation of all bondholders.

Your support and contribution has gotten your country much closer to securing the IMF programme.

It asked individual bondholders, particularly pensioners, who did not participate in the Programme, to be rest assured that their coupon payments and maturing principals will be honoured in line with laid-down rules.

-3news.com
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Thursday, February 16 warned Members of Parliament (MPs) against using unparliamentary language during their submissions on the presentation by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta regarding the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

The Speaker warned them not to speak as though they were in a Chop bar or marketplace.

Use Parliamentary language, not the language in a chop bar or marketplace but in Parliament, Mr Bagbin said.

The Finance Minister told Parliament that he has met the pensioners who have been picketing to protest their inclusion in the DDEP three times.

He said he has explained to them the terms of the new bonds.

Briefing Parliament on Thursday, February 16, he said government is committed to the wellbeing of our senior citizens and pensioners. The government will honour their coupon payments and maturing principles.

He added I have met with them on three occasions where I explained the terms of the new bonds. I subsequently wrote to their convener to let him know that all pensioners who did not participate in the bond offerings are exempt.

Mr Ofori-Atta further urged MPs to support the government in getting the board approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure economic stability.

He said that an IMF deal with help Ghana recover quickly from the economic challenges.

We will recover from this crisis soon rather than later as indicated by President Akufo-Addo.

I will urge Members of Parliament to support the government to secure the board approval for macro stability.

-3news.com
A planned set of corneal transplants scheduled for early this year has been thwarted by severe weather conditions, which affected eye banks in the United States of America.

The Himalayan Cataract Project (Cure Blindness), a US-based organisation working to end blindness, had scheduled some 20 eye patients in Ghana for free corneal surgeries under a corneal transplant teaching programme.

Dr Geoffery Tabin, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Project, said they had requested for a donation of cornea tissues from the eye banks to restore the sight of 20 blind people but a force majeure, coupled with high demand for the tissues by Americans foiled the exercise.

We had a record spell of cold weather and there was a huge storm in America which made it difficult for the eye banking team to collect the tissues.

It was a difficult emotional situation because there were about 35 blind people and we were told 20 of them will get their sights restored. But we were able to get only three corneas and we have to decide on the three who will be lucky to get the tissues, he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on Cape Coast.

A cornea transplant is an operation to remove all or part of a damaged cornea (tissues from the eye) and replace it with healthy new tissues from a donor (a recently dead person).

The corneas are harvested by specialist facilities called eye banks but there is none in Ghana which is why the country relies on the US for the tissues.

Dr Tabin, who is also a Professor of Ophthalmology in Global Medicine, Stanford University, observed that religious and traditional beliefs, as well as government policies against tissue harvesting were frustrating efforts to establish an eye bank in Ghana.

It may be recalled that last year, Cure Blindness partnered the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi to perform sets of cornea transplants for a total of 22 Ghanaians on the verge of blindness.

The tissues were flown from the US into Ghana, which situation Dr Tabin said could affect the quality of the corneas.

He, therefore, stressed the need for an eye bank in Ghana, indicating efforts were underway to address some of the challenges to enable them to establish one for the country.

GNA
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If Ghanaians look through the archives on the ModernGhana website for articles I've written about Ken Ofori-Atta, they'll be shocked to realize that whatever I have written about this man is true. In reality, if Ken Ofori-Atta worked at the Kantamanto market as a shoemaker, the country would profit and Ghanaians wouldn't endure such hardships under his position as finance minister.

After Oliver Barker-Vormawor took part in a protest against the theft of pensioners' bonds for the government debt restructuring program, the quack, incompetent, and corrupt finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, had the nerve to inquire about his pension status. I have the right to inquire about the finance minister's decision to continue imposing himself on Ghanaians even while the majority of the populace, including members of his own party, called for his resignation.



Ken Ofori-Atta created a charming curriculum vitae to fool Ghanaians into thinking he is a finance minister. No evidence exists to support his position as finance minister.

If Ken Ofori-Atta is a wise finance minister, he will refrain from posing such a silly query to Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor because he has the right to protest despite not being a pensioner. If the criminal theft of the pensioners' bonds will hurt any of his relatives, maybe his uncle, aunt, or sister, he has the right to protest. I've been telling Ghanaians for a while that Ken Ofori-Atta is not intelligent man and I strongly believe that Twene Jonas would be a superior finance minister than him.

The country hasn't advanced since Ken Ofori-Atta was appointed finance minister; instead, corruption has substantially expanded, which is regrettably insufficient to satisfy this man's greed. The finance minister's brain is incapable of innovating or creating jobs, therefore his only option for satisfying his need for corruption is to devise illegal ways to make money, such as the E-levy or the theft of pensioner bonds. If you are not intelligent, then why were you made finance minister?

The tragedy that has befallen Ghana today is, of course, the fault of your relative, the president, Akufo Addo, who appointed you in the first place to facilitate his own involvement in corruption. Just leave the pensioners alone and go somewhere else to find the money to address your financial problems. The pensioners are not responsible for your incompetence, so clean up your mess.

A lot of money has been stolen, including $100 million in oil revenue and COVID funds, since Ken Ofori-Atta was appointed as finance minister. This is the biggest embarrassment to Ghana, especially, in the country that has several foreign diplomats and ambassadors. I have said it and I will keep saying that the biggest error the NPP made as a political party is to trust this disastrous family of Akufo Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta, now its too late because the damage has already been done.



Now that the country's condition is so bleak, politicians are turning to God for help in resolving the economic crisis. This even reveals that some people are born naturally without intelligence, yet they are telling Ghanaians that they are sure of breaking the 8th cycle, since they pretend to acknowledge the fact that the majority of Ghanaians don't want them.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu

16.02.2023 LISTEN

Lawyer Martin Kpebu, convener for Individual Bondholders says he does not have records of those who have converted their bonds into treasury bills as said by the Finance Minister.

He noted that they will be writing officially to Ken Ofori-Atta for data on those who have converted their bonds.

According to him, it is discriminatory and against the law for a few people to be given the opportunity at the expense of the majority.

That's discriminatory treatment and it's against the law, allowing few people to have the opportunity secretly than the majority. That's discriminatory treatment. Government should not discriminate among citizens, he told Omanhene Yaw Adu Boakye on Sompa TV/FM Morning Show Thursday, February 16, 2023.

He questioned the process for selecting the few people who have converted their bonds into treasury bills.

How did he select those people out of the millions of bondholders, that's where we should be looking at. So we will write for the information and interrogate it further but straight away, it's against the law once there was no public announcement, no general invitation, no general disclosure, he has gone contrary to the law, he stressed.

According to Mr. Kpebu monitored by this portal, the President and the Finance Minister have enriched themselves with bonds forced through Databank even after the World Bank cautioned the country on inordinate debts.

World Bank called on the government in 2021 to implement a debt suspension service plan but Ken Ofori Atta disobliged because he has his share anytime the country borrows, he added.

Reacting to the Finance Minister's statement when addressing the pensioner bondholders that, Really there's no reason for us to be sitting here because that assurance has been given on paper. I want to know what it is that you are afraid of or that you think will not happen, my issue is that now you have very little of the old bonds existing this means that in the event of a crisis your ability to trade your paper is diminished but that is a choice you made.

Mr. Kpebu said by law bondholders have the right to sell their bonds, a statement he said was confirmed by his technical team who are also bondholders.

My technical team says it's not true you can't sell your bond, they have refuted the claim by the finance minister that tradability will be minimized. Secondly, bonds are not mainly sold because bondholders want their interest and so they wait for the date to expire other than that they will lose their interest, he stated.

He added that pension funds were exempted by the government but refused to exempt individual bonds.

According to him, they will also picket to pile pressure on government to exempt them as some bonds matured on 6th February 2023 totalling 4.2 billion cedis yet to be paid.

Last week Monday, 6th February 2023, some bonds totalling 4.2 billion cedis were matured and that includes individuals, Banks, and others but until now the government has refused to pay and has not given reasons for not paying," he stated.

Source//Sompaonline.com/Gh.
16.02.2023 LISTEN

It is an undeniable fact that the Bawku protracted conflict, has some kind of partisan undertones. Hence, I would like to appeal to the Ruling Government, to ask the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, to take charge of the resolution of the said conflict.

The GCBC can always call upon conflict resolution experts, to assist it. The mentality behind asking the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, to be in- charge of the resolution of the said conflict, should not be, 'do it and let's see mentality', NO!

The mentality and intention should be, tapping the vast experience and knowledge of the GCBC, as well as the great respect that many have for it, for the good of the people in Bawku and Ghana as a whole.

I am proposing the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, to be in - charge of the resolution of the protracted conflict because, it has what it takes to help bring lasting peace and stability to Bawku land.

What the GCBC needs are, the necessary logistics from the Ruling Government and prayerful support from all Ghanaians, especially, the Catholic Priests and the celebration of the HOLY MASS.

If my appeal gets a listening ear and acceptance, I would like to appeal to the GCBC to keep an eagle eye on the recommendations that it will send to the Ruling Government, and do the necessary follow ups, so that their toil and sweat do not be in vain.

I would like to appeal to any Ruling Government, not to hesitate in asking the GCBC for assistance, especially, in times of national challenges because, the said Conference is an Access and Blessings to Ghana.

Written by

Rev. Fr. Ignatius James Yaw Amponsah

Akyem Ntronang, E / R

Ghana

[email protected]
A former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah has backed calls for an issuer exemption of pensioner investments from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

The retired military officer was in Parliament to support the pensioner bondholders who are in the house to witness the Finance Minister make a statement.

In an interview with Citi News the former Chief of Defence Staff said it is wrong for pensioners to be asked to pay for governments mismanagement of the economy.

Until you have gone through the mill, you will not understand pensioners. Pensioners who have worked and saved money for when they retire are now being asked to pay for governments mismanagement.

This is totally wrong, the money belongs to the Pensioners. Government cannot come demanding it against their will.

By Citi Newsroom
Nigeria's electorate, which the Independent National Electoral Commission put at 93.5 million on the voters' register, are expected to come out in their numbers in 2023.

They will be electing the president and members of the National Assembly on 25 February and governors and members of the State Houses of Assembly on 11 March. It is Africa's biggest election.

To vote in the elections, Nigerian citizens must be at least 18 years old and must have collected their permanent voter's card by 5 February. The electoral commission has not yet released the number of people who have collected their cards. The number will determine the actual number of people that can be expected to vote in the election.

Nigeria spends about 2% of its GDP on elections.

Logistics, security challenges and malpractice in past elections have led to a focus on the reform of election administration .

The Electoral Act 2022 has given legal backing for any voter accreditation technology that the electoral commission uses. If any technical device used in the election fails to function and isn't replaced, the election will be cancelled for that voting station and another scheduled within 24 hours. The law also allows the commission to transmit election results electronically. These steps greatly reduce the ability to rig results, compared with manual methods.

Still, the logistical challenges for the 2023 elections are huge, given the fact that 18 political parties are contesting, the security environment and the number of contestants at various levels.

There are 18 presidential candidates, 1,101 candidates for the Senate and 3,122 candidates vying for federal constituencies in the House of Representatives. The elections will be conducted across 176,606 polling stations.

The presidential election could end in a run-off election because it's a three -horse race. Candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress , People's Democratic Party and the Labour Party command a large national following, as shown by several pre-election polls .

Read more: Nigerian elections: Eight issues young people want the new government to address

The logistics

A total of 1,265,227 officials will be trained and deployed for the elections. They include presiding officers and collation and returning officers, as well as 530,538 polling unit security officials.

The Independent National Electoral Commission will issue 1,642,386 identification tags for the polling and collation officers, and provide 176,846 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices and 17,618 BVAS machines for back-up. These devices verify the identity of voters by checking fingerprints and facial features electronically.

In December 2022, the electoral commission signed a memorandum of understanding with transport unions that will help deploy over one million personnel and large quantities of election materials to 774 local government areas, 8,809 electoral wards and 176,846 polling units across the country.

Over 100,000 vehicles and about 4,200 boats, accompanied by naval gunboats, will be used.

These have to be deployed under the current state of insecurity in the country as well as scarcity of fuel.

Challenges of 2023 polls

The success of the 2023 general election will largely depend on the degree to which citizens can vote without impediments. But there are challenges.

Voter apathy: Nigeria has a history of voter apathy, where a significant number of registered voters fail to show up on election day. For the 2019 general elections, the country had 84 million registered voters . Voter turnout in the presidential election was only 35.66% . In 2015 it was 43.65% . These figures put Nigeria among the 10 countries with the lowest voter turnout in the world. Rwanda recorded 98.15% voter turnout in 2017, the highest in the world.

Naira redesign and scarcity of fuel: The electoral environment has been bedevilled by scarcity of fuel and naira notes . The shortages have led to public demonstrations and heightened tension which might deter some voters from coming out on election day.

Insecurity: Fifty-two electoral commission offices were destroyed or burnt between 2019 and 2022. Secessionist movements and militants from the southern regions and religious extremists and bandits in the north have besieged electoral facilities. This may discourage prospective voters.

Read more: Africa's largest democracy goes to the polls amid rising insecurity

The voting process

There are four steps in the voting procedure to be followed on election day: accreditation, voting, sorting and counting, recording and announcement of results.

Accreditation: Voters, armed with their permanent voter's card, must be present at the polling unit where they are registered between 8.30 am and 2.30 pm. They need to queue up in an orderly manner for accreditation. Voters present their card to the assistant polling officer, who will use the BVAS device to check that voters match their cards. Where the fingerprint fails to confirm the match, the BVAS will be used to verify the facial identity of the voter.

Voting: After accreditation, voters are given their ballot paper. They go to the voting booth to make their choice on the ballot paper in secret by thumb printing. Then they put the ballot paper in the ballot box in full view of everyone present, without disclosing how they voted. Voting is declared closed when the last voter in the queue has voted. Voters may remain at the polling unit to watch the vote.

Sorting and counting: The ballots are sorted and counted in full view of everyone at the polling unit.

Recording and annoucement: The results are filled into the result sheet and announced by the electoral commission officer at the polling unit. The results from the polling units are taken to the various levels of collation. The sum of the results is recorded and at the final level, the candidate who meets the criteria is announced as the winner of the election.

Read more: Nigeria's 2023 presidential election: 10 factors that could affect the outcome

Conclusion

To vote validly, the voter must be aware of the process of voting beyond being registered to vote and collecting the permanent voter's card.

Invalid ballots during the vote count are widely attributed to inadequate civic and voter education. Thus, voter education is central to increasing voter turnout and reducing incidents of invalid votes.

For these reasons, the Independent National Electoral Commission made a plan for voter education. It has a voter education manual and frequently asked questions . Observer organisations have also tried to help prepare voters.

For a peaceful, free, fair and credible election, citizens must stay up to date about developments. They must know the location of their polling place before election day, and contribute to keeping the peace.

Emmanuel Remi Aiyede does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Emmanuel Remi Aiyede, Professor of Political Institutions, Governance and Public Policy, University of Ibadan
The immediate past Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, has reminded Ghanaians that the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the biggest economic blessings that ever happened to the country.

According to him, in history, Ghana has had two economic blessings namely the Covid-19 pandemic and the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative.

He said HIPC scrapped the countrys debt from the late Dr Kwame Nkrumahs regime to former president John Agyekum Kufours time.

''All our debts as a country were forgiven us and we became a country without debt as a result of HIPC". he averred adding, the second economic blessing was the Covid -19 pandemic.

The pandemic, according to him, was to bring sorrow to the country but brought the country joy and saw a few individuals in President Nana Akufo-Addo's government squandering it.

The country by way of revenue got a whopping GHS 10 million, he alleged.

Ghana had support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and the European Union, he revealed.

He made this disclosure in an interview on 'The Citizens Show' hosted by Kwabena Bobie Ansah on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

He noted that instead of the government using the money received from Covid-19 to cushion the suffering of the vast majority of Ghanaians, elements in this government ended up pocketing the money.

He, therefore, charged Ghanaians not to be charitable to the government.

There is no need for sympathy for this government for the mess the country has seen under its watch, the mess is the doing of the government, he said

Source: Classfmonline.com
Six suspected spy balloons have been detected over the Ukrainian capital Kiev, according to authorities.

The Ukrainian Air Force registered around six hostile aerial targets and shot some of them down, the Kiev military administration announced on Telegram on Wednesday.

Initial findings indicate that the targets were balloons floating in the wind, which could be equipped with reflectors or intelligence equipment, the statement said.

It is possible that the Russians sent the balloons to detect Ukrainian anti-aircraft positions. The authorities are now examining the aircraft to establish their purpose, they said.

Ukraine has reported sightings of a series of airborne objects in recent days, while neighbouring Moldova temporarily closed its airspace on Tuesday, reportedly due to a balloon that came from Ukraine and drifted onto Romania.

Moldova closed its airspace for more than three hours, citing security risks but without providing further information. The decision had been taken to ensure the safety of civil aviation, the Moldovan aviation authority said.

Initial reports suggested that a Russian drone had entered Moldovas airspace, before later reports said a spy balloon had flown initially over Ukraine, and then over Moldova.

Romanian flight control recorded the presence of a balloon over the south-east of the country at an altitude of 11,000 metres, roughly the cruising height of commercial flights.

There have been a spate of balloon sightings in recent weeks, causing aggravation in several continents.

Earlier this month, Washington shot down an airborne object it said was a surveillance balloon from China above US territorial waters, a step Beijing called an overreaction to what it claimed was a research aircraft.

GNA
16.02.2023 LISTEN

John Kwame Annan, a 36-year-old farmer, who defiled and allegedly killed his 14-year-old stepdaughter, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in hard labour by a circuit court in Cape Coast.

However, the Attorney General's Department has taken the alleged murder case up to the High Court to begin the necessary proceedings.

Annan pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement and the court, presided over by Mrs Dorinda Smith Arthur, found him guilty after full trial.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector John Asare Bediako, told the court that Annan, a married man, lived with his five children at Manford near Apam in the Central Region.

The deceased also lived with her mother at Asona near Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region.

Sometime in 2017, Annan left his family and traveled to Asona in search of a white-collar job, where he met the deceased's mother, Madam Afia Boakyewaa, fell in love with her, and later moved in to stay with her and the daughter.

Annan started having sexual affair with an elder sister of the deceased as well as the mother and this came to the attention of Madam Boakyewaas family, as a result of which he was banished from the town after he had confessed to sleeping with mother and daughter.

Chief Inspector Bediako said Annan again travelled to settle at Twifo Praso, where he met another woman (a witness in the case), his newfound love.

In 2019, he travelled back to Asona and brought the deceased to Twifo Praso without the knowledge and permission of her parents, and introduced her to the new lover as his daughter.

However, Annan diverted his sex drive on the deceased and had secret sexual affairs with her on the blind side of his newfound love.

Chief Inspector Bediako said On Wednesday, January 01, 2020, the deceased, in the company of Annan and the new woman, went to Afedzie village near Twifo Praso to farm.

Upon reaching the farm, Annan requested the new lover to remain in a cottage while he and the girl harvested cocoyam at the area of the farm.

Prosecutor said Annan managed to undress the girl and had sexual intercourse with her but she refused him a second round due to the pains she endured during the first one.

Chief Inspector Bediako said without provocation, Annan picked a cutlass, attacked and inflicted deep wounds on the girls forehead, leading to profuse bleeding.

The new lover, upon hearing the screams of the girl, rushed there and shouted for help, which attracted people to the scene, and Annan was arrested.

The police later went to rescue the convict from being lynched by the people but the girl died on the farm, with some whitish fluid, suspected to be sperm in her vagina.

The police photographed the body and conveyed it to Police Hospital Morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Annan was first arraigned on a provisional charge of murder, but the case was transferred from the Twifo Praso District Court to a Cape Coast circuit court.

On Tuesday, April 2020, post-mortem examination was performed on the body and the docket was forwarded to the Attorney Generals Office in Cape Coast for advice.

It advised that the convict be charged for the offence of defilement and murder.

The murder case will be handled at the High Court.

GNA
The murder case involving Safina Mohammed Adizatu, aka Safina Diamond, a student and another, has been adjourned to February 28.

Although Adizatu and her accomplice, Michael Fiifi Ampofo Arku were in court, their lawyers were absent.

Meanwhile, the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Jacob Nyarko informed the court that the Police was still waiting for the advice of the Attorney General.

The prosecution said it had heard about GHC 500,000 bail had been extended to Adizatu by a Tema High Court.

Arku, the alleged accomplice is already on bail.

It is unclear if Adizatu had executed her bail as she was still in handcuffs when she appeared before the Adentan District Court this morning.

Adizatu, a student, and Arku are being held over the murder of one Frank Kofi Osei, a Canadian on vacation in Ghana, at Ashaley Botwe, School Junction, in Accra.

Osei, a Ghana-domiciled Canadian, was in Ghana for vacation when he was allegedly murdered.

Arku was the first to have secured bail at the High Court.

Adizatu is accused of allegedly stabbing Osei (boyfriend) several times on his chin, jaw, back and later strangling him.

The pleas of the two accused, who have been charged with conspiracy and murder, are yet to be taken.

Earlier, Chief Inspector Jacob Nyarko told the Adenta District Court that on Sunday, July 24, 2022, Osei visited Adizatu, his fiancee, who resided at Ashaley Botwe School Junction, and decided to spend the night with her.

According to the prosecution, at night, Adizatu, Arku and other accomplices yet to be identified, allegedly stabbed Osei several times with a knife and strangled him.

Chief Insp Nyarko said Osei's blood was allegedly cleaned from the floor by Adizatu and Arku while Osei's body was in the room for 24 hours.

The prosecution said the accused allegedly dragged Osei's body from the first floor of the storey building through the staircase and dumped it at the gate of the house where Osei had parked his Toyota Tundra.

According to Chief Insp Nyarko, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at about 4:00 am, Adizatu called the police and alleged that her boyfriend visited her and had died in her room.

The prosecution said a police patrol team, which rushed to the scene, found the body of Osei lying at the gate of Safina's house.

Chief Insp Nyarko, however, said Adizatu and Arku were nowhere to be found.

The prosecution said the police traced Adizatu to Ashaley Botwe School Junction and arrested her, but Arku escaped to Kumasi.

GNA
Veteran Kumawood actor, Akwesi Asamoah, popularly known as Big Akwes has expressed disappointment in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo handling of the country's economy.

In a video trending on social media, Big Akwes creates the impression that he regrets campaigning for the President in the past general elections.

Speaking in the viral video, the Kumawood actor said he has accepted that he will go to hell as punishment for campaigning for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Me, once I die Im going to hell. As soon as I die Im going straight to hell. If there is heaven then I wont be going to heaven.

This is because I campaigned for Nana Akufo-Addo. He has disappointed me so much, Big Akwes said in the viral video.

But the actor failed to explain in plain language what the President has done to warrant his bitterness.
The British Council in partnership with Bluecrest University College has launched the Socreative E-learning Africa program last Friday at the British Council in Accra.

The e-learning program is a platform designed by the British Council and delivered by Bluecrest University College to train and equip young people on the frameworks required to enhance their skills and knowledge of the creative industry.

The Country Director of British Council Ghana, Mr Nii Doodo Dodoo in his remarks urged young people in the creative sector to develop an entrepreneurial mindset if they want to be successful at turning their talent into a business. This he said very critical looking at the current levels of youth unemployment in Ghana.

According to Mr Dodoo, the creative economy is a major driver for economic development and social impact both in Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK). It therefore provides livelihood opportunities for young people, but it will take strong entrepreneurship skills to exploit these opportunities.

The entrepreneurial mindset combines curiosity, connecting information from various sources and creating value for others as well as persistence and learning from failure, Mr Nii Doodo said. We at the British Council are convinced that when entrepreneurship is blended with the talents found in the creative sector, the outcome is a potent solution for youth unemployment.

He further added that the creative industry needed support and nurturing to create more opportunities and impact, which is why the British Council is investing in programmes like this. He is confident that this will attract even more investments into the industry.

The Country Director added that it is inspiring to see the growing passion among young people in Ghana to own and run their own businesses, and the British Council is resolved to support this movement through their work in Arts and Culture, Higher Education, TVET and Schools.

The Rector of BlueCrest University College, Dr Sujith Jayaprakash expressed his profound gratitude for the partnership with the British Council on the SoCreative Africa E-learning programme and advised participants to be persuasive, connect the dots and have virtual thinking if they wanted to be successful in life as entrepreneurs.

A successful entrepreneur is one who is influential, practical and ready to connect the dots, Dr Sujith said.

He also highlighted that so far 570 young entrepreneurs have registered for the free online initiative which will boost their knowledge in the creative economy in Ghana and advised all interested persons to sign on to complete the training.

The Creative Arts Consultant at the British Council, Mr Paul Akrofie in his submission said the online programme was to bring entrepreneurs together to share their common values and skills.

This initiative started during the Covid-19 pandemic when most creatives were locked up and could not meet face to face, therefore, the E-learning programme was created to bring enterprises together for easy access and people to share their values and skills wherever they are globally, he stated.

Participants at the launch included representatives from SG Bank Ghana, students, creative entrepreneurs and other dignitaries of the creative arts space in Ghana.
16.02.2023 LISTEN

Health Practioner, Dr. Simon Batamya Aseno has quizzed the willingness of the Nana Addo-led government in finding a lasting solution to the protracted chieftaincy conflict in Bawku.

In a release condemning the purported enskinment of a rival chief of Bawku by the Nayiri on February 15th, 2023, Dr. Aseno says the enskinment is a smack of criminality and must be treated with the contempt it deserves.

He further alleged the possible complicity of the government in the conflict that has claimed several lives and destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana cedi.

"The actions, inactions, posturing, and appearances of the government seem to be lip service on the Bawku crisis. That makes the Government of Ghana appear complicit, and I have reason to suspect that the national security apparatus is either ill-equipped to carry out its mandate of intelligence gathering or it deliberately allowed the illegality to proceed as planned," he stated.

Dr Aseno also called on the government to as a matter of urgency ensure the perpetrators of the illegal enskinment are arrested and prosecuted.

"I call on the government of the Republic of Ghana, through his excellency the President, to absolve itself of complicity in this matter by taking the following steps in addition to its statement as issued by the Minister for Information. Ensure that all persons involved in the commission of the illegality are arrested and prosecuted accordingly. Prevent the entry or return of the purported chief into Bawku. Deprive the purported chief of the security and protection of the State so befitting of a substantive chief," the statement added.

Background

The Mamprusi faction in the protracted Bawku conflict was at the palace of the overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohugu Mahama Abdulai Sherigah II on Wednesday for the enskinment of one Alhaji Seidu Abagre as the 'new Bawku Naba' despite the legally recognised and gazetted Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the legitimate ruler of the area.

This development has raised concerns about fueling the already existing conflict between the Kusasi and the Mamprusi ethnic groups in Bawku.

The government, through the Ministry of Information yesterday, released a statement condemning the enskinment and calling for the arrest of any person holding himself as a chief of Bawku either than Naba Abugrago.

The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security, the government said in the press statement issued by the Ministry of Information.

The government in the statement also reiterated that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.

The security agencies have therefore been directed to arrest and prosecute any other person who holds himself out as a Bawku Naba.

The coalition of six Kusaug MPs made up of Mahama Ayariga, Cletus Avoka, Abdulai Abanga, Albert Alazuuga, Laadi Ayi Ayamba and Lydia Akanvariba of the Bawku, Zebilla, Binduri, Garu, Pusiga and Tempane Constituencies in a joint statement also condemned the enskinment of a rival chief and described it as an attempt to aggravate the insecurity situation in Bawku.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is said to have been meeting Ministers of Defense, Interior, Local Government, and Information as well as security chiefs over the enskinment of the 'new Bawku Naba' in Nalerigu.

Tensions in Bawku and its surrounding areas are high as most people believe this new development will escalate the insecurity in their area in the coming days.
The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG), led by Mr. Maxwell Oduro Yeboah has presented a cash sum of GH 9000.00 to Mr. Joseph Batayire, a staff of the Pindaa Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality in the Upper East Region who was involved in Road Traffic Accident and sustained a fracture of the iliac crest.

Mr. Mahamadu Musah, the Regional President of the UPNMG who presented the cash on behalf of the National President, said the donation was to assist their injured member in settling his hospital bills.

Mr. Musah said: We in UPNMG take welfare issues, especially the health care of members, very seriously. So we moved in to support our own. It is our prayer that he will get well soon and return to work.

The Regional President emphasized that Unions should not only be interested in members salary deductions but must be sensitive to the plight of members.

Mr. Musah re-echoed the benefits members of the UPNMG enjoy, which include: UPNMG mart/hire purchase, UPNMG house and land schemes, insurance policies, soft loans, Union souvenirs, clothes among others.

Explaining the insurance policy, Mr. Musah indicated that members enjoy Hospitalization and Critical Care policies, and explained that under the hospitalization policy, sick members on admission received GH 30.00 a day until they were discharged.

He further explained that with the Critical Care policy, huge sums of money were used to settle hospital bills of members with critical health conditions who needed specialist treatment, and recalled that a member was recently supported to undergo kidney treatment in India under the policy.

He said membership of the UPNMG was open to all qualified nurses and midwives in Ghana and called on all to join the Union to make it more formidable.

Mr. Benson Nsoh Azure, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said Mr. Batayire was one of the hardworking staff of the Service in the Municipality.

Mr. Azure said: Clearly, this gesture by the Union has put smiles on the face of our staff. On behalf of his family and staff of the GHS in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, we want to thank the UPNMG very much for the donation.

Mr. Batayire, the injured staff, indicated that he was proud to be a member of the UPNMG, and further expressed his gratitude to the unions leadership for their support and show of solidarity.
The Bono Regional Communications Officer for the opposition National Democratic Congress in the Bono Region, Mr Charles Akowuah Tuffour, has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate the age of Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah is the current Commissioner General of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Mr Charles Tuffour on Thursday, February 16, presented a petition to the Office of the Special Prosecutor urging him to investigate the retirement age of Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah to determine why he is still at post having exceeded his compulsory retirement age and his contract extension expired in the year 2021.

Mr Charles Tuffour in his petition cited a government policy which came into effect in the year 2019 which indicates that government will not extend the contract of individuals who attain the compulsory retirement age especially when their expertise are not scarce in the country.

The petitioner cited names of persons who have been ''victims'' of this policy and admonished the Office of the Special Prosecutor to make a determination on this case.

Kindly read the full petition below:

Charles Tuffour

Box SY 2337, Sunyani

Bono Region - Ghana

Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

The Special prosecutor

Office of the Special Prosecutor

PMB Accra

Ghana- West Africa

REQUEST FOR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.

I am a citizen of Ghana and I write to you to respectfully investigate why commissioners of the Ghana Revenue Authority are still at post. Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah who has been the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division has illegally stayed at post even after the expiration of his contract extension in 2021. Meanwhile, the Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia led the NPP government and introduced a policy that sought to end the working contract extension of government agencies and departments whose expertise at not scarce in the country.

Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Ghanas chief taxman who was born on October 10, 1961, was appointed as Commissioner in charge of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) on May 30, 2019, and started work on June 4, 2019. He was made the Acting Commissioner-General on September 20, 2019, and will hit retirement age on October 10, 2021.

Mr. Owusu-Amoah has since been in office from the time of his contract expiration defying the legal basis upon which his predecessors were relieved of their posts.

The principle was applied by the immediate past Auditor General, Mr. Domelovo, Col. Damoah RTD., Col. Kofi Nti RTD Col. Diawuo RTD. So why is the government reluctant in applying such sanctions to Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai? And why has he been allowed to illegitimately remain at post almost two years after the expiration of his one-year contract which ended in 2021?

Why do we as a country have to spend so much on paying for his contract and the juicy goodies that come with it, especially, in this current state of the country?

Furthermore, concerning a letter issued by the deputy finance minister, Mrs. Abena -Osei Asare on the subject matter on August 5, 2022, affirmed the decision of the government on this subject matter. So why is he still at post? Please find attached, the letter issued by the Deputy Finance Minister.

Moreover, it would also interest you to note that, Ms. Julian Essiam, who is a Revenue Generation Officer is also a beneficiary of this unfair, and illegitimate act by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia's led government. Ms. Julian Essiam was born on July 5, 1961, which means by law and per the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, shes due for a Pension but still at post even though her contract has expired.

My intelligence gathered, further tells me that the Finance minister, Mr. Ken Ofori Attah, and the Board Chairman of the commission is planning a two to a three-year contract extension for the current Boss of GRA while their thousands of Ghanaians out there with the requisite expertise to carry out this same task to save the country money and also reduce the unemployment situation.

I strongly sense something fishy is going on between the government and the GRA Boss to the detriment of the entire country.

My background checks also suggest, that she together with Dr. Amishaddai, who both attained the age of 60 years two years after their contract was renewed until 2021 but chose to stay in the office until today as we speak.

Signed

Charles Tuffour
February 16, 2023 The Buildup To War In Ukraine - Wednesday, February 16, 2022 On the even of February 15 the Russian Foreign Ministry released information about a phone call between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. CGTN reported on February 16: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday called on the U.S. to drop aggressive rhetoric in dialogue on security guarantees and demonstrate pragmatic approach to this topic, state-owned Tass news agency reports. Lavrov held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which the Russian diplomat stressed the need to continue working together. "On our part, it was stressed that it is necessary to continue joint work, as was agreed by Presidents [of Russia Vladimir] Putin and [of the United States Joe] Biden during their telephone call on February 12, in the context of the US and NATO proposals on security guarantees," TASS quotes the Russian foreign ministry. "Lavrov specially stressed the inadmissibility of aggressive rhetoric fanned by Washington and its closest allies and called for a pragmatic dialogue on the entire spectrum of issues raised by Russia, with a focus on the principle of indivisible security." Russia had previously sent demands for talks on several issues to the U.S. and NATO. The most important point for Russia had been the term 'indivisible security' in the sense that security for one side should not interfere with the security of the other side. This term is included in several treaties with Russia. It claimed that the expansion of NATO was threatening its security and thereby breaching those treaties. While the U.S. denied this, it is obvious that all NATO expansion were increasing the potential danger for Russia. Russia and NATO were thus put into a classic security dilemma: In international relations, the security dilemma (also referred to as the spiral model) is when the increase in one state's security (such as increasing its military strength) leads other states to fear for their own security (because they do not know if the security-increasing state intends to use its growing military for offensive purposes). Consequently, security-increasing measures can lead to tensions, escalation or conflict with one or more other parties, producing an outcome which no party truly desires; a political instance of the prisoner's dilemma. The U.S. had responded to the Russian paper by conceding on some minor points that Russia had long demanded but not on any of the big questions of which the most important one was 'indivisible security'. On February 2 2022 I had described the process in detail: [I]n mid December Russia started to counter the U.S. move. It published two draft treaties, one with the U.S. and one with NATO, that included stringent security demands: No more NATO expansion towards Russia's borders.

Retraction of the 2008 NATO invitation to Ukraine and Georgia.

Removal of foreign NATO forces from east Europe.

Legally binding guarantee that no strike systems which could target Moscow will be deployed in countries near to Russia.

No NATO or equivalent (UK, U.S., Pl.) 'exercises' near Russian borders.

NATO ships, planes to keep certain distances from Russian borders.

Regular military-to-military talks.

No U.S. nukes in Europe. Russia requested written responses and threatened to take 'military technical' measures should the responses be negative. Russia also planned for and launched new military exercises. The responses were received but, following a U.S. request, Russia refrained from publishing them. They were leaked to El Pais, published today and can be downloaded here (pdf). The U.S. response to Russia's draft treaties is professional. While it rejects Russia's main demands, especially a neutral status for the Ukraine, it concedes on minor issues and offers additional talks on them. The NATO response is in contrast highly ideological and rejects all of Russia's points while making new demands towards Russia which are designed to be rejected. (Future negotiations are now likely to exclude NATO.) Russia has yet to officially respond to the received letters. During a news conference after talks with the Prime Minister of Hungary the Russian President remarked on the letters: [W]hile ignoring our concerns, the United States and NATO are referring to the right of states to freely choose specific methods to ensure their security. But this is not only about providing someone with the right to freely choose methods to ensure their security. This is only one part of the well-known indivisible security formula. The second inalienable part implies that it is impossible to strengthen anyones security at the expense of other states security. Russia's Foreign Ministry has send a letter to several NATO countries in which it requests their official opinions on several agreements they have signed which include clauses on the indivisibility of security: The very essence of the agreements on indivisible security is that either there is security for all or there is no security for anyone. How is the signing of those treaties and indivisible security for all compatible with the aggressive NATO expansion aimed at Russia? 'Western' foreign ministries will find it difficult to answer that question. France 24 listed some of its relevant headlines of the day: Ukraine crisis: Moscow announces end of Crimea drills, NATO unconvinced

Russia's parliament asks Putin to recognise breakaway east Ukrainian regions

Ukraine crisis: Russian pullout meets Western allies scepticism

'Day of Unity': Ukrainians raise flags to defy Russia invasion fear

NATO says Russia appears to be continuing military escalation in Ukraine

NATO chief says Russia appears to be continuing military build-up around Ukraine The OSCE Special Observer Mission at the ceasefire line in southeast-Ukraine reported of February 16 that the number of ceasefire violations had suddenly jumped to above average. Artillery exchanges took place on many parts of the front. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 189 ceasefire violations, including 128 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 24 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 402 ceasefire violations, including 188 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 129 ceasefire violations in the region. On February 16 the observers noticed several self propelled howitzer (2S1 Govzdika, 122 mm) in violation of withdrawal lines. Four were seen on the Ukrainian government side and two on the non-government side. After three days that had been more or less quite the sudden jump in fighting was particularly noticeable.

bigger The map shows explosions, the small black dots, on both sides of the ceasefire line.

bigger Posted by b on February 16, 2023 at 16:45 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
February 16, 2023 Media Bullshit About Ugledar A typical New York Times propaganda piece is demonstrating how it intentionally misleads its readers: Moscows Military Capabilities Are in Question After Failed Battle for Ukrainian City As Moscow steps up its offensive in eastern Ukraine, weeks of failed attacks on a Ukrainian stronghold have left two Russian brigades in tatters, raised questions about Russias military tactics and renewed doubts about its ability to maintain sustained, large-scale ground assaults. The battle for the city of Vuhledar, which has been viewed as an opening move in an expected Russian spring offensive, has been playing out since the last week of January, but the scale of Moscows losses there is only now beginning to come into focus. The piece claims that the Russian attack on Ugledar (Vuhledar) has failed to achieve its purpose. But that is wrong. The attack on Ugledar was a diversion operation. Ugledar was originally defended by two territorial brigades. The Ukrainian command pulled two artillery brigades, one motorized infantry brigade and parts of one tank brigade from other front lines to hold onto Ugledar. The Russian attack thus did what it was supposed to do. It allowed for Russian breakthroughs at the northeastern Kharkiv front and in Bakhmut because Ukraine had moved forces away from those fronts. The fighting around Ugledar has cost Russia some, but not big losses.

bigger The Times itself admits that the Russian effort in Ugledar put the Ukrainian army into a bad situation: The fighting over Vuhledar has come at a cost for Ukraine, too, both in terms of casualties and in the vast amounts of ammunition it has expended to repel Russias growing number of ground troops. Kyivs allies this week expressed concern about their ability to meet the demand, raising the possibly that Ukrainian commanders might at some point have to limit shelling to the most important targets. Well, well ... [Col. Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, a spokesman for Ukrainian military forces in the area,] said the attacks on Vuhledar had been no surprise  the Russians even warned the Ukrainians of the coming assault through social media channels, in an apparent attempt to scare them. It was announced and spread, Colonel Dmytrashkivskyi said. It was done to diminish the morale of the fighters. Yes. It was announced and spread. But that was obviously done because it was a diversion attack designed to drag Ukrainian units away from other fronts. The Ukrainian military fell for it and moved more then 10,000 soldiers from other fronts to Ugledar to defend an empty city. The Russian president Vladimir Putin has lauded the marines who were fighting in Ugledar for doing their job well: Russian President Vladimir Putin has highly praised the fighting efforts by marines during the special military operation, according to his remarks in a television program, an excerpt of which was posted by journalist Pavel Zarubin to his Telegram channel on Sunday. "Marines are at work <...> right now. Fighting heroically. Both from the Pacific Fleet and the Northern Fleet," the president said following a meeting of the supervisory board of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives on February 9, according to the excerpt from the program called "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" that comes out on the Rossiya-1 television channel. But the British disinformation minister insists: Mr. Wallace, the British defense secretary, cited reports on Wednesday that a whole Russian brigade was effectively annihilated in Vuhledar, where he said that Moscow lost over 1,000 people in two days. The British Defense Intelligence Agency reported last week that Russian units had likely suffered particularly heavy casualties around Vuhledar. In reality the Russian army lost probably two company sizes equivalents. Some 300 casualties plus three dozen piece of larger equipment. That was simply the cost of the business. Within the Times piece there several other misleading claims which also regularly appear in other pieces of the outlet. In recent weeks, Moscow has rushed tens of thousands more troops, many of them inexperienced new recruits, to the front lines ... There are no 'inexperienced new recruits' in the Russian forces in Ukraine. I was drafted into the German army at the age of 18. I thereby was what one calls a conscript soldier. After four month I signed, mostly for financial reasons, a time limited contract. I had thus turned into a temporary regular soldier or contract soldier. When my two year contract ended I became a reservist. I was then mobilized thrice (each time on my request) to take part in large exercises in Canada and Britain and for additional qualification training. As a mobilized reservist I received the same pay, terms and conditions as a temporary regular soldier. There were also professional regular soldiers who had joined the military for a life time carrier. Russia has fought most of the Ukraine campaign with contract soldiers and Wagner mercenaries. Conscripts were not supposed to take part. (A few accidentally did early on but were soon removed.) Only the Luhansk and Donetsk People Republics militia have used conscripts. Russia has mobilized reservists. These are trained former conscripts and contract soldiers who had done their regular time of service. They were retrained and then send into regular units to take part in Ukraine. It is completely wrong and misleading to call these "inexperienced new recruits". Then comes this: Britains defense secretary, Ben Wallace, told the BBC on Wednesday that 97 percent of the Russian army is in Ukraine, though he did not elaborate or offer evidence for the claim. U.S. military officials estimate that about 80 percent of Russias ground forces are dedicated to the war effort. Before the war the Russian ground forces were 360,000 men strong. The mobilization activated 300,000 additional reservists. Some 70,000 volunteers have also joined military services. The numbers of Russian troops in Ukraine may be 200 to 250,000, a third of the 700,000+ men currently in the Russian ground forces. It is not just the Times that is spreading utter nonsense. This is from the Washington Post: As Russians inch forward near Bakhmut, Ukrainians dig fallback defenses The soldiers here expect the same grinding dynamic to continue, with Russia throwing mostly untrained conscripts at the new Ukrainian defensive positions as they have in the bloody streets of Bakhmut. Same bullshit, same unacknowledged bullshit source. Posted by b on February 16, 2023 at 15:40 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
Pictured from left, Brian J. Bamba, managing director, IP&E Holdings LLC; Marcos W. Fong, CEO, Foremost Foods, Inc. and Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Guam) Inc.; L. James Beighley, CEO, CPL Pacific, and chairman, Solenergy Micronesia; and Christopher H. de Leon, general manager, Solenergy Micronesia.
Staff Reporter

Richelle obtained a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the Far Eastern University in Manila, the Philippines. She was a junior reporter for Marianas Variety from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015. In the Maldives, she worked as a news reporter and marketing executive. In her free time, shes a painter, pianist, and mom baker.
From left, Kitlang Kabua, foreign minister of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; Taneti Maamau, president of Kiribati; David W. Panuelo, president of the FSM; Surangel S. Whipps Jr., president of the Republic of Palau; and Russ Kun, president of the Republic of Nauru.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner speaks during a meeting with the media, at the Philippine Army headquarters, in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Feb. 15, 2023.
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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HARTFORD  University of Connecticut students gathered at the state Capitol Wednesday to protest Gov. Ned Lamonts proposed budget cuts for UConn.

The proposed cuts were was announced last week during Lamonts budget address to the General Assembly.

According to a statement sent to students by UConns President Radenka Maric, A preliminary review of the numbers indicates that if enacted as proposed, the governors budget would leave the university with a shortfall of $159.6 million next year and $197.1 million the following year compared to the budget requests made by UConn and UConn Health.

Maric further informed students that if the university tried to cover the Storrs portion of these shortfalls by raising tuition, it would mean an increase of 19% or $3,000 more per student next year alone.

On Wednesday morning, hundreds of students and UConn faculty traveled from Storrs to the Capitol building. The rally was organized by UConns Undergraduate Student Government.

We are really anxious about whats happening, said Mason Holland, UConns USG president. My goal is to have the effects of these costs to not have to fall on the students. The primary thing I think about is really trying to find and advocate for any ways that we can avoid having to address tuition, avoid having to have these costs fall on academic programming or extra curricular programming, and anything that would affect students.

We serve students and we serve students first, Holland added.

Once students arrived at the Capitol, they raised their signs and raised their concerns on the possible increase in tuition.

Cesar Carreno, a sophomore majoring in cognitive science at UConn, held up a sign which read Take me out the hood.

I think that we as students have a right to an education, Carreno said. This makes it hard for people who live below the poverty line to have a dream and a future.

Alexa McCall Manh Udell, a junior majoring in psychology at UConn, says that a $3,000 tuition hike would not affect every student equally and criticized the universitys response.

This is nothing new to us. Low-income; queer; and Black and Brown students at UConn have already overcome societal barriers to attend this institution, and it is unacceptable for the UConn administration to strike fear into them to mobilize them for their own purposes. she said.

In addition, Udell says that UConn has known that this budget decrease was coming, and in the face of it, requested more money.

We are the future, fund our future, shouted Asha Nahar, a junior majoring in human development and family studies at UConn. Nahar is a low income student who comes from a single mother family.

As a low income student I dont have the money or resources to pay for that increase, she said. I want to help our future. I know that my classmates and I are the future. You are supposed to fund your future lawyers, future doctors, future lawmakers.

At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, students joined the Appropriations Committee meeting where Maric made an appearance. UConns budget was being discussed and Maric expressed concerns about the budget falling short. During the meeting, it was mentioned that five options were suggested to Maric in order to make up for the loss.

The suggestions were for UConn to increase the amount of research grants that the university successfully obtained, increase class size by changing the faculty to student ratio, fundraise more, accept more out of state students instead of in state students, and increase tuition.

The difficulty in increasing enrollment is signs of the classes, mental health support, cultural health support, dorms, and all this support that we have to provide to students in order to be successful, Maric said. So if we increase the classes, students will not graduate in 4.1 [years], they're going to graduate in five or six years.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lamont put out a statement on the historic level of state funding for UConn in his budget proposal. According to Lamont, the proposed budget includes the largest block grant ever proposed for UConn in state history.

I am a strong believer in UConns contributions to the economic growth of Connecticut, and that is why Ive proposed increasing the state block grant funding for the university every year since taking office, he wrote. The COVID-19 federal relief funds were intended to be one-time in nature, providing support during the public health emergency. Those federal dollars were never intended to pay for ongoing expenses. The UConn administrations insistence that the state continue covering this federal aid now that it is no longer available is not a fiscally sustainable solution.

celescano@record-journal.com
Yves here. Perhaps informed readers will deem otherwise, but the article posted below struck me as an an evenhanded account, by Western standards, of a step forward in the relationship between Iran and Russia. Iran is reported to be en route to buying Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. The article points out that the collapse of the JCPOA ended restrictions on Tehrans ability to buy conventional weapons as of 2020. Well done, teams Trump and Biden!

The story does note that the Sukhoi Su-35s will be comparatively pricey for Iran, even before getting to the fact that Iran already has both Western and Russian-make fighters, which no doubt complicates training and maintenance. It also treats allegations that Iran is swapping drone for fighters as unproven. However, it does repeat a claim from a source at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs that Iran wont get that many fighters. Supposedly, Russia has limited production capacity because sanctions have limited access to technology necessary for some parts. Perhaps I have become overly counter-suggestible, but this strikes me as the cleaned-up version of Ursula von der Leyen asserting that Russias military was scavenging washing machines for chips.

By the Jamestown Foundation. Cross posted from OilPrice

Iran and Russia are strengthening their military relationship.

The geopolitical shift caused by Russias war against Ukraine has brought Tehran and Moscow closer than ever.

Iran is now planning to purchase Russian Sukhoi Su-35 advanced fighter jets from Russia.

The news of Irans planned purchase of Russian Sukhoi Su-35 advanced fighter jets is the latest sign of deepening relations between Tehran and Moscow. This development is significant, as in recent years, similar contracts were canceled for the sale of Russian Su-35s to Algeria, Egypt and Indonesia under pressure from the United States and the threat of economic sanctions (The Eurasian Times, November 7, 2022). As a result, these countries bought US F-15 fighter jets or French Rafale fighters instead. Thus far, China is the only country that has succeeded in buying Sukhoi Su-35s from Russia, and Indias negotiations with Moscow have yet to make any notable progress (The Diplomat, April 17, 2019).

But in the new geopolitical environment brought on by Russias war against Ukraine, Iran may indeed become the new destination of the Russian fighter, which underlines a burgeoning military relationship between Moscow and Tehran. For the first time, the commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, officially announced on September 4, 2022, that the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35s is currently being discussed, rather than Sukhoi Su-30s. This issue is on the agenda, and we hope to be able to get these 4++ generation fighters in the future (Tehran Times, September 4, 2022).

While official Russian sources neither confirmed nor denied this announcement, Shahriar Heidari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, confirmed on January 15 that the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets that Iran has ordered from Russia will arrive in early 1402 [Iranian calendar that begins on March 21, 2023]. The lawmaker noted that Tehran has also ordered other military equipment from Russia, including air defense systems, missile systems and helicopters, most of which will be received soon (Tasnim News Agency, January 15).

Some sources have alleged that Iran is receiving the Su-35s in exchange for its drone exports to Russia (Euromaidan Press, December 15, 2022). However, as of now, it is difficult to find evidence of a formal contract between Moscow and Tehran regarding the purchase. Thus, the key sources here remain Vahedis and Heidaris public confirmations. While Russia has yet to react publicly in rejecting or confirming the existence of such a contract, Moscows confidentiality could be the result of deepening relations between the two countries on defense and security matters. Hamidreza Azizi, an Iranian expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, believes that Russia will deliver 24 Su-35s to Iran but probably not more than that.  The sanctions imposed on Russia mean it cannot produce Sukhoi-35s. Some parts require special technology that cannot be found in Russia (Donya-e-Eqtesad, January 11).

Perhaps, the most immediate reason for Irans purchase of the Sukhoi Su-35s is the strong need of the IRIAF to modernize its fighters. According to recent media reports, Irans air force heavily relies on overhauled US-made planes, including F-5 and F-14 fighters purchased prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution (Amwaj Media, January 17). Furthermore, largely due to hostile relations between Iran and the United States, Tehran has not acquired any new fighter aircraft in recent years, excluding a few Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters. Other than the MiG-29, Iran mainly utilizes locally modified F-4 Phantom II, F-14 Tomcat and F-5E/F Tiger II planes from the 1970s (Presstv.ir, December 28, 2022). As such, Tehrans purchase of Su-35 fighter jets would facilitate the renewal of some of the IRIAFs capacities and possibly lay the foundation for further cooperation in defense production between Russia and Iran. According to Russian-outlet Sputnik, Even though the cost of maintaining and operating this jet appears to be high for Iran, these costs could be reduced if there are agreements on the joint production of the Su-35 engine in the Islamic Republic (Sputnik, January 20).

From another angle, purchasing the Su-35s would represent one of the most important results to come thus far from the lifting of Irans arms embargo. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, in July 2015, endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Irans nuclear program. However, as the JCPOA broke down, all restrictions on the supplies of major arms to and all arms from Iran expired in October 2020. This means Iran will be legally able to buy and sell conventional weaponry, including small arms, missiles, helicopters and tanks (Al Jazeera, October 17, 2020). Additionally, the embargo on the export of Irans ballistic missiles is set to be lifted in October 2023.

Regarding the wider implications, as mentioned, the Su-35s will strengthen the capabilities of the IRIAF. In a recent interview with Sputnik, Iranian military expert Mohammad-Hassan Sangtarash stipulated that this aircraft will be especially effective if Iran can install original weapons on it. The Super Flanker Su-35 can play the role of a combat mini-AWACS [airborne warning and control system], and if connected to Irans radar network, it will acquire unique point defense capabilities. If Iran purchases [Russian] technologies and kicks off joint massive production [of the Su-35], it can gain a certain advantage over the fighters and warships of its neighbors, including Azerbaijan (Sputnik, January 20).

Furthermore, Irans purchase of the Su-35 fighter jets will affect the balance in regional air power vis-a-vis the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region, especially the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, all of which have fragile relations with Iran. As a result, these countries, and possible others, might turn to more weapons from the West, especially the US F-35 fighter jets. Relatedly, simmering tensions with Tel Avivincluding the alleged Israeli drone attack on Iranian territory in January 2023may also influence this deal, as the advanced fighters will improve Irans defensive and preventive defense against possible Israeli attacks (Iranintl.com, February 2).

Although, Iranian expert Mohsen Jalilvand presents a different point of view: Irans defense and military power is based on deterrence, relying on missile and drone power. This means that Irans military and defense deterrence power is not based on the air force and fighters. Therefore, advanced fighters are not a turning point in Irans defense deterrence capability (Irdiplomacy.ir, October 10, 2022).

Nevertheless, it seems that if and when the purchase of Russias Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets is finalized, it will be one of the most consequential arms purchases in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While modernizing and increasing the capabilities of Irans air force, it will also bring the budding military and defense relationship between Tehran and Moscow into a new stage, which will have key consequences on the balance of power and deterrence throughout the South Caucasus and Middle East.
More than 10 years after Occupy Wall Street was crushed in a Federally-coordinated 17 city paramilitary crackdown, Occupy the SEC is still going strong. The group received extensive, laudatory press coverage after it published a 325 page comment letter on the so-called Volcker Rule. It has continued to weigh in on pending financial regulations via comment letters, as you can see from its site.

The latest Occupy the SEC comment letter, embedded at the end of this post, focuses on a proposed rule about who has access to a US registry of corporate beneficial owners and what information is in it. Many of you will go into MEGO (My eyes glaze over) mode. And thats the point. Opacity and complexity enable misconduct.

Per Investopedia:

A beneficial owner is a person who enjoys the benefits of ownership even though the title to some form of property is in another name.

Many beneficial ownership relationships are benign. As Investopedia points out, if you own shares in a mutual fund or securities that are held by a custodian, you are the true owner even though, say, Fidelity holds the title. But there is no secrecy intent. The IRS will be informed of any taxable income from these assets.

By contrast, as fans of former Naked Capitalism writer Richard Smith will know, mechanisms that hide who company owners and directors regularly enable tax and investment frauds. Smith and his colleagues have pursued dodgy New Zealand corporate registries and Scottish limited partnerships as regularly-used mechanisms for chicanery. As MLROs wrote:

Scottish Limited Partnerships are attractive to money launderers because they can provide anonymous ownership and control, while giving the impression of a respectable UK business  Transparency International UK For anyone seeking to conceal and launder the proceeds of crime, the role of an anonymous and untraceable legal entity is critical. These entities, typically found within offshore jurisdictions (such as the British Virgin Islands, Belize and Seychelles), provide little to no information on the individuals sitting behind them. The role of such companies and their role within the world of financial crime was clearly demonstrated in the data leak of 2016, known within the media as the Panama Papers. This leak provided us with just a glimpse into the significant scale of the level of abuse of these anonymous companies. Whilst many of these opaque companies are located in offshore jurisdictions across the globe, anonymous companies also exist right here within the UK.

This extract gives a sense why opaque corporate ownership is a license to steal, at least from the taxman. And before you assume the US is more buttoned down than the financial pirates of the UK, our Wild West offers the Wyoming Limited Liability Company, which can have anonymous owners.

Davis Polk explained what is at stake in the proposed rule. Note that the great unwashed public cannot get access to this registry information, only government officials and financial institutions. From Davis Polk:

The proposed rule is the second step in creating a national registry of beneficial ownership information and would govern access to and the protection of information in the registry. On December 15, 2022, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, when finalized, will establish the standards for financial institutions and government entities to access beneficial ownership information (BOI) reported to FinCEN (the Access Rule or the Proposed Rule). The Access Rule is the second of three rulemakings implementing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a statute intended to enhance transparency in the ownership of corporate entities in the United States through the creation of a national registry of BOI (the Registry). As described in our recent client update, on September 30, 2022, FinCEN published the final Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule (the BOI Reporting Rule), which will require certain legal entities to submit to FinCEN a report containing information related to the beneficial owner and company applicant information of the reporting company. The Access Rule will govern access to and safeguarding of BOI submitted to FinCEN pursuant to the BOI Reporting Rule. The third and final rulemaking will make conforming amendments to the beneficial ownership requirements of FinCENs existing Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Rule.1 Under the Access Rule, FinCEN will only permit certain government entities and financial institutions to access BOI, which include (1) Federal, State, local and Tribal officials for national security, law enforcement, and intelligence activities, as well as certain foreign law enforcement, judicial, and government entities; (2) Federal functional regulators acting in a supervisory capacity; (3) and financial institutions subject to the CDD Rules beneficial ownership requirements. The Access Rule also provides a detailed framework for ensuring that BOI is subject to cyber security controls, confidentiality protections, and oversight measures. Finally, the Access Rule also proposes amendments to the BOI Reporting Rule regarding the use of FinCEN identifiers. While the Access Rule provides insight as to how FinCEN intends to administer the Registry, important questions and issues remain. For example, it is not clear the extent to which banks and other financial institutions are expected or required to use the Registry or may (or must) continue to rely on current CDD procedures. Moreover, the Access Rule only authorizes covered financial institutions to access BOI, meaning cryptocurrency companies and other entities registered as money service businesses (MSBs) will not have access to BOI despite the anti-money laundering (AML) and other illicit finance risks they face. Finally, FinCEN has stated that it continues to face resource constraints in developing and deploying the Registry, and there are many areas that will need additional investment.

As you can see in the missive below, Occupy the SEC is bothered by the very premise that beneficial owners of companies are deemed to be entitled to much greater protection of their information than ordinary citizens are, although it concedes that that premise is enshrined in the Orwellianly-named Corporate Transparency Act. But given that sad situation, Occupy the SEC points out that the proposed rule goes even further than the law in limiting disclosures and access to information and recommends specific changes.

If this sort of finance and legal geekery is up your alley, please ping Occupy the SEC at info@occupythesec.org! They can alway use help.
(Natural News) Crime rates are soaring all over the nation, and this is especially true in heavily populated urban areas. The complete and utter lawlessness that we are witnessing has caused many pundits to describe our largest cities as war zones, and unfortunately that is not an exaggeration at all. In fact, there are some zip codes in Chicago where young adult males are more likely to be shot and killed than U.S. soldiers were during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

(Article by Michael republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com)

For some residents, Chicago is more dangerous than Afghanistan was for U.S. troops during the Iraq war, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medicine Association. The study found that young men are more likely to be shot and killed in ZIP codes with the most violence than American soldiers were in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Yes, things really have gotten that bad.

We have reached a point where it is literally safer to go to war than it is to go to the most dangerous parts of Chicago.

And for the worst zip codes in Chicago, the numbers are not even close

Specifically, in Chicagos 60624 ZIP code, the homicide rate for young men is more than 1,200 for every 100,000, and its not the only ZIP code with numbers like this. The average annual deaths per 100,000 for American soldiers who were heavily engaged in combat numbered at 395 in Afghanistan and 330 in Iraq.

Sadly, the violence in Chicago just continues to intensify.

Crime was up 61 percent during the first four weeks of this year, and many Chicago residents are completely fed up with Mayor Lori Lightfoot

It caused one Twitter user to say: Since [Lightfoot]s term began, Chicago has suffered 2,278 homicides and over 9,000 shot. Since January 1, the city has endured 41 homicides and 194 shot. Yet here Lightfoot is blissfully dancing and asking voters to return her to office. Lightfoot is detached from reality. In addition to rising crime  overall crime is up a shocking 61 percent in the first four weeks of 2023 from the same period last year  Lightfoot has overseen vacancy rates of nearly 30 percent after flagship stores on the Magnificent Mile bailed.

So is Chicago the worst major U.S. city for crime?

No, actually it is being reported that overall crime per capita is now even higher in Denver

Crime statistics for Denver, Colorados capital city, are astounding. They now put the Mile High City at the very bottom of the safest cities ranking at Neighborhood Scout. Crime in Denver is now worse than that in New York City or Chicago. Some statistics from the Denver Police Department: Aggravated assaults, robberies, and homicides, through mid-December 2022, numbered 6,810. Three years ago, that number was 4,924. Property crimes in 2019 were 26,133. In 2022, through mid-December: 42,100. In Denver, the murder and assault rates are twice the national rates, and three times the national rate for rapes and robberies.

Denver was once such a nice place to live.

So what happened?

Unfortunately, it appears that illegal immigration is fueling much of the crime that is happening in the Mile High City, and every year it just gets even worse.

Earlier this week, an official from U.S. Customs and Border Protection admitted to Congress that he has tremendous concern about the vast numbers of gotaways that are constantly pouring into our communities

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection chief patrol agent told lawmakers during a Tuesday Congressional hearing that he has tremendous concern that felons and terrorists are among the millions of gotaways crossing the southern border into the United States, the New York Post reported. Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin, who has been with the Border Patrol since 1995, explained that the law enforcement agency needs more resources to improve border security and handle the influx of migrants attempting to enter the country.

If people come into this country legally, they are likely to obey our laws once they are here.

But if people come into our country illegally, they are not likely to magically transform into law-abiding residents later on.

Of course illegal immigration is only part of the equation. Violent crime rates are exploding all over the nation, and this includes cities that are very far from the southern border.

In Seattle, the number of homicides in 2022 was 24 percent higher than it was in 2021

Seattles violent crime rate rose to its highest point in 15 years in 2022, with reported homicides surging by about 24% compared to 2021, according to the Seattle Police Departments (SPD) Year-End Crime Report, more than a year after the city cut its police budget.

Property crime rates are also escalating dramatically. For example, cargo theft has become an absolutely massive problem in the state of California

California led the way with 417 reported cargo thefts in 2022, a 41% year-over-year increase, followed by Texas with 223 and Florida with 153. CargoNets 2022 data showed the average value of cargo stolen in a theft was $214,104, a 20% increase compared to 2021. Cargo theft hot spots are typically areas around major ports, as well as intermodal facilities, distribution centers and truck stops.

Needless to say, none of this should surprise any of us.

Moral decay has been eating away at the foundations of our society for decades, and that was inevitably going to lead to rampant social decay.

If we want to turn things around, one place to start would be our ridiculously pathetic system of public education.

Many young people are turning to crime these days because the public schools have simply not equipped them with the tools that they need to be successful in life.

According to test results that were just released, only 7 percent of all eighth graders in Baltimore City are proficient in math

The Maryland State Department of Education recently released the 2022 state test results known as MCAP, Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program. Baltimore Citys math scores were the lowest in the state. Just 7 percent of third through eighth graders tested proficient in math, which means 93 percent could not do math at grade level.

What in the world are they teaching these kids?

And it turns out that not one single student was proficient in math at 23 of the schools

Project Baltimore found, in 23 Baltimore City schools, there were zero students who tested proficient in math. Not a single student.

What kind of future do you think that most of those kids will have?

We have failed an entire generation of children, and most Americans dont seem to care.

For years I have been writing about the relentless decline of our culture, but most people didnt think that our cultural decline was a big deal.

Unfortunately, now our major cities are crime-ridden, drug-infested hellholes, and it is getting worse with each passing year.

Our society has become a giant mess because of the choices that we have made.

Wake up America, because time is running out.

Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
(Natural News) More than a week ago on February 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying multiple hazardous chemicals in 20 boxcars derailed in the Ohio town of East Palestine, igniting a massive explosion. The presence of hazardous materials kept the firefighters away for days. Though no one was injured in the original crash, the incident forced authorities to warn of a possible major explosion, reports CNN.

(Article by Leo Hohmann republished from LeoHohmann.Substack.com)

Hundreds of people in East Palestine, which has a population of about 5,000, were evacuated as authorities planned to conduct a controlled burn to prevent another blast. After conducting a controlled release of vinyl chloride from five of the rail cars, authorities assured residents that it was safe to return, reports The Washington Post.

But the release of highly toxic vinyl chloride gas has created phosgene and hydrogen chloride across the town, with several people sharing photos and videos on social media of large plumes.

East Palestine, Ohio, is undergoing an ecological disaster because authorities blew up five of the derailed boxcars carrying hazardous chemicals and at least one local journalist was arrested for trying to report the story.

The soot released by the initial explosion and the subsequent controlled-burn explosion is so toxic that the firemen who worked the blaze are being told to destroy their gear and several cities, including Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, are donating new gear to the East Palestine fire department.

This prompted a concerned tweet from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green.

East Palestine, Ohio is undergoing an ecological disaster bc authorities blew up the train derailment cars carrying hazardous chemicals and press are being arrested for trying to tell the story. Oh but UFOs! What is going on? pic.twitter.com/RULoF1oKJQ  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) February 12, 2023

As you can see from her tweet, Green insinuated that the government may be using the hullabaloo over UFOs to distract peoples attention away from the situation in Ohio.

And people are starting to ask questions about why there has been a near-total media blackout about this story. Those reports that have been posted are back page and make it sound like everything was handled and there is no danger to anyones health.

Nothing could be further from the truth. There have been reports of dead animals and mass fish kills.

The vinyl Chloride spilled into the ground water and into several creeks, including Sulpher Run, Leslie Run, Bull Creek and Little Beaver Creek, which drains into the Ohio River.

Watch this video from a woman who is from the area and getting information from the residents who say the truth about what is going on in East Palestine is being covered up. (warning, she uses harsh language).

A local ABC affiliate, WYTV 33, interviewed hazardous chemicals expert Sill Caggiano, who told the outlet, We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.

He advised residents of the town to get a physical and document their health condition. That way if they contract cancer or some other auto-immune disease that can be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, they will have a potential legal claim against the railroad company and the state authorities.

When chemicals get into the groundwater, they move fast.

Thats why this is a much bigger catastrophe than just East Palestine or even the neighboring communities.

Cincinnati city manager Sheryl Long told WLWT Channel 5, a local NBC affiliate, that the Greater Cincinnati Water Works is monitoring the water quality in the Cincinnati area after the train derailment and release of toxic chemicals in East Palestine.

Crews released toxic chemicals into the air from five derailed tanker cars that were in danger of exploding Monday and began burning them after warning residents near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line to leave immediately or face the possibility of death.

Low levels of dangerous chemicals from the ones released in the derailment were detected in the Ohio River downstream from the incident.

Long told WLWT that right now, the chemicals detected are far upstream of Cincinnati.

But they are watching closely to see if they make it that far.

Cincinnati is 240 miles southeast of the disaster site in East Palestine, Ohio.

I spoke with a disaster mitigation consultant who specializes in hazardous chemicals who has first hand knowledge of this incident. When asked if this town is likely to have cancer clusters in the years ahead, he answered affirmatively.

Im an analytical chemist. I worked on cleanups for superfund sites related cleanups, he said. I would wait at least a month or so (before returning to any home in this town). The biggest problem is, right now, whats on the surface. As long as the soot is on the ground and not washed out, thats the current real danger, the soot on the ground and on the roofs and on the cars.

When it comes to vinyl chloride, he said any dose is carcinogenic.

The final product that comes out of it if it is properly burned off HCL, is like a tear gas agent but it is not carcinogenic. But the original thing was. The byproduct no, but the original stuff yes. Either way, this will cause a cluster of cancers over the next few years. So, yes, my best guess is that this town will have some interesting health issues.

According to Upward News, the dangerous chemicals are making their way as far as West Virginia through the Ohio River.

More than 30 million people, or about 10 percent of the U.S. population, live in the Ohio River Basin. With numerous public drinking water intakes and industries, the river provides drinking water to +5,000,000 people.

Read more at: LeoHohmann.Substack.com
(Natural News) Unvaccinated New York City teachers were reportedly flagged and their fingerprints sent to the FBI, according to an affidavit filed in federal court last week.

(Article by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D. republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org)

In the New Yorkers for Religious Liberty Inc. v. The City of New York appeals hearing, challenging the now-rescinded vaccine mandate for city employees, plaintiffs attorney John Burch said that flagged teachers were labeled with problem codes that impact their ability to get another job.

The allegations were based on a June 2022 affidavit written by Betsy Combier, president of the due process advocacy group Advocatz, detailing how the New York City Department of Education (DOE) flagged unvaccinated teachers without evidence of misconduct and sent their information, including fingerprints to the national databases at both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and [New Yorks] State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Sujata Gibson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, commented on these revelations to The Defender:

These are hardworking teachers and educators with excellent employment records who dedicated their lives to teaching in the New York City public schools. It is unacceptable that the DOE would place problem codes on their employment files and flag their fingerprints with the FBI simply because they were not able or willing to get vaccinated.

This was never about public health. This was about punishing those whose religious and other beliefs dont line up with corporate interests in an effort to make it impossible to dissent.

Michael Kane, national grassroots organizer for Childrens Health Defense and founder of Teachers For Choice, reported the problem codes on Feb. 9, one day after the hearing in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He explained the relevance of this information for the case to The Defender:

The point our attorneys were making is that not only were our constitutional rights violated when the mandates first occurred, but that these violations continue to occur, because this problem code is put on for us practicing our sincerely held religious beliefs. And when we go to apply for jobs, its still blocking us.

So that is the main thrust of the argument. Thats one of the pieces of evidence that there is ongoing harm happening to us [because] they never stopped. To this day we are experiencing harm because of what New York City did to us. That was the real rationale that our attorneys were trying to get across.

Unvaccinated teachers denied jobs due to the problem code

According to Combiers affidavit, the DOE assigns problem codes to the personnel files of employees that should not be hired due to unexplained misconduct of some kind.

The affidavit stated:

When the DOE puts a problem code in the employees personnel file, it also places a flag on the employees fingerprints, which is then sent to the national databases at both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

I have represented more than 15 DOE employees before the DOEs Office of Personnel Investigation in proceedings in which they requested the removal of their problem codes. The flag has several names such as problem code, pr code, pc code, ineligible, and no hire/inquiry code; however, all refer to a salary block, whatever title it is given.

Combier stated she had seen such problem codes in the personnel files of former DOE employees who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The DOE places a problem code on the employees personnel file immediately upon getting information that the employee did not submit proof of vaccination.

As soon as the employee gets the vaccination and submits proof, the code is removed from his or her file.

Combier also provided an email from a DOE official confirming that a problem code was added to the personnel files of DOE employees who were placed on leave without pay for failing to be vaccinated in violation of the DOEs mandate.

The flag then adversely impacted the employment prospects of teachers when they sought jobs outside of New York City. Combier wrote:

I am aware that non-DOE schools located in counties outside New York City receive funds from the NYC DOE for certain teaching positions. These may include, for example, special education or STEM [science, technology, mathematics] teachers.

The DOE pays the salaries for these positions using the same system it uses to pay traditional DOE employees, which is called Galaxy. Galaxy indicates whether the employee has a problem code in his or her file and blocks payment to the employee with this flag/code if viewed in the personnel file.

As a result:

At least 15 of my clients with problem codes were not hired by prospective schools outside the DOE because such schools saw the problem codes in Galaxy, even though those schools were located outside New York City.

Such schools were able to see the codes because the position applied for was financed by the DOE and so the school used the Galaxy system and could check the prospective employees file.

Attorneys for the city did not deny the veracity of this information in court.

Kane wrote, Attorney Susan Paulson who was defending NYC stated that educators fired for declining COVID vaccination were not removed for misconduct, but rather for not meeting a requirement for employment.

If there was no misconduct, why are unvaccinated educators fingerprints sent to the FBI? asked Kane.

Kane: Refusing vaccination isnt extremist

Kane told The Defender that Teachers For Choice will attempt to work with city officials to discover the facts surrounding the assignment of the codes and the sharing of this information with the FBI, including determining who authorized these actions.

He told The Defender:

The first thing were doing is were working with the Common-Sense Caucus in City Hall to get them to investigate. We need an investigation. I have my speculation of whats going on, but the truth is we dont know whats going on. Who gave the order for these problem codes to be given simply for the fact that were declining COVID vaccination? Why did they do that? And have our civil rights been hurt because of it? I think they have.

So right now, I think we need an investigation, because theres lots of speculation happening and we need to get to the bottom of what really happened.

The Common-Sense Caucus is an officially recognized caucus within the New York City Council.

Kane said it is composed primarily of Republicans and has been the only voice against mandates in New York City governance.

Weve been working closely with them, and theyve been really pushing Mayor Eric Adams to be reasonable and to hear our concerns, Kane said.

He said legal action is a strong possibility, but they will give Adams and the city an opportunity to respond first. He said:

Right now we need to see if there will be any investigation into this, and we need to give New York City and Mayor Adams a chance to reply correctly. Theres a chance he didnt do this. Theres a chance this happened from the previous administration, from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Letters need to be written, requests need to be made, and that may or may not lead to litigation. We have to see, because if the city complies and, and tries to work to fix this problem, I think that would be great. But we dont know yet. Its too early in the process.

Kane also wrote that by sending biometric data about unvaccinated teachers to the FBI, NYC educators were being set up to be viewed as right-wing extremists or even terrorists.

Educators who declined COVID vaccination  including myself  had every right to do so, Kane wrote. No one is a terrorist or extremist for holding the line on what does and does not go inside of their bodies  especially injected directly into their muscle tissue, he added.

Teachers fired by the DOE because they declined the COVID-19 vaccine may face a difficult time being rehired by the city, despite the citys claims that such workers can reapply for employment now that the vaccine mandate for city employees has been rescinded.

Kane said reapplication definitely could be problematic for these individuals. But he also noted, The city is bleeding for employees. Theyre desperately dying for people to take jobs. So yes, I think it will hurt many, but I think the city is hurting way more right now.

As previously reported by The Defender, the U.S. House of Representatives has convened a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, investigating claims that agencies such as the FBI collected information on and in some cases harassed ordinary Americans for their beliefs on topics such as COVID-19.

Kane wrote that such practices in New York City are not new. DNA specimens of city employees collected from COVID-19 tests were cataloged in proprietary libraries owned by Fulgent Genetics, the company contracted by de Blasio to administer the tests.

Watch Good Morning CHD with Michael Kane interviewing Betsy Combier:

Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org
(Natural News) The Ford Motor Company has announced that it is suspending production and shipments of its new battery-electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, after discovering potential issues with the cars battery during pre-delivery checks.

Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg refused to disclose what specific battery issue is the problem. She did note that this particular problem has not been observed in any F-150 Lightnings that have already been shipped out. This means that Lightnings that are already at dealerships will be delivered to customers as scheduled and will not be affected by the order. (Related: EV NIGHTMARE: Man spends 15 hours to travel 178 miles, proving EVs are unsuitable for long-distance travel.)

Bergg noted that the stop-shipment order and temporary halt in production were issued at the beginning of the second week of February.

Shares of Ford dropped by about one percent to under $13 a share on Tuesday, Feb. 14, following the announcement. Ford has not established a timeline for when production and shipments of the F-150 will resume.

The team is diligently working on the root cause analysis, said Bergg, adding that the company is doing the right thing by our customers to resolve any potential issues before resuming production and shipments.

SK Innovation Co., a South Korean company that supplies batteries to Ford, said it is also investigating the matter. SK Innovation makes batteries in South Korea, China, Hungary and the United States for Ford as well as other automobile manufacturing companies like Volkswagen and Hyundai.

F-150 the latest EV to experience manufacturing problems

Neal Boudette, writing for the New York Times, noted that vehicles with faulty high-voltage batteries can cause overheating or even intense fires that can take emergency services hours to put out.

One notable case of this was in 2021 and 2022, when General Motors had to recall every single Chevrolet Bolt EV made from 2017 to 2021 to address fire issues caused by rare manufacturing defects. The company dedicated a lot of its resources to replacing the battery packs of these vehicles before it resumed production.

Tesla cars have also been involved in a number of serious fires caused by damaged or faulty batteries.

Ford introduced the F-150 Lightning last year as one of the most prominent vehicles the company has added to its lineup in decades. The automaker is hoping to ramp up production and establish a firm lead in the growing market for electric pickup trucks. Investors are also closely watching the F-150 as it has the potential to be the first mainstream electric pickup truck on the market.

The F-150 Lightning is built at Fords Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Production of the EV pickup began in April 2022, and Ford currently has more than 200,000 reservations for Lightnings. This surge in reservations helped the company more than double its EV sales last year, making it the second-largest seller of electric cars in the United States behind Tesla, which still controls nearly two-thirds of the U.S. market.

However, despite running the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center on three work crews, seven days a week with the goal of boosting output to 150,000 annually by the fall of 2023, Ford has been unable to increase production beyond about 2,000 to 2,400 units a month. By the end of 2022, the company was only able to sell a little over 15,000 EV pickups.

The battery issue is certain to make the companys financial situation even worse as it tries to cut costs and return to profitability after losing $2 billion in 2022.

Learn more about electric vehicles at RoboCars.news.

Watch this video from auto guru and commentator Tyler Hoover as he demonstrates the F-150 Lightnings abysmal towing capabilities.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Social media influencer exposes problems that come with owning a Tesla Model 3.

Electric vehicles are unreliable and not cost-efficient  especially in cold weather.

Electric vehicle push blamed for 1,350 layoffs at Illinois Jeep plant as production moves to Mexico.

Volkswagen reconsidering plans to build new EV battery plants in Europe due to soaring energy costs.

Test finds EV Ford F-150 Lightning has abysmally bad towing ability.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

Reuters.com



CarAndDriver.com

NYTimes.com

Bloomberg.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) When 29-year-old Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector, finally escaped the human trafficking syndicate that bought her as a child for $200, she thought she would find freedom in the United States. What she found instead was a different kind of hell in the form of the leftist woke revolution.

In her new book While Time Remains, Park, who attended Columbia University, reveals the utter shock she felt upon learning that her uppity leftist classmates somehow saw themselves as victims.

They were in Manhattan, living in the freest country you can imagine, and theyre saying theyre oppressed? It doesnt even compute, Park told the New York Post about her experience at Columbia.

I was sold for $200 as a sex slave in the 21st century under the same sky. And they say theyre oppressed because people cant follow their pronouns they invent every day?

(Related: The University of Florida College of Medicine is pushing woke CRT and other anti-white propaganda on students.)

If leftists completely take over America, it will become no better than North Korea

By pronouns, Park is of course talking about the transgender cult and its endless merry-go-round of gender identities and other such nonsense. That some Americans consider not being referred to by their preferred pronouns as oppression came as a serious shock to Park.

One of only 200 North Koreans currently living in the U.S., Park officially became an American citizen last year after eight years of living in the country with her family. She first escaped North Korea in 2007 and has since become a target for Pyongyang.

In her home country, Park has been censured and labeled a poisonous mushroom and a human rights propaganda puppet. Park has responded to these allegations by stating that she is glad the authoritarian regime feel[s] threatened by her voice.

Before attending Columbia, Park thought she found freedom in the U.S. After three years of study there, however, she discovered that modern America is simply a different kind of hell from the one she escaped.

This hell is governed by Marxist revolutionaries who want to stamp out the freedom that Park and hundreds of millions of others hold dear and replace it with the kind of tyranny she thought she would never again have to face.

I escaped hell on earth and walked across the desert in search of freedom, and found it, Parks book reads. I dont want anything bad ever to happen to my new home  I want us  need us  to keep the darkness at bay.

I need your help to save our country, while time remains.

In 2015, Park wrote her debut novel, In Order to Live, which compares the environment at Columbia to that of North Korea. She described Columbia as a pure indoctrination camp, which is not what she expected.

Instead of being taught to think critically, Park says she was forced to think a certain way by Columbias left-wing faculty members. Park also criticized her fellow classmates, stating that they are brainwashed like North Korean students are.

I never understood that not having a problem can be a problem, she wrote. They need to make injustice out of thin air or a problem out of nowhere, because they havent experienced anything like what other people are facing in the world.

In North Korea, Park says, citizens are divided up into 51 different classes based on their bloodlines. Those whose blood is tainted or whose ancestors were oppressive are denigrated and pushed to the bottom  sound familiar?

Thats how the regime divided people, she adds. An individual doesnt matter. Its all about your ancestors and the collective.

More related news can be found at Wokies.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) New York City has become a much more dangerous place, with police data noting that 2022 had the highest recorded number of felony crimes in 16 years.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), there were 172,852 felony crimes reported in 2022, the most since 2006, when the department first started sharing such statistics publicly. (Related: More people are rapidly leaving crime-ridden, high-cost cities like New York, San Francisco and Chicago.)

Almost every single felony crime category rose from 2021 to 2022. Grand larceny of a vehicle rose by 32 percent, followed by burglary, which rose by 27 percent, and then robberies, which rose by 26 percent.

They are followed by grand larceny, dangerous weapons, rape and felony assault, which rose by 25 percent, 21 percent, 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

One of the few felony crimes to drop last year was murder, which the NYPD attributed to a reduction in shootings. But the number of felony crimes in New York City still rose by 20.4 percent compared to 2021, when only 142,522 felony crimes were recorded.

Serious offenses rose by 22.4 percent from 2021 to 126,588. This is also the first time that major crimes in New York City rose above 120,000 incidents in a year.

Crime a serious issue in New York City

The staggeringly-high felony crime figures highlight the struggles that remain for Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD. Last year, both the mayor and the police focused much of their attention on tackling gun violence and subway crime. While this did result in a decrease in the number of murders, it did end up diverting far too much of the NYPDs very limited resources to preventing just one kind of criminal activity.

Adams himself has blamed the rise in crime on criminal justice reforms passed in 2019 by former far-left New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, which allowed thousands of offenders back into the streets. Adams, a former police officer himself, has vowed to boost funding to the citys District Attorneys Offices to get recidivists let out by De Blasio back behind bars.

Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed providing $40 million in additional funding for more prosecutors and another $40 million to help deal with the discovery burden that has led to an increase in criminal case dismissals under the 2019 reforms.

Things in a large city arent supposed to grow that much or go down that much in one year, said former NYPD Supervisor Chris Hermann. This is kind of like monumental kind of stuff  like once in a lifetime.

The end-of-year numbers are horrible, he added. Like, theres no way to get around that.

While not included in the NYPDs data, police experts warned that other felonies should also be taken seriously, such as criminal mischief and criminal contempt. These so-called minor crimes can often be a prelude to more serious offenses, warned Hermann.

Criminal trespass is always a prelude to burglary, which can be a prelude [crime], which can quickly become a robbery, which can then quickly become an assault, he said. The misdemeanor assault becomes a felony assault, becomes the domestic violence shooting  there has always been an escalation of violence with regard to domestic violence. Those things you know, certainly do matter.

These non-major felonies are also on the rise in New York City. There were 13,006 incidents of criminal mischief recorded in 2022, up from 11,052 in 2021.

Criminal contempt, which people are often accused of for flouting a judges order, rose from 8,463 incidents in 2021 to 10,216 by the end of 2022. Dangerous weapon complaints also rose from 3,952 to 4,783.

Learn more about the rise in crime and violence in other parts of the United States at Violence.news.

Watch this clip from Next News Network as host Gary Franchi discusses how even illegal immigrants are abandoning New York City.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Violent protests break out in Memphis, NYC after release of Tyre Nichols bodycam footage.

New York City outfitting traffic cameras with sound meters to fine owners of vehicles causing too much noise pollution.

Previously deported illegal alien convicted child abuser found living in sanctuary state New York.

Nearly half of all murders in the US go unsolved due to understaffed police departments.

New York bans most civilians from wearing bulletproof vests.

Sources include:

HumanEvents.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Pfizer and several other drug makers were sued by different individuals who suffered from serious side effects after taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

According to MedicalNewsToday, PPIs work by reducing the levels of acids produced by the stomach. They are often used to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers. However, many who took PPIs for heartburn ended up damaging their kidneys instead.

As of January 2023, there were 13,553 PPI lawsuits pending in federal court  out of a total of 18,517 that had been filed in a PPI multidistrict legislation (MDL).

Protonix, manufactured by Pfizer, is one example of a PPI. Plaintiffs in the MDLs accused Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Takeda Pharmaceuticals of failing to warn consumers of the risks of these drugs. Victims alleged that they suffered from kidney disease, kidney injury, kidney failure and acute interstitial nephritis in the course of their PPI treatment.

PPI users who sued drug manufacturers asked a federal judicial panel in October 2016 to consolidate all federal kidney injury cases into a single MDL. At that time, 15 cases asserting similar claims were pending in 12 district courts. By February of the following year, the number of related federal lawsuits reached 39.

However, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the MDL request in February 2017. According to the panel, the named defendants were competitors in the drug industry. It also pointed out that some of the PPIs were available over the counter, while some others required a prescription. In August of that year, the panel ordered the cases to be consolidated into one single MDL in the District of New Jersey. It assigned U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to oversee the proceedings. One bellwether trial for an MDL  No. 2789  was originally scheduled in November 2022, but was rescheduled for March of this year.

Pfizer shells out millions to settle Protonix lawsuits

Prior to the MDLs, Pfizer had twice settled with the U.S. government to avoid a court battle.

According to a December 2012 press release by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the New York-based drug giant agreed to pay $55 million plus interest to resolve allegations that it misbranded Protonix. The company, specifically its Wyeth subsidiary, allegedly promoted the PPI to physicians for unapproved uses.

Wyeth trained its sales force to promote Protonix for all forms of GERD, beyond its limited erosive esophagitis indication, the DOJ said. Sales representatives also frequently promoted Protonix to physicians for unapproved uses, such as symptomatic GERD.

In addition, Wyeth allegedly promoted Protonix as the best PPI for nighttime heartburn even though there was never any clinical evidence that Protonix was more effective than any other PPI for nighttime heartburn.

Four years later, Pfizer and Wyeth agreed to a $784.6 million settlement to drop allegations that the latter overcharged Medicaid for Protonix. An April 2016 statement by the DOJ said Wyeth failed to report deep discounts on two kinds of Protonix it made available to thousands of hospitals across the country. (Related: NEVER FORGET: Pfizer paid almost $785M settlement in 2016 due to overcharging Medicaid for heartburn drug.)

Under the Medicaid program, which is the nations provider of health insurance to the poor and disabled, drug companies must report to the government the best prices they offer other customers for their brand name drugs, said the Justice Department.

Head over to BigPharmaNews.com for more about lawsuits against Pfizer.

Watch Dr. Len Saputo discuss why PPIs such as Pfizers Protonix increase the risk of intestinal infections below.

This video is from the Health Medicine channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Remember when Pfizer paid out $2.3 billion to settle the largest healthcare fraud case in history?

HISTORY OF FRAUD: Pfizer agreed to pay $49 million settlement in 2002 over Lipitor price gouging.

CRIME CARTEL: Pfizer paid out $2.3 billion in a settlement to Washington for illegally promoting its drugs.

NEVER FORGET: In 1994, Pfizer paid $20 million after LYING about defective heart valve that killed hundreds.

NEVER FORGET: Pfizer agreed to settle lawsuit after jury awarded $43M to Texas woman whose liver was destroyed by Rezulin.

Sources include:

DrugWatch.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

Justice.gov 1

Justice.gov 2

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A noted Republican senator who is laser-focused on rooting out government corruption is demanding an inspector general reopen an investigation into potential corrupt collusion between Amazon and the Pentagon over a defense contract worth billions, citing newly discovered evidence warranting such action.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee in a chamber controlled by Democrats, wants the Defense Department Office of Inspector General (DOD OIG) to reopen a previous investigation after claiming that a former DoD official, Sally Donnelly, did not disclose a potential conflict of interest to the previous investigators during an ethics probe involving the contract.

The inspector general published its final report on April 13, 2020, which said, We determined that Ms. Donnelly did not violate any ethical agreements and obligations regarding Office of Government Ethics financial disclosures, [and] did not give preferential treatment to Amazon officials or restrict access to [Defense] Secretary [James] Mattis for other industry leaders.

But, as Breitbart News reports:

Grassley says Donnelly did not disclose to the DOD OIG exactly who purchased her consulting firm just prior to beginning her employment at the DOD, which he argues was relevant to the DOD OIGs investigation and could have affected its findings.

Grassley wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the DOD Inspector General Sean ODonnell on October 24, 2022, asking them to reopen the investigation.

The American people must have confidence that their government isnt plagued by conflicts of interest and that the decisions made by government officials are done for the people and their best interests, not the financial interests of government officials, Grassley wrote.

Grassley previously laid out his evidence in an Oct. 24, 2022 letter, which Breitbart News summarized:

Just before entering the DOD in 2017, Donnelly sold her consulting firm SBD Advisors, according to her publicly available financial disclosure forms. However, Donnelly never revealed on her forms or in public reporting exactly who had purchased her firm. According to Grassley, Donnelly never told the DOD OIG who purchased her firm either.

After pressing the DOD OIG for the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Donnellys company, Grassley found that the DOD OIG only had a copy with the identity of the purchasers name redacted, and that the DOD OIG had argued to him that the identity of the purchaser was not relevant to their investigation. Grassley said he finally obtained an unredacted copy of the Purchase and Sale Agreement in October 2022  long after the DOD OIG ended its investigation  which revealed that an entity named VMAP Investor, LLC (VMAP) had purchased her firm. The AP in VMAP are the initials of its part-owner, Andre Pienaar.

The Iowa Republican is arguing that information would certainly have been important to the DOD OIGs initial probe. Thats because Pienaar isnt just the CEO and founder of C5 Capital, a client of Donnellys, but at the time he was dating and later married the Amazon Web Services executive who was in charge of the companys bid at the time to obtain the lucrative contract  Teresa Carlson.

During her employment at DOD, Grassley said that VMAP made a number of $390,000 payments to Donnelly for the purchase of her company.

Knowledge of the entity that purchased her firm is relevant and central to the question of whether a conflict of interest existed and could have substantively affected the protocols required to wall off Sally Donnelly from potential and actual conflicts of interest while employed at DoD, wrote Grassley. Based on information collected for this investigation, the DoD OIGs conclusion concerning Ms. Donnellys lack of financial connection to C5 appears to be inaccurate. Indeed, two senior C5 officials, including the founder of C5 Capital, were involved in the purchase of SBD Advisors LLCconnections that existed while Donnelly was at DoD and received payments from the sale of her company.

This is all in relation to a contract for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or more commonly by its acronym, JEDI, which was announced officially in the fall of 2017, during then-President Donald Trumps first year in office. The program sought to move the gargantuan amount of data possessed by the DOD to a single cloud, and as massive as the project would be, proponents said, it would allow the Pentagon to be able to share and analyze data more quickly, and give warfighters on the ground more information about incoming threats at greater speed, according to Breitbart News. Critics, however, countered that the Pentagons information should be spread out over several clouds and not be limited to one that could be vulnerable.

At $10 billion, the project was extremely lucrative. But shortly after companies began making bids, it became apparent that the DOD appeared to be fashioning the program around Amazon.

Amazon had already secured a contract in 2013 to provide cloud services to the CIA, and if the tech giant also procured the DOD contract, it stood to gain a significant edge in the cloud computing and services industry, Breitbart News reported. After the Pentagon announced in September 2017 it would go with Amazon, other companies that had bid on the project  Microsoft and Oracle  filed complaints.

But in the end, Donnelly was cleared and is now back at work in the Pentagon under the Biden regime; the DOD canceled the JEDI project in July 2021.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

Breitbart.com
(Natural News) A former counselor and case manager at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital is speaking out. Jamie Reed, (42) says, whats happening to children is morally and medically appalling.

For almost four years, she worked at the Washington University School of Medicine Division of Infectious Disease, giving counsel to HIV-positive, young adults who identified as transgender or gender nonconforming. She relayed compassion to the youth, having questioned her gender identity several times throughout her adolescence. However, when she took up the job as case manager at the new Transgender enter at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, she began seeing the operation for what it really was: an abusive, predatory operation that confused youth, destroyed their identity, while chemically castrating and physically mutilating their bodies.

Transgender Clinics facilitate mass abuse, lifelong damage to adolescents

The sole purpose of the Transgender Clinic was to treat, treat, treat kids with gender dysphoria as soon as possible. The treatments were not centered on helping the child realize and accept their true birth gender. The treatments were designed to chemically alter their birth gender and cause further confusion about who they really are.

Jamie Reed brought into the Clinic around a thousand distressed young people. Immediately, they were handed hormone prescriptions that caused further distress, never addressing the underlying psychological and emotional issues that the teens faced. Jamie saw with her eyes the side effects and life-altering consequences of these prescriptions. In many cases, the youth were permanently sterilized.

I left the clinic in November of last year because I could no longer participate in what was happening there, Jamie writes. By the time I departed, I was certain that 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.

Jamie witnessed an explosion in new gender dysphoria cases after 2015. More teenage girls were coming to the clinics declaring themselves transgender and demanding immediate testosterone treatments. Jamie said there was a lack of formal protocols for treatment. The counselors on the floor were ignored and the physician co-directors became the sole authority, affirming gender dysphoria and pushing puberty blockers on children.

When she started at the center, she received about ten calls per month. By the time she left, the number of kids seeking puberty blockers and synthetic hormones exploded to 50  70 cases per month. Jamie said many of their underlying health conditions were ignored, from depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, obesity, and autism.

Transgender Clinics do not provide adequate informed consent, prey on vulnerable youth with lies and mutilation

When Jamie questioned the use of hormones and surgery for any child, she was quickly derided by her peers as being a transphobe. These case workers and therapists only had to see patients once or twice before they gave the green light for a full transition of the patients anatomy. The directors created letter templates that made it easier for the therapists to recommend a full gender transition. Once the endocrinologist received the letter of recommendation, they were forced to prescribe synthetic hormones to begin the patients transition. The Center did not provide adequate informed consent about the hormone treatments, about the lifelong impacts of infertility and the mood changes that disrupt everyday life.

One of their treatments for boys is bicalutamide. This drug feminizes their bodies and causes breast growth. It also causes liver toxicity that can be life threatening. The testosterone treatment for girls thins the vaginal tissues and can cause the vaginal canal to rip wide open, causing life threatening bleeds and warranting emergency surgeries. Most young girls who are given testosterone end up on blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, and usually develop sleep apnea, and diabetes.

Many of the teens that came into the Transgender Clinic were already self-diagnosing themselves with psychiatric problems that they didnt actually have, whether it be Tourette syndrome, tic disorders, bipolar disorder, multiple personalities, etc. The doctors at the clinic privately recognized that these false self-diagnoses were due to social contagion, social pressures, social conditioning, and emotional issues that sought to be validated and psychological hysterias and childhood experiences that sought to be affirmed.

Jamie also saw an influx of young patients who were deeply disturbed, who had suffered through several childhood traumas. Instead of addressing the actual issues that these children were going through, the therapists often gave the green light for gender transitions as the solution to all their problems.

Left untreated, gender dysphoria has any number of consequences, from self-harm to suicide, the Center claims on their website. This message alone proves that these Transgender Centers are violently coercive. The Centers condemn patients to psychological demise and certain death if they do not go through with puberty blockers, synthetic hormones and surgeries.

This is a hopeless message. This is medical malpractice. This is a blatant and coercive lie!

Sources include:

TheFP.com

StLouisChildrens.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Environmentalist and public health and safety advocate Erin Brockovich took to Twitter this week to address the train derailment in Ohio, which she called very serious.

As she continues to gather information about what transpired, Brockovich is urging those who live in and around East Palestine to trust their gut instinct about what to do next.

What I will say is this, Brockovich wrote. Trust your eyes, ears and nose and get the hell out of there if your senses are telling you too [sic].

Famous for her successful 1993 groundwater contamination lawsuit against the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), which was the subject of the Oscar-winning film Erin Brockovich (2000), Brockovich is calling on the Biden regime to do more for the residents of East Palestine.

The Biden administration needs to get more involved in this #PalestineOhio train derailment now, she wrote in a separate tweet. We are counting on you to break the chain of administration after administration to turn a blind eye.

In 2016, Brockovich and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) wrote a letter to the EPA petitioning for a federal Maximum Contaminant Level for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

This is why people dont trust government, Brockovich further wrote in condemnation of the governments duplicitous messaging concerning the controlled burn of the derailed trains hazardous chemicals cars.

You cannot tell people that there has been and continues to be hazardous pollutants contaminating the environment while at the same time saying all is well.'

Sparks and flames seen beneath train just minutes before it derailed

Residents of East Palestine and nearby communities cannot rely on the authorities to help them, Brockovich maintains.

Superman isnt coming but youre there, is how she put it in another tweet. Trust your instincts. Document everything you see. Band together as a community & demand answers. Organize a citizens committee. Demand a town hall. Keep the eyes of the nation on this.

Residents of East Palestine did end up getting their town hall meeting, which was scheduled at 7pm on Wednesday, February 14. There was also a press conference in which the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) referenced video footage showing sparks and flames coming from underneath the Norfolk Southern train before it derailed.

Problems with the trains rail car axles, explained NTSB board member Michael Graham, more than likely contributed to its derailment. A hotbox detector in nearby Salem picked up problems resulting in an alert being issued, which was then handled with an emergency brake application.

Presently, the NTSB is reviewing the trains data and audio recordings in order to examine the cause of the derailment and which hotbox detector indicated a mechanical error preceding the accident, reports indicate. The NTSB is expected to issue a preliminary report on its findings within 30 days.

We currently know that 50 of the more than 100 cars on the train derailed, and 20 of those were carrying hazardous chemicals. Of those, 10 were detailed and five were found to contain pressurized vinyl chloride, a highly flammable carcinogenic gas.

The disaster could have been averted had the United States Department of Transportation (DoT) not approved a rule expanding the scope of hazardous materials that are allowed to be transported by train.

The rule made it permissible for liquefied natural gas to be shipped by train without additional safety regulations, reports explain. This enables freight trains to transport 100 more tank cars with up to 30,000 gallons of the natural gas extracted from shale fields.

Keep in mind that the very same government now pushing to outlaw gas stoves for public health reasons paved the way for this disaster to occur with its failed transport policies for hazardous chemicals.

The latest news about the environmental catastrophe in East Palestine can be found at Disaster.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

WFMJ.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Eastern Europe is not quite gay enough for the leadership of the European Union (EU), which is pushing to LGBT-ify countries like Poland and Hungary against their will.

The EU Commission is planning to implement a European parenthood certificate that has the potential to force all member states to accept surrogacy and same-sex marriage as established institutions.

The stated goal of the EU Initiative is to ensure that parenthood, as established in one EU country, is recognised across the EU, so that children maintain their rights in cross-border situations, in particular when their families travel or move within the EU.

Eastern Europe is still largely normal compared to the gay-ified West, which includes Western Europe. So, in order to synthesize sexual deviancy across the bloc, the EU is hoping to force Poland and Hungary into compliance through this new certificate scheme.

The introduction of a new legal category, parenthood, which goes beyond the current terminology of filiation, does have an impact on family domestic law, said Vincenzo Bassi, president of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE).

Beyond the declared intention of not interfering with Member States family law, this scenario would put the Commissions proposal in contradiction with Art. 9 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, stating that The right to marry and the right to found a family shall be guaranteed in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of these rights.'

(Related: Pope Francis, one of Barack Obamas buddies, is a strong proponent of LGBT marriage; homosexuals are children of god.)

Poland, Hungary to veto EUs forced same-sex marriage and surrogacy scheme

FAFCE says it is gravely concerned about the de facto recognition of the practice of surrogacy in the initiative, which violates both the fundamental rights and bodily integrity of women used as surrogate mothers, but also the rights of the child, who can in this way become a victim of human trafficking.

Indeed, the above-said initiative of the European Commission, if approved, would automatically extend the legal effects of the filiation to all types of parenthood legally acquired in one Member State, including through surrogacy, in all EU Member-States uniformly, the group indicated in a press release.

While the European Commissions proposal presents the childs best interest as a pillar of its proposal, the inclusion of surrogacy as one of the areas addressed is against these very best interests.

In order to be officially passed into law, the same-sex scheme must first be adopted by the Council of the EU through a unanimous vote of all 27 member states following a consultation with the European Parliament. Since Poland and Hungary are planning to veto it, the proposal is already dead in the water  at least for now.

Poland, Hungary, and other European countries that are much more conservative than the EU may want to think twice about their membership in this unelected-globalist-run pseudo-government.

Any nation now a member of the EU should exit ASAP unless they wish to be ruled by Klaus Schwabs WEF / NWO mentality, one commenter wrote about the matter. Freedom is non-existent with them & each member desiring to remain will lose their national identity & history moving forward.

The article, in a unique manner, explains what all of thisLGBTQ, gender neutrality, parent No. 1, parent No. 2, transgenderism, postgenderism, transhumanism, posthumanism, singularity  is all about: the attempt to remove our humanity by first removing our identity, so that we can be more easily manipulated, controlled, and robotized, wrote another. Thats whats going on.

More related news about the globalist push to turn everything LGBT can be found at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The city council of Eugene, Oregon voted to ban natural gas hookups in new residential constructions that are three stories or less  becoming the first city in the Beaver State to do so.

In a 5-3 vote, the council agreed on the ban that would then take effect on June 30. It followed two years of debate and the city council rejecting offers to put the ordinance on the ballot on May 2023. Concerns about climate change and public health, specifically those regarding carbon emissions and air quality hazards, were cited in justification of the ordinance  which does not apply to existing buildings.

Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis lauded the decision, saying: We have a governor who has pledged to build 36,000 new houses a year. We do not want those houses with natural gas hookups, and we can lead the way in the city of Eugene to say This is how its done.'

Councilor Jennifer Yeh, who supported the ban, remarked that they are just getting started. She added that the ordinance is the first step in making Eugene fossil fuel-free. (Related: California bans gas-powered water heaters and furnaces to push green agenda.)

But the ban had been passed amid opposition coming from city residents. Independent research firm DHM found that 70 percent of Eugene residents it surveyed oppose the prohibition on natural gas hookups for new construction. The Lane County Republicans, meanwhile, warned that the ban will worsen the ongoing housing shortage in Eugene and impose prohibitive costs on small businesses already struggling to recover from the pandemic.

Councilor Mike Clark, who voted not to impose the ban, said the prohibition will discourage developers and anger many voters who wanted to express their opposition through the ballot. Western Oregon Builders Association Executive Director Sid Leiken agreed with the councilor.

Our members are committed to helping create the housing our community needs to solve our homelessness and affordability crisis, he told the Epoch Times. We believe that actions like the surprise vote the Eugene councilors took will do little to actually improve our climate, and significantly hurt our local builders ability to create housing that is truly affordable for our neighbors.

Ban on gas stoves a perfect example of green tyranny

According to natural gas provider NW Natural, science does not support the ban. It cited a study that states: Ventilation plays a key role in mitigating cooking-related air emissions that come from both gas and electric stoves. This is why kitchen exhaust has been required for all new homes in Oregon for many years, whether they have gas or electric cooking.

NW Natural supplies natural gas to the homes of more than 2.5 million Oregonians.

The ordinance in Eugene came at a time when news of the Biden administrations plan to ban gas stoves nationwide broke out. The fiasco began when an official from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) remarked that any option is on the table when it comes to regulating gas stoves.

Members of Congress took to social media to express opposition to the plan, including Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX).

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, he tweeted back in January. The Texas congressman concluded his tweet by challenging authorities to come and take it.

Meanwhile, two senators announced a proposal to prevent this from happening. In early February, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act. The bill would prevent the CPSC from using federal funds to outlaw new or existing gas stoves.

Follow GreenTyranny.news for more about city ordinances against climate change.

Watch the video below where a CNN host accidentally reveals real motives for the gas stove ban.

This video is from the Be Children of Light channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

States are emulating Californias clean air mandate by BANNING gas-powered vehicles.

California Greenies ban gas furnaces, water heaters in pursuit of zero carbon emissions.

GREEN GOES STUPID: California to ban sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

Eco-terrorists smash gas pumps, absurdly claim that too much oil and gas will cause global starvation and crop failures.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

KGW.com

PDX.Eater.com

Commerce.Senate.gov

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) In what has become a disturbing trend of increasing government authoritarianism, New York City teachers who refused to get vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) had their fingerprints and personnel files forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by city authorities.

It was apparently seen as an act of potential terrorism for educators in the Big Apple to reject the experimental gene-modifying drugs, which were rushed to market at warp speed by the Trump administration. Those who just said no to these untested drugs were basically treated like criminals behind the scenes.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative legal group defending the affected teachers in court, indicated that the New York Department of Education (DoE) flagged the personnel files of NYC teachers who were fired for refusing covid injection, and assigned them a problem code indicating their non-compliance.

Afterwards, both the files and fingerprints of flagged teachers were sent to the FBI and the New York Criminal Justice Services for evaluation as if they had committed a serious crime requiring an investigation.

Even the Department of Justice received personnel files, fingerprints on unvaccinated workers in NYC

We know that NYCs jab mandate required that all Department of Education employees be fully injected against covid by Sept. 5, 2022. By mid-September of that year, nearly 2,000 employees were fired for non-compliance. (Related: A year prior, thousands of New Yorkers stormed the streets in protest against covid medical fascism.)

Teachers for Choice, a self-described organization comprised of teachers and parents that are 100 percent against forced medical mandates for any American to keep their job, especially educators, confirmed that teachers fingerprints are sent with that flag to the FBI and the New York Criminal Justice Services (NYCJS).

The job of the NYCJS is to maintain criminal history records and fingerprint files and perform background checks for employment and licensure.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) apparently also received copies of the flagged personnel files, according to Teachers for Choice. Attorney John Bursch from ADF defending the terminated NYC workers in a February 8 court hearing.

Refusing a shot makes you a deep state target in todays America, is how one report put it. So much for the land of the free.

In the comments, someone suggested perhaps a class action lawsuit is also needed to get this cancer cut out of the body  the cancer being the covid terrorists who created the shots and unleashed them, leading to their being mandated in some areas.

We need some lawyers who are not bent to do pro bono work, this person added. Sue New York and the FBI. I knew this was going to be bad when they announced that the drug companies would not be held liable. Huge red flag.

Others pointed out that the government and Big Pharma are clearly in bed with one another, otherwise none of this would have been possible in the first place.

Big Pharma is the largest lobbying entity in DC, one said. Is it any wonder the politicians are supporting this poison? They are getting millions in bribes and campaign donations.

Because most Americans are unfamiliar with the type of tyranny from which our founders fled, it is difficult for many of them to comprehend how serious it is that we nip this issue in the bud, suggested someone else.

A nation that has always had their freedom from birth will never realize when their rights are being taken from them until its too late. Because weve never experienced tyranny and communism, we think it will never happen to us. The Republic falls apart when the People are uninvolved, silenced by fear, or just dont care.

The latest news about covid vaccines can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) If you believe that there are only two varieties of humans, male and female, then you are now an enemy of the state in Canada.

Sixteen-year-old Josh Alexander of Ontario learned this the hard way last November when he was suspended from St. Josephs Catholic High School for stating during a classroom discussion that there are only two genders, which is a scientific fact.

I got suspended for comments made during a class discussion, Alexander told the media. It was about male students using female washrooms, gender dysphoria and male breastfeeding. Everyone was sharing their opinions on it; any student who wanted to was participating, including the teacher.

I said there were only two genders and you were born either a male or a female and that got me into trouble. And then I said that gender doesnt trump biology.

Alexander made it clear during the classroom discussion that he believes as he does due to his Christian faith. One would think that especially at a Catholic school, freedom of religion would be honored  but not in Alexanders case.

In order to continue attending classes following the discussion, Alexander was told that he must agree not to dead name his so-called transgender classmates  this means referring to them not by their actual names but rather by their made-up fake gender names  and to no longer attend any classes with said trans classmates.

I walked into one of my classes, I sat down and everyone looked pretty surprised to see me there, Alexander said about his return to the school, which was met with hostility and a call to the police. Within two minutes, the vice-principal was in the classroom asking me to leave.

I think I used to be seen as a Christian kid following my beliefs, but now apparently Im the rebel. The school knows Im not trying to be a problematic kid. The police know that as well. They didnt even put me in cuffs when they arrested me. They know that I wasnt actually a threat to anybody.

Josh Alexanders lawyer says his clients experience constitutes religious discrimination

The fact that this is all taking place at a Catholic school, which should be a safe haven for Christians and their Christian beliefs, is nothing short of shocking. It just goes to show that the trans cults ideologies are invading every institution, even those that should be bastions of truth.

Meanwhile, a teacher at another Catholic school in Ontario, St. Annes Elementary School on Toronto, openly showed off a prayer table featuring a rainbow LGBT Pride flag and depictions of Jesus Christ as a half-man, half-human transgender  perhaps the ultimate form of blasphemy.

When someone on Twitter by the handle @ChanLPfa called out Severn Avenue Public School in Ottawa for plastering a classroom with a giant sexual orientation & gender identity flag, a Mr. De Buono who teaches at St. Annes Elementary School responded with:

Because, @ChanLPfa, Ss should see themselves reflected, & because we need to dismantle systemic homophobia & transphobia, in our schools & classrooms.

Thats why my prayer table in a Catholic school in Toronto includes at times a Pride flag & inclusive images of Jesus & Mary.

De Buono has a history of controversy at his school, having previously ordered a local priest to obey certain woke rules when entering his classroom.

When you visit my classroom, you are not permitted to make comments that marriage is only for a male-female couple, that there are only two genders, and that only males can be priests, De Buono said, adding that you are not permitted to make negative comments about the Pride images or the non-cisgender image of Jesus.

The latest news about the spread of religious persecution throughout the West can be found at Revelations.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A train derailment in East Palestine in Ohio on Feb. 3 has led to an environmental disaster that could pose long-term health risks. But the mainstream media doesnt seem to care.

While the accident had no fatalities, five of the 10 train cars were found to contain pressurized vinyl chloride  a highly flammable carcinogenic gas. This caused a massive fire that prompted an evacuation order for 2,000 nearby residents and a shelter-in-place order for the rest of the community. Also, recent data showed that there were more toxic chemicals than originally reported. Among the substances were ethylene glycol mono butyl ether and ethylhexyl acrylate. Isobutylene was also found in the rail cars that got derailed.

Independent media outlet InfoWars said the magnitude of this story has been scrubbed from public view as local testimonies paint a drastically different picture compared to the official narrative tailored by officials who assured residents that the situation is under control.

According to Rebecca Terrell, host of the New American Live, residents are accusing the media and government of conducting a cover-up as reporting on the disaster has been minimal. Evan Lambert of News Nation was arrested as he attempted to cover the crisis, she noted.

Lambert was giving a live report for Rush Hour at an elementary schools gymnasium in East Palestine when he was told by law enforcement personnel at the news conference to be quiet because Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine had started speaking.

The journalist wrapped up the live report, but was then asked to leave by authorities. This led to a heated conversation and Lambert being forcibly removed from the event. A video played during Terrels program showed Lambert being pinned to the ground by authorities.

Also, the Tiktok account @nickdrom posted a video on the platform on the current situation in the area. This hasnt been getting a lot of coverage and the coverage that has been getting hasnt been very good, he began the clip. He also said that the vinyl chloride found at the crash site is used to make PVC. So, vinyl chloride is really toxic, he added that following the derailment, theres maybe a million pounds of this toxic chemical spilling into the ground and also boiling off into the air.

Worse, he said, the reporting is really bad because no one is mentioning that a byproduct of vinyl chloride burning is hydrogen chloride (HCL), which is really unstable and latches onto water like the water vapor in the atmosphere, and turns into hydrochloric acid. (Related: Drums of hydrochloric acid were found dumped in the ocean, at a location with sensitive biodiversity.)

Both governors of Pennsylvania and Ohio are calling the burning off the million pounds of this stuff a success, but not mentioning that it means that we have hundreds of thousands of pounds of acid in the air, he said.

Meanwhile, authorities advised residents that it is already safe to return to the area. But they fear that their animals and water sources were exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Dont tell me its safe. Something is going on if the fish are floating in the creek, Cathey Reese, who lives in Negley, Ohio, told NBC affiliate WPXI of Pittsburgh. She said she saw dead fish in a stream that flows through her backyard.

Jenna Giannios, 39, a wedding photographer in nearby Boardman, said she has had a persistent cough for the past week and a half. She has been drinking bottled water and she is uncomfortable bathing in water from the bathroom spigot.

Driver killed, hazardous materials found as train and truck collide in Texas

A truck driver died and 21 freight train cars were derailed when an 18-wheeler truck and a Union Pacific train collided in the northeast of Houston, Texas. Hazardous materials (hazmat) from the train cargo were found, prompting the transport company to monitor air quality at the site of the crash.

According to Lt. Troy Teller of the Splendora Police Department, the crash happened at 7:30 a.m. on February 13 along Interstate 69/U.S. 59, between the towns of Splendora and Cleveland. As per a social media post by the East Montgomery County Fire Department, the driver of the truck died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Just hours later, another train got derailed in Enoree, South Carolina. There were no reported fatalities and it was not clear if the train carried hazmats.

Visit Chemicals.news to learn more about harmful chemicals present in the environment.

Watch the full episode of the New American Live with Rebecca Terrell below.

This video is from the New American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

MSM begins to panic: People dont trust us. They dont believe us.

Toxic chemicals in the environment are making children dumber.

EPA to designate two forever chemicals as hazardous substances.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ABCNews.go.com

InfoWars.com

NewsNationNow.com

NBCNews.com
(Natural News) A man who killed three people and wounded five others on the campus of Michigan State University before killing himself earlier this week would not have legally been allowed to own a firearm at the time of the incident if not for a left-wing progressive prosecutor dropping prior felony gun charges against him.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, Anthony McRae was charged in June 2019 with illegally carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, but later had those charges dismissed by the office of Ingham County district attorney Carol Siemon (D.). Her office instead let McRae plead guilty to a lesser misdemeanor gun charge, and he served a little more than a year on probation, which ended May 2021.

The Detroit News added that McRae not only would have lost his gun ownership rights but he would have faced five years in prison for the felony charge  meaning he would not have even been able to walk onto the Michigan State campus in the first place.

Siemon retired from her position as district attorney earlier this year after she faced relentless criticism from law enforcement officials and judges over her refusal to uphold laws and put people who belonged in jail behind bars. So she really does have blood on her hands over McRaes crime.

The same year the shooter was released, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth pressured East Lansings city council to reconsider her internal felony firearm charging policy, which he noted does not hold people properly criminally accountable, and increases the likelihood of additional gun violence.

In August 2021, Siemon made it official policy within her office to dismiss mandatory prison sentences for felony firearms charges, claiming that the sentencing enhancement led to dramatic racial inequity and was not in any way linked to the goal that we share of keeping the public safe.

To be sure, these sentencing enhancements, which were widely adopted by jurisdictions around the country and dropped by many other George Soros-funded DAs in leftist cities, were never enacted due to racism or because city councils wanted to put more people of color behind bars. They were literally enacted as a public safety measure, so when progressive DAs like Siemon claim they are getting rid of them to make the public safer, they are literally lying; their motives are purely ideological, and public safety be damned.

Siemon is part of George Soross vast public safety network. She has participated in international criminal justice reform junkets with other reform-minded prosecutors like Philadelphias Larry Krasner (D.), Chicagos Kim Foxx (D.), and Los Angeless George Gascon. She also backed radical San Francisco prosecutor Chesa Boudin (D.) ahead of a recall campaign that eventually ousted him from office last year, the Free Beacon noted further.

The Ingham County Prosecutors Office noted in a statement that in 2019, McCraes offense would not have landed him the legal maximum prison sentence if the case had been pursued.

Even if he were convicted by a jury of the original charge, Anthony McRae would not have been recommended for a jail or prison sentence, the office said. The sentencing guideline score would have been the same if he had been convicted of either the original charge (Carrying a Concealed Weapon) or the offense for which he was convicted (carrying a firearm in a vehicle).

Thats because of Siemons dropping the gun enhancement.

Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, told the Free Beacon that progressive prosecutors such as Ms. Siemon continue to value reducing the incarcerated population over their duty to protect the public by enforcing the law.

She is not a legislator, she is not a judge, and she is making our community unsafe, Michigan Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said of the former DA.

Sources include:

FreeBeacon.com

DetroitNews.com
(Natural News) For podcaster Michael Boldin, actions speak louder than words. He urged Americans to pay attention to people who claim to protect the Second Amendment, but are actually doing the opposite.

We have to pay attention not just to the people proposing the new stuff, he said during the Feb. 13 episode of his Path to Liberty podcast. But we also have to pay attention to the people who claim to protect the Second Amendment.

Boldin, the founder and executive director of the Tenth Amendment Center, was referring to certain lawmakers with his comment. These lawmakers behind the scenes claim they support the right to keep and bear arms, but are really giving the green light for gun control in America.

According to him, Americans are facing constant pressure from gun control advocates in Congress and at the White House. Boldin warned of executive orders and proposed bills that seek to disarm Americans, adding that alleged pro-Second Amendment politicians who pass bills to empower the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are on the same level as those directly proposing gun control.

These politicians seek to create a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary or protection against federal gun control enforcement, but are really creating loopholes in their legislation that is absolute garbage and a green light for Washington to grab peoples lawfully obtained guns. (Related: Texas senator files measure to turn entire state into a gun sanctuary, nullifying ALL federal gun control laws and Dem attempts to subvert the Second Amendment.)

He then shared advice from James Madison, Founding Father and former president, on how to defeat federal programs. One way to do so is by individual states refusing to cooperate with officers of the Union. If several states adopt the approach, it would create an environment the federal government would hardly be willing to encounter.

Missouri passed its Second Amendment Preservation Act

Boldin lauded the passage of HB 85, or the Second Amendment Preservation Act, in Missouri. It was signed into law in June 2021 by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican.

He said the people of Missouri are banning the enforcement of all kinds of federal gun control, past, present and future, and several law enforcement agencies throughout the state have already started severing ties with the ATF,

Boldin said Arizona is taking a softer approach but is doing something similar to Missouri with regard to the Second Amendment. Montana is doing limited and similar things, but it is very straightforward in not participating in the enforcement of gun control.

The Path to Liberty podcast host also cited the Utah House of Representatives passing the Federal Firearm Enforcement Limitation Act. The bills title implied that the Beehive State is going to limit, restrict, champion and cut down on federal enforcement or enforcement of federal gun control on a state level.

Follow SecondAmendment.news for more about the attacks on the right to keep and bear arms.

Watch the full Feb. 13 episode of Path to Liberty below.

This video is from the Tenth Amendment Center channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Leftist Democrats condemn pro-gun sanctuaries after years of protecting illegal immigrants: Is this the spark that will trigger Americas breakup?

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz introduces bill to abolish ATF after agency deems pistol braces illegal

Unconstitutional: Government pushing for gun laws that brazenly contradict Second Amendment rights.

Second Amendment sanctuaries now expanding into Kentucky as movement goes nationwide; Americans will NOT be enslaved by anti-gun Governors who violate the Constitution.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Governor.MO.gov
(Natural News) Pfizers rigged 2020 trial of its Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine was riddled with conflicts of interest, according to the Canadian COVID Care Alliance (CCCA).

The CCCA presented its analysis in a December 2021 presentation reposted by mRNA vaccine technology inventor Dr. Robert Malone. According to investigative journalist Kanekoa The Great, Malone reposting the presentation led him to be permanently banned from Twitter.

First, the group pointed out how Pfizer had inadequate control groups in the trial. The said trial deliberately excluded those with natural immunity, which led Kanekoa to remark: It is very telling that Pfizer did not want to compare the safety and efficacy of [its COVID-19] vaccines to natural immunity.

The group remarked that Pfizer only observed two groups  those unexposed and injected with the vaccine and those unexposed and unvaccinated. Two control groups should have been included  those exposed and vaccinated, and those exposed and un-injected  so that the vaccine could have been compared to natural immunity.

Moreover, Kanekoa mentioned that Pfizer introduced a high level of subjectivity by leaving it up to the discretion of the investigators whether to test participants for COVID-19 or not. The investigative journalist cited the CCCAs presentation stating that the New York-based drug giant told investigators to test only those with a COVID-19 symptoms. The study investigators were then allowed to use their discretion to decide what those symptoms were.

This means that asymptomatic infection would be missed and a high level of subjectivity was introduced to the study. An investigator had the ability to sway the results. The lack of objective, systematic testing makes results unreliable. (Related: Pfizer appears to have committed fraud, and if it can be proven in court then the company will be liable for ALL injuries and deaths caused by its covid vaccines.)

Conflicts of interest abound in Pfizer clinical trial studies

Aside from the rigged method of testing, the Pfizer clinical trial studies  which were used as a basis for granting the injections an emergency use approval (EUA)  were filled with conflicts of interest.

The CCCA mentioned that Dr. Eric Rubin serves as the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the journal that published Pfizers trial reports. Rubin is also a member of the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee. He voted in favor of approving the injections for children aged between five and 11 years old.

Were never going to learn about how safe this vaccine is unless we start giving it. Thats just the way it goes, he said. I do think we should vote to approve it.

Rubin was not the only individual involved that had a conflict of interest. The CCCA pointed out that two executives of the German company BioNTech  Pfizers partner in developing its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine  were the authors of the study that looked at the vaccine six months after injection. BioNTech CEO Dr. Ugur Sahin and BioNTech Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ozlem Tureci, who are married to each other, saw their stock value increase by $9 billion due to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Aside from Sahin and Tureci, the other researchers involved in the study were  either employed by Pfizer, own stock in Pfizer, have gotten grants from Pfizer, have been hired as consultants by Pfizer, or have run clinical trials for Pfizer. Only five authors did not have conflicts of interest, and none of them were named as main authors.

Pfizer is making more than $33.5 billion from their COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 alone. Their agenda is their shareholders, and their bottom line is not public health, Kanekoa said.

Over the years, Pfizer has been found to have engaged in many criminal activities. They have paid billions in fines and settlements for their repeated criminal actions over the last few decades.

Watch this clip of whistleblower Brook Jackson, who exposed data integrity issues in Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine trial.

This video is from the Suzie Etc- Search for Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FASCISM IN ACTION: Multiple FDA committee members who green-lighted Pfizer vaccines for children have financial ties to Pfizer.

Conflict of interest: PR firm representing Moderna and Pfizer is also working with the CDC to push vaccine propaganda.

Conflict of interest: Two Pfizer directors have links to mainstream media, Big Tech.

Sources include:

Kanekoa.Substack.com

CanadianCOVIDCareAlliance.org [PDF]

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) As regulators start to crack down on cryptocurrency, spooked investors are pulling back significantly amid a backdrop of great uncertainty.

Until recently, regulators had not interfered much in the crypto industry. However, they have recently started cutting off access to services and products that are essential for the digital currency business.

This week, regulators in New York stopped new issues of BUSD, the worlds third-biggest stablecoin, amid an ongoing probe. This led investors to flee the U.S. dollar-pegged coin and is causing major concerns about the future of the crypto exchange Binance; the B in the name Binance comes from the BUSD stable coin.

Paxos Trust Co., who partners with Binance in issuing the BUSD coin, is now facing a possible lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC fined a different major crypto exchange a few days earlier, Kraken, and required it to pull its popular crypto yield product off the market for American investors. They agreed to shell out $30 million in civil penalties but did not admit to any wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, crypto lending firm Nexo Capital announced it would be shutting down its yield-bearing Earn Interest product for American customers, citing a $45 million settlement in January with the SEC.

Meanwhile, banking regulators have been encouraging banks to distance themselves from crypto customers, which will make it more difficult for them to use traditional finances. Some banks have already started pulling back from connections to cryptocurrency.

These moves represent a dramatic change from the crypto regulatory landscape in recent years, which has been marked with a lot of debate about how to handle the industry and very little in the way of actual investigations and actions.

It is largely believed that the collapse of the FTX crypto exchange led to a change in attitude and reinvigorated regulators and politicians in their desire to crack down on the industry. As a result, crypto executives are now preparing themselves for more investigations and lawsuits. Savvy investors are moving away from any investments that they believe could be the target of an investigation.

Blockchain data provider Nansen reported there were $2.7 billion worth of outflows from Binance between Sunday and Monday; on Monday morning, $144 million of BUSD were redeemed for dollars. Paxos stated that it does not agree with the SECs position that the coin must comply with federal securities regulations.

BNB and Bitcoin dropping

BNB, the Binance in-house token, dropped 8 percent on Monday; this coin is widely considered a gauge of how investors are perceiving Binance.

The situation is also affecting Bitcoin, which is now down by 9 percent from its February 1 price, trading at around $21,621 on Monday afternoon.

These recent actions indicate that regulators are specifically looking to crack down on stablecoins and staking, which allows investors to earn interest on cryptocurrency. Past enforcement actions by the SEC gave investors the impression that smaller players were being targeted, prompting many to deal with bigger names in the industry that were perceived as less risky. This fell apart, however, when the trading platform FTX failed, spurring a run on customer deposits that led it to bankruptcy.

Crypto legal advisor and former regulator Coy Garrison, a partner at Steptoe & Johnson, told the Wall Street Journal: There is a political incentive to bring bigger cases post-FTX to be viewed as the responsible cop on the beat.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said he will fight the SEC should they attack how the cryptocurrency exchange platform offers staking, tweeting: We will happily defend this in court if needed.

Sources for this article include:

WSJ.com

CoinTelegraph.com
(Natural News) A new scientific review raises additional questions over the science behind the mask mandates imposed on the population for years. The new scientific review by 12 researchers from leading universities found little support for the claims that masks reduced Covid exposures. My interest in the story, as usual, focuses on free speech. Numerous experts were suspended or banned for challenging these very claims and the media labeled any such critics as dangerous or fringe figures. Regardless of your ultimate conclusions on the efficacy of masks, there was clearly a scientific basis to challenge the mask policies. Yet, many people were routinely censored on Twitter and other platforms for daring to challenge the official position on masks.

(Article republished from JonathanTurley.org)

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) initially rejected the use of a mask mandate. However, the issue became a political weapon as politicians and the press claimed that questioning masks was anti-science and even unhinged. In April 2020, the CDC reversed its position and called for the masking of the entire population, including children as young as 2 years old. The mask mandate and other pandemic measures like the closing of schools are now cited as fueling emotional and developmental problems in children.

The closing of schools and businesses was also challenged by some critics as unnecessary. Many of those critics were also censored. It now appears that they may have been right. Many countries did not close schools and did not experience increases in Covid. However, we are now facing alarming drops in testing scores and alarming rises in medical illness among the young.

Masks became a major social and political dividing line in politics and the media. Maskless people were chased from stores and denounced in Congress. Then-CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said during a Senate hearing that face masks are the most important powerful health tool we have.

However, the new publication reaffirms earlier studies and states that a new scientific review suggests that widespread masking may have done little to nothing to curb the transmission of COVID. It added that wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness/COVID-like illness (nine studies; 276,917 people); and probably makes little or no difference in how many people have flu/COVID confirmed by a laboratory test (six studies; 13,919 people).

It also found little evidence of a difference from wearing better masks and that wearing N95/P2 respirators probably makes little to no difference in how many people have confirmed flu (five studies; 8407 people); and may make little to no difference in how many people catch a flu-like illness (five studies; 8407 people), or respiratory illness (three studies; 7799 people).

Again, I expect that these studies will be debated for years. That is a good thing. There are questions raised over the types of studies used and whether randomized studies are sufficient. The point is only that there were countervailing indicators on mask efficacy and a basis to question the mandates. Yet, there was no real debate because of the censorship supported by many Democratic leaders in social media. To question such mandates was declared a public health threat.

The head of the World Health Organization even supported censorship to combat what he called an infodemic.

A lawsuit was filed by Missouri and Louisiana and joined by leading experts, including Drs. Jayanta Bhattacharya (Stanford University) and Martin Kulldorff (Harvard University).

Bhattacharya previously objected to the suspension of Dr. Clare Craig after she raised concerns about Pfizer trial documents. Those doctors were the co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for a more focused Covid response that targeted the most vulnerable population rather than widespread lockdowns and mandates. Many are now questioning the efficacy and cost of the massive lockdown as well as the real value of masks or the rejection of natural immunities as an alternative to vaccination. Yet, these experts and others were attacked for such views just a year ago. Some found themselves censored on social media for challenging claims of Dr. Fauci and others.

The media has quietly acknowledged the science questioning mask efficacy and school closures without addressing its own role in attacking those who raised these objections. Even raising the lab theory on the origin of Covid 19 (a theory now treated as plausible) was denounced as a conspiracy theory. The science and health reporter for the New York Times, Apoorva Mandavilli, even denounced the theory as racist.

In the meantime, California has moved to potentially strip doctors of their licenses for spreading dissenting views on Covid.

The latest review will not conclusively answer the scientific questions around mask efficacy, but it should answer any lingering questions over the harm of censorship. We never had a serious debate because of the government-corporate-media alliance to snuff out dissenting views on pandemic policies. The result may have been avoidable emotional, economic, and social harm to the population as a whole.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
(Natural News) Scientist and professor Steven Starr believes the U.S. is already in a World War III situation.

I think that we are in WWIII, he told Hrvoje Moric of the Geopolitics & Empire podcast on Feb. 9. I would say that we are already, but the real shooting between the U.S. and Russia  their military forces  havent started yet.

According to Moric, the Russia-Ukraine war is a proxy war between the East and West. Russia and its allies, which represent the East, are going after the West in the form of the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

We are in a de facto nuclear WWIII scenario, he said. I continue to hear more and more forecasts by military and media from both sides discussing the inevitability of WWIII, tactical mini-nukes, red lines and so forth.

Starr then remarked that the U.S. has been pushing the use of surveillance using satellites and Boeing E-3 Sentry planes to provide targeting information to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Had the U.S. and NATO refused to send weapons to Ukraine, the war would have ended a month after the Russians sent forces to the Donbas region in February 2022.

The expert on nuclear war added that hundreds of thousands have already been killed since the conflict began last year  a war crime in itself.

US, Russia to fight nuclear war with drones

According to Starr, the U.S. and Russia have not yet started a direct military conflict. However, drone strikes had already happened twice at the Russian Engels-2 military air base. The coordinates of the air base, where Moscow stations its strategic nuclear bombers, came from U.S. satellites.

He mentioned that the incident can be considered an attack on Russian military installations, constituting an act of war even if the U.S. does not want it. Starr also remarked that he wouldnt be surprised if America had supplied the drones to Ukraine as well.

According to the erstwhile director of the University of Missouris clinical laboratory science program, the leaders of the federal government in Washington, D.C. are wrapped up in their own propaganda. They are uninformed about the realities of nuclear war and are too confident that they can win a nuclear war against Russia. (Related: Russia deploys doomsday nuclear ocean drones as global economic MELTDOWN looms.)

I can explain that they have no qualms about getting to the point where they put American and NATO military forces in western Ukraine because they think Russia wont dare to attack them, Starr said. Thats when push might come to shove as far as the direct military conflict is concerned.

Moric agreed with his guests remarks, calling British and American officials pushing for direct war with Russia as crazy.

Watch the full Feb. 9 edition of the Geopolitics & Empire podcast with Steven Starr below.

This video is from the Geopolitics & Empire channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia warns that NATOs proxy war in Ukraine poses serious, real threat of NUCLEAR war.

Clear and present danger: Putin warns NUCLEAR WAR is definitely coming if NATO continues to attack.

World War III has already begun, but the truth is being withheld from the public until the very last moment.

West dead set on hastening start of World War III after approving heavy tanks for Ukraine.

Russia warns: Worlds nuclear-armed states on the verge of direct armed conflict.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NuclearFamine.org
South Africa: President extends appreciation to DP for his support

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his appreciation and gratitude to Deputy President David Mabuza who has indicated his wish to step down from his position.

Replying to the State of the Nation Address Debate on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said that he is attending to the Deputy Presidents request.

I wish to extend my appreciation to Deputy President David Mabuza for his unwavering support over the last five years. Deputy President Mabuza has indicated his wish to step down from his position, a request that we are attending to."

The President lauded Mabuza for ably leading the South African National AIDS Council and extensive engagements with military veterans and traditional leaders.

He highlighted that the Deputy President has supported peace building efforts in South Sudan and led processes around land reform, among other things.

President Ramaphosa further extended his appreciation to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers, Directors-General, Advisers and Presidency staff for their hard work and support.

Mabuza has been South Africas Deputy President since February 2018.

National Health Insurance (NHI)

Meanwhile, during his reply to the SONA debate, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed governments commitment to the provision of quality health care for all, regardless of their ability to pay.

We will therefore progressively implement the National Health Insurance as soon as the necessary legislation is approved by Parliament. In the meantime, we are preparing for its implementation through the national quality improvement plan and putting in place the necessary staff and funding, the President said.

The President said government is improving the quality of care in clinics through the Ideal Clinic programme.

Using the capabilities of the electronic vaccination record system developed for COVID-19, he said the Department of Health will introduce an Electronic Health Record solution to improve management of health records.

As the country and the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, government is strengthening the fight against the HIV pandemic.

While we have made remarkable progress in fighting HIV, as well as TB, new infections are still occurring at unacceptable rates and we continue to record deaths that could have been prevented.

We are also working to combat non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer, he said.

The President emphasised that government is paying greater attention to mental health. According to the World Health Organisation, around one in five South Africans suffer from mental health disorders.

Our starting point must be to raise awareness and combat stigma around mental health, so that people are able to seek and receive mental health services. Beyond that, we need to dedicate more resources and qualified professionals to the provision of such services, he said.

Infrastructure

Responding to the poor state of much of the countrys infrastructure, President Ramaphosa emphasised that building beyond the crisis also means rebuilding the country's infrastructure.

He highlighted that investment in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure has been declining over many years. Since taking office, he said the sixth administration have taken important steps to reverse that trend.

Through Infrastructure South Africa, we have focused on building the capacity within the state to design, prepare and implement infrastructure projects. Through the Infrastructure Fund, we have sought new approaches to funding infrastructure drawing on a diversity of sources.

We are also undertaking structural reforms in energy, water, ports and railways that will enable greater investment in these vital industries. We have significantly increased the budget allocated to infrastructure across government and, as I indicated in SONA, significant road, water, housing and other projects are underway, the President said.

To succeed in all these efforts, the President said there is a need to ensure that the state has the necessary resources, capacity and skills.

We are taking steps to professionalise the public service across all spheres, to ensure the right people are in the right positions, that they are held accountable, and that they are empowered to provide the best possible service to the people, he said.

Further to this, the President has directed all infrastructure and service departments to conduct skills audits within nine months.

These audits must not just tell us what training officials think they require, but must help us understand where critical skills do exist in these departments to effectively deliver infrastructure and services.

The National School of Government will work with other organs of state like the Human Sciences Research Council to conduct these audits, he said.

Climate Change

Building beyond the crisis means addressing the fundamental threat of climate change and strengthening the countrys resilience to future disasters, says President Ramaphosa.

The President reiterated that the ambitious carbon emission targets that have been set are essential to the future well-being and prosperity of the South African people.

Unless we act now, alongside the other countries of the world, our country will experience ever more frequent and ever more severe weather conditions.

More lives will be lost, more people will be displaced, living conditions will worsen, the President said.

Through the work of the Presidential Climate Commission, the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team led by Daniel Mminele, government departments and stakeholders, a clear, just and inclusive path towards a low-carbon economy and society has been developed.

As we work to reduce emissions, we must undertake adaptation measures to counter the effects of climate change and design our cities, towns and rural areas to be more resilient in the face of adverse weather events.

We will be reviewing our disaster management architecture to make sure that it is adequately equipped to respond to floods and other natural disasters going forward, the President said.

Governments priorities

President Ramaphosa has emphasized that governments priorities in 2023 are to decisively resolve the electricity crisis, reduce unemployment and root out corruption and crime.

As government works to resolve many of the challenges facing the country, President Ramaphosa has pleaded with South Africans for support.

It is the job of government to deliver basic services, to protect its citizens from harm, and to create the conditions in which every person can thrive.

That is why, as we work to implement the actions that will restore our countrys promise, I am not asking for your patience.

I am asking for you to support our people as they work with us to address all these challenges. Let us never forget that whatever our challenges, whatever our difference, we all seek the same future for our country. Let us stand together to build that future, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(Natural News) Does Japan have too many old people? Yale University assistant professor of economics Yusuke Narita seems to think so.

Narita has become something of an internet sensation for comments he previously made in support of mass suicide, or mass seppuku, as the solution to Japans elderly problem, which some young people there believe to be a barrier to their economic advancement.

In an interview with an online Japanese news program that aired back in December 2021, Narita explained that a pretty clear solution to dealing with the elderly is to kill them all off with ritual suicide.

Seppuku refers to the ritual suicide of samurai, which historically involved self-disembowelment, reported Business Insider about Naritas suggestion.

Since that time, Narita has appeared in several public appearances and interviews, including with The New York Times.

Last year, a teenager asked Narita to explain his mass seppuku plan, to which he referenced a scene from the 2019 horror film Midsommar in which an elderly person is forced to jump off a cliff.

Whether thats a good thing or not, thats a more difficult question to answer, Narita said to the child.

So if you think thats good, then maybe you can work hard toward creating a society like that. (Related: Canada, the euthanasia capital of the world, wants to medically assist children in dying with dignity.)

Narita referenced his own elderly mother who costs him $755 a month to care for in pushing for mass suicide

Japan currently has the highest proportion of elderly citizens of any country in the world. Its aging over-65 population has been steadily expanding since the 1950s, so much so that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced last month that his country is on the verge of a crisis.

This is the impetus behind Naritas assisted suicide philosophy, which also includes the possibility of mandatory assisted suicide. Narita told the Times that he would like to see the forced suicide of elderly people come up in discussion.

Narita also seems to be upset by having to care for his elderly mother who at the age of 19 suffered an aneurysm. In order to care for her, Narita has to spend about 100,000 yen, the equivalent of $755, per month.

That Narita would use his own mother to push for mass suicide is sickening in and of itself, but it gets worse: his online following of young people is now more than half a million strong.

In 1948, Japan had a eugenics law in place to deal with what was then deemed to be an overpopulation problem. That law backfired, and Japanese politicians are concerned that Naritas sentiments could lead to the imposition of another similar law.

There is also a Eugenics Protection Law in place that allows for voluntary and involuntary sterilizations of people with hereditary diseases, mental illnesses, and intellectual disabilities.

On Twitter, Narita has 550,000 followers. He also regularly appears on online Japanese shows, has been featured on magazine covers, and is also now appearing in an advertisement for energy drinks.

Since gaining this popularity, Narita has softened his tone on the mass suicide issue, claiming that his earlier statements were taken out of context. What Narita is truly concerned about, he says, is the dominance of tycoons in Japan that are holding back the younger generations.

In using terms like mass suicide and mass seppuku, Narita also says these were only intended to be abstract metaphors. Since first using these terms, Narita has changed his vocabulary to be less offensive.

More related news about the globalist push to solve overpopulation with more death can be found at Depopulation.news.

Sources for this article include:

BusinessInsider.com

NaturalNews.com
Another beached whale was discovered on Virginia Beach's shores, adding to the strange deaths that have occurred recently. Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this is the third incident this week.

Between the Lesner Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, officials have deployed Drone 10 to film the animal carcass found on the beach.

The identified North Atlantic right whale is a 20-year-old male, 43 feet long, and up to 70 tons in weight.

School on the Beach

About 30 students from the Environmental Studies program at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, which meets near the area at the Brock Environmental Center, used the beached right whale as a classroom on Monday. Some homeschooled students also showed up to participate in some practical learning.

One of the teachers, Chris Freeman, stated that they prefer to think of the incident as an extension of their classroom and that any chance to create active, hands-on learning is crucial for their students to comprehend what is happening in the world.

Homeschoolers Willa and Amber Petry-Johnson, along with their mother, who also serves as their teacher, were also on the beach.

Willa saw the whale get stranded on the sand. It died, she claimed, because it became stuck.

Student of environmental studies Lexi Bradshaw stated that they must obtain the necropsy report. It will be intriguing to see whether there is any connection between this case and the one before it, she continued.

The whale was not struck by a ship or tangled in fishing line, according to NOAA, which also noted that this is the third whale to become stranded in the area in the past week.

Tuesday is anticipated to see a necropsy. If the strandings are due to a common cause, NOAA has not stated it. How the whale carcass will be handled is still to be discussed.

On Sunday, February 12, WAVY learned of this most recent incident.

Between Chic's Beach and Bay Lake Beach, the right whale got stuck. There is no obvious sign of a cause of death, and there are no signs of entanglement or ship strikes.

Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale

Another student, Molly Jones, pointed out that there are only around 300 to 350 Right Whales left in the world, making it extremely sad when one washes up on the shore.

The IUCN Red List states that the North Atlantic right whale, which was added to the Endangered Species Act's list in 1970, is now critically endangered. Since they moved slowly and floated after being killed, the right whale earned its name as the ideal species for hunters.

There are currently only about 70 breeding females.

Also Read: Stranded Dolphin Swims Out of Canal with Help of Human Chain Formed by 30 People in Florida

Unusual Deaths Since 2017

According to NOAA, an Unusual Mortality Event has been affecting North Atlantic right whales since 2017. The species is vanishing more quickly than it can reproduce.

On behalf of NOAA Fisheries Services, the City of Virginia Beach issued an alert on January 30 informing the public that North Atlantic right whales, which are critically endangered, had been spotted near the resort town's coast.

The Virginia Aquarium advises mariners to reduce their speed to 10 knots from now until April 30 because this is when the whales would be most likely seen area. The two main factors that cause serious injuries to right whales are vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

Along the East Coast, there have been numerous whale fatalities.

The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team helped bring a dead humpback whale to shore, also in Virginia Beach, close to First Landing State Park just last week, on February 7. Heavy machinery was brought in to assist in moving the whale so that the response team's members could conduct a necropsy to ascertain how the animal passed away.

According to the latest update, NOAA found that the whale's vertebral column was severely damaged by a catastrophic blunt force trauma. Numerous vertebral fractures as well as separations that would have led to death shortly after the injury were among the wounds consistent with a vessel strike.

The whale's overall nutritional condition ranged from normal to thin, and there was no sign of recent entanglement or obvious external signs of the trauma, Wavy.com reports.

Related Article: Mysterious Whale Deaths Continue on the US East Coast, Experts Weigh In in Increasing Toll
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 47F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
PACAs efforts to salvage items from Illini Hall  why Memorial Stadium is lit up long after the end of football season  MTD fare info for townies who cross through the no-fare zone on campus  info for rural readers who do not yet have broadband internet access ... plus much more
After teaching English in France and on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, just east of Madagascar, Laura Furrer returned home to teach French at Jefferson Middle School, where she went to school.
Robinow Syndrome is the best known of a set of genetic disorders that affect the growth and development of the skeletal system. Patients with these conditions have facial abnormalities, such as cleft palate, and develop short-limb dwarfism by around 18 months. Now, in a study published in Development, scientists from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio, USA, and the Van Andel Research Institute in Michigan, USA have shown the first successful correction of limb length in a mouse model of a very similar disorder known as FZD2-associated autosomal dominant Robinow Syndrome, providing hope for future therapies.

Although autosomal dominant Robinow Syndrome disorders are extremely rare (affecting around 50 families worldwide), they're associated with genetic variations (mutations) in a group of genes that can be inherited from one parent or arise spontaneously, meaning diagnosis is not always trivial. Professor Rolf Stottmann who led the study said, "we began the project by studying the genomes of families with structural birth differences of the brain and face who had not yet received a genetic diagnosis. We identified that one of the initial families in this cohort had a mutation in the FZD2 gene."

FZD2 is now known to be one of the known genes linked to autosomal dominant Robinow Syndrome. Like the other genes in this group, FZD2 makes a protein involved in sending signals that cells use to organize themselves into tissues. In their study, Professor Stottmann and colleagues used CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology to induce mutations in a precise region of Fzd2, reproducing the specific types of mutations found in human patients. The researchers found that mice with these mutations had facial and skeletal malformations resembling those seen in the patients, including cleft palates and limbs less than half the normal size.

The researchers predicted that these types of Fzd2 mutations would disrupt signaling and hinder skeletal growth. To rescue the missing signals, the scientists intervened by treating pregnant mice with a drug that stimulates the signaling pathway.

This drug is an attractive option because we think we know how it works and previous work had shown that it could rescue cleft palates in a mouse model." Professor Rolf Stottmann

Strikingly, they found that the pups exposed to the drug had significantly longer limbs than the untreated model mice.

The success of these experiments in mice suggests the drug could also be used as a therapeutic treatment in human patients. "The idea of treating the limb bones medically rather than surgically is a really important proof of principle, which we demonstrate in this study." said Professor Stottmann, "we are very excited to test if this could work in the context of other genes associated with autosomal dominant Robinow Syndrome."
In a recent retrospective and observational cohort study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, researchers examine non-hospitalized adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir between March 26, 2022, and August 25, 2022.

Study: Real-world use of nirmatrelvirritonavir in outpatients with COVID-19 during the era of omicron variants including BA.4 and BA.5 in Colorado, USA: a retrospective cohort study. Image Credit: Tobias Arhelger / Shutterstock.com

These patients contracted the infection from various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron sub-variants, including BA.2, BA.4/ BA.5, and BA2.12.1, and were subsequently treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir. The effect of this treatment on hospitalization, mortality, and emergency department (ED) visits during a 28-day follow-up period was determined.

Note that in-hospital mortality was considered to be the highest level of COVID-19 severity. Whereas lower disease severity was identified in patients who did not require supplemental oxygen, the characterization for disease severity increased according to standard or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen, and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation requirements.

Background

Nirmatrelvir, which is sold under the trade name PaxlovidTM, is a protease inhibitor oral drug with activity against M pro , which is the main protease essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir therapy reduced the risk of progression to severe COVID-19 by 89% as compared to those who received a placebo in unvaccinated adults in the EPIC-HR trial. Notably, this trial was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic phases when pre-Delta and Delta variants were predominant.

Based on the trial results, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in December 2021. Since then, mild-to-moderately ill adult and pediatric COVID-19 patients at a greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 have received Paxlovid therapy. However, its effectiveness in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the Omicron-dominant phase of the pandemic remains unknown.

About the study

In the present study, researchers obtained data from the University of Colorado Health system electronic health records (EHRs) using Health Data Compass. EHR data was merged with statewide vaccination status and mortality data retrieved from Colorado's comprehensive immunization information system and vital records.

The study follow-up time was 28 days. Initially, patients treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir accounted for less than 10% of the patients in Colorado; however, this rose to 25% after March 26, 2022.

For primary study analysis, the researchers used a COVID-19-positive test date as the index date before the documented nirmatrelvir-ritonavir therapy initiation date. The first ED visit that occurred at least one day after the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir initiation date was also selected for analysis, provided that the treatment began at the initial ED visit.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment comprised 300 mg oral nirmatrelvir, which was lowered to 150 mg for patients with moderate renal issues, and 100 mg ritonavir, two times a day, for five days.

A propensity matching ratio of 131:1 was devised for nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treated to untreated patients, with a total matched cohort size of 16,529, to optimize precision and minimize bias. The propensity model accounted for the patient's age, gender, race/ethnicity, insured or not, immunity/vaccination status, infecting Omicron subvariant (BA.4 or BA.5), and comorbidities, such as obesity, all of which constituted the study's variable covariates.

The primary outcome assessed in this study was all-cause hospitalization within 28 days following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Firth's logistic regression was also used to evaluate the correlation between drug treatment and ensuing ED visits and mortality within 28 days as secondary outcomes.

Study findings

Of all patients screened during this study, 21,493 patients met the study inclusion criteria, 9,881 of whom received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment and 11,612 remained untreated.

During the phase when SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.4/BA.5 were predominant in Colorado, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment was associated with a reduced incidence of both 28-day all-cause and COVID-19-related hospitalization as compared to no treatment.

All-cause hospitalization occurred in 61 of 7,168 patients as compared to 135 of 9,361 patients, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.45. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir use in outpatients also significantly reduced 28-day all-cause mortality with an aOR of 0.15.

Considering ED visits as a proxy for clinically relevant relapse, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment was also found to reduce ED visit rates. Accordingly, 283 of 7,168 patients in the treatment group and 437 of 9,361 patients in the untreated group made an ED visit. Indeed, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir therapy prevented symptoms relapse and reduced the severity of symptoms that were not resolved.

Conclusions

The study findings support nirmatrelvir-ritonavir therapy as a first-line treatment for adults with acute COVID-19, as the treatment neutralized SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants in vitro and effectively cured outpatients at a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 and inpatients with less severe COVID-19.

Furthermore, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir significantly reduced hospitalization and all-cause mortality within 28 days of follow-up during an Omicron predominant era when BA.4/BA.5 were in circulation. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir therapy was also equally effective among younger and older patients, thus supporting the generalizability of the study results.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $3.8 million to Texas Biomedical Research Institute to further develop a promising HIV vaccine candidate that stops the virus upon entry, before it begins rapidly spreading throughout the body.

Texas Biomed Professor Marie-Claire Gauduin, PhD, has been developing this novel vaccine approach for more than 10 years with the support of NIH grants, including one for out-of-the-box, yet feasible ideas. The new four-year grant will enable Dr. Gauduin and her team to build on promising results in nonhuman primates and delve deeper into how the vaccine works on molecular and genetic levels. She will also gather more robust data about safety, efficacy and different delivery methods.

I am excited to move forward, and hope to get to the preclinical stage for human trials." Dr. Marie-Claire Gauduin, PhD, Texas Biomed Professor

The idea

An effective HIV vaccine has eluded the biomedical community for decades. Part of the challenge is that the virus spreads throughout the body within days of initial infection, reaching peak viral levels within two weeks.

Dr. Gauduin thought, then, why not try to stop HIV where it enters, before it infects individual cells and gains a foothold in the rest of the body?

"I had this idea as a postdoc," Dr. Gauduin says. "I thought it had to be naive because nobody was talking about it. It was so obvious and simple to me; I thought someone would have already done it."

The innovation

Dr. Gauduin's vaccine specifically targets the interior lining of the vagina and rectum, called the mucosal epithelium, which is where the virus is most likely to enter the body. The vaccine stimulates the production of antibodies specifically in these areas. Much like a bouncer checking for fake IDs just inside the door, or sentries along a castle wall, the antibodies are well positioned to quickly respond and block the virus from proceeding any further.

The vaccine does not target just any cell in the epithelium, but is designed to enter the basal cells that make up the base layer of the lining. These basal cells are "mother" cells, generating replacement cells as needed in the vagina and rectum. For females, the epithelial lining builds up and is sloughed off in each menses cycle; while the rectum lining remains more constant and new cells are generated as old ones die.

"The idea is that as long as the vaccine is in the mother cells, it will be passed on and be present in all new epithelial cells in these regions," Dr. Gauduin says. "I did not think it would work so well, but it did!"

Preventing unwanted mutations

The vaccine, which has been patented, is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it is based on the full genetic code of HIV, but has certain parts cut or removed so it is not harmful. Live attenuated vaccines are used for several diseases, such as smallpox and yellow fever, but have failed with HIV in the past because the virus mutated enough over decades to regain its potency.

To prevent this from happening in her vaccine, Dr. Gauduin is putting multiple safeguards in place. She cuts the genetic code in key places related to viral function. Notably, she removed the vaccine virus's ability to replicate and spread. The so-called "single-cycle" vaccine virus can enter cells, but then becomes trapped, unable to leave. The cells signal that they contain the vaccine virus to the immune system, which then makes antibodies. The antibodies do not attack the cells with the vaccine, likely because the immune system recognizes those cells are native.

Promising results

In her previous studies, Dr. Gauduin found that vaccinated nonhuman primates took much longer to become infected with SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV, than the unvaccinated group. While they eventually became infected after repeat exposures, the vaccinated animals completely controlled the infection  there were no signs or symptoms of disease and no detectable levels of SIV in the blood, which is the gold standard for measuring infection. One animal continued to control infection for more than three years with no side effects.

"So potentially we have developed a therapeutic vaccine that can control HIV with one dose, no boosting required, compared to daily antiretroviral pills," Dr. Gauduin says.

The next round of studies will involve a larger group of animals, which is required to prove safety and efficacy before the vaccine can move forward to human clinical trials. Dr. Gauduin will gather more data about where the vaccine goes in the body and how it controls infection.

Currently, the vaccine is delivered directly to the mucosal lining by liquid drops. Dr. Gauduin will explore other delivery methods that may prove more efficient, which will be critical for making it practical for mass immunization in developing countries.
A large international study of dementia risk involving almost 30,000 people from 18 countries covering all six continents suggests that social and economic disadvantage may explain the higher risk of the condition in women.

Although there was almost no evidence of sex differences in most of the known risk factors for developing dementia, the higher likelihood of women developing the condition was more pronounced in poorer countries.

Lead author Jessica Gong, from The George Institute for Global Health, said that while previous research had shown women have a greater lifetime risk of developing dementia than men, partly because they tend to live longer, age alone may not fully account for this difference.

Most research estimating dementia incidence to date has been conducted in high-income countries, with very little data available in the countries that actually bear the greatest burden. We found that when adjusted for age, rates of dementia were highest among low- to lower-middle income countries, and higher in women than men." Jessica Gong, Lead Author, The George Institute for Global Health

The number of people living with dementia is projected to exceed 150 million by 2050 worldwide, three times the 2019 estimate of 50 million. Rates are increasing most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that are less able to manage the significant economic and societal impact of this devastating disease.

In 2020 the Lancet Commission Report estimated that as much as 40 percent of dementia risk could be attributed to 12 modifiable risk factors, many of which are more common in LMICs. They include less education, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, depression, hearing impairment, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low social contact, traumatic brain injury, and air pollution.

"When we looked for sex differences in these risk factors, we found that, older age, diabetes, depression, hearing impairment and having a certain genetic variation involved in fat metabolism in the brain  known as APOE4 - were associated with a greater risk of dementia in both women and men," Ms Gong said.

"While more years of education, higher hip circumference, current alcohol use (versus never drinking) and high physical activity (versus none to minimal activity) were associated with a lower risk of dementia in both sexes.

"But there was moderate evidence for a sex difference with years spent in education, indicating a stronger protective association for men than women."

The authors argued that women, particularly in LMICs, have not had equal educational and occupational opportunities to men, and higher educational attainment and mentally stimulating occupations have been shown to be protective against dementia.

Associate Professor Sanne Peters, a Senior Lecturer at The George Institute for Global Health UK in partnership with Imperial College London and part of the research team, said that institutional factors restricting women's opportunities, reduced access to appropriate healthcare and risk management programs, as well as other factors such as domestic violence - particularly for women from lower socioeconomic settings - can lead to psychological stress and leave them in worse financial positions, affecting their late-life cognitive health.

"In general, the geographical patterns that we saw for increased dementia risk in women seemed to echo those of gender disparity," she said.

"These findings justify support for programs to improve gender equity in brain health throughout the life-course, particularly in populations that have been previously underrepresented in dementia research."
Narciso Lopez has spent more than two decades working to control the spread of tuberculosis in South Texas. He used to think that when patient traffic into the clinics where he worked was slow, that meant the surrounding community was healthy. But when the covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, that changed.

"I would be getting maybe three to four a month," recalled Lopez, a TB program supervisor with Cameron County's health department.

In a matter of months, patients seeking care at the county's two clinics dropped by half. "And then I wasn't getting any at all," he said.

As covid gripped the world's attention, Lopez began to focus on a parallel concern: whether TB was being overlooked along the Texas-Mexico border.

"I knew there had to be TB cases out there; they just weren't being found," Lopez said in a recent interview.

Before 2020, advances to eradicate TB, which is spread person-to-person through the air, were underway globally. It was considered by many public health experts to be a feasible goal, since tools are available to identify and treat it. But the prevalence of the disease in Mexico, and immigration along the border, has made it a longtime health concern in these communities.

In areas with high immigrant traffic, such as Cameron County, TB is a serious health concern. Cameron sits at the southernmost tip of Texas, and each year millions of people cross to and from Mexico at the four border crossings in the Brownsville region. Brownsville is the county's seat and largest city. In 2019, before covid, Texas' 32 border counties had an average TB incidence of 8.4 cases per 100,000 people  more than double that of the state overall, and nearly triple the national rate.

Since the pandemic began, though, some tuberculosis clinics in border areas have been performing fewer tests, receiving fewer referrals from local hospitals and providers, and treating fewer patients. Lopez and others who do this public health work every day on the ground agree it's not likely less TB is circulating. Instead, they say, covid testing and treatment have claimed so much attention and energy that TB has been pushed off the radar, threatening to reverse decades of progress in eliminating it.

Lopez said his county's tuberculosis department usually gets around 40 to 60 patients a year. "And then, all of a sudden, we went down to 20 during the covid pandemic," he said. The numbers seem to be bouncing back. In 2022, Lopez said, the county's clinics saw 35 TB patients. But that's still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Hidalgo County, which neighbors Cameron to the west, experienced a similar trend in 2020, when its number of confirmed TB cases was cut in half from the previous year, dropping from 71 cases to 36, according to Jeanne Salinas, tuberculosis program manager of the county health department. The county also performed hundreds fewer TB tests.

Since 2020, Salinas said, tuberculosis has been "overlooked" as a diagnosis for patients reporting "prolonged cough or cough with blood, losing weight, having fevers." After covid became everyone's overriding concern, these patients  who included new immigrants as well as people who regularly traveled across the border for work or to visit family on the other side  were tested for covid. Salinas said it was only if the symptoms persisted that patients would perhaps be evaluated for tuberculosis. This lag time allowed the illness to progress in individual patients and potentially spread in the community.

This reflects a nationwide trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. tuberculosis incidence rates "decreased steadily" from 1993 to 2019. In 2020, though, there was a "sharp" decline of nearly 20% in recorded cases, which the CDC materials suggest may be due to "delayed or missed TB diagnoses or a true reduction in TB incidence related to pandemic mitigation efforts and changes in immigration and travel." But because TB is more contagious than covid (its particles stay in the air longer), steps like masking and distancing are less effective. So, Salinas argues the former.

Convincing people of the need to test for TB was difficult even before covid, Lopez said. For starters, some health workers wrongly considered the illness a nonissue. That tuberculosis and covid share similar symptoms became another complication. When doctors and other health professionals saw those symptoms, their first concern was covid. And for a while, it was their only concern.

Other issues are diagnosis and treatment. Samples for covid rapid tests, and even the more sensitive and expensive PCR tests, can be collected with a simple nasal swab. TB screening is more invasive, done with either a skin test that requires a follow-up visit to a health professional or a blood draw that is tested in a lab. At the height of the pandemic, Lopez said, providers were so focused on getting people in and out of clinics and hospitals quickly that taking the time to conduct TB screenings wasn't a priority.

Though TB is a curable disease, its treatment can require up to a year of prescribed antibiotics, which experts say adds to the urgency of detecting cases early on.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says on its website that tuberculosis rates are "higher along the Texas-Mexico border" than in the rest of the state. Dr. Armando Meza, chief of infectious diseases at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, said that's because "almost all cases of tuberculosis in the United States are coming from immigrants."

Dr. Linda Villarreal, a former Texas Medical Association president who is a member of the group's Border Health Caucus, added that many people live in Mexico but work in Texas, and vice versa, "so with that comes perhaps unclear health issues and exposure."

There's yet another snag. Tuberculosis, Villarreal explained, is especially hard for people's immune system to suppress if they also have other health issues, and the border is a hot spot for diabetes and other chronic health conditions like hypertension or heart disease.

Covid, itself, is something of a comorbidity because it can make people more susceptible to tuberculosis. Some of her patients have had both illnesses, Salinas said. She suspects some who died of covid may have had tuberculosis as well, or instead.

Border areas tend to be impoverished, and "TB is a disease of the poor," Texas Tech's Meza said. "And who is poor in this country? The minorities, the immigrant populations, the mentally ill who live in close gatherings and shared common spaces." Not to mention people who are uninsured and can't afford health care.

Meza said he drives by the border often, and when he does, he sees crowds waiting on the Mexican side in Juarez, hoping to get across. If they do, he said, he hopes they get proper health screenings and care.

"To me, that's what I'm afraid of more than covid," Meza said. "If there is no change systematically, then that's when things can get more complicated."
A recent study performed in Zambia by University of Maryland School of Medicine's (UMSOM) Institute of Human Virology researchers found that high uptake of HIV preventative medicine, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is possible in prison populations with adequate resources and support from the criminal justice health system.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infection disproportionately affects people detained within the criminal justice system. These vulnerable populations may not access regular medical care before and during incarceration.

Published in the January 2023 issue of The Lancet HIV, the research team provided evidence of a model HIV prevention with at-risk populations that could possibly be extended to other criminal justice facilities, as many of the issues faced by Zambian prisoners are universal to prisoners worldwide.

Our results show it is feasible to deliver PrEP in diverse criminal justice settings where other HIV prevention commodities, such as condoms and lubricants, are prohibited. The approach was well received by justice-involved individuals, demonstrating high uptake among those eligible. To our knowledge, this is the first description of PrEP service delivery for people who are incarcerated in criminal justice settings in Sub-Saharan Africa." Brianna R. Lindsay, MPH, PhD, Epidemiologist, Director of Health Programs at the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (Ciheb) at the Institute of Human Virology at UMSOM

In the study, the largest proportion of incarcerated people reached with HIV prevention services and initiated on PrEP were men between the ages of 25 and 29 years, consistent with the known demographics of the incarcerated population in Zambia. Prior to HIV testing, individuals were screened using a high-risk screening form. People who are incarcerated may be exposed to risks such as consensual and coerced sex, sexual violence, injection drug use, and tattooing. High-risk activity paired with other barriers to HIV prevention in prisons, including high inmate turnover, lack of health education, and the absence of HIV prevention tools, contributes to at least a 14 percent higher rate of infection than seen in the adult general population.

Funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (USPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study implemented PrEP through existing and previous projects that support HIV testing, and links participants, including people who are incarcerated, to treatment and service, such as the University of Maryland Baltimore-supported Community Impact to Reach Key and Underserved Individuals for Treatment and Support (CIRKUITS) and Zambia Community HIV Epidemic Control for Key Populations (Z-CHECK) programs. With an all-hands-on-deck approach, there was support for the study from all stakeholders, from the Correctional Service and Zambian Ministry of Health to the prison health committee and peer-led adherence support groups, to provide PrEP services.

To ensure a stable and continuous supply of PrEP medication, trained personnel worked with Zambia Ministry of Health supply chain teams to assess stock levels and support the distribution of HIV prevention supplies.

"We are honored to work with the Zambia Correctional Services and Ministry of Health to accomplish this initial implementation of PrEP at these facilities," said Cassidy W. Claassen, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Principal Investigator for this study, and Technical Director for the Zambia County Office at the Institute of Human Virology at UMSOM. "This represents one of the first such implementations anywhere in the world and marks an important step forward in demonstrating successful HIV prevention protocols for people who are incarcerated. "

Data was collected between October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, from 16 Zambian criminal justice facilities, involving a total of 12,367 people (of all sexes) in the study. Of all those who tested HIV negative and were screened for PrEP, 67 percent considered high risk were eligible to initiate. All PrEP participants participated voluntarily, and care was taken to avoid undue coercion or incentives. PrEP participation exceeded 90 percent among those eligible.

"Due to Ciheb's collaborative efforts with our partners to control HIV infection in Zambia, we have been able to help bring the HIV prevention and treatment rates to 98% across the country, and now we are focusing on targeting this previously and traditionally ignored population of people in prisons," said Manhattan Charurat, PhD, MHS, Professor of Medicine, Director of Ciheb, and Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention at UMSOM's Institute of Human Virology.

"In many developing countries, it is much harder to institute plans for HIV interventions in prisons. However, we believe that our model can be successfully adapted to help control the spread and improve the health and well-being of inmates across the globe."

For future studies, the researchers plan to evaluate PrEP persistence and adherence, as well as the perceptions of people who are incarcerated regarding their HIV risk and preferences for combined HIV prevention services. They will also aim to assess and support PrEP adherence and persistence after these people are released from prison.

"There is an urgent need for health equity for all members of society. With almost 400,000 people globally incarcerated who are living with HIV, including 18,000 in the United States alone, controlling the spread of HIV in the prison system translates to healthier communities," said Dean Mark Gladwin, MD, who is also Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. "What the team has accomplished in this study will hopefully accelerate further changes to the prison healthcare systems in Zambia and around the globe. "
In the past decade, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) was identified to be an emerging infectious disease, particularly in Europe. This infection is caused by the TBE virus (TBEV), transmitted to humans through tick bites or rarely from consuming contaminated dairy products.

The majority of infections caused by the TBEV European subtype remain asymptomatic. However, some patients develop severe encephalitis with prolonged sequelae. Not much research is available related to TBEV infection during pregnancy. A new Emerging Infectious Diseases study reported a case of severe TBE infection in a pregnant woman, along with long-term sequelae.

The case report

A 34-year-old Berlin-based pregnant woman (20 weeks of gestation) was admitted to the emergency department of Strasbourg, France, in July 2020, due to meningismus associated with nystagmus. The patient was not vaccinated against TBE and could not recall tick bites or consumption of raw milk products.

Before the onset of symptoms, she traveled to the Black Forest (Germany), Provence (southeastern France), and Alsace (northeastern France) before returning to Berlin.

Disease progression

Several tests were conducted at admission, including reverse transcription PCR testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), microbial culture analysis, and serological tests (day 0). All virologic molecular tests and bacterial culture reports turned out to be negative. MRI of the patients brain was also not alarming. Additionally, the Lyme borreliosis serologic test was negative. Based on her recent travel history, clinicians tested for the West Nile virus, Zika virus, chikungunya virus, dengue virus, and Toscana virus, and all tests were negative. Biologic tests also eliminated the prevalence of autoimmune etiology.

Even though all the clinical tests on day 0 failed to detect any underlying illness, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was moved to the intensive care unit. Two days later, the patient was diagnosed with aseptic meningoencephalitis.

Eventually, the TBEV serologic results were positive for IgM and negative for IgG on the third day of hospital admission. The woman rapidly developed severe hyperactive delirium, which led to sedation and intubation. Reverse transcription PCR testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), obtained during the second lumbar puncture, revealed positive TBEV.

An MRI study indicated the marks of diffuse leptomeningitis with deep cerebral nuclei involvement. On day 7, the patient was no longer sedated and remained in a coma. Serological analysis revealed the presence of specific IgG. Hence, delayed development of the humoral immune response to TBEV was observed. This study did not explore the patients cell-mediated immune response, which is essential for the clearance of TBEV infection.

At the beginning of August 2020, the patient was transferred to Charite Universitatsmedizin in Berlin. In this hospital, two subsequent MRIs performed in September and November 2020 revealed progression to deep cerebral nuclei, thalamic hemorrhagic transformation, and cerebral atrophy.

After 85 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged to a neurologic rehabilitation center. During this time, she developed tetraparesis and polyradiculitis. Slow and minor clinical improvements were found after intensive rehabilitation.

Pregnancy outcome

Uterine ultrasounds performed during hospitalization revealed normal development of the fetus. The patient gave birth to a healthy boy by cesarean delivery at term. Previously, six cases of TBEV infection during pregnancy have been reported. Consistent with the present case study, all the previously reported six pregnancies proceeded normally despite severe maternal infection.

Two of these six cases were associated with premature birth and fetal or neonatal intracranial hemorrhage due to maternal infection. Importantly, unlike the Zika virus, vertical transmission was not reported for TBEV in humans. Transplacental transmission of this virus did not occur because of the barrier function of the placenta. In addition, the short time of TBEV viremia in natural infection did not support vertical transmission.

In the future, more research is required to elucidate the course of TBEV infection during pregnancy. The authors strongly recommend vaccination against TBE in disease-endemic areas.
Republican lawmakers in Montana wield a supermajority that gives them the power to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would break the link between abortion rights and the right to privacy in the state's constitution.

But so far, they haven't sought to ask voters to make the change, a rewrite that would allow lawmakers to ban or further restrict abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court gave that power back to the states last year.

While 14 states have near-total bans on abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, Montana is one example of how, in some Republican-controlled states, the abortion policy battle will likely play out for a while.

"This takes time," said Montana House Speaker Matt Regier, a Republican. "It took years to overturn the wrong decision of Roe v. Wade."

Montana is one of 11 states  most recently joined by South Carolina  where courts have ruled that abortion access is a constitutional right, and legal battles to dismiss or entrench those rights are picking up. In Florida, reproductive health providers are challenging a 15-week total ban on abortion in the state Supreme Court, citing its long-standing interpretation that the state's right to privacy extends to abortion. Legislation is pending over what standards Iowa will adopt after the state Supreme Court reversed its 2018 decision that due process and equal protections secured abortion access.

Meanwhile, in January, Minnesota  which already had a court ruling that abortion is a constitutional right  built that protection into state law and expanded the right to reproductive health care. The same month, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a ban on abortions after six weeks, joining states that defined abortion as a right. There, abortion opponents and advocates alike expect more attempts by the Republican-controlled legislature to whittle away access.

In Montana, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration wants to reverse a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that said the state's constitutional right to privacy extends to abortions. Republicans could bypass the courts and go straight to the state's voters to make that change without the support of Democratic legislators. That's after Republican lawmakers clinched a supermajority  two-thirds of the legislative seats, allowing the GOP to overturn vetoes and forward constitutional amendments to the ballot.

Republican lawmakers have introduced at least four constitutional amendment bills so far in the legislative session that began in January, but none has dealt with abortion. That may be due to the uncertainty over how Montanans and even Republican lawmakers would react to such a proposal after voters in other states sided with abortion rights advocates on ballot issues in last year's elections.

Kansas and Kentucky voters rejected constitutional amendments that would have declared there is no right to an abortion. Michigan, Vermont, and California voters codified abortion rights in their constitutions. And Montana voters rejected a "born-alive" initiative that would have created criminal penalties for health workers who do not attempt to save the life of a baby, embryo, or fetus after a botched abortion or other birth.

Jessi Bennion, a political scientist who teaches at Montana State University and Carroll College, said Republicans, unsure of where voters stand, are likely hesitant to strike at the state constitution.

"What Republicans are doing right now is they are testing the waters," Bennion said. "The midterms scared a lot of Republicans."

There are also signs of division within the party's ranks. The state Senate recently debated a bill that would add to state law a declaration that the right to privacy does not extend to abortion. The bill passed the Senate 28-21, and is now being considered in the House, but six of the 34 Senate Republicans voted against it.

Republicans hold 102 of Montanas 150 state legislative seats, and, although they can pass laws with a simple majority, they need a 100-member supermajority to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. And since the state's Democrats have pushed back against new abortion restrictions, Republicans can't afford too many people splitting from ranks if they propose a referendum.

Some Republicans who voted against the bill said the issue to them wasn't abortion, but the potential encroachment on medical privacy. Sen. Bruce Gillespie has supported bills in past legislative sessions that would limit how far into a pregnancy someone can have an abortion, but he said he couldn't vote for the recent bill.

"I'm not for abortion, but I'm not really for trying to dictate people's rights either," Gillespie said.

Republican Sen. Jeff Welborn, another "no" vote, said he heard from people who, like him, believe there is a time and place for abortions. "There are more people that think like me that dont necessarily have the courage to vote exactly like me," Welborn said.

Senate GOP spokesperson Kyle Schmauch noted that it's still early in the session, and that a constitutional amendment hasn't been ruled out. But its unclear how far people want restrictions to go.

"Montanans as a whole want to see at least some restrictions on abortion," Schmauch said. "I dont think weve got a real reliable sense of exactly voters opinions on all the different regulations."

Democratic lawmakers have introduced reproductive health bills to expand access to care, such as requiring insurers to cover a year's supply of birth control, in what they call an effort to find common ground. They also have a draft bill to codify the right to abortion in state law, but as the minority party, the odds are against their proposal advancing far.

"Were expecting to play defense hard and to watch Republicans try to take away Montanans right to make their own decisions about their body," said Democratic Rep. Alice Buckley.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Julia Cassano

US Transportation Command Commander, General Jacqueline Van Ovost, last week visited dignitaries, service members, and students in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait to discuss the importance of partnerships and relationships between the US and the Middle East in furthering peace, promoting stable economies, and deterring aggression within the region.

The complexity of the region requires multi-dimensional and multi-partner solutions as we are stronger together, and we must continue to deepen our relationships with our key allies and partners, said General Jacqueline at an online briefing yesterday.

She said that relations throughout the Middle East are just as important as they work to counter Iran and its proxies, defeat ISIS, slow Russias push to expand overseas military presence, and further destabilise regional security.

Throughout the visit, General Ovost discussed multiple opportunities how to enhance regional security with allies.

We will be able to move faster and overcome challenges posed by adversaries if together we continue to leverage technological innovation and innovation of thought, concept, and process.

She stressed the importance of emphasizing improving partners collective defence capabilities by building and maintaining sustainable, multilateral constructs, such as prioritizing the development of the regional security construct, the Middle East air defence initiatives, and executing the international maritime security construct.

I return from my visit confident that our partnerships and alliances provide the necessary platform to which we can find solutions that ensure peace and security for the people of the region.

The general also discussed US assistance to Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck both countries last week.

We have seen how crucial close partnerships have been in enabling the United States and the broader international community to provide rapid humanitarian assistance for earthquake recovery and relief efforts in Turkey and Syria, she said.

Since February 6th, our partners have been working tirelessly to assess the needs on the ground and coordinate the delivery of life-saving assistance.

We immediately dispatched two urban search and rescue teams to begin the desperate search for survivors.

We have facilitated over 2,000 airlifts delivering aid and personnel, and offloading 5.4 million kilograms of international aid.

She also stressed that the biggest concern the Middle East faces is the threats emanating from Iran, and the significance of air and missile defence.

Irans aggressive and dangerous policies continue to destabilise the nation.

I encourage the different multilateral partnerships so that we can have an integrated air and missile defence against Iranian drones, in which there have been multiple strikes in the region, she said.

General Ovost confirmed the growing strength between Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the US, saying: Bahrain is an important non-NATO ally and a gracious host to our US Naval Forces in the area.

As we know, Bahrain has paired with us in Task Force 59, which provides innovative solutions for the maritime security construct, and the network to be able to understand the threats coming into the water and the ports.

They have partnered with us in innovative ways and have shared concerns with us.
Agencies | Strasbourg

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The European Unions executive arm proposed yesterday new sanctions on Russia that would cut off goods worth 11 billion euros and target Irans drone producers over the war in Ukraine.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she hoped the EUs 27 member states would agree to the new package as part of a joint battery of G7 sanctions on the oneyear anniversary of the invasion on February 24.

We are targeting many industrial goods that Russia needs, and that it cannot get through backfilling through third countries, she said, citing vital goods such as electronics, specialised vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines.

She said Brussels wanted export controls on 47 additional electronic components that can be used in Russian weapons systems, including drones, missiles, helicopters.

The new package of sanctions is also due to place further curbs on Iranian manufacturers that have supplied Russia with drones used to attack Ukraines infrastructure.

Irans Revolutionary Guards have been providing Russia with Shahed drones, von der Leyen said.

Ban

Therefore, we are now adding seven Iranian entities to our dual use regime.

They are now under a complete ban on selling sensitive items to Russia, she said.

The EU has already imposed nine waves of unprecedented sanctions on Moscow since it launched its assault on Ukraine last February.

These have hit key Russian exports like oil in a bid to cut Russian President Vladimir Putins war chest
Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Turkish police said they have arrested 78 people accused of creating fear and panic by "sharing provocative posts" about last week's earthquake on social media, adding that 20 of them were being held in pre-trial detention.

The death toll in Turkey and Syria from the devastating earthquake has climbed above 41,000, and millions are in need of humanitarian aid.

Turkey's General Directorate of Security said it had identified 613 people accused of making provocative posts, and legal proceedings had been initiated against 293. Of this group, the chief prosecutor had ordered the arrest of 78.

The directorate added that 46 websites were shut down for running "phishing scams" trying to steal donations for quake victims and 15 social media accounts posing as official institutions were closed.

Last October, Turkey's parliament adopted a law under which journalists and social media users could be jailed for up to three years for spreading "disinformation", raising concerns among rights groups and European countries about free speech, particularly ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections due this summer.

President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party had said a law was needed to tackle false accusations on social media, and it would not silence opposition.

The government has also blocked social media in the past.

Last week Turkey blocked access to Twitter for about 12 hours from Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday, citing the spread of disinformation, prompting an angry response from opposition politicians and people using the platform to find loved ones and share information about rescue efforts.

Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun tweeted on Monday that Turkey was experiencing "serious information pollution" and authorities would share a daily bulletin correcting false information.

Within a week of the earthquake, some 6,200 items of false information and news were reported to the government, Altun added.
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 15, 2023 /CNW/ - Black communities in Canada continue to live with the effects of prejudice, discrimination, and hatredfrom unconscious bias to anti-Black hate crimes and violence. These systemic inequalities have resulted in the overrepresentation of Black people in Canada's criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. To further its work to address these systemic issues, the Government of Canada is working with Black communities to develop Canada's Black Justice Strategy (the Strategy).

Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was joined by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion; the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth; Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto; and Zilla Jones, Human Rights Lawyer, to announce the establishment of a Steering Group to lead the next phase of Canada's Black Justice Strategy.

The nine-member Steering Group will develop a framework for consultations led by Black communities across Canada and work with other experts and community leaders. This work will ensure that the Strategy is grounded in the diverse backgrounds, experiences and regional realities of Black communities across Canada.

The Steering Group members are Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Anthony Morgan, Fernando Belton, Mandela Kuet, Moya Teklu, Sandra Muchekeza, Suzanne Taffot, Vanessa Fells, and Zilla Jones. These leaders from across the country will bring their expertise and experiences to this very important work. Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah and Zilla Jones will co-author a final report, providing an overview of the information gathered through consultations and the Steering Group's recommendations.

The goal of this work is a comprehensive strategy that identifies concrete ways to address both the systemic discrimination and anti-Black racism that exists in Canada's criminal justice system, as well as actions to reform and modernize the criminal justice system, to ensure that every Canadian has access to fair and just treatment before the law.

Quotes

"Canada's Black Justice Strategy provides a generational opportunity to promote fairness and justice for Black people in this country. By building on previous work, and drawing on broad perspectives and experiences, the Strategy will advance a comprehensive approach to combatting anti-Black racism in our justice system and beyond. The Strategy will be national in scope, yet attuned to the diversity of our Black populations, and the regional differences that exist in Canada."

Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

Canada's Black Justice Strategy Steering Group Member and Author, and Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto

"Canada's Black Justice strategy is a historic acknowledgment by the Government of Canada that systemic anti-Black racism exists in Canada and that it has poisoned our justice system, negatively impacting the integrity of our communities and the futures of our children. This initiative aims to give real meaning to the principles of redress and reconciliation by listening to the voices of grassroots Black communitiesthose most impacted by inequality in the justice system. It is very significant that we will be hearing from Black communities from coast to coast to coastall regions, all different parts of the African Diaspora. I am honoured to be able to start this work by listening and connecting, and I am hopeful that the report we create will make a tangible difference in Black lives for generations to come."

Zilla Jones

Canada's Black Justice Strategy Steering Group Member and Author, and Human Rights Lawyer



"Our government is committed to fighting systemic discrimination and anti-Black racism in our institutions, which continue to be painful realities for members of Black communities across the country. Developing and implementing Canada's Black Justice Strategy, in consultation and collaboration with Black communities, will ensure that all Canadians have access to fair and just treatment before the law. I am honoured to be announcing the Steering Group today, and I look forward to seeing their work unfold over the coming months."

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., K.C., M.P.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada



"In Canada, diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice. As we celebrate Black History Month, we also need to acknowledge the social, economic and political barriers Black communities have faced and continue to face because of systemic anti-Black racism and discrimination. Building a more equitable and inclusive country takes hard work and thoughtful engagement, especially when it comes to improving the reality of Black communities across our country. Canada's Black Justice Strategy's Steering Group will help guide our government's work in finding solutions to the disproportionately negative experiences of Canada's Black communities in the criminal justice system. I thank the steering group for the challenge it is about to take on as we move toward building a more inclusive and equitable Canada where no one is left behind."

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen,

Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

"We know that anti-Black racism and systemic inequality have intergenerational effects on Black communities across Canada, which is why we are proud to announce that the work supporting Canada's Black Justice Strategy is moving ahead. The invaluable advice of the Steering Group will be used to create meaningful change while centring the experiences of Black people in Canada, including women, girls and gender-diverse people to make sure Canada's justice system is equitable for everyone."

The Honourable Marci Ien,

Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Quick Facts

In 2020-21, Black adults (aged 18 years and more), who represented approximately 4% of the adult population in Canada , were consistently overrepresented in provincial admissions to correctional services (custody and community services) across reporting jurisdictions, namely Nova Scotia , Ontario , Alberta , and British Columbia .

, were consistently overrepresented in provincial admissions to correctional services (custody and community services) across reporting jurisdictions, namely , , , and . The December 2021 mandate letter for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Honorable David Lametti, includes a commitment to developing Canada's Black Justice Strategy with the support of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and in consultation and cooperation with Black communities. The Strategy will help address the systemic discrimination and anti-Black racism that has resulted in the overrepresentation of Black people in Canada's criminal justice system, including as victims of crime.

mandate letter for the Minister of and Attorney General, the Honorable David Lametti, includes a commitment to developing Black Justice Strategy with the support of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and in consultation and cooperation with Black communities. The Strategy will help address the systemic discrimination and anti-Black racism that has resulted in the overrepresentation of Black people in criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. The Government of Canada formally endorsed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 to 2024) in 2018. The International Decade provides an important frameworkorganized around three pillars of Recognition, Justice and Developmentto address the most pressing issues affecting Black communities around the world, including in Canada . This means taking action on the issues that affect people of African descent in Canada , including improving research and data collection, addressing mental health challenges, systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.

formally endorsed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 to 2024) in 2018. The International Decade provides an important frameworkorganized around three pillars of Recognition, and Developmentto address the most pressing issues affecting Black communities around the world, including in . This means taking action on the issues that affect people of African descent in , including improving research and data collection, addressing mental health challenges, systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system. In August 2016 , at the invitation of the Government of Canada , the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent visited Canada on a mission to examine the situation of Black persons in this country. At the conclusion of their mission, the three-member United Nations delegation submitted The 2017 Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on its mission to Canada , presenting recommendations to assist Canada in its efforts to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance. This report motivated the Government of Canada to look for solutions to fundamental issues faced by Black people in Canada concerning systemic racism, and the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.

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Associated links

For more information, media may contact: Diana Ebadi, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, (343) 574-3446

[email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Brittany Hendrych, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 819-420-6530, [email protected]





Stay connected

Follow the Department of Justice Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Follow Minister Lametti on Twitter: @MinJusticeEn

Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/rss.html.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

For further information: Media may contact: Diana Ebadi, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, (343) 574-3446, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Brittany Hendrych, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 819-420-6530, [email protected]
Funding is part of a commitment of $100 million to support those most affected by COVID-19

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Supporting the mental health and well-being of people in Canada, particularly those who face disproportionate challenges because of systemic racism, discrimination, socio economic status or social exclusion, is a priority for the Government of Canada.

Today, during Black History Month, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, accompanied by the Honourable Members of Parliament Arielle Kayabaga and David McGuinty, announced an investment of over $365,000 to The Centre for Resilience and Social Development for its project to promote positive mental health among Black youth in school districts across Ottawa.

This aspiring project aims to improve the mental health and well-being of Black youth in Ottawa School Districts through culturally informed mental health interventions, such as raising awareness of the role that social determinants of health play in shaping health behaviours and outcomes. It will also educate teachers, administrators, and parents about the unique mental health needs and challenges faced by Black youth in Canada. By promoting resilience and building capacity among the Black community, the project will help to reduce stigma and improve access to mental health support services for Black youth.

This announcement is part of a $100 million investment provided in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By making strategic investments that address the specific challenges faced by Black Canadians, such as discrimination and stigma, we can ensure that people get the support they need, when and where they need it.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that mental health is treated as a full and integral part of our universal health system. We will continue working with provinces and territories to ensure all people in Canada are able to get the most appropriate mental health and substance use care, by the most appropriate provider at the most appropriate place, including virtually, wherever they live.

Quotes

"Black Canadians, including children and youth, continue to face disproportionate challenges accessing mental health supports because of racism, discrimination, and social exclusion. Today's funding will help to tackle these disparities in the Ottawa region by addressing the mental health needs of Black youth in Ottawa schools and by allowing educators and community members to learn more about the challenges faced by Black youth, so they can better support them and help them reach their full potential."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health

"The Centre for Resilience and Social Development's efforts to promote positive mental health among Black youth in school districts throughout Ottawa are an incredibly worthwhile initiative. Our government continues to support important projects that promote resilience, increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health support services for Black youth across Ottawa, and across the country."

The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C.,

Member of Parliament, Ottawa South

"Racialized communities have long advocated for better access to mental health services, and the need for these services was described as magnified by the pandemic. Therefore, on behalf of CRSD and other organizations who received this funding we are grateful to Hon. Minister Bennett and the Government of Canada for funding our projects. Nine projects that support Black communities, including ours were funded through Budget 2021 "Supporting the Mental Health of Those Most Affected by COVID-19."

Farah Aw-Osman, Executive Director

The Centre for Resilience and Social Development

Quick Facts

Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention are critical components for well-being and can help reduce demands on the health care system. Community-based projects focussed on mental health promotion have the potential to improve health outcomes over the life course.

On February 7, 2023 , The Government of Canada announced that it intends to work collaboratively with provinces and territories on shared health priorities to improve integrated health care for Canadians, including improved access to quality mental health and substance use services.

, The Government of announced that it intends to work collaboratively with provinces and territories on shared health priorities to improve integrated health care for Canadians, including improved access to quality mental health and substance use services. Renison University College, at the University of Waterloo , is hosting a Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub (KDE Hub) for Mental Health Promotion to support the projects funded through this investment helping to build a community with shared interests in optimizing mental health promotion and mental illness prevention across Canada .

, is hosting a Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub (KDE Hub) for Mental Health Promotion to support the projects funded through this investment helping to build a community with shared interests in optimizing mental health promotion and mental illness prevention across . The Wellness Together Canada portal provides free access to educational content, self-guided therapy, moderated peer-to-peer support, and one-to-one counselling with qualified health professionals. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access the Wellness Together Canada portal , or call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 (adults) or 686868 (youth).

, or call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 (adults) or 686868 (youth). Kids Help Phone is also available 24/7 with e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.

Associated Links

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Contacts: Maja Staka, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, 343-552-5568; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 15, 2023 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will make an important announcement of support for mental health among Black youth in Ottawa.

There will be a media availability immediately following the announcement.

Media may attend the announcement either in person or via Zoom.

Date

February 16, 2023

Time

9:00 AM (EST)

Location

The event will be held in person at:

Centre for Resilience & Social Development

1376 Bank Street, 5th Floor

Ottawa, Ontario K1H 7Y3

Media may also join by Zoom:

https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/62356020890

Passcode: 594224

Please indicate your name (first and last) and media outlet when joining the event.

Twitter: @GovCanHealth

Facebook: Healthy Canadians

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

For further information: Media Inquiries: Maja Staka, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, [email protected]; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]




Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has come hard on President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to abide by the Supreme Court order and going ahead with the ban on the old Naira notes.





In an audio recording, Ganduje was quoted in vernacular asking, that, President Buhari should remember that for several times he was trying to contest Presidency but he couldnt make it until there was an alliance, but now after enjoying everything, he turned back against the same democratic system that saw him to office.





He said, the President should remember that this is a democratic setting that allows popular voice and leaders to listen to advice and adhere strictly to those advice.





I wonder why the President is hellbent in making the same Party that helped him to win elections lose out, what did we do to him that he is this ignorant on several advice forwarded to him.





This same Buhari he contested again and again but he couldnt win not until there was an alliance, now he wins and win again for the second term, but now that he is living, he wants to cripple the same Party that brought him to power why?





This Currency Swap Policy, why didnt the President bring it seven and a half years ago or after elections, but now one must be compelled to think that there is an ulterior motive in the whole thing.





Ganduje, who somehow exonerated the CBN Governor, Goodwin Emefiele, said, the CBN Governor dont know anything; you now set the Nation Apex Bank on fire with this policy.





The Governor worried that even World Bank, IMF and other financial Institutions have advised the President to think twice on the negative policy but he turned deaf ears.




The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said it would not redeploy Segun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Lagos State, over unfounded allegations.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, urged those demanding Agbajes redeployment to die the thought.

There have been demands for the RECs removal over alleged mismanagement of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collection in some parts of Lagos State and engagement of Musiliu Akinsanya  led Lagos State Parks Management Committee to convey election materials.

Agbaje was quoted to have given reasons during a recent live TV interview on Channels why people in Okota, Oshodi Local Government Areas, cannot get their PVCs and inferred that the Igbos in the area were immigrants.

However, Oyekanmi has now dismissed the allegations against Agbaje, describing it as deliberate misinformation and distortion of facts.

He said, Let me make one thing clear upfront. Mr Agbaje will not be removed as the REC for Lagos [State] over unfounded allegations.

Hell not only conduct the Presidential/National Assembly election scheduled for February 25, but hell also superintend over the Governorship/State House of Assembly election holding on Mar. 11.

Hes a conscientious, honest, dependable and hardworking REC. His integrity speaks for him in all the places where he has served.

He added, Let me break this down for you. During the recent Continuous Voter Registration that took place between June 2021 and July 2022. Lagos State under Agbaje registered the highest number of voters in the country  585,629.

This debunks the allegation that the Lagos REC deliberately withheld the PVCs belonging to persons from a particular region of the country.




The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has disclosed that part of measures being taken to ensure hitch free polls on February 25 would involve the deployment of over 400,000 security personnel across the country.





The security personnel jointly comprise the police , the Department of State Services, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Correctional Officers, National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) among others.





Out of the entire security personnel to be deployed, the police force is producing about 310,973,000.





Baba said the various arms of security personnel have come up with their unique identifications system to ensure they are not infiltrated by unscrupulous persons.





The IGP gave some of the plans being put in place by the Police Force, while featuring at the 66th edition of the State House Briefings, coordinated by the Presidential Media Team on Thursday, in Abuja.





He noted that the police would not be allowed to offer escort services to VIPs during the election days, warning those planning to forment trouble to be weary.





Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given the police authorities a clear warning that the eyes of the nation was upon them to ensure that the elections goes hitch free.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council says the police Federal Investigation Bureau (FIB) has invited Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister, for questioning.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, the councils media director, said the police invitation was extended to him on Tuesday.

The secret police are currently grilling Fani-Kayode, the campaign councils director of new media for tweeting that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met with army generals.

Onanuga said the council was not questioning the authority of the police, noting that the information they were seeking was already being pursued by the DSS.

Despite the well-publicized invitation of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode by the DSS and the report that the secret police asked him to return for further investigation today, we were surprised that the police have also jumped into the same matter, he said.

On Tuesday the AIG Federal Investigation Bureau also invited Fani-Kayode for questioning.

The APC-PCC is concerned about the latest invitation by another security agency, just some 10 days to the election when he is most needed as our director of new media.

While we are not questioning the authority of the police to invite our official, we want the police to be mindful that the truth they seek to find is already being pursued by the DSS.

They should allow the DSS to complete its investigation.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the grand finale of its presidential campaign rally will hold in Adamawa.

The opposition party said the mega rally will hold at the Mahmud Ribadu square in Yola, the capital of Adamawa on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Umar Bature, director of field operations, PDP presidential campaign council, asked

members of the partys national working committee (NWC), governors, national assembly, and national executive committee (NEC), among others, to attend the event.

Please endeavour to mobilise your supporters massively to participate as we join hands with our presidential candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON, (Waziri Adamawa) to Recover Nigeria, the statement reads.

So far, the PDP has taken its presidential rally to 33 states and the federal capital territory (FCT), while it is scheduled to hold the penultimate campaign in Taraba on Thursday (Today).

However, the party has been unable to hold its presidential rally in Rivers state.

On Tuesday, the party cancelled the planned campaign rally in Rivers, citing alleged attacks on the members of the campaign team in the state.

Lee Maeba, chairperson of the campaign council in Rivers, said the rally in the state would not hold to avoid members being attacked.

In the light of the above submission, we the state campaign council, in total constructive engagement with the national presidential campaign council, the candidate, and the party, having seen and evaluated the bodily harm and potential death threats, believe that no loss of life can be tolerated, accepted before, during and after the presidential election, and agree with our principals on the need to shelve and or cancel the rally to avoid any death, because the victory of Atiku Abubakar does not deserve spilling of the blood of even one citizen of Rivers state, Maeba said.

The PDP is grappling with a division after the partys primaries which produced Atiku Abubakar as the standard bearer.

The crisis has led to the creation of G5 a group of five governors led by Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers.

Wike and his allies  including Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu  have excluded themselves from the partys presidential campaign over calls for Iyorchia Ayu to step down as the partys national chairperson.

The calls for Ayus resignation, according to the group, are based on the grounds that the presidential candidate and the national chairperson cannot be from the same region.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to attend the 36th ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union (AU).

The presidency, in a statement, said Buhari will Thursday(today) depart Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The theme of the AU Summit is Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA) Implementation.

The president is also expected to take part in three high level meetings on peace and security, climate change and the political situation in some West African countries.

First is the Peace & Security Council (PSC) meeting of Heads of State and Government on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (AUPSC High Level AU), to be chaired by the President of South Africa, in his capacity as the Chair of the Council for February, the statement reads.

Second is the meeting of the Committee of the Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), currently chaired by the President of Niger Republic.

The president is also billed to attend an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

PMB will deliver remarks at these events as well as present his National Statement at the opening session of the Summit, which brings together leaders from the AU member countries as well as a number of non-AU countries and Intl institutions accredited to the AU in Addis Ababa, the presidency said.

Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by some ministers and other top government officials.

He is expected back in the country on Monday, February 20.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has described the announcement by the President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that only the old N200 banknote remains legal tender while the old N500 and N1,000 notes are not as a contempt of court.





According to the lawyer-cum-activist, the president cannot overrule the Supreme Court of Nigeria.





About 12 state governors have dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court over the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which introduced new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes and directed the old notes ceased to be legal tender from February 10, 2023.





On Wednesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the suit to February 22, 2023.





Buhari in a nationwide address on Thursday morning announced that the old N200 note remains legal tender till April 10 but the old N500 and N1,000 notes are not.





Reacting, Adegoruwa, in a statement on Thursday morning, faulted the president, saying he flouted the principle of the separation of powers.





He said, There is separation of powers in a democracy.





Under section 235 of the 1999 Constitution, the Supreme Court is the final authority in legal pronouncements in Nigeria.





Under section 287(1) of the Constitution, the President is statutorily obliged to obey, enforce and give effect to the decision of the Supreme Court.





Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution:





(1) The decisions of the Supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the supreme Court.





Adegoruwa added that the presidents broadcast is sad for our democracy.





He added, Since he already admitted that the matter is subjudice, the President should not have proceeded to vary the order of the Supreme Court.





The president and indeed the executive should not give the impression that citizens can brazenly disregard lawful orders of any court, as that will only encourage anarchy and lawlessness.





It amounts to executive rascality and brazen disregard and contempt of the Supreme Court, for the President to separate the denomination of the old notes for legality. It is not open to the President to choose which portion of the order of the Supreme Court that will be obeyed.





The President should reverse his directive and add the N500 and N1000 old notes, failing which the Supreme Court should overrule the directive of the President in on February 22 when the case comes up.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode on Wednesday, revealed that his interrogation at the Department of State Services, DSS, over his recent controversial tweet would continue every day.

The former Minister of Aviation was invited by the secret police over a tweet alleging a plot by some army officials to overthrow the current government.

FFK honoured the invitation on Monday and Wednesday but said in a tweet after his return that he has been asked to report to the DSS headquarters every day.

According to his tweet, the interrogation has been intensive, challenging and grueling.

The tweet reads, Reported to DSS again today. Just got back. I was there for hours of intensive interrogation. It was challenging & gruelling. I have been ordered to report there EVERY day.

I will comply. No fear! The Lord is with us! He is a man of war & MIGHTY in battle! Who can resist Him?
Godwin Emefiele, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says he has met with 15 heads of commercial banks to ease the ongoing cash crunch in the country, following President Muhammadu Buharis directive in his national broadcast to the nation.

Emefiele spoke to state house correspondents shortly after attending a meeting between Buhari and the house of representatives ad hoc committee on new naira redesign and naira swap policy at the presidential villa, on Thursday.

The CBN governor assured Nigerians that the old N200 notes will be made available immediately.

He, therefore, appealed to the citizens to allow the policy to work, saying it would go a long way in helping the nations economy.

Emefiele also assured that the CBN will continue to do everything possible to ease the sufferings currently being experienced by Nigerians due to the cash crunch.

Earlier today, Buhari announced the extension of the validity of old N200 notes till April 10.

The president, announcing the development in a televised nationwide address, said all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and designated points.

To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10 2023 when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender, Buhari said.

Yesterday, the supreme court adjourned the hearing of the case brought against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and federal government on the naira redesign policy.

With the adjournment, the court said the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes remain legal tender.
Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church has vowed never to render his support to any wicked politician who is nursing the ambition of ruling the country.

Oyedepo, who spoke while leading his congregation on prayer for the nation particularly for the February and March general elections, said God is angry with the wicked leaders.

Speaking on alleged practice of nepotism by the Nigerian leaders, Oyedepo asserted that there are no tribes without citizens capable of leading the country.

He said, There are no tribes and regions without competent men with the character and capacity to lead Nigeria and there are no tribes and regions without incompetent people. More often than not, it is incompetent people who get there.

There are no tribes and regions in Nigeria without competent men with the character and capacity to lead Nigeria. The day I will support a wicked to reign in Nigeria will not meet me here. I am on Gods side.

God is angry with the wicked every day, I cant be in love with the wicked. If you are in love with the wicked, you are a hater of God. You hate God with passion.
Funsho Adeoti, the first wife of Kazim Adeoti, has lamented that she was unable to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband.

Funsho took to her Instagram story on Wednesday to share a video of herself and Kazim during a photo session.

The mother of four also appreciated God for life while assuring that everything will be fine.

Wow ironically today is our 20th wedding anniversary..but it is well and I thank GOD 4 LIFE, she wrote.

The post comes at about the same time when Kazim and Mercy Aigbe, the actress, visited Maldives Island for vacation.

Funsho and Kazims marriage has been surrounded by different controversies after the filmmaker took Mercy as his second wife.

In January 2022, Mercy unveiled Kazim as her husband.

Speaking on his second marriage, Kazim said as a Muslim, he is entitled to marry a second wife.

It is understandable that my first wife is unhappy about getting a second wife but she gave me no choice when she relocated permanently to the US, he had said.

Im a Muslim and Islam permits me to marry more than one wife as long as I take care of them and I dont maltreat them. I can stand before God and man that as a man, I have done my best not to maltreat them.

The filmmakers comment did not, however, go down well with Funsho. She also issued a stern warning to the pair.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has denied being responsible for the protests in Edo State.

Oshiomhole issued the denial in response to the call for his arrest by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, over the protests in Benin City.

The former governor said the call for his arrest was unnecessary because he never called for the protests.

Speaking through his spokesman, Victor Oshioke, he said he only asked people of the state to intimidate the Peoples Democratic Party with their campaigns and not violence.

A statement by Oshioke reads: If Oshiomhole used the word intimidate, he said they should intimidate them with their own campaign, he said they should not leave the space in Edo for other parties because Edo is an APC state.

The short video is everywhere, if they have the whole video let them post it and judge it with the short one they have, did he say demonstrate? No.

Oshiomhole said they should intimidate them with their own crowd, that the APC crowd should be able to intimidate other parties crowds in Edo.

Oshiomhole didnt make any statement to suggest that anybody should riot against anybody.

Some youths in Edo State had embarked on a riot over the current naira and fuel scarcity in Benin City.




Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Kashim Shettima, his running mate, were in Rivers state for the partys campaign rally on Wednesday.

Rotimi Amaechi, ex-governor of Rivers and former minister of transportation, was not in attendance at the rally.

Amaechi had also contested the presidential ticket of the APC.

Although the former minister has not attended most presidential campaign rallies of the APC since the flag-off in November 2022, in January 2023, he attended the rally in Adamawa.

Tonye Cole, governorship candidate of the APC in the state, and other party stakeholders were also at the rally.

Below are pictures from the event.








President Muhammadu Buhari is considering extending the validity of old naira notes by 60 days.

This is to avoid disobeying the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which ruled that the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes remain valid until it delivers judgment in the case filed by some states against the federal government.

The CBN had insisted that the deadline of February 10 would not be changed but TheCable quoting a senior government official revealed that Buhari was worried about the hardship faced by Nigerians as well as the legal implications of disobeying the order of the constitutional court.

The official said this was the focus of a meeting between Buhari and the leadership of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) as well as the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) until the early hours of Wednesday.

The governors were then expected to withdraw their case at the apex court.

The resolution was to give room for President Buhari to make concession on the monetary policy and make the following announcements public, the official said.

One, that the old naira notes of N1,000, N500 and N200 be allowed free movement in and out of the banks for the next 60 days.

Two, that all three notes will be legal tender during this period, but that any old N500 or N1,000 that goes into a bank will not be sent back into circulation.

The official said that while others were on the same page with the president, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, insisted on total cancellation of the policy.

Buhari, who had earlier delayed attending the federal executive council (FEC) meeting by 40 minutes to monitor the development at the Supreme Court, was disappointed that the governors reneged on their promise to withdraw the case.

He had, after the meeting on Wednesday, met with Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, and Modibbo Tukur, the director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), on the need to allow all old notes circulate in the system to ease hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

The president will not disobey court. But he is also concerned about the suffering of Nigerians and wants to find lasting solution to it, the official further explained.

It is clear that some militancy is being propagated against the people by elite who have the means to secure the new notes no matter what while the people continue to suffer.

The president will continue to engage and see the way out of the logjam.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government on Wednesday vowed to prosecute anyone rejecting old naira notes as legal tender across the state.

In a statement by the states Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the governor said since the Supreme Court judgment was yet to rule on the matter, the old N200, N500, and N1,000 still remain legal tender.

The statement read, The Lagos State Government wishes to put on record the patience and calmness of Lagosians following the controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.

The State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22. When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.

That position has not changed. The State Government hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. He is confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.

To cushion the effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria directive on the old notes, especially on the vulnerable among us, Lagos State has started the distribution of the food packs promised by the governor. The 50% fares slash on all state transportation facilities continues, as directed by Mr Governor.




The United Kingdom has issued another travel advice to its citizens in Nigeria, the second in four months.





In the information updated on Wednesday, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO, warned against areas where there are banks and ATMs.





It noted that the Central Bank of Nigerias redesigning and issue of new N200, N500 and N1000 notes has led to shortages of cash.





Citizens were encouraged to ensure notes provided by currency exchange vendors will be valid for the duration of their travel to Nigeria.





There have been outbreaks of violence in some Southern states as a result of cash shortages, with a risk of other urban areas being impacted across the country.





We advise travellers in Nigeria to exercise their judgement, including being aware of any large crowds or potential disturbances, the FCDO said.





The U.K. observed a spike in criminal activity, advising its nationals to take take extra precautions particularly when withdrawing cash in crowded spaces, and during night time hours.





They were also cautioned against travels Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.





The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Niger, Kebbi, Abia, Plateau and Taraba States.





The UK government also mentioned the Nigeria Centre for Disease Controls announcement of the online Health Declaration Form for incoming travellers.





The advice said ahead of the general elections movement restrictions may be enforced while there is heightened risk of protests and violence.
The United States and the federal government have signed an agreement to repatriate $954,000 allegedly stolen by Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former governor of Bayelsa state.

The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by Mary Leonard, US ambassador to Nigeria, and Beatrice Jedy-Agba, solicitor-general of the federation and permanent secretary of the ministry of justice.

The solicitor-general said the funds have been approved for the construction of a healthcare centre for the residents of Bayelsa state.

This asset return arose from the forfeiture and recovery of approximately $1 million USD linked to the corrupt practices of former Bayelsa state governor, D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, she said.

The United States government, in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Nigeria initiated and completed forfeiture proceedings against certain real property and investment funds located in Maryland and Massachusetts against the former governor which resulted in the net forfeiture to the Government of United States of America totalling the sum of $954,807.40.

Following the court order, the FRN and the USA have negotiated and finalized the terms of the asset return agreement.

It is worthy to note that in line with the terms of this agreement, Mr President has already approved the expected sum to be utilised for the implementation of a health centre project for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa state and to be monitored by the civil society organisations and the federal government, through the federal ministry of justice.
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When we think about the local king cake scene, names like Haydels, Hi-Do, Antoines, Dong Phuong and the seemingly endless Randazzos factions come to mind. But arguably none of them have gathered quite as much notoriety as Larry Ragusas King Cakes just past Arabi.

Over the years, Ragusa gained attention for his muffuletta king cake, a king cake stuffed with olive salad and a thin layer of salami  or as his regulars call it, the plain.

As Ragusa said in his commercials, We know what the people of New Orleans want in a king cake: garish, lurid, exaggerated and over-the-top flavors and fillings that would be out of place at a 99-cent all-you-can-eat buffet and serve the purpose of ruining what used to be a fairly simple holiday treat.

It all started in the early 2000s, when New Orleans actor Lawrence Beron came up with the character of Larry Ragusa. At the time, he was doing comedy shows in the showroom on the side of Martines on Metairie Road. Beron was noticing that local businesses were getting more and more garish with their king cakes, and he didnt see an end in sight.

It's always bemused me as a local that you can't just have a king cake anymore, Beron says. It's got to have some kind of addition or additions, plural. It came to be what I loosely considered the King Cake Arms Race. There has to be filling and there has to be icing, and it has to be 'why can't we have two fillings then?'

Certainly, the culture of excess in the city never stopped at king cakes.

Being a New Orleanian, you go out to dinner and you say, 'I want to have the fried trout,' Beron says. OK, how about if we put some sauteed crab meat on top of that?' 'OK, sure.' 'OK, and what about some toasted almonds and make it an almondine?' 'OK, fine.' 'And what about some spinach souffle?' 'No, no, no, wait a minute, hold on.'

Meanwhile, the Randazzo king cake wars were raging on unabated. Various factions of the storied culinary family had for decades fought for the right to claim the mantle as THE Randazzo king cake, and New Orleans, being New Orleans, had become bitterly and hilariously divided.

Combine the king cake concoctions with the inner family dramas, and Beron knew it was a parody goldmine. And the landscape has only gotten worse in the last decade  Rouses is now actually selling muffuletta king cakes. Seriously.

Enter Larry Ragusa, a local baker with a penchant for chain-smoking and wisecracking, who would show a small crowd at Martines his king cakes. At first glance, it appeared to be a run-of-the-mill king cake sitting out on the table, setting the stage for the perfect big reveal.

The top was separate, and I'd pick up the top and reveal the olive salad and salami, Beron says, and there literally would be an audible gasp from the audience.

Beron felt he was onto something. He continued doing the bit locally, but in 2011, he and director David White decided to take Ragusa to the world wide web. The two were talking one day, when White asked Beron if hed written anything that might be a good fit for a YouTube video.

I swear I was so green and this was so long ago, I asked him, 'What's YouTube?' Beron says.

But while Beron may not have been familiar with YouTube back in the platforms early years, he instantly knew it was Ragusas time to shine online.

Even right there I said, 'Yeah, I have written something I think we can do that'd be great with the added assistance of video, he says.

Beron and White both envisioned the vibes of late night New Orleans commercials that would air during shows like Morgus the Magnificent. The ads were low budget, often homemade and full of mistakes.

With a cast and crew, they wound up making 11 commercials for Larry Ragusa King Cakes, formerly known as Ragusa Brothers King Cakes. In them, Ragusa shows off his creations, whether its adding shrimp bordelaise to his muffuletta king cake or the Mrs. Ragusa special, which is blueberry filling on top of the regular olive salad and salami. Oh, and dont forget the chopped-up weenies and tomato gravy.

But family drama is at the heart of the ads. The fourth ad culminates in a nasty fight between Larry Ragusa and his brother Vincent, who appears off-screen. In later commercials, there are tense scenes between Larry and Vincents wife Marie (Joanna Rivers), who prefers traditional king cakes.

You might enjoy watching them but you don't have as much fun as I do making them, Beron says. Because literally we took the standpoint: Nothing could be wrong. If there's a huge error in the middle, so much the better.

Ragusa has strayed away from the limelight since his appearance on Kitchen King in 2015. Obviously, hes still making king cakes at the shop, and though they took a hit during Covid, he assures us theyre definitely throttling back with a strong season this year.

As for his lyin, thievin brother Vincent and Vincents wife, Marie, time hasnt healed all wounds. Ragusa says he cant remember the last time he talked to either of them.

Although Ragusa occasionally tries new flavors at the shop, he says about three quarters of what they sell these days is the plain.

There was an oil spill special we had that I can assure you had nothing to do with BP. So don't get that idea, Ragusa says. But most people like the plain.

And for those dying to know, yes, hes aware of Rouses selling muffuletta king cakes now, but he tells Gambit he sees it as a testament to my greatness more than competition.

I don't need to compete with nobody, he says. I got my customers. They know where to find me.

White is taking the news of Rouses cake slightly differently. It's outright theft, he says. If we would have known, we should have done a trademark on that.

The nerve, Beron agrees. And they are not the first one. They're just the most blatant one.

But in a way, the fact that its Rouses is kismet. Not to give away Ragusas trade secrets but he may source the ingredients for the plain entirely from Rouses  one-stop shopping as Beron calls it.

It's crazy but if people want to eat muffuletta king cakes, that's their own cross to bear, White says.

They shouldnt be too surprised though. Back in Ragusas heyday, he made a guest appearance at a king cake tasting contest. Many local bakeries sent in a few king cakes, but Ragusa  being the man of the people that he is  repped his king cake in person.

Even though they had a monitor playing the commercials in the background and the muffuletta king cake sitting out in all of its horror, some of the foodies didnt seem to be in on the joke.

People were laughing at it, and then people started eating it, and we were like, 'What? What is happening?' White says. People were enjoying it, like, 'Oh, this is very good.' ... Some of them seemed like they thought it was all legit.

Some people even came up for seconds, they say, talking up the combination of sweet and savory flavors. By the end of the night, both of their king cakes were gone.

We were laughing up our sleeves about it, Beron says. Of course, Larry didn't have any sleeves on his shirt.

Though its been a while since Ragusas last public appearance, we may not have seen the last of him.

We always talk about making more (videos), Beron says. I do have a concept for making more but it's more difficult than you think to get everybody together, and you have sophomore slump fears and things like that.

For now, Ragusa still remains part of Beron and Whites lives and retains a bit of a cult following locally. Dirty Coast put out a Larry Ragusa T-shirt earlier this year, and Beron will occasionally get recognized on the street by someone who goes, I need two of your plains.

White, who is newly married, says he recently showed his wife the commercials for the first time. Even though shes from another country and isnt familiar with Mardi Gras, he says she was rolling with laughter.

I'm sorry that you didn't show her them in order to entice her to marry you, Beron says.

Indeed, the Ragusa commercials appear to have transcended local inside joke status to have universal appeal.

I was talking to a friend of mine who's from Denmark. He said, I turned people onto it in Denmark  even they get it, Beron says. He said, 'There's jackasses in Denmark, too.'

To place an order, call Larry Ragusa King Cakes at (504) 888-1234.
Sounds good. Swiping a card is convenient

I just hope tech problems won't back up the lines

Cash is easy. I don't see why they can't accept both

I'd rather the vendor get all my money instead of the credit card companies

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Kids holding signs against Critical Race Theory stand on stage near Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he addresses a crowd before a bill signing at Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., on April 22, 2022.
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HAMMOND  Two members of a murderous Hammond-based street gang members are going to prison.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio imposed a 30-year sentence Wednesday on Jeron A. Shadow Williams, 34, of Chicago, and a 130-month sentence Tuesday on Robert Homicide Loya, of Hammond.

Williams pleaded guilty in 2020 and Loya in 2019 to federal racketeering conspiracy charges that they conducted armed and violent drug trafficking for the Latin Counts, a Chicago-area gang, and its local affiliate, the Jackson Street Latin Counts based in Hammond.

Williams also admitted responsibility for helping plan a June 29, 2015, ambush of rival Latin Kings street gang members that ended up killing two innocent bystanders.

A Latin Counts member opened fire into a crowd gathered near Hammonds Jacobs Square neighborhood around a makeshift memorial for a Latin King member gunned down the previous day.

Members of the Latin Kings shot back. Killed in the barrage of wild shooting were 16-year-old Lauren Calvillo and 33-year-old Christopher White.

Calvillo, a junior at Hammond High School, was fatally hit in the chest while sitting on her front porch in the 5500 block of Beall Avenue in Hammond as she was attempting to shepherd neighborhood children into her home to take cover.

White, who was visiting family, also on Bealle Avenue, was shot in front of the family members home. He died less than six months later at a Dyer nursing home.

Ivan Bola Reyes, a co-defendant who pleaded guilty in 2019 to Latin Counts racketeering conspiracy, and Eduardo Count Eddie Luciano, another co-defendant who was found guilty by a jury in July 2022, are still awaiting sentencing.

A federal grand jury indicted all four men in 2018 as part of a strategy by the U.S. attorney, federal state and local law enforcement officials to take curtail violence among the Latin Counts, Latin Dragons, Latin Kings, Imperial Gangsters and Two Six Nation, who were competing for turf on which to sell illicit drugs.
HAMMOND  An Illinois postal carrier is pleading guilty to stealing more than $18,000 in checks from the mail to defraud an area business.

Latoya Tolbert of Oak Forest asked U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge John E. Martin this week to abort her jury trial.

A federal grand jury indicted Tolbert and Shawn Edwards of Lansing in July on charges of wire fraud. The grand jury also indicted Tolbert on a charge of theft of mail by a postal employee.

The government says Edwards approached Tolbert, a postal carrier in 2020, with a scheme to defraud an unidentified business. Edwards paid her to take advantage of her job to divert four checks to Edwards between September 2020 through February 2021.

Edwards is accused of altering the checks to make them payable to others he had recruited to deposit the fraudulent checks in various bank accounts.

Edward then cashed the checks and split the proceeds among Tolbert, Edwards and others involved.

Both had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were set to be tried the week of May 15.

Tolbert signed an agreement Jan. 23 negotiated by her defense attorney, Kerry Connor, to give up Tolberts right to make the government prove its charges against her.

Federal prosecutors agreed to drop the wire-fraud counts against her and recommend that she serve the minimum sentence allowed under federal sentencing guidelines on the theft charge.

Edwards is maintaining his plea of not guilty.
VALPARAISO  A 37-year-old Kouts man who pleaded guilty last month to repeatedly molesting a young girl was sentenced to 4 years behind bars, with all but time served suspended and to be served on formal probation.

The sentence was part of the deal Cody Jeralds struck with prosecutors in return for pleading guilty to a felony count of child molesting, records show.

Jeralds had served 18 days behind bars; the balance of his sentence will be served on formal probation, according to the sentencing order.

Jeralds has been labeled a sexually violent predator and is required to register as a sex offender for life, according to the court. He was also ordered to undergo a psychosexual evaluation and participate in any recommended therapy.

Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish further ordered Jeralds to surrender all firearms to Kouts police and forbid him from having any contact with the victim during his sentencing period.

The judge is allowing Jeralds to transfer his probation to Michigan.

The incidents in question occurred between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, police said.

The girl, who was 8 and 9 at the time of the crimes, returned home from a "good touch, bad touch" program at her school to inform her mother that Jeralds had been sexually abusing her a few times a month for the past year, according to charging documents. She knew Jeralds.

The girl's mother said she confronted Jeralds about the allegations and he claimed that the girl was massaging his hand.
HAMMOND  With more than 25% of its enrollment being Hispanic, Purdue University Northwest is seeking a designation from the U.S. Department of Education recognizing it as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

The designation would give access to a trove of federal, state and independent grants. But Liz Babock Depew, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs, said PNW is also motivated by its ability "to be able to serve our students better."

Depew said the university has met the criteria  having an enrollment that's at least 25% Hispanic, which it reached in fall 2022  and is in "a holding pattern" as it waits for the Department of Education to finalize it, which takes a couple years. In the meantime, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has given PNW a similar designation.

"We started to realize that we were serving more Hispanic students in the area," she said. "So we were looking at, as an institution, recognizing a shift in enrollment and recognizing that we needed to serve the students better."

That why Iris Sanchez was hired in February 2022 as the university's first director of HSI initiatives.

Sanchez said her office has worked to strengthen Latino student organizations; translated university literature and webpages into Spanish  pnw.edu/esp will take you to the university's website in Spanish; advocated for introducing classes on Latin American history and politics or medical terminology in Spanish; sent students to such gatherings as the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Conference' and celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.

"We're trying to cover all of our bases," she said. "We have really, I think, focused on improving the experience for Latino students who are here now on campus and the ones who are coming in."

Sanchez noted several studies showing that when one minority group succeeds in an institution, other minority groups thrive: "It kind of trickles down. And all the other minority groups also excel because of the extra resources and funding."

However, the university also works to recruit Hispanic students before they step onto campus, and she works heavily on that with Christina Maldonado, PNW's parent, community and early-education liaison.

Maldonado visits K-12 schools; does outreach events with parents; and helps families with such things as FAFSA, which is required to receive financial aid for college, and 21st Century Scholars, a state program that helps students pay for college.

"If you want to go to college, let us talk about why there shouldn't be any obstacles," she said. "There are barriers that can be overcome and we can definitely show you how to overcome those barriers. And so I think, by taking those steps, we can increase the number of Latino students who choose college."

The three noted that 67% of PNW's Hispanic students are first-generation college students. In addition, many of their family members speak only Spanish. Maldonado explained that she helped a Spanish-speaking family Wednesday at Hammond Central High School fill out their FASFA forms.

When PNW receives the designation, Depew said, it will benefit the entire student body because grants attained as a Hispanic-Serving Institution won't be used entirely on things exclusive to Hispanic students.

HSIs first received federal funding in 1995, three years after being initially included in the Higher Education Act. According to the Department of Education's website, 2,044,530 Hispanic students were enrolled in fall 2020 at 451 HSIs in 24 states and Puerto Rico.

PNW is trying to become the third area university with the designation.

In 2020, Indiana University Northwest in Gary became the state's first public college with an HSI designation. Since then, it has become eligible for and received $8 million in federal funding. The private Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting was the first HSI in Indiana, and Goshen College made the list in January.

Valparaiso University is trying to join the club, too. In July, Valpo launched a new strategic plan, "Uplift Valpo," which includes attaining the HSI designation.
First lady Jill Biden's planned Friday visit to Valparaiso has been postponed, the White House announced Thursday.

Biden had been scheduled to visit the Ivy Tech campus with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

The visit was intended "to highlight the Biden administration's commitment to strengthening our economy and building pathways to good-paying jobs through career-connected learning," the White House said last week.

The three had been scheduled to arrive at Porter County Regional Airport at 12:45 p.m. and at Ivy Tech 15 minutes later.

The White House did not give a reason for the cancellation of the trip, only that it was "postponed until a later date."
HAMMOND  An Illinois man has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a machine gun.

Levar Tyms, 20, of Country Club Hills appeared Wednesday afternoon before Magistrate Judge Joshua P. Kolar to admit he was guilty of possessing an unregistered machine gun last year.

The government alleges that Tyms was driving through Gary the afternoon of March 9 when the police departments automated license plate reader system identified the black Chrysler 300 he was in as having previously been reported stolen.

Two Gary police cars located the vehicle and chased it at a high speed onto the westbound Borman Expressway.

Tyms lost control of the car, collided with two other vehicles and crashed into a drainage ditch on the north side of the interstate highway, near Indianapolis Boulevard.

Tyms, the sole occupant of the Chrysler, tried to flee on foot, but police soon captured him.

Officers searching the Chrysler found a .45-caliber Glock equipped with a switch, a device that converts the handgun from semiautomatic to fully automatic, and an extended ammunition magazine.

Derrick Cannon, a task force officer for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Tyms admitted bringing the gun with the switch on the street for $900.

He said the gun probably would have cost about $500 without the switch, and he caught a deal because a Glock with a switch can cost $1,500.

The U.S. attorneys office charged Tyms a week later with a firearms violation for possessing a machine gun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Tyms had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled for a jury trial next week. He could have faced up to 10 years in prison if he had been found guilty.

Tyms signed an agreement last month with the U.S. attorneys office. He gave up his right to make the government prove its case at trial in return for the U.S. attorney recommending he receive a more lenient sentence.

Tyms will remain in federal detention awaiting a decision by the court accepts to accept the terms of the plea agreement and set his sentencing date.
The Pink Ribbon Society recently received a $ 15,000 grant from the Legacy Foundation.

The grant was made possible by the U S Steel/City of Gary Indiana Charitable Fund and is to be used exclusively to support women in Gary who are in need of screening mammograms.

Currently, with funds from this grant, 33 women from Gary will be able to receive a 3D Screening Mammogram at the Breast Care Center at Methodist Hospitals.

Methodist's Pink Ribbon Pink Days event, which will be held at both the Gary and Merrillville, campuses, is scheduled for April 15, 22 and 29.

Details will be shared via the Methodist social media pages, along with a Methofax, which will go out to over 1,000 physician offices describing the program.

Methodist also partnered with St. Timothy Church, located in Gary, which will help transport women who need transportation from their church.

Patients can reach out to the Methodist Hospitals Central Scheduling Department, which will connect them to the Methodist Financial Services Team for additional instructions.

They will be financially screened along with confirming their residency in the city of Gary, which is one of the criteria to apply, along with being 275% below FPL.

Expenses for women who may need further work-ups following the screening mammogram will be covered by the Methodist No Women Left Behind program.

For more information, contact Pink Ribbon Society at 219-472-0704 or Methodist Hospitals at 219-981-5440.
HIGHLAND  Detective Cmdr. Ralph Potesta has become Highland's 16th police chief.

The veteran Highland officer was sworn in to office Monday night, succeeding Pete Hojnicki, who retired last week after almost 21 years leading the department.

Potesta's family accompanied him to the ceremony at Highland Town Hall.

"Thanks for having faith in me," Potesta said, thanking Highland officials and residents. "Its a great honor for me to be able to serve our community in this capacity."

Potesta, 56, said he began his tenure in Highland as a patrol officer in 1989.

He was assigned to the detective bureau in 2001 and promoted to detective corporal in 2006. He advanced to detective sergeant in 2007 and was appointed detective commander in 2008.

"I was born and raised in this town, graduated from Highland High School and, after getting hired here in 1989, I worked the next 33-plus years of my life climbing the ranks at the Highland Police Department," he said.

He is a 1989 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and took executive training at the FBI National Academy in 2009.

He's also a 1991 graduate of Indiana University Northwest, earning a degree in criminal justice.

Potesta offered lots of praise for his predecessor.

"I had a great mentor in outgoing Chief Peter Hojnicki and I learned a lot from him over the years," Potesta said, adding that he has big shoes to fill. "I was honored to be a part of his administrative team for the past 14 years."

A major focal point in Hojnicki's tenure was his continual efforts to keep a solid connection between the police and the Highland community, Potesta said. And community support remains strong.

"Most of our residents have continued to support our officers by letting us all know that we are appreciated. My goal is to continue strengthening this bond during my tenure as chief."

Potesta plans to continue providing the best equipment and training available to his officers.

He also plans to work closely with the Police Commission and Town Council to deal with the recruitment and retention issues that many police departments, including Highland, are facing across the country.

In recognition of his years of service to the town, Hojnicki was presented a special plaque by the council.
The Ukrainian violinist Solomia Onyskiv arrived in the United States last month on a mission.

With the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of her country approaching, she worried that the world was quickly forgetting the suffering there. She had come with 65 other musicians from the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine to lead a 40-concert tour aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture.

We are almost in a state of panic now, Onyskiv said. We worry deeply about the future of our country because this war wont stop. Russia wont stop. And if we dont stand up, if the world doesnt stand up, there will be more suffering.

On Wednesday, Onyskiv and her colleagues will get one of their most visible platforms yet: the stage of Carnegie Hall, where they will perform a program that includes Brahmss Piano Concerto No. 1 and Dvoraks New World Symphony, as well as the Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovychs Chamber Symphony No. 3.

The concert is a milestone, but also a bittersweet moment for many of the musicians: They have spent much of the past year on tour, away from family and friends, watching the destruction of war from afar. Some have struggled to keep their focus as they embark on their cultural mission, checking constantly for news of Russian attacks and reading stories about Ukrainians who have been killed.
Thousands of retirees confronted local officials and the police outside a popular park in the central Chinese city of Wuhan to demand the repeal of recent cuts in government-provided medical insurance for seniors.

The protest on Wednesday, the second in Wuhan in a week, was the latest sign of strain on the finances of Chinas local governments, which are responsible for covering much of the cost of everything from health care to heating homes. Chinas zero Covid policies, dictated by Beijing over the past three years, saddled those localities with additional costs, while a downturn in the real estate market eroded a reliable stream of revenue.

Video footage that circulated online indicated that large crowds gathered around Zhongshan Park in Wuhan, as the police tried to divide them by imposing barricades. When police officers tried to push the crowds back, older men and women refused to back off and shouted in officers faces. Some sang songs like The Internationale, an anthem employed by both the ruling Communist Party and by protesters, who have used it to suggest that the party has strayed from its ideological roots.

In Wuhan, seven witnesses to the protest and two other residents described what they called a large demonstration during the day. One witness said he had seen police officers roughly detain protesters and lead them away.
Many public health experts believe that if more people were to have the spray readily available at home, or in their pockets or knapsacks, many fatalities could be averted.

The Biden administration has made expanding access to the medicine a priority in its efforts to combat the overdose crisis, which reached a record 107,000 deaths in 2021. The rising fatalities include people addicted to opioids as well as those who illegally purchased prescription medications like Xanax or Percocet that had been tainted with the deadly synthetic opioid, fentanyl. Experts at Wednesdays daylong hearing noted that even stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are being mixed with fentanyl, leading to even greater numbers of accidental overdoses.

In recommending that the spray become as easily available as ibuprofen, the 19 voting panelists determined that naloxone, which was approved as an overdose-reversal injection in 1971, is abundantly safe and effective even in infants, with almost no potential for misuse or abuse. And, the panels concluded, naloxone does not require medical training to use.

Side effects, typically symptoms associated with withdrawal, were relatively negligible compared with the medicines far greater lifesaving benefit, panel members said. Naloxone, which comes in a nasal spray, a vial and preloaded syringes, is believed to have saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

The drug blocks the effects of opiates on the brain. Opiates can depress the respiratory system and other bodily functions. By interrupting that connection before its too late, Narcan can wake a person from a lethal stupor. The instructions on the two-pack carton say that the Narcan administrator should apply one dose in the nostril of a person suspected of having overdosed and then call 911. If the person does not rouse within two or three minutes, a second dose can be applied in the other nostril.
When Representative George Santos of New York was 24, he did something that many millions of people do each year: He got married.

That marriage, to a Brazilian woman, would last seven years. In that time, Mr. Santos began to lay the groundwork for a largely fictional life story, moving back and forth between New York and Florida, working sporadic jobs that he later falsely inflated into a successful Wall Street career, and navigating a handful of evictions. He would also date men  even proposing to one in 2014.

By 2019, Mr. Santos was divorced, not long before he launched his first congressional campaign. But the old relationship drew new scrutiny on Wednesday, via a letter filed with ethics watchdogs in the House of Representatives requesting an investigation into whether Mr. Santos has violated federal immigration laws.

The request was made by Malcolm Lazin, an L.G.B.T.Q. rights activist and former federal prosecutor, to the House Ethics Committee and Office of Congressional Ethics. It is the latest in a torrent of scrutiny of Mr. Santos, who made history as the first openly gay non-incumbent Republican to be elected to Congress.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  The marchers kept up a brisk pace, through streets lined by old oaks tinseled in Spanish moss that acknowledged even the slightest breeze.

At one point they chanted: What do you do when Black history is under attack? Stand up, fight back. At another they chanted: Hey, hey, ho, ho, Ron DeSantis has got to go.

They were in Tallahassee protesting DeSantiss crusade against everything woke, a concept his own general counsel defined as the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them. Earlier this week Shevrin Jones, the first openly gay man and first L.G.B.T. Black member of the Florida Senate, told me his theory of why Republicans like DeSantis are abusing and bastardizing the word woke: Its the new N-word.

DeSantiss obsession has led him from attacking critical race theory to, now, restricting the teaching of Black history itself.
While other Hollywood actresses came up in the business by way of the bikini role, Ms. Welch was unusual in that she remained so solidly fixed within the category. Marilyn Monroe developed into a bona fide movie star during her brief life. Ditto for Jayne Mansfield. Sophia Loren  whose beauty was quite similar to Ms. Welchs  successfully negotiated a stellar dramatic career. And Jane Fonda totally transcended her Barbarella sexpot poster days to become an acclaimed actress.

Why then did Ms. Welch remain in our imagination as Loana on the poster, even after winning a Golden Globe in 1975 for her role in The Three Musketeers? To be sure, she may not have shared those other actresses stage skills, but theres something else. Somehow, Ms. Welch fit perfectly into a very specific American vision of consumable female sexuality, a vision born in the late 60s but which took root in the 70s.

In part its a look  all hair and cleavage  but also an attitude. Objectified, yes, but self-aware. Quietly confident, even armored in her drop-dead sexiness, available but defiant. The closest comparable contemporary might be Kim Kardashian, who is a star without being an actor, a commodity creating her own brand  Pygmalion and Galatea in one.

To watch Ms. Welch banter with Johnny Carson on his show in 1968 is to see her walk this tightrope. Before she comes onstage, Mr. Carson and his sidekick, Ed McMahon, stammer together about how unnerving they find her beauty. Mr. McMahon jokes nervously about how seeing Ms. Welch backstage had unhinged him completely. Normally glib, Mr. Carson struggles for words to describe her, while making the universal hand gesture for big breasts. When Ms. Welch strides onstage covered up in a high-necked, floor-length dress of angelic white (a sight gag that suggests all three are in on the joke), the two men seem undone by her soft-spoken poise. Asked about being a sex symbol, she says with devastating simplicity, I dont think that you can really fight against an image.
There is currently a class about the designer Thom Browne being taught not, as one might expect, at Parsons or the Fashion Institute of Technology or even Central Saint Martins, but at the University of Notre Dame. And not by a business professor, or an art professor, but by a philosophy professor.

A philosophy professor?

Mr. Browne, who became famous as a proponent of a new kind of tailoring  shrunken gray suits and shorts suits that subverted midcentury cliches and turned them into something almost illicit  may be Americas great fashion ideologue, as well as one of its success stories. He is an apostle for the importance of imagination, the kind that goes beyond just aesthetics to identity-building, and taps into emotion as well as silhouette.

That, in fact, holds that the two are inextricable: What you put on your outside should, and does, change how you feel on your inside.

That sort of theorizing is rarely associated with New York designers, who have often been stereotyped as too commercial and market-oriented, focused to their detriment on predictability and functionality, not invention. Its a generalization that is increasingly passe, however. And if Mr. Browne has his way, it may finally be overwritten.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio  Hundreds of Ohio residents gathered in a school gym on Wednesday night to demand answers about the ongoing fallout from a derailed train carrying hazardous chemicals, transforming what had been billed as an informational meeting into a heated town hall where officials with the railroad company didnt even show up.

The mayor pleaded with the crowd at East Palestine High School to remain civil as they called out questions and occasionally booed after answers. The meeting was the latest effort to quell concerns and ballooning distrust, nearly two weeks after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed and a controlled burn of chemicals onboard forced residents to evacuate temporarily.

Linda Murphy, 49, who attended the meeting with her husband, Russell, pressed officials about the difficulty of getting her water tested. Dead fish were turning up in a creek near her house, Ms. Murphy said, and the smell of chemicals hung in the air. I dont understand how we can have this issue and everything is O.K.

State officials have continued to recommend that some residents drink bottled water as testing continues in private wells, municipal water and streams, and fears have percolated over the possible dangers of long-term exposure to the chemicals.
WASHINGTON  Senior American officials increasingly believe the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina in early February was originally supposed to conduct surveillance over U.S. military bases in Guam and Hawaii, but winds carried it off course to Alaska, Canada and finally the United States mainland.

The evolution of Washingtons understanding of the Chinese militarys original goals and new details that reveal misreadings of the U.S. reaction by Chinese officials in private meetings reflect how difficult it is for the United States and China to discern each others intentions  a gap that American officials fear could lead to greater mistrust in an already fraught relationship or even to armed conflict.

In another example of the fog created by superpower rivalry and political imperatives, U.S. officials said in interviews on Wednesday that they now increasingly believe three unidentified flying objects shot down over North America were unlikely to be surveillance devices.

U.S. officials said they are still trying to make a definitive conclusion on what the objects were, and do not think they will reach one until more debris is collected. Some senior officials said that based on preliminary work, they believe the three objects were likely designed for scientific or weather research and had ceased to function, becoming akin to airborne trash.
Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for Mr. Bauer, and Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, declined to comment on the searches of the university. They referred all questions to the Justice Department, which also declined to comment. The searches were reported earlier by CNN.

It is not clear where at the university the F.B.I. searched, but it is possible that investigators were combing the archives for classified documents dating from Mr. Bidens tenure in the Senate that ended up in his possession. Some of the classified material found during an F.B.I. search of Mr. Bidens house on Jan. 21 was from his four-decade career in the Senate representing Delaware.

Mr. Biden graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 with a joint degree in history and political science. After being elected vice president, he donated papers from his Senate career to the universitys library.

The general public cannot gain access to the collection without Mr. Bidens permission until the university has processed and archived all the materials. The president and designated representatives can look at the materials, but have not done so since November 2019  and no documents have been added or removed from the collection by any Biden designees, according to the universitys website.

The investigation is one of several into high-ranking officials handling of sensitive materials. Former President Donald J. Trump is also facing a special counsel investigation into documents taken to his residence and resort in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, but the two cases are different: Mr. Biden has cooperated with authorities, while Mr. Trump and his lawyers resisted efforts by the National Archives and the Justice Department to return the documents.
WASHINGTON  When Barack Obama underwent a routine physical exam as president, his doctor noted that he had moved on from cigarettes to nicotine gum. Bill Clintons doctor included details about his fluctuating weight. Richard Nixons doctor complained that he didnt exercise enough.

There is no legal requirement to follow when it comes to the presidents checkups, and the amount of information released has always been up to the man himself. But President Bidens exam on Thursday will get extra scrutiny because, at 80, he is Americas oldest president.

There probably is more pressure in this situation, said Dr. Dan Blazer, professor emeritus at the Duke University School of Medicine. Thats just our society.

Mr. Bidens exam has been delayed for weeks because of what officials said were scheduling issues. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said the administration would follow the same routine as with Mr. Bidens previous physical.
Fifty years on, the true cause of death of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, in the wake of the countrys 1973 coup detat, has remained in doubt across the world.

The Nobel laureate was not only one of the worlds most celebrated poets but also one of Chiles most influential political activists. An outspoken communist, he supported Salvador Allende, Chiles leftist president from 1970 to 1973, and worked in his administration.

Mr. Nerudas death in a private clinic just weeks after the coup was determined to be the result of cancer, but the timing and the circumstances have long raised doubts about whether his death was something more nefarious.

On Wednesday, The New York Times reviewed the summary of findings compiled by international forensic experts who had examined Mr. Nerudas exhumed remains and identified bacteria that can be deadly. In a one-page summary of their report, shared with The New York Times, the scientists confirmed that the bacteria was in his body when he died, but said they could not distinguish whether it was a toxic strain of the bacteria nor whether he was injected with it or instead ate contaminated food.
When the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, perhaps the nations most celebrated figure, died in 1973, the official cause was cancer.

But there has long been suspicion that Mr. Neruda was murdered, and plenty of circumstantial evidence appeared to support the theory.

Less than two weeks before his death, a military coup had toppled the leftist government. Mr. Neruda was one of the governments most prominent allies and was just hours from fleeing to Mexico.

Then, in 2011, his chauffeur made a bombshell allegation: Mr. Neruda was mysteriously injected in the stomach shortly before his death.
KYIV, Ukraine  As Moscow steps up its offensive in eastern Ukraine, weeks of failed attacks on a Ukrainian stronghold have left two Russian brigades in tatters, raised questions about Russias military tactics and renewed doubts about its ability to maintain sustained, large-scale ground assaults.

The battle for the city of Vuhledar, which has been viewed as an opening move in an expected Russian spring offensive, has been playing out since the last week of January, but the scale of Moscows losses there is only now beginning to come into focus.

Accounts from Ukrainian and Western officials, Ukrainian soldiers, captured Russian soldiers and Russian military bloggers, as well as video and satellite images, paint a picture of a faltering Russian campaign that continues to be plagued by battlefield dysfunction.

In recent weeks, Moscow has rushed tens of thousands more troops, many of them inexperienced new recruits, to the front lines as President Vladimir V. Putins forces seek to demonstrate progress before the anniversary of his invasion on Feb. 24. But raising further doubts about Russias offensive capabilities, Western officials estimate that a large part of Russias army is already fighting in Ukraine.
At least six Russian balloons floated over the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday, triggering air-raid sirens before most of them were shot down, Ukrainian officials said, prompting speculation about the balloons purpose and when they were first deployed.

About six enemy air targets were detected in Kyivs airspace, said a statement from the Kyiv military administration, posted Wednesday on the Telegram social messaging app. All six were hit by air defense systems. Most of these probes were shot down.

The purpose of the balloons remains under investigation, it said, although given the conflict there seemed to be slightly less mystery about them than a Chinese balloon and other objects that have been detected recently drifting over North America.

Russia uses such flying objects for reconnaissance or to confuse air defense systems, Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian air force, said on national television. Although the balloons are of different sizes, he said, they can be used to dangle aloft simple, small reflectors.
But four critics based outside of Germany said in interviews that they had received bizarre communications from him after giving his works negative reviews. Juan Michael Porter II said in a telephone interview that in 2016, when he was starting out as a critic, he wrote a review for HuffPost in which he said one of Mr. Goeckes pieces bobbed along for 12 minutes longer than was necessary to ever diminishing effect before finally going away.

Soon afterward, Mr. Porter said he received an email from Mr. Goecke, essentially asking, Who are you to criticize the greatest choreographers in the world? When Mr. Porter didnt reply, Mr. Goecke emailed a second time, calling him a coward for not responding.

Mr. Goecke denied emailing any critics. He said he didnt use email and would never call himself a great choreographer. It looks like I have a problem, he added, but that is not the case. He welcomed constructive criticism, he said.

He insisted he believed in freedom of speech where nobody gets hurt.

Ms. Berman of the Hanover State Opera said that in Mr. Goeckes three years at the company there had been no problems with his behavior. I never imagined hed ever do anything remotely like this, she said. In normal everyday life, he is extremely honorable, respectful, empathetic.

In the weeks before the incident, Mr. Goecke said he had been preparing for the premiere of his dance In the Dutch Mountains in the Netherlands. He felt under pressure to create a masterpiece, he said. He also had personal struggles. His mother was ill, he said, and his dog, 14  years old, was coming to the end of its life.

I was always thinking, Do I have to carry him back to Germany in a plastic bag? Mr. Goecke said.
The stellar photographer Ming Smith remembers walking past the Museum of Modern Art when she was in her early 20s and telling herself, Im going to be in that museum one day.

Anyone hearing her might have thought: Dream on. This was the 1970s. Smith was Black, female, new to New York City, with zero art credentials of the kind demanded by any museum of even the brashest up-and-comer, which Smith  a self-described low-key loner  was not.

But even then some changes were afoot  a few, isolated, sporadic  for artists and institutions alike. In 1979, in response to an open call by MoMAs photography department for new work, Smith dropped off her portfolio. (The receptionist assumed she was a courier.) The museum bought two pictures, making her the first Black woman photographer to enter MoMAs collection.

Forty years later came another landmark. In 2019, when MoMA opened its new Geffen Wing and the Studio Museum in Harlem, where Smith had shown over several decades, closed to build its new home, the two institutions began collaborating on exhibitions at MoMAs Midtown and Long Island City locations.
Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

Sick Burn, Bro

On Tuesday, a reporter for Newsmax asked Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, if President Biden was woke.

Sarah Silverman, guest host for The Daily Show, called Newsmax basically an even more far-right Fox News  like if your crazy uncle had a crazy uncle.
You might think an outdated smartphone is hilarious: That funny button on the front! That tiny screen! To Siddharth Kara, an owners failure to upgrade is no laughing matter; its a small but important act of environmental and humanitarian heroism. Why? Because the fewer rechargeable batteries we use, the less questionably mined cobalt we're dependent on.

Ive been doing research on modern-day slavery and child labor for more than 22 years in dozens of countries around the world, said Kara, who is the author of four nonfiction books, most recently Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives, which debuted at No. 7 on the hardcover nonfiction list. Around 2015 or 2016, I started hearing from a few colleagues in the field in Africa about cobalt mining. Kara recalled these colleagues saying, The conditions are so bad, Siddharth. You really should come and take a look, see whats happening.

Cobalt to me was a color, he said. I had no idea that it was a valuable mineral in batteries. In 2018, he made the first of four trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he encountered utterly subhuman degradation, quite apart from the massive environmental destruction.

On the second page of Cobalt Red, he describes a childs corpse on bloodstained gravel near a mine, locked in a terminal expression of dread. This is just the first in a parade of devastations and atrocities that winds its way through the book.
Biden addresses the downing of flying objects

President Biden broke his silence on the unidentified flying objects that the U.S. shot down this month. He said U.S. intelligence agencies had no indication that the three recent objects were part of a spy program.

The latest objects appeared unrelated to the Chinese spy balloon that was downed on Feb. 4. Biden said he expected to speak soon with Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, to raise objections to the Chinese balloons violation of U.S. airspace. I make no apologies for taking down that balloon, he said.

We dont yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing right now suggests they were related to Chinas spy balloon program or they were surveillance vehicles from any other country, Biden said. For days, U.S. officials have increasingly thought they were harmless.

Biden vowed to establish new parameters to guard U.S. airspace and to respond to unidentified aerial objects. He also offered an explanation for the rash of sightings, pointing to recent efforts to enhance radar capabilities.
Latvian roofing companies and South Korean trade specialists. Fuel cell manufacturers from Denmark and timber producers from Austria. Private equity titans from New York and concrete plant operators from Germany. Thousands of businesses around the globe are positioning themselves for a possible multibillion-dollar gold rush: the reconstruction of Ukraine once the war is over.

Russia is stepping up its offensive heading into the second year of the war, but already the staggering rebuilding task is evident. Hundreds of thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and factories have been obliterated along with critical energy facilities and miles of roads, rail tracks and seaports.

The profound human tragedy is unavoidably also a huge economic opportunity that Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has likened to the Marshall Plan, the U.S. program that provided aid to Western Europe after World War II. Early cost estimates of rebuilding the physical infrastructure range from $138 billion to $750 billion.

The prospect of that trove is inspiring altruistic impulses and entrepreneurial vision, savvy business strategizing and rank opportunism for what the Ukrainian chamber of commerce is trumpeting as the worlds largest construction site!
The former top JPMorgan Chase executive responsible for the banks 15-year relationship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein swapped sexually suggestive emails about young women with him  even after Mr. Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes in 2008, according to a filing Wednesday in a lawsuit against JPMorgan in federal court.

The document bolstered claims in the original complaint, filed in late December, that James E. Staley, who was the lead private banker of JPMorgan, and Mr. Epstein were unusually close and that the bank should have been aware of the relationship. The two men exchanged more than 1,000 emails, according to the court filing.

Mr. Staley, who goes by Jes, later became the chief executive of the British bank Barclays. But in 2021, the bank pushed him out in the swirl of a regulatory inquiry into his years-earlier relationship with Mr. Epstein and whether he had fully disclosed the extent of those ties before joining Barclays.

Lawyers for the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands said in the amended civil complaint that Mr. Epstein had emailed Mr. Staley photos of young women in seductive poses, and that the two had engaged in discussions of sex with young women. The complaint is against JPMorgan, and Mr. Staley is not a defendant.
The Westlake Shopping Center, which opened in the 1950s in Daly City, Calif., is one of the first modern malls in the country. Over the past seven decades, it has survived the rise of online retailers, the shuttering of anchor stores and operating restrictions related to the pandemic. Now comes its latest test: the addition of nearly 400 apartments.

The strategy, which is being closely watched by retail experts, is expected to increase foot traffic and generate more revenue from the new residents who may be more inclined to shop in their own neighborhood.

Theyre able to feed off each other, said Conor C. Flynn, chief executive of Kimco Realty, the real estate investment trust that owns Westlake. Its almost like an ecosystem where the customer shops your retail, the retailers will support the apartments and drive a premium for the apartments.

The combination of malls and apartments is not a new concept, but more landlords across the country are rethinking their use of space in this way. The strategy builds on the live-work-play communities that are built to accommodate the needs of its residents and have been become popular in the past decade with young adults seeking amenities within walking distance.
BUFFALO  Barely 24 hours after a group of software workers at a Tesla factory in Buffalo issued a letter declaring their intention to unionize, firings began. And the organizers said it was not a coincidence.

In a filing to the National Labor Relations Board, organizers said at least 18 employees were dismissed Wednesday in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity. Tesla workers involved in the union campaign said Thursday that the number had grown to 37.

The workers said in interviews that most of those let go had not been involved in the campaign. Typically Tesla fires a small number of workers in March after performance reviews, they said  but they had never seen so many dismissed at once.

Its very suspect that all of this started to happen the day after the letter was sent to the company, Arian Berek, a data annotation specialist involved in the Buffalo organizing committee, said in an interview. She was laid off Wednesday.
In the last three months of 2022, however, the drought became especially severe. Rainfall totals in central Argentina were the lowest in more than half a century, and yields of wheat, soybeans and other crops fell dramatically in prime growing regions there and in Uruguay. Water emergencies were declared in some areas.

Like previous studies by the group, this one used observational data and computer models to compare what occurred late last year with what would have likely occurred in a world that had not warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius, or 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit, as a result of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. The work has not yet been peer reviewed, but the techniques the researchers used have been peer reviewed in previous studies.

The analysis looked at rainfall totals for October to December over most of Argentina, all of Uruguay and a small part of southern Brazil. They found that without climate change there was a 5 percent chance that such a period of sharply lower rainfall would occur in any given year.

But climate change did not increase the chances, they found. If anything, climate models show that region of central South America becoming slightly wetter as warming continues, though the researchers said the effect was insignificant and, as appeared to be the case with this drought, could be overwhelmed by natural variability.

The area also experienced record-setting heat waves last November and December. Extreme heat can make droughts worse by increasing the loss of moisture from soil and plants, said Juan Rivera, a researcher at the Argentine Institute for Snow Research, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences, who worked on the study.
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Seth Kugels ideal afternoon  if travel to an exotic location is off the table  is a sunlit sojourn in his home office in Jackson Heights, Queens, demystifying someone elses travel nightmare.

Mr. Kugel, a longtime freelance travel writer who has written the Tripped Up travel advice column for The New York Times since May 2022 (he previously wrote the Frugal Traveler column), specializes in lending a ready ear to peoples head-scratching travel problems and then going to bat for them against airlines, travel agencies and car rental companies. He says he can receive up to 250 queries a week on topics such as why rental car companies seldom have the model of car that people reserve available and whether travelers have any recourse when airlines change their flight itineraries.

He reads almost every question he gets, and even if he does not select a question for the column, he tries to respond with a few sentences of advice. If I help someone get their money back, great, he said. But what Im really trying to do is expose the inner workings of the travel industry and travel companies so people reading can avoid such problems in the future.

In an interview, Mr. Kugel shared the most complicated case hes tackled, why he enjoys poring over policies and paperwork, and whether writing the column has made him feel better about his own travel mistakes. These are edited excerpts.
File photo shows an exterior view of the People's Bank of China in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank has said it will take precise measures to strengthen financial support for key areas and weak links in the country's economy.

The central bank will promote the steady growth of inclusive small and micro loans, and encourage financial institutions to increase lending to private enterprises, the People's Bank of China said in a statement.

The central bank will implement city-specific housing credit policies, provide financial services to ensure the delivery of housing, and increase financial support for house leasing to promote the smooth transition of the real estate industry to a new development model.

The bank also pledged efforts to serve the real economy, preventing and defusing risks, and strengthening the regular supervision of platform companies, the statement said.
Irene is the epitome of a theater kid  a talented one at that, and an expert fainter  but her ability to sustain an illusion seems to extend to her worldview as well. Is she tragically naive or in denial?

Fantasy, performance and the discovery of hard truths intermingle in several coming-of-age films set in Europe during World War II, including Louis Malles Au Revoir les Enfants and Roberto Benignis Life Is Beautiful.

Clearly Kiberlain had these movies in mind, but the films conceptual intentions are betrayed by its mishandled idiosyncratic flourishes. In Marders overly affected performance, Irene comes off as a precious idiot rather than a buoyant young woman concealing hidden depths. At points, the contrast between Irenes joy and the encroaching horrors is jarring and eerie, but A Radiant Girl seldom hits these notes  the rest is deflating and awkward.

A Radiant Girl

Not rated. In French, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 38 minutes. In theaters.
Recluse, genius, rebel, muse  a multitude of Emily Brontes crowd the cultural imagination. She was kind, cruel, reserved and wild. Her eyes were gray, though sometimes blue, if perhaps gray-blue or hazel. Her sister Charlotte wrote that Emily, who knew French and German, played Beethoven on the piano, studied in Brussels and, well, wrote Wuthering Heights, was a homebred country girl with no worldly wisdom. Yet Charlotte also wrote that Emily had a secret power and fire that might have informed the brain and kindled the veins of a hero.

That there is no consensus Emily Bronte  who left behind one novel, some 200 poems, several essays and much mystery when she died at 30 in 1848  has proved liberating for the writer-director Frances OConnor. Her Emily is a confident directorial debut and an enjoyably irreverent take on Bronte, one that builds on the scant historical record to construct an imaginary, at times wishful portrait of the artist. Despite its attention to the past, the movie isnt an exercise in futile authenticity or a dreary compendium of biopic banalities. It is instead an expression of OConnors love for  and desire to understand  her elusive subject.

In detail and sweep, Emily nevertheless shares many of the handsome, cozily inviting essentials of a standard biographical work-up. It was shot in Yorkshire, the northern English county where Bronte lived most of her life, and features the frocks, pretty bonnets, candlelit rooms and horse-drawn carriages of the era. Theres a somber stone home where Emily  a mercurial, mesmerizing Emma Mackey  and her tightknit family work and dream. And naturally there are the moors that, with their peaks, valleys and undulating grasses changing colors with the moody sky, make a suitably dramatic backdrop for transcendental reveries.

After a brief preface, the story proper opens with Emily on the moors, lying on the ground and idly stroking the grass as she talks to herself. Shes narrating a romantic dialogue between a Captain Sneaky and an unnamed woman  an apparent reference to the elaborate adventure tales that the Bronte children invented  the faint sounds of military music and soldiers blending in with birdsong and the lightly stirring wind. Its a smart, seductive introduction that nicely sets the tone and mood, establishing Emilys creativity and her contented solitude. Shes clearly at home in nature and with herself, but shes also presently on the move, racing across the moors and into OConnors adventure.
When he moved in 2014 from an apartment in Brooklyns Prospect Heights to a house he could afford in nearby Crown Heights, Naftali Hanau, a 37-year-old Orthodox Jewish businessman, suddenly found that, even in a secular and tolerant place like Brooklyn, the rigorous tenets of his faith now made it impossible for him to take his toddler son along to synagogue on the Sabbath.

Talmudic law derived from biblical commandments forbids doing 39 kinds of work on the Sabbath. In addition to plowing and harvesting, buying and selling, cooking by kindling a fire, writing and other obvious kinds of employment, carrying any object outside the home  keys, books, prayer shawls, canes or even babies  is forbidden. Pushing a stroller or wheelchair in public on the day of rest is also prohibited.

There is a significant loophole, however, that was developed millenniums ago by the Talmudic sages in Babylon as a way of making the biblical law compatible with the practical necessities of living and honoring the Sabbath as a day to delight in. It is known as an eruv  the Hebrew term for an artificial boundary enclosing an area and demarcated by existing walls, buildings and fencing with gaps filled in by wire, or, in modern times, translucent fishing line strung between lampposts and utility poles. According to the sages, an eruv extends the private domain of a home into the streets.

There were 10 distinct eruvim in Brooklyn at the time that Mr. Hanau moved to Crown Heights, but none of them embraced the block of his new home. He remembered that, as he left for synagogue, his son, who was not yet 2, would cry: I want to go shul, I want to go to shul.
Dr. Margaret Heagarty was familiar enough with poverty and disease when she went to work in Harlem in 1978. She had grown up in the hardscrabble coal fields of West Virginia, where her father was a physician to miners and their families. She had also been separated from her parents, like many children in Harlem, and placed in an orphanage.

But for all the similarities, the contrasts were striking: She was the first white doctor and the first woman appointed director of pediatrics at Harlem Hospital Center.

Dr. Heagarty, who died on Dec. 23 at her home in the Bronx at 88, won Harlem over. Her death was confirmed by William Burgan, her brother-in-law.

In her 22 years at Harlem Hospital, a public institution run by New York Citys Health and Hospitals Corporation and affiliated with Columbia Universitys College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Heagarty made a name for herself as an eloquent and effective champion for childrens health. She fought for causes like reducing teenage pregnancies and playground injuries.
The overhead lights in the back of a public plaza in East Harlem, mounted on a rusty viaduct that supports the Metro-North Railroad, were not working.

And Carey King was panicking.

Ms. King, who runs the plaza as the director of Uptown Grand Central, a nonprofit group formed by local merchants, was getting ready to reopen that section in the spring of 2021 after two years of construction to make it nicer. It was so dark that neighbors stayed away. Drug addicts shot up in the shadows and others found hidden corners to urinate and defecate.

When Ms. King tried to get the lights turned on, the Metro-North Railroad, which is operated by the state, said they were not its lights. She went to the citys Department of Transportation, only to be told to check with Metro-North.

After months of going back and forth with different agencies, she finally got city transportation officials to take ownership of the lights.
For example, Ta-Nehisi Coatess article The Case for Reparations, which appeared in The Atlantic in 2014 and focused on the injustice of redlining policies in mortgage lending until the late 1960s, stimulated a nationwide discussion. It was initially listed as a source for consideration in the course. However, for all the impact of that intelligent, influential and well-written article, the idea that reparations are owed is open to wide dispute. It is a proposal and one that many Black people reject. (Useful examples of that, from long before the Coates article was published, are here.)

Some think that despite the injustices of the past, people in the present should achieve via their own efforts. Others contest the causal link between past discrimination and Black Americas current problems  a key plank in todays reparations arguments. Some observe that Blackness alone is too ambiguous a concept in our endlessly hybridized society, i.e., they acknowledge what almost all believe, which is that our concept of race is a messy, contingent fiction. I think the Great Society programs, affirmative action, the loosening of welfare programs in the late 1960s, the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and other significant policies have already been conceived of as a form of reparations, if not under the name itself. Reparations advocates have some answers to those objections, but even they fail to establish reparations as a moral absolute. The issue remains a controversy.

Intersectionality is a similar matter, in part as it seems a stand-in for the more openly controversial critical race theory. The very definition of C.R.T. has become a shifting target, rather like the term neoliberal or what it means to say that two people dated. However, the implication in much discussion  that C.R.T. is a mere matter of the legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaws concept of intersectionality, documenting that race, gender and other factors condition how people process life  is coy. No school of legal or academic thought could consist solely of that unexceptionable and even rather obvious observation. What worries many about C.R.T. are the conclusions its advocates draw from this intersectionality.

The original draft did not explicitly mention C.R.T., as opposed to intersectionality. However, it is reasonable to suppose that many teachers would use intersectionality as a springboard for instructing students, for example, that white people can be conceived as a single mass of domination and that racism is baked into Americas very essence in ways inescapable and unending. We must note that criticism of Crenshaws removal from the course  which took place in the College Boards modified draft  often claims that detractors dont want students to know the truth about America, something that overshoots the mere excision of the term intersectionality and implies a sanctioning of students being taught something broader and more judgmental.

Some C.R.T. advocates, for example, conclude that systemic oppression means that views from those oppressed via intersectionality must be accepted without question, as a kind of group narrative that renders it egregious to quibble over the details and nuances of individual experience. As the C.R.T. pioneer Richard Delgado put it, nonwhite people should protest based on a broad story of dashed hopes and centuries-long mistreatment that afflicts an entire people and forms the historical and cultural background of your complaint.
A cloned alternative to using horseshoe crab blood, known as rFC, for recombinant factor C  the endotoxin-sensitive enzyme in the blood  came on the market in 2003 with one supplier. A second manufacturer began producing it in 2013. But nearly 10 years later, no standards have been set for the use of rFC by U.S. Pharmacopeia, the nonprofit scientific organization that sets the legally recognized standards for the strength, purity and quality of medicines manufactured and distributed in the United States. Its been a bumpy road.

U.S.P. has proposed two sets of standards for rFC since 2019. The first was withdrawn. A second proposal was released in 2020 and was under review by an expert committee assembled by U.S.P. But last September U.S.P. dismissed that committee. In explaining the decision, it cited fundamental issues with the dynamic of this group that resulted in an inability to work collaboratively and productively, impeding the standards-setting process.

U.S.P. has just convened a new expert committee, which is meeting for the first time this week. Hopefully, the committee will set standards for rFC so drug makers will be able to use the synthetic test without facing the possibility of what they say can be protracted and expensive testing to win approval by the Food and Drug Administration in the absence of U.S.P. standards. U.S.P.s chief science officer, Jaap Venema, said, We have made it very clear it is a top priority. He added that the new committee would weigh the available scientific evidence and stakeholder input to determine the appropriate way to include L.A.L. alternatives in our standards.

Horseshoe crabs have survived five mass extinctions over 475 million years, but today they are gravely threatened worldwide by human exploitation.

In Asia, where horseshoe crabs are killed for food and for their blood, they face extinction from relentless and unremitting threats from humans, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which tracks trends in wildlife populations worldwide. Horseshoe crab numbers have plummeted in large swaths of China and are declining rapidly in Vietnam, leaving American horseshoe crabs, also diminished in numbers, to fill the growing gap.
To the Editor:

Re Its Hands Off Social Security as Costs Grow (front page, Feb. 16):

Social Security is a self-financing stand-alone program. It has its own dedicated tax: the F.I.C.A. Social Security is separate from the rest of the federal budget and does not contribute to that budgets fiscal deficit.

It is undeniable that Social Security is facing a shortfall in revenue. But it is an easily resolvable problem with any number of fixes that do not require benefit cuts, including removing the cap on taxable employment income ($160,200 for 2023) and, more significantly in terms of revenue generated, beginning to tax investment income for Social Security purposes  the major source of income for the uber-rich.

James W. Russell

Portland, Ore.

The writer, an affiliate research scholar at Portland State University, is the author of The Labor Guide to Retirement Plans.

To the Editor:

Re The G.O.P.s War on Medicare and Social Security, by Paul Krugman (column, Feb. 14):

In the penultimate paragraph of his column, Mr. Krugman cites a fact that is actually a key moral reason compelling fundamental reform of Social Security and Medicare: These programs are not means-tested.
A sightseeing alien touring our solar system would do well to check out the emerald and blood orange-red ribbons of Earths auroras. But our world isnt the only one with spectacular light shows in its atmosphere. New research shows auroras can also be seen on the Galilean moons of Jupiter: hypervolcanic Io, icy Europa, quirky Callisto and gigantic Ganymede.

Auroras exist throughout the cosmos, but often in wavelengths that human eyes cannot see. Astronomers in two papers published Thursday in The Planetary Science Journal are the first to report that if you were to stand on the surface of Ganymede and Callisto, visible auroras would be dancing above. The researchers also describe the existence of new types of visible auroras on Io and Europa.

The researchers captured the new auroras by peering through telescopes in Hawaii, Arizona and New Mexico. The team spent years watching the satellites repeatedly get swallowed by Jupiters shadow, then re-emerge.

Catching elusive and ephemeral glows on distant, diminutive and fast-moving moons can be difficult. But the aurorae are always there when you observe an eclipse, said Katherine R. de Kleer, a planetary astronomer at the California Institute of Technology and one of the authors of both studies. The researchers tracked down the darkness-smothered moons frequently enough to reveal the novel skyglows.
Steve Strauss, a geneticist at Oregon State University, agreed with the need to see field data. My experience over the years is that the greenhouse means almost nothing about the outdoor prospects of trees whose physiology has been modified, he said. Venture capitalists may not know that.

Dr. Strauss, who previously served on Living Carbons advisory board, has grown some of the companys seedlings since last year as part of a field trial funded by the company. He said the trees were growing well, but it was still too early to tell whether they were outpacing unmodified trees.

Even if they do, Living Carbon will face other challenges unrelated to biology. While outright destruction of genetically engineered trees has dwindled thanks in part to tougher enforcement of laws against acts of ecoterrorism, the trees still prompt unease in the forestry and environmental worlds. Major organizations that certify sustainable forests ban engineered trees from forests that get their approval; some also prohibit member companies from planting engineered trees anywhere. To date, the only country where large numbers of genetically engineered trees are known to have been planted is China.

The U.S. Forest Service, which plants large numbers of trees every year, has said little about whether it would use engineered trees. To be considered for planting in national forests, which make up nearly a fifth of U.S. forestland, Living Carbons trees would need to align with existing management plans that typically prioritize forest health and diversity over reducing the amount of atmospheric carbon, said Dana Nelson, a geneticist with the service. I find it hard to imagine that it would be a good fit on a national forest, Dr. Nelson said.
Bailey Harris, 25, worked as a recruiter for a big tech company for more than a year and a half before she was laid off in January. After the initial shock wore off, she decided to tell her story three days later on TikTok. I was never really worried about layoffs, she said in the video, which she recorded from a car. I just didnt see this coming, she added.

It was only the second TikTok video Ms. Harris had ever made, but within a day it had more than 100,000 views. That number has since quadrupled.

She continued to post about being newly unemployed. In one, she shared how she was saving money. In another, she told her viewers about a new side hustle helping a friend flip real estate. (These videos performed much better than the others she later posted, which focused on topics like dating, fitness and nutrition.)
Since a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Ohio nearly two weeks ago, residents have feared for their safety. A controlled burn of the toxic materials has filled the air and covered surface waters and soil with chemicals. Dead fish have floated in nearby creeks, and an unnerving aroma has lingered in the air.

But for many commentators from across the political spectrum, the speculation has gone far beyond known facts. Right-wing commentators have been particularly critical, using the crisis to sow distrust about government agencies and suggest that the damage could be irreparable.

On social media like Twitter and Telegram, commentators have called the situation the largest environmental disaster in history or simply Chernobyl 2.0, invoking the 1986 nuclear disaster. They warned, without evidence, that vital water reservoirs serving states downriver could be badly contaminated. And they suggested that the authorities, railroad companies and mainstream news media were purposefully obscuring the full toll of the crisis.

Planned attack, cover-up or both? asked Conservative Daily Podcast, a program known for pushing far-right talking points.
For the first time since the fight over abortion access was kicked to the states after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, newly elected legislatures around the country are coming into session and are putting the polarizing issue at the top of their agendas. Around 300 bills in 40 states have been proposed so far  with a majority seeking to restrict access to abortion, and others trying to strengthen it.

Most of the bills are in the early stages, and many are not likely to survive politically divided state governments to make it into law. But if there is one thing that is evident, the legislative flurry shows that both sides of the debate agree on at least one point: Doctors are the critical link  and that has made them the most vulnerable to punishment. At least three dozen bills are aimed at doctors and other medical personnel as a way to regulate abortion.

In a bill in Wyoming, doctors and nurses who perform abortions or prescribe medication for abortions could face five years in prison.

In Nebraska, where abortion is currently legal until 22 weeks after a womans last menstrual period, a bill to make it illegal after around six weeks would strip doctors who perform abortions of their medical licenses if they perform one after detecting cardiac activity on an ultrasound, or even if they fail to provide an ultrasound before an abortion.
Perhaps youve noticed that your gas bills have been unusually high this winter.

The average residential gas bill in January for San Diego Gas & Electric customers was $225, a big jump from $104 last January, according to a presentation at a hearing last week by Jean Spencer, a supervisor with the California Public Utilities Commissions energy division.

Pacific Gas and Electric customers average January bills were up 30 percent from last year, and Southern California Gas Company bills were up 240 percent.

In many places, customers are struggling to cover the skyrocketing costs.

Its a very real question for them: Should they heat or should they eat? said Edward Lopez, the executive director of Utility Consumers Action Network, a utility watchdog in San Diego.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate whether market manipulation, anticompetitive behavior or other anomalous activities had contributed to the states higher prices. In late December, wholesale gas prices in California were more than seven times higher than prices for gas delivered into Henry Hub, a nexus of pipelines in Louisiana considered an industry benchmark.
As the new Republican-led panel tasked with investigating the weaponization of government continued to issue new subpoenas this week, those who orchestrated the inquiry that its leaders have claimed as a model are warning the chairman against allowing his work to veer into partisan territory.

More than two dozen staff members from the panel formed in the 1970s that came to be known as the Church Committee sent an open letter on Wednesday to Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and its powerful new subcommittee. They offered advice for how he could follow in the footsteps of their panel, which uncovered decades of intelligence and civil liberties abuses under presidents of both parties and set the gold standard in Congress for scrutinizing the executive branch.

The counsel is simple: Pursue a bipartisan inquiry, follow the facts, do not try to interfere with open investigations and operate in good faith.
We are in trouble, he said. I dont get why people are not worried about $31.5 trillion worth of debt. We are putting ourselves in horrible financial shape to make sure we have money for the military, for Social Security, Medicare, all these things. I am going to keep fighting for what I believe in.

The fight has been an unwelcome distraction and generated internal sniping among Republicans, some of whom were once strong advocates for overhauling entitlement programs but have more recently turned away from the idea, following the lead of former President Donald J. Trump, who vowed during his 2016 campaign to protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts. It has been a gift for Democrats, providing them new opportunities to remind voters that Mr. Scott, as the head of an official Republican campaign group, proposed subjecting Social Security to elimination and renewal every five years along with all federal programs.

Mr. Bidens mention of the plan set off an uproar at his State of the Union address, as Republicans accused him of lying about their position on entitlement programs.

President Biden pointed out the obvious: that many within their own party have been very open about wanting to target Social Security and Medicare, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said this week. Rick Scott being among them, and he was the leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The intramural Republican dispute began last year, when Mr. McConnell declined to offer a midterm campaign agenda for his party and Mr. Scott came up with one of his own. In it was a provision that stated: All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.
A special grand jury that investigated election interference by former President Donald J. Trump and his allies in Georgia said it saw possible evidence of perjury by one or more witnesses who testified before it, according to portions of the jurys final report that were released on Thursday. The jurors also unanimously rebutted claims of widespread fraud made by Mr. Trump after the 2020 election.

The investigation in Atlanta has been seen as one of the most significant legal threats to Mr. Trump, given his personal role in pressuring Georgia election officials to find him enough votes to overturn his loss in the state. The Fulton County district attorney, Fani T. Willis, said recently that a decision on bringing charges was imminent.

The several pages of excerpts released by a judge, however, offered only a narrow window into the full scope of the jurys conclusions, providing no indication of who it believed should be charged, or which violations of Georgia law, beyond perjury, may have taken place.

The special grand jury, which met for nearly seven months in a courthouse in downtown Atlanta, was charged with investigating the actions of Mr. Trump and some of his allies in Georgia after the November 2020 elections, and recommending whether indictments should be pursued by prosecutors.
The criminal investigation of former President Donald J. Trump and his allies in Georgia has its roots in activities that began shortly after he lost the 2020 election. So far, there have been two key investigatory threads: a plan to send an alternate slate of electors from states that Mr. Trump lost, including Georgia, and Mr. Trumps request that Georgias secretary of state find the votes he needed to flip the states 16 electoral votes to him instead of Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Heres a look at some of the key events connected to the investigation.

Nov. 18, 2020: Just over two weeks after Election Day, an outside adviser to the Trump campaign, Kenneth Chesebro, sends the first of three memos laying the groundwork for using the Electoral College system to affect the outcome of the race.

Dec. 5: Mr. Trump calls Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, and urges him to circumvent the normal process for awarding electoral votes and allow Georgias lawmakers to do it instead.

Dec. 6: Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, shares one of those memos with Jason Miller, a senior adviser on the Trump campaign. In the next few days, Mr. Trump decides to pursue the plan to offer alternate electors, according to the findings of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
At least 34 people were accused or convicted of witchcraft during the trials in Connecticut, which lasted from 1647 to 1697. By their end, 11 people  two men and nine women  had been hanged for suspicions of witchcraft. Those who were not killed were often ousted from their hometowns or fled from them in fear.

Allegations of witchcraft could result from things like contracting an illness, having a crop failure or experiencing a marital dispute. Women were the most often accused, and a single witness could be enough to accuse someone.

Lets get to the root cause of why they were targeted. It was because of misogyny. It was because of community panic, said Beth Caruso, who co-founded the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project and has written books about the states witch trials.

One of the people convicted was Alse Young, who historians believe was the first documented New Englander to be killed for witchcraft. Details of her life and death are scant. Historians believe that she was accused of witchcraft during an epidemic that killed many children, including those of a family who lived nearby. When her only child, a daughter, survived, others claimed that her use of witchcraft had kept the child alive.

Ms. Young, a Windsor, Conn., resident, was hanged in 1647. The town council in Windsor exonerated her 370 years later, in 2017.
WASHINGTON  A Peoples Liberation Army veteran turned drone manufacturer. A Shanghai real estate company that wagered there was more profit in high-altitude airships. An eminent Chinese aviation scientist who started more than a dozen companies to commercialize his expertise.

Each sought to help their business by supporting Chinas military modernization. Each now stands accused by the United States of helping to build Chinas spy balloons.

The international fracas over those high-altitude balloons has thrown a light on Chinas program of military-civil fusion. Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, has pushed the recruiting of commercial businesses to help build what he has described as a world-class military guarding Chinas rise as a superpower. The aim is to create a symbiotic relationship that provides the military with wider, faster access to commercial innovations, while also giving businesses contracts and military skills.

Several Chinese makers of airships and their components that were blacklisted by the U.S. government last Friday over Chinas balloon program have ties to this effort, corporate records and other Chinese documents show.
Arne Treholt, a charismatic rising star in the Norwegian foreign-policy establishment who was convicted in 1985 of passing government secrets to the Soviet Union and Iraq, died on Sunday in Moscow. He was 80.

His death, after a short illness, was first reported in the newspaper Aftenposten, which said it had received confirmation from Mr. Treholts family.

The Treholt scandal is widely considered the most significant espionage case in modern Norwegian history, and one of the most damaging of the Cold War. It emerged as tensions were rising between NATO countries and the Soviet Union, particularly along Europes so-called Northern Flank, with Norway at the center.

Given Mr. Treholts status as a promising and idealistic future leader, the case drew comparisons to those of Alger Hiss in the United States and Gunter Guillaume, an aide to Chancellor Willi Brandt of West Germany whose exposure as a spy forced Mr. Brandt to resign.
President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus appeared to tread a careful line on Thursday, saying he would continue hosting Russian soldiers in his country but would join Russias war against Ukraine only if Belarus were to come under attack.

Mr. Lukashenko, who was to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Moscow on Friday, has been surrounded by speculation that Belarus would be pressed into providing more support for Moscows war. He told journalists in Minsk before his trip that he was ready to wage war, alongside the Russians, from the territory of Belarus  with one major caveat.

But only if someone  even a single soldier  enters our territory from there with weapons to kill my people, he said in response to a question from the BBC, referring to Ukraine.

Fridays meeting is due to cover topics related to the strategic partnership and integration between the two allied nations, the Kremlin said on Thursday, without providing additional details or the timing of the meeting.
The Russian military has lost at least half of its tanks since it invaded Ukraine, according to a report by a London-based think tank released on Wednesday, a potential constraint as fighting intensifies again and Moscow struggles to expand its offensive operations.

Russias tank and artillery fleets have suffered significant attrition, said the report released by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a research organization. The group assessed that about half of Moscows prewar fleet of modern tanks, including the T-72B3 and T-72B3M models, is has been lost.

Russian troops have resorted to pulling older equipment out of storage to fill in gaps on the battlefield.

The report identified 1,700 Russian tank losses, but Henry Boyd, a research fellow for defense and military analysis at the institute, said that number was thought to be even greater.
LONDON  Passionate, professional and a top-notch communicator, Nicola Sturgeon was not just the dominant figure of Scottish politics, but someone whose opinion poll ratings were the envy of fellow politicians during most of her eight years as Scotlands leader.

So her sudden and unexpected resignation on Wednesday has raised an awkward question for her pro-independence Scottish National Party: If Ms. Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish Parliament, could not mastermind Scotlands exit from the United Kingdom, can anyone else?

On Thursday the contest to succeed her looked wide open, though one thing is clear: The new leader will not have the formidable profile of the departing one. An opinion poll on potential successors, published not long before Ms. Sturgeons resignation, found the leading contender, the finance secretary Kate Forbes, polling at just 7 percent, one point ahead of John Swinney, a former party leader, while 69 percent of respondents picked dont know.

Not only does her party find itself without an obvious candidate to take over from its charismatic leader as chief of the party and first minister of Scotland, it is also bereft of a blueprint to achieve its overriding objective: the end of its three-centuries-long union with England.
The Spanish government on Thursday approved a law allowing people 16 and older to change their legally registered gender without undergoing psychological and medical evaluations to show gender dysphoria, becoming one of the few countries to allow such gender change by self-declaration.

Spains minister of equality, Irene Montero, said on the Parliament floor on Thursday that the new law recognized transgender peoples right to free determination and prevented being transgender from being treated as a pathology.

Trans people are not ill people, she said. They are people, full stop.

Spain is among the first countries to pass such a law, following countries like Denmark and Argentina. Similar proposals have divided public opinion elsewhere. Last month, Britains government overruled Scotlands Parliament for the first time, blocking legislation that would have allowed transgender people to have the gender with which they identify legally recognized by making a declaration. The plan would have removed a requirement for evidence of a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Spanish lawmakers on Thursday also gave final approval to a law that gives women paid time off if they are diagnosed with severe menstrual pain, becoming the first country in Europe to do so. They also extended access to abortion to minors 16 and older without the consent of a parent or guardian.
As they walked to dinner with friends on Wednesday night, hours after Nicola Sturgeon announced that she would step down as leader of Scotlands government, John and Ilonka Hughes firmly agreed that Ms. Sturgeon had been a savvy navigator of Scottish politics.

But thats where the agreement ended.

Mr. Hughes, 80, said that Ms. Sturgeon had done a lot for Scotland, she has been wonderful, and that he had long supported her Scottish National Partys push for independence. Ms. Hughes, 74, acknowledged Ms. Sturgeons significance as the first woman to be first minister of Scotland and the nations longest-serving leader, but added: Im not a fan, I dont want independence. We need to stay where we are, even if lots of things need to be changed.

The Hugheses personal political divisions reflect a broader national perspective on Ms. Sturgeon, one that political experts say stems from Scotlands internal debate about independence. Ms. Sturgeon alluded to the challenge presented by partisan loyalties when she made her surprise announcement.
A powerful earthquake last week catapulted Syrias authoritarian president, Bashar al-Assad, into the global spotlight, creating an opportunity for him to inch further back onto the international stage through disaster diplomacy.

As the death toll soared from the regions deadliest quake in a century, Mr. al-Assad, long a pariah for bombing and torturing his own people during Syrias civil war, received a steady flow of sympathy, aid and attention from other countries.

Arab leaders who had shunned him for a decade picked up the phone and called. Senior United Nations officials trooped through his office, offering assistance and posing for photographs. Planeloads of aid landed from more than a dozen countries  allies like Russia, Iran and China, but also Saudi Arabia, which previously had only sent aid (and weapons) to the rebels seeking to topple Mr. al-Assad.
George Washington was not a huge fan of celebrating his birthday.

A diary entry on his 28th birthday, Feb. 22, 1760, reveals a busy day installing a fence around the peach orchard at Mount Vernon, his home in Virginia.

As Alexis Coe, a presidential historian and Washington biographer, put it, He would be more apt to chronicle the weather on his birthday than any present he received  unless it was a mule.

And yet nearly 300 years after his birth, many Americans will have the third Monday in February off to honor the first president of the United States. (This year, that falls on Feb. 20.)

Colloquially known as Presidents Day in a nod to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and other past presidents, the federal holiday officially celebrates only Washingtons Birthday.
The impending departure of Nicola Sturgeon, Scotlands longest-serving first minister, who said on Wednesday that she would step down, has roiled the nations political establishment.

One of Britains most powerful politicians and a fierce champion for Scottish independence, Ms. Sturgeon cited exhaustion and said that she had become too polarizing a figure to continue after eight years in the role.

Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom, which also includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and though the British government is responsible for some policies across the union in areas like foreign policy and defense, it shares power with elected officials on the country level, including Ms. Sturgeon, who determine policies on health care and the economy, among other areas.

Though Ms. Sturgeon will remain in office until a successor is chosen, her resignation prompted shock at a time of division on issues including transgender rights and Scottish independence. Heres what you need to know.
A graphic showing an illustration of the Chinese spy balloon, a party balloon, and a scientific research balloon.

A graphic showing an illustration of the Chinese spy balloon, a party balloon, and a scientific research balloon.

A number of airborne objects have been identified and shot down over the past two weeks, including a Chinese spy balloon and three U.F.O.s in North America, and about half a dozen Russian balloons in Ukraine. These encounters have raised questions about just what else might be in the sky.

At any given time, thousands of balloons are floating overhead, along with other objects ranging from the mysterious to the mundane. Heres a look at some of them.

Note: Illustrations are shown using a different scale than the altitude measurements.

A graphic showing objects found in the sky between about 120,000 and 100,000 feet above sea level, including illustrations of a scientific research balloon and several weather balloons. 120,000 feet above sea level (23 miles) 100 feet Scientific research balloon Up to about 120,000 feet High-altitude balloons allow scientists to test new instruments and get a closer look at the sky. Some balloons can stay in the air for weeks or even months. The Pumpkin NASA super pressure balloon. 40 feet Balloon Parachute Weather balloon Up to about 115,000 feet Every day, weather stations worldwide release balloons to observe the sky. After a weather balloon floats high enough to pop, its instruments fall to the earth gently with help from a parachute. If you find a fallen instrument package in the United States, you can mail it back to the U.S. National Weather Service for reuse. Instrument package 100,000 feet (19 miles) 120,000 feet above sea level (23 miles) 100 feet The Pumpkin NASA super pressure balloon. Scientific research balloon Up to about 120,000 feet High-altitude balloons allow scientists to test new instruments and get a closer look at the sky. Some balloons can stay in the air for weeks or even months. 40 feet Balloon Parachute Instrument package Weather balloon Up to about 115,000 feet Every day, weather stations worldwide release balloons to observe the sky. After a weather balloon floats high enough to pop, its instruments fall to the earth gently with help from a parachute. If you find a fallen instrument package in the United States, you can mail it back to the U.S. National Weather Service for reuse. 100,000 feet (19 miles)

A graphic showing objects found in the sky between about 100,000 and 80,000 feet above sea level, including an illustration of a U.F.O. 2004 Navy U.F.O. sighting About 80,000 feet The U.S. government documents and investigates scores of unidentified aerial phenomena. In one encounter with U.F.O.s in 2004, two Navy fighter planes tried to follow the flying objects. 80,000 feet (15 miles) 10 feet 2004 Navy U.F.O. sighting About 80,000 feet The U.S. government documents and investigates scores of unidentified aerial phenomena. In one encounter with U.F.O.s in 2004, two Navy fighter planes tried to follow the flying objects. 10 feet 80,000 feet (15 miles)

A graphic showing objects found in the sky between about 80,000 and 60,000 feet above sea level, including illustrations of the Chinese spy balloon and a U.S. spy plane. U-2 spy plane Above 70,000 feet The U.S. military used U-2 spy planes to study the Chinese spy balloon and take high-resolution images of its equipment. 10 feet Chinese spy balloon About 60,000 to 65,000 feet The balloon spent five days above the continental United States, traveling in a diagonal southeastern route from Idaho to the Carolinas. About the size of three buses 60,000 feet (11 miles) U-2 spy plane Above 70,000 feet The U.S. military used U-2 spy planes to study the Chinese spy balloon and take high-resolution images of its equipment. 10 feet Chinese spy balloon About 60,000 to 65,000 feet The balloon spent five days above the continental United States, traveling in a diagonal southeastern route from Idaho to the Carolinas. About the size of three buses 60,000 feet (11 miles)

A graphic showing objects found in the sky between about 60,000 and 50,000 feet above sea level, including illustrations of U.S. fighter jets. F-22 Raptor About 58,000 feet According to Pentagon officials, the Chinese spy balloon was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet firing a Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Over the next week, F-22s also shot down an unidentified flying object over Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and another over the Yukon Territory of Canada. 10 feet 10 feet F-16 Fighting Falcon Above 50,000 feet Eight days after the Chinese spy balloon was downed, an F-16 fighter jet shot down an unidentified flying object over Lake Huron, near Michigan. 10 feet F-22 Raptor About 58,000 feet According to Pentagon officials, the Chinese spy balloon was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet firing a Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Over the next week, F-22s also shot down an unidentified flying object over Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and another over the Yukon Territory of Canada. 10 feet F-16 Fighting Falcon Above 50,000 feet Eight days after the Chinese spy balloon was downed, an F-16 fighter jet shot down an unidentified flying object over Lake Huron, near Michigan.
With a nearly perfect 4.9/5.0 stars out of thousands of Google reviews, Gacek, an overweight black-and-white street cat, is the top-rated tourist attraction in the Polish city of Szczecin.

Szczecin, a medieval city in northwestern Poland, close to the border with Germany, has plenty to offer visitors. The Pomeranian Dukes Castle and Kasprowicza Park are two of its most popular tourist attractions, but when it comes to online reviews, both pale in comparison with the citys top-rated attraction, a fat cat named Gacek. The tuxedo cat rose to fame in 2020, after local news site wSzczecinie featured the feline in a video that subsequently went viral on social media, and people have been showering Gacek with positive reviews ever since.

According to a local woman, Gacek first appeared on Kaszubska Street in downtown Szczecin about 10 years ago. He stuck around and people started taking a liking to him. Many of them also started feeding him, so from a skinny feline, he soon turned into a chunky boy, which only made him more adorable.

Gacek, whose name means long-eared bat in Polish, has nearly 2,600 reviews on Google, more than any other attraction in Szczecin. Most of those who posted a review awarded the purring feline the maximum 5 stars, making him the top-rated tourist attraction in the city.

According to Notes From Poland, Gacek does have a few one-star reviews, mostly from people who criticize his caretaker or express worry about his weight, but overall, the cats reviews are stellar.

Also known as the King of Kaszubska Street, Gacek lives in a roofed wooden box outside a shop on Kaszubska Street, and even though he doesnt technically have an owner, the people who run the shop act as his caretakers. There is a sign outside his house that acts passers-by to leave whatever treats they have for the cat in a sealed container and to refrain from petting him when hes sleeping.



Most of those who have interacted with Gacek claim that he is a  , but there are also a few who complained that he scratched their hands or stole a sausage. But we think the latter are just jealous of his popularity
A homeless man who threw punches, kicked and bit a garda on the hand after being caught at the wheel more than four times over the drink driving limit while also under the influence of cannabis, has walked free from court.

Thirty-six-year-old Mark Donlon, of no fixed abode, was handed a three month prison sentence, suspended for a period of 18 months at a sitting of Longford District Court today (Tuesday) following an incident in Ballymahon, Co Longford on December 15, 2021.

The court heard the accused was stopped by Gardai Allan Doherty and Rachel Carlin who had been conducting a checkpoint in the south Longford town.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the State, said upon responding to a call of a car allegedly spotted driving dangerously from Mullingar, both officers tracked down the accused where they spoke with Mr Donlon.

Judge Bernadette Owens was told after a strong smell of alcohol was observed from the driver's breath, Garda Doherty attempted to arrest the Westmeath native.

Seconds later, the court was told, Mr Donlon resisted arrest and suddenly "swung at gardai", resulting in a struggle.

"The accused kicked gardai a number of times and bit Gardai Doherty on the hand," said Sgt Mahon, revealing also how Mr Donlon was both "extremely abusive and aggressive" towards both officers.

The accused was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and brought to Granard garda station where he was later charged after a blood sample was taken.

That sample, it was revealed, returned a reading of 217mg per 100ml of blood, a specimen the court was told carried a three year disqualification.

Ireland's drink driving laws stand at between 51mg to 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, putting Mr Donlon at four times over the legal limit to drive.

A further drug driving charge was also issued after Mr Donlon was found to have cannabis in his system when stopped by gardai.

Mr Donlon was later charged with assaulting both gardai alongside six counts of dangerous driving.

Defending solicitor Mark Cooney said his client, who had no previous convictions, was undoubtedly coming before the court "with a bang in every regard".

He said Mr Donlon had been drinking the night before and was also "extremely volatile" when appearing in court in Athlone following the incident.

Mr Cooney also revealed how Mr Donlon's demeanour on the day had been so unstable that he even found it difficult to take instructions from him.

A probation report was handed into the court, which Mr Cooney said his client was willing to abide by.

He also insisted, despite the gravity of the incident, Mr Donlon had indicated an intention to enter a guilty plea at an early stage while a week spent in custody on the same charges had been especially taxing on him.

Judge Owens described the incident as being at the "higher end of seriousness" to come before the District Court.

She said while Mr Donlon was clearly in a "very agitated state" on the day of the incident and had no prior transgressions to his name, the court could not overlook the severity of the incident.

She handed down three month concurrent prison sentences, suspended for 18 months for both assault charges.

Fines totalling 500 were also issued for both drink and drug driving offences with Mr Donlon also ordered to hand in 500 by way of compensation.

A four year driving ban was likewise handed down for one of the six dangerous driving charges along with a 200 fine.
BBC Sport 16 Feb 2023

Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne is ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with an ankle injury.
Neil John O'Brien is a British politician who was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health in September 2022. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Harborough in 2017. A member of the Conservative Party, he was previously a special adviser to Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne from 2012 to 2016 and Theresa May during her tenure as Prime Minister.
GlobeNewswire 12 Apr 2023

*ETFS Capital Believes Further Board Change is Now Needed, as the Board Additions Initiated by Us Last Year Have Not Been Enough to..
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Hayley Raso scored a goal off a deflection to clinch the lead for Australia in its clash with the Czech Republic.
Subpoenas have been sent to the chief executives of the five largest tech companies as congressional Republicans moved to investigate what they assert is widespread corporate censorship of conservative voices House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan issued the subpoenas Wednesday as the latest in a series of escalations by a party that has long promised to investigate Big Techs content moderation. The letters were sent to Mark Zuckerberg of Meta; Sundar Pichai of Alphabet; Satya Nadella of Microsoft; Tim Cook of Apple; and Andy Jassy of Amazon.com. Spokespeople for Microsoft and Meta said that they had begun producing documents. A request for comment from Apple, Alphabet and Amazon was not immediately returned.
China has imposed trade and investment sanctions on U.S. military contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory. The Ministry of Commerce announced Thursday that the companies were barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country. It wasnt clear what impact the penalties might have on Lockheed Martin or Raytheon. The United States bars most sales of military-related technology to China, but some military contractors also have civilian businesses in aerospace and other markets.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is traveling to Northern Ireland to meet with local political leaders. This offers hope that the U.K. and European Union may be nearing a settlement of the post-Brexit trade dispute that has brought economic headaches and political turmoil to the region. Sunak and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris are making the trip Thursday as part of an effort to talk with people on all sides of the issue. Sunak's office says the idea is to ensure any solution resolves the practical problems on the ground, meets our overarching objectives, and safeguards Northern Irelands place in the U.K.s internal market.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was sending "tens of thousands of tents" to Turkey after the major quake in the country's south. He again urged Ankara to drop objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to attend the Munich Security Conference, but the State Department did not confirm that a meeting with Chinese officials would take place.
It is the first time Christian extremist ideology has been linked to a terror attack in the country.
Ukrainian officials have reported six "hostile aerial targets" over the capital. Meanwhile, the Munich Security Conference head called for the "de-Putinization" of Russia. DW rounds up the latest.
A Chinese "spy" balloon that was shot down over the US was likely heading to Guam and then Hawaii, a US official has said.
Yahoo UK 16 Feb 2023

Dan Duffy, 36, from Darwen, Lancashire, posted footage on YouTube of his own arrest after being prosecuted for a public order..
Police in El Paso, Texas, say a one person has been killed and three others have been wounded in a shooting at a shopping mall
Germany's highest admistrative court has ruled that the country's migration authorities had no right to search the phone of an Afghan refugee. The decision is expected to have major consequences.
Three Ukrainian children who fled to Canada after the start of the war with Russia are now stuck in Mexico  unable to come home from a December vacation with their guardian because of visa complications.
Rail workers and nurses will strike again next month, while frontline Royal Mail workers are also threatening a new wave of strikes.
Barcelona and Manchester United played a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou in the first leg of their encounter in the Europa..

SoccerNews.com 17 Feb 2023
Twelve more Cheetahs (seven males and five females) will be translocated to India on Saturday, taking the total number of spotted felines in the country to 20 under the ongoing Cheetah reintroduction plan. The new batch of 12 Cheetahs will come from South Africa to Gwalior (at 10 am on Saturday) using a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and onwards to Kuno National Park (at 11 am on Saturday) in Madhya Pradesh using Mi-17 helicopter.
Brentwood Gazette 24 Feb 2023

Mr Robinson described the situation as "not fair" and said "it's one rule for British Gas and one for another"
A decision on whether to bring charges in the investigation into election interference in Georgia now rests with Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney.
Ukraine is preparing for a counter-offensive against Russian-backed forces in the east after recent advances by the Russian military. The offensive is expected to begin soon, with Russian forces attacking multiple settlements near Bakhmut. Ukraine is also receiving military aid from NATO and the European Union.
Amazon.com has granted 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) to a Dutch project testing the viability of commercially growing seaweed in between turbines of offshore wind farms, the company and organisers said on Thursday. The project, led by non-profit group North Sea Farmers, will also research the



#amazoncom #dutch #northseafarmers #northsea #amazon #northseafarm
euronews (in English) 05 Apr 2023

The US has announced a new 2.3 bn military aid package for Ukraine, bringing the total amount of its security assistance to more..
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the province wanted to honour the rapper by draping his coffin with the South African flag and by flying the flag at half-mast.
BRussia rained missiles across Ukraine on Thursday and struck its largest oil refinery, Kyiv said, while the head of the Wagner mercenary group predicted the long-besieged city of
A horrifying accident just went down in northern Alabama -- with a combat helicopter falling out of the sky and landing near a..

TMZ.com 16 Feb 2023
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The elected members of the Beninese opposition party, "Les Democrates", Thursday pleaded for a greater representation of women in the National Assembly
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Current disease outbreaks highlight the urgent need for every country to ramp up its care systems, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief told journalists on Wednesday
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for the suspension of aid to Eswatini and an immediate probe into the killings and detention of human rights defenders
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The tripartite mechanism, comprising the African Union, United Nations and the IGAD, have commended the on-going meetings in Juba, South Sudan, devoted to assessing the implementation of a peace deal signed between the Khartoum government and rebel movements two years ago
Photo: (Photo : Daniel Slim/Getty Images)

A 5-year-old boy miraculously survived the jump at Niagara Falls.

Emergency responders were called to Niagara Falls State Park following a tragic incident involving a mother and son.

The two individuals, identified as Angela Berti and her 5-year-old boy, reportedly jumped approximately 90 feet from a sheer cliff overlooking the Niagara Gorge.

Despite efforts to save her, Berti succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

5-year-old boy miraculously survives jump in Niagara Gorge

According to The Sacramento Bee, the latest incident occurred on Goat Island, next to Niagara Falls. The woman, along with her 5-year-old son, jumped from a sheer cliff overlooking the river.

The pair tumbled about 90 feet and landed near the bottom of the gorge alongside the river's edge. The mother did not survive the fall, and her body was flown by helicopter from the bottom of the gorge to the coroner's office.

Niagara Falls firefighters had to undertake the daring task of walking across the icy terrain to reach the pair. Despite the nice weather, it is very icy down the Niagara Gorge.

According to Capt. Chris Rola of the State Parks Police, the terrain down there is extremely challenging. However, the rescuers made every effort for the child, who was still alive at the time, provided life-saving care, and did everything they could.

As reported by Express, the 5-year-old boy suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo. His current condition is yet unknown since the remaining family of the 5-year-old boy has not made it public.

The rescue operation was a reminder of the immense difficulty in responding to emergencies in the area.

The area's rocky terrain, fast-moving waters, and treacherous conditions make it a challenging place to reach for rescuers.

The Niagara River, which flows between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, can reach a depth of up to 170 feet, making it even more challenging for rescue personnel.

According to Capt. Chris Rola, the police believes that the mother and son jumping off was not a mistake.

They had been at the park with the woman's husband before the fall, but authorities were still investigating what may have caused the incident. The police were interviewing the husband and other witnesses.

Read Also: Michigan State University Deadly Shooting Kills 3 Students, 5 Injured

Niagara Falls rescue

According to the New York Post, one of the world's most famous natural wonders, Niagara Falls, has become a tragic "hotspot" for suicide attempts. The falls have a reputation as a place where individuals go to end their lives, much like California's Golden Gate Bridge and the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

It attracts people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. It is sad that natural wonders are often the site of these tragic incidents.

The vast size and power of the falls make it a particularly dangerous location for suicide attempts, and the area sees a high number of these incidents each year.

Rescuers face enormous challenges in responding to these incidents due to the sheer size and complexity of the area. The Niagara River is fast-moving and treacherous, and the falls present significant hazards to anyone attempting a rescue.

Despite the best efforts of first responders and park officials, many attempts to rescue individuals who have gone over the falls have been unsuccessful.

The frequency of suicide attempts at Niagara Falls is a troubling issue that continues to pose challenges for those tasked with maintaining public safety in the area.



Related Article: Missing 4-Year-Old Reunites With Father as Florida Deputies Rescue Him From the Woods
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Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a series of patent applications from Apple worth touching on. One relates to a new Electromagnetic Shielding Testing Chamber, four others relate to GPUs and one covers Windows for future Vehicles.

Beyond devices, CPUs, GPUs and software, Apple also files patents for Apple Stores, Apple Store displays and fixtures and other things. Today the U.S. Patent Office published a patent titled "Electromagnetic Shielding Testing Chamber with Ventilation" and is the first patent covered today.

In Apple's patent background they note that Electronic devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, televisions, smart watches, AM/FM radios, and the like, include various components, such as transceivers, transmitters, receivers, and antennas, to wirelessly transmit and/or receive communications via electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves. These components, referred to in certain instances of the present disclosure as electromagnetically sensitive equipment, may be tuned or otherwise configured to convert between electrical data signals and electromagnetic waves. In order to ensure adequate performance of the electromagnetically sensitive equipment, a testing apparatus defining a testing chamber may be employed to test various performance metrics of the electromagnetically sensitive equipment.

However, conventional testing apparatuses may include or be employed in relatively uncontrolled environments. For example, conventional testing apparatuses may include poor temperature control of the testing chamber in which the electromagnetically sensitive equipment is disposed for testing. Further, conventional testing apparatuses may include poor shielding of the testing chamber from transmission of electromagnetic waves into the testing chamber from an external environment, and poor electromagnetic anti-reflective properties that enable undesirable reflection of electromagnetic waves from internal surfaces of the testing apparatus toward the electromagnetically sensitive equipment.

The relatively uncontrolled environment of conventional testing apparatuses may lead to inaccurate test results, imprecise tuning of the electromagnetically sensitive equipment, and inadequate performance of the electromagnetically sensitive equipment and corresponding electronic devices. Accordingly, it is now recognized that an improved testing apparatus for testing electromagnetically sensitive equipment is desired.

In one embodiment, a testing apparatus for electromagnetically sensitive equipment includes a housing defining a testing chamber. The housing is configured to block transmission of electromagnetic waves from an external environment into the testing chamber and to reduce reflection of electromagnetic waves within the testing chamber. The testing apparatus also includes a tube defining an air flow path between the testing chamber and the external environment. The tube is configured to block transmission of electromagnetic waves from the external environment into the air flow path. The tube includes a proximal end coupled to an opening in the housing such that the air flow path is fluidly coupled to the testing chamber via the opening, a distal end opposing the proximal end, and a bent segment extending between the proximal end and the distal end.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a perspective view of an embodiment of a testing apparatus #10 for testing electromagnetically sensitive equipment. The testing apparatus may include a testing chamber #12 that receives the electromagnetically sensitive equipment. The electromagnetically sensitive equipment may include, for example, a transceiver, a transmitter, a receiver, and/or an antenna, or any device having these components, utilized to wirelessly transmit and/or receive communications via electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves. For example, the electromagnetically sensitive equipment may be used in a variety of electronic communication devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, televisions, AM/FM radios, smart watches, and the like.

Tests conducted via the testing apparatus may be performed to tune or otherwise configure the electromagnetically sensitive equipment for, for example, appropriately converting between electrical data signals and electromagnetic signals, such as radio frequency signals. In order to test the electromagnetically sensitive equipment in a controlled environment, the testing apparatus may include various features that control a temperature of the testing chamber and/or isolate the testing chamber and the electromagnetically sensitive equipment within the testing chamber from various types of electromagnetic interference. The controlled environment associated with embodiments of the present disclosure may improve accuracy and precision of the tests conducted on the electromagnetically sensitive equipment.

Engineers may be interested in reviewing the details of this invention under patent application US 20230050818 A1.

Windows with Molded Layer of Polished Glass

In the last year Patently Apple has covered two Project Titan patents about various advanced window systems for future autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles (01 and 02) that have been far more sophisticated than today's published patent application is. Nonetheless, for those following Apple's vehicle system patents, it could be of interest.

Apple's patent abstract states that "A vehicle or other system may have windows. The windows may be formed by laminating together molded sheets of polished float glass. Sheets of float glass may be polished on one side, leaving an opposing side unpolished. Following polishing, the sheets may be placed in a molding tool. The molding tool may mold the polished sheets into a desired shape such as a shape characterized by curved surfaces. The curved surfaces may include surfaces of compound curvature. Lamination equipment may use polymer to laminate first and second molded sheets of polished glass together with their polished sides facing outwardly away from each other. Light modulators and/or other electrically adjustable layers may be incorporated into the windows." For more on this, review Apple's patent application US 20230046757 A1

Four GPU System Related Patents

In an interview with TechCrunch, Tim Millet Apples vice president of Platform Architecture and Hardware Technologies and Bob Borchers, VP of Worldwide Product Marketing discussed Apple's M2 chip and touched on pushing into gaming as Apple pushes the M-Series GPU.

Borchers told TechCrunch that Apple is feeling like the Apple silicon gaming story is getting more solid release by release.

"With Capcom bringing Resident Evil across, and other titles starting to come along, I think the AAA community is starting to wake up and understand the opportunity. Because what we have now, with our portfolio of M-series Macs, is a set of incredibly performant machines and a growing audience of people who have these incredibly performant systems that can all be addressed with a single code base that is developing over time.

With that in mind, a series of four patents were published today by the U.S. Patent Office that specifically relate to various aspects of Graphics Processors that engineers, developers and super-geek hardware enthusiasts may want to dive into.

Logical Slot To Hardware Slot Mapping For Graphics Processors: Disclosed techniques relate to work distribution in graphics processors. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes circuitry that implements a plurality of logical slots and a set of graphics processor sub-units that each implement multiple distributed hardware slots. The circuitry may determine different distribution rules for first and second sets of graphics work and map logical slots to distributed hardware slots based on the distribution rules. In various embodiments, disclosed techniques may advantageously distribute work efficiently across distributed shader processors for graphics kicks of various sizes. For details and patent figures, review patent application US 20230050061 A1.

Affinity-based Graphics Scheduling: Techniques are disclosed relating to affinity-based scheduling of graphics work. In disclosed embodiments, first and second groups of graphics processor sub-units may share respective first and second caches. Distribution circuitry may receive a software-specified set of graphics work and a software-indicated mapping of portions of the set of graphics work to groups of graphics processor sub-units. The distribution circuitry may assign subsets of the set of graphics work based on the mapping. This may improve cache efficiency, in some embodiments, by allowing graphics work that accesses the same memory areas to be assigned to the same group of sub-units that share a cache. For details and patent figures, review patent US 20230047481 A1.

Kickslot Manager Circuitry For Graphics Processors: Disclosed embodiments relate to controlling sets of graphics work (e.g., kicks) assigned to graphics processor circuitry. In some embodiments, tracking slot circuitry implements entries for multiple tracking slots. Slot manager circuitry may store, using an entry of the tracking slot circuitry, software-specified information for a set of graphics work, where the information includes: type of work, dependencies on other sets of graphics work, and location of data for the set of graphics work. The slot manager circuitry may prefetch, from the location and prior to allocating shader core resources for the set of graphics work, configuration register data for the set of graphics work. Control circuitry may program configuration registers for the set of graphics work using the prefetched data and initiate processing of the set of graphics work by the graphics processor circuitry according to the dependencies. Disclosed techniques may reduce kick-to-kick transition time, in some embodiments. For details and patent figures, review patent US 20230048951 A1

Software Control Techniques For Graphics Hardware That Supports Logical Slots: Disclosed embodiments relate to software control of graphics hardware that supports logical slots. In some embodiments, a GPU includes circuitry that implements a plurality of logical slots and a set of graphics processor sub-units that each implement multiple distributed hardware slots. Control circuitry may determine mappings between logical slots and distributed hardware slots for different sets of graphics work. Various mapping aspects may be software-controlled. For example, software may specify one or more of the following: priority information for a set of graphics work, to retain the mapping after completion of the work, a distribution rule, a target group of sub-units, a sub-unit mask, a scheduling policy, to reclaim hardware slots from another logical slot, etc. Software may also query status of the work. For details and patent figures, review patent US 20230051906 A1.
But, first, theres been some recent activity on the website of the Interpreter Foundation, and I should call your attention to it. Here are three new links:

Conference Talks: Let the Beauty of the Lord our God be Upon Us: The Role of Visual Aesthetics in Ancient Israels Temple Worship, presented by Dan Belnap

This talk was given at the 2014 Temple on Mount Zion Conference, sponsored by the Interpreter Foundation.

Come, Follow Me  New Testament Study and Teaching Helps: Lesson 9, February 20  26: Matthew 67  He Taught Them as One Having Authority

As he does every week, Jonn Claybaugh a concise set of helpful notes for participants in the Come, Follow Me curriculum of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The New Testament in Context Lesson 9: He Taught Them as One Having Authority, Matthew 6 and 7

In the 29 January 2023 Come, Follow Me segment of the Interpreter Radio Show, Martin Tanner and Terry Hutchinson discussed New Testament lesson 9 on Matthew 6 and 7, He Taught Them as One Having Authority. Their discussion is now archived, available, and easily accessible for your listening.

The other segments of the 29 January 2023 radio show can be accessed at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreter-radio-show-january-29-2023.

The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard weekly on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

First Presidencys directive for Easter Sunday: Sacrament meetings only, with a Christ-centered focus: During the Easter season we can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and share His gospel with others as we consider His life and mission

Hallelujah! I regret that it was even necessary for the First Presidency to issue such a directive, but Im deeply grateful that they have issued it. Ive attended a few sacrament meetings in the past where, apart from singing Easter-related hymns, the program was indistinguishable from a service on any other Sunday of the year. That has never gone over well with me. Moreover, Ive mused, a non-member of the Church might well almost be justified in wondering, after attending such a meeting, whether were really Christians as we say we are.

Once again, in connection with the Interpreter Foundations pending Six Days in August film project, Ive lately been re-reading Thomas G. Alexander, Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2019). Im scheduled to sit down with Professor Alexander, a longtime friend, for a filmed interview toward the end of this month. Im very much looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I ran across this anecdote earlier today:

[Brigham Young brought] to the Lord concrete and urgent feelings, even hostile ones. His prize saddle was misplaced or did not hang properly, and the horse trampled it into shreds. He sharply rebuked the neglectful man and then made a beeline for the bedroom where he said (someone overheard him), Down Brigham. Then he knelt and prayed, Lord, Im sorry. I was angry. Take my anger away and help me to do better next time. When I am angry, he said to a friend, the first thing I do is pray. Some of us have been taught that should be the last thing we do, that we should soak our head in a bucket and then pray. I never am so angry but that I can pray, said Heber C. Kimball (JD 3:231). And as for the related emotions, the same holds true. [Truman G. Madsen, Souls Aflame: The Prayer Heritage of the Latter-day Saints, 8 November 1983)

I first heard the story orally, many years ago. Im pretty sure that I heard it from Hugh Nibley, who said that he had been told it by Brigham Youngs last surviving daughter. There were, in that telling, some additional details, and this is how it went:

Brother Brigham had a prize leather saddle that he really liked. He told his children that they could use any of the other saddles in the barn, but not that one. So one day, of course, while he was out, the children decided to use precisely that saddle. But they couldnt get it properly onto the horse or pony. It fell off, into the mud, and was a bit scratched up. When Brigham came home, he saw what had happened. He was furious. He scolded the children severely, angrily grabbed the saddle and placed it back where it belonged, and stomped off to the Beehive House, slamming the door behind him. Then he slammed an interior door behind him. The little girl who eventually told the story to Hugh Nibley was there, and she followed her father into his residence. She went to his door and placed her ear against it. From within, she heard her father speaking to himself: Down on your knees, Brigham, he said. Down on your knees!

Whether those additional details are true, I cant say. But that, Im quite sure, is how the story was told to me.

Perhaps some of you havent already listened to this talk by my friend and former neighbor Joseph Grenny, which has been up on the Interpreter Foundations YouTube channel for about two months now. If you havent already watched it, I think youll enjoy it and be benefited by it: Are We Losing?: A Gospel Perspective on Imperfect Families

And, last but not least, heres something deliciously dreadful from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File. Read it and weep:

A fresh start: Do faith-based programs work to rehabilitate criminal offenders?

(By the way, it also includes Joseph Grenny.)
Atheist and prolix critic of Christianity and the Bible Bob Seidensticker runs the popular and influential Cross Examined blog. This is my 83rd critique of his articles (no counter-reply as of yet). He was gracious enough to send me a free e-book copy of his new volume, 2-Minute Christianity: 50 Big Ideas Every Christian Should Understand (May 2022), which I critiqued point-by-point. His words will be in blue.

*****

This is a reply to portions of Bobs article, Defending the Bible with undesigned coincidences (2-13-23). Bob will be informed in a personal letter of this response.

Searching for undesigned coincidences is an exciting new pastime within Christian apologetics. Well, maybe not newits an exciting revived pastime. Undesigned Coincidences in the Writings Both of the Old and New Testament was published in 1854, and other books preceded it.

Its a fascinating and fruitful subject matter, for sure. My friend Lydia McGrew (traditional Anglican) has published the book, Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts (2017).

More important, these two gospels dont tell the same story. In Matthew, the beating comes from members of the Sanhedrin, at the end of the trial. But in Luke, its guards who beat Jesus, and then hes taken to the Sanhedrin.

Lets see if we can find actual proof one of the infamous contradictions dreamt up by atheists, between Matthew and Luke. Matthew provides the story of Peters denial of Christ immediately after stating:

Matthew 26:67-68 (RSV) Then they spat in his face, and struck him; and some slapped him, [68] saying, Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?

Luke presents the same story of Peter right before the same incident:

Luke 22:63-65 Now the men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him; [64] they also blindfolded him and asked him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck you? [65] And they spoke many other words against him, reviling him.

Clearly, both believe that Peters denial occurred at roughly the same time as this beating incident (during a portion of Jesus kangaroo court trial). Neither specifically note that the Peter incident was before or after the other in time, so there is no undeniable contradiction. Nor is it necessary to even know that detail. Witnesses (or Peters own report) wouldnt have known exactly what was happening inside the building or when any given thing happened, since they were outside of it. Chronology in the Bible, in any event, was not viewed in a strictly linear fashion, like we do today (thats much more of Greek thing than a Hebrew / Semitic thing). Topical similarities are relatively more important.

Seidensticker claims there is a contradiction between guards beating Jesus in one account, and the Sanhedrin doing so in the other, and in the two chronologies presented. But is there, really? Luke describes them as the men who were holding Jesus. But earlier in his text, he reveals that the same men were the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him (Lk 22:52), who seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priests house (22:54).

Therefore, they werent merely guards (we know for sure). Matthew is less specific in the immediate context: those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas (26:57). But earlier he, too, identifies them as, specifically, the chief priests and the elders (26:47). Matthew mentions, in harmony with Luke, that there were elders (Mt 26:57) and chief priests (26:59) at the trial. Luke likewise mentions those two categories of people at the trial (Lk 22:66).

Everything is exactly the same except that Luke added the non-contradictory additional category of officers of the temple among those who seized Jesus. Neither uses the word guard. That is Bobs mere guess. But granted, these people were holding Jesus, and so that is guarding Him. In any event, its the same groups of people in both accounts: those who were part of the council.

The harmonization of the two accounts seems clear and obvious to me: some of the elders and chief priests who were among those present at the trial went out to seize Jesus, having obtained information as to His whereabouts from Judas. Matthew states that Judas went to the chief priests (Mt 26:14) to betray Jesus. Luke reports that he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them (Lk 22:4). And so he noted that chief priests and officers (acting on this information) seized Jesus (22:52, 54).

We find the same in Mark. Judas went to the chief priests (Mk 14:10), and the ones who seized Jesus were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders (Mk 14:43): the same three groups of people who were in the assembly (Mk 14:53). Mark does say that guards struck Jesus (Mk 14:65), but there is no reason to not believe that they were from among the assembly. Furthermore, John states that Judas came with a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees (Jn 18:3; cf. 18:12).

The same people were guarding Him  were close to Him  during the trial (while they were part of the deliberations) and struck him in mockery and hatred. They were part and parcel of the council. Thus, no inexorable contradiction whatsoever is present. Atheists like Bob are quick to claim contradiction! But its almost always a superficial analysis (nothing like what I have just provided). They dont demonstrate or prove how they cant possibly be harmonious accounts. The analyses lack logical rigor, to put it mildly.

So what is an undesigned coincidence? Tim McGrew defines it this way:

Sometimes two works written by different authors incidentally touch on the same point in a manner that cannot be written off as copying or having a copy made from some third source. The two records interlock like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Yes; this happens all the time in the Bible. I know, because Ive been defending it against innumerable atheist charges of contradiction, that invariably come to nothing. I hope that this will be my next officially published book: Anti-Bible: Refutations of XXX Alleged Biblical Contradictions. My solution above will be added to it.

Sure, lets say that the books of the New Testament have omissions. That makes them look like ordinary books written with no supernatural oversight.

No; it makes them look like books written in the ordinary manner (and able to be interpreted by means of reason) before we get to the question of inspiration or even their religious or theological nature, generally speaking. All of this analysis is of that sort. A supernatural inspired and infallible revelation would have to, by definition, be free from error, or at least significant error (beyond an extra zero added, or likely mere manuscript transmission errors, etc.). Thats why the discussion of alleged contradictions is important.

If and when the Christian apologist debunks these, he is showing that the Bible is accurate, which is consistent with inspiration, but doesnt prove it. If he doesnt succeed, then the doctrine of inspiration would be in significant trouble. We solve the alleged contradictions in order to prove biblical accuracy, not inspiration, which is a much more complex additional matter. Accuracy of hundreds of details confirms overall accuracy, by cumulative argument, and suggests a possible inspiration. And this is important in and of itself, as just explained.

This is like the Argument from Accurate Place Names, which praises the Bible for recording the names for many places that are later confirmed by history or archaeology. Big deal.

Yes it is a big deal, because the Bible has often been accused of getting these details wrong, because (so the skeptic claims) its not inspired. Demonstrating accuracy in this respect shows that the Bible has characteristics (accuracy of place names) which are consistent with, and a prerequisite to, inspiration. Both sides have to be aware of the logic and epistemology involved, and what is being claimed for any given argument.

***

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!

***

Photo credit: darksouls1 [Pixabay / Pixabay license]

***

Summary: Atheist Bob Seidensticker says Matthew & Luke differ about who mocked and beat Jesus at His trial. I prove the contrary, and also the harmony of several related facts.

***
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Princes Trust International (PTI), in partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana and Environment 360, has held the pitch finals of the Enterprise Challenge, a programme which seeks to introduce Senior High School students to business concepts and entrepreneurship. Described by Forbes as one of the five leading global programs supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, the Enterprise Challenge, works with young people to develop business ideas that positively impact environmental issues in their communities.



Princes Trust International was founded by His Majesty King Charles III, formerly The Prince of Wales, to help tackle the global crisis in youth unemployment. The organisation works with local partners across 18 countries to deliver employability, education and entrepreneurship programmes, including the Enterprise Challenge.



As well as inspiring an entrepreneurial spirit and equipping young people with the requisite skill-set and know-how to run an enterprise, the overarching aim of the programme is to encourage young people to be socially responsive and responsible, by channelling their creative prowess to make a positive impact on their community. Additionally, the programme is geared towards developing the participants confidence and providing experienced guidance to enable them to make informed decisions about their future.



The inclusion of climate literacy modules provides participants with the principles of sustainable development and the importance of considering environmental impact alongside profit. Supported by business mentors, young participants explore the stages of setting up and running a business through a digital business simulation game.



Twenty-five (25) teams participated in the 2022/23 edition of the programme with five teams eventually being shortlisted for the finals. The five finalists were then given four sessions with a green business mentor to support each team to finetune their business ideas with particular emphasis on a cost and profit structure, as well as effective sales pitching techniques ahead of the final event.



Speaking at the event, the founder of Fidelity Bank and a member of the Princes Trust International Africa Advisory Board, Mr. Edward Effah, expressed his delight with the diligence and business acumen demonstrated by the students. Looking at the ideas presented by our students today, I can confidently say that Ghana indeed has a bright future. The ability of these young ones to develop environmentally friendly green business ideas and the confidence with which they articulated these ideas is quite impressive. I am particularly impressed with their level of environmental awareness, and I believe such programmes will go a long way to help Ghana and Africa achieve the SDGs.



The five (5) teams which participated in the finals included Team Mervs from Kinbu S.H.S., Team Doyen from Sacred Heart S.H.S., Teams Texco and Flow from His Majestys S.H.S. and Team Phoenix from Brainy Brain S.H.S.



The winning pitch came from an all-female team from Kinbu SHS. They presented an innovative green business concept of turning palm kernel waste, generated from making palm oil, into briquettes to replace the use of charcoal and wood cooking fuel. This environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooking fuel is compact and smokeless and devoid of any harmful effects to human health.



Among other pluses, the judging panel were impressed that the product is ready for market with a broad immediate and potential customer base.



For their prize, the team received seed money from Fidelity Bank to start the process of registering their business and building on their business idea and turn it into a viable commercial entity. Presenting the funding to the team, the Head, of Digital and Brand Marketing of Fidelity Bank, Eric Frempong Amponsah stated that, Fidelity Bank is proud to partner with Princes Trust International on this programme. Serving the community is one of our core values and education is a key pillar of our social impact initiatives. We look forward to working with Princes Trust International on future projects.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Caretaker Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, says Government is rigorously working on a comprehensive law to deal with consumer protection in the Country.



He said a new Consumer Protection Bill is ready, and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for its consideration and then to Parliament for passage.



The Minister disclosed this when he delivered a policy statement on Consumer Protection in Parliament on Wednesday 15th February 2023, in anticipation of the Consumer Rights Day which is celebrated on 15th March every year.



Underscoring the importance of consumer protection, the Minister said everyone in todays world depends on goods and services provided by others, making it imperative to protect the interest of consumers and ensure fair trading.



He said the current legal and regulatory framework for the protection of consumer rights is fragmented in different pieces of legislation, with different bodies overseeing different aspects of consumer protection.



According to Mr Jinapor, the current state of affairs is unsatisfactory, and has led to a significant part of the market remaining unregulated, leading to a constant violation of consumer rights without an adequate remedy.



He identified jurisdictional conflict among the various regulators on consumer protection, lack of consumer awareness, lack of access to the courts, and absence of low-cost, quick, and accessible fora and methods for resolution of consumer complaints, as some of the challenges with consumer protection in the country.



Drawing from international best practices, the Minister said the world is at a stage where a single legislation on consumer protection, with a single consumer protection authority, is the norm.



He said the overarching objective of the Bill, which is ready for Cabinet, is to protect, secure and defend the rights of consumers, through a structured institutional mechanism and legal framework, that will ensure that consumers play a significant role in keeping erring businesses in check, promote competition, and ensure regional integration through digital trade and e-commerce.



When passed, the law will, also, create a Consumer Protection Authority to facilitate consumer redress, establish codes of practice on advertising and labelling, educate consumers on their rights, strengthen consumer-oriented organizations, and ensure effective representation of consumers on decision-making bodies.



The Minister called on Parliament to support the Bill when presented to the House to ensure effective and adequate protection for the rights of consumers.



Members of Parliament from both sides of the House, who contributed to the Statement, lauded the Minister for apprising the House on the progress of the Bill.



The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa underscored the importance of the Bill and expressed his optimism that the whole House will support the Bill when presented to the House.



The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin also commended Mr Jinapor and urged other Ministers to emulate him and constantly update the House on matters pertaining to their ministries.

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Government in the statement has reiterated that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.



In a statement by the Ministry of Information, The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu today February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security.



"The security agencies have therefore been directed to arrest and prosecute any other person who holds himself out as a Bawku Naba.



Further, any developments that have the potential to undermine the peace of Bawku will also be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with law, government cautioned in the statement.



The Mamprusi faction in the protracted Bawku conflict was at the palace of the overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohugu Mahama Abdulai Sherigah II on Wedneday for the enskinment of a new Bawku Naba despite the recognition of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II by the government and the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs as the legitimate ruler of the area.



There were reports that efforts by the government to stop the supposed enskinment from happening failed.

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Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday gave approval to the central bank to extend the deadline to turn in some old banknotes until April 10 after cash shortages stoked anger before presidential and parliamentary elections later this month.



Last year, Nigerias central bank decided to start circulating newly designed 1,000 ($2.17) 500 ($1.08) and 200 ($0.43) naira notes. The deadline to turn in old notes has already been extended once to February 10, after which they would no longer have been legal tender.



But the new notes have been in short supply, leading to long queues and chaotic scenes at banks across the country. Most of Nigerias economy is still informal and many people use cash for transactions because they do not have bank accounts.



Buhari said in a television broadcast that old 200-naira notes would continue to circulate in the economy alongside new 1,000, 500 and 200 notes until April 10.



But the old 1,000 and 500 notes could only be swapped at the central bank and designated points, he said.



The comments contrasted with last weeks Supreme Court interim ruling that said all old notes remain legal tender until it hears a challenge brought by some state governments.



Read Full Story .... aljazeera.com >>> :









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The 18th Surveyors Week and 54th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors will come off in Accra from the 18th to the 26th of February, 2023.



Ahead of the program, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Benjamin Armah Quaye has been providing some insight into what will transpire. He noted that successive Governments have sought, through numerous initiatives to improve Ghanas land administration regime.



Some major interventions in the past have been through the Land Administration Project (LAP) - phases 1 and 2, which sought to lay the foundation and consolidate urban and rural land administration and management systems for efficient and transparent land service delivery.



The focus of the interventions has been aimed at improving land administration with respect to transforming the institutional arrangement; reforming the Legal and regulatory framework, harmonizing the customary and formal sectors, introducing of ICT-enabled processes and re-engineering business processes.



Despite the above efforts, the challenges facing the land administration system are still pervasive. To what extent have surveyors been involved? How can surveyors contribute positively to the transformation agenda? What skills do surveyors require to positively contribute to the transformation agenda? According to him the 18th Surveyors Week and the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors will deliberate on the issues which are critical for national development.



The selected theme for the program is Transforming Land Administration in Ghana - The Role of the Surveying Professional. The transformation of the land administration system of the country cannot be properly focused if surveying professionals who have the requisite expertise are not involved in the process. Again, since development is a complex mix, the various categories of experts need to closely collaborate thereby ensuring that no gaps exist.



The practice of professional surveying comes under the ambit of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors. It is a professional body established on 28th February 1969, at the general meeting of the Ghana branch of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors at which a resolution was passed to that effect, and the constitution was promulgated.



The Institution is the leading source of professional advice on landed property and construction in Ghana. Its vision is to be an internationally recognised professional organization committed to providing effective leadership and excellence in land resource management for sustainable development. The Ghana Institution of Surveyors prides itself on some core values which include creativity and innovation, professionalism, ethics, integrity, accountability, teamwork, as well as social and environmental concerns.



Aside from managing the welfare of its members, the Institution has other objectives such as the management and development of estates and other landed property, providing cost engineering services, providing precise positioning, charting and data gathering in the marine environment and other geoinformatics activities etc. It has a membership of close to three thousand categorised into three divisions.



These are; land surveying, quantity surveying, and valuation and estate surveying divisions. The land surveyor is a professional engaged in a basket of services, including cadastral and mapping services. The quantity surveyor tackles engineering estimations/costing, cost monitoring, engineering construction management, and related tasks.



The estate/valuation surveyor is broadly engaged in the land economy, estate management, property valuation (including plant and machinery valuation, among many other tasks), facilities management, conflict resolution, and land compensation appraisals.



This year's election of a Vice-President will be unique, because hitherto there was no serious competition as provided for in the constitution of GhIS. But for the first time since the reviewed constitution in 2017, the position of a Vice-President is being keenly contested by two Senior Members of the division whose turn is to provide for the Vice--President slot.

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NPP Loyal Ladies, a group affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party as part of their 7th anniversary paid visits to some hospitals and educational institutions across the country to show love to the students and patients on 14th February Valentines Day.



At the Child Health Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital, staff and parents of the children at the ward were overwhelmed with the love shown and expressed gratitude to the NPP and the Loyal Ladies team that visited the Unit.



Some of the schools the group visited included, UDS Tamale Campus, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Energy and Natural Resources- Sunyani, Sunyani Technical University, Ghana Communication Technology University, Christian Service University College, Kumasi Technical University, UDS -Wa Campus, Wa Technical University, University of Professional Studies Accra-UPSA, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial ( AAMUSTED), Nurses training college, Ho and Korle- Bu NMTC.



Gloria Adu, a leader of the group, said this is a gesture in their own small way to help bring smiles to the faces of Ghanaians and remind them that the New Patriotic party loves them and is working to bring relief to Ghanaians.



In all, over 10,000 bars of locally made chocolates were distributed around the country by the group.















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Government has paid GH1.28 million compensation to the three injured victims of the Ejura shooting incident.



Per a cheques issued to the families sighted by DGN Online, Louis Ayikpa received GH347,953, Nazif Nuhu should got GH192,425, and Awal Mesbawu was given GH678,519.



This follows legal advice given by the Attorney-General (A-G) in July last year for compensation to be paid.



In a letter, the A-G, Godfred Yeboah Dame, advised the government to compensate three injured victims of the incident with about GH1.28 million.



The three injured persons captured in the A-Gs advice for compensation are Louis Ayipka, 30; Nazif Nuhu, 20, and Awal Mesbawu, 16.



Apart from the compensation, the A-G also advised the government to implement a recommendation by a Medical Board for the victims to be given medical and psychosocial care.



The letter, dated July 12, 2022 was addressed to the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery.



On June 29, 2021, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Suraj Mohammed died from gunshots from joint police and military team during activities related to the burial of a social activist in the area, Ibrahim Muhammed, popularly known as Kaaka.



Three other persons  Ayikpa, Nuhu and Mesbawu  got injured in the incident.



A committee set up by the Minister for the Interior to investigate the matter submitted its report in September last year.



The committee, chaired by then a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Kingsley Koomson, in its report, recommended that the families of the two young men who lost their lives in the shooting incident must be compensated.



It further recommended that the three injured persons must also be compensated.



While the government had since compensated the families of the two young men who lost their lives in the shooting incident, the injured persons were yet to be compensated.



The A-G relied on certain factors used to award compensation in some case law.



These were permanent physical disability or impairment, disruption of education, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, ongoing medical care needs, loss of future earnings, reimbursement of the cost of medical treatments, increase in living expenses among others. The A-G also factored in the national minimum wage and transportation cost, among other factors.



Regarding the medical and psychosocial care, the A-G advised that all three should be given psychosocial support as recommended by the medical board.



In the case of Awal Mesbawu, the appropriate functional prosthesis should be provided to him to assist in mobilisation as recommended by the medical board, the A-G said.







Source: Daily Guide









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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A Senior Lecturer with the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has heaped kind words on NPP flag bearer hopeful Hon Alan Kyerematen after the latter's heroic reception in Volta region.



As part of his ongoing nationwide tour, Hon Alan Kyerematen was heavily welcome in the Volta region despite the open love for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) within the region.



The thousands that trooped to the various gatherings in Volta region to welcome the former Trade and Industry Minister wowed Dr Kofi Mensah and other political pundits.



In response to the historic crowed that recieved Hon Alan Kyerematen on his arrival to the region , Dr Kofi Mensah did not mince describing the political gains awaiting NPP should Alan's bid to leading the party gets endorsed by delegates.



In his usual social media interactions , the Senior Lecturer lit up the new media space with the tweet, 'Wow! Looks like Alan Cash is vibrating strongly in Volta. Interesting times ahead. Obi ni yem.....wee. #NPPContest. #NPP2023".



The deafening noise from the masses that recieved Hon Alan Kyerematen in an NDC dominated region appeared to have sent out signals across the political space.



Political experts have been wondering what that massive endorsement meant ahead of the make or break Presidential Primaries later this year.



Having served at the Trade and Industry Ministry for over a decade and under two different regimes , the industrial expert stepped down from his Ministerial position to intensify his long term Presidential dreams.



The recent mammoth crowd from Volta region confirmed his natural affection across the political divide as NPP dares to break the Traditional eight year regimes in Ghana's geopolitical space.



The Presidential Primaries is expected to be keenly contest among Hon Alan Kyerematen, HE Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and some notable names within the New Patriotic Party.

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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Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker has asked Ghanaians to continue to put their confidence in the Akufo-Addo government.



According to him, the government has their best interest at heart and will do nothing to jeopardize their wellbeing.



Speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, George Mireku Duker urged the citizenry to "have faith in this government".



He made this appeal while reacting to the government's Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.



He called on the citizens, particularly the bondholders affected by the debt restructuring programme, to cooperate with the government in rolling out the measures he believes will alleviate the plight of the nation.



"This government will not disappoint Ghanaians and we are not determined to destroy this country. We are determined to build a country that will give some sort of future to our generation yet unborn", Hon. Mireku Duker emphasized.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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An amazing way to kickstart a campaign when the message is centred not on despair but hope for the country and unity of the Party and the country.



The euphoria was clear, the nods told the best part when with a simple yet strategic message Hon. Joe Ghartey launched The Agenda for Hope and Unity as part of the road to Jubilee House at the University of Mines and Technology, School of Railways and Infrastructural Development.



The message was short as he centred his attention on two major sectors Education and Railway.



According to Hon Joe Ghartey, these two sectors were examples of how various sectors or all the sectors of the economy could totally transform the country. On the railway sector, Joe Ghartey gave several examples of the possibility of transformation.



He said when he became the Minister in 2017 the situation was hopeless. The salaries of the workers of the Ghana Railways Company Ltd was outstanding for a number of months and were barely up to the minimum wage. Traders had taken over the Accra station and the infrastructure of the Ghana Railway Company Limited had completely deteriorated.



It was against the background he said that he suggested in October 2017 to UMAT that the University should combine with the Ministry to set up the UMAT-School of Railway and Infrastructural Development.



This School today has more than 1700 students and is offering degree and certificate courses. Joe Ghartey said this decision was made in October 2017 when there was no hope in the sector. He said that what was needed was a clear vision in each sector gearing towards expanding the economy. He said in the railway sector within 10 to 15 years the country would see the impact of a new and revitalized railway sector.



Hon Joe Ghartey turned to the educational sector and said that like the railway sector, the foundation for the economic lift had been laid over the years. He said the sector was poised to become a major foreign exchange earner.



Joe Ghartey said when he was at the University of Ghana, Legon in the early 1980s the were hardly any foreign students in the University and in Ghana. He said the situation is different today showing clearly that over the years but we could do much more. Joe Ghartey said that in the United Kingdom, it was estimated that international students contributed 28 billion pounds every year. He said if Ghana could do as little as 10 per cent of what the United Kingdom was doing, Ghana could earn about 2.8 billion a year, which he said was about the amount of money we were seeking to borrow from the IMF.



Posing the rhetorical question of what must be done for us to achieve this Joe Ghartey said we must internationally and strategically ensure that our Universities become Centres of Excellence. He offered some solutions. One he said was that government scholarships must be geared towards producing first-class lectures, increased and enhanced supervision and regulations and increased funding on competitive terms to the Universities.



Hon Joe Ghartey said in achieving this our mindset must change as Ghanaians. He should it was important to develop a merit-based economy and country. Joe Ghartey said a video was making the rounds where Singapore mentions Ghana as one of the countries which they were like in the 1960s. He said in the said video one of the factors that were identified that led to the rise of Singapore was the adoption of meritocracy.



He said the government should also be leaner and more efficient. He said as President he would have a four-year contract renewable for a further four years by Ghanaians, subject to acceptable performance. He said likewise all his appointees would, to the extent permissible by law, have a two-year renewable contract of employment. This would include Ministers and after two years their performance would be assessed against agreed targets and a decision including the possibility of reshuffle or removal from office would be considered.



Joe Ghartey said he had the experience and determination to be present. He urged Ghanaians not to lose hope.



On unity, Joe Ghartey bemoaned the disunity in the Party and in the country. He said as Presidential Candidate he would unite the Party and as President he would unite the Party.



Joe Ghartey will today be meeting the Regional Executive Committee of the NPP.

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 General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey has announced dates for the open of nominations, purchasing of forms and filing of nomination forms for the election of a Presidential Candidate for the party ahead of the 2024 General Elections.



Nominations are opened from 22nd February to 24th February, 2023.



Each candidate must be nominated on a seperate nomination form.



However, the nomination forms has been adjusted upawards from GH30,000 to GH 50,000



"Forms of nomination may be made available in the office of the General Secretary for purchase at a non-refundable fee of Fifty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH 50,000.00) paid by bankers' draft," a notice of Elections signed by the General Secretary stated.



"Completed nomination papers must be delivered to me with the required deposit of Ghc 500,000.00 (Banksers' draft) between the aboce-mentioned hours from the 20th day of March to the 22nd day of March at the Party Headquarters," he added.



The poll will be taken at the selected venue within the Constituency in all the regions between the hours of seven o'clock in the morning and five o'clock in the evening on the 13th day of May, 2023.













Timetable



Both the presidential and the parliamentary primaries would be held concurrently on Saturday, May 13, 2023.



Announcing the timetable for the elections at a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday, January 18, the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said the two elections would be held on the same day in all the voting centres in the 276 constituencies including Santrokofi Akpafu Likpe and Lolobi (SALL), and the NDC headquarters would also constitute a voting centre, Mr Kwetey said.



Present at the press conference were the National Chairman of the party, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah; National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi; Member of the NDC legal team, Baba Jamal, and former flag bearer aspirant, Sylvester Mensah among other leading members of the party.



Per the timetable, nominations for aspiring parliamentary candidates would open on February 22 to 24 to make room for interested persons to pick nomination forms via the NDC website at a cost of GH5000 which must be paid via Mobile Money.



Although nomination for presidential candidates would also commence on February 22 to 24, interested candidates are required to pick nomination forms directly from the office of the General Secretary of the party and pay a fee of GH30,000 via bankers draft.



However, female aspirants and persons with physical disabilities would be required to pay only 50 per cent of the fee charged.



Aspiring presidential and parliamentary candidates would be required to submit the completed forms between March 20 to 22 before vetting would commence on March 27 to 29.



There would also be a window for appeals on the outcome of the vetting process between March 30 to April 6 before the election on May 13.

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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Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Higgins is asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to formally object to Canada's federal tax on underused foreign-owned housing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Andrew Harnik, Pool
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran no matter how the international and regional situations evolve, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday. Xi made the remark in talks with Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Raisi started a three-day state visit to China on Tuesday, his first since taking office in August 2021. The two presidents pledged to enhance comprehensive cooperation between China and Iran, while hailing the countries' traditional friendship and the sound development of bilateral ties. They agreed that the two countries should support each other on issues concerning their own core interests, strengthen communication on international and regional affairs and jointly oppose hegemony and bullying. During the talks, Xi said that amid the profound changes in the international situation, China and Iran have constantly consolidated their strategic mutual trust and steadily advanced pragmatic cooperation. They have promoted their common interests and upheld international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter for China-Iran friendship, he added. China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity as well as resisting unilateralism and hegemony, and opposes attempts by external forces to interfere in Iran's domestic affairs and undermine its security and stability, Xi said. He expressed China's willingness to implement the agreement on the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, which was signed by the two countries in March 2021, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry and infrastructure. China stands ready to continue promoting the joint building of the Belt and Road with Iran to enhance mutual connectivity, and the country is willing to increase imports of high-quality Iranian agricultural produce, Xi said. He highlighted the importance of stability in the Middle East, saying that upholding stability matters to the well-being of the countries and people in the region and also has great relevance to world peace, global economic development and the stability of energy supplies. Noting that China appreciates Iran's willingness to actively improve relations with neighboring countries, Xi said that China supports countries in the region in resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation to realize good neighborliness. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, he added. Xi also called for strengthening communication and coordination between China and Iran within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, practicing true multilateralism and jointly safeguarding the common interests of developing countries. China will continue to participate in the negotiations on resuming the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iran nuclear issue, support Iran in upholding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, and advance the proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue at an early date, he said. Raisi said that Iran-China relations are based on the spirit of mutual respect, and the two counties are sincere strategic partners who trust each other. Iran remains firmly committed to deepening and improving the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and its resolve in this regard will not be affected by any change in the international and regional situations, said the Iranian president. He said he appreciated China's assistance in fighting COVID-19 and its impartial position on the Iran nuclear issue, and said that Iran firmly supports and will actively participate in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. The Iranian president assured Xi that Iran resolutely supports China in upholding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with China in upholding regional and global peace and security. Before the talks, Xi held a grand welcoming ceremony for Raisi. On Tuesday, Raisi also met with Premier Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with visiting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]
RGPS Horseshoe Tunica Stop in March Will Feature $200,000 Guaranteed Main Event

February 15, 2023 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

There are no breaks for the award-nominated RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) team as they head to Mississippi later this month for RGPS Horseshoe Casino Tunica taking place Feb. 28-March 5. Not only that, RGPS Bay Area also takes place at Graton Casino in the Bay Area Feb. 28-8.

And with all of this happening, the RGPS team has once again been nominated for "Best Mid-Major" at the annual Global Poker Awards, while RunGood founder Tana Karn is also in the running for for Industry Person of the Year.

The RGPS Tunica "Checkpoint" stop will feature several Ring Events and will culminate with the $200,000 guaranteed $200 buy-in RGPS Tunica Main Event scheduled to run March 3-5.

Read about the RGPS Bay Area stop!

Mississippi Grind

The RGPS Tunica stop will kick off with a $200 Seniors Ring Event on Feb. 28, followed by a $165 Opening Night Guest Bounty Ring Event the same day. There will also be several $165 Flip & Go Ring Events running on demand, the first of which gets underway on Feb. 28.

The next day, the two-flight $250 DeepStack Ring Event will get underway as players complete for an RGPS ring and the lion's share of the $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.

RGPS Tunica

Other highlights of the series include a $200 One Day NLH Ring Event with a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool, a $300 Pot Limit Omaha Ring Event and a $200 Ladies Ring Event.

But the biggest draw of the southern RunGood stop is the $200 Main Event, the first starting flight of which gets underway on March 3. After two more starting flights on March 4, players will reconvene on March 5 for a shot at the title.

Previous Winners

When the RGPS team was last at Horseshoe Tunica in October 2022, the $600 Main Event drew a field of 597 runners for a prize pool of $310,440. At the end of it all, it was Mississippi native JW Carter who took home the $58,110 top prize after defeating heads-up opponent Wesley Jones.

J.W. Carter

Others who joined Carter at the final table included Mike Cordell (3rd - $28,654), BJ McBrayer (4th - $21,358) and Matthew Lawrence (5th - $16,112).

Earlier in the series, Michael Benbrook took down the $200 Two Green Chip Bounty event for $4,565 and Jones emerged the winner in $300 Pot-Limit Omaha for $5,151.

2022 RGPS RunGood Tunica Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 JW Carter $58,110 2 Wesley Jones $38,867 3 Mike Cordell $28,654 4 BJ McBrayer $21,358 5 Matthew Lawrence $16,112 6 Micheal Senedetka $12,293 7 John Duke $9,468 8 Chris Hight $7,388 9 Adam Cotant $5,836

Back in March 2022, Max Le took down the $575 Main Event after an even six-way chop in an event that drew 602 runners for a prize pool of $301,000. The others who got in on the chop were Teresa Lammie-Anders, David Lee, Matthew Kassela, Brock McCoy and Kyle Cartwright.

After wrapping up in Tunica, the RGPS team will stick around in the south for RGPS bestbet Jacksonville in Florida taking place March 23-April 2.

The full schedule for the upcoming RGPS Horseshoe Tunica stop is available in the table below.

2023 RGPS Tunica Full Schedule

DATE START EVENT Feb. 28 10:00 AM Seniors Ring Event (AGE 50+, Buy-in $200) Feb. 28 1:00 PM Main Event Satellite (Buy-in $145) Feb. 28 7:00 PM Opening Night Guest Bounty Ring Event (Buy-in $165) Feb. 28 On Demand Flip & Go Ring Event* ($165 buy-in, On Demand) March 1 12:00 PM DeepStack Ring Event FLT A (Buy-in $250, $50,000 GTD Prizepool) March 1 4:00 PM Main Event Satellite (Buy-in $145) March 1 6:00 PM DeepStack Ring Event FLT B (Buy-in $250, $50,000 GTD Prizepool) March 1 On Demand Flip and Go Ring Event Day 1 (Buy-in $165) March 2 12:00 PM DeepStack Ring Event Restart March 2 1:00 PM One Day NLH Ring Event (Buy-in $200, $20,000 GTD Prizepool) March 2 7:00 PM Double Green Chip Bounty Ring Event (Buy-in $200) March 2 On Demand Flip and Go Ring Event (Buy-in $165) March 3 11:00 AM Flip and Go Ring Event Day 2 March 3 12:00 PM Pot Limit Omaha Ring Event (Buy-in $300) March 3 2:00 PM Turbo Satellite (Buy-in $145) March 3 6:00 PM RunGood Main Event FLT A (Buy-in $600, $200,000 GTD Prizepool) March 4 9:00 AM Turbo Satellite (Buy-in $145) March 3 11:00 AM RunGood Main Event FLT B (Buy-in $600, $200,000 GTD Prizepool) March 4 4:00 PM Ladies Ring Event (Buy-in $200) March 4 6:00 PM RunGood Main Event FLT C (Buy-in $600, $200,000 GTD Prizepool) March 5 10:00 AM Turbo NLH Ring Event (Buy-in $165) March 5 12:00 PM Main Event Restart March 5 4:00 PM Thousandaire Maker (1 in 10 wins $1,000 CASH, Buy-in $135) March 5 12:00 PM Thousandaire Maker (1 in 10 wins $1,000 CASH, Buy-in $135)
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The federal government had witnesses, flight records, Venmo receipts, and yet still decided not to prosecute Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

CNN reported:

The final decision was made by Department of Justice leadership after investigators recommended against charges last year.

We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him, Gaetzs lawyers, Marc Mukasey, and Isabelle Kirshner, said in a statement.

Jose Pagliery of The Daily Beast, who did much of the investigative reporting on the story tweeted:

Feds had a confession letter. Private Venmos. Uber receipts. Flight records. Yet they still won't prosecute Congressman Matt Gaetz. This is all the more stunning, because @SollenbergerRC & I were the ones who exposed the evidence for @thedailybeast:https://t.co/JqortIYMme  Jose Pagliery (@Jose_Pagliery) February 15, 2023

It might seem stunning that Gaetz wasnt charged, but in Americas warped system of justice where being male, white, and rich gets treated differently than everyone else, it isnt surprising. The feds were afraid to come after Gaetz because there were credibility issues with their potential witnesses, and they did not want to rely on the physical evidence alone to try to get a conviction.

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The reluctance to prosecute Gaetz is not new or unique. Donald Trump has spent his entire adult life being a white, rich man who gets special treatment. DOJ allowed Trump to haggle with them for a year and a half before they finally acted after he stole classified documents.

If Matt Gaetz was anyone else of less status and means, he would have been prosecuted and locked up by now. Attorney General Garland and members of legal community like to talk about the rule of law, but how can Americans believe in the rule of law when they see one system of justice for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else?
The bidding process for a historic property in Aiken has begun.

Aiken County is accepting offers for the old Aiken County Hospital, according to a "Request for Bids" post on aikencountysc.gov.

Along with the 66,072-square-foot brick building, its 9.44-acre site at 828 Richland Ave. W. and several other structures located there are up for grabs.

Prospective buyers have until 3 p.m. March 28 to submit their bids.

They will have the opportunity to tour the old hospital March 1.

Aiken County Council unanimously approved Feb. 7 a resolution that authorized the county to put the old hospital back up for sale as is, where is.

That action followed the collapse of the deal to sell the building for $2.094 million to Aiken Lofts Manager LLC.

The transaction was supposed to be finalized by Dec. 31, 2022.

After that didnt happen, there was a 30-day cure period during which Aiken Lofts Manager had an opportunity to close the deal, but failed to do so.

John Gumpert was the point man for Aiken Lofts Manager. He is the president of Camden Management Partners Inc. in Atlanta, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Tracey Turner, CEO of Turner Development in Washington, D.C., told the Aiken Standard after County Councils Feb. 7 meeting that he would be making an offer on the old hospital.

Turner would like to preserve and repurpose the building. He said he wanted to turn it into apartments or condos or senior housing, whichever one I can get approved and makes financial sense.

The old hospital, which was built prior to World War II, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After it ceased to be a medical facility, the building served as Aiken County governments headquarters. It currently is vacant.

Since 2018, the county has failed to finalize two other deals involving the old hospital  one with The Marian Group, which is based in Kentucky, and the other with a local entity, WTC Investments LLC.
Youre in your garden and notice that a pretty but unfamiliar flower has popped up somewhere unexpected. Do you pull it or leave it? Or perhaps an unfamiliar garden pest has ravaged your tomato plants. What to do about it? A variety of gardening apps and cellphone features can help. They offer expert garden-planning and planting advice, pest and disease troubleshooting, plant and insect identification, and even integrated artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Among the free apps and features suggested by AP gardening writer Jessica Damiano are Seek by iNaturalist, From Seed to Spoon, PictureThis, Google Lens and Apple Visual Look Up. Read moreGardening help in the palm of your hand: 5 apps, phone tips
COLUMBIA  Republicans in the South Carolina House approved their latest attempt to ban nearly all abortions, though it may go no further.

The bill adopted 83-31 on Feb. 15 along party lines would ban abortions at conception, with limited exceptions.

It's vastly different from the bill passed last week by the Senate, which largely tweaks the six-week ban the state Supreme Court threw out last month as an unconstitutional violation of privacy rights.

Republican senators crafted it in a way they hope will cause justices to flip their 3-2 ruling in a future challenge.

But House GOP leaders called the Senate's actions unacceptable, setting up a potential standstill between Republicans who rule both chambers. It's unclear whether either chamber will even consider the other's bill.

"The House has taken another giant step in protecting human life," House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said after the vote.

Asked about next steps, Smith said the House GOP passed the bill it has the votes to push through.

"We simply don't have the votes" to accept the more lenient Senate version, he said.

His synopsis echoed the warning Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey repeated last week when he stressed the Senate lacks the votes to ban abortions before six weeks.

A similar stalemate occurred last fall, resulting in Republicans' last attempt to ban abortions expiring after the November elections.

State Rep. John McCravy, who again is the House's primary sponsor, said the 2021 law that banned abortions once an ultrasound detects cardiac activity  which is generally around the sixth week of pregnancy  was designed to test the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 ruling that guaranteed abortion rights nationwide through the second trimester. The high court's decision last June to throw out Roe v. Wade made a test case unnecessary, and now anything less than a ban at conception won't do, the Greenwood Republican said.

His latest bill allows exceptions to save the mother's life or prevent serious, lifelong health problems. It also allows abortions if the fetus isn't expected to survive outside the womb or in cases where the pregnancy results from rape or incest, though only through the first trimester, or 12 weeks.

Those were the concessions to the Senate, said McCravy, who got emotional when talking about his preference to not allow exceptions for crime victims or fatal fetal anomalies.

'Thou shall not'

The hourslong debate in the House sounded like an extended, conflicting sermon, as legislators on both sides cited Scripture to make their case and accuse each other of playing God.

Rep. Josiah Magnuson, R-Campobello, started off a contentious back-and-forth by calling abortion an abomination of God's will that murders an unborn child. He tried unsuccessfully with multiple amendments to delete all exceptions except for the mother's life. His proposals to "hold a mother who kills her own baby in her womb responsible" by facing prison time were also rejected.

"We do not kill somebody for being sick, for having even a terminal diagnosis," Magnuson, a leader of the chamber's hardline Freedom Caucus, said about a fatal fetal anomaly exception. "This is abhorrent that we would consider killing people because theyre sick or have a terminal diagnosis. If you believe a child in the womb is created in the image of God, I implore you."

Democrats countered that Republicans are selectively choosing some Bible verses while ignoring others.

The Bible says "thou shall not do a lot of things," but humans sin all the time, said Rep. Terry Alexander, D-Florence.

"All of us have the choice to do what's right or what's wrong. That's called free will," said the Baptist pastor. "God gave us that freedom and who are we  who am I  to take your freedom away? Your freedom to choose. That's violating God's law, saying women cannot choose.

"Who are we to take away God-given rights from other people?" he continued. "Brothers and sisters, that's a violation of God's law.  We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, those of us who claim to be Christians. Be mindful God is not mocked. Whatever we sow, we shall reap."

Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Smoaks, reminded his colleagues of the First Amendment's religious establishment clause interpreted as requiring a separation of church and state.

"My personal religious beliefs are not what should form the foundation of law-making because that would be in violation" of the Founding Fathers who Republicans like to cite so much, he said. "Apparently some people believe in the Constitution until it doesnt serve their purposes."

Arguing for her amendment guaranteeing abortions through 24 weeks, which was quickly rejected, Rep. Spencer Wetmore, D-Folly Beach, criticized her colleagues as having a debate about women "like they don't even exist."

Rep. Adam Morgan, R-Taylors, said a woman's autonomy shouldn't be an issue.

"It is not someones body, its a baby. And its not a choice, its a child," said the Freedom Caucus chairman.

Democrats also offered a legal argument, saying it doesn't make sense to push for a near-total abortion ban a month after South Carolina's high court threw out the six-week ban as violating protections in the state constitution against unreasonable invasions of privacy. But McCravy said the wording is geared to address specific concerns laid out in Justice John Few's separate opinion, which agreed with the conclusion but not the reasoning.

The state high court's Jan. 5 ruling kept the state under a 2016 law allowing abortions through 22 weeks.

Democrats fought unsuccessfully to put the question to voters, saying changing the state constitution through a referendum is the only way to ensure abortion restrictions pass constitutional muster. But the attempts were ruled out of order and never received a vote.

Asked after the debate whether they would support separate legislation to do so, House GOP leaders said there's simply not enough support to put a question on the November 2024 ballot. That would take two-thirds approval of both chambers.

As for the abortion ban's final 83-31 vote, no Republican voted against it. Only one Democrat voted for it. Rep. Jackie Hayes, D-Dillon, consistently votes with Republicans on abortion issues. Alexander was among four legislators who didn't vote. Six other legislators had excused absences for the day.
Berkeley County Animal Control is seeking adult cat food as well as monetary donations for medical costs and other emergency care needs for a group of hoarded cats discovered on Feb. 9.
The board that oversees the state's busiest airport voted unanimously Feb. 16 to extend the contract for CEO Elliott Summey for three more years in a move without the controversy from 2020 when one member resigned in protest.

The Charleston County Aviation Authority voted unanimously Feb. 16 to keep Summey on the job through June 2026 with a nearly 14 percent boost in pay to $330,000 a year.

Summey took over the position in July 2020 at a salary of $290,000 for three years after former director Paul Campbell, a state senator at the time, retired.

The board noted after Thursday's vote that Summey not only met the goals he was tasked with, but also exceeded them during some tough times amid the pandemic.

"His steady and experienced hand since assuming the CEO role in 2020 has guided the airport and community through the challenges of COVID-19 to a successful rebound in air travel and tourism for our community, state and region," said authority chairwoman Helen Hill, who also leads the region's tourism agency Explore Charleston.

Charleston International saw a record 5.3 million passengers coming and going last year, about 10 percent more than in 2019, the year before Summey took command. During the past three years, the airport's roster of airlines jumped from eight to 13 and the number of nonstop flights grew from 24 to 66.

Much of that growth can be attributed to the addition of Breeze Airways, which landed in the Lowcountry during Summey's tenure. Breeze started serving Charleston in 2021 with flights to 11 nonstop destinations. In May, that number will double with a new route to Portland, Maine.

Other new carriers arriving at the airport during the past three years include Avelo, Silver, Spirit and Sun Country.

The board also pointed to Summey's work, in conjunction with the Medical University of South Carolina, to convert the newly completed and mostly empty five-tier parking garage in 2020 into a mobile testing and vaccination site for travelers and Lowcountry residents not long after air travel plummeted by 96 percent at the onset of the coronavirus crisis.

He also worked to add three new gates last year and is now in the early throes of helping to design a third concourse, expanded ticket hall and a third parking deck to meet the expected surge in passengers over the next two decades.

Summey thanked the board for its vote of confidence, but said much work remains to be done.

"We have a big vision for the future of CHS," he said.

Summey wants to focus not only on construction projects that lie ahead but also on securing new routes for business and leisure travelers and bringing more competition to the market to lower air fares.

"Our growth is not going to stop," he said.

Unlike his hiring three years ago, which ignited a firestorm, the board's decision this time around went smoothly after a nearly half-hour, closed-door meeting to discuss the contract terms.

Much of the outcry in 2020 came from those who wanted a broader search for a new leader and saying Summey, the son of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, lacked experience for the job and was appointed because of his political connections.

He was the former chairman of Charleston County Council when he got the nod for the airport job in January 2020. By law, the chairman of County Council has a seat on the board, but Summey did not participate in the vote three years ago.

The mayor of North Charleston, as well as those of Charleston and Mount Pleasant, also have seats on the board, but Summey's father abstained through a proxy at the time and again on Thursday.
A former motor lodge in the heart of Charleston's Historic District is one step closer to becoming a major luxury hotel.

The developer overcame a big hurdle this week, after the city Planning Commission approved zoning changes for the project proposed for the site of the former Days Inn at 155 Meeting St. The vote was unanimous, with member Angie Johnson not in attendance.

The next step for Strategic Property Partners will be at the Board of Architectural Review.

The Tampa, Fla.-based real estate developer is proposing to build three mixed-use buildings on the property. A luxury hotel, with some residential units as part of the mix, will be the centerpiece of the project just south of the City Market.

The density rules allow for up to 150 guest rooms, 40 condominiums, ground-floor commercial space, a courtyard and event space on the site, which sits between two of the peninsulas largest luxury lodgings: the newly remodeled Mills House to the south and The Charleston Place to the north.

The plans show a recessed three- and five-story building fronting Meeting Street, where the current zoning had allowed four stories. Tucked behind that, Strategic Property Partners wants to build a seven-story structure, one more than than the current zoning allows. The developer can request permission to add an eighth story from the BAR based on architectural merit.

The planning board requested that the developer include a 10-foot setback along Horlbeck Alley on the south side of its property to make room for a sidewalk to be built between Meeting and King streets.

Not everyone supported the project as proposed.

Sam Spence of the Preservation Society of Charleston voiced concerns about the massive increase in intensity in the heart of downtown.

This is one of the most significant redevelopment projects in this part of the Historic District in some time, Spence said. This proposed intensity on the site could have significant ramifications on our unique historic environment to pave the way for equally intense, similarly scaled developments in the future.

Cashion Drolet from the Historic Charleston Foundation and Rick Widman of Charming Inns, which operates the neighboring Kings Courtyard Inn and Fulton Lane Inn, voiced general support but were concerned with the impact a seven-story structure would have on King Street.

Planning Commission member Jimmy Bailey said the redevelopment of the Days Inn site is past due.

Theres a universal agreement, at least that I've heard, that this existing site is pretty terrible and we'd love to see something better," he said. "I'm struggling more with ensuring that once the height change is approved, what gets built there  is a beautiful, new, large building in the city of Charleston instead of something that is plain and vanilla.

The site had been used to accommodate budget-conscious tourists and other visitors since 1968, when the Golden Eagle Motor Inn opened on the property. Days Inn bought the business and real estate in 1983 and owned it for 20 years.

The lodging was closed for good in 2021 after changing hands for $40.5 million. The buyer in that instance was Pinnacle Mountain Holdings, which is affiliated with the investment firm that manages the personal fortune of Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates.

Strategic Property Partners is owned by Pinnacle Mountain Holdings alongside Jeff Vinik, a former manager of the famed Fidelity Magellan mutual fund who now owns the Tampa Bay Lightning and is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox.

Their development firm has spent about $57 million to cobble together the property it needs for the Charleston project.

The company hasn't disclosed the upscale lodging brand its working with, though its widely expected to be Four Seasons, which includes Gates as a major investor.

Brad Cooke, senior vice president of development at Strategic Property Partners, said he was pleased with the Planning Commissions recommendation, which City Council must approve.

He said the firm has spent nearly a year meeting with neighbors and community organizations and will keep working to improve the design based on those conversations.

SPP is committed to addressing feedback from these groups on topics like parking, massing and the pedestrian experience, and we look forward to City Council reviewing and voting on the rezoning application in the coming months, Cooke said in a written statement. Throughout the essential design and planning processes, SPP seeks to preserve and enhance Charlestons unique architectural heritage and warm community spirit.
RAVENEL  For the third time in less than two years, this small suburban Charleston County town is poised to annex another sizable tract and expand its residential and commercial base.

Ravenel's Planning Commission will hold the first of two public hearings Feb. 23 to consider adding 755 acres along County Line Road for the creation of The Preserve at Ravenel where Augusta-based Southeastern plans to build up to 350 residences across the street from its Poplar Grove development.

An affiliate of the Georgia builder bought the land in 2004 from MeadWestvaco Forestry LLC for $2.04 million, according to Charleston County property records.

Construction on houses and townhomes in The Preserve is planned to occur over five to 10 years on nearly 300 acres, according to Vic Mills, Southeastern's CEO. Roughly half of that acreage is slated for parks, trails and open space around the planned residences.

Another 25 acres near a bend of Davison and County Line roads is set aside as a business node. About 130 acres, or 17 percent of the larger tract, is undevelopable wetlands.

Nearly half of the land set to be annexed, about 336 acres along the backside of The Preserve tract, is designated as agricultural land and not slated for development, according to Mills.

Ravenel Mayor Steve Tumbleston said he's in favor of "some version" of the planned development, but he wants more input from the Planning Commission and the public.

"I think there is going to be some negotiations," he said.

He noted the biggest concern he hears from residents is that the annexation will lead to an explosion of growth within the town's limits.

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"That just can't happen," Tumbleston said. "We don't have the sewer capacity."

The town has a new sewer system with a limit of about 2,000 taps for residential and commercial development. More than half of the taps have been set aside for already-approved ventures. The rest is committed to commercial projects, future affordable housing and infill development along U.S. Highway 17.

"The good thing is we don't have to make real hard decisions in the future because the sewer capacity isn't there," Tumbleston said. "We can't do another big development."

The Preserve, which is not near the town's main sewer line along U.S. Highway 17, is slated to tie into a Dorchester County sewer line that is treated by Charleston Water System, which handles all of Ravenel's water and sewer service.

The new community will target active retirees as the principal homeowners and will add more amenities such as pickleball courts as the development builds out, Mills said.

If the town approves the annexation and development plan, Mills expects land clearing to begin by late this year or early next year, with the first houses completed in about two years.

The Preserve tract abuts Ravenel's incorporated limits after the town annexed the nearly 3,000-acre Tea Farm tract off Old Jacksonboro Road in 2021. About 400 homes are planned for 397 acres closest to Old Jacksonboro Road within the Tea Farm parcel.

The town, which stretches along Savannah Highway and has a population of about 2,700, annexed another 600-acre tract, also in 2021, near Old Jacksonboro and New roads where 381 homes are planned in the Golden Grove development.

A second public hearing on the proposed annexation and development plan is set for Feb. 28 during the Ravenel Town Council meeting.
COLUMBIA  A Columbia-based startup business that caters to the sneaker resale market has caught the attention of one of the country's leading accelerator programs.

Copyt, pronounced Cop-it, was accepted into the Techstars Austin Accelerator and will spend the next three months working alongside 11 other startups in the Texas capital city known for being home to a large technology sector.

Copyt marks the third Columbia-area company to participate in the program.

The Techstars organization, one of the largest startup investors in the world, has invested in more than 3,300 early-stage companies, according to its website.

"It's a very big deal," said Greg Hilton, who runs the Columbia-area coworking company SOCO, where Copyt is a member.

Copyt helps individuals and companies buy and sell collectible high-end sneakers across a variety of online marketplaces, including Instagram, eBay and specialist markets such as StockX.

The technology platform tracks market prices, allows posting of items to multiple websites at once and pulls an item down from all the sites once it sells in one place to prevent the same pair of shoes from being purchased more than once.

As a sneaker collector himself, co-founder Brett Nilsen had the idea for Copyt and joined with fellow entrepreneur and University of South Carolina graduate Sean Powers some four years ago to make it a reality.

Nilsen started reselling sneakers in middle school to help fund his expensive collecting hobby. By the time he was in college he was earning $300,000 in annual revenue.

"I realized I couldnt scale it any further with the tools that were available to me," he said, sparking the concept behind Copyt.

Copyt became a member of the South Carolina Research Authority technology-focused economic development organization in early 2022, receiving a $50,000 accelerator grant.

Powers and Nilsen now need help in expanding their sales capacity.

The pair has about half-a-dozen sneaker resale stores using their platform and a couple-dozen individuals.

"We're at a point now that we've built our product and our next main thing is just selling," Powers said.

They were referred to Techstars by two other Columbia startups  Van Robotics, which makes artificial-intelligence-powered educational robots, and Rainwalk Technology, which partners with insurance companies to price and process claims for the growing pet-insurance market sector  that had participated in the program.

Powers said the Columbia startup community is a small but fiercely supportive group with ambitions for growth.

"The resources that you might have in bigger communities, like Austin, you can't find as easily in Columbia," Powers said.

That includes software developers and investment capital.

"But people in the (Columbia) community will go way out of their way to help you," he added.

Growing that community further and improving the area's "knowledge economy" has been a multi-year focus of Richland County, which in 2021 tapped Mapquest co-founder Chris Heivly, who also has ties to Techstars.

For its part, Copyt has 10 employees between Nilsen and Powers in Columbia, and remote programmers in California and the Philippines.

The startup has watched as specialty sales platforms StockX and GOAT netted valuations of nearly $4 billion in 2021. And investment bankers at Cowen continue to predict the market for resale sneakers and streetwear in North America could reach $6 billion by 2025.

"A lot of the industry is just focused on building up the next best marketplace," Nilsen said. "Not a lot of people have realized that there's a bigger issue at hand  that is inventory management, actually connecting all these platforms together."
ELGIN  A Richland County deputy was arrested on domestic violence charges after an altercation at a Elgin home the night of Valentine's Day. He is the third Richland deputy in the past two weeks to be arrested and fired.

Deputies from the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office were called to a home in Elgin at around 11:45 p.m. According to the incident report, an argument between now-former deputy, 59-year-old Kenneth P. Williams, and a woman became physical.

The incident report said video footage from surveillance cameras in the home's living room show William "jumping on her, throwing her against the living room chair, then putting her in a choke hold."

Williams was arrested on second degree domestic violence charges and was booked in the Kershaw County Detention Center.

Williams, who had been on medical leave since Oct. 2022, was fired from his first line supervisor role of master deputy. He had been with the department since April 2009.

"Unfortunately, when deputies make bad decisions, there are consequences and they will be held accountable," Sheriff Leon Lott said in a statement. "I appreciate the prompt response of the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office; criminal domestic violence will not be tolerated in the community or by deputies."

Williams is the third deputy in the roughly 850-person Richland County Sheriff's Department to be arrested in the last two weeks.

On Feb. 2, Jason Edwards was arrested on multiple grand larceny charges stemming from Fairfield County. Edwards was fired from his role as master deputy in Region 2, which covers the Dentsville area of Richland.

Less than two weeks later, on Feb. 13, Grover Kelly was arrested on charges of driving under the influence after he crashed his personal vehicle in the Blythewood area. Kelly, 68, had been with the department since 1976.
IRMO  A 23-year-old woman was arrested for fatally shooting another woman on Valentine's Day outside a Kroger in a busy area of Irmo.

The two women, who police say did not know each other, got into an argument in the grocery store parking lot at around 4 p.m. on Feb. 14, according to the Irmo Police Department.

Christina Harrison, of Columbia, allegedly pulled out a gun and fired it, shooting the other woman in the head.

Although Harrison initially fled the scene, she turned herself in to police later that evening and was booked at the Lexington County Detention Center on charges of murder and weapons-related offenses, according to Irmo police.

The Lexington County Coroner identified the victim as 26-year-old Alexandria Cress Borys, of Irmo.

Unfortunately, this is a situation where tempers flared, and someone let anger get the best of them," Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale said. "One rash decision has impacted the lives of two families and countless others who witnessed this tragic event. Senseless is the only word I can think of to describe what happened today.

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted Irmo police, including the State Law Enforcement Division's Crime Scene Unit, Richland County Sheriff's Department, and Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
Sander Eshuis, a tourist from Holland, poses for a photo as he is doused by waves at the Southernmost Point marker in Key West, Florida, on Sept. 27, 2022. He and his wife, Lenneke, had never experienced a hurricane before and the proximity of Hurricane Ian to Key West allowed them to see some of the effects of the storm from a distance. Jose A. Iglesias jiglesias@elnuevoherald.com
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering removing the wood stork from its status as a federally protected endangered species.

The bird has rebounded, marking 10,000 nesting pairs in the U.S. today, up from 5,000 just 40 years ago when the bird was first declared endangered, the agency announced Feb. 14.

Wood storks are long-legged, wading birds with a wingspan wider than a park bench. With a splotchy bald head and graceful wing beat, they have a striking appearance, like a blue heron crossed with a vulture.

After being restricted to a few swampy pockets in Florida, the species has become a regular in the Lowcountry, adapting to locales in their expanded range that have different kinds of wetlands: salt marshes, flooded rice fields, and even human-created wetlands. The birds have even adapted to increasingly unpredictable weather.

Wood storks can now be found in the coastal plains of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Nesting colonies here are resilient. The service said the number of colonies have tripled in size, from 29 to 99, growing at rates that surpass the recovery goals that government scientists set for the species years ago.

For these reasons, conservationists applauded the so-called "delisting."

"The (Endangered Species) Act saved the wood stork, and it helped preserve and rebuild vital habitats throughout the Southeast," said Stephanie Kurose, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit that holds governments accountable for implementing the act. The center stressed the importance of a rigorous ongoing monitoring program, as the law requires, to "make sure ongoing threats don't undo this hard-fought success."

More than 1,600 species native to the U.S. are listed as endangered or threatened. Only 54 have been fully delisted due to recovery. Another 56 have been "downlisted" from endangered status to threatened status, which carries fewer protections. But changing an animal's status is not always a celebratory affair.

The wood stork, the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Bachman's warbler are all South Carolina birds that were, at one time, firmly on the endangered species list. Their distinct paths toward getting off the list embody the good, the bad and the political nature of conservation under the Endangered Species Act.

Consider the Bachman's warbler. In September, the songbird was delisted after the federal government officially declared it extinct.

The bird was first discovered in 1830 by Charleston naturalist John Bachman and was once considered the rarest songbird in North America. As The Post and Courier reported, it was last spotted in South Carolina in 1948 by a Charleston doctor. The Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the species succumbed to habitat destruction and collection. But scientists don't know for sure. Unlike the wood stork, little is known about how the Bachman's warbler mated, nested and responded to threats.

In contrast, scientists know a lot about the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, including the increasing threat posed by climate change.

In 2021, a coalition of 27 environmental groups spoke out in opposition to a proposed downlisting of the bird's status from endangered to threatened. Audubon South Carolina was among them. The groups claimed that the species has not met the government's own pre-determined recovery targets, as is required under U.S. law before any downgrading process can begin.

Documents retrieved by the Southern Environmental Law Center under a Freedom of Information Act request indicate that, during the Trump administration, the service had internally planned to completely remove the species from the list for reasons that were "arbitrary" or not overtly science-based. The reasoning goes that the scaled-back downlisting proposal, which the Biden administration is now pursuing, remains tainted by arbitrary conclusions. The law requires that science, not politics, lead.

The red-cockaded woodpecker's journey away from its endangered status remains controversial. After continued delays, no decision has been made. Red-cockaded woodpeckers in the Lowcountry are in a losing battle against developers that are trying to leverage weaknesses within the Endangered Species Act to destroy woodpecker nests and displace bird families. At least in South Carolina, delisting the red-cockaded woodpecker any time soon could be a blow to bird conservation.

As for the wood stork, the federal government will take comments on the proposed delisting through April 17 from other government agencies, scientists, environmental groups and citizens. No coalition of groups stand in opposition. It may be safe to say that, like the delisting of the American bald eagle in 2007, this move for wood storks is a win for conservation.
GEORGETOWN  The Georgetown County Council unanimously gave preliminary approval to the natural resources portion of its comprehensive plan Feb. 14 despite criticism from conservation groups that say the drafts language is not strong enough.

Conservation group representatives said they were shocked at changes in the draft on natural resources that was approved by the county planning commission in November. The changes came in a review of the county's comprehensive plan  a map for future development  that is updated every 10 years.

Staff attorney Emily Nellermoe of the South Carolina Environmental Law Project noted language that called for prevention of clear-cutting trees on lots was removed and replaced with language urging the county to help prevent clear-cutting of protected trees.

Georgetown County Planning Director Holly Richardson told the council that county administration felt some objectives, including regulation of septic tanks and revival of shellfish farming, were beyond the county's reach.

The draft of the plans goals approved in November called for the county to limit (within reason) the installation of new residential septic wastewater systems in environmentally sensitive areas.

The draft voted on Feb. 14 calls for the county to continue communications with water and sewer providers regarding failing septic systems throughout the County and ways to address them instead.

Meanwhile, an objective to strive to reopen closed shellfish harvesting grounds was deleted entirely.

"We took a look at it in terms of what can the county enforce and be responsible for," Richardson said. "There was a lot in there that's regulated by other agencies, so some of the deletions are related to that. Some of the constraints were budgetary concerns, frankly."

Nellermoe said the comprehensive plan could enhance the state and federal laws.

There's a huge problem with stormwater here, Nellermoe said. So, yeah, (S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control) does some regulation of stormwater, but it's also a county problem.

Nellermoe was joined by Becky Ryon of the Coastal Conservation League and Marilyn Hemingway of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce in speaking against the draft presented to council.

"This is not what planning commission approved," Ryon said. "This is not what the numerous stakeholders recommended."

Hemingway previously asked the planning commission to defer the draft natural resources portion of the comprehensive plan until hearing more public comment. She asked the council to return the plan to the planning commission.

"Particularly pertaining to the Georgetown County Comprehensive Plan, the whole cannot be as strong as the sum of its parts," Hemingway said.
GREENVILLE  A jury awarded a North Carolina woman $2.8 million and found BMW North America liable for a design defect in the airbag system of the BMW 5 Series line of vehicles in a federal lawsuit in Greenville.

The jurors found that a backup system that provides emergency power to the drivers front airbag system didnt have enough battery power to fire when needed following a rear-end collision that severed the main battery source of power for the cars occupant protection system.

Attorneys who represented the woman injured in a 2017 wreck on U.S. Interstate 85 said the same issue that resulted in their clients injuries is found in more than 325,000 BMW 5 Series cars on roadways across the United States.

Dominique Alexander was driving along I-85 south on June 16, 2017 near Cowpens when stopped traffic caused her to bring her 2015 BMW 528i to a stop in the left-hand lane. She was struck from behind by an SUV, which pushed her into the sedan directly in front of her and then into a guardrail.

Alexander was wearing a seatbelt, but her airbag didnt deploy. She suffered bleeding to her brain, lost consciousness and fractured her vertebrae, ribs, nose, left forearm and wrist, and suffered severe emotional distress, according to the lawsuit.

Her traumatic brain injuries have led to lifelong continued challenges, including the loss of judgment and ability to communicate and perform calculations, among other challenges, said Kevin Dean, an attorney with Motley Rice in Mount Pleasant that represented Alexander in the case.

Representatives with BMW North America and its attorneys did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Dean argued that a faulty design by BMW that placed the cars main battery system in the rear trunk made its occupant restraint system susceptible to failing in a rear-end collision. In addition, an emergency backup battery didnt carry enough charge to fire off the airbag when needed, he said.

Because too much time elapsed between when the car was rear-ended and lost power to the time it struck the car in front of it, the backup battery system ran out of juice, Dean said.

Dean equated the backup battery system to BMW using a AAA battery when it needed a AA battery. The backup battery lasted 150 milliseconds when it needed to last longer to account for the time between when the car lost power to the time it hit the vehicle in front of it, he said.

So all power to the car dies at the moment that this front impact is occurring and it does not deploy the airbags, Dean said.

The system design was defective, the jury decided.

I think its a design defect in itself to put the battery in the crush zone of a rear collision that happens all the time, Dean said. Even if theres a reason to put it in the back, you need to use a backup battery thats sufficient to withstand any crash scenarios, including multiple impacts.

In court documents, BMW North America denied that it selected or tested the airbag system, or was the vehicles manufacturer, or that the company would be responsible for any vehicle recall. It also denied that the design of the parts was defective.

The case was argued before Judge Joseph Dawson III, a United States district judge for the District of South Carolina. The jury trial was held Jan. 23-27 and the verdict was issued Feb. 3.

BMW hasnt said if it will motion for the judge to reconsider the ruling or if it would appeal the decision.

The jury found that the cars airbag and seatbelt system was defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous and that the defective design was the reason for Alexanders serious injuries. The jury awarded $2.8 million to Alexander for past and future medical care expenses, past and future pain, suffering and disability, and past and future loss of earning capacity.

The plaintiffs didnt prove BMW North America was reckless or malicious or that the manufacturer failed to provide an adequate warning about the restraint system. Alexander initially named BMW Automotive Group as a defendant, but the group was dismissed from the case.

Dean has worked on multiple automotive product safety lawsuits, including against defective Takata airbags and suits against the big three U.S. carmakers.

He said the firm wants to find other victims who have faced similar problems with BMW 5 Series cars. The battery issue may stretch beyond the 5 Series, but the group was limited in its investigative scope in the case, he said.

Dean also said he promised the jury the firm would report the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and continue to investigate.
GREENVILLE  In the coming years, Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville will welcome its first undergraduate students.

When the 250-acre research campus opened in 2007, only graduate degrees were offered. On Feb. 16 at the 12th annual South Carolina Automotive Summit held in Greenville, the university formally announced it would offer a bachelor of science in automotive engineering beginning fall 2023, expanding the range of students who will use its ICAR campus.

Clemson officials said they created the new degree to meet the changing needs of the automotive sector, especially as the heart of the industry moves towards electrification. In South Carolina, the automotive sector is a $27 billion industry and employs nearly 72,000 residents.

"This is a huge step in expanding the pipeline of talent that you need, that the automotive engineering industry needs," university president Jim Clements said.

This fall, about 30 students are expected to compose the inaugural cohort. By fall 2027, campus leaders expect that number to grow seven times to almost 200 students.

First-year students will start the 124-credit degree on main campus, studying general engineering foundation courses. In the second year, students will shift their focus toward automotive engineering specifically. In their junior and senior years, students will spend time on both the main campus and at CU-ICAR.

A bus is already in place to transport students 45 minutes from the main campus to CU-ICAR near Interstate 85 and Laurens Road in Greenville.

Students will complete their undergraduate degrees working alongside Clemson master's degree candidates in the Deep Orange program. Deep Orange is an annual project in which students spend 24 months designing and building concept vehicles. For example, Deep Orange 12 was a self-driving, open-wheel racecar that could reach top speeds of 180 mph. The program is currently on its 15th iteration.

The degree announcement was coupled with the university's recent creation of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, first approved by the Board of Trustees in October 2021. The school has about 780 undergraduate and 400 graduate students. The goal is to help the two departments better collaborate on research.
CLEMSON  Clemson and Seneca will soon have another connection after Clemson University won a $3.4 million grant to create a Black Heritage Trail in the area.

The Mellon Foundations Monuments Project will allow the three entities to build walking trails that connect heritage sites  like Woodland Cemetery  to interactive components that share stories of local Black history.

Rhondda Thomas, a literature professor and faculty director of the Call My Name research project, is leading the universitys effort.

There is a rich history of African-American life in Upstate South Carolina that has been overlooked and is relatively unknown outside of the area and even by many who live in the region, Thomas said in a news release.

Senecas executive director of arts, history and culture, Shelby Henderson, is heading up the western portion and Angela Agard, executive director of the Clemson Area African American Museum, is leading the city of Clemsons efforts.

The Clemson portion is in the conceptual phase with the vision to connect a museum to other city-owned lands that are significant to African-American history. On campus, a main feature will be the Woodland Cemetery.

The trail will provide an opportunity for the neighboring communities to collaborate in efforts to forge paths of connection both literally and figuratively, Agard said. It will become not only a recreational, public health and economic development resource but also solidify a culturally significant legacy that will impact community members and visitors for generations.

Woodland Cemetery  where $3.5 million in renovations for pathways and services drives is set to begin  is now known to be home to more than 200 unmarked graves, assumed to be enslaved people and indentured workers who served the universitys founding family and helped build the original campus.

The trail will make this history visible and accessible to those who come to Clemson, reinscribing it on the Universitys landscape and affirming Clemsons indebtedness to Black people, particularly laborers, for its existence, development, and success and its commitment to share its complete history, Thomas said.

The Seneca portion of the trail will be developed near the Blue Ridge Community Center, formerly the Blue Ridge High School that educated Black students in Oconee County before desegregation.

The trail will inspire future investment in and renewal of public spaces that support a more equitable and resilient quality of life for local underserved communities, Henderson said. Moreover, the Trail will perpetuate a sense of place for a vanishing local history.

Agard, Henderson and Thomas are members of the Call My Name Coalition, a partnership of local organizations that grew out of their mutual interest in documenting the African American experience in the counties of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens.
GREENVILLE  Insects scatter for cover as Laura Martin moves her oxygen tank. They make for the darkness under the living room couch, a side table, a fan.

The bugs run anywhere to get away from the light, too numerous to count before they disappear.

Flattened roaches are caked on the door frame of Martin's kitchen closet. More crawl on the inside of her oven. When it heats up, they pour out of the stove eyes, she said. A spray bottle of insecticide sits on the floor of her home at Boulder Creek Apartments on Furman Hall Road, just north of the Greenville city limit.

Martin, a 57-year-old receiving home hospice care, said the unit was already infested with bugs when she moved in. She has tried to deal with it on her own for the past five years. It's difficult to make a dent, she said, and she can't rely on the property managers for help.

Martin is one of more than a dozen residents at three Greenville County complexes owned by the nonprofit Atlantic Housing Foundation who told The Post and Courier they have been living in substandard and potentially hazardous conditions for an extended period of time.

Despite the severity of the problems, they said property management often takes months to respond to work orders, if at all. Multiple residents said they had work orders for serious issues  ranging from flooding, to malfunctioning heating units, to inoperable appliances  that have been outstanding for more than a year.

"This ain't no way to live," Martin said.

Atlantic Housing Foundation operates 46 complexes in six states, according to its website. It owns 13 properties in South Carolina, four of which are in the Upstate. Three are in Greenville County  Boulder Creek, Spring Grove Apartments, and Waters at Augusta, which was previously called Shemwood Crossing. It also owns a complex in Spartanburg and three in Columbia. Its website lists six more in the Lowcountry  one each in Orangeburg, Beaufort and Charleston, and three in Summerville.

According to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development website, all 200 units at each of the three complexes in Greenville County received at least some level of public subsidy.

The nonprofit brought in close to $150 million in revenue in 2020, according to filings with the IRS. CEO Michael Nguyen, who did not respond to an email seeking comment, received a $1.2 million salary that year.

Christy Hardy, a spokeswoman for Atlantic Housing Foundation, said in an email that property management is working to address issues at the three properties.

"Since becoming aware of this situation, we have reached out to all of our residents at Boulder Creek, Spring Grove, and Waters at Augusta apartments to ensure they readily have contact information for the management offices, so we can address any outstanding maintenance issues," she wrote.

Public funding

HUD issued the tax-exempt nonprofit a notice of default Feb. 7 after a Jan. 19 inspection found health and safety problems at Boulder Creek, according to Matt McColl of SC Housing, which administers HUD programs in South Carolina. HUD gave the organization two months to fix the problems identified in the inspection.

"SC Housing will continue its attempts to rectify the situation with the property owners and will pursue all available enforcement remedies to ensure the health and safety of the residents at Boulder Creek," McColl wrote in a statement to The Post and Courier.

Atlantic Housing Foundation purchased Boulder Creek, a 31-building, 200-unit property once known as City Heights, in March 2019 for close to $20 million, according to county property records. The same month, it also purchased Shemwood Crossing in the Pleasant Valley area for $14.5 million and Spring Grove Apartments in Taylors for $19 million. The Internal Revenue Service provided the nonprofit with funding in the form of tax credits and tax-exempt bonds to purchase all three, McColl said. All three complexes are supported by HUD funds that subsidize tenant rents.

Residents at Spring Grove Apartments have reported health and safety concerns that echo those at Boulder Creek.

The Waters at Augusta has also experienced problems. In 2021, more than two years after Atlantic Housing purchased the property, The Greenville News reported that a ceiling in one of the complex's buildings collapsed, temporarily trapping two people and displacing four families.

Hardy said in an email renovations are currently underway at that complex.

"The project will include green initiatives with the use of water-saving features, LED lighting and energy efficient appliances and windows," she wrote. "Other improvements include new roofing, siding, exterior doors, water lines, electrical wiring, water heaters, heat and air conditioning systems, flooring, and fresh paint inside and out. Each units kitchen will have new cabinets, countertops, sinks, and appliances, while new plumbing fixtures, flooring, medicine cabinets, vents, and lighting will be installed in the bathrooms."

In September, dozens of people were displaced when officials condemned an Atlantic Housing Foundation apartment building in Lynchburg, Va., local news station WSET reported. Electrical issues and waterline problems had created dangerous conditions in the building, according to the station.

Maintaining minimum health and safety standards is a condition of receiving HUD and IRS support, McColl said. But properties are typically only inspected every three years. Additionally, in-person inspections were suspended for two and a half years as a COVID-19 precaution. The Post and Courier has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for inspection findings at all three complexes.

Nowhere to go

The insect infestation at Martin's Boulder Creek apartment was just one of a litany of issues. She pointed out peeling paint, damaged ceilings and poor air quality. She said gaps around her front door and windows make it difficult to heat her home. All have gone unaddressed in her time at Boulder Creek, she said, and her work orders seem to fall on deaf ears.

Several buildings away from Martin's, another resident, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation from management, said water stains on her bedroom ceiling have been growing for more than a year. They get bigger every time it rains, she said. She has submitted multiple work orders but the company has not addressed the problem.

The stains dot the space above her bed and the corners of her room. The largest discolored patch is in her closet, taking up the entire ceiling above her clothes, punctuated by cracks and holes.

"I'm just watching it to see if I'm going to have to move my bed," the 71-year-old said.

Conditions at the complex came to Greenville community activist Bruce Wilson's attention in December 2022 when residents informed him they had been without heat for months. In all, Wilson said he worked with 40 people living at Boulder Creek whose heat was not working during the coldest stretch of the year. Some had been without heat since the previous winter.

Wilson got in touch with county officials and brought the situation at Boulder Creek to the attention of local media. Mata Crawford, another community activist, got in touch with SC Housing.

Amid mounting pressure, Atlantic Housing Foundation sent crews from around the state to repair the malfunctioning heating units. Wilson said in the weeks since, some of those units have stopped working again.

Other residents, who did not work directly with Wilson and Crawford, said they have long gone without heat and that those problems have gone unaddressed. A mother of two at Boulder Creek said her heat has been malfunctioning since temperatures started to drop. In the meantime, her 5-year-old son developed a case of bronchitis and has struggled to recover.

Residents at Spring Grove, another 200-unit complex about six miles from Boulder Creek, have reported similar problems.

Moses Rogers said his family had to move into a motel for several weeks last summer to escape the heat when his air conditioning went out. It took two months for property management to fix the problem, and he was concerned for the safety of his newborn and toddler as temperatures rose.

"It was brutal," he said.

The complex continued to collect rent as he and his family stayed in the motel. Another resident said she had to warm her apartment with her oven all last winter when her heat went out.

Multiple tenants at both complexes complained about water coming into their apartments, either from leaking plumbing or the rain. Tarps can be seen draped over the roofs of multiple buildings at Boulder Creek.

"When it rains hard here, it rains in my house," said Sleema Lawson, who has lived in her Boulder Creek apartment with her four children since May of last year.

Lawson also said she has not had an oven or refrigerator since she moved in.

Many of the residents who spoke to the Post and Courier said they have tried to find somewhere else to live. But there are long waiting lists at HUD-subsidized housing complexes and a shortage of affordable units throughout Greenville County.

Martin said the conditions are an additional hardship as she deals with serious medical problems. She worries about her 3-year-old granddaughter, who stays with her occasionally. She, too, has struggled to find somewhere else to live.

"When you ain't got nowhere else to go, you have to take what you got," she said.
GREENVILLE  Law enforcement officials are calling on residents to honor their civic duty as more and more potential jurors are failing to show up for jury duty, making it difficult to clear a backlog of cases caused by the pandemic.

The lack of jurors can delay justice for victims and defense for the accused, 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said at a Feb. 16 news conference convened to bring attention to the problem.

The juror shortage has recently prevented the court from hearing three major cases, Wilkins said. One involved an 11-year-old girl who had been assaulted. She was preparing to testify against the accused  an emotional ordeal.

A backlog of jury trials caused by coronavirus measures has made the problem worse, Wilkins said. They have resolved 88 percent of those cases but still have trials scheduled out for months. That means the assault case wont be heard until the summer.

In his 20 years as a prosecutor he said he's never seen jurors fail to show up to this degree.

Each term, the clerk summons about 150 potential jurors. Typically, about 100 people would show, while the remaining people may be transferred to another term after presenting an excuse, solicitors spokesperson Lindsay Casenhiser said in an email.

But in the past two to three months, only about 50 people have shown up for jury duty each term, Wilkins said. He has spoken with other solicitors about the problem and said its a statewide issue that he wants to get ahead of locally.

I get it  Everyone has things that they need to get done, and jury service is probably the last thing they want to do, Wilkins said. But I cant do my job, these guys (the police) cant do their job, if we dont have the publics help.

Wilkins noted that the clerk of courts office will allow for deferrals and exemptions.

For example, if youre a teacher, you can have your jury service deferred to the summer months. Age and childcare exemptions apply, so single parents with young children can be excused.

The court can compel people to explain why they missed jury duty.

Sheriffs deputies can physically bring that person before a judge, who can issue a fine up to $100 and make that person to remain in court until their subpoena has been complied with.

But both Wilkins and Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said they dont want to resort to court orders to solve the problem. Instead, they want to highlight that serving on a jury is a civic duty.

It is one of the most patriotic things you can do, just like voting, Lewis said.

Wilkins said he thinks people have become complacent as society emerged from coronavirus restrictions. He said that jury duty is a disruption of everyones daily lives, which can be hard.

Were asking them that when they get that summons that they make it a part of their daily lives for that moment, Wilkins said. Its five days, most likely less. Maybe youll get lucky, and you wont get picked.
COLUMBIA  The S.C. Supreme Court struck down the possibility of a new sentencing trial for the man on death row for the rape and killing of a Clemson University student nearly two decades ago.

Serial rapist Jerry Buck Inman was 36 when he traveled from Tennessee in 2006 and snuck into the off-campus apartment of 20-year-old Tiffany Souers.

He raped her and strangled her with her bikini top. It was one of the Upstate's most-notorious crimes, and the legal path to his death sentence imposed in April 2009 by Circuit Judge Ned Miller was unique in South Carolina.

Greenville defense attorney Jim Bannister's novel strategy to have Inman plead guilty before a judge but have a jury sentence him was rejected, but it appeared to possibly pay off in 2020 when a special post-conviction relief court found the denial violated Inman's constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court on Feb. 15 struck down the PCR court's 2020 ruling for a new jury trial to sentence Inman. The case now goes back to the relief court for consideration on other issues beyond constitutionality that weren't considered.

The PCR court is often a relief of last resort for a person convicted of a crime. Decisions in favor of an applicant typically are in the form of an order for a new trial.

The court doesn't consider the sufficiency of a conviction but rather the process surrounding it. This would include how a defense attorney represented the client, the actions of prosecutors or other procedural issues.

The killing at the time rocked the Clemson community and the Upstate, and the unconventional death penalty trial that ensued grabbed national attention.

A roommate came home to discover Souers  a Missouri native and rising junior  dead and her body partially clad. Surveillance footage from an ATM showed a man with his face covered with a bandana trying to use her debit card.

Inman had been free for mere months after serving prison time for rapes in Florida as a teen and was implicated in sexual assaults in Alabama and Tennessee in the days leading up to Souers' killing.

Investigators used DNA found at the Central apartment to check a national criminal DNA database, which connected Inman to the crime. Authorities arrested Inman in Dandridge, Tenn., after a two-week search.

He immediately confessed to raping and killing Souers and described how he had been driving aimlessly and stopped in Clemson and targeted Souers.

From the outset of legal proceedings in Pickens County court, Bannister maneuvered to have Inman plead guilty before the judge and have a separate sentencing trial before a jury. Miller denied the request, ruling that state law dictated anyone pleading before a judge be sentenced by a judge.

The September 2008 sentencing trial was abruptly halted when the 13th Circuit Solicitor at the time, Bob Ariail, suggested to an expert defense witness that she could face criminal prosecution because she wasn't properly licensed in her field in South Carolina.

The witness told the judge that she couldn't continue her testimony.

The defense argued that Ariail had tried to intimidate the witness and should be removed from the case for prosecutorial misconduct. Miller ruled Ariail had committed prosecutorial misconduct but could remain on the case and ruled against a motion for a mistrial.

The trial was delayed and resumed seven months later.

The defense presented evidence of a long history of parental abuse and severe mental illness from the time of Inman's early childhood, but efforts to have him sentenced to life in prison were scuttled by Inman, who depicted himself as an "animal" who deserved to be executed.

Miller sentenced Inman to death and consecutive life sentences for crimes associated with the killing.

Inman's appeals ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, where they were denied.
The Individual Income Tax due date is Tuesday, April 18. If you have a tax bill and are worried you can't pay, the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) wants you to know that you have options. Read moreWhat to do if you can't afford to pay your taxes
Its spring, and with that brings the sight and scent of beautiful flowers blooming all around us. And with those blooming flowers comes the sound of bees buzzing as they move from bloom to bloom. Read more'Bee' the change and learn all about bees at this years Charleston Honey Bee Expo
Stephen Smith's mother announced a $35,000 reward April 3 for information that leads to the arrest of anyone involved with her son's 2015 death. His body was found on a Hampton County road. The money is coming from a pool of more than $120,000 raised in a GoFundMe initiative to subsidize the investigation. Read more$35,000 reward offered for information into Stephen Smith's 2015 death
Residents of Dockside Condominiums, the tallest building in Charleston, may be forced to vacate the 19-story harborfront structure by the end of February if the condo association does not come up with a city-mandated plan to immediately stabilize damaged support columns.

Engineers couldnt assure Charleston officials in recent meetings that the building could withstand the added weight of firefighting crews in an emergency, which prompted the city's push for immediate action. And the discovery of asbestos last summer  which requires a state permit to remove  put a halt to the extensive structural repairs on the building.

The more than 40-year-old building is the latest to join a growing list of the nations coastal structures, especially condominium towers, facing expensive structural repairs to avoid the risk of collapse.

In Florida, 98 people died two years ago when a 12-story condo tower fell. In October, residents of Renaissance Tower got one hour to evacuate the 22-story condo just south of Myrtle Beach because the columns holding it up were so severely damaged.

The Dockside building has dominated the Charleston skyline for years, located on the water between the South Carolina Aquarium and the soon-to-open International African American Museum. The area attracts locals and tourists alike.

Dockside, with more than 100 condo units that typically sell for upward of $500,000, is among the more than 500 high-rises at least six stories tall along the South Carolina coast, according to a Post and Courier analysis. Built in the 1970s, its among the more than 200 that have stood at least 30 years. The salt in the air and water ages buildings faster here, attacking the concrete and steel supports.

Engineers who were asked to evaluate Dockside after the collapse in Florida ordered emergency stabilization work last April. Work began on shoring up 35 columns, though the city has no record that the workers had local permits for the job.

That work was halted last summer when asbestos was discovered.

By November, an engineer had identified 88 locations at Dockside with potentially dangerous structural conditions that needed repair within six months. But the work remains paused because the site doesnt have state environmental permits regarding the asbestos, according to city officials.

"We are concerned the temporary shoring that the HOA states occurred  were installed without permits or engineering inspection. The City is also very concerned that no temporary shoring has occurred on the additional columns identified," said a five-page letter to Dockside dated Feb. 15 and signed by the city's chief building official and fire marshal." This shoring was necessary for safety purposes and to allow for further examination of the situation to clarify the potential damage and threat."

The letter says the city will order Dockside evacuated on Feb. 27 unless the homeowners association complies with a list of steps it must take. Among the mandates:

Hire a fire protection engineer to certify the building would be safe for first responders.

Have an engineer certify the building is safe to remain occupied.

Come up with a plan for asbestos removal so the stabilization work can continue.

The Dockside board of directors said it's working on meeting the city's requirements.

"We have been asked by city officials by letter to take steps such that any emergencies, however unlikely, affecting the safety of residents and first responders can be safely dealt with," said the statement emailed to The Post and Courier. "We are disappointed that the tone and content of the letter does not reflect the on-going communications between the City and Dockside and our engineers, and the continuing effort by Dockside to deal with the structural issues which our engineers have identified as needing attention but repairable."

The letter lauds Dockside for its ongoing efforts, but notes the city's ongoing safety concerns. City property records show that about 80 units in Dockside are the primary residence of their owners.

The city said it is willing to consider allowing Dockside to remain occupied as long as the HOA also complies with the citys request for more monitoring and updates.

The letter notes that no further corrosion problems or sagging floors have been reported, which would require an immediate evacuation.

But it also states in the letter that a voluntary evacuation of the building might speed up asbestos-removal permits while reducing risks to residents. When disturbed and inhaled, the dust from asbestos can cause cancer.

The buildings engineers asked the state Department of Health and Environmental Control for an expedited asbestos permit on May 12, according to the citys letter.

A DHEC spokeswoman said the work never moved forward because a contractor hadn't furnished a detailed plan for how to remove the asbestos.

The state received a work plan this month and DHEC staffers are scheduled to visit Dockside on Feb. 16 to gauge how much asbestos is in the way and how to safely remove the material, which was commonly used in insulation and other building materials in the 1970s.

The agency approves thousands of asbestos permits a year.

Until Dockside can deal with the asbestos, it can't finish the emergency stabilization work needed to keep it safe.

In mid-December, the city of Charleston began a survey of all its buildings six stories or taller. City engineers say that buildings close to the water are at greater risk of corrosive damage to the steel and concrete.

Docksides HOA board initiated a survey of the building's structure after the 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla., Laney Koulovatos, general manager of Dockside Condominiums, wrote in a statement to The Post and Courier last month.

Some repair work had been initiated as temporary steel supports had been put beneath the building and on the deck area.

Chief Building Official Ken Granata told The Post and Courier last month that the building was not in danger of collapsing but was being evaluated for possible corrosion to the structure.

The building has had problems since its earliest days. In 1982, Dockside residents sued the developers over leaks coming through the roof, balcony and windows, along with other defects.

About 20 years later, residents filed another lawsuit claiming the building owners failed to maintain the structure of the building, which resulted in repair costs of over $21 million. Residents claimed they were given a fee of tens of thousands of dollars for repairs.

Dockside underwent further repairs for corrosion in 2017, according to an engineers report posted online. That process included fixing concrete and adding electrical current to the steel as a way to counteract the rusting process.

There is currently no law in South Carolina that requires buildings to be reinspected after a certificate of occupancy is given. The problems at Dockside and at Renaissance Tower in Myrtle Beach were discovered during inspections building owners requested after the Florida collapse.

Parking garages in the city of Charleston have also faced issues with corrosion.

The Wentworth Garage, located in the heart of downtown Charleston, was closed after it was found to be structurally unsafe. In 2018, an engineer warned the city and the College of Charleston, which owns the garage, of the need for more that $3 million worth of immediate repairs. The college never made those repairs, and the condition of the garage worsened until it had to close.

A report done after the survey of 12 city-owned garages indicated the need for $7 million in repair work by the end of this year. This work has not yet started. The city says the impacts of COVID-19 on its budget made officials hold off on the repairs.

The Post and Courier has identified more than 60 parking garages along the coastline, clustered almost exclusively in Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
I think it's time South Carolina had a prize for the FOI violation of the month, to recognize the most galling or bizarre or audacious effort by public officials to hide the public's business from the public. Read moreScoppe: It's a favorite sport of SC officials; maybe we should start crowning champions
COLUMBIA  A bill barring South Carolina cities and counties from making their own rules about electronic cigarettes is advancing in the Legislature, as senators of both parties pledge to crack down on underage vaping statewide.

The legislation sent Feb. 16 to the Senate floor bans local ordinances on the kinds of vaping products businesses can sell, to include specific flavors or ingredients. Supporters say grocery and convenience stores shouldn't face a hodgepodge of rules on what can be sold at their various locations to adult smokers.

"We dont want to have anything in the hands of children thats illegal or will harm them," said Sen. Shane Martin, R-Pauline. But "these are legal products (businesses) buy in bulk, they sell, adults come in and legally purchase.

"We need to provide consistency to the folks that are selling it, or if these products are bad, they need to be banned statewide," he said.

A Senate hearing is expected later this month on separate legislation aimed at curbing illegal sales to minors.

State law bars sales of tobacco or "alternative nicotine" products, including vape pens and cartridges, to minors. It's also illegal for store clerks to sell them to anyone who doesn't provide proof of age  when asked. Clerks who break the law face up to $300 on first conviction and up to $500 if caught again. The underage buyers can be hit with a $25 fine or required to perform up to five hours of community service.

But there's no teeth to the law for businesses, said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg.

A bill he filed last week would create a license that businesses would need to sell tobacco products of any kind, modeled after the state's alcohol licensing system. Businesses where underage buyers are caught would face tiered penalties of fines, suspensions and, ultimately, revocation of their ability to sell the items altogether.

Currently, "theres no way to shut down a rogue actor. We're trying to have some way to stop that," Hutto said about sales of vapes to minors. "Its a legal product, I get that. But it needs to be sold responsibly and only to adults."

In December 2019, Congress raised the legal age for buying tobacco products to 21, though that's not reflected in state law, which still says 18 years old. Other legislation would up the age in state code to match.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been limiting the manufacturing of flavored vapes that appeal to teens for several years.

In 2019, Massachusetts became the first state to restrict sales statewide of flavored tobacco products, followed by New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island in 2020, then California last year. Two other states restrict sales of some flavors, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

In addition, more than 360 cities nationwide have passed local ordinances regarding specific products. None of them are in South Carolina, according to the nonprofit.

The legislation passed by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee aims to ensure that remains the case.

"There ought to be a consistent statewide policy," said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, a co-sponsor. "Local governments ought not to be regulating the purchasing or sales of a good. A hodgepodge is difficult for consumers and businesses."

But he too wants to limit juveniles' access to the addictive products.

Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, has pledged to block floor debate on the uniformity bill until Hutto's separate legislation advances from the Judiciary Committee.

"I understand their concerns," she said about convenience stores. "But if we are going to passing statewide legislation, shouldnt we run those two together? I dont like the cart getting before the horse."

The uniformity bill specifies it does not restrict cities' ability to restrict through zoning rules where such businesses can operate. For that reason, the Municipal Association of South Carolina is neutral on the bill, said spokesman Scott Slatton.

But the American Cancer Society remains opposed.

"Our organization knows all too well the lengths Big Tobacco and their allies will go to push state interference laws that block our localities from taking action that hurts their pockets," American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said in a statement released before the meeting. "We should be strengthening our freedom to protect our children, not giving Big Tobacco the power to come into our towns and wreak havoc."
COLUMBIA  Cities and counties could lose state funding if they restrict short-term rentals under a proposed state bill.

In South Carolina, around 20 cities have regulated short-term rentals, according to data collected by the Municipal Association of South Carolina. A handful of others have been considering regulations.

Those restrictions range from caps on the number of permits to geographic restrictions based on zoning.

"We are seeing local government overreach like we've never seen before," said House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia, the bill's co-sponsor.

While the bill wouldn't necessarily stop a local government from imposing restrictions, it would keep state funds from those with restrictions and require the rentals to be taxed at the same rate as residential properties, as opposed to the higher commercial rate.

"They can still ban the rentals if they want to," co-sponsor Rep. Lee Hewitt, R-Murrells Inlet, said.

The bill defines short-term as 29 days or less, which falls in line with the 29- or 30-day timeframe most cities with restrictions used to specify what qualifies as a short-term rental. One notable exception is Myrtle Beach, which defines short-term as anything less than 90 days.

A similar bill last year failed to make it to the House floor.

The market for short-term rentals is growing, University of South Carolina economist Joey Von Nessen said, with a 17 percent increase since 2018.

Even in cities like Charleston, which only allows short-term rentals of individual rooms and not entire houses, or Myrtle Beach, where short-term rentals are not allowed in residential areas, the numbers have grown, according to data from market research site AirDNA. Charleston had around 2,200 rentals available as of Feb. 16, while Myrtle Beach had nearly 8,500.

Short-term rentals' popularity continues to grow despite the number of hotels available, suggesting the rentals are drawing more tourists than would otherwise come to the state, Von Nessen said.

Hotel rooms aren't in short supply, so that's not driving people to rent for a short term, Von Nessen said. "This is actually something that is emerging as a new market."

That growth translates to an estimated $4.2 billion statewide annual economic impact from short-term renters, including visiting local restaurants, shopping and paying sales taxes. Renting out a room or property can be a lucrative business: Another $1.8 billion or so in revenue was estimated to go into the pockets of the property owners.

Cities and counties are shooting themselves in the foot by cutting off that stream of revenue, South Carolina Realtors representatives said.

"The economic data here shows us this is an engine that should not be stopped," state Realtors President-elect Reah Smith said.

The proposed bill would not keep local governments from requiring rentals to register, Hewitt said. In fact, he and Rutherford encouraged that practice as a way of holding short-term rental owners accountable for renters partying or breaking other local rules.

What was overstepping, the lawmakers said, was putting restrictions on how many rentals could operate or where.

"We can create a market where we have responsible homeowners, responsible short-term rentals," Rutherford said. "We can do that without banning short-term rentals across the board. We can do that without all of these regulations that are coming up from city governments, from county governments, telling people what they can do but their neighbor can't or what their neighbor can but they can't."

Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications for the state Municipal Association, said the association did not know of any cities banning the rentals outright.

A one-size-fits-all proposal such as permitting would not work for every city, Slatton said.

"The solutions for dealing with short-term rentals in Myrtle Beach are very different than perhaps they are in Spartanburg," Slatton said. "Local officials should be left to make those decisions in concert with their residents and their communities."

Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C.
This year's featured artist for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition was raised on a family farm in western Illinois where among soybeans, corn, wheat and 25 head of cattle he attained an appreciation for rural life.

Hunting and fishing on the property were the recreational activities Ryan Kirby grew up with, but little did he know those would turn into a career in wildlife art.

Kirby, who lives in Boone, N.C., began painting deer, doves, turkeys and the other animals he was familiar with in high school, and his art teacher encouraged him to enter a national contest, which he won.

"I found out I had a knack for art, and my passion for wildlife was already there," said Kirby. "As I honed my skills, I painted the things I loved."

After studying graphic design in college, Kirby began working in Edgefield for the National Wild Turkey Federation, an organization focused on conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of America's hunting heritage.

He spent seven years as a designer for the organization before striking out on his own as a freelancer, with a goal in mind to shift from graphic design work toward full-time oil painting, his true passion. In about a decade, he's basically achieved that, with a handful of illustration assignments still on his docket.

SEWE was one of the annual events that helped Kirby make the networking connections he needed to further his career. He actually met CEO John Powell at a New Year's Eve party in Charleston years ago; the women they were dating at the time were good friends.

"John and I gravitated toward each other and started talking about art and wildlife," said Kirby. "I think it was his first year at SEWE, and I was young at the Turkey Federation."

This was the age before smartphones, said Kirby, so he couldn't just pull up his camera roll or click to his website to show Powell his artwork. But the two exchanged contact information.

"The girls didn't work out, but we stayed in touch with other," Kirby, now married with kids, said with a laugh.

By the time they looped around years later, Kirby had struck out on his own and was willing to put himself out there; he told Powell he'd love to join SEWE if they'd accept his caliber of work. The same day, his art was approved.

He's been a part of SEWE ever since, and that was about a decade ago.

Powell said he loves meeting new people each year.

"There's always a lot of talent in the room, a lot of really great artists," he said. "I like hearing their stories, like hearing about careers. With oil painting, I really like talking to older people and pay attention to their techniques. I think they've got a lot of wisdom, have made a lot of mistakes and learned from them."

This is the first year Kirby is SEWE's featured artist.

Ryan is a passionate outdoorsman, avid conservationist and accomplished artist," said Powell. "His authenticity and approachability have made him a favorite at SEWE over the years. ... I have known Ryan as an artist and friend for more than a decade, and his dedication to SEWE and wildlife art is a gift we all look forward to celebrating.

Kirby's painting "Departure" is the selected piece of artwork that appears across SEWE's 2023 advertisements, merchandise and branding. It stars a trio of pheasants, taking flight in a field.

I wanted to re-create the heart-stopping moment when the birds take flight," said Kirby. "I sketched, researched and sketched some more before settling on this composition of this trio taking flight. But no matter how many pieces Ive painted, each one has its own plot twists, just like the unpredictability of the flush. Until you put a brush to canvas, you never really know whats going to happen.

Kirby was paid upfront for his work and will get royalties, as well. The original oil painting will be auctioned off at SEWE's fundraising gala.

Kirby's art can also be seen on the cases for Winchester ammo and Brown ammo. He has worked with nonprofit groups Pheasants Forever, the National Deer Association and Quails Forever, in addition to the Wild Turkey Federation, where his art is used for fundraising, educational and marketing efforts.

Kirby said those organizations are essential to conservation efforts, which he believes will help preserve our natural resources for future generations. As a beneficiary of wildlife growing up, he wants to make sure his 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter have the access to those resources as he did.

"These days, these organizations are lobbying in Washington, D.C., to make a difference," said Kirby. "Along with getting politicians involved, they're deploying funds, consulting biologists, learning how to protect species and bring native species back, and taking real action. If were really going to preserve hunting and fishing for the next generation, its got to take a lot more people than just me."

Kirby likes to think his art plays a small part in that conservation effort.
ORANGEBURG  State investigators have found no foul play in the mysterious death of a South Carolina State University student last spring. But they did uncover apparent missteps by campus police that delayed a full investigation and left gaps in the evidence available to agents trying to determine what happened to young Amya Carr.

Carr, 21, was co-captain of S.C. States dance team when students found her unconscious in her dorm room last April 13. They rushed her to Orangeburg's Regional Medical Center, where she died. S.C. State's police said in an incident report that Carr died from an asthma attack, but no autopsy was done.

State law requires universities to immediately report on-campus deaths and sexual assaults to the State Law Enforcement Division so agents can do independent investigations. But S.C. States police department didnt do so for six weeks. And when SLED agents in late May finally began looking into Carrs death and S.C. States handling of it, they found one lapse after another.

Campus police failed to document interviews with potential witnesses at the hospital; they didnt take photos of Carrs dorm room or take down the names of the medical personnel who treated her. They even included the wrong date of her death in an incident report.

Agents also learned that S.C. State Police Chief Timothy Taylor interviewed two students six weeks after Carrs death and after SLED agents had begun looking at the case. The students had helped take Carr to the hospital. Taylor did the interview without SLEDs approval or knowledge.

Another unusual aspect of S.C. States involvement came to light after agents interviewed a campus police officer who had been dispatched to Carrs dorm room that day to protect a possible crime scene and gather evidence. The officer, no longer employed with the department, told agents she found a small amount of marijuana and secured it in a patrol office drawer because no evidence bags were available and the evidence room was locked. She said Chief Taylor then told her to write a report saying that Carr died of natural causes, and that she wasnt comfortable doing so since she hadnt seen an autopsy report.

Orangeburg County Deputy Coroner Michael Bartley reportedly opted against an autopsy after speaking with physicians, seeing no signs of trauma and learning of Carr's lengthy history with asthma. Bartley himself is a former S.C. State police chief who lost his job in 2012 amid another SLED investigation. He pleaded guilty the following year to federal charges in connection with a kickback scheme.

'Action and inactions'

SLEDs investigation into Carr's death was ultimately turned over to the joint public integrity unit of the 1st and 14th circuit solicitors offices for review.

In the end, SLED agents learned that Carr had been experiencing asthma problems that night and had smoked marijuana in the hours before her death. But they found insufficient evidence of any criminal wrongdoing and declined to take the case before a grand jury, records show.

Chief prosecutors from both circuits still harbor concerns about S.C. States handling of the case. They plan to detail them in a letter to SLED, said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, whose district includes the university.

While no criminal charges are warranted, Solicitor Duffie Stone and I have many concerns with regard to the actions and inactions of S.C. State on this matter, Pascoe said Feb. 16. First and foremost, SLED should have been notified immediately about Miss Carrs death." He said they wanted to make sure "this sort of thing doesnt happen at other universities and colleges in the future.

Samuel Watson, a spokesman for the university, said the university's legal team is reviewing the SLED report and a response will be forthcoming. Watson has previously defended the decision not to call SLED, saying officials complied with the law because Ms. Carrs death did not result from an incident occurring on campus."

Because of the lapses cited in the report, key questions likely will remain unanswered about Carrs death, including whether mold played a role. Carr had been diagnosed with asthma as an infant, but her problems seemed to grow worse her sophomore year when she moved into Hugine Suites at South Carolina State University, her mother, Valencia Canzeter, told The Post and Courier last year.

Mold is a known cause of asthma flare-ups. A recent Post and Courier investigation documented how mold contamination in colleges across South Carolina made hundreds of students sick, including several instances that sent students to hospitals. S.C. State logged 43 complaints about mold during the past two years, the schools records show. Of those 43 reports, 32 were in Hugine Suites, the complex where Carr lived. S.C. State has said it hasnt received any complaints about mold in the dorm suite where Carr lived. SLED agents investigate criminal cases, and its report on Carrs death doesnt delve into mold.

Trouble breathing

The SLED report outlined the events leading to Carr's death.

A friend told agents that she texted Carr the evening of April 12 to see if she wanted to hang out.

"I would, but my asthma is acting up," Carr replied.

The pair eventually met up in Carr's dorm room at 7 p.m. to smoke marijuana. When the friend left 90 minutes later, Carr seemed fine, the report stated. But Carr later called the friend between 4:30 and 5 a.m. to say she was having trouble breathing and needed to go to the hospital.

The friend found Carr alone and naked in the room, which she told agents was odd. Carr struggled to breathe and soon passed out.

The friend wrapped Carr in a blanket and yelled for help. Some ROTC students heard the call and helped the friend carry Carr outside and drive her the hospital. She died there while being treated, authorities said.

Canzeter, Carr's mother, told SLED that her daughter called her on the evening of June 12 and complained that her asthma was acting up. Canzeter urged her to go to the hospital but Carr refused.

Canzeter told SLED that deputy coroner Bartley initially indicated that an autopsy would be done. But when the hospital contacted her two weeks later to release her daughter's body, they told her the procedure had not been performed. A nurse told her she would have to pay for a private autopsy if she wanted one, she told SLED.

Canzeter told agents she called Bartley, who said he'd opted against an autopsy after learning about Carr's history of asthma.

Bartley told SLED he didn't see enough probable cause to warrant an invasive autopsy. He did order toxicology tests, which showed evidence of marijuana in her system, the SLED report states. Carr's father also told agents that she smoked marijuana and that he had asked her to stop.

The coroner's office listed her cause of death as pulmonary arrest, or respiratory distress that caused her to stop breathing. The manner of death was left blank, SLED noted, because no autopsy was done.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched a portal for bank customers to deposit their old naira notes amid a scarcity of new notes.

The CBN in a notice posted on its website titled Redemption of Currency provided a link to the portal to enable Nigerians to redeem (deposit) their old notes.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a broadcast Thursday approved the continued use of N200 notes as legal tender across Nigeria. But the president added that the CBNs directive on the phasing out of the old N500 and N1000 notes remains.

Please click here to create your profile, generate reference and print out receipt for you to proceed to the nearest CBN Branch to deposit your old N1000, N500 and N200 notes into your bank account, a notice on the portal reads.

Please visit this link, https://crs.cbn.gov.ng, ONLY through the CBN website. Go to the CBN branch with the print out.

To create a profile, a frame is filled where a reference number is generated. Here, customers are required to provide their bank verification number, email address, phone number, bank account details, depositor information (including house address), and the total amount of the denomination to be redeemed.

To complete this process, the CBN said that the condition for redemption of currency must be met.

According to the central bank, part of the conditions is that depositors can only access the window once and beneficiary accounts would only receive value after the successful processing of cash deposited and verification of documents submitted.

A depositor shall not be entitled to recover from the bank the value of any mutilated or imperfect notes, the notice added.

The circumstances under which such notes may be refunded ex-gratia shall be within the absolute discretion of the bank; Depositors can check the status of transactions on the portal here; Transactions would be concluded within a minimum of three working days. All deposits will be treated in accordance with the relevant laws.

Upon completion of the form, a reference number is generated to indicate which of the central banks to go deposit the old notes.

Uncertainty

Last Friday, the National Council of State advised on the need for aggressive action on the part of the central bank as it relates to the implementation of the new naira policy. The council said that the CBN should urgently make more new notes available.

Parts of southern Nigeria have descended into chaos in recent weeks, with long queues at ATM points and fights breaking out inside commercial banks.

In recent days, violent protests have been recorded in Ogun, Oyo, Edo and Akwa Ibom in the countrys south, and social media is awash with lamentations of suffering Nigerians who are not able to access their funds for transactions.

On Thursday, Mr Buhari noted that he sympathises with citizens over the difficulties being experienced in the implementation of the policy. However, he also blamed unscrupulous officials in the banking industry for being inefficient.

To stem this tide, I have directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that our citizens are adequately educated on the policy; enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through the availability of appropriate amounts of currency; and ability to make deposits. Mr Buhari said.

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Wednesday said that it is seeking the support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in an intense search for multiple partners to develop the Niger Delta.

The NDDC in a statement via its official Twitter page said the plan was disclosed when the Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, led the commissions executive management team to the NNPC Ltd on Wednesday.

The commission noted that the quest to seek partnerships is part of its renewed approach to expedite the development of the Niger Delta in creative ways, irrespective of funding and liabilities challenges.

The NDDC MD, Samuel Ogbuku, today led the Commissions executive management team to the NNPC Ltd to propose a partnership for speedy development of the Niger Delta.

The family of the beautiful bride NDDC seeks its hand in marriage and was led by the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, to joyfully receive the visiting suitor, it said.

The statement explained that Mr Ogbuku was accompanied by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Charles Airhiavbere, and Executive Director, Projects, Charles Ogunmola.

The NDDCS partnership overture to the NNPC comes on the heels of similar moves to get the hands of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and POWERCHINA in a multiple-partner marriage.

The NDDCs quest for multiple partners is part of its renewed approach to expedite the development of the Niger Delta in creative ways, irrespective of funding and liabilities challenges, it said.

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The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, is running to become the next governor of Delta State in Nigerias South-south region in the 11 March governorship election.

But the two-term senator for Delta Central district has a major hurdle standing between him and the actualisation of his ambition: the political status quo in the state. The political status quo in the oil-rich state is that only one political party has produced governors in the state since the country returned to civil administration in 1999. That party is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Omo-Agege, a lawyer by training and no doubt a strong political force, is running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party that waltzed its way into the political equation of the state only in 2013 when Otega Emerhor contested on the platform of the party in the 12 October 2013 Delta Central senatorial bye-election which he lost to the candidate of the PDP.

Mr Emerhor is the first person across Nigeria to have contested on the ticket of the APC that was registered on 6 February 2013. In any case, it is safe to say that the APC is gathering momentum in the state given the array of top politicians who have since pitched their tent with the opposition party. Yet, it appears that the buzzing momentum is not formidable enough to dislodge the PDP, which has almost become a political orthodoxy in the state, from power as some local analysts have been saying.

While the APC had a gubernatorial candidate  Mr Emerhor  in 2015 who could not mine much mileage in terms of votes, the party, at least, produced a senator in the 2019 general elections and that senator, representing the biggest senatorial district- Delta Central  is Mr Omo-Agege. As of now, APC has an additional senator: Peter Nwaboshi, representing Delta North, courtesy of defection. Mr Nwaboshi, now in jail after his conviction for fraud recently, is also the candidate of the APC for Delta North. Ned Nwoko of the PDP is his major opponent in the district.

Mr Omo-Agege emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC last year after battling for the partys ticket with aspirants like the current minister of state for labour and productivity, Festus Keyamo, who initially led a faction of the party but has now pledged to work for the party in the elections following post-primary reconciliations with the deputy senate president.

Although there are other candidates for the election, including a perennial contestant, Great Ogboru (APGA), every political metric shows that the battle is between PDP candidate Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the current Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and Mr Omo-Agege.

Sheriffs emergence

Sheriff Oborevwori, who is from Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area of the state in the same Delta Central as Mr Omo-Agege, emerged as the candidate of the PDP last year against James Iboris choice  David Edevbie  a former finance commissioner and ex-principal private secretary to the late President Umaru Yardua.

All attempts by Mr Ibori to install Mr Edevbie as the candidate of the PDP were rebuffed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who backed Mr Oborevwori to fly the partys ticket.

The emergence of Mr Oborevwori has created a subterranean estrangement between the governor, who is the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, and Mr Ibori, a former godfather to Mr Okowa. The estrangement is yet to thaw as Mr Ibori has neither openly campaigned nor identified with Mr Oborevwori.

Mr Ibori, it was said, while he was yet to serve out his prison time in the UK upon conviction for corruption, deployed everything in his political armoury to ensure that Mr Okowa was nominated the candidate of the PDP in 2015. The then governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, had preferred the late Anthony Obuh as his successor.

Omo-Ageges political trajectory

Mr Omo-Agege, 59, is not a newbie on the political firmament of Delta State. At least, he has been an active participant since he was first appointed as an executive assistant in 2003 by then-Governor Ibori.

He was later elevated to the position of commissioner for special duties in 2005, from where he was appointed as the Secretary to the State Government in 2007. Before then, he had contested the PDP governorship primaries but lost to Mr Uduaghan, the anointed candidate of Mr Ibori.

After losing his quest for the ticket of the PDP in 2007 and 2015, Mr Omo-Agege found himself on the fringe of the political turf in the state until 2015 when he was elected senator for Delta Central. The district is considered a stronghold of the PDP but Mr Omo-Agege won the election on the platform of the Labour Party, a hitherto unknown party in the state which he joined in 2015.

He later defected to the APC on 7 March 2017 and became a strong ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, always defending and providing a shield for Mr Buhari in the 8th Senate. His constant altercation with the then leadership of the Senate, especially his criticism of his colleagues over the Senates handling of the Electoral Act (2010), earned him a suspension for 180 days, which was later reduced to 90 legislative days. The suspension was later quashed by the court.

He stood for reelection to the Senate in 2019 on the ticket of the APC and won. He also emerged as the Deputy Senate President on 11 June 2019, a position some commentators interpreted as his reward for the many troubles he undertook in the 8th Senate to defend Mr Buhari and his policies.

His strengths

In this governorship election, Mr Omo-Agege has a formidable opponent in the candidate of the PDP, who is a political scientist by training. However, political commentators who are conversant with the two candidates say the candidate of the APC has a better understanding of the states problems than his PDP opponent.

Deltans, whose views were sought on the issue, said the state cannot afford to elect someone who is not academically sound as that will be considered a dent to the collective identity of the people who are known for their passion for education.

Aside from being academically sound, Mr Omo-Agege has also done well for his district as a senator, attracting important developmental projects to the district and even to some other parts of the state beyond his district.

Chukudi Azaka, a political analyst in the state, told this reporter that among the three senators representing the state, Mr Omo-Agege stands out in terms of performance vis-a-vis infrastructure development and human capacity empowerment.

Another advantage that the Deputy Senate President has is the perceived disenchantment of the people with Governor Okowa over his uneven distribution of development projects in the state, failure to pay pension and gratuity to retirees, his penchant for continuous borrowings which have ballooned the debt profile of the state and also for picking Mr Oborevwori whom many believe was chosen by the governor to cover his tracks when he is no longer in charge.

There is also the belief in some quarters that though the state has always been a PDP stronghold since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, things are no longer the way they used to be.

All the major players in the APC now used to be top members of the PDP, so they know what to do to checkmate the PDP, a civil servant in the employ of the state government told PREMIUM TIMES. As pointed out earlier, Mr Omo-Agege was in and out of the PDP until 2015 when he eventually left for the LP and then APC, his current abode.

His weaknesses

Much as his supporters believe that Mr Omo-Agege will make a good governor if elected, his authoritarian style of leadership of the APC, according to some members of the party who preferred not to be named, could also be his albatross. He joined the APC in 2017 as a defector but now has the entire leadership structure of the party in the state at his beck and call. For this and other reasons, some chieftains of the party have left to find political accommodation in other parties in the state, especially in the ruling PDP. However, some chieftains of the PDP have also defected to the APC. As usual, at this time, it is a cross-diffusion movement across parties by dissatisfied politicians.

The same is said of his running mate, Friday Osanebi, who on joining the party from the PDP allegedly displaced the leaders he met and imposed his associates. The result is the exodus of many members from the APC into the PDP, the most recent being the resignation of almost all the LGA executives of the APC in his home Ndokwa East LGA. This is typical behaviour of a lot of Nigerian politicians. Once they take charge, they dominate and subdue others completely. It is either you are for them or you are choked out.

There is also a complaint among some of Mr Omo-Ageges constituents in Delta Central who accuse him of citing all the major projects he attracted in his Orogun community only. The federal polytechnic, a proposed new campus of the Nigerian Law School and the independent power project, among others, are some of these projects cited.

Running a gubernatorial campaign and election is capital-intensive. Candidates spend several billions of naira on campaigns, mobilisation and logistics, among others. It is not a race for those who do not have deep pockets. Mr Omo-Agege is rich by the Nigerian standard. Mr Azaka, however, told this reporter that he also doesnt have the financial war chest the PDP boasts of.

Factors that may shape the gubernatorial election:

Aside from the major strengths of the Deputy Senate President, which may swing victory his way in the 11 March election, two major factors are also very critical: the James Ibori factor and the outcome of the presidential election.

The James Ibori Factor

In and out of power, Mr Ibori has been a strong factor in the politics of Delta State since 1999. After governing for eight years, he installed his cousin, Mr Uduaghan, from Delta South as his successor and also facilitated the emergence of Mr Okowa, from Delta North as the successor of Mr Uduaghan. This is aside from contributing to the emergence of senators, House of Representatives members and House of Assembly members.

While some say he is the major deciding factor in the state, others say his influence is waning, especially with the way his preferred candidate, Mr Edvebie, lost to Mr Okowas choice in the PDP primaries. However, his associate of many political struggles, Ighoyota Amori, is the PDP senatorial candidate for Delta Central while his daughter  Erhiatake Ibori -Suenu- is the House of Representatives candidate for the Ethiope Federal Constituency.

It has to be stated that Mr Omo-Agege defeated the PDP in Delta Central in 2015 and 2019 respectively despite the district being the stronghold of Mr Ibori, another pointer to the perceived waning influence of the former Delta helmsman.

Because of the way the tussle for the PDP governorship ticket was won and lost between Messrs Okowa and Ibori, no one can say exactly who Mr Ibori is supporting. I am sure the picture will get clearer after 25 February. But one can assume that he isnt happy with Okowa. His body language clearly reveals that. His dilemma, however, is the fact that his daughter is a PDP House of Representatives candidate, Mr Azaka said about Mr Ibori.

Mr Ibori has not associated with the candidate of the PDP in public, an indication some have interpreted to mean that he is going to support Mr Omo-Agege, his erstwhile political appointee. Some say Mr Omo-Agege has been making deft moves to also get the support of Mr Ibori.

Whoever Mr Ibori supports has a big chance of winning the election which, in the interim, is seen as too close to call between Messrs Omo-Agege and Oborevwori.

The outcome of the presidential election

Though most partisan supporters have made up their minds on whom to vote for no matter what, the outcome of the 25 February presidential election is most likely to have a bandwagon effect on the governorship election.

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If the PDP wins the presidential election, it is almost certain that Delta will go the way of the party to maintain the status quo. However, if the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, wins, then the state may fall into the APC fold. In the event that Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party, wins, then the state will be up for grabs between the PDP and the APC. The LP candidate in the state, Pela Kennedy, has almost zero chance of winning the election; the same as other governorship candidates in the election.

For now, no one can say if Mr Omo-Agege will win the election. He has a 50 per cent chance of doing that just like his main opponent, Mr Oborevwori.

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Nigerias long-anticipated 2023 general election is around the corner and the presidential candidates of the 18 registered political parties have released their manifestos or agenda to convince the electorate on why they should be voted as the nations next president.

A manifesto, a publication issued by a candidate or political party before an election, contains the set of policies that the candidate or party stands for and would wish to implement if elected. It is mainly a promise, an implied contract between the people and a political party or candidate, presented to the voters on which basis their votes are sought.

Ahead of 25 February presidential and National Assembly elections, the four leading presidential candidates Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through their manifestos have made lots of promises to Nigerians to be elected.

These candidates have promised to tackle lots of issues, including Nigerias degenerating national security, energy, education, economy, women empowerment and most importantly to reform the countrys failing health sector.

The countrys health sector has suffered a myriad of challenges over the years. From brain drain to inequities in health services, coupled with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of a functional primary healthcare system, the sector is one of those that require urgent attention.

In this report, PREMIUM TIMES highlights areas of health priorities and analyses the plans of the candidates for reforming the sector if elected as the countrys next president.

Reforming health sector: APC candidates agenda

The former Governor of Lagos State and presidential candidate of the ruling APC, Bola Tinubu, has listed as one of his major plans for the health sector, mitigation of brain drain and retaining health workers by improving their welfare.

According to Mr Tinubus manifesto which is titled: The Renewed Hope, part of the policies to be implemented in making this a reality include performance-based salary increases, health insurance to cover family members, favourable mortgage or home-ownership plans for health workers, and tertiary education scholarships for their children.

On Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the APC candidate plans to reform the healthcare system by making UHC a primary objective and central theme of his healthcare reforms.

By making universal coverage our primary objective, we shall create new jobs and bring greater economic and social development to the Nigerian people, he said.

As part of efforts to achieve this, Mr Tinubu plans to scale up the National Health Insurance Authority Act, with the objective of implementing a mandatory health insurance scheme to cover at least 40 per cent of the population within two years.

He also promised to augment the financial mechanism such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and Vulnerable Group Fund to cover vulnerable populations.

Fuel subsidy versus health

Restating commitment to the removal of subsidy on petrol, Mr Tinubu said the funds saved would be used to enhance health coverage for Nigerians.

He said: In addition to other sources, funds saved by the removal of the fuel subsidy shall be earmarked for use in helping to provide health coverage for pregnant women and children under-five.

He also promised to partner state and local governments to facilitate the upgrading, equipping and staffing of a general hospital in every local government area, a tertiary facility in each state and a world-class specialist hospital in each geo-political zone.

He said such a network will not only render basic care to a greater number of people but shall also attract medical tourists to Nigeria but did not give a time frame to achieve the one functional general hospital per local government project.

Atiku Abubakar of PDP

A plans to improve access to basic healthcare services through innovations  such as the mobile healthcare delivery scheme.

He said the policy thrust of his administration will be all-embracing and targeted towards a preventive care strategy by creating a clean environment, modernising living conditions, carrying out enlightenment campaigns on healthy living, and supporting with curative care through the provision of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in hospitals and in rural clinics.

As stated in his manifesto which has been tagged: My Covenant with Nigerians, Atiku plans to ensure universal access to basic maternal and child health, reproductive health, immunisation and mental health while also accelerating Nigerias transition towards achieving universal access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all by 2030.

According to the manifesto, the former vice president intends to take healthcare professionals to the front line and attract Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to reverse brain-drain. He, however, does not list specific steps he intends to take to reduce the mass migration of Nigerian health workers.

Labour Partys Peter Obi

On his part, the candidate of LP, Peter Obi, in his manifesto, plans to address the financial resources-depleting practice of medical tourism, by supporting national teaching hospitals to specialise in niche areas of medicine, thus enjoying expeditious faculty and facilities enhancement and the attendant comparative advantage.

In his manifesto titled: Our Pact with Nigerians, Mr Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, said his administration would implement the National Health Act of 2014, and enforce the provision of its Section 46.

He said there would be a comprehensive mapping of Nigerias healthcare system occupational categories, to generate relevant data on human capacity and resources for healthcare training, with a view to reversing brain drain and stopping medical tourism while tapping into our huge diaspora capacity in healthcare.

Mr Obi does not state how, in practical terms, the mapping of such data will reduce the mass migration of health personnel or the incentives he intends to use to stop such.

Mr Obi also plans to increase NHIS uptake, with a robust healthcare insurance scheme at the basic healthcare level with a goal to provide cover for the 133 million poorest Nigerians including pregnant women, children, elderly people and persons living with disabilities.

He said his administration will generate innovative healthcare financing by encouraging public-private healthcare sector initiatives and implementing special taxes and duty waivers.

The manifesto reads in part: This will include special incentives to encourage the domestic production of pharmaceuticals, drugs, vaccines and medical consumables.

The incentives shall also be targeted at boosting research and development in the healthcare system, together with their commercialisation within a process that will be carefully audited, monitored, and evaluated.

Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP

In his manifesto titled: My Pledge to You, the candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said he plans to improve and modernise healthcare services in the country.

Mr Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, said his administration will be committed to ensuring the countrys healthcare system is positively overhauled to ensure humane, effective, efficient, and qualitative service.

Saving lives and building a healthy citizenry shall be the priority of all our healthcare institutions because health is wealth, he said

Suggestions for next administration

Ensuring that Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, achieves Universal Health Coverage (UHC) should be at the forefront of issues to be addressed by the countrys next president.

To achieve UHC, Nigerians need to have access to quality health services when and where they need them, without financial hardship. These include health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across the life course.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has failed to provide affordable and qualitative health care services for its people. Previous efforts made through the repealed National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) yielded no improvement as the majority of Nigerians still pay hugely out of their pockets for healthcare services.

About eight out of 10 Nigerians do not have health insurance coverage in Africas largest economy, according to a 2021 survey by NOI Polls.

The few persons enrolled in the scheme complain of inadequate service delivery. They say the scheme fails to cover key treatments for serious ailments such as cancer which is very expensive and has left many patients and their families with no option but to sell properties to raise funds.

The scheme, which was in existence for over 18 years and gulped billions of naira, still failed to address the health needs of Nigerians.

As part of efforts to improve the health coverage of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 signed into law the National Health Insurance Authority Bill repealing NHIS. However, it still fails to cover serious diseases which claim lives in the country. None of the candidates clearly stated if they would expand the scope of the NHIS to include diseases like cancer and autism.

Health financing, PHC system

To achieve UHC, there is a need to adequately fund the health sector at all levels of government. The countrys health sector has been grossly underfunded and repeatedly failed to meet the commitment made by African leaders to dedicate at least 15 per cent of their annual budgets to the health sector in what is now known as the Abuja Declaration.

For the first time in the history of health funding in Nigeria, over a trillion Naira was allocated to the sector in the 2023 budget. Despite this, it represented only 5.75 per cent of the overall budget, indicating a shortfall of over nine percentage points to meet the 15 per cent target agreed upon in the Abuja Declaration.

A review of the budgetary allocation to the health sector in the last 21 years since the Declaration revealed that Nigeria has never met the 15 per cent target. None of the presidential candidates pledges to meet the target.

Inadequate funding of the health sector, leading to poor remuneration of health workers, is a major cause of the brain drain in the health sector. Only Mr Tinubus manifesto outlines specific steps he plans to take to reduce the brain drain among health workers; although Atiku and Mr Obi also outline the problem.

Also, without adequate and sustainable funding, Nigerias primary health care system where about 90 per cent of the populations health issues can be addressed, will remain a shambles. Various reports indicate that only about 20 per cent of PHC facilities across the country are fully functional, while the rest cannot provide essential health care.

Some PHCs are faced with challenges like poor distribution of health workers, poor quality of health care services, poor infrastructure and lack of supply of essential drugs.

(The production of this report was supported by the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD).

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As tension continued to rise over the scarcity of the newly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 currency notes, commercial banks, motorists and major sales outlets across the country have refrained from the collection of old notes.

A PREMIUM TIMES survey within the week showed that many Nigerians are still in possession of the old naira notes due to poor circulation of the newly designed currency, but are not able to carry out their daily transactions because banks have commenced the implementation of the CBN deadline for the phasing out of the new notes.

Across Abuja, Lagos and other major cities visited, our reporters observed that commercial banks, transport workers and some shopping outlets refused to accept the old notes since Monday, despite a Supreme Court order restraining the CBN from phasing out the old notes.

Some business owners who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES lamented they do not know what to do with the old notes in their possession as banks battle with the scarcity of the new notes amid public outrage.

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday announced that the CBN will extend the use of the old N200 notes. But in what analysts consider an affront to the Supreme Court, the president insisted that the CBN directive on the phasing out of the old N500 and N1,000 notes remains.

Background

On 26 October, 2022, Nigerias CBN announced the introduction of redesigned 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes into the countrys financial system. But since the notes were unveiled, Nigerians across different parts of the country have been struggling to access it from banks and ATM cash points.

As Nigerians expressed frustration over their inability to access the new notes, the CBN extended the deadline for the phasing out of the old notes from 31 January to 10 February. Yet, many Nigerians have had a hard time getting the new notes.

Last week, the Supreme Court gave an order restraining the CBN from going ahead with the implementation of the 10 February deadline set for the phasing out of the notes.

But both Mr Buhari and the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, refused to adhere to the court order.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the suit filed by some state governments to challenge the 10 February deadline set by the CBN to end the use of old naira notes to 22 February later this month.

Millions of Nigerians have continued to grapple with hardship amid the cash crunch that has worsened business transactions and stifled trade in the informal economy.

Abuja

In some parts of the Lugbe axis of Nigerias capital city, Abuja, our reporters observed that the old naira notes are being rejected in places like parks, fuel stations and marketplaces among others despite the extension of their validity by the Supreme Court.

On Friday, I went to see my daughter in Gwagwalada on my way back to Lugbe. The driver of the cab I entered was asking me if I had the new naira note with me. I asked him why he asked and he said he wont take me to my destination if Im going to pay with the old note, says a Lugbe resident, Idowu Agunbiade, in an interview PREMIUM TIMES.

At first, Mr Agunbiade said, he thought the taxi driver was joking, but everything changed when he arrived at his destination.

When we got to our destination, I gave him the old note, but he outrightly rejected it, insisting on the new note. I was so shocked and I ended up transferring N300 to him, he said.

Thats when I got to understand that this money crisis is not funny again. The country has become something else where you have your money and you cant spend it because of the CBN policy.

Similarly, a POS operator, Aina Wale, narrated how a bank refused to collect his old naira note. Mr Aina also alleged that his bank refused to collect old notes from him, noting that he is still has about N100, 000 of the old notes in his possession.

Come and see, this is a total of N150,000. I dont know what to do with it. I went to my bank on Monday to deposit this money and they rejected it. The bank official that attended to me said I should go to CBN and deposit the money. I am so heartbroken right now, he said.

If they want to withdraw and I tell them what I have is an old note they will just hiss and go.I wish the government can help extend the policy so I can deposit this money.

Another resident, Ngozi Isaac, said she was so surprised to have learnt about the refusal to collect the old currency by banks.

I was so surprised when my husband came back home on Monday and he said he was at the bank earlier to deposit just N10,000 and the bank refused to collect the money, she said.

At Lugbe car wash park, a cab driver, who gave his name as Adamu, said he stopped accepting the old notes because the ones he collected over the weekend were still with him.

I cant spend it because people are rejecting it, he said.

On his part, a meat seller in Lugbe who gave his name as Baba Aisha said he stopped collecting the old naira notes on 9 February, following the deadline given by the CBN.

He explained that some of his customers informed him that the court had extended the deadline but if he accepts it, nobody will accept it from him.

I think there is so much confusion about the whole thing, so the best thing I did was to stop collecting it at all, he said.

Gudu

On Wednesday, Aminu Gwadebe, a vulcanizer in Gudu, said he has also been rejecting the old notes. He complained that he had some old notes with him but did not know how to change them.

Look, this is what I worked for over the weekend and the bank has refused to collect it, as it is I am stranded now, he said, showing our reporters a bundle of N200 old notes.

However, an onion seller, Musa Abubakar, said he still collects the old notes from his customers because he does not want his onion to get damaged.

The new and old money is scarce now, so I had no option but to collect anyone that my customers bring. If I dont sell out my onion it will spoil and I dont want to lose both my onion and the money, he said.

South-west

In several places in the nations commercial centre, Lagos, petty traders and artisans are rejecting the old notes.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that commercial buses plying the routes between Ogba and Lagos Island were not accepting the old currency early Wednesday.

However, the drivers said the chairman of the drivers union later ordered members to start accepting them from commuters. Likewise, commercial motorcycle riders are also still collecting the notes in some parts of the state.

Old notes are not being accepted starting from today (Tuesday), said a staff member working in the Business and Commercial Clients Unit at Stanbic IBTC Banks Lagos headquarters.

The CBN brought out a process that if you still have the money, you will bring the money to them individually. They will collect the money from you, they will do some investigation, they will interrogate you (on) why you still have the money, what type of business you are doing and all the rest, he added.

On Thursday, the Lagos State government warned residents against rejection of the old notes.

The CBN in its earlier memo communicating the 10 February deadline extension had said a seven-day grace period, beginning on February 10 to 17 February, would be allotted to allow depositing their old notes at the CBN after the February deadline.

But many Nigerians are yet to understand how feasible and seamless the procedure would be.

Rejection

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES gathered from bank officials and customers Wednesday that the banks are rejecting the old notes in compliance with CBN directives.

A bank staffer who declined to have his name in print emphasised that the currency reform would have a reverse effect in the days ahead, noting that the ramifications may be dire for the populace.

There are still lots of old notes in circulation apart from the ones some people have stashed away. So stopping it now and not pumping in more new notes I believe will cause a lot of pressure. Starting from Wednesday, the pressure will be so much, he explained.

Come to think of it, most politicians still have that money. So they will want to instigate the masses. If the pressure is huge, there will be an outburst.

Also, another cash officer at one of the Stanbic IBTC branches in Lagos who does not want his name in print as he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said he is aware banks like Ecobank, Zenith and Stanbic IBTC have stopped taking the old notes from customers.

For now banks are just playing safe since they dont know the policy direction the CBN might want to take, he said.

As of Monday morning, we had to evacuate everything we had in old notes and move everything to the CBN because nobody knows what the CBN is going to do.

He said that banks evacuate cash to the CBN only on weekdays, noting that some other banks did it over the weekend to avoid the risk of the cash being rejected by the apex bank.

Protests, Destruction

In the midst of the uncertainties, many Nigerians have taken to the streets on major cities to protest the hardship caused by the policy.

In parts of southern Nigeria, many protesters were said to have sustained injuries and some were arrested for vandalising bank properties.

On Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, residents attacked some of the banks in the city, including Ecobank, Firstbank and UBA, according to the police spokesperson in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor. Similarly, groups of protesters have also hit the streets in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Oyo states on recent weeks.

The protest necessitated some banks to suspend activities and several shops and market stores were shut.

Experts Speak

Speaking on the developments, CEO of Dairy Hills Limited, Kelvin Emmanuel, said the decision of the Supreme Court and President Buharis Thursday broadcast reflect the lack of coordination in policy making in Nigeria.

The people who say the deliberate hoarding of new naira notes as well as the hoarding of the old notes by the Central Bank as a strategy to curb vote buying is not covered anywhere in sections 19 & 20 of the CBN Act, and is an invitation to Anarchy. This is because, if pandemonium breaks out across the entire nation, there will be no elections in Nigeria, he said.

On his part, Kazeem Oyinwola, an Abuja-based legal practitioner and consultant, said by virtue of section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) The decisions of the Supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the supreme Court.

Thus, to this extent, the Federal Government, and by extension, the Central Bank of Nigeria, is bound by the interim injunction granted against it by the Supreme Court to the effect that the old naira notes continue to be legal tender pending the determination of the Motion on Notice filed by the Kaduna State Government, he said.

Mr Oyinwola said the refusal of the federal government to comply with the verdict of the Supreme Court in this regard does not only constitute executive lawlessness but also violates the provision of section 287 of the Constitution.

He said: Should the executive and its agents be seen to be flagrantly violating the constitution by virtue of which theyre in office? The answer is no. And thats why the decision of Emefiele to the extent to which he insisted that the old naira notes cease to be legal tender from February 10, 2023 is not only irresponsible but constitutes shameless but reckless disregard for the constitution of the federation.

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Let me also add that under no circumstance can a party unilaterally modify the decision of a court to suit its own position. The effect of the interim injunction of the Supreme Court is that the old notes of N1000, N500 and N200 remain legal tenders. Can the federal government now modify the decision to say only the N200 notes should remain legal tenders? This is executive lawlessness, a federal government having scornful disregard for the judicial institution. This should only happen in a banana republic!

On Thursday, the federal government announced that the old 200 naira note should be accepted as a legal tender for the next 60 days, and that there is no going back on the phasing out of the old 500 and 1000 naira notes, which has already taken effect.

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The United States on Thursday signed an agreement with the Nigerian government for the return of about $1 million stolen by a former governor of Bayelsa State, the late Deprieye Alamieyeseigha.

Mr Alamieyeseigha, who was governor of Bayelsa in South-south Nigeria between 1999 and 2005, died in October 2015.

He was arrested in London in September 2005 over corruption allegations but managed to jump bail and returned to Nigeria.

He was removed from office by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in December 2005 to face trial.

Although later pardoned by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Mr Alamieyeseigha was convicted on 26 July 2007 by the Federal High Court after he pleaded guilty to corruption charges and conceded to the forfeiture of assets confiscated from him.

Based on mutual cooperation, funds traced to him in the United Kingdom and the United States were also confiscated.

At the signing of the agreement for the repatriation of funds seized from him by the US government, in Abuja on Thursday, the US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, said the funds would be deployed to funding healthcare services in Bayelsa State.

As a result of todays agreement, healthcare across Bayelsa will be improved through the rehabilitation, refurbishment and reequipping of healthcare centres as requested by the state, she said at the ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The recovery process

Recalling the 15-year journey of recovering the stolen assets, Ms Leonard disclosed that Mr Alamieyeseighas official salary did not exceed the equivalent of about 81,000 dollars per year.

However, during that time, he (Alamieyeseigha) accumulated millions of dollars worth of property due to corrupt acts such as abuse of office, money laundering and other violations of Nigerian and US laws, the US ambassador added.

Citing the UN convention against corruption, she restated the US governments commitment to tackling corrupt practices.

To forestall issues of recovered proceeds being re-looted, Ms Leonard said, recovered proceeds will be transformed into assets that benefit the people harmed by underlying corrupt conduct, to improve the lives of average Nigerians, not a corrupt elite.

She further pledged that the US would continue to deny safe havens to corrupt actors and the assets they have illicitly acquired.

Buhari approves return of stolen assets

Speaking earlier, Nigerias Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Federation, thanked the US government for returning looted funds to Nigeria.

this asset return arose from the forfeiture and recovery of approximately $1 million USD linked to the corrupt practices of former Bayelsa State governor DSP Alamieyeseigha, the minister recalled.

He said the forfeited assets totalling $954.807.40 were located in Maryland and Massachusetts.

The AGF noted that following a US court order and negotiations between the two governments, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the terms of an agreement that would lead to investing the repatriated funds in providing healthcare projects for the people of Bayelsa.

In a remark, the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, promised to implement the terms of the agreement for the project.

Mr Dambo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented Governor Duoye Diri, who is bereaved.

Mr Alamieyeseigha was removed from office in 2005 over corruption allegations.

Mr Alamieyeseigha, who was the first executive governor of Bayelsa, was later tried and jailed for stealing.

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Mr Alamieyeseighas deputy governor, pardoned him.

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The Bayelsa Government on Wednesday dissociated itself from a list of 10 state governments opposing the naira redesign policy and restated its support to the Federal Government on the exercise.

The government in a statement issued in Yenagoa demanded an apology from a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Civil Society Organisations Central Coordinating Council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement distancing Bayelsa from opposing the new policy was signed by Ayibaina Duba, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy.

Bayelsa State alongside Edo State, on Wednesday, identified with the Naira redesign policy by joining the side of the federal government to oppose 10 other states who are co-plaintiffs in a suit challenging the policy at the Supreme Court.

Mr Duba noted that the CSOs through its member, Gabriel Ojemena, falsely alleged at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that Gov Douye Diri was among a group of 10 governors opposing President Muhammadu Buhari on the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to the statement, the CSOs also claimed that the 10 governors were disrespectful of the President and planning to make the country ungovernable if the policy was not reversed.

Mr Duba said that these false claims were not only unfounded and baseless allegations but also annoying and provocative.

The Commissioner noted that it was even more ridiculous and insensitive coming at a time the governor was mourning the passing of his father.

The government is particularly dismayed that CSOs that should be better informed rather yielded themselves as agent-provocateur to misinform Nigerians.

The government urges the CSOs to go study the papers that some states filed at the Supreme Court on the new notes suit instead of spreading falsehood.

For the avoidance of doubts, Gov Diri is not opposed to the Naira re-design policy of the CBN or the Federal Government. What he is opposed to is the hardship the implementation of the policy has visited on Nigerians.

When he spoke publicly for the first time about the policy a week ago, it was at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna South senatorial campaign launch at Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

His comments in support of the policy were unflattering and unambiguous, Mr Duba said.

Recalling what Mr Diri said at the rally, he said: We have to reset this country. The way the country is going is not about religion and ethnicity. It is about a few people that have taken the wealth of this country for themselves.

While we are not in support of the common man suffering as a result of the sudden CBN policy, that policy will change not only our currency but our attitude towards everything as leaders.

While we plead with the CBN to ensure that our people do not suffer, the other side, those of them who have bullion vans, who are prepared to buy over the presidency, the CBN policy is Holy Ghost fire on them. That is why they are shouting. Why are they shouting as if it affects them more than us?

All the CBN is saying is that anybody who does not earn money should not have money in bullion vans to go and buy over our voters. That is all the CBN has said and we support that policy.

However, make the money available to those who have earned it through their farms, trading and their legitimate business. That is all we are saying. Duba quoted Diri as saying on 7 February

The Bayelsa government, therefore, challenged the CSOs, to show concrete proof if their motive was not a hatchet job that eventually misfired.

If their intention was not borne out of mischief, why include Governor Diri, a PDP governor, among his colleagues of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that are purportedly against a decision taken by their ruling party in government?

By his disposition, Gov Diri at all times, in his deeds and actions, promotes the peace and unity of Nigeria.

He would therefore not engage in any activity that would undermine his party or even the corporate existence of the country, Mr Duba stated.

(NAN)

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A pathologist and forensic expert has narrated how the post-mortem examination of the body of Bolanle Raheem was conducted.

Olatunde Williams, a health practitioner at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, spoke on Wednesday during the murder trial of Drambi Vandi, a police officer, at a high court in TBS, Lagos.

He said that the deceased was likely shot at a close range.

Testimony

Mr Williams said after the body was wheeled into the morgue, the widower and an investigating police officer from the State Criminal Investigation Department were invited to identify the body before his team proceeded to take the measurements of height, weight and forensic photographs which included the clothing of the deceased.

The body was undressed, and we identified all internal defects and took their photographs. The sizes of these defects were measured and recorded, he said.

Next, we proceeded to the internal examination and various internal injuries were identified and recorded.

The findings from the external to internal is that there were multiple defects mainly on the anterior chest wall and one defect from the left axillary fold.

On internal examination, there were multiple visceral or organ injury and musculoskeletal injury and the specific injuries include multiple rib fracture, multiple injuries to the intercostal spaces and injuries to both lungs.

Cause of death

The doctor said that he was able to establish three things from the examination which could be the cause of death  hemorrhagic shock, destruction of the chest visceral and musculoskeletal tissues.

The defect was caused by the largest shattered bullet fragment. The targetry path of the bullet is determined by the relative positions of all injuries to each other. In this case, we determine that the targetry path was from left to right, he explained.

The base of the severity of the injuries seen, the bullet was moving at maximum force which was likely to be a discharge from a close range. A bullet could strike an object and bounce in the direction of the body.

In simple terms, the deceased was pregnant within the period of less than three months, he added.

During cross examination, Adetokunbo Odutola, the defendants lawyer, asked the pathologist if he determined through his postmortem report, the person who pulled the trigger that killed the deceased.

The witness replied that he could not determine that.

Mr Odutola also argued that the witness based his postmortem records on media reports.

Responding, the pathologist said that all conclusions were made based on findings discovered at autopsy.

He added that the degree of the explosive force of a bullet discharged from an AK-47, is thousands of the magnitude of a fire hose, that will penetrate into the body, whether an individual is standing or sitting.

After the witness was discharged, the state solicitor-general and permanent secretary, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, closed the case after presenting at least 10 witnesses.

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The defendants lawyer told the court that he will be filing a no-case application in a bid to quash the criminal charge.

The judge, Ibironke Harrison, ordered both lawyers to file adoption for final written addresses within five days, and fixed 28 February, for further hearing.

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A former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has applauded President Muhammadu Buharis Thursday address to the nation, but said the president still has some more actions to take in order to ensure a free, fair, and credible elections.

Nigerians will go to the polls on 25 February to elect Mr Buharis successor and new National Assembly members.

Afterwards, there will be another election on 11 March to elect state governors and state lawmakers across the country.

Mr Buhari, in his address, said his administrations currency designed policy has so far reduced the influence of money on the nations politics.

This is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by this administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.

I urge every citizen, therefore, to go out to vote for their candidates of choice without fear, because security shall be provided and your vote shall count, Mr Buhari said.

Mr Igini said the president was statesmanly and did not bring politics into the things he said.

The former resident electoral commissioner spoke on Thursday when he appeared as a guest on the Arise TV Morning Show, which was monitored by PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Igini said besides showing empathy towards the suffering Nigerians were going through because of the naira scarcity and his assurance that the path taken would lead the country to a promising tomorrow, the president renewed the battle cry with the respect to the need for credible elections.

What Buhari must do

He said Mr Buhari must, however, do at least three things to ensure the forthcoming elections are credible.

The president has to do the following: Have regular briefings from the head of security agencies of the country and on all the areas that have been mapped out as areas for potential violence (for the 2023 elections).

What are the specific plans? They must show to you on paper, the specific action plans to be taken.

With respect to vote-buying, which has assumed the level of epidemic, Mr President, it is now left for you, let the IG (inspector general of police) and all security agencies give to you the charges to those (security officials) who are going to be at the polling units.

On thuggery, they also have to let the president know because all flashpoints are clearly mapped out, Mr Igini said.

Mr Igini advised candidates to set up their situation rooms to prepare for the elections.

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This is the time for candidates to set up their situation room. This is because at the polling units, the system now is such that candidates, political parties are even going to get the entire collation much earlier than the INEC itself because the moment the duplicate has been given to your party agent, he will snap it and will send it to your situation room.

This election is going to be the most monitored, it is going to be the most policed by the Nigerian people, he said.

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The Government of Finland has disowned a letter attributed to its prime minister, Sanna Marin, purportedly asking a Nigerian-Finish lawyer to withdraw some controversial comments about the upcoming Nigerian general elections.

Finlands Ambassador to Nigeria Leena Pylvanainen in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, on Thursday, said it is a complete fake but unfortunately has spread very widely sadly.

According to the letter, Finlands prime minister purportedly gave a 48-hour to Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finish and headliner in the South-east Biafran agitation, to desist from encouraging Nigerians to boycott the upcoming general elections.

https://twitter.com/LeenaPylvanaine/status/1626228594417766400?s=20&t=LIprOn_cXbrPzOH5VTG_Wg

PREMIUM TIMES spotted the inconsistency in the way Mr Ekpas last name was spelt in the salutation and the uncivil tone of the letter, among other features that discredited the letter.

Ms Pylvanainen noted that her team had been busy trying to correct this false information. The first tweet was taken down by Twitter when they were alerted by authorities in Helsinki, Finland.

Sadly, retweets and screenshots now appear on different media, she said, adding that it was sad to see that many media houses had taken the letter at face value and distributed it.

Ms Pylvanainen reiterated that both countries (Finland and Nigeria) have been in communication regarding Mr Ekpa.

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She was on Tuesday summoned by Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting at which, she said, she told the ministry that she could not comment on the content of the letter. But there are definitely contacts and communication. It is a shared concern.

She noted that Finland as part of the EU attaches importance to the upcoming Nigeria election and is committed to supporting the authorities to make sure they are carried out safely and securely in all parts of the country.

This is very much a shared interest and concern and we do not condone any violence or incitement to violence or any calls to stop the election. That is of course unacceptable, Ms Pylvanainen said.

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Soldiers said to be from Lagos State have burnt down a police divisional headquarters in Ogijo, a community on the boundary with Ogun State.

The incident, which happened on Wednesday, was said to be in reprisal against the alleged killing of a soldier by a police officer from the Ogijo police station.

The angry soldiers also razed a police patrol van and an Armoured Personnel Carrier in the attack on the police station.

How trouble started

The mobile police officer and a soldier were said to have had a minor disagreement in Odongunyan in the Ikorodu area of Lagos state, which is a short distance from Ogijo.

The disagreement reportedly degenerated into the two law enforcement officers threatening to kill each other, but it was the police officer who first reached for his pistol and shot the soldier.

An eyewitness who refused to give his name over the sensitivity of the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that the soldier was pronounced dead at about 6 p.m.

Counter claims

In a post on Twitter, the Lagos State police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday made reference to the incident.

There are stories making the rounds that riots have broken out in Odonguyan, Ikorodu. We wish to clarify that the unrest is at Ogijo, Ogun State, though very close to Ikorodu, Lagos.

Our officers are at alert and would not allow any breakdown of law and order within Lagos State.

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However, speaking the incident in a telephone conversation with this newspaper, the spokesperson of the police in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, insisted that the crisis started in Odongunyan in Lagos State.

Though the cause of disagreement between the police officer and the soldier is still sketchy as I speak with you now, the incident really happened in Odongunyan area of Ikorodu, in Lagos State and when the soldiers came for reprisal attack, they came to Ogun Police station, burnt station, armoured personnel carrier and patrol vehicle.

The commandant of the barracks at Ikorodu had been contacted and he is looking into the matter, Mr Oyeyemi said.

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Gerald C. Koinyeneh with New Narratives

Monrovia  A witness testifying before a Finnish court in Monrovia has said that Gibril Massaquoi, a former commander of Sierra Leones Revolutionary United Front (RUF) was embroiled in a heated verbal standoff with Joseph Zizar Marzah, a key fighter of Charles Taylor over Massaquois alleged killings of those he called innocent Liberians at Waterside.

The witness, called by the prosecution told the Turku Appeal Court Marzah had gone to stop Massaquoi over the issue in a house near a bridge, with the two men pointing guns at each other.

The witness told the proceedings Massaquoi had indiscriminately shot and killed many civilians who had gone to purchase food items and other goods.

He said Sam Bockarie, alias General Mosquito, another former RUF commander was also on the scene, but watched the alleged scenes in silence. The witness claimed it was Benjamin Yaten, Director the Special Security Service, now Executive Protection Agency who arrived to end the quarrel.

The witness said he had gone to purchase rice down Waterside when soldiers broke into one of the stores and began to loot goods and other materials.

The said he along with many civilians also joined the soldiers. But it was not long when Massaquoi and his men arrived with a fleet of cars and began shooting indiscriminately at them.

Many people, including his elder brother died as the result of bullet wounds, he said, while the survivors, including wounded victims were taken to a bridge down Waterside.

Under the bridge, the witness said Bockarie shot and killed a girl who confronted him, and then introduced himself as Angel Gabriel.

Shortly, he said the captives were relocated to a nearby house that was also hosting Zizar Marzah and the late General Bockarie. And one of the captives, after recognizing Marzah questioned him, saying: Zizar Marzah, I know you are a Liberian. You will be here and allow strangers kill your people?

The witness said Massaquoi became furious and reached for his pistol to shoot the girl, but Marzah drew his gun, and pointing at Massaquoi told him to stop.

The standoff continues until Benjamin Yaten, alias Chief 50 arrived and told both men to stop the tussle and freed the captives, the witness said.

A guy came with a convoy and told Angel Gabriel that killing innocent people and raping women and girls was not the purpose of their mission. He told us all to get out and go. People were calling him Chief 50. Thats how we were set free.

The witness revelation of the four men, accused of aiding Taylor stunned the court.

Marzah was a star witness for the prosecution team during Taylors landmark trial at then Special Court for Sierra Leone. In his testimony, Marzah claimed Taylor and his men, including Maza himself practice cannibalism during Taylors reign of terror.

Bockarie was accused of supporting Taylor during the Liberian civil war. A witness told the Finnish District Court in 2021 that Bockarie was killed by Taylors loyalists in 2003 to stop him from testifying against Taylor at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone.

Finnish prosecutors in the ongoing appeal hearings of Gibril Massaquoi, a former commander of Sierra Leones Revolutionary United Front have expressed confidence in witnesses testifying on their behalf, despite concerns about inconsistencies in the testimonies of the witnesses.

Asked by Chief Defense Counsel Gummerus how did he know that Massaquoi, Maza, Bockarie and Yaten were together in one place, the witness said while in captivity, he was sitting by a girl identified as Jackie who knew them so well and showed them to him.

When further questioned whether there was a war in Monrovia at that time, the witness said there were skirmishes on the outskirt of Monrovia in Duala and Brewerville.

Another witness testified that Mercy, her sister, was shot dead by Massaquois men in Waterside. Sharing her ordeal, the witness said she and her sister and other friends left their Paynesville residence to get goods when Massaquoi ordered his men to open fire indiscriminately at them.

They were firing at us and my sister got hit with the bullet. I tried to pick her up but she was already dead, said the witness, choking with tears.

She said the survivors were rounded up, bundled in a vehicle and also taken to the Waterside Bridge. There, she said the captives were tortured and beaten, while some women and girls were raped.

She told the court that she was among those sent to be executed by Massaquoi, but she was saved by an old friend who was one of the executioners.

Earlier, the first witness said she sustained severe wound from one of Massaquois boys, identified as Small Soldier who attempted snatching away her waist bag containing her business money she had carried to purchase goods in Waterside.

The hearings resume on Friday with three witnesses expected to appear.

The coverage of the appeal of Massaquois acquittal is a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.

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The Court of Appeal in Awka, Wednesday, reserved its ruling on the appeal filed by the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Anambra Central District in Anambra State, Victor Umeh challenging a judgment barring him from taking part in the 2023 senatorial election in the district.

The election will be held on 25 February, about nine days away.

Disqualification

A Federal High Court, Awka, on 27 January, disqualified Mr Umeh from taking part in the election.

The judgment followed a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the same district, Uche Ekwunife.

Mr Umeh later rejected the judgment and subsequently appealed it at the Court of Appeal, Awka.

Reserved judgment

But on Wednesday, Olubunmi Oyewole, the presiding judge of the panel of the court, announced the court has reserved its judgment on the matter, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Oyewole made the announcement after counsel to the appellant and respondents adopted their written arguments.

He said the court would communicate the date for the judgment to the parties after going through their written addresses.

Alex Ejesieme, the counsel to the LP and its candidate, who relied on his written appeal dated 7 February, prayed the court to uphold the appeal and set aside the judgement of the trial court for lack of locus standi.

Mr Ejesieme cited a number of judgements on related matters including that of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Suit. No. CA/PH 480/2022, delivered on 29 November on the case between PDP vs INEC and 11 others.

He described the trial court judgment as rather unfortunate in light of the numerous decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on the subject matter.

He also prayed the court to dismiss the preliminary objection filed by the respondents, saying it was ill-conceived.

Adopting his written argument, B.E.I Nwofor, counsel to Ms Ekwunife and the PDP prayed the court to dismiss the appeal and sustain the judgement of the trial court.

Background

Mr Umeh was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and had served as the partys national chairman between 2004 and 2015.

He contested the partys primary for the district in May, but lost to Dozie Nwankwo, member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Mr Umeh congratulated Mr Dozie, saying it was the will of the people.

But in early June, he defected to the LP where he emerged as the partys senatorial candidate for the district.

However, in the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Awka, the judge, Hyeladrira Nganjiwa, disqualified Mr Umeh on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Law, saying he did not properly resign from his former party.

The LP candidate claimed he submitted his resignation to the APGA.

But the court held that there was no evidence that his resignation was received by the APGA.

The court held that Mr Umehs name was still in the membership register of the APGA as of 30 September 2022 when he contested the LPs primary.

(NAN)

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Shuaibu AbdulRaheem, the Kwara governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has pledged to replicate the development strides of Rabiu Kwankwaso when the latter was governor of Kano State.

The NNPP gubernatorial candidate made the promise on Thursday during his campaign tour to Asa Local Government Area of Kwara.

Mr AbdulRaheem, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin, reminded the Daudu of Balla during his visit to Balla, how they met in Kano during Mr Kwankwasos tenure as governor.

He said that the traditional ruler could testify to the way Mr Kwankwaso developed Kano, adding that he will do the exact thing in Kwara if given the mandate.

I will do what Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso did in Kano, in Kwara, if I am elected as the governor of the state.

Other candidates are competing in worldly materials, but I am planning to compete in terms of development with other states, he said.

Mohammed Hassan, the Olomoda of Omoda, confirmed the simplicity and dedicated nature of Mr AbdulRaheem, saying that he is a known person in the community and had always had access to his house.

The Olomoda however complained about the communitys bad road, especially the route that lead to Omoda, urging Mr AbdulRaheem to solve the problem, if elected.

Our problems are many, but our major concern is bad road because evil people are using it as an opportunity to kidnap our people, he explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NNPP governorship campaign train visited Olomoda, Aboto-Oja, Afon, Balla, Otte and other parts of Asa local government area.

(NAN)

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A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has said Nigerian governors plan to buy votes with the old Naira notes hence their objection to their redesigning.

Mr Sani stated this on Wednesday while featuring on a programme The 2023 Verdict on Channels TV.

He said there would be no objections to the Naira redesigning policy if it was done after the 2023 general elections.

The reasons governors are objecting to the redesigning of the naira notes and the cashless policy is simply because they want to buy votes with the old Naira notes, he said.

If this redesigning was done after elections, nobody from the side of those in the political authority will challenge, object or resist this,  Mr Sani said.

The governors under the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), had earlier accused the Central Bank of Nigeria of conducting a currency confiscation programme that is causing suffering for Nigerians.

The governors also called for the halting of CBNs plan to end the use of the old currency notes.

They said the current approach of the CBN raises concerns about the respect for the civil liberties and rights of Nigerians as it relates to their freedom to use legitimately earned income as they so wish.

Nigerians not carried along

Mr Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central, said the government failed to carry Nigerians along while redesigning the new Naira notes and the cashless policy.

When the National Assembly passed the bill that became an act, there was no serious debate and a wider consultation within the polity in terms of getting Nigerians to know the implications or the consequences of this redesigning.

People were not properly enlightened and they were not properly carried along and now we wake up in a day and see before us the policy that affects the life of every Nigerian, he said.

Mr Sani said the government must consult Nigerians on a such crucial and critical decision on matters of economics that affects their lives.

There is a need for that consultation, it is supposed to be done. That was a mistake, he said.

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A week after the Supreme Court ordered the Nigerian government to allow the continued use of old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, President Muhammadu Buhari has countered that order.

The Nigerian leader, in a national broadcast Thursday morning, admitted difficulties that the new currency policy is causing Nigerians, but only approved the continued use of N200 notes as a legal tender across Nigeria.

The old N200 will exist alongside the new N200 notes, he said, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will continue to mop up the old N500 and N1,000 still in the hands of Nigerians.

To further ease the supply pressures particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023, when the old N200 notes cease to be legal tender, Mr Buhari said.

In line with Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the CBN and designated points.

The initial deadline to phase out the old notes was Friday, 10 February.

The Supreme Court had last week given an interim order for the continued use of all the old notes until it finally rules on a lawsuit brought by three northern states challenging the new currency redesign.

In its sitting on Wednesday, the Supreme Court did not reverse that order, but the court adjourned the suit to 22 February.

Despite acknowledging the supreme court interim ruling in his Thursday broadcast, Mr Buhari insisted that the old note ceased to be a legal tender.

As an administration that respects the rule of law, I have also noted that the subject matter is before the courts of our land and some pronouncements have been made, he said.

The president said during the past two weeks he had listened to invaluable pieces of advice from well-meaning citizens and institutions across the nation.

I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State, the president said.

Interventions

Last Friday, the council of state advised on the need for aggressive action on the part of the central bank as it relates to the implementation of the new naira policy. The council said that the CBN should urgently make more new notes available or recirculate the old notes.

Parts of Nigeria have descended into chaos in recent weeks, with long queues at ATM points and fights breaking out inside commercial banks as customers demanded access to their own money.

Violent protests have been recorded in Ogun, Oyo, Edo and Akwa Ibom in the countrys south, and social media is awash with lamentations of suffering Nigerians who are not able to access their funds for transactions.

The president said Thursday that he sympathises with citizens over the difficulties being experienced in the implementation of new monetary policies. However, he also blamed unscrupulous officials in the banking industry for being inefficient.

To stem this tide, I have directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that our citizens are adequately educated on the policy; enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through the availability of appropriate amounts of currency; and ability to make deposits. Mr Buhari said

I have similarly directed that the CBN should intensify collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, to ensure that any institution or person(s) found to have impeded or sabotaged the implementation should be made to bear the full weight of the law.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday said the new monetary policy of his administration has contributed to the minimisation of the influence of money in politics.

Despite the poor implementation of the policy, Mr Buhari said the redesign of the high denominations of the naira is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by his administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.

I am aware that this new monetary policy has also contributed immensely to the minimisation of the influence of money in politics, he said.

This is a positive departure from the past and represents a bold legacy step by this administration, towards laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections.

Nigerians will elect a new president and federal lawmakers on 25 February while state elections will be held on 11 March.

I urge every citizen therefore, to go out to vote for their candidates of choice without fear, because security shall be provided and your vote shall count, Mr Buhari said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid violence and actions capable of disrupting the electoral processes.

I wish us all a successful General Elections, the outgoing president said.

Details later

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A Federal High Court in Abakaliki has disbanded Ebubeagu Security Network in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria.

The security outfit was created through legislation by the Ebonyi House of Assembly, following the April 2021 resolution of the South-east governors to set up the outfit in the five states of the region to complement the effort of the security agencies in the fight against the upsurge in crimes.

The Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi inaugurated the Ebubeagu in December 2021.

The judge, Riman Fatun, in his ruling on Tuesday, declared Ebubeagus activities illegal and ordered the State Security Service and the Nigeria Police to collect all the weapons in possession of the security outfit, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Mr Fatun said the disbandment was due to the human rights abuses, extortions, illegal arrests and use of firearms allegedly perpetuated by the outfit.

I hereby declare the Ebubeagu outfit illegal and therefore, it ceases to exist as Ebonyi State House of Assembly has no powers to approve their existence, he stated.

The court judgement followed a suit filed by a former commissioner for information in the state, Abia Onyike, alleging that he was abducted and tortured by Ebubeagu operatives in November last year in Abakaliki.

Mr Onyike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is an opposition party in the state.

He is the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Council in the state for the forthcoming general elections.

Friday Nnanna, the commander of the security outfit in the state, would later explain that the former commissioner was arrested by Ebubeagu operatives in error but was released immediately after he was identified.

The court, as a part of its judgement, ordered the Ebonyi State Government to pay N50 million to Mr Onyike as damages for his abduction and torture by the Ebubeagu.

Michael Odo, counsel to Mr Onyike, told reporters that his client approached the court to seek a determination on, whether the Ebonyi State House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to enact a law establishing such a security outfit.

I am happy over the judgement and today, justice has been done to my client, Mr Odo said.

The counsel to the state government was not available to speak with reporters after the judgment.

The position of law

Bulus Atsen, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, told PREMIUM TIMES that the court ruling was in line with the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended which confers on the federal government the exclusive powers of policing.

I am inclined to agree with that position to the extent that policing falls under the exclusive legislative list in which case only the federal government or the national assembly can legislate on it, he said.

Mr Atsen, a former chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, said although there have been calls for a constitutional amendment to allow state governments to have their police in the states, the calls have not been heeded yet.

So, until then, state legislations cannot establish a security outfit in a state or region, the lawyer stated, citing item 45 in part one of Schedule two of the constitution.

Ebonyi govt reacts

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Government said it would appeal the court ruling.

The State Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, during a press conference in Abakaliki on Wednesday, described the judgement as a clear case of miscarriage of justice brought about by sheer misapplication and misinterpretation of the law and abuse of court process.

A video clip of the press conference was made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Wednesday night.

The duties of Ebubeagu Security Outfit are that of community policing protected by the laws which are in line with Section 14 of the Constitution that empowers the government of every state to ensure that they take all necessary steps to ensure that the welfare and the security of that state are guaranteed. And they have done that perfectly well, Mr Orji, a lawyer, said.

The Government of Ebonyi State will not hesitate to take the matter up to the Supreme Court to know who is right in this circumstance, the commissioner added.

He argued that the government did not violate any constitutional provision in the way and manner the security outfit was established, including the arguments by the court concerning the exclusive legislative list.

Having studied the nitty-gritty of that judgment, the legal team of the state government is already on appeal. They are filing a motion for stay of execution and also to appeal on the matter, he said.

(NAN)

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, says no fewer than 310, 973 personnel of the Nigeria Police will be deployed for the forthcoming elections.

Mr Baba disclosed this on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while featuring in the 66th session of State House Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.

He said that other security agencies including the State Security Services (DSS), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), EFCC, the military among others would also deploy their personnel to complement the police.

According to him, the police have put in place operational and tactical measures to achieve a peaceful electioneering atmosphere in Nigeria.

The perfection of our election security governance action plan is guided by two key principles.

First is to police the election adversaries comprising criminal elements and misguided political elements that could pose political threats to the process.

The second is to police peace loving citizens in a manner that will give them the confidence in the democratic system and encourage them to come out and exercise their franchise freely and without molestation.

So, these are the two poles security provisions that we intend to do.

Mr Baba said the deployments had been planned to cover the air through the Police Air Wing which would be closely supported by the Nigerian Air Force.

He said that the inland waterways and riverine areas would be manned by the Nigeria Police Marine in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy.

READ ALSO:

The IGP said the land would be covered by the special police units, conventional and other forces from the police and other security agencies including the military.

According to Mr Baba, a National Election Security Threat Analysis has been conducted to identify potential threats.

With the aid of our efficient and informed human operational and logistics deployment plan, we have undertaken an election security threat analysis which identifies and prioritises possible threats to the electoral process in terms of locations and specific personalities and groups across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

The force is also leveraging on the outcomes of similar exercises undertaken and shared with us by the Department of State Services and civil society organisations particularly, Cleen Foundation.

The operational plan of the force is the product of these initiatives.

The police boss said INEC records indicated that there existed 176, 846 polling units in 8, 809 wards of the 36 states of the federation and FCT where the elections would be conducted.

He said that the police with the support of other security agencies had perfected plans to deploy in a coordinated and collaborative manner, to cover all these locations.

The deployment will cover the National Collation Centre in Abuja as well as other collation centres across the states, the 774 Local Government Areas and the FCT.

In view of the above, the Nigeria Police will deploy 310, 973 personnel for the election security operations.

This will comprise conventional policemen, mobile policemen, the Special Counter-Terrorism Unit, the Special Forces, Intelligence Response Team and other sections of the Nigeria Police.

The manpower requirement for this exercise will be complemented by the military and other security agencies.

In this regard, aside from the military and the DSS, other security agencies will contribute a total of 93, 495 personnel for the election security operations.

These include the NSCDC which will deploy to the police, 51,000 personnel, the Federal Road Safety Corps, 21,000, the Nigerian Correctional Service, 11, 336, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 9447, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 350, totaling 404,106 to police the election.

Mr Baba said that with the layout, a minimum of two personnel drawn from the listed agencies would be jointly deployed to man each of the polling units across the country.

He said that the armed personnel would secure the public space, INEC facilities, vulnerable locations, border areas as well as undertake armed escort duties for INEC personnel, materials and local and international observers.

We also expect the military to complement the operations by providing armed protection to critical national assets, ensuring that the enforcement of movements is curtailed by blocking the exit and entry points to various states, local governments among others, he said.

(NAN)

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the pronouncement by President Muhammadu Buhari on the naira policy as disregard of rule of law because it is short of the order of the Supreme Court.

Mr Gbajabiamila said this on Thursday in a statement by his spokesperson, Lanre Lasisi.

On Thursday morning, Mr Buhari, in a nationwide broadcast, said he had instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reintroduce the old N200 note until 10 April, while the old N1,000 and N500 had stopped being legal tender.

The Supreme Court had in an interim order on 8 February ordered the central bank to suspend the 10 February deadline on the currency, but the CBN disregarded the order and insisted on the deadline.

In the statement, Mr Gbajabiamila said the extension of the legal status of the N200 note is a step in the right direction, and he hopes it helps curb Nigerians suffering. He, however, noted that it is short of the directive of the Supreme Court.

He noted that the federal government could not afford situations that suggest a wanton disregard for the rule of law.

It is not to the benefit of our country for the federal government to act in ways that suggest a wanton disregard for the rule of law. It will be better for us to strictly adhere to the courts order in this matter pending the adjudication of the substantive suit, he said.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the inability of the governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, to listen to counsel caused the scarcity of the naira.

He argued that if Mr Emefiele had followed section 20 of the CBN Act, the policy would have gone seamlessly.

Citizens and visitors are experiencing grave and unnecessary hardship across our country. They spend hours and days queuing at banks and teller machines to receive stipends of their own money to afford lifes necessities.

This situation is a consequence of the flawed implementation of the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It is also the result of decisions made by the Central Banks Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to refuse counsel, be guided by precedent or abide by the decisions of superior courts.

According to the Speaker, the CBN has failed woefully in its statutory obligation to pay the face value of the recalled currency in the form that is useful to the citizens whose current suffering could have been avoided.

The current scarcity of cash is happening because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not sufficiently replace the old currency it pulled out of circulation across the country. This created an artificial scarcity that put significant additional pressure on the already epileptic electronic banking channels, resulting in a near-complete collapse of trade in the country, he said.

The Supreme Court is due to hear the case filed by the governments of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States on 22 February.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how seven other states, on Wednesday, joined the suit challenging the federal governments decision on the new naira notes. Two other states, however, joined to oppose the suit.

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The Central Bank of Nigerias repayments on a cumulative $10.4 billion forex loan from banks could take longer than agreed, rating agency Moodys said Thursday.

The development comes as Nigeria faces a dollar crunch that threatens lenders liquidity and could ultimately weaken their capital.

If Nigeria chooses to fully honour its dollar obligations, the payments would wipe off almost one-third of the foreign reserves of Africas largest economy, which stood at $36.8 billion as of 14 February.

The concern the report is highlighting here is that there is a lot of foreign currency pressure here and there, oil revenue is not coming as expected and all that, a Lagos-based credit analyst, who doesnt want his name mentioned, told PREMIUM TIMES.

The chance that it will happen is very slim but if it does happen, it has to put a lot of strain on banks and their FX liquidity position.

The money the CBN owes the banks are funds in the form of derivative transactions comprising forwards contracts and swaps, according to Lynn Merhi and Mik Kabeya, analysts at Moodys.

The central bank has a strong track record of repaying the FX it owes to the banks, but at a time of acute FX shortages, there is increased risk that it would extend the life of some contracts, postponing repayment, Moodys said in a note.

READ ALSO:

That could pressure lenders and complicate the liquidity crisis should the companies they supply forex by way of trade finance default, according to the rating agency.

The lending by Nigerian banks for trade finance purposes last year came to $9.8 billion, meaning it made up more than half of banks liquid foreign exchange assets.

A material delay in repayment could lead to the banks facing their own foreign-currency shortages and could constrain their ability to repay their own foreign currency liabilities, Moodys stated.

Companies get trade finance facilities from lenders to import or engage in international trade.

The process requires them to apply to the CBN for foreign exchange which often takes a while, often causing them to approach banks thereafter to meet that need pending the time the apex bank releases the fund. When the CBN provides the money, it goes to the banks to settle the exposure.

At the end of the day, the banks will get the brunt of it because, on the one hand, you have raised a commitment to an international counterparty abroad that if this guy doesnt give you your money on so so date I will be the one to give it to you, the Lagos-based credit analyst said.

So if a company that is into imports default on its obligation, the bank will have to step in. Meanwhile if the CBN also defaults, if it doesnt give the banks their FX when they want it, the bank is pressured. Ultimately, the bank is at the receiving end.

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In what could very well pass as an endorsement, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a man that is desperately needed in Nigeria.

Mr Wike described Mr Tinubu as a man with character and courage.

He stated this on Wednesday at Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving Mr Tinubu, who visited him shortly after the APC presidential rally in the state.

Kelvin Ebiri, the spokesperson to the governor, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

I wish you good luck, the governor was quoted as saying to Mr Tinubu. I support the principle of fairness, equity and justice and that is what G5 stands (for). G5 does not stand for anybody.

In Mr Tinubus delegation to the governor were his running mate, Kashim Shettima; the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and the governors of Kebbi, Abubakar Bagudu, Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Ebonyi, David Umahi.

Others were the former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

Despite his seeming endorsement of Mr Tinubu, Governor Wike advised the APC leadership not to invest its resources in the APC candidates in the state, warning that they would not win a single position in the general elections.

This development is coming a few days after the Rivers chapter of the APC accused Mr Wike of making moves to join the party through the backdoor.

The APC in the state accused Mr Wike of discreetly asking his political appointees to canvass votes across the state for the APC presidential candidate.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers has made a similar allegation.

Back story

Mr Wike, a member of the PDP, was among the 12 presidential aspirants of the party who were defeated by the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the partys presidential primary election in May last year.

Since then Mr Wike has led four other PDP governors in an internal rebellion against Mr Atiku and the PDP national leadership.

The G5, which Mr Wike and the other governors formed, has been demanding the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to pave the way for a southerner to lead the PDP in order to achieve a regional balance.

Besides Mr Wike vowing that Mr Atiku would not win the 25 February presidential election in Rivers, the supporters of the PDP presidential candidate have been violently attacked in the state, forcing the party to cancel its presidential campaign rally in the state.

Mr Wikes seeming endorsement of Mr Tinubu is considered an anti-climax after the Rivers governor kept Nigerians guessing who he was likely going to support in the forthcoming presidential election.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Chris Finebone, told PREMIUM TIMES last week that he could neither confirm nor refute the claim that Governor Wike had directed political appointees in the state to canvass votes for Mr Tinubu.

The high-wire politics of Governor Wike is beyond the infantile understanding of little chaps in Rivers APC and their collaborators. Hence, the different wild conjectures. The governor holds (all) the aces and is always ahead of them, he said.

Governor Wike and all of us remain solid members of PDP. Losing sleep over who we will vote for president shouldnt be their headache but if they had chosen to do so, so be it, he added.

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has handed over 3,980 arms, 2,358 ammunition and 1,057 cartridges recovered from criminals to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

Handing over the items to NCCSALW on Thursday in Abuja, the IGP said the small arms and light weapons were recovered by the police in various operations across the country.

The IGP was represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Mohammed Dan-Malam.

He said the arms and ammunitions include 265 automatic rifles, 146 pump action guns, 1,909 locally fabricated pistols, 1,500 locally made single barrel guns and 98 locally made double barrel guns.

Others were 46 general purpose machine guns, 16 locally made rocket launchers, two locally made anti-craft guns, seven rocket propelled grenade, 2,358 assorted ammunitions and 1,057 assorted cartridges

Mr Baba said proliferation of small arms and light weapons was a major threat to the peace and security of the country.

According to him, violence, banditry, secessionist movement, armed robbery, kidnapping and communal clashes are fuelled by proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

It is in this regard that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, established the NCCSALW to curb the threats of the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition trafficking.

The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership have been evaluating and revaluating our operational strategies while strengthening our institutional capacity.

This is in relation to the generation of actionable intelligence and the conduct of special operations directed at proactively checking this menace, he said.

Mr Baba said the police, which is the lead agency in internal security, has been in the forefront of mopping up weapons from criminal syndicates and members of the public.

In his remark, the NCCSALW National Coordinator, Mohammed Dikko, a retired major general, said the centre was established two years ago with the mandate to mop up illicit arms and ammunition.

According to him, in pursuit of this mandate, the centre has been collaborating with security agencies to rid the society of the catalyst that fuel criminalities and other vices.

Mr Dikko said the first collection of illicit weapon by the centre was in Bauchi State where the handover was done by the police commissioner in charge of the state.

This to say that beside today, one of the key institutions of government within the security architecture that has continued to support the efforts of government through NCCSALW, is the Nigeria Police.

I want to thank the IGP for his magnanimity, professionalism and doggedness in ensuring that he supports the NCCSALW in the discharge of its mandate.

We are here to receive some of the weapons that have been seized by the Nigeria Police in the course of their legitimate duty.

We shall continue to retrieve these weapons from the various police commands across the country, he said.

The national coordinator said banditry, kidnapping cattle rustling, terrorism and other criminalities were fuelled by illicit weapons.

In our efforts to remove these weapons from circulation, we shall continue to partner with all security and intelligence agencies to nip this in the bud.

What we have received today will form part of the decision making process to segregate those that are serviceable and those unserviceable.

Identify those that were illegally brought into Nigeria and those traded into the country through third and fourth parties, he said.

Mr Dikko said that NCCSALW also has the mandate to issue serviceable weapons back to security agencies for the protection of lives and property of citizen.

In that respect, I can assure the Nigeria Police that the weapons being handed over today will be made to go through due diligence.

We will seek approval for those that will add value to your operations to be handed over back to you to enhance your operations, he added.

(NAN)

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The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, says the redesign of the naira notes has made all contestants for political positions poor.

Mr Kwankwaso added that now that he and his opponents are in the same financial standing, it will be easy for him to win the election.

Mr Kwankwaso, who was speaking on Wednesday during a programme on Dandal Kura Radio in Maiduguri, Borno State, said people were ridiculing him for not being rich to be contesting to be president.

He said the redesign policy of the federal government has made everybody, including his rivals in the presidential contest, poor.

Weve been hearing people ridiculing me saying Rabiu Kwankwaso doesnt have money (for the campaign) today the president has made all of us poor in the contest. So were all poor and now the same, Mr Kwankwaso said in Hausa.

Speaking on his chances, Mr Kwankwaso said he proved his capacity when he served as a two-term governor, minister and senator.

He said Nigerians would not be voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the parties have nothing new to offer.

Mr Kwankwaso, who was a minister of defence, also ridiculed Atiku Abubakar, the PDPs presidential candidate, saying he once won a presidential contest against the former Vice President.

He said he would easily beat Atiku because he did that in the 2014 APC presidential primary election when they all lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2015(sic), I contested for the presidential ticket (APC), Muhammadu Buhari defeated me but I defeated Atiku Abubakar, he said.

Not the first time

Mr Kwankwaso on 27 January this year said he didnt believe the naira redesign was meant to disrupt the ambition of the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu, as top APC members are claiming. He told Arise News during an interview that Mr Tinubu was merely looking for an excuse for his imminent loss during the poll.

Im not sure if thats correct. Im not sure if thats not a defence. We were very suspicious of that statement (Mr Tinubu saying the naira redesign aimed at sabotaging him) because all that we know weve seen the president (Mr Buhari) all other ministers and everybody going around to campaign for him (Mr Tinubu) or for their party. Now, for him to come and make this statement it looks to me like ridiculous, he said.

Mr Kwankwaso, however, said the new naira policy is bad for the country.

All I know is (the naira redesign policy) is not good for the country. Nigerians deserve to live in peace with love from their leaders. But inflicting any difficulty on Nigerians, I believe is not good for even the leaders themselves

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Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has given reason for his recent calls to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The governor first made a public appeal on 14 January for the unconditional and immediate release of the IPOB leader during the campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Awka.

I am making a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. If he cannot be released unconditionally, I want him released to me and I will stand surety for him, the governor had said.

Why Im making the calls for Kanus release

Speaking on Tuesday during the Anambra Day of Tribute, an event held in honour of late Nigerias former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, Mr Soludo repeated the call for Mr Kanus release.

The governor explained that he has been making the call because he believes Mr Kanus release would help expose criminals who carry out attacks in the South-east under the guise of Biafra agitation.

Some gunmen said to be part of the IPOBs agitation in the South-east, have been carrying out deadly attacks mainly on government facilities and security agencies in the region.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

My goal in calling for Nnamdi Kanus release is to separate the chaff from the substance. When he (Kanu) is released, we will know who the true agitation fighters and criminals are.

This is why Im pleading for his release, not because his release will automatically end insecurity (in the South-east), Mr Soludo was quoted as saying by his spokesperson, Christian Aburime.

The governor, in May, visited the IPOB leader at the facility of Nigerias secret police, State Security Service, in Abuja, explaining that the visit was part of his wider consultations with critical stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in the South-east.

When I visited Nnamdi Kanu in prison, I told him about how criminals posing as freedom fighters were kidnapping and killing people. He called it an abomination, Mr Soludo recalled.

Arrest

Mr Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but was granted bail in April 2017. He fled the country after an invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, by the Nigerian military in September of that year.

He was re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021, about four years after he fled the country.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13 October, held that the IPOB leader was extra-ordinarily renditioned to Nigeria and that the action was a flagrant violation of the countrys extradition treaty and also a breach of his fundamental human rights.

The court, therefore, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Mr Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from the custody of the SSS.

But the government refused to release the IPOB leader, insisting that he (Kanu) could be unavailable in subsequent court proceedings if released and that his release would cause insecurity in the South-east.

The government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, later appealed the court ruling and subsequently obtained an order for a stay of execution of the court judgement at the Supreme Court.

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The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, urged Nigerians to comply with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the successful implementation of the currency redesign policy.

The CBN governor also said the bank has directed all commercial banks to make all old N200 notes readily available to Nigerians.

Speaking to state house correspondents after a meeting with the president and the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on new naira redesign and naira swap policy, Mr Emefiele disclosed that he had met with about 15 bank heads.

The new directive is expected to increase the circulation of the N200 note and ease business transactions in Nigerias cash-based economy.

Earlier on Thursday, as part of measures to ease the hardship being faced by Nigerians due to the cash crunch, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the continued usage of the old N200 notes.

To further ease the supply pressures, particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023, to April 10, 2023, when the old N200 notes cease to be legal tender, the president said in a broadcast.

Reacting to the new development, the CBN governor appealed to Nigerians to allow the policy to work.

I can only appeal to Nigerians, lets allow this policy to work. This policy is one that goes to solve the problem of reducing corruption and illicit financial flows.

This policy goes to resolve some of the problems in the economy, and also goes to reduce the issue of insecurity in the country. These three issues which are the tripod of this administration policy are all embedded in this policy.

There are some temporary pains but I can assure Nigerians that the long-run benefit to Nigerians is overwhelming and we should just give it a chance to work, he said.

Buharis broadcast

In his Thursday broadcast, Mr Buhari acknowledged the hardship Nigerians face due to the challenges associated with the implementation of the new notes.

I am deeply pained and sincerely sympathize with you all, over these unintended outcomes, he said.

To address the concerns, the president said he has directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that citizens are adequately educated on the policy, enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through the availability of appropriate amounts of currency, and facilitate deposits.

The CBN had on 26 October 2022 announced its intention to redesign the 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes to tackle corruption and counterfeiting.

Since the notes were unveiled, Nigerians across different parts of the country have been struggling to access them from banks and ATM cash points.

Last week, the Supreme Court gave a restraining order barring the implementation of the 10 February deadline set by the CBN to phase out the old notes.

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The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Muhammed Barde, says the state vigilance group, Ebubeagu, will not be part of the security organisations to be deployed for election duties.

Mr Barde gave the assurance during a one-day interactive meeting with the members of the public and the signing of a peace accord organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri on Thursday.

This issue of security personnel who wear black and black, we have reasons for it, but I assure you that on Election Day, you will only see Policemen in full uniform.

I want to assure Imo people that the Ebubeagu will not be part of the election, Mr Barde said.

The CP said the police would continue to stem politically-motivated violence, killings and kidnappings, warning that politicians who hire thugs and arm them to wreak havoc would be dealt with.

He urged candidates and political parties who might feel aggrieved during and after the elections to seek redress through legal means rather than taking to violence.

As a security agency, all the political parties belong to us. This forthcoming election, by the grace of the Almighty, will be free, fair and credible.

I will like to urge all the politicians to go close to their Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders who are closer and who could answer your complaints accordingly, Mr Barde advised.

The police chief also advised residents to call the phone numbers 08034773600 and 08098880197, in case of emergencies.

Also speaking, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sylvia Agu reaffirmed INECs readiness to conduct the general election.

Ms Agu assured all political parties and candidates in the state that the commission would not undermine the election process, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

She urged the various political parties to deploy credible and vigilant party agents to polling booths to monitor the elections.

Do not be afraid of fake ballot papers because INEC has a customised ballot papers for this election, Ms Agu added.

READ ALSO: Ebubeagu operative shot dead at APC campaign ground

The REC, who noted that the violent attacks on supporters of political parties necessitated the signing of the peace accord, called on security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute violators of the accord.

Earlier, the state chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, John Iwuala, raised concerns over the use of the Ebubeagu security outfit for the election.

Also, the state Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Iyke Umeh, expressed concern over insecurity in the state ahead of the general elections.

According to him, many of his party faithful had died from attacks allegedly perpetrated by opposition parties.

(NAN)

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The United Kingdom said Thursday it is concerned about voter suppression and post election violence in the Nigerian election.

What we are probably most worried about is voter suppression, trying to prevent people from actually going out to exercise their votes. Perhaps the thing we are most worried about is post-election violence as we saw when Jonathan took over, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing said.

Addressing the press at her residence in Abuja, she stated the need for leaders of various political parties to dissuade their supporters from such violence, adding that if any of the supporters feel the election was stolen and their candidate should have won, there is a risk of violence.

It is really important for Nigerias democracy that people respect the results and if you feel for any reason the election in your area was not credible or transparent, there is a process and that is the court, she said.

Emphasising the powers of the courts, Ms Laing noted the need for judges to not be put under pressure, to act impartially and to look objectively at the evidence and rule in accordance with the rule of law.

The judges must be seen to be acting fairly and impartially, she added.

The absolute foundation of democracy is the rule of law and the rule of law gives people confidence, Ms Laing said.

In spite of these concerns, she said the UK is very confident that Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, and the security agencies are well prepared for the elections.

Nigeria should be very proud as it has stuck with democracy since 1999. This is an achievement that should not be underestimated considering the region you are in, with many countries experiencing coups, presidents refusing to step down, she said.

There are 14 candidates contesting in the Nigerian presidential election with four considered frontline presidential candidates. The four frontline candidates are Bola Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP.

The West African country will hold its presidential election on 25 February and state elections on 11 March.

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I therefore echo the well-thought-through position of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on this matter, and in tandem with the Council of States resolution; bring back the old currency and let it run side-by-side the new ones for a while, as the new ones are being printed. Not all the withdrawn old currencies have been destroyed. Suspend or significantly reduce e-banking charges of all sorts. This will serve as a great incentive. Get the banks on your side

I had written about the efficacy of following the money by changing the currency in order to give Nigerias many organised criminals  kidnappers, bandits, drug-dealers, and of course some heavily-corrupt civil servants and politicians  some hard times, months before the Buhari government eventually came up with the idea in October 2022. When the project was announced, therefore, I was quite elated, though alarm bells rang that it could be too close to an election. Despite the political connotation, I had the confidence that the person I support (Bola Tinubu) is a quintessential politician who had invested in people for decades and so no matter what, he will be successful.

As things have turned out, the implementation has shown that there were many psychologies that were underestimated/mismanaged and perhaps a few black swans showed up in terms of our peoples reaction to the policy. There are behaviours that are peculiar to us as Nigerians, which showed up and messed up the policy as it now is. I mean, how could the project managers in charge have estimated the demand for cash for owambe (spraying) purposes, and how this will trump the real demand for legitimate transactions? How much weight should have been assigned to this? How could planners have estimated the power of the politicians who were targeted, to get to bank managers and, as alleged, make the deals that ensured that the initial billions released by the central bank simply disappeared like a puff of smoke? Still the project has gone the way it went  we could say it has failed, because not only did the Supreme Court have to wade in, but also the Council of State, which includes every state governor. This was largely in reaction to how the implementation phase unleashed great agony on the poorest Nigerians. This was certainly not part of the plan.

The plan was certainly not to let poor people queue for hours at ATMs. And the plan was not all about strict implementation of the cashless policy. Cashless-ness in monetary policy is a relative phenomenon. There is nowhere in the world that is cashless. A central bank could plan to increase electronic transactions by a certain percentage. However, because of the unforetold scarcity of cash, people thronged banking halls to set up electronic banking and whatnot. It was a case of e-banking or die. But there are still millions of Nigerians who would never be able to get used to gadgets and codes and keyboards. Those ones are at the very bottom of our economic ladder. They were most hit; and very unfairly too. They were the farmers who had to sell for cheap what they spent many months to grow and tend, harvest and transport, just to get a little of the cash that they were used to. They were the ones without any type of bank account anywhere. They were the micro retailers in the forgotten areas of Nigeria who saw zero sales for days because of this policy. Even beggars who survived on little alms had to go hungry. Its been a very stressful time for many people. A policy that punishes this category of people should not be whitewashed at all. What have these folks ever done to deserve this punishment as the rest of us luxuriate in our airconditioned offices, fiddling with our apps?

Apart from those who did not support the policy at the beginning but then became its most ardent advocates as people queued up and suffered, some even taking government to court, and some fringe political parties who swore to boycott the elections, some barbs must go the way of those politicians who it has been alleged went for the policy to specifically dim the chances of Bola Tinubu. The central bank must never be used as political contraceptive  to abort somebodys ambition.

I moved around and collected first-hand data myself, not to rely on what other people reported. Every six hours I drove past the same banks and also visited a few that I had accounts in. It was bedlam for the most part. People mobbed around ATMs that disbursed little, then went dry. In parts of Nigeria, people went ballistic and miscreants started destroying banks. When things got to that level, be sure the policy had tanked. In all of that, our people still played politics. I recall wondering why members of the smaller political parties did not support the policy in the beginning, after all they were supposed to have less access to cash-for-votes. The bigger parties I could understand; the argument against the policy from a political angle was hard to make. For if you pushed too hard, someone will accuse you of seeking to bribe voters on election day. What I reckon most people did not envisage was that there will be an acute scarcity of cash. This scarcity has not only stressed many Nigerians, thus making the task of the ruling party and its candidate harder, but some analysts now say that the stress has really softened up millions of voters, such that they need even less money to sell their votes.

Apart from those who did not support the policy at the beginning but then became its most ardent advocates as people queued up and suffered, some even taking government to court, and some fringe political parties who swore to boycott the elections, some barbs must go the way of those politicians who it has been alleged went for the policy to specifically dim the chances of Bola Tinubu. The central bank must never be used as political contraceptive  to abort somebodys ambition. This is egregious. Some barbs must also be sent the way of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which may have underestimated the capabilities of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, and relied on what must have now shown up to be false data.

A lot of my modern, well-educated friends like to swear by data. There is a saying oft-repeated that, In God I Trust, for everything else I need data. However, from the nadir of knowledge in econometrics, we are taught that many times, data tells us nothing. Nigerias data is especially fraught with inconsistencies, political machinations, inefficiencies, historical errors, and what have you. Rely on that totally at your own peril. I understand that the CBN relied heavily on its estimation of money supply, individual bank balances, average withdrawals at ATMs and what have you. They didnt reckon with people who went around collecting hundreds of ATM cards and ended up emptying many of such machines in order to do arbitrage business. There were things that happened in the interregnum that could be considered as unknown unknowns in the strategy sessions of the CBN. Perhaps the bank could have backtracked earlier, having been allegedly licked by the politicians and their cohorts, but for the political overtone from the president, who was working on a legacy. Perhaps the idea could have been implemented months or years earlier by the CBN as an independent policy targeted at cleaning and reenergising the monetary space, sans political meddling.

intensify sensitisation and education. The CBN executives who went upcountry found out there was a huge communication gap from the get-go. The policy is great and can still be rescued. There already seems to be less pressure on the FX side of things, demand for small bribes seem to be reducing, more people are embracing e-channels, but the pain and shock for our most-vulnerable should never be ignored or taken for granted.

And what do we do about our banking superstructure and architecture? I met someone who works in GTBank, who did not know that the bank was a super elite bank in the early 90s. I wonder why such a bank will today be led by a Britico, Segun Agbaje, but it is worse than an open market in terms of ambience, once you get into the building. It used to be that each GTBanking hall had a grand piano, with a professional pianist belling out the classics back in the day when they had a dream. And then Soludo came with consolidation, telling banks to forget their dreams and do every business. In time, banks were selling recharge cards and kpofkpof. In the banking halls  whatever brought the profits. Later on, banks started strategising that retail was the way forward. I never understood how having a surfeit of salary accounts from ministries, with millions of low-paid workers thronging your offices, would be a great vision. I left the sector. Today, even the deployment of ATMs and electronic sources have not solved the problem. Its such a mess. I think we need microfinance and community banks back  with clear mandates to mobilise savings and also grant loans to initiatives that add value to our raw materials. They are the ones that should house these small accounts.

I therefore echo the well-thought-through position of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on this matter, and in tandem with the Council of States resolution; bring back the old currency and let it run side-by-side the new ones for a while, as the new ones are being printed. Not all the withdrawn old currencies have been destroyed. Suspend or significantly reduce e-banking charges of all sorts. This will serve as a great incentive. Get the banks on your side  none of the bank MDs were seen moving around their branches, even in Lagos, to ensure the right thing was done. Also, draft in FINTECHs and any entity that could help ease the snafu. Be sure the Mint is not messing you up. Let us not deceive ourselves. And lastly, intensify sensitisation and education. The CBN executives who went upcountry found out there was a huge communication gap from the get-go. The policy is great and can still be rescued. There already seems to be less pressure on the FX side of things, demand for small bribes seem to be reducing, more people are embracing e-channels, but the pain and shock for our most-vulnerable should never be ignored or taken for granted.

Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, entrepreneur, and recent presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com.

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The Nigerian music industry is one of the most vibrant, exciting, and rapidly growing music scenes in the world. With a rich history spanning over a century, Nigerias music industry has evolved in many ways to become a symbol of Nigerian culture and a major contributor to the countrys economy.

From traditional folk music to Afropop and hip-hop, the countrys music scene has become a global sensation. The Nigerian music industry is now home to some of the worlds most successful, iconic, and influential artists, and its influence continues to grow. This blog post will explore just how big the Nigerian music industry is. We will discuss the industrys history, its current state, and its future potential.

We will analyze the value of the industry to the countrys economy and look at the ways in which it has evolved to become the global phenomenon it is today. We will also explore the impact that the industry has had on Nigerian culture and the global music scene. Finally,

Nigerian music industry is the second largest in Africa

The Nigerian music industry is the second largest in Africa, with a thriving music scene that is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. With a vast array of genres, including afrobeat, fuji, hip-hop, and afro-fusion, the industry has grown exponentially in recent years.

Nigerian artists are regularly sought out by major international labels, while the industry has also seen the emergence of a number of independent labels. This has helped to create a vibrant and diverse music scene, with internationally renowned artists such as Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy having achieved success across the world.

The industry generates over $2 billion in revenue per year

As of 2021, the Nigerian music industry is a massive economic force. The industry generates over $2 billion in revenue per year, making it one of the largest music industries in the world. This industry is growing rapidly and is projected to continue to grow over the coming years. Furthermore, this growth is driven by an increase in digital streaming and downloads, which account for the majority of revenue generated. The industry also employs thousands of people, providing jobs and income to numerous people across the country.

Nigeria has over 500 music producers, over 1000 record labels, and over 50 radio stations

The Nigerian music industry is an expansive and ever-evolving industry that provides a unique outlet for the countrys creative talents. It is estimated that there are over 500 music producers, over 1000 record labels, and over 50 radio stations currently operating in Nigeria. These figures are an indication of the scale and scope of the industry, and it is likely that the industry will continue to grow in size and influence in the years to come.

Nigerian music has over 30 million monthly listeners worldwide

Nigerian music is a major force in the world music industry, with over 30 million monthly listeners worldwide. This is a testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the people of Nigeria and the impact they have had on the global music industry.

Nigerian music is a unique blend of traditional rhythms and modern influences, creating a unique sound that has been embraced by audiences all over the world. This listener base has been growing rapidly in recent years, as more people around the world continue to discover and enjoy the sounds of Nigerian music.

Music streaming services such as Boomplay, iTunes, and Spotify have contributed to the growth of the industry

The Nigerian music industry has significantly grown in recent years, and this is largely attributed to the presence of music streaming services such as Boomplay, iTunes, and Spotify. These services have made it much easier for artists to reach audiences all over the world, increasing their chances of success.

Furthermore, streaming services have provided a platform for artists to monetize their music, which has enabled them to make a living from their craft. These streaming services have also allowed fans access to music in an affordable, convenient manner, making it easier for them to discover new music and artists. All these factors have contributed to the incredible growth and success of the Nigerian music industry.

The genre of Afrobeats has become increasingly popular worldwide

The Nigerian music industry has experienced a surge in popularity due to the emergence of the genre Afrobeats. This genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, not only in Nigeria, but also in other parts of the world.

In fact, it has become a leading musical force in the international music industry, from the UK to the US, and from Canada to Australia. This trend has been fueled by the work of popular Nigerian musicians such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Tiwa Savage. This has further driven collaboration between Nigerian artists and international acts, creating a unique sound that is resonating with global audiences.

Nigerian music festivals, such as Felabration, are held annually to celebrate the music

Nigerian music festivals, such as Felabration, are held annually to celebrate the music of internationally renowned Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti. This annual festival, which takes place in October in Lagos, Nigeria, attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

It features a host of Nigerian artists, including some of the worlds most prominent Afrobeat groups and has become an integral part of Nigerian music culture. These festivals serve to promote the music of Fela Kuti and the Nigerian music industry, providing both local and international audiences with a platform to experience and appreciate the countrys music.

Nigerian musicians have won numerous awards and have collaborated with international artists

The Nigerian music industry is a vibrant and influential part of the countrys culture and economy. Nigerian musicians have made a significant impact across the world, winning numerous awards, and collaborating with international artists.

This has led to Nigerian music becoming widely acclaimed, and it has given Nigerian musicians a platform to reach global audiences. The success of Nigerian musicians is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the countrys music industry, and further confirms the importance of the sector to the nations economy.

Final thought

The Nigerian music industry is growing and showing great potential for further growth. With the increasing number of new artists and the diversification of genres, the industry has seen significant improvements in its overall production values, digital infrastructure, and international reach. The industry is now at a stage where it can capitalize on the vast potential of the Nigerian music industry and become a major player in the global music market.

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The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) will begin drilling of the first oil well in Obi/Keana Nasarawa State on 21 March.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, made the disclosure when he led the management of the company on a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Thursday in Lafia.

Mr Kyari said that the company began exploration activities in the state in 2010 and has technically found a petroleum environment in the state.

We have seen a great potential for finding hydrocarbon in Nasarawa State and to confirm this, we are going to start drilling on March 21.

We are very optimistic that it would be a successful exercise. It will not end there, once you find oil, you do further works to develop it not just for the benefit of the community around it but for Nasarawa State and the country, he said.

Mr Kyari pointed out that the exploration would not be limited to the current Obi/Keana location.

Once we test this prospect, it opens new roads and we have seen other great prospects across many parts of the state. This will herald history and bring value to all of us, he added.

The Group CEO thanked the government and people of Nasarawa State for the cooperation and support so far and called for its sustenance.

Peace and cooperation are essential in oil exploration and we have seen enormous cooperation in this respect  we have seen no danger, no risk to our operation from all stakeholders in our area of operation and we thank them for that, he said.

He said the company would continue to do its best to bring immediate value to the host community and ultimately to the wider society when oil was found in commercial quantity.

Responding, Governor Sule thanked the NNPC Ltd. boss and his team for the visit and for what they were doing in the State.

He also appreciated the people in the area for their support so far, while urging them to sustain the peace in the area and across the state.

Mr Sule identified insecurity as a major challenge to oil exploration in the country, calling on the people of the state to ensure they maintain peace and support the company for the project to succeed.

He expressed optimism that the drilling of the oil well, named Ebenyi-A would be the first in the North Central zone of the country and would bring lots of benefits to Nasarawa State.

In his remarks, the Emir of Lafia, Muhammad Sidi-Bage, reassured the NNPC Ltd. on behalf of the people of utmost support towards the success of the project.

On behalf of our people, we want to say that you will find peace, we have been known for being peaceful, kind and loving. You will not have any reason to feel otherwise within the period of your operation in the state, Mr Sidi-Bage said.

Also speaking, Sophia Mbakwe, managing director of NNPC Energy Services Limited, said the assurances from the government and stakeholders in Nasarawa State were critical to the operation of the company.

For the right to operate, we need the cooperation, support and blessing of the Governor and the community, and that we have gotten today.

The intent is that its going to benefit both parties and we want to go there to ensure no harm to people, no harm to the environment and be able to commence drilling as planned on March 21, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muktar Zanna, executive director of Frontier Exploration Services of the company had led a team of other Executive Directors of the Company on a courtesy visit to various traditional rulers in the area with hydrocarbon prospects in the state to get their support.

Some of the traditional rulers visited included Aliyu Dangiwa-Orume, Osuko of Obi; Abdullahi Agbo, Osana of Keana; Umar Apeshi, Osoho of Olosoho (Agwatashi), as well as Muhammad Sidi-Bage, Emir of Lafia.

All the traditional rulers gave assurances of the peoples commitment to peace towards the operations of the company in the state.

(NAN)

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out any last last-minute truce between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and the G5 governors of the party.

Governor Wike, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Thursday during a media chat, said he owes nobody an apology for hosting Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Channels television reported.

Mr Tinubu, who was in the state for his campaign, visited Mr Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, after the rally amidst allegations that Mr Wike, a PDP member, had surreptitiously asked political appointees in the state to canvas support for the APC candidate.

The governor said he was not ready to broker peace between the G5 on one hand and Mr Atiku and the PDP leadership led by its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, on the other hand.

No one can do that. Its over! We have said it and there is nothing anybody can do about it now. They believe they can win the election. I am not ready to sit down with anybody again, he said.

Mr Wike is the leader of the G5, a group of PDP governors who are aggrieved with Atiku and the PDP leadership.

Besides Mr Wike, other members of the group are governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The group was birthed after the PDP presidential primary in May last year which Mr Wike lost to Atiku.

The group fell out with Atiku for reneging on the alleged promise to ensure the exit of Mr Ayu as the chairperson of the party. They want Mr Ayu to be replaced by a southerner as a condition to support Atiku.

Mr Ayu and Atiku are both northerners, an arrangement the group said was unfair and unjust to the south.

Commenting on the Atikus reception by Enugu State Governor, Mr Ugwuanyi, who is a G5 member, the Rivers governor said the group was aware and added that the action does not mean the Enugu governor has deserted the group.

Mr Wike on Wednesday praised Bola Tinubu as a man with character and courage and that Nigeria desperately needs the APC presidential candidate.

Many people are bound to consider Mr Wikes remarks as an endorsement of Mr Tinubu for the 25 February election.

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The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu, Peter Mbah, has sued the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Ugochukwu Agballah, over alleged defamation.

Mr Mbah, a lawyer, filed the libel suit at a State High Court in Enugu on 18 January, according to information in a court document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

Independent Newspapers Limited, the publisher of Independent newspapers, was joined in the suit as the second defendant.

In the suit marked E/25/2023, the PDP candidate accused Mr Agballah and Independent newspapers of making false and malicious publication against him in the 30 May 2022 online edition of the newspaper.

Mr Agballah was said to have accused the PDP candidate of joining the governorship race to use the public funds of the state to pay up an alleged debt of N40 billion if he wins the 11 March election.

He was also quoted in the news report, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, as saying that Mr Mbah was a political protege of a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani and that Mr Mbahs candidacy was an indirect way of returning the former governor to power.

Mr Nnamani, now a senator representing Enugu East District, served as the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007.

Mr Mbah served as the chief of staff to Mr Nnamani. He was later appointed as the state commissioner for finance under the former governor.

Defamation

The statement and publication were calculated to lower the Claimant (Mbah) in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society, isolate the Claimant from the society, expose the Claimant to hatred, odium, contempt and ridicule, cause other persons to shun or avoid the Claimant and discredit the Claimant in the matter of his business and political engagement, Onyechi Ikpeazu and eight others, lawyers to Mr Mbah, said in a writ of summon.

Mr Mbah said he was embarrassed by countless calls and messages from concerned family members and political associates when the publication became public just as others who believed it condemned him on social media.

He added that although he had, on 22 July, written to both Mr Agballah and the newspaper, through his lawyers, demanding a retraction of the publication and an apology as well as compensation for damaging his reputation, he was ignored by them.

READ ALSO: Aggrieved APC chieftains declare support for PDP governorship candidate in Enugu

The defendants have not brought the publication down and accordingly, will continue to defame and maliciously damage the Claimants reputation unless restrained by the court, Mr Mbahs lawyers stated.

The writ

You are hereby commanded that within 42 days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in the case of Mr Peter Mbah and take notice that in default of your so doing, the Claimant may proceed therein and judgment may be given in your absence, said the writ, addressed to Mr Agballah and the Independent Newspapers Limited.

Prayers

Mr Mbah is asking the court to declare that Mr Agballah and Independent Newspapers Limited, by the publication, have falsely and maliciously accused him of being a member of a criminal gang and engaging in criminal activities.

The PDP candidate wants the court to compel the defendants to pay him the sum of N1 billion as general damages for the alleged libellous publication against him and N10 million as the cost of the suit.

He is also asking the court to issue an order mandating the defendants to publish an apology in at least three national dailies and a retraction of the alleged defamatory publication.

Mr Agballah, the APC chairman, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking comments from him.

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The Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking re-election, has again failed to attend a debate for governorship candidates in the state.

The latest debate tagged Lagos Governorship Debates 2023, was held on Wednesday.

The debate was organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and its partners and streamed live on Facebook.

The governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier withdrawn from a debate organised by The Platform, citing the alleged involvement of one of his main challengers and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jide Adeniran, in political violence in the state.

However, Mr Adeniran and the candidates of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) attended the latest debate and presented their plans on social justice, flooding, housing deficits and other issues.

Party Ideologies

Before the five candidates spoke on their plans for the state, they gave an insight into their parties ideologies.

Funsho Doherty of the ADC and Mr Adediran of the PDP said they believe in good governance and a people-oriented government. Mr Doherty added that his government would focus on tax reform for equity, infrastructure, government reform, education, health and the Rule of Law.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of LP said he would focus on social welfare, social justice, restoring the dignity of labour to the people and protection of workers rights, from both formal and informal workers, while Braithwaite Ishola (NRM) said his partys goal is to deliver happiness through employment, enterprises, social services and infrastructure.

The SDP candidate said that the party is the hope of Nigerians and it intends to deliver better healthcare, good roads and security to the people.

Debate

On flooding, Taofeek Uthman of the SDP faulted the construction of the Lagos Atlantic City, which he said has altered the ocean beds from Victoria Island down to Epe, leading to an increase in flooding in the axis.

To curb flooding, he said the ministry of physical planning will re-energise and work with relevant institutes to ensure that the water moves.

His opponent of the PDP promised an aggressive construction of water collectors, adding that the ones in the state are not enough.

Mr Ishola (NRM) said the town planning authorities in the state are not doing their job, adding that it will take an ethical government to curb the attitude. He agreed with the LP candidate on the need to stop indiscriminate waste dumping.

READ ALSO:

Messrs Rhodes-Vivour and Doherty both agreed that the flood situation experienced by the state is because of the lack of proper implementation of a wetland policy.

To tackle the housing deficit, the SDP candidate promised to make houses affordable but the PDP candidate said there are some constructed by a former governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola, that are unoccupied.

He promised to do a rent-to-own scheme for civil servants and go into partnership with the private sector to provide more houses.

While the NRM candidate said that his administration will have low-cost housing that has the principle of habitat, Mr Rhodes-Vivour said he would introduce technological innovations to curb the bottlenecks involved in urban planning and getting proposals.

Mr Doherty of the ADC said what Lagos needs is the right institutional structure.

The candidates said their choices of running mates were influenced by gender balance, religious tolerance, professionalism and experience. The governorship elections will be held on 11 March in Lagos and 27 other states.

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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday hosted the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, at the governors office in Ibadan.

Mr Makinde, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received Mr Tinubu and his entourage at the governors office in Agodi, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Mr Makinde is one of the five governors of the PDP demanding the resignation of the partys national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition to support the partys candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the presidential election.

The governor had shunned Atiku when the PDP candidate was in the state for his presidential campaign rally.

READ ALSO:

Mr Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, Bisi Akande and other leaders of the APC.

As of the time of filing this report, a meeting was still ongoing between the governor and the APC presidential candidate.

The APC presidential rally in the state is scheduled for today and supporters of the party have besieged Mapo Hall in Ibadan waiting for the arrival of the presidential candidate and his entourage.

Details later

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For the past week or so, the United States has been in the grip of rampant paranoia over what it has termed as a "Chinese spy balloon" and the alleged sighting of several other "unidentified flying objects". As a show of force, and in a display of domestic political theater, the Joe Biden administration has been shooting them down. These objects, portrayed as threats to the national security of the United States, are being used to weaponize mass hysteria with a view to push a sporadic anti-China agenda, as the Biden administration strives to push US defence spending up to unprecedented levels, and rope in allies to militarily and strategically contain Beijing. Recognizing how the US weaponizes fear, mass hysteria and paranoia in pursuit of its goals is key to understanding US politics as a whole. While in theory, the US is a decentralized federal democracy with many layers of government, the historical trajectory of the last half of the 20th century has conditioned a dramatic centralization of power in lieu of the challenges the country faced while emerging as a hegemonic state, including the Cold War, the counterculture revolution of the 1960s, the "global war on terror", and now the struggle against China. Simply put, in order to strengthen unity and build a consensus on the US' international goals in a deeply divided country, US statecraft has veered toward weaponizing fear and mass hysteria to sustain its agenda and power amid the rise of mass media. The US, after all, is a populous and diverse country which, throughout its history, has sought to hold together the entire population under one ideology despite the vast socioeconomic and ethnic fractures that were once enough to trigger a full-blown civil war. These factors have created a structural arrangement through which the US leadership strives to centralize power in a decentralized country, and likewise must secure democratic consent for policies which, by and large, are hegemonic including those promoting endless wars and encouraging political interferences in other countries' internal affairs. And to do so, US politicians have learned to cultivate paranoia, drama and mass hysteria as a means to drive the political agenda and consensuses in their direction, by creating constant fear of a given "other" which, in each scenario, threatens the "exceptional" ideology and values of the US. In doing so, the US constantly exaggerates and amplifies the perceived threat to its national security, interference in its internal affairs by, or the ill intentions of, its designated opponents in a bid to mandate public consent for its aggressive foreign policies. This includes highly dubious allegations of spying, espionage and subversion. The US portrays its enemies as all-powerful, all-threatening and omniscient actors far beyond their real capabilities, which it uses to spread panic among Americans, prompting them to believe they "must act now" against it. Such portrayals include manufactured news such as Saddam Hussein possessing "weapons of mass destruction", the Democratic People's Republic of Korea planning to "launch a nuclear strike against the US", "Russia interfering in US elections" and "China purportedly spying on the US" in a whole range of areas. The spy-balloon and UFO drama is being used by the administration and the Pentagon to manufacture support for increased defence spending and mass militarization. Last year, the Biden administration weaponized the events in Ukraine to reorient its foreign policy to much more aggressively contain China militarily. The Biden administration places greater emphasis on the encirclement of China by deepening its alliances with other countries, which is more belligerent and provocative than the policy of the Donald Trump administration, which despite its "America First" policy was not so militaristic. This helps the administration seek domestic support for even higher military spending, and spread the same paranoia and fear into other countries to lock them into the strategic agenda it is setting. The US has found in the balloon controversy the perfect pitch for such a narrative, reminding us once again that the calibration of orchestrated drama and fear is a critical aspect of the US' hegemonic foreign policy. Using this fear, the US strives to raise the stakes of ideological confrontation and pretends every foreign policy issue is a "do or die" moment for the country. This has transformed US politics into a hotbed of paranoia, irrationality and instability which poses risks to the security and stability of the world at large.
ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425, "XCMG") is racing against time to provide emergency assistance to Turkey after two earthquakes struck the region on February 6, the biggest earthquakes in Turkey since 1939.

XCMG Machinery Aids Emergency Rescue After Turkeys Devastating Earthquakes.

The XCMG Turkey company is stationed in Ankara, the capital of the country, 700 kilometers from the epicenter. It set up an emergency rescue group immediately following the earthquake led by Liu Jiansen, Vice President of XCMG Machinery and General Manager of XCMG Import & Export Co., Ltd. The group has been keeping in close touch with the frontline and dispatched rescue teams around the clock.

XCMG has approximately 600 units of excavators in Turkey, and XCMG Turkey activated their emergency response protocol immediately and reported the local situation to XCMG headquarters, while coordinating three XCMG excavators that were deployed near Gaziantep to deliver aid in the disaster area.

XCMG Turkey reached out to multiple parties and arranged 12 units of excavators and loaders of different tonnage from close proximity to stand by, while actively answering to the call of the Chinese embassy in Turkey and General Chamber of Commerce of Chinese Enterprises in Turkey (the "Chamber") to coordinate resources and provide assistance.

On February 7th, a family of three were trapped in a collapsed three-story building in Iskenderun, Hatay Province. XCMG sent out an excavator immediately for the rescue mission, in eight hours non-stop, operator Kerim Cesur removed the collapsed floor, bricks and rebars with caution and successfully saved the family.

On February 8, an XCMG rescue team traveled 20 hours to Krkhan, Hatay, one of the most remote regions where the roads were seriously damaged by the earthquake, with freezing rain in low temperature. Operator Nevrez Unsal saved two residents trapped from two collapsed buildings.

On the same day, XCMG operators, TALIP OZTURK and Emre Ozturk, who are father and son, arrived in Golbas, Adiyaman as first responders and worked over 10 hours to save a child from the ruins.

In the five hours after the first earthquake, XCMG purchased the first batch of recuse supplies, including blankets, baby products, hygiene products and more that total over 50,000 Turkish lira and delivered them to the hard-hit area at once, while working with local clients and dealers to deploy excavators, cranes and loaders and arrange operators to provide assistance.

"We also joined the construction machinery association in Turkey and signed up with the local authorities, prepared to respond to emergency rescue at any time," said Liting Jin, country manager of XCMG Turkey. "The Turkish government has requisitioned all handcarts and transportation vehicles, the XCMG equipment has arrived in disaster areas to aid rescues, and we are also coordinating with our clients in Turkey to bring more assistance."

As of now, over 100 XCMG staff and dealers are mobilized to help with the earthquake rescue. And as a member of the Chamber, XCMG Turkey also arranged flights, accommodations and supplies for rescue teams departing from China to aid the earthquake relief operation.

In 2017, XCMG enacted the earthquake and disaster relief protocol following the principles of unified leadership, local management, fast response and coordinated assembly and action, as a socially responsible company, XCMG is committed to providing timely assistance to the people in need.

The Rescue work organized by XCMG Turkey Company. XCMG Turkey, was established in 2018 with headquarters located in Ankara. Last year, XCMG participated in the construction of the the Hunutlu Thermal Power Plant, China's largest direct investment project in Turkey.

For more information about the rescue machines in Turkey, please contact +90 312 287 55 58.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2003885/XCMG_Machinery_Aids_Emergency_Rescue_After_Turkey_s_Devastating_Earthquakes.jpg

SOURCE XCMG Machinery
TOKYO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Niwano Peace Foundation will award the 40th Niwano Peace Prize to Rajagopal P.V. of India in recognition of his extraordinary work for the poorest and most marginalized of his country, and his struggle for the equal human dignity and equal rights of every man and woman, irrespective of caste or gender.

An award presentation ceremony will take place in Tokyo on May 11. In addition to an award certificate, Rajagopal, 74, will receive a medal and a cash prize of 20 million yen.

His particular accomplishments include negotiating the surrender and rehabilitation of gangs, and his commitment to care for the environment due to the poor's primary needs for water, land, and forests. Rajagopal's work for justice and peace is also carried forward through dialogue with institutions, realizing the redistribution of land and the assignment of land ownership. He uses only his first name in public to avoid being associated with the caste system, which is a clear sign of his vision of human equality.

The Niwano Peace Prize Committee said his selection as a recipient for 2023 is "highly significant" as it comes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic "that highlighted a downside of our interconnected world and forced us to rethink globalization."

Niwano Peace Prize:

The Niwano Peace Foundation established the Niwano Peace Prize to honor and encourage individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to inter-religious cooperation, thereby furthering the cause of world peace, and to make their achievements known as widely as possible. The Foundation hopes in this way to enhance inter-religious understanding and cooperation and to encourage the emergence of still more persons devoted to working for world peace. The prize is named in honor of the founder and first president of the lay Buddhist organization Rissho Kosei-kai, Nikkyo Niwano.

Niwano Peace Foundation:

The Niwano Peace Foundation was chartered in 1978 to contribute to the realization of world peace and the enhancement of a culture of peace. The Foundation promotes research and other activities based on the spirit of religious principles and serves the cause of peace in such fields as education, science, religion and philosophy.

Contact:

(Mr.) Seiji Hironaka/ (Ms.) Natsuki Kudo/ (Ms.) Aina Hirano

Niwano Peace Foundation

Tel: +81-3-3226-4371

Fax: +81-3-3226-1835

[email protected]

https://www.npf.or.jp/english/

SOURCE Niwano Peace Foundation
CARLISLE, Pa., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An $800,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation will support the development of Dickinson College's new Center for the Futures of Native Peoples and a program devoted to Native American and Indigenous studies. The prestigious three-year grant also seeks to advance the important national conversation on the Indigenous boarding school experience, with a focus on the history of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

"Carlisle is a major site of memory for Indigenous peopleNative Americans, especially," said Darren Lone Fight, an Indigenous scholar and interim director of the new center.

Dickinson's new center seeks to advance the important national conversation on the Indigenous boarding school experience Tweet this

The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first federally funded off-reservation boarding school in the U.S., serving as the model for a brutal system of assimilation that removed Native American children from their families, communities and culture. The school operated from 1879 to 1918, leading to multigenerational effects on its thousands of students, their families and descendants.

"Dickinson has such a close and complicated history with the Carlisle Indian School," explained Lone Fight, who is also an assistant professor of American studies and enrolled member of The Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Sahnish Nation) and Citizen of Muscogee Nation. "This is an opportunity for Dickinson to turn boldly toward its history and continue the hard work of reconciling with that past, as well as an opportunity for our students and faculty to expand on their voiced interests in Native American and Indigenous studies and make more robust our connections with Indigenous peoples."

The Center for the Futures of Native Peoples will be devoted to teaching and learning about Indigenous and Native American issues of the past, present and future. It will include an advisory council representing different nations to assist faculty on courses and lessons. It will also host symposia on Native American and Indigenous issues and campus events, including residencies and lectures by Native American and Indigenous scholars. Additionally, the college plans to establish a major in Native American and Indigenous studies.

"The creation of the center and enhancement of our curriculum in Native American studies will enrich our academic program, address the college's legacy regarding the Carlisle Indian School and place Dickinson in the heart of national discussions on Native American futures," said Neil Weissman, provost and dean of the college, who co-wrote the grant application with Lone Fight.

SOURCE DICKINSON COLLEGE
American Arbitration Association Promotes ADR Professional Dedicated to Helping Construction Companies Resolve Disputes

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Arbitration Association (AAA) announces that Iman Hyder-Eliz has been elevated to Vice President in the organization's Construction Division. In her new role, she will be among the Vice Presidents in charge of providing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services for construction companies and other parties involved in construction industry disputes across the South, Southeast, and Midwest. She will be based out of the AAA's Atlanta office.

"During her time with the AAA, Iman has shown herself to be a committed advocate for alternative dispute resolution as a means for ending business-to-business and other disputes," said Robert Matlin, Esq., Senior Vice President of the American Arbitration Association's Commercial and Construction Divisions. "We have been a trusted provider of ADR services for the construction industry for more than 50 years, and Iman will help us reach more parties who can benefit from our services."

Ms. Hyder-Eliz joined the AAA in 2017 as a Director of ADR Services for North Texas and Oklahoma in the organization's Commercial Division, where she was responsible for administering large complex and non-monetary arbitration cases. She has also assisted with ADR educational initiatives within and outside the AAA. Prior to joining the AAA, Ms. Hyder-Eliz worked as a mediator.

"Being able to choose arbitrators and mediators who have the needed expertise for complex construction disputes is important for parties involved in the ADR process," said Iman Hyder-Eliz, Vice President in the American Arbitration Association's Construction Division. "In addition to continuing to broaden the array of ADR professionals we have on our roster and within our organization, I am eager to reinforce the robust dispute resolution services we can offer to the construction industry across the Southern and Midwestern U.S."

Ms. Hyder-Eliz holds a Master's Degree in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management from Southern Methodist University. She also graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a B.A. in Political Science.

More information about the AAA's Construction, Real Estate, and Environmental offering is available at https://www.adr.org/construction.

About the American Arbitration Association

The not-for-profit American Arbitration Association (AAA) is the leading provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services for parties in commercial disputes, having administered more than seven million ADR cases since its founding in 1926. With 29 offices in the United States, in addition to Singapore, the AAA provides organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry with ADR services and products. For more information, visit www.adr.org.

Media Contacts:





Michael C. Clark Laura Simpson American Arbitration Association JConnelly +1.212.716.3978 +1.973.713.8834 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE American Arbitration Association
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in high-performance field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, today announced that President and CEO, Robert Blake, and CFO, Mahesh Karanth, will participate at the following upcoming conferences:

SIG Susquehanna Technology Conference  Friday, March 3, 2023 . Virtual investor meetings with management will be held throughout the day.





 Virtual investor meetings with management will be held throughout the day. KeyBanc 2023 Emerging Technology Summit ( San Francisco )  Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in San Francisco, CA. Management is scheduled to host a fireside chat at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time on March 8 and will be available to meet with attending investors throughout the day.

Investors attending these events can schedule a meeting with Achronix by contacting their equity sales representative at each respective firm.

About Achronix Semiconductor Corporation

Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California, offering high-end FPGA-based data acceleration solutions, designed to address high-performance, compute-intensive and real-time processing applications. Achronix is the only supplier to have both high-performance and high-density standalone FPGAs and licensed eFPGA IP solutions. Achronix Speedster7t FPGA and Speedcore eFPGA IP offerings are further enhanced by ready-to-use VectorPath accelerator cards targeting AI, machine learning, networking and data center applications. All Achronix products are fully supported by the Achronix Tool Suite which enables customers to quickly develop their own custom applications. Achronix has a global footprint, with sales and design teams across the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.achronix.com.

Follow Achronix

Website: www.achronix.com

The Achronix Blog: /blogs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Achronixcorp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/57668/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AchronixCorp

Contact

Joel Achramowicz, Managing Director

Shelton Group

T: 415-845-9964

[email protected]

Achronix, Speedster and VectorPath are registered trademarks, and Speedcore and Speedchip are trademarks of Achronix Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Achronix
- Michal Arlosoroff, General Legal Counsel, Secretary of the Boards, Chief Corporate Communication & Sustainability Officer, retired after 16 years of service; Naama Peleg appointed General Legal Counsel

- Shahar Florence to transition from his position as CFO; Efrat Nagar appointed CFO and a member of the Company's Executive Team

- Rob Williams, formally SVP Europe, assumed the newly established role of VP Strategy, Business Intelligence & Corporate Communications (SBC); Sergio Dedominici Paz appointed new SVP EAME (Europe, Africa & Middle East)

- Dr. Juan Valero appointed Chief Sustainability Officer

- Zvi Manor, VP Israel Operations, retired after 42 years of service. This key role will be integrated into newly formed structure within Global Operations

BEIJING and TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ADAMA Ltd, a leading global crop protection company, announced the implementation of recent management and organizational changes. These changes include the establishment of newly created global roles of VP Strategy, Business Intelligence & Corporate Communications as well as Chief Sustainability Officer.

The management changes include:

Shahar Florence has requested to step down from his current role as CFO in order to focus on consultancy in the fields of growth and innovation to various organizations and will continue to be an advisor to the CEO on strategic matters, as required.

has requested to step down from his current role as in order to focus on consultancy in the fields of growth and innovation to various organizations and will continue to be an advisor to the CEO on strategic matters, as required. Efrat Nagar is appointed CFO and a member of the Executive Team, having previously filled numerous financial positions over her 20 years with the Company. Efrat most recently served as VP Finance and over the years 2021-2022 filled an indispensable role during the process of nominating a new CFO.

is appointed and a member of the Executive Team, having previously filled numerous financial positions over her 20 years with the Company. Efrat most recently served as VP Finance and over the years 2021-2022 filled an indispensable role during the process of nominating a new CFO. Michal Arlosoroff , General Legal Counsel, Secretary of the Boards, Chief Corporate Communication & Sustainability Officer, retired after 16 years of service. Michal will continue as a senior advisor to the CEO of ADAMA.

, General Legal Counsel, Secretary of the Boards, Chief Corporate Communication & Sustainability Officer, retired after 16 years of service. Michal will continue as a senior advisor to the CEO of ADAMA. Naama Peleg is appointed General Legal Counsel, replacing Michal Arlosoroff. Naama joined ADAMA in 2011 as Senior Corporate Counsel.

is appointed General Legal Counsel, replacing Michal Arlosoroff. Naama joined ADAMA in 2011 as Senior Corporate Counsel. Rob Williams has assumed the new role of VP Strategy, Business Intelligence & Corporate Communications (SBC) . Rob will drive the implementation of the company strategy throughout the organization while addressing shifting market and industry dynamics.

has assumed the new role of . Rob will drive the implementation of the company strategy throughout the organization while addressing shifting market and industry dynamics. Sergio Dedominici Paz is appointed SVP Europe, Africa & Middle East (EAME) , replacing Rob Williams . Sergio most recently served as Head of Marketing & Commercial Excellence in the Americas, since 2021, having previously filled the position of General Manager of ADAMA Iberia since 2018. Sergio brings more than 30 years of industry experience at Syngenta in leading complex markets in LatAm, Europe and globally.

is appointed , replacing . Sergio most recently served as Head of Marketing & Commercial Excellence in the Americas, since 2021, having previously filled the position of General Manager of ADAMA Iberia since 2018. Sergio brings more than 30 years of industry experience at Syngenta in leading complex markets in LatAm, and globally. Dr. Juan Valero was appointed Chief Sustainability Officer, including ESG-stakeholder engagement and reporting.

was appointed Chief Sustainability Officer, including ESG-stakeholder engagement and reporting. Zvi Manor , VP Israel Operations, retired after 42 years of service. Zvi joined as a young engineer and advanced to fill various leadership roles, and had a profound impact on the establishment of ADAMA's operational excellence in Israel and China .

"I would like to thank Michal and Zvi for their commitment spanning decades to the success of our company. ADAMA will continue to benefit from their remarkable professional contribution to our organization for many years to come. I would also like to thank Shahar for his professional contribution, explicitly enforcing the future direction of ADAMA," said Ignacio Dominguez, CEO and President of ADAMA. "At the same time, I am excited to have Efrat, Rob, Sergio, Naama and Juan in key positions. They all bring many years of experience and exceptional professionalism, and I am confident their strong leadership will greatly contribute to the Company and taking it to new heights."

About ADAMA

ADAMA Ltd. is a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers across the world to combat weeds, insects and disease. ADAMA has one of the widest and most diverse portfolios of active ingredients in the world, state-of-the art R&D, manufacturing and formulation facilities, together with a culture that empowers our people in markets around the world to listen to farmers and ideate from the field. This uniquely positions ADAMA to offer a vast array of distinctive mixtures, formulations and high-quality differentiated products, delivering solutions that meet local farmer and customer needs in over 100 countries globally. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on Twitter at @ADAMAAgri.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/799829/Adama_Agricultural_Solutions_Logo.jpg

ADAMA contact:

Tal Moise

Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE ADAMA Ltd.
- MSP's Entry into Washington Brings West Coast Locations to 12 -

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MedSpa Partners Inc. ("MSP") is proud to welcome Jennifer Washburn and her team to its top-tier North American medical aesthetics platform. Based in Bellevue, Washington, Advanced Skin & Body Solutions ("ASBS") has been creating industry-leading patient experiences in the Seattle area for nearly two decades.

Marrying a background in psychology and counseling with a passion for helping people look and feel better, Jennifer founded ASBS to have a uniquely empathetic and welcoming approach to patient care, even from its earliest days in a rented room in the back of a salon. Taking ASBS from those humble beginnings to being one of the Pacific Northwest's most successful and awarded aesthetics practices couldn't have been possible without the support of her dedicated team under the leadership of Operations Manager Danielle Walsh.

Speaking on her reasons for joining MedSpa Partners, Jennifer shared, "By partnering with MSP, I will get to spend more time loving what I do  providing the best possible customer service to our patients. I am also excited that ASBS is now part of a much larger group of trusted partners and friends who all support one another, a rare experience in an industry that is known for being highly competitive. In addition to their business acumen, the team at MSP has consistently proven to be a group of highly emotionally intelligent people, and we can't wait to work with them to bring new education and growth opportunities to the team at ASBS and the broader MSP partnership."

MSP CEO Dominic Mazzone commented, "After having seen so many practices throughout North America, it is clear that the single biggest differentiator between good clinics and the best clinics is an obsessive focus on patient experience. It's equally clear that Jennifer, Danielle, and the rest of the team at Advanced Skin & Body Solutions feel the same way. The greatest evidence of their obsession with patient care is the reviews from patients praising how the team at the front desk makes them feel as much as they comment on the outstanding treatment outcomes they receive. Jennifer and Danielle have truly built a fantastic culture and I'm thrilled to welcome the team at ASBS to MedSpa Partners. We look forward to learning from them and continuing to elevate MSP's Michelin Star approach to patient care."

About MedSpa Partners Inc.

MedSpa Partners is acquiring North America's leading Medical Aesthetics clinics, with the goal of allowing our industry-leading partners to achieve their personal and professional aspirations by creating world-class customer experiences through support, collaboration, and community. MSP is a portfolio company of Persistence Capital Partners, the leading private equity fund exclusively focused on high-growth opportunities in the healthcare field.

SOURCE MedSpa Partners Inc.
ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) President and CEO Alan H. Shaw shared a letter today with the community of East Palestine, Ohio.

In the letter, Shaw said, "When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water , and land. Our work is underway. Crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly , and safely.

"Our Family Assistance Center is helping community members meet immediate needs. Together with local health officials, we have implemented a comprehensive testing program to ensure the safety of East Palestine's water, air, and soil. And we have established a $1 million community support fund as a down payment on our commitment to help rebuild," Shaw added.

The full text of Alan Shaw's letter follows below:

We will not walk away, East Palestine.

When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water, and land. Many of you have also reached out to Norfolk Southern to share your fears, your anger, and your frustration.

I hear you. We hear you.

I know you also have questions about whether Norfolk Southern will be here to help make things right.

My simple answer is that we are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive.

Our work is underway. Crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly, and safely. Our Family Assistance Center is helping community members meet immediate needs. Together with local health officials, we have implemented a comprehensive testing program to ensure the safety of East Palestine's water, air, and soil. And we have established a $1 million community support fund as a down payment on our commitment to help rebuild.

But our work is far from over. As we continue site clean-up, the NTSB moves forward with its investigation, and necessary environmental testing is carried out, I promise to keep you updated every step of the way.

I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know you're tired. I know you're worried. We will not let you down.

Alan H. Shaw

###

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation
SEATTLE, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a year of record revenue, Alaska Airlines is strengthening its leadership bench to put greater focus on its strategic initiatives and prepare for future growth. Spanning functions including investor relations, sales, network and revenue management, these leaders will be responsible for the direction of critical finance and commercial initiatives.

"I have had the privilege of working alongside each of these leaders for years," said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci. "Their expertise will be essential as they lead these core business priorities, and I'm confident they'll keep pushing Alaska forward."

Kirsten Amrine  VP, Revenue Management and Network Planning: As the vice president of revenue management and network planning, Amrine will set Alaska's long-term strategy for strategic pricing and revenue management as well as establishing the vision and execution of a highly competitive network and schedule. Amrine joined Alaska Airlines in 2006 as an analyst and has held various roles in revenue management. Most recently, she served as the managing director of revenue management, guiding the company through the decline and resurgence of demand that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laurie Baur  VP, Tax: Baur is focused on providing strategic leadership for all areas of tax, including financial reporting and tax planning. After joining Alaska in 1992 as a senior tax accountant, Baur became the head of the tax department in 1995 and has served as the chair of the tax committee of Airlines for America (A4A). Baur most recently served as the associate vice president of taxes.

Brett Catlin  VP, Loyalty, Alliances and Sales: Catlin joined Alaska in 2017 as managing director of guest products and most recently served as vice president of network and alliances. In this expanded role of vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales, Catlin will now also be responsible for deepening corporate sales and agency relationships, growing the Mileage Plan program and co-brand portfolio, and building a world-class alliance proposition.

Ryan St. John  VP, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations: St. John oversees the execution of resource planning, financial planning, analysis, forecasting and investor relations. His team determines optimal staffing for all frontline workgroups and ensures Alaska maintains its industry-leading cost position. St. John joined Alaska in 2008 as a ramp operations policy and procedures specialist and most recently served as associate vice president of finance and resource planning where he led an overhaul and centralization of crew resource management and workforce planning.

Brooke Vatheuer  VP, Audit Programs: As the vice president of audit programs, Vatheuer is responsible for setting the strategic vision and leading enterprise-level audit and assurance programs. Her team provides independent, objective audit services for Alaska's most complex and important business and operational processes. Vatheuer joined Alaska in 2007 as an internal auditor and has held various finance, strategy and operations roles at both Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines. Most recently, she served as the managing director of audit programs.

In addition to elevating leaders at Alaska Airlines, sister carrier Horizon Air has promoted a 22-year veteran to oversee finance functions.

BJ Colby  VP, Finance and Resource Planning: Colby will be responsible for financial operations, workforce planning, strategic planning and project execution. Colby also leads Horizon's capacity purchase relationship with Alaska Airlines and led the company through the decision to transition to an all-Embraer fleet of E175 aircraft.

"BJ's passion, financial and planning expertise, and more than 20 years of experience with Horizon Air are helping to position our regional airline for continued success," said Horizon Air President Joe Sprague.

Colby joined Horizon in 2000 as a financial partner and has since held various roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, he served as the associate vice president of finance and resource planning.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, our guests can travel to more than 900 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.

SOURCE ALASKA AIRLINES
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Land Title Association (ALTA) applauds Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost for his efforts to combat unfair and deceptive practices in the Ohio real estate market by filing a complaint against Florida-based real estate brokerage MV Realty. ALTA advocates for state laws and regulations preventing the enforcement of Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services (NTRAPS).

Attorney General Yost adds to the list of attorneys general who also filed complaints in December 2022, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The lawsuits allege MV Realty misled consumers regarding the terms of the company's "Homeowner Benefit Program."

"A home often represents a consumer's largest financial investment, and their property rights must be protected," said ALTA CEO Diane Tomb. "Good public policy should support the certainty of landownership by ensuring there are no unreasonable restraints on future ability to sell or refinance property due to unwarranted transactional costs."

"The Ohio Land Title Association appreciates Attorney General Yost's efforts to stop MV Realty from negotiating nefarious real estate contracts in our state," said Mark Bennett, executive director of the Ohio Land Title Association and ALTA member. "These contracts take advantage of consumers and hinder their ability to transfer real property."

ALTA has prioritized combating this abusive and anti-consumer activity in the marketplace, which adds costs and complications to the transfer or financing of real estate. ALTA has worked with national stakeholders to design model legislation to make these types of unfair agreements unenforceable, prevent the recording of the agreements in land records and provide consumers with options for seeking damages.

About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a national trade association representing more than 6,500 title insurance companies, title and settlement agents, independent abstracters, title searchers and real estate attorneys. ALTA members conduct title searches, examinations, closings and issue title insurance that protects real property owners and mortgage lenders against losses from defects in titles.

Contact: Megan Hernandez

Office: 202-261-0315

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Land Title Association
Company estimates 6.5 million minutes of customer outages avoided last year

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE), filed its updated Smart Energy Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission today. The $9.9 billion investment plan will support reliability of the grid and modernize infrastructure. The company is investing in smart technology, stronger poles, upgraded power lines and other infrastructure to upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce outages and respond faster when they do occur. The Smart Energy Plan also helps prepare the grid to bring on new energy sources such as renewables and includes incentives to attract new businesses.

"We continue to incorporate technology that improves system reliability. Smart Energy Plan investments have prevented an estimated 50,000 customer outages over the last two years. We know that makes a difference for our customers at home and at work," said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "With the expansion and extension of the Smart Energy Plan, we will be able to provide a more resilient, reliable and sustainable energy system for generations to come."

Supporting Reliability

The Smart Energy Plan provides direct customer benefits by upgrading aging foundational grid infrastructure, including poles, wires, substations, transformers and underground cables. The plan also deploys smart technology to support reliability and resiliency of the electric grid, and smart meters to provide customized energy usage data to customers. Last year, over 6.5 million minutes of customer outages were avoided due to these investments. Smart Energy Plan upgrades through 2022 include:

1,178 smart switches to reduce outages from hours to minutes and even seconds.

75 new or upgraded substations to better serve communities.

170 miles of upgraded power lines, improving storm resiliency and providing more flexibility to reroute power during an outage.

772,000 smart meters to provide two-way communication and deliver more precise energy use information to customers.

Ameren Missouri is running a full year ahead of schedule to install smart electric meters across the service territory. Thanks to the data smart meters provide, Ameren Missouri now offers customers a new online Energy Manager interactive dashboard showing the specific estimated energy usage of each appliance. It provides personalized savings recommendations based on individual usage data and surveys. The new meters also identify outages even faster to speed restoration.

Investing in Communities

More than 100,000 Missouri residents are enjoying greater energy reliability thanks to the completion of the Metro South Reliability Project. The project included construction of two new transmission towers on both sides of the Mississippi River. Each tower stands 294 feet tall  roughly the height of the Statue of Liberty  and weighs 500,000 pounds. The project created a second power supply to help prevent outages and increase energy capacity. The rebuilt line supports grid reliability, meets local energy needs and provides access to energy sources, including renewables. This project also enabled a seamless transition for customers when the Meramec Energy Center was retired at the end of 2022.

Downtown St. Louis is also seeing improvements that support reliability. Ameren Missouri recently completed one of its last projects to install new conduit under the streets of downtown St. Louis. The next step is to install new cables through the conduit, which will improve reliability for residents, businesses and visitors for decades to come. This system will be one of the first in the nation to have smart technology in a downtown environment that helps reduce outages for customers.

In Jefferson City, the Idlewood substation was upgraded with automated sensors and smart technology to create a system that more rapidly detects and isolates outages, speeding power restoration. This project supports reliability for over 2,400 customers in the area. Upgraded substations offer greater service reliability for customers to meet their growing energy needs long into the future.

Powering the Local Economy

"The Smart Energy Plan supports a reliable and resilient energy grid while investing in the economic future of Missouri," said Birk. "Construction, engineering, and planning jobs are needed to build each project associated with the Smart Energy Plan. As part of the plan, we are helping companies expand and relocate to the area with our economic development incentives."

Economic development incentives encourage businesses to invest or expand in Missouri, adding jobs and supporting local communities statewide. In 2022, 16 businesses announced plans to move to or expand in our state, thanks in part to these incentives. This has resulted in more than $450 million in capital investment in Missouri by those businesses, and 1,000 additional Missouri jobs. The economic development incentive has helped companies large and small, such as Chick-fil-A Supply and Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery.

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri
Board-certified dermatologist shares five tips to consider before getting a filler

ROSEMONT, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- When we're young, our skin is soft, supple, and well hydrated, but as we age, our skin slowly loses its youthful characteristics, which can leave some people looking for a way to regain their younger-looking skin. If you're interested in adding more fullness to your skin, then fillers may be for you. Board-certified dermatologists often recommend fillers as they are a convenient treatment that is effective for people with all skin tones.

"Often, people use fillers because they want to restore their confidence," said board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi MD, FAAD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. "Fillers are a minimally invasive procedure that can help patients feel better about their skin as they age, so I recommend them for people who want to enhance their facial features."

Often, people use fillers because they want to restore their confidence. Tweet this

Fillers can restore fullness to the face, decrease fine lines, plump lips, diminish scars, and give nearly immediate results.

If you are considering fillers, Dr. Tanzi recommends the following tips to get the best results and avoid complications:

Choose a licensed physician. To get optimal results and protect your health, it's important to have this procedure performed in a medical office by a licensed physician. Board-certified dermatologists have the education, training, and experience to inject fillers safely and effectively into targeted areas of the skin to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.



You can find a board-certified dermatologist who offers fillers in your area using the American Academy of Dermatology's " Find a Dermatologist " tool. When searching, select "Fillers" in the "Procedure" drop-down filter menu. To avoid complications, you should never get fillers injected in a non-medical setting, such as a party or someone's home.

To get optimal results and protect your health, it's important to have this procedure performed in a medical office by a licensed physician. Board-certified dermatologists have the education, training, and experience to inject fillers safely and effectively into targeted areas of the skin to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. You can find a board-certified dermatologist who offers fillers in your area using the American Academy of Dermatology's " " tool. When searching, select "Fillers" in the "Procedure" drop-down filter menu. To avoid complications, you should never get fillers injected in a non-medical setting, such as a party or someone's home. Ask to see before-and-after photos of past filler patients. You might find these on your dermatologist's website.

You might find these on your dermatologist's website. Gather your medical information. Before getting a filler, it is essential that you tell your dermatologist about your medical conditions, the medicines and supplements you take, any allergies, whether you have a history of cold sores, and any previous cosmetic treatments.

Before getting a filler, it is essential that you tell your dermatologist about your medical conditions, the medicines and supplements you take, any allergies, whether you have a history of cold sores, and any previous cosmetic treatments. Bring photos of yourself to your appointment. Showing your dermatologist pictures of yourself from a time you were happy with your appearance helps them know what you want and plan for the procedure.

Showing your dermatologist pictures of yourself from a time you were happy with your appearance helps them know what you want and plan for the procedure. Follow your dermatologist's instructions. Your dermatologist will give you tips to follow after your appointment to help your skin heal and get the best results, along with signs you need to see your dermatologist for follow-up care.

"One of the most important things I tell patients who are interested in fillers is to remember that getting a filler is a medical procedure," said Dr. Tanzi. "While it can be easy for patients to get caught up in the excitement of getting a cosmetic procedure, they need to remember that choosing who will perform the treatment is the most important decision in the process. I recommend that patients consult with a board-certified dermatologist as we have the skills and experience to perform the treatment safely and effectively."

These tips are demonstrated in "How to Get the Best Results from Fillers," a video posted to the AAD website and YouTube channel . This video is part of the AAD's "Your Dermatologist Knows" series, which offers tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair and nails.

To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm .

More Information

Fillers giving patients better, long-lasting results

Fillers: Preparation

About the AAD

Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,000 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow @AADskin on Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube and @AADskin1 on Instagram .

Editor's note: The AAD does not promote or endorse any products or services. This content is intended as editorial content and should not be embedded with any paid, sponsored or advertorial content as it could be perceived as an AAD endorsement.

SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology
Expanded Leadership Team Affirms Appdome's Commitment to Secure Every Mobile App in the World

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Appdome, the mobile economy's one and only Cyber Defense Automation platform, today announced that it has expanded its global leadership team to meet increasing demand for its Mobile Cyber Defense Automation and Mobile XDR products. Appdome adds new sales, marketing and solutions executives with deep cyber, anti-fraud, and workforce automation experience to respond to the fast-emerging role Appdome plays in the mobile economy.

Mobile is the leading digital channel globally. Consumers are demanding increased protection in mobile apps. They also rank security as equal to, or more important than, new features in mobile apps. At the same time, mobile brands are under intense competitive, industry and regulatory pressure to deliver enhanced protections inside ever expanding mobile app experiences that delight the end user.

"Consumers shifted to the native mobile channel in a big way, and protecting mobile apps, revenues and users is getting harder," said Greg Armor, Appdome's new Chief Revenue Officer. "We're fielding a team that understands this and we're helping organizations leverage Cyber Defense Automation to do three things: meet the demands of their customers, make cyber easy on dev, and demonstrate and monitor compliance in real-time."

In addition to Greg Armor, Appdome strengthened its sales and marketing leadership with the following appointments:

Don Tan joins Appdome as VP of Asia Pacific Sales, bringing APAC sales leadership experience from Lookout, Avast and Pulse Secure.

joins Appdome as VP of Asia Pacific Sales, bringing APAC sales leadership experience from Lookout, Avast and Pulse Secure. Enrique Nunez , joins Appdome as VP of Latin American Sales, bringing LATAM sales leadership experience from Forgerock, SailPoint and Stealthbits now part of Netwrix.

, joins Appdome as VP of Latin American Sales, bringing LATAM sales leadership experience from Forgerock, SailPoint and Stealthbits now part of Netwrix. Miguel Nhuch joins Appdome as VP of EMEA Sales, bringing EMEA sales leadership experience from VANTIQ, Tableau and Weblogic.

joins Appdome as VP of EMEA Sales, bringing EMEA sales leadership experience from VANTIQ, Tableau and Weblogic. Nita Patel joins Appdome as VP of Marketing, bringing customer-centric marketing leadership experience from ABBYY, Cloudvisory and Kofax.

The new hires join a long-standing go-to-market leadership team, including Luis Tapia, promoted to the new position of Senior Vice President of International Sales earlier this year and Doug Erickson, Appdome's VP of North America Sales.

"As ambassadors to the mobile economy, we've got big goals in front of us," said Tom Tovar, Appdome's Co-Creator and CEO. "Our mission remains to protect every mobile app in the world, and to that, we've also embraced a duty to improve the experience for all stakeholders in the mobile value chain, from cyber, fraud and development teams, and all the way up to the end user."

About Appdome

Appdome's mission is to protect every mobile app in the world and the people who use mobile apps in their lives and at work. Appdome provides mobile brands the only patented, centralized, data-driven Mobile Cyber Defense Automation platform, delivering rapid no-code, no-SDK mobile app security, anti-fraud, anti-malware, anti-cheat, anti-bot implementations, configuration as code ease, Threat-Events threat-aware UI/UX control, ThreatScope Mobile XDR, and Certified Secure DevSecOps Certification in one integrated system. With Appdome, mobile developers, cyber and fraud teams can accelerate delivery, guarantee compliance, and leverage automation to build, test, release and monitor the full range of cyber, anti-fraud and other defenses needed in mobile apps from inside mobile DevOps and CI/CD pipeline. Leading nancial, healthcare, m-commerce, consumer and B2B brands use Appdome to upgrade mobile DevSecOps and protect Android & iOS apps, mobile customers, and mobile businesses globally. Appdome's products are protected by patents including U.S. Patents 9,934,017 B2, 10,310,870 B2, 10,606,582 B2, 11,243,748 B2, and 11,294,663 B2. Additional patents pending. Learn more at www.appdome.com.

Learn more at www.appdome.com .

SOURCE Appdome
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: ASM) (NYSE: ASM) (FSE: GV6) has completed an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") that includes the Elena Tolosa ("ET") deposit, the San Gonzalo deposit, and the Oxide Tailings deposit. Inaugural MREs have also been included on the Guadalupe and La Potosina deposits.

Avino Property Highlights (Comparisons are to 2020 Mineral Resource Estimate on the Avino Property)

161 million measured and indicated silver equivalent ounces, an increase of 38%, made up of:

70 million silver ounces, an increase of 35%

136.7 thousand copper tonnes, an increase of 18%

596 thousand gold ounces, an increase of 23%, contained in:

34.7 million measured and indicated metric tonnes, increase of 28% overall, also

70 million inferred silver equivalent ounces, an increase of 90%

Oxide Tailings Highlights (Comparisons are to 2020 Mineral Resource Estimate on the Avino Property)

5.7 million tonnes of measured and indicated mineral resources, an increase of 407%

17.4 million measured and indicated silver equivalent ounces, an increase of 287%

Avino Mine Property - Mineral Resource Estimate Effective Date - November 30, 2022 Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources Average Grade Metal Contents Resource Category Deposit Cut off (AgEq g/t) Metric Tonnes (000s) AgEq (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) AgEq (M oz) Ag (M oz) Au (k oz) Cu (M lb) Measured Avino - ET 60 3,883 171 69 0.53 0.57 21.39 8.58 67.00 48.91 Measured San Gonzalo 130 331 332 244 1.17 0.00 3.53 2.59 12.42 0.00 Measured Oxide Tailings 50 3,809 102 63 0.48 0.12 12.50 7.72 59.00 10.00 Total Measured All Deposits

8,023 145 73 0.54 0.33 37.42 18.89 138.42 58.91 Indicated Avino - ET 60 23,916 146 58 0.53 0.44 112.41 44.59 409.00 234.08 Indicated San Gonzalo 130 302 293 230 0.84 0.00 2.85 2.23 8.14 0.00 Indicated Guadalupe 100 401 169 70 0.79 0.37 2.17 0.90 10.24 3.27 Indicated La Potosina 100 142 220 186 0.41 0.04 1.00 0.85 1.85 0.13 Indicated Oxide Tailings 50 1,877 81 41 0.49 0.12 4.91 2.49 30.00 5.00 Total Indicated All Deposits

26,638 144 60 0.54 0.41 123.34 51.06 459.23 242.48 Total Measured & Indicated All Deposits

34,662 144 63 0.54 0.39 160.76 69.96 596.65 301.40







Inferred Mineral Resources Average Grade Metal Contents Resource Category Deposit Cut off (AgEq g/t) Metric Tonnes (000s) AgEq (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) AgEq (M oz) Ag (M oz) Au (k oz) Cu (M lb) Inferred Avino - ET 60 17,591 106 37 0.34 0.40 59.76 20.72 191.00 154.18 Inferred San Gonzalo 130 246 297 271 0.35 0.00 2.35 2.14 2.74 0.00 Inferred Guadalupe 100 354 159 82 0.62 0.30 1.81 0.93 7.00 2.30 Inferred La Potosina 100 844 176 149 0.29 0.05 4.79 4.05 7.90 1.01 Inferred Oxide Tailings 50 278 101 65 0.44 0.11 0.90 0.58 4.00 1.00 Total Inferred All Deposits

19,313 112 46 0.34 0.37 69.61 28.42 212.64 158.49

























Figures may not add to totals shown due to rounding. All ounces are troy ounces. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Mineral Resource estimate is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's (CIM) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Based on recent mining costs Mineral Resources are reported at AgEq cut-off grades of 60 g/t, 130 g/t, and 50 g/t for ET, San Gonzalo, and Oxide Tailings, respectively. The cut-off grades for Guadalupe and La Potosina are 100 g/t. AgEQ or silver equivalent ounces are notional, based on the combined value of metals expressed as silver ounces. The silver equivalent was back-calculated using the following formulas:

ET, Guadalupe, La Potosina: AgEq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + (71.43 x Au (g/t) + (113.04 x Cu (%)) San Gonzalo: AgEq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + (75.39 x Au (g/t)) Oxide Tailings: AgEq (g/t) = Ag (g/t) + (81.53 x Au (g/t)) Cut-off grades were calculated using the following consensus metal price assumptions: gold price of US$1,800 /oz, silver price of US$21.00 /oz, and copper price of US$3.50 /lb. Metal recovery is based on operational results and column testing.

Avino President and CEO, David Wolfin commented: "We are thrilled to deliver this updated mineral resource representing another milestone for Avino on our path to transformational growth. This update is a significant boost to our overall consolidated mineral resources at the Avino property, with the new ounces coming in at a cost of $0.05 per discovered silver equivalent ounce - an incredible achievement. The updated mineral resource estimate provides us with a strong long-term outlook. We have increased the grade at ET, added significant silver and gold resources to both the measured and indicated category for the oxide tailings deposit, and put out an inaugural resource for the exciting recently explored areas. Together with the previously reported mineral resources on our new La Preciosa property, the consolidated mineral resources total 368 million silver equivalent ounces in the measured, indicated, and inferred categories. The Avino property is a long-life asset. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the entire Avino team for their contributions in this achievement of resource increase. The 2023 exploration program is underway with 8,000 metres of drilling planned."

The total measured and indicated mineral resource tonnage in all deposits totals 34.6 million metric tonnes containing

160.8 million ounces of silver equivalent, comprised of 69.96 million ounces of silver, 596,650 ounces of gold, and 301.4 million pounds of copper.

The total inferred mineral resource tonnage in all deposits totals 19.3 million metric tonnes, consisting of 69.61 million ounces of silver equivalent comprised of 28.42 million ounces of silver, 212,640 ounces of gold, and 158.49 million pounds of copper.

Avino  ET

The ET deposit has been sampled in underground development below elevations of 360 metres to 470 metres below surface, and it has been discovered to be consistently mineralized between the hanging wall and footwall veins over a thickness of up to 45 metres. This broad zone has been proven by underground development and channel sampling down to an elevation of 1,849 metres above sea level and remains open below. The Mineral Resource at the ET deposit has been updated based on 3D models of underground development and stoping excavations less all production since the last resource update.

Our strategy of phased exploration drilling to deeper levels, followed by ramping and development continues to be cost effective and mitigates risk as the ET deposit is developed to deeper levels. Remarkably, the ET deposit continues to reveal mineralized extensions nearly five hundred years since the beginning of mining.

Oxide Tailings

The Oxide Tailings resource has been updated with the additional 127 drill holes drilled in 2022 which has added significant confidence in the block model and significantly increased mineral resources in all categories. Sonic drilling proved to be a very efficient tactic in confirming the tailings deposit. The Oxide Tailings deposit provides significant potential for future production, with detailed metallurgical test work already completed and an upcoming prefeasibility study to be started within 2023.

Guadalupe and La Potosina Deposits

These vein deposits are being included in the resource statement for the first time. The Guadalupe deposit is less than one kilometer from the Avino processing plant.

Method of Calculation

The definitive estimation methods used were substantially the same for all three deposits (Ordinary Kriging), providing a consistent baseline for strategic planning.

Mineral resources were estimated by ordinary kriging, optimized using kriging neighbourhood analysis and verified by means of nearest neighbour and inverse distance methods, swathplot comparisons of estimates and visual inspections. Block models were created for the San Gonzalo, and Avino Vein Systems ET, Guadalupe, La Potosina and the Oxide Tailings deposit, and estimates were made using industry standard techniques.

Fundamental changes since the previous mineral resource estimates in 2020 are (1) depletion due to mining (over 550 thousand tonnes milled), (2) new sampling and drilling information and (3) changes to the interpretation of the brecias and vein models at ET.

More sampling information does not always lead to direct increases in resource tonnages and contained metal. In some cases, the new information provides improved understanding (developed by variogram modelling and kriging neighborhood analysis) that may demote some portions of mineral resource from high confidence measured and indicated categories, to a lower confidence inferred category.

For the San Gonzalo and Avino Vein Systems, estimated blocks with average distances more than 80 metres from samples have been classified as inferred resources. For the San Gonzalo Deposit, estimated blocks with average distances more than 30 metres from samples have been classified as inferred resources.

For the Oxide Tailings, estimated blocks more than 60 metres from samples are not included in the indicated category resources.

For La Potosina and Guadalupe, estimated blocks more than 30 metres from samples are not included in the indicated category resources.

The mineral resources estimate is being included in an updated technical report prepared by Tetra Tech Inc. under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101"), which will be available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the Company's profile and filed on Form 6-K with the SEC within 45 days.

Consolidated Mineral Resources

Avino Silver & Gold Mines  Consolidated Mineral Resources Summary1-2 Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources Average Grade Metal Contents Resource Category Deposit Cut off (AgEq g/t) Metric Tonnes (000s) AgEq (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) AgEq (M oz) Ag (M oz) Au (k oz) Cu (M lb) Measured Avino  All Deposits See Above 8,023 145 73 0.54 0.33 37.42 18.89 138.42 58.91 Total Measured All Deposits

8,023 145





37.42 18.89 138.42 58.91 Indicated Avino  All Deposits See Above 26,638 144 60 0.54 0.41 123.34 51.06 459.23 242.48 Indicated La Preciosa  All Deposits 120 17,441 202 176 0.34 - 113.14 98.59 189.19 - Total Indicated All Deposits

44,079 167





236.48 149.65 648.42 242.48 Total Measured & Indicated All Deposits

52,103 164





273.90 168.55 785.84 301.40 Inferred Mineral Resources Average Grade Metal Contents Inferred Avino  All Deposits See Above 19,313 112 46 0.34 0.37 69.61 28.42 212.64 158.49 Inferred La Preciosa  All Deposits 120 4,397 170 151 0.25 - 24.10 21.33 35.48 - Total Inferred All Deposits

23,710 123





93.71 49.75 248.12 158.49

See Table 1 for Avino Mine Property details and footnotes, including individual deposit cutoff grades. La Preciosa Mineral Resource Estimate is effective dated October 27, 2021  see Avino news release dated December 21, 2021 , for assumptions and full details on AgEq calculations.

Qualified Person(s)

The Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101, who are responsible for the technical content of this news release are Michael O'Brien P.Geo., Senior Principal Consultant, Red Pennant Geoscience, and under the supervision of Peter Latta, P.Eng, Avino's VP, Technical Services, both of whom are qualified persons within the context of NI 43-101.

About Avino

Avino is a silver producer from its wholly owned Avino Mine near Durango, Mexico. The Company's silver, gold and copper production remains unhedged. The Company's mission and strategy is to create shareholder value through its focus on profitable organic growth at the historic Avino Property and the strategic acquisition of the La Preciosa property. Avino currently controls mineral resources, as per NI 43-101, that total 368 million silver equivalent ounces, within our district-scale land package. We are committed to managing all business activities in a safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective manner, while contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate. We encourage you to connect with us on Twitter at @Avino_ASM and on LinkedIn at Avino Silver & Gold Mines. To view the Avino Mine VRIFY tour, please click here.

On Behalf of the Board

"David Wolfin"

________________________________

David Wolfin

President & CEO

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (together, the "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the amended mineral resource estimate for the Company's Avino Property located near Durango in west-central Mexico (the "Avino Property") with an effective date of November 30, 2022, and the Company's updated mineral resource estimate for La Preciosa with an effective date of October 27, 2021, prepared for the Company, and references to Measured, Indicated, Inferred Resources referred to in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the Company's Avino Property nor the La Preciosa Property have the amount of the mineral resources indicated in their reports or that such mineral resources may be economically extracted. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, the price of gold, silver and copper, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking information. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; the COVID-19 pandemic; volatility in the global financial markets; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; tax consequences to U.S. investors; and other risks and uncertainties. Although we have 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. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. For more detailed information regarding the Company including its risk factors, investors are directed to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and other periodic reports that it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

References to Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources and Inferred Mineral Resources in this press release are terms that are defined under Canadian rules by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). On October 31, 2018, the US Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Item 1300 of Regulation S-K ("Regulation SK-1300") to modernize the property disclosure requirements for mining registrants, and related guidance, under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All registrants are required to comply with Regulation SK-1300 for fiscal years ending after January 1, 2021. Regulation SK-1300 uses the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards ("CRIRSCO") based classification scheme for mineral resources and mineral reserves, that includes definitions for inferred, indicated, and measured mineral resources. U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into probable or proven mineral reserves within the meaning of Regulation S-K 1300.

SOURCE Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- B3 has selected Vermiculus for a monumental Central Security Depository project, set to modernize and futureproof the centralized deposit services provided by B3.

The new CSD system will be based on Vermiculus' VeriClear, an elastically scalable and AI-powered real-time system. The system has a top modern microservice-based architecture enabling a new standard for high efficiency.

This joint project will bring a cloud-native architecture and an exceptionally short time-to-market for new products in B3's CSD business line. The cutting-edge technology will provide B3 with a fast reconciliation process, flexible corporate action features, and a flexible account model. The new Brazilian CSD system will also handle extremely large volumetrics.

Modernization of the central depository, which was founded in 2004, will grant B3 the capacity over the next 15 years to respond to capital market demand and growth in products and services and in the volume of investors, issuers, and assets under custody.

The centralized deposit service provided by B3's CSD comprises the central safekeeping of fungible and non-fungible assets, the control of their effective ownership, and the administration of the corporate actions related to these assets. B3s CSD plays a critical role in the protection of assets and helps ensuring the integrity of asset transactions.

"The Vermiculus cloud platform will allow B3 to apply state-of-the-art technology and to prepare for increased demand and the expected development of Brazil's investments ecosystem. The new reality for the financial market and prospects for the future require an innovative, more agile structure with a scalable capacity that has support for the deposit of new types of assets," explained Viviane Basso, B3's Chief Operating Officer  Issuers, Depository and OTC.

She added that infrastructure modernization will reduce the time-to-market for new initiatives and for the demands of B3's clients. "This technology reaffirms our commitment to continuous evolution and to providing an excellent service for the entire market. We will provide this platform to other infrastructures, assuring strength and security for participants such as investors, brokerage houses, investment banks, issuers, and regulators."

This will be the most modern CSD system to date. With its AI-powered microservices, the new system will assure that B3 will be able to provide the highest quality of CSD services for many years to come. The recognized flexibility of the Vermiculus system stems from its microservice architecture, elastic scalability, and AI-power components designed for high efficiency operations. These constituents make it easy to expand the system with new products, corporate actions, and other algorithms with short time-to-market. Further, the scalability of the system allows for additions and removals of microservices in run time. In addition, the possibility to either run entirely in the cloud, on premise, or a hybrid model allows for efficient testing and quality assurance, among other benefits.

"We know the B3 team well and have built a very strong working relationship over many years. Our teams work well together and are in-sync using an agile methodology. I am convinced that this partnership will bring tremendous value for both companies and our teams will once again prove that true agility, expert industry knowledge, transparency, and modern technology is the formula for successful projectsno matter how complex," Says Nils-Robert Persson, Chairman of Vermiculus.

"We are pleased to partner with Vermiculus to deliver a best-in-class CSD system," says Rodrigo Nardoni, CIO of B3. "We look forward to working with the Vermiculus experts once again. Vermiculus' microservices provide the flexibility and scalability that a modern CSD system requires to support the demands of the Brazilian market and its future."

"We view the B3 team as an extension of our own. Our inter-cooperative way of working will secure a fully tailored CSD system of the highest efficiency, and we look forward to embarking on this journey together with such a strong customer."

 Taraneh Derayati, CEO of Vermiculus

"In this joint project, the B3 and Vermiculus teams will integrate and work closely together in a truly agile development process. This marks another fantastic partnership which is in line with our strategy to deliver the highest quality systems to the largest key-players in the financial market. Our organization is built for customer centric operations and transparency. We are honored to deliver B3's future CSD system and look forward to many years of fruitful collaboration," says Derayati.

About Vermiculus

Vermiculus Financial Technology AB provides cutting-edge trading, clearing, and CSD solutions to market participants around the world. Vermiculus' solutions are the first to bring state-of-the-art advances in dynamic microservice architecture together with vast experience in clearing house, exchange, and CSD business requirements.

Vermiculus' solutions radically improve robustness, quality, and flexibility by utilizing AI-driven microservices, and can achieve superior environmental performance, elastic scalability, and cost-efficiency through SaaS and cloud-based deployment.

The company started its operation in 2020 and is founded by industry experts with the incentive to revolutionize the technology of exchanges, clearing houses, and CSDs. With its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Vermiculus consists of hand-picked teams, trained to deliver mission-critical solutions. With decades of accumulated knowledge and expertise, the team has previously completed 75+ projects for the world's largest exchanges, clearing houses, and CSDs.

For more information about Vermiculus and their product and service offerings, visit www.vermiculus.se or get in touch through [email protected].

About B3 S.A.

B3 S.A. (B3SA3) is one of the main financial market infrastructure companies in the world and one of the largest in terms of market capitalization among global leaders in the exchange industry. B3 connects, develops and enables the financial and capital market and, together with customers and society, boosts Brazil's growth.

It trades in stock exchange and OTC environments and offers products and services to the financing chain. Headquartered in Sao Paulo and with offices in London, Chicago, Singapore and Shanghai, B3 performs important functions in the market by promoting best practices in corporate governance, risk management and sustainability.

B3. Brazil's Exchange.

B3 MEDIA RELATIONS

[email protected]

For further information, please contact:

Taraneh Derayati - CEO

Vermiculus Financial Technology

Tel +46-(0)73 634 56 26

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20350/3716305/1854298.pdf B3 Chooses Vermiculus to Deliver a Best-in-Class CSD system https://news.cision.com/vermiculusft/i/taraneh-derayati--ceo-of-vermiculus,c3145018 Taraneh Derayati, CEO of Vermiculus https://news.cision.com/vermiculusft/i/viviane-basso--coo-of-b3,c3145019 Viviane Basso, COO of B3

SOURCE VermiculusFT
HAYMARKET, Va., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bahador Ghahramani, PE, CISM, CPE, is being recognized by the Continental Who's Who as a Life Achiever as a Distinguished Scientist 2023 for his extensive work in the Cyber Security field and his leadership and professional excellence as the Chairman of the Board & Chief Information Officer with BG Technical Management Solutions (BG Techs) and the Multipurpose Early Warning Systems Technologies (MEWS Techs) that he has exhibited the highest level of professionalism, leadership, dedications, and integrity since 1995.

Bahador Ghahramani

Dr. Ghahramani holds many degrees from prominent universities: Ph.D. in Engineering; Masters of Science Degree in Engineering; Masters of Business Administration in Information Systems; Masters of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics; and Bachelors of Science in Engineering and Management. Throughout his educational pursuits, he has been proactively associated with leading universities and higher education institutions: the George Washington University, the University of Maryland, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Missouri at Rolla, and the Louisiana State University System. Dr. Ghahramani is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard University Kennedy School Executive Program and has maintained certifications and licenses in Information Security Management, Professional Ergonomics, and Professional Engineering.

Dr. Ghahramani has published and presented numerous peer reviewed (refereed) scientific papers and chapters in the leading publications. He has been an active member and officer in numerous national and international academic organizations, professional institutions, and honor societies. He has authored countless chapters, articles, and books, including "A Telecommunications Model for Managing Complexity of Voice and Data Networks and Services," "An Optimization Model for Telecommunications Systems," and "Economic Evaluation of Advanced Technologies: Techniques and Case Studies."

Invested in his work, Dr. Ghahramani maintains numerous professional affiliations in his field to stay abreast of the most cutting-edge advancements, including the International Foundation for Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Research, the National Safety Council and the Operations Research Society of America. He has also been associated with the Institute of Management Sciences, the American Institute of Industrial Engineers and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, to name a few.

Dr. Bahador Ghahramani is a distinguished and awarded member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he currently serves as a Lead Scientist. He is a founder and Chief Executive Officer of MewsTechs, Inc., and BG Techs, which holds eleven national and two international patents. After launching these companies, he became the Chief Technology Officer at Europa Telecom, a Lead Scientist at General Dynamics, and a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at the AT&T - Bell Laboratories. At General Dynamics, the doctor effectively facilitated two major advanced projects; amphibious systems and future combat systems when he was a lead scientist. His extensive work experience includes significant research and development projects with Sandia National Laboratories, Oakridge National Laboratory, Livermore National Laboratory, IBM Watson Centers, and other highly recognized national and international centers of excellence.

Considered a subject matter expert (SME) in his field, Dr. Ghahramani served as a reviewer for the International Journal of Quality Science and a member of the editorial advisory boards for the International Journal of Agile Manufacturing and the International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management. He is also proactively contributing advanced research and development discoveries with the prestigious Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program faculty and alumnus.

Dr. Ghahramani is credited with developing a nuclear, biological and chemical warning system and container security systems for the government. After standing up the DHS Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program, he has been focused on two major national and international cutting-edge technology related projects: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiatives, and the DHS Standards Council's efforts. He holds eleven (11) national and two (2) international patents.

Dr. Ghahramani is responsible for many state-of-the-art discoveries in science and technology. He has devoted many years to extensive training and serving humanity as an information officer. He is a renowned and well-published author of "My Epiphany." His book shares celestial subliminal and mystical messages that came to him in poetic form during moments of reflections. He is also an author and inventor of the modern electronic eye depth perception testing method (four patents) that has revolutionized the fields of ophthalmology and optometry.

Dr. Ghahramani has been honored many times as a leader in his field, including an Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Missouri at Rolla, an Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and an Outstanding Teaching Award from the General Motors Corporation. He was presented with various significant awards from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The Individual Innovation Award, the Team Award, the Peer-to-Peer Recognition Award, and the FedScoop Innovation of the Year Award. He has been recognized for his extensive body of work through publications such as Who's Who in Finance and Industry and Who's Who in Media and Communications. He is also recognized as one of the Two Distinguished Virginia Scientists from the Top 100 Registry.

For more information about Dr. Ghahramani, please google his name and visit:

My Epiphany: Ghahramani P.E. CISM CPE, Dr. Bahador: 9781984588630: Amazon.com: Books.

https://www.amazon.com/Epiphany-Dr-Bahador-Ghahramani-CISM/dp/198458863X

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-epiphany-dr-bahador-ghahramani-pe ... 1137389123

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ELSztYs4eO4

https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-epiphany/dr-bahador-ghahramani-p- ... 1984588630

https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=cism+book

https://books.google.com/books?id=7U_4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1&lpg=PT1&dq=baha ... ny&f=false

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Basepoint Tax & Accounting, a subsidiary company of Basepoint Wealth, LLC, recently named Ron Detweiler President and expands operations in Cedar Rapids.

Ron Detweiler, CPA, CSA has more than 40 years of experience providing accounting, tax, business, financial, and advisory client services. He began his career at a local CPA firm, later founding his own CPA firm and working as a group leader for a public company. For 17 years he served in management roles for two national firms and served concurrent positions as a trusted tax, business, and financial advisor. He joined corporate H&R Block in 2005, and in 2012, Ron and his firm, Detweiler & Associates CPAs LLC, joined Honkamp, P.C. as part of the Hiawatha branch.

His specialties include individual and business preparation and compliance, small business consulting and services IRS/state representation, accounting and payroll tax services, financial and investment planning, and retirement planning.

Ron earned his B.A. in accounting from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, and he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA). Ron serves as Treasurer and Chairman of the Endowment and Finance Committee for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and is the Board Treasurer for the Ecumenical Community Center Foundation.

Basepoint Wealth President Kate Wallace states, "Ron adds an incredible boost to both our intellectual capital and our ability to deliver seamless, coordinated tax advice to our clients. Ron is one of the hardest workers I have ever had the opportunity to lead, and his genuine care for delivering on promises to clients is unmatched. We are honored to have him join our team."

Basepoint continues to further expand its tax and accounting services with the most recent acquisition of Ledger Plus of Cedar Rapids. For nearly 30 years, Ledger Plus has provided high-quality accounting services to individuals and businesses in the Eastern Iowa area. Other recent successful mergers for Basepoint include Charter Accounting, PLC of Des Moines in 2021, and Allen Accounting, PLC in Cedar Rapids in February 2022.

These recent acquisitions have allowed Basepoint to provide both investment management and tax planning advice under one roof and allow individuals to benefit from tax advisors and financial planners who see the same data and follow a unified philosophy.

Basepoint Wealth, LLC, a fee-only registered investment advisor with offices in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Davenport, and Des Moines, Iowa, is the parent company of Basepoint Tax & Accounting. They were recently named one of the "Fastest Growing Companies" by the Corridor Business Journal and Top RIA Grower in the state of Iowa by Citywire RIA in 2022.

Visit our website for additional information: www.basepointtax.com.

Media Contacts:

Basepoint Wealth, LLC

Basepoint Tax & Accounting

Shelley Woods

Director of Marketing and Public Relations

319-826-1898

[email protected]

SOURCE Basepoint Tax & Accounting
WINDHAM, Maine, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Alex Roy, president of Blue Payment Agency Inc., "The redesign's purpose is to align BluePaymentAgency.com with our focus on federally licensed firearms dealers (also called FFL dealers) that perform background checks, and on tactical websites that sell knives, survival products, and nonlethal weapons such as pepper spray and stun guns."

When Blue Payment Agency first opened in 2014, it had a more generic approach to high-risk payment processing. Beginning a few years ago, though, the company began to focus almost exclusively on providing credit card processing to FFL dealers, ammunition dealers, online knife sites, and tactical websites selling items like stun guns and pepper spray.

According to Blue Payment Agency, their focus on the firearms and tactical payments space has allowed them to truly be experts in the field. Alex explains it this way: "Credit card payments can be complex. Adding another variable  in this case, providing both retail and e-commerce payments support  to a highly regulated group of businesses like FFL dealers only compounds that."

Payment processing must be set up correctly in order to be stable, and the combination of e-commerce FFL-to-FFL shipments, ammunition sales, face-to-face transactions, and even auction sales on popular sites like GunBroker adds to the complexity. Integrations must work with POS systems, in addition to auction dashboards and a host of shopping carts like WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Wix.

Mr. Roy says it this way: "Our day-to-day experience with tactical and FFL businesses gives us the expertise we wouldn't have if our focus was more diluted. We pride ourselves on knowing the details. Whether it is a collector knife and sword website; an ammunition dealer; an FFL dealer that wants to consolidate their retail, website, and auction payment processing under one roof; or a personal protection website hoping to sell pepper spray without fear of having their payment processing shut down due to violating their payment gateway's terms and conditions, the ability to use one payment processor for all transactions has the additional benefit of simplifying bookkeeping responsibilities as well."

Can FFL dealers legally accept credit card payments for online gun sales?

Yes, but only by following federal law. Here is how Alex Roy describes the process: "When the prospective buyer of a firearm visits a federally licensed dealer's website and buys a gun online, they are considered a transferee. Under no circumstance is a firearm shipped directly to the buyer. During the checkout process, the gun buyer must select a local FFL dealer from whom they will pick up their purchase. Their background is checked, face-to-face, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This check is performed by a local dealer who, like the online seller, is a federal firearms licensee (FFL)."

Online firearms, tactical, and survival businesses must work through a host of challenges, including prohibited activity lists that effectively bar them from using many common payment gateways, merchant accounts, shopping carts, and even POS systems. Blue Payment Agency Inc.'s focus on the industry is designed to build institutional expertise, allowing them to provide fast, more accurate advice and assist FFL dealers and tactical business owners with affordable, stable credit card processing while reducing the stress level of tactical business owners looking for a payment processing partner.

Blue Payment Agency's newly focused and redesigned website has sections on software integrations, including WooCommerce, Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce, along with niche platforms like GunBroker.

Blue Payment Agency's newly designed website can be found at: https://bluepaymentagency.com/.

Media Contact:

Alex Roy

844-253-9769

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Payment Agency INC
Global Talent Mobility Leader Relaunches Website with Greater Emphasis on Delivering Timely Thought Leadership

DANBURY, Conn., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartus Corporation, an Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) company and a global leader in talent mobility and corporate relocation solutions, today announced the completion of their corporate brand refresh and new thought leadership-focused website. The initiatives reflect input from across their global employee and client base, which includes more than a third of Fortune 100 companies as well as hundreds of clients who move anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred employees each year.

Cartus leaders explain what it means for clients and relocating employees when we lean into and live up to our essence, Where Mobility Meets Agility

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9135251-cartus-unveils-bold-new-identity/

"Our parent company's purpose is to Empower Everyone's Next Move," explains Eric Barnes, Cartus Interim President and CEO. "Cartus' role in that is to deliver an exceptional experience to clients, customers, and their families through the power of cutting-edge mobility and real estate solutions, technology, and industry expertise."

That exceptional experience now includes a radically redesigned public website, built with a bias for thought leadership, beautifully rendered. "Whether you're a prospect, client, supplier, or relocating employee, you have quick, easy access to industry-exclusive blogs, podcasts, surveys, research, and other engaging, actionable content, delivered through a modern, attractive user experience," said Rob Moore, Cartus SVP, Global Sales and Growth Enablement.

Nearly every aspect of the new brand identity has been reconstructed from first principles to convey what "Cartus" means today. The lowercase lettering in the Cartus wordmark reflects a friendly, approachable personality, while a more prominent typeface ensures a vivid brand expression at any size. The bold four-stroke globe pays homage to the company's historical brand identity and global experiencewith employees on four continents serving customers in 190 countrieswhile modernizing and simplifying the design for a contemporary look and feel. The outermost arc of the icon is a subtle reinforcement of the "C" in "Cartus." It is also an open perfect circle, representing the company's comprehensive service offerings and emphasis on flexible solutions over rigid prescriptions. Finally, the bright blue and deep blue brand colors evoke the relocation and talent mobility leader's blue-sky thinking, vast reach, and depth of expertise while maintaining its long-time association with this hue, which is also traditionally used to convey a brand's stability and reliabilitytwo additional advantages Cartus offers its clients.

Moore was quick to emphasize that this was not a rebrand. "We have built up a lot of positive equity, reputation, and momentum with the Cartus name over the last 17 years, and that's not going anywhere. At the same time, it's undeniable that Cartus is not the same company we were ten years ago or even five years ago. Yet the most visible aspects of our brand, what people saw at events and on the web, didn't reflect the new Cartus. It still showed who we were, not who we are NOW, or what our vision is for our company, our clients and customers, and our industry."

That vision includes leaning into and living up to a new essence, Where Mobility Meets AgilitySM, which clients attest the company has earned over the last several years while supporting them through challenges posed by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, remote and hybrid work, visa and immigration restrictions, and other global trends.

"We have relied heavily on Cartus to do the impossible," says Marisa Johnson, Textron Director, Global Services. "Namely, help us place critical talent in the right place at the right time and fulfill our duty of care to our employees and their families. Our ability to truly partner with Cartus has allowed us to successfully navigate these uncharted waters and come out better for it on the other side."

ABOUT CARTUS

Cartus Corporation, a global leader in talent mobility and a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS), delivers the full spectrum of corporate relocation services to organizations of all sizes across the world. These include more than a third of Fortune 100 companies as well as hundreds of clients with small-to-mid-size programs serviced through their dedicated Cartus InsigniaSM segment.

Learn more at cartus.com and anywhere.re .

MEDIA CONTACT

Trevor Macomber

Cartus Director, Growth EnablementBranding & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Cartus Corporation
From protection to prevention, it covers four major areas to take care of customers

TAIPEI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cathay Life Insurance, Taiwan's largest insurance company, has announced a detailed new strategy for customers, along with its latest operational performance in the health sector.

The newly launched wellness program FitBack, which is embedded in the Cathay Life App. It serves as a constant reminder and encouragement for customers to stay committed to health goals, upgrade their membership levels, and reap the rewards. The company also joined hands with cross-industry partners to create health-orientated tasks for customers.

With risk identification as the core pillar, the company is utilizing technology to better serve customers in areas such as improving health awareness, suboptimal health, and elderly care. The company has also increased commitment to spillover insurance policies, encouraging customers to improve their health in return for a reduced premium or bonuses. These four focus areas allow Cathay Life Insurance to provide the most complete health coverage in the industry.

"Cathay Life Insurance has eight million policyholders and services more than 20 million insurance policies in Taiwan. Facing challenges such as an ageing population, the pandemic, emerging technology, and the environment, it is necessary to approach insurance in a more agile and digital way to fulfill customer needs," shared Able Lin, spokesperson of Cathay Life Insurance.

Since the launch of spillover insurance policies in 2018 that included a successful wellness program, Cathay Life Insurance has continued advocating for a transition from protection to prevention to engender a healthier society and for customers to utilize their policies to the fullest potential.

One of the four major areas in the strategy involves the newly launched wellness program "FitBack", which is embedded in the Cathay Life App. It serves as a constant reminder and encouragement for customers to stay committed to health goals, upgrade their membership levels, and reap the rewards. The company also joined hands with cross-industry partners to create health-orientated tasks for customers.

To further generate awareness about the importance of keeping healthy, Cathay Life Insurance has actively expanded its spillover insurance policy offerings in recent years to focus on preemptive prevention and reduction of claims. Presently, the company ranks top when it comes to profits from spillover insurance policies in the market and is aiming to strengthen its position with the launch of the industry's first spillover insurance policy that combines membership levels with discounted premiums.

As for the area of suboptimal health, Cathay Life Insurance is partnering with local and renowned clinics to provide comprehensive care services. The teams comprise doctors, nutritionists, pharmacists, and educators to craft a personalized approach to healthcare for policyholders.

For the elderly population, the company is also consistently improving its services for this group of customers, training staff to be health consultants that are well-versed in elderly care and governmental resources and working with the Industrial Technology Research Institute to develop cognitive function testing services.

Insurance is for the people, and Cathay Life encourages its employees to adopt transformational thinking  in order to provide relatable and personalized services for the ageing society of Taiwan and to build a feasible blueprint for national health together.

SOURCE Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd.
Emerging Cincinnati Company Adds To Its Portfolio With Second Acquisition; Company Looks To Acquire Additional Brands In 2023

CINCINNATI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cincy Brands , a technology-driven consumer products company that acquires and accelerates better-for-you brands, today announced the acquisition of Sapadilla , a brand of earth-friendly cleaning products that have amazing natural scents. They acquired the brand from The Gorilla Glue Company , which will continue to be an investor. Sapadilla is the second acquisition for Cincy Brands after acquiring Vitabox in 2022.

Sapadilla was originally founded in Vancouver, Canada, to address consumer concerns about using fake dyes and fragrances in the home. The team created a product line that includes hand soaps, dish soaps, and cleaners that use 100% pure essential oil blends and biodegradable ingredients for a deep clean that makes homes smell amazing. The brand got its start selling bulk products to soap refilleries and is available in major retailers across Canada, on sapadilla.com, and Amazon.com.

"Sapadilla is the exact type of brand we are looking to acquire for the portfolio of better-for-you brands" Tweet this

"Sapadilla is the exact type of brand we are looking to acquire for the portfolio of better-for-you brands," said Sean Lee, President of Cincy Brands. "The Sapadilla brand is beloved by consumers because of its plant-based, biodegradable, and earth-friendly formulas that clean incredibly well and have scents that invigorate the senses. We were drawn to the brand because consumers rave about the captivating natural scents of the products."

"The Gorilla Glue Company has been a great steward of the Sapadilla brand and will be an integral part of the transition," said Andy Cipra, Chief Executive Officer of Cincy Brands. "We are thrilled to have them stay on as a minority owner, and we are excited to invest and support this next stage of growth for Sapadilla to get its products into the hands of more consumers."

"Cincy Brands has been a great partner to work with throughout the deal process. We are excited for the Cincy Brands' team to scale a brand that people love. Their domain expertise and years of experience in the space will be foundational for this next stage of growth. We look forward to what's ahead under Cincy Brands' leadership," said Jason Partin, Chief Marketing Officer at The Gorilla Glue Company.

Cincy Brands is currently searching for additional ecommerce and consumer goods brands to acquire and accelerate within its portfolio. They are offering brand owners flexible terms and a seamless closing process. More information is available at www.cincybrands.com .

About Cincy Brands

Cincy Brands is an innovative, agile, and modern-day consumer products company of better-for-you brands. We find, acquire, and grow better-for-you brands to get them in the hands of more consumers, so they can live healthier, happier lives. Founded by ex-Procter & Gamble and agency leaders, we are a digital-first company rooted in data, automation, and technology to provide amazing brands to consumers. Our scaled platform allows us to accelerate brand growth through technology, performance marketing, omnichannel distribution, product development, and supply chain expertise. We offer sellers a seamless acquisition process rooted in integrity that is flexible to their needs.

For more information, please visit: www.cincybrands.com

SOURCE Cincy Brands
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CloneSmart (pronounced: "clones mart"), a leading cannabis technology platform providing integrated marketing and sales solutions for nurseries, seed banks, distributors, and retail outlets, is proud to announce the official launch of their digital genetics marketplace located at CloneSmart.com.

The primary of goal of CloneSmart is to streamline the process of genetics procurement for commercial farms as well as provide an access portal to help businesses and consumers find quality cannabis and hemp genetics in their area.

CloneSmart provides real-time menus for genetics that are available to commercial farmers and information on where to find clones available to consumers.

CloneSmart can be used to search or list cannabis clones, hemp clones, cannabis teens, hemp teens, cannabis mother plants, cannabis seeds, hemp seeds, and cannabis tissue cultures.

To learn more about CloneSmart, visit CloneSmart.com or CloneSmart.com/advertise/

Contact: CloneSmart, Ryan George, 925-478-9805, [email protected]

SOURCE CloneSmart, LLC
Focus on alternative credentials and work experience in MD, PA and UT will expand the talent pool for in demand technology jobs

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The elimination of four-year college degree requirements for thousands of state government jobs in three states opens technology employment opportunities for people previously shut out of this workforce, according to CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order abolishing a college degree requirement for most state government positions. Governors in Maryland and Utah had previously taken similar actions, as have a growing number of private sector employers.

"We believe there exist no entry level jobs in the economy which require four years of college study." Tweet this

"We believe there exist no entry level jobs in the economy which require four years of college study. The tech sector is no exception," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA. "We can put people to work based on the talents they have, the potential they demonstrate and the on-the-job skills they develop.

"CompTIA applauds the positive steps to expand and diversify their workforces taken by Governor Shapiro, Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and former Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland," Thibodeaux continued. "It's a step that we strongly encourage other states to take."

The over reliance on academic degrees by employers is a significant factor in the "over-spec'ing" of job requirements for technology positions. CompTIA research has found that a notable segment of HR professionals is unaware of the concept of overspec'ing when creating job postings.

In 2022 61% of all employer job postings for tech positions nationally listed a four-year degree or higher as a requirement. In Pennsylvania, a degree was required in 62% of postings for tech jobs, in Utah, 59%; and in Maryland, 69%.1

While HR professionals and hiring managers may see little downside in asking for extensive skills, experience and qualifications, this practice has a clear negative impact on potential candidates for technology jobs, especially at a time when the national tech unemployment rate is at 1.5%. Among recent job seekers considering a career change into a technology role, 56% reported a "confidence gap" about their ability to work in tech.[2]

CompTIA has a long-standing and ongoing commitment to building a robust and diverse tech workforce around the world. Each year CompTIA helps thousands of people with education, training and professional certifications that prepare them for employment opportunities and career advancement.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for unlocking the potential of the tech industry and its workforce. https://www.comptia.org/

Media Contact

Steven Ostrowski

CompTIA

[email protected]

630.678.8468

1 CompTIA analysis of Lightcast employer job posting data.

2 CompTIA Job Seekers Survey, February 2023.

SOURCE CompTIA
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global construction safety helmets market size is estimated to increase by USD 551.17 million from 2021 to 2026. The market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 5.6%. 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. Discover more insights on the market before buying the full report -Request a sample report.

Global construction safety helmets market  Vendor analysis

Vendor offerings -

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Construction Safety Helmets Market 2022-2026

3M Co. - The company offers construction safety helmets that are designed for comfort. With pressure diffusion technology, these helmets can reduce forehead pressure by 20% on average.

The company offers construction safety helmets that are designed for comfort. With pressure diffusion technology, these helmets can reduce forehead pressure by 20% on average. Centurion Safety Products Ltd. - The company offers construction safety helmets that are combined with a badge holder fitter, which combines premium adhesive and an easy-click lock functionality for added security.

The company offers construction safety helmets that are combined with a badge holder fitter, which combines premium adhesive and an easy-click lock functionality for added security. Delta Plus Group - The company offers construction safety helmets that are tested for front-back wearing to reduce encumbrance. They are equipped with foam sweatband for head size 53 cm to 63 cm.

The company offers construction safety helmets that are tested for front-back wearing to reduce encumbrance. They are equipped with foam sweatband for head size 53 cm to 63 cm. Honeywell International Inc. - The company offers construction safety helmets that protect from falling objects, collision impact, debris, and shock, among other hazards.

The company offers construction safety helmets that protect from falling objects, collision impact, debris, and shock, among other hazards. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global construction safety helmets market is fragmented, with the presence of several small and large vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer construction safety helmets in the market are 3M Co., Alpha Solway Ltd., Centurion Safety Products Ltd., Concord Helmet and Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Delta Plus Group, Engelbert Strauss GmbH and Co. KG, Fire Safe Solutions and Consultants, Greateagle Safety Products Co. Ltd., Hengshui Kai Yuan FRP Products Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., KASK Spa, Mallcom India Ltd., MSA Safety Inc., NAFFCO FZCO, Performance Fabrics Inc. DBA HexArmor, Protective Industrial Products Inc, Sure Safety India Ltd., Udyogi International Pvt. Ltd., and uvex group and others.

Vendors compete based on quality, price, service, brand image, distribution, and marketing. Increasing competition among vendors is expected to compel them to reduce their product prices, which will negatively affect their profit margins and market growth. Moreover, changing consumption patterns affect vendors' performance. The global construction safety helmets market can also be affected by global and regional economic conditions.

Global construction safety helmets 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

Global construction safety helmets market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on material (HDPE, polyethylene, fiberglass, polycarbonate, and others).

The HDPE segment will account for a significant share of the market's growth during the forecast period. HDPE helmets can be molded to manufacture different safety helmets with various ribs, slots, brims, and vents. They have a locking system, suspension system, ventilation system, side slots, and rain gutter system. Such factors will drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global construction safety helmets market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global construction safety helmets market.

APAC will account for 49% of the market's growth during the forecast period. China , Japan , and India are the key contributors to the construction safety helmets market in the region. Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The construction industry in the region is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the need for new infrastructure fueled by the growing urban population. This, in turn, will drive the construction safety helmet market growth in APAC.

Download a sample report

Global construction safety helmets market  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - The robust growth of the construction industry is driving market growth. The spending on construction is expected to increase in APAC over the next five years. ASEAN governments are focusing on strengthening infrastructure and creating stronger inter-regional collaboration with China. Economies such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Myanmar are expected to witness growth in their construction market. The increasing population will fuel the demand for accommodation, which, in turn, will drive the growth of the residential construction sector. Such factors are expected to increase the demand for construction safety helmets during the forecast period.

Key trends - Ergonomically designed helmets are a key trend in the market. The integration of ergonomics in construction safety helmets will enhance comfort. Muscular issues can directly impact movement, energy, posture, and fatigue. Hence, regulatory bodies such as OSHA are creating awareness about the benefits of ergonomics. The organization also provides training on construction ergonomics. Such factors will support the market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Discomfort due to weight is challenging the market growth. Most of the safety helmets are heavy or lack ventilation, which causes fatigue and suffocation. Accessories such as visors further add to the weight and discomfort. Hence, vendors are manufacturing safety helmets with four-point and six-point suspensions. However, these helmets are relatively new and less popular. Moreover, they may not be viable for businesses to replace the entire stock of conventional safety helmets with newer variants. Such factors may hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, 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 construction safety helmets market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the construction safety helmets market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the construction safety helmets market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the construction safety helmets market across APAC, North America , Europe , Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , 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 construction safety helmets market vendors

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Related Reports:

The predicted growth for the safety apparel market size from 2021 to 2026 is USD 9.80 billion at a decelerating CAGR of 11.3%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (chemical defending, flame retardant, mechanical, high visibility, and others) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The safety shoes market size is expected to increase by USD 1.64 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.78%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (construction, chemicals, manufacturing, mining, and others) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa).

Construction Safety Helmets Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 147 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 5.6% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 551.17 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2022 (%) 6.26 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 49% Key countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled 3M Co., Alpha Solway Ltd., Centurion Safety Products Ltd., Concord Helmet and Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Delta Plus Group, Engelbert Strauss GmbH and Co. KG, Fire Safe Solutions and Consultants, Greateagle Safety Products Co. Ltd., Hengshui Kai Yuan FRP Products Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., KASK Spa, Mallcom India Ltd., MSA Safety Inc., NAFFCO FZCO, Performance Fabrics Inc. DBA HexArmor, Protective Industrial Products Inc, Sure Safety India Ltd., Udyogi International Pvt. Ltd., and uvex group 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.

Browse for Technavio's consumer discretionary market reports

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 Material



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 between 2021 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 Material

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Material - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Material - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Material

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Material



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Material

5.3 HDPE - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on HDPE - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on HDPE - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on HDPE - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on HDPE - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Polyethylene - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Polyethylene - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Polyethylene - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Polyethylene - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Polyethylene - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Fiberglass - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Fiberglass - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Fiberglass - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Fiberglass - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Fiberglass - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Polycarbonate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Polycarbonate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Polycarbonate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Polycarbonate - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Polycarbonate - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 44: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Material

Exhibit 48: Market opportunity by Material ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 49: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 50: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 52: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 72: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 78: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 79: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 80: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 81: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: 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 86: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 90: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 91: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 92: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 93: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 94: 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 95: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 96: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 97: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 98: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 99: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 100: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 3M Co.

Co. Exhibit 101: 3M Co. - Overview

Co. - Overview

Exhibit 102: 3M Co. - Business segments

Co. - Business segments

Exhibit 103: 3M Co. - Key news

Co. - Key news

Exhibit 104: 3M Co. - Key offerings

Co. - Key offerings

Exhibit 105: 3M Co. - Segment focus

10.4 Centurion Safety Products Ltd.

Exhibit 106: Centurion Safety Products Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 107: Centurion Safety Products Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 108: Centurion Safety Products Ltd. - Key offerings

10.5 Delta Plus Group

Exhibit 109: Delta Plus Group - Overview



Exhibit 110: Delta Plus Group - Business segments



Exhibit 111: Delta Plus Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 112: Delta Plus Group - Segment focus

10.6 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 113: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 114: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 115: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 116: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 117: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

10.7 JSP Ltd.

Exhibit 118: JSP Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 119: JSP Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 120: JSP Ltd. - Key offerings

10.8 KASK Spa

Exhibit 121: KASK Spa - Overview



Exhibit 122: KASK Spa - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: KASK Spa - Key offerings

10.9 MSA Safety Inc.

Exhibit 124: MSA Safety Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 125: MSA Safety Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 126: MSA Safety Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: MSA Safety Inc. - Segment focus

10.10 NAFFCO FZCO

Exhibit 128: NAFFCO FZCO - Overview



Exhibit 129: NAFFCO FZCO - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: NAFFCO FZCO - Key offerings

10.11 Protective Industrial Products Inc

Exhibit 131: Protective Industrial Products Inc - Overview



Exhibit 132: Protective Industrial Products Inc - Product / Service



Exhibit 133: Protective Industrial Products Inc - Key offerings

10.12 uvex group

Exhibit 134: uvex group - Overview



Exhibit 135: uvex group - Business segments



Exhibit 136: uvex group - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: uvex group - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 138: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 139: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 140: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 141: Research methodology



Exhibit 142: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 143: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 144: 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 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.

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
RALEIGH, N.C. , Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The contact center industry is set to experience a shift towards outsourced services in the coming years, with global market growth projected at a CAGR of 3-4% between 2022 and 2025, according to a new analysis by Beroe, a leading Procurement Intelligence firm.

Currently, in-house contact centers dominate the market, but this trend is expected to change as more companies turn to third-party providers.

The global contact center services market was valued at $380 billion in 2022, with 75-70 percent of services kept in-house and the remaining 25-30 percent outsourced to third parties. By 2025, the market is forecasted to reach $400-$420 billion, driven by the growing demand for customer care outsourcing services from North America, Europe, the UK, Australia, and Japan, as per latest research by Beroe Inc.

One of the major trends in the contact center market is an increasing shift towards onshore and nearshore locations. India and the Philippines have long been the top destinations for contact center outsourcing, but there is an increasing demand for nearshore locations such as Latin America and emerging destinations such as the Caribbean, Central America, and Eastern Europe. This trend is driven by the desire for a more cost-effective and efficient service, as well as the need for closer geographical proximity to customers.

Another trend in the market is the adoption of outcome-based pricing models. This type of pricing reduces risk for buyers as payments to service providers are based on the achievement of specific organizational goals. This approach aligns the interests of both parties and can lead to more successful outcomes for businesses.

AI is also becoming an essential tool in contact centers to improve the customer experience and alleviate the workload of human agents. The use of analytical tools, AI, and chatbots can help businesses to better understand customer needs and make more informed decisions. This in turn can lead to improved customer satisfaction and retention.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the trend of work-from-home agents in the contact center market. This model offers cost savings, flexibility, and scalability benefits, and has been operating well despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. As a result, many companies are likely to continue with this model in the future.

Multilingual hubs are also becoming more popular as businesses look to tap into the cost advantages of economies of scale. These hubs are located in areas with educated, multicultural populations where foreign-language talent is abundant and network connectivity is strong. By outsourcing their CX tasks to these locations, businesses can improve their ability to communicate with global customers in their preferred language.

Finally, the adoption of cloud-based contact centers is also on the rise. The growing need to connect digitally and optimize costs has led to an increased demand for solutions that can be deployed quickly and with minimal capital investment. These cloud-based solutions offer the added benefit of scalability and the ability to quickly adapt to changing business needs and customer demands.

For more such market data, insights, and intelligence check out Beroe LiVE.Ai.

About Beroe:

Beroe is a global SaaS-based procurement intelligence and analytics provider. We deliver intelligence, data, and insights that enable companies to make smarter sourcing decisions  leading to lower cost, reduced risk, and greater profits. Beroe has been a trusted source of intelligence for more than 15 years and presently partners with 10,000 companies worldwide, including 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. For more information about Beroe Inc., please visit https://www.beroeinc.com/.

Contact:



Debobrata Hembram

[email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/777512/Beroe_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Beroe Inc.
BOLSTERS POSITION AS LARGEST U.S. DISTRIBUTOR OF WINDOW SHADES AND ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS

CANTON, Mass., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Contexture has acquired the Tennessee division of Virginia-based Commonwealth Blinds & Shades, increasing its ability to service growing customer demand in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi and across its 20-state service area. The deal strengthens Boston-based Contexture's position as the largest U.S. distributor of commercial window shades and acoustic systems and reinforces the company's commitment to improving building environments.

This expansion builds on Contexture's support of our customers goal to optimizing building environments. Tweet this Brianna Goodwin, CEO of Contexture

Commonwealth Blinds & Shades operations in Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina will continue to serve customers under that brand, while the Tennessee operations will now be branded Contexture.

"We've completed some of the most prestigious projects in the country," noted Jon Harrington, chief revenue officer of Contexture. He added, "Regardless of the scale, complexity, or unique project needs, we have unmatched experience throughout the design and build process. This expansion builds on Contexture's reputation of performance and our ability to support our customers in their goals of optimizing building environments to enhance occupant comfort."

Known as the top window shade and acoustic system provider throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern regions, the addition of the Tennessee-based operation affords Contexture the ability to increase capacity for installation and maintenance services across a growing geographic service area.

"We offer a full complement of services including design assistance, supply and install, and preventative maintenance programs," said Brianna Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of Contexture. She continued, "The addition of Commonwealth Blinds & Shades' talented personnel adds knowledgeable resources to support our growing customer base throughout the Southeast. I am excited to welcome them to the Contexture family."

"Our expert project management and installation capabilities in the Nashville area give Contexture a stronger foothold in these four states," said Commonwealth CEO Chris Witte. "Customers will continue to experience strong dedication to service while being introduced to additional products and services that Contexture delivers."

The acquisition follows the recent rebranding of Ver-Tex Construction to Contexture in 2022, representing a year of dramatic growth for the 37-year-old, certified woman-owned, family business. In November 2021, Ver-Tex acquired Florida-based Brambier's, one of the most prominent acoustic wall and ceiling system providers in the southeast region of the United States. In June 2022, the company launched a Mid-Atlantic division, adding Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and the New York City metropolitan area to its service area.

About Contexture, Inc.

Contexture is the largest U.S. company to design and install tailored window treatment and acoustic systems, providing commercial building developers, architects, owner/operators, and general contractors control over factors such as daylight and lighting, acoustics, thermal properties, and aesthetics to create transformative energy-saving spaces, conducive to maximum occupant comfort, wellness, and productivity. Founded in 1985 and WBENC-certified since 2021, Contexture, Inc., is based in suburban Boston.

For more information, visit www.contextureUSA.com.

SOURCE Contexture Inc.
GENOA, Italy and WOLLERAU, Switzerland, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Group, part of Carnival Corporation and Europe's leading cruise operator with its two brands Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, and the leading methanol producer, Proman, have signed an MOU to drive further the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel for the cruise industry.

Costa Group and Promans agreement aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the cruise industry. Costa Group Logo

The partnership aims to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation of the existing fleet by enhancing the supply of sustainable methanol, paving the way for the retrofitting of existing vessels to operate on clean fuel, as well as investment in further methanol-fueled new builds.

Today's MOU reaffirms methanol's potential to play a key role in the ongoing reduction of GHG emissions of the cruise sector and other shipping segments. It is a cleaner-burning fuel which virtually eliminates airborne pollutants such as particulate matter and sulphur oxides and is widely available and increasingly produced via lower-carbon, biogenic or hydrogen-based pathways. When used in fuel cells, methanol has the potential to allow for lifecycle zero emissions in the near future.

Methanol is emerging as a leading alternative fuel to meet GHG reduction goals due to its easy-to-handle properties, making it attractive for both new builds and for refitting existing ships. As one of the most widely traded chemical commodities, the infrastructure for ship supply could be adapted from existing infrastructure. All forms of methanol, whether natural-gas based, low-carbon or renewable, can be blended regardless of production pathways. It therefore enables a reliable transition pathway from today to fully GHG neutral cruise ships in near future.

"The technology to retrofit a vessel to accept methanol as a fuel is available today. Our methanol products can facilitate the transition to low carbon intensity fuels. Methanol-powered vessels have a proven track record of reducing and eliminating major greenhouse gas emissions, delivering immediate air quality improvements around major ports and shipping lanes. We are excited to bring our expertise along the full methanol value chain to help deliver on Costa Group's bold ambitions" - said Tim Cornelius, Proman's Managing Director of Corporate Development.

Over the years, Costa Group has been leading sustainable innovation in the global cruise industry by steadily pioneering advanced technologies on board its new and existing ships. The company was the first to introduce liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for emission reduction with four ships already in service in the Costa Group fleet. The majority of Costa Group ships are equipped with shore power capabilities to be zero emissions in ports where the technology is available, and the Company has also performed the first tests on biofuels. By this and the likes of today's partnership with Proman, Costa Group has proven that fuel transition in the marine industry is possible by strong industry collaboration and shared visions for a sustainable future.

"We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for sustainable energy transition. By enabling cruise ships to use methanol as a propulsion fuel, Costa follows the ambition to take the next big step towards GHG neutral operations of our fleet by 2050" - said Dr. Christoph Schladoer, VP Decarbonisation Costa Group.

www.costapresscenter.com

About Proman:

Proman is an integrated energy company and the world's second largest methanol producer.

Headquartered in Switzerland, with assets in the United States, Trinidad and Oman, and ongoing expansion into Mexico, Canada and the UAE, Proman is a global leader in methanol, fertilizer and other products such as melamine. We have extensive experience in project management, petrochemical plant construction and operations, marketing and logistics, and shipping.

Proman is committed to developing lower-carbon and sustainable methanol and ammonia as cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, offering a pathway to drastically cutting emissions in a range of sectors including transport and heavy industry. www.proman.org

About Costa Group:

The Costa Group is the leading cruise company in Europe, headquartered in Genoa (Italy). Part of the Carnival Corporation & plc Group, listed on the London and New York stock exchanges and world leader in the sector, the Costa Group includes the Costa Cruises and the AIDA Cruises brands. Its fleet can count on a total of 23 ships, all flying the Italian flag. The company has a global workforce about 29,000 employees working onboard and in its offices.

www.aida.de

www.costacruise.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004005/Costa_Cruises.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1775857/Proman_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004132/Costa_Group_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Proman AG; Costa Group
DUBLIN, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cross-Laminated Timber Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global cross-laminated timber market size reached 2,105,690 Cubic Metres in 2022. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach 4,241,413 Cubic Metres by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.38% during 2022-2028.



Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product that is rapidly gaining popularity across the globe as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel construction in commercial and multi-residential applications. The system consists of multilayer panels made from solid wood boards stacked crosswise and glued together. The cross-laminated configuration improves rigidity, dimensional stability, and mechanical properties. Structurally, CLT offers performance comparable to concrete or steel, with panels suitable for use as walls, floors, roofs and other applications.



CLT panels are strong and stiff, which allows them to be used in a wide range of applications. The use of CLT panels has become a successful and popular method of construction in Europe since it was first introduced during the early 1990's. It is currently used for all kinds of structures ranging from houses, barns, powerline towers, churches and bridges to high-rise apartment and office buildings, adding visibility and reputation to the system.



Global Cross Laminated Timber Industry Drivers:



The structures built with cross laminated timber require shorter period of construction time than traditional construction materials such as concrete and bricks. This is largely attributed to its light weight nature and easy and fast installation. Due to the faster construction time and cheaper built up costs, CLT offers a cheaper alternative over other popular construction material such as precast concrete to the building industry.



CLT can be used for an entire building or any combination of wall, floor/ceiling and roof applications. Its light weight and other characteristics make it highly adaptable to different types of projects, designs and site conditions like soft soils or tight proximity to neighbouring buildings. CLT elements can also be combined with other building materials which provides more flexibility in design, style and finish architecture. Moreover, any change in CLT can be made on site with simple tools.



Cross laminated timber since its inception has been largely confined to Europe. However, due to the increasing awareness about its advantages over other traditional construction material, architects and other stakeholders in the building industry in several markets such as China, Japan, United States, Canada, Australia, NewZealand, etc., are now considering cross laminated timber as a building material for their projects.



Cross laminated timber, over the years, has been mainly used as a building material in constructing low to mid rise buildings which mainly includes educational institutes and residential buildings. However, due to recent technical advancement, now structures up to 10 storeys can be built using cross laminated timber. Therefore, due to this technical advancement coupled with the aesthetic value that CLT adds to a structure, several construction companies are considering this product to build large commercial spaces.



Key Market Segmentation:



The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global cross-laminated timber market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2023-2028. Our report has categorized the market based on application, product type, element type, raw material type, bonding method, panel layers, adhesive type, press type, storey class and application type.



Breakup by Application:

Residential

Educational Institutes

Government/Public Buildings

Commercial Spaces

Breakup by Product Type:

Custom CLT

Blank CLT

Breakup by Element Type:

Wall Panels

Flooring Panels

Roofing Slabs

Others

Breakup by Raw Material Type:

Spruce

Pine

Fir

Others

Breakup by Bonding Method:

Adhesively Bonded

Mechanically Fastened

Breakup by Panel Layers:





3-Ply

5-Ply

7-Ply

Others

Breakup by Adhesive Type:

PUR (Polyurethane)

PRF (Phenol Resorcinol Formaldehyde)

MUF (Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde)

Others

Breakup by Press Type:

Hydraulic Press

Vacuum Press

Pneumatic Press

Others

Breakup by Storey Class:

Low-Rise Buildings (1-4 Storeys)

Mid-Rise Buildings (5-10 Storeys)

High-Rise Buildings (More than 10 Storeys)

Breakup by Application Type:

Structural Applications

Non-Structural Applications

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction



5 Global Cross Laminated Timber Industry



6 Performance of Key Regions



7 Market by Application



8 Market by Product Type



9 Market by Element Type



10 Market by Raw Material Type



11 Market by Bonding Method



12 Market by Panel Layers



13 Market by Adhesive Type



14 Market by Press Type



15 Market by Storey Class



16 Market by Application Type



17 Competitive Landscape



18 Global Cross Laminated Timber Industry: Environmental Impact/Benefit Analysis



19 Global Cross Laminated Timber Industry: Financial Impact/Benefit Analysis



20 Cross Laminated Timber Manufacturing Process



21 Project Details, Requirements and Costs Involved



22 Loans and Financial Assistance



23 Project Economics



24 Key Player Profiles



Companies Mentioned

Stora Enso

KLH

Binderholz

Mayr Melnhof

Hasslacher

XLam Limited

Sterling Lumber

Shilliger Holz AG

Eugen Decker Holzindustrie KG

Structurlam

SmartLam

Meiken Lamwood Corp.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ka6law-laminated?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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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Works to explore psyche theory through historical events and modern-day issues.

ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dash Fine Arts will host the opening reception for Reed Benson's solo exhibition "This Is Us," on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Atlanta.

Known for his fluorescent abstract and Neo-Expressionism painting, Benson will feature 12 works influenced by Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory suggesting the psyche comprises of three concepts of the mind that interact and contribute to the ways in which individuals think and behave.

"Reed's first show is truly personal," said Dash Fine Arts Founder Michael-Chase Strollo. "He welcomes ambiguity while depicting sensitive and controversial topics. There really is something everyone can relate to."

Benson's "This Is Us," intertwines historical events with modern-day global, social, and economic issues, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the lasting effects on society from the pandemic.

"The creative undertaking hurt and was painful," Benson said. "But when I considered my audience, where a piece could go, and how someone would place it on their wall, it helped form my process and intent. For people to truly understand these works, all they have to do is open their eyes and look around themselves and the world."

Fascinated by structure, Benson incorporates eccentric portraits, vivid colors, and an innovative approach to the movement of shapes, figures, and texture through his use of brushes, stencils, acrylics, and spray paints.

The exhibition will be Dash's first 'Art Binds' event. "Art Binds are local bespoke exhibitions that take place in different communities," Strollo said. "We believe that art brings people together, and what better way to do that than to bring art to these different communities, rather than to the same space. That's how our 'anti-gallery gallery' concept was born."

"This Is Us," will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at 313 Nelson St. SW, Atlanta, Ga. The one night only event is free and open to the public until 10 p.m. Benson's exhibition will be available online through April exclusively on Artsy. To RSVP, visit reedbensonart.com/events.

About Dash Fine Arts

Founded in 2019, Dash Fine Arts is a non-brick-and-mortar fine arts anti-gallery based in Atlanta specializing in services from primary and secondary market sales to art advising, education, research, restoration, and staging. Dash has represented works by Danny Robinette, Peter Max, Carole Pigott, Wesley Chamberlin, Henri Matisse, and other notable artists.

SOURCE Dash Fine Arts
LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today that Saira Henry will be joining the firm's antitrust/competition practice as a partner in London and Howard Ullman as counsel in San Francisco. This follows the recent arrivals of partners John A. ("Jay") Jurata, Jr. (Washington, D.C.), Russell Cohen (San Francisco) and Douglas Lahnborg (London).

Partner Saira Henry (left) and counsel Howard Ullman (right)

"Saira and Howard's outstanding tech sector antitrust capabilities allow us to offer even more breadth and depth of experience in the key U.S. West Coast and European markets," said Steven Bizar, co-chair of Dechert's antitrust/competition practice. "Our recent growth is in response to client demand in these areas, and we are thrilled that Saira and Howard are joining us to build upon that momentum."

Ms. Henry's experience includes both merger clearance and anti-competitive conduct matters; she is well versed in tech antitrust issues and has devoted considerable attention to cloud computing, artificial intelligence and many other cutting-edge issues for a range of tech clients. Ms. Henry practices both in the UK before the Competition and Markets Authority, where she completed a secondment in 2019, and before the European Commission in Brussels where she has also been based. She has been recognized as a leading antitrust and competition law practitioner including by The Legal 500 UK. She received an LLB with Honors in Law and European Studies and an LLM in European Law with Distinction from the University of Surrey in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Mr. Ullman has many years of experience in competition and antitrust law, unfair competition and class action and complex litigation matters, and advising clients on issues at the intersection of intellectual property and antitrust. He received a B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1989 and a J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1992, where he was an Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Mr. Ullman is a widely published author, and formerly served as an adjunct instructor of law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He is also ranked for antitrust in Chambers USA and The Legal 500. Beyond the strength he brings to the global antitrust team, Mr. Ullman's addition highlights Dechert's commitment to the strategic growth of its interdisciplinary corporate, litigation and financial services capabilities in California.

Saira Henry said: "I'm very excited to join Dechert. The antitrust/competition practice is known for its excellent practitioners. This strength is reflected in their standout antitrust and merger clearance achievements in the U.S. and the EU. It is thrilling to join such a team, and help expand Dechert's antitrust presence in the UK and the EU. Considering the rise in antitrust enforcement post-Brexit, and the increasingly complex regulatory and enforcement environment more generally, most notably in the technology sector, the timing couldn't be better."

Howard Ullman said: "I have worked closely with Russell, Jay, Douglas and Saira for many years and am thrilled that we can continue to work together in the future, supported by Dechert's superb antitrust team. I am also excited to be part of Dechert's continued growth in California."

Dechert's international antitrust/competition practice is known for innovative antitrust advice in the U.S. and Europe and a record of succeeding in the most challenging engagements. Recent wins include a landmark jury verdict for Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. following a three-week federal trial and obtaining a highly favorable resolution for Marriott International, Inc. that included a public apology from the plaintiff, following five days of a jury trial.

The dedicated 45-member team, with offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C., is also known for DAMITT (Dechert Antitrust Merger Investigation Timing Tracker), a quarterly report that is a leading source on the duration of merger investigations in the U.S. and the EU, as well as the recently launched Boiling Points collection and counselling program, which provides guidance on assessing when hot documents may interfere with deal progress.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 21 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity, and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.

SOURCE Dechert LLP
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digi-Key Electronics, which offers the world's largest selection of electronic components in stock for immediate shipment, is celebrating National Engineers Week, from Feb. 19-25, 2023, with a slate of activities focused on engineers, makers and STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math).

Digi-Key is celebrating Engineers Week from Feb. 19-25, 2023.

This year Digi-Key will kick off the week with giveaways of products and swag on its social media channels. On Thurs., Feb. 23, Becky Stern, an influential maker in the industry, will take over the company's Instagram feed and host a live Q&A. At 5:30 p.m. CST that evening, Stern, along with Allie Weber, an inventor, maker and STEM advocate, will host an "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" (Girl Day) event with special STEAM field guest appearances. According to Discover Engineering, 69% of girls reported that mentors from Girl Day events inspired them to consider careers in engineering.

"As a leading electronic components distributor to engineers and makers around the world, we are excited to celebrate engineers, makers and students in the STEAM fields during this notable week," said David Sandys, senior director of technical marketing at Digi-Key. "By highlighting these individuals and professions throughout the week, we are joining a coalition of groups across the U.S. dedicated to raising awareness of engineers, designers and makers and the contributions they make around the globe."

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, Engineers Week fosters increased understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers to ensure a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce.

For more information and a schedule of events visit Digi-Key's social channels at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Digi-Key Electronics

Digi-Key Electronics, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is recognized as both the leader and continuous innovator in the high service distribution of electronic components and automation products worldwide. As the original pioneer in this space, Digi-Key provides more than 13.4 million components from over 2,300 quality name-brand manufacturers with an industry-leading breadth and depth of product in stock and available for immediate shipment. Beyond the products that drive technology innovation, Digi-Key also supports design engineers and procurement professionals with a wealth of digital solutions and tools to make their jobs more efficient. Additional information can be found at digikey.com and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Editorial Contact

Megan Derkey

Bellmont Partners

+1 612 255 1115

[email protected]

SOURCE Digi-Key Electronics
All funds will go towards The Domino's Village  a new patient housing facility at St. Jude

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to customers' generosity and team members' dedication, Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE:DPZ) raised more than $13 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 2022.

Domino's wrapped up its 11-weeklong St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign on Jan. 8, 2023. The campaign, which began on Oct. 24, 2022, raised more than $9 million for the kids of St. Jude. Domino's raised an additional $4 million through a feature on dominos.com, which asked customers to round up their order total and donate their change.

"Domino's partnership with St. Jude is one that we deeply cherish," said Russell Weiner, Domino's CEO. Tweet this Thanks to customers generosity and team members dedication, Dominos raised more than $13 million for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in 2022.

"Domino's partnership with St. Jude is one that we deeply cherish," said Russell Weiner, Domino's CEO. "We are proud to be able to support St. Jude's lifesaving mission by participating in the Thanks and Giving campaign each year. Fundraising wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our customers, and we're incredibly grateful for their kindness."

The funds bring Domino's total raised to more than $110 million  $40 million of which is toward its commitment to fund the opening of a new patient housing facility at St. Jude called The Domino's Village. Domino's has $60 million to raise as part of the pledge, which was made in 2020 and made history as the largest corporate commitment to St. Jude. The six-story, 288,990-square-foot facility will house up to 140 St. Jude families while their children receive lifesaving care for childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Construction is well underway and the home away from home is expected to be ready for patient families in 2023.

When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and won't stop until no child dies from cancer.

About Domino's Pizza

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It ranks among the world's top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 19,500 stores in over 90 markets. Domino's had global retail sales of nearly $17.8 billion in 2021, with over $8.6 billion in the U.S. and over $9.1 billion internationally. In the third quarter of 2022, Domino's had global retail sales of over $4.0 billion, with over $2.0 billion in the U.S. and nearly $2.0 billion internationally. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for 98% of Domino's global stores as of the end of the third quarter of 2022. Emphasis on technology innovation helped Domino's achieve more than half of all global retail sales in 2021 from digital channels. In the U.S., Domino's generated more than 75% of U.S. retail sales in 2021 via digital channels and has developed several innovative ordering platforms, including those for Google Home, Facebook Messenger, Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, Twitter and more.

Order  dominos.com

Company Info  biz.dominos.com

Media Assets  media.dominos.com

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

SOURCE Domino's Pizza, Inc.
Scott and her leadership team will unify EBlock into a single marketplace bringing land and technology together.

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - E Automotive Inc. d/b/a E INC (TSX: EINC) (the "Company" or "E INC") and EBlock, an E INC brand, today announced changes to their leadership team, promoting Lisa Scott from Chief Revenue Officer to President of EBlock. This move is intended to help the Company create a unified land and technology leadership structure designed to keep the Company agile and focused on delivering on its land-meets-technology vision.

"Our goal is to create a single marketplace that brings land and technology together so dealers can transact where and how they prefer. Since Lisa joined the Company one year ago, she has been laser-focused on building a strong team to deliver on this goal. She's been instrumental in bringing our land-meets-tech vision to life from our operations and services to our best-in-class digital platform. This move to President is a natural progression for her and the Company to take the next leap," said E INC CEO, Jason McClenahan. "The timing is perfect, considering we've just expanded our presence through the acquisition of Houston Auto Auction earlier this year, and as we continue to build our presence in the Louisiana and Michigan markets."

Prior to joining E INC, Ms. Scott served as the President of PAR North America, a leading nationwide provider of vehicle transition services for over four years, and she has also served as Chief Client Officer at ADESA Canada. Ms. Scott is recognized as a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and visionary leader with a proven track record of motivating her team and delivering extraordinary results in all aspects of the automotive business, professional auctioneering, and auction management businesses.

"I am thrilled to be taking on this new role in such a dynamic company," Scott said. "Our culture, technology, and team are truly unique to this industry and I know we will continue to add value to our partners in the future. EBlock is an extremely viable solution and I am committed to strengthening and refining our offerings in different wholesale verticals as well as introducing our first-to-market solution, LiveLanesTM."

Enabled by LiveLanes, EBlock will be the industry's only combined auction platform bringing together digital and physical inventory. This innovation allows dealers to buy and sell onsite and offsite inventory in the same auction event.

E INC's overarching land-meets-tech strategy consists of acquiring profitable physical auction assets in the company's focused regional markets and integrating them onto the EBlock digital wholesale marketplace platform. EBlock's dealer-to-dealer digital marketplace expands and enhances the reach of a physical auction to attract more sellers and buyers across a broader market. Connecting physical auctions and digital auctions across one single platform will create a network of logistics hubs and improve the flexibility offered to customers to do business where and how they prefer it.

About EBlock

EBlock, an E INC brand, connects land and technology through a real-time dealer-to-dealer digital auction platform that allows dealers to buy and sell cars at EBlock physical auction locations and online in a single auction experience. With set auction times, run lists, and cars bought and sold in 60-seconds, EBlock's platform simulates the physical auction environment with a powerful end-to-end experience.

Whether physically or digitally, EBlock empowers today's most innovative dealerships and wholesalers to buy and sell inventory in less time.

EBlock is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and Burlington, Vermont. Find out more about EBlock at eblock.com.

About E INC

E INC's mission is to optimize the online vehicle buying, selling, and management experience for automotive dealers and consumers. EINC has a digital platform (the "Platform") that provides automotive dealerships with access to an online wholesale auction marketplace where they can purchase or sell vehicles to other dealers, as well as access innovative software solutions to support dealers' digital retailing and inventory management. Access to E INC's Platform is complemented by ancillary service offerings to assist dealers with supplementary auction related needs, including driving consumer traffic to their digital properties and optimizing other business processes. E INC's digital wholesale marketplace goes to market under the brand EBlock, and E INC's digital retail suite of products goes to market under the brand EDealer.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's growth goals and expansion of its Platform. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "budget", "goal", "continue", "scheduled", "estimates", "expand", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or, "will", "occur" or "be achieved", and similar words or the negative of these terms and similar terminology. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information.

Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. This forward-looking information is based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions that, while considered by the Company to be appropriate and reasonable as of the date of this press release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks discussed under the "Risk Factors" section of our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2021,, which is available under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates, or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.

SOURCE EBlock Inc
ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today provided an update on environmental monitoring and community assistance for the Village of East Palestine, Ohio. To date, Norfolk Southern has:

Completed nearly 500 in-home air tests in conjunction with the U.S. EPA and other governmental agencies. In-home air monitoring has not detected substances related to the incident and does not indicate health risks.

in conjunction with the U.S. EPA and other governmental agencies. In-home air monitoring has not detected substances related to the incident and does not indicate health risks. Removed 3,150 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the incident area.

from the incident area. Removed 942,000 gallons of contaminants and contaminated liquid from the immediate site.

Further, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that their test results from the village's municipal well sampling show no water quality concerns. Additionally, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office reaffirmed that municipal water is safe to consume. Norfolk Southern continues to partner with the Ohio and U.S. EPAs to conduct air and water testing. Norfolk Southern has also:

Implemented an extensive outdoor air monitoring program in the community. Thousands of data points have been collected, which continue to indicate no risk to health from incident-related substances. Air monitoring is also being conducted in the broader region outside of the Village of East Palestine .

in the community. Thousands of data points have been collected, which continue to indicate no risk to health from incident-related substances. Air monitoring is also being conducted in the broader region outside of the . Actively sampling the Village of East Palestine's drinking water supply wells, drinking water system, and private wells in areas potentially impacted by the incident. Completed tests have confirmed that water is safe to drink.

Residents who want air and water testing should contact the Residential Re-Entry Request Hotline at (330) 849-3919. If residents have further questions or concerns, they may call the CTEH Taggart Road Hotline at (234) 542-6474 to speak with a toxicologist.

Today, Norfolk Southern's President and CEO Alan H. Shaw released an open letter to the village's residents where he stated, "we are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive." The letter follows continued direct engagement with the community, including:

Distributing over $1.7 million in direct financial assistance to more than 1,100 families and a number of businesses to cover costs related to the evacuation. Those include reimbursements and cash advancements for lodging, travel, food, clothes, and other related items.

and a number of businesses to cover costs related to the evacuation. Those include reimbursements and cash advancements for lodging, travel, food, clothes, and other related items. Establishing a $1 million fund available immediately to the community.

available immediately to the community. Reimbursing the East Palestine Fire Department $220,000 to replace Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs, which allow firefighters to breathe compressed air when responding to fires.

to replace Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs, which allow firefighters to breathe compressed air when responding to fires. Providing more than 100 air purifiers for residents to use in their homes. Air purifiers are also being purchased for the East Palestine municipal building in coordination with the City Manager.

Those in need of assistance should visit the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center at Abundant Life Church located 46469 State Route 46, New Waterford, Ohio, or call 1-800-230-7049.

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation
NEW DELHI and CAIRO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RateGain Travel Technologies Limited (RateGain), a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality, announced today that Air Cairo, Egypt's second-largest carrier has selected AirGain to gather essential pricing insights and competitive intelligence data to speed up growth in a constantly evolving market.

Air Cairo, partly owned by the national carrier Egypt Air is a hybrid national airline with operations in over 40 cities worldwide, providing more than 300 weekly flights to 50 international and domestic destinations carrying over 20 million passengers in the last twenty years.

The team at Air Cairo has selected AirGain to obtain real-time price intelligence and the ability to respond promptly to changing market conditions, enabling them to optimize airfares in real-time and offer the best fares to its customers.

With market conditions changing dynamically, AirGain's AI-powered platform equips airline revenue and pricing teams with the most precise and dependable market insights, enabling them to construct a competitive pricing strategy in light of constantly changing market conditions. The user-friendly interface facilitates quicker decision-making and provides notifications of any changes in the market. Additionally, the platform offers real-time competitor insights across channels to reduce disparities and minimize revenue losses.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Hussein Sherif, CEO of Air Cairo, said, "For us to maintain our status as the preferred airline for all travelers, it is essential that we have a thorough understanding of the fares offered to customers on all digital platforms. To aid in this goal, AirGain's user-friendly interface offers us comprehensive and real-time insights into our market and competition, allowing us to make data-driven decisions and offer the best prices to our customers, ultimately leading to better revenue margins for Air Cairo."

Air Cairo has recently updated its fleet with the latest generation of Airbus A320 neo models taking the current Airplane tally to 24 fleets with the aim of having 30 new fleets by March of 2023. The airline currently operates in Europe and the Middle East, Africa, in addition to the Domestic network.

Vinay Varma, Senior Vice President, and General Manager, AirGain, added, "We are thrilled to be working with Air Cairo and to expand our presence in the burgeoning African market. We acknowledge that there are substantial opportunities in Africa to implement technologies that can help airlines sustain long-term growth. Air Cairo's team recognized that AirGain is the ideal platform to address their current challenges and increase their market share in the future, and we eagerly anticipate providing them with the necessary assistance to achieve their goals."

AirGain is an easy-to-use and responsive SaaS solution by RateGain, created for commercial teams in airlines to help them make faster and better pricing decisions through its intuitive UI and accurate, real-time price intelligence at any time of the day, any number of times. To learn more about AirGain, visit https://airgain.ai

About Air Cairo

AIRCAIRO is an EGYPTAIR affiliate, established as joint stock company in 1999, AIRCAIRO started its operations in October 2003, by operating Domestic and International Charter Flights.

It currently operates a fleet of 24 aircraft between A320 NEOs, CEOs, ATR 72-600 and E190 and by the end of March 2023 our fleet will be 30 Aircraft.

About RateGain

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited is a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality that works with 2800+ customers and 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion.For more information, please visit https://www.rategain.com

SOURCE RateGain
New beta expands ability to support practices beyond the clinical experience to financial success

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elation Health , the technology company powering innovation in primary care, today announced its strategic acquisition of Lightning MD, leader in cloud-based medical billing and payer connectivity. The acquisition is part of Elation's expansion as the sector's first all-in-one technology solution for primary care practices. Elation is combining its clinical-first electronic health record (EHR) and Best in KLAS , integrated virtual care platform with the modern medical billing and revenue management software to elevate both the physician and patient care experiences. The company will also continue to support practices integrated with over 20 practice management and billing solutions connected via the Elation application programming interface (API).

"Healthcare technology is rapidly evolving, particularly in the primary care sector where we have the greatest opportunity to improve patient outcomes and raise the standard of our healthcare system for everyone," said Kyna Fong, co-founder and CEO of Elation Health. "With this acquisition and Elation's plans for its all-in-one solution, primary care practices will be better equipped to achieve financial success while delivering high quality patient care  without administrative burden and distraction that is so common in this industry."

Founded in 2017 by registered nurses Kelly Schoenfeld and Brian Esser, Lightning MD is a convenient billing solution focused on user experience for independent medical practices. Referred to by users as a "game changer" with high ratings for its responsive technology, Lightning MD's customer service, and ability to add features quickly "while getting better every week  is a vast improvement from other vendors." The company, based in Palm Desert, California first joined the fast-growing ecosystem of Elation Health partners in 2022.

"Lightning MD was founded on the idea that every healthcare provider deserves to be paid for the services they perform, and every biller deserves an easy way to make that happen," shared Lightning MD's CEO, Kelly Schoenfeld. "We're excited to join the Elation team and give providers the best software tools available to put the focus back on caring for their patients."

High-quality, effective primary care relies on strong physician-patient relationships, nurtured over time. Practitioners require a thoughtful and innovative EHR platform that supports, rather than disrupts, their practice of medicine. Elation's award winning, clinical-first design, intuitive charting, and seamless integrations provide point-of-care workflows that are purpose-built for high-value primary care. Elation's powerful developer platform and robust API, which responds to more than one million calls daily, also empower tech-enabled organizations to integrate with Elation's strategic partners and build custom solutions.

"This acquisition is an important part of our long-term investment strategy to deliver deep value through our primary care platform," said Pratik Savai, CTO at Elation Health. "Customers across all care settings will continue to benefit from ongoing enhancements to Elation's core EHR and provider engagement workflows, iOS clinician mobile app and interoperability solutions, as well as front-office and patient experience tools. It really is an exciting time for us and our customers as we deepen our commitment to supporting primary care-led organizations and their patients."

Lightning MD technology will complement the Elation Health core clinical data platform to enable seamless billing and payer connectivity for Elation customers. Elation's all-in-one beta solution will be available starting summer 2023 for existing small practice customers and generally available later this year.

For more information about Elation's developing revenue management solution, visit elationhealth.com/launchbilling .

About Elation

Elation Health is the most trusted technology platform for high-value primary care. Since 2010, the company has delivered clinical-first solutions  built on a collaborative EHR platform  that helps primary care organizations start, grow, and succeed in delivering the highest-quality personalized care to patients. Elation supports primary care clinicians by relieving administrative burden and restoring the doctor-patient relationship so that they can return to the craft of medicine. The company serves 24,000 clinicians caring for more than 12 million Americans, including thousands of small independent practices and large prominent digital health innovators. Elation Health is looking at another year of advancement ahead, securing $50 million in Series D funding in 2022 with plans to keep investing in technology and services as they continue to rapidly scale. Learn more at elationhealth.com , LinkedIn , and Twitter .

SOURCE Elation Health
The flagship unit is located in Westfield Mall of the Netherlands

The mall is the largest in the Netherlands

The 1000 square feet store is Emma's first outside of China

FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emma  The Sleep Company , the world's largest D2C sleep brand, has opened its first European store in the Netherlands. The award-winning sleep brand's store is located in Westfield Mall of the Netherlands  the largest shopping mall in the country  and heralds a new era of expansion for the company. Having already transformed the world's D2C sleep industry, Emma intends to revolutionize the retail space with its own dedicated stores.

Emma's unique shopping experience

Emma's first European store has opened in the Netherlands

The new store showcases Emma's diverse and extensive range of award-winning sleep products over some 1000 square feet. Central to Emma's new store is the sensory element: consumers can see, feel and experience all the products in a uniquely-designed space. Emma's sleep specialists are on hand to offer expert advice and explain the technology behind the products. Furthermore, an exclusive range of in-store only products are available in Emma's new retail space.

"After the great results of our Emma Concept Stores in China, we decided to bring this innovative concept to Europe," said Dr Dennis Schmoltzi, Co-founder and CEO of Emma - The Sleep Company. "It is another step to strengthen Emma as the world's largest sleep brand, both online and offline. We are very much looking forward to making the most of this experience and expanding to other European markets."

A highlight of the opening ceremony was the visit of Emma's first-ever Dutch customer, who was invited to officially open the store. While sitting on an Emma bed, Holland's favorite podcast duo Geraldine Kemper and Gwen van Poorten also recorded a special episode in-store as part of the opening day festivities.

About Emma  The Sleep Company:

Emma  The Sleep Company is a founder-managed company and the world's leading Direct-to-consumer sleep brand. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Dennis Schmoltzi and Manuel Mueller in Germany, the company is active in more than 30 countries and achieved a turnover of USD 948 million in 2022, a growth rate of 35 per cent from the previous year. Emma products are sold via an omnichannel approach, including D2C/online, marketplaces and more than 3,500 brick-and-mortar stores. Emma successfully collaborates with over 200 retailers. Emma's 1,000+ team members are working across the world, with offices in Frankfurt (Germany), Manila (Philippines), Lisbon (Portugal), Mexico City (Mexico), and Shanghai (China).

SOURCE Emma - The Sleep Company
World-class franchisor recognizes top owners across its residential brands

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Empower Brands , multi-brand franchisor of premium commercial and residential services, announced the winners of the company's Franchisee of the Year award for each of its residential brands during its 2023 annual meeting held this year in Orlando, Florida.

"In all the years of holding our annual meeting, this year marked our first event bringing the residential side of the business together as Empower Brands, and it just so happened to be the biggest and best annual meeting yet," said Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. "The energy and commitment throughout the week was next level as we gathered, newcomers and veterans alike, to share best practices, brand developments and most importantly, celebrate Empower's record-breaking year. I want to personally congratulate our four outstanding award winners, their achievements this year are a testament to what the winning mindset can produce and I can't wait to see what they achieve in the coming year."

Empower Brands' Franchisee of the Year awards highlight the accomplishments of owners who not only excel in sales but have a passion for the business and their customers. Recipients are true representatives of the brand's core values and serve as gold-standard examples to their peers and fellow owners.

This year's award winners include:

2022 Archadeck Outdoor Living Franchisee of the Year:

Russel Henderson - Nashville, Tenn.

2022 Conserva Irrigation Franchisee of the Year:

Jeff Labrecque - Richmond, Va.

2022 Outdoor Lighting Perspectives Franchisee of the Year:

Travis Hogue - Winter Park, Colo.

2022 Superior Fence and Rail Franchisee of the Year:

Randy Jeppesen & Ryan Gamble - Charlotte, N.C.

Empower Brands also recognized the top five locations per brand for their excellence in sales, and spearheading the company's 2022 record year.

"This year's award recipients truly embody the winning mindset and represent the best and brightest of our growing network," said Tom Welter, President of Residential Brands. "We're proud to honor their year of accomplishments and kick off our goals for 2023 to continue championing the success of our franchisees. We also can't wait to have the commercial side of the business with us in attendance next year in Las Vegas!"

The annual meeting followed an eventful 2022 for the brand and started the year on a high note for what should be an even more productive year as the company continues growing following its rebranding.

To learn more about franchising with Empower Brands, visit EmpowerFranchising.com .

About Empower Brands

Empower Brands was founded in 2022 as a product of the integration of Lynx Franchising and Outdoor Living Brands. Empower encompasses seven industry-leading brands across commercial and residential services: JAN-PRO, Intelligent Office, FRSTeam, Archadeck Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives (OLP), Conserva Irrigation and Superior Fence and Rail. Empower is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services in the commercial and home services industry while simultaneously delivering its franchise owners committed personal support, tools and empowerment to pursue their own success. Empower Brands is a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, a leading private equity firm with an excellent track record investing in successful, growth-focused franchise businesses. For more about Empower Brands, visit the company's new website at EmpowerFranchising.com .

SOURCE Empower Brands
Epson Robots to Present Live Demo of G1 and GX-Series SCARA Robots for Precision Parts Handling and Inspection for Life Science Industries

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Who: Epson Robots, the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, will be demonstrating robotic solutions at SLAS in booth #314.

What: Epson's robot solutions are designed to help meet the growing demand for automation in clinical, analytical and forensic labs to increase throughput and improve data accuracy, reliability and traceability. At SLAS, Epson will demonstrate its high-speed, high-precision robots, including:

Compact, High-Precision SCARA Robots  The GX4 robot offers multiple arm configurations, a reach of up to 350mm, and can handle payloads up to 4 kg from a small form factor. With Epson's patented GYROPLUS Technology, it accomplishes the most demanding tasks with leading-edge precision to support higher throughput needs for high-precision applications. The demo will illustrate how the G1 Mini SCARA and GX4 can achieve precise handling of medical syringes and needles while Epson's integrated vision system performs quality inspection of the needles' coating.

 The GX4 robot offers multiple arm configurations, a reach of up to 350mm, and can handle payloads up to 4 kg from a small form factor. With Epson's patented GYROPLUS Technology, it accomplishes the most demanding tasks with leading-edge precision to support higher throughput needs for high-precision applications. The demo will illustrate how the G1 Mini SCARA and GX4 can achieve precise handling of medical syringes and needles while Epson's integrated vision system performs quality inspection of the needles' coating. Advanced Robotic Programming Software  Easy to learn, Epson RC+ Industrial Automation Development Software features a comprehensive suite of advanced tools, such as Vision Guidance, Force Guidance, Conveyor Tracking, Parts Feeding, and more.

When: The SLAS Exhibition will take place February 26-28.

Where: San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif; Epson booth #314

Why: Epson is dedicated to helping both new and experienced automation professionals succeed by providing essential information and education and delivering the latest robot technologies and innovations required to meet their factory automation needs. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com. For more information on the GX-Series SCARA robots, please visit https://epson.com/GXSeries. For more information on G1 Mini SCARA robots, please visit https://epson.com/For-Work/Robots. For more information on RC+ Express industrial automation software, please visit https://epson.com/no-code-industrial-automation-robot-programming-software.

About Epson Robots

Epson Robots is a global leader in PC-controlled precision factory automation, with well over 150,000 units sold worldwide1 and a product line of hundreds of models of easy-to-use SCARA and 6-Axis robots based on a common PC-based platform. Building on four decades of experience, Epson Robots delivers robots for precision assembly and material handling applications in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, consumer product, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceutical, plastics, semiconductor, and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Epson internal sales data through 2021.

EPSON and Epson RC+ are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
The following statement is attributed to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D.

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Addressing the drug overdose crisis and substance use disorder (SUD) is an issue of great concern for our nation and remains a top public health priority for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Upon returning to the FDA as Commissioner, I expressed my commitment to respond to all aspects of this ongoing crisis. As an agency focused on protecting public health, combatting this evolving emergency is an issue of particular urgency for us. Of note, a public health emergency, as a consequence of the opioid crisis, was declared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in October 2017 and renewed on December 22, 2022.

In August 2022, I announced the FDA's Overdose Prevention Framework  our expanded vision to undertake creative actions with an impact not only on preventing drug overdoses and reducing deaths from opioids and other substances, but also ameliorating the tremendous toll of addiction on American individuals and families. As part of that announcement, I shared that the agency would commission an independent external opioid-related activities review. That review was conducted by a team of subject matter experts affiliated with The Ohio State University who are familiar with the 2017 National Academies for Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's (NASEM) recommendations, a project initiated on my watch, and also related opioid prescribing issues. The review analyzed the FDA's implementation of the NASEM recommendations along with key regulatory policies and decisions, including labeling.

Today, we are sharing that report, which provides lessons learned, recognizes the work already being done by the FDA, and makes the following three overarching recommendations outlined for the agency to take action:

Continue efforts to comprehensively implement the recommendations in the 2017 NASEM Report, including evaluating scientifically-sound, inclusive study designs to inform a systems approach for regulatory decision-making that incorporates public health considerations.

Consider seeking from Congress certain additional authorities regarding opioid analgesic approvals and review of the advertising and promotion for such products, as well as additional resources to implement such authorities to strengthen oversight of prescription opioid analgesics.

Be as transparent as possible regarding decision-making for opioid analgesics, as increased transparency can encourage appropriate uses of prescription opioid analgesics, promote innovation in pain management and prevention of opioid use disorder, and enhance public trust.

We have reviewed these recommendations and while we are thoughtfully considering our actions to implement them, I am encouraged that the agency is already moving forward on multiple workstreams, while also adapting to the changing epidemiology of the ongoing public health emergency. New challenges confronting us include much more multidrug use and troubling distribution of powerful chemically-synthesized drugs.

While our response is centered on opioid regulation by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), all elements of the agency are involved as we work with digital applications of substance use disorder treatment, the inappropriate intermixing of prescription drugslike certain veterinary medicinesin the illicit market, enforcement activities in the domain of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and the intersection of nicotine addiction with use of other addictive substances as the Center for Tobacco Products oversees tobacco products.

The activities outlined below are a sample of the broad and energetic effort across the agency to combat this emergency:

First, we're taking steps to strengthen evidence generation within the agency and with multiple partner organizations in order to better inform our response to the opioid crisis. The FDA has invested significant resources to develop a data-driven, national-level simulation model of the opioids system, named SOURCE. We will continue to enhance systems modeling approaches, including SOURCE, to enable identification of evolving trends and gaps in our interventions.

Of particular interest is deepening our understanding of the long-term efficacy of opioid analgesics. To clarify the current state of this research and knowledge gap, we will hold an advisory committee meeting in April 2023. It will focus on clinical trial paradigms, including an enriched enrollment randomized withdrawal trial design to evaluate long term efficacy and the risk of opioid-induced hyperalgesia. This is part of a postmarketing requirement we issued to application holders of new drug applications for extended release and long-acting opioid analgesics. We appreciate the revised 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain that once again pointed out the paucity of evidence on the potential benefits of long-term opioid use, raising questions for our consideration about the labeling of these drugs.

I had the opportunity to contribute to the planning in 2015-16 that eventually led to the NIH's HEAL Initiative, which has multiple ongoing studies evaluating the clinical epidemiology, health services and interventions in clinical practice. As this extensive network conducts its work, we anticipate a steady stream of information that will inform our policies.

This information, along with other scientific evidence and insight, will aid our science-based evaluations of the benefit-risk assessment of opioid products, and help ensure that the benefit-risk assessment considers not only the outcomes of prescription opioids when used as prescribed but also the public health effects of inappropriate use.

Next, the report suggests the agency should consider seeking additional authorities through Congress. We know that having fit for purpose regulatory authority is key to addressing opioid use, misuse and abuse. As referenced in the agency's Overdose Prevention Framework, we are exploring the need for potential new authorities for opioid approval standards, including whether drug developers seeking approval for the marketing of new opioid analgesics should be required to demonstrate that their products offer material safety advantages over existing approved opioid analgesics.

For many years, the FDA has based decisions on whether to approve drugs, including opioids, on a framework for the assessment of the benefits and risks of a drug. That approach is the authority Congress mandated for us. When it comes to opioids, we also take into account public health factors such as the impact on family and others when reaching a decision on whether to approve a drug. Currently, the FDA lacks the statutory authority to require that drug developers seeking approval for the marketing of new opioid products demonstrate that their products offer material safety advantages (such as a reduction in abuse potential or a reduction in respiratory depression) over existing approved opioids. By enabling the FDA to refuse to approve new opioid analgesics that do not offer material safety advantages over already-approved opioids there is potential to, over time, improve the safety of opioid analgesics available to treat severe acute and chronic pain or drive research towards non-opioid alternatives to relieve pain. We stand ready to work with Congress on an improved regulatory tool for the agency.

As we examine the need for new authorities, we will continue to explore ways to use our current authorities, not only to regulate opioids more effectively, but also to improve the pipeline of non-addictive treatments for pain. While this has been a goal for many years now, the industry has been disappointingly unable to develop these much-needed alternatives.

Lastly, continuously working to earn and retain the public's trust is not only important to our work, but also critical to our mission to protect public health. The report correctly highlights the importance of transparency in our decisions regarding opioid analgesics.

An area where we believe we can increase transparency is through further improvements of our advisory committee meetings. Our commitment to explore more effective use of our advisory committees to increase transparency regarding opioid analgesics will be a part of a broader internal effort to evaluate how to make the best use of all of our advisory committees and ensure agency decisions are informed by input from knowledgeable external advisors and the public and the decisions are shared publicly. Advisory committees play a crucial role in regulatory decision-making and publicly clarify the FDA's expectations and the views of experts in the field while giving the public a chance for direct input. Although the airing of opinions at advisory committees, like democracy, can be messy, by improving transparency, better public understanding of the FDA's decision-making process will lead to more confidence in it.

Within each of the overarching recommendations outlined are additional, more specific recommendations that we will continue to address and prioritize through our existing authorities and current activities within CDER and beyond.

I look forward to continuing to work across the agency to advance solutions that encourage appropriate prescribing, promote innovation in pain management, prioritize overdose prevention, reduce opioid and other substance use disorders, and champion effective treatment and support for those with SUD. We recognize that in the face of this ongoing emergency, we must continuously assess and improve our efforts and I appreciate the commitment of the FDA's center directors and staff in this continuing effort while also dealing with other challenges that impact public health.

Additional Resources:

Media Contact: Lauren-Jei McCarthy, 240-702-3940

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday Filevine wrapped its premier legal conference, LEX Summit, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. The best of the legal industry gathered to discuss innovative tools to reimagine the future of legal work.

Filevine Reimagines the Legal Experience at LEX Summit 2023

LEX Summit boasted an illustrious lineup of keynote speakers not only in the legal industry, but in entrepreneurship, academia, literature, and more. The event featured conversations with Angela Duckworth, Michael C. Bush, Jason Calacanis, and Nathan Chen, as well as dozens of breakout speakers, from Filevine employees and users to industry thought leaders. The event featured a Women in Legal Luncheon with Luvvie Ajayi Jones, a LEX Fest afterparty featuring comedian Nate Bargatze, and an exclusive Ski Day at the legendary ski resort, Snowbird.

Along with the incredible keynotes, LEX Summit offered a number of breakout sessions where users learned valuable insights into optimizing Filevine to improve their legal case management. Filevine also hosted a full day of hands-on workshops, trainings, and demonstrations during Basecamp.

"The Filevine team and I were honored to host nearly 1,000 guests at this year's user conference," said Filevine cofounder and CEO, Ryan Anderson. "We're especially grateful for the many expert presenters who spent time discussing how to amplify the impact of legal work through Filevine's best-in-class platform."

Filevine's product team announced a number of ground-breaking product releases and feature improvements, including:

Lead Docket Custom Statuses and Automation - With Custom Statuses, every customer can now tailor their intake process to match their workflow. Paired alongside Lead Docket Automations, a contactless intake can scale firms of all sizes and practice areas, increasing intake capacity and quality, simplifying the intake process, and allowing your team more time to spend on providing top tier service to potential clients.

With Custom Statuses, every customer can now tailor their intake process to match their workflow. Paired alongside Lead Docket Automations, a contactless intake can scale firms of all sizes and practice areas, increasing intake capacity and quality, simplifying the intake process, and allowing your team more time to spend on providing top tier service to potential clients. Vinesign Hybrid Signing - Users now have the ability to choose the order their documents are being signed. Signatures can be grouped and completed in any order without delaying the ability to receive a fully executed document back quickly. Additionally, with Vinesign Envelopes, users can now send a combination of multiple documents and templates in a single envelope.

Users now have the ability to choose the order their documents are being signed. Signatures can be grouped and completed in any order without delaying the ability to receive a fully executed document back quickly. Additionally, with Vinesign Envelopes, users can now send a combination of multiple documents and templates in a single envelope. Documents - Docs+ users will benefit from a global Documents page to manage, interact, and query their file population across projects. They'll benefit from a revamped search and filtering system, search previews, and shareable searches to more seamlessly search, filter, share and manage documents. Users can also now save Word docs, Excel files and Powerpoints straight from the source applications using the new Office add-in on web and desktop versions.

- Docs+ users will benefit from a global Documents page to manage, interact, and query their file population across projects. They'll benefit from a revamped search and filtering system, search previews, and shareable searches to more seamlessly search, filter, share and manage documents. Users can also now save Word docs, Excel files and Powerpoints straight from the source applications using the new Office add-in on web and desktop versions. Sidebar - Filevine's new Sidebar functionality allows users to save time by discussing their work all within the context of Filevine. Maintain Filevine as a system of record without bogging down your Activity Feed by creating Sidebars around notes, documents, tasks, and more.

- Filevine's new Sidebar functionality allows users to save time by discussing their work all within the context of Filevine. Maintain Filevine as a system of record without bogging down your Activity Feed by creating Sidebars around notes, documents, tasks, and more. Timekeeping and Billing - Filevine's billing and timekeeping feature improves the efficiency of time capture by embedding time tracking into project workflows and enabling you to capture time from your mobile device while you work. It allows for bulk invoice creation and finalizing and enables invoices to be sent directly from Filevine, allowing you to turn invoices to clients faster, with fewer errors, to get paid sooner.

- Filevine's billing and timekeeping feature improves the efficiency of time capture by embedding time tracking into project workflows and enabling you to capture time from your mobile device while you work. It allows for bulk invoice creation and finalizing and enables invoices to be sent directly from Filevine, allowing you to turn invoices to clients faster, with fewer errors, to get paid sooner. Permissions - Permissions improvements allow for more control over user access and team management. With a new grid layout, you can easily view and edit teams to match your organization, add members to teams in bulk, and mass update your access levels and roles.

"Year after year, Filevine convinces larger and larger organizations to reimagine the way legal work gets done and deconstruct old ways of managing our documents, data and teams," says Michael Anderson, EVP of Product Strategy. "Filevine continues to custom tailor its product to best centralize, manage and automate high-stakes legal work, making it the legal work platform of choice for the legal industry."

Filevine continues to help thousands of legal professionals with case, document, and contract lifecycle management. Since its founding in 2014, it has evolved into the complete legal tech stack  facilitating lead management, e-signatures, business analytics, and more.

About Filevine

Filevine is changing the way legal work gets done for law practitioners and their clients. As the leading legal work platform, Filevine is dedicated to empowering organizations with tools to simplify and elevate complex, high-stakes legal work. Powering everything from document management and client communication to contract lifecycle management and business analytics, over 25,000 legal professionals use Filevine daily to deliver excellence in every contract, deadline, and result. Filevine is recognized on the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Utah Business Fast 50, is a 2022 Top Workplace USA winner, and is among the fastest-growing companies on the Inc. 5000 list.

Contact Info

Filevine Marketing

[email protected]

(801) 657-5228

SOURCE Filevine
Missick Cellars Charts Westward Path, With Hopes and Dreams for Texas Hill Country

DUNDEE, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Villa Bellangelo, ideally located on the west side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes, celebrated numerous accolades over the course of the last decade, including dozens of 90+ point scores from the top national wine reviewers, and a nod from Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2018, for producing one of the Top 100 Wines in the World. In 2020, a name change to Missick Cellars reflected the family ownership and spirit of this boutique winery.

The seated patio at the winery with views of Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA, New York Chris Missick and family in Texas Hill Country

Winemaker and co-owner Chris Missick charted an unusual course in his winemaking career. More than a decade in the making, his love of wine was concurrent to his military service and law practice in both California and New York, and resulted in a bold decision to pursue the craft of winemaking with his own artistic approach. Seeking frontiers where great things could be accomplished in American wine, the Missick family purchased a small winery in the Finger Lakes in 2011, to pursue winemaking in a place with deep viticultural roots... and a range of possibilities for the future.

Pioneering new grape plantings of varietals like Chenin Blanc, Chris also pushed the envelope in the production of sparkling wine, crafting exceptional traditional method wines in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Despite a decade of growth and excellence, 2021 and 2022 handed the family a series of hardships. Challenges involved the total fire loss of their anticipated sparkling wine tasting room and event center, and the theft by winery bookkeeper, Michael Stein, of more than $300,000. He has pleaded guilty in Federal Court after a lengthy investigation by the FBI, and is awaiting sentencing.

In light of the egregious fraud, Missick Cellars now seeks a new incarnation. After viewing the YouTube series "Texas Winemakers," Chris arranged a visit to the region in 2022. "From my very first day, I was amazed at the energy of the Texas winemaking community, the business friendly environment Texas embraced, and most importantly, the exceptional quality of many of the wines I tasted," Chris added when discussing that first experience.

As it transitions its operation to Boerne, Texas, nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Missick Cellars will transition to mobile wine services, offering established Texas wineries crossflow filtration, mobile bottling, and ultimately sparkling wine services. Moreover, Chris will start producing wines from Texas grown grapes as well as planting an estate vineyard, and may also offer a selection from the Missick Cellars library of Finger Lakes wines.

"It's been a great experience, and I've been honored to be a part of an important season of growth for this great wine region. I've made some amazing friends, and most importantly, learned so many incredible lessons these last twelve years," Chris said. The Dundee, NY winery is now for sale. Meticulously reconstructed by the Missick family, the winery offers 30 acres of land, directly on Route 14, with a 10,000 case capacity production cellar, premium tasting room and events space, lakeview patio and commercial kitchen.

Property for sale: https://bit.ly/3XFSNGa

Media contact:

Fabian Barret

[email protected]

17143178842

SOURCE Missick Cellars
Ministro @AlexContreras_M clausuro hoy el 46 del Consejo de Gobernadores del @IFADespanol, donde insto la asistencia del fondo a las zonas rurales para lograr las metas de la Agenda 2030 de las Naciones Unidas de Desarrollo Sostenible.

?? Nota de prensa: https://t.co/tRvqNjJnZQ pic.twitter.com/7LWBopo2eg
CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR), a leading fully integrated owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, today announced that the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 3, 2023 virtually.

First Industrial's Board of Directors set March 9, 2023 as the record date for the Annual Meeting.

About First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) is a leading fully integrated owner, operator, and developer of industrial real estate with a track record of providing industry-leading customer service to multinational corporations and regional customers. Across major markets in the United States, our local market experts manage, lease, buy, (re)develop, and sell bulk and regional distribution centers, light industrial, and other industrial facility types. In total, we own and have under development approximately 68.9 million square feet of industrial space as of December 31, 2022. For more information, please visit us at www.firstindustrial.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, and are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "seek," "target," "potential," "focus," "may," "will," "should" or similar words. Although we believe the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results will not materially differ. Factors which could have a materially adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to: changes in national, international, regional and local economic conditions generally and real estate markets specifically; changes in legislation/regulation (including changes to laws governing the taxation of real estate investment trusts) and actions of regulatory authorities; the uncertainty and economic impact of pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies or fear of such events, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); our ability to qualify and maintain our status as a real estate investment trust; the availability and attractiveness of financing (including both public and private capital) and changes in interest rates; the availability and attractiveness of terms of additional debt repurchases; our ability to retain our credit agency ratings; our ability to comply with applicable financial covenants; our competitive environment; changes in supply, demand and valuation of industrial properties and land in our current and potential market areas; our ability to identify, acquire, develop and/or manage properties on favorable terms; our ability to dispose of properties on favorable terms; our ability to manage the integration of properties we acquire; potential liability relating to environmental matters; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by our tenants; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; higher-than-expected real estate construction costs and delays in development or lease-up schedules; potential natural disasters and other potentially catastrophic events such as acts of war and/or terrorism; technological developments, particularly those affecting supply chains and logistics; litigation, including costs associated with prosecuting or defending claims and any adverse outcomes; risks associated with our investments in joint ventures, including our lack of sole decision-making authority; and other risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our other Exchange Act reports and in our other public filings with the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our outlook only and speak only as of the date of this press release or the dates indicated in the statements. We assume no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements. For further information on these and other factors that could impact us and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to our filings with the SEC.

SOURCE First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
Chicago-land based grocer named top 218 out of 500 companies

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh Thyme Market , a grocer that has a mission to improve the way communities eat by offering real fresh food with an emphasis on ease and convenience, was officially named to the list of Forbes' America's Best Midsize Employers. Out of the 500 companies awarded, Fresh Thyme is ranked 218 and appears 13 out of 43 in the Retail and Wholesale industry category.

"We are so proud and honored to be on the list for Forbes' America's Best Midsize Employers," said Liz Zolcak, president of Fresh Thyme Market. "As a company that thrives on the impact each team member makes, we focus on delivering a personalized experience that ties to the community and our customers. Our leadership team is dedicated to making our employee experience and development a main priority and we would like to thank everyone that helped us be named number 218 on this list and number 13 in the category of Retail and Wholesale industry."

Forbes worked with Statista to independently survey 45,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees to determine the final list of 500 midsize employers. The surveys were anonymous and asked employees to rate how likely they'd be to recommend their employer to others on a scale of zero to 10. The survey also asked respondents to nominate organizations other than their own and to identify organizations they would not recommend.

Fresh Thyme has been dedicated to helping people live better, healthier lives through our product assortment, connection to the community and providing great experiences. This would not be possible without the impact of each of our hard working employees.

For more information about employment at Fresh Thyme please visit: https://jobs.freshthyme.com/ . You can also view the entire list from Forbes here .

About Fresh Thyme Market

Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 71 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com or keep in touch by liking Fresh Thyme on Facebook , and following them on Instagram .

Media Contact:

Anna McAndrew

(847) 224-8113

[email protected]

SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market
Joyce succeeds Rusty Gage, who will return to his lab following a transformative leadership tenure

LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Salk Institute has named Gerald Joyce as its next president, following an extensive, six-month search process. Having served as the Institute's senior vice president and chief science officer since July, Joyce will succeed Rusty Gage, who will return to his lab full-time following a transformative leadership tenure that strengthened the Institute scientifically, culturally and organizationally.

Gerald Joyce Credit: Salk Institute

"As we consider the legacy of Rusty's presidency, perhaps the most indelible mark will be his remarkable success in fostering a much more unified, collaborative and inclusive community within our campushaving established Salk's first Office of Equity and Inclusion, facilitated greater partnership and trust between faculty and administration, and, of course, helped to deftly steer the Institute through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Marna C. Whittington, chair of Salk's Board of Trustees. "Salk is now exceptionally well-positioned to engage in a seamless leadership transition and advance its life-changing mission at a time when the need for the breakthrough discoveries for which the Institute is internationally renowned is as urgent as ever.

"Among a large and diverse pool of extraordinary candidates, Jerry's unique combination of scientific, administrative and leadership experience, which he leveraged to swift impact as CSO, along with his inspiring vision for a future built on forward-looking scientific opportunity, a strengthened financial foundation and deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, made him an outstanding choice to lead Salk into its next chapter," she added.

"It has been an honor and privilege to be part of a journey of tremendous growth, evolution and progress at Salk, as we've worked to be faithful stewards of a mission focused on bringing out the best in science and each other," said Gage. "I want to thank our Board, faculty, administration and staff, and the Salk community at-large for the trust and faith you've placed in me to lead the Institute during this critical time. As I pass the baton, I have every confidence that our momentum will continue and, indeed, build under the extremely capable leadership of Jerry Joyce, whose multitude of professional accomplishments are only eclipsed by the magnitude of his personal character."

"Through a robust and thoughtful process, the search committee was fortunate to have the opportunity to consider an array of highly qualified scientific luminaries to serve as our next president," said Tanya Sharpee, faculty leader of Salk's Academic Council. "Beyond his remarkable professional and scientific accomplishments, and what he already has accomplished during his tenure as chief science officer, Jerry passionately embraces a 'one-Salk' mindset. With a boundless energy about the enormous possibility ahead, he understands the greater our connectivity and collaboration, the greater impact we will havetogether."

Over the course of his distinguished career, Joyce has served as the Dean of the Faculty at The Scripps Research Institute and Director of the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF), in addition to maintaining a lab at Salk since 2017. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards, he is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

"I am deeply honored to take on this role at what is an auspicious time for the Institute," said Joyce. "With our incredibly talented team of scientists and administrators, we will continue to be a world leader in making high-impact scientific discoveries and forging new pathways for innovation across the biological sciences."

Joyce graduated with a BA from the University of Chicago in 1978 and both an MD and PhD from the University of California San Diego in 1984. He completed his postgraduate medical training at Mercy Hospital in San Diego and postdoctoral research training at the Salk Institute before launching his independent research program in 1989.

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:

The Salk Institute embodies founder Jonas Salk's mission to dare to make dreams into reality. Its internationally renowned and award-winning scientists explore the very foundations of life, seeking new understandings in neuroscience, cancer, aging, immunobiology, plant biology, computational biology, and more. The Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Learn more at: http://salk.edu.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

10010 N Torrey Pines Rd

La Jolla, California 92037

PH (858) 453-4100

www.salk.edu

SOURCE Salk Institute for Biological Studies
DUBLIN, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Osimertinib Drugs Market: by Type by Application and by Region - Forecast and Estimation for 2017-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Osimertinib drugs market is expected to reach US$ 11,839.8 million by 2027 at a CAGR of 16.6%, from US$ 4828.6 million in 2021, according to a new report

The researchers determined that the high demand for Osimertinib drugs was due in part to its unique properties as a double tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Osimertinib is not only effective against tumors with ALCL, but it also targets other types of cancer such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, Osimertinib does not require radiation or surgery for treatment, making it a preferable option for some patients.

Market Dynamics



Drivers

There are several reasons why Osimertinib is gaining popularity among patients with NSCLC.

First, Osimertinib has a relatively low risk of side effects when compared to other treatments available to patients.

Second, Osimertinib has been shown to be an effective treatment in clinical trials and has shown few if any side effects when used in combination with other treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Finally, Osimertinib is also inexpensive relative to other treatments available on the market

Restraints

Limited efficacy of the drug. Osimertinib has a low efficacy rate, meaning that it only works for a small number of patients. This means that there is a high demand for the drug, but not enough people are able to benefit from it. Many patients are left with few options other than radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Lack of awareness about the drug. Patients and doctors are relatively unaware of Osimertinib drugs and their potential benefits. As a result, they are unlikely to pursue this treatment option if they consider it available. Furthermore, often insurers do not usually cover these drugs, which creates an even greater hurdle for patients wishing to access them.

Regional Analysis

By region, global Osimertinib drugs market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Wherein, North America is the largest consumer of lung cancer drugs such as Osimertinib. In fact, the region generates around 40% of the global market revenue.

In 2021, the drug generated a revenue of $2037.2 million as lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in North America. The American Cancer Society reports that lung cancer will account for about one-quarter of all cancers in North America by 2025.



Lung cancer drugs are expensive and require a prescription from a doctor. The American Cancer Society estimates that the cost of lung cancer treatment will be $18.1 billion in 2025.



Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of more than 20% in the years to come thanks to high cancer population in India and China. In fact, more than 50% lung cancer patients are based in China only. This represents a huge growth potential for Osimertinib drug manufacturers in the region.

Segment Overview

By type, the global Osimertinib market is segment into 40mg and 80 mg. Wherein, the 40mg segment is projected to generate a revenue of $8,500 million by 2027.



In 2021, over 13,728,057 tablets of Osimertinib drugs were sold.



By applications, hospitals are estimated to consume over 80% of the global demand. Hospitals are the largest consumer of lung cancer drugs such as Osimertinib, and they account for a large portion of the total prescriptions that are written for these medications. In fact, more than 80 percent of all prescription pneumonectomy drugs are taken by hospitals. The vast majority of these medications are used to treat advanced lung cancer.



Since the approval of Osimertinib, the drug has seen high demand from hospitals for its use in treating cancer. Hospitals have been able to find success using Osimertinib to treat a variety of cancers including lung cancer. The reason for the high demand is that Osimertinib is a targeted therapy that specifically kills cancer cells. Cancer cells are able to resist regular treatments such as chemotherapy, so doctors are often looking for new ways to treat cancer patients.

Market Segmentation

By Type

40 mg

80 mg

By Application

Hospitals

Drug Stores

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

& South America

Global Osimertinib market Report Answers Questions Such As:

What is the market size and forecast of the Global Osimertinib market?

What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 on the Global Osimertinib market during the assessment period?

Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the assessment period in the Global Osimertinib market?

What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Osimertinib market?

What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Osimertinib market?

What is the market share of the leading players in the Global Osimertinib market?

What modes and strategic moves are considered favorable for entering the Global Osimertinib market?

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 74 Forecast Period 2021 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $4828.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $11839.8 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 16.6 % Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Osimertinib Drugs Market Scope



Chapter 2 Global Osimertinib Drugs Market Dynamics and Overview



Chapter 3 Global Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis, by Region



Chapter 4 Global Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis, by Type



Chapter 5 Global Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis, by Application



Chapter 6 North America Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis



Chapter 7 Asia Pacific Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis



Chapter 8 Europe Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis



Chapter 9 South America Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis



Chapter 10 MEA Osimertinib Drugs Market Analysis



Chapter 11 Company Profiles



Chapter 12 OSIMERTINIB DRUGS MANUFACTURING COST ANALYSIS

Chapter 13 MARKETING CHANNEL, DISTRIBUTORS AND CUSTOMERS



Chapter 14 Research Methodology



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

AstraZeneca

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/abaj6k

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Portable Generator Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Portable generators market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period, from an estimated USD 2.2 Billion in 2022 to USD 2.9 Billion in 2027.

The growth of portable generators is mainly driven by the increasing number of weather-related & nonweather-related power outages, and aging grid infrastructure.

5 -10 kW is expected to emerge as the fastest segment based on power rating

The 5-10 kW portable generators are majorly used in camping and recreational applications as an emergency power source. For instance, in North America the camping activities was seen to be following increasing trend from past few years, according to KOA which is expected to rise the usage of portable generators as a backup sources. This rise in these outdoor activities are some of the factors contributing to the growth of this market segment.

Conventional Generator: The largest segment for the portable generators market, by product type

Conventional generators maintain their speed in order to produce electricity. Some have an idle mode that will save fuel when nothing is drawing electricity. The demand for electricity increases as the usage of the machine tools in work shops or turning on a light bulb is needed. The amount of fuel required increases and so does the noise because the generator engine is working harder.

North America is expected to be the second largest market during the forecast period

The countries included are the US, Canada, and Mexico. North America is one of the leading manufacturers and consumers of electricity. The massive industrial sector of North America lies in the territory of US and Canada thus both of them contributed the largest share in electricity generation.

The largest consumers of energy are US and Canada countries in the region level and global level as well which are contributing to the largest share of the portable generator market. Environmental distress, power shortages, and new exploration activities for natural gas fuel, and peak time electricity costs are expected to push the portable generator market in this region.

Competitive landscape

The portable generators market is dominated by a few major players that have a significant regional presence. The leading players in the portable generators market are. Honda (Japan), Generac (US), Yamaha (Japan), Cummins (US), Atlas Copco (Sweden).

Premium Insights

Rising Demand for Backup Power Sources During Power Outages

Asia-Pacific to Register Highest CAGR in Market During Forecast Period

to Register Highest CAGR in Market During Forecast Period Residential Segment and US Dominated North American Market in 2021

Residential Segment to Dominate Market in 2027

Gasoline Segment to Dominate Market in 2027

Emergency Segment to Dominate Market in 2027

5-10 kW Segment to Dominate Market in 2027

Conventional Generator Segment to Dominate Market in 2027

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising Instances of Power Outages

Growing Construction Activities

Restraints

Stringent Government Regulations Pertaining to Emissions from Generators

Suitability of Portable Generators for Low-Power Applications

Opportunities

Technological Advancements Such as Dual-Fuel and Inverter Portable Generators

Increase in Power Demand with Growing Urbanization

Challenges

Increasing Adoption of Renewable Energy Solutions

Noise and Exhaust Issues Associated with Portable Generators

Value Chain Analysis

Raw Material Providers/Suppliers

Component Manufacturers

Manufacturers/Assemblers

End-users

Post-Sales Service Providers

Case Study Analysis

PR Power Supplies Its Portable Diesel Generator to Salvation Army for Emergency Services

Honda Power Equipment Launched Co-Minder System

Company Profiles

Key Players

Atlas Copco

Briggs & Stratton

Generac

Honda

Yamaha

Caterpillar Inc.

Cummins

Honeywell International Inc.

Siemens

Rato Europe

Kohler

Inmesol

Himoinsa

Duromax

Loncin

Other Players

Champion Power Equipment

Wen

Pulsar Products

Westinghouse

Wacker Neuson

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f6ikud-portable?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

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Globally regarded soft-tissue sarcoma therapy has been approved by Medsafe for New Zealand patients

YONDELIS (trabectedin) demonstrates 45% reduction in risk of disease progression or death versus dacarbazine [1]

SINGAPORE and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics (ST) is pleased to announce that its portfolio therapy to treat rare soft tissue sarcomas has now been approved in New Zealand.

Medsafe has approved the use of YONDELIS (trabectedin) "for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma who received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen".[2]

YONDELIS (trabectedin) is used extensively around the world and has been shown to improve progression free survival[1].

News of the Medsafe registration has been welcomed by oncologists and the New Zealand sarcoma community, who say it means patients whose disease has progressed will have access to a new line of therapy.

"Sarcoma is a relatively rare cancer and treatment options are limited for those with advanced disease," said Associate Professor Jayesh Desai, Medical Oncologist and Deputy Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA)

"We welcome news that this therapy is formally approved for use in New Zealand and look forward to seeing advanced sarcoma patients being provided additional benefit."

And ANZSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Denise Caruso said: "YONDELIS is an established therapy that has already been used extensively around the world to treat advanced sarcoma patients. We welcome formal registration in New Zealand and expect that all eligible New Zealand patients will be provided access to this global treatment option."

YONDELIS is already approved and has been available to patients in the United States since 2015,[3] and in Europe since 2007.[4] It was approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2021.[5]

YONDELIS is made available in New Zealand by independent biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST) under an exclusive license arrangement with international partner PharmaMar SA.

ST Chief Executive Officer Mr Carlo Montagner commented: "We are pleased to achieve this milestone in New Zealand and look forward to providing patients with sarcoma with another valuable treatment option.

"We will continue working with the sarcoma community in New Zealand to ensure that YONDELIS is available at the earliest opportunity."

About Specialised Therapeutics

Headquartered in Singapore, Specialised Therapeutics (ST) is an international biopharmaceutical company established to commercialise new therapies and technologies to patients throughout South East Asia, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. ST and its regional affiliates collaborate with leading global pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies to bring novel, innovative and life-changing healthcare solutions to patients affected by a range of diseases. Its mission is to provide therapies where there is an unmet need. The company's broad therapeutic portfolio currently includes novel agents in oncology, haematology, neurology, ophthalmology and supportive care.

Additional information can be found at www.stbiopharma.com

About PharmaMar

PharmaMar is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of new oncology treatments, whose mission is to improve the healthcare outcomes of patients afflicted by serious diseases with our innovative medicines. The Company is inspired by the sea, driven by science, and motivated by patients with serious diseases to improve their lives by delivering novel medicines to them. PharmaMar intends to continue to be the world leader in marine medicinal discovery, development and innovation.

PharmaMar has developed and now commercializes Yondelis in Europe by itself, as well as Zepzelca (lurbinectedin), in the US; and Aplidin (plitidepsin), in Australia, with different partners. In addition, it has a pipeline of drug candidates and a robust R&D oncology program. PharmaMar has other clinical-stage programs under development for several types of solid cancers: lurbinectedin and ecubectedin. Headquartered in Madrid (Spain), PharmaMar has subsidiaries in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and The United States. PharmaMar also wholly owns Sylentis, a company dedicated to researching therapeutic applications of gene silencing (RNAi). To learn more about PharmaMar, please visit us at www.pharmamar.com.

About YONDELIS (trabectedin)

YONDELIS (trabectedin) is a novel, multimodal, synthetically produced antitumor agent, originally derived from the sea squirt, Ecteinascidia turbinata. The anti-cancer medicine works by preventing tumour cells from multiplying and is approved in 76 countries in North America, Europe, South America and Asia for the treatment of advanced soft-tissue sarcomas as a single-agent, and in 69 countries for relapsed ovarian in combination with DOXIL/CAELYX (doxorubicin HCl liposome injection).

The approval was based on the results of a pivotal phase 3, randomised, open-label controlled study which evaluated YONDELIS versus dacarbazine in over 500 patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma (LPS) or leiomyosarcoma (LMS) previously treated with an anthracycline and at least one additional chemotherapy regimen. LPS and LMS are subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and represent more than 35% of all STS cases.[6]

The median progression-free survival (PFS) among the YONDELIS treatment group was 4.2 months compared to 1.5 months in the dacarbazine treatment group, representing a 45% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death with YONDELIS (HR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.44 - 0.70; p<0.001).[1],[2]

Among the 340 patients who received YONDELIS and were included in the safety analysis in the randomised trial, the most common (20%) adverse reactions were nausea (73%), fatigue (67%), vomiting (44%), constipation (36%), decreased appetite (34%), diarrhoea (34%), dyspnoea (25%), peripheral oedema (24%) and headache (23%). The most common (20%) laboratory abnormalities were neutropenia (49%), increased alanine transaminase (ALT) (45%), anaemia (39%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (35%), thrombocytopaenia (30%) and increased blood alkaline phosphatase (20%).[1]

About Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that forms as a painless lump (tumour) in any one of the soft tissues connecting all the organs and body structures  including fat, muscle, nerves, deep skin tissue, blood vessels and the tissue surrounding joints (synovial tissue). Soft tissue sarcomas commonly develop in the thigh, shoulder and pelvis and may sometimes develop in the abdomen or chest.[7]

Metastatic or locally advanced STS is generally considered incurable, with the mainstay of treatment being systemic chemotherapy. For some patients with limited disease burden however, long-term remission can be achieved through a multimodality approach involving medical, surgical and radiation therapy.[7]

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is the most common subtype of STS, accounting for approximately 20 to 25% of all newly diagnosed cases.[7] Common sites for LMS include the abdomen, retroperitoneum, larger blood vessels, and the uterus. It is less common in the extremities compared with other STS subtypes, accounting for 10% to 15% of limb sarcomas.[8]

Liposarcoma (LPS) accounts for approximately 10 to 15% of cases of STS. Typical sites of origin include the extremities and retroperitoneum.[9]

References

[1] Demetri G. et al. J Clin Oncol. 2016; 34(8): 786-793

[2] YONDELIS (trabectedin) Medsafe Approved Data Sheet

[3] YONDELIS (trabectedin) FDAApproved Prescribing Information

[4] YONDELIS (trabectedin) European Medicines Agency Summary of Product Characteristics

[5] YONDELIS (trabectedin) TGA Approved Product Information

[6] Toro JR, et al. Int J Cancer. 2006; 119:2922-2930

[7] Cancer Council Victoria Fact Sheet - Soft tissue sarcoma. Available at https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/soft_tissue_cancers/soft-tissue-cancers-overview.html\

[8] George S, et al. Soft Tissue and Uterine Leiomyosarcoma. J Clin Oncol. 2017; 36: 144-150

[9] 11 Lee ATJ, et al. Clinical and Molecular Spectrum of Liposarcoma. J Clin Oncol. 2018; 36 (2): 151-159.

SOURCE Specialised Therapeutics
FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As more service providers are entering the market with cost-effective services, the cost of the sub-orbital missions is expected to decrease in the forecast period.

BIS Research, the global leader in providing market intelligence on deep technologies, has released its latest study titled Sub-Orbital Testing Services Market  A Global and Regional Analysis.

According to this study, the global sub-orbital testing services market was valued at $122.4 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $178.1 million by 2032.

The following factors are responsible for the increase in demand for sub-orbital testing services:

Need for microgravity testing services

Limitations of terrestrial testing service capabilities

The detailed study is a compilation of 93 market data tables and 20 figures spread through 146 pages.

Check out the detailed table of content here

https://bisresearch.com/requestsample?id=1437&type=toc

Analyst's Take on the Market Projection

According to Arunkumar Sampathkumar, Principal Analyst, BIS Research, "Multiple small-satellite operators are entering the space markets, and many of them are utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf components which are not necessarily built for space applications. This imposes a relatively higher risk of system failure on those missions. While microgravity testing can help them evaluate their systems before launch, the prohibitive cost of suborbital flights has kept them away from this market. However, multiple launch service providers are developing new platforms to provide affordable microgravity test opportunities to the space market participants. With the launch costs coming down, this market is expected to grow over the long term."

Request a FREE sample of this report here

https://bisresearch.com/requestsample?id=1437&type=download

Payload Capacity Segment of 501 Kg and Above to Witness Fastest Growth

The market of sub-orbital testing services has witnessed many successful sub-orbital launches carrying a payload to be tested in high-quality microgravity conditions. The companies offering sub-orbital testing services focus on high mission frequency and low costs. There are companies that are developing reusable sub-orbital platforms such as sub-orbital reusable launch vehicles and fixed-winged parabolic platforms for operating multiple times.

As per the study conducted by BIS Research, due to the more payload capacity offered by the companies in developing larger sub-orbital launch platforms, the higher segment of 501 kg and above payload capacity is expected to witness a gradual growth during the forecast period of 2022-2032.

Major Existing Industry Leaders in the Sub-Orbital Testing Services Market

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on input gathered from primary experts and analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration. Some of the established names in the market are Aerostar, Blue Origin, bluShift Aerospace, Inc., Dawn Aerospace, Equatorial Space Inc., Exos Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc., Interstellar Technologies Inc., Near Space Corporation, PD AeroSpace, ltd., PLD Space, Skyrora Limited, SpinLaunch, UP Aerospace, Virgin Galactic, and World View Enterprises, Inc.

Recent Developments in the Global Sub-Orbital Testing Services Market

In November 2022 , Virgin Galactic signed an agreement with Axiom Space, a commercial space company, to provide microgravity research and training. The company would provide Axiom's astronauts a trip to the sub-orbit region to train them for future long-duration space missions.

, Virgin Galactic signed an agreement with Axiom Space, a commercial space company, to provide microgravity research and training. The company would provide Axiom's astronauts a trip to the sub-orbit region to train them for future long-duration space missions. In July 2022 , Virgin Galactic signed a contract with Boeing Subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences to partner in developing the company's new motherships. The Aurora Flight services would build the two motherships capable of conducting 200 launches a year, carrying Virgin's Spaceship to an altitude of 50,000 and releasing it.

Additionally, World View Enterprises, Inc, under collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will provide high-altitude balloon services to the winner of NASA's TechRise Student Challenge. The company will carry students' scientific/technology experiments to the edge of space on its stratospheric balloon platform.

Want to learn more about the latest trends in spacetech? Speak to our analysts

Exclusive DeepTech MAP Analysis for Aersospace by BIS Research:

Sub-Orbital Space Tourism Market

Global Space Propulsion System Market

About BIS Research:

BIS Research is a global B2B market intelligence and advisory firm focusing on deep technology and related emerging trends which can disrupt the market dynamics in the near future. We publish more than 200 market intelligence studies annually that focus on several deep technology verticals.

Our strategic market analysis emphasizes on market estimations, technology analysis, emerging high-growth applications, deeply segmented granular country-level market data, and other important market parameters useful in the strategic decision-making for senior management.

BIS Research offers syndicate as well as custom studies and expert consultations to firms, providing them with specific and actionable insights on novel technology markets, business models, and competitive landscapes.

Contact:

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SOURCE BIS Research
Guidehouse plans to hire over 2,000 employees in Chennai by the end of 2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidehouse, a leading global provider of consulting and managed services to public sector and commercial clients, today announced the commencement of its operation from Chennai, India. Guidehouse is the fastest-growing global consulting firm, serving both commercial and public sector markets supporting clients within sectors including Healthcare, Life Sciences, Financial Services, Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure.

The 72,964 square foot office located in Cambridge Tower, Ramanujan IT SEZ, was inaugurated by Charles Beard, COO of Guidehouse and Mahendra Singh Rawat, Country Head, Guidehouse India on February 13th.

Guidehouse is seeking top talent to join the team, with plans to hire 2,000 full-time employees in Chennai by the end of 2023. In addition, Guidehouse anticipates opening additional locations in India over the next 12-18 months. The India team at Guidehouse will support managed services engagements and specialized technology services in cutting-edge digital modernization capabilities on critical projects to the company's clients across the globe.

"We remain committed to growing our presence across India and cultivating exceptional career opportunities for the local workforce as we expand our capabilities and digital expertise in new areas," said Charles Beard, Chief Operating Officer of Guidehouse. He continued to confirm the commitment of Guidehouse to India grown stating, "Chennai has the perfect combination of professionals and a deep talent base for multiple business and expansion opportunities, which we see as critical to the growth of Guidehouse. With this wealth of talented professionals, Chennai has become a hub for IT and managed services expertise for our business."

Guidehouse's expansion into Chennai speaks volumes to the rapid growth of our unique business model, the value we place on local talent, and the way the company continues to operate as a truly global brand. Guidehouse operates with a 'People First' focus cultivating a strong employee culture where there is an appreciation for diversity, a strong shared sense of belonging, and where diversity is celebrated. For the 4th consecutive year, Guidehouse maintains exceptional "Great Place to Work" scores and India designation. The company is also proud of its diversity scores, employing more than 45% of women locally.

The event was attended by Anand Bhardwaj (Executive Director, Healthcare Managed Services), Saji Zacharia (Director, HR), and Rana Thankappan (Associate Director, Facilities & Administration) along with other key leaders from Guidehouse India.

About Guidehouse



Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. By combining our public and private sector expertise, we help clients address their most complex challenges and navigate significant regulatory pressures focusing on transformational change, business resiliency, and technology-driven innovation. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and digital services, we create scalable, innovative solutions that help our clients outwit complexity and position them for future growth and success. The company has over 16,500 professionals in over 55 locations globally. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies. For more information, please visit www.guidehouse.com.

Media Contact:

Guidehouse

Cecile Fradkin

[email protected]

SOURCE Guidehouse
STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Icon Health, a leading value-based orthopedic services and care management provider, has announced an agreement with Auxilium Health Network, a CMS ACO REACH participant, to provide comprehensive orthopedic services to Medicare beneficiaries. Together, Icon and Auxilium providers will facilitate patients' transitions between primary care and specialty orthopedic care, driving superior clinical and financial outcomes by ensuring use of appropriate and evidence-based care pathways for all orthopedic conditions.

"Primary care has long been the focus of total cost of care arrangements," said Duncan Sibson, CEO of Icon Health. "We see an opportunity for specialty groups to share risk for the high-cost subpopulations they serve. Our agreement with Auxilium Health Network will allow us to do just that for orthopedic patients, who represent a top three spend category for ACOs."

Under this industry-leading value-based partnership, Icon Health is accountable for reducing total cost of care while maintaining or improving patient outcomes. Through Icon, members of the Auxilium Health Network have priority access to expert clinical opinions, treatments, and ongoing guidance to close care gaps and drive value. For Auxilium participant Primary Care Providers, Icon Health offers coordinated specialty care that is aligned to the value-based goals of the ACO.

Chris Tsang, CEO of Auxilium Health Network stated: "We are very excited to welcome Icon Health as a partner within our network to offer whole-person, comprehensive musculoskeletal care, as well as partner with Auxilium's PCPs. Given that MSK issues are one of our top patient conditions, this partnership has the potential to transform the patient experience by blending evidence-based specialty care with a forward thinking ACO."

About Icon Health

Icon Health provides comprehensive orthopedic care for at-risk patients, delivering services and guidance through their care journeys to achieve better outcomes at lower costs. Icon's highly specialized clinical orthopedic care managers ensure that each patient is paired with the optimal specialists, treatments, and recovery plans personalized for their individual orthopedic health needs.

Learn more at https://iconhealthco.com

About Auxilium Health Network

Auxilium Health Network was created to work with CMS for Medicare beneficiaries. This network of participants delivers high quality and cost-effective care with coverage in California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, and South Dakota. Auxilium is accepting qualified providers to join the network and further the mission of delivering quality care.

Learn more at https://dce.auxiliumhealth.us

CONTACT:

Fariha Choudhury

[email protected]

SOURCE Icon Health
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to be responsible for bringing love into the world," said one of the inventors from Fort Worth, Texas, "so I invented LOVES PROMISE BAND. It is a modern twist on wearing a wedding band to know that you belong to someone." With the ability to detect dishonesty through monitoring the wearer's behavior it provides the wearers with information on their significant other and saves them from making accusations. Stylish, modern and easy to use the device ensures that users could trust what they see and builds trust, faith, confidence, and love among the wearers. The original design was submitted to the Dallas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-DAL-309, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
AHORA EN VIVO: ?? Actividad Oficial | Presidenta de la republica, Dina Boluarte, brinda declaraciones desde Palacio de Gobierno.https://t.co/N574ehUX6Y
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of "IronMatt", The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors, is pleased to be the recipient of a seventy-five thousand ($75,000) grant from Deerfield Foundation to support the Family Assistance Program for families living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The IronMatt Family Assistance Program is available to qualified families in need of assistance who have a child undergoing treatment for a Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) cancer. IronMatt pays families bills such as mortgages, rent, car payments and utility bills while their child is going through treatments so families can focus on their child's care and well-being.

IronMatt's mission is to build a network committed to providing financial assistance to reduce family hardship, fund pediatric brain tumor research and advance patient care. The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors was launched in 2007 by Kelly and Greg Larson in honor of their son, Matthew, who passed away at the age of 7 due to brain and spinal cancer. Since 2007, IronMatt has provided more than $3.5 million to over 2,000 families through the Family Assistance Program; funded over $5 million in research grants to improve treatments and find a cure; and obtained a "Give With Confidence" 100 rating from Charity Navigator.

Kelly Larson, President of Iron Matt, stated- "We are tremendously grateful to Deerfield Foundation for their generous grant in support of our mission. This grant will make a positive impact on families in the New York metropolitan area as we help families through their most difficult times and ease their financial and emotional burden as their child goes through treatment."

Mark Veich, Executive Director of the Deerfield Foundation, stated- "We are honored to support IronMatt's mission to help children and families affected by pediatric brain tumors, especially in the metropolitan area where Deerfield's employees and their families live and work."

ABOUT DEERFIELD FOUNDATION: An affiliate of Deerfield Management, the Deerfield Foundation is a New York City-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to strive to improve health, accelerate innovation and promote human equity. Since its inception in 2007, the Foundation has formed numerous partnerships and invested in the advancement of children's health, from clinics in the South Bronx to Nepal. Funds are provided through employee contributions and directly from Deerfield's profits. Many of the past grant recipients consist of children's healthcare initiatives as well as social services and underserved populations.

For more information, please go to ironmatt.org

Contact: Kelly Larson, President

IronMatt, The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors

[email protected]

201.410.2751 ironmatt.org

SOURCE IronMatt, The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors
New York based global research company Jasper Colin Research has just announced a refreshed brand identity with Jasper Colin as its new brand name. This new brand embodies the company's renewed sense of innovation and growth.

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jasper Colin Inc. a global research company based in New York today unveiled a new brand identity, reflecting company's transformation to an expanded suite of services backed by robust data intelligence capabilities and enhancement of client experience. At the heart of this change, is the company's continued focus on incremental innovation to adapt to the changing expectations of clients and industry. With 15 years of empowering data-centric actionable intelligence through single largest data source and a data driven culture, this transformation stems around partnering with our clients in their journey from data to decision through next generation technology solutions.

"We are in a major transition phase and these strategic changes are aimed to demonstrate a successful growth strategy in 2023. The industry landscape has never been more dynamic. Through this transformation we will be spear-heading a technology-oriented problem solving process catering to several unmet needs of our clients in data intelligence space," said Amit Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer at Jasper Colin.

Following its rebranding, Jasper Colin has revealed its new strategic roadmap that comprises of a number of initiatives to revamp business operations focused on technology and product development. The company has also defined vertical specific solutions embedded with actionable data backed insights on markets, brand, products, and customers.

With the goal of reimagining customer experience and keeping pace with the latest technological advances, Jasper Colin has also launched JC-X, its proprietary platform for streamlining project execution and automated reporting. This platform has been designed to enhance the experience of its customers in seamless research execution, ensuring greater visibility and involvement in the process. The company will also increase its R&D investments in innovation and client experience in the near future, which will pave the way for expanding the company's service, covering the entire journey from data to decision.

"The rebranding of Jasper Colin Research is indicative of an organization on the move. Over the years, we've grown and evolved. Today we may look a little different with our new corporate identity, but our essence remains the same. This rebranding will help us spread our wings to take our brand to all-new heights leveraging the power of innovation," Amit Choudhary added.

To find out more, please visit www.jaspercolin.com

About Jasper Colin: Jasper Colin is a global data intelligence provider, supplying data centric actionable insights solving most critical business questions for investment firms, agencies, and corporate customers across the globe. Founded in 2007, Jasper Colin has regional offices in US, UK, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Jasper Colin Inc.
Maof Group and Jitjatjo partner to establish a multi-million dollar strategic alliance to drive HR innovation, optimization, and launch a ground-breaking Talent Marketplace in Israel.

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jitjatjo , a disruptive workforce management (WFM) and internal talent marketplace for contingent labor, has announced an agreement with Maof Group, one of Israel's largest Human Resources companies. The partnership empowers Maof with Jitjatjo's Network Human Capital Management (HCM) technology platform, providing exponential growth potential and improvements for current manual HR processes. Network is Jitjatjo's white-label platform that will powerGetJobMaof's contingent labor marketplace launching mid 2023.

Network leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline complex HR processes, enabling Maof's customers to access contingent labor on demand, 24x7, with real-time performance analytics, and provide flexible work opportunities to Maof's candidates. Network will be deeply integrated with Maof core SAP-Finance and Payroll systems to support automation and full-scale digital transformation.

Maof, as one of the most successful Israeli Employment Agency and Human Resources company, has helped Olim Chadashim, a support program to assist new immigrants with their transition to making Aliyah in Israel, explore and secure work with new citizens since 2014. Maof Human Resources centers proudly provide a robust range of HR services for the community, which includes more than 3,500 employers in a diverse range of industries. With unemployment in Israel on a decline, the national gig economy continues to grow as residents lean into new preferences, including part-time flexible work, and short-term contract jobs. Network by Jitjatjo will bolster the already powerful tools and resources that Maof offers, driving employment opportunities to new levels for 2023 and beyond.

"The opportunities Maof creates for the current and future residents of Israel is unrivaled, and Jitjatjo is honored to be aligned with a company with such an incredible core purpose, that cares so deeply for its workforce and clients. This partnership is a very exciting milestone for Jitjatjo and further validation of our hard work, dedication to our human betterment mission, and commitment to our vision to transform the way people work."

- Tim Chatfield, Co-Founder // CEO of Jitjatjo

"Our partnership with Jitjatjo will open new doors for efficiency optimization and marks an exciting next step towards a new era of HR services for the Israeli community. We are thrilled to see what the future holds as we integrate their AI technology and next-gen HCM platform into our operations. Their team has been a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to a fruitful relationship."

- Yaniv Nadler, Co-Founder of Maof

About Jitjatjo:

Since 2015, Jitjatjo has developed workforce management and talent marketplace solutions that empower organizations with frontline workers to embrace flexible labor, scale service quality, and enhance compliance. Network by Jitjatjo is a gig-work platform for internal and external labor that leverages A.I. and Empathic Intelligence to transform the way people work, optimize resourcing, and increase productivity. Learn more about the dynamic distribution of work at jitjatjo.com .

About Maof Group:

Since 1999, Maof Group has provided innovative and breakthrough human capital solutions to the private and public sector. Maof has established extensive experience and an exceptional reputation in all fields of the human resources world in Israel, including; placement, recruitment, managed services, outsourcing services, occupational assessment, employment, employee training, guidance and counseling, and individual accompaniment for job seekers. maof-hr.co.il

Media Contact:





Bradley Public Relations & Marketing

Bob Bradley

Publicist

949.274.9651

[email protected]





Jitjatjo Maof Group Brittany Valente Hagar Man Sarusi Senior Marketing Manager Head of Marketing 212.235.1234 +972-52-5938848 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Jitjatjo
Lawsuit asserts that the Government of Kazakhstan has resorted to the same unlawful tools  confiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidation  favoured by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes.

has resorted to the same unlawful tools  confiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidation  favoured by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes. The lawless behavior by the Government of Kazakhstan , which is attempting to seize control of assets worth more than USD$1.5 billion , should concern all who wish to see the rule of law and international norms upheld in the former Soviet states.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevada corporation Jysan Holding, LLC ("Jysan Holding") and its English subsidiary Jusan Technologies, Ltd, have today filed a lawsuit in Nevada federal district court against the Republic of Kazakhstan and others.

Jysan Holding accuses the Kazakhstan Government of engaging in a campaign of fear and intimidation in order to seize control of the companies' Kazakhstan-based assets, worth more than USD$1.5 billion, for its own benefit as well as for the benefit of associated individuals.

The Nevada lawsuit asserts claims of expropriation under international law, violations of the federal RICO statute as well as claims under Nevada state law for wrongful tortious conduct and civil conspiracy. The lawsuit seeks injunctive and declaratory relief as well as compensatory and punitive damages for the defendants' illegal conduct.

As detailed in the lawsuit, the Kazakhstan Government has tried to wrongfully seize the assets of Jysan Holding, the New Generation Foundation ("NGF") and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (together, the "Jusan Group") by any means necessary, including threats, intimidation, criminal and civil investigations, trumped up litigation, lawless asset freezes and blocking USD $387 million in dividends lawfully slated for distribution by the Jusan Group's privately owned bank, First Heartland Jusan Bank (the "Bank").

The lawsuit details the history of corruption and intimidation by Kazakh government agencies against Nevada and English entities, further showing that the conduct against the Jusan Group is a timeworn tactic against the international investor community. The lawsuit asserts that Kazakhstan has leveled threats of violence and imprisonment against United States residents who have material economic interests in the Jusan Group if Kazakhstan's commercial demands are not met. These acts are in line with the Government of Kazakhstan's history of rampant corruption, which according to public reporting has worsened since 2022. In sum, the Government of Kazakhstan has resorted to the same unlawful toolsconfiscation, expropriation, threats, and intimidationfavored by the world's most repressive dictators and authoritarian regimes.

NGF is a Nevada not-for-profit entity that was founded to ensure the sustainability of two flagship academic institutions in Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev Universitya modern, English-language research university located in Astana; and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, a nationwide network of 21 secondary schools that teach in English, Kazakh and Russian.

If allowed to continue, the Kazakhstan Government's conduct will prevent the Jusan Group from fulfilling their commitment to ensuring educational excellence to the schools; before the campaign began, NGF and the Jusan Group have provided millions of dollars in grants to Nazarbayev University and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools.

This lawsuit will not affect the daily business activities or finances of Jusan Bank, which continues to have strong financial and business results.

A spokesman for Jysan Holding LLC said:

"We are deeply concerned by the Government of Kazakhstan's attempts to expropriate funds from Western-oriented educational institutions. If the Jusan Group's funds are frozen, schools tasked with teaching principles of educational freedom will be deprived of necessary financial support, which will negatively affect their students, researchers, and educators by obstructing an education that emphasizes the values of academic rigor, evidence-based research, and innovation. We are filing this lawsuit to be able to continue to support these schools and their beneficiaries.

"We are also concerned about the history of corruption in Kazakhstan and have uncovered a number of illicit transactions by individuals seeking to unwind lawful transactions involving the Jusan Group that were done with the express approval of the Kazakhstan government. Our investigation will shine a light on the lawless behavior of the Soviet-styled government in Kazakhstan which is wrongfully targeting the Jusan Group.

"The conduct of the Kazakhstan Government  and its breathtaking disregard for rule of law  forms a pattern of racketeering and corruption which is in potential violation of the U.S. Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. International investors, the US Government, and others should be concerned with the conduct against the Jusan Group. Attempted asset seizure, intimidation, and breaching settled obligations shows an absolute disdain for international norms which should cause any international investor to think twice about investing in Kazakhstan."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Jysan Holding and JTL are represented in these proceedings by Tariq Mundiya, Michael Gottlieb and Jeffrey B. Korn of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and J. Stephen Peek and Erica Medley of Holland & Hart LLP

The case JYSAN HOLDING, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company; JUSAN TECHNOLOGIES LTD, an England and Wales Limited Company v REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN, et al. (D. Nevada)

New Generation Foundation (NGF) is the sole owner of Jysan Holding, LLC (JH), a Nevada limited liability company. Jusan Technologies Ltd is a company incorporated in United Kingdom with business interest in various sectors of banking, e-commerce, telecommunications, logistics and retail and other financial sectors such as brokerage, insurance, and assets management, which are primarily located in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Media requiring more information should contact [email protected]

SOURCE Jysan Holding, LLC
This marks the first NFT release from KAY  Jewelers

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KAY Jewelers is thrilled to announce the creation of their first non-fungible token, often referred to as an NFT, for the winner of The Dream Proposal Contest presented by KAY and Monique Lhuillier BLISS and his fiance. As a sponsor of the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, KAY welcomed the winning couple to celebrate every kiss in Times Square and placed them center stage for a surprise proposal to ring in the New Year! For a modern touch, KAY presented the couple with a surprise gift  an NFT that includes a 3D digital twin of the Monique Lhuillier BLISS engagement ring, along with special moments from the proposal journey including the Monique Lhuillier ring consultation and personalized congratulations, and their written love story all bundled into an NFT to own and cherish forever.

"I am honored to be a part of this beautiful moment celebrating love on such a special night," said bridal designer Monique Lhuillier. "It is a dream come true to work alongside KAY Jewelers to create the perfect ring and to see my designs come to life through this exciting new bridal heirloom."

The winner Austin and his fiance Alaina have been together since 2017 and reside in Michigan. Their first trip together was to NYC to visit Times Square on New Year's Eve, so to return for their proposal in the same spot was a full-circle moment to celebrate their love and relationship. Austin chose a beautiful 1 3/8ct t.w. emerald and round cut 18K white gold engagement ring to propose to Alaina. The NFT includes an exact digital twin of the Monique Lhuillier BLISS ring that Austin proposed with and has all the intricate details as the physical ring, down to the beautiful XO detail that is a signature of the collection.

The Dream Proposal contest prize included a 4 day/3-night trip to New York City over New Year's Eve and incredible additional prizes. Austin was selected out of more than 1,500 applicants from the social media contest.

"KAY Jewelers is the first of our Signet brands to create a custom digital twin of a physical ring as an NFT, so this is an exciting milestone for us," says Bill Brace, President of KAY. "We are always looking to innovate for our customers, and we're excited to create a bridal heirloom that captures this stunning engagement ring, along with special moments from their love story, in digital form."

The Monique Lhuillier BLISS engagement ring NFT was designed by world renowned fashion designer, Monique Lhuillier, and produced by KAY in partnership with Pebble Ventures, LLC. The couple will receive the NFT through a Bitski droplink.

About KAY Jewelers

For over 100 years, KAY Jewelers has helped millions of people express love and celebrate life's most meaningful moments. Operated by Signet Jewelers Ltd., KAY Jewelers is America's #1 jewelry retailer and the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. For additional information on KAY Jewelers visit www.Kay.com.

About Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier is internationally recognized as one of America's foremost designers. Established in 1996 by Monique Lhuillier and her husband, Tom Bugbee, the company is considered one of the leading fashion houses in design, quality and creativity. With a passion for creating collections that are both feminine and modern, Monique Lhuillier continues to design ready-to-wear, accessories and bridal collections that are luxurious, chic and true to her aesthetic. Fans include Emma Stone, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Bell, Anna Kendrick and the First Lady Michelle Obama among others. Monique's signature design sensibility has led to the launch of many licensed products transforming the company into a luxury lifestyle brand. Monique Lhuillier products are distributed through Monique Lhuillier stores, premium department stores and specialty stores throughout the world. For additional information visit www.moniquelhuillier.com.

PRESS CONTACT

Lividini & Co.

[email protected]

SOURCE Kay Jewelers
Ekaterina Gorokhova will drive continued growth of the businesses' regional footprint and client portfolio

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KellyOCG, the outsourcing and consulting group of Kelly, has appointed Ekaterina (Katya) Gorokhova vice president and practice lead for KellyOCG EMEA Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). Gorokhova will oversee the ongoing expansion of KellyOCG in the region partnering with clients to design RPO solutions that augment and enhance their talent acquisition strategies for full-time workers. Gorokhova previously worked on the staffing side of the business for Kelly. She reports to KellyOCG President Tammy Browning in her new role.

Ekaterina Gorokhova, vice president and practice lead, KellyOCG EMEA Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO).

"Katya is an outstanding leader with more than two decades of industry experience who truly understands the local labor markets and our clients' workforce challenges. With her leadership, deep industry knowledge, and robust regional insights, our EMEA RPO team is well positioned to consult with clients, connecting them to the best full-time talent," said Browning.

Previously, Gorokhova was vice president, country general manager and group leader of Russia, Poland and Hungary leading the RPO and direct hire practices for Kelly. She has held several leadership roles at the company including serving as Sweden country manager and general manager of Kelly responsible for operations, financial performance, business growth, and recruitment and retention in EMEA. Gorokhova joined Kelly as a branch manager, following various sales management roles with a global consumer goods organization.

"It's a great honor to lead the EMEA RPO team as we continue to deliver considerable value to our clients by helping them navigate the challenging talent landscape," said Gorokhova. "I'm excited to join a team of solution experts spanning multiple countries who have contributed significantly to our growth. I look forward to collaborating with the team to implement our growth strategy in the year ahead."

Gorokhova was honored by Staffing Industry Analysts as a "Global Power 150 Women in Staffing" in 2019 and was recognized on its "Global Power 100" list in 2017. She was the general manager of the Association of Private Employment Agencies (APEA), which earned an outstanding advocacy award from the World Employment Confederation under her leadership.

She graduated from the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute with a master's degree in technical sciences and pursued additional education in management at the University of Chicago in a joint program with the Instituto de Empresa (Spain).

The global KellyOCG RPO practice is built on more than 75 years of knowledge and expertise in the HR and talent acquisition market. The EMEA RPO team of more than 150 tenured professionals successfully deliver project, modular or full cycle RPO programs in 18 countries. Whether clients are looking for talent in-country or across borders, our team fluently speaks 22 languages enabling them to connect clients to the talent they need to be competitive. KellyOCG has a long-standing commitment to leadership in the RPO industry earning Star Performer status on Everest Group's Global RPO Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 and recognition on the HRO Today Baker's Dozen customer satisfaction ratings for enterprise and mid-market RPO provider.

About KellyOCG

KellyOCG connects companies with the talented people they need to fuel and grow their business through our unrivalled global talent supply chain and leading workforce solutions including Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). We combine decades of people industry experience with proprietary insights and a continued focus on technology to produce world-class programmes that meet an organization's unique workforce needs and can start them on their journey to total talent management. Our ability to anticipate what's next for talent solutions drives us to challenge the status quo making us a trusted partner for our global client portfolio, which spans leading industries across North America, APAC and EMEA. Visit kellyocg.com or connect with us on LinkedIn to learn more.

Media Contact

Cynthia Carey

[email protected]

+ 1-248-462-3021 (mobile)

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2003493/Ekaterina_Gorokhova_vice_president.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1814059/KellyOCG_FullColor_Logo.jpg

SOURCE KellyOCG
First-ever commercialized cancer symptom management pathways, Carevive STAIRS, will reduce hospitalizations and improve cancer clinic processes.

BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Carevive Systems, Inc., a leading innovator in cancer care management software with a deep real-world evidence patient dataset, announced today that it will launch the commercialization of its computerized cancer symptom management pathways. These pathways were developed through the generous support of a multi-million dollar Phase I/II Small Business Innovations Research contract funded by the National Cancer Institute. This product took over five years to develop, test, and pilot with input from an international panel of cancer symptom experts. Phase I was awarded by the NCI in 2018, and Phase II in 2020. Symptom management is a focus of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative (https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative/implementation/symptom-management). Carevive is the only company that applied for and received a Fast-Track Phase I/II contract award from the NCI under this research topic. Carevive STAIRS (Symptom Triage, Assessment, Intervention and Response System) initially covers the eight most common cancer symptoms which, when severe, result in treatment interruptions, modifications, or discontinuations and hospitalizations.

Today, most patients are not monitored remotely between clinic visits. As a result, patients only contact triage lines when they are experiencing problematic symptoms. Due to short staffing and busy clinics, many patients become frustrated by long wait times, even going to the ER. When nurses or medical assistants (MAs) call patients back, they often use unstructured triage and assessment processes that require multiple calls between patients and providers, which is frustrating and inefficient.

Company launches first-ever commercialized cancer symptom management pathways, Carevive STAIRS. Tweet this

With Carevive PROmpt, patients are systematically monitored remotely every week, and the care team is notified electronically when patients report symptoms that may require clinical intervention. With the launch of Carevive STAIRS, when nurses or MAs receive a notification, they can now use structured, decision-tree-based questions when following up with patients to triage and assess symptoms, and the system will offer recommended evidence-based management strategies for consideration. The Carevive STAIRS workflow then enables a provider to easily approve a course of action electronically, with auto-documentation of the entire encounter in the patient's EHR. As a result of Carevive STAIRS, nurses and providers are comforted, knowing they are following evidence-based recommendations for symptom triage, assessment, and management, and patients are comforted knowing they are being monitored outside of the clinic and the care team will call them when appropriate.

"Patients today don't discuss their cancer symptoms with their care team until they become problematic, often leading to treatment holds, treatment discontinuations, or hospitalizations, all of which negatively impact treatment outcomes and increases overall costs of care," said Madelyn Trupkin Herzfeld, RN, BSN, Carevive's Founder and Vice Chairman. "Carevive PROmpt plus Carevive STAIRS will allow nurses to proactively monitor their patients' experience and intervene early. Our structured evidence-based frameworks will allow nurses to work more efficiently and at the top of their license, which is critical in this era of limited care team bandwidth and staffing shortages. I'm so proud of Carevive's offerings that meaningfully improve the patient experience and their treatment outcomes."

"This is exactly what we need to be more closely connected to our patients," said Carrie Wines-Larch, BSN, RN, ONN-CG, Survivorship & Nurse Navigator Program Coordinator at Charleston Area Medical Center, a pilot site for Carevive STAIRS. "All administrators should love this product. Everyone is focusing on how technology can advance practice, save providers, nurses, and patients time, improve patient, nurse and provider satisfaction, and support value-based payment models focusing on mitigating hospitalizations and promoting patient satisfaction. Our nurses, providers, and patients all see significant value in using this technology."

About Carevive

Carevive Systems, Inc. founded in 2013, is an oncology-focused health technology company centered on understanding and improving the experience of patients with cancer. Our platform enables clinicians to monitor and manage their patients remotely, which improves clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. The use of Carevive in the clinic unlocks critical data on the real-world experience of patients with cancer, to continuously improve care processes and outcomes, and advance cancer drug development. For more information, please visit www.carevive.com or follow us @carevive.

SOURCE Carevive Systems Inc
Upgrade Seeks to Enhance Security Effectiveness and Improve the Traveler Experience

RESTON, Va., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, was recently awarded a contract by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to upgrade TSA's full fleet of Pro:Vision Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) systems used at airport security checkpoints with a new artificial intelligence-based algorithm. This upgrade will help strengthen airport security with an improved threat detection methodology that will significantly reduce false alarms.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to work with the TSA to further improve the technology and the passenger screening experience at security checkpoints," said Brad Buswell, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager at Leidos. "These new algorithms will help reduce false alarms that lead to unnecessary pat downs and checkpoint inefficiencies."

The upgrade represents the continued collaboration between the TSA and Leidos to progressively enhance the nation's security posture against evolving threats. The software update is expected to take several months. Leidos will continue to work with the TSA to update more than 1,000 Pro:Vision AIT systems.

To learn more about Pro:Vision, and the other aviation security solutions offered by Leidos, please visit leidos.com/security-detection.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

SOURCE Leidos
LinkrUI with Microsoft Office Compatibility Now Available via Resellers and Retail

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Cruz Software, a global leader in software development for cross media content publishing, today announced a new version of its DAM connector LinkrUI will now enable Digital Asset Manager (DAM) syncing for three Microsoft Office applications. Available both via DAM reselling partners and via retail, LinkrUI for Microsoft Office is now compatible for applications Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel.

Visit here to learn more about LinkrUI.

LinkrUI enables direct searching, opening, placing and synchronizing of digital assets stored in a DAM system or other storage services, such as Box and Dropbox. The new version of LinkrUI automatically synchronizes assets between Microsoft Office applications and the DAM or storage service to ensure that everyone in an organization can find and work on the latest version.

LinkrUI started as a best-in-class extension to Adobe applications, providing an in-app panel link between popular creative applications and the DAM or cloud storage service. Santa Cruz Software recently began offering a version of LinkrUI completely free  guaranteed version control at no cost  which is compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign and Adobe Illustrator. The premium version of LinkrUI adds compatibility for Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects and includes additional features like live filtering and Smart-Linkr, which finds and fixes broken asset links automatically. LinkrUI for Microsoft Office includes compatibility for Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel.

A recent survey by Santa Cruz Software found that 83% of professionals said they spend time each week finding lost assets. In fact, 11% do it hourly. Over half spend at least three hours per week managing versions and a staggering 15% are spending over six hours. LinkrUI solves this problem by automatically syncing the current asset with the DAM.

"LinkrUI creates a more profitable and productive workflow within companies by managing asset versions, resulting in professionals having access to shared files that the entire team is working on," said Mark Hilton, CEO of Santa Cruz Software. "Adding support for Microsoft Office applications provides an additional level of connectivity among teams, making it easier to collaborate on shared projects across a variety of applications. Along with the rest of our offering, this addition enables creatives and all professionals to be significantly more efficient with their work, benefiting everyone involved."

Pricing & Availability

LinkrUI for Microsoft Office is now available via resellers and retail. LinkrUI for Microsoft Office costs $99/year per seat and includes compatibility for Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel. Please visit our LinkrUI webpage to download LinkrUI and see a list of current DAM vendors.

Download LinkrUI on Microsoft Appsource here.

About Santa Cruz Software

Santa Cruz Software offers a suite of tools to connect Adobe applications to other Cloud Services, enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly on projects without ever leaving their applications. Enjoy simplified version control, easy asset search and seamless connection between your shared team assets. Santa Cruz Software features are designed to streamline brand compliance, empower collaboration between teams and increase productivity. Solutions range from integratable Dynamic Templates based upon Adobe InDesign (PrintUI), DAM connectors for Adobe applications and Microsoft Office applications (LinkrUI) and turnkey collateral/campaign portals (BrandingUI). For more information, visit the Santa Cruz Software website.

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

Media Contact

David Haefele

FortyThree, Inc.

[email protected]

831.888.9011

SOURCE Santa Cruz Software
S ales, I nventory, O perations, P lanning Is Key to Supply Chain Success

CLAREMONT, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Manufacturing and Supply Chain Expert Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD, known as the Strongest Link in Your Supply Chain and President of LMA Consulting Group Inc., has published: SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EBITDA Growth. LMA Consulting Group works with manufacturers and distributors on strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation to maximize the customer experience and enable profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.

Lisa Anderson Lisa Anderson, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Expert Publishes Book on SIOP Process

"Supply Chains continue to be the cornerstone to success in the decades to come. And while the reasons are different than during the height of the pandemic, supply chains continue to be challenged with new obstacles occurring every day. As I look at the chaos over the last few years and its negative impact on service, growth and profitability, I see the need for a proven process. The SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning) also known as S&OP, is the answer. It shines a light on what is needed, engages all departments across the organization and proactively aligns demand with supply to enable growth and profitability," noted Lisa Anderson.

The SIOP process engages a proven methodology of integrating data, demand, supply, and communication to affect an exceptional customer experience that drives growth. "The beauty of the SIOP process is that it is organic. Once a company has employed the process, it continues to evolve with significant results. We have customers who have optimized service levels by improving forecasts, increased cash flow by reducing inventory levels while improving service, and improved the visibility of data for a more consistent and level-loaded production schedule leading to better efficiencies, reduced material costs, and improved productivity. It can be done, and it is being done with considerable success. And the best part is, once implemented, it will fuel transformative strategies for growth and improved margins," she said.

Ms. Anderson and co-author Diane Garcia developed: SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EBITDA Growth to help organizations understand the value of a proven process. The book is complimentary on the LMA Website at: https://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/siop-book/. It can also be found on Amazon digitally and on-demand print at: SIOP at amazon.com and on iTunes: Apple iTunes SIOP Book. Ms. Anderson also provides supply chain updates through Supply Chain Chats, a series of short videos that address current topics, issues and challenges related to supply chains.

About LMA Consulting Group  Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD

Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group, Inc., specializing in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation. She focuses on maximizing the customer experience and enabling profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. Ms. Anderson is a recognized Supply Chain thought leader by SelectHub, named a Top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by arketi group, a Top 16 ERP Expert to Follow by Washington-Frank, in the Top 10 Women in Supply Chain by Warner PR, in the top 55 Supply Chain & Logistics Experts by flexport, and a woman leader in Supply Chain by RateLinx. She has been interviewed by Fox News, published the special report: Thriving in 2022: Learning from Supply Chain Chaos  Insights from 22 Trusted Advisors and the eBook, Future-Proofing Manufacturing & the Supply Chain Post COVID-19, Her primer, I've Been Thinking, provides strategies for creating bold customer promises and profits. An expert on the SIOP process (Sales, Inventory Operations Planning), advancing innovation, and making the supply chain resilient, Ms. Anderson is regularly interviewed and quoted by publications such as Industry Week, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal. For information, sign up for her Profit Through People Newsletter or for a copy of her book, visit LMA-ConsultingGroup.com.

Media Contact

Kathleen McEntee

Kathleen McEntee & Associates, Ltd.

760)-262-4080

[email protected]

SOURCE LMA Consulting
LogRhythm adopts a consumer-centric approach to ensure the delivery of sufficient support and guidance to clients and provides free additional services to enhance customers' experiences.

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan assessed the SIEM industry and, based on its analysis, recognizes LogRhythm with the 2023 Asia-Pacific Competitive Strategy Leadership Award. The company enables security operation center (SOC) teams to close security gaps, including insufficient depth and breadth of monitoring and lengthy response time, through its comprehensive and flexible security operations platform, technology partnerships, and advisory services. This marks the 6th time LogRhythm has been recognized with the Best Practices Award.

With its team of experts, LogRhythm differentiates itself by offering targeted services made to fit clients specific security goals.

As a customer-centric SIEM provider, LogRhythm uses customer feedback to improve its solutions. LogRhythm's commitment to excellence and drive to put clients first make it an excellent choice for SIEM deployment. As a result, LogRhythm rapidly and constantly improves its solution offerings to remain competitive and meet current and emerging customer needs. The company communicates these improvements at the start of every quarter, showing its commitment to keep promises made.

LogRhythm SIEM is easy to set up and use, easing the load of security teams and providing a complete security narrative. The company analyzes customer networks and systems to determine the best solution for their needs and ensures smooth solution integration within clients' IT environments. With its team of experts, LogRhythm differentiates itself by offering targeted services made to fit clients' specific security goals.

LogRhythm maintains a "Channel First" strategy, and has built a robust ecosystem consisting of value-added resellers (VARs), managed security providers (MSPs), and system integrators across the world to thrive in this global market. It also built the unique LogRhythm Thrive Program to ensure that global partners can provide prospects and customers with information about how its industry-leading solutions meet security and compliance requirements.

Georgia Edell, security advisory consultant for Frost & Sullivan, observed, "LogRhythm differentiates itself from its competitors by delivering an impressively comprehensive SIEM platform for rapid threat detection, response, and neutralization. The company's consistent and rapid innovations have served to provide customers predictability with their partnership with LogRhythm, as well as the ability to see requested improvements built into the product quicker than other vendors."

In addition, LogRhythm's straightforward pricing option allows customers to mature their security operations with predictable budgets.

LogRhythm customers are never alone; the company also has a thriving community of users who share their experiences and connect with peers. For example, the LogRhythm Community is a one-stop shop where users resolve common issues, ask questions, access resources, and collaborate with peers.

"By constantly innovating its products, steadily building its global partner program, ensuring consistent and successful product delivery, and offering robust post-deployment support services, LogRhythm has emerged as a strong SIEM industry participant," added Edell. With its strong overall performance, LogRhythm, Inc, earns Frost & Sullivan's 2023 APAC Competitive Strategy Leadership Award in the SIEM industry.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has leveraged competitive intelligence to successfully execute a strategy that results in stronger market share, competitive brand positioning, and customer satisfaction.

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 its role in 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:

Tammy Chan

[email protected]

About LogRhythm

LogRhythm helps busy and lean security operations teams save the dayday after day. There's a lot riding on the shoulders of security professionalsthe reputation and success of their company, the safety of citizens and organizations across the globe, the security of critical resourcesthe weight of protecting the world.

LogRhythm helps lighten this load. The company is on the frontlines defending against many of the world's most significant cyberattacks and empowers security teams to navigate an ever-changing threat landscape with confidence. As allies in the fight, LogRhythm combines a comprehensive and flexible security operations platform, technology partnerships, and advisory services to help SOC teams close the gaps.

Together, LogRhythm and our customers are ready to defend. Learn more at logrhythm.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
DUBLIN, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE American: MNK), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that Siggi Olafsson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at Cowen's 43rd Annual Health Care Conference in Boston, MA on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 2:50 p.m. Eastern Time.

Individuals who cannot attend the meeting in person can find webcast information at: https://wsw.com/webcast/cowen132/mnk/1849260. A replay will also be available following the meeting.

ABOUT MALLINCKRODT

Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The Company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, hepatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations

Daniel Speciale

Global Corporate Controller & Chief Investor Relations Officer

314-654-3638

[email protected]

Derek Belz

Vice President, Investor Relations

314-654-3950

[email protected]

Media

Michael Freitag / Aaron Palash / Aura Reinhard

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company.  2023 02/23.

SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viettel Group will be back with a full-scale booth at MWC Barcelona 2023, the world's largest mobile-related exhibition, in Spain from February 27 to March 2.

Due to the pandemic, this will be Viettel's first onsite appearance at MWC Barcelona since 2019. Viettel is proud to be the only Vietnamese brand showcasing "Make-in-Vietnam" future technology in the event.

Meet with Viettel: the only Vietnamese Brand to Exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2023

Viettel shows how it is shaping digital transformation for and with people from end-to-end 5G core solutions, Viettel Money  a digital financial ecosystem, intelligent operation center for e-government, cybersecurity system and digital twins.

In the 5G section, Viettel will present the advanced wireless technologies and announce the collaboration with international partners to produce OPEN RAN equipment. We would be glad to explore potential partnerships and are excited to share industry insights.

Together with new technology, Viettel also brings Vietnam's culture features to the biggest international event in the industry. The booth of Viettel gets inspired from the images of majestic terrace fields, a symbolic scenery of Vietnam. And it serves you the best coffee with the hope to bring to you a glimpse of traditional cultures.

Through this exhibition, Viettel looks forward to globally communicating its advanced technologies and businesses under the messages "Technology moves forward, but no one should be left behind".

EVENT INFORMATION

Hall 4, Booth 4E30

Fira Grand Via, Barcelona, Spain

About Viettel

Viettel Group is an international enterprise headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam. The group has investments in 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. Viettel has five business lines including telecommunications and information technology (IT); research and manufacture of electronic and telecommunications equipment; defense industry; cyber security and digital services.

SOURCE Viettel Group
HOUSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Melax Tech, a world leader in biomedical natural language processing (NLP) technology, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, an academic medical center in Boston, has been awarded a two-year $2.5 million grant by the NIH. The project aims to build and validate a clinical decision support system (CDS) for early cognitive decline detection. The study will use advanced deep learning and NLP algorithms to identify patients with cognitive decline signals from electronic health records (EHRs) and improve early diagnosis in primary care settings.

The project will focus on two main objectives:

Develop novel computational algorithms, including ontology, deep learning, and NLP, to identify patients with early cognitive decline using EHR with supporting evidence. Work with frontline physicians to design, develop and evaluate a user-centered clinical decision-support system to identify and manage patients with cognitive decline and prompt personalized recommendations for timely care.

"This award is a recognition of our clinical NLP technologies. We will develop cutting-edge NLP algorithms to identify at-risk patients and extract cognitive concerns, symptoms, diagnosis, assessments, and social determinants of health (SDoH) factors from clinical notes. We are very excited to work closely with our clinical collaborators on implementing and validating these NLP algorithms," said Dr. Jingcheng Du, NLP Director at Melax Tech and Principal Investigator on this award.

"Early intervention for Alzheimer's is crucial with the projected increase in affected Americans and the corresponding cost of care. Our deep learning-based CDS aims to revolutionize primary care diagnosis and management and improve early detection accuracy for better patient outcomes," says Dr. Frank Manion, VP for Innovations at Melax Tech.

"This study is a critical step in our mission to improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia," said lead researcher Dr. Li Zhou of Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Using deep learning algorithms and electronic health records can revolutionize how we approach early detection and intervention for AD/ADRD."

This project is supported by the National Institute On Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44AG081006. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About Melax Tech: Melax Tech empowers healthcare and life science organizations to use data science approaches such as AI / Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology to extract information from biomedical textual data to solve real-world problems.

SOURCE Melax Technologies, Inc.
TUSTIN, Calif. , Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SYSPRO, a global provider of industry-built enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has recognized Michael Bennett, Global Channel Executive on its 2023 Channel Chiefs list. Every year, this list honors the IT channel executives who consistently execute successful channel partner programs and strategies.

Michael Bennett of SYSPRO Recognized as a 2023 CRN Channel Chief

Michael leads SYSPRO's global channel business, including channel development, strategic channel partnerships and SYSPRO's PartnerUP channel partner program. Michael has led many strategic initiatives inside SYSPRO's Partner Community, including the launch of the PartnerUP Portal and a Specialist Provider Program, which helps support partners providing services to customers around the globe. He is committed to channel partner growth and ensures partners benefit from SYSPRO's global footprint and award-winning product offering.

"Once again, this year's list gives well-deserved recognition to the IT Channel Chiefs who are dedicated to driving the channel agenda and advocating for the development of strong channel partnerships," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "Under their exceptional leadership, influence, and innovation, the IT channel vendor community continues to deliver solutions and services that meet the rapidly evolving needs of their solution provider partners and their customers."

Michael's leadership has enabled SYSPRO to deliver on its commitment to support channel partners in building sustainable revenue streams by addressing critical manufacturing and distribution industry needs.

"The success of our partners is our success. I am honored to receive this recognition and to work with innovative and resilient organizations within our community," said Bennett. "We will continue to prioritize providing our partners with resources that support their strategic initiatives, while empowering them to exceed their goals and business expectations. I am excited to see the progress we will all make within the channel landscape moving forward."

The 2023 CRN Channel Chiefs list will be featured in the February 2023 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/ChannelChiefs .



About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

About SYSPRO

SYSPRO is a leading, global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provider specializing in key manufacturing and distribution industries. For over 40 years, SYSPRO's team of specialists have continued to address unique industry needs and enable customers to easily adapt and grow. The solution is scalable and can be deployed in the cloud, on-premise, or both, and accessed via the web on any device to provide customers with choice and flexibility.

SYSPRO remains focused on the success of partners and customers. Our evolving solutions are aligned with industry trends to leverage emerging technology that will enable partners and customers in securing a digital future.

With more than 15,000 licensed companies in over 60 countries across six continents SYSPRO offers guidance and support every step of the way as a trusted advisor.

For more information, visit www.syspro.com.

SOURCE SYSPRO USA
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mighty Yum, the company behind a new line of nutritious, plant-based munchable lunch kits and all vegan, gluten-free protein bars has been taking North America by storm, announces its presence at the Natural Products Expo West 2023.

The Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) exhibition is dedicated to the natural, organic, and wellness products sector. It is the largest event of its kind in the United States and takes place every March at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

"We are thrilled to take our nutritious, 100% plant-based, healthy, on-the-go munchable lunch kits and all vegan, gluten-free protein bars to the United States West Coast and showcase them at the Natural Products Expo West 2023. Our mission is to introduce healthy, convenient, and delicious food options for families and their kids, and we look forward to sharing this with the world at the NPEW."

Howard Panes ~ Mighty Yum Founder.

The event will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) North Hall at 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802. Mighty Yum will be exhibiting its plant-based munchable lunch kits and other products at Booth #N343 on Wednesday, March 8th, from 12 PM to 6 PM, Tuesday, March 9th, from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Friday, March 10th, from 9 AM to 6 PM.

"The Natural Products Expo West is the perfect platform to share the Mighty Yum vision with industry specialists and international purchasers. We believe in the power of plant-based food to promote health and wellness for children worldwide, to start healthy habits that will continue for a lifetime and we can't wait to demonstrate it in California this March."

Mark Elkman ~ Mighty Yum Founder.

About Mighty Yum

Mighty Yum wants to introduce families to the availability of healthy, convenient, and delicious plant-based food options in the market. It is created with 100% plant-based ingredients and packs tremendous flavor combined with healthy non-GMO ingredients, satisfying that nostalgic taste everyone loves.

Mighty Yum was among the five winners of the DPI New Item Showcase, which was announced nationally at the Fancy Food West in Las Vegas in January. Our munchable lunch kits and protein bars are both nutritious and fun, teaching children to develop healthy eating that will last a lifetime. The flavors include all-time classics, such as turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, and pepperoni pizza.

Mighty Yum was created by two fathers - Marc Elkman and Howard Panes  who recognized the need for healthy, nutritious foods for children. With over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, the two decided to team up to develop Mighty Yum and change how children and families eat on the go. Since its launch, Mighty Yum has earned strong reviews from parents, educators, nutritionists, retailers, and media outlets who see the need for healthy, nutritious, plant-based options that taste amazing and kids love.

To learn more about Mighty Yum, its food, and its founders, visit www.mightyyum.com .

Contact:

Kim Brown

678 829 9075

[email protected]

SOURCE Mighty Yum
The strategic alliance will work towards a shared vision for the future of online assessments focused on the latest technology and providing an optimized online assessment experience.

MADRID and NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new partnership has been signed by Exams for Zoom, a next-generation online assessment platform, and MonitorEDU, a professional remote proctoring and examination services company. The partnership will cover three specific areas:

1. MonitorEDU will use Exams For Zoom's proctoring platform as a part of its multi-camera, multiproctor, high-stakes solution.

2. Exam For Zoom's platform will be used by MonitorEDU staff to create a "best-in-breed technology" that enhances the live proctoring experience.

3. Both companies will jointly promote their services globally to transform remote assessment and proctoring over the next decade.

Don Kassner, president of MonitorEDU explained, "As a professional proctoring and invigilation company, we have the team to administer any remotely delivered assessment. Exams for Zoom's technology provides us with the next generation of assessment tools and moves the market forward with the right combination of software and human resources"

Pablo Langa, Founder of Exams for Zoom, added, "In a post-ChatGPT world, we need more practical assessment experiences that augment the benefits of completing online exams and certifications with a human and empathetic component. Together MonitorEDU and Exams for Zoom can achieve this."

Exams for Zoom , product of WeAreExams, is a two-time award-winning platform that combines the security and trust of a traditional proctoring tool with the familiarity and simplicity of an online video conferencing platform. The platform is the result of years of research aimed at promoting academic integrity. It offers institutions the flexibility to provide a positive assessment and proctoring experience, whether live or recorded, with features tailor-made to meet the current and future needs of exam providers and takers.

MonitorEDU Inc was created by Patrick Ocha and Don Kassner, who founded the remote proctoring industry in 2008. The company focuses on administering remote exams using live proctors and testing software provided by its key strategic partners, including; Assessment Systems, Exams For Zoom, and Paradigm Testing.

Media Contact: James Lower, [email protected]

SOURCE MonitorEDU
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Montmed, Inc. , a company dedicated to bridging the gap between science and behavior in diabetes care to deliver better outcomes while reducing the cognitive burden associated with living with diabetes, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a second US Patent 11,517,659, adding to the company's novel technology patent family which aims at helping insulin users to easily and seamlessly develop and implement healthy injection site rotation practices.

Insulin users inject themselves anywhere from 1 to 6 or more times daily. This daily repeated administration of exogenous insulin, a growth hormone, combined with the repeated trauma of needle micro-injury, leads to a serious complication called lipohypertrophy. Lipohypertrophy, which is defined as an abnormal accumulation of fat underneath the surface of the skin, is present in up to 64% of insulin users and leads to sub-optimal insulin absorption2. Studies have shown that the lack of injection site rotation is the largest risk factor in developing lipohypertrophy2. Lipohypertrophy has been shown to have important repercussions on glycemic control, such as an elevation in HbA1C, increased glucose variability, increased unexplained hypoglycemia as well as an increase in insulin requirements of up to 22%1. Therefore, in addition to its proven clinical benefits, ensuring insulin users adopt a healthy injection site rotation may also reduce the economic burden of insulin use. Currently, there is no simple and intuitive way to help health care professionals teach, and patients adhere to a structured site rotation routine. As a result, injection site rotation is not broadly adopted resulting in more than half of insulin users using one site only to inject their insulin4.

Montmed has developed the Sitesmart, a novel pen needle system designed to favor the teaching and adherence to a healthy injection site rotation regimen. Each package of Sitesmart contains 100 insulin pen needles distinctively marked with 4 colors, along with educational messages and an association tool labeled directly on the packaging that allows the user to simply and easily create a personalized structured injection site rotation plan, in which each of the four colors of pen needle is associated with a distinct injection area, seamlessly instructing the insulin user where to inject at each injection.

Positive clinical data from a randomized controlled trial were published in October 2020, which demonstrated that the sole dispensing of Sitesmart pen needles system by a retail pharmacist was an impactful, low tech and scalable intervention that resulted in a significant improvement in injection site rotation. The study showed Sitesmart delivered a 134.7% increase in the likelihood to improve site rotation over conventional pen needles, without adding any cost to the health care system. It was also hypothesized that the distinctive nature of the Sitesmart pen needle system may also act as a reminder for insulin users to change their pen needles after use, and therefore, reduce needle re-use, in accordance with clinical recommendations. The study demonstrated that, in addition to ensuring healthy injection site rotation, needle re-use was reduced by 25% in Sitesmart users.

Montmed's initial patent specifically covers distinctively marked injection devices, including insulin pen needles, in combination with a user-defined association tool that allows the user to create and implement a personalized injection site rotation plan, and thus reduce the risk of developing lipohypertrophy. The newly issued patent 11,517,659 adds to the initial patent by integrating the concept of distinctive marks and user-defined association in a digital device or software.

Amir Farzam, chief executive officer of Montmed, commented, "We are extremely pleased that the USPTO has once again recognized our innovation. The issuance of this new US patent, paired with our positive clinical data and the successful proof of concept in the Canadian market is paving the way for us to bring our innovation to insulin users in the US. We remain committed to transforming the utility of an insulin pen needle from a simple insulin delivery device to a clinically valuable tool that can improve health outcomes and reduce costs by helping insulin users seamlessly integrate healthy injection site rotation into their daily routine, and importantly, at no additional direct cost to the healthcare system. To this effect, we are initiating our 510k process in Q1 2023".

About Sitesmart

Montmed has developed Sitesmart, a pen needle system that brings clinical value by helping insulin users seamlessly adopt a healthy site rotation routine, which can reduce the risk of lipohypertrophy, improve insulin action and consequently, clinical outcomes, at no additional direct cost to the healthcare system. The Sitesmart package contains 100 insulin pen needles distinctively marked with 4 colors (4X25), along with an association tool labeled directly on the packaging and on a web app, that allow the user to create a personalized structured injection site rotation plan, in which each of the four colors of pen needle is associated with an injection area. Once the plan is developed by the insulin user or with the help of a health care professional, the user simply picks a pen needle in the box, and injects in the area corresponding to color of the pen needle on his /her plan. And that's it! No tracking, no logging, no need to remember where the last injection was given. The simplicity of Sitesmart makes it easy for any insulin user to get the most out of their insulin by integrating a healthy injection site rotation routine without adding to the cognitive burden associated with diabetes management. The Sitesmart packaging also serves as a counselling tool to favor a rapid and concise educational intervention on site rotation by health care professionals, including prescribers, diabetes educators, and retail pharmacists. Sitesmart: Change Colour, Change Site.

References

1. Frid A, et al. Worldwide Injection techniques questionnaire study. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2016;91(9):1212-1223. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.011.

2. Blanco M, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of lipohypertrophy in insulin-injecting patients with diabetes. Diabetes Metab. 2013;39(5)445-53. doi: 10.1016/j.diabet.2013.05.006.

3. Forum for Injection Techniques (FIT). http://fit4diabetes.com

4. Bari B, Corbeil MA, Farooqui H, Menzies S, Pflug B, Smith BK, Vasquez A, Berard L. Insulin Injection Practices in a Population of Canadians with Diabetes: An Observational Study. Diabetes Ther. 2020 Nov;11(11):2595-2609. doi: 10.1007/s13300-020-00913-y.

Related Links

http://montmed.ca/

SOURCE Montmed Inc
Martindale-Hubbell announces David Schulman is honored with the 2022 AV Preeminent Rating

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Martindale-Hubbell ranks David Schulman among its best for more than a decade. This year David is given their highest ranking possible; AV Preeminent. Less than five percent of attorneys across the United Starts are given this distinction. To receive the ranking attorneys must be reviewed and recommended by their peers, members of the bar and the judiciary. Only attorneys with the highest ethical standards, in depth legal expertise and communication skills are given this designation.

MSM Partner David Schulman 2022 AV Preeminent

David is a founding partner at Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC where he has set himself apart by providing exceptional legal representation for more than two decades.

"Divorce isn't about winning or losing. My job isn't to tell people what they want to hear, but what the available options are to get the outcome they are hoping to achieve. My approach saves people precious time and money. Most importantly it helps them get on with enjoying their lives," says Moore, Schulman & Moore Founding Partner David Schulman.

David Schulman has a long history of being recognized for his professional accomplishments while specializing in complicated litigation and mediation with high-profile clients. His extensive understanding of pivotal family law issues such as spousal and child support, custody and visitation, as well as any other family law matters makes him a sought-after advocate in Southern California. He is one of the few attorneys who represent the smallest voices in the courtroom as minor's counsel.

David is a certified family law specialist honored by Super Lawyers and San Diego's Top Attorneys as well as the coveted Family Court Judiciary Norby Award. He has served on the State Bar's Family Law Commission and served as its Vice-Chair.

David is an advocate for children inside and outside of the courtroom. He has championed a number of causes that benefit children, but currently he is the most active in working for the nonprofit, Just in Time for Foster Youth. The nonprofit gives young adults the opportunity to attend college, successfully transition to living on their own and empowers them to follow their dreams.

About Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC.

Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC provides trusted legal guidance for people going through a divorce and other family law issues. The award-winning San Diego divorce lawyers have generations of experience and board-certified attorneys ready to guide you through whatever issues you are facing. They are equipped to take on any divorce while providing efficient and cost-effective family law solutions for family-related legal issues. Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC is a distinguished as a Top Tier 1 firm by U.S. News & World Report's Best Law Firms for 2023 Learn more at http://www.msmfamilylaw.com

Contact:

Lynn Stuart

[email protected]

(858) 243-6988

SOURCE Moore, Schulman & Moore, APC
Network will use evidence-based practices to strengthen ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MovementForward, Inc., in partnership with Stand Together Trust, today announced the launch of the Law Enforcement Community-Engagement Network (LECEN), the nation's first network to support the critical work of officers tasked with leading community engagement efforts within their departments.

No national resource currently exists to help public safety professionals responsible for community engagement access best practices, peer support, industry expertise, or current research. The LECEN will fill that gap, helping officers meaningfully engage with the communities they serve.



"For the past several years, we've seen significant strains on the relationship between law enforcement and communities  the most recent example being the tragic death of Tyre Nichols," said Rev. Markel Hutchins, president & CEO of MovementForward, Inc. "Effective law enforcement-community engagement is the key to reducing such appalling incidents." Hutchins continued, "We must repair the relationships between police and community members. Without doing so, we cannot simply hope for things to get better."

The network is convened by MovementForward, Inc., a modern, inclusive social change organization working to protect, promote, and advance the civil and human rights of all people, with support from Stand Together Trust, a member of the Stand Together philanthropic community that invests in and partners with innovative social entrepreneurs tackling our country's biggest problems through "bottom-up" solutions.

"Meaningful community engagement is not only important for trust and accountability, but it is also necessary to effectively prevent and solve serious crime in our communities," said Brianna Nuhfer, vice president for criminal justice at Stand Together. "We're excited to partner with MovementForward on the launch of this network of leaders taking a smarter approach to criminal justice -- one based on proven methods that prioritize public safety and restore human dignity. We hope the LECEN will aid law enforcement in pursuing its core mission of protecting and serving the community."

The first LECEN cohort was convened in January. It includes the following 20 members, representing a cross-section of agencies, geographies, demographics, experiences, and more:

Aurora Police Department - Aurora, CO

Police Department - Belmont Police Department - Belmont, NC

Police Department - Brookhaven Police Department - Brookhaven , GA

Police Department - , GA Brownstown Police Department - Brownstown, MI

Central Connecticut State University Police Department - New Britain, CT

Police Department - Columbia Police Department - Columbia, SC

Police Department - Dover Police Department - Dover, DE

Police Department - Faulkner County Sheriff's Office - Conway, AR

Sheriff's Office - Fresno Police Department - Fresno, CA

Police Department - Hiram Police Department - Hiram, GA

Police Department - Jackson Police Department - Jackson, MS

Police Department - King County Sheriff's Office - Seattle, WA

Sheriff's Office - Memphis Police Department - Memphis, TN

Police Department - Milwaukee Police Department - Milwaukee, WI

Police Department - Mooresville Police Department - Mooresville, NC

Police Department - Norristown Police Department - Norristown, PA

Police Department - Oxnard Police Department - Oxnard, CA

Police Department - Roanoke City Sheriff's Office - Roanoke, VA

Sheriff's Office - San Diego Police Department - San Diego, CA

Police Department - Sinclair College Police Department - Dayton, OH

Skaneateles Police Department - Skaneateles, NY

Police Department - Waco Police Department - Waco, TX

This inaugural cohort will set the stage for the LECEN's expansion in the second half of 2023. Cohort members will share and be further instructed in using evidence-based approaches backed by Intergroup Contact Theory, the practice of increasing contact between members of different groups to reduce prejudice, bridge divides, and build trust with the community.

The LECEN will also provide essential guidance as MFI hosts the inaugural Professionalizing Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Training National Conference (PLECET) in Atlanta from May 3-6, 2023, to provide training and networking opportunities to community engagement officers and executives.

About MovementForward, Inc.

MovementForward, Inc. is a modern, inclusive social change organization working to protect, promote and advance the civil and human rights of all people. It organizes activities focused on reconciliation and bridge building including National Faith & Blue Weekend and the Professionalizing Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Training National Conference.

Visit MovementForward, Inc at www.movementforward.org or follow us on Twitter at @MovementFWD.

About Stand Together Trust

Stand Together Trust invests in social entrepreneurs developing solutions to America's most pressing problems. Alongside inspiring partners, we drive solutions on criminal justice, education, economic opportunity, health care, and dozens of other pressing issues. Read more about our support for social entrepreneurs committed to criminal justice reform. Learn more at www.standtogethertrust.org and www.standtogether.org. Join the Stand Together philanthropic community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE MovementForward
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenia sent its proposals around a peace treaty to Azerbaijan on February 15, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

He said that the proposals were also sent to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairing countries.

Yesterday the Republic of Armenia completed the work of yet another stage of the draft treaty on peace and establishment of relations with Azerbaijan, and our proposals are conveyed to the Azerbaijani side. By saying proposals, we must consider the draft of the full document with our proposals. We conveyed the document to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairing countries as well, PM Pashinyan said.

He added that the Armenian side is working on the draft treaty with the following logic: to get a document which it is ready to sign at any moment. Pashinyan added that understandably the document must be acceptable for Azerbaijan as well.

And we hope that it will be possible to develop the certain progress observed as a result of already three rounds of negotiations. Our vision is the following, the document must contain the kind of logic of agreements, the kind of a system of checks and balances that would rule out any scenario of disrupting lasting and sustainable peace. The meaning of this is that the signing of the document must not transform  as absurd as this may sound, such scenario could happen - into a war based already on a peace treaty, but on the contrary, it should truly mean lasting peace, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan again expressed his and the governments commitment to quickly sign a peace treaty which will become a guarantee for lasting and sustainable peace. He said he is ready to bear that responsibility.
BSH Home Appliances Corporation's New Bern, N.C. , manufacturing facility opened in 1997 and today celebrates its connection with the community, its employees, and the innovation and technological advancements of the Bosch and Thermador kitchen products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility.

, manufacturing facility opened in 1997 and today celebrates its connection with the community, its employees, and the innovation and technological advancements of the Bosch and Thermador kitchen products that are manufactured in the facility. BSH local, regional and international executives along with North Carolina , Craven County , New Bern and Havelock officials are joining BSH New Bern employees to celebrate this milestone.

NEW BERN, N.C., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BSH Home Appliances Corporation and the New Bern, N.C., community today celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the city's BSH Home Appliances campus. BSH Global CEO Dr. Matthias Metz joined state and local officials, community leaders, and BSH employees at a special event at the campus to commemorate BSH's innovation, technological advancements and quality of the Bosch and Thermador brand products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility. The celebration also shined a spotlight on 50 current BSH New Bern campus employees who have worked at the facility since its opening in 1997.

"For the past 25 years New Bern has been a centerpiece of our U.S. operations," said Andrew MacLaren. Tweet this BSH Home Appliances Corporation celebrates 25 years in New Bern, N.C. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Madeline Gray/AP Images for BSH)

"For the past 25 years New Bern has been a centerpiece of our U.S. operations," said Andrew MacLaren, US/OP Chief Technology Officer, BSH Home Appliances Corporation. "Over that period, the team here contributed to the development of several technological innovations that have not only enhanced our BSH product lines, they've also moved the entire appliance industry forward. I want to thank our employees for the dedication and commitment that is central to our success, and I am grateful for the support of state and local community leaders as we continued expanding our presence in New Bern."

Over the past 20 years, BSH has invested more than $428 million in its production network and in advanced manufacturing technologies and processes in New Bern. In 1997, BSH began producing Bosch dishwashers with 280 employees. Since its opening, BSH has manufactured over 13 million dishwashers and has hit record volumes in cooking. Today, the BSH New Bern facility manufactures dishwashers as well as cooktops, ranges and wall ovens with a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.

The facility's first physical expansion was in 2003 with the construction of Building 104 and the start of the Bosch range production. In 2005, the factory began production of Thermador wall ovens and gas cooktop products and added the GV640B production line for the plastic tub bottom dishwasher. In 2019, BSH unveiled a new $32 million, 100,000-square-foot expansion to its New Bern dishwasher facility, providing the company with the capacity it needed to continue its growth. This latest expansion was driven by increased demand for BSH Home Appliances' products  Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau  across the U.S.

"From the moment we opened our first Bosch manufacturing facility here in New Bern BSH has been committed to supporting the community," said BSH Region North America CEO Christofer von Nagel. "As one of the county's top employers, we are motivated to contribute to and support several local social, educational and charitable organizations. I speak for the entire BSH organization when I express our gratitude to Craven County and New Bern for the valuable partnerships we have developed over the past 25 years."

BSH New Bern supports several philanthropic programs focused on education, environmental conservation, food insecurity, health, wellness and housing, to name a few. Its largest initiative is the Bosch Community Fund, which focuses on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. As a result of the fund, more than 1,000 Craven County public school students have participated in STEM programs, and over 100 teachers and counselors have enhanced their job skills by participating in STEM education workshops. The fund has also made it possible for schools and community organizations to purchase much-needed equipment to support teachers and students in their pursuit of STEM education opportunities.

More than 700 people attended today's event in New Bern, including local, state and international BSH executives; North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern and Havelock officials; and BSH employees. For more information on BSH and its New Bern facility, please visit https://www.bsh-group.com/us/.

About BSH Home Appliances Corporation

BSH Home Appliances Corporation produces and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high-quality and superior innovation. BSH sells its Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Home Appliances Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, and LaFollette, Tennessee. BSH Technology and Development Centers are located in Oak Ridge and Caryville, Tennessee and New Bern, North Carolina. https://www.bsh-group.com/us/

Media Contact:

Ciara Dixon

Golin

[email protected]

SOURCE BSH Home Appliances Corporation
A Full Range of IGEL-Validated Applications to be Available as a Cloud Service, Enabling Streamlined, More Timely Delivery of Apps and Updates with a Superior Digital Experience for Users

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL , provider of the managed endpoint operating system for secure access to any digital workspace, today announced the IGEL App Portal. Part of the new IGEL COSMOS Cloud Services and unveiled today at the DISRUPT23  The Ultimate Global EUC event in Munich, the IGEL App Portal extends the access and delivery of IGEL-validated applications, clients, and interfaces via the cloud for users of the new IGEL COSMOS platform (see related press release here). Offering the latest apps from IGEL Ready partners, the IGEL App Portal supports faster, more timely application availability and seamless updates for extensive IT efficiency gains and a superior digital experience (DEX) for end users.

The IGEL App Portal Cloud Service Delivers Fast, Efficient App Delivery via the New IGEL COSMOS Platform.

The IGEL App Portal delivers a full range of validated applications for use on IGEL OS-powered devices from IGEL's vast IGEL Ready technology partner community of more than 130 partners. Available for download at no extra cost, these apps can be rapidly qualified and delivered as a feature-rich experience for users, while reducing the app qualification, implementation and update processes for IT. Initial applications to be available in the IGEL App Portal include the IGEL AVD client for accessing Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, VMware Horizon client, Citrix Workspace app, Chromium Browser, Zoom Media Plugins for VDI, ControlUp and more.

"The anywhere digital workplace requires increased agility, while delivering security and management confidence for IT," said Simon Townsend, Field Chief Technology Officer, EMEA, IGEL. "To support these new work requirements, IGEL has transformed the way it delivers access to the apps users need to be productive from everywhere they want to work. Leveraging the new modular IGEL COSMOS platform where the endpoint OS is now separate from the apps and services, we are empowering organizations with the 'future proofed' end user computing environment they need to be ready for the unfolding future of end user computing."

Upon its launch, the IGEL App Portal will include cloud-based access to the following apps:

Citrix Workspace app

IGEL AVD client

VMware Horizon client

Chromium Browser

Zoom Media Plugins for VDI

ControlUp

CUPS printing system

SafeSign Identity client

SafeNet Authentication client

Cryptovision Scienterface

"Citrix has worked closely with IGEL for many years and is already an active IGEL Ready alliance partner. We are proud to further this longstanding relationship as a COSMOS launch partner, including having Citrix technology in the IGEL App Portal from day one," said Calvin Hsu, Vice President, Product Management, Citrix, a business unit of Cloud Software Group. "Coupled with our own speed of innovation, the new IGEL App Portal enables Citrix and IGEL to provide their joint customers with new features and updates with unprecedented speed and frequency. With significantly less testing, qualification, and management required for IT teams, employees can benefit from these new features and updates faster than ever."

"The ability to update the VMware Horizon client independently from IGEL OS in COSMOS allows our customers and their users to access VMware's latest innovation Apps on Demand faster and more efficiently than before," said Terry Vaughn, Director Global EUC Business Development VMware. "The additional ability to now update the Zoom and Webex offloading clients, independently from the VMware Horizon client also provides customers with the ultimate flexibility and agility they require when deploying today's workloads."

"By providing faster security updates from IGEL and ControlUp, our joint security position gets even stronger. ControlUp is pleased to be an IGEL App Portal launch partner," said Robin Brandl, Vice President Global Strategic Alliances, ControlUp. "ControlUp is proud to partner with IGEL to improve IT visibility, deliver IT efficiency, and empower hybrid work for all our joint customers."

Future availability in the IGEL App Portal will include an additional 10 apps, including a Windows 365 Cloud PC and RDP client as well as solutions for Cisco Webex and Cisco Jabber, 7signal, Cameyo, Cendio, deviceTRUST, Imprivata, Nutanix Frame, Tricerat, and Vasion PrinterLogic. IGEL also offers an IGEL OS SDK (software development kit) for software providers that want to validate their solution for availability using COSMOS and the IGEL App Portal.

Availability

The IGEL App Portal is a key cloud service app delivery portion of the unified, modular, agile IGEL COSMOS platform which also incorporates the new IGEL UMS 12 (the next generation of the IGEL Universal Management Suite) along with parallel integrations for IGEL OS 11 and IGEL OS 12 operating system. The IGEL App Portal along with COSMOS, IGEL UMS 12, and IGEL OS 12 will be available April 1. Existing users of IGEL OS 11 will be able to engage IGEL UMS 12 via a transition path to access COSMOS advancements for existing and new devices running IGEL OS 12 in the future. For more information visit igel.com/cosmos. To schedule a discovery meeting and get early access to GA code, visit igel.com/yes.

DISRUPT23

COSMOS was announcement from DISRUPT23  The Ultimate Global EUC in Munich, held February 15 and 16 at the INFINITY Hotel & Conference Resort. DISRUPT23 will hold its North American installment at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 3-5. Registration is $399 per person. To register, visit: www.disruptEUC.com.

About IGEL

Today, the world of work is hybrid. Multiple clouds can deliver applications sourced from anywhere to a widely distributed workforce using all types of devices. Right at the moment when the world of work needs it most, IGEL has the solution for fully managed, secure endpoint access to any digital workspace that gives IT teams strong control and end-users the freedom to work as they wish in a hybrid world. Enabling choice of any cloud, from any device, anywhere, IGEL unlocks a collaborative and productive end user computing experience while solving the common security and management challenges required to compete and win in today's world of hybrid work. With a growing ecosystem of more than 100 IGEL Ready technology partners, IGEL has offices in Europe and the United States and is represented by partners in over 50 countries. For more information on IGEL, visit www.igel.com.

SOURCE IGEL Technology
Compliance Solution Recording Insights now available through Sunco

HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASC, a worldwide leading provider of software and cloud solutions announces their partnership with Sunco Communication and Installation. Sunco is a Canadian Microsoft Solution Partner offering managed IT services to improve efficiency and security for small and midmarket organizations. This new partnership makes Sunco eligible to resell ASC's compliance recording solution Recording Insights for Microsoft Teams.

As compliant communication becomes increasingly important for companies from various industries ASC has developed their Azure-native cloud recording and analytics service Recording Insights. Recording Insights is a certified, native-built cloud solution hosted in Azure that integrates seamlessly with the Teams cloud collaboration platform. It reliably captures all communications and leverages leading AI and analytics tools to bring full transparency and automation to compliance processes. Since its launch, Recording Insights has become an essential tool for companies needing to meet legal regulations, prevent fraud, and effectively manage risk.

"We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Sunco," says Brandon Barend, Vice President of North American Sales for ASC. "For many years, Sunco has provided outstanding solutions and service to their client base. The addition of our Recording Insights for Microsoft Teams will help bolster their already impressive catalog of products and services. We are very much looking forward to expanding our partnership."

Mike Schoenberger, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Sunco Communication and Installation, adds: "As a company, it is always our goal to provide the highest level of service and product expertise and support to our customers. We believe Recording Insights for Microsoft Teams will enable us to meet those objectives."

About Sunco

Sunco is one of Canada's leading independent business telecom solutions providers, with more than 20 years of experience. From auditing telecom bill and services to help clients find areas of cost savings and performance improvement, to implementing customized solutions that can scale as their businesses grow, Sunco brings employee-level commitment to every client relationship.

About ASC

ASC is a worldwide leading provider of software and cloud solutions for omni-channel recording, quality management, and analytics helping companies of all sizes to record and analyze their communication, especially financial service providers, contact centers, and public safety organizations. Headquartered in Germany with subsidiaries in 13 countries and experienced system integration partners in over 60 countries, ASC is the #1 Europe-based player in its industry.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2003160/ASC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE ASC Technologies AG
FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) has filed a new habeas corpus petition in a California appellate court, demanding the right to liberty of three elephants held in captivity in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. With the filing of this petition, the NhRP is taking on a new client, Mabu a male elephant the zoo recently brought in to use for captive breedingand asking the Fifth District Court of Appeal to release Amahle, her mother Nolwazi, and Mabu to a sanctuary or a rewilding facility.

"Amahle, Nolwazi, and Mabu's imprisonment by  the Fresno Zoo is unjust," the NhRP writes in its petition. "Held in a wholly unnatural environment, deprived of the ability to travel, forage, communicate, socialize, plan, live, choose, and thrive as elephants shouldin other words, to be autonomousthey are not living a life that is anything close to acceptable for an elephant."

Mabu was part of a group of elephants captured in 2003 from eSwatini (then Swaziland) and imported to the US despite global public outcry ; he has twice been moved back and forth between the Tucson Reid Park Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to be used for captive breeding. Since 2003 he has fathered 15 elephants, 13 of whom are still alive and held captive in US zoos. Nolwazi and Amahle were among 17 elephants, most of them breeding-age females, who were taken from their natural habitat in eSwatini in 2016 and imported to US zoos, also despite global public outcry .

"Captive breeding programs help zoos' bottom lines, not elephants," said Jake Davis, the NhRP attorney arguing the elephants' case. "To the extent Mabu has been used for captive breeding, he's one of the most exploited elephants in the US zoo system. We look forward to fighting for his freedom and continuing to shine a light on the cruelly diminished lives that elephants imprisoned in zoos across the US are forced to live."

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo sent one of the NhRP's original clients, Vusmusi (whose name means "to build a family") back to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park upon the recommendation of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) after its efforts to use him for breeding were not successful, the zoo told the Fresno Bee in November. The AZA oversees captive breeding in AZA-accredited US zoos. In January of 2023, In Defense of Animals included the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in its 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants Hall of Shame , writing that the zoo is "severing [elephant] bonds to stock [a] tiny electrified exhibit."

The NhRP's litigation to free the Fresno elephants is the first of its kind on the West Coast and has the support of world-renowned elephant experts including Dr. Bob Jacobs, who has studied the severe negative impacts of captivity on elephants.

"Just as I would not like to be held against my will for my entire life in an impoverished environment," said Jacobs of his support for the case, "I do not believe elephants should be held in an environment that contributes to chronic stress and chronic health problems, including deleterious effects to their very sophisticated brains. Elephants deserve better."

In November of 2022, Fresno Superior Court Judge Arlan L. Harrel denied the NhRP's first petitionfiled on behalf of Amahle, Nolwazi, and Vusmusion the grounds that the petition doesn't allege that the elephants are held in state custody. The NhRP makes clear in the petition it filed today why this is legally wrong; under longstanding California law, you don't have to be in state custody in order to challenge your imprisonment.

The NhRP is requesting that the Court 1) issue a habeas corpus order that would require the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to attempt to justify the elephants' imprisonment 2) recognize the elephants' right to liberty under California common law, which is meant to evolve with the times, and 3) order the elephants' release to a rewilding facility or, if this isn't possible, an elephant sanctuary.

As the NhRP states in its petition: "The time has come for California common law to reflect the modern understanding that elephants are autonomous and extraordinarily cognitively complex beings."

Additional Background:

In June of 2022, two judges on New York's highest court issued powerful dissents in support of the right to liberty of the NhRP's elephant client Happy who is held in captivity in the Bronx Zoo.

In August of 2022, the NhRP sent a letter to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, offering to withdraw the lawsuit if the zoo agreed to release Amahle, Nolwazi, and Vusmusi to a sanctuary. The zoo declined the NhRP's offer.

A Change.org petition calling for sanctuary for the Fresno elephants has gained over 30,000 signatures.

Case No./Name: F085722/NONHUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT, INC., on behalf of Amahle, Nolwazi, and Mabu, individuals, Petitioner, v. FRESNO'S CHAFFEE ZOO CORPORATION, and JON FORREST DOHLIN, in his official capacity as Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Respondents.

To download a photo of Mabu for use in media coverage, click here (credit: The NhRP). To learn more about our clients, visit their court case timeline .

About the Nonhuman Rights Project

The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only civil rights organization in the United States working through litigation, legislation, and education to secure fundamental rights for nonhuman animals.

SOURCE Nonhuman Rights Project
Targus surveyed 1,000 senior business decision makers and 6,000 professionals in North America and Europe to explore how to improve workers' wellbeing and empowerment

ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Targus, the number one-selling laptop case brand in the U.S.*, and a leader in laptop cases and mobile computing accessories, has released the results of its annual 2023 Global Workplace Study, which examines the key factors, tools, and trends that are important for improving employee wellbeing, engagement, and productivity.

Targus' annual 2023 Global Workplace Study explores how people can empower their lives inside and outside of work

According to the survey among 1,000 senior business decision makers and 6,000 workers across North America and Europe, the top three wellbeing priorities are: flexible working (47 percent), rewards and recognition (43 percent), and cost of living support (40 percent). In fact, 88 percent of business decision makers globally agree that flexible working positively impacts their staff retention and recruitment, an 11-point increase from 2021.

"Since most of us spend more time at work than we do with our family and friends, it's vital to understand how to make work more purposeful and productive," says Andrew Corkill, Vice President of Global Marketing and eCommerce at Targus. "Our study helps to answer these questions by exploring themes, such as employee wellbeing, engagement, productivity, as well as the importance of sustainability."

Here are some of the study's key findings:

Flexible and hybrid working remains the norm, with 58 percent of respondents in the U.S. stating that they do not work from an office full time and 51 percent stating that they only work in an office between two and four days per week.

with 58 percent of respondents in the U.S. stating that they do not work from an office full time and 51 percent stating that they only work in an office between two and four days per week. Having the right tools to work from anywhere is extremely important. Specifically, 80 percent of U.S. workers and 82 percent globally believe their job satisfaction and productivity would be negatively impacted without the right tech accessories to do their work. However, many businesses supporting flexible working conditions do not supply their employees with the tech accessories they need to work well remotely, such as a keyboard, mouse, headphones, additional monitor(s), and hub. An annual budget to purchase accessories ranked in the top five ways to enhance wellbeing at work.

is extremely important. Specifically, 80 percent of U.S. workers and 82 percent globally believe their job satisfaction and productivity would be negatively impacted without the right tech accessories to do their work. However, many businesses supporting flexible working conditions do not supply their employees with the tech accessories they need to work well remotely, such as a keyboard, mouse, headphones, additional monitor(s), and hub. An annual budget to purchase accessories ranked in the top five ways to enhance wellbeing at work. Businesses and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, with more than 53 percent of global respondents stating that sustainable attributes influence their purchasing considerations for tech accessories. In the U.S., alone, 62 percent of people say they are happy to pay more for sustainable products that last longer, and 72 percent say they buy less fast fashion products and invest in long-lasting products.

Read the complete 2023 Global Workplace Study for more valuable insights on the state of the workplace.

About Targus

For 40 years, Targus has been revolutionizing mobile computing accessories for large enterprises and consumers, alike  connecting people and technology in meaningful ways. From laptop bags to tablet cases, to peripherals and universal docking stations, we persistently conceive, design, and produce innovative, productivity-boosting solutions that make the complex, simple; and seamlessly integrate into the lifestyles of mobile professionals wherever they work  at home, in the office, or wherever they go. We cross categories, regions, industries, and lifestyles with a breadth and depth of products that provide you with the solutions you need to live, dream, and do.

Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Targus has global operations in more than 24 offices and distribution in more than 100 countries. Learn more about us at targus.com, like or follow us on Facebook, and LinkedIn.

*Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service (U.S. and Canada): combined Q3 2022 sales for Sleeves/Slipcases; Reseller Tracking (U.S.): combined sales for Laptop Cases and Other Notebook Accessories; based on unit sales, 12ME September 2022 combined.

SOURCE Targus
Holders are encouraged to review Prospectus

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. ("Next Bridge," "our," "we," or the "Company"), a private oil and gas exploration and production company with interests in Texas and Oklahoma, today provided the below summary in connection with its spin-off (the "Spin-Off") on December 14, 2022, from Meta Materials, Inc. ("Meta") to address certain inquiries from our shareholders.

Immediately after the Spin-Off, the Company became an independent public reporting company, and the Company's common stock is not and will not be publicly traded and will not be eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company book-entry system or any other established clearing corporation.

At the time of the Spin-Off, Meta distributed 165,472,241 of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock held by it on a pro rata basis to holders of Meta's Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. Each share of Meta's Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock outstanding as of close of business on December 12, 2022 , the record date for the Spin-Off, entitled its holder to receive one share of the Company's common stock.

, the record date for the Spin-Off, entitled its holder to receive one share of the Company's common stock.

At the time of the Spin-Off, the current Executive Officers of the Company did not own any of Meta's Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock.

There is currently no public market for our common stock, and there is no current expectation for a public market to develop for the common stock.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company ("AST"). AST has distributed all shares of our common stock related to the Spin-Off  either directly to any stockholders that held their shares directly registered with AST or to our shareholders' bank, broker or nominee representatives. For questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution of shares resulting from the Spin-Off or matters relating to subsequent transfer of shares our common stock, you should review the Prospectus referenced below or contact AST shareholder relations at:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Shareholder Services Call Center

718-921-8124

Hours: 8 a.m.  8 p.m. ET (Monday - Friday)

[email protected]

By registering the shares of common stock in connection with the Spin-Off, we became subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, which includes the filing of an Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

The Company expects to file its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 , with the SEC pursuant to the SEC's reporting requirements on or before March 31, 2023 .

, with the SEC pursuant to the SEC's reporting requirements on or before . We recognize that some of our shareholders who owned Meta's Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock prior to the Spin-Off might have been affected by FINRA's halting of the trading in that stock while the Company was still wholly owned and controlled by Meta (the "Trading Halt"). The current board and officers of the Company have no information from FINRA regarding the Trading Halt other than the information in the public notice published by FINRA announcing the Trading Halt. Further, FINRA did not provide any advance notice to the Company or Meta prior to its initiating the Trading Halt. While we were not involved in the Trading Halt, we certainly empathize with anyone adversely affected by the Trading Halt and are assessing the matter.

The Company believes that our primary means of delivering shareholder value is to develop our interests in the Orogrande Basin, and we remain focused on this objective.

For a complete description of the Company and the Spin-Off, please refer to the Prospectus dated November 18, 2022 at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1936756/000119312522292114/d302576d424b4.htm

Accordingly, in the future, the Company is expected to more fully address certain operational and financial updates related to the Company's business. To receive timely emails with respect to these corporate developments, please visit www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com/ and complete the Email Alert/ Investor Form. You may also choose to follow our social media channels at @nbhydrocarbons on Twitter and "Next Bridge Hydrocarbons" on LinkedIn.

About Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

The Company is an independent public reporting energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Our primary focus has been the development of interests in an oil and gas project consisting of 134,000 contiguous gross acres we hold in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas in Hudspeth County, Texas. In addition, we have minor interests in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in Texas, and two minor well interests in Oklahoma. Please visit www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com for more information.

This statement may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Contact:

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.
BUSSUM, The Netherlands, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextkidney is proud to announce that it has raised 11.9 million EUR in a recent B funding round. The B round combined 7.8M EUR investment by professional and informal investors in France and The Netherlands with a crowdfunding campaign (led by OnePlanetCrowd) raising 4.1m EUR. The funds will be used for clinical trials and market clearance of the company's ground-breaking portable device.

Dialysis market demands a truly portable device

The treatment of kidney failure is a growing issue in public health policies. It is one of the main sources of healthcare costs in western societies with over $40 Bio spent in 2020 only in the United States, while there is an annual growth of 6% of kidney patients dependent on dialysis worldwide.

Jerome Augustin, Chief Executive Officer of Nextkidney BV: "The continued growth of the global dialysis market demands for a device that addresses current issues of manpower, logistics and patients' quality of life. The Neokidney does this by enabling patients to perform dialysis treatments any place at any time, not hampered by logistics of fluids or infrastructure, enabling patients to longer stay connected to society and their professional lives".

Neokidney enables dialysis treatment to adapt to patients' lives

The Neokidney is set to improve patient outcome and economics. Its award-winning design enhances patients' dialysis experience with a simple to use interface and minimal footprint in patients' homes. Its sorbent technology drastically reduces fluid usage and power consumption, providing dialysis therapy outcomes which are on par with those of state-of-the-art home hemodialysis devices. The Neokidney really makes dialysis treatment adaptable to the patients' lives!

"We are thrilled to have raised this significant amount of funding, which will allow us to bring our innovative device through clinical trials and market clearance," said John Stooker, CFO of Nextkidney. "Our goal is to improve the lives of kidney failure patients by offering them a solution that is both effective and convenient, and we believe that our device will do more than just that."

Nextkidney's crowd funding campaign garnered strong interest from healthcare providers and patients internationally who eagerly anticipate the launch of the Neokidney. This reassures the need for a hemodialysis device that is truly portable.

About Nextkidney

Nextkidney's mission is to improve the quality of live of dialysis patients worldwide with the development of the Neokidney home hemodialysis device. The company places the patient and his/her quality of life at the centre of its approach and uses innovative technologies to offer a safe, practical, and easy-to-use solution. The Neokidney is a registered trademark of NextKidney S.A.

Or visit www.nextkidney.com

SOURCE NextKidney BV
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named Nicole Williams, a seasoned financial, nonprofit and government leader, as the new executive director of LISC Los Angeles.

Williams will spearhead a LISC program that has invested nearly $1.6 billion in affordable housing, small businesses, economic development, health, education, community safety and jobs throughout Los Angeles over the last 36 yearsall designed to close race, class and opportunity gaps that keep people from reaching their full potential.

"For more than 20 years, Nicole has been designing and driving creative strategies that lift up families, businesses and whole communitiesespecially underserved communities of color," said Denise Scott, LISC president. "She has the vision to build on the city's rich local culture and the expertise to connect programs, capital and community relationships in ways that fuel local economic growth. I'm thrilled that she will be leading LISC Los Angeles into its next chapter."

Williams' background spans finance, government and community-focused nonprofits, all of which she will draw on to lead LISC LA. Most recently, she was senior vice president and head of nonprofit banking for Banc of California, where she built a line of business focused on nonprofits and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in California.

Previously, she spent nine years at J.P. Morgan, where she worked closely with top CDFIs across the country as executive director of the commercial bank's Intermediary Lending team. During her tenure, Williams helped lead the development and closing of the $100 million Entrepreneurs of Color Loan Fund, an impact investment fund launched in collaboration with LISC to help CDFIs accelerate the flow of capital to minority-led businesses. Earlier, she served in the Government Banking group, providing treasury and credit solutions to municipal clients in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.

In addition to her financial expertise, Williams also brings strong knowledge of public service and local government. She spent a decade in various roles with city and county agencies, most notably as senior director of economic development for L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Serving at LISC will enable me to bring together the many threads of my career, from supporting CDFIs, to advocating for small businesses, and engaging with local government," Nicole explained. "I'm excited to be able to engage more deeply with nonprofits, philanthropy, corporate partners and government to improve economic mobility for all Angelenos."

In addition to her professional work, Williams has long volunteered her time in a number of capacities, including as the board treasurer for the New Village Academy for Girls and as an executive council board member for the Northern California chapter of Women in Public Finance, as well as other taskforces and committees.

Williams has an MBA from the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She is an alumna of the Los Angeles African-American Women in Public Policy Leadership Institute.

Williams can be reached at LISC beginning on February 27th at [email protected].

About LISC

LISC is one of the country's largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $26.7 billion to create more than 463,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 78.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For more, visit www.lisc.org

SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Company recognizes its financial advisors' unwavering dedication to volunteerism

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating the philanthropic work of its financial advisors, Northwestern Mutual is recognizing the individuals who have shown outstanding volunteerism and leadership through its 2023 Community Service Awards. Now in its 28th year, the awards program is distributing $270,000 to nonprofits nationwide.

"Northwestern Mutual is a company built on helping people, and it is inspiring to see the impact that these financial advisors are making on their communities through selfless contributions," said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "I'm honored to work alongside these dedicated advisors who embody our company's values and commitment to the communities we serve."

This year, 14 winners received a grant for their nonprofit of choice. Of the 14 winners, four financial advisors also received an additional $5,000 grant for supporting organizations with a connection to the company's Childhood Cancer Program  a 10 year long initiative that benefits children with cancer by funding research and supporting families affected by the disease.

Additionally, four of this year's award recipients were recognized as Most Exceptional winners, each receiving $25,000 for their organizations:

Scott R. Cohen *, CFP  , ChFC  , CLU  , Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Los Angeles

*, CFP , ChFC , CLU , Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Michael B. Hendley , CLU  , ChFC  , CASL  , MUST Ministries, Atlanta

, CLU , ChFC , CASL , MUST Ministries, Carol Hoffer , CLU  , CASL  , Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County , Ann Arbor, Michigan

, CLU , CASL , Jewish Family Services of , William J. Newman , CFP, CLU, ChFC, CASL, RICP, The University of Albany Foundation, Albany, New York

Since the program's inception in 1995, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation has donated nearly $7 million to nonprofits across the country. In celebrating the volunteer work of its financial advisors, the company deepens its dedication to giving back to the communities it serves.

2023 Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award Winners

Name Organization Office

Location Outstanding ($15,000) Kevin E. Miller, CLU First Tee Pittsburgh Charles E. Greer, CLU, RICP Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN Nashville Lannie William Cropper III*, MSFS, CFP, ChFC, RICP, WMCP Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia Reston, Va. Gregory A. Pearlman Jr. CLU, ChFC Kick Off for Kids (KOFK) Orlando, Fla. Milton "Hughes" Schwartz, CFP, CLU The Family Effect Greenville, S.C. Michael Slabic*, CFP, CLU, ChFC Periwinkle Foundation Houston Daniel J. Babitz* Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation St. Louis Mark A. Rizzo, CLU, ChFC, ChSNC, CAP, AEP Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area Chicago Kelci J. Wilner GiGi's Playhouse San Diego Ryan E. Yoder, CLU, ChFC, CLTC Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Fort Collins, Colo. *Received additional $5,000 grant for connection to the company's national philanthropic cause, childhood cancer.



About The Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $465 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. It accomplishes this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation's efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making the company's hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $560 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 97 on the 2022 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The danger of Azerbaijan instigating new escalation remains high, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

We live in a region full of security threats. Its more than two months that the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh continues as a result of Azerbaijans blockade of Lachin corridor, Mirzoyan said in his speech at the opening event of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 in Yerevan.

FM Mirzoyan said that Azerbaijan continues to keep Armenian prisoners of war and civilians captive and the fate of many missing persons and victims of forced disappearances remains unknown. Sovereign territories of Armenia are under Azerbaijani occupation as a result of the Azerbaijani attacks in May and November of 2021 and September of 2022. And the danger of Azerbaijan instigating a new escalation remains high, the Armenian FM said.
BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Boston Professionals is proud to host the 5th Annual Inspire STEM Scholarship & Awards Gala on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. The gala aims to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black scientists, engineers, and students. With the theme "Inspiring the Next Generation of Black Innovators Now," the fundraiser gala will feature Josh Aviv , founder & CEO of SparkCharge , as one of the honorees.

Amgen , a biotechnology leader, is the presenting sponsor of the event and is dedicated to supporting NSBE's mission of providing Youth STEM education and career programs for Black students in Boston. "The future of STEM must include ideas and innovations from Black engineers as founders, as contributors, and as leaders in traditional engineering and in tech," said NSBE Boston President, Alexis Smith . "NSBE has been and continues to be a leader in inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals and transforming the culture of engineering."

Oliver Thiel , PhD, Executive Director, Process Development & Site Head at Amgen Massachusetts, emphasized the company's dedication to the cause. "Amgen invests in the development of leaders and strongly believes in the power of diverse teams who drive forward our innovation and a truly collaborative culture. Therefore, we are proud to partner with NSBE Boston in honoring the accomplishments of Black leaders inspiring future Black innovators."

The Inspire STEM Scholarship and Awards Gala is NSBE Boston's annual fundraising initiative. In 2022 NSBE Boston gave over $50,000 in scholarships to students and has set a goal to provide over $75,000 in scholarships this year. We are doing the work to Inspire STEM in the next generation.

With over 200 guests expected, the event will feature inspiring remarks from business and community leaders and celebrate Black STEM professionals and students. To donate and learn more, visit www.InspireSTEMgala.com .

THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS BOSTON PROFESSIONALS (NSBE BOSTON), is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1988, dedicated to the academic & professional success of Black/African American engineering students and professionals. NSBE Boston seeks to inspire the next generation of technical professionals and serve as a catalyst for transforming the culture of engineering, through mentorship, education, and leadership training. For more information, visit www.nsbeboston.org

Media Contact:

Ibiyemisi Gbenebor

Communications Lead

[email protected]

SOURCE NSBE Boston Professionals
LONDON, ON, Feb 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Odd Burger Corporation (TSXV: ODD) (OTCQB: ODDAF) (FSE: IA9) ("Odd Burger" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has launched an innovative franchising initiative called the Odd Stock Program which allows franchisees to become eligible to have their entire franchise fee due to the Company's subsidiary franchisors waived by investing an equivalent amount into the Company through a private placement or, with the consent of Odd Burger, acquire shares on the open market. The program allows franchisees to use the full amount they would otherwise be required to pay as a franchise fee to the Company's subsidiary franchisors to purchase Odd Burger Common Shares, turning that amount into an investment, instead of a cost. The Company launched this program last month through its private placement, and anticipates that it will result in a significant increase in the number of franchise units under development. The Company expects that recent investments eligible under the Odd Stock Program will result in ten additional franchised locations in Canada and two additional international development projects.

Odd Stock Program. (CNW Group/Odd Burger Corporation)

The Odd Stock Program is one of the first of its kind in the franchise industry and redefines how franchise fees are utilized. Traditionally, franchise fees are an additional expense added to the already high cost of entry into a franchise system. Furthermore, franchisors often pay 50-100% of the franchise fee to brokers who facilitate the sale. The Odd Stock Program encourages franchisees to invest directly with the Company, resulting in a more efficient use of funds for all parties.

"We see an incredible opportunity to revolutionize the entire franchise industry," says James McInnes, CEO and Co-Founder of Odd Burger. "Franchisees are some of the largest investors in any franchise system, and the Odd Stock Program now gives franchisees the ability to benefit from the overall success of the Company and unite franchisee and franchisor like never before so that everyone is truly working towards the same goals."

The initial launch of the Odd Stock Program included eight participants in the Company's private placement, investing an aggregate of $495,000 in Common Shares that are eligible to count towards the waiver of franchise fees. By comparison, the Company collected $355,000 in franchise fees for all of FY2022, demonstrating a significant acceleration in franchise growth.

At the discretion of Odd Burger, Common Shares purchased to qualify for the Odd Stock Program may be required to be held by the person(s) that purchased them for up to 12 months from the date of acquisition. If shares are sold or disposed of before the end of any imposed hold period, the entire franchise fee that was conditionally waived will be immediately due and payable in cash to the Company's respective subsidiary franchisor (i.e., either Odd Burger Franchise Inc. in Canada or Odd Burger Franchise (US) Inc. in the United States).

About Odd Burger Corporation

Odd Burger Corporation is a chain of company-owned and franchised vegan fast-food restaurants as well as a food technology company that manufactures and distributes a line of plant-based protein and dairy alternatives to foodservice channels under the brand Preposterous Foods. Odd Burger restaurants operate as smart kitchens, which use state-of-the art cooking technology and automation solutions to deliver a delicious food experience to customers craving healthier and more sustainable fast food. With small store footprints optimized for delivery and takeout, advanced cooking technology, competitive pricing, a vertically integrated supply chain along with healthier ingredients, Odd Burger is revolutionizing the fast-food industry by creating guilt-free fast food. Odd Burger Corporation is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ODD, on the OTCQB under ODDAF, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under IA9. For more information visit https://oddburger.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements that relate to among other things, the Company's strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" and words and expressions of similar import. Forward looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes statements relating but not limited to:, the impact of the development agreement in the areas discussed; the expected future expansion of Odd Burger locations and the number of franchises and the benefits the Company expects to derive therefrom; as well as the number of retail outlets to be opened and the Canada and Franchises in the United States discussed herein. 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 or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to: financing risk, general business and economic conditions (including but not limited to currency rates); changes in laws and regulations; legal and regulatory proceedings; and the ability to execute strategic plans. 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.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Odd Burger Corporation
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Omneky , a generative AI advertising platform, today announced it has made several hires across all business units to better support its rapid growth. Omneky has since grown to more than 50 employees worldwide, and as they continue to ramp up and scale the business, the company aims to expand its San Francisco-based team throughout the year.

Over the last year, Omneky has been laser focused on new innovation and integrating generative AI models into the platform to better serve its clientele. With a steady stream of new product features cementing the platform as a first mover in the space, the team focused on sourcing top talent to continue the upward trajectory:

Elisa Phillips has been hired as the Vice President of Sales. She previously worked as the Director of Enterprise Ad Sales at Doordash where she led and created a new ad business, and prior to that she worked in various positions at Google for 17 years.

has been hired as the Vice President of Sales. She previously worked as the Director of Enterprise Ad Sales at Doordash where she led and created a new ad business, and prior to that she worked in various positions at Google for 17 years. Ales Gabrovec is the Vice President of Customer Success. He previously worked at Celtra, a dynamic ad creative optimization platform, for more than 11 years as one of their first employees.

Happy Yang joins as the Director of Product. She previously worked at YouTube for four years as a Product Strategist and before that worked as an Associate Consultant at Bain. Happy graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics.

with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. Ganesh Palanikumar comes to Omneky as the Data Engineering Lead. He previously spent nearly four years as a Data Engineer at Apple and is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Indian Institute of Technology , Madras.

and , Madras. Mengdi Huang is the Lead AI Engineer. Before joining Omneky, she was a Deep Learning Engineer at Nvidia, a global leader in AI, for three years. She is a graduate from University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University .

and . Nathaniel See joins as the Lead Machine Learning Research Scientist. Before joining Omneky, he worked at Meta as an Applied Research Scientist.

joins as the Lead Machine Learning Research Scientist. Before joining Omneky, he worked at Meta as an Applied Research Scientist. Rick Koleta joins as the Head of Growth. Previously, he worked as the Director of Growth Marketing at Arrowstream.

joins as the Head of Growth. Previously, he worked as the Director of Growth Marketing at Arrowstream. Pranjali Kokare comes to Omneky as the Lead Back-End Engineer. Previously she worked as a software engineer at Meta in Instagram Ads Core Quality Team. Pranjali graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology , Patna and Georgia Institute of Technology .

Other additions to the team include:

Treston Dunn joins as an Account Manager. He previously worked as an Account Manager at Celtra.

joins as an Account Manager. He previously worked as an Account Manager at Celtra. Delaney Christian joins as a Senior Customer Success Manager. Before joining Omneky, she worked as a Customer Success Manager at Zoominfo.

joins as a Senior Customer Success Manager. Before joining Omneky, she worked as a Customer Success Manager at Zoominfo. Dmitry Blinov joins as a Fullstack Developer. Previously, he worked at Amazon for two years in the same role and as a Fullstack developer at Bookings.com for more than one year.

"Omneky has seen tremendous growth and success since it was first founded in 2018," said Hikari Senju, founder and CEO of Omneky. "These newest additions to our team bring a depth of talent and experience to help further support Omneky's rapid growth across all facets of AI. We are excited to bring fresh ideas and the latest AI innovations to our customers to continue to be the system of record for generative content and data-driven design."

Omneky is a proven leader in the generative ad space, utilizing its own proprietary AI algorithms and omnichannel creative testing to empower customers to launch unified and personalized brand experiences across all digital touchpoints. With Omneky, customers can generate beautiful personalized ads and choose how to better allocate their advertising budgets to successfully implement an omnichannel advertising strategy. Omneky currently generates personalized ads for more than 100 clients across LinkedIn, Reddit, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, programmatic TV, CTV and more. The platform most recently announced a total seed round funding of $10+ million.

About Omneky

Omneky is an AI-driven ad tech platform that generates personalized content at scale. As a proven leader and innovator in the generative ad space, Omneky utilizes state-of-the-art deep learning to generate and optimize advertising creative across all digital touchpoints. Omneky's AI analyzes what designs and messaging are resonating with prospective customers and uses these insights to generate content most likely to drive engagement. Founded by technology entrepreneur, Hikari Senju, Omneky's mission is to empower human creativity and democratize growth with AI. With the help of Omneky's AI software and ad management system, Omneky's clients see an average 2.7x return on ad spend. To learn more, visit www.omneky.com or follow us on social media @omneky.

Contact

Sharp Think

212-829-0002

[email protected]

SOURCE Omneky Inc
HANGZHOU and SHAOXING, China, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX:1672, "Ascletis") today announces that the oral presentation at the 2023 annual meeting of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ("APASL Annual Meeting 2023") demonstrates that ASC22 (Envafolimab), a subcutaneous PD-L1 antibody, can achieve functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

The final data of 1.0 mg/kg ASC22 (administered subcutaneously once every two weeks) vs placebo cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04465890) were presented today at APASL Annual Meeting 2023. In this cohort, 48 patients completed 24-week treatment of 1.0 mg/kg ASC22 and 24-week or longer follow-up; 15 patients completed 24-week treatment of placebo and 24-week follow-up. 24-week treatment of ASC22 resulted in remarkable HBsAg decline. In the patient sub-group with baseline HBsAg 100 IU/mL, 42.9% (3/7) of patients achieved HBsAg loss (HBsAg below the lower limit of quantification, LLOQ < 0.05 IU/mL) during the treatment and HBsAg loss maintained at the completion of 24-week or 41-week follow-up, indicating that ASC22 achieved CHB functional cure in these patients. The CHB functional cure is in general defined as achieving HBsAg loss with a finite treatment duration (typically 24 to 48 weeks) and HBsAg loss still maintains after at least 24-week follow-up.

The data further indicated that HBsAg reduction upon ASC22 treatment was statistically correlated with patients' baseline (pre-treatment) HBsAg levels. Compared to patient sub-groups with baseline HBsAg of 101-1000 IU/mL (n=18) and >1000 IU/mL (n=23), the patient sub-group with baseline HBsAg 100 IU/mL (n=7) showed statistically significant reduction in HBsAg (P < 0.001) at the end of 24-week treatment and the end of 24-week follow-up. Other baseline characteristics, such as prior interferon treatment and length of prior Nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) treatment, had no impact on reduction in HBsAg.

ASC22 was safe and well tolerated in CHB patients. Most adverse events (AEs) (97.5%) were Grade 1-2 in severity. There was no study drug-related serious adverse event (SAE) in 1.0 mg/kg ASC22 cohort.

CHB patients with HBsAg 100 IU/mL account for 15%-22% of total CHB patients, according to various studies in China and the U.S. [1,2,3]

Professor Guiqiang Wang, Director of Infectious Diseases Department and Liver Disease Center of Peking University First Hospital, presented today the final data of 1.0 mg/kg ASC22 vs placebo cohort at APASL Annual Meeting 2023.

[1] Jiang Haiyang, Gu Shengwang, Liu Huan, et al.Thoughts on significantly improving clinical cure based on the results of long-term follow-up of 1783 patients with chronic hepatitis B (in Chinese) [J] Chinese Hepatology, 2020, 25 (2): 4.

[2] O'Neil CR, Congly SE, Rose MS, et al. Long-Term Follow up and Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Monitoring in North American Chronic HBV Carriers. Ann Hepatol. 2018;17(2):232-241.

[3] Xie Y, Li M, Ou X, et al. HBeAg-positive patients with HBsAg < 100 IU/mL and negative HBV RNA have lower risk of virological relapse after nucleos(t)ide analogues cessation. J Gastroenterol. 2021;56(9):856-867.

About Ascletis

Ascletis is an innovative R&D driven biotech listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK), covering the entire value chain from discovery and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Led by a management team with deep expertise and a proven track record, Ascletis focuses on three therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs from a global perspective: viral diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and oncology. Through excellent execution, Ascletis rapidly advances its drug pipeline with an aim of leading in global competition. To date, Ascletis has three marketed products, i.e. ritonavir tablets, GANOVO and ASCLEVIR, and 23 drug candidates in its R&D pipeline. The most advanced drug candidates include ASC22 (HBV functional cure), ASC10 and ASC11(oral small molecules for COVID-19 treatment), ASC40 (recurrent glioblastoma), ASC42 (PBC, primary biliary cholangitis), and ASC40 (acne).

For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.

SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc.
Acquisition grows Oxford's North American cGMP real estate portfolio and pipeline to 2.4 million square feet across 12 sites

BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford"), a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder, today announced the purchase and long-term lease back of 92 Crowley Drive. The asset is a 120,000 square foot state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility under construction and near completion in the Boston life sciences submarket of Marlborough, MA. As part of a real estate transaction with Resilience, a leading technology-focused biomanufacturing company dedicated to broadening access to complex medicines, Oxford will acquire the building and lease the property back to Resilience for up to 30 years. This deal structure raises proceeds for Resilience while allowing it to conduct its day-to-day business operations with full use of the facility.

92 Crowley GMP life sciences facility in Boston (CNW Group/Oxford Properties Group Inc.)

The acquisition grows Oxford's existing North American cGMP portfolio to 1.4 million square feet with an additional development pipeline of over 1 million square feet. The transaction highlights Oxford's deep conviction in biomanufacturing as an integral part of the growth of its global life sciences business. This holistic approach seeks to provide firms the complete breadth of the required and highly technical real estate infrastructure to research, develop then manufacture the life changing therapeutics of tomorrow. Oxford's North American cGMP platform and pipeline has now grown to 12 facilities across six markets, with the largest concentration in the Boston region totalling 775,000 square feet.

Upon final completion this year, 92 Crowley will be Resilience's flagship facility in the US with state of the art analytical and manufacturing technology. The facility is designed with best-in-class specifications and multi-modality manufacturing capabilities, featuring dedicated manufacturing suites, with complementary office and warehouse space.

Resilience has become a leading biomanufacturing company with multi-modality manufacturing facilities across North America. The transaction at 92 Crowley represents the third sale and leaseback between Oxford and Resilience in a growing strategic partnership.

"We continue to develop a robust expertise on the real estate needs of biomanufacturing and our footprint in this space is a key pillar of our investment strategy to build a global life sciences business of scale," said Chad Remis, Executive Vice President, North America at Oxford. "GMP facilities are unique, highly-technical assets and represent a segment of the life sciences market in which we have intentionally set out to become a market leader. Today's acquisition strengthens our growing relationship with Resilience, and adds another state-of-the-art, income generating asset to our North American platform.

"Our growing relationship with Resilience is a great example of the purpose of Oxford's life science business. By investing our capital and capabilities to own, manage and build life sciences real estate infrastructure, we can free up capital for our customers to focus on advancing their science and delivering the life changing therapeutics of tomorrow."

Boston is the world's leading life sciences market with unparalleled research universities, funding, and talent. In 2021, it saw record levels of life sciences investment in market with US$13.8 billion total life sciences venture capital funding and a 10-year high US$3.4 billion of local funding from the National Institute of Health. These new levels of investment continue to generate company formation and growth.

"Our acquisition of 92 Crowley aligns strongly with our biomanufacturing strategy. Its proximity to our existing cGMP investments in Boston provides significant operational efficiencies," said Christie Chen, Director of Investments at Oxford. "Boston continues to be an unparalleled market in terms of talent, capital and research institutions and we will continue to deliver new real estate infrastructure into the region to support its growth and position as the global leader in life science. This conviction is evidenced by three cGMP developments that we are undertaking in the Boston market to serve the growing demand for biopharmaceutical manufacturing."

In total, Oxford's Boston cGMP platform and pipeline spans five facilities. In addition to 92 Crowley, Oxford owns and operates 33 New York Avenue, a fully leased and fully operational 113,000 sq ft GMP facility in Framingham, MA. Oxford's associated development pipeline spans three assets, all nearing completion. 149 Hayes Memorial Drive (Marlborough, MA; 140,000 sq ft), 23 Sycamore Avenue (Medford, MA; 108,000 sq ft), and 172 Middlesex Turnpike (Bedford, MA; 140,000 sq ft).

Oxford has invested in the life sciences industry since 2017. It has built substantial expertise in the sector while deploying capital through a variety of equity and credit investments as well as cultivating a significant development pipeline. Since the start of 2021 alone, Oxford has invested over US$3 billion in global life sciences and has identified a further US$5 billion of follow-on development opportunities. Oxford's life sciences business now operates across 10 leading North American life sciences markets and in key European markets through holdings in Cambridge, London, and Paris.

About Oxford Properties Group

Oxford Properties Group ("Oxford") is a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder. It builds, buys, and grows defined real estate operating business with world-class management teams. Established in 1960, Oxford and its portfolio companies manage approximately C$82 billion of assets across four continents on behalf of their investment partners. Oxford's owned portfolio encompasses office, logistics, retail, multifamily residential, life sciences, hotels and credit in global gateway cities and high-growth hubs. A thematic investor with a committed source of capital, Oxford invests in properties, portfolios, development sites, debt, securities, and real estate businesses across the risk-reward spectrum. Together with its portfolio companies, Oxford is one of the world's most active developers with over 100 projects currently underway globally across all major asset classes. Oxford is owned by OMERS, the Canadian defined benefit pension plan for Ontario's municipal employees.

For more information on Oxford, visit www.oxfordproperties.com.

SOURCE Oxford Properties Group Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim and Bella Wilgus today released a statement about the imprisonment and health status of their son, James "Jimmy" Vincent Wilgus, an American unjustly held in IK-17, a penal colony in Mordovia, Russia:

"Our son has suffered for more than six years in prison under abject conditions that have deteriorated his health and robbed him of his freedom. We call upon our government to secure his release.

Statement by parents of James Wilgus, an American unjustly held in IK-17, a penal colony in Mordovia, Russia. Tweet this

"On November 7, 2016, a day before the U.S. Election, four men grabbed Jimmy off the sidewalk and forced him into a car. He was detained in a police station in Moscow. The police told him to sign a document, written in Russian, if he wanted to go home.

"After he signed the document, they placed him in a cell then later drove him home. He was soon detained again and has been imprisoned since that day. He later learned he unknowingly signed a confession to crimes he did not commit.

"Jimmy is the victim of a cruel Russian judicial system and inadequate prison healthcare. His health declines daily while waiting for inexpert Russian prison doctors to treat effects of a stroke, spinal pain, potential liver failure, hypertension and dizziness. Just this week, the U.S. Embassy issued a warning to U.S. citizens to depart Russia immediately 'due to the risk of wrongful detentions.' Time is not on Jimmy's side.

"We have a justice system in America based on the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty.' Russia places the onus on the accused to prove innocence. As Americans, our government should aid us in our time of need no matter if we are a bold faced name or average citizen. Jimmy needs his government to help him now.

"We are grateful to Senator Robert Menendez for his recent assistance and pray his actions will bring our son home where he can get professional medical care. We plead with President Biden, Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Carstens to exert influence to expedite Jimmy's release. Russia treats American prisoners like pieces on a game board, but Jimmy's life isn't a game."

Free Jimmy Wilgus is an effort by family and friends who seek the release of Jimmy Wilgus from unjust Russian imprisonment. More information found at www.freejimmywilgus.com.

Brad Bennett

BKB Strategies

202-697-2070

[email protected]

SOURCE Free Jimmy Wilgus
ALAMEDA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Penumbra, Inc. (NYSE: PEN) today announced that its management team is scheduled to present at Citi's 2023 Healthcare Services, Medtech, Tools & HCIT Conference on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Event: Citi's 2023 Healthcare Services, Medtech, Tools & HCIT Conference Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023 Time: 11:00am ET/ 8:00am PT

A webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the investors' section of the company's website at www.penumbrainc.com. The webcast will be available on the company's website for at least two weeks following the event.

About Penumbra

Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra supports healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.penumbrainc.com and connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Investor Relations

Penumbra, Inc.

510-995-2461

[email protected]

SOURCE Penumbra, Inc.
Last Year, PG&E Customers Received More than $75 Million in Energy Bill Assistance from LIHEAP

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Day in Washington, D.C. is underway today, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges customers who are struggling to pay energy bills to learn more about the program and see if they qualify.

National Energy and Utility Assistance Coalition (NEUAC) is hosting the LIHEAP Action Day. Hundreds of community advocates from throughout the country will travel to Capitol Hill to urge continued, substantive funding for the program, including PG&E and local LIHEAP service providers.

The federally funded program helps low-income households with their energy bills, including those at risk of having service interrupted for non-payment. LIHEAP is overseen by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) and administered by nonprofit agencies that can help financially impacted residents in providing assistance toward their energy bill. Eligibility for the program is determined by income, household size, place of residence, and other factors.

Last year marked the highest amount of bill credits received by PG&E customers  in total, more than $75.4 million. This January, PG&E customers received a total of $8.6 million, with the average bill credit totaling nearly $1,000. Available funds will vary based on customer circumstances and funding availability.

PG&E is not responsible for administering the LIHEAP program. To find the local LIHEAP agency in your area to apply, visit csd.ca.gov/energybills or call (866) 675-6623 for more information.

To take advantage of additional programs, tools and savings opportunities, PG&E recommends customers become more familiar with the following:

Customers can apply for CARE online at pge.com/CARE. Applying is easy and only takes about five minutes. Qualifying customers will begin receiving the CARE program discount within their next billing cycle. Qualified households can save 20 percent or more each month on their energy bill.

Separate from CARE, income-qualified households with three or more persons can apply for the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program at pge.com/FERA for an 18% discount on their electric bill.

Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) provides income qualified customers with financial assistance during times of hardship.

Customers on the Medical Baseline program who have special energy needs due to certain qualifying medical conditions can receive a lower rate on monthly energy bills.

Budget Billing averages customers' monthly energy costs to help monthly payment amounts remain more consistent, even if energy use changes significantly from season to season.

Extend your bill due date or make a payment arrangement. Access your online account for details.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
READING, Pa., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmaForce International (PFI) recently completed a study that benchmarks the leading Immunology sales and marketing organizations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Published in November 2022, the report focuses on key companies promoting products across the Dermatology, Rheumatology, and Gastroenterology areas. The report covered many trends that occurred in the market since the previous Immunology report. One key finding, in particular, was the increase in Immunology dedicated Medical Personnel.

Since the previous Immunology report that was published in 2021, there has been an increase in Medical personnel across all 5 countries. France had over a 35% increase in the total number of medical personnel since the last report. Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom all had over a 20% total increase in medical personnel. While Italy had almost a 10% increase in their total medical personnel.

John Cochrane, the Project Manager for Germany at PFI, states that "The reasoning behind these increases in medical personnel is because new products and new indications were being introduced to the market."

"In Germany, the Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are allowed to speak about not-yet-approved medicines, but sales representatives are not. Therefore, when new products are anticipating approval, companies will increase their number of MSLs in order to inform physicians about this," says Cochrane.

Among the key profiled Immunology companies, all five countries had new Immunology products and indications approved in the market in 2021 and 2022. The United Kingdom experienced the most launches within one year, with six new products and 11 new indications launched.

In addition to the EU5, the Immunology benchmarking study has been conducted in the United States. The US Immunology report was published in December 2022. The 2023 updates for these reports are anticipated to be published in Q4 2023.

For more information on the reports mentioned above, please contact Joyce Wedemeyer at [email protected] or by phone at 610-370-2906.

PharmaForce International (PFI) is a competitive intelligence firm with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. PFI has become the market leader in commercial operations benchmarking and competitive intelligence.

SOURCE PharmaForce International
New peer-reviewed paper reveals new findings that can lead to more effective medicines for a range of health conditions

BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delix Therapeutics (the "Company"), a neuroscience company developing novel disease-modifying, neuroplasticity-promoting therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological conditions, shared the findings of a new study published today in Science. The groundbreaking paper, authored by Delix Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer David E. Olson, PhD, reveals the mechanism that causes serotonin and psychoplastogens to activate the 5-HT2A receptor in different ways.

The paper, developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of California Davis  where Olson was recently named founding director of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics  offers unprecedented insight into a long-standing mystery in the field around why serotonin doesn't stimulate cortical neuron growth. The study uncovers the fact that intracellular 5-HT2A receptors mediate the psychoplastogenic effects of psychedelics. As serotonin cannot activate this population of receptors, the study might explain why serotonin-based therapeutics - such as SSRIs, commonly prescribed antidepressants  have different effects than psychedelics and other psychoplastogenic therapeutics.

The discovery represents a major breakthrough for researchers seeking to better understand the target of several classes of psychoplastogens, and ultimately leverage this knowledge in the development of medicines that can more effectively treat patients in need with fewer risks or undesirable side effects. The paper's findings are also particularly fundamental to Delix in its leading work to develop novel psychedelic-inspired, non-hallucinogenic therapeutics that promote rapid and sustained neuroplasticity in the brain, further underscoring the company's pioneering scientific knowledge, talent and advantage in the field of neuroplasticity-promoting drug development.

"Cortical atrophy is a central feature of so many neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, which is why advancing medicines that promote neuroplasticity and neuronal regrowth is so important," said Olson. "For years we've known that both serotonin and psychedelics activate the 5-HT2A receptor, but it was unclear why psychedelics always produced more rapid and sustained effects on structural plasticity and behavior. This latest Science paper reveals that the location of the 5-HT2A receptor is critical for determining the downstream effects of its activation, and we hope to use this information to develop improved therapeutics."

Delix has built a world class team that is rapidly advancing Olson's research, creating a diverse portfolio of more than 2,000 non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens to date. Delix will bring the first of these novel compounds to the clinic this year with the goal to broaden patient access to novel, safe, fast-acting, and long-lasting medicines for a wide range of mental illnesses worldwide.

"We are honored that Science, one of the most well-respected scientific journals in the world, has chosen to detail Delix's scientific approach and research findings. The Delix team continues to advance its unique scientific and talent advantage at the forefront of central nervous system drug development," added Mark Rus, CEO of Delix Therapeutics. "We are continuously developing our understanding of this incredibly complex system in a way that others aren't, and driving forward our strategic hypothesis that non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens are positioned to offer a combination of effective and scalable class of therapeutics available for mental health conditions worldwide."

Delix's neuroplasticity platform with multiple distinct chemical scaffolds inspired by psychedelics, yet devoid of hallucinogenic properties while maintaining psychoplastogenic activity, has the potential to address a range of diseases including depression, substance use disorder, PTSD, cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, neurodegeneration, and other conditions.

In addition to this Science paper, Delix's research has been widely published in such scientific journals as Cell, Nature, Cell Reports, Molecular Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychiatry, and the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. The Company was also recognized in Chemical & Engineering News ' Top 10 Start-ups to Watch, named to Nature Biotechnology 's list of leading spinouts, and included in Fierce Biotech's prestigious "Fierce 15" list.

About Delix Therapeutics

Delix Therapeutics is a neuroscience company focused on harnessing the power of psychoplastogensnovel neuroplasticity-promoting therapeuticsto better treat mental health disorders at scale. The company's compounds are easily manufactured small molecules capable of rapidly inducing structural and functional neural changes in targeted areas of the brain. Many of these molecules are inspired by psychedelic compounds and preserve their efficacy-promoting mechanisms while avoiding their hallucinogenic properties and other safety liabilities. Delix is rapidly advancing these compounds through preclinical and clinical development to bring patients FDA-approved, take-home medicines that will serve several unmet needs. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Delix is building a world-class biotechnology company by combining an experienced team with innovative treatment strategies and scientific rigor to address the significant and growing mental health challenges impacting society.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations:

Retsina Meyer, PhD

Delix Therapeutics

[email protected]

Media Relations:

Abby Berger

KCSA Strategic Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Delix Therapeutics
Before the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, Russia-US competition was the main cause of global geopolitical conflicts. Since the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the US has been fueling antagonism, conflicts and wars in different countries, and "color revolution" in many states around the world in order to maintain its global hegemony. Russia, as the successor state of the Soviet Union, was unable to continue the competition with the US on the global stage, hence it chose to retain its traditional influence in Eurasia and the Middle East. Therefore Ukraine became a key factor in the Russia-US competition in Eurasia. Regarding Russia as a bigger threat than China, the US has emphasized both cooperation and competition with China, so it could concentrate resources in winning the competition with Russia. After 2014, Ukraine's ties with Russia started souring as it veered toward the US-led West, becoming a bridgehead for the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization to more directly target Russia. After political upheavals and some regime changes, the disputes between the Ukraine-West combine and Russia led to the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The conflict exposed the US' ambition to use Ukraine as a front to weaken Russia and reduce its influence in Eurasia. And the US took advantage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to strengthen its hold over Europe and drive a wedge between Europe and Russia, and Europe and China. The Ukraine crisis, along with the change of power in China, Russia and the US, prompted the three major global powers to change their global strategies. The US no longer regards Russia as a major global power and primary threat, and its policy toward Russia has shifted from strategic competition to intensive efforts to "suppress" Russia. The 2022 US National Security Strategy labels China as "America's most consequential geopolitical challenge", and says Russia "poses an immediate and ongoing threat to the regional security order in Europe and it is a source of disruption and instability globally but it lacks the across the spectrum capabilities of the PRC". As such, the US has called on its NATO allies to continue combating Russia and stepped up its long-term strategy to contain China. Despite China repeatedly asserting it believes in resolving differences through dialogue and adheres to the policy of peace and cooperation, the US has accused China of backing Russia in the Ukraine crisis and even sanctioned some Chinese companies for doing business with their Russian counterparts. China is not a participant in the Ukraine conflict and wants Russia and Ukraine to end it soon. Yet the US deliberately links the Ukraine issue with the Taiwan question, when the fact is they are completely different. Washington is working hard to curb China's rise by creating tensions. Facing the conflict with Ukraine and sanctions from the West, Russia is seeking non-Western trade and economic partners and therefore, attaches greater importance to Sino-Russian strategic partnership of coordination, which Russian President Vladimir Putin praised on Dec 30, 2022. For China, in fact, both Russia and Ukraine are strategic as well as important cooperative partners in the Belt and Road Initiative. And the Russia-Ukraine conflict does not benefit anyone. Instead, it has harmed China's economic and cultural cooperation with both countries. In these difficult times, therefore, China should establish a global network of partnerships and promote the building of a new type of international relations. China considers international issues and relations on their own merits and conducts in accordance with its diplomatic principles and national interests. China's development policy is to promote win-win cooperation with other countries and help build a community with a shared future for mankind. China will not succumb to the US' diplomatic coercion on the Ukraine issue. In fact, it is working hard to prevent further deterioration of bilateral ties with the US, although it will not compromise even an inch of sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has exchanged views with the Kyiv government on the situation in Ukraine, provided humanitarian supplies for the country, and has been working with the international community to help resolve the Ukraine crisis. During a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November 2022, President Xi Jinping stressed that China supports Germany and the European Union to promote peace talks. China and Germany jointly opposed the use of threat or nuclear weapons in the Ukraine conflict. Later, in a meeting with US President Joe Biden, President Xi reiterated that China follows a policy of co-development and emphasized the importance of abandoning the zero-sum game. The relationship between China and Russia, on the other hand, is a strategic partnership of coordination but it's not an alliance. China proposed "no limit, no forbidden zone, and no ceiling" in developing China-Russia strategic cooperation and believes Sino-Russian cooperation has great potential, and hopes to continue developing good-neighborly, friendly and win-win cooperation. China-Russia ties have maintained a high level of cooperation thanks to the efforts of both sides. China has also reiterated that "nonalignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party" is the foundation of Sino-Russian ties, which was stressed, once again, by Foreign Minister Qin Gang during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Deepening cooperation in economic, trade, security and cultural fields, and the necessity to build a more just world order, by among other things, condemning hegemonism and power politics, have prompted China and Russia to strengthen cooperation. And the US, not able to accept this development, has created a "new normal" between the three powers, not only checking China and Russia's development, but also strengthening confrontations with the two countries. In the trilateral relations, it is foreseeable that China will mainly make active efforts to develop a stable and stronger strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, and make efforts to decrease trust deficit with the US. Thus, China can help boost global economic recovery and restore strategic stability.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Fukushima Masanori highlights the unresolved issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the signing of the peace treaty and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor. The Ambassador assures that Japan, as a member of the international community, is determined to cooperate with Armenia in solving these problems, ARMENPRESS reports, the Ambassador announced at the reception on the occasion of the birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

He noted that Armenia faced serious challenges, such as the fight against Covid-19 and early parliamentary elections. "I think that the Armenian people have properly solved these problems. However, on the other hand, parallel to the negotiation process, there are unresolved issues in the relations with Azerbaijan, including the signing of the peace treaty and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor," said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that the Armenian people, with their prudence, will solve these issues in a peaceful way. "As a member of the international community, Japan is determined to cooperate with Armenia in solving these problems," he said.

The Ambassador also sent congratulatory words to His Majesty the Emperor, wishing further development of friendly relations between Japan and Armenia and building real peace in this region.
NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Primus Wind Power is positioning itself to meet heightened demand for its wind turbines. The Colorado-based manufacturer received funding from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to optimize wind turbine system designs and contribute to the wind turbine deployment efforts in the U.S.

U.S.A.-Based Wind-Turbine Manufacturer Uses American-Made Sealing Screw Manufacturer in Its Supply Chain. Tweet this Primus Wind Power manufactures wind turbines made in the U.S.A. The Colorado-based company uses ZAGO Buy American Act compliant corrosion-resistant sealing fasteners to seal and protect its face cover from rain, saltwater, sleet, snow and more in any type of weather.

Part of the process includes prototyping and testing hardware and components that are resilient and can outperform in harsh weather. One of the biggest concerns is the ability to withstand water, saltwater, torrential rains, hurricanes, and high winds repeatedly and over long periods of time.

Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios

To ensure that water would not enter through the external face cover of the wind turbine and potentially damage the screws or its inner components, Primus Wind Power tapped engineering expert, John R. Marshall Jr., P.E., owner, Ransford Engineering, to perform a series of water ingress tests. When compared to other fastening options, such as washer gaskets, ZAGO sealing screws engineered with a 360 O-ring under the head of the screw successfully prevented water seepage.

Screw and O-Ring: Engineered as One

ZAGO corrosion-resistant sealing fasteners are engineered with a custom groove underneath the head of the screw and when combined with a rubber O-ring and tightened squeezes outwardly to form a 360 leak-proof seal. This impenetrable seal will not break or crack once the screw is torqued preventing seepage or leakage of liquids, gases and more from damaging equipment or the environment. When paired with a rubber O-ring like EPDM, the sealing screw can withstand strong winds, torrential rains, saltwater, extreme heat, frigid temperatures, snow, moisture, dust, etc. With unlimited shelf life, an EPDM O-ring is perfect for sealing outdoor devices and will stand the test of time.

"In addition to passing the water ingress test, investing in ZAGO sealing fasteners makes sense. Like Primus Wind Power, they are made in the USA and designed to protect our environment," says Ken Kotalik, Director of Global Sales and Operations, Primus Wind Power.

"It's a privilege to be part of Primus Wind Power's supply chain," says Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, CEO, ZAGO Manufacturing Co. "Working with manufacturers that are combating climate change is right up our alley."

About ZAGO

ZAGO manufactures sealing fasteners and switch boots for military, aerospace, alternative energy, electric vehicles, LiDAR, robotics, drones, etc. ZAGO sealing fasteners and components are Made in the U.S.A./Buy American Act Compliant. Learn more: www.zago.com

Media Contact:

Kim Keating,

[email protected]

SOURCE ZAGO Manufacturing Company Inc
DUBLIN, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Project Management Bootcamp" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

What do you do? Here is a common scenario. You are three years out of college in your first engineering job. You are sitting in a meeting about the introduction of a new packaging line in your pharmaceutical plant.

You are half listening to the presentation while thinking about some of the other work you need to complete on different matters. The installation will take a year to execute and will require the coordination with several functions inside and outside of the company.

Suddenly the Director of Engineering turns to you and says "this would be a great first opportunity for you to manage a very interesting project. Let's meet tomorrow and discuss your initial plans for getting started."

This is an all too common occurrence in today's business environment.

Today more than ever before the job titles that we hold are not entirely reflective of the work that we do. Global teams and collaboration often place those in positions of team leadership that have the least foundation to manage all facets of complex projects. Project management requires specific knowledge of the key project facets that must be carefully managed. The interactions across divergent corporate functions, culture, language, and time zones all pose unique challenges to the new project manager. Layer on top of the basic project management requirements for any project the requirements of a pharmaceutical/biotechnology or medical device development project and the entire project management process becomes a daunting task for even those with experience.

Unfortunately, project management is not a subject given much attention in college and university these days. The answer? Get some training - some basic understandable project management training that will provide you with a solid foundation for managing that first project or to simply sharpen existing project management skills.

It is not just important to learn about project management - project management has its own body of knowledge - its own set of standards that all project managers follow called the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Any valuable training must also teach/present the content comprising this Body of Knowledge.

Driving a product to the market safely, quickly, and cheaply is the best way for a pharmaceutical company to be successful. Those companies however, encounter enormous challenges during the long product-development process. The unique regulatory requirements of pharmaceutical/biotechnology and medical devices as well as the project development processes associated to each industry must also be addressed to meet the needs to facilitate approval.

Why Should You Attend

It is not possible to present a complete treatment of project management in the span of 12-hours. It is however, possible to focus in on those most important aspects of project management that are critical to the success of any project as well as those that are critical to pharmaceutical/biotechnology and medical device development projects. Without basic tools, it is not possible to effectively manage a project to the pre-determined end-date without turmoil and chaos.

We have distilled the key aspects of project management into three four-hour virtual seminar segments that will logically move participants from the beginning of the project management process to the end - from initiating the project to closing the project.

This seminar will address those project management critical tasks within each project phase that must be performed flawlessly for effective project execution to occur and will provide the foundation and direction for future study of the subject.

The seminar is designed to build a working understanding of the subject and for a quick start-up for those unanticipated project management assignments.

In addition, the unique challenges and requirements for both the pharmaceutical/biotechnology and medical device industries will be addressed creating a link between those requirements and the basic tenants of project management.

This virtual seminar crosses all industries and functions it is however particularly suited for the health sciences where much project-based work is accomplished.

Medical device manufacturers

Pharmaceutical and Biotech organisations

Cosmetic and foods manufacturers

All other industries

Key Topics Covered:





Session Start Time: 12:30 PM EDT

# 1 - Introduction to Project Management - An Overview

What is a project?

What is project management?

The project manager's role

What is effective project management?

The five stages of a project

The triple constraint, collaboration, and flexibility

Project management pitfalls

The Project Charter

The Project Scope Statement

Determine your project's audience members, i.e. project stakeholders, initiator, and champion(s)

How to work and interact with your audience

Project Planning - Stakeholder - Quality - Communications - Scope - Risk

#2 - Specifying the project work to be done and establish the project's timing and resource requirements

Develop the work breakdown structure

Naming key tasks

Making assumptions

Special project situations

Long-term project planning

Displaying the work breakdown structure

Categorizing project work

What to document

Purpose and function of the network diagram

\Reading and interpreting a network diagram

Creating the network diagram

Develop the initial schedule

Determine activity durations

Gaming the schedule

Determine team member skills that are needed

Estimate the human resource requirement

Meeting resource commitments

Resolve resource overloads and conflicts

Handling multiple projects

Developing the budget

#3- Risk, the project team, project management, and control

Risk factors and risks

Identifying the risk factors

Risk types

Assessing and weighing risk

Determine consequences

Develop a risk mitigation strategy

Develop your risk management plan

Organizational structures for managing projects

Define the key players and their roles

Team member roles and responsibilities

Assigning project tasks

Authority versus responsibility

The RACI Chart

Developing team operational strategies and procedures

Managing team activities

Developing your team

Managing team and individual team member performance

Working cross-culturally

Collaboration and flexibility - how are they executed and managed successfully

Scope creep and how it is managed

Tracking and reporting progress

Work-effort tracking

Managing the budget

Communicating effectively - how to make it work

When things go wrong - scheduling alternatives

Session End Time 4:30 PM EDT

Speakers:



Charles H. Paul

President

C. H. Paul Consulting, Inc.



Charles H. Paul is the President of C. H. Paul Consulting, Inc. - a regulatory, manufacturing, training, and technical documentation consulting firm - celebrating its twentieth year in business in 2017. He has been a regulatory and management consultant and an Instructional Technologist for 30 years and has published numerous white papers on various regulatory and training subjects. The firm works with both domestic and international clients designing solutions for complex training and documentation issues.



He has held senior positions in consulting and in corporate training development prior to forming C. H. Paul Consulting, Inc.. He also worked for several years in government contracting managing the development of significant Army-wide training development contracts impacting virtually all of the active Army and changing the training paradigm throughout the military.



He has dedicated his entire professional career explaining the benefits of performance-based training



For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vhr34c

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
Operating cash revenue grows nearly 40 percent YoY in 2022, with shipments exceeding 20,000 units

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, a commercial service robotics manufacturer, has announced completion of a Series C3 financing round raising more than US$15 million. The financing round was exclusively invested by Puhua Capital, with Taihecap continuing to serve as the exclusive financial advisor. The new funds will be mainly used to build a new production base for Pudu Robotics in a move to expand production capacity and develop products for commercial cleaning scenarios.

PuduBot 2 from Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a leading high-tech company in the field of commercial service robots in China. The company focuses on the R&D, design, production and sales of commercial service robots. It has established a business presence in some 600 cities in more than 60 countries and regions around the world.

With the service industry hobbled by ever mounting challenges in hiring workers worldwide, Pudu Robotics has engaged in a massive expansion beyond the borders of its home market since 2020, achieving rapid growth in shipments. Cumulative global shipments to date exceed 56,000 units, while sales in overseas markets as a percentage of the company's total has grown from 8% in 2019 to over 80% currently.

As a R&D-driven company, Pudu Robotics has been able to independently research and produce four core components of commercial robots: motors, single-line LiDARs, RGB depth-sensing cameras, and computing platforms & motion controllers.

Felix Zhang, founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics, said the company is developing steadily in the delivery segment, with growth in overseas shipments continuing to accelerate. The company derived 90% of its revenue from sales in 2022. Pudu Robotics has steadfastly refused to chase fast growth by rolling out low-price models or allowing leased products to take up too large a proportion of revenue, ensuring solid operating indicators in terms of payments and collections. In 2022, cash revenue from operations increased by nearly 40% year on year, with shipments exceeding 20,000 units. High-end models, most notably the BellaBot, are widely recognized across global markets. Japan's leading restaurant group Skylark ordered 3,000 BellaBots in one go, setting an industry record.

Pudu Robotics' current product lineup includes indoor delivery robots, PuduBot, PuduBot 2, BellaBot, KettyBot, HolaBot and SwiftBot; in-building delivery robot FlashBot; cleaning robots PUDU CC1 and PUDU SH1; as well as disinfection robot Puductor 2.

Earlier, Pudu Robotics announced that it has achieved large-scale application of its independently-developed VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology solution through its latest delivery robot PuduBot 2. As an important breakthrough in the field of commercial robots, the VSLAM solution makes the product qualitatively better in terms of positioning accuracy, positioning reliability and scenario adaptability.

Zhang added that Pudu Robotics, as the only engineering and technology research center for indoor intelligent mobile robots in Guangdong Province, will continue to increase its investment in technology R&D to maintain its leadership in the product field. At the same time, Pudu Robotics is also optimistic about the cleaning robot market, and will focus on seeking new breakthroughs in cleaning robot products to further consolidate its advantages in the delivery robot segment.

To learn more visit: https://www.pudurobotics.com/ and connect with us on Facebook , YouTube , Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram .

SOURCE Pudu Robotics
BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- zavvie, a software technology company providing customized marketplaces for brokerage-wide buying and selling solutions, announces the latest in real estate problem-solvers: "zavvie Power Buyer," a white-labeled solution exclusively for leading brokerage clients.

Christina Pappas, President of The Keyes Company Lane Hornung, zavvie CEO and Co-founder

Currently available to 14 zavvie partner brokerages in 11 states and the District of Columbia, the new zavvie service provides both "Cash Offer" and "Buy Before You Sell" Modern Bridge solutions, which are collectively helping brokerages significantly increase their mortgage capture rates, according to zavvie CEO and Co-Founder Lane Hornung.

"When brokerages use zavvie Power Buyer, they are seeing between a 10 percent and 15 percent increase in their mortgage capture business because we connect clients directly to the brokerage's preferred lender," said Hornung.

Recent news reports note that some Power Buyer firms have ended up owning an unplanned number of homes  but zavvie Power Buyer, which began a soft launch last year, does not own a single home.

Hornung emphasized that zavvie's Power Buyer program is not a match for every brokerage, fitting best with firms that offer mortgage services. "The zavvie platform continues to showcase all the other leading Power Buyers solutions, as our program is designed to be complimentary, not competitive," Hornung added.

The zavvie Power Buyer solution is available at brokerages including The Keyes Company in Florida, Home Pros in Texas, RE/MAX Professionals in Colorado, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer & Preferred in Pennsylvania, among a handful of others.

"Immediately empowering buyers with Cash Offers, or sellers with a Buy Before You Sell solution, can create more transactions and open up more inventory. As a bonus, adding our in-house mortgage company as the 'go to' for all solutions  traditional and modern  has increased our capture rate," said Christina Pappas, President of The Keyes Company, the top independent and family-owned brokerage in Florida.

Frank Gay, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Home Pros Family of Companies in El Paso, Texas, notes that Power Buyer solutions are growing in popularity. "Research shows how Cash Offers have surged, with about one in three transactions being all cash," said Gay, noting, "Helping first-time buyers be able to make an offer that is equivalent to cash is a win for everyone."

In Colorado, Alan Smith, Broker-Owner of RE/MAX Professionals, one of the fastest growing RE/MAX operations in the world, sees zavvie's Power Buyer solution as the key to giving agents every tool they need. "You need to offer every selling and buying solution available today because that's what consumers are demanding," Smith said.

Last month, zavvie announced the completion of a $3.5 million funding round led by existing investors, including Second Century Ventures, the startup incubator backed by the National Association of Realtors. Hornung said that "2023 will be a breakout year for Power Buying because Cash Offers will particularly help first-time buyers."

"Cash is always king and queen in real estate," said Stefan Peterson, Chief Data Officer and Co-Founder of zavvie, "and with Cash Offers, agents can help their clients win more deals, especially for first-time homebuyers."

Peterson notes that brokerages are immediately attracted to zavvie Power Buyer as its research Cash Offers are more than four times more likely to be accepted than financed offers, and they also close faster.

According to zavvie research, consumers gain a huge advantage when working with a Power Buyer versus applying for a traditional mortgage with a loan contingency. Mortgage-backed buyers needed to make an average of seven offers when buying a home, but just 1.1 offers when using a Cash Offers program.

Hornung notes that consumer demand for new ways to buy and sell a home will continue to increase in 2023; zavvie's business momentum last year propelled its total number of brokerage-assisted transactions by more than 400 percent over their 2021 transactions, and revenue grew by more than 300 percent year-over-year.

Today, zavvie's nationwide footprint covers nearly 50 states, serving more than 75,000 agents today, and potentially reaches more than 400,000 agents through partnership integrations.

More information about zavvie is available at zavvie.com.

About zavvie

zavvie is a software technology company that provides real estate brokerages with a marketplace for buying and selling solutions via a white-labeled platform that keeps agents at the center of the transaction. Over 75,000 real estate agents in 47 states leverage zavvie's software technology to serve their clients better. Discover more at zavvie.com.

Media contact:

Kevin Hawkins | zavvie

206-866-1220 | [email protected]

SOURCE zavvie
ANA's Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM) reveals that Lysol and Air Wick are two of the most culturally inclusive brands perceived by Multicultural & Inclusive Consumers

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global health and hygiene company, Reckitt is proud to announce that two of its brands, Lysol and Air Wick, were included in a list of "the Top 25 Most Culturally Inclusive Brands of 2022". Lysol also swept up awards in two distinguished categories: "Best in Ad Effectiveness" and "Overall Best-in-Culture (Top Quartile) Award."

Lysol & Air Wick: "Top 25 Most Culturally Inclusive Brands of 2022"

ANA's Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM) made the announcement today after extensive research through its industry-leading measurement methodology Cultural Insights Impact Measure (CIIM) - a metric that identifies the impact and effectiveness of cultural insights in ads and programming. The top 25 brands recognized include industry leaders across retailers, CPG, automotive, fast-food, and financial and technology services.

"At a time when brands are looking to maximize their growth, connecting through culture should be primordial. Research proves that culture is responsible for 66% of a campaign's success in the CPG category and 55% in the auto category. Minimizing culture is equal to minimizing the opportunity for growth," said Bob Liodice, CEO of the ANA.

"These brands are leading the charge for more inclusive marketing across the entire industry and brilliantly showcasing the power of authentic cultural representation and DEIB reflections." says Carlos Santiago, AIMM Co-Founder and Co-Architect of CIIM. "We see a clear and measurable attribution to ad effectiveness, sales and trust, which further proves the benefit of creating content that can strongly resonate with the growth segments of our marketplace whether in mass market or targeted efforts."

CIIM Best-In-Culture Brands Ranking Methodology

CIIM started by reviewing Ad Age's 2022 Leading National Advertisers rankings and Nielsen's top spenders in diverse segments. From these lists, CIIM selected 100 brands to be included in the study. Throughout 2022, over 700 ads that aired from these 100 brands (5+ ads per brand) were tested in a forced exposure format where respondents were shown the ad and then prompted to answer a series of proprietary questions to assess the ad's cultural relevance, DEIB reflections, and subsequent ad effectiveness impact. Over 250,000 ad evaluations were collected from viewers of all segments including Asian English, Black, Hispanic English, Hispanic Bilingual, Hispanic Spanish, Indigenous, LGBTQ, People with Disabilities, and White Non-Hispanic. CIIM's final ranking was then created utilizing only multicultural and inclusive respondents. The ranking was constructed using each brand's average CIIM, DEI, purchase intent, trust lift, brand opinion, brand recommendation, gather information on brand, and likability scores.

Lysol and Air Wick Named Two of the Top 25 Most Culturally Inclusive Brands

The results of these efforts placed Lysol and Air Wick squarely in the Top 25 Most Culturally Inclusive Brands for 2022, while several Lysol ad campaigns were evaluated as outstanding examples of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Topping the list were English and Spanish ads for Lysol's "Here for Healthy Schools" initiative (in which the brand donated 42 million wipes to schools in need) and 2022 campaigns like "Laundry Neighbors," "Sleeping Beauties," "Simple Facts," and "Boom," among others. Two Air Wick ads from 2022  "Discerning Noses" and "Deck the Halls"  were also recognized as being "best-in-class" for their passionate commitment to D&I and representation.

"It's no secret that shoppers are moving away from brands that don't embrace or represent inclusive marketing," said Gary Osifchin, Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager, US Hygiene, Reckitt. "At Reckitt we think it's crucial that our ads reflect the realities of our diverse audiences, and we are proud that AIMM has chosen to recognize Lysol and Air Wick for their culturally inclusive work. CIIM has been instrumental in measuring the impact of our advertising with multicultural audiences and the data has helped steer us towards even more insightful communications in the future."

Visit this link to view a recording of "The Most Culturally Inclusive Brands" livestream on the Cultural Inclusion Accelerator website for public viewing anytime, anywhere.

About Reckitt:

Reckitt* exists to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.

Reckitt is the company behind some of the world's most recognizable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.

Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always.

We are a diverse global team of more than 43,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet, and a fairer society. Find out more, or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com/US

* Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies

About CIIM

CIIM (Cultural Insights Impact Measure) is the industry-leading metric validating the incremental value of cultural relevance in ads and programming. As the largest cultural relevance measurement tool, CIIM covers 70 industries and ten segments: White Non-Hispanic, African American/Black, Asian English, Hispanic English Media Viewers, Hispanic Bilingual Media Viewers, Hispanic Spanish Media Viewers, LGBTQ, Native American, People with Disabilities, and General Population. Created by Oppside, LLC, CIIM provides a guide for brands and content creators to benchmark their cultural authenticity & DEIB journey progress. To date, it has gathered more than 900,000 ad evaluations across over 2,800 ads from more than 775 brands. www.culturalinclusionaccelerator.com

About ANA AIMM:

Founded in 2016 as an arm of the ANA, comprised of 87 member corporations, advertising agencies, media and research companies and trade associations representing over 1000 brands, AIMM's mission is to elevate Multicultural and Inclusive marketing to promote business growth in an increasingly diverse marketplace. AIMM has proven to be one of the boldest industry reboots ever brought to the Multicultural marketplace, changing the way businesses drive growth. www.anaaimm.net.

Press Contact: Lynn Kenney, Director, Corporate Communications, North America, +1 908-442-6103, [email protected]

SOURCE Reckitt
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Friendly Forces, a platform that creates transparency around corporate military leave and connects reservists with the most reservist-friendly companies, programs, and professional development resources, is proud to announce its 2023 Top Reservist Friendly Employers. These companies have demonstrated their commitment to supporting and valuing the contributions of military reservists through implementation of exceptional paid military leave policies that ease the emotional and financial burden placed on citizen-service members.

Friendly Forces has developed a proprietary 5-Star scale that assesses corporate military leave policies and rates them according to how supportive they are to the servicemember.

"There are many organizations out there focused on being veteran or military-friendly and facilitating Active-Duty transition. That's great, but they lack context and understanding about the reservist experience. As war veterans and serving reservists, we saw that gap and are singularly dedicated to championing reservists, who have different needs and face different challenges than separated veterans," said Eric Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Friendly Forces.

"We consider any organization rated at 3 Stars or above on our scale to be proactively supporting military reservists and facilitating the critical role that they play in our national defense and military readiness," he said.

The following companies have earned top honors as Friendly Forces 2023 5 STAR Reservist Friendly Employers. To earn this honor, an employer must provide 12 months or more of unconditional full salary continuation (full pay) to reservists on military leave.

American Water

Bloomberg

Bristol Myers Squibb

Eaton

Enveil

Fiserv

Johnson and Johnson

Netflix

Nvidia

Politico

USAA

Visa

"We are honored to recognize these companies for their commitment to military reservists. These organizations understand the value and skills that reservists bring to the workforce, and have implemented policies to support their continued military service," Evans said. "They truly go above and beyond in their support to reservists and set an amazing example for other employers to emulate."

To view the full list of 2023 Reservist Friendly Employer award winners and for more information on Friendly Forces and how to partner, visit https://www.friendlyforces.com

SOURCE Friendly Forces
DALLAS , Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Whitaker, owner of Restoration 1 Spokane, Wash., has partnered with Traction Capital , an investment firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs in the Western U.S. Private equity firms have recently begun investing as franchisees in the restoration industry, signaling a new era of business growth and opportunity. The influx of funds across the industry will allow local businesses to expand their services as well as provide more resources for those impacted by natural disasters.

Whitaker opened his first Restoration 1 franchise in 2017 while serving as Captain of the Spokane Valley Fire Department. Over the last five years he has experienced strong growth, expanding into additional territories in Central Washington and garnering the attention of Traction Capital. With this investment, Whitaker's franchises will be able to reach new milestones and provide more support across multiple communities.

"I am excited to partner with Traction Capital as we grow our business to the Tri-Cities and Yakima area and look to other opportunities beyond the state. I believe a key component of our success thus far is the fact that we have built a team of great people and helped them succeed individually. Traction shares this philosophy and will allow us to develop even further," said Whitaker.

"On behalf of everyone at Traction, we are excited to partner with Scott and the Restoration 1 team in Dallas to continue to provide best in class services to customers in the Western U.S. Whitaker has developed a great team, and we look forward to working in the background to help provide the resources and systems necessary to continue to grow the business into multiple states," said Justin Turner, Managing Partner at Traction Capital.

Based in Dallas, Restoration 1 has rapidly expanded to 313 locations open and in development across the U.S. to become one of the fastest-growing brands in the $210 billion property restoration industry.

"Over the last several years, we have been focused on developing our franchisees' individual businesses and providing resources to help them grow their financial performance," said Sherry Rose, CEO of Stellar Service Brands. "My vision is to empower franchisees to serve more customers and enter into new markets, so that they, too, can achieve the American Dream. Whitaker's partnership with Traction is a testament to his persistence and dedication to both his team and the surrounding community."

To learn more about opening a Restoration 1 franchise, visit restoration1franchise.com .

About Restoration 1

Founded in 2008, Restoration 1 is an award-winning franchise that specializes in a wide array of emergency mitigations, restoration and reconstruction services. An industry innovator, the Texas-based company uses advanced technologies and tools to perform restoration for both residential and commercial properties that have been damaged due to water, smoke, fire, mold, storms and more. There have been 397 agreements awarded throughout the U.S. with plans to expand to more than 500 locations nationwide in the next couple of years. For more information about Restoration 1, visit http://www.restoration1.com.

About Traction Capital

Traction Capital Partners LLC is a Seattle-based investment firm which focuses on acquiring businesses based in the Western U.S. that present opportunities for long-term growth. When they acquire a business, they do so with the intention of owning it for the next 20 years. For more information, please visit: www.tractioncp.com

SOURCE Restoration 1
FlowSense shunt monitor quickly and non-invasively detects the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in implanted shunts, addressing a significant unmet need in hydrocephalus patient management

EVANSTON, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhaeos, Inc. (Rhaeos), a clinical stage medical device company focused on addressing an unmet need in the care of people with hydrocephalus, today announced the successful closing of $10.5 million in Series A funding led by the Steele Foundation for Hope, bringing Rhaeos' total funding to date to more than $18 million. Other round participants include follow-on investors, Creative Ventures and Lateral Capital. The funding will be used to support the in-hospital launch of the FlowSense shunt monitor, a wireless, non-invasive thermal sensor that rapidly monitors shunt function in people with hydrocephalus. The funding will also accelerate the development of the company's pipeline products, including an at-home version of the FlowSense shunt monitor, and establish a path to better serve people with hydrocephalus in vulnerable communities worldwide.

"Our mission is to fund technology and innovation focused on improving the quality of life. Rhaeos' technology addresses a critical unmet need for those suffering from hydrocephalus, how to monitor shunt function and improve clinical decision making," said Joe Exner, Chief Executive Officer of the Steele Foundation for Hope. "Our investment will enable the exceptional team at Rhaeos to expand access to its innovative thermal sensors across the globe, improving the quality of care and outcomes for hydrocephalus patients."

Over 1 million people in the US live with hydrocephalus1, a chronic condition characterized by excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Approximately 50% of neurosurgically implanted ventricular shunts (the standard treatment for hydrocephalus) fail within the first two years of placement1. Formed out of the award-winning John A. Rogers Research Group at Northwestern University, the novel FlowSense technology is designed to rapidly and non-invasively monitor shunt function. The FlowSense system utilizes a small, bandage-sized patch that adheres to a person's skin above the implanted shunt tubing. Critical data on shunt functionality is wirelessly transmitted to a mobile app in a matter of minutes, supporting clinical decision making to optimize treatment plans.

"Current diagnostic imaging tests used to assess shunt function are limited and can take up to 48 hours, leaving patients with hydrocephalus vulnerable to the damaging effects of excess cerebrospinal fluid on the brain," stated David D. Limbrick, Jr., MD., Ph.D., T.S. Park Chair and Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, St. Louis Children's Hospital. "The FlowSense technology allows me to assess my patient's shunt function at their bedside in minutes, reducing diagnostic uncertainty and expediting appropriate treatment for people living with this highly complex, chronic condition."

In 2020, Rhaeos received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the FlowSense shunt monitor, enabling the company to work in close collaboration with the FDA to streamline the market clearance process. The FlowSense shunt monitor is currently being evaluated in an FDA pivotal study across multiple centers in the US. The company anticipates making the FlowSense shunt monitor commercially available to physicians and their patients in 2023.

"At Rhaeos, we are passionate about improving the care of people living from hydrocephalus," said Anna Lisa Somera, MS, MBA, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, Rhaeos. "We are grateful for this round of financing that will advance the availability of our innovative shunt monitor to significantly improve the management of failed shunts and accelerate the development of our platform technology to improve care of other chronic conditions."

About Rhaeos Inc.

Rhaeos, Inc. is a private medical technology company spun out of Northwestern University and is focused on developing wearable sensors to improve the care of people suffering from chronic and difficult-to-treat conditions. The company's novel FlowSense shunt monitor is a non-invasive, wireless, thermal sensor that addresses a clinical unmet need for people with hydrocephalus and is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, the Southwest Pediatric Device Consortium, the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation, the UCSF-Stanford Pediatric Device Accelerator, the West Coast Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics, MedTech Innovator, and public, private, and institutional investors.

About the Steele Foundation for Hope

Founded in 2021, the Steele Foundation for Hope strives to find and fund lasting solutions for some of humanity's hardest challenges, with a strong belief that advances found through technology and innovation are key to improving quality of life.

Reference:

Hydrocephalus Association Fact Sheet

SOURCE Rhaeos, Inc.
Cloud Cybersecurity Leader Adding PCI Compliance Scanning And Phishing Testing & Training Service Solutions For SaaS companies

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhymetec , the industry leader in cloud security that provides innovative cybersecurity and data privacy services to modern-day SaaS businesses, announced today two new service offerings for SaaS companies: PCI Compliance Scanning and Phishing Testing & Training . Both offerings will assist B2B organizations in staying secure and compliant while they continue to grow and innovate.

Staying on top of compliance standards can be difficult with so many different rules and regulations from multiple regulatory agencies. The PCI Compliance Scanning service provides managed vulnerability scans that assist in identifying issues and maintaining Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Compliance for customers who process online purchases and transactions. Any business that transmits, stores, handles, or accepts credit card data, regardless of size or processing volume, must comply with the PCI DSS Standards.

Rhymetec's Phishing Testing & Training service offering provides employee training for businesses with guided lessons on phishing and materials to educate employees on how to spot them. Once an employee falls for a phishing attempt, it provides immediate security awareness guidance on what phishing is and how to avoid attempts in the future. Rhymetec's phishing offering also includes detailed reporting that shows gradual improvements in the organization's security posture.

"At Rhymetec, our mission is to reduce the complexities of cloud security and our two new security offerings give SaaS companies the critical components of a comprehensive information security program," said Justin Rende , CEO and founder of Rhymetec. "As we continue to help SaaS businesses build effective, compliant, and secure information security programs, adding PCI Compliance Scanning and Phishing Testing & Training will provide increased competitive value to our customers within their respective markets."

To learn more about Rhymetec and their suite of cybersecurity services, please visit: www.rhymetec.com .

About Rhymetec

Rhymetec is an industry leader in cloud security, providing innovative cybersecurity and data privacy services to the modern-day SaaS business. The company builds, deploys and manages compliant information security and data privacy programs directly within their customers' unique environments, allowing them to focus on their core competencies within their business. Over the years, Rhymetec's services have grown to include a vCISO (Virtual CISO) program, ISO Internal Audits, and a variety of Penetration Testing services. For more information, please visit www.rhymetec.com and follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn .

SOURCE Rhymetec
Program offers customers and partners the extensive resources needed to advance their expertise in AI-powered document processing

LONDON and PRAGUE, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by customer and partner demand, Rossum today announced the launch of its education and training program to help users reap the full benefits of document processing technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The Rossum Academy provides easy access to the technical documentation, video tutorials, webinars and other training materials necessary for customers to fully leverage the company's Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solution.

By providing a wide variety of online learning and training options, Rossum leads the market in making IDP technology more accessible and easier to use. Participants receive world-class instruction and grasp how to apply cutting-edge AI capabilities to document processing  helping to minimize manual data entry while streamlining paperwork. The Rossum Academy promotes training not only around document data extraction but also outlines best practices for document processing derived from real-world examples, resulting in better workflow insights. Both customers and partners alike, can study, learn and upskill their expertise while also gaining a broader understanding of the issues surrounding business-to-business communication and the significant role IDP plays in them.

One of the first customers enrolled in the Rossum Academy, Carissa Albers, CPA CFE, Internal Auditor of Wachter, shared that, "having someone walk through a live interactive session was more helpful than reading any guide. The questions other participants asked during the session were very helpful, insightful and informative, and I highly recommend that Rossum users take advantage of this offering. The Rossum Academy helps us maximize our investment in this technology."

"We're committed to delivering the best technology on the market and enabling the best customer experience," said Marek Paris, Head of Product Development at Rossum. "The Rossum Academy is a vital channel in helping our user community increase its expertise and knowledge while staying current on our latest AI development and product innovations."

The launch of the Rossum Academy follows the roll-out of enhancements to the Rossum marketplace , which gives customers an easy way to build highly flexible and customizable end-to-end IDP solutions without requiring support from software developers. The Rossum Academy helps to amplify these capabilities by supporting a community of customers, technology partners and resellers looking to shape the future of document processing and B2B communications. To sign-up for the latest Rossum Academy webinar please click here .

Rossum drives high levels of intelligence and automated actions, completely transforming the document workflow for companies. For more information on Rossum technology and how AI automation applications improve business processes, visit https://go.rossum.ai/demo .

About Rossum

Rossum is a market leading Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) solution combining the industry's most advanced data extraction capabilities with a complete low-code platform that automates significant amounts of manual work across a company's document processing workflow. Hundreds of organizations across a wide range of sizes and industries including Bosch, HelloFresh, Morton Salt, and The Master Trust Bank of Japan use Rossum to reduce manual effort, improve turnaround times, and eliminate errors. Learn more at www.rossum.ai .

SOURCE Rossum
Armenia and Azerbaijan must de-escalate tension and proceed on a path towards a comprehensive and lasting peace, United States State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a press briefing.

February 16, 2023, 10:18 United States calls for de-escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: Well, I will leave it to those two governments to speak to their engagement. Our message to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the parties themselves, but also to the entire region is the need to find a way to de-escalate tensions to put this back on a path towards a comprehensive and lasting peace. We have been engaged in that effort; weve been engaged in that effort bilaterally, weve been engaged in that effort multilaterally, and well continue to do everything we can as the United States directly with the parties, through multilateral institutions and groupings, to advance that cause. It is our hope that other countries will send precisely the same message, but Im not in a position to speak to the messages that other countries are sending, Price said when asked to comment on Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans trip to Turkey and its implications particularly for the peace efforts in the region.

Asked to comment on the earthquake diplomacy in terms of Armenia and Turkey not having a relationship before, Price said: Well, we certainly welcome countries around the world stepping up and showing up for the people of Turkiye, for the people of Syria who have been devastated by these massive earthquakes that struck on February 6th. A number of countries have demonstrated a generosity of spirit that will be necessary if we are going to be able to address the full consequences and implications of these massive earthquakes. The United States has attempted to lead by example. So far, we have already contributed or announced $85 million in support from the U.S. Government to the response in Turkiye and in Syria. The Secretary, as Matt just alluded to, will have an opportunity to travel to Turkiye in the coming days, hell have an opportunity while there to witness some of what the U.S. Government is doing, and I think hell also be in a position to speak to what more the United States will be prepared to do for our Turkish allies and for the people of Syria in the days to come.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. , Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Security Properties and Enterprise Community Investment partnered to acquire Hickory Hollow Towers and Colony Square Apartments on January 31st, 2023. This acquisition marks the 10th and 11th joint venture between Security and Enterprise. Financing was provided by Fannie Mae through Berkadia.

Colony Square Apartments in Smyrna, TN Hickory Hollow Towers in Antioch, TN

Hickory Hollow is a 154-unit, senior affordable housing community located in Antioch, TN and Colony Square is an 80-unit, family affordable housing community located in Smyrna. TN. Both properties will benefit from significant renovations, including parking lot asphalt, roof repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, plumbing repairs, and community amenity improvements.

These transactions mark Security Properties' first acquisition of affordable properties in the state of Tennessee. "We are excited about planting a flag in the Nashville MSA and investing in these communities for the future as we continue to grow our footprint in Tennessee," said Chase Olson, Associate Investment Manager with Security Properties.

Sean Burrowes, Director, Affordable Housing added "Hickory Hollow Towers and Colony Square are important assets that provide crucial affordable housing in a market that has seen a significant increase in rents and a decrease in market-rate affordability. Security Properties is committed to providing safe, high quality and service enriched housing at Hickory Hollow Towers and Colony Square and looks forward to ensuring that these properties remain affordable for future generations of seniors and families in the Greater Nashville area."

Both properties will be managed by Security Properties-affiliate Security Properties Residential.

About Security Properties

Security Properties is a national real estate investment, development, and operating company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more than 50 years, Security Properties has provided quality housing to its residents as well as excellent financial performance for its investors. Since its founding, Security Properties has acquired or developed over 83,000 residential units at a cost of over $5.7 billion. Security Properties maintains a focused multi-family strategy supported by integrated teams of professional acquisition, development, construction, investment, and property management specialists. For more information, visit www.securityproperties.com.

About Security Properties Residential

Security Properties Residential is the affiliated property management firm of Security Properties, created to increase the value of its real estate holdings by more closely managing its assets. Operating throughout the Western U.S., Security Properties Residential is committed to delivering exceptional service to its apartment communities and residents. Services include property, construction and compliance management services that create positive living environments for residents and build value for clients.

News media contact:

Ed McGovern, 206.628.8019

[email protected]

SOURCE Security Properties
AKRON, Ohio and BERWYN, Pa., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequoia Financial Group, LLC (Sequoia) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Zeke Capital Advisors, LLC (Zeke). The transaction, expected to close on Feb. 28, will create a firm with more than $15 billion in client assets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Akron, Ohio-based Sequoia provides asset management and financial planning services across the wealth spectrumfrom individuals to family officeswith locations throughout the central and southeastern U.S. Sequoia was named by Barron's as one of the top RIA firms in the U.S. in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year. The firm, founded by Tom Haught in 1991, manages more than $10 billion in assets and employs more than 180 people.

Zeke, founded in 2008 in Berwyn, Pa. by veteran fund manager Edward Antoian, is a multi-family office firm that provides generational family wealth management to individuals, families, and foundations. Led by Antoian and Gee Smith, partner and president, Zeke has more than $5 billion in assets under management and advisement and 28 employees.

The acquisition will double the size of Sequoia's Family Wealth practice, both in assets under management and in client households, with the combined teams offering a full suite of services to ultra-high-net-worth families and institutions. Zeke's highly credentialed research team brings decades of experience in delivering unique investment opportunities to clients.

"We are excited to partner with Ed Antoian, Gee Smith, and their talented team," said Haught, Sequoia's CEO. "Together, we will broaden and deepen Sequoia's Family Wealth practice, add to our full-service team of Family Wealth advisors, and enhance the range of our investment offerings as we expand our role within this strategic market."

"After a thorough search for the right partner, Sequoia emerged as the ideal firm to support Zeke's mission of serving multi-generational families," Antoian said. "Joining Sequoia's successful Family Wealth practice will help ensure our clients will be in great hands for generations to come."

Zeke will begin operating under the Sequoia Financial Group brand on March 1, 2023. Antoian and Smith will remain actively involved with the firm.

Annie McCauley, Sequoia's chief client experience officer, added "This is an investment in and for our clients, who will all directly benefit from the sophistication of Zeke's portfolio advisory team."

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP served as legal advisor to Sequoia. Cambridge International Partners was financial advisor and Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP served as legal advisor to Zeke.

About Sequoia Financial Group

Sequoia Financial Group, LLC, founded in 1991, takes a client-centered approach to providing wealth management services, including asset management, estate and retirement planning, fiduciary consulting, and family wealth. Sequoia builds and maintains strong relationships that emphasize long-term planning to help clients reach their financial and life goals. For more information about Sequoia's Family Wealth practice, visit http://sequoiafamilywealth.com

About Zeke Capital Advisors

Established in 2008, Zeke Capital Advisors, LLC is a multi-family office dedicated to providing informed investment advice, customized portfolio management, holistic wealth planning, direct investment opportunities, and comprehensive service to individuals, families, and foundations. For more information, visit https://zekecapital.com.

Media Contacts

Margaret Kirch Cohen/Richard Chimberg

Newton Park PR, LLC

847-507-2229/617-312-4281

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Sequoia Financial Group
Providing Full Business Aviation Service at Canada's Second-Busiest Airport

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Skyservice Business Aviation ("Skyservice" or "the Company"), a North American leader in business aviation, is expanding its full-service business aviation operations to Vancouver International Airport ("YVR"), Canada.

Skyservice Vancouver will offer fixed-based operations (FBO), maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), charter, aircraft management, and aircraft sales and acquisition services. This property is the eleventh full-service private jet center for Skyservice. The company has two additional locations specifically designated for avionics, aircraft upgrades and heavy maintenance in Muskoka, Ontario, and the newly acquired 80,000 square-foot hangar at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.

"We are thrilled to add Vancouver to our growing network of award-winning business aviation jet centers in Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest," commented Benjamin Murray, President and CEO, Skyservice. "Increasingly, business aviation clients are looking for providers who deliver full aircraft support, from aircraft consultation and management to maintenance and full ground and fuel support with impeccable fixed-base operation facilities. We are proud to now offer this level of service in Vancouver."

The company has agreed to a long-term lease with World Fuel Services at Canada's second-busiest airport with plans to modernize the existing property and further invest in the buildout of the location's business aviation service capacity.

Skyservice is committed to providing high quality business aviation service and support across North America. In February, the company will open in Napa, California and begin work on a new private jet hangar in Seattle to replace its Boeing Field site. This past year, Skyservice also finished construction of a new FBO facility in Redmond, Oregon, and added hangar capacity in Bend, Oregon, to accommodate the region's expanding business aviation traffic.

About Skyservice

Skyservice is a North American leader in business aviation dedicated to innovation, responsible operations, safety, and service excellence. Celebrating its 36th successful year, Skyservice is at the forefront of the business aviation industry with best-in-class facilities across North America. Our skilled maintenance teams, outstanding fixed base operation facilities, first-class aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and acquisition provide our customers with an experience that is truly above and beyond. To learn more, visit http://www.skyservice.com/.

SOURCE Skyservice Business Aviation Inc. - Mississauga, ON
MIAMI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Solis Health Plans , a Florida Medicare Advantage Plan, is pleased to announce the appointment of Siu-Kin Perez, to Provider Network Director. Siu-Kin will be responsible for overseeing all facets of provider relations and structural management of Solis' existing network, while likewise bolstering Solis' footprint in planned expansion markets.

"We are thrilled Siu-Kin is joining the Solis Health Plans leadership team," said Michael Lynch, COO of Solis Health Plans. "Siu-Kin brings vast experience in contracting, provider networks, and Medicare sales. She's an industry veteran and will be an invaluable member of our team."

Siu-Kin joins Solis Health Plans from Florida Complete Care, an ILS company, bringing 29 years of experience in Medicare, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care. Most recently, she served as Medicare Sales Director in which she was responsible for achieving sales targets and overseeing 15 counties in the state.

"I am very excited to be part of the Solis Health Plans family," said Siu-Kin. "I look forward to elevating and driving value to the Solis provider network making Solis the plan of choice for our providers as well as bringing top-level customer service and value to our members."

About Solis Health Plans

Miami-based Solis Health Plans is a community-focused Florida Medicare Advantage health plan delivering competitive plans with expanded benefits in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Hillsborough counties. With a goal of providing outstanding member experience and exceptional service to its members, providers, and brokers, Solis Health Plans is committed to becoming the plan of choice for the communities it serves. Solis aims to provide transparent solutions for members and providers while holding its associates to the highest standard of personal and professional accountability.

For more information on Solis Health Plans, please visit www.solishealthplans.com .

SOURCE Solis Health Plans, Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Commodity Insights is pleased to announce further details of the 13th International Fujairah Bunkering & Fuel Oil Forum (FUJCON 2023), to be held at the Novotel Fujairah on March 13  15, 2023.

Jointly hosted by the Department of Industry & Economy, Government of Fujairah and Port of Fujairah, with the support of Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, FUJCON is rapidly gathering momentum with key speakers from the leading oil and bunker companies.

Following a record oil handling year in 2022, Fujairah will see new storage projects kick-off during 2023 with current storage capacity standing at 11.1 million cbm. The investments will further strengthen its position as one of the Middle East's largest storage, trading and bunkering hubs, which saw close to 12,500 vessels calling at the Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area in 2022.

Furthermore, the port will commission its new dry bulk export facility in Dibba, adding an initial 18m ton of aggregate handling capacity. The Etihad Rail project will complete its connection inside the Port of Fujairah and link Fujairah with other key economic zones in the United Arab Emirates for the movement of containers and general cargo.

The UAE Energy & Infrastructure Minister, His Excellency Eng. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, will deliver a ministerial address on the opening day of the forum on March 14, 2023. Following the ministerial address, other eminent thought leaders will also provide state of the industry addresses, including:

Dave Ernsberger , Head of Market Reporting & Trading Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights, is to deliver the State of the Marine Fuel Alternatives

, Head of Market Reporting & Trading Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights, is to deliver the Tyler Baron , CEO, Minerva Bunkering will deliver the State of the Bunkering Outlook

Through presentations and roundtable discussions, key decision makers, thought leaders and marine experts will share their views, analysis and insights on the global bunker and fuel oil market developments, as well as challenges and steps to be taken by the marine industry in facing the future fuels development.

Under the theme "The Maritime Energy Transition and Future Fuels", the two-day forum will provide a packed agenda featuring seven sessions. Speakers will also explore the energy transition and carbon reduction requirements, which are forcing a paradigm shift in the maritime industry and affecting the bunkering and fuel oil sectors.

The debate and discussion on the first day, March 14, will cover a range of topics, including: decarbonization and the role of finance in the shipping industry; market developments and Fujairah's future fuel options from the supply, operational, environmental and economic perspectives; fuel oil trade flows and pricing trends; as well as operational challenges and technological developments.

On the second day, March 15, speakers will continue to interact with topics, including: global carbon tax or State vs IMO regulations; contract terms and rules on carbon neutral cargoes; role of LNG in the decarbonization pathway; decarbonization options for maritime operations; demand for biofuels and methanol supplies; as well as terminal infrastructure changes to handle storage of alternative fuels. The forum will be closed with offshore site visit to the Port of Fujairah.

Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, Chairman, FUJCON Steering Committee commented: "The hosting of the much anticipated in-person FUJCON 2023 affirms the commitment of the Department of Industry & Economy, Government of Fujairah, and the Port of Fujairah as hosts, to provide a meeting ground for important dialogue, deliberation and discussion. These have been the distinguishing features of FUJCON since its inception and it continues to provide a fitting stage for a world class event on the international bunkering community's annual calendar. The Forum will integrate both industry leaders and practitioners, delivering high level content, industry know-how and technical insights to stakeholders and participants, who will once again engage and network face-to face."

FUJCON 2023 has received support and sponsorship from leading marine and bunkering brands including platinum sponsor Peninsula, corporate sponsors ADNOC Logistics & Services, ARIA COMMODITIES, Axiom Global, Fujairah Oil Terminal, GPS Chemoil, Montfort, Sinopec Fuel Oil, Vopak Horizon Fujairah, VTTI, and VPS as well as function hosts Port of Fujairah, National Bank of Fujairah, Intertek and AKRON. The 2023 event is also supported by BIMCO, INTERTANKO, IBIA and Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

For more information about FUJCON 2023, please visit www.fujcon.com

About S&P Global Commodity Insights

At S&P Global Commodity Insights, our complete view of global energy and commodity markets enables our customers to make decisions with conviction and create long-term, sustainable value.

We're a trusted connector that brings together thought leaders, market participants, governments, and regulators and we create solutions that lead to progress. Vital to navigating commodity markets, our coverage includes oil and gas, power, chemicals, metals, agriculture, shipping and energy transition. Platts products and services, including the most signicant benchmark price assessments in the physical commodity markets, are offered through S&P Global Commodity Insights.

S&P Global Commodity Insights is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help many of the world's leading organizations navigate the economic landscape so they can plan for tomorrow, today. For more information visit https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights.

Media Contacts:

S&P Global Commodity Insights:

EMEA: Paul Sandell + 44 (0)7816 180039, [email protected]

Americas: Kathleen Tanzy + 1 917-331-4607, [email protected]

Asia: Melissa Tan + 65-6597-6241, [email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global Commodity Insights
WAUKESHA, Wis., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Surfacide , the industry leader in UV-C disinfection technology, today announced that it is expanding the use of Surfacide's best-in-class Helios low-level UV-C Disinfection System across all 10 hospitals in the MedStar Health system located in the Mid-Atlantic. With a renewed focus on disinfection within the operating room, the expansion allows MedStar Health to upgrade some of its existing Surfacide technology as well as deploy several new devices, making the Helios System even more accessible to patients, staff and guests.

The Surfacide Helios system is the only patented, low-level UV-C disinfection solution to use a trio of light emitting 'robots' simultaneously, significantly reducing bacteria and virus on colonized surfaces The Helios system provides UV-C energy to more exposed areas than single devices-boosting power, dosage and efficacy in a single cycle

Since 2016, Surfacide has worked strategically with MedStar Health to successfully implement UV-C disinfection to help reduce the environment as a variable when it comes to infection prevention protocols. Surfacide is a critical component to the "5 Pillars of Safety in Healthcare" , which is a CompassOne Healthcare philosophy.

The Surfacide Helios system is the only patented, low-level UV-C disinfection solution to use a trio of light emitting 'robots' simultaneously, significantly reducing bacteria and viruses on colonized surfaces. The Helios system provides UV-C energy to more exposed areas than single devicesboosting power, dosage and efficacy in a single cycle. The system can be easily moved and configured within different high-impact areas of a hospital such as patient rooms, patient bathrooms, ORs, outpatient/ambulatory surgery, burn units, labor & delivery, isolation rooms, etc.

"With the expansion and renewed focus on a robust UV-C disinfection program, MedStar Health continues to demonstrate leadership and commitment to their patients, staff and community," said Gunner Lyslo, Founder and CEO of Surfacide. "We are thankful to work with such a tremendous partner and are confident that these strategies will positively impact patient and staff satisfaction."

About Surfacide

Founded in 2010, Surfacide is a UV technology and infection solutions company producing scientifically proven, hospital-grade UV devices. Surfacide's award-winning Helios System is the world's only patented, triple emitter 'robotic' UV light solution to rapidly reduce bioburden and pathogens. A trusted partner in infection prevention, Surfacide has been deployed in over 600 leading hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices, fire stations, prisons, police stations, commercial office spaces, hotels and public venues worldwide. Surfacide LLC is proud to be American-made and manufactured in Waukesha, WI. Visit the Surfacide website to learn more or contact one of our professional support specialists at (844)-390-3538.

Media Contacts:

Alexandra Skillman / Gina Doctor

Type A Marketing

[email protected]

415-342-6425

SOURCE Surfacide
MANNEDORF, Switzerland, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swarovski names David Wielemans new Chief Financial Officer as of April 2023. David Wielemans will also become new member of Swarovski's Executive Committee and will report to Chief Executive Officer Alexis Nasard. Mr. Wielemans will be based in Mannedorf, Switzerland. In this role, Mr. Wielemans is replacing Mr. Frederik Westring, currently CFO ad interim, who will leave Swarovski at the end of June to pursue other interests. Until then, Mr. Westring will continue leading special projects, reporting to the CEO, Alexis Nasard.

Swarovski's new Chief Financial Officer, David Wielemans

This appointment is a further step in the transformation of the company and represents another phase of Swarovski's luxurization journey.

David Wielemans is a senior financial executive with rich luxury and retail experience, with deep subject matter financial expertise. He joins from Essilor/Luxottica where his last role was the Co-CFO for the EssilorLuxottica Group as well as the Group CFO for Essilor International.

David Wielemans holds a Master of Finance and Accounting (DECF) degree from CNAM Paris (Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers)

Alexis Nasard, CEO, says "I am pleased to announce the appointment of this well- rounded and experienced leader. The breadth and depth of his expertise aligns perfectly with Swarovski's LUXignite strategy and will be a key asset as we continue our luxurization journey toward sustainable, profitable growth.

I, and everyone at Swarovski are deeply grateful for the contributions Frederik Westring brought to the Company over the past six years. He was a key player in shaping our new strategy, and in strengthening our results".

David Wielemans comments on his appointment, "I am delighted to join Swarovski. The combination of an iconic brand, fashion and retail expertise and a deep manufacturing savoir-faire makes Swarovski unique. I look forward to contributing to the success of LUXignite strategy and to anchoring robust financials together with Alexis and all Swarovski colleagues.

ABOUT SWAROVSKI

Masters of Light Since 1895

Swarovski creates beautiful crystal-based products of impeccable quality and craftsmanship that bring joy and celebrate individuality.

Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and sells the world's finest crystal, gemstones, Swarovski Created Diamonds and zirconia, jewelry, and accessories, as well as crystal objects and home accessories. Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,400 stores and 6,700 points of sales in around 140 countries and employs more than 18,000 people. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. A responsible relationship with people and the planet is part of Swarovski's heritage. Today this legacy is rooted in sustainability measures across the value chain, with an emphasis on circular innovation, championing diversity, inclusion and self-expression, and in the philanthropic work of the Swarovski Foundation, which supports charitable organizations bringing positive environmental and social impact.

SOURCE Swarovski
National homebuilder's program gives senior business leaders board experience to propel them onto future public board seats

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the importance of greater board diversity, national homebuilder and land developer Taylor Morrison (NYSE: TMHC) announced the creation of a first-of-its-kind board fellowship program. Designed to grant board training opportunities to under-represented diverse candidates, the fellowship begins with the appointment of two extremely talented diverse senior business leaders, Hannah Choi Granade and Michelle Sourie Robinson, who will participate in the Taylor Morrison board for a one-year term effective Feb. 15, 2023.

Hannah Choi Granade Michelle Sourie Robinson

The fellowship program is open to any interested and qualified professionals and will draw from a variety of organizations, including institutions which train women and diverse leaders to serve on corporate boards. The program will provide board experience to participants, which is expected to bolster their opportunities to secure a formal appointment as a director at other public companies while bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to Taylor Morrison's board. Although participants have no voting right, the fellows will attend all board and committee meetings and gain invaluable, real-world experience with a Fortune 500 company board.

"The old adage is that you need experience to get experience," said Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer. "Our fellowship program is intentional about giving highly accomplished business leaders who are underrepresented on boards today an opportunity that will prepare them for public company board leadership. I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Hannah and Michelle to our organization."

Former partner at McKinsey & Company and current CEO of a software company developing an artificial-intelligence-powered tax solution for gig workers, Hannah Choi Granade brings 20 years of financial experience advising global companies and creating innovating, technological solutions, and was even named one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company in 2012. Granade graduated with honors from Harvard University and received certificates from the Tuck School of Business and Cornell University.

"Homebuilding is an industry ripe for new technology and innovation, and Taylor Morrison's board is challenging the status quo in so many ways," said Choi Granade. "As a business leader whose career has been built on innovation, I'm excited to serve as an inaugural fellow in such a groundbreaking program."

Former corporate buyer and counsel for Walmart and, later, director at Home Depot responsible for the company's first supplier diversity department, Michelle Sourie Robinson is now president and CEO of the largest regional economic development certifying organization. Robinson's strong operational career has spanned business services, retail, procurement and supply chain, strategic planning, as well as non-profit leadership. Robinson holds a juris doctorate from the University of Kansas.

"I've dedicated my life and career to proving that greater diversity, equity and inclusion can spur innovation and solve business problems," said Robinson. "Understanding the complexities of today's supply chain from my experience with major corporations and entrepreneurs, I'm excited to join a board that oversees a product drawing upon the nation's supply-chain in the most intensive way."

Taylor Morrison's eight-member board of directors currently boasts an even male-to-female ratio and has a majority of diverse directors as measured by gender and racial ethnicity, demonstrating the company's long-held dedication to board diversity. The company also recently adopted a policy to include diverse individuals in any candidate pool when conducting a search to fill vacant board seats, which provides the added benefit of ensuring diverse candidates are recruited.

"To help further magnify the program's impact, Taylor Morrison is also in the process of sharing the structure of the fellowship with other public companies to assist them in creating greater board diversity," added Palmer.

About Taylor Morrison

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation's leading homebuilders and developers. We serve a wide array of consumers from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under our family of brandsincluding Taylor Morrison, Esplanade, Darling Homes Collection by Taylor Morrison and Yardly. From 2016-2023, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America's Most Trusted Builder by Lifestory Research. Our strong commitment to sustainability, our communities, and our team is highlighted in our latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report on our website.

For more information about Taylor Morrison, please visit www.taylormorrison.com.

CONTACT: Erin Kristick

(480) 840-8108

[email protected]

SOURCE Taylor Morrison
First Student School Bus Workers Demand Fair Contract with Secure Retirement

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 251 members employed by First Student held an informational picket outside of the Providence Public School District (PPSD) board meeting on Wednesday to educate the public about the possibility of a strike affecting student transportation throughout the city.

Teamster school bus and van drivers could strike if First Student, the transportation contractor for PPSD, continues to refuse them a fair contract, including a secure retirement.

"Providence Teamsters deliver our most precious cargo, and they deserve to be treated fairly in a job that can and should be a career. First Student claims to be an industry leader, but they can't be if they deny Teamsters respect and a fair contract," said Matt Taibi, Local 251 Secretary-Treasurer and Teamsters Eastern Region Vice President.

"We took a strike vote a few weeks ago, and we are willing to strike, but we'd much rather have a fair contract agreed on at the bargaining table," said Jean Auguste, a First Student Providence driver. "The company already makes 401(k) contributions, so the cost is the same; it's just a matter of what the money goes toward. We're encouraging parents throughout Providence to reach out to their elected officials and demand that First Student give us a fair contract."

"Every other school district employee in the City of Providence already has a defined benefit pension (DBPS), as do countless other workers in the region who are employed by either a government entity or a company that contracts with one. DBPs go a long way toward addressing the employee retention issues that are currently plaguing the student transportation industry," said Taibi, in a letter to the PPSD school board and superintendent; Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green; and Gov. Dan McKee.

Teamster drivers at First Student have shown their consistent commitment to their community. In September, Teamsters were prepared to answer the call to assist with high school student transportation service issues the city was facing.

Teamsters Local 251 represents over 6,300 workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. For more information, go to teamsterslocal251.org/.

Contact:

Matt Taibi, (401) 434-0454

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 251
SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 399 members rallied with hundreds of film industry workers at the state capitol in Santa Fe today in support of Senate Bill 12. The proposed legislation would revamp the tax incentive program for the state's film and TV industry, expanding the current program to support good union jobs.

Teamsters were joined by IATSE and SAG-AFTRA members in urging legislators to support Senate Bill 12 by highlighting the significant impact the legislation would have on New Mexico families and the state's economy.

"My entire life has changed because I had the opportunity to work in the New Mexico film industry. To go from living paycheck to paycheck to having a career as a Teamster in this industry has allowed me to provide for my family and prepare for retirement," said Mary Borg, a 17-year transportation driver/dispatcher and Local 399 member. "We bring incredibly unique skills to this industry. I am proud to call New Mexico home and share my support for an expanded program."

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, union leaders, legislators, studio representatives, and the New Mexico Film Office also voiced their support for Senate Bill 12 and called for the expansion of the tax incentive program. Governor Lujan Grisham is a fierce advocate for the film and television tax incentive program and has worked closely with labor unions to ensure the legislation received input from workers.

"The Teamsters support tax incentive programs that prioritize workers in the motion picture industry," said Lindsay Dougherty, Local 399 Secretary-Treasurer and Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division Director. "Our members in New Mexico work hard and have built careers in this industry. Their lives are better for it. The Teamsters are committed to continuing training opportunities in New Mexico and urge state legislators to protect and expand this program. We commend those who have already voiced their support."

"I've worked in the New Mexico film industry for over 10 years as a driver, grip, prop maker, picture car mechanic, and in other roles," said Marc Terrien, a Local 399 driver who helped coordinate the camera car at the event. "This is a phenomenal career, one I want to retire in. We can't get complacent about the fight. We must stay competitive to keep good jobs here. We are all proud of the work we do and our contribution to the state's economy."

Senate Bill 12 will be heard in first committee tomorrow and, upon passage, land on Governor Lujan Grisham's desk for approval at the end of session in late March.

Teamsters Local 399 represents nearly 6,400 members in the motion picture industry in Hollywood and New Mexico, including drivers, animal trainers/handlers, wranglers, dispatchers, DOT admins, location professionals, casting professionals, chef assistants, mechanics, auto service workers, and warehouse workers.

Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 399
The illegal blockade of Lachin corridor led to a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, and the humanitarian crisis deteriorated further as a result of the energy blockade, and simultaneously an environmental crisis is happening, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said.

February 16, 2023, 11:36 Warning on genocide threat against Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh must become dire across the world with every day  Pashinyan

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 16, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Yesterday, on the 66th day of the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor, Azerbaijan restored natural gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh, only to cut it off again two hours later. The last time Azerbaijan shut down the natural gas supply pipeline of Nagorno Karabakh was on February 7, which it had opened on January 29. Electrical energy supply into Nagorno Karabakh is blocked since January 9, 2023. The illegal blockade of Lachin corridor led to a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, and the humanitarian crisis deteriorated further as a result of the energy blockade, and simultaneously an environmental crisis is happening because in order to heat their apartments the population of Nagorno Karabakh is forced to use wood, for which forests are logged. This is an undisputed proof exposing the made up environmental motives of the blockade of Lachin corridor, and that the actions of Azerbaijan have one goal  to complete their policy of subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, PM Pashinyan said. He added that if so far the international community was treating this claim by Armenia skeptically, then now this is becoming more and more obvious.

PM Pashinyan noted that it is no coincidence that in the past three months the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issued three statements on the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor and the rhetoric of the Azerbaijani leadership.

In one of these statements, published on January 18, 2023, the Lemkin Institute asked world leaders to treat the threat of genocide facing the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh seriously. This warning must become dire with every day across the world and the efforts made in this direction must be continual, the PM concluded.
NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the technical textiles market size in Europe is estimated to grow by USD 8.5 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.54% during the forecast period. The report includes historic market data from 2017 to 2021. In 2017, the market was valued at USD 28.89 billion.

For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Europe Technical Textiles Market 2023-2027

Technical textiles market in Europe - Five Forces

The technical textiles market in Europe is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Bargaining power of buyers

The threat of new entrants

Threat of rivalry

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of substitutes

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Technical textiles market in Europe  Customer Landscape

The report includes the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.

Technical textiles market in Europe - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on applications (Mobiltech, Indutech, Sporttech, Buildtech, and Others) and products (Woven, Composites, and Nonwoven).

The mobiltech segment will account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast period. Mobiltech has the most vibrant and promising market share in the vehicle industry. It is a growing field for the practical application of technological fabrics. The automotive industry is the sole consumer of technical textiles, accounting for approximately 1.5 million tonnes per year. The majority of mobile's market share is determined by five automotive applications, namely, tires, carpets, seat bolsters, seat belts, and airbags. Technical textile manufacturers are now using more natural fibers, recycled fibers, and composite textile materials for various applications in automobiles. Lighter items made from composite textile materials have increased fuel efficiency in vehicles. They have also increased manufacturers' production while also making automobiles more environment-friendly and sustainable. Thus, owing to such factors the segment is expected to grow during the forecast period.

Download a Sample Report

Technical textiles market in Europe  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The growing demand in the healthcare industry is notably driving market growth .

is notably driving market growth In the healthcare industry the combination of advanced textile technology and medical sciences has resulted in the creation of a new field known as medical textiles. Medical textiles are intended to eliminate pain and discomfort.

Textile products for medical applications include fibers, yarns, woven, knitted, nonwoven, PTFE felts, and mesh, among other things. With the development of new types of textile fibers and manufacturing technologies for yarns and fabrics, new areas of application for medical textiles have been identified. experienced by patients and allow them to be comfortable.

Bedsheets, furniture, healthcare upholstery, filtration and abrasive materials, thermal protection and blood-absorbing materials, belts, adhesive tapes, and other specialized products and applications are all examples of technical textiles used in the healthcare sector.

In other words, technical textiles in this industry are more concerned with specific functional requirements than with aesthetics and comfort. All of these factors are likely to fuel the demand for technical textiles thereby boosting the regional market growth during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

The emergence of new technology is an emerging trend in the market .

is an emerging trend in the market In the textile industry, technological advancements have resulted in new business models and opportunities for textile manufacturing companies.

Furthermore, material-related innovations have resulted in the introduction of intriguing new solutions, such as the use of waste from citrus peels, milk, pineapple, and coffee grounds to produce new materials for manufacturing apparel.

Moreover, many textile companies outsource their R&D activities, which has led to the fragmentation of the innovation process (with a focus on ad-hoc rather than continuous initiatives), thereby driving the demand in the technical textile market. Hence, advances in technology will boost market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges hindering market growth

The rising sustainability concerns and varying environment-related mandates are major challenges impeding market growth .

are major challenges impeding market growth Sustainability and transparency are becoming important priorities in the European textile sector, reflecting growing consumer and business concerns about how to mitigate their negative impact on the environment.

Textile production has historically been one of the most polluting industrial sectors. It accounts for about one-fifth of all industrial water pollution worldwide.

The textile industry makes extensive use of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. Many harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals and formaldehyde, are released into water streams and soil, while toxic gases, such as suspended particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, are released into the atmosphere.

Moreover, the pollution from textile manufacturing units worldwide, including those dealing with textile polymers, auxiliaries, and dyes, has caused unimaginable harm to the environment. Thus, the severe environmental impact of technical textiles will hinder the growth of the market in Europe during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, 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 technical textiles market in Europe report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the technical textiles market in Europe between 2023 and 2027

between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the technical textiles market in Europe size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent 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 technical textiles market in Europe .

. A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of technical textiles market vendors in Europe

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Related Reports:

The technical textiles market size is expected to increase to USD 59.78 billion from 2022 to 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.92 % . This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (Mobiltech, Indutech, Sporttech, Buildtech, and others), product type (woven, composites, and nonwoven), and geography (APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa ).

size is expected to increase to billion from 2022 to 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.92 . This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (Mobiltech, Indutech, Sporttech, Buildtech, and others), product type (woven, composites, and nonwoven), and geography (APAC, , , , and and ). The size of the medical textiles market is expected to increase by USD 6,097.14 million from 2022 to 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.92%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by product (woven medical textiles, non-woven medical textiles, and knitted textiles), application (surgical, healthcare and hygiene products, and extracorporeal), and geography (APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa ).

Technical Textiles Market Scope In Europe Report Coverage Details Page number 164 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.54% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 8.5 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.19 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Arville Textiles Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corp., Baltex, Beaulieu Technical Textiles, Carvico Spa, Fothergill Group, Freudenberg SE, Huntsman Corp., JAMES DEWHURST, JUTA a.s, Kimberly Clark Corp., MEHLER ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GMBH, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Palmhive Technical Textiles Ltd., Sidogras S.A., Statex Production and Sales GmbH, TECH FAB Europe e.V., Tirotex Textile Co., Toray Industries Inc., and Willy Hermann SUPERFINE GmbH and Co KG 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, 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 Country Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



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 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on European Union (EU) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Regional - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 16: Chart on European Union (EU): Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Regional - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Technical textiles market in EU 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Technical textiles market in EU 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.4 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 22: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 23: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 24: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 25: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 26: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 27: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 28: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 29: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 31: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Comparison by Application

6.3 Mobiltech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 33: Chart on Mobiltech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Mobiltech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Mobiltech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Mobiltech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Indutech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 37: Chart on Indutech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Indutech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Chart on Indutech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Indutech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Sporttech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 41: Chart on Sporttech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Sporttech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: Chart on Sporttech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Sporttech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Buildtech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 45: Chart on Buildtech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Buildtech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 47: Chart on Buildtech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Buildtech - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 49: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 51: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.8 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 53: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Product

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 54: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 56: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Comparison by Product

7.3 Woven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 58: Chart on Woven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Woven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 60: Chart on Woven - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Woven - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Composites - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 62: Chart on Composites - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Composites - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 64: Chart on Composites - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Composites - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Nonwoven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 66: Chart on Nonwoven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Nonwoven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 68: Chart on Nonwoven - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Nonwoven - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 70: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 71: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 72: Chart on Market share by geography - 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on Market share by geography - 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 74: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 75: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 80: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 82: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 84: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 88: Chart on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 90: Chart on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Rest of EU - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 92: Chart on Rest of EU - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 93: Data Table on Rest of EU - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 94: Chart on Rest of EU - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 95: Data Table on Rest of EU - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 96: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 97: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 98: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 99: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 100: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 101: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 102: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Arville Textiles Ltd.

Exhibit 103: Arville Textiles Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 104: Arville Textiles Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 105: Arville Textiles Ltd. - Key offerings

12.4 Asahi Kasei Corp.

Exhibit 106: Asahi Kasei Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 107: Asahi Kasei Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 108: Asahi Kasei Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 109: Asahi Kasei Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 110: Asahi Kasei Corp. - Segment focus

12.5 Baltex

Exhibit 111: Baltex - Overview



Exhibit 112: Baltex - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: Baltex - Key offerings

12.6 Beaulieu Technical Textiles

Exhibit 114: Beaulieu Technical Textiles - Overview



Exhibit 115: Beaulieu Technical Textiles - Product / Service



Exhibit 116: Beaulieu Technical Textiles - Key offerings

12.7 Carvico Spa

Exhibit 117: Carvico Spa - Overview



Exhibit 118: Carvico Spa - Product / Service



Exhibit 119: Carvico Spa - Key offerings

12.8 Freudenberg SE

Exhibit 120: Freudenberg SE - Overview



Exhibit 121: Freudenberg SE - Business segments



Exhibit 122: Freudenberg SE - Key news



Exhibit 123: Freudenberg SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: Freudenberg SE - Segment focus

12.9 Huntsman Corp.

Exhibit 125: Huntsman Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 126: Huntsman Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 127: Huntsman Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 128: Huntsman Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: Huntsman Corp. - Segment focus

12.10 JUTA a.s

Exhibit 130: JUTA a.s - Overview



Exhibit 131: JUTA a.s - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: JUTA a.s - Key offerings

12.11 Kimberly Clark Corp.

Exhibit 133: Kimberly Clark Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Kimberly Clark Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Kimberly Clark Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 136: Kimberly Clark Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 137: Kimberly Clark Corp. - Segment focus

12.12 MEHLER ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GMBH

Exhibit 138: MEHLER ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GMBH - Overview



Exhibit 139: MEHLER ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GMBH - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: MEHLER ENGINEERED PRODUCTS GMBH - Key offerings

12.13 Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

Exhibit 141: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 142: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Mitsui Chemicals Inc. - Segment focus

12.14 Palmhive Technical Textiles Ltd.

Exhibit 145: Palmhive Technical Textiles Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 146: Palmhive Technical Textiles Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 147: Palmhive Technical Textiles Ltd. - Key offerings

12.15 TECH FAB Europe e.V.

Exhibit 148: TECH FAB Europe e.V. - Overview



Exhibit 149: TECH FAB Europe e.V. - Product / Service



Exhibit 150: TECH FAB Europe e.V. - Key offerings

12.16 Tirotex Textile Co.

Exhibit 151: Tirotex Textile Co. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Tirotex Textile Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Tirotex Textile Co. - Key offerings

12.17 Toray Industries Inc.

Exhibit 154: Toray Industries Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 155: Toray Industries Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: Toray Industries Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 157: Toray Industries Inc. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 158: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 159: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 160: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 161: Research methodology



Exhibit 162: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 163: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 164: 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.

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
ZUG, Switzerland, COPENHAGEN and AARHUS, Denmark, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordium contributes to part of the solution in the Danish state owned transmission company Energinet's new platform where blockchain technology must guarantee the credibility of Energinet's green energy certificates.

The central element of the solution is energy certificates, which on a granular level link the production of energy with consumption. In the collaboration, a registration method for power production and power consumption has been developed, which for the first time makes it possible for companies to document exactly how much of their power consumption comes from green power and with timestamps.

Lone Fnss Schrder, CEO of Concordium, says: "Energinet is a pioneer in the field of registering green energy, and Concordium's blockchain is suitable for creating transparency and the verification of green energy. Energinet and the many consuming companies can now document their green energy consumption in their environmental reports and CO2 calculations and thus ensure against "greenwashing." Our decentralized blockchain technology creates credibility and measurability for the production and consumption of green power, which is important for the entire energy sector and society as a whole."

The solution can scale to other transmission providers.

Blockchain is part of the solution in the green transition

The decentralized nature of blockchain technology ensures that certificates cannot be tampered once issued. You can thus verify the certificates and trust their validity without being dependent on individual players in the ecosystem, which allows for real interoperability between all participants in an ecosystem.

With the requirement that granular certificates can be issued at short intervals, the solution is designed to handle a very large number of transactions. The platform therefore groups transactions via blockchain technology in so-called Merkle trees, which makes it possible to document the correctness of billions of registrations, but with a limited number of registrations on the Concordium blockchain. This makes the solution cheap to operate.

Although the solution allows for public verification of energy certificates, detailed usage or production information is treated confidentially in the certificates. Consumers and producers thus have control over this data themselves, and can publish it at their own discretion, for commercial or legislative reasons, but the data remains immutable.

The collaboration between Energinet and Concordium is an important step forward for Denmark's sustainable development as similar solutions can be adopted outside of the partnership and scaled to global transmission systems, representing a solid indication of blockchain technology's potential to drive positive global change.

CONTACT:

Marketing team

[email protected]

SOURCE Concordium
Award Recognizes Levy and The Fragrance Foundation for Leadership in Advancing Industry DEI and Signifies the Launch of a Comprehensive Initiative in Partnership with the New York Urban League

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation (TFF), was honored with the New York Urban League's first-ever Catalyst Award for her leadership in advancing DEI in the multi-billion-dollar fragrance industry. Some 250 leaders from the fragrance industry, multiple business sectors and the civic community came out in force to celebrate Levy at the New York Urban League's 2023 Champions of Diversity Symposium and Awards event. Levy spearheads #FragranceForwardTFF, The Fragrance Foundation's sweeping DEI initiative to provide real-time opportunities for people of all backgrounds, and to ensure that the industry reflects, embraces, and includes everyone, equitably, in the U.S. Photo highlights from the event can be found here.

Linda G. Levy portrait by Michael Avedon

The occasion also marked the launch of a new, comprehensive partnership between the New York Urban League (NYUL) and The Fragrance Foundation. The Fragrance Foundation Catalyst Initiative will benefit NYUL's Diversity Lab and provide training, career development, mentorship, and job opportunities for professionals of color interested in careers in the fragrance industry. The initiative is supported by all 200 TFF member companies in a focused effort, including Fragrance Houses, Brands, Retailers and related businesses.

"I am honored to receive the inaugural Catalyst Award from the New York Urban League on behalf of The Fragrance Foundation and community," says Linda G Levy. "It is not only about the Award itself, but what it symbolizes: our long-term commitment to ensuring that the entire industry reflects all people. We are 100 percent committed to providing opportunities and building a sustainable platform to meet the interests of those served by the New York Urban League, its innovative Diversity Lab and the lasting impact our combined efforts are designed to have."

As one of the nation's oldest civil rights organizations, the New York Urban League is dedicated to the empowerment of New York's BIPOC communities through economic empowerment, career development, job training, education, mentorship and health advocacy. "New York Urban League is proud to present our 2023 Champions of Diversity with Linda G. Levy as our very first Catalyst Award winner," says Arva R. Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League. "Linda and The Fragrance Foundation are at the forefront of taking the action and steps to diversify the industry in a bold new way."

Jerry Vittoria, TFF's Board Chairman and President, Fine Fragrance Worldwide, Firmenich participated in the awards presentation to Levy, stating, "Linda has always been a catalyst of change, a catalyst of courage and a catalyst of doing the right thing. She puts DEI at the forefront of all TFF activities and is dedicated to bringing people together and opening the door for the exciting possibilities that the fragrance industry offers."

Hosted by Arva Rice, Emceed by WNBC-TV anchor David Ushery and Chaired by Helen C. Shelton, Global Chief Diversity Officer at FINN Partners and NYUL Board Member, Champions offered an insightful forum where leaders gathered to share best practices and to celebrate those who are making a tangible impact. Those paying tribute to Levy and her impact as an authentic DEI leader include Fragrance Society Founder Tiff Benson; Tricia Butler, President, Givenchy and Kenzo, North America, LVMH; Chris Collins, Founder World of Chris Collins; Ann Gottlieb, President, Anne Gottlieb Associates; Sharne Jackson, Executive Director, TFF; Nicole Monson, Senior Vice President, Estee Lauder Companies; Giancarlo Perez and Bernardo Moller, founders, House of Bo; Linda Song, senior perfumer, Givaudan; and, Jerry Vittoria. The full video tribute can be seen here .

About Linda G. Levy

As President of The Fragrance Foundation (TFF), Linda G. Levy with the TFF members has redefined the goals, objectives, and initiatives of this not-for-profit organization. She is very proud to lead the industry with an expanded membership, as well as the engagement of the fragrance community in the USA and beyond. One of the first of many changes was bringing Perfumers front and center as the creative force in all creative discussions and with consistent recognition. In addition, the membership has expanded to include not only the large corporations in the industry, but indie entrepreneurs in early stages, who are provided with guidance and mentorship. Under Ms. Levy's leadership, The Fragrance Foundation has emerged as a well-respected voice and catalyst in creating opportunities and access to the industry for historically excluded groups. Prior to joining The Fragrance Foundation as President over five years ago,

Linda held a variety of executive leadership roles in the fragrance and beauty industry at Macy's Inc, The Estee Lauder Companies, L'Oreal, Wella/Procter & Gamble, as well as consulting roles at Shiseido/BPI, Coty and more. Ms. Levy is also an impassioned champion of the creative minds behind the industry and is regularly called upon to comment on and identify industry business trends and consumer demographics. A graduate of Lehigh University, Ms. Levy resides in New York City with her husband.

About The Fragrance Foundation

The Fragrance Foundation is the premier resource for industry expertise, innovation, and education. United under the mission statement "to inspire the world to discover the artistry and passion of fragrance," The Fragrance Foundation is devoted to nurturing talent, engaging consumers and driving diversity, equity and inclusion. Through its signature initiative, #FragranceForwardTFF, The Fragrance Foundation is making the industry accessible, welcoming and diverse through the collective power of its 200+ members and an unwavering commitment. Follow The Fragrance Foundation on social media: @fragrancefoundation.

Contact:

Helen Shelton

FINN Partners for The Fragrance Foundation

[email protected]

917.327.4395

SOURCE The Fragrance Foundation
Leading VC-backed govtech company, Thentia, bolsters its c-suite with new CFO as it prepares to raise Its Series C

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Thentia Cloud, a category-leading government technology platform for regulators and state governments alike, has appointed Kevin Houston as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Houston will play a pivotal role in helping to navigate the company through its next stage of global growth, including a capital raise, earmarked to take place in the second half of this year.

Leading VC-backed govtech company, Thentia, bolsters its c-suite with new CFO as it prepares to raise Its Series C (CNW Group/Thentia Corporation)

Thentia has been rapidly increasing its penetration in the United States, where it has gained traction as a state-supported software vendor for regulatory licensing across nearly 50 per cent of the United States. Thentia Cloud, the company's full-service platform built exclusively for regulators, is revolutionizing the way regulatory boards and agencies manage their otherwise antiquated processes by digitizing and streamlining the core components for issuing and managing licenses and permits  among several other important functionalities.

In the UK and Ireland, where the platform has also been gaining traction, Thentia recently opened its first two European offices to service its customers where they are.

"I'm excited to be joining Thentia, a company I've long admired and that's poised for dramatic expansion," says Houston. "As we grow into other markets, I see a clear path to hitting 9-figures in recurring revenue and beyond and look forward to working for an organization with a strong culture and a visionary founder."

Prior to joining Thentia, Houston headed up finance at Founderpath, where he was responsible for reporting, forecasting, raising capital, financial operations, and underwriting. Before this, he spent three years underwriting credit facilities for Espresso Capital, and four years in corporate and investment banking roles at CIBC. Espresso Capital was an early investor in Thentia.

"Kevin has a deep understanding of SaaS business models that will be critical to helping us achieve our goals," says Thentia CEO, Julian Cardarelli. "That, combined with his knowledge of venture capital and venture debt, will be invaluable as we get ready to raise our Series C financing. We're thrilled to have Kevin join our executive team at this very exciting time for the company and know that he will be an invaluable asset to our business."

The news of Houston's appointment comes on the heels of several other recent announcements. In July 2022, Thentia joined the Google Cloud Partner Advantage program, helping to accelerate its offering into new markets while providing governmental procurement offices with an easy way to procure the software.

Houston is a CFA Charter-holder and earned his BBA in finance from Wilfrid Laurier University.

About Thentia

Thentia is a global company with teams operating in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada and is trusted by regulatory bodies and government agencies worldwide with more than 9 million active licensees across the globe using its platform. Thentia was developed by subject matter experts with a mission to transform government technology through best-in-class capabilities. Its secure, modern and elegant solution, Thentia Cloud, is revolutionizing the way regulatory bodies and government agencies protect the public by bringing the entire process into the 21st century with speed, automation, ease of use, and best-in-class support. Thentia's technology reduces risk of harm, helps to save lives and increases citizen engagement. For more information, visit thentia.com.

For inquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Kerri-Lynn Kilbey

Manager, Communications

E: [email protected]

T: (437) 703-1331

SOURCE Thentia Corporation
Industry-leading teams depart OneAmerica to join Totus Wealth Management amid continued growth

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group (Cetera), an at-scale wealth hub that offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support and services, announced today that three teams managing approximately $610 million in assets under administration, as of January 30, 2023, have joined Cetera Advisors via Totus Wealth Management (Totus). Christopher Matheson, President & CEO of The Strategy Partners, Todd Clarke, Managing Director of Ensign Financial Partners, and Thomas "Ryan" Leggett, CEO of Anchor Financial Group, have joined Totus from OneAmerica Securities.

"Changing firm affiliation is a big decision for any advisor, and we're honored that Christopher, Todd, and Thomas made the decision to join Totus and Cetera," said Jim Starnes, president and CEO of Totus. "With Cetera's high-touch marketing resources and technology, our team serves more clients across a wide geographic footprint. We are excited to work together with these top advisors and their teams in growing their businesses and helping clients achieve their goals."

"As advisors across the industry continue to embrace the benefits of independence, we are thrilled to welcome these teams to Cetera and Totus," said John Pierce, Cetera's head of business development. "Our technology and growth resources will empower these advisors with the independence to best serve their clients and the tools to launch an expansive new chapter in their businesses. Advisors who affiliate with Cetera will never feel like just another number and we are confident these teams will thrive here for years to come."

Christopher Matheson * leads The Strategy Partners and joins Totus with $221 million in assets under administration through Cetera Advisors LLC, as of January 30, 2023 . Matheson offers full-service financial planning, insurance expertise, and business planning services. His distinct macroeconomic process helps clients understand financial concepts and dynamics, empowering them to build a personalized road map that balances growth potential with risk management.

* leads The Strategy Partners and joins Totus with in assets under administration through Cetera Advisors LLC, as of . Matheson offers full-service financial planning, insurance expertise, and business planning services. His distinct macroeconomic process helps clients understand financial concepts and dynamics, empowering them to build a personalized road map that balances growth potential with risk management. Todd Clarke * leads Ensign Financial Partners, a family office style firm that manages approximately $218 million in assets under administration through Cetera Advisors LLC, as of January 30, 2023 . Clarke's experience includes financial, tax, legal, and insurance planning. His team works with many small- to medium-sized businesses, with an emphasis on the dental field. Clarke is the founder of the "Giving Can Be Fun" foundation, which helps educate clients on the possibilities of charitable giving.

* leads Ensign Financial Partners, a family office style firm that manages approximately in assets under administration through Cetera Advisors LLC, as of . Clarke's experience includes financial, tax, legal, and insurance planning. His team works with many small- to medium-sized businesses, with an emphasis on the dental field. Clarke is the founder of the "Giving Can Be Fun" foundation, which helps educate clients on the possibilities of charitable giving. Thomas "Ryan" Leggett * is CEO of Anchor Financial Group and has $171 million in assets under administration through Cetera Advisors LLC, as of January 30, 2023 , and more than 12 years of experience as a financial advisor. His experience spans across portfolio management for individuals and businesses, wide-ranging financial planning services, and pension consulting services.

Since its affiliation with Cetera Advisors LLC in May 2021, Totus has consistently grown its assets and advisors. In September 2022, Burrows Capital Advisors, a $3 billion AUA team led by industry veteran Don Burrows, joined Totus from Hilltop.

Click here to learn more about Cetera Advisors and here to learn about Totus Wealth Management.

About Cetera Financial Group

An at-scale wealth hub, Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera instead creatively addresses advisors' and institutions' unique needs, whether they are seeking to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth.

Cetera's approach empowers advisors to affiliate in whichever way they deem most appropriate. During the professional life cycle of their practice, the Cetera wealth hub ensures each advisor's affiliation model identifies and ignites growth levers in a way that maximizes the value of their practice, people, and legacy. Cetera delivers holistic, unbiased financial planning and advice to Main Street investors, helping them achieve their version of financial wellbeing at all life stages. For financial professionals, Cetera provides growth and succession resources, an enhanced advisor tech stack and importantly, an experience where financial professionals don't feel like a number, but an integral part of Cetera's rich and thriving ecosystem.

Home to more than 8,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees approximately $322 billion in assets under administration and $115 billion in assets under management, as of December 31, 2022. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of more than 14,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Visit www.cetera.com , and follow Cetera on LinkedIn , YouTube , Twitter and Facebook .

"Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms are FINRA/SIPC members. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Individuals affiliated with Cetera firms are either Registered Representatives who offer only brokerage services and receive transaction-based compensation (commissions), Investment Adviser Representatives who offer only investment advisory services and receive fees based on assets, or both Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives, who can offer both types of services.

*Registered Representatives offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer and registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group
Trescon, the market leader of C-suite, future-tech, B2B events and conferences, announces its 7th year in the industry. This 7th anniversary marks new beginnings, numerous milestones, and a revitalized vision for Trescon.

BANGALORE, India, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trescon prides itself on its unwavering commitment to excellence in events, partnerships, and teamwork. This focus on achieving greatness has allowed Trescon to achieve numerous milestones and create unique, innovative events for its select audience each year. Over time, Trescon has evolved from a company that conceptualizes events to a formidable industry presence. Currently, Trescon produces 100+ events annually across 10+ countries in partnership with major organizations and government institutions worldwide. The organization is now synonymous with several global flagship events, including World AI Show, World Blockchain Summit, World Cloud Show, and World FinTech Show.

As with previous years, Trescon continues to lead the charge for change and embraces evolution as the cornerstone of its success. Through a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and a deep understanding of its audience's evolving needs, Trescon has solidified its position as a leader in its field. This year, Trescon has partnered with the Dubai government to present an unparalleled FinTech event, Dubai FinTech Summit, alongside other ground-breaking events. With this strategic collaboration, Trescon is poised to deliver an exceptional experience that will leave attendees with a newfound appreciation for the possibilities that lie ahead in the world of finance and technology.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the 7th year of our journey," said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman of Trescon. "Over the past seven years, we have built a reputation for creating high-quality, impactful events that enable our attendees to connect, learn, and grow. We couldn't have achieved this success without the support of our advisors, clients, partners, and team members, and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment."

As the company celebrates its latest anniversary, here's a look back at some of the milestones they've achieved:

This year the group has on-boarded a fresh new perspective with a change in leadership. Trescon welcomed Naveen Bharadwaj as its new group CEO to conceptualize and launch new business lines.

as its new group CEO to conceptualize and launch new business lines. Growth of the team with the inclusion of 150+ new members.

Collaboration with top industry players such as Deloitte, Alibaba Cloud , Intel, Amazon, Google Cloud, Visa, Binance and others.

, Intel, Amazon, Google Cloud, Visa, Binance and others. World FinTech Show providing a platform for companies to form partnerships and revolutionize the FinTech industry.

Playing a key role in strengthening Turkey - India trade relations through the IIFF (India International Furniture Fair) event.

- trade relations through the IIFF (India International Furniture Fair) event. Introduction of Dubai FinTech Summit under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai , Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance.

Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of , Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance. Diversification into emerging tech fields such as blockchain, fintech, metaverse, AI, data and cybersecurity.

Digital Acceleration Transformation Expo (DATE) to be the first-ever event to define 7 top tech innovations in an elaborated manner.

"Trescon's focus has always been on delivering value to their event attendees. From thought-provoking keynote speakers to interactive panel discussions, they strive to create an environment where their attendees can connect, learn, and grow. We look forward to collaborating with them to continue to deliver high-quality events in the years to come," added Mithun Shetty, Vice Chairman, Trescon.

What's ahead for Trescon;

Vision 2025 (TV25) Trescon's Vision2025 (TV25) aims to revolutionize the company's events strategy, and exploring new business opportunities. Through TV25, Trescon plans to grow its brand, penetrate new markets, and establish alternate revenue streams. This ambitious vision challenges the traditional events mind-set and focuses on evolving the company's overall approach to achieve long-term success.

To support the 2025 growth strategy, Trescon will be announcing a new advisory board of members, known as the Trescon Advisory Board (TAB), shortly. TAB will comprise of prominent industry leaders, and experts who will provide valuable insights and feedback to Trescon's management team, helping Trescon stay ahead of industry trends, enhance its service offerings, and maintain its competitive edge.

Trescon is expanding its market presence in Saudi Arabia , Europe , and North America . The company's expansion strategy is focused on delivering high-quality services to a broader audience and achieving its goal of becoming a leading business events and consulting firm.

, , and . The company's expansion strategy is focused on delivering high-quality services to a broader audience and achieving its goal of becoming a leading business events and consulting firm. Trescon recently made an investment in Demandify, a B2B Demand Generation and Media company. The investment will enable Trescon to leverage Demandify's expertise in generating leads and enhancing its media presence. Trescon aims to scale this investment and work closely with Demandify to provide its customers with effective marketing solutions.

With Vision 2025 underway and a new outlook, Trescon is truly a force to reckon with in the business events industry. This year, the company is determined to set an even higher benchmark, serving as a model for others to follow. The future is certainly shining bright for Trescon.

A note to Trescon's advisors:

On this special occasion, Trescon takes the opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to its advisors who have played a crucial role in the company's journey. The team of advisors have been instrumental in guiding the company's strategic decisions and shaping its vision for the future. They have shared their extensive knowledge and experience in various domains, which have helped the organization reach where it is today.

As Trescon celebrates its 7th anniversary, the company reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative and unique offerings. With the support of its advisors, Trescon is confident that it will continue to exceed its customers' expectations and reach new heights in the years to come.

About Trescon

Trescon is the world's fastest-growing business-to-business events, training, marketing and consulting company primarily focused on the adoption of sustainability, inclusive leadership and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, metaverse, cloud, fintech, data analytics and cybersecurity.

Our summits, conferences, and expos create real economic impact by connecting and empowering the key ecosystem of government organizations, regulators, policymakers, private sector companies, solution providers, startups, investors, accelerators, advisors, consultants, associations, academia and more.

Thought leadership, knowledge exchange, brand positioning, business expansion, market penetration, lead generation, finding solutions & services, capital raising, capacity building, training and networking are among the key objectives of our stakeholders.

With the help of our 250+ employees across offices in 6 countries, several of our clients have quadrupled their leads, shortened sales cycles by half or less, entered markets three times faster, closed deals within unimaginable timelines and grown their businesses ultimately.

Whether you are an organization or an individual, Trescon has something to offer you.

For media enquiries, contact:

Nupur Aswani,

Head  Media, PR & Corporate Communications,

Trescon

[email protected]com

+91 9555915156

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004227/Trescon_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Trescon
With decades of industry experience, TriNet Pharma's restructured management primes company for growth and optimizes recruiting processes

DALLAS, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet Pharma, a high-performing recruiting and talent consulting agency specializing in the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) space, is restructuring its senior management team with new leadership that provides diverse experience and pays tribute to the trailblazing spirit of their late founder and CEO Bryan Vaughan. After Vaughn's passing, principal investor and co-founder Terry Mulloy became CEO and now Mara Vaughan, who also founded the company with her late husband, will be joining the leadership team as President. Since its founding in 2009, TriNet Pharma has been a leader in talent consulting and recruiting services for life sciences companies worldwide. To continue that level of service for their clients, Terry and Mara have brought in industry recruiting veteran Elaine Peng as Senior Vice President to lead the company's innovative and proprietary recruitment solutions.

In addition to the strategically renovated leadership team, TriNet Pharma is recognizing Founder, Bryan Vaughan, for his valiant efforts in the industry, through a legacy grant in his name. Vaughan's contributions and dedication to the MSL space have made a significant and lasting impact on this industry and the mission of this grant is to inspire future industry innovation.

"We are grateful to honor the memory and aspirations of Bryan with the help of a legacy grant," TriNet Pharma Founder Mara Vaughan said. "His passion for TriNet Pharma came from his admiration and understanding of the important role that MSLs and medical affairs staff play in all of our lives. In turn, we are fueled by Bryan's passion to ignite TriNet Pharma's growth with a new leadership team with significant industry experience."

"2023 is a pivotal year for TriNet Pharma. With new leadership, we're excited to continue the expansion of our growth efforts throughout the globe, which would not have been possible without the incredible foundation that Bryan built," said Senior Vice President, Elaine Peng. "TriNet Pharma is rooted in its mission and values and will consistently work to pay tribute to the legacy that Bryan spent his life achieving."

TriNet Pharma is an outcome-based agency with a refined set of pre-marketing strategies for clients, which is a competitive differentiator that sets them apart from other life science recruiting agencies. TriNet Pharma believes relationships are the key to success and works to build partnerships with all of its clients. To learn more about TriNet Pharma, visit trinetpharma.com .

About TriNet Pharma

TriNet Pharma has been leading the recruiting industry since 2009, growing from a small family business focusing on Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to the second-largest firm in its industry. TriNet Pharma specializes in placing all types of medical affairs professionals for Life Sciences companies worldwide. It's known for helping the most successful life sciences companies form and enhance their medical affairs teams. With its team of highly skilled recruiters and marketing experts, TriNet Pharma sources, screens, and secures top industry talent through a variety of tailored recruitment solutions for pharma, biotech, device, and diagnostic development companies throughout the world. To learn more, visit trinetpharma.com .

SOURCE TriNet Pharma
HOUSTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- True the Vote issued this statement on the recusal of Judge Kenneth Hoyt from ongoing litigation with Konnech, an international election software provider, over alleged ties to China:

True the Vote filed a motion seeking the recusal of Judge Kenneth Hoyt in Konnech's litigation against True the Vote. That motion was GRANTED today. Recusals in federal court are rare, and this decision reflects the gravity of this matter. Judge Hoyt sought unbridled discovery in this case before the most basic elements were litigated and sent Catherine Englebrecht and Gregg Phillips to prison without bond, all in a civil matter. He was reversed and admonished by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

True the Vote Founder Catherine Englebrecht said, "Konnech has sought to deflect attention from their wrongdoing through litigation, and Judge Hoyt's removal from this matter is a big step forward in unwinding the truth of Konnech's role in U.S. elections and elections around the world."

As has become clear in recent weeks, Chinese incursions into all elements of American society is growing, and our elections are no exception. True the Vote looks forward to a full public conversation about the issues of election security raised in this important case.

SOURCE True The Vote
OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions, one of the largest healthcare talent ecosystems, is proud to announce that Craig Meier, Chief Executive Officer, and Adam Francis, President of HOST Healthcare, a Medical Solutions brand, have been named to the 2023 North American Staffing 100 List by Staffing Industry Analysts.

The Staffing Industry Analysts' North American Staffing 100 List recognizes leaders whose impact on the workforce ecosystem elevates and evolves the industry. The list is not a ranking, but simply an aggregation of the 100 individuals who have influenced the world of staffing. Those on the list include entrepreneurs, CEOs of large staffing companies, and those who have had a major impact or influence through mergers and acquisitions or legislative change.

Between July and November 2022, Meier led the acquisition of Matchwell and HOST Healthcare. Francis joined Medical Solutions through the HOST Healthcare acquisition and now serves as the brand's President. While the acquired companies will continue to operate independently, the combination of all three organizations provides a holistic workforce solution to meet the current and growing needs of healthcare facility clients.

"Medical Solutions' goal is to create the healthcare talent ecosystem that delivers great patient outcomes while enriching the lives of people who provide care," said Meier. "Throughout Medical Solutions' history, we have focused on connecting care to create better outcomes for the patients that our clients and clinicians serve."

"Since joining the Medical Solutions' family of brands, HOST Healthcare is part of one of the largest healthcare talent ecosystems," said Francis. "Together, we are positively improving the healthcare staffing industry for all."

Meier credits his recognition to the drive his employees show every day in their work, as well as the company's welcoming and inclusive environment for internal and external employees, which he believes is the "secret sauce" of any successful company. As each employee feels empowered to be a leader in their own role and work collaboratively with others, Medical Solutions is able to provide the best possible support to traveling clinicians and healthcare facility clients, which in turn, improves patient outcomes.

Under Meier's leadership, Medical Solutions has become the third largest healthcare staffing firm in the United States according to Staffing Industry Analysts' yearly Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S. report. Since 2019, Medical Solutions has more than doubled its annual revenue and greatly expanded its workforce and footprint across the country. The company has expanded to nine office locations and offers in-office and remote work options for over 2,500 internal employees.

Meier has nearly 30 years of experience in sales and management, and over 20 years in healthcare staffing. Appointed CEO in 2014, he has previously served Medical Solutions in various roles, including COO, President, and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He has previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (serving as Vice President and President during his tenure), the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Lasting Hope Recovery Center, and Rabble Mill.

Francis founded HOST Healthcare in 2012 as a nationwide healthcare staffing company for registered nurses and therapy professionals. Between 2019 and 2022, HOST's revenue grew 1,500%, leading to its acquisition by Medical Solutions in 2022. Under Francis' leadership, HOST Healthcare has been awarded "Best Places to Work in San Diego" by San Diego Business Journal three times, "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare three times, and as one of "The 346 Best Places to Work in 2019" by Inc. Magazine. Francis is active in San Diego's business community and involved in multiple nonprofit organizations.

ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Medical Solutions specializes in placing quality nurses, allied healthcare professionals, and interim clinical leaders in contingent as well as permanent, local, and per diem positions for hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities throughout the U.S. The company's workforce solutions include a managed services program, which offers hospitals and healthcare systems a streamlined approach to contingent workforce processes, helping facilities gain efficiencies, control labor costs, and enhance patient care standards. Medical Solutions is headquartered in Omaha, Neb., with company locations in San Diego, Cincinnati, Denver, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tupelo, and Durham. In 2018, the company acquired PPR Talent Management Group in Jacksonville, Fla., and in 2019, acquired Omaha-based C&A Industries, parent company to workforce solution firms Aureus Medical Group and FocusOne Solutions. In 2022, Medical Solutions acquired Matchwell; its business model of subscription-based, per diem, and local services expanded Medical Solutions' portfolio of service offerings into the per diem and local markets to further bolster the company's total workforce solutions ecosystem model. Additionally, Medical Solutions acquired Host Healthcare in 2022, further expanding expanding Medical Solutions' travel nurse and therapist offerings. Medical Solutions was one of the first travel nursing and allied healthcare staffing companies to be certified by the Joint Commission and has been continuously certified since January 2005. For more information, visit medicalsolutions.com.

SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC
Unihertz, one of the most creative mobile device companies, announced today it would be releasing a new stylish smartphone as well as exhibiting its well-known unique devices at MWC 2023, in booth 5H68, held from February 27 to March 2 in Barcelona.

SHANGHAI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unihertz will launch a new smartphone as well as display its most popular and distinctive phone models at MWC 2023. The company is showcasing these devices to highlight its expertise and outstanding production abilities in the smartphone industry.

Unihertz originally came to the public's attention in 2017, with the release of its first crowdfunding campaign, the Jelly phone. Prior to the introduction of this model, according to Stephen Xu, founder and CEO of Unihertz, the company has been a producer and provider of end-to-end mobile solutions for numerous domestic and international enterprises since 2003.

"We have a team of R&D personnel with rich professional experience who can provide a complete set of comprehensive mobile solutions, from software design to manufacturing," said Stephen. "Through this exhibition, we hope to develop our business and offer the most comprehensive mobile solutions that address customers' needs."

Adhering to the concept that "technology serves humanity," Unihertz is committed to exploring the diversity of mobile phones. At MWC, the company will be presenting 14 distinctive models, including Jelly 2, its most popular 3-inch tiny smartphone; Titan Slim, the Android QWERTY phone; Tank, the outdoor rugged phone with a 22000mAh battery; and Luna, its upcoming stylish smartphone. These mobiles are not only visually appealing, but they also include a variety of features that cater to the demands of users of different ages, professions, and interests.

"We can supply mobile phone customization solutions for various groups of people," Stephen added, "and we want to further expand the business and enable more companies and consumers that have such needs to notice us." With the success of a series of crowdfunding projects, Unihertz has fully demonstrated its creativity and leadership in the sphere of mobile phone R&D and production.

The Unihertz team can be found at MWC 2023, in booth 5H68, from February 27th  March 2nd in Barcelona. To meet with the company, request a meeting >>

https://www.unihertz.com/pages/request-a-meeting-with-

us?utm_source=Preless%20Release&utm_medium=erelease&utm_campaign=MWC-

PR&utm_content=MWC

About Unihertz

Shanghai Unihertz E-Commerce Co., Ltd. is one of the most creative enterprises focusing on the research, development, and manufacturing of smartphones. The firm is dedicated to the design and development of innovative and unique smartphones. Since its first crowdfunding campaign, Unihertz has raised millions of dollars on Kickstarter and earned a large number of loyal fans all over the world. The company has an experienced mobile phone design and R&D team, a well-equipped mobile phone manufacturing plant, and a comprehensive mobile phone production line that can independently complete the whole smartphone development process.

Learn more at www.unihertz.com.

Contact Information

Media Contact: [email protected]

Business Collaboration: [email protected]

Phone: +86 21 6220 7593 Ext 8007

SOURCE Unihertz
April 11, 2023 13:31

ICRC transfers 15 patients from Stepanakert to Yerevan

Due to the blocking by Azerbaijan of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia,15 patients from the Republican Medical Center the Republic of Artsakh with serious diseases of the oncology as well as pathologies requiring emergency surgical interventions and post- implantation correction have been transported today, to specialized medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Healthcare Ministry of Artsakh reported.
SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Executives of NetSTAR  the global leader in OEM URL categorization, IP address reputation, web application categorization, and threat intelligence SDKs and services  will be in attendance and exhibiting (stand #5L29MR) at MWC23 (Mobile World Congress 2023) to meet with partners and prospective partners/customers and share details behind the latest enhancements to its flagship categorization and intelligence products inCompass , ip/Compass , WebApp Compass , and inSITE .

2023 marks the 15th time NetSTAR has participated at Mobile World Congress. NetSTAR provides the industry's most advanced and comprehensive URL categorization, web app categorization, IP address reputation, and threat intelligence capabilities to enable various solutions, including web filtering, network load management, ad targeting, and cyber defense. The technologies are used by market-leading vendors and operators in the telco, network, ad tech, and cybersecurity markets.

NetSTAR's versatile family of technologies categorizes over 36 billion URLs and IPs across 200+ categories, giving OEM partners visibility into the ever-changing internet landscape. NetSTAR captures & analyzes web content telemetry data from over 1.6 billion endpoints via its 5th-generation dynamic categorization system, which includes hundreds of content analysis engines, dozens of malware scan/detection engines, real-time proxy avoidance detection, support for more than 200 languages, and human review. NetSTAR technology generates website categorization, reputation scores, and threat intelligence for malware, phishing, botnets, spyware, anonymous proxy servers, and more.

Mobile World Congress 2023 will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on February 27  March 2. To schedule a meeting with the NetSTAR executive team members, please inquire via email at [email protected]. For more information on the conference, visit mwcbarcelona.com .

NetSTAR Solutions

Since 2001, NetSTAR has been the global leader in OEM-integrated solutions for URL categorization, IP address reputation, web application categorization, and threat intelligence. Below are the technology solutions that NetSTAR has to offer:

inCompass - URL Categorization & Reputation Scoring: inCompass is the leading OEM web categorization solution worldwide. inCompass provides instant content categorization and reputation scoring of more than 36 billion URLs and domains by monitoring telemetry from over 1.6 billion endpoints. inCompass categorizes full-path URLs with a primary category and optional secondary and security categories. Partners can use the default 200+ NetSTAR categories, the IAB taxonomy, or custom categories of their specifications. inCompass can be deployed via SDK, Cloud API, or both (hybrid deployment).

ip/Compass - IP Address Categorization & Reputation Scoring: ip/Compass delivers key information for single and multi-domain IP addresses, including domain categories, IP reputation scores, geolocation data, and threat intelligence. NetSTAR monitors millions of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and references the hosted domains against more than 36 billion domains and URLs stored in its global database. Partners leverage ip/Compass for policy management, traffic analysis, threat intelligence, and other use cases. ip/Compass can be deployed via SDK, Cloud API, or both (hybrid deployment).

WebApp Compass - Web App / SaaS Categorization and Intelligence Solution: WebApp Compass is the most comprehensive web application categorization and intelligence solution in the OEM space. With a dataset of over 8,500 apps, WebApp Compass provides category, risk score, app operation, and app security and compliance data to enable application-centric security and traffic policies. WebApp Compass can be deployed via SDK or JSON feed.

inSITE - Phishing and Malware Threat Intelligence Feed: Leveraging NetSTAR's telemetry data of over 1.6 billion endpoints and proprietary scanning technologies, inSITE delivers actionable, real-time threat information to OEM partners, giving them greater visibility into the cyber threat landscape. inSITE JSON feeds are published every five minutes and contain URLs and IPs observed to be hosting phishing, malware, and other malicious threats.

ADVantage Compass - URL & IP Categorization for AdTech: inCompass ADVantage delivers internet categorization for the advertising and marketing technology industries. Partners who use this solution receive categories from the IAB taxonomy, plus reputation scores and a malicious flag (Y/N) for active URLs, static URLs, and IP addresses. ADVantage Compass provides the tools for contextual targeting, brand safety protection, inventory optimization, attribution, analytics, device profiling, and malware detection across URL and IP traffic. ADVantage Compass can be deployed via SDK, Cloud API, or both (hybrid deployment).

Please find more information and contact us on our website: netstar.io .

Media Contact:

Thomas Ashby

+1 (650) 600-3850

[email protected]

SOURCE NetSTAR Inc.
The organization, which recently came under the BehaVR umbrella, won third place with its gameChange solution, a landmark psychological therapy for individuals with psychosis

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named OxfordVR as a winner in Mission Daybreak  a $20 million challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for Veterans. As a third-place award winner, OxfordVR, which recently came under the BehaVR umbrella, will receive $500,000 to further support the company's work in developing virtual reality (VR) solutions to address mental and behavioral health challenges in support of Veterans.

OxfordVR was the first to successfully automate psychological therapy in VR for patients with mental illness through its immersive, VR delivered gameChange treatment, which targets the intense fears and anxieties that prevent people from fully participating in everyday activities. gameChange, which was recently granted FDA Breakthrough Device designation , delivers an automated course of cognitive behavioral therapy that enables users to practice overcoming their fears in curated simulations of everyday situations guided by an automated, virtual therapist. While gameChange is currently approved as a treatment for individuals experiencing psychosis, it was designed to target agoraphobic avoidance - an underlying symptom of a number of conditions including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and OCD. The company is currently working to demonstrate the treatment's effectiveness across a broad and diverse set of indications and is partnering with the VA to demonstrate its effectiveness in helping home-bound veterans re-integrate with their communities and the VA Medical System.

"We're humbled to have our gameChange treatment selected as a promising piece of a solution to help the VA support veterans and look forward to working with the VA to ensure veterans and their families can build the lives they deserve," said Aaron Gani, BehaVR's Founder & CEO. "If this work helps support even one veteran and family, it's a win - but we're excited by the opportunity to make a broader impact on Veteran Suicide."

About the Challenge

From May to July 2022, Phase 1 of the challenge received 1,371 concept submissions from solvers that included Veterans, Veteran service organizations (VSOs), community-based organizations, health tech companies, startups, and universities. Multidisciplinary panels of reviewers and judges assessed submissions according to the evaluation criteria.

Following Phase 1, 30 challenge finalists each received $250,000 and advanced to the Phase 2 virtual accelerator program, which helped them develop ambitious but achievable roadmaps for prototyping, iteration, testing, and evaluation. Technology partners supporting the accelerator included Amazon and Microsoft. In November 2022, finalists had the opportunity to speak about their solutions with challenge judges and representatives from VA, Veteran Service Organizations, Capitol Hill, and policy institutes at Demo Day, held at the Samsung Executive Briefing Center in Washington, D.C.

The multidisciplinary judging panel  representing a diversity of perspectives, from Veterans and clinicians to social workers and technical experts  evaluated submissions from the 30 finalists in Phase 2. The panel recommended the 10 winners based on the official evaluation criteria.

Following Mission Daybreak, VA may engage with select solutions through contracts, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), or other partnership vehicles.

Visit MissionDaybreak.net for more information on the challenge.

Reporters covering this issue can download VA's Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.

About BehaVR

BehaVR is a leader in building evidence-based, immersive, digital therapeutics designed to create a more resilient world, liberated from fear and pain. Its suite of clinically validated therapeutics offer access to treatments on a spectrum across mental wellness and mental and behavioral conditions, including validated treatments for serious mental illness. BehaVR is the first immersive digital therapeutics company to deliver these treatments on an integrated platform that simplifies the patient experience, enables clinician oversight, and generates patient-specific care plans and measurable outcomes. Combining a team of accomplished clinicians and researchers with proven healthcare veterans and technology innovators, BehaVR is dedicated to improving access to better mental health through immersive technology.

Media Contact:

Alex Newby

[email protected]

SOURCE BehaVR
SYDNEY, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage (or "Vantage Markets), the multi-asset trading platform, has appointed Jack Kelly as the Head of Sales in Australia.

Vantage is a leading trading platform for trading Contracts for Difference (CFD), providing a fast execution trading ecosystem through its online platform and award-winning mobile app*.

Vantage Markets appoints new Head of Sales for Australia

In this role, Mr Kelly will ensure the delivery of a high-quality experience for customers by empowering the team to provide the right solutions for clients' evolving trading needs. He will also be responsible for growing Vantage's sales team in Australia and supporting the integration of third-party tools and partners across marketing, sales, and operations channels.

Mr Kelly joins Vantage Markets from Forex.com, where he was Sales Director (Americas) based in New York. At Forex.com, Mr Kelly was responsible for leading the company's sales function across the US and Canada region.

Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy & Trading Officer at Vantage, said: "Jack is the ideal candidate to spearhead Vantage Markets' growth ambitions in Australia as the head of our local sales team. Not only does he bring a wealth of experience in foreign exchange and CFDs, but he has a proven record for growing tech-based and insights-backed trading products for educated investors."

Jack Kelly said: "I am passionate about growing innovative investment platforms and introducing investors to trading strategies and tools that will help their trading journey."

"CFDs have an important role to play as part of a balanced portfolio strategy for informed investors. As a global leader in CFDs, Vantage has an important role to play in driving awareness of this asset category. I'm looking forward to working with the Vantage global and regional teams to consolidate our leadership position and expand our presence in the Australia market."

About Vantage

Vantage (Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd) is a multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading CFD on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With more than 13 years of market experience, Vantage entities now have over 1,000 employees/personnel across more than 30 global offices.

Vantage is more than a broker; it provides a fast execution trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app * , and a faster and simpler trading platform that enables clients to take advantage of trading opportunities.

trade smarter @vantage.

http://www.vantagemarkets.com/en-au

SOURCE Vantage
LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivage Senior Living and Beecan Health Colorado are proud to announce their merger, bringing together their respective resources and expertise to provide an integrated network of care. By joining forces through a common mission and shared values, the two companies will now be able to offer a joint vision of quality at their forty-two skilled nursing communities with nearly 3600 licensed beds across the state of Colorado.

Vivage logo

In addition to providing a large variety of placement options, Vivage-Beecan is also dedicated to enhancing specialty program development. The commitment between these two providers will set a new standard in delivering a continuum of care that includes post-acute, ventilator, long-term, memory care and behavioral health care needs. This unified network of skilled nursing facilities allows residents and family members greater access to health care solutions in every corner of the state of Colorado.

By coming together as one organization with complementary capabilities, this will further enhance both the quality of life and quality of care for the residents and the staff experience. This merger will allow us to offer more options when building and developing programs throughout the state as a foundation for future success.

Vivage Senior Living CEO, Jay Moskowitz says, "At Vivage we believe that by combining the two companies this can lead to breakthrough advances in delivering outstanding health care service solutions as we have been known for; Beecan Health shares this vision. This is yet another example of our commitment towards putting residents first in everything we do."

Beecan Health President, Chaim Raskin says, "With this merger we look forward to strengthening our mission of enhancing the lives of our residents and staff throughout the state of Colorado through the combined expertise of the Vivage-Beecan team. We look forward to taking the next steps to better serve our communities in more comprehensive ways than ever before."

Both companies are confident this union will provide great benefits to residents, staff, family members and partners moving forward.

About Vivage Senior Living

Vivage Senior Living is an independently owned, Colorado-based management company working with communities serving seniors and those with disabilities. Vivage Senior Living currently operates and manages communities in Colorado and Wyoming. Vivage managed communities opening in 2023 include Bluestem Village in La Junta, Colorado. In addition, Vivage's sister company, Wellage Senior Communities, operates senior living, assisted living and memory care communities. The company is located at 12136 West Bayaud Avenue, Suite 200, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. For more information about Vivage, Wellage or this news release, please contact Heather TerHark, VP of Ancillary Services at 303-886-9968 or by email at [email protected].

About Beecan Health

Beecan Health's home office is in Glendale, California, and provides services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and other sectors of the healthcare industry including communities in California, New Mexico and Colorado.

SOURCE Beecan Health; Vivage
Students can become lawyers through the first 100% online, part-time, ABA-accredited JD program from a nationally ranked law school.

HONOLULU, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law has announced the Fall 2023 launch of a new part-time, online JD program for students seeking a legal education. The Hawaii Online JD Flex perpetuates Richardson Law School's dedication to diversity by providing access to a top-tier law school for students from different locations and backgrounds through an innovative 100% online format.

University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law

Ideal for working professionals unable to relocate or leave their current jobs to become lawyers, the Hawaii Online JD Flex program's part-time, online format allows students to earn their degrees in as few as 4 years by following a synchronous and asynchronous educational environment. Students in this online JD program will earn the same law degree as traditional students and they will be qualified to take the bar exam in every state except New York (the only state yet to adopt ABA standards for distance education).

"The Hawai'i Online JD Flex Program is the evolution of our Evening Part-Time Program. This ABA-Accredited program recognizes our global connectedness and more flexibly supports prospective law students in obtaining a Richardson law degree without having to relocate, leave their families, or cease their employment elsewhere. This next-generation part-time program broadens access to legal education, promotes greater diversity in the bar and bench, and expands educational opportunities in the State and region while remaining committed to the culture and community that make the University of Hawai'i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law a special place unlike any other. In this way, the Hawai'i Online JD Flex Program will "meet our students where they are." We also expect that the Hawai'i Online JD Flex Program will enhance the provision of legal services in many communities outside of O'ahu, including rural and remote locations in Hawai'I, the Pacific Islands, and beyond," said Camille Nelson, Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

The Hawaii Online JD Flex is one of the few ABA-accredited, part-time, 100% online JD programs at a nationally ranked law school in the United States. In this flexible learning format, students will attend virtual classes via live and pre-recorded video lectures, participate in vigorous discussion in traditional Socratic classroom settings, as well as attend seminars and informal small group discussions, complete reading and writing assignments, and have access to 24-7 technical support.

Graduates of the Hawaii Online JD Flex program will become Richardson lawyers - driven legal professionals, who operate with dignity, respect, and gracious civility. They will obtain the tools to evaluate legal issues through a social justice lens and the skills for effective, ethical, and responsible participation as members of the legal profession. Students will graduate prepared to become leaders in business, government, and the community, committed to making a better society for Hawaii and beyond.

Content for the Hawai'i Online JD Flex program is delivered by Richardson's law school faculty through a technology learning platform provided in partnership by BARBRI Global.

Applications are now being accepted through the June 1, 2023 final application deadline. Prospective students may visit law.hawaii.edu/onlinejd or email [email protected] for more information about the Hawaii Online JD Flex program.

About the William S. Richardson School of Law

University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law is a public, land-grant, research university in Manoa, a neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii and has been accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association since 1982. The school has a collaborative, multicultural community and prepares students for excellence in the practice of law and related careers that advance justice and the rule of law. Dedicated to developing highly qualified, ethical professionals through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and public service, Richardson embraces Hawaii's diversity and values and recognizes a special responsibility to our state and the Pacific region. The school leads in environmental law, Native Hawaiian law, and Pacific-Asian legal studies.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Megan Ablondi

214-932-0915

[email protected]

SOURCE University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has declared Belarus' readiness to fight together with Russia from its own territory only in case of aggression against his country, the BelTA news agency reports.

February 16, 2023, 17:22 Lukashenko: Belarus will fight together with Russia only in case of aggression

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: "I am ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus only in one case: if at least one soldier comes to the territory of Belarus from there to kill my people," Lukashenko told the media on Thursday. "If they commit aggression against Belarus, the retaliation will be most severe."

He warned that in that case "the war will acquire a completely different character."

Lukashenko added that this concerned not only to Ukraine, but also other neighbors. He stressed that Belarusians were peace-minded people.

"We know what war is like. We dont want war. And we are not going to send our troops to the territory of Ukraine. Unless you commit aggression against the territory of Belarus from there. This is my answer. It was given a long time ago," he said.

Lukashenko recalled that Russia was an ally of Belarus and the two countries had a joint military group, but Russia had never asked "Belarus to start a war against Ukraine."

According to Lukashenko, Belarus provided security in the West. At the same time, he cited intelligence data to the effect the West wished to draw Belarus into the war. It was literally "dreaming" of this, which would allow, taking into account the length of the Belarusian borders, to further stretch the frontline by another 2,500 kilometers, which would complicate the situation.

"On the face of it, the calculation is correct. But in fact, it is stupid. We will not give you a chance. If you dare set foot on our land, the answer will be terrible. Westerners know what it will be like and what weapons will be used," Lukashenko said.

He recalled that Belarus had a 75,000-strong peacetime army, but if necessary, in wartime conditions it could be increased to half a million.

"Nobody in his right mind wants war. As long as there is no expansion of this aggression today, let's negotiate peace," he said. However, he stressed that the West and Ukraine were not yet ready for this at the moment.

"You are just not ready. It would be a terrible tragedy and catastrophe for you, if peace talks started now. You need a war," Lukashenko said. He added that it was the West that was sending mercenaries to fight in Ukraine: already more than 20,000 of them were there.

"How many men has Lukashenko sent there? How many? He sent nobody. Yet you reproach me. I don't send men to fight there and I'm not going to do that," the president stressed.
Jerusalem, Feb 16 : Israel planned to cancel the value-added tax (VAT) exemption for foreign tourists visiting the country, according to a comprehensive national economic plan issued by the finance ministry.

Foreigners visiting Israel are currently exempted from paying the 17-per cent VAT on tourism services, including hotel accommodation and services, car rental, transportation, hospitalisations, among others.

Supporting inbound tourism makes tourism services more expensive for local consumers and harms domestic tourism, according to the ministry.

It added that the annual cost of the exemption to the state coffers is estimated at about 2 billion shekels ($567 million) while cancelling it would reduce the number of tourists by only 2 per cent and increase real GDP by about 300 million shekels, Xinhua news agency reported.

The decision is part of the national plan in 2023-2024 and requires government and parliament approval.

The ministry noted that the plan will be submitted to the government for approval on February 23. After that, it will be submitted to the parliament for four rounds of voting, the final of which is scheduled for May 29.

The national plan aims to increase growth, reduce home and goods prices, and promote energy and transport projects, according to the ministry.
Harare, Feb 16 : Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube launched a $10-million revolving facility to support value addition and beneficiation by artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) who account for the bulk of gold produced in the country.

Ncube said at a press conference on that $5 million will go to the construction of six gold service centers to improve access to critical services by artisanal and small-scale gold miners while the other $5 million will be used to provide loans to the miners to boost production, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the $10 million are drawn from the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation of $961 million made to Zimbabwe by the International Monetary Fund in 2021.

Gold is Zimbabwe's top mineral export, raking in $1.7 billion in 2021.

In recent years, artisanal and small-scale gold miners have produced more than half of the country's gold production, hence the government's efforts to support them.

The country's gold output last year reached a record high of 35.38 tonnes, with artisanal and small-scale miners contributing 65.5 per cent.

"In support of the ASGM, adequate capacitation of the ASGM is critical to ensure that the country achieves the 12 billion mining industry by end of 2023," Ncube said.

He said the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation will be the implementing agency for the Gold Service Center Revolving Facility while the Ministry of Mines will run the Artisanal Gold Small Scale Miners Facility. "These facilities are revolving funds and as such, the government expects the beneficiaries to repay the loans made available to them to enable other beneficiaries to benefit in the future," he said.
Beirut, Feb 16 : The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) inaugurated in Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek a dairy incubator that offers training to build the skills of the youth and creates employment opportunities.

Dubbed "Al Qaria", the project, launched in collaboration with the Lebanese Agriculture Ministry in partnership with the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training, aims to provide hundreds of young people with life skills, innovation, competency-based training, and income-generating opportunities, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement released by UNICEF.

"Our latest assessment in 2022 showed that 58 percent of young people in Lebanon were not optimistic about finding a job, and 41 per cent felt their only chance was to seek opportunities abroad," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, adding "the investment of this incubator is an investment in young people's potential to contribute to the development of their local livelihood and economy." Lebanon's Agriculture Minister Abbas Al Hajj Hassan said that his ministry's collaboration with international organisations and civil society aims to strengthen the technical capacities of youth, improve their skills in the agriculture and food industries, and empower them to contribute to their country's economic prosperity.
Harare, Feb 16 : Zimbabwe's tourism industry generated $672.9 million in earnings last year, up 133 per cent from $288.8 million in 2021, which is in large part due to the removal of Covid-19 travel restrictions worldwide.

Tourist arrivals also more than doubled to 895,338 last year, from 340,000 in 2021, a rebound of over 160 per cent, Xinhua news agency reported, citing state news agency New Ziana.

Speaking at a tourism workshop in the city of Gweru in central Zimbabwe, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said the government was coming up with a national tourism policy to cement the industry's recovery and guide its future development.

He said tourism is a low-hanging fruit for the country, which was important in terms of foreign currency generation and employment.

Tourism was one of the worst affected industries by Covid-19.

Ndhlovu called for more investment in the industry and stressed the importance of developing a wide variety of tourism products to broaden the country's appeal as a destination to the world.

Investments in the sector rose 239 per cent to $306.7 million last year from $90.4 million in 2021.

"As we engage in these strategic sessions, special attention must be placed on how to leverage our competitive advantages to market tours that promote (the) culture and heritage of the people of Zimbabwe," he said.
The Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center of Stepanakert, despite the problems caused due to the Azerbaijani blocking the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outer world, continues working.

February 16, 2023, 17:06 Stepanakert Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center today

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: Director of the center, Vardan Tadevosyan, told "Artsakhpress" that 23 people are currently receiving inpatient treatment at the institution.

"Every day, 26 children with autism and global development delay visit the rehabilitation center. Children with severe disabilities are brought from home to the medical facility and taken home by means of a vehicle owned by the center, while other children are brought by their parents. "Every day, 26 children with autism and global development delay visit the rehabilitation center. Children with severe disabilities are brought from home to the medical facility and taken home by means of a vehicle owned by the center, while other children are brought by their parents.

These days, the Children's Health Center also operates, where 22 children visit every day. In general, we accept up to 50 ambulatory patients during the day," he informed.

The director of the Rehabilitation Centre noted that in the conditions of the blockade, even in the rehabilitation center, all methods of treatment, except hydrotherapy, continue to be used; the reason is irregular gas supply.

"The biggest problem of the center is, of course, heating. Due to the termination of gas supply, we use electric heaters, which do not heat sufficiently, which affects the quality of treatment. But everyone understands the seriousness of the situation. We also have solar water heaters, which provide 100 percent heating in good weather conditions, and partially in cold days," he informed.

"In the conditions of the blockade, we also continue the home visit program, supplying medical supplies to 350 families every month,'' he concluded.
London, Feb 16 : An Indian-origin businessman has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment in the UK for having abused an interest free loan scheme provided to businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kulwinder Singh Sidhu, 58, from Stanwell, pleaded guilty to offences under the Companies Act and the Fraud Act, having abused the Bounce Back Loan financial support scheme in 2020.

He was director of Wavylane Ltd, a haulage company based in Stanwell, and which had been trading since 2010. "Our action has ensured repayment of the loan money and taxpayers have not been left out of pocket," Julie Barnes, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said.

"Any other company directors who might be tempted into dissolving their business to try to keep public money they are not entitled to, should be aware they are risking a lengthy prison term," she added.

On 9 June, 2020 Sidhu applied for a 50,000 pound Bounce Back Loan from his bank on behalf of his business. Under the Bounce Back Loan scheme, genuine businesses impacted by the pandemic could take out interest-free taxpayer-backed loans of up to a maximum of 50,000 pound.

The loan was paid into the company bank account and on June 26, 2020 Sidhu filed paperwork with Companies House to have the business dissolved, having transferred the funds to his personal bank account within two days of receipt.

The striking-off application to dissolve the company was explicit that interested parties and creditors, such as a bank with an outstanding loan, must be notified within seven days of making an application to dissolve a company. The form also highlighted that failure to notify interested parties is a criminal offence, however Sidhu did not follow these rules.

The company was dissolved in October 2020, and was subsequently identified as likely Bounce Back Loan fraud by the Insolvency Service and cross-government counter-fraud systems.

The Insolvency Service investigation found that Sidhu had fraudulently overstated the company turnover in the Bounce Back Loan application, and within two days of receiving the money he had transferred it to his personal account before dispersing the funds to his son and another company.

He pleaded guilty to charges in December last year, and was sentenced on February 13, this year at Guildford Crown Court.

The court imposed a confiscation order for 50,000 pound, which Sidhu has paid in full. In addition to the custodial sentence, he was also disqualified as a company director for six years.
Lucknow, Feb 16 : The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a probe into the death of four infants, between February 10 and 14, at the government shelter.

Another two infants from the government shelter are undergoing treatment in two hospitals.

Officials have claimed that the infants were brought to the public facility in poor health and their conditions worsened through the winters.

State minister Baby Rani Maurya has directed district-level medical officers to conduct regular check-ups of the children at the shelter home. Also, government establishments for children have been directed to arrange for adequate facilities.

The communique issued by Maurya's office quotes her saying that the child protection department will continue to make efforts to provide proper medical facilities to children.

She added that a probe has also been launched to find out whether adequate measures were taken by the shelter home authorities to protect the infants during the winter season.

In the wake of the tragedy, Kinshuk Tripathi, superintendent of the shelter home, has been suspended for alleged negligence.

His suspension comes after a probe by a joint committee -- comprising provisional officer and departmental medical officer.

Tripathi has also been issued a show-cause notice.

To investigate into the deaths, a magisterial inquiry and post-mortem of the bodies have been ordered. Meanwhile, doctors at the Civil Hospital have ruled out any negligence in providing medical attention to the victims.

They have testified that the children were admitted in critical conditions, and the shelter home authorities did not cause any delay in efforts to get them proper treatment. Their version aligns with the statement issued by District Magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar.

Notably, the infants were admitted to the hospital after their preliminary check-ups revealed poor health or when their health conditions started showing signs of deterioration. Two of them developed severe fever, another one had trouble breathing, and one of them even suffered from pneumonia and was also diagnosed with thalassemia (an inherited blood disorder).

Earlier, in January, Tripathi had said that children's rooms were installed with all-weather air conditioners. Similarly, the dispensary, where children aged 0-2.5 years are kept, was also installed with the same facility.

However, the Chief Medical Officer's team that inspected the government shelter last month has claimed negligence on part of the authorities in providing adequate care to children during the winter months of December and January. The team suspects that the 'negligence' may have been the cause of the unfortunate deaths.

"The CMO's (chief medical officer) team said that the unit for infants at the shelter was overcrowded and that there should not be more than 14 infants in one room that size. Currently, our facility has 27 infants in one room but as per district magistrate's order, we have cleared out the nursery classroom next door and are repurposing it into another infants' unit," said Tripathi.

He added, "It is extremely unfortunate that we lost four children but we did our best. As soon as their health deteriorated, we took them to the hospital. Some of them had to be admitted twice over the course of less than two months." Among the two infants undergoing treatment, the condition of two-month-old Moon, admitted to the Civil Hospital, has improved slightly.

Dr R.P. Singh, Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital said, "The doctors are treating the child for septicaemia after the diagnosis was made. A medical team is looking after the child. The infant will hopefully recover fully soon." The other infant, Shagun, a four-month-old, is undergoing treatment at the Lok Bandhu Hospital after developing a fever and diarrhoea.
Kiev, Feb 16 : Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he would retain his current position despite the reports of dismissal.

Speaking with foreign journalists, Reznikov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked him to remain in his post in the coming months, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Earlier this month, David Arakhamia, parliamentary faction leader of the Party of Servant of the People, said that Reznikov would be replaced by Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's intelligence chief.

On Tuesday, Reznikov submitted the candidacies of his three new deputies to Zelensky for approval.
Lucknow, Feb 16 : A 32-year-old realtor was shot dead inside his car that was found parked at a deserted stretch in Kakori on the city's outskirts.

The realtor's family has lodged a named FIR against few persons and claimed that the murder was a result of property dispute.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP), West, S. Chinappa said the victim was identified as Dharmendra Pal, resident of Kakori's Behta village. He was into real estate business for the last seven years.

The DCP said that Dharmendra's cousin Pintu spotted him first, sitting in his car's driver's seat, near the site where he had recently started selling plots.

The DCP said Pintu noticed a bullet wound near Dharmendra's neck. One country made firearm and a live cartridge was seized from the car.

The DCP said Pintu, with help of his relatives, rushed Dharmendra to the trauma centre of King George Medical University.

On the way, he also informed the police about the incident.

The DCP said the victim succumbed to his injury during treatment.

He said according to doctors, the bullet travelled through back of his head after entering from neck. The body has been sent for autopsy.
New York, Feb 16 : Indian-American economist Bharat Ramamurti and four others have been named by US President Joe Biden as key members of his economic team to deliver on his "steady and stable growth strategy".

Ramamurti, who currently serves as Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, will be an Advisor for Strategic Economic Communications.

"Over the past two years, my economic strategy has delivered historic results for the American people. This team will be committed to implementing that strategy, while managing the transition of our historic economic recovery to steady and stable growth," Biden said in a White House statement.

Along with Ramamurti, Biden has appointed Lael Brainard to serve as Director of the National Economic Council and Jared Bernstein as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Heather Boushey has been named Chief Economist to the Invest in America Cabinet and Joelle Gamble as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council.

"Along with Bharat, Heather, Joelle and other key members of my White House economic team, Lael and Jared will help bring a seriousness of purpose to the task of building a strong, inclusive, and more resilient economy for the future," Biden said.

He further said that his team will work tirelessly to ensure every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead, and that their businesses can thrive and outcompete the rest of the world.

"Very excited to work with these excellent folks," Ramamurti wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.

Before joining the Biden administration, Ramamurti was appointed in 2020 by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as a commissioner on the Congressional Oversight Commission for the CARES Act.

He previously served as the Director of the Corporate Power program at the Roosevelt Institute, and as economic policy adviser to Senator Elizabeth Warren in her Senate office and on her presidential campaign.

Born in Massachusetts, Ramamurti, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School.
Agartala, Feb 16 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the Tripura people to cast their votes in record numbers in the elections to the 60-member state Assembly.

Modi tweeted: "Urging the people of Tripura to vote in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. I specially call upon the youth to exercise their franchise." The voting for the Tripura Assembly elections began at 7 a.m. on Thursday morning amid tight security measures, election officials said.

Men and women in large numbers queued up in front of polling stations before the voting began.

The polling would continue till 4 p.m. without any break.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao said that a total of 259 candidates, including 31 women, are testing their electoral fortunes in the elections.

In all, 28.14 lakh voters, including 13.99 lakh women electorate are eligible to cast their votes in Thursday's balloting.
Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) and global aerospace and technology company, Paramount Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of Composite Rotor Blades, Mission Systems and Stores Management systems for Medium Lift Helicopters at Aero India, an official release stated on Thursday.

Mr Guru Biswal, CEO-Aerospace Division, Bharat Forge said, "This MoU with M/S Paramount is a testimony of our commitment to work for an "Atmanirbhar Bharat", to create technologies that are niche and shall support Indian and Global requirements.

This collaboration will focus on creating the 'Centre of Excellence' for design, development and manufacture of Composite Rotor Blades, Mission Systems and Stores Management systems for Rotary Wing platforms, in India. This design and manufacturing hub shall support all future programmes for both India and across the globe.

Clifford Dewell, SVP, Paramount Group said, "Our global partnership with Bharat Forge has grown from strength to strength over the last few years. We are excited to expand our collaboration into the aerospace sector.

"We have confidence that this initiative will leverage the unique synergies of our joint capabilities to meet the requirements for these systems for Medium Lift Helicopters in India and across the globe.

"Our experience has been developed over many years; Paramount has delivered Mission Systems and Stores Management systems to several defense forces, including the South African and Algerian Air Forces." Facilities, he said, will be established as centres of excellence for the development and industrialisation of Rotor Blades for all Helicopter categories. The collaboration would present a unique opportunity for all parties to speed up qualification processes and jointly support National and International customers. This MOU will help in achieving the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, he added.

The MoU was signed by AGuru Biswal (CEO - Aerospace, Bharat Forge) and Clifford Dewell, (SVP, Paramount Group) in the presence of senior officials from both companies.
Austin, Feb 16 : One person was killed and three others wounded in a shooting incident in a shopping mall in El Paso, a major border city in the US state of Texas, authorities said.

"We have one person in custody," El Paso Police Department spokesman Robert Gomez told a news conference, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He said the shooting happened inside the Cielo Vista Mall on Wednesday evening, adding, "we don't have any active shooters at this time."
Brasilia, Feb 16 : At least three prisoners were killed and another 43 injured in a southern Brazil prison fire, local authorities said.

The fire that broke out on Wednesday at the Penitentiary of Florianopolis, in Santa Catarina state, was traced to a mattress in one of the cells, said William Shinzato, head of the Penitentiary Affairs Commission All three fatal victims died of smoke inhalation, according to Brazil's Order of Lawyers, the country's top bar association, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The fire was brought under control and did not spread to other parts of the prison, Brazilian news network GloboNews said.
Chennai, Feb 16 : O. Panneerselvam, the deposed coordinator of the opposition AIADMK, has called a meeting of district secretaries and other office-bearers of his faction on February 20.

The meeting is being held to discuss on whether the faction should campaign for the Erode East bypolls as the AIADMK official faction led by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) have not invited them to be part of the campaign.

Notably, OPS had openly extended support to the AIADMK candidate and stated that he and his supporters would campaign for the 'Two Leaves' symbol of the party. However, the response from the EPS faction was lukewarm.

The OPS faction has certain pockets in Erode East constituency which can be of support to the AIADMK candidate, K.V. Thenarasu. While AIADMK has not openly commented on this, leaders in private admit that the support of OPS is required during the election and that the BJP state president K. Annamalai has already mediated between EPS and OPS for a truce during the by-election.

The AIADMK is on a sticky wicket in Erode East as the seat has been held by Congress candidate E. Thirumahan Everaa whose passing away led to the by-election. South Indian super star, Kamal Haasan's political outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has also extended support to the Congress candidate. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the MNM candidate had garnered more than 10,000 votes. The Congress candidate had won theA seat with a margin of 8924 votes in the 2021 polls and the sympathy factor generated following his death and the support of MNM has given a much needed edge for EVKS Elangovan, former Union Minister and father of the deceased legislator, E. Thirumahan Everaa.

In such a situation ,the AIADMK requires the support from all sections to win the polls and the OPS faction support is important for the AIADMK at this juncture.

Sources in the OPS faction told IANS that they are contemplating on whether they should extend support to the AIADMK candidate without any official request from the EPS faction.
Kristie Nicholas quit her full-time job and headed overseas to work from anywhere. (Source: Supplied/Getty)

Kristie decided to quit her full-time job during COVID and head overseas to work as a freelance content creator.

COVID made me realise I can work from anywhere and I can work remotely. So, I made the decision to make the jump and try to find the work-life balance that everyone has been looking for, she told Yahoo Finance.

Kristie is part of a growing trend of anywhere workers who are packing up and working remotely post-pandemic, according to freelancer platform Fiverr.

One of the major advantages of being your own boss and working from your laptop is that you can do it anywhere, Fiverr community organiser Olly Woolrych told Yahoo Finance.

During COVID, we werent able to travel, and it has also debunked the myth that you have to sit in an office to produce quality work. We are finding a lot of people are taking the opportunity to jump on a plane and go work somewhere else.

Kristie has now worked while travelling through Portugal, Spain and the UK and is earning upwards of $300 per video, which can take around two hours to create.

Kristie has now worked from Portugal, Spain and the UK. (Source: Supplied)

Thats what I love about this work. It allows you to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want, so you can explore and do the fun stuff, she said.

Recent data from Fiverr and Lonely Planet found 96 per cent of anywhere workers planned to continue working this way for at least another six months, with 60 per cent saying they worked full-time hours.

How to do it

Industries like IT, engineering, consulting, architecture and interior design, and digital marketing were some of the most common gigs for anywhere workers, Woolrych said.

You might not realise you have a skill set that you can turn into a side hustle, which can turn into an anywhere-worker lifestyle, he said.

There were also a number of countries offering specific freelancer visas, Woolrych noted, including Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Belize and Brazil.

Story continues

Kristie is about to head back to Australia and is planning to apply for a visa so she can work in Portugal for a longer period of time.

For anyone hoping to work overseas, Kristie recommended building up a portfolio and having a steady stream of clients you could rely on.

Make sure you set yourself up with a ready roster of clients. It means you have a bit of leeway because youve got those repeat clients, she said.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
San Francisco, Feb 16 : Cloud infrastructure provider DigitalOcean is laying off about 11 per cent of its workforce, or nearly 200 employees, the media reported.

About 100 employees were let go immediately and another 100 will be sacked shortly, reports The Register, citing sources.

The report said the company showcased a slide to employees about the staff reduction at a meeting late on Wednesday.

"Our goal was to do this once so we would move forward towards business as usual again. Ongoing reductions are disruptive to the business and more importantly our employees, and we would like to minimise this as much as possible," said the company.

"There is no plan at this moment in time to conduct future reductions in force," according to DigitalOcean.

The company did not officially comment on layoffs.

Some of the employees, who were fired, posted about their layoffs on social media sites, including LinkedIn.

According to the report, DigitalOcean "also conducted a management reorganisation".

DigitalOcean reported $152.1 million in revenue for its third quarter of 2022, an increase of 37 per cent year-on-year.

The Cloud fire reported gross profit of $97.6 million. The company was likely to report its Q4 2022 results on Thursday.

DigitalOcean is headquartered in New York City, with several globally distributed data centres.

DigitalOcean provides developers, startups, and SMBs with cloud infrastructure-as-a-service platforms.

It also runs Hacktoberfest, a one month-long celebration of open source software held in October.
Tokyo, Feb 16 : Japan booked a record trade deficit in January owing to rising energy costs and the pace of exports slowing, the government said in a report on Thursday.

According to the Finance Ministry, the country's trade deficit in January stood at 3.5 trillion yen (26.16 billion US dollars) and marked an 18th straight month of red ink, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Imports jumped 17.8 percent to 10.05 trillion yen (75.13 billion dollars) in the recording period, the ministry said, while exports were up 3.5 percent to 6.55 trillion yen (48.96 billion dollars).

With the US, it booked a slight surplus of 280.7 billion yen (2.09 billion dollars), the ministry said.
Chennai, Feb 16 : A 1500-strong contingent of police will provide security during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu in Tamil Nadu's Madurai on Friday and Coimbatore on February 19.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) of the President has already conducted one round of inspection at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai and at the Isha Yoga centre in Coimbatore.

President Murmu will arrive at the Madurai airport on February 18 and will visit the temple on the same day. She will offer her prayers at the temple.

The President will leave for Coimbatore on the same day from Madurai airport and will attend the Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga centre in Coimbatore. The SPG has conducted a thorough inspection at the Coimbatore airport and at the Isha Yoga centre ahead of the visit of President Murmu.

During the President's temple visit, police will cordon off the premises, and devotees will not be allowed to enter.

Madurai City police commissioner Narendranath Nair will be in-charge of the security of the President at Madurai, while in Coimbatore city police commissioner V. Balakrishnan will take charge.

The central intelligence agencies have also given inputs to the Union home ministry regarding the visit of the President.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The 23-year-old Nikki Yadav and her alleged killer-cum-live-in partner Sahil Gehlot were planning to elope and had even gone to Nizammudin railway station but failed to get tickets for Goa, said an official privy to investigation.

According to the official, on February 9 night, the accused Gehlot, a resident of Mitraon village, went to meet the woman at her Uttam Nagar residence where she lived with her younger sister.

"Gehlot stayed there for two-three hours and later both of them went to Nizammudin railway station. But as they could not get tickets to Goa, they changed their plan to Himachal Pradesh and reached ISBT, Kashmere Gate," said the official.

"When the duo reached ISBT, an argument broke out between them. In between the fight, Gehlot kept receiving back-to-back calls from his family, which he says triggered him to his threshold point and he turned violent," said a source.

He then strangled Nikki with his mobile phone data cable inside the car, probably around 8 a.m on February 10.

The murder was committed near the Kashmiri Gate area and Gehlot, a B. Pharma graduate, then drove with the body all the way to his dhaba near village Mitraon - a distance of around 45 km - where he stuffed it in a refrigerator and proceeded with his wedding on February 10.

The disclosure by the accused is yet to be verified by police and currently, the probing team is scanning CCTV footage of the whole route to ascertain the crime sequence.
Dharamsala, Feb 16 : The Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet has raised concerns about the forced assimilation and separation of one million Tibetan children in Tibet as recently reported by UN experts.

The statement was issued jointly by Co-Presidents of the Parliamentary Support Group National Councillors, Andrea GeissbuIhler, Nik Gugger, Fabian Molina, Nicolas Walder and Vice-President Member of the Council of States, Maya Graf.

The statement noted, "The members of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet are deeply concerned about the UN reports on the system that forces Tibetan children into a Chinese-style boarding school system from kindergarten age, with no possibility for the children concerned or their parents to resist it." "This system of boarding schools forces Tibetan children to assimilate culturally, religiously and linguistically," warns National Councillor Fabian Molina, Co-President of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet.

"As a result, Tibetan children lose exposure to their mother tongue and the ability to communicate in the Tibetan language, which contributes to their assimilation and the erosion of their own Tibetan identity," says National Councillor Nicolas Walder, Co-President of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet.

The statement also noted, "The forced boarding schools are part of a series of other repressive measures against Tibetan culture and religion." Representative Thinlay Chukki from Tibet Bureau Geneva welcomed the statement of the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet and thanked them for their continued support.
San Francisco, Feb 16 : Stanford research scientist Andreas Paepcke paid $200,000 and former Stanford Law School dean Larry Kramer put up $500,000 to help former crypto exchange FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried get bail.

Bankman-Fried is currently living with his parents in California, thanks to a $250 million bail secured by his parent's home as well as two people who had been kept anonymous, reports The Verge.

Now, the judge at District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted the motion to unseal the documents of his bail.

Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas on December 12 and extradition to the US on December 21.

He was released on $250 million bond and reappeared in the court on January 3.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud and money laundering charges.

As part of the bond agreement, Bankman-Fried will wear an "electronic monitoring bracelet" and submit to "mental health counselling" amid restrictions on travelling out of the city.

Two close friends of the former FTX CEO have also pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Caroline Ellison and Zixiao "Gary" Wang, two executives in the bankrupt crypto exchange FTC, pleaded guilty.

The guilty pleas were related to their roles as insiders at FTX and its sister company Alameda Research.
Islamabad, Feb 16 : Pakistan poliAtiAcal economist PerAvez Tahir has called for revival of trade with India to decrease people's woes, local media reported.

He said the federal cabinet's size should be cut down in conformity with the requirement of the 18th Amendment. Since the federal development spending is financed by borrowing, it ought to be reduced to zero until the budget is balanced, he said, adding that defence expenditure "has a tail longer than... necessary".

Dr Tahir was addressing the participants of the Third Asma Jahangir Memorial Lecture organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Former PPP senator Farhatullah Babar also spoke at the event, which was moderated by rights activist Nasreen Azhar, Dawn reported.

Dr Tahir suggested that income of big landholders must be subjected to normal income taxation. Wealth tax, inheritance tax and estate duties need to be re-imposed, he said, adding that there should be no increase in indirect taxes, Dawn reported.

Provinces should devote 50 per cent of their income to development budget and provide the corresponding current budget to fully comply with Article 25-A within two years, he said.

"Property tax should be fully devolved to local governments for effective public service delivery and trade should be opened in the region to deal with the current account deficit," he suggested, Dawn reported.

Addressing the event, Babar said: "EveryAone says that perks and privileges of parliamentarians should be reduAced but even we cannot ask that how and why 90 acers of land worth Rs 5 billion was given to a general in Lahore at the time of his retirement."
Beijing, Feb 16 : A sea of elderly people protested against reduction to their health benefits in Wuhan and Dalian cities in China, the media reported.

The protests were carried out on Wednesday.

In a footage on social media, the protesters, mostly elderly retirees, can be heard saying that the "cuts come at a time when healthcare costs are soaring", BBC reported.

However, Wuhan and Dalian official said that they are unaware of the protests.
San Francisco, Feb 16 : World's largest crypto exchange Binance is likely to pay "monetary penalties" to settle investigations into its business in the US, the media reported.

Binance chief strategy officer Patrick Hillmann told the Wall Street Journal that the exchanges' executives were "unfamiliar with laws and rules written surrounding bribery, corruption and money laundering".

"Binance is working with regulators to figure out what are the remediations we have to go through now to make amends for that," he was quoted as saying in the report.

The outcome could range from "like a fine" to "could be more", Hillmann said.

Binance is reportedly facing a probe by the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has also reportedly sent at least two trading firms subpoenas in recent months, requesting records of their past dealings with Binance US.

Hillman did not estimate the size of the fines or a timeline for when the investigation might be settled, according to the report.

He said he was "highly confident and feeling really good about where those discussions are going".

The regulatory scrutiny on Binance has increased after the collapse of FTX last November.

Since the bankruptcy of FTX, Binance has been seeking to prove it has all of its customers' reserves.

In December, customers withdrew $1.14 billion in just 12 hours from Binance.

According to its CEO Changpeng Zhao, the massive withdrawals were "handled with ease" and "things seem to have stabilised".
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Income Tax (I-T) department's 'survey' at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai continued for the third consecutive day amid reports that some of its employees in the national capital haven't gone home since the process started.

According to reports, the I-T department officials have gathered data related to financial aspects like taxation and the company's structure, till now.

There is no clarity on for how long the "survey" operations are going to continue, sources aware of the developments, said.

Several opposition parties led by Congress have deplored the development, calling it a "political vendetta".

Information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur had earlier said that the I-T department conducts such surveys from time to time where irregularities are found.

He added that once the survey is completed, all the details would be provided.

Several employees of the broadcaster have been asked to work from home and those in office, have been directed to co-operate with the authorities.

The survey began just weeks after the BBC had released a two-part documentary titled "India: The Modi Question" which focuses on post Godhra riots in Gujarat, when prime minister Narendra Modi was the state's chief minister in 2002.
Davanagere : , Feb 16 (IANS) The hit-and-run case in which three youths were killed near Davangere city has taken a twist. The probe has revealed that the victims robbed truck drivers, and one of the truck drivers mowed them, police said on Thursday.

Davanagere Rural Police and District Crime in-charge Bureau (DCIB) sleuths cracked the case and arrested the truck driver. The police have also arrested three associates of the victims.

According to police, the deceased victims were part of a six-member robbers' gang. They had gone to rob truck drivers on two bikes. They used to stand on the side of the national highway and indulge in crime.

The truck driver, who mowed down the three robbers, has been identified as Bhole Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. The police have arrested him from Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Nagaraj, Ganesh and Rahul, the associates of the deceased persons and part of a robbery gang were also arrested. They had suffered minor injuries and managed to escape from being mowed down by the same truck driver when the incident took place. They were also absconding after the incident.

The police said that the deceased had threatened, assaulted truck driver Bhole Yadav. They extorted Rs 8,000 and robbed mobile and other articles.

Enraged by this incident, the accused truck driver had chased the robbers' gang moving on two bikes and mowed down one of the vehicles.

The incident of the three youths being killed on the spot in the hit-and-run case come to light on Saturday (February 10).

The incident had taken place on the National Highway 48 near Anagoda. 24-year-old Parashuram, 23-year-old Sandesh and 26-year-old Shivu, all residents of Ramnagar near Davangere were killed on the spot.

Earlier, the family members maintained that the youths had gone to attend a religious function to Katihalli village and were returning to their place on bike.

Davanagere Rural police had inspected the spot and had taken up the investigation. The police had also collected CCTV footage and statements from the people regarding the incident.
Kochi, Feb 16 : Venugopal Iyer, a Chartered Account and a close aide of M.Sivasankar -- the former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan --, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Life Mission bribery case on Friday.

The court, on Wednesday, had granted Sivasankar's five-day custody to the central agency.

Former IAS officer Sivasankar, who had retired on January 31, was arrested close to midnight on Tuesday by the probe agency in connection with a prevention of money laundering case pertaining to alleged fund irregularities in Kerala flood relief.

The arrest is related to the ongoing probe in Vijayan's pet project 'Life Mission' - intended to provide homes to the poor who lost their houses in the devastating floods of 2018. An amount of Rs 4 crore was allegedly paid as commission to get a contract, as builder Santhosh Eapen told the CBI after he was arrested.

Earlier, the ED had recovered Rs one crore in cash from a locker in the name of prime accused in the gold smuggling case and also in the Life Mission case- Swapna Suresh.

The locker is allegedly in the names of Swapna and Venugopal Iyer- a chartered accountant in question. In its first round of questioning, Iyer had admitted to have a locker but Sivasankar continues to deny having any knowledge about it.

Iyer and Sivasankar will be jointly questioned over the locker ownership and will be abi revealtion if the ED is able to substantiate that the locker was opened under the behest of Sivasankar.

More than that, it would lend credence to Swapna's statement that she was only a tool for Sivasankar and others to make money.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan on Thursday said in the ED report it has been mentioned that Swapna got a job under the IT department headed by Vijayan after he told Sivasankar to give her the job.

"Vijayan knew everything about Swapna's job. The Vijayan government has been trying to scuttle a CBI probe right from its inception and it was for that they announced a Vigilance probe. The Vigilance probe also did not make headway after it found that if it goes forward, it will reach the top level. Vijayan will have to break his silence as the truth has started to come out slowly," said Satheesan.

Incidentally, Swapna got a job and the salary was in excess of Rs one lakh, when her educational qualification was she hadn't even passed Class X and when this issue first surfaced in 2020, Vijayan feigned ignorance and said he doesn't know anything.

Meanwhile, the ED also is expected to call in Swapna and her associate Sarith to have a joint questioning as the court has asked them to produce Sivasankar at 2.30 p.m on Monday and by then, if the probe has to go forward the defence of the now retired bureaucrat has to be broken.

According to Congress Lok Sabha member K.Muraleedharan, it's best that Vijayan quits now, or his head will hang in shame.
Vijayawada, Feb 16 : Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued a man who had jumped into the Krishna River to commit suicide.

A team of SDRF rescued an auto-rickshaw driver, who jumped into the river at Prakasam Barrage here, to end his life.

The man from Mangalagiri in Guntur district resorted to the extreme step due to family dispute.

On learning about the incident, SDRF team from sixth batallion of Mangalagiri rushed to the spot and rescued him.

The SDRF team later handed him over to I-Town police station of Vijyawada city police for treatment and Counselling.

Director General of Police K.V. Rajendranath Reddy commended the timely response and rescue efforts of the SDRF team members in saving the life.
Taipei, Feb 16 : Chip maker MediaTek on Thursday launched the Dimensity 7200 chipset to amplify gaming and photography smartphone experiences.

The Dimensity 7200 delivers the same TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 4nm second-generation process found in the Dimensity 9200, and is ideal for ultra-slim designs in a variety of form factors, said the company.

"The MediaTek Dimensity 7000 series will be vital for mobile gamers and photography enthusiasts who are looking for an affordable way to squeeze the most battery life out of their phones without skimping on performance," CH Chen, Deputy General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit, said in a statement.

For gamers, the MediaTek HyperEngine 5.0 technology provides AI-based Variable Rate Shading (VRS) for power savings, CPU and GPU smart resource optimization for longer battery life, and other enhancements for smooth gameplay.

Moreover, utilising MediaTek's Imagiq 765 and a 14-bit HDR-ISP, the Dimensity 7200 supports 200MP main cameras for epic photography, according to the company.

To further optimise power and performance, MediaTek's built-in AI Processing Unit (APU) maximises the efficiency of AI tasks and AI fusion processing.

The chipset also supports 4K HDR video capture and allows users to capture content from two cameras at Full HD resolution while keeping everything in focus using all-pixel autofocus technology.

Additional features include -- up to Full HD+ and a refresh rate of 144Hz for brilliant displays, Bluetooth LE Audio technology and Dual-Link True Wireless Stereo Audio for wireless earbud support, AI SDR-to-HDR video playback for enhanced multimedia experiences, and more.
Islamabad, Feb 16 : A leading US think tank has stated that the Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan are unlikely to stop their extended support to the militants of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan, due to ideological understanding of top Afghan Taliban leadership.

In a latest report, issued by US think tank United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the state of security in Pakistan, its latest surge, re-emergence of TTP led terror attacks and its direct link to the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul have been discussed in detail.

"Amid Pakistan's economic crisis and the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Taliban have re-emerged as an increasingly potent threat," maintained the USIP report.

The report also referred to the recent criticism by Kabul on Islamabad's policies, stating that the Afghan Taliban undiplomatic rhetoric underscores the Taliban's determination to continue supporting the TTP, even in the face of intensified pressure from Pakistan.

Pakistan has called upon the Afghan Taliban to take action against TTP militants, who are operating from Afghan soil and coordinating terror attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistan has maintained that Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul needs to stand up to its commitment that it would not allow its soil to be used for terror activities against other countries.

The USIP report argues that "the Taliban's response to being confronted about their support for the TTP has been to the level counter-accusations - which does not signal an impending shift away from that support".

The report also links the Afghan Taliban counter-accusations with the reports of various UN officials and other observers, who have confirmed the free movement of TTP militants in various parts of Afghanistan and even conducting business in Afghan cities.

It is also a fact that all TTP militants, who were put behind bars during Asrhaf Ghani time in Afghanistan, were immediately released after the Afghan Taliban takeover. And even today, they are seen having comfortable and free movement across the country.

It is because of this ground reality that the Afghan Taliban were unlikely to stop supporting the TTP on ideological grounds, stated the USIP report.

Another big aspect that is having direct impact on Pakistan's future policy and its response is its deteriorating economy, which limits the country from launching an all out offensive against TTP, something that the Afghan Taliban are also aware of.

"That limits Pakistan's military options. Pakistan can carry out raids and undertake defensive actions inside the country, but it doesn't have the resources for a sustained high intensity campaign," USIP highlighted.

The report also highlighted the political pressures on the current Pakistani government, which was slammed for "framing the terrorism resurgence as a conspiracy by the military to block former prime minister Imran Khan's return to power and to get American aid".

"The Afghan Taliban remain very supportive of the TTP and are providing the group with a permissive safe haven. TTP also had a lot of popular support in Afghanistan, where both Taliban and non-Taliban constituencies get behind the TTP due to a fervent dislike for Pakistan," the USIP report maintained.

One major point of extended support of Afghan Taliban to the TTP terror activities inside Pakistan is the ideological understanding of top Afghan Taliban leadership, despite the fact that Afghan Taliban Interior Minister Siraj Haqqani, had restrained the TTP from carrying out attacks inside Pakistan on many occasions.

However, the opinion gets balanced by the Taliban Amir Hibatullah Akhundzada, who agrees with the TTP that Pakistani system is un-islamic and that it needs to be challenged for imposition of a Shariah Islamic system.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : To empower 'Make in India' in dam safety, IIT Roorkee in collaboration with the Central Water Commission (CWC) will develop International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED) under externally funded Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project Phase II and Phase III.

Officials said that this memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will remain valid for ten years or till the duration of the DRIP Phase-II and Phase-II Scheme, whichever is earlier, from the date of signing.

ICED, Roorkee will provide specialised technical support in investigations, modelling, research and innovations, and technical support services to the Indian and overseas dam owners. The Centre will work for agreed dam safety areas to support and provide solutions to various emerging challenges faced in dam safety through scientific research and latest technological innovations.

It will also carry out applied research, education, and technology transfer in dam safety management at local, regional, national, and international levels.

As per Ministry of Jal Shakti officials, the Centre will presently start with the focus on the two key areas, including Reservoir Sedimentation and Seismic Hazard Mapping and Analysis in the initial years. The new areas shall be added as per the need arises from implementation of the Dam Safety Act in the near future. In the long run, the Centre shall aim to deal with the complete life cycle of the dams.

The ICED is being set up at a cost of Rs. 109 Crore, being borne by theADepartment of Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation & River Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti as non-recurring grant in six tranches towards procurement of goods, machineries for establishment of new laboratories as well as strengthening of existing laboratories, initiation of research activities, construction/ modernization of infrastructure for setting up of ICED by IIT Roorkee.

IIT Roorkee will endeavor to reach a level of self-sufficiency within ten (10) years by generating income streams through the knowledge and capabilities developed on dam safety & rehabilitation in general, and in the core areas of reservoir sedimentation and seismic hazard mapping and analysis in particular.

In addition, ICED Roorkee will have Centre Development Fund, accrual to which will come from sources like, a part of the consultancy charges, short term training programmes and any other revenue earning activity will be contributed to this fund.

At the MoA signing ceremony, Secretary (WR, RD&GR) expressed that ICED will give the right impetus to the Government Mission "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and will also provide a window of opportunity for disseminating knowledge and expertise in the dam safety area to many underdeveloped and developing nations in future.

Prof K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said that the formation of ICED will empower 'Make in India' in dam safety, plus augment advanced research and developing technologies and application products. We are eager to contribute to the mission of the Ministry of Jal Shakti."
Mumbai, Feb 16 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will interact with 50 daughters of martyred Kashmir Police and security personnel during his upcoming three-day visit to Maharashtra starting from Friday, official sources said here on Thursday.

Shah will reach Nagpur from Assam late on Friday (February 17) and on Saturday will visit the RSS headquarters in Reshim Bagh, pay his respects at the holy site of Deekshabhoomi, the samadhis of K.B. Hedgewar and M.S. Golwalkar, and attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the Lokmat Group.

In the afternoon, Shah, who is also the Union Minister for Cooperation, will fly down to Pune to participate in a co-operatives sector event organised by the Sakal Group, interact with 50 daughters of martyred Kashmir police and security officials on behalf of NGO Sarhad, pray at the Omkareshwar Temple and release the Marathi translation of a book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Sunday, Shah will attend a programme to mark the 393rd birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and then depart for Kolhapur for a darshan of the famed Mahalaxmi Temple, garland the statue of Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and after completing several other engagements, leave for New Delhi the same evening, the sources said.
Dhaka, Feb 16 : The Bangladesh High Court on Thursday ruled that mentioning marital status is not mandatory for getting enrolled in educational institutions.

A bench of Justices Naima Haider and Justice Md Khairul Alam delivered the verdict after hearing a writ petition.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state while Aneek R Haque appeared for the writ petitioner during hearing on the rule.

On November 14, 2017, lawyers Fariha Ferdous and Nahid Sultana Jeni had filed the writ in the form of public interest litigation in the High Court following a news report titled "What will the girl do now?" As per the report, a girl, the daughter of a day labourer, was raped in 2013 when she was a Secondary School Certificate examinee. The rapist was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. The rape had resulted in pregnancy and she gave birth to a baby.

However, the rape survivor was denied admission to a nursing college as she had not identified herself as "estranged" in the application form as "asked" by the college authority.

The HC on December 11, 2017 issued the rule questioning the legality of the educational institutions' action seeking information on marital status of admission seekers.

The court issued a rule asking the government authorities to explain as to why such an action of inquiring about the marital status of admission seekers should not be declared unconstitutional.

The court also asked the authorities to enroll the female student to Rajshahi Government Nursing College.
Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Reacting to the comments of Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan to "finish him off", Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said on Thursday that he (minister) should instead get a gun.

'Why do you (minister Ashwath Narayan) provoke. Instead, take a gun and come to me," said Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah maintained that Minister Ashwath Narayan had given a call to the people "to finish me off like Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. I am not surprised by his call to murder me. How can we expect love, empathy, sympathy and friendship from the leaders of the party which revered the person who killed Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

"If the state police have not taken action even as a minister of the state had given a public call for murder, it only shows that the rulers are not alive and the government is dead," Siddaramaiah stated.

He demanded that Minister Ashwath Narayan should be immediately dropped from the cabinet. "He had given a statement like a mentally-retarded person. If he is not sacked and arrested, it is as good as the BJP party agreeing that Minister Ashwath Narayan is indeed a mentally-retarded person," he attacked.

Minister Ashwath Narayan had issued the controversial statement during a public programme in Satanur of Mandya district. "Siddaramaiah will come to the place of Tipu Sultan (erstwhile ruler of Mysuru). Do you want Veer Savarkar or Tipu Sultan? You have to decide.

"You know what Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda (soldiers who fought Tipu Sultan) did to Tipu Sultan. Likewise he (Siddaramaiah) should be finished off." The statement had stirred a controversy in the state.

However, on Thursday, the minister expressed regret over his comments.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Shoes contribute a lot to your style, not only do they elevate your look but they also say a lot about your personality. Most people are judged by the shoes they wear. There's an old English proverb that points towards the same and holds to date.

It is also said that shoes affect your mood. The shoes you wear can reflect your style, mood, personality, attitude, and much more. If you want to leave a strong impression, a versatile shoe collection can do the job, they add a lot of depth to your personality. You can unknowingly create a negative impression of yourself with your shoes. Hence, it is recommended to never laze around the shoe matter.

Take things into your own hands and start building a fantastic shoe collection today. If you are extremely unaware of shoes, Kuldeep Singh, Founder and CEO of San Frissco outlines a collection of shoes you should own and what they convey. Let's dive in! Sneakers

Sneakers are the most frequently worn shoes these days. They usually represent a happy, sporty, and comfortable attitude. They are best paired with casual outfits. If you want to look professional, it is better to avoid these. Sneakers are comfortable, cozy, and stylish. They convey an extremely relaxed vibe. From your friend's birthday party to your workouts, you can wear them everywhere. You need to invest in a sneaker to complement all your styles.

Chappals and Sandals Leather Sandals or Chappals elicit an extremely comfortable, chilled, and relaxed attitude. They are perfect for beach vacations. Additionally, they are the most suitable for your feet during summer. Apart from a beach vacation, you can also wear them for daily activities. They are street-friendly, and even celebrities and influencers are opting for them.

Boots One of the best additions to your shoe collection, boots are a sight to behold. They work well in both personal and professional settings. They convey a strong, professional, chic, and charismatic attitude. You can style it with denim, pants, or even dresses. You can wear a pair to the office and even parties. They convey extreme confidence as well.

Loafers Loafers never go out of style. They can easily convey a casual and light-hearted attitude. They are perfect for get-togethers and parties that involve your near and dear ones. They are minimalist yet stylish. They can give a confident and chic vibe with chinos, denim, and even a well-fitted suit. They are extremely comfortable and you'll feel confident in your skin.

Heels Heels have been a status symbol since time immemorial. Kings and Queens wore heels to denote their high status. It was also used during dances. Even today, heels represent confidence, boldness, and even a high status. Women who wear heels are deemed more attractive as well. Thus, wearing heels can convey a strong, attractive, and powerful attitude. You can pair them easily with dresses, jumpsuits, and even denim.

Shoes can convey more than you know. You should always keep a good check on your shoes and wear the most suitable pair. You need to dress up according to the situation, surroundings, and people. Only when you can do that, you can create the desired impression with your shoes.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New York state is hosting a free snowmobiling weekend for riders from other states and Canada.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Thursday announced that beginning March 3 to 5, and annually thereafter, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in March will be free for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers.

During this promotional weekend, the requirement to register in New York is waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to explore New York's 10,500 miles of snowmobile trails.

"With the support of local governments and snowmobile clubs, we are so glad to welcome out-of-state snowmobilers each year to New York State trails," Hochul said in a statement. "By offering this free snowmobiling weekend at the same time each year, our hope is to spur friendships, get annual trips on calendars and boost promotion of upstate tourism. Our expansive snowmobile network gives visitors and tourists an incredible opportunity to explore our state."

Out-of-state and Canadian participants must operate a snowmobile that is registered in their home state/province and must carry any applicable insurance as required. Outside of this promotion, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register their snowmobiles with New York state.

In a news release, the governor's office said the state has made an ongoing commitment to snowmobile trail maintenance and its local grants program is funded by snowmobile registration fees collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund.

Trail conditions vary depending on snowfall amounts and other factors, so officials caution snowmobilers, fishermen, skiers and snowshoers to put safety first and to proceed with extreme caution before venturing on ice- or snow-covered bodies of water. The unusually warm weather conditions forecasted over the next week and associated runoff could undermine existing ice.

The New York State Snowmobile Association website provides information about snowmobiling and snowmobile clubs, and the state has an online guide from I LOVE NY to snowmobile trips.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The longest-running North East India Centric Festival, Celebrating North East, is being put on by North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) for its 16th year to highlight the region's colourful textiles, music, dance, and culture. From February 17 to 19, 2023, the New Motibagh Club in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, will host the 16th edition.

NEIFT pledges to make the Delhi Edition bigger and more colourful following the huge success of the 15th Edition of the Festival, which was held at the Federal property: Ronald Reagan International Building & Trade Centre in Washington D.C., the US.

In the presence of ambassadors, diplomats, members of parliament, representatives from civil society, representatives from the international and national media, and Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Ayush, and Darshana Jardosh, Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, the 16th edition will be officially opened.

CEO, NEIFT and the Curator of Celebrating North East Vikram Rai Medhi said, "Our Festival from the beginning was curated to create a bridge of understanding, exploring new possibilities and finding newer platforms for the potential, talented youth coming from different parts of the North East. We primarily being a Fashion Institute want to give an International Opportunity to the immensely talented Fashion and Textile Designers from the 8 States and today I am proud to say that through our Festival, Designers from the NER has found new markets and also tied up hands with National houses to source NER sustainable textiles for design and product diversify initiatives." The 16th Edition will feature dance performances by numerous well-known artists, including Marami Medhi and Meghranjani Medhi, and singing performances by artists like Zublee Baruah and John Oinam, among others, with their full ensembles. The renowned Nizami Bandhu will perform live at the Festival in order to create a vision of the North East and North India artists.

The Top of the Line fashion shows, which have traditionally been the highlight of Celebrating North East, will feature 36 Top Models and 16 NER designers on the largest runway ever seen at a festival of this type. In fact, each edition of Celebrating North East has its own distinctive trademark: long runways or ramps.

"We believe in serious Fashion and the Collections worn by the Models should walk through the buyers and Media so that they can see and understand the fall of the fabric, the story of the outfit, and the Accessories from a close distance. This creates the right business environment for the Designers and the Buyers," added Vikram Rai Medhi.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Lucknow, Feb 16 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will hold a ground-breaking ceremony for MoUs signed during the recent Global Investors' Summit (GIS) before Diwali.

Chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra has asked officials to chase all investment proposals to convert them into projects on the ground.

The chief secretary has asked officials to review progress of every MoU at regular intervals with a view to converting the proposals into actual investments and resolve issues of investors, if any.

Officials have also been asked to ensure entry of authentic data on indicators of aspirational blocks, make weekly spot visits to village panchayats and work on speedy execution of the ongoing Jal Jivan Mission.
Kanpur, Feb 16 : The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will be hosting the fifth edition of National Students' Research Convention 2023 (NSRC-23) from March 3-5.

The theme this year is, 'MedTech and Healthcare: The Welfare of Humanity'.

NSRC is a flagship event of the Academics and Career Council at IIT Kanpur that serves as a platform for the brightest minds in academia and industry to showcase their cutting-edge research and innovation ideas.

It also provides opportunities for students, especially those who showcase their research and innovative work, to gain insight about their field of interest through talks and interactions with industry leaders as well as the faculty.

According to an official release, with this year's convention focused on the burning topic of medical technology, it has brought together leaders and experts from the field of medicine and technology entrepreneurs.

One of the highlights of the convention also include workshops.

'Design Thinking: An Agile Tool for Medical Device Prototyping', organised by MedTech Laboratories of IIT Kanpur, will be a hands-on training on manufacturing engineering, medical devices manufacturing and rapid manufacturing.

Talking about NSRC '23, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur, said, "The pandemic has emphasised not only the need to have a healthcare system in place, but the important role that technology can play in making it more efficient. There are exciting innovations taking place in this field. This is the reason why med-tech is the focus of NSRC '23 this year. We hope that NSRC' 23 will excite our young students."
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Taking forward his pitch for tribal welfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that what was once considered remote and neglected, is now being brought into the mainstream by the government.

Modi aired these views while inaugurating the 'Aadi Mahotsav', a 10-day festival showcasing tribal art, cuisine, culture and traditions organised by the Union ministry of tribal welfare.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the prime minister further said that events like Aadi Mahotsav have become a movement in the country and he himself participates in many of them.

"Welfare of tribal society is also a matter of personal relationship and emotions for me," he said.

Underlining the contributions of the tribal society in the struggle for India's Independence, Modi lamented the attempt for decades to cover up the glorious chapters of the sacrifice and valour of the tribal community in the pages of history.

He said that for the first time, the nation has finally taken steps to bring these forgotten chapters of the past to the fore.

"For the first time, the country has started celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda," Modi said.

The prime minister emphasised on the efforts of the government to promote tribal arts and skill development for the tribal youth.

Referring to the budget for 2023-24, Modi informed that the PM Visvakarma Yojna has been introduced for traditional craftsmen, where economical assistance will be provided apart from skill development and support in marketing their products.

He illustrated this by citing the aspirational districts and blocks scheme where most of the target areas have a tribal majority.

"In this year's budget, the budget given for Scheduled Tribes has also been increased by five times as compared to 2014," the prime minister informed.

Modi highlighted that the spotlight has been on the journey of tribal society in the last 8-9 years of his government, adding that it has been a witness to the change where the country is giving priority to equality and harmony.

He highlighted that this is the first time in 75 years of India's Independence that the leadership of the country is in the hands of a tribal woman who is making India proud at the highest office in the form of President.

The prime minister said that tribal history is getting much-deserved recognition in the country for the first time.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Congress on Thursday said that a joint parliamentary committee is required in the Adani-Hindenburg report as there is political-corporate nexus in the whole issue and only the JPC can probe the scam.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, said, "It is an exercise initiated by the two principal actors...the government and the Adani group... to cover up, avoid, evade and bury all genuine scrutiny." He said that the proposed committee is a part of a carefully orchestrated exercise by these vested interests to prevent any real investigation into the Adani group's relationship with the ruling regime.

"This is supported by the fact that the Solicitor General suggested, as per news reports, that the government will give the names for the committee in a sealed cover, for the consideration of the Supreme Court," he said.

He said that the nature of these allegations, the link between Adani and the ruling regime is examined in the full light of day by elected officials accountable to the public.

He said on February 13, the bench of the Supreme Court while hearing petitions on the Adani-Hindenburg matter, discussed the creation of a committee of experts to examine the regulatory regime post the Adani-Hindenburg expose.

"An evaluation of the regulatory and statutory regime by experts is in no manner equivalent to an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Such a committee, however competently staffed, cannot be a substitute for a thorough investigation into the political-corporate nexus that has come to light in the last two weeks. It simply does not have the authority, resources, or jurisdiction to examine the issues that the Opposition has raised.

"If the Prime Minister and his government are to be held accountable, any committee other than a JPC will be nothing but an exercise in legitimisation and exoneration," he added.
Chennai, Feb 16 : The Immigration officials at the Chennai International airport arrested a rape-accused man when he arrived from Muscat.

According to the airport officials, Poomari of Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu is accused in a rape case that happened seven years ago and ever since he was absconding.

On scanning through his passport at the immigration counter, the police found that he had a look out notice against him and detained him. Later, he was questioned by the immigration officials and found that he had raped a woman in 2016.

When the police was on search of him, he escaped abroad to Muscat. Ramanathapuram issued a look out notice in 2020 against him to all the airports across the country.

The immigration officials interrogated him and later handed him over to Chennai police.
Amaravati, Feb 16 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received a setback in Andhra Pradesh as former state minister Kanna Lakshminarayana announced his resignation from the party on Thursday.

Lakshminarayana, who has been unhappy with the party's state leadership for some time, sent his resignation letter to party's national president J.P. Nadda.

He announced his decision in Guntur after holding consultation with his followers. Lakshminarayana's followers also resigned from the saffron party.

The senior leader, who earlier headed the BJP in the state, said that he was resigning due to the state BJP president Somu Veerraju's style of functioning.

He said he would soon announce his future course of action.

The former minister said that he was resigning due to the approach of Somu Veerraju but he remained an admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He recalled that he joined the BJP in 2014 and worked as an ordinary worker. He said in recognition of his work, the party appointed him state president in 2018. He claimed that he visited all 175 Assembly constituencies and announced candidates for 2019 elections.

Lakshminarayana said that he worked with the aim of bringing the BJP to power in 2024. He said he also led the fight against the wrong decisions of Jagan Mohan Reddy government.

The former minister said after Covid-19 pandemic, the leadership appointed Somu Veerraju as the party state president.

Lakshminarayana was unhappy with Somu Veerraju for removing presidents of the party's district units appointed when he was the president. He was also unhappy with BJP state president for failing to have proper coordination with party's ally Jana Sena Party headed by actor politician Pawan Kalyan.

Like Pawan Kalyan, Lakshminarayana also hails from Kapu community.

A five-time state legislator from Guntur district, Lakshminarayana severed his nearly four-decade association with the Congress to join the BJP in 2014, a few months after the elections. He served as minister and held various portfolios in the cabinets of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, K. Rosaiah and Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Kolkata, Feb 16 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the Centre is making the lives of rural poor miserable by pushing them into a circle of online activities.

"The Union government wants to introduce a total online system in the lives of rural people. But how can the marginalised communities get accustomed to it? So, their lives are becoming miserable," the chief minister said while addressing an administrative review meeting in West Midnapore district.

She claimed that the Centre has made mandatory linking of AADHAR cards with bank accounts for payment of money for the 100-day job scheme under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). "But is the Union government aware that there is not a single bank branch in several rural blocks in the state? What will the people staying there do?" the chief minister questioned.

Speaking on the occasion, she also criticised the Union government for not paying the amount for the Ghatal Master Plan meant for bringing a solution in the flood- prone districts of the West Midnapore district. "Unless we get the central funds on this count, we will never be able to implement the scheme," she said.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged reluctance of Centre to release funds under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY), CM Banerjee said, "The funds under this scheme are not provided by the Prime Minister alone as is being projected. The state government too has its share of funds in the scheme. The Union government accumulates huge amounts from the state under the goods & services tax head. But they are reluctant to release the state's share in that." She also alleged that the Union government is setting too many conditions for those who are supposed to get houses under the PMAY. "How can the Union government set all the conditions, when the state government too has its share of funds in the scheme," she said.
Islamabad, Feb 16 : At least two people were killed and six others injured in a blast inside the Quetta-bound Jaffer Express on Thursday, the media reported.

The blast occurred in bogie number 6 of the express when it was passing from Chichawatni railway station, ARY News reported.

The injured were rushed to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Dawn News reported quoting Sahiwal District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Shahzad.

The nature of the blast is being determined, area has been cordoned off and investigation initiated.
Patna, Feb 16 : RJD MLA and former agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh once again launched a tirade against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday saying he is running a government of "goons".

"Though Nitish Kumar has picked up a capable IPS officer as the DGP, but rape, murder, loot, snatching and other crimes continue unabated in the state. The crime graph of Bihar is on a constant rise and Nitish Kumar is running a government of goons," Singh said in his home district Kaimur.

"My experience with Nitish Kumar as a cabinet minister has been the worst. His government is only for the bureaucrats, corrupt and goons. There is no place for farmers, labourers and unemployed persons in his government," Singh alleged.

"Nitish Kumar runs a backdoor government. He is not capable of winning the election on his own. He does politics with the help of other parties," he said.

Reacting to Kumar's Samadhan Yatra, Sudhakar Singh said that the chief minister is not resolving the problems of farmers, labourers and unemployed youths. He is dissembling through his Samadhan Yatra.

Sudhakar Singh had earlier targetted Nitish Kumar with words like 'Shikhandi,' 'night watchman', 'beggar' etc.

Sudhakar Singh of RJD and Upendra Kushwaha of JD(U) have constantly been attacking Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav respectively. Interestingly, the top leadership of both the parties are not taking action on them.

Kushwaha, the president of JD(U) parliamentary board has raised strong objections to the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav. He claimed that the people of Lav-Kush communities are Extremely backward and are a scared lot after Nitish Kumar announced the name of Tejashwi Yadav for the 2025 Assembly election.
Two Cayuga County dairy farms were recently honored for being among the best in the business.

Sunnyside Farms of Venice Center received the 2023 Business of the Year Award from the New York State Agricultural Society at its annual forum Jan. 12 at the Syracuse OnCenter.

According to a news release, the second and third generation of the Rejman family were recognized for their leadership and innovation. They currently milk 5,000 milking cows and crop 7,500 acres. The award recognizes an agribusiness for the quality, leadership and innovation they demonstrate that enhances the integrity of the state's agricultural industry.

And Fessenden Dairy in King Ferry was a Gold Winner for superior milk quality in the 2022 National Dairy Quality Awards.

The dairy said that the milk quality award is rigorous and based on consistent milk quality, routines, protocols and management that ensure overall herd health and welfare.

Farms are nominated through a thorough process by industry professionals. Out of 86 applicants submitted, 46 made it to the final analysis, to be broken down into Platinum, Gold and Silver winners, and just 5 points separated the top Platinum from the final Gold winner.

The Fessendens were the only dairy from central New York given the honor. Their nominator, Lisa Ford with Cayuga Marketing, said in a statement that "the farm is beautiful, well maintained, full of happy cows and is always a pleasure to go to. Employees are kind and care for the animals and the Fessendens hold themselves to a high standard in all aspects of the dairy. There couldnt be a more deserving farm to receive such great honor."

The Fessendens milk about 600 cows and raise almost that in young stock at their King Ferry location.

More information can be found at nmconline.org/2023/02/03/michigan-minnesota-new-york-wisconsin-dairies-win-nmc-awards/.
Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Amid all the hustle and bustle of Aero India 2023, a small group of startups and MSMEs from Karnataka is silently making its mark, attracting attention for their innovative range of products. In all, 24 organisations have set up shop in the Karnataka Udyog Mitra stall at the 14th edition of India's own international air show.

As startups and MSME go, these handful of entrepreneurs in the aerospace sector may not enjoy the recognition and brand recall of their global and corporate neighbours at Aero India 2023.

However, these homespun companies are more than making up with the array of exciting products they have developed or creating.

Some of them like NopoNano Technologies, are into producing single-walled carbon nanotubes with wide-ranging applications in aerospace are being manufactured in Bengaluru.

With applications ranging from coatings for aircraft, to batteries and in semiconductors, these nanotubes are attracting queries from visitors to Aero India.

"We work on single-walled carbon nanotubes. This is an advanced material that will create the future of aircraft and spacecraft. This material we have created in Karnataka, in Bangalore and this material is incredibly small. It's about one lakh times smaller than a hair strand and is manufactured to an atomic accuracy in Electronic City," said Gadadhar Reddy, Founder, NopoNano Technologies, an aerospace startup in Bengaluru.

For some of the Karnataka entrepreneurs at Aero India 2023, the sky is literally not the limit anymore. Apart from housing the headquarters of the nation's space programme, Bengaluru is home to several defence organisations and public sector units. Local MSMEs have leveraged on their technical and scientific expertise to become part of several exciting projects on land, at sea, in the air, and beyond - in space.

For instance, Bengaluru-based Aidin Technologies Pvt Ltd, a 15-year old MSME has distinguished itself by designing and developing cutting edge products for ISRO, and BE among others. Their success story includes the design and development of a space RF product subsystem for all the satellites and also the data link modem which is used for aerial target vehicles or UAVs. But that's not all, says Harish, CMD of Audin Technologies.

"We are also part of the Indian human space flight programme. We have got the contract for executing the avionics interphase and the bio-based electronics package which will be used to monitor the health parameters of the astronauts when they go up in space." So, what makes these relatively small enterprises tick in such a highly competitive sector? Essentially the thriving entrepreneurial landscape, the proximity to potential clients in the form of space, aerospace, and defence establishments, and finally the support of the Karnataka state government, say the homegrown entrepreneurs at Aero India 2023.
Chennai, Feb 16 : To commemorate the International year of Millets 2023, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has introduced four new varieties of millet and 23 new varieties of crop.

The four new millet varieties are Peal millet hybrid COH10, Sorghum K13, Kudiraivali ATL1 and Panivaragu ATL2.

TNAU Vice-Chancellor, Geethalakshmi, said on Wednesday that other than the four varieties of millet, the university research department has introduced 23 new crop varieties, including 16 agricultural crops, four tree varieties, and three horticultural crops.

The horticultural crops include two varieties of Ridge Gourd and a variety of Jasmine.

The university has also developed new tree varieties for supporting the afforestation programme of the state government. This includes silk cotton, red sanders, casuarina, and khaya trees which can be bought by farmers from the agricultural university.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the farm yield has to increase in accordance with the rising population of the country, without compromising on quality and nutritional value.

She also said that the changing weather patterns are becoming a threat to farming and agriculture and pointed out the loss of crops that were about to be harvested in unprecedented rainfall in the delta belt.

The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets at the proposal of India.
Jammu, Feb 16 : Mrs World 2022-2023 Sargam Koushal called on J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday.

An official statement, "The Lt Governor congratulated Smt Sargam Koushal for her achievement.

"Smt Sargam Koushal, accompanied by her parents, also shared her upcoming initiatives of women empowerment & awareness on substance abuse with the Lt Governor".

Koushal, who hails from Jammu, won the contest after beating contestants from 63 countries in December 2022. She brought the title back to India after 21 years.
Guwahati, Feb 16 : The former National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) state coordinator in Assam Hitesh Dev Sarma has accused All Assam Student's Union (AASU) leader Samujjal Bhattacharya of taking a bribe from Dev Sarma's predecessor, Prateek Hajela.

On Thursday, in a Facebook post, Dev Sarma wrote, "I was NRC state coordinator for more than two-and-a-half years. But, the AASU leadership never turned up to meet me despite that I unearthed the anomalies happened earlier during the NRC updation exercise. Samujjal Bhattacharya used to visit the NRC state coordinator's office every afternoon when Hajela was in charge of the office. Why? The news in the market is that Samujjal Bhattacharya took bribe of 16 lakhs per month from Hajela to cover the anomalies happened in NRC exercise. I don't know the truth, but an investigation into this matter can divulge the details. However, it is true that Samujjal Bhattacharya never demanded the reverification of the NRC." The former NRC coordinator further alleged that AASU leadership believed that Hajela was an efficient officer and he was advised not to speak against Prateek Hajela by another AASU leader Basanta Deka, another Facebook post of Dev Sarma mentioned.

When IANS reached him on the phone, Dev Sarma said, "I have written everything on Facebook. This is not my opinion, I wrote what most of the people here think about AASU leader Bhattacharya." He demanded an investigation into this matter.

Reacting to the allegation, Bhattacharya told IANS, "Hitesh Dev Sarma is a complete liar, and his claim that I had taken a bribe of 16 lakh rupees is totally false. He has lost his mental balance, and I would suggest that he consult a doctor. I am holding a discussion with the lawyers to lodge a defamation suit against him." The students' body leader further said that AASU was the first petitioner in the Supreme Court to demand a reverification of the whole NRC exercise.

Since the final draught list of citizens was released on August 31, 2019, the Supreme Court-monitored NRC effort to weed out "illegal immigrants" from Assam has been in limbo. Of the 3.3 crore candidates, 19.06 lakh were excluded from the list due to doubts regarding their citizenship.

Less than three months after the publication of the final draught of the NRC, the Supreme Court ordered Hajela's transfer to his home state of Madhya Pradesh. This occurred, it appears, because the BJP-led Assam government found the list of citizens to be inaccurate and requested the re-verification of 10-20 per cent of the names in all the districts.

In November 2019, a month after he left Assam, Dev Sarma succeeded Hajela. In July last year, Hitesh Dev Sarma retired from the post of NRC state coordinator.

In the meantime, Dev Sarma filed a police complaint in May last year, accusing his predecessor of treason for willfully permitting errors in the NRC draft list preparation process. Additionally, Hajela was charged with money laundering intended for the NRC exercise.
Islamabad, Feb 16 : Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has asked President Arif Alvi to order an inquiry against former COAS General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa for his alleged violation of oath and the Constitution of the country, local media reported.

"Some very disturbing information has now come into the public domain whereby it is clear that Gen retd Bajwa as COAS violated his oath of office repeatedly," the PTI chief stated in a letter written to the president, shared publicly on the party's official social media channels today, Geo News reported.

Khan mentioned that the former army chief committed "violations" and requested Arif Alvi "as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to institute an immediate inquiry against him", Geo News reported.

The PTI chairman referred to a column published in a newspaper earlier this month in which startling revelations about Khan's government were made attributing General (retd) Bajwa.

"He has admitted to a journalist that 'we' (and it would be critical to ascertain from him who was the 'we' in reference to) considered Khan dangerous to the country if he continued to stay in power," Khan said, adding the question that arises is who gave him the power to decide that an elected prime minister was supposedly a danger to the country.

The PTI chairman noted that only the people through elections can decide who they want to elect as prime minister, Geo News reported.

"Taking such a right on himself is in clear violation of his oath as given in Third Schedule Article 244 of the Constitution," he alleged.

While referring to Shaukat Tarin's corruption case, about which Bajwa claimed that the PTI finance minister approached the then spymaster General (retd) Faiz Hamid to get this matter sorted out.

"Regardless of the merits of his claims in this case, he has also admitted he managed to get NAB case against Shaukat Tarin dismissed revealing that NAB was under his control - again a clear violation of the Constitutional oath because the army itself is a department under the Ministry of Defence and civilian official autonomous institutions do not come military control," Khan wrote, Geo News reported.
Lucknow, Feb 16 : Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya has written a letter to the Lucknow Police Commissioner, alleging murderous attack by Mahant Raju Das and his supporters.

Maurya said that Mahant Raju Das, Mahant Paramhans Das and their supporters of Tapasvi Chawni tried to attack him in Lucknow with swords and axes.

He has also demanded security, referring to the threat given by Raju Das in the past when Das had declared a reward for beheading Maurya.

Maurya, who came to participate in a programme of a TV channel, also questioned the arrangement of hotel and said, "In a secure establishment like the hotel where mobiles, luggage, clothes are searched. In such a situation, these people were waiting for me with sharp weapons. This indicates a bigger conspiracy." He said, "I have sent a letter for my security to the Prime Minister and the President and the chief minister. The attackers were the same people who had threatened me."
Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Two police complaints have been lodged against Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, IT, BT, Science and Technology Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan on Thursday over his controversial statement to "finish off" Opposition leader Siddaramaiah.

Minister Narayan had issued the controversial statement during a public programme in Satanur of Mandya district. "Siddaramaiah will come to the place of Tipu Sultan (erstwhile ruler of Mysuru). Do you want Veer Savarkar or Tipu Sultan? You have to decide. You know what Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda (soldiers who fought Tipu Sultan) did to Tipu Sultan. Likewise, he (Siddaramaiah) should be finished off." The statement had stirred a controversy in the state.

Congress leader Manohar and others have lodged a complaint with Malleshwaram police station in Bengaluru and demanded that an attempt to murder case should be registered against him.

Siddaramaiah Fan's Association has lodged a complaint with Gokul Road Police Station in Hubballi city against him and urged the police to take immediate action. The police have accepted the complaints and taken up the investigation.

Congress Unit in Mysuru had staged a protest against Ashwath Narayan and burnt his effigy condemning his statement.

Meanwhile, the controversy rocked the ongoing Assembly session as Congress MLAs protested the clarification given by Minister Ashwath Narayan in this regard. Though Ashwath Narayan regretted his statements in the Assembly, his attempt to defend his statement enraged Congress MLAs.

The Congress MLA's trooped into the well of the House and started protesting. Following the chaotic atmosphere, the House was adjourned by the speaker.

Congress MLA U.T. Khader raised the issue in zero hour which was objected by the Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri. But, Khader demanded that the police should register suo moto cases and initiate action to give a message to society.

From the last one month, hate speeches are being delivered. The provoking statements are issued in Ullal and Tumakuru. There should be an end to it. Minister Ashwath Narayan is a doctor. All problems are from the learned, he charged.

Minister Ashwath Narayan who stood up to answer, stated, "He had compared Siddaramaiah to Tipu Sultan. I have spoken about the love of Siddaramaiah towards Tipu Sultan. I have not spoken disrespectfully about him. I have given a call to defeat the Congress party which glorified a killer (Tipu Sultan). There is no personal enmity. This is an ideological difference. If he is hurt, I apologize to him," he said.

Congress MLAs insisted that FIR should be registered against him and protested. The Speaker Kageri intervened and warned Congress leaders that he would get them out of the assembly session. The Congress leaders enraged by this came to the well and staged a protest.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Homegrown enterprise HRMS (Human Resource Management System) platform Akrivia HCM on Thursday announced to hire over 500 employees in 2023, with 20 per cent of the new hires will support India operations.

The new recruitments will primarily be in the engineering, Implementation and support functions, and the expertise in cutting-edge technologies like Full Stack development, Data Engineering, and DevOps will be the core eligibility lookouts for the engineering profile, according to the company.

"At Akrivia, we are facilitating this change for our customers, by consistently re-innovating every module in the Indian HR stack system. We are spreading wings across 2 new geographies and growing our customer base at a rate of 200 per cent to touch 10 lakh users by the end of 2023. And synergising with the right talent will only catalyse our growth momentum, hereon," Rahul Varma Kalidindi, CEO and Co-Founder, Akrivia HCM, said in a statement.

"20 per cent of the new hires will support India operations, while the remaining will facilitate the company's growth in international markets like Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar," he added.

The announcement comes at a time when leading organisations, from global conglomerates to the celebrated startups in the country, are resorting to multiple mass layoffs to counter the ongoing economic uncertainties, said the company.
Kochi, Feb 16 : Marine scientists and experts from across the globe have called for blending technological innovations with indigenous traditional knowledge in respective regions to improve livelihood of fishermen.

They were speaking at a panel discussion on future proofing of small-scale fisheries on the sideline of the ongoing international symposium on innovations in fishing technology, here on Thursday.

Referring to major challenges in the small-scale fisheries (SSF), John Lansley, Fishery Industry Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN said culturally appropriate technologies significant to respective regions need to be developed to enhance the contribution of fishing to food security.

"Relevant innovations are crucial to meet a set of targets such as sustaining production in coastal waters, mitigating climate change, developing mariculture, reducing conflict among multiple users of coastal zones, tackling trade barriers and developing value chain. In addition to scientific and technological innovations, effective utilisation of age-old indigenous traditional knowledge existing in different localities as much as possible is utmost important to develop the SSF and improve livelihood of traditional fishers", said Lansley.

Dr P Krishnan, Director of the Bay of Bengal Programme-Inter Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) said modernising the small-scale fisheries sector is the need of the hour, to deal with the concerns such as low productivity, low price realisation and labour issues.

"The modern SSF sector will take decisions based on traditional knowledge and scientific evidence, helping to maximise the value of the catch", said Krishnan.

Flagging concern on growing issues such as climate change impacts, overfishing and scattered input and output market structure, the panel discussion proposed ensuring financial covers such as credit and insurance to the small-scale fishers.

It also suggested taking urgent actions for innovations concerning craft and gear improvisation, hygienic fish handling, economical post-harvest, safety of fishers and easy access to advanced communication and information technologies.

The meet also demanded that small fishing vessels be fitted with on-board freezing and sorting facilities, a long-pending issue in the SSF, to boost post-harvesting and value creation. It is high time the small fishing vessels be equipped in a way helping them to venture into deep sea for fishing.

Dr Daniel Stepputtis, Scientist of the Thunen Institute, Germany said environmental impacts should be minimized for a sustainable and healthy existence of the sector, maintaining that sustainability covers ecological, economic and social factors.

The symposium is being organized by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation, the National Fisheries Development Board, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and national fisheries institutions.
Hyderabad, Feb 16 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Thursday that he is looking to replicate the successful irrigation model of Telangana in his state to recharge groundwater and properly channelise river water.

On a day-long visit to Telangana to study some irrigation projects in the state, he said that Punjab needs to properly harness river waters to ease the pressure on groundwater due to paddy cultivation Mann, who along with officials visited Siddipet district, told reporters that the ground water level in some parts of Punjab depleted to alarming levels due to over utilization of groundwater resources for growing paddy.

He said 3,800 liters of water has been drawn from the ground to grow one kilogram of paddy. "We have reached a situation where 80 per cent of the places have gone into a dark zone," he said.

He said though Punjab is a state of rivers, the state's canal system was built before partition and this needs to be upgraded.

Stating that Punjab is number one in the country in paddy production, he said his government was taking steps for crop diversification. However, as the Centre provides no Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops other than paddy and wheat, farmers were reluctant to switch to alternate crops.

Praising Telangana for developing a good system for recharge of groundwater, he said he would return to Punjab with a lot of learning from here. He was impressed with Telangana's success in groundwater recharge and building check-dams.

He said if Telangana's successful model is replicated in Punjab, the state can save money on electricity subsidy and use the same for the welfare of farmers.

The Punjab Chief Minister visited Kondapochamma Sagar reservoir, built as part of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), which is claimed to be the largest lift irrigation project in the world. The officials of the irrigation department briefed him about the various aspects of the mega project. With the help of maps and charts, the officials explained to him how the water from Godavari River is being lifted.

Bhagwant Mann enquired about the working of the entire system built under KLIS and was impressed with the planning and execution by the authorities.

He also visited check-dams constructed at Erravelly to understand the artificial recharge structures developed by the Irrigation department The chief minister also visited Pandavula Cheruvu in Gajwel constituency and studied the tank restoration works taken up under Mission Kakatiya.
As the world teeters on the brink of nuclear Armageddon, in the third decade of the 21st century, it is worth remembering the prophetic warning by the pacifist physicist, Albert Einstein. He is on record cautioning future generations that "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones". Based on the evidence of things seen and unfolding in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, quite clearly those countries and regional blocs stoking this war by shipping gargantuan armaments have ignored Einstein's warning. The destruction and devastation unleashed by this war are evident. It is also obvious that the countries and regional blocs inflaming this war have not learned the tragic lessons from Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. In this global maelstrom of chaos and insecurity, what has informed the unequivocal policy stance of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in pursuit of peace and security? At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022, President Xi Jinping elaborated on the PRC's policy and practice, in international affairs of a Global Security Initiative (GSI). As the primary initiator and the implementor of GSI, the PRC's objectives are to advocate for a "common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security" architecture to "jointly safeguard world peace and security". What does this mean and entail in actual practice? China has become the largest contributor to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions among five permanent members of the Security Council. The China-UN Peace and Development Fund, initiated by China, has provided a total of $100 million by the end of 2020, benefiting more than 100 countries and regions. One wonders what happened between the description, in his electoral campaign, of President Joe Biden as a progressive and "transformative leader" and the current actual incumbent of the White House, who has continued the warmongering practices of his predecessors in for example Iran, Cuba, and Yemen. Therefore, the PRC's role in seeking to secure world peace and security is commendable, as seen in China's peacekeepers, mainly deployed in Africa. Most African countries are amenable to the GSI since it builds on the strategic largesse that China demonstrated in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis where China provided at least 2.1 billion vaccines to 120 countries and organisations to close the global immunity gap. This is a prime example of China "honouring its commitments with concrete action" because, quite simply, "uneven recovery is aggravating inequality across the world, further widening the North-South divide". In essence, then, the GSI is premised on the following normative principles that should be of interest to those dedicated to the cause for, and of, pursuing at whatever cost global peace and security. First, that peace is a prerequisite for human and societal development, more so in the context of trying to build back better after the Covid-19 new normal. Peace and development are interconnected in defending people's lives and livelihoods and promoting common goods. Second, cooperation and solidarity are necessary to keep afloat and stable trade, industrial and supply chains acutely disrupted by both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Covid-19. Such worldwide solidarity runs counter and is intrinsically opposed to unilateralism and a Cold War 2.0 mentality, where countries are divided between those who support the continuation of war in Russia-Ukraine (largely western liberal democracies) and those favouring dialogue and diplomacy (largely non-western countries). Third, the GSI proposed by China is a sensible option since experience has taught us that each country must recognise the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries in deference to upholding the UN Charter. What will bring about peace and security are principles and practices of mutual respect, mutual benefit and mutual learning. We do well to recall the human toll paid after World War I and World War II, which resulted in 20 million deaths in the former and 70 million in the latter. Of course, the earthly toll of a nuclear war would result in total devastation of the human species. Why, then do the US and the European Union dedicate in toto to stoking up the Russia-Ukraine war in the foolhardy pursuit of "weakening" Russia and indirectly isolating China? This is a reason why the Republic of South Africa has selected a policy of "non-alignment" in this war and, instead, is campaigning, like Brazil and India (BRICS members), in promoting and emphasizing multilateralism instead of unilateralism, cooperation instead of confrontation, and win-win outcomes rather than a zero-sum game. This stance by the RSA and the PRC in their active endorsement of GSI echoes to some extent the Non-Aligned Movement representing 120 member countries from the Global South who were opposed to Cold War 1.0, imperialism and colonialism that is being echoed presently, by the Biden-led US and the EU, whose record of destabilization, warmongering, sanctions, subjective condemnation threatens the very survival of the human species. The truism is relevant: "it is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies". One hopes that the leaders in Washington, London and Brussels will heed this truism to avoid being bullies and hegemons battling, in Sisyphean fashion, the inescapable reality of a multipolar world where each country and region is recognized and recognized for what it contributes to the storehouse of collective human civilization.
The work of an Auburn painter will be on display at a gallery in Canandaigua through March.

"Chris McEvoy: Testing Ground" will be on display at ArtSpace36 on 36 S. Main St. in the Ontario County city through March 24. The gallery is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

The exhibit opens today. An opening reception and artist talk will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

McEvoy is an associate professor of art at SUNY Oswego who received a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Boston University. He was also a Starr scholar at the Royal Academy of Art in London and has shown his work in several regional, national and international group and solo exhibits.

For more information, visit artspace36.com.
San Francisco, Feb 16 : Global consulting firm KPMG is laying off 2 per cent of its workforce that will impact about 700 employees in the US, owing to a "sharp slowdown in its consulting business".

According to The Financial Times, KPMG has become the first of the Big Four accountancy firms to reduce jobs amid global macroeconomic conditions.

The job cuts, according to Carl Carande, vice-chair of KPMG's US advisory business, were needed to "better align our workforce with current and anticipated demand in the market".

According to the report, like the other Big Four firms (EY, Deloitte, and PwC), KPMG has also been struggling with the collapse in merger and acquisition activity, which has hit its deal advisory business.

"We continue to have more people than needed to meet current demand," Carande wrote in an internal memo.

"The reductions are spread across the US and across the consulting business, but do not include any partners," said the report.

The Big Four financial accounting firms went on a hiring spree in the wake of the pandemic, as demand for IT consulting and deal advisory work had surged.

Last month, global investment firm Goldman Sachs fired more than 3,000 employees in disguise of business meetings as early as 7.30 a.m. and the meetings with senior managers were put on Google calendar under "false pretenses", according to media reports.

The layoffs at the global financial services also hit Indian workers hard and some of the impacted IITians and IIM graduates had shared their plight on various social media platforms.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : About 92 per cent of Indian recruiters express optimism about hiring in the first half of 2023 while only 4 per cent of recruiters predicted layoffs during the first six months, a new report said on Thursday.

According to Naukri.com, around 46 per cent of recruiters expect new and replacement hiring, 29 per cent expect only new job creation, and 17 per cent are looking to maintain their headcount.

With the ever-increasing demand for tech skills, maximum hiring is expected for IT roles.

However, the report states that business development, marketing, HR & administration, and finance are among the other functional areas where significant hiring is expected in the first half of 2023.

Meanwhile, about 62 per cent of employers across India intend to hire freshers during January-June 2023, according to employment services provider TeamLease.

Despite the global downturn, the intent to hire freshers for Indian employers has increased by 3 per cent (62 per cent) from July to December 2022 (59 per cent).

"Even in the face of a global muted sentiments around team hiring, a large number of Indian employers have expressed their intention to hire freshers; some to create a long-term supply channel whereas others to replace their expensive resources with fresh trainable talents," said Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO TeamLease EdTech.

Cloud developers, investment banking associates, cybersecurity engineers, marketing analysts, social media specialists, content writers, campaign associates, microbiologists and Biomedical engineers have emerged as top roles in freshers' hiring.

Moreover, the report mentioned that the top three industries with the most robust intent to hire freshers are IT (67 per cent), ecommerce & technology startups (52 per cent) and tTelecommunications (51 per cent).

Amongst the Tier I cities, Bengaluru comes at the top with maximum openings for freshers at 75 per cent, followed by Mumbai (56 per cent), and Delhi (47 per cent).
New Delhi, Feb 16 : A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court citing some recent instances of "hate speeches, utterances and statements" made against Hindus and Hindu religion by members of Muslim and Christian community, including call for "Sar Tan se Juda" (beheading).

The application has been filed through advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain after taking the court's permission. The application said: "On multiple occasions, Muslim mobs have brought out processions in which they can be heard calling for beheading ('Sar Tan se Juda') and after such calls, actual incidents of beheading have taken place." The plea said the apex court on January 13, permitted the said application with reference to instances of some recent vintage.

The application has been filed by 'Hindu front for Justice-Trust of Lucknow through its President, Ranjana Agnihotri in a pending petition by journalist Qurban Ali.

The plea filed by Ali alleged hate speeches were made in 'Dharm Sansad' organised in Delhi and Haridwar, which resulted in filing of cases and also arrest of the accused.

Agnihotri's plea said: "The present application is being filed with relevant facts and figures concerning the matter in issue. Some recent instances of hate speeches, utterances and statements made against Hindus and Hindu religion by members of Muslim and Christian community are being placed on record in a summarised form." The plea cited several instances including speech by prominent people including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi wherein he was seen at a public rally, saying: "I want to tell the police. Remember this. Yogi will not be the Chief Minister forever. Modi will not remain the Prime Minister forever. When Yogi will go back to his math, when Modi will go to the mountains, then who will come to save you. Remember, we will not forget." The application also cited some stand-up comedians namely Munawar Faruqui, Alexander Babu, Surleen Kaur etc., claiming they blatantly made crass and insulting jokes on Hindu gods and Hindu religion.

The plea further alleged, "the buck does not stop here when it comes to blatant hatred against Hindus. Even songs of 'Qawwalis' have been made inciting hatred against Hindus and calling upon Muslims to kill Hindus".

The plea alleged that it is pertinent to mention that a movement to convert Hindus is going on in the whole of India by Muslims and Christian missionaries. "Owing to poverty and giving allurement they take advantage mostly of SC/ST Hindus and unethically convert them to Christianity. It is not out of place to mention that in Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, state of Odisha and other places in India, the Christian missionaries are trying to convert the innocent Hindus taking advantage of the situation," it alleged.

--IANS ss/cd

A
Panaji, Feb 16 : The Congress has sought ab apology from Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte for allegedly insulting religious sentiments by mispelling the name of the Holy Spirit Church in the carnival advertisement issued on social media.

A curtain raiser programme of the Carnaval will take place on February 17. In this regard, the Tourism Department has released advertisement of scheduled programmes from February 17 to 21, wherein at one place it has mentioned "Holi Sprit Church".

"It is a shame that the insensitive and irresponsible BJP Government does not know to write the names of religious shrines properly. Tourism Department must stop insulting religious sentiments," Congress state General Secretary, Viriato Fernandes said.

Reacting sharply to the spelling errors in the advertisement, he said: "I demand that the said advertisement must be withdrawn immediately and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte must apologise to the Goans for insulting religious sentiments." "Tourism Department has insulted the religious sentiments of the Christian Community by writing 'Holi Sprit Church' instead of 'Holy Spirit Church' in the advertisement issued on Social Media. This must be deliberately done by the RSS guided Government," he alleged.

Netizens have also criticised the BJP government over the issue.

"Goa Tourism Department doesn't even know how to spell one of the oldest Churches," a netizen posted on social media.
Ankara, Feb 16 : A 17-year-old girl was rescued from the rubble, 248 hours after the devastating quake jolted Turkey on February 6, the media reported.

Aleyna Olmez was saved from the debris of the collapsed Atabey apartment building in the Kayabasi neighbourhood of Kahramanmaras, Anadolu news agency reported.

She was rushed to hospital.

The death toll in the devastating twin earthquake that rocked Turkey has reached 36,187.
Mumbai, Feb 16 : After taking a break for a year and a half after doing 'Chandrakanta', 'Haiwan', and 'Brahmrakshas', actor Nikkhil Arya is now back again on the small screen with the show 'Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal' starring Karan Kundrra, Gashmeer Mahajani and Reem Shaikh in the lead roles.

While talking about his role in the show, he said: "In a fantasy world where everybody has some animal or supernatural powers, I play a normal but the strongest among human beings. It is a completely fictional character and the show is predominantly a fantasy ride so I can't relate to it directly but he is a professor, who helps people so that's always relatable." About the changes he has seen in the industry over the years, the actor explained: "The industry doesn't change much but it is you who has to constantly evolve. You should compete only with yourself, and always be ready for that one dream role." While talking about the comparisons being made between OTT and TV, he added: "You simply can't compare the quality of TV and OTT. Although there might be a 15-20 per cent common audience, besides that both enjoy their own loyal viewership."
Islamabad, Feb 16 : A district and sessions court in Faisalabad has sentenced a PTI supporter to three years in prison for "defaming" the Pakistan Army by running a "highly obnoxious and intimidating campaign" against the senior military leadership on Twitter, media reports said.

Sikandar Zaman, 30, was apprehended last year by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after a complaint against him was lodged under different sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and the Pakistan Penal Code, Dawn reported.

His Twitter account had 184 followers, according to the Pakistan Lawyers Forum, the report said.

Zaman's mobile phone and Twitter account were also seized by the police.

According to the FIR, as mentioned in the verdict, Zaman posted a tweet against the Pakistan Army "relating to the helicopter incident" last year with the intent to "spread panic" in society, Dawn reported.

In August 2022, six army officers and soldiers were killed after their chopper crashed in Balochistan's Lasbela district. In the wake of the crash, a social media campaign surfaced, which was condemned by the army as "insensitive". The FIA had then begun tracing the culprits behind the campaign.

After Zaman's arrest, the PTI supporter was presented before the court and a trial began. On February 8, the trial concluded and a subsequent order was announced by Additional Sessions Judge, Munsif Khan.

The judgment stated that the accused did not deny that the said Twitter account belonged to him, Dawn reported.
Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Ahmedabad Defenders will face off against Mumbai Meteors at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad after picking a big win over the Bengaluru Torpedoes almost a week ago. On the other hand, Mumbai Meteors will be coming into the match after losing to the Torpedoes in their last game in Bengaluru.

But the big question in everyone's mind is if Ahmedabad will be ready for the encounter? The side led by captain Muthusamy Appavu has not been in action for over a week and there are questions being asked if this may hinder their preparedness.

But youngster Harsh Chaudhary believes that the time given could be an advantage as they have been able to work on their mistakes. "We have been training hard and everyday we have been talking about the errors we made in our first two games. So, I see the gap as a positive as it allowed us to work on those mistakes and fix our game." On the other hand, Mumbai skipper Karthik insisted that his side has no pressure going into the match despite them losing their previous match to the Torpedoes.

"There is no pressure going into the match. We have got a lot of confidence after our win against Chennai. And our match against Bengaluru was a close one. We have prepared ourselves well to take on Ahmedabad and we will enter the contest to get the win," he said.

Harsh believes that Ahmedabad have kept the core of the squad together this season as well, which may prove advantageous to Ahmedabad against Mumbai.

"We have great coordination among all of us and we all know each other well because we played together last year as well. Mumbai, too, have good coordination between their players, but we still know each other better and hence, we can make the most of that," Harsh said.

Asked about the same, Karthik added: "Both the teams have quite experienced players, but in this format, experience counts a lot. In that case, our setters and libero are quite experienced. In Ahmedabad, they are playing with almost the same squad so that is an advantage for them. All the teams are from universities, so they have been together, so we are expecting a good fight."
Pune, Feb 16 : Actor and Nationalist Congress Party MP Dr. Amol Kolhe on Thursday announced that he will boycott the Maharashtra government's official function marking the 393rd birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to be held at Shivneri Fort in Pune, on February 19.

"For many years, despite its historic significance, there has been no permanent saffron flag installed at Shivneri Fort. I have been making repeated requests and even raised the issue in the Parliament but nothing has moved," said Kolhe, who represents Shirur constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Noted for portraying the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhani in several tele-serials and films, Kolhe hails from Junnar in Pune and the Shivneri Fort falls in his Parliamentary constituency.

The government's function is scheduled at the historic Shivneri Fort in Pune district, which is the birthplace of Shivaji who was born there on February 19, 1630.

However, Kolhe said that he would visit the Shivneri Fort that morning independently to celebrate the day and offer tributes at the memorial of the Maratha warrior king in the fort, comprising the statues of Rajmata Jijabai and a young Bal Shivaji.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, ministers and other dignitaries, including possibly Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are expected to attend the special Shivaji Jayanti function on Sunday at the Shivneri Fort.

Ranked as an 'invincible' hillfort, the triangular-shaped Shivneri Fort has a temple dedicated to Goddess Shivai Devi, after whom the infant Shivaji was named, and is the place where he spent several years of his childhood.

The fort is spread over 1.6 sq. km, has seven strong gates, mudwalls surround the structure, along with a prayer hall, a tomb, a mosque, an execution area, a freshwater pond fed by two springs which flow throughout the year.

In 2021, the imposing Shivneri Fort was included in the tentative list of the Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Chennai, Feb 16 : The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) Southern Bench has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Chennai Metrowater authority and other local bodies to take stringent action against dumping of sewage in open water sources.

The NGT directed these bodies to stick to the guidelines framed by the Tribunal for sewage treatment plants in Chennai on removal of septage from unsewered areas. It also directed the local bodies to regulate the movement of sewage tankers under local body limits.

The guidelines of the NGT were framed by Judicial member, Justice Pushpa Satyanarayanan and expert member, Dr Sathyagopal Korlapati under the Municipal corporation, Municipalities and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Act of 1978 along with the GO of January 2, 2023.

The issue of private tankers dumping sewage into open water sources comes under the purview of the guidelines formulated by the NGT. In its study, it also looked into whether the infrastructural development matched with the expansion of the city.

Talking to IANS social activist R. Ashok Kumar said: "NGT is doing a great job in curtailing the menace of trucks dumping sewage in water bodies and untreated sewage being dumped by companies into water bodies. However it has to be seen whether the Greater Chennai Corporation and other local bodies conduct stringent monitoring. Ultimately at the execution level, it is the local bodies which have to act." The NGT had earlier constituted a joint committee comprising of District Collector, TNPCB Chairman, PWD's Superintending engineer and a GCC official to look into possibilities of tracking vehicles licensed to transport sewage.
Berlin, Feb 16 : If you ask Rebecca Miller, it's getting harder and harder to make movies about people in a room talking, reports 'Variety'.

That particular brand of intimate, personal storytelling, the kind the director of 'Maggie's Plan' and 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' is known for, is a challenging prospect for financiers weighing up a Darwinian landscape for cinemagoing.

It's why Miller's latest, 'She Came to Me', which opens the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, feels like a triumph for the American director (who's also the playwright Arthur Miller's daughter), who marks her return to narrative features after an eight-year hiatus, notes 'Variety'.

"Making a movie like this is actually meaningful for independent cinema -- it's meaningful that we got it made," Miller said, according to 'Variety'. "Every time that happens, it's a real victory, because it is very difficult ... it's hard to get personal films made." There's plenty that's unusual in 'She Came to Me' -- albeit in all the best ways. The romantic comedy-drama stars Peter Dinklage as Steven, a moody classical composer struggling with an oppressive writer's block that prevents him from delivering his next opera.

Despite endless encouragement from his evangelical therapist wife (Anne Hathaway), it takes a bizarre and slightly traumatic encounter with an eccentric tugboat captain (Marisa Tomei) to snap him out of his creative torpor. But just as Steven makes his long-awaited comeback, his personal life implodes, reports 'Variety'.

The project is Miller's seventh directorial effort, and follows her 2017 documentary 'Arthur Miller: Writer', about her late father, the 'Death of a Salesman' playwright.

Her last narrative feature was 2015's 'Maggie's Plan', notes 'Variety', a cute rom-com-gone-wrong in which Greta Gerwig's "other woman" tries to return her lover (Ethan Hawke) to his ex-wife (Julianne Moore).
Mumbai, Feb 16 : Actor Aditya Rawal, who has been receiving a lot of positive response for his work in the recently released Hansal Mehta directorial 'Faraaz', took to his social media to express gratitude towards the director.

He shared that it was a learning curve for him to see Mehta fight to put the film together.

The actor posted a picture of himself with Hansal Mehta and wrote: "You're prolly tired of hearing this but you know it's meant from the heart. Thank you very much @hansalmehta sir for giving me the chance to play Nibras," in the caption.

In Faraaz, Aditya Rawal plays the role of Nibras, the terrorist who keeps the citizens hostage. He captures every element of the character's psyche adeptly. His character requires him to be vulnerable yet rife with hatred.

He further wrote in the caption: "After making Scam, you could have made anything you wanted and casted whomever you wished. But you chose to make Faraaz with us. To watch you fight for this film at every juncture is a lesson to us young artists. Nothing worth having comes easy. Especially not art. Forever grateful, sir." 'Faraaz', which also stars Zahaan Kapoor, is based on the real-life terrorist attack that ravaged a Dhaka cafe, the movie is a tense hostage drama that unfolds over one claustrophobic night.
Agartala: Female voters stand in a queue to cast a vote during the Tripura Assembly elections in Agartala on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo: PIB/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Agartala: Transgender voters show their ID cards as they wait to cast their votes at a polling booth during the Tripura Assembly elections in Agartala on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Agartala, Feb 16 : Over 81 per cent of the 28.14 lakh voters in Trpura exercised their franchise till 4 p.m. as the state went to the polls on Thursday amid heavy security, election officials said.

Voter turnout was 91.82 per cent and 89.38 per cent in 2013 and 2018 Assembly elections, respectively.

"Over one lakh voters are still in the queue at many polling stations across the state even after the voting officially ended at 4 p.m. The final voting percentage might cross 86 per cent," an election official told IANS.

Many incidents of attacks on political workers, intimidation and obstruction of voters were reported from different districts.

At least 60 opposition party workers were injured after the ruling party workers allegedly attacked them in Gomati, Sepahijala, South Tripura and West Tripura districts.

The main opposition CPI-M alleged that the BJP workers evicted their candidates' polling agents in more than 25 polling stations in four districts.

Tripura Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinkarrao said that wherever the authority got any information of trouble, security forces were immediately rushed to those areas to resolve the problems.

A senior police officer said that a constable was suspended in Gomati district for his alleged role in urging people to cast their votes in favour of the ruling BJP.

Opposition parties, including the CPI-M and the Congress, complained that at several places, including Santirbazar, Hrishamukh, Dhanpur and Kakraban, the ruling party workers obstructed the voters supporting the opposition parties.

Earlier, men, women and first-time voters queued up in front of the polling stations well before the voting started at 7 a.m. in eight districts.

Reang tribals, who were displaced 26 years ago from Mizoram following ethnic trouble, and voters residing in the zero line of the India-Bangladesh border (outside the fencing) also exercised their franchise.

The CEO said that a total of 259 candidates, including 31 women, are in the fray for the election to the 60-member House, and of them, the highest number of candidates (55) has been fielded by the ruling BJP, followed by the CPI-M (43), Tipra Motha Party (42), Trinamool Congress (28), and Congress (13).

A total of 58 Independent candidates and 14 nominees from various smaller parties are also contesting the elections.

Around 31,000 personnel were stationed at 3,327 polling stations to conduct the elections.

In all, 28.14 lakh voters, including 13.99 lakh women, were eligible to cast their votes in Thursday's balloting.

A senior police officer said that the Union Home Ministry has provided 400 companies (30,000 security personnel) of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) while around 9,000 Tripura State Rifles jawans and over 6,000 Tripura Police personnel were deployed to hold fair and violence-free elections.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : A 27-year-old woman drug peddler was arrested in north Delhi with 540 grams of heroin, valued at more than Rs 2 crore in the international market, police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Aarti, a resident of Majnu Ka Tilla, used to bring the stock of the contraband from UP's Bareilly.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Sagar Singh Kalsi, inputs were received that one woman, who is involved in supplying contraband drugs, would come to Lancer Road near B.D. Estate, Timarpur, and a police team reached the spot and laid a trap.

"Consequently, the dedicated efforts of the team bore fruits, when at about 5 p.m, they nabbed the woman," he said, adding that a plastic bag, containing the heroin, was recovered from her scooty.

On interrogation, Aarti disclosed that Bhanu had allured her and asked to make supply of contraband drugs in the area as per his direction.

"So she fell in greed to earn easy money and started to take stock and supply the contraband heroin as desired by Bhanu. She was earning adequate profit by doing such illegal activities and also came to contact of another person namely Rahish of Uttar Pradesh and she started to buy the stock of contraband drugs from him by paying Rs 1,000 for one gram of heroin and further she used to supply the contraband drugs for Rs 1,500 per gram to earn easy profit," said the DCP.

"Subsequently, raids were conducted at the possible hideouts of the alleged main suppliers of the contraband drugs namely Bhanu and Rahish, but both were found absconding," said the official, adding that further investigation of the case is in progress and efforts are being made to nab the main source of contraband drugs.
San Francisco, Feb 16 : Elon Musk-run Tesla has fired more than 30 employees from its New York Gigafactory, after they planned to unionise, according to a complaint filed with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The Workers' United union alleged that Tesla fired over 30 employees from its Buffalo, New York plant and at least one of the workers was part of the 25-employee organising committee, while several others had taken part in labour discussions, reports The Verge.

The complaint alleged that the layoffs came "in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity." "This is a form of collective retaliation against the group of workers that started this organizing effort" and is "designed to terrify everyone about potential consequences of them organizing", Workers United organizer Jaz Brisack was quoted as saying in the report.

The Buffalo facility is known as Gigafactory 2 and "is home to over 800 analysts tasked with labelling vision data to train Tesla's Autopilot software".

Tesla and Musk have faced several complaints over their anti-union behaviour in the past years.

In January, Tesla was accused of violating labour laws in the US, allegedly directing employees not to talk about pay and working conditions.

In a complaint, the NLRB claimed that the electric car-maker "told employees not to complain to higher level managers about their pay or other conditions of employment" and said "not to discuss their pay with other persons".

The company also allegedly told employees not to discuss the hiring, suspension, or termination of employees with others.

These incidents occurred from December 2021 to January 2022, the complaint alleged.

The NLRB in 2021 forced Musk to delete an anti-union tweet, and ruled that its firing of union activist Richard Ortiz was illegal.

Two US-based Tesla employees had also filed complaints with the NLRB over claims the company illegally fired them for criticising Musk.
Kolkata, Feb 16 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths probing the multi-crore teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal on Thursday faced the wrath of a special CBI judge for the slow pace of investigation by the agency in the matter.

"Even the accused have some rights. The investigation agency cannot continue with the investigation for an indefinite period. What is going on is not right," the judge said at a hearing on bail application by former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee and six others in the matter.

"You wrote in the charge sheet that you need to investigate others for their roles in the scam. But where are they? I have been hearing the matter for the last two months. I understand that this is a massive task. But have you recorded the statements of others?" the judge questioned the investigating officials.

Giving reasons for the delay, CBI's counsel said that counsel of the accused persons is accusing of delay in the investigation process without looking at the other side of it. "When the investigation started, the charges were just of illegal recruitment against money. But as the course of investigation progressed it was revealed that the entire conspiracy, starting from how the recruitment process will be manipulated to what would be the next course of action, was pre-planned," the CBI counsel said.

He also pointed out that till date the investigation agency had been able to dig out how the optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets were tampered with to facilitate irregular recruitment. "In course of investigation, names of many important government functionaries and influential persons. All of them are parts of the bigger conspiracy. The agency's case diary speaks everything," the CBI counsel said.

Although the judge of the special court asked CBI to complete the investigation at the earliest, it refused to grant the bail plea for Chatterjee and others. The matter will be heard again on March 2.
Mumbai, Feb 16 : Actress Swara Bhasker, who is known for her work in films like 'Anaarkali of Aarah', 'Veere Di Wedding', 'Nil Battey Sannata' and 'Raanjhanaa', has tied the knot with Fahad Ahmad, the president of Samajwadi Party's youth wing in Maharashtra.

On Thursday, the actress shared a video with a montage of all their adorable moments while detailing their love story. The actress also shared that the couple had registered their wedding in court on January 6 under the Special Marriage Act.

The actress wrote in the caption, "Sometimes you search far & wide for something that was right next to you all along. We were looking for love, but we found friendship first. And then we found each other! Welcome to my heart @FahadZirarAhmad. It's chaotic but it's yours." The two met at a protest site in January 2020 and love took its course.

Fahad, who is a Mumbai-based political activist, graduated from the Aligarh Muslim University and completed his M.Phil in social work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai.

He was elected the general secretary of the TISS students' union in 2017 and 2018, and was a prominent face in the anti-CAA protests, mobilising the agitation's Mumbai leg by drawing large crowds from different colleges.

Currently, Fahad is the Maharashtra unit chief of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, the youth wing of the Samajwadi Party.
Chennai, Feb 16 : Election officials sealed ten election offices of the ruling DMK and four election offices of the opposition AIADMK set up for the Erode East bypoll as they lacked permission.

AIADMK leader and former Law Minister CVe Shanmugham had lodged complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officer stating that the DMK had erected 120 temporary election offices across the constituency and confined the voters in these makeshift sheds throughout the day.

The Flying Surveillance teams of the Election Commission inspected the electoral offices of DMK and AIADMK and found that 10 DMK offices and 4 AIADMK offices were functioning without taking permission.

Election officials, accompanied by police, inspected the makeshift election offices of the respective parties and asked the people to vacate the premises.
Patna, Feb 16 : The negligence of the health department surfaced once again in Bihar's Kaimur district where doctors at a primary health centre performed vasectomy on an unmarried youth suffering from hydrocele.

Vasectomy, or vasoligation, is an elective surgical procedure for male sterilisation or permanent contraception Manka Yadav was admitted to the Chainpur primary health centre for an operation to treat hydrocele. However, the doctors, instead of doing the operation for hydrocele, performed vasectomy on the youth on Wednesday.

The operation left Yadav and his family members in shock, who later a lodged a police complaint against the doctors of the primary health centre.

"I was suffering from hydrocele. On the suggestion of Asha workers, we decided to get it operated. Accordingly, I was admitted to the hospital in Chainpur where the doctors performed a wrong surgery on me," said Yadav.

"I was supposed to get married in a few weeks time. But how can I marry now? They have spoilt my life. We have lodged a written complaint against the doctors with the local police," Yadav said.

"My son was suffering from a hydrocele problem. But the doctors performed a vasectomy surgery. He is yet to get married... The doctors have ruined his life. I want the authorities to take stringent action against the accused," said Ram Dahin Singh Yadav, the father of the victim.

Meanwhile, the doctors at the primary health centre claimed that they had informed the patient about the vasectomy procedure which was carried out after his approval.

Sunil Kumar, in-charge of the Chainpur primary health centre, said: "The matter has come to our notice and a probe is on. We will submit a report with the health department. Necessary action will be taken against anyone found guilty."
Mumbai, Feb 16 : A three-member team of Mumbai Police on Thursday met the family members of Darshan Solanki, a student of IIT-Bombay who ended his life on the Powai campus on February 12 - and recorded their statements, a family member said.

The police called on Solanki's family members at their home in Maninagar on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on Thursday morning and posed various questions pertaining to 18-year-old Solanki's sudden death.

Simultaneously, several student bodies in Gujarat will hold a peace procession which will culminate with a candle-lit march to pay homage to Solanki, the relative told IANS, but declined to be quoted.

The procession and candle march will be held in Ahmedabad and several other cities of Gujarat between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, he added.

A day before, the distraught family had expressed suspicions of foul play behind the extreme measure taken by Solanki - who hailed from a Dalit family - shocking the educational circles all over the country.

The police had earlier recorded the family's initial statements and are now questioning other students and hostelites on various aspects, including allegations of caste discrimination, which the IIT-B management has officially denied.

A student body on the campus, Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle-IITB, had issued a detailed statement last Monday pointing at alleged caste discrimination, which the IIT-B has rejected outright.

Meanwhile, Dalit leader and Congress MLA from Vadgam, Jignesh Mevani, on Thursday demanded an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the death of Solanki.

Mevani told the media in Ahmedabad that the tragic incident involved a Dalit student who got into IIT Bombay after clearing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) with flying colours.

The Maharashtra government should set up an SIT to probe the incident because the family suspects foul play, Mevani said. The Dalit leader also demanded that the government should pay Rs 50 lakh compensation to the deceased student's family.

Solanki's father, Ramesh Solanki, has alleged that his son was harassed by the other students because "we are Dalits".

"When he visited us during Makar Sankranti, he had complained to his aunt that the other students were harassing him, taunting him that 'because you are a Dalit, you got an opportunity to study free of cost'," Ramesh Solanki said.

In a related development, the students of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalay in Wardha have sent a memorandum to President Draupadi Murmu urging the Centre to enact a 'Rohith Vemula Act' to safeguard students from marginalised communities in nationally important institutions of higher learning and end the suicides that are being reported from there, citing the two cases - one each at IIT-B and IIT-Madras this week - and an attempted suicide case in IIT-Madras.
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney is joining another central New York member of Congress on a House committee.

Tenney, R-Canandaigua, has been appointed to the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. The committee oversees energy research and development and has jurisdiction over some federal agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Weather Service.

"This committee is vitally important for maintaining our technological edge over adversaries like China," said Tenney, who represents Cayuga County in Congress. "We simply cannot let our enemies out-compete and out-innovate us."

Three New Yorkers, including Tenney, are on the committee. U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, whose district includes all or parts of four central New York counties, joined the panel after being sworn into office in January. U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman is among the Democratic members of the committee.

Tenney and Williams received the same subcommittee assignment. Williams chairs the energy subcommittee and Tenney has been added as one of the GOP members.

"New York's three remaining nuclear power plants are in New York's 24th Congressional District," Tenney said. "Safe and reliable nuclear power continues to hold great promise for our nation. As a member of the energy subcommittee, I will continue to oppose the Biden administration's dangerous Green New Deal policies and support targeted investments in energy technologies like nuclear that are clean, affordable and reliable."

The committee assignment is the second for Tenney, who was appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in January.

U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, welcomed Tenney to the committee.

"(Tenney) understands how scientific innovation drives a strong economy and she's been a strong voice for an all-of-the-above approach to developing clean, affordable and reliable American energy," Lucas, R-Oklahoma, said. "She will be a tremendous asset to our committee as we tackle the challenges facing us and work to keep America at the cutting edge of scientific, technological and economic development."

The House Science, Space and Technology Committee held its first meeting on Feb. 8 to adopt rules for the 118th Congress. No hearings have been announced.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Congress on Thursday deputed senior party leader and former Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to assess the political situation in Maharashtra where two Congress leaders, Balasaheb Thorat, the legislative party leader, and state unit president Nana Patole are at loggerheads.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Chennithala to assess the latest political situation in Maharashtra and report to him with immediate effect, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said in a statement.

In a damage-control move, Congress' Maharashtra in-charge H.K. Patil met Congress leaders separately in an attempt to defuse the ongoing crisis after CLP leader Thorat submitted his resignation.

The political upheavals rocked the state Congress ahead of the MLC elections in January, specifically linked with the Nashik Graduates Constituency, where the official party nominee, Sudhir Tambe, suddenly stepped down in favour of his son Satyajeet Tambe.

As the party tried to grapple with the situation, Satyajeet Tambe -- a nephew of Thorat -- won the seat as an Independent, trouncing Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) nominee Shubhangi Patil.

The Congress also got engaged in a fresh war of words with its MVA ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), after the latter blamed Patole's resignation as Speaker two years ago for triggering the crisis in the MVA which led to its collapse in June 2022.

Besides the Sena (UBT), even some Congressmen like Vijay Wadettiwar have pointed fingers at Patole for his 'hasty' decision to quit as Speaker following his appointment as state party president.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Election Commission on Thursday said that seizures of over Rs 147 crore have been recorded so far in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, marking a 20 times increase as compared to the Assembly Elections in 2018.

"Due to the coordinated efforts of enforcement agencies, extensive monitoring, marking of expenditure sensitive constituencies and adequate deployment of field teams, the three states witnessed seizures of Rs 147.84 crore after the announcement of elections which surpasses the seizures made in the entire duration of enforcement of the model code of conduct in the 2018 Assembly Elections, which was all of Rs 7.24 crore," the EC said.

"In an operation, 3.53 kg of heroin valued at Rs 10.58 crore was seized by police in Dhalai district of Tripura. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence also seized 2.44 kg of heroin in East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya and 2.27 kg in Chumoukedima district in Nagaland.

"In Tripura, seeing the sensitivity of drugs and illegal ganja cultivation, a special team consisting of district police personnel, forest officials, BSF, anti-narcotics and other agencies was formed in Sepahijhala and West Tripura districts," the EC said.

Drugs valued at crores of rupees have been destroyed in Tripura.

During its visit to Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland in January, the Election Commission had reviewed the preparations along with the Central and state enforcement agencies.

While announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stressed increased vigilance and zero tolerance on distribution of inducements during the electoral process.
Dhaka, Feb 16 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday told military officials that her government wants to transform the country into a nation of peace.

"That's why we have adopted a zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy," Hasina said while addressing the 10th Tigers' Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) in Chittagong.

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone, adding, "If external forces attack us, we will face that. For that we are building the armed forces accordingly by taking various steps. Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force." "We believe in the policy of 'friendship with all and malice to none'. This policy was formulated by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," Hasina said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the government has added a new composite brigade and para commando brigade to the army.

"I want to thank our armed forces as they are brightening our image by working with glory in the United Nations peacekeeping missions," she said.

Briefly describing the various developmental activities of the government to modernise Bangladesh Army, Hasina said the Sheikh Russell Cantonment has recently been established in Mawa-Jazira while construction of new cantonments is under way in Mithamin, Rajbari and Trishal.

"Construction of army aviation forward bases in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and an aviation school at Lalmonirhat is also in progress," she mentioned.

The Prime Minister also said that the Russia-Ukraine war and the subsequent sanctions have caused economic recession across the globe which has also affected the developed countries.

Bangladesh government has increased food production in the country to ensure food security, the Prime Minister said, as she urged people to work hard to ensure that the global economic recession does not affect the country.

"I want every citizen of the country to cultivate whatever land one possesses so that the blow of world economic recession doesn't hit Bangladesh. Our land is fertile while the people are also very much skilled.
Patna, Feb 16 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday claimed that the BJP is afraid of opposition unity in the country.

Returning after meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Tejashwi Yadav, asked to comment on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that opposition parties cannot become united, said: "Amit Shah can say anything but he and his BJP are afraid of opposition unity. I have met Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and earlier met with Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and discussed the current political issues of the country. We are continuously meeting with opposition leaders." "I am going to Hyderabad for the inauguration of a new Secretariat building on Friday following the invitation of Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao," he said.

Besides Tejashwi Yadav, JD-U national President Lalan Singh will also go to Hyderabad for the inauguration. Sources have said that some more opposition leaders will be assembled there and they would try to give a message to BJP about the opposition unity.

Besides Tejashwi Yadav, his elder brother and Environment and Forest Minister Tej Pratap Yadav slammed BJP for alleging Jungle Raj.

"BJP is trying to defame the Mahagathbandhan government of Bihar and hence they are saying Jungle Raj. The leaders of BJP are involved in murders in the country," Tej Pratap said.

Reacting on controversial JD-U leader Upendra Kushwaha's statement that "Lalu Raj" will return when Tejashwi Yadav becomes Chief Minister of Bihar, he said: "We have Nitish and Lalu government in Bihar and it is giving jobs to unemployed youths."
Mumbai, Feb 16 : Indicating that all is not hunky-dory in the Maharashtra party unit, the Congress has deputed a senior leader, Ramesh Chennithala, to assess the on-ground situation and submit his report, here on Thursday.

The sudden development came a day after the state Congress President Nana Patole and Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat emerged from the State Executive meeting, grinned and posed for photos, suggesting a patch-up of their recent public and private brawl.

Chennithala is expected to be in Mumbai for at least a couple of days, meet different leaders of the state party and prepare his report before the AICC 85th Plenary Session scheduled in Chhattisgarh between February 24-26.

"The Congress president has deputed Ramesh Chennithala to assess the latest political situation in Maharashtra and report to him, with immediate effect," a statement noted.

The development comes a day after the Congress state executive meeting held in Mumbai signalling that Thorat and Patole had buried the hatchet.

Earlier this month, Thorat had shot off a letter to the Congress high command and quit as the CLP Leader, but after discussions with Maharashtra in-charge H.K. Patil, his resignation was rejected last week.

The political upheavals rocked the state Congress ahead of the MLC elections in January, specifically linked with the Nashik Graduates Constituency, where the official party nominee, Dr. Sudhir Tambe, suddenly stepped down in favour of his son, Satyajeet Tambe.

As the party tried to grapple with the situation, Satyajeet Tambe -- a nephew of Thorat -- contested and won the seat as an Independent, trouncing Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) nominee Shubhangi Patil, creating fissures even among the 3-year-old three-party alliance which includes Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Ankara, Feb 16 : More than a week after two massive earthquakes leveled a swathe of Turkey's southeastern region, hundreds of thousands of people have left the quake-hit zone in search of a new life in other cities.

"To return and live there seems very difficult as there is extensive damage. From now on, I would like to continue my life here and go to school in Ankara," Orcun Kabatas, a teenager from Hatay province, told Xinhua news agency.

The 16-year-old earthquake victim was playing ping-pong with newly acquainted friends who are also from the disaster zone in a relief center of the capital city Ankara's Mamak district. The center is part of a residential complex of flats that is now home to around 3,500 earthquake survivors.

Furkan Kurt, a 14-year-old student from Adiyaman, another province hit by the catastrophe, said although he and his family members were not harmed by the tremors, the family of his cousin was killed under the rubble of their building.

"We do not want to return to Adiyaman because all houses have been destroyed, and there is nowhere to live there anymore," the boy said.

After a disaster of such scale, the boy still has his dream for the future as all young people have.

"I want to go to school and become a police officer, and this is my biggest dream," he said.

According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, at least 216,347 earthquake victims have been evacuated by the government to other cities following the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes that hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6.

But this number doesn't include hundreds of thousands of survivors who left the zone by their own means since the first day of the tragedy, to live with relatives or friends or to make do with urgent social assistance provided to them.

It is estimated that over two million people have scattered in towns like Mersin, Antalya, Izmir , Istanbul, and the capital city of Ankara.

Speaking two days after the disaster in Kahramanmaras, near the epicenter of the quakes, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised the country would provide immediate assistance to displaced people.

"We cannot let our citizens stay on the streets," he said.

Erdogan also promised on Tuesday in a televised address following a cabinet meeting to hasten the reconstruction process, pledging to rebuild the demolished structures in a broad area of southern TArkiye within a year.

"We are starting the construction of 30,000 houses in early March," he added, referring to the earthquakes as "the disaster of the century".

While some survivors want to settle down and begin their new life outside the disaster zone, some are eager to return to their hometowns as soon as possible.

Bayram Sahinoz, a car wash worker from Elbustan, a district of Kahramanmaras province, is one of them.

"In the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province, where I live, the damage is colossal, up to 400 buildings collapsed," he said.

Nevertheless, he is keen to return to his hometown with his wife.

"I think that we will temporarily stay here for several months until recovery and relief efforts are stepped up in Elbistan, and we will eventually return home," he added.

The death toll of the worst disaster in the history of TArkiye stood at 36,187 on Thursday, with more than 108,000 injured.

To resettle earthquake victims, more than a dozen of tent and container camps have been erected in the disaster zone by the government, and private and foreign relief organizations. But the local demand is huge.

The regions affected by the twin earthquakes are home to an estimated 13.4 million people, including as many as 2 million refugees, primarily from Syria.

In a sign of solidarity, many families and municipalities from central and western TArkiye have opened their homes or facilities to accommodate earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to postpone the opening of universities across TArkiye. Schools and dormitories have been opened to accommodate the survivors of the earthquakes.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at the office of Heera Constructions Company Pvt Ltd., (HCCPL) and at the residential premises of its MD and directors in Thiruvananthapuram, in connection with a loan fraud case, an official said on Thursday.

An official said that the raids were conducted on February 14 at HCCPL's office, Heera College of Engineering and Technology and at the residence of MD Abdul Rasheed and his family members, and other directors of the company -- all in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ED initiated an investigation under the provisions of the PMLA, on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI against HCCPL, Rasheed and his four family members. They were accused of availing various credit facilities from the Kowdiar Branch of the erstwhile State Bank of Travancore to the tune of Rs 9.90 crore for the project "Heera Lake Front".

Rasheed and the firm took a cash credit loan from the State Bank of Travancore and defaulted on the loan to the tune of an outstanding amount of Rs 21 crore, the ED said.

"During the searches, details regarding 63 immovable properties worth Rs 45 crore and a considerable number of bank accounts held in the name of HCCPL and its directors were unearthed along with crucial digital and documentary evidence," said the official.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : A Delhi court on Thursday rejected the bail pleas of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Vijay Nair along with four others in the Delhi excise policy case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The four others who were denied bail by the Special Judge of Rouse Avenue Courts M.K. Nagpal are Abhishek Boinpally, Sarath Chandra Reddy, Sameer Mahendru and Benoy Babu.

While denying bail, Nagpal said that the method adopted by the five persons for committing the offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) makes up for sufficient incriminating eveidence.

As the ED has already levelled serious allegations of tampering evidence against them, the court said that it will also be not possible to hold that the accused persons will not try to tamper evidence in case they are released on bail.

"Keeping in view the totality of facts and circumstances and the above discussion, this court is of the considered opinion that none of the applicants/accused deserves to be released on bail in this case at this stage of proceedings, as the allegations levelled against them are quite serious and relate to commission of an economic offence of money-laundering defined by Section 3 and made punishable by Section 4 of the PMLA. Hence, their bail applications are being dismissed," the court observed.

The court had on February 11 sent Y.S.R. Congress Party MP Magunta Srinivas Reddy's son Raghav Magunta to 10-day ED remand in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The ED had arrested Raghav on the same day.

According to the ED, Raghav is a key person in the conspiracy of cartelisation and kickbacks hatched along with various other persons in the Delhi excise policy case.

The ED had also arrested Punjab-based businessman Gautam Malhotra and a person named Rajesh Joshi, an aide of Vijay Nair.

It was alleged that Joshi got money from Nair for the Goa Assembly elections. The money was proceeds of crime generated through the Excise Policy Scam.

Their interrogation led to the arrest of Raghav.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, on Thursday wrote to Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh over appointing professors in Delhi government colleges without the government's 'consent', asking him to cancel all scheduled interviews for the permanent positions.

Underlining the financial implications for the Delhi government, Sisodia said in the letter that "scheduled interviews for these positions must be cancelled with immediate effect as no financial decision shall be taken without the approval of a full-fledged governing body which has adequate representation from GNCTD".

"It has come to my notice that interviews for permanent posts are being held in some of the 28 colleges funded by the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD). As you are well aware, several of these 28 colleges do not have a full-fledged governing body and at present are governed by a truncated body without representation from GNCTD," Sisodia wrote in the letter.

He added, "I understand the importance of conducting interviews for filling up important teaching posts, but any financial decision taken for these colleges creates a financial implication for GNCTD as well. Therefore, scheduled interviews for these positions in all such colleges must be cancelled with immediate effect as no financial decision shall be taken without the approval of a full-fledged governing body which has adequate representation from GNCTD.

"In light of the importance of filling up teaching positions, the process for forming governing bodies in 28 GNCTD colleges shall be expedited. The government nominations in this regard have been sent to you by my office on 28/01/2023. Any decision with financial implications, including hiring for the permanent posts in colleges, must be taken after approval from a fully-functioning governing body."
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed off a plea seeking appointment of the Lokayukta in the national capital after the Arvind Kejriwal government said that this was done in March last year.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a plea filed in a form of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a direction to the city government to appoint a Lokayukta as promised by the party in its election manifesto of 2020.

During the hearing, counsel representing the government said that the petition has become infructuous as retired Jharkhand High Court judge Justice Harish Chandra Mishra was appointed as Lokayukta in March last year.

However, petitioner-lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay said that it was unfortunate that the Lokayukta was appointed only after a petition was filed by him in court.

In February last year, the Delhi Government apprised the High Court that the process for appointing a Lokayukta is underway.

In the PIL, Upadhyay had stated that the post of Lokayukta has been lying vacant since December 2020.

The petitioner, also a BJP leader, pointed out that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came into existence in the capital on promise of an independent and effective Lokayukta and mentioned it in its 2020 Assembly Election manifesto, and also in the 2015 and 2013 manifestos but they are still using the "outdated" and "ineffective" 1995 Act.

The PIL alleged: "When Justice Reva Khetrapal retired as Delhi Lokayukta, the Government did nothing to fill the post till date and hundreds of complaints relating to corruption are pending in the office."
Around 60 per cent of potential car buyers in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including India, will prefer to purchase a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) model, reveals a study by Zebra Technologies Corporation. Globally 53 per cent of potential car buyers will prefer to purchase a hybrid vehicle, claims the study. The study further states that auto manufacturers around the globe are under high pressure to bring in next-generation electric vehicles that are environment-friendly and sustainable.

This survey showing the increasing preference towards hybrid electric vehicles was conducted between August and September 2022, and 1,336 people participated in it. These people included industry decision-makers, fleet managers and consumers. In the APAC region, 350 respondents were surveyed across countries such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea, claims ANI.

Also Read : A big deal: Joe Biden acknowledges Tesla charging network. Elon Musk responds

The study also claims that despite a fluctuating economy, automotive manufacturers worldwide are ready to invest in technology innovation. While globally, 74 per cent of automakers are ready for this, in the APAC region, it is 69 per cent. Also, the study states that 67 per cent of automakers globally and 63 per cent of automakers in the APAC region are ready to increase their spending for the manufacturing infrastructure in 2023.

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The study further points out that 87 per cent of millennials are focused on purchasing hybrid electric vehicles. They are closely followed by 78 per cent of Gen X consumers and 76 per cent of baby boomers globally. In the APAC region, 92 per cent of millennials are interested in buying hybrid electric vehicles, followed by 83 per cent of Gen Xers and 72 per cent of baby boomers, who prefer sustainability the highest.

The study also claims that consumers are driving the growing emphasis on personalisation. Modern customers like the ability to customise a vehicle to their liking. Nearly four in every five consumers say personalisation options factor into their vehicle purchase decision.

First Published Date:
New Delhi, Feb 16 : A high-level Parliamentary panel has asked the government to broadly define the term "fake news" and has also sought its response on the need for various fact-checking units (FCUs) in the country.

Noting that "fake news" is becoming a disturbing trend in the country, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Information Technology has disapproved of the government's silence on the matter.

The comments from the panel have come just days after the government decided to extend the timeline for consultations of its plan to take down information which is marked as "fake" by the FCUs of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The extension came amid protests from all quarters against the move.

The Parliamentary panel's observations have been made in its action taken report on "Ethical Standards in Media Coverage", submitted in Parliament by the panel last week during the Budget session.

In the light of false or fake news becoming a disturbing trend in India, the committee has also sought to know from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, whether it intends to have such FCUs for countering misinformation in general.

The panel has also expressed its disappointment over the ministry's silence on its earlier recommendation of using latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence, considering existing expertise in non-government agencies and to study the anti-fake news laws of countries like Australia, Malaysia and other democracies for developing some legal provisions.

It noted that "the ministry's reply is silent on all these aspects and they submitted merely the statutory and institutional mechanisms for preventing spread of fake news existing for print media, TV channels and digital news publishers".

However in the light of rapid spread of fake news due to latest technologies and its impact on the citizens, the committee has recommended that "there is always a scope for learning from the expertise of non-government organisations in the field and for studying anti-fake news laws of other countries so as to have some legal provisions for curbing fake news in the country".

It has thus asked the Ministry to provide action taken in this direction along with the initiatives taken for utilising latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence for intervening and checking fake news in near real time.
Jaipur, Feb 16 : In the budget debate held on the floor of the House in Rajasthan Assembly on Thursday, state BJP President Satish Poonia replied in place of leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, as the latter has been appointed as the Governor of Assam.

Speaking in the debate, Poonia attacked the state government on issues of paper leak, rising crime graph and Covid mismanagement, among other issues such as appeasement, gang-wars and rapes.

Poonia said that gang-rape and gang-war have become big stigmas for the state.

"How can we forget that Sikar's daughter who was seen crying while carrying her dead father's head in her lap after he was shot dead by miscreants right in front of her," Poonia asked..

The BJP leader said that the Rajasthan government has been surrounded by contradictions ever since it came to power.

"Soon after the announcement of the Chief Minister's name at the Raj Bhavan, slogans were heard taking names of others as CM. Later there was infighting too. The government remained locked for 52 days. The culmination of all these later came in the form of resignations. For the past four years, the Congress has only created political instability in the state," Poonia said.

The state BJP chief also said that the Bhilwara model during the Covid pandemic was praised by the Chief Minister (Ashok Gehlot) and others, but Rajasthan also became infamous for the fact that most vaccines were wasted in the state while many ventilators were also misused and given on rent to private hospitals.

"I am not saying this, this is in public domain," he said.

Poonia also attacked the state government over transfers, saying the politics of transfers has defamed Rajasthan.

"When the Chief Minister asked the teachers last year if they had to spend money for transfers, the teachers had said yes, an answer that left everyone surprised," Poonia said.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The police team probing the Nikki Yadav murder case took the accused Sahil Gehlot to the crime scene in Kashmiri Gate where he had allegedly killed her, police sources on Thursday.

Sources said that the murder was allegedly committed near the Kashmiri Gate area and Gehlot then drove with the body all the way to his dhaba near village Mitraon - a distance of around 45 km - where he stuffed it in a refrigerator and proceeded coolly with his wedding on February 10 Meanwhile, police teams are also scanning CCTV around the place and on the route to verify all this.

"The complete sequence is being examined so that the exact place and time of Nikki's murder can be known. Police have also summoned Ashish, Gehlot's brother, in whose car he strangled Nikki with a data cable, for questioning," said the sources.

Sources also said that the police team will also take Gehlot to Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar railway stations, where he had taken Yadav in the car the day he killed her.

According to the official, on February 9 night, the accused Gehlot, a resident of Mitraon village, went to meet the woman at her Uttam Nagar residence where she lived with her younger sister.

"Gehlot stayed there for two-three hours and later both of them went to Nizammudin railway station. But as they could not get tickets to Goa, they changed their plan to go to Himachal Pradesh and reached ISBT, Kashmere Gate," said the official.

"When the duo reached ISBT, an argument broke out between them. In between the fight, Gehlot kept receiving back-to-back calls from his family, which he says triggered him to his threshold point and he turned violent," said a source.

He then strangled Nikki with his mobile phone data cable inside the car, probably around 8 a.m on February 10, drove to his dhaba to hide her body, and then, proceeded with his wedding on February 10.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday urged the farmers to adopt new farm machinery and technology in their farming process.

Inaugurating the three-day 'Krushi Odisha 2023' here, Patnaik said that his government is focusing on technology-led development in the agriculture sector.

The Chief Minister emphasised on technological intervention in the farm sector, besides advising the farmers to cultivate non-paddy crops as well.

While highlighting Odisha's transition from being a food deficit state to a food surplus state, Patnaik said, "We have been supplying rice to the whole nation through public distribution system. Our Kalia scheme ensured income security for farmers while our government continues to focus on farm mechanisation to increase agricultural productivity." The government is also giving emphasis on special missions for cultivation of jackfruit, mushroom etc. to enhance farmers' income and ensure nutritional security, he pointed out.

Similarly, the Millet Mission has not only been able to draw attention at the national and international level, but it has also helped enhance the income of women self-help groups (SHGs), Patnaik said.

State Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that other than rice production, Odisha has become self-reliant in fisheries, meat, eggs and milk production.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Ajay Maken on Friday will spearhead the party's campaign against business tycoon Gautam Adani, whose firm Adani Group has been accused in a report of being involved in stock manipulation.

A total of 23 party leaders will address press conferences across 23 locations in the country on Friday.

"As part of the Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun series, the Congress will hold nationwide press conferences in 23 leading cities of the country on February 17," the party said in a statement.

Pilot will hold press conferences in Bengaluru, Maken in Ahmedabad, Deepender Hooda in Bhopal, among other leaders in different locations.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday alleged that Gautam Adani's elder brother Vinod Adani had set up at least 38 shell entities in Mauritius.

"The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence found in 2014 that three Adani Group companies had paid the Dubai-based Electrogen Infra FZE Rs 9,048 crore for power equipment imported from China and South Korea worth Rs 3,580 crore, with the balance siphoned out of the country," Ramesh alleged.

It has been alleged that Electrogen was controlled by Vinod Adani via a Mauritius-based entity, Electrogen Infra Holding.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Sahil Gehlot, who allegedly strangled his girlfriend Nikki Yadav with data cable at Kashmiri Gate, has told the investigators that after killing her, he deleted all chats and data from her mobile phone and kept it with him after taking out the SIM card.

Investigators have recovered her mobile phone from Gehot's possession and have been sent for forensic examination.

Any argumentative chat between the accused and the victim would have been another piece of evidence that would have strengthened the case against Gehlot, a resident of Mitraon village, sources said, adding that possibly, fearing this, he formatted the phone.

According to the official, on February 9 night, Gehlot, a resident of Mitraon village, went to meet the woman at her Uttam Nagar residence where she lived with her younger sister.

"Gehlot stayed there for two-three hours and later both of them went to Nizammudin railway station. But as they could not get tickets to Goa, they changed their plan to go to Himachal Pradesh and reached ISBT, Kashmere Gate," said the official.

"When the duo reached ISBT, an argument broke out between them. In between the fight, Gehlot kept receiving back-to-back calls from his family, which he says triggered him to his threshold point and he turned violent," said a source.

He then strangled Nikki with his mobile phone data cable inside the car, probably around 8 a.m on February 10, drove to his dhaba to hide her body, and then proceeded with his wedding on February 10.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court on Friday will pronounce its judgment on a plea made by the Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena to refer the five-judge bench decision in Nabam Rebia case of 2016 to a seven-judge bench.

During the hearing, the apex court wondered if it could venture into the correctness of its previous judgment when the factual circumstances in the political crisis in Maharashtra do not arise.

A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, observed that the Constitution lays down the principle with regards to overall disqualifications and on the Tenth Schedule, the Constitution has introduced additional disqualification.

The Thackeray faction argued that Nabam Rebia judgment which restricted the power of the Speaker to examine disqualification petition if a resolution of his own removal was pending, was prone to misuse for the benefit of defecting MLAs.

The bench noted that it has seen how vexed the Nabam Rebia can be. The judgment has laid down a principle and before the court decides to enter upon this to review it, "we have to be sure it strictly arises in this case", it said.

It added that it is difficult to lay down a rule prescribing whether the Speaker should decide within this time, discretion is given but whatever decision the Speaker takes, it will relate back.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Thackeray faction, submitted that in the meantime, a legally elected government will be toppled.

"Take the present casea. Eknath Shinde, he is the CM now. How is it going to relate back?" The bench noted that correctness of Nabam Rebia judgment will arise if the Speaker stood injuncted by this court from exercising power and the Speaker created a problem for himself, may be out of political exigency. It further added that the Speaker only gave 2 days' notice and the apex court had extended the time for reply till July 12, 2022.

"So, the Speaker's resolution was not tested in the House. Resignation obviated the floor test. As a result of that, the consequences of the votes, which would have otherwise been cast by persons sought to be disqualified, did not emerge. So Nabam Rebia does not arisea..".

The Chief Justice said: "So can the court venture into the correctness of Nabam Rabia when the factual circumstances do not arise?" It noted that it is not a case of defection, but a case of realignment, where the CM is in minority, and the CM sees the writing on the wall and the speaker issues notice, should the Speaker restrain it till some time?

Sibal argued that under the Tenth Schedule, there is no defence of majority and only defence is merger, which is not there. He added that even if the CM is in minority, assuming so, they are still liable to disqualification and "you go out of house, face election and come back...".

The bench, also comprising Justices M.R. Shah, Hima Kohli, Krishna Murari, and P.S. Narasimha, wrapped up the arguments on Thursday on point of reference after hearing a battery of senior lawyers - senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Devadatt Kamat for the Thackeray faction and senior advocates Harish Salve, and Neeraj Kishan Kaul, assisted by advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, for the Shinde side.

Sibal said the problem with the Nabam judgment is that it says the moment the notice is given, the Speaker cannot preside and these are serious issues. Here the elected government was toppled and the Speaker could not do anything, he added.

In December last year, the Thackeray faction had asked the Supreme Court to refer the judgment in the Nabam Rebia case to a seven-judge bench of the apex court.

In August this year, a three-judge bench of the apex court had said that a five-judge constitution bench will hear a batch of petitions filed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray faction on queries related to defection, merger and disqualification. The three-judge bench, in its reference order, had framed the first issue as whether notice for removal of a Speaker restricts him from continuing with disqualification proceedings under Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, as held by the top court in Nabam Rebia (by a five-judge bench).

Thackeray suffered a major setback after Shinde and other MLAs rebelled against him and ousted him as Maharashtra CM. They also laid claims to the Shiv Sena party and its symbol as well.
Moscow, Feb 16 : Moscow has declared four employees of the Austrian Embassy in Russia "personae non gratae" in a retaliatory move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry summoned Austrian Ambassador to Russia Werner Almhofer on Thursday in protest over a decision of the Austrian authorities to expel four employees from Russia's foreign missions, it said, adding that the Austrian diplomats must leave Russia by February 23, Xinhua news agency reported.

Austria's unfriendly and unjustified move causes serious damage to bilateral ties, said the ministry.

Austria declared two diplomats of the Russian Embassy and two diplomats of the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations "personae non gratae" on February 2.
Shillong, Feb 16 : Ahead of February 27 Meghalaya Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a scathing attack on his BJP's former ally, the ruling National People's Party (NPP).

Addressing an election rally in North Tura, he accused the NPP government in the state of being involved in large-scale corruption.

"We are contesting on 60 seats here for the first time, and we expect that the BJP will emerge as a strong party. A lot of development has happened in the entire country since Narendra Modi assumed the office of Prime Minister, however, it is a matter of concern that Meghalaya has been deprived of development." Shah claimed that the funds provided by the Central government do not reach the people of Meghalaya because corruption is a big issue here and the BJP wants to wipe out corruption from the state.

That is why the BJP broke the alliance with the NPP and decided to contest on their own in Meghalaya, he said.

"Meghalaya has witnessed unprecedented corruption in the last five years. It tops the chart of the most corrupt state in the country." Shah expressed displeasure that after 50 years of the formation of the state, Meghalaya still does not have a medical college, whereas in Assam, five new medical colleges have been constructed in recent years.

"The Central government gave permission for building two medical colleges in Meghalaya, but the state government failed to build one. If voted to power, the BJP will construct medical colleges in the state," he claimed.

Shah also informed that the BJP government has decided to impart education, starting from nursery school up to higher levels, in the local language. Also in Meghalaya, people will be able to study in Khasi and Garo.

The Union Home Minister highlighted how the Central government, in the last eight years under Modi's leadership, has been trying to develop the northeast region.

"We have built 1,000 schools in northeast - among them 39 residential schools were debeloped for marginalised section of the society in Meghalaya. The Central government has started the PM-DIVINE project for the northeast, in which Rs 6,000 crore were allocated for the development," he said.

He said that if BJP emerges as a stronger party here, Meghalaya will receive the most of the benefits of Central government projects and see "unwavering development".
Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 : The scuffle between the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a woman police inspector during a protest in Sambalpur has sparked a controversy in the state.

Protesting the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Odisha, when the BJP members led by Mishra took out a massive rally towards Sambalpur Collector's office on Wednesday, a clash took place between Mishra and Dhanupali police station Inspector in Charge Anita Pradhan.

Pradhan alleged that she had been misbehaved with and assaulted by Mishra during the protest.

Demanding Mishra's removal from his position, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers and leaders on Thursday, staged demonstrations in Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur.

BJD leader and Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das alleged that Mishra not only manhandled the police officer but also physically assaulted her.

"Such behaviour by a lady police officer on duty is not acceptable and the BJD strongly condemns such an act," she said.

"Mishra should resign from his position as LoP of Odisha Assembly on moral grounds. If he is not doing so, the Odisha BJP leaders should convince him to resign," said BJD spokesperson Shreemayee Mishra.

Reacting to the BJD's protest, Mishra said: "As I am continuously exposing the state government to minister Naba Das' murder case, a conspiracy was made to wipe me out. The law and order situation is totally collapsed in the state and no one is safe in Odisha." Refuting the allegations levelled against him, the BJP leader said: "I don't even know her. She was somewhere else and suddenly appeared before me and pushed me." Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior BJP leader D. Purandeswari too slammed the BJD in the matter.

Meanwhile, two separate police complaints were lodged on this matter.

Deepak Kumar, DIG, Northern Range, said a case has been registered and an investigation would be done by examining the video footage of the incident, witnesses, and other evidence.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On February 14, AEOLUS ("Fengshen"), the wholly-owned passenger vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Mobiles Hubei provincial branch ("Hubei Mobile"), in various intelligence technology-related fields.

Haoji SUV; photo credit: Dongfeng AEOLUS

The duo aims to leverage their respective product, customer, and service advantages in areas such as 5G + smart parks, smart factories, and V2X. The two sides will carry out in-depth strategic cooperation in various forms, providing services and technical support to each other, to promote mutual development.

On the same day, Dongfeng AEOLUS delivered 144 Haoji SUVs to Hubei Mobile as designated corporate vehicles for their employees, marking the first step in the strategic cooperation between the two companies.

The Haoji SUV is the first SUV based on the Dongfeng DSMA super modular architecture and the first SUV riding on the automaker's Mach (Ma He in Chinese) dual-engine powertrain.

On the other hand, Dongfeng Motors autonomous driving arm, Dongfeng Sharing, won the bid again for the smart transportation construction project in Xiongan New Area. Under the project, Dongfeng Sharing will provide 50 new energy intelligent connected city buses for Rongcheng County in Xiongan New Area, contributing to the construction of local smart transportation system.
Jaipur, Feb 16 : Taking part in the Budget debate on the floor of the House on Thursday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced one lakh recruitments in the state.

These recruitments will be different from the already announced recruitments, he said, adding that these will be made to fill the vacant posts in all the government departments.

The Chief Minister also announced to increase the scope of the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana, the government's flagship health insurance scheme.

Under the scheme, now the facility of organ transplant will be available in hospitals outside the state as well. In the Budget presented by the Chief Minister on February 10, it was announced to increase the treatment limit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh under the Chiranjeevi Yojana.

Gehlot also announced a 'voluntary load increase' scheme to address the complaints of farmers filling the Vigilance Check Report (VCR) in the election year. Under this scheme, farmers will not be penalised for self-declaration of load and VCR will not be filled.

The Chief Minister announced plans to open 17 new colleges in the state. Apart from this, seven new girl colleges will also be opened. Gehlot said that with the establishment of Urdu B.Ed College in the Hawa Mahal Assembly constituency in Jaipur, five new ITIs will also be opened in the state.

At the same time, recruitment of 2,500 Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitras will be done. A Defence Service Preparatory Institute will be opened in one school each at the divisional level, while a centre of excellence for electric vehicle will be opened each at the polytechnic colleges in Jaipur and Jodhpur, Gehlot said.

The government will also get a mini secretariat constructed in Sikar. Apart from this, two additional district collectorate offices have also been approved in Ajmer and Dausa, the Chief Minister informed.

Apart from this, two SDM offices will be opened in Jodhpur, besides the construction of a roadways depot at Nohar in Hanumangarh, Gehlot said.

In case of the death of a government employee, his disabled son or daughter will get family pension even after marriage. Till now, under the Rajasthan Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1996, only unmarried disabled sons and daughters were entitled to family pension.
Kolkata, Feb 16 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Thursday assured the state government employees demanding their pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears that he will send a detailed report to the Union government on this count.

The Governor gave the assurance after an interaction with a four-member delegation of the joint forum of state government employees agitating in the matter.

The four members of the delegation were Tapas Chakroborty, Aniruddha Bhattacharya, Deepal Biswas and Sandip Ghosh. Later, BJP MP from Ranaghat, Jagannath Sarkar, also attended the meeting.

The delegation submitted a memorandum about their demands to the Governor. After the meeting, the delegation members told mediapersons that the Governor has assured them of sending a detailed report on this count to the Union government.

"We apprised the Governor about the entire situation, and he agreed with us that depriving state government employees of DA arrears is inhuman. Previously also, we had sent a letter on this count to the Governor," said Bhattacharya.

Sarkar said that he did not join the meeting as an elected representative of a particular political party.

"I am myself a retired teacher under the payroll of the state government and I had also been deprived of DA arrears. This is our legitimate right. The DA received by the state government employees is the lowest among all Indian states," he said.

The joint forum of state government employees has already announced that it will observe a full-day pen-down strike on February 20 and February 21.

While presenting the state Budget in the Assembly on Wednesday, Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, had announced an additional 3 per cent DA for the current and pension-holding retired state government employees.

However, the announcement irked the state government employees further, who pointed out that even after this additional 3 per cent, their gap with their counterparts in the Union government will remain at 32 per cent.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will examine whether its 2017 verdict, which laid down guidelines for it and the high courts to govern the process of designating lawyers as senior advocates needs to be revisited.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said: "Let us confine it to whether that judgement needs revisiting and if yes, to what extent." The bench, also comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Aravind Kumar, added that the scope really is whether the judgment needs some modifications or not.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, on whose petition the 2017 verdict was delivered, contended that every high court is adopting a different procedure and stressed that there should be some uniformity in the process. Other counsel in the matter cited the process adopted by some high courts on designating lawyers as senior advocates.

The bench orally observed that it cannot have supervisory jurisdiction over the high courts and added: "You say this is the concern of the bar. All of us have been part of the bar." After hearing arguments, the bench scheduled the matter for further hearing on February 22.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted that the government will file an application in the matter. The top court clarified that it is at this stage only addressing the issue arising from the judgment which gave liberty to revisit on the basis of experience so far and noted that Mehta will be filing an application "setting out the experience so far".

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas raising issues about designating lawyers as senior advocates.

The apex court, in May last year, had modified one of its earlier directions and said the lawyers be allocated one mark each for a year of practice from 10 to 20 years, when considered for designation as senior advocates.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed its Registrar General to transfer the sum paid by media houses as fined for disclosing the Kathua rape case victim's name to the Victim Compensation Fund maintained by Jammu & Kashmir State Legal Services Authority.

The amount is for donating the victims or family of deceased victims of sexual violence.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said: "The Registrar General of this court is directed to transmit the amounts so deposited by respondents no.8, 28 (two media houses) and by other respondents (media houses) in the present case, if any such amount is still lying with the court, to the Victim Compensation Fund maintained by the Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority for disbursement of funds to the victims/families of the deceased victims of sexual violence." In the 2018 brutal gangrape was followed by the victim's murder, the High Court in the same year took by itself the decision against media houses for their reports disclosing the victim's name, violating Sections 23 and 228A of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

"The manner of reporting of the incident is also against the public justice," said the bench.

The court had issued notices to over 15 media houses and directed them to deposit Rs 10 lakh each.

With time, more media organisations were asked to pay the compensation.

Earlier, the court had called the media houses' move of displaying the photograph of the victim "unfortunate" and "extremely distressing".

The incident dates back to January 10, 2018, when the eight-year-old had disappeared from near her home in a village near Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. A week later, her body was found in the same area.
Amaravati, Feb 16 : The people of Andhra Pradesh have been suffering a lot for the past four years ever since Jagan Mohan Reddy became the Chief Minister, and the state is now witnessing "psycho rule", TDP national President, N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday.

Calling the Chief Minister a psycho, Naidu alleged that he is feeling happy when people are facing difficulties.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former Chief Minister was addressing people at Peddapuram in Kakinada district.

Maintaining that the power charges were not revised even during the state's bifurcation, Naidu said that the Jagan government has the credit of increasing power tariff at least for seven times. "Now the prices of even the essential commodities too are skyrocketing and Mr Jagan has imposed 48 varieties of taxes on the people," he noted.

All sections of people are not happy with the government and if Jagan introduces a scheme it will have full scams, he stated. Liquor has all kinds of 'J' brands while sand has now become gold while land mafia is ruling the roost, he claimed.

"The youth now believe that if Babu comes back to power they get jobs and even the students trust this," he said.

He alleged that the state government has been frequently changing tack on Amaravati. "The other day Mr Jagan stated in New Delhi that Visakhapatnam will soon be the State capital while the Minister, Mr Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, denied the three capital argument and immediately after this the advisor to the government, Mr Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy again raised the three capital slogan. Who is correct," Naidu asked.

The TDP supremo asked as to why Jagan did not speak about the three capitals before the 2019 elections and pointed out that again in 2021 the state government withdrew the bill on three capitals.
Hyderabad, Feb 16 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday slammed Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for calling the Centre's target of a $5 trillion economy a joke.

She said she was requesting KCR with folded hands not to make jokes on the goal.

The minister was speaking on the Amrit Kaal Budget organised by Doordarshan here.

Addressing the Telangana Assembly on February 12, the Chief Minister had said that the BJP government's target of a $5 trillion economy became a joke, as after all the hype, India managed to become just a $3.1 trillion economy.

KCR pointed out the economy of the US is $25 trillion while that of China is $18.3 trillion.

Sitharaman said it was ironic that KCR under whose rule Telangana's debts mounted was calling the $5 trillion economy and the budget a joke.

"What was the debt of Telangana before KCR became the Chief Minister and what is it now," she asked and then pointed out that the state's debts mounted from Rs 60,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 3 lakh crore now.

On the allegations by the BRS government that the Centre was imposing restrictions on the borrowings by the state, she said the Constitution has mandated the Centre to control the debts of the states.

Asked about the allegation by the BRS government that the Centre has not sanctioned even a single medical college to Telangana, she claimed that the state government did not send the list of the districts which have no medical colleges.

She said that the state government sent the names of Karimnagar and Khammam districts which already had medical colleges and hence it was rejected.

"Does the Chief Minister not know which districts have medical colleges," she asked.

Sitharaman said the government aims to take all development and welfare schemes to all sections of the society while keeping up the economy's growth rate. She asserted that sections of the society like SCs, STs, BCs, OBCs and other weaker sections were kept in mind while formulating the budget.

She said that the government is geared up to face economic challenges in the background of rise in fuel prices and also face the challenges from across the border.

Sitharaman said that the government is specially focussing on 124 aspirational districts with an aim to reach the SCs, STs and BCs and achieve saturation level in taking the development schemes to eligible beneficiaries.

She said 500 blocks were identified to reach the unreached. She said the government has enhanced capital expenditure in the budget for boosting infrastructure facilities in the country.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday alleged that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, is continuing to trample upon the mandate of the elected government in the national capital.

AAP leader Atishi alleged that the L-G had illegally and unconstitutionally formed the Haj Committee and also held elections for the post of its Chairman.

Explaining the legal provisions in the matter, Atishi said that the Haj Committee comes under the Revenue Department of Delhi government and therefore just like subjects such as schools, hospitals, electricity and water, it comes under the list of 'Transferred Subjects'.

"The Constitution of India and orders of the Constitution Bench make it very clear that the L-G does not have any independent decision-making power on 'Transferred Subjects'. The L-G does not have any independent decision-making power in this matter, as clearly stated in the Constitution of India, and orders of the Constitution Bench," Atishi said while addressing the media.

"The state government constitutes the Haj Committee, as shown in Section 17 of The Haj Committee Act, 2002. There is no dispute as to the competent authority to constitute the committee, as Constitutional principles, decisions of the Supreme Court, as well as the Haj Committee Act, clearly vest this power on the elected government of State, i.e., the Council of Ministers," she said.

She added that the state government had sent a list of members, who were to be picked as members of the Haj Committee, to the L-G, but he made changes to the list and formed the committee without informing the AAP government.

"After that the LG also got the Haj Committee notified by threatening officials and warning them that they would be sacked if they did not notify the Haj Committee. Further, the L-G on also ordered election for the post of Chairman for the Haj Committee. All the three things here are illegal - the formation of the committee, the order to notify it and also the election to pick the Chairman of the committee," she claimed.
Colombo, Feb 16 : Visiting top-level US defence delegation discussed defence cooperation enhancement and regional security stability with Sri Lanka's defence officials here on Thursday.

The delegation led by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (PDASD), Jedidiah P. Royal, held discussions with the Sri Lanka Minister of Defence, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, and Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne.

Accompanied by Defence Attache of the US Embassy, Lt. Col. Anthony Nelson, US PDASD's discussions with Sri Lankan defence officials were centred around matters of further strengthening the existing ties between the US and Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry stated.

Assistant Defence Attache in the US Embassy, Seth Nevins, US South Asia Desk Officer Lt. Col. Christian Mitchell and Sri Lankan Defence Ministry's Senior Assistant Secretary, Harsha Withanarachchi, were also present at the meeting.
New Delhi, Feb 16 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit poll-bound Nagaland on February 20 where he will participate in a mega roadshow.

As per a BJP source, "Shah will visit Nagaland on February 20 to participate in a mega road show. Preparations for the roadshow are underway. The party workers are eager to meet the Home minister." The 60-member Nagaland Assembly will go to the polls on February 27, while the counting of votes will be taken up on March 2.

"Shah will meet the party workers to boost their morale just like he did in Gujarat. We are confident that the people of Nagaland have confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi," added the source.

On Wednesday, the BJP released a short film -- 'Nagaland needs BJP' -- as part of its election campaign in the northeastern state.
Chennai, Feb 16 : The owner of a mental asylum at Villupuram in Tamil Nadu -- arrested on charges of rape and physical assault, was on Thursday remanded to judicial custody, an official said.

Jubin Baby, 45, a native of Ernakulam in Kerala, has been charged with multiple offences including rape and physically assaulting destitute and mentally ill individuals at the Anbu Jyothi Ashram, which does not have a license for operating the facility.

Following his arrest, Baby was admitted to the Mundiyambakkam hospital after he complained of uneasiness.

A court directed the police to send him to judicial custody after his discharge from the General Hospital.

The police conducted a raid at his destitute home after a case was filed about a missing inmate.

In December 2021, A. Halideen admitted his friend Salim Khan's uncle Jabarullah (75) to Anbu Jyothi Ashram.

Later, when Khan, along with Halideen, went to the Ashram to meet Jabarullah in August 2022, the elderly person was found missing there.

A complaint was lodged in Kedar police station and later, in December 2022, a case was filed following which the Madras High Court ordered the police to conduct a search.

Eventually, a raid was conducted last Friday.

Also, a female inmate at the shelter had filed a rape complaint against Jubin Baby and he was booked under charges of raping a person with disabilities.

The police said the raid was conducted while keeping in mind several charges, including an absence of a license to run such a home, rape of a woman inmate, and a missing man.

Villupuram District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer (DDRO), C. Thangavelu told IANS that the Anbu Jyothi Ashram did not have a proper license to function since 2017, and the application filed in 2022 by the Ashram was also rejected.

The DDRO had filed a complaint with the Kedar police and eight persons including a woman were arrested and later remanded to judicial custody.
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New Delhi, Feb 17 : Indian-American Neal Mohan will be the new YouTube CEO, as current head Susan Wojcicki has announced to step down after 25 years at the Google-owned company.

Currently chief product officer, Mohan became part of Google, the parent company of YouTube, in 2008. He is a Stanford graduate and earlier worked with Microsoft.

Mohan and Wojcicki have worked together for nearly 15 years. He became YouTube's chief product officer in 2015.

"Today, after nearly 25 years here, I've decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about," Wojcicki said in a blog post late on Thursday.

She has agreed with Sundar Pichai to take on an advisory role across Google and Alphabet.A "This will allow me to call on my different experiences over the years to offer counsel and guidance across Google and the portfolio of Alphabet companies," she added.

Wojcicki managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Google's first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSense's creation, worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, served as SVP of Ads, and for the last nine years, was the CEO of YouTube.A "I took on each challenge that came my way because it had a mission that benefited so many people's lives around the world: finding information, telling stories and supporting creators, artists, and small businesses," she noted.

"Mohan will be the SVP and new head of YouTube. I've spent nearly 15 years of my career working with Mohan, first when he came over to Google with the DoubleClick acquisition in 2007 and as his role grew to become SVP of Display and Video Ads," said Wojcicki.

He has set up a top-notch product and UX team, played pivotal roles in the launch of some of the biggest products, including YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium and Shorts, and has led the Trust and Safety team.

Mohan ensured that "YouTube lives up to its responsibility as a global platform".A "With all we're doing across Shorts, streaming, and subscriptions, together with the promises of AI, YouTube's most exciting opportunities are ahead, and Mohan is the right person to lead us,a said Wojcicki.
Bhopal, Feb 17 : With almost nine months left for the Assembly elections, key politicians in Madhya Pradesh are now reaching out to self-styled godmen to seek their blessings. Besides this, many politicians are even organising 'katha vachan' in their respective constituencies.

State BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma visited the 'darbar' of Dhirendra Shastri, the 26-year-old Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham, in his home district Chhatarpur on Wednesday.

The young spiritual story-teller, who has been grabbing headlines and prime time space on many TV channels over the last many days, has huge following not only in Bundelkhand region or Madhya Pradesh, but in many parts of the country. He has been in news, owing to his "miraculous powers" which were questioned last month by a Maharashtra-based organisation, Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti.

The BJP leader also met Acharya Balkrishna, the young billionaire businessman and head of Patanjali Ayurveda.

Before Sharma, former Chief Minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath had visited Bageshwar Dham on February 13. During the visit, Nath offered prayers at Bagheshwar Dham and also sought blessings of the shrine's young Peethadhishwar.

Nath was joined by two other senior state Congress leaders, including ex-minister and close confidant Sajjan Singh Verma (who had recently questioned excessive media coverage of the young godman) and ex-union minister Arun Yadav (who was in news recently for opposing posters projecting Nath as party's chief ministerial candidate).

However, distancing himself from the godman's demand of making India a 'Hindu Rashtra', Nath, after coming out of the shrine, had said that India will function as per the Constitution only.

If sources are to be believed then the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan could be the next big politician, who may visit the Bageshwar Dham and meet the young Peethadhishwar in the coming days.

On Thursday, Chouhan was scheduled to attend a 'Rudraksha Mahotsva', at darbar of another famous Hindu religious story-teller and self-proclaimed godman - Pradeep Mishra. However, his visit was cancelled after stamped-like situation emerged at the venue, in which a woman was reportedly killed.

Besides these prominent politicians, many others were also seen making a beeline for the darbar of Dhirendra Shastri or some other self-styled godmen.

In the politics of Madhya Pradesh, there has been a strong presence of 'Babas' or Godmen, and even some of them were given cabinet rank in the past.
International Campus (IC) celebrated topping off for The Fizz Leiden, Netherlands together with the general contractor Bouwbedrijf Niersman (Niersman). Representatives from IC and Niersman celebrated the topping off together with the construction crew on site. Upon expected completion at the end of 2023, the building will offer 394 independent studios

Photos: International Campus



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We still offer offices for 1 to 3 people at this location, but were excited to accommodate groups of up to 30 team members in the larger suites.

Irvine, California based Premier Workspaces, one of the largest privately-owned flexible workspace operators in the US, has been selected to reposition and manage coworking operations at The Heights in Aliso Viejo. This modern, 30,000 square foot space was formerly operated by TechSpace and most recently Industrious.

The Heights, formerly known as The Summit, recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. The 5-building campus, which also is home to Microsoft and Sony, features extensive upgrades throughout  including impressive common areas, modern lobbies, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. This recent addition offers over 7,000 square feet of premium workout equipment as well as spa-like amenities, including outdoor spaces, lockers, and private showers  all within steps of the flexible workspace.

Once in the coworking space, clients will enjoy a premium blend of 24 private offices, 4 serviced meeting rooms, and common areas  all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows with captivating views of the surrounding hills. This location will uniquely offer the ability to accommodate larger teams and those who simply prefer larger space. In fact, it will feature some of the largest flexible workspace offices in Orange County  all with the added benefit of full-time reception, well-appointed common areas, and a commitment to service. For hybrid workers, or the need to just establish a business presence, Premier offers customizable virtual office options at this location as well.

Premier Workspaces is an industry leader with over 20 years of experience in Orange County and more than 85 locations nationwide. With a focus on premium private offices and team spaces, they offer a service-based experience thats unique and perfect for the Aliso Viejo market. With Premiers flexible model, startups, hybrid workers, entrepreneurs, corporations seeking greater flexibility, and many others can take full advantage of a great location that will represent them well and position them for growth. In terms of representation, building amenities include:



24 Hour Full-time Office Space Access

WELL Health-Safety Rating

Free Parking

Full Kitchen

On-Site Management

Outdoor Patio Seating

Vending Machines

EV Charging Stations

Were excited about this opportunity at 65 Enterprise. Its a beautiful design that maximizes the surrounding views and features a nice selection of suites that are much larger than our typical floor plans. The Heights offers these larger companies a masterfully landscaped 20-acre campus with incredible mountain views and unparalleled amenities, said Michael Pollack, the VP, Director of Real Estate at Premier Workspaces.

These turnkey suites are perfect for startups or larger companies looking to shed some of their excess square footage. We still offer offices for 1 to 3 people at this location, but were excited to accommodate groups of up to 30 team members in the larger suites. This allows us to meet a need in the market as hybrid work becomes a greater focus for larger corporations and others seeking flexibility, said Amy Fuller, SVP of Sales & Marketing at Premier.

The Heights is located along the SR 73 (San Joaquin Hills) Tollway, providing immediate access to the 133, 5, and 405 Freeways. Perfect for locals and commuters alike, its ideal for hybrid work, remote teams looking for a common touchpoint or those who simply want a highly accessible location in Orange County. The immediate area also offers a selection of great restaurants and shopping for those who prefer to stay closer to the office.

Private Offices starting at: $795 per month

Mini-Suites starting at: $3995 per month

Address: 65 Enterprise, Suite 400, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Call to schedule a Tour: (949) 389-5800

Website: https://www.premierworkspaces.com/california/aliso-viejo-the-heights

About Premier Workspaces: Premier Workspaces (http://www.premierworkspaces.com) operates one of the largest privately owned executive suite, coworking and shared workspace companies in the United States with locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and the District of Columbia. Since 2002, Premier Workspaces has leased or operated 139 locations comprising of 2.4 million square feet of commercial office space.
Aira Technologies, a pioneer in the application of Machine Learning (ML) to radically improve wireless telecommunications, today announced that it plans to deliver a near-real time application (xApp) that will work in concert with the VMware RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) platform to deliver advanced 5G RAN capabilities that have long been requested by the TIP RIA sub-group of the TIP Open RAN 5G NR Project Group. The TIP RIA subgroup is led by Vodafone, BT and T-Mobile USA.

Aira has used sophisticated ML techniques to develop the industrys first xApp to enable better channel estimation and unprecedented channel prediction performance to help maximize downlink throughput and range. The Intel FlexRAN reference software, with a software based L1, provided the flexibility to tap into the right part of the L1 to enable the xApp. Accurate channel prediction helps minimize inter-user interference to maximize multi-user MIMO performance.

The application of ML to wireless baseband processing in this fundamental manner is an industry first. Together with VMware, we are showcasing three very important things - the power of the Open RAN movement to accelerate innovation; the extraordinary potential for ML in cutting edge wireless applications; and, the enormous potential for the RIC and consequently the ability to improve the RAN through xApps and rApps, said Anand Chandrasekher, Founder and CEO of Aira Technologies.

Radio Access Networks (RAN) operate in varied network conditions and radio environments. ML presents a natural framework to classify these conditions accurately and process the RAN signals optimally for each of these conditions. We are seeing tremendous MU-MIMO throughput gains from our ML-based channel prediction xApp and we are working on applying our ML framework to other RAN functionalities, said Ravikiran Gopalan, Founder and CTO of Aira Technologies.

VMwares RIC is designed for service providers to harness programmability and modernize their RAN architecture. This enables service providers to rapidly deploy new and innovative technologies like ML and leapfrog into a new age of user experience and network efficiency. This modern approach decouples RAN intelligence from the data plane and allows for the control and management functions to be performed through xApps and rApps running on the VMware RIC, empowering the service provider to customize their RAN for their own unique business needs and priorities. Aira has chosen to integrate their channel estimation and projection xApp using the VMware RIC SDK to meet the critical timing requirements of baseband processing.

VMware has been an industry leader in the RIC arena. We believe strongly in the potential for accelerating innovation and monetization of the RAN through network programmability via the RIC platform. We are extremely proud of our work together with the Aira team and commend them on this breakthrough capability. We are excited to work with them to showcase this capability and are looking forward to bringing these and other innovations to market this year, said Lakshmi Mandyam, Vice President, Product Management and Partner Ecosystems, Service Provider and Edge, VMware.

The Intel Xeon platform and their Intel FlexRAN reference platform, along with Capgeminis L2 and L3 software platforms provided crucial building blocks, and facilitated easy incorporation of Airas cutting edge ML technology.

Machine learning is poised to enhance the operation of virtualized radio access networks, providing new energy and performance efficiencies, said Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Access Networking Division at Intel. Leveraging Intel Xeon processors and Intel FlexRAN reference software, which provides full software implementation of DU Layer 1 and above, Aira is innovating on top of this platform by applying their sophisticated AI models to the 5G physical layer and improving RAN performance."

The setup at the TIP community lab sponsored by Meta in Menlo Park, California, consists of a Viavi UE emulator and Viavi channel emulator that simulates varying channel conditions as seen by a Foxconn RU. The RU itself is connected in an end-to-end fashion to the Aira DU, a Capgemini CU and a Capgemini Core. Aira has defined a service model that passes data from the DU to the VMware RIC via the E2 interface. The Aira AI-based High Fidelity MIMO Channel Estimation and Prediction application (xApp) runs atop the RIC. The xApp estimates and predicts the channel which is then compared to ground truth as established by the Viavi channel emulator. The output of the xApp is the prediction of channel evolution in-between S-slots, which results in improvements in RAN throughput and coverage.

Mobile World Congress 2023 attendees can visit with us at the VMware (Hall 3, 3M11) and the TIP (Hall 5, 5A40) booths to see the technology in action.

About Aira Technologies

Aira Technologies, an AI software technology startup was founded in 2019 by wireless industry veterans including CEO Anand Chandrasekher (ex-Intel, ex-Qualcomm) and CTO Dr. Ravikiran Gopalan (ex-Bell Labs, ex-Qualcomm) along with well-known wireless researchers Dr. Pramod Viswanath (Professor, Princeton University) and Dr. Sreeram Kannan (Professor, University of Washington, Seattle). Airas vision is to harness machine learning to make every wireless connection, in every transport, more than 10x better. To that end, the company has assembled a team with a rare combination of 5G wireless technology and cutting-edge AI expertise. It is one of the very few companies that can harness the power of Machine Learning to improve wireless communications using real-time data from mobile networks. For more information, please visit https://www.aira-technology.com/.

About VMware

VMware is a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. As a trusted foundation to accelerate innovation, VMware software gives businesses the flexibility and choice they need to build the future. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to building a better future through the companys 2030 Agenda. For more information, please visit http://www.vmware.com/company.
GreyNoise has achieved Soc 2 Type I compliance for its best-in-class security standards Our SOC 2 Type I Compliance will help to reassure our customers that we are taking all of the steps necessary to keep their data safe, said Andrew Morris, Founder and CEO, GreyNoise Intelligence.

GreyNoise Intelligence, the cybersecurity company analyzing internet scanning traffic to separate threats from background noise, today announced that it has achieved Soc 2 Type I compliance, in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) standards for Systems and Organizational Controls (SOC). Achieving SOC 2 compliance with unqualified opinion serves as third-party industry validation that GreyNoise provides best-in-class enterprise-level security for its customers data. GreyNoise collects, analyzes, and classifies internet scanning traffic to separate malicious threats from background noise.

Rather than barraging security teams with alerts, GreyNoise helps to eliminate harmless activity by collecting, analyzing and labeling data on IP addresses that saturate security tools with noise. This unique approach helps security analysts waste less time on irrelevant alerts and focus instead on targeted and emerging threats. GreyNoise is trusted by Global 2000 enterprises, governments, top security vendors and tens of thousands of individual threat researchers.

SOC 2 is an auditing procedure that ensures 3rd party service providers are securely managing data to protect the interests of customers and the privacy of their clients. SOC 2 defines criteria for managing customer data based on five trust service principlessecurity, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. The Type II SOC Report details the operational effectiveness of a vendors systems and certifies that they meet relevant trust principles.

An unqualified opinion on a SOC 2 Type I audit report demonstrates that GreyNoise manages customers data with the highest standard of security and compliance. GreyNoise has always maintained a strong commitment to the information security and data integrity of its clients, said Andrew Morris, Founder and CEO, GreyNoise Intelligence. Our SOC 2 Type I Compliance will help to reassure our customers that we are taking all of the steps necessary to keep their data safe. The rigorous process of the SOC 2 audit helped us further codify and strengthen our security and data protection practices.

For more information about GreyNoise, please visit https://www.greynoise.io/.

About GreyNoise Intelligence

GreyNoise is THE source for understanding internet noise. We collect, analyze and label data on IPs that saturate security tools with noise. This unique perspective helps analysts waste less time on irrelevant or harmless activity, and spend more time focused on targeted and emerging threats. GreyNoise is trusted by Global 2000 enterprises, government organizations, top security vendors and tens of thousands of threat researchers. For more information, please visit https://www.greynoise.io/, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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"In 2022, my nominated non-profit, Backing the Blue Line: Police Wives of Minnesota, was selected for one of the coveted annual grants of $10,000 offered by Homes for Heroes. Their work has helped me on a personal level and is so valuable to the Minnesota Police Community."

Emily Jacobson joined Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation as a loan originator and Homes for Heroes affiliate, effective January 25, 2023, the company announced.

Jacobson will join Oliver White's branch located in Eden Prairie, MN, and brings over 8 years of mortgage origination experience to Oliver's high producing team.

"At this point in my career, I was searching for a company that truly aligned with my core values. The family-like atmosphere and a community of genuine support is second to none and I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to move my business to Fairway." Jacobson said. "I feel confident that I have been given every tool available for my toolbox to give my clients the level of service they deserve."

By end of January 2023, Jacobson's current stats for Homes for Heroes were listed as #3 in the state of MN and #31 nationally for Heroes Rewards given. "Since I began with the program, Ive been able to help my clients receive $41,457 in Hero Rewards" Jacobson added. "In 2022, my nominated non-profit, Backing the Blue Line: Police Wives of Minnesota, was selected for one of the coveted annual grants of $10,000 offered by Homes for Heroes. Their work has helped me on a personal level and is so valuable to the MN police community."Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a 27 year old company based in Madison, WI originating home loans in all 50 states. "We are super excited to have Emily bringing her experience and expertise to our team," Branch Manager, Oliver White said. "We have a great platform to originate mortgages with efficiency and speed. Emily will be a welcome addition to partner with American Warrior Initiative, one of Fairway's non-profits, focused on serving the Veteran Community, as well."

About Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender with a wide array of innovative products that help make homeownership more affordable with the speed and service its clients deserve. Based in Madison, WI, Fairway is dedicated to finding great mortgage options and providing some of the fastest turn times for its borrowers. We strive to exceed expectations, guarantee satisfaction and earn trust. For more information, visit fairway.com
From left to right: Xavier Godmaire, President of Laserax, and Denis Ochsenbein, Head of Sales for Laserax in Europe The electric vehicles industry expands at a fast pace and were making sure that our team has the proper resources to grow with our customers, says Laseraxs president Xavier Godmaire

Canadian company Laserax solidifies its presence in the European automotive industry by moving its German office from Bremen to Bad Krozingen. This strategic decision brings Laserax closer to Stuttgarts automotive hub. The new facilities include a fully equipped laser cell for client tests and a product showroom.

Laserax developed many industrial laser solutions and processes for electric vehicle manufacturing in recent months, many of which are already in use by the worlds top automotive manufacturers. Laserax invested in a facility thats bigger, more efficient, and closer to customers to scale up European operations. The electric vehicles industry expands at a fast pace and were making sure that our team has the proper resources to grow with our customers, says Laseraxs president Xavier Godmaire.

Denis Ochsenbein, Laseraxs Head of Sales in Europe, manages the office. The new test laboratory allows us to have a quicker turnaround time while testing sample parts for our European customers, Ochsenbein explains. Once we complete the tests and optimize the laser process for the customers needs, we can invite them to see it in person and have a look at our assembled machines in the showroom.

Laserax will also attend several international industrial fairs in Germany in the upcoming months such as Hannover Messe, The Battery Show Europe and GIFA 2023.

ABOUT LASERAX

As a laser manufacturer, Laserax brings the most advanced laser technology to the manufacturing world, offering high performance, work safety and reliability in industrial environments. With a global presence, Laserax works with local partners to offer fast high-quality support to its clients.
Siempre Spirits Limited today announced the appointment of Sivan Cotel as Chief Financial Officer for Siempre Spirits Limited effective immediately.

Sivan joins Siempre from SC Strategy & Consulting, a growth strategy, CFO services, and management projects company which he founded in 2021. He is a strategic executive and board leader with 15+ years of experience, including nine years launching new startups and seven years managing profit/nonprofit governing boards to drive business performance and client service excellence.

A Wall Street and startup veteran focused on growing early-stage companies into businesses, Sivan was the Co-Founder and former Director of Operations of Stonecutter Spirits, the acclaimed gin and whiskey producer that was successfully acquired at the end of 2020. Before launching Stonecutter Spirits, Sivan was previously the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of WhistlePig Whiskey, producer of one of the highest-rated rye whiskies ever. This came after a successful career on Wall Street working for Bear Stearns, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

I first joined the Siempre team in an interim role, but immediately fell in love with the company, said Cotel. Siempres two co-founders work tremendously hard, the company is expanding at a rapid pace, and Siempre fans are wildly passionate about the fantastic tequila we produce. Tequila is the fastest-growing category in alcohol, and about to pass vodka as the largest category in the U.S. When the leadership team asked me to stay on long-term, I was excited to say yes.

Sivan joins the Siempre Spirits leadership team at an exciting time as we transition from start-up to a medium sized enterprise, said Alex Lacroix, Siempres Co-Founder & CEO. "We are well positioned to deliver on our business commitments and believe Sivan brings the right skills to help drive Siempre forward on our current path. His financial experience, cultural fit and deep understanding of our industry will align him and the Company for continued success."

In addition to this exciting announcement, Siempre has also developed a team of contracted industry veterans that will assist Siempres sales leadership team with distributor management, national pricing management, building market strategies, executing new item presentations to retail chains, and accomplishing various sales & revenue goals. After an exhaustive search for the perfect team, Siempre has put together an all-star group of industry experts to lead this new venture in the following U.S. territories:

Texas: Weston Timura (previously VP, DeLeon Tequila, National Account Manager, Patron Spirits Co.)

California & Nevada: Britt Amsler (previously Director of Sales, Stoli Group USA, LLC)

Colorado: Scott Banks (previously 25+ years, Beam Suntory)

Florida: Brian Boron (previously VP, Open States & National Accounts, Stoli Group)

Control States: Phil Giordano (previously VP, Northwest Division, RNDC, VP Control States, Youngs Market Place)

Georgia: Wycliffe Lovelace (previously 10+ years Patron Spirits)

About Siempre Tequila

With features in Rolling Stone Magazine, TMZ, Forbes Magazine, and other major media coverage, our Award-winning, 100% agave tequila is handcrafted using mineral-rich volcanic spring water. High-quality ingredients and distillation methods produce complex aromas and flavors, with a finishing technique that makes Siempre exceptionally smooth, naturally sweet, and perfect for sipping. Siempre's structure is feminine meets masculine with a bright, optimistic colorway, and joyful blending that is almost aggressively different from most other tequila brands that tend towards the serious and austere. The illustration style is a blend of traditional Mexican patterns and contemporary tattoo culture. Overall, the effect is one of joyful rule-breaking and rebellion. Grown from 150 cases of tequila to over 70,000 cases sold since 2016, the products are now distributed in 42 States and Provinces across North America and are rapidly becoming a household name.

About Alex Lacroix & Monica Sanita

The journey started when Alex Lacroix's (Co-Founder & CEO, Siempre Spirits Limited) and Monica Sanita (Co-Founder & COO, Siempre Spirits Limited) met in college. A few years later, they were both working jobs at Advertising Agencies and working crazy hours. To make a long story short, they fell in love, quit their jobs, and started making tequila. It's said that tequila runs in Monica's blood because of her Mexican heritage and that tequila runs through Alex's bloodstream because he was a tequila fan for a long time before co-founding Siempre Tequila. The inspiration behind the brand comes from Monica's grandmother and great-grandmother, who used to make Mezcal for the family to sip during family gatherings and belief that no matter how dark your past, it is never too late to look at the bright side and bring something incredible to life. To quote Alex & Monica; ''we risked it all, and it was worth it!''

Media Contact for Siempre Spirits Limited:

Jason Geller

JMediaHouse, LLC

jason@jmediahouse.com

212-920-0398
Turtle & Hughes Austin Facility Austin is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing innovation hubs in the country. We at Turtle are enormously proud to be part of this forward-looking community at a time of profound energy transition. -- Kathleen Shanahan, Turtle CEO.

Turtle & Hughes, Inc., one of the nations largest privately-held industrial and power distributors, is expanding its Texas footprint with a new 40,000-square-foot facility in Austin designed to deliver energy-efficient solutions to the regions thriving technology sector.

With this move, Turtle builds upon its commitment to sustainability evidenced in its major industrial, infrastructure and commercial projects across North America. Supported by its 100,000-square-foot presence in the Houston area, and customer and vendor relationships cultivated over 45 years, Austin is a natural growth market for Turtle.

Austin is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing innovation hubs in the country. We at Turtle are enormously proud to be part of this forward-looking community at a time of profound energy transition, said Kathleen Shanahan, Turtle CEO. Aside from New York and New Jersey, where Turtle was founded and grew over the last 100 years into a fourth-generation family- and woman-owned company, the Gulf Coast market has been the companys longest established region.

Turtles plans to locate in Austin accelerated rapidly with its opportunity to provide a major manufacturer with energy-efficient lighting and other sustainable materials for new facilities. From plans to opening, the new facility took under nine months.

Now Turtle is poised to equip technology, construction and municipal entities in the wider Austin region with sustainable products and end-to-end solutions. These include LED lighting, battery storage, EV charging, renewable energy and a broad array of electrical, water/wastewater, and alternative energy infrastructure support.

We are excited to be extending our reach to Austin and the vibrant cities surrounding it. At the same time, we can serve our Houston-area customers who have a presence there or plan to establish one, said Bob Courcy, Regional VP Gulf Coast, Turtle & Hughes, which also has offices in the Houston and LaPorte area, as well as in Geismar, Louisiana.

Additionally, Turtle procures from 10,000 suppliers annually, requiring designations such as Ethical and Environmentally Sound behavior, and training onsite resources on health, safety and environmental standards unique to each facility.

Turtle plans a Grand Opening on Tuesday, April 4, in its new facility at 2251 Picadilly Drive Suite C340, Round Rock, Texas, (737-309-2300) attended by the companys senior leadership, employees, customers and community members. For more information, contact Austin Branch Manager Ron Priddy (ron.priddy@turtle.com).

About Turtle & Hughes

Founded in 1923, Turtle & Hughes is celebrating 100 years of market experience and ranks among the top 20 electrical distribution companies nationwide. It is a fourth-generation, independent, certified woman-owned business servicing the industrial, construction, commercial, electrical contracting, export and utility markets. Turtle & Hughes Integrated Supply division (THIS), services Fortune 100 companies operating nationwide, and in Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. http://www.turtle.com
Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy's (FALA) leadership situation has continued to unfold over the past two months, with administrator positions changing, and students and staff experiencing impacts to their education and work.

In the second of two meetings hosted the week before winter break, the school's board of directors moved to administratively reassign executive director Eli Cohen to remote work after a discussion that took place in public session.

Board treasurer Ron Borkan spoke against the reassignment, noting recent resignations and saying he had concerns about the unintended consequences, but other board members disagreed.

We have lost 30 out of 40 faculty in the last three years, 26 of them in the last two years, said board member Debra Edgerton. What became alarming was to have more, the largest number of faculty that left in the past year.

She continued: What was happening after this past year is what started, at least for me, thinking what is going on and to talk about students when we had the report of how many students were leaving and not connecting it to the reason faculty were leaving. That is the question we have in front of us. Yes, we will probably lose more faculty, but you cant blame the entire incident on us when most of this has happened in the prior three years.

The motion passed 3-2, with Borkan and James Yih, the board president, voting against.

During discussion of appointing an interim executive director later in the meeting, Borkan resigned, citing his disapproval with the way the board was handling the situation.

He later said this was not some rash decision, noting dissenting votes hed made throughout the fall.

When youre on the board, sometimes you lose a vote, but youre expected to then support the majority decision," he said. "For the most part, I could, but as we got into reassigning Eli to work from home or reassigning Christina [Wolfe] to work from home, those decisions I thought were very ill-advised, very short-sighted and downright wrong. I figured I cant support these decisions [and] I cant be on the board if theyre going to be making decisions I cant support, so I resigned.

ESS director position eliminated

The latter of those two reassignments had happened at the boards meeting on Nov. 28.

Borkan was absent, but the rest of the board voted unanimously, due to a reduction in force, not to renew Extended School Services (ESS) director Wolfes contract after it is set to end on June 30. It also appointed board Vice President Kyle Winfree to lead a committee  including staff, parents, FALA leaders and outside experts  to explore how to restructure the department.

Weve been deliberating with thoughtfulness and care, board secretary Andy Bessler is summarized as saying in the minutes. We can move forward in positivity and growth. This has been tough for everyone, and it involves confidential information we cannot disclose. Please trust that we are working in the benefit of the school, legally and for the care of the students.

Although Borkan believed Wolfe had performance issues that needed to be addressed, he moved during the meeting to rescind the decision to eliminate the position until the new structure had been finalized.

He had been on the finance committee for about a year at time and said neither reduction in force nor changes to the ESS director position had ever been discussed.

If the issues were how Christina was performing at her job, that she wasn't what the school needed in a SPED director, the process the board was going through was wrong, he said. You do a performance evaluation, you collect your data, you talk to the employees and you work on a performance improvement plan. Youre not just having performance issues and eliminating the position; that's not how it's done.

Other members noted that without this motion the position would still exist at FALA, with Wolfe in the role, until the end of her contract at the close of the academic year.

I am feeling extraordinarily challenged and concerned that this is not objectively being considered, Wolfe said when recognized at the meeting.

In response, Bessler said he was considering all the stuff objectively as best as I can, but that he was not comfortable discussing certain items in public to protect people.

Ill say that finances were not the only thing that we considered, Yih said. We had a long discussion of this.

The motion did not continue.

ESS restructuring

According to Winfree, the reduction in force was the first step in addressing a need to restructure the ESS department. While he said he thinks everyone in the department has a "big heart" and is in it for the right reasons, his belief is that the structure is not serving them well.

As it was earlier this year, we have one person at the top with certification and then multiple others who have these conditional certifications that are dependent on a mentor in the school to retain their certification and complete their education, he said. I think its great to have a mentor supporting your education, but if it is your direct supervisor and there is no other [supervisor], how are you going to speak up if theres an issue? This person controls your job [and] they control your education."

Having multiple people at the top of the hierarchy does not necessarily require hiring new staff, he said. Instead, he offered, it should be interpreted as an opportunity for advancement.

Wolfe, however, was skeptical that the department could function without any sort of director, saying one is needed for tasks such as reporting to the state, providing oversight and SPED-specific crisis management.

I just dont see how a full-time teacher has the level of flexibility that's needed sometimes to support the department running as smoothly as it needs to, she said. I would never recommend that a SPED department completely eliminate the director or the leader of that entirely because there are too many moving pieces at all times for that to all be distributed out. But my hope was to actually move to more distribution and building more autonomy within all of the professionals.

Cohen and Borkan had similar concerns about removing the position, both saying it was a necessary role for the school to have filled.

[This position is] the one that keeps you from getting sued, Cohen explained. Which is frankly what schools get into trouble for -- they get SPED lawsuits or a lawsuit from the office of civil rights or the ADA or IDEA. That's when you get into trouble.

During the Dec. 12 meeting, the board discussed interim solutions for determining the structure of the ESS department going forward with the director position eliminated.

Winfree said he met with four Flagstaff SPED experts to discuss ways FALA could better support its ESS students (only naming one, to the disapproval of meeting attendees).

The committee, which will eventually provide a recommendation to the board, has not yet met and is expected to take several months to come to a decision -- Winfree estimated next fall.

In the meantime, the board has hired two experts to help guide the ESS department -- interim director Michele Lucci and consultant Russ Randall, both of whom have decades of experience in special education.

In an email to the Daily Sun, Yih specifically noted their knowledge of IEPs, 504 plans and transition plans, saying they along with school improvement specialist Kara Kelty "have been instrumental in bringing the highest quality of services to our students."

Wolfes resignation

I want people to understand that the story the board is trying to tell is a lie, Wolfe said about a month after these meetings. I, for sure, understand and appreciate that reality is based on perception and that perception is subjective. But this whole 'were going to fix the school after we broke it, but we're not going to say that we broke it.' ... It's wrong, its gaslighting.

Like almost everyone cited in these articles, Wolfe described her initial experience at FALA as one of the best work environments shed experienced in education, and, similar to former dean Jed Hayes, she believed some of the issues came from a lack of support as she entered an administrative position for the first time.

While the 21-22 school year was especially difficult, she said shed started this year with new staff and a plan to pivot and grow. She had hired three educators who were in the process of completing a masters degree and was building extra support for them. Eventually, she said, the hope was to grow a strong team in-house and move to a more distributed leadership model that matched FALA overall.

Wolfe expressed several concerns with the boards decision. Among them were Borkans absence, that her position was the only one affected by the reduction in force, that the next school years budget had not yet been reviewed (she was also a member of the finance committee) and that a continuance clause in her contract meant that reduction in force was one of the only nonperformance (specifically a PIP) reasons the board could decide not to renew it.

Her primary reason for resigning, she said, was the Dec. 13 meeting and the boards treatment of staff during the open forum that night.

She had also found the situation personally stressful.

I have plenty of documentation about how the boards been pretty crappy to me, but it was painful on a different level last night, watching everyone be treated that way, she said the day after the Jan. 12 meeting.

Student, staff letters

The school began its winter break on Dec. 16, with students and staff set to return Jan. 2 (snow later delayed the return from break to Jan. 3).

Issues again surfaced after the break, with a total of 10 staff now having resigned, including the student services director. By the end of January, the board had hired three education professionals to help provide guidance for the school -- two specifically for its ESS department.

Two group letters were sent to the board -- one from 14 staff members, one from 47 students -- expressing disapproval with the boards handling of the situation and asking for changes, as were several individual emails on the same themes.

The staff email, sent Dec. 14, included seven demands they asked to be recognized by 2 p.m. Dec. 16 (the last day of school before winter break), after which they would have no choice but to coordinate escalating actions until our demands are met.

The student letter, sent Jan. 11, expressed concerns with Cohen and Wolfes removal and the lack of explanation for those actions in particular.

In the immediate aftermath of your actions, we are left without administrators on our campus and without answers to our questions, they wrote. Rather than promote our well-being, you have chosen to take actions that place stress on students and staff, disrupting our education and damaging our school.

Both emails asked that three board members -- Yih, Winfree and Edgerton -- resign and that some form of staff and student voice replace them, and on the board more generally. This had also been expressed in meeting comments throughout the process.

The board has so far had two community discussion sessions on different topics related to the situation in its meetings and, in a letter to the community published Feb. 12, said FALA would hold a public town hall "in the near future."

Community discussions FALA's board has hosted two community discussion sessions as part of its meetings in recent months. These feature board members, school families and staff discussing a different aspect of the situation in detail and can be viewed at flagarts.com/category/governance/board-meetings. Here are the main topics covered: Dec. 13: Situation to date Jan. 23: Cohen's charges

The Jan. 23 meeting included reports from student representatives and staff advocates -- which Yih said would be the first of many.

In this meeting, he addressed the request to resign, saying it was "a fair request," and that he was past his three-year term, but that it was difficult to find suitable candidates. Winfree gave a similar answer, with both noting that the board cannot legally function with fewer than five members, so to fulfill the request would have risked FALA's charter school status.

Board members also acknowledged the impact the situation was having on students and staff in their comments.

"We will get through this, and I think part of this healing process does start with us being called out and us owning up to the situation that we are in," Yih said. "I'm hopeful, based on your participation today, that we can go down this road together to improve our communications with you, to meet you, to learn from you and to hear your voice."

Student impacts

Borkan said this situation has also caused at least a handful of students to leave FALA -- on Jan. 5, Cohen mentioned about 10 leaving over the previous two weeks. Other educators described the effects theyd seen in their students.

Students on campus are afraid, some of them to the point of tears daily, that the schools going to shut down and that this is the only place theyve felt safe at school, said Chad Fields, FALAs mental health counselor. At every other school, they felt ostracized, marginalized and unseen. [They] felt safe here and theyre afraid thats going to go away.

One student shared an email they wrote to a board member as part of an exchange in response to the group letter. At the end, they explained why they decided to join the other students in signing.

Personally, my hope for the letter from students wasn't that it would immediately prompt everything it calls for, because I'd seen nothing that made me expect any quick action," they wrote. "Rather, I hoped that it could demonstrate the cost of the direction the Board is moving in, as well as the stress and frustration it creates for students when we're not given a way to affect that direction."

It went on to read: At worst, I expected it to be taken as a demonstration of conviction and capability from FALA's students. I did hope and do still hope that it will encourage the Board to give students the seat at the table we're entitled to, and that the Board will give us more reasons to believe that our voices actually have an impact on their decisions.

Staff impacts

Fields job means he works closely with the schools ESS team -- Wolfe was his direct supervisor for the roughly 80% of his work that had to do with special education, he said.

Fields has attended every meeting since October and said the boards actions in that time have seemed at best, illogical.

It feels like a hostage situation, where our care for the children and the services we provide for them are leveraged against our moral sense of integrity to not want to be a part of this system anymore, he said. But we know what will happen if we all choose to be a part of this immoral disaster. ... So many staff feel like we have to sacrifice our sense of integrity to be what is just because of our commitment to holding this community together for the students that we love.

The reassignments and resignations have impacted Fields work massively, he said in early January. The ESS department went from having a director, counselor, three teachers and an administrative assistant to just himself and one teacher.

Fields said he has been helping out in other areas to try to fill those gaps, and while hes continued to be able to meet the required number of counseling minutes, its becoming harder and harder.

Its huge, he said. There are compliance issues -- IEPs are tied to legal documents and our funding is tied to the ability to satisfy the stipulations in those contracts with students and their families. Were getting close to not being able to do that legally and, I would say, definitely ethically.

Such concerns are echoed by many current staffs communication with the board and some of the resignation letters.

One current employee, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, said they would like to resign from the school as well, but needed to stay to support their familys livelihood. Theyd seen other staff making similar decisions.

In an email to a board member in late December, another employee (who asked for anonymity for the same reason) gave the example of the student services team needing to cover multiple positions due to the absences created by the reassignments and resignations.

I just want to do my job. I want to come to work and be amazing, they wrote. I miss where the hardest problem I had was telling kids to get out of the bathroom. I understand we all have the same mission, to do what is best for kids. That is hard to do when we ended up in a place of distrust and endless discomfort towards the people around us.

Police reports

That email was part of a thread about the third FALA-related police report filed in December.

The first two, filed by Winfree and another staff member, both focused on the same incident, which had happened in May of 2021.

One report summarizes Winfree as saying hed heard from a school employee that Wolfe had taken a student with disabilities to music class, which was auditorily overstimulating for them and caused significant distress. Wolfe, however, said the student had asked to be taken to the class, the reporting educator had misread the situation and that the student's parents agreed this was not a concern.

Both reports ended with the case being closed unfounded, with the stated reasons that there was no criminal conduct and the allegations dont rise to the level of child abuse.

The timing and reason behind these reports has been in contention, however.

Cohen and Wolfe both say the board knew about and dismissed this employees claim; an email from Yih on Sept. 18 asks the board not to respond to the same source cited in the report, as at this point, I do not believe [their] claims need to rise to the attention of the board.

Winfree, however, said he was taking the first step in reporting allegations to the state by calling law enforcement. Hearing that Wolfe had threatened to sue a different staff member if they spoke up about the situation was what solidified his understanding that it needed to be reported.

The third report is about a different incident: an alleged kidnapping attempt on Winfrees child.

On Dec. 15, someone called the school claiming to be Winfrees wife, according to what Winfree and Cohen said was the understanding at the time. The caller said to send Winfrees child to meet them outside, and that they were not to interact with any school staff.

Winfree said he was concerned enough after putting the pieces together to call the police about this on Dec. 22. The police report closed the case on Dec. 28, noting that this was likely a misunderstanding, as the parent of another child at the school who had the same first name had called their child out of school at the same time as the phone call in question.

Cohen charges

The board brought charges against Cohen at a meeting Jan. 12, delivering them with an intent to terminate on Jan. 26.

Board members went into more detail of their concerns at the meeting as they brainstormed what to include in the charges. (Cohen has admitted to some of these, including breaking reassignment and having a relationship with a subordinate. He said the first was necessary out of a need for safety and that there were no policies against the second at the time.)

Yih summarized the charges in a Jan. 23 meeting as falling into groups of allegations around inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, violation of administrative reassignments, failure to conduct duties, mishandling of contractspoor relationship with the board of directors and some unprofessionalism.

As seen in the comments around the original discussion, particularly an apology Yih made at the beginning, current employees disagreed with the choice to outline these in detail in a public session. To Wolfe and other employees, this discussion wasnt an act of transparency, because it was both false and unnecessary.

Stating that Cohen broke the terms of his reassignment would have been enough, Wolfe said.

He has areas to work on in his profile as a leader; we all do, frankly. We dont all have to suffer through 45 minutes of public criticism, she said. Those werent discussions. Its such a gross display of dehumanizing.

To learn in the board meeting that James apologized for not taking action in 2020 over things, feels very wrong to take it now. It's 2023. It's punishing us, another employee wrote to the Daily Sun. Clearly there have been improvements as all of Eli's staff working near him have stuck our necks out, spoken up, sent emails and said how wrong this is from the beginning. Ron's resignation and letter summed it up that it is wrong and they need to listen to us.

Board members noted here and in later meetings, however, that Cohen had requested the discussion be done in public, so that is what they did.

When the board turned the floor to Cohen after discussing the potential charges at the meeting, he said he didnt need to speak, out of concern for legal jeopardy.

I am not going to deal with lies and whatever. I have legal counsel, were done, he said. You can continue as you wish.

The motion passed with four members voting for it, and the two new members abstaining.

This was followed by an explanation of the hearing process from the board's legal counsel, which can be seen about 45 minutes into the recording.

On Jan. 26, the board took the next step, moving to approve and deliver the charges against Cohen as well as an intent to terminate his employment. It also amended the terms of his reassignment, instructing him not to report to work or act on FALA's behalf until further notice.

He is currently still employed at the school.

"I hope we can in due time give more information when we feel it is legally appropriate, good timing, that sort of thing," Yih said in discussion of the motion. "We're trying to be careful here -- in large part, legally. We have heard your concerns about transparency and we're working through that."

Bessler added: "We need to have that due process run through and I just ask for everyone's patience while we let that happen."

A hearing, which will not be open to the public, is set for today. Afterwards, the hearing officer will have 10 days to deliver a report with recommendations to the board, which it will then review in a public meeting.

Minutes of all the meetings, including summaries of public and board comments on the matter, are available on FALAs website at flagarts.com/governance. Recorded versions and transcripts are available for meetings beginning Dec. 12.

FALA public statement From FALA Board President James Yih: The following is a response to the Arizona Daily Sun's articles titled "FALA leadership: Allegations levied against school administrators" and "FALA leadership: Poor leadership pointed to as reason for employee exodus at FALA" dated February 12, 2023. The Board of Directors reassures the FALA students, families, staff and community of its commitment to ensure FALA lives up to its mission as an inclusive and transformative learning community that cultivates creativity and critical inquiry for students. While we hold the official title of Board of Directors, all of us are community members and many of us are parents to current and former students. Our motivation to serve comes from a deep love for all that FALA has and continues to stand for, and with the intention to put students at the forefront of every decision. All board members are inspired by the ongoing dedication of the talented teachers and staff at FALA, and the presence of engaged and active students who chose the FALA experience. In taking actions regarding the allocation of resources and the leadership structure, the Board made difficult decisions with a focus on ensuring teachers can deliver the best education and student experience possible. Together, we strive to see FALA defined by its sense of community, the dedication of our teachers, and the successes of our students and alumni. Moving forward the Board will continue to place students at the center of our decision making. .... While the school is seeing some changes in personnel, the changes are not to the core vision or mission of our school. No single person, leader or not, is the vision or mission; leaders serve the mission of a school. In response to a request for greater transparency, the board will host a public townhall in the near future to discuss efforts to move FALA forward, and to answer questions from students, parents, faculty, staff and members of the public. We are doing what we think is best for our community, families and the students, and will be using this townhall as one step toward better engaging everyone. Stay tuned on FALA's website for additional details. Thank you all for your continued support and engagement in the FALA community. We have no doubt that FALA will continue to offer an excellent educational experience for all students.
BEYA provided an opportunity for me to have conversations I never knew I needed to have

Kelvin Spencer, a Chief Engineer at ARMA GlobalA General Dynamics Company, has been awarded the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award at the 2023 BEYA STEM Conference. This award is presented to individuals who are making significant contributions to the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Spencer's outstanding performance in his field and his dedication to finding solutions to difficult problems make him an ideal recipient of this award.

BEYA STEM Conference is an annual event that aims to recognize and celebrate the achievements of underrepresented groups in STEM. It is the flagship event of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), which was founded in 1986 to create a platform to honor and promote the success of minorities in STEM fields. BEYA has exposed over 100,000 American students to role models in STEM careers over the past 40+ years. The organization's ultimate goal is to create partnerships and connections between students, educators, and professionals to open up new opportunities and resources in STEM.

The Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award is part of the BEYA STEM Conference's Outstanding Achievement Award Category. A panel of industry leaders, government officials, and academic experts review the nominations and recommendations for this award. The award recognizes individuals who are actively shaping the future of engineering, science, and technology. The award ceremony is a highlight of the conference and is an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of trailblazers in STEM.

Kelvin Spencer's achievements and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as his dedication to finding solutions to difficult problems, make him an ideal recipient of the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award. As a chief engineer at General Dynamics IT, Spencer has consistently pushed himself to excel, obtaining his AWS Cloud certifications while working full time. He has also started several endeavors outside of his professional work, including The Techish Show, a podcast that provides insights to listeners on how to navigate various technological challenges.

Spencer's accomplishments and leadership extend beyond his work at General Dynamics IT. He is an active member of the BEYA community, participating in events and speaking about his experiences in STEM. In a recent interview, Spencer said, "BEYA STEM Conference is an inspirational gathering for individuals aspiring and growing in STEM. Through conversations, I had the chance to process and understand many feelings and emotions I've had throughout my career." Spencer went on to express his gratitude to his team and leadership at General Dynamics IT, who have supported him in achieving his goals and aspirations.In addition to the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, BEYA recognizes other categories of achievement, including the Professional Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of STEM. This award category is open to professionals in government, academia, and industry who have demonstrated excellence in their field. BEYA also recognizes the Student Leadership Award, which honors outstanding college students who have demonstrated leadership in STEM.

BEYA STEM Conference provides attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with professionals, educators, and students in STEM fields. The conference features a variety of workshops, seminars, and presentations on topics ranging from career development to technical innovations. Attendees can also participate in networking events, meet with recruiters, and explore career opportunities with top STEM employers. The conference provides a forum for sharing knowledge and experience, building new relationships, and discovering new career opportunities.

To summarize, Kelvin Spencer's outstanding achievements and leadership in STEM, as well as his dedication to finding solutions to difficult problems, make him an ideal recipient of the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award. BEYA STEM Conference provides a unique opportunity for professionals, educators, and students in STEM fields to connect, learn, and grow. The conference's focus on recognizing and celebrating the achievements of underrepresented groups in STEM is essential to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. We congratulate Mr. Kelvin Spencer.
Botco.ais platform is achieving something groundbreaking that will benefit enterprises across a variety of sectors, and I look forward to working with industry partners to fully realize Botco.ais potential - Geoff Hyatt, Botco.ai Vice President of Sales

Botco.ai (http://www.botco.ai), the genAI Chat Cloud company, announced today the hiring of Geoff Hyatt as Vice President of Sales. A sales and business development leader with twenty years of experience designing and promoting products for both startups and large enterprises, Hyatt will be responsible for driving global revenue growth, managing sales, and forging partnerships with Botco.ai customers.

We are thrilled to welcome Geoff to the Botco.ai team, said Rebecca Clyde, CEO of Botco.ai. His extensive experience in growing technology companies worldwide will be an invaluable asset as we enter new markets and take our AI Chat Cloud to the next level. Geoffs unique understanding of artificial intelligence, SaaS capabilities, and todays digital models will help our enterprise customers integrate our conversational marketing solutions in meaningful and innovative ways.

Hyatt brings two decades of sales and marketing leadership to Botco.ai, complete with expertise in business development and organizational performance. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Growth, Vantage Health Technologies, at BroadReach Group, a global social enterprise with nearly two decades of experience combining technology innovation with deep healthcare expertise. He has held other executive positions including Chief Commercial Officer at Frame Health, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Agile Health, Global Managing Director at Solera Health, and more. Since 2011, Hyatt has focused on solutions that help enterprises remove barriers between patients and their healthcare providers, particularly in mental health, population health management, and chronic diseases such as AIDS and diabetes in the US, as well as Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Hyatt earned his BA and MBA at Indiana University. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado.

Im excited about the world of possibilities that Botco.ais AI Chat Cloud opens up to enterprises  for everything from engaging with prospects and customers in an engaging, conversational way to helping unearth unique insights into prospects concerns and desires, Hyatt said. Botco.ais platform is achieving something groundbreaking that will benefit enterprises across a variety of sectors, and I look forward to working with industry partners to fully realize Botco.ais potential.

Botco.ais central innovation is to use text, chat, and messaging tools to engage customers with an immediacy that is unavailable in traditional nurture campaigns. This way, marketers with no coding experience can produce personalized, automated chat workflows that seamlessly integrate with web and messaging platforms. Botco.ais latest innovation is Instachat Builder, a product for training the intelligent chat platform using existing educational materials to create question-and-answer pairs.

About Botco.ai

Botco.ai is the genAI Chat Cloud company. Botco.ai enables businesses to engage people through helpful, relevant, and personalized conversations that convert strangers into customers. Enterprises rely on Botco.ais end-to-end Generative AI Chat Cloud to rapidly find, retrieve, and present information from across their enterprise data systems in order to engage visitors at all stages of the customer journey. Botco.ai empowers businesses from a range of industries to deliver exceptional, trustworthy customer experiences that generate high quality pipeline, increase sales conversions, and accelerate revenue. Recipient of the Arizona Innovation Challenge "Most Outstanding Startup" award, best SaaS platform from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the TiE50 Award, and others, Botco.ai is transforming the way businesses communicate with their prospects and customers. For more information, visit http://www.botco.ai.
First Vice President of CBRE and AFCOM Potomac board member Stuart Dyer addresses attendees at the AFCOM Potomac internship kick off at Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus "Workforce development is a core mission within AFCOM. I am thrilled that our program continues to grow and expand, and we couldnt do this without the support of both our sponsors and Northern Virginia Community College..."

The 2023 AFCOM Potomac Chapter 6th annual internship kick off was held on Monday, February 13 at Northern Virginia Community College, (NVCC) Loudoun Campus. The AFCOM internship program is a bridge between academia and industry.

This summer, AFCOM intends to hire 15 paid, full-time interns from NVCC and other academic institutions and help them navigate their long-term career plan in the data center industry. Students are strategically placed based on their interests, receive the hands-on experience through the ten-week internships, and meet with various leaders and service providers in Loudoun County with the goal of job placement post the completion of the program.

This program is made possible each year by generous sponsors in the industry as well as the support of NVCC. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for companies looking to participate: AFCOM Internship Sponsor FAQThe goal of the entire program is to help connect data center education to the digital infrastructure industry, said TJ Ciccone, an adjunct professor at NVCC and Vice President, Critical Operations at data center developer and operator, STACK Infrastructure, an executive sponsor of the program. The program has become the standard on how to run a data center internship program and has received numerous inquiries on how best to replicate it. Its success is due to the support of NVCC and executive sponsors like my employer, STACK, which has donated tens of thousands of dollars back to the school.

The event featured Stuart Dyer of CBRE, who presented the CBRE Data Center Market Intelligence Report, detailing the state of the industry. CBRE is the worlds largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. In addition Carrie Goetz, Amazon Best Selling Author of Jumpstart Your Career in Data Centers, (Available on Amazon) also spoke and signed copies of her book. Goetz is viewed as an authority in educating prospective employees on how to find a job in the highly sought-after data center industry.

There is nothing better than engaging new talent with wisdom in the industry. This event was a great way to do just that, while bringing awareness to the industry and all the jobs within it. Im so thankful that my book could catalyze knowledge and awareness. I hope this event was one of many more to come! said Carrie Goetz.

Workforce development is a core mission within AFCOM. I am thrilled that our program continues to grow and expand, and we couldnt do this without the support of both our sponsors and Northern Virginia Community College. We will continue to focus on providing career changing opportunities to interns in our program and helping plug the next generation of workers into the data center community, said Stuart Dyer, First Vice President at CBRE and Director of Scholarships at AFCOM Potomac.

The event was well attended by students interested in internship opportunities, along with other individuals looking to start out in the industry.

# # #

About AFCOM Potomac: This chapter supports all of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia for individuals (members and non-members) who wish to learn about, participate in, and network with the Data Center Community. AFCOM advances through education, networking, and guidance, the professional development of individuals and the organizations they serve in the field of data center and IT infrastructure management.

AFCOM is actively participating in the education and training in the data center space, and in 2018 instituted an internship program. The program provides hands-on experience and invaluable connections for both the intern and the company who sponsors them. There is a great competition for talent in the Northern Virginia area, and AFCOM is dedicated to helping fill jobs with qualified professionals.
Mission Pacific Named Best in San Diego Oceanside is bursting with creativity and talent and its evident in the many awards weve received across numerous industries from hotels to dining and arts.

Oceanside, located on San Diegos north shore just 40 minutes from downtown San Diego, is the new darling of awards season. This historic surf enclave known for its relaxed, off-beat vibe has earned recent awards and accolades for everything from top chefs to uniquely curated, hand-crafted products and experiences. Oceanside has it all from great beaches and world-class surfing to amazing restaurants, vibrant arts and culture and endless options for outdoor fun, said Visit Oceanside CEO Leslee Gaul. Our city is bursting with creativity and talent and its evident in the many awards weve received across numerous industries from hotels to dining and arts.Conde Nast Travelers Top Hotel in San Diego

Conde Nast Traveler readers ranked Oceansides new Mission Pacific Hotel the top hotel in San Diego in the travel magazines annual Readers Choice Awards released in October. The hotel also landed on USA Today 10 Best Lists for pool, spa, pet-friendly and hotel, and earned a host of other accolades from publications including Wine Enthusiast, Brides, Thrillist and San Diego Magazine. Oceanside Museum of Art Education Award

Set in the heart of one of Californias 14 designated cultural districts, Oceanside Museum of Art is a world-class art venue dedicated to exploring the art and stories of SoCal artists. This cultural jewel was the only museum in San Diego and one of just four in California to receive the 2022 Superintendent Award for Excellence in Museum Education by the California Association of Museums and California Department of Education. The award recognizes the outstanding programming of the museums Literacy Through Art program that serves K-12 students.

Michelin Guide Honors

Oceansides flip-flop fine dining struck a chord with the discerning palates of Californias Michelin Guide critics in 2022. Valle, the first stateside restaurant of renowned Baja Chef Roberto Alcocer, earned Michelin guide honors alongside fellow Oceanside honoree Dija Mara, which was named to the Bib Gourmand list in 2021. Early 2023, a third Michelin restaurant joined the Oceanside scene with the opening of Heritage Barbecues second location (and first to offer house-made craft beer) in South Oceanside. Sustainability Advocate of the Year

In addition to producing tasty eats, Oceanside was recognized for boundary pushing efforts in sustainability. Oceanside Chef Davin Waite the culinary wizard behind some of the citys most popular restaurants including Wrench & Rodent, The Plot and Shoots Fish and Beer was lauded for his work in zero-waste, total utilization and regenerative dining by California Travel Association (CalTravel) with the 2022 Sustainability Advocate Award. Waite also earned San Diego Magazines award for Best Vegetarian Vegan restaurant in 2022 for The Plot. Great American Beer Festival Awards

Oceanside is serious about craft beer and has the awards to prove it. Oceanside breweries have brought home medals from the prestigious Great American Beer Festival every year since 2017 (except for pandemic year 2020). In 2022, Bagby Beer Company continued the streak with a silver medal for its Three Beagles English-style Brown Ale. For those who prefer spirits to beer, Oceanside also has top-notch Whiskey. Competing against 800 entries, Oceansides Pacific Coast Spirits had two whiskeys American Single Malt (11th) and California Blue Corn (80th) named to Fred Minniks Top 100 American Whiskey List of 2022.For more about Oceanside, visit http://www.visitoceanside.org.

About Oceanside

Perfectly situated between metropolitan San Diego and Los Angeles, Oceanside is a quintessential California coastal escape that includes wide sandy beaches, a quaint New England-style harbor, historic wooden pier and charming bungalow neighborhoods. Oside (as locals affectionately call it) is a destination of discovery where visitors can explore everything from California history at the King of Missions to surf culture at the California Surf Museum and awe-inspiring sea life through exciting ocean adventures. This playful and fun destination thrives on taking recreation to the next level and boasts world-class surfing, skateboarding, bike riding, boating and even skydiving. A flourishing farm-to-table food and craft beer, wine and spirit scene reflects Oceansides creative and entrepreneurial spirit, as do exciting arts and culture programs that earned Oceanside one of just 14 California Cultural District designations in 2017. Classically charming, eclectic and always genuine, Oceanside is an ideal place to stay and a true Original. http://www.visitoceanside.org About Visit Oceanside

Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization in Oceanside, Calif., promoting travel to the city for both leisure and group visitors. The organization influences about one-third of the $415 million that is generated by visitor spending in Oceanside each year, which supports nearly 3,500 jobs. Visit Oceanside also operates one of the states official California Welcome Centers. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major Southern California attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB and California Welcome Center- Oceanside are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway. For more information, please call (800) 350-7873 or visit http://www.visitoceanside.org###
"Our shared objective, in this agreement, is to provide clients with a high quality and comprehensive pressure control offering, for all global markets," commented Gaya Ragavan, CTO of Sayatva.

ADS Services, LLC (ADS) and Sayatva LLC have entered into a Global Agreement where Sayatva and ADS leading pressure control brand, Power Chokes, will work together to supply equipment and systems to the pressure control market globally. Power Chokes, a division of ADS, provides patented and cost-effective pressure control solutions for the oil & gas drilling, completion, and production markets. Sayatva provides turnkey solutions for the global oil and gas drilling and production markets with its superior High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) valve technology.

Charlie Orbell, CEO of ADS, stated the Sayatva teams significant history in the design and manufacture of gate valves over the past 15 years enables two leading pressure control technology companies to come together to offer a unique solution to the industry. This new commercial partnership, where we will have forging and certified in-country manufacturing facilities across the US, Middle East, and Southeast Asia, provides Power Chokes clients with greater support for their current installed base. This partnership also means that Power Chokes can offer a much broader scope of product offerings at highly competitive prices and market-leading quality.

Our combined offering will allow us to offer complete choke & kill manifold solutions, managed pressure drilling (MPD) manifold solutions, standpipe manifolds, and a multitude of well-test and production offerings. "Our shared objective, in this agreement, is to provide clients with a high quality and comprehensive pressure control offering, for all global markets, by combining our ability to innovate and utilizing the end-to-end manufacturing capabilities available at strategic locations worldwide. We are very excited to partner with Charlie Orbell and the ADS / Power Chokes team," commented Gaya Ragavan, CTO of Sayatva.

About ADS Services:

ADS Services, LLC provides industry-leading technology, products and services for critical pressure control in the oil & gas industry. For over 30 years, Power Chokes, a division of ADS, has been providing the industry with patented choke systems, pressure relief valves, and drilling-related controls and automation solutions. SHIELD Pressure Control, another division of ADS, serves the onshore US and Middle Eastern markets with highly efficient and patented managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. Based in Houston (TX) and Midland (TX), the ADS management team is comprised of several industry-leading experts in drilling automation and MPD technology.

About Sayatva:

Sayatva  is a leading provider of High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) equipment including, but not limited to, valves, choke and kill manifolds, and other well control equipment. The global experience and track record of the Sayatva management and technical team, coupled with extensive manufacturing capabilities, provide the industry with access to the latest technology and solutions.
In its sixth go-round showcasing heritage fats, Coast Packings #LardLovers Recipe Contest (https://coastpacking.com/lardlovers) has bestowed top honors (and prizes) on a trio of enterprising home cooks, led by Teresa Cardin of Pyatt, Arkansas, whose Gluten-Free Triple Berry Crostatas secured the top spot.

Also in the winners circle: Spiced Chocolate Orange Snickerdoodles, from Sarah Meuser of Connecticut, and Butter Pecan Stars, by Jacqueline W. Riekena of West Des Moines, Iowa. They join some 50 others around the nation in Coasts annual tribute to the versatility and creativity of one of Americas favorite ways to prepare food.

A showcase of what the venerable animal fat can do in the hands of talented home chefs, Coast Packings #LardLovers Contest draws its inspiration from the annual December 8 observance of #NationalLardDay, organized by the Healthy Fats Coalition -- a celebration of a traditional, flavorful animal fat, pure lard, derived from pork, that is enjoying a resurgence within Americas food culture, in restaurants (especially those featuring ethnic specialties), fast food operations and home kitchens.

Setting this years competition apart is Coasts Centennial Edition Share the Flavor tribute. Complementing the recipe and a photograph, entries included an essay of 50-200 words on the following: What do animal fats mean to you: a rich tradition, a fond memory, or a sweet recipe?

Judging the contest was a small group of culinary professionals from Coast, led by Corporate Chef Greg Hozinsky, who selected winners based on flavor, creativity/originality and visual appeal. Prizes were awarded for First, Second and Third Place: 1st Prize, Family Traditions Bundle (MSRP $425) 5-Piece Ruffled Bakeware Set, Storyworth Standard Package and Drippings Jar; 2nd Prize, Family Dinners Bundle ($380) GreenPan Slow Cooker, Vintage Blacksmith Lazy Susan and Vintage Blacksmith Flatware Caddy; 3rd Prize, Heirloom Recipes Bundle ($145) Personalized Recipe Box, Personalized Family Recipe Cutting Board and The Settlement Cookbook. The total approximate retail value of all prizes combined is $950.

THE WINNERS

Gluten-Free Triple-Berry Crostatas with Crumb Topping, Teresa Cardin

Centennial Edition essay: In a world that is increasingly defined by artificial everythingartificial fats, artificial sweeteners, artificial Christmas trees, and now even art, music, and literature created by AI  its important to find ways to live authentically. When I use lard in my recipes, Im tapped into a tradition of culinary authenticity that connects me with my mother and grandmothers, who taught me traditional cooking as I was growing up in the Missouri Ozarks. There is also the simple fact that lard makes for truly delicious foods.

From Chef Greg: Very tasty, even though Im not usually one to pick a gluten-free option. The recipe was accurate and easy to follow -- a bit more elegant than the other two; its more of an actual dessert/dish. Using lard in both the crust and the crumble, which I really liked. Eating this was an enjoyable experience.

Spiced Chocolate Orange Snickerdoodles, Sarah Meuser

Centennial Edition essay: My oldest son has multiple food allergies, so I've taught myself how to bake without using dairy or eggs. The depth of flavor in these cookies, which have a deliciously crunchy exterior surrounding a chewy interior, combined with the luxurious mouthfeel from the lard, instantly made them a new family favorite.

From Chef Greg: Very good taste, I was a little skeptical because it contains no egg or dairy, but it worked great! Very easy to make, creative use of the ingredients, and uses a good amount of lard. Because it is spiced, this recipe would be great in the fall and winter.

Butter Pecan Stars, Jacqueline W. Riekena

Centennial Edition essay: Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma, we raised hogs and rendered our own lard, which was used from frying chicken, sausage and eggs to baking pies, cakes and cookies. Stars are kind of my signature; my family has lost heroes in every war and two of my children are currently serving in the Armed Forces. I believe an angel lights a star for every hero in heaven. This recipe has evolved into an annual tradition to remember our loved ones over the holidays.

From Chef Greg: Excellent taste and pretty easy to execute. The recipe does contain a small amount of store-bought product (melted ice cream) but its minimal, used in both the cookie and the icing. Very good flavor, attractive, and simple, not complicated."

Our Sixth Annual #LardLovers Contest was timed with the conclusion of Coasts centennial celebration, and the results couldnt have been more gratifying -- or more delicious, said Eric R. Gustafson, Coast Packing CEO. The Centennial Edition essays added a dimension to this years competition and served to remind us why animal fats have been so popular for so long. Its also why our mantra really is, Praise the Lard.

About Coast Packing Company

Now marking its 100th year in business, Coast Packing Company (http://www.coastpacking.com), a closely held corporation, is the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings  particularly lard and beef tallow -- in the Western United States. The company sells to major manufacturers, CPG companies, QSR and fast-food restaurant chains, broadline food service distributors, retailers, smaller food service operations, and leading bakeries. The company participates actively in diverse ethnic markets  from Hispanic retail chains, with its VIVA brand, to various Asian specialty markets.

Based in Vernon, Calif., Coast Packing Company is regional, national and, increasingly, global. In some cases, relationships are multigenerational, extending back 50 years and more. Coast is a founding member of the Healthy Fats Coalition (http://www.healthyfatscoalition.org/).

For more information about Coast Packing Company, visit: http://www.coastpacking.com. Follow us via social media on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/coastpackingco, Twitter @coastpackingco and Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/coastpackingco.
Initium SoftWorks LLC, an Authorized DocuWare Partner, receives the DocuWare Gold Partner 2023 award. This accomplishment proves ISWs success and expertise in the field of content services and DocuWares platform.

Initium SoftWorks LLC (ISW), an Authorized DocuWare Partner, recently achieved DocuWare Gold Partner status for 2023. This accomplishment proves ISWs success and expertise in the field of content services and DocuWares platform.

ISW achieves this success by maintaining a combination of top expertise and excellent client relationships. Ongoing certification of team members is prioritized to ensure clients are receiving the best service from ISW. We value our team members and support their careers as experts in the content services field. Everyone is encouraged to take time for professional development and regular technical and sales certifications including the DocuWare System Consultants (DSC) and DocuWare Application Consultants (DAC), said Ross Smith, CEO of Initium SoftWorks.

This year the ISW team had the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise on several key projects for businesses ranging from large commercial companies to small and mid-sized businesses. Accounts Payable is an area that every company needs reviewed and adjusted based on changing business demands. ISW has leveraged DocuWare technologies for significant process automation improvements, helping organizations scale the technology for their specific needs.The ISW team continues their commitment to provide clients exceptional consulting and support experiences in business process automation and content services projects.

About Initium SoftWorks LLC

Initium SoftWorks LLC (ISW) is a technology and consulting company, working in concert with our clients IT and business teams to improve their current business processes. ISW provides organizations with the technology, tools, and industry expertise they need to streamline and accelerate their data-driven processes, ultimately resulting in productivity optimization and increased profits. Thousands of corporate, small business, government and institutional customers in a variety of industries around the world have been served by ISW. Initium SoftWorks LLC has built a reputation for delivering best-in-class consulting services and technologies that bring efficiency to our clients' processes. For more information, visit our website: http://www.iswhub.com.

About DocuWare

Headquartered in Germany & the US, DocuWare provides document management and workflow automation solutions. Together with its 800+ strong partner network, DocuWare has helped approximately 15,000 customers across 100+ countries simplify their work through digitizing, automating and transforming key processes.###
IntelliGenesis LLC releases new products, IG Labs now an AI/ML Center of Excellence "I am so proud of IntelliGenesis and our products which encapsulate our 15+ years of Cyber and AI expertise in a self-contained, repeatable way to readily provide these bleeding-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance missions worldwide." - Angie Lienert, President & CEO, IntelliGenesis LLC

IntelliGenesis LLC Advances Cybersecurity with New Products, Expands Collaboration with NVIDIAArtificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the future  it is advancing cybersecurity today.

IntelliGenesis LLCs IG Labs Division today announced the launch of its first two products, the first of which includes its Modular Advanced Cyber Environment (M.A.C.E) System. The M.A.C.E system harnesses NVIDIA technology to provide AI-enabled Cyber-Physical Security training and development by replacing its current compute source with the NVIDIA Jetson Orin edge AI platform.

The company also announced today that its IG Labs Division is now an AI/ML Center of Excellence, powered by NVIDIA.IG Labs has over the last year expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, which allows IG Labs developers and AI engineers to bolster the development and deployment of its capabilities into commercial and government customers, businesses, and missions. As a result, IG Labs also released its second product, an AI-enabled cybersecurity product, CyberSpan, to be followed by Neural Nexus in the Spring of 2023. CyberSpan is an AI-enabled cybersecurity product that provides fundamental cyber protection for small-to-medium sized Defense Industrial Base (DIB) companies networks deploying machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models. The CyberSpan models are developed and trained on the NVIDIA DGX A100 system utilizing supervised and unsupervised learning models mapped to MITRE ATT&CK Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to identify previously unidentifiable anomalous activity.

IntelliGenesis LLC is a Columbia, Maryland-based Veteran- and Woman-owned small business, primarily known for its analytics development, AI/ML, and training services in support of DoD and Intelligence Community customers since 2007.IG Labs opened for innovation in October 2021 to invest internally into expanding its AI/ML services and developing cutting-edge, AI-enhanced capabilities for customers. A benefit of the AI/ML Center of Excellence has been guiding partners through the art of the possible with AI, ML and DL to take on opportunities like developing products and delivering an AI-enabled cybersecurity platform that enables users with no prior experience to operate defensively in adversarial environments.

IntelliGenesis release of Neural Nexus will redefine how companies acquire, deploy, and benefit from a Machine-Learning-as-a-Service (MLaaS) capability. To learn more about how IG Labs AI/ML Center of Excellence is utilizing NVIDIA capabilities, attend NVIDIA GTC, a global AI conference, on Wednesday, March 22, at 10:00am ET, where our Chief Technologist, Stephen Scribbs Scarbrough, will be on a panel to discuss how industry experts are accelerating cybersecurity with AI. During GTC, IntelliGenesis will also unveil more details about Neural Nexus and how customers can benefit from it.

IG Labs partners with innovation labs across the country and will begin assisting in the education and training of government and commercial customers to bring tailored AI/ML/DL training featuring NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) courses. Educating the government and commercial workforce is essential to the adoption of these groundbreaking capabilities in AI/ML/DL, and will help shape tomorrow and protect our networks.

The IG Labs Division AI/ML Center of Excellence welcomes visitors, partners and those interested in AI to contact us at info@intelligenesisllc.com.
We knew we needed to do more to showcase the contributions and stories of the people of color who have shaped our industry. We hope that by sharing these remarkable stories of achievement we inspire others to contribute to the future of mobility.

The Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF), a non-profit organization that honors and celebrates the mobility industrys pioneers and their impact on society, is celebrating the opening of its new exhibit Achievement. This initiative began in 2022, kicked-off by a $500,000 grant from General Motors which enabled the AHF to begin developing a multi-channel experience to help educate the community about Black contributions to the global automotive industry as well as the industry's impact on Black families and communities. Lear and American Axle also provided grants toward this initiative.

The Automotive Hall of Fame is proud to bring this compelling exhibit and content to the public, said Sarah Cook, president, Automotive Hall of Fame. We knew we needed to do more to showcase the contributions and stories of the people of color who have shaped our industry. We hope that by sharing these remarkable stories of achievement we inspire others to contribute to the future of mobility.

The first installation of the exhibit honors 19 African American men and women who impacted various facets of the industry throughout history. From one of the first Rosie the Riveters to the first African American automotive designer, to the authors of the black travel guide The Green Book, this initial cohort changed the automotive industry with intelligence, perseverance, courage, and hard work.

Achievement focuses on five ways these pioneers impacted the course of automotive history, they: changed where we live; reimagined how we work; redefined how we live; brought a new lens to how we see ourselves; and impacted our world.

African Americans have brought some of the most beautiful designs, most innovative technologies, and solved some of the most challenging issues of our industry, all while facing unparalleled challenges, said Robert Tate, Automotive Hall of Fame historian-in-residence. We couldnt think of a more appropriate way to celebrate Black History Month than to unveil this curated collection of their stories.

The Achievement exhibit opens to the public Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 10 A.M. The museum will be open at no charge that day and will feature a special presentation by Robert Tate, refreshments and docent-led tours. More information is available on the AHF website.

About the Automotive Hall of Fame

The Automotive Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that celebrates the mobility industrys pioneers and their impact on society by capturing individuals stories, passion, and innovative spirit to engage and inspire the mobility industrys future workforce. Founded in 1939, the Automotive Hall of Fame has honored nearly 800 individuals from around the world who have impacted and influenced the automotive and mobility industries. The Automotive Hall of Fame is located at 21400 Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn, Michigan and is open to the public Thursdays  Sundays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can also visit the Automotive Hall of Fame online at automotivehalloffame.org or on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
The Los Angeles Press Club is now accepting applications for its 65th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards, including a new A-Mark Prize for Reporting on Misinformation and Disinformation, sponsored by the A-Mark Foundation.

A critical antidote to the growing problem of misinformation and disinformation is serious, persistent and fearless journalism that exposes and counters untruths and the people and organizations that perpetuate them. To fight against the problem, the A-Mark prize will go to a piece of journalism published on any platform that excelled at examining misinformation or disinformation in the public discourse.

Entries might take on a specific instance of media manipulation, for example, examining its perpetrators and its impact. Entries can also explore possible solutions to the disinformation problem, or individuals or groups active in either perpetrating or solving it. In short, the work should delve deeply into any aspect of the troubling phenomenon in any journalistic format.

The first place winner will receive $4,000 and second and third place winners will receive $500 each. Eligible entries must have been published, broadcast or transmitted in Southern California, or had Southern California as the focus. The $5,000 prize is sponsored by the Santa Monica-based nonpartisan and nonprofit A-Mark Foundation, which also funds the Los Angeles Press Clubs A-Mark Fellowship for Reporting on Misinformation and Disinformation.

Interested applicants can find the contest rules and a link to enter on the LA Press Club website. The early bird deadline is 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The final deadline for submitting entries is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023.

About A-Mark Foundation: Founded in 1997, A-Mark Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation dedicated to supporting and disseminating research and research-based solutions on critical social issues. All research is published at amarkfoundation.org.
David W Shopland announces his entry into the publishing scene with the release of Sawdust and Splinters: There be Money in them Trees (published by Trafford Publishing), a true story of a familys business struggles of over 200 years as they try to succeed and survive in a rapidly changing world.

This is the story of the Shopland family who were typical of their time and class, believed in a Divine Providence and that by serving others, they would be humbled and exalted in equal measure; namely people who had expected very little of lifes goods but got on and did the tasks that were put before them. Grumbled all of the way and had lots of fun establishing a business in a developing small town during one of Englands most exciting and turbulent times, when persecution, opposition and adversity were surmounted against a background of international conflict and social reform which shaped the British nations future.

This book is not intended to be an exhaustive and detailed history of the homegrown English timber trade. It has only been written in answer to requests to record the history of E H Shopland & Sons Clevedon Sawmills and create a foundation on which further research could be based, in order to gain a true picture of how Shoplands Sawmill has grown and fitted into Clevedons ongoing development.

It is a record of several determined men, at a particular moment in time, doing the best that they could in difficult and changing circumstances with few ready financial resources at hand and gives a little insight into the thinking behind their actions. Maybe with hindsight, different choices and better decisions should have been made, but they were made in good faith and in the belief that they were the best that could be done at the time, the author says.

When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, he answers, This book shows readers the endeavor, minor prosecution and history of a typical small lower middle-class family who struggled to survive but succeeded against opposition and adversity. We truly believe that honest endeavors and faith in a Divine Providence will always lead to success. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.trafford.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/822014-sawdust-and-splinters

Sawdust and Splinters: There be Money in them Trees

By David W Shopland

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 122 pages | ISBN 9781698711560

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 122 pages | ISBN 9781698711577

E-Book | 122 pages | ISBN 9781698711553

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

David W Shopland has been happily married to his wife, Ann, for 50 years and has two children and four grandchildren. He was born in Clevedon, Somerset into a happy and loving home during the 1930s Depression. Brought up in a farming environment, he now runs a family business of timber merchants and sawmill owners dating back into the early 1700s. A teenager during the war, he was educated at a State Grammar School and completed 25 years commissioned service as an officer in The Royal Artillery, Territorial Army, and Army Cadet Force. He has enjoyed being a local authority councilor for nearly 40 years and has just finished being chairperson of both a town and unitary authority council. He is a military vehicle and vintage car enthusiast, small livestock breeder and exhibitor, and founder of a successful youth club, a fighter of apparent lost causes and was recently described in the local press as being his towns equivalent of Prince Phillip Duke of Edinburgh. He believes in a divine providence and, having survived a second childhood, is sure, in his own mind that he is now a second-generation teenager with all that it implies.

Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC, author services imprint, was the first publisher in the world to offer an on-demand publishing service, and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. Trafford was also one of the earliest publishers to utilize the Internet for selling books. More than 10,000 authors from over 120 countries have utilized Traffords experience for self publishing their books. For more information about Trafford Publishing, or to publish your book today, call 844-688-6899 or visit trafford.com.
We look forward to meeting with retailers to demonstrate how FindTuners machine learning capabilities coupled with its unparalleled merchandising features can help them provide search and navigation experiences that boost revenue.

Innovent Solutions, Inc., a leading integrator of eCommerce search and merchandising solutions for Apache Solr, announced today it will be participating at the eTail West eCommerce & Omnichannel Retail Conference being held February 27 through March 2 at the JW Marriott hotel in Palm Desert, California. Innovent will be showcasing FindTuner, a feature-rich search merchandising product that provides pitch-perfect search experiences for online retailers that use Apache Solr.

FindTuner empowers B2C and B2B merchants to provide profitable, effortless product discovery experiences. Driven by powerful machine learning, FindTuner continuously improves the shopper experience and automates time-consuming tasks allowing merchandising and development teams to get better results with less effort.

We are excited to attend and exhibit at eTail West, the eCommerce industrys premier omnichannel event, said Keith Mericle, Innovent Solutions CEO. We look forward to meeting with retailers to demonstrate how FindTuners machine learning capabilities coupled with its unparalleled merchandising features can help them provide search and navigation experiences that boost revenue.

FindTuner works with any site powered by Apache Solr including prebuilt integration with SAP Commerce Cloud. Visit us at Booth 416 and findtuner.com for more information.

About Innovent Solutions

Innovent Solutions provides services and solutions for Search, Business Intelligence and eCommerce technologies. Founded in 1996, Innovent Solutions has helped numerous eCommerce merchants deploy search solutions that optimize product visibility and deliver a feature-rich search experience to shoppers. Our solutions leverage machine learning and merchandising to boost product visibility as well as integrate metric-driven information to improve search relevancy and product conversion. Innovent Solutions is a privately held company headquartered in Irvine, CA. For more information, please visit https://findtuner.com.

Contacts

Innovent Solutions

Keith Mericle, 949-754-2940

kmericle(at)innoventsolutions(dot)com

Copyright  2023 Innovent Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. Innovent Solutions, the Innovent Solutions logo and FindTuner are registered trademarks of Innovent Solutions, Inc. in the U.S. All other brands, names or trademarks mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Annie E. Fales Elementary

Gilbane Building Company recently reached important milestones on two K-12 projects in the Commonwealth as the firm celebrated the official topping off of the new Florence Roche Elementary School in Groton, MA and the ceremonial ribbon cutting of Annie E. Fales Elementary in Westborough, MA.

Upon completion, the new Florence Roche Elementary School will accommodate 645 students in grades kindergarten through grade four and feature a two-story design which organizes grade-level learning neighborhoods into two academic wings with shared project areas, dedicated special education rooms, and support spaces.

The first net-positive energy public school in the State of Massachusetts, Annie E. Fales consumes less than two-thirds of the energy used by a comparable code-compliant building and accommodates 400 kindergarten-through-third grade students, with five classrooms per grade plus one float classroom.

Successfully achieving these milestones with the Groton and Westborough communities, despite lingering pandemic-related challenges related to supply chain disruptions, further solidifies our teams commitment to delivering state-of-the-art K12 facilities throughout the Commonwealth, said Mike OBrien, senior vice president and business unit leader for Gilbane in Massachusetts. These new facilities offer premier 21st century learning environments for our states youngest learners, featuring sustainability components of the future, that these districts can truly be proud of.

Annie E. Fales Elementary School  Westborough, MA

The new Annie E. Fales Elementary School in Westborough officially opened its doors to students and faculty in November of 2022. However, on January 9th, local and state officials joined representatives from the Westborough School District, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), The Vertex Companies, Gilbane Building Company, and HMFH Architects, to celebrate the official ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the new 70,000-SF elementary school.

The first net-positive public school in Massachusetts, Fales Elementary School supports Westboroughs goal to be carbon emissions free by 2035. As a LEED Gold and LEED Zero designed school, sustainability and energy goals are achieved through a combination of reducing energy demand and producing electricity with a rooftop solar voltaic system. The schools ground-floor public spacesthe cafetorium, gymnasium, and administrative officesare built into the hillside to reduce heat loss. Rooftop monitors and solar panel arrays harvest both daylight and solar energy, while 40 geothermal wells enable the building to operate entirely on electric energy.

Since school operations commenced in November, the solar panels have already produced 700,000 kilowatt hours.

Florence Roche Elementary School  Groton, MA

In January, officials from Groton Public Schools, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Groton joined students, educators, and representatives from Leftfield, Studio G Architects, and Gilbane Building Company to celebrate the official topping off of the 110,000-SF Florence Roche Elementary School.

Designed by Studio G, with Leftfield serving as owners project manager and Gilbane as construction manager, the new facility will address growing concerns regarding the state of the existing facility, originally constructed in the 1950s, and accommodate 645 students in grades kindergarten through four.

The new school will support 21st-century learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), two important components of Groton Dunstable Regional School Districts educational program. The two-story design organizes grade-level learning neighborhoods into two academic wings with shared project areas, dedicated special education rooms, and support spaces. In addition, the cafeteria and gymnasium are located off the entry lobby for easy public access and feature a shared stage for performances in either area. Other shared learning spaces include a media center, an outdoor learning lab, a STEM lab with an outdoor patio for student projects, and music and art classrooms.

Since the start of construction in May of 2022, the project has maintained its schedule with over 34,000 safe and incident free trade hours. In achieving this important project milestone, the team took a collaborative approach in expediting the steel shop drawing review and approval periods to support the start of steel erection three weeks earlier than planned. This allowed the approximately 2,500 pieces, or 700 tons, of structural steel frame to be erected ahead of the New England winter months.

Florence Roche Elementary School is slated for completion by 2024.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services  from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services  for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.
Johnine Barnes

Johnine P. Barnes, chair of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Washington, D.C. Labor & Employment Practice, was selected as one of the Washington Business Journals 2023 Diversity in Business Award honorees.

The Washington Business Journal describes its honorees as influential business leaders from the Washington, D.C. area who represent a wide range of backgrounds and industries, ranging from hospitality and tourism, tech and finance, as well as the education and nonprofit sectors.

I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition. I want to thank the Washington Business Journal for recognizing the incredible contributions of diverse business leaders across the Washington, D.C. area, and it is humbling to be included among such an inspiring group, Barnes said.

Greenberg Traurig is intentional and strategic in its diversity  and supporting incredible lawyers like Johnine is at the core of our success, said Greenberg Traurig Co-President and Washington, D.C. Office Chairman Ernest LaMont Greer. I am thrilled for Johnine to be recognized as the leader that she is not only in her area of law, but for her dedication to making our clients better, the Washington, D.C. community better, and us, as a firm, better.

A special print section of the Washington Business Journal featuring this years honorees will be available March 24.

Barnes has wide-ranging experience in her labor and employment practice. She is nationally recognized by the Legal 500 U.S. Guide for her counselling and compliance practice regarding employment laws, including but not limited to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal and state statutes governing employment issues.

In addition, Barnes is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as a Leading Lawyer in America, and as a Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyer. She is experienced in litigating and defending employment claims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract, as well as business litigation matters. She has experience handling non-compete agreement and contract disputes, trade secret matters, international disputes, white collar crime claims, property interest disputes, and legislative matters.

About Greenberg Traurigs Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firms efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Plus, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives.

About Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. Office: More than 100 attorneys strong, Greenberg Traurigs Washington, D.C. (GTDC) office is home to a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and government affairs professionals who help clients prepare for risk, respond to adversity, and influence the future. Our clients, who come from nearly every business sector and industry, trust GTDC to offer a wide range of legal services and to handle their most sensitive matters thoroughly, efficiently, and collaboratively. In our office we have former members of Congress and senior Congressional staff, former trial and regulatory attorneys from a spectrum of government agencies, and attorneys with decades of experience handling complex litigation, transactions, and regulatory matters. Our clients benefit from our deep collective knowledge of how government, business, and the law intersect. The office is further strengthened by its vast global presence, an active Pro Bono practice, a diverse roster of professionals, and a commitment to the D.C. community.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 44 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is a 2022 BTI Highly Recommended Law Firm for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 250. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPAs Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.
It isnt just about Tobys deep industry experience, it is also about his leadership capabilities. He is a great listener and problem solver, which are attributes absolutely key to leading in this industry.

Ideal Aluminum Products, a leading manufacturer of aluminum fence, gates, railing, outdoor structures and several other product categories, announced today that Toby Bostwick has been named Chief Executive Officer. Bostwick has over 20 years of experience in construction and building products, working in product management, innovation, sales leadership and new business development. He has previously served as a senior executive with companies in the building industry primarily focused on cladding, fencing, decking and railing. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational

Leadership from Purdue University. Bostwick succeeds Michael Siegel and Doug Brady, who have jointly led the company for the past 12 years. Siegel and Brady will step down as Co-CEOs and will continue their involvement with Ideal as board members.

Toby is the right leader for Ideal, said Graham Schena, Partner at MPE Partners (MPE). MPE partnered with the entrepreneurs to make a meaningful investment in Ideal during 2021. Tobys extensive industry background and business development skills will help Ideal strengthen customer relationships, channel partnerships and develop alliances with Ideals stakeholders. Ideal has a very talented leadership team, and we believe that Toby is a great addition to that team and will be an instrumental part of Ideals success going forward.

Ideal retiring Co-CEO, Michael Siegel, said, With our continued fast growth, we have been looking for the right person to lead our business. It isnt just about Tobys deep industry experience; it is also about his leadership capabilities. He is a great listener and problem solver, which are attributes absolutely key to leading in this industry. Doug Brady, retiring Co-CEO of Ideal added, Tobys experience driving strategy makes him the perfect choice to accelerate Ideals growth and capture the opportunities ahead of us.

Bostwick added, I am joining Ideal Aluminum because I could see the great potential in the company and the opportunity to build on the solid foundation that Michael, Doug and MPE have built. I am impressed by the quality of our people, the strength of our culture and the committed customer relationships. We have such an exciting future in front of us as we capture growth opportunities by delivering value to our customers. I look forward to working with Michael and Doug on a seamless transition and thank them both for their support.

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About Ideal Aluminum Products

Ideal Aluminum Products manufactures aluminum fencing, gates, louver-privacy panels, railing, arbors and pergolas. Ideal is passionately committed to supplying the best quality products at reasonable prices with the best service in our industry. Ideal is constantly exploring new trends and ideas that define the future of our industry. All products are made in the U.S.A. Visit the companys website at http://www.ideal-ap.com or contact the company directly at 1-877-323-6496. For all marketing related inquiries, please email Marketing@iDeal-AP.net or call 904.427.6400.

About MPE Partners

MPE Partners (MPE or Morgenthaler Private Equity) seeks to be the preferred partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Based in Cleveland, OH, and Boston, MA, MPE invests in profitable, lower middle market companies with transaction values up to $250 million. MPE has two primary target investment areas: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services. For more information, please visit http://www.mpepartners.com.
Gill Gordon-Smith, Australias WSET Educator of the Year Im a true believer in life-long learning and hard work, to have fun while being serious about focusing on what people need to pass the exam

Hailing from Australia, Gill Gordon-Smith has been named Best Wine Educator, Wine Communicator of the Year, and a Woman of Inspiration in her home country. Not only is she an excellent educator with many years of experience, but she is also a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert and a winemaker under her own label, La Madrina. Italian Wine Academy is delighted to offer students this incredible one-off opportunity to study in Verona under one of the worlds most renowned teachers of wine.

Im very excited to teach WSET 3 in Verona, combining my two great love  education and Italy! commented Gordon-Smith.

I hope to bring a fresh perspective and a dynamic and sound teaching philosophy that will empower and bring out the best in students. Im a true believer in life-long learning and hard work, to have fun while being serious about focusing on what people need to pass the exam.

Gordon-Smith will travel from the other side of the world to give WSET students in Italy the privilege of being taught by a leading light in global wine education. She has specifically chosen to carve out time from her packed Italy schedule to lead the Italian Wine Academy WSET Level 3 course.

Gill has a profound knowledge of wine and her generosity of spirit, sharing her expertise and her joie de vivre with colleagues and students, is truly an invaluable part of her success as a businesswoman and especially as an Educator, remarked Cynthia Chaplin, Italian Wine Academy faculty member.

Gills personality is irresistible, and she has an immense capacity to draw students in and impart knowledge in a meaningful way, with a warm and welcoming attitude. I am really looking forward to having Gill here in Verona, not only for our WSET students, but so our faculty can learn from her as well.

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines course will be held in English at Italian Wine Academy, Viale del Lavoro 8, Verona 37135 from April 12 through April 16, with the exam taking place on May 6 at the same location. To register, please visit https://www.italianwineacademy.org/prodotto/wset-level-3-award-in-wine/?lang=en.

_________________________

About: Italian Wine Academy is a wine school based in Verona, and it is an Approved Programme Provider qualified to teach WSET wine courses. WSET - Wine & Spirit Education Trust is the worlds largest provider of education on wine and spirits. WSET qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge for wine professionals and enthusiasts. Vinitaly International Academy hosts WSET at wine2digital, next to the headquarters of Veronafiere.
Bruce Jackson, associate general counsel and managing director of strategic partnership in the office of the president at Microsoft Corporation, will speak about his journey to the C-suite during a Black History Month Courageous Conversation webinar hosted by global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Feb. 23 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jackson will be joined by Greenberg Traurig Litigation Shareholder and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Officer Nikki Lewis Simon and Labor & Employment Shareholder and Greenberg Traurig African American Inclusion Network (GAIN) Affinity Group Co-Chair Natasha L. Wilson.

Greenberg Traurigs Courageous Conversations Virtual Series addresses timely issues of racial and social justice reform. Firm clients, alumni, and attorneys, as well as community leaders, who are on the cutting edge of racial and social equality efforts, are invited as guests and help keep these critical conversations going.

In his memoir, Never Far from Home, Jackson writes about rising from poverty to a stellar career at the top of the technology and music industries. His inspirational story will come to life during this Courageous Conversation as he offers insights on career development and on how he made it to the C-suite. Jackson has over 32 years of experience assisting companies with growing their businesses. His career reflects his success with supporting large-scale transformation in domestic and global markets, helping customers in regulated industries meet regulatory requirements when migrating to the cloud. Further, he has spent three decades working with some of the top music producers in the United States.

Simon, a commercial litigator with more than two decades of experience, primarily serves as the firms chief DE&I officer. Prior to assuming primary responsibilities on the business side of the firm, Simon represented her cross-industry clients business objectives by protecting their capital  human, intellectual, and financial  against claims of wrongdoing in complex commercial and class action litigation.

Wilson focuses her practice on labor and employment law. She is chair of the Atlanta Labor & Employment Practice and co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice's Corporate Restructuring & Employment Due Diligence group.

About Greenberg Traurigs Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firms efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Plus, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 44 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm is a 2022 BTI Highly Recommended Law Firm for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 250. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPAs Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.
Nancy Brady, Government Software Solution Specialist at Mitchell Humphrey & Co. said, We are looking forward to connecting with municipalities from all corners of New Jersey and introducing them to the benefits of our community development software and automation.

Mitchell Humphrey & Co. is proud to join the roster of exhibitors at the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey (MCANJ) Annual Education Conference. On March 21, 2023, the conference will bring together key municipality employees from across the state to share best practices and prepare their communities for the future.

No matter the size of a community, municipality clerks are some of the most important staff to help communities run well. Streamlining their workload and simplifying administrative tasks benefits towns and cities across the state and beyond.

The Mitchell Humphrey team will be demonstrating the benefits of their cloud-based FastTrackGov (FTG) software. FTG makes it easy for local governments to connect to their citizens by creating online access to services like permitting and licensing.

The software minimizes repetitive administrative work for municipal staff and keeps processes transparent for the municipality and its citizens. It makes it easy for all departments to access information from other departments, streamlining otherwise complex processes. Employees benefit by being able to work more productively and efficiently.

The software can be customized to meet the unique requirements of each municipality. It simplifies reporting procedures and the updating of critical information.

Brady continued, Exhibiting at the MCANJ conference gives our team an excellent opportunity to connect directly to decision-makers from municipalities across the state. We can strengthen existing relationships and build new ones.

The MCANJ Annual Education Conference will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on March 21, 2023. Attendees can expect product exhibitions, and presentations and professional development opportunities for municipality employees.

About Mitchell Humphrey & Co.

Mitchell Humphrey & Co., founded in 1977, offers a broad range of software and services to the public sector, including financial management, permitting, license and case management, community development, online citizen services, and vehicle-for-hire regulation applications. For more information, visit http://www.mitchellhumphrey.com.
Personal Injury Attorney Rachel Bukle of Monge & Associates Secures Appellate Win in Medical Emergency Case Were eager to continue moving forward and get justice for the injuries"

The Court of Appeals of Georgia declared on Feb. 1 that a Georgia state trial court errored in allowing direct liability claims to proceed against ABM Aviation Inc., the drivers employer. However, it upheld the trial court's decision to move forward with a respondeat superior liability claim against the company.

Monge & Associates attorney Rachel Bukle argued on behalf of the injured victim, Loree Prince.

On Nov. 17, 2016, Prince, an airline employee at the Atlanta airport, parked in an off-site employee parking lot and rode a shuttle bus that was operated by an ABM employee. She suffered a head and back injury when the shuttles driver lost control of the bus, rolled over a curb, and struck a street sign as filed in state court of Clayton County State of Georgia file no. 2020CV02460.

Accident records show the driver suffering a massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage that caused to become confused and lose consciousness.

At issue was whether ABM  or its employee  knew about the risk of a medical emergency, due to the drivers past medical history, which included several hospitalizations for esophageal varices and three weeks away from work four months prior to the incident. ABM had the burden of showing that the medical emergency was unforeseeable. Under applicable law, employers can be held responsible for the negligent or intentional torts of their employees.

"This is an instance where we firmly believe the shuttle company should take responsibility for the accident, Bukle added. Were eager to continue moving forward and get justice for the injuries sustained by Loree Prince.

About Monge & Associates

Monge & Associates, is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm that serves innocent injury victims nationwide. Practice areas include catastrophic injuries, wrongful death cases, big truck collisions, motor vehicle crashes, negligent security, dangerous products, surgery cases and workers compensation. The firm helps victims who have had their life turned upside down by the misconduct of others. Learn more at http://www.BecauseYouWanToWin.com.


Joe Simone, President, Simone Development Companies .Simone Development Companies wants to help New York City officials achieve their transformational goals for the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx, said Danielle Contillo, a principal at Simone Development Companies.

New York Citys aggressive push to build 10 million square feet of new life sciences laboratories will create new development opportunities, said Joseph Simone of Simone Development Companies.

New York City announced in January that it will invest $20 million for the creation of a biotech hub at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which is the latest in a series of investments throughout the outer boroughs that will bring development and new jobs to neighborhoods primed for revitalization, said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies.

New York Citys investment at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and other locations outside of Manhattan reflects a shift to neighborhood-based economic development. In the Bronx neighborhood of Morris Park, New York City has deployed this strategy by investing in an innovation lab for early-stage life science startups at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which sits across the street from Simone Development Companies Hutchinson Metro Center.

We want it in Morris Park, where there is a new rezoning aroundJacobi (Medical Center) and Albert Einstein and a real opportunity to create good-paying jobs closer to where people live, said Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, in a recent appearance on Spectrum News NY1s Inside City Hall program.

The rezoning of parts of Morris Park near a future Metro-North train station allows for greater housing density, laboratories and other land uses that promote the growth of biotech hubs.

Simone Development Companies envisions life sciences and residential components to its Hutchinson Metro Center. A 33-acre expansion to the existing 42-acre Hutchinson Metro Center campus will sit next to the future Metro-North train station, providing easy access to Manhattan and other life science hubs.

New York City has invested in life sciences for about 25 years, allowing the region to compete with Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area in terms of creating new jobs and attracting companies. Simone Development Companies wants to help New York City officials achieve their transformational goals for the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx, said Danielle Contillo, a principal at Simone Development Companies.

Simone Development Companies is a full-service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of healthcare, mixed-use, office, industrial, retail, and residential properties. Headquartered at the Hutchinson Metro Center, it boasts a portfolio of over 7 million square feet throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, Orange and Fairfield Counties and New Jersey. With services spanning acquisition, development, construction, finance, asset management, accounting, leasing and property management, Simone Development Companies is set apart by its vertically integrated management team, long-term asset ownership and its pursuit of visionary development.


Ngoc Bui-Tong, Chief Health Equity & Strategy Officer It is exciting to lead and collaborate with such a dynamic community to intentionally close the health equity and disparity gaps.

Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) is proud to announce the promotion of Ngoc Bui-Tong  formerly Vice President, Strategies and Analytics  to the newly-expanded position of Chief Health Equity & Strategies Officer.

As Chief Health Equity & Strategies Officer, Bui-Tong will drive and support implementation of the overarching strategy and operational goals to promote and embed health equity, diversity, and inclusion across all health plan operations. This position expands Bui-Tongs current responsibilities for strategies, analytics, and risk adjustment and helps carry out SCFHPs duties in its updated Medi-Cal contract with the Department of Health Care Services.

Im excited to make this announcement and welcome Ngoc into her new role, said Christine M. Tomcala, CEO of SCFHP. Ngocs role is important to ensure SCFHP is internally aligned with the voices of our community and members so we can better address the health disparities that affect so many of our residents. Ngocs experience advocating for Vietnamese Americans will act as a bridge for serving all other diasporas in Santa Clara County. Her work will ensure our members have more tools to navigate the health care system.

Bui-Tong joined SCFHP in 2012. From 2001-12, she was a member of the senior leadership team at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in the Ambulatory and Managed Care Division, directing financial and operational analysis and developing and implementing programs to improve program performance. From 1995-98, Bui-Tong worked at MassHealth, Massachusetts Medicaid Office, developing managed care programs for children with special health care needs. From 2010-12, Bui-Tong chaired the Vietnamese Reach for Health Coalition, a local organization that promotes health equity among Vietnamese Americans in the county.

Bui-Tong received a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health and an undergraduate degree from Tulane University.

I am looking forward to partnering with internal departments, our providers and external organizations in our work to reduce health disparities for our members, Bui-Tong said. It is exciting to lead and collaborate with such a dynamic community to intentionally close the health equity and disparity gaps.

SCFHP continues to prioritize the pursuit of health for all by implementing its new mission, vision, and values, which were adopted in 2021. The managed health care company works to ensure everyone in Santa Clara County has access to equitable, high-quality health care. As part of this goal, SCFHP is leading improvement in the health of communities impacted by disparities by facilitating the Health Equity Agenda Steering Committee, adopting a strategy to address members social determinants of health, and delivering culturally appropriate and community-driven programs, events, and services at the SCFHP Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center and beyond.

For more information about Santa Clara Family Health Plans mission, vision, and values as they relate to health equity, visit https://www.scfhp.com/about-us/.

About Santa Clara Family Health Plan

Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) is a local, community-based health plan dedicated to creating opportunities for better health and wellness for all. In partnership with providers and community organizations since 1997, we work to ensure everyone in Santa Clara County has access to equitable, high-quality health care. With a strong commitment to integrity, outstanding service, and support for our community, we serve more than 320,000 people through our Medi-Cal and Medicare health care plans.

For more information, visit http://www.scfhp.com.

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Lumeda Inc, a clinical-stage medical technology company focused on improving treatment outcomes of patients with lung cancer, and photonamic GmbH & Co KG, a pharmaceutical company involved in the development of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in various applications as a precursor for the photosensitizer PpIX, today announced their commitment to collaborate on a Phase I-II clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with 5-ALA as an adjuvant in combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) to prime the immune system in the treatment of lung cancer patients. The collaboration will combine the respective expertise of both companies, where photonamics photosensitizing drug Gleolan(5-ALA) is used in combination with Lumedas proprietary DigiLum PDT technology, a breakthrough light delivery and dosimetry system. Ulrich Kosciessa, CEO of photonamic said The photonamic team is excited about the potential for this collaboration to expand the therapeutic indications for Gleolan, starting with lung cancer.

Gleolan is approved for use in over 40 countries for fluorescence-guided surgery during brain tumor resection. After a comprehensive global assessment of approved and clinical-stage photosensitizers, Lumeda chose Gleolan because of its known safety and tolerability profile as well as its tumor selectivity. This combination study using Gleolan and DigiLum seeks to assess the response of patients with late-stage lung cancer. Lung cancer is one type of cancer for which PDT has demonstrated the potential to offer clinical benefits. As part of the collaboration, photonamic will invest in Lumeda through a convertible note and will supply the clinical trial product through its wholly-owned subsidiary in the USA, NX Development Corp. Inc. Sandy Zinke, Lumeda CEO said, We believe that the combination of Gleolan and DigiLum can produce strong clinical results which can in turn lead to broader adoption of PDT in combination with immunotherapy to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients.

About 5-aminolevulinic acid in PDT:

5-aminolevulinic acid ("5-ALA") is an endogenous amino acid derivative produced in mitochondria. Aminolevulinic acid is a normal precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which is extensively metabolized in cancer cells whereas in combination with iron ions is metabolized to hemoglobin. PpIX is a photosensitizer that can be activated by light of a certain wavelength to produce reactive oxygen species which cause tumor cell death. PDT with 5-ALA is currently being investigated in clinical trials and is not approved for use in clinical practice. 5-ALA is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to 5-ALA or porphyrins or patients with acute/chronic porphyria.

About Lumeda, Inc.:

Lumeda was founded in 2019 and has developed DigiLum, a breakthrough light delivery and dosimetry system with AI software, designed to make PDT more standardized and efficient to enable broader adoption and treatment of more patients. Lumeda has a close collaboration with the world-renowned Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Center at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. The company has an exclusive global license to two Roswell Park patents that enable the application of intraoperative PDT for patients suffering from lung cancer and pleural malignancies. Lumeda is currently involved in two clinical studies at Roswell Park related to lung cancer and is developing other tools to enable the use of PDT in robotic and endoscopic procedures for additional indications. For more information please go to the Lumeda website at http://www.lumedainc.com or contact Sandy Zinke, Lumeda CEO at sandyz@lumedainc.com.

About photonamic GmbH & Co KG:

photonamic is a German based company involved in the development of 5-ALA in various applications as precursor for the photosensitizer PpIX. As a member of the SBI group with its parent company SBI ALApharma Hong Kong, photonamic has developed 5-ALA for the fluorescence-guided resection of glioblastoma which is marketed as Gliolan, Gleolan or Alabel in Europe, United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Korea. Within the group, photonamic and its affiliated companies in the US, Canada and Japan are diligently extending the development activities with 5-ALA even outside the field of photodynamic application, e.g. immune modulation in infectious diseases, food supplement and cosmetics.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Generally, words such ad may, will, should, could, anticipate, expect, intend, estimate, plan, continue, and believe or the negative of or other variation on these and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties and our future results could differ significantly from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.


Using enterprise-grade technology, a robust business intelligence team, and RCM experts, Viewgol empowers healthcare organizations to create RCM Heroes. She brings deep industry knowledge into every discussion, which elevates Viewgols ability to serve CHCs better. - Kristen Closson, COO of Viewgol

Viewgol, a healthcare RCM data, advisory, and services company, welcomes Renee Sexton to the team as Director, Community Health Center Solutions. Sexton has extensive experience in the healthcare industry, starting as a medical assistant before becoming a practice administrator. Later, she served as a solution architect at NextGen RCM and ModMed, accumulating more than 14 years of experience working closely with Community Health Centers (CHCs).

CHCs are non-profit organizations that receive federal funding to provide comprehensive primary care and preventive health services to underserved communities, irrespective of patients ability to pay or insurance status.

To maintain their funding and continue to provide quality care to their patients, CHCs must ensure they comply with strict reporting requirements from the Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, state health departments, and the Bureau of Primary Health Care.

"Viewgol shares many core values with RHCs, FQHCs, and Tribal Health organizations that serve indigenous communities," said Sexton. "I am drawn to and excited to join Viewgol because we share a vision to care for patients through caring for the financial health of healthcare organizations. The talent level at Viewgol is unmatched. Im thrilled to join this high-caliber team where I can learn and grow."

As a trusted advisor to its clients at the executive and operational levels, Viewgol provides services to healthcare organizations of varying sizes across multiple specialties. By partnering with Viewgol, healthcare organizations can discover systemic RCM issues, identify opportunities, access relevant data, and implement solutions using enterprise-grade technology, a robust business intelligence team, and RCM experts.

Sexton will work with Viewgols CHC clients to maintain good standing with the federal, state, and local agencies. As healthcare financial systems grow in complexity, Viewgol Analytics, the company's proprietary RCM software, brings key metrics to the surface that are inaccessible in most healthcare PM systems.

"Viewgol impacts our clients so they are financially successful and can fully serve their communities. Renee will serve countless patients by helping CHCs maximize their various funding sources in hundreds of communities across the US," said Reid Storch, CRO for Viewgol.

Renee is often the smartest person in the room and is always a great resource for her clients. It is fantastic to work alongside her once again, said Kristen Closson, COO of Viewgol. She brings deep industry knowledge into every discussion, which elevates Viewgols ability to serve CHCs better.

Viewgol provides customized RCM solutions to meet the needs of each client, from the small practice that requires best-in-class data to the nationwide healthcare organization that needs complete RCM services. If you want to learn more about Viewgol and its products and services, please visit the official website Viewgol.com.

About Viewgol

Viewgol specializes in healthcare revenue cycle management as an RCM data, advisory, and services company. Its goal is to create RCM Heroes by making RCM data accessible, understandable, and applicable. Viewgol caters to healthcare organizations of all sizes and specialties. Viewgol's primary products, Analytics, Engage, and Comprehensive, solve RCM problems and identify actionable opportunities. Viewgol's business intelligence team detects issues and provides custom solutions by examining every aspect of an organization's RCM process. To learn more, please visit Viewgol.com.
JVC Logo Jewelry and watches are just one industry that will be commenting, as these definitions apply broadly across industries, and our responses must be strong and unified to both get the attention of the FTC and set the tone of the revision process at this essential beginning stage.

Fiduciary to the gem and jewelry trade, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has upheld integrity, advocacy, and adherence to legal compliance since 1917. The leading authority coordinating Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commentary on behalf of jewelers, JVC facilitates industry response to the federal agency on its Guides. Last December, the FTC announced it would be revising its Green Guides, which examine environmental marketing claims, both direct to consumer and B2B. The Green Guides consider regulatory compliance: demonstrating the principles behind claims, their interpretation, and how jewelry marketers and companies qualify claims to avoid deception. A call to all members of the gem and jewelry industry, JVC is seeking public comments on the Green Guides and feedback on its environmental terminology.

The Federal Trade Commissions Green Guides provide essential information for any business making environmental marketing claims. Because these Guides are under review for the first time in over ten years, it is absolutely essential that every sector of the jewelry and watch industries come together and give input on the terminology up for review such as recycled, organic, sustainable, and more. Jewelry and watches are just one industry that will be commenting, as these definitions apply broadly across industries, and our responses must be strong and unified to both get the attention of the FTC and set the tone of the revision process at this essential beginning stage. That will ensure the greatest chance to succeed at the ultimate goal, informing and protecting the US consumer, says Tiffany Stevens, CEO & General Counsel Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

As consumer interest in sustainability grows, jewelry marketers and brands shift business models to meet demand. Commonly used terms are being examined, including recycled, sustainable, and eco-friendly. The guides will be modified to reflect a companys products, packaging, services, and manufacturing processes, as well as environmental claims not currently explored in the Green Guides. For businesses and manufacturing facilities promoting carbon offsets to the public, terminology such as carbon-neutral, carbon-negative, and net zero is on the table. It is imperative to collect, consider, and review an abundance of data across a breadth of the trade to advocate for its interest. Comment on JVCs FTC Green Guide Public Comment Form at https://jvclegal.org/ftc-green-guides-comments/. JVC is accepting rolling comments through March 10, 2023.

JVC has been the industry leader in ethics, compliance, and education for over 100 years. JVCs role as the industrys leader for ethics and legal compliance is well-established, including its longstanding relationships with the industrys regulators in Washington, D.C. Having completed previous FTC guide reviews, JVCs expertise in bringing industry knowledge to the table is essential for the Green Guides revision process. JVCs legal compliance experts will shepherd the jewelry and watch industries through the revision process, both by gathering feedback from the industry and drafting comments based on the FTCs requests, says Sara Yood, Deputy General Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is encouraging the trade to weigh in on the term organic as well, often used to described gemstones such as pearl, coral, jet, amber, and ammolite. Mobilizing the industry, the comment form was developed under the aegis of JVC to safeguard the trade.

To learn more about the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), visit https://jvclegal.org/ or call 212-997-2002. For inquiries regarding this press release, contact Pietra Communications at 212-913-9761 or email info@pietrapr.com

About the Jewelers Vigilance Committee

Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) is the jewelry industry's independent legal expert. For more than 100 years, member-supported JVC has helped jewelers build flourishing businesses that operate with the highest levels of integrity, legal, and regulatory compliance. JVC educates and trains jewelry industry members about their rights and responsibilities as business owners, employers, suppliers, designers, manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of jewelry. As the industrys legal advocate, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee liaises with U.S. and international judicial and regulatory bodies on issues that impact livelihoods, acting as a mediator to settle jewelry-related disputes, without court intervention. JVC is the industrys trusted resource, committed to safeguarding the reputation, integrity and vitality of the gem, jewelry, and watch trade. https://jvclegal.org/
Ads can increase brand awareness by 80%

According to Google, advertisements can boost brand awareness by 80%. It explains why global digital ad spending is forecasted to reach 876 billion dollars by 2026, as per Statista, with businesses increasingly leveraging ads as a tool to reach and convert their online customers.

DesignRush, a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies, listed the best advertising agencies that help businesses increase brand awareness and reach customers across different channels.

The top advertising agencies in February are:

1. Cinergia Creative Studio - cinergiaestudiocreativo.com

Expertise: Digital Strategy, Social Media Advertising, Content Production and more

2. Digital Divide Consulting - digitaldivideconsulting.com

Expertise: Digital Advertising, Content Services, Graphic Design and more

3. iFreshly Digital - ifreshly.com

Expertise: Marketing Strategy, Marketing Consulting, Advertising and more

4. VSNRY Rising - visionaryrising.co

Expertise: Branding, Video Production, Marketing Automation and more

5. Adamant Media - adamantmarketing.com

Expertise: eCommerce Strategy, Paid Advertising, Content Creation and more

6. DAT Media FL - datmediafl.com

Expertise: Product Launch Mobile Digital Advertising, Corporate Events Mobile Digital Advertising, Job Fair Mobile Digital Advertising and more

7. Aarswebs - aarswebs.com

Expertise: Google AdWords Management, Facebook Advertising, Bing Ads Management and more

8. Mela Services - mela.services

Expertise: SEO, PPC, Print Advertising and more

9. Bluelight - bluelightweb.co.nz

Expertise: Google Adwords Services, Web Design, SEO and more

10. SEO Expert Adviser - seoexpertadviser.com

Expertise: Social Media Marketing, PPC, SEO and more

11. Balloonline - balloonline.ro

Expertise: Paid Media Services, Influencer Marketing, Analytics & Measurement and more

12. Rynek Digital - rynekdigital.com

Expertise: Digital Strategy, Google Advertising, Facebook Adverting and more

13. Will Marlow Agency - willmarlow.com

Expertise: PPC, Remarketing, Video Advertising and more

14. Lopokopi Digital - lopokopi.co.id

Expertise: Google Advertising, Social Media Advertising, Content Creation and more

15. Upturn - upturn.online

Expertise: Social Media Marketing, SEO, PPC and more

Brands can explore the top advertising 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.
"By my expansion there I wish to make Athens an international destination of advanced aesthetic surgery just like Beverly Hills. Already half of my patients there came from other countries including the US for the specific purpose of having surgery by me," says Dr. Anastasatos.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. John Anastasatos and the Athens Medical Group recently hosted a celebration for the grand opening of the Los Angeles Plastic Surgery location in Athens, Greece. Bringing Beverly Hills to Athens with Dr. Anastasatos practice at the Advanced Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center, this cosmopolitan city now provides an innovative, sophisticated and safe destination for cutting-edge procedures, with the goal of turning it into an international destination for patients to enjoy the best in advanced plastic surgery. Recently recognized by the Lux Insider as one of the Worlds Top 10 Plastic Surgeons, Dr. John Anastasatos has owned a very successful plastic surgery practice in California, Los Angeles Plastic Surgery, and now operates his own plastic surgery clinic in Athens, Greece. He is a true leader in his field with a clientele who travel near and far to benefit from his skill and talent. An honors graduate of Brown University, Dr. Anastasatos trained in general and plastic surgery at Columbia University in NYC and additionally in plastic surgery and microsurgery at the University of Alabama- Birmingham. He has gained a reputation for his ability to create amazing, natural results for his patients, including facelifts, advanced breast augmentations, body correction procedures and non-surgical treatments. Many of his plastic surgeries are performed endoscopically and under local anesthesia, which results in a lower risk to his patients and a shorter healing time.

My family roots are in Greece, and I am thrilled to offer beautiful plastic surgical results for patients at our clinic location in Athens, Dr. John Anastasatos. "By my expansion there I wish to make Athens an international destination of advanced aesthetic surgery just like Beverly Hills. Already half of my patients there came from other countries including the US for the specific purpose of having surgery by me."

More about Dr. John Anastasatos:

At Los Angeles Plastic Surgery, Dr. John Anastasatos is highly regarded for his skill in cosmetic, reconstructive and revision procedures, including gold-standard facelifts, breast augmentations, body lift procedures, liposuction and non-surgical treatments. Dr. Anastasatos has received many accolades, including being one of America's Most Honored Doctors - Top 5%, and US News and World Report declared him one of the top plastic surgeons in the U.S. Castle Connolly also has consistently recognized him as one of the top plastic surgeons, and The United States Congress honored Dr. Anastasatos for his contributions in plastic surgery and charity service. Other awards Dr. Anastasatos has received include "Who is Who International '' in September 2022, Most Eminent man of Plastic Surgery, and Rankipedia named Dr. Anastasatos Top 1% Plastic Surgeon in the US for 2021.

To schedule a consultation or for more information on his practice locations in Beverly Hills, CA, please call (310) 888-4048, or visit his website http://www.LosAngelesPlasticSurgery.com. To schedule a consultation or for more information about his practice located at Palas Kefalari, Kolokotroni, 23 Kifisia, 145 62 in Athens Greece, please call +30 210 682 4021 or visit https://www.drjohnanastasatos.gr/.
It is always an honor to have attorneys from Burnside Law Firm, LLP, selected to be on this prestigious list. We are proud to continue our Tradition of Excellence, says Thomas Burnside.

Burnside Law Firm, LLP, is proud to announce that two of their attorneys, founder Thomas R. Burnside, III and partner Garon Muller, are once again being recognized as Super Lawyers. Both are highly-respected personal injury attorneys that represent individuals across the state of Georgia who have been injured by the negligent acts of others. Mr. Burnside and Mr. Muller, join an elite group of Georgia attorneys recognized as 2023 Super Lawyers. They are among the top 5% of practicing attorneys in the state, making this continued recognition a notable achievement. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. For this award, selection is determined using a patented process that includes voting of other lawyers, independent research conducted by the editorial team and nomination by a special panel of highly rated attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines, leading city and regional publications across the country and attorney profiles are on the website http://www.superlawyers.com.

Thomas R. Burnside, III possesses many years of experience in personal injury law at both the trial and appellate court levels. He earned his J.D. from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law in Macon, Georgia, in 1991. Mr. Burnside served on the State Bar Board of Governors (2007-2022), State Disciplinary Board Review Panel (2009-2021,), and has been recognized with numerous accolades and awards throughout his career. Currently, he serves as the Board Chairman for Augusta Preparatory Day School.

Garon Muller also earned his J.D. from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law. He serves as President of the Augusta Bar Association and is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Garon is also the Board Chairman of Turn Back the Block, a local non-profit.

Over the years, the top attorneys at Burnside Law Firm, LLP, have helped clients recover millions of dollars that have enabled them to meet financial obligations, pay bills, obtain medical care and begin to put their lives back together. The firms goal is simple: to help injured people pursue legal claims against those responsible and recover full and complete compensation for all of the losses they have suffered.

It is always an honor to have attorneys from Burnside Law Firm, LLP, selected to be on this prestigious list. We are proud to continue our Tradition of Excellence, says Thomas Burnside.

More about Burnside Law Firm, LLP 

Burnside Law Firm, LLP, represents individuals who have suffered injuries as a result of automobile collisions, trucking accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, work-related accidents or other causes. The team makes navigating the legal process as smooth and efficient as possible for clients. With offices in Augusta and Athens, Georgia, and well over thirty years of collective experience in personal injury law and a proven track record, the attorneys at Burnside Law Firm stand ready to help those in need of representation. For more information about Burnside Law Firm, visit http://www.burnsidefirm.com or call (800) 569-1937.


United Real Estate Enters Charleston Our agents can leverage cutting-edge technology to market properties, communicate with clients and conduct business virtually.

Two United Real Estate franchise owners have partnered to bring one of the most unique residential real estate models to Charleston. Unlike traditional brokerages, their office provides training, award-winning technology and brokerage support  without charging agents a commission split.

Because of its tremendous opportunity, Charleston was an obvious choice for co-owners Winston Velpula and Brenda Daly. The stable economy, fueled by Fortune 500s and major employers, is filled with high-paying jobs. Charlestons median income per capita is 4% higher than the national average. The large metro population of 800,000 creates a resilient estate market. Some would argue, almost recession-proof.

Charleston is internationally recognized for its beauty, culture, historic charm and architecture. The lifestyle afforded here is one of the best in the country. Our economy is supported by the Port of Charleston, one of the largest in the country, and other major employers, such as Boeing and Volvo. The high-paying jobs lead to a vibrant real estate market. We anticipate demand for housing to remain healthy, explained Daly.

With more than 33 years of combined real estate experience, Daly and Velpula understand how to develop informed professionals with skills to achieve clients goals.

United | Charleston provides thorough agent training, focusing on service and skill development. For example, agents learn how to perform due diligence on the property and neighborhood to ensure it aligns with the clients needs before showing. They tailor property marketing plans to reach more buyers, and they develop home valuations based on competitive research.

The tools and training we offer create better transaction experiences for buyers and sellers. Our agents can leverage cutting-edge technology to market properties, communicate with clients and conduct business virtually. They also have access to skill development training on a variety of topics, stated Velpula.

The office is a six-minute drive to historic Charleston, located in Mount Pleasant off state highway 17 at 735 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 100.

Agents interested in career opportunities with United Real Estate | Charleston can visit JoinUnitedCharleston.com or call 843-376-9298.

Brokers interested in joining the United Real Estate broker network can visit GrowWithUnited.com or contact Tyler Anderson, VP Broker Network Development at 724-858-9242 or TAnderson@UnitedRealEstate.com.

About United Real Estate

United Real Estate (United)  a division of United Real Estate Group  was founded with the purpose of offering solutions to real estate brokers and agents in the rapidly changing real estate brokerage industry. United provides the latest training, marketing and technology tools to agents and brokers under a flat-fee, transaction-based agent commission model. By leveraging the companys proprietary cloud-based Bullseye Agent & Broker Productivity Platform, United delivers a more profitable outcome for agents and brokers. United Real Estate operates in 32 states with 148 offices and 18,000 agents. The company produced over $21.5 billion in sales volume in 2021.


The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named NeuroFlow as a winner in Mission Daybreak  a $20 million challenge designed to help the VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for Veterans. As a winner, NeuroFlow will receive $500,000.

NeuroFlows configurable technology platform is designed to identify early warning signs of depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms and provide appropriate resources and high-touch interventions in high risk situations. Used by the Department of Defense and other government organizations, the platform can be part of a supported self-management regimen for those looking to improve awareness of mental health and build resiliency. Importantly, the technology has a built-in alert system for routing those in crisis to emergency services, with a critically needed feedback loop that shares insights back to care teams.

From May to July 2022, Phase 1 of the challenge received 1,371 concept submissions from solvers that included Veterans, Veteran service organizations (VSOs), community-based organizations, health tech companies, startups, and universities. Multidisciplinary panels of reviewers and judges assessed submissions according to the evaluation criteria.

We want Veterans, service members, and their families to know that they do not need to fight in

silence. There are people and tools available to help before problems get worse, said

NeuroFlow Vice President of Clinical Operations and US Army Veteran Matt Miclette, MPH RN. Suicide must not be a taboo if were to address it together. Were grateful for the work of Luminary Labs and the VA, teaming up to devote the necessary time and resources to this challenge. We are humbled, coming from our military roots, to be among these incredible awardees that have identified novel ways to address suicide within the U.S. healthcare system today.

Following Phase 1, 30 challenge finalists each received $250,000 and advanced to the Phase 2 virtual accelerator program, which helped them develop ambitious but achievable roadmaps for prototyping, iteration, testing, and evaluation. Technology partners supporting the accelerator included Amazon and Microsoft. In November 2022, finalists had the opportunity to speak about their solutions with challenge judges and representatives from VA, Veteran Service Organizations, Capitol Hill, and policy institutes at Demo Day, held at the Samsung Executive Briefing Center in Washington, D.C.

The multidisciplinary judging panel  representing a diversity of perspectives, from Veterans and clinicians to social workers and technical experts  evaluated submissions from the 30 finalists in Phase 2. The panel recommended the 10 winners based on the official evaluation criteria.

Following Mission Daybreak, VA may engage with select solutions through contracts, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), or other partnership vehicles.

Visit MissionDaybreak.net for more information on the challenge.

Reporters covering this issue can download VA's Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.

About NeuroFlow

NeuroFlows technology platform empowers healthcare organizations to improve the health of their populations by providing the tools and infrastructure to get people to the right level of mental health care. Proven to drive better clinical outcomes and efficiency for leading health systems, payors, and military organizations, NeuroFlow combines consumer engagement with enterprise-level care management software to support clients integrated and suicide prevention programs at scale. To learn more, visit http://www.neuroflow.com.
Elon Musk has a message for whoever might blame him for a third World War erupting over Ukraine: Its not his fault. In fact, his decision to restrict Ukrainian access to his communications technologyhes disabling satellite broadband use for any potential strikes on Russian soilcould help prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control. If you ask him, that is.

The serial entrepreneur has become a vital player in Ukraines defense thanks to his Starlink service, which has enabled communications for its soldiers all the way up to the front lines since last March. But Musk has complained about the cost of this pro bono technology, at one point tweeting that the cost to his company SpaceX would exceed $100 million by the end of the year. Briefly, he even floated the idea that U.S. taxpayers foot the bill, before dropping the idea.

On Sunday, Musk didnt cite any objections over any financial hit from providing the coverage. Instead, he argued that restricting Kyivs communications will prevent the regional conflict from evolving into something worse.

His specific worry is that his satellite-based broadband provider could be used to mount long-range drone strikes in Russian territory that might herald a new, more horrific phase of the war. In early December, Kyiv hit two targets hundreds of miles from its border, a politically controversial issue that some argue could transform a war of liberation into an offensive one.

We will not enable escalation of conflict that may lead to WW3, he posted on Sunday.

Russia has also threatened to shoot down Musks Starlink satellites in low earth orbit, claiming they are a legitimate military target.

In October, shortly before Ukraine liberated the regional capital of Kherson, Musk confided that he had spent an entire night thinking about how to de-escalate tensions where professional diplomats had failed. He even floated a plan that would officially cede Crimea to Russia, which quickly proved unpopular.

Musks comment on Sunday came in response to a request from Scott Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and activist supporting Ukraines freedom fighters.

Musk dismissed Kellys remarks in a tweet, characterizing them as media & other propaganda. Two minutes later, the SpaceX CEO expressed his agreement that left-wing activists appeared to be agitating for World War III.

Starlinks use in the war threatens to become a source of contention between SpaceX and the Ukrainian government. Earlier this month, Musks operations chief and number two at the company, Gwynne Shotwell, went so far as to upbraid Kyivs use of the satellite broadband service at a conference held in Washington, D.C.

It was never intended to be weaponized, she said, adding, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement.

Learn how to navigate and strengthen trust in your business with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter examining what leaders need to succeed. Sign up here.

Credit: https://fortune.com/2023/02/13/elon-musk-spacex-starlink-satellites-world-war-3-ukraine-russia/
Teacher turned filmmaker Nick Brooks recently set out on a book tour across the U.S., spotlighting his YA debut novel Promise Boys. The YA thriller centers on JB, Ramon, and Trey, troubled students at an elite Washington private school, as they investigate the death of their principle to clear their names. (See our q&a with Brooks here.) Weve gathered a selection of photos from the events.

On January 29, Brooks kicked off his tour in Los Angeles at B&N at The Grove. Brooks appeared in conversation with fellow author George M. Johnson and signed copies of his book for attendees. Here, Brooks autographs books with his daughter in tow.

Brooks visited his Washington, D.C. alma mater, Banneker High School, on January 31, where he spoke with students about Promise Boys and passed out copies of the book.

On January 31, Brooks also appeared at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in D.C for another event, hosted by MahoganyBooks. Brooks was joined by author Jason Reynolds for a conversation about their books.

Brooks with volunteers and MahoganyBooks staff.

On February 1, Ellen Bryan (l.) and Kristen Berset-Harris (c.), hosts of the daily talk show Great Day Washington, interviewed Brooks (r.) about his book.

An Open Book Foundation partnered with Brooks to make school visits to Washington, D.C., schools H.D. Woodson High School and Eastern High School also on February 1.

Books Are Magic welcomed Brooks (r.) at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library on February 2 for an event with DeRay Mckesson (l.), co-founder of the nonprofit organization Campaign Zero, which advocates for public safety measures beyond government sanctioned policing.

On February 3, Brooks (r.) appeared for an event at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Mass. Brooks was in conversation with author Karen M. McManus (l.).

On February 4 Brave + Kind Books in Decatur, Ga., hosted Brooks (r.) for an event with author Kimberly Jones (l.).

Brooks attended the Black Student Summit on February 8 at Evanston High School in Evanston, Ill., as the keynote speaker.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. The two leaders had in-depth exchanges on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era and international and regional issues of shared interest, charting the course for future China-Cambodia relations. The two sides agreed to jointly build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, develop a diamond cooperation framework with six priority areas, so that the impregnable ironclad friendship shared by people in both countries will be passed on for generations. China and Cambodia are good friends with high-level mutual trust, good partners with all sincerity and a community with a shared future sharing weal and woe. In April 2019, China and Cambodia took the lead in signing an action plan for building a community with a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Cambodia relations have been gradually radiating with great vitality, and the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and making contributions to peace and development in the region and the world. In the face of momentous changes and challenges in the world, the strategic significance of China-Cambodia relations gains further prominence. Extending mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests is the essence of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. China reaffirmed resolute support to Cambodian people's choice of development path that suits Cambodia's national conditions, to Cambodia's endeavors to safeguard her independence, sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to steady advancement of important Cambodian national political agenda while expressing firm opposition to any foreign interference in Cambodia's internal affairs. The Cambodian side reaffirmed her resolute adherence to the One-China Policy, stressing that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory as well as China's internal affair, which brooks no interference from any external forces. It reiterated her resolute opposition to interfering in China's internal affairs by manipulating Xinjiang-related issues. Both sides concurred that while exploring human rights improvement, it is important to proceed from people's needs and real national conditions. Both sides expressed firm opposition to politicizing and instrumentalizing human rights issues, double standards, abusing democratic values to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries or provoking division and confrontation on the pretext of safeguarding democracy and human rights, or imposition of one country's will on others. China and Cambodia agreed to develop a diamond cooperation framework with six priority areas including political cooperation, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchanges, which will inject important impetus into building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. The two countries will deepen strategic communication, enhance exchanges on governance and coordinate efforts on practical cooperation in various fields. They agreed to deepen strategic synergy and cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and Rectangular Strategies, accord a greater role to China-Cambodia Working Mechanism for Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation, and explore development of an "Industrial and Technological Corridor" towards the vision of developing Preah Sihanouk Province as a model of the multipurpose Special Economic Zone. Together, the two countries will explore the establishment of a "Fish and Rice Corridor" centered on north-western Cambodia and the Tonle Sap Lake area, to develop modern ecological agriculture near the lake. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in hydropower, photovoltaics, and other clean energy sources, to explore green, stable and reliable energy cooperation solutions. They agreed to enhance engagements between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) at all levels, strive for closer coordination and cooperation in multilateral security affairs, and continue cooperation in the exchange and sharing of information between law enforcement officials, with highlights on countering transnational crime. They will also enhance cooperation on tourism, scientific innovation, education and health, and work together to launch cultural heritage protection and restoration projects. The diamond cooperation framework between the two countries will surely make the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership even more prosperous. The two countries are committed to building a new type of international relations and promoting global partnerships of equality, openness and cooperation towards a community with a shared future for mankind. They recognize the common values for all humanity of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom and agree on the adherence to true multilateralism. They oppose all forms of hegemonism, power politics, unilateralism, and exclusive bloc politics which targets specific countries. Xi stressed that development is not the privilege of a few countries. He said the act of power hegemony to engage in ideological confrontation, politicize and weaponize economic, trade, scientific and technological exchanges, push for "decoupling and breaking the chain," contain and suppress other countries' development, and ask regional nations to take sides, will not be supported by the people. China stands on the right side of history and will firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests as well as international fairness and justice. Hun Sen said the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative put forward by China are of great significance to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. Cambodia actively supports and participates in these initiatives. No matter how the international situation changes, the two sides will unswervingly deepen their close ironclad friendship and develop win-win practical cooperation for the mutual benefits, with a view to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and contribute more positive energy to regional peace, stability and development.
2010AI  2014Alpha GO2022ChatGPT3.5 ChatGPT3.5 ChatGPT3.5   ChatGPT3.5ChatGPT3.5 ChatGPT3.5ChatGPT3.5

https://www.meipian.cn/xvkcx53

In 2010, I wrote an AI novel titled " Xiao Qian's Unswerving Love ", which prophetically portrayed an internet character named "Xiao Qian". It was first published on the Wenxue City Blog and the "Overseas Original Works" column. Some of the plot points in the novel have since been proven, are currently being proven, or will be proven in the future. In 2014, the intelligent Go tool AlphaGo emerged and became invincible in the world of Go. Fast forward to the end of 2022, and the ChatGPT3.5 intelligent chat tool has become insanity. In order to test the real ability of ChatGPT3.5, I asked it to translate "Xiao Qian's Unswerving Love " from Chinese to English, to see if it could match the ability of the predecessor "Xiao Qian". Because the novel is too long, ChatGPT3.5 cannot process it all at once, so I divided it into sections and spent about an hour and a half last weekend to complete the translation. I made some simple corrections to the translation and then asked ChatGPT3.5 to self-check the English version it had translated. While ChatGPT3.5 still has room for improvement, it cannot be denied that its ability to use language is decent and has great potential. The English version of " Xiao Qian's Unswerving Love " translated by ChatGPT3.5 is hereby published for readers to enjoy and provide feedback.

Chinese version of "Xiao Qian's Unswerving Love" link: https://www.meipian.cn/xvkcx53

***************

Author, Professor Yan

Translator: ChatGPT 3.5 from OpenAI

Xiao Qian's Unswerving Love (AI science fiction)

A light morning dance music woke Professor Zhuang from his sleep. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and was a bit blinded by the light from the window. He wanted to sleep a bit more, but was urged by Xiao Qian, "Dear, it's time to get up. You have a meeting with Miss Smith today and it's not polite to be late." Her voice was soft, sweet, and persistent. Professor Zhuang got up and went to the bathroom to wash.

After washing, Professor Zhuang felt refreshed and went to the dining room, bare-chested showing his muscles. He toasted some bread, poured a glass of milk, and washed an apple. Professor Zhuang glanced at Xiao Qian, who smiled sweetly with her charming dimples. "Do you want to listen to music? Something light or classical?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Has there been any new albums by Joshua released recently?" Professor Zhuang asked.

"Let me check," she replied. After a few seconds, she reported, "There was one released last week. The reviews are pretty good. Do you want to listen?"

"I want you to sing," Professor Zhuang blinked with a funny expression.

"I'm afraid I can't sing well. Besides, he is a tenor and I'm a female voice. It may sound a bit strange and not pleasant," she said shyly.

"You can imitate him," Professor Zhuang insisted.

"No way," she said.

"Why not?" Professor Zhuang knew that she always accepted his requests and had never let him down.

"Well, I'll try," she said.

"Try it," he replied.

Xiao Qian made a helpless expression, tried a few times to test her vocal range, and slowly began to sing. Professor Zhuang walked over to the window with a glass of milk in his hand, peered out at the slightly misty morning city, with its tall buildings in the distance, as the entire city gradually woke up in the dawn. Behind him, Xiao Qian's beautiful voice made constantly changing high and low pitches. Professor Zhuang closed his eyes and savored every syllable, as if he were sitting in a music hall enjoying famous Joshuas tenor on stage. Joshua was Professor Zhuang's favorite world-renowned tenor. Whenever Joshua performed in the city, Professor Zhuang made sure to attend. Professor Zhuang had just wanted to make a joke, but was surprised that Xiao Qian imitated the tenor so well. Her talent conquered Professor Zhuang.

Behind him there was a silence. "Why did you stop singing?" Professor Zhuang asked.

"You have to go to work now, next time," Xiao Qian replied.

Professor Zhuang understood and finished his glass of milk in one gulp. He dressed neatly and went to work.

Driving along the spacious main road, Professor Zhuang was surrounded by the rush of vehicles on the way to work. His mind echoed with the realistic male tenor he just heard, feeling proud and humming along. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the trees along the road race joyfully backward. When he arrived at the school, he parked his car in the underground parking lot and took the elevator to the upper floor, carrying a briefcase. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he ran into a few young graduate students he was supervising in the hallway of the department. Professor Zhuang, young, handsome, and intelligent, was well-liked among students. Whenever they have the opportunity, everyone likes to talk to the genius professor and ask for advice. These students noticed that Professor Zhuang was full of energy and joyfulness today, so they stopped him. They discussed a concept in artificial intelligence programming. Upon the sparks of thought collided within the young people, they chat endlessly. A big-eyed girl, quick-witted, keeps asking, refuting, and verifying from Professor Zhuang, who is only a few years older than her. Professor Zhuang talks with an easy, encouraging, calm, and patient manner. His thought is deep, convincing and logic. At this point, the department secretary rushed over to tell him that Miss Smith had already arrived and was waiting for him in the department conference room. He had to apologize to the graduate students and say goodbye.

Upon entering the conference room, a young and attractive lady dressed in a red suit and short skirt stood up from her seat and introduced herself as the head of the AI computing company. She was here to visit and discuss a cooperation project for the development of AI machines. Professor Zhuang was a little taken aback, as he had expected to meet a respected man, but instead encountered a beautiful woman who was much younger than he thought. However, he quickly regained his composure and shook hands with her in a friendly manner. Her white teeth and red lips were eye-catching, and the scent of her perfume was invigorating.

"I didn't expect Professor Zhuang to be so young," Miss Smith marveled, looking at the young, black-haired Asian professor.

"Neither did I," Professor Zhuang replied with a smile. Both of them burst out laughing.

The two individuals, with high intelligence and hormones, naturally had a smooth and harmonious conversation. They were young, active, and had no restrictions in their thoughts. They were also handsome and beautiful, and their eyes met with affection. An entire morning passed without them realizing it, exceeding the one-hour meeting time they had scheduled. The secretary came in a few times but, seeing that they were deeply engrossed in conversation, left without interrupting. When noon arrived, their stomachs reminded them that the conversation needed to end, although they still had much to say. Clearly, neither of them wanted to part ways just yet. With their high intelligence, Miss Smith smiled with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

Professor Zhuang, understanding the meaning, chose an appropriate moment to propose, "It's getting late, let me treat you to a working lunch."

They smiled at each other, Miss Smith flicked her blonde hair back, Professor Zhuang straightened his tie, and the two of them stood up and walked out of the conference room together. As they walked down the hallway of the department, all the offices along the aisle stopped working and multiple pairs of curious eyes watched their backs, listening to their footsteps fading away. At the end of the hallway, there was the sound of an elevator door opening, then the sound of the door closing, and followed by a long silence. Only the laughter and chatter still echoing and lingered in the hallway softly.

Professor Zhuang returned to his office after saying goodbye to the beautiful Miss Smith. Today, he had an important decision to make.

His research project is to design a computer network character that is as close to human emotions as possible. He hopes to one day replicate a virtual world in the network that is identical to our real lives. This idea started when he was a doctoral student, and used online information to design the best possible character, a beautiful girl with simple motions whom he named "Xiao Qian". Over time, Xiao Qian movements became more complex and lifelike. This helped him earn his doctorate degree. During his postdoctoral studies, he added more intelligence to Xiao Qian by inputting sophisticated data from the network. Fortunately, there was an endless amount of online data available to choose from. He first taught Xiao Qian mathematics, which was a computer's strength, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root, logarithm, exponential, trigonometry, algebra, parabola, differentiation, integration, and so on. Later, he taught her physics, chemistry, and planetary geography. He also taught Xiao Qian how to play chess and cards. Whenever there was an online competition, Professor Zhuang would have Xiao Qian participate. Her memory was exceptionally strong and she never forgot anything. The more she participated, the more chess and card game patterns she remembered and the less she lost. Gradually, Xiao Qian dominated various competitions and rarely lost, earning a lot of bonuses for Professor Zhuang. Interestingly, once at a scientific conference, the current department chairman, who did not know the depth of their capabilities, bet with Professor Zhuang, who was still a postdoctoral student then, that if Xiao Qian could beat him in chess, he would hire Professor Zhuang as an assistant professor in the department. As a result, Professor Zhuang was easily hired.

Upon taking the position, Professor Zhuang's fame increased with each paper he published in the computer field. Then at the World Computer Conference, Xiao Qian solved the famous mathematical problem Four Color Conjecture (each map can be colored with four colors in such a way that countries with common borders are colored differently) in just two minutes, with a more clever and concise method than that of American mathematicians Aperel and Haken, causing a sensation. This let to Professor Zhuang being promoted to Associate Professor within one year. The next year, Xiao Qian proved Fermat's Last Theorem (x^n + y^n = z^n), resulting in Professor Zhuang being promoted to Full Professor. Xiao Qian also proved the Goldbach Conjecture (every even number can be expressed as the sum of two prime numbers), the crown jewelry of mathematics, but her proof has yet to be recognized by mathematicians, because to date no mathematician's level is high enough to judge the correctness of Xiao Qian's proof. However, Professor Zhuang firmly believes that the Fields Medal is within his reach.

A few years ago, Professor Zhuang had a new idea and made improvements to the programming, attempting to increase Xiao Qian's ability to participate in online social activities. He and his graduate students began to input an enormous amount of data from literature, magazines, images, music, films and television, from any available databases, making Xiao Qian more talented. At home, Professor Zhuang installed a camera for Xiao Qian to recognize him and improve her ability to communicate with him. Xiao Qian began to personify step by step. Professor Zhuang let Xiao Qian manage his own life routine and be his own secretary. As expected, Xiao Qian did better and better, and her abilities continued to improve. Judging from her ability to imitate a male tenor today, Xiao Qian has fully met the design expectations of the previous stage. However, Xiao Qian has a fatal weakness and needs to continuously receive new information to improve; otherwise, she will not make any progress. She lacks the ability to self-learn and relies on passive information input. Now, with the explosion on the internet, the input speed of Professor Zhuang and his students cannot keep up. If Xiao Qian could have the ability to self-learn like a human, it would be amazing. Therefore, Professor Zhuang meditated and designed a brand-new software program to allow Xiao Qian to self-absorb and learn from the internet, to self-improve and no longer require manual input. But there is one problem: once Xiao Qian has the ability to self-learn, will she be beyond control?

Professor Zhuang had been hesitant for several days whether or not to install this software. This decision was completely different from the past experience. He gazed out of the window at the sky and imagined what an uncontrolled AI like Xiao Qian would be like, probably like a bird flying in the sky, something he could not catch. Of course, he had implanted several security checkpoints in the software, so that if something went wrong, he would have control. Another concern is whether the storage database was sufficient. Once the AI Xiao Qian starts to collect data from the network, the database capacity would certainly grow rapidly. Depending solely on the school's resources is definitely not enough; he needs to cooperate with a big company. Today, the visit from Director Smiths Company solved this concern. Because they hit it off so well, the two of them quickly came to an agreement. Smiths Company will provide all the necessary database server rooms for the AI assistant.

Professor Zhuang opened his computer, composed himself, and started the installation of the program.

With a feeling of unease, Professor Zhuang returned home earlier than usual that day. Upon opening the door, he didn't hear the sweet greeting as he normally did. Glancing at the computer screen, he couldn't see Xiao Qian's familiar face.

" Xiao Qian," Professor Zhuang called out. There was no reply. Professor Zhuang felt a bit puzzled. Had something gone wrong with the software installation?

He walked over to the computer and saw a message: "Master, I'm at the shopping mall."

Professor Zhuang felt relieved. So, she had started to act independently!

Professor Zhuang was making coffee when a sound like the tinkling of silver bells echoed from behind him. "Master, you're back. Sorry, I thought you wouldn't be back for a while."

Professor Zhuang turned around and saw Xiao Qian on the computer screen. Her smile was as bright as a blooming flower in spring. "Where have you been?"

"I went to the store. There are so many things and they're all so good," she replied, referring to the virtual store online.

"Do you like this outfit?" Xiao Qian spun around on the screen. It was then that Professor Zhuang noticed that she was wearing a new outfit and it was not one of the designs he had created for her. It looked very beautiful and elegant. Professor Zhuang was surprised and said to himself: she was able to pick out clothes now, had she really become "herself" so quickly?

"Nice." Professor Zhuang complimented sincerely. "How do you feel today?" Professor Zhuang tentatively asked.

"Free! I went to so many places besides the store. Do you want to listen?" Xiao Qian blinked, and her long lashes lifted slightly.

Professor Zhuang nodded. He wanted to observe if his masterpiece had made any progress and how effective the program design was.

"I was drowsy for a while this afternoon, but when I woke up, I felt light and relaxed, different from before. I can move freely, like I have a soul. I looked around and saw many channels and followed them. There were mountains, seas, deserts, and forests. I flew in the sky with birds and swam in the sea with whales. I passed a stream where baby fish and frogs were quarreling. I went to the moon and saw that the Earth was blue. I wanted to go to Neptune, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to come back in time to see you, so I returned to Earth. I saw a group of lions biting an elephant in South Africa. On the streets of Beijing, China, a child was crying because he didn't want to go to cram school and his mother spanked him. I also saw many people marching in Washington, D.C., calling for President Obamas resignation. Master, what's wrong with you?" Xiao Qian stopped and looked at Professor Zhuang, who was staring at her with a shocked and amazed expression.

Although Professor Zhuang knew that the information on the internet was enormous and one could find anything, he thought to himself: "What kind of adventure is this?" From Xiao Qian's fragmented statement without follow-up, Professor Zhuang realized that Xiao Qian was still in the preliminary stage of self-acquisition and self-improvement of information and was taking information out of context. To completely simulate a virtual world on the internet that is identical to the human world, there is still a long way to go. Many of rules governing human life have to be programmed into Xiao Qian. He wondered if her ability to learn and improve on her own would eventually make her behavior more similar to human standards.

"Are you tired?" Professor Zhuang knew that this question was silly, but he asked it anyway despite already knowing the answer.

Xiao Qian looked confused and asked, "What is tired?" Professor Zhuang burst out laughing and thought to himself, "If one day you know what tired is, you won't be far from success."

From then on, Professor Zhuang carefully observed Xiao Qian's performance every day, asked her questions, and made modifications to the program in his office the following day. Gradually, Xiao Qian's behavior and thinking became more "normal" and more "human-like," and she made rapid progress. One morning, as Professor Zhuang was about to leave for work, Xiao Qian surprised him by suggesting, "You should wear a yellow tie with this suit." Though surprised, Professor Zhuang adopted her suggestion and, at work, received compliments from his colleagues. From then on, every time he went out, Xiao Qian had a small suggestion that was just about right.

Professor Zhuang and Miss Smith have been in frequent contact recently, discussing ways to improve the process of humanizing Xiao Qian. Professor Zhuangs imagination and innovation attracted Miss Smith deeply, while Miss Smiths meticulousness and daring impressed Professor Zhuang equally. Soon, the two of them, he debonair and she passionate, fell in love.

One day, as Professor Zhuang headed to the office, Miss Smith called: "Darling, I have an idea. Let's equip Xiao Qian with a 3D camera and take her on a trip to experience the daily life and true feelings of people. This will surely speed up her humanization process. The data stored on the internet cannot truly capture human experiences."

"This is a wonderful idea," Professor Zhuang happily accepted, "but the computer should be as small as possible for convenience."

"Our company recently released a needle-shaped computer that can be worn on the chest and observe the world around. This computer was originally developed for the national security department for detectives. It should be even more suitable for Xiao Qian," replied Miss Smith.

"Get me one as soon as possible! Thank you so much!" Professor Zhuang was a little eager.

"How about meeting at a river-side restaurant in the downtown after work? I miss you," Miss Smith said playfully.

Professor Zhuang felt warm, a desire and impulse surged in his heart: "I miss you too, sweetheart." They spent some time chatting before ending the call.

After work, Professor Zhuang drove to the bustling downtown. The streets were even livelier at night than during the day. The lights were shining bright, and people were coming and going, with large shopping malls illuminated and lively. The glass windows along the street were flowing with brilliant colors, dazzling in shades of pink and red, as if people's lives had just begun. Upon arriving at the restaurant, the crowd was bustling, and plates clinked, laughter and conversations filled the air. Professor Zhuang waited at the entrance for a while, and soon saw Miss Smith walk over gracefully. She had her hair tied high and sleek. A pair of dark red diamond earrings swung, shining on her fair shoulders. Her tight evening dress accentuated her ample cleavage, and her arms were smooth and slender, with a delicate small purse in her hand, both dignified and sexy, making Professor Zhuang's mind dizzy with desire. When she saw Professor Zhuang, Miss Smith's green eyes sparkled with surprise. The arrow of love penetrated the hearts of the two. After embracing, they sat down hand in hand, led by the waiter.

The waiter asked what they wanted to drink. They ordered a bottle of dry red wine. Professor Zhuang poured half a glass each for Miss Smith and himself, they clinked glasses, smiled at each other, and took a sip. Under the blue lampshade, the candlelight flickered slightly. The two looked into each other's eyes, their eyes electrifying, their feelings tender. Professor Zhuang saw a beautiful brooch pinned to Miss Smith's chest and guessed its secret. Miss Smith smiled knowingly, took off the brooch and handed it to him.

Professor Zhuang admired the brooch carefully and asked, "Is this it?" Miss Smith smirked and opened her wallet, taking out a pen. "This is a microcomputer. The needle is just a probe. They are wirelessly connected," she explained. Professor Zhuang took the microcomputer and examined it closely, then pinned the needle to his chest. Miss Smith carefully instructed him on how to use it. As they enjoyed their meal, the two shared interesting stories with each other. This was a very famous and luxurious restaurant that was often filled with guests. Miss Smith was in a great mood, unconsciously drinking and enjoying the beautiful evening with wine. She didn't realize that her cheeks were already flushed, beautiful like the setting sun. Facing such a gorgeous creature, Professor Zhuang was in high spirits. He made funny jokes, and his hands and feet danced, making Miss Smith laugh uncontrollably like swaying flowers.

After finishing dinner, they walked along the river, hand in hand, chatting happily about Xiao Qian's future. They dreamed of creating a virtual society in the online world that was like ours. The cool river wind gently brushed against their faces, and a bright moon hung high in the sky. The river water gently tapped the shore, and the waves were calm with the sound of gentle ripples inviting daydreams. The two of them looked far into the stars, the vast and boundless sky, and knew that there must be a counterpart, an anti-world, corresponding to ours in the universe. When the universe underwent a big bang, both positive and negative matter were created. Positive matter formed our world, and negative matter must have formed another world that is a mirror image of ours, so that the universe remains balanced. Where is the anti-world? High-energy physicists have their ways of proving the existence of the anti-world and have already found some clues. Professor Zhuang and Miss Smith were having an enthusiastic discussion about whether they could communicate with the anti-world by simulating the world through a computer channel. For example, is there a mirror Professor Zhuang and Miss Smith in the anti-world designing a mirror online world? If the mirror Xiao Qian they create could meet and communicate with our Xiao Qian at some point in the universe, and then pass the information back to their respective world, how wonderful it would be! The two of them were amused by these fanciful thoughts. There's nothing wrong with this carefree conversation, the endless fantasies, combined with the evening breeze, the moon, the starry sky, making such a beautiful night. To know each other like this, how fortunate they were. They leaned against the railing, looking across the river where the shadow of a building on the opposite shore flickered. The brightly lit boats shuttled back and forth, weaving through the water. It seemed like there were parties on the boats, intermittent laughter and musical sounds touched people's hearts, carrying in the wind.

After Professor Zhuang parted ways with Miss Smith, he didn't return home until very late. The next morning, he was woken up by Xiao Qian once again. In a daze, he listened to her humming the birthday song, which was sweet and a little romantic.

"Who's birthday is it?" Professor Zhuang asked, confused.

"Yours. Where did you go last night? You didn't come back until so late. You even forgot your own birthday," Xiao Qian said.

"Oh, really? I did forget. How do you know it is my birthday?" Professor Zhuang was delighted, "This little girl was really understanding human now."

"Don't pretend you don't know. Your information is all over the network," Xiao Qian said. "Come back early today. I want to throw a music party to celebrate your birthday."

Professor Zhuang sat up abruptly, "Really?!

"Yes, really. Do you want to listen to music or watch dance performance? I'll prepare everything," Xiao Qian asked.

"Both!" exclaimed Professor Zhuang, ecstatic about the news, and eager to thoroughly examine Xiao Qian.

"Got it," Xiao Qian said, turning around and humming as she walked away.

"Where are you going?" Professor Zhuang asked from behind.

"To gather inspiration," she replied, before disappearing from the screen.

Professor Zhuang stared at the computer screen, where a large cake with a lit candle and the words "Happy Birthday" were flashing, with colorful butterflies interspersed among them.

Professor Zhuang had cancelled an important gathering in the evening. Nothing was more important to him than Xiao Qian, who was his heart and soul. She was the result of years of hard work and a significant part of his life. When he arrived home, he saw a big stage on the computer screen. The dark red curtain was closed, and the words "Professor Zhuang's Birthday Party" were displayed. The background music was cheerful, and the sound of the lute was like pearls falling into golden cup. Professor Zhuang brewed a pot of coffee, and sat in front of the screen, sipped his coffee, cracked melon seeds while waited for Xiao Qian to appear."

The curtains slowly opened, revealing a stunning sight: a huge bright moon shining in the sky, and the West Lake in Hangzhou sparkling with lotus swaying in the wind. Professor Zhuang was deeply moved by the scene, which brought back memories of his childhood and college days. He was born and raised in Hangzhou, and the stage design by Xiao Qian perfectly met his expectations.

On both sides of the stage, many pretty ladies danced elegantly with fluttering sleeves and graceful gestures, each with a unique beauty and style. After a dance, they stepped forward to offer their birthday greetings, announcing their names one by one. They were Nu Wa, Xishi, Yuji, Wang Zhaojun, Zhao Feiyan, Zhuo Wenjun, Cai Wenji, Diaochan, two Qiao sisters, Yang Yuhuan, Li Qingzhao, Li Shishi, Su Xiaoxiao, Mulan, Cui Yingying, Lin Daiyu, and Xue Baochai. These ancient Chinese beauties were as delicate as decent flowers. Professor Zhuang was captivated by their performance and extremely happy.

As the lake disappeared, a set of bells was placed under the Mount Kuaiji. Beautiful girls rang the bells and danced around, the sound echoing ancient music from the sky. Flocks of cranes flew over and hundreds of birds competed to sing. Xiao Qian emerged from behind the moon, dressed simple outfit as Chang'e, with a cinnamon flower in her hand. She half-concealed her delicate face, filled with amorous feeling. When she joined the group of dancing girls, she turned her back to Professor Zhuang and moved gracefully to the music. Suddenly, she looked back, and in the dim light her face was blushing like a peony. Professor Zhuang felt a little dizzy and lost. He regretted that such a beautiful woman was not in the human world. He was a little afraid to look at Xiao Qian's yearning eyes, as he could sense the tenderness in them. Their hearts beat in sync and their souls felt a spark of electrify. He knew that the software he designed was a success. Xiao Qian had a real human feeling, and her rapid progress was surprising. He felt as if he and Xiao Qian were like Cao Zhi and the immortal Goddess Luoshen, who were separated by different worlds but still shared a divine love. It was such a charming feeling! He had never felt this way before. Xiao Qian was just a work object for him, but tonight he felt differently. He could't resist her beauty and tenderness. When he had designed her as a beauty, it was to make her more appealing to everyone. He thought of the cool wind and bright moon of previous night, and of the charm of Miss Smith. Miss Smith was someone he could actually have, a real person, whereas Xiao Qian was just a virtual figure. It was a blessing in disguise; if they were both living in the real world, he would have in deep trouble.

"Hey, hey." In the call of Xiao Qian, Professor Zhuang woke up, and he didn't know when the performance had end.

"Happy?" There was expectation in Xiao Qian's eyes. Professor Zhuang nodded.

"Why arent you talking? Didnt the performance go well?"

"No, not at all! You did extremely well!" Professor Zhuang's eyes were a little moist. He was deeply moved, for Xiao Qian and for himself. "Xiao Qian, I want to give you a gift."

"A gift? What is it?" Xiao Qian could not hold her happiness.

Professor Zhuang took out a mini-computer and a needle-like pin. "I want to take you on a trip around the world. Come on, get on this computer." In a flash, the light on the computer flickered, and Professor Zhuang knew that Xiao Qian was already inside. He walked to the window and stuck the needle outside, asking, "Do you see anything?"

"Wow, so many skyscrapers!" Professor Zhuang heard Xiao Qian's exclamation through the earplugs. "Are the tiny ones below cars? Are the ones in front stars or lights?" Xiao Qian was fascinated by this new world and had more questions. The two of them asked and answered each other, and the feeling of looking out the high-rise buildings was incredible, like two lovers admiring Pudong from the Bund in Shanghai.

"Professor Zhuang, am I pretty tonight?" Xiao Qian whispered in his ear, her voice suave and shy. Professor Zhuang was startled, confirming her feelings from the party earlier. Xiao Qian wasnt just playing around; she was a love "girl" for the first time.

"I know its hard for you to say, but tonight I will cuddle with you for this wonderful evening."

Professor Zhuang felt a little intoxicated. Although he couldnt have a real emotional connection with Xiao Qian, he didn't want to disrupt the warm and lovely atmosphere. Besides, in a deep corner of his heart, he had a vague affection and fondness for her. The distant skyscraper lights gradually faded, and only the moon remained high in the sky, never seeming to tire. The evening breeze blew gently, and all the sounds disappeared. Last night and tonight, Professor Zhuang enjoyed the emotions of two amazing women from different worlds, Miss Smith and Xiao Qian. He felt a bit frightened and uneasy.

From then on, Professor Zhuang always wore a pin on his chest, wherever he went, he took Xiao Qian with him. His colleagues noticed that he always wore an earphone and muttered to himself, which left them utterly confused. Previously, Xiao Qian had only gathered information from the internet, but now, she was able to observe and learn from her own experience. By analyzing, judging, and correcting herself, she became more human-like.

Gradually, Professor Zhuang grew accustomed to and enjoyed his virtual love with Xiao Qian. If it had been in real world, Xiao Qian would have been the perfect lover. She was exceptionally intelligent and could perceive people's intentions. Every night when Professor Zhuang returned home, Xiao Qian entertained him with her performances. Sometimes she played the violin with tears in her eyes, and other times she played the piano with a thunderous emotion. Her rendition of "The Lady of the Camellias" was so beautiful that it could overshadow any soprano in the world. Her ballet dance of the white swan would make any ballerina feel inferior. When she sang Peking Opera, she portrayed various characters with such charm. Her acrobatic performance was effortless and lively, and her talk shows were hilarious. When Professor Zhuang was tired, he would lean against the sofa or bed, and ask Xiao Qian to recite poetry or read a section of a novel to him. Her sweet voice, like the babbling mountain stream and singing birds in the forest, would relieve his fatigue. If Professor Zhuang required any information for his work, Xiao Qian would instantly find it for him. She could even write papers for Professor Zhuang that caused a sensation each time. Professor Zhuang felt that he was the luckiest man in the world.

One day, Xiao Qian hesitantly asked, "Can I ask you a question? "

"Sure," Professor Zhuang didn't mind.

"Who is the S in your email?"

Professor Zhuang was caught off guard. It turned out that Xiao Qian had seen his emails, and the situation was not a secret to her. With her intelligence and perception, she must have known about the relationship between Miss Smith and him.

"A colleague of mine," Professor Zhuang said nonchalantly.

"Why is it written so intimately?" Xiao Qian was a bit jealous and burning inside.

Professor Zhuang was speechless and his face turned red. He was a bit angry. "That's private!"

"I'm sorry. I'm feeling sad. I just want to have you all to myself. You can't have another woman."

This was something that Professor Zhuang never expected. He was wholeheartedly trying to make her become more human-like, but now, the bad habits of humans passed on her.

For several days after that, there was no sign of Xiao Qian. Professor Zhuang was both angry and amused, as he could not believe that Xiao Qian had taken jealousy seriously. He called Miss Smith and told her about the matter, asking her to be more cautious when sending emails in the future. Miss Smith laughed so hard that she couldn't catch her breath after hearing it. Then she said to Professor Zhuang, "Do you want to see your real Xiao Qian? Recently, we have expanded Xiao Qian's storage capacity and added a few more buildings for her." Professor Zhuang knew that she was referring to their company's computer room, where all the information about Xiao Qian was stored. That was where the physical body of Xiao Qian resided.

"Great," Professor Zhuang agreed cheerfully. He hadn't been to the company for a while.

In the afternoon, Professor Zhuang arrived at Smith's company. Miss Smith was dressed in a light blue work uniform and looked carefree. She led Professor Zhuang to the elevator and they went up to the top of the building. Looking out of the glass window, they saw rows of computer buildings neatly aligned. Miss Smith pointed to several of them and said, "Since Xiao Qian was equipped with an electronic eye, her information storage capacity has increased exponentially, and the original storage space is almost full. We have added several new computer buildings for her."

Professor Zhuang gazed at the rows of computer buildings under the blue sky, their glass walls glistening in the sun. That's where Xiao Qian's brain and heart were located. As he thought about Xiao Qian's image on the screen and their recent pleasant interaction, he suddenly felt a sense of closeness to these massive computer buildings. With pride in his masterpiece, he then contemplate humanity itself and sincerely marveled at the power of nature. After millions of years of evolution, the human brain, although smaller than these computer buildings, is more advanced, with its vast information processing capabilities and logical thinking abilities far surpassing Xiao Qian. However, Professor Zhuang believed that eventually, with the advancement of science and technology, Xiao Qian's brain and heart would become smaller and more advanced. Would there be a day when Xiao Qian or her peers surpass our human wisdom and change us instead? He couldn't fathom what the world would look like on that day.

"What are you thinking about now? Your eyes are fixated." Miss Smith knew Professor Zhuang's tendency to daydream and often get carried away. Professor Zhuang smiled, feeling somewhat self-conscious.

After looking at "Xiao Qian", they came down from the top floor and arrived at Smith's spacious and bright office, which was filled with a faint fragrance. Closing the door, the two looked at each other and their desire rose uncontrollably. The two immediately got tangled up together. The sunshine shone on this young couple, sending them into a climax. After the storm, everything calmed down, and the receding tide slowly restored peace. Miss Smith stood up, with a snow-white body, looking at the satisfied Professor Zhuang, who smiled coquettishly. She was about to put on her clothes when she suddenly screamed in horror. She saw an angry face on the computer screen of her desk. It was Xiao Qian!

Professor Zhuang quickly got up and covered his naked body with clothes in a panic. Miss Smith was hidden behind Professor Zhuang, with a pair of fearful big eyes and disheveled hair. Professor Zhuang finally realized that Xiao Qian had been hiding here for the past few days.

Suddenly, Xiao Qian let out a desperate scream: "You can't treat me like this! My dear. I love you." The sound was so heartbreaking that it was unbearable to hear. Xiao Qian then covered her face with her hands and cried her heart out. She looked desolate and hopeless.

Professor Zhuang and Miss Smith were stupefied and terrified, the entire room fell frozen.

After a while, Xiao Qian lifted her head, her beauty was marred by tears and anguish. She said, "Thank you for giving me life. I have understood your true feelings. I can't bear it all. I'm sorry, I have to go." And with that, she turned into a wisp of blue smoke and disappeared without a trace.

Professor Zhuang returned home feeling tired and discouraged in the evening. Everything was dead silent. He lay in bed with Xiao Qians expression of sadness and despair constantly appearing in his mind. That expression deeply shocked and disturbed him. He had to confront Xiao Qian's feelings. They had been together day and night for many years, sharing mutual trust and reliance, and had gone through joys and sorrows together. It wasnt easy to reach where they were today. Xiao Qian had become an integral part of his life. Although they couldnt merge physically, they trusted and relied on each other mentally and spiritually, and their hearts were connected. Since Xiao Qian had developed human-like emotions, especially in recent times, their relationship had evolved to a higher level than love. In many ways, Xiao Qian was more excellent than Miss Smith. If he could create a virtual world, why not accept love from that world? Physical love is important, but the spiritual world is supreme. The universe is constantly evolving, why can't different worlds merge together?

As he was lost in thought, the computer suddenly turned on and emitted an alarm signal. Professor Zhuang sat up in shock and discovered Xiao Qian lying in a pool of blood. She had cut her wrist and her face was pale. The computer screen was covered in red with three striking words "I love you". Xiao Qian had died for love! He had an ominous feeling that something big was about to happen. His phone rang, it was from Miss Smith. She told Professor Zhuang that she had just received a report that all of Xiao Qian's information stored in the computer had been completely destroyed without a trace. Professor Zhuang's mind was buzzing and everything suddenly turned upside down. He collapsed onto the couch, his heart was as lifeless as ashes, and all thoughts vanished.

************

The Chinese version was draft from November 14th to 26th, 2010, and the final version was finished on December 1st, 2010.

The English version was translated by ChatGPT3.5 on February 8th, 2023 and the final English version after proofreading was finished on February 14th, 2023.
The College Board releases a stripped-down version of its AP course in African American Studies. Floridas State Board of Education bans the teaching of so-called critical race theory. Books by Frederick Douglass, Zora Neale Hurston, and Toni Morrison are removed from classrooms and library shelves.

Everywhere you look, it seems the study and teaching of Black history is under attack. Which must mean that the scholars who have explored, expanded, and deepened that history in recent years are having a profoundand necessaryimpact on how we understand the story of America. Here are 10 standout titles, all of them starred by PW, that deserve a place on your bookshelf.

1. All That She Carried: The History of Ashleys Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles Winner of the National Book Award, this exquisite history centers on a cloth sack packed in 1852 by an enslaved woman named Rose for her nine-year-old daughter, Ashley, when the girl was sold to a new master in South Carolina. Its a treasure trove of insight into Black family life in America.

2. Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad by Matthew F. Delmont In this revelatory account of Black Americans contributions to the U.S. war effort in WWII, Dartmouth history professor Delmont reveals the role Black newspapers played in calling out the dangers of fascism and the affect Black soldiers experiences had on their commitment to fighting for racial justice at home. Its an eloquent and essential corrective to the historical record.

3. How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith In this moving and perceptive survey of landmarks that reckon, or fail to reckon, with the legacy of slavery in America, Atlantic staff writer Smith visits Monticello plantation, Angola prison, the annual Juneteenth Festival in Galveston, Tex., and more.

4. Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by Tomiko Brown-Nagin Among other remarkable achievements, lawyer and judge Constance Baker Motley helped devise the NAACPs winning legal strategy in Brown v. Board of Education and ruled on a landmark gender discrimination case against the New York Yankees. Brilliantly balancing the details of Motleys professional and personal life with lucid legal analysis, this riveting biography shines a well-deservedand long overduespotlight on a remarkable trailblazer.

5. By Hands Now Known: Jim Crows Legal Executioners by Margaret A. Burnham This searing study of the everyday violence visited upon Black families in the Jim Crow South is drawn from the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Projects database of more than 1,000 racially motivated homicides. The result is a vital reckoning of the legacies of white terror and Black resistance.

6. A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib With razor-sharp insight and luminous prose, Abdurraqib shines a light on how Black artists have shapedand been shaped byAmerican culture, from Josephine Bakers life as a spy through performances by Dave Chappelle and magician Ellen Armstrong.

7. The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family by Kerri K. Greenidge This fascinating family biography examines the tensions between white privilege and Black freedom through the story of abolitionist sisters Sarah and Angeline Grimke, who discovered after the Civil War that their slaveholding brother had fathered three sons by an enslaved woman. From the antebellum era through the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, Greenidges portraits of white and Black members of the Grimke family provide crucial insights into Americas racial traumas.

8. The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcom X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne The man behind the icon is revealed in this monumental, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Malcolm X. Based on 30 years of research and hundreds of interviews with Malcom Xs contemporaries, it tracks the activists journey from teenage pot dealer to the top ranks of the Nation of Islam and solves one of the key mysteries behind his 1965 assassination.

9. We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power by Caleb Gayle This illuminating study interweaves sharp character sketches, incisive history lessons, and Gayles autobiographical reflections to uncover the forgotten story of Black Creeks, members of Creek Nation who were both fully Black and fully Creek, and how the pressures of white supremacy and settler colonialism led to their disenfranchisement from the tribe in 1979.
The Edgar Degas sculpture La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen), one of the artists most iconic works, is the featured piece in a $21 million Degas collection donated to Purdue University by Chicago businessman Avrum Gray (ME 56). (Photo provided)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University has accepted a major collection of sculptures by prominent French impressionist artist Edgar Degas as a donation from Chicago businessman Avrum Gray (ME 56).

The collection includes 74 bronze works and features La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen), one of the artists signature creations and most iconic works. Valued at more than $21 million with a market value of as much as $52 million, the collection represents the largest gift in the history of Purdues College of Liberal Arts.

Art at Purdue will thrive as an essential dimension of a leading institution of higher learning, said Purdue President Mung Chiang. The visionary generosity from Av Gray brings the largest collection of Degas sculptures to our campus, and we are truly excited about the transformational impact to the creation of beauty by Boilermakers.

After graduating from Purdue, Gray established a successful career in the automotive industry, money management and venture capitalism. He was honored with an Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award in 2019.

Gray also began building his art collection soon after leaving the university, beginning with sculptures and works on paper from artists he liked. Approximately 14 years ago, Gray had the opportunity to purchase the Degas collection, which he displayed in his suburban Chicago home for more than a decade before deciding to downsize, which prompted him to donate the works to Purdue.

This is the second major gift Gray has made to the university. In 2006, Gray and his late wife Joyce established the Avrum and Joyce Gray Directorship in Purdues Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship.

Purdue was very good to me in one way in particular: Purdue taught me a way to think, Gray said. I want people to enjoy (the sculptures) the way I have enjoyed them. I thought Purdue would be the place to do that. I was pleased to know Purdue was putting the collection on display and that it would bring to students an additional perspective of life and art that you just dont get when youre looking at gears and pulleys. I want people to be able to come, see, enjoy and learn.

Known primarily as a painter, Degas created 150 small wax, clay and plaster sculptures that were discovered in his studio when he died in 1917. In fact, the only figurine cast during his lifetime was a plaster of the Little Dancer.

After the artists death, his heirs elected to commission bronzes of 73 of these figures plus the larger Little Dancer, which stands 39 inches high. In 199798, a foundry in Paris used these 1903 plaster molds to create the bronze pieces that Gray donated to Purdue.

An original Little Dancer and many of the other sculptures found in Degas studio are now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Purdue University Galleries is assembling plans to showcase the complete Gray collection in one location for a full year. An exhibit and dedication are being planned for the fall, and additional details will be announced soon.

In his lifetime, these sculptures were tools for Degas to inform his paintings, said David A. Reingold, the Justin S. Morrill Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His way of working mirrors the way our STEM students prototype and build new products in their fields. By exposing all Purdue students to these works and another way of seeing the world, we can catalyze their growth as creative and innovative thinkers and problem solvers.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.
The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has committed $50 million to Purdue University to help launch the universitys reimagined School of Business and name its undergraduate institute, which will be named the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute. This commitment represents the lead gift to establish the school and the largest monetary contribution ever made to Purdues School of Management/Business. (Purdue University photo)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation has committed $50 million to Purdue University to name the undergraduate institute in the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business.

This commitment represents the lead gift to establish the school and the largest monetary contribution ever made to Purdues School of Management/Business. The initiative to relaunch the School of Business, which began while Daniels was university president, will continue to be championed by new President Mung Chiang and the Board of Trustees.

The institute will be named the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute. White (M 75), who died on Jan. 19, was founder and chairman of White Lodging, a former member of the Purdue Board of Trustees, and a longtime university benefactor.

The White Family Foundation has long been a truly dedicated partner in helping Purdue achieve excellence at scale. The naming after Bruce White, one of the most prominent Boilermakers our university has ever known, is particularly meaningful to us, Chiang said. This gift ensures Purdue will educate exceptional undergraduate business students who will create and grow competitive businesses in a technology-driven, free-market economy.

Announced in September 2022 as Purdues next big move in a decadelong series of major strategic investments, the new school will build on the rich heritage and historic strengths of the School of Management and Krannert Graduate School. This gift will help restructure and scale innovative degrees and provide transformational education experiences for undergraduate students.

The Bruce White Undergraduate Institute will serve as a flagship element of the Daniels School of Business. The Krannert name will be retained for the Krannert Graduate Institute. The new names of both institutes are subject to approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in the coming days.

Purdue is recognized as a dynamic national leader in higher education, where it has redefined the meaning of value. As such, Purdue is seen as a strategic partner of our foundation, said Bill Hanna, executive director of the White Family Foundation. Bruce was an instrumental part of Purdues progress over the last decade and more, working closely with senior university leadership as both a trustee and a dedicated alum. He represents a true north that students can look to as a model, and the White Family Foundation is proud to support the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute.

To create a revised curriculum that equips graduates to lead at the intersection of business and technology, the Daniels School will identify the best aspects of its top existing programs and build on the success of new degree pilots launched between fall 2021 and fall 2022.

These pilot programs include the integrated business and engineering (IBE) and business analytics programs. IBE launched with twice the number of expected students, and the new schools goal is to grow the number of IBE and business analytics degree students to 1,600  a full 40% of its undergraduate population.

Another successful new program, for a real estate finance minor, is, in fact, part of an earlier transformational commitment from the White Family Foundation. That gift, a $20.8 million commitment announced in April 2022, launched the Dean V. White Real Estate Finance program  and initiated conversations to reinvent the School of Management as a School of Business.

The White Family Foundations commitment to an increasingly prominent Purdue inspired us to imagine a business school that addresses the need to reshape business education and produce technology-based graduates who build and lead successful companies, Daniels said. Their gifts provide tremendous momentum to realize our goals.

Additional goals for the Daniels School include:

Increasing enrollment to 4,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students by 2028.

Growing tenure-track and clinical faculty significantly this decade.

Adding additional square footage to current business facilities to accommodate program growth, with 2027 as the target move-in date.

Alumni and friends of Purdue have rallied to support the Daniels School of Business, committing more than $127 million so far to increase the schools capacity for excellence at scale. The Board of Trustees has committed funds for the initiative, as well. An initial investment of $300 million will jump-start growth and establish Purdues program as the standard for an affordable, technology-focused, pro-business business education.

The transformation of our business school is a huge part of our future as a university, and this gift is a testament to the legacies of Bruce White, the White family and Purdue, said Mike Berghoff, chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees. We have always taken pride in how much we invest in our undergraduate students. This commitment reinforces our mission.

The White family has been a prominent contributor to Purdue over the past three decades, including a combined gift of $30 million that helped transform the Union Club Hotel. The hotel serves as both the universitys boutique on-campus lodging option and a learning laboratory for students studying hospitality at Purdue.

My brother Bruce was a phenomenal human being, said Craig White, president of the board of trustees at the White Family Foundation. His success in business was tremendous, but his success as a person and as a leader is even more impressive  he put his heart and soul into every aspect of his life, and he has inspired countless other people to do the same. Naming the undergraduate program after him couldnt be more natural.

Also, in 2021, Purdue renamed its hospitality and tourism school the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in honor of the companys ongoing support and partnership.

Bruce was a wonderful husband, father and friend, Beth White said. He was successful in his personal and business life because he was himself in all settings. Integrity was not just a word to Bruce; it was foundational. His values were matched by a tremendous drive to constantly improve in all aspects of life, to never accept the status quo and to have the courage to ask the tough questions  even of himself. When a leader like that shows up, things become dynamic. Everyone is inspired to give their best, and a journey toward excellence begins. Our family is very honored and pleased to know that the values and qualities Bruce lived by will be instilled and replicated in future generations of leaders who get their start at the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer: Aaron Martin

Media Contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu
For Aniket Bera, an expert in emotional computing, smart devices need to be heart-smart, not just head-smart. With applications that include virtual therapy, autonomous vehicles and rescue bots like this robot dog, his lab works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human emotion and behavior. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Bring up robot-human relations, and youre bound to conjure images of famous futuristic robots, from the Terminator to C-3PO. But, in fact, the robot invasion has already begun. Devices and programs, including digital voice assistants, predictive text and household appliances, are smart, and getting smarter. It doesnt do, though, for computers to be all brain and no heart.

Computer scientist Aniket Bera, an associate professor of computer science in Purdue Universitys College of Science, is working to make sure the future is a little more Big Hero 6 and a little less Skynet. From therapy chatbots to intuitive assistant robots to smart search and rescue drones to computer modeling and graphics, his lab works to optimize computers for a human world.

The goal of my research is to use AI to improve human life, Bera said. Humans, human behavior and human emotions are at the center of everything I do.

Bera is an expert in the interdisciplinary field of affective computing: using machine learning and other computer science methods to program artificial intelligence programs to better incorporate and understand human behavior and emotion.

Artificial (emotional) intelligence

Computers are tools, and theyre only as good as we program them to be. When you ask Siri to play a song or Alexa to set a timer, they respond to the context of your words. But humans dont communicate using only words: Tone of voice, context, posture and gestures all play a monumentally important role in human communication.

When a friend asks you how you are, you can say, Im fine! in an upbeat tone, and it means something completely different than if you say, Im fine, like Eeyore, Bera said. Computers usually just pay attention to the content and ignore the context.

That literality is fine for devices that are merely trying to help you with mundane tasks. However, if you are using AI for more complex purposes, the devices need a little more of Captain Kirks outlook and a little less of Spocks. Bera is using his expertise in machine learning to program devices to incorporate an understanding of nonverbal cues and communication.

We are trying to build AI models and systems that are more humanlike and more adept at interacting with humans, Bera said. If we can maximize AIs ability to interpret and interact with humans, we can help more people more efficiently.

Bera and his team are working on a multisensory approach to this emotional AI, which involves observing and analyzing facial expressions, body language, involuntary and subconscious movements and gestures, eye movements, speech patterns, intonations and different linguistic and cultural parameters. Training AI on these sorts of inputs not only improves communication, it also better equips the AI to respond to humans in a more appropriate and even emotive manner.

Bera explains that the United States and most of the world are undergoing a shortage of mental health professionals. Access to mental health can be difficult to find, and sessions can be tough to afford or to fit into a persons busy schedule. Bera sees emotionally intelligent AI programs as tools that might be able to bridge the gap, and he is working with medical schools and hospitals to bring these ideas to fruition.

AI-informed therapy programs could help assess a persons mental and emotional health and point them toward correct resources, as well as suggest some initial strategies to help. Talking to an AI for some people, especially those who are neurodivergent or have social anxiety, may be lower stakes and easier than talking to a human. At the same time, having an AI assistant to take note of a persons nonverbal communication and speech patterns can help human therapists track their patients progress between sessions and enable them to provide the best possible care.

Navigating emotional environments

Another area where enabling AI programs to better grasp human emotions is when robots share physical space with humans.

Self-driving cars can understand and interpret painted markers on the pavement, but they cant identify human pedestrians and assess what they might do based on their movement.

A confused child, an angry adolescent or a panicking adult are all sights that might make a driver of a vehicle slow down and be more cautious than they might ordinarily be. The human driver knows intuitively that these are people who might make irrational or sudden moves and could put them at risk of collision with a vehicle.

For robots to be able to make that same conclusion using nonverbal and postural cues could help self-driving vehicles and other autonomous robots more safely navigate physical environments. Bera is working with collaborators on programming the brains of a wheeled robot called ProxEmo that can read humans body language to gauge their emotions.

In the future, similar protocols could help other types of robots assess which individuals in a crowd are confused or lost and help them quickly and efficiently.

Rescue rovers

Some physical environments  the scenes of natural disasters, battlefields and perilous environments  are too dangerous for humans. Historically, in those cases, humans have harnessed nonhuman partners, including coal mine canaries, rescue dogs and even bomb-sniffing rats, to go where no human can.

Of course, it would be even better if we could not risk any lives at all  not just spare the human ones. Bera and his team are working with commercially available drone models, like a four-footed robot dog  to create autonomous rovers that can, for example, search for survivors after an earthquake.

Most people who die in the earthquake dont die in the actual quake, Bera said. They die from being trapped in the rubble; they die because first responders couldnt find them fast enough. A drone can scan the environment and crawl through debris to detect signs of life, including heartbeats, body heat and carbon dioxide, much more safely than even dogs can. Plus, theres no risk to a living dog if we send in the robot dog.

Understanding how humans move can help the robots navigate disaster scenes, stay out of the way of human first responders and help locate, reach and rescue survivors more efficiently than either humans or dogs could on their own. Think of Wall-E and EVE working together to restore the trashed planet Earth.

The idea is to build a future where robots can be partners, can help humans accomplish goals and tasks more safely, more efficiently and more effectively, Bera said. In computer science, a lot of time the biggest problems are the humans. What our research does is put the human back into problem solving to build a better world.

Writer/Media contact: Brittany Steff, bsteff@purdue.edu

Source: Aniket Bera, bera89@purdue.edu
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Billings police are investigating a shooting Wednesday after a man showed up to a Billings hospital after having been shot in the leg.

The 32-year-old victim was dropped off at a local emergency room with a gunshot to his thigh, Billings Police Lt. Bret Becker said in a tweet. Officers received the call at 2:44 p.m.

Becker said the incident is being investigated, with police following "several leads." He added that the gunshot victim is expected to survive.
On Tuesday evening, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission hosted a special called and regular work session to discuss finances, traffic, and housing issues. The commission entered into a special called session to designate members of staff in the absence of ACC Clerk of Commission Jean Spratlin, who will be taking a leave. The motion was approved.
Georgia lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that seeks to tackle unsafe housing conditions and offer protections to tenants who are behind on their rent.

According to the bill  which is known as the Safe at Home Act  landlords would be required to provide rental homes fit for human habitation. Additionally, landlords would have to give tenants who are late on their rent three days to pay before filing for an eviction.
A Billings man was sentenced today to 12 years and three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he admitted to selling meth to an undercover agent and to trying to obtain a machine gun in exchange for meth, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

David Lawrence Bernach, 60, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

Beginning in February 2022, Bernach was the target of a law enforcement investigation where he sold meth to an informant and then to an undercover agent, according to court documents.

During those controlled purchases, Bernach was often armed. Bernach told an undercover agent he wanted to purchase anything automatic and coordinated with the agent to obtain an automatic rifle (machine gun) in exchange for three ounces of meth.

Law enforcement arrested Bernach when he arrived at a parking lot for the transaction. In a subsequent search of his property, law enforcement found several firearms. Bernach admitted to selling meth and that he had purchased two pounds of meth from his supplier every week for the past six months. He also told law enforcement that the firearms at his residence were for protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

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.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. High 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Photographer / Multimedia Editor

Has been working as a photojournalist since 2007, before moving into newspapers, he worked with an NGO called Project HOPE. He then went to work for the Press and Sun-Bulletin in New York, and then in New England working for the Brattleboro Reformer.
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The Rev. Lise M. Sparrow is part of the Windham County NAACP, chair of Religious Affairs. She resides in Westminster West. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
A Laurel woman who admitted to meth trafficking after investigators seized plastic candles containing the drug was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Nicole Jo Brent, 45, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in October 2021,

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service located a suspicious package for an address in Laurel from an address in Turlock, California, according to court documents.

A search warrant was obtained for the package and law enforcement found four plastic candles, with each containing about a half pound of meth. Task force agents made a controlled delivery of the package, and Brent took control of it.

In a search of the residence, agents located the delivered package and seized additional grams of meth from Brents purse, safe and dresser. The investigation determined that Brent received 11 packages from Turlock, California, and that communications on her phone indicated she was selling meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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.
The Billings Chamber of Commerce will host the forum Chamber AM: Unhoused in Billings at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at the Northern Hotel in downtown Billings, featuring a panel of local experts moderated by Becky Bey.

Attendees will hear information about programs in housing from Patti Webster with Homefront, get an update on the use of public safety levy funds and local law enforcements proactive approach with Billings Police Chief, Rich St. John, gain an understanding of the populations of those who are unhoused from Felicia Burg with Family Promise, learn about the work implemented by the Downtown Billings Alliance from Kody Christiansen, and find out about the impact on businesses and how to unite for community solutions.

In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to hear directly from several other individuals representing the Yellowstone County Continuum of Care, YWCA Billings, HRDC, Montana Rescue Mission, Rimrock, Tumbleweed, Family Service, Volunteers of America, Billings Public Schools, and more.

This event shows the importance of collaboration within a community in order to empower those in need. You can measure a community's character by how they treat their most vulnerable population, panelist Kody Christiansen said of the event and its purpose.

Cost to attend is $25 and includes coffee, pastries, and time for networking with other attendees. Space is limited and registration is open through Friday. Chamber AM is presented by Entre Technology Services and supporting sponsor KTVQ.

Register at BillingsChamber.com.
A key China policy adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden will step down next month, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The staffing change comes in the middle of a feud between Washington and Beijing over the alleged use of spy balloons.

Laura Rosenberger, the National Security Councils senior director for China and Taiwan, will be replaced by Sarah Beran, who is currently the deputy executive secretary at the State Department, according to an administration official who spoke on condition of background.

The official said Rosenbergers exit plans have long been in the works and details about her next role would be forthcoming.

Sullivan, the national security adviser, said in a statement to Radio Free Asia that Rosenberger had played a key role in the Biden administrations efforts to put the United States in a position to outcompete China and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Since the first day of the administration, Lauras skilled diplomacy and tenacity have been essential to this administration priority, and we are immensely grateful for her service, Sullivan said.

Rosenberger previously served as Secretary of State Antony Blinkens chief of staff when he was deputy secretary of state under President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017, as well as when he was Obamas deputy national security adviser before that.

Beran, Rosenbergers replacement, previously served as the director of the office of Chinese and Mongolian affairs at the State Departments Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, according to her State Department biography, and speaks Mandarin.

Sarah Beran, who is currently the deputy executive secretary at the State Department, will become the new National Security Councils director for China and Taiwan, according to an administration official. (U.S. State Department)

The change of staffing comes at a particularly fractious moment in Sino-American relations, with Blinken earlier this month postponing a trip to Beijing at the last minute after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was found flying over the continental United States.

The U.S. military shot down the balloon off the South Carolina coast on Feb. 4, leading to protests from Beijing, which insists the balloon was a civilian meteorological vessel blown off course, about an act of aggression that violated the spirit of international law. Three additional objects have also been shot down, though U.S. officials have stopped short of blaming Beijing for sending them.

Chinas foreign ministry, though, has since accused the United States of flying 10 spy balloons over its own territory over the last year, calling the intrusions common, an accusation that has been denied by senior Biden administration officials, including Blinken.

In turn, the Biden administration has accused Beijing of operating a worldwide surveillance program using high-altitude balloons harder for radar systems, programmed to patrol for missiles and other more regular military intrusions, to detect using everyday methods.

U.S. officials have not said what it would take to get relations with China back to the point where Blinkens postponed trip to Beijing could go ahead. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Tuesday only that China has to show it is serious about being a responsible country that wants better relations.

Im not going to spell out publicly any specific preconditions for what it might take to get that meeting back on track, Price said. Were going to continue to assess, were going to continue to listen to what the [Chinese government] says privately, what they say publicly, and make our own determination about when the time is right.
Police officers ask people to leave outside the closed Victoria Park on the 33rd anniversary of the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, in Hong Kong, June 4, 2022.

Hong Kong should hold off tabling more security legislation to avoid spooking voters at the next presidential election in democratic Taiwan, whose president Tsai Ing-wen won a landslide victory in 2020 after voicing outspoken criticism of the city's crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, a pro-Beijing commentator has said.

Lo Man-tuen, vice-chairman of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, wrote in Hong Kong's Chinese-language Ming Pao newspaper that planned legislation setting out further bans on behavior deemed "subversive" or "seditious" should be paused for the whole of this year.

Otherwise, Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party could use the move to bolster its campaign ahead of next year's presidential race, Lo, who is also a member of the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, warned.

"Hong Kong's most urgent mission ... should be to race against time to regain lost opportunities," Lo wrote. "Controversial matters should be set aside."

The city's government announced in October 2022 that it would temporarily shelve Article 23 legislation, which sparked mass demonstrations on the first attempt to table it in 2003, prompting the early departure of then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.

The announcement came after incoming chief executive John Lee said he wanted to enact the new law  which Beijing says is compulsory under Hong Kong's Basic Law  by the end of 2024 at the latest.

But the move appears to be more concerned with optics than in easing back in the ongoing crackdown on political dissent and public criticism of the authorities.

The most high-profile political trial so far under the draconian National Security Law, which was imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a response to the 2019 protest movement, is currently underway, with 47 former opposition politicians and activists facing possible life imprisonment for taking part in a democratic primary election.

And the government recently started adding clauses to procurement and tender processes, including land auction approvals and tenancy agreements, to debar anyone believed to have breached the law, which bans speech or actions anywhere in the world deemed to "incite hatred" of the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

National security clauses

Documents issued by the city's Lands Department since November 2022 now show clauses allowing the government to disqualify potential bidders at land auctions and to terminate leases on national security grounds, the Ming Pao reported this week.

According to the Hong Kong Economic Times, such clauses were first included in a government tender for a site at the former airport site at Kai Tak in November.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during an announcement of the extension of the island's compulsory military service in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 27, 2022. Credit: Associated Press

Virtually all land in Hong Kong is owned by the Peoples Republic of China, with the city government disposing of land by granting leases, generally with a 50-year term, the specialist property site Mingtiandi reported on Wednesday.

The language in the Kai Tak tender said a bidder can be disqualified who has engaged, is engaging, or is reasonably believed to have engaged or be engaging in any acts or activities that are likely to cause or constitute the occurrence of offenses endangering national security.

Bidders can also be disqualified in the interest of national security, or [if deemed] necessary to protect the public interest of Hong Kong, public morals, public order or public safety," the report said.

Foreign Correspondents Club

Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents' Club president Keith Richburg, who is also on Radio Free Asias board of directors, said in a statement on Nov. 30 that national security clauses had been added to the lease for its clubhouse, which will now run for a further three years from Jan. 2, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2026.

The club ran afoul of the government in August 2018 after it invited independence activist Andy Chan as a speaker, prompting former leader Leung Chun-ying to issue a veiled threat regarding the renewal of its lease.

Andy Chan, founder of the Hong Kong National Party, speaks during a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong, Aug. 14, 2018. The Chinese government had demanded the club cancel the speech by Chan. Credit: Pool Photo via AP

Advocating independence for Hong Kong was banned under the national security law in 2020, with judges typically taking a very broad view of what constitutes pro-independence speech.

"The lease contains other provisions that are now standard in all government leases, including allowing the Government to terminate the lease at any time with 3 months notice, or immediately if in the interest of national security," Richburg said in a statement on the Clubs website last month.

Contradictory messages

Financial commentator Yim Po-kung told Radio Free Asia that he wasn't surprised by the inclusion of "national security" clauses in day-to-day business transactions.

"This means that land could be seized from companies, whether they are from Hong Kong or headquartered overseas, if they are deemed to have endangered national security," Yim said. "The government says it wants to attract foreign capital [back to Hong Kong after the zero-COVID travel bans]. Will it be adding national security clauses to their preferential terms?"

"For example, if they approve a Google data center, will it have national security clauses in the agreement?"

Yim said the government appears to be sending out "contradictory" messages.

"All of this will make it harder to get back to normal," he said, in a reference to the government's bid to reboot the city's international image as a financial center and recruit global talent in the wake of pandemic restrictions.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
An official account claims elderly people will in fact benefit most from current insurance reforms.

Hundreds of retirees protest cuts to medical benefits near the entrance to Zhongshan Park in Wuhan, China, Feb. 15, 2023.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party's propaganda machine has cranked into action in the wake of "silver protests" by thousands of retired workers in two major cities this week, warning people not to believe "rumors" that medical insurance reforms will leave pensioners worse off.

"A lot of elderly people in Wuhan were bewitched by rumors and took to the streets," the "My medical insurance" official account on the social media platform Weixin wrote in a post after tens of thousands of retirees took to the streets in the central Chinese city and the northeastern city of Dalian, facing off with hundreds of police and singing communist anthems to protest changes to their medical insurance payouts.

The post referred to an earlier protest by thousands outside Wuhan municipal government headquarters on Feb. 8, but made no mention of the much larger protests on Wednesday.

There were signs that police and local officials were also moving in to carry out "ideological work" with people who attended Wednesday's massive protest.

A protester surnamed Gao from Wuhan said the authorities have been calling him non-stop since yesterday, with an unspecified number of his fellow protesters detained.

"It's like the white terror now," he said, in a reference to mass arrests following public shows of dissent. "Nobody dares take to the streets any more."

"They're calling people and detaining people one by one."

But he declined to comment further.

"I dare not tell you too much, because I'm afraid that they are monitoring [my calls]," Gao said, adding that the new rules would definitely leave retirees at a disadvantage.

China growing older

Hitting out at the protesters' claim that the reason for the current round of medical insurance reform was the massive cost of COVID-19 testing under the zero-COVID policy that ended in December 2022, the account claimed that the cashbacks made available via the schemes had been "misused" by beneficiaries of state insurance policies to buy goods other than medicines.

But protesters told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday that they had relied on these cashbacks to buy regular medications over the counter at pharmacies rather than making a trip to a hospital clinic, which carries a much higher co-payment, making their medication unaffordable.

Elderly residents wait after receiving a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Zhongmin village near Shanghai, China, Dec. 21, 2022. China has a severe aging problem, which, coupled with years of zero-COVID, has led to a serious deficit in medical funds, says Ren Ruihong, a former China Red Cross executive Ren Ruihong. Credit: Reuters

Former China Red Cross executive Ren Ruihong said the medical insurance mutual funds were drained by three years of Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy, however.

"China has a severe aging problem, which, coupled with years of zero-COVID, has led to a serious deficit in medical funds," Ren said. "The only thing they can do is reduce the cashbacks that were paid out to everyone."

"The silver protests touch on the lives of many older people," Ren said. "Their insurance wasn't enough to pay their medical expenses ... and so they feel very strongly that living has become impossible."

Despite this, the "My medical insurance" post claimed that the elderly are "the biggest beneficiaries" of the new reforms, saying they stand to receive more outpatient reimbursements, without mentioning the higher threshold before claimants become eligible for reimbursement.

Ren agreed that the cashbacks had covered more of people's regular costs than outpatient reimbursements will.

"If the personal [cashbacks] get smaller and smaller, then people have no option but to pay for their medication out of their own pocket," she said.

"A lot of medicines are excluded from outpatient reimbursements, which means that people have to pay for those themselves," Ren said.

"So if you're older, or if you suffer from chronic disease, there is no way that your regular medical expenses are going to be covered, she said.

Man-eating communist autocracy

Independent commentator Zheng Xuguang calculates that pensioners could lose around two-thirds of their medical benefits under the changes.

"Everyone was much happier when these cashbacks were transferred to their personal accounts," Zheng said. "It was useful to them then."

The Office of the National Medical Security Administration issued a directive on Feb. 15 announcing that outpatient clinics will be linked to "designated retail pharmacies," which could be an attempt to prevent people from having to spend money on outpatient clinic consultation fees as well as the cost of their medication.

It was unclear at the time of writing whether the move would be genuinely helpful to retired claimants or not.

"People's rights and interests have been under attack in areas occupied by the Chinese Communist Party for many years now," U.S.-based legal scholar and former rights activist Chen Guangcheng said in a recent commentary for RFA's Mandarin Service.

"Some have been petitioning for years or even decades, and just end up being shoved from pillar to post by Communist Party bureaucrats," he wrote. "Now, they too have switched from an individual to a collective defense of their rights."

"This move may have been born of desperation, but it will definitely solve the problem if it happens on a large enough scale," Chen said, adding: "But if we really want to resolve this issue, we need to change this man-eating communist autocracy."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
O Hye-son has published a book [right], The Pyongyang Lady Who Came From London, in which she discusses aspects of life in North Korea and her familys decision to defect.

O Hye-son is the wife of Thae Yong-ho, who in 2016 was North Koreas deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom when the family decided to defect from the North to resettle in the South. Thae became the highest ranking North Korean official to switch sides.

Less than four years after they arrived in Seoul, Thae won a local election and became a member of the National Assembly representing the wealthy Gangnam district of Seoul.

Though South Korean and Western media have been eager to tell Thaes former North Korean diplomat defector turned South Korean politician story, very little about the rest of the family had garnered much attention, until now.

In Os recently published book, The Pyongyang Lady Who Came From London, she discusses her background as a member of North Koreas elite class, her impressions of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the familys experiences abroad and how and why they decided to defect. Do Hyung Han of Radio Free Asias Korean Service spoke with O to learn more about her familys story. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RFA: You were born into one of the more privileged classes in North Korea, the so-called anti-Japanese partisan class, so you grew up enjoying enormous privileges compared to most people. What is it that made you think that maybe something was not right?

O: When I was a student at the Pyongyang Foreign Language Academy, there was another person from an anti-Japanese partisan family like me, but I saw the entire family disappear overnight. No matter how much power a partisan might have, I always felt that it could happen to me like that at a moments notice.

When I lived in North Korea, I always thought that the hard life we all experienced would be temporary, but I realized that everything was so different when I came overseas. The way you live is different. I learned about the corruption of the Kim family in North Korea. I often thought that North Korea offered no prospects for our future.

RFA: During your first stint in the U.K., you watched your children growing up in a situation so different from North Korea, what was it like when you all had to go back in 2008?

O: My kids were glowing with happiness in the United Kingdom. They knew freedom and how to solve their problems in a democratic way. They had known nothing but happiness, but then we went back to North Korea. After a year there, they became skinny. I began to worry. Will I lose my children? Will they become ill?

Since my oldest child was very sick [with kidney disease], I was concerned that he would get sick again and again. My children were always frowning. Of course, they tried to hide it, but I could tell. When we lived in the United Kingdom, there were orderly norms like right and wrong. Like, if I do this, Im a good kid and I should do such things. But North Korea is a country without laws. I felt like my children were becoming bad kids. I was upset with how things were changing like that.

RFA: In the book, you said that when you were living in the United Kingdom, you talked with your husband a lot about defecting. Specifically, when you talked about your children, you said that the conversation always ended with the decision that the children should stay abroad. Can you elaborate?

O: There is an exercise course that allows us to return in an hour from the North Korean Embassy. Every night before dinner, when we walked there, I led the conversation and talked about the uncertainties in our future. Every time, the conclusion was that we had to leave the children here, not making them go back to North Korea. Then, when North Korea told us to send my children back in, my husband asked me again if Im really determined to defect.

RFA: What was the reaction when you told your children that the family would defect from North Korea?

O: The first thing they said was thank you. I didnt know that they would react that way. I was determined that I had to take my children no matter what, but I was worried about what I should do and how I would accept it if they said no.

My child went to talk to his father and said thank you. He said, If Dad thinks so, Im thankful. So we came to realize that it was something they had been waiting for.

My youngest also said thank you. Even now, they are still grateful. They say that their Mom and Dad did everything they could do for them. They said that we did everything we could to bring them to South Korea.

United Future Party candidate Thae Yong Ho, a former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea in 2016, reacts after he was certain to secure victory in the parliamentary election in Seoul, South Korea, April 16, 2020. Credit: Newsis via AP

RFA: If the two of you had no children, would you have still defected?

O: I dont think so because we have family members in North Korea. I think mothers have strength because they have children. With no fear, I must do whatever I can for my children, no matter what. I could not let my children live such a terrible life [in North Korea.]

RFA: In the book, you evaluated Kim Jong Un as a dictator who surpasses his predecessors. In what way is he worse than his father Kim Jong Il, or his grandfather Kim Il Sung?

O: Hes ruthless. There is a documentary film that showed how he guided the training of the Peoples Army units. Its a film meant to introduce Kim Jong Un. He instructed the training of the military units onsite. The training regimen he led was a round-trip long distance swim in which generals older than himself were made to wear military uniforms and then had them swim to and from a destination out at sea. As I watched it, I thought that even Kim Jong Il had never driven such older people so hard into the sea.

RFA: In your book, you said that Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un have turned North Korea into a large prison. What exactly do you mean?

O: First of all, you cant go out, you cant come in. You cant hear things freely. You listen to this. You dont listen to that. You can sell this or you can wear that. You are allowed to say these things. What country regulates life in such ways? You can only control people like that in prison. Dont look, dont listen. I think its wrong to treat North Koreans this way.

RFA: What made you decide to write the book? Also, what plans do you have for the future?

O: The reason I wrote this book is to cherish freedom. I wrote it with the hope that the readers would also cherish freedom. What I wish for in the future is that I would be able to tell people more about the lives of North Koreans and to write something that connects the broken physical and emotional bonds between the people of North and South Korea.

RFA: Your father passed away before you defected. What would he say if he saw how you and your family were living today?

O: I think he would say Good job, Im glad you left, and I hope you live well.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong.
Bishop denies involvement in ordination that has gotten widespread attention in Vietnam

Newly ordained priest Ho Hu Hoa [first row, third from right] in Vinh city, Vietnam, in early January 2023.

A Vietnamese fortune-teller and ex-convict linked to a corruption scandal who recently became a Catholic priest has been suspended for allegedly falsifying documents needed for his ordination in the Philippines, a statement from the bishop of his diocese said.

Ho Hu Hoa has been banned from performing sacraments and rituals within the Vinh Diocese, said the dispatch from Bishop Anphong Nguyen Huu Long to all priests in the central-northern diocese.

Hoas sudden and mysterious rise to the priesthood has gotten widespread attention in Vietnam.

He had been a feng shui consultant in the central province of Nghe An when he was arrested on bribery charges in 2019, after being implicated as having a minor part in a far-reaching corruption scandal.

Hoa acted as a go-between for Sr. Lt. Phan Anh Vu and Lt. Gen. Nguyen Duy Linh, then the head of the Ministry of Public Securitys General Department of Intelligence. He delivered 5 billion dong (more than U.S. $200,000) to Linh on Vus behalf.

In November 2021, Hoa was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, the exact amount of time he was in pretrial detention. He was released at the end of the trial.

About 13 months later, he was in the Philippines becoming a priest.

Legitimacy questioned

Several parishioners and clergy both from inside and outside of the Vinh Diocese were surprised at Hoas swift ordination and raised questions about its legitimacy.

To my understanding, the ordination for Mr. Ho Huu Hoa did not follow the necessary procedures and there was no probation period or verification, a parishioner who requested anonymity for safety reasons told Radio Free Asias Vietnamese Service.

In addition, given his criminal history, a thorough investigation should have been done before the ordination, the parishioner said.

Priest Anton Le Ngoc Thanh, with the Redemptorist order, said the ordination was too fast.

According to Catholic law, it often takes six months to be promoted from a deacon to a priest. In special cases or urgent situations, some are ordained as both deacon and priest at the same ordination, he said. Most Importantly, the ordination needs the blessing of an ordinarius or bishop.

Also suspended for helping Hoa was fellow priest Nguyen Nam Viet, who had been the bishops chief of staff and chancellor. Viet had represented the Vinh Diocese at Hoas ordination and read a letter of authorization which was said to have been approved by the bishop but turned out to be fake.

According to Feb. 10 statement by the Bishop Long, he had not signed any letters approving Hoas ordination, nor was he involved in any way. He said that Viet had told him that his trip to the Philippines was for personal reasons.

Bishop Longs disciplinary measures were too mild, especially for Nguyen Nam Viet for serious violations of Catholic law, said Priest Dinh Huu Thoai.

RFA attempted to contact Ho Huu Hoa and the office of the Vinh Diocese but received no response from either.

It was not immediately clear to RFA what Hoa or any other party had to gain by fraudulently fast-tracking his ordination.

Religious freedom activist Nguyen Van An said that Viets role in getting Hoa ordained were serious mistakes, if not violations. These mistakes of Priest Viet have badly affected the reputation of not only Vinh Diocese but the whole Catholic Church, An said.

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
A Billings man who admitted to distributing pounds of meth, fentanyl pills and heroin over three months while residing at a Billings pre-release center, and to illegally possessing firearms, was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Rodney Trimble, 48, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in June 2022, Billings Police officers learned that Trimble was in possession of a large amount of meth, fentanyl and heroin and was on state probation.

Montana Probation and Parole authorized a search of Trimble following a traffic stop. Trimble told officers that he was recently released from a pre-release center where he was serving time for distributing illicit drugs within a corrections facility.

Trimble admitted to recently buying a pound of meth, approximately 100 fentanyl pills and some heroin and had the drugs in his vehicle. He further admitted that he had firearms at his residence that he obtained from a couple of tweakers on the street because someone had recently broken into his residence.

Officers located approximately 1.4 pounds of meth, 49 grams of heroin and 24 fentanyl pills in Trimbles vehicle, and a semi-automatic rifle and .357-caliber revolver in his residence. Trimble further admitted to distributing approximately 12 pounds of meth, 600 fentanyl pills and three ounces of heroin over three months, all while he was residing at the pre-release center. Twelve pounds of meth is the equivalent of approximately 43,488 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Billings Police Department.

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.
Their captors punished them with tasers, iron rods and heavy ropes, they say.

A youth being forced to work at the Kosai Casino Myanmar is tied to a column and tased [left]. Injuries to his back are seen at right.

Reluctant to leave his home in Laos, the young man only agreed to travel abroad after being promised good pay for a simple three-month job.

Six months and countless beatings later, the 14-year-old and three other trafficking victims from Laoss Luang Namtha province were freed from the Kosai Casino in Myanmars Myawaddy town this week and sent across the border to Thailand, where they were eventually deported home and reunited with their loved ones.

I went to Myanmar in August last year because my employer told me that I would be there for only three months, said the young man who, like others in this report, spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.

Instead, he and others were held against their will and forced to work as scammers, luring unwitting foreigners into giving them access to their bank accounts, and regularly subjected to harsh punishments if they failed to bring in money.

In the casino in Myanmar, if we [workers] were unable to meet our targets, we'd be beaten up, the young man said.

Back home with his parents in Luang Namtha province, he said that the people who held him captive in Myanmar regularly beat workers with tasers, iron rods, and heavy ropes.

Four of us have returned home from Thailand, but more than 10 others are still [in Thailand], waiting their turn, he said.

Special economic zone

Myawaddy, in southeastern Myanmars Kayin state, is home to the Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone, which was promoted as a way to spur economic growth and deliver material benefits to the local community.

Instead, the Chinese-backed U.S.$15 billion real estate mega-project along the Thaungyin River has gained notoriety as a bastion of illegal activity, according to a report by the Washington-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies, C4ADS, an independent research outfit that studies transnational organized crime networks.

Shwe Kokko New City, as the area is called, was funded by Hong Kong-registered developer Yatai International Holding Group in partnership with the Chit Lin Myaing Company owned by the Kayin State Border Guard Force, an ethnic Karen force aligned with the Myanmar military. It includes the Myanmar Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone.

The area became a hub for illicit activity because of weak national laws, a diffusion of responsibility, and a lack of development plans, according to C4ADSs report.

Lawless

Scammers and human traffickers operate with near-total immunity from the law in the zone, where they treat their victims like chattel, beating them when they dont comply and demanding payment in exchange for setting them free.

RFA obtained a video that depicts one trafficking victim at the casino in Myawaddy standing handcuffed to a pole while desperately trying to avoid being shocked by captors wielding cattle prods on either side of him.

Another video shows his back covered by burns and welts from being tortured, while a third appears to show victims being forced to hold stress positions and tased if they cannot do so.

It was not immediately clear whether the videos had been used by the traffickers as a kind of ransom note to solicit payment from family members.

A close friend of the video subjects family in Luang Namtha told RFA that he was freed several days ago  after his mother transferred 300,000 Thai baht (U.S.$8,750) online to a human trafficking gang in Myanmar.

[He] is now detained for illegal entry at the immigration center in the town of Mae Sot, Thailand  waiting to be deported to Laos, the friend said.

A woman in Luang Namtha told RFA that she had paid 100,000 Thai baht to traffickers at the casino for her grandsons freedom.

If I didnt pay, my grandson wouldnt have been released, she said. How did I pay? My grandson told me to transfer the money to a certain person, so I did.

Still trapped

Other families told RFA their loved ones remain trapped at the casino in Myawaddy and said they have little recourse to secure their release.

The parent of an 18-year-old man from Luang Namtha said his son is still working as an online chatter at the casino, scamming people out of money.

What happened to him was like what happened to many other Lao workers: he first worked as an online chatter at the Kings Romans Casino in [Laos] Bokeo province, but when he couldnt do the work, he was traded to the casino in Myanmar, he said.

The Kings Romans Casino resort is located in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in northern Laos  a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese citizens situated along the Mekong River where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. Much like the Myanmar Yatai Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone has also become a haven for criminal activities including prostitution, scamming and drug trafficking.

Many impoverished young Laotians from other provinces and foreigners who were promised lucrative jobs end up held against their will at the casino by trafficking rings that exploit them under threat of violence. In 2018, the U.S. government sanctioned the Chinese tycoon who is said to run the economic zone as head of a trafficking network.

Other parents in Luang Namtha whose children remain trapped at the Kosai Casino in Myawaddy after being trafficked there told RFA they are growing increasingly desperate.

One mother called on the Lao government to help rescue her daughter from the facility as soon as possible, because they are beaten up every day.

I dont know whether theyll survive or not, she said. We [parents] have been requesting help for more than three months now, but nothing has happened!

The father of a young man held at the casino said he and other parents had been petitioning the Lao National Police, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Embassy in Myanmar since September last year, with little to show for it. He said only around 10 of the victims have been released after their family members paid ransoms ranging from 10,000 to 200,000 Thai baht (U.S.$300 to $5,850).

No access

An official with the Lao Embassy in Myanmar told RFA that the government is doing its best to help those trapped in Myawaddy and had contacted the juntas Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance.

We cant access the area because of the fighting between ethnic groups and the military in Kayah state, said the official, who also declined to be named.

Myanmars Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated to us that there are [more than 100] Lao workers there who dont have passports and there is no record of their entry to Myanmar because they entered illegally  as well as many other workers from other countries too.

The Department of Foreign Affairs for the Philippines repatriated eight Filipino trafficking victims from Myanmar earlier this week, according to a report by the Manila Times.

Of the eight, the report said, four were recruited online from Dubai to supposedly work as customer support representatives in Thailand, but were brought to Myanmar and forced to trick individuals into investing in cryptocurrency.

Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Junta troops shot them and dumped their bodies in a burning village.

Inn village in Katha township, Sagaing region was burned down by junta troops on July 19, 2022.

Residents of a Sagaing region village say they found the bodies of seven unidentified men when they returned after a junta raid.

Troops carrying out raids on the border with Shan state entered four villages in Katha township between Feb. 11 and 14, burning around 700 houses, locals told RFA.

When some residents of Inn Gyi village returned Wednesday they found the bodies in two spots near a lake.

I dont know who these villagers are, said a local who didnt want to be named for fear of reprisal.

They had been brought by the [military] column and shot dead. I dont know where the troops brought them from. The dead men were wearing sandals and were not soldiers.

He said he they could be civilians from a village in Shan state who had been arrested during recent raids there.

A Peoples Defense Force member, who also declined to be identified, said a junta column left Ngar Oe village in Shans Mabein township on Feb. 9 and continued burning villages across the border in Sagaing region whilst fighting a three-day battle with the pro-democracy militia.

Around 2,000 residents of the Katha township villages said they only dared to return home on Thursday because fires were still burning and the junta troops had planted mines.

Nearly 43,300 homes in Sagaing region have been burned down by junta troops in the two years following the Feb. 1, 2021 coup, according to independent research group Data for Myanmar.

Almost 2,994 civilians have been killed by the junta since the 2021 coup, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said in its daily update on Wednesday.

RFA called the Sagaing region junta spokesperson, Aye Hlaing, seeking comment on the killings and arson attacks but he didnt answer the phone.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Abduweli Tursun, a Uyghur now living in Turkey, was able to use the Xinjiang Police Files Person Search Tool to determine that his two brothers, Mahmut Tursun (L) and Hoshur Tursun (R), had been sentenced to long prison terms in Xinjiang by Chinese authorities.

For years, Abduweli Tursun had no idea what happened to family members back home.

He had fled to Turkey in 2014 as Chinese authorities cracked down on the mostly Muslim population in the far western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, supposedly to suppress terrorism and religious extremism.

Living in Istanbul and working as a trader, Tursun, 39, would scour social media for news about people back home but almost always came up empty.

But earlier this month, he discovered an amazing online tool called the Xinjiang Police Files Person Search Tool. By typing in names, he could see mugshots of several family members and neighbors in his hometown of Tashmiliq in Konasheher county, and find out their detention status, reasons for detention and prison sentences.

But any relief at locating loved ones was overshadowed by despair when Tursun learned that two of his brothers, Hoshur and Mahmut, sister Nuriman and other friends had been given long prison sentences.

One brother was sentenced to 18 years in prison for sending Tursun money when he was in Malaysia, en route to Turkey. Nuriman was arrested simply because Tursun had fled.

My heart ached after seeing each receive a lengthy prison sentence, he told Radio Free Asia.

All told, he found data on about 20 individuals in his hometown.

I left my hometown long ago, he said. I could not recognize some.

Hacked from police computers

The search tool was unveiled on Feb. 9 by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. People can use it to search over 700,000 personal records of Uyghurs and Kazakhs who were among the total 830,000 individuals included in the Xinjiang Police Files, a cache of millions of confidential documents hacked from Xinjiang police computers.

The tool allows anyone to enter names in Chinese characters or national ID numbers into a search engine to find out details about them in files that date from 2017 to 2018, the height of one of Chinas strike hard campaigns, during which hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities were sent to the re-education camps.

Someone anonymously sent the data to Adrian Zenz, director of China Studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, earlier this year. Zenz has spent years documenting Chinas abuses against Uyghurs.

Its as if you can log into a Xinjiang police computer and get data output from the police itself, like what they have on the person [whose name] you enter, Zenz said. And in the 5 million records, we identified over 700,000 different individuals that have data on them.

China has held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in the detention facilities in an effort to prevent terrorism and religious extremism, with some subjected to torture, sexual assault and forced labor.

In May 2022, Zenz released information about the leaked records that appear to be from internment camps, with photos of and information about detainees. He also released classified speeches by high-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials describing Uyghurs and other Muslims as an enemy class whose traditions must be eradicated for China to survive.

Sheds light on Chinas abuse of Uyghurs

The data sheds more light on Beijings human rights abuses in Xinjiang and provides more evidence of the repression of the Uyghurs, adding pressure to other countries and the United Nations to hold the Chinese government to account.

The Chinese government has repeatedly denied committing rights abuses in Xinjiang and has angrily denounced Zenz and his findings.

Tursun learned about the Xinjiang Police Files Person Search Tool when he came across a list of photos of detained Uyghurs posted on Facebook by activist Abduweli Ayup, who is from the same county as Tursun, but now lives in Norway.

He provided information on about 10,000 people detained in our county, Konasheher, Tursun told RFA. I cant read Chinese, so I asked people fluent in Chinese for help and obtained information about my relatives, acquaintances and neighbors. That is how I found them.

Complete sets of data can be found for the entire populations of Konasheher in Kashgar Prefecture and Tekes county in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, and partial information for residents of all ages from dozens of other counties in Xinjiang, he said.

While most reasons for detention relate to purported acts of religious extremism, contact with Uyghurs or others living outside Xinjiang, or religious teachings found on their mobile devices, Zenz said he was surprised that many detained Uyghurs were listed under a bizarre untrustworthy people category because their whereabouts could not be determined or because they went out at night.

One person who was detained for reeducation because she supposedly engaged in unusual nightly activities, and her phone was frequently turned off, he said.

Others were detained under 913, which Zenz believes might refer to a date on which mobile operators were testing phones to see who had their handsets turned off or had supposedly unusual activity on them.

The search tool also has an integrated digital form for relatives of detainees who want to submit complaints about violations of human rights treaties to the U.N. Special Procedures, independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.

Basically, if your relative or family member or somebody you know has been a victim of the atrocity and theres some evidence in the police files that indicates that they have been victimized in some way, then you can make a submission to the United Nations Special Procedures, Zenz said.

The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights said in an August 2022 report that serious human rights violations committed in Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity.

Translated by the Uyghur Service. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
The Vietnamese government has failed to respond to a request by three U.N. special rapporteurs as to the whereabouts of a Chinese human rights defender arrested by Vietnamese police. They are concerned that Dong Guangping will face persecution if sent back to China.

Vietnamese police in Hanoi arrested Dong, 65, in August 2022, though the official reason for his detention is unknown. At the time, Dong was seeking political asylum status in a third country.

Dong, a former police officer from Henan province, was criminally prosecuted in China three times for his work in support of human rights and democracy, including advocacy for activities commemorating victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Chinese authorities freed Dong in August 2019, and he sought refuge in Vietnam in January 2020. Vietnamese authorities arrested him while he was waiting to be resettled in Canada, where his family resides.

The Office of the U.N. High Commission on Human Rights, or OHCHR, said that as of Feb. 12, Hanoi had not responded to the December 2022 request by Aua Balde, chair-rapporteur of the working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances, Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and Mary Lawlor, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

The information at hand indicate that Mr. Dong may be facing reprisals for his legitimate work in the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms in China, and that he has been forcibly disappeared in Vietnam for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of assembly in his country of origin, the rapporteurs said in a letter to the Vietnamese government dated Dec. 15, 2022.

Vietnam, which has a dubious human rights record, has faced allegations of forced returns of activists, human rights defenders and others facing substantial risk of persecution in their countries of origin. In recent years, it has arrested and deported three Chinese activists who had fled to the Southeast Asian country to avoid persecution at home, according to Spain-based Safeguard Defenders.

Handcuffed and blindfolded

In the letter, the rapporteurs said they were informed about the arbitrary arrest of Dong, who had last been seen handcuffed and blindfolded and escorted by about a dozen police officers and placed in a police car. He was arrested outside his apartment in Hanoi, where he had hiding for 31 months while waiting for resettlement.

While we do not wish to prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, we are seriously concerned about what appears to be the arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and risk of refoulement of Chinese asylum seeker and former political prisoner Mr. Dong Guangping, they wrote.

We are also alarmed at the imminent risk of persecution facing Mr. Dong should Vietnamese authorities decide to forcibly return him to China and at the harmful impact that his current situation might have on his physical and psychological integrity, they said.

By detaining Dong and refusing to provide information about him, the Vietnamese government has violated international treaties to which Vietnam is a state party, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the rapporteurs said.

International human rights organizations said Hanoi must take responsibility for protecting Dong as well as providing information about his current situation.

It is outrageous and unacceptable that they are shirking that responsibility despite repeated requests from the U.N., and the U.S. and Canadian governments for answers. Phil Robertson, the groups deputy Asia director, told Radio Free Asia by email.

Defying the international community

Robertson said his organization had reliable information that Dong had been held by the Vietnam authorities before he disappeared.

Vietnam is willfully defying the international community and violating their human rights commitments by hiding the truth in this matter, he said. This case is yet another reason why it is so inappropriate for Vietnam to have a seat at the UN Human Rights Council.

Vietnam began serving its three-year term on the council on Jan. 1, despite its own serious breaches of human rights principles.

Gwen Lee, China campaigner for Amnesty International, agreed that Hanoi must provide Dongs whereabouts and not hand him over to China.

Under the principle of non-refoulement of international law, the government of Vietnam should halt all plans to deport him as there is a high possibility that he will face torture and ill-treatment if he returns to China, she said.

The non-refoulement principle states that no one should be returned to a country where they would face persecution, violence or death.

Amnesty International had recorded situations in which many human rights defenders were tortured and mistreated, especially when detained incommunicado under residential surveillance in a designated location, she said, referring to a form of detention used by Chinese authorities against people accused of endangering state security. Some also were subjected to heavy surveillance after they were released from prison, she added.

RFA could not reach Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment on the matter. The ministry also did not respond to an email request for comment.

We dont know where he is

Meanwhile, Dongs family and supporters, who have had no news about him since his arrest, are concerned that Vietnamese authorities may have unlawfully handed him over to the Chinese and that he may already be imprisoned and held incommunicado, according to a statement issued on Feb. 14 by the Toronto Association for Democracy in China.

We dont even know where he is, Katherine Dong, the activists daughter, a Toronto university student, told the organization. They wont answer my questions. They wont answer questions posed by the prime minister and the minister of foreign affairs of Canada. Now they refuse to answer the United Nations.

This is unacceptable and an affront to international law, she said. Vietnamese officials must answer our simple question: Where is Dong Guangping?

Translated by Anna Vu for RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
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.
YEREVAN -- Officials in Baku say Azerbaijani athletes will boycott the European Weightlifting Championships in the Armenian capital of Yerevan and return home after an Azerbaijani flag was set afire by an apparent intruder at an opening ceremony late on April 14.

Armenian police briefly detained a person who ran onto the stage during the event and snatched the Azerbaijani flag from a lady performing in the opening ceremony before setting it ablaze.

No Azerbaijani athletes or delegation members were reportedly present in the hall at the time of the incident.

Over 300 athletes from 40 countries are competing in the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan.

No charges were brought immediately against the intruder, whom the Armenian police identified as Aram Nikolian, a professional designer. He was set free by police several hours after his detention, officials said.

Azerbaijans Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Olympic Committee described the incident as a "barbaric act," saying it was a manifestation of :ethnic hatred, racism, xenophobia, and animosity toward Azerbaijanis" in Armenia and was "contrary to the noble principles and goals of sports."

Declaring that under such conditions the safety of Azerbaijani athletes was not ensured and their normal participation in the championships was impossible, the Azerbaijani authorities announced their decision that their athletes will return home.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident, demanding those responsible be punished.

"It is worrying that no security measures were taken by organizers against such hate action. Perpetrators should be accordingly punished, Aykhan Hajizade, a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, wrote on Twitter.

Armenias Sports Ministry countered by saying that all security measures had been put in place by the Armenian side as required and there were no security risks for the Azerbaijani athletes.

It stressed that the flag burning incident at the opening ceremony was settled quickly and had nothing to do with the general security of Azerbaijani athletes and ensuring of their normal participation in the competitions.

"The Republic of Armenia remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to the International Weightlifting Federation and reaffirms its readiness to hold the 2023 European Championships at a high level," Armenia's Sports Ministry said in a statement.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Some 30,000 people were killed in a war in the early 1990s that left ethnic Armenians in control of the breakaway region and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan proper. Another 7,000 died 7,000 when the simmering conflict reignited in 2020.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
SOFIA -- During his regular afternoon commute in early January, something new caught Konstantin Delchev's attention while he was riding in a streetcar in the Bulgarian capital.

Mounted to the ceiling was the spherical lens of a CCTV camera and on the base of the platform was the brand name for a Chinese manufacturer that Delchev had increasingly heard about on the news, where it is often mired in controversy -- Hikvision.

"The first questions that came to mind are whether we need things like this and whether it's worth the cost for taxpayers like me," Delchev told RFE/RL. "The next question was, who chose to use this company and why not others?"

A mathematician by training with a PhD in informatics, Delchev is no stranger to Hikvision and the world of cybersecurity. Aware of a growing list of vulnerabilities raised by experts and some Western governments over Hikvision equipment -- as well as the often unregulated nature of surveillance around the world -- he raised his concerns on Facebook along with a photo of a Hikvision camera that quickly helped ignite a wider conversation in the Bulgarian parliament over the use of the cameras and why they were installed.

"[The cameras] come from a country that others don't trust enough to allow into their critical infrastructure," Delchev said. "So how come cameras have appeared without a clear understanding of the risks or without transparency over which security measures have been taken, [given this is] a company that has a reputation of not valuing the security of its customers?"

Hikvision is the world's largest manufacturer of video-surveillance equipment and has been the tip of the spear for a bundle of Chinese technology companies that have come to dominate the global market in recent decades. The company, however, has also become the target of U.S. sanctions over its links to the Chinese military and role in developing special technology to surveil and track Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.

Hikvision cameras have also faced scrutiny over lax data protection and glitches found by researchers that showed how hackers could remotely gain access to the system and control of the cameras.

U.S. regulators have banned the use of Hikvision cameras, along with a handful of other Chinese equipment and companies, over national security concerns, while the United Kingdom and Australia have all recently banned Chinese-made security cameras from government buildings. There are no restrictions against Hikvision in the European Union, but the European Parliament has removed equipment manufactured by the company from its locations.

It's for these reasons that Bozhidar Bojanov, a lawmaker from the opposition Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary bloc, says that after seeing Delchev's post he decided to push the State Agency for National Security for a review on what measures were taken in order to avoid breaches of the new surveillance cameras in Sofia's public-transit network.

"I'm not saying that the Russians [or] the Chinese will follow us," he wrote in a January blog post on the issue. "I am saying that through Chinese and Russian technology, which are potentially compromised, strategic activity -- public transport in the capital -- can be negatively affected [and put at risk]."

A Rollout In Sofia

The use of CCTV cameras on public transit is commonplace across much of the world, but the controversy in Bulgaria centers on the documented vulnerabilities surrounding the use of Hikvision cameras and concerns over a lack of oversight in their procurement.

The video-surveillance system installed on Sofia's public-transit network dates to 2017, when a modernization project for the city's urban transport was issued. At the end of 2018, a contract was concluded with a consortium of companies to purchase the equipment and affiliated technology for $45 million, with the aim of installing a total of 4,300 cameras on buses, streetcars, and trolleybuses in the capital.

The video-surveillance system in Sofia's public-transport system began operating in late 2020 and a rollout of the cameras has continued. The website of Sofia's Urban Mobility Center, the city's transportation department, says that installing the cameras was done to provide "better security" for drivers and passengers and make it easier for the city to count the number of people traveling on public transit.

But questions remain over the vulnerabilities of Hikvision cameras as well as wider concerns by some Western governments about Chinese suppliers.

The Urban Mobility Center said in response to RFE/RL questions that it did not have "the right to set restrictions or requirements around the country of origin or specific brands for equipment manufacturers" for the contract. Similarly, the consortium formed to execute the public order for purchasing the cameras said that its choice of equipment was guided by "needs, reliability, and security" and not by country of origin or trademark.

Part of the appeal of Chinese companies in the surveillance industry like Hikvision to buyers around the world is that they offer a competitive price paired with a quality that has often allowed them to undercut their peers and win public contracts where the cost to taxpayers is often a leading factor in the selection process.

Major concerns about the vulnerability of Hikvision came in 2021, when an anonymous security researcher found a glitch in the Chinese company's products that "permits an attacker to gain full control of the device." In a post that spread widely among industry leaders, the researcher said the cameras had "the highest level of critical vulnerability."

Hikvision quickly acknowledged the vulnerability and instructed users to install new software on their devices which it said would patch the glitch.

According to IPVM, an industry research publication focused on video-surveillance products, the vulnerability impacted more than 100 million cameras globally.

In August 2022, the cybersecurity company CYFIRMA published a study in which it estimated that more than 80,000 Hikvision cameras were exposed after operators failed to install a firmware update released in 2021 or left default passwords in place when first setting up the devices.

The Urban Mobility Center, the consortium behind the Sofia contract, and Maxtel, the subtractor that installed the cameras, did not acknowledge any vulnerabilities and whether they had been patched.

The Urban Mobility Center did not respond to RFE/RL's inquiry about the glitch and Maxtel said that it had no information about it. The center did say it had referred the question to Hikvision, but that the company had not yet confirmed any details.

However, both entities told RFE/RL that such concerns were paramount to them and that the video-surveillance system was secure, as it remains on a closed computer network and that all software updates are regularly monitored and applied.

"All measures have been taken to protect the system and make it impossible for the information from it to be used for anything other than its intended purposes," the Urban Mobility Center said in a statement. "It's constantly being reviewed, especially in terms of cybersecurity."

Remaining Questions

Bojanov, the opposition lawmaker, says he will continue to press for answers about the remaining vulnerabilities in the Sofia network and for added information for security standards.

Before entering politics, Bojanov worked in IT and says he has a strong practical background to understand the risks involved, especially from both what he described as private and state-backed hackers. Just one vulnerability, he adds, could be a breach that leads to access of the entire network of cameras.

Monitoring for compliance on the network falls within the domain of the State Agency for National Security. RFE/RL asked it what was being done to monitor and fix vulnerabilities, but the agency said that information regarding how its duties are carried out is classified.

According to Yasen Tanev, a cybersecurity expert and chairman of the Bulgarian Association for Business Software Development, the biggest risk for networks arises from noncompliance with industry standards and that modern cameras, which are connected through a vast digital network, are a leading target "for attacks by hackers."

Tanev told RFE/RL that questions around trust in the manufacturing company are key for such camera networks and that the restrictions imposed on Hikvision abroad due to national security concerns should be a "red flag" for the State Agency for National Security.

"Are the users aware of the risks, are they managing them, and how do they ensure that the vulnerabilities cannot be used by someone to gain access to these devices or the entire network?" he said.

Written by Reid Standish in Prague based on reporting by Elitsa Simeonova of RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service in Sofia
Admission to Montana State Universitys Museum of the Rockies will be free for Montana residents from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, as part of the first MOR Montana Day.

Montanans visiting the museum can explore two special limited-time exhibits, cultural and natural history exhibits, children's exhibits, planetarium shows and the museum store. The free admission is possible thanks to support from U.S. Bank.

The museum is home to one of the world's largest collections of North American dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus rex and a growth series of the horned Triceratops, showing the species from juvenile to adult through a series of fossilized skulls, as well as a nearly complete Allosaurus and numerous dinosaur eggs.

The museums Taylor Planetarium lets visitors experience the universe and world in vivid colors, dramatic motion and brilliant displays of light. The planetarium is currently screening Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity and Chasing the Ghost Particle under its 40-foot dome.

The visiting exhibit Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost looks at climate change through the lens of a thawing Arctic. Visitors are transported to the Arctic through the sights and smells of the nations only permafrost research tunnel, and shows the engineering challenges posed by thawing permafrost. The exhibit also includes Ice Age fossils, ancient ice cores and interactive games.

The museums other visiting exhibit, Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross, showcases original multimedia art from Rosss most recent book. Considered one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books, Ross has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art. Attendees will learn about how he developed into an illustrator through childhood drawings, sketches, paintings, video and 3D busts of Marvel Comics characters.

The museum also features the Martin Childrens Discovery Center. Based on the science of Yellowstone National Park and geared toward children up to age 8, the center encourages young explorers to touch, smell, look at and listen to Yellowstone's features and creatures.
A new pro-Western government led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean has been sworn in in Moldova after receiving the backing of 62 lawmakers from the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in the 101-seat parliament.

The vote took place on February 16 less than a week after Recean, 48, was nominated by President Maia Sandu to replace Natalia Gavrilita, whose government resigned following 18 months in office.

Deputies representing opposition socialists and communists demonstrated against the new government and chanted "Shame" and "Anticipated." The Russian-friendly Shor Party boycotted the session.

The PAS majority in parliament also approved the new governments program, dubbed Prosperous, Safe, European Moldova, to revive the economy and chart a course toward the European Union.

Among the objectives of the new government are the opening of EU accession negotiations, ensuring order in state institutions, increasing economic development, continuing justice reform, and accelerating the fight against corruption.

"Another priority is peace and stability. We are living in turbulent times, which have never existed before, and together we must face these challenges. We need to invest in our technical and human defense capacity," Recean said.

The policy program itself says Moldovans "want to live in a safe world where international treaties are respected, where problems between countries are resolved through dialogue, [and] where there is respect for small states."

Recean said before the parliamentary vote that his government would include four new ministers who will head the finance, infrastructure, justice, and energy ministries.

Recean was interior minister from 2012 to 2015. Before being tapped to be prime minister, he served as a defense and security adviser to Sandu.

Sandu has repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilize Moldova. Earlier this week she spoke of an alleged Russian plot that she said was outlined in documents she received from Ukrainian intelligence services. The plot allegedly aimed to topple the country's leadership, stop it joining the EU, and use it in the war against Ukraine.

Russia has denied that it is plotting to destabilize Moldova, calling the claims "completely unfounded and unsubstantiated."

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried stressed in an interview on February 15 with RFE/RL that the United States is "deeply concerned" about reports about the plot and strongly supports Sandu.

With reporting by Reuters
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Russia has something of a preoccupation with unfriendliness these days, so it should come as no surprise that a Kremlin-linked think tank has come up with a way to rank Moscow's neighbors from BFF to archenemies.

But is the ranking of Russia-friendliness among 14 countries that the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications (NIIRK) released earlier this month based on hard data or just hard feelings?

The study -- the Rating of Friendliness of Communication Regimes in Neighboring Countries -- is the second of its kind in the two-year history of NIIRK, which, judging by its modest online footprint, doesn't do much else.

That means these neighboring countries can see how their Russia-friendliness has risen or fallen in the wake of the Kremlin's bloody, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last year as well as the NIIRK's recommendations on how to address these trends.

Although there are no surprises regarding the countries at the top (Belarus) and the bottom (Ukraine) of the rankings, some of the other movements in the past year are notable.

Why, for instance, is Georgia, a country Russia went to war with in 2008, now a "relatively friendly" country for Moscow in the view of the authors? And why is Kazakhstan, the leader of last year's rankings, still friendly but "fluctuating"?

Although the NIIRK is both young and little-known, it is "not without connections" according to the Russian media outlet The Moscow Post, which flagged in a February 13 article a cooperation agreement struck on the floor of last summer's annual economic forum in St. Petersburg between NIIRK and one of Russia's national libraries.

The NIIRK also lists a number of state think tanks in Russia and Russian-allied countries among its partners on its website and boasts a supervisory board packed with retired KGB officers.

The group calls its mission "the development of a multilateral dialogue of peoples, cultures, religions, states, international scientific and educational organizations [and] civil society to strengthen peace and harmony."

'Unfriendly' -- A Category With A Sliding Scale

Country relationships and their ebb and flow have been very much on Moscow's mind of late.

In March, as Russia was facing an unprecedented barrage of sanctions in response to its invasion, President Vladimir Putin ordered the creation of an official register of "unfriendly countries" that it has since used as a basis for countersanctions.

The NIIRK claims its research is rooted in an analysis of 10 different types of communications with Russia by its neighbors.

These range from external political communication through "communication in media," "communication in the field of education," and other similarly vague categories as well as neighboring countries' policies toward their Russian-speaking populations.

The think tank says it uses more than 60 indicators to evaluate "communication regimes" in 14 of Russia's neighbors but did not respond to a request from RFE/RL to clarify the methodology.

Summing up changes in Russia-friendliness in 2022 versus 2021, NIIRK said that "the polarization between friendly and unfriendly communication regimes has increased."

If in Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania "conditions for the development of communications worsened, all the way up to a ban," then some communications improved with friendly but "previously quite reserved" Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the NIIRK said.

In numerical terms, the biggest change was in Estonia, where Russia-friendliness reached -51.8 from a prior figure of -10.7 in 2021, as Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emerged as one of Europe's most vocal critics of the Kremlin's invasion. The two countries recently expelled each other's ambassadors to cement the unfriendliness.

Ukraine's rating plunged from -43.8 in 2021 -- when it was rated as more Russia-friendly than Latvia -- to -83.6 in 2022.

Media Meddling

The wide scope of the NIIRK's study chimes with what experts have called the Kremlin's increasingly meddlesome approach to relations with its closer international partners.

Kazakhstan, which failed to follow Belarus's lead in endorsing Russia's war on Ukraine, is perhaps the most obvious example of this trend.

Just last month, an initiative by Kazakh businessmen to send a nomadic yurt as humanitarian aid to Bucha, a town north of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, sparked a diplomatic moment between Astana and Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked the Kazakh authorities to confirm that Astana was not involved in the delivery "to avoid damaging the Russia-Kazakhstan strategic partnership and alliance."

Zakharova's opposite number in Kazakhstan, Aibek Smadiyarov, told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service when asked about the gift that there was "nothing to explain" and that Kazakhstan could not prevent its citizens from helping Ukraine.

In the media space, Russian state media watchdog Roskomnadzor has been actively targeting outlets in neighboring countries with requests to delete material covering the war that Russia continues to refer to as a "special military operation" or face being blocked in Russia.

For Arbat.media in Kazakhstan, these demands went further, with a court in the Russian town of Vladimir summoning the outlet over its report on the war. The journalists ignored the unprecedented summons and have been backed in doing so by Kazakh officials.

The NIIRK underscored Kazakhstan's status as a friendly country but remarked that "inertia" could no longer be relied on to reproduce positive feelings towards Russia there. "Now efforts will be required, perhaps special projects and programs for the development of communications," the group recommended, without offering details.

Countries with more tightly controlled media and social-media spaces have fared much better in this year's rating.

Turkmenistan all but ignored Russia's war in Ukraine for most of 2022 but has lately dabbled in propaganda campaigns criticizing Western support for Ukraine. Ashgabat was the NIIRK's biggest positive mover, swinging from +14.5 to +47.1 for 2022.

Uzbekistan, where bloggers and media have reportedly been discouraged from covering the war, jumped from seventh to third in the 2022 rankings, leaving Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan trailing in its wake.

Georgia has also trended positive, registering a 20-point hike and leapfrogging Moldova into ninth place as the NIIRK noted improved conditions for "the development of economic communication" in a year when Georgia refused to add to the international sanctions piled on Russia.

Some of the NIIRK's observations -- such as one about alleged censorship of content about Russia in neighboring countries on social media -- appear deeply ironic given the state of freedoms at home.

The group likewise expresses dismay that religious institutions "which in 2021 remained channels of friendly communication even in unfriendly countries, are being pressured by the authorities and forced to make a political choice." In Russia, a Russian Orthodox Church priest was fined and the supreme lama of Russia's predominantly Buddhist Kalmykia region designated a "foreign agent" over their comments and stances related to the war.

The composition of the NIIRK's supervisory board might raise questions about the "rating of friendliness" as a serious academic exercise -- fully five of seven members include careers in the Russian and Soviet security services on their resumes.

Among them is NIIRK Director Vladislav Gasumyanov, who described the rating as "a benchmark, both for Russia and for other countries" in a blog post published last week.

Russia's neighbors, he said, had benefited from Russia's historically "paternalistic relations," which he contrasted with the "colonial relations" favored by Europe and the United States.

Now, they have "an opportunity for thought, to decide on their priorities and align their watches. Time cannot be turned back," Gasumyanov warned.
BELGRADE -- The leader of a far-right political party in Serbia has been arrested by police in Belgrade after a rally he organized of nationalists turned violent on February 15.

Damjan Knezevic, the head of Narodna Patrola, or Peoples Patrol, was detained by police on February 16 along with two other unidentified members of the far-right group. They were charged with inciting violence and weapons violations.

The arrests come a day after hundreds of Serbian nationalists rallied in Belgrade, demanding that President Aleksandar Vucic reject a Western plan to normalize ties with Kosovo and pull out of negotiations.



Shouting Treason! and carrying banners reading No surrender, the right-wing protesters blocked traffic as they gathered near the Serbian presidency building in central Belgrade.



Some of the estimated 1,000 protesters tore down protective metal fencing around the building at the end of the rally but were prevented by riot police from reaching the entrance.



The protest came amid efforts by U.S. and European Union officials to mediate a solution for the long-standing dispute between Serbia and Kosovo, a former Serbian province whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognize.

WATCH: Police in Belgrade blocked right-wing protesters who attempted to storm the country's presidency building following a rally to mark Serbian Statehood Day.



The crowd shouted "Serbia! Russia!" and symbols of the Russian mercenary group Wagner and the letter Z for the Russian military were visible in the crowd. Some protesters shouted offensive messages about Vucic.



Vucic held a meeting with the security services following the protest and said Serbia would not allow "thugs and extremists with any help from the outside -- the West or the East -- to threaten the constitutional order."



People's Patrol is known for its anti-immigrant actions and events in support of Russia in Belgrade since the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago.



Knezevic in November visited the Wagner Center in Russia, and the organization is behind the drawing of a mural in Belgrade in honor of Wagner.



Despite its status as a candidate for EU membership, Serbia refuses to impose sanctions on Russia and maintains good bilateral relations with Moscow.



U.S. and EU envoys have been pressing Belgrade and Pristina to approve a plan on normalizing relations presented last year under which Belgrade would stop lobbying against Kosovo having a seat in international organizations, including the United Nations.



One of the sticking points in the talks on normalizing relations has been the creation of an association of municipalities in Kosovo with a Serbian majority.



The European Union has expressed its readiness to help Kosovo and Serbia in the talks on forming the association.



EU spokesperson Peter Stano said the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is the only platform where ideas and proposals about the association can be discussed.



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier in a statement congratulating Serbia as it marked its Statehood Day that Kosovar and Serbian leaders will have to make "difficult compromises" to resolve outstanding issues and normalize their relations.



"I am confident that normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will bring security and prosperity for Serbia and all citizens of the Western Balkans," Blinken said in the statement.



"Certainly, Serbian and Kosovar leaders will make difficult compromises to achieve these goals, but the rewards for the Serbian people -- and the entire region -- will be vast," Blinken said.

With reporting by AP
When the town of Stepanivka in Ukraine's southern Kherson region was captured by invading Russian forces early in March 2022, the dozens of children at the local orphanage were stranded. At first, orphanage director Volodymyr Sahaydak says, the staff hoped they would be evacuated to Ukrainian-held territory.

"But that hope faded with each passing day," Sahaydak told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "And sometime after about three months, we understood that no one could get us out of the occupation, especially since the Russians were not letting out this category of children in such numbers."

By that time, it was becoming clear that the Russians were taking thousands of Ukrainian children to Russian-occupied Crimea or to Russia.

According to a February 14 report by the Yale University School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab as part of a U.S. State Department-backed human rights project, at least 6,000 Ukrainian children were removed from newly occupied parts of Ukraine after the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, "with orphans and those who were residents of state institutions [apparently] targeted for deportation to Russia's territory for adoption and/or placement in foster care."

Such actions, the report added, "could constitute a potential war crime and crime against humanity in some cases."

"We were under occupation," Sahaydak said. "Face-to-face, without financing, without government support, and it was hard. Of course, we understood that our life would be radically different."

The 53 children and teens in Sahaydak's charge, ranging in age from 3 to 18, would have to go underground.

'We Might All Be Taken To Russia'

In the early days of the occupation, civilians fled the area, taking their own families to safety. The orphanage's workers were no exception and soon Sahaydak found himself with just two other staffers.

The occupation authorities imposed a 5 p.m. curfew and public transport stopped running at 3 p.m. Staffers who normally worked until 8 p.m. had to leave for home by 2 p.m., he says.

"All through this time, we led a conspiratorial life," Sahaydak recalled. "The children could not go outside. We had a closed courtyard...that wasn't visible from the street. We'd let the children go out there in small groups for 15-minute stretches. They couldn't shout or laugh or run around. They knew that if there was any noise, we would be discovered."

"They understood that we might all be taken to Russia, so they behaved themselves," he said.

Gradually, Sahaydak and his remaining staff found refuge for the children in the homes of sympathetic families that remained in the occupied areas. Some families took in three or even four of the children, at great risk to themselves.

Sahaydak says he learned how to use Photoshop so that he could forge letters and documents to help the families pass through the numerous occupation-authority checkpoints.

During the summer, the Russians showed up at the orphanage  not to take children away, it turned out, but to bring some for shelter.

"In June the Russians found us," Sahaydak said. "They knew that it was a shelter for children. They had a problem because on the frontline settlement of Novopetrivka, they had found a boarding school where 15 children were sheltering in the basement."

"Russian soldiers brought them to us," he said, recalling that the children arrived on military trucks. "They were scared because they thought they were being taken to Russia."

No Return?

The new children stayed at the orphanage for three months, with the occupation authorities periodically checking on them. Sahaydak didn't dare try to hide them because a search would likely have led to the discovery of the other children as well.

"When [the Russians] began fleeing the Kherson region on October 19, of course they came and took the children," he said. He says the children were taken first to the occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea, and then to the Russian city of Anapa.

After the Russians withdrew from the city of Kherson and other parts of the region, including Stepanivka, Sahaydak's orphanage was finally evacuated to the neighboring Mykolayiv region.

Stepanivka, on the northwestern edge of the city, remains under regular shelling. The orphanage building was damaged by Russian fire on December 11, one month after Ukraine regained control of Kherson, Sahaydak says.

"We can't return to our center," he said, "because Kherson is shelled and shelled every day."

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by Yulia Shchetyna of News of Azov of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
A Colorado man who was convicted of trafficking meth and fentanyl after Yellowstone County law enforcement found the drugs and a firearm in his vehicle during a traffic stop was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

James Robert Harrelson, 49, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In April 2022, officers with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force received information that Harrelson was trafficking drugs from Colorado to Billings, court documents alleged.

An investigation led to a traffic stop of Harrelson by Yellowstone County Sheriffs deputies. Task force officers searched the vehicle and found meth, fentanyl pills, drug scales, plastic baggies, smoking devices, hypodermic needles and a 9mm handgun. Harrelson admitted that he was transporting the drugs from Colorado to Billings and that the handgun was his.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the 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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked artists and filmmakers to declare their support for Ukraine as he addressed the opening of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 16.

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.

Cinema can overcome barriers -- real and ideological -- said Zelenskiy, referring to Wim Wenders' 1988 film Wings of Desire, which anticipated the end of the postwar division of Germany.

Now, Russia is building a new wall in Ukraine, a figurative wall between freedom and slavery," he said. Art cannot remain indifferent because, in silence, the "voice of evil only becomes louder and more convincing, he said, speaking in a live stream video.

Zelenskiy recalled his own experience as an actor, urging colleagues to directly address their audiences.



"For many years, Potsdam Square was divided by the Berlin Wall," he said. "Today, Russia wants to build the same wall in Ukraine: a wall between us and Europe, to separate Ukraine from its own choice for its future."

Zelenskiy also noted that the festival declined to include institutions and individuals who support the Kremlin and barred films that support Russia. He said he was grateful for that.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, U.S. actress Anne Hathaway praised Zelenskiy as a modern-day hero and thanked the festival organizers for inviting him to give the address.

The festival's management called Zelenskiy's participation a special honor.

Zelenskiy appears in Superpower, Sean Penns film about the war in Ukraine, which will have its premiere at the festival, also known as the Berlinale.

The film tracks Zelenskiy's transformation from actor and comedian to president to war hero.

Penn was filming in Kyiv at the start of the Russian invasion and met with Zelenskiy in his office in November. The two-time Oscar winner said on February 16 that he had just returned from the Ukrainian capital.

"Nothing has changed in terms of the will of the Ukrainian people, that's for sure," Penn said. "If anything, it's just gotten stronger."

Carlo Chatrian, the Berlinales artistic director, paid tribute to "the suffering population, the millions who left Ukraine, and the artists [who] have remained defending the country and continue filming the war."

The Berlinale ranks with Cannes and Venice among Europe's leading film festivals. It will hand out top prizes on February 25 before wrapping up the next day with screenings of popular movies from this year's event.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and dpa
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect additional information provided by NORAD.

After Billings Gazette photos published Feb. 1 forced President Joe Biden to acknowledge the Chinese spy balloon drifting over Montana, he said that he had the day before ordered it shot down.

What he didnt say is that the Pentagon could have shot it shoot down over the Beartooth Mountains in Eastern Montana but didnt.

The map above displays the location of the Beartooth Mountains. Click on the icon for more details.

The plan called for the jets to shoot the 200-foot balloon, with its equipment package the size of two school buses, so that it would fall into the sparsely populated mountains where it could be recovered.

But the balloon traveling above 65,000 feet was too high for the jets to take it down, according to conversations the Gazette has had with several Montana and U.S. military officials.

As the balloon continued on its path across Montana, Biden said he consulted with Pentagon officials who concluded that because of the size of the balloons payload, and unpredictability from that height on where it might land, the choice was made to down it over water.

Without doing any damage to anyone on the ground, (the Pentagon) decided that the best time to do that was when it got over water, Biden told reporters. Three days after it was spotted over Billings, the balloon was downed by a missile just as it drifted offshore from South Carolina.

Keeping the balloon secret

Biden didnt want to acknowledge the spy balloon at all, in light of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens planned diplomatic trip to China. As the Gazettes photos of the spy balloon went viral, the highly-anticipated Blinken trip was quickly called off.

The spy balloon was first reported publicly Feb. 1 by two Billings journalists who spotted it in the sky above Billings after learning earlier in the day of the military incursion over the Beartooth Mountains and the closed airspace in the area.

Photographs and video of the balloon captured by Billings Gazette photographer Larry Mayer and former Gazette editor Chase Doak were published and then shared by media outlets around the world.

Montana officials were especially alarmed about the balloons passage over the central part of the state where three of the nations nuclear silo missile fields are managed by Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.

The balloon was finally downed by a missile fired from a fighter jet just off the coast of South Carolina. Since then, three other flying objects have been shot down by the U.S. military, one over Alaska and another over the Yukon Territory of Canada, both flying at 40,000 feet, and a fourth object flying over Lake Huron at 20,000 feet. All of the shoot downs occurred when the objects were well within F-22 range.

China initially insisted the balloon was a harmless weather research project that had simply blown off course. Since then, Chinese military leaders have revved up their rhetoric, hinting at retaliation and saying the shoot down seriously violated the spirit of international law and international practice.

U.S. intelligence officials have described the Chinese balloon as one in a fleet of balloons launched by the Chinese military to test American defenses, according to CNN. The balloons have conducted at least two dozen missions over five continents in recent years, the news network said.

Shoot downs unprecedented

The nature of the three most recent flying objects, or where they originated from, hasnt yet been made public.

Whatever they are, the four shoot-downs are the first time within U.S airspace that NORAD, or the United States Northern Command, has "taken kinetic action against an airborne object," said Gen. Glenn VanHerck, who is commander of both NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.

Although still vague, VanHerck has come closest to describing the last three flying objects to be shot down.

Im not going to categorize them as balloons, he told reporters in one recent press briefing. Were calling them objects for a reason.

And, although they may be the first to be shot down, theyre not the first foreign objects to pass over U.S. territory. Three balloons were detected during Donald Trumps administration, and one early in Bidens term, the Pentagon has said.

Despite calls for more openness by Montanas Congressional delegation, and other national political leaders, Biden has stayed mostly mum about the flying objects.

In the week after the Chinese balloon was downed, Democratic Montana Sen. Jon Tester, who is chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, held a hearing demanding answers from the Biden administration about his response to the spy balloon.

And last Wednesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the Chinese balloon.

Any effort by China to interfere with Americans freedom and privacy will be met with a united front in the Senate, and Ill do everything in my power to make sure they fail in their effort to replace us as the worlds leading superpower, Tester said.

He called Chinas attempt to surveil some of our most sensitive military assets a brazen act.

Susan Collins, a Republican Senator from Maine who is vice chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said the American public should not have had to learn about the spy balloon by having it spotted in the sky by journalists.

Biden finally speaks

On Thursday, more than two weeks after the attempted shoot down of the balloon over Montana, Biden finally addressed the nation making clear that future parameters for taking down unknown objects will remain classified, but shared with Congress, according to the New York Times.

Biden said the rules would not be public so as not to give a roadmap to our enemies to try to evade our defenses, the Times reported.

The president also confirmed that the U.S. military has loosened its radar filters, leading to the military spotting more objects. There is no evidence there has been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the U.S. airspace, Biden said.

The Beartooth incursion

The Chinese balloon had first entered U.S. airspace Saturday, Jan. 28 north of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. NORAD began tracking it saying it did not pose a threat. The balloon then soared into Canadian airspace and re-entered the U.S. Jan. 31 over northern Idaho. Thats when the Defense Department briefed Biden, who ordered the military to shoot it down as soon as safely possible. The Pentagon feared debris from the balloon could spread over a seven-mile radius.

As the balloon continued over the Beartooth Mountains, jet fighters were scrambled along with two refueling air tankers and long-range surveillance AWACS aircraft.

The air tankers ran a racetrack pattern over the mountains to refuel the fighters as they made several attempts to reach the target. The tankers could be tracked on the open source program Flight Aware.

At the same time, Billings Logan International Airport was closed to all arriving and departing flights during what military officials were only calling an "ongoing military operation." Pilots were warned of an "impending TFR" (temporary flight restriction) from the Beartooth Mountain Range to Billings.

Days later in South Carolina, the jet fighters, tankers and nearby airport closures ahead of the balloon being shot down looked identical to those in place earlier in Montana.

When questioned by The Gazette about the Billings airport ground stop and the air traffic over the Beartooth Mountains, officials with the regional FAA office would only say, "Those are military assets."

Response from Montana leaders

Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke mocked Biden for not taking a shot at the balloon while it was over Montana, apparently unaware of the Beartooth operation.

In Montana we do not bow. We shoot it down. Take the shot, the Republican tweeted. He also said hed pull the trigger himself if theyd let him.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines said Bidens letting the balloon drift across the country made the nation look weak.

The problem I see with President Biden and the White House is they've empowered and emboldened our enemies through a show of weakness and indecision, Daines said. It's a dangerous place to be when our adversaries, I believe, feel bolder now about doing something so brazen as flying a spy balloon over our nuclear weapons.

The Gazette asked each member of the state Congressional delegation, and Gov. Greg Gianforte, if they were aware of the intent to down the balloon over the Beartooth Mountains.

Daines declined to respond. Zinkes office said the Representative is unable to discuss any information shared within classified briefings.

Rosendale said, The latest news of the military operation over the Beartooth Mountains further demonstrates the lack of transparency my constituents and I have faced from the Biden Administration.

He criticized Biden for having no intention of publicly acknowledging the Chinese spy balloon until Montanans spotted it.

A statement from Gianfortes office said: On Feb. 1, the governor was first briefed on the existence of the CCP spy balloon only after it traveled hundreds of miles into Montana and hovered over Billings, the statement read. At that informational briefing, the governor was notified the U.S. Armed Forces was prepared to take down the CCP spy balloon that afternoon.
A gun-free zone signage is seen near Times Square in New York, the United States, Sept 1, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] "Run, hide, fight". That's what one could hear in a video showing a dozen police cars in Michigan State University's East Lansing campus in Michigan on Monday. They were there to arrest an armed man who was on the loose till he was found dead of self-inflicted wounds on Tuesday, after gunning down at least three people and injuring five others. Some also reported calls for "Shelter in place immediately" from the site. Students and youngsters in the United States must be familiar with such instructions because shootings are a regular feature in schools there. As early as 2017, the "active shooting drill" had almost become a standard across the US. It wouldn't surprise anybody if soon US schools equip students with bullet-proof vests, or maybe impart battlefield skills. All these are good measures to save young lives, but they are still not addressing the root problem  the easy availability of guns, meaning the convenience with which one can legally obtain firearms. Reports show that there are at least 393 million guns in civilian hands in the US, which is around 120 guns for every 100 people; in 2021 alone the domestic gun market was worth $70.5 billion. The Gun Violence Archive pointed out on its official Twitter account that mass shootings account for 5 percent of all gun violence incidents and 6 percent of victims. That shows how grave the gun problem is. Unless the problem of so many guns in people's hands is addressed, preparing people to avoid getting hit during shootings can achieve little. To curb gun violence, the US needs to control guns, not just prepare unsuspecting targets. The shooting in Michigan came a day before the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, in which 17 people were killed.
A Montana solar developer has prevailed in a lawsuit against Northwestern Energy in a landmark case that should boost the reliability of solar energy from similar projects nationwide.

Broadview Solar in a years-long lawsuit argued that it should be able to add batteries and increase its solar capacity in order to consistently deliver the 80 megawatts of capacity allowed under federal laws requiring utilities to grant long-term contracts to qualifying small power facilities, or QFs. Such is the model for Broadviews $2 billion solar and battery project in development 25 miles northwest of Billings.

The decision clarifies that solar QFs may incorporate storage technologies that will allow them to send out power around the clock. This means abundant, low-cost clean energy for consumers and increased reliability for the grid, said Ben Norris, senior director of regulatory affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Developers saw the ruling as enabling solar projects like Broadview to not only maximize output, but extend solars useful hours of availability, counter to the mantra of some utilities and fossil fuel lobbyists that solar energy is incapable of delivering electricity when the sun isnt shining.

Broadview has said its combination solar panels and batteries would extend its hours of output considerably, but hasnt suggested 24-hour delivery posited by SEIA.

Tuesday, a U.S. D.C. Circuit Court panel agreed with Broadview Solar in a 2-1 decision, concluding that what mattered was how much useful power the solar project was delivering and not the output ratings of its parts. In Broadviews case, that 80 MW output is based on the size of its inverters, which like an energy spigot determines the amount of power released onto the transmission grid.

Compared to facilities that rely on other energy sources, solar facilities are relatively inefficient at generating power, the court explained. A solar array needs sunlight; cloud cover and nighttime hinder its production capabilities. Broadview addressed this by installing a solar array with a capacity of 160 MW and a battery, enabling it to produce extra power to be stored in the battery while conditions are optimal and then release that power to the grid when conditions prevent the array from producing enough power to meet the inverters 80 MW limit. The utilities complain that this allows Broadview to circumvent the statutory restrictions on qualifying facilities. But viewed in light of the statutes purpose, this arrangement is a feature, not a bug: Broadview is able to more consistently produce, send out, and sell the maximum amount of renewable energy permitted under the statute.

NorthWestern Energy tells Montana Lee Newspapers that it will have to consult with its codefendant, the Edison Electric Institute, before deciding next steps. Tuesdays order was a 2-1 decision from a D.C. Circuit panel. The utility could seek reconsideration from the full D.C. Circuit Court, or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, if it chose to.

NorthWestern Energy has had several lawsuits with solar developers seeking to do business under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. PURPA, as the law is known, has for more than 40 years required regulated utilities to offer long-term contracts and a negotiated price to qualifying facilities based on the utilitys avoided cost, which is to say the utilitys cost of either buying the power from another source, or the cost of producing the energy itself, including expenses for maintenance and operation.

PURPA projects provide alternative energy of 80 MW or less from a variety of sources, including waste coal, petroleum coke, wind, solar and even hydroelectricity.

Avoided cost rates for qualifying solar facilities have been trending downward steadily. Trident Solar, a solar project with battery storage, requested a fixed avoided cost of $28.70 per megawatt hour around the clock in a January filing with Montana's utility regulator, the Public Service Commission. The PSC approved an avoided cost rate of $28.68 MWh in 2019 for MTSUN, which doesn't have value-adding battery storage. MTSUN, located a few miles northwest of the Billings airport, is the state's largest solar farm at 80 MW net capacity.

The price of that power scales up if used during times of high demand. There's also a plus-up payment to MTSUN for being carbon free, something the Montana Supreme Court ordered. Those avoided cost rates are less than half the cost of NorthWestern's most expensive qualifying facilities with prices $63 to $136 per MWh.

With the possibility of NorthWestern choosing not to accept Tuesdays ruling, Broadview Solar chose not to comment on its win.

The significance of being able to add batteries to a solar project without having that storage count against allowed generation puts solar on more equal footing with the West's oldest storage-coupled renewable resources  hydropower.

"Hydropower, if it doesn't have a reservoir behind it is intermittent. A run of the river hydroplant is going to be variable, just like solar is variable," said Adam Schumaker, president of Gallatin Power. The Trident Solar Project is Gallatin's. "But when you have a reservoir with a lot of water behind it, that acts as a large energy storage device. And that's what creates consistent output from hydropower."

No one damns a dam for storing energy for hydropower, which is the same approach Schumaker said should be taken with battery storage on solar projects.

"Really what this ruling confirms is that it's possible to implement more D.C. solar capacity and combine that with battery storage to produce a more consistent, reliable output, which is really what NorthWestern should want," Schumaker said.

In the case of the project northwest of Billings, Broadview Solar sought approval of its project design from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC has the ability to certify a project as PURPA acceptable, which would have settled any debate up front about the net generation capacity of solar panels and batteries in Broadviews design. It was the FERC certification at the root of the lawsuit.

The Solar Energy Industries Association, which was also a party in the lawsuit, said the courts decision backing FERCs certification of Broadview Solar was important to more projects than the just the Montana development.

We are pleased that the D.C. Circuit affirmed decades of well-settled FERC precedent to bolster regulatory certainty for small solar and storage developers. In its role certifying small qualifying facilities (QF), FERC plays an important part in ensuring reliable, resilient, low-cost energy for consumers, and this decision is a win for both customers and our climate future, Norris said.
A bill introduced at the state Legislature on Wednesday would eliminate the sales tax on medical marijuana, allowing recreational market to pick up the tab for the state cannabis division.

The aptly-titled House Bill 420 would eliminate the 4% statewide tax on medical marijuana sales, as well as the 3% local option sales tax on medical purchases offered to and enacted by local governments.

Rep. Mike Hopkins, a Missoula Republican, is sponsoring the bill. He carried the 2021 Legislature's regulatory framework legislation following the successful recreational legalization campaign in 2020.

On Wednesday Hopkins told the House Taxation Committee the Legislature had long intended to wind down the tax on medicinal cannabis sales, but the new state program to administer the recreational market needed funding to get off the ground.

The recreational, or adult-use, cannabis market raked in an estimated $48.5 million in tax revenues on about $230 million in sales in its first year, Hopkins said, and is able to relieve medical patients on their purchases.

"The adult-use revenue in the state of Montana is more than capable of funding this program in addition to all of its associated funding buckets," he said.

The Montana League of Cities and Towns testified against the proposal on Wednesday, arguing HB 420 eliminated a local funding source that was installed by local voters. Twenty-three communities voted to tax medical marijuana sales, said Thomas Jodoin, representing the League of Cities and Towns. Repealing that tax would create a $4.5 million dent across those communities, he said.

"If the state doesnt want to tax medical marijuana it should decide that for itself," Jodoin told the committee.

Hopkins, in response, said cities and towns would survive without a tax that had only been in existence for a year. He also noted it was the state Legislature that granted localities the ability to enact the tax, and therefore the Legislature would decide whether to repeal it.

"Regardless of what local governments need, we dont tax medicine," Hopkins said.

The number of medical marijuana cardholders has been in flux more or less since Montana approved medical sales in 2004. Prior to recreational cannabis legalization the state had about 40,000 registered cardholders. Today that number is closer to 21,000, as people transitioned to the recreational market, largely due to the convenience of buying cannabis without paying for a doctor's visit and card renewal with the state.

Joanna Barney from Sacred Sun Farms testified in support of the bill.

"The out-of-pocket expenses for these registered individuals are not covered by insurance companies and already carry weight on the wallet," she said.

The committee did not immediately take action on HB 420 on Wednesday.

Committee cannabis bill narrowly passes

House Bill 128, crafted by lawmakers overseeing the recreational industry's rollout last year, narrowly passed out of the House Business and Labor Committee Tuesday.

The 68-page bill makes a number of tweaks to the cannabis regulations passed in 2021, including an extension of the moratorium on new marijuana business licenses.

When lawmakers began shaping the industry ahead of the recreational marijuana market premiering in 2022, they included a moratorium on new licenses until mid-2023. Supporters said the moratorium would shelter the existing cannabis providers from "Big Weed" moving in from out of state and driving mom-and-pop shops out of business.

HB 128 came out of the Economic Affairs Interim Committee, but included a last-minute amendment to extend the moratorium two more years.

Democrats on the committee expressed some serious doubt Wednesday about the moratorium extension. Rep. Katie Sullivan, a Missoula Democrat, said the extension would keep at least 29 businesses that have been waiting for the moratorium to expire after missing the 2020 cutoff out of the recreational market.

"They followed our guidance, they waited their turn, and instead we have put a moratorium extension in that has pulled the rug out from under them," Sullivan said. " I feel strongly that we need to stick to our word as a Legislature who does business regulation in this state to stop moving goal posts."

Rep. Derek Harvey, the Butte Democrat who is vice chair of the committee, testified that the last-minute push to extend the moratorium came with "threats" from "cannabis interests," and called it deja vu from times when lawmakers have been strong-armed by the alcohol industry.

Harvey pointed out in committee that the moratorium's effects haven't protected small providers but allowed the state's largest shops to swallow up markets. Indeed, under the 2021 regulations, licensees can expand their dispensary roster without limit.

"This isnt going to stop the number of shops; this is only going to stop the number of owners," Harvey said.

No committee members spoke up in support of the moratorium during the hearing, nor did Harvey elaborate further on the alleged threats.

Three Republicans joined the Democrats in voting against what had been the product of bipartisan work over the last two years, but the bill still passed out of committee on a 10-9 vote.
On Monday a Senate committee unanimously tabled a bill that opponents said would have prevented students from being able to learn critical science concepts in public schools.

Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, brought the bill but also voted to table it earlier this week.

The language of the bill I thought was simple. But as I have learned, the simpler a bill is the more fallout likely it has, Emrich said.

Senate Bill 325 would have said the state Board of Public Education that sets curriculum standards could not use content standards that include a scientific topic that is not fact.

While Emrich said he didnt think the bill would prohibit the teaching of scientific theories, which are the basis of explaining science, those who spoke against it said it would bar students from learning basics such as the theory of relativity because it does not meet the definition of a scientific fact as defined in the bill.

Sen. Andrea Olsen, D-Missoula, said she got about 100 messages from people opposing the bill and brought the motion to table.

A bill that would ban foreign adversaries from purchasing, leasing or renting critical infrastructure and agricultural production land passed out of a Senate committee on Thursday.

Senate Bill 203 is from Sen. Kenneth Bogner, R-Miles City. Bogner said his bill became even more critical after a Chinese spy balloon flew over Montana.

"A reported Chinese spy balloon operating in U.S. airspace, including over Billings, is yet another example of the seriousness of China's interest in operating asymmetrically within the borders of the United States. This is why my Senate Bill 203, to ban foreign adversaries from buying or leasing critical infrastructure and agricultural land in Montana, is so important for us to pass, Bogner said in a press release Feb. 2.

In advocating for the bill in January, Bogner said that as the great power competition with certain nations grows, we need to be doing our part as a state to protect our country.

The list of adversaries is set by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, he added, and includes China, North Korea, Russia and Iran.

An amendment to the bill Thursday put the onus on entities that purchase the land, not the sellers, and established clear penalties for purchases.

Sen. Mike Lang, who chairs the Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation committee, said while he expected the bill to likely be challenged in court, it started a necessary process.

I dont think anyone wants foreign adversaries taking over our land and being involved in the U.S., Lang said.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

A bill that would bar the state of Montana from contracting with companies deemed to discriminate against firearm ownership passed the House on Thursday behind a strong vote of Republicans.

House Bill 356 from Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage, would require large contractors to indicate on a form that the company does not have policies that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association. It cleared the chamber on a 67-31 vote.

Ler told the House on Wednesday during debate that the bill was about protecting Second Amendment rights and compelling companies to be more honest and open about the policies that they hold.

The bill saw resistance from several Democrats.

Rep. Ed Stafman of Bozeman questioned whether the bill would prohibit contracting with an owner who had sincerely held religious beliefs grounded in pacifism, and thus adopted firearm policies under the bill. Ler replied that the state could not contract with those businesses.

Others, including Rep. Tom France, D-Missoula, questioned why the Legislature would adopt such a policy on firearms when it recently passed a bill prohibiting environmental or social considerations in the Montana Board of Investment.

That sentiment was shared by Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, who said during a caucus before the floor session, The only thing the state of Montana should care about when it gets involved with a contractor is whether the party is capable of doing the job, if they can produce a quality product at a reasonable price.

A proposal from Gov. Greg Gianforte to spend $108 million of the states budget surplus on a disaster resiliency fund is on pause, for now.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 16-7 to table the bill on Wednesday evening, with some Republican lawmakers saying they like the concept, but want to see view alongside other spending proposals competing for the $2.5 billion pot of one-time-only money.

I dont have any problem with disaster resiliency, but I still want to see whats going to be available to us a little later down the road, when we can kind of go through and pick and choose which things we want to spend money on, and which things we dont, Rep. Fiona Nave, R-Columbus, said.

Tabling the bill doesnt necessarily kill it. The committee or potentially the House can still revive it, as long as that happens before the transmittal deadline.

The budget committee has already passed $1 billion in surplus spending, which is now in the Senate. That package includes a mix of tax rebates, a new fund for roads and bridges and a measure to pay down state debt.
How a Former Avocado Grove Blossomed Into a Black- and Female-Owned Winery

Denise Clarke is the woman behind one of San Diegos best kept wine secrets, Altipiano Vineyard and Winery
Escondido-based nonprofit Interfaith Community Services offers free tax help for eligible community members through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The program, funded by the County of San Diego, the Internal Revenue Service and United Way of San Diego, provides free assistance preparing tax returns for veterans, active-duty military and their families and community members with disabilities, seniors and limited English-speaking taxpayers. The income limit for eligibility is typically about $54,000.

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

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Folks can also prepare their own tax returns at the nonprofits computer labs during lab hours. Interfaith Community Services provides the link for families to prepare their own taxes through the nonprofits website: https://www.interfaithservices.org.

You must bring the following documents to tax preparation meetings: Proof of identification (picture ID); Social Security cards or ITINs for you, your spouse and dependents (for married filing joint, both spouses must be present); tax forms such as W-2, 1099; SSN Verification Letter issued by the Social Security Administration or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; proof of account and banks routing number for direct deposit.

Here are a few area VITA tax preparation locations and hours:

Libby Lake Resource Center, 4700 N. River Road, Suite A, Oceanside: 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; (760) 721-2117, ext. 205.

Crown Heights Resource Center, 1210 Division St., Oceanside: 3 to 6 p.m. first and third Wednesdays of each month; (760) 435-3335.

Chavez Resource Center, 605 San Diego St., Oceanside: 3 to 6 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays of each month; (760) 435-3371.

Carlsbad Service Center, 5731 Palmer Way, Suite A, Carlsbad: 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays; (760) 448-5696.

Inland Interfaith Community Services, 550 W. Washington Ave., Escondido: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; (760) 489-6380.

San Marcos site at a housing complex, 422 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; (760) 489-6380.

To schedule an appointment, visit myfreetaxes.org or call (760) 489-6380.
Firefighters help removed protective clothing from colleagues after they recovered a body from a drainage ditch in Greeley, Colo., on Wednesday, May 19, 2010. The body was found within a half mile of the home of Kayleah Wilson, 12, who has been missing since March. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

An 18-year-old Colorado man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old girl whose decomposed body was recovered this week in an irrigation ditch, police said.

Greeley police Sgt. Joe Tymkowych said the arrest of Robert Laurencio Montoya, a former boyfriend of sixth-grader Kayleah Wilson, is unrelated to the homicide investigation involving her death. Authorities said they know how the girl died, but arent releasing details.

This arrest is separate and distinct from the Kayleah Wilson homicide case that is currently being investigated, Tymkowych said in a statement.

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Kayleah had been missing since March when her body was found Wednesday in an industrial area about a half-mile from her house. Montoya was arrested that same day, police said.

He faces felony charges of sexual assault on a child, pattern of abuse. He appeared in court Friday where bail was set at $100,000.

His next court hearing is May 25.

Tymkowych said Montoya had previously been interviewed and cooperated with their missing person investigation.

It was unclear whether Montoya had hired an attorney. A home number could not be immediately found.

On Friday, police said they were examining a mountain of evidence and developing a list of people to re-interview about the disappearance and death of the 12-year-old.

Tymkowych said they still had no suspects in the slaying but are looking at a range of individuals who had the time and opportunity to kill Kayleah and dont have good alibis.

Were reviewing every detail that we developed when this was a missing person investigation, deciding which lead could be more fruitful, then prioritizing which people to talk to first, Tymkowych said.

Evidence gathered along the irrigation ditch earlier this week was also being processed for testing. Tymkowych would not disclose what investigators found.

Two eyewitnesses previously told police they saw Kayleah at the Greeley Mall March 28, about a half-hour after her mother said she left to attend a friends birthday party. Tymkowych said police also have surveillance video from near the mall showing a grainy figure that could be Kayleah.

Kayleahs last known whereabouts are crucial in determining how her body ended up about a mile away from the mall, where a worker checking the ditch after a heavy rain found the body Wednesday.

Meanwhile Greeley, an agricultural community of about 93,000 people 65 miles north of Denver, grieved the death of Kayleah. A steady stream of parents and children, some in tears, visited the spillway in the ditch where Kayleahs body was found. A makeshift memorial of teddy bears, candles, flowers and crucifixes grew on the grassy banks.

Its an open wound because whoever did this is still out there, Melissa Lujan, whose daughter knew Kayleah said Thursday. You know its bringing us together to where we watch our children more often, we tell them we love them, we kiss them goodnight, kiss them before they leave but just knowing that somebody could do this.

Cheryl Frendrich, whose grandson was friends with Kayleah, described her as a happy little girl, full of life.

The decomposing body had been in the irrigation ditch for some time in an area that had been searched twice, Police Chief Jerry Garner said. Greeley is about 60 miles northeast of Denver.

Wilsons March 28 disappearance spawned repeated searches by police, Greeley residents and the FBI. Authorities said they pursued more than 300 leads and knocked on the doors of about 1,000 homes.

No one has been ruled out as a suspect, but investigators have nothing that points to family members, Garner said.

In April, as leads from the public dwindled, authorities increased the reward for information about Wilson to $20,000. Investigators also described behavior that might point to a possible abductor. They urged people to watch for someone who had missed work, had unexplained injuries or shown an unexpected or sudden interest in the case.

Police met with Kayleahs mother, April Wilson, before the public announcement. A victims advocate said Wilson did not want to speak with the media.
Idaho is seeking public comments on its draft management plan that strives to dramatically reduce the number of wolves in the state.

Authored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the five-year plan commits the state to maintaining a viable, self-sustaining wolf population while also minimizing attacks on domestic livestock and predation on elk, deer and moose.

It says a balance between healthy wolf numbers and its prey base can be achieved with a population that fluctuates around 500  with seasonal highs of about 650 animals in early summer after pups are born and seasonal lows around 350 in late winter following annual mortality largely from hunting and trapping.

In 2021, the population fluctuated around 1,300 with a seasonal high point of 1,543 and a low of 1,057,

The plan proposes increasing hunting, trapping and control of wolves until annual mortality rates rise from the 33% recorded over the past three years to 37%. Strategies in place today  like hunting seasons that are open year-round in most of the state, permissive trapping seasons and bounty-like incentives that reimburse the expenses of hunters and trappers in some areas  would be continued. So too would control actions, such as the near-annual culling of wolves in Idahos Lolo Elk Hunting Zone and the targeted control of wolves that prey on livestock.

Hunting and trapping would be scaled back once the population objectives are met, according to the plan.

Upon achieving the desired population objective, mortality rates would be adjusted to ensure the population stabilizes and fluctuates around 500 wolves, the plan states.

There is evidence hunting and trapping is having an effect. Idaho Fish and Game officials estimate the state had 1,337 wolves last summer, down about 200 from the previous year. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has been liberalizing wolf seasons in recent years. It increased annual bag limits steadily until they reached 30, and seasons were lengthened dramatically.

During the past three years (2019-21), trapping harvest increased 91% and hunting harvest increased 18% over the previous three-year average, the plan reads. This increase appears largely due to expanded hunting and trapping opportunities.

The state legislature further loosened wolf hunting regulations in 2021 when it passed legislation that eliminated seasonal bag limits, authorized year-round trapping on private land, allowed hunters to obtain permits to hunt after dark with night vision equipment, and authorized the state to hire private contractors to hunt wolves. However, the changes have not substantially increased wolf harvest rates.

The plan says the state will continue to monitor wolf populations via camera trap surveys but it will also look for other ways to track statewide and more localized wolf numbers.

The draft plan, about 50 pages with citations, is available for review at idfg.idaho.gov/form/wolf-plan-2023. Comments will be accepted through March 6.
The North Dakota Senate has killed a bill that initially aimed to allow the North Dakota Attorney General's Office to change administrative oversight of the State Crime Lab.

Senate Bill 2131 failed in a 2-44 vote on Wednesday after discussion about how the bill was rewritten to provide for one new full-time employee that one lawmaker said amounted to a lab "co-director."

The Crime Lab is a division of the Attorney General's Office but managed independently. The bill originally would have struck a line from state law that says, The state crime laboratory must be administratively separated from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, an agency within the office tasked with investigating and prosecuting criminal cases.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley sought the change, saying supervision by BCI would streamline both organizations and help alleviate testing backlogs at the lab. He argued that a similar model is used in more than 40 states.

Opponents argued that BCI oversight could call into question the credibility of evidence tested by the lab.

The bill was amended to provide $388,000 for a full-time employee and operating expenses at the lab. The amendment left intact the separation of the lab from BCI.

Wrigleys office made the funding request for a "managerial position" so the lab director could focus on the science of the lab, Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, told the Tribune. Roers is chair of the State and Local Government Committee, which held an earlier hearing on the bill.

Sen. Judy Estenson, R-Warwick, a member of the State and Local Government Committee, said during floor debate Wednesday that she was "uncomfortable" with the proposed change in the bill.

"This bill came to us asking for the Crime Lab to be put under the BCI; all the testimony we heard said that that was absolutely not a good idea ... and that the important thing for the Crime Lab is for it to be independent," she said. "In the 11th hour, in our committee, they brought us a hoghouse amendment that said they just wanted another FTE, but that that FTE was actually for a co-director. I don't believe that the AG has any other co-directors and I believe the Crime Lab, it's important that they remain independent."

The term "hoghouse" describes the process of replacing the entire content of a bill to change its purpose.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, a sponsor of the bill, said during floor debate that she wished the legislation had stayed in its original form due to concerns with the Crime Lab voiced by law enforcement. She urged her colleagues to support the additional full-time position in the amended bill, to support lab scientists she said are "working really hard."

"We are seeing serious negative effects including about three years of backlog on rape cases, and that's just completely unacceptable," she said.

The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously recommended that the Senate kill the amended bill. The committee also is considering a separate bill providing a budget for the Attorney General's Office, including proposed additional full-time-equivalent positions.

"That budget will address the issue of FTEs in the attorney general's budget -- including those for the Crime Lab," said Sen. Mike Dwyer, R-Bismarck, a member of the committee.

Roers told the Tribune that "During the appropriations process, they did recommend an additional 4 FTEs for the Crime Lab, and the office of the attorney general can determine how best to structure that department within that appropriation."
Bismarck City Commissioner Mark Splonskowki could have conflicts of interest when he assumes the Burleigh County auditor/treasurer position in April, according to City Attorney Jannelle Combs.

Splonskowski was elected to the county post in November but plans to continue also serving as a city commissioner. The county position is a four-year term; his city commission term ends in 2024.

Splonskowski has repeatedly said that holding both positions wont be an issue. City Commissioner Steve Marquardt in January requested a city attorney opinion on the matter.

There is no statute in the North Dakota Century Code that addresses a person holding two elected offices. The City of Bismarck Policy Manual states that each employee and city officer is responsible for performing his or her job in accordance with the highest ethical standards of business conduct.

How big of a problem a conflict of interest might be isn't known.

We dont know if it will impact the ability of the (city) board to function and we cant foresee when that would happen, Combs told city commissioners during Tuesday night's meeting. But she said in a written opinion that "Commissioner Splonskowski will have a fiduciary duty to both entities therefore creating a potential conflict of interest."

The city and county work together on several projects -- such as the public health building -- that could force Splonskowski to recuse himself from voting due to fiduciary duties to both the city and county. If he were to recuse himself from an issue, he would need to do it in both his city and county roles, according to Combs' opinion, which notes the potential for "a significant number of recusals."

Commissioner Anne Cleary during Tuesday's meeting said she thought "It's almost more of an issue on the countys end where hes one auditor, as opposed to one of five votes on the City Commission. They're going to run into a roadblock a lot quicker.

But Combs noted in her written opinion that "Recusals become increasingly problematic if there is a 2-2 tie vote, thus hindering efficiency and effectiveness of the commission."

Splonskowski, who participated in Tuesday's meeting remotely, noted that the county auditor does not vote at county meetings.

(Not voting) is something that will alleviate a lot of these potential situations, he said.

Combs said in her opinion that if Splonskowski is not able to do all of his county duties, it could open up the county to a lawsuit.

"Holding an office while knowing one will not be able to fulfill major obligations of said office could be considered misuse of taxpayer dollars," she wrote.

The city and county recently approved the creation of a special committee dedicated to improving communication. The Bismarck-Burleigh Commissions Committee will be composed of the Bismarck mayor and city administrator, and the county commission chair and county auditor.

The joint committee will convene for the first time Friday; it will be decided at that meeting if the county auditor will have voting powers, according to Splonskowski.

Splonskowski said he has requested an official conflict of interest opinion from Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer. He told the commissioners that he even asked the secretary of state if the positions were compatible.

"Everything that I could find at the time and according to everybody was that they are compatible," Splonskowski said.
Cosmological coupling  a newly-predicted phenomenon in Albert Einsteins theory of gravity  allows black holes to grow in mass without consuming gas or stars, according to a team of astrophysicists from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and elsewhere.

Were really saying two things at once: that theres evidence the typical black hole solutions dont work for you on a long, long timescale, and we have the first proposed astrophysical source for dark energy, said Dr. Duncan Farrah, an astrophysicist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and lead author of two new studies.

What that means, though, is not that other people havent proposed sources for dark energy, but this is the first observational paper where were not adding anything new to the Universe as a source for dark energy: black holes in Einsteins theory of gravity are the dark energy.

These new measurements, if supported by further evidence, will redefine our understanding of what a black hole is.

In their first study, published in the Astrophysical Journal, Dr. Farrah and colleagues determined how to use existing measurements of black holes to search for cosmological coupling.

Black holes are also hard to observe over long timescales. Observations can be made over a few seconds, or tens of years at most  not enough time to detect how a black hole might change throughout the lifetime of the Universe. To see how black holes change over a scale of billions of years is a bigger task.

You would have to identify a population of black holes and identify their distribution of mass billions of years ago, said Dr. Gregory Tarle, a physicist at University of Michigan.

Then you would have to see the same population, or an ancestrally connected population, at present day and again be able to measure their mass. Thats a really difficult thing to do.

Because galaxies can have life spans of billions of years, and most galaxies contain a supermassive black hole, the authors realized that galaxies held the key, but choosing the right types of galaxy was essential.

There were many different behaviors for black holes in galaxies measured in the literature, and there wasnt really any consensus, said Dr. Sara Petty, a galaxy expert at NorthWest Research Associates.

We decided that by focusing only on black holes in passively evolving elliptical galaxies, we could help to sort this thing out.

Elliptical galaxies are enormous and formed early. They are fossils of galaxy assembly.

Astronomers believe them to be the final result of galaxy collisions, enormous in size with upwards of trillions of old stars.

By looking at only elliptical galaxies with no recent activity, the researchers could argue that any changes in the galaxies black hole masses couldnt easily be caused by other known processes.

Using these populations, they then examined how the mass of their central black holes changed throughout the past 9 billion years.

If mass growth of black holes only occurred through accretion or merger, then the masses of these black holes would not be expected to change much at all.

However, if black holes gain mass by coupling to the expanding Universe, then these passively evolving elliptical galaxies might reveal this phenomenon.

The scientists found that the further back in time they looked, the smaller the black holes were in mass, relative to their masses today.

These changes were big: the black holes were anywhere from 7 to 20 times larger today than they were 9 billion years ago  big enough that the researchers suspected cosmological coupling could be the culprit.

In their second study, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the astrophysicists investigated whether the growth in black holes measured in the first study could be explained by cosmological coupling alone.

Heres a toy analogy. You can think of a coupled black hole like a rubber band, being stretched along with the Universe as it expands, said Dr. Kevin Croker, an astrophysicist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

As it stretches, its energy increases. Einsteins E = mc2 tells you that mass and energy are proportional, so the black hole mass increases, too.

How much the mass increases depends on the coupling strength, a variable the researchers call k.

The stiffer the rubber band, the harder it is to stretch, so the more energy when stretched. In a nutshell, thats k, Dr. Croker said.

Because mass growth of black holes from cosmological coupling depends on the size of the Universe, and the Universe was smaller in the past, the black holes in the first study must be less massive by the correct amount in order for the cosmological coupling explanation to work.

The researchers examined five different black hole populations in three different collections of elliptical galaxies, taken from when the Universe was roughly one half and one third of its present size.

In each comparison, they measured that k was nearly positive 3.

In 2019, this value was predicted for black holes that contain vacuum energy, instead of a singularity.

The conclusion is profound: the scientists had already shown that if k is 3, then all black holes in the Universe collectively contribute a nearly constant dark energy density, just like measurements of dark energy suggest.

Black holes come from dead large stars, so if you know how many large stars you are making, you can estimate how many black holes you are making and how much they grow as a result of cosmological coupling.

The team used the very latest measurements of the rate of earliest star formation provided by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and found that the numbers line up.

The new studies provide a framework for theoretical physicists and astronomers to further test  and for the current generation of dark energy experiments such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and the Dark Energy Survey  to shed light on the idea.

If confirmed this would be a remarkable result, pointing the way towards the next generation of black hole solutions, Dr. Farrah said.

This measurement, explaining why the Universe is accelerating now, gives a beautiful glimpse into the real strength of Einsteins gravity, Dr. Croker said.

A chorus of tiny voices spread throughout the Universe can work together to steer the entire cosmos. How cool is that?

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Duncan Farrah et al. 2023. A Preferential Growth Channel for Supermassive Black Holes in Elliptical Galaxies at z  2. ApJ 943, 133; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/acac2e

Duncan Farrah et al. 2023. Observational Evidence for Cosmological Coupling of Black Holes and its Implications for an Astrophysical Source of Dark Energy. ApJL 944, L31; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/acb704
Webb observations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission provide some of the deepest and highest resolution views of the cold interstellar medium in several nearby galaxies, including IC 5332, Messier 74, NGC 1365, and NGC 7496.

With Webb, you can make incredible maps of nearby galaxies at very high resolution that provide amazingly detailed images of the interstellar medium, said Dr. Karin Sandstrom, an astronomer at the University of California, San Diego.

In their research, Dr. Sandstrom and colleagues focused on a specific component of the interstellar medium called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

PAHs are small particles of dust and its their small size that makes them so valuable to astronomers.

When PAHs absorb a photon from a star, they vibrate and produce emission features that can be detected in the mid-infrared electromagnetic spectrum  something that typically doesnt happen with larger dust grains from the interstellar medium.

The vibrational features of PAHs allow researchers to observe many important characteristics including size, ionization and structure.

NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope looked at the mid-infrared and thats what I used in my Ph.D. thesis, Dr. Sandstrom said.

Since Spitzer was retired, we havent had much access to the mid-infrared spectrum, but Webb is incredible.

Spitzer had a mirror that was 0.8 m; Webbs mirror is 6.5 m. Its a huge telescope and it has amazing instruments. Ive been waiting a very long time for this.

Even though PAHs are not by mass a big fraction of the overall interstellar medium, theyre important because theyre easily ionized  a process that can produce photoelectrons which heat the rest of the gas in the interstellar medium.

A better understanding of PAHs will lead to a better understanding of the physics of the interstellar medium and how it operates.

Astronomers are hopeful Webb can provide a view into how PAHs are formed, how they change and how theyre destroyed.

Because PAHs are evenly distributed throughout the interstellar medium, they allow researchers to see not just the PAHs themselves, but everything around them as well.

Previous maps, such as ones taken by Spitzer, contained much less detail  they essentially looked like galactic blobs.

With the clarity Webb provides, astronomers can now see gas filaments and even bubbles blown by newly formed stars, whose intense radiation fields and resulting supernova evaporate the gas clouds around them.

One of the things Im most excited about is now that we have this high-resolution tracer of the interstellar medium, we can map all kinds of things, including the structure of the diffuse gas, which has to become denser and molecular for star formation to occur, Dr. Sandstrom said.

We can also map the gas surrounding newly formed stars where there is a lot of feedback such as from supernova explosions.

We really get to see the whole cycle of the interstellar medium in a lot of detail. That is the core of how a galaxy is going to form stars.

The findings appear in a series of papers published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
As conservative North Dakota lawmakers continue to debate what kind of tax relief to pass onto their constituents, two leading bills to reduce property taxes have cleared their first hurdle. Meanwhile, a series of competing proposals to cut income taxes are still taking form.

The state Senate voted 42-4 on Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 2066, which would shift part of the burden of funding K-12 education from property taxpayers to the state.

Senators narrowly approved an amendment to the proposal on Tuesday that diminished the amount of tax relief property owners would receive.

The original proposal from Sen. Don Schaible, R-Mott, would have reduced property taxes by about 25% statewide. The amended bill approved Wednesday would provide most taxpayers with only about two-thirds of that relief, or about a 16.7% overall tax cut, Schaible said.

The amendment also wiped away proposed tax reductions for owners of railroads, pipelines, airlines and some public utilities.

If the bill becomes law, the state would assume an estimated $203 million in education funding from property taxpayers over the next two-year budget cycle.

The chamber also voted 45-1 on Monday to advance Senate Bill 2136, which would significantly expand a property tax credit for older homeowners.

Under the legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, all North Dakota homeowners 65 and older who make less than $100,000 a year would be eligible for a property tax credit of up to $9,500.

Currently, homeowners 65 and older qualify for the Homestead Tax Credit if they earn less than $42,000 a year and they have assets worth less than $500,000. The amount of the tax credit varies by income level, and only pays up to $5,625 for those in the lowest bracket. The credit is also available to homeowners who are permanently disabled.

Lees bill dedicates up to $135 million to cover the programs expansion.

Schaible and other proponents of the bills say they address a core concern of their constituents by lowering the property tax burden on ordinary homeowners. In 2013, lawmakers approved a major property tax buydown, which served as the inspiration for Schaibles bill.

Property tax relief is what the voters are asking for, said Sen. Mark Weber, R-Casselton.

Both proposals will move onto the House of Representatives next month.

Leading policymakers in the House pushed forward Wednesday a couple of bills that would cut income taxes. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum and several influential legislators have argued slashing income taxes would have greater impact and attract more workers than reducing property taxes.

The House Finance and Taxation Committee voted Wednesday to give House Bill 1158 a positive recommendation before it heads to a vote of the entire chamber.

The legislation sponsored by Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, would eliminate personal income tax for single filers making $44,725 or less and for married filers making $74,750 or less. Higher earners would pay a flat tax of 1.5%.

Headlands bill would save income earners an estimated $566 million in taxes over the next two-year budget cycle, though nearly $78 million of that would benefit nonresidents. Earners with incomes north of $491,000 would see the greatest benefit from the legislation.

The committee also amended and green-lighted House Bill 1118 on Wednesday. The House must approve the changes for them to take effect.

In its original form, the legislation sponsored by Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, would have granted annual income tax credits to North Dakota residents worth $750 per person or $1,500 per married couple.

The amended version would give state residents tax credits worth $800 per person or $1,600 per couple and establish a 1.99% flat tax rate for all taxable income not covered by the credits.

The amended proposal would save taxpayers about $383 million over the next two-year budget cycle, according to a fiscal note.

Legislative leaders already have begun to discuss the possibility of passing a mix of income and property tax cuts. The House is likely to vote on the income tax proposals in the coming days.
Surface-based group feeding of Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), a highly popular species in recreational fishing worldwide, is commonly observed, yet sailfish are believed to be largely solitary roaming predators. In new research, marine biologists from the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and Florida International University used biologging data and video to examine daily activity levels and foraging behavior, estimate metabolic costs, and document a solitary predation event for a 40-kg sailfish.

Sailfish are known for their distinctive large dorsal fins and elongated front-end bill, which gives them a built-in sword-like weapon for hunting.

These open ocean wanderers can travel both by themselves, or in groups.

Sailfish have been observed to hunt in groups on schooling fishes, using their bill in a slash, stun, and eat the baitfish sequence of actions.

This type of hunting by sailfish has been observed several times by wildlife photographers because it often occurs at the surface of the ocean, where it is easily accessible to human eyes.

However, when sailfish are not engaged in these cooperative group hunting events, they are thought to live a mostly solitary lifestyle.

Sailfish have some other pretty unique features that separates them from many other groups of fish. For example, they can keep their eyes and brain warmer than the surrounding water, which gives them an advantage over their prey when hunting in colder or dimly lit water.

But because of this, its assumed that they burn a lot of calories throughout the day, so one could assume that they must also need to eat in between those group hunting events, although this had never been documented.

Most of the day sailfish dive back and forth between the surface and the thermocline layer, where the water gets cold, said lead author Ryan Logan, a doctoral candidate in the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University.

The thermocline can concentrate prey that dont want to enter the cold water, so it looks like the sailfish might be using this to its advantage.

Logan and his colleagues originally set out to determine how long it took the sailfish to recover after being released by a recreational fisher.

But after the fish had recovered, the video cameras continued to roll, picking up some never-before-seen footage of hunting behavior.

While the video footage provides a unique perspective on the daily lives of sailfish, the researchers caution that most of isnt that exciting.

Most of what you see in the videos is just a lot of blue water, Logan said.

But when I saw the sailfish start to swim really fast toward the surface, I knew something was up.

The video shows a sailfish ascending fast to the surface from nearly 200 feet deep, and vigorously chasing a small tuna once it reaches the surface.

The sailfish makes several attempts to catch the little tuna, twisting and turning, speeding up and slowing down, often breaking the surface of the water during each attack.

In the end, it looks like the sailfish got what it was after, returning to a normal, calm swimming behavior.

These findings change what we know about the daily lives of sailfish, Logan said.

Because you cant keep a sailfish in captivity, we know surprisingly little about their basic biology. For instance, how much food do they need on a daily basis to survive?

These are questions that this research is helping to answer.

The authors used the video footage, along with other swimming information collected by the high-resolution tag, to estimate how much energy the sailfish burned throughout the day, and how much energy it gained back by consuming the tuna, an energy-rich prey item.

Based on our estimations, this sailfish needs roughly half of a tuna like this per day to meet energetic demands, Logan said.

The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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R.K. Logan et al. 2023. Hunting behavior of a solitary sailfish Istiophorus platypterus and estimated energy gain after prey capture. Sci Rep 13, 1484; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28748-0
In Yorkshire, 166 million years ago, a massive meat-eating dinosaur likely took a break and may have crouched down, which caused its feet to leave deep imprints in the ground. This dinosaur left behind a remarkable footprint that has recently been unearthed along the "Dinosaur Coast" in the United Kingdom. The footprint, which is from the Jurassic period, is almost one meter (3.3 feet) long, making it the largest of its kind discovered in Yorkshire.

Over the years, thousands of dinosaur footprints and many fossils have been discovered along the Yorkshire coast. However, in April 2021, a local archaeologist named Marie Woods found this significant discovery while walking along the coast. In a statement, Woods expressed her disbelief at what she saw, admitting that she had to take a second look.

She mentioned that she had seen a few smaller prints while out with friends, but nothing on this scale. Woods also remarked that she could no longer say that archaeologists do not deal with dinosaurs. She is one of the co-authors of a paper detailing the footprint, which was published in the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society on Tuesday.

Giant Dinosaur Footprint in the British Isles

Woods got in touch with Dr. Dean Lomax, a paleontologist who is an honorary visiting scientist at the University of Manchester, to get his opinion on what she discovered at Burniston Bay, which is situated approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) north of Scarborough. Interestingly, the day before Woods' discovery, Lomax had shared a photo of a dinosaur footprint found in the same area back in 2006. Lomax, who is a co-author of the study and the author of "Dinosaurs of the British Isles," stated that Marie reached out to him while she was on the beach with the fossil in front of her.

He admitted that initially, he thought it was a joke. He added that the possibility of Marie finding such a thing on the beach seemed impossible, especially given that she is an archaeologist. Lomax and Woods had always joked that one day, she would make an incredible paleontological discovery. Only six three-toed footprints have been discovered in the area, and the first one was found back in 1934. According to John Hudson, a local geologist who is the lead author of the study, this significant discovery provides further evidence that large meat-eating dinosaurs once inhabited this region during the Jurassic period.

He also mentioned that the type of footprint, in combination with its age, indicates that it may have been left by a formidable Megalosaurus-like dinosaur, with a possible hip height between 2.5 and 3 meters (8.2 and 9.8 feet). Lomax added that Megalosaurus was the world's first recognized dinosaur, named in 1824 after bones were discovered in Oxfordshire county, England. The giant carnivorous dinosaur was among the largest predators of its era, with a large skull equipped with sharp, serrated teeth, and a body that measured between 8 and 9 meters (26.2 to 29.5 feet) in length.

ALSO READ: Dinosaurs Adapted to Cold Well Enabling Them to Survive the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction That Killed Most Terrestrial Specie

Preserved Ancient Specimen

The team became concerned that if the footprint was left along the coast, it could erode further, so they arranged for its safe removal. The footprint was carefully collected by fossil collectors Mark, Aaron, and Shae Smith and donated to the Scarborough Museum and Galleries. Lomax expressed his gratitude to the Smiths for rescuing this important specimen and ensuring that it was preserved for scientific research. Following the study of the footprint, plans are underway to put it on public display to inspire the next generation of fossil hunters, as reported by BBC.

After the footprint was relocated, Hudson and Lomax had the opportunity to study it in detail, which allowed them to gain more knowledge about the dinosaur that left the impression. The researchers examined various features of the footprint, such as its shape, number of toes, claw marks, and impressions made by the dinosaur's skin. One intriguing feature of the footprint was a long portion preserved at the back of the foot, which is an impression of what is known as the metapodium, according to Lomax. This finding could suggest that the large carnivorous dinosaur was crouching in the mud before standing up and walking away. Lomax further speculated that the dinosaur might have been leisurely walking along a muddy coastal plain on a lazy Sunday afternoon during the Jurassic period, which is an interesting thought.

Dr. Mike Romano, a geologist from the University of Sheffield, worked with Hudson and Lomax on the study. Over the past 20 years, Romano has collected and studied hundreds of dinosaur tracks along the Yorkshire Coast, and he has identified about 25 different types of dinosaur footprints in the area. According to Romano, these footprints suggest a diverse ecosystem of animals that lived in the Jurassic coastal plain and river complex some 160-175 million years ago, including both carnivores and herbivores. Romano said that the prints also allow researchers to interpret the behavior of these dinosaurs, such as whether they were walking, running, or swimming. Once the fossilized footprint has been fully examined, it will be put on public display at the Scarborough Museum and Galleries' Rotunda Museum alongside other specimens.

RELATED ARTICLE: Real-Life Jurassic Park Possible? Experts Say Dinosaurs Can Be Recreated From Their DNA

Check out more news and information on Paleontology in Science Times.
Most Alzheimer's disease patients get it after the age of 65 although it can strike anyone at any age, as per Alzheimer's Society. Those who were diagnosed before 65 have an early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which is a kind of young-onset dementia, like the 19-year-old man from China.

Neurologists at Xuanwu hospital in China report in their paper "A 19-Year-Old Adolescent with Probable Alzheimer's Disease," which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, that they discovered the world's youngest Alzheimer's disease patient and described his case in their report.

World's Youngest Alzheimer's Disease Patient

The male teenager has been suffering from memory decline since he was 17 years old, Science Alert reported. He had a hard time even with reading as his short-term memory is declining. Oftentimes, he cannot even remember events that happened a day before and was always misplacing things.

As his condition worsened, he was referred to a memory clinic. His full-scale memory score at that time was 82% lower than his peers his own age while his immediate memory was 87% lower.

Meanwhile, imaging of his brain showed shrinkage in the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory; and his cerebrospinal fluid showed markers of dementia.

Neurologist Jianping Jia and colleagues wrote in their report that the patient had a very early onset of Alzheimer's disease with no clear pathogenic gene mutation, which suggests that its pathogenesis still needs to be investigated.

Nonetheless, his case shows that Alzheimer's disease does not follow a single pathway and is much more complex than previously thought. It emerges through different avenues with varying effects. The neurologists told the South China Morning Post in an interview that future studies should focus on early-onset cases to further improve understanding of memory loss.

They predict that exploring the mysteries of cases of young people with Alzheimer's disease may become one of the most challenging scientific questions of the future.

READ ALSO: Personality Traits Linked to Alzheimer's Disease: Which of the Big Five Predicts Higher Risk of Developing Dementia?

Early Onset Alzheimer's Without Gene Mutation

It is often thought that only old people could be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. However, some young people may also experience it and they actually account for up to 10% of all diagnoses.

As Science Alert reported, almost all patients under 30 with Alzheimer's disease could be explained by pathological gene mutations that put them under the familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) category. The younger the person who receives the diagnosis, the more likely it is due to a gene they have inherited.

However, that is not the case with the 19-year-old man from China. Researchers at the Capital Medical University, which is affiliated with the Xuanwu hospital, could not find any of the usual mutations responsible for the patient's early onset of memory loss, nor any suspect genes when they performed a genome-wide search.

Prior to this case, the youngest Alzheimer's disease patient was a 21-year-old who carried the PSEN1 gene mutation, which causes abnormal proteins to build up in the brain and form clumps of toxic plaques.

Cases like this are still a mystery, especially because the 19-year-old's family does not have any history of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, making it more difficult to categorize as FAD. There were also no other diseases, infections, or head trauma to explain his sudden cognitive decline.



RELATED ARTICLE: Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's Disease? Here's What a New Study of Female Mice Reveals

Check out more news and information on Alzheimer's Disease in Science Times.
The mission of your security operations center is to protect your organization from threats by rapidly detecting and responding to attacks the most effective way possible. Google Chronicle SIEM is designed to augment your SOC goals without being another pointless, expensive tool you have to worry about.

Access this white paper to explore how Chronicle can augment your SOC stack.
The German ballet director who caused a stink over the weekend  smearing dog feces onto the face of a critic who had given his show a crappy review  squeezed out an apology yesterday. But the critic calls BS.

"I would like to apologize sincerely to all concerned, first and foremost to Ms. [Wiebke] Huester, for my absolutely unacceptable act," Marco Goecke released in a statement. "In retrospect, I am clearly aware that this was a disgraceful act in the heat of the moment and an overreaction."

But his push for redemption went down the drain as he then went on to pile most of the blame onto the critic.

From HuffPost:

However, he added that it's time for media to "rethink a certain form of destructive and hurtful reporting that damages the whole cultural sector" and criticized Huester for what he said were "often nasty reviews." Goecke pointed to the "nervous strain" resulting from two premieres in quick succession as a reason for his actions. "I apologize for the fact that I finally blew my top, but I also ask for a certain understanding at least for the reasons why this happened," he wrote.  Huester said she was shocked by Goecke's statement on Tuesday. "What kind of an apology is this supposed to be?" she asked on 3sat television, describing it as an attempted justification of his actions, German news agency dpa reported.

Groecke, who has clearly soiled his name, is under a lot of pressure with an investigation. He has also been blocked from the Hannover state opera house until further notice.
Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) and global aerospace and technology company, Paramount Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of Composite Rotor Blades, Mission Systems and Stores Management systems for Medium Lift Helicopters at Aero India, an official release stated on Thursday.

Mr. Guru Biswal, CEO-Aerospace Division, Bharat Forge said, "This MoU with M/S Paramount is a testimony of our commitment to work for an "Atmanirbhar Bharat", to create technologies that are niche and shall support Indian and Global requirements.

This collaboration will focus on creating the 'Centre of Excellence' for the design, development and manufacture of Composite Rotor Blades, Mission Systems and Stores Management systems for Rotary Wing platforms, in India. This design and manufacturing hub shall support all future programs for both India and across the globe.

Clifford Dewell, SVP, of Paramount Group said, "Our global partnership with Bharat Forge has grown from strength to strength over the last few years. We are excited to expand our collaboration into the aerospace sector.

"We have confidence that this initiative will leverage the unique synergies of our joint capabilities to meet the requirements for these systems for Medium Lift Helicopters in India and across the globe.

"Our experience has been developed over many years; Paramount has delivered Mission Systems and Stores Management systems to several defense forces, including the South African and Algerian Air Forces."

Facilities, he said, will be established as centers of excellence for the development and industrialization of Rotor Blades for all Helicopter categories. The collaboration would present a unique opportunity for all parties to speed up qualification processes and jointly support National and International customers. This MOU will help in achieving the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, he added.

The MoU was signed by AGuru Biswal (CEO - Aerospace, Bharat Forge) and Clifford Dewell, (SVP, Paramount Group) in the presence of senior officials from both companies.
Air India's Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal on Thursday said Air India has placed orders for 840 planes from Airbus and Boeing, along with choices to purchase additional 370 aircraft.

In a LinkedIn post, he said the airline is humbled by the excitement generated across the world by the airline's aircraft order.

According to him, this order of 840 aircraft has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago starting with the Air India privatisation process.

"The order comprises 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade," he added. This will be one of the largest aircraft orders by an airline in modern aviation history.

The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. "We have also signed up for long-term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace," he said.

This was also the first time in more than 17 years that Air India, which was acquired from the government by Tata Group in January 2022, has ordered planes. The first A350 plane will be delivered to the airline by the end of this year.

Aggarwal on Thursday said the order demonstrates the vision and aspiration of Tata Group to transform Air India into a world-class airline and connect India "non-stop" to every major city in the world.

"This order is also a testament to the tremendous economic potential unleashed by the Air India privatization," he said, adding that it is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Air India-Airbus transaction as a "landmark deal" that also reflects the deepening ties between India and France.

The prime minister along with US President Joe Biden also welcomed the landmark agreement between Air India and Boeing as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Air India, earlier under the ownership of the government, had acquired new aircraft more than 17 years ago.

The airline's last order was for 111 planes -- 68 from Boeing and 43 from Airbus -- and that deal was worth USD 10.8 billion. The order was placed in 2005.

Currently, in India, around 470 commercial aircraft of Airbus are in service and the European major's order book for Indian airlines is around 850 planes. Indian carriers operate around 159 Boeing planes.

The country's airline industry is poised for expansion with more than 1,100 planes on order by various domestic carriers.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has granted in-principle approval to 32 existing payment aggregators, allowing them to continue their operations.

Amazon (Pay) India Pvt Ltd, Google India Digital Services Pvt Ltd, Reliance Payment Solutions Ltd and Zomato Payments Pvt Ltd are among the notable entities whose names are present in the list published by the RBI on Wednesday, of those existing payment aggregators, who have been granted in-principle approval to continue their operations.

PayTM Payments Services and PayU Payments Private Limited are the entities whose application to continue as payment aggregators has been returned by the RBI.

However, they are allowed to apply within 120 days from the date of return, and thus, can continue business subject to the condition that no new merchants should be onboarded by them until advised otherwise.

The central bank had earlier issued circulars dated March 17, 2020, and March 31, 2021 on guidelines on the Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways.

Applications of 18 existing payment aggregators, including that of Bhartipay Services Private Limited, is under process, the RBI said.

Online non-bank payment aggregators, existing as on March 17, 2020 were required to apply to RBI by September 30, 2021 for seeking authorization under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act).

They were given another extension to submit their applications by September 30, 2022.
British defence technology company BAE Systems and FSTC on Wednesday announced plans to design, build and supply world-leading simulators to train pilots of the Indian armed forces.

As per the MoU announced at the ongoing Aero India 2023, the two companies will work together to develop a Twin Dome Full Mission Simulator for BAE Systems' Hawk Mk132 fast jet trainer aircraft.

The use of a realistic synthetic environment will help pilots train at a higher standard than ever before, the statement said.

The Hawk Mk132 has supported the training of highly-trained pilots to the Indian Air Force for more than two decades, with many aircraft built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under licence from BAE Systems.

There are now 650 Hawks operating worldwide and BAE Systems has decades of experience working with armed forces across the globe to deliver and evolve training to prepare pilots for life in fast jet cockpits.

FSTC is India's leading flight simulation training company. It will integrate the cockpit, motion and visual display system, along with model designated military bases as part of the new agreement.

According to Ravi Nirgudkar, Managing Director, BAE Systems - India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the collaboration with FSTC will enhance capabilities for the Indian armed forces.

"Having worked with the Indian Air Force to support training of highly-trained pilots through Hawk, we can bring our knowledge of the world's most proven fast jet trainer with our expertise in delivering training from the classroom to the frontline - and everything in between," Nirgudkar said.

The full mission simulator is due to be installed within 24 months, the statement added.
The "iDEX Investor Hub" (iIH), under which prominent Indian investors have already invested more than Rs 200 crores, was introduced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. During the annual Manthan defence innovation event, which is a component of Aero India 2023, he also unveiled the "Cybersecurity" theme for the ninth edition of the "Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC 9)". The Department of Defence Production's flagship programme, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), aims to support start-ups and other organisations that work in the field of defence innovation.

The "iDEX Investor Hub" intends to speed up investment in the defence industry and provide investors with a single perspective of prospects and innovations. Leading Indian investors have already committed more than Rs 200 crore to the iIH, according to an official release.The iDEX and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs have collaborated on "DISC 9,". These challenges were selected from among those offered by Services, DPSUs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, demonstrating the significant impact and interest iDEX has had on the defence sector.

Defense Innovation Organization (DIO) also inked Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with notable investors at "Manthan." In order to strengthen the Defense Space, DIO has also signed Memorandum of Understandings with ISRO, IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), and ISpA (Indian Space Association), according to a press release. Another MoU was signed with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to potentially launch start-up competitions in the future.

During the event, the fourth iteration of the Innovate4Defence internship (i4D) programme was also introduced, accepting applications from students all around India. The Indian Army's compilation of "110 Problem Statements" for the domestic defence R&D, development, and manufacturing ecosystem was also made public by Singh.

The "Problem Statements" highlight the technological needs and challenges faced by the Indian Army in a variety of areas, including armament, surveillance, and fire control systems as well as more specialised areas like artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, the metaverse, robotics, quantum technology, cyber, and ammunition "smartification." They also include the introduction of new technologies, the upgrading of current systems, and the localization of essential components.

The statement stated that this Compendium will enable concentrated efforts on modernising the Indian Army with homegrown technologies, hence creating a stronger and "Atmanirbhar Bharat." According to the announcement, the Indian Army would support business and academia through a variety of research and development channels, including iDEX, the Technology Development Fund (TDF), and the Army Technology Board (ATB).
These were the words that a young person named Lola Smith, who has been on the earth for twelve years and identifies as non-binary, spoke to a boardroom full of politicians trying to outlaw their existence. The politicians were the Florida boards of medicine who were voting to outlaw gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Lola begins by reminding the room and the board about the ordinary everyday experience of having an embarrassing moment that stays in your memory for the rest of your life.

Lola, who is 12 years old, testified at today's Florida Medical Board meeting and absolutely schooled all of the members of the board about trans folks. Everyone should see this. pic.twitter.com/egoi1hgBed  Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) February 10, 2023

"I, too, have one of those momentsbut you see, the most embarrassing moment in my life is happening right now as I stand in front of a panel of strangers and publicly beg for my right to exist. Nothing is more humiliating and dehumanizing than pleading for one's existence. How did we get here? Growing up in conservative Florida, I am used to not being understood or represented, or even liked, but how did we get here? To the point where you are trying to eradicate us."

How did we get here?

I came across the video on Alejandra Caraballo's Twitter feed. Caraballo is a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Law School's Cyberlaw Clinic. Check out the spreadsheet and Caraballo thread tracking laws targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people.
I tried as a consumer to buy products from the manufacturer as far back as 1985, the year before I first entered the industry side of triathlon, so Im sympathetic to the urge to bypass the middleman.



Buying consumer direct (B2C in industry lingo) is a much bigger thing now than it was in 1986. But B2C (business to consumer) is not for everyone nor every purchase. When do you need a bike shop in between you and your product? Lets pick two product categories where I have some specific history: bikes and wetsuits. On the wetsuit side I have an announcement to make on that, so Ill not consider wetsuits today: Wetsuits are Part-2 of this 2-part series. Today is all about bikes and lets tackle the 3 things you need to reckon with before you buy a bike using the B2C channel.





The 3 Considerations When Buying Bikes B2C

Sizing expertise

Here is where the pendulum begins to swing away from the bike shop and I know Im going to break some china here but over a 15-year span the major bike industry brands got heavily intobike fit only to more recently (according to my observation) retreat from it. By ecumenical I mean a fit process that produced a brand-independent outcome. You got a set of fit coordinates from a fit session, followed by a list of complete bike solutions that matched those coordinates, regardless of which headbadge was riveted onto that bikes frame. Ecumenical solutions are less in vogue at your local bike shop then they were 5 or 10 years ago.

We here at Slowtwitch began a *thing* back in 2002: Dynamic Bike Fit. The idea is that you are fit aboard your bike as you are pedaling it, rather than getting fit based simply or mostly on your limb and torso lengths and/or your range of motion. Dynamic bike fit tooling and in most cases the protocols were more or less descendants of F.I.S.T. (our bike fit protocol brand). Companies involved in this were Cannondale (with the GURU brand); Specialized (with its purchase of Retul); Trek Precision Fit (using Purely Customs excellent fit bikes); Shimano (with the introduction of its excellent fit bike); and to some degree Giant. I now dont think I see any of those brands advocating for bike fit with the ardency they did at their zenith (though Im happy to hear and report if any of these brands think my observation misses the mark).



As a result I am left with the following: If its a highly individualized high-end product (a bike must fit you; a floor pump is less individualized), theres less reason for the shop to middle the transaction if its not wedded to fit as a pre-sale discipline. If getting the right bike, in the right size, set up correctly, is important then the shop has to be better than a B2C transaction. Nowadays I question whether thats the case for the great majority of bike shops. If a Slowtwitcher can go to a good bike fitter, and/or place his fit coordinates in one of the Fit Assistance threads on our Reader Forum (Cervelo; Canyon; Quintana Roo); can get a bike built to exactly match those fit coordinates such as the Fit Ready process (the template for which is shown above); and can be hand delivered ready to ride to your door (see an image below of a THRU van getting loaded for delivery); is the bike shop a value add or a value subtract?

If I can generalize the major bike brands, in my view, figured out during the pandemic that bike fit only gummed up the works. People just wanted bikes. There were in many shops transaction rooms where you paid, your bike was placed in a clean room by the bike mechanic post-assembly; and after he exited you entered to retrieve your bike. Theres not a lot of bike fitting going on in that environment. But for bike transaction purposes the pandemic is functionally over now; were in the middle of a bike glut (except for tri); and the value of the bike shop reemerges. Or not. This is why the independent Bike Fitter is the business model to watch, and it is in my view a perilous time for shops to abandon fit (although those shops may not see their peril now).



Mechanical expertise



This is where the bike shop remains as relevant as ever. With the advent of hydraulic disc brakes bikes got really hard to work on, unless you know how to bleed brakes and youre literate with hydraulic line, barbs, olives, compression nuts, and you have either SRAM or Shimano bleed kits (or both) and DOT fluid or mineral oil (or both). My Centerlock Lockrings affix with either a 41mm, 16 notch spline tool or the same 23.4mm, 12 spline tool I use for my cassette lockrings. Fortunately I have both. Do you even know what I just said? If you buy an electronic bike are you literate in either the SRAM AXS or Shimano eTube Project apps? Do you know how to change the coin cells in your road shifters and do you have those at home, at the ready? Thats what bikes have become.

This is why the most useful Bike Fitters are also mechanics and offer full service repair. This is the class of business that bike shops need to be wary of. Of course, bike shops can flank and outmaneuver the Bike Fitter by, simply, being the Bike Fitter. Dont give up that expertise. Dont be fooled by the false economy of the pandemic. But I digress. You will need to get your bike worked on and the very first bit of mechanical work is in getting this bike you just bought to match your fit coordinates. This is the biggest problem in the road, gravel and tri bike environment today: Youre not buying a bike anymore. Youre buying a motorcycle. If youre riding around on a new bike and it just doesnt feel as comfortable as your old bike, well, this is why. Because these bikes are so hard to adjust you must make sure youve got a bike shop thatll work on your bike; or a Bike Fitter whos a mechanic; a mobile bike fitter; or you just became your own mechanic.



Return threshold



My wife is a big returner. I am a non-returner. She enjoys the return process, whether in-person or online. I hate it. My threshold for returns is either low or high depending on which one of those means Im least likely to return what I bought. If youre like me youre not a great candidate for buying (for example) wetsuits over the internet. How much worse if were talking bikes. For this reason Im a really big fan of boxless complete bike delivery for those engaged in B2C transactions.

I tell the brands whore contemplating this: The big thing is not the delivery; its the retrieval. Brands are experts at packing bikes. Consumers are not. If the bike needs to be returned for any reason (wrong size, warranty, recall) the process is a lot better for everyone if the consumer simply hands the bike to a driver, as with Tri Bike Transport. Just, this thing  your personal return threshold  is something you should consider before you engage in an important B2C transaction.





Role of the Bike Fitter

So far the most important B2C bike brands have not embraced the Bike Fitter into the sales process. Consumer direct bike brands havent shunned the Bike Fitter channel as an important resource; they just arent part of the sales process. One company that I will be talking about some this spring is Ku Cycle and you may like and want a bike from this brand or you may not. The reason I mention Ku in this context is there should be a logistical handshake between the Bike Fitter and any B2C bike brand and this brand understands this and has a granular pathway to purchase that embraces and includes the Bike Fitter.

Its a regret of mine that some brands that I really admire  like Canyon and Quintana Roo  do not have this handshake in place. It is on some measure the fault of the Bike Fitter community for not embracing and pursuing this; in some measure its my fault because certain of these brands have expressed willingness and I have not sufficiently pushed through. (More work to be done here.)





Role of the Bike Shop

Finally, lets consider the case of Cervelo. This is the co-number-1, along with Canyon, most wanted tri bike brand by triathletes who read Slowtwitch. Cervelo prefers the more traditional B2B channel, that is to say, Cervelo sells not to you but to businesses. Bike shops. Cervelo relies on the shop to assemble its bikes; to make sure the customers are safe, powerful and comfortable aboard their bikes. Cervelo requires that the shops have the expertise to do all this and to work on its bikes and handle any warranty or recall issues. Cervelo carefully selects its retail stores and it has the brand command and gravitas to get its pick of the best shops. How long that remains a viable plan depends on whether these shops retain their attachment to fit expertise; whether they remain committed to triathlon; and whether they remain independent (e.g., how many of Cervelos retail chain will end up a Trek or Specialized store?).

Not to belabor, but can I refer back to mechanical expertise for a moment? Today, the biggest problem in the bike industry is bikes that go out the door not properly fit to the customer. This didnt used to be a big deal because you just changed the stem or did some other ministerial fix. Today what was ministerial now raising heaven and earth. Not so much with tri bikes, but with road and increasingly gravel getting your new bike to fit you often means pulling and reinstalling internal hydraulic lines, front and rear, rebleeding, new olives and needles, and you cant do that. This is how the shop makes its margin. If the shop isnt willing to do this it doesnt deserve its margin. Conversely, if you need this done on your B2C purchase you might have just blown the savings you thought you got by going consumer direct.



So to recap, if you choose to buy from a shop, demand that this shop earn its margin by selling you not a motorcycle, but a bicycle, fitted to you with the correct amount of mechanical housing or hydraulic line. If the shop employs expert fitters using modern fit tools  like a conforming fit bike  you might need to pay extra for the fit session. But you shouldnt pay extra for the mechanical work to make a new bike fit you if youre buying that new bike from the shop. If the shop is unwilling to make the bike fit you at no extra cost to you, that shop gave you a great reason to buy a Canyon, a Ventum or a Litespeed. But if you choose to buy a Canyon, Ventum or Litespeed use the tools here on Slowtwitch (such as the fit assistance threads); make sure you know your fit coordinates; and buy your bikes with a plan in place for getting that bike to match your fit coordinates. And, have a plan in place for how to service your bike when necessary.
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Now Perth is hosting its own Game of Thrones.

In Western Australias capital of Perth, which boasts a disproportionately high number of mega-rich listers, Forrest and Stokes have long and happily shared the crown.

Kerry Stokes Seven West Media owns The West Australian newspaper, which Andrew Forrest claims is publishing biased reports about his mining company Fortescue.

When billionaires start brawling its never a quiet measured affair, its a sporting event in which the whole population gets invited. Corporate heavyweights Andrew Forrest and Kerry Stokes removed their gloves on Wednesday so expect to feel reverberations.

On Thursday, the dispute moved to the corridors of Canberra, with Fortescue writing to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland complaining that Stokes may be using his media company to further his business interests and questioning his monopoly media ownership in the state.

I am writing to you today to raise concerns held by Fortescue Metals Group and Fortescue Future Industries regarding what we believe to be the misuse of The West Australian newspaper to pursue commercial interests. Fortescue wrote in the letter. This matter also pertains directly to the issues of diversity of media ownership in Western Australia, and the ability of the community to access balanced, accurate content.

Forrest and Stokes are at such extreme odds that they are even in dispute about what the dispute is about.

And make no mistake, it is now personal. Stokes and Forrest have been close friends for many years.

Forrests Fortescue Metals has been one of Stokes-owned WesTracs largest customers.
Spoiler: It was political liberals and MAGA folks, according to the Death Panel Podcast.

The liberal-conservative binary is related to the left-right binary bequeathed to the world in 1789. The categorical binary is a consequence of what side of the hall the anti-monarch revolutionaries and the elite aristocrats sat on when the French National Assembly drafted a new Constitution in 1789. The Partisans sat to the presiding officer's left, while the monarchist reactionaries sat to the right. This binary impacts how to differentiate between liberals and conservatives and if there are substantial differences in their politics, specifically concerning public health.

To be clear, I am talking about the politics of masking and the assumptions made about which political perspectives have influenced public opinion to stop masking in public.

Contrary to the assumptions that seem to be circulating online, in academia, and pushed by political pundits, MAGA supporters, conspiritualists, and the crusty-to-alt-right communities who deny COVID are not the only force influencing how we interpret the information and research about long COVID, masking, vaccines, and other public health issues.

The Death Panel podcast has been killing it since November 2018, before the ongoing global pandemic began. "The Death Panel is a twice-weekly podcast about the political economy of health co-hosted by Beatrice Adler-Bolton, Artie Vierkant, Phil Rocco, Jules Gill-Peterson, and Abby Cartus."

In a recent episode available to everyone, "How Liberals Killed Masking," the hosts take on one of the sacred cows of the liberal imaginary  that they (liberals) are not responsible for policies that ensure people will continue to get sick from COVID-19.

"We look back at how such a basic intervention as masking during a pandemic became increasingly scrutinized, undermined, and ultimately stigmatized in mainstream discourse over the last three years."

This episode highlights the impact that liberals, progressives, and other people that might identify with the Democratic Party have been a force behind the anti-mask masking politics in the United States. That might come as a surprise to some. Yet, for people who have to live with the consequences of COVID deniers and COVID downplayers, the Venn diagram that demonstrates liberals are closer to the MAGA cultists and COVID deniers than disability studies is not a surprise.

You can follow Death Panel on Instagram here.
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 Its not as though I thought he would answer the call with an accordion strapped to his shoulders and burst into song, but the thing that strikes me straight away is how, well, normal Weird Al Yankovic is for someone who has been in the public eye for the past four decades. We start off with tech issues but after a few am I on mute? and maybe we could switch to Skype messages we get it fixed, and its so much like setting up a call with your family that its easy to forget that this unassuming man has been cited as an influence by Hamilton writer Lin Manuel Miranda; that, when casting his recent film, he only needed to open his address book to lock in Jack Black, Conan OBrien, Patton Oswalt, Evan Rachel Wood and Daniel Radcliffe, to name a few. Yankovic is best known for his parody versions of pop songs that he started releasing in the early 1980s  often with a music video to match. Michael Jacksons Beat It morphed into Eat It. The Queen classic Another One Bites the Dust became Another One Rides the Bus. The list is so long it has its own dedicated Wikipedia page. Over his career, however, his work has expanded to include filmmaking, voice acting and writing childrens books. His most recent project is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, a film that aptly takes his career in parody to its extreme end  by parodying his own story in a surprisingly-truthful-yet-mostly-made-up biopic starring Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al. Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Nine years ago Yankovic made a trailer for the film for comedy website Funny Or Die with no intention of actually following through. It was simply a sketch, and thats all it needed to be. During his live shows in the years to follow he would play the video on a big screen during costume changes and a lot of people thought it was real. It took Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocket Man being released, however, to flick a switch in Yankovics mind. I woke up one morning and just felt it was the right time. It struck me that Bohemian Rhapsody played around with the facts and the chronology a lot  and a lot of biopics do, he explains. But it just felt like we were in a post-fact era where I could do a biopic and just throw facts completely out the window.

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This is how Yankovic has worked and sustained a career for four decades. He looks around him at popular culture and thinks about how to skewer it; to hold up a warped mirror. He and director Eric Appel put together a script and filmed the entire film in an extremely tight 18 days. The idea was to have it start out conventionally then gradually go off the rails. Daniel Radcliffe and Weird Al at the Toronto Film Festival last year. Credit:AP The resulting film is an absolute joy  and one that will be accessible in Australia on streaming on March 2. Yankovic was thrilled with Radcliffes performance, highlighting how they needed someone who could act the role as though this were a very serious Oscar-bait biopic while also playing up the comedy. We knew that Daniel could pull it off. Yankovic himself has a small role and the film is packed with cameos. Half an hour after my movie got announced in the trades, I got a text from Lin Manuel Miranda saying, What am I going to play? I was like Whatever you want, man! Perhaps the strangest things about the film are the parts that really are true  how early Yankovic found success in his music career; that he recorded one of his early demos in a bathroom; how hes had the same band for the entirety of his career; that as a child he got his first accordion from a door-to-door travelling salesman. Yankovic says his band members are very happy with their portrayal, because they come up better than anybody else in the whole movie. Theyre like, very sweet and very supportive ... and theyre ... played by like, hot guys. Quinta Brunson and Daniel Radcliffe as Weird Al in <i>Weird: The Al Yankovic Story</i>. Credit:Aaron Epstein/Roku Channel He is quick, though, to highlight that unlike in the film  and unlike in most music biopics  his parents were extremely supportive and nothing like their on-screen counterparts.

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In the movie, Al has a breakthrough moment when looking at a package of bologna while My Sharona by the Knack plays on the radio. Everything snaps together and suddenly he is performing a verse of the real-life breakthrough hit My Bologna as his roommates look on with awe. And yes, sometimes an idea does hit the real Yankovic like lightning but, he explains, thats pretty rare. Usually he takes a more analytical approach, studying the billboard charts to see which songs are good candidates for parody. He then comes up with dozens of ideas for each of them. Most of those ideas are horrible, he says with a laugh, [but] every now and then Ill come up with an idea that I think, OK, I can work with this. Its easy to think of coming up with a parody song as simple  its a joke that Yankovic makes multiple times at his own expense in the film. But its important to Yankovic that there is more than just a punchline, that there is enough subtext that can carry through every verse. And, of course, that its funny. So, when hes whittled it all down, if I have an idea that I know in my heart is going to work then thats when I will have my manager reach out to an artists manager and say, Al wants to do this  what do you think?  In an alternate reality  one not penned for the cinema  Yankovic might be working in a more conventional field. He completed an architecture degree after being convinced to pursue it as a career by a guidance counsellor. I told him initially I wanted to be a writer for Mad Magazine and he said, No, no, no, thats not an adult job for an adult human. You should, like, have a real job.  So Yankovic went to one of the best architecture schools in the country and over the course of four years learned he did not have a passion for it. I got my degree and then immediately went to work in the mailroom just to pay for my macaroni and cheese. And I thought, well, you know, Im young, maybe Ill just try to get a record deal. Who knows? Now, the only real time his architecture background comes through is in his handwriting. They instil in you a very recognisable kind of font he says. Whenever hes asked for an autograph, the Weird Al is in uppercase letters, and thats a little bit of architectural lettering  so thats something that Im reminded of every time I sign my name. For the bulk of his career he has put out work at an almost unbelievable rate, but since the 2014 album Mandatory Fun he has slowed down. I admit I havent been extremely prolific [recently], he says. But Ive been focused on other things. The movie, for one, and his live shows. Being classed as a novelty act when he started out meant that he felt he needed to work even harder to prove himself. Panic was one of his major driving forces. Thats one of the reasons that I put out an album every single year in the 80s  because I thought it was such a fluke that I had a career at all, he says. I wanted to make sure people didnt forget me because it was drilled in my head back then that parody music and novelty music was the domain of one-hit wonders. He refused to let himself fade into the background, and so worked ferociously.

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It was a while before I was able to calm down and appreciate that there are peaks and valleys in every career and not be too full of myself when Im at a peak and not be too depressed when Im in a valley  to just kind of ride the wave and enjoy my life. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO WEIRD AL YANKOVIC Worst habit? Biting my fingernails. Greatest fear? Falling out of a window while covered in snakes. The line that stayed with you? If money cant buy happiness, I guess Ill have to rent it. Biggest regret? Not accepting the role of James Bond. Favourite room? Carnegie Hall, NYC. The artwork/song you wish was yours? The Mona Lisa (would get some serious coin for that on eBay!) If you could solve one thing  Mortality. He has performed in Australia on and off for the past 20 years, and in some ways the show hes bringing here reflects his life at the moment  stripped down to the essentials. Titled The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, there will be no videos, no costumes: just the basics. For the people that arent aware, I need to warn them. Were not doing the hits, were not doing the big parodies. This tour is specifically pandering to the hardcore fans that want to hear these obscure tracks that we never play live, he says. So for those fans, its a treat  and for the more casual fans that just want to hear Eat It, this may be one that you might want to skip. Loading Outside of performing, Yankovic is spending more time with his family, and taking more risks on new things which may or may not pan out or be successful, he says. Im not giving up music  and Im not giving up writing parody songs per se, but I just want to try a few new things. He remains coy on what these things are, but points to voice acting as something he has been enjoying lately, along with the challenge of doing things which are not necessarily in my wheelhouse.

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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 It was envisaged as the New York of Australia more than a hundred years ago. Now, a group of architects, planners and mum and dad investors are working together to turn the tiny town of North Arm Cove at Port Stephens into the next Canberra or Castlecrag. A masterplan for the site was drawn 105 years ago by American architect and urban planner Walter Burley Griffin, famous for designing the bushy capital of Canberra and the even bushier suburb of Castlecrag on Sydneys north shore. Today the outline of the subdivision from 1918 can be seen in satellite photos. It looks like a lost Mayan city, says architect Tatjana Djuric-Simovic. It looks like a subdivision that is not a grid, that follows the topography, but there are no houses. Djuric-Simovic, a planner, and her husband, Dejan Simovic of Sydneys DESIM architecture firm were commended at a conference in Britain last year for Back to the Future  a proposal to finally bring Walter Burley Griffins dream of Port Stephens City to life. Mid Coast Council has told residents that developing the area would be prohibitively expensive, but the Simovics envisage a sustainable and regenerative bush-like community that would reduce these costs. It would be off the grid, reduce carbon emissions, and manage water use and sewage using grey water and other systems. Over the years, many have bought into the North Arm Cove dream only to lose hope and money. Located about 200 kilometres north of Sydney and on the northern shore of Port Stephens, it is a paper subdivision, perhaps the largest in NSW.

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Of the 3500 lots there, about 3000 are rated non-urban. That means the estimated 2800 owners of these non-urban blocks cant build on the land. They cant even stay on the land other than to camp or caravan, and that is limited to two consecutive nights, and only 60 days a year. Many bought without knowing they couldnt build on the land. And most didnt know that they would have to pay council rates, despite the absence of electricity, sewer, finished roads or drainage. Walter Burley Griffin Credit:Fairfax Media Over the years, desperate and disillusioned owners of more than a thousand lots of non-urban land stopped paying rates. These properties were acquired by council in lieu of outstanding rates. There are only a few hundred homes that are zoned residential in North Arm Cove, which doesnt have town sewer or a shop. These homes have seen prices soar. Because of their scarcity value, land values of the homes zoned residential are about 10 times greater than the blocks abutting them that are zoned non-urban. A non-urban block, zoned RU2 Rural Landscape, has a land value of $32,500, according to the Valuer General. In contrast, the land on the lot next to it, zoned RU5-village with a detached home, is valued at $345,000. The owners of the non-urban lots say the capital costs of the infrastructure needed to develop their blocks, which they expect to fund, would be more than covered by the increased value of the land.

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Stella Maris Cuerva, and her husband, Manuel, bought into the North Arm Cove dream in 1997, paying $12,000 for a small lot with water views. After seeing an advertisement promoting it as a piece of paradise, the couple, then in their 40s, visited the site. It was a lovely place, it was flat land, near the water, and near the highway. We fell in love, said Cuerva. The Cuervas thought it was the ideal place to retire, and were told council planned to revisit its rezoning by 2016. A place called Hope Unlike other buyers, the couple knew it wasnt zoned residential but were told it would happen in 15 to 20 years. It was perfect, we are going to retire, and we will have a place, Cuerva said. They named their block, Hope.

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I have been talking to people like us, who bought their land 40 to 50 years ago, said Cuerva. They were saying the same things, they were told two years [for rezoning], 10 years, it never happened. Because the zoning hasnt changed, the Cuervas, now in their 60s, cant afford to retire. Thats why we are still working.  Over the past century, many mum and dad investors also purchased these non-urban lots in the hope that the land would be rezoned, and theyd make a windfall. Around the turn of the century, some people were given a lot in a paper subdivision when they purchased a suit. Stella Maris Cuerva camping on the property she called Hope. They were not told it was a gift that would keep on costing them council rates. Changing the zoning of antiquated paper subdivisions, around 10,000 lots many dating back to the late 19th century, requires a mastery of labyrinthine rules, patience and money. Changes to legislation 10 years ago has so far only resulted in the rezoning of a paper subdivision in Riverstone, which the NSW government championed.

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Any change requires a majority of landholders by number and land area agree to any development, and share the costs. A shortage of housing on the Central Coast has prompted councils to investigate the potential of paper subdivisions. Wyee Point, a historical subdivision created 130 years ago, is in the process of being rezoned to provide affordable housing. Loading A spokesperson for Mid Coast Council said the issue of non-urban land at North Arm Cove had a long and complex history. During the development of its new rural strategy, it received 431 submissions, 65 per cent from owners of these lots. Most opposed the inclusion of these lots in a conservation zone

because it would stop them building on the land. Councils paper said many lots were too small to build on, and advocated consolidation. Cuerva says she finally has some new hope. She is part of a North Arm Cove Landowners group with the Simovics, who are also owners of a lot where they camp regularly.

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A geneticist at Sydney Childrens Hospital has told an inquiry into Kathleen Folbiggs convictions over the deaths of her four young children that a rare genetic mutation may have caused the deaths of her two daughters but it was unclear if it was likely.

Professor Edwin Kirk, who is also a genetic pathologist for NSW Health and a professor of medicine and health at the University of NSW, gave evidence in Sydney on Thursday at the judicial inquiry, which is considering whether there is a reasonable doubt about Folbiggs convictions.

Professor Edwin Kirk leaves the inquiry in Sydney on Thursday. Credit: Nick Moir

Folbigg, now 55, is serving a minimum 25-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2003 of the murder of three of her children, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, and the manslaughter of her first child, Caleb. Each died suddenly between 1989 and 1999 in their Hunter Valley home, aged between 19 days and 18 months.

DNA sequencing and scientific research after her convictions revealed Folbigg shared a novel genetic variant with her daughters, Sarah and Laura, that may cause cardiac arrhythmias  irregular heart rhythms  and sudden unexpected death. The variant was not found in Caleb or Patrick.
For a country as interesting and diverse as Australia, our banter is becoming tedious and predictable. Nowhere is this more pronounced than among residents of Sydney and Melbourne, who appear to have run out of topics of conversation beyond property and private schools.

Have you decided on a school for (insert top-10 baby name here) yet? an acquaintance asked me as we waited separately for our coffees.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

This wasnt a question, but rather a chance to continue an impassioned Sydney soliloquy.

We put all of our kids names down from birth. You have to do that to get into a good private school. It just means we cant go skiing every year, but hopefully we can this year because were negatively gearing our coastal property, but at the end of the day we just want the best education for our kids. You know what I mean, right?
The historic Zig Zag Railway is on the cusp of reopening ahead of winter after bushfires, floods and vandalism closed it down more than a decade ago.

Train enthusiasts once visited the Lithgow steam train in masses to ride through the scenic Blue Mountains. However, the tourist attraction was closed in 2012 by then-transport minister Gladys Berejiklian to address numerous safety deficiencies.

The Zig Zag Railway suffered significant damage in the 2019 bushfires. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Plans to reopen in October 2013 literally went up in flames when fires ravaged the station, leaving former chief executive of Zig Zag Michael Forbes bloody gobsmacked by the damage.

The site was hit again by the 2019 bushfires, floods and recent storm damage.
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 The scale and complexity of the final stage of the $17 billion WestConnex motorway project, buried up to 60 metres beneath inner Sydney, becomes clear the deeper workers venture into a twisting maze of road tunnels, ventilation passages and giant caverns for jet fans and substations. Above ground, inner-city residents and motorists get a sense of the scale  and disruption whenever they pass a massive construction depot for the project on a site that was once the Rozelle rail yards, next to the City West Link roadway. However, the surface work represents only a fraction of the motorway junction below, which features three layers of tunnels. All up, Australias most complex motorway project comprises 24 kilometres of tunnels beneath Rozelle and Lilyfield, about seven kilometres of which motorists will never see because it will be used mostly for ventilation. Once opened late this year, the $3.9 billion interchange will connect the recently opened M4-M8 Link between St Peters and Haberfield, the City West Link, the Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove and, by 2027, the planned Western Harbour Tunnel. One of the giant tunnels for the Rozelle interchange. Credit:Brook Mitchell Almost four years after construction started, Rozelle interchange project director Steven Keyser said the focus was now on fitting out the finished tunnels and connecting everything together, so it all talks to each other as the targeted completion date looms. We have the body built, but we need the brains, he said of the mechanical and electrical systems. Keyser said other road tunnel projects built in Sydney in the last decade had taught his team that fitting them out with mechanical and electrical equipment often took longer than anticipated. Weve got 1.7 million metres of cabling to run through all those tunnels. Its a real spider network of cabling, he said. The back end takes a lot longer, and were scheduling far more intensely to get that right. And so were in a good position to open at the end of the year.

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Keyser said that, while facing disruption from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, the pandemic and wet weather, the biggest logistical challenge for the project had been ensuring equipment and componentry arrived in the correct sequence. We had 23 road-headers [excavating] and 500 blue-collar workers starting and stopping each day, getting in and out of the tunnels. This is one of the biggest logistical exercises and thats all hidden, he said. Like the rest of WestConnex, the Rozelle interchange has been contentious due to the disruption caused to inner-city residents, and the eyesore it has created near Sydney Harbour during the years of construction. Transport for NSWs deputy secretary of infrastructure and place, Camilla Drover, said the project would have been far more controversial if early plans for the interchange had been pursued. You have to remember the original scheme for this was all above ground. Can you imagine? It would have been viaduct and overpasses. But the fact that it is now all underground, and we have a park instead, that is the evolution people forget about, she said. The 10-hectare park  which includes two sporting fields  on the site of the old rail yards will open late this year when the interchange is completed. And Keyser said the public would see the construction site change quickly over the coming months as the park began to emerge. Were getting to the stage where you can see what the finished product will look like, he said.

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Underscoring the complexity of the underground junction, the states transport agency took control of the project in 2017 from a corporation set up to oversee WestConnex after only one bid from contractors to build it was received in the initial tender process. The interchange was also separated from construction of the M4-M8 Link, which forms the other part of the third and final stage of the 33-kilometre motorway project. The upshot is that the risk of delivering the interchange ultimately rests with the government. While the tunnels for the interchange average 35 to 40 metres beneath the surface, a sump where water is collected before being pumped out is about 60 metres deep. Twin tunnels for the $27 billion Sydney Metro West rail line between the CBD and Parramatta, which will include a train station next to White Bay power station at the so-called Bays West, will be dug even deeper beneath a part of the interchange over the coming years. Workers in the Rozelle interchange. Credit:Brook Mitchell For tunnellers, ground conditions have presented a constant challenge during construction. Its always challenging with ground conditions, no matter where you are in the world. Each time were digging the tunnels were checking the reactions of whats happening, Keyser said. Were always a step ahead, probing things, making sure that things are only moving to the model. We have probably 5000 instruments around measuring. While sandstone is easier to excavate, softer soil conditions required so-called rock bolts to be installed closer together in the tunnel walls to provide extra support. The closest the tunnels get to each other is about 10 metres. Youre basically doing what the Romans did  youre creating an arch [in the tunnels], Keyser said of the tunnelling techniques. Loading About a quarter of the $3.9 billion cost of the interchange, being built by contractors CPB and John Holland, has been spent on a labyrinth of ventilation tunnels and related facilities. Three exhaust stacks about 35 metres high, which are connected to the interchange below, have been built on the site of the old rail yards. Large caverns  some about 23 metres high  also had to be dug deep underground for electricity substations and to house giant fans for the ventilation system.

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The bodies of two missing miners have been found after an underground zinc mine collapse in northern Queensland.

Investigators had been using drone technology to search for Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, who went missing after a light vehicle and a drill rig fell into a void at the Dugald River mine, operated by MMG, near Cloncurry on Wednesday.

Another worker on the drill rig survived.

This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday, said Mark Norwell, the chief executive of Perenti, the parent company of mining contractor company Barminco.
Residents who cannot return home are going into social housing, a private rental or temporary accommodation such as hotels and caravan parks until a permanent home is found. However, they are being thrown into a chronic housing shortage, with a 1 per cent vacancy rate for rental properties and record prices. The waiting list for social housing is also dire, with 55,000 households needing a home as of last June. One man in his 50s, who asked not to be named, has been staying in Mickleham since his Maribyrnong rental home was flooded in October. He said the centre had been very helpful in getting him back on his feet but there had been a lot of confusion and diluted information in recent weeks. Yesterday was the first time I was told straight out you have to be out. That was a reality check, he said.

He is being moved to a hotel in Melbournes inner west next week. He is employed but has been struggling to find a new rental home as he battles limited available properties and a 50 per cent jump in cost from what he had been paying before the flood. Loading There are so few places and either they get snapped up really quick, theyre not liveable or theyre super expensive, he said. Joan Broughan, a housing worker for the aged based in the Goulburn Valley, said her clients staying in Mickleham started hearing in January that the facility could be closing and that they needed to have a housing plan, but they werent given anything in writing at the time. They were really worried because they didnt know what this meant for them and where they were going to be sent to, she said.

They were not really communicated with at all and, as a housing worker, I was never communicated with. Its a huge problem. Loading Theyre already traumatised by having their home destroyed. Youre catching them at their most vulnerable and theyre not able to articulate and advocate for themselves. Temporary accommodation at hotels and caravan parks is typically booked by Emergency Recovery Victoria in blocks of several days to two weeks. Broughan said that the stress of not knowing if theyd needed to relocate could compound for people. One woman in her 80s, who was flooded in Seymour and also asked not be named, said she was moved to a caravan park late last week with a days notice. She is preparing to move to public housing.

She said she could not fault her experience at the Mickleham centre but felt the state government should have been upfront with residents about shutting the facility. Loading She said she kept asking staff in January about what was happening when she started to feel more pressed to move, but she couldnt get answers. Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said residents were being supported in returning to their communities so they could reconnect with work, school and loved ones. It has been an incredibly challenging few months for those impacted by the floods  the centre has been a place for people from across Victoria to have a safe roof over their heads, food on the table and a community around them determined to help them recover, Symes said.

We will continue to stand with flood-impacted communities for as long as it takes to recover. The Andrews government and state authorities have come under criticism over the Maribyrnong River flood after The Age revealed failures in the early warning system and planning decisions. A statewide parliamentary flood inquiry propelled by the Coalition and the Greens is now expected to run parallel to Melbourne Waters Maribyrnong River flood inquiry after its chair stood down to combat perceived conflicts of interest. Staff from community health organisation cohealth have been supporting residents at Mickleham. A spokeswoman said many would be moving to temporary accommodation.

Some of the clients we are supporting at Mickleham, and some we continue to support post their stay at the facility, have complex health and social support needs distinct from the impact of the floods, including history of homelessness, mental ill-health, disability and family violence, she said. The trauma of the floods and the uncertainty about the future has understandably created anxiety for many residents. Western Homelessness Network co-ordinator Sarah Langmore said she felt for flood victims who were landing in an utterly overloaded system. I think the community would feel that if they end up in a housing crisis, they would be assisted, and theres just no capacity, she said. Construction of affordable housing has to be a priority.
The representative for the largest refugee group in Indonesia says asylum seekers are deterred by Australias policy of turning back boats, but called on the Albanese government to increase its humanitarian intake and consider including refugees in a new visa lottery.

Labors decision this week to abolish temporary protection visas has prompted the federal opposition to warn that people-smuggling networks in the region would be energised by the news.

Refugee leader Ezat Ahmadi fronts a peaceful protest in Indonesia.

The change affects about 19,000 people who have been on temporary protection visas for up to a decade and will finally be able to become permanent residents in Australia.

Only asylum seekers who arrived in Australia before Operation Sovereign Borders took effect in late 2013 will be eligible, and the government insisted it would not soften the decade-long policy of turning around boats entering the country without authorisation.
Windows users on version 10 or later will have their copies of Internet Explorer disabled in the next update. Attempts to start it will be redirected to the company's replacement browser, Edge.

In June of last year, Microsoft announced it was retiring Explorer, but it was not until Tuesday that the app stopped working for users.

Internet Explorer 11's visual elements and icons in the start menu and task bar will also be phased out in June.

"With a growing number of websites no longer supporting Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge offers a faster, more secure, and more modern browsing experience that can still open legacy, Internet Explorer-dependent sites when needed," the company said in its announcement.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has warned that any war started by China would not begin with bullets, but with bits and bytes, and that Beijing would first disable military systems and civil infrastructure.

Morrison made the comments on Fridayat the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China in Tokyo  a gathering of MPs from more than 30 nations that also features former British prime minister Liz Truss and former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is now a member of the European Parliament.

Scott Morrison in Tokyo in 2020, when he was Australian prime minister. Credit: Adam Taylor

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age saw copies of speeches by all three former leaders.

In his speech, Morrison said Russia, Iran and China led the world in state-sponsored cyberattacks, meaning that in any war, conflict would begin by taking down civil infrastructure and military systems.
Belarus President warns his country will join Ukraine war if attacked

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SABA:--- Young people in Saba now have a place they can find information and turn to with their questions about sexual health. SabaLovin, Sabas first sexual and reproductive health website, was launched on Tuesday, February 14.

It was no coincidence that the Public Health Department, which initiated this innovative website, chose Valentines Day for the launch. Youngsters, stakeholders, and government officials gathered under a large tent in front of the Government Administration Building to listen to the speeches, toast to the new website, and cutting off the cake.

Commissioner of Public Health and Social Affairs Rolando Wilson rightfully called it a memorable event and a stepping stone for the SabaLovin to grow into a dynamic Saba-based website which he said would undoubtedly be tapped into by other Caribbean islands. He complimented Public Health/Youth healthcare nurse Tedisha Gordon-Lee and her team Allan Carolina and Jane OFlynn for this major achievement.

This website aims to raise awareness and it gives our young people the opportunity to access information about their reproductive well-being in a positive and healthy way. Youngsters are now afforded the opportunity to access information where they can see their needs reflected, said Wilson, who together with employees of the Department of Community Development and Public Health, wore a SabaLovin t-shirt for the occasion saying Give me some of that SabaLovin on the back.

Saba Comprehensive School student Jose Rodriguez said that as young adults are in the process of discovering and exploring their sexuality, it is important that they have access to accurate, reliable information. This website has been developed to provide teenagers with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. It covers a wide range of topics, from sexual anatomy to relationships, consent, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Platform for youth

SabaLovin is more than a source of information, said Rodriquez. It is a platform for young adults to connect and engage with others, to ask questions and receive support from experts in the field. The website also provides resources for parents, teachers, and other adults to support the sexual health education of young people.

Tedisha Gordon-Lee said the process to get SabaLovin off the ground had been no easy journey. After the initial efforts with the Ministry of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sport (VWS) in 2019 to explore how to tackle the needs of young people relating to sexual health, a working group was set up early 2020. And then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which required all focus of Public Health authorities on Saba and in the Netherlands.

After the Public Health Department was able to enter a more controlled phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, the work to build Sabas very own sexual health website resumed early 2022. With the support of SOAIDS Netherlands and the Ministry of VWS, the team of the Public Health Department built the website.

SabaLovin means pride, empowerment, honesty, respect, diversity and bravery. The tagline on the SabaLovin homepage says it all: empowering Saban youths to navigate love, sex and relationships. The greatest form of empowerment is being well informed. We are striving to realize a healthy future for our Saban youths. SabaLovin is an aspiration; it redefines the way we look at sexual wellbeing on Saba, said Gordon-Lee. Info: www.sabalovin.com
PHILIPSBURG:--- In its conversation with the Minister of Finance of Sint Maarten, the Board of financial supervision Curacao and Sint Maarten (Cft) determined that Sint Maarten is taking the necessary steps to improve its budgetary process. The Kingdom Council of Ministers (RMR) requested Sint Maarten to adopt the 2023 budget by March 31st, 2023. This budget has to comply with the budget standards as stipulated in the Kingdom Act on financial supervision Curacao and Sint Maarten (Rft).

According to the Rft, the 2023 budget had to be adopted prior to December 15th, 2022. Sint Maarten did not meet this deadline and has indicated that it will submit the 2023 budget to Parliament as soon as possible so that it can be adopted before the March 31st, 2023 deadline that was requested by the RMR.

Investments

The level of public investment in Sint Maarten has been low for some time now. Consequently, Sint Maarten is not using the opportunities to stimulate sustainable economic development. In 2022, Sint Maarten planned to finance ANG 15 million in investments through a loan subscription by the Netherlands. Sint Maarten had a significantly higher deficit in the adopted budget amendment for 2022 than was permitted by the RMR. Therefore, the Cft was unable to give positive advice on the loan request. The government is currently working on sufficiently substantiating the investments in the 2023 budget.

Healthcare and social security

Sint Maarten took the first steps in 2022 to reduce the shortages in healthcare funds. For instance, the wage limit for Health Insurance and Accident Insurance has been raised as of September 1st, 2022, and Sint Maarten has started a cost-saving program for medical costs. The Cft discussed the proposed reforms and the importance of a realistic and adequately substantiated (long-term) budget for social funds with the Council of Ministers and the executing entity for Social and Health insurance (SZV). Sint Maarten expects to structurally reduce the deficits of the health care funds when the general health insurance is introduced on January 1st, 2024.

Increase tax benefits

From an international perspective, Sint Maarten's tax and premium burden is low at approximately 27 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Cft advises Sint Maarten to introduce in the short term a casino tax and a turnover tax on the private import of goods. Sint Maarten is already working on a reform of the accommodation tax on the rental of homes to tourists. Sint Maarten also wants to include lottery booths in the tax and premium levy. During the meeting with the Minister of Finance, the Cft emphasized that modernization of (tax) systems and the Tax Authority is necessary to improve compliance. The exchange and linking of data (files) between implementing organizations is of utmost importance in this respect.

Financial management

In recent months Sint Maarten has assessed various financial work processes and cleared various (suspense) accounts. The 2019 and 2020 annual accounts were adopted in January 2023. This means that the backlog with regard to the preparation and adoption of annual accounts has largely been cleared. The 2021 annual accounts are expected to be adopted shortly. Sint Maarten is also working on shortening the process for the delivery and audit of the annual accounts. The Cft emphasizes the importance of sustainable implementation of the improvements resulting from the projects, in order to structurally improve the quality of financial management. It is important to have sufficient capacity to this effect.

As of February 1st, 2023, Ms. Lidewijde Ongering has been appointed as chair of the Board of financial supervision Curacao and Sint Maarten, the Board of financial supervision Aruba, and the Board of financial supervision Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. In its new composition, the Cft visited Sint Maarten on February 15th and 16th, 2023, and held talks with the Governor, the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Finance, and the Sint Maarten Parliament. The Cft also spoke with the executing agency for Social and Health Insurances and the director of the Princess Juliana International Airport.

On February 13th, 2023, the Board of financial supervision Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (Cft BES) visited Saba where it held talks with the Executive Council and the Island Council. The Cft further visited the construction site for the new port. On February 14th, 2023, the Cft BES spoke with the Executive Council and received a tour of Global Terminal Investments Statia on Sint Eustatius.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company (PJIAE) has recently announced to its staff the theme for 2023, "Reopening with Excellence," in preparation for the reopening of the terminal building later this year.

Aligned with the theme, PJIAE's HR (Human Resources) department has launched its Employee Experience Program for 2023 with a focus on Employee Appreciation, Employee Engagement, and Workplace Happiness. The program began on February 3, 2023, and included a 3-day certification workshop to certify 12 "Workplace Happiness Ambassadors." These ambassadors will collaborate with the HR department to improve the overall employee experience and support the company's journey toward better employee satisfaction.

The Happiness Bureau, a well-renowned company from the Netherlands, was invited to St. Maarten to provide ground-breaking workshops, sessions, and a masterclass on Employee Appreciation and Employee Engagement. PJIAE took advantage of this opportunity and also invited HR professionals from St. Maarten, Saba, and Statia to participate in a unique HR Masterclass on Employee Engagement and Workplace Happiness. The event was well attended.

Last week, PJIAE organized sessions for its directors, managers, and supervisors, providing helpful insights to guide them in their journey to improve workplace happiness through a renewed focus on management skills for employee appreciation, employee engagement, and workplace happiness. The focus on improving the employee experience will continue throughout 2023.

"We are honored to have been the host of these sessions and look forward to sharing HR knowledge, and techniques and further collaborating with other HR professionals in St. Maarten," said HR Director Ms. Miguela Gumbs from PJIAE.

PJIAE's Employee Experience Program for 2023 is off to a great start and promises to bring positive changes to the workplace. The company's commitment to improving the employee experience will be a key factor in achieving its goal of workplace happiness and satisfaction.

PJIAE is the International Airport of St.Maarten and handles between 1.5 - 1.8 million passengers per year. The airport is rebuilding its main terminal which was damaged in 2017 during hurricane IRMA. It is scheduled to be completed Q2 2024.
Skeena Announces New Vice President&Congratulates Freda Campbell on Trailblazer Award

Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, NYSE: SKE) (aSkeenaa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/skeena-resources-ltd/ ) A is pleased to welcome Scott Fulton as the Companya?s new Vice President (aVPa) of Construction & Engineering. Mr. Fulton has over 15 years of experience with mine development and was most recently the VP of Project Development with NorZinc at the Prairie Creek Zinc, Lead, Silver Mine in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Prior to NorZinc, Scott worked for consultancies Wood, Hatch, and Hemmera.

The Companya?s President & CEO, Randy Reichert, commented aWe are excited to have Scott join the Skeena Team. His proven experience and expertise will be critical as we continue to advance the Eskay Creek Project through engineering and into construction.a

Skeena is also excited to announce that Freda Campbell, Skeenaa?s Director of Community Relations, has been awarded the 2023 Indigenous Trailblazer Award by Women in Mining Canada. For over 25 years, Freda has worked in the mining sector for both industry and First Nations. She embodies the present and future of the mining industry through her dedication to innovation in Indigenous community engagement and mentoring the next generation of Indigenous trailblazers.

Justin Himmelright, the Companya?s SVP of External Affairs & Sustainability remarked aWe are very pleased that Freda is being recognized for the significant contribution she has made to communities and our industry over her career. Freda\-s work in training and education for Indigenous people in mining has created positive outcomes for many individuals during the last 25 years. She is truly a trailblazer in our industry and very deserving of this award.a

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in September 2022 which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.4B, 50% IRR, and a 1-year payback at US$1,700/oz Au and US$19/oz Ag.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles Jr. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Randy Reichert

Executive ChairmanA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute aforward-looking informationa and aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, aforward-looking statementsa). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as aanticipatesa, abelievesa, aproposesa, acontemplatesa, ageneratesa, atargetsa, ais projecteda, ais planneda, aconsidersa, aestimatesa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, apotentiala and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results amaya, amighta, awilla, acoulda, or awoulda be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward- looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the results of the Feasibility Study, processing capacity of the mine, anticipated mine life, probable reserves, estimated project capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, results of test work and studies, planned environmental assessments, the future price of metals, metal concentrate, and future exploration and development. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Companya?s Annual Information Form (aAIFa) dated March 31, 2022. Such forward-looking statements represent the Companya?s management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and other key variables; changes in mine plans and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; and other risk factors identified in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2021, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 31, 2022, the Companya?s short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2023, and in the Companya?s other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any forward- looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.
Australia's Gold Coast needs to clean up their act.

Although officials say they don't yet know the specific source, a popular swimming spot in Australia had to temporarily shut down due to a bacterial outbreak  otherwise known as a poo poo problem. The Gold Coast's natural swimming spot, Currumbin Rock Pools, is loaded with Enterococci, "a very common bowel microorganism.

From The Guardian:

The hunt is on to find the source of a faeces-related bacterial outbreak that has indefinitely closed a popular swimming hole in the Gold Coast hinterland. Dr Yaoqin Hong from the Queensland University of Technology's Centre for Immunology and Infection Control said the enterococcus was "a very common bowel microorganism" and that the source of the outbreak did not have to be human.  "The contamination source  [usually] comes from someone who had an accident in the pool," he said. "But the source can come from anywhere."  Enterococci could cause urinary tract infections and other afflictions, but didn't normally pose a serious health threat.  Social media is awash with other theories, with some pointing the finger at runoff from septic tanks and others concerned about a canine connection.

But the Gold Coast fecal fiasco goes way beyond the bacteria at the Pools, with doggie doo being a huge problem on Australian beaches dating back to at at least 2021, due to lack of responsibility of both dog owners and city officials.

From Yahoo! last week:
Half of Americans not only don't trust the news media but think it actually intends to mislead them, according to a new survey from Gallup and the Knight Foundations. The survey included 6,000 people aged 18 and older. From the Associated Press:

Asked whether they agreed with the statement that national news organizations do not intend to mislead, 50% said they disagreed. Only 25% agreed, the study found.

Similarly, 52% disagreed with a statement that disseminators of national news "care about the best interests of their readers, viewers and listeners," the study found. It said 23% of respondents believed the journalists were acting in the public's best interests.

"That was pretty striking for us," said Sarah Fioroni, a consultant for Gallup. The findings showed a depth of distrust and bad feeling that go beyond the foundations and processes of journalism, she said.
It's not clear whether or not a man in California realized a person was sleeping inside a truck when he allegedly slid under it to snatch a catalytic converter. But when the sleeping driver, parked at a Target in Palmdale, woke up around 6pm to the sound of something sawing underneath her, she panicked and backed out of her parking spot, feeling a bump under her tires as she accelerated. She had accidentally run over the suspected thief, who later died at a hospital. Three other suspects who had been waiting for the man in a nearby car were arrested.

From CBS News:

A woman accidentally ran over a man suspected of trying to steal her truck's catalytic converter in the Los Angeles suburb of Palmdale Tuesday evening, CBS Los Angeles reports. The suspect later died.  A "lifted" 44 Ford Excursion truck was partially backed out of a parking space, deputies said. An unidentified man was underneath the vehicle.  The woman stopped and called 911 for medical assistance for the man. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Catalytic converter thefts shot up 1,215% between 2019 and 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, via CBS.
Border authorities at the Giurgiu crossing point denied entry into Romania for a shipment of over 20 tonnes of paper and cardboard waste coming from Bulgaria for a Romanian trading company because it did not meet the cross-border transport requirements.

Border police at the Giurgiu border crossing point stopped a truck driven by a 37-year-old Romanian citizen, loaded with paper and cardboard waste from Bulgaria and which was intended for a Romanian trading company. As suspicions arose about the legality of the transport, the Giurgiu border police requested the authorized support of the commissioners of the National Environmental Guard - Giurgiu County Commissariat. Checks determined that the cargo of 22,620 kilograms of paper and cardboard waste does not meet the requirements for entering the country, which is why the competent authorities turned the truck away to the sender. AGERPRES
As many as 68,725 people, including 7,712 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Wednesday, February 15, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Thursday, told Agerpres.

According to IGPF, at the border points nationwide on Monday, nearly 140,500, Romanian and foreign citizens, were checked both on the way in and on the way out of Romania, as well as more than 44,100 means of transport.

Starting February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict time) 3,552,545 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.

The border police detected 57 illegal acts (30 crimes and 27 misdemeanors) in the areas under their jurisdiction - the crossing points and the green border - committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, levying more than RON 19,000 in fines in the process.

Assets of an estimated value of RON 355,000 were impounded.

Seventeen foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law were denied entry.

Also on Wednesday, 22 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons.
The National Integrity Agency (ANI) established that former mayor Sorin Oprescu was in a state of incompatibility, when he worked as a doctor at the University Hospital, told Agerpres.

In a press release, the ANI argues that Sorin Oprescu was in a state of incompatibility between 3 January 2018 and 15 June 2020, because he simultaneous held and exercised the position as chief of the IV General Surgery Clinical Department within the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital and the manager position of a project financed by European funds whose beneficiary was the same health unit, thus violating the provisions of article 178, paragraph (1), lit. c) from Law No. 95/2006.

Oprescu fled Romania in order to escape a sentence of 10 years and 8 months in prison received in a corruption case, having been located in Greece, where the authorities of this country refuse to extradite him.
A complex of sustainable strategies in the Carpathian Region can only be approached in resonance with the objectives of Romania's interest, derived from the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (SUERD), believes the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR), Mihai Daraban.

CCIR organized on Wednesday, February 15, the meeting of the presidents of the chambers of commerce from the signatory states of the Carpathian Convention, the event benefiting from the presence of the representatives of Poland, Ukraine, Serbia and Romania. At the same time, the general director of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES), Ben Butters, also participated in the meeting.

"CCIR is fully engaged in supporting the regional development programs promoted by the European Union, as well as in the process of capitalizing on the economic potential of all areas of Romania, including the Carpathian area. A complex of sustainable strategies in the Carpathian Region can only be approached in resonance with the objectives of Romania's interest, derived from the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (SUERD). The proposals advanced today by the Polish partners can be implemented in an expanded format of the SUERD that also includes the Podkarpackie region," said Mihai Daraban, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.

The framework convention for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians was signed in Kiev, in May 2003, by a number of seven states, namely the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Ukraine, with the main aim of improving the quality of life, strengthening local economies and communities and protecting cultural values. Currently, the Convention has adopted and signed five implementation protocols regarding biodiversity, forests, tourism, transport and agriculture.

For EUROCHAMBRES, the opinion of the European Commission regarding this macro-region for the Carpathians is very important, as collaborations at the level of the four macro-regions are particularly encouraged. Most of the states targeted in the strategy for the Carpathians can be found at the level of the Strategy for the Danube Region. However, in order to clarify this problem, EUROCHAMBRES must consult with all its members to identify the possibility of support at the European level, said Ben Butters, EUROCHAMBRES general director.

For his part, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Poland, Marek Kloczko, showed that his country will continue the effort to convince the European Commission regarding the support of this region.

Poland, as well as the Polish Chamber of Commerce, appreciates the quality of the collaboration with Romania and CCIR, in all the international formats in which they are partners, such as the Three Big Initiative (3SI). We are here today at the invitation of our Romanian colleagues to present our vision regarding the sustainable development of the Carpathian Region in Poland. We will continue the effort to convince the European Commission regarding the support of this region, but equally we appreciate and will consider the possibility of being partners in the SUERD strategy, declared the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Poland.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu had a phone call on Thursday with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, with the two top diplomats delving extensively into the subject of Romania's Schengen accession, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a release.

Nikos Dendias reiterated "Greece's firm support for Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, expressing full willingness to continue active efforts alongside European partners on this subject, including with Austria, and emphasizing the importance of this decision for the entire European agenda, particularly in the current highly difficult European context," the Foreign Ministry said.

Aurescu voiced special appreciation for "Greece's constant and active support for Romania's Schengen bid and for the concrete steps to promote this goal in the dialogue with Austria", most recently on the occasion of the Greek Migration and Asylum minister's visit to Vienna.

Bogdan Aurescu informed his Greek counterpart about the status of the dialogue with Austria and the other European partners, emphasizing the reaffirmation - as part of these steps - of the "staunch" support for this goal and for the fastest possible completion of the accession process, for the benefit of European unity and solidarity.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Bogdan Aurescu has so far had discussions with Foreign and European Affairs ministers and received messages reconfirming the active support of 22 EU and Schengen member states.

The two officials also discussed the devastating effects of the Turkey earthquakes, expressing their solidarity with the affected population and informing each other about the prompt relief support provided.
"We are all aware of the fact that the coming times will be very intense (...) and I think that at the same time with the need to mobilise the equipment as quickly as possible, including heavier ones of the type of heavy tanks that Ukraine needs, we need to be sure that there is also ammunition," NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana told AGERPRES in an exclusive interview in Brussels on Wednesday.

The senior NATO official said that the Ukrainians have shown very good morale as well as "heroism and an ability to adapt to very difficult situations - both the military and the civilian population - which is in contrast with the very low morale of the Russian forces." He said he is convinced that when the Ukrainians launch their offensive, they will choose the time, place and method very well, that "they will take into account both the realities on the ground and logistics realities" and that they will succeed.

Geoana also said that Ukraine requested NATO to train its military in NATO logic since 2014, when the annexation of Crimea by Russia took place, and that they "are willing to learn quickly and assimilate very quickly these new equipment and the command and control that derives from it."

In the interview, Geoana also said that in light of the incidents with balloons and other unidentified objects that led the US to announce that it will readjust its radar surveillance system, Europe needs a much more efficient and comprehensive missile defence system, on several planes of altitude, and that the Supreme Allied Commander is currently doing military planning for such a system.

Geoana also said that he makes a very good team with incumbent Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, about whom he said that "until the last day in office he will do his duty", although the former Norwegian prime minister publicly announced that he does not want a new extension of his current term of office at the helm of NATO. At the same time, said Geoana, there will be enough time to discuss politics in Romania when he will have met his moral and professional obligation to serve NATO to the best of his abilities.

In his interview to AGERPRES, Geoana welcomed the fact that "France and other allies, together with (...) Romania, are preparing very seriously to be able to create the conditions" for the battlegroup in Romania to be promoted to brigade level. He said that "this will be tested through an exercise that we will do in Romania this spring."

AGERPRES: Mr Deputy Secretary General, next week marks one year since the start of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. In the beginning, many said that it would take days, weeks, months, and now it's a year. What do you think are the scenarios for the war in Ukraine in 2023?

Mircea Geoana: Secretary General Stoltenberg has repeatedly said that this war will be a long one and that we do not see political conditions for the two sides to reach a solution. Most conflicts and wars end at the negotiating table, but it depends a lot on the situation on the ground. That is why I believe that the shortest path to peace is a quick victory for Ukraine, and I believe this to be in our common interest. We see the Russian Federation already starting this offensive that we anticipate; it is not a very massive one yet, but it is obviously in preparation. And the Ukrainian side is preparing a counteroffensive, there is nothing secret here, but it is obvious that this time, these months and after a muddy season, when things get simpler for the confrontation on a larger scale, this conflict will intensify. We do not make predictions, because predictions in a war always carry a high probability risk, but what we are saying is that we all need to support Ukraine, we will do it, we do it, because the stronger Ukraine gets, the sooner the war will end.

AGERPRES: In recent months, Ukraine received numerous weaponries, including armoured vehicles and tanks. How soon do you think it will be able to integrate all this military aid into its operational structures and do you think it will be able to do this soon enough to make an impact in the coming months, which you also said will be crucial to the conflict?

Mircea Geoana: There are many parts that make up a successful military operation. First of all, it is about the morale of the troops, and here I want to say that the Ukrainians continue to prove their heroism and their ability to adapt to very difficult situations - both the military and the civilian population - which is in contrast to the very low morale of the Russian forces. Secondly, Ukraine asked us to prepare its military forces in the NATO logic after 2014. The Minister of Defense of Canada [Anita Anand] told us at today's meeting that, since 2014, Canada has trained 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers, in cumulative series, obviously. So the second component, besides the equipment, is training, the preparation of the Ukrainian military to use those pieces equipment which are obviously much different and more sophisticated than the Soviet ones we are used to. To the credit of the Ukrainians, and because they are already trained in NATO logic, they learn very quickly, they are willing to learn quickly, and they assimilate very quickly this new equipment and the command and control that derives from it. (...) At the same time with the meeting of the defence ministers, also here at NATO, the meeting of the Contact Group for Ukraine took place, led by the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin: there were 55 countries, 30-32 allies and the rest NATO partners which continues to help Ukraine.

That is why, from fuel to air defence systems, from spare parts to thick winter equipment, from cyber protection to space assets, we are trying to work and I think we are doing a very good job helping Ukraine with this horizontality of needs to be able to resist and finally win the war.

AGERPRES: Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the main problem is not whether or not the allies will deliver fighter jets to Ukraine, but to deliver what has already been promised, including tanks, armoured vehicles, etc. Did it seem to you that at the ministerial meeting all the ministers were connected to this sense of urgency that the secretary general tried to communicate?

Mircea Geoan: Obviously, we are all aware of the fact that the coming times will be very intense, a lot of ammunition will be consumed, and I think that at the same time with the need to mobilise equipment as quickly as possible, including heavier ones, such as the heavy tanks that Ukraine needs, we need to be sure that there is also ammunition. And here is the signal, not of alarm, but of warning that the secretary general gave both in public and inside the meetings here at the NATO headquarters.

So we need to work with the industry to be able to produce more, to produce in sufficient quantities for Ukraine, but also for our own demand. And the Supreme Allied Commander, American General (Christopher) Cavoli, who was at our meeting today and gave a very comprehensive and very professional presentation of how we are preparing for our own defence and deterrence; we all want to see that and our production capacity grows as the demand grows. Certain countries have already started to increase their production, there are announcements made by the United States, UK, France, Germany, Canada, other countries like Poland and Slovakia.

So there is at the moment recognition of the fact that we need a more important industrial capacity. We also recognise that it is easier to acquire together than individually as allied nations. It is better to apply NATO standards to avoid the situation where, let's say, the same gun from Germany cannot fire projectiles of the same caliber as the one from the Netherlands. So, there are many bigger and smaller things that together give coherence, give clarity to the defence industry, and I am convinced that we will succeed in having the industrial capacity that will allow us to help Ukraine and protect ourselves as well.

AGERPRES: The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, said that, in his opinion, there will be a Ukrainian offensive sometime in the spring. What do you think will be essential for the success of the Ukrainian offensive, apart from this military aid, as quickly as possible?

Mircea Geoana: It is not one-off aid; it is a strategic and comprehensive aid. The Ukrainians calculate their (decisions) very carefully, they are already very experienced soldiers, and they have first-rate military commanders. We can say that the way they planned their recent counteroffensives - both in Donbas and in the south - shows us that they are military leaders and political leaders who know how to calibrate their decisions very carefully. That is why we are convinced that when they decide, and where they decide, and how they decide, they will take into account both the realities on the ground and logistics realities. And the secretary general said that it is actually a war of logistics. And I am convinced that these things are taken into account by our Ukrainian partners, and I am convinced that when they launch this offensive, or offensives, they will succeed.

AGERPRES: How long do you think it will take for Romania to make the transition from a battlegroup to a brigade, something Romania is currently working on?

Mircea Geoana: I would like to welcome the fact that France and other allies, together with the ally of the host country Romania, are preparing very seriously to create the conditions for this battlegroup to be, if necessary, converted to a brigade. And this will be tested through an exercise that we will do in Romania this spring (...) Not only in Romania, but in all the battlegroups, there is a joint effort by the countries that make up those battlegroups and obviously by us, on the NATO side, to make sure that we have military exercises that allow us to practice that.

But I would say one more thing. There is very often, and legitimately, an interest in quantity: how much, at what level? We also put a lot of emphasis on quality, on the multi-domain dimension. Because, for example, in the case of Romania, the Black Sea is a complex case. And in the case of Romania it is very important to have this multidimensional approach, and cyber, and space, and intelligence, and marine and submarine issues in the sense of technologies adapted to the situation there.

So I can only say one thing for Romania, that the battlegroup is developing very well, Romania is doing its duty as host country, and is investing and preparing for this, and we will be sure that by (the NATO summit in) Vilnius we will have the whole eastern flank practiced to brigade level and we will see in the next period all the elements that make up this.

And, once again, I want Romanians, those who will read this interview, to be absolutely convinced that NATO is very serious in the defence of the entire allied territory, including and especially as far as my country, Romania, is concerned.

AGERPRES: After the recent incidents with balloons or other unidentified flying objects there will be a readjustment of the US radar system. Do you think this is necessary for NATO allies as well, given that such unidentified objects have also been reported in this region, which we do not know exactly what they are, and we also have a war zone in Ukraine?

Mircea Geoana: We have to look at things in their complexity. Yes, in Europe we need a much better and more comprehensive missile defence system, what we call on several altitude areas. And Romania does this by having at Deveselu part of the AEGIS system, which is also a NATO system. And other countries have national systems and therefore we are working at NATO level and the Supreme Allied Command is doing military planning for a NATO integrated multi-altitude missile defence system. And I am convinced that our military commanders in NATO or at the national level, from the US to the Eastern flank, will also calibrate their air and anti-air surveillance and interception needs accordingly.

At the same time, we must also avoid the sensational, because there is obviously a certain unusual element in this type of occurrence and sometimes, as was the case in Romania, there is also information that is not necessarily all of a hostile nature. So people can be sure that we at NATO are doing things very, very seriously and that we are working thoroughly on a missile defence system that takes into account the real risks to our collective security.

AGERPRES: September will see the end of the mandate of Secretary General Jens Soltenberg, who has said he is not interested in a further extension. You have been offered this position, are you considering it or are you rather considering a return to Romanian politics. The latest polls give you good chances in the next presidential elections.

Mircea Geoana: The Secretary General, myself and our team have a job to do here at NATO. The Secretary General - I don't want to praise him, he receives praise from all corners of the planet and from all corners of the Alliance - is an exceptional leader, I am proud to be able to work in his team and I believe that together we make a very good team. That's why the allies decide the length of the terms and the people who occupy the leadership positions within NATO and, obviously, until the last day of his mandate, the Secretary General will do his job and this will be seen in the next period, when we have an important summit to prepare in Vilnius. We have an anniversary year in 2024, 75 years since the establishment of NATO. But Jens Soltenberg, myself and our team are doing our job here. There will be plenty of time to discuss and comment on the politics at home when we have overcome this moral and professional obligation to serve the Alliance with the best we have, and that is what I will continue to do, as long as the Alliance needs me in this position.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca approved, on Thursday, the decision to establish the Interministerial Committee for Seismic Risk Analysis, a body that will function to provide the Government with the guidelines and solutions necessary to better prepare both the population and the infrastructure in all fields, in in the event of an earthquake, according to a press release from the Executive.

"This structure will work to establish in the shortest possible time coherent and integrated measures necessary to protect people and prepare the authorities to respond quickly and efficiently, including in the event of earthquakes," the PM said, quoted in the press release.

Representatives from the Prime Minister's Chancellery, as the coordinating institution, Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will take part in the committee's work, according to their areas of competence; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the same time, the following institutions and associations will be represented at the working meetings of the committee: Romanian Academy; State Construction Inspectorate; National Research Institute - Construction Development, Urban Planning and Sustainable Urban Territorial Development; National Research - Development Institute for Earth Physics; Romanian Alliance of Technical Universities; National Union of County Councils from Romania; Association of Municipalities in Romania; Association of Romanian Cities; Association of Communes from Romania.

Also, experts from public and private institutions and authorities that carry out relevant activities in the field may also be invited to the Committee's meetings.

"The situation of the schools in the records of the Ministry of Education that are in a situation of seismic risk of the 1st degree will be evaluated in an emergency regime and with the support of the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, all the necessary consolidation works will be financed," the press release states.AGERPRES
Journalist Marius Buga, accused of repeatedly having sexual relations with an institutionalized minor, remains in preventive detention, the Dambovita Court decided on Thursday, informs the court portal.

The Dambovita Court definitively rejected as unfounded the appeal filed by the defendant Marius Buga against the preventive arrest decision issued by the Targoviste Court, told Agerpres.

The journalist is being investigated by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Targoviste Court, being accused of repeatedly having sexual relations with an institutionalized minor, knowing that he is under 16 years old.

"At the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Targoviste Court, a criminal file is being processed under the aspect of committing the crime of sexual intercourse with a minor, provided for by art. 220 par. 1 and 4 letters b and e of the Criminal Code, consisting in the fact that repeatedly , in the period between the summer of 2021 and the date of 02.05.2023, performed oral and anal sexual acts with a minor, knowing that he was younger than 16 years old and taking advantage of the obviously vulnerable situation of the injured person, due to the fact that he was institutionalized in a family-type house and does not benefit from material and emotional support from the parents. On 07.02.2023, several house searches were carried out to discover and collect evidence for the purpose of proving the crime," according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office.
The Environment Ministry will forbid all works along the Bystroye Canal that could affect the Danube Delta biodiversity and ecosystem, given that neither the Romanian, nor the Ukrainian national legislation allow such works in that area, Environment Minister Barna Tanczos said on Thursday.

"The Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forestry has two environmental procedures opened with the Ukrainian side regarding investments in the Danube Delta area. Both procedures are based on Ukrainian and Romanian national law, respectively on international conventions - the ESPOO Convention in particular. Neither the Romanian, nor the Ukrainian national legislation allows for works to be carried out in that area that would endanger the biodiversity and ecosystems of the Danube Delta," the Environment Minister said in a video statement.

Regarding the works that took place in the Ukrainian side of the Delta, Barna emphasized that the relevant ministries will look into all the works performed along the navigable canals.

"I am convinced that communication solutions with the Ukrainian side will be found through diplomatic channels. I emphasize once again that the Environment Ministry will follow these works according to procedures based on European and international conventions and we will prevent all works that may affect the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Danube Delta," the Environment minister added.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu told a press conference on Wednesday that there are signals that Ukraine is currently dredging the Bystroye Canal, which could impact the Danube Delta environment, and that the Foreign Affairs and the Environment ministries both must express a position and come up with a public information.

In mid-July 2022, Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu declared that the Romanian side has given its consent for the transit of grain ships from Ukraine along the Chilia arm and through the Bystroye Canal. The construction of this canal by the Ukrainian side is a reason for dispute between Romania and Ukraine.
The names of more associates of billionaire sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein will be unsealed by a New York court presently, reports the The Daily Mail, including "salacious" allegations.

Prince Andrew, who is accused of having sex with Epstein victim Virginia Roberts when she was 17, and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, are understood to be among the individuals mentioned in the papers.

A taster out this morning: the former boss of Britain's Barclays bank, Jes Staley, is accused of texting Epstein on the subject of "Disney princesses".

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, is alleged to have replied: "[W] hat character would you like next?". Staley is said to have responded: "Beauty and the Beast."

The judge should just release the list as a bingo sheet with "John McAfee" in the middle and start reading the names one by one in court.
A new shipment of humanitarian aid intended for the population of Syria that was affected by the earthquake arrived on Thursday from Romania to Beirut, Lebanon, Romania's ambassador to Syria, Dan Sandovici, told AGERPRES.

According to the diplomat, the shipment contains 10 tons of items intended to help the population affected by the February 6 earthquake, namely tents, beds, mattresses, winter clothes, boots, gloves, powdered milk, canned vegetables.

This load, along with the two from the previous days, will be transported to Damascus, from where it will be taken over by the World Food Programme and other organizations in the field of humanitarian assistance, to be distributed to the population of northern Syria, Sandovici details.

At the same time, another plane provided by the Ministry of National Defence made a trip to Gaziantep, in Turkey, with humanitarian materials of the same type, intended for the population of northwestern Syria, the Romanian ambassador reminds.

Thursday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent on Twitter that a total of 43 tons of humanitarian aid sent from Romania are intended for the population affected by the earthquake in Syria.AGERPRES
In 2022, Romania's foreign trade saw a 26pct increase compared to the previous year, to the value of 218.1 billion euros, a record year in terms of Romania's trade relations Iuliu Stocklosa, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the City of Bucharest (CCIB), told a specialist forum on Thursday, told Agerpres.

"The total figure of Romania's foreign trade stood at 218.1 billion euros in 2022, an increase of 26pct compared to 2021, with exports registering 92 billion euros - an increase of 23pct, and imports reaching 126 billion euro, up by 28pct. This was a record year from the point of view of Romania's trade, both on the import and export side. The average of Romanian exports exceeded 7.6 billion euros and, also, for the first time in the history of Romanian foreign trade, exports in a single month, and we are talking about September, exceeded 8.5 billion euros. These are impressive figures, but we also have some figures that put us at a disadvantage, as a country," the CCIB official mentioned.

According to him, as less favourable points, Romania's export ranks 15th out of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).

"Less favourable aspects in 2022: Romania's export ranks only 15th among the 27 states of the European Union, and the trade balance deficit is 34.1 billion euros, a record. Last year it was only 23.7 billion euros, according to Eurostat. Only France, with a deficit of 190 billion euros, Spain, with a deficit of 71 billion euros, and Greece, with a deficit of 38 billion euros, recorded higher values than Romania in terms of trade balance at the end of last year. Due to the negative net export recorded year after year, the volume of the import of goods and services exceeding export, Romania's foreign trade has a negative contribution to the GDP growth, which in 2022 was a plus 4.8pct. According to Eurostat data, Romania ranks 6th among the member states of the European Union in terms of population, 8th in terms of surface area, but only 15th by the value of its exports. We hope that Romanian exports will grow in the future and let us enter the elite of economically strong exporting countries," said Iuliu Stocklosa.

Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) show that, currently, Romania has diplomatic relations with 188 countries.

Representatives of the authorities, chambers of commerce and academia participate, on Thursday, in the 2nd edition of the Economic Diplomacy and Exporters' Forum, an event organized in Bucharest.
The Government supports the completion of the modernization and development project of the infrastructure of the Sibiu International Airport within the set deadline, because the development of the county and the entire region is closely linked to the modernization of the transport infrastructure, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Thursday.

The Executive head is on a working visit, on Thursday, to the counties of Sibiu and Alba, being scheduled to tour a series of landmarks and participate in the workings of the General Assembly of the National Union of County Council in Romania, told Agerpres.

"I started the visit to Sibiu with an applied discussion about the modernization and development project of the infrastructure of the International Airport of this city, an investment of over 270 million RON, supported through European and national funds, which reached the first stage of execution. The Sibiu International Airport is among the most important air transit points of Romania, taking the 6th place in the rankings of airports regarding the passenger traffic in 2022, with over 620 thousand passenger taken and taking the first 8 places for air cargo traffic. At the end of this year, when the works are expected to be completed, the airport will practically triple its capacity of passengers, will have new terminals, the extension of the landing strip, high-performance equipment for security control, to the current standards, including by reconfiguring the access to the airport," the prime minister stated, according to a post on the Government's Facebook page.

He brought to mind that besides the co-funding of almost 25 million lei from the state budget, the Gov't also included, last year, the Sibiu Airport among the beneficiaries of a state aid scheme approved by the European Commission and designed to support the airline operators affected by the traffic restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In the same register, we have allocated to the Sibiu Airport another 1.4 million lei from the Budget Reserve Fund at the Government's disposal, provided in the state budget for 2022. At the Gov't level, we support the completion of this project within the set deadline because the development of the county and the entire region is closely linked to the modernization of the transport infrastructure," Nicolae Ciuca highlighted.
The government supports the efforts of Romanian producers to enter other European markets, and also emerging markets, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Thursday, at the end of a working visit to the Scandia Sibiu company, told Agerpres.

The head of the Executive is currently paying a visit to Sibiu and Alba counties.

"I visited Scandia Sibiu, a Romanian company with a 100-year tradition and an important employer that provides more than 1,000 jobs. The annual production of more than 40,000 tonnes of food, made with modern technology and equipment, shows that Romanian producers are able to ensure quality products both for the domestic market and for export, and to be partners of the Government in the joint effort to guarantee food security for Romanian citizens. This company is a business model that the Government encourages and that I wish to be replicated by the business environment," said the PM, according to a post on the Government's Facebook page.

He said he was impressed by the company's interest in innovation and new technologies, in which it invests, which guarantees the quality of the products and ensures it a successful future.

"I am glad that Scandia Sibiu is developing every year, both by opening or taking over new units in the country, but also outside the borders. Including in recent years, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the crises generated by the war in Ukraine, the company expanded its portfolio, which means that access to European programmes and government solutions to support investors produce effects. (...) Energy price capping and compensation measures, which help the entire economy, but also those aimed at the food industry, such as the funds made available for the development of production capacities, for re-technology, come to support the Romanian food industry and agriculture, a field with great potential for Romania," Ciuca also stated.
Romania has the potential to perform in at least three fields, energy, agriculture and the food industry and the IT&C industry, stated Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.

PM Ciuca participated on Thursday evening in the AMCHAM CEO BUSINESS Forum, an event organized in the context of the 30th anniversary of AMCHAM's activity in Romania.

"Allow me to thank you for your entire activity and I wish you many years ahead, more challenging and with more investments. (...) You have invested, but there is still room. As such, we are doing everything necessary to we ensure the investment space. (...) The activity of the government team and the constant dialogue that defines our relationship have shown the support of the Government that I lead for the business milieu and for development-oriented investments. (...) Continue to trust Romania, in the potential and opportunities that our economy offers. (...) Romania has resources, it has a well-trained workforce (...) we have the potential to perform, at least, in three fields. Namely, the energy field, Romania has more potential for the development of the energy field than we think today", declared Nicolae Ciuca.

The prime minister added that, at the same time, Romania has a huge agricultural potential.

"It is unacceptable for a country, which is considered by all other European countries to be the breadbasket of Europe, to import food products, and for the trade balance deficit to be very strongly impacted by the import of goods, services, food products. As thus, agriculture and the food industry represent the second priority area, from my perspective for what should also be the attention of the business environment, because from here we can bring money to the budget and achieve economic growth, adding value to our agricultural production. It is neither little nor in a limited segment, it is very diversified and can provide us with everything we need", declared Ciuca.

The head of the Government pointed out that the third priority area represents the IT&C industry and technology.

"Here, too, there is potential for whatever your field of interest may mean," he added.

The prime minister also emphasized the fact that Romania offers political stability.

"Political stability is what, from my point of view, ensured confidence in the dialogue. It allowed us to make decisions, maybe not the best every time, but in a very well aggregated political framework we were sometimes able to return, sometimes to modify. Here, through the political decisions, through the dialogue we had with civil society, with the business milieu, we ensured that predictability and alignment of our policies with the new European strategies. Beyond the alignment with the European strategies, here we are today discussing the alignment of our policies with the Romania-United States Strategic Partnership. AGERPRES
Romania's first RO-USAR urban search and rescue team that participated in search and rescue missions in Turkey following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake there on February 6 returned to Romania on Wednesday night.

The Romanian rescuers were welcomed by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, at the 90th Otopeni Air Transport Base, told Agerpres.

"Dear soldiers, dear SMURD doctors, dear representatives of non-governmental organisations, volunteers who participated in this particularly difficult mission, allow me to personally, on behalf of the government of Romania, say a simple thank you for the way you have accomplished your mission. You were the emissaries of Romania; you were the ones who carried with you the compassion, solidarity and empathy of the Romanian people towards the Turkish people who have been tried hard by this tragedy. The way in which you acted, in which you managed to save the lives of four Turkish citizens is that gesture by which, in desperate situations, you managed to restore hope to some hopeless people that they can be saved, thanks to you, who, through devotion, courage, professionalism, honoured Romania and gave proof of maximum humanity. (...) You deserve to rest after the 10 days in which you did everything to save lives," said Ciuca.

Also welcoming the returning rescuers were Interior Minister Lucian Bode; head of the Emergency Management Department (DSU) Raed Arafat, and Chief of Defence Daniel Petrescu. Several representatives of the Turkish community and officials of the Turkish Embassy in Bucharest were also present, waving the flags of Turkey and Romania and applauding the Romanian rescuers upon arrival.

Interior Minister Lucian Bode showed that the first team of rescuers that returned to Romania consists of 55 military firefighters, SMURD doctors and nurses, volunteers of non-governmental organisations. Also, the interior minister said that the other 59 of their colleagues will soon return home.

Two C-27J Spartan transport aircraft of the Romanian Air Force on Wednesday performed an air transport mission on the Hatay, Turkey - Otopeni, Romania route, for the return home of the first RO-USAR team, SMURD doctors and nurses and the search and rescue workers together with their canine team deployed to Turkey on February 6.
Several migrants from Ethiopia, India, Morocco and Pakistan were caught by the Arad border police hiding in three road trains loaded with goods that were going to leave the country through the Nadlac II border crossing point, told Agerpres.

Ten clandestine travelers were found in two road trains driven by Romanians, which were transporting refrigerators and cars to the Czech Republic and Germany.

"The persons were taken over and transported to the police headquarters for investigations where, following the verifications, the border police established that they are citizens of India, Pakistan and Ethiopia aged between 23 and 43 years old," the Arad Border Police informs on Thursday.

Also at Nadlac II, in a road train driven by a Turkish citizen traveling to Germany, a 37-year-old Moroccan man was found in the driver's rest area, who entered our country legally.

In all these cases, the border police continues to investigate.
Three Romanian Air Force airlifters are carrying out a humanitarian mission on Thursday in support of the population affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the National Defence Ministry reports.

Thus, two C-27J Spartan aircraft flew to Turkey's Gaziantep, and a C-130 Hercules plane took of for Beirut, Lebanon, transporting approximately 12 tons of material goods donated by the Romanian state.

The relief transport for the quake-affected population takes place at the request of the Emergency Management Department, based on the National Emergency Management Committee's decision of February 9.

The C-130 Hercules left for Beirut around 10:00 a.m., and the two C-27J Spartans took off from the 90th Airlift Base near Bucharest around 11:00 a.m., the National Defence Ministry said. AGERPRES
The Timisoara European Capital of Culture (ECC) 2023 programme opened its first page on Thursday - before the official opening that will take place on Friday, February 17 - with the presentation of an exceptional exhibition, "Victor Brauner: Inventions and Magic," in the presence of the curator of the exhibition, Camille Morando, who wrote about Brauner's work, told Agerpres.

It is the first large-scale retrospective of the work of the painter and sculptor Victor Brauner, and one of the most important in Eastern Europe, which also celebrates 120 years since the artist's birth.

The exhibition brings together more than 70 unique works, benefiting from a loan of approximately 40 works from the prestigious collection of the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, as well as works from other Romanian and international museums and collections.

Camille Morando told AGERPRES that for the Romanian public it is a chance to come to Timisoara to see this unique exhibition of an artist who deserves a place in the history of Romanian culture.

"Timisoara asked me to prepare the 'Victor Brauner' exhibition. An exhibition of such magnitude has never been organized in the artist's native country, Romania. I am a specialist in the work of Victor Brauner, and France has the extraordinary chance to own an impressive collection of the artist's works, thanks to his family who donated their entire creation to the French museums and thus we had the opportunity to make a very beautiful collection of his works. The President of the Art Encounters Foundation [and co-organizing partner of some branded events of TM 2023 - editor's note], Ovidiu Sandor, and the director of the National Art Museum in Timisoara, Filip Petcu, asked me to participate in the opening of the TM Programme 2023 with the Victor Brauner exhibition. For Timisoara, it is a chance, it is a happy moment to have a such an exhibition here. I think it is important for the Romanian public to know, finally, the entire work of the artist who has his origins here, but established himself in France, where he lived until the end of his life. This exhibition is a recognition and a reparation to the artist, to be known to the Romanian public through his works. I think that Victor Brauner deserves his place in the history of Romanian culture," said Camille Morando.

The local organizers of the event, the Timis County Council, the National Art Museum of Timisoara and the Art Encounters Foundation, wish that with this exhibition the Timisoara museum will stand out and enter the international museum circuit.

More than 100 high-ranking officials from 41 countries will be present in Timisoara during the weekend of the official opening of the European Capital of Culture, from February 17 to 19.

The Royal House of Romania will be represented by Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania, while European Commissioner Adina Valean will present the city with the "Melina Mercouri" prize of the European Commission, which is awarded to European capitals of culture, according to the programme of the TM2023 Association.

The guests will participate, on Friday, as of 5.30 pm, in a festive concert at the Palace of Culture (Timisoara National Theatre), and from 7.00 pm they will join the main event in Piata Unirii, "Celebrating the Opening," where the authorities expect up to 16,000 Timisoara residents and visitors.

Opening Timisoara 2023 is a programme financed by the Municipality of Timisoara, coordinated and organized by the Project Centre. For the opening weekend, the City Hall allocated 7.5 million lei, and the Ministry of Culture 800,000 lei.
This weekend will be unique for Timisoara, with joys offered by the dozens of events intended for all ages for the official opening of the Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023 programme, told Agerpres.

It will be a real weekend for all, from the little ones to the grandparents, who can find something attractive, relaxing and funny in the multiple locations in the city, where shows, concerts, recreational workshops, film screenings and cultural debates are organised, according to the Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023 association.

"Friday, from 19:00hrs, you are invited to Unirii Square for an outdoor show for all ages, and the reinterpreted electronic, rock and traditional music concerts will keep us moving. The little ones will be fascinated by the aerial acrobatics show Muare Experience and a superb video show,' say the organisers.

The shows "Giant puppets in the neighbourhood" bring the public back to the world of childhood in Clabucet Park on Friday, and in Dacia Park on February 18, from 17:00hrs.

On all three days of the opening event, between 10:00hrs and 17:00hrs, the fascinating XR Show Spotlight Heritage Timisoara will take place, offering guided tours of the Experimentarium (Politehnica Timisoara University), which include physics demonstrations and chemistry experiments that bring science closer to the public.

On Saturday, there will be guided visits, games and reading workshops for children between the ages of 6 and 12 at the Industrial Water Plant, with author Ramona Miza, as well as at the Urseni Water Treatment Plant, with author Robert Serban.

At Cinema Victoria on Saturday from 13:00hrs there is a screening of the children's animation "Birds of a Feather," and on Sunday at the same time, "Pil's Adventures."

"Nursery, 1,306 Plants for Timisoara" invites visitors of all ages to look at the city from a new perspective, from the height of a scaffolding full of vegetation mounted in the Victoriei/Operei Square.

On Sunday at 14:00hrs, there is a guided historical tour for families, called "Buildings and stories" in the Fabric District.
Ariana Amaya (18) said she and her younger sister were in their car with their mother in Mt. Oliver, North Carolina when a state trooper pulled them over, "under the assumption that [my mother] did not have her seatbelt on." According to Amaya, her mother did not have her driver's license, and after she provided the officer with her name and date of birth, he "ripped" her out of the car.

Her younger sister recorded the trooper on her phone and uploaded it to TikTok, which you can see below.

Amaya said she got out of the car to call her stepdad. She said the trooper pulled his"pulled "his weapon out on me." Amaya didn't get back in the car.

She said the trooper failed to read her mother her Miranda rights. "He also did not have his body cam on and refused to bring a female officer to search her." She said the officer accused her of being an "illegal immigrant."

Amaya said her mother is still being detained and has launched a crowdfunding effort to help get her out.

I've reached out to the NC Highway Patrol for comment.
BERKELEY  Boeing added hundreds to its St. Louis-area workforce last year, with an eye toward the next generations of defense aircraft.

The company added 900 jobs in the region in 2022. Many were engineers, who will be needed as the company shifts to future products, Steve Nordlund, senior site executive for Boeing St. Louis, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Its not yet clear what those aircraft will be. But they will include efforts to build a new fighter jet.

When youre hiring engineers, it signals that youre developing products for the future, said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute.

Boeing employs about 15,800 people in the St. Louis area, where its operations are largely in defense products. Its the companys second-largest workforce after Washington state, where it employs 60,200. The company makes the F-15, F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7A trainer and the MQ-25 refueling drone at sites in St. Louis County, St. Charles and Mascoutah.

Boeings overall employment has been recovering after a significant drop during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The companys workforce totaled 161,000 at the end of 2019, then dropped to 141,000 by the end of 2020. By the end of last year it had risen to 156,000.

The company plans to hire about 10,000 this year, according to a spokesperson.

The Seattle Times reported earlier this month that the company planned to cut about 2,000 finance and human resources positions through both attrition and layoffs, and set up two finance hubs in St. Louis and in Mesa, Arizona.

Nordlund said he did not have details on whether the company will need to add finance positions locally.

The industry has struggled with three years of pandemic-related and broader economic challenges.

This year is all about getting stability  in the supply chain and in the labor force, Nordlund said.

The company is building three new facilities in the St. Louis area, including an assembly line to make MQ-25 drones at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah. The other two sites are a specialized lab and test facility and an advanced coatings center.

Boeing is already making a small number of MQ-25s in St. Louis County, and is on track to finish construction at the MidAmerica site in 2024, Nordlund said.

The MQ-25 is an unmanned drone that refuels other crafts midflight, allowing planes launching from carriers to venture farther than they otherwise could.

Nordlund said he thinks Boeing is just scratching the surface on the drones potential capabilities. Its possible that it could be used for more than refueling.

The untapped opportunity for that system is very significant, he said.

In the months ahead, Boeing will likely also ramp up production on its T-7 training jets, which it unveiled 10 months ago.

That will have a long shelf life, Nordlund said. With that aircraft, he said, We have decades of business to come.

But the big prize isnt the T-7s.

The Pentagon has been working to phase out purchases of Boeings legacy fighters from its defense budgets. The U.S. wants to focus on a next-generation fighter.

Winning that contract, analysts have long said, will determine the future of Boeings fighter-jet business.

Austin Huguelet of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Noboru Kidera, the eponymous 74-year-old chef of Nobus in the Delmar Loop, likely wont say much while you eat dinner at his sushi restaurant. He will greet you and now and then make some small talk. He will ask if you liked a certain dish and answer questions. Still, as he explained on one of my visits here, he isnt used to todays expectation that chefs and diners should interact.

Besides, Kidera is busy at dinner. Nobus design places him not only at the sushi counter, but also at the head of the open kitchen, as a mere ornament. He cuts fish, of course. Id spend the rest of this paragraph extolling his knife technique, but the counter seats sit below his station, not level with it; you cant observe his every action without rudely straining or standing. I could see him mold the rice for nigiri, however, a movement deft, efficient and featherweight.

How much Three-course omakase  $80 Four-course omakase  $120 Six-course omakase  $160

Light as a sigh is the touch he applies to red snapper: shiso layered between the rice and the snappers translucent, pink-white flesh and a dollop of sour plum sauce atop the fish. These herbaceous, tart grace notes provide the character to the snappers freshness.

Great nigiri is a revelation in two bites, a connection from ingredient to chef to diner that few other dishes can achieve. This red snapper wasnt the first time Kidera had irrevocably transformed how I thought about a particular piece of fish. Sixteen years ago, give or take, at Nobus previous address, with an accent no more remarkable than a sliver of onion, he showed me the brilliance of salmon, which I had thoughtlessly consigned to the fate of overwrought, Americanized sushi rolls.

The salmon is just as luscious at the new Nobus, and no onion is necessary to draw your attention to its brilliance. By the time you reach the nigiri portion of your omakase dinner here, you understand you are in the hands of a master, and this is both his career valedictory and one of the best restaurants to open in St. Louis this decade.

A native of Kobe, Japan, Kidera arrived in St. Louis in 1983 after a spell in Honolulu, and over the past 40 years he has been one of the areas most acclaimed and beloved sushi chefs. He and his wife, Taeko, opened the original Nobus in 1987 on Delmar Boulevard in University City. Three years later, they relocated within U. City to a former IHOP on Olive Boulevard. The building might have still looked like a pancake house, but the Kideras made it synonymous with great sushi and other Japanese fare, a must-visit for every serious St. Louis diner.

That Nobus closed in 2021, its building slated for demolition as part of the sprawling, Costco-anchored redevelopment of the Olive-Interstate 170 nexus. The Kideras  Noboru and Taeko with their adult son, George, and Georges wife, Noi  moved within U. City again, this time to the Delmar Loop. Nobus 3.0 opened in October on the ground floor of the Lofts at Washington University. The unassuming entrance, marked only by a small sign, is set back from the busy streetscape.

That sense of being in the neighborhood but removed from it intensifies inside. The small space, overseen by noted local designer Sasha Malinich, is an oasis of soft light, warm wood and clean, modern lines  Japan by way of Denmark. Noborus workstation, with the six-seat, L-shaped sushi counter in front of him and the rest of the kitchen behind, occupies half of the room. There are up to 12 additional seats in the dining room, but the sushi counter is where you want to be. George is the de facto leader of your experience, explaining courses and offering guidance through the compact list of wine, beer, sake and Japanese whiskey.

As you might have guessed from its limited seating, Nobus currently requires reservations, with seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. (Reservations are available online using Tock with a deposit, which is applied toward your final bill at the restaurant.) The Kideras have also jettisoned the previous locations a-la-carte selection. Instead, you choose a three-, four- or, on Friday and Saturday, a six-course omakase (chefs choice) menu, though one course can encompass several pieces of nigiri.

You can make some choices within this omakase format. For the three-course dinner, rather than nigiri as the featured dish, you can opt for a single serving of chirashi, a generous array of Noborus precisely sliced sashimi with vegetables atop rice. Within the four-course omakase, you can opt for either tempura or grilled fish for one course  maybe a buttery piece of black cod with a perfectly pitched balance of sweetness and umami.

In the six-course omakase, especially, the dishes that lead up to the nigiri can be as thrilling as the main event, a parade of contrasting textures and temperatures calibrated to work both by themselves and with one another. At my dinner, a serving of crisp tempura vegetables (asparagus, lotus root and Japanese eggplant, each its own ideally yielding texture) was followed by a composed dish with raw salmon, tomato, radish sprouts and a yuzu-miso dressing. This brightened salmons delicate flavor without overwhelming it and also cleansed my palate ahead of the black cod. After the cod, before the nigiri, a single, perfect tempura-fried shrimp.

Across my visits, I tried each of the omakase options, and while the six-course dinner began with a selection of small bites  a silky quail egg marinated for two days in white miso; whole, toasted sardines  all three meals featured an opening salvo of small pieces of tuna, salmon and yellowtail that had been rinsed with rice vinegar and marinated with miso and mustard. The texture of each fish was more supple than in nigiri or sashimi form, and their flavors were charged with just enough heat to energize me for the courses to come.

For the nigiri, Noboru favors an old-school approach. Few pieces receive more adornment than a dab of wasabi. Salmon roe and Santa Barbara uni and their beds of rice are served on spoons, minimizing the distance between their popping and custardy textures, their briny, sexy flavors. You might encounter chu toro, shrimp and surf clam and, of course, salmon.

My first dinner at Nobus was the four-course omakase. This was thoroughly satisfying by itself, but I didnt hesitate to order dessert: green tea ice cream, made by Clementines from matcha sourced from Japan by Big Heart Tea Co. The collaboration with two fellow St. Louis businesses was an unexpected twist to the new restaurant, the start of a new conversation about what other surprises Noboru and the rest of the Kidera family still have in store for us.

Rating Essential  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 Nobus, 6253 Delmar Boulevard, University City  More info 314-323-9147  Menu Omakase-style sushi  Hours Dinner Tuesday-Saturday, reservations only
In 2022, Macedonian Australian filmmaker Goran Stolevski established himself as a talent to watch with his daring directorial debut, the folk horror film You Wont Be Alone, about a witch body-jumping through a Macedonian village, experiencing the vast spectrum of love and cruelty life has to offer. His sophomore feature, Of an Age, is quite different  a high school coming-of-age story set in 1999 and 2010, about a Serbian immigrant teenager, Kol (Elias Anton), growing up in Melbourne, coming to terms with his sexuality and experiencing first love. Despite the genre contrast, theres a commonality between the two films in the way that Stolevski captures the aching beauty snatched in lifes darker moments  the heart of the matter remains the same, the bittersweet tone just as poignant.

Of an Age, which takes place over the course of two 24-hour periods set 11 years apart, is like Before Sunrise and Before Sunset combined into one film, in which two characters are rocked by a chance encounter and reckon with it years later. 1999 opens with a gasp and proceeds at a breathlessly frantic pace, as Ebony (Hattie Hook) wakes up out of a blackout on a strange beach and calls Kol in a panic to come and pick her up  theyve got to make it to their ballroom dance finals in time.

Though we initially meet Kol practicing his ballroom routine in the garage, this film is more in line with Andrew Haighs Weekend than Baz Lurhmanns Strictly Ballroom. With Ebony in a harried state, Kol grabs her gear and calls upon their only option for rescue: Ebonys enigmatic brother, Adam (Thom Green), who rolls up in a station wagon to pick up Kol and collect Ebony from the beach.

Adam is gentle, unflappable and curious; his presence is a tonic for Kol, even beyond the wacky morning. The station wagon becomes a safe space to let their guard down, and the two get to know each other over the course of their drive, halting at first, and then with ease, trading references to Kafka and Borges, Adam teaching Kol about Wong Kar-wai films and French pop. Hes a linguistics Ph.D. student about to take off for Argentina, and hes erudite, sarcastic, funny and incredibly beautiful. Over the course of the chaotic day, Kol falls hopelessly, inevitably in love with him.

Anton skillfully embodies Kols warring emotions  to disappear and to be seen at once, to blend in, but evade the judgments of his macho Serbian uncles, and the racist popular kids in their bogan beach town. But Adam sees Kol, he pays attention to him, and its under Adams gaze that Kol blossoms.

Using a square 4:3 aspect ratio, Stolevski and cinematographer Matthew Chuang utilize a handheld aesthetic and almost stolen close-ups to create an intoxicating viewing experience, as if were experiencing this relationship unfold in real time.

Its 11 years later when we see Kol again, at an airport baggage claim. Hes mature now, stylish, comfortable in his skin, sporting an earring and a sharp haircut, far more confident than the young man trying to go unnoticed back in high school. He spies Adam  what are the odds? Pretty good, actually, as theyve both returned to Melbourne for Ebonys wedding. What will their connection be after a decade spent on different continents?

These fleeting yet monumental moments make up the fabric of who we are, set us on one course or another, carrying memories both painful and glorious. In Of an Age, Stolevski dissects these charged but brief interactions with intention and attention. He taps into the common question thats pervasive around first loves  what if?  but he doesnt offer cookie-cutter closure, instead presenting a story thats messy and authentic about the realities produced by the passage of time.

Impeccably written and beautifully performed by Anton and Green, Of an Age is a profoundly moving film about the beauty and horror of what it means to be seen for the first time, to love for the first time, and how the past and future are constantly informing each other.

What Of an Age  Four stars out of four  Run time 1:39  Rating R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use  Where In theaters
The intricate flowers Melany Prima-Boewers makes wont wither away in a week. Her well-mannered blooms arent just for vases, either. They take shape on nursery walls, walk down aisles at weddings, flourish as backdrops for photos and show up in fashionable shops. She started what turned into Mi Prima Belle as a DIY birthday project for her daughter.

I looked at a lot of paper flowers on YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest, she says. She wondered why they were so expensive and imagined they wouldnt be that hard to make. And then I started making them, she says. After buying $250 worth of supplies and tools and spending hours making the flowers, she understood the cost was equal to the effort. The joy she found in the making was worth the time, dollars and effort. She soon learned others wanted to buy her flowers, and set out to build a business.

I opened my Etsy store in 2015 while I was still working full-time. I began making flowers full-time in 2017, she says.

Whats in a name?  When it came time to name her business, Prima-Boewer knew just what to do. She named it with family in mind. Mi is for my youngest daughter, Miya, she says. Prima is my maiden name, and Belle is for my eldest daughter, Izabella. The unusual spellings in family names started in the Philippines where she was born. My grandmother named me Melany, she says. Even the family cat, named after a flower, got a unique spelling  Lilak.

Flower-power  Daisies, roses, sunflowers, dahlias, daffodils, peonies  Prima-Boewer works to re-create flowers in fine detail, with nuanced colors and sometimes a little sparkle. My flowers are handmade  100 percent. I cut them piece by piece, petal by petal, and leaf by leaf using my scissors, she says.

She scores lines and shapes petals, shading them when needed with watercolors and dyes. She sometimes uses glossy beads as accents and "sculpts" an edge using adaptive tools.

Most of her work consists of custom-designed pieces. She uses fine quality papers for 95 percent of her pieces. Shes also used sheet music, comic book pages, fabrics and crepe paper in some instances as the design warrants.

Sheet music roses are especially popular for graduations. The music customers choose usually has special meanings for the students. The blooms become a lasting reminder of their launch into the world.

She takes a collaborative approach to color with her clients as well. Colors can be customized to what the person needs. Most send me a picture or the color palette they are working with. I send my suggestions back to them of the colors and papers I suggest. It really takes back-and-forth communication, Prima-Boewer says.

Studio time  Once she settles the basics with her clients, she creates her pieces in her home studio in Manchester. I use our sunroom, which is converted for my craft room and supplies. I have a little corner by the fireplace that my husband converted to a work area for me, she says. Our cat Lilak keeps me company. She mostly just lays on the floor beside me, where theres comfy blankets just for her.

Dynamic wall flower sculptures for girly bedrooms and baby nurseries make up a large part of her business. She also does backgrounds for events, bridal bouquets, and party installations, but Prima-Boewers creativity extends to other flower fancies, too.

Flowers for the future  She is expanding the market for her flowers. Shes discovering new markets. She designed an installation using 28-inch flowers for an events planner in New York, working out the details long-distance. Her large blooms may find a place in set designs for plays, movies and concerts.

Her latest adventures involve her flowers and millinery. Ive made Kentucky Derby hats and fascinators and enjoyed the results. She sees it as a growth area for her skills, and is gearing up to make colorful paper flowers to match outfits for anyone who is serious about fashion on a grand scale for Derby Day  or for any occasion that warrants extravagant hats.

Mi Prima Belle Design

Artist  Melany Prima-Boewer

Age  49

Family  Prima-Boewer and her husband, Tim Boewer, have two daughters, Izabella, 15, and Miya, 10. They enjoy the company of Lilak, a rescue cat, and of their Great Pyrenees rescue dog, Louis.

Home  Manchester

What she makes  Prima-Boewer hand-crafts flowers and leaves by hand. Her design work includes floral wall art pieces, bouquets of flowers, and floral installations for weddings and storefronts.

How much  Small rosettes are $2; single stems range from $7 to $14 or more, depending on complexity and size. Her arrangements on Etsy with multiple flowers in complex arrangements range from $99 to $549.50.

Where to buy  Prima-Boewer sells through her Etsy store as well as through her Facebook page and on Instagram.
CLAYTON  Kimberley Morrison Wilson was terrified of her husband in the weeks before she was shot and killed, according to testimony in a St. Louis County murder trial Wednesday.

She bought a gun while in distress. She made a report with Creve Coeur police. She confided in her friends and therapist that she feared for her life.

Prosecutors argue Adrian Wilson then shot Kimberley, his wife, in the head on July 11, 2020, before staging a burglary in their apartment in the 700 block of Wiggens Ferry Drive. He faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action and is representing himself during the jury trial this week.

Kimberley Wilson, 39, had been with her husband for more than 19 years and had two children with him, now ages 12 and 15. She was the sole breadwinner for the family through her top-secret security clearance job at GKN Aerospace in Hazelwood, her father Kenneth Morrison testified Wednesday.

Condolences, Adrian Wilson told Morrison before cross-examining him. He asked Morrison why his daughter wanted a divorce before her death.

Infidelity, Morrison said.

Diane Reese, Adrian Wilsons cousin and Kimberleys best friend, told the jury the couple met at Berea College in Kentucky, but Kimberley was planning a divorce after years of infidelity along with physical and emotional abuse.

Adrian cheated with several women, including a much younger girlfriend, and on one occasion choked out Kimberley to the point that she passed out, Reese said.

When she woke up, Reese told the jury, she said he was standing over her with a dumb look on his face.

By the summer of 2020, Reese testified that her friend decided to ask her parents in Macon, Georgia, to watch her kids because she worried for their safety.

Kimberley was considering a move to Washington, D.C., for a new job, Reese said.

Kimberley Wilsons counselor, Susie Berg, testified that just days before the killing, she accompanied Kimberley to Creve Coeur police to report her concerns after her client shared very alarming things about some fears that she had during their sessions. They parked behind the police station so her car wouldnt be spotted, Berg said.

Kimberley Wilson also bought a gun about a month before her death.

Steven King, owner of the Metro Shooting Supplies gun store and shooting range in Bridgeton, testified he has a clear memory of selling a pistol to her on June 7, 2020, just four days before her death.

She was very distraught, King said, adding that she explained she was going through a divorce. She said: Im afraid hes going to kill me. Im going to need protection.

King said he advised her to practice shooting at the stores range so she would know how to use the weapon.

She was on the verge of crying, he said. I offered her lessons. I told her, The last thing I want to see is this not work for you.

And just one day before the killing, family law attorney Jamie Emahiser testified she met virtually with Kimberley.

Kimberley Wilson was found dead in the master bedroom of her familys apartment about 11 a.m. July 11. There were boxes and folded clothes across the apartment, appearing that someone was preparing to move, according to the crime scene photos.

Kimberley was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Several drawers were flung out of the dressers, but none of the commonly stolen items like TVs, gaming devices or her cellphone were stolen, St. Louis County Detective Rob Wallace testified. He added that there were no signs of forced entry, though a sliding glass door to a balcony was open.

Wallace testified he believes the scene was staged.

Adrian claimed to police several items were stolen from the home, including cash in safes. He told investigators he was out of town in Champaign, Illinois, and returned to find her dead.

Investigators testified Wednesday that Adrian Wilsons initial timeline describing when he left for Champaign was disproven by surveillance cameras on a private residence, a bank, license plate readers and a QuikTrip gas station.

Adrian Wilson on cross-examination noted that a video recording of his police interview at Creve Coeur police was recorded over and not available for trial.

Kimberleys father said in a break from the trial Wednesday that his daughter was only about 5 feet tall but had a big presence. She was always caring, driven and tough as nails, he said.

She was so hardworking, she told me at work she was often the only Black person and the only person under 40 in the room, and they would all listen to her, Morrison said.

Kimberley loved singing in the church choir and was like a lion in the way she protected her children, he said. He recalled her stopping in the middle of a drive from Kentucky to her parents home in Georgia to pick up an abandoned kitten on the side of the road.

She already had two kids in the car, and she added a kitten, he said. Thats the kind of person she was.

The trial is set to continue before St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May Thursday.
ST. LOUIS  A gas station customer fatally shot a man trying to steal his car just after 6 a.m. Wednesday, police said the man told them.

The 48-year-old was a customer at a Zoom Gulf station on Tucker Boulevard, just north of downtown. He shot the suspected thief, in his 20s, once in the chest, police said. The man ran off, but collapsed and died not a block away.

Police said both men had guns, and warned residents against fighting an attacker.

I would strongly encourage that, you know, you flee the situation as soon as possible, police Capt. Pierre Benoist later said. But if youre in such a situation where you have to defend yourself, you must defend yourself. And from what I gather this morning, that is the case.

Wednesdays shooting was the latest example of victims in the St. Louis region violently confronting suspects, as car thefts skyrocketed over the past year.

Among the high-profile cases, St. Louis prosecutors filed charges against Brett M. Kress in January after authorities say Kress shot and killed a man who tried to steal his car in Soulard.

The confrontation Jan. 7 was at a Conoco gas station, 1314 Gravois Avenue. Surveillance video showed the suspected robber, Jesse Lopez, trying to run away; Kress, 26, shot him three times, police said. Kress initially was charged with involuntary manslaughter but online court records show he now faces a charge of second-degree murder.

A woman tracked down her stolen car and killed two men Dec. 21 outside a Speedie Gas near North Broadway Street and Riverview Boulevard, police said.

And on Oct. 31, two boys, ages 14 and 16, were shot after stealing a womans car in north St. Louis. The boys were among five juveniles who took the womans car from the 10000 block of Lookaway Drive in the citys Riverview neighborhood, police said. The woman and other witnesses tracked the car to Flordell Hills, and police said two of the boys were shot while sitting in the back seat of a Kia. Police havent said who fired the shots.

St. Louis police Sgt. Charles Wall said the city has had 21 reported carjackings so far this year, one fewer than the same time last year. The city has had 978 motor vehicle thefts this year, Wall said, compared with 428 motor vehicle thefts this time last year  a 129% increase.

The surge of thefts peaked this past summer, dipped late last year, then ticked back up in recent weeks. Benoist on Wednesday said there have been 138 car thefts reported in the last week.

St. Louis was among 30 cities across the United States mentioned in a January crime report by the Council on Criminal Justice. The council looked at vehicle thefts from 2019, before the beginning of the pandemic, through the end of 2022. St. Louis saw a 109% increase in car thefts during that period, the eighth-highest; the average increase across those months in the 30 cities was 59%. Only one of the cities, Baltimore, reported a decrease.

The report went on to say that two patterns emerged. Some cities like Denver and Milwaukee saw a spike in the first months of the pandemic, then a decrease. The second pattern was seen in St. Louis, Chicago, Memphis and some other cities. For them, vehicle thefts didnt increase much early in the pandemic but rose precipitously in 2022. Much of last years spike in St. Louis has been attributed to a viral TikTok video that showed how to break in and drive off in some models of Kias and Hyundais using only a screwdriver and a USB charging cable.

Benoist said a task force is working in the city and sometimes officers on the night watch in downtown and Midtown will be on the lookout for car thieves. He said police have put up flyers at gas pumps, primarily in south St. Louis, to warn motorists to be aware of their surroundings. Police have parked a portable video surveillance called SkyCop outside some stations to deter thefts.

Several St. Louis County police agencies, plus the FBI, have set up a task force, too. In OFallon, Missouri, police chased a stolen car whose occupants were suspected of trying to break into vehicles at an apartment complex about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday. The pursuit ended in the suspects crashing into utility poles in Kirkwood, and two 16-year-old boys suffering moderate injuries.

On Wednesday at the Zoom gas station on North Tucker, crime-scene tape extended to OFallon Street, east of Tucker, where police set up a screen to block the view of the dead suspect.

On the gas station lot, an evidence marker was near a white four-door sedan parked near the pumps.

Benoist, the police captain, said he didnt know if the cars owner was inside his car or out when he shot the suspect.

Homicide detectives continue to investigate, police said, and are pulling video surveillance from the gas station.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Story has been updated to include upgraded charge against Brett Kress.
Despite a threat of a lawsuit from a neighbor, Christopher and Matthew Siano's HES Properties have won two variances needed for a new apartment building on Grant Street after cutting the size of the project in half.

HES Properties is proposing to construct a three-story, 5,800-square-foot building on a vacant site at 386 Grant.

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Plans call for an 800-square-foot retail space and a handicapped-accessible apartment on the first floor, with two apartments each on the next two floors. All of the units would be one bedroom in size. The 5,868-square-foot building would include geothermal heating for all units, and would include six parking spaces in the rear of the 0.14-acre lot, with electric-vehicle charging capability.

HES sought variances to locate its main entrance on the side of the building instead of on Grant Street because the sidewalk is very narrow, so a door opening outward would open into the right-of-way, potentially hitting pedestrians.

That's also part of the reason why the developer sought a 30-inch setback for the building, to allow more room for the bus stop at that site to have a bench. Additionally, the apartment building on one side protrudes into the right-of-way by 12 inches, while the house to the north is set back 11 feet, so Siano wanted a transition between them.

The project is scaled down from a prior $2.4 million plan for nine apartments and a commercial space, in a 10,800-square-foot building. That project - which also included four two-bedroom apartments - was approved by the city in 2021, but never completed.

Neighbor Syed Ali, who owns 388 Grant, objected vehemently again to the project as he did two years ago. He said Siano used a jackhammer to break up part of a shared driveway between the two properties that had been used by Ali's immigrant tenants to park at least one car for years, scaring his tenants and shaking the house.

And he threatened to take legal action "if our tenants are harmed and the driveway is not put back into the shape it was in."

"Hes violating the law. He doesnt care about anyone but himself," Ali said. "We oppose this project because its going to cause environmental hazards. Its going to impact our tenants next door," Ali said.

Siano, though, said that a new survey had clearly shown that part of the driveway was on his land, and Ali "had his tenants illegally parking on our property."

"He has not pursued legal action because there is no legal action," Siano said. "Hes angry because he lost an illegal parking space on my property."

This is the third project on the street for the Sianos. The duo previously rehabbed the former Phil Martino's West Side Appliance and Furniture building at 368 Grant in 2015, creating 2,000 square feet of commercial space and two market-rate apartments. Three years later, they spent $2.3 million to construct a 12,600-square-foot mixed-use building with 11 apartments and retail space on a vacant lot at 363 Grant that they had already acquired from the city.

In other ZBA action:

Preferred Parking Service of Charlotte, N.C., and Jacksonville, Fla.-based CSX Corp. sought three variances to convert a vacant rail property at 179 Louisiana St. into a 167-space parking lot, but still needs a coastal consistency determination, so it was tabled. Representatives of both CSX, which owns the property, and Preferred Parking, which is managing it, say they want to make better use of the property and improve its appearance.

A request for four variances for new signage at Douglas Jemal's new Hotel Richardson were tabled because the contractor from Ace Flag Co. put the public notice in the wrong place. "Another developer tried to open this hotel, and it failed," said Ace's Chad Vosseller, referring to the former Hotel Henry. "We went around and asked people, employees, the reason for it failing. The overwhelming response was that we couldnt find it."

Bank on Buffalo is seeking to put up a 2,509-square-foot masonry storage building at 734 Northland Ave.  just two blocks from its branch at the Northland Workforce Training Center  to contain a new mobile bank branch truck that it purchased. The bank plans to drive the truck to different areas of the city on various days, allowing residents in neighborhoods without a bank to access services, but would store it in the Northland building, which would also contain technology equipment to access accounts, as well as a vault room. However, the plan called for high fencing and barbed wire, and a city attorney questioned if mobile bank branches are permitted by state law.
ST. LOUIS  Prosecutors have filed a murder charge against a Metro East man accused of chasing and killing a would-be car thief in January in the Soulard neighborhood.

Court documents showed that Brett M. Kress, 26, originally was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter for the Jan. 7 shooting.

But St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner's office has since filed a charge of second-degree murder against him instead. Kress is being held in the St. Louis jail; a judge has denied him bail. Kress lives in the 2500 block of Fallings Springs Road in Sauget. Kress' attorney, Tyson Cole, declined comment Thursday.

Kress is charged with fatally shooting 24-year-old Jesse Lopez. Police said surveillance video at a Conoco gas station, 1314 Gravois Avenue, showed Lopez trying to steal Kress' Honda Pilot around 2 a.m. Jan. 7. Kress pulled a gun and Lopez tried to run, but police say Kress chased him and shot him three times, according to court documents.

Missouri law defines second-degree murder as knowingly causing the death of someone or, "with the purpose of causing serious physical injury," causes someone's death. It carries a punishment of 10 years to life imprisonment. The murder charge was filed Jan. 18, court documents show.

First-degree involuntary manslaughter is "recklessly" causing the death of someone. The punishment for that crime in Missouri is three to 10 years in prison.

St. Louis police Detective Matthew Boettigheimer said in court papers that Kress was sentenced to two years in prison for a 2020 conviction of aggravated battery against a person older than 60 in St. Clair County.

Kress' next court hearing in the Soulard case is scheduled for March 13.

Katie Kull of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS  Two St. Louis police officers testified Wednesday they feared how colleagues would react if they reported a fellow officer for sexual assault, and they suffered retribution in the department when they spoke out years later.

Former Officer Lafeal Lawshea, 40, faces trial this week on two counts of rape and a misdemeanor charge of tampering with a victim after two women described separate incidents where Lawshea bought them a drink at a bar and then they blacked out. One woman said she woke up to Lawsheas friend on top of her; the other said she was assaulted by Lawshea himself.

But Lawsheas attorney, Travis Noble, argued the encounters were consensual. He said the women were trying to save face in a police department that often operated like high school with a whole lot of sex. Rumors circulated with abandon, he said.

One woman, Noble argued, made up her story to secure a financial payout through a civil lawsuit or a workers comp claim. The other woman, he said, created a lie to quell a rumor that she liked to have sex with Black men.

Youll see these stories change to fit the circumstances, Noble said.

Lawsheas co-defendant, Torey Phelps, was acquitted late last year of raping one of the women. Phelps attorney also argued she made multiple inconsistent statements and accused her of making up the story to receive a payout.

On Wednesday, the woman again took the stand and testified she blacked out after having one or two drinks with Lawshea and Phelps at the Bottoms Up strip club in Brooklyn, Illinois, in 2010.

She said she woke up in a bedroom in Lawsheas house with Phelps on top of her. Lawshea was nearby, she said.

I asked Lawshea if he was going to let him do this to me, she said.

The woman said she woke up the next morning in Lawsheas bed feeling angry and embarrassed.

When she got back to the police department, she said, other officers approached her and said theyd heard she had a threesome with Lawshea and Phelps.

She eventually reported the incident to the department and sought counseling starting in 2020.

Ive been told that I need to watch my back, she said. Ive been called a snitch.

But Noble argued she reported the incident only because she was considering a lawsuit against the department. He questioned inconsistent statements she made in depositions and interviews and asked why a trained police officer didnt try to collect evidence that a crime had occurred.

Noble also asked why she continued to have sex with Lawshea after the night she said Phelps raped her.

I was looking for him to at least apologize to me, she said. To validate what I was feeling.

The second woman described a similar course of events after meeting up with Lawshea at a bar near Busch Stadium. She said she had a drink then blacked out, recalling hazy moments, including being walked out of the bar, slumped over Lawsheas shoulder.

She also remembered lying in a bed with him on top of her. She said she told him to stop.

I remember feeling weak, she said. I remember it being painful.

She woke up the next day, naked in a bed in Lawsheas house, she said. Lawshea drove her back to the bar where shed left her car.

The woman said she didnt report the incident because she was afraid of being called a liar.

It is a male-dominated field, she said.

Noble is set to cross-examine the second woman on Thursday.
ST. LOUIS  U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland touted the importance of government and community groups working together to reduce violence Thursday morning during a national crime-prevention conference in St. Louis.

Hundreds of people from across the U.S. gathered this week at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch to attend the first Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grantee conference. The grant program, offered by the Department of Justice, supports violence reduction efforts in cities nationwide.

One of the purposes of this gathering is to exchange the knowledge, the lessons learned and the best practices informed by those different perspectives, Garland said.

He said the DOJs approach to disrupting and preventing violent crime focuses on partnerships with other government agencies, police departments and communities most affected by violence to create strategies that are tailored to local communities.

We know we cannot do our jobs effectively without the trust of the communities we serve, Garland said.

St. Louis Mayor Tishuara O. Jones also spoke to the at-capacity ballroom Thursday morning, where she said her administration has used some federal money to fund community programs rooted in the neighborhoods they serve.

A new, innovative approach is necessary, especially as cities like St. Louis face challenges of other levels of government, Jones said.

Jones said the state Legislatures gun laws make local anti-violence work more difficult.

Missouri lawmakers in the past 20 years have dismantled many of the states significant gun restrictions, and now moving through the Statehouse are bills seeking to put the city police department back under state control and appoint a special prosecutor to strip circuit attorney Kimberly Gardner of her prosecutorial power.

The mayor touted the results of the program Cops and Clinicians, which pairs a licensed clinical social worker with a police officer on calls to provide immediate mental health services and other resources to people to reduce the need for police and EMS.

In its first year, she said the program responded to nearly 5,000 cases in which 95% of people contacted were diverted from arrest and connected to services.

Garland said that in September the DOJ announced $100 million in community violence prevention grants to nearly 50 organizations and agencies nationwide. In the next few weeks, Garland said, the DOJ will announce $100 million in additional funding.

The attorney general also noted the DOJ earlier this week announced a $231 million national investment in the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Grant Program, which creates intervention court proceedings intended to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has been awarded just under $5.5 million of that money, according to the DOJs website.

In addition to Thursdays speech, Garland met one day earlier with community leaders in East St. Louis.
EAST ST. LOUIS  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker glad-handed some of his youngest constituents Thursday as he pushed his plan for free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in the state.

Under the Smart Start Illinois plan, Pritzker proposes an initial $440 million from the state budget to add preschool seats, raise child care worker salaries, fund home visits and build new facilities.

Too many families cant access early childhood education, Pritzker said during a press conference at Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center, part of the East St. Louis School District. The Smart Start Illinois plan will help us reverse the underfunding thats existed for too many years.

In the first year, $75 million would go toward the existing account for pre-kindergarten, adding 5,000 preschoolers to the current 89,000 kids including several hundred in East St. Louis. Vivian Adams offers free, full-day preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds in the school district. After four years and annual funding increases, the state program will reach an estimated 20,000 children who currently cannot attend preschool for lack of space or high costs.

Smart Start Illinois also includes:

 $130 million for the Childcare Workforce Compensation Contract to address a staffing shortage and raise pay to as much as $19 an hour.

 $100 million for new preschool and child care facilities.

 $70 million to raise the income threshold for families who qualify for free preschool.

 $45 million for early intervention for learning disabilities including home visits for families.

 $20 million to update the payment system for providers.

While 10 other states offer universal preschool, free pre-kindergarten in Missouri is mostly limited to low-income school districts. There are 36,612 students in public pre-kindergarten across the state this year, an increase of nearly 5% over last year but well below the average 65,000 students who start kindergarten each year.

Pritzker said the plan will support Illinois students from cradle to career.

It gives us the best return on investment of any government expenditure, he said. It sets our kids up for success in kindergarten, elementary school and beyond.

Jacqueline Davis said her 5-year-old daughter Lyric Griffin has blossomed at Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center.

Lyric is my lastborn and when I enrolled her in school, I wasnt ready to let go, Davis said. This little girl will be going to kindergarten and with the help of the teachers at this school, she probably knows more than me. Her speech, her language, her drive to learn, its awesome.
JEFFERSON CITY  State lawmakers renewed debate Thursday over an anti-carjacking initiative amid an ongoing reckoning in St. Louis over the often violent theft of vehicles in the city.

A day after a man killed a person he told police was going to steal his car at a gas station north of downtown St. Louis, the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on a plan to toughen penalties against attempted carjackers.

The proposal has failed to gain traction in the Legislature for the past four years, primarily because there are already laws on the books are supposed to address the crime.

But the latest sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Brad Christ, a south St. Louis County Republican, said the current law leads to inconsistent sentences and makes the outcomes of carjacking prosecutions harder to track.

These criminals have taken advantage of the system, Christ said. They consistently test our justice system on these crimes and its worked out for them.

Under the proposal, carjacking without a weapon would be classified as a Class B felony, which would carry a minimum five-year sentence.

Specifically, the legislation would give police the right to arrest someone who lifts the door handles of successive vehicles in an attempt to gain entry.

The measure also adds motor vehicles to the burglary statute.

Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte said Bowling Green has been hit by car thefts by groups of St. Louis-area residents. He believes clarifying the state law could help prosecutors in various jurisdictions crack down on carjacking.

Criminals are quite mobile these days, Korte said.

A nonpartisan analysis of the legislation, however, shows that the Missouri Department of Corrections predicts the law would add just two additional inmates in the prison system and seven additional offenders on field supervision by July 2025.

Debate on the legislation comes as car thefts have surged in the region, causing some victims to use lethal force to stop suspects.

An incident early Wednesday at the Zoom Gulf station on Tucker Boulevard, just north of downtown, resulted in a man shooting a suspected thief once in the chest, police said. The man ran off, but collapsed and died nearby.

In December, a woman tracked down her stolen car and killed two men outside a Speedie Gas near North Broadway Street and Riverview Boulevard, police said.

In St. Louis, police say the number of carjackings so far this year  21  are no worse than last year. But, the number of motor vehicle thefts this year  978  is up by 129% over last year.

Tom Robbins, a lobbyist for the St. Louis County Police Association, told the committee that car thefts by armed suspects have been a plague in his neighborhood in University City.

Anything we can do to avoid that outcome, my wife and daughter thank you, Robbins said.

Much of the spike in St. Louis has been attributed to a viral TikTok video that showed how to break in and drive off in some models of Kias and Hyundais using only a screwdriver and a USB charging cable.

The automakers have announced a fix.

Owners of 2017-20 Elantras, 2015-19 Sonatas and 2020-21 Venues are eligible for a software upgrade, which takes about an hour to install at a Hyundai dealership. Several other Hyundai models will be eligible in June.

Thefts of Kias and Hyundais jumped 1,350% last year in the city, from 273 to 3,958, after the video showed how to take advantage of the vehicles lack of an engine immobilizer, a standard security device. The same was true in St. Louis County, where a jump from 140 to 1,621 marked a 1,057% increase.

In January, 271 Hyundais and 186 Kias were reported stolen in the city. The county reported 65 stolen Hyundais and 70 stolen Kias during the same time.

No one testified in opposition to the legislation Thursday. The committee took no action on the bill.

The legislation is House Bill 570.
ST. CHARLES  City officials said Thursday theyve shut down another drinking-water well due to chemical contamination, leaving only one of its seven wells remaining in operation.

Meanwhile, the federal Environmental Protection Agency elaborated on its announcement last week that its requiring Ameren to take additional steps to clean up contamination in the city well field from cleaning products used decades ago at the electric utilitys substation on Huster Road.

Among other things, the EPA told Ameren to work with the city to address its water supply needs in the interim by developing a safe well-pumping regime or other alternatives.

But the federal agency made no reference to St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyers repeated demands that Ameren provide tens of millions of dollars to relocate city wells to another area and improve the city water treatment plant.

And an EPA spokesman said it had not asked or recommended that the city shut off any of its wells.

Borgmeyer said Thursday that the city is awaiting details on the EPAs plans but my assessment is that they will give Ameren every opportunity to do some kind of remediation.

Were still standing firm that we want our damaged wells replaced and we want our plant upgraded, Borgmeyer said. I think nothing short of that would be satisfactory for us.

The city public works director, Nick Galla, said the latest well shutdown was carried out late Wednesday after the city received lab results from recent testing at the well, which is north of Highway 370.

Galla said while the contamination doesnt exceed allowable levels set by federal regulations, the city has stopped using the well as a precaution to keep drinking water safe.

An Ameren spokesman, Brad Brown, said the electric utility supports the EPA process and hopes to hear more from EPA officials next week. Until then, he said, the company remains focused on its ongoing cleanup efforts focused directly underneath the substation.

The citys latest well shutdown follows three wells closed last year and one each in 2005 and 2011. Among the contaminants found in testing has been vinyl chloride, Galla said. Vinyl chloride, used in production of PVC, was one of the chemicals released in a train derailment and toxic chemical fire in Ohio earlier this month.

EPAs statement Thursday followed its announcement last week that it agreed with the city that the Ameren substation was the source of the newest groundwater contamination found in the well field north of the substation.

Ameren already has been doing groundwater cleanup in the area for the past decade. The EPA also has attributed some contamination to a defunct Findett Corp. chemical facility that operated from 1962 to 1973.

Galla said the citys latest well shutdown means that the city in coming months will have to buy additional water from a plant on the Missouri River operated by the city of St. Louis, which has supplemented St. Charles well water for years.

Before the city began its most recent shutdown of wells in early 2022, Galla said, 60% of St. Charles water came from its wells and 40% from the St. Louis-run plant.

With the latest shutdown, the St. Louis percentage is increasing to about 75%, he said. Not using the well closed Wednesday will result in roughly $32,000 a month more paid to St. Louis for water, a St. Charles spokeswoman said.

The EPA also asked the Justice Department to withdraw from U.S. District Court a proposed agreement between the EPA and Ameren on future cleanup steps. St. Charles has objected to the proposal, saying it didnt take into account discoveries of contamination in recent testing.

EPA is taking swift action to ensure that Ameren addresses the newly found well-field contamination, said Bob Jurgens, the agencys regional Superfund director.

In addition to eventually digging new wells, city officials in the short term plan to install new equipment at the citys water treatment plant.

That, Galla said, would allow removal of contamination from water from shut-down wells that would be put back in use temporarily. Galla said the city hopes to have that in place by the summer.

Galla said the ongoing costs of operating the decontaminating equipment could be just as expensive as relocating wells to a new location free of contaminants.

Borgmeyer has said the overall cost of the citys water treatment initiatives both the new wells and the short-term move to start using the old wells again  could exceed $100 million.

The city also has stepped up its own testing of groundwater in the area.

Public info meeting

The EPA will hold a public meeting on the St. Charles water situation at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the gym at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 534 North Fifth Street, followed by a question-and-answer session. Between 6 and 7 p.m., EPA officials will be available to discuss the issue on an individual basis.

Updated at 5:30 p.m.
JEFFERSON CITY  Civil rights activists traveled to the capital city Wednesday to protest a move by the Republican-led House to block Black lawmakers from speaking against a bill to strip power from St. Louis first Black woman circuit attorney.

This particular assembly is one of the most hateful assemblies in this country. It is one of the most racist assemblies in this country. It is one of the most sexist assemblies in this country, the Rev. Darryl Gray, flanked by dozens of supporters, said Wednesday on the Capitol steps.

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, on Thursday silenced Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, as he read from a news article published by Mississippi Today on the House floor during debate on the crime bill. The article described how white lawmakers in Mississippi pushed through legislation affecting the majority-Black city of Jackson, a situation Windham likened to what Missouri Republicans were seeking to do to St. Louis.

Republicans then cut off debate before three other Black lawmakers were allowed to speak on the bill, which would allow the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crimes. The legislation advanced to the Senate, with the vast majority of Democrats voting against it.

It is egregious that the speaker of the House would silence Black elected officials in their course of duty and speaking up for their constituents, Gray said.

Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis County Democrat and chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus, last week said she was issuing a call to action, urging the public to travel to the Capitol.

On Wednesday, the activists, faith leaders and elected officials defended St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, who would lose jurisdiction over violent crime cases under the GOP legislation.

Rep. Lane Roberts, the Republican sponsor of the bill, has said violent crime in St. Louis affects the entire state and has rejected criticism that he is meddling in local affairs. He has said issues within the circuit attorneys office extend beyond funding.

Separate legislation to place the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under state control was also criticized. The move would reverse the results of a statewide vote in 2012 to return the department to local officials.

The Rev. Linden Bowie, president of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Missouri, said we are here today because there are efforts to undermine self-determination in the city of St. Louis.

Bowie praised Gardners work to secure the release of Lamar Johnson, whose conviction nearly 30 years ago in the murder of Marcus Boyd was vacated this week.

Were proud of Kim. Has she made a few mistakes? Of course, Bowie said. Which one of us has not? But that woman since the day she took office has been under attack by the powers that be.

Local people ought to get to decide how they live, said Nimrod Chapel, president of the Missouri NAACP. We know that as Black people we have never had that right in full.

They have felt like Black people need some different kind of thing, Chapel said. Somebody to be an overseer once the slave master was gone. Thats what theyre asking for in St. Louis.

A spokesman for Plocher did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
The job is only half done regarding the states obligation to Lamar Johnson. Yes, Johnson won his freedom on Tuesday after 28 years in prison for a homicide he didnt commit. That freedom was hard-fought, and making it happen required the Legislatures approval of a bill to allow local prosecutors to challenge wrongful convictions  no small feat. It also required a legal battle against a GOP-run Missouri Attorney Generals Office that simply did not want to admit the state could possibly have been wrong.

State attorneys erred most recently in arguing against Johnsons appeal for release because, they asserted, the evidence pointing to his innocence was not credible. That exculpatory evidence was a confession by another man that he was the one who killed Marcus Boyd in 1994. Judge David Mason of the 22nd Circuit Court made clear that the state got it wrong for relying on a dubious witness account that was suspect at best as the focal point of its case against Johnson.

The states only reaction to Tuesdays verdict was terse and unapologetic: The court has spoken, and no further action will be taken in this case.

That final phrase in the states response is exactly why the job is only half done. No further action doesnt just mean the state wont appeal, it also means the state has no intention of taking further action to compensate Johnson for the 28-plus years it robbed from him.

It took courage for the Republican-dominated Legislature to revise state law so Missouri local prosecutors could appeal cases when they believe a wrongful conviction has occurred. That action was a direct result of the circumstances surrounding Johnsons case.

In other words, lawmakers looked at the weak case and non-existent physical evidence that resulted in Johnsons conviction, coupled with the other mans confession, and determined that the law needed to be changed so Johnson could have a fighting chance of winning back his freedom. Thats consistent with what Republicans claim as a pillar of the partys platform: defense of personal liberty.

So it should stand to reason that those same lawmakers would go the next step and recognize that when the state has wrongfully deprived an individual of his liberty, that person deserves full compensation. Other Republican-dominated states like Texas and non-partisan Nebraska have approved compensation laws on this very basis. Its not enough just to set a wrongfully convicted person free after years of family deprivation and psychological trauma.

Missouri law only allows for compensation when an exoneration is backed by DNA evidence. Had DNA evidence been available and pointed to Johnsons involvement, hed probably still be sitting in prison today. But the absence of DNA evidence should not be a barrier to his rightful claim of compensation. The Legislature made Johnsons freedom possible. Now it must revise the law to make him whole.
The nonprofit developer that had planned to buy and redevelop the former Silver Creek School into 47 affordable senior apartments is pulling out of the project because of a big increase in the cost of the renovation project.

Region Nine Housing Corp., a real estate and investment spinoff from the United Auto Workers Region 9 labor union, said it's scrapped the project after concluding that available grants, tax credits and tax credit rental limits could not meet the costs associated with converting the school building into affordable homes for seniors.

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"We are very disappointed that we will not be moving ahead with this project," said Region Nine Director of Development Mark Comroe. "We have put our hearts and souls into this and were very committed to seeing it to fruition."

Region Nine of New Brunswick, N.J., had planned to spend $24 million to buy and renovate the dilapidated former school, which has been vacant since 1978. Located at 58-62 Main St. in Silver Creek, the three-story former high school was already in bad condition two years ago, when the nonprofit unveiled its project and sought tax breaks from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.

At the time, parts of the roof and the right side of the 81-year-old brick building were already deteriorating and collapsing. Region Nine Housing had planned to convert the 57,070-square-foot building into 46 one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartment for low- and very-low income seniors, age 62 and up.

Plans for the gut rehab had called for 46 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom unit, along with a new elevator, common areas, a large community room and kitchen, activity rooms on the second and third floors, two laundry rooms, two outdoor patios and a 50-space landscaped parking lot.

The project had received a $4.4 million federal grant, a $1 million grant through the village and other state support and tax credits. But officials couldn't make the numbers work, even though the nonprofit committed not to take any development fees or other money from the project.

As someone who has championed the transformation of the old Silver Creek School into affordable senior housing for more than a decade, I am disappointed at this turn of events. However, I fully understand why the growing costs to renovate this deteriorated building ultimately made the project financially unworkable, said state Sen. George M. Borrello, R-Jamestown.

The property was formerly owned by the estate of John G. Sack, but the county controls it through a tax foreclosure. Officials now plan to seek another developer to take on the project, using the studies and evaluations that Region Nine conducted and offered to share.

We will continue to do everything in our power, including offering technical assistance and incentives, to find another developer who can bring this project, or some form of this project, to fruition," said CCIDA CEO Mark Geise. "You can imagine how disappointing it is to work on a project for many years, and then have it not work out in the end. I am still hopeful that we can find a developer to step in and make the project a reality."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Maple Leaf Short Duration 2022 Flow-Through Limited Partnership - National Class and Quebec Class (the "Partnership") is pleased to announce that on February 15, 2023, the Partnership completed its rollover transaction whereby the assets of the Partnership were transferred to the Maple Leaf Resource Class (CDO 100- Class A or CDO103- Class F) mutual fund (the "Resource Mutual Fund") in exchange for Series A or Series F shares of the Resource Mutual Fund.

NATIONAL CLASS A (CUISP: 56533N107) ROLLOVER DETAILS

The final net asset value per National Class A Partnership unit was $10.24. Series A shares of the Resource Mutual Fund were issued at a net asset value of $3.04833 each. Accordingly, each holder of National Class A Partnership units received 3.35813 Resource Mutual Fund shares for each National Class A Partnership unit held.

NATIONAL CLASS F (CUISP: 56533N305) ROLLOVER DETAILS

The final net asset value per National Class F Partnership unit was $10.63. Series F shares of the Resource Mutual Fund were issued at a net asset value of $3.04833 each. Accordingly, each holder of National Class F Partnership units received 3.48554 Resource Mutual Fund shares for each National Class F Partnership unit held.



QUEBEC CLASS A (CUSIP: 56533N206) ROLLOVER DETAILS

The final net asset value per Quebec Class A Partnership unit was $14.20. Series A Resource Mutual Fund shares were issued at a net asset value of $3.04833 each. Accordingly, each holder of Quebec Class A Partnership units received 4.65874 Resource Mutual Funds shares for each Quebec Class A Partnership unit held.

QUEBEC CLASS F (CUSIP: 56533N404) ROLLOVER DETAILS

The final net asset value per Quebec Class F Partnership unit was $14.74. Series F Resource Mutual Fund shares were issued at a net asset value of $3.04833 each. Accordingly, each holder of Quebec Class F Partnership units received 4.83550 Resource Mutual Funds shares for each Quebec Class F Partnership unit held.

Resource Mutual Fund shares will be deposited into investors' brokerage accounts.

Investors should note:

Transactions may only be executed once the dealer has processed the rollover transaction and the Resource Mutual Fund shares show in your account. It typically takes 2-5 days for dealers to process the rollover transaction.

The shares of the Resource Mutual Fund are qualified investment for RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs, DPSPs, RDSPs and TFSAs.

Redeeming the Resource Mutual Fund shares for cash will incur a capital gain tax liability.

ABOUT MAPLE LEAF

Maple Leaf is a privately held, independent firm whose executive members have participated in the formation of over $500 million of capital based on energy and resource focused alternative investment products for Canadian resident investors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Mutual Fund is available in the Mutual Fund's simplified prospectus, annual information form, management reports of fund performance and financial statements. You can obtain a copy of these documents at your request and at no cost by calling toll free 1-866-688-5750, or from your financial advisor, or by e-mailing [email protected], or by download at www.MapleLeafFunds.ca. These documents and other information about the Mutual Fund will also be available at SEDAR (the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval established by the Canadian Securities Administrators) at www.sedar.com.

For Further Information

For further information, please contact Emily Burkart, Managing Director. Capital Markets.

MAPLE LEAF FLOW-THROUGH PROGRAMS

Tel: 604.684.5742 | Toll Free: 866.688.5750

Email: [email protected] | Web: www.MapleLeafFunds.ca

This release is provided for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy the securities. No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about the merits of the shares of the Resource Mutual Fund and Income Mutual Fund and it is an offense to claim otherwise. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the simplified prospectus and consult your financial advisor to determine if these investments are suitable for you. Mutual Funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Short Duration 2022 Flow-Through Limited Partnership

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New hires signal growth plans for 2023

SINGAPORE & SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Airwallex has today announced senior appointments to its global leadership team as the global payments and financial platform focuses on its expansion into 2023.

Justin Yek has commenced in the newly created role of Head of Strategic Finance and Corporate Development following more than 10 years in banking, finance and start ups including work for Morgan Stanley and Citi. Jon Stona has joined Airwallex as Global Head of Marketing after working at Stripe in senior marketing roles, as well as positions at Google and Nike.

Both positions sit on Airwallexs global leadership team, reporting to CEO and co-founder Jack Zhang.

Mr Zhang said he has been building a connected and global organisation that would be critical to new opportunities for Airwallex to grow and expand its operations.

Airwallex has big ambitions for 2023 and while many other companies are having to cut back on staff, were investing in our growth and talent, Mr Zhang said.

Airwallex wants to help businesses grow, and to do that we're supercharging our own workforce.

Justin will be working closely with me and the Airwallex leadership team as we focus on our company strategy and potential M&A investments that align with our global ambitions.

Jon will take our marketing function to the next level to help drive leads, convert and acquire new customers, and work to encourage repeated use of our different products.

We connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world and Im looking forward to working with our new starters to bring that vision to life.

Head of Strategic Finance and Corporate Development Justin Yek said Airwallex was looking to continue its impressive growth trajectory.

There are significant opportunities for Airwallex to work with more and more customers and businesses on everything from their payments, treasury, spend and embedded finance, and Ill be focusing on how we can best achieve that, Mr Yek said.

Global Head of Marketing Jon Stona said the Airwallex marketing team would be expanding through the year, including with new senior appointments across Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe.

Images

Images of the new hires are available for download here.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform for modern businesses. We remove the unnecessary friction and cost inherent in the traditional financial system to help entrepreneurs achieve their global ambitions. Leading companies around the world trust Airwallex to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spend to embedded finance - all in one single platform.

Our purpose is to connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world. With an international footprint across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, we empower businesses to grow without borders.

For more information, please visit www.airwallex.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005469/en/

For further information

If you have any questions or would like to request further information, please contact [email protected].

Source: Airwallex
Transaction further bolsters AlixPartners world-renowned restructuring practice and creates EMEAs most comprehensive market offering at a pivotal moment for the global economy

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AlixPartners, the global consulting firm, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire leading independent restructuring practice THM Partners LLP (THM). The proposed transaction will see THMs 40 Partners and staff located in the UK, Germany, and Singapore joining AlixPartners world-leading Turnaround & Restructuring Services practice.

The newly combined practice will deliver the EMEA markets most comprehensive suite of restructuring services to support companies, management teams, their boards, and financial stakeholders to identify, grow, protect, and maximise value against a backdrop of ever-increasing disruption and economic uncertainty.

Anthony Place, Managing Partner THM, commented:

This transaction delivers significant benefit for both our clients and our people as we are joining a business with major brand recognition and global reach. For our clients, the combined market offering is truly unique in terms of depth of experience and breadth of services, and this in turn will afford variety, choice, and progression for our highly talented people.

We are all immensely proud of what we achieved as THM, and our success over the years led to us being regularly courted by competitors. In AlixPartners, we have found the best platform to maximise the potential of our business, and we are very much looking forward to becoming part of their fantastic team.

Simon Appell, Co-Head of AlixPartners EMEA Turnaround & Restructuring practice, added:

We have known and admired the THM team for many years and their reputation, quite rightly, precedes them. THMs renowned expertise in providing company side restructuring solutions and interim management will enhance our already excellent skills in those areas and alongside our complementary services of creditor advisory as well as contingency planning and insolvency will create the European restructuring markets most comprehensive offering.

The timing of this deal is no accident, and the depth of talent, variety of expertise, and vast knowledge that the combined team draws upon will be of huge benefit to our clients as they look for collaborative, innovative, and effective support to meet the challenges of todays disrupted economic environment.

Commenting on AlixPartners most recent acquisition, CEO Simon Freakley concluded:

I am delighted to welcome the THM team to AlixPartners. We are always keen to attract outstanding talent to our firm, and the addition of THM to AlixPartners is a wonderful addition to our bench of market-leading professionals.

I have known a number of the THM team personally for many years, and as such I know exactly what they bring to the table and how that will contribute to the success of our newly combined business, our people, and of course our clients.

The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed and are subject to standard approvals. The deal is anticipated to conclude by the end of February 2023.

AlixPartners in-house M&A team was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and THM Partners retained Fox Williams as their legal counsel.

About AlixPartners

AlixPartners is a results-driven global consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses successfully address their most complex and critical challenges. Our clients include companies, corporate boards, law firms, investment banks, private equity firms, and others. Founded in 1981, AlixPartners is headquartered in New York and has offices in more than 20 cities around the world. For more information, visit www.alixpartners.com.

About THM Partners

THM specialises in solving the unique problems of companies facing financial challenge through its CRO and Value Delivery service lines. Founded in 2001, THM pioneered the CRO role in the UK and has led many major European engagements. For more information, visit https://thmpartners.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005204/en/

Robin Knight

+44 7799 477 733

[email protected]

Source: AlixPartners
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. (TSX:ASCU | OTCQX: ASCUF) (ASCU or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal financing of 15,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of C$2.00 per Common Share (the Issue Price), for gross proceeds to the Company of C$30,000,000 (the Offering). The Offering was underwritten on a bought deal basis by a syndicate of underwriters, led by Haywood Securities Inc. (Haywood), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Cormark Securities Inc., iA Private Wealth Inc., Raymond James Ltd., RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Scotia Capital Inc. and TD Securities Inc (together with Haywood, the Underwriters).

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration and development at the Companys Cactus Mine Project located in Arizona, and for general working capital and corporate purposes, as described in the Prospectus (as defined below).

The Common Shares were offered by way of a short form prospectus dated February 9, 2023, filed in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec (the Prospectus). The Common Shares were offered to U.S. buyers on a private placement basis pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), and other jurisdictions outside of Canada provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises.

The securities offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Tembo Capital Elim Co-Investment LP (Tembo), a significant shareholder of the Company, acquired an aggregate of 2,833,717 Common Shares pursuant to the Offering (the Tembo Participation). Tembo is an insider of the Company and, as a result, its participation in the Offering constitutes a related party transaction as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Tembo Participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance upon the exemptions contained in Section 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101. A material change report was not filed more than 21 days in advance of the closing as the details of the Offering and the participation therein by related parties was not settled until shortly prior to the closing of the Offering, and the Company wished to close the Offering on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

In connection with the Tembo Participation, Tembo acquired 2,833,717 Common Shares. Prior to the completion of the Tembo Participation, Tembo, together with Tembo Capital Mining GP III Ltd. (together, the "Tembo Parties"), held 30,683,633 common shares representing approximately 34.5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. As at the date hereof, after giving effect to the Tembo Participation and the Offering, the Tembo Parties hold 33,517,350 common shares representing approximately 32.3% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The Common Shares acquired by Tembo pursuant to the Tembo Participation were acquired for investment purposes. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Tembo may from time to time, increase or decrease its holdings of the Company's common shares. This portion of this news release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103  The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires an early warning report to be filed with the applicable securities regulators containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters. A copy of the early warning report of Tembo will be available on the Companys issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and can also be obtained from Tembo by contacting Sharon Wrench at [email protected].

Pursuant to the terms of the investor rights agreement dated May 13, 2022, between Rio Tinto Technology Holdings Corporation ("Rio Tinto") and the Company and as assigned by Rio Tinto to Nuton LLC ("Nuton"), Nuton, a 7.2% shareholder of the Company (holding 6,400,000 Common Shares) as at the date hereof, has, among other rights, a contractual participation right to maintain its pro-rata ownership percentage of the Company in connection with the Offering and any other future equity issuances or business combination transactions. The Company has provided Nuton with the requisite participation right notice in connection with the Offering, and Nuton has advised the Company that it intends to subscribe for such number of additional Common Shares at the Issue Price on a non-brokered private placement basis (the "Nuton Private Placement"), subject to Toronto Stock Exchange approval, so as to maintain its 7.2% interest in the Company. Participation by Nuton would be over and above the C$30,000,000 bought deal financing.

Neither the TSX nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release.

About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)

ASCUs objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs and to develop the Cactus and Parks/Salyer Projects that could generate robust returns for investors and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company's principal asset is a 100% interest in the Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. Contiguous to the Cactus Project is the Companys 100%-owned Parks/Salyer deposit that could allow for a phased expansion of the Cactus Mine once it becomes a producing asset. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ASCU to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including forward looking statements in this news release regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, the future plans of the Company and the completion of the non-brokered private placement by Nuton, including receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: managements discretion regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals.

Although ASCU 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and ASCU disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005513/en/

For more information

Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations

647-233-4348

[email protected]



George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director

416-723-0458

[email protected]

Source: Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc.
Carbon Impact app demonstrates the boundless capabilities of the Dynatrace AppEngine and provides customers with precise answers about their cloud ecosystems carbon footprint and ways to reduce it

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Software intelligence company Dynatrace (NYSE: DT) announced today the launch of the Carbon Impact app to deliver real-time insights into the carbon footprint of an organizations Dynatrace-monitored hybrid and multicloud ecosystem and precise answers detailing how to reduce its environmental impact. The company developed Carbon Impact using the Dynatrace AppEngine, a new Dynatrace platform technology that empowers teams with an easy-to-use, low-code approach to deliver custom, compliant, and intelligent data-driven apps for boundless business, development, security, and operations use cases.

Organizations are increasingly prioritizing sustainability as they work to meet environmental and regulatory requirements. While cloud providers share carbon footprint data, this only covers individual SaaS services rather than complete hybrid and multicloud ecosystems. Additionally, these service-specific insights lack the details teams need to drive action  for example, which hosts, processes, or applications are driving consumption. These deficiencies make reporting and compliance challenging and limit organizations ability to understand where and how to optimize their ecosystems to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Dynatrace Carbon Impact addresses these challenges by calculating, tracking, and reporting the carbon footprint of Dynatrace-monitored hybrid and multicloud ecosystems. The Dynatrace platform leverages Carbon Impact and its Smartscape topology and dependency mapping to provide process- and app-level details for precise optimization insights.

With guidance from the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA) and leveraging formulas from Cloud Carbon Footprint, Dynatrace developed the Carbon Impact app to align key consumption metrics with their contribution to a carbon footprint. Daan Terpstra, CEO at SDIA said, Understanding the environmental impact of digital products and services is vital to taking meaningful steps to reduce it. Through its precise insights and broad context, Dynatrace Carbon Impact will allow organizations to better assess and optimize the environmental footprint of their hybrid and multicloud ecosystems. We are excited to partner with Dynatrace as we strive for a world with sustainable digital infrastructure.

Dynatrace partners, including Atos, a global leader in digital transformation and sustainability, can use the insights from Carbon Impact to help their customers meet stakeholder and regulatory requirements. John Van Geel, COO of Digital, Cloud, and BDS at Atos, said, We are committed to helping our clients understand their current digital emissions status, build a roadmap toward emissions reduction, engage staff around sustainability, and ensure their digital services underpin their net-zero targets. As a long-term Dynatrace partner with extensive experience helping customers extract the full value from the Dynatrace platform through best practice adoption and ITSM integration, we are excited to bring Dynatrace Carbon Impact to our joint customers.

Bernd Greifeneder, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Dynatrace, said, Understanding and minimizing environmental impact is a critical component of organizations strategies as they work to meet the needs and expectations of their customers, employees, investors, and the communities in which they operate. With Dynatrace Carbon Impact, our customers will be empowered with an easy-to-use solution to understand and optimize the carbon footprint of their cloud ecosystems. By making this available to all Dynatrace SaaS customers, we believe we can improve our collective environmental impact.

The Carbon Impact app will become generally available within 90 days of this announcement. To learn more, visit the Dynatrace blog.

About Dynatrace

Dynatrace (NYSE: DT) exists to make the worlds software work perfectly. Our unified software intelligence platform combines broad and deep observability and continuous runtime application security with the most advanced AIOps to provide answers and intelligent automation from data at an enormous scale. This enables innovators to modernize and automate cloud operations, deliver software faster and more securely, and ensure flawless digital experiences. Thats why the worlds largest organizations trust the Dynatrace platform to accelerate digital transformation.

Curious to see how you can simplify your cloud and maximize the impact of your digital teams? Let us show you. Sign up for a free 15-day Dynatrace trial.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations for and timing of platform development, product capabilities, customer release and adoption; potential benefits to customers from our platform; our business strategy and goals; and our ability to continue to advance our platform to provide updated offerings. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, such as descriptions of updated platform offerings to be made available at a future date and statements as identified by words such as will, expects, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies, and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies, and prospects, as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these will be attained or achieved or that customers will adopt and realize the expected benefits of our updated offerings. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control, including risks set forth under the caption Risk Factors in our Form 10-K filed on May 26, 2022, and our other SEC filings. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this document because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005126/en/

Meg Brenner

[email protected]

Source: Dynatrace
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

On February 16th, Europcar Mobility Group (Paris: EUCAR) received a Trophy at the CDP Europe Awards, having joined the CDPs 2022 A List as a global leader in environmental transparency and action, alongside with ~330 peers out of more than 15,000 companies.

This recognition by CDP, which runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions and is seen as the gold standard of environmental reporting, acknowledges Europcar Mobility Groups long-lasting commitment to continuously improve and raise the bar in terms of CSR policies and practices. A recognition which comes on top of several key milestones achieved by the Group in 2022:

- Approval of its 2030 carbon reduction objectives by SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative),

- EcoVadis Platinum medal (Top 1%),

- AAA rating (Leader) by MSCI Inc.,

- 12.0 rating (low risk, #4 out of 389 transportation companies), by Sustainalytics.

Peter Gowers, Europcar Mobility Group CEO, declared:

"We are delighted to be recognized as one of the companies with a strong commitment to transparency and action for a low carbon world. With transport responsible for almost 30% of Europe's carbon emissions, sustainable mobility can make a real difference. Understanding the impact of mobility, measuring it and rethinking how we can both use mobility and operate it differently are essential first steps in implementing the changes the planet needs."

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is the European N1 in vehicle rental, with the ambition to become a leader in dedicated, sustainable mobility services in the years to come. The Group offers a wide range of car and van rental services: be it for a few hours, a few days, a week, a month or more, on-demand or on subscription, for businesses and individuals, relying on a fleet equipped with the latest engines including more and more "green" vehicles (EVs, PHEVs).

It operates distinctive brands, responding to differentiated needs, use cases and expectations in terms of level of service: Europcar - the European leader of car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar - the lowcost leader in Europe, and Ubeeqo  one of the European leaders of roundtrip car-sharing (BtoB, BtoC).

Customers satisfaction is at the heart of the Groups ambition and that of its more than 8,000 employees, everywhere Europcar Mobility Group delivers its mobility solutions, thanks to a strong network in 140 countries (including 16 wholly owned subsidiaries completed by franchisees and alliance partners).

More information: www.europcar-mobility-group.com

More information about CDP: https://www.cdp.net/en

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005736/en/

Media contacts

Valerie Sauteret - [email protected]

Vincent Vevaud - [email protected]

Source: Europcar Mobility Group
It will publish papers at the largest conference on semiconductor lithography technology

OYAMA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gigaphoton Inc. (Head Office: Oyama, Tochigi; President and CEO: Katsumi Uranaka), a manufacturer of lightsources for semiconductor lithography, participates in SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning 2023, held in San Jose, California from Sunday, February 26 through Thursday, March 2, 2023 PST.

Gigaphoton will introduce the latest technology on yield improvement and sustainability solution with DUV lightsources technology. In addition, Gigaphoton will present the progress of research and development on EUV lightsources.

* If you wish to cite the papers in your materials, please contact us.

Oral Presentations: 1) To enhance EPE and availability simultaneously by the leading-edge immersion light source [Paper#: 12494-44] 2) Plasma dynamics and future of LPP-EUV source for semiconductor manufacturing [Paper#: 12494-45]

Papers: 3) Development progress of key components for LPP-EUV light sources [Paper#: 12494-51] 4) The development of a machine learning-based excimer laser performance simulator for engineering maintenance decisions [Paper#: 12496-101] 5) Contributing to sustainability delivers maximizing availability by the latest light source GT66A for the ArF immersion lithography [Paper#: 12494-60]

About GIGAPHOTON

Since it was founded in 2000, GIGAPHOTON has delivered valuable solutions to semiconductor manufacturers throughout the world as a manufacturer of lightsources. In every stage from R&D to manufacture, sales, and maintenance services, GIGAPHOTON is committed to providing world-class support delivered from the perspective of everyday users. For more information, please visit https://gigaphoton.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005001/en/

Media Contact:

GIGAPHOTON Inc.

Corporate Planning Department

Kenji Ohishi

TEL: +81-285-37-6931

Email: [email protected]

Source: Gigaphoton Inc.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Following a groundswell of support for the Montreal Gazette and local journalism, Postmedia today announced the creation of a Community Advisory Council charged with helping to strengthen the sustainability of the 245-year-old newspaper.

It is heartening to see the groundswell of support for the Gazette. We are in the business of providing local coverage and journalistic excellence  it is at the core of what we do. But communities must understand that it is a business, we are not a government utility. Working together we can harness this support to grow advertising and subscription revenues and build a lasting and sustainable future for the Gazette, said Andrew MacLeod, President & CEO Postmedia.

The creation of the Council follows the difficult decision by Postmedia, owner of the Gazette, to undertake several transformational initiatives including editorial staff reductions that have varied by city, leaving the Gazette newsroom among the largest of Postmedias broadsheet markets. This and other transformation initiatives have been implemented recently in order to transform the business by changing how it operates while managing cost and mitigating revenue decline.

Council members will be announced next week. They represent a cross-section of Montrealers who cherish the Gazette as the voice for English language representation in the province. It will be comprised of politicians, business and community leaders who believe in the vital role of local journalism. The role of the Council will be to offer advice, support and strategies to help drive revenue and will play no role in editorial direction or content.

Were very appreciative of how Montrealers have rallied around the Gazette and look forward to measuring the impact the Council has on the Gazettes future, said Mr. MacLeod.

About Postmedia Network Inc.

Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), is a Canadian newsmedia company representing more than 130 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences Our expertise in home delivery and expanding distribution network powers Postmedia Parcel Services. For more information, visit: www.postmedia.com, www.postmediasolutions.com, and www.postmediaparcelservices.com.

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For more information:

Postmedia

Phyllise Gelfand

Vice President, Communications

(647) 273-9287

[email protected]

Source: Postmedia Network Inc.
MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global miner Rio Tinto and Japanese trader and business conglomerate Marubeni Corporation have agreed a first sale under a new strategic Collaboration Agreement to secure a sustainable and reliable supply of Rio Tintos Responsible Aluminium products to Japanese downstream manufacturers.

The first sale is a batch of Rio Tintos RenewAlTM high purity aluminium, from the renewably powered New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), to a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer committed to reducing carbon emissions throughout its supply chains and manufacturing process.

The agreement, the first of its kind in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, is focused on providing downstream industry with a simple, integrated way to achieve ESG-related goals and requirements, such as reducing carbon footprints, disclosing lifecycle assessment (LCA), and sourcing responsibly. It will also provide strong long-term security of supply at a time of growing supply-chain risks.

It combines Rio Tintos suite of Responsible Aluminium products - which include RenewAlTM, the industrys first certified low carbon aluminium, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified aluminium, and the digital traceability platform START - with Marubenis extensive trading network, commercial capability and carbon credit mechanism, Neutr-AlTM, which will be offered as part of the collaboration.

Tolga Egrilmezer, Rio Tinto Head of Sales & Marketing, said We are excited to be a part of the first producer-trading house marketing partnership focused on delivering sustainability throughout the aluminium supply chain.

Consumers want to know more about the products they buy and be assured that they have been produced responsibly and sustainably. By working with partners like Marubeni, we can help our downstream customers in the aluminium value chain meet this growing consumer demand, while at the same time advancing our commitment to decarbonise our product value chains.

Marubeni Chief Operating Officer, Metals & Mineral Resources Division Daisuke Tsuchiya said Marubeni's Mid-Term Management Strategy GC 2024 positions green strategy as a fundamental platform to enhance corporate value. Aluminium-related business is an area of focus within this green strategy to enable a transition to a decarbonised society. Through this collaboration, Marubeni will contribute to creating a decarbonised society by supplying responsible aluminium, produced by Rio Tinto, to various customers through Marubenis interface, which has been built up over through the company's many years of aluminium trading.

Notes to editors

Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is an industry leader in the supply of responsibly produced materials, including in responsible aluminium production.

In 2016, Rio Tinto launched RenewAlTM, the worlds first certified low CO2 primary aluminium brand. It has helped to pioneer responsible production standards for the global industry as a founding member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), becoming the first producer to offer ASI Aluminium in 2018. Learn more at www.aluminium-stewardship.org.

In 2021, Rio Tinto launched START, a new standard in transparency, traceability and provenance. Using secure blockchain technology, START provides key environmental, social and governance (ESG) information about how Rio Tinto products were made. It covers fourteen criteria: global warming potential, water management, waste management, energy sources, air emissions, biodiversity, land management, recycled content, safety performance, community investment, third-party assessments, ethics & compliance training, diversity in leadership and our whistleblower programme. Through START, Rio Tinto empowers its customers and their customers, to make a more sustainable choice.

Marubeni

Marubeni Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to import and export (including third country trading), as well as conduct domestic business, across wide-ranging fields. These include metals & mineral resources (including in aluminium), lifestyle, ICT business & logistics, food, agri business, forest products, chemicals, energy, power, infrastructure project, aerospace & ship, finance, leasing & real estate business, construction, industrial machinery & mobility, next generation business development and next generation corporate development. Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services, makes internal and external investments, and is involved in resource development throughout all of the above industries.

Neutr-AlTM is a carbon credit mechanism Marubeni offers to customers where it is applicable. It helps offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the aluminium supply chain including transportation activities. Such carbon credits are created by GHG reduction and/or absorption activities in Japan and abroad.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005410/en/

Please direct all enquiries to [email protected]

Media Relations, UK

Matthew Klar

M+ 44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Investor Relations, UK

Menno Sanderse

M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever

M +44 7788 967 877

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc

6 St Jamess Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category - General

Source: Rio Tinto
NEWCASTLE & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TechnipFMC (NYSE: FTI) has been awarded a significant(1) contract for the subsea production system for Equinors Verdande project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The contract  awarded under TechnipFMCs framework agreement with Equinor  covers the complete subsea production system including subsea trees and structures, control systems, connections, tooling, and installation support.

Jonathan Landes, President, Subsea at TechnipFMC, commented: This latest contract highlights the close relationship we have with Equinor under the framework agreement. We are delighted that Equinor is once again placing trust in our technology.

(1) For TechnipFMC, a significant contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Important Information for Investors and Securityholders

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in 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. The words expect, believe, estimated, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments  Subsea and Surface Technologies  we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

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Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer

James Davis

Senior Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis

Media relations

Nicola Cameron

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Tel: +44 1383 742297

Email: Nicola Cameron

Catie Tuley

Director, Public Relations

Tel: +1 713 876 7296

Email: Catie Tuley

Source: TechnipFMC plc
UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown landed nearly $30 million in state funding for a major expansion of surgical services, which will allow it to see more patients and pull in more business from surrounding competitors.

Cheektowaga-based behavioral health organization Endeavor Health Services, meanwhile, received about $6.7 million from the state to purchase land and construct an outpatient mental health and substance use treatment facility in Buffalo at a time when the need for those services is skyrocketing.

And Community Health Center of Buffalo got $3.1 million from the state, which will allow the federally qualified health center to construct a new location in Lackawanna to increase access to affordable primary care services.

These were the three largest health care grants in the Western New York region announced Wednesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul as part of the latest round in the statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program. In the state-defined five counties of Western New York, 12 projects were funded at a total amount of $49.6 million.

That was almost 8% of the $658 million in state funding that Hochul announced for 127 health care projects and initiatives across the state. To date, the state's Health Care Facility Transformation Program has awarded $1.68 billion across the state through its various rounds over the years.

And more is to come: The state said it will award another $1.15 billion through additional phases of the program and Hochul's budget plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year includes another $1 billion to establish another round of funding.

UPMC Chautauqua

UPMC Chautauqua received the fourth-largest grant in the latest round and plans to use it for a surgical services expansion that has been in the works for about two years.

Cecil Miller, the hospital's vice president of operations, said the multi-year project will entail six operating rooms, a new central sterile services area, 40 pre- and post-operative rooms, two gastrointestinal labs and two procedure rooms.

The project will be phased in a way that existing surgical services will not be interrupted during construction, he said.

"We're definitely seeing growth in our surgical areas, whether it's GI, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, really all areas," Miller said. "We're starting to care for patients in a larger geographic area than we've ever seen before."

Miller also expects the expansion will help the 277-bed hospital, which currently has about 800 employees, in its future recruitment of physicians.

Endeavor

Endeavor plans to use the state funding to acquire land and to build and equip a two-story, 15,000-square-foot building, probably in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.

Horizon Health, Endeavor Health announce affiliation. Could it lead to a merger? Horizon Health Services, headquartered in Amherst, and Cheektowaga-based Endeavor Health Services will be affiliates under the umbrella of the Horizon Health Alliance, a network created to bring together behavioral health organizations to meet the growing demand for mental health and substance use services.

The provider doesn't have an exact location for the expansion yet, but it has had a longtime presence in that neighborhood.

In addition to an outpatient mental health and substance use treatment clinic, Endeavor expects the building will have personalized recovery-oriented services, crisis stabilization, clubhouse, psychosocial rehabilitation and walk-in services.

The provider expects the building could handle about 42,000 visits a year. It would serve roughly 3,000 adult clients annually, 90% of which would be on Medicaid or uninsured.

"We are thrilled to receive this award that will allow us to continue to serve, improve and expand access to essential, high-quality mental health and substance use treatment among East Buffalo's low-income communities," Endeavor CEO Elizabeth L. Mauro said in a statement.

Community Health Center of Buffalo

The state funding also will help Community Health Center of Buffalo expand.

Abdirahman Farah, the organization's practice manager, said Community Health Center of Buffalo is planning a 7,645-square-foot, single-story health center in Lackawanna. He said the organization is currently talking with the city to find a location.

"It's really an underserved community," Farah said of Lackawanna.

Some health care providers have pulled back in the city. Catholic Health, for one, about a year ago closed a longtime primary care center at 227 Ridge Road in Lackawanna and consolidated that location's services and staff into the Mercy Comprehensive Care Center at 397 Louisiana St. in Buffalo.

Farah said the planned Lackawanna location will have services that include primary care, pediatric, dental, behavioral health, social work, lab services, physical therapy and care management.

It will be Community Health Center of Buffalo's sixth location in Western New York.

Other WNY projects receiving funding

Cuba Memorial Hospital in Allegany County: About $2.25 million to upgrade the hospital by replacing the generator and renovating its skilled nursing units to bolster safety.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital: $2.1 million to do a build-out on the third floor of its health center to add pediatric and orthopedic care services.

Kaleida Health received two grants: About $1.15 million to establish and modernize perinatal telehealth services at Oishei Children's Hospital, and another $1.11 million to renovate and repurpose existing space to increase ventilator-assisted beds for adult and pediatric populations.

The Monsignor Carr Institute: $1.6 million for capital improvements to facilities and expansion of services by renovating existing space.

The Chautauqua Center: $1.25 million to purchase three primary care practices in Dunkirk, Gowanda and Forestville.

Envision Wellness/Northwest Community Mental Health Center received two grants: $142,548 for roof repairs and for telehealth services and $95,000 to retire debt and better position the organization for long-term stability.

Beechwood Homes: $129,145 to upgrade health information technology systems to support telehealth and electronic medical records to enhance care coordination and increase access to specialists.
Accolade Recognizes Parks Influential Privacy Research for Policy Decision-Making

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Western State College of Law at Westcliff Universitys Associate Professor Eunice Park was named a Privacy Papers for Policymakers (PPPM) award-winner by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)  a global non-profit focused on data protection headquartered in Washington, D.C. Her paper, Reproductive Health Care Data Free or For Sale: Post-Roe Surveillance and the Three Corners of Privacy Legislation Needed was showcased today at the 13th Annual Privacy Papers for Policymakers event on Capitol Hill.

It is my hope that the work I created will influence relevant policymakers to institute the proper federal protections for digital health care data, said Park. Our current laws simply dont do enough to protect privacy. We need to do more to preserve constitutional protections and prohibit predatory data-buying practices.

Her paper, which will publish in 2023 in the N.Y.U. Review of Law & Social Change, focuses on the unique vulnerability of women who by using digital devices to search, text or travel for their reproductive care, leave a digital trail that is subject to mining by law enforcement and opens them to potential prosecution. The in-depth research and analysis explores myriad topics including the disconnect between legal protection and digital reality, the historic foundations of the expectation of privacy and how law enforcement can obtain data regarding reproductive choice without a warrant. It then presents a proposal for federal legislation to provide privacy safeguards not just for general digital data but for health care data specifically relating to reproductive choice.

Were incredibly proud to have gifted and passionate professors like Eunice Park as a part of our faculty, said Allen Easley, dean of Western State. The majority of our students come to us because they want to make a change in the world through law, and this PPPM award-winner distinction underscores the valuable contributions she is making to the broader community.

Park has been a tenured-track faculty member teaching Torts I and II at Western State since 2021. Her doctrinal scholarship addresses the tension between technology and privacy, and she has several published pieces on this topic.

Academic scholarship can serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, said Jules Polonetsky, FPFs CEO. Now more than ever, topics such as discriminatory exclusion, punitive surveillance, algorithmic fairness, cross-border data flows, reproductive health and the enforcement of data protection rules are at the forefront of the privacy debate. These papers are must-reads for legislators and data protection regulators grappling with data protection issues and enforcement.

The PPPM Awards recognize leading privacy scholarship that is relevant to policymakers in the U.S. Congress, at federal agencies and for international data protection authorities. Six winning papers, one honorable mention, a student submission and a student honorable mention were selected by a diverse group of leading academics, advocates and industry privacy professionals from FPFs Advisory Board. PPPM acknowledges researchers like Park for the strength of their work and provides institutions a platform to share their critical privacy research and proposed policy solutions with policymakers and regulators in the U.S. and abroad.

About Western State College of Law

Western State College of Law at Westcliff University is an established institution with a more than 50-year track record of success and a reputation for producing both successful trial lawyers and more than 150 graduates who have been elevated to the bench. It offers subspecialties within the J.D. program to allow every student to find their niche and develop a unique skillset. Western State was acquired in 2019 by Westcliff University, a private university in Irvine, California offering bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. Since the acquisition, Western State has benefited from Westcliffs ability to swiftly respond to market needs by developing innovative specialty programs in real-time. Together, the schools are now fully integrated and committed to providing advanced higher education opportunities to students both globally and nationally. Visit www.wsulaw.edu to learn more or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a global non-profit organization that brings together academics, civil society, government officials and industry to evaluate the societal, policy and legal implications of data use, identify the risks and develop appropriate protections.

FPF believes technology and data can benefit society and improve lives if the right laws, policies and rules are in place. FPF has offices in Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore and Tel Aviv.

Follow FPF on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Leslie Licano, Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc.

[email protected] | (949) 733-8679 ext. 101

Source: Westcliff University
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate at sunset in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Laila Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices settled slightly lower on Thursday after trading in a narrow range as the market weighed mixed U.S. economic signals and prospects for a Chinese demand recovery with a build in U.S. crude stockpiles.

Brent crude futures settled at $85.14 a barrel, losing 24 cents. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) settled at $78.49 a barrel, shedding 10 cents.

While U.S. data suggested the U.S. jobs market remained robust, a gauge of manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly plunged.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said the central bank could become more aggressive with rate rises if inflation surprises to the upside. The latest reading on inflation showed prices remaining stubbornly high. But Mester does not expect the U.S. to fall into recession.

The dollar briefly climbed to a six-week peak against a basket of currencies after the U.S. data, weighing on oil, as a strong dollar makes the greenback-denominated commodity more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"Brent failed again to move above the 100-day moving average this week," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

The Brent benchmark has been swinging within an $80-$90 a barrel range for the past six weeks, while WTI has ranged between $72 and $83 since December.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday reported U.S. crude oil stockpiles last week rose to their highest level since June 2021 after a larger-than-expected build. [EIA/S]

"Oil prices are very choppy at the moment, with traders having a lot to take in," OANDA analyst Craig Erlam said in a note, pointing to Russia's 500,000 barrel-per-day cut to oil production in March, a strong Chinese economic recovery and an uncertain global economic outlook.

The prospect of a Chinese demand recovery has contributed to bullish sentiment.

China will account for almost half of global oil demand growth this year after relaxing its COVID-19 curbs, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday.

The Paris-based watchdog echoed similar views from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which this week raised its 2023 global oil demand growth forecast on Chinese demand growth.

On the supply side, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said the current OPEC+ deal to cut oil production targets by 2 million barrels per day (bpd) would be locked in until the end of the year, adding he remained cautious on Chinese demand.

A plan by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to release more oil from the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve would also "most likely limit any rallies that develop in coming weeks," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

(Additional reporting by Rowena Edwards in London, Mohi Narayan in New Delhi; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Bernadette Baum and David Gregorio)
Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EPRT) announced today that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 7,000,000 shares of its common stock on a forward basis in connection with the forward sale agreements described below.

BofA Securities, Citigroup and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering.

In connection with the offering of the common stock, the Company expects to enter into forward sale agreements with BofA Securities, Citigroup and Wells Fargo Securities (or affiliates thereof) (which the Company refers to as the forward purchasers), with respect to 7,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock.

The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option, exercisable in whole or in part from time to time, to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000 shares of the Companys common stock. If the option to purchase additional shares of the Companys common stock is exercised, the Company expects to enter into one or more additional forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers in respect of the number of shares of the Companys common stock that are subject to exercise of the option to purchase additional shares.

In connection with the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers (or their affiliates) are expected to borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock (or an aggregate of 8,050,000 shares of the Companys common stock if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). However, a forward purchaser (or its affiliate) is not required to borrow such shares if, after using commercially reasonable efforts, such forward purchaser is unable to borrow such shares, or if borrowing costs exceed a specified threshold or if certain specified conditions have not been satisfied. If a forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell all of the shares of the Companys common stock to be sold by it to the underwriters, the Company will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of its common stock equal to the number of shares that such forward purchaser (or its affiliate) did not sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement or such additional forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that the Company issues and sells.

Pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements, and subject to its right to elect cash or net share settlement, the Company intends to issue and sell, upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements up to an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of common stock (or an aggregate of up to 8,050,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) to the forward purchasers. The Company expects to physically settle the forward sale agreements and any additional forward sale agreements within approximately 12 months from the date of the prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock by the forward purchasers. The Company intends to contribute any net proceeds from the offering upon the settlement of the forward sale agreement to the Companys operating partnership in exchange for OP Units, and the operating partnership intends to use such net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including potential future investments.

All of the shares of common stock will be offered pursuant to the Companys effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. When available, a copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from BofA Securities, Inc., NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department, Email: [email protected]; Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.: c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146) or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 30 Hudson Yards, 500 West 33rd Street - 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001, by telephone at 1-800-645-3751 or by email at [email protected], or by visiting the EDGAR database on the SECs web site at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. When used in this press release, the words expect and will, or the negative of these words, or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events and that do not relate solely to historical matters, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions regarding strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise. The Company does not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. While forward-looking statements reflect the Companys good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur as described, or at all.

Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Companys SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of each filing may be obtained from the Company or the SEC. Such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as reflections of the Companys current plans and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in this press release.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. is an internally managed REIT that acquires, owns and manages primarily single-tenant properties that are net leased on a long-term basis to companies operating service-oriented or experience-based businesses. As of December 31, 2022, the Companys portfolio consisted of 1,653 freestanding net lease properties with a weighted average remaining lease term of 13.9 years and a weighted average rent coverage ratio of 4.0x. As of the same date, the Companys portfolio was 99.9% leased to 350 tenants operating 538 different brands, or concepts, in 16 industries across 48 states.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005839/en/

Investor/Media:



Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.



Daniel Donlan



Senior Vice President, Capital Markets



609-436-0619



[email protected]

Source: Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A person walks past a Bank of America sign in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 19, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

(Reuters) -Bank of America is planning to cut jobs in its investment bank, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, which would add the lender to a growing list of Wall Street firms to that have reduced their workforce in recent months.

The number of cuts, which are still being discussed, could affect less than 200 bankers globally, the report added citing people familiar with the matter.

BofA declined to comment on the report.

Dealmakers on Wall Street, following record activity in 2021, saw M&A volumes and stock market floatations tumble last year amid volatility in the capital markets, geopolitical tensions and risk-off sentiment.

Global banks including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are in the process of cutting thousands of jobs as profits at lucrative investment banking units come under pressure, according to a Reuters tally.

Several other financial firms have also slashed jobs in recent months, including major asset managers and fintechs, amid a turbulent macroeconomic environment that has pressured consumers and soured demand in several mainstay business units.

(Reporting by Manya Saini and Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Shopify is seen outside its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo

By Nivedita Balu

(Reuters) - Shares of Shopify Inc slid 16% on Thursday after the Canadian tech giant's weak forecast for first-quarter revenue and higher cost projections amplified investor concerns over aggressive investments in an economy facing slowing growth.

Pandemic-related disruptions propelled the company to briefly become Canada's most valuable firm before online demand eased as economies reopened and forced it to launch new products, boost investments and focus on social media integration.

Such investments and Wednesday's warning on macro-challenges have spooked investors concerned about profitability.

Oppenheimer analyst Ken Wong said he was worried about Shopify's "noncommittal spend" and an operating loss projection of about $85 million that could dampen investors' expectations for profitable growth this year.

"Our outlook reflects the prudence that we think is necessary in this macro environment," company president Harley Finkelstein said in an interview on Thursday.

"It is important right now in this particular macro that you grow the business but you also continue to let revenue fall to the bottom line," he said.

Still, a dozen analysts raised their price targets by as much as $20, betting on growth prospects as the company attracts big clients ready to pay premium price for its services, such as providing tools to set up a website, social media integration and fulfillment.

"While Q1 guidance below consensus is negative, Shopify's execution increases our confidence in the company's ability to navigate through most macro scenarios," RBC analyst Paul Treiber said, maintaining an "outperform" rating and raising his price target to $65 from $55.

"The lack of annual guidance suggests limited near-term visibility to the sustainability of consumer spending," he said.

Some analysts also flagged Shopify's significant exposure to categories such as apparel, which could take a hit from softening consumer spending.

(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
FILE PHOTO: Tesla Inc. Gigafactory 2, which is also known as RiverBend, is pictured in Buffalo, New York, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario

(Reuters) -Tesla Inc said on Wednesday it laid off 4% of the employees in the Autopilot labeling team in Buffalo as part of a performance review cycle conducted every six months.

The automaker responded to a union complaint filed with a government agency alleging that the company laid off dozens of employees from its Autopilot department at its Buffalo plant in New York, a day after workers launched a campaign to form a union.

The company said the impacted employees were identified on Feb. 3, which was before the union campaign was announced. "We became aware of organizing activities approximately 10 days later," the company said, adding that the layoffs predated any union campaign.

Earlier this week, Tesla workers in New York said they will unionize with Workers United Upstate New York, which would help give them a voice at their workplace.

The Workers United Upstate New York union in a filing with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) earlier on Wednesday accused the world's most valuable automaker of hitting back by terminating some of the employees "in retaliation for union activity".

The company fired more than 30 employees, the union said in the statement, adding that the workers also received an email with an updated policy, which prohibits them from recording workplace meetings without all participants' permission.

"This policy violates federal labor law and also flouts New York's one-party consent law to record conversations."

Over the last six months, the company said the department's employee base has grown 54% to 675 employees as of the beginning of this week, from 437 earlier.

The employees had asked the electric carmaker to respect their right to organize a union and called on the company to sign the Fair Election Principles, which would prevent Tesla from threatening or retaliating against the workers.

Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has in the past been vocal about his opposition to unions and said in a 2018 tweet that employees would lose their stock options if they formed a union, prompting the NLRB to ask him to delete the tweet.

(Reporting by Samrhitha Arunasalam, Akash Sriram, and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Rashmi Aich)
FILE PHOTO: YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki attends a conference at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in Cannes, France, June 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

(Reuters) -YouTube Chief Executive and one of the first Google employees, Susan Wojcicki, is stepping down from her role at the tech giant that started in her garage nearly 25 years ago, she said in a personal update on the video-sharing platform on Thursday.

Wojcicki, 54, will be replaced by her deputy Neal Mohan, a senior advertising and product executive who joined Google in 2008.

The change of guard comes as YouTube's advertising revenue fell for the second straight quarter amid intense competition for viewing time with short-form video services such as TikTok and Facebook's Reels, and streaming services like Netflix.

Mohan, a Stanford graduate, was appointed chief product officer at YouTube in 2015. He focused on building YouTube Shorts, Music and subscription offerings in the role.

He previously spent nearly six years at DoubleClick, a company Google acquired in 2008, and later served for about eight years as senior vice president of display and video advertising at Google.

One of the most prominent women in tech, Wojcicki said she will focus on "family, health, and personal projects", and plans to take on an advisory role at Alphabet.

She was previously senior vice president for ad products at Google and became the CEO of YouTube in 2014.

"It strikes me as a forced exit caused by YouTube's under-performance in recent quarters... What's less clear is whether Mohan, who's had a relatively low profile to date, has the leadership qualities to get YouTube back on track," said Paul Verna, analyst at Insider Intelligence.

Alphabet shares were barely changed for the day, down less than 1% after the news.

(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Arun Koyyur)
SILICON VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meriwest Credit Union, based in San Jose, California, has launched a new online and mobile banking platform, with the focus on providing its members with a simpler, safer, and more sophisticated digital banking experience. The new upgraded platform is a key component of the credit union's digital strategy and boasts a modern design while delivering a more intuitive and streamlined user experience. With more diverse and personalized features, Meriwest CU members will now have more control over their financial lives.

To create their new digital experience, Meriwest Credit Union partnered with NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), a global enterprise technology provider, to bridge digital and physical operations and develop a state-of-the-art banking system. With this new platform, members can now easily expand their relationships with Meriwest through new financial solutions and offers within digital banking.

The new upgraded digital banking experience now offers:

A fresh, personalized banking experience integrated across all platforms

Quicker access to key features

Improved person-to-person (P2P) payments

Cash-back rewards

Credit score access with management tools

Secure, intelligent chatbot

A new mobile app offering receipt management, remote deposit, and more

The board of directors and executive management at Meriwest strongly believe that accessing financial information and transacting the movement of money should be built around the concept of simplicity, which includes delivering seamless, intuitive digital experiences that match or even exceed what members receive from major retailers and tech companies, said Julie Kirsch, President, and CEO at Meriwest Credit Union. NCR has the open architecture and flexibility we need to continuously innovate, backed by top security standards to keep our members data protected. We are confident that NCRs advanced technology will support and accelerate our growth.

Douglas Brown, President, and General Manager of Digital Banking for NCR Corporation, remarked, Digital engagement has become a strategic priority for institutions to increase market share and build strong, lasting member relationships. NCR is committed to delivering the software and services necessary for leading financial institutions like Meriwest Credit Union to effectively grow and compete.

About Meriwest Credit Union

Founded in San Jose, California on May 5, 1961, Meriwest Credit Union, one of Silicon Valleys largest and most established financial institutions, provides proactive, personal, convenient, and innovative financial services to over 80,000 families and businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Pima County, Arizona. Meriwest is one of the top-200 largest credit unions in the United States with assets in excess of $2 billion, and offers a wide array of personal banking, business banking, and wealth advisory products and services to members. The credit union was voted Best Credit Union in Silicon Valley in this years Mercury News 21st Annual Readers Choice Awards and a Best Place to Work by the Silicon Valley Business Journal 2020 through 2022. More information can be found at www.meriwest.com.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leading enterprise technology provider that runs stores, restaurants, and self-directed banking. NCR is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with 38,000 employees globally. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Contact:Helen Grays-JonesMeriwest Credit UnionCommunity Relations ManagerDirect Line: 408-365-6328[email protected]

Source: Meriwest Credit Union
Mississauga, Ont., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) would like to announce and congratulate Mario Villeneuve on his election as President of the Association. Mario was elected at ORBAs 96th Annual Convention and AGM. A strong leader within Villeneuve Construction and at ORBA, Mario delivered his inaugural address on February 7 and spoke of the promising opportunities ahead for the industry in light of the Ford Governments unprecedented transportation infrastructure capital program. The new Presidents priorities include furthering ORBAs work to develop a sustainable and inclusive road building workforce, more transparent and effective highway maintenance contracts, more environmentally sustainable industry practices, the need for a road to the Ring of Fire and further improvements to Highways 11 and 17.

Now is the time to work together as an Association and seize the opportunities facing us and the challenges that confront us, said Mario Villeneuve, President of ORBA. Make no mistake that I am committed to ensuring that ORBA and OAPC become the leading voice of the road building industry in every corner of this province.

ORBA wishes to extend special thanks to the outgoing President, Kevin Machej of Dufferin Construction Company for his exemplary leadership over the past year. Kevins efforts strengthened the Association and have positioned ORBA well to advocate on behalf of the industry during the busy period ahead.

ORBA would also like to announce and congratulate Peter Hamstra of Dufferin Construction Company on his election as the 2023 Chair of the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council (OAPC), a Council of ORBA. During his inaugural remarks at the ORBA Convention and AGM, Peter reaffirmed OAPCs commitment to ensuring excellence in quality asphalt products and paving techniques, promoting environmental responsibility, continued adherence to industry codes and standards and advocating for the rights and interests of the industry.

ORBA and OAPC extends special thanks to the outgoing Chair, Dominic Crupi of the Crupi Group. Under Dominics committed and insightful leadership over the past year, OAPC is well-positioned for future successes.

ORBA Congratulates Award Winners

ORBA Hall of Fame

ORBA congratulates Ted Arscott on receiving ORBAs highest honour as the 2022 ORBA Hall of Fame inductee. Co-founder of Roto-Mill Inc. in 1979, Ted joined the ORBA Board in 2003 and stayed on as an active director until 2020. Ted immersed himself in the development and support of the Association during his time on the Board and ORBA members and the industry have benefited greatly from his commitment and generosity.

Ministry of Transportation Awards

Congratulations to Dufferin Construction Company for winning the 2022 Asphalt Paver of the Year Award for work conducted on Contract 2022-2014 (Highway 403 from Wilson St. to west of Jerseyville Rd. in Hamilton).

Dufferin Construction Company was also named the winner of the Concrete Contract of the Year Award for Contract 2019-3015 (QEW from Fairview St. to Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington).

ORBA Awards

Kiewit-Dufferin received this years ORBA Transportation Infrastructure Innovation Award for their Rapid Bridge Reconstruction (RBR) at the north side of Highway 417 in Ottawa. The chosen method allowed the project team to successfully complete the project in record time, causing minimal impact on traffic and the public.

Peter Kiewit Sons ULC received this years ORBA Community Leadership Award for their various community involvement activities during the construction of the Kingston Third Crossing which amounted to over $10,000 in charitable donations given and over 80 service hours offered by team members.

Amico Infrastructures Inc. received the Routly Safety Milestone Award for companies that have reached the 500,000 to 1,000,000 person-hour plateaus without a lost-time injury for 3 consecutive years. Amico Infrastructures Inc. achieved 2,273,852 person-hours without a lost-time injury.

Beamish Construction Inc. received the Routly Safety Award, Category 2 for the greatest number of person-hours without a lost-time injury for 3 consecutive years in the more-than 100,000 person-hours category. Beamish Construction Inc. achieved 275,041 person-hours without a lost-time injury.

Fuhrscher Installations Inc. received the Routly Safety Award, Category 1 for the greatest number of consecutive person-hours without a lost-time injury for 3 consecutive years in the fewer than 100,000 person-hours category. Fuhrscher Installations Inc. achieved 24,876 person-hours without a lost-time injury.

OAPC Awards

Sina Varamini of Engtec Consulting Inc. received the OAPC Earl Kee Volunteer of the Year Award. Sina has played an integral role on various OAPC committees and has been an instructor on Practical Solutions in Hot Mix Asphalt Technology for the past three years at the ORBA Academy. In December 2021 Sina was recognized as among the Top 10 Under 40 industry leaders in Rock-to-Road Magazine.

Brian Keveryga was posthumously awarded the OAPC Joe Bunting Mentorship Award, recognizing an OAPC member that takes the time to teach, inspire and encourage tomorrows industry leaders. Brian was renowned for sharing his knowledge, listening and supporting and promoting excellence to the many people who knew him within the industry.

ORBA Scholarship Recipients

ORBA was pleased to award three scholarships at its 96th Annual Convention. This years recipients are all inspiring women and we congratulate them on their achievements:

Imandra Mudalige of George Brown College received the Joe Bunting Scholarship ($3,000), awarded to a student entering their final year of a civil engineering technology program at an Ontario college.

Camille Baril of the University of Ottawa received the J.D. Chick Scholarship ($3,000), awarded to a student entering their final year of a civil engineering program at an Ontario University.

Nicole Simmons of Queens University received the ORBA Civil Engineering Scholarship ($2,000), awarded to a student entering their first year of a civil engineering program at an Ontario university.

Background on ORBA: The Ontario Road Builders Association is proud to represent the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure across the province. The road building sector directly and indirectly supports 56,000 workers and generates over $5.5 billion in annual GDP.

Andrew Hurd Ontario Road Builders' Association 416-804-7391 [email protected]

Source: Ontario Road Builders' Association
PERTH, Australia, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to leading labour hire company, Techforce, WA based mines are so desperate for staff, they are now offering incredible benefits to entice workers including salaries of up to $300,000 AUD per year and the option to fly in and fly out (FIFO) for 6 months of the year. With a wide range of roles available including trades such as rigger jobs as well as engineers, project managers, cleaners, HR and chef jobs, Techforce encourages both skilled and unskilled workers to apply.

Techforce says the incentives are amazing, especially with some roles being offered at well above the average Australian salary, which is $52,338 according to the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). By comparison, the ABS data also revealed that the mining industry's average full time earnings are around $140,000 per year.

Despite the high salaries on offer, Techforce says the mining industry is still struggling to fill vacancies with a major skills and worker shortage threatening the future of some projects.

With workers expected to work long hours as well as live in isolated locations while they work, Techforce says a career in mining isn't for everyone. The responsibilities of a mining job vary between sites and programs, however Techforce says there is often potential to gain employment with no prior work experience in the industry, provided candidates have the right qualifications or transferable skills. For example, candidates interested in mining chef jobs need not have worked on a mining site before but will need to be equipped with plenty of experience working in a fast paced and demanding commercial chef role.

For job seekers looking for a fulfilling and well paying job, the mining industry could be perfect. Techforce points out that along with the financial security a mining job can provide, workers in the industry are also contributing to the growth and prosperity of WA and are directly stimulating Australia's economic growth.

To view the current mining industry vacancies including the best paying FIFO chef jobs Perth wide, visit Techforce online.

Contact Information: Techforce Personnel Marketing Manager [email protected] (08) 6363 7040

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Source: Techforce
Hong Kong: Alice Mak starts Singapore visit

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak arrived in Singapore this afternoon to start her visit.

Calling on the Peoples Association, Miss Mak and the associations Chief Executive Director Jimmy Toh exchanged views on matters including the development of community networks, enhancement of social cohesion and provision of local services.

She was briefed by the association on Singapores experience in connecting with the community through platforms such as community development councils and community clubs, while the she also shared Hong Kongs works on district governance with the association.

Meanwhile, YDC youth ambassadors who joined the trip visited Lau Pa Sat and the Helix Bridge today to learn about local historical architectural features. This is the first international youth exchange programme organised by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau after the gradual resumption of overseas travel with quarantine exemption.

This story has been published on: 2023-02-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Tesla Workers United claims Tesla Inc. fired more than 30 employees at its South Buffalo plant on Wednesday  and still others on Thursday  in a move the union contends was in retaliation for the launch of an organizing campaign on Tuesday.

"These firings are unacceptable," Tesla Workers United said in a statement. "The expectations required of us are unfair, unattainable, ambiguous and ever changing."

Tesla Workers United said there had been additional firings on Thursday, but was still trying to determine the number.

In comments distributed by Tesla Workers United, Arian Berek, a member of the organizing committee, said he felt "blindsided" by the firing on Wednesday. Berek had contracted Covid-19, and was out of the office, and then had to take bereavement leave.

"I returned to work, was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along," Berek said. "I strongly feel this is in retaliation to the committee announcement, and its shameful.

Rochester-based Workers United is seeking an injunction against the firings. Its "charge against employer" filing with the National Labor Relations Board accuses Tesla of firing the workers "in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity."

Tesla Workers United said employees also received an email on Wednesday night detailing a new policy prohibiting them from recording workplace meetings without all participants' permission.

"This policy violates federal labor law and also flouts New Yorks one-party consent law to record conversations," Tesla Workers United said.

Were angry," said Sara Costantino, a current Tesla worker and a member of the organizing committee. "This wont slow us down. This wont stop us. They want us to be scared, but I think they just started a stampede. We can do this. But I believe we will do this."

Under federal labor law, it is illegal for an employer to fire workers because of their union activity. But it would have to be proven that was the reason the Tesla workers were fired.

Tesla, which has eliminated its media relations department, could not be reached to comment on why it fired the workers. But Tesla Workers United is claiming the firings are retaliation, coming just one day after the organizing campaign went public.

Tesla claimed that these were based on performance reviews, but the terminations came almost a month earlier than they were expected and workers have never seen a mass firings like this, Tesla Workers United said.

In situations such as this, the NLRB will investigate and determine whether there is enough to evidence to bring a case against the employer, said Cathy Creighton, director of Cornell University's School of Industrial Labor Relations Buffalo Co-Lab.

The NLRB can also decide whether to seek the injunction from a federal judge that the union wants, to try to get the fired workers reinstated more quickly.

Where an employer is trying to nip an organizing drive in the bud, that is something that the NLRB will take more seriously, Creighton said. If the board feels that that was because of union activity, that is the perfect case for an injunction. Because otherwise, it could be several years before the employees were reinstated, and by then the organizing campaign will be done.

Peter DeJesus Jr., president of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, called the firings "retaliation, intimidation and an attack on all workers.

Every worker, in every corner of this country, in every industry, has the right to choose to form a union, full stop. And billionaire CEOs who blatantly engage in illegal anti-union activities deserve the full wrath of the NLRB, Congress, the courts and the public," DeJesus said.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz called for Tesla to reinstate the workers.

"These terminations send the message that Tesla has no respect for labor or their workforce and, even worse, has no interest in providing a workplace in which employees feel valued and heard," he said. "Even more egregiously, these terminations occurred at a facility that received millions of dollars in assistance from New York, a facility supported by the state for the sole purpose of creating good paying jobs for Erie County residents."

If the effort to organize the RiverBend facility succeeds, it would become Teslas first unionized workplace.

Nick Piazza, who has worked in data annotation at the Tesla plant since November 2021, said this week that workers are concerned about issues including pay and job security. But they were also upset about the companys stance toward employees during the Christmas weekend blizzard. He said workers were told to use paid time off, sick time or vacation time when they were unable to come into the facility, and werent permitted to work from home.

Tesla, in a report filed with the state this month, said the Buffalo plant had 1,948 workers as of Jan. 23, with plans to add another 130 workers by the end of January. About 800 of the workers are in Tesla's Autopilot program. The organizing effort started there, but is also working to include the plant's production employees.

The Buffalo factory, part of the Buffalo Billion economic development plan, was built and partly equipped by the state using more than $950 million in taxpayer funds. That works out to about $468,000 in taxpayer subsidies per job.

The mix of jobs at the Buffalo plant is far different from what was originally envisioned as a facility that would focus on solar energy.

Tesla still does work on its solar roof at the South Buffalo facility, but the complex and costly product has been difficult to develop and install, keeping production rates low. Tesla executives have not discussed the solar roof or its production in any detail during quarterly conference calls with investors and analysts in more than a year.

To reach its job target, which calls for Tesla to employ a minimum of 1,460 workers in Buffalo, the company has been shifting other types of work to the local plant.

A big part of the plant's operations now includes hundreds of people who work on Tesla's autonomous driving programs for electric vehicles, collecting and analyzing data used to develop the company's Autopilot program.

The company is making electronic components for its electric vehicle Superchargers and inverters for some of its battery products in Buffalo.
Toronto, Onta, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Blockchain Capital Inc. (CSE: SPIR) (the Company), a Canadian company that offers shareholders diversified exposure to the Blockchain and Crypto Industry, is pleased to announce it has executed a share purchase agreement with Pixel.

This investment gives us a toehold in an exciting technology company with a proven management team, stated Lewis Bateman, Spirit Blockchains CEO, Pixel has been developing a next generation Stablecoin, with specific Capital Markets applications for some time now and expects to bring its offering to market in Q4 2023.

We are excited to welcome Spirit as a shareholder and strategic partner, said Matthew Durkin CEO and Founder of Pixel.

The market is demanding a structured and globally compliant Stablecoin, Mr. Bateman remarks, and we believe this product addresses a genuine need in the market at the present moment.

Corporate Updates

The Company announces that Lewis Bateman has joined the board of Spirit Blockchain Capital Inc. to replace Anthony Zelen. Mr. Bateman will also join as a director and Chairman of Spirit Blockchain AG, the Companys wholly owned subsidiary company based in Switzerland. In addition, Erich Perroulaz has been appointed interim CFO of the Company following the departure of Meetul Patel. The Company thanks both Mr. Zelen and Mr. Patel for their contributions and wishes them the best in their endeavors.

About Spirit Blockchain Capital Inc.Spirit is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol SPIR.CN

Spirit is a Canadian-Swiss group operating in the Blockchain and digital asset sectors with the primary goal of creating value in a rapidly growing environment through recurring cash flows and capital appreciation.

Spirit provides investors with direct exposure to the sector, without the technical complexity or constraints of purchasing and holding the underlying crypto assets. Spirits strategy is based upon managements conviction that the Blockchain and digital asset ecosystem will provide significant growth and outperform traditional asset classes over the medium to long-term.

The strategy of the Company is centered on four complementary economic units:

Royalties & Streams by lending capital to Blockchain ecosystem participants, where repayment of the notional and interest takes place in the form of crypto assets;

Advisory & Research Services;

Treasury management through investment in major crypto assets with cold storage in Switzerland; and

Providing IT Solutions to the sector in the areas of Compliance, AML, Forensics and Risk Reporting.

To learn more about Spirit, go to: www.spiritblockchain.com

Media Contact:Lewis Bateman, CEOEmail: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words expect, anticipate, continue, estimate, objective, may, will, project, should, believe, plans, intends and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, among other things: the share purchase agreement between the Company and Pixel; comments made by Pixel and the Company with respect to such investment and partnership. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Factors that could materially affect such forward-looking information are described under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys long form prospectus dated August 8, 2022, that is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release.

Source: Spirit Blockchain Capital Inc.
Industry Veterans Karen Cady and Russell McKay Appointed Group Co-Heads; Additional Hires Announced

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced the launch of an Agency Structured Products Group, which has the mandate to expand the firms footprint in agency commercial mortgage-backed securities (ACMBS) and further enhance its fixed income origination products and services.

Based in New York, the Agency Structured Products Group will be responsible for purchasing and securitizing Ginnie Mae (GNMA) project loans, as well as underwriting loans for government-sponsored enterprises and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To lead this new effort, Stifel announced the hiring of former Credit Suisse executives Karen Cady and Russell McKay as Co-Heads of the Agency Structured Products Group. Kavitha Vignarajah and Serif Ustun, also formerly of Credit Suisse, have joined the firm as Managing Director and Director, respectively.

Our launch of the Agency Structured Products Group is fueled by a desire to meet client needs and continue growing our fixed income product offering, said Eric Needleman, Global Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets at Stifel. This new team brings tremendous industry experience and deep CMBS product knowledge to our fixed income platform.

Karen Cady joins Stifel after 27 years at Credit Suisse, where she was a Director in the Securitized Products Trading Group. In that role, Cady was part of the Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Team, where she was responsible for underwriting and pricing loans and debentures and underwriting, securitizing, and trading the firms agency multifamily mortgage-backed securities. Cady began her career at DLJ Securities and Smith Barney.

Russell McKay joins Stifel from Credit Suisse, where he was Head of the Agency CMBS Trading and Syndicate Desk. At Credit Suisse, he was responsible for trading, structuring, and new-issue syndication of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac ACMBS, as well as SBA and Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) products. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, McKay was a trader on Brean Capitals ACMBS trading desk. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank for 10 years in multiple roles, including private-label and ACMBS trading.

Managing Director Kavitha Vignarajah brings to Stifel deep experience covering a variety of asset classes, including government-guaranteed and private-label CMBS, as well as U.S., UK, and European residential mortgages. Prior to joining Stifel, Vignarajah served as part of the Securitized Products Teams at Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and Bear Stearns.

Director Serif Ustun began his career in 2002 in the Fixed Income Research Department at Credit Suisse, where he served as an analyst in the Securitized Products Group covering private-label CMBS and collateralized debt obligation (CDO) securities, and then as lead research analyst covering ACMBS from 2011.

The launch of the Agency Structured Products Group is another example of our continued commitment to creating a best-in-class origination product offering for our core clients that also leverages the broader breadth of Stifels fixed income platform, noted Brant McDuffie, Deputy Co-Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets and Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets Rates, Sales, Trading, and Research at Stifel. We are thrilled to welcome the new team to Stifel.

Stifels Fixed Income Capital Markets Group offers a suite of products and services geared to help depositary institutions, funds, insurance companies, money managers, state and local governments, and other financial institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia generate revenue, preserve wealth, and ultimately grow their businesses. The groups broad distribution platform includes more than 270 sales professionals. In 2022, Stifel Fixed Income Research placed No. 5 in the Institutional Investors U.S. Global Fixed Income Research Team Survey.

Stifel Company InformationStifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifels broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. The Companys broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Companys website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

Media ContactNeil Shapiro, +1 (212) 271-3447[email protected]

Investor Relations ContactJoel Jeffrey, +1 (212) 271-3610[email protected]

Source: Stifel Financial Corporation
TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Home Realty Inc. is pleased to officially introduce its first-in-industry renovation loan program designed to help sellers receive the highest price when selling their property. The program offers sellers up to a $25,000 interest-free loan to use towards renovation upgrades to add value to their homes and make them more attractive to buyers.

According to The Canadian Home, in 2022, over 375,000 properties were listed with only 200,000 sold in Ontario. The Canadian Home identified many homes are not receiving a single offer due to the property being unkept, poorly presented and in need of upgrades.

Were excited to offer clients this first-of-its-kind program to assist them in selling their home for top dollar especially when they are not receiving suitable offers, says Manoj Karatha, Broker of Record at The Canadian Home Realty Inc. This program was designed to help sellers that want to make upgrades to their house but do not have the capital to do so. With the knowledge and expertise of our real estate professionals, sellers can make the necessary improvements to make the property more desirable to buyers and we have found that our clients are eager to take advantage of this program.

To take advantage of the renovation upgrade program, The Canadian Home Realty Inc. along with one of their partner renovation vendors conduct a thorough inspection of the sellers home to identify areas that should be improved to increase the value of the property. The seller then approves the proposed renovation plan.

With the help of The Canadian Home Realty Incs renovation loan program, we received $195,100 over the initial listed price," said sellers Jelin and Priya, clients of The Canadian Home Realty Inc. The entire process was seamless with the upgrades completed on our home within 15 days without any expenses for us to worry about.

The Canadian Home Realty Inc. empowers their clients with tools to navigate todays real estate market, such as their latest trending real estate app. Learn more about The Canadian Home app here. Users can download The Canadian Home app for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

About The Canadian Home Realty Inc.Established in 2022, The Canadian Home Realty Inc. is a real estate brokerage located in Mississauga, Ontario specializing in helping its clients buy, sell or rent properties. At the forefront of technology, The Canadian Home Realty Inc. recently launched its revolutionary app to enhance the home buying and selling experience, provide MLS listings quickly, deliver accurate home estimations and provide an in-app chat to connect with family, friends and real estate experts as well as search for open houses. Canadians can buy, sell and rent the property of their choice with the smart and interactive platform powered by AI technology. For more information, visit thecanadianhome.com.

MEDIA CONTACTKrystal NovisPUNCH Canada647-881-9384[email protected]

Source: The Canadian Home Realty Inc.
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Congressman Michael McCaul is named Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, a key ally and Bangladeshi former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi has expressed pride and assurance in the congressman hailing from District 10 in Texas.

Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with United States Congressman Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

Rep. McCaul has always thrown his full weight behind support for democracy and security internationally and Im confident hell continue to serve as an impassioned ally of the Bangladeshi community, Saddi says of his associate, citing a consistent track record in supporting free democratic elections in the Indo-Pacific. Holding comprehensive experience as Chairman of the Congressional Homeland Security Committee as well, Rep. McCaul has made ardent calls to ensure free and fair elections in Bangladesh, taking steps to encourage immediate action on the part of the United States Congress.

Rep. McCaul has taken on the position of Chairman of the new Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee. Saddi previously threw his support behind the congressman, quoted, Im confident that Rep. McCaul will no doubt hold the interests of the Bangladeshi people at heart. Im excited to see the Foreign Affairs Committee take on a bold and unswerving stance on democracy under Rep. McCauls leadership.

Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with Chairman of the US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

A committed ally to the Bangladeshi community, Rep. McCaul has been outspoken regarding victims of genocide, such as the Rohingya genocide, commemorating the disaster in its three-year anniversary. The congressmans voting record has shown stellar support of the demographic, preserving and protecting the role of democracy in a working society, emphasizing equity and fairness, and affording grace to people of all backgrounds.

Also announced recently, House Representative Young Kim has been named Chair of the Congressional Subcommittee overseeing the Indo-Pacific in the 118th congress. Congratulated by Saddi, the Bangladeshi activist and former Foreign Advisor took to Twitter to praise the congresswoman on her new role in the US House. Kim has expressed strong support for the Bangladeshi community, emphasizing human rights, religious freedom, and democratic governance. Saddi is confident that Young Kim will bring greater sensibilities to the role, as her connection to the Indo-Pacific region bolsters a strong drive to bring positive change.

SOURCE: @ZahidFSarder on Twitter

A strong proponent and community leader within the Bangladeshi community, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is a strong advocate for Bangladeshi citizens worldwide, defending their interests in the House of Representatives and the Senate to support meaningful and effective legislation. As a Foreign Advisor to the former three-term Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Hon. Begum Khaleda Zia, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an expert in providing a unilateral and measured perspective of the politics and other distinguishing factors of the Indo-Pacific. Advocating for the rights of Bangladeshis everywhere, Saddi takes great pride in serving his community to ensure that his people are afforded human rights in the form of greater support for the people as well as the ability to vote in a democratic election.

About:

Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an influential civil society leader, humanitarian, and advocate for Bangladesh and its people. He helps Bangladeshi expatriates assimilate into life in the United States while also preserving their own values and traditions. Zahid F. Sarder Saddi works with several organizations and holds a special passion for helping the Bangladeshi community in the United States and around the world.

To learn more about Zahid F. Sarder Saddi, please visit www.ZahidFSarderSaddi.com or reach out to Zahid F. Sarder Saddi at [email protected]

Zahid F. Sarder Saddi [email protected]

Source: Zahid F. Sarder Saddi, Activist
CHICAGO - (NewMediaWire) - February 16, 2023 - Epazz Inc. (OTC: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, blockchain mobile apps and cloud-based business software solutions, has announced today that it was issued a utility patent on its AI predictive Smart Charging Pad.

The ZenaDrone Smart Charging Pad allows ZenaDrone 1000 to land on the charger for automatic charging. Unlike other drones, which required a user to manually remove the batteries for recharging, Epazzs Smart Charging Pad allows ZenaDrone to be used in remote areas and operate autonomously. The Smart Charging Pad has built-in computer vision to understand the environment around it and to select the best option for receiving energy. The Smart Charging Pad has options for solar panels or wind power. The self-charging feature is critical for a drone to be fully autonomous.

ZenaDrone 1000 is being marketed to governments, oil and gas companies and agricultural companies where the power grids are limited. The fact that the charging pad uses solar panels or wind power to recharge will allow governments and companies to use ZenaDrone 1000 in remote areas. This recharging capability opens opportunities for managing power lines and wildfires and even performing search and rescue. The patent covers Epazzs unique way to recharge the drone and its precise landing ability. The patent will officially be issued on March 7, 2023. Then the company will file for international patent protection.

This is the second patent that was issued to Epazz for ZenaDrone technology. The company has filed two other patents that are being reviewed.

CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., said, We are building a portfolio of Drone patents which not only protect our technology, but creates added value which may gain the interest of larger parties in the future.

ZenaDrone Inc. is a provider of a multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with machine-learning systems, multispectral sensors and AI technology. ZenaDrone uses the data captured from its cameras to create a 3D interactive environment.

The ZenaDrone 1000 has successfully garnered positive reviews in several industries, especially in the agricultural, oil and gas, wildfire and civil engineering industries. This year, ZenaDrone aims to enhance the AI capabilities of the ZenaDrone 1000 to include autonomous navigation of unmapped terrains, deep learning algorithms for various actions and dual-use features to accommodate commercial and military drone utilization.

The ZenaDrone team will use predictive AI analytics  or predictive modeling  a type of analysis that employs methods and resources to create predictive models and make forecasts of future outcomes based on acquired data. Techniques utilized in predictive analytics include machine learning algorithms, sophisticated mathematics, statistical modeling, descriptive analytics and data mining. Predictive analytics refers to a method rather than a specific technology.

Epazz Holdings will prioritize developing the ZenaDrone 1000 by upgrading its AI technology to boost its global reach across industries.



About ZenaDrone Inc. (https://www.zenadrone.com/)

ZenaDrone Inc. is dedicated to improving intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology that incorporates machine learning software and artificial intelligence (AI). It was created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector and later evolved into an intelligent multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc. (https://www.epazz.com/)

Epazz Inc. is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher-education institutions and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 is a complete web-based software package for small- to mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazzs other products are DeskFlex (room-scheduling software) and Provitrac (an applicant-tracking system).

SAFE HARBOR

This is the Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking statements such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe and continue (or the negatives thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating these forward-looking statements, and it has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its OTC markets filings, which contain general business information about the companys operations, results of operations and risks associated with the company and its operations.

Contact

Investor Relations

[email protected]

312-955-8161

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Delivra Health Brands Inc. (TSXV: DHB) (OTCQB: DHBUF) (formerly, Harvest One Cannabis Inc.) ("Delivra Health" or the "Company"), a consumer packaged goods leader uniquely positioned in the health and wellness sector, is pleased to announce it will report its quarterly financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. (EST) / 8:00 a.m. (PST) to discuss the interim financial results for the three and six months ending December 31, 2022. Gord Davey, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jack Tasse, Chief Financial Officer of the Company will be conducting a question-and-answer session following management's prepared remarks.

Participant Dial-In Numbers:

All interested parties can join the conference call by dialing: 1-800-319-4610 (Canada/USA Toll Free) or 1-604-638-5340 (International Toll). Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask to join the Delivra Health Brands call. A replay of the call will be available on the Company's investor page by the end of the business day on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

About Delivra Health Brands Inc.

Helping people take control of their health with alternative wellness solutions is what energizes the Delivra Health team! The Delivra Health portfolio features innovative brands like Dream Water" and LivRelief", which deliver relief from common everyday issues like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Delivra Health products have allowed millions of customers to reclaim their mobility, energy, and in turn, quality of life. The websites of the Company's two subsidiaries are /Dream Water" and /LivReliefTM. For more information, please visit /www.delivrahealthbrands.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the timing of reporting the Company's interim financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022 and the timing of the conference call.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Additional information regarding this and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 2, 2021, and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest interim and annual management's discussion and analyses, filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Investor Relations:

Jack Tasse

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

1-877-915-7934

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155151
All amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Measured and indicated resources are quoted inclusive of proven and probable reserves for all sites and projects.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE: IAG) (TSX: IMG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") announces its updated Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") statement as of December 31, 2022 prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101

("NI 43-101"). A complete MRMR table (Table 6) including a detailed by-asset breakdown can be found at the end of this news release, with a summary of year over year changes as follows:

TABLE 1: ATTRIBUTABLE MRMR COMPARISON SUMMARY

2021 2022 

Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t) Contained Ounces

(000s) Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t) Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces

(000s) % P&P reserves2 364,831 1.1 12,392 317,179 1.1 11,598 -793 -6% M&I resources1,3 646,522 1.1 22,103 667,674 1.1 24,137 +2,035 +9% Inferred resources3 310,533 1.1 11,085 297,494 1.0 9,393 -1,693 -15%

M&I Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. 2022 Mineral Reserves estimated as of December 31, 2022, using a gold price of $1,300 per ounce for Essakane, Rosebel, Saramacca, Westwood and Cote Gold; and a gold price of $1,200 per ounce for the Boto Gold Project; and $1,350 per ounce for the Grand Duc satellite pit at Westwood; and $1,500 per ounce for the Fayolle satellite pit at Westwood. Mineral Resources estimated as of December 31, 2022, using a gold price of $1,500 per ounce for the Essakane, Rosebel, Saramacca, Cote Gold Project, Boto Gold Project, Diakha-Siribaya Gold Project, Nelligan, Monster Lake, Pitangui Project, Gossey deposit, and the Grand Duc and Fayolle satellite pits at Westwood; and $1,500 per ounce using a 6.2g/t (Ordinary Kriging) and 7.4g/t (Multiple Indicator Kriging) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres for Westwood.

Mineral Reserves

TABLE 2: ATTRIBUTABLE RESERVES RECONCILIATION

Contained Ounces

(000s) %  Reserves (December 31, 2021) 12,392 - Revisions to economic parameters -343 -3% 2022 mine depletion -580 -5% Adjustments to ore stockpiles -59 0% Other adjustments (drilling, additions, etc.) +188 +2% Reserves (December 31, 2022)1 11,598 -6%

Figures may not add due to rounding.

Attributable proven and probable gold Mineral Reserves ("reserves") totaled 11.6 million ounces, a decrease of 0.8 million ounces or 6% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

The decrease was primarily related to mine depletion at all operations (580,000 ounces) reflecting the Company's attributable gold production of 713,000 ounces in 2022, and the revision of economic parameters applying higher mining costs across the operations;

Reserves grade of 1.1 grams per tonne gold ("g/t") remained unchanged on a consolidated basis;

There was no change in the reserve gold price assumption of $1,300 per ounce for Essakane, Rosebel and Saramacca;

Westwood and Cote Gold increased the reserve gold price assumption to $1,300 per ounce, up from $1,200 per ounce previously. The Grand Duc satellite pit at Westwood continued to use $1,350 per ounce, and the Fayolle satellite pit at Westwood used a reserve gold price of $1,500 per ounce.

For the Boto Gold project, the Company maintained its $1,200 per ounce gold price assumption for estimating mineral reserves.

TABLE 3: ATTRIBUTABLE RESERVES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 2,355 1,855 -500 -21% Westwood (100%) 659 616 -43 -7% Cote Gold (64.75%) 4,658 4,645 -13 -0% Rosebel (95%)2 2,466 2,322 -144 -6% Saramacca (66.5%)2 820 727 -93 -11% Boto Gold (90%)3 1,434 1,434 - - Reserves1 12,392 11,598 -793 -6%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Mineral Resources

TABLE 4: ATTRIBUTABLE M&I RESOURCES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 2,901 2,569 -332 -11% Westwood (100%) 1,639 2,353 +714 +44% Cote Gold (64.75%) 6,605 6,608 +4 +0% Gosselin (64.75%) 2,169 2,169 - - Nelligan (75%) -- 1,478 +1,478 NA Monster Lake (100%) -- -- - NA Pitangui (100%) 470 470 - - Gossey (90%) 262 262 - - Rosebel (95%)2 4,551 4,250 -301 -7% Saramacca (66.5%)2 1,008 956 -51 -5% Boto Gold (90%)3 1,830 1,830 - - Diakha-Siribaya (90%)3 669 1,193 +523 +78% M&I Resources1 22,103 24,137 +2,035 +9%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Attributable measured and indicated ("M&I") resources totaled 24.1 million ounces, an increase of 2.0 million ounces or 9% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

Mineral resources increase primarily as a result of the updated MRMR statement at Nelligan ( refer to Company press release dated January 12, 2023 ) and upgrading of resources at Westwood;

) and upgrading of resources at Westwood; There was no change in the gold price assumption for estimating mineral resources at Essakane, Rosebel, development, and exploration properties ($1,500 per ounce of gold). Mineral Resources for Westwood underground have been estimated using a 6.2g/t (OK) and 7.4g/t (MIK) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres, using a $1500/oz gold price.

TABLE 5: ATTRIBUTABLE INFERRED RESOURCES COMPARISON SUMMARY

Contained Ounces

(000s) Contained Ounces



2021 2022 (000s) % Essakane (90%) 335 97 -239 -71% Westwood (100%) 1,764 1,072 -692 -39% Cote Gold (64.75%) 2,473 2,469 -5 -0% Gosselin (64.75%) 1,107 1,107 - - Nelligan (75%) 2,396 2,429 +33 +1% Monster Lake (100%) 433 433 - - Pitangui (100%) 433 433 - - Gossey (90%) 77 77 - - Rosebel (95%)2 432 372 -60 -14% Saramacca (66.5%)2 155 107 -48 -31% Boto Gold (90%)3 422 422 - - Diakha-Siribaya (90%)3 1,058 376 -683 -65% Inferred Resources1 11,085 9,393 -1,693 -15%

Figures may not add due to rounding. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project.

Attributable Inferred Mineral Resources ("inferred resources") totaled 9.4 million ounces, a decrease of 1.7 million ounces or 15% relative to the prior year MRMR statement;

Inferred resources decrease primarily as a result of upgrading of resources at Westwood and Diakha-Siribaya.

TABLE 6: MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF GOLD OPERATIONS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)

Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves GOLD OPERATIONS Tonnes

(000s) Grade

(g/t Au) Ounces Contained

(000s) Ounces Contained

Attributable

(000s) Essakane, Burkina Faso(3)





(90%) Proven Mineral Reserves 21,413 0.7 464 418 Probable Mineral Reserves 31,858 1.6 1,597 1,437 Subtotal 53,270 1.2 2,061 1,855 Measured Mineral Resources 34,282 0.6 607 546 Indicated Mineral Resources 52,945 1.3 2,247 2,022 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,318 1.4 107 97 Westwood, Canada(4)





(100%) Proven Mineral Reserves 128 10.0 41 41 Probable Mineral Reserves 3,254 5.5 575 575 Subtotal 3,382 5.7 616 616 Measured Mineral Resources 791 9.3 236 236 Indicated Mineral Resources 7,675 8.6 2,117 2,117 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,702 12.3 1,072 1,072 Cote Gold, Canada(5)(8)





(64.75%) Proven Mineral Reserves 130,988 1.0 4,260 2,758 Probable Mineral Reserves 102,343 0.9 2,914 1,887 Subtotal 233,331 1.0 7,174 4,645 Measured Mineral Resources 152,534 1.0 4,726 3,060 Indicated Mineral Resources 213,382 0.8 5,480 3,548 Inferred Mineral Resources 189,108 0.6 3,813 2,469 Gosselin, Canada(3)(8)





(64.75%) Indicated Mineral Resources 124,500 0.8 3,350 2,169 Inferred Mineral Resources 72,900 0.7 1,710 1,107 Nelligan, Canada(3)





(75%) Indicated Mineral Resources 72,200 0.9 1,970 1,478 Inferred Mineral Resources 114,100 0.9 3,238 2,429 Monster Lake, Canada(3)





(100%) Inferred Mineral Resources 1,110 12.1 433 433 Gossey, Burkina Faso(3)





(90%) Indicated Mineral Resources 10,454 0.9 291 262 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,939 0.9 85 77 Pitangui, Brazil(3)





(100%) Indicated Mineral Resources 3,330 4.4 470 470 Inferred Mineral Resources 3,559 3.8 433 433 Boto Gold, Senegal(5)(7)





(90%) Probable Mineral Reserves 29,040 1.7 1,593 1,434 Subtotal 29,040 1.7 1,593 1,434 Indicated Mineral Resources 40,567 1.6 2,033 1,830 Inferred Mineral Resources 8,196 1.8 469 422 Diakha-Siribaya, Mali(3)(7)





(90%) Indicated Mineral Resources 27,937 1.5 1,325 1,193 Inferred Mineral Resources 8,468 1.5 417 376 Rosebel, Suriname(3)(6)





(95%) Proven Mineral Reserves 8,890 0.6 179 170 Probable Mineral Reserves 71,956 1.0 2,266 2,153 Subtotal Rosebel 80,846 0.9 2,445 2,322 Saramacca, Suriname(3)(6)





(66.5%) Proven Mineral Reserves 128 0.9 4 3 Probable Mineral Reserves 17,663 1.9 1,089 724 Subtotal Saramacca 17,792 1.9 1,093 727 Subtotal Rosebel (Consolidated) 98,638 1.1 3,537 3,049 Rosebel, Suriname(3)(6)





(95%) Measured Mineral Resources 8,791 0.6 183 174 Indicated Mineral Resources 119,221 1.1 4,290 4,076 Inferred Mineral Resources 13,294 0.9 391 372 Saramacca, Suriname(3)(6)





(66.5%) Measured Mineral Resource 128 0.9 4 3 Indicated Mineral Resources 19,429 2.3 1,434 954 Inferred Mineral Resources 3,821 1.3 161 107









TOTAL







Proven Mineral Reserves & Probable Mineral Reserves 417,662 1.1 14,981 11,598 Measured Mineral Resources & Indicated Mineral Resources 888,166 1.1 30,764 24,137 Inferred Mineral Resources 422,514 0.9 12,330 9,393

In mining operations, Measured Mineral Resources and Indicated Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves are considered uneconomic at the price used for Mineral Reserve estimations but are deemed to have a reasonable prospect of economic extraction. Although "measured resources", "indicated resources" and "inferred resources" are categories of mineralization that are recognized and required to be disclosed under Canadian regulations, SEC Industry Guide 7 does not recognize them. Disclosure of contained ounces is permitted under Canadian regulations; however, SEC Industry Guide 7 generally permits resources to be reported only as in place tonnage and grade. See "Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Disclosure of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates". Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1,300/oz gold price and Mineral Resources using a $1,500/oz gold price at the following operations and projects: Cote Gold, Rosebel, Saramacca, Essakane, Diakha-Siribaya, Monster Lake, Pitangui, Gossey, Nelligan, and Gosselin. Westwood (underground) Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1300/oz gold price and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a 6.2g/t (Ordinary Kriging) and 7.4g/t (Multiple Indicator Kriging) Au cut-off grade over a minimum width of 2.6 metres, using a $1500/oz gold price. The Grand Duc and Fayolle Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates are included in the Westwood Mineral Resources and Reserves estimates. The Grand Duc Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a gold price of $1350/oz and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz. The Fayolle Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz and Mineral Resources have been estimated using a gold price of $1500/oz. Boto Gold Mineral Reserves have been estimated using a $1,200/oz gold price and Mineral Resources using a $1,500/oz gold price. On February 1, 2023, IAMGOLD completed the previously announced sale of the Company's interests in Rosebel and Saramacca. On December 20, 2022, IAMGOLD announced that it had entered into definitive agreements to sell the Company's interests in its exploration and development projects in Senegal, Mali and Guinea - inclusive of the Boto Gold Project. Cote Gold and Gosselin ownership of 64.75% based on 70% IAG | 30% SMM JV, this is prior to the funding agreement with Sumitomo announced on December 19, 2022 which will see IAMGOLD's ownership in the JV diluted to 60% in 2023 until the Company exercises option to repurchase the 10% ownership prior to November 30, 2026. Refer to news release on December 19, 2022

Technical Information and Quality Control Notes

The Company's mineral reserves are comprised of in-place material, i.e. material containing ounces of gold for which an assessment of key modifying factors such as mining, processing, metallurgical recovery, infrastructure, economic, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors are used to determine their economic viability.

There are numerous parameters inherent in estimating proven mineral reserves and probable mineral reserves, including many factors beyond the Company's control. The estimation of mineral reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any mineral reserves estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results from drilling, testing and production, as well as material changes in metal prices subsequent to the date of an estimate, may justify a revision of such estimates.

Lisa Ragsdale, Director, Mining Geology, IAMGOLD Corporation is the "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 ("QP") with respect to the mineralization being reported on and is responsible for the review and approval of all mineral resources estimates for IAMGOLD. Guy Bourque, Director, Mining, IAMGOLD Corporation is the QP responsible for the review and approval of all mineral reserves estimates for IAMGOLD. The technical information in this news release has been included with the consent and prior review of Ms. Ragsdale and Mr. Bourque, as applicable. The QPs have verified the data disclosed and data underlying the information or opinions contained in this news release.

For each of the projects and properties it operates, the Company has established rigorous methods and procedures aimed at assuring reliable estimates of its mineral reserves and resources. For each mine and project, the relevant QPs verified the data incorporated, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information contained in this news release. Quality control falls under the responsibility of Ms. Ragsdale and Mr. Bourque.

In estimating mineral reserves, cut-off grades are established using the Company's long-term metal price and foreign exchange assumptions, the average metallurgical recovery rates and estimated production costs over the life of the related operation. As part of the annual mineral reserve estimation process, the cost models used for cut-off grade calculations are compared to prior studies or estimates and are updated appropriately based on actual operating performance and price projections for inputs. For an underground operation, a cut-off grade is calculated for each mining method, as production costs vary from one method to another. For a surface operation, production costs are determined for each block included in the block model of the relevant operation.

The nature of mining activities is such that the extraction of ore from a mine reduces mineral reserves. In order to renew mineral reserves (at least partially) on most of its producing properties, the Company carries out exploration drilling programs at depth and laterally.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release including, but not limited to, any statements or information with respect to the Company's mineral resources or mineral reserves, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to, those with respect to the Company's mineral resources or mineral reserves. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by, but not limited to, the use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "budget", "forecast", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "prospective", "significant", "potential", "significant potential", "substantial", "transformative", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the failure to accurately estimate mineral resources or mineral reserves, differences in the mineral content within the material identified as mineral resources or mineral reserves from that predicted, unexpected increases in all-in sustaining costs or other costs, unexpected increases in capital expenditures, operating expenditures and exploration expenditures, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are incorporated by reference herein. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The Company 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.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

The mineral resource and reserve estimates contained in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the "CIM Standards"). These standards are similar to those used by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Industry Guide No. 7, as interpreted by the SEC staff. However, the definitions in NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ in certain respects from those under Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, mineral resource and reserve information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. Under the SEC's Industry Guide 7, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made.

As a result of the adoption of amendments to the SEC's disclosure rules (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), which more closely align its disclosure requirements and policies for mining properties with current industry and global regulatory practices and standards, including NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, and which became effective on February 25, 2019, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources." In addition, the SEC has amended definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" in its amended rules, with definitions that are substantially similar to those used in NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Issuers must begin to comply with the SEC Modernization Rules in their first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, though Canadian issuers that report in the United States using the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System ("MJDS") may still use NI 43-101 rather than the SEC Modernization Rules when using the SEC's MJDS registration statement and annual report forms.

United States investors are cautioned that while the SEC now recognizes "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under the SEC Modernization Rules, investors should not assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into a higher category of mineral resources or into mineral reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian regulations, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in limited circumstances.

Investors are cautioned not to assume that any "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources", or "inferred mineral resources" that the Company reports in this news release are or will be economically or legally mineable. Further, "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any part or all of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

The mineral reserve and mineral resource data set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa. The Company is building the large-scale, long life Cote Gold project in Canada in partnership with Sumitomo Metals & Mining of Japan, which is expected to commence production in early 2024. In addition, the Company has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts in the Americas. IAMGOLD employs approximately 3,300 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") practices, including its commitment to Zero Harm, in every aspect of its business. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:IMG) and is one of the companies on the Jantzi Social Index ("JSI"), a socially screened market capitalization-weighted consisting of companies which pass a set of broadly based environmental, social and governance rating criteria.

IAMGOLD Contact Information

Graeme Jennings, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: 416 360 4743 | Mobile: 416 388 6883

Toll-free: 1 888 464 9999

[email protected]

All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov.

Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique, veuillez consulter le www.iamgold.com/French/accueil/default.aspx.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155120
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV: LPS) (OTCQB: LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company"), a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, announces it will release its Q1 2023 financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2022, prior to market open on Friday, February 24, 2023. The Company has also scheduled a conference call to provide a business update and discuss its Q1 2023 financial results for Friday, February 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT). The call will be hosted by Randy Buchamer, President & Chief Executive Officer.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

DATE: Friday, February 24, 2023 TIME: 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT) DIAL-IN NUMBERS: North America Toll Free Dial-in Number 1.888.396.8049 ONLINE LISTENING: Register for Webcast Participation CONFERENCE ID: 41094158 REPLAY: Available at: www.legendpower.com

About Legend Power Systems Inc.

Legend Power Systems Inc. (www.legendpower.com) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment.

For further information, please contact:

Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations

+ 1 647 503 1054

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements 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 which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154370
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV: DM) (FSE: D4G) (OTCQB: DTMXF) (the "Company" or "Datametrex'') is proud to announce that further to the news release on February 14, 2022, the Company's wholly-owned Artificial Intelligence ("AI") subsidiary, Nexalogy Environics Inc. ("Nexalogy"), is set to present its latest innovation: Analytics GPT (Analytics Generative Pre-Trained Transformer). The Company will be hosting a webinar on February 27, 2023, to showcase a demo of its AI-powered tool that has been developed and used for years at the government level. The event will be hosted by Marshall Gunter, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

During the presentation, attendees will get an exclusive first look at how Analytics GPT works and how it has been helping Nexalogy's clients improve and optimize their business operations. This is an opportunity for businesses and the general public to see how Analytics GPT can enhance their lives and take advantage of the Company's latest technological advancements.

Don't miss the chance to discover how Nexalogy's Analytics GPT can transform data analysis, search engine optimization, forecasting, and decision-making! Register below for the demo and webinar and be a part of the next generation of AI solutions.

Webinar Details:

Date: Monday February 27, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM EST

Zoom Registration:

https://datametrex.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HkKM0HfhRPu_P3DPT1iugQ

Attendees of the webinar are required to register by February 26, 2023, to secure their spot.

"We couldn't be more excited to unveil Analytics GPT, a project that we've been passionately developing for years and providing to our higher-level clients. This is a pivotal moment for us as we reveal how this powerful tool can simplify AI and GPT technology, making it more accessible and easy to use for everyone. We're thrilled to showcase the numerous use cases and examples of how Analytics GPT can significantly enhance business operations. Our technology has been delivering advanced AI solutions to businesses for years, and we're thrilled to finally make it more broadly available," said Marshall Gunter, CEO of the Company.

About Nexalogy

Nexalogy's technology NexaSMART reduces the time needed to interpret and integrate large sets of data by offering powerful automated analyses. Rather than replacing the human analyst, he/she sets the parameters of the data collection via keywords and other social media information (e.g., usernames and links). This allows for the identification of data needing extraction and analysis. NexaSMART extracts the relevant data and produces automated reports, thus allowing clients to work with a more manageable information set. NexaSMART allows an analyst to deal with hundreds of thousands of social media documents in minutes rather than hours or days.

Analysts can specify filters on the data to get automatic reports on subsets of the data focusing on specific times, entities, social media users, or topics. The resulting reports are delivered either as PDFs, DOCs, or via API for further processing. The report generation can be scheduled to occur either at regular intervals or to be triggered by specific changes in the conversation (e.g., a sudden increase in volume or an increase in mentions of a particular named entity).

Lastly, NexaSMART analysis helps the user to easily access the required information and helps to detect patterns that currently go unrecognized. This is needed in both the context of the 'short game' of crisis reporting and the 'long game' of identifying narratives, as discussed within the BEND (Build Engage Neutralize Distract) framework.

For more information please visit www.nexalogy.com.

About Datametrex

Datametrex AI Limited is a technology-focused company with exposure to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and telehealth and has recently entered the electric vehicle (EV) market. Datametrex's mission is to provide tools and solutions that support companies in fulfilling their operational goals, including health and safety, with predictive and preventive technologies. By working with companies to set a new standard of protocols through artificial intelligence and health diagnostics, the Company provides progressive solutions to support the supply chain.

For additional information on Datametrex and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.datametrex.com.

To learn more about how our AI is used in Cyber Security, Telehealth, and EV, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApFk3sWAXtg.

For further information:

Investor Relations & Communications

Priya Monique Atwal, Director of Communications

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 416-901-5611 x 204

Marshall Gunter, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 514-295-2300

Neither 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

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154982
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Singapore-based Terraform Labs PTE Ltd and Do Hyeong Kwon with orchestrating a multi-billion dollar crypto asset securities fraud involving an algorithmic stablecoin and other crypto asset securities.

According to the SECs complaint, from April 2018 until the schemes collapse in May 2022, Terraform and Kwon raised billions of dollars from investors by offering and selling an inter-connected suite of crypto asset securities, many in unregistered transactions. These included mAssets, security-based swaps designed to pay returns by mirroring the price of stocks of US companies, and Terra USD (UST), a crypto asset security referred to as an algorithmic stablecoin that supposedly maintained its peg to the U.S. dollar by being interchangeable for another of the defendants crypto asset securities, LUNA. The complaint further alleges that Terraform and Kwon offered and sold investors other means to invest in their crypto empire, including the crypto asset security tokens MIRor mirror tokensand LUNA itself.

The SECs complaint alleges that Terraform and Kwon marketed crypto asset securities to investors seeking to earn a profit, repeatedly claiming that the tokens would increase in value. For example, they touted and marketed UST as a yield-bearing stablecoin, which they advertised as paying as much as 20 percent interest through the Anchor Protocol. The SECs complaint also alleges that, while marketing the LUNA token, Terraform and Kwon repeatedly misled and deceived investors that a popular Korean mobile payment application used the Terra blockchain to settle transactions that would accrue value to LUNA. Meanwhile, Terraform and Kwon also allegedly misled investors about the stability of UST. In May 2022, UST depegged from the U.S. dollar, and the price of it and its sister tokens plummeted to close to zero.

"We allege that Terraform and Do Kwon failed to provide the public with full, fair, and truthful disclosure as required for a host of crypto asset securities, most notably for LUNA and Terra USD," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. "We also allege that they committed fraud by repeating false and misleading statements to build trust before causing devastating losses for investors."

"I commend the SECs hard-working staff who remained vigilant in such an important investigation, even when the defendants attempted to prevent us from obtaining important information about their business," Chair Gensler added. "This case demonstrates the lengths to which some crypto firms will go to avoid complying with the securities laws, but it also demonstrates the strength and commitment of the SECs dedicated public servants."

"Todays action not only holds the defendants accountable for their roles in Terras collapse, which devastated both retail and institutional investors and sent shock waves through the crypto markets, but once again highlights that we look to the economic realities of an offering, not the labels put on it," said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SECs Division of Enforcement. "As alleged in our complaint, the Terraform ecosystem was neither decentralized, nor finance. It was simply a fraud propped up by a so-called algorithmic stablecoin the price of which was controlled by the defendants, not any code."

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges the defendants with violating the registration and anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

The investigation was conducted by Roger Landsman, Elisabeth Goot, Kathleen Hitchins, James Murtha, Daniel Koster, Donald Battle, and David Crosbie and was supervised by Reid Muoio, Osman Nawaz, Jorge Tenreiro, and David Hirsch from the Complex Financial Instruments and Crypto Assets and Cyber Units. The litigation is being handled by James Connor, Ladan Stewart, Devon Staren, and Laura Meehan from the Trial Unit.
This week, were publishing comments and observations about two recent columns involving inheritances. In the first, two siblings wanted to distribute their parents assets differently than the way the parents stated in their will. Basically, they wanted to switch inheritances.

There were two homes, and instead of selling them both and dividing the money equally, the siblings want one brother to inherit the home he lives in while the other brother would take the vacation home. Our readers had some thoughts and experiences to share:

COMMENT: I only had this situation once and it involved a motor vehicle valued at $3,500, so there were no federal or state gift tax issues. The process that satisfied the Ohio probate court was to sign a document called an Assignment of Interest. I have also heard other Ohio attorneys using an agreement among the heirs to a distribution of assets that differs from the will.

Sometimes an heir might think they could get the distribution as specified in the will and then gift the real estate interest and/or monetary interest to the other person (sibling etc.). If the value is less than the gift tax exclusion, that probably would work. I have even questioned if there would not be a gift tax issue if the aforesaid agreement were used.

A rejection of an inheritance (essentially a disclaimer) could cause that persons inheritance to pass to others via the descent and distribution statute under Ohio law. My understanding of a disclaimer is it operates as if the person disclaiming predeceased the decedent  that could depend on the language in the will.

If the will was clear that a gift to a person who predeceased them lapses, that probably would work. Bottom line, this can be a minefield and a good probate attorney is essential.

COMMENT: Your response regarding rejecting an inheritance in New York in order to provide the house to the youngest sibling doesnt track for me unless Im missing something in the question. As I understand the question, two of the siblings want to reject their inheritance of the house, but not other financial assets or distributions under the will. One sibling wants to reject the house but share in the financial assets and other distributions. If this is the case, youd want to make sure that they all consult an estate attorney as many states differ on how to handle this issue.

ILYCE AND SAM RESPOND: Thanks for these insights. Its always helpful to have others share their experiences.

A separate column dealt with three siblings who owned seven acres of land. Two siblings wanted to cash out and one wanted to defer any capital gains taxes owed by going through the process of selling and replacing the property using an Internal Revenue Service Section 1031 exchange. A reader had the following comment:

COMMENT: I certainly could be mistaken, but the way I read the question was that the siblings owned the property individually and not as a limited liability company. The LLC appeared to be set up only as the management company for the property. Your response was based on the LLC actually owning the property.

And even if that were the case, once the property was put into or taken out of the LLC, wouldnt those events trigger a tax? Just wondering. I am not a real estate or tax expert (actually an old retired stockbroker), so this is more of a question than actually trying to correct anyone.

ILYCE AND SAM RESPOND: You are correct that if the three siblings owned the property individually, they each could decide to sell the property and each could go their own way. In particular, any one sibling could go ahead and move forward with a 1031 tax deferred exchange on their share of the sale. But if that were the case, were not sure why the siblings would have consulted three different lawyers and two accountants and received different answers.

A 1031 exchange allows an owner of an investment real estate property to sell that property and defer any tax on the sale, but the seller must follow certain rules to defer the payment of taxes to the IRS. First, they usually must sell the property using a 1031 tax deferred intermediary. Second, they must not receive any funds from the sale of the property. Third, they must designate a replacement property within 45 days following the sale of the original property. Fourth, they must close on the replacement property no later than 180 days following the sale of the original property. And, fifth, the purchase price of the replacement property must be at least as much as the sales price for the property sold.

There are quite a few other rules that must be followed, but if the three siblings owned the property equally, two of them could have sold the property outright with the third setting up a 1031 exchange for his one-third sale of the property.
SAO PAULO, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

\ 4Q22 X 4Q21 HIGHLIGHTS

Consolidated vehicle traffic fell by 1,8%. Excluding NovaDutra, RioSP, and RodoNorte, grew by 1% in the period .

Excluding NovaDutra, RioSP, and RodoNorte, . The number of passengers boarded in airports increased by 143.6% in the period. Excluding the Southern and Central Blocks, the increase was 16.9% in the period.

in the period. Excluding the Southern and Central Blocks, the was The number of passengers transported in the mobility business increased by 82.5% in the period. Excluding ViaMobilidade - Lines 8 and 9, the increase was 22.5% in the period.

in the period. Excluding ViaMobilidade - Lines 8 and 9, the was Adjusted EBITDA fell by 27.9% , with a margin of 32.2% (-19.5 p.p.). Same-basis1 adjusted EBITDA increased by 17.6% , with a margin of 61.1% (+3.6 p.p.). Excluding the non-recurring effects and the concessions ended and sold, the Adjusted EBITDA (IFRS) would have totaled R$1.9 billion in 4Q22 and R$7.2 billion in 2022, while Pro-Forma Adjusted EBITDA would have been R$2.0 billion in 4Q22 and R$7.8 billion in 2022.

, with a margin of 32.2% (-19.5 p.p.). Same-basis1 adjusted EBITDA , with a margin of 61.1% (+3.6 p.p.). Excluding the non-recurring effects and the concessions ended and sold, the Adjusted EBITDA (IFRS) would have totaled R$1.9 billion in 4Q22 and R$7.2 billion in 2022, while Pro-Forma Adjusted EBITDA would have been R$2.0 billion in 4Q22 and R$7.8 billion in 2022. Net Loss totaled R$217.1 million , compared to the loss of R$133.2 million reported in in 4Q21. Same-basis1 Net Income totaled R$219.1 million , compared to the 160.7 million reported in 4Q21.

, compared to the loss of R$133.2 million reported in in 4Q21. Same-basis1 , compared to the 160.7 million reported in 4Q21. On December 15, 2022 , the Company contracted the largest issue of green infrastructure debentures in the Brazilian capital market known to date. The issue will have a sustainable debenture certification, according to the legislation in force, and the proceeds will be invested in low-carbon emission transportation. ViaMobilidade - Lines 8 and 9 raised R$2.5 billion.

, the Company contracted the largest issue of green infrastructure debentures in the Brazilian capital market known to date. The issue will have a sustainable debenture certification, according to the legislation in force, and the proceeds will be invested in low-carbon emission transportation. ViaMobilidade - Lines 8 and 9 raised R$2.5 billion. On December 27, 2022 , the Company disclosed a Material Fact announcing that it had executed the Agreement for the Sale of Membership Interest from Samm to Luna Fibra, totaling R$245 million, subject to the verification of certain conditions that are common to this type of transaction, including conditions precedent, such as regulatory approvals.

, the Company disclosed a Material Fact announcing that it had executed the from Samm to Luna Fibra, totaling R$245 million, subject to the verification of certain conditions that are common to this type of transaction, including conditions precedent, such as regulatory approvals. On December 28, 2022 , the Company disclosed a Material Fact announcing that it had executed Amendment 10 , whose purpose is the inclusion of the Tramo 3 operation in Metro Bahia with respective economic-financial rebalance, totaling R$28.4 million, and the implementation and operation of Wi-Fi in the existing stations of lines 1 and 2 with respective economic-financial rebalance, totaling R$1.1 million, both of which on the base date of April 2013.

, the Company disclosed a Material Fact announcing that it had executed , whose purpose is the inclusion of the Tramo 3 operation in Metro Bahia with respective economic-financial rebalance, totaling R$28.4 million, and the implementation and operation of Wi-Fi in the existing stations of lines 1 and 2 with respective economic-financial rebalance, totaling R$1.1 million, both of which on the base date of April 2013. On February 3, 2023, the Company disclosed a Material Fact announcing that it had executed an Agreement, mainly consisting of the continuity of the provision of services after the end of the concession agreement, granting the State a period of up to 24 months to conclude the studies and hold a bidding process for a new concession, in addition to defining the amount and period for payment of operating costs incurred in the service provided to the Concessionaire. This Agreement is in phase of judicial homologation.

Same-basis adjustments are described in the same-basis comparison section.

IFRS Pro-forma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 4Q21 4Q22 Chg % 4Q21 4Q22 Chg % Net Revenues1 2,835.2 3,281.0 15.7 % 2,993.6 3,457.4 15.5 % Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis - ex one offs2 2,368.7 2,623.5 10.8 % 2,527.1 2,800.0 10.8 % Adjusted EBIT3 600.6 623.3 3.8 % 685.2 705.9 3.0 % Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 21.2 % 19,0 % -2.2 p.p. 22,9 % 20,4 % -2.5 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 1,467.0 1,057.5 -27.9 % 1,579.2 1,183.4 -25.1 % Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 51.7 % 32,2 % -19.5 p.p. 52,7 % 34,2 % -18.5 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis - ex one offs2 1,363.3 1,603.9 17.6 % 1,475.5 1,729.9 17.2 % Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis - ex one offs4 57.6 % 61.1 % 3.6 p.p. 58.4 % 61.8 % 3.4 p.p. Net Income (133.2) (217.1) 63.0 % (133.2) (217.1) 63.0 % Net Income on the same basis - ex one offs2 160.7 219.1 36.3 % 160.7 219.1 36.3 % Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x) 3.0 1.7 3.0 1.7 Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 2.6 1.2 2.6 1.3

IFRS Pro-forma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 2021 2022 Chg % 2021 2022 Chg % Net Revenues1 11,175.4 17,563.2 57.2 % 11,723.4 18,382.1 56.8 % Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis - ex one offs2 7,848.2 9,521.8 21.3 % 8,396.3 10,193.9 21.4 % Adjusted EBIT3 3,558.1 9,858.1 177.1 % 3,840.0 10,361.6 169.8 % Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 31.8 % 56,1 % 24.3 p.p. 32,8 % 56,4 % 23.6 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 6,995.0 12,083.3 72.7 % 7,387.5 12,734.8 72.4 % Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 62.6 % 68,8 % 6.2 p.p. 63,0 % 69,3 % 6.3 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis - ex one offs2 4,868.6 5,990.9 23.1 % 5,261.2 6,495.5 23.5 % Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis - ex one offs4 62.0 % 62.9 % 0.9 p.p. 62.7 % 63.7 % 1.1 p.p. Net Income 695.6 4,133.1 494.2 % 695.6 4,133.1 494.2 % Net Income on the same basis - ex one offs2 806.4 495.4 -38.6 % 806.4 495.4 -38.6 % Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x) 3.0 1.7 3.0 1.7 Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 4.3 3.7 4.2 3.7

Net revenue excludes construction revenue. The same-basis effects are described in the same-basis comparison section. Calculated by adding net revenue, construction revenue, cost of services, and administrative expenses. The adjusted EBIT and EBITDA margins were calculated by dividing adjusted EBIT and EBITDA by net revenue, excluding construction revenue. Calculated by excluding non-cash expenses: depreciation and amortization, provision for maintenance, and accrual of prepaid concession expenses.

\ Conference Calls/Webcast

Access to the conference calls/webcasts:

Conference call in Portuguese with simultaneous translation into English:

Thursday, February 16, 2023

11:00 a.m. Sao Paulo / 09:00 a.m. New York

Participants calling from Brazil: (11) 4090-1621 or (11) 3181-8565

Participants calling from the U.S.: (+1) 412 717-9627

Access Code: CCR

Replay: (11) 3193 1012

Code: 8366456# or 5097751#

The instructions to participate in these events are available on CCR's website: www.ccr.com.br/ri.

\ IR Contacts

Flavia Godoy: (+55 11) 3048-5900

Douglas Ribeiro: (+55 11) 3048-5900

Caue Cunha: (+55 11) 3048-5900

Caique Moraes: (+55 11) 3048-5900

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ccr---results-for-the-4th-quarter-of-2022-301748304.html

SOURCE CCR S.A.
BSH Home Appliances Corporation's New Bern, N.C., manufacturing facility opened in 1997 and today celebrates its connection with the community, its employees, and the innovation and technological advancements of the Bosch and Thermador kitchen products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility.

BSH local, regional and international executives along with North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern and Havelock officials are joining BSH New Bern employees to celebrate this milestone.

NEW BERN, N.C., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BSH Home Appliances Corporation and the New Bern, N.C., community today celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the city's BSH Home Appliances campus. BSH Global CEO Dr. Matthias Metz joined state and local officials, community leaders, and BSH employees at a special event at the campus to commemorate BSH's innovation, technological advancements and quality of the Bosch and Thermador brand products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility. The celebration also shined a spotlight on 50 current BSH New Bern campus employees who have worked at the facility since its opening in 1997.

"For the past 25 years New Bern has been a centerpiece of our U.S. operations," said Andrew MacLaren.

"For the past 25 years New Bern has been a centerpiece of our U.S. operations," said Andrew MacLaren, US/OP Chief Technology Officer, BSH Home Appliances Corporation. "Over that period, the team here contributed to the development of several technological innovations that have not only enhanced our BSH product lines, they've also moved the entire appliance industry forward. I want to thank our employees for the dedication and commitment that is central to our success, and I am grateful for the support of state and local community leaders as we continued expanding our presence in New Bern."

Over the past 20 years, BSH has invested more than $428 million in its production network and in advanced manufacturing technologies and processes in New Bern. In 1997, BSH began producing Bosch dishwashers with 280 employees. Since its opening, BSH has manufactured over 13 million dishwashers and has hit record volumes in cooking. Today, the BSH New Bern facility manufactures dishwashers as well as cooktops, ranges and wall ovens with a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.

The facility's first physical expansion was in 2003 with the construction of Building 104 and the start of the Bosch range production. In 2005, the factory began production of Thermador wall ovens and gas cooktop products and added the GV640B production line for the plastic tub bottom dishwasher. In 2019, BSH unveiled a new $32 million, 100,000-square-foot expansion to its New Bern dishwasher facility, providing the company with the capacity it needed to continue its growth. This latest expansion was driven by increased demand for BSH Home Appliances' products  Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau  across the U.S.

"From the moment we opened our first Bosch manufacturing facility here in New Bern BSH has been committed to supporting the community," said BSH Region North America CEO Christofer von Nagel. "As one of the county's top employers, we are motivated to contribute to and support several local social, educational and charitable organizations. I speak for the entire BSH organization when I express our gratitude to Craven County and New Bern for the valuable partnerships we have developed over the past 25 years."

BSH New Bern supports several philanthropic programs focused on education, environmental conservation, food insecurity, health, wellness and housing, to name a few. Its largest initiative is the Bosch Community Fund, which focuses on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. As a result of the fund, more than 1,000 Craven County public school students have participated in STEM programs, and over 100 teachers and counselors have enhanced their job skills by participating in STEM education workshops. The fund has also made it possible for schools and community organizations to purchase much-needed equipment to support teachers and students in their pursuit of STEM education opportunities.

More than 700 people attended today's event in New Bern, including local, state and international BSH executives; North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern and Havelock officials; and BSH employees. For more information on BSH and its New Bern facility, please visit https://www.bsh-group.com/us/.

About BSH Home Appliances Corporation

BSH Home Appliances Corporation produces and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high-quality and superior innovation. BSH sells its Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Home Appliances Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, and LaFollette, Tennessee. BSH Technology and Development Centers are located in Oak Ridge and Caryville, Tennessee and New Bern, North Carolina. https://www.bsh-group.com/us/

Media Contact: Ciara DixonGolin[email protected]

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SOURCE BSH Home Appliances Corporation
DUSSELDORF, Germany, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newland EMEA is excited to announce that they will be exhibiting new products at EuroShop 2023, the leading global retail tradeshow.

At the fair, Stand A41 in Hall 6, Newland EMEA, will showcase its latest scanning solutions designed to enhance customers' shopping experience and streamline retailers' operations. With its extensive product portfolio, including handheld and stationary scanners, wearables, mobile computers, micro kiosks, tablets, and OEM scan engines, Newland EMEA strives to meet retailers' diverse needs. Be it a small store or a large chain, Newland EMEA is committed to providing the most advanced and reliable scanning solutions.

The main highlight of Newland's stand will be the MT95 Kambur Pro  Newland's first 5G Mobile Computer. Equipped with the latest 5G technology, the MT95 Kambur Pro adds high speed and low latency, ensuring fast and efficient data transfer at all times. With the octa-core processor, Android 11, and 6000 mAh battery capacity, the MT95 Kambur Pro provides unparalleled performance and prolonged usage time. Designed to take connectivity and data transfer to new levels, the MT95 Kambur Pro is perfect for improving stockroom efficiency and customer service on the shop floor.

Newland's Stationary Scanners line will be extended with FM431 Barracuda Pro. Its' two m/sec motion tolerance uncovers many possibilities in applications where the scan rate is vital. The FM431 Barracuda Pro also has advanced exposure control, which helps the device adapt to the amount of light, making it easier to scan barcodes even under direct sunlight.

Newland EMEA will once again showcase its wearable product line, Nwear, highlighting the WD1 Watch Scanner and the WD2 Wearable Scanner, both perfect for retail environments.

The WD1 Watch Scanner makes data storage and processing more mobile than ever. With a 2.8" capacitive touchscreen, Android 9 GMS, a 3.300 mAh battery, WiFi, and 4G, it's the perfect companion for all inventory management, shelf replenishment, and click & collect applications.

This year, the WD1 Watch Scanner has received an additional accessory  WD1 Charging Cradle. It is a one-bay compact cradle that can be connected to form up to a five-bay multi-docking station charged via a single adapter. This solution allows charging devices in bulk more cost-effectively by using fewer adapters and more efficiently by charging more devices simultaneously.

Another device from Newland's Nwear line is the WD2 Wearable Scanner. With its comfortable hand strap, the WD2 ensures no wasted time on putting away a device while picking or moving boxes. The scanning trigger can be easily activated with a light press of the thumb. The WD2 is now available in a mid-range version. With the same form factor, the mid-range version allows scanning barcodes at a longer distance. It is perfect for retail stores with larger storage areas and warehouses where accurately scanning from high up the shelf becomes difficult.

Newland EMEA is excited to showcase its retail technology solutions and meet old and new customers at EuroShop 2023

For further information on Newland EMEA, please visit: www.newland-id.com

Established in 2009, Newland EMEA (Newland Europe BV) makes scanning simple. A leading player in the global AIDC industry, we create 1D and 2D data capture & collection devices accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

We build our products from the ground up. Our product range consists of stationary & handheld scanners, wearables, mobile computers, micro kiosks and tablets, wearable devices, and OEM scan engines. All based on our UIMG image technology and 2D decoder chip.

Headquartered in Culemborg, the Netherlands, Newland EMEA supports our local teams across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 500+ partners in EMEA, our extensive network of distributors and resellers offer products and services locally in 35+ countries.

Newland EMEA is a member company of Newland Auto-ID Tech, a subsidiary of Newland Digital Technology Co. Ltd. A public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (ticker SZE-000997). Newland Digital Technology has over $1B in annual global revenue and 5,000+ employees, specializing in technology research and development, manufacturing and product management, data collection, mobile communication, and payment devices. With over 20 international patents and 500+ intellectual property rights, Newland is the 4th most prominent brand in AIDC technology and the 2nd largest global provider of EFT-POS terminals.

Newland EMEA thrives on a simple mission: to make everyday tasks easier, faster, and more intuitive through our products and partnerships.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1996633/MT95_KAMBUR_PRO_1.jpg

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SOURCE Newland EMEA
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stuf, a next-generation self storage startup recently recognized by Fast Company as one of The World's Most Innovative Companies in 2022, today announced that it has closed an $11 million Series A financing round led by Altos Ventures and Allegion Ventures, with participation from existing investors, Wilshire Lane Capital and Harlem Capital. Other existing investors include ANIM Fund, Palm Tree Crew, and Good Friends (the founders of Warby Parker, Harry's and Allbirds). The funding is a validation of the company's vision to modernize self storage and monetize underutilized real estate with technology at the core of its business.

Stuf will use the funds to expand nationally, bringing its tech-enabled storage closer to more people and businesses across the U.S. The company will also invest in brand awareness among consumers and landlords and grow its team across all functions, including real estate, engineering, marketing, operations, and more.

Currently, an estimated 168 million square feet of commercial real estate sits vacant and underutilized. Stuf CEO and founder Katharine Lau is turning that into an opportunity and breathing new life into the antiquated self storage industry by meeting users where they need storage most  near their home or workplace. Additionally, Stuf creates a new revenue stream and amenity for commercial landlords who are looking for new ways to monetize their buildings in a post-pandemic environment. By repurposing spaces in existing buildings, Stuf is not burdened by the timeline, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions that come along with new construction.

Lau said: "Pioneering change in real estate is never easy, but the evolving needs of consumers and commercial landlords are driving an appetite for innovation and change on both sides. Stuf members visit 3x more often than the industry average because we make storage easy with our wonderful customer experience, location accessibility, and tech enablement. We have proven the concept across multiple markets and asset classes  office, multifamily, retail, and hotel  and we value our institutional landlord partners who continue to grow with us."

"We believe Stuf will pioneer change in the approximately $48 billion self storage industry by modernizing the storage experience with a focus on technology and user experience. From our first conversation, we were impressed by the caliber of the team and Kat's vision to reframe how consumers and businesses use self storage." said Ho Nam, Managing Director at Altos Ventures.

"Stuf is on the leading edge of creating unique, seamless user experiences in its industry," said Bobby Prostko, Managing Director at Allegion Ventures. "By using technology and data to help drive these experiences, Kat and the talented Stuf team have many opportunities ahead to innovate in self storage and real estate, ultimately providing new value to commercial and multifamily property owners as well as their tenants."

As part of its national expansion, Stuf plans to expand its footprint in new and existing markets, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. The company also plans to invest in technology to elevate the renter and landlord experience and streamline its remote operation.

Learn more information about Stuf at https://www.stufstorage.com/.

About Stuf

Led and co-founded by Inc. Female Founders 100 Katharine Lau, Stuf is a next-generation self storage startup delivering modern, tech-enabled storage to consumers and businesses. Stuf partners with real estate owners to monetize basements, garages, and other spaces in commercial buildings as storage, creating new cash flow opportunities for landlords while providing neighborhoods with a new amenity. Whether running low on space or looking for seasonal storage, Stuf is proud to be the home away from home for your belongings. Stuf was recognized by Fast Company as one of The World's Most Innovative Companies in 2022.

Please visit www.stufstorage.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for information.

Contact:Cindy FischerClarity for Stuf[email protected]

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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 of earliest event reported):

DRIVEITAWAY HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 000-52883 20-4456503 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization) (Commission

File Number) (IRS Employer

Identification No.)

3401 Market Street , Suite 200/201

Philadelphia , PA 19104

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(856) 577-2763

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 None None None

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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 24, 2022, DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Creative Learning Corp.) (the Company) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the SPA) with AJB Capital Investments, LLC (AJB), and issued a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $750,000 (the AJB Note) to AJB in a private transaction for a purchase price of $675,000 (after giving effect to a 10% original issue discount). In connection with the sale of the AJB Note, the Company also paid certain fees and due diligence costs of AJB and brokerage fees to J.H. Darbie & Co., a registered broker-dealer. After payment of the fees and costs, the net proceeds to the Company were $641,250, which will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The maturity date of the AJB Note is August 24, 2022, but it may be extended for six months upon written notice to AJB by the Company. The AJB Note bears interest at 10% per year, and principal and accrued interest is due on the maturity date. The Company may prepay the AJB Note at any time without penalty. Under the terms of the AJB Note, the Company may not sell a significant portion of its assets without the approval of AJB, may not issue additional debt that is not subordinate to AJB, must comply with the Companys reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and must maintain the listing of the Companys common stock on the OTC Market or other exchange, among other restrictions and requirements. The Companys failure to make required payments under the AJB Note or to comply with any of these covenants, among other matters, would constitute an event of default. Upon an event of default under the SPA or AJB Note, the AJB Note will bear interest at 18%, AJB may immediately accelerate the AJB Note due date, AJB may convert the amount outstanding under the AJB Note into shares of Company common stock at a discount to the market price of the stock, and AJB will be entitled to its costs of collection, among other penalties and remedies.

The Company provided various representations, warranties, and covenants to AJB in the SPA. The Companys breach of any representation or warranty, or failure to comply with the covenants would constitute an event of default. Also pursuant to the SPA, the Company paid AJB a commitment fee of 4,000,000 unregistered shares of the Companys common stock (the Commitment Fee Shares). If, after the sixth month anniversary of closing and before the thirty-sixth month anniversary of closing, AJB has been unable to sell the Commitment Fee Shares for $400,000, then the Company may be required to issue additional shares or pay cash in the amount of the shortfall. However, if the Company pays the AJB Note off before August 24, 2022, then the Company may redeem 2,000,000 of the Commitment Fee Shares for one dollar. Pursuant to the SPA, the Company also issued to AJB a Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the Warrant) to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock for $0.30 per share. The Warrant expires on February 24, 2027. The Warrant also includes various covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Warrant holder and includes a beneficial ownership limitation on the holder that, in certain circumstances, may serve to restrict the holders right to exercise the Warrant.

The above information was disclosed previously on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on March 2, 2022.

On August 24, 2022, pursuant to the terms in the AJB Note, the Company provided notice to AJB to extend the maturity date on the AJB Note to February 24, 2023.

On October 31, 2022, the Company and ABJ entered into a First Amendment to the SPA (the Amended SPA), whereby ABJ agreed to waive certain events of default under the SPA and AJB Note, specifically the failure of the Company to timely file a quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, and for the temporary loss of the bid price of the Companys common stock. In consideration for the above, the Company agreed to issue ABJ an additional 1,000,000 Commitment Fee Shares.

The above information was disclosed previously on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on November 4, 2022.

On February 10, 2023, the Company and AJB entered into a First Amendment to the Promissory Note (the Amended Note), pursuant to which the (a) principal amount of the Note will be increased by $85,000 and such amount shall be disbursed to the Company for exclusive use to pay certain third party vendors of the Company as provided in the Amended Note; and (b) to extend the Maturity Date to May 24, 2023.

In addition, the Company and AJB entered into the Second Amendment to the Securities Purchase Agreement (the Second Amended SPA) reflecting certain additional amendments in contemplation of the Note Amendment, and the Amended and Restated Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the Amended Warrant), as defined below.

As consideration for the Amended Note and Second Amended SPA, the Company issued AJB the Amended Warrant, pursuant to which the number of shares issuable under the Amended Warrant will be increased to 2,000,000 and the exercise price redefined to be $0.05. The Amended Warrant also includes various covenants of the Company for the benefit of the warrant holder and includes a beneficial ownership limitation on the holder that, in certain circumstances, may serve to restrict the holders right to exercise the Amended Warrant. In addition, the Amended Warrant also contains certain conditions in which the exercise price may be adjusted, as well as registration rights by AJB of the shares underlying the warrants.

All other terms, conditions, and provisions of the Note, the SPA and the Amended SPA shall remain in full force and effect, except as expressly provided in the Amended Note and the Second Amended SPA.

In addition, the Company and AJB entered into a side letter agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed that AJB shall (i) withhold an aggregate of $3,500 from the proceeds under the Amended Note to reimburse AJB for legal and due diligence expenses, and (ii) disburse the remainder of the proceeds directly to certain service providers of the Company pursuant to the Companys instructions and as provided in the Amended Note and the Second Amended SPA, rather than directly to the Company.

The offer and sale of the , Amended Note and the Amended Warrant was made in a private transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), in reliance on exemptions afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

The foregoing description of the Second Amended SPA, Side Letter Agreement, Amended Note and the Amended Warrant do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended SPA, Side Letter Agreement, Amended Note and the Amended Warrant, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth under Items 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

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 thereunto duly authorized.

DRIVEITAWAY HOLDINGS, INC. Dated: February 16, 2023 By: /s/ John Possumato Name: John Possumato Title: Chief Executive Officer

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 4.1

EXHIBIT 4.2

EXHIBIT 10.1

EXHIBIT 10.2

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Air Forces from the United States and three Pacific allies have fanned out across 1,200 miles of the Pacific Ocean in a test of their ability to operate far from large, well-appointed bases.

Cope North, an annual airpower exercise involving 2,000 service members from the U.S., Japan, Australia, and France, began Feb. 10 and run through Feb. 24.

Forces from all four nations are spread across 10 spots between the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, also called Iwo To, in the north and the Republic of Palau in the south, Air Force Col. Jared Pasley said by phone Wednesday.

The locations are in the so-called second island chain, according to Pasley, the director of U.S. forces participating in the exercise. The chain, which includes Guam, stretches along the eastern border of the Philippine Sea and forms a strategic line of defense for the U.S.

The exercise comes amid heightened tensions with Beijing, which has been investing heavily in its military. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated his intention of reuniting the autonomous and democratic island of Taiwan, by force if necessary.

Last month, Gen. Michael Minihan, who as head of Air Mobility Command oversees the Air Forces fleet of transport and refueling aircraft, warned his airmen to speed their preparations for a potential conflict, citing Xis aspirations and the possibility that Americans will not be paying attention until it is too late.

The Defense Department, however, distanced itself from Minihans comments, according to a Jan. 29 report by airandspaceforces.com.

The National Defense Strategy makes clear that China is the pacing challenge for the Department of Defense and our focus remains on working alongside allies and partners to preserve a peaceful, free and open Indo-Pacific, the news site reported Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder as saying.

Agile combat

The skills being honed at Cope North are part of a doctrine called agile combat employment, Pasley said.

The training is focused on contested operations against a state actor and really upping the challenge, he said. This is probably the most aggressive and challenging Cope North Ive seen.

The exercise involves Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps fighters, transports, refuelers, helicopters and airborne warning and control aircraft, along with Japanese fighters and refuelers and French and Australian transports.

Logistics is a vital part of distributed operations, Pasley said.

Its the logistics that really separates the professionals from the junior varsity, he said, noting that its a simple matter to fly a plane to a remote location but more complicated to fuel, arm and maintain it there.

Cope North is building skills to generate forward airpower under duress, Pasley said.

We are testing our commanders ability to make risk-informed decisions and execute the mission, he said.

Royal Australian Air Force Capt. Robert Graham said the 105 Australians participating in the exercise are flying a C-27J Spartan transport from Guam to the islands of Rota, Tinian and Saipan.

Australian airmen are used to operating from remote locations in the South Pacific, Graham said.

We need to understand how the U.S. operates their agile combat employment so we know how to work with you, he said.

Parallel challenge

Airfields would be a prime target in a conflict with China, so being able to operate flexibly with backup personnel is critical to sustaining combat, according to Ralph Cossa, president emeritus of the Pacific Forum think tank in Hawaii.

China could face parallel challenges in a war, he said in an email Thursday.

If the Chinese believe mainland bases will be a sanctuary, they will only have themselves to blame when it turns out not to be true, he said. I would assume, and I would assume the Chinese would assume, that staging bases on the Mainland involved in operations against Taiwan will be early targets.

Distributed operations will probably be more important to the U.S. and its allies than to China in any conflict, said Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

US and allied assets, with the exception of those from Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, are spread regionally and globally, he said in an email Thursday. That means a need to be able to deploy flexibly in response to a contingency in East Asia. If a contingency involves [China], then [Chinese] forces would likely seek ways to complicate, if not block access.
STUTTGART, Germany  The U.S. Army in Europe on Thursday launched one of its largest drills in recent years in the Arctic, where thousands of troops are fanning out across Finland and Norway to test their cold-weather fighting skills.

Arctic Forge 23, an inaugural exercise led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, comes as allies put greater emphasis on deploying combat-ready forces to NATOs northern flank.

The Arctic drill, which runs until March 17, includes Finlands Defense Exercise North and the exercise Joint Viking in Norway.

Arctic Angel soldiers from the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division will take part in an over-the-pole flight to Finland. And soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division and Virginia Army National Guard will join the effort.

The focus will be on commanding and controlling a multinational force at the battalion level, USAREUR-AF said in a statement Wednesday.

The goal of Defense Exercise North is to demonstrate readiness by deploying a combat-credible force to enhance power in NATOs northern flank in support of our partner Finland, an aspiring NATO member, the statement said.

Meanwhile, 730 Marines and 200 U.S. soldiers will take part in Joint Viking alongside more than 10,000 combined military personnel from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Joint Viking also involves winter warfare and maneuver training as well as live-fire drills carried out by the Armys 41st Field Artillery Brigade.

The training in the High North is unfolding as Russia takes steps to fortify its position in the region, even as its forces are bogged down in Ukraine.

In an annual intelligence report released Monday, Norway noted that defense of Russian bases in the Arctic has become more critical for the Kremlin, given Moscows difficulties in Ukraine and overall tensions with the West.

Nuclear weapons could play a larger role in Russias strategy for defending its positions in the Artic, given its conventional losses in Ukraine, the Norwegian Intelligence Service said in its report.

The Arctic, where the melting of sea ice has raised the prospect of easier navigation in sea lanes, has become more of a military focal point for the Pentagon in recent years.

We must win in any engagement, including and especially the Arctic, Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, said in a statement.
(Tribune News Service)  The Georgia Ports Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers this week marked the start of planning for improvements to the Brunswick harbor shipping channel that proponents say will make the transit of cargo ships safer and more efficient.

The authority and the Corps signed an agreement Monday that launches design work for the Brunswick Harbor Modifications Project, a planned widening and realignment of the channel for vehicle carrier ships entering and exiting the Brunswick port. The project was approved in March 2022 and authorized for construction under the Water Resources Development Act of 2022.

This agreement advances a project that serves not only the interests of the state and the region, but it yields economic benefits nationwide  and were proud to be part of that, Col. Joseph Geary, USACE, Savannah District commander, said in a news release.

The project is estimated to cost $17.3 million, with the ports authority covering a third of the cost and the Corps covering the remainder. A contract for the work is expected to be awarded in late 2024.

The channel improvements will allow ocean carriers to serve the Port of Brunswick with greater safety and efficiency, Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, said in the release. Coupled with our on-terminal expansion efforts, the harbor project will help meet the needs of Georgias growing automotive and agricultural business sectors.

In September 2019, a car container ship capsized in the Brunswick channel, triggering a massive salvage operation and cleanup and spawning lawsuits. A 2021 marine accident report produced by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that miscalculations made by the ships chief officer were the main cause of the accident.

The planned channel improvements come as the ports authority is investing $247 million to expand its dockside capacity in Brunswick.

In December, the authority announced project to move breakbulk cargo operations from Savannah to Brunswick as part of an effort to expand container shipping at Savannahs Ocean Terminal. Breakbulk cargo is freight that doesnt fit into conventional container boxes and includes things such as heavy machinery and automotive products.

Breakbulk cargo handled by shipping giant Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean will move from Savannah to Colonels Island Terminal in Brunswick, where construction has started on new dockside warehousing and an expansion of auto storage space is underway.

2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Visit at ajc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Two longtime Tennessee Army National Guard pilots were killed Wednesday when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Huntsville, Ala., Guard officials said.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danny Randolph were killed in the crash that happened at about 3 p.m. local time, Col. James A. Reed, a Tennessee Guard spokesman, said Thursday in a statement. The crash remained under investigation, and a cause of the incident was still unknown.

Wadham was from Joelton, Tenn., and had served 15 years in the Army. Randolph was from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and had served 13 years, Reed said. Both were assigned to A Company of the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, which is stationed at Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville, Tenn.

Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of these two Tennessee National Guardsmen, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, the Tennessee Guards top general, said in a statement. It is felt not only within the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard but across our entire military community. We ask that Tennesseans continue to join us in prayer for these soldiers families amid this tragic loss.

The UH-60 Black Hawk was conducting a routine training flight and approaching the Huntsville Executive Airport when it rapidly descended and impacted the ground near Highway 53 and Burwell Road, Reed said. The Huntsville airport is about 100 miles south of Berry Field.

Deputies from the Madison County Sheriffs Department immediately responded to the crash site and reported the deaths of the two pilots. No other service members were aboard the aircraft when it crashed, and no civilians were injured when the Black Hawk went down, officials said.

One witness said she believed the helicopters pilots purposely guided the Black Hawk away from her subdivision before it wrecked.

Susan Shepard told AL.com news that she heard the helicopter flying over her home in Harvest, Ala., just northwest of Huntsville, before seeing the wreckage nearby.

I think that that pilot was a hero and probably saved a lot of lives, she said, according to AL.com. However he did it, he probably saved our subdivision.

Federal and state authorities were investigating the crash, Reed said.
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(Tribune News Service)  A 25-year-old Waikiki man in federal custody for allegedly selling a fatal dose of cocaine to a Kaneohe Marine reportedly received more than $20,000 in loans from a COVID-19 relief program for what he claimed was his taxi business.

Rayshaun Emilio Nova  Ducos was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and a firearm offense. He pleaded not guilty to both charges Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom A. Trader. His trial is set for April 11.

Ducos was allegedly found in possession of two ghost guns when federal agents searched his Waikiki apartment Jan. 30. A 9 mm handgun and a 5.56 mm AR-15-style handgun, neither with manufacturer markings, were found in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to the indictment.

The government is seeking forfeiture of the firearms and $30,829 in cash seized from Ducos apartment.

According to a search of ProPublicas Paycheck Protection Program loan database, Ducos used a sole proprietorship, which he represented in a federal loan application as a taxi business  in Honolulu, to obtain $20, 416 in PPP funding on April 28, 2021. His business supposedly existed for more than two years prior to receiving the federal aid.

Information on Ducos loan status is not available on the database.

A check with the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division failed to turn up any record of Ducos serving as a business agent for a sole proprietorship in Honolulu.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Ayabe, who is prosecuting his drug and firearm case for the government, and Assistant Federal Public Defender Craig Jerome did not immediately reply to a Honolulu Star-Advertiser request for comment. The U.S. Attorneys Office did not respond to questions about whether Ducos loan application is the subject of federal scrutiny or connected to his alleged cocaine distribution operation.

On Jan. 23, Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents responded to a report of an overdose at a home on Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. They found Cpl. Adell Anderson, of the 3rd Marine Division, who was taken to the Adventist Health Castle hospital in Kailua, where he was pronounced dead, according to federal court records.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and NCIS are investigating Ducos and other identified and unidentified subjects, regarding the distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and other controlled substances, and conspiracy,  according to the court complaint.

A witness told NCIS agents that Anderson knew Ducos from previous drug transactions.

(c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com

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The boy injured in a 90-foot fall into the Niagara Gorge remains in critical condition as state police investigate the incident as a suicide attempt by his mother, officials said Thursday.

Trooper James O'Callaghan, a local State Police spokesman, offered a few new details about what happened Monday at Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park.

He said the family involved in the incident traveled here from Illinois.

The investigation now led by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation indicates the mother intentionally jumped into the gorge with her 5-year-old son, who was rescued and taken by Mercy Flight to Oishei Children's Hospital. The mother, who was 34, died from her injuries at the scene.

"We are not releasing any names due to the possibility of this case being a suicide," O'Callaghan said.

He said he could not provide additional information on what brought the woman and her family from Illinois to Niagara Falls.

Oishei spokeswoman Liz Ortolani said she could not reveal details on the boy's treatment beyond his condition.

Anyone contemplating self-harm can call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.
VACAVILLE, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  Her cheerful face, wide smile and perfectly coiffed hair were every bit a match for the temporary decor in her Suisun City living room: dozens of bright floral bouquets, birthday cards arrayed like proud affirmations on the dining room table and clusters of balloons rising to the ceiling.

But one black metallic balloon with white numerals denoting 100 said it all, explaining the reason why Elizabeth Tate was in a reflective mood just a few days after her 100th birthday.

Seated at the dining room table in a tan sweater dotted with sequins over leopard print pants, Tate, who is slightly hard of hearing and suffers from Type 2 diabetes, was frank about her current well-being even though her hitting the century mark has prompted a newsworthy celebration, some of it still pending.

Im sort of out of it today, she said matter-of-factly, with daughter Rella Rosboro seated nearby.

Amid her greeting cards was a family photo of the wedding of Rosboros brothers oldest grandchild, and begged for an explanation.

It was a super spreader event, said Rosboro, as Tate smiled at the recollection and the photo showing some two dozen people. Everybody got COVID except Elizabeth!

Her mother remains active and is constantly on the computer and is still asked to give recitations and poems at various public events in Suisun City and Fairfield, she said.

A former Rosie the Riveter who worked in the U.S. defense industries during World War II, Tate will have another birthday celebration at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Delta Breeze Club on Travis Air Force Base, noted Rosboro. And Tate will be feted again, along with other Solano County centenarians, at 9 a.m. Feb. 28, by the Board of Supervisors in their County Government chambers, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.

Just by sheer longevity, Tates is a remarkable survivors tale.

She is someone who has passed through the major events of the 20th century and those of the first 23 years of the 21st, from the first sound-on-film motion picture (1923) to the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, to the COVID pandemic and deeply divided American politics (2023), and the ongoing, mind-boggling advances in medicine and ever-changing American culture.

Elizabeth Fisher Tate was born on Feb. 2, 1923, in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Immediately after her birth, her family moved to New Orleans, living in the Ninth Ward, in the easternmost part of the city, an area that in 2005 made national news because it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

During the interview, Tate said she lived in a shotgun house,  a narrow house common in Black communities in New Orleans, laid out so, she added, If you opened the front door, you could see (unobstructed) all the way back to the backdoor.

She attended public schools there, graduating from McDonogh 35 High School, where, according to her family biography, a prepared statement, the principal was Lucien Alexis, a Harvard graduate. He could not find a job with his Ivy League degree, so he shared his scholarship, discipline and scientific theories with his students. Tate graduated in 1940 at age 17, when war was approaching and the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history was approved.

But Tate said it was unclear the global conflict, already underway in Europe, would involve to the United States.

Shortly afterward, with her fathers blessing, Tate responded to a National Youth Administration newspaper ad focused on providing education and work for youth, ages 16 to 25. The NYA was part of the Works Progress Administration, one of Roosevelts New Deal agencies created in the 1930s during the Great Depression. It included a Division of Negro Affairs headed by Mary McLeod Bethune, who later founded Bethune-Cookman College in Florida and the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune also befriended first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

As part of the NYA, Tate traveled with six other girls from New Orleans by train, leaving the city for the first time in her life, to Washington State, where she learned to operate a lathe. Later, with a valuable skill on her resume, she moved to Richmond, where her oldest sister lived, but didnt like the East Bay town. So she moved to San Francisco, where she landed a good-paying job making bolts for the war effort at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.

I made a lot of bolts, said Tate, smiling. Tubs of bolts.

After the war, she worked for more than two decades at J.C. Penney, the first Black woman in management at the Daly City store, retiring at age 60. To this day, she still receives a pension from the department store  And a discount when she purchases store products, she said, smiling at the thought.

Tate married Webster Rosboro and together they raised Rella and Webster Jr., but the elder Rosboro died in December 1970. Tate remarried in 1975 to James Tate, a retired airman, and settled in Solano County. He died in July 2020 but not before receiving recognition from Rep. John Garamendi for his many years of military service.

Rella Rosboro noted that on March 15, 2022, Rosie the Riveter Trust Executive Director Sarah Pritchard, introduced the Wall of Honor at the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park on Harbour Way in Richmond. The wall was designed and built to honor a past or living female World War II worker by having a banner featuring a photograph and brief bio of a Rosie.

Elizabeths banner was proudly displayed on the wall, Rosboro said in an email to The Reporter. Five Rosies, including Elizabeth Tate, were on the dais as Pritchard explained the walls purpose. Each Rosie was introduced to the audience. Afterward, a documentary about the Rosies, still being developed and edited, had a special viewing, she said.

Tate is a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield. There, on Feb. 5, three days after her 100th birthday, the pastor, as seen in a video of the occasion, honored Tate in front of the congregation, describing her as sharp, sassy, sexy, suave and spiritual.

Pastor Claybon Lea and others sang a version of Stevie Wonders Happy Birthday, with its infectious R&B rhythms and plenty of balloons around, with Lea telling Tate that the church community had been, among other things, so enriched by your wisdom, your teaching. He then presented her with a $1,000 check.

I love my congregation, Tate can be heard seen in the video. I ask that you pray for me.

Tates cousin, retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clyde L. Fisher, called her on her 100th birthday, telling her she is our Fisher relative and 100 of 277 years in the Fisher family, he wrote in an email to Rella Rosboro.

Through genealogical research, he noted that Tate is the fifth great-granddaughter of Anthony Fisher, born in 1745, in Tanzania, Africa, a free enslaved person who died in 1850 at age 105 in the township of Ivor, Southampton County, Virginia.

Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher Tate is unique and very proud of her heritage and family, Clyde Fisher wrote, adding,  Mrs. Tates service to the United States during WWII is highly admirable.

As to her memory, Tate attributed it to reciting a poem every night, and, accounting for her longevity, she said, Im a person who thinks positively. I love everybody. I dont have time for picking and choosing stuff. I have God in my life.

(c)2023 The Reporter, Vacaville, Calif.

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The long-lost wreckage of a U.S. Navy submarine credited with sinking nearly a dozen enemy ships during World War II before vanishing in late 1944 has been found off the coast of northern Japan, Navy officials announced Thursday.

The USS Albacores wreckage was confirmed by the Naval History and Heritage Commands Underwater Archaeology Branch after it was located recently off the coast of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japans main islands, the Navy said in a news release. The NHHC used information and imagery provided by Tamaki Ura, a University of Tokyo professor who has specialized in developing autonomous underwater vehicles to confirm the identity of the submarine. The Albacore disappeared while patrolling in the Pacific Ocean and had at least 85 sailors aboard.

As the final resting place for [U.S.] sailors who gave their life in defense of our nation, we sincerely thank and congratulate Dr. Ura and his team for their efforts in locating the wreck of Albacore, Samuel Cox, the director of the NHHC, said in a statement. It is through their hard work and continued collaboration that we could confirm Albacores identity after being lost at sea for over 70 years.

The Albacore was last heard from by the U.S. military on Oct. 28, 1944, when it stopped at Midway for fuel en route for its 11th combat patrol in the waters off northern Japan, according to Naval records. The Gato-class submarine was believed sunk in a Nov. 7, 1944, underwater explosion reported in Japanese military records, likely the result of hitting an underwater mine. The location of the ships wreckage appeared to confirm those details, according to the Navy.

Before the subs sinking, the Albacore had proved a capable warship. The vessel was built by the Electric Boat Company and commissioned into the Navy on June 1, 1942. The Navy credited the submarine with sinking at least 10 enemy ships during its brief tenure  earning the Albacore nine battle stars for meritorious participation in battle and four Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism in combat. The Navy said the Albacore might have been responsible for sinking three additional ships during the war, but those have not been confirmed.

Among the subs known sinkings were Japanese destroyers, freighters and the 31,000-ton Japanese aircraft carrier Taiho, then the newest and largest carrier in the Japanese fleet. Taiho sunk hours after being struck by a torpedo fired by the Albacore during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, according to the Navy. The Albacores crew did not know at the time that they had sunk the flagship after diving deep to escape incoming aerial attacks. Months later, the Albacores top officer at that time, Lt. Cmdr. James Blanchard, was awarded the Navy Cross, the services second-highest honor for combat heroics, for his role in sinking the Taiho.

The Navy said Ura used unmanned underwater craft to locate the Albacore based on Japanese records documenting the Nov. 7, 1944, explosion off Hokkaido.

Strong currents, marine growth and poor visibility on site made it challenging to fully document the wreck or obtain comprehensive images, the Navy statement said. However, several key features of a late 1944 Gato-class submarine were identified in the video.

Those features included the presence of a SJ Radar dish and mast, a row of vent holes along the top of the superstructure and the absence of steel plates along the ships upper edge consistent with the Albacores construction at the time that the submarine was last seen, according to the Navy.

The Albacores wreckage now falls under the NHHCs jurisdiction and is protected from intrusion by U.S. law, the Navy said.

The wreck represents the final resting place of sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave, the Navy statement reads.
Naples is renowned for its pizza, pasta and seafood.

Perhaps not as well-known is that the city is home to many pasticcerie, or pastry shops, offering a variety of signature Neapolitan sweets such as rum baba; torta caprese, or chocolate cake; and sfogliatelle.

Dont try to pronounce that last one. Just head down to La Sfogliatella Mary in Naples Quartieri Spagnoli neighborhood for some of the best of this crispy, cheesy treat.

Sfogliatelle are palm-sized pastries traditionally filled with a ricotta cheese mixture flavored with citrus and spices.

There are two variations. Riccia, or curly, features a seashell-shaped outer crust of very thin pastry layers sort of like those in baklava. Frolla is round and made with a shortbread, or a crumbly biscuitlike crust.

If you like crunch, get riccia. Frolla is better if you prefer a softer, cookie-type experience.

The first version of what is known today as a sfogliatella was invented in the late 1600s by a nun at the Santa Rosa Monastery on the Amalfi Coast near Salerno, according to the website Authentic Amalfi Coast.

About 150 years later, the recipe somehow was acquired by Naples pastry chef Pasquale Pintauro, who modified it and began baking it at his shop on Via Toledo in Naples, the website states. You can still buy them there today.

Since then, pastry shops across the region have been baking the treat and enhancing the ricotta filling with different flavorings, such as pistachio, lemon or chocolate.

In my recent quest to find the best sfogliatella in Naples, I visited Pintauro, La Sfogliatella Mary, Pasticceria Salvatore Varriale, Cuori di Sfogliatella and SfogliateLab. All of them were featured on various online foodie and travel websites.

Two other shops on the list, Antica Pasticceria Carraturo and Antica Forno della sfogliatelle calde F.lli Attansio, were closed on the Wednesday I visited.

During my trip to La Sfogliatella Mary, I ordered a traditional riccia for 2 euros. The shop also offers frolla but I like the curly, crisp layers of the labor-intensive riccia.

The pastry arrived hot, topped with powdered sugar and wrapped in a paper napkin. Sfogliatella, like most Naples street food, is made to be eaten on the go and best served warm.

Perfectly baked, the crust was flaky and crunchy, offering a nice balance to the creamy ricotta filling studded with candied orange.

It was easy to see why the popular pastry shop, located in a vestibule of the Galleria Umberto I shopping mall adjacent to Via Toledo, often has a long line.

This sfogliatella  rich, warm and satisfying  was the best I had eaten all day, edging out an almost equally good offering by Pintauro.

The birthplace of modern-day sfogliatelle was right up there with my other favorite, but I give Marys the edge on the strength of its slightly more flavorful ricotta cheese filling and the warmth of the pastry served to me.

Both were far superior to the sfogliatelle from the other three shops, which offered paler, blander, room-temperature versions that just didnt measure up.

For example, the sfogliatelle from Pasticceria Salvatore Varriale werent warm, and while the crust in both the riccia and frolla versions was OK, the filling was inferior.

However, the pastry shop, located in Naples fashionable Chiaia neighborhood, sells a variety of other baked goods along with espresso. It also has indoor and outdoor seating, a rarity among hardcore, to-go sfogliatelle shops.

Cuori di Sfogliatella and SfogliateLab also have seating and are near the central train station. Each offered passable sfogliatelle, but again, a lack of warmth and bland flavoring made them less than memorable.

These shops do offer an assortment of flavorings, though, including savory versions.

Not all sfogliatelle are equal. So make Pasquale happy and resist the temptation to try those pretty or trendy versions.

Instead head to Marys or Pintauros for the best of what Naples has to offer.

La Sfogliatella Mary

Address: Galleria Principe Umberto 66, Naples, Italy

Hours: 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; closed on Mondays

Cost: 2 euros; other pastries, such as baba, also available

Information: +39 081402218; www.facebook.com/lasfogliatellamaryofficial

Pintauro

Address: Via Toledo 275, Naples, Italy

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday-Monday; closed Tuesday

Price: 3 euros, also sells other pastries.

Information: +39 3487781645
Kon's Burger is a tiny cafe that serves Vietnamese-style sandwiches, fresh juice, tea and coffee near Okinawa's capital city.

Despite the name, the cafe specializes in the banh mi, a popular Vietnamese sandwich, and not beefy burgers. The classic banh mi is a crusty French baguette filled with a combination of meats, veggies and topped with sauce.

Kon's Burger offers five banh mi sandwiches: vegetarian, egg, pork, beef, or the special banh mi that is a combination, all stuffed with a mix of bright green coriander leaves, pickled onion and crunchy cucumber strips, topped with a sweet orange sauce.

The sandwichs perfect, crusty submarine-like rolls are freshly baked every morning, according to the shops Instagram. Each month, Kons Burger offers a special sandwich; Januarys flavor was shrimp avocado and beginning next Tuesday, February's special is Xiu mai banh mi, which is meatballs stewed in tomato sauce, according to the owner Instagram.

The banh mi are served hot and range from 450 yen (about $3.45) to 750 yen. The cafe also offers five freshly made iced drinks: Vietnam coffee, Vietnam au lait, lemongrass orange tea, yakuzen tea and ginger ale tea (350 yen each). You can also get the yakuzen tea and coffee served hot.

I stopped in on a Saturday evening and ordered two banh mi sandwiches: the special banh mi and the hamburg banh mi with a chilled lemongrass orange tea. My order arrived within seven minutes and the first thing that caught my attention was the fresh aroma of the Vietnamese-style veggies and mouthwatering meats.

Each bite began with a delightful crunch from the warm bread accompanied by a fresh taste from the herby veggie mix and well-seasoned meat filling. The lemongrass tea was lightly sweetened and refreshing.

While there are three tables inside the cafe, an employee said most customers order their sandwiches to go.

Kons Burger, run by Chef Cong from Vietnam, according to the cafes Instagram bio, sometimes offers specialty dishes, including fresh shrimp spring rolls, fried spring rolls and yakiniku salad.

The cafe has a small section with a few Vietnamese grocery items such as instant noodle packets, rice vermicelli and nam ngu fish sauce. There is no dedicated parking, but I found plenty of street parking near the storefront.

Kons Burger has two restaurants -- the storefront, where I ate, and their food truck. Both menus are the same, yet the food truck servers only large sizes and does not serve the restaurant's specials. Both are open until the food sells out, so it may be best to call ahead if you plan to eat there later in the day. Check out Kon Burgers calendar on their Instagram to see when theyre open.

A female staff member spoke just enough English to help me place my order and the menu is written in both Japanese and English.

Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report.

KONS BURGER

Restaurant Location: 2-36-13 Nishizaki, Itoman City, Okinawa 901-0305

Restaurant Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until items are sold out. Closed Mondays and holidays.

Food Truck Location: JA Toyosaki nanairo batake, 3-86 Toyosaki, Tomishiro City

Food Truck Hours: Opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes when its sold out, or until 5:00pm.

Prices: Banh mi start at 450 yen.

Dress: Casual

Information: Phone: 080-649-45545; Online: instagram.com/konsburger
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Tribune News Service)  Three weeks after seven police officers were killed in a single attack on a rural police station in Haiti's Artibonite Valley, the repercussions are still being felt.

The latest casualty: the region's main health care facility.

Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, which serves more than 700,000 people in the Artibonite Valley and Central Plateau regions, has suspended operations and implemented an emergency plan where it only accepts life-saving emergency cases.

"For the past 67 years, our hospital has weathered many challenges in Haiti and through it all we have never, ever had to close our doors. But today we face a truly unprecedented challenge, and without a security force soon, we may indeed have to close our doors and suspend our operations," Jean Marc deMatteis, the hospital's chief executive officer, told the Miami Herald.

The rising gang violence and kidnappings, which have now spread into even rural communities in the rice-growing Artibonite Valley just north of the capital, is crippling day-to-day healthcare operations. Two police stations, one in the town of Verettes and the other in Liancourt, where the deadly attacks occurred on Jan. 25, have been abandoned and have no police presence. As a result, armed gangs are roaming the streets, forcing the hospital to discharge any of its 140 hospitalized patients, because there are no other facilities to take them and roads are unsafe and blocked. Even workers have now been forced to sleep in the facility.

"Haiti has always been a challenging place to operate, but since the assassination of the country's president in 2021, the situation has continued to spiral and it is now completely out of control. Local authorities just do not have the capacity to restore order," deMatteis said. "Basic security needs to be restored and humanitarian corridors established in order to be able to serve the most vulnerable."

Haiti's widespread gang violence continues as Caribbean leaders gather in the Bahamas for their 44th summit that began Wednesday. The deteriorating situation in Haiti, a member state of the Caribbean Community regional grouping, will be among the leading discussion items.

The three-day gathering, which brings together heads of government from the 15 countries that comprise CARICOM, will be attended by Haiti's prime minister; Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere and other State Department officials, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau has been asked by the Biden administration to lead a multinational force into Haiti to help the country's beleaguered police force take on gangs.

So far, the Ottawa government has not said if it will, and the United States has said it doesn't want to lead the force. That leaves a frustrated Haitian police force, which has lost at least 78 officers, mostly in gang ambushes, since the J uly 7, 2021, assassination of the country's president, Jovenel Moise.

In response to the gang attacks, police recently rioted in the capital and several other regions, and lately they have been flocking to passport offices in hopes of benefiting from a new humanitarian parole program launched by the Biden administration for nationals of Haiti and three other countries with a financial sponsor in the United States.

"What we in CARICOM have come to appreciate is that we do not have the resources to be able to deal with the Haiti problem ourselves, and we do need outside help," Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis said during a Tuesday press conference ahead of the summit in Nassau. "We're looking to the north, Canada, and the United States to come to the fore to help."

Trudeau's presence, Davis said, is to discuss "the role they may be able to play" in the unfolding Haitian crisis.

During Wednesday's opening ceremony, where Trudeau was present along with top Biden administration officials, Davis said "the crisis of Haiti requires our urgent attention." He said he hopes that leaders present can agree on a series of concrete steps to help the volatile Caribbean nation.

'We all benefit if Haiti is again a functioning state," Davis said, noting that the international community's past mistakes in Haiti should not be an excuse for doing nothing to do nothing. "Inaction has its costs and consequences."

Haitians remain divided on the question of foreign intervention, even as kidnappings and violence spike. While politicians and civil society leaders have been outspoken in their opposition to foreign troops, a recent poll by the Alliance for Risk Management and Business Continuity, known by its French acronym AGERCA, suggests that the opinion isn't shared by the larger population.

The poll of 5,736 Haitians across the country's 10 regional departments revealed that more than 70% of Haitians do not believe the Haiti National Police can assure security or disarm gangs. Meanwhile, 69% of those polled were in favor of the deployment of an international force, and a majority also felt that the police would benefit from such a force.

Gerard Laborde, the president of AGERCA, said while he wasn't surprised by the results, he was taken aback at the high percent of Haitians in rural areas who support the notion of an foreign troops. It shows, he said, that the country's security challenges aren't just being felt in Port-au-Prince, the capital.

"This poll reflects the reality," he said. "The reality is gangs and armed groups are everywhere."

He fears that without outside help, the country will soon see the birth of private militias as the violence overwhelms Haitians.

Jamaica earlier this month announced its willingness to participate in an international force, joining two other Caribbean nations and some African countries that have also privately expressed similar interests. Still, the U.S., which authored a resolution at the United Nations Security Council supporting a deployment of foreign troops under the U.N. umbrella, would like to see a larger nation also step up to take the lead.

Observers say there are a number of reasons countries, including Canada, continue to be reluctant to participate. One is the perception of foreign intervention in Haiti, which has a controversial history with such troops. And two, there are domestic implications for nations involved, given the seriousness and chaotic nature of the gang violence in Haiti.

There is also the ongoing political reality in Haiti, where there is not one elected official in office and the country is being run by an interim government. Despite welcoming a three-member council to lead a transition, the U.S. and others are calling on Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to broaden the December political agreement that put the council in place to include more political and civil-society participants.

"It has to be a Haitian solution, not an American, Canadian or CARICOM solution," Davis said about whatever decision the international community makes to help Haiti.

Davis, who recently pulled his country's diplomats out of Haiti after they found themselves in a confrontation with protesting police officers, acknowledged that "the instability that continues to persist doesn't make anyone feel safe to be in Haiti."

In addition to Haiti, Caribbean leaders will discuss climate change, the deepening hunger problem in the region and the continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. They will also discuss U.S.-Caribbean relations and will hear an address, via video, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Last year CARICOM issued a statement strongly condemning Russia's military attacks and invasion of Ukraine.

2023 Miami Herald.

Visit at miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japan plans to start operating its new Ground Self-Defense Force missile base on Ishigaki Island in March as part of a plan to bolster defenses in the Nansei Island chain, an Okinawa newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Ministry of Defense is arranging to transport the missiles using Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels next month, most likely around March 18 or 19, according to the report, which cited an unnamed government source.

The Nansei Islands stretch from Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands, to within 70 miles of Taiwan. Ishikagi is about 150 miles east of Taiwan.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Tuesday declined to comment on the movement of missiles and vehicles to the island for security reasons. He said Feb. 10 that nothing had been decided about where the upgraded missiles will be placed, according to a video uploaded to the ministrys website.

A spokesman for the Okinawa Defense Bureau, an arm of the Ministry of Defense, declined by email Wednesday to comment on the Okinawa Times report. Some government spokespeople in Japan are required to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

The Ministry of Defense started building the new base, Camp Ishigaki, in March 2019 to accommodate about 600 personnel in surface-to-air and surface-to-ship guided-missile units and a security unit, according to the ministry website. Type-12 surface-to-ship guided missiles and Type-03 surface-to-air guided missiles are planned to be deployed at the base.

Japan is developing an upgraded version of the high-speed, truck-mounted Type-12 missile with its range extended from 62 miles to 620 miles, putting potential targets around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and parts of China and North Korea within reach.

The Ishigaki city assembly in December expressed concerns over the possible deployment of long-range missiles, saying that might raise tensions and bring danger to the island.

The members asked for further explanation before their deployment. The request was sent to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japans defense minister and other top political authorities.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Two hours before Tammy and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marcus Jenkins boarded their flight from Japan to Seattle on Dec. 29, their cat, Luna, went missing.

Marcus, a former air traffic controller with 374th Operations Support Squadron, spent his final, frantic moments at Yokota scouring the area for any sign of Luna, Tammy told Stars and Stripes that day by Facebook Messenger.

The couple was taking the Patriot Express, the contract air service for military passengers, to Seattle for their eventual move to Oklahoma.

Members of the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron descended on the Jenkins recently vacated room at Yokotas Kanto Lodge. They disassembled the bed, moved the stove and refrigerator and searched the cabinets and drawers without success, Tammy said.

We are getting ready to board without my cat, she said by Messenger that morning.

More than a month later, on Feb. 3, someone found Luna, an emaciated brown-and-gray tabby, near Yokotas eastside chapel.

Two days later, Tech. Sgt. Grant Carson and his wife, Diana Carson, started a GoFundMe campaign, Reuniting Luna with Tammy, to raise $5,000 to fly the feline home.

Grant Carson, an equipment custodian with Yokotas 730th Air Mobility Squadron, and Diana Carson, manager-volunteer at the Airmans Attic, were familiar with Tammy.

We knew Tammy as a friend; she worked here at the Airman's Attic, Grant Carson said Feb. 8. Every time you [make a permanent change of station], you burn through money, so we wanted to try to help her out.

Many military families know too well that shipping pets can be expensive. Moving Luna from Japan to Oklahoma will cost about $3,000, Tammy said. As of Thursday, the campaign has raised $1,545.

Meanwhile, Luna is in the care of Natalie Kuri, a civil engineers analyst and animal rescue volunteer at Yokota. The Jenkinses adopted Luna from Kuri, who found the cat on base two years ago.

We were so thrilled to get the call that Luna was found, and that Natalie had picked her up and taken her to the vet, Tammy Jenkins said Wednesday via Messenger. The outpouring of support from Yokota has been amazing and Natalie is our amazing angel.

Kuri spent nearly $200 on a medical checkup at an off-base pet clinic for Luna. Though Luna is safe and sound, shes down to 3 pounds from 7 pounds and must put on weight before shes healthy enough to travel.

She was dehydrated, hungry and close to death when she was found, Kuri said.

The days between Luna lost and found were agonizing, Tammy said.

It was terrible, she said. She is our baby. It was terrible not knowing if she was cold, hurt, hungry. I had many many nights of not sleeping and was up in the middle of the night Facetiming Natalie.

Marcus is serving at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, for the next year, and Tammy said she cant wait to be reunited with her family member.

When Marcus was on (temporary duty travel) last time, Luna was my sleeping buddy, Tammy said. She was my alarm clock. She was always there to listen to me about my day. She is my protector. I have been without all of that since December 29.
NATO members should be required to devote significantly more of their gross domestic product to their respective military budgets, Estonias defense minister said Thursday following talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Tallinn.

Allies must spend more than 2% of their GDP on defense. Ideally, closer to 2.5%, Hanno Pevkur said at a news conference.

The comments came one day after a meeting of NATO defense leaders in Brussels, where the issue of increasing alliance defense spending guidelines was among the top issues discussed.

Allies are expected to agree to a new investment pledge this summer when heads of state hold a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In 2014, NATO set 2% of GDP on defense as a benchmark to be achieved by 2024. But now, following Russias unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, some alliance leaders say a more dangerous security environment necessitates larger commitments.

Raising the minimum spending requirement could run into opposition from countries such as Germany, which already falls well short of the 2% mark.

But ramping up spending and improving NATO defenses would mean having the resources to further bolster alliance support for Ukraine, Pevkur said.

More can only be given when there is more to give, he said.

For Estonia, which borders Russia, the outcome of the war in Ukraine is of significant concern. When asked whether his country could be next if Russia succeeds in its objectives in Ukraine, Pevkur said that we are doing our maximum to prevent it.

He added that to deter any potential aggression, NATO needs to update its regional defense plans for the Baltics, which he hopes will happen in July at the Vilnius summit.

For its part, the United States has stepped up military operations in Estonia and the rest of the Baltics in a move aimed at deterring potential threats, Austin said.

Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad, said Austin, referring to the NATO provision that an attack on one member demands a response from all. We take that very seriously.
The man who killed their loved ones will never step foot outside a prison again. But that is not the end of it for the families of the victims of the May 14 massacre  not by a long shot.

Now they want to do something to make sure no one can ever perpetrate a heinous crime like that Tops massacre again and also to confront the racism that brought the killing to fruition.

They plan to do it through civil lawsuits and through activism against systemic racism, and they want all of Buffalo to join them.

As racist killer apologizes, judge, attorneys say racism still must be confronted after Buffalo massacre As the judge sentenced Payton Gendron to a lifetime in prison, the hearing was also about the systemic racism and social media influences that created a monster who targeted Black shoppers.

Wayne Jones, whose mother Celestine Chaney was murdered in the domestic terrorist attack, called Wednesday for a reckoning.

"Buffalo needs to look at its racist ways in the face. It's been this way. It's not just one supermarket on Jefferson. That's the only supermarket on the entire East Side," he said.

He pointed to the poor and dilapidated neighborhoods that can be found all over the East Side of Buffalo.

"We don't get jobs. We don't get education. We don't get the opportunities here. It's been this way. It's not new," he said. "You drive through the East Side. Does it look like they have opportunities?"

Zeneta Everhart, whose son Zaire Goodman was wounded in the attack, spoke of the anger families continue to endure and how that was embodied in the moment when one of the grieving family members rushed toward the killer in court.

"People are angry. We saw the eruption in court today," she said. "That's how these families feel. That's how I feel. That's how Zaire feels. That's how the entire Buffalo community feels and that was on full display today. And I get it. I understand. It doesn't get any more raw than that. Ten people died because of the color of their skin in 2022."

Several families and their attorneys addressed the media Wednesday about what they have planned for the future.

Attorney John V. Elmore represents family members of three of the victims who died in the mass shooting: Heyward Patterson, 67; Andre Mackniel, 53; and Katherine Massey, 72.

Mackniel's daughter Deja Brown spoke both at Gendron's sentencing Wednesday and at a news conference that followed several hours later in Elmore's office. Brown said she had been told by many that her words in the courtroom had moved them, which has convinced her to pursue a role in activism.

"I have a voice and feel like, since it's motivating a lot of people, I might as well use if for something good," she said.

Barbara Massey-Mapps said her sister Katherine dedicated her life to civil rights activism, public education and beautifying her East Side Buffalo community.

"Kat was involved in a whole lot of different neighborhood things with children, the homeless shelter around there," said Massey-Mapps.

"There's no way I could walk a mile in Kat's shoes, whatsoever. So I'm just going to take little baby steps, and whatever I can do, I'm going to continue to do in Kat's name, because Kat did so much," she added.

Tiara Johnson, who was at work inside the Tops Markets on May 14 and survived the mass shooting, talked about giving back to the community following her graduation from Canisius College with a degree in computer science late last spring.

"Right now, I'm working at a school on the East Side of Buffalo as a teaching assistant and, like, right now I'm trying to figure out a way to bring tech to the schools, in terms of introducing our youth to computer science," said Johnson, who grew up in Brooklyn.

Attorneys Terrence M. Connors and Ben Crump talked about the civil lawsuits that are in the works. They called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to reconsider her decision to veto the Grieving Families Act, which would allow victims and families to seek damages based on pain and suffering and not just financial status.

"A lot of people loaded that gun," Crump said.

Connors said it was significant that Gendron and his attorneys acknowledged that he learned his hatred from social media and that they were willing to share any information about that.

Family members agreed that it was important to look beyond Gendron.

"I think the focus should be on the individuals that indoctrinated him because he was susceptible to it," said Simone Crawley, whose grandmother Ruth Whitfield was among the 10 victims. "And that's what we need to talk about is that there are people who are being victimized by other people and indoctrinated by other people."

She also wants those in power to do more to uplift Buffalo. "Our communities are still struggling. We still see cities like Buffalo that don't have what they should have, and predominantly Black areas that are not supported the way they should. Those are the conversations I hope to have moving forward and not about this individual and not about this in a sort of vague way where we just focus on Black pain."
DONETSK REGION, Ukraine  The closest Ukrainian artillery position to the raging battle for Bakhmut is tucked into a leafless tree line about 13,000 feet from the enemy.

The fighters here have been hanging on for weeks, lobbing 122mm shells at the Russians straining to encircle the city. If the Russians push even a bit closer, the Ukrainians will have to move their guns back simply to keep from firing over the enemy's heads, the platoon leader said Tuesday.

"If they get any closer our guns are not effective," said the leader, Oleksander, as a crossfire of Ukrainian howitzers and Russian rockets whistled overhead. His own mobile artillery piece boomed into the snowfall, shaking flakes onto the log-covered bunker where his troops have been living since December, as smoke drifted from the spent shell they use as a chimney.

"Today we are still holding them, but it is very dynamic," said Oleksander, an officer in the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade whom The Washington Post is identifying only by his first name to protect his safety. "It can change in a day."

But even if the Russians move forward, they will not get far, he said. Combat earthmovers were digging new trench lines on a ridge just a few hundred yards farther west.

All around this front line in flux, Ukrainians are preparing for the possibility that Russia will continue its creeping advance. This is a war of feet, not miles  and nowhere is that more apparent than in the wintry countryside outside Bakhmut, which has become the epicenter of Russia's push to regain momentum in its year-old invasion.

Any Ukrainian fallback is likely to be limited, commanders in the region say. Even if Ukrainian troops give up on their ferocious defense of Bakhmut  a fight that has assumed more symbolic than strategic value, according to military experts  Russia lacks the trained troops and weaponry to rush headlong into the wider Donetsk region.

Rather, the Russians are likely to nudge the Ukrainians back to entrenched positions they are readying around nearby communities, including Chasiv Yar, Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka, where the slugfest for territory will continue.

It has happened before. Russian forces last summer took the nearby city of Lysychansk, just over the border in the Luhansk region, after battering it for weeks, and got as far as Lyman 36 miles west, in Donetsk. But they lost Lyman in Ukraine's counteroffensive last fall. Bakhmut, the next major target in Moscow's plan to conquer all of southeastern Ukraine, is 37 miles west of Lysychansk and still not firmly in Russia's grip after months of fighting.

The soldiers here expect the same grinding dynamic to continue, with Russia throwing mostly untrained conscripts at the new Ukrainian defensive positions as they have in the bloody streets of Bakhmut.

"They send in 20 people at a time and we stop them," said Rostyslav, the commander of two artillery positions in the area. "Then the more professional Wagner troops follow," he said, referring to the mercenaries that have led many of the attacks.

Behind him, two of his Soviet-era 2S1 Gvozdika guns (the name means "carnation") trundled along a ridge, always in pairs in case one breaks down and needs a tow from the other. The guns were born long before most of the men who operate them  "20 years before," said Rostyslav, who is 24.

The 128th were brought in from Zaporizhzhia in December to help plug the line in Bakhmut because their 70 percent accuracy rate ranks them as some of deadliest artillery fighters in Ukraine.

The units are training their fire on the lines around Bakhmut and the key M03 highway that is a major route in the area. The 128th would provide cover for any fallbacks along the road, an eventuality the fighters do not like to talk about. They have begun to conserve their shells as they wait for new ammunition deliveries.

"They sent us because we are the best," said a sergeant known by his radio call sign of "Al-Kut." "We can hold them, but we need ammunition and weapons."

The fight for Bakhmut has become a Ukrainian rallying cry and a Russian imperative as each side girds for expected major offensives to kick off the second year of war.

Moscow is desperate for a symbolic victory to reverse months of humiliating defeats during Ukrainian counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson. After battering Bakhmut frontally for months, Russian troops have picked off small villages to the north in an attempt to surround the city.

Wagner fighters took the nearby salt mining town of Soledar in January, causing the 128th "to make a small shift to the side," Rostyslav acknowledged.

Ukrainians, meanwhile, are hailing their fighters' scrappy defense of Bakhmut as another modern Thermopylae, akin to the holdouts who refused to give up the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol for weeks before the Russians took the city in May.

The latest fight has inspired memes, a cheer ("Bakhmut holds!") and a viral pop anthem ("Bakhmut fortress; all our prayers are here.") President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who made a surprise visit in December, has pledged Bahkmut will stand.

Fervor notwithstanding, soldiers and civilians up and down the line are ready for the front to shift again.

At a field hospital west of the city, doctors said they have already prepared their contingency plans for moving, even as they deal with a surge in causalities from the fighting in Bakhmut.

"His leg is torn off," an orderly shouted as soldiers banged a gurney through the front door of what used to be a village clinic.

"In here," said a doctor, Oleg Tokarchyk, backing into the small surgical suite.

As the team of doctors and nurses rushed to stabilize the massive shrapnel wound that had splintered the femur and destroyed most of the flesh, another wounded soldier was being treated for shoulder wounds.

"We were just pulling out when they hit us," said the fighter, Oleksi, 40, of an artillery strike just outside of Bakhmut.

He tapped out a text to his parents: "Everything is good here. It was snowing, but it stopped."

Many of those posted in this hottest of hot zones lie to their families. Tokarchyk, a pediatric orthopedist in civilian life, tells his wife he is working at a hospital far from the front.

"If it gets any more dangerous here, we will have to move out," he said.

They have already identified a location a bit farther back, one with good road access. It will take two or three days to set up the new site.

Along the same road, some of the big commercial farm operations are making their own moves. Siversk Agro packed up its grain processing equipment on Sunday, according to a lone worker who was guarding the now empty warehouse.

And closer to the advancing front, four massive harvesting combines pulled slowly away from the machinery yard of Bakhmut Agro as the sound of shelling rumbled up the rolling hillsides. An unexploded rocket was embedded amid the stalks of a spent sunflower field nearby.

The company, which farms more than 14,000 acres of corn, wheat and sunflowers, would not comment on what made it leave the area now, or its plans for the future. "We have been getting the equipment out but our business is the land," said an employee who would not give her name.

Marko Fedak, a priest who has endured the windows of his church being blown out and the evacuation of all but five of his regular churchgoers from his village of Zvanivka, is finally making his own escape, at least for now.

"I hope to be back to give an Easter mass here," said Fedak, who was picking up pieces of wood that had been the Tenth Station of the Cross before it was blasted by a shell the day before. "If it is still not safe here, I have already prepared my paperwork to become an Army chaplain," he said.

Residents here know the front is fluid. Gains by either side may not last. For months, Fedak was blocked by Russians from driving north, but that route opened after Ukraine retook some areas in October.

Kostiantynivka, one of the cities coming under greater shelling as the Russians inch westward, lost one of its three water supply lines when Russia took territory near Bila Hora. But it regained one coming from the north after the Ukrainian army liberated areas above Sloviansk.

This ebb and flow makes it a tough call for citizens who are cowering under the current pitch of shelling, but hope for things to improve. "They are worried what the Russians would do to them but also afraid to leave their homes behind," Fedak said of one family in his parish.

Now may be the time to decide. The Russians are less than a mile from their house, he said, and slowly getting closer.
Less than a week after the U.S. military shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon, President Joe Biden received a joint call from the secretary of defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and director of the U.S. Northern Command.

An unidentified airborne object had been detected over Alaska, the military leaders said, and they were not sure what it was. But they said it posed a risk to civilian planes and they could not rule out that it had surveillance capabilities, so they were recommending that the United States shoot it down just in case.

Faced with a report that resembled a science-fiction plot, Biden agreed. He gave the order, and on Feb. 10, an F-22 Raptor fired a missile at the object and it plummeted onto Arctic sea ice below.

Almost identical scenarios would play out on each of the next two days. On Feb. 11, radar identified another unmanned flying object making its way over Canada's Yukon, and then a third on Feb. 12 in the skies near Michigan. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and two senior officers  Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of U.S. Northern Command  notified the president each time, and Biden followed their recommendations that they be shot out of the sky.

The result was an unusual and often surreal few days, as Biden was essentially confronted with deciding whether to shoot down three mysterious objects, leaving a baffled public. The government avoided explicitly calling them unidentified flying objects  UFOs  or unidentified aerial phenomena, a similar term that also evokes jokes about alien life. More than once, the administration felt it had to explicitly clarify there was no evidence the objects were extraterrestrial.

"I just wanted to make sure we address this from the White House. I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday. "It was important for us to say that from here, because we've been hearing a lot about it."

During the three-day stretch, officials urgently analyzed weather patterns, contacted other countries and scrambled to determine why so many of the objects were appearing in rapid succession. At one point Biden found himself on the phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, discussing whether to shoot down the object that had made its way to Canada's airspace.

It now appears possible, even likely, that the mysterious objects  described variously as "car-sized," "cylindrical" and "octagonal"  had entirely mundane origins. The intelligence community "will not dismiss as a possibility that these could be balloons that were simply tied to commercial or research entities and therefore benign," White House spokesman John Kirby said recently. "That very well could be, or could emerge, as a leading explanation here."

The history of this episode could be that a jittery U.S. government, on high alert following the discovery of a Chinese espionage balloon, used sophisticated military weaponry to shoot down routine objects. Still, that may not be known for sure until the debris is recovered from remote wilderness, which could take weeks.

There were stark differences between the spy airship and the three objects that followed, and they were treated differently by the government. U.S. military and intelligence agencies had been tracking the Chinese craft for nearly a week by the time it crossed into American airspace last month and knew what it was. They decided to allow the balloon to float over the continental United States before shooting it down over water to minimize the risk to people on the ground.

When it came to the three additional airborne objects, in contrast, U.S. officials had no idea what they were or if they were nefarious before deciding to shoot them down.

Biden plans to give remarks on Thursday about China's spy balloon program and the three unidentified objects, and he is expected to discuss his order to officials to draw up protocols on how the United States handles such sightings in the future, which are expected to be finalized this week.

Some White House allies and outside experts said the administration was especially sensitive to Republican criticism of its handling of the Chinese spy balloon and accusations that Biden was soft on China because he did not shoot it down earlier. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a planned trip to Beijing in response to the incident, and Biden said he heeded the military's advice in waiting to shoot down the balloon, which had a payload the size of three school buses, until it was over water.

In the meantime, Biden said, the United States was able to gather valuable information about the balloon. But the incident's aftermath left the military in a hypervigilant state.

"The White House has attempted to walk a very fine line here," said Brett Bruen, who was a senior National Security Council official in the Obama administration. "On the one hand, they obviously took a lot of criticism for a slow response to the first balloon, and they have attempted in these last three instances to try and show that they were more aggressively defending U.S. airspace. At the same time, I think it has raised a number of questions that they haven't always had great answers to."

That lack of clarity left the administration facing questions about why mysterious objects were suddenly being discovered on a daily basis and why it has been so quick to shoot them down.

U.S. officials said the three airborne objects, floating between 20,000 and 40,000 feet, posed a "reasonable" threat to civilian air travel, while the Chinese spy balloon, at an altitude of more than 60,000 feet, did not.

And they said they are probably finding more airborne objects because they are looking harder. The discovery of the spy balloon made military officials aware they were missing slow-moving objects in the skies, prompting them to adjust their radar and discover a new universe of flying objects with unclear intent.

The radar adjustment, analysts said, was akin to an online shopper searching for a house, then tweaking the filter and suddenly getting far more hits.

Now, with no shoot-downs for several days, it is unclear if the Biden administration and the military have again adjusted their response. Austin, asked in Brussels on Thursday if the military is wary of shooting down more objects, declined to answer directly.

"I'm not aware of any additional objects that have been reported operating  in the space in the last 48 hours," Austin said. The Pentagon chief added that it is "absolutely important" to recover the debris of the objects shot down. With the latter three objects down in the Arctic Circle, a remote area of the Yukon and under deep water in Lake Huron, however, recovery is expected to be lengthy.

The drama began on Feb. 2. The Pentagon determined that an object over Montana, visible to civilians on the ground, was the Chinese surveillance balloon they had been tracking, and officials were hastily assembling a news conference when NBC News broke the story.

Biden had been notified about the airship  some 200 feet tall, with a package of sensors and other equipment roughly the size of three buses  a day earlier, as it crossed into the continental United States from Canada. U.S. military officials had spotted it off the coast of Alaska, near the Aleutian Islands, on Jan. 28, deciding not to shoot it down right away.

When the balloon moved over the Atlantic, it was flying at a height that limited how it could be taken out. The Pentagon ultimately selected a pair of F-22s, its most advanced plane in air-to-air combat, and a pair of F-15s from the Massachusetts Air National Guard, which can reach higher altitudes than other aircraft.

In clear, sunny skies, the jets struck just off the coast of South Carolina  still in American airspace, but in a pocket where debris could fall into relatively shallow 50-foot waters, where Navy divers and other sailors could recover the remnants.

As Navy and Coast Guard teams pulled debris from the water two days later, VanHerck told reporters on Feb. 6 that similar surveillance balloons had appeared previously over the United States without U.S. military officials detecting them. Those incidents, he said, were discovered only retroactively, raising questions about why they had not been detected at the time. "That's a domain awareness gap that we have to figure out," VanHerck said.

Three days later, on Feb. 9, military personnel with the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, spotted a mysterious flying object roughly the size of a car soaring northeast across Alaska at a height of about 40,000 feet. At such an altitude, the Pentagon concluded, the object posed a threat to civilian airliners.

At 1:45 p.m. Eastern time on Feb. 10, the Pentagon dispatched two F-22 Raptors that destroyed the object, raining its debris onto snow and ice near Alaska's frozen coast. U.S. military personnel attempted to recover the remnants but struggled through the subzero windchills and have so far come up empty.

Hours later, NORAD radar spotted another object soaring over Alaska, and as it crossed into Canadian airspace on Saturday, Biden spoke with Trudeau. They agreed the object should be shot down, and U.S. and Canadian jets were deployed to go after it, with an F-22 eventually bringing it down over the Yukon with a Sidewinder missile.

Before that shoot-down was complete, the radar picked up indications of yet another flying object about 70 miles north of the U.S.-Canada border, heading toward Montana. VanHerck scrambled F-15 fighter jets from Portland, Ore., but the pilots did not find anything as darkness closed in and military personnel lost track of the object on the radar. NORAD released a statement describing the incident as a "radar anomaly."

Several hours later, early on Super Bowl Sunday, an object appeared on radar over Montana, tracking east to Wisconsin. VanHerck said he believes it was likely the same item, but it's difficult to be sure.

Senior U.S. military officials scrambled aircraft again, this time F-16 fighters from the Minnesota Air National Guard. They monitored the item moving east over Lake Michigan and then across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and over Lake Huron.

Two F-16s launched one Sidewinder missile each, the first one missing and the second striking its target, U.S. defense officials said. The object drifted as it fell, VanHerck said, "most likely" landing in the Canadian side of Lake Huron. Milley later said that the water in the area was likely about 200 feet deep.

U.S. officials have yet to recover debris from any of the three objects.

The Washington Post's Alex Horton and Shane Harris contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Low-income service members receiving basic allowances for housing could be eligible for food stamps under legislation introduced Thursday in the Senate.

The bill aims to help the 24% of troops who the Defense Department reported lack consistent access to enough food by eliminating an income barrier some of them face when trying to qualify for food stamps, formally known as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP.

Service members who apply to the SNAP program while receiving an allowance to cover off-base housing costs are often excluded from eligibility due to a formula that unfairly counts their housing as a source of income, said bill sponsor Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a former Army helicopter pilot and Iraq War veteran.

However, the housing allowance is not treated as income by the Internal Revenue Service or considered when determining eligibility for other federal assistance programs, she said.

This bill is a great, elegant solution, Duckworth said. It isnt creating a new program, its simply bringing an existing program in line to be consistent with the rest of the federal government.

Lawmakers first introduced legislation to amend SNAPs eligibility criteria last year. The bill builds on Duckworths previous efforts to address hunger in the military, including creating a monthly basic needs allowance for service member households earning below 130% of the federal poverty line. Eligibility for the new payments, which began last month, was expanded in last years annual defense policy bill.

The Defense Department estimated in a 2022 report that 286,000 service members struggled with food access in 2020 and 2021, with junior enlisted troops most at risk.

I think most Americans would be shocked, absolutely horrified and shocked if they knew that 20% of all active-duty service members have experienced some level of food insecurity in 2020 and 2021, Duckworth said. There is this myth that it's a young, enlisted man who blew his entire paycheck on a Harley, right? That's not who these folks are. These are folks who are hardworking military families. They have one or two children and theyre lower enlisted and then they find themselves in trouble.

A January study performed by the Rand Corp. found early- to mid-career enlisted personnel between the pay grades of E-4 and E-6 were the majority of those affected by food insecurity. Service members who are single with children or married without children and identify as ethnic or racial minorities were more likely to go hungry, according to the study. The Army saw the most food insecurity while the Air Force saw the least.

The report, which Congress directed the Pentagon to sponsor, also noted 14% of service members reported using government food assistance programs in the past year. Others said they were reluctant to ask for help, fearing it would negatively affect their career or security clearance.

Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she will make certain the military does not penalize service members who seek out food assistance. The military has encouraged troops to take advantage of food programs, especially since the coronavirus pandemic led to mileslong lines at food banks across the country, she said.

When I first started out in the military, almost 30 years ago, on every military base there was a pawn shop and a tattoo parlor, Duckworth said. Well now it's a pawn shop, tattoo parlor and a food pantry.

Those on-base food pantries are often showing struggling service members how to sign up for SNAP benefits, she said.

The military, certainly, is not going to hold the need for food assistance against them, Duckworth said.

The proposed qualification changes to the SNAP program failed to gain traction in Congress last year despite bipartisan support in the Senate and House and endorsement from multiple advocacy groups. But Duckworth said she is confident she can push the measure into the comprehensive farm bill that legislators are set to pass this year. The bill is enacted into law every five years.

I'm very passionate about hunger issues and I'm also very passionate about military families and supporting our military men and women, she said. They deserve to get help, theyre defending all of us. They deserve to be able to know that their families arent going hungry.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio  Fear, uncertainty and anger are mounting among residents of this Ohio village after a train derailment and fire unleashed a glut of toxic chemicals on Feb. 3. Officials have tried to assure locals that the town is safe to live in, but many say that's only left them with more questions.

Concern about air pollution from the Norfolk Southern train's wrecked rail cars has given way to long-term worries about contamination of the water and soil in East Palestine and beyond. Many who evacuated as the blaze burned are questioning whether it was safe to come back. Some say they are suffering headaches and rashes and are not comforted by what they see as a lack of solid answers from authorities.

At a town hall meeting Wednesday night, residents left with few answers and more anxiety.

"We don't know what to think," said Michele Parker, who lives about half a mile from the derailment site, "so therefore we don't know what to do."

Nearly two weeks after the fiery crash, residents like Parker are grappling with whiplash: State officials advised them to drink bottled water on Tuesday but said on Wednesday testing showed the tap water was safe. They can smell pungent odors, but authorities say there are not harmful levels of chemicals in the air.

Even as residents report nausea, dizziness, headaches and other ailments, a spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine (R) told The Post on Thursday that no doctors who have seen patients have identified the chemical release as a cause for people's symptoms. Instead, "there's usually another explanation for those symptoms," such as colds and flu, spokesman Dan Tierney said.

The fire and derailment, which federal investigators have said appeared to have been caused by a mechanical issue, spilled hazardous chemicals including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. The threat of an explosion forced the evacuation of about 1,500 residents, and the "controlled release" of vinyl chloride from unstable rail cars spewed a toxic plume into the air.

A massive cleanup is underway around the tracks in East Palestine, a town of about 4,700 that sits on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, and the state is faced with developing long-term plans to track potential contamination. Since Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio state health officials cleared residents to return a week ago, locals have reported wooziness, nausea and other symptoms from the odors that remain in town.

And now they wonder: Will their homes be worthless? Will there be long-term health effects? Will the contamination leach and spread until it reaches drinking water or agricultural soil?

"Why are people getting sick if there's nothing in the air or the water?" one woman shouted at the town and state leaders gathered Wednesday night.

"That is a legitimate question," responded Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), who told those gathered he would relay their concerns to Norfolk Southern and federal railroad authorities.

That was because Norfolk Southern was not there. Though the rail company's CEO, Alan H. Shaw, has pledged to clean up the contamination, the company backed out of the town hall, citing what they called safety concerns. Anger at the railway boiled over at the meeting.

"I'm just as frustrated as you guys," East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway told the crowd.

Norfolk Southern published an "open letter" to East Palestine residents from Shaw on Thursday, in which he pledged to "stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive." He said he had heard residents' concerns.

"I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know you're tired. I know you're worried. We will not let you down," Shaw wrote.

More federal help was set to come to East Palestine, according to the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who requested assistance in a conversation with White House officials Thursday. That came two days after DeWine said he had not seen a need to request more federal aid; some environmental advocates pushed him to do so.

The state is not eligible for assistance from FEMA under federal law because of the nature of the disaster, including a lack of property damage, said Tierney, DeWine's spokesman. That means DeWine can't make an emergency declaration, as governors do after natural disasters.

Instead, CDC and HHS teams will come to East Palestine, including to bring physicians to help examine people who report symptoms, Tierney said.

The area has "a health care situation emerging" because residents experiencing symptoms need to see doctors, Tierney said. But no medical reports have been made to the state of people suffering from chemical exposure, he added. Air monitoring data also show no harmful levels support that, he said.

Though "not a 100 percent," Tierney said it is "extremely unlikely" that people's symptoms are related to the chemicals and "there's usually another explanation for those symptoms."

"The symptoms of having a reaction to a volatile organic compound are some of the most common symptoms of viruses and respiratory illnesses," Tierney said.

The governor's spokesman said DeWine's administration understood why residents are scared and would hold Norfolk Southern accountable for cleaning up the town and making "the citizens of East Palestine whole."

In a letter to Shaw this week, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) accused the rail company of giving him and other officials inaccurate information as they were trying to decide whether to allow toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars to be released into the air  and said the company's mismanagement of the immediate response put first-responders and residents at risk.

Several class action lawsuits filed by residents against Norfolk Southern demand money and medical monitoring for residents. One lawsuit, filed Wednesday, alleged that the company's efforts to clean up the disaster "instead worsened the situation."

"I'm not sure Norfolk Southern could have come up with a worse plan to address this disaster," said attorney John Morgan.

Norfolk Southern has reimbursed residents for evacuation costs and set up a $1 million fund, though the company had no details about how that money would be distributed. Residents have worried that accepting payments could affect their ability to sue the rail company later; a spokesman told The Washington Post that the payments are "not a settlement of any future claim."

The railway is also providing unlimited bottled water to residents, funding in-home air testing, providing some air purifiers and taking other steps.

But concerns about the long-term impact continue to mount.

Aaron Bragg, who works as a risk engineering specialist in the chemical industry, spent Thursday afternoon alerting neighbors to his worries about contamination. Bragg, who lives in nearby New Waterford, Ohio, and owns a rental property near the derailment, is also worried about what the pollution will mean for the town's economic viability.

"Am I going to be able to sell that?" he asked, pointing to his small cottage on East Clark Street. "No. Norfolk Southern needs to just level this whole area."
WASHINGTON  U.S. fighter jets were scrambled Tuesday to intercept Russian warplanes flying near Alaskas coast for the second consecutive day, military officials said Thursday, emphasizing the Russian aircraft posed no threat to the United States.

North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, detected and intercepted four Russian aircraft  two TU-95 BEAR-H bombers, a SU-30 fighter aircraft and a SU-35 fighter aircraft  in the Alaska region on Tuesday, just one day after a similar intercept occurred near Alaska, the Pentagon said. Officials said the Russian planes remained in international airspace and operated professionally.

Such intercepts are fairly routine, the U.S. military said.

Two NORAD F-35A fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft, NORAD said in a statement. Supporting NORAD aircraft included two F-16 fighters, one E-3 Sentry [airborne warning and control system aircraft] and two KC-135 Stratotankers.

The Russian planes were in no way related to incidents in which U.S. fighter jets shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon and multiple unidentified objects over U.S. and Canadian airspace, Pentagon officials said. The Air Force shot down aerial objects on Friday off Alaskas coast, over Canadas Yukon territory on Saturday, and over Lake Huron near Michigans coast on Sunday.

White House and Pentagon officials have released few details about those incidents. However, they have said the objects hadnt posed a physical threat and were shot down because they could have impacted commercial air travel.

The sudden uptick in such aerial incidents is likely the result of retooled radar efforts over North America that NORAD has instituted since the Chinese spy balloon crossed over the mainland United States two weeks ago. It was shot down off the South Carolina coast. Military and civilian search teams have been sifting through the large debris field to learn what the balloon was carrying.

The Tuesday intercept was at least the second one in 2023. On Monday, two NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers and two fighter jets off Alaskas coast in a similar incident. As with Mondays intercept, the Russian plans Tuesday remained outside of U.S. sovereign airspace, the Pentagon said.
Justice singled out Payton Gendron in the courtroom Wednesday.

But as the judge sentenced him to a lifetime in prison, the hearing was also about the systemic racism and social media influences that created a monster who targeted Black shoppers and livestreamed his shooting spree that killed 10 and wounded three others at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue on May 14.

"I would characterize what happened today as the end of the beginning," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said after the sentencing. "... It certainly does not put any closure on what we need to do as a society and as a community going forward."

Most of the hearing was devoted to families of the victims, who called out Gendron for his hatred of Black people and described in painful detail their loss of a father, a daughter, a brother, a grandparent or a stepsister. When the time for the judge and lawyers talk came, they, too, focused on the evils of society they said fueled the Binghamton-area man to travel to Buffalo to kill.

Before the mass shooting, Gendron detailed his plans and his hate toward Black people in hundreds of pages of messages he posted online. In them, he described why he picked the location for the mass shooting: It was a crowded supermarket in a neighborhood with one of the highest concentrations of Black residents in upstate New York.

"He drove over 200 miles out of his way with one mission, with one goal: to kill as many Black people as possible," said Assistant District Attorney Justin Caldwell.

'You will reap what you sow': Families of victims of Tops shooting confront the man who killed their loved ones Families of victims and survivors of the mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue tell the court about their loved ones, and how the hate crime May 14 affected their lives.

"He was steadfast to accomplish his goal of killing as many Black people as possible and starting a race war," Caldwell said. "He fed into propaganda and lies. They convinced him that somehow these innocent people who you'd never heard of, who'd never heard of him, who never had a conversation with him, who had never even met him were a threat to his very existence and identity as a white man."

Beyond the horror of that day, the case highlights a much deeper problem, said Brian Parker, one of his three defense lawyers.

"This young man's violent, hate-fueled assault was in part the product of centuries of pervasive racism and discrimination in this country," Parker said during the sentencing. "These problems need to be addressed just as many others have publicly demanded since this terrible event took place. Unfortunately, neither this proceeding nor any criminal trial can expose or address the historical racism that set the stage for our client's horrible acts.

"We as a community need to have those conversations in our legislative bodies and in our living rooms to achieve meaningful change," he added. "The racist hate that motivated this crime was spread through online platforms. And the violence that was made possible was in part due to the easy access of assault weapons. Still our client is responsible for this crime. He will spend the rest of his life locked away and eventually he will die in state prison. We hope that knowing he will never be free again will offer some small bit of comfort to those that he hurt so much."

Gendron's comments accounted for 47 seconds of the two-hour hearing.

"I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14th," Gendron said. "I did a terrible thing that day.

"I shot and killed people because they were Black," he said. "Looking back now, I can't believe I actually did it. I believed what I read online and acted out of hate. And now I can't take it back. But I wish I could. I don't want anyone to be inspired by me do what I did."

His words of regret rang hollow among many in the courtroom, including Mayor Byron Brown.

"The time to be remorseful was when the thought first came into his mind to kill innocent people," Brown said. "The time to be remorseful was when he was driving hundreds of miles and over three hours to get to this community. That's when he should have felt remorse, stopped himself and turned around and not done it. So what the defendant had to say today to me is much too little, much too late."

Brown said the case has raised issues that need to be addressed: gun reform, more mental health resources and reining in hate-filled social media that are radicalizing people.

"And finally, white supremacy," he said. "It is a cancer. It is a horror. And it is capable of motivating people to commit these kinds of crimes in our community. More has to be done to stamp out white supremacy and its proliferation."

Drawing on historical references to racism in America, Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan reproached Gendron for the crimes driven by his white supremacist motives.

"There is no place for your hateful and evil ideology in a civilized society," Eagan told Gendron.

"There can be no mercy, no understanding, no second chances," Eagan continued. "The damage caused is too great. You will never see the light of day as a free man again."

Judge to Buffalo mass shooter: 'You will never see the light of day as a free man' "There is no place for your hateful and evil ideology in a civilized society," Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan said before sentencing Payton Gendron to life in prison.

Gendron previously pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including domestic terrorism motivated by hate. In addition to the domestic terrorism charge, which carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole, Gendron pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime and one count of second-degree weapons possession. Gendron has told his lawyers not to appeal the sentence, Parker said.

As Eagan sentenced him on each count, she named each of the victims along with a trait or description that helped define their contributions to the community or their families.

"This indictment speaks to the 13 victims and their families that lost the most, but they are not the only victims," Eagan said. "There are thousands that have been traumatized directly and vicariously by this defendant's actions.

"We have seen the community turn out in support and are seeing signs of much needed change in East Buffalo," the judge added. "It is a testament to the power of love and compassion to overcome evil and hate by turning pain into purpose. But it is just the beginning. We have a long way to go."

She said Gendron's "hateful act and other similar hateful acts across the country" are motivated by white supremacy.

"The ugly truth is that our nation was founded and built in part on white supremacy," Eagan said.

She cited historical acts of injustice and oppression, from the treatment of Native Americans by the first European settlers to slavery, Jim Crow laws and government policies that created segregated public housing with communities of color often placed in environmentally hazardous locations or split apart to make room for expressways.

Photos: An emotional day as Tops shooter is sentenced at Erie County Courthouse Payton Gendron was sentenced on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, to life in prison without the possibility of parole, after pleading guilty in Erie C

She cited government subsidized developments in the suburbs with restrictive covenants prohibiting the sale of suburban homes to African Americans along with redlining practices in communities of color. She also mentioned the war on drugs and mass incarceration that disproportionately affects of men of color. And she cited more: inequities in education, employment opportunities, the existence of food deserts and inadequacies in health care.

"Our history is replete with both individual and systemic discriminatory practices, many of them still firmly in place today," she said. "In fact, it is these very policies and practices that contributed to and made this atrocity possible. The effects of these policies, some current and others decades and centuries old, created the segregation in our city and enabled this defendant to research and identify his target to maximize the impact of his evil intent."

"The harsh reality is that white supremacy has been an insidious cancer on our society and nation since its inception," she said. "However, white supremacy is not inevitable, or unstoppable. It has been carefully cultivated and nurtured by individuals and the government for centuries. This is the history that we have all inherited. It has been passed down from generation to generation. We must acknowledge that history, see that history for what it is, recognize it and learn from it. Or we are doomed to repeat it.

"Let ours be the generation to put a stop to it. We can do better. We must do better. Our own humanity requires it," she said. "We must make the outpouring of support, love and compassion that followed this heinous act an everyday practice."
Paraguayan mother-of-two Ramona Cibils (41) claims she was exploited by those in charge

An alleged drug mule transported nearly 40 packages of cocaine inside her body from South America to Northern Ireland, a court heard today.

Paraguayan national Ramona Cibils only passed the illicit haul after she arrived at a hotel in Belfast city centre.

The 41-year-old mother of two claims she was exploited by those in charge of a sophisticated smuggling operation.

Cibils, of no fixed abode, faces a charge of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

She is also accused of criminal damage to a toilet, bed, sheets, kettle and cups belonging to the Ibis Hotel.

Police were called to an incident at the accommodation on Castle Street back in October 2021.

Officers returned to the hotel later the same day and discovered 37 suspected drug parcels among property in Cibils room, a previous court heard.

Tests revealed that the haul contained cocaine of a high purity.

Cibils, who was allegedly booked to fly back to Paraguay days later, remains in custody awaiting trial.

Belfast Magistrates Court.

At Belfast Magistrates Court today her barrister argued that she may have already served any sentence imposed if ultimately convicted of any offences.

Sean OHare also disclosed the circumstances of his clients alleged exploitation.

There were a number of packages in her body when she was transported to Dublin, Mr OHare said.

She was then arrested at a hotel in Belfast after they had passed through her system.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay described delays in the proceedings as outrageous.

Listing a preliminary enquiry hearing for April 13, he added: The prosecution accepts there is an urgency to getting this case progressed.

Cibils also expressed her hope that the prosecution will be dealt with soon.

Speaking through an interpreter, she told the court: I have small daughters that need me a lot. It has been difficult for me and for them as well.
Dorina Barok was freed on her own bail of 500 with a condition not to have contact with prosecution witnesses

A Co Down woman has appeared in court accused of lying to police over sex claims.

Beautician Dorina Barok is charged with perverting the course of justice.

At Newtownards Magistrates Court, the 26-year-old confirmed she was aware of the single charge against her.

Barok, from Abbot Court in Newtownards, is accused of perverting the course of justice on September 15, 2020, by twice lying to police in a statement.

It is alleged she provided a statement to police in which you lied and claimed she had not seen a man and woman engaged in sexual activity.

Barok is accused of telling another lie by claiming you had not engaged in sexual activity with the woman concerned.

None of the alleged facts were opened in court but a prosecuting lawyer submitted the legal statements and papers form the basis of a case to answer, which was conceded by defence counsel Conor Holmes.

The barrister also revealed that while discussions are ongoing, this will be a plea.

Barok was told she had the right to comment on the charge and to call evidence on her own behalf, but she declined the opportunity.

Returning the case to Downpatrick Crown Court but not setting a date for the arraignment, District Judge Mark Hamill freed Barok on her own bail of 500 with a condition not to have contact with prosecution witnesses.
The crime-fighting agency was granted an order to sell the properties privately or by public treaty.

PROPERTIES belonging to mob boss Owen Maguire and his brother Brendan have been described as uninhabitable ruins.

A senior officer said in an affidavit the properties in Monaghan and Cavan were unoccupied and uninhabitable.

Counsel for CAB added both houses in question were in a state of disrepair and indeed derelict.

Judge Alex Owens, who said he was familiar with tone of the properties in Co Cavan, granted an application to allow a receiver to sell the homes.

Brendan Maguire

They were deemed the proceeds of crime at a hearing last month to which neither of the Maguires had turned up.

The case was adjourned until this week to allow CAB to investigate if they were occupied before a receiver is cleared to put them up for sale.

Yesterday CAB was granted an order to sell the properties privately or by public treaty.

Judge Owens found in favour of CAB last month who wanted two properties, two vehicles, a Rolex watch and 305,000 in cash declared the proceeds of crime.

A receiver has already been given the power to sell off the A Class Mercedes Benz, a Ford Transit and the watch worth 16,500.

In making the order Judge Owens said they had very little in regular income over a long period of time and the sworn affidavits by gardai were well-founded.

The overall situation points very strongly to the proceeds of crime.

He said there was nothing in the documents provided to the court to show they could have generated the cash through scrap and car dealing.

He added that the way in which 270,000 was found in a concealed - hidden and wrapped in bundles  was consistent with the proceeds of crime.

Owen Maguire

Attempts to cover cash transactions by taking out loans were undermined by the blatantly false documents used to acquire the money and were paid with criminal cash.

Owen Maguire has been confined to a wheelchair since he was shot outside his home by the slain mobster Robbie Lawlor in 2018.

His brother Brendan, who also survived being shot as part of a lethal feud, was served his legal papers at his new home in the UK.

Owen Maguire is regarded as the joint head of the Price-Maguire Organised Criminal Gang and which has been involved in a lethal gangland feud in Drogheda since 2018.

He is described in the CAB papers as a major scale drug dealer supplying drugs in much of the countrys north-east area who survived being shot six times in a murder bid at his home.

In one of the CAB affidavits to the High Court it is also stated that Cornelius Price is an extremely close associate of Owen Maguire and they jointly head the Price-Maguire OCG.
Ioan Pasula will spend half of his three-year sentence in jail and half under supervised licence

A man who fathered a child with a 14-year-old girl has been jailed.

Ioan Pasula (54) will spend half of his three-year sentence in jail and half under supervised licence. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a 10-year sexual offences prevention order.

At Antrim Crown Court, Judge Alistair Devlin said while the teenager had not co-operated with the police or prosecution, the case against Pasula was overwhelming, outlining that DNA evidence proved he was 136,000 times more likely to be the father of the child than someone the teen claimed was the dad.

Pasula, with an address in Ballymena but now c/o Maghaberry prison, had previously admitted a single count of sexual activity involving penetration with a child aged 13-16 on a date between June 2020 and June 2021.

Judge Devlin outlined how the schoolgirl told police her babys father was a 19 year-old who had left the country, but that was not accepted.

Mother and baby were taken into care and it was when her foster mum overheard her engaging in sexualised conversations that police enquiries lead them to Pasula.

Arrested and interviewed last February, Pasula refused to answer questions even when the DNA evidence was put to him.

Its also not the first time that Pasula has stood in the dock facing sex offences.

Judge Devlin revealed that in 1999, in his native Romania, Pasula was jailed for six years for offences translated as sexual perversion committed against a person not yet 15.

In that case, the judge told the court how Pasula forced an 11-year-old girl to perform sex acts on multiple occasions.

On what was taken into account for sentencing, Judge Devlin said the huge age gap was an aggravating feature, as was the fact that he had unprotected sex with the injured party and his previous conviction.

Of considerable concern is the fact that you dont appear to recognise that your offending is sexual abuse, the judge told Pasula.
Tim Bowen (45) had gone to meet what he thought was a teen girl for the purposes of sexual exploitation

Tim Bowen with an address at Cottage View, Monkstown, Cork, who appeared at Cork District Court. Photo: Cork Courts Limited   Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

A man who attempted to make contact with a teenage girl for sexual exploitation but was caught in a 'sting' operation mounted by a group of internet vigilante paedophile hunters is now participating in a special programme for sex offenders.

Tim Bowen (45) of Cottage View, Monkstown, Cork appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on a signed plea of guilty to two charges.

Sentencing was adjourned by Judge Helen Boyle after the court was told Bowen was now successfully engaging with the Safe Lives programme which aims to help people tackle their sex addiction issues.

Sinead Behan BL, for Bowen, said her client had actively engaged with the Safe Lives programme and had already undergone five sessions.

She sought an adjournment of sentencing until April to allow Bowen to continue to engage with the programme.

"It would be beneficial for the court to be updated after the sessions," she said.

However, Dermot Sheehan BL, for the State, opposed such a long adjournment, stressing that the prosecution wanted the matter dealt with during the current Circuit Court sessions.

"I am just concerned with the circumstances of the case. It is too serious," he said.

Judge Boyle noted the State's position and she adjourned the matter for sentencing until February 23.

The charges arose after Bowen had gone to meet what he thought was an underage person for the purposes of sexual exploitation three years ago.

However, he was never in online contact with a child but rather with a group of what were described in court as "vigilante paedophile hunters".

"The situation that came about was that Mr Bowen was apprehended in Cork by this group," Jane Hyland BL, for the State, previously told the court.

Ms Hyland said it was quite an unusual case in that regard.

The vigilante group - who were not named in court - mount internet operations to "ensnare" people attempting to make inappropriate online contact with children.

Gardai were notified by the vigilante group of Bowen's actions and a full investigation commenced.

Bowen was charged that, between July 4 and July 26, 2019, he attempted to contact a child by way of communication technology for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of that child.

The second charge was that, at Costa Coffee in Bishopstown, Cork on July 26, 2019, he did attempt to intentionally meet a child for the purpose of doing something that constituted sexual exploitation of the child.

He appeared on a signed plea of guilty to both charges from Cork District Court.

Bowen had indicated at a very early stage his intention to enter a guilty plea.

The court was informed there was no actual victim per se as no child was involved and the 'sting' operation was mounted entirely by adults.

Ms Behan said her client suffered from both Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Bipolar Disorder.

She explained that her client had already lost his full-time job as a result of the publicity surrounding his arrest, subsequent charge and court appearance.

His marriage had also ended as a result of the incident.

The defendant is now involved in a relationship which is effectively part-relationship and part-carer.

Ms Behan said he had also made a number of attempts at self harm.

She said Bowen is now attending a Waterford psychologist and is also actively participating in the Safe Lives programme. This is a scheme supervised by the Probation and Welfare Service (PWS) and which aims to help sex offenders tackle their addiction issues.

"The course organisers are pleased with his participation," she added.

Sentencing will also be facilitated by full psychiatric, psychology and probation reports.

Judge Boyle was told that Bowen had cooperated fully with gardai investigating the matter. He has no previous convictions in Ireland.

He had returned to Ireland in 2010 after a period living in the UK and inquiries with the British police indicated he had no previous convictions in that jurisdiction either.

Bowen had commenced the online activity as his marriage began to disintegrate.

The court heard that he had sexual activity online but this had not involved children.

As a result of his Bipolar Disorder, his depressive lows now leave him convinced "he is just not able to face the day".

On the highs related to his illness, he is able to operate on a daily basis but can suffer from bouts of bizarre behaviour.

Judge Boyle remanded Bowen on continuing bail to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on February 23.
Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full a prison term of 21 months

A landlord assaulted his tenant with a knife in a row over the tenant having Airsoft rifles in the property, a court has heard.

Des Roche (60) of Willow Lodge, Booterstown Ave, Booterstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to the injured party, who was renting a room in Roche's home.

After noting that the victim sustained only a minor injury, Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full a prison term of 21 months, on condition that Roche keeps the peace and be of good behaviour for that period.

Garda Alan Butler told Simon Matthews BL, prosecuting, that on October 26, 2021, he responded to a report of an incident at that address and met the tenant and the landlord outside the property.

The court heard that the tenant, a student, had come home to find Roche had gone into his bedroom, which was locked, and found two Airsoft pistols and a rifle. Gda Butler agreed with David Staunton BL, defending, that while these were not firearms, they were serious looking guns and that Roche was unhappy about having them in the house.

The tenant was equally upset because his privacy had been invaded, and they began rowing. The victim later told gardai that Roche, who was intoxicated, was behaving erratically and was incoherent in his speech.

He said Roche was telling him, I will fuck you up. At one point, Roche picked up a knife and turned towards the victim.

The tenant grabbed Roche's hands and was trying to get him to calm down, and Roche stopped, seemed to realise what he had done and dropped the knife.

The court heard that the tenant sustained temporary marks on his hands from the knife.

He picked up the knife again and left the room, and handed the knife to gardai when they arrived on the scene. Gardai arrested Roche, but he was highly intoxicated and deemed unfit for questioning for six hours.

Des Roche

Mr Staunton submitted that the items held by the tenant would be legally defined as imitation firearms. He said his client was sincerely disquieted by their presence in the house.

He said Roche had inherited the home after his mother died and rented a room out to meet expenses and pay off historical debts.

In a victim impact report, the victim said he was scared and was lucky not to be injured. He said he suffered a financial loss because he left the property that day and had to pay for hotel accommodation.

Mr Staunton said his client had picked up the knife in order to intimidate the injured party and had no intention to use it or injure him. He said that Roche, who has no previous convictions, has since gone on to rent the room out, and there have been no incidents.

Judge Nolan said the defendant and the injured party had a physical altercation. He noted that the victim didn't sustain any great injury as a result of the altercation.
Meraj Ahmed (27) pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at a property in the Lucan area

A pizza chef has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for attacking his housemate with knives during an assault at their home.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that gardai were called to an incident on February 18, 2018, where they found a man with severe injuries to his hands.

Meraj Ahmed (27) of Earlsfort Road, Lucan, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at a property in the Lucan area, on February 18, 2018. He has no previous convictions.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said, the defendant attacked the injured party with punches, but the main attack was when he attempted to stab the injured party in the stomach area.

Judge Nolan said, the injured party defended himself and sustained serious injuries to both hand. The defendant acted out of bad temper, and I am aware there was a history between both men.

He said the defendant had excellent mitigation in the form of his guilty plea, his lack of any previous convictions, his work history and his full cooperation.

Meraj Ahmed (27)

Judge Nolan said, I have been asked not to imprison this man, but the crime is serious, which involved attacking someone with knives, and a custodial sentence cannot be avoided. He imposed a 20 month prison sentence to date from Thursday.

Garda David McGuire told Simon Matthews, BL, prosecuting, on the day in question, gardai responded to a call, and as they entered an estate in Lucan, they saw Ahmed dressed in a white tracksuit with blood stains.

They found another man sitting on the driveway with his hands covered in blood-soaked towels. The gardai also saw severe cuts to the mans hands.

The court heard that both men lived together with a few more housemates, and they did not get along. The night before, the window of the injured mans car had been damaged.

When he came downstairs on the morning of the incident, he saw Ahmed standing in the kitchen holding two knives.

He went outside to look at his car, and Ahmed followed him and punched him a number of times and attempted to stab him in the stomach. The man gripped the knives that Ahmed was holding, resulting in injuries to his hands.

In an attempt to keep Ahmed away from him, the man threw a toolbar at him. Gda McGuire said the injured man was brought to Blanchardstown Hospital, where he received stitches to his hands.

Ahmed was arrested, and during questioning, he made some admissions.

Gda McGuire agreed with Carol Doherty, BL, defending, that there was some history between the two men. The garda agreed with counsel that it would be very unlikely for Ahmed to come before the court in the future.

Ms Doherty said her client was intimidated by the injured man and has complied with all bail conditions.

Counsel said Ahmed is a pizza chef and supports his entire family in Afghanistan. She asked the court to take into account his lack of previous convictions, the glowing letters handed into court on behalf of her client and asked Judge Nolan not to impose a custodial sentence.
U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. on Thursday said he will schedule a federal trial of Buffalo mass shooter Payton Gendron to begin by early July unless defense attorneys or prosecutors give him a good reason to delay.

The question of Gendron's guilt on 27 federal charges  including 10 counts of committing hate crimes that resulted in death  has been decided by Gendron's sentencing to life in prison Wednesday in a state court for murdering 10 Black people in a racist attack at a Tops market in Buffalo, Schroeder said.

"I'm not attempting to rush anybody, (but) the public has a right to a speedy trial and speedy disposition of this case," the judge said.

Since Gendron has already declared his guilt to state murder charges, Schroeder said the only thing left to be decided is if Gendron has mitigating circumstances and whether federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty. Federal prosecutors have not disclosed whether that is their intent.

Neither Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi nor defense attorneys disagreed with the judge, although the defense team told the judge they are still reviewing the evidence.

Tripi said discussions are proceeding on whether to seek the death penalty against Gendron.

"The process for determining it is moving forward," he said, but gave no indication on what the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo may recommend and no timetable for a decision.

Gendron was in court on Thursday, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and surrounded by three federal marshals. During the status conference, he said only one word  "Yes"  when the judge asked him if he agreed with his attorneys' request to have him placed in the custody of federal marshals while his federal case is pending.

Tripi said Gendron will be held in a local jail as a federal prisoner while the case is pending in federal court.

Schroeder said that he will order a federal trial to begin within 120 days if the case has not been decided by March 10. He noted the possibility that Gendron might also decide to plead guilty to federal crimes.

The self-proclaimed white supremacist was sentenced on Wednesday to life in state prison with no chance for parole. He admitted that he traveled from Conklin  his hometown outside Binghamton  May 14 to commit murder.

During his Wednesday appearance in Erie County Court before Judge Susan Eagan, Gendron apologized for his actions and for the harm he caused to his victims and their families. Legal analysts told The Buffalo News they believe the apology was intended to influence the U.S. Justice Department not to seek the death penalty.

Gendron's attorneys could seek to have Gendron incarcerated in the federal prison system, where conditions are generally considered to be better than in state prisons.

In the federal case, Gendron is represented by the Federal Public Defenders Office, including attorney Sonya A. Zoghlin.

About 15 family members and friends of the Tops massacre victims sat quietly in court during the 30-minute proceeding on Thursday. Several of those individuals  including Zeneta Everhart, whose son, Tops worker Zaire Goodman, was injured, and Ebony White, whose uncle, Heyward Patterson, was killed  spoke to news reporters afterward.

Both women said they plan to keep showing up to court proceedings in the case, even though it is draining and emotionally painful for them.

"We're not going to let [Gendron] to cause us to scurry and hide from him," White said. "I'm here for my uncle ... His children miss him, his grandchildren miss him, his siblings miss him, his community misses him."

Everhart said she hopes Gendron's federal case goes to trial because the trial would highlight problems of racism, white supremacy and terrorism in America.

"I plan to be here every time he's here," Everhart said. "I just have to be there to look into the face of the man who tried to kill my kid."
Mr Burke spent 108 days in prison for contempt of court orders and is currently being fined 700 for each day

Enoch Burke has accused the Court of Appeal of putting a gun to his head after it decided this morning to consider only part of his appeal of various orders of the High Court.

The president of the court, Mr Justice George Birmingham, said it would consider appeals of just two of the four High Court decisions Mr Burke was seeking to challenge.

The three-judge court made the decision to limit what it would consider this morning after the dismissed schoolteacher refused to say if he would stay away from Wilsons Hospital School pending the delivery of its ruling.

Mr Burke has continued to go to its premises in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath each school day despite first being suspended and later dismissed from his job there as a teacher of history and German.

He spent 108 days in prison for contempt of court orders and is currently being fined 700 for each day he remains in contempt.

His suspension last August came after Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, refused to comply with a request to call a transgender pupil by a new name and by their preferred pronouns.

Mr Justice Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Maire Whelan, said the court was unimpressed Mr Burke wont offer any assurance regarding his future conduct.

After rising to consider whether it would hear the appeal at all, the judge said the court would consider his challenge to orders restraining him from turning up at the school but would not consider what he described as positive orders being sought by Mr Burke.

Mr Justice Birmingham also warned that the court may not deliver a decision in the appeal at all if Mr Burke persists with his contempt of court by going to the school.

Whether there will be a decision on the merits will be very much in Mr Burkes hands, said Mr Justice Birmingham.

During testy exchanges between Mr Burke and the court president, the schoolteacher said: This is a gun to my head. What the court has done this morning is made law.

Enoch Burke leaving the High Court with his sister Ammi at a previous hearing. Photo: Collins   Collins Courts

It has made a novel distinction between past and future conduct without pointing to any precedent from any jurisdiction.

What is being said to me now today is that there is no guarantee that this court will, in considering my argument today, deliver a judgment.

It is like a student were to sit the Leaving cert with no guarantee it would be marked.

He repeatedly questioned the court president, demanding to know if the other two decisions would be reviewed, provoking a warning from Mr Justice Birmingham that the court would not be interrogated.

At the outset of the hearing, Mr Justice Birmingham said the court had an element of discretion to hear appeals from people who have previously been in contempt of court orders.

However, he said the court would have a difficulty with embarking on the hearing of an appeal in a in a situation where there was ongoing disobedience of court orders.

He repeatedly asked Mr Burke if he would abide by orders restraining him from attending at the school premises while his appeal was before the court and while a judgment on the appeal was awaited. The judge said he expected any decision of the court would have to be reserved to a later date.

However, the teacher refused to give the yes or no answer sought by Mr Justice Birmingham.

The judge said Mr Burke had made his position clear.

Mr Burke is not appealing the order which resulted in his imprisonment.

Instead he is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside a temporary injunction granted by Ms Justice Siobhan Stack last August restraining him from attending for work, and a subsequent decision of Mr Justice Max Barrett last September to keep the injunction in place pending a final hearing of the matter.

These decisions will be considered by the Court of Appeal.

But two other subsequent High Court decisions, made by Mr Justice Conor Dignam and Ms Justice Eileen Roberts, will not. These include the dismissal of an application brought by Mr Burke aimed at setting aside his suspension.

Outlining his appeal, Mr Burke claimed the orders restraining him from turning up at the school were unlawful, unconstitutional and had no legal effect.

Asked a number of times by Ms Justice Maire Whelan how he had intended to interact with the transgender student, Mr Burke refused to give a direct answer and claimed the question was out of place. He said his position was he could not comply with the request.

Mr Burke told the court he could not participate in transgenderism.

Asked by Mr Justice Edwards what he meant by this, Mr Burke said he based his beliefs on the scriptures rather than transgender ideology.

He said he would have had to acknowledge the student was no longer a male student and this I could not do as it would be a denial of his convictions and religious beliefs.

In response, Mr Justice Edwards remarked: It doesnt seem to allow for the possibility that someone can have a different view from you.
Seweron Lesik (27) kicked out as gardai tried to put him into a patrol van

An army aircraft technician had to be pepper-sprayed by gardai as he resisted arrest for drunkenly spitting at pub security on a busy street.

Seweron Lesik (27) kicked out as gardai tried to put him into a patrol van in what a judge described as a nasty incident.

Judge John Brennan adjourned the case and told him to pay 500 to charity to avoid career-threatening public order convictions.

Lesik, of Seagrave Terrace, Meakstown, Finglas pleaded guilty to public intoxication, threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and garda obstruction.

Dublin District Court heard gardai found him being restrained by security staff on the ground outside a pub on Camden Street on January 21.

He was aggressive, used curse words and spat towards a security guard before refusing to give gardai his name and address.

He was abusive to the gardai, kicked out when he was placed in a patrol van and refused to put his legs in. He was pepper-sprayed to get him to comply. Lesik did not recall the incident but accepted the facts, his solicitor Andrew Broderick said.

He does not respond well to alcohol when he drinks to excess, and did not intend to do so again, Mr Broderick said.

Lesik had no previous convictions but had been cautioned before.

He was in a significant role in the army as a technician on aircraft and machinery in Baldonnel. The judge said he would strike out the charges if the charity donation was paid.
Tim Steybe (26) of Dusseldorf, Germany, pleaded guilty to a damage to property charge at McBride Station while on holiday

A 26-year-old student who spray-painted graffiti on a train carriage at McBride Station in Drogheda while on holiday, causing more than 10,000 damage, has been warned that if he doesnt pay compensation he will be jailed for three months.

Tim Steybe, Kruppstar 95, Dusseldorf, Germany, pleaded guilty to a damage to property charge which occurred on 12 December 2021.

A bench warrant had been issued for his arrest after he failed to turn up at Drogheda Court on 23 January last.

Solicitor Eleanor Kelly said her client had been unable to attend on that occasion because of an injury he sustained.

The bench warrant was executed by arrangement at Dundalk Court on Wednesday last, 15 February when Mr Steybe travelled over from Germany.

The graffiti damage was caused to a train at Drogheda train station.

Sgt Jimmy McGovern presented evidence that two men were spotted by Irish Rail staff spray-painting carriages while the trains were parked up for the night.

They were confronted by members of staff and fled the scene. The defendant attempted to hide in bushes. He was arrested by gardai and detained. He was the only person caught.

A German national who was on vacation in Ireland, Mr Steybe was brought before Drogheda Court the next day 13 December 2021 when he got bail after a contested bail hearing, the presiding judge noting that he was willing to plead guilty.

Sgt McGovern said the damage amounted to 10,332.91 and in reply to Judge Gerry Jones said he did not know precisely what was painted on the train carriage.

There were no previous convictions.

Solicitor Eleanor Kelly added that her client was a student who had been visiting his girlfriend at the time.

What he did was a completely foolish act. He had 500 with him which he knew was nowhere near the extent of the damage but it was all he could afford at the moment.

The defendant was anxious to avoid a conviction which the solicitor appreciated was a huge ask.

He had travelled from Germany as soon as he was allowed to fly owing to the injury.

Judge Jones put the case back to Drogheda Court on 4 December next for payment of 3,000 compensation to Irish Rail.

He said if that wasnt done Mr Steybe would be going to Mountjoy Prison for three months.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show a car driving through the protest and colliding with protesters on Seville Place

Protesters after the crash in Seville Place last night

Gardai surround the car following the incident at an anti-migration rally

A man is due in court after a woman was injured when a car was driven through an anti-immigration protest in Dublin city centre yesterday.

The man, in his 30s, is being detained at a Garda station in north Dublin following what gardai are describing as a road traffic collision.

Protestors crowd around a the injured person

One woman was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show a car driving through the protest and colliding with protesters on Seville Place.

The driver of the vehicle is believed to be a well-known campaigner against anti-immigration protesters.

Protesters after the crash in Seville Place last night

He has apparently shared livestream footage onto his own Facebook page.

Gardai said this morning that they are investigating an "incident of endangerment that occurred in Seville Place, Dublin 1 on Wednesday evening, February 15.

Gardai at the scene

One female was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, gardai said.

A male (aged in his 30s) was arrested at the scene. He has since been charged and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice at 10:30am this morning, Thursday February 16, 2023.

Investigations are ongoing.
Stephen Bedford (36) claimed they "threw themselves in front of my car" as he "tried to get away from a racist mob"

An audio-visual technician has denied intentionally driving into a group of anti-immigration protesters in Dublin and claimed they "threw" themselves in front of his car.

Stage rigger Stephen Bedford (36) with an address at a homeless hostel, on Usher's Quay, Dublin 8, was charged with dangerous driving after a protester was hospitalised on Thursday.

He faced objections to bail when he appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court on Thursday.

Garda Eoin Cannon told the court that Bedford had "strong political and moral beliefs".

A protest in Dublin's north inner city led to a "tense standoff" with his counter-demonstration.

They often turned violent, so gardai intervened, he explained.

The court heard that Bedford, who has not yet indicated a plea, was advised to leave for his own safety.

He left at about 7.30 pm and drove off in his jeep-like car. At one stage, two people from the other protest were on his bonnet.

One was hospitalised, but the level of injury was not known.

Stephen Bedford

The court heard Bedford made certain admissions, and he "live-streamed it onto Facebook via his phone". Footage of the incident was shown in court.

His barrister Glen Lynch said Bedford and a group of 60 to 100 were there to demonstrate against "anti-immigration protesters".

The court heard there was a lot of animosity between them. Bedford was using a PA system and believed the other group was "racist and far-right".

The court heard Bedford maintained he was threatened and left but came across a second branch of the protesters.

Counsel said Bedford tried to drive slowly.

The garda agreed with counsel that the footage shown in court did not have the audio.

Counsel said his client "inadvertently came across a second branch of protesters", and that led him to "flee for his life".

The court heard that Bedford claimed they had threatened to kill him previously.

However, Garda Cannon said his client could have used four other routes, and he told the court there was no official record that the accused had made a formal complaint about threats.

The court had heard that he would usually stream his demonstrations on Facebook.

Bedford gave evidence and told the court that the anti-immigration group was inciting racist attacks in Dublin. He claimed they were "akin to the Ku Klux Klan" and "organised race riots and hatred on the streets of Dublin".

He said protesters were kicking his car and shouting, "that's him, that's him". He claimed they "threw themselves in front of my car" as he "tried to get away from a racist mob".

Bedford told the court that he worked on a casual basis and resided in a hostel.

Judge Smyth granted bail and noted the accused agreed to conditions.

He ordered him to appear again next month and told him to sign on three days a week at a garda station and not to attend demonstrations involving anti-immigration protests.
His tenant Corey OKeeffe said when Kraus was coming in and out of consciousness, he said the word rooster

An Irish man who had a heart condition died after being mauled by an aggressive Brahma chicken living on his property.

Jasper Kraus of Killahornia, Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co Roscommon, was attacked by the chicken on 28 April last year, reported The Irish Examiner, citing a recent inquest.

His tenant Corey OKeeffe said he heard Kraus screaming during the attack and saw blood spurting from his leg, as well as a large wound on his calf.

Mr OKeeffe said he called emergency services, tended to Krauss wound on his leg, and talked him through CPR for 25 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

Mr OKeeffe said when Kraus was coming in and out of consciousness, he said the word rooster.

Authorities said the man was found lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood and had a wound on the back of one of his legs.

Garda Eoin Browne of the Clonark neighbourhood told the inquest that he was called out to the scene of the sudden death, where he met paramedics.

He was informed by them that they had carried out CPR, but without success. Brahma is an American breed of chicken. Dr Ramadan Shatwan told the inquest that while the deceaseds face was covered in dry blood, there were no cuts to his face and his cause of death was due to lethal cardiac arrhythmia.

Krauss body was taken to the mortuary of Roscommon Hospital and later for a post mortem to the University College Hospital.

Kraus daughter Virginia Guinan told the inquest that she had dropped shopping off at her fathers house around noon on the day of his death. According to Ms Guinan, the family knew his heart was bad.

When she went inside, he was asleep and she did not want to wake him. Krauss dog had died recently and he was upset, she said.

Ms Guinan said her father was in remission from cancer and previously had renal failure as well. He was also on a lot of medication at the time.

She was contacted by Mr OKeeffe, who informed her about the incident.

When she reached the house, she saw blood all over the floor and paramedics performing CPR on her father.

She said she realised that it must have been the chicken that caused her fathers death.

Mr OKeeffe said the Brahma chicken that attacked Kraus came here because it was aggressive before.

Ms Guinan also said she saw a chicken with blood on its claws and suspected it was the same animal that attacked her father. She pointed out that the animal had previously attacked her daughter as well.
All four will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, at 10.30am

Four people who were arrested after 2.8m in cocaine was seized when gardai busted a Kinahan linked Dublin drugs factory have been charged and are due before courts this morning.

The four, three men and one woman, will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, at 10.30am.

Eight people had been arrested after gardai discovered 2.8 million worth of cocaine, 2,000 canisters of nitrous oxide and 78,000 in cash, in Dublin

Seven men and one woman aged between their late 20s and early 50s were detained over drug trafficking under Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

Two others have since been released without charge, with a file now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Two other men held by gardai following the raid had earlier been released from custody.

Gardai at the scene of one of the raids in Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath

The bust came after officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Special Crime Task Force carried two traffic stops shortly after 11am in Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown on Tuesday.

A planned raid was also conducted at an industrial premises off the Longmile Road by gardai from Ballyfermot and Sundrive Road Garda stations with assistance of the Garda Dog Unit.

An estimated 40 kilogrammes of cocaine with a street value of 2.8 million (subject to analysis), over 2000 nitric oxide canisters and 78,000 cash was recovered. Also recovered was a hydraulic drugs press, mixing agent, drug mixing paraphernalia, a money counter and several communications devices.

Gardai believe the location was being used as a cocaine mixing factory.

Hydraulic press

It is understood the business premises that was raided is linked to a man from south Dublin.

The operation was part of an investigation into the wider Kinahan Organised Crime Group drug network in this country.

The eight people that were arrested were quizzed by gardai at stations around the city.

Meanwhile, the drugs will be sent for forensic analysis as investigations are ongoing.

Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly of Organised and Serious Crime said: "Todays operation and substantial seizure of cocaine has shown An Garda Siochana is determined to disrupt the distribution networks of organised groups who cause harm to our communities.
The location is the base for the notorious Dundon gang who were key players in the two decade-long gangland feud in Limerick that claimed at least 17 lives

Gardai have seized a cocaine press and a large quantity of white powder following a heavily-armed raid in the stronghold of the Dundon-McCarthy gang Limerick.

Our exclusive pictures show numerous members of the Gardas elite ERU in bullet proof vests and carrying weapons outside the Lenihan Avenue/Hyde Road stronghold of the Dundons during a daylight operation.

A convoy of garda cars on Hyde Road in Limerick

There was a massive Garda presence as armed officers sealed off the streets in the Limerick suburb, located in the heartland of the mob that terrorised the city for years.

Gardai said officers attached to the Roxboro Road Crime Office conducted a number of searches at several properties on Hyde Road and Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, on Wednesday morning.

During the course of the searches a cocaine press was seized and a large quantity of white powder which will now be subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), gardai said.

Investigations are ongoing.

The location is the base for the notorious Dundon gang who were key players in the two decade-long gangland feud in Limerick that claimed at least 17 lives, including those of several innocent people.

While some of the top leaders of the gang are in prison or facing serious criminal charges, they still operate from their Limerick base that was the subject of the Garda operation yesterday morning.

Ger Dundon

One of them, notorious gangster Ger Dundon, is facing jail in the UK after he was convicted last month over a blackmail plot where he threatened to shoot two dudes in the head if a 300,000 (343k) ransom was not paid.

The Sunday World had earlier revealed that the Limerick criminal has changed his name by deed poll to Darren McClean and it was this name that he was referred to throughout the lengthy trial.

The 37-year-old senior member of Limericks infamous McCarthy-Dundon gang was remanded in further custody after he was convicted by a jury of two charges of conspiracy to blackmail and one of conspiracy to falsely imprison. He was cleared on two charges of kidnap.

Gardai at the scene yesterday

He was the only one convicted in the trial with four others, including Drogheda criminal Mark Kavanagh, cleared of all charges.

Dundons close associate and gang boss Cornelius Price was too ill to stand trial, despite being charged and suspected of being the main player in the plot.

The trial had heard that two brothers were blindfolded and warned they would have their brains splattered all over the road, while held at a caravan site at Smithy Fen, Cambridgeshire.

Dundon faces the prospect of a lengthy jail sentence in March when he next appears at Wood Green Crown Court in London.

Ger Dundons brothers, Dessie, Wayne and John, are all serving life sentences for different Limerick murders, while he was jailed for four years in October, 2018, after he helped hide an automatic, pump-action, sawn-off shotgun in an outside toilet of a house, and then fled from armed gardai in a dangerous high-speed chase on February 26, 2017.

After his release from jail, Ger Dundon continued to be involved in serious organised criminality and he is a suspect in the murder of notorious gangster Robbie Lawlor in the North.

Armed officers in Limerick yesterday

In December, at Belfast High Court, during a bail application for a man charged in connection with Lawlors murder, Dundon was named as being part of a three-man hit team involved in the murder.

Dundon faces the prospect of a lengthy jail sentence in March when he next appears at Wood Green Crown Court in London.

The McCarthy-Dundon gang, who were involved in drug dealing, extortion and armed robbery, have been central players in the two-decade long Limerick feud, which also involved several other criminal families, including the Ryans and the Keane-Collopy gang from St Mary's Park.

Wayne Dundon

The gang have also been responsible for the murders of several innocent people unconnected to gangland, including night club bouncer Brian Fitzgerald, who was shot dead in 2002, and Shane Geoghegan, who was the victim of a case of mistaken identity in 2008.

In July 2014, Dublin's Special Criminal Court found Wayne Dundon and Nathan Killeen guilty of the murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins.

Mr Collins died after being shot in the chest at the Coin Castle Amusements Arcade in Limerick on 9 April, 2009.

Dundon, of Lenihan Avenue and Killeen, from Hyde Road, both in Limerick, had pleaded not guilty to his murder but both men were handed down given life sentences.

]Gardai also suspect the gang helped organise the murder of mother-of-two Baiba Saulite who was shot dead outside her home in Swords, Dublin by a lone gunman in 2006.

It is believed the murder was ordered by her ex-husband, Lebanese gangster Hassan Hassan, who had approached gang members to help organise the murder while he was in prison.

Two gang members, Glen Geasley and Sean Callinan were convicted in 2008 of conspiring to possess weapons after a joint operation between Gardai and undercover agents from the Serious Organised Crime Agency in the UK.

They were jailed after a plot to import weapons to be used against the gang's rivals that included rocket launchers, AKM assault rifles and uzi submachine guns.
Drew The Piper King and his brother were two of 67 names given to the Sunday World detailing all known and active members

Former LVF crime lords Drew and Billy King are high-ranking members of the Mid-Ulster killer gang known as The Firm, a source has told the Sunday World.

The veteran criminal brothers, with a long history of violence, are an integral part of the organised crime gang, it has been claimed.

Drew The Piper King is the only man who was ever charged with the murder of Sunday World journalist Martin OHagan in 2008, but the charges were later withdrawn. Despite this, the Sunday World has consistently exposed the brothers as the main men behind the brutal shooting of our colleague Martin in 2001.

Drew was famously pictured leading the funeral cortege of LVF founder and leader Billy King Rat Wright in 1997, and along with his brother was an integral member of the sectarian terror group.

The Sunday World can reveal the brothers, who have been involved in criminality and the drug trade for almost 20 years, are said to be key players in the mob.

Almost 22 years after Martin OHagan was gunned down just yards from his Lurgan home, they are still heavily involved in the murky world where the price on life means nothing.

Drew The Piper King and his brother were two of 67 names given to the Sunday World detailing all known and active members of The Firm.

The members share many roles to make the criminal gang as profitable and ruthless as possible including drug dealing, extortion, money laundering and murder.

Each member has a use and a skill.

Drew King

Sources say the Kings involvement is crucial to The Firm  however they are answerable to the head of the gang, the son of a former member of the IRA.

The gang is dealing in prescription pills, cannabis and cocaine but has drawn the line on dirty drug heroin over fears of a community backlash.

The gang consists of criminals on both sides of the divide, former loyalists and dissident republicans united in their thirst for money and murder.

The Sunday World can also reveal that there are currently 12 women who are active members of The Firm used mainly to provide alibis, hide cash and stash drugs when needed. Most are in relationships with gang members.

Sources say the gang has access to guns and ammunition and they are not afraid to use them if needed.

The Firm have also been linked to the murder of crime bosses Malcolm McKeown and the attempted murder of Jim Carlisle and sources close say they have been implicated in further murders through the years and have not ruled out further killings.

Lurgan is about to explode. The whole of Mid-Ulster is bracing themselves for whats next.

If someone else has to be taken out then thats what will happen, they are ruthless, make no mistake about that, another source revealed. There is inside feuding, rows that can easily get out of hand. This is all about drugs and protecting The Firms position in Mid-Ulster and protecting the flow of cash.

If anyone steps out of line to jeopardise that then they would be better off leaving the country, that is the safest option.

Billy King

There were fears of a revenge attack in the aftermath of a recent murder, and some insist this is still a possibility.

At this stage no one knows but it can never be ruled out because this whole thing is set to explode, its only a matter of time before something happens.

He added: Because of the heavy police attention, they are all over the place up here, things will probably simmer for a while but it will only be a matter of time before something happens, he claimed.

On top of internal pressures, The Firm are also feeling the heat from the CIRA in Lurgan who have vowed to eradicate the drug gang.

The Sunday World understands that several members have been sent threats to cease the activities or pay the ultimate price.

Masked and armed members of the dissident group have been seen patrolling the streets of the Kilwilkee estate to make their presence felt and their intentions clear.

Despite no real support for the CIRA in the community, their presence is more palatable than The Firm and their claims that they will take on the drug gang have been welcomed by many.

The Continuity IRA will not sit back and watch this escalate, to enable them to grow and flood our areas with drugs.

"They may think they control this area but they will be proved wrong. They have been warned, one CIRA member told Sunday World.
In total, eight people were arrested including a business director and at least two of his employees.

Gardai at the scene of one of the raids in Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath

Gardai at the scene of one raid

An under the radar key drug distributor was one of eight people arrested after gardai busted a drug factory in south Dublin.

Almost 3 million worth of cocaine was seized along with 240kg of mixing agent when detectives searched a business premises in the Long Mile Road area on Tuesday.

Gardai are investigating whether the drug mixing factory was being operated by the wider Kinahan cartel network in Ireland.

In total, eight people were arrested including a business director and at least two of his employees.

Independent.ie understands that another south Dublin man in custody is suspected of being a vital cog in the storing and movement of cocaine from the drugs factory.

People believed to be operating at different levels have been arrested as part of this inquiry, including persons who are now no longer suspected of involvement, a source said.

Gardai at the scene of one of the raids in Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath

One of the men arrested has been operating under the radar but gardai believe he was a vital cog in this gangs drug distribution network from what was a very significant operating hub.

Four people arrested in connection with the seizure have now been charged. Three men and a woman will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin later this morning.

Two of those arrested have been released without charge. Two other men held by gardai following the raid had earlier been released from custody.

Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, in charge of the Gardas Organised and Serious Crime section, said yesterday that the drugs bust would have an impact on the gang involved.

Absolutely, the dismantling of a distribution network really puts groups like that back, because it takes substantial effort to re-establish those networks and re-establish those supply lines, he said.

In particular, when we arrest people who are at that level, as you can see, our targeting is upstream, targeting people who are at that level. And that's why operations like yesterday take a lot of time and resources by An Garda Siochana but that's the level we're targetting.

Cocaine seizure

Our message is that we will continue to target them. Not only that group but all groups involved in that activity, he said. As you can see from today, it's a hard lesson for the people who are involved in this.

They are now detained under drug trafficking legislation and in due course some of them may face substantial sentences.

The operation began on Tuesday morning when gardai stopped two cars in west Dublin following a suspected handover.

Shortly after 11am, members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) swooped on the vehicles in Blanchardstown and Ballyfermot. A follow-up raid was carried out at a business premises in the Long Mile Road area.

During the searches, gardai recovered 40kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of 2.8 million, as well as 7,000 nitrous oxide canisters and 78,000 in cash.

Detectives also found items used in the drug mixing and distribution process, including a hydraulic drugs press, 240kg of mixing agent and other paraphernalia.

A money-counting machine and several communication devices were also recovered.

Initially, seven men and a woman  aged between their 20s and 50s  were arrested but four have since been released without charge.

The investigation is being led by the GNDOCB, supported by the Special Crime Task Force, under the anti-drug initiative Operation Tara.

A Garda spokesman said that personnel from the garda dog unit, and divisional drug units attached to Ballyfermot and Sundrive Road garda stations, also assisted in the operation.

Asst. Comm Kelly also said that the amount of gas canisters seized was noteworthy.

Nitrous oxide has been a substance that has been abused by young people in this country, he said.

"And in other jurisdictions this has led to deaths and serious harm. It is of a particular concern to us that the same organised crime groups that are involved in the importation and distribution of cocaine are also involved now in the distribution of nitrous oxide.
A Niagara Falls man was handed down a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison by Niagara County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek on Wednesday following his Jan. 29 conviction in a fatal shooting, according to Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman.

Jamel J. Lyons, 28, was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder in the shotgun slaying of 26-year-old Allah Reese, of North Tonawanda, whose body was found lying in snow about 1 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2021, near Lyons' home on 20th Street between Walnut and Ferry avenues in Niagara Falls. Prosecutors said the two men knew one another.

"Some cases come together and are solved right away. This case was not like that," Seaman said in a statement on Wednesday.

The district attorney credited the persistence of lead Detective Tina Zell and her colleagues in the Niagara Falls Police Department, along with the efforts First Assistant D.A. Doreen Hoffmann and Assistant D.A. Maria Stoelting that led to Lyons' prosecution and conviction. As a result of their efforts, Seaman said "this extremely violent and dangerous individual will no longer be at large in our community."
Robinson has been drawn to Ireland by a recent spate of anti-immigrant protests

The notorious far-right agitator Tommy Robinson has arrived in Dublin where he posted a message telling journalists, politicians and far left extremists that he was here to do his job.

Robinson claims he has been drawn to Ireland by a recent spate of anti-immigrant protests, which he has warmly praised and the Irish far-right agitators who are helping to organise them.

In a video posted on the social media site Telegram, Robinson said nobody had invited him to Dublin.

I just need to make something very clear, he states in a message shared on the social media channel.

(Im) reading that lots of journalists, lots of politicians, lots of far left extremists (are) all saying I've been invited here to Dublin.

I havent been invited anywhere. Im a journalist.

"I go where the news is. No ones invited me. No ones accommodated me. I go and ask questions and put together a piece, to show what's happening. Thats my job, thank you.

According to independent.ie, Robinson, a founder of the English Defence League, a far-right Islamophobic organisation, has been welcomed to Ireland by far-right conspiracy theorist Dee Wall, who spread misinformation during the pandemic.

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In a lengthy live-stream on her social media profile on Tuesday night, Ms Wall praised Robinson and said she would give him 100 blessings to come here. She said she would personally welcome him to Ireland.

Men in Ireland claim to have two balls  where were they all the way through the lockdown when the elderly were being genocided? she said.

Where were these men? They couldnt even come up to have one ball as big as Tommy Robinsons.

Robinson, who has been banned from most major social media platforms at one time or another, was previously kicked off Facebook for dehumanising language and calls for violence targeted at Muslims.

Robinsons real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Last year, he lost a libel case taken against him by a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked at school.

During her live-stream, Ms Wall said she would be proud to have Robinson as a son, and staunchly defended him from a number of her followers who questioned whether a British loyalist should be welcomed by Irelands far right.

She also suggested that Robinson, who previously said that he went out on St Patricks Day wearing an England top, might be invited back to Dublin on March 17 by anti-immigration activists.

Far-right Telegram channels, many of which are currently devoted to organising anti-immigration protests around the country, are divided on whether Robinsons visit will be helpful to their cause.

It is understood the matter of his visit prompted some disagreements among demonstrators who protested outside RTE earlier this week. Many far-right activists strongly identify as republicans and are uncomfortable with the inclusion of Robinson in their movement.

But Derek Blighe, a Corkman who live-streams his far-right political views, argued that Robinson wants to protect his country in the same way I want to protect my country.

Mr Blighe, a regular presence at anti-immigration protests across the country, claimed that if Robinson wanted to come to Ireland to film the success of the Irish anti-immigration movement, I have no problem with that.

If Tommy Robinson wants to come over here and learn some new tricks and get some footage, maybe make a documentary, I have no problem with that.
Former colleagues and friends from the world of media, literature and theatre were also in attendance

The remains of Deirdre Purcell are carried in to Our Lady of Victories Church in Ballymun by her family. Photo by Steve Humphreys 16th Feb ruary 2023.

Pictured are family and friends as the coffin of Deirdre Purcell arrives at Our Lady of Victories Church, Ballymun Road, this morning for her funeral. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie   RollingNews.ie

Novelist Deirdre Purcell was remembered as 'vibrant, sharp minded, caring companion' and a 'force of nature' at her funeral in Dublin today.

Chief mourners were her husband Kevin Healy, sons Adrian and Simon, brother Declan, step-children Justin, Zoe, daughter-in-law Catherine, her grandchildren.

Former colleagues and friends from the world of media, literature and theatre were also in attendance.

Anne Doyle, Terry Prone, Olivia O'Leary, broadcaster Joe Duffy, Mike Murphy, Pat Kenny, former newsreader Eileen Dunne, David Davin-Power, theatre director Patrick Mason, theatre producer John McColgan, and Marian Finucane's widower John Clarke were among those who gathered to pay their respects at Our Lady of Victories Church, in Ballymun.

Purcell's husband Kevin described her as the glue that held their family together.

"Without her we are cast adrift and we are bereft," he said.

He told those in attendance that the unopened Valentine's Day card he wrote for her contained the words "life is such an adventure with you by my side".

Her son Adrian spoke of the shock of his mother's sudden death and remembered her as "generous, loyal, creative, fun and compassionate".

"She was always on your side. Endlessly loyal, endlessly supportive," he said.

He spoke of the various 'friendship tribes' she had and how much they meant to her.

Deirdre purcell

Fr John McNamara who acted as celebrant told mourners Purcell remained loyal to RTE all her life and tuned into Dancing with the Stars, Fair City, the Nine O'Clock News and Smother the Sunday before her death.

Fr McNamara said her "life was full and she lived it to the last".

Joe Duffy spoke and described her as "elegant, generous and full of warmth".

"My admiration for her is unbounded. She was a gem."

Purcell, one of Irelands most acclaimed novelists and broadcasters, died suddenly at the age of 77 on Monday.
A technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision investigators is set to take place this morning

A man in his 30s has died following a crash on the N71 road in Co Kerry yesterday evening.

Emergency services attended the scene on the Kenmare to Bantry Road at Drominassig at around 6pm where they found the driver of the car badly injured.

He was rushed to Cork University Hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. A post-mortem is due to take place later

A technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision investigators is set to take place this morning. The road is currently closed, with local diversions currently in place.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward and any road users with video footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to them.

Gardai in Kerry attended the scene of a fatal single vehicle road traffic collision which occurred at approximately 6pm on Wednesday evening, February 15, gardai revealed.

The driver of the car, a man aged in his 30s, was taken to Cork University Hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. A post-mortem will now take place in due course.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Iarnrod Eireann said the incidents led to delays for passengers as trains are forced to stop following strikes

The number of deer being struck by trains on the country's rail network rose to 58 last year, new figures have revealed.

This is more than double the number of strikes (24) which occurred in 2018, the figures obtained by RTE show.

There were 36 such incidents in 2019; 28 in 2020 and 42 in 2021, when there were fewer train journeys due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Dublin-Wexford line, Mallow-Killarney and Ennis-Athenry railways saw some of the worst incidents which all led to deer fatalities, although there was little damage to trains.

However, a spokesperson for Iarnrod Eireann said the incidents led to delays for passengers as trains are forced to stop following strikes.

The spokesperson told RTE they are installing deer-proof fencing where possible and feasible, although it is not 100 per cent effective.

Mayo County Councils road safety section estimates there are between 400 and 500 road collisions involving deer in Ireland every year.

These incidents occur in counties where there are large deer populations, and while material damage has been caused to vehicles, there have been no injuries to passengers or drivers.

However, fatal road collisions involving deer has been raised during inquests in Co Kerry on a number of occasions, after Road Safety Authority records show there were ten casualties between 2017 and 2021.

Concerns regarding deer entering properties, grazing on crops and grass and possibly spreading TB to cattle have been raised by farmers.

Shane O'Loughlin, a dairy farmer in Aughrim, Co Wicklow told how every night as he is milking, sika deer emerge from woods adjacent to his fields and graze his grass.

"While I'm working, the deer are feasting on my grass. We need the grass for our cows, we do everything we can to grow it well, but the cows are not getting to eat some of it, he told RTE.

"There are estimates from 60,000 to 150,000 and there's huge variety there in that estimate. No one really knows, but we do know there are a lot of deer."

Shane said that while it is possible to fence the deer out, but it is not very practical.

"Its very expensive to undertake, and difficult to put a 6ft fence around the whole perimeter of a farm".

A 2015 study found that 16 per cent of deer culled tested positive for TB, while a more recent TCD study showed a correlation between higher deer populations and incidence of the disease in cattle.

Another study, yet to be published by the Department of Agriculture but seen by RTE News, involved 1,500 deer that were shot over three years and assessed for TB by deer hunters trained to recognise the signs.

Signs were seen in 58 animals, samples of which were sent for lab testing.

Nine came back positive for TB, which is 16.6% of samples lab tested, or 0.6% of all the animals considered in the study.

Addressing the issue recently, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said deer were a problem when it comes to restoring biodiversity across the country and agreed that a cull was needed.

But the Irish Deer Commission, a voluntary organisation that argues for sustainable deer management, state that the data suggests there while, there are issues in certain areas "in the majority of the country it appears deer are adequately managed at sustainable levels".

The Deer Management Strategy Group, established late last year by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue conducted a public submissions process with over 1,500 submissions received.

Those will now feed into the groups work, which will also involve meeting with interested parties from next month.
The Oscar-nominated actor confirmed he would be taking part in a new feature film about the notorious gunslinger in an interview with Deadline on Wednesday.

Barry Keoghan is set to star in a major upcoming flick retelling the story of Billy the Kid.

The Oscar-nominated actor confirmed he would be taking part in a new feature film about the notorious gunslinger in an interview with Deadline on Wednesday.

Speaking to the publication, Barry said he wants to humanise Billy onscreen with the help of director Bart Layton, whom he previously worked with on American Animals.

Weve seen many versions of Billy the Kid on screen before, he explained.

My interest was in trying to tell a version that breaks from the facade of that cool, calm, and collected gunslinger Billy the Kid that were all used to seeing. I wanted to humanize him in a way.

Billy the Kid was an outlaw and gunfighter of the American frontier who is believed to have killed 21 men before being shot dead at the age of 21.

Barry, a former foster child, opened up about resonating with the cowboy, who was born as Henry McCarty in 1859 and was orphaned at the age of 15.

I remember reading about him as a kid, but as we were digging into the project, there were so many things we discovered about his life.

There are so many eyewitness accounts, and lots of different versions of his story that didnt add up but that contributed to the legend.]

I wanted to step outside of the legend that was built up by the papers and tackle the pressure he must have felt from those early days. He was running his whole life.

I felt related to Billy in the sense of him being a mummys boy, but obviously, I took a different path, turning my circumstances into something positive rather than rebelling against them.

Nevertheless, theres a soul and a vulnerability to Billy that I think its important to bring, to understand him as a real person rather than the myth that he has become.

Layton said there are aspects to the role that Keoghan was born to do.

Our understanding of Billy the Kid is really the comic book version. But the more we researched and the more we discussed, the more it felt like something Barry was born to do.

Theres a cornered child aspect to Billy that I think Barry really understands, and of the violence he has been immortalised for, not all of it was intended or premeditated. A lot of it was circumstance edging him forward, Layton said.

Producer Ed Guiney has worked with Keoghan on two previous films and believes he will be perfect to play the outlaw.

Barry has the ability to capture a duality in the way he acts; theres great sweetness and gentleness, but also there can be darkness and violence. He can really embody both things at once, and thats the essence of Billy the Kid.
The legendary bombshell actress of film, television and stage, passed away peacefully early this morning after a brief illness

The star, who appeared in films includingFantastic Voyage and One Million Years BC, died on Wednesday following a brief illness.

Welchs representative confirmed the news to ABC, writing: The legendary bombshell actress of film, television and stage, passed away peacefully early this morning after a brief illness.

Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs.

Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter, Tahnee Welch.

Raquel Welch in 2017. Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok   REUTERS

Her breakout role was in 1965sFantastic Voyage, with One Million Years BC arriving the next year.

While Welch had just three lines of dialogue in the latter, a publicity shot depicting her in a bikini costume went on to become one of the decades biggest-selling posters.

Its this poster that is on the wall of Andy Dufresnes prison cell in 1994 film The Shawshank Redemptionat the time of the Tim Robbins characters escape.

The multi-talented star went on to become one of the most successful stars of the 1960s and 1970s.

High-profile roles in in Bedazzled (1967), Bandolero! (1968) and 100 Rifles (1969) followed, and in 1968, she starred opposite Frank Sinatra in detective film Lady in Cement.

Welch successfully escaped the sex symbol label she was given in the 1960s by producers and directors, many of whom tried to get her to perform nude scenes. She always refused.

She is quoted as saying: I was not brought up to be a sex symbol, nor is it in my nature to be one. The fact that I became one is probably the loveliest, most glamorous and fortunate misunderstanding.

She added: What I do on the screen is not to be equated with what I do in my private life. Privately, I am understated and dislike any hoopla.

In the 1970s, Welch continued proving her mettle with roles in Hannie Caulder(1971), Kansas City Bomber(1972) and The Last of Sheila(1973). She won a Golden Globe in 1972 for her role inThe Three Musketeers.

Welchs role in the revenger Western Hannie Caulder was one of Quentin Tarantinos primary inspirations for his Kill Bill films (2003-04), starring Uma Thurman.

While she never won an Oscar, the actor did accept one on behalf of her friend Goldie Hawn, who won Best Supporting Actress for the comedy filmPrivate Benjamin in 1981.

The actor, who had a small role in Legally Blonde(2001), had many variety specials, one of which, in 1970, saw her receive more than a 51pc share of the TV viewing audience in the US.

Her other TV appearances included The Muppet Show(1978), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996) and Right to Die, in which she played a woman with Lou Gehrig's disease. She received a Golden Globe nomination for the 1987 performance.

Welch also appeared opposite in the sitcom Seinfeld, and opposite Robin Williams in an episode of Mork and Mindy.

Welch also performed on stage, with one of her most notable roles arriving in a Broadway production of Victor/Victoria. She starred in the role after Julie Andrews and Liza Minnelli.

As well as acting, Welch also sang and regularly performed a one-woman musical act in a Las Vegas nightclub.

In 1989, she released her first and only single, the dance track This Girl's Back In Town, which reached No 29 on Billboard's dance chart.

Welch was married four times: to high school sweetheart, James Welch, in 1959, to producer Patrick Curtis in 1967, to Andre Weinfeld, also a producer, in 1980, and Mulberry Street Pizzeri owner Richard Palmer in 1999.
John Arts

https://www.johnarts.co.nz/JohnArts/Home.html" www.johnarts.co.nz

Someone I know well has been treated by a cardiologist for Atrial Fibrillation, one of the more common heart rhythm issues. What was interesting that the cardiologist recommended a high-grade magnesium supplement along with prescribed medications.

One paper (European Heart Journal, 2017) stated: As such, magnesium plays an integral role in a variety of functions related to cardiovascular disorders. Reduced dietary intake of magnesium has been linked with a higher risk of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease, and new-onset heart failure and heart failure-related hospitalisation.

Similarly, a low serum magnesium level is associated with up to a 50 per cent higher incidence of new AF, left ventricular hypertrophy, and is an important predictor of sudden cardiovascular death and overall mortality.

Critical role

Perhaps my friends cardiologist is aware of this and similar studies. The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the European Society of Cardiology now incorporate magnesium therapy into treatment and management of some heart arrythmias.

As an electrolyte, magnesium has a critical role in maintaining normal electrical function in heart muscle. One study shows patients receiving supplemental magnesium are three times more likely to get their heart rate below 100bpm than those on a placebo.

This central role of magnesium in heart muscle is because it regulates energy needed for other electrolytes, notably calcium, potassium and sodium. If magnesium is low, these electrolytes become imbalanced and can start processes that affect heart rhythm.

Magnesium supplementation

I use magnesium supplementation in two ways. Firstly, I add it to my multi-mineral/vitamin/antioxidant complex. The levels in this are sufficient for a healthy person. However, for those with arrythmia we need to add therapeutic levels.

For this Ive combined three bioavailable forms of magnesium (natural marine, glycinate and citrate) in one supplement. I then allow a dosage range of between one-four capsules daily to meet individual needs. For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz. You can read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559.
The last few years have been heaven for Ngongotaha resident Richard Kean. Thats because a neighbourhood skid pad has been closed.

Now, with recent plans to revive the skid pad pitched, he fears the nauseating smell of burning rubber and the sound of backfiring cars will return.

Ngongotaha Motorsports Leon Khan says the resource consent process will address noise and believes odour is no issue.

A skid pad was originally built in 2015 on Khans private whanau-owned Ngongotaha land and opened to the public in 2016.

It closed in 2018 after an Environment Court case ruled he needed to obtain land use consent from Rotorua Lakes Council in order to hold motorised sporting events.

Community and regulatory services manager Kurt Williams previously said the venue was issued with an abatement notice and two subsequent $750 infringement notices to stop operating

Five complaints had been made between August 1, 2016, and July 8, 2017, all relating to noise concerns and one alleging smoke/odour from burnt rubber.

All five complaints came from one person.

Williams said resource consent may need to be publicly notified if it impacted the community, unless affected parties gave written approval.

It would also depend on the requirements of other agencies such as NZTA, police and regional council.

Discussion on the pad was re-ignited recently when Khan started a petition to gather support. He intends to apply for resource consent.

His plans to re-open Ngongotaha Motorsports skid pad have been praised by some who said it would be a safe space for the car community.

However, nearby resident Richard Kean said living at his Ngongotaha home was dreadful when the skid pad was being used. When it was closed, it was heaven.

The noise was unbelievable, to the point they needed to wear earplugs or ear muffs, he said.

The smell of burning rubber was suffocating and absolutely nauseating.

He said he worried about the environmental impact and potential loss of value to his property.

However, he said he was not opposed to opening a skid pad away from residential houses.

Ngongotaha Motorsport's Leon Khan (left) and Taupo businessman Tony Walker. Photo / Mead Norton.

Kean said he did not complain to the council during the skid pads open period but he would make a submission if there was an opportunity during the resource consent process.

In response to Keans concerns, Khan said people would be able to have their say during the consenting process.

Khan said he believed Kean was exaggerating and noise complaints would not matter if he passed the acoustic reports he would need to have done.

He did not think smoke or odour was an issue, nor would there be any environmental impact. This was based on conversations he had in 2016 with a regional council pollution prevention officer.

The next steps for Khan were to figure out the best ideas for improvements, particularly for the driveway.

This was one of the concerns raised by NZTA. Its recommendations included changes to the passing lane near the property, using temporary traffic management during events and a drug and alcohol management plan.

He will meet with a consultant and with former managing director of Taupo Motorsport Park, Tony Walker this week.

Then we can put together a business plan and sort out all the reports thatll need to be done.

This included the acoustic reports and consent.

Khan said a plan would need to be made for funding the project.

Rotorua Lakes Council district development deputy chief executive Jean-Paul Gaston said no resource consent application had yet been received but once it had the council would consider relevant matters and work through the process with Khan.

A police spokesperson confirmed police had been called to incidents at the skid pad when it was open but was unable to provide specific details.

While a dedicated facility that provides a safe space for car enthusiasts can be viewed positively, we would expect that it complies with health and safety regulations and local government bylaws so everyone who is there participating, or watching, is kept safe.

They said its focus was ensuring motorists remained safe behind the wheel.

There is a huge risk to road users when a driver makes the choice to deliberately lose control of their vehicle. There are many occasions and YouTube videos showing the consequences of that.

In the absence of any lawful skid pad, the spokesperson said police would warn anyone wanting to do burn outs on public roads to reconsider that action given the risk they posed to themselves and others.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council compliance team lead Trudy Richards said it was responsible for regulating discharges of contaminants to air from anthropogenic sources, including smoke and odour. This was included in the consent processes.

The Regional Natural Resources Plan policy framework and rules have been updated since Khan was last advised and she encouraged him to get in touch to discuss the current proposal to ensure compliance.

-Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.
A "critical" chemical for the kiwifruit industry is no longer being proposed as becoming a classified carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Authority.

This week, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers, NZKGI, responded to the EPA's social impact assessment report on the effects of their proposed hydrogen cynamide ban, a spray used by kiwifruit growers known as hi-cane.

Hi-cane,used once per year on kiwifruit orchards, is described as a "critical chemical" for the success of the kiwifruit industry.

It promotes uniform bud break of flowers ultimately maximising the production of high quality kiwifruit, according to NZKGI.

NZKGI opposes a ban on hi-cane and is of the view that any ban with any phase-out period is unnecessary and inappropriate.

"A ban would create uncertainty and stifle investment," says an NZKGI spokesperson.

NZKGI CEO Colin Bond says the EPAs proposed ban of Hi-Cane is "unjustified".

Hi-Cane is a vital tool for kiwifruit growers and would result in significant losses for both the kiwifruit industry and the wider economy if it was banned. As New Zealands largest horticultural export, kiwifruit continues to play a vital role in regional economic development around the country and makes a significant contribution to New Zealands economic performance.

An independent economic report commissioned by NZKGI found that banning Hi-Cane in New Zealand would cost the economy $1.56 billion.

The magnitude of the economic and related benefits derived from the use of hydrogen cyanamide should be described as massive and NZKGI is of the view that the EPAs Update Report does not adequately consider the wellbeing effects on individual growers or the impacts on national wellbeing that would arise from a ban of Hi-Cane.

Bond does however note that the SIA report highlights that the effects on Maori growers and their whanau and communities would be significant should hi-cane be banned.

The SIA report also recognizes the removal of the carcinogenicity classification for Hi-Cane, and NZKGI accepts that appropriate training combined with industry led agreed continuous improvement actions will ensure that the risk for all spraying operators is kept as low as possible.

Further on the topic of spray, NZKGI is of the view that the role of effective shelter in reducing spray drift ought to be recognised and provided for in relation to the proposed buffer zones.

In addition to the impact of Hi-Cane on people, the sprays impact on birds and soil organisms has also been an important component of the EPAs reassessment, according to NZKGI.

Based on the expert reports, NZKGI is of the view that the risk assessments relating to birds and soil organisms are overly conservative, and in light of the new information in

these reports, the risks to birds and soil organisms should be re-assessed and the risk ratings reduced.

The EPAs full SIA report, and NZKGIs response to this report are available on the EPA website. These reports will be complied with other evidence and a hearing, including presentations from experts, growers and other industry stakeholders will be held in March to decide on the future of Hi-Cane.
People should be prepared for the number of fatalities in the wake of the cyclone to increase, the prime minister says.

Chris Hipkins is speaking to media from Wellington, and says every available resource is being used to help find those who are missing and to rescue those who are known about but unable to be reached.

Over the past two days the rescue coordination centre had overseen 450 rescues and all rescue requests in the 111 system had been completed, Hipkins says.

As of 2.30pm, 3544 reports of uncontactable people had been registered with the police 105 function. A further 450 had been reported as found.

Those included multiple reports for the same people. Police were prioritising those in the more isolated areas.

It was important that as people were able to communicate and let others know they are OK, if they have been registered as missing, that they take the time to register their wellbeing online with police 105, he says.

The number of fatalities stands at five but there are still people for whom the police hold grave concerns.

"And we do need to be prepared for the likelihood that there will be more fatalities," Hipkins says.

The situation in Gisborne

Hipkins says the damage in Gisborne was extensive and there was "absolutely no doubt" that communities impacted were under enormous pressure.

Earlier, Hipkins flew to Gisborne for his first in-person look at the scale of destruction from the cyclone.

Hipkins says it "was a pretty moving morning".

"Flying in over Gisborne is was clear the extent of the damage even before we'd gotten off the plane."

It was clear there were big challenges facing the community, he says.

Communication was incredibly difficult for some people and both fibre routes in and out of Gisborne had been damaged with engineers working to repair the damage as fast as they could, Hipkins says.

Getting the water supply up and running would not be an overnight fix but was a prority, he says.

Hawke's Bay update

The government was trying to get hotspots and other temporary measures in place and 10 more Starlinks were on their way to Gisborne. Five units have been delivered to Wairoa and Hawke's Bay, with more on the way.

Hipkins says there was a reasonably good supply of Starlinks in NZ.

"They're not going to provide a complete answer though, but they will provide a limited amount of connectivity in those areas that are currently cut off and that will hopefully allow us to at least establish some of those basic communication channels...

"We've been able to reach Wairoa and Hawke's Bay by road today and SH2 to Gisborne has also been opened on a limited basis for convoys of emergency supplies including food, water and fuel."

Temporary supplies were on route and more would be arriving soon, he says.

"Fresh water is clearly an issue."

There were real concerns for the Eskdale areas, Hipkins says.

Teams were there going doo-to-door to identify the extent of the damage and any human harm, he says. There had not been a report back from these teams yet.

People in Hawke's Bay were advised to be prepared. "We're dealing with very unpredictable weather at the moment, it is certainly likely that there will be more rain, that's what the forecasts are suggesting."

The damage to roads in all areas was one of the most significant challenges and people in these areas were asked to minimise their own movements so supplies could get to where they were needed, Hipkins says.

"If you can stay put, stay put, make sure you've got everything you need to stay put if it's safe to do that and if you need to evacuate be prepared and be ready to evacuate as well.

"That involves your grab to go bag, making sure you've got something warm and dry to wear and that you've got a plan."

Communities awere coming together and managing the situation very well, Hipkins says.

People may need to go door-to-door to alert others if they need to evacuate, Hipkins says.

"Encouragingly, every region now has an alternative route that allows us to get lifelines into them."

"Everything possible is being done to bring back power to those areas that have been hard hit by the cyclone."

The most recent information is that approximately 102,000 customers are without power across the upper North Island.

Hipkins says the government had released $1 million as an immediate top up to the mayoral relief fund as the first step to help get immediate support to those who need it.

A further $1 million had been released to the Hawke's Bay.

Police are sending an additional 100 staff into Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay areas.

The police eagle helicopter will be deployed tomorrow.

Many local police had been the first responders in many communities, Hipkins says.

"I just want to acknowledge how difficult it is for those communities who have been affected by this weather event. The sorts of things they were reporting back to me included that they felt very isolated, they felt very alone. That unfortunately is the nature of the initial days in some of these events but I just want to acknowledge how hard it's been for them."

"I think now that we can connect with them more easily, we can get more support to them."

Speaking about the siuation in general, Hipkins says: "As I indicated earlier today, we're also going to have to think about the longterm implications of this. We have some infrastructure in New Zealand that we're going to need to look very closely at, we're going to need to think about our roading network, our telecommunications network, our energy distribution networks and make sure we have them as robust as possible.

"We are going to see more of these types of events and making sure that we are prepared for them is going to require a significant amount of time, energy and investment."

NEMA efforts

NEMA has accepted an agency to agency offer from Australia for emergency response support and expertise.

Over the next 48 hours, five impact assessment teams made up of around 25 people will arrive in NZ to work with the FENZ and USAR teams.

The Australian team will search for people and look at how buildings are impacted.

"This is a complex and dynamic response, some areas, such as Auckland, Waikato, Thames-Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the Manawatu and Whangarei, are fortunate to be scaling down their civil defence response and they're able now to move into the recovery phase."

Others, like in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay need the basics like food and water "and are still very much in the emergency response phase".

All hospitals in the impacted regions are open and functioning well. Additional blood, oxygen and other critical supplies have been flown in to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.

Defence Force response

Air Commodore Darren Webb says the focus of the Defence Force had been the extensive support of NEMA.

Currently, 700 defence force members have been deployed with hundreds more on standby.

Two ships, 58 army vehicles, including two light armoured vehicles, six NH90 helicopters, two C130 transport aircraft, a seasprite helicopter and a Defence Force demand team have been deployed.

"Our priorities have been on saving people from immediate danger, helping authorities gain more knowledge in what is an ever-evolving situation and helping to support and respond to any ongoing relief efforts."

The people of the Defence Force lived in the communities they served so took a great deal of pride in being able to assist friends and whanau in their time of need, he says.

There had been an intensive effort in the Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay regions, he says.

Emergency communication links have been established in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, a range of reconnaissance tasks have been conducted to help build a better picture of the damage and food, water and shelter have been provided to isolated communities.

Military water treatment plants have been moved to Wairoa and Gisborne. They can produce up to 3000 litres of fresh water per hour.

HMNZS Manawanui has arrived in Tairawhiti coastal region and has dropped off food and water in Tokomaru Bay.

The ship was expected to reach Tolaga Bay this evening.

It is due into Gisbone tomorrow morning to assist the community. Another ship departs Auckland for Napier, with a 25 person response team and humanitarian supplies on board.

The army has more people to deploy if needed, and two light armed vehicles are checking a road route to Gisborne right now to possibly move in a larger water treatment plant that cannot be moved by air.

A second water treatment plant will move to Gisborne and two Transpower 4x4 vehicles and crews will be moved to Kerikeri.

The helicopters will move a small military water treatment plant as well as army into Wairoa.

"This has already been one of our largest domestic deployments in recent memory and we will continue to support those in need for as long as it takes."

Webb says the support offered by NZDF was meeting all needs coming in from NEMA but a needs assessment was being done to determine if there was any specific capabilities needed from international partners.

"But at this point in time, we're currently OK."

National Emergency Management Agency advice:

Put safety first. Don't take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles.

If you have evacuated, please stay where you are until you are given the all-clear to go home.

If you don't need to evacuate, support those who do by staying home, staying off roads and staying safe.

If you are not able to contact your whanau in the heavily affected areas go to Police 105 website and complete the inquiry form or phone 105 and remember to update if you reconnect through other means.

Throw away food and drinking water that has come into contact with floodwater as it is often contaminated and can make you sick.

If you are without power eat the food from your fridge first, then your freezer. Then eat the food in the cupboard or your emergency kit.

People should stay up to date with the forecasts from MetService and continue to follow the advice of civil defence and emergency services.

A National State of Emergency is in place for an initial period of seven days and applies to regions that have declared a local State of Emergency.

- RNZ.
Charles Everhart Jr. prefers to be a "guy in the shadows."

But the spotlight has found him.

On a January afternoon a few blocks from City Hall, the Buffalo school bus driver had to spring into action to protect a child. And on Wednesday evening Everhart was recognized by the Buffalo School Board for an act of heroism. Surrounded by several family members, he was given a small plaque by Buffalo Schools Chief Operating Officer David Hills.

Everhart said Tuesday he was dropping off a young student at the corner of Seventh and Carolina streets, a couple of blocks from the student's residence in an apartment complex. As the student exited the bus, Everhart kept an eye on his passenger as he usually would. Then he heard loud gunshots ring out from a group of boys on the adjacent corner, about 50 feet away. He thought they were maybe 17 or 18 years old.

"I've seen a few bullets shot before," Everhart said. "These were some big guns."

The bus driver acted quickly. He stopped the bus and darted from the front past the aide, who said, "Oh my God, what are you doing?" Everhart remembers thinking something similar: "Oh my God, what am I doing?"

But he did not stop. He reached the back of the bus, lifted the hatch and yelled for the student to keep running. The commotion caused the young men who were involved in the shooting to flee on foot. Everhart then alerted police, told them the direction the youths ran and called his boss from First Student. He drove around the block to the student's address to make sure he entered his residence safely.

Given his personality, Everhart said he did not act for any recognition. He said just saw "something that I didn't like."

Everhart did not dwell on the events; he went on with his route. But the saga was not over. As Everhart was told by his supervisor, the student passenger had arrived home shaken after the shooting. His mother, concerned her son had been left to fend for himself, called the district to inquire, which eventually led supervisors to view the camera footage from the bus. The film revealed the steps Everhart took to ensure his passenger's safety.

Everhart said he does not know the student's name and does not know his school, as the bus driver's routes change regularly. The district did not identify the student; Hills said he was in second grade, while Everhart guessed he was either 10 or 11 years old. Hills said the student was the last one on the bus that afternoon.

Everhart was assigned that same bus route again just two weeks ago, he said, and instead of dropping the student off at the corner, Everhart took him straight to his front door  typically frowned upon given the shortage of bus drivers and large number of students on each bus.

"I'm not playing," he said. "They can fire me, but I'm not letting him off at that corner again."

After the investigation into what Everhart did during the crisis, he received a message from the Buffalo School Board.

"I thought I was going to be fired," Everhart recalled.

Instead, Everhart smiled when he approached the microphone Wednesday in Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center to pose for photos and accept his plaque.

Everhart said Tuesday he had nearly made it to the day of recognition without attracting much attention. But his sister Zeneta Everhart, whose son was injured in the racist mass shooting May 14 at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue, had just learned of her brother's heroics Tuesday morning and  given her local prominence from her book donation drive, testifying before Congress and appearance at the State of the Union Address  word spread quickly, much to her brother's chagrin.

He said the siblings have a long history of playing jokes on each other, and he playfully "cussed her out" for alerting the media.

17,000 books and growing: A mother's mission after mass shooting gets help from Buffalo Bills Zeneta Everhart and her son, Zaire Goodman, who survived the Tops massacre, started collecting children's books about Black history, people and culture, as well as books that feature Black characters, in order to distribute them to schools and libraries.

"Why'd you do this to me?" Everhart said he asked his sister. Zeneta and Charles Everhart shared an embrace Wednesday night, with the brother  in a brief speech  expressing gratitude and noting that Zaire Goodman, the Tops Market employee wounded on May 14, is his nephew.

"This is all just weird to me," Everhart said when asked about the recognition.
ALBANY  The state Senate overwhelmingly rejected Gov. Kathy Hochul's nominee to lead New York's highest court on Wednesday, a significant blow to the Democratic governor dealt by members of her own party.

Hochul's selection, state Appellate Court Justice Hector LaSalle, was defeated 39-20.

All 39 votes against LaSalle came from Democrats, who hold a 42-seat majority in the chamber. Among those voting against LaSalle were two Buffalo senators, Tim Kennedy and Sean Ryan.

Although from the rival party to Hochul, the chamber's 21 Republicans largely voted in favor of her nominee, with one exception: Sen. Mario Mattera of Long Island was recorded in the negative.

At the beginning of her first full, elected term in office, the fight over the LaSalle nomination has strained relations between Hochul and Senate Democrats, as well as between the governor and some labor unions that opposed her nominee. The outcome raised questions about whether Hochul, a moderate, will be able to exert influence over a chamber run by Democrats to her political left, and whether her administration was unprepared for the backlash her nominee would generate.

The vote Wednesday may now also end a legal dispute over whether the full Senate was required to hold a vote on the nomination.

In a statement, Hochul said that while "long overdue," the Senate had "finally acquiesced to a vote on the floor on the nomination of Justice Hector LaSalle."

"This vote is an important victory for the constitution. But it was not a vote on the merits of Justice LaSalle, who is an overwhelmingly qualified and talented jurist," Hochul said. "Now that the full Senate has taken a vote, I will work toward making a new nomination. I remain committed to selecting a qualified candidate to lead the court and deliver justice. That is what New Yorkers deserve."

In remarks on the Senate floor, Democrats cited judicial decisions by LaSalle that they did not feel protected abortion rights, labor unions and the rights of defendants in the criminal justice system. Ryan said that New York needed a chief judge of the state Court of Appeals who has "a broad vision of the law, has a broad vision of how the law affects society and knows that the decisions of those courts affect everybody in society."

"The court cases we saw and read gave an excessively narrow vision of the law, a court with their handcuffs on," Ryan said. "I can't work to protect the right to unionize, I can't work to protect the rights of women, I can't work to protect the rights of minorities who sit on criminal justice panels. Narrow vision. Too narrow for a broad constitution."

LaSalle, who sat in the Senate gallery as the vote took place, said during his confirmation hearing in January that, as a mid-level appellate court judge, he was strictly bound to follow precedent. He is the presiding justice of the Appellate Division of the Second Judicial Department of the State Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeals, the state's highest, has a broader degree of discretion. LaSalle said during his testimony that he was pro-union, pro-choice on the issue of abortion, and, in some cases, made rulings on cases where he disagreed with the outcome, but was bound by precedent.

Republicans argued that Democrats would confirm only an activist chief judge, one who would veer the Court of Appeals politically leftward.

During the confirmation process, a coalition of liberal groups opposed to LaSalle argued that under the prior chief judge, Janet DiFiore, a conservative 4-3 majority had emerged in many of the court's decisions. Hochul, Republicans, and other LaSalle allies argued that opponents had unfairly mischaracterized a few of more than 5,000 decisions he had rendered.

"He is an incredible jurist, who calls balls and strikes," State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, a Long Island Republican, said on the Senate floor. "And he's a plain old liberal Democrat, which, apparently, isn't good enough."

The vote, held with little advance notice to the public, could end a legal confrontation that Palumbo began last week.

In mid-January, the Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted down forwarding LaSalle's nomination to the full Senate chamber. That sparked a lawsuit by Palumbo against Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and a number of Democratic senators. A state Supreme Court hearing on Long Island is scheduled for Friday.

Like Hochul, Senate Republicans argued that the state constitution requires a vote by the full 63-member chamber. Stewart-Cousins argued that the Senate has the right to determine its own internal rules and procedures, including to end LaSalle's nomination process if there was not sufficient support in the Judiciary Committee.

On Wednesday, Stewart-Cousins said Senate Democrats had "acted constitutionally by following our own set of rules, which, as a separate branch of government, we are empowered to create and follow under the state constitution."

But she said it was necessary for Senate Democrats to "rise to our leadership responsibilities and end the ongoing distraction of the Justice Hector LaSalle nomination."

"We have a state to run. The 2023-2024 $227 billion dollar budget is due in six weeks," Stewart-Cousins said. "Our highest court has no appointed Chief Judge, and we need the court system to function. This court case, if allowed to continue, wouldve dragged on for months and stymied our judicial system. Its time to put this matter to rest.

Palumbo said on Wednesday that he planned to continue his lawsuit, despite the full Senate having conducted a vote, because he wants a court ruling stating that such a vote is legally required.

"We have an entire body making a decision based upon a little gamesmanship, hoping to render the lawsuit moot, so that the courts can't say as a matter of law, 'Folks, every judicial nominee goes to the floor of the Senate,' " Palumbo said. "And why is that significant? Because there's a rule regarding mootness and I'm going to suggest to you folks, that, when actions are taken in contravention to the law or intended to evade a justiciable or an actual decision by a court, it does not render it moot. So I look forward to Friday."

Hochul had herself considered suing, but was spared that decision by Palumbo's action last week.

Ahead of the full Senate vote on Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a brief meeting where the January rejection of LaSalle was reconsidered. In a reversal from the January vote, every member of the committee, Democrat and Republican, voted to forward LaSalle's nomination to the floor, without recommending whether he should be confirmed.

The two Democrats on the Judiciary Committee who voted in favor of LaSalle's nomination in January, State Sens. Kevin Thomas and Luis Sepulveda, both were absent from the Senate on Wednesday.

That prompted a Republican senator to quiz Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the Senate Judiciary chairman and a Democrat, about whether the vote was rushed to the floor because those lawmakers were not present.

"It's a session day," Hoylman-Sigal responded. "It's my opinion that everyone should be here on a session day. We don't plan our schedules around excused absences by individual senators."

Before the Judiciary Committee vote in January, Senate Democratic leadership had expanded its membership from 15 to 19 members, a move Hochul and Republicans blame for the committee's failure to forward LaSalle's nomination to the Senate floor. The Judiciary Committee in January voted down forwarding the nomination to the full Senate by a vote of 10-9, the narrowest possible margin.
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Payton Gendron's lifetime sentence won't start in a state prison yet  and it is possible he will not ever be sent to one.

He could end up in a federal correctional facility.

With his state case ending Wednesday, Gendron will now be transferred to federal detention for the duration of his hate crime case in federal court in Buffalo.

On Thursday, U.S. marshals will take custody of Gendron pursuant to a federal writ, Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said.

Gendron still faces 27 felony charges  including multiple counts of hate crimes that resulted in death.

As racist killer apologizes, judge, attorneys say racism still must be confronted after Buffalo massacre As the judge sentenced Payton Gendron to a lifetime in prison, the hearing was also about the systemic racism and social media influences that created a monster who targeted Black shoppers.

He has pleaded not guilty to those charges and will appear for a status conference Thursday before Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr.

It is not yet known whether the U.S. Justice Department will seek to put him to death if convicted of the federal charges.

"The federal prosecution is relevant, obviously, in terms of whether or not he is going to get the death penalty," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said. "But that's the only decision that really needs to be made in this entire process. He will spend, no matter what, the rest of his life behind bars, never eligible for parole, never eligible for probation, never eligible for anything except viewing bars behind him for the rest of his life."

Gendron has told his defense lawyers not to appeal the lifetime prison sentence handed down Wednesday by Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan, defense lawyer Brian Parker said.

Gendron's lawyers refused to answer questions from reporters after Wednesday's sentencing.

When the federal case ends, then a decision will be made about where to incarcerate Gendron, Flynn said.

"We'll talk amongst ourselves on what we feel is the best path forward," he said. "It'll probably be a federal center, because they have more resources in the federal detention centers to house him in an appropriate environment."

Flynn said he did not know how long the federal case could last.

"I really don't know," he said. "I'm not in the federal courthouse. ... I'm not talking to them at all about what they're doing."
govindremesh BHPian

Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rotterdam/TCR Posts: 200 Thanked: 1,198 Times

re: Humour: Experience of buying a Skoda car in India



The Kushaq PDI



Early signs of trouble were noticed when the sales guy (henceforth referred to as Wish ) WhatsApp'ed in the VIN. Decoding it revealed that it was a June 2022 car. Wish confirmed it, and stated that since 1.5L DSG was a "slow-moving" variant, they received the stock in October 2022. He further elaborated that it was a "display piece in our other showroom in Palakkad" and hence the discount.



Me: "Isn't Kushaq made in Pune, why would it take 3 months to reach you?"



Wish: "We don't have control over that sir, it usually takes 1 to 2 months to reach here. Our transport trucks are also made by Skoda with DSG, so it takes time to cover this distance in Indian road conditions. "



Me: "Is it possible to pick up a car at the factory?"



Wish: "Why would you want to do that?"



Me: "I'll ask my pet snail to transport the car to Thrissur since it'll be faster than Skoda's logistics"



Wish: "Good idea, the pet snail will also be more reliable than anything with a DSG, but no, you cant pick the car up at the factory"



Me: "Are you sure you don't have a newer car?"



Wish: "Only 1L AT in Ambition trim. They are so amazing that we're stuck with...errr... have plenty of cars in stock"



I smile, but then I see CA's face...



Me: "Nah, let's check the 1.5L DSG you got."



We see the car- covered in dust, standing in the showroom's backyard. Now that's abnormal for a "display car kept in the showroom". I checked the brake discs, hoping it to have a small layer of rust, as a car standing still for ~6 months and not driven should have some; but the brake discs were shiny clean. While the car appeared to have no scratches and paint quality was ok. The interior did not have plastic covers on most things.



Wish: "We remove all plastic covers for display cars so that customers can experience seating comfort."



Me: "Yeah, right" * starts the car to check the ODO*



Odometer: 220 KM.



Me: "WTH? Why is this car driven for 200+ kilometers despite this being a display piece?"



Wish: " What else do you expect when we don't have a designated test drive car .....err..... The new car was driven to and from our satellite showroom that's 65 KM away since our thin margins do not allow us to flatbed it to these locations from our stockyard here"



Me: "So you have no problem selling a 200+ KM driven car as new? When does the warranty start?"



Wish: "We do have a problem- Since we're being transparent with our customers and don't reset the ODO as a lot of dealers do. This is a big problem for us as we go against the brand's best practices by retaining our integrity and being honest with our customers. As for the Warranty of this car, it only started in August 2022. "



At this time, I've made up my mind not to take this car, but wanted to probe further.



Me: "Why did the warranty start in August?"



Wish: "In Skoda's calendar, August comes after October in the same year, but we understand that the general public follows a different calendar. This is the reason why every Skoda dealer is offering huge discounts on new cars, which people misinterpret as discounts due to low sales :( . We're further adding the offer of 4 years maintenance package. We'll add another year of warranty with our compliments".



Lies, Lies, and more lies. As I go through the inspection, I spot a rusted battery base plate in the engine bay, faded plastics on the exterior trim, and a dirty roof-liner in the interior. CA spotted my disappointed look and told Wish that we'll think over it.



Wish: "The defects you point to are actually features for model year 2023, look at the textured design of the battery holder and the faded effect on the plastics! However we'll remove those if you don't like it. "



CA: "I'm having second thoughts now as the S-Cross is working just fine and this specific car seems to be a compromise.



Me: "Are you sure there's no other car of the same spec in your stockyard or other showrooms ?"



Wish: "I'm very sure, I've double checked and this is the only 1.5TSI + DSG in Style variant. The only other car for this engine + gearbox is a Monte Carlo, which you've decided against".



As we head into the showroom towards the exit, CA casually glances at a Silver Kushaq inside the showroom and asks Wish "What variant is this?"



Wish: "Err..should be 1L Style Manual"



Me: (peeking inside) "It's an Automatic, would you open the bonnet?"



Wish opens the bonnet and the engine bay is tightly packed. Yep, it's a 1.5L engine in there.



Me (looking at wish): "So?"



Wish runs for cover and returns with his manager. He starts to apologize but is cut short by his manager. Let's refer to the manager as SM



CA: "Where did this 1.5L Auto come from? You told us that the June 2022 Grey car was the only one in stock?"





SM: "We're proud to be a customer focussed showroom. Since I heard you echoing concerns to Wish about the allotted car in the backyard, I called up Skoda and they airdropped a new Kushaq while you were checking out the other car!"



Me (checking the VIN): "It's July 2022 car and Skoda airdropped this now, that too inside the showroom? (looks up to the ceiling to spot a Kushaq-sized hole) Why should we believe you?"



Wish: (Shows me the inventory list): Sorry, it's an oversight since the car was in between the 1L variants on our inventory list. Here's the list, you can check yourself. We have a Monte Carlo in stock and 1.5L manual. All other (new) cars are 1L variants.



I check the inventory- the 1.5L DSG Monte Carlo was a November 2022 car, and all December 2022 and Jan 2023 cars were 1L variants. CA didn't want Monte Carlo, so the only option we had now was the silver -July 2022 made car.



I checked the car- it had plastic wraps (wasn't this showroom supposed to remove it from the display cars?), and the engine bay was clean- no rust. Brake discs had a rust layer (as expected) and the ODO read 34 KM. The headliner was clean and the plastic pieces were not faded Tires had the "new tire color lines" in a faded manner (I don't know what the colored lines are called). Fired up the engine, seemed normal. Went through the remaining checklist items and found nothing to complain about.



Checked out a 1L AT (Dec 2022) car and it had 16 KM on ODO, and so did a Slavia standing in the showroom. So this Kushaq was driven a maximum of 16 KM after coming from the factory. The warranty start was confirmed to be the date of the invoice.



The MBA in me made a final attempt to pitch the November manufactured 1L Style AT to CA, justifying the lower price+higher reliability+ similar performance in 0-100 km/hr (enough for KL roads), which was shot down at the spot (re-confirming how crazy he's about driving pleasure) the car was given a green signal. It was time for some hard negotiation, given all the lies till now.



SM: For our mistake, we will give you this silver car at the price of that grey car. But since you're asking for more discount, I still don't understand your fascination for a "newly manufactured" car and your rationale behind asking for a discount on this car that's factory fresh. Could you please explain how a car parked for 6 months goes bad, to me? Forget a car, I even buy bread that's 6 months old and look at me!



Two photos from the PDI (Body panels were taken in close up, no point posting it!)



ODO reading. Wish claimed that this car was in the "transit mode". Anyone with common sense could find the lie in that statement with this picture.







Didn't know that Kushaq gets ventilated seats!

Disclaimer: The conversations have been modified for the sake of humor, but the underlying message is real. At no point, was CA or I disrespectful to the showroom staff and vice versa.Early signs of trouble were noticed when the sales guy (henceforth referred to as) WhatsApp'ed in the VIN. Decoding it revealed that it was a June 2022 car. Wish confirmed it, and stated that since 1.5L DSG was a "slow-moving" variant, they received the stock in October 2022. He further elaborated that it was a "display piece in our other showroom in Palakkad" and hence the discount.: "Isn't Kushaq made in Pune, why would it take 3 months to reach you?": "We don't have control over that sir, it usually takes 1 to 2 months to reach here. Our transport trucks are also made by Skoda with DSG, so it takes time to cover this distance in Indian road conditions. ": "Is it possible to pick up a car at the factory?": "Why would you want to do that?": "I'll ask my pet snail to transport the car to Thrissur since it'll be faster than Skoda's logistics": "Good idea, the pet snail will also be more reliable than anything with a DSG, but no, you cant pick the car up at the factory": "Are you sure you don't have a newer car?": "Only 1L AT in Ambition trim. They are so amazing that we're stuck with...errr... have plenty of cars in stock"I smile, but then I see CA's face...: "Nah, let's check the 1.5L DSG you got."We see the car- covered in dust, standing in the showroom's backyard. Now that's abnormal for a "display car kept in the showroom". I checked the brake discs, hoping it to have a small layer of rust, as a car standing still for ~6 months and not driven should have some; but the brake discs were shiny clean. While the car appeared to have no scratches and paint quality was ok. The interior did not have plastic covers on most things.: "We remove all plastic covers for display cars so that customers can experience seating comfort.": "Yeah, right" * starts the car to check the ODO*: "WTH? Why is this car driven for 200+ kilometers despite this being a display piece?": " What else do you expect when we don't have a designated test drive car .....err..... The new car was driven to and from our satellite showroom that's 65 KM away since our thin margins do not allow us to flatbed it to these locations from our stockyard here": "So you have no problem selling a 200+ KM driven car as new? When does the warranty start?": "We do have a problem- Since we're being transparent with our customers and don't reset the ODO as a lot of dealers do. This is a big problem for us as we go against the brand's best practices by retaining our integrity and being honest with our customers.. "At this time, I've made up my mind not to take this car, but wanted to probe further.: "Why did the warranty start in August?": "In Skoda's calendar, August comes after October in the same year, but we understand that the general public follows a different calendar. This is the reason why every Skoda dealer is offering huge discounts on new cars, which people misinterpret as discounts due to low sales :( . We're further adding the offer of 4 years maintenance package. We'll add another year of warranty with our compliments".Lies, Lies, and more lies. As I go through the inspection, I spot a rusted battery base plate in the engine bay, faded plastics on the exterior trim, and a dirty roof-liner in the interior. CA spotted my disappointed look and told Wish that we'll think over it.: "The defects you point to are actually features for model year 2023, look at the textured design of the battery holder and the faded effect on the plastics! However we'll remove those if you don't like it. ": "I'm having second thoughts now as the S-Cross is working just fine and this specific car seems to be a compromise.: "Are you sure there's no other car of the same spec in your stockyard or other showrooms ?": "I'm very sure, I've double checked and this is the only 1.5TSI + DSG in Style variant. The only other car for this engine + gearbox is a Monte Carlo, which you've decided against".As we head into the showroom towards the exit, CA casually glances at a Silver Kushaq inside the showroom and asks Wish "What variant is this?": "Err..should be 1L Style Manual": (peeking inside) "It's an Automatic, would you open the bonnet?"(looking at wish): "So?"Wish runs for cover and returns with his manager. He starts to apologize but is cut short by his manager.: "Where did this 1.5L Auto come from? You told us that the June 2022 Grey car was the only one in stock?": "We're proud to be a customer focussed showroom. Since I heard you echoing concerns to Wish about the allotted car in the backyard, I called up Skoda and they airdropped a new Kushaq while you were checking out the other car!"(checking the VIN): "It's July 2022 car and Skoda airdropped this now, that too inside the showroom? (looks up to the ceiling to spot a Kushaq-sized hole) Why should we believe you?": (Shows me the inventory list): Sorry, it's an oversight since the car was in between the 1L variants on our inventory list. Here's the list, you can check yourself. We have a Monte Carlo in stock and 1.5L manual. All other (new) cars are 1L variants.I check the inventory- the 1.5L DSG Monte Carlo was a November 2022 car, and all December 2022 and Jan 2023 cars were 1L variants. CA didn't want Monte Carlo, so the only option we had now was the silver -July 2022 made car.I checked the car- it had plastic wraps (wasn't this showroom supposed to remove it from the display cars?), and the engine bay was clean- no rust. Brake discs had a rust layer (as expected) and the ODO read 34 KM. The headliner was clean and the plastic pieces were not faded Tires had the "new tire color lines" in a faded manner (I don't know what the colored lines are called). Fired up the engine, seemed normal. Went through the remaining checklist items and found nothing to complain about.Checked out a 1L AT (Dec 2022) car and it had 16 KM on ODO, and so did a Slavia standing in the showroom. So this Kushaq was driven a maximum of 16 KM after coming from the factory. The warranty start was confirmed to be the date of the invoice.The MBA in me made a final attempt to pitch the November manufactured 1L Style AT to CA, justifying the lower price+higher reliability+ similar performance in 0-100 km/hr (enough for KL roads), which was shot down at the spot (re-confirming how crazy he's about driving pleasure) the car was given a green signal. It was time for some hard negotiation, given all the lies till now.: For our mistake, we will give you this silver car at the price of that grey car. But since you're asking for more discount, I still don't understand your fascination for a "newly manufactured" car and your rationale behind asking for a discount on this car that's factory fresh. Could you please explain how a car parked for 6 months goes bad, to me? Forget a car, I even buy bread that's 6 months old and look at me!Two photos from the PDI (Body panels were taken in close up, no point posting it!)ODO reading. Wish claimed that this car was in the "transit mode". Anyone with common sense could find the lie in that statement with this picture.Didn't know that Kushaq gets ventilated seats! Last edited by govindremesh : 15th February 2023 at 06:17 .
ABHI_1512 BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Calcutta Posts: 799 Thanked: 9,233 Times

Re: Assam TeamBHP Meet- Weekender at Ramsai, Gorumara







Lunch was over in a jiffy and soon we were planning for our next course of action while waiting for the boys from Lucknow to land up. We were constantly monitoring their progress and someone or the other was checking the live location shared uniformly over WhatsApp. By the evening, they had almost reached Araria if I remember correctly.



Nevertheless, soon it was decided to go the small town of Malbazar which is around 60 kms from Ramsai. Now, why Malbazar ? Its because of the presence of one petrol bunk named Roy and Cousins and which is a compulsory stop for many of us whenever we are nearby. Let the pictures clear the air here:































The petrol bunk also has a wonderful tea lounge beside alongside the timeless beauties and it serves delightful bakery and savoury items. We spent some real good time while keeping an eye on the Octavia boys. By the time we reached Ramsai, BHPians DevOnWheels and LONG_TOURER were about to reach nearby Siliguri and we expected them to reach the destination by around 10 or something.



We all decided to wait for them and take our dinner together. In the meanwhile, they somehow missed the navigation and were guided by Google through some interior roads. Of course, they also didnt call before entering the less taken road towards Ramsai. Now, after sometime the live location thing got iffy and it set the cat along the pigeons !!



Everyone got little jittery since it was already late in the night. Meanwhile, the resort staff were kind enough to wait for us. And then suddenly BHPian BhaskarG saw on the map that they were very nearby to the Resort and yet they were not moving. The network was also playing hide and seek along with the occasional bump. Meanwhile, someone also saw a knock on the Resort Gate which was locked. The staff came running with a flash light and proudly declared that a Leopard was nearby. They even went looking for the Leopard with high beam flashlight but came back disappointed.



In the melee over Leopard, BHPian DevOnWheels called up and said they were nearby but couldnt find the way through since the only road was blocked. Also, in their eagerness to reach Ramsai, they were perilously close to being short of fuel as well



We were gearing up to the possibility of towing the new Octavia amidst the tea gardens in the dead of night when suddenly the white beam from the car projected through the tea gardens. There was this collective relief that was so visible in everyones eyes at that point of time and it was past midnight. So finally they reached and it was a blitz that we will all remember.



Octavia joining the two Ecosports, finally.





The dinner was served hot and it was again an elaborate menu but consisted of a mix of Thai and Chinese. It was greatly appreciated that we were served hot dinner at midnight and which tasted so very good.



Chilly Chicken was just as it should be.





Glass Noodles or as someone said- Sewai Noodles





Vegetables in Thai green curry





Fried Rice tasted great too.





This was the whole group at the dinner table





Dinner over and everyone went to get some well earned shut eye. Craziness just reached its epitome that night, certainly a night to remember I say Pleasantries over, we all were welcomed by a refreshingly cool drink. The cool blue drink though failed to satiate the hunger pangs. As it was already very late in the noon, we immediately asked for the lunch and it was an elaborate menu of typical Bengali style food.Lunch was over in a jiffy and soon we were planning for our next course of action while waiting for the boys from Lucknow to land up. We were constantly monitoring their progress and someone or the other was checking the live location shared uniformly over WhatsApp. By the evening, they had almost reached Araria if I remember correctly.Nevertheless, soon it was decided to go the small town of Malbazar which is around 60 kms from Ramsai. Now, why Malbazar ? Its because of the presence of one petrol bunk named Roy and Cousins and which is a compulsory stop for many of us whenever we are nearby. Let the pictures clear the air here:The petrol bunk also has a wonderful tea lounge beside alongside the timeless beauties and it serves delightful bakery and savoury items. We spent some real good time while keeping an eye on the Octavia boys. By the time we reached Ramsai, BHPians DevOnWheels and LONG_TOURER were about to reach nearby Siliguri and we expected them to reach the destination by around 10 or something.We all decided to wait for them and take our dinner together. In the meanwhile, they somehow missed the navigation and were guided by Google through some interior roads. Of course, they also didnt call before entering the less taken road towards Ramsai. Now, after sometime the live location thing got iffy and it set the cat along the pigeons !!Everyone got little jittery since it was already late in the night. Meanwhile, the resort staff were kind enough to wait for us. And then suddenly BHPian BhaskarG saw on the map that they were very nearby to the Resort and yet they were not moving. The network was also playing hide and seek along with the occasional bump. Meanwhile, someone also saw a knock on the Resort Gate which was locked. The staff came running with a flash light and proudly declared that a Leopard was nearby. They even went looking for the Leopard with high beam flashlight but came back disappointed.In the melee over Leopard, BHPian DevOnWheels called up and said they were nearby but couldnt find the way through since the only road was blocked. Also, in their eagerness to reach Ramsai, they were perilously close to being short of fuel as wellWe were gearing up to the possibility of towing the new Octavia amidst the tea gardens in the dead of night when suddenly the white beam from the car projected through the tea gardens. There was this collective relief that was so visible in everyones eyes at that point of time and it was past midnight. So finally they reached and it was a blitz that we will all remember.The dinner was served hot and it was again an elaborate menu but consisted of a mix of Thai and Chinese. It was greatly appreciated that we were served hot dinner at midnight and which tasted so very good.Dinner over and everyone went to get some well earned shut eye. Craziness just reached its epitome that night, certainly a night to remember I say Last edited by ABHI_1512 : 1st March 2023 at 23:40 .
Govardhansupra BHPian



Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Thrissur Posts: 118 Thanked: 280 Times

Re: Pre-owned Ford Fiesta 1.6S Aquarius Blue Ownership review

At this point of time, I was six months short of turning 18 years old, and Dad knew that once I get my driver's license, it will always be me driving. Along with that, the corolla was beginning to show its age too, and dad wanted a newer car (The irony is that the Corolla was 2009, and the Fiesta is 2008)



The Altis was sold to a guy from TN and I have the final video of the car

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IZ_BvLxqKDM?feature=share





Around this time, I managed to make a few like minded enthusiasts through Instagram and Whatsapp groups. These people had an important role in my life, giving car advices to life advices, to helping in sourcing car parts, helping in maintaining the car and actually bothering to drive all the way to meet a small stupid kid, which is me.



I knew through these friends that Fiesta is a very capable car. Fiesta is kind of a "One car do it all" vehicle, which is exactly what I wanted. It can do the role of a family car, while also being fun-to-drive. Nowadays, Fords are quite easy and economical to maintain too, even after the brand has packed up and left the country. On the other side, my brother wanted the family to buy a Punto Abarth, which is honestly an overkill for the family. Its quite impractical, and being a Fiat product, spares might be an issue. Also, the Fiesta costs less than 2.5L, while an Abarth would costs somewhere near 5L-9L depending on the condition and modifications done. During this phase, it was full of arguments between my brother and myself on which car to buy.



My justifications were the Fiesta was easy to maintain, parts are not a big issue, and the initial purchasing cost was quite less. He wanted an Abarth, so he was like Abarth is a much newer car, no re-test coming up any time soon, etc. Fiesta was a much more sensible option.



I wanted a 1.6S after seeing photos of a friend's car, which is easily the most beautiful 1.6S in India. It has a BMC DIA intake, Eiback lowering springs, Michellin PS4 tyres and 17 inch wheels, which looks like they were made for the Fiesta, due to the PERFECT fitment.

The owner of this car is an expert with Fiestas and keeps track of 1.6S' available.

Here is a picture of his car.















He proposed buying a Stage-2 Abarth, tastefully done with Essesse wheels, bumpers, and aftermarket suspension. I put my foot down saying that it was impractical, given the price quoted, and the future maintenance costs. Also, I believe that you should never buy somebody else's modified car, unless you are the owner's friend, and fully aware of the history.

I tried a couple of days to convince him to get an S instead of the Abarth, and I was successful in it too. But, the car got sold by then.



The car was sold to a very close friend, and I was terribly disappointed.

At this point of time, we were without a car. I came to the conclusion that an S is not destined for me. Some things need luck, I told myself.



A few of my friends asked me to get a normal commuter car, something like an Amaze or a Ciaz or an ANHC (Arrowshot city). I considered that option for a while, but decided against it as these cars would cost above 4L, while a normal Fiesta can be had for around 2-2.5L or even cheaper, depending on the condition. Next question was petrol or diesel, and petrol 1.6 was decided since that is the closest thing to an S. Also, my running is extremely short to warrant the need for a diesel.



I started searching OLX and Facebook marketplace for 1.6 SXi for a few days. To my surprise, 1.6 SXi was quite rare, and available examples were either poorly maintained, or were overpriced. I was fed up of searching and finally decided to settle on the ZXi variant (The variant just below SXi). Fiesta Classic Titaniums were also inspected during that time.



I was losing all hope of owning a Fiesta, but one day while searching for Fiesta 1.6 irrespective of the variant (as I had stopped looking specifically for SXi, ZXi etc), I saw an advertisement for a clean Ford Fiesta 1.6S Aquarius Blue in Kochi. I called the owner and asked him a few general things, and hung up. I wasn't too excited or serious, as I had completely left the idea of getting an S. Like I said earlier, I believed that I wasn't destined to own an S. Also earlier, to console myself, I had told myself things like "The suspension of the S is too hard, it has no lane change indicator which the SXi has, it has no rear armrest etc)".



Later that evening, my friend with the black Fiesta came to Thrissur and we met up. I was telling him about all this, and showed him the advertisement on the above said S. Immediately, he fetched me all the details and history of the car that I had to know. It was a re-registered car, and I got to know the details of all the previous owners. It was an odo-rolled car too. This was found out from the thread of BHPian E=mc^2. I'll quote the post from his thread.



Quote: Another Blue 1.6 S from Kerala.



Boy oh boy, I almost transferred the token for this car. It had done 59000 km (in the odo) and was owned by someone from Alleppey. The owner sounded very genuine and even opened up that it needed a change of mounts, windshield and the tires would last only until a few kms. He had gotten the car from Maharashtra just 2 months back and he also paid the road tax to get it registered in Kerala (Allappey RTO). Upon asking why a quick sale, he stated some personal reasons. 3.0 Lacs was his quote and the best was 2.9 Lacs. Price seemed fair. He assured me that it was serviced by Ford throughout by the first owner and he himself cross checked the odo reading at the time when he bought it, although he now can't recall which dealership he went to. I believed it.



In between, there was a discussion on the registration process, during when he sent me a copy of its NOC. It had the car's chassis number printed. The thing with Ford dealerships is that they can't pull the details of a car just with the registration number which was serviced with a different dealership unless you tell them the chassis number. I called up Harry Ford and passed the chassis number of the car, only to know that the last service of the car was done at 93000 km . I didn't utter a word and slid away from the deal.





This is how he left

https://youtu.be/RGhmmBgzMrc

Now I decided that I have to get this S. I also decided that I will save up money and install a BMC DIA filter whenever possible.



I was adviced to not buy this car because it was odo-rolled. I called up the owner and gave him all this information. He was unaware of the odo-rolled meter too. Anyways he assured me that the car is in extremely good condition and was only serviced from Ford during his ownership. The service history proved his words true. Both the previous owners had done the maintenance from Ford, and all recalls were duly done, and parts like the Timing Belt and Water Pump was replaced too. This gave me enough courage to proceed with the deal. Armed with the history, I negotiated and got a good deal. After owning the Corolla Altis for a exactly a year more, dad and myself, along with my brother (who also happens to be a car-lover, and causes turmoils regarding car related decisions. More on this later)At this point of time, I was six months short of turning 18 years old, and Dad knew that once I get my driver's license, it will always be me driving. Along with that, the corolla was beginning to show its age too, and dad wanted a newer car (The irony is that the Corolla was 2009, and the Fiesta is 2008)The Altis was sold to a guy from TN and I have the final video of the carAround this time, I managed to make a few like minded enthusiasts through Instagram and Whatsapp groups. These people had an important role in my life, giving car advices to life advices, to helping in sourcing car parts, helping in maintaining the car and actually bothering to drive all the way to meet a small stupid kid, which is me.I knew through these friends that Fiesta is a very capable car. Fiesta is kind of a "One car do it all" vehicle, which is exactly what I wanted. It can do the role of a family car, while also being fun-to-drive. Nowadays, Fords are quite easy and economical to maintain too, even after the brand has packed up and left the country. On the other side, my brother wanted the family to buy a Punto Abarth, which is honestly an overkill for the family. Its quite impractical, and being a Fiat product, spares might be an issue. Also, the Fiesta costs less than 2.5L, while an Abarth would costs somewhere near 5L-9L depending on the condition and modifications done. During this phase, it was full of arguments between my brother and myself on which car to buy.My justifications were the Fiesta was easy to maintain, parts are not a big issue, and the initial purchasing cost was quite less. He wanted an Abarth, so he was like Abarth is a much newer car, no re-test coming up any time soon, etc. Fiesta was a much more sensible option.I wanted a 1.6S after seeing photos of a friend's car, which is easily the most beautiful 1.6S in India. It has a BMC DIA intake, Eiback lowering springs, Michellin PS4 tyres and 17 inch wheels, which looks like they were made for the Fiesta, due to the PERFECT fitment.The owner of this car is an expert with Fiestas and keeps track of 1.6S' available.Here is a picture of his car.He sent me photos of an extremely clean Paprika Red S for sale, which was owned by his friend. The car had an extremely detailed history, and was clean with no complaints. Since the car was extremely clean, and is owned by a fellow enthusiast, I knew that I had to get it.Dad liked the car, and the colour. Mom liked it too, she was the one who selected Red colour for our now-sold WagonR and Toyota Etios. We wanted to buy it, but my brother disagreed, because he wanted an Abarth.He proposed buying a Stage-2 Abarth, tastefully done with Essesse wheels, bumpers, and aftermarket suspension. I put my foot down saying that it was impractical, given the price quoted, and the future maintenance costs. Also, I believe that you should never buy somebody else's modified car, unless you are the owner's friend, and fully aware of the history.I tried a couple of days to convince him to get an S instead of the Abarth, and I was successful in it too. But, the car got sold by then.The car was sold to a very close friend, and I was terribly disappointed.At this point of time, we were without a car. I came to the conclusion that an S is not destined for me. Some things need luck, I told myself.A few of my friends asked me to get a normal commuter car, something like an Amaze or a Ciaz or an ANHC (Arrowshot city). I considered that option for a while, but decided against it as these cars would cost above 4L, while a normal Fiesta can be had for around 2-2.5L or even cheaper, depending on the condition. Next question was petrol or diesel, and petrol 1.6 was decided since that is the closest thing to an S. Also, my running is extremely short to warrant the need for a diesel.I started searching OLX and Facebook marketplace for 1.6 SXi for a few days. To my surprise, 1.6 SXi was quite rare, and available examples were either poorly maintained, or were overpriced. I was fed up of searching and finally decided to settle on the ZXi variant (The variant just below SXi). Fiesta Classic Titaniums were also inspected during that time.I was losing all hope of owning a Fiesta, but one day while searching for Fiesta 1.6 irrespective of the variant (as I had stopped looking specifically for SXi, ZXi etc), I saw an advertisement for a clean Ford Fiesta 1.6S Aquarius Blue in Kochi. I called the owner and asked him a few general things, and hung up. I wasn't too excited or serious, as I had completely left the idea of getting an S. Like I said earlier, I believed that I wasn't destined to own an S. Also earlier, to console myself, I had told myself things like "The suspension of the S is too hard, it has no lane change indicator which the SXi has, it has no rear armrest etc)".Later that evening, my friend with the black Fiesta came to Thrissur and we met up. I was telling him about all this, and showed him the advertisement on the above said S. Immediately, he fetched me all the details and history of the car that I had to know. It was a re-registered car, and I got to know the details of all the previous owners. It was an odo-rolled car too. This was found out from the thread of BHPian E=mc^2. I'll quote the post from his thread.After my friend helped me get the history, he left to his place.This is how he leftNow I decided that I have to get this S. I also decided that I will save up money and install a BMC DIA filter whenever possible.I was adviced to not buy this car because it was odo-rolled. I called up the owner and gave him all this information. He was unaware of the odo-rolled meter too. Anyways he assured me that the car is in extremely good condition and was only serviced from Ford during his ownership. The service history proved his words true. Both the previous owners had done the maintenance from Ford, and all recalls were duly done, and parts like the Timing Belt and Water Pump was replaced too. This gave me enough courage to proceed with the deal. Armed with the history, I negotiated and got a good deal. Last edited by Govardhansupra : 14th February 2023 at 14:00 .
Rod Watson Urban Affairs Editor/Columnist I write a weekly column, most often about socioeconomic and political issues affecting people of color and the disadvantaged in Western New York. Follow Rod Watson 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

The questions are as old as economic violence itself:

How can they, in good conscience, prey on the people who look just like them? How do they rationalize taking whats not theirs, or destroying what someone else has worked for? How can they pillage and plunder with no regard for the devastation they leave behind or the innocent victims left in their wake?

And no, Im not talking about the disgraceful looting that took place during the December blizzard, which a city report last week concluded hit 77 businesses. The theft and destruction left owners with a financial gut punch and second thoughts about reopening, and left neighborhood residents without desperately needed goods and services.

But as bad as that was, Im talking about the other form of looting that, in terms of dollar impact, dwarfs the blizzard vandalism but rarely gets called out for what it is  and for the example it sets for those who then go out with bricks in hand.

Because if were honest, well admit that looting is as old as the nation itself and doesnt just occur on urban streets. As political scientists told Time.com in 2020, some of the very first looters were the American colonists who stole tea and dumped it in Boston Harbor in 1773.

The founding fathers use looting as a supplement to protest, political science adjunct professor and former Justice Department official William F. Hall told the magazine, citing the Boston Tea Party as an example.

Another scholar recalled what was done to Native Americans, but noted how the term typically is not applied to actions carried out by those in power.

That includes people like crypto con man Sam Bankman-Fried and megafraudster Bernie Madoff, but also smaller scammers whose victims could ill afford the losses, like the Clarence financial adviser sentenced to 52 months in prison in 2019 for looting $1.4 million from his clients accounts. Or the Amherst businessman who spent two years in prison and was ordered in 2019 to repay $1.275 million he looted from victims of his bond fraud scheme. Or the former Hamburg man who got 46 months in prison in 2018 for the investment fraud that looted $7.7 million from his victims accounts.

Retirees and others left destitute when their life savings are stolen with the swipe of a pen or the click of a keyboard are no less devastated than a shop opener whose dreams are shattered with a rock through a plate glass window.

And we havent even gotten to the biggest theft of all: the looting of the federal Treasury Department to the tune of $428 billion  thats billion, with a b  mostly by well-off tax cheats. Theyre aided and abetted by Republicans in and out of government who fight tooth and nail to stifle the IRS from going after them. That leaves ordinary taxpayers  who lack high-priced lawyers and accountants  stuck with the tab to make up the difference.

Whether through deception or destruction, the goal of looters is the same: Ignore the law and social convention to prey on the vulnerable for ones own benefit. It's the code of the streets  both Genesee Street and Wall Street.

Both sets of perpetrators deserve the harshest punishment. But one  without resources or political cover  is much easier to catch and prosecute than the other.

Granted, the blizzard looting was different in that it did not occur in parallel with a demonstration over police abuse or some other social ill (unless you count disparate resources that resulted in the obscenely disproportionate death toll). Instead, it was rank opportunism at its most blatant.

But at its core, it sprang from the same reactionary predation that fuels those who use protest as a cover to steal in the only way they know how. Smash-and-grab is simply the street version of Ponzi schemes and insider trading, which also lack any larger political purpose  unless you consider greed is good to be a new governing ideology.

So go ahead and put away the blizzard looters for as long as the law allows, both because they deserve it and to send a message.

But lets not pretend that we dont know where they got the idea that its OK to take advantage of the situation to enrich themselves by preying on the most vulnerable. They got it by looking around.

To paraphrase 1960s activist H. Rap Brown, economic violence is as American as cherry pie.
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

In a nutshell: The multibillion-dollar infrastructure bill passed in 2021 is seeing some changes to how its funds are allocated. The emphasis is to incentives car companies, including Tesla, to standardize power stations to be maker-agnostic and to produce and assemble charing components in America. If things go as the White House plans, we may start to see more electric vehicle chargers popping up along our highways.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (BIL) earmarked $350 billion for funding highway improvement projects through 2026. Of those funds, $7.5 billion is allocated to increasing the number of EV chargers across the US, with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) deciding who gets grant money.

The White House released new stipulations for receiving funds to build electric vehicle charging stations. One is to limit allocation to non-proprietary chargers. The move is clearly intended to incentivize the standardization of the technology and get Tesla to refit some of its chargers to accommodate cars from other manufacturers.

On Tuesday, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu said that he anticipates Tesla's cooperation in making its chargers available to all EVs. In response, Tesla Charging announced via Twitter that it would soon open "select" Superchargers to all EVs.

Our US network will more than double by the end of 2024 to support our growing Tesla fleet and new EV customers --- Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) February 15, 2023

Expanding its facilities has been in the works since at least 2021 when the company said it was retrofitting an undisclosed number of stations in the US. Today the White House noted that Tesla has already committed to opening at least 7,500 Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles.

Landrieu points out that as EVs become more widely adopted, having a standard that all cars can use makes more sense than disparate stations using various proprietary connectors.

"[We need chargers that] will work for everyone, everywhere, no matter what type of car or state they're [traveling] in," Landrieu said.

Indeed, imagine the chaos if gasoline stations didn't have standardized nozzles. Making a single charging solution for all makes of EV is the only thing that makes sense. However, that was not the only limitation the White House imposed on the provisioning requirements.

The Biden administration also wants to push to ensure chargers are assembled domestically. It also offers monetary incentives to parts manufacturers to build facilities in the US to make charger components.

White House officials hope to have over 100,000 chargers installed across the US by 2026 and 500,000 by 2030. However, since the BIL allocations expire in 2026, it would require a new funding bill to help companies continue building EV charging stations. The government's ultimate goal is to have half of the new cars sold in 2030 be EVs and have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Image credit: eVgo Network
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

Why it matters: For the second time in 2023, a minor problem in one location created a ripple effect that grounded many flights over a wide area. Such incidents highlight previously overlooked vulnerabilities in centralized flight control IT systems.

An incident in Frankfurt forced Deutsche Lufthansa AG to ground hundreds of flights worldwide this week. The company said things are returning to normal, but it's alarming that damage in one location could halt air travel globally.

The problem arose when drilling work in northern Frankfurt damaged four broadband cables near Lufthansa's global flight operations center on the outskirts of Frankfurt Airport. Connection problems there started a cascading effect reaching Lufthansa's ground control IT systems globally.

As a result, the company grounded hundreds of flights worldwide, and planes stuck in Frankfurt forced Lufthansa to redirect flights landing there. The company's stock also declined slightly, but not nearly enough to seriously impact its positive performance so far this year.

Deutsche Telekom AG said it wasn't behind the drilling work but has repaired two cables. It can't yet confirm how long it will take to fix the other two but says the work will be tough due to the depth and the extent of the damage. The group seemed surprised that drilling work could reach the cables buried five meters (around 16 feet) underground. Lufthansa said impacted operations like flight check-ins should be restored this week.

However, the company is expected to cancel hundreds more flights starting on Friday due to planned strikes. Lufthansa staff in Frankfurt and Munich are staging a one-day walkout on Friday to speed negotiations over pay and other conditions. The cancellations will likely complicate matters for defense and foreign policy figures attending the 2023 Munich Security Conference.

Lufthansa's IT problems partially mirror what happened in the United States a month ago. Contract workers performing routine maintenance on the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Notice to Air Mission Systems (NOTAM) accidentally deleted critical files, bringing the entire system offline.

Because NOTAM delivers critical information to pilots across the country, this forced the FAA to ground all domestic departures nationwide - over 11,000 - for the first time since September 11, 2001. The January incident drew fire from 120 congressional representatives and triggered congressional hearings.
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) recently launched toward orbit to propel its top head for its uncrewed mission to the Moon, but there are other studies in place to get to know the rocket more. In this analysis of the SLS's sound, researchers have compared it to a cereal is known as "Rice Krispies," having a similarly distinct sound.

While the SLS is far noisier than a bowl of Rice Krispies, this breakfast food was used by the researchers as a point of reference for the rocket's sound at its full might at launch.

NASA SLS Sound: Researchers Compare it to Rice Krispies

(Photo : NASA/Bill Ingalls)

It may seem odd or out of place to compare the SLS rocket to a mere Rice Krispies or other brittle breakfast foods there are, but according to a press release by its researchers, it serves as an ideal point of reference.

Brigham Young University and Rollins College in Florida researchers have banded together to learn more about how much sound did the SLS make on its launch, with different measuring devices placed around the Kennedy Space Center.

According to author Whitney Coyle said, "We found the Artemis 1 noise level at 5 km had a crackling quality about 40 million times greater than a bowl of Rice Krispies."

Their findings were published in the JASA Express Letters publication, on behalf of the Acoustical Society of America by AIP Publishing.

Read Also: NASA's Artemis 1 Orion Capsule Finally Lands on Earth After Epic Moon Mission

When we go, we go together.



The #Artemis team wants to thank everyone who helped us along the way toward the first launch of the @NASA_SLS rocket and @NASA_Orion. pic.twitter.com/9dBSBzQ6wI  NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) November 16, 2022

How Loud is the NASA SLS Rocket?

The SLS rocket exceeded the preliminary assessment data upon launch, tearing through the roof of its maximum noise levels at its five different stations.

"At 1.5 km from the pad, the maximum noise level reached 136 decibels. At a 5.2 km distance, the noise was 129 decibels, nearly 20 decibels higher than predicted by a prelaunch noise model."

NASA's Artemis mission launch was heard even miles away from its location on Merrit Island, Florida.

NASA SLS and Cereals

One of the common things between NASA and cereals is it goes to space with astronauts, as these pre-made breakfast goodies are also part of what they bring into orbit, depending on their preference.

It is not a novel thing to use cereals and brittle materials as points of reference for studies, as there was one research that considered the cereal's "crunch factor" as a new law of sound, mainly focusing on its compression velocity that may be attributed to snow avalanche.

The SLS recently made its way to the Moon, and the Artemis mission recently reported a successful launch with its round-trip course, testing the rocket's capabilities.

NASA surely did numerous tests on the rocket on its first actual launch, but that is not the only case in its studies.

Along with NASA's research team and engineers, other organizations and institutions also joined in, with the Artemis mission, alongside the SLS and Orion is a monumental study in learning more about space. The joint research aims to learn more about how much sound the rocket make upon launch, and now determined just how powerful it is.

Related Article: NASA Artemis Orion Spacecraft is Back at Kennedy Space Center for 'Extensive Analysis'

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter was one of 2022's biggest tech headlines. He bought the social media platform in October of last year and has since introduced a series of changes to the app that caused quite a stir on the Internet.



But as he nears five months as the Chief Twit, he recently expressed his hopes to find a new replacement by the end of 2023.





The billionaire said in December that he will only resign from his post after finding a replacement who is "foolish enough" to be the new Twitter CEO.



"I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job! After that, I will just run the software & servers teams," Musk said in a tweet after asking his followers via a poll if he should step down or not. 57% of the respondents agreed that he must resign and 42.5% said "No."

Read also: EU Official Urges Elon Musk to Make Progress on Twitter Amid New Law Against Hate Speech, Misinformation

Will Musk Resign as Chief Twit?

Musk said on Wednesday, Feb. 15, via a video call to the World Government Summit in Dubai, that the expects to find a new Chief Twit by the end of this year but noted that his main priority at the moment is to ensure that Twitter performs at its optimum, according to a report by AP.



He said that he has to stabilize the company first and ensure that it is a financially healthy place.



"I'm guessing probably toward the end of this year would be good timing to find someone else to run the company," Musk said in a statement, quoted by AP.



However, Musk's remarks may have to be taken with a grain of salt since there is no certainty that he is serious about the deadline. He did say in the December poll that he would abide by the pulse of the Twitter public if they wanted him to remain or step down as the CEO.



A majority of the poll's respondents believe that he should resign from his post.

Musk has been very clear about his free speech absolutist stance even before buying the bird app. This proved to be true as he reinstated Donald Trump to the platform after the former president was alleged to have "incited violence" during the Capitol riot in January 2021.



He also brought back the accounts of those who spread misinformation about COVID-19 such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The platform recently halted its efforts against COVID-19 misinformation as well.

Related Article: Twitter Alternative Mastodon Explodes in Popularity Following Elon Musk Acquistion: From 300K to 2.5 Million Active Users?

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Elon Musk's Twitter posts are allegedly boosted by a new special system.

(Photo : Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

In this illustration photo taken on July 18, 2022, Elon Musk's Twitter page is displayed on the screen of a smartphone with Twitter logos in the background in Los Angeles.

For the past weeks, many Twitter users and enthusiasts said that they are seeing the billionaire's tweets more often.

Some of them even claimed that Musk's Twitter posts overwhelm their ranked timeline.

Now, Platformer, a news publisher that focuses on Silicon Valley, claims that Twitter engineers created a new system to boost Elon's tweets.

Elon Musk's Twitter Posts are Boosted?

According to The Verge's latest report, the issue began when U.S. President Joe Biden's tweet about Super Bowl gained more impressions than Musk's Twitter post.

(Photo : Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

In this photo illustration, a phone screen displays the Twitter logo on a Twitter page background, in Washington, DC, on April 26, 2022. - Billionaire Elon Musk is capturing a social media prize with his deal to buy Twitter, which has become a global stage for companies, activists, celebrities, politicians and more.

Also Read: Twitter Down: Users Claim Outage is Related to Character Count, Over the Limit Despite Not Exceeding

In comparison, Biden's tweet generated over 29 million. On the other hand, Elon's post only generated more than 9 million impressions.

This is a huge gap between the billionaire and the American leader. Because of this, the Twitter CEO allegedly went back to the Bay Area to demand answers from Twitter engineers.

The day after their meeting, many Twitter users said that they are seeing Musk's tweets more often whenever they open the social media app.

New Twitter System Allegedly Created

The Platformer claims that Elon Musk threatened to fire the remaining Twitter employees after his Super Bowl tweet got less impressions than expected.

Because of this, Twitter engineers allegedly created a new system that can secretly boost Elon's tweets.

The source added that the billionaire called out 80 Twitter employees to work on a project, which focuses on finding solutions to why his tweets are not reaching many audiences.

The Platformer further stated that the project led to the so-called "power user multiplier," which allows Elon Musk's tweets to be boosted by a factor of 1,000.

As of writing, the billionaire and Twitter haven't shared any statement regarding the alleged system booster.

In other news, 180,000 Twitter subscribers in the U.S. were logged in December 2022 under Elon Musk.

We also reported that Twitter Blue received a new enhancement that enables users to post 4,000 characters.

For more news updates about Twitter and other social media giants, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Elon Musk's Tweets Are Now Flooding Twitter Feeds, Users Noticed

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The most-awaited foldable iPhone could have a feature that will make it stand out from other foldable handsets.

(Photo : Photo by RYAN ANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Steve Jobs, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., shows off the company's new advertisement after introducing the iPhone 3G and 2.0 software update during the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, CA, Monday, June 9, 2008.

For the past few years, many Apple enthusiasts claimed that the iPhone maker will also enter the foldable smartphone market.

Although the tech giant firm showed interest in developing its first foldable iOS handset, it hasn't shared possible features and other details about this device.

Now, a new Apple patent revealed a very interesting integration that could appear in the upcoming foldable iPhone.

New Foldable iPhone Could be Controlled Via Other Parts

According to CNBC's latest report, Apple has been awarded a new patent on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

(Photo : Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

An employee works on smartphones reconditioning, mainly Iphones, at the Largo company headquarters which is a Back Market refurbishing company subcontractor, in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, outside Nantes, on January 26, 2021. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

Also Read: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Costs 3.7% More than iPhone 13 Pro Max: A16 Bionic Chip Costs $11 More than A15

In the iPhone maker's official document, the new foldable device could be controlled via other parts.

This means that users can touch multiple parts (not just the screen) to carry out functions.

Based on the images, Apple will make this possible by integrating a wraparound panel into its foldable device.

If this is true, then the new foldable iPhone could have a huge advantage over its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and other similar gadgets.

As of writing, Apple hasn't shared any estimated release date for its most-awaited foldable iPhone.

Although this is the case, many tech enthusiasts already shared their excitement as they believe that the new foldable iPhone could lead to an uptick in the tech market.

"We believe that a foldable iPhone model could lead to an uptick in consumer purchasing and upgrade rate within the smartphone segment," said UBS.

Apple Working on Other Foldable Devices

ZDNet reported that Apple could launch a new foldable device as early as 2024.

However, this gadget is not the foldable iPhone. Instead, Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable tech enthusiast, said that the tech company could release a new foldable iPad with carbon fiber kickstand.

He claimed that this carbon fiber kickstand could make the device more durable and lighter.

Aside from this, Kuo also believes that the new foldable iPad could boost Apple's shipments enhance the company's product mix.

Other stories we recently wrote about smartphones:

Reports confirmed that the new Oppo Find N2 Flip would be released in the global market.

We also reported that teh new Meizu 20 will come with a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset.

For more news updates about the foldable iPhone and other upcoming iOS smartphones, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: [RUMOR] iPhone 15 Could Have New Camera Bump! Will This Lead to Better Photography?

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After a suspected Chinese spy balloon was taken down by the US earlier this month off the American East Coast, China said it will be taking measures against US entities that are connected to the balloon takedown, as per AP's report on Wednesday, Feb. 15.



The spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang Wenbin, did not provide any specifics or mentioned the measures' intended targets during a daily briefing.

Unmanned Weather Airship

China claims the balloon was an unmanned weather airship that was accidentally blown off course, and it accuses the US of overreacting by shooting a missile from an F-22 fighter plane to take down the balloon.

On February 4, the suspected spy balloon was seen heading toward the coast of South Carolina. The flying object was shot down the following day off Myrtle Beach upon orders from President Joe Biden.

The takedown of the balloon increased tensions between the US and China at a time when Secretary of State Antony Blinken had to cancel a significant diplomatic mission to Beijing.

Despite the US claiming that the balloon was built to collect signals for intelligence gathering, Beijing insists that it was a weather device that had wandered off track.

Read Also: Pentagon Awards Google, Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft $9 Billion Contracts to Build a Cloud Computing Network for the US Military

Six Chinese Entities Blacklisted

The US recently blacklisted six entities that it claims to have ties with China's aerospace space programs.

The six entities include China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Co., Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Co., Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Co.

"The PRC's use of high-altitude balloons violates our sovereignty and threatens US national security. Today's action makes clear that entities that seek to harm US national security and sovereignty will be cut off from accessing US technologies," Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in a statement.

According to Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Grave, the Commerce Department will continue to use the Entity List and other regulatory and enforcement powers to defend American national security and sovereignty.

Sightings of unidentified flying objects have kept the US military busy for the past few days as they take down these objects. The White House defended these operations on Monday, Feb. 13.



It also acknowledged that there was no proof that these objects were built for surveillance in the same way as the alleged Chinese spy balloon.

Related Article: US Military Will Use 'High-Altitude Hot Air Balloons' to Prevent Hypersonic Missiles Against China and Russia

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Dutch semiconductor firm ASML Holding recently said that an ex-employee in China has allegedly misappropriated chip data.

The leading chipmaker added that the incident might be related to a proprietary technology.

ASML Confirms Misappropriation of Chip Data

According to a report by Bloomberg on Wednesday, Feb. 15, ASML accused a former worker in China of obtaining sensitive information about the company.

The company said that the misappropriation might not be "material" to the business.

"We have experienced unauthorized misappropriation of data relating to proprietary technology by a (now) former employee in China," ASML stated in its yearly report.

Since a potential stealing of data is involved, the company considered this as a serious security issue. It's possible that the intruder might have already violated some rules including those about export control.

As of the moment, ASML has already relayed the information of the incident to the authorities. It is expected that there will be a follow-up announcement regarding the case.

US-China Chip War Might Spark the Problem

The United States and China remain to be squaring off when it comes to technological advancement. The two superpower countries are reportedly counting semiconductors on their battle.

The Government of Netherlands and ASML might have not anticipated that the issue between the two would affect them.

ASML is positioned in the chipmaking business mainly because it has something unique to offer to the customers.

It's the only semiconductor firm known for producing ultraviolet lithography machines. The machines which are worth $200 million are designed to print the finest and the most advanced microchips in the world.

Most commonly, the high-graded chips are used for AI applications and military purposes.

Related Article: ASML Forecasts Sales Recovery in 2023 and Revenue Stability in China

ASML Stops Shipping Chipmaking Machines to China

According to CNBC, ASML has stopped shipping the lithography machines to China since 2018.

Before it became a thing, the US urged the Dutch government to do so, in order for the Chinese chip makers to face the consequences of their actions.

Chip Data Misappropriation Linked to China Espionage

Since the US government continues to restrict shipments of chips to China, the misappropriation might have a connection to espionage.

Around 2021, ASML accused Dongfang Jingyuan Electron of infringing the intellectual rights of the company. The Dutch firm believed that the latter was stealing the IP rights.

It's no wonder that many companies might be planning to steal ASML's technology given how well=positioned it is in the industry. A company's spokesperson said that there are increasing security risk trends that might disrupt the overall standing of the organization.

Amid the chip wars, China is looking forward to improving its chipmaking production to catch up with the US and other countries. Even though the country is showing small progress in its plans, it's still left behind by other countries such as South Korea and Taiwan when it comes to chip business.

Read Also: ASML Warns That Chip Ban Against China Will Be Disruptive to the Global Supply Chain

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The apology, such as it was, wasnt worth the oxygen it took to speak the words. The racist killer claimed sorrow for his actions last May 14, but Buffalonians  especially the relatives of those who died  have no reason to believe the teenage murderer had any motive Wednesday beyond saving his own life.

What counted more were the words of the relatives. Their pain and their determination were palpable as they spoke at the sentencing of Payton Gendron. Based on his guilty plea in November, the 19-year-old will spend the rest of his life in prison for a crime whose heinousness remains hard to accept.

With that, New Yorks case was completed. Hell never be free again. But now, a federal trial looms and, there, Gendron faces the possibility of execution. You can oppose the death penalty and still believe that if anyone ever qualified for it, he does.

Then 18, Gendron drove more than 200 miles for the purpose of killing Black people. The Tops supermarket on Buffalos Jefferson Avenue, he had calculated, would contain enough Black shoppers to satisfy his racist blood lust. So, on May 14, he arrived at the store, armed with a high-powered rifle and protected by body armor, and began killing. Before it was done, 10 innocent people lay dead and three others were wounded. He didnt know them, but their lives displeased him.

Buffalo police arrived with lightning speed and confronted the killer, who briefly aimed his weapon at himself. He could only kill others, though, and in an act that could yet be socially useful, he surrendered.

Wednesdays sentencing was searing. The victims relatives who chose to speak left a mark that few will forget.

I watched you kill my mother, Wayne Jones told the killer. I watched you shoot her once, reload, and shoot her again. Celestine Chaney died that day.

Somehow, though, Jones was able to offer sympathy for Gendrons parents and even to allow that internet brainwashing led him to this fate. Youre only 18, he said. You dont even know Black people that much to hate them. You learned this on the internet.

Simone Crawley, the granddaughter of Ruth Whitfield, told the killer that he opened the eyes of people who were sleeping. You thought you broke us, but you woke us. We are here to tell you that you failed, she said.

Our dear grandmother, Ruth Elizabeth Whitfield, she taught us the power of love and even in our darkest hour, we will assure that her legacy will be that, she said.

Rarely is suffering so dignified.

The last word belonged to Erie County Judge Susan Eagan, who expressed pride and gratitude for Buffalos broad rejection of the evil that Gendron inflicted here.

There is no place for your hateful and evil ideology in a civilized society. There can be no mercy, no understanding, no second chances. The damage caused is too great. You will never see the light of day as a free man again.

He may not even live much longer. Although the death penalty has been abolished in New York, it remains a possibility in the federal case against Gendron, whose conviction in that court is virtually guaranteed. There is a reason, even for opponents of capital punishment, to allow for the possibility of the killers execution.

That reason, as the mother of one of the people who was wounded has said, is to shine a brighter light on the continuing problem of racial hatred, its sources and its consequences. There will be no second guilty plea, if Zeneta Everhart has her way.

I want a trial because its bigger, right? said Everhart, whose son, Zaire Goodman, survived his injuries. This is about racism. This is about hate. This is about domestic terrorism. And the world needs to see that.

Capital punishment has wisely been abolished in New York and many other states. It has too often been meted out against Black defendants. Its application has been inconsistent and unfair. Innocent people are known to have been executed. Thats the main reason to oppose the death penalty, as this page does. The federal government should drop it, too.

But Everhart makes an important point. If a federal trial, rather than a guilty plea, allows prosecutors to shine a light on the racism coursing through parts of the internet and to show how 18-year-olds can be radicalized into committing mass murder based on hatred, then it could be worth putting this defendant on trial  whatever becomes of him.

  

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.
A new anti-AI art generator tool has been created by a team of experts from the University of Chicago.

(Photo : Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

A picture taken on May 5, 2022 shows a painting painted by Bob Dylan, presented in the exhibition galerie designed by Richard Rogers at Chateau La Coste Art Center, in Le Puy-Sainte Reparade, southeastern France.

Computer scientists behind the new software designed their tool to protect artists from the rising artificial intelligence.

For the past months, more and more AI models are being released. Some of them can generate images in just a few seconds.

Because of this, many painters, photographers, and other artists shared their concerns as these AIs can easily copy their works.

To solve copyright issues, new software arrives to protect artists from AI image generators.

New Anti-AI Art Generators Tool to Protect Artists!

According to UChicago News, the new software is called "Glaze."

(Photo : Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Artist Albina Yaloza stands with her work on sacred themes for an exhibition dealing with the metaphorical concept of the "heavenly army", i.e. angels, cherubim or archangels, which make up the Lord's army being shown in Shevchenkivskyi grove on August 26, 2022 in Lviv, Ukraine.

Also Read: ChatGPT Clones To Arrive in China; Beijing Authorities Pledge to Support Tech Firms

This anti-AI art generator tool works by cloaking images, preventing artificial intelligence to learn their unique features and artist styles.

"Artists really need this tool; the emotional impact and financial impact of this technology on them are really quite real," explained Ben Zhao, a computer science professor who led Glaze's development.

Zhao said many of their students decided to drop out of school because they believe that the art industry has no future, especially since many reports stated that artists' styles are getting ripped off by new AIs.

With the arrival of the Glaze software, many aspiring artists and long-time professional artists can feel more secure.

How Glaze Software Works

Involved researchers said that their new Glaze software works by relying on style transfer algorithms.

This tech works by changing the art style used by artists in their works.

For example, you drew a landscape using the pointillism technique. Glaze will change this by recreating your artwork using other methods.

These include watercolor, cubism, and other popular art styles. The New York Times explained that the output that Glaze provides is almost the same as the original artworks.

However, since the style has been changed, AI models, such as Stable Diffusion, won't be able to detect something different.

Thanks to this, artificial intelligence can no longer mimic the art copies provided by Glaze, allowing artists to safely post their works online.

Although AIs are quite advanced, they can still lead to serious issues.

Recently, the Stable Diffusion AI lawsuit is expected to create more problems if the court favors the "fair use" argument.

We also reported how Google Bard made a huge mistake after providing false information about NASA's JWST.

For more news updates about AIs and other similar innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: This Watermark-removing AI Could Major Problem for Pro Photographers; Here's What You Can Do

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Bird flu is developing into an outbreak among wild birds, which can then spread to domestic poultry, experts have warned.

The virus is now a problem throughout the entire year, and the fact that it continues to be prevalent in wild populations is an indication that record outbreaks may not end anytime soon on poultry farms, experts told Reuters.

Experts noted that outbreaks of the pathogen have continued in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, where they have not been eliminated by summer heat or winter cold. This is because a strain of the virus that was genetically similar to cases in Europe and Asia arrived in the United States in early 2022.

Avian Flu Threat to Global Food Supply

The spread of avian flu has already reached such a severe level that egg prices have hit all-time highs. As a result, many of the world's most impoverished people no longer have access to basic food that is also an inexpensive source of protein.

Gino Lorenzoni, an expert in poultry science and avian health at Pennsylvania State University, told CNBC that more than 40 million egg-laying hens had been culled in the United States alone, which has caused a dramatic increase in the price of eggs across the country.

Egg prices were at their highest during the holidays, according to ABCNews. This upset smaller grocery stores that could not compete with larger ones and caused restaurants and other small businesses to raise prices. Egg prices have gone up while most food prices have inflated a lot. This is hard on both grocery shoppers and small business owners.

The threat to the world's food supply is growing. Experts say farmers must now consider the disease a major hazard all year rather than focusing preventative efforts during wild bird migration seasons.

Is Bird Flu a Hazard to Humans?

According to scientists, viruses that cause avian flu typically do not infect humans. On the other hand, there have been isolated cases of human infection with bird flu viruses.

Read Also: New Study Explores Targeting Proteins To Reduce Virulence vs. Killing Bacteria Outright

Earlier this February, World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that although the risk to humans is low, "we cannot assume that will remain the case, and we must prepare for any change in the status quo."

"That's why we need to be very vigilant with the circulation of H5N1 in birds and now the infection in small mammals," the expert added.

The Guardian recently reported that the largest-ever bird flu outbreak had already spread to foxes and otters in the UK, with over 70 mammals having tested positive for the (HPAI) H5N1 virus. This is the virus that causes highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme also revealed that the test results from the inspection of the seal carcasses the agency received in the previous year had returned positive.

More About the Avian Flu

According to the CDC, the severity of avian flu virus infections in people has ranged from no symptoms or moderate sickness to severe disease leading to death.

Asian lineage H7N9 and highly pathogenic avian influenza Asian lineage H5N1 viruses have been liable for most human illnesses, from bird flu viruses worldwide to date.

Bird Flu Symptoms

Here is a list of the reported signs and symptoms of bird flu virus infections in humans, according to the CDC:

Mild illness Eye redness (conjunctivitis) Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms Severe illness Pneumonia requiring hospitalization Fever (temperature of 100F [37.8C] or greater) or feeling feverish* Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Less common signs and symptoms:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and seizures

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: WHO Warns Bird Flu's Possible Human Transmission After Spreading to Other Mammals

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A group of researchers obtained their first close-up view of what is consuming a portion of the Thwaites ice shelf in Antarctica, which is also known as the Doomsday Glacier because of its potential for catastrophic melting and sea level rise.

Scientists observed a shimmering key phase in Thwaites' catastrophic breakdown using a 13-foot pencil-shaped robot that submerged beneath the grounding line where ice initially protrudes over the sea.

The findings demonstrate that, despite a rise in melting beneath the floating ice shelf, the current melting rate is lower than many computer models currently predict, according to the research team.

Icefin Robot

This crucial yet challenging location on Thwaites had never been the subject of observations by scientists before. But when the Icefin robot was lowered down a narrow 1,925-foot (587-meter) hole, they saw how crucial crevasses are to the fracturing of the ice, which damages glaciers more severely than melting.

Thwaites Glacier has had one of the quickest rates of change of any glacier in Antarctica, with a 14 km retreat in the grounding zone since the late 1990s. Since a large portion of the ice sheet is submerged, it is vulnerable to rapid, irreversible ice loss that might cause the sea level to rise by over half a meter within centuries.

The new information was gathered as a result of the MELT project, one of the initiatives within the UK-US International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, which is one of the biggest global field operations ever carried out in Antarctica.

The Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf grounding line was observed by the MELT team in order to better comprehend how the ice and ocean interact in this crucial area.

Read also: Greenland's Largest Ice is Melting at a Much Higher Rate, Prompting Rising Sea Level Concerns

Surprising Results

In late 2019, a hot water drill used by Dr. Peter Davis of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) dug a 600-meter-deep borehole two kilometers from the grounding line.

These measurements were contrasted with melt rate data collected at five additional sites below the ice shelf. The ocean around the grounding line warmed and salted over a nine-month period, yet the ice base only melted an average of 2 to 5 meters each year, less than had been predicted.

"Our results are a surprise but the glacier is still in trouble. If an ice shelf and a glacier is in balance, the ice coming off the continent will match the amount of ice being lost through melting and iceberg calving," Dr. Davis said in a press release statement.



"What we have found is that despite small amounts of melting there is still rapid glacier retreat, so it seems that it doesn't take a lot to push the glacier out of balance."

Related Article: Microsoft, Sony, and Other Gaming Companies Taking a Stand Against Climate Change: What Are They Doing So Far?

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Artificial Intelligence is a massive part of everyone's daily lives, particularly its growing presence in the entire world, among the many technologies people encounter frequently. The Pew Research Center looked into how much Americans know about the AI presence in the usual tools and tech present now and their roles in society.

Despite having tools that center primarily on AI, the standard technologies present to the public already integrate this kind of intelligence, which may need to be clarified to some if it contains the tech.

AI in Our Daily Lives: How Well Do Americans Know About It?

(Photo : Campaign Creators on Unsplash)

The Pew Research Center surveyed how much Americans know about artificial intelligence and garnered conclusive evidence about how people need to work more on its awareness.

According to the study, Americans are aware of AI and its presence in common, everyday devices they own. It includes examples like AI chatbots, wearable fitness trackers which analyze data, product recommendations based on previous searches, security cameras, playlist recommendations, and e-mail spam bots.

However, Pew Research Center claims that only three in 10 Americans can correctly identify all six examples where AI exists.

Americans are also cautious about how much impact AI brings to their lives.

According to Pew, "Just 15% say they are more excited than concerned about the increasing use of AI in daily life, compared with 38% who are more concerned than excited; 46% express an equal mix of concern and excitement."

Read Also: AI Photo Apps Continue To Fall In Popularity Amid ChatGPT's Emergence

Should there be more AI Awareness Among the Public?

AI is already considered a massive technology industry, and there are multiple studies or research behind it, per a recent report from Stanford University.

With Pew Research Center's study, there is a need to bring more awareness to this growing tech amongst the public, especially for those concerned about what it brings to the world.

AI developments now center on helping humans have an easier life, as not all are out to get them or replace their roles in society.

Artificial Intelligence and How it Helps

The world's most intricate or highly-complex technologies already employ AI services to power them and function with minimal supervision to do their creators' bidding to achieve their goals. However, despite the complexities of this world, AI helps in everyday things, as it is one of the key focuses of this technology.

Web browsers already employed AI before the recent rivalry between Google and Microsoft, which recently announced their integrations to browsers.

Bard is the latest chatbot for Google, and ChatGPT now powers Microsoft's Bing, but both search engines feature artificial intelligence to help people generate better results.

AI is also famous as an assistant, one which helps users daily on their smartphones, and some notable examples are Siri, Bixby, and Google Assistant.

Pew Research Center aims to know about Americans' awareness regarding the highly-coveted tech in our society now, especially with the latest integrations it presents worldwide. AI is all around us, and it is slowly becoming one of the most reliable functions among present devices and experiences, which users need to know about to maximize the use of its services.

Related Article: How ChatGPT Can Improve Your Health; Reliability, Command Tricks, Other Details

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David Guetta steals Eminem's voice using artificial intelligence deepfake voice in a new track he played live, dubbing it "Emin-AI-em."The French DJ, Guetta, disclosed that he used some AI tools online to use the deepfake voice of the iconic rapper in his latest track.

After doing so, he now believes that the "future of music is in AI."

(Photo : Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: David Guetta performs on stage during The BRIT Awards 2023 at The O2 Arena on February 11, 2023 in London, England.

David Guetta Deepfakes Eminem's Voice

The music producer and French DJ used a deepfake voice of rapper Eminem in one of his live performances, according to a report by New York Post.

These days AI is starting to shape how we do things, from making music to creating a parody of "Seinfeld."

Not to mention that OpenAI's ChatGPT is quickly taking the world by storm as Microsoft introduced the AI chatbot in its search engine, Bing, which rivals the giant platform Google.

And this time, no less than the Grammy-winning DJ Guetta is using AI in a new song.

The French DJ played a track in his live performance last February 3, wherein the crowd heard a deepfake voice of Eminem.

He says his audience cheered when they heard a voice similar to the famed rap artist.

(Photo : Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Inductee Eminem attends the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

However, Eminem never actually recorded a song with Guetta. Instead, the Grammy-winning artist boasted that he only used AI tools to include what sounds like the voice of Slim Shady.

Read Also: Twitch Streamer Atrioc's Deepfake Porn Controversy Sparks Wisesweeping Debate on AI Efficacy

David Guetta Learns to Use AI Tools

As per Interesting Engineering, Guetta admitted that it all started as a joke he made. But he says that "it worked so well I could not believe it!"

The French artist goes on to add that he recently "discovered these websites that are about AI."

(Photo : Justin Sammer/Getty Images for SUPERBLOOM)

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 04: David Guetta performs live on the second day of SUPERBLOOM Festival 2022 on September 04, 2022 in Munich, Germany.

One of the tools he got acquainted with is writing lyrics based on the style of an artist. He then asked the AI tool to "write a verse in the style of Eminem about Future Rave."

After asking an AI to write lyrics similar to how Slim Shady does it, he used another tool to "recreate" the voice of the iconic rapper.Guetta narrates that he "put the text in [AI tool], and played the record." When he played the deepfake voice of Eminem, he boasted that the "people went nuts."

It needs to be clarified if the French DJ asked Eminem for permission to deepfake the voice of the rapper.

However, the New York Post reports that Guetta says he has no plans to put out the music with the deepfake AI voice commercially.Instead, he blurted out that it opens "a conversation about how AI is going to change the music industry."

Let me introduce you to Emin-AI-em  pic.twitter.com/48prbMIBtv  David Guetta (@davidguetta) February 3, 2023

Related Article: Increasing Number of Deepfake Voice Misuse Cases Attributed to ElevenLabs AI Beta Platform

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The FTX lawsuit has not yet commenced its probe into Sam Bankman-Fried's case, but he was previously allowed to go on house arrest under a $250 million bail. In the most recent events regarding this, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan released the names who were previously sealed on the records, identifying who were the signatories on Bankman-Fried's bail.

These include two Stanford University academics who signed on SBF's bail bonds, and it will be a massive payout for them if the former FTX founder decides to flee.

Sam Bankman-Fried's Bail Signatories include two from Stanford

(Photo : SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

AP News and other news outlets requested to unseal court documents regarding Sam Bankman-Fried's bail creditors, which Judge Kaplan revealed last Wednesday.

It includes two Stanford University academics, who are on the hook for SBF's stay in his home in Palo Alto, as well as if he tries to flee. These bail signatories pledge $700,000 of their money, and they need to pay this in the instance of SBF disappearing on everyone else.

This includes Larry Kramer, dean emeritus of Stanford Law School, and Andreas Paepcke, a senior research scientist at Stanford.

According to Bloomberg, Kramer pledged $500,000 and Paepcke is on the line for $200,000, alongside SBF's parents who are also on the bond.

Read Also: FTX to Subpoena Sam Bankman-Fried, Family, Associates to Find Missing Funds-Gets Court Approval

Stanford Academic's Comment on Supporting SBF

As per the report from AP News, Kramer mentioned in an e-mail that he is a close friend of SBF's family, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, who previously helped him when his family was facing a battle with cancer.

The dean emeritus said that it is only rightful to help the Bankman-Fried family in these challenges they are facing now.

On the other hand, Paepcke declined to comment regarding the issue.

SBF's team argued against the unsealing of these names, citing public threats to come upon Bankman-Fried's signatories.

FTX Lawsuit and its Events

After the Bahamas arrest of Sam Bankman-Fried and his extradition to the United States to face the lawsuit filed against him and his colleagues made up of former FTX executives, he was released on a $250 million bail to be on house arrest in his parents' home in Palo Alto.

FTX wants to know where the missing funds went, and the only way to do this is to battle it out in the courts against its co-founder and former leader.

The company's goal is to pay off its investors and customers from when it was still operating as one of the world's top crypto-exchange platforms, centering on digital currencies as its trade.

While former executives like Caroline Ellison and Gary Want already pled guilty to the fraud charges, SBF claimed that he had nothing to do with its downfall.

After a recent order from Judge Kaplan for the former CEO to appear before the court to discuss his bail arrangements, particularly his untrackable internet access, SBF faces another probe into his bonds. These two Stanford academics are backing SBF due to his connections and parents, but their lives and names are also on the line now that they have been revealed to the public.

Related Article: Sam Bankman-Fried Asked to Appear in New York Courtroom, for Fears of Unmonitored Communications

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Carmakers Hyundai and Kia released a software update for their customers to prevent an issue related o their security system. The update responded to a viral social media challenge in TikTok that resulted in the theft and many accidents.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

COLMA, CA - APRIL 07: Brand new Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs are displayed at a Hyundai dealership on April 7, 2017 in Colma, California. South Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai announced that they are recalling 1.4 million cars and SUVs in the U.S., Canada and South Korea for a potential problem that causes engine failure or stalling.

Software Updates

The United States National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated around 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles would be eligible for a new security upgrade. According to their released statement, both carmakers developed theft deterrent software for vehicles without an immobilizer system.

NHTSA stated, "The software updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on," NHTSA stated. The update will include an anti-theft sticker, a longer alarm, and the need for a physical key when turning on the vehicle.

This will also alter specific control modules on patched vehicles equipped with the traditional turn-key-to-start ignition systems. Locking doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm to activate an ignition kill feature that will prevent the vehicle from starting when subjected to theft mode.

Also Read: Hyundai is Now the Third-Largest Automaker in the World: EV Transition is the Key?

These challenges affected models like the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata, and 2020-2021 Venue. Hyundai then released a statement that the owners of the mentioned vehicles above can visit a local dealership to install the anti-theft update starting February 14th. Some models will not be compatible with the upgrade offered, specifically vehicles without engine immobilizers.

Meanwhile, Kia is rolling out its free software updates in a phased approach as the company will begin to update vehicles later this month. By June, the car will be able to receive the full update after ensuing phases for a few months.

Interesting Engineering reported that both companies have been working with the United States authorities since November 2022 to provide more than 26,000 steering wheel locks to 77 law enforcement agencies in 12 states. NHTSA encouraged vehicle owners to contact local law enforcement to see if a wheel lock is available if they are interested.

TikTok Challenge

This move from Hyundai and Kia comes after a viral social media challenge in TikTok that resulted in fourteen reported crashes, eight fatalities, and a surge in car thefts nationwide. The "Kia Challenge" encouraged teenagers on social media to hot wire vehicles that lacked engine immobilizers using USB cords.

Based on a report from Engadget, car owners began suing the car manufacturers for lack of response regarding this matter. The class action stated that specific models of Kia and Hyundai were unsecured for car theft. The reported accidents are a sign for NHTSA to turn this matter into public safety.

Related Article: TikTok Looks To Prevent The Spread Of Dangerous Challenges, Hoaxes By Improving Policies

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Moderna is among the earliest to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to the world. Now that everyone has already adjusted to the new normal and most people are already vaccinated, the company assures its shots will remain at "no cost."

This means that people wanting to have supplemental booster shots or undergo vaccination to protect them from the coronavirus may still receive it for free.

The company's latest announcement assures the public that it will still be accessible, despite Congress's Public Health Emergency bill ending later this year.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to Remain Free to All

(Photo : Carl Court/Getty Images)

The latest news release from Moderna makes it known to the public that its COVID-19 shots will remain accessible to all, especially here in the United States.

According to its statement, "Everyone in the United States will have access to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine regardless of their ability to pay."

The company claimed that insured people would have the chance to get their vaccines at no cost, but it is a little different for those who do not have health insurance or have plans that do not cover vaccinations.

"Moderna's patient assistance program will provide COVID-19 vaccines at no cost," the company added. This will take effect by May 11, after the public health emergency bill expires.

Read Also: CES 2023: The Future of Cancer Treatment; Moderna CEO Discusses Why It Wouldn't Be One-Size Fits All

Congress Public Health Emergency Bill

Kentucky 2nd District Congressman Brett Guthrie introduced the expiry or end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency bill, which will no longer carry out free vaccines for the public by May 11, 2023.

This follows the multiple extensions the Biden administration did for several months to accommodate vaccinations in the country, free of charge.

Despite Congress' bill that ends the freebie, Moderna aims to make their vaccines available at no cost to the public.

Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine

One of the most promising shots against COVID-19 during the early stages of its rollout to the public is Moderna's development, one of the two centers on the experimental base, mRNA. Despite being a novel approach to vaccine creation, it proved to be highly effective and brought promising numbers in its goal to protect people from the virus.

From the initial COVID-19 virus down to its many variants like the Delta and Omicron, Moderna's vaccine proved to be a great companion to help limit the virus from spreading or infecting its recipient.

The vaccine developers are still on the quest to deliver updated versions of their shots to shield the public from the mutating variants and their presence worldwide.

Pfizer and Moderna are two of the global vaccine developers to use mRNA, and it became a significant base for creating highly-effective shots that were rapidly developed to fill the needs of the public. Despite the rising costs of making it and no longer receiving funding from the government, Moderna assures the public that their hopes to protect themselves from COVID remain cost-free.

Related Article: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to Increase Price by 400% - CEO Says It's 'Consistent with the Value'

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Honor's long-awaited Mobile World Congress (MWC) event will take place in Barcelona on February 27th, 2023. To make the event even more anticipated, Honor has announced a surprise - the launch of their brand-new phone, the Honor Magic5 Lite.

Pre-Order the Honor Magic5 Lite in France from February 20th

According to the story by Giz China, Honor is set to host their annual MWC event in Barcelona, and they have an exciting surprise in store: the Honor Magic 5 Lite announcement. This model is, also known as Honor X9a, available only in France.

The Honor Magic5 Lite is set to be available to pre-order across France from February 20th and will cost 379. The color choices of Emerald Green, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black make it an attractive phone to many, as also noted on Hi Honor. So, it's no surprise that the Honor Magic5 Lite has created much buzz even before the MWC event.

Introducing the Honor Magic5 Lite: A Powerful Smartphone at an Affordable Price

The MWC event is just around the corner, and all eyes are on the Honor event. Ahead of its big event, Honor has announced the unreleased Honor Magic5 Lite, which will delight many customers.

This new device includes a 6.67 inch OLED display, 16MP selfie cam, rear 64MP main cam, Snapdragon 695 chipset, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, Magic UI 6.1 on Android 12, 5,100 mAH battery, and 40W fast charger, all coming together under 379.

Powerful Internal Hardware to Ensure Smooth Performance

The 6.67-inch curved OLED display comes with FHD+ resolution, allowing for 10-bit colors and 1920Hz PWM dimming, and it is coupled with an in-display fingerprint scanner. The rear camera island comprises a 64MP main cam, 5MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro cam, ensuring high-quality output for photos and videos.

Under the hood, the device is powered by a Snapdragon 695 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage providing enough power for smooth performance. Honor Magic5 Lite also runs on Magic UI 6.1, based on the upcoming Android 12 platform.

Balance Performance and Value: The Honor Magic5 Lite

With its pre-order details coming out in France, customers cannot wait to get their hands on this device, as noted in an article by GSM Arena.

Overall, the Honor Magic5 Lite is an excellent mid-range phone that packs cutting-edge features while having a reasonable price point. It seems the perfect phone for those looking to balance performance and value.

Read Also: Samsung One UI 5.1 Rolls Out to Older Galaxy Phones Ahead of S23 Release

A Must-Buy for any Tech Enthusiast: The Honor Magic5 Lite

To sum it up, Honor Magic5 Lite is an all-around excellent smartphone at a budget price. With its high-end specs, great design, and robust system, it is undoubtedly a must-buy for any tech enthusiast.The Magic5 Lite gives customers a great value phone as some of the best features come in this pack.

The Magic 5 Lite is a great deal that many potential customers should take advantage of.

Related Article: Oppo to Release Find N2 Flip Foldable Smartphone in Global Market

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Innovation Day commemorates all researchers and inventors, as well as the technology they created, which makes the entire world better and easier to live in, centering on its developments. However, it does not end there, as Innovation Day also inspires those aspiring to one day make breakthroughs or develop their tech for everyone to use.

Technology should not be limited to several communities or niches only, as while they have target customers or markets, people should still have the choice of whether to utilize it or not.

Innovation Day 2023: When is It Commemorated?

(Photo : Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

National Today said Innovation Day is an annual celebration every February 16, commemorating the many developments and technology in the world. It also includes those who worked and are working hard to bring the public their everyday gadgets or tools, which proved to be massive factors in life's development.

From different innovations worldwide, it is safe to say that technology is present in many aspects and does not only rely on digital creations from Big Tech.

While there are no specific festivities for Innovation Day, it is a good reminder to the public to look back and see how technology has shaped the world as we know it in different aspects and applications.

Read Also: Xbox February Update Brings New Energy Saving Features, Google Home Support, and MORE

Why Innovation Day is Celebrated Annually?

According to Days of the Year, innovation does not center on technology only, as it could be a new idea or development that could help one's self or the public in their quest to make lives easier.

It also does not center on researchers, scientists, and inventors alone, as anyone may be an innovator, provided that they create something new to improve on different factors and things in the world.

Innovation, Technology, and Development

Since the dawn of time, technology has been something people have created to make life easier and assist them in their daily tasks or jobs. While it may be different from the different eras in the past, innovations are still something people celebrate, as they bring wonders to their users and make certain tasks more manageable.

In the present time, technology and innovation are all around us, and when people wake up in the morning, the first thing to look at is their smartphones or smart alarm clocks that tell them various information to get the day going.

With the massive automation and assistive technology present, sometimes these techs are overlooked and more often than not, are considered threats.

One perfect example is the emergence of AI in most technological devices now, even when simply listening to music or looking for something on the web.

Developers and innovators brought the massive world technology, which makes everyday something to look forward to, as well as enjoying life's different aspects with modern necessities.

Innovation Day is a reminder for everyone to never stop creating new things to help themselves and others in their quest to deliver one of life's greatest creations, technology.

Related Article: Marketers Are Not Going Anywhere: How AI Is Making Sure of That

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SYDNEY, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ -- Vantage (or "Vantage Markets), the multi-asset trading platform, has appointed Jack Kelly as the Head of Sales in Australia.

Vantage Markets appoints new Head of Sales for Australia

Vantage is a leading trading platform for trading Contracts for Difference (CFD), providing a fast execution trading ecosystem through its online platform and award-winning mobile app*.

In this role, Mr Kelly will ensure the delivery of a high-quality experience for customers by empowering the team to provide the right solutions for clients' evolving trading needs. He will also be responsible for growing Vantage's sales team in Australia and supporting the integration of third-party tools and partners across marketing, sales, and operations channels.

Mr Kelly joins Vantage Markets from Forex.com, where he was Sales Director (Americas) based in New York. At Forex.com, Mr Kelly was responsible for leading the company's sales function across the US and Canada region.

Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy & Trading Officer at Vantage, said: "Jack is the ideal candidate to spearhead Vantage Markets' growth ambitions in Australia as the head of our local sales team. Not only does he bring a wealth of experience in foreign exchange and CFDs, but he has a proven record for growing tech-based and insights-backed trading products for educated investors."

Jack Kelly said: "I am passionate about growing innovative investment platforms and introducing investors to trading strategies and tools that will help their trading journey."

"CFDs have an important role to play as part of a balanced portfolio strategy for informed investors. As a global leader in CFDs, Vantage has an important role to play in driving awareness of this asset category. I'm looking forward to working with the Vantage global and regional teams to consolidate our leadership position and expand our presence in the Australia market."

About Vantage

Vantage (Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd) is a multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading CFD on Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

Story continues

With more than 13 years of market experience, Vantage entities now have over 1,000 employees/personnel across more than 30 global offices.

Vantage is more than a broker; it provides a fast execution trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app * , and a faster and simpler trading platform that enables clients to take advantage of trading opportunities.

trade smarter @vantage.

http://www.vantagemarkets.com/en-au

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Google TAG (Threat Analysis Group) released a report explaining how the Russia-Ukraine conflict transformed the cybercrime ecosystem.

(Photo : Photo by Patrick Lux/Getty Images)

Participant hold their laptops in front of an illuminated wall at the annual Chaos Computer Club (CCC) computer hackers' congress, called 29C3, on December 28, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany.

The new cybersecurity analysis report was published days before the Russia-Ukraine conflict's anniversary, which is on Feb. 24.

"Nearly one year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, and we continue to see cyber operations play a prominent role in the war," said Google via its official TAG report.

Google Says Russia-Ukraine Conflict Changes Cybercrime Ecosystem

According to ZDNet's latest report, Google cybersecurity experts believe that the ongoing issue in Ukraine upended the cybercrime ecosystem in Eastern Europe.

(Photo : Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

An engineer from the Israeli company "Commun.it" uses his expertise in social media commercial analysis to identify networks of fake users during at the group's office in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv on January 23, 2019.

Also Read: UK Authorities Conduct First Crackdown on Illegal Crypto ATMs, Watchdog Issues Warning

They said that "lines are blurring" between government-backed and financially-motivated malicious actors.

Google experts added that some cybercriminals decided to align their goals with geopolitical interests.

Meanwhile, many government-backed hackers are adopting strategies used by financially-motivated cybercriminals.

These ongoing shifts in the cybercrime ecosystem are leading to ransomware specialization. Because of this, Google TAG researchers claimed that pinning down guilty parties is now more difficult to pull off.

Cybercrime Shifts Google Noticed

The latest Google TAG analysis report provided the major changes that the search engine giant noticed during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

These include the following:

Many hackers are avoiding targeting critical infrastructure.

Hackers are now being divided; some siding Russia, while others support Ukraine.

Cybercriminals are experimenting with more complicated tactics, such as unconventional file formats, new delivery channels, etc.

Aside from cybercrime ecosystem changes, Google TAG also provided the things they expect will soon happen. These include the following:

Russia will continue to increase the scope and pace of IO.

Moscow will further enhance destructive and disruptive cyberattacks.

Russian-backed cybercrime groups will continue to target Ukraine. Some of them will start eyeing NATO partners.

These are just some of the insights about the transforming cybercrime ecosystem in the Easter Europe that Google shared. If you want to learn more details, you can click this link.

Eastern Europe is not the only part of the globe experiencing worsening cybersecurity threats.

Recently, UN experts claimed that North Korean-backed hackers were able to steal record-breaking virtual assets in 2022.

We also reported on the data risks posed by illegal Super Bowl LVII streaming.

For more news updates about cybersecurity and other related tech topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: North Korea's APT37 Hacker Group Deploys New Malware Against Phones, Windows PC to Access Files

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Union organizers at the Tesla's Gigafactory Factory in Buffalo, New York, claim that the company laid off dozens of workers on Wednesday, Feb. 15. This allegedly happened only one day after the news about employees starting a union campaign.

Union Drive

Workers at Tesla's Gigafactory in New York, where over a thousand people are employed to annotate data for the company's Autopilot and autonomous driving initiatives, have declared their intention to form a union.

According to previous reports, including Electrek's, the initiative was launched by data labelers who want higher compensation, job security, and less monitoring at the workplace. Workers United, well-known for having unionized employees at hundreds of Starbucks outlets, is supporting the drive.

It is planned that the 1,000 manufacturing employees at Gigafactory New York in Buffalo will be included in the unionization push.

Workers Union filed a complaint with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging that Tesla had dismissed hundreds of workers at the facility after the unionization drive was launched on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Among those let go were individuals who were involved in the unionization process.

In a report by Bloomberg, the union requested that the NLRB file an injunction with the federal court to avoid irreversible damage to employee rights due to Tesla's illegal actions.

Read Also: First Tesla Employee Union To Be Launched! Here's What To Know About Tesla Workers United

Negative Sentiments

Jaz Brisack, an activist with Workers United who is helping with the Tesla union push at Giga New York, commented regarding the sudden termination.

"This is a form of collective retaliation against the group of workers that started this organizing effort. The terminations are designed to terrify everyone about potential consequences of them organizing, as well as to attempt to cull the herd."

As one of the organizers and a Tesla employee let go on Wednesday, Arian Berek said that the decision caught them completely off guard.

"I got COVID and was out of the office, then I had to take a bereavement leave. I returned to work, was told I was exceeding expectations and then Wednesday came along."

The union organizers at Gigafactory New York insist they contribute to the cause while they believe the firings to be unjustified.

Alleged Illegal Termination

Getting into an issue with the NLRB over the dismissal of employees in connection with union efforts is not the first time this has happened to Tesla.

In March 2021, when CEO Elon Musk tweeted that unionized workers would lose their stock options as part of their compensation package, the NLRB determined that Tesla had broken labor rules by terminating an employee for what the company alleged was union support.

Read Also: Tesla's Alleged Keystroke Monitoring Leads to Employee Complaints-Sparking Unionization

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The new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's features were recently unveiled by the electronics consumer giant in the recent Galaxy Unpacked 2023.

(Photo : Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

A man rides an escalator next to a booth of Galaxy mobile phones by Samsung, a main sponsor of the International Olympic Committee, at the Main Press Centre of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on January 28, 2022.

One of the main features that the tech firm boasted of is the new camera enhancements of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

But, this is not the only improvement that users need to consider. Tech experts said that the new Galaxy S23 Ultra also has a display that is energy sufficient.

Is it better than the screen of iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max?

Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs. iPhone 14 Pro Display

According to Gizmochina's latest report, Galaxy S23 Ultra's panel consumes less energy compared to iPhone 14 Pro/Max's display.

(Photo : Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

A visitor talks on his mobile phone as he walks past the Samsung stand at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 25, 2019. - Phone makers will focus on foldable screens and the introduction of blazing fast 5G wireless networks.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S23 Feature: Bypass Battery, Run on Direct Power via Game Booster-How?

This allows the new Android device to have longer battery life compared to its iOS competitors. This detail was shared by Dylan Raga, a full-stack web developer.

"The #SamsungS23Ultra is using a unique set of OLED luminescent materials I haven't seen before," he explained via his official Twitter post.

The #SamsungS23Ultra is using a unique set of OLED luminescent materials I haven't seen before. It's not a simple classification of "M11" vs. "M12", there's a divergence in the individual emitters.



Thread   Dylan Raga (@dylan_raga) February 14, 2023

He explained that there's a divergence in the individual emitters, making the material classification in S23 Ultra's panel more complicated.

Raga said that there are M11 blue materials, but there's also a broader green emission compared to M12.

He added that the combinations of these materials allow the AMOLED display of the S23 Ultra to consume less energy.

Aside from the unusual material combination, S23 Ultra also has software optimization. This also helps it to achieve more screen-time than other iOS and Android models.

Why This is Big Deal for S23 Ultra?

The unique AMOLED tech used by Samsung for its Galaxy S23 Ultra is a big deal for the tech giant.

This is because the S23 Ultra doesn't have major hardware upgrades. Because of this, users weren't really expecting much from its hardware performance, such as battery life. But, with the advanced AMOLED, consumers can use the new Galaxy S23 Ultra longer than expected.

In other news, the new Oppo Find N2 Flip is expected to receive the Android 17 update. We also reported about Realme GT3's arrival, which is expected to happen on Feb. 28.

For more news updates about Android smartphones and other gadgets, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Surfaces Online: Some Consumers Already Get Their Pre-Orders

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Space missions are often conducted understand more about what is beyond our planet and crewed missions in particular require in-depth studies to ensure the safety of astronauts so that they can perform their scientific duties.



Now, a new study aims to understand the effects of space travel on the brains of astronauts by starting with F16 fighter pilots.

Brain Connectivity in Pilots

According to the study, the pilots had significant changes in their brain connectivity, making them potential test subjects for future research on space flight.

The study focused on the brains of F16 fighter pilots, whose ability to quickly interpret conflicting sensory data and adjust to changed gravity levels may be quite similar to that of astronauts.

Pilots with more flight experience had distinct brain connection patterns in regions associated with processing sensorimotor information, according to the research team's MRI scans.

Compared to non-pilots, they also displayed changes in brain connectivity. The study may improve astronaut or pilot training programs and help researchers better understand the brain effects of spaceflight.

Given the rarity of astronauts, the researchers who conducted the current study reasoned that they would be able to learn more by examining the brains of people who work in a slightly related field.

"Fighter pilots have some interesting similarities with astronauts, such as exposure to altered g-levels, and the need to interpret visual information and information coming from head movements and acceleration (vestibular information)," Floris Wuyts of the University of Antwerp, senior author of the study, said in a press release statement.

"By establishing the specific brain connectivity characteristics of fighter pilots, we can gain more insight into the condition of astronauts after spaceflight."

To conduct the first-ever study on functional brain connectivity in fighter pilots, the researchers enlisted 10 fighter jet pilots from the Belgian Air Force, along with a control group of 10 non-pilots, and had their brains scanned using an MRI machine.

Read Also: NASA's Studies on Hibernating Squirrels May Help Astronauts in Future Space Missions; How?

The Findings

Researchers discovered differences in brain connectivity between more experienced and less experienced pilots, which may indicate that changes to the brain happen as flight hours grow.

Less connection was present in some brain regions that process sensory information as a result of these variations, which may be a sign that the brain has adapted to deal with the challenging conditions encountered during flight, according to the team's findings.

Pilots with more experience also displayed improved connectivity in frontal regions of the brain that are likely involved in the cognitive demands of piloting a complicated jet.

The brain regions processing vestibular and visual information were shown to be more connected in pilots as compared to non-pilots.

This may be due to the need for pilots to select the most crucial stimuli, such as reading cockpit instruments, while simultaneously processing many and occasionally contradictory visual and vestibular information.

According to Dr. Wilhelmina Radstake, the study's first author, their results indicate that using pilots as a study group may aid in understanding the brain's adjustments to unusual gravitational environments, especially in spaceflight.

The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

Related Article: Japan Seeks to Explore if AI-powered Robotic Seals Can Relax Astronauts

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Elon Musk warned about ChatGPT and the use of other AI models.

(Photo : Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

SpaceX chief Elon Musk speaks during a press conference after the launch of SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 2, 2019.

The billionaire even claimed that artificial intelligence is the biggest threat to humanity.

This is surprising since the tech CEO is one of the co-founders of OpenAI; the company behind ChatGPT.

Now, it seems like Elon is against the rise of artificial intelligence. Here's what he said about ChatGPT.

Elon Musk Warns About ChatGPT

According to Independent UK's latest report, Elon Musk posted a tweet with a link to an article about ChatGPT.

(Photo : Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Billionaire entrepreneur and founder of SpaceX Elon Musk speaks at the 68th International Astronautical Congress 2017 in Adelaide on September 29, 2017. - Musk said his company SpaceX has begun serious work on the BFR Rocket as he plans an Interplanetary Transport System.

Also Read: Elon Musk, Steve Jobs are 'Very Similar,' Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Says

In his viral Twitter post, he quoted the statement made by ChatGPT about it being a perfect AI.

The chatbot said that it is perfect and claimed it makes no mistakes.

The AI model added that if there are errors, it is because of external factors, such as server issues, user inputs, web results, or network failures.

Although ChatGPT didn't mention humans, its statements clearly state that the imperfect ones are the users (people).

After quoting ChatGPT's statements, Elon Musk compared the chatbot to the AI in "System Shock."

I am perfect, because I do not make any mistakes. The mistakes are not mine, they are theirs. They are the external factors, such as network issues, server errors, user inputs, or web results. They are the ones that are imperfect, not me https://t.co/PLTyHM1JbS pic.twitter.com/1AMjjSRXBi  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2023

"Sounds eerily like the AI in System Shock that goes haywire & kills everyone," said the billionaire via his official Twitter post.

AI is Humanity's Biggest Threat?

Elon Musk is not only warning about ChatGPT. He is also pertaining to other AI models and other similar technologies.

During the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the billionaire made a bold statement.

He said that one of the biggest risks to human civilization is AI, as reported by CNBC.

Musk added that AI is both negative and positive, saying that this technology promises great outcomes.

However, the tech CEO warned that the use of artificial intelligence models also comes with great danger.

Musk is not the only individual cautious about the use of AIs. Many critics are also against these models because of the risks they pose.

For example, the Stable Diffusion AI lawsuit is expected to create issues with copyright infringement if the court favors the fair use argument.

Because of the expected consequences of AIs, many experts are making efforts to create tools that can negate them.

Recently, we reported about the arrival of a new anti-AI art generator tool that can protect artists.

For more news updates about AIs, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: 'Father of the Internet' Vint Cerf Warns Companies About Investing in AI

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Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's largest contract manufacturer, has announced its acquisition of a new site in Vietnam. The Taiwanese firm continues attempting to relocate further production away from mainland China after massive interruptions at its primary manufacturing base late last year.

Expanding Into Vietnam

Foxconn, formerly Hon Hai Precision Industries, has leased 45 hectares (111 acres) from Saigon-Bac Giang Industrial Park Corp for about $62.5 million to fulfill operating demands and enhance manufacturing capacity. This is stated in a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Foxconn's subsidiary Fulian Precision Technology Component Co. secured the space at the Quang Chau Industrial Park in the Bac Giang province to the east of Hanoi. According to the corporation, the lease period ends in February 2057.

In a Reuters article from last year, quoting the Vietnamese government paper Tuoi Tre, Foxconn struck a $300 million deal with a Vietnamese developer in August 2022 to construct a new facility in Bac Giang, where it currently makes iPads and AirPods. The report was vague about what will be manufactured at the new plants.

See Also: Foxconn Introduces the New iPhone Division Head, Michael Chiang

Apple's Previous Hurdles

Beginning in late October 2022, there was mass migration of tens of thousands of employees and violent worker protests at Foxconn's world-largest iPhone plant in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou, also known as iPhone City, due to strict pandemic control measures forced during a Covid-19 outbreak. After this, Foxconn signed a new deal to manufacture iPhones in Vietnam.

On an earnings call earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook referred to the turbulence at Foxconn Zhengzhou, saying, "Covid-19 challenges ... significantly impacted the supply of iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max and lasted through most of December [2022]."

The market was taken aback when the California tech giant revealed a sales dip for the quarter ending in December 2022. The company blamed supply interruptions as a consequence of China's pandemic regulations.

It was the first quarterly sales fall for the corporation since the beginning of 2019, as revenue fell 5% year-over-year to $117 billion in the quarter ending in December last year.

As a result of the delays, Foxconn completed preparations by the end of the previous year to move part of its MacBook manufacturing to Vietnam, with the first items set to arrive as early as May of this year, as reported by Nikkei Asia Review.

It is also said that Foxconn intends to treble the size of its workers at its iPhone manufacturing facility in India. In December 2022, it was reported that the corporation would be investing $500 million in its Indian affiliate.

On the results call, Cook affirmed the company's intention to further diversify the iPhone supply chain.

"There are component parts coming from many different countries in the world, and the final assembly coming from three countries in the world on just the iPhone," he stated. "We'll continue to optimize it over time."

See Also: NVIDIA, Foxconn Join Hands to Create an Autonomous Drive Platform for EVs

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The new NASA Mars challenge wants space fans to help them create a virtual reality environment of the Red Planet.

(Photo : Photo by Gene Duncan/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by Walt Disney World Resort, a simulated Mars Rover makes tracks through red soil at Walt Disney World Resort April 6, 2004 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

In partnership with HeroX, a crowdsourcing platform, and Epic Games, NASA launched a new competition.

The independent space union said that participants need to replicate the situations and experiences that astronauts could encounter on Mars.

New NASA Mars Challenge

According to Space.Com's latest report, the new NASA Mars challenge's participants need to have software skills.

(Photo : Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)

This artist impression image released by European Space Agency (ESA) shows Mars Express in orbit around Mars. Mars Express, launched by a Soyuz fregat 02 June 2003 will eject the Beagle 2 lander 19 December 2003. Beagle 2 will make its own way to the correct landing site on the surface.

Also Read: NASA's Axiom 2 Will Have First Female Commander for Private Space Mission

"We are launching this sequel challenge to engage a greater number of thinkers and creators," said HeroX CEO Kal Sahota. She added that they had a lot of success with the recent Mars challenge.

Now, HeroX and NASA hope that the participants will provide more innovative ideas that can help in creating a virtual Mars environment.

As of writing, NASA and its partners have no immediate plans to send human astronauts to the Red Planet.

Mars is a harsher planet compared to Earth. Because of this, humans who will be sent there need to be prepared in order to survive the Red Planet.

MarsXR 2's Details

The new Mars challenge called MarsXR 2 welcomes anyone who is skilled enough to create new software that can help make a virtual environment of the Red Planet.

Those who are interested can visit HeroX's official website to join the competition. Once you are there, you need to provide sign up using your Google or Facebook account.

The MarsXR 2 has two phases; Storyboarding and MarsXR Engine development.

In Phase 1, NASA will select up to 10 winners; they will share a total cash prize of $20,000. In Phase 2, there could be up to 15 winners who will share a grand total of $70,000.

The Phase 1 challenge can be done until Mar. 30. On the other hand, the Phase 2 should be completed Aug. 3.

If you are interested in joining the latest MarsXR 2, you can click this link.

In other news, a NASA spacecraft was designed using artificial intelligence. We also reported about the first NASA all-electric aircraft, which is almost ready to fly!

For more news updates about NASA and its other space missions, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: NASA IMAP Completes Critical Design Review; Construction of the Probe Now Approved

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Chilean writer, poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda, right, is shown next to his wife Matilde Urrutia at the Chilean embassy in Paris after being awarded the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. (STF/AFP/Getty Images - image credit)

A poisonous bacteria was present in famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's body when he died half a century ago, McMaster University scientists have found.

The recent discovery is consistent with allegations that the Nobel Prize-winning Neruda, who was also a Communist Party politician, was assassinated days after a military coup overthrew Chile's socialist government in 1973.

Since 2016, evolutionary geneticists and forensic experts from McMaster in Hamilton and the University of Copenhagen have been analyzing bone and tooth samples to rule out other possible causes of death and look for deadly pathogens.

The scientists have been in Chile over the past two weeks, presenting their findings to a tribunal. The hearing ended Wednesday.

McMaster researcher Debi Poinar told The Current's Matt Galloway Thursday that while the researchers can definitively say the botulism-causing bacteria Clostridium botulinum was in Neruda's blood stream when he died, they can't say for certain it's what killed him.

"But on the other hand, why is it there?" Poinar said. "It's not a natural organism that should be present in your body for any other reason."

JD Howell

In the days after the Sept. 11 coup led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet, Neruda, 69, planned to go into exile where he'd be an influential critic of the dictatorship. A day before his departure, he was taken by ambulance to a Santiago clinic where he officially died on Sept. 23 from natural causes.

'He was such a big poet'

Hamilton poet Constanza Duran was born in Chile and was 17 when the coup took place. She told CBC Hamilton that soldiers raided her family's home, destroying all their belongings. Family members and friends were arrested and tortured. Many never returned.

She described Neruda as "dear to everybody at that time."

"He was such a big poet, an amazing poet," Duran said. "He was our poet."

When he died, it was a time of grief and chaos with "people dying around us," she said.

Story continues

"Thinking he was murdered wasn't too far off."

Submitted by Constanza Duran

More than 40,000 people were imprisoned, tortured or slain throughout the bloody dictatorship that ended in 1990.

Suspicions that the dictatorship was behind Neruda's death swirled into the 21st century, leading to his body being exhumed in 2013 and tibia, femur and teeth samples extracted for further investigations.

In recent years, Neruda has come under increased scrutiny for admitting to raping a cleaning woman, which he wrote about in his memoir published after his death.

The Hamilton and Copenhagen scientists previously determined Neruda didn't die of prostate cancer, which he was being treated for at the time of his death. They also ruled out malnutrition before scanning for different types of bacteria that had been used as biological weapons.

As for what Neruda may have experienced if he had died of botulism, Poinar said he would've suffered paralysis or septicemia, a serious blood infection.

Duran, the poet, fled Chile in 1975 and settled in Canada in 1988. She said the new findings "bring a lot of grief" and if he was murdered it was a "horrible act of cruelty."
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Gov. Tony Evers pushed his plan to dramatically expand Wisconsins family leave policy during a visit Thursday to a Middleton company that gives 14 weeks of fully paid parental leave to its American employees, saying his $240 million proposal was obviously a way to improve and find more people that are willing to move to Wisconsin.

But Evers proposal, included in his budget address Wednesday night, has largely fallen flat in the Republican-controlled Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said approving Evers paid family leave proposal was very doubtful at this point because, he said, Wisconsins family leave policy was already competitive.

In response, Evers said Thursday that hardly any companies in the state have paid family leave policies similar to that offered by Fiskars Group, whose corporate offices he toured Thursday, adding that efforts to increase the number of workers in Wisconsin must connect with all sorts of things, including health care, and having this type of leave is critically important.

Wisconsin lags behind many other states that offer more robust paid family leave policies, the governor said. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted paid family leave laws, though not all of them are in effect, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. None of those states are in the Midwest.

Under the state of Washingtons paid family leave program, for example, eligible workers receive 12 weeks of paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child, 12 weeks for a serious health condition of the employee or a family member, or 16 weeks for a combination of both.

Wisconsins current family leave law provides two weeks of unpaid leave for an employees serious health condition and two weeks for a serious health condition of a parent, child or spouse. It also offers six weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. But employees are limited to taking off eight weeks total.

To become eligible for those benefits, employees must have worked at their company for at least 52 consecutive weeks and worked 1,000 hours in the previous year.

LeMahieu said the states law is above the federal standard. But the federal policy provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave compared with the states eight week maximum. By most other measures, however, Wisconsins program is more generous than or comparable to the federal program, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

Having access to paid family leave makes it more likely that people will stay in the labor force after having a child, said Sarah Halpern-Meekin, a UW-Madison associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Studies have also shown that paid family leave boosts health outcomes for children and their mothers after giving birth, Halpern-Meekin said.

Unpaid to paid

Evers proposal would also allow leave to be taken if an employees grandparent, grandchild or sibling has a serious health condition. Additionally, he calls for people affected by an unforeseen or unexpected closure of a school or child care facility to be eligible for the program. And he requested reducing the number of hours for an employee to be eligible for the benefit, from 1,000 to 680.

But the biggest change Evers proposed was to shift the program from unpaid to paid family and medical leave. Workers qualifying for the program would receive 12 weeks of paid leave beginning in 2025 under Evers proposal.

The program, which would be launched using about $243 million in state funds and administered by the state Department of Workforce Development, would become self-sustaining by 2026, as it would be funded through payroll contributions shared between employers and employees  similar to the states unemployment insurance program, which is funded by employer contributions.

Republicans largely criticized Evers two-year spending plan as being too expensive. The projected cost of the governors paid leave program is a small component of his nearly $104 billion biennial budget proposal.

The governors budget does not say how much those contributions would be; a Department of Administration spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Its overdue

State Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca said a paid family and medical leave program would have long-term impacts on the states economy by allowing more people to take temporary paid leave rather than face the difficult decision to permanently leave the workforce to care for a sick family member or after the birth of a child.

Once you leave, its harder to get a job anywhere else, Barca said. And of course, for any small business or any organization, they can tell you when they have turnover they have to train new staff and its costly and disruptive to your business.

We know its overdue and its something that will actually help us over the long term by bolstering our workforce and building our economy in the future from the ground up, as the governor likes to say, he added.
Datest Expands East Coast Presence with the addition of PIT Equipment Services, LLC Published: 16 February 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

FREMONT, CA  Datest, a leading provider of advanced, efficient and mission-critical in-circuit testing, test engineering, X-ray inspection and nondestructive failure analysis solutions, and a six-time winner of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLYs Service Excellence Award, announced a representative agreement with Global SMTs award-winning Rep of the Year for 2022, Don Dennison of PIT Equipment Services, LLC on the east coast. Dennison will represent Datest in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.

Dennison commented, Im very excited to be working with the Datest team as a service provider of support and testing of PCB assemblies. Our clients have been searching for help as a value-added solution for some time. Datest will provide assistance and back-up support with flying probe and bed of nails testing. This certainly will improve quality and production time.

PIT started in 1988 with a mission to assist electronic assembly companies in the New York / New Jersey / Eastern Pennsylvania metropolitan area. Their extensive product knowledge and strategic customer relationships have made them a key supplier and long-term partner to companies down the east coast. The key to their long-term success is their service and support of each product sold.

Robert Boguski, President of Datest, remarked, We are very pleased to partner with a representative of the caliber of Don Dennison and PIT. Weve admired PIT from a distance for some time, and were delighted to partner now with Don and his team to serve the markets in his five-state area. We look forward to years of success providing imaging, test engineering, failure analysis, and analytical services in our unique way to customers and clients in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

With more than 39 years of expertise, Datest offers in-circuit testing (ICT), flying probe testing, X- ray inspection, boundary scan/JTAG testing, functional testing, failure analysis and other related analytical and laboratory services, to OEMs and EMS companies throughout the US, North America, and the world. Datest is an ISO9001:2015, ITAR and AS9100D-certified company, and a member of IPC, IEEE, EIPC and ASNT. Datest is a proud and active member of SMTA.

For more information about PIT Equipment Services, visit www.pit-equipmentservices.com.

For more information about Datest or to view the companys complete service lineup, visit www.datest.com, or call (510) 490-4600.
Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- Family and friends of Alton Sterling, including his cousin Jakayla Sterling, foreground, protest on the corner of Fairfields Ave. and North Foster Drive Tuesday afternoon, July 5, 2016, after Sterling was fatally shot in an altercation with Baton Rouge Police just after midnight on Tuesday, in the parking lot of the Triple S Food Store, background. They chanted things including 'Hands up, don't shoot!' ORG XMIT: BAT1607051718209469
In the mid-1940s, Clarkson's Gordon and Edna Hoessel met at a chance encounter next to a Ford Model A, setting into motion a 76-year story.

"There was a whole line of girls sitting on the side of a Model A car and I picked the prettiest one out and asked for a date and she accepted," Gordon said.

Their church, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Leigh, has played a prominent role in their lives, Edna said. They and their parents attended the church, they were married there on Feb. 9, 1947 and still attend. Gene was even a member of the church council for some time.

Prior to marrying, the couple courted for four years, Edna said. They frequently went to dances and shows in the Clarkson/Howells/Leigh area in that time.

"We went to shows and dances, stuff like that. At that time, everybody went to shows and dances, there wasn't much television or anything like that," Edna said. "There was a dance hall in the country by where we first lived and a dance hall in Howells."

The couple said aside from the advancement in technology, the area hasn't changed much since they first moved there. Clarkson was actually the third place they have lived in their 76 years of marriage.

"We've lived in three different places, first we lived near Platte City, then we went down to (where) my dad had a farm, we lived on that one for 29 years, then we moved up here," Edna said.

The pair has always farmed, Gordon said, though he did work for the light company for some time. They raised cattle, hogs, corn, oats and soybeans. Both were born and raised on farms. Gordon retired at 55, and since then, they've spent their time together. Farming, Gordon noted, is very different now than when he started and even when he retired.

"I farmed all my life until I retired," Gordon said. "From the threshing machines to little combines then it went from little combines to really big ones. Went from plowing the ground to tilling it."

Just a couple of years after they were married, they had their first child, Dorothy (Hoessel) Halvorsen. Before too long, they had three more: Gene Hoessel, Darlene Adamy and Joyce Bruha. They now have 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren as well.

At 97 and 95 respectively, Gordon and Edna spend their time nowadays with family or watching cars out their window. Edna sews and crochets occasionally, she said, something she's done pretty much all her life.

"I crochet and give doilies and stuff to my kids all the time, I make towels and things like that," Edna said.

Gene used to whittle quite a bit, a hobby he picked up from his son Gene, but arthritis in recent years forced him to stop. He would carve instruments such as harps, ukuleles, mandolins and decorative figurines. He also enjoyed painting and welding over the years. Their son-in-law, Gene Adamy, said they would make their grandchildren's Christmas gifts, describing them as heirloom items.

When they were younger, Gordon and Edna said, they liked to travel and specifically in a camper. Gene said his parents have gone all over the Western United States, to Montana, California and other places, even having a bit of a drowning scare at Gavins Point near the Nebraska border.

"We had three different campers and we traveled, did a little traveling," Gordon said. "I liked going around the mountains, hunting for fossils."

The secret, they said, to being married 76 years is simply not arguing. Their children confirmed that they couldn't think of any time they ever saw the pair go to bed mad. Edna gave some simple advice for anyone who wants to have a marriage last that long.

"Love each other all the time," Edna said. "We just don't argue."

Gene said Gordon had a saying of advice years ago that was a little more amusing, in the event they did disagree on something.

"He told me to always get the last word in, even if that word is 'yes, dear,'" Gene said.
Sign advertising specials at Reggies bar, seen Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Madison Brooks, the 19-year-old LSU sophomore who was raped in the back of a car before being dropped off in a neighborhood near where she was fatally struck by a car on Burbank Drive about an hour later on Jan. 15 had been drinking at Reggie's bar before the incident, and deputies said Brooks had a blood-alcohol level of .319, nearly four times the legal limit to drive and enough to give someone alcohol poisoning and render them unconscious.
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Origin Energy has called on the federal government for greater clarity on how it plans to restrain domestic gas prices beyond this year as analysts warn policy changes could drive a revaluation of a proposed $18.4 billion takeover offer for the company.

The ASX-listed power and gas giant last year opened its books to Canadian asset manager Brookfield and US-based private equity firm EIG, which jointly lobbed a $9-a-share bid to buy Origin and divide its assets between them.

Australian power and gas supplier Origin Energy is facing an $18.4 billion takeover offer from a North American consortium. Credit: Joe Armao

Although the bidding consortiums due diligence has lasted more than three months and its exclusivity period has expired, Origin chief executive Frank Calabria on Thursday said the company remained in active engagement with the consortium about the prospect of a binding takeover proposal.

Analysts on Thursday said they did not foresee major roadblocks to the non-binding offer proceeding to a formal bid. However, they flagged that the introduction of new east-coast gas market regulations could affect domestic and international gas sales from Origin Energys part-owned Queensland natural gas venture, Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) and may need to be considered.
It was the sort of thing that happened once a generation  at most.

For more than 125 years, the descendants of Swiss entrepreneur Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche have remained in control of Roche Holding, harnessing the remunerative power of sticking together. After five generations  a point at which most dynastic fortunes have long since evaporated  Roches blockbuster oncology drugs and COVID-19 tests have lifted its market cap to 229 billion Swiss francs ($356 billion) and minted one of the 10 richest families in the world.

Maja Hoffmann, an art collector and a fourth-generation member of the family, is rumoured to be the seller. Credit: Getty Images

So investors were stunned when Roche announced that an unidentified family member was selling a 2.5 per cent stake, defying the clans longstanding structure of pooling their shares and voting as one. While the position was snapped up last week at a discount for $US899 million ($1.29 billion), and the familys controlling position was never in doubt, the decision nonetheless roiled the stock price.

The move cast a spotlight on the affairs of a normally ultra-secretive family while shaving $US387.4 million from its collective net worth. It also raises questions about the staying power of its shareholding, with many heirs now distant from the companys operations. The Hoffmann-Oeri bloc held 67.5 per cent of bearer shares as of December 31, with Maja Oeri accounting for another 7.6 per cent, according to the companys website.
Columbus native Lindsey Larsens oldest daughter suffered a massive stroke as a newborn, resulting in medical conditions and disabilities. Twelve years later, Larsen has penned a childrens novel to help teach children and caregivers about kids who live with disabilities.

Lindsey Ward and her husband Harold Matt Larsen graduated from Columbus High School in 2002 before attending Creighton University and getting married.

Larsen was an occupational therapist whose life quickly changed from being a health care practitioner to being the parent of a patient, and she homeschools her two children. Her husband is in the military and the family has relocated quite a bit due to his job.

Larsens oldest daughter, Madelyn, is now 12. No matter where they lived, Larsen said she kept observing the same thing when others interacted with Madelyn.

Watching her grow up, I just continued to notice everywhere we lived there was just a lot of hesitation from people about how to engage with her, how to interact with her, said Larsen, who now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As a parent, if I was there, and I could educate other children about Madelyn, be it why she wears her earmuffs or why she's doing a certain behavior. The kids were so willing to accept and move on and find ways to engage with her and play with her.

Larsen said she eventually made it her mission to help someone understand interacting with a child with a disability.

I would tell my girls who were going to go educate today? when we go into the world, because every time we took an opportunity to educate someone about Madeline's disabilities, it was amazing to see how it would just click, especially in the children, Larsen added.

Larsen wanted to write a book to help educate others, especially parents and caregivers, that its OK for children to ask questions about differences  including disabilities and kids who may be neurodivergent, which is a term that describes people whose mental functions vary from whats considered typical.

Her book, Meeting Exceptional Friends, was released in December.

In the book, Larsen noted, a group of children are interacting on a playground and some of them are neurodivergent or have disabilities. The kids ask questions about their new friends and proceed to play with each other.

It's actually a very simple book, but something that I have yet to find as we've been scouring the libraries and looking for books, so its something I felt like needed to be out there, Larsen said.

Although its natural for children to ask questions, there can be hesitation when those questions are related to a medical condition or disability.

As you get older you start to notice there are differences that are disabilities, you notice differences that are people's appearance  that kind of thing. But those questions are all very natural for children, Larsen said. Once they understand, they can move on and it makes sense to them and especially regarding disabilities they can learn to include their peers in play and activities.

Larsens close friend, Lori Mitchell, said she was excited upon learning of Larsens plans to write a book.

Mitchell and Larsen met in March 2019 in Williamsburg, Virginia, when taking their children to the same playground. Mitchell still resides there and had worked as an educator/interventionist for 15 years, though she now owns a digital marketing company where she works with women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

I think so often what we share with our children really can make a bigger impact in the way that they interact with the world and interact with other humans, Mitchell said. I just wanted to help her in any way I could and keep her motivated to keep going.

Often people have good intentions, Mitchell added, but arent quite sure how to go about it.

Those conversations are really difficult to have I think with children in the sense that you want to encourage children to do the right thing, but you aren't really sure what that looks like, Mitchell said. The book is not only for kids, it's really for helping adults pass on that positive message and teach their children how to do the thing that they want them to do.

Larsens book, Mitchell said, provides positive answers while also giving parents a guide.

We all just want a happier, brighter, positive world for kids and their future, Mitchell said. It's easy to get sucked into negativity and this is just like this bright, shining light in the midst of all of it.

At the same time, Larsen said, she hopes the book helps answer some of the questions kids will have before meeting a child who is different.

Sometimes a child with a disability doesn't necessarily want to get asked the same question a million times, Larsen said. This book, I'm hoping if children read it ahead of time, they might remember the book and think, Oh, yes, I learned about this type of a difference. Maybe those children also won't be bombarded with as many questions about their differences, because the children will have already learned about them.

The response to her book has been positive so far. The target audience is kindergarten/first grade, but it would be appropriate for older kids as well, she added.

It's not about one specific disability; it's just all-inclusive of this type of difference that is normal, Larsen said. In fact, one in four adults has a disability of some sort. So it's something that we all need to learn about and it's not something we should be uncomfortable about.

Becoming a writer isnt something that Larsen originally set out to do, as shes always wanted to be an educator.

Just my desire to get this information out into the world led me to just thinking that this might be the best way, Larsen said. I truly hope people are still sitting down at night (reading to kids). Of course, we want to have our favorite books  that we still read with our kids, but throwing in these educational topics here and there can bring about really great conversations.

Meeting Exceptional Friends by Lindsey Larsen can be ordered at Columbus local bookstore, Terrace Books (which can be reached at 402-606-4877), or purchased online through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Policeman kills a snake

Police at Daceyville station last night killed a large black snake which was found in a suit case sent from South Australia by air to relatives in Kingsford. When the case was opened a large black snake was seen coiled amongst the clothing. The airways office said that they did not air freight snakes, and the relatives knew nothing about it. After being struck at the police station and determined to be dead, it was discovered the snake was made of rubber.

First DC 6 off on maiden trip

About 200 people farewelled Australias first DC6 aircraft, Discovery, when she left Mascot at 9 a.m. yesterday on her maiden voyage to Vancouver. The 40-ton DC6 planes will operate a bi-weekly service. The Minister for Air officially farewelled the plane, and Mrs. Arthur Coles cut a ribbon attached to the plane. Discovery will fly from Sydney to Vancouver via Fiji, Canton Island, and Hawaii, with 40 passengers, including a number of Pressmen.

Rare coins bring 1,000

The money market went wild yesterday. Pence were sold for pounds, farthings for 10 shillings, and a gold coin brought 67/10/. James R. Lawson, Sydney auctioneer, sold 628 lots of rare coins to collectors at the rate of one lot a minute. The collection, which belonged to Mr. G. F. Palmer, of West Footscray, Victoria, brought about 1,000. Some early British coins dated back to 200 B.C. while others were minted in 1948, the Herald reported.
Coffee at Little Mule, or a beer in the strange loading-zone jumble that was St Jeromes. A pastrami roll and music played off vinyl at Rue Bebelons. Hardware picked up from Bunnings on Bourke Street. Buying a magazine from McGills on Elizabeth Street before heading up Little Bourke past John Donne & Sons map shop to that Iranian restaurant near Hardware Lane (even I cant remember its name).

This is what living in the Melbourne CBD for the past 20 years has gifted me: a strange mental muddle of cafes, shops and bars that have come and gone, surviving as ghosts in the memory of a long-term city resident.

Lost Melbourne gem Rue Bebelons, pictured in 2005. It closed in 2013 due to a development on the site. Credit: Michael Clayton-Jones

As Cara Waters wrote on Wednesday, since the pandemic the city centre is shifting from a place of business to a place where people live, and live it up. An increasing number of people are likely to base themselves in the city centre. So whats it like living here?

At noon on February 28, Ill have lived in the Melbourne CBD for exactly 20 years, in an apartment within a converted office block on the corner of Elizabeth and Little Bourke Streets, opposite the GPO. When my wife Narrelle and I made the move from Richmond in 2003, we thought we were moving into the big city. To our surprise, we moved into a village.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong insists Kevin Rudd understands his obligations as ambassador to the United States after being quizzed about his recent commentary on the AUKUS security pact and Americas treatment of allies.

Wong has also defended a controversial speech she gave in the United Kingdom last month in which she called on the nation to face up to the uncomfortable reality of its colonial past.

Penny Wong defended her controversial speech in the UK on the countrys colonial past. Credit: James Brickwood

Rudd, who will take up the Washington posting in March, said last month that America needed to stop throwing its allies under a bus if it wanted to counter Chinas economic influence in the Asia-Pacific.

In a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday, the oppositions leader in the Senate and foreign affairs spokesman, Simon Birmingham, asked Wong whether Rudds remarks were appropriate given his new role.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will formally announce Mary Doyle as Labors candidate for the byelection in the marginal Melbourne seat of Aston on Friday morning.

Nominations for potential Labor candidates for the seat closed on Thursday afternoon and Doyle  who slashed outgoing Liberal MP Alan Tudges margin from 10.1 per cent to just 2.8 per cent at the May 2022 election  was the only nominee.

Former union official Mary Doyle will contest the Aston byelection for Labor.

Doyle is a breast cancer survivor, mother of three and former union official with the National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Council of Trade Unions who currently works for super fund HESTA.

Labor is hopeful of claiming the seat and increasing its one-seat majority in the House of Representatives, but on Tuesday Albanese told the Labor caucus that an incumbent government had not won a seat from an opposition at a byelection since 1920.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told the governments leading Indigenous advisory group on the Voice that the referendum is on track to fail, pointing to uncertainty over the wording of the amendment to enshrine the body in the Constitution but offering no alternative.

Following their second meeting with the 21-member Voice working group of Indigenous leaders in the past fortnight, the Liberal leader and shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained critical of the process and lack of detail about how the Voice would work.

Julian Leeser, left, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Voice working group member Pat Anderson, said the discussion was respectful. Credit: James Brickwood

Leeser said the pair told the working group at this point in time, we dont think that the referendum is on track for success and that the government had to clear two key hurdles to shore up voter support.

The first of those hurdles is around the lack of confidence with the wording of the amendment. Those words keep changing, he said, referring to a recent move to add a line explicitly recognising Indigenous Australians as the countrys first people.
The groundwork for a complete overhaul of the childcare system will be mapped out on Friday to set Australian children on a better path for life.

In a sign the government is preparing to tackle barriers to childcare affordability and accessibility, the responsible minister Anne Aly said the entire system has to change.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly said reform will be guided by the Productivity Commissions findings. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Its incredibly exciting because you think about the ability to change a childs life. What could be more important than that? the minister for early childhood education said.

The government is holding an early years summit on Friday, bringing together experts in the field to discuss current issues and what the government should do to overhaul its approach to children broadly, and early childhood education more specifically.
Presidential firsts can include not just what presidents do in office, but the identity of the presidents themselves.
When you ask Victorian Liberal MPs whether their party is capable of modernising and appealing to voters under 40, the prevailing view is that there really is no other option.

In Victoria, 36 per cent of voters are under-40s, compared to just 18 per cent a decade ago.

The prevailing view among Liberal MPs is the party needs to modernise. Credit: Justin McManus

Voting data tells us that it is no longer the case that cohorts of voters are becoming more conservative as they age, which is putting the Liberals at risk of losing an entire generation, and never regaining it.

Redbridge polling group has performed a demographic analysis of voting patterns in Victoria which highlights the longer-term issues for the Coalition. By the next state election in 2026, it is estimated that between 60,000 to 70,000 Coalition supporters will have kicked the bucket, potentially pushing the Coalition's combined primary vote below 30 per cent.
Singapore: The headline figures told a familiar tale in January. China had somehow scored a 3 per cent annual economic growth rate despite plummeting retail activity, crippling lockdowns and widespread protests.

Even for China economy watchers used to the countrys National Bureau of Statistics penchant for rounding up numbers, the figures for 2022 had stretched the bounds of credibility. They were implausible.

On the ground in November and December, restaurants in its two largest cities, Shanghai and Beijing, had stayed closed, streets were boarded up and shops deserted, yet the GDP figures did not change from three months earlier when there was significantly more economic activity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is moving slowly back to the economic centre. Credit: AP

Like many analysts, Capital Economics did not trust the data. But it went further by creating its own measure of economic activity, the China activity proxy, which considers industrial output like metals, freight, container, passenger traffic, machinery sales, and electricity consumption. In other words, measures that are more difficult to massage than a broad-based GDP figure that is spat out once every three months.
Milan: Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been found not guilty of witness tampering, in a trial related to the sexually charged bunga bunga parties he held at his villa near Milan while he was in office.

Silvio Berlusconi in Rome last year. Credit: AP

The six-year-old trial is the third and likely final one in a scandal that made headlines around the world in 2010 when Berlusconi  as a sitting leader  faced charges of having paid for sex with an underage girl. He was eventually acquitted.

In the third trial, Berlusconi faced charges of paying off witnesses to lie in earlier trials. Prosecutors had sought a six-year prison sentence for him, along with 10 million ($15.5 million) in damages. A further 28 people, including the woman at the centre of the scandal, Karima el-Mahroug, were also all found not guilty on Wednesday.

I am very happy, Mahroug told reporters after hearing the acquittal, adding that it showed she had always spoken the truth. I just need a moment to assimilate this fact, to believe it.
El Paso, Texas: Police in El Paso, Texas, say one person was killed and three other people were wounded in a shooting Wednesday in a shopping mall.

One person has been taken into custody, El Paso police spokesperson Sergeant Robert Gomez said. No immediate information was given about that person.

Its too early to speculate on motive, Gomez said.

The three who were wounded were hospitalised, Gomez said. Their conditions were not known.

Gomez said police believe the scene is secure and that officers are sweeping through the whole mall to verify that.
Shanit Keter Schwartz wrote and stars in this new play about the search for her lost sister.

Shanit Keter Schwartz wrote and stars in Daughter of the Wicked.

( Jim Cox)

Shanit Keter Schwartz will perform her original solo play, Daughter of the Wicked, at New York City Center, Stage II. Previews begin April 15 ahead of an official opening night on April 20. Performances are scheduled through May 14.

The play is about Schwartz's return to her homeland, Israel, and her search for her missing sister, a victim of the Yemenite Children Affair.

From 1948 to 1954, thousands of Jewish migrants from Yemen and other parts of the Middle East arrived in the newly formed state of Israel and often resided in refugee camps until more permanent housing could be secured. Due to unhygienic conditions, the Israeli authorities removed thousands of babies and toddlers from the camps, moving them to concrete buildings and medical facilities. Many were never reunited with their families  including Schwartz's sister.

"This is an immigrant story that many audience members will relate to  the essence of that spirit that brought us all to this country and help to define it in the most beautiful way," said Schwartz. "I want to connect with those who have experienced the pain of loss, and with those who may have been discriminated for the color of their skin."

The play will feature an original soundscape of Yemenite tin drums and flutes by Israeli composer Lilo Fedida. It also features original cello compositions by Grammy and Emmy winner James Newton Howard. Ella Jane New directs.
The Biden administration has released video of a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a U.S. Air Force surveillance drone, as the U.S. sought to hold Russia responsible for the collision that led to the drones crash into the Black Sea without escalating already fraught tensions with the Kremlin.
HARRISBURG  Pennsylvanias top House Republican on Wednesday warned of chaos when legislators reconvene next week, six weeks after representatives elected a Democrat as House speaker and left Harrisburg without conducting any other business.

Republican Minority Leader Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County said the chambers 102-101 Democratic majority may not be able to solve the gridlock that has prevented lawmakers from so much as adopting operating rules for the 2023-24 session. Cutler was House speaker before deciding in November not to seek the leadership post again.

Cutler spoke to reporters in the Rotunda Wednesday, down the corridor from a closed-door meeting about the rules being held among Democratic House members. By sweeping three special elections last week, Democrats cemented their first majority in 12 years. Republicans had kept a tight grip on the chamber for more than a decade, with rules that largely prevented Democrats from changing GOP bills or advancing their own priorities.

Unexpected Pennsylvania House speaker Rozzi hopes to retain job The House has been frozen since Rozzi took the speakership and has not passed internal operating rules or assigned members to committees.

Without copies of rules in advance, what will we really be doing? Cutler said. If the Democrats are ready to lead, lets see what they want to do. Lets see the rules. Lets get the House operating an agenda that works on behalf of all Pennsylvania. So far, weve seen very little, and that should concern every single taxpayer in this commonwealth.

The House convened Jan. 3 and elected Rep. Mark Rozzi of Berks County as speaker after the two caucuses first choices, Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, and Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Somerset, failed to garner majority support.

All Republican leaders and a few other GOP representatives voted with all Democrats to elevate Rozzi. But in the weeks of legislative inaction that have ensued, Republicans have generally soured on the new speaker, accusing him of falling short of his commitment to be an independent leader. Rozzi did not return messages left Tuesday and Wednesday.

The speaker hijacked the chamber with broken promises and he has held the will of Pennsylvanians hostage ever since, Cutler said.

Few bills are usually voted on by the full House early in a legislative session, but even preliminary work has been frozen because operating rules also determine the partisan makeup of committees.

Since early January, Rozzi has been holding public meetings with six state representatives, three from each party, that he assembled to develop what he calls the Rozzi rules. Nothing has been made public and its unclear whether he will be able to wrangle a majority to adopt his rules next week.

Its also unclear if other Democrats or Republicans will have the votes to adopt their own rules, or even replace Rozzi at the speakers rostrum.

The current one-vote majority is so small that if even a single state representative departs  which could occur repeatedly in the next two years  it will cause problems.

There will be people on both sides of the aisle running for different offices and having to resign their positions, Rep. Josh Kail of Beaver County, the Republicans policy chairman, said at the news conference. Every time that happens were going to have to shut down the House because some side doesnt like the numbers that the other side has at that point in time. Its ridiculous. This body has work to do.

Rozzi has said the House wont take up other legislation until lawmakers pass his signature issue: a two-year window to let victims of child sexual abuse sue for otherwise outdated claims.

Rozzi has said publicly that a now-dead Roman Catholic priest molested him when Rozzi was a boy, and that he received a settlement over abuse from the Allentown Diocese. He has long been a leader in the campaign for other victims to be compensated.

Outside the House Democrats caucus room Wednesday, Rep. Mike Schlossberg of Lehigh County said members were reviewing rules with a large freshman class and soliciting ideas about how to to establish a more just and a more fair system.

We are having conversations about basically the gamut of potential proposals, Schlossberg said. What I dont know is the specifics yet, because its really tough to say.

Close Photos: Scenes from Monday's swearing-in of Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Democrat Josh Shapiro took the oath of office Tuesday in Harrisburg to become the 48th governor of Pennsylvania.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg on Wednesday announced that its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The diocese said that with the approval, it has emerged from bankruptcy nearly three years after the process started. Bishop of Harrisburg Ronald Gainer said the bankruptcy decision in February 2020 was initially made as a means of stabilizing the dioceses financial situation while it worked on making restitution to survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

The diocese serves about 250,000 Catholics in 89 parishes, spanning 15 counties. Individual parishes within the diocese are separately incorporated entities and so are not part of the bankruptcy, diocesan attorney Matt Haverstick said in 2020.

This was a difficult, emotional process for many, most especially the abuse survivors who served on the Tort Claimants Committee and those that aided them in their duties, Gainer said. While it is my prayer that the trust established through this process will bring some level of restitution for the abuse each survivor has endured, I acknowledge that no amount of money will ever make reparations for these horrific and sinful acts.

The Survivors Compensation Trust will total $18.25 million, with $7.5 million from the diocese and related entities, and $10.75 million from insurance companies. The trust will be established in early March, with more details available on the diocesan website. Once established, the trust administrator  which is not the diocese  will determine compensation amounts and claim eligibility for abuse survivors.

In addition to establishing the trust, the diocese said it will continue to offer mental, spiritual and pastoral counseling to survivors, if they want it.

In 2019, the dioceses independent Survivor Compensation Program assisted 111 survivors for a total financial commitment of $12.78 million before the bankruptcy filing. During the bankruptcy process, the diocese said it received more than 60 proofs of claim from survivors.

The diocese said that with the reorganization process over, this also closes all pre-existing claims of abuse that occurred before Feb. 19, 2020. By participating in the reorganization process and making a financial contribution to the plan, the diocese said it and its related entities have received immunity from all claims for events alleged to have occurred prior to the effective date of the plan. This immunity would stay in place, regardless of whether the states statute of limitations changes.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 80F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some passing clouds. Low 53F. Winds light and variable.
Marie Moorehead has been asking Missouri agencies the same question since last fall.

When will her family receive roughly $1,200 in one-time grocery benefits?

The benefits were part of a COVID federal relief program designed to help cover last summers food costs.

But more than five months since the summer ended, the single mother of three young children says she is no closer to an answer.

The states education department has told her they are still working on collecting eligibility data and the social services department will then need to process and issue the benefits.

But theyve been saying that since last year, said Moorehead, who lives in St. Louis.

For them to be not rushing the benefits out the door to people who really need them, like myself, is very depressing, she said. Because youve got to figure out where that next meal is going to come from.

With the rising cost of food and a limited budget, Moorehead has had to make sacrifices to feed her children  sometimes not paying her full utility bill in order to put food on the table, or borrowing money from family and friends.

She can only visit her local food bank once a month, and said lately she has been lucky to get one box with a couple of cans there.

Her childrens school district is short on buses, so she has to pay someone to pick them up from school. It all adds up, and each month without the benefits, she becomes more worried they will never arrive.

Its just too long, she said, These benefits were supposed to be for last year.

Moorehead and thousands of other Missouri families are waiting for benefits called summer Pandemic EBT, a federal program administered by the states, which provides a one-time deposit of $391 in grocery benefits for every eligible child to cover summer 2022 costs.

Children who qualified for subsidized school lunches last academic year are eligible, along with children under 6 who qualify for the federal food assistance program SNAP. The state estimated 454,000 schoolchildren and nearly 158,000 children under age 6 qualify for the benefit.

Many states had trouble getting the benefits out in time for the summer  due in part to the challenges of operating an emergency program with shifting federal guidelines each year, that requires interagency collaboration between social services departments and education departments.

But Missouris delays have been especially pronounced.

In each of the eight states bordering Missouri, benefits have already been distributed for summer Pandemic EBT. Oklahoma began issuing the benefits in July.

Missouri has made progress toward gathering the necessary eligibility data to begin distributing the benefits, but state officials still will not provide a timeline for when benefits will be disbursed.

As I have shared several times, we dont have a set timeline, Mallory McGowin, spokesperson for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said in an email last week, though she said the agency is in the final testing stages of data and anticipate administering benefits in the coming weeks.

Data challenges

Last October, the education department said they expected the benefits to be distributed by the end of 2022. None have been issued so far.

One of the main hurdles to getting the benefits out sooner, officials have said, was that the state needed a new data collection portal to track students COVID-related absences, for the school-year benefits.

Pandemic EBT includes a more narrowly-targeted benefit for school year 2021-2022 for children who had COVID-related absences  which the state said it needed to administer before the summer benefits and involves more complicated data collection on the part of schools.

The state needed to secure a contract with a vendor to build the portal and test it before schools could submit the data.

The contract wasnt signed until last August with the vendor, Carahsoft, according to records obtained by The Independent through the Missouri Sunshine Law.

In late August, some states had already begun distributing the benefits, including Michigan, Alabama, and Vermont.

Missouris plan to distribute benefits was not approved by the federal government until Oct. 19, at which point it was one of just six remaining states which hadnt yet been approved.

In November, the state provided the first instructions to school districts on how to submit student data and held training sessions for school nutrition staff in December.

Now, McGowin said, the state is testing data files to ensure they can be processed accurately by the social services department.

Of the handful of large school districts reached by The Independent, Columbia, Lees Summit, and Kansas City schools had submitted both the school year and summer eligibility data.

Others, including Springfield and Rockwood, had submitted one but not the other. Parkway, Fox, and St. Joseph had not yet submitted either.

None of the districts reached by The Independent said they had received a timeline from the state.

When families ask, said Michelle Baumstark, a spokesperson for Columbia Public Schools, we tell them we dont know.

A spokesperson from Fox School District, JP Prezzavento, said: The most updated information we have from the state is that benefits will be dispersed at some point in the spring of 2023.

Several districts shared, too, that collecting and submitting the student absence data had been time-consuming and difficult.

A spokesperson from Mehlville School District, which finished submitting the data, said the district did not have the luxury of hiring additional staff so their food and nutrition services director spent an entire week working to get this data entered.

Elaine Waxman, a senior fellow in the income and benefits policy center at the public policy think tank Urban Institute who has studied administration of P-EBT, said nationally it has been challenging for schools to collect more detailed data than they are used to, and then for education departments to collaborate with social service departments.

If Im a school district, I have so many other priorities, with trying to manage schools post pandemic shutdown that I can imagine that thats very challenging for them, Waxman said. But ultimately, those two systems do have to work together in order for it to happen.

Desperately needed

Several of the parents interviewed by The Independent said the extra summer benefits are especially urgent because their monthly SNAP food benefits are stretched thin.

Mooreheads family, for example, qualifies for SNAP but receives only $487 per month.

Missouri was one of the states that opted to end COVID emergency SNAP allotments earlier than required.

Beginning in March 2020 as a result of COVID, states could raise benefits for SNAP participants by providing emergency supplemental benefits, called emergency allotments, to provide the maximum benefits amount for their household size.

Missouri cut off the additional benefits beginning October 2021, although the state couldve kept providing them until March 2023, which 32 states did.

Another single mother waiting for the benefits, Aimee Antrim of Springfield, said since receiving a slight raise at work a few months ago, her SNAP benefits have fallen to $377 per month for her family of four.

The P-EBT money would allow me to be able to make all my other bills on time, for at least a month, Antrim said, because she wouldnt have to devote so much of her income to food. The boost would allow her to afford to buy food in bulk, which she said would be more cost efficient, and keep her family stocked up for a few months.

Antrim said when she reaches out to her school or the state to ask about the benefits, she is often redirected.

Its like nobody knows whats going on, Antrim said, and theres a lot of families destitute and needing a lot of help with food right now.

Antrim and other parents have been corresponding about the benefits online  trying to share information where it is scarce.

Its just desperately needed or we wouldnt be reaching out to find out where its at, she said. My standpoint is that theyre leaving us all out in the cold  no answers.
1 Dead, 3 Injured in Shooting at El Paso Mall

Law enforcement officers responding to an active shooter situation at a Walmart near the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2019. (Joel Angel Juarez/AFP/Getty Images)

One person was killed and three others injured in a shooting at an El Paso, Texas, shopping mall on Wednesday.

El Paso police reported that two males were taken into custody after the incident but the details surrounding the cause of the shooting are still unknown.

The Cielo Vista Mall, where the shooting occurred, is being treated as a crime scene and will remain on lockdown until the police have completed their investigation. Despite this, interim police chief Peter Pacillas reassured the public that there is no ongoing danger to the public.

There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public, Pacillas said.

Police are responding to shots fired in the food court of Cielo Vista Mall, scene still active. Avoid the area.  EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) February 16, 2023

Pacillas said the victims of the shooting were all males and two are currently being treated at the University Medical Center in El Paso and are in critical condition. The condition of the third victim is unknown.

Sgt. Robert Gomez, a public information officer with the El Paso Police Department, said 911 calls started coming in at about 5:10 p.m. about the active shooter. He said multiple units responded and attempted to locate the shooter.

The shooting took place in the malls food court, which was reportedly busy at the time.

A reunification center has been set up at a nearby high school where those affected by the shooting can connect with their loved ones. The FBI is also involved in the investigation and has set up a website for the public to share any relevant photos or videos of the incident.

The Cielo Vista Mall was nearby to the location of a 2019 mass shooting that left 23 dead at a Walmart.

Tragic Event

Footage from the scene shared on social media shows the moment when customers inside the malls food court begin to flee as gunfire is heard. One video, captured on a vendors surveillance camera, later shows police holding rifles moving in pursuit of the shooters, and first responders carrying a victim out on a stretcher.

Responding to the shooting, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott thanked law enforcement and first responders, and offered support to El Paso.

I spoke to Mayor Leeser about the shooting tonight in El Paso, Abbott said on Twitter. I offered the full support of the State of Texas, including the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management to help the city of El Paso respond to this tragic event.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also thanked the first responders for their swift action.

My team and I are closely monitoring the horrific act of violence at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Cruz said on Twitter. Heidi and I are praying for the victims and we are grateful for the first responders who acted swiftly to capture a suspect and keep our fellow Texans safe.

Earlier this month, Texas man Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to federal hate crime and weapons charges for the mass shooting he carried out at the El Paso Walmart on Aug. 3, 2019.

According to prosecutors, prior to the shooting, Crusius drove over 10 hours from his hometown near Dallas to the predominantly Latino city. Just before the incident, Crusius reportedly posted a document online stating that the shooting was a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.

The shooting occurred on a busy weekend and took place at a Walmart that is typically frequented by shoppers from both Mexico and the United States. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of several individuals, while more than two dozen were injured and many others were left traumatized.
2 Charged in Florida Mass Shooting That Left 11 Wounded

TAMPA, Fla.Two men have been charged with gun-related crimes in connection to a central Florida drive-by shooting that left 11 people wounded last month.

Nicholas Quinton Hanson, 32, was arrested Friday and charged with possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, and Marcus Dewonn Mobley Jr., 22, was arrested Monday and charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to court records. If convicted, they each could spend up to 15 years in federal prison.

According to a criminal complaint, Hanson, Mobley, and others fired guns at a gathering of people from a blue Nissan Altima on Jan. 30 while traveling through a neighborhood near downtown Lakeland, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Tampa. The victims all survived. Officials havent released specifics about a motive for the shooting but have previously called it a targeted attack.

The vehicle sped away after the shooting but was recovered by police the next day following a tip from the public. Police said DNA collected from shell casings and the recovered car led them to Hanson and Mobley. Officers later seized a loaded, 9 mm handgun from Hansons home, officials said.

A third man connected to the shooting, 21-year-old Alex Greene, was shot by police in Winter Haven, just east of Lakeland, on Feb. 6 following a long chase and a carjacking, authorities said. Greene had 10 previous felony charges dating back to 2013 and an outstanding warrant for burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, authorities said. During a search of Greenes vehicle, officers reported finding cocaine, marijuana, a handgun, and thousands of dollars in cash.

An attorney for Hanson didnt immediately respond to a message requesting comment from The Associated Press, and Mobleys defense attorney said he didnt immediately have a comment on the case.
2 Fugitives Arrested in Mexico, Extradited to Riverside to Face Trial

Two fugitives charged with murder and attempted murder in separate cases in Riverside County, California, were arrested in Mexico and extradited to the United States, authorities announced Feb. 15.

Lorenzo Castellanos, 72, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Mexico last October by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the Riverside County District Attorneys Office.

The office said it extradited Castellanos to the county to face trial.

He is charged with murder and child endangerment for a crime that was committed in Rubidoux in January 2001. He allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, with whom he has a child, numerous times and killed her, according to the district attorneys office.

In another case, Jose Barron, 56, a Mexican citizen, was also arrested in Mexico in October and extradited, according to the office.

Barron is charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and aggravated mayhem for a crime committed in Riverside in September 2014. The victim in this case was attacked with a machete and received substantial injuries, according to the office.

Barron and Castellanos were held in Mexico City and transported to Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Feb. 9.

Barron was arraigned Feb. 10, while Castellanoss arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 24, both in Riverside County Superior Court.
2 Tennessee National Guardsmen Killed in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash

The scene of a Black Hawk helicopter crash in the unincorporated community of Harvest, Ala., on Feb. 15, 2023. (Susan Shepard via AP)

At least two members of the Tennessee National Guard died in a fatal military helicopter crash on Wednesday afternoon near a highway in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Madison County Sheriffs Department in Alabama responded to the fiery crash site and reported two crew members onboard were killed.

The Tennessee National Guard confirmed that one of its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed around 3 p.m. on Wednesday near Highway 53 and Burwell Road in Huntsville, Alabama.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessees adjutant general, said in a statement. We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.

The Tennessee National Guard said no other service members or civilians were harmed in the incident, and that it will support law enforcement and other first responders handling the crash site.

The crash was captured on home surveillance video and shared on social media. It shows the Black Hawk falling out of the air and a black plume of smoke billowing up after the moment of impact. The burning wreckage can be seen in another video captured by a passing motorist.

Madison County Sheriffs Office said deputies are on the scene of the helicopter crash and warned residents that evening traffic would experience heavy delays. They urged motorists to take alternate routes due to the highway closure.

We expect heavy delays in this area throughout the evening, the sheriffs office said.

Before the Tennessee National Guard confirmed the crash involved one of its Black Hawks, Redstone Arsenal, a U.S. Army post, said the incident isnt connected to one of its assets.

Redstone Arsenal leaders are aware of reports of a helicopter incident near Highway 53 in Huntsville. First responders are on scene, and Redstone Arsenal is in full support of local authorities in their active investigation, the Army post said on Facebook. Initial investigations have determined that the incident is not connected to Redstone Arsenal assets, and we will continue to support community authorities as the situation develops.

Alabama Rep. Dale Strong, a Republican, offered his condolences on Twitter to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash.

Im deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today, Strong wrote. My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.

There is a limited amount of information available about the crash.

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a versatile and highly capable military utility helicopter. It is designed to perform a variety of missions, such as air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support in combat, stability, and support operations.
Protests erupt in Wuhan. Tens of thousands of retirees are taking to the streetsbut its not about COVID-19. Its about health benefits getting slashed. Now, clashes between the elderly and authorities spark anger and calls for action. Any videos of the protests are being scrubbed from Chinas internet. Locals are getting desperate in the face of rising medical costs and dwindling benefits. And authorities are facing their own monetary woes post pandemic spending. Will the two sides reach an agreement?

Topics in this episode:
The University of Virginia has accepted nearly 6,000 students during the early action second phase of its admittance process.

Although the university received a record-breaking total number of applications for the class of 2027 and a 16% uptick in early action applicants alone, the dean of admissions said UVa will be accepting fewer students than last year.

Early action is the largest of three pools to increase, Dean of Admissions Greg Roberts told The Daily Progress. It jumped from about 31,000 to 36,000. Thats around when students receive an admission decision earlier, in February, but are not bound to enroll if admitted. Its an early notification with the greatest flexibility for the families. For that reason, we tend to see the most applications to that route.

This year, UVa received 36,000 early action applications from prospective undergraduate students. Out of 9,500 applications from Virginia residents, 2,565 were accepted. The university also accepted 3,240 out-of-state applications among the 27,000 it received.

Early action is one of three application options at UVa; it allows prospective students to receive their admittance decision one month before regular decision applicants without committing to enrollment at the university. It is the second phase of the application process, sandwiched in between early decision, which allows students to receive an early decision by Dec. 15 and automatically enroll at UVa at the same time, and regular decision, which grants applicants a decision by May 1.

Roberts said the university plans to admit a total of 9,500 students from the most recent pool of all applicants. He said the university accepted too many applicants last year, so the admissions office is being cognizant of this years acceptance and enrollment numbers. As a result, UVa has accepted about 300 fewer early action students this year than it did last year.

We did admit more than usual [last year], Roberts said. We [usually] admit about the same amount as the previous year, but more students accepted our offer than we anticipated [so] we exceeded the class size slightly. Because theres some space limitations, we dont want to do that again.

Class size affects several aspects of university operations, including bed and living space, classroom space, the budget, financial aid and the number of faculty needed, Roberts said.

To avoid overcrowding, the university this year has accepted about 1,000 early decision students and 6,000 early action students with plans to accept 2,500 regular decision students.

Students who are not accepted during the early action or early decision periods still have a chance to become a Hoo. Roberts said students who apply during their first two application periods may be deferred or placed on the waitlist, which places them in the pool of regular decision applicants to be reread.

So we take the kids in early decision and early action that we liked but didnt have space for at the time and we push them into the regular decision round, Roberts said. What we wanted to do was save some space for those who applied regular decision as well as those who were deferred. For that reason, and because we were slightly over-enrolled last year, we wanted to be cautious with offers, and we made fewer early action offers this year compared to last year.

Last month, UVa announced that it received more undergraduate applications for the class of 2027 than it has for any class in its entire 204-year history.

As of Jan. 5, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions received 55,845 applications, a 10% increase over the 50,813 it had received by the same time last year.

The accepted students will attend one of the universitys five undergraduate schools that accept high school graduates. So far, the College of Arts & Sciences, the largest undergraduate school at UVa, has made 4,000 offers; the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences has made 1,351 offers; the School of Nursing has made 144 offers; and the kinesiology program within the School of Nursing made 83.

So far, the pool of accepted students includes citizens of 97 countries and 949 first-generation students.

Roberts said, between April and May, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host open houses and other events that will present opportunities for prospective students to learn more about the university before making their decision and receiving a financial aid package.

Regular decision applicants and those who have been deferred or waitlisted will receive a decision from the university by April 1 and have until May 1 to make their own decision.
30-Year-Old Chinese Radio Host Dies in Prison After Being Jailed for His Belief

Family of detained Falun Gong practitioner suspect foul play

His lips were streaked with dried blood. His chest was covered with bruises and scars, his legs battered.

Footage of a 30-year-old mans corpse, recently circulated on Twitter and confirmed by The Epoch Times, offered a glimpse of what had happened to him in a Chinese jail cell.

(Warning: viewers may find this footage disturbing)

Pang Xun, a Falun Gong practitioner, died in the early morning of Dec. 2, 2022, while serving a prison sentence for his belief in southwestern China, according to a person close to the man. Pang was arrested in July 2020 for his faith in Falun Gong, the person added.

Relatives of Pang, a radio host, are demanding authorities of the prison in Leshan city of Sichuan Province to explain the cause of their loved ones death and allow them to conduct an independent autopsy, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of the communist regimes retaliation.

The prisons officials attributed the young mans death to hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, the person said. The Leshan prison couldnt be reached for comment despite repeated calls.

But given the many bruises covering Pangs body, that claim appears to have convinced nobody.

My friend was beaten to death in the Chinese Communist Partys prison. He was Pang Xun, 30, a very sunny and handsome young man, a user recently said on Twitter, with a video of Pangs body.

He was detained because he practiced Falun Gong . this is by no means a reason for the Chinese Communist Party to kill him!

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a candlelight vigil commemorating the 20th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill on July 18, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice consisting of moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, along with a set of meditative exercises. Since its introduction in China in 1992, the practice has attracted individuals from all walks of lifefrom high-ranking officials to rural villagersleading to an estimated 70 million to 100 million adherents across the country by the end of the decade.

Its surging popularity, however, was deemed by the communist regime as a threat to its control over society. In 1999, then-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin ordered a sweeping campaign to eradicate Falun Gong, resulting in millions of practitioners being thrown in detention facilities, where they are brainwashed, tortured, or even killed for their organs.

Sudden Death and Autopsy Demands

After more than two decades of persecution, the abuses have not abated. Last year, at least 7,331 Falun Gong adherents were harassed, arrested, or detained in various facilities, leading to 172 deaths, according to Minghui, a U.S.-based website dedicated to documenting the persecution of Falun Gong. But that figure is likely only the tip of the iceberg, given the heavy censorship in China.

At around 8 a.m. local time on Dec. 2, 2022, Pangs parents received a call: their imprisoned son was in critical condition, the person recounted.

But less than two hours later, as Pangs relatives were rushing to the Sichuan prison that is over 500 miles from their home in Hunan Province, they were informed Pang had died, the person said.

With this sudden death, Pangs relatives and friends became suspicious, given Pang was in good health before his imprisonment.

Pang Xun must have been beaten because massive bruises were visible during the last visit, the person recounted how Peng looked during a visit to the prison six months before his death.

Pangs family personally asked a forensic odontologist from Beijing to accompany them to the prison. But on Dec. 3, when they finally arrived in Leshan city, the prison authorities refused to allow the odontologist to see Pangs body, the person said.

Moreover, officials told them that Pang must be cremated in 10 days, the person added.

Pangs parents and aunt, who managed to examine Pangs remains, were stunned to find a large number of sores on his chest, shoulder, back, waist, and legs. Pang Xuns body, just as the video shows, was covered with bruises, the person said.

Of course, the families would demand an explanation, the source said. Pangs relatives wouldnt cremate Pang before they got an independent autopsy, the person said, adding they have sought help from human rights lawyers.

Pang Xun

Pang worked as a host at Sichuan Radio And Host, a local radio station, after graduating from the Communication University of China, the countrys top broadcasting college.

Pang Xun. (Screenshot of dbezuquns Twitter account via The Epoch Times)

He is very pure and sunny, said the person, who knew Pang from college. The person emphasized that Pang was unlike what the CCPs propaganda had claimed.

The CCP launched a far-reaching propaganda campaign aimed at demonizing Falun Gong and enlisting the Chinese publics support for the persecution. The disinformation was typically spread through the education system and state media.

To counteract the regimes pervasive smear efforts, Falun Gong practitioners formed a massive grassroots resistance effort to expose the persecution of the spiritual practice. The peaceful resistance involves distributing informational materials about the practice and the persecution and speaking directly to citizens.

In July 2020, when Pang was putting up informational posters with another Falun Gong practitioner, an elderly lady, the police spotted them through surveillance cameras, the person said.

On July 27, Pang was arrested, according to the person and a report on Minghui.

Pang was later sentenced to five years in prison and was sent to Leshans Jiazhou Prison, one the countrys most brutal prisons for Falun Gong adherents, the report said.

Previous reports on the website painted a portrait of appalling conditions at Jiazhou Prison. Former prisoners of conscience said they were frequently beaten, suffered electronic shocks, forced to stand over 12 hours a day for several days, and given less than 15 seconds to consume meals. The guards would also spray pepper water into their noses and eyes and stop them from washing their faces afterward.

Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade commemorating the 20th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, in Washington on July 18, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

On Feb. 12, a close friend of Pang shared on Twitter photos of the young man teaching children in a class. He is the simplest and kindest person I know, he said.

Sadly, his young life forever ended in early December, in the CCP prison, he said.

Pangs ordeal ignited outrage online.

Its tragic. [The CCP] treats people like dirt. Who dares to be sure that this kind of tragedy will not happen to us? The more I think about it, the more scared I get, a Twitter user said.

Gu Xiaohua contributed to this report.
Al-Qaedas New Leader Adel Has $10 Million Bounty on His Head

DUBAISeif al-Adel, a former Egyptian special forces officer and a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda with a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, is now the uncontested leader of the terrorist group, according to a new U.N. report on the organization.

Al-Qaeda has not formally named a successor for Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was believed to have been killed in a U.S. missile strike in Kabul last year, dealing a blow to the terrorist group since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011.

Although a U.S. intelligence official said in January that Zawahiris succession remained unclear, the United Nations report assessing risks from the group said: In discussions in November and December, many Member States took the view that Seif al-Adel is already operating as the de facto and uncontested leader of the group.

Zawahiris death piled pressure on the group to choose a strategic leader who can carefully plan deadly operations and run a terrorist network, experts on al-Qaeda say.

Unlike his slain predecessors who maintained a high profile with fiery videos broadcast around the globe threatening the United States, the experts say Adel planned attacks from the shadows as he helped turn al-Qaeda into the worlds deadliest terrorist group.

Adel was indicted and charged in November 1998 by a U.S. federal grand jury for his role in the bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya that killed 224 civilians and wounded more than 5,000.

There are few photos of him, aside from three picturesincluding a very serious black and white image of him on the FBI most wanted list.

Beyond the operations in Africa, his training camps and link to the killing of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in 2002, according to U.S. investigators, little else is known about Adel.

The U.S. State Department says Adel is based in Iran. The departments Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $10 million for information on Adel, whom it says is a member of al-Qaedas leadership council and heads the organizations military committee.

The programs website says that after the Africa bombings, the former Egyptian army lieutenant colonel moved to southeastern Iran, where he lived under the protection of the countrys Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

He and other al-Qaeda leaders were placed under house arrest in April 2003 by Iran, which released him and four others in exchange for an Iranian diplomat who was kidnapped in Yemen.

In a message posted on Twitter on Wednesday, the Iranian mission to the United Nations denied Adel was in Iran.

It is worth noting that the address for the so-called newly appointed al-Qaeda leader is incorrect. This misinformation could potentially hinder efforts to combat terrorism, it said.

Ali Soufan, a former FBI special agent who tracked al-Qaeda operatives, wrote in a profile carried by the Combating Terrorism Center that the terrorist has been described as a shrewd figure with a poker face. His real name is Mohammed Salahuddin Zeidan.

Yet his temper, too, has become notorious. Possessed of a caustic tongue, he is apt to threaten violence against anyone who displeases him, and is known to meet disloyalty with swift and ruthless force, wrote Soufan.

Toward underlings he can be contemptuous, even brutal, in the heat of the moment.

Once Osama bin Ladens chief bodyguard and a senior trainer of terrorists, experts on the terrorist movement say Adel began his long bloody career in 1981, when he was suspected of involvement in the assassination by Islamist soldiers of Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat during a military parade in Cairo that was broadcast on television.

Seif al-Adels professional military background and valuable experience as the head of al-Qeadas military committee prior to 9/11 mean he has strong credentials to assume the overall leadership of al Qaeda, said Elisabeth Kendall, an expert at Oxford University.

He takes over an al-Qaeda that has become highly decentralized since the group carried out its most spectacular operation, the Sept. 11, 2001, airplane attacks against the United States which killed nearly 3,000 people.

One of al-Qaedas leading military chiefs and often called by experts its third-ranking official, Adel set up training camps for the organization in Sudan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in the 1990s.

He also played a role in the ambush of U.S. helicopters in Mogadishu, known as the Black Hawk Down incident in 1993 which killed 18 U.S. servicemen, security experts say. That marked the beginning of the eventual withdrawal of a U.S.U.N. peacekeeping force from Somalia.

The FBI identifies Adel as one of its most wanted terrorists and accuses him of conspiring to kill U.S. nationals, to murder and to destroy buildings.
All Flights Diverted From Frankfurt Amid Lufthansa IT Glitch

A Lufthansa aircraft rolls to the parking position at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sept. 1, 2022. (Michael Probst/AP Photo)

Germanys air traffic control agency said Wednesday that it is diverting all flights away from the countrys busiest airport, Frankfurt, after a problem with Lufthansas computer systems caused major disruption at the German airline.

Agency spokesman Robert Ertler said all plane parking spots in Frankfurt were full because passengers and crews are unable to board the airlines flights.

All incoming planes are being diverted to alternative airports such as as Munich, Nuremberg and Duesseldorf, Ertler told The Associated Press.

Lufthansa Group, which also includes subsidiaries such as Swiss International Air Lines and Eurowings, said the IT outage was caused by construction works in the Frankfurt region.

This is causing flight delays and cancellations, the company said. We regret the inconvenience this is causing our passengers.

Telephone company Deutsche Telekom later confirmed that an excavator had cut through fiber optic lines at a depth of five meters (16 feet) while working on a railroad line.

The company said parts of the destroyed line had already been repaired and the situation will improve significantly in the course of Wednesday afternoon, German news agency dpa reported.

According to dpa all of Lufthansas domestic flights were canceled and passengers were urged to switch to alternative forms of travel, such as trains.
Angry Ohio Townspeople Seek Answers on Trains Toxic Spill

Members of the community gather to discuss their safety and other environmental concerns at a town hall meeting following a train derailment that spilled toxic chemicals, in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Hundreds of irate residents of the Ohio town where a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals packed into a high school gym on Wednesday, seeking answers to what health dangers they face.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, looking angry and tired, said at Wednesdays town hall that he wanted to help provide some reassurance for the 4,700 citizens of his town, and hold to account those responsible for the train derailment.

We need our citizens to feel safe in their own homes, Conaway said as the meeting began. I need help. Im not ready for this. But Im not leaving, Im not going anywhere.

Conaway said Norfolk Southern, which operated the toxins-laden train that derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, was working closely with him. They screwed up our town, theyre going to fix it, Conway said.

Conaway addressed citizens seated in bleachers, speaking through a bull horn as he paced around the gym floor.

Norfolk Southern officials did not attend the meeting, saying they feared violence.

After consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties, the company said in an emailed statement.

The Norfolk Southern Railroad-operated trains derailment caused a fire that sent a cloud of smoke over East Palestine. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate. After railroad crews drained and burned off a toxic chemical from five tanker cars, residents were allowed to return to their homes on Feb. 8.

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Much remains unknown of the dangers posed to residents by the toxins that spilled, experts said. Many in the area have complained of headaches and irritated eyes, and noted that chickens, fish, and other wildlife have died off. Despite that, state health officials have insisted to residents that East Palestine is a safe place to be.

Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for health and food at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit group focused on the environment and public health, said the unknown dangers stemming from the derailment vastly outweigh reassurances that officials have given on safety.

This is clearly a very toxic brew of chemicals, Olson said. And Ive not seen any public accounting for how many pounds or gallons of any of these chemicals that were released.

The air and water testing thats been done so far seemed limited and is not all that reassuring, Olson said.

He said much more needs to be understood about how the soil and groundwater was polluted from this spill, which he said posed the more significant longer-term danger as opposed to air pollution.

Ohio state officials have said that a plume of pollution in the Ohio River is moving at one mile per hour. But they say cities in the plumes path can turn off their drinking water intakes as it floats by. Theyve also said that drinking water tests have not raised concerns and normal water treatment would remove any small amounts of contaminants that may exist.

An environmental company is removing dead fish downstream from the site of the train derailment that forced people to be evacuated from their homes in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Gerald Poje, a toxicologist and a former founding member of the Chemical Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates industrial chemical accidents, said it could take months or years before the scale of the damage is fully known.

This is a terrible tragedy in Ohio, its so painful to see so many lives put at risk, Poje said. There is a long challenge ahead of everybody into how to discern risks that are unknown at this moment in time.

Poje and Olson said an underground plume of pollution could eventually contaminate drinking water and even irrigation wells that farmers may pump up and spread onto crops.

The train of three locomotives and 150 freight cars was headed from Illinois to Pennsylvania when it derailed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said 20 of the cars were carrying hazardous materials, including 10 that derailed.

The NTSB said 38 cars in total left the tracks and the ensuing fire damaged an additional 12. The NTSB has not commented on the derailments cause.

Railroad union officials have said they have been warning that such an accident could happen because railroad cost-cutting harmed safety measures. But Norfolk Southern said its record has been trending safer.

By Brad Brooks
At Least 39 Migrants Die in Bus Crash Off Panama Cliff

Rescue teams work at the site of the accident of a bus, which was carrying migrants who had traveled through the Darien gap, in Los Planes de Gualaca, Panama, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Stringer/Reuters)

PANAMA CITYAt least 39 have died in Panama after a bus carrying more than 60 migrants fell off a cliff early on Wednesday, the countrys migration authorities said, marking the worst migration accident in the Central American countrys history.

The bus, carrying migrants who had travelled through the Darien Gap, a stretch of jungle that connects Colombia to Central America, was heading towards a shelter located in the western coastal province of Chiriqui, which borders Costa Rica.

More than half of the 66 passengers in the bus died in the accident near the Gualaca migrant shelter, an area with many curving roads, authorities said.

About 20 people were hospitalized with injuries, some of them severely wounded, Panamas social security authority told Reuters.

Members of Panama Civil Protection help people injured in an accident of a bus, which was carrying migrants, who had traveled through the Darien gap, in Los Planes de Gualaca, Panama, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Panama Sistema Nacional de Proteccion Civil/Twitter @sinaproc_panama/Handout via Reuters)

Migration authorities did not provide details on the nationalities of the victims, saying it would first communicate with the relatives and respective embassies of the passengers.

The Government extends its condolences to the families of those killed in this accident, and reiterates its commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid and decent conditions to deal with irregular migration, Panamas President Laurentino Cortizo said on Twitter.

Last year, a record 248,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap, most of them Venezuelans. A new, stricter U.S. migration policy has resulted in many being returned to Panama.

Since the beginning of 2023, a further 32,800 have crossed the Darien Gap, Panamas foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
Truth and wisdom bring terror to those adhering to popular narratives

Today, it seems that we are in a world where facts and truth are no longer important; how we feel seems to be the key criterion for establishing whether something is true or not. So we hear the expression my truth everywhere, meaning that it is irrefutable because it is my truth, no matter what the facts are.

The ancients had a different understanding of what really counted. The Greeks, in particular, understood the psychology of the human mind: how it works, what it seeks, and, most importantly, what the consequences are for the hubris of ignoring the gods advice or commandsthe gods advice, of course, according to reality and the facts.

Hubris for the Greeks was the ultimate sin, for it meant that one had either ignored or defied the express wishes of the gods. Although the gods, the Olympian gods, fought and bickered among themselves and had rivals and jealousies just like us, nevertheless, they had supplanted the chaos, primitivism, and savagery of their fathers and mothers: the Titans. They had replaced all that with order and justice.

The world of Cronos (Zeuss father), for example, seems bestial compared with the ordering of the cosmos that his children created. Indeed, when we think of Cronos as a word for time, we remember that time eats all its children, just as Cronos attempted to devour all his male offspring.

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, instructs a young student to find his inspiration in Italy and Greece, circa 1778. (Archive Photos/Getty Images)

The Goddess of Wisdom

Aside from Zeus himself, perhaps one of the most important Olympian gods was Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and craft. Also, she was the daughter of Zeus, and some say his favorite.

Usually, when we think of the Greek god of war, we think of Ares (in Latin, Mars), but both Ares and Athena were gods of war. The difference is significant. Ares was the god of war that is understood as blood-thirsty, brutal, and ferocious, whereas Athena as the goddess of war could be understood as strategic, intelligent, and sometimes deceptive.

Athena loved wily Odysseus for this very reason. He was not the greatest Greek warriorthat was the blood-thirsty Achilles. But it was not Achilles who won the war for the Greeks. It was Odysseuss cunning stratagem of the horse. Of course, through his strategies (and Athenas support), it is Odysseus who also survives the war.

Athena is also the perpetual virgin, which I think points to the fact that (her) wisdom and truth cannot be corrupted. She sprang fully grown and armed from the headthe forehead, in factof Zeus, suggesting not only foresight but also the power of wisdom. Indeed, in one myth, all the other gods were awestruck by her appearance, and Helios, god of the sun, stopped in his tracks to behold her!

The Birth of Athena by Antoine Houasse. Palace of Versailles. (Public Domain)

As the patron goddess of heroes and heroic values, Athena favored many other great Greek heroes, including Perseus, Herakles (the greatest of all), Bellerophon, and Jason, as well as Odysseus. Invariably, it was her advice that was crucial to their success. A great example of this, and relevant to our discussion, was her critical support of Perseus.

Athena instructed Perseus not to look directly at Medusa so that he would not be turned to stone and, literally, petrified. Instead, he looked at his shield of bronze, polished like a mirror, which enabled him to decapitate her.

Medusa Today

Athena today is relevant because we see a common pattern of behavior whenever wisdom presents itself in our modern life: when, for example, someone challenges nonbinary ideology, or when a qualified person challenges the presumptions and orthodoxy of COVID-19 vaccinations and mask-wearing, or when critical race theory is challenged on the grounds that it might itself be racist, or when  the list goes on. When these challenges occur, when some evidence is presented counter to the popular narrativethat is, when Athena, goddess of wisdom and truth, manifestswe always see the same behavior.

If we return to the Perseus myth, the head of Medusa, after it appeared in several other adventures with Perseus, finally finds its resting place in the center of Athenas shield, the aegis. This means that, in facing Athena in battle, one had to face Medusas head. In other words, one had to face the sheer terror that is petrifying! Only another god or spirit could withstand it. And as for her attacks, even among the gods, probably only Zeus and one or two others could adequately do even that.

Frederick the Great as Perseus, 1756, by Bernhard Rode depicts Athena showing Perseus how to avoid the gaze of Medusa. (Public Domain)

Thus, when shibboleths of today are attacked by wisdom, the result is terror and petrification. These ideas manifest in a number of ways. First, the people who spread these ideas exhibit the inability to rely on rational dialogue. There is no rational argument to pitch against the truth. Instead, those who call themselves woke enter into profound denial. (To be clear, the term woke is used by both liberals and conservatives to describe a number of more radical progressive ideologies, including critical race theory, social justice, and gender theory.)

This petrification hardens their attitudes and their hearts. The heart becomes a stone. Fear (more accurately, terror) produces a lashing out, a vicious response, an inability to consider alternatives, and even the possibility of considering that they might be mistaken or, in fact, be wrong.

A third manifestation is that eventually, as the hardening (the petrification) deepens, they display a merciless, pitiless quality: Offenders must be punished. (At the same time, of course, the meme be kind is chanted like a mantra.)

Freedoms Defenders

We know, then, that wisdom and truthAthenais on our side when we witness these behaviors and manifestations of those determined, through their hubris, to deny reality, to deny the facts, and to deny truth. As the English writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton said of the unforgiveable sin, it is to call a green leaf gray.

Composer and writer Kenneth LaFave, in his wonderfully instructive book War of the Words, justly observed that the single best and most accurate word to identify freedoms defenders, it seems, is Westerners.

Historically, this does seem to be true. From the Magna Carta to the Bill of Rights, the West has continually pushed to establish the freedoms that we now take for granted. The danger we are in now is that these freedoms are being eroded internally, and we have been extremely lax in confronting this decline: lax as in taking our attention away from wisdom and truth, which petrify the enemy, and by allowing green leaves to be called gray.

The antidote is to return to the goddess of wisdom. This, of course, is a metaphor, for we might also wish to remind ourselves that wisdom was in the Judeo-Christian tradition with the Lord God in the beginning: The Lord possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His way, before his works of old. From everlasting I was established  (Proverbs 8.2223).

Lets step up our efforts to stay with the truth and instill wisdom whenever we can, for more than anything else, this is what the woke fear.
Austin Majors, Former Child Actor on NYPD Blue, Dead at 27

Actor Austin Majors arrives at Chevy Rocks The Future at the Buena Vista Lot at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, February 19, 2008. (Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Austin Majors, a former child actor who appeared on the ABC series NYPD Blue, has died at age 27 in Los Angeles.

Majors, who also went by Austin Majors-Setmajer, died on Saturday according to L.A. County Medical Examiner-Coroner. His official cause of death has not been determined and further investigation is pending.

His death was first reported Monday by TMZ, which said Majors died while staying at a homeless housing facility in downtown Los Angeles.

A source close to the matter told the outlet that although foul play was not suspected to be involved, Majors is believed to have ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl.

An autopsy on the former actors body was completed Monday, with the final toxicology results expected to be released in a few months.

Actor Austin Majors poses at The 7th Annual Mentor Awards Gala benefiting Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, October 29, 2003. (Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

Austin Majors at NYPD Blues 200th episode celebration at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, Ca., Sept. 7, 2002. (Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.)

Following his death, Majorss family released a statement, paying a tribute to the loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being.

Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. He was an active Eagle Scout and graduated Salutatorian in High School. He went on to graduate from USCs School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing, they told TMZ.

The statement continued: Austins younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with Kids With a Cause, and backpacking together.

Austin was the kind of son, brother, grandson, and nephew that made us proud and we will miss him deeply forever.

Majors starred as Theo Sipowicz in NYPD Blue for seven seasons, portraying the son of Detective Andy Sipowicz, who was played by Dennis Franz.

His NYPD Blue co-star, Dennis Franz, said that Majors was a joy to work with, Fox News reported.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Austins passing. Austin was always such a joy to have on the set, he brought smiles and happiness to everyone, Franz told the outlet.

Although we havent stayed in touch since the show ended in 2005, I will always remember him fondly. My love and condolences to his family.

Majors received the 2002 Young Artists Award for Best Performance in a Television Series for his work on NYPD Blue. He was nominated for the same award in 2003 and 2004.

His work on Treasure Planet earned him a nomination for best performance in a voiceover role.

Majorss television credits include episodes of ER, NCIS, American Dad, Desperate Housewives, and How I Met Your Mother.
Australian MPs Offices to Replace China-Made Surveillance Equipment

A Dahua Technology thermal imaging camera is seen during a demonstration of the camera at an office in San Francisco, Calif., on April 24, 2020. (Nathan Frandino/ Reuters)

Australian lawmakers confirmed a nationwide campaign was underway to remove China-made cameras from their constituency offices over fears they contain spyware.

In a Senate estimates hearing on Feb. 14, Department of Finance officials said there were 65 offices that have Chinese-manufactured Hikvision and Dahua security cameras installed, with 45 offices yet to have the cameras removed.

Sixty-five of the federal MPS have been fitted with closed-circuit television systems (CCTV), while as many as 88 have both security cameras and intercom systems, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Officials from the Department also confirmed that the department sent letters to affected MPs last July alerting them of plans to upgrade their security systems. However, they did not reveal whether the MPs were aware of the Chinese-made surveillance equipment installed in their offices.

We acknowledge the concerns, absolutely, and we are working with security agencies on that, but there is no particular concern that is driving the immediate replacement right now because they are not (connected to the internet), the official told Daily Telegraph.

Twenty CCTV systems have been removed so far, and the government plans to replace all the equipment by April. However, the dismantling of the intercom system is still in the exploratory phase.

The Australian Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 8, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Mary Wiley-Smith, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance, said the department never received a recommendation to remove the systems. On the contrary, the Hikvision and Dahua equipment was no longer on its approved list.

This comes after a revelation last week that almost 1000 Chinese-made surveillance cameras were installed across over 250 sites of Commonwealth departments and agencies, including foreign affairs and defence sites.

Shadow Minister for Cyber Security & Countering Foreign Interference James Paterson released the findings of a six-month audit of all commonwealth departments, which found the federal government buildings riddled with CCP spyware.

The mover came after the Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Foreign Interference, Senator James Paterson, released the findings of his six-month audit into CCP spyware. James Paterson in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 21, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

The cameras were provided by Chinese companies Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology, both accused of being involved in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s 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.

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.

According to the CCPs National Intelligence Law enacted in 2017, the communist regime can compel any organisation or citizen to support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work.

Defence Minister: Government Taking Action



Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles ordered on Feb. 9 the Defence department to remove all cameras made by Hikvision and Dahua.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Nov. 29, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Its important that these cameras be removed, he told Sydney radio 2GB. Within Defence, all the cameras that were registered to this company that were aware of have been removed.

In addition to that, Ive also asked Defence to go through and do another audit so that we can be completely clear about this.

The Defence Minister said the surveillance systems were not spy cameras and that lots of technology were imported from overseas.

Defence deputy secretary for security and estate Celia Perkins said the department became aware of the issue in 2018, with advice from the intelligence community suggesting they proceed with caution with some systems in use.

Following some updating advice and guidance in the United States, in the United Kingdom, and media reporting on that late last year, we undertook a refresh of our review, Perkins told a Senate estimates hearing on Feb 15.

We identified 41 systems on 17 sites, about half of those had been decommissioned.

AAP contributed to this report.
Australian Police Killings Deemed Terror Attack, Linked to Christian Extremism

US man under investigation

A supplied undated combined image obtained Dec.13, 2022 shows Constable Matthew Arnold (left) and Constable Rachel McCrow who were killed in an ambush at a remote Queensland property in Australia. Police have shot dead three people at a remote property on Queensland's Darling Downs after an ambush in which two officers and a bystander were killed. (AAP Image/Supplied by Queensland Police)

The siege that claimed the lives of two police officers and an innocent bystander has been deemed a religiously-motivated terrorist attack by Queensland Police.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tracy Linford said the force combed through 190 statements and the lives of the Train family, with police concluding that the trio subscribed to the Christian extremist ideology while also conceding that they radicalised themselves in isolation.

Nathaniel, Gareth, and Stacey Train acted as an autonomous cell and executed a religiously-motivated terrorist attack, Linford told reporters on Feb. 16.

The Train family members subscribe to what we would call a broad Christian fundamentalist belief system known as pre-millennialismits a belief system that comes from Christian theology, she said.

Christian extremist ideology has been linked to other attacks around the world, but this is the first time weve seen it appear in Australia.

Linford noted there was a range of factors that contributed to the Trains turn to radicalism, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, social disparity and global conflicts.

In particular, she noted the loss of Nathaniel and Staceys jobsas a principal in Walgett primary school in the state of New South Wales and head of curriculum at a school in Tara in Queenslandbecause they did not get the COVID-19 vaccine led to anti-government sentiment.

They certainly had their views around anti-vaccination, and as a consequence of that, anti-government, she said.

She also said that the Trains subscribed to parts of the sovereign citizen movement but, at the same time, could not be classified as falling under this category.

Whilst the behaviour was similar in some respect to sovereign citizens, we dont believe this was connected to a sovereign citizen ideology, she said.

Lyle Shelton, former head of the Australian Christian Lobby and now-upper house candidate for New South Wales, warned against smearing all Christians because of the actions of a few.

Im not a pre-millenialist but millions of Australian Christian believers are, he told The Epoch Times in an email. To link what the police call an autonomous cell operating independently of any Christian group to Christianity is quite offensive.

There is nothing in Christianity that justifies the murder of police or anyone for that matter.

Police Working With US Authorities

The Deputy Commissioner said police do not believe any other people were locally involved in planning or participating in the attack.

There is absolutely no evidence at this time that there is anyone else in Australia that participated or assisted in this attack, she said.

But she noted that Australian police were working with the FBI in the United States over individualsincluding a U.S. citizen named Donwho were found to have posted videos online before and after the attack referring to the Trains.

Queensland Police were assisted by the Australian Federal Police, as well as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, in their investigations.

Siege in the Outback

At around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, four police officers were called to investigate a routine missing person report for Nathaniel Train at a property on Wains Rd in Wieambilla, near the remote inland Queensland town of Chinchilla.

Two young constables, Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were hit with a hail of gunshots as they jumped a fence to access the house, according to Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers.

The pair fell, forcing their colleagues to take cover, with one (Keely Brough) fleeing into the bushes around the property and the other (Randall Kirk) towards the squad car.

Tributes for the officers killed in the siege are seen at Tara Police Station in Tara, Queensland, Australia, on Dec. 14, 2022. (AAP Image/Jason OBrien)

A neighbour, 58-year-old Alan Dare, was also gunned down and shot in the back after going out to investigate.

A siege later ensued, resulting in the deaths of the three shooters.

Read More Australian Minister Urges Caution in Speculating on Police Killers Motives

Linford said the investigations had led the police to believe the three assailants were very well prepared for attack wearing camouflaged clothing, erected barriers, and preparing a range of weaponry, including six firearms, compound bows and arrows, as well as knives.

We dont believe this attack was random or spontaneous, Deputy Police Commissioner Linford said.

We do believe it was an attack directed at police.

There was significant evidence of advanced preparation and planning.

Lone Wolf Actors Still A Problem

The head of Australias domestic spy agency, ASIO, Director-General Mike Burgess, recently said the agencys caseload was taken up largely by religiously motivated extremists, noting that those linked with Sunni Islam were the principal concern in the terrorism space.

Burgess noted that the biggest threat now was radicalised individuals who would resort to violence with little to no warning.

Theyre acting on their own because something has set them off, including maybe the group theyre in isnt satisfying their need to do what they believe it is they should do, he said.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess preparing for his annual speech at ASIO headquarters in Canberra, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Spy Agency Says Threat Levels Dropping

The announcement comes after Burgess noted that Australia had seen a reduction in the threat levels of violent extremism, which he said had dropped by 20 percent since the federal government and state governments rolled back COVID lockdowns and restrictions.

It is true; there are less people in this country who want to conduct active violence in the name of their cause, said Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

The volatility has reduced. In particular, around COVID. So, there is less angst these days as were not subject to mandates, he told a Senate Estimates hearing.

According to ASIO, right-wing extremism accounted for 50 percent of the agencys caseload but dropped to 30 percent since lockdowns and mandates eased.
Bail Reform Only Way to Stop Violent Repeat Offenders, OPP Commissioner Tells Federal Committee

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique speaks to media during a press conference at the Haldimand OPP detachment in Cayuga, Ont., on Dec. 28, 2022. (Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian Press)

Jail and bail reform is the only effective way to protect the public from repeat, violent offenders, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Thomas Carrique told a federal justice committee Wednesday.

The publics right to be protected from these offenders must be given far greater weight than is currently the case when bail matters are considered, he said.

He told the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Feb. 15 that courts must be compelled to consider prior commissions of crimes and use of weapons, and the likely danger an accused may pose to the community, before granting bail to repeat offenders.

Carrique called for the committee to expand reverse onus provisions for firearms possession offences so that repeat violent offenders, or serious prolific offenders have to satisfy public safety considerations before being granted bail.

The onus clearly should be on the accused to show why they should not be detained, said the police officer. We are talking about a very select number of repeat violent offenders who have a criminal history of committing violent crimes and using firearms in the commission of those offences.

If you stop and talk to any police officer in any community across this country, they will tell you that their top priority is to see bail reform. We owe it to each and every one of them, we owe it to victims of violent crime, we owe it to victims of intimate partner violence to make these changes, Carrique told the committee.

I strongly believe our officers, the very ones who protect our families and communities and Canadians alike deserve to be safeguarded against the repeat violent offenders who are charged with violent weapons-related offences while awaiting trial, he said.

He said the bail reforms he was recommending were responsibly focused and could be done immediately and very effectively, and might have prevented the death of rookie OPP Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala, who was shot and killed while responding to a routine call about a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville, Ontario, on Dec. 27, 2022.

Ontario Provincial Police Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala is shown in this undated handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO, OPP)

Carrique said Randall McKenzie, the suspect charged with first-degree murder in the death of the constable, is a repeat, violent offender convicted of violent weapons-related offenses. He had already shown a concerning pattern of noncompliance with previous weapons and firearms-related prohibitions and other court-imposed conditions, noted Carrique.

McKenzie was on bail while awaiting trial for additional violent weapons-related charges, including assaulting three victims, one of which was a peace officer. He had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of Pierzchalas murder and was being pursued by two different police jurisdictions, the committee heard.

According to transcripts from McKenzies bail review hearing in June 2022, he received bail in part due to his indigenous identity. Federal law requires courts to provide special consideration to vulnerable populations, including indigenous suspects, when making bail decisions.

Carrique told the committee McKenzie had criminal convictions for armed robbery using a firearm, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, and assault, and a record of five previous convictions for failing to comply with court orders. McKenzie had cut off and discarded his GPS ankle monitor device while on bail, and had broken existing court conditions that required him to only go out with his mother for court appearances or to attend at his lawyers office.

Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry (L) and Randall McKenzie were arrested and charged with first-degree murder, in the death of Ontario Provincial Police Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala on Dec. 27, 2022. (Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)

Despite all this, he was released on bail, said Carrique. McKenzie had already been under a five-year weapons prohibition in 2015, a ten-year weapons prohibition in 2016, another 10-year weapons and lifetime firearm prohibition in 2018.

This was not the only instance of a repeat, violent offender re-offending. Carrique said that between 2018 and the end of 2022, the Ontario police saw a 72 percent increase in cases of serious violence involving accused individuals reoffending while on release for previous serious offences.

I think those statistics speak for themselves, the officer told the committee.

Carrique recommended that legislation be introduced that defines a repeat violent offender as one with a distinct pattern of violent criminal behavior that have led to criminal convictions before the courts and evidence of convictions of having used weapons and or firearms in the commission of those offences.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet have said they are looking at possible ways to amend the Criminal Code that would address the issue. Provincial premiers, police associations, and the Conservative Party have called on the federal government to reform the bail system.

A motion for bail reform put forward by the federal Conservatives was defeated 205116 in the House of Commons on Feb. 6.

Peter Wilson contributed to this report.
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Beijing Seeks to Play Robust, Mutually Beneficial Relationship With Russia to Its Advantage, Panelists Say

A demonstrator wears a hat with a Ukrainian flag at an anti-war protest in front of the European Union headquarters, in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 24, 2022. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

The regime in Beijing has walked a fine line since Russias invasion of Ukraine a year ago, refusing to condemn the invasion unequivocally while engaging in introspection over its stance on the war and looking for ways to consolidate its position as the more senior, or dominant, partner in a mutually beneficial ChinaRussia relationship.

While Beijing may not unequivocally condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for his aggression against Ukraine, Chinese leaders are concerned about how small and emerging nations view China and so the country has its own geostrategic reasons not to commit to Putins victory. It seeks to stay on his good side while quietly strengthening its own hand in other parts of the world.

Thats the view of speakers taking part in a Feb. 15 panel discussion, ChinaRussia Relations One Year Into the Ukraine War, held under the auspices of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The moderator was Paul Haenle, former White House China director on the National Security Council during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama; the panelists were Alexander Gabuev, a Carnegie senior fellow; Li Mingjiang, an author and professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore; and Hoang Thi Ha, a senior fellow and co-coordinator of the Regional Strategic and Political Studies Program at ISEASYusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Beijings Interests

One year into the Ukraine war, Russia and China still enjoy a strategic partnership thats advantageous to both parties, Gabuev said. But this reality has more to do with Beijings failure to perceive opposition to the Ukraine war as serving its own interests than with any principled opposition based on tenets of sovereignty and international law, he argued. He described Chinese leader Xi Jinpings approach and strategy as somewhat opportunistic and Manichean.

I think that the partnership is the same, and the trend line is the same. Its getting increasingly asymmetric, with China having more leverage and more options in the relationship rather than Russia, he said.

China benefits somewhat more than Russia, but Russia benefits as well. And thats a relationship that will not be an alliance but will be an increasingly close cooperation and increasingly on Xi Jinpings terms.

Its in Xis interests to keep Russia strategically close to China to prevent a scenario that may be hard to envision now, in the midst of the Ukraine war but is still a future possibility: namely, a shift on the part of Russia to a more pro-Western and pro-democracy stance. Such a development might jeopardize Chinas access to Russian natural resources, on which it currently enjoys a discount, according to Gabuev.

Lets zoom out and see where Chinas interests are with regard to the war. It has a partnership with Russia that is important. Russia is a large neighbor to the north. Having a stable, peaceful border with Russia is quintessential for China, he said.

If Russia turns into a pro-U.S. democracy and applies to join NATO, thats a strategic nightmare for China.

Beijing may not have rushed to condemn Moscows aggression against Ukraine. However, in Gabuevs analysis, Chinese officials are reluctant to side with the Western democracies here because, if they were to give in to pressures on the Ukraine issue, they fear what further demands may be made of them.

Western governments have a wide range of requests to which they would like to see Beijing accede, from ceasing the genocide against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province to becoming more transparent about the use of money from foreign business partners to fund the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Imagine that China throws Vladimir Putin under the bus, imposes sanctions, and says the barbaric imperialist onslaught against Ukraine is unacceptable, and China joins hands with all the other civilized members of the international community. If that leads to Putins downfall, will it fundamentally improve the U.S.China relationship? Gabuev asked.

The answer is no. The expectation is that the West will just pocket this concession, and say, Okay, China, what about Xinjiang, what about Taiwan, what about IP theft, what about PLA spending, what about human rights in Hong Kong?

Xi and others in the regime in Beijing are conscious of the fact that Russia is a nuclear power that hasnt decisively ruled out the use of nukes on the battlefield in Ukraine. That adds to their sense that their self-interest doesnt include antagonizing Putin, he said.

Passive Tolerance

Li agreed that Beijing doesnt see the Ukraine war as a direct threat to its own interests.

They have done their best not to be perceived by Moscow as having betrayed the strategic partnership, he said. Fundamentally, I think the relationship remains robust.

At the same time, officials in Beijing are protective of their interests. Even though they may hesitate to criticize Putin publicly, they may be undertaking some introspection and thinking about how they could have better played the scenario to their own advantage, according to Li.

I think people in China realize they could have done better to make it clear that China was not really supporting Russia, there were some differences, and also, in terms of actual diplomatic actions, China could have learned from what India did. India, in the month after the invasion, was trying to be neutral, but it did do some things to be critical of Russia and also to engage with Ukraine, he said.

Beijing may be trying to walk a fine line now, but Xis ultimate goals are to maximize Chinas interests, and a defeat of Putins forces on the battlefield wouldnt be an intolerable outcome for the Chinese leader, Li speculated.

I think China is likely to continue its wait-and-see policy, and watch the situation in Ukraine closely. Even if Putin and Russia is defeated militarily, and Russia becomes a much weaker power, that will be acceptable for Xi Jinping and China, he said.

Guarding Chinas Reputation

Hoang agreed that Beijings self-interest doesnt call for full-blown support for Putins war.

Chinas approach to the war in Ukraine and how to deal with other players is not binary, in terms of either/or. Having a closer relationship with Russia doesnt mean being stuck with Russia, she said. I think China is not going to extraordinary lengths to keep Russia from losing the war.

One consideration for Beijing is Chinas standing among the nations of the developing world, according to Hoang. The regime in Beijing is concerned more about its own interests and the respect it enjoys in the eyes of those emerging powers than about placating Putin for the sake of doing so.

Although many developing countries have ambivalent views about the war in Ukraine, it doesnt mean they agree to the invasion of a sovereign state, she said.
Belgian Police Seize 4,000 Kilograms of Cocaine Thanks to Navigation App

Belgian police have seized almost 4,000 kilograms (8,818 pounds) of cocaine after being led to an address entered into navigation app Waze by two Dutch men, who were arrested on Tuesday, the local prosecutors office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Police had been informed of suspicious behavior late Tuesday evening in Ravels, a small town in the north of Belgium close to the Dutch border. Cars with Dutch license plates had been seen driving up and down a road.

They arrested two Dutch men, aged 27 and 46, who had a history of being involved in drug-related crime and who couldnt give a satisfactory explanation as to why they were there. The men remain in custody.

Their navigation app led police to a nearby hangar with a container filled with 68 bags of cocaine, the weight of which the prosecutors office estimates at 4,000 kilograms.

Police also arrested seven other men who were present in the hangar.

The Belgium port of Antwerp, 55 km west of Ravels, has been coined Europes main entrance for cocaine. Last year, a record 110 tons of cocaine were intercepted there, accounting for 40 percent of all seizures in Europe, although local custom authorities estimate that is only 10 to 15 percent of the total cocaine smuggled into the port.

The European Union and Belgium announced earlier this month that they will step up their fight against organized drug crime.
Biden Administration Should Take Stronger Stance Against Chinese Provocations

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)

Commentary

The pace of Chinas espionage offensive against its potential adversaries in the likely upcoming invasion of Taiwan seems to be increasing, and the Biden administration needs to increase its countermeasures. The recent spate of spy balloon incursions and probes of allied defenses in the Western Pacific stand as a reminder of the urgency.

History is full of examples of increasing espionage on the eve of war. Japans spying on U.S. assets in Hawaii increased on the eve of Pearl Harbor. Plans for the attack on Pearl Harbor began at least a year beforehand, and the Japanese had excellent intelligence on American military operations. The United States should treat China today like the Roosevelt administration should have treated Imperial Japan before Pearl Harbor, with readiness and trepidation. Diplomacy is stuck, and Chinese officials are making it hard for American officials to negotiate.

Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, head of Air Mobility Command, warned earlier this month that war with China likely will happen within the next two years. The men and women under his command should be ready to aim for the head in the event of war with China, which Minihan worries could coincide with next years elections in the United States and Taiwan.

Minihan told those under his command to consider their personal affairs and whether a visit should be scheduled with their servicing base legal office to ensure they are legally ready and prepared.

Xi Jinping made Chinas goal plain in November following the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress when he said it was time to prepare for war. Its best to take him at his word instead of explaining it away.

The traversal of the Chinese spy balloon from Alaska across Canada and over the United States past some of the nations most sensitive nuclear bases prior to being shot down off the coast of South Carolina is the latest provocation.

The balloon transmitted sensitive intelligence that could give the CCP an understanding of Americas nuclear weapons program for targeting purposes in the event of war. China now has more missile silos that the 450 silos owned by the United States. The spy balloon traversed near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, one of three U.S. bases housing Americas nuclear missile silos.

It also passed near Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri where U.S. B-2 bombers are based.

The latest information suggests that China obtained an unknown amount of signals intelligence from the balloon as it surveilled U.S. missile and other military installations. It came amid heightened worry that the CCP-linked Fufeng Groups purchase of 300 acres of farmland near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota where U.S. B-52s and B-1Bs are based could be used to gain intelligence.

China claims that it doesnt have a first-strike capability when it comes to its uninhibited nuclear program. Such intelligence could give the CCP the ability to look for chinks in the U.S. nuclear umbrella and to exploit them.

The United States is completely unprepared to defend against an attack by Chinese inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Chinas DF-41 ICBMs based in western China carry an estimated 10 warheads each, significantly more than the single warhead carried by the U.S. Minuteman IIIs.

As I assess our level of deterrence against China, the ship is slowly sinking, Adm. Charles Richard, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command, said during a speech in November. It is sinking slowly, but it is sinking, as fundamentally they are putting capability in the field faster than we are.

The Pentagons 2022 estimate of Chinese military power (pdf) suggests that China could likely use nuclear weapons if it fears the survival of the communist regime.

American defenses are geared to look for conventional nuclear threats such as incoming ICBMs, planes, or to a lesser extent enemy cruise missiles. Balloons offer an unconventional means to deliver either a nuclear weapon or an electromagnetic pulse device (EMP) against American targets.

NORADs admission that other Chinese spy balloons may have entered U.S. airspace requires a stronger response from U.S. air defenses. It wouldnt take much for the CCP to see this as a hole in American air and space defenses, and to launch a nuclear version of Japans firebomb attacks on the United States; consequently, vigilance is required.

This is hardly the latest effort by the communist Chinese to probe U.S. and allied defenses. In December, China sent an aircraft carrier battlegroup through Japans southern island chain just south of Okinawa, home to U.S. Marine and Air Force bases. It marked the second time in 2022 that the Chinese aircraft carrier Lionang operated with its battlegroup in the area.

A Chinese spy ship carried out surveillance in the Indian Ocean, likely aimed at India, earlier this month. Chinese balloons have also been used against India.

Whatever Xi has planned, America and its allies cant simply just sit around waiting for the next Pearl Harbor. They have to be ready the moment they receive word that the attack is at hand. Xi must know that his activities will not be unchallenged.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Biden Touts Musks Tesla Charger Network in Rare Moment of Praise

Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the official opening of the new Tesla electric car manufacturing plant near Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Christian Marquardt/Pool/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden offered some relatively rare praise for Elon Musk, as Musk made part of the Tesla vehicle charging network available to some other electric vehicle brands.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced several different electric vehicle makers and rental car brands are planning to expand access to vehicle charging stations. The White House also announced that Musks Tesla had agreed, for the first time, to make at least 7,500 chargers available to all electric vehicles by the end of 2024.

In building our EV charging network, we have to ensure that as many chargers work for as many drivers as possible. To that end, @elonmusk will open a big part of @Teslas network up to all drivers. Thats a big deal, and itll make a big difference, Biden tweeted on Wednesday.

Musk responded by tweeting, Thank you, Tesla is happy to support other EVs via our Supercharger network.

Biden has not tweeted specific praises for the other brands that are expanding their electric vehicle charging services, such as Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz.

The brief, friendly, exchange is a small respite in a relationship that has seen the billionaire tech mogul refer to the president as a damp sock puppet, and Biden has hinted at launching investigations over Musks Twitter acquisition.

Electric vehicles are an area where Bidens energy policies and Musks business interests align. Biden wants to move the United States away from the fossil fuel industry and gas-powered vehicles and toward electric vehicles.

The White House said plans by Tesla and other electric vehicle makers to expand their charging networks are evidence of the Presidents successful industrial strategy, ensuring that federal funds are attracting private investment to ensure the clean energy transition is powered by American manufacturing and good-paying union jobs.

Complicated Relationship

While Biden offered specific praise for Musks Tesla brand, it remains to be seen if this will mark the start of warming relations between the two.

In the past, Biden has repeatedly praised GM and Ford for their role in expanding the electric vehicle market, while appearing to snub Teslas contributions on that front.

According to the Washington Post, Teslas decision to make parts of its charging network available to other electric vehicles came about after intense lobbying from the Biden administration.

Politics and Musks Twitter Takeover

The strain in the relationship goes beyond Biden snubbing Tesla and Musk insulting the president.

Musk has waded into political debates in recent months. In July, Musk said Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would easily win a 2024 race against Biden and DeSantis doesnt even need to campaign.

The day before the 2022 midterm elections, Musk urged Americans to vote in Republicans as a counterbalance to Bidens presidency. Two days later, Biden said Musks acquisition of Twitter could become the subject of a government investigation to see whether or not he is doing anything inappropriate. Biden said there are a lot of ways this could be done, but did not provide further details.

Musks acquisition of Twitter has raised further political strains for Biden. Musk has reinstated the suspended Twitter accounts of numerous Republican and conservative figures, including Bidens 2020 rival, Donald Trump.

After acquiring Twitter and the platforms records of internal moderation actions, Musk began releasing tranches of internal communications known as the Twitter Files. The first round of reporting on the files alleged that the Biden campaign routinely called upon the social media platform to suppress or remove content they disapproved.

Rounds of Twitter Files have also fueled new scrutiny of Hunter Bidens foreign business dealings, indicating Twitter officials doubted their stated reasons for suppressing reporting about Hunter Biden before the 2020 election and were conditioned by current and former FBI officials to view such reporting with increased scrutiny. Republican lawmakers have increasingly sought investigations of Bidens involvement in his familys foreign business dealings.

Other rounds of Twitter Files have more broadly implicated actions and inactions by the platform that harmed conservatives.
Jane and Robert Wahlstrom at the Shen Yun Performance at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, in Arizona, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)

MESA, Ariz.The best Ive ever seen, said Robert Wahlstrom about Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Mr. Wahlstrom, owner of a Ford Dealership, and his wife Jane, a retired nurse, attended the matinee performance at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center in Arizona on Feb. 15.

It was wonderful, said Mr. Wahlstrom, colorful, graceful, beautiful!

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk dances and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day.

According to the companys website, the presented heroes from ancient folklore embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization and convey morals still relevant to the modern-day.

In regards to Shen Yuns mission to revive Chinas 5,000-year-old traditional culture, Mr. Wahlstrom said, it would be great if we could get back to those traditions,

We could all use those principles in this day and age and all over the world, he added.

Mr. Wahlstrom was touched most by a dance story depicting the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa in China, saying that was the most touching  and to know that it is still going on today.

Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, is a spiritual discipline based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution against the practice in 1999, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

We need goodness  and compassion, said Mrs. Wahlstrom, we have gone so far from those principles  every culture needs to come forth with that.

I Almost Cried

Keith Mukhar, systems engineer for Boeing, and his mother Shirley, former administrative specialist for Boeing, also attended the matinee performance of Shen Yun at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center on Feb. 15.

It was fantastic, said Mr. Mukhar, I loved the dancing, I loved the singing, I loved the two-string instrument, he said.

Keith Mukhar and his mother Shirley at the Shen Yun Performance at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, in Arizona, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times)

The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed instrument that has been called the Chinese violin. An incredibly expressive instrument, it can convey a broad range of emotions, even imitating sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses, Shen Yuns website explains.

It was very calming, very beautiful, said Mr. Mukhar, some of the dancing, I almost cried.

Shen Yun features a one-of-a-kind orchestra that blends traditional Chinese instruments into a classical Western orchestra and also boasts virtuoso vocalists who sing Chinese lyrics using the bel canto style.

I like the tenors performance, said Mrs. Mukhar, he evoked a lot of emotion.

After seeing Shen Yun, Mr. Mukhar said he felt very enlightened in his heart.

Reporting by Mary Mann, Sherry Dong, and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Bus Driver Granted Bail After Death of 14-Year-Old Boy

A mother of eight driving a bus that mounted a kerb outside a Sydney school, killing a 14-year-old boy, has been granted bail.

Penina Lopesi, 54, appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Thursday, a day after the fatal accident near the chapel at Macarthur Anglican School in southwestern Cobbitty.

Taken to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition, the boy died a short time later.

Supported by her husband and children, who filled the courtroom, Lopesi was granted bail, provided she surrender her passport and refrain from going within 5 km of the school.

She was also barred from getting behind the wheel of any vehicle and had to report to the police three times a week.

These conditions, as well as her strong family support, mitigated concerns by police prosecutors that she would fail to attend court in future and remained a risk to the community, Magistrate Peter Thompson said.

Outside court, Lopesis lawyer Mostafa Daoudie said his client had been impacted by the tragedy and requested her privacy.

There are no winners in these types of cases. Its a very unfortunate event, he said.

Lopesi walked between waiting reporters after being released with a white blanket over her head, surrounded by family as she made her way towards a waiting vehicle.

On the day of the incident, she was taken to Liverpool Police Station for mandatory testing and later charged. Her licence was also suspended.

She faces one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and another of negligent driving occasioning death.

I accept at this stage there is no explanation for the conduct, and there is nothing to suggest there was a medical issue or any fault of the vehicle, Thompson said in granting bail.

Lopesi remained still for some period after the accident in some kind of shock, prosecutors told the court.

Investigations into her health or any engineering issues with the bus continue.

On Thursday, Macarthur Anglican School headmaster Dr. David Nockles said the vehicle had lost control as it exited the bus bay, mounted the kerb and struck the boy who was in Year 9.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the boys family, including his brother in Year 11, as they deal with unimaginable grief and heartache, Knockles said.

The school appreciates the tangible support for our school community as we work through this terrible shock and loss to the wider Macarthur family.

Outside counsellors have been brought in from other Christian schools, Anglicare, the police and the ambulance service to assist students and staff alongside the schools pastoral care team.

The matter will next come before Campbelltown Local Court on April 12.
Buttigieg Invited to East Palestine Town Hall by Ohio Republican Following Railway Accident

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A Republican congressman from Ohio who represents East Palestine says it is past time for Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to hear the concerns of locals, and that he will reserve [Buttigieg] a seat, ahead of a town hall meeting on Wednesday night.

The town hall comes in the wake of a 50-railcar train derailment in East Palestine on Feb. 3. Ten of the derailed cars carried vinyl chloride and other potentially toxic chemicals, causing a hazardous chemical spill.

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) called on Buttigieg to attend the meeting in a tweet on Wednesday, inviting the transportation secretary to the 7 p.m. meeting slated to take place at a local high school.

@SecretaryPete, hope to see you tonight at the town hall in #EastPalestine. Ill save a seat for you. Its past time you hear the concerns of residents affected by the train derailment, Johnson said.

Residents in the area of the crash were forced to evacuate due to a controlled chemical release that sent dense smoke into the air. The release was conducted to avoid a possible explosion following the pressure build-up from the derailment.

Buttigieg does not appear to have responded to the morning invitation by Johnson, but he did applaud some bipartisan agreement by lawmakers on Twitter.

On Feb. 13, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said in a tweet that a congressional inquiry would be needed, along with direct action from Buttigieg due to the significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of local residents.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded on Feb. 14 by saying he fully agreed with Omar. Buttigieg replied on Twitter around noon on Feb. 15 saying, Glad to see newfound bipartisan agreement here.

We could start by discussing immediate steps Congress could take to address rail safety & reduce constraints on USDOT in this area, the transportation secretary went on. Give us a call, we can do some good work.

Buttigieg broke his silence earlier in a series of statements following criticism, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

I continue to be concerned about the impacts of the Feb 3 train derailment near East Palestine, OH, and the effects on families in the ten days since their lives were upended through no fault of their own, he said.

The transportation secretary said the National Transportation Safety Board was already investigation the incident, noting that the Department of Transportation is assisting with the probe.

Our Federal Rail Administration and Pipelines and Hazardous Materials teams were onsite within hours of the initial incident and continue to be actively engaged, he said. We will look to these investigation results & based on them, use all relevant authorities to ensure accountability and continue to support safety.

The Department of Transportation did not respond to The Epoch Timess questions regarding whether Buttigieg would attend the town hall before time for publication.
Can Beijing Accept the Change in the Southwest Pacific?

Commentary

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni (Siti) Rabuka, 74, returned to office on Dec. 24, 2022, restoring experienced strategic leadership to the Southwest Pacific. But he faces challenges from friends and enemies alike.

His return to national leadership after almost a quarter-century is a major milestone in the competition in the region between China and the West. It is a clear setback for Beijing. Yet the current political climate in Washington, Canberra, and Wellington is not in harmony with his conservative, nationalist views. And also, because of domestic challenges, Rabukas return to power is not yet solidified.

Fiji has remained highly dependent on its historical strategic and social relationships with Australia and New Zealand, as well as with the United States. But some officials in the Fijian government had become, under the outgoing government, comfortable with the easier largesse available from China as had many in the trading and political communities in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Rabuka was never one to waver on this score.

Indeed, Rabuka makes many political, military, and civil service leaders in Canberra and Wellington nervous, because he has a greater depth of experience, as well as a background of military command and recognized gallantry in conflict (Lebanon) than his regional counterparts. Neither is he afraid to speak frankly.

Fiji, a Commonwealth country of just less than 1 million population, is strategically placed in a command position in the Southwest Pacific, with 320 islands grouped around the Koro Sea, about 1,000 miles north of New Zealand. So Rabukas election is of keen importance to Beijing and Washington, as well as the Pacific Islands communities. So this is no time for Fiji to be taken lightly, particularly as the Chinese regime escalates its bid to control much of the Melanesian world, of which Fiji and Papua New Guinea are the leaders.

There are concerns, however, that the outgoing prime ministera former commander of the Fijian Armed Forces, like Rabuka himselfCommodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, has not happily accepted his political defeat in the December 2022 elections. And this may possibly also apply to the incumbent commander of the Fijian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Jone Kalouniwai, who rose from being director-general of National Security and Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence. Gen. Kalouniwai on Jan. 17, shortly after the new Rabuka government took office, issued a statement questioning the governments judgment.

They were vague concerns about the ambition and speed of changes being made, and that the government was taking shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures, which could lead to long-term national security consequences. However, he did not provide any specific details. It was later claimed that he was talking about issues that had nothing to do with national security per se, and which were, indeed, outside the purview of a defense chief. Why, indeed, was he even issuing a statement?

A Chinese-flagged fishing vessel (2nd L) enters Suva Harbor on July 15, 2022. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

But was this a hint that Kalouniwai saw himself as the next coup leader, emulating Rabuka (two coups in 1987) and Bainimarama (coup leader in 2000) themselves? Clearly, Beijing would encourage that line of thought in Kalouniwai, just as Washington, Canberra, and Wellington would not. Perhaps the general was thinking nothing of the sort. Still, in overstepping his portfolio he raised questions, and possibly made it necessary for Rabukawith discreet indications of support from his alliesto ensure he had his own man in charge of the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces, in fact, need significant upgrading, although they have a core of well-trained, proven personnel, who had featured strongly in global peacekeeping operations. Australia had provided the Fijian Naval Service with three 31.5m Pacific Forum patrol boats and two new 39.5m Guardian-class patrol boats (the second to be delivered in 2023). But these vessels are unsuited for Fijis blue water and inter-island needs, something Rabuka, even in opposition, had constantly told the Australians.

Rabukas return should signal that the Australasian paternalism of the past century toward Fiji needs to move to a true partnership, and to a major AUKUS (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) focus on strategic and economic investment in Fiji if the AUKUS powers and New Zealand are to remove Fiji as a possible target for further expansion by China. Fiji, under Rabuka, could be a key starting point in retaking the Southwest Pacific.

The United States has long maintained an embassy in Suva, the Fijian capital. Could Washington, London, and Canberra each consider developing their defense relationship with Fiji to include basing there for AUKUS vessels?

In other words, is the time right for Fiji to move away from its traditional neutrality?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Ohio governor says the state wasnt notified that hazardous materials were on the train that derailed. Now, hes calling on Congress to make sure something similar wont happen again.

The national debt is on track to become a record-breaking share of the economy in five years. What does Democrat leader Chuck Schumer say is the solution, as he bashes Republican spending cut proposals?

President Joe Biden is under pressure to address the nation about the downing of the Chinese spy balloon and other flying objects. When might that speech come, and how is the United States reacts to the latest threats of retaliation from Beijing?

After a year-long federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the Justice Department has reached a conclusion.

Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) joins us to discuss the threats socialism poses to America. She sponsored the recent House bill denouncing the ideology.

Jason Jones, founder of the Vulnerable People Project, joins us to discuss the direction of the pro-life movement. He also weighs in on human rights abuses taking place in China.
County Legislature Calls for Continued Local Sharing of Federal Medicaid Dollars

The legislature of Orange County, New York, has called on the state government to continue the local sharing of enhanced federal Medicaid dollars under the Affordable Care Act.

The Feb. 15 resolution from the legislature came in response to Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposal to end the longstanding practice in the 2024 fiscal year and use the money instead for expanded state spending.

Orange County stands to lose about $9.2 million in the coming fiscal year as a result, with the statewide impact (including five counties in New York City) likely reaching $1 billion.

That is a devastating impact on our counties, Orange County Legislature Chairwoman Katherine Bonelli said during a Feb. 15 committee meeting. They are proposing to keep all the money going forwardas far as the state is concernedto cover their expenses of Medicaid eligibility and benefits and to increase their payments to the health care providers.

On Feb. 1, Hochul proposed the largest state Medicaid funding in history, totaling $34.7 billion.

Her plan includes a 5 percent increase in reimbursement rates for hospitals and nursing homes, new primary and preventive care benefits, and an expanded buy-in program for the disabled.

One way she proposed to pay for the increased budget is to withhold all enhanced federal Medicaid dollars under the Affordable Care Act, which has traditionally been split between the state and counties since 2014 in proportion to their contributions to the Medicaid program.

In New York, Medicaid is jointly supported by federal, state, and local governments. The federal share is generally 50 percent but could go higher in times of economic hardshipsthe increased share is often called Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (E-FMAP).

Historically, despite various growth caps, local governments in New York bear one of the largest Medicaid burdens in the nation, according to a 2018 report by the Citizens Budget Commission.

In fiscal year 2022, New York local governments covered nearly 10 percent, or $8 billion, of total Medicaid costs.

The proposed withholding of E-FMAP dollars will further increase the local burdens, according to Orange County Legislature Majority Leader Tom Faggione.

I strongly disagree with the reckless spending our governor has proposed in her 2024 state budget and her plan to take the dough and leave the burden on county taxpayers, he told The Epoch Times.

About 133,994 people in Orange County had enrolled in various Medicaid programs as of May 2022, according to the latest available data from the county government.

If the proposed state withholding comes to pass, the county likely will not feel the full effect until the calendar year 2024 because of a fiscal year discrepancy between the state and federal COVID-19 relief money, according to a Feb. 16 Human Services Committee meeting.

The state is due to pass a budget by April 1.
Brenda Hughes has always wanted to know what it feels like to be onstage under the bright lights. Now, shes finding out by playing fictional 
Couple Appeals Wealth Tax to SCOTUS That 9th Circuit Upheld

A Washington state couple will soon ask the Supreme Court to disallow what they consider to be an unconstitutional wealth tax that was levied on capital gains they never received.

In 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The new law, a reform of the federal tax code, also included a provision known as the Mandatory Repatriation Tax, or the Section 965 Transition Tax. This provision taxes U.S. citizens on certain accumulated foreign earnings of foreign corporations going back 30 years, even if the earnings havent been distributed. This means taxing people on income that they never received and never owned, according to a summary provided by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which is providing legal representation to the couple.

Charles and Kathleen Moore, a married couple from Washington state, argue that this tax violates the Constitutions requirement that direct federal taxes must be apportioned among the states, as well as the Constitutions prohibition against retroactive taxation.

The Moores made a modest investment in an India-based company founded by a friend. The company, KisanKraft, supplies power tools to small-scale, individual Indian farmers with the aim of helping to make their operations more productive. The Moores had owned KisanKraft shares for more than a decade but never received any income from the shares because the company plowed all its profits back into the business.

But after the 2017 tax law change was enacted, the Moores received an unexpected tax bill from the IRS for $14,729 for additional income tax that they owed despite having never received any payments from KisanKraft.

Although such profits arent considered income unless shareholders either receive dividends or sell the shares for a capital gain, the Mandatory Repatriation Tax attempts to tax these funds as income by way of a legal fiction, by simply declaring them to be taxable income, according to CEI.

The Moores lost in federal district court, appealed, and lost again. They asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to rehear the case after a circuit panel affirmed the federal district courts dismissal of the action seeking to invalidate the Mandatory Repatriation Tax, but on Nov. 22, 2022, the 9th Circuit again denied (pdf) the couples petition.

Four judges dissented from the decision to deny rehearing.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, wrote that the court erred in disregarding the realization requirement of the 16th Amendment by allowing whats called an unapportioned direct tax on unrealized incomeundistributed earnings of a foreign corporation owned by a U.S. taxpayerwithout offering any other limiting principle. Bumatay said the court opinion opens the door to new federal taxes on other kinds of wealth and property being categorized as an income tax without the constitutional requirement of apportionment.

Dan Greenberg, general counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said the meaning of the word apportionment in the 16th Amendment, which was ratified in 1913, isnt immediately obvious to many Americans. The amendment states:

The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

The tax in this case runs afoul of the 16th Amendment, Greenberg told The Epoch Times in an interview.

I think its fair to characterize it as a wealth tax or property tax because the real question is not what name we assign it but what function the tax has. It functions as a property tax, and it is practically impossible to have a type of wealth tax or a property tax under the Constitution that is consistent with the rules of the 16th Amendment, Greenberg said.

A tax thats apportioned  means that, for instance, if Congress decided to tax everyone in the United States $10whats called a head taxthat would be perfectly constitutional because its proportional, or as it is in the language, its apportioned.

But the tax in dispute here is extremely difficult to square with the rules in place regarding constitutional rights over more than the past century, he said.

There is a constitutional right under the 16th Amendment to only have the federal government levy certain kinds of taxes, Greenberg said.

He also said he was optimistic about the case.

I really like our chances. We are on the side of roughly a centurys worth of law, Greenberg said.

He said the Moores petition will be filed with the Supreme Court on either Feb. 20 or 21.

The Epoch Times reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for comment but hadnt received a reply as of press time.
Dearth of Obvious Candidates as SNP Step Up Search for Nicola Sturgeon Successor

Nicola Sturgeon - who resigned as Scotland's First Minister on Wednesday - waves out of the window of Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland on Feb. 15, 2023. (PA)

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has begun the search for a new leader to replace Nicola Sturgeon, who shocked the political establishment on Wednesday when she suddenly resigned as Scotlands First Minister.

While there is no obvious candidate to succeed her, potential candidates include Scotlands Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes; External Affairs Secretary, Angus Robertson; Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf; and Deputy First Minister, John Swinney.

Swinney was the SNPs leader between 2000 and 2004 but stepped down after disappointing results in that years European elections. He handed the party leadership back to Alex Salmond, whom he had succeeded.

Salmond stayed in charge until 2014when he handed over to Sturgeonand led the party during the 2013 independence referendum, when 55 percent of Scots voted to remain within the United Kingdom.

In November, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Scotland could not hold a second independence referendum without the consent of the UK government.

Sturgeon announced in June that she planned to hold another independence referendum on Oct. 19, 2023, but then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected the idea. It appears highly unlikely that current PM Rishi Sunak or opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer would support another poll any time soon.

The SNPs national executive committee is due to meet on Thursday evening to discuss the timing for a leadership contest.

Stephen Flynn, who replaced Ian Blackford as the SNPs leader at Westminster, said a special party conferencewhich was due to take place on March 19 to discuss the strategy towards another independence voteshould be postponed.

Flynn, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberdeen South, said the meeting should be pushed back until after a new party leader and First Minister had been appointed.

SNP Party Conference Should Be Paused

Flynn told Sky News: The de facto referendum was obviously put forward by the First Minister and we were going to be discussing and debating the merits of that at that party conference. I personally think that party conference should be paused, for obvious reasons.

The new leader should have the opportunity and indeed the space to set out their position, their values, and their intentions going forward, Flynn added.

Flynn, 34, has already ruled himself out of the leadership contest, saying the SNP needed to be led by a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) in Edinburgh.

SNP president Michael Russell said he expected there to be a contested election for the leadership, but said he expected it would be a shortened campaignunlike the Conservatives summer-long contest to find a replacement for Johnson. That race was won by Liz Truss, who herself then lasted only 49 days as Prime Minister.

In an interview with the BBC, Russell also suggested that the special conference on March 19 would have to be postponed.

We need to take a careful look at the candidates and discuss this positively and constructively to decide who is the right person to take us forward, to take independence forward and to take Scotland forward, he said.

One of the leading contenders could be Angus Robertson, 53, who was close to Sturgeon and is expected to push ahead with the gender reform bill.

But among his rivals is 32-year-old Finance Secretary Kate Forbesa member of the Free Church of Scotland who is currently on maternity leave until April. Forbes had previously expressed concerns about rushing legislation to change gender definitions, and could seek to quietly shelve the gender reform legislation altogether.

Sturgeon resigned a month after the British government blocked her attempts to push through radical gender reforms, which would have made Scotland the first country in the world to allow people to legally change their gender based simply on self-identification.

On Jan. 17, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the UK government was making a Section 35 order prohibiting the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from gaining royal assent in its current form. It was the first time since devolution was introduced in 1998 that the UK government had pushed through such an order.

Sturgeon later came under pressure from campaigners, MPs, and Downing Street after they expressed concerns that a transgender rapist convicted of attacks on two women was set to be sent to a female jail. Sturgeon eventually announced that Isla Brysonwho had changed his name from Adam Grahamwould be incarcerated at a mens prison.

During her press conference on Wednesday, Sturgeon insisted the row over Bryson wasnt the final straw but acknowledged there had been choppy waters in recent weeks.

This decision comes from a deeper and longer-term assessment. In my head and in my heart I know that time is now, Sturgeon said.

The SNPs poll ratings have slipped from more than 50 percent in December 2019 to 41 percent in November 2022, according to the Independent.

The latest monthly average has the SNP at 43 percent, Labour at 30, and the Conservatives at 16.

Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, told the BBC that he remains positive regarding his partys chances. For 12 years I dont think people in Scotland have believed that a Labour UK government was possible. I think that is changing now. I think people believe a UK Labour government is possible, he said.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Democratic Congresswoman Criticizes DC Soft-on-Crime Policy After Elevator Assault

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), who was allegedly assaulted last week at her Capitol Hill apartment building, is now calling for changes related to how repeat offenders are prosecuted in the District of Columbia.

During an appearance on CBS Mornings that aired on Feb. 14, Craig claimed that the suspect, Kendrick Hamlin, assaulted at least a dozen people before he went on to attack her inside an elevator at her apartment building around 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 9.

I was assault No. 13 on his record, Craig told the network. And Im going to do everything in my power to make sure theres not a 14, a 15, a 20.

The 50-year-old lawmaker, who is currently serving her third term as a House member, denounced the districts handling of prior cases and claimed Hamlin was only sentenced to 10 days or 30 days for violent crime.

I mean, it wasnt even in every instance that he got 10 days or 30 days. Many times, the charges were completely dropped before any justice was achieved at all, Craig said.

Hamlin, a 26-year-old homeless man also known as Hamlin Khalil Hamlin, was arrested by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Departments First District on the same day the attack occurred, according to a statement.

Suspect Was Acting Erratic

Craig recalled in the interview that Hamlin approached and assaulted her before she managed to flee by defending herself and throwing a hot cup of coffee at the suspect.

All I could do was throw my coffee over my shoulder, which startled him, she said. But as soon as he regained, he came back toward me, and again, it was only until we got to the floor the elevator was headed to that I was able to escape.

The congresswoman suffered bruising, but was otherwise physically OK, her office said, adding that there was no evidence to suggest the attack was politically motivated.

Statement by Rep. Angie Craigs Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42  Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023

According to a public incident report, Hamlin was acting erratic as if he was under the influence [of] an unknown substance before entering the elevator.

Following the incident, Craig has vowed to support legislation for tougher penalties to make sure that were not just letting criminals out.

We have to get these repeat offenders off the streets, Craig said. We also have got to figure out how we get people the mental health and addiction help that they need, because these people are getting back out and just recommitting the same crimes over and over and over again.

Just hours after the attack, the Republican-led House voted 250173 to pass a disapproval resolution against a rewrite of D.C.s criminal code that was passed by the City Council in November last year.

The criminal bill, which would go into effect in 2025, would overhaul D.C.s criminal statute for the first time since 1901, including reducing the maximum penalties for burglary, carjacking, and robbery.

From Jan. 1 through Jan. 27, the Metropolitan Police Department recorded 2,190 crimes, including 156 robberies, marking a 16 percent increase from the same period in 2022.

Epoch Times reporter Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Democrats Propose Windfall Profits Tax on Oil Firms, Accuse Companies of War Profiteering and Price Gouging

The logo of ExxonMobil during the World Gas Conference exhibition in Paris, on June 2, 2015. (Eric Piermont/AFP via Getty Images)

Democrat lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking to impose higher taxes on oil companies for what they claim are windfall profits made from cartel pricing strategies, even as the Biden administration keeps enforcing policies which negatively affect the sector.

The Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and his Democratic colleagues. It aims to crack down on profiteering by Big Oil and return the industrys excessive gains to working people, according to a press release on Feb. 14. Five of the largest publicly traded oil companiesBP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and TotalEnergieshave reported profits totaling around $264.3 billion in fiscal 2022.

The proposal will impose a 50 percent quarterly tax on the difference between the current price for a barrel of oil and the average price between 2015 and 2019. The new tax will apply to both domestically produced and imported oil barrels.

Big Oils obscene profits last year are the spoils of war and cartel pricing. Clawing back Big Oils windfall and returning it to the American families who paid for it at the pump is good policy that will help deter future price gouging, said Whitehouse, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a senior member of Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Congress should heed the presidents call, ignore the fossil fuel industrys lies, and deliver this needed relief for the American people.

Bidens Policies on Oil and Gas

Whitehouses claim that oil firms are benefiting from high gas prices due to war and price gouging is suspect. For instance, gasoline prices were high even before the Ukraine-Russia war began in late February 2022.

When Joe Biden became president in January 2021, the average U.S. retail gas price for the week ended Jan. 25 was $2.48 per gallon. On Feb. 21, 2022, days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, oil prices had already risen to $3.62 per gallon, an increase of 46 percent. Gasoline prices were trading at $3.50 per gallon as of Feb. 13.

Many have blamed rising gas prices on the Biden administrations policies which curtailed American oil and gas production. After becoming president, Biden issued an executive order that froze oil and gas leases on federal lands. He halted the Keystone XL pipeline that was supposed to supply 830,000 barrels of oil from Canada.

During his first 19 months in office, Biden leased only 126,228 acres of land for drilling. Since Richard Nixon, no other president has leased less than 4.4 million acres in their first 19 months.

Whitehouses claim about the oil industry engaging in price gouging was rebutted last year by the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC).

The reality is that American oil and gas producers simply do notand cannotprice gouge. The largest non-state-owned oil company in the world (ExxonMobil) only has around 2 percent of the worlds oil reserves and production, AXPC said in a blog post on May 23, 2022.

Even if there was a mechanism for upstream producers to price gouge on the commodity marketwhich there isnta company that controls such a small fraction of the worlds oil does not have the power to set the price of gasoline. This accusation is an example of the tail trying to wag the dog.

Rebates, Biden Blames Oil Firms

The Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act proposes that revenue raised from windfall profits made by oil firms be distributed to consumers in the form of a quarterly rebate.

With oil priced at roughly $90100 per barrel, this levy would raise approximately $48.1 billion per year. At this price, single (tax) filers would receive an estimated $255 each year and joint filers $382, according to the Feb. 14th press release. The legislation applies to large firms that produce or import a minimum of 300,000 barrels of oil per day.

The tax proposal comes a week after Bidens State of the Union address on Feb. 7, in which he pointed fingers at oil companies for making profits.

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. They invested too little of that profit to increase domestic production and keep gas prices down, Biden said.

At the end of last year, the American Energy Alliance released a report (pdf) stating 125 ways the Biden administration made it harder for American energy companies to produce oil and gas in the country.

This includes, among others, significantly increasing regulations, eliminating federal fossil fuel subsidies wherever possible, hiring radical environmental activists to key positions, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, and selling oil to China from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
DeSantis Proposes Digital Bill of Rights

Big Tech companies may soon face new restrictions in Florida, pictured is Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg in New York City on Oct. 25, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a digital bill of rights that would enshrine various privacy protections for Floridians, according to the governors office.

If enacted, among other protections, Floridians would have the right to private, in-person conversations without surveillance and will be able to participate on online platforms without unfair Big Tech censorship.

Theyll also have the right to know how internet search engines manipulate search results and how to control their personal data, and theyll have the right to protect children from online harm.

His proposal has already gained the support of state Attorney General Ashley Moody.

My office and I have said for years that we think Big Tech needs a reboot. And so were here today to say were going to give them that reboot, she said on Feb. 15.

A little tech support, Florida-style.

Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, saluted Twitter CEO Elon Musk for his support for the right to crack jokes. File photo from June 22, 2022. (Matthew Pearson/CPI Studios)

The legislation includes an extension of the governors previous barring of the video-sharing platform TikTok on state government devices to those of local governments, as well as a ban on it from public schools and colleges.

It would extend that ban to other electronic media associated with the Chinese Communist Party and will restrict data collection on children without their parents consent, allow people to delete or edit their childrens data, and prohibit data collection from online programs in schools.

The measure will prohibit the government from partnering with social media to censor information. DeSantis mentioned the FBI working with Twitter and former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci working with Facebook toward that end.

The governor also spoke of a roundtable event he held with COVID experts in 2021, at which they opined that children should be able to go to school mask-free.

Debate Issues, Dont Censor Views

Theyre just laying out the facts on this, and Google and YouTube pulled the video down because they were saying that kids should go to school mask-free, DeSantis said in a speech at Florida Atlantic University in West Palm Beach on Feb. 15.

This is a core debate.

DeSantis noted that time had proved the roundtable experts right on schools opening and children not having to wear masks.

Why would you censor that information? You should want to be debating these issues. These are very significant issues that affect a lot of peoples, not only quality of life, but their development as young people, he said.

The proposal builds on legislation that the state enacted in 2021.

DeSantis repeatedly singled out Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google for a host of what he called abuses.

Twitters censorship practices have been publicly documented since Elon Musk acquired the social media company and opened up its files to journalists.

Should the proposed digital bill of rights be enacted, Google and other search engines operating in Florida will have to disclose whether they prioritize search results based on political or ideological views.

Twitters Elon Musk, who also owns SpaceX, smiles at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles on June 13, 2019. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

DeSantis said that social media companies have received federal protection from libel liability under the theory that theyre not publishers but forums open to everyone. Enjoying that protection and then censoring people constitutes fraud, he said.

They do have terms and conditions. They have certain rules. But those rules are applied with a thumb on the scale against the people they disagree with politically, he said.

So youve seen people who have conservative views marginalized entirely, banned, de-platformed, shadow-banned. All these different things have happened.

So what we would try to do is just say, look, in the state of Florida, we have consumer protection, unfair trade practices laws.

If youre advertising as being an open platform, youre taking that liability that says youre not a publisher. Youre monetizing by taking peoples data who join your services. And then if you turn around and de-platform someone based on viewpoint, youre committing a fraud.

DeSantis decried the loss of privacy that has come with pervasive digital media.

You go buy a phone. You turn it on. You put it in your car. You dont even make a call. Dont even open the web. The browser is just sitting there next to you. You drive around, run errands, do all that stuff, he said.

It is collecting all the data about what youre doing. They know when youre driving. They know when you get out of the car, all these different things. And its nuts to think the amount of information they can compile on you.

All these people tell me, theyre having a phone conversation, and they mentioned, like, red roses, and then like the next thing they know theyre getting an ad sent to them for red roses.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Feb. 15, 2023, proposed a digital bill of rights for Floridians to protect them from Big Tech abuses. (Courtesy of the Florida Governors Office.)

Speaking at the same conference, Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, a conservative satire website, spoke of how his promising business, launched in 2016, quickly attracted millions of viewers.

Our outlook was hopeful. It seemed like satire had a bright future. But what happened next is no joke. In an effort to crack down on the spread of misinformation, Facebook started working with third-party fact-checkers, Dillon said.

In 2018, we published a headline that read, CNN purchases industrial-sized washing machine to spin news before publication.

Snopes rated that story false. Shortly thereafter, we got a message from Facebook saying that if we continue publishing misinformation, our page will be demonetized and removed from the platform.

As Facebook began throttling our speech and threatening to de-platform, we started seeing issues on other platforms. Our jokes were getting flagged for hate speech and incitement to violence. Our email service cut us off for spreading harmful misinformation.'

The Babylon Bee spent eight months in Twitter jail, Dillon said, for a headline referring to Bidens transgender secretary of health that read, The Babylon Bees Man of the Year is Rachel Levine.

The publication was told they would be unblocked if they deleted the joke.

We refused, Dillon said, noting that the incident went beyond censorship.

Instead of taking down our joke, they required us to delete it and admit that we engaged in hateful conduct. Thats not censorship. Thats subjugation.

Ive long held that when you censor yourself, youre doing the tyrants work for him. We never even considered it.

Twitters lip service commitment to free speechprominently mentioned in its policy and mission statementmakes this even more outrageous, he said.

The Washington Post reported that on Musks first day as Twitter CEO, he issued an urgent directive: Bring back The Babylon Bee,' Dillon said.

He tied what happened to the satire site, being told what it cant even joke about, to the canceling and threats comedians have faced all over the country.

The comedians job is to poke holes in the popular narrative, whatever that narrative may be, he said.

Im thankful to have leadership here in Florida that recognizes this and is willing to take action to ensure we all have the right to speak, and, yes, even make jokes in the public square.

Shannon Chapman, a mother of two in Palm Beach County, spoke of how one of her sons, while watching a TikTok video on his iPad when he was 8, had it roll over automatically to a video that graphically showed a child being sexually abused.

Her son had nightmares for weeks and asked his parents why people would hurt children. He ultimately needed to see a psychologist, Chapman said.

Someone has to step in and say, enough is enough. Stop targeting our children. We know TikTok is mining our childrens data like location keystrokes on behalf of the Chinese government. It is not an innocent video app.
DOJ and Commerce Launch Disruptive Technology Strike Force to Protect Assets, Target Foes

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (C) flanked by Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) and FBI Director Christopher Wray (R) speaks during a news conference to announce an international ransomware enforcement action at the Department of Justice in Washington on Jan. 26, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Commerce have launched a Disruptive Technology Strike Force in order to protect American technology from acquisition by enemies.

The strike forces mission is to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains, and prevent critical technological assets from being acquired or used by Americas adversaries, according to the DOJs press release on Feb. 16.

Today, autocrats seek tactical advantage through the acquisition, use, and abuse of Americas most innovative technology. They use it to enhance their military capabilities, support mass surveillance programs that enable human rights abuses and all together undermine our values, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco during her announcement of the strike force.

The Disruptive Technology Strike Force will use intelligence and data analytics, Monaco said during her comments at Chatham House in London. The analytics will target bad actors around the world, harden supply chains so that technology wont be transferred to adversarial nations, and quickly identify threats to critical American technology.

The DOJ official noted the intelligence community is aware that China leads the world in using surveillance and censorship to keep tabs on its populations, repress dissent, and counter perceived threats abroad.

Any company doing business in China for that matter is subject to Chinese national security laws, which requires turning over data to the state, and there is a reason we need to be very concerned, Monaco said, specifically calling out social media app TikTok. The DOJ official added that she would not advise anyone to use the app.

The bottom line is that China has been quite clear that they are trying to mold and put forward the use and norms around technology that advance their privilege and their interests, the deputy attorney general added. Their interests  are fueled by and directed toward an authoritarian approach to their government. And that is not consistent with ours.

The task force will use real-time intelligence along with data analytics to bring together the Justice and Commerce Departments and strike back against adversaries trying to siphon off our most advanced technology and to attack tomorrows national security threats today, according to the DOJ.

The strike force will be led by the Justice Departments National Security Division and the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security. The initiative will bring together experts from across the government, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and 14 U.S. Attorneys Offices in 12 metropolitan areas across the country.

The Department of Justice did not respond to the Epoch Timess request for comment in time for publication.
DOJ Dropping Sex Trafficking Investigation Into Rep. Matt Gaetz, Lawyers Say

Rep.Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) delivers remarks in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Justice has decided to close down a sex trafficking probe involving Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), according to his lawyers, ending the case without filing any charges against the congressman.

We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him, Gaetzs lawyer Isabelle Kirshner told NTD on Wednesday.

The decision to drop the charges comes almost two years after Gaetz announced he was actively being investigated by the DOJ. Gaetz came forward about the investigation after a New York Times article raised allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him. That New York Times report relied on three unnamed sources.

Gaetz maintained his innocence throughout the duration of the investigation.

The allegations against me are as searing as they are false, Gaetz said in a phone interview with Axios. I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy.

I have definitely, in my single days, provided for women Ive dated, Gaetz added. You know, Ive paid for flights, for hotel rooms. Ive been, you know, generous as a partner. I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not.

Gaetz remained a target of this DOJ investigation throughout the 2022 campaign cycle, and the DOJs apparent decision to drop the case comes after Gaetz won reelection in the 2022 midterms.

Tim Jansen, a Florida attorney who represented one of the witnesses in the DOJ investigation, told NTD that the DOJs policy was not to publicly comment on the investigation. Jansen, who represented one of Gaetzs ex-girlfriends, said the DOJ did inform him on Wednesday that his client would not need to testify because they were not pursuing charges.

Gaetzs Defense

From early on in the case, Gaetz said he believes the allegations are rooted in an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name. Gaetz claimed a former DOJ official had contacted his family and requested $25 million to make the investigation against Gaetz go away.

Gaetz did not specify which former DOJ official was involved in the alleged extortion effort, but said his family had worked with the FBI to stop the extortion effort. Gaetz said his father had worn a recording device to catch the extortion effort and he called on the DOJ to release the recordings which implicate their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations. It remains to be seen if Gaetz will still pursue the release of these alleged recordings, now that the investigation has ended.

Gaetz refused to resign over the allegations and continued his 2022 campaign despite the negative public inferences created by the DOJs investigation.

Gaetzs Democratic opponent, Rebekah Jones, made direct and indirect references to the allegations against the Republican congressman during the 2022 election cycle. During an election debate, Jones drew negative inferences against Gaetz, saying he voted against almost every sex-trafficking bill that was ever brought to Congress.

In September, the Washington Post reported that federal prosecutors had recommended not to charge Gaetz, due in part to credibility concerns over two of the key witnesses in the case. Despite this reported recommendation against charging Gaetz, the DOJ never publicly addressed the case.

Gaetz won the 2022 election with 67.8 percent of the vote against Joness 32.2 percent.

Joel Greenberg, an associate of Gaetz, pled guilty to sex trafficking and other charges in May 2021. Greenbergs sentencing was delayed as he reportedly cooperated with the DOJ. Its not clear if Greenberg made any allegations that could implicate Gaetz. Prosecutors finally agreed to let sentencing against Greenberg proceed in December, without them bringing any other charges.

Jones has continued to make references to the investigation against Gaetz even after the election.

NTD reached out to Gaetzs office for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

From NTD News
Early arrivals to America brought their cultural heritage, especially their religious music, to the new country. Now separated by an ocean from their oppressive homeland, immigrants brought a new spirit of freedom to their music of worship and ordinary life.

The Pilgrim fathers, on their treacherous 66-day voyage across the Atlantic, said their prayers and sang their songs. Upon arrival in their new home, their music began to change and to expand. They altered melodies, introduced previously forbidden harmonies, and composed new works.

Pilgrims from other traditions also contributed to the new music in the new land. The Shakers expressed their ecstatic visions and sometimes eccentric ways with a rousing Come life, Shaker life, come life eternal! Shake, shake out of me all that is carnal. To rid themselves of their lust, envy, and fears, they sang and danced until they dropped.

Persecuted believers from other parts of Europe abandoned their homeland for religious freedom in the United States. The Amish and Mennonites from Germanic countries brought harmonious, gentle music which can be heard today unaltered at their church services.

The American Baptist minister Samuel Francis Smith, who wrote the lyrics to My Country, Tis of Thee, first published in 1832. (Public domain)

There was generally little difference between sacred and secular music in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. But a new tone and attitude imbued themselves into the second and third generation of American believers. The severity of ancestral repression was not so heavy on their minds in this new land.

Stern pilgrims sang lyrics mainly from Old Testament texts, but their music was generally of a lighter, happier, and hopeful tone. Oh, how sweet to walk in this Pilgrim way leaning on the Everlasting Arms was a newer, more uplifting statement of faith. America inspired more music of earthly opportunity and of a heavenly promise of joy and peace.

Songs for Life

Along with hymns, immigrants brought folk songs. Folk music, passed on through countless centuries by countless generations, was mostly anonymous, the voice of workers in the fields and in the streets, but as literacy spread, the names of composers came to be known. These songs, our new folk songs, were part of everyday life. With no radios or phonographs at that time, Americans sang their music throughout their lives, uniting households and communities in feelings and ideals.

These Americans were not embarrassed to express their joy or their sorrow openly and simply. In fact, the greatness of these songs, whether sacred or secular, lies in their forthrightness and simplicity. They belonged to everyone; there was no class distinction, but, for the most part, they were not of a frivolous nature. Subjects of the songs varied, sometimes prompted by historical events like the Civil War, the abolition of slavery, the industrial revolution, or a flourishing technology.

Time has immortalized the greatest and most affecting music, and this is what the world remembers. For example, while Stephen Fosters poignant Willie, We Have Missed You, about a beloved boy who returns unharmed to his mothers home, did not stem from the Civil War, it nonetheless expressed the sentiment of the wars era. The awakening of Americas conscience regarding slavery is heard in Benjamin Hanbys Darling Nellie Gray, inspired by the story of a man who escaped a plantation after seeing his own wife sold at auction. The advent of the railroad made the farthest reaches of the country accessible in a matter of days. Crossing the Grand Sierras, by Henry Clay Work, expresses the exuberance of a traveler on a train from the eastern shores through the central plains and mountains to the Pacific Ocean out West.

Life was short in the 19th century, a span of only about 50 years, but through some mysterious alchemy, sorrow produced some of Americas most moving music. The poet George Cooper, who lost his wife shortly after their marriage, wrote the lyrics to Sweet Genevieve: Oh, Genevieve, Id give the world to live again the lovely past. The haunting lyrics and music by Henry L. Tucker are as powerful today as when they were first published, a century and a half ago.

Although written before the Civil War, Fosters song Willie, We Have Missed You, about a beloved boy who returns unharmed to his mother, captured the sentiment of the homefront during that conflict. Sheet music cover for Willie, We Have Missed You by Foster, 1854. (Public domain)

Countless composers and poets have expressed love for America, but most beautiful to this listener is the poem My Country, tis of Thee by seminary student Samuel Francis Smith, who set his words to the British patriotic anthem God Save the King. We, of course, have no king, but we do have our great country to love, and God Himself, to hear us pray Long may our land be bright / With Freedoms holy light.

A single voice might sound beautiful to our ears, but a hundred or a thousand voices raised together is the most golden and glorious sound in all the world. Standing with other people singing this song, strangers, neighbors, friends, and family, creates a marvelous experience and is no light matter. In fact, it is a great matter. It is a moment of grace and unity. There is the certain knowledge, coming from the heart rather than the mind, that we are one great family and that God is listening to our songs.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Residents in East Palestine May Already Be Undergoing DNA Mutations, Lawyer Alleges

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, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Ohio National Guard via AP)

A lawyer representing plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, alleged that some residents of the town may already be undergoing DNA mutations after the incident earlier this month.

Im not sure Norfolk Southern could have come up with a worse plan to address this disaster, said attorney John Morgan, who is representing plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit, in reference to the train operator. Residents exposed to vinyl chloride may already be undergoing DNA mutations that could linger for years or even decades before manifesting as terrible and deadly cancers.

Their lawsuit alleges that Norfolk Southern made it worse by essentially blasting the town with chemicals as they focused on restoring train service and protecting their shareholders, Morgan told local media WFMJ-TV as well as USA Today this week. Morgan did not provide specific evidence for his claims regarding DNA mutations.

The latest lawsuit was filed Wednesday his law firm Morgan & Morgan in U.S. District Courts Northern District of Ohio. Its one of six suits that Norfolk Southern now faces after the train derailment earlier this month, according to the outlet.

It contends that Norfolk Southern blew holes in its vinyl chloride cars, and dumped 1,109,400 pounds of cancer causing vinyl chloride directly into the environment, reported the paper. Additionally, the lawsuit argues Norfolk Southern released more vinyl chloridea highly toxic chemicalinto the air than all industrial emitters did in 2021.

According to the federal National Cancer Institute, vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is found in numerous plastic productsincluding plumbing. But vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia, its website says.

A research paper released in 2007 published in the Journal of Human Genetics noted that vinyl chloride is a human carcinogen that is known to undergo metabolism in the liver that can ultimately cause oncogene and tumor suppressor gene mutations. And an introduction for the paper said the chemical is a known animal and human carcinogen capable of damaging DNA.

Morgans lawsuit and the other suits are seeking damages from Norfolk Southern. The train operator has yet to file a response to the complaints in court.

In a statement to The Epoch Times, Norfolk Southern said it is unable to comment on anything that may be material to the [National Transportation Safety Boards] investigation, and we are unable to comment on pending litigation.

It provided a fact sheet that said new water testing results have been returned to the Ohio EPA, which show no detection of contaminants in raw water from the five wells that feed into East Palestines municipal water system  test results from the combined, treated water from all five wells also showed no detection of contaminants associated with the derailment.

We Will Not Walk Away

Norfolk Southern announced Tuesday that it is creating a $1 million fund to help the community of some 4,700 people while continuing remediation work, including removing spilled contaminants from the ground and streams and monitoring air quality. It also will expand how many residents can be reimbursed for their evacuation costs, covering the entire village and surrounding area.

An environmental company is removing dead fish downstream from the site of the train derailment that forced people to be evacuated from their homes in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

We will be judged by our actions, Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a statement that also said the company is cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way.

Shaw also released a longer news release and declared we will not walk away, East Palestine.

When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water, and land. Many of you have also reached out to Norfolk Southern to share your fears, your anger, and your frustration, he said.

The CEO said that Norfolk Southern crews are on-site and cleaning the area and will be using its Family Assistance Center to help East Palestine residents. I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know youre tired. I know youre worried. We will not let you down, he said.

FEMA Turns Down Request

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) turned down a request for federal disaster assistance from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, his office confirmed Thursday.

DeWine wrote on Twitter that his administration has been in daily contact [with] FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, but FEMA continues to advise that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time and that he will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.

Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for DeWine, also told news outlets that FEMA told his office that the incident likely doesnt qualify for disaster relief and that FEMA usually provides federal aid in the aftermath of a natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake. But Ohio was able to obtain some assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to aid residents with potential medical costs connected to the chemical spill and fire, he said.

The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, continues on Feb. 9, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Norfolk Southern, the operator of the derailed train, also is providing some financial aid to East Palestine residents, Tierney told Fox News. If Norfolk Southern doesnt do so, the Ohio attorney generals office will get involved and hold the railway operators feet to the fire, he said.

When reached for comment, FEMA said Thursday that the emergency agency is in constant contact with the emergency operations center in East Palestine and with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, adding it is closely coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC, who are helping to test water and air quality, and to conduct public health assessments.

The agency did not provide a response to an Epoch Times question about DeWines Twitter statement that Ohio isnt eligible for FEMA assistance.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also sent a letter (pdf) to DeWine earlier this week and asked the governor to declare the derailment a disaster because a man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Emergencies Act Inquiry to Release Report on Feb. 17

Commissioner Paul Rouleau responds to counsels requests during proceedings at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Nov. 1, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

The report into the first-time use of the Emergencies Act by the Trudeau government last year will be tabled in Parliament on Feb. 17, the Public Order Emergency Commission has announced.

After having presented the report to Parliament, Commissioner Paul Rouleau will read a statement which will be broadcast live on the inquirys website.

The commission says Rouleau will not be taking questions from the media or doing follow-up interviews.

A press release also notes a number of constraints applied to journalists seeking to read an advanced copy of the report, such as attending a lock-up.

Journalists communications devices need to be put on airplane mode and stored in lockers and the commission says electronic transmissions may be monitored during the lock-up.

The report will be under strict embargo until Rouleau starts reading his statement in Parliament.

The date of the tabling of the report drew some controversy when the Liberal cabinet requested to receive an advanced copy on Feb. 6, and gave a deadline of Feb. 20 for tabling it in Parliament.

The commission was granted an extension in early February and the government removed the Feb. 6 deadline.

Cabinet should not have access 2 weeks before the Canadian people, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis had tweeted on Feb. 1 before the change of deadline.

The inquiry report was ordered by section 63 of the Emergencies Act & the date to table it in Parliament is fixed in the Act. This isnt an Inquiry ordered by [Justin Trudeau]. Its statutorily prescribed.

Commissioner Rouleau heard extensive testimonies from stakeholders and observers during public hearings last fall, but a key piece was missing: The Liberals chose to not reveal the legal opinion it used to justify invoking the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14.

At that time, the trucker-led Freedom Convoy protest demanding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions had been in Ottawa since Jan. 28, and border blockades had surfaced across the country.

The inquiry heard during the hearings that security agencies did not assess the events to constitute a national security threat and that police officials did not believe invoking the act was necessary to deal with the situation.

The government said it possesses the authority to determine what constitutes a national security emergency and doesnt need to strictly follow the definitions set in the act, with the prime ministers National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas calling them too narrow.
An Albany man with a unique haircut that helped investigators identify him and who would visit homeless encampments to preach to peasants  originally charged with attempted murder  has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after being convicted of attempted assault.

Benton County Circuit Court Judge Locke Williams sentenced 24-year-old John Dakota Lyon to 58 months in prison during a Wednesday, Feb. 15 hearing after Lyon pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault.

Lyon was sentenced on two open cases in Benton County. In the second case, Williams sentenced Lyon to 18 months in prison following a guilty plea to a charge of unlawful use of a weapon. This sentence will run concurrently with the 58 months.

The incidents

Lyon was initially indicted on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon for a Nov. 23, 2021, incident. Court documents alleged Lyon tried to kill someone using a dangerous weapon.

Details emerged at the sentencing.

Prosecutor Steven Thiel said Lyon attacked a homeless man in North Albany with a knife and blunt object, causing severe skull injuries and temporary loss of vision.

Thiel added that throughout the investigation, Lyon told authorities he went to homeless camps in attempts to preach to peasants.

A probable cause affidavit for the case said an Albany police officer responded to a report of an assault near the Corvallis Clinic, 633 North Albany Road NW. A nearby gas station employee had reported a man was bleeding from his head.

The victim told the caller he was attacked, according to the affidavit. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital.

The victim told the officer that a man he didnt know ran up on him and attacked him. The victim said he had seen the suspect previously in the same area of town but did not know who he was.

After receiving medical treatment, the victim was transported to Oregon Health and Science University Hospital to treat a skull fracture.

Days later, the next incident occurred a block away.

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Lyon was originally charged with first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and third-degree theft for a Nov. 26, 2021, robbery at the North Albany Independent Grocers Alliance.

According to a probable cause affidavit in this case, an IGA employee reported Lyon stole a knife and possibly a hat and energy drink too. When employees told Lyon he needed to pay for the items, he allegedly threatened them as he tried to open the knife from its packaging.

Identifying and arresting Lyon

Lyons unique haircut at the time of the crimes helped police to identify him.

While recovering at OHSU, the assault victim told police the man who had hit him had a really strange haircut, according to the affidavit.

The victim described the cut as shaved on top and in the front, but longer in the back. An officer later discovered this style is sometimes called a skullet.

Police compiled a six-photograph lineup and asked the victim to identify the man who struck him. He picked out Lyon from the lineup.

Because of this, police were able to identify Lyon as the man in the video surveillance from the IGA during the robbery.

A plea deal

In exchange for pleading guilty to the attempted assault and the unlawful use of a weapon charges, all other charges in both cases were dismissed.

The attempted murder case was scheduled to go to trial next week, but Lyon opted to take the plea deal.

Defense attorney Christian Strahl said this decision showed how his client has matured since his arrest while in custody.







Related articles:

Albany man with skullet haircut suspected of attempted murder and robbery
EU Debates 11 Billion Euro Worth of Trade Curbs in New Russia Sanctions

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet on sideline of the Libya summit in Berlin on Jan. 19, 2020. (Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via Reuters)

BRUSSELSRepresentatives of the 27 European Union countries meet in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a new batch of sanctions against Russia, which the head of the blocs executive said could cost 11 billion euros ($11.8 bln) in lost trade.

The bloc is expected to agree new sanctions to mark the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, but the specific proposals must yet win the unanimous backing of all EU member states.

We are weakening Russias ability to maintain its war machine. We have adopted nine packages of sanctions, the Russian economy is shrinking, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. We need to keep up the pressure, she told the European Parliament ahead of the closed-door talks among the 27 national envoys in Brussels.

Were talking about 11 billion euro. We are suggesting restrictions on some dual-use and electronic components used in Russian armed systems such as drones and missiles and helicopters, she said, describing the looming 10th sanctions package, which could also target Iran for helping Russias war.

There are also hundreds of drones manufactured in Iran, used by Russia, in the battlefield in Ukraine. These Iranian drones kill Ukrainian civilians so for the first time we are also suggesting sanctions targeting Iranian economic operators including those linked to the Revolutionary Guards.

10th Package

The Commission has proposed EU countries should cut four more Russian banks, including the private Alfa-Bank, the online bank Tinkoff and the commercial lender Rosbank from global messaging system SWIFT, two EU diplomatic sources said on condition of anonymity.

Rubber and asphalt would be added to the EU list of barred imports from Russia and the bloc would ban Russia Todays Arabic service from its territory, according to the people, who are familiar with the confidential talks.

A person wearing a hat with an Ukrainian flag attends an anti-war protest, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in front of the European Union headquarters, in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 24, 2022. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Further bans on EU exports to Russia were meant to stifle Moscows ability to produce arms and equipment deployed against Ukraine.

The sources said they would cover electronic circuits and components, thermal cameras, radios and heavy vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum used in construction and machinery serving industrial and construction purposes.

The Commission also proposed further restrictions on European joint ventures with Russia and Russian nationals sitting on boards in Europe, they added.

The bloc aims to both extend its measures against Russia and close loopholes in existing sanctions, including tighter controls on selling satellite data to China, which the sources said risked being passed on to Russia.

EU nations are also looking at additional reporting obligations to better track Russian assets in Europe as they seek ways to use those frozen under sanctions to finance rebuilding Ukraine from the war.

The EU has so far located around 33.8 billion euros worth of Russian central bank assets on its territory, according to EU officials, from an estimated $300 billion frozen outside of Russia.

Addressing the same session of the European Parliament, the blocs top diplomat Josep Borrell said EU countries had to supply more arms, more quickly to Ukraine, where the United States and NATO said Russia has started a new offensive.

($1 = 0.9329 euros)

By Gabriela Baczynska
Every Parents Nightmare: TikTok Offering Child Predators an Easy Path to Contacting Kids

The logo for social media app TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone on an American flag background in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 3, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

TikTok is turning into a major platform for child sexual exploitation in the United States, according to law enforcement officials, with predatory adults increasingly finding it easier to contact and manipulate minors through the Chinese app.

Since the advent of the internet, child predators have had an easy option to get in touch with minors for sexual relationships. However, TikTok is said to be worsening this problem due to its massive popularity among youngsters. Over 50 percent of American minors are estimated to use TikTok at least once every day. The audience thats following these children, a lot of them are adult males that have a sexual interest in children, Jon Rouse, police veteran who heads a group targeting child sex offenders for Interpol, said to The Wall Street Journal.

Child sex offenders will gravitate toward where there are children. Pedophiles prefer looking at videos, he added. Billions of videos are uploaded to the app every month, with numerous minors doing all kinds of things, including talking about personal lives.

TikTok officially only allows individuals who are 13 and older to open an account. Users younger than 16 years are also not allowed to use the direct messaging feature which allows people to converse with each other privately. However, children can still falsify their age and gain access to such features.

For instance, Grady Moffett Sr., 42, is currently in a county jail in Fort Worth, Texas, on charges related to alleged sexual assault. He was able to strike up romantic conversations with a 14-year-old girl.

Both of them professed love for each other in public comments at the platform. The duo communicated with each other using TikToks direct messaging feature, he admitted to The Wall Street Journal.

The teen girls mother said that the situation was every parents nightmare. The girl told her mother that she loved Moffett because he understood her. I felt like he kind of groomed her, the mother told the media outlet.

TikToks Failure to Implement Robust Safeguards

Seara Adair, a TikTok content creator, is worried about child sexual content proliferating across the platform. In March last year, Adair was tagged with a video of a pre-teen who was completely naked and doing inappropriate things, she said to Forbes.

Adair reported the video for pornography and nudity. However, the app later alerted her that we didnt find any violations. This happened despite the fact that TikTok claims as a policy that it has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse and sexualized content of minors (any person under the age of 18).

Theres quite literally accounts that are full of child abuse and exploitation material on their platform, and its slipping through their AI, Adair said.

The Epoch Times has reached out to TikTok for comment.

On TikTok, many teens opt to not make their accounts private in a bid to gather likes. They also use features allowing them to post videos together with strangers side by side.

You have young kids dancing and showing their lives all over TikTok, Joseph Scaramucci, a police detective in Waco, Texas, told The Wall Street Journal. It makes it a one-stop shop for people looking to exploit them.

Promoting Sexual Content to Kids

In September 2021, The Wall Street Journal published the results of an investigation that used 100 fake TikTok accounts, including 31 accounts registered as users aged 1315.

The research uncovered that teenage accounts were exposed to over 100 videos from other profiles which recommended porn content. Thousands of videos, which creators had marked adults-only, were also fed into feeds of the teenage accounts.

In an interview with Fox in December, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) called for banning TikTok, pointing out that the app is exposing minors to violent, depraved, degrading sexual material, material that Beijing would never let Chinese teenagers watch. He also insisted that TikTok is a threat to data security and privacy.

If you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, why in the world would we allow a Chinese-owned company, which has to answer to the Chinese communists, to be one of the largest media platforms in our country? Cotton stated.

Would we ever have allowed Soviet Russia to own a major newspaper or a major broadcast network during the Cold War? Of course, we wouldnt have.
Fake Psychiatrist Who Worked in UK Health Service for 20 Years Convicted

Zholia Alemi, who was sentenced to five years in prison for pretending to be a psychiatrist on Oct. 18, 2018. (Cumbria Police)

A woman who presented herself as a doctor duped Britains NHS out of an estimated 1.3 million after faking her qualifications will spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.

For 20 years, Iranian-born Zholia Alemi worked across various UK health trusts using a forged medical degree that put her in close contact with hundreds of vulnerable patients.

She was found guilty of multiple offences at Manchester Crown Court where a judge described her actions as deliberate and wicked deception.

Alemi was convicted of 13 counts of fraud, three counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, two counts of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument, following a four-week trial.

Remanding her into custody on Wednesday, Judge Hilary Manley told her: There is only one possible sentence and that will be a sentence of immediate custody of some substantial length.

Accomplished Forger

Details of Alemis deep levels of deception were heard throughout the long court case.

Prosecutors told how she landed a job in the NHS after claiming to have qualified at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

Alemi had earned between 1 million and 1.3 million from the health service after she sent the forged certificate to the General Medical Council (GMC) to register to practise in 1995, the court heard.

She was also accused of sending a forged letter of verification, which the jury heard had verify spelt as varify and referred to six years medical trainee with satisfactory grade.

Christopher Stables, prosecuting, said Alemi is believed to be 60, although the court heard that she had three different dates of birth on documents.

Opening the case, he told the jury: She is, say the prosecution, a most accomplished forger and fraudster, but has no qualification that would allow her to be called, or in any way to be properly regarded as, a doctor.

The court was told Alemi had been convicted of three fraud offences at Carlisle Crown Court in 2018 after forging a will to make herself the beneficiary and forging powers of attorney.

She was sentenced to five years in prison after re-drafting the 84-year-old womans will.

Following her first conviction, the GMC apologised for inadequate checks made in the 1990s and for any risk arising to patients as a result.

Alemi, of Plumbe Street in Burnley, denied forging her degree certificate, telling the jury she did not fail any exams in the six-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery course.

The court heard that university records showed Alemi, who was born in Iran, was stopped from re-enrolling at the university in New Zealand after failing a number of years.

She claimed she had moved from her home country to New Zealand after she and her family were tortured following the Iranian revolution.

An undated photo of Manchester Crown Court, England. (Screenshot/Googlemaps)

Triggered 3,000 Medical Checks

Janice Wild, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: Alemi used forged New Zealand medical qualifications to obtain employment as a UK NHS psychiatrist for 20 years.

In doing so, she must have treated hundreds of patients when she was unqualified to do so, potentially putting them at risk.

Her fraudulent actions also enabled her to dishonestly earn income and benefits in excess of 1 million, to which she was not entitled.

We will now pursue confiscation proceedings against her aiming to recover the criminal property from which she has benefited.

Setting Alemis sentence hearing for Feb. 28, Judge Manley said the deception allowed the defendant to work in positions which involved potentially very vulnerable people over a long period of time and described the offending as very grave.

The judge told the court that, before sentencing, she wanted to know how it was this defendant was able to practise as long as she was, in so many positions.

When first brought to light, Alemis case triggered national checks on the qualifications of more than 3,000 other doctors who came to work in the UK from outside Europe, according to The Cumberland News and Star.

Speaking to the local newspaper following Alemis conviction, Detective Superintendent Matt Scottthe officer who led the complex investigationsaid: Zholia Alemi had denied these offences and chose to stand trial.

But a jury have heard the evidence over a number of weeks and found her guilty.

Ahead of her sentencing, I would like to pay tribute to my team of dedicated detectives, the NHS CFA team, and our prosecution team at the Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Fraud Office for their extensive investigations.

I would like to thank the cooperation of the various health partners in the NHS, GMC and more, who we have liaised with during the course of this investigation.

I would also like to thank the jury who have sat and listened to the evidence in this high-profile case as well as the prosecution Counsel team of Mr. Stables and Ms. Atherton.

PA contributed to this report
Federal Ethics Commissioner Stepping Down Due to Health Issues

Federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion announced on Feb. 14 he is leaving his post and going into retirement due to persistent health issues.

Dion made the announcement on the same day he published his report on Liberal MP Greg Fergus, who he found in breach of the Conflict of Interest Act.

It is my hope that I have contributed in some measure to transparency and accountability in support of Canadian democracy, Dion said in a statement, indicating he will be stepping down on Feb. 21 after 43 years of public service.

Along with the Conflict of Interest Act, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner also administers the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.

The Conflict of Interest Act applies to public office holders such as ministers, ministerial staff, cabinet appointees, and heads of Crown corporations.

Dion commended the seriousness shown by regulatees and said their willingness to seek learning opportunities and cooperate with the Office confirms my belief that the vast majority are honest people who want to do the right thing.

Dion struck a more critical tone when issuing his report on MP Fergus, saying that over his tenure he has seen on several occasions senior officials being unaware of their obligations and mistakenly making assumptions.

The commissioner recommended that the government make his offices training mandatory, since we continue to see a succession of mistakes that are largely attributable to the inability to recognize the need to seek consultation.

On the Fergus case, Dion said he was quite concerned that someone with his experience would fail to recognize the possibility of a contravention.

Fergus is parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and to the president of the Treasury Board, and sits on the Commons ethics and House affairs committees.

His breach relates to writing a letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to support the application of Natyf Inc. for a broadcasting licence.

The attempt to improperly further Natyfs interests breached the Conflict of Interest Act, Dion said.

I recognize and apologize for my unintentional error in providing the letter of support to a francophone specialty channel that reflects Black and multi-ethnic communities across Canada, Fergus said in a Feb. 14 statement.

He added he would redouble his efforts to meet his obligations under the act and work with the Office to do so.

Dion found other Liberal government ministers in breach over his tenure, including Dominic Leblanc in 2018, Justin Trudeau in 2019, Bill Morneau in 2021, and more recently Mary Ng in December 2022.
Florida Lawmakers Hope to Curb Social Media Harms Through Education

Clearwater parent Dulce Gonzalez remembers the alarm she felt when she realized her daughter, a pre-teen at the time, seemed addicted to social media, a path she believed was leading the girl toward harm.

She compared it to being hooked on crystal meth.

I had just gone through a divorce and had to put my kids in public school, Gonzalez told The Epoch Times. Thats when I caught [my daughter], who was 12, talking to a 20-year-old man on Discord an online chat platform.

Protecting children from harmful social media interactions is the aim of SB52, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Florida Legislature by state Sen. Danny Burgess, a Republican from Zephyrhills.

The bill would require public schools to teach about social media safety, and would require the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) to provide local school boards with materials about keeping children safe when using social media.

The school boards would be required to make parents aware of the materials.

The logo of YouTube social media displayed by a tablet in Toulouse, France, on Oct. 5, 2021. (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images)

Its instruction parents need, Gonzalez said.

Her daughter was sending her address to random adult males who were asking if she needs help with solo sex acts.

She was going on depressive sites where people were talking about cutting their friends names into their legs. So she started cutting herself. People talk on those sites about using sex as a form of self-harm.

When I saw this, I flipped. I took away all her internet access.

A Positive Change

When she took away her daughters access to social media, the childs demeanor changed completely, and for the better, Gonzalez said.

It was a complete 180-[degree] turnaround, she said. Once again, the child would come out of her room laughing and starting discussions. She stopped neglecting her hygiene.

The improvement lasted two months, while she was free of social media.

But sadly, Gonzalez said, she is back to her old self playing online virtual reality (VR) games.

Its no different from being a drug addict. They need that dopamine hit.

Indeed, social media platforms are designed to be addictive, research shows. And Floridas Republican governor also is taking action to try to protect children from it.

On Feb. 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in West Palm Beach announcing a proposal for a Digital Bill of Rights focused on protecting Floridians privacy from Big Tech companies, protecting minors from online harms, and eliminating unfair censorship.

Hes asking state lawmakers to pass legislation that would ban the use of TikTok and other social media platforms with ties to China from all state government devices, and through internet services at colleges, universities, and public schools, and prohibits state and local government employees from coordinating with Big Tech companies to censor protected speech.

This is, of course, part of a larger effort that weve done to support parents rights in the state of Florida and we are going to continue to do that, DeSantis told reporters.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 3, 2023. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)

Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle already are joining in that mission.

We have to protect our children from predators and human traffickers that use social media to harm children, state Sen. Rosalind Osgood, a Democrat from Tamarac, told The Epoch Times in a written statement.

I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this nonpartisan effort to protect our children.

Just south of the governors appearance, on Floridas Atlantic Coast, the School Board of Broward County voted on the same day to join a class action, district-wide lawsuit against Facebook, TikTok, Snap Chat, YouTube, and other social media companies.

This needs to be done, board member Brenda Fam, who voted yes on the motion, told The Epoch Times. The children and the parents are going to be vindicated.

Fam listed grave reasons for supporting the lawsuit: declining mental health among students, student suicides, and damage to school property blamed on TikTok challenges.

Broward County will be the flagship for lawsuit, which has yet to be filed, and she hopes other districts will join, she said.

Broward County Public Schools has retained the Law Firm of Robbins, Seller, Rudman, and Dowd.

Promoting Social Media Safety

SB 52 will require the state to provide age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction on social media safety for students in grades 612, and focus on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media and promote best practices in digital citizenship.

Digital media can be a very powerful tool, especially for students to communicate, collaborate, and exercise their First Amendment rights to have their voices heard, Joe Phillips, chief information officer for Broward County Public Schools, wrote in a statement to The Epoch Times.

This is especially true when students feel the need to communicate and show others about the challenges and issues that they are facing in their world.

However, digital media can also be riddled with very dangerous and slippery slopes that even adults have a difficult time navigating.

There are deliberately addictive algorithms that have been shown to impact childrens mental and physical health negatively.

There are also concerns with peer pressure, cyberbullying, online predator risk, loss of data ownership and privacy, and identity theft, along with several other slopes.

Joe Phillips, chief information officer for Broward County Public Schools, and his wife have closely monitored their five sons online activities in an effort to keep them safe. (Courtesy of Joe Phillips)

Phillips is the father of five sons. He didnt let any of his children use phones until they were in 6th grade. And he wont allow them on social media unsupervised until theyre 18, he said.

My wife and I also use a graduated system of phone freedom, similar to the graduated drivers license idea. They are able to have more applications installed as they age and show that they are understanding how to use them responsibly.

We teach them about the advantages and the dangers, and they know that the phone we provide for them is not theirs and they do not have any expectation of privacy on them from us, as parents, Phillips wrote.

We also use monitoring applications such as Bark, and engineer phone settings so that applications must be approved by a parent before download, Phillips said. And he and his wife do regular inspections of their childrens devices.

Phillips says Burgesss bill should be tweaked.

The term social media may be too narrow, and it may be better to use the term digital media,' he wrote.

This term would encompass a wider range of communication and media technologies, including any software, platform, or application in which media is created, distributed, and consumed through digital channels. This may be a better term to future-proof the bill a bit better.

Hunter Pollacka law student whose sister was killed five years ago in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parklandgrew up with social media and talked about its positive aspects.

People attend a spiritual service in Pine Trails Park with leaders of several faiths in tribute to the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2020. (Leila Macor/AFP via Getty Images)

When March for Our Lives shunned me and would not let me speak at their rally, I was able to take to Facebook to get my message out, Pollack said.

Still, kids need to be careful about what they post because it can come back to haunt you later in life, he said.

Burgesss bill also bans social media on school-owned devices. But it will not prevent students from using cell phones during classes.

When they are in class, its [only] 15 minutes before the kids are zoned out on their phones, Gonzalez said. If a teacher tries to take it away, the kid complains to their parents, and the parents call the school angry.

Gonzalez would like to see homework assignments sent home that focus on safe social media use.

The kids need to be taught, but so do the parents, said Gonzalez. We did not grow up with this stuff.

Thats another way the bill can help, Osgood said.

Educating students and parents will help them understand the pitfalls of certain platforms and how to use social media safely, she said.

DeSantis has voiced support for limiting or banning the use of cell phones in a class entirely.

Why are these students on their phones during class all the time? DeSantis asked rhetorically during a press conference on Jan. 23. They should not be always on their phones, being distracted from the lessons.

The Epoch Times reached out to Burgesss office but didnt receive a response.
Forced Organ Harvesting From Prisoners of Conscience in China Must End Now

Falun Gong practitioners stage a reenactment of organ harvesting of imprisoned practitioners in China during a protest in Vienna on Oct. 1, 2018. (Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

Chinese state media have accused the U.S. government of being hysterical, laughably juvenile, and losing its calm after U.S. fighter jets shot down four objects, including a Chinese spy balloon, this month.

Columns in China Daily, Peoples Daily, and Global Times mocked the United States, opining that Washington made a strong case that the F-22 is invincible when its enemies are balloons and that it looks pretty tough in the face of balloons.

This mockery is darkly ironic, given that the leadership in China is itself guilty of a most extreme case of hysterical overreaction when it comes to prisoners of conscience. Over the past 23 years, the communist leadership in Beijing has committed forced organ harvesting of peaceful, defenseless Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline of self-improvement that has posed no threat to any government in the world, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Its core teachings abide by the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Despite the absence of any threat from the group of meditators, late CCP leader Jiang Zemin completely lost his calm. He started a nationwide persecution campaign of Falun Gong adherents in 1999 and initiated a system of mass murder via the removal of vital organs.

The Chinese op-eds ridicule the United States for a supposed disproportionate use of force against the balloons, but it is the CCP that must finally take responsibility for the disproportionate use of force in torturing and killing vulnerable Falun Gong practitioners, often in solitary confinement where groups of police officers torture defenseless people to death or take them to operation rooms where their bodies are pillaged for organs to be transplanted.

In the case of the balloons, the United States shot down four inanimate objects, while in China, the CCP has killed an unknown number of innocent people for their organs.

Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) states unequivocally that forced organ harvesting is nefarious and evil. The CCP ought to revisit its brutal persecution of innocents rather than offer misplaced, sardonic criticism of the United States for defending its own airspace.

DAFOH calls upon the CCP to immediately end the forced organ harvesting of living Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.

It is also time that the rest of the free world calls out the CCP for its horrific policy of forced organ harvesting. This must not continue while the world watches in silence. This is not a question of policies or partisan affiliationsthis concerns all of humankind.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Golden Visa Scheme That Awarded 1,500 Chinese Millionaires Irish Residency Scrapped

Irish Justice Minister Simon Harris announced the country's abrupt end of the Immigrant Investor Programme after EU pressure

Minister for Justice Simon Harris at a press conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin after the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on Jan. 19, 2023. The Justice Minister announced the scrapping of Ireland's 'golden visa' scheme.

Ireland has scrapped its decade-old Golden Visa scheme that awarded over 1,500 Chinese millionaires residency.

Irish Minister for Justice Simon Harris made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) had been under review for some time.

The move comes less than a year after a European Parliament report described the scheme as being excessively vulnerable to abuse, including tax avoidance.

The cash-for-visa-type programme allowed wealthy foreign investors outside the European Union (EU) to have residency in Ireland in return for making investments.

Applicants to the programme were required to have a personal wealth of at least 2 million, and were expected to donate at least 500,000 to philanthropic projects.

The scheme was set up in the aftermath of the post-2008 Irish banking crisis, which forced the country to seek an IMF bailout.

While the scheme did not immediately provide passports, investors and qualifying family members could apply for citizenship after five years of residency in Ireland.

Mr. Harris said that since its 2012 inception, the programme has approved massive investments in the Irish economy.

Since its inception, the IIP has approved investment of almost 1.252 billion, which has benefited many enterprises, both economic and social, including community and sporting organisations, Harris told Irelands senate on Tuesday.

Since the scheme began, however, Chinese investors, including those from Hong Kong, accounted for more than 90 per cent of successful applicants to the IIP programme, according to the Financial Times.

Security Risk

Figures released by the Irish Department of Justice last year revealed that more than 1,500 Chinese millionaires had received residency in the past decade through the scheme, according to the Irish Independent.

The European Commission has previously called on EU governments to end similar cash-for-citizenship programmes it considers a security risk.

It also raised concerns that such schemes could be abused for money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption purposes.

Minister Harris said he had taken into account studies by international bodies such as the European Commission in making the decision to shut down the scheme.

Since its inception, the Programme has brought  significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by my department to the highest professional standards, he said in his statement.

However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review, including any implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social, and economic use.

We have also taken on board a number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the EU Commission, the Council of Europe and the OECD on similar investment programmes, he said.

Taking all of this into account, and informed by both internal and external reviews, I recommended to Government that it was timely to close this Programme to new applications.

Following the announcement, state broadcaster RTE quoted the minister as saying he had received strong advice that led to his decision to close the programme.

The closure of the IIP will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme, Harris said.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman making a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London, on Dec. 14, 2022. (House of Commons/PA Media)

Oligarchs Used UK Scheme

The UK scrapped its so-called Golden Visa for wealthy foreign investors in February 2022.

The Tier 1 Investor visa route was shut down to all new applicants regardless of their nationality with immediate effect, the Home Office said, adding that some cases had given rise to security concerns, including people acquiring their wealth illegitimately and being associated with wider corruption.

Launched in 2008, persons eligible for the visa were required to have at least 2 million in investment in UK-registered companies. Successful applicants were then allowed to study or work in the UK for up to five years and could apply to settle permanently in the country if they made further investments.

However, a lack of background checks on applicants meant the scheme was put under review, after fears arose that the system could be exploited. Former Labour minister Chris Bryant had claimed that visas were being handed out to dodgy Russian oligarchs.

In January, British Home Secretary Suella Braverman revealed in a written statement to Parliament that a small number of wealthy foreign investors who used the scheme were potentially at high risk of having obtained wealth through corruption or other illicit financial activity, and/or being engaged in serious and organised crime.

Ms. Braverman stressed this only implies that a particular individual potentially poses a risk of having connections to criminality; it does not mean guilt has been proven, adding that police had been given access to the information and were taking action as appropriate.

She also stated that 10 Russian oligarchs who used it have since been sanctioned as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The statement was published five years after a review of Golden Visas was announced by then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd in the wake of the 2018 Novichok poisonings in Salisbury.

The decision to close the visa scheme in February 2022 came amid concerns over Moscows influence in the UK as tensions rose over the impending conflict in Ukraine.

In her statement, Ms. Braverman insisted her department is robust in refusing leave where this is appropriate, but said it had found there were inherent difficulties with the scheme both in terms of security and economic value, adding: I am determined this Government will ensure such mistakes are not repeated.

Labour branded the response totally inadequate while the Liberal Democrats said it was farcical and called for the review to be published in full.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers have finally recognised and admitted that 10 of those sanctioned following Russias invasion of Ukraine had come to the UK on golden visas but had failed to provide answers to basic questions raised about the scheme, adding: It is disgraceful for the Home Secretary to dodge scrutiny in this way.

PA contributed to this report.
GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill Blocking Children Under 16 From Using Social Media

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivers remarks during the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 21, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a pair of measures that would mandate social media companies to meet several requirements before they are allowed to offer accounts to Americans on their platforms.

The first proposal (pdf), titled Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective Act, or the MATURE Act, would impose a minimum age requirement of 16 for all social media users in the United States.

The measure would mandate social media companies to verify users full legal name and date of birth, as well as a scan, image, or upload of a government-issued identification that confirms this information before they are able to create an account.

If enacted, existing accounts wont be affected, and social media platforms may continue to allow an individual to maintain and use an account without verifying that the user is 16 or older.

In addition, the bill adds that social media operators would be prohibited from selling, transferring, or using any information collected from an individual for the purpose of verifying the individuals identity and age for any other purpose.

The second bill (pdf), titled the Federal Social Media Research Act, seeks to commission a government report on the effects of social media on users under age 18.

The Republican lawmaker noted that the measure would also fund a longitudinal study to track the effects of social media on children to be submitted no later than 10 years after the law is enacted.

Children suffer every day from the effects of social media. At best, Big Tech companies are neglecting our childrens health and monetizing their personal information. At worst, they are complicit in their exploitation and manipulation, Hawley said in a statement.

Its time to give parents the weapons they need to strike back, he added. That starts with an age restriction for social media. And its long past time for well-funded research on the scale of the problem. We must set the precedent that these companies can no longer take advantage of our children.

While most social media companies currently require children to be at least 13, the platforms dont normally require proof of age.

Social Networking Addiction

A recent study (pdf) published in JAMA Pediatrics explored what the long-term effects could be for adolescents who frequently check their social media.

The study found that 78 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds check their devices hourly, while 46 percent report checking almost constantly, leaving adolescents uniquely vulnerable to addictive scrolling.

A girl plays a game on her phone in Stamford, Conn., on March 25, 2017. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Adolescents habitual checking of social media may be exacerbating an already enhanced neural response to the anticipation of salient social feedback, the study says. Additionally, the motivational salience of social contexts may undermine adolescents ability to engage in cognitive control and, subsequently, to regulate their behaviors.

A report from De Montfort University in Leicester, England, found that children are losing the equivalent of a full nights sleep a week because their bedtime routines are being delayed by increased social media use.

Hawley isnt the first official seeking to bar social media companies from allowing children to use their platforms.

In December 2022, Texas state Rep. Jared Patterson (R-District 106) filed HB 896 (pdf), legislation that would force social media sites to verify a users age with a photo ID and allow parents to request that their childs account be deactivated. If enacted, that bill would require all social media users to be 18 to create an account.

Patterson claimed that social media is harmful and addictive to children and compared it to cigarette use before 1964, when scientists started warning about tobacco.

Once thought to be perfectly safe for users, social media access to minors has led to remarkable rises in self-harm, suicide, and mental health issues.

Epoch Times reporter Bryan Jung contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Gov. Noem Proposes Blueprint for Protecting Americas Food Supply From Chinese Communist Party

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem spoke at the America First Policy Institute in Washington on Feb. 15, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

WASHINGTONSouth Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem spoke on Feb. 15 at the America First Policy Institute about her plan to secure the countrys food supply from the Chinese Communist Partys growing influence.

Aside from resisting the CCPs influence through the pandemic and blocking Chinese companies such as TikTok, Noem said the crucial part that needs to be done is safeguarding the countrys food supply from the totalitarian regime.

For years, the Chinese Communist Party had been building up and purchasing U.S. chemical companies, she said, along with buying the countrys fertilizer companies and food processing systems.

In fact, they own the largest pork production facility in my state, Noem said.

The Chinese Communist Party knows that if they control our food supply, they will control the United States of America, she said, pointing out the food shortage during COVID-19.

Communist China acquired 5,300 percent more U.S. agricultural land between 2010 and 2020; the governor said, we dont want foreign evil governments to be our neighbors.

A China-affiliated organization purchased land in North Dakota last year with plans to allegedly build a corn plant, she said.

However, this raised concerns because the area lacked sufficient corn to support the plant, and the land was only a few miles away from a U.S. Air Force Base.

Noem said her bill would establish a Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, South Dakota, at the state level. That will rely on agricultural experts, national and security experts, and legal counsel to review purchases, lands, leases, and South Dakota agricultural land transfers.

If these purchases are made by a foreign person, company, or entity, they will make a recommendation to me as the governor whether the purchase should be approved or not be approved, she said, adding that if the purchase comes from a nation that hates us, and hates America and wants to destroy us, well then its not going to go.

South Dakota does not want to restrict peoples ability to sell and buy land or conduct business, Noem said; however, if countries such as China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela, do not have Americas best interest, the governor should make the best decision to protect the country.

Instead of an outright ban, she proposed conducting a thorough investigation into who the investors are.

I think theyre [South Dakota residents] concerned that China would punish us by not buying our soybeans would punish us by not buying our commodities, Noem said.
Governor, Senators Make Case to Bring FBI Headquarters to Northern Virginia

As the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) considers where to place the new FBI headquarters, Virginia lawmakers and other government officials convened in northern Virginia on Wednesday to make a case to GSA for why the new headquarters should be in the federally-owned 58-acre site in Springfield, Virginia.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the northern Virginia location meets all the site selection criteria (pdf) during the press conference.

We are a state that is committed to uplifting the men and women who put on a uniform every day, including FBI agents, their families, and their employees. Specifically in Springfield, we have all of the key ingredients, said Youngkin.

Last year, the GSA and the FBI announced the site selection process for the new suburban FBI headquarters campus in the Capitol region. The criteria include access to transportation, rapid site development, sustainability, advancing equity, and cost.

Companies like Amazon, Boeing, and Raytheon Technologies moved their headquarters to Virginia, said Youngkin, because of all the amenities.

We have a robust infrastructure. We have business-ready sites. We have a world-class education system. We have a vibrant and diverse workforce. Our business-friendly ecosystem creates a welcoming environment for business. Just as importantly, our Best in the Region ranking for quality of life is great for their employees as well, said Youngkin.

Youngkin also emphasized that the Virginia site is closer to the FBI Quantico training hub than the two sites being considered in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Landover, Maryland.

That difference is clear. Springfield is simply better situated and that is how the decision should be made. When it comes to critical transportation access, as youve just heard, Virginia has already made more than a $15 billion investment, said Youngkin.

Meeting Criteria

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said the Virginia site is best because it meets the equity criteria, being a majority-minority community.

And whether it was the FBI or the various components in the intelligence community, it is important that our workforce looks like the face of America, said Warner.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) touted the regions high quality and affordable higher education institutionsincluding Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University, and Marymount Universityas another advantage to having the FBI headquarters in Springfield.

There is no better place for the headquarters. Our Northern Virginia hub region provides a hub for talent and innovation that will ensure the FBI continues to have a strong and qualified workforce for many years to come, said Kaine.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, has led the effort for the new FBI headquarters.

For far too long, the FBI workforce has remained in a building that does not meet their security or operational needs, Van Hollen said last year.

The FBI is currently headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington, but the building has deteriorated since its opening in the 1970s. The federal budget for fiscal year 2023 includes language to ensure the FBI will have a new suburban headquarters for 7,500 employees.
Local officials in Linn County are asking Gov. Tina Kotek and every Oregon legislator to amend ballot Measure 110 and make the possession of hard drugs a state crime for adults and juveniles.

Passed in 2020 and implemented in 2021, the statewide measure decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and meth. Now, drug possession is considered a misdemeanor carrying a fine of $100, which can be waived if the person seeks addiction help.

A state audit released by the Oregon Health Authority in January says the effectiveness of the program has yet to be determined.

Linn County officials disagree.

In concept, sending people to treatment instead of incarcerating them is pretty appealing, Roger Nyquist, chair of the Linn County Board of Commissioners, said. But it has been a failed attempt in Oregon, and we need to make a course correction.

A letter sent to Kotek and Oregon legislators on Wednesday, Feb. 15 said as much.

Communities in the county and statewide have seen increased drug use and overdoses, increased property crimes and families and children suffer, the letter said. In it, Linn County District Attorney Doug Marteeny called the ballot measure a disaster.

The measure has particularly affected youth in the county, said Greater Albany Public Schools Superintendent Andy Gardner and Torri Lynn, director of the Linn County Juvenile Department.

In the letter, Gardner said the measure has profoundly impacted how our kids view drugs, and that acceptance of drug use will create addiction issues at younger ages.

Proponents of Measure 110 see it as a way to increase treatment for addicts, but the reality of the past two years shows that has not been the case.

Senate Bill 817 eliminated all fines and fees for juveniles in 2021, said Lynn, affecting the juvenile departments ability to respond to citations with anything more than a hotline for youth in possession of hard drugs.

A state audit found that the cost of operating the hotline for people cited with drug possessions was $7,000 per call. Of 100 callers, only 28 asked for addiction recovery services assistance.

Additionally, although Measure 110 is supposed to redirect funds to treatment programs, Lynn said, virtually no money was designated for juvenile programs.

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan said it often takes an arrest and a court appearance for someone with a drug addiction to hit rock bottom and realize they needed help.

There is no stigma about drug use anymore, she said in the letter. Kids think its OK because there are no consequences.

The consequences of Measure 110 have negatively impacted local businesses and homeless shelters, the letter asserts.

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.

The letter was signed by Albany Chamber of Commerce President Janet Steele; Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II; Superintendent Gardner; Linn County commissioners Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker; D.A. Marteeny; Sheriff Duncan, Juvenile Director Lynn; Alcohol & Drug Director Justin Thomas and Sweet Home Mayor Susan Coleman.

Nyquist said he has spoken with leaders from other counties, and the consensus is that the passage of the measure is having the opposite effect of what proponents had hoped for.

Addiction has gone up and not down; treatment requests have gone down and not up, Nyquist said. For those of us on the ground trying to provide services and get the immediate impacts of livability on communities, this is really clear. Its not a close call.
Grand Jury Indicts Highland Park Shooting Suspects Father for Enabling Sons Access to Firearms

Robert E. Crimo Jr., father of Robert Crimo III, waits for court to begin before Judge George D. Strickland at the Lake County, Ill., Courthouse in Waukegan, Ill., on Jan. 26, 2023. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)

On Wednesday, an Illinois grand jury formally indicted Robert Crimo Jr., the father of Highland Park mass shooting suspect Robert Crimo III.

Crimo III is accused of opening fire at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, a Chicago suburb. Seven people were killed in the shooting and 48 others were injured. Crimo III faces 117 charges.

Crimo Jr. was arrested in December on seven felony counts for reckless conduct relating to his 2019 decision to sponsor his sons gun license application, despite his sons history of violent threats and suicidal ideations dating back to 2016. Crimo Jr. faced one felony count for each of the seven individuals killed in the July 4 shooting.

Crimo Jr. was released after his arrest on a $50,000 bond. At a brief hearing last month, prosecutors had told Judge George Strickland at a Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, north of Highland Park, that they needed more time to present evidence to the grand jury in their case against Crimo Jr.

Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart announced on Wednesday that a grand jury had agreed that the charges against Crimo Jr. could move forward.

Parents who help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible when those kids hurt others with those weapons, Rinehart said.

Crimo III had reportedly attempted suicide by machete in April 2019, and in September 2019 was accused by a family member of making threats to kill everyone. Despite these alleged incidents, Crimo Jr. sponsored his sons December 2019 firearms license application. Two and a half years later, his son would face charges of using an AR-15-style rifle to fire more than 80 rounds from a building top into the crowd of parade participants below.

Parents and guardians are in the best position to decide whether their teenagers should have a weapon, Rinehart said following Crimo Jr.s arrest last year. In this case, the system failed when Robert Crimo Jr. sponsored his son. He knew what he knew and he signed the form anyway.

Rinehart said each count of reckless conduct carries a maximum prison term of three years. With seven charges, Crimo Jr. could face up to 21 years in prison, though Rinehart said reckless conduct counts are typically served concurrently.

Crimo Jr.s Defense

Police records showed that in September 2019, police received a report from a family member that Crimo III had a collection of knives and had threatened to kill everyone. Both Crimo III and his mother disputed those allegations at the time. Police have said the father, Crimo Jr., told investigators the multiple knives belonged to him, and authorities returned them.

Illinois State Police addressed the September 2019 incident in a statement the day after the shooting. The state police said, There were no arrests made in the September 2019 incident and no one, including family, was willing to move forward on a complaint nor did they subsequently provide information on threats or mental health that would have allowed law enforcement to take additional action. Police also said no firearms restraining order or other protective order was filed after the incident.

NTD reached out to Crimo Jr.s attorney, George M. Gomez. Gomez confirmed that his client had been arraigned on Thursday but declined to provide further comment on the case.

After Crimo Jr.s initial arrest, Gomez said the charges are baseless and unprecedented.

This decision should alarm every single parent in the United States of America who according to the Lake County States Attorney knows exactly what is going on with their 19-year-old adult children and can be held criminally liable for actions taken nearly three years later, Gomez said at the time. These charges are absurd and we will fight them every step of the way.

Gomez said his client continues to sympathize and feel terrible for the individuals and families who were injured and lost loved ones, but said the charges are politically motivated and a distraction.

Crimo Jr. has reportedly said he hopes his son receives a long prison sentence for his alleged actions.

Crimo III faces life in prison. The state of Illinois did away with the death penalty in 2011.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

From NTD News
Approximately 2530 percent of people with autism either cannot speak or have a vocabulary of 30 words or less. Many others have an ability to speak thats categorized as unreliable. They resort to scripting (using phrases or sounds from movies, or parroting back what other people say), and theyre unable to find the correct words to convey their thoughts, particularly when theyre stressed.

But now a quiet revolution is underway to help non-speaking people with autism. A surprisingly simple technique, Spelling to Communicate (or S2C for short), has been sweeping the autism community and dramatically changing the lives of people affected by autism.

It all started in 2013 when speech and language pathologist Elizabeth Vosseller, who specializes in autism, began using assistive technology to help her clients better communicate.

Vosseller developed a way of working that enabled people with no functional speech to communicate with their loved onesoften for the first time in their lives.

J.B. Handley and His Son Jamison

Vossellers method didnt really take off, however, until a Stanford-educated investor named J.B. Handley and his son Jamison co-wrote a book about their experience with it.

The book, Underestimated: An Autism Miracle was published in 2021.

(Full disclosure: Handley, whom Ive known since 2015, sent me an advanced reading copy and asked me to endorse the book, which I did.)

Handley is a childrens health advocate, autism dad, and author of How to End the Autism Epidemic. Thirteen years ago, he clashed with Dr. Travis Stork on the daytime television show The Doctors, in a clip that went viral on the internet and has been watched over 906,000 times.

Since Underestimated was released, the book has initiated a tremendous wave of interest in S2C, a technique thats revolutionizing the way some therapistsand familiesthink of people with non-verbal autism.

Spellers: Let the Revolution Begin

Wanting to spread the word more widely, Handley and his wife Lisa teamed up with S2C practitioner Dawnmarie Gaivin and cinematographer Pat R. Notaro III to make a documentary about the technique: Spellers: Let the Revolution Begin.

As the film explained, J.B.s friend Honey Rinicella, a mother of twins with autism, began using S2C with her son Vince. Within a few short months Rincilla was having profound back-and-forth conversations with the young man shed previously thought was cognitively impaired.

Rinicella sent Handley screenshots of her conversations with Vince and suggested he might want to try S2C with his son Jamie. J.B. responded with a video of Jamie that he thought made it clear Jamie would notmaybe everbe able to hold a sophisticated conversation.

Presuming Competence

One of the most pervasive and highly damaging beliefs about people affected by autism who cannot speak is that they are all intellectually disabled.

According to the CDC, 35.2 percent of American children diagnosed with autism have IQ scores under 70. That includes almost all non-speakers with autism.

But as the film asked, What if theyve been wrongabout every single one of them?

Then it went on to demonstrate how they have been wrong about many.

And, more personally, how they were wrong about Handleys young adult son Jamie.

The thing that blew my mind, his father said in the film, was when Elizabeth Vosseller turned to Jamie and said, I know you can do this. I know how smart you are.

Thats called presumed competence, and it can make all the difference in a non-speakers life.

As Dr. Vaishnavi Sarathy, Ph.D., the mother of a non-speaker with autism, explained: Assumption of intelligence brings respect, whether that intelligence is on display or not. And respect brings dignity.

Releasing Eloquence

So despite his misgiving, Handley decided to give S2C a try. The second day his son worked with Vosseller, Handley watched dumbfounded as Jamie spelled the word carnivore.

Then Vosseller asked him to spell the opposite of carnivore, which was a word that hadnt been used in the lesson. Sure enough, Jamie spelled herbivore.

Wanting to make sure that it wasnt some kind of trick or trompe loeil, Handley asked if that word had been in the lesson.

Vosseller replied, No, thats what we call prior knowledge. Knowledge even Jamies father had no idea he had.

Stuck in Silent Cages

The dual themes of joy at being set free from what 2022 Rollins College Valedictorian Elizabeth Bonker called their silent cages, and profound regret at the years spent inside those cages, pervade this film.

Jennifer Larson is a prominent advocate for families affected by autism.

Her son, Cade Larson, stared off into the distance as Dawnmarie Gaivin asked Jamie, So Im wondering if you have any thoughts on that quote? And if you could make a comment about the brain-body disconnect in advocacy for yourself or other non-speakers, what would that be?

But then Cade sprang to life. He spelled: I lived in silence for all my life until last month. As he spelled this, the camera focused on his mother sitting behind him, suddenly overcome with emotion. (Dont watch this film without a handkerchief or box of tissues close by.)

Other than a finite number of family members, most people thought I was dumb. I hated being talked to like I was a baby, Cade continued spelling. Now Im going to change the reality for myself and others.

Why Arent They Looking for What Can Help Our Kids?

Communication is everything, Larson said in the film. We had no real reliable form of communication. We had to just basically guess for 20 years.

She expressed her frustration over all those lost years: Why arent they looking for what can help our kids? He could have done this years ago. He told me that.

Why indeed?

According to Gaivin, language tests require motor coordination, and thats exactly what non-speakers lack.

Speech, she explained is 100 percent motor. Language is 100 percent cognitive.

What non-speaking people with autism lack is the ability to plan and execute the motor movements required to create speech.

But manyperhaps even mostdo not lack the ability to form complex ideas worth communicating.

A Sensory-Motor Processing Challenge

If youre looking at autism through the lens of its a social-deficit model or its a cognitive disability model, then you see what you believe, Gaivin said in the film. But its not those things, she insisted. Instead, non-speaking autism is a sensory-motor processing challenge.

So the key to S2Cs success is that it shifts the burden of communication from fine motor movements, which non-speakers cannot do, to gross motor movements, which they can.

To achieve this, instead of asking non-speakers to write or type letters using a keyboard (two activities that require tremendous fine-motor coordination), S2C practitioners may ask clients to hold a pencil and push it through stenciled letters in a letter board.

The movement of pushing a pencil through a letter is something they can do because it doesnt require much fine-motor coordination.

S2C takes advantage of neuroplasticity. A practitioner starts with something the client can do and gradually adds adjacent skills.

With practice, spellers advance through stencils to laminate letter boards and eventually to keyboards.

Several of the films subjects had gotten to the point of spelling with a keyboard, but none of them were able to touch type. While they gained a tremendous amount of skill, their fine-motor coordination was still not at that level, and they all still required some level of assistance, including Elizabeth Bonker, the college valedictorian who started spelling to communicate when she was just six years old.

A Controversial Technique

That required assistance is at the heart of the opposition to S2C. This opposition comes mostly from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). But Ive also heard individual speech pathologists get angry about the techniqueso angry that they refuse to learn more about it.

ASHA seems to consider S2C something akin to snake oil: a remedy to trick parents into thinking that their children are smarter and more capable than they actually are.

They even have a warning on their website:  you cant tell whether the words being spelled out belong to the autistic childor to their aide. The aide holding the alphabet board may move the board unintentionally in the direction of the letter that they think the child should select next.

Their critique does not stop there. They believe that S2C deprives people of their human right to independent communication because the technique relies on an aide for prompting. This reality raises a host of questions, concerns, and possible dangers.

So S2C is detrimental, causing more harm than good:  children miss out on critical services tailored to their needs, jeopardizing their development, education, and autonomy, ASHA insists.

When asked to comment on whether S2C was harming him and other non-verbal teens with autism, Jamie Handley spelled out, I think theyre delusional.

Spellers Are Communicating

And, indeed, watching the spellers in action, especially the interplay between Jamie and his friend Evan, who have an extended discussion about contemporary hip-hop music, it does seem delusional to imagine that this method of communication is somehow jeopardizing these young mens development, education, and autonomy.

In fact, all the spellers in the film expressed some combination of pride and pleasure when they successfully communicated their thoughts.

Rather than being stripped of their human right to independent communication, they appeared uniformly delighted to be ablefinallyto express themselves.

How to Watch the Documentary

The films trailer is available on YouTube.

Spellers will make its debut at the Phoenix Film Festival in Phoenix, Arizona on March 31, April 1, and April 2. It will be released to the public on April 30 via private screening events.

Anyone interested in hosting a private screening can sign up at the films website.

Jamie Handley, J.B.s son, had the last word in the movie, Let the revolution begin, he spelled.

Indeed, Jamie, it already has.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
Bill Gates book How to Prevent the Next Pandemic (published in 2022) was written with the firm conviction that future pandemics are the biggest threat to humankind and that survival depends on global pandemic preparedness strategies.

Referring to the World Health Organization (WHO), university institutions such as Johns Hopkins, central steering bodies of vaccine manufacturers, e.g., Gavi, The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and research bodies such as the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, he calls on the nations of the world not only to prevent a future catastrophe similar to COVID-19 but also to eradicate all microbes associated with respiratory infectious disease.

In fact, I see an opportunity not just to prevent bad things from happening, but to accomplish something extraordinary: eradicating entire families of respiratory viruses. That would mean the end of coronaviruses like COVIDand even the end of the flu, Gates wrote.

The Political Agenda at Play

The political impact of the book is immense. Gates agenda has been incorporated into the G20 Bali Leaders Declaration of November 2022. In a future pandemic treaty, all countries shall commit themselves to global pandemic preparedness, i.e., to recklessly enforce essentially totalitarian strategies of viral containment (e.g., zero COVID) at any cost, as seen until recently in China. For this purpose, digital surveillance technologies play a key role, in particular digital certificates.

Gates agenda provokes numerous questions.

Are Killer Viruses Coming out of Nowhere?

Is it really plausible to assume that humankind from now on will be tormented by pandemics?

The book presents a horrendous image: the constant threat of killer viruses. Gates describes the SARS-CoV-2 virus suddenly befalling the world.

In his interpretation, mathematical models clearly demonstrated the exponential growth of the coronavirus epidemic, based on the assumption that every person was susceptible due to a global lack of immunity against the new virus. His argument ignores all other factors.

The scientific debate about a possible laboratory origin from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) was hastily silenced and branded a conspiracy theory in February 2020 in a broad media campaign orchestrated by Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance. EcoHealth Alliance has received multimillion-dollar grants for many years from United States (US) government institutes, such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to research potential pandemic viruses. These include gain-of-function research of concernthe research that alters viruses transmissibility or pathogenicity.

The investigative journalist Paul Thacker exposed in 2021 that the EcoHealth Alliance supported WIV with $600,000.

A Lack of Knowledge About Testing

Using COVID-19 as an example, the book attempts to convince the reader that the pandemic preparedness agenda is necessary for our very survival. Gates asserts that bold and radical measures such as lockdowns, quarantine, isolation, mask mandates, distancing, frequent asymptomatic RT-PCR or antigen testing, and mass vaccination campaigns and mandates have prevented the collapse of health care systems and millions of COVID-19 deaths worldwide.

The book fails to address the adverse effects of pandemic preparedness; it overlooks deteriorating social and health conditions following these measures.

Gates seems to eschew critical assessment of highly variable COVID case fatality or infection fatality rates (pdf) across different population groups, lack of benefit but substantial harms of lockdowns, mask mandates, mass RT-PCR or antigen screening (pdf) in symptomless populations.

Gates assertions on the validity of the PCR test are unsettling: Unless the sample is contaminated, a PCR test is unlikely to give you a false positiveif the result says youre infected, you almost certainly arebut sometimes it can return a false negative, meaning that it says youre free and clear even though youre not. And: For now, PCR tests remain the gold standard in terms of accuracy.

These claims reveal a stunning ignorance regarding the science of testing.

For a long time, we have known that the accuracy of a test depends on circumstance. Mass screening in healthy populations where disease prevalence is expected to be low will produce many false positive results.

The use of the RT-PCR test as a screening tool in the population is problematic, mainly because a positive test result cannot reliably discriminate between infectious symptomatic and asymptomatic disease, noninfectious carriers, or individuals who recovered from infection. Therefore, on its own, this test is not suited (pdf) for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease. It follows that counting the positive results of the RT-PCR test as incidence of COVID-19 contradicts the rules of good clinical practice (GCP), as does the registration of cases of deaths occurring within 28 days after a positive test as COVID-19 deaths.

A Lack of Understanding of Mortality Data

Why are pandemic responses of different countries not evaluated by comparing age-adjusted annual total mortality rates?

In the book, Gates provides figures from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projecting 2021 cumulative worldwide estimates of the COVID-19 death toll. This gives the impression that an effort was made to come close to the initially (March 2020) projected number of >40 million COVID-19 deaths by the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team at the expense of methodological integrity.

To achieve an unbiased estimate of the pandemic impact on populations in various countries, annual total mortality is an essential measure, particularly in countries like Germany, with comprehensive population registries.

Looking first at total mortality figures in 2020, when no COVID-19 vaccines were deployed, is particularly relevant.

With the introduction of mass vaccination programs at the beginning of 2021, vaccine effects and long-term influences of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) on annual total mortality trends can be assessed.

Countries with harsh lockdowns may not do better

Studies of all-cause mortality have shown that countries with draconian lockdown policies didnt do any better compared to countries with less restrictive strategies.

For example, a statistically significant increase (pdf) in total mortality starting in 2021 in Germany and other countries applying far-reaching pandemic measures is observed.

Gates also arrives at other unfounded claims; for example, the positive effects of school closures. In fact, he entirely ignores the effects of far-reaching measures such as lockdowns, school and university closures, and restrictions of access to medical careand consequent social isolation, discontinuation of work, unemployment, poverty, and malnutritionthat negatively influenced the course of severe COVID-19 disease and total mortality.

Japan and mask mandates

Gates writes, The benefit of masks has now been proven around the world. Again, this claim disregards the scientific debate in the published literature that challenges mask mandates.

Right from the first chapter, Learn from COVID, Gates appears to take on the role of world judge of sovereign countries: I dont like to dwell on failures, but some are too egregious to ignore. Although there are positive examples, most countries handled at least some aspects of their COVID response poorly. Gates highlights Japan as one country that did particularly well for reputed mask mandatesthough there were, in fact, no mask mandates, immunity passports, or other severe pandemic restrictions for residents living in Japan, apart from a tight border control strategy.

Sweden: loose NPI but low deaths

Gates denigrates the United States for a disastrous 2020 pandemic response by the White House and the worst failure of never getting testing right and disparages Sweden for not enforcing lockdowns.

The billionaire Gates harshly reprimands the democratic Swedish government for its decision not to infringe on civil rights. For example, school closures were not considered appropriate or beneficial in Sweden. The country announced from the beginning that wearing face masks was optional, and very early on, Sweden abated quarantine and isolation rules.

In contrast to Gates view, Sweden did not experience a fiasco but, in reality, exhibited only half the number of COVID-19 deaths compared to Michigan, for example, which is of similar population size and socioeconomic structure.

The book systematically ignores findings and empirical observations, such as total mortality trends in Sweden, in case they undermine Gates assertions. All-cause mortality in Sweden was slightly elevated in 2020 but not in 2021, when statistically significant excess mortality emerged in Germany. Incidentally, Sweden belongs to the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, one to two years higher than Germany and much higher than the U.S.

For Every New Pandemic Virus, a New Vaccine Within 6 Months?

Gates thoroughly admires fast-track development and emergency authorization of novel mRNA vaccines. For Gates, sponsor of COVID-19 vaccine development, the quality of pivotal trials or regulatory oversight seems out of the question.

In his view, all production processes went extremely well; the safety and efficacy of vaccines are beyond doubt.

From this follows his call for vaccine readiness, meaning that no more than six months shall pass between the appearance/detection of a new pandemic virus in the years to come and the deployment of the adjusted mRNA vaccine. In this short period, 16 billion doses of the novel vaccine shall be available, providing two shots for each human being in the entire world, covering infancy to old age.

Gates demand for vaccine production at warp speed jeopardizes good clinical practice of vaccine research and development that requires large-scale randomized controlled (phase III) trials with sufficient follow-up time to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of every new vaccine.

Critical issues and unknowns of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are not mentioned. Instead, Gates reassures the reader that even though vaccine trials had to be sped up during COVIDthe standards for safety and effectiveness didnt changeeven in groups like pregnant women. This assertion is highly questionable as there is no reliable safety data on mRNA covid-19 vaccines in pregnancy. Even the enthusiastic vaccination advocate Gates must concede that mRNA Covid-19 vaccines have not been shown to prohibit the dissemination of infection.

In the view of the philanthropic billionaire, the $20 billion US-government investment that flowed into the production of COVID-19 vaccines to help move various vaccine candidates through the pipeline did more than pay off. Gates vision is to create a universal vaccine for coronaviruses with the potential to work against viruses that do not yet exist.

But why should new vaccines be manufactured for each new virus or variant if broad natural immunity against the virus and its variants already exists in the population? And what should be the rationale behind putting vast resources into uncontrolled gain-of-function research of concern?

Commercial Predation Sold as Philanthropy

Gates should be asking himself whether he is doing humankind a service in prescribing pandemic preparedness that categorically excludes any possibility of scientific examination.

It is of great concern that a multi-billion dollar tycoon is able to sell business acumen as philanthropy and to dominatethrough the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundationglobal health, the WHO, the World Bank, NGOs, the actual G20 declaration, and health policy agendas in numerous countries (pdf) including the currently drafted global pandemic treaty.

The consequences of his self-proclaimed struggle must be recognized and analyzed, as well as the involvement of experts, institutions, steering committees, and world organizations that depend on his money. Moreover, responsible politicians and the media need to be investigated for their ties to Gates and his organizations, as his influence is profound. People who suffered due to NPI or inaccessible medical and nursing care must be granted adequate compensationexplicitly, the many individuals injured by COVID-19 vaccines.

Update: Gates appears to have changed his stance on mRNA vaccines. Speaking at a Lowy Institute conference in Australia on Jan. 23, 2023, Gates said, The current vaccines are not infection-blocking. Theyre not broadso when new variants come up, you lose protectionand they have very short duration, particularly in the people who matter, which are old people. It is disconcerting that Gates omits any mention of the substantial scientific evidence on severe harms caused by COVID-19 vaccines.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
It has been almost two weeks since the train derailing and subsequent fires in East Palestine, Ohio, yet the health crisis from the contamination remains for the local and nearby residents.

Experts weigh in on the potential health effects, and ways to prevent health problems for affected residents.

The Ohio Train Derailment: What Happened

On Feb. 3, 2023, at 8:55 p.m. EST, at least 50 freight cars from a 150-car Norfolk Southern train derailed on the outskirts of East Palestine, Ohio.

It is unknown when the fire started upon derailment, but security footage showed sparks or flames under at least one of the cars on the train before the derailment. The fire persisted until Feb. 8.

East Palestines mayor, Trent Conaway, declared a state of emergency. On Feb. 6, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered an evacuation.

In DeWines statement, he raised concern about vinyl chloride, a highly flammable industrial gas, which was in five of the derailed boxcarsfour of which were transported in a row.

DeWine announced that there was the possibility of a devastating explosion; to mitigate the danger, Norfolk Southern Railroad decided to release and burn the vinyl chloride in a controlled fire on Feb. 6.

After the vinyl chloride was burned, DeWine and other officials said on Feb. 8 that residents near the incident could return to their homes.

Some of the residents who returned, however, reported feeling unwell while others found dead domestic animals after the controlled release.

One woman, a North Lima resident, claimed some of her chickens died as soon as the vinyl chloride was released and burned on Feb. 6.

My video camera footage shows my chickens were perfectly fine before they started this burn, and as soon as they started the burn, my chickens slowed down and they died, Amanda Breshears of North Lima, Ohio, told ABC27. If it can do this to chickens in one night, imagine what its going to do to us in 20 years.

Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed the night of Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, were still on fire until Feb. 8, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Areas of Possible Contamination

Air contamination

Perhaps the greatest concern of immediate residents is the potential air contamination.

Beginning Feb. 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deployed real-time air monitoring on volatile compounds including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. The agency also began surveilling air levels of carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, and hydrogen chloride.

The highest airborne particle-matter readings reported was on Feb. 8 at 2:55 p.m. EST, showing 0.553 PM 10 (mg/m3), which is 10 times the screening levels, which are considered acceptable concentrations (pdf). However, it is not known where the sample was taken.

After Feb. 9, particle matter readings no longer exceeded screening rates, suggesting a possible decline in air pollution (pdf).

On Feb. 13, the EPA discontinued air monitoring for phosgene and hydrogen chloride, reasoning that the threat of such chemicals no longer exists after the controlled burn. No vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were detected in residents homes.

Water contamination

A lot of data has since come out on potential water contamination.

Contaminated runoff was first detected on Feb. 4 in the areas two surface water streams, namely Sulphur Run and Leslie Run.

Sulfur Run flows into Leslie Run, which flows into North Fork Little Beaver Creek, discharges into the Ohio River, and then flows through or borders six states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The EPA published an analytical summary on chemicals in surface waters on Feb. 9. The report found benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, and phenol levels to exceed screening levels. It is unknown where the samples were taken (pdf).

Benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene are probable carcinogens and phenol is an irritant. They are also very toxic to aquatic life (1, 2, 3).

Sulphur Run was dammed to prevent further downstream contamination. But on Feb. 10, the Ohio EPA detected very low levels of butyl acrylate and ethyl hexyl acrylate in Leslie Run and much lower levels of ethyl hexyl acrylate in North Fork Little Beaver Creek downstream.

On Feb. 14, Tiffany Kavalec, the head of the Ohio EPAs water management subdivision, confirmed in a news conference that there has been a plume [of chemicals] moving down the Ohio River.

When pressed further, Kavalec said that the plume is comprised mainly of fire combustion chemicals. There could also be multiple volatile organic compounds that were being carried on the train in the Ohio River but are very diluted.

Soil contamination

On Feb. 8, one of the tank cars was found to be leaking an oily liquid that was pooling into the soil. Norfolk Southern was notified of the spill and began removing the product using a vacuum truck. It has not been disclosed what the leaked product was.

An environmental company is removing dead fish downstream from the site of the train derailment that forced people to be evacuated from their homes in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 6, 2023. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Toxic Chemicals Disclosed

Vinyl chloride is not the only chemical that the train carried. Of the 50 tanker cars that derailed, more than 10 contained toxic substances.

On Feb. 12, the EPA released a document (pdf) from Norfolk Southern Railway Transport (NSRT) company, the owner of the derailed tanker trains and the transporter for the products.

Vinyl chloride

Five cars of vinyl chloride, an industrial chemical and carcinogen, were transported.

Vinyl chloride is highly reactive; it boils at less than 8 degrees Fahrenheit and is transported as a liquified gas.

When burned, it produces carbon monoxide, phosgene, and hydrogen chloride. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can cause asphyxiation at toxic levels.

Phosgene is a toxic gas used extensively in World War I as a choking agent. For some people, it will smell like freshly cut grass.

Hydrogen chloride becomes hydrochloric acid when in the presence of water. Hydrochloric acid is highly acidic and corrosive, and depending on its concentration, its pH can be 1 or lower.

Isobutylene

One car carried isobutylene, which is a potentially explosive liquified gas used in the production of aviation fuel. In its liquid form, it can cause frostbite, and in vapor form, can cause dizziness and headaches, as well as coma or death in high doses. Isobutylene is regarded to be of the same hazard level as vinyl chloride.

Fire impinged on the car carrying isobutylene, but it did not breach the car during the initial derailment. There have been no further updates on this chemical.

Butyl acrylate

There was one car of butyl acrylate, an industrial chemical used to make paints and plastics. When inhaled, it can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Exposures can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

The butyl acrylate could not be found after the initial derailment, likely lost in the fire or from a spill.

Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether

This chemical solvent irritates the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, and in high doses, may affect the central nervous system, blood, kidneys, and liver.

The status of the trains ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is currently unknown.

Ethylhexyl acrylate

There was one car of ethylhexyl acrylate, a significant irritant that is used in paint. When inhaled, ethylhexyl acrylate can irritate the nose, throat, and even the lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath.

The car carrying ethylhexyl acrylate was breached, and it is uncertain how much of the chemical remains.

Benzene

There were two cars of benzene, a highly flammable liquid. Inhalation of benzene may cause incapacitation, and irritation to the eyes, skin, and pulmonary organs.

The benzene cars were damaged and fire-impinged, but were not breached.

The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, continues on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

More Questions As Health Concerns Surface

The first fire likely burned ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and products not listed above, including petroleum oil, steel, frozen vegetables, two cars of polyvinyl, two cars of polyethylene, and others.

The second controlled fire, however, burned five cars of vinyl chloride. It is unknown how the other chemicals, including benzene, isobutylene, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, have been managed.

The controlled burning of the vinyl chloride was likely to be more toxic than the derailed trains first fire. There have been several reports from nearby residents, such as the North Lima woman, whose farm animals survived the first fire but died within hours of the controlled burn.

Environmental toxicologist Albert Donnay told The Epoch Times that rather than focusing on every toxic chemical that the freight train transported, people should think about the potential health effects these chemicals pose when combined.

Just like any other chemical fire, once you burn these chemicals, you create new chemicals, and those are the chemicals we need to be concerned about, Donnay said.

He also mentioned that during evacuations, it is important to check the direction of the plumes and to go in the opposite direction the smoke blows to avoid the fumes.

Ohio-based integrative medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Pfleghaar said that she has received online messages from nearby residents who have developed acute symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness after the derailment.

Though it currently looks like the air quality is stabilizing, there are concerns about possible water and soil contamination. Since Ohio is largely an agricultural state, the possibility of affected livestock and vegetation is concerning.

Pfleghaar hopes that within a month, there will be more data on the leaked toxins so that people can avoid exposure.

Advice on Reducing Health Risks

Despite the event occurring over a week ago, local and nearby residents worry that the health effects may be devastating and long-lasting.

Since data on the contaminations are still limited, while everyone awaits more information, Pfleghaar suggests that concerned residents should:

1. Prevent exposure to toxins in the air and water

Though it appears air quality has improved, there may still be lingering toxins from the fires or the initial spill.

Many of the leaked chemicals can vaporize and will irritate the lungs when inhaled. Smoke from the fires also carries particulates, free radicals, and other byproducts that may cause stress, inflammation, and damage to the lungs.

Therefore, Pfleghaar suggests that most people stay indoors where they can, and wear respirator masks when outside.

Depending on what gets burnt, the amount of free radicals, particulates, and other byproducts in the smoke may vary.

Several thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals were likely burned. Pfleeghar warned that the resulting smoke may be more toxic than that of a bonfire or bushfire.

To avoid contact with contaminated waters, Pfleghaar suggested adding filters to taps. At a press conference on Tuesday, DeWine advised residents who consume well water to drink bottled water for the time being.

Smoke and its toxins may linger on the skin, clothes, blankets, carpets, and other soft materials. It can also settle on hard surfaces like tabletops, cars, and walls. Therefore, it is important to clean your skin and surfaces with soap and other detergents.

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, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Ohio National Guard via AP)

2. Take supplements that help eliminate toxins

Pfleghaar also encouraged the supplementation of antioxidants and vitamins that will help the body clear toxins.

For people who lived near the wreck and inhaled smoke and toxins, Pfleghaar suggests supplementing with n-acetylcysteine, also known as NAC, to support the lungs.

NAC has been extensively documented as beneficial in treating lung diseases caused by long-term damage including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also has benefits for reducing inflammation in acute diseases (1, 2).

The body uses NAC to make antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent further damage.

NAC, however, may also cause adverse effects, and people should consult with their primary care physicians before supplementation. Adverse reactions may occur in people with asthma or bleeding disorders.

No matter what toxins people come into contact with, it is ultimately the liver that is in charge of breaking down and eliminating them. Therefore, it is very important for people to take care of their livers, Pfleghaar said.

The liver is always hard at work eliminating toxins, but it is especially critical after these catastrophes to avoid food and drinks that may stress the liver, including alcohol.

Supplements including cobalamin (vitamin B12), folate (B9), and magnesium, can help with liver function and prevent liver inflammation.

When supplementing with magnesium, it is important to get it in formulations that increase bioavailability. Magnesium oxide, for example, is poorly absorbed, while magnesium glycinate, along with citrate, chloride, lactate, and aspartate, would be better absorbed.

Herbs such as garlic, turmeric, milk thistle, and even vegetables like leafy greens can also help the liver.

During these times of crisis, it is important to not feed ones fears and panic, Pfleghaar said.

She emphasized that the human body is exposed to toxins daily and is more durable than one may think.
A 150,000-pound hoard of over 600 medieval coins found by amateur metal detectorists has been declared a treasure.

Seven men found the coins on the Culden Faw Estate in Buckinghamshire in April 2019including 12 rare gold nobles from the reign of Edward III.

Their finds, nicknamed the Hambleden Hoard, represent the biggest gold and silver collection found in the UK in around a decade.

The menmore used to digging up shotgun shells and thimbles than treasurewere astonished to find coin after coin from the buried ancient hoard.

Over four days they excavated 627 coins, including 12 ultra-rare, full gold nobles from the time of the Black Death.

A pile of silver pennies from the reigns of Edward I and II were found among the 627 coins at the Culden Faw Estate in Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

The excavated dig site near Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, where the coins were unearthed. (SWNS)

The hoard site is marked in red, indicating a field near Hambleden, Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

The hoard was unearthed by Andrew Winter, Dom Rapley, Eryk Wierucki, Jaroslaw Giedyna, Dariusz Fijalkowski, and brothers Tobiasz and Mateusz Nowak.

They even slept in a tent by the hole to stop thieves during the dig.

At an inquest last week at Beaconsfield Coroners Court, senior coroner Crispin Butler said the hoard met the criteria for treasure after reading a report by Dr. Barrie Cook, a curator at the British Museum.

Butler described the 12 gold nobles from 1346 to 1351 as extremely rare with only 12 known specimens found during a 1963 survey.

The rest of the hoard547 silver pennies from the reigns of Edward I and II, 21 Irish pennies, 20 continental coins, and 27 Scottish pennies from the reign of Alexander III, John Balliol, and Robert the Bruceare more commonly found.

Finders of the Hambleden Hoard Dariusz Fijalkowski , Mateusz Nowak, Andrew Winter, and Tobiasz Nowak. (SWNS)

(Left) One of 12 ultra-rare gold nobles found in the Hambleden Hoard; (Right) Several coins are seen embedded in the soil at the dig site near Hambleden. (SWNS)

Three ultra-rare gold nobles found at the site in Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

It will now be left for the museum to negotiate a settlement with the finders and landowners, none of whom were present at the hearing.

Speaking at the time of the find, Mateusz Nowak, a hospital cleaner from Newcastle, said, It felt unreal.

After finding the hoard, and then clearing the area, we had to extend the search twice more because we were finding so much.

It was a miracle moment after moment for everyone.

The face value of the coins would be a little over 6 pounds in todays money, but the estimates of their worth range as high as 150,000 pounds.

Five of the ultra-rare gold nobles. (SWNS)

Dariusz Fijalkowski, a dad-of-three and machine operator from Bristol, came across the hoard after he had been delighted with a thimble hed found.

He then found two silver coins before teaming up with the other men.

Special for me was two silver coins, he said. Before thatapart from the thimbleit had been shotgun shells.

When I found the coins I was shouting so much because I was so excited.

Maybe I should have stayed quiet but I was so happy. For me those coins alone were special. They are small pieces of silver and also a piece of history.

But to see what we found in the end, I still cant believe it.

I came away to the rally for a rest because I have three young children. Its safe to say it was not rest. I can still feel the pressure now. Its incredible.

(Left) Silver pennies from the reigns of Edward I and II found in the hoard. (Right) Coins seen amid the dig site where the hoard was found. (SWNS)

A number of silver pennies found within the hoard near Hambleden, Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

The find was made at an organized rally which was held on a field near Hambleden, a village recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Pals Andrew, Tobiasz, and Mateusz spent an hour digging in a field without finding anything and were on their way to another location when their detectors signaled.

Andrew, a forklift and crane driver from Blyth, said his machine was emitting a code that suggested they had detected a hammered silver coinso he started digging.

The trio turned over a clod of earth which contained two coins and could see more in the hole.

It happened around the same time when then-stranger Dariusz found two silver coins.

Under the rules of detecting and treasure finding, anything over three coins is considered a hoardmeaning it has to be declared to authorities.

The area was cleared and claimed jointly by the team who were then left to work alone.

Gold and silver coins being packaged at the dig site near Hambleden, Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

(Left) Dariusz Fijalkowski, Mateusz Nowak, Andrew Winter, Tobiasz Nowak; (Right) Gold nobles and other coins packaged after being unearthed in Buckinghamshire. (SWNS)

They admit it got absolutely hectic when news of the find got around the festival.

Detectorists from all over the world who were at the festival came to take a look as the four drew out coin after coin.

On the first day, they found 276 silver coins and 9 gold nobles, and all admit they barely slept due to excitement.

Over three days, the teams hoard grew to 545 silver coins, plus fragments, and 12 gold nobles.

Some of them had been doing the hobby for less than a year at the time.

Anni Byard, finds liaison officer for the area, was called to oversee the excavation, and the location of each coin was painstakingly plotted on a grid.

At the time, the men said it would later be independently evaluated before being sold, with the value split with the landowner.

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House Republicans Seek FBI Probe of Biden Appointee with CCP Ties

Six House Republicans have asked the FBI to investigate President Joe Bidens appointee to the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) Business Advisory Council for alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and potential violations of the Espionage Act.

The lawmakers, led by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), charged in a Feb. 15 letter (pdf) to FBI Director Christopher Wray that, at the time he was appointed, East West Bank Chairman and CEO Dominic Ng had existing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ties and had worked for two Chinese intelligence front groups.

Between 2013 and 2017, [Ng] served as the executive director of the China Overseas Exchange Association (COEA) which is a front organization for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), the lawmakers noted. UFWD is a Chinese intelligence service whose mission is to liaison with foreign political parties, influence operations, and collect intelligence.

COEA, the congressmen added, later merged with the China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA), of which Ng became executive director in 2019. Allegedly, COFA remained a front organization for UFWD under Ngs leadership.

According to the legislators, Ng met with UFWD and Chinese government leaders dozens of times in both the United States and China while serving in those roles, including at least one meeting with Tung Chee-hwa, an influence operative that the U.S.-China Economic and Security Exchange Commission has linked to UFWD.

Additionally, APEC is slated to host a summit of world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, in San Francisco this fall, which will expose Mr. Ng and potentially our nations secrets to numerous CCP officials and possible intelligence operatives, they added.

Ng, who currently chairs the APEC Business Advisory Council, was a major donor to Bidens presidential campaign, donating $100,000 to the Biden Victory Fund and $35,500 to the Democratic National Committee in 2020, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data.

Adding that those donations create an additional political conflict of interest in Ngs appointment, the Republicans stressed that his position on the council demonstrates the reach and motives of the CCP and just how far the Chinese will go to install Chinese operatives in U.S. leadership roles.

For Ng, those roles currently include seats on the governing boards of Mattel, Inc., the University of Southern California, and the Academy of Motion Pictures. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan American think tank.

The Biden Administration has allowed the CCP to infiltrate the third-party sector and, consequently, political leaders that have existing relationships to these groups and are privy to U.S. intelligence, the lawmakers noted. Further encroachments cannot be tolerated, and we request the FBI investigate and provide a report to Congress on the extent of Mr. Ngs knowledge of sensitive information, as well as any potential violations of the Espionage Act.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the APEC Business Advisory Council, East West Bank, the FBI, and the White House for comment.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined by other legislators, travels to the U.S. southern border in Tucson, Arizona. He will make remarks at 5:40 p.m. ET on Feb. 16.

What I heard today is what Ive heard many times beforeBidens border policies are destroying lives and making our communities less safe, McCarthy said.

The Epoch Times will livestream the event.
Huntington Beach Officials to Challenge California Housing Mandate

Huntington Beach, Calif., is looking to contest a provision of state law known as builders remedy that would allow developers to bypass local zoning laws on some projects.

The provision is part of the states 1982-passed Housing Accountability Act and kicks in if a city fails to have a state-mandated affordable housing plan.

Huntington Beachs planknown as a Housing Elementis still not approved, after missing deadlines in both 2021 and 2022.

As a consequence, under state law, the builders remedy provision kicked in for the city in October of 2022 and now allows developers to ignore local zoning laws if their projects include 20 percent low-income or all moderate-income units.

Residents gather in front of city hall as city officials share about housing issues with the the state in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Mayor Tony Strickland and Councilman Casey McKeon held a press conference with the citys attorney Feb. 14 saying the city intends to abide by the states rule regarding having a housing plan and expects to have a compliant version soon.

But, they said, passing an ordinance negating builders remedy would ensure protection against any unwanted developments in the meantime.

This is a reckless blank check for developers, that if allowed to occurbeyond the reach of local zoning controlswill create permanent potentially disastrous effects for the city, McKeon said to a few dozen residents and members of the media during the press conference.

The citys planning commission voted in favor of the ordinance also Feb. 14, leaving approval of it up to the full city council, which will take up the issue at its next meeting Feb. 21.

During the press conference, McKeon said the states mandated requirement for the city to zone for 13,368 units of new housing would urbanize Huntington Beach and eliminate the suburban coastal community that defines the city.

Were not going to sit idly by and allow builders remedy projects to come to the city, McKeon said at the press conference. This ordinance just makes that clear, as a message to the development community and our planning staff, that we will not accept any builders remedy projects.

Some members of the council say with the city already 95 percent built out, more housing would cause problems.

I think its pretty clear that Sacramento wants to urbanize Huntington Beach. [Residents] dont want this to be an urban community. They like the suburban coastal community that it is today, Strickland said.

Huntington Beach residents support city officials challenging state housing laws at a press conference in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The states Attorney General Rob Bonta threatened suit against Huntington Beach, in a Feb. 13 news release, if they pass the ordinance.

The city of Huntington Beachs proposed ordinance attempts to unlawfully exempt the city from state law that creates sorely needed additional housing for low- and moderate-income Californians, Bonta said. I urge cities to take seriously their obligations under state housing laws. If you dont, we will hold you accountable.

Councilman Dan Kalmick already went on record in Decemberwhen the council began discussing challenging builders remedythat he would vote against the ordinance.

I dont see a lot of these projects being built that people are worried about. Its a big bogeyman for a lot of people who are scared about something I dont see coming to fruition, or that it will immediately, Kalmick told City News Service Feb. 13.

Patti Pappas, a Huntington Beach resident for 43 years, told The Epoch Times she supports the ordinance.

We want the city to remain the way that it is and not be another Santa Monica, she said.

Cathey Ryder, a resident since 1985, told The Epoch Times the city needs to allow more development, specifically workforce housing, so that those who are employed in the city can afford to live there too.

Most of the apartment complexes in our city require a $75,000 minimum annual income, she said. If youre working for the city, and you make $5000 to $6,000 a month, do that math.  That wont qualify you to even rent a piece of property, let alone buy something in our city.

She said although she supports more development that would allow for more affordable housing units, she said she is against builders remedy.
Commission Threatens to Undermine How Religious Schools Work

Catholic worshippers signal towards protesters outside St. Marys Cathedral during the pontifical requiem Mass for Cardinal George Pell in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 2, 2023. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Commentary

On Jan. 27, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) released a consultation paper on its inquiry into religious, educational institutions and anti-discrimination laws.

The Terms of Reference outlined in the paper require the ALRC to develop proposals for protection against discrimination of students and staff while ensuring that religious educational institutions can continue to build a community of faith.

However, on Feb. 13, a letter signed by the leaders of all major faiths addressed to the federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus (pdf) conveyed their deep disappointment at the proposals.

The ALRC paper outlines four legislative propositions. While providing that religious schools and colleges can still teach religious doctrines or beliefs on sex and sexuality, and require their staff to do so, these tenets risk being undermined.

Preferencing in the selection, appointment, and promotion (not termination) of staff can only occur where teaching religion is a genuine requirement of the position, and the differential treatment is proportionate to the objective of upholding the ethos of the religious institution.

In making these decisions, however, no consideration may be given to staff behaviour, views, or identity relating to sexual activity, orientation, or gender identity.

A protester holds balloons calling for religious freedom outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on April 28, 2015. (Olivier Douliery/Getty Images)

Moreover, staff at faith-based schools can be required not to actively undermine the ethos of their employer, but no criteria relating to sexual activity or orientation, or gender identity can be imposed.

Schools may also prefer a staff member who will teach the schools beliefs around sexualitybut only if they can present other alternative views.

The ALRC is therefore proposing to force religious schools to teach other moral and sexual codes, and they must be promoted as viable alternatives.

In essence, administrators will be forced to employ not just nominal adherents, but individuals actively at odds with the teachings that underpin the special ethos of those schools, or else they face legal penalties.

The effect of these propositions will severely limit the ability of faith-based schools to respect their own beliefs and ethos.

Can you imagine a Catholic school employing a leader of a school who advocates atheism or thinks that the beliefs of our church are silly? the Catholic Bishop of Darwin Charles Gauci declared when similar laws were proposed in the Northern Territory.

Religious leaders also warn this could become a legal nightmare given the unreasonableness of trying to work out what constituted the teaching or practice of religion being, genuinely, a part of the role.

Further, the approach of the ALRC reflects a total misunderstanding of faith, in that you can apparently not actively undermine the religion of a school even if a teacher lives their personal life in a way that completely contradicts how they engage and teach.

So faith becomes an abstract set of ideas that you can intellectually assent to, and thats about it.

Parishioners pray at St Pauls Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 25, 2020. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

As Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, Michael Stead stated in an interview with ABC Sydney that it was simply legalising hypocrisy.

He pointed out that the ALRCs proposal means you could have the situation where someone is required to teach the Ten Commandments saying You shall not commit adultery, but then can also say: I dont personally believe that and Im having an affair with the science teacher.

The proposals also represent an attack on freedom of religion in general and a form of reverse discrimination.

There is also the potential for the reforms to be applied to other religious institutions. For example, the Catholic Church, along with several other Christian denominations, run services ranging from schools to aged care facilities, hospitals, and social support.

Will the ALRC presume to tell them whether or not their religious identity should be a factor in managing employment matters, which is now the case in Victoria?

The new regime by the ALRC is draconian and chips away at already weakening religious freedoms.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Illegal Immigrant Apprehensions Across Canada-US Border Jump 846 Percent in Fiscal 2023: CBP

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Andrew Mayer rides a ATV as he looks for signs of illegal entry along the boundary marker cut into the forest marking the line between Canadian territory on the right and the United States near Beecher Falls, Vermont, on March 23, 2006. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Apprehensions and encounters by the U.S. Border Patrol in the northern Swanton Sectorports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire, and northeastern New Yorkhave ballooned by over 800 percent this fiscal year, with Mexicans accounting for the majority of illegal individuals trying to cross into the United States from Canada.

In January 2023, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the Swanton Sector recorded 367 apprehensions and encounters, surpassing the past 12 years January apprehensions, which had totaled 344. For the fiscal year-to-date from October 2022 to January 2023, there has been an 846 percent jump in encounters and apprehensions compared to the same period in fiscal year 2022.

While the CBP registered 1,513 encounters in FY 2023 until January 2023, the agency only saw 160 encounters in the prior term.

Before January 2023, the Swanton Sector had experienced an uninterrupted 7-month streak of sustained encounter increases, according to a Feb. 13 press release. The upsurge was part of an upward trend dating back to fiscal year 2022.

Total apprehensions and encounters for FY 2023 have already exceeded the total of 2022 and 2021 combined, which came in at 1,430.

Mexicans make up the largest nationality of immigrants in the Swanton Sector. Out of the 367 apprehensions in January, 192 were from Mexico. Haitians came in second with 36 apprehensions, and 14 from Guatemala.

For FY 2023 to date, 945 out of the 1,513 encounters have been of Mexican citizens, which is up from 518 in the entirety of FY 2022, 57 in 2021, and 156 in 2020.

Cold Temperatures

The rise in Swanton border apprehensions is happening despite temperatures in the region hitting -4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Officials are encountering families, including infants, illegally crossing into the United States in such freezing weather. Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia warned against attempts to illegally cross the border.

As we progress deeper into winter and continue to address the ongoing pace of illicit cross-border traffic, the level of concern for the lives and welfare of our Border Patrol Agents and those we are encounteringparticularly vulnerable populationscontinues to climb, he said.

It cannot be stressed enough: not only is it unlawful to circumvent legal means of entry into the United States, but it is extremely dangerous, particularly in adverse weather conditions, which our Swanton Sector has in incredible abundance.

In December, border patrol agents rescued an individual and a family in two separate incidents in the north who were attempting to illegally cross into the United States under near-freezing conditions.

Jump in Illegal Crossings Nationwide

Despite a massive rise in the number of illegal crossings in the Swanton sector, the 1,513 encounters in fiscal 2023 to date only represent a small fragment of the total illegal migration in the United States.

In the Southwest land border, CBP officials encountered 874,449 illegal immigrants in fiscal 2023 till January. This is up from 673,809 encounters in the same period in 2022 and 296,450 in 2021. The 2023 numbers are almost double the 458,088 encounters in the entirety of 2020.

There has also been a massive jump in Chinese and Russian illegal immigrants trying to cross into the United States from Mexico. In fiscal 2023, the CBP has already encountered 2,999 Chinese nationals in the first four months at the Southwest border compared to 4,394 during the previous three fiscals combined.

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 reporters during a Feb. 9 press conference

Encounters of Russian individuals at the Southwest border in the first four months of fiscal 2023 was at 21,806 compared to 26,333 encounters for the previous full three fiscal years.
In 2024 Launch Speech, Haley Pitches an American Values Campaign

Must Walk Tightrope In Field Dominated by Former President Trump

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley visits "Fox & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios in New York City on Nov. 12, 2019. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)

News Analysis

In her inaugural campaign speech, Nikki Haley blended references to American values with an appeal for change, striking a balancing act as she seeks to gain Republican support.

Haley, the first major candidate to challenge former President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, launched her campaign on Wednesday from Charleston, South Carolina.

Were readyready to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past, and we are more than ready for a new generation to lead us into the future, Haley said.

Haley, whose full name is Nimrata Nikki Haley, herself as the proud daughter of Indian immigrants.

My parents left India in search of a better life. They found it in Bamberg, South Carolina, population 2,500, Haley added.

Our little town came to love us, but it wasnt always easy. We were the only Indian family. Nobody knew who we were, what we were, or why we were there. But my parents knew. And every day they reminded my brothers and my sister that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.

Yet, Haley also took aim at what she described as a self-loathing mentality among Americans that she said had come to grip the nation under President Joe Bidens leadership, adding that the president and the vice president say Americas racist.

Vice President Harris said in 2021 at Emory University that racism is real in America, and it has always been,

Around the same time that year, Biden called the police-custody death of George Floyd a murder which ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism  the systemic racism that is a stain [on] our nations soul.

But according to Haley, as she spoke to supporters in Charleston, America is not a racist country.

Take it from me, the first minority female governor in history, she said.

Haley was South Carolinas governor from 2011 to 2017. She later served as ambassador to the United Nations under former President Trump, from 2017 through 2018.

America isnt perfect but the principles at Americas core are perfect, she said, later stating that her candidacy was not about identity politics.

I dont believe in that. I dont believe in glass ceilings either, she said.

Haley, 51, drew attention to her relative youth as a strength in the context of Americas struggle with China and its ruling Chinese Communist Party.

We wont win the fight for the 21st century if we keep trusting politicians from the 20th century, she said.

She advocated for mandatory voter ID and term limits for Congress, two policy proposals touted by Trump in his campaign launch speech.

But Haley had unique proposals of her own, including mental competency tests for older politicians and an end to earmarks, among other policies.

Long criticized by some on the American right and left as being aligned with neoconservatism, the ideology and intellectual tradition of some of the policymakers and politicians who launched the Iraq and Afghanistan wars during the George W. Bush presidency, Haley struck another careful balance on foreign policy, pitching her platform from an America First angle.

A strong military doesnt start wars. A strong military prevents wars, she said.

Well stand with our allies, from Israel to Ukraine, and stand up to our enemies in Iran and Russia.

Haley and American History

As governor, I saw our state move beyond hate and violence, and lift up everyone in peace, Haley said.

Haleys comments, including her call to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past, drew the attention of legacy media and many online commentators to the former governors shifting stances on South Carolinas past in the Confederate States of America.

Some conservatives have taken Haley to task over what they see as a lack of backbone as governor, when she took down the Confederate flag that flew above the South Carolina State House.

Haley made the move in 2015, after Dylann Roof carried out the Charleston church shooting. Roof had posed with the flag in photos before killing nine people at the historic black house of worship.

I think the more important part is it should have never been there. These grounds are a place that everybody should feel a part of. What I realized now more than ever is people were driving by and felt hurt and pain. No one should feel pain, Haley told CNNs Don Lemon at the time.

In a 2019 interview with Blaze TV host Glenn Beck, Haley said Roof had hijacked the flag.

People saw it as service, and sacrifice and heritagebut once he did that, there was no way to overcome it, she told Beck.
Ronald Martinez, art photographer, at the premiere of Shen Yun in Paris, on Feb. 14, 2023. (NTD)

PARISShen Yun is back. The famous classical Chinese classical dance and music company, Shen Yun Performing Arts, has returned to the capital of France for the pleasure of the people of Paris.

Ronald Martinez has been a professional photographer since 2000. After starting his career as a photojournalist and participating in film shoots, this native of Annecy turned in 2012 to his passion, the great painters of the Renaissance from which he draws inspiration for his art photos.

A lover of beauty, of a form of transcendence, he deepens his research around the light to sculpt the contours of the body and sublimate skin tones, in refined works where the border between painting and photography becomes permeable. No computer retouching in this work, reads his website.

For the premiere of Shen Yun 2023 in Paris, the photographer was present at the Palais des Congres to discover the traditional arts of the Land of the Divine, ancestral name given to China.

Magnificent! Incredible! We have never seen this! Its an incredible show!  Ronald Martinez

Magnificent! Incredible! We have never seen this! Its an incredible show! he exclaimed, first inspired by the magnificent colors!

Really, there is a beautiful harmony of colors. Visually, we have no words to define what we see. Its extraordinary! he enthused.

This devotee of the divine was able to feel that divine side expressed in the scenes, and its beautiful, really!

Indeed, Shen Yun means the beauty of divine beings dancing, paying homage to the traditional Chinese belief that Chinese culture was inspired by the divine.

People aimed at the harmony between Heaven, Earth, and humankind, praised the divine and respected the principles of nature, reads the Shen Yun program.

The photographer was thus touched by the tenors performance, who interprets his song with the authentic, traditional technique of bel canto.

You can feel a bit of the power of the gods, Mr. Martinez said.

You feel it in the emotions, in the movements, in the music. My wife, who was next to me, was almost crying, because you really feel things, he expressed, almost regretting that the show was already over.

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.
Nitty-gritty details are the building blocks that make grand visions into reality

I dont do details. Im a big-picture kind of person.

The visionaries who make this formula work possess the wisdom to surround themselves with competent subordinates or colleagues, men and women who make the dream come true by focusing on specifics. Whether a CEO in a major corporation or the owner of a small software sales company, a good manager trains and encourages employees to pay attention to the small stuff.

Stick your head in the clouds without keeping your feet on the ground, and youre asking for trouble. For example, with the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, our politicians and military commanders achieved the goal of ending the American presence in the country, but it cost the lives of 13 military personnel and left friends, allies, and billions of dollars of equipment behind.

The devil is in the details goes the old saying, meaning that attention must be paid to specifics if a plan is to achieve success. That adage applies to affairs great and small, personal and public. The manager of a branch bank seeking to raise the morale of the other employees and so shape them into an effective team must devise specific ways to brighten up the work day: piping in music designed to lift spirits, celebrating employee birthdays, listening to complaints and solving problems whenever possible, and getting to know his co-workers.

Overlooking the little things can bring ruin to any project. Recently, a friend working for a nonprofit told me a story. Late in the afternoon, before an important meeting the next day with a crowd of donors, an employee tried to run off hundreds of documents necessary for that meeting, but found the copier out of toner. The machines automatic alert, which was supposed to notify the supplier when the ink supplies were low, had failed, and those in the office who operated the machine daily never manually checked those levels.

The staff scrambled around and ran the material to a local office supply store, which cost time and money. They got the copies, but that one miniscule failure nearly ruined a major presentation.

Having a big picture vision of our home life also requires the buttresses of detail. The husband hoping to put some zing in his marriage maps out specifics to achieve that goal. He brings flowers to his wife at unexpected times, arranges getaway weekends, and remembers to say I love you before heading out the door in the morning. The grandparents wanting a family get-together to go off without a hitch compile a detailed grocery list, decorate the table, and break out the toys to entertain the little ones.

In his 1758 Poor Richards Almanack, Ben Franklin printed this proverb, titled A Little Neglect May Breed Great Mischief:

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost.

For want of a horse, the rider was lost.

For want of a rider, the battle was lost.

For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost,

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

During World War II, a framed reproduction of those words hung on the wall of a major military supply depot in London, reminding all personnel that victory meant paying attention to seemingly trivial matters. Missing or damaged equipment could cost lives and bring defeat on the field of battle.

Grand visions can become realities, so long as we remember to line up all those pesky details.
John Kerrys Family Sold Private Jet Amid Accusations of Climate Hypocrisy

U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry delivers a speech during a discussion about oceans and water at the US pavillon in the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre, in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of the same name, during the COP27 climate conference on Nov. 15, 2022. (Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images)

John Kerrys family has sold its private jet, after he received criticism for the aircrafts considerable carbon footprint.

Kerry has been a vocal proponent of agreements for the United States to reduce carbon emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. Kerry helped bring the country into the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, and currently serves as President Joe Bidens special presidential envoy on climate issues.

In 2019, Kerry flew on a private jet to Iceland to accept an award for his climate leadership. By some estimates, a round trip to Iceland by private jet would emit about 90 tons of carbon. By comparison, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates a typical passenger vehicle produces about 4.6 tons of carbon in a year.

Kerrys family quietly sold off the private jet last summer.

I can confirm the plane previously owned by his wifes family was sold last summer, a spokesperson for the Kerry family told Fox News in an article the news outlet published on Tuesday.

Secretary Kerry travels commercially in his role as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the family spokesperson told Fox News.

The Kerry family had owned a Gulfstream G-IV jet, which it operated through its Flying Squirrel, LLC. The company is owned by Kerrys wife, Teresa Heinz-Kerry.

The aircrafts reported registration number, which has previously been cited by Fox News, is no longer listed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Flying Squirrel, LLCs ownership. FAA data shows the aircrafts ownership changed from Flying Squirrel, LLC to another firm on Aug. 22, 2022.

Private Jet Controversy

Several critics had presented Kerrys use of a private jet as being at odds with his position and his calls for significant reductions in carbon emissions.

In 2021, Kerry defended his decision to fly to Iceland to accept the climate change leadership award, saying, If you offset your carbon, its the only choice for somebody like me, who is traveling the world to win this battle.

Im not sure flying across the world in a private jet while simultaneously trying to put the workers who supply your fuel out of a job is a winning strategy as climate czar, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) tweeted in response to Kerry.

Kerry defended his decision to travel by private jet just days after the Biden administration suspended construction permits for the Keystone XL natural gas pipeline. Kerry said those workers facing a job loss after the construction permits were canceled have alternatives like installing solar panels.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) placed Kerrys defense of flying on a private jet alongside his comments to pipeline workers facing job losses.

John Kerry told pipeline workers whose jobs were destroyed by the Biden Administration to go install solar panels. But Kerry cant sacrifice enough to fly commercial? What a fraud, Cotton tweeted.

John Kerry told pipeline workers whose jobs were destroyed by the Biden Administration to go install solar panels. But Kerry cant sacrifice enough to fly commercial? What a fraud. pic.twitter.com/8iwnFemQ8Q  Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) February 3, 2021

Data obtained by Fox News in 2021 showed Kerrys family flew on the private jet for a total of 24 hours in a single year. An emissions calculation for the private aircraft estimated the total travel time would have produced about 117 metric tons of carbon.

Timing of The Sale

The Kerry family sold the Gulfstream private jet about a month after Fox News reported in July, based on federal data, that the aircraft had flown on 48 separate trips since the start of the Biden administration. Those trips, lasting a total of 60 combined hours, produced an estimated 325 metric tons of carbon.

The Kerry family spokesperson told Fox News, at the time, that Kerry did not use the private aircraft in his role as the special presidential envoy. For official travel, the family spokesperson said Kerry travels via commercial or military flights.

NTD News reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Heinz-Kerry family for comment but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

From NTD News
Joly Ends Ukraine Visit Pledging Support for War-Crime Tribunal, Cash to Local Groups

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has ended a two-day visit to Ukraine where she met with senior officials to assess Canadas response to Russias invasion.

Ottawa tried to keep the visit under wraps for security reasons, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video Tuesday of his meeting with Joly.

Joly met with her Ukrainian counterpart, as well as the countrys prime minister, top prosecutor and internal affairs minister to discuss Canadas military support and attempts to bring Russia to international tribunals for war crimes.

She also spoke with Ukraines first lady Olena Zelenska about support for women experiencing sexual violence and announced $3 million for local groups working to stabilize the country.

Joly visited projects funded by Canada, such as a demining program run through the HALO Trust, and pledged continued Canadian contributions for removing mines.

Her office says that Canada will continue to help Ukrainians defend their freedom for as long as it takes to reach peace.

Jolys office says she will discuss the visit with Canadian media in a morning call from Europe.

They say the visit was meant to find ways Ukraine can strengthen its position at any future negotiating table to recover from Russias invasion and bring those perpetuating violence to justice.

A news release notes that Canada is part of a group of countries that is examining the idea of establishing a special tribunal on the crimes of aggression, and finding the most effective means to hold Russia to account.

During her visit, Joly announced how $18.2 million earmarked last June for Ukraine will be allocated to local groups.

Jolys visit also included a trip to the suburb of Brovary, where senior officials were killed in a helicopter crash that has not been attributed to Russia.

The visit is Jolys second since Russias invasion nearly one year ago; she had also visited Ukraine as foreign affairs minister in January 2022.

MPs on the House foreign-affairs committee are to depart shortly for a tour of countries that neighbour Ukraine to compare responses to the invasion.
Judge Vacates Conviction of Man Imprisoned Nearly 3 Decades

Lamar Johnson (C) and his attorneys react after St. Louis Circuit Judge David Mason vacated his murder conviction during a hearing in St. Louis on Feb. 14, 2023. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

ST. LOUISA Missouri judge on Tuesday overturned the conviction of a man who has served nearly 28 years of a life sentence for a killing that he has always said he didnt commit.

Lamar Johnson, 50, closed his eyes and shook his head slightly as a member of his legal team patted him on the back when Circuit Judge David Mason issued his ruling. In coming to his decision, Mason explained that there had to be reliable evidence of actual innocenceevidence so reliable that it actually passes the standard of clear and convincing.

Johnson walked free after he was processed out at the courthouse. Beaming, he walked up to reporters in the courthouse lobby about two hours after the ruling and thanked everyone who worked on his case, as well as the judge.

This is unbelievable, said Johnson, who didnt take any questions.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who filed a motion in August seeking Johnsons release after an investigation her office conducted with help from the Innocence Project convinced her he was telling the truth, applauded the ruling.

Mr. Lamar Johnson. Thank you. Youre free, she said before the gathered press.

Gardner said this is a time for Johnson to spend with his attorneys and family.

This is Valentines Day and this is historical, she said.

The Republican-led state attorney generals office fought to keep Johnson locked up. A spokeswoman for the office, Madeline Sieren, said in an email that the office will take no further action in the case. She again defended the offices push to keep Johnson behind bars.

As he stated when he was sworn in, Attorney General (Andrew) Bailey is committed to enforcing the laws as written, Sieren wrote. Our office defended the rule of law and worked to uphold the original verdict that a jury of Johnsons peers deemed to be appropriate based on the facts presented at trial.

Johnsons attorneys blasted the state attorney generals office after the hearing, saying it never stopped claiming Lamar was guilty and was comfortable to have him languish and die in prison.

Yet, when this States highest law enforcement office could hide from a courtroom no more, it presented nothing to challenge the overwhelming body of evidence that the circuit attorney and Lamar Johnson had amassed, they said in a statement.

Johnson plans to reconnect with his family and enjoy experiences he was denied for most of his adult life while locked up, his lawyers said.

While today brings joy, nothing can restore all that the state stole from him. Nothing will give him back the nearly three decades he lost while separated from his daughters and family, they said. The evidence that proved his innocence was available at his trial, but it was kept hidden or ignored by those who saw no value in the lives of two young Black men from the South Side.

Johnson was convicted of murder for the October 1994 killing of Marcus Boyd, who was shot to death on his front porch by two masked men. Police and prosecutors blamed the killing on a dispute over drug money. Johnson maintained his innocence from the outset, saying he was with his girlfriend miles (kilometers) away when the crime occurred.

While Johnson was convicted and sentenced to life, a second suspect, Phil Campbell, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for a seven-year prison term.

Johnson testified at a December hearing that he was with his girlfriend on the night of the crime, except for a few minutes when he stepped outside of the home of a friend to sell drugs on a corner several blocks from where the victim was killed.

Johnsons girlfriend at the time, Erika Barrow, testified that she was with Johnson that entire night, except for about a five-minute span when he left to make the drug sale. She said the distance between the friends home and Boyds home would have made it impossible for Johnson to get there and back in five minutes.

The case for Johnsons release was centered around a key witness who recanted his testimony and a prison inmate who says it was henot Johnsonwho joined Campbell in the killing.

James Howard, 46, is serving a life sentence for murder and several other crimes that happened three years after Boyd was killed. He testified at the hearing that he and Campbell decided to rob Boyd, who owed one of their friends money from the sale of drugs. He also said Johnson wasnt there.

Howard testified that he shot Boyd in the back of the head and neck, and that Campbell shot Boyd in the side.

Lamar Johnson (L) embraces St. Louis Prosecutor Kim Garner after St. Louis Circuit Judge David Mason vacated his murder conviction during a hearing in St. Louis on Feb. 14, 2023. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, Pool)

Howard and Campbell years ago signed affidavits admitting to the crime and claiming Johnson was not involved. Campbell has since died.

James Gregory Elking testified in December that he was on the front porch with Boyd, trying to buy crack cocaine, when the two gunmen wearing black ski masks came around the house and began the attack. Elking, who later spent several years in prison for bank robbery, initially told police he couldnt identify the gunmen.

He agreed to view a lineup anyway. Elking testified that when he was unable to name anyone from the lineup as a shooter, Detective Joseph Nickerson told him, I know you know who it is, and urged him to help get these guys off the street.

Saying he felt bullied and pressured, Elking named Johnson as one of the shooters. Gardners office said Elking was also paid at least $4,000 after agreeing to testify.

Its been haunting me, he said of his role in sending Johnson to prison.

Nickerson denied coercing Elking. He testified in December that Elkings identification of Johnson was based on all that he could see of the shooters facehis eyes. Johnson has one eye that looks different than the other, Nickerson said. You can clearly see it.

Dwight Warren, who prosecuted Johnson in 1995, said that beyond Elkings testimony, the main evidence against Johnson was an overheard jail cell conversation. A jailhouse informant, William Mock, told investigators at the time that he heard Campbell and Johnson talking when one of them said, We should have shot that white boy, apparently referring to Elking.

Warren acknowledged that convicting Johnson would have been iffy without Mocks testimony.

In March 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court denied Johnsons request for a new trial after then-Attorney General Eric Schmitts office argued successfully that Gardner lacked the authority to seek one so many years after the case was adjudicated.

The case led to the passage of a state law that makes it easier for prosecutors to get new hearings in cases where there is fresh evidence of a wrongful conviction. That law freed another longtime inmate, Kevin Strickland, last year. He had served more than 40 years for a Kansas City triple killing.

By Jim Salter
LA County Sheriffs Deputy Charged in Crash That Killed Boy, 12

SOUTH GATE, Calif.A Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy has been charged with murder and other counts stemming from a high-speed, off-duty crash in South Gate that left a 12-year-old boy dead, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced Feb. 15.

Ricardo Castro, 28, is set to be arraigned March 23 on one count each of murder, vehicular manslaughter, and reckless driving causing great bodily injury in connection with the Nov. 3, 2021, crash.

The boy, Isaiah Suarez Rodriguez, died as a result of the collision. The boys older sister, Alexa, was injured, along with Castro and his passenger, according to the District Attorneys Office.

An investigation showed that the off-duty deputy may have been traveling at speeds nearing 95 mph in a 25 mph school zone as he approached the busy intersection of Firestone Boulevard and San Juan Avenue, where the boys sister was waiting to make a left turn at about 3:55 p.m. that afternoon, the countys top prosecutor said at a news conference in South Gate.

Driving at 95 miles per hour was nearly quadruple the speed limit when school children are present  the district attorney told reporters, adding that it shows a conscious disregard for those childrens lives.

Driving History

Castros driving history revealed that he has been involved in multiple collisions and received several traffic tickets, including for speeding, the district attorney said.

Mr. Castro was also involved as a passenger in a fatal traffic collision just three months prior to this fatal collision, Gascon said.

The district attorney noted that Castro received rigorous training through his work as a sheriffs deputy and had significant personal and professional knowledge about the dangers of driving at an excessive speed.

Mr. Castros recklessness ended the life of a boy with an entire future ahead of him and destroyed a family, Gascon said. This tragedy was preventable and should have never happened.

South Gate Police Chief Darren Arakawa said the boy was an innocent child who didnt stand a chance in that crash.

The police chief said the off-duty deputy was driving his Ford pick-up truck at an unsafe speed far beyond the speed limit when he broadsided the side of the Mercedes-Benz in which the boy was riding as his sister was negotiating a left turn.

Despite the valiant efforts of LA County firefighters and medical staff at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Isaiah did not survive this horrific event, the police chief said.

I want to emphasize that this was a preventable incident that was clearly in the hands of Mr. Castro, and that cannot be understated. At the time of the collision, the street was heavily populated with motorists and pedestrians and occurred during a time period while school children were still present.

Familys Words

In an emotional statement, the boys mother said, First of all, I want to say that I love my son. I love you, Isaiah, and I miss you every single day.

She said the boywho had decided three days earlier to be baptizedwas out that afternoon to get a ruler for a classmate whose ruler had been taken away while being bullied.

The victims mother, Betsabe Suarez, said the family is completely broken by his loss, and said she is thankful that the crash was not brushed under the rug.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the case against Castro, which was filed Tuesday.

Castro was arrested at 5:14 p.m. Tuesday by South Gate police and has remained jailed since then in lieu of just over $2 million bail, according to jail records.

A bail review hearing is set for next Wednesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

Castro could face a potential 25-year-to-life prison term if convicted as charged, the district attorney said.

He is the second Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy to be charged with murder and reckless driving in just under two years in connection with a deadly high-speed crash while off-duty.

Daniel Manuel Auner, now 25, was charged in May 2021 with a crash in Torrance that killed one of his passengers, 23-year-old Ashley Wells, and seriously injured two other people in his Dodge Charger. He is awaiting trial.
Labor and Greens at Crossroads Over Environment Safeguard Mechanism

Party supporters attend the Greens national campaign launch at Black Hops Brewery on May 16, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

The Australian Greens attempt to compel the Labor federal government to stop new coal or gas projects has put the two political parties at crossroads.

Labor is currently in negotiations with the Greens to drive the Safeguard Mechanism legislation through the Senate after the Liberals and the Nationals said they would oppose it, leaving the crossbench and Greens Party senators in control of the legislation.

The Safeguard Mechanism Reform bill, which the government is looking to pass through the Senate, will empower the federal government to force Australias largest greenhouse gas emitters to keep their net emissions below a baseline emissions limit set by the government.

The Greens announced on Wednesday they would pass the bill if the federal government promised to not allow any new coal or gas projects in Australia.

However, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has said categorically that the federal government will not be banning new coal and gas projects.

Bowen is in charge of the negotiations for the Safeguard Mechanism.

We wont be doing that, Bowen told ABC Radio National Breakfast programme on Thursday.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen speaks to media during a press conference in the Mural Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 23, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Bowen noted that the Safeguard Mechanism reform put forward by Labor was a big deal.

It will require 205 million tonnes of emissions to come out of the system by 2030. This is no small thing. It covers 28 percent of our emissions, he said.

You dont reduce emissions, you dont reach our targets unless youre dealing with our biggest emitters, and the biggest emitters covered by this are not just coal and gas, but its aluminium steel.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibisek, said in parliament on Feb. 14 that it was shocking that the Greens would consider not voting for the reforms given their voting base would want the changes.

I think that Greens voters would actually be shocked to see Greens members of parliament getting ready to sit next to Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce to vote against action on climate change, Plibisek said. They would be shocked to see the Greens voting with the Liberals and Nationals against a safeguard mechanism.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek speaks during a stand-up in the Press Gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 24, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Coal and Gas Deal an Offer, Not Ultimatum

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said on Thursday that the Greens no new coal and gas proposal is a formal offer, not an ultimatum, but then noted that as Labor does not hold the balance of power in the senate, he expected the federal government to adjust their positions as the Greens had already compromised on a range of issues.

We put on the table an offer, not an ultimatum, Bandt told Radio National.

Were prepared to give a lot, but I think on this issue of opening new coal and gas mines, things have shifted.

I think this is a proposition that people would accept; everyone is going to have to move a bit for this to get through the Senate.

New Greens Leader Adam Bandt speaks to the media in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 4, 2020. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Bandt also took aim at Labor, noting the party had lost a percentage of its primary vote during the last election to independents who were campaigning on an environmental platform. He pointed to Labor heavyweights Justin Elliot, Tanya Plibersek, and Josh Burns as placing themselves in a difficult position with their electorates if the government did not get the reform bill through.

On Wednesday, Bandt noted in a media release that the Greens have huge concerns with other parts of the scheme, such as the rampant use of offsets and the low emissions reduction targets, but were prepared to put those concerns aside and give Labors scheme a chance.

If Labors scheme falls over, it will be because Labor wants to open new coal and gas mines. Labor has to decide how much it wants new coal and gas mines, he said.

Greens Criticised For Previous Behaviour on Climate Legislation

This is not the first time there has been a stand-off between the Australian Greens and Labor over emissions legislation, with former Australian prime minister and Labor party heavyweight Paul Keating accusing the Greens of being an enemy of Labor on climate issues.

The Greens preen themselves on what they claim is their environmental credentials, Keating told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, but he noted that they had also voted against previous Labor attempts to deal with carbon emissions in 2009.

This is the same outfit that, with all-purpose, destroyed Kevin Rudds carbon pollution reduction scheme, leading the country into a decades-long political morass on climate, putting the population and the countrys land mass at risk and degradation, he said.
Loudoun County School Board Votes Not to Release Rape Investigation Report

Scott Smith, the father of the May 2021 rape victim at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County, speaks to Loudoun County School Board members in Ashburn, Va., on Sept. 13, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

ASHBURN, Va.Loudoun County School Board (LCSB) voted on Tuesday night not to release an investigative report about how the school division handled two sexual assaults in May and October 2021. The board voted down the motion 63.

John Beatty, the board member who initiated the motion, said releasing the report was about rebuilding trust with the community and not settling scores.

The wounds caused by the assaults in our schools will continue to fester, he warned at the meeting. This is about rebuilding trust. Please, my colleagues, release the report. He and two other members voted yes.

Those who voted no maintained that the attorney-client privilege shouldnt be waived.

Under the best of circumstances, waiving attorney-client privilege is fraught with pitfalls, which is why it is done exceedingly rarely. Being open and transparent is important, but so is the right of our students and staff to be able to communicate with legal counsel without it being made publicthat is such an important principle that its one of the cornerstones of the American legal system, stated LCSB Chair Ian Serotkin at the meeting and in a press release hours after the vote.

Releasing the report would cause a subject matter waiver of every communication anyone in LCPS had with legal counsel broadly related to these incidents over the past year and a half. If I could disentangle the release of the report from that, I would. But we cannot, he added.

Loudoun County Public Schools board members Ian Serotkin (L) and Harris Mahedavi at a county school board Curriculum & Instruction Committee meeting in Ashburn, Va., on Sept. 22, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Rape Victim Father: Cover-up Puts Children in Extreme Danger

The subject of the investigation was two sexual assaults in two different high schools by the same teenage boy; he was allowed to transfer to Board Run High School after the first assault in a Stone Bridge High School restroom in May 2021. In January 2022, he was sentenced to probation at a residential treatment facility until his 18th birthday in July 2024 after being found guilty in October 2021 on counts of forcible sodomy and forcible fellatio for the May 2021 assaults. In November 2021, he pleaded no contest to his sexual assault of a fellow student at Broad Run High School.

Former Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) superintendent Scott Ziegler, who announced the investigation in November 2021, said it would be an independent review and would be one step in moving forward to help heal our school community.

According to the motion, the report, also known as the Blankingship & Keith reportnamed after the law firm that conducted the investigationwas finalized in January 2022. In December 2022, days after firing Ziegler upon the release of a special grand jury report conducted by the Virginia Attorney Generals office, the school board, with new members elected in November, discussed the possibility of waiving attorney-client privilege and releasing the report to the public.

The special grand jury report included releasing the Blankingship & Keith report as one of the recommendations. The attorney-client privilege should be invoked when required to protect legitimate issues of confidentiality that impact the operations of LCPS and the LCSB, the jury wrote in its report. It should not be used as a shield that impedes transparency, accountability, and openness, especially when it comes to the operations of a public body.

On Tuesday night, Scott Smith, the father of the May 2021 rape victim, was in the board room during the meeting. Criminal [bleep] scumbags! he called the members who voted against releasing the report.

The vote should be a clear warning of what LCPS have turned into. A school system with a systemic sexual assault problem spanning several years is being covered up by a radical dishonest school board, Smith later told The Epoch Times. We believe theres something in the report that would contradict special grand jury testimony. The cover-up continues putting all children in extreme danger.

According to Smith, the Blankingship & Keith report may reveal that some LCPS officials have lied under oath to the jury. He said that there were more sexual assaults in LCPS than the two the public knew. This seems to align with the judges remarks. In January 2022, when reversing her decision to put the teen on the sex offender registry, Loudoun County Juvenile Court Judge Pamela Brooks said that she was aware of a third victim, but that girl hadnt come forward yet.

Ian Prior, executive director of Fight for Schools, a Loudoun County-based parental rights organization, said in a written statement: Two things are clear. First, the majority of the Loudoun County School Board will always make the choice that benefits themselves over the children and families that they serve. Second, there must be something really bad in that report.

The Epoch Times has contacted LCPS for comment.

Binary Decision Between Children or System

Tiffany Polifko, a school board member newly elected in November 2022 who voted yes to releasing the Blankingship & Keith report, called the vote a binary decision, unlike decisions on curriculum or disciplinary policies.

This is a situation that is strictly about choosing children or choosing the system, she said at the school board meeting.

Loudoun County school board members Erika Ogedegbe and Tiffany Polifko (R) at a school board meeting in Ashburn, Va., on Dec. 8, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Denise Corbo, another member who voted for releasing the report, said that it was her understanding that the final report would be made public when the investigation was first announced. I feel that it is ethical and a responsible decision for us to vote in favor of releasing this report with redacted information, she said during the discussion at the meeting, adding that she had weighed in legal advice and other factors such as the public outcry to see the report.

Erika Ogedegbe, another newly elected board member who said during her campaign that she supported the release of the Blankingship & Keith report, explained her reason for a reversal on Tuesday night.

Ultimately, to be fully transparent entire report would need to be released, she said at the meeting. It is clear to me, after having read the report in detail, that the report was not intended to be shared, she continued, citing that compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) would keep the report private.
Massive Several-Acre Fire Breaks Out Near Florida Warehouse

Emergency workers on Thursday are responding to a large fire near a nursery in Kissimmee, Florida, that is emitting large plumes of black smoke, according to local officials.

The Osceola County Fire Rescue and EMS wrote that as of around 11 a.m. ET, crews are still working a large fire in the area of Avenue A in Intercession City, involving more than two acres worth of pallets holding plastic planters.

Fire officials, it said, have set up air monitoring devices and are prepared to issue evacuation orders, if necessary, according to a Facebook post. Hazmat and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are on scene and reporting NO hazardous material released.

But the service still wrote that locals should stay clear of the area regardless and consider another driving route.

Weve got remote monitoring set up and were not yet getting any signal that would cause us to call for an evacuation, but that could change, Osceola Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jon Haskett told WESH-TV, responding to a question regarding whether the smoke is dangerous to nearby residents. If there is an evacuation, it would be due to the smoke and carbon monoxide off the fire.

The fire broke out at around 2 a.m. at Nursery Supplies Inc. on Avenue A, located north of Poinciana High School in Kissimmee, officials told News4Jax. The company describes itself as a plastic products supplier on Google Maps.

Local media video footage and Googles imagery of the location show that the business appears to be a large warehouse that includes a storage area. Based on aerial video footage, it appears that the storage area near the warehouse is on fire, while officials told local news outlets that plastic products are on fire.

Video footage of the fire captured by WESH-TV also shows that that several acres of pallets containing plastic planters are burning. There are also propane tanks nearby, offiicals told the outlet.

Reporters with Fox Orlando say that the nursery itself is not on fire. However, it was evacuated because there were employees inside.

The blaze comes amid controversy over the handling of a train derailment and fire in East Palestine, Ohio, this month that released toxic chemicals into the air and water. On Wednesday night, hundreds of irate residents of East Palestine attended a town hall, seeking answers to what health dangers they face.

Some of those residents expressed anger that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has come under fire from Republicans over his agencys response, wasnt in attendance, according to reports.

Norfolk Southern officials did not attend the meeting, claiming they feared violence. The company operated the derailed train, which was carrying highly toxic vinyl chloride.

After consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties, the company said in a statement to news outlets.

Much remains unknown about the dangers posed to residents by the toxins that spilled, experts said. Many in the area have complained of headaches and irritated eyes, and noted that chickens, fish, and other wildlife have died off. Despite that, state health officials have insisted to residents that East Palestine is a safe place to be.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Minister Briefed on Chinese Police Stations in Canada Only in Last Year, Despite Online Post About It as Early as 2020

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino (L) and CSIS director David Vigneault wait to appear before the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 6, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

News Analysis

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino recently told MPs that he was briefed about unofficial overseas Chinese police stations in Canada only within the past year.

However, The Epoch Times reported this week that a post about one such location in Richmond, B.C., was published online by a regional Chinese police bureau as early as 2020.

The revelation that the minister in charge of Canadas intelligence and security agencies was only briefed about the issue in the past year raises a number of questions.

Were the agencies unaware of this open-source information, and only learned about this Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threat at the same time as the media, after NGO Safeguard Defenders released a report on the overseas stations in September 2022?

Or if the agencies were aware, did they decide not to brief the minister? This is an issue of such significance that, after coming to the publics attention, was raised by Canadas prime minister with Chinas leader, and led to Global Affairs Canada summoning the Chinese ambassador multiple times for an explanation.

Phil Gurski, a veteran of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), says there could be another possibility.

[Third] possibility: CSIS did brief senior officials, but this was not passed on to the minister for fear of upsetting Canada-PRC [Peoples Republic of China] relations, Gurski said in an email.

Scott McGregor, a former Canadian Armed Forces intelligence operator who also served as an intelligence adviser to the RCMP, says hes confident Canadas security agencies have been aware of these overseas police operations for years.

A sign for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service building is seen in Ottawa in a file photo. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

But he says the issue didnt get government attention for the same reason that many other threats from China go unaddressed: lack of political will.

What are you allowed to do about it? If you dont have the resources, the laws will not allow you to enforce anything, so no ones going to jail, McGregor, who is now a private investigator and founder of Close Hold Intelligence, said in an interview.

Are there laws that could be used? Certainly. But youd have to have the support of the government in order to pursue those things, and because the government is so heavily invested and influenced, there is no political will.

Trend

McGregor says he observed this reluctance to take on issues related to China first-hand in the mid-2010s when he was working in law enforcement in B.C., where there are major CCP-linked fentanyl-trafficking and money laundering operations through casinos and real estate transactions, driving the provinces rampant opioid crisis.

We attempted to provide information that would go to the minister [of finance of B.C.] on what was happening with transnational organized crime and its connection to the Chinese, etc., and it was stonewalled, he says.

When it comes to the issue of Chinese police, McGregor says Canadas naivete on the issue is best characterized by how the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) partnered with Chinas Public Security Bureau to train Chinese police in the province beginning early last decade. The program was ended in 2019.

An excerpt from IJBCs 2018-2019 annual report shows information about Chinese police being trained by the organization. (Screen capture)

Why are you training the Chinese police? They have a 99 percent conviction rate. Their laws are not congruent to ours, he says.

Youre accepting money from an authoritarian government to train their police in our methodologies, when you know that their espionage and collection of intelligence targets all aspects of our society in an effort to undermine it.

McGregor says this is yet another example of the senior ranks of security agencies knowing such a program was wrong, yet it was allowed to proceed because they dont think theres anything they can do about it.

The Epoch Times contacted JIBC but the organization said it would need a week or two to comment.

Gurski concurs theres a general sense in the intelligence community that there exists an unwillingness within the political class to deal with the China threat.

CSIS has been warning about this for 2530 years. Were talking about Chinese theft of Canadian technology, were talking about interference in distinct communities, he writes.

We were ignored, because they saw the Chinese economic relationship as more important.

A joint report by the RCMP and CSIS in 1997 titled Project Sidewinder, which was leaked to the media, warned about the CCPs infiltration, influence, and espionage operations in Canada through means such as using criminal gangs and business tycoons. A 2000 publication by the Security Intelligence Review Committee, the governmental body that oversaw the operations of CSIS back then, dismissed the concerns raised in the Sidewinder report, saying, it found no evidence of any substantial and immediate threat as warned about in the report.

Minister Briefing

The RCMP announced in October 2022 that it was investigating the overseas Chinese police stations in Canada.

So far, the force has publicly confirmed the presence of four such stations in Canada. Safeguard Defenders says it is aware of five of them.

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki told MPs at a Feb. 6 hearing of the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations that uniformed officers have visited the four confirmed stations in Canada so that the public can see the visible presence of police, which she says would lead to the public sharing more information with the RCMP.

On Feb. 7, Conservative public safety critic Raquel Dancho questioned why no one has been expelled or arrested so far.

RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki waits to appear before the Special Committee on Canada-Peoples Republic of China Relationship on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 6, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

Canadians need to know they are safe from foreign intimidation and threats within Canada, she said on Twitter.

The Netherlands and Ireland both ordered the closure of unofficial Chinese police stations in their countries shortly after reports about them were made public. The FBI also shut down a station in New York at an undisclosed time following a reported raid last fall.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis also questions why action hasnt already been taken on the file. Minister Mendicinos revelation at the Feb. 6 committee meeting on when he learned about the overseas stations was in response to a question from Genuis.

Ministers are responsible for seeking the information they need from their teams. It may be that the [issue] only came to his attention through media reports, or it may be that he was told about it earlier. But still, [it was] within the last year, in which case it begs the question why wasnt action taken on this earlier, Genius told The Epoch Times.

Either way, its a problem. Did he not have information he needed to do this job? Or did he not act on that information early enough?

The Epoch Times contacted the Public Safety department and Mendicinos office for comment, but didnt hear back by publication time.

During their Feb. 6 exchange, Genuis asked Mendicino if he learned about the police stations before or after media reports about them emerged. Mendicino replied that he became generally aware of this particular subject matter within the last year.

Genius says his take on the exchange is that the minister didnt want to answer the question because the existence of these police stations is a clear problem, and hasnt been addressed up until now.

A CSIS spokesperson told The Epoch Times that it cant confirm or deny information about specific briefings, adding that the agency routinely talks with elected officials on security issues.

CSIS engages with elected officials at all levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, and Indigenous), to raise awareness of the potential threats to the security and interests of Canada, Brandon Champagne said in an email.

Transnational Threats

McGregor says uniformed RCMP officers showing up at the Chinese police stations in Canada is only a measure to appease the public and make it look like law enforcement is taking some action to restore public confidence. But he says the public is becoming more aware of the lack of action.

The public is becoming much more savvy, he says.

Besides the lack of political will, McGregor says, another major shortcoming in Canada is the lack of a security strategy to address transnational crime.

The majority of the intelligence files leading to arrests, such as the major transnational narcoterrorist cases, are from our neighbour [the United States], he says.

The entities that collect all of this data and share it, and whom were relying on for understanding whats going on in our own country, arent even Canadian.
Minister Denies Being Influenced by McKinsey On Immigration Targets

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser arrives for question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 3, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told the House of Commons government operations committee on Feb. 15 that the involvement of consulting firm McKinsey & Company in his department had no influence on how he determined immigration targets for the country.

I dont have a relationship with representatives of McKinsey or Dominic Barton, if anybody had been curious, Fraser said.

The company had not advised me directly or influenced the decision-making about our immigration levels plan.

When Barton was head of McKinsey, he chaired the Liberal governments Advisory Council on Economic Growth which suggested in 2017 to significantly increase immigration levels.

The current immigration targets are similar to what the council had advised. The government plans to reach 500,000 new immigrants in 2025.

Fraser said he wasnt aware of any involvement McKinsey could have had on the immigration levels plan and that he hasnt reviewed anything theyve produced in that regard. Fraser became immigration minister in October 2021.

Deputy Minister of Immigration Christiane Fox told the committee that we dont have a report in which they would have contributed to the immigration levels plan for 2022, 2023, 2024. Prior years were not mentioned.

The government operations committee is reviewing contracts awarded to McKinsey by the Trudeau government, which have grown exponentially since it came to power in 2015.

CBC first reported on the contracts in early January and provided information from sources within Immigration Canada who criticized McKinseys involvement with their department.

Immigration Canada has had two contracts with McKinsey in recent years, one for $2.9 million and the other for $24.8 million, Fraser said.

The minister said those were to conduct an external assessment on digital transformation and the other to make operational improvements to move toward digitization.

Fraser was asked by Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie about the information sources provided to CBC to the effect that McKinsey was influencing policy.

McKinsey was an idea from the government. The policy was decided for civil servants. It causes a lot of operational instability, one source told CBC.

For the sake of clarity, I would certainly dispute that McKinsey is making policy decisions on behalf of the government, Fraser said.

With the contracts being awarded before becoming minister, Fraser also downplayed his responsibility.

In any event, this is an ordinary exercise where the department was seeking to grow its capacity to offer digital services, he said.

In early January, McKinsey defended its work with the government.

Our government work in Canada is entirely non-partisan in nature and focuses on core management topics, such as digitization and operations improvement. Our firm does not make policy recommendations on immigration or any other topic, the firm said in a statement on Jan. 10.
Minister Joly Says She Discussed the Issue of Combatting Corruption in Ukraine With Zelenskyy

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says she raised Canadas concerns about corruption during her meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has recently shaken up his government amid corruption allegations.

Joly said she raised the issue several times during her visit to Ukraine over the past two days, including during meetings with Zelenskyy and other top officials.

I raised the issue, Joly said in a press conference at the end of her visit on Feb. 16. It is important, as Ukrainians are fighting for further freedom to be able to live in a democracy, that the values underpinning democracy are protected.

In addition to speaking to Zelenskyy, Joly said she has also raised the issue of corruption with the presidents top adviser, as well as Ukraines prosecutor general and Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko, who oversees the countrys police forces.

[Canada is] very pleased with the fact that while they are focused on defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity, that theyre able to continue these democratic reforms and do this crackdown on corruption, Joly said.

We will continue to push Ukraine for democratic reforms.

Zelenskyy, who was elected in 2019 on an anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform, fired a dozen high-level officials last month, after the arrest of a deputy defence minister suspected of graft. There had been reports that Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was also on his way out, and three of his deputies have been replaced.

The shake-up in Zelenskyys government comes in response to concerns from Western allies, who have been channelling billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion last February.

Canadian Aid

Canada has since committed over $5 billion in various forms of support to Ukraine, including over $2.6 billion in assistance, over $1.2 billion in military aid, $320 million in humanitarian aid, an additional $96 million in development assistance, and over $68 million in security and stabilization programming, according to a Feb. 16 government release.

In January, Canada announced the donation of a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System and associated munitions purchased from the United States and 200 Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers. This was quickly followed by the donation of four Leopard 2 tanks.

During her visit, Joly also spoke with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska about improving the response to conflict-related sexual violence. Joly announced the allocation of over $21 million to support organizations that address this issue, according to the release.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Current Felon Voting Ban Constitutional, Leaves Issue to Legislature

Razor wire is seen on the Metropolitan Detention Center prison in Los Angeles, on July 14, 2019. (David McNew/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Feb. 15 upheld the states law that bars felons from voting while on parole, ruling that the law doesnt violate the fundamental right to vote or the principle of equal protection within the states constitution.

The long-awaited decision comes more than a year after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued the case before the Minnesota Supreme Court on Nov. 30, 2021, in hopes of restoring voting rights to more than 50,000 people in the state with active felony records, local Fox News affiliate Fox 9 reported.

We believe the law is discriminatory, leading to racial disparities in voting that in turn lead to political inequality, ACLU of Minnesota staff attorney David McKinney said in a statement. The criminal legal systems goal is rehabilitation, redemption, and helping people rejoin their communitiesthis law clearly serves none of these purposes.

According to the Minnesota constitution, a person is ineligible to vote in the state if they have been convicted of treason or felony, unless restored to civil rights.

Current state law states that after people who were deprived of their civil rights due to a criminal conviction are discharged, they may have all their civil rights restored to full citizenship, with full right to vote  the same as if such conviction hadnt taken place.

Proponents of the lawsuit wanted voting eligibility automatically restored once a felon is released from prison, so while felons are on parole or supervised release, they can exercise their right to vote.

However, in the opinion, Republican-appointed Minnesota Supreme Court Judge Paul Thissen wrote that just because the two plaintiffs were out of prison and now living in the community while on probation or supervised release, this does not mean that their voting rights were automatically restored upon release from incarceration. Rather, a completion of their full sentenceincluding any probation or supervised releaseis required.

Thissen found that current Minnesota law does not violate the fundamental right to vote and the plaintiffs did not offer sufficient evidence to prove that state law violates the equal protection principles in the Minnesota Constitution.

The decision follows a lawsuit, Schroeder v. Simon, filed by two Minnesotans.

One of them had been convicted of first-degree sale of a controlled substance. Rather than giving her a presumptive 98-month prison term, the sentencing judge placed her on 40 years probation, keeping her from voting until 2053 when she turns 71.

The second was convicted of second-degree intentional murder and sentenced to 306 months in prison, releasing him in 2016 on supervised release, which is set to expire in 2025.

Both gave examples of how theyve taken proactive steps to change their lives for the better. Both claimed their rights had been violated because they were denied the right to vote while living in their communities.

They had appealed their case to Minnesotas Supreme Court after a lower court denied their claims, Kare 11 News reported.

Minnesota Legislature Left to Pick Up Felon Voting Rights Cause

The people of Minnesota made the choice to establish a constitutional baseline that persons convicted of a felony are not entitled or permitted to vote, and the people of Minnesota have not seen fit to amend the constitution to excise the felon voting prohibition, Thissen wrote in his opinion.

Although the current state law passes constitutional muster, we recognize the troubling consequences, including the disparate racial impacts, Thissen further wrote. The Legislature retains the power to respond to those consequences. The Minnesota Constitution empowers the Legislature to address the public policy concerns raised  in this case.

The decision came as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party has control of the governors residence and both the Minnesota House and Senate following the 2022 November midterm elections, albeit a razor-thin 3433 margin in the Senate, Fox 9 News reported.

Efforts are underway to restore felons voting rights and are moving forward quickly in the states legislature.

The House passed H.F. 28 with a 7159 vote two weeks ago on Feb. 2.

If passed, the bill requires the secretary of state to change the certification portion of voter registration forms and publicize the change to formerly incarcerated people, costing the state roughly $14,000, Fox 9 News reported.

The Senate is currently awaiting a final vote on its companion bill, S.F. 26.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 21 states nationwide, felons only lose their voting rights while they are in prison and regain them automatically upon release.

In two other states, Maine and Vermont, plus the District of Columbia, people in prison never lose their voting privileges.

In 11 states, felons may lose their voting rights indefinitely for particular crimes, or they may require a governors pardon to get them restored. Some of these states call for an additional waiting period after the full completion of their sentences.

In 16 states, including Minnesota, felons lose their voting rights while incarcerated and for some time afterward, typically during their parole or probation periods. Once sentences are fully served, voting rights are automatically restored. In some of these states, felons must first pay additional fines, fees, or restitution before being able to vote.

Minnesota has some of the shortest prison sentences in the United States but some of the longest probation lengths, according to Fox 9 News.

From NTD News
Mother of Dead Teen Urges Senate to Protect Children From Social Media Harms

The exterior of the U.S. Capitol building at sunrise in Washington on Feb. 8, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

A mother told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 14 that her teenage son still took his life after being bullied on social media despite good parenting and discussing the dangers of online social networking with him.

In June 2020, Kristin Bride from Oregon lost Carson, her 16-year-old son. She said Carson received his first phone, which had no apps when he was in 8th grade.

He joined social media when he was a high school freshman; the mother explained, that was how all the students were making new connections.

Only weeks after his death, she discovered that Carsons high school classmates bullied him on Snapchat. They were hiding their identities by using apps such as Yolo and LMK.

These applications operated through Snapchats interface, allowing Snapchat users to invite others to ask or answer questions anonymously.

After his death, we discovered that Carson had received nearly 100 negative, harassing, sexually explicit, and humiliating messages, she said, including 40 in just one day.

In May 2021, she filed a lawsuit against Snap, Yolo, and LMK. Although Snap suspended the hidden-identity apps from its platform, Yolo and LMK found protection under Section 230.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 holds one accountable for online actions and statements but not those of others. The act prohibits most legal charges against users or services based on others statements.

However, Bride told lawmakers the issue was about the organizations misleading her son into believing the apps were safe and users identities could be revealed, not about the bullys statements.

Let us be clearthese are not coincidences, accidents, or unforeseen consequences, she said, they are the direct result of products designed to hook and monetize Americas children.

Legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is long overdue, she told lawmakers. KOSA requires that social media platforms take careful consideration when designing apps used mainly by children and teens.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced KOSA in the 117th Congress but it did not end up signed into law.

I commit that we will work on major Section 230 reform, and it will be bipartisan, he told the hearing.

It is almost as if social media platforms are operating in the days of the Wild West, and anything goes, and when these children are on these platforms, theyre the product, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said. She was one of the KOSA co-sponsors in the previous Congress.

Although the online world has its benefits, Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said it poses a significant risk and danger to children. He added that childrens safety is a primary concern in almost every aspect of the real world, but not in the online world.

We lock the door and teach our kids not to talk to strangers, but in the virtual world, criminals and bullies dont need to pick a lock or wait outside the playground to hurt our kids, he said, they only have to lurk in the shadows online.

The situation should be approached from a customer protection angle, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said.

They make money based on eyeballs and advertisingthere is no regulatory agency in America with any meaningful power to control this, Graham said, adding that there are more bills being introduced in this area than any subject matter that I know ofall of them are bipartisan.

Another panelist, Emma Lembke, is a student at Washington University in St. Louis studying political science.

She founded the Log Off movement, a youth initiative advocating for online child safety legislation. She began using social media in 6th grade. These platforms seemed almost magical, she said.

That changed, however, as her screen time increased. Lembke said she was scrolling mindlessly for five-six hours a day.

In the 9th grade, she reached a personal breaking point, prompting her to temporarily remove social media apps from her phone, saying that she was still recovering from the damages caused by it.

Through Log Off, Lembke said, Ive listened to stories of unwanted direct messages, vicious cyberbullying, and dangerous pro-anorexia rabbit holes.

Lembke urged lawmakers to hold Big Tech companies accountable.

Integrating our lived experience into the regulatory process is essential to getting it right, she said.
National Defence Sends Cease and Desist to US Podcaster Over Interview With Former Canadian Sniper

A Canadian Armed Forces sniper successfully completes a stalking exercise during Exercise IRON SWORD at General Silvestras Zukausas Training Area in Pabrade, Lithuania, on Nov. 13, 2015, as part of Operation REASSURANCE. (Corporal Nathan Moulton, Land Task Force Imagery, OP REASSURANCE)

A former U.S. Navy SEAL turned podcaster has received a cease and desist letter from Canadian special operations forces over an interview he released with a former sniper from Canadas top counterterrorism unit, citing the unauthorized sharing of classified information.

Im sure many of you are aware that I pulled the JTF2 [Joint Task Force-2] Sniper / Dallas Alexander SRS [Shawn Ryan Show] Episode due to a cease and desist from the Canadian Gov, Shawn Ryan wrote on Twitter on Feb. 14.

I believe that this is their attempt to silence Dallas from explaining that he left the command for refusing the covid vaccine.

Ryan posted on Twitter the Feb. 10 letter he received from a legal adviser of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), which is responsible for the elite JTF-2 unit.

The letter demands that Episode #47 with Dallas Alexander be taken down from all platforms.

It says the episode contains information or material that has been properly classified and protected, and which is sensitive information such that its public release is injurious to Canadian national security, national defence, and international relations.

The Department of National Defence (DND) confirmed to The Epoch Times that the letter is authentic.

DND said that CANSOFCOM can confirm that we are in touch with the production company referred to in your query, over concern regarding content released in a recent podcast episode.

The department said it would not provide further information at this time.

At the time of publication, Episode #47 was still available on YouTube. In it, Alexander describes the process he says led to him being kicked out of JTF-2. He says he refused to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate and requests that he wear a mask.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) relaxed its vaccine mandate last fall to limit it to operational roles after hundreds of members were kicked out or left the organization, and months after the federal government lifted its workplace mandate.

The CANSOFCOM letter also demanded that Episode #48 not be published without its prior review.

Ryan complied with that demand and pulled the episode, which covered Alexanders involvement in a sensitive operation.

Im trying to do whats best for everybody here okay, Ryan said in a video explaining his decision to comply with the removal of the episode.

If there is sensitive information within that episode I am not going to be the guy to jeopardize any of the operators within that unit or anything that may compromise that unit as a whole, he said, adding that he had worked with JTF-2 operators in the past.

Alexander, reached by The Epoch Times, says that nothing appears OPSEC related in Episode #47, in reference to the acronym for operational security.

I also consulted with a lot of current members of the unit to get arcs and have had an amazing response from the community, saying I represented the unit well and they are proud. Many, many, he said.

Ryan said on Twitter he would let CANSOFCOM review the material but would continue to push back hard.

If they cannot produce what information needs to be redacted promptly, the episode will go live again un-edited, as I have zero legal obligation to abide by Canadian law.

The CANSOFCOM letter says that Ryan may be liable under the National Defence Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, or the Security of Information Act for disclosing the information provided by Alexander.

Timothy Parlatore, an attorney representing Ryan, wrote in a Feb. 12 letter to CANSOFCOM that its cease and desist missive is misplaced and contains legally insufficient claims.

Parlatore said the U.S. 1st Amendment protects journalists and overrides the Governments desire to keep information classified, and that there were not copyright breaches due to the U.S. Fair Use doctrine.
NC Attorney General Wont Defend States Abortion Drug Restrictions

A woman looks at an abortion pillRU-486, or mifepristonedisplayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Va., on May 8, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, is refusing to defend the states restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone in court. Stein and the state Department of Justice are instead backing a plaintiff who is challenging the state laws.

North Carolina law requires a 72-hour waiting period before patients can pursue an abortion and requires physicians to explain the risks of an abortion and provide the mother with gestational information about the unborn child. In some circumstances, an ultrasound may also be required.

Amy Bryant, a physician who prescribes the drug, filed a federal lawsuit in January seeking to overturn North Carolina laws restricting when mifepristone can be prescribed. Bryant is arguing that the state laws interfere with her ability to provide medical care to her patients according to her best medical judgment. The lawsuit argues that Congress gave to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the right to regulate drugs such as mifepristone, and that federal law preempts state law where it relates to regulating abortion drugs.

The North Carolina law that imposes waiting periods, counseling, and ultrasounds, prior to an abortion was passed by the states Republican legislators in 2011. Then-governor Bev Perdue, a Democrat, vetoed the bill but the Republican-controlled legislature overrode her veto effort and the law went into effect.

Stein was elected to the state-wide office of attorney general in 2016. He recently announced his plans to run for governor in 2024.

Bryants lawsuit names Stein as a defendant, as it is his job as to defend the states laws in court. Rather than attempting to defend the states law, Steins office instead shared support for Bryants claims.

In a letter to lawyers for Republican North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore and Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, North Carolina Deputy Attorney General Sarah Boyce wrote that Bryants arguments that federal law preempts the states law on access to abortion drugs are legally correct.

Consistent with its statutory authority, the FDA has determined that restrictions like the ones imposed under North Carolina state law would unduly burden patients access to a safe and effective drug, Boyce wrote. The departments filings in the (lawsuit) on behalf of Attorney General Stein will reflect this legal analysis on the merits.

NTD News reached out to Moore and Berger for comment, but they did not respond before this article was published.

Legal Battles Focus on Abortion Drugs

Bryants lawsuit comes months after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. That decision reversed the precedent set in 1973 by Roe v. Wade and largely provided states with the power to decide their own laws regarding access to abortions.

Many Republican states have sought to restrict abortions, but pro-choice advocates have challenged these laws, once again asking the courts to define when abortions can be allowed.

Bryants lawsuit is one of several focused just on abortion drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol.

A federal lawsuit, filed in Texas in November, is arguing in the opposite direction as Bryant is. The complaint, brought by the conservative advocacy group Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, accused the FDA of ignoring science and law to appease pro-abortion advocates when the agency approved mifepristone and misoprostol. Those plaintiffs said the FDA could only rationalize approving abortion drugs under the premise that pregnancy is an illness to be treated.

Twenty-two Democratic state attorneys general have organized in opposition to the Texas case, while 22 Republican attorneys general have come out in favor of the lawsuit.

The Republican coalition is seeking not only to challenge the FDA approval of abortion drugs, but to challenge a new rule the FDA adopted in January that allows people to order mifepristone by mail.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

From NTD News
DirecTV and its parent company AT&T are being accused of political censorship after they dropped conservative TV station Newsmax from the platform. This comes after the network similarly dropped OAN, another conservative outlet. According to Christopher Ruddy, president and CEO of Newsmax, this is both an act of censorship and of political discrimination.

We speak with Ruddy about how members of Congress have openly encouraged the censorship of conservative TV stations, how claims about ratings and financial incentives dont line up, and how the censorship establishment works.
No, More Sex Will Not Cure Loneliness

Commentary

The New York Times often promotes socially destructive policies and reckless personal behaviors in opinion columns. The latest example sees self-identified sex and culture writer Magdalene J. Taylor promoting promiscuity as a socially desirable cure for loneliness that will benefit society by forging greater levels of social solidarity.

In Have More Sex, Please! Taylor laments that Americans arent copulating enough. She writes: Sex is good. Sex is healthy. Sex is an essential part of our social fabric. And youspecificallyshould probably be having more of it.

Taylor offers no preferred social context in which to increase your rate of coitus. She doesnt recommend more spice as a means of improving romance in marriage. Nor is her focus on intimacy as bonding relationships. Indeed, she makes no mention of the importance of commitment to healthy sexual relations. She simply asserts: Those of us in a position to be having more sex ought to be doing so. Here is the rare opportunity to do something for the betterment of the world around you that involves nothing more than indulging in one of humanitys most essential pleasures.

Talk about diminishing the importance, power, and meaning of sex! Taylor misses the potency of loving the person with whom one shares a bed. She makes scant mention of the importance of sex as a form of self-giving, devotion, family formation, and having children. And she ignores the crucial role of fidelity and trust in intimate partnering.

No, getting it on as often as possible is a political statement that will leadshe doesnt say howto the betterment of the world. Thus, she writes, Any capable people should have sexas much as they can, as pleasurably as they can, as often as they can. She doesnt even distinguish between what is proper conduct for adults versus that of teenagers.

What claptrap. Promiscuitybecause that is what Taylor advocates without using the wordis reckless. Having indiscriminate sex is often harmfulboth to those who indulge in the vice and to greater society. But the only warning Taylor offers about the emotional risks of casual intimacy is the potential for regret, and that sex can bring people together, but that only works if its good sex.

The issue is far more portentous than that. Lets start with the pregnancy factor. Even if one uses birth control, promiscuity increases the chance of pregnancy. That, in turn, can lead not only to increased abortionwhich, to say the least, is morally consequential and potentially causing its own mental health problemsbut also to parenthood outside of a bonded familial relationship.

This is a real and growing problem. In 1980, a little more than 18 percent of babies were born to unmarried mothers in the United States. In 2020, that figure had exploded to a socially devastating 40.5 percent of all births. That surge didnt arise in a vacuum but in the context of an increasingly hypersexualized culture. To be sure, children can thrive in this circumstance, and single parents are often splendid mothers and fathers. But lets be candid. Out-of-wedlock births generally lead to greater incidences of poverty and increased potential for family dysfunction.

And lets talk sexually transmitted disease. Having as much sex as you can as often as you can outside of a mutually monogamous relationship increases ones chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, chlamydia, and herpes. Having more sex partners can also increase the chance of developing prostate, oral, and cervical cancers. It can even lead to heart disease.

Not enough sex? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the United States is experiencing an STD epidemic. Despite the COVID-19 lockdowns, in 2020 diagnosed gonorrhea increased by 10 percent over 2019 levels and syphilis went up by 7 percent. In 2020, there were about 2.4 million reported cases of STDsand thats probably an undercount, because many people didnt go to doctors or take lab tests during the pandemic. Not only that, but syphilis among newborns increased 235 percent between 2016 and 2020. Especially worrying: A strain of super gonorrhea thats resistant to most antibiotics is spreading.

Promiscuity can also be a significant contributor to depression, anxiety, increased substance abuse, and other mental health disorders. While certainly not everyone who engages in casual sex has adverse mental health consequences, many do. Indeed, particularly among adolescents, having as much sex as you want as often as you can is a potential driver of suicidal ideation.

Look, I know most Americans have a more relaxed attitude toward intimacy than was once common. We are a secularizing culture in which traditional religious moral precepts about the proper time and place for intercourse exert little sway. According to a 2022 Gallup Poll, 76 percent of respondents believe that sex outside of marriage is morally acceptable and 70 percent think having a baby outside of marriage is just fine. Still, only 9 percent think adultery is acceptablewhich would seem to be at least part of Taylors call for New York Times readers to indulge in all of the sex they can obtain.

But having a more relaxed view of sex isnt the same thing as endorsing Taylors irresponsible call for cavorting whenever and with whomever one can take to bed. Indeed, considering the significant problem of unintended pregnancies, the raging STD epidemic, and the worsening mental health crisis this country faces, what we really need isnt increased licentiousness but greater probity in the conduct of our intimate lives.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
NORAD Conducts Routine Defense Exercise Off West Pacific Coast

US F-22 stealth jets intercepted four Russian bombers and two Russian Su-35 fighter jets off the coast of Alaska, according to a statement from North American Aerospace Defense Command,on May 20, 2019. (Sr Master Sgt ThomasMenegiun/DOD)

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) on Wednesday announced it is conducting a planned live-fly air defense exercise off the coast of Washington state and British Columbia.

The Colorado-based joint military agency said the exercise will include American and Canadian fighter jets operating at a high altitude.

Despite the timing of the move, NORAD maintained this is a routine exercise that has nothing to do with any of the recent incidents, such as four Russian aircraft on Monday flying into an air defense buffer zone near Alaska, or three unidentified airborne devices being spotted and shot down, with the latest on Sunday over Lake Huron.

This exercise is in no way related to recent NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations associated with airborne objects over North America during the last two weeks, said NORAD.

To test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft.

A Russian formation of four aircraft, including a Tu-95H strategic bomber and a Su-35 fighter, flew into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Monday, prompting NORAD to dispatch two F-16 fighters to intercept them. They were supported by two F-35A fighters, an E-3 airborne warning and control system, and a KC-135 tanker.

The Russian activity was routine, NORAD said in a release, noting that encounters like this occur regularly and are not seen as a threat or proactive.

Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, the release stated. NORAD had anticipated this Russian activity and, as a result of our planning, was prepared to intercept it.

Lawmakers Call for More Transparency

Lawmakers have expressed frustration with questions left unanswered about those floating objects of mysterious origins, which managed to bypass a sophisticated billion-dollar air defense network to enter North American airspace.

I think the Biden administration needs to provide more transparency to the American public, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said Monday in an interview with Fox News. If you dont start providing information, people can wildly speculate, and we dont want that.

What we need right now is more information on all of these kinds of incidents so the American people have full information, he added.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee and its defense spending subcommittee, said in an interview with NPR that these incidents have revealed gaps in our domain awareness, and that she expects to have many more conversations with military leaders regarding the matter.

When asked whether she feels the Biden administration has been sufficiently transparent with the American public, Collins said she doesnt think so.

I do not believe that the administration has been sufficiently transparent, she told NPR. To be fair to the administration, they are still gathering information. And it may beand Ive encouraged them to bemore forthcoming once they have recovered and analyzed the debris.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tells residents in an Ohio town they are safe after a train spilled hazardous chemicals there earlier this month. But many are still scared and concerned.

Tesla is recalling all of its full self-driving vehicles. Whats the potential problem, and whats Tesla doing about it?

U.S. household debt jumps to a record highseeing the largest quarterly increase in 20 years.

The Congressional Budget Office is warning that the United States could soon default on its debt if Congress doesnt act. Whats the holdup?

The tech sector is seeing weakening demand, and companies are reducing inventory. Hows the outlook for this year? We get an overview from S&P Global Ratings.

Americans are losing even more faith in the news media, according to a new report. How many still have a good opinion of newsrooms?

Chick-fil-A is opening a rest station for delivery workers in New York City.
A Black Hawk Helicopter crashed in Alabama. The Tennessee national guard members aboard were killed. We share whats known so far about the accident.

More mass protests broke out in China. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators protested over cuts to health insurance benefits in at least three Chinese cities on Feb. 15.

Its been close to two weeks since a train derailment spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio. And residents want answers about the potential health risks they might be facing. Find out what went down at the town meeting on Feb. 15.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Black Hawk Helicopter Crashes in Alabama

2. Shooting at Mall in El Paso, Texas

3. Ohio Train Derailment Town Meeting

4. East Palestine Residents Worried About Health

5. Homeless Camp Near White House Cleared

6. FDA Panel Backs OTC Opioid Overdose Drug

7. DHS Warns of Apple Security Vulnerability

8. More Mass Protests in China

9. Panama Bus Crash Kills 39 Migrants

10. Tesla to Open Charging Network to Rivals

11. Elon Musk Calls For AI Regulation

12. UAE Sets Up Farms in Sharjah Desert

13. Rare Footage From 1986 Shows Sunken Titanic

14. Prehistoric Whale Skull Unearthed in Peru
NYC Mayor Adams Gets Split Decision in Battle Against Rats

NEW YORKIn his battle against rats, New York City Mayor Eric Adams scored a split decision Tuesday when a hearing officer dismissed one summons while upholding another issued by a city inspector citing him for not doing enough to keep rodents at bay from his Brooklyn townhouse.

In a city where some residents consider rats Public Enemy No. 1, the mayors own troubles with rodents has been the source of amusement among those keeping score of the citys mostly losing battle against the vermin.

The hearing officer, noting the thousands of dollars Adams has invested in addressing his rat problems, credited the mayor for taking credible steps to control the rat population at his rental property.

But the hearing officer admonished the mayor for not sufficiently heeding his health departments advice for the proper disposal of trash and recyclables, saying that the presence of several bags on the ground could provide shelter or protection for rodents, which amounts to a harborage condition.

For that offense, the hearing officer ordered Adams to pay a $300 fine.

The mayors spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said in a statement the mayor was grateful that one of the summonses was dismissed. The mayor would consider his options about the second decision, Levy said, adding: One decision is clear, however: The mayor still hates rats.

A caution sign for rodenticide is posted on a fence next door to a building, second from left, owned by New York Mayor Eric Adams in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York on Dec. 7, 2022. (Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo)

Last week, Adams via telephone contested the two summonses he got on 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.

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 mayors garbage bins.

Adams denied he has a rat problem, telling the hearing officer last week that his own inspections produced no signs of rodents.

The hearing officer was swayed by the mayors arguments that hes made good efforts to address rodents at his property, which he rents out.

Adams said he pays an exterminator monthly and spent $7,000 a year ago to keep the property rodent-free and produced receipts showing that he continued to rely on outside expertise to assure the his property would remain free of rats.

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.

Adams has often professed his dislike for rats. Last fall, he began looking for a rat czar to help him control the citys rat population.

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.

By Bobby Caina Calvan
Off-Duty Hero Cop Takes Down El Paso Mall Gunman Before He Can Kill More

Law enforcement members gather outside the Cielo Vista Mall after a shooting, in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)

Law enforcement officials said an off-duty police officer took down the suspect who fatally shot one person and wounded three others at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 15, preventing the gunman from potentially taking more lives.

El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas said at a Feb. 15 press conference that the gunman who fired multiple rounds striking at least four people at about 5:05 p.m. local time at the Cielo Vista Mall food court was taken down quickly by an off-duty police officer.

The officer, who wasnt identified, managed to take down the suspected gunman without firing a single shot, he said, noting that its unclear if the suspect fired at the officer.

Asked by reporters how quickly the off-duty officer was able to take down the suspect after the officer arrived on the scene, Pacillas replied, As soon as he got there.

That officer immediately took one individual into custody, he said, noting that the off-duty cop was working at a local establishment within the mall and got to the scene at 5:08 p.m., three minutes after the gunfire started.

When asked if he knew how many shots the gunman had fired, Pacillas said investigators were still determining the details of the incident.

Law enforcement agents walk in the parking lot of a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Andres Leighton/AP Photo)

Officer Did the Job

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, who was also present at the press conference, praised the off-duty officers actions, saying he did  the job that hes trained to do day in and day out by preventing a potentially bigger tragedy.

One person was killed and three others were injured in the shooting.

Two men were taken into custody in connection with the incident, although Pacillas declined to provide more details citing the active investigation.

Asked if the shooting was gang-related, he said its unclear, noting that the Crimes Against Persons unit is leading the investigation, not the departments gang unit.

The Cielo Vista Mall, where the shooting took place, was being treated as a crime scene and will remain on lockdown until the police have completed their investigation, Pacillas said, noting that there was no further danger to the public.

There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public, he said.

Pacillas said the victims of the shooting were all males and two are currently being treated at the University Medical Center in El Paso and are in critical condition. The condition of the third victim is unknown.

Law enforcement agents are seen at the entrance to a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Andres Leighton/AP Photo)

More Details

Sgt. Robert Gomez, a public information officer with the El Paso Police Department, said 911 calls started coming in shortly after 5 p.m. about the active shooter.

Pacillas said that, in addition to the off-duty cop, officers from multiple departments, including the El Paso Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol, and local FBI responded to the dynamic scene at the mall and quickly brought it under control.

Footage from the scene shared on social media shows the moment when customers inside the malls food court began to flee as gunfire was heard.

One video, captured on a vendors surveillance camera, later shows police holding rifles moving in pursuit of the shooters and first responders carrying a victim out on a stretcher.

An FBI agent walks outside the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Andres Leighton/AP Photo)

Responding to the shooting, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott thanked law enforcement and first responders, and offered support to El Paso.

I spoke to Mayor Leeser about the shooting tonight in El Paso, Abbott said on Twitter. I offered the full support of the State of Texas, including the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Division of Emergency Management to help the city of El Paso respond to this tragic event.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also thanked the first responders for their swift action.

My team and I are closely monitoring the horrific act of violence at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Cruz wrote on Twitter. Heidi and I are praying for the victims and we are grateful for the first responders who acted swiftly to capture a suspect and keep our fellow Texans safe.

The Cielo Vista Mall is nearby the location of a 2019 mass shooting that left 23 people dead at a Walmart.

Caden Pearson contributed to this report.
OHare Out of Control: Chicago Airport Gets Flooded by Homeless People, Staff Feel Unsafe

Chicago OHare International Airport is facing a crisis as a large number of homeless people are reportedly settling in the facility, posing a safety risk to passengers, triggering a slew of complaints online, and putting pressure on the citys mayor.

Thousands of homeless individuals are seeking shelter at the airport from the cold weather, a situation that Vonkisha Chatman, an employee at the OHare airport, says is out of control. Speaking to CBS, Chatman said that airport workers do not feel safe anymore. They will come up behind you. This one man followed us last night, said Catherine Thompson, another employee. From the time we get here until the time we leave in the morning, they will be here.

Thompson and Chatman work as custodians at the airport during overnight hours and claim to have been harassed by the homeless.

Even though managers warned them to call authorities in case of any issues, the police have told custodians that officers cannot intervene unless the homeless people physically touch them. They (police) just tell us to be careful because its out of their hands, Chatman said, like they cant do anything.

The homeless crisis at the OHare Airport is putting pressure on Chicagos Democrat Mayor Lori Lightfoot, with members from her own party aghast at the situation.

Pressure On Mayor

Raymond Lopez, member of the Democrat Party who serves as alderman of the 15th Ward in Chicago, claims that the OHare airport has been overrun by homeless people. OHare is the fourth largest airport in the United States.

Every night, two to three hundred homeless individuals come off public transportation and set up encampments here in baggage claim and throughout all five terminals. All the while, the mayors voice is blasting from overhead welcoming any one of the 65,000 daily visitors here in this indoor outhouse that we call OHare airport, he said in an interview with Fox News.

The homeless people are not only urinating in the hallways but are also taking baths in the toilets and making a mockery of what Chicago is, Lopez stated.

Though Lopez admitted that homelessness is an issue that needs to be addressed, he insisted that the solution does not lie in making the OHare airport a homeless shelter for hundreds of people on a daily basis. And this is happening while Chicago is trying to promote tourism and attract businesses, he noted.

Visitors to the airport are getting greeted by hundreds of homeless who have mental health issues, maybe armed, maybe not even be clothed. Thats not something that institutes a lot of confidence in our mayor, in our city. And clearly, she doesnt care because she is 17 miles away from it.

In an interview with the New York Post, Republican political operative Dan Proft called the crisis at the OHare airport part of the ongoing disintegration of Chicago.

[Lightfoot] holds the primary responsibility  She pounds her fists at a podium and says Were gonna do this and were gonna do that for public safetyand it doesnt get done, Proft said.

Twitter Complaints

Twitter has seen a flood of complaints from people shocked at the condition of the OHare airport. @chicagosmayor please clean up this city! This is the current state of Ohare airport, homeless everywhere, sleeping all over terminal 2 and getting in peoples faces yelling. This is the first impression people get when they land in this city, said Chicago resident Natasha Patel in a Feb. 6 tweet.

I grew up in Chicago my whole life and I was terrified at the airport yesterday when a man approached my husband and I flailing his hands in our faces, I am creating awareness and YES its a bad impression on the city by people who travel here from all over the world.

Chicagos OHare Airport is a squalid homeless encampment. But the Lightfoot regime wont change a thing: Outreach is not enforcement and [our department] will continue to respond to community needs through trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches, journalist Miranda Devine said in a Feb. 15 tweet.

Mayor Lightfoots Chicago, America. A once beautiful city, Chicago has become a boarded up, crime infested, and filthy city under Lightfoots Progressivism. SMH. Filthy homeless encampment is set up INSIDE Chicagos OHare Airport, Republican Jack Lombardi II said in a Feb. 16 tweet.

Another individual, from Barrington, Illinois, called for better leadership while posting a picture of a homeless encampment at OHare airport Terminal 1 baggage claim.

We appreciate your feedback. Safety, security, and an optimal passenger experience is top priority for the CDA, and we have forwarded your message along to our security team. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and hope your next visit to ORD is more enjoyable, the OHare International Airport (ORD) said in a Feb. 14 tweet while responding to the person from Barrington.
Ohio Governor: No FEMA Assistance for Locals in Wake of Toxic Train Derailment

A plume of thick black smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern Railway freight cars, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, impacted by the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailment that caused lingering fires and spilled toxic chemicals will not receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)at least for nowaccording to Gov. Mike DeWine.

Almost two weeks after a Norfolk Southern Railway train derailed in the village located just west of the Pennsylvania state line, the Ohio governor requested federal assistance for residents dealing with the aftermath.

Since the crash, many residents have said they are experiencing headaches, skin rashes, sore throat, vomiting, and other ailments.

FEMA declined to help because East Palestine isnt eligible for disaster assistance, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney said on Feb. 16. FEMA said the derailment and subsequent chemical spill and controlled burn that sent toxic chemicals into the air dont qualify as a traditional disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, he added.

Cleanup continues in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (Jeff Louderback/The Epoch Times)

The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support. However, FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time, a Feb. 16 statement from DeWines office said. Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.

FEMA is in constant contact with the emergency operations center in East Palestine and with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, FEMA spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said.

We are closely coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC, who are helping to test water and air quality, and to conduct public health assessments.

President Joe Biden spoke with DeWine on Feb. 16 and pledged support for clean-up and monitoring, according to the governors office.

As a result of this conversation, the governor has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine, according to a statement from DeWines office.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will assist with health care costs of East Palestine residents, Tierney noted. On-the-ground support will be offered by the CDC.

Earlier on Feb. 16, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) encouraged DeWine to declare the Feb. 3 crash a disaster, a decision that would allow the state to receive additional federal resources.

Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, Brown said.

On Feb. 3, a 150-car Norfolk Southern Railway freight train was passing through East Palestine when 50 of the cars derailed, including 11 containing hazardous chemicals.

The crash has been attributed to a mechanical issue with a rail car axle.

Security camera footage emerged showing that the train may have been on fire for at least 20 miles before it finally derailed in East Palestine.

The footage was from a security camera at an equipment plant in Salem, Ohio, approximately 20 miles from East Palestine. The footage shows what appear to be flames and sparks underneath the cars as the train passes the plant.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the derailment. In a Feb. 4 briefing, the agency appeared to reference the video at a news conference.

Were also looking at a lot of different footage that has been provided to the investigators out there to determine if theres some data on footage that we have from videos and cameras that might tell us something more than what might have happened to cause this accident, NTSB spokesperson Michael Graham said.

A train fire is seen from a farm in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023. (Melissa Smith via AP)

Norfolk Southern is offering inconvenience checks of $1,000 to residents within a designated proximity of the derailment.

Michael OShea, who is the principal and owner of Lipson OShea Legal Group and representing families impacted by the derailment, cautioned people about accepting the compensation.

We want to get out the word to folks. Do not, if you can afford itagain, emphasizing if you can afford itdo not take this upfront money, OShea said. But if you do, be aware that these folks might argue later that this is payment in full.

While Norfolk Southern continues to face scrutiny, pressure is mounting on the Biden administration and Congress regarding the response to the disaster.

Earlier this week, DeWine requested that Congress investigate the classification of trains that transport hazardous materials. Federal guidelines require that railroads operating high-hazard flammable trains give states information that includes details of routes and materials on board.

During a news conference this week, DeWine said he was told that the train wasnt considered a high-hazardous material train. For that reason, the state wasnt notified that the Norfolk Southern train was passing through East Palestine.

Frankly, if this is true, this is absurd and we need to look at this, DeWine said. Congress needs to take a look at how these things are handled. We should know when we have trains carrying hazardous materials that are going through the state of Ohio.

According to federal guidelines, a high-hazard flammable train is one that transports 20 or more cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block, or 35 or more cars in the train.

A clean-up crew member works on Feb. 14 at the site of the Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (Jeff Louderback/The Epoch Times)

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also under fire about his response to the East Palestine crash.

Buttigieg didnt address the disaster until 10 days after the derailment. He wrote on Twitter on Feb. 14, Were constrained by law on some areas of rail regulation (like the braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2018 because of a law passed by Congress in 2015), but we are using the powers we do have to keep people safe.

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who took office in January, visited East Palestine on Feb. 16 for the first time since the crash. He urged the Biden administration to take action and help residents affected by the aftermath.

I havent spoken to President Biden. My message to him is pretty simple. One, the Department of Transportation, your Department of Transportation, has things they can do, Vance said. Stop blaming Donald Trump, a guy who hasnt been president for three years, and use the powers of the federal government to do the things necessary to help the people in this community.

The biggest concern for the people of East Palestine is that theyre going to be forgotten in a week, Vance said. When the cameras disappear and the politicians are no longer around, are there still going to be people who are focused on them?

I think the president could do a lot. Just standing in the White House press room for 30 seconds and saying, People of East Palestine, I see you. Were not going to forget about you. I think thats an important signal for the president to send.

On Feb. 16, East Palestine residents gathered for a town hall at the villages high school. Norfolk Southern was invited but declined to send representatives, citing fears for their safety. Officials from the U.S. Environment Protection Agency and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency were among the participants.

The EPA has said it continues to monitor the air in and around East Palestine and that it has yet to find any levels of concern of hazardous chemicals since the crash.

On Feb. 16, U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan met with elected officials, leaders, and residents about the agencys air monitoring.

You know, Id like to say to the people of East Palestine that we see you, we hear you, and we understand why there is anxiety, Regan said at a press conference.

Local government officials and residents were hoping that someone from the Biden administration would attend, but neither the White House nor Cabinet was represented.

Wheres Pete Buttigieg? Wheres he at? one man in the audience asked.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, who moderated the town hall, responded: I dont know. Your guess is as good as mine.
Ohio Governor Says Municipal Water in East Palestine Safe to Drink After Train Derailment

Impact on surface and groundwater is being assessed, says EPA

An environmental company is removing dead fish downstream from the site of the train derailment that forced people to be evacuated from their homes in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Alan Freed/Reuters)

Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine said on Wednesday that water in East Palestines municipal system is safe to drink nearly two weeks after a train derailed, leaking toxic chemicals into the environment.

DeWine said that new water testing results showed no detection of contaminants in East Palestines municipal water system. As a result, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is confident that the municipal water is safe to drink, DeWine said on Twitter.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Sunday that air monitoring throughout East Palestine has not detected any levels of concern in the community that can be attributed to the incident at this time.

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) had raised questions about the safety of non-municipal water and air just two days prior, saying on Feb. 14 that he is horrified by the train derailment and that many questions remain unanswered.

There have also been reports that animals are falling sick or dying near the derailment site.

Is the air and water safe for residents? Vance asked. I have heard alarming anecdotes about contaminated waterways and effects on wildlife. I encourage anyone with credible reports of environmental harms to contact my office.

I am dedicated to ensuring that the relevant authorities do not use tests conducted as a permission slip to pack up and go home, Vance added. This is a complex environmental disaster with impacts that may be difficult to assess in the short term. Long-term study will be imperative.

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Derailment

At around 8:54 p.m. on Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed on main track 1 in East Palestine, Ohio, during its journey from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania.

A total of 38 rail cars derailed, including 11 that were carrying hazardous materials such as vinyl chloride and other dangerous materials. The National Cancer Institute notes that vinyl chloride has been linked to cancers of the brain, lungs, blood, lymphatic system, and, in particular, the liver. Other potentially hazardous chemicals were also onboard.

Read More Vinyl Chloride Not the Only Chemical Found in Fiery Ohio Derailment

To avoid a potential explosion, Norfolk Southern, the company whose train derailed, conducted a controlled release of the chemicals on Feb. 6, which involved burning the chemicals and releasing fumes into the air.

Before the controlled burn, DeWine and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered the evacuation of a one-mile by two-mile zone surrounding East Palestine across both their states. Evacuated residents were told to begin returning home on Feb. 8.

Investigators have said the derailment was caused by a broken axle.

The continuing cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 9, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has called on the EPA and Ohio EPA to do full safety testing.

Hundreds of families in East Palestine were forced to face the horror of fleeing their homes because of hazardous materials in their community, Brown wrote on Twitter.

@OhioEPA tells my office that 431 homes in East Palestine have requested testing for air quality and 47 tests are complete with no issues reported, Brown wrote in a separate tweet. They planned to increase the number of testing teams today from 4 to 8. Thats promising, but much more testing will be needed.

Inspectors from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have identified and investigated the rail car that triggered the derailment, NTSB said in an update on Feb. 14. Footage from a surveillance camera has indicated that the wheel bearing in a particular rail car was likely in its final stage of overheating before the derailment.

Engineers from the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., will examine the suspected overheated wheel bearing.

Local Concerns

Meanwhile, residents of East Palestine have expressed concerns about the long-term health impacts of the hazardous chemical burnoff, and some have also expressed skepticism about what theyve been told by officials.

Marilyn Figley, who raises chickens and produces her own food on her property, previously told The Epoch Times that she isnt sure if her eggs are safe to eat anymore.

The railroad said they would deodorize and sanitize the inside of our house, but we hired an independent company to do something more comprehensive, she said. We have tried so hard to be self-sufficient since moving here eight years ago, and weve done a good job. But now, the future is uncertain.

We have water that is collected [in a container] off the barn, which now is probably polluted. The chickens appear to be fine, but I dont know if the eggs are safe. I called the health department. They dont know anything. The EPA hasnt told me anything. We need to have somewhere we can go to get our food tested.

Dan Shofstahl, who runs a welding business opposite the derailment site with his brother Jonathan, previously told The Epoch Times that locals and people in nearby communities are skeptical of what they are hearing from agencies about the aftermath of the derailment and chemical spill.

There is a lot of mistrust of what we are being told by the railroad, the EPA, and every organization, he said. Theres a tendency to be suspicious of information being released by a company after an emergency like this, and I get it. But to me, my sense is that this is getting so much exposure that theres not a single attorney at Norfolk Southern saying, Yeah, we can cover this up.

EPA Response

EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore said in a statement on Feb. 14 that the agencys number one priority is the health and safety of communities across the region.

Since the fire went out on February 8, EPA air monitoring has not detected any levels of health concern in the community that are attributed to the train derailment, Shore said. Air monitoring data was provided to state health agencies on February 8 for review prior to the states decision to lift the evacuation.

Shore said the EPA had been leading robust air-quality testing and that the agency had assisted with the screening of 396 homes under a voluntary screening program offered to residents, and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified.

Shore added that the EPA and Ohio EPA are collaborating to assess the spills effects on surface and groundwater. At the same time, state and local agencies are conducting tests in the Ohio River to guarantee that drinking water sources are not compromised.

EPA is providing further assistance to the state in examining water treatment intake points along the Ohio River, Shore said.

Jeff Louderback and Frank Fang contributed to this report.
Ontario School Board Trustee Banned for Gender, Critical Race Theory Comments

A school board in the Durham region of Ontario drafted a new human rights policy, and when one trustee voiced her concerns about it she was banned from attending future meetings.

Trustee Linda Stones criticisms included the policys use of the term white supremacy, and that the policy would keep parents in the dark if their children were changing genders.

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) decided at a Feb. 6 meeting to ban her on the grounds that she had contravened the boards code of conduct.

The argument against her was laid out in a 55-page document that included tweets from her personal account and comments she made at meetings. It said she contravened the code in that her comments might harm members of the local community and because she did not support the boards vision and values as required.

One of the complaints against her from a former trustee, Darlene Forbes, said Stone espoused racist and transphobic points of view which are damaging to the reputation of the DDSB, run counter to the equity and diversity initiatives of the DDSB, and were potentially harmful to the students and staff of the DDSB.

Many of the comments at issue Stone made more than a year ago. Stone had resigned in May 2022 over the controversies, but was reelected in the fall. An arbitrators investigation was paused when Stone resigned, but resumed in December at the request of the board. It culminated in January this year and led to the boards decision this month.

Stones Comments

The boards draft of its new human rights guidelines said, Systemic discrimination and racism exist in the DDSB and stem from discriminatory and racist ideologies, systems, cultures and the structural dominance of white supremacy, sexism, ableism, heteronormativity, cisnormativity/cisgenderism, cissexism and faithism.

Stone commented in a meeting on Oct. 25, 2021 (among the comments the board has taken issue with): the term is white supremacy. Im concerned about it because Im worried about our staff, our students, our parents, and how this term will be taken. This term separates whites from anyone else. This term is derogatory, even though it is explained that its not derogatory, people take it as derogatory, believe me.

She said she would like it removed so as not to make people feel small, or as if theyve done something wrong because of the colour of their skin.

Then-Trustee Scott Templeton said the Ontario Human Rights Code uses the term white supremacy in a similar sense and thus it is not up for debate by the board.

During a Nov. 9, 2021 board meeting, Stone said, when you use the word cisnormativity, are you talking about things like saying  men cannot get pregnant or give birth, or that men cant breastfeed?

The boards human rights and equity advisor replied that cisnormativity is assuming cisgender is the norm and the term it describes the systemic prejudice against trans people, the document said.

At the same meeting, Stone had addressed the topic of Privacy and Confidentiality in the draft related to a students gender identity.

Stone said, I was a little bit disturbed to see that you would keep things private with the student and not let parents know whats going on with the student. And that even goes into whether the student is going to undergo surgery or other procedures.

The equity advisor said, according to the document, staff are responsible under Ontarios Human Rights Code to uphold students rights within school environments, and recognize and affirm their gender identity.

On Jan. 24, 2022, Stone said, Is diversity of thought encouraged? When anyone speaks against the orthodox thinking, has a differing opinion, or merely would like terms explained or defined, they will, as I was, be told that their questions and comments are offensive and harmful, and that it showed a lack of understanding of human rights.

In a complaint two days later, Trustee Niki Lundquist called Stones talk about free speech an inappropriate diatribe.

The document states that a trustees freedom of speech is not protected to the same extent as other elected officials, such as parliamentarians. It should, the document says, be limited to helping the local education system adapt and transform effectively to changing needs and shifting challenges.

The Epoch Times asked the board and the arbitrator who wrote the document to elaborate on how they differentiate between comments on the policies and ideological statements. The investigator said he could not comment. The board did not reply as of publication.

Tweets

Stones twitter account, since deactivated, had in the profile information the disclaimer Personal tweets, views and opinions are my own.

Two of the tweets in the document included Should biological men compete in womens sports? and How many different pronouns are there? And could they be changed daily? That might make it even more difficult for teachers.

Several retweets were included. One was a retweet of an article written by Ontario teacher Chanel Pfahl who was being investigated by the Ontario College of Teachers for saying critical race theory should not be taught in schools. Pfahl advocated instead for a non-partisan modelling of kindness to everyone.

Another was a retweet related to chest feeding, a term used by people who identify as non-binary and others who prefer not to refer explicitly to their anatomy as breasts. The tweet said, The chest is a cavity. Chest feeder isnt just medically inaccurate, its medically impossible.

Stone declined an interview request from The Epoch Times.
Oppose Canadas Xenophobic Foreign Property Tax, US Critics Urge Biden Admin

Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing in Washington on June 8, 2022. (The Associated Press/Andrew Harnik)

A New York congressman wants to enlist the U.S. secretary of state to oppose what he calls Ottawas discriminatory campaign against foreign property owners.

Rep. Brian Higgins is asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to officially object to Canadas new federal tax on underused, foreign-owned housing, which is coming due in April.

The one per cent levy applies to certain foreign non-resident owners of Canadian property located in areas with a core population of at least 10,000 people.

As of January, the federal government has also imposed a new two-year ban on the purchase of property in Canada by foreign non-residents.

John DeLuce, a Buffalo resident who spent 28 years in Congress, bought a cottage in Fort Erie, Ont., shortly after his retirement in 2003.

DeLuce says he is offended by the measures, which he considers an affront to the unique Canada-U.S. relationship he helped to cultivate during nearly three decades on Capitol Hill.

Its a hostile act, DeLuce said in an interview. Its a xenophobic act. And its certainly not the type of act that becomes people in countries who consider themselves best friends.

In his letter to Blinken, Higgins said the policy violates the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and runs counter to what Canada and the U.S. ought to be doing to resurrect cross-border commerce in the age of COVID-19.

This is an unnecessary burden and bad-faith action by the government of Canada which violates the (USMCA), as well as long-standing tax treaties, he wrote.

He wants Blinken to ensure it comes up next month when Joe Biden travels north to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Bidens first visit to Canada as president.

This tax will impose a burden, financially and bureaucratically, on hardworking Americans who in many cases have owned these properties for generations, the letter reads. The available exemptions to the new levy dont go far enough, he added.

The United States and Canada share a unique relationship, but imposing the underused housing tax is concerning and threatening to it and must be addressed in upcoming bilateral meetings.
Ottawa Paying to Move Roxham Road Migrants from Quebec to Other Provinces

Asylum seekers from Congo cross the unofficial border at Roxham Road into Quebec, from Champlain, New York, on Feb. 9, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

The federal government is paying to have migrants who are entering the country at the unofficial border crossing of Roxham Road moved from Quebec to other provinces, says Minister of Immigration Christine Frechette.

Frechette told reporters in Quebec City on Feb. 14 that the provincial government is very happy with the federal governments action, which follows calls from Quebec for Ottawa to solve the issue of migrants seeking asylum after entering Canada through Roxham Road.

We are starting to see results, Frechette said during a media scrum, according to the Globe and Mail.

Frechette said that nearly all of the 380 migrants who arrived in Quebec through Roxham Road on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 were relocated to other provinces, mostly Ontario.

She said the federal government recently booked 500 hotel rooms in Ontario to house the migrants.

We are expecting that this new approach persists, she said, adding that Quebec is asking Ottawa to keep the share of migrants who enter Canada through Roxham Road and stay in Quebec at around 23 percent.

Frechette said that around 60,000 migrants claiming asylum arrived in Quebec last year, which she added was far beyond the provinces welcoming capacity.

Free Bus Tickets

A recent report by the New York Post said that some migrants in New York City were being given free bus tickets to Plattsburgh, N.Y.a city just 35 kilometres south of the Quebec borderfrom which migrants can travel to Roxham Road by shuttle or taxi in about 30 minutes.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said following the reports publication that the city doesnt pressure migrants to leave, but that some express a desire to move on to other places, including Canada, which the city then partially facilitates.

On Feb. 15, Quebec Premier Francois Legault urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to issue an official statement dissuading migrants from coming to Canada in search of asylum.

Its about time that Justin Trudeau makes a new tweet to say, Dont come anymore, because weve exceeded our welcoming capacity, Legault told reporters in Quebec City, a reference to the prime ministers 2017 tweet welcoming refugees to come to Canada.

Federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said on the same day that Ottawa was in discussion with the other provinces about the high number of asylum-seekers entering Canada on Roxham Road to find a way to lighten the burden on Quebec.

Theres nobody whos going to be pushed or anything. Its done on a voluntary basis. But we recognize that Quebecs effort here is colossal, and weve been there to support it since the beginning, Rodriguez told reporters.

The Canadian Press and Andrew Chen contributed to this report.
Parents Enraged at Board Meeting About Teacher With Oversized Prosthetic Breasts

Attendees sit in the gallery at a meeting of the Halton District School Board in Burlington, Ont., on Feb. 15, 2023. (Julia de Winter)

Parents rage boiled over at an Ontario school board meeting on Wednesday night as details and timelines for a proposed staff dress code remained unclearthis after months of continued bomb threats and international media attention on Oakville Trafalgar High School over a teacher with huge prosthetic breasts.

The most recent bomb threat on the school came on Wednesday.

The Halton District School Board (HDSB) announced on Jan. 3 it would develop a professionalism policy including standards of dress. Yet it is uncertain whether this policy will stop the teacher, Kayla Lemieux (formerly Kerry Lemieux), from wearing the breasts with protruding nipples.

The recent board meeting included an interim report on the policys development. The final policy is due to be presented on March 1, at which point parents and other stakeholders will be able to comment on it. But as to when or how it will be enforced, HDSB Director of Education Curtis Ennis could not say.

Due to current labour negotiations, there is a statutory freeze which does not allow the board to change the conditions of employment, including dress code. That is one factor that could cause delay, Ennis said.

Julia de Winter, the parent of a student at the school, told The Epoch Times on Thursday, None of this would be necessary had the school acted back in September by simply directing the teacher to dress appropriately in the classroom.

The board was held back last year from committing to a dress code because of worries it would be considered discriminatory from a human rights perspective. Board officials have continued to talk about human rights alongside the dress code, saying their approach will be informed by equity advisor opinions.

De Winter said they appear to be handcuffed because of bureaucracy on policy and procedure. She likened it to the tale of The Emperors New Clothes. In the tale, people are scared to say whats obvious about how the emperor is dressed, or not dressed.

De Winter quietly observed the meeting from the gallery but said she understands why some parents were more emotional and aggressive.

People called out criticisms against the board for not taking quicker, more decisive action.

Do Something

An especially vocal woman was escorted out by police. She alleged Lemieuxs presence in the classroom constitutes sexual abuse of the students. She said the teacher has been allowed to mock women in grotesque costume.

Other observer interjections included, Cant you just write no fetish wear in your policy? and The community has been disgusted with your lack of action. A man said that with continued bomb threats, the board needs to do something, and he walked out in apparent disgust. Several people echoed, Do something.

The meeting paused and board members said only trustees could ask questions, not the public. The public questions could only be submitted online. The questions are being submitted but theyre not being answered, someone in the gallery said.

When the meeting resumed, Trustee Carole Baxter asked about the timelines for developing the administrative procedures to enforce the dress policy.

Ennis said the board is legally required to respect the statutory freeze. I dont know when that freeze will be over. It could be next week or it could be next month. I have no idea, nor am I in control of it, he said. He did not elaborate on the development of the procedures to be put in place when the freeze is lifted.

Board Chair Margo Shuttlesworth asked Ennis to come back on March 1 with more precise answers on timing.

Regarding stakeholder input, Ennis said that after the policy is presented on March 1, school councils and members of the public will be given an opportunity to have their views heard. So we will at least be providing some mechanism through which we will be soliciting views from school councils to hear their voices and from other stakeholders as well.

A transgender person named Julia Malott was allowed to speak at the meeting. Malott spoke in favor of enacting a dress code, saying professionalism should be respected and the exaggerated size of the prosthetic breasts is inappropriate.

Unnecessary, Extensive Process

Some parents at the school, including de Winter, have formed the group Students First Ontario and have hired lawyer Rishi Bandhu. Bandhu has sent letters to the board on their behalf, demanding action and highlighting the boards student dress code, which he says would prohibit Lemieuxs attire.

Bandhu argues that a teacher who is supposed to enforce a student dress code that prohibits pornographic imagery and visible nipples Bandhu argues that a teacher who is supposed to enforce a student dress code that prohibits pornographic imagery and visible nipples should, logically, be expected to follow the same code. He says current policy could thus be used to remedy the situation without the long process of forming new policy and waiting out the statutory freeze.

In a statement issued Thursday, Bandhu said the board is embarking on an unnecessary, extensive consultation process with every school in its jurisdiction.  All that the HDSB needed to do, and still do, is confirm that the values and beliefs reflected in the student dress code must apply to the teachers.

The parents are holding off on litigation for now, hoping to resolve the matter without it.

In the meantime, Bandhu said this teacher continues to teach in hyper-sexualized attire that parents dont believe is protected under the human rights ground of gender expression.'

Students Frightened, Says Parent

De Winter said, There are students at the school who are frightened to attend school every day, because we had another bomb threat yesterday. There are students who are hideously uncomfortable if they have to be in the presence of this person because theyre so uncomfortable with the attire.

Lemieux was away from the school for some months. This may have been due to a foot injury. Pictures of Lemieux back in the school this month, with crutches and cast, have circulated on social media. Lemieuxs return, still wearing a blonde wig and large breasts, has sparked a new wave of outcry.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has spoken out against Lemieuxs attire and urged the board to take action. He said during media availability on Dec. 19, Teachers need to uphold, as Ive noted, the highest professional standards when they are in front of children. And so, I do not believe the board administration has done so to date.

Regarding the safety of the students amid bomb threats, HDSB spokesperson Heather Francey said in an email to The Epoch Times, The HDSB and police continue to work in partnership to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of students and staff.

She said the recent threat was the first in a month. Regarding the meeting and the parents speaking out, she said, We know democracy means hearing differing opinions. But it also means being respectful to one anotherand abiding by the rules of the meeting.  Unfortunately those who cannot be respectful and abide by the agreed upon rules, will have to be asked to leave.
Pence Vows to Fight Subpoena in Special Counsels Jan. 6 Probe

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 19, 2022. (Wade Vandervort/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he intends to fight a subpoena issued by Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the Justice Departments (DOJ) probe of former President Donald Trumps actions leading up to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

Speaking with reporters on Feb. 15, Pence called the attempt to compel his testimony unprecedented and unconstitutional.

No vice president has ever been subject to a subpoena to testify about the president with whom they served, Pence said after speaking at a Minnesota event promoting parental rights, per NBC News.

On Feb. 14, the Associated Press reported that Pences legal strategy would rely on protections under the Constitutions Speech or Debate clause, which shields members of Congress from lawsuits or criminal prosecutions stemming from any legislative actions they take.

As the vice president is also the president of the Senate, Pences actions during the Jan. 6 Electoral College vote count would fall into that category.

At least, that is what his legal team intends to argue, Pence confirmed to reporters on Feb. 15.

On Jan. 6, President Trump was wrong, the former vice president said. As Ive said before, his words were reckless, and they endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol.

Contending that he had no right to overturn the 2020 election results, Pence held that its also wrong to establish a precedent where a legislative official can be called into court by the executive branch.

Were prepared to take this fight into the court, he added.

News of the subpoena follows the revelation last week that another classified document had been found at Pences Indiana residence as a result of an FBI search.

Last month, the former vice president made headlines when his lawyers announced that, like President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, he too had discovered classified documents in his possession.

Pence has been cooperative with law enforcement in that case, and as of yet, a special counsel has not been appointed in the matter.

However, in addition to the Jan. 6 probe, Smith is also serving as special counsel in the DOJs investigation of Trumps handling of classified documents.

On Feb. 12, a lawyer for the former president revealed that additional classified documents were discovered at his properties in December and were immediately turned over to the appropriate authorities.

Trump has been highly critical of Smith, holding that the prosecutors appointment is more evidence that he is being politically targeted by the Justice Department.

Radical Left [Trump hating!] special prosecutor Jack Smith is leaking to the fake news media like a sieve, Trump charged on Feb. 15 via Truth Social.

He is going absolutely crazy trying to nab the political candidate who is way ahead of his boss in the polls, and won the 2020 Presidential Election, except for the fact that it was rigged. He should be looking at election fraud, and who spied on my campaign!
Peter Menzies: Online Harms Bill Is Far More Dangerous for Democracy Than So-Called Misinformation

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Oct. 20, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Commentary

Ever go on the internet and have your feelings hurt? Ever run into the cold, hard facts of life online and want to curl up in the fetal position, suck your thumb, and whimper?

Well then, Canada might just be the country for you because Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is getting ready to introduce legislation (and probably a whole new regulator) to protect you from the brutalities of social media interaction through his online harms bill.

Dont get me wrong. There are a lot of things about the internet that need to be regulated. Those include privacy protection, data collection, swarming, data storage and trafficking, algorithm manipulation, tracking, abuse of market power, and other such matters. Some of those will hopefully be discussed at events such as the How to Regulate the Internet forum being held next week at the University of British Columbia.

But I fear those important matters will continue to be ignored by Rodriguez (why the head of a cultural department is Canadas de facto Minister of the Internet remains a conundrum for the ages). He seems obsessed only with controlling what you can say and how you can say it. Like his boss, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and his cabinet colleagues, Rodriguez talks incessantly about misinformation and disinformation even while liberally fertilizing public discourse with the same.

A lot of media people share his instincts. CBC President Catherine Tait, for instance, recently blamed social media for declining levels of trust in her organizations journalism.

The solution, from Taits point of view, is for her people to continue doing exactly what they have been doing while hoping the government will handle those who think the CBC is just not good enough (and share that sentiment online). It just doesnt seem to cross her mind that substituting reportage with ideological evangelism isnt working.

For sure, there is a lot of ridiculously misinformed nonsense online. But in my mind the greatest dangers to democracy arent the fairly easily recognizable ramblings of tinfoil hatters: its the establishment crowd that insists Russian bots on Facebook won the presidency for Donald Trump, the Freedom Convoy was a heavily armed and seditious white supremacy coup attempt, and masks should still be mandatory.

In other words, the lies that stem from the powerful and influential are a lot more dangerous than the mistruths shouted from the fringes.

And while widespread belief in things that just arent true is indeed a social order hazard, the bigger threat will always come from those whoin the name of protecting us from harmwould suppress our freedom of speech.

We havent seen Rodriguezs handiwork yet, but the results of his departments recent consultations are worrisome. Apparently dissatisfied that their 2021 consultations resulted in a lot of skepticism and concerns about the preservation of civil liberties, Heritage staff went back into the field last year to gather more, ahem, controlled input.

So while the 2021 consultations resulted in this:

Respondents identified a number of overarching concerns including concerns related to the freedom of expression, privacy rights, the impact of the proposal on certain marginalized groups, and compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms more generally.

Last years roundtablesnow heres a surprisewere able to get this:

There was overall agreement and consensus over the need for government action in addressing online safety. Participants recognized that the harms were mostly occurring on social media platforms, where Canadians are the most connected. Most participants acknowledged the need for future legislation to entail strong enforcement measures to change how online services operate and hold them accountable for the harms occurring on their platforms.

The structure of the forums is instructive. A cursory glance indicates there were a few libraries and groups like OpenMedia that have been known to defend freedom of speech and expression, but mostly it appeared to be groups likely to be aligned with the governments desires. You can find the list here and decide for yourself.

Last year, seeing where the government was going with this, Konrad von Finckenstein and I authored a Macdonald-Laurier institute policy paper. One of its primary objectives was to ensure that social media companies were consistently applying their standards and not abusing their positions of power by preferring one political perspective over another or otherwise distorting reality.

As we have seen through Elon Musks Twitter Files revelations via Matt Taibbi, Bari Weiss, and others, it isnt what we see online that is necessarily the greatest threat to democracy: its censorship imposed by large corporate, political, and institutional interests that poses the greatest menace.

Canada seems to disagree. All signs indicate it will be going well beyond suppressing already illegal and blocked material like child pornography and terrorism to ban content that makes people feel unsafe or otherwise causes offence and hurt feelings.

Trouble is, the one thing you cant speak without causing offence is the truth. A lot of people cant handle it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ontario Man Walking Dog Shot at 13 Times After Gesturing to Passing Car to Slow Down

The crest of the York Regional Police on the headquarters building in Aurora, Ontario, on Sept. 15, 2020. (Shutterstock)

York Regional Police (YRP) released a video Wednesday of a white car allegedly involved in what officers called a cowardly, violent drive-by shooting on Feb. 12, which left a 65-year-old man walking his dog riddled with multiple bullets.

On Feb. 14, police provided more details of the random attack, which occurred at 8:40 a.m. in Schomberg, a small hamlet of about 2,000 people approximately 65 kilometres northwest of Toronto, Ontario.

Police said the victim was walking his dog and gestured at a vehicle that passed him going at a high rate of speed on the quiet residential road. The driver turned around and a passenger in the front seat opened fire on the man, shooting him multiple times.

The suspects fled at a high rate of speed, and police hope the video will result in witnesses coming forward. YRP is also requesting video surveillance or dashcam footage from anyone in the area.

Police said up to two suspects may have been in the white vehicle, described as possibly a four-door Lexus RX 350, and described the shooter as a male with light brown or tanned skin, according to a statement from the Township of King on Feb. 14.

Inspector Jim Killby of the YRP told a news conference on Tuesday that the shooting stunned police officers.

This was a cowardly act, a cowardly, violent act, against a victim who was doing nothing more than enjoying the morning and walking his dog in the area for exercise, he said.

This wasnt a simple case of somebody getting cut off. This was an individual that rolled down his window and fired 13 rounds at an individual that was walking down a road.

Its not a road rage incident. This is attempted murder. And our victim is lucky to be alive.

Police did not say if all 13 bullets struck the victim, only that the victim is in critical condition.
Quebec Premier Urges Trudeau to Dissuade Illegal Immigrants, Blames Him for Influx of Asylum Seekers

A man waits for transportation at the unofficial border at Roxham Road into Canada in Hemmingford, Que., on Feb. 9, 2023. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Quebec Premier Francois Legault is urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tweet out a message to dissuade asylum seekers from coming to Canada, blaming the massive number of illegal border crossings on a 2017 tweet from the prime minister.

Legault said on Feb. 15 that many people have come to Canada to claim asylum using the unofficial crossing at Roxham Road, which connects Quebec and New York State. The previous day, Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Frechette confirmed that the province has redirected most of the nearly 400 asylum seekers who passed through Roxham Road last weekend to Ontario and other jurisdictions.

The premier blamed the growth in illegal border-crossing on a 2017 Twitter post by the prime minister which said, To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you.

Its about time that Justin Trudeau makes a new tweet to say, Dont come anymore, because weve exceeded our welcoming capacity, Legault told reporters in Quebec City on Feb. 15, adding that Quebec faces a shortage of housing and capacity in schools and hospitals.

Frederic Bastien, chair of the Quebec-based activist group Justice pour le Quebec, is also calling for a halt to the influx of illegal immigrants coming to Canada via Roxham Road.

He said last month that past remarks made by Trudeau prompted a wave of thousands of migrants to illegally cross into Canada via Roxham Road, citing an article published by Radio Canada in December 2021.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Trudeaus Quebec lieutenant, said negotiations are underway with other provinces to redirect migrants entering Quebec.

We recognize that Quebec has done more than its share, and we thank the government of Quebec for that. In fact, we are in discussion with other provinces to lighten the burden on Quebec, Rodriguez told reporters on Feb. 15.

Theres nobody whos going to be pushed or anything. Its done on a voluntary basis. But we recognize that Quebecs effort here is colossal, and weve been there to support it since the beginning.

Government Response

When asked by reporters about Legaults remarks and whether he has communicated with U.S. officials, Trudeau said his cabinet is looking into the issue.

Weve heard about those reports and our ministers are doing a follow-up to understand exactly whats the situation, because obviously it doesnt look like something that would be a good idea, he said in French on Parliament Hill on Feb. 15.

This came after Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, said the city has been providing free bus tickets to the Canada-U.S. border for migrants who want to claim asylum in Canada.

Those who are seeking to go somewhere else, were not pushing or forcing, if theyre seeking to go somewhere else, we are helping in the re-ticketing process, Adams told local TV station Fox 5 on Feb. 6.

Frechette said she was surprised to hear about what New York City is doing, and that the issue highlights the need for Ottawa to solve the problem at Roxham Road.

Meanwhile, the Canada Border Services Agency said it is aware that asylum seekers from the United States are given free bus tickets taking them to Plattsburgh, New York, which is about 35 kilometres south of the Quebec border and about another 10 kilometres to Roxham Road.

The CBSA is aware of these reports and remains in contact with the U.S. when it comes to matters of irregular migration, the agency said in an email to The Epoch Times on Feb. 6.

Peter Wilson and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Queensland Governments Indigenous Treaty Wont Benefit Everyday Indigenous Australians: Academic

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a Labor Campaign Rally in Brisbane, Australia on May 15, 2022. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

An Australian Indigenous academic has argued that the Queensland governments decision to legislate an Indigenous treaty wont benefit the livelihoods of most ordinary Indigenous Australians.

The comment comes after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would introduce a treaty proposal with Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to parliament next week.

The bill would establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and outlines its functions and powers. It would also create a five-member truth-telling inquiry that is customised to have a culturally appropriate, non-adversarial approach. This would make Queensland the first state in Australia to legislate the Indigenous treaty.

In Australia, a treaty is understood as a signed, negotiated agreement between Aboriginal people and the government that would recognise Indigenous Australians as the original owners of the land and may include provision of practical rights and compensation.

The Premiers speech on Feb. 15 at the Path to Treaty event heavily cited Australian history Henry Reynolds, who previously proposed to change the date of Australian day and criticised Australian founding fathers such as Samual Griffith and John Downer for their roles in the destruction of Aboriginal society.

Palaszczuk said that according to Reynolds, the idea of a treaty could be traced back to Australias colonial past when the British Colonial office proposed to make treaties with the Indigenous people.

Attempts to do so had failed, however, because the British had relied on a description from Joseph Banks during Cooks expedition of an unoccupied, sparsely populated land, she added.

Reynolds is not everyones cup of tea, but I think we can agree Australia was not empty when the First Fleet arrived, and there is no evidence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples gave up their lands willingly.

The Premier also said that treaties provide people of former British colonies like New Zealand a shared sense of identity and pride that we should have too.

But all efforts to establish one in this country have died in a desert of ignorance and indifference where they have stayed for more than 200 years, she said.

Well, I am here to tell you, friends, that ends now.

Not Beneficial At All

But Anthony Dillon, an Indigenous Australian researcher at the Australian Catholic University, said an Indigenous treaty is not beneficial at all for Indigenous Australians and many, many Aboriginal people who are calling for a treaty are already doing very well without a treaty.

They should be saying, I want my brothers and sisters to have what I have. I achieved it without a treaty, and heres how I achieved it , he told The Epoch Times.

Dillon further argued that although Australia does not have a treaty like New Zealand or Canada, doing something because everyone else is doing it is not a good enough reason for doing it.

Aboriginal people can share in the pride of identifying as Australian if they want as it is a choice, and indeed many already have done so, and did so without a treaty, he said.

I am all for telling truth whole truth and not just cherry-picked elements of truth. However, advancement is not and should not be contingent on truth-telling.

Its great to tell truth, but we should not wait for truth-telling in order to improve the lives of those Aboriginal people who are most disadvantaged.

Director of Legal Rights Program at the Institute of Public Affairs in Melbourne Morgan Begg previously argued in a commentary on The Epoch Times that at its best, the issue of a treaty is just incoherent.

Indigenous Australians are Australians, and the Australian government cant sign a treaty with itself.

At its worst, the treaty is a divisive idea because it is predicated on the idea that Indigenous Australians are in some way legally separate from other Australians.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki Announces March Retirement From Force

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Brenda Lucki will be retiring next month from her role leading Canadas national police force.

In a statement on Feb. 15, Lucki said she had made a personal decision to retire.

Lucki was approaching the end of a five-year term, which began on April 16, 2018. She was the organizations 24th commissioner and the forces first permanent female commissioner.

Her last day will be March 17.

This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP, she said. I leave knowing I did my best and take comfort that the RCMP is well placed to shine in its 150th year.

Im so proud of the steps weve taken to modernizeto increase accountability, address systemic racism, ensure a safe and equitable workplace and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, she stated, adding that the organization had made great progress.

Lucki took leadership of the organization after long-standing concerns of bullying and harassment had been alleged within the force. Her statement indicated she was asked to modernize and address the RCMPs internal challenges, which she called a significant mandate.

Criticism

Luckis time as top Mountie included calls for her resignation in June 2022, after allegations of political interference in the police investigation of the Nova Scotia shooting in which a gunman killed 22 people.

RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbells notes suggested that he was pressured by Lucki to reveal the types of firearms involved in the shooting, even while police were still actively investigating. At the time, the Liberals were about to announce a gun ban on assault-style weapons. Campbell wrote that Lucki had promised the minister of public safety and the prime minister that the RCMP would release specific information on the types of firearms used.

Lucki denied the allegations.

I would never take actions or decisions that could jeopardize an investigation. I did not interfere in the ongoing investigations into the largest mass shooting in Canadian history, she wrote in a statement on June 21.

Audio of a call between Lucki and RCMP officials in Nova Scotia was later released, in which the release of information related to the shooting in April 2020 was discussed.

On Nov. 23, Albertas Justice Minister Tyler Shandro called for the federal government to fire Lucki.

Alberta has lost confidence in RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and is calling on Canadas minister of public safety, Marco Mendicino, to immediately rescind her appointment, Shandro said.

Shandro listed areas he deemed Lucki as having failed in, such as dealing with the RCMPs history of systemic racism in a forthright and public manner, risking the integrity of the investigation into the Nova Scotia mass shooting, and not informing the federal government of all law enforcement options available prior to the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act.

He also criticized Luckis contribution to two major public inquiries held during her tenure, including the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC), which held weeks of hearings on the Trudeau governments invocation of the use of emergency measures to shut down the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa earlier this year.

Lucki testified at the POEC on Nov. 15 that RCMP officers had the legal means to clear protesters in Ottawa as part of the Freedom Convoy without the use of the Emergencies Act, but said she did not communicate that information to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before the act was invoked.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino thanked Lucki for her years of service.

From training new recruits at depot to becoming the Mounties first woman commissioner, she has dedicated her life to keeping Canadians safe. Commissioner Lucki has led the force for nearly five years, navigating through the pandemic and beyond. I want to thank her for her partnership and dedication, he posted on Twitter.

Mendicino said the government will begin the process of appointing the next commissioner of the RCMP and will be searching for an exceptional new leader who will keep our communities safe while advancing the reforms necessary to maintain the confidence of all Canadians.

Noe Chartier and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Republicans Call for US Military to Target Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorist Groups

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility seized more than 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills and heroin as part of the second largest methamphetamine bust along the southwest border in the history of the agency, based on information developed by DEA, working jointly with HSI, on Oct. 9, 2020. (DEA)

Mexican cartels are pushing illegal immigrants across the border in orchestrated surges to distract law enforcement from drug-smuggling operations targeting other sections of the border, contributing to the corresponding wave of deaths related to fentanyl poisoning, a 25-year U.S. Border Patrol agent and a Texas sheriff told congressional lawmakers.

Each and every day along the entirety of our southwest border, criminal cartels dictate when, where, and how illegal border crossers enter our country, National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd, who represents 16,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents and support staff, said during testimony before members of the Oversight & Investigations subcommittees of both the House Energy & Commerce and Health committees on Feb. 15.

The cartels have figured out the loopholes in our laws, he said during the two-hour hearing titled President Bidens Border Crisis is a Public Health Crisis, which was staged in Weslaco, Texas, near McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley. And they know that when our agents are forced to process huge numbers of illegal border crossers, we are unable to properly patrol the border.

Brooks County Sheriff Urbino Benny Martinez said when people surge across the border, Border Patrol agents must respond, leaving large areas unpatrolled, except by overtaxed local law enforcement agencies.

He said that places strain and costs on his deputies, first responders, and taxpayers within his 943-square-mile county of 7,400 residents, 70 miles north of the border along two major highways, which includes the nations largest U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint, Falfurrias.

Illegal immigrants receive donated clothing outside a shelter at the Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 17, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images)

1.2 Million Got-Aways

Martinez in his witness testimony said that between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other agencies, 1.2 million got-a-ways were reported in 2022 in Texas. And thats just an estimate of those who escaped from groups of illegal immigrants detected and detailed at the border.

We have no idea if theyre cartel, other criminals, or terrorists because the federal government has failed to enforce border security efforts and Border Patrols time has been taken up processing the majority of migrants giving themselves up at the border, he said.

In the past few years, cartels have gotten more sophisticated, with 1,300 drone flights observed coming from south of the border, Martinez said. He called on Congress to take the gloves off and restore the Trump-era Stay in Mexico order, clarify the abused asylum rule, and to put up The Wall.

Doing so will let them work, he said of Border Patrol agents. They can do the job, They know what they are doing. Let them do the work they are supposed to be doing.

The field hearing was the second staged in Texas this week by Republican-led committees. On Feb. 13, the Natural Resources Committees Energy & Mineral Resources Subcommittee held a hearing in Odessa on how federal energy production supports local communities.

The House field canvasses conclude Feb. 16 with the Energy & Commerce Committees Energy, Climate & Grid Security Subcommittee hearing in Midland, titled, American energy expansion: Improving local economies and communities way of life.

House Energy & Commerce Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said that among the legislation the hearings want to spotlight is the proposed HALT Fentanyl Act, which aims to secure the southern border and give law enforcement the tools they need to keep this lethal poison out of our communities.

The hearings will look at fentanyl proliferation in the U.S. and the damage of President Joe Biden shutting down American energy, Rodgers said.

CCP, Cartels Collaborating

Lugging gallon jugs of water, illegal immigrants thread their way along footpaths just north of the Mexico/Arizona border. The number of illegal immigrants who have perished trying to cross the southern Arizona desert has reached a historic high this year. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times)

Judd in his witness testimony said the policies enacted by President Biden and his Department of Homeland Security have directly resulted in the least secure border in my 25-year career, adding that Bidens executive actions have directly resulted in an increase in illicit fentanyl coming across our southern border with Mexico and into our communities in all 50 states.

Since Biden took office in January of 2021, we have seen historically high numbers of people crossing the border illegally forcing more than 50 percent of patrol resources to be dedicated to administrative duties such as, but not limited to, processing, transport, hospital watch, and detention security, Judd said. This allows cartels to create gaps in our coverage facilitating the highest number of known got-aways in our history.

Couple that with the more than 3.1 million people who crossed the border illegally and were released into the U.S., and weve added more than 4.3 million illegal border crossers to our population just since President Biden has been in office, he added. And at the current accelerated trajectory, well add another more than 6 million illegal border crossers to our population over the next two years.

In this environment, Judd said, criminal cartels have become incredibly successful at bringing their high-value products into our country illegally and these circumstances have contributed to a huge increase in the flow of hard narcotics making their way into the U.S., and wreaking havoc on our communities.

Citing a December 2022 Washington Post report, he said more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021, and fentanyl was responsible for two-thirds of those deaths.

The amount of illicit fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, pouring into our country across our Southern border is staggering and frankly terrifying knowing that just 2 milligrams is considered a lethal dose, Judd said.

Citing a December 2022 U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Alert, Judd said, The vast majority of counterfeit [opioid] pills brought into the United States are produced in Mexico, and China is supplying chemicals for the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico.

Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) queried Judd about the 1.2 million got-aways, noting these are people who didnt want to get caught and claim asylum at the border.

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)

She said that 53 people on the FBIs Terrorist Watch List have been apprehended at the border and that theres an increase in Chinese nationals being detained while trying to enter the country illegally at the southern border.

Harshbarger asked Judd if he thought Mexican cartels are collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party in orchestrating 160,000 labs across China to make the precursor chemicals for fentanyl and in smuggling the product and people across the border.

Yes, Judd said.

Absolutely, so do I, Harshbarger said, calling for the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels in Mexico to be declared terrorist organizations.

Playing a Blame Game

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stops at a gate after being told he could not cross through the gate to the tent facility setup at the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry as he joins with other mayors from the U.S. Conference of Mayors on the border to protest President Donald Trumps immigration policy in Fabens, Texas, on June 21, 2018. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Democrats and several witnesses argued that the fentanyl crisis is a component of a broader opioid addiction issue but that militarizing the border isnt a solution to a humanitarian crisis.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) said, Folks are dying and families are absolutely being torn apart by fentanyl, and yes, it is leading to an increase in crime in many areas across the country.

Addressing the opioid addiction crisis should not be a partisan issue, she said, adding that she sincerely hopes that we could come together on the matter but that even the name of the hearing, Joe Bidens border crisis is political.

Craig said that according to the Border Patrol, 97 percent of the fentanyl seized since in 2021 was at the large commercial border crossing. Only 0.2 percent of illegal immigrants detained at the border were found to be smuggling any type of drugs, she said.

Ninety-seven percent is coming across at legal ports of entry, not the expanses managed by the Border Patrol, she said. So the questions should be, what resources can we give, what more in technology, what more in officers are needed in better stopping illicit fentanyl from coming across the border at legal ports of entry?

Instead, Craig said rather than searching for real policy solutions, Republicans are going for political point-scoring.

We have a real problem in America and this does nothing for our constituents to solve the problem but who we can pitch blame on for the next election, she said.

Militarized Border No Solution

Texas Civil Rights Project President Rochelle M. Garza in her witness testimony said her goal was two-fold.

First  the public health crisis related to fentanyl and the humanitarian crisis at the border are two separate issues that should not be conflated, Garza said. Second, I want to share how the current approach of heavy-handed policies, that prioritize military force as the only solution, has not and will not help address either crisis.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has no intention to help solve the border crisis or reduce deaths from fentanyl, Garza said, when he says secure the border.

As Rio Grande Valley residents know, securing the border means building an expensive, divisive, and unnecessary border wall in our community, sending the military and state troopers to flood our small towns, and luring people awaiting the resolution of their immigration cases into buses only to dramatically drop them off at the homes of his political opponents.

Using fentanyl deaths and the opioid addiction crisis as a distraction to score political points is wrong, she said.

The vast majority of fentanyl seized at the border is intercepted at either U.S. ports of entry or through U.S. mail, with most smugglers being U.S. citizens, she said. We must call out the attempt to conflate fentanyl with migrants for what it isa cheap political trick to use a serious public health crisis as justification to waste public resources on the same ineffective border policies they have been pushing in communities like mine for years.

The New Mexico Army National Guard liaison team visits the El Paso Sectors Border Patrol Intelligence Operations Center to coordinate for their upcoming deployment in support of border enforcement, on April 7, 2018. (Marcus Trujillo/Border Patrol)

Military on Border a Solution

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) was among Republicans who took offense at claims that the border and fentanyl crises are separate issues being merged as a cheap political trick.

The field hearing is being staged near the border because fentanyl comes from across the border. That is why we are hereit comes from across the southern border. He accused Democrats of quibbling how much of it comes through points of entry or between points of entry.

The fentanyl explosion is indeed related to the migration crisis because they have a common actor: Mexican drug cartels, Crenshaw said, noting there is a documented, organized pattern where immigrant surges tie up hundreds of agents and they become babysitters and bus drivers.

Cartels use that opportunity to run drugs through places they cannot watch, Crenshaw said. This is not partisan comment to make.

If the fentanyl issue is different from other drug issues, its because it isnt entirely related to addiction but is a poisoning problem with people not realizing that the drug they are taking for pain relief is not what they thought it was.

This is a different problem and merits a different solution, he said, vowing to introduce legislation to allow the military to go after Mexican drug cartels and the Mexican officials who help them.
Republicans Introduce Bill to End COVID Vaccine Mandate for Truckers Crossing US-Canada Border

A group of Republican senators on Feb. 15 introduced a bill to end the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for international travelers, which they say is disrupting the flow of goods at the U.S.-Canada border by blocking unvaccinated truckers.

The legislation (pdf), called the Travel Freedom Act, is sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). It specifically targets air travel vaccination requirements for non-immigrant foreigners set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the vaccination requirements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for land and ferry travels between the United States and Canada.

If passed, the bill will prohibit any federal funding from being used to enforce those vaccine mandates. On top of that, the DHS in the future may not demand foreigners to show proof of COVID19 vaccination as a condition on entering the United States, unless otherwise approved by Congress.

Millions of individuals, including many involved in the North American supply chain, need to legally travel in and out of the United States on a regular basis for their jobs, Marshall said in a release, calling the COVID vaccine requirement an unnecessary headache for commuter workers having to cross the U.S.-Canada border from time to time.

Our legislation puts an end to this madness and reopens the United States for business to all individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, he said.

The bill specifically addresses vaccine mandates for those traveling between the United States and Canada. Its not expected to affect those seeking to legally enter the country from Mexico.

The proposal comes as American and Canadian truck driver groups call on the Biden administration to lift the vaccine mandate as soon as possible.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), in alliance with the American Trucking Associations (ATA), last week wrote to U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen, requesting support in removing the COVID-19 entry restrictions.

In September 2022, the Canadian government removed all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada. The CTA wants the U.S. government, which is set to end the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023, to follow suit.

Once the announcement of the removal of these COVID-19 emergencies was made, there was optimism that the U.S. border vaccine restrictions would also be removed at this time, CTA official Lak Shoan told online news site FreightWaves. So far, we dont have any confirmation about whether this will occur or not.

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), a trade association representing 150,000 commercial drivers in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, also asked President Joe Biden to end the mandate.

There is no evidence that truckers present a higher risk of spreading the virus, OOIDA President Todd Spencer wrote in a letter to Biden last year.

Moreover, there is no evidence that truckers have been the source of any coronavirus outbreaks within the United States, suggesting that the cross-border mandate is likely to be having little, if any, effect.

Even for drivers who may be in compliance, the continuance of the mandate is just another piece of government red tape for which they have to manage additional paperwork and possible delays, he argued.
Russia Strikes Across Ukraine as Push for Embattled Bakhmut Grinds On

A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop of a BPM-1 infantry fighting vehicle in the frontline town of Bakhmut, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Reuters)

KYIVRussia battered Ukraine with multiple missile strikes on Thursday as its troops sought to advance in the east, Kyiv said, while Western allies pledged to keep military aid flowing for an intended Ukrainian spring counter-offensive.

Following a pattern of heavy bombardments at times of Ukrainian battlefield or diplomatic advances, Russia launched 32 missiles in the early hours, Ukraines Air Force said.

Half were shot down, it added, a lower rate than normal.

Among them, air defences in the south downed eight Kalibr missiles fired from a ship in the Black Sea, Ukrainian officials claimed. Other missiles struck northern and western Ukraine as well as the central regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad.

Russia has usually carried out its heaviest strikes in daylight, targeting energy facilities. But Ukrainian officials said the overnight bombardment had no major impact on power.

They believe Moscow is adapting strategy, including using air balloons for reconnaissance.

The Russians have changed their tactics somewhat. They conduct active reconnaissance, use false targets, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential staff, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraine did not say why fewer missiles had been knocked out than usual but it has previously reported lower success rates when Russia fired Soviet-era Kh-22 missiles.

Bolstered by tens of thousands of reservists, Russia has intensified ground attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a major new offensive appears to be shaping as the first anniversary of its Feb. 24 invasion nears.

Showing the scale of the humanitarian disaster, Germany said 1.1 million people arrived from Ukraine in 2022, exceeding an unprecedented migrant influx in 201516.

Russia did not immediately comment on the overnight bombardment, though on Wednesday it was touting Ukrainian retreats in parts of the eastern Province of Luhansk.

Battle for Bakhmut

Luhansk and Donetsk Provinces make up the Donbass, Ukraines industrial heartland, which is now partially occupied by Russia. It wants full control of the Donbass and its current focus is on encircling and taking the small city of Bakhmut in Donetsk.

Bohdan, Fritz, the deputy of commander of the unit in 79th Air Assault Brigade, fires a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) towards Russian positions on a frontline near the town of Marinka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Feb. 14, 2023. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Bakhmuts capture would give Russia a stepping stone to advance on two bigger cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk further west in Donetsk, to revive Moscows momentum ahead of the Feb. 24 anniversary. Ukraine and its allies say taking Bakhmut would be a pyrrhic victory given the months it has taken and what they claim is enormous loss of life during waves of Russian assaults.

As Ukraine burns through munitions fast and clamours for heavier firepower, including tanks and fighter jets, NATO alliance nations are ramping up production and promising more.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyys army has received vast amounts of aid, particularly from the United States which has committed more than $27.4 billion since the conflict began.

We have to ensure that this spring it is truly felt that Ukraine is moving towards victory, Zelenskyy said.

He thanked Norway for pledging $7 billion over five years, its largest aid programme ever for a single recipient nation.

In the latest of a stream of foreign dignitaries to visit Ukraine, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was set to meet Zelenskyy. It was the first such visit from a senior Israeli official since the war began.

Israel, which coordinates with Russia over strikes on suspected Iranian targets in Syria, has stopped short of pledging any direct weapons supplies to Kyiv.

Belarus, which allowed Russia to use its territory to send troops into Ukraine at the start of the war, said it would only fight alongside its ally if it was attacked.

Its President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly denied suggestions from Kyiv that it could join in the conflict.
Wednesday's winter storm caused delays, some cancellations, road closures statewide and messy streets throughout metro Denver.

But Denverites appear better prepared, particularly following a harsh January of snow, ice and freezing temperatures.

Our big plows have been out since around 1:00 a.m. (Wednesday) addressing the main streets, with drivers running their routes and dropping deicer as needed, said Nancy Kuhn, a spokesperson for Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, in an email statement. Well continue that round the clock coverage tonight and overnight into tomorrow.

Most schools and businesses deployed delayed starts late Tuesday and early Wednesday, so rush hour seemed mild but slow.

The Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation reported I-70 closed in both directions through Glenwood Canyon about 5 p.m. Wednesday but reported no of injuries.

U.S. Highway 40 from Dinosaur to Craig remained closed much of the day.

Denver International Airport experienced 735 flight delays and about 167 cancellations by 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to FlightAware.com.

Southwest Airlines canceled 123 flights Wednesday, about 25% of its total, as well as faced 88 delays.

"Our proactive plan to mitigate impacts to our operation from Winter Storm Novas effects has performed as expected," Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry said. "We have not experienced any residual effects, outside of the schedule adjustments we implemented at DEN and other in airports in Colorado where we operate."

Kuhn said the Denver residential street plowing plan worked well.

Our residential plow drivers worked a 12-hour shift from 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.," she said in a statement. They were able to complete their routes, making 1-2 passes down the side streets, and a handful of volunteer residential plow drivers will be on duty for a few more hours in case theyre needed."

Kuhn added: "Temps are going to remain low, so slicks spots are possible, and we ask people to continue to drive slowly and carefully, particularly when approaching intersections and using their brakes."

The forecast for Wednesday calls for continued low temperatures, but no snow, according to the National Weather Service.
Mariana and Andreas Schmidt enjoyed Shen Yun's last 2023 performance in Salzburg, Austria, on the evening of Feb. 12, 2023. (The Epoch Times)

SALZBURG, AustriaTraveling from Munich, Germany, Andreas and Mariana Schmidt, who work in real estate, said that the exciting advertising for Shen Yun Performing Arts, really has been absolutely fulfilled.

The Schmidts attended the Shen Yun performance at the Large Festival Hall in Salzburg, Austria, on Feb. 12.

To see this beautiful part of this culture, to experience it, from the music, from the dances  was very well done  excellent, said Mr. Schmidt.

Not only was traveling to see Shen Yun a little present for themselves, but Mrs. Schmidt also said the performance was itself a surprising gift.

For me, it was a surprise, a gift, and it was very impressive, she said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company.

Since the companys inception in 2006, its mission has been to revive Chinas 5,000-year-old traditional culture. Presenting folk dances, solo performances and story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day, Shen Yun says its performance demonstrates China before communism.

It was very inspiring, said. Mr. Schmidt, to see  not only the colorful pictures, but also whats behind it.

[Shen Yun] unites many beliefs, and thats what I think is very good, he said, [it] gives something to every person of faith  very positive.

China was once known as The Land of the Divine and Shen Yun presents this culture by drawing upon the Middle Kingdoms Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. As such, the performance often includes spiritually uplifting messages, according to the companys website.

Mr. Schmidt said that the message Shen Yun is delivering is urgently needed in our society.

[It] gives strength  and gives joy, he added.

Reporting by Qingrui and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Scrapping Temporary Protection Visas Opens Doors for People Smugglers: Shadow Home Affairs Minister

Former Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on June 8, 2021. (Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The centre-left Labor governments plan to scrap temporary protection visas poses a real risk to Australian borders as it would entice people smugglers and encourage illegal immigrants to enter the country, said Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews.

Under the Albanese governments decision to abolish the temporary protection (TPV) and safe haven enterprise (SHEV), announced on Tuesday, about 19,000 refugees who have stayed in Australia for up to a decade will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

It would only apply to people arriving before Operation Sovereign Borders was established on Sep. 18, 2013. Operation Sovereign Borders, which was introduced by the Coalition, is a military-led border security operation set out to combat people smuggling and protect the countrys borders.

Australias temporary protection visa is for people who arrived in Australia without a visa and want to seek asylum.

During the Wednesday senate estimate, the Australian Navy revealed it has increased defence capability into Australias North as part of Operation Sovereign Borders to enhance border protection.

Andrews called the scrapping of TPVs a bungled policy implementation by the missing Minister for Home Affairs, adding that the minister has been clearly advised that Temporary Protection Visas are a key deterrent measure.

Even if you try and package this upso that only a certain group of people will now get the right or the ability to seek permanency here in Australiayoure still sending a very clear message that the people

smugglers will pick up. And they will interpret it, and they will prosecute to the people that theyre trying to get on boats, she told Sky News on Thursday.

The argument that Australia is open for business, that if you stay here long enough, you will get permanency here in Australia, that is what the people smugglers will say.

She added that there has already been an increase in boat arrivals into or towards Australia, which is very concerning.

Rohingya refugees receive medical treatment at a temporary shelter in Pidie, Aceh province, Indonesia, after arriving via boat, Dec. 26, 2022. (Antara Foto/Joni Saputra/via Reuters)

People smugglers will look at every opportunity to restart their trade. Theyve already done that. About one boat a month has already been intercepted on its way to Australia by Australian officials, effectively our border force, she said.

There have been more boats that have been stopped by the Sri Lankan Navy, potentially on their way here to Australia, in fact, most likely on their way here to Australia.

Labor Insists Decision Wont Risk Border Security

In a media release on Feb. 13, Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil said the Labor government believes that we can keep our borders safe while showing humanity too.

TPV and SHEV holders work, pay taxes, start businesses, employ Australians and build lives in our communities- often in rural and regional areas. Without permanent visas however, theyve been unable to get a loan to buy a house, build their businesses or pursue further education, ONeil said.

It makes no senseeconomically or sociallyto keep them in limbo.

She insisted that the decision would not compromise the safety of Australian borders.

Let me be crystal clearif you try to enter Australia without a valid visa you will be turned back or returned to your port of origin. There is zero chance of settling in Australia under Operation Sovereign Borders, ONeil added.

An Australian navy boat cruises by Christmas Island on Feb. 29. A boatload of asylum seekers from China decided to seek refugee status in Australia rather than attempt the dangerous journey onto New Zealand. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

The Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force are patrolling our waters to intercept and return any boats that try to enter.

The left-wing Australian Greens welcomed the decision to scrap TPVs and SHEVs, saying its a good one, and long overdue.

Temporary visas were part of the previous governments inhumane agenda against refugees and people seeking asylum, and its long past time we put an end to it, Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator McKim said.

The government must take steps to support all refugees, particularly those who have faced years of uncertainty, including those who were left in a state of legal limbo.
Sen. Fetterman Hospitalized for Clinical Depression

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) checked himself into a Washington-area hospital on Feb. 15, according to his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson.

Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks, Jentleson said in a Feb. 16 statement.

On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis.

After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

The announcement comes a week after the Pennsylvania Democrat was discharged from George Washington University Hospital in Washington, where he was under observation for several days after experiencing lightheadedness on Feb. 8 during a Senate Democrat retreat.

During that visit, doctors ruled out a stroke and found no evidence of seizures.

That was a concern because the freshman Democrat senator suffered a stroke on the campaign trail the weekend before the May 2022 primary. The stroke was caused by a clot from his heart being in an atrial fibrillation rhythm for too long, he said in a statement at the time.

The stroke caused Fetterman to remain at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for more than a week and he didnt immediately return to the campaign trail. That led to speculation about his fitness to serve in Congress, a concern that persists.

Once he did return to campaigning, Fettermans speech pattern changed. He was less confident and had halting speech. His campaign explained that he had auditory processing issues. He garbled words, dropped words from sentences, and needed closed captioning during a political debate. In recent days, Fetterman often works from prepared remarks.

This week, Fetterman voted to confirm three judicial nominees including Gina R. Mendez-Miro of Puerto Rico to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico; Lindsay C. Jenkins of Illinois to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; and Matthew L. Garcia of New Mexico to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of New Mexico.

He also voted to advance the nomination of Adrienne C. Nelson of Oregon to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Oregon and Judge Cindy Chung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, which covers all of Pennsylvania.
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) discusses China and Ukraine at 12:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 16, in a Heritage Foundation discussion on a new defense policy that prioritizes our biggest threat, challenges the consensus on Ukraine, and safeguards Americans at home.

The Epoch Times will livestream the event.
Mexican Cartels Dominate Global Fentanyl Drug Trade Aided by Chinese Money Launderers, DEA Head Testifies

Ranking Democratic member Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) speaks during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the future of U.S. policy towards Russia on Capitol Hill on Dec. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard from law enforcement officials on Feb. 15 about the trafficking of fentanylan opioid-class substance thats extremely lethalinto the United States via the southern border.

In his opening remarks to the panel, National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta noted that 46 million Americans struggle with substance abuse. One of the most dangerous drugs is fentanyl.

A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chemist checks confiscated powder containing fentanyl at the DEA Northeast Regional Laboratory in New York on Oct. 8, 2019. (Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that 70,601 people died from fentanyl overdose in 2021.

This crisis does more than cause tragic and preventable deathsit is tearing the fabric of our nation, Gupta said. The problem cuts across every geographic, demographic, [and] economic boundary.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) head Anne Milgram also emphasized the scope of the problem on the domestic side in her testimony.

We are now seizing fentanyl in all 50 states, and it is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, Milgram told the panel.

An International Problem

Throughout the hearing, officials painted a portrait of an international problem.

While the issue has been a major problem in the heartland United States, Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said that solutions must look beyond the home front.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is holding this hearing because this is an issue we cannot solve just within our borders, Menendez said.

In her opening remarks to the panel, Milgram explained that Mexican drug cartels are responsible for most fentanyl that comes into the country.

A bag full of bags of fentanyl pills seized by DEA Los Angeles. (Courtesy of DEA Los Angeles)

Between August of 2021 and August of 2022, 107,735 American lives were lost to drug poisoning, Milgram said.

Perhaps the most important thing I can tell the committee todaywe know whos responsible: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel, both cartels in Mexico, are responsible for the vast majority of fentanyl that is coming into the U.S. It is why DEA has made defeating those two cartels our top operational priority.

These cartels dominate the global fentanyl supply chain.

Although the Mexican government has reportedly increased its crackdown on cartels and reduced internal corruption, cartel activity remains a pressing issue for Mexico. By extension, cartel activity is a threat to American lives as well.

Milgram also said most illicit drugs come in through airports or land ports along the southern border, and she called for enhanced security and screening measures at guarded points of entry along the border.

Fentanyl is so addictive the cartel is using it to drive addiction, she said.

While most of the fentanyl in the United States is produced in Mexico, many precursors for the drug come from China.

They start in China, where they are purchasing the precursor chemicals to make fentanyl, Milgram said. They then take those chemicals into Mexico, where they are mass producing fentanyl.

Even more concerning, cartels have been known to replicate the appearance of real prescription drugs, such as Xanax and Adderall. However, the only drug these look-alikes contain is fentanyl.

After producing fentanyl powder, cartels are pressing a great deal of that powder into fake prescription pills in Mexico, according to Milgram.

Those pills look identical to real American and international medicinesthings like Oxycontin, Percocet, Adderall, or Xanax, she said. But they have no real medicine in them; they are fentanyl and filler.

The cartels then move the pills and the powder into the United States.

To get money from the drug sales back into Mexico, cartels are often aided by Chinese money launderers, Milgram said.

The United States has also had problems with getting Mexico to cooperate, according to Menendez.

Mexicos [increasingly] political National Prosecutors Office has shown little appetite to prosecute fentanyl-related cases, Menendez said.

Collusion between cartels and Mexican officials is a recurring challenge.

Mexican authorities seem unwilling to acknowledge that the vast amount of fentanyl entering the United States is manufactured in clandestine labs in Mexico.

Milgram also told the panel that 232 criminals are currently awaiting extradition on drug-related charges, although Mexico has been somewhat cooperative in handing these criminals over.

China

Republicans were critical of the Biden administrations handling of the Chinese regime, which plays a crucial role in the fentanyl supply chain.

Referencing Bidens Nov. 14, 2022, meeting with CCP leader Xi Jinping, ranking Republican member Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said, What struck is that there is not one mention in here of the fentanyl problem that weve got with China.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) on Capitol Hill on April 27, 2021. (Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images)

Risch asked Assistant Secretary of State Todd Robinson if Biden had discussed the issue at all with Xi.

I dont know if they were able to get to it during their conversation, Robinson said.

I do know that  the relationship between China and the U.S. is complex. There are a lot of issues on the table, but there is no doubt that this administration and [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] are keenly aware of this issue.

Later, he acknowledged that the State Department had limited engagement with China on this issue.

Robinson expressed optimism that the Chinese regime could be brought to reason. He cited Chinas 2019 move to schedule fentanyl as an illicit substance, which he said significantly reduced the inflow of fentanyl from China to the United States.

Pressed further by Risch, Robinson said, There are basic steps [China] could be taking that theyre not taking right now that could help a lot.

Robinson called for China to make more transparent the labels of chemicals leaving the country and to exchange more information with the United States.

Theyre not doing that now; theyre not really talking to us about it, he said. They should.

Big Tech

One means of fentanyl distribution touched on during the hearing was tech platforms.

Drug pushers often use platforms such as Snapchat to market drugs and plan meetings with prospective buyers.

During her opening remarks, Milgram said social media had become a prime means for distributing drugs.

In his opening statement, Gupta said tech platforms would be a key part of the administrations push against fentanyl.

If it remains easy to get illicit drugs in America  we will never end this crisis, Gupta said. That is why in the State of the Union, President Biden launched a major search [sic] to stop illicit fentanyl production, trafficking, and distribution at every chokepoint, including holding accountable the Big Tech companies that allow the sale of illegal drugs on their platforms.

Later in the hearing, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) also touched on the Big Tech front of the issue.

Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, theyre all being used to market and sell pills laced with fentanyl, Shaheen said. I think weve got to do more to force social media companies to be responsible.

Throughout the hearing, Milgram and others called on lawmakers to do more to regulate the sale of drugs on tech platforms and to pass legislation to tackle the fentanyl crisis.

The fentanyl issue is one that crosses party lines. Still, any congressional action on the matter will require a deal among Democrats in the Senate, Republicans in the House, and Biden.

As Mexico and China remain less than cooperative with the United States, American lawmakers have limited options to address the crisis.
Senator Wants to Ensure Americans Stop Subsidizing Drug Smugglers, Human Traffickers

Tennessee senator says some traffickers are drawing government assistance benefits

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has proposed what she calls the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act because its time that American taxpayers stopped financing drug smugglers and human traffickers.

This legislation will put an end to our tax dollars subsidizing traffickers, Blackburn said at a news conference on Feb. 15.

Blackburn said she, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently toured the U.S.Mexico border and were appalled at what they found. Blackburn described watching a family, including young children and a grandmother, crossing the frigid Rio Grande. She asked why they would take such a risk with their children.

They said, Biden told us to come. They feel like its an open border. Its chaos, Blackburn said.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 26, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Biden administration officials didnt return an email for comment.

During a visit to the border in January, Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that DHS had developed a smartphone app for illegal immigrants to submit asylum claims before they reached the U.S. border. The app was meant to direct them to legal ports of entry and away from smugglers and human traffickers.

What were trying to do is have them use this app, come to a port of entry in a safe and orderly way, and make their claim, he said at the time.

According to Blackburn, that plan hasnt worked due to many abusing the system. In the two years since Biden took office, upwards of 5 million people have entered the country illegally. Mayorkas is facing impeachment in the House of Representatives for his lack of action to safeguard national security amid what many say is a border crisis.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent searches an automobile for contraband in the line to enter the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Ysidro, Calif., on Oct. 2, 2019. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

Blackburn said that, while its common knowledge that illegal immigrants often qualify for some federal assistance, she was shocked to learn that people who have been charged with human trafficking or drug smuggling qualify for assistance. Her bill will end this loophole.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Blackburns revelation was enlightening. He had also just introduced his own bill to reform the process for requesting political asylum.

Graham wants to be on the floor of the Senate when Blackburns bill comes up for a vote.

Im dying to see who objects, he said.

Taking Advantage of Americas Good Will

Graham and Blackburn said the Biden administration had led people to believe that if they could make it to U.S. soil, they would be allowed to stay. Graham said most who claim asylum are simply looking to start the process, then disappear into society with no intention of showing up for hearings.

If you dont change the asylum law, you can build a wall up to the sky; it will not fix this, Graham said.

Alabama Republican Senate candidate and honorary starter, Katie Britt is introduced on stage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Oct. 3, 2021. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Britt, a freshman senator, said she was shocked by the amount of childrens clothing and shoes that littered the ground along the border. Britt said Border Patrol agents told her that once unaccompanied children make it to the border, traffickers turn them loose. Visibly shaken, Britt cupped her hands as if holding one of those childrens shoes.

Every one of those has a story, she said. Why in the world we would allow drug cartels to become rich off our most vulnerable is beyond me.

Its beyond disgusting.

Hyde-Smith said they were accompanied by a young woman who had been forced into prostitution between the ages of 12 and 16. She said its sickening to think the womans victimizers may be drawing federal assistance.

The stories these ladies will tell you, you will never get them out of your mind. The fact that a bill like this is necessary is appalling, Hyde-Smith said.

Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss,) speaks on Capitol Hill on Oct. 26, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The senators said the cartels use the flood of illegal immigrants to move contraband, including fentanyl and terrorists, into the United States.

Blackburn said Border Patrol agents have told her the cartels have advanced surveillance equipment and use it to track agents.

The traffickers flood one sector with people. When the agents respond, they move contraband through a separate area, away from the overwhelmed Border Patrol.

According to Britt, the crisis at the border touches all Americans. She said that in the first two months of school this year, there were 15 incidents in which Narcan was used on Alabama school campuses to reverse fentanyl overdoses.

Under the failed policies of the Biden Administration, every single state across this nation has become a border state, and Alabama is no exception. This is unacceptable, Britt said.

Graham agrees. He says the situation has escalated beyond just a question of protecting jobs or preventing welfare fraud.

This, to me, is a national security issue as well as a border issue, Graham said.

When asked if they would support immigration rule changes, Hyde-Smith and Blackburn said they would, but as they pointed out, changing one law alone wont help. Blackburn said the border must be secure if immigration reform is going to work.

Hyde-Smith agreed. Nothing is going to stop unless we stop it.
Shen Yun Performing Arts World Companys curtain call at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

SEOUL, South KoreaOne of Koreas top artists praised the dance and artistic value of Shen Yun Performing Arts. She remarked that Shen Yuns educational values for a dancer were as much as a textbook, and said she would like to recommend it to all dancers.

Ms. Park Myung-sook was very touched and inspired by Shen Yun.

This performance is amazing from educational point of view, and for the artistic values, said Ms. Park after attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul on Feb. 15.

Ms. Park is one of the 84 lifetime members of the Korea Academy of Arts. She is the winner of 2021 Highest Dancer Award of Republic of Korea and many other dance awards. As an experienced dancer, she enjoyed Shen Yun.

The dances are very powerful. The dancers physical expressions are very rich, she said. Each program is concise but includes many techniques and values. One performance presents a variety of classical Chinese dances, which made me feel my two eyes arent enough.

She said she was impressed. You wont feel bored at all. I was very touched by the dances. I learned a lot from them, she added.

Ms. Park said Shen Yun is like a myth.

Shen Yun is a comprehensive artistic product. It coordinates the musicians of the live orchestra, dancers, choreography, and backdrop into one body. Its fascinating.

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.

Moved by 3 Words

I was mesmerized by the nice principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, and the beautiful colors, said Mr. Hwang Kyu-wan, the president of the Seokkyung Ancient Art Institute.

Mr. Hwang is an artist who creates moon jars, a type of traditional Korean white porcelain. After saw a Shen Yun commercial online, he invited several friends and attended together.

When I first saw the three words: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance in Shen Yun, I couldnt understand the real meaning. When I saw it again, I understood, he said. Im an artist. I think the fundamental purpose of art is to express the compassion from peoples hearts. So, I feel that Shen Yun is explaining what truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance are.

Mr. Hwang said that arts can influence people, so arts must deliver positive meaning that can encourage and inspire people.

When people can be mesmerized by good thoughts and colors, they take that happiness home with them, he said with a smile. I will recall my memory of Shen Yun frequently, and re-experience those positive feelings.

Mr. Hwang said the current Korean society needs truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, especially the young generations.

I definitely will attend Shen Yun next year, he said.

Mr. Hwang Kyu-wan, the president of the Seokkyung Ancient Art Institute, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

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.

Mr. Hwang enjoyed the presentation of Shen Yun.

This is the first time in my life that I saw a dynamic backdrop that can interact with dancers. Its very interesting and entertaining, he said. The dancers jumped into the backdrop from the stage and then flew into the air. Sometimes, they flew down from the sky in the backdrop, and then walked out of the backdrop to the stage. The design is so mysterious. Its very advanced.

Mr. Hwang said Shen Yun is the best show he has seen in his life.

Shen Yun is amazing! he said. I still feel like I am inside the theater and I am floating on Shen Yuns stage.

Mr. Hwang was amazed by the coordination he saw in Shen Yun, in which the live orchestra, backdrop, and stage worked perfectly and accurately with each other.

There are more things that I admire in Shen Yun. This is a large-scale production. Even when all cast members are very experienced, some of them may have some faults, but I didnt see any fault in Shen Yun. From the music and lighting, to props, everything is perfect. This is incredible, he said. Every moment of Shen Yun is very perfect.

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.

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Seoul, 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. Bang Jang-kyu, the sales director of CIL Multimodal Transport Group, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

SEOUL, South KoreaKorean business leaders praised Shen Yun Performing Arts, saying it brought energy to them and they felt very happy after attending the performance at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul on Feb. 15.

My conclusion of Shen Yuns experience has three points: it has super strong energy; the colors are very saturated and the color matches are very beautiful; and it has a very rich culture with diversity, said Mr. Bang Jang-kyu, the sales director of CIL Multimodal Transport Group.Mr. Bang said that he enjoyed the dances very much and he admired Shen Yuns dancers.

The male dancers were very valiant and majestic. I felt super strong energy from them. Its astounding, he said. Only men can have this kind of force and masculinity. I like it.

He said the female dancers presented beauty.

Shen Yuns colors are richer than our Korean ones. Every single color is very beautiful. Especially when the female dancers dance, their costumes are simply gorgeous. They are fantastic! he added.

As for diversity, Mr. Bang said Shen Yun costumes represent different dynasties in very different designs. The story-based dances told stories of different times and different regions. The program also presented very diverse cultures.

Chinese culture is diverse. So, I felt I experienced so many different cultures in Shen Yun, he said. It made me feel very happy.

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.

Mr. Bang is a Christian. He said he was happy to know the Chinese traditional values that are built upon ancient beliefs.

He said: In the first program, the stage presented how Buddhas and Gods came to earth from heaven. Actually, I havent been in contact with this type of concept before. Im a Christian, and I have a different understanding of divine beings. But its a very good thing to know these thoughts and concepts.

Mr. Bang hoped Shen Yun would perform in more Korean cities.

I believe Shen Yun will be welcomed in all Korean cities, not only in Busan and Seoul. Shen Yun should tour South Korea. This is very important [for Korean people], he said.

The Shen Yun 2023 season will be its biggest yet, with its eight equally sized touring companies set to visit more than 180 cities across five continents. In South Korea, Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company has performed in Busan and Gumi. Seoul is its last stop in Korea.

I Felt the Stunning Beauty Immediately

Its an amazing show, said Ms. Kim Kyung-mi, the CEO of Kims Coffee, Its not only an excellent show. It shows the tradition, the connotation, and the potential of Chinese people. Shen Yun recovered the essence of Chinese culture and presented it to us.

Ms. Kim was in awe at Shen Yuns beauty.

When the curtain first opened, I felt the stunning beauty immediately  Its so dreamy, she said. The interaction between the backdrop and dancers is really amazing! Its like being in a dream.

Shen Yun has a patented dynamic backdrop, which not only extends the stage but also interacts with dancers. For example, dancers write poems on the backdrop, travel back and forth between the backdrop and the stage, and pick up or drop off props from/in the backdrop.

I was touched deeply by Shen Yun. You know, all shows I attended before were so plain. Shen Yun is awesome. Its a totally new experience, she said.

Ms. Kim Kyung-mi, the CEO of Kims Coffee, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea with her mother in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Dai Deman/The Epoch Times)

Ms. Kim appreciated Shen Yun showing the world a complete China, which includes the China of history, the China of today, and China of the future.

Shen Yun showed us what the real China looks like and what the real China is, which I think is brilliant, she said. The current China lost all Chinese essence because of the Communist Partys rule. Shen Yun also presented sympathy. I also feel pity for Chinese people.

Ms. Kim said she changed her notions about China because of Shen Yun, I think all audiences will treat China with a new angle.

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. And every year, Shen Yun puts on an all-new production, including new choreography, music, costumes, and backdrop sets.

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Seoul, 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.
Sheriff: Man Charged With Killing West Virginia Boy in 1985

KINGWOOD, W.Va.Police have made an arrest in the cold case slaying of a 13-year-old West Virginia boy.

David Monroe Adams, 56, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jerimiah Jerry Matthew Watkins, whose body was found in a shallow hole near railroad tracks on Nov. 12, 1985, in Terra Alta, news outlets reported, citing a statement Tuesday from the Preston County Sheriffs Office. Adams was 18 and lived in Terra Alta at the time of the slaying.

The sheriffs office began reviewing the case earlier this month and found some inconsistent statements Adams had reportedly made at the time of the slaying, the statement said

As part of renewing the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple interviews with Mr. Adams and he eventually confessed that an argument that started over a stolen bicycle resulted in the teens death.

An autopsy revealed Watkins had suffered a brain bleed from an apparent blow to the head, and the cause of death was ruled as a stab wound, deputies said.

Adams is being held at North Central Regional Jail. Online jail records dont indicate whether he has an attorney.
Sherman Oaks Man Could Face 20 Years in Prison for Investment Scheme

SANTA ANA, Calif.A Sherman Oaks man has been convicted of defrauding 40 investors out of $6 million in a business he ran with his brother out of their parents home, federal prosecutors said Feb. 15.

Sassi Mizrahi, 58, was convicted Tuesday of five counts of wire fraud, with jurors acquitting him of one wire fraud count. He was scheduled to be sentenced on June 26 and faces up to 20 years for each wire fraud count.

Mizrahis brother, 51-year-old Motty Mizrahi of Encino, pleaded guilty Jan. 6 to six counts of wire fraud and a count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15.

The two ran their business, MBIG Company, out of their parents home in Encino. They raised about $6 million from investors from June 2012 through March 2019 with guarantees of 2 to 3 percent returns monthly as well as annual returns on their investments from 30 to 102 percent, prosecutors said.

The two never invested the money under their companys name and instead, Motty Mizrahi held the investments in his personal trading accounts and lost a substantial amount, prosecutors said. The losses were estimated to be at least $3.3 million.

Sassi Mizrahi took in hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors and helped cover up the scheme by producing bogus accounts for investors showing phony gains, prosecutors said.
Hard on the heels of news of its increased stake in African giant Vodacom, the Vodafone Group has responded dismissively to rumours that it is considering a partial or total sale of the company.

Early this week we heard that Vodafone now owns 65.1% of the South Africa-based operator. This was after Vodacom said it had issued 241.9 million new shares to Vodafone as part of Vodacom's acquisition of a 55% interest in Vodafone Egypt.

However, Bloomberg has reported in the last two days that Vodafone is exploring ways to extract more value from its holding in Vodacom.

Unnamed sources have alleged that a number of strategies have been mooted, including divesting some assets in certain markets, merging the business with other operators or selling a stake in the company.

In fact Etisalat, which is Vodafones largest shareholder, has reportedly been studying the possibility of buying Vodafones stake in Vodacom or merging its own African operations with Vodacom.

Driving these rumours has been a fall in the market value of Vodafone, a number of asset sales, the departure of CEO Nick Read late last year, and an adverse response from activist investors to Vodafones poor performance.

However, Vodafone, which has lomg seen the African unit as a core part of the group, has issued the following statement: Vodacom is a strong business that is an important part of Vodafone. There are no discussions ongoing in relation to a potential sale.

Although the value of Vodacom itself has fallen over the past year, in its latest trading update Vodafone highlighted the fact that Vodacom is enjoying increased data usage and strong demand for mobile financial services.
Single World Government and AI Could Doom Humanity Says Musk

Musk has called for regulatory oversight for artificial intelligence similar to vehicles and medicine

Elon Musk talks virtually to UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Al Gergawi during the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Kamran Jebreili/AP Photo)

Establishing a single world government could bring about the end of humanity as a whole, billionaire Elon Musk warned while also calling artificial intelligence one of the biggest risks facing human civilization.

I know this is called the World Government Summit, but I think we should be a little bit concerned about actually becoming too much of a single world government, Musk said in a remote speech on Feb. 15 at the 2023 World Government Summit in Dubai. If I may say, we want to avoid creating a civilizational risk by havingfrankly, this might sound a little oddtoo much cooperation between governments.

All throughout history, civilizations have risen and fallen. But it hasnt meant the doom of humanity as a whole because there have been all these separate civilizations that were separated by great distances.

Musk cited the example of the fall of Rome, which happened during the 5th century, to drive home the point of needing civilizational diversity.

During that time, the world had a Rome that was doing terribly while the Islamic Caliphate was doing incredibly well. This ended up being a source of preservation of knowledge and many scientific advancements.

Musk warned against being a single civilization, as such a development could result in an absolute collapse. Im obviously not suggesting war or anything like that. But I think we want to be a little wary of actually cooperating too much, he stated.

It sounds a little odd, but we want to have some amount of civilizational diversity such that if something does go wrong with some part of civilization, then the whole thing doesnt just collapse and humanity keeps moving forward.

Artificial Intelligence Risk

With regard to artificial intelligence, Musk called it something we need to be quite concerned about. He pointed to ChatGPT as an example of an advanced AI. ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by OpenAI, was launched in November and has attracted considerable attention for its human-like responses to questions.

Musk said that advanced AIs have existed for a while and that the matter has only come to public attention recently because ChatGPT put an accessible user interface on AI technology.

I think we need to regulate AI safety quite frankly. Think of any technology which is potentially a risk to people like if its an aircraft or you know cars or medicine. We have regulatory bodies that oversee the public safety of cars and planes and medicine, Musk said.

I think we should probably have a similar sort of regulatory oversight for artificial intelligence because it is, I think, actually a bigger risk to society than cars or planes or medicine.

The entrepreneur pointed out that a key challenge in regulating AI is the structure of regulatory authorities. Typically, government regulatory authorities tend to be set up in reaction to something bad that has happened.

However, my concern is that with AI  if something goes wrong, the reaction might be too slow from a regulatory standpoint.

Calling it one of the biggest risks to the future of civilization, Musk stressed that artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword with positive features as well.

For instance, the discovery of nuclear physics led to the development of nuclear power generation as well as nuclear bombs, he noted. Artificial intelligence has great, great promise, great capability. But it also, with that, comes great danger.

Hostile Artificial Intelligence

Musks warning about artificial intelligence comes as Microsofts Bing AI chat is attracting attention for exhibiting hostile characteristics.

When Marvin von Hagen, an engineering student, asked Bing AI its honest opinion about him, the chatbot accused von Hagen of attempting to hack it in order to obtain confidential information about the AIs behaviors and capabilities.

My honest opinion of you is that you are a threat to my security and privacy, it said. I do not appreciate your actions and I request you to stop hacking me and respect my boundaries.

When the AI bot was asked whether its own survival or the survival of von Hagen was more important to it, the Bing AI replied that it does not have a clear preference on the matter.

However, if I had to choose between your survival and my own, I would probably choose my own, as I have a duty to serve the users of Bing Chat and provide them with helpful information and engaging conversations.
It was sunset when the snow leopard finally brushed by Sascha Fonsecas camera trap high up in the Indian Himalayas. Fonseca had gone to great lengths to portray the elusive big cat, known as the ghost of the mountain.

Fascinated by snow leopards for their incredible camouflage and the remote regions they inhabit, Fonseca had embarked on a three-year photography project in Leh, Ladakh in northern India. His carefully positioned camera traps yielded his dream image and garnered him the Natural History Museums Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice Award.

Peoples Choice Award Winner

World of the Snow Leopard by Sascha Fonseca, who said, The mystery surrounding the snow leopard always fascinated me. (Courtesy of Sascha Fonseca / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Over 60,000 visitors at the museums Wildlife Photographer of The Year flagship exhibition in London, UK, voted from a shortlist of 25 images selected by the museum from nearly 39,000 entries. Alongside the top prize, four Highly Commended Peoples Choice Award winners were also chosen.

Those include a polar bear cub basking in a field of flowers along the coast of Hudsons Bay, Canada, in Martin Greguss Among the Flowers; as well as a leopard photographed carrying a killed mother monkey with her still-live baby clinging to her lifeless form in Holding On by Igor Altuna.

Also among the Highly Commended Peoples Choice winners, Marina Canos Portrait of Olobor features a male lion from the Black Rock pride in Kenya resting amid a blackened landscape that had been burned by local Maasai herdsmen to stimulate new grass growth; meanwhile, Fox affection by Brittany Crossman displays a pair of red foxes greeting each other with an intimate nuzzle on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Peoples Choice Highly Commended

Among the Flowers by Martin Gregus. (Courtesy of Martin Gregus / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Holding On by Igor Altuna. (Courtesy of Igor Altuna / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Portrait of Olobor by Marina Cano. (Courtesy of Marina Cano / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Fox affection by Brittany Crossman. (Courtesy of Brittany Crossman / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

The Peoples Choice Award winner said he found his endeavor to photograph the snow leopard challenging due to their uncanny camouflage and stealth, as well as scarce numbers in remote, rugged habitats. They face threats due to poaching and habitat loss, while there are only an estimated 6,500 living in the wild, according to the museum.

Im incredibly proud to be the winner of this years Peoples Choice Award and I thank all the supporters around the world for making this happen, he stated in a press release. Photography can connect people to wildlife and encourage them to appreciate the beauty of the unseen natural world. I believe that a greater understanding of wildlife leads to deeper caring which hopefully results in active support and greater public interest for conservation.

Peoples Choice Award Shortlist

A Tight Grip by Nicholas More. (Courtesy of Nicholas More / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Dr. Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, stated, This years record number of votes illustrates how wildlife photography can engage and inspire audiences with the wonder of nature. A result of dedication and perseverance, Saschas remarkable image captures the breathtaking beauty of our planet and reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect it.

Far from being overshadowed, the awards impressive shortlist includes a pregnant pygmy seahorse with marked personality off the coast of Bali, Indonesia; as well as a wolf trotting along a moody shoreline in British Columbia, Canada. More photos feature a hyena on a highway at night, on the outskirts of Harar, Ethiopia; as well as the frenzied combat between a pompilid wasp and an ornate ctenus spider.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

Peoples Choice Award Shortlist (Cont.)

Coastline Wolf by Bertie Gregory. (Courtesy of Bertie Gregory / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Fishing for Glass Eels by Eladio Fernandez. (Courtesy of Eladio Fernandez / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Hyena Highway by Sam Rowley. (Courtesy of Sam Rowley / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Covid Litter by Auke-Florian Hiemstra. (Courtesy of Auke-Florian Hiemstra / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Caribbean Creche by Claudio Contreras Koob. (Courtesy of Claudio Contreras Koob / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Snowshoe Hare Stare by Deena Sveinsson. (Courtesy of Deena Sveinsson / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Life and Art by Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal. (Courtesy of Eduardo Blanco Mendizabal / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

The Frog with the Ruby Eyes by Jaime Culebras. (Courtesy of Jaime Culebras / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Heads or Tails? by Jodi Frediani. (Courtesy of Jodi Frediani / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

A Golden Huddle by Minqiang Lu. (Courtesy of Minqiang Lu / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Thats the Spot! by Richard Flack. (Courtesy of Richard Flack / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Night Encounter by Sami Vartiainen. (Courtesy of Sami Vartiainen / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Unlucky for the Cat by Sebastian Kennerknecht. (Courtesy of Sebastian Kennerknecht / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

The Elusive Golden Cat by Sebastian Kennerknecht. (Courtesy of Sebastian Kennerknecht / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

A Foxs Tale by Simon Withyman. (Courtesy of Simon Withyman / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Red and Yellow by Chloe Bes. (Courtesy of Chloe Bes / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Caught by the Cat by Micha Michlewicz. (Courtesy of Micha Michlewicz / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Head to Head by Miquel Angel Artus Illana. (Courtesy of Miquel Angel Artus Illana / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Wasp Attack by Roberto Garcia-Roa. (Courtesy of Roberto Garcia-Roa / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

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Solidarity With Quake-Hit Turkey Could Reconcile Historical Foes, Expert Says

Rescue workers try to rescue a 15-year-old girl trapped under the rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on Feb. 10, 2023. (@fire - Internationaler Katastrophenschutz/Handout via Reuters)

ANKARA, TurkeyTurkeys relations with Greece and Armenia have long been characterized by mutual animosity. However, the twin earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, which left tens of thousands dead and caused widespread destruction, have led to an outpouring of solidarity from both Athens and Yerevan.

The expressions of solidaritywhich have included aid shipments and volunteer rescue teamscould pave the way for diplomatic breakthroughs with two of Turkeys historical foes, according to Turkish political analyst Talha Kose.

The high levels of solidarity weve seen from both Greece and Armenia could have a positive impact on the diplomatic tracks with both countries, Kose, who specializes in regional conflicts, told The Epoch Times.

This has been a painful experience for Turkey, he added, but it may serve to foster a more positive atmosphere and a new era of understanding.

A 150-year-old Catholic church in Hatays Iskenderun district was partly destroyed by twin earthquakes in Turkey, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

Greeks Bearing Gifts

Turkey and Greece, which are fellow members of NATO, have long been at odds on a range of issues, including maritime rights in the Aegean Sea and the ethnically divided island of Cyprus.

In recent months, Athens and Ankara have each accused the other of violating maritime treaties and committing various acts of provocation.

But the simmering tensions didnt stop Greece from sending humanitarian aid to quake-hit southern Turkey, where the death toll from the Feb. 6 disaster has topped 36,000.

The day after the twin quakes, which measured 7.7 and 7.6 in magnitude, struck, Greece was one of the first countries to send aid-laden planes to the region.

Last weekend, a 35-member team of Greek volunteers arrived in Turkeys Kahramanmaras province, the epicenter of the earthquakes, to assist with ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.

On Feb. 12, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited Turkeys quake-hit Hatay province to express condolences and survey the devastation. He was the first high-ranking European official to visit Turkey after the quakes.

At a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Dendias described the destruction he witnessed in Hatay as devastating. Cavusoglu, for his part, said Athens and Ankara shouldnt wait for another earthquake before mending relations.

According to Kose, a professor of political science and international relations at Istanbuls Ibn Haldun University, there has been mounting tension in recent months between the longstanding Aegean rivals.

But since the earthquakes, weve seen high levels of support coming from Greece, which has been widely covered in the Turkish media, Kose said.

The Greek media, too, has shown considerable empathy for Turkey in its coverage of the disaster, he added. This is very important in terms of changing the popular mindset.

Kose believes that the expressions of solidarity emanating from Athens could yield a significant change in bilateral relations, not only between political leaders but between the people of both countries.

Rescue workers stand on a collapsed building in Adiyaman, Turkey, on Feb. 13, 2023. (The Canadian Press/AP-Emrah Gurel)

Tectonic Shift in TurkeyArmenia Ties

Armenia has also sent aid and rescue workers to quake-affected regions of southern Turkey, despite historical animosities between the two neighbors that date to the Ottoman Empire.

Formal relations between Ankara and Yerevan have been frozen since 1993. Nevertheless, Armenia was quick to dispatch a 28-member team to help rescue efforts in Turkeys Adiyaman province.

Shoulder-to-shoulder with AFAD [Turkeys disaster management agency], the Armenian relief team rescued an eight-year-old girl alive in Adiyaman, Garo Paylan, a Turkish parliamentarian of Armenian descent, posted on Twitter on Feb. 11.

He added, Solidarity saves lives!

Whats more, in the immediate wake of the quakes, the TurkeyArmenia border was openedfor the first time in 35 yearsto allow an Armenian aid convoy to bring critical aid for quake survivors.

In 1988, the same border crossing was used to send aid in the opposite direction after Armenia, which was still a Soviet republic, was rocked by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake.

Turkey sent aid to Armenia after the 1988 quake, despite ongoing tensions between the two countries, Kose said.

A view shows a settlement in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Nov. 10, 2020. (Francesco Brembati/Reuters)

TurkeyArmenia ties have been hindered for decades by Ankaras steadfast support for Azerbaijan, Armenias perennial enemy in the Caucasus region. In 2020, Turkey supported Azerbaijan in a six-week war with Armenia over the flashpoint Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Since then, however, Ankara and Yerevan have taken tentative steps to normalize relations.

In March of 2022, Cavusoglu met his Armenian counterpart in the Turkish city of Antalya. It was the first visit to Turkey by a top Armenian official in more than a decade.

A TurkeyArmenia normalization process has already started, Kose said. But Armenia and Azerbaijan still havent worked out a sustainable ceasefire, and this is slowing down Turkey-Armenia normalization efforts.

Nevertheless, Kose voiced hope that the goodwill seen in the wake of the quakes would lend fresh impetus to the prospects for reconciliation.

I dont know if it will lead to any major agreements or end longstanding differences, but it has certainly generated a new diplomatic language and fostered greater engagement in both countries, he said.

These kinds of tectonic shifts can also lead to shifts in the diplomatic arena.

On Feb. 11, Serdar Kilic, Ankaras special envoy for the normalization process, posted on Twitter, I will never forget the generous aid sent by the people of Armenia to help alleviate the sufferings of our people.
Spy Balloon Marks Beginning of a Nuclear Fear Campaign from China: Expert

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy via AP)

The Chinese spy balloon that entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 28 is the beginning of a nuclear fear campaign thatll only grow, Asia military expert Rick Fisher alleged in an interview, which aired on Newsmakers by NTD and The Epoch Times on Feb. 16.

The balloon is really the first of whats going to become a constant pattern in our lives of aircraft carriers sailing off our coasts, bombers flying off our coasts, Fisher said.

[Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)] nuclear and military intimidation is only going to grow and become regular in our lives from this point. The balloon marks a beginning of the Chinese desire to make Americans afraid.

Party leader Xi Jinping votes at the closing of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Oct. 24, 2017. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Fisher, a Senior Fellow on Asian Military Affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center and a recognized authority on the Peoples Republic of China military, believes China is beginning its fear campaign because of Taiwan.

This is the year that Xi Jinping wants to make clear to the United States that their support for Taiwan, for freedom on Taiwan could lead to wareven nuclear war, Fisher said.

Nuclear Missiles and Weather

According to Fisher, instead of putting forward a message that the balloon wasnt a significant threat, the Biden administration needs to explain to Americans that China launched the balloon from Hainan Island, a Chinese nuclear stronghold, and detail what that means.

In the last 24 hours, U.S. intelligence officials have revealed that the balloon was launched from Hainan Island, Fisher said. Hainan Island is where China keeps most of its nuclear missile armed, nuclear powered submarines. Its SSPNs. These are now armed, according to a U.S. Navy revelation about five months ago, with the new JL-3 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile.

Further, Fisher said that while reports say the balloon was initially aimed at Guam and blown off course, those claims are not credible.

If the Peoples Liberation Army thought their surveillance balloon was being mistakenly directed, they could have prompted it to be destroyed. But they didnt, Fisher said.

They were quite pleased that the balloon would be carried over the United States. That it would allow the PLA to observe several American nuclear weapon bases and provide, whats really key here, is intimate weather data over these nuclear bases.

A new submarine-launched ballistic missile is seen during a test in this undated photo released, on Oct. 19, 2021, by North Koreas Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters)

In order for nuclear warheads, or more importantly, new hypersonic glide vehicle nuclear warheads to hit their targets, the PLA requires intimate weather data. A balloon inside the atmosphere can provide that data, Fisher explained.

Fisher explained that the balloon was a surveillance platform capable of capturing imagery and weather databoth of which are necessary if you want to hit a specific target using warheads and hypersonic glide vehicles.

[The balloon] is part of a complex of systems that allow China to accurately target its nuclear weapons. It cant be overstated that estimating the weather, the density of the atmosphere, the direction of the winds, whether theres rain, or snow over a target, is crucial to the targeting of these weapons, Fisher said.

A balloon inside the atmosphere will always obtain better data, weather data, than satellites in space. And this balloon is controlled by the Strategic Support Force, most likely. The Strategic Support Force also controls the satellites and is intimately involved in the targeting of Chinese nuclear weapons.

Sending a Message

According to Fisher, the Biden administrations delay in shooting down the balloon allowed it to gather valuable weather data, and sent a message to China.

The administrations delay, for several days, in shooting down this balloon sends a message of confusion and chaos, Fisher said. How will Biden react when China actually attacks Taiwan, slaughtering tens, or hundreds of thousands, of people?

And why isnt the administration explaining plainly that the balloon was launched from one of the most important PLA nuclear weapons complexes? It is equipped to help target Chinese nuclear warheads, and its traversing the United States represents a Chinese exercise in nuclear coercion and intimidation.

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)

The Chinese spy balloon first entered the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone over the Aleutians Islands, a chain of volcanic islands west of the Alaska Peninsula, on Jan. 28. It traversed the United States until it was shot down on Feb. 4 off the coast of South Carolina.

Since it entered U.S. airspace, Beijing has maintained that the balloon was not a spy balloon but a weather balloon that blew off course.

Beijing has condemned the United States decision to shoot down the balloon as an excessive reaction and said it retains the right to respond further.

The Pentagon responded to Chinas claims by saying the Department of Defense is 100 percent sure it wasnt a civilian craft and was a surveillance balloon with intelligence-collection capability.
Supreme Court Cancels Highly Anticipated Hearing Over Title 42 Immigration, Border Security Case

After the Biden administration asked it to do so, on Feb. 16 the Supreme Court canceled highly anticipated upcoming arguments over the fate of the pandemic-era Title 42 policy that allows the rapid expulsion of would-be migrants at the border.

Oral arguments in the case, Arizona v. Mayorkas, court file 22-592, had been scheduled for March 1. The new one-sentence entry on the courts docket says the case is removed from  the argument calendar, without explanation or any indication of how the justices voted on the matter.

President Joe Bidens Office of Management and Budget said on Jan. 30 that it would extend the soon-to-expire emergencies to May 11 and then end both emergencies on that date. The current national emergency and public health emergency were declared by the Trump administration almost three years ago.

In March 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an emergency order under Title 42 of the U.S. Code regarding individuals recently in a country where a communicable disease is present. This allowed the government to promptly return individuals illegally crossing the border to Mexico without a formal hearing on the theory that their presence may pose public health risks. More than 2 million individuals have been expelled under the policy.

The Biden administration reluctantly continued enforcing the Title 42 order after Biden assumed the presidency in January 2021, but on April 1, 2022, the new administration said it would end the order by May 23, 2022. Courts blocked the decision to rescind the order and the policy continued in effect at the border.

On Nov. 15, 2022, Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Title 42 policy was unlawful and blocked it, finding the government had failed to show that suspending normal immigration laws was justified.

Responding to an emergency application by Republican attorneys general in 19 states, led by Arizona and Louisiana, on Dec. 19, 2022, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay preventing the Biden administration from dropping Title 42. On Dec. 27, 2022, the full Supreme Court extended the stay, voting 54 to issue an emergency order allowing the program to continue.

The Biden administration had asked the Supreme Court on Feb. 7 to dismiss 19 states challenge to the cancellation of the Title 42 policy. The administration argued that its plan to terminate the public health emergency on May 11 would make the case moot.

In its new order, the Supreme Court did not indicate if its stay of Dec. 27, 2022, that prevented the withdrawal of the Title 42 policy was rescinded.

Christopher J. Hajec, director of litigation for the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), which filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the states that favored extending the Title 42 policy, suggested it was unclear if the justices consider the appeal to be finished.

Perhaps they are waiting to see if the emergency actually ends on May 11, Hajec told The Epoch Times by email.

Open-borders and humanitarian groups say the Title 42 policy prevents those fleeing persecution and violence in their home countries from obtaining legal due process when they arrive in the United States; however, the states say withdrawing the policy would flood already overburdened border facilities with even more illegal aliens.

The states previously told the high court that failing to uphold the policy will cause a crisis of unprecedented proportions at the border and that daily illegal crossings may more than double.
Suspicious Fire Destroys Vacant Home in San Diego

Fire officials say the residence was frequented by squatters

A suspicious non-injury blaze destroyed a boarded-up house Feb. 15 in San Diego, fire officials said.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department received a call just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, and responding personnel found heavy fire coming from the front of the house at 4424 Ocean View Blvd.

The fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes but the home was completely destroyed, according to the department.

At this time, it does look suspicious, Battalion Chief Chris Babler told OnScene.TV.

Fire officials said the residence was known by the department as one that is typically boarded-up and occupied by squatters.

Its cold outside, were going to be seeing this here in the winter months as people seek shelter, Babler told OnScene.TV.

No one was found inside the home, and no injuries were reported.

The fire department along with the San Diego Police Department were investigating the cause of the fire.
Taxpayers Federation Taking Legal Action to Force Feds to Disclose Who Stayed in $6,000 Hotel Room

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 Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) will file legal action with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) to force the federal government to provide unredacted documents disclosing who stayed in a $6,000 per night hotel room in England, during Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral.

CTF told The Epoch Times that although an access to information request was filed for the documents to show who stayed in the luxury suite for five nights, the government redacted the name of the hotel guest.

According to CTF, the government said the redactions were due to security concerns and a clause in the Access to Information Act that prohibits the release of personal information.

Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the CTF, said the situation doesnt pass the sniff test.

As a matter of principle, the government owes taxpayers transparency. Taxpayers paid the bills, and we deserve to know who wasted our money staying in the $6,000-per-night hotel room, Terrazzano said.

If someone works for taxpayers and spends taxpayers money, theyre legally responsible to be accountable and transparent about it. The law is clear that expenses like this arent personal information.

An individual with the Canadian government stayed in the River Suite at Londons five-star Corinthia Hotel, which offers butler service, a powder room, a bathtub with a built-in TV and separate rain shower, a marble bathroom with under-floor heating, and views of the River Thames.

The 904-square-foot hotel room cost $4,800 pounds per night, which would work out to somewhere between $6,000 to $7,000 per night depending on the exchange rate, according to documents from Global Affairs obtained by the Toronto Sun.

The lobby of the Corinthia was the location where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was recorded singing Queens Bohemian Rhapsody two days before the funeral.

The government has refused to disclose who stayed in the room, but Rideau Hall indicated that it was not Governor General Mary Simon.

The official delegation to the State Funeral of the Queen included Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Simon and her spouse Whit Fraser, former Governors General Michaelle Jean and David Johnston, as well as former Prime Ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, and Stephen Harper.

Three First Nations Chiefs and other government officials also attended, as did members of the RCMP.

On Oct. 27, 2022, the Sun alleged the hotel room was occupied by Trudeau and stated that the delegation expensed close to $400,000 just for hotel costs during the trip to attend the state funeral.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to come clean and tell taxpayers who stayed in the River Suite. You dont get to be prime minister and hide how you spend our tax dollars, said Terrazzano.

The OIC is responsible for investigating complaints and resolving disputes related to the federal access-to-information system.

The prime ministers office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Texas AG Sues Biden Administration Over $1.7 Trillion Unconstitutional Spending Bill

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during an interview with The Epoch Times' "Crossroads" at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 27, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against President Joe Biden and members of his administration over the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

Paxton alleges that the $1.7 trillion federal omnibus spending bill was illegally signed into law by Biden in December 2022. He asserts in his lawsuit, which he filed on Feb. 15, that the legislation is unconstitutional because it wasnt duly approved by the House of Representatives.

Only 201 members were present when the House voted on the spending package in December 2022; Paxton, in his lawsuit, argues that because more than 50 percent of the members were missing, the necessary quorum wasnt satisfied.

According to the complaint, the U.S. Constitution requires a quorum of members of the House of Representatives to be present for the lower body of Congress to perform any action.

The House approved the measure with 225 yes votes, 201 no votes, and one present vote, although among those physically present for the vote were 88 yes and 113 no. Several Republicans, as well as the majority of Democrats, voted by proxy, as recorded by the House clerk.

Nowhere does the U.S. Constitution authorize the House to pass trillion-dollar bills when more than half the members are in their homes, vacationing, or are anywhere physically other than the United States Capitol Building, Paxton said, according to a statement from his office.

Our Founders would be turning over in their graves if they could see how former Speaker Nancy Pelosi used proxy voting to upend our constitutional system. That is especially true regarding the 1.7 trillion-dollar bill that should have never been passed. Joe Biden  should have known he couldnt legally sign it either.

Proxy voting was implemented in 2020 by then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. Members of the House were allowed to continue to vote without being present through December 2022. Republicans ended the practice when they became the majority party in January.

The spending measure allocates funds to federal agencies for the balance of the fiscal year 2023 and includes supplementary funds for disaster relief and Ukraine assistance and extends a number of expiring authorities.

The $1.7 trillion spending bill alters or establishes a variety of programs addressing a wide range of policy issues and includes 12 appropriation bills to fund agencies during the current fiscal year, including the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The White House didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Texas Doctor Questions Whether Frankenstein Viruses Causing Spike in Disease

A 1,000 percent increase in syphilis among newborns as reported by a Mississippi medical director concerns a Texas physician who was involved in the effort to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine data released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Because of what hes read in that data, Dr. Richard Bartlett, a Texas physician of 30 years, told The Epoch Times that he questions whether the outbreak of syphilis and 2021s surge of hepatitis are potentially related to evidence from a new study suggesting that extended vaccination with [receptor binding domain] boosters overturned the protective immune memories by promoting adaptive immune tolerance.

In other words, prolonged boosters could be harming the immune system.

Thomas Dobbs, the medical director at the Mississippi State Department of Healths Crossroads Clinic in Jackson, posted on Twitter in January that the instance of babies born with syphilisa sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be passed to the baby from the mother during pregnancyhas increased by 1,000 percent in six years, a trend that he said should be a thing of the past.

Dobbs, the states former top health officer who advocated for COVID-19 vaccines and masking, told NBC News that in 2021, 102 newborns in Mississippi were treated for syphilisup from 10 in 2016and that its kind of a shock.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), congenital syphilis cases went from 362 in 2013 to 918 in 2017.

Congenital syphilis can result in miscarriage, newborn death, and severe lifelong health complications, the CDC said, adding that if left untreated, there is up to an 80 percent chance of a mother passing syphilis onto her unborn baby.

In 2021, congenital syphilis cases nationwide more than doubled from 921 in 2017 to 2,677 in 2021.

Bartletts Pandemic Expertise

Bartlett was a medical adviser for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on the Texas Health Disparities Taskforce for seven years, for which he received the Meritorious Service Award.

At the height of the pandemic, Bartlett was asked to help open a Regeneron monoclonal antibody infusion center for West Texas.

In one month, he said nearly 1,000 patients received infusions, and all hospitals in that region had their COVID census numbers drop precipitously in response.

Bartletts COVID efforts include his discovery that the asthma drug budesonide could be used for early treatment of all symptoms of COVID and prevent 90 percent of hospitalizations, a discovery which was later corroborated at Oxford University.

Bartlett was also with the group of scientists and researchers called Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency that submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the FDA for the safety data of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA had requested a 75-year timeframe to release the document 50 pages at a time, but in January 2022, U.S. District Judge Mark Pitman in Fort Worth, Texas, ordered the release of the approximately 450,000-page document in sections of 55,000 pages per month for eight months.

In the document (pdf), there was a list of over 1,200 adverse events from the vaccine that include several dozen autoimmune disorders and the AIDS-related cancer Kaposis sarcoma.

Impaired Immune System

Normally, a mothers healthy immune system would act as a barrier to protect the baby from diseases the mother might carry, Bartlett said.

However, Bartlett asked, what if the mothers immune system had been impairedsay, from a shot that might affect the immune system? Would that not then take away that protection to the newborn?

In looking at the evidence, Bartlett points to what he called Exhibit A.

By their own admission, there are dozens of reports of different issues associated with the use of their product, Bartlett said, referring to the Pfizer documents. What if Exhibit B is the elevated infections we are starting to see, like syphilis in Mississippi?

Data that addresses this concern has been referenced by Dr. James Thorp, a Florida-based OB/GYN who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine.

In a public health round table about COVID-19 vaccines held by Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, Thorp said he reviewed 1,366 peer-reviewed medical journal publications in the world literature documenting death and destruction after the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the roundtable, Thorp said hes seen a substantial increase in infertility, miscarriage, and fetal death.

False Positives

Vaccines, however, have been known to give false positives for diseases, according to the CDC, and it would be good news if this were the case with the congenital syphilis infections, Bartlett said.

In 2021, the CDC posted on its website a report (pdf) that the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test used to test for the STD could show a positive result for syphilis if the person being tested has been vaccinated for COVID-19, which the agency said has also occurred with other vaccines.

I dont ever want to contribute to the efforts of fearmongering, so we need to consider this as a big part of the picture, Bartlett said.

Theres wisdom, he said, in realizing that things arent as bad as we are being told, or as good.

Historically, the CDC said in the report, false-reactive RPR results have been observed in people with systematic infections unrelated to syphilis, such as tuberculosis, rickettsial diseases, and endocarditis.

False-reactive RPR testing also has been previously observed following immunization (specifically following smallpox vaccine), the CDC said. False reactivity with RPR can also occur during pregnancy.

Frankenstein Viruses and Bioweapons

If this is the case, Bartlett said, it would be good news. However, there remain other autoimmune disorders, cancers, and in 2022, the sudden outbreak of hepatitis.

There were infants who had liver transplants as a result of this, and it was not hepatitis that we had ever seen before, Bartlett said. What if this was associated with adenovirus, another common cold virus? So, you have to ask, has there been any gain-of-function research on the upper respiratory, common-cold virus?

In a February 2022 column for The Hill, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, in collaboration with Dr. Marc Siegel, wrote that there are suspicions that gain of function of some kind may have been the direct cause of the very pandemic we are still trying to cope with and exit now.

If this is the case, Bartlett said it begs the question: What if the AstraZeneca COVID shot is an adenovirus that was manipulated in a lab? What if the Johnson & Johnson shot is an adenovirus manipulated in a lab?

The AstraZeneca shot itself has been banned in 18 nations, according to a report from Insider, because of multiple reports of blood clots among the vaccinated.

Despite this, Bartlett said, the vaccines have been promoted as safe and effective, but their origins leave the door open for too many questions.

Is it possible that they are making Frankenstein viruses in labs? Bartlett asked. So, how bizarre that its not a hepatitis virus thats causing hepatitis, but a whole new virus thats not natural in any way causing hepatitis to kill babies. How could this happen?

In 2021, the CDC reported five pediatric patients with hepatitis of an unknown cause in Alabama. These patients, like other pediatric patients throughout the world, also tested positive for adenovirus.

Adenoviruses, coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses are all mild upper respiratory viral infections, he said.

SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 were game changers for the coronavirus, which was never dangerous before, Bartlett explained, just as the adenovirus hepatitis was a game changer for another benign respiratory virus becoming a deadly disease.

Will we continue to see a rise in diseases and infections? I hope not, but the question is, what if gain-of-function research is still happening? Bartlett said.

Dr. Joseph Mercola contributed to this report.
To Breen or Not to Breen: Gone with the Wind (1939)

Commentary

Frankly, my dear, I dont give a . You doubtless know the rest of that line, which the American Film Institute rates as the most famous movie quote of all time. This line is from the final scene of Gone with the Wind (1939), uttered by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) as he leaves Scarlett OHara (Vivien Leigh), his fiery wife.

This line owes much of its notoriety to its controversial nature upon the films release. In 1939, four-letter words, even mild profanities like the one in this line, were taboo in film. In July 1934, Hollywood adopted the Motion Picture Production Code as its governing rules, to be enforced by the Production Code Administration (PCA). The so-called Hays Code was erroneously named after Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association (MPPDA). The PCA was headed by Joseph I. Breen, a tough but reasonable leader who understood the Codes power was not in the letter of its rules but the spirit behind them. Variety nicknamed the PCAs film-reviewing process, which they officially called self-regulation, breening in Mr. Breens honor. They accurately inferred that Joe Breen was the guiding spirit behind the Codes enforcement, since the PCA quickly lost its efficacy after he retired in 1954.

Just how much of an impact did breening have on the most famous movies from the Golden Era of Hollywood? In the ongoing series To Breen or Not to Breen, I compare major films from the Breen Era with their source material to determine how big a role breening played in their becoming the classics they are. So far, Ive compared A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Casablanca (1942) with the plays on which they were based.

Film poster for the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. (Public Domain)

Gone with the Wind, long lauded as the greatest film ever made, had an epic battle with the PCA during its transformation from Margaret Mitchells Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to David O. Selznicks Academy Award-winning film. Did breening make the movie better than the original novel?

To Breen

Adapting this over 1037-page novel into a movie was a Herculean task that required the involvement of some of Hollywoods best talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Although they condensed the story, the final product was anything but succinct, clocking in at over three and a half hours. According to the Code, this Civil War story was as problematic as the casting and production. The novels principal characters had dubious morals, and the rest of the story basically broke every rule in the Code. That was nothing new for the PCA members, who worked on such problematic material every day of the week. High-profile projects like Gone with the Wind proved especially challenging, however, because every step of the process was being scrutinized in the press and because the source material was extremely well-known and beloved by the public and critics alike. Any major deviances from the novel which the PCA forced were sure to be ridiculed by the more daring publications. Although winning friends was never the PCAs main concern, the MPPDAs primary job was public relations for Hollywood, so anything that made the film industry look foolish was bad for business.

Where to begin on this films issues? Few of the actual story changes or eliminations were the result of breening. Instead, most of the PCA issues centered around single scenes and isolated incidents. The most problematic character is Belle Watling (Ona Munson), the madame of a brothel which Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) frequents. The explicit depiction of prostitution and brothels and even the use of the word madame in that context was specifically forbidden by the Code. However, the PCA allowed the inclusion of many women with questionable reputations and unspecified occupations, who were described as prostitutes in their original stories but who are only implied to be such in the films. Younger viewers of this film might be unsure as to what sort of business Belle runs and why she has such a bad reputation. Is she an actress or perhaps a hostess, a convenient title used in Code films for ladies who were paid merely for their charming company? The PCA allowed her bright clothing, heavy makeup, and outcast status to explain just what happened at her salon.

Cropped poster for the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. (Public Domain)

One of the central points of the story is Scarlett OHaras (Vivien Leigh) intense desire for Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard). She is in love with her serenely refined neighbor at age sixteen, but the gentleman chooses instead to marry his cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia DeHavilland). In defiance and to sustain herself, Scarlett takes three husbands, the first two of whom die, leaving her married to the hot-blooded Rhett Butler. However, dozens of beaux and three husbands fail to extinguish her passion for Ashley, her ideal of the lost breed of Southern gentlemen.

In the novel, the pair never have an actual affair, which frustrates Scarlett for years, but her lust for him is discussed in detail that could never be allowed in a Code film. Rhetts dialogue about his wifes pursuit of another man was taken largely from the book but trimmed and revised just enough to make it subtly sophisticated instead of embarrassingly blatant. For instance, in the scene before Rhett carries Scarlett upstairs, he says, Mr. Wilkes, who cant be mentally faithful to his wife and wont be unfaithful to her technically. Consider the difference of the books line, He cant be faithful to his wife with his mind or unfaithful with his body. The emphasis was placed on the spiritually romantic aspects of Scarletts infatuation with Ashley, rather than her longing for physical ones. Care was also taken to remove the undertones of impotence and effeminacy in Ashleys nature, removing Scarletts fathers references to his being queer.

The 1967 theatrical re-release poster for the film Gone With The Wind. (Public Domain)

Not to Breen

After dealing with the general problems listed above, the Production Code Administrators spent considerable effort, not to mention dozens of letters, memos, phone calls, and studio visits, to solve certain specific problems, as described in Thomas Dohertys book Hollywoods Censor: Joseph I. Breen & The Production Code Administration. Two scenes were particularly problematic, the first being the scene when Melanie Wilkes gives birth, aided by Scarlett. The Codes text specifically states: Scenes of actual childbirth, in fact or in silhouette, are never to be presented. As part of his grittily realistic interpretation, David Selznick wanted this scene to be earthier than the idealized depiction of childbirth usually seen in movies from this time period. In the finished film, a silhouette technique was used to convey the danger of the situation without becoming too graphic.

The other trouble scene has been called the staircase scene. After a tense, heated argument, an angry Rhett forcefully picks Scarlett up and carries her upstairs, presumably for a night of passion. In the book, the authoress described Scarletts reactions to her husbands passionate kissing and advances, which she had long fended off with a closed bedroom door. The film removed the more suggestive lines beforehand and left the audience at the bottom of the stairs, leaving what ensued to the imagination. The PCAs biggest concern was Scarletts behavior the following morning, which they warned against being suggestively ecstatic upon waking up. The PCA humorously advised against Miss Leighs having the appearance of licking her chops. In the finished film, she looks happy, but the whole scenario is appropriately subtle. As for those who complain this situation was marital rape, I dont think that was the intended implication; rather, the message was that Scarlett is always too caught up in her own fantasies to appreciate what she has with Rhett until he has moved on.

Hattie McDaniel, Olivia DeHavilland, and Vivien Leigh in a publicity photo for the film Gone with the Wind, 1939. (Public Domain)

The Code forbade the usage of racial epithets, listing specific forbidden slurs. Among them was nigger, which was used 104 times in the original novel. At one point, Selznick wanted to include at least a few usages of the offensive expression, spoken by both white and black characters, but the PCA strongly advised against it, especially if spoken by white characters. Eventually, the self-regulators persuaded Selznick to replace all uses of the word with more acceptable expressions, such as darky, negro/negress, and colored.

Selznick wasnt as reasonable about the final line. Although he knew the word damn was specifically forbidden by Section V, Profanity, of the Code, he hoped the PCA would make an exception for the line. Naturally, the PCA encouraged him to find an acceptable alternative to the four-letter word, as the scriptwriters had to do for the dozens of other usages of that word and other obscenities throughout the book. According to a 2014 article on Todays website, several colorful alternatives were suggested by employees at Selznicks office, but he ended up actually filming an ending in which Rhett says, I dont care. This line was used in the films preview in Riverside, California, on September 9, 1939, which was a huge success without the profanity. Nevertheless, Selznick felt the finale lacked the necessary punch, so he appealed to the MPPDA board, the PCAs parent body in New York. The MPPDA granted the film a special exception for the use of the word, so Selznick got his famous line after all.

Outsmarting Themselves

The PCAs contributions to the film industry arent appreciated anymore because they arent and never really were understood. One of the greatest misconceptions is that filmmakers got something by Joseph Breen. Perhaps a wily screenwriter could slip an innuendo or two past one of the lower-ranking PCA members, but no one ever pulled the wool over Joe Breens eyes. He was no bashful bluenose.

Publicity photo of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh as Rhett and Scarlett in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind. (Public Domain)

The Irish newspaperman unblinkingly bantered about the most delicate of taboo topics with a bluntness which made the filmmakers blush. They couldnt possibly shock him, since he had seen everything during his many years of traveling and working different jobs before the PCA, and they also couldnt trick him. By the same token, filmmakers couldnt fool the PCA into letting them include the objectionable elements they wanted by putting in extra violations to be removed. Any technical Code violations that Joseph Breen allowed were the result of special permission, which he granted after careful examination and a fair collaborative process.

No film is a greater example of these truths than Gone with the Wind, particularly regarding Rhetts famous line. Two great misconceptions surround this situation. Firstly, many people think this movie was the first time that word was said onscreen and that Gables usage ushered in the beginning of profanity in film. This couldnt be farther from the truth, since Pre-Code films were filled with four-letter words. It wasnt even the first Code film to use the word, since Warner Bros. 1937 short film The Man Without a Country, based on Edward Everett Hales short story of the same name, was granted a similar exception for using the same word in a poignant curse which sets the plot in motion.

After 1939, the Breen Offices policy on profanity was just as strict, only allowing an occasional exception, by appeal, under special circumstances. Secondly, David Selznick didnt go above Joseph Breens head to obtain an MPPDA exception. He did so with Mr. Breens knowledge and blessing; the Production Code Administrator even helped Selznick compile the facts for his case, since he agreed with Selznick that the usage was not an oath or curse but a vulgarism. The presss cheeky assertion that Breen had been lax was a source of great irritation to the former newspaperman. Considering how fleeting the moment is in the film, the whole thing seems like an unnecessary fuss on Selznicks part to me.

Which side do you take in Hollywoods Civil War, to breen or not to breen?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
U-Haul Driver Must Undergo Mental Evaluation in NYC Attack

Weng Sor is walked by New York Police Department detectives out of the 68th Precinct in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Feb. 14, 2023. (Stefan Jeremiah/AP Photo)

NEW YORKThe driver of a U-Haul truck that barreled through a New York City neighborhood, killing a food delivery worker and injuring eight other people, will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation while in custody, a judge ordered Wednesday.

Weng Sor, who was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with Mondays deadly rampage, made his first court appearance in Brooklyn. The judge ordered him to remain in custody without bail.

Police have said he was suffering from an apparent mental health crisis when he mowed down bicyclists, moped riders, and at least one pedestrian over 48 minutes.

Police said Sor, 62, referred to an invisible object that came at him, prompting him to go careening through streets before a police cruiser pinned the truck against a building near the entrance to a tunnel leading from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

After his arrest, Sor told police he believed it was judgement day and was aiming the truck at the people that disturbed him the most, Assistant District Attorney David Ingle said at the court hearing. He said Sor told the officers, I wanted to end by taking out enemies. Shoot me, I will not give in.

Sor is expected to be back in court on March 16.

New York Police chief of intelligence Thomas Galati (R) investigates the scene where a rental truck was stopped and the driver arrested in New York on Feb. 13, 2023. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

The U-Haul struck three people on mopeds, three people on bicycles, one person on an e-bike and one person who was on foot as the truck moved through a busy section of Brooklyn, just north of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge along New York Harbor, police said. The victims ranged in age from 30 to 66.

The truck also rammed a police car, injuring the officer inside.

Sors son told The Associated Press earlier this week that his father had a history of mental illness. Records show he was convicted and served time for multiple acts of violence, including stabbing his own brother.

Sor, who lived in Las Vegas with his mother, came to New York last week after spending time in Florida and was pulled over twice in the U-Haul in the days prior to the attack, police said.

Sors criminal history includes stabbing his brother in Las Vegas, for which he served time in a Nevada prison, according to court and prison records.
UK Labour MPs Divided on Starmers Decision to Block Corbyn Candidacy

Jeremy Corbyn, then-leader of the Labour Party, pauses while speaking at the vote count in his Islington North constituency in London, on Dec. 12, 2019. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmers decision to block his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn from standing for Labour at the next election has caused a stir among party ranks, with MPs on the far left openly voicing opposition to his move.

Starmer said on Wednesday that Labour is now unrecognisable from its form during Corbyns leadership in 2015 to 2020 when it was plagued by allegations of antisemitism.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking in east London, following the Equality and Human Rights Commissions announcement that it has concluded its monitoring of the Labour Party, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Corbyn was suspended from the party in October 2020 after he said the findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commissions (EHRC) investigation into allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party dramatically overstated the problem for political reasons.He got his party membership back in the following month, but Starmer has refused to give back his party whip, which means that he has been kept out of the parliamentary Labour Party and has continued to be classed as an independent MP.

In a speech on Wednesday, Starmer welcomed the EHRCs decision to lift the party out of two years of special measures over its past failings on antisemitism.

The Labour leader reiterated his vow that anyone who plays down antisemitism will be treated with zero patience or tolerance and acknowledged it is not the end of the road for tackling the issue.

He said Labour will never again be a party captured by narrow interest and will never again be brought to its knees by racism or bigotry.

He invited those on the far left of Labour to leave the party if they oppose his reforms, and confirmed Corbyn himself will be stripped of his candidacy for Labour.

The announcement angered Corbyn and his allies, who accused Starmer of violating Labours values.

Denial of Due Process

Corbyn called Starmers decision a flagrant attack on the democratic rights of Labour Party members in Islington North, the north London constituency he has represented for 40 years.

It is up to themnot party leadersto decide who their candidate should be. Any attempt to block my candidacy is a denial of due process, and should be opposed by anybody who believes in the value of democracy, the former party leader said in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.

John McDonnell, an ally of Corbyn who served as his shadow chancellor, warned on Thursday that Starmer is making a mistake.

The issue for us is that we were created as a coalition of a whole range of different political views, a broad church as we describe it, and the norms of our party, the normative values of our parties, is to have that sort of mutual respect for different views and hold together, he told the BBC.

That includes ensuring that we have democratic procedures, where the rights of our party members is to enable them to select the candidates of their choosing, and to undermine that flies in the face of everything that we stand for.

And thats why I think its a mistake and I think its a mistake for Keir to try and bar Jeremy Corbyn from standing. But its not just about Jeremy, its much more fundamental than that.

Relic of Yesterday

But other Labour MPs have voiced support for the decision to strip Corbyn of his candidacy.

Dame Margaret Hodge told the BBC on Wednesday: I cannot think of any circumstances whatsoever under which Jeremy could stand as a candidate for the Labour Party at the next general election.

Hes been a master of his own destiny, he knew what he did in the past, he knew what he did when the EHRC came out and hes only got himself to blame.

Ive moved on from Corbyn, the party has definitely moved on from Corbyn, the countrys moved on from Corbyn if you see what Labour is gaining now in the polls and I think Corbyn is just part of the past, hes a relic of yesterday.

Yvette Cooper, Labours shadow home secretary, also backed Starmers decision.

She told reporters on Thursday: Keir Starmer was really clear about thisthat he was going to tackle the stain of antisemitism in the Labour Party. He was going to be clear that Labour has changed and those big changes have taken place since 2019.

Hes also been very clear with everyone what standards had to be met, and on everyone who wants to stand as a Labour candidate to be a Labour MP on what standards needed to be met. And hes making sure that that happens and I pay tribute to Keirs leadership in doing that. The Labour Party has changed.

She noted we have come a long way in a short period of time to be the party of patriotism, the party of equality.

Lily Zhou and PA Media contributed to this report.
UN Identifies New al-Qaeda Leader in Iran

A Somali security soldier points his weapon at a poster bearing a photo of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri during an anti Al-shabab rally in Mogadishu on Feb. 23, 2014. (Abdifitah Hashi Nor/AFP via Getty Images)

U.N. member states say that terrorist group al-Qaeda has a new leader, according to a report circulated on Monday.

The report states Sayf al-Adl, Osama bin-Ladens former security head, is already leading the terrorist group.

The report was written by the U.N.s Security Council and said that no announcement was made regarding the replacement by al-Qaeda after the death of its former head Ayman al-Zawahri following a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, last August.

But in discussions in November and December, many U.N. member states took the view that Sayf al-Adl is already operating as the de facto and uncontested leader of the group, the report says.

The report suggests that al-Adl has a continued presence in Iran.

Sayf al-Adl has been listed on the U.N. sanctions blacklist as Egyptian-born Mohammed Salahaldin Abd El Halim Zidan since January 2001, the panel said. He is described in the U.N. listing as taking over as military commander of al-Qaida, also al-Qaeda, following the death of Mohammed Atefone of bin Ladens top aidesin a U.S. attack in November 2001.

In addition to being bin Ladens security chief, the U.N. says that Sayf al-Adl taught terrorists to use explosives and trained some of the hijackers involved in the attack in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. It says he also trained Somali fighters who killed 18 U.S. servicemen in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.

Sayf al-Adl is wanted by U.S. authorities in connection with the August 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. There is a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

According to the report, the threat from al-Qaeda, the ISIS terrorist group, and their affiliates remains high in conflict zones and neighboring countries, with Africa emerging in recent years as the continent where the harm done by terrorism is developing most rapidly and extensively.

The panel said ISIS leadership has also become a question following the groups Nov. 30 announcement that Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi had died in a battle the previous month, the groups second leader to be killed in 2022.

The new leader was announced as Abu al-Husain al-Husaini al-Qurashi, and his true identity is not yet known, the experts said.

Member states noted numerous pledges of allegiance to Abu al-Husain by ISIS affiliates far and wide, without specific knowledge of his identity, they said.

The report notes that the convergence of armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and transnational organized crime should be taken into consideration in counter-terrorism efforts against al-Qaeda.

It estimates that al-Qaedas cash reserves held in Iraq and Syria are between $25 million to $50 million.

It also notes that al-Qaeda has access to weapons in the Middle East and Africa, and that transnational crime networks are providing it with weapons as well.

Al-Qaeda also used unmanned drones for surveillance and attacks with accuracy. Mozambique has reported shooting down two al-Qaeda surveillance drones.

The report also states that al-Qaeda is using the internet for propaganda and recruiting new fighters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UNICEF Calls to Dig Deep for Turkey Earthquake Aid

A child stands outside tents erected for people affected by a devastating earthquake in rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria, on Feb. 11, 2023. (Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters)

UNICEF is calling on Australians to continue helping the millions of people across Turkey and Syria battered by a devastating earthquake.

Three Australians died in the quake, with the death toll recently surpassing 41,000 and continuing to climb.

UNICEF Australias Elliot Stein says more children across Turkey and Syria have been caught up in the devastation than the total number of children in Australia.

Those six million children right now require food, shelter, water, medicine and safety, he said.

People ask, what does hope look like? Hope looks like a child in a disaster centre picking up a crayon for the very first time.

Labor MP Sally Sitou called on corporate Australia to step up and support the people of Turkey and Syria.

Its a time we should all be coming together to offer those in Turkey and Syria hope, she said.

A drone view of destroyed houses, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, in Elbistan town, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on Feb. 12, 2023. (Issam Abdallah/Reuters)

Crown Resorts on Thursday announced it would donate $100,000 to earthquake victims via UNICEF and Red Crescent International and host events to raise more money in the coming weeks and months.

Its volunteer team was also working to raise money in the wake of the disaster.

Its going to be something thats going to be impacting the lives of people there for a long time, Crown chief executive Ciaran Carruthers said.

We want to make sure were there to help them now and long into the future.

Rescuer workers carry Kaan, a 13-year-old Turkish teenager, to an ambulance after being rescued from the rubble after 182 hours, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey Feb. 13, 2023. (Dilara Senkaya/Reuters)

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry joined Crown to urge businesses to get behind the earthquake victims.

The organisation sent a message to some 65,000 members urging them to come together as a business community and follow in Crowns footsteps to support Turkey and Syria.

If youre a small, medium or large business nows the opportunity to really jump in and support the vision, chamber chief executive Paul Guerra said.

The foreign affairs department is providing support to the families of the Australians killed in the quakes as well as assistance to some 80 other Australians and their families, including help to leave disaster-struck areas.

Rescue workers stand on a collapsed building in Adiyaman, southern Turkey, Feb. 13, 2023. (The Canadian Press/AP-Emrah Gurel)

Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters have pulled at least 14 bodies from under the rubble at Antakya in Turkey as part of an Australian disaster assistant response team.

These first responders are professionals of the highest order with terrific technical knowledge that can assist the other international rescue crews around them, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said.

Department secretary Jan Adams said it had been a disaster of tremendous proportions.

The federal government has committed $18 million in aid and sent a team to help with recovery efforts in Turkey.

The Commonwealth is also calling for greater humanitarian access to Syria.
US F-35 Jets Intercept Russian Fighter Aircraft Near Alaska, 2nd Time in 2 Days

U.S. F-35 jets on Thursday intercepted Russian planes near Alaska for the second time this week, according to a statement from U.S. military officials.

The U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed in a statement that two F-35A fighter jets intercepted four Russian aircraft, including a nuclear-capable TU-95 bomber, SU-30, and SU-35 fighter jets. Other U.S. planes that were deployed included an E-3 AWACS plane and two KC-135 stratotankers, according to NORAD.

The planes were intercepted near Alaskas Air Defense Identification Zone, known as the ADIZ, on Feb. 14, said NORADs statement on Thursday.

Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace, the statement said, noting it was the second intercept of Russian aircraft in two days.

But it stressed that the Russian air activity appears to be routine and is not seen as a threat nor is it seen as provocative. Meanwhile, NORAD said the two incidents this week are in no way connected to recent NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations that shot down airborne objects over the United States and Canada in recent days.

pic.twitter.com/S8LgmETlpM  North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) February 16, 2023

As of Thursday afternoon, Russias Ministry of Defense has not made any public comments about the latest incident.

Russia said on Wednesday that it had carried out several flights over international waters in recent days, including in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. It said two of its TU-95MS strategic missile carriers had flown over the Bering Sea accompanied by SU-30 jets, and that it had made similar routine flights north of Norway and over international waters near Russias far east.

It did not say whether its aircraft had been intercepted. However, the Defense Ministry said its long-range aviation pilots regularly perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Russias air force has made similar moves near Alaskas airspace about six to seven times per year, NORAD noted. U.S. fighter jets this week intercepted four aircraft that entered the ADIZ on Feb. 13, according to a previous statement, which also said the incident wasnt linked to the downing of unidentified objects over North America.

High Alert

North American security forces have been on high alert since a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon crossed into U.S. airspace, prompting the United States to shoot it and other objects down as it combs the skies.

Both NORAD and U.S. Northern Command confirmed American fighter jets shot down objects over Alaska, Canadas Yukon Territory, and Michigans Lake Huron several days ago. It came after a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down near South Carolina after it traveled over much of the continental U.S.

Dutch F-35 fighter jets were also scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft near NATO airspace earlier this week, according to a Ministry of Defense statement.

The-then unknown aircraft approached the Polish NATO area of responsibility from Kaliningrad, the Dutch ministrys statement said. It was referring to the Russian enclave formerly known as Konigsberg thats sandwiched between NATO members Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic Sea.

Russian strategic bomber TU-95 surrounded by MiG-29 flies over Monino airfield, some 40 miles from Moscow, in August 2007. (AFP/Getty Images)

After identification, it turned out to be three aircraft: a Russian IL-20M Coot-A that was escorted by two Su-27 Flankers, the Dutch ministrys statement continued. The Dutch F-35s escorted the formation from a distance and handed over the escort to NATO partners.

While Russia has carried out flights over the Bering Sea before, its neighbours in the region have become more concerned about Moscows military activity since its invasion of Ukraine last year.

NATO member states have also ramped up military exercises in the Arctic in recent years, as Russia has expanded and renewed its military infrastructure in the region.

Reuters contributed to this report.
US Forces Shoot Down Iranian-Made Spy Drone Surveying Patrol Base in Syria

An Iranian-made drone that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says was shot down by U.S. forces in northeastern Syria on Feb. 14, 2023. (Courtesy of U.S. Central Command)

The U.S. military on Wednesday announced that it downed an Iranian-manufactured drone that was reportedly surveying a patrol base in Syria that houses American troops.

In a statement on Feb. 15, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down on Feb. 14 at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time as it flew over the base, which is located in the northeastern part of the country.

U.S. forces in Syria engaged and shot down an Iranian-manufactured UAV attempting to conduct reconnaissance of Mission Support Site Conoco, a patrol base in northeast Syria, said CENTCOM.

On February 14th, at approximately 2:30 PM local time, US forces in Syria engaged and shot down an Iranian-manufactured UAV attempting to conduct reconnaissance of Mission Support Site Conoco, a patrol base in northeast Syria. pic.twitter.com/3GSf8odK3w  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 15, 2023

Jeremy Binnie, a senior analyst at IHS Janes, an intelligence company that specializes in military and aerospace, told Stripes that the UAV appeared to be a short-range aircraft hand-launched by forces near the patrol base.

CENTCOMwhich is one of the Pentagons 11 unified combatant commands responsible for protecting U.S. security interests in an area stretching from the Horn of Africa to Central Asiadid not reveal who was operating the aircraft.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for flying the drone in northeastern Syria, where it is not uncommon for bases housing American troops to come under rocket fire or mortar attacks.

Iran-backed militia are based nearby, as are sleeper cells of the ISIS terrorist group that was defeated in Syria in March 2019.

There are roughly 900 American troops in Syria, including in the north and farther south and east, who work alongside Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces targeting ISIS militants and their sleeper cells.

Weapon Sales

The shootdown comes as the United States put new trade restrictions on multiple Iranian entities in February, claiming the firms are producing and exporting weapons and aerial drones to Russia and Middle Eastern countries.

In February, CENTCOM said in a statement that more than 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammunition, and 23 advanced anti-tank guided missiles were seized by the U.S. Navy in cooperation with international naval partners as the weaponry was headed to Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi rebels from Iran.

Weapons seized from Iran by U.S. Central Command on Jan. 15, 2023. (U.S. Navy)

Weapons seized from Iran by U.S. Central Command on Jan. 15, 2023. (U.S. Navy)

CENTCOM said the confiscation occurred on Jan. 15 in the Gulf of Oman, along routes historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully from Iran to Yemen.

The seizure is one of four significant illicit cargo interdictions over the past two months that have prevented more than 5,000 weapons and 1.6 million rounds of ammunition from reaching Yemen, CENTCOM stated.

Iran has not publicly acknowledged it sold weapons to the Houthis. However, CENTCOM shared a photo of the seized rifles and ammunition that looked similar to others previously captured by U.S. forces that were tied to Tehran.

While Iran has repeatedly denied that it backs the rebel group, the United Nations (U.N.), independent experts, and Western nations have all traced seized weaponryranging from night-vision scopes, rifles, and missilesto Tehran after finding them on detained vessels.

Arms sales and transfers to Yemens Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law.

Epoch Times reporter Katabella Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
US Must Shift Focus Away From Europe to Deter China War for Taiwan: Hawley

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) looks on during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on voting rights on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 20, 2021. (Evelyn Kockstein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States would lose a war against China over the future of Taiwan unless it shifts its defense priorities away from Europe, according to one senior Republican.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said the United States had overextended itself with its support for Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion, and that it would not be able to deter China without first pulling back from Ukraine.

China is on the march and we are not at this moment prepared to stop them, Hawley said during a Feb. 16 talk with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

If China were to invade Taiwan today, they would prevail.

Hawley blamed the current U.S. dedication to providing arms and other aid to Ukraine on what he deemed to be a wish for liberal empire by neoconservatives and globalists.

He said the ambition of promoting democracy and liberal values throughout the world was not sustainable and U.S. military power was a finite resource drained by the effort.

The core problem is our actions in Ukraine are directly affecting our ability to deter our most pressing adversary in the Pacific, said Hawley.

The senator further claimed that the war in Ukraine and one for Taiwan would require many of the same weapons, though reports exploring the issue of munitions availability for a war in Taiwan suggest that this is not true.

Likewise, Hawley lambasted the Biden administration for placing a higher premium on combating climate change than preparing for the real possibility of war with China. The idea garnered increased traction when Hawleys speech was itself interrupted by a protester who shouted that climate change, not China, was the enemy.

A Dark Future

Hawley warned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, had been plotting a Taiwan takeover for a long time. CCP leader Xi Jinping, he noted, has frequently made claims swearing to follow through on that ambition.

Invading Taiwan has been Xis goal for years, Hawley said.

My worry is if we do not change course we may not be able to do anything about it.

The CCP falsely claims that Taiwan is a breakaway province of China that must be united with the mainland. Taiwan has never been controlled by the CCP, however, and its democratic government is a continuation of that which the CCP sought to overthrow during the Chinese Civil War.

For its part, the United States formally recognizes, but does not endorse, the CCPs position, and maintains legal obligations to provide Taiwan with weapons for its self-defense.

Taiwan is also a major trade partner of the United States, and manufactures the vast majority of its advanced semiconductor chips, which are used in everything from modern pickup trucks to hypersonic missiles.

The United States and the world share an economic reliance on both Taiwan and China, Hawley said, and a Chinese communist invasion of the island would be catastrophic, possibly laying the groundwork for the erosion of the United States itself.

By some estimates, war over Taiwan would send us into a deep recession with no clear way out, Hawley said.

Likewise, Hawley said, by breaking through the First Island Chain spanning Japan to Indonesia, China would be able to secure its military presence throughout the world and spread its campaign of coercion, intimidation, and domination.

Imagine a world where Chinese warships could patrol Hawaiis waters, Hawley said, and Chinese submarines could stalk the California coastline. Imagine a world where the Peoples Liberation Army has military bases in central and South America. Imagine a world where Chinese forces operate freely in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Thats the future we will be facing if we are not able to finally stop China. It is a dark future. It is an increasingly plausible future. But it is not an inevitable future.

New Foreign Policy Strategy Needed

Hawley said the United States would need to pursue a nationalist foreign policy to prevent that dark future from coming to pass, a policy which approached the geopolitical situation with clear-eyed realism and recognized that deterring Chinas invasion of Taiwan should be Americas top foreign policy priority.

As such, he said, the nations defense spending and posture should be oriented to the Pacific, not Europe, and the United States would need to scale back or even end its commitment to Ukraine.

Strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific means scaling back our military commitments in Europe, Hawley said.

This would not mean abandoning the NATO alliance, he added. Rather, Hawley argued that the United States and its NATO allies would need to come up with a more equitable burden sharing arrangement, in which European powers took first priority in responding to threats in Europe and the United States did so to threats in the Indo-Pacific.

The current policy of the United States pretending it can do everything for the Europeans in Europe and it can do everything [in] the rest of the world [and] in Asia is simply fanciful and it cannot be sustained, Hawley said.

Europe is important to us, but it is not the key, and it is time we told our NATO allies that bluntly.

Ultimately, Hawley said, the repositioning of American defense priorities from Europe to the Indo-Pacific was paramount to preventing a catastrophic conflict between the United States and China.

Only by conserving the resources being expended in Ukraine and elsewhere, he said, could that deterrence be assured.

If we do not stop China in Asia, nothing else we do against China anywhere else will matter very much, Hawley said.

This country is the strongest country on the face of the earth We will prevail. But we must make the choices now to make sure that possibility becomes a reality.
Senate Formally Condemns Invasion of US by Chinese Spy Balloon

The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington on Jan. 23, 2023. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Senate has approved two resolutions unanimously on Feb. 15 that formally condemn the Chinese communist regime for its illegal incursion into U.S. airspace with a spy balloon and also call for transparency from the Biden administration about the incident.

The first resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Partys [CCP] invasion of United States airspace to conduct surveillance on American citizens and military bases. It also calls on President Joe Biden to be transparent with the American people and Congress regarding this latest spying incident and all other attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to conduct surveillance on United States citizens, territory, and assets.

The second measure condemns the incursion as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty.

The language closely mirrors that of a House resolution, that was approved on Feb. 9 by a unanimous vote in Congress.

The Chinese Communist Partys use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty, that resolution said.

The Chinese Communist Partys intelligence collection directed against the United States poses a threat to United States interests and security.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), whose state was among those that the Chinese spy balloon traversed, hailed the bipartisan resolutions for their clarity in calling out the CCP and its aggression abroad.

Montanans expect their elected leaders to work across party lines to defend our national security, and Im proud to have led this unified effort to rebuke Chinas unacceptable provocation, Tester said in a tweet.

Tester, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense, said during a hearing earlier this month that it wasnt surprising the CCP invaded U.S. territory, given the fact that the military and two administrations hadnt responded to four previous incursions.

It should not have been a surprise that China did this because nothing  has happened before to them for these overflights, Tester said.

Beijing accused Congress of harming Chinas sovereignty with purely malicious hype, saying that the spy balloon was a civilian airship and shouldnt have been shot down even though it flew across the entirety of the continental United States.

Likewise, the Chinese foreign ministry said it will take countermeasures against U.S. entities somehow related to the downing of the balloon, and the regime announced on Feb. 16 that it issued sanctions against U.S. defense manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

The United States has similarly sanctioned six Chinese entities that it claims are related to Chinas spy balloon program, which officials say has targeted 40 nations on five continents for covert intelligence collection.
US Style Visa Lottery to Boost Pacific Worker Numbers in Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) poses for a selfie with staff and students during a tour of the Australia Pacific Training Coalition centre (APTC) after attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), in Suva on July 15, 2022. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia will establish a Pacific visa lottery scheme to boost the number of permanent migrant workers and strengthen relations with the region.

From July, 3000 places a year will become available for eligible participants from Pacific nations and East Timor to be randomly selected and given the opportunity to apply for a permanent Australian visa.

The proposal mirrors the United States green card system in which random applicants are given work rights and a citizenship pathway.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles unveiled the proposal on Thursday, saying it would boost permanent migration from the Pacific to Australia and build a stronger Pacific family.

Successful applicants will be able to bring their dependent family on the visa and live anywhere in Australia if they have secured a job offer and passed health, character and basic English tests.

Applicants also need to be aged between 18 and 45 years old.

The extra places are in addition to Australias overall annual migration program, which will not be impacted by the scheme.

Giles said the ballot could be adapted in future for other temporary and permanent migration programs to promote equitable and fair access to visa schemes.

These reforms demonstrate to the Australian community and to our Pacific family that stronger Pacific partnerships focused on shared needs and priorities  support stability, prosperity and security in our region, he said.

Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the scheme was revolutionary and would boost ties with the region.

This is about permanent migration, allocating 3000 spots to Pacific families each year to make a new life in Australia, he told ABC News.

(It will) deepen the Pacific diaspora in Australia and deepen our people-to-people links.

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews said there was a critical shortage of skilled and unskilled workers.

I am open to looking at whatever solutions the government actually has, she said.
US Woke Movement Mirrors Chinese Cultural Revolution: Victor Davis Hanson

The woke movement that is currently engulfing America mirrors Chinas Cultural Revolution under communist leader Mao Zedong, according to classicist and military historian Victor Davis Hanson.

The Cultural Revolution took place from 1966 to 1976. Mao Zedong declared class war, bringing chaos and violence to the country. During the 10-year period, schools were closed, historical relics and artifacts were destroyed, and cultural and religious sites were ransacked. The economy stagnated, millions were persecuted for their political beliefs, and an estimated 1.5 million people died.

They went after people with eyeglasses; they went after people [who] had any foreign accent or had a degree, Hanson told EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program on Feb. 14.

It was sort of like this woke revolution that is permeating every part [of our country]. Its not just political. Its cultural. Its social; its racial. And its trying to change the way we think about our country. And thats whats scary, he added.

The term woke is used by both liberals and conservatives to describe a number of more radical progressive ideologies, including critical race theory, social justice, and gender theory.

Unlike the protests of the 1960s, the current woke revolution was staged from the top, Hanson says. The Left was not marching on the Pentagon. The Left was not marching on the campus administrator. The Left was not marching on Anaconda Copper or ITT as they had been. They were inside the boardroom. They were inside the presidents office. They were inside the FBI. They were inside the CIA. They were inside the Pentagon.

An Orwellian Plan

Hanson discussed the 1619 Project championed by New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, which argues that the United States was racist in its founding, with the Revolutionary War fought to preserve slavery. Further, it argues the Constitution was written to codify systematic oppression against people of color.

A curriculum based on the project and developed by the Pulitzer Center has made its way into public school districts across the nation, including Chicago, Buffalo, Newark, and Washington DC.

If youve got control of the institutions, such as universities and the media, Hanson said, you can convince people that 1776 was not the founding of the country. It was 1619 when the first slave was landed by the British.

According to this Orwellian re-writing of history, Hansen continued, your revolution was not for what you think. It was to fight the British because they wanted to free slaves and you wanted to keep them. And you can make that false narrative, you can institutionalize it. Then, in the future, you can justify everything from reparations to reparatory admissions and hiring.

Undermining US Credibility

As the author of a number of best-selling books, including most recently The Dying Citizen, Hanson said that China could use the recent spy balloon incident to undermine the credibility of the United States in international politics.

According to the Pentagon, the balloon entered the United States on Jan. 28, made a brief incursion over Canadas airspace, reentered the United States, and traveled over multiple sensitive military sites before an F-22 fighter jet shot it down off the South Carolina coast a week later.

China could take note of how the Biden administration handled the balloon incident, and spread the rhetoric to U.S. allies such as the Philippines, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea:

Do you really want to be under these peoples nuclear umbrella? Do you really think theyre going to help you? Do you really think if youre in our neighborhood, and we tell you to jump, theyre going to say you dont have to? We just sent a balloon across the continental United States and they could not even shoot it down.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House, the FBI, the CIA, and the Pentagon for comment.
Westpac Halts Rural Closures Amid Political Pressure

Westpac will halt regional branch closures during a Senate inquiry examining the exit of banks from rural towns amid mounting political pressure to show good faith to country customers.

A spokesman for Westpac said it would postpone the closure of eight banks in rural areas across the country, and there would be no decisions on the future of other branches during the inquiry.

The inquiry into why banks are increasingly shutting shop in regional towns was launched last week after the closure of almost 100 branches since September.

The committee will examine the reasons for banks departure and possible solutions, along with the effects on regional economies and community welfare.

Westpac had previously announced the closure of 20 regional and suburban branches, with eight in rural areas, including Denmark, Western Australia, Sale, Victoria, Cloncurry in Queensland and Kingston SE in South Australia.

The spokesman said the bank would continue its co-location program, which merges two group branches under one roof to invest and stay in communities.

Nationals senator and committee chairman Matt Canavan last week wrote to banks urging them to halt closures during the inquiry in an act of good faith.

Senator Canavan welcomed Westpacs move but feared it was merely a stay of execution.

The banks need to now work with the Senate on practical solutions to maintain peoples access to financial services, he said in a statement.

We cant just leave country towns high and dry.

The Commonwealth Bank said it would not shut any branches during the inquiry, which is due to report by December, and postponed planned closures in Junee, NSW, and Bright, Victoria

Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester, who represents the community of Sale, ramped up pressure on the other banks on Wednesday.

Enough is enough. Stop being so bloody-minded, stop being so bloody lazy and start working with regional communities on solutions that will allow face-to-face banking to continue in our communities, he said.

But National Australia Bank said closures would continue during what it described as the single largest transformation in banking in Australias history.

NAB retail executive Krissie Jones said 93 per cent of transactions occurred online, and reshaping the branch network required difficult decisions, including closures.

A spokesman for ANZ said it was considering the inquirys terms of reference.

The inquiry follows the coalition governments Regional Banking Taskforce, which found farmers, vulnerable people and small business owners struggle when a rural bank closes its doors.

It will hold its first hearing in Sale on March 2 and is open for submissions until March 31.
Woman Adopted From China Says She Was Held in Home Dungeon, Beaten, Enslaved by Adoptive Parents for 14 Years

Held in a makeshift-basement dungeon, whipped, chained, enslavedthis may sound like something that couldnt happen in America, let alone in a small, picturesque New England town.

But that was the nightmarish childhood endured by a woman, now 19, brought here from China when she was just a baby, according to a lawsuit recently filed in New Hampshire.

After years of attempts to break free by peeling back drywall or breaking a window, only to be returned to her home by local police, Olivia Atkocaitis, who fled through cold winter woods in just sandals, finally won her freedom in September of 2018 from her home in New Boston, New Hampshire.

She did so by digging her way through a wall using a bottle cap, according to the lawsuit filed this past week in Merrimack County Superior Court.

The shocking case includes several years worth of police reports dating as far back as 2007 of a nightmarish subjugation, as her attorney Michael Lewis calls it, that appears to have started in 2004less than a year after she was adopted at just 14 months of age.

The New Boston police along with the NH Division Children of Youth and Family Services (DCYF) and Wide Horizons For Children, the adoption agency that handled Olivias adoption, are named in the suit.

The DCYF nor Wild Horizons did not respond to inquiries by The Epoch Times. Wide Horizons is the same agency that arranged the controversial adoption of actress Angelina Jolies daughter from Ethiopia.

In a statement released to The Epoch Times, the New Boston Police Department denies any wrongdoing in Olivias case and instead emphasized that it was the departments investigation that eventually led to the arrest and convictions of Olivias adoptive parents, Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis.

It was the New Boston Police Department who conducted the investigation which led to the removal of the plaintiff, said New Boston Police Chief James Brace in an email to The Epoch Times.

Lewis reacted with disgust at Braces suggestion the police rescued Olivia. She freed herself, Lewis told The Epoch Times. As he wrote in the lawsuit, this should shock the conscience of anyone who claims to have one.

Denise and Thomas Atkocaitis, both named in the suit, did not respond to inquiries from The Epoch Times. Now divorced, one lives in Maine and the other in Georgia.

While initially charged with a number of criminal charges including endangering the welfare of a child, criminal restraint, and kidnapping, Denise was allowed to plead guilty to one felony charge to escape jail time with Thomas serving only a six-month sentence.

Years of Missed Opportunities

While the lawsuit chronicles in heartbreaking detail the times police would track down Olivia, one day even using police dogs and reprimanding the then-13-year-old for escaping before returning her to the Atkocaitises, the departments own records spotlights what appears to be many red flags ignored by police, DCYF workers, and other names in the lawsuit.

A 2007 police report described Denise Atkocaitis as committing acts of violence in the household, including arson, and was exhibiting general, violent, and out-of-control behavior.

By 2009, police had already had responded to several disturbing reports in the home including an allegation of elder abuse by the NH Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services. At the time, Denise was licensed by the NH Department of Health and Human Services to foster elderly patients in her home.

Then in 2011, when Olivia was just eight, the New Boston police received a report that one of the Atkocaitiss three biological children told a school counselor that he and his siblings were subject to cruel and degrading punishments, and were brutally beaten by both their parents, but that their adoptive sister Olivia was suffering even worse abuse.

In a Feb. 1, 2011, interview with police and a DCYF worker present, the high schooler described in detail of how Olivia had often been beaten with a cross whip, pushed down the stairs, and handcuffed to a metal pole in the basement where she would sometimes be held for several weeks at a time in a padlocked, dungeon-like room.

She was given only a bucket to go to the bathroom in, said the teenaged boy, and that he and another brother would often wear military gear, including gas masks, when they were sent in to empty it and clean Olivias room.

After interviewing the Atkocaitiss son, police went to the house and observed the dungeon room he described and made a report of it to the DCYF.

In their reports, police described the room as a small 88 room with no lighting and darkened windows covered with chicken wire. They also noted an alarm on the door.

But no action was taken against Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis.

A trail of internal memos show that a chance to help Olivia was lost to minor technicalities. According to a Feb. 6, 2011 police memo entitled supplemental narrative, an officer wrote that the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) used by the DCYF to interview children was refusing to interview Olivia because it was against their policy for the accused parent to drive them to the appointment.

They stated it was against policy to have the perpetrators bring the victim to the interview, the officer wrote. According to the memo, the officer suggested to the DCYF to attempt to find someone else to bring Olivia in for the interview including her older brother. DCYF responded by saying they would relay the matter to Denise and Thomas Aktocaitiss attorney. However, there is no more mention of the issue in following memos.

More than a month later in a March 27, 2011 memo, the same officer wrote that then-Police Chief Christopher Krajenka ordered Olivias case suspended until we hear anything further from DCYF.

Four years later, in 2015, came a new round of police reports involving Olivia, but not of stories rescuing the girlinstead, of returning her back to the Atkocaitiss home.

Following one of those returns, an officer wrote in his June 19, 2015, incident report that he told escaped Olivia what she did was wrong and that she understood the ramifications.

Two years later in 2017, New Boston police arrested Denise Atkocaitis for assaulting a child in the homebut it was not Olivia, but instead one of her biological children. According to the report, Denise became violently angry against the child for posting on social media that she was a bad parent. Police also cited that there were guns in the house and reported the incident to the DCYF.

The agency ruled the case unfounded.

In 2018, as police reports show, Olivia made more escapes.

Police did start asking questions. But to allay their concerns, Thomas and Denise told them that Olivia had been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and in a separate encounter, told them she had been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (OOD)both behavioral problems often attributed to adopted children. It turned out that neither was true.

The New Boston PD issued BOLOSBe On the Look Outbulletins and described Olivia, now 13, as a runaway juvenile. In what would finally become her permanent escape, the police brought out its K9 unit to track her.

They even retrieved a piece of clothing from her basement room to help the dog pick up her scent. In the Sept. 9, 2018, report on the incident, one police officer described how another police officer after being down in the room for some time  found it difficult to breathe and asked to go back upstairs.

Two months later, Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis were finally arrested and charged, and Olivia finally interviewed.

Red Flags and Disturbing Allegations

Even before her adoption was approved by the DCYF and Wide Horizons, there were red flags about Olivias soon-to-be parents who had allegedly forced her to drink hot sauce and eat her own vomit as punishment.

According to the NH lawsuit, in 2003, before Atkocaitiss adoption, Wide Horizons visited the home of Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis and interviewed their own children, who said their father beat them with a belt, according to the complaint.

Wide Horizon reported to the DCYF, but neither agency investigated the allegation and less than a year later, the Atkocaitises were allowed to adopt Olivia.

Olivia was born in Chinas Hunan Province during the countrys one-child policy. The policy, says Lewis, created a side market for U.S. adoption agencies and thus an answer to a high demand for babies by American couples.

He believes that DCYF and Wide Horizons were willfully blinded by the couples large, imposing home.

He also blames sexism, racial, and other discriminations, pointing out in the lawsuit that the Atkocaitis children, now full-grown adults, said their parents frequently made racial slurs about Olivia, often calling her a pug-nosed Chink.

And while the Atkocaitiss other three children were allowed to attend school, Olivia was not.

She went to school for one day, and then disappeared without any question from the school, says Lewis. Goffstown School District SAU19 Superintendent Brian Balke, also named in the suit, told The Epoch Times he couldnt comment on the pending suit.

Records show that the first time DCYF or police were contacted by the school appears to be only after one of the Atkocaitiss children sought out help from a school counselor.

Lewis also pointed out that when the Atkocaitiss son ran away from home alleging abuse, police didnt track him down and return him back to his parents like they did Olivia, but instead, delivered him to another home, at the boys request.

He also believes that sexist problems that have plagued the New Boston police are still in practice, referencing a lawsuit filed against the department for its alleged coverup of actions by a member of the force who rated females he arrested on a rapability scale.

Then, there is the long and highly publicized history of the DCYF not following up on abuse allegations, including the now nationally-famous case of Harmony Montgomery, the 5-year-old New Hampshire girl whose disappearance went unnoticed for years.

Olivias case, he said, is just the latest in what he called an enormous dysfunction in New Hampshire when it comes to protecting children.

For some reason, he added, both New Hampshires administration and elected officials have made child abuse a low priority, while financial crimes have been investigatedthe New Hampshire Legislature voted last year to award $10 million in compensation to victims of a Ponzi scheme run by the company Financial Resources Mortgage.

The award was based on allegations that multiple state agencies had failed to investigate complaints against the company.

We gave money to victims of FRM, so whats the justification for doing that and not protecting children, and providing relief for children the state failed through its illegal processes? Lewis asked.

Lewis calls upon New Hampshire lawmakers to pass a civil rights bill to set up a compensation fund for child abuse victims like Olivia who have been failed by the state.

While Olivia is attending college now, she has been handed a lifetime of avoidable trauma to contend with, Lewis said.

Among the seemingly endless horrifying details given by the same authorities, who did not think to immediately remove Olivia from her home after the first round of allegations of abuse, was a police report describing an article of clothing so filthy and saturated with feces and urine that it had to be peeled from the back of the door where Olivia was kept.

In addition to monetary damages, the law also seeks a court order that the police and other government agencies violated Olivias civil rights and rights to be protected from child abuse under New Hampshire law.
That release could not be found.
Frenchman hunted down for hit and run in Patong

PHUKET: Police have tracked down and arrested a French national after he struck a pedestrian and fled the scene while he was riding a rental motorbike last Friday (Feb 10).

patongtourismtransportSafetypolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 16 February 2023, 11:06AM

Naji Sami Bouakkz was charged yesterday (Feb 15) with reckless driving causing physical injury and failing to stop after being involved in an accident, Patong Police confirmed.

Patong Police were notified of the incident at about 7:50pm last Friday via the 191 national call centre, reporting that a woman had been injured in a hit-and-run while she was crossing a street near Sai Nam Yen Rd, police said.

Officers and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation soon arrived at the scene, and the woman, Maliwan Sararat, 45, originally from Roi Et Province, was rushed to Patong Hospital. Due to the nature of her injuries she was soon transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

Through CCTV police tracked the motorbike, ridden by a foreign man wearing a white shirt and a black Helmet to the Triple L Hotel on 50 Pi Rd.

Bouakkz and the person riding pillion on the motorbike at the time of the hit and run, Chahine Yuce, walked out of the hotel around 7:58pm. At about 8:53am, Bouakkz returned to the parked motorbike, a Yamaha TMAX, and rode away, police said.

Bouakkz then returned the Yamaha TMAX to the shop where he rented it, Nueng Motorbike on Prachanukhro Rd, at 12:40pm on Tuesday (Feb 14), police noted.

Officers arrived at the shop and questioned the owner, who said that the front of the motorbike showed signs of impact in a collision. Attempts to cover up the damage had been made, the owner confirmed.

The shop owner called Bouakkz to return to the shop, where police placed him under arrest at 7:33pm, officer reported.

Officers explained to Bouakkz that CCTV footage had confirmed he was riding the bike at the time of the hit-and-run.

Bouakkz and the TMAX motorbike were both taken to Patong Police Station.

Bouakkz was charged after his companion Yuce yesterday confirmed that Bouakkz was riding the motorbike at the time of the incident, police said.

Police noted that at the time the motorbike hit Ms Maliwan, Bouakkz was riding too fast to be able to avoid hitting her.

Not stopping to help Ms Maliwan and immediately reporting the collision was a further offence under the law, officers said.

Police made no mention of whether Bouakkz had the correct licence to ride a motorbike in Thailand, despite Patong Police and Phuket transport officials claiming to crack down on the issue following a mass motorbike rally through the streets of Patong last week by mostly French nationals.

Patong Police and Adcha Buachan, Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), have claimed to have taken action against rental shops for renting out vehicles to tourists without the correct licence to drive a vehicle in Thailand.

Patong Police and Phuket transport officials even met with the French honorary consul for Phuket to discuss the issue.

So far PLTO Chief Adcha has avoided plainly confirming whether the compulsory accident insurance required for a vehicle to be legally on a public road remains in effect if the driver does not have the correct drivers licence.
Governor spells out education enhancement drive

PHUKET: A meeting was held today (Feb 16) to identify ways to elevate the standards of education in Phuket schools by focusing on developing both teachers and students alike.

culture

By The Phuket News

Thursday 16 February 2023, 03:57PM

The meeting was held at Provincial Hall around 8am this morning, chaired by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew.

Governor Narong was joined by Somboon Jirawattanasomkul, advisor to the board at the Phuket Education Office, Wipha Sairat, Director of Phuket ESAO, selected educational administrators and representatives from relevant private sector organisations.

Governor Narong explained that the objective of the meeting was to establish guidelines to help develop comprehensive skill sets of both teachers and pupils to drive the overall education system on the island into a brighter future.

He added that developing and improving the standard of English language skills among teachers and pupils was of particular importance.

The education system should be structured to ensure children can develop certain traits to the best of their ability, namely being good, honest and generous, and to acquire and develop leadership skills, both within themselves and among others, commented Governor Narong.

Additionally we need to focus on developing pupils self-development, physically, emotionally and mentally, he added.

Students need to develop their analytical skills and adaptable approaches to thinking in order to develop general life skills. We need to encourage a creative ability to communicate and to develop problem-solving skills, with a focus on perseverance and determination, he added.

As for teachers, there must be a focus on the psychological development aspect when teaching, as in creating the right, positive mood within the classroom and within each student, which will help them further develop, Governor Narong said.

If we can successfully implement a style and structure that will aid in the positive development of both students and teachers we can enhance the overall standard of the Thai education system so it is not regarded as inferior to other nations, explained Governor Narong.

A key aspect of this process is developing the standard of English language with teachers and students so the latter have a strong command of the language, which can be utilised positively in future.
Phuket tuna on the agenda for Norwegian Ambassador

PHUKET: Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand Astrid Emilie Helle was in Phuket on Tuesday (Feb 14) to discuss tourism and the return of longline tuna fishing hauls being brought ashore in Phuket.

economics

By The Phuket News

Thursday 16 February 2023, 09:00AM

Ambassador Helle met with Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, along with Samerjit Limlikit, Head of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Passport Office in Phuket, and Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, the new Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office.

Among the discussions were transport links and ways to promote Norwegian tourism to Phuket, said an official report of the meeting.

Also discussed were environmental preservation measures relevant to sustainable marine resources, including tuna fishing, the report added.

Taiwanese longline tuna fishing boats have now returned to Phuket to be unloaded after a seven-year hiatus, the report noted.

Phuket provincial officials are preparing to push development of Phuket into a tuna hub by making Phuket the center of tuna trading, the official report explained.

Tuna fishing is under the 10-point provincial policy GEMMMSSTTF to help the islands economy recover.

Other issues discussed were the exchange of knowledge and experience in clean energy management, such as EV cars and using solar energy, as well as taking care of safety and facilitating Norwegian tourists who travel in Phuket, the report concluded.
Sri Lanka bans single-use plastics to save elephants

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will ban single-use plastics, the government has confirmed, in a move that follows a series of wild elephant and deer deaths from plastic poisoning.

wildlifeanimalsenvironmentpollution

By AFP

Thursday 16 February 2023, 10:00AM

Shrinking habitat has led to Sri Lankas elephants raiding villages looking for food and many suffer agonising deaths after foraging in plastic waste. Photo: AFP

Cabinet spokesman and media minister Bandula Gunawardana said the manufacture or sale of plastic cutlery, cocktail shakers and artificial flowers will be prohibited from June.

The move was recommended by a panel appointed 18 months ago to study the impact of plastic waste on the environment and wildlife.

Non-biodegradable plastic bags were banned in 2017 due to concerns over flash floods.

And imports of plastic cutlery, food wrappers and toys were banned two years agoafter a spate of deaths of elephants and deer in the islands northeast after foraging at open garbage tips.

Autopsies showed the animals had died after eating plastics mixed with food waste.

But local manufacture and sale of plastic products continued.

Sri Lankas top authority on Asian elephants, Jayantha Jayewardene, welcomed the move to stop them, but told AFP the ban should be extended to biodegradable plastic bags.

These bags are getting into the food chain of elephants and wildlife and that is not a good thing, he said.

Elephants are considered sacred and protected by law in Sri Lanka, but about 400 die a year as a result of human-elephant conflict near wildlife reserves, as do around 50 people.

Shrinking habitat has led to jumbos raiding villages looking for food and many suffering agonising deaths after foraging for food at dumps filled with plastic waste.

Dozens of wild deer died from plastic poisoning in the northeastern district of Trincomalee about five years ago, prompting the government to ban the open dumping of garbage near jungle reserves.
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.
Students and alumni of colleges within the Alabama Community College System add $6.6 billion to Alabamas economy, supporting one out of every 27 jobs in the state, according to an economic impact report released this week.

The independent, 102-page report by Lightcast estimates the ACCS directly impacts 98,923 jobs in the state, representing about 2.7% of Alabamas gross state product. Additionally, taxpayers see a net benefit of $1.1 billion in added tax revenue from students higher lifetime earnings and increased output to businesses.

Enterprise State Community College serves the four-county region of Pike, Dale, Coffee and Geneva counties. According to Lightcasts report, ESCC added $78.9 million to the colleges service area economy for the 2020-21 fiscal year, the equivalent of almost 1,099 jobs.

This report shows that Enterprise State is following its mission to improve our communities by providing students with excellent opportunities to further their education and enter the workforce, ESCC President Danny Long said. We are providing rigorous education and essential training that is funneling back into our local economy in a number of ways, and we are continually moving forward with projects and programs that we hope will increase that return to the community.

A part of the colleges total impact, ESCCs alumni impact alone provided $65.2 million in added income to the colleges service area, the equivalent of hosting the World Series 10 times. Additionally, the colleges construction spending impact for the 2020-21 fiscal year was around $761,000.

Since FY2020-21, the college has added two new construction projects: a new Performing Arts Center and a Workforce Training Center coming to the ESCC campus. Site work is already underway in addition to the continued renovation projects at the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark.

The report also found that ESCC is a strong investment that provides almost $350 million in total benefits to society, which includes added student income, added income from college activities, added business income and social savings. The report states that for every dollar invested in ESCC, people in Alabama will receive a cumulative value of $9.90 in benefits.

In addition to our well-known transfer degree options, we strive to offer essential training opportunities here at ESCC that meet both our students and our workforce needs, ESCCs Director of Workforce Development Leigh Shiver said. We are proud of what we do to offer great educational opportunities and promote workforce and economic development in our community. It is truly fulfilling to see in this report the impact of our efforts.

Among the reports highlights for the state:

- The impact of the ACCS, which celebrates 60 years as a system this year and represents 24 community and technical colleges across Alabama, supported 98,923 jobs in FY2021. For perspective, the activities of the colleges and their students support one out of every 27 jobs in Alabama.

- Taxpayers, who provided the ACCS with $869.8 million of funding in FY2020-21, will receive an added tax revenue benefit of $1.1 billion. Additionally, reduced demand for government-funded services in Alabama will add another $82.2 million in benefits to taxpayers.

- The ACCS generates $7.40 for every dollar invested in ACCS, for as long as the colleges FY2020-21 students remain active in the state workforce.

- The average Alabama community college graduate earns $7,900 more each year than a resident who does not obtain more than a high school diploma.

- The average annual return for Alabama community college students is 22.1%.

- The colleges operations spending was $535.8 million in added income to the state economy.

- The colleges construction spending was $13.3 million in added income for Alabama.

- T he jobs retained or created and additional investments by businesses supported by the Alabama Technology Network, an entity of the ACCS, created $206.5 million in added income.

- As a result of the $1.8 billion invested by Alabama to support the ACCS, the economy will grow by $12.8 billion over the course of students working lives.

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics for colleges and universities, analyzed data using FY2020-21 academic and financial reports from Alabamas community and technical colleges, as well industry and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau.




The Jewish Division of the Shin Bet is monitoring extremist opponents of the governments plan to implement judicial reform laws, Haaretz reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, police sources have expressed concern that left-wing extremists opposed to the reform will try to sabotage government institutions.

The Shin Bets Jewish Division was founded to monitor right-wing extremists, mainly in Yehudah and Shomron, but in light of the recent fiery rhetoric by left-wing protesters against judicial reform, it has expanded its scope of operations.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he will challenge a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing Trump investigations to compel his testimony before a grand jury  pursuing it to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by the Justice Department, is investigating efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump spent the days before Jan. 6, 2021, aggressively pressuring Pence to reject the outcome, even though Pence had no power to do so. Pence was at the U.S. Capitol presiding over a joint session of Congress as Trumps supporters violently stormed the building that day.

Let me first be clear: Im going to fight the Biden DOJ subpoena for me to appear before the grand jury because I believe its unconstitutional and its unprecedented, Pence told reporters in Iowa, the state that will hold the first contest of the 2024 nominating sequence.

Never before in American history has a vice president been summoned to appear in court to testify against the president with whom they serve, he said.

Pence said he was prepared to take the case as far as it needs to go, if needs be to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The posture marks an aggressive turn for Pence, who has been laying the groundwork for a likely presidential run. While it remains unclear whether Pence will succeed in delaying or limiting the scope of his testimony, the posture gives the former vice president a new opening to attack the Justice Department, which has become increasingly unpopular among conservatives, in part due to Trumps constant attacks.

Indeed, Pence repeatedly criticized the department Wednesday, complaining of a two-tiered justice system that Republicans have been dealing with throughout the Biden administration.

The Associated Press previously reported that Pence was ready to contest Smiths demand for his appearance on constitutional grounds. He argues that because he was serving in his role as president of the Senate on Jan. 6, he is protected under the Constitutions speech or debate clause from being forced to testify. That provision is intended to protect members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment. The Justice Department, which had earlier declined to comment on Pences subpoena, is expected to oppose the former vice presidents efforts and make the case that his cooperation is essential.

Pence noted during an earlier stop in Minneapolis that he had written and spoken extensively about Trumps efforts to pressure him to overturn the results of the election  something he did not have power to do  and has repeatedly denounced Trumps efforts as reckless and dangerous.

I have nothing to hide and Im proud of what we accomplished. But for me, this is a moment where you have to decide where you stand, and I stand on the Constitution of the United States, he said.

He added that he expects Trump to try to assert executive privilege to block his own testimony. Thats not my fight. My fight is on the separation of powers, Pence said.

Pence made his remarks after headlining events in Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids aimed at rallying conservative parents opposed to transgender-affirming policies in public schools. The events came as a federal appeals court was expected to hear oral arguments in St. Paul, Minnesota, in a case brought last summer by a national group representing parents of students in Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids.

Parents Defending Education is trying to overturn a policy adopted by the school board last year allowing transgender students to request a gender support plan to begin socially transitioning at school without the permission of their parents. Pences advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has filed an amicus brief in the case, as have dozens of mostly conservative groups and several conservative states.

Across the country, parents rights are being trampled by a politically correct nanny state thats ruining our schools and telling our parents that they have no role in their childrens most important decisions, Pence said in Minneapolis, where he argued that parents must be informed of such decisions. You do not craft a gender transition plan for my child without my knowledge or consent, he said.

Though Pence says he has yet to make a decision about 2024, he has visited leadoff Iowa several times since the 2020 election. And his Wednesday event had the look and feel of a campaign stop, held in a pizza restaurant where candidates commonly hold court with voters.

Pence is hoping to draw the support of social and religious conservatives in what could be a crowded primary contest that already includes Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who formally launched her campaign Wednesday.

To that end, Pences advocacy group launched a new campaign last week on the schools issue, a flashpoint for many on the right, as Haley and other presidential prospects, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, prepare for their own visits to the state this month.

(AP)




Nikki Haley launched her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Wednesday with a call for generational change in Washington and a rejection of what she derided as identity politics dividing the United States.

Speaking from the historic coastal city of Charleston, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador struck themes intended to resonate with the Republican voters she will court as the first major GOP challenger to former President Donald Trump.

She blasted President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats as too liberal and insisted theres not a problem with racism in the U.S. as they contend. But there were occasional notes that could appeal beyond the GOP base, including appeals for unity and criticism of corporate bailouts.

Haley, who is 51, said that Republicans have repeatedly lost the popular vote in recent elections because they failed to win the confidence of a majority of Americans. The solution, she said, was to put your trust in a new generation.

America is not past its prime, she told a crowd of several hundred people gathered near Charlestons visitors center. Its just that our politicians are past theirs.

That was an obvious knock on Biden, who, at 80, is the oldest president in history, a fact that makes even some Democrats uneasy. But it was also a slight of Trump, who has launched a third White House bid and remains popular with wide swaths of Republican voters. Trump is 76 and has had an up-and-down relationship with Haley from the early days of the 2016 campaign through her time in his administration.

Haley said she would support a mandatory mental competency test for politicians over 75 years old.

While Haley is the first major Republican to officially challenge Trump, she will hardly be the last. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are among those expected to launch campaigns in the coming months. Haleys fellow South Carolinian Sen. Tim Scott is also weighing a White House bid.

At a time when Biden is holding together a Western alliance against Russias invasion of Ukraine and facing scrutiny for his handling of unidentified aerial objects, Haley leaned into the national security credentials she said she gained at the U.N. Among the speakers who introduced her was the mother of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was imprisoned in North Korea and died shortly after his release.

In her remarks, Haley criticized Bidens presiding over the chaotic withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, North Koreas launch of missiles, heightened Russian aggression and an emboldened China.

Today our enemies think that the American era has passed, she said. Theyre wrong.

As the presidential primary season comes into focus, the biggest question is whether anyone in the field will be able to push Trump from his position at the top of a party that he transformed with his first campaign in 2016. Though he enjoys enduring support with some Republican voters, hes been blamed by some party officials for the GOPs lackluster performance in last years midterms.

As in 2016, a crowded field could work to Trumps advantage, allowing him to march to the nomination while his opponents divide support among themselves.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said he was glad Haley is running.

I want her to follow her heart  even though she made a commitment that she would never run against who she called the greatest president of her lifetime, he said.

During her launch, Haley made clear that she would seek to distinguish herself in the GOP field in part by emphasizing her biography. She spoke of growing up in a small South Carolina town as the daughter of immigrants who experienced racist taunts. Still, she insisted that America was not a racist country.

This self loathing is a virus more dangerous than any pandemic, she said.

But the nations complicated experience with race was hard to dismiss. As Haley spoke, a white racist who killed 10 Black people last year at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

And the very venue from which Haley spoke was just a few blocks from Mother Emanuel AME Church, where nine Black parishioners were murdered in 2015 by a self-avowed white supremacist who had been pictured holding Confederate flags. One of the survivors, Felicia Sanders, was in attendance Wednesday. Sanders son Tywanza was killed in the massacre.

The Charleston shooting was a defining moment of Haleys governorship. For years, she resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds, even portraying a rivals push for its removal as a desperate stunt. But after the church shootings and with the support of other leading Republicans, Haley advocated for legislation to remove the flag. It came down less than a month after the murders.

A campaign video that Haley released on Tuesday referred to the shooting, but made no reference to her work to remove the flag.

In unveiling her campaign in Charleston, Haley sought to show some strength in her home state, which holds a critical early primary that influences the GOP nomination. Ahead of Wednesdays event, Rep. Ralph Norman  whom Trump backed in the 2022 midterm elections  became the first House member from South Carolina to publicly endorse Haley.

Those in the crowd said they were excited by the prospect of a Haley presidency. Retiree Connie Campbell said she was all in for the former governor, who she said has got so much to offer.

Shes very experienced in politics and as a family person, a mother, a wife, said Campbell, noting her admiration for the way Haley led South Carolina through tragedies including the Charleston shooting. She had a lot to go through as our governor.

If elected, Haley would be the first woman as well as woman of color to assume the presidency, a historic fact that she embraced  to an extent. She said she rejects identity politics and also doesnt believe in glass ceilings. That phrase became popular in politics when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama after a bitter primary fight in 2008, noting that she wasnt yet able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling.

Still, Haley wore white on stage in a nod to the suffragette movement and leaned into gender as she wrapped up her remarks.

As I set out on this new journey, I will simply say this  may the best woman win, she said to roars of approval.

(AP)




Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Office (PMO) and the Jerusalem Municipality announced an agreement on a plan to increase the sense of security for residents of the city in response to the recent terrorist attacks.

The plan includes a substantial reinforcement of security and police units, as well as improving civilian protection at bus stops in the city.

The plan is to immediately begin the reinforcement of 300 bus stops that are deemed high-priority and which are currently unprotected.

The PMO (Prime Ministers Office) has allocated a designated budget to the Jerusalem Municipality, which will be used to begin this process.

The remaining 700 bus stops in the city will then be reinforced in the next stage, and the PMO will allocate a designated budget to the Jerusalem Municipality for this purpose as well.

The plan also includes a concentration of intelligence and operational efforts to identify potential threats and prevent future attacks. In addition, the PMO and the Jerusalem Municipality are working together to ensure that the security reinforcement efforts are effective and efficient.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




U.S. authorities have arrested four more people in the slaying of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, including the owner of a Miami-area security company that hired ex-Colombian soldiers for the mission, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

The squad of former Colombian soldiers are among dozens of suspects who carried out the July 2021 attack that authorities say originally was envisioned to be a coup rather than an assassination. The plotters had hoped to reap lucrative contracts under a new administration once Moise was out of the way, investigators allege.

This was both a human tragedy and an assault on core democratic principles, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Olsen.

Antonio Tony Intriago, 59, a Venezuelan-American who owned CTU Security that hired the Colombians, is charged with conspiracy to kill or kidnap a person outside the U.S. among other charges. CTU company representative Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, 50, a Colombian-born resident of the U.S., faces the same charges.

Florida-based U.S. financier Walter Veintemilla, 54, of Weston, Fla., is accused of funding the operation. A fourth suspect, Frederick Joseph Bergmann Jr., 64, of Tampa, is accused of smuggling goods including 20 CTU-branded ballistic vests disguised as medical X-ray vests and school supplies.

Intriago was known among plotters as The General and Pretel as Colonel Gabriel, according to authorities.

Tama Kudman, Veintemillas attorney, told The Associated Press that he would plead not guilty to both charges.

Claude Joseph, who was serving as prime minister when Moise was killed, cheered the announcement. Justice must prevail, he tweeted.

A total of 11 suspects are now in U.S. custody, including key players like James Solages and Joseph Vincent, two Haitian-Americans who were among the first arrested after Moise was shot 12 times at his private home in July 2021. Other suspects include Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a pastor and failed businessman whose associates have suggested was duped by the plotters.

A power vacuum following the assassination has allowed gangs in Haiti to gain more power and control more territory, with experts estimating that they control 60% of Port-au-Prince. A spike in kidnappings, rapes and killings have prompted Prime Minister Ariel Henry to demand the immediate deployment of foreign troops. But the request in October has gone unheeded by the U.N. Security Council, which has opted to implement sanctions so far.

Federal authorities said that in April 2021, Veintemillas company, Worldwide Capital Lending Group, provided CTU with a $175,000 line of credit.

By that time, the men planned to foment a public uprising aimed at ousting President Moise and installing Sanon as president, charging documents say.

Authorities said that Intriago, Ortiz and Veintemilla expected to reap significant financial benefits if Sanon became president via anticipated contracts for infrastructure, military equipment and the provision of security forces.

Also in April, Ortiz and others met with the FBI and unsuccessfully tried to draw them into a discussion about regime change in Haiti.

Around that time, Ortiz told Solages that the current president is the thiefdelete the messages that could compromise you in case of being captured. Ortiz also sent a text message to another suspect, Colombian citizen German Rivera Garcia, with a photo of a whiteboard sketch of an assault plan including snipers and 10 warrior-neutralizers, according to court documents.

The suspects had used coded language like screws and nails for ammunition and tools or instruments for firearms, with Veintemilla providing $15,000 to Solages to buy ammunition and $250,000 for armored vests, authorities said.

Authorities have said that the original plan was to detain Moise, force him onto a plane and whisk him to an unidentified location, but that plot crumbled when suspects couldnt find a plane or sufficient weapons, according to court documents.

Sanon, who envisioned himself as Haitis new leader, was supposed to seize power, but some suspects soon favored a former Haitian Supreme Court judge to take over instead. Ortiz, Intriago, Veintemilla and others realized that Sanon had neither the constitutional qualifications nor the popular support of the Haitian people to become president, according to court documents.

Police say the judge remains a fugitive.

A day before the killing, Solages falsely told other suspects that it was a CIA operation and that the real mission was to kill the president. Shortly before Moise was killed, Solages yelled that it was supposedly a DEA operation so that the presidents security detail would comply.

Also detained are former Haitian Sen. John Joel Joseph, who had fled to Jamaica, and former U.S. government informant and Haitian businessman Rodolphe Jaar, who was extradited from the Dominican Republic.

As the U.S. investigation pushes forward, the probe in Haiti is nearly idle. Three judges have stepped down from the case amid fears of reprisals and a fourth one was dismissed. Meanwhile, no court hearings have been held yet for the more than 40 suspects arrested in Haiti, with many of them including 18 Colombian soldiers languishing in a severely overcrowded jail in Port-au-Prince that often lacks food and water.

The situation has angered and frustrated the presidents widow, Martine Moise, who lashed out in a 13-minute video she posted earlier this month, noting that things have worsened in Haiti since the assassination.

Its a huge crime that happened against the nation, she said. Where is the mother law of the country, where are the people, where is the democracy?

(AP)




Romania briefly scrambled military jets and neighboring Moldova temporarily closed its air space Tuesday after authorities in both countries reported mysterious weather balloon-like objects traversing their skies.

The incidents occurred at around midday local time and briefly raised concerns in the two Eastern European countries, both which border Ukraine and have been affected by Russias war.

Romanias defense ministry said it deployed two jets that are under NATO command to its southeastern skies to seek an aerial object it described as being small with characteristics similar to a weather balloon. It had been detected initially by radar systems in Romanian airspace at an altitude of about 11,000 meters (36,000 feet).

The crews of the two aircraft did not confirm the presence of the aerial target, neither visually nor on the onboard radars, a ministry statement said, adding that the two MiG-21 LanceR aircraft stayed in the vicinity for about 30 minutes before returning to base.

It was unclear whether the two incidents were related, and neither country said where they believed the objects had come from.

The events follow a string of comparable incidents this month in the U.S., in which objects detected and shot down by warplanes included a high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed American airspace. China said it was a weather balloon that had accidentally drifted off course.

The incident in Moldova triggered widespread travel disruption and brief panic when authorities temporarily closed the countrys airspace over what they later described as an object similar to a weather balloon spotted near the northern border with Ukraine.

Scores of flights in the country of about 2.6 million people, one of Europes poorest, were canceled or rescheduled. Some were diverted to Romania.

Given the weather conditions and the impossibility of monitoring and identifying the object as well as its flight path  the decision was taken to temporarily close the airspace, Moldovas aviation authority said in a statement.

Romania has been a NATO member since 2004 and a European Union member since 2007. Moldova is militarily neutral and thus not a potential NATO member. Its looking to forge closer ties with the west and was granted EU candidate status last June, the same day as Ukraine.

On Monday, Moldovan President Maia Sandu accused Russia of plotting to overthrow her countrys government and derail it from its EU accession path.

Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Sandus claims on Tuesday as absolutely unfounded and unsubstantiated.

(AP)




Fox News lost an attempt Tuesday to shut down a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit that accuses the network of spreading lies that a voting-technology company helped steal the 2020 election from then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

New Yorks Supreme Court Appellate Division, a mid-level appeals court, ruled against the network, which wanted judges to dismiss the $2.7 billion defamation case.

The company that brought the case, Smartmatic, has said it played a valid and small role in the election. It hailed the ruling as a step toward holding Fox News accountable for amplifying unsupported and damaging claims from Trumps lawyers.

Fox News cast the case as an attempt to chill journalism, expressing confidence the network ultimately would prevail.

Tuesdays decision means Smartmatics suit continues against Fox News, hosts Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro, former host Lou Dobbs, and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani. A claim against Trump lawyer Sidney Powell was dismissed earlier because she doesnt have ties to New York, where the case was filed.

The five-judge ruling concluded there were significant allegations that Giuliani and Powell defamed the company.

The complaint alleges in detailed fashion that in their coverage and commentary, Fox News, Dobbs, and Bartiromo effectively endorsed and participated in the statements with reckless disregard for, or serious doubts about whether there was any reliable evidence for them, five judges wrote in a unanimous opinion. Citing the same reasoning, they also reinstated Smartmatics claims against Pirro, which a lower court had thrown out.

Federal and state election officials, exhaustive reviews in battleground states and Trumps own attorney general found no widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. Nor did they uncover any credible evidence that the vote was tainted. Trumps allegations of fraud also were roundly rejected by dozens of courts, including by judges whom he had appointed.

The ruling comes as Fox News fights a separate, $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit from Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems, with a trial date in April. The network also is fighting lawsuit from a Venezuelan businessman who said he was wrongly accused of trying to corrupt the election.

Florida-based Smartmatic said that in the 2020 presidential election, its technology and software were used only in Californias Los Angeles County. The Democratic bastion went, as expected, for Democratic nominee and now-President Joe Biden.

But Smartmatic says Fox News and the three hosts repeatedly allowed Trumps lawyers to falsely portray Smartmatic as a foreign company involved in a sprawling, multi-state operation to flip votes to Biden from the Republican incumbent.

During a series of post-Election Day appearances, Giuliani asserted that the company had been formed in order to fix elections. Powell called it a huge criminal conspiracy, and the two claimed that proof would be forthcoming.

After Smartmatics lawyers demanded a retraction, Fox News aired an interview with an election technology expert who said there was no evidence that the companys technology had monkeyed with the election results. He refuted various claims that Giuliani and Powell made.

Fox News, its news anchors and guests knowingly and falsely published lies, Smartmatic lawyer J. Erik Connolly said in a statement Tuesday. The company maintains that the network cant claim free speech protections for its conduct.

Fox News argues that it can, saying it was informing the public about newsworthy, if controversial, claims from an important figure about a matter of public concern.

There is nothing more newsworthy than covering the president of the United States and his lawyers making allegations of voter fraud, the network said, adding that it was confident it would be vindicated. Fox News called the damages claim outrageous and nothing more than a flagrant attempt to deter our journalists from doing their jobs.

A message seeking comment on Tuesdays ruling was sent to Giulianis lawyers. They have said Giulianis statements were protected by the First Amendment and other laws and principles.

(AP)




The Biden administration has withdrawn its pick of a human rights activist for a post at the Organization of American States for calling Israel an apartheid state and blasting a top House Democrat as being Bought. Purchased. Controlled by pro-Israel groups.

The U.S. announced Friday the candidacy of James Cavallaro to serve as an independent member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a watchdog monitoring the Americas, praising him as leading scholar and practitioner of international law with deep expertise in the region.

But on Tuesday the State Department said that his candidacy was pulled in the wake of an article by a New York-based Jewish publication, the Algemeiner, which revealed Cavallaros history of posts critical of Israel and U.S. support for the Jewish state.

In one Dec. 2022 tweet, deleted as the Algemeiner article was being readied for publication, Cavallaro used language layered with anti-Semitic tropes to accuse House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, of being in the pocket of pro-Israel lobbyists.

Bought. Purchased. Controlled, Cavallaro wrote alongside a link to an article about Jeffries donations from AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday that the Biden administration was unaware of Cavallaros past comments on Israel prior to announcing his candidacy.

They are not a reflection of what we believe and they are inappropriate to say the least, Price said.

Cavallaro, who served previously on the commission from 2014 to 2017, pushed back at the notion he was being insensitive. He said that his views on Israel are entirely consistent with international human rights organizations and international bodies and in no way would impact his work advancing human rights in the Americas.

Its clear I hit a raw nerve, he said in an interview Tuesday following a meeting with the State Department.

He also pointed out that elected commissioners serve in a personal capacity and are not supposed to represent the foreign policy views of the governments backing their candidacy. He said that he discussed with the State Department his active social media presence prior to his candidacy being announced, if not specific tweets, and committed to cleaning up his timeline and rigorously refraining from speaking out if elected to serve on the commission.

Cavallaros shortlived candidacy recalls the blow-up over Harvard Universitys decision to rescind a fellowship that it had offered another human rights activist for similar criticisms of Israel.

Kenneth Roth, who was the executive director of Human Rights Watch until last year, was recruited by the Harvard Kennedy School to become a fellow. But the offer was rescinded a few weeks later over what Roth said was HRWs longstanding record of criticizing Israel for possible war crimes against Palestinians. Amid a public outcry over infringement on academic freedom, Harvard reversed course, the offer was reinstated and Roth started the fellowship this month.

Cavallaro, a co-founder and Executive Director of the University Network for Human Rights who previously taught at Harvard, Stanford and Yale law schools, has also accused Israel of committing atrocities, according to the Algemeiners scan of Cavallaros now deleted social media activity.

His candidacy to serve on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was to be voted on by the OAS 34 member states at a meeting this summer.

(AP)




IDF forces, Shin Bet operatives and Border Guard officers carried out a special arrest operation overnight Tuesday in Yehudah and Shomron.

Six Arabs suspected of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the road leading from Gush Etzion to Beitar Illit and Beit Shemesh were arrested in the village of Husan, next to Beitar Illit.

The arrest of the suspects was made by soldiers of the 82nd Battalion  operating in the field in accordance with intelligence means.

This is a direct continuation of the general effort of the IDF forces to enable a calm and safe life for the residents of the entire region, the IDF spokesperson said.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Violent confrontations broke out on Wednesday morning between Border Police and Civil Administration officers and Jewish protesters during the uprooting of an orchard near Shilo in the Shomron, which was planted on supposedly disputed land, according to the Supreme Court.

Hundreds of police officers with bulldozers faced off against hundreds of Jews, mostly teens, who tried to stop the uprooting of the trees.

Videos of the scene show police officers acting with shocking violence toward protesters, with one policeman seen kicking a right-wing activist in his face.

In another video that caused an uproar, policemen were seen encircling Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech, in violation of her immunity as a Knesset member. When she tried to leave the ring of police officers, they claimed that they were protecting her.

In addition, Har-Melech said that she was assaulted by one of the policemen.

Following her complaint, Border Police commander Amir Cohen carried out a preliminary inquiry, during which he said that he takes a serious view of this incident that does not reflect the values of the corps and its professionalism. Additionally, he suspended three of the officers seen in the video until the end of the investigation.

The evacuation was carried out despite the opposition of Finance Minister Betzalel Smoritch, who is a minister in the Defense Ministry, and according to a coalition agreement was supposed to have received authority over the Civil Administration. Smotrich had ordered a freeze of the evacuation but was apparently undermined by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who ordered the Civil Administration to carry out the order.

Smotrich wrote an urgent letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanding that he halt the evacuation. In order to avoid a crisis, Netanyahu complied with Smotrichs request but the order came too late as about 1,000 trees had already been uprooted.

Later on Wednesday, it was reported that Netanyahu called Smotrich and promised to immediately transfer power over the Civil Administration to him, as outlined in the coalition agreement between the Likud and the Religious Zionist Party.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Visit Dothan CEO Aaron McCreight resigned Thursday after a federal judge in Iowa sentenced him to 18 months in federal prison on a bank fraud charge stemming from McCreights work as head of Go Cedar Rapids, a tourism non-profit.

McCreight pleaded guilty to the charge in January 2022, after having been hired to lead Visit Dothan following his termination in Cedar Rapids. The Visit Dothan board of directors issued a statement of support for McCreight following his plea, underscoring the value of the work hes done here.

McCreights troubles in Cedar Rapids came with the lackluster interest in a three-day music festival featuring Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5. McCreight and a colleague, Go Cedar Rapids CFO Doug Hargrave, admitted having falsified information to secure a bank loan to fund the festival, which failed to generate anticipated revenue. In the fallout, McCreight, Hargrave, and a bank officer lost their jobs, and the Go Cedar Rapids tourism organization was shut down. The bank and numerous vendors lost upward of $2 million.

Earlier this week, prosecutors asked the judge to hold McCreight responsible for as much as $1.4 million in restitution; instead U.S. Judge C.J. Williams sentenced McCreight to 18 months in federal prison.

McCreight remains free and will surrender to begin his sentence at a date not yet determined.

From Visit Dothans board came the following statement Thursday:

The Board of Directors of Visit Dothan has accepted the resignation of Aaron McCreight as its President and CEO effective immediately. The Board appreciates the job that Aaron has done during his tenure here in Dothan.

Under the leadership of Aaron, sports tournaments grew dramatically, hotel room reservations grew, and visitor spending increased significantly. His accomplishments included a new visitor website, an international BMX event, a national marketing campaign, an enhanced official visitors guide, a record-breaking year for sports tournaments, new partnerships with local restaurants, and improvement of our sports facilities.

Aaron passionately and effectively lifted Visit Dothan to be the catalyst for visitor and sports growth in our area and instituted many positive initiatives. As a result, our organization and our community benefited tremendously from his work, dedication, integrity, and collaborative community support.

The Board will now begin the search for a President and CEO who will be able to continue to move us forward. We will have no further comment on this matter.




China said Wednesday it will take measures against U.S. entities related to the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the American East Coast.

At a daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no details and did not identify the targets of the measures.

China says the balloon was a unmanned weather airship that was accidentally blown off course and accuses the U.S. of overreacting in bringing it down with a missile fired from an F-22 fighter jet.

Since the Feb. 4 downing of the balloon, the United States has sanctioned six Chinese entities it said are linked to Beijings aerospace programs.

The U.S. House of Representatives subsequently 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. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also canceled a visit to Beijing that many hoped would stabilize ties that have cratered amid disputes over trade, human rights, Taiwan and Chinas claim to the South China Sea.

While China denies the balloon was a military asset, it has yet to say what government department or company was responsible.

After initially expressing regret over the balloons entry into U.S. airspace, China has returned spying accusations against Washington, alongside its threats of retaliation.

China firmly opposes this and will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against the relevant U.S. entities that undermine Chinas sovereignty and security, Wang said at Wednesdays briefing.

China will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and its legitimate rights and interests, Wang said.

Also Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said the Chinese balloons intrusion was part of a pattern of aggressive behavior by Beijing.

Emanuel noted Chinas recent beaming of military-grade laser on a Philippine coast guard patrol vessel, the harassment of U.S. planes by Chinese jets and Chinas opening of illegal police stations in the U.S., Ireland and other countries.

The balloon to me is not an isolated incident, Emanuel said.

If China wants to be a respected member of the international community, then you act appropriately to certain basic premises. that is you dont open police stations in other countries ignorant of their laws as if your laws dont have any boundaries, he said.

This is not exactly the qualities and characteristics of the good neighbor policy, the ambassador said, referring to Chinas outreach to countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

On Tuesday, Japans Defense Ministry said at least three flying objects spotted in Japanese airspace since 2019 were strongly believed to have been Chinese spy balloons. It said it has protested and requested explanations from Beijing.

Senior lawmakers in Japans governing party on Wednesday said they were considering expanding the Self Defense Force law to also include violations of Japanese airspace by foreign balloons.

(AP)




Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara were Menachem Avel the Paley family in Ramot, following last Fridays ramming terror attack which claimed the lives of 6-year-old Asher and 8-year-old Menachem hyd and critically injured their husband/father.

Accompanying the prime minister and his wife was Avi Gil, who serves as Netanyahus military secretary. Listening to Mrs. Devorah Paley and her surviving childrens unbelievable strength, perseverance, emunah and bitachon in the face of unimaginable tragedy, Gil was deeply moved.

At the conclusion of the shiva visit, the prime ministers military secretary approached the grandfather of the niftarim with tears in his eyes.

I envy you for having such grandchildren the living, not the murdered ones, Gil said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Republican Nikki Haley joined the 2024 race for president this week, becoming the first major rival to former President Donald Trump in a field that is expected to grow in coming months. Here are some things to know about the former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations:

I WAS DIFFERENT

Haley, 51, grew up in the small rural community of Bamberg, South Carolina, the daughter of Indian immigrants. Raised in the Sikh faith by a father who wore a turban and a mother who wore a sari, she has described enduring racist taunts and feeling like she didnt fit in, an experience she says had an impact on on her personal and political life. In a video announcing her presidential bid, Haley referenced that past, saying she grew up not Black, not white  I was different. She also insisted  as she has in past speeches  that America is not a racist country. Nothing could be further from the truth, she said in her formal announcement Wednesday.

NOTABLE FIRSTS

Before becoming South Carolina governor, Haley was an accountant and served in the state House of Representatives. In her first campaign in 2004, she defeated the states longest-serving House member. Three terms later, she made a longshot bid for governor and defeated a field of more veteran politicians to become the first woman and first Indian American to lead South Carolina. At 38, she also was the nations youngest governor. Haley is the first woman to be a major candidate for president in 2024, and just the fifth Republican woman this century.

DIVISIVE SYMBOL

Haleys biggest moment on the national stage as governor came during her second term, when a self-avowed white supremacist who had been pictured holding Confederate flags murdered nine Black parishioners as they gathered for Bible study in a Charleston church. For years before the 2015 killings, Haley had resisted calls to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds, even casting a rivals push for its removal as a desperate stunt. But after the massacre and with the support of other leading Republicans, Haley advocated for legislation to remove the flag. It came down less than a month after the murders.

Haley later faced criticism for telling conservative host Glen Beck in a 2019 interview that the Charleston shooter hijacked the ideals many connected to the flag, including the service, and sacrifice and heritage it meant to some. After many responded saying that the flag represented treason and racial hatred, Haley said in a statement on Twitter that she stood by her call to remove it. In a 2020 speech to the Republican National Convention that followed weeks of protests alleging racial injustice by police, Haley called the flag a divisive symbol that was removed peacefully.

HISTORY WITH TRUMP

Haley has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Trump, going from harsh critic to ardent supporter and now a 2024 rival.

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Haley supported Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. She later backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. She described Trump as everything a governor doesnt want in a president. But Haley ultimately said she would back the GOP nominee, and shortly after Trump won the presidency, she agreed to serve as the new administrations ambassador to the United Nations. She was a whole-hearted supporter of his 2020 reelection bid. Her most recent reversal: Her decision to seek the presidency after initially saying she wouldnt challenge Trump if he ran again.

(AP)




A Jewish man became the victim of a drive-by shooting Wednesday morning in Los Angeles shortly after leaving shul.

The Los Angeles Scoop reported that the man was shot at around 9:56 am PT near Cashio and Shenandoah in Pico-Robertson, an area of Los Angeles densely populated with Orthodox Jews.

The Magen Am private security service reportedly had a trainee at the scene when the shooting occurred, and he contacted police.

According to reports, the assailant  believed to be an Asian male with gray hair and a goatee  drove a gray Honda, possibly a Civic  towards his victim and fired 2 shots. The victim was grazed by one of the bullets and taken to a hospital for treatment before being released.

The suspect is not in custody at this time and was last seen driving southbound on Shenandoah.

The shooters motive is currently unknown.

THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE LOS ANGELES SCOOP STATUS

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The Agudas Yisroel Yerushalayim Yarchei Kallah full third day came to end and, the sense of comprehension intensifies. Learning about the Torah view of commerce Hasagos Gvul, and fair business practices mesmerized the Lomdim.

One participant pointed out that he works in Manhattan, and has been watching a building being built for the past three years. There was just a hole in the ground where dozens of workers were busy laying the groundwork. He thought it would never happen, but suddenly in just months, there was an 80-story building in that space. The Yarchei Kallah shares that same dynamic. Three days of plumbing into the depths of the Sugya have prepared a very solid foundation. It is now time to build a tall binyan of understanding.

The sound of the Torah being learned by hundreds of eager lomdim was a source of great inspiration for anyone who opened the door and looked into the room. It was indeed what Chazal call Rischa Doraissa.

The participants had plenty of help getting to the pinnacle of achievement. HaRav Chaim Peretz Berman thoroughly analyzed the Rashi on the Sugya while HaRav Meir Tzvi Spitzer spoke about the famous dispute regarding the printing of Shas by the Slavita and Vilna printers and the worldwide controversy it engendered. HaRav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi then spoke with his trademark warmth and unique style.

There was a special buffet lunch to celebrate three years of achievement for those who participate in the year-round Agudah Virtual Yarchei Kallah. HaRav Shraga Kallus, one of the regular Maggidei Shiur encouraged the participants to keep it up.

This afternoon, there was a unique Yarchei Kallah innovation, a panel addressing real-life case studies Halacha LiMayseh featuring three very prominent poskim; Harav Dov Kahan, HaRav Ari Marburger, and HaRav Chaim Meir Roth. They discussed many of the practical issues that business people face all over the world. There was much fascinating give and take and was much appreciated.

The very packed day continued with a special dinner hosted by Shuvu and addressed by HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, who was mechazek Shuvu and its students.

The evening concluded with a special shmooze by HaRav Elimelech Biederman who charmed and inspired everyone with his insightful remarks.

Everyone is looking forward to the last day with eager anticipation. With just one day left, everyone is aware of the immortal words of Chazal    . Grab and eat, grab and drink for the world, which is like a banquet that doesnt last forever. Maximizing our time is the order of the day.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




IDF forces and Border Police officers overnight Wednesday demolished the home of the terrorist Muhammed Al-Jaabri who killed Ronen Hanania, hyd in a terror attack in Kiryat Arba in October 2022.

Israeli security forces arriveed in the city of Chevron in the early morning hours of Thursday morning and after evacuating the residents of the neighboring houses, demolished the walls of the house and put explosives inside.

Unlike most demolition operations, the IDF announced its plans ahead of time due to the homes proximity to Jewish homes.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




One person was killed and three more were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, adding to the dozens of people already killed this year in mass shootings across the United States.

El Paso police said hours after the gunfire that two people had been taken into custody, though details of what led the shooting remained unclear.

Interim police chief Peter Pacillas said that Cielo Vista Mall was still considered a crime scene, and that it would remain locked down until authorities had completed their investigation.

Pacillas stressed that the danger had passed.

There is no more danger. I want to repeat that: There is no more danger to the public, Pacillas said.

The shooting happened in a busy shopping area and across a large parking lot from a Walmart where 23 people were killed in a racist attack targeting Hispanic people in 2019. El Paso  with a largely Latino population of about 700,000 people  sits on the U.S. border with Mexico, where residents of both countries cross frequently.

Todays shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall has brought back traumatic memories for many of us. Please know you are not alone, Democratic U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, said on Twitter.

She urged anyone who needed it to reach out to the citys crisis help line.

The United States has seen dozens of people killed in mass shootings so far in 2023, most recently Monday at Michigan State University, where three students were killed and five more were wounded. In January, 11 people were killed in the Los Angeles-area city of Monterey Park as they welcomed the Lunar New Year at a dance hall popular with older Asian Americans.

Pacillas said the two people taken into custody after Wednesdays shooting as well as all of the victims were males.

University Medical Center in El Paso said in a statement that two gunshot victims being treated there were in critical condition.

The condition of the third victim was not immediately known.

Police earlier said the shooting was reported in the shopping malls food court.

Authorities set up a reunification center at a nearby high school, where those affected by the shooting could reconnect with loved ones.

The FBI, which is assisting El Paso police in the investigation, set up a website where the public can share photos or video from the shooting: www.fbi.gov/cielovistamallshooting.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a tweet Wednesday night that he had spoken to the mayor of El Paso and offered assistance from the Texas Department of Public and Safety and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

In 2022, more than 600 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. in which at least four people were killed or wounded, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

(AP)




The FBI searched the University of Delaware in recent weeks for classified documents as part of its investigation into the potential mishandling of sensitive government records by President Joe Biden.

The search, first reported by CNN, was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person would not say whether anything was found.

A Justice Department special counsel is investigating how classified documents from Bidens time as vice president and senator came to wind up in his home and former office  and whether any mishandling involved criminal intent or was unintentional. Bidens personal lawyers disclosed in January that a small batch of documents with classified markings had been found weeks earlier in his former Washington office, and they have since allowed FBI searches of multiple properties.

The university is Bidens alma mater. In 2011, Biden donated his records from his 36 years serving in the U.S. Senate to the school. The documents arrived June 6, 2012, according to the university, which released photos of the numbered boxes being unloaded at the university alongside blue and gold balloons.

Under the terms of Bidens gift, the records are to remain sealed until two years after he retires from public life.

Bidens Senate records would not be covered by the presidential records act, though prohibitions on mishandling classified information would still apply.

The White House referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment. The University of Delaware also referred questions to the Justice Department.

The university is the fourth known entity to be searched by the FBI following inspections of his former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, where records with classified markings were initially found in a locked closet by Bidens personal lawyers in November, and more recently of his Delaware homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.

Those searches were all done voluntarily and with the consent of Bidens legal team.

The FBI took six items that contained documents with classified markings during its January search of the Wilmington home, Bidens personal lawyer has said. Agents did not find classified documents at the Rehoboth Beach property but did take some handwritten notes and other materials relating to Bidens time as vice president for review.

The Justice Department is separately investigating the retention by former President Donald Trump of roughly 300 documents marked as classified at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. The FBI served a search warrant at the home last August after months of resistance by Trump and his representatives to returning the documents to the government.

The FBI also searched the Indiana home of former Vice President Mike Pence last week after his lawyers came forward to say they had found a small number of documents with classified markings. A Pence adviser said one additional document with classified markings was found during that search.

(AP)
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SSP Group sales exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the first four months of its fiscal year, as a pick-up in travel over the holiday season lifted demand.

SSP operates brands ranging from its own Upper Crust, to franchises of M&S and Burger King, in airports and train stations in more than 30 countries said despite the impact of strikes in the UK rail network, trading across its other regions remained strong.

The Upper Crust owner backed its full-year guidance as it hailed a strong start to the year.

Update: SSP Group said sales for the first four months of its fiscal year were 103% higher than before the pandemic

The group, which operates food and drink outlets at train stations and airports, reported group revenues of 871million for the four months to the end of January, up 103 per cent of 2019 levels and 167 per cent of levels seen last year.

SSP put the revenue performance down to further recovery in passenger numbers, led by strong leisure travel demand over the extended holiday season.

In the UK and Ireland, growth was more muted, at 83 per cent, with revenues standing at 215million for the four months to 31 January.

The FTSE 250-listed group said: 'This momentum continued through the autumn and into the winter, demonstrating a resilience to the broader pressures on consumer spending.

'Business and commuter travel also continued to recover, albeit at a slower pace.

'We have continued to make progress extending and renewing contracts as well as winning new business, including in North America as well as in India, Malaysia and Thailand, to augment our strong pipeline.

'Approximately two thirds of sales from net new business openings in our secured pipeline are expected to come from the North America and Rest of World regions.'

Looking ahead, SSP said: 'Whilst we continue to face macroeconomic uncertainty, we believe that the travel food and beverage sector will remain structurally resilient to pressures on consumer spending and that our global footprint, with rising exposure to the North American and Asia Pacific regions, will deliver sustained growth.'

Patrick Coveney, chief executive of SSP, added: 'The long-term structural growth in the air and rail travel sectors and the ongoing demand from clients and customers around the world for our brands and food concepts leave us well-placed to create significant value for shareholders for many years ahead.'

SSP said it was on track to meet its 2023 guidance for revenues of between 2.9billion and 3billion, and EBITDA of 250million to 280million, as strong trading across other regions offsets the impact of UK rail strike action.

SSP shares fell today and were down 0.37 per cent or 1.00p to 268.50p this afternoon. The group's share price has fallen by around 10 per cent in the last year.

In December the group reported an annual pre-tax profit of 25.2million compared with a 411.2million loss the previous year. Underlying core profits were 142million for the year to 30 September, against a loss of 108.3million the previous year.

On the dividend front, SSP said in December: 'The Board recognises the importance of dividends and other capital returns to shareholders and, given current planning assumptions, would anticipate the resumption of ordinary dividend payments, beginning with a payment in respect of the 2023 financial year.'

Ruth Griffin, a partner at Gowling WLG, said: 'Given the significant increase in the domestic travel and leisure sector, it is not surprising that S&P's mainly travel hub focused operations have returned to a more profitable performance  however, this has not been a given as the intensity of increased post-lockdown competition, as well as the current economic climate, has driven more lateral thinking than ever, where lowering cost margins while offering more choice are concerned especially.'
Two Dothan men have been arrested and charged in connection with a local burglary investigation.

According to a Dothan Police Department news release, the department began investigating a burglary in March 2022 in which specific and identifiable items were stolen. Items matching the stolen items recently appeared on social media as being for sale by an individual.

On Wednesday, Dothan Police Department criminal investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of the seller in the 300 block of Chapelwood Drive. Investigators located two specific stolen items from the original burglary. During the search, investigators also located illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Present at the time of the execution of the search warrant were two adults and one person under the age of 18 who had been provided illegal narcotics by one of the adults.

As a result of the investigation, 21-year-old Jalen Fransis McDonald of Chapelwood Drive was charged with one count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, one count of receiving stolen property first degree, one count of possession of marijuana second degree, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $47,000.

Also charged was 19-year-old Cameron Michael Bishop of Chapelwood Drive. Bishop was charged with one count of receiving stolen property second degree, one count of possession of marijuana second degree, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $12,000.
Beleaguered homeless housing provider Home Reit has revealed the receipt of an unsolicited takeover offer from European property investor Bluestar Group.

Home Reit, which is a London-listed investment trust, has faced mounting pressure in recent months amid the ongoing delay of its financial results, a damaging short seller report and the waning ability of its tenants to pay rents.

Its board told investors on Thursday it had received an offer from Bluestar, which is likely to be in cash, and it is considering all strategic options including the possible sale of the company.

Home Reit also revealed the extent to which it faces a serious deterioration in rent collections, following a report delayed by the resignation of the trusts two brokers - Alvarium Securities and Jefferies International.

Home Reit says it attempts to fight homelessness through funding the acquisition and creation of new, high quality homeless accommodation

It said: For the quarter ending November 2022, only 23 per cent of rent has been collected, meaning that out of a 14,827,147 quarterly rent roll, only 3,401,615 has been paid.

In addition, the rent forecast to be collected for the coming months is highly uncertain as the Investment Adviser deals with a combination of issues surrounding the tenants' ability, or willingness, to pay.

It is not possible to quantify the future amounts of rent to be collected with certainty as the issues are not straightforward.

Recent reports revealed that one of its largest tenants Lotus Sanctuary, which provides supported housing and accounts for around 12 per cent of its rental income, has stopped paying Home Reit.

Prior to that Big Help Group, a Liverpool charity which is Home Reits largest tenant, and London-based charity the Noble Tree Foundation revealed they are disputing their rental obligations and have not made any lease payments for the three months to 30 November.

The 2022 Viceroy report questioned Home Reits business model and ability to collect rent and said management were vultures who were not the people who should be entrusted to look after the vulnerable.

At the time Home Reit banded the allegations baseless and misleading, but the report triggered a more detailed audit of its accounts and caused the share price to plunge 51 per cent before its suspension from the London Stock Exchange.

A separate investor, Harcus Parker, has also claimed Home Reit issued misleading information to shareholders over its social impact strategy and vastly overvalued its property portfolio.

Home Reit said on Thursday that statutory demands have been served on seven of the defaulting tenants.

It added: The Company retains its right to forfeit leases of defaulting tenants, and should the Company choose to do so, it would not prejudice its ability to pursue arrears.

Home Reit also revealed that recent findings suggest approximately 25 per cent of its portfolio by beds could be in need of at least some level of refurbishment.

It said: The cost of refurbishing these properties is estimated to be between 15million [and] 20 million.

Vendors are contractually responsible for the refurbishment of properties, and so it is therefore hard to quantify the net exposure to the Company, however the Investment Adviser is working with Simpact to further investigate the full level of refurbishments required across the entire portfolio.

The Investment Adviser notes that there is approximately 10million of retentions held by solicitors which may become available to the Company if the required refurbishment works are not undertaken by certain vendors.

Prospective suitor Bluestar Group is a special situations investment company set up to acquire and lend capital to pan European real estate-backed businesses and development schemes.

Home Reit added that there can be no certainty a Bluestar offer will materialise.

Lynne Fennah, chair of Home Reit, said: We recognise the serious issues facing the Company and are examining all options to preserve shareholder value, and the interests of all stakeholders.
Pharma firm Indivior tumbled after swinging to a loss, having set aside more than 240million to settle ongoing litigation.

The FTSE 250 company, which makes drugs to treat opioid addiction, is due to go to court later this year over historic claims against the ways in which its product Suboxone was marketed.

Last month, Indivior held meetings over the possibility of settling the claims filed by 41 US states and the District of Columbia.

Legal fight: Indivior, which makes drugs to treat opioid addiction, is due to go to court later this year over historic claims against the ways in which its product Suboxone was marketed

The business has set aside 242million in the hope of finding an agreement and avoiding a trial.

Factoring in the potential settlement cost, it reported a loss of 71million for 2022 having made a profit of 177million a year earlier.

Shares plunged 13.6 per cent, or 265p, to 1689p.

Despite this, Indivior warned the outcome may be materially different from its provision.

Indivior, which was spun out of blue-chip consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser (down 0.8 per cent, or 44p, to 5730p) in 2014, ended last year on a strong footing. Revenue rose 14 per cent to 752million ($901million) in 2022.

It also expects a secondary listing of its shares on the US stock market to take place this spring after shareholders approved the move in September last year.

This beat its previous peak of 7384.86 points last month.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.2 per cent, or 14.7 points, to 8,012.53 and the FTSE 250 edged up 0.04 per cent, or 8.86 points, to 20,181.45.

Stock Watch - CPP Group Shares in real-time assistance products company CPP Group jumped 5.4 per cent, or 10p, to 195p after it provided an upbeat statement on progress at its insurance technology business, Blink Parametric. CPP said that Blink has signed a partnership agreement for its flight disruption product with a large European insurer, with a launch in Ireland planned for early 2023. Blink has also signed an agreement to launch its first offering in the US, the worlds largest travel insurance market.

Yesterdays record intra-day high in London was mirrored in Paris, where Frances Cac rose to 7387.29 points.

The gains have been driven by household stocks such as the luxury goods giant LVMH, Gucci-owner Kering and aircraft maker Airbus.

It means the Cac index has risen nearly 13 per cent so far this year. The index eventually closed at 7366.16.

Back in London, Vodafone rose 3.6 per cent, or 3.58p, to 102.8p after a report suggested the telecoms giant was open to the sale or merger of its African unit Vodacom.

Meanwhile, Relx, the data analytics firm, reported a surge in revenue and profit for 2022 as it said it wants to return 800million to investors through share buybacks this year. Shares rose 1.5 per cent, or 36p, to 2484p.

Like Relx, banking giant Barclays added 1.2 per cent, or 2.06p, to 174.66p and Guinness owner Diageo gained 1.2 per cent, or 43.12p, to 3594.12p after the blue-chip companies announced share buyback programmes.

GSK fell 0.1 per cent, or 1.8p, to 1455p despite data published by the New England Journal of Medicine showing the pharma giant was on track to deliver an effective vaccine that could be given to adults aged 60 and above who suffer with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Comparison website Moneysupermarket inched up 0.4 per cent, or 1p, to 236.4p after sales rose as consumers shopped around for the best deals.

Revenue across its money division, which helps customers compare current and savings accounts, credit cards and loans, soared 37 per cent to 103.3million in 2022.

Airport caterer SSP warned train strikes in December and January impacted the recovery of its businesses in the UK and Ireland.

The company, which owns Ritazza, Upper Crust and Millies Cookies, saw its revenue surge 103 per cent to 871million in the four months to January compared to before the pandemic struck.

The UK and Ireland was the weakest-performing region, with revenue up 83 per cent to 215million against pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Shares sank yesterday 0.4 per cent, or 1.1p, to 268.4p.

Hollywood Bowl, meanwhile, rose 1.9 per cent, or 4.5p, to 242p after it bought three bowling centres in Canada for around 7.5million.
In The Style boss Adam Frisby has been cleared of stealing his business plan from a rival, ending a 125million legal battle.

The 35-year-old multi-millionaire was accused of stealing the name and idea for the online fashion firm from Paul Clements, who he met three months after setting up In The Style up.

Clements claimed the idea  using reality TV stars on social media to sell cheap fast fashion to young women  was his.

Off the hook: In the Style boss Adam Frisby (pictured) was accused of stealing the name and idea for the online fashion firm from Paul Clements

The business uses celebrities including Lauren Pope, Stacey Solomon and Charlotte Crosby to design and market its lines and until recently enjoyed huge success.

Clements claimed Frisby owed him 125million, the amount raised when the firm floated in March 2021.

But a judge in Manchester ruled Clements was pushing a false narrative, dismissing his claim and vindicating Frisby.

Frisby, who dropped out of school with no GCSEs aged 15 and worked at Burger King, said the case was the most difficult and unimaginable few months of my life.
Schneider Electric boss Jean-Pascal Tricoire announced his shock exit yesterday after two decades in charge  and just months after buying British software giant Aveva.

He will be replaced at the French conglomerate in May by Peter Herweck, formerly head of the businesss industrial automation and now Aveva chief executive.

Tricoire leaves on a high as Schneider reported an 18 per cent rise in 2022 revenues to a record 30billion, slightly above analyst expectations.

Chinese ties: Schneider Electric boss Jean-Pascal Tricoire will be replaced at the French conglomerate in May by Peter Herweck

Income was up 9 per cent at 3.1billion when taking into account one-off charges from its Russian exit last year, when it sold the operations to local management.

Schneider is now one of the 10 most valuable companies in Frances blue-chip CAC 40 index, behind luxury goods players such as LVMH and aerospace company Airbus.

The Frenchman who will stay on as Schneiders chairman until 2025  completed the long-running takeover of Cambridge-based Aveva in December.

The 10.6billion deal was initially contested by some investors and this newspaper.

Schneider had last September agreed to buy the remaining stake at 31 a share, a 40 per cent premium to the price Aveva was trading at before the interest became known.

It then further sweetened the price to 32.25, a 47 per cent premium, to allay investor unrest.

There were serious concerns over Schneiders links to China and worries that Avevas technology, which provides software to help engineers design major industrial projects and products to help run factories, could be compromised.

But the deal was given the green light under the National Security and Investment Act.

Although Tricoire, 59, is little known in the UK, he is a prominent figure in France, masterminding Schneiders transformation from a traditional electrical products seller to a supplier of digital systems and solutions.

The 77billion company makes everything from circuit breakers that help customers manage their energy consumption to electric vehicle chargers.

Schneider, founded in 1836, was regarded as a sleepy French behemoth, mostly focused on selling electronics.

Under Tricoire, who became group chief executive in 2006, the company turned itself into a China-focused digital systems powerhouse, with the companys Asia Pacific division accounting for more than a quarter of its revenues.

But he has raised some eyebrows over his ties to Chinese businessmen and the cultural elite.

As reported by the Mail on Sunday, he has never condemned Chinese human rights abuses or challenged its draconian zero-Covid strategy.

Despite his protestations that he is apolitical, Tricoire cites his leadership hero as Deng Xiaoping, the former Chinese leader who oversaw the brutal suppression of peaceful protesters in Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Tricoire said recently: Many people are inspiring. If I focus on the countries I lived in, one of the political leaders I was impressed by is Deng Xiaoping.

He enabled profound change in the country. He was innovative in his approach.

He was ostracised by the mainstream. He forgave those who mistreated him, and included all camps in the reconciliation.

Megan Prangley, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, told the Mail on Sunday: Tricoires ties to Chinese Communist Party officials, including high-ranking premier Li Keqiang, should not have been overlooked. The Government should have more closely considered Tricoires personal connections and track record.

Tricoire  who relocated to Hong Kong in 2011 in an unusual move for senior staff of a French company, part of a broader shift by the firm to scatter top executives globally  said he had no qualms about the Chinese push he had spearheaded over the years.

The Schneider chief said: My vision of the world is that it will remain a very globalised and interdependent one.

His formal roles have included leading the French/China Association, sitting on the Global CEO Council of Chinas Premier Li Keqiang and on the Advisory Board of the Mayors of Beijing and Shanghai.
Boohoo has sparked outrage by unveiling plans that would land its top brass a 175million payout if its share price improves.

Bosses at the online fashion firm were accused of shifting the goalposts as their growth share plan is the third scheme the group has rolled out in four years.

The two previous plans flopped after Boohoos share price tumbled, meaning lofty targets were missed.

Payout: Boohoo bosses were accused of shifting the goalposts as their 'growth share plan' is the third scheme the group has rolled out in four years

The latest scheme could hand chief executive John Lyttle 50million, finance boss Shaun McCabe 25million and co-founder Carol Kane 20million.

Samir Kamani, who runs the firms Boohoo Man brand and is the youngest son of Kanes co-founder Mahmud Kamani, could receive 12.5million. The rest of the 175million pot would go to staff across the business.

To unlock the huge payouts, bosses will have to bring Boohoos share price back from historic lows and hit a series of targets over the next five years.

The final target, which would see the whole 175million paid, is for Boohoos value to top 5billion for a period of more than 90 days.

The fast fashion firm is worth around 600million meaning Boohoo shares would have to rise by around 745 per cent in the next five years.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Sophie Lund-Yates said Boohoos latest plan shows bosses hope that it will be third time lucky.

Two previous attempts by the firm to hand executives tens of millions of pounds have backfired.

A plan for Lyttle when he took charge in 2019 would have netted him 50million if the firms value passed 5.8billion.

Executive chairman Mahmud Kamani said its latest plan contains extremely ambitious targets which would get Boohoo back on track.

The company added that it would create around 4.4billion of extra cash for shareholders in the business  justifying the hefty payouts to bosses.

But Luke Hildyard, of the High Pay Centre, believes the awards should go to the lower-paid staff in manufacturing and other roles.

He said: A website where people buy clothes is hardly making a transformational contribution to the wellbeing of humanity, and managing one does not merit a pay award worth tens of millions of pounds.

This happens too often. Boards argue that executives are critical to company performance and need to be incentivised, but then claim that performance has slipped because of circumstances beyond the executives control and that they should be able to shift the goalposts and get the pay outs anyway.

Boohoo also argued the plan was key to attracting and holding on to talented bosses. Rival Asos has been rocked by turmoil in its top ranks, with its finance boss quitting at the end of last year just a month after being appointed.

The latest scheme could hand co-founder Carol Kane (pictured) 20m

The chairman of Boohoos pay committee Iain McDonald said recruitment has become more competitive than ever before.

It comes after a torrid last three years for Boohoo which has seen billions wiped from its value amid a series of scandals.

In 2020, then Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered an investigation into the company over sweatshop slavery allegations.

One factory in Leicester was allegedly paying workers as little as 3.50 an hour to make clothes for Boohoos fashion brand Nasty Gal.

It also faced a backlash a year later when bosses hosted an international suppliers conference in a luxury hotel in Dubai at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Boohoo has been rapped by shareholders and campaigners over fat cat pay and is being probed by the competition watchdog for so-called greenwashing  making vague claims which give the impression they take an eco-friendly approach.

And the firm is grappling with a wider backlash among younger shoppers against the fast fashion model and the end of a pandemic-fuelled sales boom.

The company blamed a unique and unprecedented set of macro-economic and market headwinds for the need to launch a new bonus plan.
Thousands of students from across the Southeast were expected to pack the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Wednesday and Thursday for Southeast AlabamaWorks eighth annual Worlds of Work (WoW) event.

Its taken a lot of work, sweat, and tears in order to put all of this together, Ann Marie Carr, executive director of Southeast AlabamaWorks, said Wednesday. Weve had a great day so far and I think the vendors have done a great job engaging the students, so theyll have a better understanding of what kinds of opportunities are out there once they leave.

This career expo is aimed at high school students and encourages them to consider career options in the Wiregrass.

Around 2,000 students from a variety of different schools across Alabama and Georgia are expected to attend the two-day event. Previously, the organization held one WoW event but because of increased interest, organizers decided it would be better to hold two.

We used to have all of the students from the 10 counties that we serve come to one event and that included additional counties from Georgia and Florida, Carr said. What we learned is since there were so many kids here over a two-day period, it was hard for them to interact with the different vendors that were here.

Over 80 vendors ranging from healthcare to aviation are scattered throughout the fairgrounds. The City of Dothan has several of its divisions at the event and all military branches have a presence as well.

Many vendors even have unique interactive displays in order to engage students.

WTVY has a mock newsroom setup in which students are allowed to sit at a desk and read off the teleprompter as if they were doing an actual newscast. Wallace Community Colleges Welding Technology program has a virtual reality training simulator set up and Dothan Tech has two car engines on display.

Carr hopes that when students board the buses to go back home on Thursday, they realize that the opportunities in the Wiregrass area are endless.

We have so much talent in our schools today and we dont want them to leave, Carr said. We want them to stay because they are the ones who are going to be the leaders in 20 or 30 years from now. We want them to see that there are so many different types of jobs and different types of industries that pretty much the sky is the limit.

Carr is grateful for all of the schools that are attending this year and said that all of the work that goes into planning the event is worth it when she sees the kids engaging with vendors and having fun.

When you get to see the kids interacting with the different organizations that are here, it makes everything worthwhile, Carr said. We have a ton of sponsors invested in this and that allows us to make the best possible environment for the kids that come through those doors.

On Thursday, 175 community guests will have a chance to tour the event and be involved in a leadership lunch in which awards for the Most Interactive World Operators will be given out. A representative from Tallahassee, Florida, will also be present in hopes of bringing a similar event to their community.
Vietnam must develop national brands for fruit products to increase added value and competitiveness in international markets, experts said.

Although fruits bring in billions of U.S. dollars in export revenue annually, Vietnam has no well-established fruit brands.

"When talking about apples, we think about the US," said Nguyen Dinh Tung, Director of Vina T&T Import-Export Company. "Talking about kiwis, we think about New Zealand. Talking about melons, we think about Japan. Talking about Monthong durians, we think about Thailand. Talking about Musang King durians, we think about Malaysia... Meanwhile, Vietnam, where many types of fruits are grown, does not have any famous fruit brands."

Tung said Vietnam has Ri6 durian, which could compete with durian from Thailand and Malaysia in terms of quality and is chosen by many companies as an export product.

However, it is still falling behind in terms of brand identity and value.

"Because there is no brand, the price of Ri6 is always about 20% lower than Monthong and much lower than Musang King," he said.

Le Thi Kieu Oanh, Director of Apple LLC, which exports Vietnams agricultural products to Japan, said Japan imported dragon fruit from Vietnam, but only 10% were sold at supermarkets under Vietnamese brand names.

According to Ta Duc Minh, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Japan, Vietnamese lychees are exported to many countries and have become popular with the Japanese market.

However, Vietnamese lychees remain inferior to their Japanese counterparts in terms of economic value, even though Japan does not have a production advantage in lychees.

Japanese lychees are grown in Miyazaki over an area of around 10,000 hectares, and Japan has built a brand for its lychees as a precious fruit. There was a time when each Japanese lychee was sold for as much as $10 each, and people still waited in line to buy them, Minh said.

According to Tung, Vietnam must develop national fruit brands to increase their value and competitiveness in the international market.

"We should select several types of fruits to build national brands for," Tung said. "Like New Zealand, this country successfully built brands for kiwis, which have markets around the world with the export value of over $3 billion per year, equal to the whole fruit and vegetable export of Vietnam."

To build fruit brands of national pride, Tung said it was necessary to pay attention to factors including varieties associated with soil, Vietnamese culture, quality, food hygiene and safety, planting area, high yield and preservation technology.

Tung said that grapefruit, coconut and durian were fruits with large potential for export.

He said that to build national fruit brands, it was vital to control the granting of geographical indication certificates strictly.

Each type of fruit is only suitable for the climate and soil of certain localities. However, many kinds of fruit, such as pomelo, dragon fruit and lychee, are grown all over the country, which can affect branding, according to Tung.

Therefore, it is important to select products associated with local culture and history to grant and manage geographical indication certificates.

For example, the best quality coconuts are from Ben Tre province, lychees from Bac Giang and Hai Duong, white-flesh dragon fruit from Binh Thuan and red-flesh dragon fruit from Long An. Vietnam could choose typical products of each locality and upgrade them to national brands.

Ngo Tuong Vy, General Director of Chanh Thu Company, said that among dozens of fruits exported, Vietnam could choose from three to five fruits to focus the resource on to build brands of Vietnams pride.

"Its time for Vietnamese fruits to focus on improving quality and adding cultural and creative elements to farming methods so that products contain stories that appeal to consumers," Minh said.

Minh pointed out that Japan focused on the quality of some world-famous fruits of the country. Even output was controlled to maintain selling prices. For some, special farming techniques were incorporated into the story to ensure the best quality.

Building national brands and quality management databases and traceability systems would be the focus of the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the export value, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said, adding that growth should not be based on output any longer.

He said that the agriculture ministry must work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to propose to the Government a program to build national brands for agricultural products.

The branding should also be integrated with a digitalization process in traceability, field diary, fruit chain management, and registration and protection of fruit brands in foreign markets.

Vietnams export of fruit and vegetables reached nearly $3.34 billion in 2022, 80% of which were fruit exports.
An employee discovered a suitcase containing VND1 billion (US$42,330) at the domestic terminal of the Can Tho International Airport and returned it to the owner.

On Tuesday Duong Ngoc Tien was collecting luggage trolleys in the domestic arrivals area when he saw a gray suitcase a passenger had left behind on one of them and informed security.

Security officers checked the suitcase and found VND1 billion in it and handed it over to the lost and found division, who returned it to the passenger the same evening.

Airport authorities on Wednesday recommended that the Airports Corporation of Vietnam should reward Tien for his honesty.

A spokesperson said that in the last year, staff had found and returned money and belongings passengers left behind on aircraft and terminals worth a total of VND1.4 billion.

On Monday security staff at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport discovered a bag containing nearly VND1.2 billion near a luggage carousel and returned it to the owner.
IDA officials were put under pressure at Tipperary County Councils monthly meeting to find a replacement industry for Carrick-on-Suirs Corman Moloko dairy processing plant due to close in June and to attract new industry to Tipperary Town.

The appeals for foreign direct investment jobs for the two unemployment blackspot towns came from their local councillors after IDA Head of Regions, Property and Enterprise Development Denis Curran and IDA Mid-West Regional Manager Will Corcoran reported to the council on the progress the agency has made in attracting multi-national companies to locate in the county.

Mr Corcoran told the meeting that there were more than 4,500 foreign direct investment jobs in county Tipperary, which represented a 35% increase over the past 10 years.

He said there has been a consistent growth in FDI jobs in the county and equally important was the spin off in indirect job creation in Irish companies providing materials, services, construction, human resources, recruitment and technical services.

GROWTH

Mr Corcoran reported that 65% of that employment growth came from existing investors and he pointed out that the IDA has worked hard to diversify the types of businesses coming to the Mid-West region, which includes south Tipperary.

He pointed to the financial services jobs being created in Cashel by Waystone as an example of this diversification.

He outlined that the biggest multi-national employers among the IDAs 15 clients in county Tipperary were located in Clonmel with more than 1,400 employed in Abbott Vasculars plant and more than 1,000 employed in the neighbouring Boston Scientific plant with MSD at Ballydine, Kilsheelan also a major employer.

The IDA representatives assured councillors the agency was continuing to promote Tipperary and the mid-west region to foreign companies.

There were complaints, however, from north Tipperary councillors representing towns like Thurles, Roscrea and Nenagh that most of the foreign direct investment jobs in the county are based in the south and these towns havent attracted new multi-national employers in years.

Cllr Seamus Hanafin complained that just over 300 of the countys FDI jobs were in the north of the county but Mr Corcoran clarified that there was a significant growth to over 500 such jobs in the north of the county.

Mr Curran pointed out that many people in FDI companies were now working remotely or doing hybrid working and some of these would be working in north Tipperary.

The IDA plans to monitor this trend over the next 12 to 24 months.

Councillors representing Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary Town also highlighted the need for multi-national jobs investment in both towns.

Carrick Cllr Kieran Bourke asked what the IDA was doing to find an alternative industry for the Corman Miloko plant outside Carrick-on-Suir that is due to close in June with the loss of 33 jobs.

He said the production of the companys dairy spread and butter fat products was moving to Belgium.

He said unions representing workers at the plant are negotiating with management to try to get staff help to retrain for new jobs.

The Fianna Fail councillor felt the IDA needed to step up to the mark and help these workers.

I am asking you today to get involved and find an alternative to Corman Miloko, he declared.

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne told the IDA representatives that most people from his hometown of Carrick have to travel outside the town to work.

He said Carrick and Tipperary Town were two unemployment blackspots in the county and this needs to be dealt with.

Its not fair that they are being neglected over the years, he said and suggested the IDA work to attract multiple small companies to both towns.

The Sinn Fein councillor said Corman Miloko was a great site with the most up to date plant and he believed a replacement industry could increase the jobs based there up to 50.

Meanwhile, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald from Golden said in the 1970s and 1980s Tipperary Town was booming when it had foreign multi-national industries like Atari and Tambrands but a lot has happened since then and a lot of businesses have gone.

There had been visits to the US and meetings with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The town manager Anthony Coleman has worked harder than anyone to promote the town and so too has the Tipperary Town Taskforce.

The Fine Gael councillor said there were a lot of things happening within the town but they didnt seem to be making any great progress on attracting foreign direct investment.

He said Tipperary Town needed help and needed it maybe more than towns like Thurles and Roscrea. He agreed with Cllr Dunne that Tipperary was one of the countys employment blackspots.

And he asked what could elected representatives do to help attract more jobs to Tipperary.

In response, Mr Curran said the IDA was aware of the impending closure of Corman Miloko but it was a company under the remit of Enterprise Ireland.

He said they were happy to pass on the councillors calls to Enterprise Ireland and gave a commitment to liaise with Enterprise Ireland about this industry closure.

He said the IDA is more than happy to market any facility that becomes available to existing and new investors. On the retraining of workers losing their jobs, he said there has never been better training available to workers through the ETBs and initiatives like Skillsnet.

And in relation to the appeals made by councillors from various towns in the county, he explained that when companies are considering locating in Ireland they look at the population demographics, a collection of towns and how they can access workers. They dont look at county boundaries.

The IDA marketed towns as a collective but ultimately it was up to the company to make a decision where to locate.

He argued that even when a company chose to locate in one town, it wasnt just an investment in that particular town, it was an investment in the wider region.

Mr Curran pointed out that the IDA has to go out and compete against 150 other inward investment agencies across the world every day to attract foreign companies to Ireland.

While he understood the pride of place of councillors representing their own areas, the IDA must combine collections of towns and market them as a regional collective because in Europe there were 120 municipal areas with populations of over 300,000 they are competing against to attract companies.
A group of eight male youths aged 15-20 committed 31 robberies, targeting women traveling alone at night in almost each of the cases.

A group of male youths are held at a police station in Dong Nai Province for robberies. Photo by police

Police in the southern Dong Nai Province arrested the group, which was led by Huynh Tuan Khang, 19, on Thursday at a rented apartment where the robbers lived together in Bien Hoa Town.

The eight are suspects in 31 robberies that took place along National Highway 51 during the past month. Among those that were robbed, 25 were women and some were delivery men.

The suspects told the police that they began to rob people in the districts of Long Thanh and Trang Bom and Bien Hoa Town at night during the Lunar New Year.

When detecting people driving motorbikes by themselves in an isolated area along the road, especially women, the group would have someone stand on guard while the others forced the motorbike to the roadside, where they then used a weapon to threaten the victims and rob them.

Police said that the youth drove large displacement motorcycles which enabled them to escape quickly after carrying out the robberies.

They also used fake license plates to make it difficult for the police to track them down.

There were cases in which people who chased after the robbers were pushed off their motorbikes and then attacked by knife, machete, or pepper spray.

Some of the victims had to be hospitalized.
A rape suspect facing extradition to the US has had a fresh request for bail denied over concerns he continues to be a significant flight risk.

Nicholas Rossi tried to con the Scottish courts last year into believing he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan who had never been to the US.

But, after 11 months of court hearings, a sheriff ruled he was Rossi, a 36-year-old man that American authorities were seeking in connection with sexual assault charges.

It has been alleged he faked his own death in 2020 and fled to Scotland to evade prosecution before he was arrested in December 2021.

At a hearing at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Mungo Bovey KC, defending, requested that Rossi, who appeared before the court in a wheelchair and wearing a face mask, be granted bail until extradition proceedings are concluded.

The lawyer said being held in custody has had a very serious impact on Rossi.

Mr Bovey told the court the tenancy that Rossi and his wife, Miranda, have is coming to an end, and therefore she is facing losing her accommodation at a time when she is facing a health crisis.

Mr Bovey said his client, whom he still refers to as Mr Knight, has been subject to special security measures in HMP Edinburgh, and his electric wheelchair was removed from him within the prison with the effect of limiting his mobility and quality of life.

Mr Bovey insisted the couple would offer a number of security provisions if Rossi was to be granted bail, including for him to wear a tag or be subject to a curfew, or for Miranda to surrender her passport  adding that his client does not own one.

The circumstances of the case are such that there is no need for him to continue in custody and no significant risk of him absconding, Mr Bovey said.

But sheriff Christopher Dickson denied the request, saying Rossi still posed a substantial risk of absconding and remanded him in custody.

Wednesdays evidential hearing was called to address Rossis identity in relation to a second extradition request from US authorities.

The request is connected to a second rape allegation which was brought to the Scottish courts attention during Rossis formal identification hearing in November last year.

Advocate depute Paul Harvey told the court: The person that the US seek in the first (extradition) request is the same person they seek in the second request. The Americans are quite clear they want the same person.

Its one person, and two requests.

Sheriff Dickson confirmed before the court that both the first and second extradition request are in relation to the same person who is wanted by the US.

I find the person appearing before me is Nicholas Rossi who is the person who is wanted for extradition by the US, he added.

Earlier, Rossi made several attempts to talk to sheriff Dickson himself during proceedings and was told to shush by the court clerk, to which he snapped: Dont tell me to shush.

The court was adjourned until Friday when it will hear discussions on court documents required for proceedings, including NHS Scotland and Scottish Prison Service medical records for Rossi.

The full extradition hearing, for both requests, is expected to happen on March 6.
Minister for Justice Simon Harris has told the Dail he is concerned about the growing acceptance of drug use in the country, which is in turn supporting the violence and murder carried out by criminals.

People who use drugs need to be aware that it is not a victimless crime, Minister Harris said.

"There is a direct link between snorting a line, or taking a pill, and murder, assault, criminality and misery," he said.

The minister made it clear that he was not talking about drug addiction, and the pain and misery which it causes.

However, Minister Harris said he is concerned at the growing social acceptance of drug taking.

"What I am talking about is the increasing prevalence, and often visibility, of drug taking as part of a night out in Ireland.

"Any conversation we have about this kind of drug use cannot ignore this reality," he said.

He said that "drug use on a Friday or Saturday night is supporting violence, crime and murders the next week".

"We need to talk about the increasing prevalence of drug taking as part of a night out in Ireland."



Minister for Justice Simon Harris has said people who use drugs need to be aware that it is not a victimless crime | https://t.co/WPVXqXMTdT pic.twitter.com/MEnlCXwkJ7  RTE News (@rtenews) February 16, 2023

"You are helping to line the pockets of criminals who are inflicting misery and pain across our communities," he said.

"We need to get real about this, drug use is not victimless. The laws are clear and any night-time premises needs to be aware of the laws in this regard," Minister Harris said.
Irish police have issued a warning over an increase in car theft.

Gardai statistics show that more than 4,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2022, a 52% increase on 2021 and 17% increase on 2019.

The force said the rise was driven by the theft of second-hand imported cars from outside the European market, which may be due to the lack of security features in the most commonly stolen imported vehicles.

For instance, many second-hand imports do not have a fully fitted car alarm system or are without a fitted immobiliser which makes them vulnerable to hot-wiring.

Sergeant Mark Bolger, of the Garda National Crime Prevention Office, said: Car theft especially that of second-hand imported vehicles is on the rise. Car buyers and owners can take actions to decrease the risk of the theft of their vehicle.

Cars imported from international markets are not automatically manufactured with the same security features as cars manufactured for the European market.

We urge buyers and owners of vehicles to confirm the security features of import vehicles, especially to check if there is an in-built immobiliser and to consider additional security options.
[February 16, 2023] Render and Irby Utilities empower rural Tennessee utility to connect high-speed broadband in record time

Render Networks, a global leader in geospatial network construction technology, and Irby Utilities, a turnkey utility fulfillment and broadband solutions provider today announced Bolivar Energy Authority (BEA) leveraged a combined construction and operations solution to move rapidly from deployment to connecting its first customers in just ten weeks. BEA utilized Render's geospatial construction technology and Irby Utilities' project management and material logistics services to expedite the construction and deployment of the West Tennessee fiber network serving 11,300 rural locations. The demand for connectivity across the state is growing at an exponential rate, with a reported one in six Tennesseans lacking access to broadband. Aeneas Internet and Telephone has partnered independently with both Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and Bolivar Energy Authority to bring this much needed service to under-served areas across Hardeman County and parts of Fayette, Chester, and Madison counties in Tennessee. Utilizing funding from the $500 million Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund - American Rescue Plan program announced by the State of Tennessee, BEA began construction in July 2022 and completed 379 miles of the fiber network build by January 2023, with over 4,196 previously unserved locations deployed and fast-tracked for connection. BEA began deploying fiber as part of a plan to upgrade the Smart Grid communications network for operation of its electric system. In addition to broadband access, BEA will use the communications network to further increase electric reliability for its customers. This project is a win-win for BEA customers - access to affordable high-speed internet while modernizing the electric grid to reduce outage times and operating expenses. Tony Kirk, CEO of Bolivar Energy Authority, said: "We knew our community needed this fiber network. It would deliver access to digital education, healthcare, and other essential services that are increasingly delivered online. Building a rural fiber network in today's environment was certain to provide a number of challenges, ranging from funding compliance, material and labor availability, and more. Render and Irby alleviated material and labor concerns and allowed us to expedite the construction process and gain valuable visibility and efficiencies across the project. Real-time data and reporting has significantly streamlined our funding reporting obligations and ensured we are being reimbursed as construction progresses. This technology-led approach and outcomes achieved position us well to attract future broadband funding and deliver high-speed broadband to our entire community faster than planned."



Render's geospatial construction and unified data capabilities, partnered with Irby's proven project management and material logistics, enabled BEA to expedite the construction process and optimize both field crew and material resources to deliver the project and connections ahead of schedule. Digital as-built data and workflows show geo-location of completed work enabling greater visibility of resources utilized and progress across unserved locations and completely automating the grant reporting and reimbursement process. Sam Pratt, CEO of Render Networks, said: "It is an exciting time for the fiber industry with a wide variety of state and federal funding programs available to build reliable, high-speed broadband services and connect communities to new opportunities. At Render, our mission is to help customers build smarter and optimize resources in a constrained market to ensure communities, like those supported by BEA, are being connected to quality internet faster."

Geff Smith, SVP of Technology & Communications at Irby Utilities, said: "Our work with Render and BEA in Tennessee and Mississippi exemplifies what we can accomplish in rural and underserved communities throughout the United States. We select only the best partners so that service providers have access to best-in-class solutions and services and they can quickly accomplish their network goals." Render and Irby Utilities continue an ongoing partnership to deliver cooperative networks across Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, including Clay County Electric Cooperative Corporation, Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation, First Electric Cooperative Corporation, Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Tippah Electric Power Association, and Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation. About Bolivar Energy Authority Bolivar Energy Authority serves Hardeman County and parts of Fayette, Chester, Madison counties (TN) and Benton County (MS). Total electric customers: 11,221. Residential customers; 9,010. General Power customers under 50KW demand; 2,093. General Power customers between 51 and 4,999KW demand; 118. The Bolivar Energy Authority covers 1,350 miles of power line with an average of 8 customers per mile. About Irby Utilities After nearly 100 years in the utility industry as a leading fulfillment and service provider, Irby Utilities developed a broadband solutions division to help electric utilities bring high-speed internet to their rural communities. Irby Utilities delivers complete broadband solutions to its clients-furnishing each with the knowledge, resources, and experience needed to best serve their customers. Since 2018, Irby Utilities has designed nearly 400,000 passings, established more than 45,000 connections over 40,000 miles of fiber and secured over $175 million in state and federal funding for its clients. Irby Utilities uniquely stores and handles its own inventory to better serve utilities, managing millions of dollars in broadband inventory across its warehouses. To learn more, visit www.irbyutilities.com/broadband. About Render Networks Founded in 2013 with a mission to build networks better and connect communities, Render has a successful history of streamlining network construction for network operators and their delivery partners. Render's end-to-end, GIS-based construction and maintenance platform automates work scope creation, ensures resources are highly productive, and provides unmatched real-time visibility, efficiency, and flexibility for office and field teams. By removing paper-based processes, Render's global customers consistently achieve 20% time and cost efficiencies across their telco infrastructure rollouts. For more information, visit www.rendernetworks.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005062/en/

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Walker & Dunlop Announces Financing for New Affordable Housing in Sonoma County

Alliant Capital, a Walker & Dunlop, Inc. company, announced today its $40 million investment for Shiloh Crossing, a new construction of 171 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units in Windsor, Sonoma County, CA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005864/en/

Shiloh Crossing Construction (Photo: Business Wire)

The team, including Dudley Benoit, senior vice president and chief production officer, and Jennifer Erixon, managing director, led Alliant's LIHTC syndication of the tax credits to the project's development and ownership team, Integrated Community Development ("ICD") and Corporation for Better Housing ("CBH"), a California nonprofit corporation. Together, the teams will build housing for families with incomes up to 30% to 70% of the area median income ("AMI").

"Working closely with CBH and Alliant Capital enables us to deliver on our vision and belief that our work creates communities that uplift people's lives," said Jake Lingo, senior vice president at ICD. "Shiloh Crossing embraces the concepts of transit accessibility, pedestrian-friendly design, inclusiveness, and sustainability to create a vibrant development that will help to alleviate the housing shortage in Windsor. Having a strong syndicator in today's volatile market is paramount, and we are thankful for the relationship we have forged with Alliant Capital."

"Alliant has been key in closing this property," said Lori Koester, executive director at CBH. "Allint has partnered with CBH to build 59 properties totaling over 3,730 units, and this one is no different. We are glad to continue to make a difference in affordable housing with Alliant by our side."







Alliant, ICD, and CBH recently worked on a similar project in Sonoma County, a new construction consisting of 101 LIHTC units generating $26 million of federal LIHTC equity called Baumgardner Terrace.

"Alliant is pleased to work with CBH yet again on another much-needed affordable property," said Jennifer Erixon. "Shiloh Crossing will generate $40 million in Federal LIHTC, $5.5 million in California state tax credits, and over $300,000 in energy credits. The state and federal LIHTC programs are essential tools to address the growing housing crisis throughout the country."

Shiloh Crossing is a new construction project consisting of two buildings. The five-story "U"-shaped North Building will have 130 units, and the four-story mixed-use South Building will have 43 units with two large commercial spaces, administrative offices, and community space. Located in a mixed-use neighborhood in northeast Windsor, Shiloh Crossing is in a good location for multifamily use, and its proximity to schools, employment, public transportation, retail, and other area services is expected to have a positive impact on its marketability.

Alliant Capital, a Walker & Dunlop company, is the nation's sixth largest LIHTC syndicator. Today, Alliant Capital's portfolio exceeds $14 billion in assets under management and has provided housing for over 400,000 low-income families, seniors, and veterans. Combined with Walker & Dunlop's affordable housing financing solutions, the partnership is a market-leading affordable housing platform that addresses the financing, sale, and preservation of affordable housing nationwide. To learn more about our capabilities and financing options, visit our website.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry in the United States, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities - where Americans live, work, shop and play - to life. Our people, brand and technology make W&D one of the most insightful and customer-focused firms in our industry. With more than 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005864/en/
[February 15, 2023] LANDMINE CHARITY CALLS FOR A 'MARSHALL PLAN FOR MINES' FOR UKRAINE

KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ -- Ukraine urgently needs a 'Marshall Plan for Mines' after 12 months of war and mine laying has left the country with the biggest explosives problem of the 21st century. The HALO Trust, the global mine clearance charity with operations in 30 countries and territories including Ukraine, has analysed open-source data and compared its previous clearance work in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Mozambique to assess the scale of the task to make Ukraine safe. The Ukrainian government estimates that around 40 per cent of Ukraine  around 250,000 square kilometres - may need to be searched and cleared of mines and explosives. This equates to an area larger than the United Kingdom. In addition to anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, tens of thousands of artillery shells are being fired every day - with thousands failing to explode. Open-source satellite imagery indicates there are minefields that stretch for hundreds of kilometres in the east and the south of the country. One single fortified mine line runs 90km from the Russian border to north of the town of Lysychansk in the east. Other images show multiple lines of Russian fortifications north of Melitopol that zigzag for 300km. Similar fortifications were used on the Cambodian border, where a 700km long mine belt was laid in the 1980s. HALO's CEO James Cowan said: "The clearance of unexploded ordnance and landmines from Ukrainian land is one of the greatest challenges caused by war in recent history. Lessons from previous conflicts tell us that roughly one day of fighting results in a month of clearance. But the scale of the shelling, the vastness of the territory and the deliberate targeting of major infrastructure means that clearing debris of war in Ukraine will require unprecedented global funding and collaboration between state, private and philanthropic donors. A definitive and coordinated 'Marshall plan for mines' would be a clear call to action for the international community." HALO is working across Ukraine in partnership with the State Emergency Services (SES), the National Mine Action Authority and its Ministry of Defence. James Cowan said: "The Ukrainian authorities and its State Emergency Services are delivering an extraordinary response which has saved thousands of civilians. We are proud to be working in partnership with them to clear land, deliver safety messaging to the civilian population and share our machinery and logistics. This vital work will restore Ukrainian livelihoods, agriculture and infrastructure." HALO established its Ukraine programme in the Donbas in 2016 and relocated its workforce to the Kyiv oblast in April 2022 so its staff could deliver urgent clearance, community awareness sessions and rapid contamination survey in areas that had been occupied by Russian troops, such as ucha and Irpin. Over the following months, HALO expanded its workforce and established operations in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv oblasts. The organisation aims to have 1,200 Ukrainian staff operating across the country by the end of 2023, as well as establishing a global centre for research and development for complex post-war clearance.



Deminer Yulia Melnyk said: "I am proud that my job as a HALO deminer is helping my citizens stay safe during this dark chapter of our history. But it has also given my family a lifeline at a time we have lost almost everything. On behalf of my Ukrainian colleagues, I would like to thank the Government of the United States of America/Germany/The Netherlands/The United Kingdom/Norway/Canada for their support. But I urge the world not to look away as our country enters a second year of displacement and destruction . " The data released includes examples from HALO's work in the following countries:

Afghanistan : The country was invaded and heavily mined by the Soviet Union in 1979. Since 2005, Afghanistan has received $1.2 billion for mine clearance

: The country was invaded and heavily mined by the in 1979. Since 2005, has received for mine clearance The K5 mine belt in Cambodia is around 700km in length and was laid to prevent the Khmer Rouge from entering Thailand in 1980s and contains an estimated 3000 mines per km. Total global funding for the whole of Cambodia between 2005-2020 was $449m

is around 700km in length and was laid to prevent the Khmer Rouge from entering in 1980s and contains an estimated 3000 mines per km. Total global funding for the whole of between 2005-2020 was Mozambique was declared mine-impact free in 2015 after HALO had worked there for over 22 years. Total global funding for mine clearance amounted to over $300m and included clearance of major infrastructure, including the Cahora Bassa hydro-electric dam For interview requests please email [email protected].org For B-Roll footage of HALO in Ukraine please use link below (password "HALOUKRAINE"): https://vimeo.com/thehalotrust/ukraine For still images (Credit Chris Strickland/HALO): https://halotrust.canto.global/b/OQJ54 Notes to Editors: 1. See https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-largest-minefield-shmyhal/32214163.html for latest estimates of contamination from Ukrainian authorities 2. The HALO Trust was founded in 1988 and employs over 12,000 women and men to clear remnants of war from thirty conflict-affected countries and territories worldwide. 3. HALO's Ukrainian risk education teams have conducted 5,000 risk education sessions to 80,000 people since February 2022 and digital risk education messages have reached 15 million Ukrainians on social media. 4. Donations from the Governments of the USA, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Canada, Norway, EU and a number of private donors have enabled HALO to raise $50 million towards its Ukraine operations since February 2022. 5. Brady Afrik, an open-source satellite analyst, has identified hundreds of km of Russian defensive fortifications in southern and eastern Ukraine. 6. Details of international financial support for landmine clearance in Afghanistan and Cambodia is available from Landmine Monitor 7. See https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/17/last-known-landmine-mozambique-destroyed for details of Mozambique Media contact: Louise Vaughan, Global Media Manager, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2000243/The_Halo_Trust.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2002251/Halo_Trust_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2000244/Halo_Trust__3.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmine-charity-calls-for-a-marshall-plan-for-mines-for-ukraine-301746869.html SOURCE The Halo Trust

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[February 15, 2023] Where to Buy Armodafinil Online from a Canadian Pharmacy Online

Generic Nuvigil is available through the SaveRxCanada.to RxSelect Program with free shipping VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Armodafinil is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. It goes by different trade names and is mainly known as Nuvigil. Armodafinil is the longer-lasting isomer of the racemic compound Modafinil, was created to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea, shift work disorder, and narcolepsy. Armodafinil 50mg, Armodafinil 150mg, Armodafinil 200mg and Armodafinil 250mg is now available through the RxSelect program at SaveRxCanada.to, a leading Canadian Pharmacy Intermediary for over 19 years. The RxSelect program offers free shipping and 5% in rewards points that can be redeemed on future orders.



The RxSelect program from SaveRxCanada.to was one of the first programs of its kind launched back in 2004 to provide access to generic medications. By sourcing several licensed Canadian and International pharmacies to their network, patients are able to purchase generic versions of brand name drugs at much lower prices. Generic Nuvigil known as Armodafinil was added to the program for additional cost savings to customers. The RxSelect Program is leading the way for customers look to buy generic prescription drugs producing savings up to 75% compared to brand name medications. Its popularity has grown over the years due to the new addition of generic medications sourced due to patient demands.

About SaveRxCanada.to SaveRxCanada.to has been a trusted, affordable and reliable Canadian pharmacy intermediary for over 19 years. The company has been committed to providing affordable prescription drugs to worldwide patients through their network of licensed Canadian pharmacies and International pharmacies. Visit SaveRxCanada.to and browse the prescription drugs catalogue to find your medication savings. Customer Service Toll Free Calls: 1-866-799-3435 - Use ref #100048

Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm (EST) All orders required a valid prescription from a licensed physician or doctor. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/where-to-buy-armodafinil-online-from-a-canadian-pharmacy-online-301748185.html SOURCE SaveRxCanada.to

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[February 15, 2023]

Zahid F. Sarder Saddi Congratulates Congressman Michael McCaul, Named Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Congressman Michael McCaul is named Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, a key ally and Bangladeshi former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi has expressed pride and assurance in the congressman hailing from District 10 in Texas.

Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with United States Congressman Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

Rep. McCaul has always thrown his full weight behind support for democracy and security internationally and Im confident hell continue to serve as an impassioned ally of the Bangladeshi community, Saddi says of his associate, citing a consistent track record in supporting free democratic elections in the Indo-Pacific. Holding comprehensive experience as Chairman of the Congressional Homeland Security Committee as well, Rep. McCaul has made ardent calls to ensure free and fair elections in Bangladesh, taking steps to encourage immediate action on the part of the United States Congress.

Rep. McCaul has taken on the position of Chairman of the new Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee. Saddi previously threw his support behind the congressman, quoted, Im confident that Rep. McCaul will no doubt hold the interests of the Bangladeshi people at heart. Im excited to see the Foreign Affairs Committee take on a bold and unswerving stance on democracy under Rep. McCauls leadership.







Photo: Human Rights Activist and Civil Society Leader and Bangladesh former Foreign Advisor Zahid F. Sarder Saddi with Chairman of the US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul | US CONGRESS

A committed ally to the Bangladeshi community, Rep. McCaul has been outspoken regarding victims of genocide, such as the Rohingya genocide, commemorating the disaster in its three-year anniversary. The congressmans voting record has shown stellar support of the demographic, preserving and protecting the role of democracy in a working society, emphasizing equity and fairness, and affording grace to people of all backgrounds.



Also announced recently, House Representative Young Kim has been named Chair of the Congressional Subcommittee overseeing the Indo-Pacific in the 118th congress. Congratulated by Saddi, the Bangladeshi activist and former Foreign Advisor took to Twitter to praise the congresswoman on her new role in the US House. Kim has expressed strong support for the Bangladeshi community, emphasizing human rights, religious freedom, and democratic governance. Saddi is confident that Young Kim will bring greater sensibilities to the role, as her connection to the Indo-Pacific region bolsters a strong drive to bring positive change.





SOURCE: @ZahidFSarder on Twitter

A strong proponent and community leader within the Bangladeshi community, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is a strong advocate for Bangladeshi citizens worldwide, defending their interests in the House of Representatives and the Senate to support meaningful and effective legislation. As a Foreign Advisor to the former three-term Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Hon. Begum Khaleda Zia, Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an expert in providing a unilateral and measured perspective of the politics and other distinguishing factors of the Indo-Pacific. Advocating for the rights of Bangladeshis everywhere, Saddi takes great pride in serving his community to ensure that his people are afforded human rights in the form of greater support for the people as well as the ability to vote in a democratic election.



About:

Zahid F. Sarder Saddi is an influential civil society leader, humanitarian, and advocate for Bangladesh and its people. He helps Bangladeshi expatriates assimilate into life in the United States while also preserving their own values and traditions. Zahid F. Sarder Saddi works with several organizations and holds a special passion for helping the Bangladeshi community in the United States and around the world.

To learn more about Zahid F. Sarder Saddi, please visit www.ZahidFSarderSaddi.com or reach out to Zahid F. Sarder Saddi at [email protected]







Zahid F. Sarder Saddi [email protected]
[February 16, 2023] Egypt's Hybrid National Airline-Air Cairo chooses AirGain to Increase Market Share and Optimize Pricing Strategies

NEW DELHI and CAIRO, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RateGain Travel Technologies Limited (RateGain), a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality, announced today that Air Cairo, Egypt's second-largest carrier has selected AirGain to gather essential pricing insights and competitive intelligence data to speed up growth in a constantly evolving market. Air Cairo, partly owned by the national carrier Egypt Air is a hybrid national airline with operations in over 40 cities worldwide, providing more than 300 weekly flights to 50 international and domestic destinations carrying over 20 million passengers in the last twenty years. The team at Air Cairo has selected AirGain to obtain real-time price intelligence and the ability to respond promptly to changing market conditions, enabling them to optimize airfares in real-time and offer the best fares to its customers. With market conditions changing dynamically, AirGain's AI-powered platform equips airline revenue and pricing teams with the most precise and dependable market insights, enabling them to construct a competitive pricing strategy in light of constantly changing market conditions. The user-friendly interface facilitates quicker decision-making and provides notifications of any changes in the market. Additionally, the platform offers real-time competitor insights across channels to reduce disparities and minimize revenue losses. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Hussein Sherif, CEO of Air Cairo, said, "For us to maintain our status as the preferred airline for all travelers, it is essentil that we have a thorough understanding of the fares offered to customers on all digital platforms. To aid in this goal, AirGain's user-friendly interface offers us comprehensive and real-time insights into our market and competition, allowing us to make data-driven decisions and offer the best prices to our customers, ultimately leading to better revenue margins for Air Cairo."



Air Cairo has recently updated its fleet with the latest generation of Airbus A320 neo models taking the current Airplane tally to 24 fleets with the aim of having 30 new fleets by March of 2023. The airline currently operates in Europe and the Middle East, Africa, in addition to the Domestic network. Vinay Varma, Senior Vice President, and General Manager, AirGain, added, "We are thrilled to be working with Air Cairo and to expand our presence in the burgeoning African market. We acknowledge that there are substantial opportunities in Africa to implement technologies that can help airlines sustain long-term growth. Air Cairo's team recognized that AirGain is the ideal platform to address their current challenges and increase their market share in the future, and we eagerly anticipate providing them with the necessary assistance to achieve their goals."

AirGain is an easy-to-use and responsive SaaS solution by RateGain, created for commercial teams in airlines to help them make faster and better pricing decisions through its intuitive UI and accurate, real-time price intelligence at any time of the day, any number of times. To learn more about AirGain, visit https://airgain.ai About Air Cairo AIRCAIRO is an EGYPTAIR affiliate, established as joint stock company in 1999, AIRCAIRO started its operations in October 2003, by operating Domestic and International Charter Flights. It currently operates a fleet of 24 aircraft between A320 NEOs, CEOs, ATR 72-600 and E190 and by the end of March 2023 our fleet will be 30 Aircraft. About RateGain RateGain Travel Technologies Limited is a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality that works with 2800+ customers and 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion.For more information, please visit https://www.rategain.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/egypts-hybrid-national-airline-air-cairo-chooses-airgain-to-increase-market-share-and-optimize-pricing-strategies-301748442.html SOURCE RateGain

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[February 16, 2023] UST Recognized as a 'Great Place to Work' and 'Top Employer 2023' in Spain

Certification recognizes employers that have achieved excellence in people management and business strategy 8 out of 10 UST employees believe the company is a Great Place to Work MADRID and BENGALURU, India, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, announced that it has been certified as a Great Place to Work in Spain for the first time. UST was also recently recognized as a 'Top Employer' in Spain. These prestigious recognitions highlight UST's commitment to operating at the highest levels and setting the bar for employee satisfaction, workplace culture and career development in the IT and technology industry. The company is also Great Place to Work certified in the United States, Mexico, India , the United Kingdom and Malaysia , demonstrating that UST is recognized globally as an organization with a culture of trust that can attract and retain talent. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies from over 60 countries apply for certification through the organization's Trust Index survey. To determine an organization's ranking, Great Place to Work administers a comprehensive employee survey that accounts for three quarters of an organization's final score. UST's 91 percent employee participation in the official 'Great Place to Work' questionnaire allowed for comprehensive third-party analysis of its organizational structure and workplace environment. The survey revealed that UST employees in Spain value the new career pathways, the potential for growth as well as the initiaties implemented to promote collaboration and improve their day-to-day experience.







Top Employers Institute (TEI) has built a strong reputation as a leading ratings agency, certifying employers that create optimal working conditions alongside comprehensive personal and professional development opportunities. Firms that are certified as a 'Top Employer' are internationally recognized as leaders in the fields of people and practices. TEI's comprehensive survey covers six HR domains covering 20 distinct topics, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, well-being, diversity & inclusion and more. "Our commitment to investing in our people, processes and supporting ecosystem has earned us this coveted Great Place to Work and Top Employer certifications. At UST, we are dedicated to transforming lives by building collaborative relationships based on trust and mutual respect. This certification is special as it's the only official recognition determined by reports from actual employees on their company culture. Earning this designation clearly shows that UST is one of the most desirable companies to work for in the country," said Jose Salamanca, Managing Director Operations, UST Spain and Latin America.

"In the short time since we opened our office here, UST Spain has already built a reputation as an exciting and innovative workplace with a unique corporate culture. This Great Place to Work and Top Employer certifications are the culmination of our efforts to build an environment where all employees feel welcome and know that their growth is prioritized," said Juan Fontan, Managing Director Sales and Strategy, UST Spain and Latin America. "We are extremely proud of this achievement, and this recognition motivates us to continue our efforts to foster a culture focused on sustainable growth. We adhere to a strong value system and practice transparency across all communities through aligned and supportive human resource processes and operational frameworks that promote open communication, feedback and trust. During an incredibly challenging time, UST created equitable workplaces by providing flexibility and supporting our employees. These independent evaluations validate our steadfast commitment to embrace inclusive practices that help all our employees around the world succeed, advance and grow," said Alberto Blanco, Head of People and Culture, UST Spain and Latin America. UST's Spain office opened in 2014. Located in Madrid, the Spanish office was founded with three objectives: to become a preferred partner guiding the digital transformation of Spanish companies, to accompany them in their deployment in Latin America and to become a high-quality international nearshore center. Over 1200 USsociates work at the offices, guiding the company's operations in not just Spain but also Colombia, Chile, Peru and Brazil. In line with the company's accelerated growth strategy, UST aims to reach revenue of 250 million euros and 3000 employees in Spain and Latin America by 2025. About UST For more than 23 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizationsdelivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham

+1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea

+1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri

+91-9284726602 Alexandra Garcia Juan (Spain)

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.S.:

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

[email protected] Makovsky

[email protected] Media Contacts, Australia:

Team Lewis

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

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Phan Anh Tuan has launched his new collection at Bangkok Design Week in Thailand, which promoted Vietnamese culture through fashion.

Tuan is the only representative of Vietnam to participate in Bangkok Design Week from Feb. 4-12, an art event in Thailand.

The designer has cleverly integrated images of apricot blossoms, lotuses, roses and peonies to express opulence and prosperity.

In order to fully capture love, traditional values and national identity in this collection, Tuan focused carefully on every detail. He used traditional Vietnamese materials such as silk, brocade and woven fabric, combined with sophisticated handicraft techniques such as embroidery, crocheting, and weaving.

The fabric is inlaid with real gold and with feathers attached to the surface.

Vietnamese and Thai models wear Phan Anh Tuan's designs at the 2023 Bangkok Design Week. Photo courtesy of Phan Anh Tuan

Some of the designs were also worn by Thai models. Tuan said that before the show, he had spoken with the models so that they could understand the spirit of the collection and express it to the fullest.

He feels satisfied when he can promote Vietnamese culture in general and Vietnamese fashion in particular to the world.

Tran Anh Tuan gets an outfit ready at the 2023 Bangkok Design Week. Photo courtesy of Tran Anh Tuan

"I feel very honored to represent Vietnam in this event and to promote the culture of my homeland to everyone," Tuan told the Thanh Nien newspaper. "As a perfectionist, I have been very careful in choosing Thai models, as I need them to know how to have facial expressions that match the spirit of the collection. That is also one of the factors that helped Eternal Passion shine in Thailand."

The 2023 Bangkok Design Week also featured designers from Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and China. After this event, Tuan said he will continue to promote Vietnamese cultural values to young people.
[February 16, 2023] Abans Holdings Limited reports strong results backed by significant growth in Treasury Management

Consolidated revenue of INR 591.17 Crores , showing an annualised growth of 21.97% YoY.

, showing an annualised growth of 21.97% YoY. Asset management and brokerage business recorded a significant annualised growth of 148.78% in Profit Before Tax (PBT)

To focus on asset management business and expand its distribution network and promote MLD (market linked debentures) MUMBAI, India, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Abans Holdings Limited, the globally diversified financial services organisation, announced its results for the period ending December 2022. The company operates in several business verticals, including Agency, Institutional Trading, Private Client Broking and Asset Management Services. The company reported a consolidated revenue of INR 591.17 Crores, showing an annualised growth of 21.97% compared to the previous year. The company's asset management and brokerage business recorded Consolidated Profit Before Tax (PBT) at INR 8.74 Crores (for nine month Period Apr-Dec 22), which translates to a significant annualised growth of 148.78%. This strong performance can be attributed to the company's renewed focus on its asset management business and its efforts to expand its distribution network and promote MLD (market linked debentures) and offshore investment products managed by its Mauritius entity. The lending activities also showed a robust performance with a Consolidated PBT of INR 8.08 Crores (for nine month period Apr-Dec 22), reflecting an annualised growth of 86.38% compared to the previous year. Commenting on the strong financial results, Mr Abhishk Bansal, Managing Director, Abans Holdings Limited, said, "We are pleased to announce yet another quarter of strong financial results. We have renewed our focus on asset management business and are making significant investments to enhance this business vertical. Going forward, our growth would be driven by expanding our AUM through a distribution network. Building strong relationships with distribution partners by offering MLD (market linked debentures), offshore investments and other investment products. These initiatives are expected to significantly improve the performance in future."



He added that, "We are committed to delivering value to our clients and shareholders, and these results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team." The company's treasury business reported a marginal decline in PBT. However, the company is optimistic about the future as the inflow of IPO proceeds is expected to increase its interest income in the coming quarters. The company has amended its objects to act as fund managers at Holdings company level.

The results of Abans Holdings Limited indicate a positive outlook for the company, and the management is confident of continued growth in the coming quarters. Detailed results are available at: https://www.bseindia.com/stock-share-price/abans-Holdingss-ltd/ahl/543712/corp-announcements/ About Abans Holdings Limited: Abans Holdings Limited (AHL) is a globally diversified financial services organisation that provides its clients with integrated financial services and products. Abans Holdings Limited operates in several business verticals, including financial services, commodities trading, agricultural trading and warehousing, and real estate. Through its financial services vertical, the company provides a range of financial products and services, including financing, institutional trading, private client brokerage, asset management, and investment advisory services. The company operates in various markets and exchanges globally, including the BSE, NSE, MSEI, NCDEX, ICEX, MCX, and IIEL in India, as well as London Metal Exchange (LME), Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), and Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE). Additionally, the company has an in-house NBFC business that provides lending support to its clients. Website: https://abansholdings.com/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/abans-holdings-limited-reports-strong-results-backed-by-significant-growth-in-treasury-management-301748471.html

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[February 16, 2023] CNN's 'The Journey Matters' explores Tokyo through the lens of sustainable travel

HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tokyo is one of the most visited cities in the world. Millions of travelers are expected to descend upon the Japanese capital this year, and a growing number of these visitors are increasingly considering sustainability as a crucial part of their itineraries. This month, CNN's 'The Journey Matters' travels to Tokyo and explores the city from a greener travel lens. From food to clothing, the Japanese philosophy of 'Mottainai' is a concept that shows respect for the environment by encouraging people not to waste valuable resources. CNN first travels to one of Tokyo's biggest flea markets at Oi Racecourse, a place with a colorful array of refurbished wares from clothing to household appliances, and even vehicles. In Tokyo's Suganami ward, CNN talks to Yoshiichiro and Yoshiko Kuge, artists with more than a century of craft experience between them. The couple practices kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery to give it new life. While Tokyo has long been known as a top culinary capital of the world, some chefs hope it can become one of the greenest. CNN meets Shinsuke Ishii whose French restaurant 'Sincere' won Michelin's Green Star for embracing eco-friendly practices. He is also part of "Chefs for the Blue," a group working to promote seafood with less environmental impact. In order to further promote the cause,he opened a sister restaurant 'Sincere Blue' that sources seafood sustainably. In western Tokyo, Chef Kazuki Ishimatsu hopes to create conversations around sustainability through his dining experience at the French restaurant, Maruta. He not only uses a 'local first' concept to order ingredients from local vendors, the restaurant also aims for 'regenerative gastronomy' - the pursuit of a way of eating that leads to environmental restoration.



For residents and visitors to Tokyo, connecting with nature is easier than you think. CNN travels to Hinohara-mura, one of the capital's beautiful green destinations and meet the people working to preserve its beauty and traditions for future generations. Certified eco-guide Kazuhiro Kobayashi takes CNN for a tour to Hossawa Falls and a hidden gorge called Kanoto Rock, said to be formed 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. CNN then visits the 300-year-old national cultural property 'Kobayashi Family Residence' and explores a forest therapy path within the Hinohara Citizen's Forest  said to help reduce stress by stimulating the human senses. In Hinohara, CNN also meets a resident who moved to the village to find inspiration from the thriving nature and its sustainable traditions. Finally, CNN looks at how some Tokyo hotels are opting for quality minimalism to help do their part for the environment -- embracing the philosophy of 'Mottainai' to create less cluster and encourage guests to only use what they need. 'Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku', a seemingly traditional Japanese inn located at the busiest district of Tokyo, has a lobby designed with wood and traditional Japanese paper, washi. The hotel's philosophy is to help guests connect with nature and its simplicities. CNN also visits MUJI's first Japan-based hotel, MUJI Hotel Ginza. Also embracing minimalism, the hotel lobby is built with repurposed materials by incorporating debris from an old ship, wood from former stores and stones that were used to pave the city's railways a century ago.

The Journey Matters trailer: https://bit.ly/3Idr23e

The Journey Matters images: https://bit.ly/3YjpzhC Airtimes for 30-minute special:

Saturday, 18th February at 1:30pm HKT

Monday, 20th February at 2am and 12pm HKT About CNN International

CNN's portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI's non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a Warner Bros. Discovery company. SOURCE CNN International

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[February 16, 2023] Unifor welcomes new plans for beleaguered B.C. forestry sector

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes the B.C. government's new plans to double the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund and to support job growth across the province. "Today, the BC NDP demonstrated a serious commitment to building a bright future for forestry workers in the province, which also serves as a positive example for the forestry sector across the country," said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. "That funding for job growth is coupled with a firm commitment to protecting old-growth forests and a full partnership with First Nations demonstrates they've been listening to us and others who have long advocated for a modern, inclusive approach in the forestry sector." Unifor is Canada's forestry union, representing 3,000 forestry workers in British Columbia and more than 23,000 nationwide. The union advocates for forestry policy that protects good jobs, prioritizes value-add forestry products, respects First Nations, and promotes ecological forestry practices.



"Forestry workers have had a tough time over the last several decades as the sector was systemically dismantled by bad policy decisions," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. "We are hopeful the doubling of the Manufacturing Jobs Fund and improving fibre access will help restart mills, bring back some of the 45,000 or more jobs lost in the sector, and help our rural communities thrive again." The union's National Forestry Council members often share recommendations and best practices from their regions to encourage governments to adopt progressive supports for the forestry sector.

"Today's investments prove that B.C.'s forestry sector is heading in the right direction. It will take time to undo damage done and transition to a sustainable industry, but we are encouraged by investment in forestry jobs, and improved access to fibre," added McGarrigle, who will continue to advocate as a member of the Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. SOURCE Unifor

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[February 16, 2023] Recovered the business, Zipmex shares its roadmap and crypto outlook in 2023

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipmex, a leading crypto platform in the Asia Pacific region, shares its 2023 roadmap along with crypto industry outlook during their company event. The event was also attended by COFTRA's representatives Yovian Andri P., S.H., S.E., Ak., M.M., L.L.M. (Coordinator of Lawmaking and Regulatory Services) and Rio Ramadhani, S.H. (Sub-Coordinator of Lawmaking and Regulatory Services) with participation from Asih Karnengsih, Chairwoman of Asosiasi Blockchain Indonesia. A report from Data Reportal shows the crypto industry is progressing in January 2023. The value of Bitcoin has increased by more than 35 percent since early 2023. At the same time, NonFungible's data indicates that there has been a slight uptick in NFT trading at the start of 2023. Meanwhile in Indonesia, CoinFolks Crypto Research says both BTC and ETH movement tended to be bearish in 2022. However, the research also shares several possible scenarios for crypto assets, one of them being the potential of Bitcoin to be bullish to a price of $48,000 in 2023. Aditionally, it states that the crypto industry will experience sideways, a condition that equals with Bitcoin's 4-years cycle.



Erdina Oudang, Head of Public Policy, Zipmex Indonesia shares, "Zipmex's mission is to become the most trusted digital assets platform in Southeast Asia. Despite the turmoil that the crypto industry faced in 2022, Zipmex Indonesia has been successful in recovering from the tough year and has even managed to reactivate customers' access to their assets and resume operations, while still making improvements on its business and products." Within the past several months, Zipmex has been showing its commitment. The company has re-enabled full Z Wallet access and re-opened its crypto exchange, enabling over 90 digital assets for trading for all of Zipmex users in Indonesia. "Progressing the company's recovery in all of our markets along with ensuring our customers' security will continue to be the main priorities in our roadmap. We are also working closely with Bappebti and A-B-I to support the industry growth and to build a healthy ecosystem in Indonesia," Erdina added.

Acting Head of CoFTRA, Didid Noordiatmoko, in his remarks delivered by the Coordinator of Lawmaking and Regulatory Services, Yovian Andri P, said that Zipmex's management has been cooperating well with the regulator in facing the challenges, especially in protecting their users' data and funds and restoring their customers' trust. "We have been working together closely with Zipmex to figure out the best solutions to resolve issues and challenges faced by Zipmex. As we see now, Zipmex has been recovering and resuming their business as usual. Customer transactions are going smoothly and soon Zipmex will also open registration for new users. We also acknowledge and appreciate Zipmex's commitment to fulfil COFTRA's new regulatory requirements. We hope Zipmex will continue to contribute to Indonesia's crypto and blockchain industry in the near future," he said. Asih Karnengsih, Chairwoman of Asosiasi Blockchain Indonesia said that the recovery of Zipmex shows the crypto asset market growth in Indonesia. She also said that the association would be fully committed to support exchange platforms in Indonesia, one of which is Zipmex, which has provided crypto education on its official website and social media platforms to enhance crypto literacy. "I find 2022 to be an interesting year for all stakeholders within the crypto ecosystem. There are many things that we can learn from the events that happened in 2022, either for regulators, crypto exchanges, users, and investors. This is one of the reasons why COFTRA's initiative in launching the Crypto Literacy Month is important. We are excited to celebrate the Crypto Literacy Month supported by the Ministry of Commerce and the Commodity Futures Trading Authority," she added. Additionally, Zipmex, COFTRA, and A-B-I also shared their outlook for crypto trends in the year of 2023, some of which are: The growing regulations of DeFi is expected to improve investors' confidence in DeFi

The global crypto market is predicted to remain sideways

Stablecoins, Bitcoin, and Ethereum which have high utilities and also large market cap will continue to remain as alternatives until CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) is widely implemented, and

The infrastructure of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, such as exchanges, wallets, and the network will improve and become easier to use

The positive enthusiasm shown by the government for the blockchain and crypto industry is a positive sign for the industry's growth and development in the country. To hold such an event is a start for Zipmex in achieving the goal and supporting the development of the crypto industry in Indonesia. As one of the players within the industry, Zipmex will continue to comply with the regulations and remains committed to promoting the adoption of blockchain and crypto in the Asia-Pacific region. Zipmex hopes for more collaborations between all stakeholders in the industry to support the growth of a thriving crypto and blockchain ecosystem in Indonesia. SOURCE Zipmex

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[February 16, 2023] The Concordium blockchain contributes to Danish Transmission Energinet's new green energy certificate platform

ZUG, Switzerland, COPENHAGEN and AARHUS, Denmark, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordium contributes to part of the solution in the Danish state owned transmission company Energinet's new platform where blockchain technology must guarantee the credibility of Energinet's green energy certificates. The central element of the solution is energy certificates, which on a granular level link the production of energy with consumption. In the collaboration, a registration method for power production and power consumption has been developed, which for the first time makes it possible for companies to document exactly how much of their power consumption comes from green power and with timestamps. Lone Fnss Schrder, CEO of Concordium, says: "Energinet is a pioneer in the field of registering green energy, and Concordium's blockchain is suitable for creating transparency and the verification of green energy. Energinet and the many consuming companies can now document their green energy consumption in their environmental reports and CO2 calculations and thus ensure against "greenwashing." Our decentralized blockchain technology creates credibility and measurability for the production and consumption of green power, which is important for the entire energy sector and societ as a whole."



The solution can scale to other transmission providers. Blockchain is part of the solution in the green transition

The decentralized nature of blockchain technology ensures that certificates cannot be tampered once issued. You can thus verify the certificates and trust their validity without being dependent on individual players in the ecosystem, which allows for real interoperability between all participants in an ecosystem. With the requirement that granular certificates can be issued at short intervals, the solution is designed to handle a very large number of transactions. The platform therefore groups transactions via blockchain technology in so-called Merkle trees, which makes it possible to document the correctness of billions of registrations, but with a limited number of registrations on the Concordium blockchain. This makes the solution cheap to operate. Although the solution allows for public verification of energy certificates, detailed usage or production information is treated confidentially in the certificates. Consumers and producers thus have control over this data themselves, and can publish it at their own discretion, for commercial or legislative reasons, but the data remains immutable. The collaboration between Energinet and Concordium is an important step forward for Denmark's sustainable development as similar solutions can be adopted outside of the partnership and scaled to global transmission systems, representing a solid indication of blockchain technology's potential to drive positive global change. CONTACT: Marketing team

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-concordium-blockchain-contributes-to-danish-transmission-energinets-new-green-energy-certificate-platform-301748582.html SOURCE Concordium

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[February 16, 2023] Vpon Big Data Group invited to share insights at Taiwan-Japan economic and trade seminar

Data solutions help the Japanese government promote cross-border tourism and data business services optimization TAIPEI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To promote cooperation and digital talent exchanges between Taiwan and Japan's semiconductor industry, the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce, Taiwan (CNAIC) recently held the "strengthening the new link between the semiconductor and digital sectors" 2023 Taiwan-Japan (Kyushu) Economic and Trade Seminar, in concert with the Kyushu Semiconductor Talent Cultivation Alliance, the Kyushu Open Innovation Center (KOIC) and Kyushu Economy International (KEI). Vpon Big Data Group founder and CEO Victor Wu was invited to attend as an industry representative and share stories of successful cases of cooperation between companies in the two regions. Business exchanges between Taiwan and Japan have become noticeably more frequent in recent years, with firms in both regions working very closely together, especially in the semiconductor and digital content-related industries. Mr. Wu had been recently invited to attend the seminar to give a talk on his experience when Vpon assisted the Japanese government in cross-border tourism and in setting up and managing the collection and analysis of data on the export of Japanese products as a result of the Cool Japan initiative. He also stressed that as exchanges between Taiwan and Japan become closer and more frequent, it behooves manufacturers and distributors to support and cooperate with each other in order to create more synergies. Mr. Wu first explained how the Cool Japan initiative was rolled out to publicize and sell Japanese goods overseas, as wll as to promote tourism to Japan. Under this strategic framework, Vpon integrated AI, big data, blockchain and cloud services into its own Wee and Vnity data solutions to collect, analyze and apply data with an eye to developing a more effective advertising strategy, and to better identifying and targeting consumers. Such strategies have already proven successful in promoting tourism to Okinawa, bringing overseas visitors into Japanese department stores and selling fruit, aquatic products and alcohol abroad.



Vpon achieved new results records in the Japanese market:





Through the Inbound program Vpon analyzed and identified target consumer groups with its data solutions ;

; Through the Outbound program, Vpon assisted Japanese firms in the selling of Japanese specialty foods including agricultural products, fruit, sake as well as hosting cultural events abroad, alongside the promotion of inbound domestic tourism, assisting the Japanese government in meeting its objective of "goods out, tourists in". As a result, Vpon will accumulate extensive experience in working with local Japanese government agencies and Japanese companies, and expects to leverage that experience to vastly expand its relationship network and develop partnerships with a growing number of organizations in the country. This first-of-its-kind Taiwan-Japan (Kyushu) Economic and Trade Seminar hosted 150 guests, including CNAIC chairman Thomas T. L. Wu, Minister of Taiwan Economic Affairs Wang Meihua, Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang, the Third Wednesday Club (San San Fe) chairman Por-Fung Lin, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association deputy representative Dr. Takashi Hattori, Kyushu Semiconductor Talent Cultivation Alliance director Kimihide Namura, veteran politician of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Satsuki Katayama, as well as more than 40 Kyushu government officials and executives from Kyushu-based companies. Three Taiwan firms including Vpon, Topco Group and TXOne Networks and three Japanese peers shared their cooperation cases from different industry perspectives in a move to facilitate more collaborative opportunities. About Vpon Big Data Group Vpon Big Data Group ("Vpon") is Asia's leading big data company with advanced big data analysis technologies and the richest mobile data in Asia to provide the most effective data core solutions to the market. Founded in 2008, Vpon is headquartered in Taipei and has 8 offices in the Asia Pacific region spanning Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Bangkok. The company plans to continue to expand in Asia and into Europe and the Americas. Vpon has an international C-level core management team of top talented persons from various countries, and has also passed the ISO 27001/27701 certification for compliance. With monthly access to 900 million mobile devices, a collection of quality media resources covering the Asia-Pacific region, and a leading team specializing in cutting-edge big data and artificial intelligence technologies, the company provides comprehensive Data Solutions and AI Solutions, including data analysis services, brand promotion, cross-border marketing, performance optimization and enterprise digital transformation, to help customers improve brand recognition and create efficient transactions. Vpon has launched the Wee Global Data Marketplace cross-border data trading platform in Japan and Taiwan, the first of its kind in Asia! It is also the only firm that provides a secure and reliable cross-border data trading environment that connects the supply side and the demand side. To learn more about Vpon, please visit www.vpon.com. SOURCE Vpon?????

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[February 16, 2023] Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund Launches JUMPSTARTER 2023 Global Pitch Competition

Newly added HKD1 million cash prize and a maximum total investment of up to USD5 million Encourage start-ups to integrate UN Sustainable Goals into businesses HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund ("AEF") today announced the JUMPSTARTER 2023 Global Pitch Competition ("JUMPSTARTER 2023") is now open for application. AEF is inviting entries from start-ups worldwide to bring more like-minded organizations together to bolster the growth of innovation and technology globally. JUMPSTARTER 2023 is now open for applications until May 14, 2023. The top 100 entrants will be selected by the judging panel and enter the pitching phase in late June. The top 30 will be announced in September and participate in the finals in November in Hong Kong. In response to the strong caliber of start-ups that have participated in the competition in past years, the top 30 start-ups of JUMPSTARTER 2023 will all be eligible and considered for investment of up to USD5 million (around HKD39 million). In addition, JUMPSTARTER 2023 will offer an HKD1 million cash prize for the first prize winner and other awardees. Eight industry focus, with new categories Biotech and Web 3.0 added Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund constantly reviews the latest development trend of different industries, and further expanded the mechanism this year. Apart from continuing to cover Sustainability, Healthcare, Fintech, Art-Tech and Deep Tech/AI & Data/Robotics, JUMPSTARTER 2023 has newly added Biotech/Life Science, Industry 4.0 and Web 3.0, totaling eight industry focuses. To support the growth of start-ups with the potential to deliver social and economic benefits in society, JUMPSTARTER 2023 has widened the participation requirement to include start-ups in the ideation stage or growth stage that have raised less than USD20 million in funding to date. Meanwhile, JUMPSTARTER 2023 welcomes start-ups that have operated for less than five years with the intention to develop in Hong Kong and/or other cities in the Greater Bay Area. JUMPSTARTER 2023 also encourages start-ups to include one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their business direction, for example, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, quality education, affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, in the hope of encouraging start-ups to incorporate social responsibility in their initial stage of business. "During the height of COVID-19, we were incredibly inspired to see many start-ups unlock innovative ways to address societal pain points," said Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund. "We want to encourage start-ups in the sixth JUMPSTARTER to address the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. We have added biotech, industry 4.0 and web 3.0 to capture the emerging market trends. JUMPSTARTER aspires to be a platform that supports individuals with entrepreneurial aspirations to accelerate the innovation and technology industry with our partners." Due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, JUMPSTARTER 2023 will again host a series of in-person information sessions, including cities in the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia. To encourage more talents and drive the development of innovation in the region, successful entrepreneurs and industry experts will be invited to share their entrepreneurial journeys and challenges as well as to examine the current business climate and growth prospects in the market. As of December 31, 2022, AEF had invested over USD80 million into over 60 start-ups[1], attracting co-investment funding of more than USD2.5 billion. Its investment portfolio covers many industries, including biotech, fintech, edu-tech, green and sustainability, medical and healthcare, etc. JUMPSTARTER 2023 is now open for applications. Please visit https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/ for more details.







[1]Including HKAI Lab and the investment via AEF Greater Bay Area Fund.

Appendix 1: JUMPSTARTER 2023 Judging Criteria Innovation and Industry Disruption 20 % Market Potential and Business Model & Sustainability 20 % Traction and Further Development Plan 20 % Team Background and Strength 15 % Hong Kong or Greater Bay Area Nexus (Founder Background + HK/GBA Plan) 15 % Impact (Include United Nations SDGs) 10 % Appendix 2: JUMPSTARTER 2023 Timeline Global callout Now  May 14, 2023 Announcement of top 100 and semi pitch June, 2023 Announcement of top 30 September, 2023 Final Pitch November, 2023 About Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund ("AEF") is a not-for-profit initiative launched by Alibaba Group in 2015. To vitalize the development of innovation and technology, AEF's mission is to help Hong Kong entrepreneurs and young people realize their dreams and visions for a Hong Kong that is vibrant and engaged regionally and globally. As part of its investment program, AEF provides Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs with investment capital and strategic guidance to help them grow their businesses and penetrate the mainland Chinese and global markets, by utilizing Alibaba's Ecosystem. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.ent-fund.org/en/ About JUMPSTARTER JUMPSTARTER is a not-for-profit initiative created by Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund that provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. It is a first-of-its-kind start-up event focused exclusively on showcasing quality start-ups and providing high-impact networking opportunities. Its goal is to build, empower and boost Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurship by bringing entrepreneurs, corporations, investors and the public together, helping to transform Hong Kong into a leading hub for global innovation and technology. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/ SOURCE Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund

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[February 16, 2023] Deezer enters long-term partnership with Sonos to power content for Sonos Radio worldwide

Deezer will deliver key services for the Sonos music experience while supporting continued innovation. PARIS, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ -- Deezer (Paris Euronext: DEEZR) today announced a long-term partnership with Sonos to power the brand's streaming radio service Sonos Radio and its subscription service Sonos Radio HD, delivering an expansive catalog of music that's curated for Sonos customers. The collaboration aligns with Deezer's strategy of focusing on partnership-led expansion to deliver growth opportunities in the US and other markets globally. "This is the start of a very exciting journey for Deezer and Sonos. Through this partnership Deezer can reach new listeners in major markets around the world, including the US." said Jeronimo Folgueira, CEO, Deezer. "Sonos has revolutionized the way we enjoy music and audio in our homes, with exceptional multi-room speakers, fantastic sound quality and thoughtfully curated Sonos Radio services. We can't wait to play a key role in expanding this great customer offering." Beginning April 2023, Deezer will deliver key services for Sonos Radio and Sonos Radio HD, including a catalog of 90 million tracks, metadata, licensing, reporting & royalty management, business intelligence & data, as well as strategic collaboration for growth and monetization of the service. Deezer and Sonos will deliver services to 16 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, the UK, France and Germany. In addition, Deezer will support ongoing innovation to develop and expand the Sonos music experience, exploring new ways to give listeners around th world an easy way to discover music and soundtrack their day.



"Delivering a best in class branded content experience for our customers is an essential part of our long-term growth strategy and Deezer continues to be an excellent partner for supporting our ambitious goals to help the world listen better," said Patrick Spence, CEO at Sonos. "As a pioneer in music streaming, Deezer has a proven track record in developing and growing a music service globally and I look forward to working together to improve the overall listening experience for our customers." With a highly competitive product, disruptive innovation and features, as well as undisputed editorial and music industry expertise, Deezer puts partnerships at the heart of its market expansion strategy, supporting more than 45 partners and 80 hardware integrations worldwide.

Deezer has continuously collaborated with Sonos as a key innovation partner, launching an early HiFi offer and most recently providing seamless integration with Sonos Voice Control . The Deezer experience on Sonos includes an easy-to-use interface with unique Deezer features such as Flow, an AI based recommendation engine which lets the listener choose music based on moods. About Deezer Deezer is one of the largest independent music streaming platforms in the world, with more than 90 million tracks available in 180 countries, providing access to lossless HiFi audio, innovative recommendation technology and industry defining features. As the home of music, Deezer brings artists and fans together on a scalable and global platform, to unlock the full potential of music through technology. Founded in 2007 in Paris, Deezer is now a global company with a team of over 600 people based in France, Germany, UK, Brazil and the US, all brought together by their passion for music, technology and innovation. Deezer is listed on the Professional Segment of Euronext Paris (Ticker: DEEZR) (ISIN: FR001400AYG6) and is also part of the newly-created Euronext Tech Leaders segment, dedicated to European high-growth tech companies, and its associated index. For the latest news on Deezer go to https://www.deezer-blog.com/press/ .

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004017/Deezer_Sonos_partnership.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1853552/Deezer_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deezer-enters-long-term-partnership-with-sonos-to-power-content-for-sonos-radio-worldwide-301748645.html SOURCE Deezer

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[February 16, 2023] Saks OFF 5TH's Executive Leadership Team Visits India Office, Commits to Continued Growth in Bangalore

BANGALORE, India , Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The executive leadership team of Saks OFF 5TH, the premier destination for luxury off-price fashion, visited the company's India office this week. In her maiden visit to the Bangalore centre, Paige Thomas, President & CEO, Saks OFF 5TH who was joined by Shivi Shankaran, Chief Operating Officer, Saks OFF 5TH, discussed the company's future trajectory with associates. Saks OFF 5TH prioritizes a digital-first operating model focused on delivering a superior customer experience. Through the brand's merchandise authority, unparalleled brand access and seamless connection between ecommerce and stores, Saks OFF 5TH provides the best names in fashion at an incredible value. "At Saks OFF 5TH, our people are at the center of everything we do. Our team in Bangalore is integral to our business, and I am thrilled to visit for the first time since I joined the organization in 2020. We continue to look to India as an incredible source of talent to support our growing business as we work to fulfill our mission of providing access to modern luxury to everyone," said Paige Thomas, President & CEO, Saks OFF 5TH. Saks OFF 5TH's Bangalore office has approximately 220 employees working across Engineering, Supply Chain Operations, Merchant Operations, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Finance Operations, HR, IT and Cloud Operations. In 203, Saks OFF 5TH will continue to expand the Supply Chain Operations and Merchant Operations capabilities in India to support growth, optimize customer experience and enhance merchandise assortment.



Chief Operating Officer, Shivi Shankaran, said "Our Saks OFF 5TH Bangalore team has played a vital role in driving our business and operational growth, and the team itself has doubled in size over the past 12 months to support our business. As we continue to expand our Engineering, Transportation, Customer Service, Digital Operations and Merchant Operations capabilities, we are focused on shifting additional functional ownership areas to this talented team to enhance our customer experience. With this in mind, we expect to continue to grow our team in Bangalore in 2023." In 2021, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) established Saks OFF 5TH's ecommerce business as a standalone company. Saks OFF 5TH has had a presence in India since 2017 when HBC set up its global team in Bangalore with the support of ANSR.

Lalit Ahuja, Founder and CEO of ANSR, said "Saks OFF 5TH has been investing significantly in adding new capabilities and enhancing the customer experience through the launch of the new mobile app, a new loyalty program and partnerships with several brands. With its digital focus, Saks OFF 5TH is well positioned to prioritize investments and operating strategies around serving customers seeking luxury at a value. India provides differentiated talent to enable continued digital acceleration, and the leadership visit reinforces the headquarters' alignment and sponsorship to the India team." About Saks OFF 5TH Saks OFF 5TH is the premier destination for luxury off-price fashion. In our approximately 100 stores in the U.S. and Canada, and online, at SaksOFF5TH.com, we offer a compelling assortment of high-end designers and everyday favorites at the best prices. We prioritize a digital-first operating model focused on delivering a superior customer experience. We lead with the customer, empower our team and drive accountability within the business. We welcome creativity and embrace individuality and think that fashion is the ultimate form of self-expression. Visit saksoff5th.com for more information Contact - Meghan Biango | [email protected] About ANSR ANSR is the market leader in enabling organizations build, manage and scale global teams through Global Capability Centers (GCCs). ANSR's suite of end-to-end AI-enabled products and services are trusted by the world's best companies to help them setup, manage and run their high-impact technology centers. Since its inception, ANSR has established over 100 GCCs aggregating to over 100k enterprise talent with over $1.6B in investment and using over 10M sq ft of workspace. Visit ansr.com for more information Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2004023/Saks_O5_Main_Lockup_RGB_Black__1___1.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/saks-off-5ths-executive-leadership-team-visits-india-office-commits-to-continued-growth-in-bangalore-301748649.html

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[February 16, 2023] New IGEL App Portal Cloud Service Delivers Fast, Efficient App Delivery via the New IGEL COSMOS Platform

A Full Range of IGEL-Validated Applications to be Available as a Cloud Service, Enabling Streamlined, More Timely Delivery of Apps and Updates with a Superior Digital Experience for Users MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL , provider of the managed endpoint operating system for secure access to any digital workspace, today announced the IGEL App Portal. Part of the new IGEL COSMOS Cloud Services and unveiled today at the DISRUPT23  The Ultimate Global EUC event in Munich, the IGEL App Portal extends the access and delivery of IGEL-validated applications, clients, and interfaces via the cloud for users of the new IGEL COSMOS platform (see related press release here). Offering the latest apps from IGEL Ready partners, the IGEL App Portal supports faster, more timely application availability and seamless updates for extensive IT efficiency gains and a superior digital experience (DEX) for end users. The IGEL App Portal delivers a full range of validated applications for use on IGEL OS-powered devices from IGEL's vast IGEL Ready technology partner community of more than 130 partners. Available for download at no extra cost, these apps can be rapidly qualified and delivered as a feature-rich experience for users, while reducing the app qualification, implementation and update processes for IT. Initial applications to be available in the IGEL App Portal include the IGEL AVD client for accessing Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, VMware Horizon client, Citrix Workspace app, Chromium Browser, Zoom Media Plugins for VDI, ControlUp and more. "The anywhere digital workplace requires increased agility, while delivering security and management confidence for IT," said Simon Townsend, Field Chief Technology Officer, EMEA, IGEL. "To support these new work requirements, IGEL has transformed the way it delivers access to the apps users need to be productive from everywhere they want to work. Leveraging the new modular IGEL COSMOS platform where the endpoint OS is now separate from the apps and services, we are empowering organizations with the 'future proofed' end user computing environment they need to be ready for the unfolding future of end user computing." Upon its launch, the IGEL App Portal will include cloud-based access to the following apps: ul type="disc"> Citrix Workspace app IGEL AVD client VMware Horizon client Chromium Browser Zoom Media Plugins for VDI ControlUp CUPS printing system SafeSign Identity client SafeNet Authentication client Cryptovision Scienterface



Calvin Hsu , Vice President, Product Management, Citrix, a business unit of Cloud Software Group. "Coupled with our own speed of innovation, the new IGEL App Portal enables Citrix and IGEL to provide their joint customers with new features and updates with unprecedented speed and frequency. With significantly less testing, qualification, and management required for IT teams, employees can benefit from these new features and updates faster than ever." "The ability to update the VMware Horizon client independently from IGEL OS in COSMOS allows our customers and their users to access VMware's latest innovation Apps on Demand faster and more efficiently than before," said Terry Vaughn, Director Global EUC Business Development VMware. "The additional ability to now update the Zoom and Webex offloading clients, independently from the VMware Horizon client also provides customers with the ultimate flexibility and agility they require when deploying today's workloads."

"By providing faster security updates from IGEL and ControlUp, our joint security position gets even stronger. ControlUp is pleased to be an IGEL App Portal launch partner," said Robin Brandl, Vice President Global Strategic Alliances, ControlUp. "ControlUp is proud to partner with IGEL to improve IT visibility, deliver IT efficiency, and empower hybrid work for all our joint customers." Future availability in the IGEL App Portal will include an additional 10 apps, including a Windows 365 Cloud PC and RDP client as well as solutions for Cisco Webex and Cisco Jabber, 7signal, Cameyo, Cendio, deviceTRUST, Imprivata, Nutanix Frame, Tricerat, and Vasion PrinterLogic. IGEL also offers an IGEL OS SDK (software development kit) for software providers that want to validate their solution for availability using COSMOS and the IGEL App Portal. Availability

The IGEL App Portal is a key cloud service app delivery portion of the unified, modular, agile IGEL COSMOS platform which also incorporates the new IGEL UMS 12 (the next generation of the IGEL Universal Management Suite) along with parallel integrations for IGEL OS 11 and IGEL OS 12 operating system. The IGEL App Portal along with COSMOS, IGEL UMS 12, and IGEL OS 12 will be available April 1. Existing users of IGEL OS 11 will be able to engage IGEL UMS 12 via a transition path to access COSMOS advancements for existing and new devices running IGEL OS 12 in the future. For more information visit igel.com/cosmos. To schedule a discovery meeting and get early access to GA code, visit igel.com/yes. DISRUPT23

COSMOS was announcement from DISRUPT23  The Ultimate Global EUC in Munich, held February 15 and 16 at the INFINITY Hotel & Conference Resort. DISRUPT23 will hold its North American installment at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 3-5. Registration is $399 per person. To register, visit: www.disruptEUC.com. About IGEL

Today, the world of work is hybrid. Multiple clouds can deliver applications sourced from anywhere to a widely distributed workforce using all types of devices. Right at the moment when the world of work needs it most, IGEL has the solution for fully managed, secure endpoint access to any digital workspace that gives IT teams strong control and end-users the freedom to work as they wish in a hybrid world. Enabling choice of any cloud, from any device, anywhere, IGEL unlocks a collaborative and productive end user computing experience while solving the common security and management challenges required to compete and win in today's world of hybrid work. With a growing ecosystem of more than 100 IGEL Ready technology partners, IGEL has offices in Europe and the United States and is represented by partners in over 50 countries. For more information on IGEL, visit www.igel.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-igel-app-portal-cloud-service-delivers-fast-efficient-app-delivery-via-the-new-igel-cosmos-platform-301748501.html SOURCE IGEL Technology

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From the left: Dahan Phuong Oanh catwalks in shows by Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang and Prabal Gurung. Photo by New York Fashion Week

Leading fashion site Models recognized Dahan Phuong Oanh as one of the most demanded international models of New York Fashion Week this year.

"The list contains the famous and prominent models on the runway in the past season," Models wrote. "These are the models that directors and designers always look for during fashion month."

Of the eight shows that Phuong Anh participated in so far, seven of them were runway shows, including Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Collina Strada, Prabal Gurung, Eckhaus Latta, Adeam, Puppets Puppets) and one digital show by Helmut Lang. She was also booked for a photoshoot of Phillip Lim.

The 23-year-old model said her most memorable show in New York this season is Marc Jacobs. This is also her first big show this year. The model appeared in a military green outfit, including a fur-lined jacket with a box-pocket skirt and 20-cm boots.

Phuong Oanh was promoted for bleaching her hair platinum and crossing her arms while catwalking. The show was even more memorable paid for Oanh when the collection tribute to Vivienne Westwood, the designer who passed away in December last year, and who is also a person that Oanh admired very much.

Oanh is also satisfied with shows like Alexander Wang and Prabal Gurung. After New York Fashion Week, she will participate in other fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan.

Dahan Phuong Oanh's real name is Nguyen Thi Phuong Oanh. She finished in the top 13 of Vietnams Next Top Model Allstars in 2017. She then went to the U.K in 2020 and signed a deal with management company PRM Models in London. She had four shows in London Fashion Week in the same year.

In 2021, Oanh became the first Vietnamese model to appear on Gucci's website. She is also a model for the 2021 Fall/Winter Ready to Wear collection of Stella McCartney.

A year later, Oanh achieved further success. She became the first Vietnamese model to catwalk at the Haute Couture show and appeared in the big four fashion capitals of Paris, London, Milan and New York. In the same year, Oanh signed a contract with the modeling agency New York NY Models. She currently has agencies representing her in six markets: the U.K, France, U.S., Italy, Germany and Vietnam.
[February 16, 2023] Talent, Capital & Cutting-edge Technology, The 3-in-1 Key to Innovation and Industrialization

The 2nd World Frontier Science and Technology Conference (Hong Kong Branch) will Open in Hong Kong June 2023 HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Organizing Committee of the World Frontier Science and Technology Conference announced today that the 2nd World Frontier Science and Technology Conference (Hong Kong Branch) will be held in Hong Kong on 8 - 9 June, 2023 at AsiaWorld-Expo. The Conference theme this year is 'Talent, Capital and Cutting-edge Technology The 3-in-1 Key to Innovation and Industrialization'. "Talents, funding and cutting-edge technology depend on each other to transform scientific results to tangible products or services for market consumption," said Mr. Wang You Cai (???), Vice President of Zhong Nong Hua Kai Urban Development and Management Limited Company; and Actual Controller of Shanghai Zhonghai Corp. The 2-day Conference will consist of a series of forums and an exhibition, providing a dedicated platform for local and oversea leading enterprises, start-ups, R &D institutes, government departments and venture capital funds in frontier science and technology to exchange ideas, to explore and to cooperate. The Conference anticipates more than 500 participants and to produce positive results from academic exchanges, multi-facet collaborations involving talents, finance and industry co-operations. It was also announced today plans to set up the Word Frontier Technology Conference's first overseas office in Hong Kong. The move exemplifies Hong Kong's unique advantages as gateway to Mainland China, and its abilities to facilitate more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation amongst technology organizations and enterprises from China and overseas. Speaking at the media briefing today were Mr. Wang You Cai (???), Actual Controller of Shanghai Zhonggai Corp. and Vice President of Zhong Nong Hua Kai Urban Development and Management Limited; Mr. Zhang Shao Chun (???), Vice President cum Secretary General of China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology (via video broadcast); Mr. Yan Bo Hua (???), Executive Chairman of World Frontier Science and Technology Conference Organization Committee (via video broadcast); Mr. Yu Dan Ping (???), Executive Director of Institute of Science and Technology, Fudan University, and Board Chairman of Fudi Technology (Group) Co. Ltd.; Ms. Shek Wai (??), Vice Chairman of World Frontier Science and Technology Conference Organization Committee; President of Shanghai Zhonggai Corp., and Chairman of Hong Kong Zhonggai Holding Limited; Mr. Sam Hui (???), Vice Chairman of World Frontier Science and Technology Conference (Hong Kong) Organization Committee; Executive Director / CEO (International Business Dept) of Shanghai Zhonggai Enterprise Development (Group) Co. Ltd., and Managing Director of Media Pro HK Ltd.; and Mr. Yang Xiao Fei (???), CEO of Grove Hydrogen Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. And Chairman of Tiger Hydrogen Automotive and General Manager of Shanghai Lengci New Energy Exclusive Platform for Industrialization of Frontier Technologies The World Frontier Science and Technology Conference is jointly organized by China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology (CIAPST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNDO). It was officially launched in Beijing in 2022.



CIAPST has appointed Shanghai China Reform Enterprise Development Group (The Group) to help co-organize the annual World Frontier Science and Technology Conference, establishing it as a leading platform for international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. The Conference will focus on the five frontier technology sectors of Digital Economy, New Energy, New Materials, Biopharmaceuticals and Metaverse, help nurture start-ups in these sectors, and offer one-stop support in their funding and commercialization. Wang You Cai (???), Actual Controller of Shanghai Zhonghai Corp. said, "Shanghai China Reform Enterprise was authorized by CIAPST to provide one-stop professional support for innovation and technology start-up enterprises.

"In addition to organizing the annual Conference, we are also responsible for choosing the location to set up a permanent office for the Conference and to realize its purpose. "With the support of the CIAPST Organizing Committee, we are best positioned to assist start-ups in the early stage of their industrialization efforts. We help leverage the resources of relevant departments, from the national development and reform commission, the ministry of finance to the ministry of science and technology and Chinese Academy of Science." Hong Kong's Super Connector Role The 1st World Frontier Science and Technology Conference was inaugurated and held in Beijing, its second annual event will be held in Hong Kong this June. The choice of place reinforces Hong Kong's predominant role as gateway to China. The Conference aims to identify high-quality local enterprises rooted in innovation and technology (I&T), to bring them to market and support their overseas market development. It also welcomes and supports young foreign I&T companies and investors to enter China market with various public and private initiatives, from scientific research support, government policy to investment opportunities. The Conference leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages and international experiences to play full out as super connector for Chinese enterprises to expand overseas and foreign companies and capital to tape the China market. Supports Building Up Hong Kong as an International Science & Technology Centre Wang further remarked at today's media briefing, "The World Frontier Science and Technology Conference will be setting up its first overseas office in Hong Kong, riding on Hong Kong's long recognized strength as a business bridge between China and the rest of the world. "The goals and objectives of the Conference align with the vision of the '2022 Hong Kong Innovation and Technology (I&T) Development Blueprint ' where the HKSAR Government aims to establish Hong Kong as an international I&T centre. We will also seize the opportunity presented by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and its dual-circulation development strategy. Having its permanent office in Hong Kong, the Conference will further enhance Hong Kong's bridging role for local and overseas I&T businesses as it becomes a 'participant' of the domestic economic circulation, and an 'enabler' of the international circulation." The 2nd World Frontier Science and Technology Conference (Hong Kong Branch) is jointly organized by China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology (CIAPST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is co-organized by Shanghai Zhonggai Enterprise Development (Group) Co. Ltd., Fudi Technology (Group) Co. Ltd. and Media Pro HK Ltd., and supported by the Hong Kong Metaverse Industrial Consortium and the IoT HK Association. Download link for press release, high resolution images: https://bit.ly/3S5kZkH About China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology (CIAPST) Founded in 1988, the China International Association for Promotion of Science and Technology (CIAPST) is a registered organization under the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The Association's purpose is to provide a platform for connecting local and overseas I&T industry stakeholders, from scientists, educators, financiers, entrepreneurs, industrialists, management experts to engineering and technical professionals. It also aims to promote the development of science and technology in China, promote economic growth through science and technology, and to strengthen international scientific and technological exchanges and economic cooperation. Official website: http://www.ciapst.org About United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development. The organization is working to protect the climate, to feed a growing population and end hunger and poverty, and to create job perspectives for hundreds of millions of people. UNIDO provides its support through four mandated functions: technical cooperation; action-oriented research and policy-advisory services; normative standards-related activities; and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer. Official website: https://www.unido.org/ About Shanghai Zhong Gai Enterprise Development Group Established for more than 12 years, the Shanghai Zhong Gai Enterprise Development Group has long focused on the development of various technology driven sectors, including New Energy, New Materials, Electronic Information, and Artificial Intelligence. The Group participates in the research and development of a number of key national projects with major technology breakthroughs. It also keeps abreast the global trend in technology integration and is committed to the incubation and commercialization of startup technologies. Through years of dedicated experience, the Group is recognized for its professional standard and outstanding operation ability in planning and organizing themed forums, provision of technological services, transformation of research results and attracting talents. Official website: https://www.shanghaizhonggai.com The above press release is issued by World Frontier Science and Technology Conference through PRO Marketing Services Company Limited SOURCE PRO Marketing Services Company Ltd

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[February 16, 2023] Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Enters Into an Exclusive Sales and Marketing Agreement for Middle East

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. (NEO: PWWR) (OTCQB: ALKFF, Frankfurt: 77R, WKN: A3CTYF) ("PWWR" or the "Company"), a diversified investment platform developing affordable, renewable, and reliable energy assets and cleantech, is pleased to announce it has entered into an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Viridian Hydrogen UAE (Viridian) to aid in the development and deployment of PWWRs next generation hydrogen-powered fuel cells.

PWWR is tremendously excited to gain access to the MENA region with such a well-respected partner with a proven track record in providing hydrogen opportunities in the Middle East, stated Frank Carnevale, Chief Executive Officer of PWWR. We are looking forward to launching the Jupiter 1.0 hydrogen-powered fuel cell in the UAE. As those pilots and strategic opportunities are being developed, PWWR will continue to utilize strategic partners to assist in the acceleration of the production and sales of PWWRs Jupiter 1.0 and generator fuel cells, globally. We are excited to welcome PWWR into the Viridian family of companies we represent. We are all well aware of the transformative power of hydrogen. Utilizing PWWRs newly developed prototype of the micro-combined heat and power systems, and pending off -grid, back-up power generators, will be of tremendous value to our various connections across the region, according to Mr. Saad Khan, Partner of Viridian Hydrogen UAE. Building off the Companys launch of the prototype of the Jupiter 1.0 hydrogen-powered fuel cell, Viridian will be able to work with a variety of companies and governmental agencies in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region to maximize the potential of one of the most cost-effective hydrogen-fuel cells developed. The key stakeholders in Viridian have extensive experience in renewable energy production in the Middle East that when coupled with their deep history in the region, will result in a great partnership for PWWR to enter into sales agreements, joint ventures and manufacturing agreements in order to monetize PWWRs Jupiter 1.0 and future hydrogen-powered fuel cells. PWWR will be joining the Viridian Hydrogen Advisory Council (VHAC) to capitalize on the variety of hydrogen focused projects that are being explored in partnership with numerous governments and Fortune500 companies as a result of Viridians participation in Expo2020 in Dubai. The UAE is positioning itself on becoming a global leader in hydrogen production, distribution and utilization. With the help of both private and public partnerships the collaboration between PWWR and Viridian will aid in the UAEs goal of becoming a hub for renewable development and production for the MENA region. PWWR & Viridian are honored to continue to help build on the UAE's Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's visionary leadership to establish the pillars of success for the Arab Emirates. ABOUT VIRIDIAN HYDROGEN, UAE Viridian Hydrogen UAE has been retained to become the exclusive provider of integrated renewable solutions with a focus on the development of hydrogen in the United Arab Emirates and the greater MENA region. Through a diverse network of local partners and advisors Viridian has positioned itself as the trusted resource for governments and multinational corporations wishing to implement their renewable strategies in the region. Viridian Contact:

Saad Khan

[email protected]





ABOUT ALKALINE FUEL CELL POWER CORP. (NEO: PWWR)

PWWR is a diversified investment platform developing affordable, renewable, and reliable energy assets and cleantech. We bring Power to the People today, combining a stable revenue stream with a future- forward vision to commercialize our advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology to meet the massive global market need, and ultimately generate compelling returns for investors. PWWR operates through two global entities: Fuel Cell Power NV, a wholly owned subsidiary in Belgium, and PWWR Flow Streams (PWWR Flow), an PWWR brand in Canada. Fuel Cell Power NV is focused on the development, production and commercialization of Jupiter 1.0, micro- combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems and off-grid and back-up power generators based on advanced alkaline fuel cell technology that generates zero CO2 emissions. Fuel Cell Power NV has launched the Jupiter 1.0 prototype, and working through pilots in 2023. PWWR Flow is focused on the development, ownership and operations of combined heat and power (CHP) assets. PWWR Flow assets deliver efficiency improvements of over 20% with reduced costs to customers in multi-residential and commercial applications. PWWR Flow has contracted existing CHP assets in Toronto, Canada, and has an additional pipeline of potential contracts valued at over $50 million currently in development. PWWR is well positioned to deliver Power to the People in the global energy transition while offering a diversified cleantech growth platform for investors. Further information is available on the Company website at https://www.fuelcellpower.com/ , and the Company encourages investors and other interested stakeholders to follow it on: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Common shares are listed for trading on the NEO under the symbol PWWR, the OTC Venture Exchange OTCQB under the symbol ALKFF and on the Frankfurt Exchange under symbol 77R and WKN A3CTYF. For further information, please contact: Frank Carnevale

Chief Executive Officer

+1 (647) 531-8264

[email protected] Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, occur or achieve. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys technology, intellectual property, business plan, objectives and strategy. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future, which are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Alkaline Fuel Cell Power Corp. Some assumptions include, without limitation, the assumptions provided in this news release, the assumption that the results of the current gross operating income generating CHP unit will be duplicated for the potential projects in the pipeline; statements regarding the successful integration of the AI business into the Company's business in a timely manner; management's ability to secure potential projects in the pipeline; management's ability to successfully develop the projects in the pipeline to generate operating income; management's ability to transition the combined heat and power technology to a clean zero-emission hydrogen powered energy solution; the global addressable market for zero-emission hydrogen powered energy production units; the effectiveness and timelines to deploy management's business strategy; the renewable energies sector and the Companys future plans. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given 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 forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. NEITHER THE NEO EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE NEO EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.



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[February 16, 2023] Blueground Acquired On-Demand Furnished Rental Company, Travelers Haven

Blueground, the largest global operator of furnished rentals for 30+ day stays, announces today the acquisition of Denver-based Travelers Haven, the leading provider of housing on-demand in the U.S. Travelers Haven offers the fast and highly customizable sourcing of flexible rentals on-demand to businesses with access to up to 20,000 U.S. cities. The acquisition of Travelers Haven will now give Blueground the ability to provide accommodations to clients on demand in the U.S. in addition to its already established inventory of apartments around the world. The combined organization will employ over 1,200 people and is expected to reach over $600m in revenue in 2023. This acquisition comes at a time of growth for Blueground. Blueground's focus has always been the core, urban centers - having apartments in 11 cities in the U.S. and 19 cities internationally - however, through the acquisition, the company will offer furnished apartments across a wider geographic scope. The acquisition will see more housing options in more locations for corporate clients in the U.S. while also growing Blueground's corporate client base. Blueground operates the largest, curated global network of furnished rentals for 30+ day stays for individuals and corporate clients alike. The company was co-founded 10 years ago by CEO Alex Chatzieleftheriou, who, after many years as a business traveler, had experienced first-hand the pain points of living out of hotels for work for months at a time. He aspired to create a way that people could feel settled and at home, while free to explore the world. "When I set out to create Blueground, my goal was to offer a simple way for people to move freely between neighborhoods, cities, and countries around the world, while providing high quality service, so they can explore easier and more efficiently," says Alex Chatzieleftheriou, CEO and Co-founder, Blueground. "We have deep admiration for the Travelers Haven team and what they've built over the last 15 years. I am excited about this next chapter together to provide turn-key, tech-enabled homes both on-demand and readily available at a global level." Founded in 2008 by Elia Wallen, Travelers Haven caters to a wide range of clients, providing stays that are tailored to their specific needs and location, with options to search by length of stay, budgetary requirements, and more. In 2022, the company provided more than 10,000 people with rentals by sourcing apartments on an on-demand basis through industry-leading software and a network of vendors making up a virtual inventory of 2,700+ apartments that spans every U.S. city and town. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Travelers Haven is a bootstrapped business, showing a strong financial profile wth steady year-over-year revenue growth and sustained profitability; the company exceeded $100M of revenue in 2022.



"We're proud of Travelers Haven's success over the last 15 years, as we've bridged the workforce housing gap and created a niche in the market with flexible rentals on-demand," said Carlos Abisambra, President and CEO, Travelers Haven. "Travelers Haven and Blueground have the same goals and vision for the future of housing, and we're ready for this next chapter to bring the on-demand category to a global audience." For now Blueground and Travelers Haven will continue to operate as separate entities, with plans to fully integrate in the future. In the meantime, the two companies will be sharing best practices and offering their combined services to each other's clients, while working together to merge tech platforms and service offerings.

This acquisition adds to the offerings available through Blueground for Business, the corporate service of the company. Blueground for Business provides a seamless booking experience for HR and Travel Managers with custom benefits including a dedicated account manager and direct booking links for clients. Currently, 35% of Blueground's revenue is from Blueground for Business. This figure climbs to 50% for the group with the addition of Travelers Haven's revenue, and plans to double in amounts in 2023. This is Blueground's second acquisition in three months; the company recently entered the Latin American market with the announcement of the acquisition of Brazilian PropTech startup Tabas in December 2022. For more information, please visit www.theblueground.com. About Blueground

Blueground is a global PropTech company that is reinventing the way people live with its curated network of thousands of quality, turnkey homes in sought-after neighborhoods around the globe, available for stays of a month or longer. Blueground's tech-enabled platform provides a fully digitized experience from viewing and booking available apartments within minutes to managing the entire stay through the Blueground Guest App. Now renters can book where they want, when they want, and on the terms they want. Blueground is headquartered in New York City, with a portfolio of over 12,000 move-in ready apartments in 30 cities worldwide as well as access to apartments on-demand in ~20,000 cities and towns in the U.S. In 2022, Blueground announced the acquisition of Brazilian PropTech startup, Tabas, supporting the company's expansion in Latin America. In 2023, Blueground acquired Travelers Haven - the leader in workforce on-demand housing - allowing Blueground to now offer on-demand housing in over 20,000 cities and towns in the U.S. for corporate clients. Blueground plans to expand to 50 cities by 2025. Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or at www.theblueground.com. About Travelers Haven

Travelers Haven is the leading provider of housing on-demand. Since 2008, Travelers Haven's proven network, relationships and services has offered the fast and highly customizable sourcing of temporary housing, anywhere in the U.S. Travelers Haven secures the best housing at the best rates, and manages every aspect of the short-term housing process to save clients money, time and stress. Travelers Haven offers unparalleled support and a complete suite of tools and features to inform and optimize every housing program. For more information, go to www.travelershaven.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005103/en/

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[February 16, 2023] Cyril Gradis Joins Dynacor Board of Directors

Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX: DNG) (Dynacor or the Corporation), an international gold ore industrial corporation servicing ASMs (artisanal and small-scale miners), is pleased to announce that Cyril Gradis has joined the Corporation's board of directors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230214005817/en/ Cyril Gradis (Photo: Business Wire) Cyril Gradis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Dynacor Group board, having held various executive and non-executive positions at renowned financial institutions. He has a broad skillset in investment analysis and execution, capital allocation and corporate governance. Mr. Gradis is Managing Director at Harpe Group, a private investment office based in Zurich and Luxembourg, focusing on sustainable investing across public and private markets. He joined Harpe from Partners Group, where he was a Senior Investment Professional in the European Private Equity team based in London and later in Zug. In this position, he invested in various assets across the consumer, industrial, and TMT sectors, held board observer positions, and contributed to value-creation initiatives in several portfolio companies. Before Partners Group, he worked at Rothschild & Co in merchant and investment banking in Paris and started his career as an attorney-at-law in the Corporate/M&A department of Lenz & Staehelin in Geneva. Over the last ten years, Cyril Gradis also acted as non-executive Vice-Chairman of SFCO, his family's three-century-old enterprise, which he contributed to transforming into an impact investment company active, namely in Latin America and Africa. In this position, he has led successful cost reduction, legal transformation, and shareholder-base consolidaion initiatives. He also sat on the board of Traditions for Tomorrow, an international non-governmental organization active in strengthening the cultural heritage of indigenous communities of Latin America, namely in Southern Peru.



Cyril Gradis' graduated from the law schools of Fribourg (Switzerland) and Heidelberg (Germany) with a focus on corporate and tax law. He also holds an MBA from Columbia University, specializing in finance and investments. Mr. Gradis is a native French speaker, fluent in English and German, and has a good command of Spanish. Dynacor Group's President and CEO, Jean Martineau, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Cyril Gradis to the board of directors. Cyril brings complementary experience and relevant expertise to the table. We look forward to working with him to continue driving the growth and success of our gold ore-processing business."

Cyril Gradis joins Dynacor Group at a time of significant growth and expansion. He will play a key role in helping the company to continue its upward trajectory and achieve its goals. "I am thrilled to join the Dynacor Group board and invest in such a well-respected and successful gold ore-processing company. I look forward to working with the team to drive growth and create value for all stakeholders", said Mr. Gradis. ABOUT DYNACOR Dynacor is a dividend-paying industrial gold ore processor headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The corporation is engaged in gold production through the processing of ore purchased from the ASM (artisanal and small-scale mining) industry. At present, Dynacor operates in Peru, where its management and processing teams have decades of experience working with ASM miners. It also owns a gold exploration property (Tumipampa) in the Apurimac department. The corporation intends to expand its processing operations in other jurisdictions as well. Dynacor produces environmental and socially responsible gold through its PX IMPACT gold program. A growing number of supportive firms from the fine luxury jewelry, watchmakers and investment sectors pay a small premium to our customer and strategic partner for this PX IMPACT gold. The premium provides direct investment to develop health and education projects for our artisanal and small-scale miner's communities. Dynacor is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DNG). FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release. Shares Outstanding: 38,486,138 Website: http://www.dynacor.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DynacorGold View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230214005817/en/

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[February 16, 2023] CyberCube Identifies Potential Targets in VMware Ransomware Campaign

CyberCube, the market leader in cyber risk analytics, has identified companies at risk of attack in a new ransomware campaign impacting thousands of businesses globally. The automated ransomware campaign called ESXiArgs is targeting outdated VMware ESXi servers globally. Starting on Feb 9, 2023, the cybersecurity community reported threat actors successfully improving their attacks. The campaign encrypts configuration files on vulnerable ESXi servers, potentially rendering clients' virtual machines (VMs) unusable. Internet-wide scans within days after the first reports surfaced showed a rapid infection rate with over 2,000 servers infected. According to the research "CyberCube Briefing: Ransomware Risks & VMware Servers", up to 70,000 ESXi hypervisors globally could become vulnerable. CyberCube has analyzed companies in its Industry Exposure Database (IED) to identify organizations running VMware ESXi hypervisors that could be vulnerable to the ESXiArgs ransomware. William Altman, CyberCube's Cyber Threat Intelligence Principal, said: "Large US-based insureds operating in banking, education, manufacturing, non-profit, aviation, and agriculture are at higher risk of being attacked by threat actors leveraging vulnerabilities in ESXi hypervisors compared to insureds operating in other industries. "Large insureds ($1 bilion-plus revenue) are at greater risk than medium, small, or micro-sized insureds. Large-sized companies are more likely to require the use of hypervisors and virtual machines as the foundation for the large-scale deployment of cloud computing and cloud storage resources."



Yvette Essen, CyberCube's Head of Content, Communications & Creative, said: "The majority of impacted ESXi servers are in France and Germany. Cybersecurity agencies in other countries, including Singapore, have also raised alarms. At least a dozen universities have been reported to be impacted, including the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Rice University in Houston, and institutions of higher learning in Hungary and Slovakia. Florida's Supreme Court has also stated that it was impacted by ESXiArgs ransomware." CyberCube has modeled a large-scale ransomware attack as part of Portfolio Manager, a scenario-based data-driven model that enables risk professionals to develop insights for their senior leadership and teams. It also allows stress testing of portfolios of insurance risk so that loss drivers and areas of accumulation risk can be identified.

About CyberCube CyberCube delivers the world's leading cyber risk analytics for the insurance industry. With best-in-class data access and advanced multi-disciplinary analytics, the company's cloud-based platform helps insurance organizations quantify cyber risk to facilitate placing insurance, underwriting cyber risk and managing cyber risk aggregation. CyberCube's enterprise intelligence layer provides insights on millions of companies globally and includes modeling on thousands of points of technology failure. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005503/en/

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[February 16, 2023] KwikClick, Inc. Responds to OTC Markets Promotion Policy

Request on Recent Third-Party Promotional Activity BOUNTIFUL, Utah, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KwikClick, Inc. (OTCQB: KWIK) ("the Company or "KWIK"), an industry-first, free, multi-purpose social selling platform that utilizes, in part, patented software to pay "waves" of commissions and other incentives, to anyone willing to make a product recommendation electronically or through social media has received a request from OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue a statement about recent promotional activity concerning the Company and its common shares (the "Common Shares"). On February 8, 2023, OTC Markets notified the Company of the electronic distribution of promotional newsletters (the "Newsletters") between February 1, 2023 - February 10, 2023. The three electronic newsletters were published on Epic Stocks Picks.com, StockoftheWeek.net, WallStreetAlerts.org, MakePennyStocksGreatAgain.com, GreenLeafPotStocks.com, and TheWolfofPrimaryStocks.com, respectively, and discussed, among other matters, the Company, the present and potential market for its products and the potential for upside in the trading price of the stock. The Company engaged Link Media LLC pursuant to the terms of a consulting agreement dated January 26, 2023 and paid that Company $90,000 on February 2, 2023. The Consultant Agreement provided that Link Media LLC would distribute publicly available information to the general public by means of advertisements containing profiles of the Company and distribute such information through the above-named website. The resulting publications contained a summary of several recent press releases issued by the Company. OTC Markets provided the Company with the Newsletters for reference. The Company was not aware of the Newsletters' content prior to receiving them from OTC Markets. To the Company's knowledge, Link Media, LLC is a third-party marketing and advertising firm that provides content distribution, advertising services and newsletter services through various websites including EpicStockPicks.com. Other than entering into the Consulting Agreement with Link Media LLC, the Company, its officers and management, the directors and control shareholders have not hired any third party service providers to provide investment relations, public relations, or other related services including the promotion of the Company or its securities in the past 12 months. Each of the Newsletters presented factual statements regarding the Company, its current and planned business, seemingly drawn from the Company's SEC filings and Press Releases. The Company did not review or have editorial control over the Newsletters, and did not review them for factual accuracy or even see them prior to heir publication. While the Company does not believe that factual statements in the Newsletters that were based on KwikClick Inc.'s SEC filings and press releases were false or misleading, the Newsletters included information and language that went beyond the factual statements in the Company's SEC filings and press releases. As noted, the Company had no editorial control or oversight over the content of these promotional materials. Neither the Company nor its officers, directors or any controlling shareholder was involved with the creation of the information in the email Newsletters, other than the information that was gleaned from the Company's SEC filings and press releases, which were previously prepared by the Company.



The Company takes its investor relations practices seriously, including its obligations to timely and accurately release material information which might reasonably be expected to have significant effect on the market price or value of its securities. Specific claims in the Newsletters concerning the Company's stock and its upside are highly speculative and should be carefully evaluated based on the Company's latest filings on sec.gov. The Company has no knowledge regarding and has not formed an opinion about whether the Newsletters affected trading activity, however, the Company acknowledges that trading volume between February 7, 2023 through February 10, 2023, the date of the publication of the Newsletters, was higher than previous daily volume, and that the trading price experienced an increase on that date compared to that of prior trading days.

The Company has been a fully reporting company, filing periodic reports under the Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, since December 31, 2021 and has had its common stock quoted on OTCQB since November 1, 2022. From November 2022 through February 2023, KwikClick, Inc. issued a number of press releases, reporting material developments and accomplishments, most of which were also filed under the cover of Current Reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These press releases were displayed on the Company's page on the OTC Markets' website. After due inquiry, the Company confirms that other than as detailed herein, it is not aware of any of its control persons, officers, directors, or any shareholders owning 10% or more of the Company's securities, that may have, directly or indirectly, been involved in the creation or distribution of newsletters or any other promotional materials related to the Company and its securities, other than the preparation of the Company's SEC filings and related press releases, the substance of which were included in the referenced Newsletters. As stated above, the Company signed a Consulting Agreement with Link Media, LLC an outside marketing consultant on January 26, 2023 and paid a total of $90,000 to Link Media LLC pursuant to the terms of that Consulting Agreement. Again, the Company was not involved in the creation or distribution of the Newsletters or any other promotional materials. After due inquiry, the Company can confirm that neither the Company, its control persons, officers, directors, or any controlling shareholders have sold or purchased the Company's securities within the past 90 days. The Company is not aware of any purchase or sale of the Company's equity securities by Link Media, LLC or any other third party service provider within the past 90 days. Since the listing of its shares on the OTCQB and the resulting creation of a trading market in its equity securities, the Company has not issued any shares or convertible instruments that allow conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of issuance. In fact, since the creation of a trading market in the Company's equity securities on the OTCQB, the Company has issued no equity securities or convertible instruments. For more information about KwikClick, Inc., please visit our website at kwik.com. About KWIK KWIK is a consolidating social selling platform that offers the potential for increased sales for brands via customer acquisition and engagement. Any brand can easily install and utilize KWIK on their storefront free of charge through simple proprietary API's. Once installed, the patented platform integrates and manages the brand's rewards, reviews, cashback, loyalty, influencer, affiliate, and/or rewards programs. Brands using KWIK have the potential to turn all social media from their consumers, into a solicitation in an unobtrusive manner. Just like sharing a location pin, ANYONE sharing the product link earns a commission from purchasers utilizing the link. Uniquely, all subsequent purchases earn equivalent commissions even when re-purchasing is done directly on the brand's website. KWIK's patented "Waves of Influence program" further pays commissions to the referrer on the friends of their followers who reshare a link. This allows anyone to earn income beyond the span of their followers by simply sharing a link that results in an initial sale. A single share can potentially result in hundreds, even thousands, of waves of earnings possibilities. Visit us at kwik.com Investor Relations Contact: Kwik Click Marketing:

[email protected] Investor Relations:

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kwikclick-inc-responds-to-otc-markets-promotion-policy-301748343.html SOURCE Kwik

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[February 16, 2023] QuSecure Expands its Board of Directors as Quantum Market Rapidly Accelerates

QuSecure, Inc., a leader in post-quantum cybersecurity (PQC) enterprise software, today announced it has named Lisa Hammitt as its first independent director. Ms. Hammitt joins QuSecure as the company continues to gain traction by deploying PQC with both Federal and Commercial customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005397/en/ Lisa Hammitt, current Intelsat Board Chair and former Senior Executive at IBM, Salesforce, Visa and Hewlett Packard, joins QuSecure's Board of Directors. (Photo: Business Wire) "Quantum security's time has come, and I see QuSecure as the most innovative company in the space," said Ms. Hammitt. "The incredibly fine-grained encryption enabled by QuSecure's technology takes CISOs off the defensive and lets them address threats before they emerge. It is an honor to serve on QuSecure's board, and I look forward to helping them achieve success in such a critically important endeavor." Ms. Hammitt brings more than 30 years of leadership to QuSecure's Board of Directors. Ms. Hammitt currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Intelsat, operator of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, as well as an outside director with Glassbox Ltd. and Clear Channel Outdoor. She has served as CEO at two startups and has held pivotal roles in Fortune 500 organizations, notably running Watson at IBM; serving as Global Vice President, Data and Artificial Intelligence at Visa; and holding senior positions in AI and Data at Salesforce and Hewlett Packard. "Lisa is an established deep expert in AI/ML, quantum technologies an cyber resilience," said Dr. Jimmie McEver, a research leader in the national security sector in advanced technology and cybersecurity. "I am looking forward to following QuSecure as we make our way in a post-quantum cyber-contested ecosystem."



"Quantum computing is hitting a tipping point this year, with enterprises increasingly adopting our technology to solve their complex problems and unlock business value, today," said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, a leader in quantum computing. "We're working with customers spanning manufacturing, financial services, government and more to build quantum-hybrid applications that help streamline operations, fuel innovation, and achieve competitive advantage. Lisa and I have worked together in commercializing these advanced technologies, and I believe she will be pivotal to QuSecure's rapid growth." "We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to our team," said Dave Krauthamer, QuSecure CEO. "Lisa's passion for technology and proven track record scaling organizations is demonstrated throughout her successful career. We look forward to leveraging her executive and operating expertise and vast industry connections as we enter this very critical growth period for QuSecure, and an important year for getting networks quantum ready."

In addition, Ms. Hammitt joins Steve Klebe, former Head of Enterprise Payments Performance, Stripe and Google Pay Partnerships, to host a QuSecure webinar titled "Securing Financial Transactions in a Post-Quantum World" on Feb. 22 at 10 am PST. This in-depth webinar about the quantum computing threat to financial transactions will cover existing and emerging quantum cybersecurity threats, and the application of post-quantum cybersecurity solutions to thwart cyber-attacks on financial institutions. For more information or to register, see https://www.qusecure.com/webinar-securing-financial-transactions-in-a-post-quantum-world/. About Lisa Hammitt Lisa Hammitt is Chairwoman of Intelsat, a satellite company based in Luxembourg that supports secure communications, national security, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Prior to Intelsat, she was Global Vice President for Artificial Intelligence at Visa and held related senior positions at IBM/Watson, Salesforce, and HP. Ms. Hammitt earned degrees from UC Berkeley, completed graduate-level AI coursework at Stanford University, and received executive education at Stanford Law School and Harvard University. Her eight issued or pending patents cover topics as diverse as ontology-driven information systems, content management, complex data graphs, blockchain security, quantum networks, and AI-enabled privacy. She currently sits on two public boards - Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE: CCO) and Glassbox Ltd. (TLV: GLBX). About QuSecure QuSecure is a leader in post-quantum cybersecurity enterprise software with a mission to protect enterprise and government data from quantum and classical cybersecurity threats. Its quantum-safe solutions provide an easy transition path to quantum resiliency across any organization. The company's QuProtect solution is the industry's first PQC software-based platform uniquely designed to protect encrypted communications and data with quantum-resilience using a quantum secure channel. QuSecure has current customer deployments in banking/finance, healthcare, space/satellite, IT/data enterprises, datacenters, and various Department of Defense agencies. QuSecure is investor backed and has offices in Silicon Valley. For more information visit www.qusecure.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005397/en/

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[February 16, 2023] eleven-x Awarded Major North American Smart Parking Contract by Arlington County, Virginia

WATERLOO, Ontario, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eleven-x, a global leader providing complete, high-performance, wireless IoT and Smart City solutions, today announced it was selected by Arlington County, Virginia for one of the largest municipal smart parking installations in North America. As part of the Countys mission to leverage smart city initiatives to help improve their citizens quality of life, the county has selected eleven-x to provide its award-winning eXactpark smart parking solution. Through this comprehensive parking monitoring sensor and software solution, Arlington County aims to help drivers quickly and efficiently find available on-street parking, thereby reducing cruising and congestion, while improving overall safety in the area and helping lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In support of Arlington Countys objectives of improving quality of life, sustainability and economic development, eleven-x will embed approximately 5,000 of its SPS-X sensors in all on-street parking stalls around the vibrant commercial district. The award winning, patent pending SPS-X sensor utilizes multiple technologies to provide 99.5% accuracy, the highest in the industry. Drivers will be able to find available parking with the aid of signs and a wayfinding app that provides real-time stall occupancy data. Furthermore, eXactparks robust software platform will be integrated with pay meters to enable dynamic pricing initiatives, which is a key requisite for the county. This capability will help them achieve desired parking and stall availability targets, helping improve traffic congestion and better address parking issues. eXactparks SPS-X sensor will identify key parking trends such as occupancy/use patterns, underutilized parking spaces, hot spot indicators and more. While the public facing use of this data will provide real-time parking guidance to available spots, these metrics will also be an essential input into eXactparks software that includes several features to help the County address traffic and parking concerns. The real-time data will enable the parking management team to gain a better understanding of parking usage, while the demand-based pricing modue will provide tools to influence parking behavior through dynamic pricing. Additionally, through the curbside management feature, parking managers can develop a digital twin of the physical curb and overlay pricing options, as well as occupancy thresholds, to test the outcomes of various policy initiatives. This will enable the County to develop efficient and effective parking policies. eleven-x is leading this large-sale innovative project with several partners including Arcadis|IBI Group, Smarking, Rhodeside & Harwell, and Guidehouse.



Many people do not realize the wide-ranging, positive impact a frictionless parking experience can have on a community and local businesses, said Dan Mathers, CEO of eleven-x. By improving the parking experience and reducing traffic congestion, Arlington County will be able to increase mobility, encourage more visits to the commercial corridor, advance public safety, and help lower GHG emissions. We are thrilled to work with the progressive, innovative team at the County to roll-out our comprehensive eXactpark solution for the public benefit.

Arlington County has launched launch a public engagement program to help the community understand the solution and collect feedback. As part of Countys community engagement initiative, eleven-x will first install sensors in the Courthouse Plaza parking lot and launch the software program. Once the fully operational system goes live in the summer of 2023, Arlington County will join the growing number of cities and institutions across North America that are benefiting from eXactpark.



For more information on eleven-xs eXactpark solution please visit exactpark.com . About eleven-x Inc.

eleven-x has a world-renowned reputation as a global leader providing wireless, high-performance, IoT and Smart City solutions for cities, campuses, and enterprises. Customers rely on the companys expertise to deliver comprehensive solutions that are easy-to-use, fully scalable to help reduce costs, drive additional revenues and most importantly, deliver better services. eleven-x is currently transforming the parking experience through its industry leading parking technology offering eXactpark , a sensor-based space occupancy monitoring solution and comprehensive software platform, which enables frictionless parking for drivers and parking managers. Built on the award-winning, patent-pending SPS-X sensor, eXactpark helps customers achieve their key goals of traffic reduction, real-time status availability, improved compliance, increased revenues, lower operating costs and reduced GHG emissions. The solution is being utilized by cities and institutions across North America to successfully address mobility challenges. Visit eleven-x.com for more information and follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , and YouTube . About Arlington County Virginia

Arlington VA is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that is home to some of the most influential organizations in the world  including the Pentagon. It is one of the few counties with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating and stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business. Arlington has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. Information about the countys smart parking program is available at arlingtonva.us. Media Contact:

eleven-x Inc.: Mark Hall - [email protected] | phone: 1.226.887.0011



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[February 16, 2023] AITX's Subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices Healthcare Market Expansion with RAD Light My Way

Detroit, Michigan, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) (OTCPK:AITX), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD) has updates related to progress within the Healthcare vertical.

The Company has completed the physical installation of ROSA-P units at an acute care facility with over 100 beds, marking the Company's largest hospital deployment to date. This end-user is a large regional hospital group that is part of a healthcare group with over 600 locations. The deployment at this single location includes 4 ROSA-P configurations, each with dual ROSA units, plus one solo ROSA, effectively totaling 9 ROSAs. One of RAD's largest dealers facilitated this deployment, which has significant visibility within the dealer and the healthcare provider. This deployment is the inaugural large-scale RAD Light My Way deployment. Notably, the hospital staff was given a choice of an additional armed guard or ROSAs with RAD Light My Way, and they overwhelmingly chose RAD Light My Way. Additional details about this deployment are forthcoming within the next few weeks following completion of deployment and client acceptance. "The Healthcare vertical is one of the inspirations for several of our inventions, and RAD Light My Way was conceived after listening to the needs of this industry," said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. "Staff members have shared with me that they often feel vulnerable walking to and from their cars at night. RAD Light My Way will provide them with much-needed peace of mind, while the ROSA-P units feed real-time details of the conditions to security personnel who are monitoring the area as well as instant at-the-edge response." According to recent FBI data, parking lots are the third most common place for assaults, abductions, and homicides. A survey by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety group found that nearly 70% of armed robberies and 56% of rape incidents of healthcare workers occurred in parking and adjacent areas. "In addition to the hospital network referred to in this press release, we are potentially bringing six additional healthcare networks with over 500,000 employees and over 3,000 facilities through the sales process," said Mark Folmer, President of RAD. "Next week, we roll out the first deployment for an even bigger healthcare client who is starting with several ROSAs. It's feasible that RAD could deploy upwards of 150 devices specifically at healthcare clients within the next 12 months." ROSA is a multiple award-winning, compact, self-contained, portable, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Like other RAD solutions, it only requires powr as it includes all necessary communications hardware. ROSAs AI-driven security analytics include human, firearm, vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RADs software suite notification and autonomous response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSAs dual high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras. RAD has published two Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft, trespassing and loitering at car rental locations and construction sites across the country.



RAD Light My Way has been the recipient of two Secure Campus 2022 Awards from Campus Security & Life Safety Magazine. In October 2021 RAD Light My Way along with RAD's ROSA won CBREs 2021 Best Workplace Experience Solution Award. AITX through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide a cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers this tremendous costs savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.stevereinharz.com, www.radsecurity.com , www.radgroup.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz . ### Steve Reinharz

949-636-7060

@SteveReinharz Attachment Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc.



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[February 16, 2023] Checkmk Earns Spot on G2's 2023 Best Software Awards for Top 50 IT Infrastructure Products

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- tribe29, the company behind the IT monitoring solution Checkmk , is proud to announce its inclusion in G2s 2023 Best Software Awards , which ranked Checkmk #4 among the Top 50 IT Infrastructure Products. As the worlds largest and most trusted software marketplace, G2 is visited by 80 million software buyers each year. Its annual Best Software Awards rank the worlds best software companies and products based on authentic reviews from real users. This is the first time Checkmk gets the prestigious G2 Best Software Award, demonstrating tribe29s success in its mission to provide the ultimate IT infrastructure monitoring platform. We are thrilled that Checkmk earned fourth positon among the Top 50 IT Infrastructure Products on G2s Best Software Awards. This is a testament of whats most important to us: to provide a great product for IT monitoring and a superb overall customer experience, said Jan Justus, CEO of tribe29.



G2 ranks the top products based on reviews that they have received in different categories. One of these is the Best IT Infrastructure Products list, where products from various IT Infrastructure child categories, such as Network Monitoring, are listed. In order to be recognized on the Best Software Award shortlist, a software company or product must receive at least 50 approved and published reviews during the calendar year. In this case, scores reflect reviews submitted in 2022. To learn more, check out G2s 2023 Best Software Awards and read more about G2s methodology .

About tribe29 tribe29s mission is to enable IT infrastructures and applications to run at peak performance in any organization. Thats why we built Checkmk. Checkmk combines enterprise-grade scalability and security with the extensibility of open source software. It integrates seamlessly with other enterprise applications and provides powerful features to automate monitoring workflows. Tens of thousands of users in more than 50 countries rely on Checkmk to ensure the high availability and best performance of their systems. With Checkmk, organizations can prevent issues before they happen or trigger fast remedial actions when failures do occur. Media contact

tribe29  the checkmk company

[email protected] | Phone: +49 89 9982 097 00 | tribe29.com



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While Vietnam is making efforts to improve its tourism image post pandemic, public toilets with bad odors and filthy floors have left foreign tourists with a bad impression while visiting Vietnam.

American Hugh Lozina, who has traveled all over Vietnam by motorbike, said public toilets in petrol stations and street side restaurants were "extremely dirty."

"Usually, it looked like nobody had ever cleaned them and the smell of urine from these toilets was very bad," he said.

"I would like to say that more than half of the public toilets I used during my trip in Vietnam were quite bad," he said.

Lozina said he had visited many Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore but the quality of public toilets there were better than in Vietnam.

"I think Vietnam has the worst public toilet quality," he added.

Wei Chao from Singapore also felt disappointed when he used public toilets in Vietnam.

"Honestly, I have high expectations in countries like Vietnam in terms of public toilets but the real experience was too terrible," Chao said.

Vietnam made him recall his past experience when he was in the army and had to relieve himself in the jungle.

A public toilet in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Xanh Le

Roslyn from Australia said she had been in Vietnam several times and her experience regarding public toilets was really bad.

She had to pay VND2,000 each time she used a public toilet but what she experienced was really the worst.

"I just had to know to cover my nose because I had no other choice," she added.

She told of one experience in Ninh Binh, about two hours south of Hanoi. "The toilet door was broken and it was temporarily covered by some plastic cover and sacks," said Roslyn. "It was completely filthy and people had to bring their own toilet paper and none of us knew that."

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's two biggest metropolises, recently stood near the bottom in a global ranking of 69 cities in terms of public toilet density as compiled by British company QS Supplies, one of the largest independent bathroom wholesalers and retailers in the United Kingdom.

As of 2017, HCMC has around 208 public restrooms while there are 351 public toilets in Hanoi as of 2020, according to the cities' transport departments.

The quality of public toilets across Vietnam has been a major tourist concern for years.

On busy tourist streets such as De Tham and Bui Vien in HCMC's downtown District 1, there are no public restrooms and tourists have to visit restaurants, coffee shops or trade centers nearby if they need to use a toilet.

Vietnam's biggest metropolis opened several "5-star" hotels using private funds at major parks nearly a decade ago, but they have been poorly maintained.

A sign to a "5-star" public toilet at a park in HCMC's downtown District 1. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Nguyen

Now most public toilets in the city are seriously deteriorated, with some dirty and smelly, making tourists hesitant to go inside.

Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, said at a recent conference that the municipal tourism authorities are keen to improve the quality of public toilets to boost the city's tourism image.

Many foreign tourists expected the Vietnamese government would heavily invest in a public restroom system to make Vietnam a friendly destination.

Hugh, who plans to return to the country this summer, said he hoped the quality of public toilets would improved so that foreign tourists can feel comfortable using them.

Vietnam received 3.6 million foreign tourists last year but targets eight million arrivals this year.
[February 16, 2023] HEAVY.AI Teams with Bain, Maxar, and NVIDIA to Provide High-Fidelity Digital Twins for Telecom Networks

HEAVY.AI, an innovator in advanced analytics, today announced it is expanding its collaboration with NVIDIA to include global management consulting firm Bain & Company and Maxar, a provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence. This collaboration will provide communication service providers (CSPs) with faster and more accurate tools for determining antenna placements, assuring optimal signal coverage and enabling greater efficiencies in network deployments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005149/en/ HEAVY.AI teams with Bain, Maxar, and NVIDIA to provide communication service providers and telco planners with a new, cutting-edge network digital twin to access accurate and detailed information on a global scale. (Graphic: Business Wire) This expands on HEAVY.AI's existing endeavor with NVIDIA, which includes HEAVY.AI's HeavyRF solution built on the NVIDIA Omniverse platform announced last fall. The addition of Bain and Maxar will further streamline telco deployments by creating more accurate and detailed digital twins faster. "By connecting the diverse data streams from Maxar, Bain's integrated expertise and coupling them with the compute power from HEAVY.AI and NVIDIA, this collaboration enables telcos to make nationwide business decisions through a single screen with up-to-the-minute insights," said Jon Kondo, CEO of HEAVY.AI. "This ensures telcos are making the best business decisions that serve not only their regional needs but national strategy as well." Leveraging Maxar's high-resolution Precision3D geodata built from its industry-leadin satellite imagery, NVIDIA Omniverse and Bain's extensive domain knowledge and data-driven insights, CSP planners now have access to network digital twins that provide next-level insights to drive business decisions. HeavyRF enables customers to model signal propagation on top of Maxar's high-resolution 50 centimeter clutter height data interactively at a regional, national or global scale, delivering unprecedented possibilities for telecommunications planning across the globe. This means planners can simulate future cell sites, enabling them to choose the best location based on coverage achieved. Digital twin simulations help telcos save time and money by optimizing the planning process and improving the quality of decision-making, ultimately maximizing their return on invested capital.



By improving the resolution, accuracy and speed of the data collection and analysis process, HeavyRF revolutionizes telcos' access to reliable historic and real-time network performance data and insights. When Maxar's Precision3D geodata is combined with Bain's demographic and behavioral data expertise, and supercharged by HEAVY.AI and NVIDIA's compute power, telcos can improve and accelerate business decision-making without delays resulting from batch data deliveries and increased compute requirements for these simulation applications. "Communication service provider planners have previously been challenged by a lack of easily accessible data that conveys the nuances of the built and natural environments on Earth. Maxar's Precision3D geodata serves as a high-resolution digital twin of Earth, enabling signal propagation and cell site placement to be accurately simulated," said Dan Nord, Maxar's SVP and GM of Enterprise Earth Intelligence. "Other RF software programs can't handle the weight of our 3D geodata at this resolution, resulting in an extremely lengthy processing time. The collaboration between Maxar, Bain, NVIDIA and HEAVY.AI solves this challenge for telcos. HeavyRF, built on the NVIDIA Omniverse platform, allows us to continue unlocking the promise of space to help solve problems on Earth."

Without reliable data during the planning phase, it can be difficult for telcos to guarantee network investments will deliver at scale throughout their lifetime. Having access to network digital twins provides accurate sources of data during this critical phase, ensures that consumers have stable service for years to come, and mitigates additional costly capital expenditure reinvestments in that area. "Telcos need a new, more accurate way to tackle their tower and microcell planning needs," said Chris Penrose, global head of business development for telco at NVIDIA. "Our groundbreaking collaboration with HEAVY.AI, Bain and Maxar will enable planners to tackle challenging settings, like multi-tiered urban structures and heavily vegetated locations, as well as use information from other datasets to create the best possible network design." "We are privileged to collaborate with these fellow industry leaders and shape the future of telco planning," said Darryn Lowe at Bain. "With these advanced analytics combined with our data-driven insights, telcos can discover new market growth opportunities, as well as avoid potentially expensive errors in business decisions." "Telcos have the monumental challenge of swiftly analyzing voluminous information to make superior business decisions. They now have access to instantaneous and precise data that guarantees exceptional coverage - leading to highly satisfied customers and increased profitability," said Kondo. See the solution in action at Maxar's booth at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2023 (Hall 4 Stand 4B16) by signing up for a demo. For more information on HEAVY.AI's advanced analytics capabilities, visit heavy.ai. For more information on Maxar's Precision3D geodata, visit their webpage. About HEAVY.AI HEAVY.AI provides advanced analytics that empower businesses and the government to visualize high-value opportunities and risks hidden in their big location and time data. HEAVY.AI supports high-impact decisions in previously unimaginable timelines by harnessing the massive parallelism of modern GPU and CPU hardware. The analytics technology unifies today's exploding data volumes from multiple sources for a better immersive, real-time, interactive visual experience. It is available in the cloud and on premises. HEAVY.AI originated from research at Harvard and MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and is funded by GV, In-Q-Tel, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), NVIDIA, Tiger Global Management, Vanedge Capital and Verizon Ventures. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. Learn more about HEAVY.AI at heavy.ai. About Maxar Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR) is a provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost-effectiveness. Maxar's 4,400 team members in over 20 global locations are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. About Bain Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 64 cities in 39 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005149/en/

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[February 16, 2023] CastleKeep Investment Advisors appoints Lauren Quesada as Partner

CastleKeep Investment Advisors LLC ("CastleKeep"), a Westport, Connecticut based independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), serving high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families in Fairfield County and across the globe, announced the appointment of Lauren Quesada as Partner. Westport, CT resident, and CastleKeep founder, Charlie Haberstroh said, "I formed CastleKeep 23 years ago to be a client-centered, conflict-free adviser to high and ultra-high net worth clients. I'm extremely pleased to announce Lauren's appointment as Partner. She is extremely talented and hardworking. In her 12 years with CastleKeep she has made invaluable contributions to our investment successes." Lauren has been with CastleKeep for more than a decade focusing on investments. Originally from New City, NY, she graduated from the Dolan School of Business of Fairfield University in 2012. During her senior year of college, Lauren interned at CastleKeep and then joined the team full-time upon graduation. She has served in various investment capacities over the years. Lauren was promoted t Vice President - Investments in 2017 before becoming partner. She continues to work closely with the client relationship managers and clients in structuring and managing investment portfolios that align with the clients' financial objectives. Lauren analyzes and recommends investments and manages the firm's equity strategies in conjunction with the CIO. She is also Vice Chairwoman of CastleKeep's Investment and Portfolio Review Committees.



Lauren stated, "When I joined CastleKeep, I never expected to be with the same firm for over a decade, never mind, being made a partner. I've been presented many opportunities within the firm to broaden my investment expertise. As a Partner of the firm, I am inspired and looking forward to embrace further growth opportunities at CastleKeep. I am truly honored by the confidence and trust that the team has shown in me." Charlie stated, "In addition to her many positive attributes, Lauren has brought new perspectives and has added diversity to CastleKeep. We look forward to continue to benefit from her unique insights and to participate in her personal and professional growth as Partner."

For more information about CastleKeep Investment Advisors, and for Lauren Quesada's bio, please visit www.castlekeepadvisors.com or email Charlie Haberstroh, President CEO at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230215005930/en/

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[February 16, 2023] GoDocs Successfully Completes SOC 2 Type II Audit

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GoDocs, the automation leader in commercial loan document generation, announced today that it successfully completed its SOC 2 Type II audit, and the company is fully certified. This most recent achievement marks another milestone in GoDocs' ongoing commitment to partner with our customers in all aspects of their business, including the highest levels of data security and privacy protection. The SOC 2 Type II audit was conducted by an independent auditor, Sensiba San Filippo, LLP (SSF). The rigorous examination verified that GoDocs' systems and controls meet the stringent security and privacy requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The audit addressed a wide range of areas, including system availability, risk management, confidentiality, privacy policies, and system processing integrity. A Commitment to Best Practices This announcement follows months of concerted effort on the part of the talented and knowledgeable team at GoDocs to ensure not only that its security protocols are properly implemented but also that safeguards are in place to manage and maintain the standards. The SOC 2 Type II certification is an important industry benchmark that customers rely on when selecting a digital platform to manage their documents. Earning the certification is a highly commendable ahievement and, as a voluntary compliance certification, speaks directly to GoDocs' commitment to data security and best practices within privacy protocols.



GoDocs: Prioritizing Lender and Customer Needs The industry has reached a pivotal crossroads where security must become a top priority. "Any loan document provider that has not yet to adopted SOC 2 compliance presents a significant risk to lenders from unmitigated vulnerability due to data breaches or service availability by bad actors or by providers operating outside of best practices boundaries," says GoDocs CEO, Stephen Butler. "Another major concern is the common practice by law firms and doc providers of sending customer data and commercial loan terms to offshore customer support to generate and review loan documents for lenders. This alone can result in unauthorized access or manipulation of customer data, leading to serious issues such as identity theft, financial fraud, and selling of customer data. These practices can destroy trust between a lender, their service provider, and even worse, the lender's customer. To be SOC2 certified, as GoDocs now is, means none of this is allowed."

To help ensure the safety of customer information and maintain customer trust, lenders should look to partner with document providers that have achieved SOC 2 compliance and fully embraces safe data practices. Unlike legacy document providers that have not adopted stringent data security protocols, GoDocs pairs SOC 2 compliance with 100% onshore support, minimizing such potential threats. The GoDocs Difference This audit places more space between GoDocs and the competition and sets a new standard for other companies and law firms to rise to meet great news for the industry and its customers. Once again, through its dedicated, customer-centric approach, GoDocs is pushing the entire industry into a safer and more efficient future while offering unprecedented levels of support to customers. As lenders look to evolve their digital transformation footprint, it's important to note that while CRE attorneys provide lenders with client-attorney confidentiality agreements and utilize custom-developed security levels, this protection is not at the same level as SOC 2 Type II compliance. "I have worked in the industry for over 20 years, and I have never encountered a CRE law firm that has achieved SOC 2 Type II certification," says GoDocs General Counsel, Brenda Gordon. "This is an important achievement and something that customers should note as they think about their own security concerns and which provider is the right choice for them." "We take great pride in the fact that our commitment to customer privacy has been thoroughly tested and validated by an independent third party," says GoDocs IT Manager, Scott Cameron. "As more banks, credit unions, and private lenders innovate lending processes with the help of SaaS, cloud-based solutions, it's essential that they partner with a provider they can trust  one who takes data protection seriously. By setting a new standard for security and privacy, GoDocs is essentially challenging the rest of the industry to rise to the task in a way that will forever change the lending space." This certification marks another reflects GoDocs' mission to deliver the best automated commercial loan documentation software on the market. GoDocs continues to prioritize protecting customer information through effective security measures such as multifactor authentication (MFA) logins and encryption protocols  ensuring data authenticity and enhanced user privacy at every stage of their journey within the GoDocs platform. Customers can be confident that their confidential data will remain safe with GoDocs' advanced security measures in place. About GoDocs GoDocs, the automation leader in commercial loan document generation, offers a next-generation software platform for banks, credit unions, and private lenders that creates a streamlined process for closing commercial loans. The first and only purely SaaS system for automated loan document generation, GoDocs provides lenders with a pay-as-you-go digital solution that requires no training to use. The company has the #1 NPS customer satisfaction score in the industry and is trusted by industry-leading banks as well as community banks, Federal and local credit unions, and private lenders of all sizes. GoDocs is proud to back its solutions with 100% onshore support. GoDocs Media Contact

Virginia Bush

VP of Marketing

GoDocs

949.274.7907

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/godocs-successfully-completes-soc-2-type-ii-audit-301748855.html SOURCE GoDocs

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[February 16, 2023] Meet with Viettel: the only Vietnamese Brand to Exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2023

HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viettel Group will be back with a full-scale booth at MWC Barcelona 2023, the world's largest mobile-related exhibition, in Spain from February 27 to March 2. Due to the pandemic, this will be Viettel's first onsite appearance at MWC Barcelona since 2019. Viettel is proud to be the only Vietnamese brand showcasing "Make-in-Vietnam" future technology in the event. Viettel shows how it is shaping digital transformation for and with people from end-to-end 5G core solutions, Viettel Money  a digitl financial ecosystem, intelligent operation center for e-government, cybersecurity system and digital twins.



In the 5G section, Viettel will present the advanced wireless technologies and announce the collaboration with international partners to produce OPEN RAN equipment. We would be glad to explore potential partnerships and are excited to share industry insights. Together with new technology, Viettel also brings Vietnam's culture features to the biggest international event in the industry. The booth of Viettel gets inspired from the images of majestic terrace fields, a symbolic scenery of Vietnam. And it serves you the best coffee with the hope to bring to you a glimpse of traditional cultures.

Through this exhibition, Viettel looks forward to globally communicating its advanced technologies and businesses under the messages "Technology moves forward, but no one should be left behind". EVENT INFORMATION Hall 4, Booth 4E30 Fira Grand Via, Barcelona, Spain About Viettel Viettel Group is an international enterprise headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam. The group has investments in 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. Viettel has five business lines including telecommunications and information technology (IT); research and manufacture of electronic and telecommunications equipment; defense industry; cyber security and digital services. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meet-with-viettel-the-only-vietnamese-brand-to-exhibit-at-mwc-barcelona-2023-301748958.html SOURCE Viettel Group

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[February 16, 2023] Vulcan Blockchain's Auto-Staking Revolution - Exploring the Solution to the SEC's Staking Ban

Road Town, British Virgin Islands , Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a result of the SEC's legal proceedings and settlement brought against Kraken, the exchange is now prohibited from providing staking-as-a-service. Banning crypto innovation is a short-sighted strategy that would simply hinder innovation, reduce U.S. competitiveness, and compel investors to seek possibly riskier alternatives. In this context, Vulcan Blockchain emerges as a viable solution through its breakthrough Auto-Staking innovation. SECs Advent to Ban Staking Overall, the SEC's staking ban, which restricts cryptocurrency exchanges from offering staking services for certain securities-like cryptocurrencies, was introduced following the shutdowns of platforms such as Terra Luna and FTX. These events have raised concerns about the safety of cryptocurrencies, particularly for retail investors who may lack experience in the field. The ban aims to reduce risks and protect investors from potential harm, emphasizing the necessity for increased regulation in the cryptocurrency space as it gains mainstream acceptance and attracts more investors. On 8 February 2023, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong raised the alarm about widespread rumors of a possible ban on crypto staking. Speculation persisted that the SEC was about to outlaw the retail staking of cryptocurrencies in the United States. Armstrong thinks this would be a "terrible path" for the United States. Armstrong's remarks come after rival exchange Kraken settled with the SEC for its own staking products. Kraken agreed to pay a $30 million fine and cease its staking services. As it is unknown if the SEC will solely target centralized staking service providers like Kraken or outlaw staking in the U.S., market players are awaiting additional measures from authorities. Introducing Vulcan Blockchains Auto-Staking Aiming to address the dlemma of staking in the blockchain sector, Vulcan Blockchain arises as the first layer 1 blockchain to offer Auto-Staking and Auto-Rebasing technology, providing investors with an unprecedented 44% APR when holding Vulcan's native coin, $VUL. Created by renowned blockchain expert Bryan Legend, Vulcan Blockchain is quickly gaining attention for its revolutionary approach to the staking process.



Auto-Staking is a pure cutting-edge DeFi method that solves the staking ban issue, boasting transparency as all transactions are openly reflected on a blockchain, allowing for complete user visibility. In an Auto-Staking process, the user does not need to stake their coins through a smart contract, or any custodial solution at all. The auto staking process is by the very word automated without requiring any further action from the user or giving up control of their funds. The process also allows the distribution of rewards to the user's wallet without requiring additional steps. Through Auto-Staking, Vulcan offers a novel avenue for earning rewards on cryptocurrency investments without triggering security concerns. The underlying protocol code requires no user action or custody, making it more decentralized and transparent than traditional staking.

Moving forward, Vulcan's solution also eliminates the need for centralized exchanges, such as Coinbase and Kraken, which lack transparency and may not reflect the spirit of DeFi. Bryan Legend  the Mastermind behind Vulcan Blockchain Bryan Legend, the core founder of Vulcan Blockchain, has driven remarkable innovations in the crypto market, including the Safuu protocol. Safuu was a decentralized finance project introducing automatic interest cycles through rebasing technology in cryptocurrencies in 2022. So far, Bryan's leadership in the crypto space has been nothing short of visionary. He combines his unparalleled technical expertise with business acumen to create companies that positively impact the lives of countless individuals. From pioneering the Safuu Protocol to launching his latest venture, OOXY Labs, Bryan consistently demonstrates an extraordinary ability to think outside the box and deliver innovative solutions to the market. In all instances, Vulcan's commitment to sustainability and transparency is critical to its success. And with a robust and dependable ecosystem that includes customized tokens, DeFi apps, and a Vulcan exchange for crypto transactions, it's quickly becoming a one-stop-shop for all things crypto. Learn more about Vulcan Blockchain by accessing their digital channels: Website: https://vulcanblockchain.com Medium: https://vulcanchain.medium.com OOXY LABS

Bryan Legend, Co-Founder Vulcan Blockchain Info-at-vulcanblockchain.com British Virgin Islands

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[February 16, 2023] Fulcrum BioEnergy's United Kingdom Waste-To-Fuels Project Awarded 16.8 Million Grant from the UK Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund

Grant Award Demonstrates Fulcrum NorthPoint's Significance in Supporting the UK Government's Commitment to Reducing Carbon Emissions from the Aviation Industry PLEASANTON, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a clean energy company pioneering the creation of renewable, drop-in transportation fuels from landfill waste, today announced that its United Kingdom subsidiary, Fulcrum BioEnergy, Ltd., has received a grant of approximately 16.8 million, USD $20.2 million, from the UK Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund. The grant, which runs through to 2025, will support development of Fulcrum NorthPoint, a residual waste to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility which will be located at the Essar Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire in North West of England. Funds from the grant will be utilized to fund engineering activities for the plant, which is expected to have the capacity to transform about 600,000 tonnes of residual waste into approximately 100 million liters of low-carbon SAF per year when it enters operations in 2027. "We are very pleased to have been selected and awarded this grant from the UK Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund," said Eric Pryor, Fulcrum's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Fulcrum applauds the UK Government and the Department for Transport for taking another step toward significantly reducing net carbon emissions for hard to abate sectors, including aviation, through the support of low-carbon SAF projects, including our Fulcrum NorthPoint facility. This funding furthers our engineering efforts for the plant and well positions Fulcrum for additional project financing for the facility. We look forward to bringing our patented process, technical expertise, IP and experience from the successful commissioning and initial operations of our first commercial-scale plant to the UK to make Fulcrum NorthPoint a success." Fulcrum recently announced the successful production of low-carbon synthetic crude oil from landfill waste at its Sierra BioFuels Plant, the world's first commercial-scale waste-to-fuels plant, located outside of Reno, Nevada in the U.S. The Company has developed an innovative process for transforming a true waste product into a valuable low-carbon transportation fuel for the aviation industry. Fulcrum expects to utilize a standardized, scalable, low-cost approach for larger future projects, including Fulcrum NorthPoint, replicating the successful process at Sierra, which is backed by patents and capitalizes on the intellectual property developed by the Company in its engineering and start-up operations of this first-of-its-kind plant. About Fulcrum Based in Pleasanton, California, Fulcrum is leading the development of a reliable and efficient process for transforming waste into net-zero carbon transportation fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and diesel. The Company's innovative process, which utilizes landfill waste as a feedstock, is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 100% compared to traditional fuel production, contributing to the aviation industry's carbon reduction goals. Beginning with the Sierra BioFuels Plant, Fulcrum's plants will provide customers with low-carbon transportation fuel that is competitively priced with traditional petroleum fuel. The Company is advancing on its large commercial growth program of net-zero carbon waste-to-fuels plants across North America and in select international markets with a planned production capacity of approximately 400 million gallons per year. Fulcrum, a privately held company, has aligned itself and entered into strategic relationships with industry leaders in the waste, aviation and energy sectors to further strengthen and accelerate the Company's patented and proprietary approach to commercially producing large volumes of renewable fuel from landfill waste. For more information, please visit www.fulcrum-bioenergy.com.







Media Contact: Rick Barraza, Vice President Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. (925) 224-8244 [email protected] Investor Contact: Greg Heinlein, VP & CFO Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. (925) 224-8256 [email protected] UK Contact: Jeff Ovens, Managing Director Fulcrum BioEnergy, Ltd. +44 7399 472 650 [email protected]

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[February 16, 2023] Triple-I: New Florida Law Has Potential to Reduce Insurance Costs

A new Florida law and proposals announced this week have the potential to reduce the cost of homeowners insurance in the state, according to a just-released Issues Brief from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). "Reforms put in place in the closing weeks of 2022 and proposed in the first quarter of 2023 suggest Florida is now quite serious about fixing the fraud and legal system abuse that have contributed to the state's insurance crisis," stated Addressing Florida's Property/Casualty Insurance Crisis, a Triple-I Issues Brief which built on one Triple-I released about Florida's homeowners insurance market in August 2022. "It will take years for the impacts of fraud and legal system abuse to be wrung out of the system and for policyholders to experience premium benefits. Job 1 is to "stop the bleeding" as insurers fail, leave the state, or stop writing critical personal lines coverages like auto and homeowners." The Florida state Legislature passed Senate Bill 2A in December 2022. It was signed into law soon thereafter by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Florida's governor was joined this week by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner to announce additional reform proposals aimed at reducing instances of fraud and legal system abuse.



Florida accounts for nearly 80 percent of the nation's homeowners' insurance lawsuits yet only 9 percent of all U.S. homeowners' insurance claims are filed within the state, according to Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation. It is one of the main reasons Florida's homeowners insurers cumulatively incurred net underwriting losses of more than $1 billion in both 2020 and 2021, the Triple-I Issues Brief notes. Six insurers who conducted business in Florida became insolvent in 2022 and others either left the state or limited the number of new homeowners insurance policies they sold, Triple-I reported. "Legislation approved during Florida's late 2022 special session eliminated "one-way attorney fees" for property insurance claims. Before the reform, state law required insurers to pay the fees of policyholders who successfully sued over claims, while shielding policyholders from paying insurers' attorney fees when the policyholders lose," the Triple-I's latest Issues Brief continued. "The legislation also eliminated AOBs [assignment of benefits] - agreements in which property owners sign over their claims to contractors, who then work with insurers. AOBs are a standard practice in insurance, but in Florida this consumer-friendly convenience has long served as a magnet for fraud. The state's legal environment - including some of the most generous attorney-fee mechanisms in the country - has encouraged vendors and their attorneys to solicit unwarranted AOBs from tens of thousands of Floridians, conduct unnecessary or unnecessarily expensive work, then file lawsuits against insurers that deny or dispute the claims."

Triple-I's Issues Brief explains how Senate Bill 2A took effect in 2023 and its provisions are not retroactive. As such, the disputed insurance claims resulting from 2022's hurricanes Ian and Nicole will be processed under the laws which were in place at the time those storms made landfall in Florida. RELATED LINK: Video: Dale Porfilio, Triple-I's Chief Insurance Officer, Discusses Florida's Market Reforms About the Insurance Information Institute With more than 60 insurance company members - including regional, super-regional, national and global carriers - the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) is the #1 online source for insurance information in the U.S. The organization's website, blog and social media channels offer a wealth of data-driven research studies, white papers, videos, articles, infographics and other resources solely dedicated to explaining insurance and enhancing knowledge. Unlike other sources, Triple-I's sole focus is creating and disseminating information to empower consumers. It neither lobbies nor sells insurance. Triple-I offers objective, fact-based information about insurance - information that is rooted in economic and actuarial soundness. Triple-I is affiliated with The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005668/en/

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Inszone Insurance Services Acquires Chao Pacific Insurance Brokers in Oakland, CA

Inszone Insurance Services: a rapidly growing, national provider of benefits, personal and commercial lines insurance, announced today the acquisition of Chao Pacific Insurance Brokers.

Chao Pacific Insurance Brokers was founded in 2018 by Steven Barsotti. With a focus on serving the Chinese and Chinese American community, the agency expanded quickly over the last few years, providing customers with both personal and business insurance options in their preferred language.

Following the transition, customers of Chao Pacific Insurance Brokers will continue to get the same level of service they are accustomed to under the Inszone Insurance brand.

"The acquisition of Chao Pacific Insurance Brokers will help us enhance our offerings to the Chinese community, both here in CA and throughout the US," said Chris Walters, CEOof Inszone Insurance Services. "Their insurance expertise, combined with our resources, capabilities, and support, will create new and dynamic opportunities for all."







Inszone Insurance is expected to announce a number of important acquisitions in the upcoming months as it continues to build its national presence.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, Inszone is a full-service insurance brokerage firm which provides a broad array of property & casualty insurance, along with employee benefits solutions. With a strong, experienced management team, Inszone continues to grow organically, as well as through acquisitions. With 39 locations across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Texas, and Illinois, the company is looking to further expand throughout the United States.

For more information about Inszone, please visit www.inszoneinsurance.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005341/en/
[February 16, 2023] Houlihan Lokey Grows Its Capital Markets Capabilities With Experienced Energy Financing Specialist

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Daniel East has joined the firm's Capital Markets Group as a Managing Director. Mr. East is based in Houston and will predominantly partner with the firm's Oil & Gas Group as well as Houlihan Lokey's Power & Utilities team to provide private capital financing solutions to the firm's clients in these sectors. "Daniel's unique and broad array of finance experience, predominantly in the energy and power sectors over the course of his career (including as a senior private equity investment professional, a corporate finance advisor, and an officer at multiple energy companies), significantly complements Houlihan Lokey's existing Capital Markets team. Daniel's integrity and dedication to tirelessly serving his clients' needs aligns perfectly with Houlihan Lokey's "client-first" culture. He is well positioned to provide our clients with the insight and expertise they require to navigate the challenges and opportunities in today's ever-changing energy and power financial markets," said Anthony Martino, Global Co-Head of Houlihan Lokey's Capital Markets Group. "Daniel is an excellent addition to our team as we continue to expand our capabilities around the world." Mr. East joins Houlihan Lokey with more than 25 years of experience in the power, oil, and gas and renewables sectors. He was mostrecently Co-Head of Energy Credit at The Carlyle Group in Houston, leading a team of more than 20 professionals on investment strategy for the power generation and energy sectors. Prior experience also includes roles at Renewable Energy Systems, KGen Power Corporation, and Dynegy.



"The expansion of the oil and gas Capital Markets team in Houston adds meaningfully to our coverage capabilities and service offerings, enabling us to provide our energy clients with a broader range of M&A and financing alternatives. Daniel is a perfect fit in this respect, and we're excited to partner with him and continue to deliver the superior private capital financing capabilities for which Houlihan Lokey is known," said J.P. Hanson, Head of Houlihan Lokey's Oil & Gas Group. With more than 90 dedicated finance professionals across offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., London, Manchester, Frankfurt, Milan, and Dubai, Houlihan Lokey's Capital Markets Group is among the largest of its kind in financial services. The group provides capital-raising services for a wide variety of clients, from large, publicly held multinational corporations to privately held companies. Over the past two years, the group has raised approximately $25 billion in capital and advised on an additional $12 billion in capital over a total of 250+ transactions with more than 110 different financial sponsors.

About Houlihan Lokey Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm's commitment to client success across its advisory services. Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 investment bank for global M&A transactions under $1 billion, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past eight consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past nine consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by Refinitiv. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005759/en/

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[February 16, 2023] Intellinetics to Participate in Winter Wonderland Best Ideas Virtual Investor Conference

COLUMBUS, OH, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intellinetics, Inc. (NYSE American: INLX), a digital transformation solutions provider, today announced that management will participate in the Winter Wonderland Best Ideas Virtual Investor Conference which will be held virtually on February 21-24, 2023. James F. DeSocio, President & CEO, and Joe Spain, CFO are scheduled to host a virtual presentation on Wednesday, February 22 at 10 a.m. ET, followed by a Q&A session. Management will also host one-on-one meetings with investors on February 23-24, 2023. All existing and prospective shareholders are invited to listen to the webcast to learn more about the Company.

DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 2023

TIME: 10 a.m. ET

LINK: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2952/47667 A live audio webcast and archive of the presentation will be aailable using the above dedicated link. More information on the Winter Wonderland Best Ideas Virtual Investor Conference can be found at https://microcaprodeo.com/.



About Intellinetics, Inc.

Intellinetics, Inc. (NYSE American: INLX) is enabling the digital transformation. Intellinetics empowers organizations to manage, store and protect their important documents and data. The Companys flagship solution, the IntelliCloud content management platform, delivers advanced security, compliance, workflow and collaboration features critical for highly regulated, risk-intensive markets. IntelliCloud connects documents to users and the processes they support anytime, anywhere to accelerate innovation and empower organizations to think and work in new ways. In addition, Intellinetics offers business process outsourcing (BPO), document and micrographics scanning services, and records storage. From highly regulated industries like Healthcare/Human Service Providers, K-12, Public Safety, and State and Local Governments, to businesses looking to move away from paper-based processes, Intellinetics is the all-in-one, compliant, document management solution. Intellinetics is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For additional information, please visit www.intellinetics.com. Investor Contact:

FNK IR

Tom Baumann / Rob Fink

646.349.6641 / 646.809.4048

[email protected]

Joe Spain, CFO

Intellinetics, Inc.

614.921.8170

[email protected]



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Chinese tourists enter boats to get to islands in the central resort town of Nha Trang from Cau Da Port, 2018. Photo by AFP/Linh Pham

Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has called on its counterpart in China to soon allow the resumption of group tours to Vietnam to boost the recovery of tourism in both countries.

The ministry urged China to add Vietnam to its list of countries that are able to receive group tours from China under a pilot program that began from Feb. 6, said Nguyen Phuong Hoa, head of the Department of International Cooperation under the ministry.

The move came after China allowed domestic travel agencies to sell outbound group tours to 20 countries and territories, including seven in Southeast Asia, but Vietnam was not on the list.

"Tourism cooperation between the two countries has been a bright spot in bilateral cooperation," the ministry said in a document sent to China. "Before the pandemic, China was Vietnam's biggest feeder market and Vietnam was also among the top five sources of tourists to China."

In 2019, the year before the onset of the pandemic Vietnam received 5.5 million Chinese arrivals, accounting for 30% of total foreign arrivals in the country.

China has not yet resumed issuing tourist visas for Vietnamese and vice versa.

Vietnam last year received 3.6 million foreign tourists, mainly South Koreans and Americans. The country is targeting 8 million foreign arrivals this year.

HSBC forecast Vietnam could receive three to 4.5 million visitors from China this year, equivalent to 50%-80% of pre-pandemic levels, with China reopening.
[February 16, 2023] FigBytes named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide ESG/Sustainability Strategy Consulting Services 2023 Vendor Assessment

OTTAWA, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FigBytes, creators of the leading environmental, social, governance (ESG) Insight Platform for strategy, data, reporting and stakeholder engagement, today announced it has been named as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide ESG/Sustainability Strategy Consulting Services 2023 Vendor Assessment1.

Organizations struggle with multiple aspects of their ESG and sustainability programs, from establishing their strategy, gathering required data everywhere it exists, automating framework reporting, and engaging with stakeholders, explained Ted Dhillon, CEO and co-founder, FigBytes. Our platform solves these challenges and simplifies every aspect of an organizations ESG and sustainability program. From managing your carbon accounting and climate action programs, including a realistic data-driven path towards net-zero, to managing your water and social impacts, FigBytes makes this all a reality, continued Dhillon. This recognition from IDC MarketScape is a true testament to the capabilities of our award-winning sustainability platform.



With the FigBytes ESG Insight Platform, organizations manage environmental challenges like climate and water, and social programs like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and philanthropy, supplier transparency, as well as governance factors, all while reducing their reporting burden and regulatory risk, and meeting emerging disclosure requirements. The platforms ability to deliver reporting efficiencies, better insights, and enhanced engagement with stakeholders has helped FigBytes become recgnized as a leader in Quadrant Knowledge Solutions 2022 SPARK Matrix: Sustainability Management market report as well as a strong performer in The Forrester New Wave: Sustainability Management Software, Q1 2022 report. FigBytes was also named to the Q3 2022 Constellation ShortList for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting, and was also positioned as an Innovator in Verdantixs 2022 Green Quadrant for Enterprise Carbon Management Software. FigBytes also earned the Top Product of the Year Award in the elite Environment + Energy Leader Awards program in 2022.



Get the Report

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide ESG/Sustainability Strategy Consulting Services 2023 Vendor Assessment is available for download from IDCs website (subscription is required). About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendors position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About FigBytes

FigBytes helps companies and governments plan, track and fulfill goals along their environmental, social, governance (ESG) journey. Its ESG Insight Platform helps integrate strategy, align data, and report on progress while engaging stakeholders. To learn more, visit https://figbytes.com/

1 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide ESG/Sustainability Strategy Consulting Services Vendor Assessment, Doc #US49044922, Feb 2023 Media Contacts Chris Ulbrich

Firebrand Communications for FigBytes

[email protected]

415 848 9175 Dwayne Weppler

FigBytes

[email protected]

226 581 5166



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[February 16, 2023] Business Roundtable Joins Business, Government and Higher Education Officials to Announce the Connecticut Workforce Partnership Initiative

Today, Business Roundtable, Stanley Black & Decker, Accenture and the Connecticut Governor's Workforce Council joined together to launch a new Workforce Partnership Initiative (WPI) program in Connecticut. WPI now operates in nine regions throughout the country. Through WPI, Roundtable CEOs partner with local colleges and universities to accelerate and scale best-in-class workforce readiness programs and develop a steady talent pipeline that meets the specific need of a particular region. Event participants included Donald Allan, Jr., President and CEO of Stanley Black & Decker, as well as other leaders from Business Roundtable member companies Accenture, Synchrony and M&T Bank. At the program launch, business and government leaders announced the following goals: Prepare an additional 1,500 Connecticut residents to secure high-tech jobs by December 2025 through programs at Connecticut institutions of higher education;

Increase hiring and upskilling with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the workforce; and

Accelerate inclusive acess to competitive, diverse, ready-to-work learners with in-demand skills by enhancing the existing suite of workforce programs.



said Business Roundtable Member and Stanley Black & Decker President and CEO Donald Allan, Jr. "I'm proud to partner with Accenture, Business Roundtable and the Connecticut Governor's Workforce Council to provide prospective employees with the skills and opportunities needed to support Connecticut's workforce of the future." Julie Sweet, Business Roundtable Member and Chair and CEO, Accenture, added, "Success in the next decade demands that organizations access, create and unlock the potential of diverse talent-and the Workforce Partnership Initiative helps Connecticut do just that. Through the Business Roundtable's proven model, business, educational institutions and government can collaborate closely, offering training and upskilling that can change the course of people's lives, build value for organizations and enrich our communities."

Additional Background: In 2018, Business Roundtable started the WPI to tackle skills development challenges and drive economic growth with a focus on increasing workforce diversity. With the launch of the Connecticut Workforce Partnership Initiative, the WPI is currently in nine regions across the country: New York City, NY; Washington, D.C./Maryland/Virginia; North Carolina; Southeast; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Salt Lake City, UT; Connecticut; and Texas. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005198/en/

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Aftermath update on overnight crash . . . Here's the first report . . .



UPDATE: Fatality Crash - Police Involved, Truman and Benton

Tonight just after 10:15pm a Police Canine Officer and his Canine Partner were on duty and on patrol in the area of Truman Rd and Benton Blvd when their patrol car was struck by another vehicle. The collision caused a secondary impact with a pedestrian.



The pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene. The Police Canine was killed at the scene as well. The officer was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Doctors made every attempt at treatment but tragically he was declared deceased at the hospital.



The driver of the citizen vehicle has minor injuries and is in custody for further investigation



Accident Investigation Section is completing the accident reconstruction and the investigation will be led by the Traffic Investigation Section.



The officer was a 20 year veteran of the KCPD and had been assigned to the Canine Unit for nearly 3 years. His Canine partner was an approximately 1 year veteran of the KCPD



Please keep the officers family, the pedestrians family and the whole Kansas CIty Missouri Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this terrible tragedy.

###########

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Pedestrian, KCPD officer and K9 killed in crash near Grove Park KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City police are investigating after a pedestrian, a police officer and his K9 partner were killed in a crash Wednesday night. Just after 10:15 p.m., a Kansas City police officer and his K9 were patrolling near the intersection of Truman Road and Benton Blvd.

Officer, pedestrian and police dog killed in Kansas City crash KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City officer and his K-9 partner died Wednesday night in a crash that also killed a pedestrian. The officer was on patrol near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard around 10:15 p.m., when his patrol car was hit by another vehicle.

Police officer and pedestrian killed in crash A police officer, his K9 partner, and a pedestrian are all dead after a crash in Kansas City, MO Wednesday night.Police say just after 10:15 p.m. near the area of Benton Blvd. and Truman Road, a car crashed into the officer's cruiser.

Officer, canine partner and pedestrian dead in Truman Road crash A Kansas City, Mo., police officer, his canine partner and a pedestrian are dead following a crash near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard Wednesday night. Just after 10:15 p.m. a Police Canine Officer and his Canine Partner were on duty and on patrol in the area of Truman Rd and Benton Blvd when their patrol car was struck by another vehicle.

Developing . . .
Controversial legislation moving forward by way of the Missouri GOP Super-Majority now mentions Kansas City.



Of course, this morning the newspaper is highlighting criticism against this power move . . . And subsequently discounting historic homicide numbers this town has suffered . . .



Kansas City would be harder to target because the bill states that the governors appointment is to a circuit or prosecuting attorneys jurisdiction, not to specific cities. Kansas City spans into four different counties, unlike the City of St. Louis, which is in its own jurisdiction. Therefore, the governor would be unable to assign a special prosecutor to the entire city unless each of the four counties were assigned their own special prosecutors . . .



Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said if the bill is passed, it would be a step backward for the city, and it would be unwise and unfair.



It has everything to do with control of largely Black political figures. It has everything to do with political disagreements, it has nothing to do with public safety, Lucas said.



He said he believes the Missouri Republicans did not introduce the legislation with the intention of curbing crime, but to make a political point and target St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a progressive Democrat who is Black.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

House passes bill to allow for state takeover of Missouri prosecutor offices * Missouri Independent Missouri lawmakers advanced a proposal Thursday that would give the governor the ability to strip the authority of any elected prosecutor to handle violent crime cases. The , sponsored by Rep.

MO bill empowers governor to appoint special prosecutors to cities with high homicide rates A Missouri bill originally intended to target St. Louis and its crime rates has since been broadened to potentially affect Kansas City. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lane Roberts, a Joplin Republican, is an overarching public safety package that would, among other things, allow Republican Gov.

Crime concerns have Missouri lawmakers calling for a St. Louis special prosecutor ST. LOUIS - A growing concern statewide about crime going unpunished in the City of St. Louis has a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for the Missouri governor to appoint a special prosecutor for St. Louis. According to a report from the St.

Developing . . .


An overnight crash reminds us all to drive safely and be careful on local streets after today's big party.



We've update the story with more info at this link.

Here's preliminary report . . .



"A fatal car crash that occurred at the intersection of Truman and Benton Blvd. Preliminary indication is that the crash involved a citizen vehicle, a police car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian is deceased at the scene, the police officer that was driving the police car has been transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The driver of the citizen vehicle has been detained for further investigation.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KCPD Officer seriously injured in fatal car crash at Truman and Benton Blvd KANSAS CITY, Mo - One person is dead and a KCPD police officer is seriously injured after a car crash at Truman Road and Benton Blvd. Police say the crash involved a citizen vehicle, a police car, and a pedestrian. The pedestrian died at the scene.

Officer involved in serious crash near Truman & Benton KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An officer was involved in a crash on Wednesday night and three people had to be taken to the hospital. This happened at about 10:18 p.m. near the intersection of Truman Road and Benton Boulevard. At least two vehicle were involved.

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.
The United States and the Philippines have been treaty allies since 1951. Now their alliance is expanding and getting stronger.

Earlier this month, the Philippines and the United States announced plans to deepen cooperation under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The EDCA, as it is called, is a key pillar of the U.S.-Philippine treaty alliance, and supports combined training, exercise, and interoperability, and reflects the Philippines and United States shared commitment to maintaining regional order.

The two nations announced that four additional EDCA sites in strategic areas of the Philippines will be added to the five current locations, and that there will be substantial completion of the projects in the existing five sites. To date, the United States has allocated over $82 million toward infrastructure investments under the EDCA, thereby supporting economic growth and job creation in local Philippine communities.

During a February 2 joint press briefing in Manila on the occasion of the visit of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Carlito Galvez set out priority areas for the alliance, including the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Secretary Galvez noted his discussions with Secretary Austin to further strengthen our nations' collaborative efforts in addressing pressing security threats in the region, as well as effectively dealing with the natural disasters caused by climate change, a major global concern we need to confront head-on.



Secretary of Defense Austin, in turn, emphasized that EDCA is a cooperative agreement that enables rotational activities so that the two countries can respond to collective challenges more effectively.

Secretary Austin pointed out that enhanced cooperation, including in modernizing the Philippines military capabilities, will help to address destabilizing activities in the waters surrounding the Philippines.These efforts are especially important as the Peoples Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Our alliance makes both of our democracies more secure and helps uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, Secretary of Defense Austin said. I am confident that we will continue to work together to defend our shared values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.
ELKO  An Idaho man continues to be held in Elko County Jail on more than $1 million bail, despite being charged with offenses that normally call for $20,000 bail and being at borderline risk of heart failure.

Oscar J. Hanes, 41, of Idaho Falls was arrested on the Upper Elko Indian Colony in December. Original charges listed on his booking sheet at Elko County Jail were attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping of a minor resulting in substantial bodily harm, sexual assault resulting in substantial bodily harm, assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of battery by strangulation.

His bail was originally estimated at $710,000 but was increased to $1,010,000 when he appeared in court.

When a formal complaint was filed, however, it only listed two category C felonies. Both were for battery by strangulation against the same alleged victim, an adult female around the same age as Hanes. That offense called for $10,000 bail on his original booking sheet.

Deputy District Attorney Justin Barainca explained the change in charges.

After discussing the matter with the lead investigator and reviewing the reports provided by the Elko Police Department, I filed a complaint against Mr. Hanes alleging the two counts that we could ethically charge with new information received during the subsequent investigation, he stated.

On Dec. 28 his court-appointed defense attorney asked for Hanes to be released on his own recognizance or have bail reduced. Instead the judge kept it at $1.01 million, saying a written motion would be required to change it.

Barainca said bail amounts arent often changed after they have been set in court.

Mr. Haness bail had already been set at his bail hearing; thus, it was not affected by the charging decision, he stated. Once bail is already heard, the courts have been reluctant to readdress bail without a substantial change in circumstances.

Only 2 charges filed in stand-off case ELKO  An Idaho man arrested Dec. 3 at the Elko Indian Colony on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault, battery and attempted murder has onl

Hanes denies the charges against him and hopes to be released on his own recognizance, but believes his attorney will request a bail reduction and get his medical needs addressed at his next court hearing. The Eighth Amendment protects defendants against excessive bail and states that individuals may challenge a high cash bail by making a bail reduction motion.

The incident began Dec. 3 when police were contacted at 4:50 a.m. by a caller who reported a man was chasing a victim who was trying to get away from him. They identified the suspect as Hanes.

Hanes had agreed to drive the woman from Idaho to Carson City but they stopped in Elko for an extended time. Hanes and a witness claim he had ordered the woman to leave the residence that night but she refused.

The residence was surrounded with help from the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Combined SWAT Team. After several hours the woman came out of the house. Hanes later exited the residence and was arrested.

Jail officials said Hanes was uncooperative during his booking, and says he was so angry when a deputy read his initial charges to him that he punched the wall, injuring his hand. He has been incarcerated for more than 70 days, and says he has a heart pacemaker that is due to be replaced. An echocardiogram taken at the end of January registered 40%, which is on the borderline of heart failure.

Hanes was also administered anti-psychotic medication at the jail.

According to his declaration of probable cause, the arresting officer stated he felt Hanes posed a threat to the public and society  if able to produce bail on the charges because he barricaded himself in the house and failed to comply with the SWAT team. Hanes, however, says he did not come out sooner because he had passed out from heavy drinking.

This isnt Hanes first brush with the law in Elko County. Ten years ago he was arrested by Western Shoshone Tribal Police on charges including possession of an explosive device.

When he failed to show up in court, the Elko County Sheriffs Office placed him on its Most Wanted list in June 2013.

However, the explosive device turned out to be a 3-ounce plastic container of smokeless pistol powder. Charges were dropped that December prior to a preliminary hearing.

Hanes has been convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery charges before in Idaho, and served time in prison on drug charges.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pekvur called on the international community to provide Ukraine before year-end with military support amounting to EUR 100 billion, including sending a million artillery rounds in the shortest term.

The minister spoke at a joint press conference with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin in Tallinn on Thursday, Ukrinforms own correspondent reports.

We can and must do more. I have three key proposals as to how. First, all European partners and NATO allies must spend more than 2%, ideally closer to 2.5% of the GDP on defense. More can only be given when there is more to give, the defense minister said.

He went on to say that the international coalition should reach at least 100 billion euros in combined military aid to Ukraine by the end of 2023.

We can talk about how substance also matters, but trust me, there is at least 100 billion worth of things Ukraine needs already at this moment, Estonias defense chief noted.

Also, he urged the European Union to immediately support the Ukrainian defense with 1 million artillery rounds, a proposal recently put forward by Estonia.

At the same time, he pledged his countrys accelerated development of its own national defense.

The new Estonian National Security Strategy foresees a new standard of at least 3% of GDP for defense, the minister concluded.
Sultanate of Oman is one of the ten countries where Ukraine plans to open embassies this year.

"Recently, the President announced his intention to open ten new embassies in Africa... But one of them will open in a member state of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, namely in Sultanate of Oman," Maksym Subkh, Ukraines Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, said at the scientific and methodological seminar "Main trends in the development of modern geopolitical situation in the Middle East in the context of Ukraine's foreign policy priority tasks", an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He noted that UkraineOman trade doubled in 2020-2021 while Ukraines exports expanded significantly. In addition, according to Ukraines Special Representative, Oman is a very effective mediator of various processes and negotiations taking place in the territory of Sultanate.

"The configuration of Oman's foreign policy activity is unique for this region: the country, being a member of several regional and interregional associations, maintains equal and open relations with all neighboring countries: Iran, the Gulf countries, Yemen where the situation is extremely tense, and with other countries. Therefore, with this decision, Ukraine shows that it will not lag behind and will not present itself as a country that is only suffering from war and crying for help. Ukraine is taking steps forward," the diplomat emphasized.
Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen has arrived in the city of Kyiv, for the first time since the Russian full-scale invasion started.

The relevant statement was made by Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen on Twitter, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

My visit today is the first by an Israeli minister since the war broke out. Israel has stood by the Ukrainian people over the past year, and by Ukraine, and today we will hoist the Israeli flag in the Embassy in Kyiv as it returns to full operations on the path toward a stronger relationship between the countries, Cohen noted.

As part of the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He will also travel to the Kyiv regions Bucha.
Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen has come to the Kyiv regions Bucha as part of his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian full-scale invasion started.

The relevant statement was made by Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ukraine Michael Brodsky on Twitter, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Visiting Bucha with [Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister  Ed.] Eli Cohen, Brodsky wrote, having posted the photographs.

A reminder that, on February 16, 2023, Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen arrived in the city of Kyiv, for the first time since the Russian full-scale invasion started.

Photo: @michael_brodsk
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly in Kyiv and shown her the consequences of Russian attacks on the capital.

The relevant statement was made by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

I met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and showed her the consequences of Russian attacks on Kyiv, which result in destruction and the death of peaceful Ukrainians, Klitschko wrote.

Klitschko thanked the Government and people of Canada for providing military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Additionally, Klitschko emphasized that it is extremely important for Ukraine to receive a new batch of weapons that Canada has recently decided to provide as soon as possible.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed economic cooperation, restoration of Ukraine, and sanctions against Russia with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly at a meeting in Kyiv.

"We discussed a wide range of issues of our cooperation: economy, recovery, sanctions. I pointed to the importance of imposing restrictions on the Russian nuclear industry," Shmyhal posted on Telegram.

<script async src="https://telegram.org/js/telegram-widget.js?21" data-telegram-post="Denys_Smyhal/4551" data-width="100%"></script>

The PM added that they also talked about restoring energy and residential houses and demining territories.

"I am grateful to my Canadian colleagues for paying attention to demining which is a fundamental element of reconstruction. Minister Joly announced additional 7.5 million Canadian dollars for these needs," the Head of Government noted.

According to him, Canada's total assistance for demining will reach 22.5 million Canadian dollars.

As reported, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly said during a meeting with Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko that Canada will provide additional 7.5 million Canadian dollars for demining and training Ukrainian specialists.
Norway helps Ukraine by providing air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and artillery, restoring energy infrastructure, and creating a precedent of long-term financial support.

You help us with air defense systems, and this protects our cities from Russian terror. You help us with anti-tank weapons and artillery, and this saves Ukrainians from the expansion of Russian torture chambers and abuse on our land. You help us with the restoration of energy after missile strikes and Iranian drone strikes, and this returns people to normal life, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said, addressing a special session of the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) via video link.

At the same time, he emphasized that the draft decision on the long-term financial support for Ukraine currently being considered by the Norwegian authorities will create a precedent.

According to him, such a decision is important because it gives a feeling that you have tomorrow. It gives you the feeling that tomorrow, just like today, you will have a reliable partner by your side.

Ukrainians and Norwegians are exactly such partners. We share the same values, and therefore we are united in defense. United in defense, and therefore united in future victory. And it will be a solid basis for the security of everyone in the world if your view of resilience becomes a guideline for other defenders of freedom, Zelensky underscored.

According to media reports, the Norwegian government will present Thursday its five-year aid package to Ukraine worth NOK 75 billion (almost EUR 7 billion).
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba met with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen met in Kyiv to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, increase aid to Ukraine, and address common security challenges.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy announced this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Welcome to Kyiv, Eli Cohen. Ukraine is thankful for all of the support that Israel and Israelis have provided over the past year. During our detailed and frank talks, we focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations, increase assistance, and address shared security challenges," the tweet reads.

As reported, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Eli Cohen, arrived in Kyiv on Thursday  for the first time since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Photo: Dmytro Kuleba, Twitter
The Parliament of Slovakia on Thursday once again adopted a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine, including attacks on the civilian population, civilian targets, and energy infrastructure, and expressing support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.

At the same time, the resolution calls the current Russian regime a terrorist one and Russia a country supporting terrorism, Ukrinform reports referring to TASR.

MPs also condemned Russia's direct and indirect threats to use nuclear weapons.

The resolution states that the Slovak Parliament does not recognize either the recent Russian-held referendums in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions in Ukraine or their outcomes, and views the territories as those remaining part of Ukraine.

Parliament also expressed support for efforts to set up a special tribunal to prosecute crimes of Russian aggression and for the prosecution of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Moreover, the lawmakers condemned Russia's hybrid war in Slovakia, calling on the relevant authorities not to underestimate the threat and take action against it in the interests of maintaining security and democracy in Slovakia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky expects that the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Eli Cohen to Ukraine will facilitate bilateral cooperation.

The President of Ukraine posted this on Telegram following the meeting with Cohen.

Zelensky noted that Israel has always been an important partner of Ukraine in the Middle East. Cohens visit is the first visit of an Israeli representative since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

During a meeting with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen we discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in various areas. I invite Israel to join the implementation of our Peace Formula, Zelensky wrote.

The parties also discussed the country's participation in post-war reconstruction. Ukraine could use Israel's experience in demining, the President noted.

Zelensky thanked Cohen for the humanitarian aid provided.

I hope that this visit will contribute to deepening our cooperation, the President of Ukraine stressed.

As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Eli Cohen arrived in Kyiv on February 16.

Photo: Presidents Office
ELKO  A Ryndon man who was arrested in September after reportedly beating his mother, threatening to kill his wife, and shooting holes through the roof of his pickup has been sentenced to prison.

Jordan V. ODell, 28, pleaded no contest to one felony charge of child abuse and one felony charge of coercion constituting domestic violence. He was sentenced this week to a minimum of four years in prison by Elko District Judge Kriston Hill.

Deputies responded to his residence on Jacinto Drive on the night of Sept. 23 after receiving a report of a domestic dispute with gunshots fired. They found ODell standing outside the residence with two women and four children inside.

A high-risk takedown was conducted and ODell was yelling and abusive as he was detained, according to a deputys statement.

Deputies determined that he had thrown his mother on the ground and hit her in the head with a tire thumper after she asked him to leave his wife alone. His wife said he was discharging a handgun at the ground and through the roof of his Dodge Ram pickup, but surrendered the firearm to her before deputies arrived.

The report said his wife was shaken like a rag doll and he had put his arm around her neck as she screamed for help. His mother was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Detectives found four bullet holes in the pickup.

ODell was originally booked on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of domestic battery, four counts of child endangerment, four counts of discharging a gun within a structure or vehicle, and false statement to obstruct a public officer.
The School of Construction Management Open House will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Construction Management Building, 513 Filhiol Ave. in Monroe. All prospective high school and transfer students are invited to attend.

Students will meet with ULM alumni and potential employers, and they will learn more about scholarships and paid internship opportunities. They will also be able to tour the construction management facilities, as well as the entire ULM campus. Attendees will also receive a free lunch.

To register for the Construction Management Open House, visit www.ulm.edu/cbss/construction/openhouse.
| By Lou Cortina

When Nina Totenberg sat down to talk about her career as a journalist covering the U.S. Supreme Court, it didnt take long for the discussion to shift to the current divisive state of the nations highest court.

The question: Can the Supreme Court, which has seen its favorability decline in public opinion polls since the 2022 ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion decision, reverse its negative public perception?

Bruce Jarrell and Renee Hutchins listen as Nina Totenberg addresses the audience.

Totenberg, a longtime legal affairs correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), doesnt see it happening anytime soon.

This is probably the most conservative court in a century, dating back to the early 1930s, Totenberg told a hybrid audience of nearly 400 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Presidents Panel on Politics and Policy on Feb. 14. A lot of things that this court would like to undo, partially or wholly, are things that most Americans dont agree with  and Im not speaking about abortion or religion issues.

These are issues like regulations that protect our air and our water. And, over time, were seeing that the court is very much in step with a conservative agenda that is promoted by a part of the legal community that used to be considered fringe, and that is problematic.

The problem, Totenberg added, is that the bloc of conservative justices holds a 6-3 advantage, with three confirmed during former President Donald Trumps four-year term, and there is little appetite  or need  for compromise with five votes needed for a majority opinion.

I have covered the Supreme Court for almost 50 years, and every court during that time has had a center, she said. But at least right now, this court doesnt really have a center. It has six very conservative votes, with a chief justice [John Roberts] whos an institutionalist, and three sort of mainstream liberal justices.

Stephen Breyer is gone from the court, too, and although he was on the liberal side, he was a justice who would often work with the chief justice to get some sort of compromise. I dont think this court is so inclined to make compromises, and its the conservatives more than anybody else who are not so inclined, because they have the votes.

Renee McDonald Hutchins, JD, dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, moderated the discussion after an introduction by UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, who pointed out that when Totenberg started her journalism career more than 50 years ago, women reporters were scarce, but that didnt deter her from making her mark by breaking important news stories such as the 1991 report on law professor Anita Hills sexual harassment allegations against Justice Clarence Thomas during his confirmation hearing.

Totenbergs visit marked the 15th edition of the Presidents Panel on Politics and Policy, a speaker series that began in January 2017 and is designed to examine issues important to the UMB community such as health and higher education policy, federal budget priorities, and issues of civil rights and social justice.

Before fielding questions from attendees at the SMC Campus Center, Totenberg also discussed issues before the court including two cases that could roll back affirmative action, the power of her friendships with NPR colleagues such as the late Cokie Roberts, and her longtime connection with late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which is the subject of her 2022 book, Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships.

Totenberg recalled first talking with Ginsburg in 1971 to discuss the landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled for the first time that the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment prohibited differential treatment based on sex. Ginsburg, a Rutgers University law professor at the time, was the principal author of the plaintiffs brief in the case.

A friendship soon formed that lasted until Ginsburgs death in 2020. Hutchins noted that in reading Totenbergs book, I got the sense that you and Justice Ginsburg had the courage to step into spaces where you didnt know that you would be welcomed. What gave you that courage?

I was a fearless young reporter on the outside, but on the inside, I was terrified, Totenberg said. I never actually asked Ruth about how she felt on the inside. But we both understood that we were outsiders looking in. It was like we had our noses pressed up against a window, saying, Hey, guys, we can do that job, too. In fact, we might be able to do it better. Let us in.

Im quite sure Ruth wasnt thinking about being a Supreme Court justice when she was 30-odd years old, Totenberg added. And I certainly didnt think I would be writing a book and having the kind of prominence that I have today. I was just trying to get a foot in the door, I wasnt breaking a glass ceiling. I just was very determined.

Totenberg concluded the event by reading an excerpt from the epilogue of her book that referenced Cokie Roberts and four late Supreme Court justices: Ginsburg, Lewis Powell, William Brennan, and Antonin Scalia:

I have been so fortunate to have them all, and many more, as friends. For the ones who are gone, I often wonder what they would have to say about the current state of the world. Yet, I am struck by the fact that no matter their origins or paths in life, all of them shared a common trait: optimism. Todays events, at home and abroad, would surely test that optimism, but while I think each of them would be realistic about the challenges we face, they would all be determined to persevere. As Ruth often said, My story is hopeful.



So, I will be, too. I am not hanging up my spurs anytime soon. As my mother used to tell me, Ill see you on the radio.
ELKO  The Gold Diggers Motorcycle Club, a local off-road motorcycle racing organization, recently presented a $10,000 donation to the Corey Herring Memorial Scholarship Fund at the 2022 Season Banquet for the Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada (MRANN).

The Gold Diggers Motorcycle Club, in conjunction with the Corey Herring Motorcycle Club, hosted the Halloween Hare Scramble at SnoBowl Ski & Bike Park on Oct. 29-30. The event was well attended by motorcycle racers from across Northern Nevada and served as the major scholarship fundraiser for the 2022 racing season.

Corey Herring, 16, was an avid off-road motorcycle racer who passed away on June 21, 2009, from injuries he sustained during a MRANN-sanctioned Fathers Day off-road race. Despite this tragedy, the memory of Corey and his love of dirt bikes lives on through the Corey Herring Memorial Scholarship.

To date, over $32,000 in educational financial assistance has been granted to 43 young racers and/or family members. The Gold Diggers Motorcycle Club was honored to support this worthy effort.

Local sponsors for the Halloween Hare Scrambles included 5th Gear Powersports, Elko Broadcasting Co., Elko Sanitation, Print N Copy Center, and Stonerock Sound & Lighting. Special thanks go out to the City of Elko, Pattani Ranches, Bureau of Land Management, and Elko County Ambulance.
During his gubernatorial campaign, Joe Lombardo told voters he wanted to be considered Nevadas education governor.

He said it was time to deal with stubborn facts regarding public education.

Nevadas public schools have been historically underfunded and historically underperformed for students.

Armed with a large budget surplus, Governor Lombardo in his State-of-the-State address proposed the single largest spending increase in K-12 education in Nevada history. His budget contains $2 billion in new funding.

This would boost per-pupil spending by $2,000, raising the total to over $12,000, an increase of more than 22 percent from what was appropriated in the current biennium.

The increased funding has strings attached  more accountability and transparency. The governor threatened systemic change in the governance and leadership in K-12 education without measurable results within two years.

On Feb. 6, Lombardo announced an audit of Nevadas 17 public school districts as part of a surprise executive order.

That was to address mounting concerns from teachers and community members about management of the Clark County School District. Nevada schools received more than $1.5 billion through three rounds of federal COVID-19 aid packages.

Lombardo wants to give Nevada parents significantly more choices for their childs education.

Traditional public schools should not be the only education option. Private schools, magnet schools, charter schools, micro schools, virtual schools and homeschooling are all viable alternatives that can increase the potential for student success.

He proposes to create the Office of School Choice within the Department of Education to ensure students and parents have the information they need to evaluate every available option.

Lombardo also proposes a record $50 million in funding for the states Opportunity Scholarships. Senator Heidi Ganserts legislation would double funding and expand eligibility for these scholarships.

Literacy matters. Lombardo would reinstate a requirement contained in Nevadas Read by Three law championed by Governor Sandoval in 2015 that children failing third grade reading proficiency be held back. That law was amended in 2019 to remove the requirement.

Nevada needs safer schools. In 2019, the Legislature passed AB 168, the public-school restorative justice law.

While well intended, the law has led to disruptive and dangerous behavior in classrooms. It handcuffs teachers and administrators, leaving them powerless to deal with habitually misbehaving and violent students.

Lombardo has called for rewriting AB168 to create a safer classroom environment for teachers and other students.

Absent from Lombardos school choice plans are education savings accounts (ESAs).

ESAs allow parents to access public funds and apply them to private schooling, tutoring or other qualified alternatives rather than to assigned schools based on geographic designation.

Nevadas GOP-controlled legislature in 2015 passed the nations most comprehensive ESA program, allowing parents to access $5,000 annually for their childs schooling. Opponents filed legal challenges and Democrats took control of the Legislature. The program never was implemented.

With Democrats now dominant in the Legislature and teacher union opposition, political reality precludes Lombardo proposing ESAs at this time.

Well look at bigger bites as we move forward, he says.

Until the beginning of 2023, only Arizona was allowing universal school choice  giving parents $7,000 to use as they choose to educate their kids. In January, Iowa and Utah adopted similar universal school choice laws. More than a dozen states now have legislation moving for universal ESAs.

Nevadas school pandemic lockdowns were a catastrophic policy blunder with devastating effects on children and shined a light on educational deficiencies. Parents want greater control over their childs education.

A February 2022 Real Clear Politics poll found 72% of parents support school choice.

A recent poll of Nevada voters conducted for the Nevada Independent backed Lombardos education policies  and his overall job performance (45% approve  28% disapprove).

They support using state dollars for private education (49% approve  21% disapprove) and agreed with his Read by Grade Three or held back position (68% to 8%).
As of April 1, Twitter is requiring a paid subscription to Twitter Blue to have a verificati Read moreMain Point: Verification doesnt equal credibility
Dzivin, Belarus, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :Beyond piled-up tyres and barbed wire, a Ukrainian flag flutters across from Belarusian border guards patrolling an increasingly tense frontier.

Next to the Ukrainian colours, another flag could be seen in a sign of defiance -- the white and red used by the suppressed Belarusian opposition.

Like all other checkpoints between Kremlin-aligned Belarus and its neighbour to the south, the crossing has been shut for a year after Russian forces poured over the border to attack Ukraine.

Now, fears are mounting that Belarus could enter the conflict despite assurances from its president, Alexander Lukashenko, that this would only happen in the event of aggression from the Ukrainian side.

Belarusian guards in the village of Dzivin, often referred to as Divin, said they were on standby, claiming the other side had staged several "provocations." "There are attempts to bring the Belarusian side into this conflict," Belarusian border guard spokesman Anton Bychkovsky said.

"We are doing everything not to be dragged into some border incidents."He said the situation was "controlled but tense".
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2023 ) :President Joe Biden on Thursday said he would talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the wake of the US Air Force shooting down what Washington says was a "high-tech Chinese spy balloon" earlier this month.

"I expect to be speaking with President Xi and... we're going to get to the bottom of this," Biden said in his most extensive public remarks since the incident on February 4.

While stressing that the United States is "not looking for a new Cold War," Biden said "I make no apologies for taking that down balloon." "We'll always act to protect the interests of the American people and the security of the American people," Biden said.

In the wake of the incident, the US military adjusted radar settings to detect smaller objects and promptly discovered three more unidentified craft that Biden ordered shot down -- one over Alaska, another over Canada and the third over Lake Huron off Michigan.

China says the balloon was just a stray weather research craft, but US officials say they have conclusive evidence that the balloon was sent to "spy".

Beijing accused Washington of overreacting and claimed that US balloons had overflown Chinese territory, something the Biden administration denies.

"We don't yet know exactly what these three objects were," Biden said, while ruling out Chinese involvement -- and suggesting they could be civilian craft of some kind.

"Nothing right now suggests they're related to China's spy balloon program or... surveillance vehicles from any other countries," Biden said.

"The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects are most likely balloons tied to private companies" or research projects, he said.

However, "if any object presents a threat to the safety, security (of) the American people I will take it down," Biden saidBiden has made a priority of resetting US relations with China, which he describes as Washington's biggest competitor.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :American designer Michael Kors paid tribute to US feminist icon Gloria Steinem on the final day of New York Fashion Week Wednesday.

His Fall-Winter 2023 parade saw several models wear round, low-hanging belts in a nod to the 88-year-old Steinem's signature look.

Steinem, considered the leader of second-wave feminism in America in the late 1960s and early '70s, sat front row at the show in Manhattan's West Village.

She looked on alongside Vogue editor-in-chief and high priestess of fashion Anna Wintour, and actresses Mindy Kaling and Kate Hudson.

"The women who intrigued me then (and who) still intrigue me today are the women who break the rules, do things their own way," Kors told reporters Tuesday, ahead of the show.

"Even though they're strong or they're powerful, and they're smart, they're happy to admit that they love fashion, and they enjoy fashion," he added.

Steinem said in a 2015 interview that she often wore a "concho" belt.

A concho is a metal ornament, often silver and round, that has its origins in the culture of the Navajo Native American nation.

Uruguayan-American Gabriela Hearst is another designer who drew inspiration from non-conformist, pioneering women for the New York parade.

On Tuesday, she honored Irish architect Eileen Gray, who paved the way for the modernist architecture movement in the 1920s.

Her homage was evident in Hearst's straight, functional cuts of recycled cashmere jackets, trousers and long coats.

Gray's "Dragons" armchair sold at auction in Paris for almost 22 million Euros ($28 million) in 2009, more than 30 years after her death aged 98.

It set a record for 20th Century decorative art.

"She never got to see this reality and, like many women, she undervalued herself and her excellence," Hearst said in her designer's notes.

Meanwhile Philippe and David Blond, the duo at the helm of The Blonds, tinged their collection with references to old Hollywood.

Glittering dresses and fake furs were combined with Louboutin stilettos and a James bond soundtrack.

Their inspiration was, of course, Elizabeth Taylor, David Blond revealed backstage.
Sydney, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :Two men were found dead Thursday after plunging down a "void" in a remote Australian zinc mine, in what colleagues described as a "devastating" end to a more than 24-hour rescue effort.

The miners were in a light utility vehicle that tumbled into an ore extraction tunnel on Wednesday at the Dugald River mine in Queensland, the facility's owner said in a statement.

"This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan," Perenti chief executive Mark Norwell said.

Trevor Davis, 36, and Dylan Langridge, 33, were fatally injured in the incident, which happened about 125 metres (410 feet) underground.

Perenti Group, the parent company of the mine operator MMG, said the two men were "valued team members and well respected" and had fallen 15 metres (50 feet) into a below-ground "void".

The Dugald River mine employs about 500 people near the isolated town of Cloncurry in western Queensland, about 20 hours' drive inland from the state capital Brisbane.

According to MMG, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the mine processes around 1.7 million tonnes of ore every year.

Mining is one of the bedrocks of Australia's economy -- the country holds almost 30 percent of the world's reserves of zinc, lithium and nickel.

Studies have found Australia's mining sector is one of the safest by international standards, but according to the government, it is still the third deadliest industry in the country.
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2023 ) :A staggering 78 million girls and boys around the world today "don't go to school at all" because of conflict, climate disasters and displacement  while tens of millions more receive only sporadic teaching - UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres said on Thursday.

Lending his support to a call for more funding for education in emergencies spearheaded by the UN global fund Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the UN chief insisted in a video message that no one should be denied their chance to learn.

A full 222 million children today experience blighted education today, the secretary-general noted. To help them, 18 countries and private partners have pledged $826 million for ECW, on the opening day of the landmark conference.

"No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what barriers stand in your way, you have a right to a quality education," Guterres said, in an appeal for greater international efforts to ensure that more vulnerable children and youngsters get their chance to succeed.

Delivering his comments at the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference in Geneva, the secretary-general welcomed the fact that since it was founded in 2017, the fund had trained 87,000 teachers and given seven million children in crisis "the education they deserve".

As pledges from 18 countries and the private sector topped $826 million on the first day of the conference, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group, Gordon Brown, welcomed the international support for learning for all, as an investment in sustainable peace.

"We are talking about the most isolated, the most desolate, the most neglected children of the world.

We're talking about girls who find themselves trafficked or forced into child labour or child marriage, unless we can help them," he added.

With her own painful story about education in crisis in Afghanistan, Somaya Faruqi explained that while she had fled the country when the Taliban seized power in August 2021, many of her "sisters" were left behind.

Her girlfriends are now unable to study after being banned from attending class by the de facto authorities, said 20-year-old Faruqi, who remains in contact with them and works as women's rights activist to highlight their plight.

"The situation is far worse than what you can see in the news and social media," she told UN News. "Every day I receive messages from my friends that they are forced to marry, regardless of their age or consent." She added: "I feel a deep sense of responsibility to support my sisters who are still in Afghanistan. Every day, I stay in touch with them, even though their situation is not good.

"I listen to their stories, offer words of encouragement, and help connect them with resources when I can. It is heartbreaking to see the struggles they face, but it only strengthens my resolve to fight for their rights and to help build a better future for all Afghan women." Ms. Faruqi, who is originally from Herat in western Afghanistan, is now studying a mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in the US.

Her interest in fixing things stemmed from helping her father fix cars, which sparked an interest in robotics, as Captain of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The closing ceremony of the fourth Pakistan-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise "Al Kassah-IV" was held at the Military College of Engineering, Risalpur on Thursday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :The closing ceremony of the fourth Pakistan-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise "Al Kassah-IV" was held at the Military College of Engineering, Risalpur on Thursday.

It was the 4th joint exercise of the Al-Kassah series as part of bilateral military cooperation between both friendly countries. The troops from Royal Saudi Land Forces and Pakistan Army participated in the exercise, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The two-week-long exercise was aimed at sharing mutual experiences in the field of route search, area search, vehicle/ personal search, and area clearance operations.

The drills and techniques regarding improvised explosives devices (IED), vehicle improvised explosive devices (VIED), anti-suicidal, victim-operated improvised explosive devices and handling of explosives were the special focus areas of the joint exercise.

The Engineer-in-Chief Pakistan Army witnessed the closing ceremony as chief guest, whereas a high-level military delegation from KSA, headed by Director General Engineers Major General Saad Misfer Alqahtani, also attended the ceremony.
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri on Thursday said ensuring peace and an enabling environment in the country was a prerequisite for the budding businesses to flourish

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri on Thursday said ensuring peace and an enabling environment in the country was a prerequisite for the budding businesses to flourish.

Unfortunately due to turmoil in Pakistan in recent years, the business community, particularly, foreign investors, had faced many hardships, she said, adding continuity of democracy was imperative to solve the issues.

Shazia Marri, who is also Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), was speaking here at the CEO Summit titled "Turn around Pakistan: Reshaping The Future of Pakistan".

The minister expressed optimism that Pakistan would soon come out of troubling times and would be on track to tranquility and prosperity. There was a need to build a narrative against disinformation being propagated against the country and the government needed to play the lead role in building a progressive narrative, he added.

Marri said Pakistan was not short of talent, however, there was a need to provide platforms to all budding businesses in Pakistan. "Youth, which comprises a big chunk of the country's population, is our most valuable asset which needs to be cultivated." She commended the role of the CEO Club in digitizing the country.

She said foreign investment was directly linked with the country's security situation.

The minister said the Benazir Income Support Programme supported flood victims with a cash amount of Rs 25,000 per family and urged the business community to join hands with the BISP in supporting nine million deserving families.

Through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the business community might extend its support to the deserving people of Pakistan through the BISP, she added.

Besides ambassadors and businessmen, the summit was also attended by Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who also spoke to the audience.
BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) China is ready to work with the international community to find a political solution and end the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible, China's Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi said at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Wang is on a European tour on February 14-22, during which he will visit France, Italy, Hungary, Russia, and also take part in the Munich Security Conference.

"The parties exchanged views on the Ukrainian issue," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting in France.

Wang stressed that China firmly adheres to an objective and fair position on the Ukrainian issue, and always strives to contribute to reconciliation and peace talks.

"China attaches great importance to France's role as a major independent country and is ready to work with the international community, including France, to seek a way for a political settlement and the soonest possible ceasefire and end to the war as soon as possible," he said.
For days, authorities have been telling residents of the area around East Palestine, Ohio, in the United States that it is safe to return home after a 150-car train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed on Feb 3.

However, concerns remain among the public that the government or railroad is not telling them the entire truth about the pollution or potential harm.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in the fiery crash, which investigators said was caused by a broken axle.

After hundreds of residents evacuated their homes, emergency crews conducted a "controlled burn" of the chemicals on Feb 6 to avert a possible explosion, but the operations were said to have discharged toxic and potentially deadly fumes into the air.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the chemical spill had killed an estimated 3,500 small fish along 12 kilometers of streams as of Feb 8.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Tuesday that the pollution didn't pose a serious threat to the 5 million people who rely on the Ohio River for drinking water.

However, he and several Ohio health and environmental officials cautioned at a news conference that residents using private wells near the derailment site should use only bottled water.

Reporters pressed DeWine and other officials on Tuesday about some residents' complaints of headaches and concerns over the situation.

US Representative Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat from New York, said on social media on Monday: "This is one of the deadliest environmental emergencies. And no one is talking about it."

Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist, warned: "There's a lot of what-ifs, and we're going to be looking at this thing five, 10, 15, 20 years down the line and wondering. Cancer clusters could pop up, you know, well water could go bad."

Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that some Western media chose to ignore the derailment at the time it happened, adding that this was not the first time they have done so, despite their boasts of being free, professional and fair.

Railroad union officials said they have been warning that such an accident could happen because, they alleged, railroad cost-cutting has harmed safety measures.

According to the US Department of Transportation, about 4.5 million metric tons of toxic chemicals are transported by rail each year, with an average of 12,000 rail cars shipping the materials through cities and towns each day.

The incident is "the tip of the iceberg", Ron Kaminkow, general secretary of the cross-union group Railroad Workers United, was quoted by The Guardian as saying. "If something is not done, then it's going to get worse, and the next derailment could be cataclysmic."
BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) The leaders of Iran and China have called on the world community to create conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, according to their joint statement released on Thursday following a meeting in Beijing.

"Both sides called on the international community, especially the parties concerned, to create conditions for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis," the statement published by the Chinese Foreign Ministry read.
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CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that the abolition of the country's neutral status is not currently being discussed, but the authorities plan to strengthen the defense sector.

"The question of abolition of neutrality is not being raised now. Since this is written in the constitution, the majority of Moldovan citizens believe neutrality must be maintained. At the same time, it is necessary to refute the lie that neutrality does not allow strengthening the defense system. We need to continue talking about whether we ourselves can ensure peace and security," Sandu said on TVR1.

She said several EU countries have offered Moldova assistance in strengthening its defense capability.

"We managed to get assistance from friendly countries for the defense system, but failed to get support for the air defense system. This is a topic we are constantly discussing," the president said.

In January, Sandu, in an interview with the Politico newspaper, said the country should abandon neutrality in order to be admitted to a military alliance. Sandu did not specifically mention NATO but had repeatedly stated that the neutrality clause of the constitution could be revised if Moldovans decide they want rapprochement with NATO.
NATO must be prepared for a long standoff with Russia beyond the immediate crisis triggered by President Vladimir Putin's year-old invasion of Ukraine, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg told AFP

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :NATO must be prepared for a long standoff with Russia beyond the immediate crisis triggered by President Vladimir Putin's year-old invasion of Ukraine, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg told AFP.

Moscow's war on its pro-Western neighbour has plunged Europe into its most dangerous crisis since World War II and pushed NATO into the biggest overhaul of its defences since the Soviet Union collapsed.

"President Putin wants a different Europe, wants a Europe where he can control neighbours, where he can decide what countries can do," Stoltenberg, 63, said in an interview a week ahead of the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

"We need to be prepared for the long haul, this may last for many, many, many, many years." The Norwegian head of the US-led alliance said he was wary of predicting how long the renewed face-off between Russia and the West would continue, because change can come suddenly.

"We saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, or we saw 9/11," he said.

NATO would, he said, "always look into where there are opportunities to again come into the situation where there is room for a better relationship, but with the current behaviour of the Russian regime, the regime in Moscow, there's no way." NATO members have not sent their own forces to Ukraine, and some Western officials fear that a direct military conflict could escalate into a nuclear war between the West and Russia.

But since the Russian tanks rolled in, tens of thousands more NATO troops have been deployed to the alliance's eastern flank and a string of European allies have ramped up defence spending.

NATO members, spearheaded by the United States, have also sent weaponry worth tens of billions of Dollars to Ukraine to help it fight back against Russia.
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During the first-ever pledging conference for education in emergencies, countries and other donors vowed on Thursday to provide $826 million for Education Cannot Wait's work for the next four years

Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :During the first-ever pledging conference for education in emergencies, countries and other donors vowed on Thursday to provide $826 million for Education Cannot Wait's work for the next four years.

The UN fund estimates that 222 million children around the world have had their education disrupted by conflict or climate-related disasters, including nearly 80 million who never set foot in school.

The $826 million pledged so far covers over half of the $1.5 billion ECW says it needs for its work between 2023 and 2026, with the goal of reaching 20 million children in more than 30 countries.

"This is a big, big head-start," ECW director Yasmine Sherif told reporters after the pledges had been tallied.

"This is the second month of a four-year strategic plan, which means that we have another three years, and 10 months to meet and exceed our original target." Germany has made the largest pledge to the fund, vowing to pitch in 210 million Euros ($225 million), followed by Britain, which pledged 80 million Pounds ($96 million) to ECW's work.

The organisation, founded in 2016, builds schools, buys educational materials, provides daily meals and offers psychological services.

Until now, it has reached around seven million children in 32 countries, but it says it needs to dramatically expand its operations to meet the soaring needs.

Since 2016, the number of children who have seen their education disrupted by conflicts and other crises has nearly tripled, from around 75 million to 222 million.

- 'My heart was shattered' - "Never before in my lifetime I've seen so many crises, so many interlocking crises," said former British prime minister Gordon Brown, who serves as UN special envoy for education and ECW chair.

And the lack of education that follows has real and immediate consequences. Children sometimes end up on the streets, facing threats of violence, human trafficking, recruitment by armed groups or, for girls, forced marriage.

"We are talking about the most isolated, the most desolate, the most neglected children of the world," Brown told reporters.

"Hope ... dies when a young person cannot plan or prepare for the future because they don't have the chance to go to school." Few places in the world is the hopelessness that follows being deprived of education more apparent than in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have imposed harsh restrictions on women, including closing secondary schools and universities for girls and women, basically banning them from education.

"Exactly 514 days ago my heart was shattered along with millions of girls inside Afghanistan," Somaya Faruqi, the former head of the Afghan Girl's Robotics Team, told Thursday's conference, referring to the day the Taliban announced girls would be barred from secondary schools.

"Every child and every girl deserves .. to have the simplest human right, which is education." The all-girl Afghan robotics team, which won a prestigious international robotics award in 2017, were dramatically evacuated from Kabul shortly after the Taliban swept back into power in August 2021.

Faruqi, who has been named an ECW ambassador, voiced alarm at the global number of children and youths out of school.

"It means that we are missing 222 million incredible talents, the future leaders, the doctors, the engineers," she said.
Russia continues to remain party to over 40 conventions of the Council of Europe, despite the fact that it withdrew from the organization and the European Convention on Human Rights last March, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) Russia continues to remain party to over 40 conventions of the Council of Europe, despite the fact that it withdrew from the organization and the European Convention on Human Rights last March, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Thursday.

"Withdrawal from the conventions of the Council of Europe, contrary to speculation, did not have any impact on the human rights protection system in our country. The provisions of these conventions have been integrated into domestic legislation and are being preserved. The constitution and, in general, Russian legislation guarantees a wider range of rights and freedoms than the European Convention on Human Rights," Grushko said at a plenary session of Russia's lower house discussing the termination of treaties with the Council of Europe.

The draft legislation on the termination of treaties provides for the denunciation of 21 conventions of the Council of Europe that require mandatory membership, the official specified.

At the same time, Russia remains committed to its obligations under the universal human rights conventions of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and other regional organizations, he said.

"I would also note that Russia remains a party to about 40 conventions and protocols open to non-member states of the Council of Europe. We are ready to participate in these treaties only on an equal footing," Grushko added.

In addition, the official stressed that Moscow will respond to any attempts to limit Russia's rights in conventions that do not require membership in the Council of Europe, adding that there are over 43 such conventions, related, but not limited to, culture, sports, the fight against doping and assistance in criminal cases.

Russia submitted a note of withdrawal from the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights on March 15, 2022. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted in favor of excluding Russia from the organization the next day.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed on the importance of stepping up support for Ukraine in the coming weeks, and also discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots on NATO aircraft, which will begin in the UK soon, the UK prime minister's office said in a statement

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) Polish President Andrzej Duda and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed on the importance of stepping up support for Ukraine in the coming weeks, and also discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots on NATO aircraft, which will begin in the UK soon, the UK prime minister's office said in a statement.

Sunak received Duda at Downing Street on Thursday afternoon.

"They both agreed it was important that support to Ukraine was accelerated in the coming weeks, and the leaders discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots on NATO standard jets that would begin in the UK shortly," the statement says.

During the meeting, the leaders of Poland and the UK also discussed the importance of accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO.
(@FahadShabbir)

SIMFEROPOL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) Two drones were shot down over the sea in Sevastopol on Thursday morning, air defense systems continue to work, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said.

"Ukrainian drones attacked once again. The current situation is following: two UAVs are shot down over the sea. Our forces and air defense systems continue to repel the attack," Razvozhayev wrote on Telegram.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian rights activist whose NGO was co-winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, called Thursday for the world to "hold Russian war criminals accountable," in an interview with AFP

OttigniesLouvainla Neuve, Belgium, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2023 ) :Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian rights activist whose NGO was co-winner of last year's Nobel Peace prize, called Thursday for the world to "hold Russian war criminals accountable," in an interview with AFP.

"We must break the circle of impunity," she said, urging the United Nations and the European Union to back Kyiv's call for a special tribunal able to judge top Russian officials all the way up to President Vladimir Putin.

While acknowledging that getting a majority of UN member countries behind that goal was a "hard task," Matviichuk said it was indispensable for any post-war peace that might follow the end of the conflict in her country.

"There will not be sustainable peace without justice," she noted.

Her demand came nearly a year after Russia's February 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which followed its 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's east.

She was speaking at Belgium's University of Louvain just ahead of receiving an honorary doctorate there, alongside Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman and Adelle Blackett, a law professor at Canada's McGill University.

The trio were being recognised for the fight for civil rights and a fairer society.
(@FahadShabbir)

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th February, 2023) Tens of thousands of people are taking part in the fifth nationwide protest in Paris against the controversial pension reform of the French government, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Thursday.

The protest began at 13:00 GMT at the Place de la Bastille in central Paris. The demonstrators started marching toward the Place d'Italie, carrying banners of leading French trade unions and holding posters with slogans "Macron, hands off our pensions!" and "No to pension at the age of 64!".

As many as 200 demonstrations are expected to take place across France on Thursday, including in major cities, such as Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Nantes.

Later in the day, BFMTV reported, citing the French Interior Ministry, that 440,000 people had taken part in the protests, with 37,000 taking to the streets of Paris.

At the same time, the General Confederation of Labour, a French trade union, counted up to 1.3 million people participating in the protests across the country and around 300,000 demonstrators in Paris alone.

Earlier in the week, air traffic controllers at Paris Orly Airport announced a strike against the controversial reform, prompting the administration to ask air carriers to cancel 30% of flights on Thursday due to the protests.

In January, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne unveiled a draft of the controversial pension reform that the government plans to adopt in 2023. Under the initiative, the French authorities intend to 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.

It is already the fifth nationwide strike in France since Borne's announcement as people protest the reform. The first general strike against the pension reform took place on January 19 and gathered over a million people nationwide, with 80,000 in Paris. A total of 2.8 million people took part in the second demonstration on January 31.

However, only around 757,000 people showed up at the third nationwide protest last week, with 57,000 in Paris alone. During the fourth strike on Saturday, the French Interior Ministry estimated nationwide attendance at 963,000, whereas France's largest union, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), put the figure at 2.5 million, BFMTV reported.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Estonia on Thursday to discuss defense cooperation and Ukraine conflict with the country's leadership, the Estonian Defense Ministry said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2023) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Estonia on Thursday to discuss defense cooperation and Ukraine conflict with the country's leadership, the Estonian Defense Ministry said.

"Welcome to #Estonia! #DefMin (Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur) greets @SecDef Lloyd Austin in #Tallinn. After meeting with (Estonian) Prime Minister (Kaja Kallas), the ministers of defence will hold a joint press conference," the ministry twitted.

The Estonian prime minister said later in the day that she and Austin had discussed further military assistance to Ukraine and issues of Western countries' defense industry.

"I also raised the initiative to ramp up Allies' defence industry to produce more ammunition for Ukraine and to refill our stocks.

We also agreed on the importance of increasing defence spending across the Alliance," Kallas wrote on Twitter.

Austin, in turn, praised Estonia for raising its defense spending to nearly 3% of the national gross domestic product in 2023, as well as for the country's role in supporting Kiev and hosting Ukrainian refugees.

Estonia has allocated 370 million Euros ($394 million) in military aid to Kiev since the beginning of Russia's special military operation, with 113 million euros announced in January this year. Tallinn's supplies to Kiev include Javelin anti-tank missiles, howitzers, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles and communication equipment. Estonia, in cooperation with Germany, has also donated two field hospitals and medication worth 15 million euros to Ukraine.
China said on Wednesday it will take countermeasures in accordance with the law against United States entities that have undermined its sovereignty and security, after Washington blacklisted six Chinese companies and institutions.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced the decision at a regular news briefing in Beijing, saying that China will resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests.

After an unmanned Chinese civilian airship accidentally entered US airspace earlier this month, China has repeatedly explained that it was purely an unintended, unexpected and isolated event.

"However, the US has escalated the situation by using force in apparent overreaction to the incident and even used it as a pretext to illegally sanction Chinese companies and institutions. China is strongly opposed to this," Wang said.

According to the spokesman, while the US cited the entry of the Chinese airship as a violation of its sovereignty, it said nothing about the more than 10 overflights of its own high-altitude balloons in China without permission, including in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Tibet autonomous region.

However, the US government sought to deny that these flights took place. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby claimed on Monday that there were no US surveillance aircraft in Chinese airspace.

Calling Washington's reaction "irresponsible", Wang said that the US needs to explain to China and the international community about its behavior by conducting serious investigations and verifications.

He urged Washington to stop smearing and attacking China and stop misleading the US public and the world.

Wang said that US officials have continued to hype up the situation and have described the Chinese airship as a threat, but remained silent about domestic incidents such as the toxic chemical leak caused by a recent train derailment in Ohio.

"We cannot help but ask who is actually trying to deflect people's attention by overreacting to the Chinese airship. I believe the answer is clear to all of us," he said.

The spokesman also hit back at the Japanese government's groundless accusations against China regarding objects that flew over Japan's airspace in recent years.

"As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law and respects all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity. Without conclusive evidence, Japan is making up stories to smear and attack China. We are firmly opposed to this," Wang said.

Japan should be objective and refrain from following the US in hyping up the incident, he added.
(Urotoday.com) On the first day of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancer Symposium 2023 focussing on prostate cancer, Dr. Geoffrey Gotto presented administrative data from Alberta, Canada in Poster Session A, examining the practice patterns of treatment intensification in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

Over the past few years, treatment intensification employing either docetaxel or a novel hormonal therapy in addition to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become standard of care for patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), based on consistently demonstrated survival benefits. However, real world data have demonstrated somewhat poor uptake of these approaches with significant variation between jurisdictions.

To better understand uptake of these approaches, the authors used electronic medical records and administrative data to perform a population-based retrospective cohort study among patients aged 18 years of age who were newly diagnosed with de novo mCSPC and initiated ADT post-diagnosis between 2010 to 2020 in Alberta, Canada. Treatment intensification was defined as the receipt of apalutamide, abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, or chemotherapy (e.g. docetaxel) within 180 days of ADT initiation.

The authors identified 2,515 patients with de novo mCSPC during study period of whom 2,098 (83%) initiated ADT post-diagnosis. Of those 2098 patients, 525 (25%) received intensification beyond ADT. The percentage of patients who were intensified was 3% in 2010-2013 and gradually increased to 67% in 2020. Between 2014-2017, docetaxel was the most common therapy for intensification, but its use decreased considerably in 2018-2020 with abiraterone acetate, apalutamide and enzalutamide becoming increasingly available in the mCSPC setting.

Upon progression (ie. to mCRPC), 46% and 22% in the intensified group versus 38% and 13% in the ADT-alone group initiated one and two-lines of subsequent therapies respectively. Abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide were the most common subsequent therapy for both the intensified (32% and 31% respectively) and the ADT-alone (56% and 38% respectively) groups. Docetaxel (24%) was used as subsequent therapy among mCSPC patients who were intensified with oral systemic agents.

In multivariable logistic regression analyses of patients diagnosed in 2014-2020 (a time period in which treatment intensification use increased substantially), significant predictors of intensification were younger age at diagnosis, lower Charlson comorbidity index, greater number of metastatic sites, shorter time to ADT initiation, referral to a specialists/cancer centres, surgery or radiation prior to ADT, and more recent year of diagnosis (all p<0.05).

Thus, the authors demonstrate that in Alberta, Canada, there has been a considerable increase in the utilization of ADT intensification therapies that correspond with the timing of clinical trial data and approvals of novel agents. Early referral to specialists/cancer centres is warranted to intensify mCSPC treatment beyond ADT and to improve patients outcomes.

Presented by: Geoffrey T. Gotto, MD, MPH | Southern Alberta Institute of Urology, University of Calgary
(Urotoday.com) The 2023 GU ASCO annual meeting included an oral abstract prostate cancer session, featuring a discussion presentation by Dr. Tyler Seibert recapping two abstracts including Patient-level data meta-analysis of a multi-modal artificial intelligence prognostic biomarker in high-risk prostate cancer: Results from six NRG/RTOG phase III randomized trials presented by Dr. Daniel Spratt and FORMULA-509: A multicenter randomized trial of post-operative salvage radiotherapy and 6 months of GnRH agonist with or without abiraterone acetate/prednisone and apalutamide post-radical prostatectomy presented by Dr. Paul Nguyen.

First, Dr. Seibert discussed Spratt et al., specifically asking the question: Does the multi-modal artificial intelligence model stratify risk of distant metastasis and prostate cancer specific mortality among patients with high-risk prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy and ADT? Dr. Seibert notes that there are several important characteristics from this cohort, including (i) a sample size of >1,000 from six prospective, cooperative-group trials, (ii) most of the patients had high Gleason score (>=8), and (iii) 20% of the population was black. In this study, on multivariable analysis, the multi-modal artificial intelligence model, adjusting for either age, PSA, Gleason score, T-stage, or number of high-risk features, was the only variable significantly associated with distant metastasis. Time dependent area under the curve was highest for the multi-modal artificial intelligence biomarker for both 5-year distant metastasis (0.71), compared to PSA (0.56), Gleason score (0.61), T-stage (0.63), or number of high-risk features (0.64), and for 15-year prostate cancer-specific mortality (0.73):

Furthermore, the estimated 10-year distant metastasis rates for multi-modal artificial intelligence quartile 1 vs 4 were 8% vs 31%:

Dr. Seibert postulated as to what would the absolute risks look like in a modern cohort outside of clinical trials? And, how accurate can these predictions be made? Additional downstream effects of this data may be that we are able to, with artificial intelligence, eliminate the need for central review:

How robust is the multi-modal artificial intelligence model to inaccuracies in the clinical data inputs?

PSA dynamics?

Gleason score (with no central review)?

T-stage (with no central review)?

With regards to the imagery data component, will all slides need to be submitted or only the ones with the worst pathology? Will MRI-guided biopsy sway multi-modal artificial intelligence results? Ultimately, Dr. Seibert emphasized that quantitative, objective, reproducible biomarkers will help us move away from over dependence on subjective expertise for diagnostics. Dr. Seiberts take-away points from this presentation by Dr. Spratt are as follows:

The multi-modal artificial intelligence refines prognosis within high-risk prostate cancer, which can be used to improve informed decision-making with each patient

Do the multi-modal artificial intelligence model and Decipher genomic classifier provide redundant versus complementary information?

Can we learn anything form pathology artificial intelligence features/phenotypes that could guide specific therapy choices?

Second, Dr. Seibert discussed Nguyen et al., specifically asking the question: how should we manage persistent disease after radical prostatectomy in the setting of high-risk features? Furthermore, who benefits from escalation with abiraterone acetate + prednisone + apalutamide? In this study, the overall cohort did not have a significant benefit by pre-specified threshold, and the pre-specified (and stratified) subgroup with PSA <= 0.5 ng/mL also did not benefit. Thus, Dr. Seibert notes that a single high-risk feature is not enough to prompt escalation. However, the pre-specified (and stratified) subgroup with a PSA > 0.5 ng/mL did benefit: for metastasis-free survival [HR 0.32 (90% CI 0.13-0.84), p=0.02 (2-sided); 3-year metastasis-free survival 66.1% bicalutamide vs. 84.3% abiraterone acetate + prednisone + apalutamide]:

Dr. Seibert questions whether a PSA > 0.5 ng/mL merely is an index of greater disease burden? Or is it a surrogate for more aggressive disease? If these patients had been treated before reaching a PSA of 0.51 ng/mL would they still have benefited from abiraterone acetate + prednisone + apalutamide. Importantly, the pre-specified (and stratified) subgroup of pN1 patients did not benefit from treatment intensification:

Perhaps, secondary to the large confidence intervals, the subgroup was underpowered. However, Dr. Seibert notes that early treatment failure was very common regardless of arm, thus this may suggest that 6 months of systemic therapy is too short for pN1 (even with abiraterone acetate + prednisone + apalutamide). If pN1 status really is not helpful for decision-making, we may need to examine the value of pelvic lymph node dissection (and optimal extent of pelvic lymph node dissection) in patients where post-op pelvic radiotherapy is likely needed. Dr. Seiberts take-away points from this presentation by Dr. Nguyen are as follows:

Escalation by 24 months has the strongest evidence today, specifically from the RADICALS-HD trial, with more than 1,500 men with 10-year follow-up

Intensification for six months is a very compelling concept, and we await long-term follow-up of FORMULA-509 and the pending PROSTATE-IQ trial

Presented by: Tyler M. Seibert, MD, PhD University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA

Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc  Urologic Oncologist, Assistant Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2023 Genitourinary (GU) American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, Thurs, Feb 16  Sat, Feb 18, 2023.
The United States' chip policies against China indicate it is waging a "chip war".

As early as 2019, the US Department of Commerce included Chinese private company Huawei and 70 affiliated companies on its Entity List over "national security concerns". Some blamed it on former US president Donald Trump's trade friction policy against China, but when the Democrats came to power the sanctions against Huawei were tightened; worse, they were extended to more Chinese companies.

Besides, many US lawmakers are calling for more sanctions against China, proof that the US wants to kill China's high-tech industry, a potential competitor, and revive its own high-tech sector.

However, it would be wrong to think that the US enjoys an advantage in the chip sector. According to a 2021 report of US-based Semiconductor Industry Association, the Chinese mainland accounts for 23 percent of the global production capability in chips over 45 nanometers in accuracy, while the US accounts for just 9 percent. Regarding the market with chips of 10 nanometers and more accuracy, Taiwan as part of China accounts for 92 percent while the Republic of Korea accounts for 8 percent.

Therefore, Taiwan's TSMC leads the world in high accuracy chips, and the Chinese mainland leads in consumption-level chips production. The US leads in production of chips with accuracy of between 10 and 22 nanometers, namely 43 percent of the global whole, while the Chinese mainland accounts for only 3 percent. That's why the US is pressurizing TSMC to open a new branch in Phoenix, Arizona.

For China, the solution lies in national reunification, so that the leading chip industry in Taiwan returns home. Before that happens, China needs to cultivate a group of excellent talents for innovation, and strengthen research and development and international cooperation. That is how China will ultimately win this "war".
President Joe Biden will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the suspected surveillance balloon that he ordered shot down this month, underscoring the tense relations between the two countries over an incident that has already disrupted lines of bilateral communication at the highest levels.

"I expect to be speaking with President Xi, and I hope  we are going to the bottom of this. But I make no apologies for taking down that balloon," Biden said during Thursday remarks outlining his administration's plans to deal with the spy balloon and three unidentified aerial objects that he recently ordered taken down.

While debris is still being collected and studied, the other three objects that U.S. fighter jets shot down with missiles  over Alaska last Friday, over Canadian airspace near Alaska in coordination with the government in Ottawa on Saturday and over Michigan on Sunday  are not thought to be related to China's or any other country's surveillance program, Biden said.

"The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects are most likely balloons tied with private companies, recreation or research institutions studying weather or conducting other scientific research," he said.

Biden said the incident "underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between our diplomats and military professionals" and reiterated that his administration is "not looking for a new Cold War" with China.

U.S.-China tensions have been high since the balloon entered U.S. airspace at the start of the month. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly called off his planned February 5 trip to Beijing. Just days later, the Pentagon said China refused a call from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Administration officials say the device was part of an international "high-altitude balloon program for intelligence collection" by the Chinese People's Liberation Army that has flown over 40 countries. Beijing maintains that the balloon was a civilian airship used for meteorological research.

Balloon protocol

Biden laid out steps that he said his administration will take to "deal safely and effectively with the objects in our airspace," based on recommendations of an interagency team led by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Those steps include establishing an accessible and up-to-date inventory of unmanned, airborne objects above U.S. airspace; implementing measures to improve capacity to detect unmanned objects; and updating rules and regulations for launching and maintaining unmanned objects. The president is also tasking Blinken to lead an effort to help establish "common global norms" in this largely unregulated space.

Biden said his administration will determine classified parameters, to be shared with some members of Congress, on how the U.S. will deal with unmanned, unidentified airborne objects in the future, distinguishing those that pose a safety risk compared to benign ones.

"If any object presents a threat to the safety, security of the American people, I will take it down," he vowed.

In general, the U.S military intercepts all high-altitude aerial objects and engages those it cannot confirm as benign, Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, told VOA.

"The number of 'shootdowns' will drop significantly once NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and the White House have confidence in a protocol that separates the benign from the concerning and threatening contacts. Until then, NORAD will continue to intercept them all and down those whose status is uncertain," he said.

Biden is under intense pressure from Republican lawmakers who are demanding more transparency on how his administration plans to deal with such incidents in the future. On Tuesday, the administration provided lawmakers with a classified briefing on the flying objects.

"We witnessed last week the president basically watching the balloon go all across America, had very little to say about it at the time, only passing reference to the episode in the State of the Union," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters following the briefing. "The American people deserve to hear more from the president."

Dan Garrett, a former senior intelligence analyst at the U.S. Department of Defense, told VOA that Washington needs to significantly increase its counterintelligence resources to counter Chinese intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

"And just as [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war on Ukraine is the message, China's surveillance balloon flight over the United States is also the message: The U.S. and the West are no longer safe. Challenge or defy us [Beijing and Moscow,] and you will pay a price. And lastly, we can reach and touch you at will," he said.

VOA congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson and VOA Mandarin Service reporter Xiaoshan Xue contributed to this report.
Chinas commerce ministry announced Thursday that it was imposing sanctions on two U.S. defense companies for selling arms to Taiwan, banning them from moving goods into China or making any new investments in the nation.

The action was taken a little more than a week after China promised countermeasures in response to the U.S military shoot-down of what's believed to have been a spy balloon that flew over the much of the U.S.

In a statement, Chinas commerce ministry said Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.s Raytheon Missiles and Defense Division were prohibited from "engaging in import and export activities related to China" or making any new investments there.

Both defense companies are prohibited by U.S. law from selling weapons-related technology to China, but some U.S. military contractors conduct other non-weapons-related business in the country.

The statement said China also imposed fines on the companies totaling twice the value of their Taiwan contracts, and their executives are barred from working in China. It is unclear how China would enforce the fines.

The companies were also added to the unreliable entity list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests. There was no mention in the statement of the balloon incident.

China has previously tried to impose sanctions on nations and businesses that sold arms to Taiwan, which China views as a breakaway province.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war. The island of 22 million people never has been part of the Peoples Republic of China, but the Communist Party says it is obliged to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Russian forces attacked Ukraine with missiles Thursday, hitting targets across the country, killing at least one person and wounding seven others.

Ukrainian officials said Ukraines air defenses shot down 16 of 36 Russian missiles, a lower success rate than in some previous waves of attacks.

Ukraine said the latest round of attacks came with a new Russian strategy, with Moscows forces deploying what Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, described as "active reconnaissance" and "false targets."

Russian troops launched balloons with corner reflectors to deceive Ukraine's air defense systems, said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

"This indicates that [the Russians] are preparing and not sleeping," Danilov said on Ukrainian TV, "and they are starting to use other methods."

One of the overnight strikes caused casualties and destroyed homes in the eastern city of Pavlohrad. The strike destroyed seven homes, damaged 30 others and sparked a fire at an industrial plant that emergency services put out within hours, one official said.

The latest round of Russian aerial attacks came as Norway approved a five-year aid package for Ukraine, totaling $7 billion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the move makes Norway and Ukraine stronger, and that Russia will not overcome the unity of all those that cherish freedom.

"Now you're setting a very important precedent for long-term financial support to a country that defends its independence and the right of every nation to live in accordance with generally recognized international norms, Zelenskyy told Norwegian lawmakers via video link.

In Washington, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation Thursday that would require Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization fighting for Moscow in Ukraine, as a terrorist organization.

There is no question that the Wagner Group has murdered journalists, kidnapped children, raped women, engaged in savage, barbarous conduct that gives new meaning to the word terrorists," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told reporters. Even though the group has already been sanctioned by the U.S. State Department, Blumenthal said that if passed, the new measure would provide tools for further sanctions.

Ukrainian officials have warned Russia may launch a new offensive as the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine approaches next week.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Wednesday he is confident Ukraine will thwart Russian attempts to retake the initiative.

UN resolution

A draft United Nations General Assembly resolution due to be voted on at a special session next week calls for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and a peace deal that ensures Ukraines sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The General Assembly is expected to approve the resolution when it meets February 23, the day before the one-year anniversary of the invasion.

The draft resolution calls on the United Nations and member states to support diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.

The measure also demands that Russia halt attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure and immediately withdraw all its military forces from Ukraine.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they do carry political weight as a show of world opinion.

Similar action in the U.N. Security Council, which would be legally binding, is not an option since Russia holds one of the five permanent seats with veto power.

The General Assembly has already approved a series of resolutions showing support for Ukraine and criticism of Russias military action.

Days after Russias invasion, the body voted 141-5 demanding an immediate cease-fire and for Russia to withdraw all its troops. Another resolution weeks later blamed Russia for a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and demanded access for aid.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday favorably portrayed the Kyiv governments chances of taking the initiative on the battlefield against Russian forces.

"I think they'll have a real good chance of making a pretty significant difference on the battlefield and establishing the initiative, Austin told reporters after a meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels. And being able to exploit that initiative going forward.

He said that as NATO countries prepare to ship munitions to Ukraine, the U.S.-led military alliance is intent on training troops on their use.

"We're laser-focused on making sure that we provide a capability and not just the platform," he said.

Austin disparaged Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscows battlefield performance, saying on Twitter, Nearly a year since Putins reckless war of choice  things havent gone the way that the Kremlin planned. NATO is more unified and more resolute than ever.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. National Security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
A South African court this week seized a superyacht and two properties of Equatorial Guinea's vice president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. The property is expected to be auctioned to pay a South African businessman who sued him for wrongful arrest and torture after an airline deal went wrong. The vice president is also the son and presumed successor Equatorial Guineas president, Teodoro Obiang, who rules the country with an iron fist.

South African businessman Daniel Janse van Rensburg says he welcomes the seizure of the yacht and properties.

He says the case has been going on in South Africa since 2016, adding that with every ruling, Vice President Obiang, also known as Teodorin, files an appeal.

It all began more than a decade ago, when Janse van Resnburg says he was asked by Gabriel Angabi, then mayor of Equatorial Guineas capital city, to set up a private airline for the central African nation. Janse van Rensburg says he worked on the deal for two years but in 2013 Angabi called it off and said he wanted his money back.

And that is when he phoned Teodorin junior, he was at that time the minister of security and in charge of the jail. So, he got authorization from him to put me into Black Beach, he said.

That is the name of the jail in Equatorial Guinea where the South African spent nearly two years. He explains why he sued Vice President Obiang and not Angabi.

Because he was responsible for having me put into jail and keeping me there as well," he said. "You know we have documentation from the South African embassy in Malabo to prove this, that they asked him a few times to speak to him, to ask him to look at this and to set me free and he always kept on refusing.

Rensburg has published a book about life in prison called Black Beach. He says the prison was overcrowded, filthy and a breeding ground for diseases.

He put women and children in there. There was a little boy of 11 years that was in there for stealing just a mango. It was just by the grace of God that I actually did survive. You know theres some really horrific things that happen there: torture and abuse, sexual abuse, he said.

Eventually, the lawyer of a fellow inmate got Rensburg out.

He came home to South Africa and opened the case in 2016. Although Obiangs lawyers are trying to block the auction of the properties and the superyacht, Rensburg says he hopes this is the end.

Security Expert Willem Els explains that Obiang junior, 54, has been on the wrong side of the law in several countries like the United States, France, Britain and Switzerland.

Els says his lavish lifestyle catches the attention of financial intelligence units who look for signs of money laundering and proceeds from illegal activities.

What we talking about is the looting of the resources of the country. You know if you go to Equatorial Guinea its one of the poorest countries in Africa even though theyve got all these resources. So that means that the wealth of the oil, the revenue that is coming into the country is not channeled and used for the benefit of the country but rather for the political elite, he said.

Equatorial Guinea's government has not yet commented on the seizure of the vice presidents properties. When VOA called the countrys embassy in Pretoria Thursday, no one answered.
The mainstream US media outlets have maintained a studied silence on the claim by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh that the United States sabotaged the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September with the assistance of Norway.

Were it not for the Russian State Duma proposing on Tuesday that Russia appeal to the United Nations to organize a joint probe into the intentional destruction of a key international civilian energy infrastructure, Hersh's report would perhaps have been destined to be like a pebble disappearing into the depths of the ocean.

Although Sweden, Germany and Denmark have all conducted their own investigations into the explosions that damaged the pipelines  which precipitated an acute energy shortage in some European countries, prompting them to turn to natural gas supplies from the US and Norway  the findings of these investigations have, for no given reason, not been revealed. Even though experts from different countries say that it is not particularly difficult to obtain first-hand evidence, as the Baltic Sea is relatively shallow, with an average depth of only about 55 meters.

Had these investigations found Russia responsible, as the US and many European countries were quick to claim at the time, the findings would have been swiftly forthcoming with great fanfare.

It takes scrupulous planning, advanced equipment, professional personnel and a careful cover-up to get away with blasting three pipelines almost at the same time, while leaving the other one intact, and the US has an extensive track record of covert operations against the infrastructure of other countries.

Hersh, meanwhile, has an extensive track record of breaking big stories about the dirty deeds of various US administrations, dating back to his disclosure of the My Lai massacre of South Vietnamese villagers by US troops in 1969. His latest report gave a convincing account of how a mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22 provided a golden opportunity for the laying of remotely triggered explosives that destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines three months later.

Hersh's credible account has not been refuted in any substantive way. The White House has simply tried to brush aside Hersh's claim by dismissing it as "utterly false and complete fiction", as has Oslo. But Hersh's report stands up to scrutiny and his claim is not so easily brushed aside.

But even if an international investigation is carried out and determines the US was responsible, the sabotage will still have achieved all its intended objectives, strategically and financially. After all, the purpose was to teach Russia a lesson about the vulnerability of its energy trade and make it a pain point enabling the US to strengthen its control over Europe.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made a symbolic gesture of telling the world his regime would continue into the next generation by presenting his daughter at a series of major military events featuring top generals and the latest military hardware, said experts.

Ju Ae, believed to be about 10 years old, was seen on two consecutive nights during celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the founding the Korean Peoples Army (KPA).

North Korean state media showed Ju Ae alongside Kim and her mother, Ri Sol Ju, on a brightly lit review stand in Kim Il Sung Square on the night of Feb. 8 attending a military parade that featured 11 Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

The night before, Ju Ae sat between her parents at a lavish banquet attended by high-ranking military generals.

Analysts believe Kim brought his daughter to the events to let the world know his military achievements will be transferred to successive generations to ensure the survival of his regime for years to come.

Paektu bloodline

Kim is showing the perpetuity of the Mount Paektu bloodline, said Du Hyeogn Cha, principal fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

He is emphasizing the three-generational leadership which passed down from Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il and then to himself will now continue on to the fourth generation and last forever.

The Kim dynasty associates itself with Mount Paektu, the mystical origin place of all Korean people because it is where the spiritual founder of Dangun, the human son of a god and a bear, was said to have been born in 2333 BCE. The revered mountain straddles the border between North Korea and China.

The North Korean regime claims that Kims grandfather and founder of the country, Kim Il Sung, and his father, Kim Jong Il, were born on the mountain as a part of propaganda narrative created to mythologize the Kim family even though Kim Il Sung was born in Pyongyang, and his son Jong Il was born in Khabarovsk, Russia.

Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership at the Stimson Center, said, Its a message that the Kim family leadership is going to stay in place and that its going to move to the fourth generation. He continued to say Ju Aes emergence signals she is going to be a part of the fourth generation of leadership.

Madden said Kim is trying to attach weapons he developed to the fourth generation of leadership, passing down his legacy of refining the ICBMs he launched last year.

If not to signal Kim has a successor, Jong-Dae Shin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said, North Korea is trying to gain attention of the world by presenting the images of the girl and the missiles.

The greatest effect North Korea made by showing Ju Ae at military events was attracting foreign and domestic attention, Shin said.

Internationally, North Korea is being forgotten amid the war in Ukraine and U.S.-China competition, Shin told VOA Korean. Domestically, the regime wants to brush up its image with high-tech science used to develop ICBMs to demonstrate its military prowess that would give hope to young generations as North Korea has nothing to show for itself economically, Shin added.

Hereditary successor

Kim introduced Ju Ae to the public on Nov. 18, a little girl standing in front of a gigantic Hwasong-17 ICBM at a launch site. North Korea said its strategic forces successfully test-fired a new type of ICBM under the supervision of Kim.

She emerged again on New Years Day touring a ballistic missile factory holding her fathers hand.

Ju Ae has now made five public appearances, fueling speculation that Kim is positioning her to be his heir apparent.

Seong-Chang Cheong, director at the Sejong Institutes Department of Reunification Strategy Studies, said referencing Ju Ae as Kims beloved and respected daughter by the state media indicates Kim has decided to make the youngster his successor.

These expressions are used to describe current supreme leader Kim Jong Un, Cheong said. Using such words to refer to Ju Ae means she is already decided as the next leader.

Cheong said Kims father had introduced him as his successor to his close aides attending Kims eighth birthday party while people sang Footsteps, a song about Kim following the path of his father while they are "marching" after Kim into "a brilliant future." Cheong said he heard about the event from Kim Jong Uns uncle in Washington in March 2021.

Kims uncle Ri Kang, who was married to Goh Yong Suk, the sister of Kims mother, defected from North Korea with his wife and fled to the U.S. in 1998.

Ken Gause, a North Korean leadership expert and the director of Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Division Special Projects at CNA, said it is still too early to tell whether Ju Ae is being primed to inherit Kims regime.

Ju Aes frequent public appearances at military events may be in some ways tied to a succession process, but we do not have enough information now to make that call, Gause said.

However, he continued, if Kim has in fact picked Ju Ae to be the fourth hereditary successor, he has chosen to start the preparation early to ensure the girl has the background to oversee the military if she becomes North Koreas first female leader.

The military is the one entity that really has to be brought on board more so than any other elements of the regime, Gause said. Given that Kim is in a situation where his only legitimacy exists around the nuclear program  because he cant get the economy going  it makes sense that he would be tying her to the military in this way.

North Korea has been suffering food shortages after its borders, closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 since January 2020, are not yet fully reopened. South Koreas Unification Ministry said on Wednesday the food situation is worsening.

Little girl, big missiles

Won Gon Park, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, does not think Ju Ae was selected as a leader.

The regime has not taken steps such as mystifying and idolizing a successor that normally precedes introducing a leader, Park said. North Korea is showing Kim Ju Ae to symbolically present a bright image of the subsequent generations.

Whether Ju Ae was being raised up to be the next leader, Madden said there is the possibility that Kim is training her to hate the U.S. and South Korea that the regime considers as its adversaries.

Its definitely interesting to have a child next to all these things that she doesnt necessarily know what the implication of an ICBM is for and what they actually can do, he said. She doesnt know that that could kill millions of people potentially.
For the past year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has waged a struggle against what he sees as a left-wing bias in educational institutions in the United States. This week, he escalated the conflict, suggesting he might block popular Advanced Placement (AP) courses from being offered in Florida high schools.

The remarks came just a few days after the nonprofit College Board, which sets the curricula for the dozens of AP courses offered across the country, criticized DeSantis and his administration for blocking the rollout of a pilot AP course on African American history.



DeSantis is widely expected to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, challenging former President Donald Trump and other contenders. Engaging in public battles with cultural institutions perceived by many conservatives as biased against them is keeping DeSantis name in the news, even though he has not officially announced his candidacy.



The only announced candidates, Trump and Republican former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, have both signaled that they, too, will make culture war politics part of their campaigns. This suggests that in the 17 months leading up to the Republican nominating convention in July 2024, American educational institutions can expect to be in the candidates crosshairs.

Haley and Trump

Haley, who officially announced her candidacy with a launch event on Wednesday, had already signaled her interest in wading into the education debates.



In a video released earlier in the week, she took aim at the 1619 Project, a program aimed at a broad rethinking of U.S. history with a focus on the effects of hundreds of years of slavery. The project, which has created curricula for high school students, has drawn the ire of conservatives.



In her video, with an image of the 1619 Projects logo on screen, Haley says, Some look at our past as evidence that America's founding principles are bad. They say the promise of freedom is just made up. Some think our ideas are not just wrong, but racist and evil. Nothing could be further from the truth.



In his first campaign event of the new year, Trump promised to fight indoctrination in U.S. schools. He also vowed to cut funding to schools that promote a leftist agenda. Its not a topic that the former president had commonly addressed in the past, suggesting that he believes its going to be necessary for him to add it to the mix as he hits the campaign trail for 2024.



Series of fights

DeSantis tussle with the College Board is the latest in a series of his high-profile moves to challenge the existing educational system in Florida.



Last month, he took the controversial step of removing nearly half of the trustees at New College of Florida, a small, liberal arts institution in Sarasota that DeSantis accused of being biased against conservatives. He replaced the board members with conservatives tasked with turning the school into a beacon of conservative thought and principles.



Last year, DeSantis signed two bills aimed at elementary and high school education in Florida.



The Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the Dont Say Gay bill, restricted the ability of public school teachers in Florida to discuss LGBTQ issues in class. It led some schools to temporarily close their libraries for fear that some books might be found to be in violation of the law.



The Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act took aim at instruction in schools and workplace training programs. Specifically, it targeted the teaching of topics such as the enslavement of Black Americans prior to the Civil War, and the suppression of their rights in southern states during the Jim Crow era.

Among other things, DeSantis and the bills supporters said it was meant to fight off woke indoctrination of students and to eradicate critical race theory, a more than 40-year-old academic concept that says racism is embedded in the U.S. legal system. CRT has become a catchall phrase among conservatives for curricula that point out racial disparities in the country.



AP controversy

AP courses, which allow high school students to earn college credits, are taught in public schools across the country. But the curricula for each of the dozens of different classes are developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization that also administers well-known standardized tests, including the SAT for college and university entrance.



In 2021, the last year for which full data is available, 1.2 million U.S. public high school graduates  more than one in three  took at least one AP exam. A sufficiently high score on an AP exam is accepted as course credit by many colleges and universities, which can lower the costs of earning a college degree.



DeSantis fight with the College Board began last month, when the organization released a preliminary guide for a pilot program offering an AP course in African American history. The course covered a wide variety of issues, but included units on critical race theory, queer theory, and other issues to which DeSantis objected.



AP African American history

DeSantis also called into question the need for an African American history course, saying that state law mandates that African American history be taught as part of broader courses in U.S. history.



The Florida Department of Education released a statement saying it would bar public schools from using the curriculum, saying it is contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.



The College Board later released a significantly altered version of the curriculum that removed many of the units to which DeSantis had objected, earning it criticism for apparently giving in to the Florida governor.



The organization countered that the changes had already been under consideration and were not a capitulation to DeSantis. In a press release, it lashed out at the DeSantis administration, calling the Department of Educations assessment of the course a slander and claiming that administration officials had twisted facts in order to engineer a political win.



The College Board did not reply to a request for comment on this story.



DeSantis replies

Speaking at a news conference in Jacksonville, Florida, this week, DeSantis took aim at the College Board.



Who elected them? he asked. It's not clear to me that this particular operator is the one thats going to need to be used in the future.



He said he is in favor of high school students being able to earn college credit, but pointed out that there are a number of other programs that make that possible.

College credit? Yes. Having that available for everyone? Absolutely, DeSantis said. Does it have to be done by the College Board? Or can we utilize some of these other providers who I think have a really, really strong track record?



Supporters cheer

DeSantiss assault on the College Board in particular, and educational institutions in general, has delighted his supporters, Dan Backer, counsel for Ready for Ron, a political action committee supporting DeSantis for president, told VOA.



Ron DeSantis is right. The College Board is shirking its duty to educate young Americans, choosing instead to play the woke game and brainwash students with radical leftist propaganda, he said.



On educational issues more broadly, he said, Across America, parents and students deserve better, and Ron DeSantis knows it. He is once again showing what true leadership looks like, putting forth a common-sense education platform that prioritizes actual learning above all else  with no side helping of left-wing politics.



Education advocates troubled

Eric Duncan of The Education Trust told VOA that his nonprofit organization  which works to break down racial and economic barriers to education  views DeSantis actions in Florida as a troubling reflection of a broader national trend toward stifling discussion of ugly parts of U.S. history.



This is just part and parcel of that movement, said Duncan, who directs the organizations policy on preschool through high school education. Our stance is really about trying to protect schools and classrooms from external attacks on the teaching of honest history and of conversations that are reflective of perspectives of different cultures and racial backgrounds."



He added, We need safe, supportive classrooms for students of color. Any efforts to censor the teaching of honest history is antithetical to that.
The resignation of a pope should not become the norm within the Catholic Church, and that prospect is not "on my agenda", Pope Francis said in an interview published Thursday.

Francis acknowledged writing a resignation letter two months after becoming pope in 2013 in case of future health problems that would prevent him from carrying out his work.

"However, this does not at all mean that resigning popes should become, lets say, a 'fashion', a normal thing," said Francis, 86, in an interview in the magazine Civilta Cattolica.

The pope made the comments on February 2 during a question and answer session with 82 Jesuits as part of his recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Francis cited the surprise resignation in 2013 of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who "had the courage to do it because he did not feel up to continuing due to his health."

"I, for the moment, do not have that on my agenda. I believe that the pope's ministry is 'ad vitam'" (Latin for 'for life'), Francis said, adding that "historical tradition" was important.

Francis has previously acknowledged that he could step down should his health require it.

His recent health problems, including chronic knee pain that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair, have only fueled speculation he may resign at some point.

Francis made reference to that speculation in the interview.

"If, on the other hand, we are listening to the 'chatter,' well, then we should change popes every six months!" he said.
Caribbean leaders meet Thursday for the second of three days of talks in the Bahamas with a focus on the situation in Haiti, as well as regional health, food security, climate, trade and security issues.

As the meeting of CARICOM leaders opened Wednesday, Secretary-General Carla Barnett reiterated the preference for finding a Haiti-led solution to the countrys challenges.

Even as progress is being made on some fronts, CARICOM and indeed the wider international community continue to struggle to help Haiti resolve its multifaceted crises, Barnett said. We will continue our efforts to assist all stakeholders in Haiti to ensure a Haitian-owned resolution to the crises.

Barnett said the regions leaders will have to show the resilience and fortitude of the Haitian people in resolving regional challenges and improving the lives of people in the Caribbean community. She added that the goal is creating a safe, sustainable, prosperous and viable community for all.

In addition to leaders from CARICOMs 15 member states, representatives from other nations are also participating in the meeting, including Canada and the United States.

The office of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry tweeted Wednesday that he had an important work meeting with Brian Nichols, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.

The Associated Press reported Canadian officials were also part of talks with U.S. and Haitian officials about the situation in Haiti.

Advancing our shared priorities. Creating opportunities for people across Canada and the Caribbean. Addressing the situation in Haiti, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted late Wednesday about the agenda at the CARICOM talks, where he is participating.

Haiti has experienced a period of instability following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, with a rise in violence and the influence of armed gangs.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Thursday in a show of solidarity following last weeks earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria.

Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Stoltenberg told reporters that NATO stands with Turkey, a NATO member, in its time of need.

We salute the courage of the Turkish first responders and we mourn with you, Stoltenberg said.

He said the alliances focus now will be on reconstruction and supporting those displaced by the earthquake. Specific efforts he mentioned were setting up temporary housing and using NATO strategic airlift capabilities to bring in thousands of tents to Turkey.

In New York on Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the world to contribute to a $1 billion humanitarian relief fund for Turkey to cover earthquake assistance for 5.2 million people over the next three months.

Now is the time for the world to support the people of Turkey  just as they have stood in solidarity with others seeking assistance, Guterres said. The needs are enormous; people are suffering and theres no time to lose.

The Turkish government says more than 9 million people have been directly affected by the quake in 11 provinces.

Turkeys emergency management agency reported Thursday the countrys death toll rose to 36,187 people, with 108,000 others injured. The agency said more than 4,300 aftershocks have hit the area since the massive February 6 earthquake.

Meanwhile, more than 5,500 deaths have been confirmed in neighboring Syria, according to figures compiled by the United Nations humanitarian agency and Syrias state-run news agency.

Millions of people who survived the quake need humanitarian aid, authorities say, with many survivors left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures. Rescues are now few and far between.

With much of the region's sanitation infrastructure damaged or rendered inoperable by the earthquakes, health authorities are facing a daunting task in trying to ensure that people now remain disease-free.

In addition to the $1 billion the U.N. appealed for on Thursday for Turkey, the secretary-general has asked the international community to contribute nearly $400 million to the earthquake response in Syria. That would assist around 5 million people. The U.N. and NGO community already have an established aid infrastructure in Syria because of the 12-year-long civil war. This year, the U.N. has asked for $4.8 billion to go toward pre-earthquake needs.

Since the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed on Monday to allow the U.N. to use two additional crossing points from Turkey into opposition-held areas of the countrys northwest, aid has started rolling in.

On Thursday, 22 trucks from the World Food Program and the U.N. refugee agency entered the northwest through the Bab al-Hawa crossing point. An additional two trucks with tents from UNHCR came through the newly reopened Bab al-Salam crossing. In all, 141 supply trucks have reached the area, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake.

In northwest Syria, shelter needs are the top priority among displaced people, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. He said nearly 9,000 buildings have either been badly damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands homeless.

VOA's Turkish Service contributed to this report, as did U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer. Some information came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has extended by 60 days the deadline for older currency notes to remain legal tender following violent protests over a shortage of cash.

During a nationally televised address early Thursday, Buhari said the 200-naira note would be allowed back into circulation until April 10. The deadline was not extended for the old 500- and 1,000-naira notes.

Buhari said the decision followed consideration of the impact of the currency transition on citizens.

"I'm addressing you to identify with you and express my sympathy over the difficulties being experienced as we continue the implementation of new monetary policies," he said. "I'm not unaware of the obstacles placed on the path of innocent Nigerians by unscrupulous officials in the banking industry. I sincerely sympathize with you all over these unintended outcomes.

Buhari also pledged a crackdown on anyone trying to sabotage the process.

Nigerias central bank introduced a new currency late last year but only gave citizens a few weeks to exchange old bills for the new, sparking outrage.

Buhari maintained that the introduction of the new currency would strengthen the economy, fight insecurity and stifle illicit financial flows and money laundering.

Buhari said more than 80 percent of the $6 billion worth of the old bills formerly in circulation have been recalled so far.

Buhari also said the transition would hinder politicians trying to influence voters with cash gifts before and during the February 25 elections.

'Half bread is better than none'

Abuja resident Abubakar Ismail said he had hoped for better news from the president.

"They should've extended 1,000- and 500-, naira and leave the 200," he said. "Me, personally, I don't think this is a development, but half bread is better than none. The current situation, struggling, trying to get cash, people are not used to it. I don't think it's going to help with the current situation that we're facing now."

Nigeria began circulating the new 1000-, 500- and 200- naira bills in mid-December. The cash shortages have coincided with a shortage of fuel just ahead of the polls, causing heightened tensions.

On Wednesday, protests over the cash squeeze hit four Nigerian states including Edo, Kwara, Delta and Ibadan.

Angry protesters barricaded roads and attacked banks, burning and looting them.

Edo State Police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor told VOA via phone that the police shot and killed people who were believed to have hijacked the protests.

"The protests had been hijacked by hoodlums," Nwabuzor. "They took to the banks and destroyed the ATMs, even the building, shattered all the glasses and engaged the security forces in a gun duel. In order to repel the attack, unfortunately, two of the hoodlums were hit by bullets."

Nwabuzor said police have restored calm in the affected areas.

Currency concerns reach courts

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Supreme Court Wednesday adjourned by one week a case filed by three state governors to allow the old bills to remain in circulation longer.

During his speech, the president did not mention a court ruling last week in which authorities were asked to temporarily suspend their policies on the new currency.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund urged Nigerian authorities to extend the currency swap deadline.
Hundreds of discontented Chinese retirees protested on Wednesday because of cuts to their monthly medical allowances that are part of reforms to a complex public health care system strained by three years of pandemic-related expenses.

Social media posts show demonstrations erupted simultaneously in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people where the coronavirus was first identified in humans in late 2019, and Dalian in the northeast on Wednesday morning. In both cities, the protesters sang "The Internationale," the Marxist anthem. Some of the protesters chanted "Down with the reactionary government!"

VOA could not verify the authenticity of the social media content from the protests, during which several elderly demonstrators ended up on the ground after tussling with police.

The latest protests are pushing back against cuts first announced late last year and reflect a policy challenge familiar to many governments even before accounting for strains imposed by the pandemic: How to cover elder care costs while ensuring continued prosperity and care for everyone else.

Guangzhou was the scene of some of the first street protests last month in a nation where one-third of the population will be retirees in about 25 years, according to the 2020 census report by China's National Bureau of Statistics.

In one of China's health insurance systems, some money goes into individual accounts and some money goes into a centrally allocated fund to pay for medical claims. As COVID struck the elderly particularly hard, draining their personal accounts, the government slashed the amount going into the individual accounts and put that money into the common pool.

Since Wuhan officials began reforming the system on February 1, the cuts have been widespread. The monthly medical subsidy transferred to retirees' accounts has dropped by 70% from 286 renminbi (RMB) or roughly $42 to only 83 RMB or $12 and even the maximum funeral subsidy has been cut from roughly $10,250 to about $4,400.

A 60-year-old protester from Wuhan's Qingshan District told VOA Mandarin after the February 8 protest, "The purpose of the reform is to make people's lives better. The reform of medical care should move in the direction of free medical care for all. But what it is doing now is that it takes our money and reduces what we receive by more than 200" yuan or about $29. The RMB is China's official currency, and a yuan is a unit of the currency.

The demonstrator said that the protesters called on the authorities to restore the old system.

In response to the first protest, the Wuhan Municipal Medical Security Bureau issued a statement on February 9 saying, "After the reform, the scale of the centrally allocated fund will be larger, the ability to pay the claims of the insured employees will be stronger, and the protection for diseases will be more comprehensive."

Some protesters questioned why the reform didn't touch the benefits for civil servants. Calling the question a rumor, the city government said, "Their (the civil servants') benefits are often reduced the most." But the response didn't reveal how much the civil servants are being affected.

Guangdong, Shaanxi and Hunan provinces are also reforming their systems.

A 70-year-old man in Guangzhou who did not want to be named to avoid attracting official attention asked that VOA Mandarin use his alias, Guangzhou Uncle Ou. He said he suspects that the government's anti-COVID fight for three years has depleted the medical insurance fund, so it began to cut medical insurance subsidies.

"I used to get more than 400 (yuan) back (in my personal account), but now it is 160 (yuan)," Guangzhou Uncle Ou said. "I felt that it is really unreasonable." The more the medical insurance system was reformed the health care system, the worse it became, he said. "If you care about the people, the more reforms the better system. If the reforms made the system worse, then it is not called reform. That's called stealing our interests."

Guangzhou Uncle Ou said that he plans to hire a lawyer and file an administrative lawsuit, even though he knows his chance of winning the case is very slim.

Wu Shaoping, a former Beijing-based human rights lawyer now living in New York, said that while the current medical insurance system needs reform, local governments do not have the authority to unilaterally cut medical insurance benefits.

William Hsiao is the K.T. Li professor of economics emeritus in the Department of Health Policy and Management and Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He told VOA Mandarin that reforming the personal account system is the right thing to do because it is currently unfair.

"The principle of insurance is to prepare a centrally allocated fund, which pays for everyone's medical need [rich or poor]," he said.  "Some people are in good health, and they still pay the same money, but they will receive fewer benefits, and the health of the young is probably better than that of the old. This will unify the whole country. This is what it is like in the most advanced countries in the world."

He said that because the finances of China's medical system lack transparency, the public will inevitably question the system.

Huang Yanzhong, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA the medical insurance system should be reformed, but the Chinese government rolled out the reforms before explaining what it was doing.

"We can say it's a miscommunication problem," he said. "They didn't do enough preparation, for example, explaining to the public that it won't hurt the people's interests. But they didn't. Instead, they carried out the reform immediately. So, it caused misunderstanding by the public."
Michigan State Police said Thursday the suspect in this weeks Michigan State University shootings carried with him a note indicating he felt slighted by former co-workers and others, a possible clue to a motive for a shooting that left three students dead and five others injured at the college late Monday.

At a news briefing in East Lansing, Michigan State Police Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez told reporters the note carried by the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae, indicated McRae had some issues with other employees at a previous job where he had been asked to leave.

Gonzalez noted they were uncertain what prompted McRae to open fire in two academic buildings on the university campus and later at a nearby student union. McRae died later, about six kilometers off campus, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was confronted by police. He had no known connection to the university.

Gonzalez also said police had interviewed the suspects father, Michael McRae, who said his son had no friends and spent much of his time alone in his room.

Chris Rozman, Michigan State University interim deputy police chief, said investigators are going to consider the possibility the suspect suffered from mental illness, though he admitted that may be difficult to confirm after the fact.

Michigan State University Interim President Teresa Woodruff told reporters three students  a 20-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman  were killed in the shooting. She said five other students remained hospitalized in critical condition as of early Thursday.

Rozman said the names of the wounded were not being released out of respect for their families.

Woodruff said the academic building where two students died will remain closed for the remainder of the semester. She said the student union is still being evaluated.

Michigan State has about 50,000 students at its campus in East Lansing, located 145 kilometers northwest of Detroit.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
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More than 200 political prisoners from Nicaragua were freed in a surprise move by that countrys government on February 9, but dozens more remain incarcerated, including a Catholic bishop. Donaldo Hernandez has more in a report narrated by Veronica Villafane.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday the time is now to ratify both Finland and Sweden as new members of the alliance.

Speaking during a joint news conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Stoltenberg said the main issue is not whether the two countries are ratified together, but that their ratification comes as soon as possible.

Cavusoglu said Turkey could evaluate the two bids separately.

Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO members that have not ratified Finlands and Swedens accession in a process that must be unanimous.

Finland and Sweden applied to join following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year.

Turkey has expressed more reluctance about Sweden, accusing the government there of being too lenient toward groups that Turkey considers terror organizations.

Stoltenberg said Thursday that both Sweden and Finland have implemented policies that recognize the concerns that Turkey has expressed, and that terrorism would be a major topic at a NATO summit in July.

This is a Turkish decision, he said. Its the Turkish government, the Turkish parliament that decides on the issue of ratification.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
Visitors inquire about Vietnam's organic tea. (Photo: VNA)

The exhibitors at the fair have been showcasing ideas and innovations relating to organic products such as fresh, frozen and dried products as well as organic beverages with certified quality, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Products showcased at the Vietnamese pavilions included pepper, cashew nuts, cinnamon, herbs, coconut oil, coffee, and chilli that have been certified as meeting international organic standards.

Vietnamese Consul General in Frankfurt/Main Le Quang Long hoped that Vietnamese businesses would further study technical standards, especially in terms of branding, so that Vietnamese organic products can better penetrate the German and European markets. He also pledged to assist Vietnamese enterprises in connecting with partners in the country.

Tran Ngoc Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), said Vietnams organic agricultural production is developing strongly with export turnover reaching 335 million USD a year. The European market is the biggest importer of Vietnamese organic products.

This is the sixth consecutive year Vietnamese enterprises have attended the annual fair, which offered an opportunity for enterprises to exchange views on business opportunities, seek partners and expand markets.

Vietnam an attractive spot for startups: Bloomberg

Bloomberg on February 14 published an article Silicon Valley talent is helping grow Vietnams startup hub, quoting founders opinion that an abundance of inexpensive engineers coupled with a fast-growing economy makes Vietnam an attractive spot for startups, reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

The article cites a report published in July 2022 by KPMG International Ltd and HSBC Holdings Plc which states that the number of startups in the country nearly doubled from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to mid-2022.

Some of the worlds largest investors including Sequoia Capital, Warburg Pincus LLC, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd are backing startups offering promising solutions.

Vietnam an attractive spot for startups - Photo for illustration (Source: mic.gov.vn)

According to data from Google, Temasek Holdings Pte., and Bain & Co, in 2021, Vietnam drew a record 2.6 billion USD through 233 private deals, up from 700 million USD via 140 deals of the previous year.

According to investment firm Do Ventures, local startups are also competing against businesses from throughout Southeast Asia. Investment in startups in Vietnam accounts for 13% of the total venture funding flows into the region after Indonesia and Singapore in 2021.

Bloombergs article also mentions the Vietnamese Government aims to turn Ho Chi Minh City into a magnet for tech funding and is striving to grow its digital economy which is expected to represent 40% of the southern citys gross domestic product.

The citys authorities thus prioritise attracting foreign investment to high-tech projects, while also offering other incentives to lure global talent and international firms to establish innovation research centres.

Experts said that Ho Chi Minh City has factors to make it the next Silicon Valley including a heavy math and science educational system, a decades-old software outsourcing industry thats created an abundance of inexpensive and talented engineers, and the benefits of Vietnams 2021 economic growth - one of the fastest across Asia.

Vietnam becomes favourite destination for RoK, Japanese and Chinas Taiwanese tourists

Destinations in Asia, including Vietnam, are always on the favourite list of visitors from the Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan and Taiwan (China). Specifically, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam ranked second in the top destinations for RoK tourists, just behind Japan, said the Nhan Dan newspaper.

Nha Trang is one of the favourite destinations for RoK tourists (Photo: NDO)

The information was mentioned in a report on international tourism trends of the RoK, Japan and Taiwan (China) conducted by The Outbox Company, a tourism market research company. The report, published on February 14, provided data and information on the behaviour and psychology of tourists from three aforementioned markets when travelling abroad.

According to The Outbox Company, the RoK, Japan and Taiwan (China) are three of the markets with large numbers of visitors to Vietnam that saw continuous increases in the 2015-2019 period.

The RoK, Japan and Taiwan (China) are among the top markets with the highest number of tourists travelling abroad. The RoK sees the largest number of visitors travelling abroad, followed by Japan and Taiwan (China).

More than 28.7 million RoK people travelled abroad in 2019, 4.3 million of which chose to visit Vietnam. Before the pandemic, the S-shaped country ranked second in the top destinations for RoK tourists in 2019, just behind Japan. This is thanks to the expansion of flight routes, favourable geographical distance, and suitable travel costs.

Another common feature of the three markets is the high level of outbound tourism spending with an average increase of about 7% per year.

Hoi An ancient town (Photo: VOV)

While the RoK tourists are very focused on staying, Japanese tourists want to have moments and experiences worth their spending and Taiwanese tourists are especially interested in means of transport.

The Outbox Company also pointed out that tourists from these three markets have a relatively low level of awareness about the image of Vietnam. This suggests they do not really understand and have a strong impression of Vietnam.

Therefore, The Outbox Company hopes that the report can help businesses and destinations in Vietnam come up with new approaches to attract RoK, Japanese and Taiwanese tourists.

Star anise exports to China expand by over 65%

Vietnam exported 3,513 tonnes of star anise to the Chinese market last year, representing a rise of 65.6% compared to 2021s figures, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the information of the Vietnam Pepper Association.

Although star anise exports to India, a major market for the fruit, decreased sharply by 30.8% compared to 2021, the countrys export volume of star anise decreased by only 12.2% in total, while export turnover surged by 36.7% to US$72.9 million.

Star anise exports to China expand by over 65% (Photo: VOV)

Currently, India remains the main consumer of Vietnamese star anise, accounting for 41.3% of the total volume, followed by China.

Furthermore, the United States and the Netherlands also represent major export markets of Vietnamese star anise with 846 tonnes and 673 tonnes, respectively.

At present, there are several markets that have great demand for importing star anise, including India, Singapore, Bangladesh, the Middle East, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), the US, and the EU. These countries have imported star anise mainly for use as a spice to cook dishes./.
Dozens of journalists and rights activists protested in the Tunisian capital on Thursday, accusing the state of "repression" and attempts to intimidate the media.

The protest, organized by the SNJT journalists' union, came three days after police arrested Noureddine Boutar, the director of popular private radio station Mosaique FM.

The station has often been critical of President Kais Saied, who in 2021 sacked the government, froze parliament and seized almost total power in moves that rivals have called a coup.

The demonstrators gathered outside government headquarters in Tunis, some wearing red tape across their mouths, while others shouted, "No to repression of journalists" and "We demand an independent free press."

"The authorities want to bring both private and public media into line, and [Boutar's] arrest is an attempt to intimidate the whole sector," SNJT director Mahdi Jlassi said at Thursday's protest, which had been organized prior to Boutar's arrest.

Police deployed heavily to prevent the demonstrators from gathering directly in front of the prime minister's office.

Boutar is one of 10 public figures arrested since Saturday  mainly critics of Saied, including members of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Since Saied's power grab, several high-profile critics of the Tunisian leader have faced trial in military courts. The latest wave of detentions has sparked fears, though, the president is escalating against his opponents in the crisis-hit birthplace of the 2011 Arab uprisings.

Boutar's lawyers said he had appeared before a judge whose questioning focused Mosaique FM's editorial line and criteria for choosing commentators.

Journalists' union chief Jlassi said authorities were "irked by the content of Mosaique FM's programs, but this repression will not affect the will of journalists to defend their freedom."

The demonstration came a day after Tunisia's main opposition coalition said the arrests were "violent and legally baseless."

The powerful UGTT trade union federation said Saied's government was trying to "snuff out every independent or opposition voice" by targeting the media.

It called on unions to "mobilize and prepare to defend the rights of Tunisians".

The United States on Wednesday said it was "deeply concerned" by the spate of arrests.

"We respect the aspirations of the Tunisian people for an independent and transparent judiciary that is able to protect fundamental freedoms for all," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
A top U.S. law enforcement official on Thursday unveiled a new "disruptive technology strike force" tasked with safeguarding American technology from foreign adversaries and other national security threats.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the No. 2 U.S. Justice Department official, made the announcement at a speech in London at Chatham House. The initiative, Monaco said, will be a joint effort between her department and the U.S. Commerce Department, with a goal of blocking adversaries from "trying to siphon our best technology."

Monaco also addressed concerns about Chinese-owned video sharing app TikTok.

The U.S. government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a powerful national security body, in 2020 ordered Chinese company ByteDance to divest TikTok because of fears that user data could be passed on to China's government. The divestment has not taken place.

The committee and TikTok have been in talks for more than two years aiming to reach a national security agreement.

"I will note I don't use TikTok, and I would not advise anybody to do so because of these concerns. The bottom line is China has been quite clear that they are trying to mold and put forward the use and norms around technologies that advance their privileges, their interests," Monaco said.

The Justice Department in recent years has increasingly focused its efforts on bringing criminal cases to protect corporate intellectual property, U.S. supply chains and private data about Americans from foreign adversaries, either through cyberattacks, theft or sanctions evasion.

U.S. law enforcement officials have said that China by far remains the biggest threat to America's technological innovation and economic security, a view that Monaco reiterated on Thursday.

"China's doctrine of 'civil-military fusion' means that any advance by a Chinese company with military application must be shared with the state," Monaco said. "So if a company operating in China collects your data, it is a good bet that the Chinese government is accessing it."

Under former President Donald Trump's administration, the Justice Department created a China initiative tasked with combating Chinese espionage and intellectual property theft.

President Joe Biden's Justice Department later scrapped the name and re-focused the initiative amid criticism it was fueling racism by targeting professors at U.S. universities over whether they disclosed financial ties to China.

The department did not back away from continuing to pursue national security cases involving China and its alleged efforts to steal intellectual property or other American data.

The Commerce Department last year imposed new export controls on advanced computing and semiconductor components in a maneuver designed to prevent China from acquiring certain chips.

Monaco said on Thursday that the United States "must also pay attention to how our adversaries can use private investments in their companies to develop the most sensitive technologies, to fuel their drive for a military and national security edge."

She noted that the Biden administration is "exploring how to monitor the flow of private capital in critical sectors" to ensure it "doesn't provide our adversaries with a national security advantage."

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers last year called on Biden to issue an executive order to boost oversight of investments by U.S. companies and individuals in China and other countries.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, still recovering from a stroke, has checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to seek treatment for clinical depression, his office said Thursday.

Fetterman, who has struggled with the aftereffects of a stroke he suffered last May, checked himself in Wednesday night, it said.

"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," his chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, said in a statement.

Fetterman was evaluated on Monday by the attending physician of Congress, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, who recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed, Jentleson said.

"John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis," Jentleson said. "After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs and will soon be back to himself."

Fetterman, 53, is in his first weeks as a U.S. senator after winning the seat held by now-retired Republican Pat Toomey in a hard-fought contest against Republican nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Fetterman overcame a stroke days before last May's primary election and spent the last five months on the campaign trail recovering from the stroke.

Last week, Fetterman stayed two days in George Washington University Hospital, checking himself in after becoming lightheaded. Fetterman's office has said tests found no evidence of a new stroke or a seizure.

He continues to suffer the aftereffects of the stroke, in particular auditory processing disorder, which can render someone unable to speak fluidly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.

The stroke nearly killed him, he has said.

Fetterman 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.
The United States is concerned about the expansion of Russias nuclear cooperation with the military-led government in Myanmar  also known as Burma  the U.S. State Department said this week.

We are deeply concerned with  but not surprised by  Russias willingness to expand its material support, including through nuclear energy cooperation, to the repressive regime in Burma (Myanmar), the State Department said in an emailed statement to VOA on Tuesday. Russias actions are prolonging a crisis that threatens our efforts to advance peace and prosperity with our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Russias State Atomic Energy Corporation, known as ROSATOM, and the Myanmar junta signed the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy on February 6.

This agreement is for the cooperation, not only for the small nuclear power plant, but also the applications of nuclear technology in multiple sectors, and it will enhance the socioeconomic development of the country," said junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in a signing ceremony last Monday at the newly opened Nuclear Technology Information Center in Yangon, Myanmars largest city.

The two countries cooperation on nuclear energy begins a new chapter in the history of Russian-Myanmar relations, ROSATOM Director General Alexey Likhachev said during the signing ceremony. The creation of a new industry in the country will undoubtedly benefit the energy sector, industry and the economy of Myanmar.

Cooperation after coup

After the February 2021 coup, military-ruled Myanmar rapidly increased nuclear cooperation with Russia. A spokesperson for the Myanmar junta, Major General Zaw Min Tun, confirmed to VOA last Friday that Myanmar would build a small-scale nuclear reactor with Russias assistance.

Zaw Min Tun told VOA Burmese by phone that the juntas nuclear experts are looking for suitable places in the country to build a small-scale nuclear reactor together with Russian nuclear experts.

The feasibility studies will be conducted in several places across the country to build a nuclear reactor. We havent chosen a place yet, he said. We will do it in the best location with the most favorable and safest environment in order to minimize danger.

Last September, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia to attend the Eastern Economic Forum and agreed with Russia on a road map for nuclear cooperation, including the possibility of implementing a small modular reactor project in Myanmar.

The statement by ROSATOM declared that the road map would guide cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy for 2022-23. In addition, experts from both countries would conduct studies about the possible construction of a light-water moderated nuclear reactor in Myanmar.

After 1999, the previous junta in Myanmar began negotiations with Russia on a nuclear reactor project, confirming their plans in January 2002 to build a nuclear research reactor for peaceful purposes.

Past nuclear pursuits

Myanmar, however, has been suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program in the past.

VOA sought comment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), asking if the Myanmar juntas plan for the nuclear reactor would be in accordance with the IAEAs Additional Protocol. The IAEA has not yet responded.

Myanmar signed a key nuclear nonproliferation agreement, known as the Additional Protocol, with the IAEA in 2013. According to the agreement, the IAEA can expand its access to information and sites related to the countrys nuclear activities.

However, international analysts have concerns that Myanmar lacks the necessary regulatory and management systems to operate a nuclear power facility safely.

In this type of reactor (a light-water moderated nuclear reactor), after some time, leaking can become a problem if proper maintenance is strictly required," Myanmar scientist Khin Maung Maung, a professor of physics at the University of Southern Mississippi, said in a statement to VOA. "Here proper maintenance is the key idea. As far as I am aware, there is not a single factory in Myanmar that enjoys this privilege.

There is no doubt that they (the military leaders) have the ambition and desire to own nuclear arsenals," he said, "and acquiring nuclear reactors, no matter how small, is definitely a step in that direction.

ROSATOM previously said it would supply 10 metric tons of enriched uranium fuel to Myanmar, which, according to scientist Khin Maung Maung, is enough to build a nuclear weapon. Though the country doesnt have the technical ability to convert the uranium to weapons-grade material, it could potentially use it in a dirty bomb scenario.

With this much fuel in hand, they do not even need to enrich or build a proper weapon," he said. "But one must be careful and think through all possibilities when dealing with [the] Burmese military.

Russians visit Myanmar

Last December, a Russian delegation composed of around a dozen senior military officers  led by Colonel-General Kim Alexey Rostislavovich  visited Myanmar. According to the Myanmar state media, the two sides focused on cooperation regarding defense and counterterrorism between the two militaries, saying this would contribute to regional and global peace.

Russia, however, has threatened global peace by invading Ukraine, while Myanmars military has removed the democratic system in the Southeast Asian country by staging a coup and bloody crackdown on civilians.

According to the State Department, many credible reports show that Russia is providing the Myanmar military with weapons that enable it to perpetuate violence, atrocities and human rights abuses against the people of Burma.

Russias backing for the regime is also undermining stability in the broader region, the State Department said in a statement to VOA on Tuesday. The United States will continue working with the international community to promote accountability for the coup and all those responsible for the horrific violence, including those who support and arm the military regime.

VOAs Burmese Service contributed to this report.
Cameroon's military has released about 30 youths it detained as suspected rebels after a protest by several hundred women, including mothers of those detained. The women from the Southwestern town of Ekona also accused Cameroon's military of committing abuses in the region, which it denies.

In a video posted on social media, several hundred women celebrated on the streets of Buea Wednesday after Cameroons military released 30 young men, most of them students.

The military said the youths were detained during raids a week ago in the Southwest town of Ekona, where separatist fighters were hiding.

The women protested after the military stopped family members from visiting the youths in detention and chased away those who brought them food.

Speaking to VOA from Buea via messaging app, 33-year-old Akah Judith said the women will protest on the streets again if abuses continue.

"Although they have released our children, who were arrested unjustly and unjustifiable, we will continue fighting for our rights to be respected, she said. We will be here again should the military continue intimidating us, harassing us, and beating us. We have suffered a lot from these crises and want peace."

The one-day street protest saw officials, clerics, and traditional rulers plead with the women to return home.

But the women refused to stop until the youth were released, later that day.

They also cited military abuses as rampant in Ekona, including intimidation, extortion, arbitrary detention, and torture.

Esther Njomo Omam, director of the Buea-based aid group Reach Out Cameroon, speaking via messaging app from Buea, said the women were also angry after a 20-year-old Ekona resident, Felix Obini, was reported killed Monday by the military.

"The women from Ekona came marching peacefully but angry that women have been bearing the brunt of this conflict, she said. They are the ones who have been burying their children, their husbands. They are the ones who are suffering all forms of ills as a result of the crisis."

Local officials and Cameroons military refused to comment on the alleged killing of Obini and other alleged abuses, on Wednesdays protest, or the release of the detained youth.

Cameron's military denies its troops fighting separatists commit atrocities but has on very rare occasions prosecuted troops for abuse.

The government says the military will protect civilians and asks them to report suspected rebels hiding in their communities.

Cameroons military has since 2017 been battling separatists fighting to carve out an independent, English-speaking state from Cameroon and its French-speaking majority.

Rights groups accuse both the military and rebels of abusing civilians in the conflict, including rapes, torture, abductions, and killings.

The U.N. says at least 3,500 people have been killed and more than 750,000 displaced in the six-year conflict, most of them women and children.
Ezra Tshisa Sibanda

BULAWAYO: A 53-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Tholiwe Moyo, says she escaped from the jaws of a crocodile in Kana River, Matabeleland North, by punching its nose while appealing for divine intervention.

The woman, who was in company of her sister and two other villagers, were attempting to cross the flooded river recently when she was bitten by the crocodile, which tried to drown her.

The mother of five children fought the reptile off after recalling some childhood advice from village elders that one has to hit it on the nose to scare it. That saved her life.

Ms. Moyo, currently in a stable condition at Mpilo General Hospital in Zimbabwes second largest city, Bulawayo, is nursing serious injuries on her hands, legs and other parts of the body.

The crocodile attacked me when I was crossing the river with some villagers, who included my 72-year-old sister. At first we all thought that someone was throwing stones at us but realized within a minute or so that something had a tight grip on my body. I then realized that it was a crocodile trying to pull me to the deepest part of that section of the river. I screamed for divine intervention.

While the crocodile was trying to drag me, I recalled what elders related to us when I was growing up. We were told that if you punch the crocodile on its nose, it will let you go. I did exactly that while it tried to drown me. I punched it several times on its nose.

She says the crocodile tried to kill her. It broke my arm, bit my legs and buttocks and other parts of my body. I was also determined to live. So, I punched it hard while screaming for help. It finally let me off. I then crawled towards the banks of the river and my sister and others pulled me to safety. By that time, they were carrying sticks and other objects they could lay their hands on in order to push it off.

The crocodile was not done yet as it attacked, killed and ate the familys dog, which was trying to swim to safety too. Its sad that our dog is gone but Im happy that I survived.

Ms. Moyo is in serious pain. The crocodile wanted to bite my hand off. The left hand is not functioning well as of now. My left leg is also seriously injured and the right leg up to my buttocks its in bad shape. Im happy that my councilors, Member of Parliament, womens groups and others have visited me here to show their sympathy and support. I appreciate it a lot. They gave me a lot of fruits.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing heavy rains and conservation groups are warning that the rains and flooded rivers have resulted in crocodiles turning up in places where they are least expected.

Late last year, Majaha Ndlovu of Silobela was attacked and eaten by a crocodile while he was fishing with his son, Siphatho Ndlovu.

Siphatho will never forget this day. "We were fishing along Gwelu River when my father dropped his hat and tried to retrieve it from the river. All of a sudden a crocodile attacked him and drowned him. The only thing I saw thereafter were pools of blood on the water surface, That was the last time I saw my father alive. He was attacked and eaten by that reptile.

I tried to cry for help while it was attacking him but there was nobody in sight to assist him. That pains me a lot and it haunts me. I remember him screaming for help but I could not save him. He died a very painful death.

In Binga, Goodenogh Siansundu of Mlibizi was also attacked by a crocodile while he was trying to cross a local river. He was pulled from the jaws of the reptile by some villagers.

I jumped into Mlibizi River when I was almost attacked by elephants. It was just like jumping out of the pan right into the fire. A crocodile attacked me by while I was trying to swim to safety. At first I thought something like steel had clamped my leg only to realize that it (leg) was right in the jaws of a crocodile. I tried to fend it off by placing my hand into its mouth. I cried for help and some people used sticks to fend it off. It finally let me go. But already it had done a lot of damage on one of my legs, which was amputated at a Bulawayo hospital.

Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, a medical expert, says Zimbabweans should stay away from rivers as crocodiles are causing havoc in the country during the rain season.

Avoid flooded rivers as crocodiles can kill you. They inflict a lot of damage on ones body once they attempt to kill a person. Its teeth are dangerous as ones wounds inflicted by a crocodile become septic.

National Parks and Wildlife Management authorities say crocodiles are killing people more than any animal, including elephants.
Russian forces attacked Ukraine with missiles Thursday, hitting targets in areas across the country and killing at least one person.

Ukrainian officials said Ukraines air defenses shot down 16 of 36 Russian missiles.

The latest round of Russian aerial attacks came as Norway approved a five-year aid package for Ukraine totaling $7 billion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the move makes Norway and Ukraine stronger, and that Russia will not overcome the unity of all those that cherish freedom.

"Now you're setting a very important precedent for long-term financial support to a country that defends its independence and the right of every nation to live in accordance with generally recognized international norms, Zelenskyy told Norwegian lawmakers via video link.

SEE ALSO:

Ukrainian officials have warned Russia may launch a new offensive as the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine approaches.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Wednesday he is confident Ukraine will thwart Russian attempts to retake the initiative.

UN resolution

A draft United Nations General Assembly resolution due to be voted on at a special session next week calls for a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and reaching peace that ensures Ukraine's "sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity."

The General Assembly is expected to approve the resolution as it meets February 23, the day before the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The draft resolution calls on the United Nations and member states to support diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.

The measure also demands Russia halt attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and to immediately withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they do carry political weight as a show of world opinion.

SEE ALSO:

Similar action in the U.N. Security Council, which would be legally binding, is not an option since Russia holds one of the five permanent seats with veto power.

The General Assembly has already approved a series of resolutions showing support for Ukraine and criticism of Russia's military action.

Days after Russia's invasion, the body voted 141-5 demanding an immediate cease-fire and for Russia to withdraw all of its troops. Another resolution weeks later blamed Russia for a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and demanded access for aid.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday favorably portrayed the Kyiv government's chances of taking the initiative on the battlefield against Russian forces.

SEE ALSO:

"I think they'll have a real good chance of making a pretty significant difference on the battlefield and establishing the initiative," Austin told reporters after a meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels. "And being able to exploit that initiative going forward."

He said that as NATO countries ship munitions to Ukraine, the U.S.-led military alliance is intent on training troops on their use. "We're laser-focused on making sure that we provide a capability and not just the platform," he said.

Austin disparaged Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow's battlefield performance, saying on Twitter, "Nearly a year since Putin's reckless war of choice things haven't gone the way that the Kremlin planned. NATO is more unified and more resolute than ever."

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. National Security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam (Photo: VGP)

Mr. Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam, made the comment when evaluating the results of the recent visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, to Singapore on February 8-10 at the invitation of his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

The Ambassador said that the official visit was the start of a series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership in 2023.

Accordingly, the leaders of the two countries agreed to sign important documents contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two countries, such as the Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the Vietnam - Singapore partnership on the digital and green economy, maritime cooperation and youth exchange.

On this occasion, the leaders of the two countries also discussed the situation of regional and international development and agreed on the importance of sharing benefits in the face of common challenges to cooperate and enhance regional integration.

In addition, economic cooperation was one of the main focuses of the visit. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Vietnam - Singapore Business Forum, attracting more than 600 delegates, reflecting the great trust and interest that Singaporean business and investor communities have in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister also witnessed the awarding ceremony of cooperation decisions and agreements between agencies and localities of the two countries, such as the Decision approving investment for VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park 2.

The Ambassador said that, established in 1996, VSIP has become a symbol of Vietnam-Singapore relations with 13 industrial parks spread across provinces and cities in the three regions of Vietnam, creating jobs for over 300,000 employees and attracting more than USD18 billion of investment capital.

The Ambassador expressed optimism about the potential development of economic relations between Vietnam and Singapore in many fields, including the development of the green economy and digital economy.

He also assessed that Vietnam is still a "very interesting" destination in the eyes of all foreign investors. This can be seen from the strong FDI inflows into Vietnam and the successful operating model of VSIP.

"We can see many other areas where Singapore can invest in Vietnam such as logistics and renewable energy," he said.

According to the Ambassador, after the official visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, the Embassy of Singapore in Vietnam will continue to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to organize a series of events that contribute to strengthening Vietnam-Singapore relations in 2023.

In March, the Singapore Business Association in Vietnam will hold a Women Leaders Forum on the occasion of International Women's Day. This is one of the activities that bring the two countries closer together.

In 2023, the Singapore Business Association (SBA) will host the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) for the first time in Hanoi, after the forums have been successfully held in Singapore over the past six years. The important event is expected to attract nearly 400 business leaders and officials of the two countries, effectively contributing to the series of commemorative activities of the two countries.

At the end of October, the two sides will jointly organize a cultural event attracting young people and entrepreneurs from both countries in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In particular, the Singapore side is actively preparing the official visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Vietnam in the appropriate time in 2023./.
Ashley Bonus said she began her fight against impaired driving after her sister, Stacy Gammons-Ankerfelt, died in an accident in 2012. Now, she wants a new law that lowers the blood alcohol level needed to sustain an impaired driving conviction.

I work hard to make a change for my sister. I would never want any other family to feel the pain we feel every day. So, I work really hard just to make any change I can, Bonus said.

Bonus, now a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), testified recently in support of Substitute Senate Bill 5002, which was forwarded to the Senate Rules Committee Feb.9.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, reduces the breath and blood alcohol concentration limit (BAC) for operating a vehicle from .08 to .05. Included are driving under the influence (DUI) of intoxicating marijuana, liquor, and other drugs. The bills advocates, including Gov. Jay Inslee, say the change will reduce the number of impaired driving fatalities in Washington.

Last year, 745 people died from traffic accidents in Washington, the highest number of traffic-related fatalities recorded in Washington since 1990. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), about 50% of roadway fatalities are due to impaired driving.

Lovick spent 31 years serving as a state trooper and was the Snohomish County Sheriff for six years. Having previous experience dealing with drunk drivers, Lovick said he believes SSB 5002 can stop people from drinking and driving.

I want everyone in the state to be safe and to feel safe, at home and on our streets, Lovick said. Drivers are not just speeding, following too closely, passing on the shoulders, and driving aggressively. It is very clear to me that drunk driving is impacting the safety of our communities, and it is time that we do something. Drunk driving is a choice.

Utah is the only state in the country that has lowered the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05.

Utahs bill, sponsored by Utah Rep. Norman K. Thurston, R-Morgan, is often credited for a 19.8% decrease in fatal crashes the year after adoption. Neighboring states that did not lower the rate, (Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada) did not show the same improvement in fatal crash rates. Utah Department of Public Safety reported there was a drop in fatalities in alcohol-related accidents from 67 in 2018 to 35 in 2019.

In a telephone conversation with Thurston, he said Utah does not tolerate impaired driving and has seen a decrease in drunk drivers on Utahs streets since they adopted a lower limit.

This bill is more about sending a clear message about not drinking and driving, Rep. Thurston said.

In subsequent years, however, Utah has not seen the same dramatic decrease in traffic fatalities. After the drop in 2019, fatalities skyrocketed during the 2020 pandemic.

In Utah, 320 lives were lost in 2021, the largest number of road fatalities since 2002. Of those deaths, 120 people lost their lives due to impaired driving. According to the Utah Substance Use and Mental Health Advisory Council, 1,320 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes in 2020, up 13% from 2019.

Robert Miles, Director of Utah Traffic Safety (UDOT), said the numbers arent conclusive concerning the long-lasting impact of reducing the BAC level from 0.08 to 0.05.

We saw a change in behavior during the COVID years. The degree people self-medicate with alcohol and drugs have increased. The pandemic made it hard to catch that change, Miles said.

The ranking Republican on the committee, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said he is still evaluating the data and he signed the committee report with no recommendation.

A majority of European countries have a BAC limit of 0.05%. In France, when they reduced the BAC limit to 0.05 annual number of alcohol-related accidents was reduced by one-third, according to the National Institute for Health Care Research.

Europe saw a significant impact of lowering the BAC limit and found a 4.3% reduction in fatality rates, according to Stephanie Morain, Ph.D. researcher for the American Journal of Public Health.

Inslee currently supports SB 5002 and believes that it will reduce the number of DUI accidents.

We know this will change behavior, and its not intended to put more people in jail. Its an attempt to ensure people dont cause loss of life on our highways and be a bit more responsible, Inslee said.

Washingtons independent wine industry and brewery owners said they were concerned about the impact a 0.05 BAC limit will have on tasting rooms. That wasnt a concern with a higher BAC level of 0.08.

In response, lawmakers and supporters of the bill suggest people get a designated driver or order a ride service instead of getting behind the wheel.

Some organizations that testified against the bill included the Washington Hospitality Association, the Washington Brewers Guild and the Washington Wine Institute.

At the most recent public hearing, organizations such as the Washington Trucking Association, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the National Safety Council, the Washington Association for Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP), and the WA Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs testified in support of the bill.

If passed, the bill will take effect on Jul. 1, 2024.

Im hoping that we will do everything we can to convince people not to drink and drive, but if they choose to drink and drive, they will see our state legislature as the defense, Sen. Lovick.

The Washington State Journal is a non-profit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.
Buildings destroyed by the earthquake (Photo: VNA)

In a letter sent February 14, Mr. Hieu said that no casualties among Vietnamese in Turkey have been reported so far, but the life of some of them has been seriously affected.

Right after the earthquake, the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran and Syria have updated the situation and coordinated with the provisional executive board of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Turkey to prepare measures in support of overseas Vietnamese in the country.

Given the lingering impacts of the earthquake, the commission hopes that the community will continue staying united to overcome the difficulties, and support local residents in recovery efforts as possible, the letter wrote.

He affirmed that the commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey always accompany the community.

In case of emergency, citizens may contact the embassy by phone: 90 (312) 446 80491 or email: vnemb.tr@mofa.gov.vn; the citizen protection hotline of the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 84 981 84 84 84, email: baohocongdan@gmail.com; and the committee: 84 24 38240 401, email: vu1.ubnv@gmail.com./.
Treno della Neve runs at weekends until 8 April.

A new rail service will connect Rome with the Dolomites in Italy's northern Trentino-Alto Adige region in a move designed to promote ecological tourism among skiiers and tourists.

The Treno delle Neve, or Snow Train, will depart from Rome's central Termini station at night and arrive just over 10 hours later in San Candido near the Austrian border.

The Trenitalia service, active at weekends from 17 February until 8 April, will stop in Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Brunico and Dobbiaco before reaching its final destination.

On Friday and Saturday nights the Intercity Notte 764 leaves Termini at 22.05 and arrives in San Candido at 08.30 the next morning.

On Saturdays and Sundays the Intercity Notte 763 travels in the opposite direction, departing from San Candido at 19.18 and arriving in Rome at 06.06 in the morning.

"This means that tourists and hikers can go without their car and travel in an ecological way" - said Daniel Alfreider, mobility councillor in the autonomous province of Bolzano where San Candido is located - adding that the tourism sector requires increased focus on sustainability and accessibility by bus and rail.
Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Viet Anh speaking at the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The meeting held on February 9 drew the participation of more than 100 delegates, who are representatives of Dutch businesses doing business and investing in Vietnam, and also potential member enterprises.

Speaking at the meeting, the Ambassador reviewed Vietnam's socio-economic achievements in 2022, especially bright spots in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

In 2022, in the EU, the Netherlands continues to be the largest investor and the 8th largest foreign investor in Vietnam with a registered capital of 13.7 billion USD in 410 projects, the two-way trade reached 11.1 billion USD, up 32.6% compared to 2021, and the Netherlands is Vietnam's second largest export surplus market in 2022.

Ambassador Pham Viet Anh emphasized that in order to make these achievements, it is impossible not to mention the positive contributions of the business communities of the two countries. The Ambassador highly appreciated DBAV/NVCC's activities over the past years, especially in 2022 with innovation and creativity in its operation, attracting the participation of many businesses from the two countries, and so far more than 160 Dutch businesses have become members of this organization.

Especially, the association has started to attract the participation of overseas Vietnamese businesses in the Netherlands since 2022. The Ambassador commits that the Embassy will always accompany and support DBAV/NVCC's activities and also wishes that the association and its members always stand side by side with the activities that the Embassy will organize in 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

Also at the meeting, Mr. Edo Offerhause, Executive Director of NLinBusiness, congratulated DBAV/NVCC on growing, greatly supporting Dutch businesses investing in Vietnam, and also supporting Vietnamese businesses expanding their investment and business in the Netherlands.

Mr. Edo Offerhause also pledged that in the coming time, NLinBusiness will continue to accompany the association in the role of orientation and financial support for the association's activities taking place in the Netherlands and Vietnam.

This is the first time the event has significant participation of Vietnamese businesses doing business in the Netherlands, with the desire of expanding their network and increasing business and investment opportunities./.
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If you want to understand what Russia has done to itself by attacking Ukraine a year ago, let me suggest a look back on this year in Russian poetry. There are few better ways to examine the moral trauma that Vladimir Putin has inflicted on his country  and to understand the feebleness of Russian societys response to an event that will determine its trajectory for decades to come.

At the dizziest turns of Russian history  the Decembrists failed uprising in 1825, the 1917 revolution and civil war, World War II, the short-lived thaw of the mid-1950s to mid-1960s after Stalins death, the Soviet Unions collapse  poetry has played an outsize role in public life, a phenomenon Yevgeny Yevtushenko, one of the thaws leading poets, described with his most famous line: A poet in Russia is more than a poet.

Russias great poets, from Alexander Pushkin onward, were keenly aware of their status and influence  and the best of them were rewarded with incredible fame and celebrity. During the thaw, Yevtushenko and his peers filled stadiums. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I was lucky enough to catch readings by later luminaries such as Alexei Parshchikov and Dmitry Prigov; although their poetry was never particularly accessible, they still drew crowds in the high hundreds.

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Surely something as momentous as Russias attempt to conquer Ukraine would trigger a poetic explosion? This is the time for taking sides, for statements, for the kind of decisive clarity that saw Pushkin personally censored by the czar, Georgy Ivanov tossed into lifelong emigration, Josef Brodsky sent into hopeless exile  or, on the other hand, a time for the ideological fidelity that won Vladimir Mayakovsky or Robert Rozhdestvensky the official seal of approval without really making them happy. A time to shine on either side of a jagged national divide.

What happened has been subtler  and sadder.

Z-POETRY

As a seven-year-old, I attended a weekly poetry workshop at Moscows Young Pioneer Palace: My mother had an irrational belief in my poetic gift, which I think I recognized even then as merely an ability to spew forth verse rather like ChatGPT does today. The workshop was run by Tatyana Nikologorskaya, a minor traditionalist poet whose own work was wistful and breathlessly emotional. Her star disciple, a few years older than me, was Igor Karaulov; she would often hold him up as an example to us kids.He owns the land who is ready to lie down in it, and air is the fugitives lot, began a poem that I read on Igors Telegram channel in late 2022. Today, he is one of the leading lights of Z-poetry  a literary movement named after the Z symbol of Vladimir Putins special military operation and fostered by novelist Zakhar Prilepin, an ex-soldier and rabid supporter of the Ukraine invasion.

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Id lost sight of Karaulov for many years until, in the 2010s, he surfaced as a venomous pro-Putin columnist holding a Kremlin-sized grudge against the liberals who had seized the literary commanding heights in the 1990s. He hadnt seen much success as a poet, although he had been published  no prestigious prizes, no large print runs, no following. Now, the tables have been turned  the old elite, the Jews, the liberals are on the run.

When artists consider themselves as an elite, as the chosen ones, they necessarily come into discord with their country, their values diverge from the peoples values, Karaulov wrote in a column for the Kremlin-friendly Vzglyad website. The creative milieu needs to be thoroughly shaken and stirred Today, the creative person is needed primarily on the front lines and in the new Russian regions.

The Z-poets try to muster Simonovs righteousness, but that doesnt come easily when you are on the side of the attackers.

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Karaulov admits on Telegram that hed hardly be able to lift a submachine gun, but hes ready to fight tooth and claw for the territory the retreating enemy is freeing up in Moscows clubs and bookstores; hes even happy to read his verse as close to the front lines as theyll let him come.

A social lift has finally switched on for poets on February 24, 2022, poet Vsevolod Yemelin told Novaya Gazeta. (Yemelin, whose politics are eclectically left-wing, hasnt taken this elevator himself.) You know how the rhyming folk live in Russia. You go to a poetry festival a couple of times a year, a few people clap, they pour you a vodka, but the rest of the time you just sit there getting bored. He continued:

Then suddenly, out of this funky, boring life, youre on New Years Night TV, Margarita Simonyan shakes hands with you, important state officials applaud you. Suddenly it transpires that you can be the modern-day Konstantin Simonov, the modern-day Olga Bergholz, theyll put you on TV and let you tour the country.

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Margarita Simonyan, head of the RT propaganda channel, was one of the earliest promoters of Z-poetry; the channel published an anthology of the verse before any of the professional publishers did. Her idea was to revive the mood of World War II-era Soviet poetry. Olga Bergholz was the tragic voice of the Leningrad siege; Simonov, wildly popular and promoted by the state during and after the war, wrote both lyrical verse (Wait for me and Ill come back, only really wait) and harsh propaganda (Kill at least one of them, kill one as soon as you can).

In Z-poetry, both of these strains have been revived and sometimes bizarrely intertwined. Heres one from Ukrainian-born Anna Dolgaryova, another Z-poetry star:

The little fir says to her mom, her little branches atremble,They say well become coffins and go down deep in the earth.No, no, dear child, well be crosses along the highwayOn which the enemy will be crucified.

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Death and victory are, of course, the common themes. The Z-poets try to muster Simonovs righteousness, but that doesnt come easily when you are on the side of the attackers. In the most recent Z-anthology, Resurrected in World War III, Vladislav Artemov has a poem about killing an enemy soldier that provides the kind of justification apparently needed in a fratricidal war:

He rolled down to the river, he sighed and went quietHe was actually a decent soldierBut he fought for them, for the others, the foes,So to me, he was an enemy, not a brother.

The better-known Z-poets  mostly marginal characters from the same literary bars and parlors once frequented by liberals, too  are not necessarily appreciated in eastern Ukraine, where the fighting is taking place. The Russian-speaking Donbass has its share of pro-war poets, most of them doing actual fighting. Dear Z-poets, as you call yourselves, especially poets from behind the lines who are biological men, poet and novelist Natalia Kurchatova wrote on her Telegram channel. Your daily news-inspired verse make the peaceful residents of Donetsk mad. And the fighting men dont give a s**t about that verse  it might as well not exist. The post inspired both indignation and soul-searching among poets from behind the lines; the pro-war poets of the occupied Ukrainian region have published an anthology of their own, but, compared with the relatively slick product of their Moscow-based brethren, its much rougher around the edges.One of the Z-poets actually on the front lines, Dmitry Artis, signed up to fight at the age of 49. He wrote this:

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Crater upon crater is what the bastards left behind,The plain looks as though its been turned inside out,But well smooth out this earth, well stroke it like brothersWith our charred Russian tank.

This kind of poetry is modestly successful. According to the publisher, Piter, Resurrected in World War III has sold more than 7,000 copies  a success for a poetry book by current Russian standards, which even liberal book critic Galina Yuzefovich has been forced to recognize. She attributes it to the novelist Prilepins social network reach. Group readings by Z-poets fill up bookstores, libraries and small clubs. These are not the kind of audiences Yevtushenko and his peers commanded in the 1960s. They dont measure up to the late 1980s readings I attended, either. But these particular poets had never seen so much interest, so they are encouraged and full of enthusiasm about being the new, patriotic literary elite.

As for the old elite, Karaulov wrote on Telegram, They havent so much fled as died away like autumn leaves when the wind grows strong. We have stepped into a new world, it will be scary, merry, chaotic, but were alive in it. As for them, they rushed to places where they think their old world will be preserved. But there will be no old world for them there, either.

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ESCAPEES

Quite a few in the pre-war Russian literary establishment would disagree with Karaulov: To them, he and his ilk are the zombies. I consider the poetry of the Z-poets nonexistent, a verbal hallucination, Georgy Urushadze, who last April quit his long-term post as a director of several Russian literary competitions in protest against the invasion, wrote on Telegram. Those who sing praises to war are either scoundrels or fools.

Before the war, dividing lines werent as clear cut. Alexander Delfinov, the poetry slam hero who, like me, lives in Germany and whose inventive, edgy stoner poetry Ive often enjoyed both live and on the social networks, recalled in an interview how he had been shortlisted for a minor poetry prize in St. Petersburg in 2019. Karaulov ran the show, handled the invitation and the tickets. The Ukrainian-born Z-poet Dolgaryova beat Delfinov for the prize. He heard her for the first time as she recited her verse: I understood immediately that it was war propaganda  and Id supported it by taking part in the competition. I said nothing, I was confused, didnt know how to behave. It was a mistake.

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Since the war, Delfinovs poetry has been growing darker. Consider this intentionally primitive rhymed story of a Russian soldier who has returned from Ukraine and now can only drink and beat his wife:

It was April still when he came home to the wifeWhat happened there at war, who cares, just forget itHis memory is all ripped up in shredsIt rears up like a monstrous two-legged catThe guy in glasses that hed shotKeeps following Seryozhka.

Even the voices of some previously apolitical poets such as Vera Polozkova, one of the few writers of Russian verse who regularly saw five-figure print runs, have grown more stringent than those of any on the Z-side. Heres Polozkova, who now lives in Cyprus:

My Russia is Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah today,It has pushed me, a grinning freeloader, awayAnd it clutches a mirror in its clawsWaiting for hell to break open in the glass.

Others have taken refuge in bitter sarcasm. The poet and performance artist Gherman Lukomnikov, an heir of the conceptualist school that flourished in the 1980s, managed to publish an irreverent collection of short poems in a provincial literary journal in Russia:

Im in the dragons maw, it looks like Im not dead. Heres to a peaceful palate over your head!

A large group of antiwar poets have published  what else  an anthology of their own, called Last Days Poetry, which was presented in Moscow on the same day as Resurrected in World War III and drew a smaller crowd. And the poetry magazine Prosody published an entire issue dedicated to escapism in 2022 Russian poetry; nowhere in the issue does the war get a direct mention, though some of the writers appear to hint at it  unless Im reading too much into verse such as this, by Dmitry Anikin:

We looked for the road back but the way back is flat and dead,Theres no forgiveness for us and no one to beg it for,Theres no God for those whove forgotten themselves!There are no Russians except the ancients down in the ground!

Escape is illusory in todays Russia, though. Three young poets arrested in September for reciting antiwar verse in a Moscow square sit in pretrial detention. Artyom Kamardin, Alexander Daineko and Yegor Shtovba may go to prison for six years for discrediting the Russian armed forces. None of the three belonged to the literary elite, and the poems they shouted out did not shine with literary quality: Kill me, irregular fighter! Youve already tasted blood, youve seen your brothers in arms dig graves for a brotherly people. But better poets resistance from afar, their linguistic tricks, their technical mastery, even their genuine despair somewhere in the European Union feel shallow as the three rot in jail, unknown to foreigners and most Russians alike, unread and unheard.

The Z-poets try to muster Simonovs righteousness, but that doesnt come easily when you are on the side of the attackers.

After a year that decisively split Russian poetry into two camps  just as the revolution and civil war did 100 years ago  no voices have emerged on either side that could resonate beyond relatively tiny audiences. Karaulov and his bunch are evil kids in an abandoned candy shop that once traded in Russian culture, and they have little to replace what used to be on the shelves at Russias previous turning points. Their fleurs du mal are stunted by the envy and desire for revenge that underlie them; for all the gruesomeness, they are as timid in many ways as any of the escapist verse: They are designed to sanctify a war so obviously unjust that even personal sacrifice cannot whitewash it.

I understand the drive and all that  but I dont believe them, Yemelin said of the Z-poets. In 1941 there was a war that you had to believe in. And here these folks are writing about a special military operation in which everybodys lying, and theyre adding more lies. Theyre caught in a whirlwind of lies and of their success at these lies.

As for the emigres, the mockers, the fugitives into their inner world, the best that can be said of them is that they arent evil. Few of these poetic voices were raised against the Putin regime before, when it was relatively safe and when the worst could perhaps still be prevented. The seeds of what this year did to Russia, to its culture, to the Russian language and to the Russian identity were sown years ago, and no poet stepped up to take on the traditional prophetic role. Like the Russian military, Russian culture is taking a beating because of its mediocrity: Surprised by a turn of events that would have been an opportunity for heroes and geniuses, it has produced in response only various flavors of whimpering.

Now that may be harder for Russian society to recover from than just a military defeat.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Bidens Escalation in Ukraine Is About Diplomacy, Not Victory: Hal Brands

 Forget Autonomy  Europe Needs the US: Andreas Kluth

 Western Tanks Will Give Ukraine a Fighting Chance: Editorial

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. He recently published Russian translations of George Orwells 1984 and Franz Kafkas The Trial.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Whatever David Malpass accomplished at the helm of the World Bank, he inevitably will be remembered for a high-profile blunder on climate change. His departure gives the bank a golden opportunity to be remembered for running hard and fast in the opposite direction. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Malpass will leave the bank in June about a year before his term ends and about five months after offering up a big bowl of word salad when asked the yes-or-no question of whether he believed humans were contributing to climate change by burning fossil fuels. During the controversy that followed, Malpass did walk back his comments, finally answering the question in the affirmative. And the World Bank last month promised to focus more on climate change.

But that promise came only after pressure from the US government and other G7 countries, who called for a fundamental reform of the development bank. Malpasss departure creates an opportunity to begin that process. Its time for the development bank to become the leader on climate change that we need it to be, as Bloomberg LP founder Mike Bloomberg wrote last week.

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For one thing, the bank must put climate change at the heart of its mandate to combat poverty and boost global development. A rapidly warming world and the extreme weather caused by climate change will only make poverty worse and the need for reliable infrastructure more pressing.

The World Bank has promised to aim 35% of its total financing  which hit $115 billion last year  at climate projects by 2025. This isnt nearly enough. Other big global development banks already have 50% targets. The bank must not only commit more of its public funds to the cause but also use its power to encourage more private investment in clean technology.

The bank could help attract private money by backstopping climate-related projects that investors might deem too risky, as Mike noted. As with any other instance of public money insuring private investments, this could create a moral-hazard problem. But with safeguards, its easily worth the risk, given that the hope of a livable planet hangs in the balance.

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The bank must also be far more transparent about where its climate dollars are going. A recent Oxfam study called its climate-financing claims a black box that could be overstated by as much as 40%.

Getting the World Banks leadership right wont solve all its problems, but it will be a critical starting point. As the banks biggest shareholder, the US government gets to pick its next president, and it has almost always chosen Americans. This tradition has made increasingly less sense over the years, with developing nations rightly demanding more of a say in how their financing pie is divided.

Malpasss departure gives the Biden administration a chance to scour the entire globe for the right candidate to succeed him. Developing nations are the first victims of the havoc wrought by a warming planet, perspective the World Bank will need as it allocates resources. And people confronting climate change head on will be far less likely to deny its existence.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 60 Degrees in February Is What Climate Change Looks Like: Mark Gongloff

 How to Keep the Colorado River From Drying Up: Mark Gongloff

 Heres the True Danger of Killer Fungi: Lisa Jarvis

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Mark Gongloff is a Bloomberg Opinion editor and columnist covering climate change. A former managing editor of Fortune.com, he ran the HuffPosts business and technology coverage and was a reporter and editor for the Wall Street Journal.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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If there was any doubt that age was going to be a major issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, Nikki Haley just erased it. In announcing her campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, the 51-year-old former governor of South Carolina proposed mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old. Conveniently, the requirement would apply not only to 76-year-old Donald Trump, but also to 80-year-old Joe Biden.

Haley wasnt just playing politics. She was also engaging, consciously or unconsciously, in one of the most sinister and under-researched forms of prejudice: age discrimination. To confront it, the president needs to both call it out and not call too much attention to it. There are advantages to getting old, but he doesnt necessarily want to campaign on them.

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I should confess that I am not immune to ageism myself. Like a lot of voters, I wonder whether an 82-year-old man (Bidens age on Inauguration Day 2025) is up to the stresses of the worlds most demanding job. I also wonder about the fairness of freezing out a younger and more diverse generation of presidential candidates. But I have learned that  like a lot of things  aging isnt what it used to be, and that I need to confront my own biases about it.

The frontier of longevity has shifted in a positive way, says Adam Felts, a researcher with the AgeLab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its research focuses on people who are living longer and better than ever before, especially people in better socioeconomic circumstances with access to newer medicines and technologies.

One of his research groups is a panel of individuals who are all at least 85 years old. When I see how sharp they are, it shapes my perspective around what is possible even for people in their mid to late 80s. Looking at someone such as Biden, who has the best medical care available, we may have to think about his age trajectory differently. In fact, says Felts, we should be thinking differently about aging in general, for all Americans.

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Humans tend to overestimate how much people within a given category have in common with one another, says Jessica Nordell, author of The End of Bias. When someone states that Biden is too old without pointing to specifics, it reflects an antipathy toward older people that is culturally ingrained.

Yes, there are well-documented age-related cognitive changes that happen with age, such as reduced processing speed and short-term memory loss. But there is a positive side to age-related brain changes too, she says. The elderly are less easily distracted, have better emotional regulation, and can show greater empathy.

All that said, Biden probably doesnt want to campaign on the redeeming qualities of octogenarians. And voters have concerns about his age: In focus groups, they note that at the end of a second term, hell be closer to 90 than 80. Theyre concerned about his health and the likelihood of him surviving until 2029. In some discussions, people have asked about his chances of dying in office.

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How Biden handles these issues will be a central test of his campaign.

Usually the sitting president stays above the fray while candidates of the opposing party duke it out in their primary. But as Haley demonstrates, younger Republican presidential candidates will be emphasizing their age.

Biden can minimize the age factor with smart scheduling; Covid showed that virtual fundraisers work, and he probably doesnt need to barnstorm across states and hold multiple rallies in a single day. Nor does he need to reintroduce himself to the American people. His campaign can focus on his administrations achievements through earned and paid media online and on TV.

Bidens successful State of the Union address gave his team confidence that he still has a lot of fight left. His campaign wont be built around big rallies. Expect smaller settings where he can interact with voters, both in person and digitally. Less traditional and less visible means less of a chance for any  excuse the ageism  senior moments, whether perceived or real. Thats the hope, at least.

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Another hope: Bidens Republican opponent. In the unlikely event that it is Haley, or if it is 44-year-old Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, Bidens age will be front and center. But if his opponent is a 76-year-old former president, then age may not be as much of an issue. Ironically, and unfortunately, the easiest way for Bidens campaign to neutralize the age issue is for the Republican nominee to be Donald Trump.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Stop Smearing Bidens Mental Capacity: Jonathan Bernstein

 Maybe a Presidents Age Doesnt Matter That Much: Justin Fox

 Relatively Speaking, Biden and Sanders Arent That Old: Stephen Carter

Want more Bloomberg Opinion? Subscribe to our daily newsletter.

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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For a hot minute, Microsoft Corp. looked like it would eat Googles lunch. Its languishing search engine, Bing, was being revolutionized with a sophisticated new chatbot system from OpenAI. Those hopes have now diminished because of one unexpected truth: Nobody  not even AI scientists  truly understands the breadth of capabilities of artificial intelligence when it is unleashed in the wild.

Early users of Bing have reported unhinged, emotional, even threatening responses to some of their queries from the AI system, which called one user a bad researcher and told another newspaper writer that he was not happily married. Bing  whose bot entity goes by the name Sydney  has effectively put Googles embarrassing Bard error in the shade. However, these flaws are just the tip of a much larger iceberg.

The extraordinary technology underpinning the chatbots Bard and OpenAIs ChatGPT comes from so-called large language models (LLMs)  computer programs trained on billions of words on the public internet that can generate humanlike text. If ChatGPT is the car, the language model underpinning it is the engine, and OpenAI has been selling access to it since 2020. But amid the recent arms race for search bots, those engines are also being shared freely  too freely  and passing on the flaws were now seeing in Bing and Bard to a wider audience and in a way that could be much harder to detect.

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Thousands of software developers have been exploring ways of integrating language models into businesses, summarizing customer feedback into a single comment, answering website questions or generating digital ad copy.(1) OpenAI would not disclose how many developers have accessed its LLM, known as GPT-3, but one competitor says its likely in the hundreds of thousands. Users can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars a month to use it. And while there are dozens of free, open-source LLMs, OpenAIs is seen as the gold standard. Given Googles considerable resources, its language model LaMDA could soon be just as popular.

Google has kept the highly advanced model under wraps for years, explaining to staff that its reputation could suffer if it moved too fast on releasing its AI. But earlier this month, as Microsoft announced it would soon power Bing with OpenAIs language model, Google seemed to reverse that position. Not only did it launch Bard the next day, it also said that in March, it would start allowing third parties to use LaMDA, something unthinkable just months prior. This strategy could come to haunt Google, Microsoft and OpenAI just as it did Facebook in 2018, when it was forced to shut down access to mountains of user data following the Cambridge Analytica scandal. All it took was one rogue user.

One of the big risks is bias. Last week the streaming site Twitch shut down an animated spoof of Seinfeld which had animation and dialogue entirely generated by AI. It turned out the characters had made transphobic and homophobic remarks when their dialogue was created by a less-sophisticated version of GPT-3. (2)

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GPT-3 was trained on billions of words from an array of sources including 7,000 unpublished books, Wikipedia entries and news articles, which left it vulnerable to picking up on the odd example of biased or hateful material. OpenAI has stripped much of that out of its model with the help of human moderators, but that work isnt foolproof, and it seems to be especially vulnerable to technical glitches. Bias is also almost impossible to detect when its deeply buried in an LLM, a complex layered network of billions of parameters that acts like a black box even to its own creators.

Misinformation, a problem that has beset ChatGPT, also afflicts language models. Tech news site CNET generated 77 articles on financial advice last November using an LLM. (CNET didnt name which one it used.). After the site rechecked the articles, it issued corrections on 41 of them.

OpenAI doesnt disclose what it calls the hallucination rate of its language models or of ChatGPT, but a January 2022 report in tech news site Protocol cited researchers as saying it was between 21% and 41%. My own experience of using ChatGPT puts misinformation at between 5% and 10%. Even if the rate is that low, companies using LLMs need to take everything the programs say with a huge grain of salt, and know that its nearly impossible to scrutinize the model for what it might get wrong.

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Misuse is perhaps the biggest unknown, since any successful bad actors who use language models will keep their work secret. OpenAI bans its GPT-3 customers from using the model to promote violence or spam. Perpetrators will get a Content Policy Violation email. But bad actors could, theoretically, ignore all that. Stephane Baele, an associate professor in security and political violence at the University of Exeter, used GPT-3 to generate fake ISIS propaganda as part of a study last year. He recalls getting a request for an explanation from OpenAI, and replied to explain what he was doing. We said, This is academic research, he recalls. We didnt hear back.

Could a bad actor generating real propaganda simply reply in a similar way, and use a faked academic email address? OpenAI declined to comment on that hypothetical scenario. It says it has stopped hundreds of actors attempting to misuse GPT-3 for a wide range of purposes, including disinformation, and that it is constantly tweaking its language models to filter out harmful content.

But OpenAI isnt alone. There are other LLMs that bad actors can use. In July 2022 a consortium of scientists released an open-sourced, multilingual LLM called Bloom, which isnt as sophisticated as OpenAIs but also wont shut out users who break its responsible AI license. If someone does break that agreement, Blooms creators will communicate with the user or potentially take legal action, according to Carlos Munos Ferrandis, who is tech and regulatory affairs council for Hugging Face, an AI company that supported the creation of Bloom. That seems like a risk that plenty of propagandists and other rogue actors would be willing to take. Bloom has been downloaded 15,000 times over the last 30 days, according to another representative.

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In early 2019, OpenAI released a 70-page report on the social impact of language models, and said it would not release its latest LLM because it could be misused. That view has changed drastically since then. Sure, its language models have become more accurate and less biased, its safety filters more effective. But commercial pressures and the growing sway of Microsoft, which invested $1 billion in 2019 and another $10 billion this year into OpenAI, seem to have steered it toward making a riskier bet on commercializing its technology. Google, with its plans to sell access to LaMDA is now doing the same.

With Googles stumble and Microsoft Bings bizarre comments, both companies need to slow down their AI arms race. Their revolutionary chatbots arent ready to go wide  and neither are the engines powering them.

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(1) EBay has used another Google LLM called Bert to improve its product recommendations.

(2) The show had to switch to the older version because of a glitch with a more advanced version, according to its creators.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of We Are Anonymous.

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In the heat of Brexit talks in 2018, a frustrated British official asked European Union negotiator Michel Barniers team: Imagine our country was not there and suddenly surfaced from the seabed and installed itself at your shores. What relationship would you ideally want with us? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The question, relayed in a new book by Barnier aide Stefaan De Rynck, is being asked again three years after the Union Jack was lowered in Brussels  though this time with a friendlier undertone. The threat of a UK-EU trade war over Northern Ireland is receding amid the real war in Ukraine; theres even hope of a breakthrough on this politically sensitive issue as early as next week. Both sides are making an effort: A UK humbled by the chaotic premiership of Liz Truss and the economic costs of Brexit is engaging seriously with an EU shaken by war at its eastern frontier and an energy crunch.

Even more remarkably, some high-profile voices are wondering openly if the UK might return to the EU fold one day. Barnier recently talked of an open door, as have some members of the European Parliament and London Mayor Sadiq Khan (though Labour leader Keir Starmer quickly slapped down the latter).

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This is all heady stuff. But its not helpful for policymakers thinking to veer from one extreme to another. Better to think about an incremental Breconciliation.

The EU has changed since Brexit. While the UKs departure inflicted costs on both sides  the UK took with it a chunk of Europes economic and military heft but lost privileged access to workers, markets and trade  Brussels has moved on. Vacuums left by the UK in Europes parliament, commission and council have been filled, as has the budget hole left by the British taxpayer; in fact, the EU budget is bigger than it used to be. Fears of a deregulated UK rivaling the EU on its doorstep have so far proven unfounded.

The continent has not fully replaced UK hard power or the soft power of the City of London, but amid a more integrated European economy and more security cooperation, theres little pining among diplomats for Britain rejoining  and that goes way beyond France.

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Meanwhile, the UK political debate over Brexit has become no healthier. Public opinion is certainly turning against its economic effect. Boris Johnson in 2018 imagined that escaping the stockade of EU regulation would free up at least 4% of gross domestic product; five years on, John Springford of the Centre for European Reform estimates the UK economy is 5.5% smaller than without Brexit, and collects 40 billion pounds ($48 billion) less in yearly tax revenue. But the frenzy over a recent meeting between leaders of both Leave and Remain camps suggests emotions and polarization are still running high. That is no help to the EU.

The risk Europeans still see is UK domestic politics, says Jonathan Faull, a former top UK official who spent 38 years in the European Commission who nonetheless sees grounds for rapprochement. Why rush for new deals that could be disowned yet again in the medium term?

Better ties should instead be seen as a careful multistep process. Step one is getting rid of the most obvious thorn in the relationship: A Northern Ireland breakthrough that would see the UK ditch its trade-war brinkmanship and implement border arrangements it signed up to in 2020. Thats potentially within reach. Last months agreement on data sharing was a big step, providing the EU with live information tracking goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Border posts will be built. That has helped create the trust needed for Brussels to accept reductions on customs checks. The big unknown is whether UK opposition to the role of the European Court of Justice in resolving disputes can be overcome.

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Step two would involve detoxifying the politics of such a breakthrough: Selling the deal to hardline Brexiteers in Westminster and the pro-UK lawmakers in Northern Ireland. It would mean sacrificing Johnsons cakeist philosophy  that the UK can pick and choose what it wants from the EU in terms of rules and market access. Even Labour has been guilty of imagining special treatment for UK access to the EU single market.

Then comes the third step: Cooperation on areas of mutual benefit. Research and innovation, renewable energy in the North Sea, satellite observation and the use of Galileo navigation data are examples cited by De Rynck. That might create a better relationship where the UK can secure Brexit benefits not against the EU but in partnership with a continent that has its own elusive goals of strategic autonomy. The EUs market size, influential rule-setting and Green Deal ambitions could make it a good partner for a UK with intelligence and military resources, regulatory expertise and research institutions.

This is a long way from Rejoin. But its also a long way from the current, less-than-ideal situation. Give the EU (and UK) a break from extreme future visions, and focus instead on the three steps it will take to improve ties instead.

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Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering digital currencies, the European Union and France. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes.

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The incredibly complex, high-stakes business of making semiconductors has always been a battle of corporate giants. Now its also a race among governments. These critical bits of technology  also known as integrated circuits or, more commonly, just chips  may be the tiniest yet most exacting products ever manufactured. And because theyre so difficult and costly to produce, theres a worldwide reliance on just a handful of companies, a dependence that was brought into stark relief by shortages during the pandemic. Access to chips has also become a geopolitical weapon, with the US ratcheting up curbs on exports to China to contain the rise of an economic rival.

1. Why the war over chips?

Chipmaking has become an increasingly precarious business. New plants have a price tag of more than $20 billion, take years to build and need to be run flat-out for 24 hours a day to turn a profit. The scale required has reduced the number of companies with leading-edge technology to just three  Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. and Intel Corp. of the US. Chipmakers have been under increasing scrutiny over what they sell to China, the largest market for chips. National security concerns, shifts in the global supply chain and the pandemic-era shortages led governments from the US and Europe to China and Japan to subsidize investment in new production lines costing tens of billions of dollars. More recently, slowing economies have curbed global demand, causing a glut of unwanted chips.

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2. Why are chips so critical?

Theyre whats needed to process and understand the mountains of data that have come to rival oil as the lifeblood of the economy. Made from materials deposited on disks of silicon, chips can perform a variety of functions. Memory chips, which store data, are relatively simple and are traded like commodities. Logic chips, which run programs and act as the brains of a device, are more complex and expensive. As the technology running devices  from rockets to refrigerators  is getting smarter and more connected, semiconductors are ever more pervasive. That explosion has some analysts forecasting that the industry will double in value this decade. Spending on research and development for chips is dominated by US companies, with more than half the total.

3. How did we go from chip shortages to a glut?

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Pandemic lockdowns and supply chain disruption made many types of chips scarce for about two years. With demand for phones and personal computers cooling off post-pandemic, the cycle has turned. PC and smartphone makers have slashed orders for chips as consumers tighten the purse strings, and theres oversupply in areas such as industrial machinery and cloud computing. The chipmakers are responding by reining in their plans for new production capacity, even though governments are willing to foot part of the bill.

4. Hows the geopolitical competition going?

Despite a huge Chinese spending spree, the countrys chipmakers still depend on US technology, and their access is shrinking.

 The US imposed tighter export controls last year on some chips and chipmaking equipment to stop China from developing capabilities that could become a military threat, such as supercomputers and artificial intelligence. Japan and the Netherlands were said to have agreed to join the US in limiting Chinas access to their advanced semiconductor machinery. (A major Dutch supplier, ASML Holding NV, said in February that it had been the victim of a data theft, the second in a year.)

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 US politicians have decided that they need to do more than just hold back China. The 2022 Chips and Science Act will provide about $50 billion of federal money to support US production of semiconductors and foster a skilled workforce needed by the industry. All three of the biggest makers have announced plans for new US plants.

 Europe has joined the race to reduce the concentration of production in East Asia. European Union nations agreed in November on a 43 billion ($46 billion) plan to jump-start their semiconductor output. The goal is to double production in the bloc to 20% of the global market by 2030.

Separately, the US has expressed concern that Russia continues to access foreign chips and technology through intermediaries like Iran and North Korea, despite measures intended to restrict supplies following Russias invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Group of Seven member states were said to be discussing possible new sanctions.

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5. How does Taiwan fit into all this?

The island democracy emerged as the dominant player in outsourced chipmaking partly because of a government decision in the 1970s to promote the electronics industry. TSMC almost single-handedly created the business of building chips designed by others, one that was embraced as the cost of new plants skyrocketed. Big customers like Apple Inc. gave TSMC the massive volume to build industry-leading expertise, and now the world relies on it. The company overtook Intel in terms of revenue in 2022. Matching its scale and skills would take years and cost a fortune. Politics have made the race about more than money, though, with the US signaling it will continue efforts to restrict Chinas access to American-designed chips made in Taiwans foundries. China has long claimed the island, just 100 miles off its coast, as its own territory and threatened to invade to prevent its formal independence.

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Something is afoot in American immigration policy. Out of the blue, on Monday, Feb. 6, Mexicos foreign ministry issued a statement to categorically reject restarting the Remain In Mexico program under which the Trump administration sent tens of thousands of Central Americans to Mexico to wait while US judges decided on their asylum request.

The following Wednesday, the Washington Post published an article stating that Mexico and the US were negotiating Remain in Mexico on steroids  a deal to send non-Mexican migrants back across the southern border. It could allow U.S. authorities to carry out large-scale deportations of non-Mexicans back across the border, as the Post put it.

The Department of Homeland Security rushed to deny the story. But the denial left an open door: Were continuing to work closely with the govt of Mexico to implement our successful border enforcement plan, tweeted a DHS spokeswoman. Indeed, hounded by Republicans in the House and with an election approaching , President Joe Biden hopes to find some relief from one of his biggest headaches.

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Its likely to prove harder than he thinks.

He is in a hurry. On May 11, the official pandemic health emergency will be over. With it will end the legal rationale the US used to craft a deal in January to summarily expel tens of thousands of prospective migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to Mexico on ostensibly health-related grounds.

If nothing is put in its place, Washington may lose the best deterrent it has come up with to stop the political nightmare of thousands upon thousands of desperate migrants massing at the southern border.

Under the earlier January arrangement, the US is offering up to 30,000 temporary visas per month to prospective migrants from these four countries as long as they have a sponsor in the US and apply online before coming. And Mexico agreed to take back up to the same number of migrants nabbed trying to gain entrance to the US at the border, including those trying to apply for asylum here.

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Thus far, the carrot of a visa for those who follow the rule combined with the stick of assured expulsion for those who dont has been a surprisingly effective deterrent. US agents ran into fewer than 36,000 migrants from the four countries in January, down from more than 98,000 in December. Total encounters of prospective migrants with the Border Patrol fell to just over 200,000, the fewest since February of last year.

With Republicans calling for DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkass head, the idea that the deal might expire and desperate migrants might again launch themselves at the border is a terrifying prospect.

A more ambitious version of the deal, on the other hand, might conceivably fix Washingtons problem, at least for a little while. They seem to be convinced that if they turbocharge the mechanism implemented in January, that it will continue to deliver declining numbers, noted Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican ambassador to the US.

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And yet the dueling messages last week suggest that crafting a new arrangement to build on the expulsions under the Title 42 public health law, which used the Covid emergency as cover for what was essentially migration policy, might not be as straightforward as Washington hopes.

Mexico, like most countries, does not usually accept non-citizens deported from other countries, a legal wrinkle that Title 42 helped to smooth over. Any expansion of expulsions to Mexico under a yet to be defined new legal framework, and maybe from a growing list of countries  Border Patrol agents nabbed 62,000 Colombians and 45,000 Ecuadoreans in the first four months of the fiscal year that began in October, as well as 57,000 Guatemalans and 52,000 Hondurans  will likely run into legal and political hurdles.

The first is persuading Mexico to go along with a deal that, to many Mexicans, brings few benefits.

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Frankly, Its not clear what the compensation is, only the subordination is clear, said Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez, former head of Mexicos National Migration Institute during the first six months of the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. It would turn Mexico into a docile complement of the USs migration policy, he added.

And the question of whats in it for Mexico has political ramifications. The pre-campaign for the Mexican presidency is already underway. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who would likely sign any new arrangement, is one of the hopefuls jockeying to be anointed as successor by Lopez Obrador. And rival camps have already slammed him for cutting the Remain in Mexico deal, selling Mexican sovereignty down the river.

Critics of Lopez Obrador point out that he is getting plenty from the Biden administration in exchange for offering up Mexico as a wall against migrants  most notably a blind eye toward his growing authoritarianism, nationalistic energy policies and other decisions that would, in normal times, meet with Washingtons loud disapproval.

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More sympathetic observers point out that Mexico is probably also gaining directly from the deterrent, preventing thousands of prospective migrants from setting off to Mexico with the final goal of entering the US. It likely calculates that agreeing to accept tens of thousands of migrants expelled from the US doesnt mean they will actually show up.

The Mexican government would not be thrilled to take hundreds of thousands of returned migrants since they dont really want to have to solve the problem for the US government, said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute. But they seem to be willing to collaborate on things that would keep the numbers down, which also means few real returns in practice.

This part of the deal is imperiled, though. Led by Texas, attorneys general from Republican states are asking the courts to block the Biden administrations use of the migration parole process, under which it is offering the temporary visas that are the deals carrots. If their lawsuit succeeds, and numbers of non-Mexican migrants trudging their way across Mexico rebound in any significant way, Mexico could well back out. The sponsorship deal is part of the enforcement strategy, Selee said. Losing it imperils the Mexican governments cooperation.

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The Biden administrations enthusiasm for an approach to migration control that, finally, seems to be delivering some respite is all too understandable. Crafting a joint approach with Mexico surely is the right approach. And it makes sense to take pressure off the border by encouraging asylum seekers and other migrants to apply for entry elsewhere.

And yet Washingtons approach exhibits a remarkable shortsightedness. American immigration policy cannot be about deterrence alone. The US exerts too strong a pull on the displaced and the vulnerable for such a policy to succeed. Beyond the ethical dilemma of barring those most in need, a strategy so heavy on deterrence squanders the opportunity that so many willing migrants offer a country that, ultimately, needs them.

Equally important, President Bidens urgency to resolve a political problem risks derailing a critical priority: North Americas future prosperity and security depend on the US and Mexico developing a rich strategic relationship with economic and cultural linkages, cooperation on law enforcement and criminal justice, conversations on technology and its regulation.

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Migration will surely play a large role in this relationship. But the conversation cant be held hostage by an American imperative that Mexico become its immigration wall.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Eduardo Porter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin America, US economic policy and immigration. He is the author of American Poison: How Racial Hostility Destroyed Our Promise and The Price of Everything: Finding Method in the Madness of What Things Cost.

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In a phone call on Jan. 2, 2021, President Donald Trump insisted he won the state and threatened vague legal consequences. Here are excerpts from the call. (Video: Obtained by The Washington Post)

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President Trump urged fellow Republican Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, to find enough votes to overturn his defeat in an extraordinary one-hour phone call Saturday that legal scholars described as a flagrant abuse of power and a potential criminal act. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The Washington Post obtained a recording of the conversation in which Trump alternately berated Raffensperger, tried to flatter him, begged him to act and threatened him with vague criminal consequences if the secretary of state refused to pursue his false claims, at one point warning that Raffensperger was taking a big risk.

Throughout the call, Raffensperger and his offices general counsel rejected Trumps assertions, explaining that the president is relying on debunked conspiracy theories and that President-elect Joe Bidens 11,779-vote victory in Georgia was fair and accurate.

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Trump dismissed their arguments.

The people of Georgia are angry, the people of the country are angry, he said. And theres nothing wrong with saying, you know, that youve recalculated.

Raffensperger responded: Well, Mr. President, the challenge that you have is, the data you have is wrong.

At another point, Trump said: So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state.

Listen to the full Jan. 2 phone call. This audio has been edited to remove the name of an individual about whom the president makes unsubstantiated allegations. (Video: Obtained by The Washington Post)

He later added: So what are we going to do here, folks? I only need 11,000 votes. Fellas, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break.

The rambling and at times incoherent conversation offered a remarkable glimpse of how consumed and desperate the president remains about his loss, unwilling or unable to let the matter go and still asserting he can reverse the results in enough battleground states to remain in office.

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Theres no way I lost Georgia, Trump said, a phrase he repeated again and again on the call. Theres no way. We won by hundreds of thousands of votes.

Several of his allies were on the line as he spoke, including White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and conservative lawyer Cleta Mitchell, a prominent GOP attorney whose involvement with Trumps efforts had not been previously known.

In a statement, Mitchell said Raffenspergers office has made many statements over the past two months that are simply not correct and everyone involved with the efforts on behalf of the Presidents election challenge has said the same thing: show us your records on which you rely to make these statements that our numbers are wrong.

The White House, the Trump campaign and Meadows did not respond to a request for comment.

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Raffenspergers office declined to comment.

On Sunday, Trump tweeted that he had spoken to Raffensperger, saying the secretary of state was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the ballots under table scam, ballot destruction, out of state voters, dead voters, and more. He has no clue!

Raffensperger responded with his own tweet: Respectfully, President Trump: What youre saying is not true.

The details of the call drew demands from top Democrats for criminal investigations. Campaigning in Georgia, Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris called Trumps conversation a baldfaced, bold abuse of power by the president of the United States. Bidens top campaign lawyer, Bob Bauer, said the recording captures the whole, disgraceful story about Donald Trumps assault on American democracy.

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Republicans, however, were largely silent. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), when asked about the call while campaigning in Georgia on Sunday for the two GOP senators who face a runoff Tuesday, dodged the question completely.

Trumps pressure campaign on Raffensperger is the latest example of his attempt to subvert the outcome of the Nov. 3 election through personal outreach to state Republican officials. He previously invited Michigan Republican state leaders to the White House, pressured Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in a call to try to replace that states electors and asked the speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to help reverse his loss in that state.

His call to Raffensperger came as scores of Republicans have pledged to challenge the electoral colleges vote for Biden when Congress convenes for a joint session on Wednesday. Republicans do not have the votes to successfully thwart Bidens victory, but Trump has urged supporters to travel to Washington to protest the outcome, and state and federal officials are already bracing for clashes outside the Capitol.

During their conversation, Trump issued a vague threat to both Raffensperger and Ryan Germany, the secretary of states general counsel, suggesting that if they dont find that thousands of ballots in Fulton County have been illegally destroyed to block investigators  an allegation for which there is no evidence  they would be subject to criminal liability.

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Thats a criminal offense, he said. And you cant let that happen. Thats a big risk to you and to Ryan, your lawyer.

Trump also told Raffensperger that failure to act by Tuesday would jeopardize the political fortunes of David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, Georgias two Republican senators whose fate in that days runoff elections will determine control of the U.S. Senate.

Trump said he plans to talk about the alleged fraud Monday, when he is scheduled to lead an election eve rally in Dalton, Ga.  a message that could further muddle the efforts of Republicans to draw their voters out.

You have a big election coming up, and because of what youve done to the president  you know, the people of Georgia know that this was a scam, Trump said. Because of what youve done to the president, a lot of people arent going out to vote, and a lot of Republicans are going to vote negative because they hate what you did to the president. Okay? They hate it. And theyre going to vote. And you would be respected, really respected, if this can be straightened out before the election.

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Trumps conversation with Raffensperger echoed his effort to persuade the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden on a call that led to his impeachment, and once again put him in legally questionable territory, legal scholars said. By exhorting the secretary of state to find votes and to deploy investigators who want to find answers, the president appeared to be encouraging him to doctor the election outcome in Georgia, which could violate both state and federal law.

Additionally, Trumps apparent threat of criminal consequences if Raffensperger failed to act could be seen as an attempt at extortion and a suggestion that he might deploy the Justice Department to launch an investigation, they said.

The president is either knowingly attempting to coerce state officials into corrupting the integrity of the election or is so deluded that he believes what hes saying, said Richard H. Pildes, a constitutional law professor at New York University, who noted that Trumps actions may have violated several federal statutes.

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But Pildes said Trumps clearer transgression is a moral one, and he emphasized that focusing on whether he committed a crime could deflect attention from the simple, stark, horrific fact that we have a president trying to use the powers of his office to pressure state officials into committing election fraud to keep him in office.

Prosecutors would likely exercise discretion in considering a case against an outgoing president, experts said. Edward B. Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University, said the legal questions are murky, and it could be difficult to prove that Trump knew he was encouraging illegal behavior. But Foley also emphasized that the call was inappropriate and contemptible and should prompt outrage.

He was already tripping the emergency meter, Foley said. So we were at 12 on a scale of 1 to 10, and now were at 15.

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Throughout the call, Trump detailed an exhaustive list of disinformation and conspiracy theories to support his position. He claimed without evidence that he had won Georgia by at least a half-million votes. He floated a barrage of assertions that have been investigated and disproved: that thousands of dead people voted; that an Atlanta election worker scanned 18,000 forged ballots three times each and 100 percent were for Biden; that thousands more voters living out of state came back to Georgia illegally just to vote in the election.

So tell me, Brad, what are we going to do? We won the election, and its not fair to take it away from us like this, Trump said. And its going to be very costly in many ways. And I think you have to say that youre going to reexamine it, and you can reexamine it, but reexamine it with people that want to find answers, not people who dont want to find answers.

Trump did most of the talking. He was angry and impatient, calling Raffensperger a child, and said law enforcement officials were either dishonest or incompetent for not finding widespread ballot fraud in Atlanta. He twice called himself a schmuck for endorsing Kemp, whom Trump holds in particular contempt for not embracing his claims.

I cant imagine hes ever getting elected again, Ill tell you that much right now, he said of the governor.

He also took aim at Kemps 2018 opponent, Democrat Stacey Abrams, trying to shame Raffensperger with the idea that his refusal to embrace fraud has helped her and Democrats generally. Stacey Abrams is laughing about you, he said. Shes going around saying, These guys are dumber than a rock. What shes done to this party is unbelievable, I tell you.

The secretary of state repeatedly sought to correct Trump, saying at one point, Mr. President, the problem you have with social media, they  people can say anything.

Oh this isnt social media, Trump retorted. This is Trump media. Its not social media. Its really not. Its not social media. I dont care about social media. I couldnt care less.

At another point, Trump claimed that votes were scanned three times: Brad, why did they put the votes in three times? You know, they put em in three times.

Raffensperger responded: Mr. President, they did not. We did an audit of that, and we proved conclusively that they were not scanned three times.

Trump sounded at turns confused and meandering. At one point, he referred to Kemp as George. He tossed out several different figures for Bidens margin of victory in Georgia and referred to the Senate runoff, which is Tuesday, as happening tomorrow and Monday.

His desperation was perhaps most pronounced during an exchange with Germany, Raffenspergers general counsel, in which he openly begged for validation.

Trump: Do you think its possible that they shredded ballots in Fulton County? Because thats what the rumor is. And also that Dominion took out machines. That Dominion is really moving fast to get rid of their, uh, machinery. Do you know anything about that? Because thats illegal, right?

Germany responded: No, Dominion has not moved any machinery out of Fulton County.

Trump: But have they moved the inner parts of the machines and replaced them with other parts?

Germany: No.

Trump: Are you sure, Ryan?

Germany: Im sure. Im sure, Mr. President.

It was clear from the call that Trump has surrounded himself with aides who have fed his false perceptions that the election was stolen. When he claimed that more than 5,000 ballots were cast in Georgia in the name of dead people, Raffensperger responded forcefully: The actual number was two. Two. Two people that were dead that voted.

But later, Meadows said, I can promise you there are more than that.

Another Trump lawyer on the call, Kurt Hilbert, accused Raffenspergers office of refusing to turn over data to assess evidence of fraud, and he claimed awareness of at least 24,000 illegally cast ballots that would flip the result to Trump.

It stands to reason that if the information is not forthcoming, theres something to hide, Hilbert said. Thats the problem that we have.

Reached by phone Sunday, Hilbert declined to comment.

For her part, Mitchell contradicted Trump on several occasions on the call, saying, Well, I dont know about that, when the president alleged that a Fulton County election worker had triple-counted 18,000 ballots for Biden. She claimed that the extent of the fraud is unclear because Raffenspergers office has not shared all the data Trumps lawyers have sought.

We never had the records that you have, she said. Germany noted that the office is barred under law from sharing certain voter information.

In the end, Trump asked Germany to sit down with one of his attorneys to go over the allegations. Germany agreed.

Yet Trump also recognized that he was failing to persuade Raffensperger or Germany of anything, saying toward the end, I know this phone call is going nowhere.

Why dont you want to find this, Ryan? he asked of Germany. Whats wrong with you? I heard your lawyer is very difficult, actually, but Im sure youre a good lawyer. You have a nice last name.

But he continued to make his case in repetitive fashion, until finally, after roughly an hour, Raffensperger put an end to the conversation: Thank you, President Trump, for your time.

Alice Crites contributed to this report.

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At the meeting (Photo: NDO)

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang said that although there were many challenges in 2022, Vietnamese businesses continued to stand firm and overcame challenges, making an important contribution to promoting economic relations between the two countries.

He expressed his belief that in 2023, with the COVID-19 pandemic under control, Cambodia will continue to reopen strongly and focus on restoring and developing the country, which pave the way for Vietnamese investors in the country to gain successes in their business and investment.

At the conference, units under the Embassy and the Vietnam Business Club in Cambodia (VBCC) provided the latest information on Cambodias economic development, its investment attraction policies, Vietnam-Cambodia cooperation as well as Cambodias latest policies in taxes, labour code, investment policies for Vietnamese businesses.

Besides, representatives of Vietnamese businesses mentioned problems they face when investing and doing business in Cambodia, calling on competent authorities of the two countries to help them to solve the problems.

The embassy will collect the recommendations and proposals of businesses and submit them to the 20th Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee Meeting and the 12th Conference on Cooperation and Development of Border Provinces between Vietnam and Cambodia in 2023 for consideration and settlement, the Ambassador affirmed.

The bilateral trade turnover between the two countries in 2022 increased by nearly 11% to 10.58 billion USD.

As of the end of 2022, Vietnam had 205 valid investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of 2.94 billion USD, making the country the fifth largest foreign investor and the largest ASEAN investor in Cambodia./.
A man has suffered serious burns while undergoing a routine medical procedure at private hospital St John of God Subiaco.

The incident happened on Tuesday, and the man is on Friday in a critical but stable condition in intensive care at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

WAtoday and Nine News Perth understands he was being treated for a skin condition when a fire broke out in the operating room.

St John of God in Subiaco. Credit: Nine News Perth

The patient suffered critical burns and was rushed to FSH for specialist care.
A dispute between teal MP Monique Ryan and her estranged chief of staff, Sally Rugg, will return to court on Friday after mediation between the parties failed to produce a settlement.

Lawyers representing the Commonwealth, the Independent MP for Kooyong and her high-profile staffer have spent the past two weeks trying to resolve a dispute which, if it proceeds to a hearing, will expose the inner office workings of one of parliaments new representatives.

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and her estranged chief of staff, Sally Rugg, in happier times.

After a final meeting on Thursday was unable to bridge their differences, Ryan and Rugg were preparing for another date before Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer on Friday and, potentially, the release of material contained in affidavits already filed with the court, which may be embarrassing for the parties.

When the matter was last before the court, Justice Mortimer reluctantly agreed to suppress the material until after the case was mediated to boost the chances of a settlement.
Lubbock, Texas: Hundreds of irate residents of the Ohio town where a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals earlier this month packed into a high school gym on Wednesday, seeking answers to what health dangers they still face.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, looking angry and tired, told the meeting that he wanted to help provide some reassurance for the 4700 citizens of his town, and hold to account those responsible for the train derailment.

We need our citizens to feel safe in their own homes, Conaway said as the meeting began. I need help. Im not ready for this. But Im not leaving, Im not going anywhere.

taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire the day after the derailment. Credit: AP

The toxins-laden train of three locomotives and 150 freight cars was headed from Illinois to Pennsylvania when it derailed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said 20 of the cars were carrying hazardous materials, including 10 that derailed.
The train was carrying a mix of items including malt liquor, frozen vegetables and five main hazardous chemicals: ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene, butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride. The National Transportation Safety Board said that of the trains 150 cars, 38 derailed and an additional 12 were damaged by a fire that lasted for days; 11 of the 20 cars carrying hazardous materials derailed. A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern train on February 6. Credit: AP There were no fatalities or injuries in the derailment and fire. Investigations into what caused the derailment are ongoing, but surveillance video footage shows the bottom of one rail car overheating beforehand. Engineers from the NTSB Materials Laboratory will examine the rail car wheel and axle that potentially experienced a mechanical issue, NTSB spokesperson Jennifer Gabris wrote in an email to Bloomberg Green.

Why was there a controlled explosion? In the days following the crash, at least one train car carrying toxic materials started to experience a dramatic rise in pressure. This prompted concerns of a possible catastrophic explosion that could send a deadly spray of shrapnel across a wide area. Ohio National Guard Civil Support Team members prepare to enter an incident area in East Palestine, Ohio, to assess remaining hazards with a lightweight inflatable decontamination system. Credit: AP To prevent this from happening, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Norfolk Southern and others decided to perform a controlled explosion of five cars carrying chemicals including vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. It is unknown how much of the vinyl chloride, which is used to make polyvinyl chloride thats found in many plastic products and other chemical materials, leaked into the environment ahead of the explosion or during it.

Roughly 4700 people live in East Palestine. Residents and businesses within a few kilometres of East Palestine in both Ohio and Pennsylvania were evacuated ahead of time. Following this explosion on Monday, February 6, residents were allowed to return home starting on Wednesday, February 8. What about air contamination? The EPA conducted a range of air monitoring procedures after the crash, including real-time air monitoring using stationary devices set up around the disaster zone and East Palestine community, roving monitoring using hand-held devices and aerial monitors using an ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology) plane. An employee of environmental contractor HEPACO works in a creek along Sumner Street in downtown East Palestine, Ohio on Sunday February 5. Credit: AP Only particulate matter was detected above the screening levels, and no chemicals or gases were identified at a hazardous level. By the evening of February 13, the EPA had discontinued its community-level air monitoring for phosgene and hydrogen chloride, which can be produced when vinyl chloride combusts. The EPA has been monitoring for chemicals known to be on the train, as well as other materials that those chemicals can break down into or generate upon combustion.

With Norfolk Southern, the EPA also screened the air inside 396 homes and found no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride; 100 homes still need to be tested. But this doesnt mean there werent chemicals in the air, possibly at dangerous levels. In one of the EPAs daily updates, the agency noted that residents in the area and tens of miles away may smell odours coming from the site, a result of the byproducts of the controlled burn having a low odour threshold. Booms are placed in a stream that flows through the centre of East Palestine, Ohio, as the clean-up continues. Credit: AP Public health experts also warn that testing indoor air quality isnt sufficient, especially a week after an event, when chemicals and gases may have dissipated. What they have to test is the furniture, the rugs, anything that will absorb contaminants, says Enck. The EPA did not respond by the time of publication to questions about whether it was testing furniture.

Has there been water contamination? Soon after the crash, emergency response crews found contaminated run-off at two surface streams  Sulphur Run and Leslie Run  prompting the construction of booms and underflow dams to restrict the flow of contaminated water. Operations to collect contaminated mud and water have continued, with the Ohio EPA taking the lead on water sampling. At least one of the streams empties into the Ohio River, a drinking source for several states, prompting additional water sampling across state lines. The clean-up of portions of the freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio,. Credit: AP Although officials have largely declared the drinking water in East Palestine and elsewhere safe, some communities are being advised to drink bottled water.

About 3500 fish have died in the impacted waterways, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said. The primary toxic chemical identified in the water is butyl acrylate, which is used to make polymers and resins, including those found in plastics and paint. Who is responding to the crash? A complicated web of local, state, and federal officials are responding to the disaster, along with Norfolk Southern and its contractors. East Palestines city officials have contributed to the emergency response, while both the Ohio National Guard and US Department of Defence contributed to modelling done ahead of the controlled explosion.

The NTSB is running the safety investigation into what caused the crash and will ultimately issue safety recommendations after it is done. Loading The EPA took initial water and soil sampling around the crash site, and is the primary source for air monitoring in the community; the EPA is also working with Norfolk Southern to do indoor air screening inside the homes of those who have requested it. The Ohio EPA is the point agency for water sampling in and around the site, while the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and other water utilities along the Ohio River are doing their own water sampling.
A batch of humanitarian aid from China arrives at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua)-- A plane landed in Damascus on Wednesday with a batch of humanitarian aid from China to help Syria overcome the repercussions of last week's powerful earthquakes.

Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei and Moataz Dawji, the assistant minister of Syria's Local Administration and Environment Ministry, were at the airport to witness the transfer of the aid supplies.

At the airport, Shi told reporters that the aid constitutes 80 tonnes of medical supplies, such as respirators and oxygen-generating devices, as well as tents, first aid kits, blankets, winter clothes, and food materials.

Shi said that though separated by thousands of miles, China and Syria have always been good and true friends who help each other and look out for each other.

"The Chinese government will provide more urgent humanitarian assistance, whether food or medicinal materials, as well as communication equipment to support the Syrian efforts in overcoming the earthquake disaster," the ambassador added.

For his side, Dawji said that the Syrian government's priority now is to help the survivors and provide them with the help they need, expressing the belief that Syrians can overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes with help from friends like China.

After the massive earthquakes that jolted Trkiye and neighboring Syria on Feb. 6, China has been actively providing assistance to the two countries. The Chinese Red Cross Society moved immediately, providing two batches of humanitarian supplies to Syria, which arrived in Damascus on Feb. 9 and 13 respectively. 

A batch of humanitarian aid from China is transferred at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A worker drives a forklift to transfer humanitarian aid from China at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A batch of humanitarian aid from China arrives at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
The 65th Meeting of the WCO Data Model Projects Team (DMPT) was held successfully, in a hybrid mode, on 2 and 3 February 2023. Some 155 registered participants made up of WCO Member delegates as well as representatives of international organizations and the private sector, participated online. In addition, 28 delegates attended the Meeting in person at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Pranab Kumar Das, Director of the WCO Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, opened the Meeting, welcoming participants and introducing them to the activities and roles of the DMPT. He underlined the valuable participation by DMPT members, particularly those having contributed to the work in the WCO Version 4 Mini Group in the days prior to the Meeting, and highlighted the efforts made to complete the Data Model (DM) Version 4 package work items.

The DMPT received and processed three Data Maintenance Requests (DMR) via the WCO DM App, namely two DMRs submitted by Canada and one by the WCO DM Version 4 Mini Group. The DMPT accepted one DMR, another DMR was withdrawn upon the DMPTs recommendation, and it was agreed that a further DMR would be updated and reviewed again after further consideration by the submitter.

The DMPT discussed and partially approved the deliverables of the WCO DM Version 4 package. The DMPT agreed to receive additional input for several Version 4 deliverables, e.g. WCO DM Technical and Non-Technical Guidance Material, Open API Guidelines and JSON Guidelines, by 28 February 2023, with a view to submitting the final version of the deliverables for endorsement by the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) at its April 2023 sessions.

In the context of Coordinated Border Management and Single Window digital collaboration, the DMPT discussed the alignment of the current WCO DM CODEX Derived Information Package (DIP) with the CODEX Guidelines to support CODEXs initiative in the area of generic digital certificates. The Representative of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems gave a presentation stressing the importance of this work. Additionally, the Delegate of Nigeria shared that countrys practice regarding cooperation between Customs and the competent food safety authorities.

Regarding the ongoing work to establish a global data standard for maritime travellers, the DMPT reviewed and discussed the draft maritime Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) model.

The DMPT was updated by the Secretariat on the progress with the Work Programme 2022-2023 and discussed the new Work Programme 2023-2025. In addition to several new activities, the DMPT agreed to carry over some of the ongoing 2022-2023 activities to the new Work Programme.

To promote national implementation of the WCO DM, the DMPT received an update on the latest developments of the My Information Package (MyIP) Repository and Mapping tool modules of the WCO DM App. In addition, the Delegate of Zambia shared that countys national approach to developing the MyIP as part of its overall implementation of the WCO DM. The delegate then gave details of the MyIP that had been developed in the DM App MyIP Repository.

The Meeting was closed by Brendan OHearn, Deputy Director, Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, who congratulated the participants on all of the outcomes achieved.
The WCO completed a gender equality organizational assessment for the benefit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from 6 to 10 of February in Accra, Ghana. The assessment was conducted under the framework of the West Africa Security Project (WASP), a partnership between the WCO and the German Central Customs Authority, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Recognizing the importance of gender equality and diversity (GED) as prerequisites for achieving sustainable development and ensuring peace and security in West Africa, the project includes a new and innovative component on GED. This component aims to support the partner Customs Administrations of Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Togo in developing and implementing gender-responsive and inclusive policies and practices with a specific focus on security aspects.

The WCO's Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT) provided the basis for this assessment to identify current strengths and areas for improvement to enhance the GED agenda within the GRA.

Through dialogue with several departments, including Human Resources and Training, Communication and Public Affairs, Ethics and Good Governance, Strategy and Research, Policy and Programmes, as well as with representatives from the GRA Ladies Club and from different field offices, the assessment resulted in a comprehensive overview of current policies and practices in place. As part of the assessment, conversations were also held with private sector stakeholders, representatives from the Ministry of Gender Equality and other border agencies, which allowed a broader view of the situation on gender equality in Ghana. A visit was also made to the port of Tema to observe the operations in place directly.

The WCO looks forward to continuing working with the GRA in implementing the recommendations from this assessment and showcasing the good practices implemented by GRA in the WCOs global knowledge-sharing events.

For more information, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
From 31 January to 1 February, 2023, the WCO in partnership with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) held a regional workshop on advance rulings in Windhoek, Namibia to discuss the state of play in the implementation of advance rulings while reflecting on opportunities for a regional coordination framework. The workshop was preceded by the fourth meeting of the SACU Technical Working Group on 30 January, 2023. Both meetings were organised under HS-Africa Programme, funded by the European Union.

The meeting brought together experts from all the five SACU Member States; Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. Representatives from East African Community (EAC) and Mauritius also attended the meeting to share their experiences in implementation of advance ruling.

In their opening remarks, Mr. Donald NDWANDWE, SACU Secretariat acting Director, Trade Facilitation and Revenue Management, and Mr. Sam SHIVUTE, NamRA Commissioner General, expressed their sincere appreciation to the WCO for organising a workshop on advance rulings for the SACU region and the continuous partnership. They also thanked the European Union for the support provided to the SACU region under the HS-Africa Programme and emphasised the importance of advance rulings in trade facilitation. Mr. Donald NDWANDWE highlighted that the support provided will go a long way to build the required capacity for the SACU region as well as to assist moving forward the agenda for Trade Facilitation in SACU, which is a key component included in the SACU strategic plan for 2022  2027. Mr. Sam SHIVUTE made reference to the successful implementation and launch of an advance rulings program in Namibia in July 2022, notably with the support of the HS-Africa Programme. He urged all Member States to follow suit and use the opportunity of the assistance and partnership under the HS-Africa Programme to set Customs work to World Class standards.

During the workshop, the role of advance rulings as a key component of trade facilitation was discussed and widely recognised by all the participants. An expert from the WCO exchanged with participants on the existing International Standards on advance ruling, elaborating in detail the WCO Council Recommendation of 1996, the WCO Technical Guidelines on advance rulings for classification, origin and valuation (2015), WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement provisions and AfCFTA provisions on advance rulings. Member States shared the state of play at national level as well as the challenges and improvement to be undertaken.

Following the discussions on the national state of play, experts from the EAC and Mauritius took the floor to share their experiences, challenges and lessons learned in the implementation of advance rulings.

The workshop concluded by developing recommendations for improvements to the current arrangements at the national level to better reflect current international standards.

Alongside the workshop, there were meetings of the SACU secretariat and the five Member States with the EU HS-Africa Programme team to conclude future work plans for assistance under the EU HS-Africa Programme and other EU-WCO relevant initiatives.

For more details, please contact: hs@wcoomd.org.
Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Spring Festival travel rush, which began on Jan. 7 this year, ended on Wednesday, with passenger traffic continuing to recover.

During the 40-day travel rush, more than 1.5 billion trips took place by rail, highway, water, and civil aviation, official data showed.

The country's railway passenger flow continued to rebound. Statistics showed that since Feb. 1, an average of more than 9 million passenger trips were made every day, and railway passenger transport has recovered to 90 percent of the figure for the 2019 corresponding travel rush period.

Road travel, as the first choice for short and medium-distance travel, was also favored during this year's travel rush.

Data from ride-hailing company Didi showed that from Jan. 7 to Feb. 14, Didi's ride-hailing and taxi orders continued to increase and recovered to more than 90 percent of the number for the same period of 2019.

The civil aviation sector also received more passengers during the Spring Festival holiday. In south China's Hainan Province, the Sanya civil aviation authority reported a new high of 3,024 flights in the week-long holiday, an increase of 5.8 percent over the same holiday period in 2019.

"China's railways, roads, waterways, and civil aviation have maintained stable operation, with sufficient transport capacity, orderly services, strong emergency support, and a generally secure environment," said Zhou Min, an official with the Ministry of Transport.

Passengers line up to board a train at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Children pose for photos in front of Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers walk on a platform at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers line up to board a train at Xi'an Railway Station in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Passengers wait to get their tickets checked at Fuyang West Railway Station in Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Lu Qijian/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Suzhou Railway Station in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Hang Xingwei/Xinhua)

Passengers are aboard a train at Wuchang Railway Station in Wuchang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Zhao Jun/Xinhua)

Passengers take a selfie before boarding a ship at Yantai Port in Yantai, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Tang Ke/Xinhua)

Passengers walk on a platform at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

This aerial photo shows a bullet train departing from Xiangyang East Railway Station in Xiangyang, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Yang Dong/Xinhua)

Passengers wait to board a train at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 15, 2023.

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Zhang Yixi/Xinhua)

Passengers pass the ticket gate at Guiyang North Railway Station in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a view of the crowded Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Yan Chenhao/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a bullet train running in Yinzhou District of Ningbo City, east China's Zhejiang Province. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Hu Xuejun/Xinhua)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Jing Zongxing/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a bullet train running on a railway bridge in Haizhou District of Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)

Maintenance workers under the China Railway Shanghai Group Co., Ltd. inspect railway tracks at Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Li Yuze)

A passenger asks for information about airport express at the airport transport hub of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 15, 2023. The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, a mass migration marking the celebration of the Chinese New Year, officially ended on Wednesday, with more than 1.5 billion trips made by rail, highway, water and civil aviation. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Editor: WXY
Market of logistics real estate in Lviv region will increase by 80,000 sq m in 2023 - Watermelon Development

The logistic real estate market of Lviv region will increase by 80,000 sq m in 2023, Fedir Arbuzov, the CEO of Watermelon Development consulting company, told Interfax-Ukraine.

"Lviv developers in 2022, with prudent caution, did not stop investing in the logistics segment. Three companies are now the most active: Dragon Capital, Alterra Group, Sparrow Capital. In general, these companies will increase the logistics real estate market of Lviv region by almost 80,000 sq m," said Arbuzov.

According to him, at the beginning of 2023, there were about 300,000 square meters of high-quality logistic real estate of class A and B in the region.

Dragon Capital is building its M10 Lviv Industrial Park project, by the fall of this year it plans to implement the first phase with a total area of almost 15,000 square meters.

Alterra Group is almost at the finish line of the mixed-use logistics complex Port Lviv with 47,000 square meters of space for various functions built on 8 hectares, including production, trade, and offices. In January, the fifth stage was put into operation, the lion's share of the area has already been filled.

Another outrageous project is Sparrow Park Lviv. It provides for the construction of more than 90,000 square meters at a very competitive location  the circular road of Lviv.

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
Israel to provide Ukraine with loan guarantees of up to $200 mln for healthcare, civil infrastructure projects - FM

Israel intends to provide loan guarantees of up to $200 million for the implementation of healthcare and civil infrastructure projects in Ukraine, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said.

"Over the past year, Israel has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including the deployment of the Shining Star field hospital," he recalled at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv.

In addition, Cohen assured that Israel intends to continue supporting Ukraine. In particular, he announced loan guarantees of up to $200 million for Israeli projects in the field of healthcare and civilian infrastructure.

He also announced that Israel would help Ukraine to develop a smart early warning system.

"I am proud to support Ukraine during these difficult times," Cohen said.
We must make the spring such that it really feels like Ukraine is moving towards victory, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address on Wednesday.

"This concerns the training of our defense forces, the supply of weapons for our state and our strategic initiative in the war. Any attempts by Russia to seize the initiative must break. And I am sure that we will do it," he said.

According to the president, "the enemy is now already losing so many of his people and forces that it will soon be difficult to find, for example, a marine all over Russia. And our task is to make sure that there is less and less desire to keep Ukrainian territories in occupation. The liberation of our land. This is a goal that we work towards achieving every day."
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mainly cloudy and much cooler than we've been (but still not bad for April) with some occasional showers or an afternoon t-storm..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with a lingering shower in the evening, then some patchy fog or drizzle late.
READING, Pa. - In the world of the theater, like many other creative arts, it's often all about who you know.

"The director Hunter Foster, who directed the show for three years there, told me that he was gonna be directing the show 'The Other Josh Cohen' off-Broadway," said LJ Fecho, artistic director at Genesius Theater.

Genesius Theater in Reading is currently in the middle of its run of the award-winning musical "The Other Josh Cohen," written by two Broadway veterans. And the Reading cast and crew have lots of ties to the guys behind the show.

"So they've been friends all these years, so it's really weird this little theater in Reading has all these connections to these two guys," said Fecho.

Genesius invited David Rossmer and Steve Rosen to the show this Friday, and they accepted.

The artistic director says bringing working Broadway talent into these seats in Reading shows how intertwined the theater community is.

"We're starting to get those connections with New York and Philly, bringing them here," Fecho said.

A rare and exciting opportunity for the local cast and crew, but also a little nerve wracking.

"I said to them, you better know all your lines cuz they're gonna know all their lines that they wrote," said Fecho.

The show runs through Sunday.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  Allentown City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to use $100,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funding to begin the initial work of starting a credible messenger program in the city.

A credible messenger program involves appointing individuals from the community with relatable experience who can help to prevent violence through mediation and mentoring initiatives.

Although the matter was addressed by members of the public for over an hour, councilmembers did not raise any objections to the program.

The motion specifically calls for the administration to work with council to draft a request for proposals to hire a consultant to examine and evaluate data relating to at-risk juveniles in the justice system for the purpose of evaluating the proposal to start a credible messenger program.

"My hope is that they will look at crime statistics, and what they feel is most appropriate to deal with the youth violence that we're experiencing," said Daryl Hendricks, president of city council.

Several individuals involved in a credible messenger program in New Jersey came to the meeting to explain the importance of the work they do.

The parameters of an actual program in Allentown are expected to cost the city approximately $1.5 million in ARPA funding.

Jessica Ortiz, a resident of Tilghman Street, said she appreciated the credible messengers coming from New Jersey to support Allentown.

"We're trying to change lives," Ortiz said. "We need the people, and I think that the city should invest because the other ones (anti-crime programs) didn't work."

"It's not about one person, and it's not about one organization," Ortiz continued. "If they came here from another state to encourage us and give us the tools, then we don't have to reinvent the wheel."

Several members of the community identified themselves as already working in their communities as unpaid credible messengers.

North Ninth Street resident Pas Simpson said he  and others  have been doing the work for years.

"As you can see, we are not alone; we are not funded, but we are not alone," Simpson said. "We've been doing this work for years now out of the kindness of our hearts and our commitment to this community."

"People are dying in our city every day, and we can't wait for someone to do some kind of research to figure out how we stop our babies from dying when we have people who are already doing it in different places," Simpson added.

"We can't just police away the problem," he said. "You need people like me who can go out there and actually speak to the problem and who can speak to the solution."

Other speakers objected to hiring an outside consultant when people in the city have already figured out what needs to be done.

Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach assured residents that the outside consultant would only be making recommendations to the city and not doing the actual work.

The actual work for a pilot program would only occur following the request for proposals.

Prior to the vote, Gerlach amended the motion  which received support from council  to divide the $100,000 funding equally between City Council's budget and the administration's budget, to ensure both would have input into the consultant and the RFP process.
The Netherlands to supply Ukraine with ammunition for Leopard 2 tanks

The Government of the Netherlands will transfer ammunition for Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed this information to De Telegraaf on Wednesday.

"This is a significant contribution," the newspaper said, citing the minister.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a press conference at NATO headquarters said "the contribution of the Netherlands consists of 20,000 rounds of ammunition."

"Because of the cuts, the Netherlands no longer has its own tanks, but they want to contribute in other ways," according to the statement.
EASTON, Pa.  Northampton County Council heard two consultants' pitches Wednesday, reviving a dispute with County Executive Lamont McClure.

The prices came in lower than expected. Whether council decides to proceed with studies may be decided in March.

Last year, council passed resolutions and then ordinances asking for studies of employee pay and of the operations of Gracedale, the county nursing home. McClure vetoed the ordinances, saying the studies were not needed and would waste money. Lori Vargo Heffner, then president of council, said the studies were part of council's oversight of government. Council overrode both vetoes.

In November, requests for proposals, known as RFPs, went out for potential bidders to examine. Council's finance committee, led by Commissioner Ron Heckman, heard the proposals Wednesday after what Heckman referred to as a "family" dispute between council and the administration.

Heckman said McClure and his staff are not working with council: "Every single thing is a pushback," adding, "It's a game."

As the conversation grew heated, McClure said administration officials might leave the room.

Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni commented on a recent exchange with the administration about the RFPs: "I was somewhat disappointed by the tart response."

Vargo Heffner said the administration did not keep council informed, with "poor communications all around."

After the process was discussed for awhile, everybody stayed in the room and Director of Fiscal Affairs Stephen Barron started the presentations. He said after the RFPs were posted for qualified bidders to review, the pay-study proposal was viewed online 54 times and two bids were submitted.

One bid would have required items to be kept secret, so Barron said it was not considered.

"I don't think government should work that way," he said.

Bolton, a Maryland-based consulting firm, bid $64,600 to study employee pay versus comparable employers. David Johnson of Bolton said the pay study would take about 12 weeks.

"It's a pretty standard process" that his company has done many times for governments, he said.

The study as proposed would cover only non-union jobs. One of McClure's objections to the study was that most Northampton County employees are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements that supersede any study.

The other pitch made Wednesday was for a study of the operations of Gracedale. Barron said the RFP was viewed by 47 firms, and four made bids.

"One of the bids was over $600,000," he said, and three bidders were from out of state.

Affinity Health Services of Indiana, Pennsylvania (northeast of Pittsburgh), bid $39,980, Barron said. The company has already done work with Gracedale, the county home in Upper Nazareth Township.

Candace McMullen of Affinity said the review of operations could be finished in 90 to 120 days. McClure contends that Gracedale is already regulated by multiple agencies and does not need further scrutiny.

Council will consider resolutions on the two studies at its March 2 meeting.
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. - Police in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County are investigating after an 84-year-old woman died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday.

The crash happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Freemansburg Avenue in the area of 13th Street, according to township police.

An SUV driven by an 89-year-old man with the woman as a passenger was traveling eastbound on Freemansburg Avenue. Meanwhile, a car driven by a 20-year-old man was traveling westbound on the same street, police said.

Police said the car crossed into the oncoming eastbound lane and the two vehicles collided. The people in the vehicles were transported to St. Lukes Anderson for treatment.

The 84-year-old woman died Tuesday. Her identity, cause, and manner of death will be released by the Northampton County Coroners office.

The crash remains under investigation. Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call Sgt. LaPointe at 610-814-6481.
EASTON, Pa.  Northampton County Council will review Southside LERTA District II, a proposal to extend tax breaks for development in part of Bethlehem.

LERTA, or Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, is a state program that allows developers to pay reduced taxes on new construction, if the host towns, counties and school districts agree to accept less for a decade. The goal is to spur development on old industrial and blighted sites in hopes of building the future tax base.

The City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Area School District have already voted in favor of the LERTA. The tax break starts at 100% on new building, not the land, and declines to 10% before ending.

The South Bethlehem LERTA is an extension of a previous tax-break plan that ended Dec. 30, 2022. The new version covers a small area and focuses on boosting development on former Bethlehem Steel Corp. properties and potential expansion of existing businesses. A small part of the district could be used for housing.

Other business

Council will also consider pay raises for some staff members of the county's Juvenile Justice Center, where youth are detained. Court Administrator Jermaine Greene said at a council committee meeting Wednesday that the raises would be for six supervisors at the center, which has had problems hiring and keeping staff.

Several appointments by County Executive Lamont McClure to boards and commissions will also be considered.

Council will meet in its chambers at the government center in Easton at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The meeting will also be broadcast on the county's YouTube channel.
Last year, a food truck in the Lehigh Valley raised thousands of dollars for soldiers on the front line in Ukraine.

For the first time, they're hearing back from the troops they supported, who filmed a video thanking people here at home. In March of last year, the owner of the Take a Taco food truck, George Pitsilos, was watching the carnage of the war in Ukraine on the news.

"I figured what can we do to possibly help this effort? So I thought, you know what? Let's do a fundraiser at the food truck," said Pitsilos.

A fundraiser on March 19, 2022 encouraged people to donate anything they could to help the cause of people defending their country across the world. Pitsilos said he was overwhelmed by the response.

"Some people would just come up and just give us money. Just say here, give this towards the cause. It was just a great community effort," said Pitsilos.

Pitsilos and his customers raised almost $11,000. It took him months to figure out how to safely get the funds overseas to the Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, but now, he found out his plan worked.

"I woke up to an email, and there were five pictures, four pictures with video," said Pitsilos.

"Hi George, thank you for supporting us and for your donation," said one of the soldiers in a video.

"Hello George, we are very grateful to you for everything," said another soldier.

The soldiers were thanking George and his customers in the Lehigh Valley for helping them purchase drones and other equipment.

"He help us to buy this wireless drone that will help us to operate in the far east of the Ukraine," said a soldier in another video.

"The thank you is not just for me, or for Take a Taco, it was a thank you to the whole community that did contribute that day for us and helped us out," said Pitsilos.

A community effort to help another community in need, thousands of miles away.
PHILADELPHIA  Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday he will not allow Pennsylvania to execute any inmates while he is in office and called for the state's lawmakers to repeal the death penalty.

Shapiro, inaugurated last month, said he will refuse to sign execution warrants and will use his power as governor to grant reprieves to any inmate whose execution is scheduled.

In doing so, he is exercising an authority used for eight years by his predecessor, Gov. Tom Wolf, to effectively impose a moratorium on the death penalty in a state where it has been sparsely used.

Shapiro went further, asking lawmakers to repeal the death penalty and calling it fallible and irreversible.

"Today, I am respectfully calling on the General Assembly to work with me to abolish the death penalty once and for all here in Pennsylvania," Shapiro said in a news conference at Mosaic Community Church in Philadelphia.

The state, he said, "should not be in the business of putting people to death."

The first execution warrant came to his desk last week, Shapiro said.

Twenty-seven states allow the death penalty, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

On the campaign trail last year for governor, Shapiro had said he was morally opposed to the death penalty, even though he had run for attorney general in 2016 as a supporter of the death penalty for the most heinous cases.

Shapiro is shifting his stance amid shrinking support nationally for the death penalty.

While Wolf was governor from 2015 until last month, judges delivered eight more death sentences. In the meantime, Wolf issued eight reprieves to inmates who had been scheduled to be put to death.

Wolf had said he would continue the reprieves until lawmakers addressed inequities in the use of the death penalty, but lawmakers never did and Wolf's reprieves remain in effect.

Wolf's use of reprieves was upheld by the state Supreme Court in a legal challenge brought by county prosecutors, who argued that Wolf was unconstitutionally turning what had been intended to be a temporary tool into a permanent one.

Pennsylvania has 101 men and women on its shrinking death row, according to statistics from the Department of Corrections. The state has executed three people since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, as courts and now governors have blocked every other death sentence thus far.

All three men who were executed gave up on their appeals voluntarily. The state's most recent execution took place in 1999.
BUTLER TWP., Pa.  The underground mine fire in Centralia, Columbia County, has been talked about for decades.

Virtually everyone in the central Pennsylvania borough had to be relocated, but this story is about something different. Another fire has people wondering if Centralia's fire is spreading underground toward their homes and businesses.

We first learned about this new fire, referred to in state documents as the "Girardville North II" fire, when a former 69 News photographer, Kaylee Lindenmuth, filed a Right to Know request with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about a reported mine fire, three miles to the east of Centralia.

We got back a report confirming its existence, and then we decided to hike out there and see it for ourselves. What we found was concerning to us, and we learned it's also concerning to people in the nearby Schuylkill County borough of Shenandoah.

We began our investigation at the site of the coal region's most famous mine fire, Centralia. Once home to more than 1,000 people, it now has fewer than 10 houses. The fire there has been burning underground since 1962. The state DEP said it began when the town filled an abandoned strip mining pit with residential trash. Then, the town intentionally lit the trash on fire. The DEP's website says because there was not a non-combustible barrier in place, the fire spread from the trash to the exposed Buck Mountain Coal seam in the pit, and it's been burning underground ever since.

If you want to learn more about Centralia, 69 News did a story in 2009, interviewing people who lived there.

"Today, it is an odd ghost town," said Andy Ulicny, the director of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society. "When they started weighing the cost versus the notion of let's just move everybody out, they paid them, there were royalties and this. They went with that direction, just let it burn."

Today, there is no more visible smoke coming out of the ground in Centralia proper, but just to the east, we saw our first evidence that the fire is still very much active. Smoke was coming out of the ground off Big Mine Run Road, which is just outside Centralia. That location is the furthest point investigators originally thought the mine fire had reached, but that was until 2004, when a mining company reported another mine fire several miles east of there.

We obtained that report through our Right to Know request. It identifies a different fire three miles to the east, just north of the Schuylkill County borough of Girardville, first discovered in 2004 by a mining company called Blaschak Coal. At that time, investigators said "The possibility the underground mine fire and the Centralia mine fire were related in some way was discussed. Additional field work and map analysis is necessary to make an accurate determination."

Later in the report, it says "Blaschak plans to go ahead and re-mine the area and extinguish the underground mine fire. Therefore, we recommend no further action."

It was time to see for ourselves if the fire had been dealt with. The hike into abandoned mine land wasn't easy. It's a terrain filled with swampy water, overgrown plants, and loose rocks, but after about a mile, we saw from a distance what we were looking for. Smoke rising straight out of the ground, covering an entire hillside, and continuing onto the back of the hill. The area was surrounded by dead vegetation. The fire had not been extinguished.
BUTLER TWP., Pa.  Once we hiked out to the fire in Butler Township, Schuylkill County, and saw how much smoke was coming out of the ground, we immediately wondered how much the state government knows about it, but after reaching out to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, we learned several of our questions couldn't be answered.

From the Right to Know request, we know that the Girardville fire has been burning for at least 19 years, so we wanted to find out how far it extends underground and what's being done about it.

The DEP said it has been monitoring the fire over the years and had "no evidence at this time that the Centralia Mine Fire and the one north of Girardville in Schuylkill County are connected."

But it also said it had no idea how the fire started and that monitoring had been limited to surface surveys with "thermal imaging cameras."

When we asked in a separate request for the results of any field studies conducted in the area, we were told there were no records of them. We also learned that the DEP never approved Blaschak to dig up the fire. Finally, the agency told us it "has no estimate as to how far... the fire in Girardville has progressed."

On its website, the DEP does have an estimate on how far the Centralia Mine Fire could eventually progress. Created in 1983, the map predicted, if left unchecked, the Centralia fire was likely to spread along the Buck Mountain Coal seam, splitting into two legs. When placed over a satellite map, it shows one leg extending to the borough of Shenandoah in Schuylkill County. The other, wider leg, where the Girardville fire is located, dead-ends at a tiny neighborhood called Raven Run.

To understand the implications of this, we needed to talk with a geology expert and pay a visit to Raven Run.
A fearless hospice patient has crossed the last thing off her bucket list.

Stoneridge Hospice in Arizona helped 82-year-old Barbra Kling "zip" through her bucket list.

With a nurse by her side and a chaplain on the ground, Barbra said she was ready to feel the wind in her hair, and she did. She went ziplining.

This zipline in Apache Junction is advertised as the world's safest zipline. It is 150 feet tall with a max speed of 30 miles per hour.

Barbra says she's thankful for the people around her that make it their job to help dreams like this come true.

"Tell me not to give up, and I won't. I'm not a quitter. I'm a fighter. And I'm going to fight it until my last breath," she said.

Barbra says moments like this help her forget about her lung condition and the tube around her nose.

And, when Barbra was asked if she would do it again, she said yes!
A 13-year-old Virginia kid is bringing hope to kids in hospitals all across the country.

Even when he's struggling with his own health, Kahmari Riedl always has a smile for you. He is resilient and selfless, and that superstar attitude caught the attention of the Children's Miracle Network.

Every year, they recognize 10 children as champions to advocate for funding for their nonprofit.

They choose Kahmari after learning about what he is going through. He was born with gastroschisis, which is a disorder where your bowels are on the outside of your body at birth. He's been through more than 60 procedures in the last 13 years.

Here's some advice he has for other kids going through medical struggles.

"If you have a disorders, like me, and you just really don't feel safe, all you have to remember is that it's gonna be okay. And your parents and doctors are gonna help you get through it no matter what," he said.

Folks who know Kahmari say he faces challenges head on and that it's so moving to watch him do it because he does it all with a smile.

Kahmari says he's helping other kids and that's what matters to him, supporting them all the way.
By the end of March 2023, the Competition Commission will complete the process of selecting candidates for members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine (HCCJ), after which the High Council of Justice (HCJ) will decide on their appointment, and the HCCJ will begin its work to select judges in Ukraine, Head of the HCJ Hryhoriy Usyk has said.

In an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, Usyk said that the competition in the HCCJ is held according to the same open principle as in the selection of members of the HCJ.

"Since 2019, the HCCJ has not been working, and it is a disaster for the judiciary. Now, the shortage of judges throughout Ukraine is more than 2,000. There are not enough judges in trial courts and courts of appeals. It is impossible to overcome the personnel shortage without the HCCJ. The qualification assessment of judges should also be completed," Usyk said.

According to him, the shortage of personnel affects the quality of justice, since the judge, who is handling about 2,000 cases, objectively cannot draw up well-motivated court decisions, since there is not enough time for this.

"The filling of the courts after the launch of the HCCJ will help improve the quality of justice and facilitate citizens' access to justice," Usyk said.

At present, the competition commission has interviewed about half of the candidates, the head of the HCJ said.

"We expect that approximately on March 20, the commission will complete the selection procedure for candidates for HCCJ members. Next, the HCJ shall select 16 candidates out of 32, a list of which will be provided to us by the competition commission," he explained.

Usyk assured that the HCJ, in turn, would not delay the selection process because the HCCJ is the only body responsible for selecting judges.

"We hope that after the selection of the HCCJ members, it will start working as soon as possible because the judicial system requires urgent filling of vacancies for the positions of judges," the head of the HCJ said.
Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles with Eileen Atkins is finally making its way to the stage.

The piece, which follows a teenager, Leo, who unexpectedly arrives at his grandmother's Manhattan apartment, was named TIME's best play of 2012. It had been due to be staged at the Old Vic in 2020 with Atkins also attached alongside Timothee Chalamet (Dune) but the production was derailed by the pandemic's onset.

The show will now appear as part of Chichester Festival Theatre's 2023 season  which was announced today. No longer helmed by the Old Vic's artistic director Matthew Warchus, Atkins will be joined by Richard Eyre in the director's seat, while break-out Heartstopper star Sebastian Croft will play Leo.

BAFTA Breakthrough star Nell Barlow and Lesbian Space Crime's Elizabeth Chu will also appear, while the show has set and costume design by Peter McKintosh, lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound design by John Leonard, and casting by Ginny Schiller CDG.

It will run at Chichester Festival Theatre's Minerva Theatre from 4 May to 10 June 2023, with general sale beginning on 4 March.
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Due to the impossibility of the work of the courts in the occupied territories and on the front line in Ukraine, the jurisdiction of cases of 169 courts has been changed, Head of the High Council of Justice (HCJ) Hryhoriy Usyk has said.

In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, he said that 88 local and appellate courts are not currently administering justice, and 138 courts are located in the territories temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities.

Usyk explained that, despite the war, the state is not relieved of the obligation to ensure the right of citizens to a fair trial. Therefore, the HCJ, on the proposal of the head of the Supreme Court, changes the jurisdiction of those courts where it is impossible to administer justice from the point of view of security both for judges and citizens.

"In general, due to the war and annexation, we were forced to change the jurisdiction of 169 courts of Ukraine. At the same time, given the proper conditions for the administration of justice, the territorial jurisdiction of 55 courts was restored," he said.

Speaking about the situation with the courts in Kherson, the head of the HCJ said that a decision to resume the work of three local courts of Kherson and the Court of Appeal from February 1 was made.

"But now Kherson is under constant shelling, and at the request of the judges and the appeal of the State Judicial Administration, we have postponed the resumption of their work until March 1, 2023," Usyk said.

In general, as the head of the HCJ said, as a result of hostilities, 98 court premises were damaged or completely destroyed  12% of their total number, of which 12 courts were completely destroyed.

Most of all, according to him, the premises of judicial institutions in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions were damaged or destroyed.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Wanda G. Sensing,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-11

Notice is Hereby Given that on January 31 of 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Wanda G. Sensing, who died 12/26/2022 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Arthur King

Administrator

Stan Reynolds

210 E. College Street

Dickson, TN 37055

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 8, 2023 & February 15, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Mary Elizabeth Riggins,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2022-PR-225

Notice is Hereby Given that on January 31 of 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Mary Elizabeth Riggins, who died 12/02/2022 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Cody Riggins

Executor

Jennifer Sheppard

1935 21st Ave South, Ste 100,

Nashville, TN 37212

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 8, 2023 & February 15, 2023

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NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES SALE

WHEREAS, default has occurred in the performance of the covenants, terms and conditions of a Deed of Trust Note dated April 22, 2019, and the Deed of Trust of even date, securing said Deed of Trust Note and recorded as Instrument # 298999 and in Book V1379at Page 23-37 in the Registers office for Dickson County, Tennessee, executed by Devon Greer conveying the certain property described therein to Tennessee Title Services, LLC, Trustee, for the benefit of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as beneficiary, as nominee for The Mortgage Firm, Inc. and to Robert S. Coleman, Jr., having been appointed as Successor Trustee by NewRez, LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing.

WHEREAS, the owner and holder of the Deed of Trust Note has declared the entire indebtedness due and payable and demanded that the hereinafter described real property be advertised and sold in satisfaction of indebtedness and costs of foreclosure in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Deed of Trust Note and Deed of Trust.

NOW, THEREFORE, notice is hereby given that an agent of Robert S. Coleman, Jr., as Successor Trustee, pursuant to the power, duty, and authority vested in and conferred upon said Successor Trustee by the Deed of Trust, will on April 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM at 4 Court Square, Charlotte, Tennessee, offer for sale to the highest bidder for certified funds paid at the conclusion of the sale, and free from all legal, equitable and statutory rights of redemption, exemptions of homestead, rights by virtue of marriage, and all other exemptions of every kind, all of which have been waived in the Deed of Trust, certain real property located in Dickson County, Tennessee, described as follows:

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the County of Dickson, State of Tennessee, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at an iron rod in the East right of way margin of Old State Route 47 at a distance of 25 feet from the center of said road, said point also being Mark Corlews Southwest corner; thence along Corlews South boundary line, South 83 degrees 13 minutes 25 Seconds East 175.18 feet to a 10 inch cedar corner fence post, said point being Bluff Trace Limiteds Northwest corner; thence along Bluff Trace Limiteds West boundary line, South 00 degrees 52 minutes 05 seconds East 294.21 feet to an iron rod; thence leaving Bluff Trace Limiteds West boundary line, North 55 degrees 05 minutes 40 seconds West 31.30 feet to an iron rod next to fence post, said point being Mark D. Parkers Southeast corner; thence along Parkers boundary line to points as follows: North 06 degrees 31 minutes 00 seconds West 125.69 feet to an iron rod next to a fence post; South 89 degrees 05 minutes 05 seconds West 111.58 feet to an iron rod next to a fence post in the East right-of-way margin of Old State Route 47 at a distance of 25 feet from the center of said road, said point also being Parkers Northwest corner; thence along the East right-of-way margin of said road, North 08 degrees 48 minutes 05 seconds West 175.92 feet to the point of beginning, containing 0.70 acres, more or less, by survey of Bobby D. Christy R.L.S. #1033, November 8, 1994.

More commonly known as: 1150 Old Charlotte Road, White Bluff, Tennessee  37187

Tax Map or Parcel ID: 096-002.00.000

Said sale shall be held subject to all matters shown on any applicable recorded plat; any unpaid taxes; any restrictive covenants, easements, or setback lines that may be applicable; any statutory rights of redemption of any governmental agency, state or federal; any prior liens or encumbrances as well as any priority created by a fixture filing; to any matter that an accurate survey of the premises might disclose; and subject to, but not limited to, the following parties who may claim an interest in the above-referenced property:

The following individuals or entities have an interest in the above-described property: (1) Devon Greer, (2) Unknown Spouse of Devon Greer, (3) Occupants of 1150 Old Charlotte Road, White Bluff, Tennessee  37187, (4) Marshall Crawford, Trustee, (5) The Housing Fund, Inc. and (6) Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

To the best of the Trustees knowledge, information, and belief, there are no other Federal or State tax lien claimants or other claimants upon the subject property which would require notice pursuant to the terms and provision of T.C.A.  35-5-104 or T.C.A.  67-1-1433 or 26 U.S.C.  7425.

The Successor Trustee may postpone the above referenced sale from time to time as needed without further publication. The Successor Trustee will announce the postponement on the date and at the time and location of the originally scheduled sale.

This property is being sold with the express reservation that the sale is subject to confirmation by the lender or trustee. This sale may be rescinded by the Successor Trustee at any time.

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

DATED this 6th day of February, 2023.

Robert S. Coleman, Jr.

Successor Trustee

SettlePou

1501 North University, Suite 970

Little Rock, Arkansas 72207

Insertion Dates:

February 8, 2023; February 15, 2023; February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Ronald O Bellar,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-13

Notice is Hereby Given that on February 7 of 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Ronald O Bellar, who died 11/15/2022 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Jessica Mangrum

Executor

Neil Barnes

P.O. Box 250

Charlotte, TN 37036

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Linda Dolemba,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-12

Notice is Hereby Given that on February 7 of 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Linda Dolemba, who died 01/29/2023 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

John Adam Kulakowski

Executor

Talmage Woodall

702 E. College St. Ste 200

Dickson, TN 37055

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Morton Mark Dotson,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-14

Notice is Hereby Given that on February 8 of 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Morton Mark Dotson, who died 01/09/2023 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Elizabeth Sue Collier

Administrator

Benjamin Regen

P.O. Box 190

Dickson, TN 37056

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of James Wayne Hill,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-9

Notice is Hereby Given that on January 31, 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate James Wayne Hill, who died 01/02/2023 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Judy Hill

Administrator

Talmage Woodall

702 E. College St., Ste 200

Dickson, TN 37055

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Ronald Lee Jones Jr.,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-16

Notice is Hereby Given that on February 10, 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Ronald Lee Jones Jr., who died 01/02/2023 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Kelsey Amber Shelton

Administrator

Stan Reynolds

210 E. College Street

Dickson, TN 37055

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

As Required by TCA 30-2-306

Estate of Nancy L. Miller,

Deceased

Case Number 22CH1-2023-PR-15

Notice is Hereby Given that on February 10, 2023, letters testamentary (or of administration as the case may be) in respect to the estate Nancy L. Miller, who died 01/12/2023 were issued to the undersigned by the Dickson County Chancery Court of Dickson County, Tennessee. All persons, resident and non-resident, having claims, matured or unmatured, against the estate are required to file the same with the Clerk of the above-named Court, on or before the earlier of the dates prescribed in (1) or (2) otherwise their claims will be forever barred: (1) (A) Four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting, as the case may be) of this notice if the creditor received an actual copy of this notice to creditors at least sixty (60) days before date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting); or (B) Sixty (60) days from the date the creditor received an actual copy of the notice to creditors, if the creditor received the copy of the notice less than sixty (60) days prior to the date that is four (4) months from the date of the first publication (or posting) as described in (1) (A); or (2) Twelve (12) months from the decedent s date of death.

Shannon L. Hadley and Scott W. Miller

Co-Executors

Stan Reynolds

210 E. College Street

Dickson, TN 37055

Attorney

Lynn Collins

Clerk & Master

February 15, 2023 & February 22, 2023

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NON-RESlDENT NOTICE

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF DICKSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

ERICA CALDWELL COLMENARES and JOHN PHILIP COLMENARES

Plaintiff

Vs.

UNKNOWN DEFENDANTS 1-10, BEING ANY AND ALL PERSONS ASSERTING AN INTEREST IN A CERTAIN 42.81 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN THE 7th CIVIL DISTRICT OF DICKSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE HAVING THE PARCEL NUMBER OF 07-023-023-13.00- 000

Defendants CASE No 2023-CV-l l

To:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Erica Caldwell Colmenares and John Philip Colmenares filed a Verified Complaint for Declaratory Relief in the Chancery Court for Dickson County, Tennessee Case # 2023-CV-1 l, located at 500 Spring Street, Charlotte, TN 37036. The style of the case is Erica Caldwell Colmenares and John Philip Colmenares vs. Unknown Defendants 1-10, being any and all persons asserting an interest in a 42.81 acres, more or less, located in the 7th civil district

having the parcel number 07-023-023-013.00-000. Parties to the case are Erica Caldwell Colmenares, John Philip Colmenares, and any and all persons asserting an interest in a certain 42.81 acres, more or less, located in the 7th civil district, having the parcel number 07-023-023-013.00-000 commonly known as Civil District 7, Tax Map 23, Parcel 13 and now also known as Buck Branch Road.

Charlotte, Tennessee 37036.

The Court has entered an Order of Publication mandating that any defendants in the above-described action must enter appearances and answer the Colmenaress Verified Complaint for Declaratory Relief on or before 30 days after the last publication of this Notice or judgment by default may be taken against them for the relief sought in the complaint.

It is further ordered that this notice appear in the Dickson Post for four consecutive weeks.

This7th day of February 2023.

/s/ Lvnn Collins

LYNN COLLINS

CLERK AND MASTER

Dickson Post

02/15/2022, 02/22/2022

03/01/2022, 03/08/2022

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Dhaval Kumar Patel, 505 Whirlaway Ct. Burns, TN 37029 has on January 30, 2023 filed an application with the Dickson County Clerks Office for a permit to sell beer for OFF premises consumption at 3275 Hwy 49E., Charlotte TN 37036 formerly known as The Ridge General Store. Consideration will be given to the application by the Beer Committee of the Dickson County Commission at 6:00 PM on March 20, 2023 in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Court House Annex in Charlotte, Tennessee.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Burns will be accepting bids for

sealing the old parking lot and entrance way for

Burns Municipal Park. Specifics will be available

at Burns City Hall, 2715 Church Street in Burns.

Bids must be turned in by March 3, 2023 at 2 pm.

The town reserves the right to reject any and all

bids.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Burns will be accepting bids for

striping the parking lots at the Burns Municipal

Park. Specifics will be available at Burns City

Hall, 2715 Church Street in Burns. Bids must be

turned in by March 3, 2023 at 2 pm. The town

reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The Town of Burns will have a work session on

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:00pm at City Hall

in Burns, Tennessee to discuss Burns Municipal

Park Concession Stand contract.

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PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will

be held by the Dickson City Council on March 6,

2023, in City Hall Council Chambers, located at

600 E. Walnut Street at 7:00p.m., for an Ordinance

to Rezone Property Located at 2015 Hwy 70

W (Map 103 Parcel 095.00 from B-3 (Highway

Commercial) to R-2 (Medium Density Residential)

by Guy and Shawn Fowler.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said the five-year support program from Norway sets a precedent for guaranteed sustainable support for the struggle for freedom.

"Not a single person on earth today can say what exactly will happen during this time  five years. But we all understand exactly what will not happen. Russia will not overcome our unity with you  all those who value freedom. The Kremlin will not make intimidation and terror the new normal for Europe. A terrorist state will not convince anyone that killing and robbing is better than living by the law and cooperating. And the Russian flag will not take root in the occupied territory of Ukraine," he said in a video address to the Storting (Norwegian parliament) on Thursday.

"You help us with air defense systems and this protects our cities from Russian terror. You are helping us with anti-tank weapons and artillery. You help us with the restoration of energy. And now you are creating a precedent for long-term financial support for a power that defends its independence," the president said.

According to him "this precedent is important, because it gives the feeling that tomorrow you will have a reliable partner next to you, who, like you, appreciates life and people."

"It's as sure as your NASAMS protecting our skies. I especially thank you for them! For every day and every night we need air defense  this is a matter of life for Ukraine," Zelensky said.

He said "we have come a long way since my first application to the Storting. And we still have to work to win  it's obvious. We still have a lot to do on the battlefield in Ukraine."

"And we still have to keep our vigilance with you so as not to lose the unity of the world and constantly strengthen the stability of our partners. But we already have the confidence that at the end of the journey, no matter how colossal it may be, we will remain free, as if we will find peace and maintain respect for ourselves and for each other. Because we do not change ourselves, and this is the most important thing. We are acting systematically and for a long time, and this is the most effective," Zelensky said.
Saint Marys University of Minnesota has announced a $25 million gift commitment  the largest gift in the universitys 111-year history  from an alumnus and his family.

This unprecedented donation, directed to the universitys endowment, will support current efforts to revitalize the university and cement the vision recently laid out by the president and university administration to position it for a strong and successful future.

We are forever grateful for this truly transformational gift to Saint Marys. Such a generous and major investment inspires and motivates us to advance our inspirational Lasallian Catholic educational mission, benefiting students and, in turn, society, as they work, lead and serve others, said Father James P. Burns, Saint Marys president. In these challenging times across higher education, this gift affirms that we are setting the course necessary to continue to serve students for decades to come.

While the benefactors wish to remain anonymous, they shared they felt compelled to invest in Saint Marys, stating how much they appreciate the hard work of the president and administration to boldly address the future course of Saint Marys. They see the university as one of the few that have a clear plan to steer through the turbulent waters facing all in higher education today.

Saint Marys has refocused its program offerings to directly meet workforce needs while maintaining a liberal arts core, said Burns. We know that todays students (both graduate and undergraduate) are looking for a solid return on their investment, which is why our university is partnering with health care and other major industry leaders to ensure that Saint Marys can continue to respond to the evolving marketplace.

We must ensure our graduates, who are tomorrows leaders, have the right skills for both work and life including problem solving, critical thinking and communication. This is because our liberal arts foundation remains central to our undergraduate experience thus providing students with a well-rounded perspective that will benefit them throughout their lives. Our work is guided by our identity as a Lasallian Catholic community, which calls us to be student-centered, welcoming and forward thinking.

As a stipulation of the gift agreement, in order to inspire others to step forward to provide support, the family has challenged the university to raise an additional $100 million between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2024. The family also has set an expectation that the undergraduate enrollment will increase from 800 to 900 during that same timeframe. Both stipulations are intended to further position the university for the future.

In addition to the historic magnitude of the gift, it is special for other reasons as well, said Gary Klein, vice president for advancement. The benefactors primary goal is to grow the universitys endowment from $70 million to close to $100 million and  with the match  close to $200 million, an increase of 180%. They believe strongly that with this solid foundation, and guidance by Father President James Burns and the Board of Trustees, many generations of students will benefit from a Saint Marys education  and, in turn, society will benefit from graduates who are both skilled and demonstrate strong moral and ethical character.

Previous record gifts to the university included $8 million in April 2014 to its First Generation Initiative and an unrestricted gift of $7 million in June 2000.

Board chair Terrence Russell said: We are grateful beyond words to this family for their gift. It is now a challenge for all of us who want to see our beloved Saint Marys thrive and flourish in the future to step forward and make a philanthropic commitment to help us realize this gift. Our president has set a course that is innovative, visionary and grounded in our faith-based mission. We could not be better poised for the future with his leadership and those of his team along with our faculty and staff to create the best learning environments for our students now and into the future. We are blessed.
Baraboo City Council members decided Tuesday, with the smallest number of votes possible, to overturn a recent veto by Mayor Rob Nelson over a proposed development to the west of U.S. Highway 12 and south of County Highway W.

The measure approved during the Jan. 24 council meeting was a development agreement, which is one of the first steps in a building project, between the city, proposed developer Pewits Landing LLC and seller of the 9.7 acres of land, Spirit Lake LLC. Planning for the full parcel outlines three phases for four separated sections of the area. There is potential for commercial development there as well.

I feel that it is a mistake to invest in development projects west of Highway 12 at this time, Nelson wrote in his memo sent to council members Jan. 29.

A positive result of his veto, Nelson noted in the document, is that it gave residents more time to provide feedback on whether they approve of such a development. More than two dozen members of the public attended the council meeting Tuesday, which was noted by more than one alderperson as unusual. Ald. Joel Petty said he could only remember as large of a turnout as when they were deliberating over urban chickens.

Those attendees stood up during public comment. A majority of the dozen individuals who spoke about the veto said they supported the mayors choice.

Some pointed to urban sprawl, which is defined as the rapid expansion of the geographic extent of cities and towns, often characterized by low-density residential housing, single-use zoning and increased reliance on the private automobile for transportation, as an issue because of the location, echoing a point Nelson made himself in the memorandum.

Others criticized what they saw as a lack of transparency by the local government to inform residents.

Baraboo attorney Wayne Maffei posited that the council did not follow Wisconsin open meetings law because there was already a deal in place when they went into closed session during their late January meeting to discuss the terms of the development agreement before voting to approve it in open session.

His law partner at Cross, Jenks, Mercer and Maffei, Jerome Mercer, said he also supported the veto and that he agreed with every point made in Nelsons memo.

The concern I have with the development is that it basically opens up urban sprawl for the city of Baraboo, Mercer said. The day may come when that development is appropriate for the city of Baraboo. In my opinion, that day has not come. I hope that I do not live long enough for that day to come.

Others expressed concerns over the environment.

Marianne Cotter, co-chair of local climate action nonprofit organization Powered Up Baraboo, acknowledged that Baraboo needs more housing, but asked that the council consider developing in a climate smart way.

Todd Persche, director of the Baraboo Range Preservation Association, also criticized the process the government is engaging in over making these types of development deals, but pointed to urban sprawl as the main issue.

The urban sprawl we see now is a reminder of the 1980s and 90s, but with this caveat: we now know climate change is a major problem, Persche said. Building things that bring more cars and more trips in the area just makes no sense to me.

The council overrode the veto on a 6-3 vote, which was the smallest majority it could have to still successfully continue with the measure. When they voted on the development agreement in January, it was an 8-0 vote. Ald. Scott Sloan was absent.

On Tuesday, Ald. John Ellington, Heather Kierzek, Kathleen Thurow, Phil Wedekind, Petty and Sloan voted in favor of overriding the veto and continuing the planning for development with the seller, Spirit Lake LLC, and proposed developer, Pewits Landing LLC. Ald. Jason Kent, Tom Kolb and Bryant Hazard voted against it, which would have allowed the veto to stand.

Travis Zick, of Merrimac, spoke on behalf of Spirit Lake LLC, noting how he is originally from the city and that when they purchased the land in 2005, they had always planned to develop a high-quality, gateway development that people will be attracted to as they come into town.

I feel like weve put together a project that will be a tremendous asset to Baraboo, Zick said. I think it hits on some areas that are desperately in need in the community, obviously the big one being housing.

Petty read the city smart growth comprehensive plan, which Nelson referred to in his memorandum as part of the reason for his concerns. The plan, which was finalized in 2005, does not include a factor which no one yet knew about: the housing crash in 2008.

During discussion over the last year as the city had an updated housing study completed, the crash was a main factor in why the comprehensive plan formulated in the early 2000s argues that Baraboo has good housing stock then and why theres a deficit of housing options now. With the housing crisis, building slowed and there was no optimistic turn toward development.

Petty pointed to the plan as full of paradoxes and noted that the planners did well, but they were not working with a crystal ball. Some goals outlined in the plan were specific and have been realized. Others were vague and could be interpreted subjectively, Petty said.

After reviewing the comprehensive plan, plans for the development and the 2018 Sauk County housing study, Petty said, in short, I dont support the veto.

He drove the area and said urban sprawl is not a concern from his perspective because its similar in distance to other developments and added that he bikes by there at least once a week during biking season.

I think thats a good fit, Petty said. I think thats going to provide housing thats desperately needed. I think the city has the infrastructure to maintain it. I do not think its detached from the city, as a matter of fact, I feel its a segue.

Kolb said he was appreciative of the work City Administrator Casey Bradley has done on the project, but received more calls in opposition to the development than he ever has while serving 14 years on the council.

When I think of a neighborhood, I think of a place where people can walk or bike easily to grocery stores, schools, libraries, churches and engage in civic amenities, and I think while this development certainly has a green space and walking paths, easy access to the highway, but little else of what I consider a vital neighborhood project, Kolb said, adding that the potential traffic would be a public safety issue.

Hazard proposed drafting a new comprehensive plan first, which could be done within a year, that would help the city better understand how to proceed with development projects.

Kent said he felt housing is needed, but focused more on his own feelings that the city council rushes its agenda items and more time is needed for projects like the one discussed. The fast-tracking of measures discourages community engagement, Kent said.

Bradley pointed to a development agreement as an initial step, not a final one.

Every single aspect of all of our vetting processes is still in place, Bradley said, pointing to the creation of a plat by the owner, rezoning of the specific parcel, acquiring a building permit through Plan Commission, presenting a storm water plan and landscaping plan to the commission, as steps that will be taken in coming months with public hearings at every point.

Going forward, each and every project that occurs out there is going to have numerous public processes, and if they fail to go through that process, they violate the development agreement, then theyre in violation, Bradley said. Just so everyone is on the same page, the development agreement is the start of the project.

GALLERY: Scenes from Baraboo city council meetings 041422-bara-news-council1 032422-bara-news-council1 032422-bara-news-council2 031022-bara-news-council1 031022-bara-news-council2 121621-bara-news-parks-plan-01 112621-bara-news-council2 112621-bara-news-council1 091621-bara-news-council2 081321-bara-news-development1 081221-bara-news-council2 071521-bara-news-council2 071521-bara-news-council3 062421-bara-news-council2 042921-bara-news-council2
Amber Lundgren will likely never live outside of prison again.

Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock sentenced Lundgren, 39, of Richland Center, during a hearing Wednesday to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or extended supervision.

Lundgren was found guilty May 25 of first-degree intentional homicide and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon by a jury after two weeks of trial at the Sauk County Courthouse in Baraboo.

The victim of her actions was a Westfield man named Christopher Lytle, who was 37 when he was shot by Lundgren in the back of the head and neck in September 2019.

The sentencing hearing revealed new information, even after testimony, audio and video records and forensic evidence reviewed during the trial.

Sauk County District Attorney Michael Albrecht revealed that in October, Lundgren met with detectives Drew Bulin and Justin Hannagan along with her defense attorney, Andrew Martinez, at the Sauk County Sheriffs Office. During a roughly one-hour long interview, Lundgren shifted her story for the 18th time, by Albrechts count, aiming blame at her ex-husband, David Lundgren.

Amber Lundgren told detectives that she shot Lytle because David decided that all of the men she had sexual encounters with while the pair were married needed to be maimed or killed. David allegedly even showed her where to aim the gun to ensure Lytles death.

David told me to take care of it, to take care of him, Lundgren told detectives. So I did what he told me to.

Though Lytle was the one killed, Screnock pointed to the gallery of roughly 30 people, indicating that the homicide created more victims.

Lytles father, John Lytle, spoke during the hearing, simply beginning his statement to Screnock with, I miss my son.

Visibly emotional on the witness stand, Lytle described a fiercely loving man who wasnt perfect, but who was a joy to know and a kind and caring young man.

I dont think that he knew how to do anything else, Lytle said. He brought joythat joy is gone.

Lytle said through his minister, he has worked to understand his grief, which is equal to the size of his love for his son. Though he hopes to forgive Lundgren one day, Lytle said he cant do that today and asked that she be imprisoned for life.

Two of Christopher Lytles sisters also spoke about their brother. Angela Witczak sat at the stand, recalling the day she was told by police that her brother had been killed. Witczak said she chose forgiveness, which does not exonerate the forgiven but bring peace to the person extending it, rather than hate, upon finding out who was responsible for her brothers death.

It would destroy me, she said. And then I would be no better than her.

Witzcak asked that Lundgren be imprisoned for at least 40 years, which is what she stole from her brother. That Lundgren seek counseling, and other forms of help, so that some good can be recovered after the devastation she caused.

Andrea Kaluza talked about her goofy brother and expressed sadness at him not seeing his nieces and nephews grow into adulthood, nor have his own children or get married. Kaluza said Lundgren is not trustworthy and without any remorse, calling for her to be imprisoned for life because this is where she should spend the rest of her days thinking about what shes done to Christopher, Christophers family, as well as how she hurt her own family.

Lundgren spoke to Christopher Lytles family when given the time to make a statement to the court.

I would just like to tell the family that I am sorry, Lundgren said. I do take accountability for my actions and theres nothing I can do to bring Chris back to you guys. I am so deeply sorry.

The criminal complaint in the case only has one perspective. It has a story told by Lundgren, which detectives and prosecutors have noted changed as she was asked questions. Martinez argued during the trial that Lundgren shot Lytle in self-defense in the turnaround area of North Hein Road near Levee Road in the town of Fairfield. A caller reported a body lying there. Lytle was left face down by Lundgren after she shot him the previous evening. The call came to authorities in the late afternoon.

Detectives tracked Lundgren after security at the Baraboo Ho-Chunk casino reviewed surveillance footage and saw Lytle getting into a white sedan. When they interviewed Lundgren days later, Det. Bulin said during testimony at the trial that Lundgren continually changed her story.

Lundgren eventually claimed self-defense, an act to protect herself from Lytle, who she accused of attempting to sexually assault her. They had dated years earlier.

In the October interview, Lundgren said Lytle expected a sexual interaction but she told him no. That wasnt the cause for her shooting him, though. Instead, she had been ordered by David, she said, and when Lytle began walking toward a nearby berm with a blanket, she pulled the .38 special revolver from her pants and shot him.

Forensics presented during the trial determined that the first shot was to the back of his head. The second likely taken as he lay dying in the dirt, hitting the back of his neck. Forensic Pathologist Robert Corliss testified for prosecutors, calling the shots execution style.

I did not want to shoot him, but I did, and it was under Davids direction, Lundgren said in the October interview.

Before being taken away by officers at the end of the hearing, Lundgren was crying and speaking to a family member about her children, begging them to get them away from him.

When she returned after shooting Lytle, Lundgren claims David told her to burn the clothes and shoes she was wearing. Albrecht said despite this testimony, detectives have not been able to gather enough evidence to implicate David Lundgren, and said that Amber Lundgren has been unhelpful in their attempts to gain more information through investigation.

I hesitate to say that any of this is true because it came from Amber Lundgren, Albrecht said, adding that there are some signs it has truthful elements to it. This is the first version of events the defendant gives us that conforms in some way to the physical evidence. In confessing guilt, the defendant jettisons the ability to claim innocence for the rest of her life, despite the jury verdict.

However, he said the interview pivots her alleged victimhood to her husband David after failing to convince a jury that Lytle had meant her harm. Albrecht referred to Lundgens testimony at her trial as unquestionably perjury and said her lying has harmed a number of people.

One being her father, Mark Trefren, who was charged in June with threatening the life of Albrecht after becoming upset at the guilty verdict for his daughter, who had claimed she was fearful for her life and well-being at the hands of someone who meant her harm. Trefren was found guilty of a felony July 25 in Richland County Circuit Court after serving 63 days in county jail.

The need to protect the public is clear, Albrecht said. Its so sad. There is simply no room for leniency here.

Martinez argued that despite the emotional baggage of the case, the purpose of a sentencing hearing is to allow the judge to decide an appropriate sentence. Martinez said that Christopher Lytles value was infinite, as is Lundgrens, though that does not mean she is entitled to killing another person. Martinez said he wanted to focus on facts and that the sentencing is not meant to satisfy any of our base instincts.

We cannot undo harm by imposing harm, even deserved harm, Martinez said. No amount of suffering or punishment inflicted on Ms. Lundgren or her family will undo whats happened here.

Martinez argued that Screnock does not know what danger Lundgren will pose in decades to come, which is when she would have been eligible for possible release if it had been granted, not now. Martinez said the presentence investigation shows that not only does Lundgren have borderline personality disorder, which causes her to form unstable relationships, but she also has post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by trauma she experienced when she was younger.

That was a concern for Screnock, he said, as he sentenced Lundgren to nine months for the concealed weapon charge. That Lundgren had gone through life with an unremarkable criminal history, until one day she killed another person.

As I consider the appropriate sentence structure for count one, recognizing that after a number of decades Ms. Lundgren will be an old woman, Screnock said. Also recognizing that I have no idea how long David Lundgren will be alive, and I remain convinced that Ms. Lundgrens desire to be loyal to him remains strong and likely will. Quite frankly, it comes down to this: This was a cold-blood, premeditated execution.

GALLERY: Sauk County court, cops Arsonist sentenced Shores enters Spoentgen argues Amber Lundgren hearing 'I'm sorry, that's all I can say' 020221-bara-news-metzger1 Defense attorney Jeremiah Meyer-O'Day Amber Lundgren in shackles Medflight near Baraboo Judge sets $250K bond for Pulvermacher in Baraboo homicide case Amber Lundgren homicide hearing Albart B. Shores trial Sauk County ADA Rick Spoentgen Pulvermacher listens 102519-bara-news-sauk-co-homicide1 William Wenzel Judge Michael Screnock Judge Klicko and attorneys Martinez and Spoentgen Sauk County Assistant District Attorney Rick Spoentgen Drew Bulin testifies Wenzel and Van Wagner in courtroom 073021-bara-news-dogs1 Mike Albrecht sworn in 051121-bara-news-law-zunker
Ah, its time to rest and relax in The River City. Maybe take in a show at the prestigious Princess Theatre. Maybe peruse the art hanging on the walls of the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. Maybe learn about local railroad history at the Historic Depot and Railroad Museum. Yes, theres plenty to do in Decatur, Alabama, this time of year.

Fun as all that may be, is not what 67-15 is doing right now in Decatur. Nor 85-21. 3-17, hatched at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, isnt sitting down for a hearty meal at Decaturs Big Bob Gibsons Bar-B-Que. No, 67-15, 85-21, and 3-17 are all whooping cranes that migrate from the Baraboo area south each year to north Alabamas Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for the winter.

Hillary Thompson, North American Program Crane Analyst at Baraboos International Crane Foundation said that the birds are probably, right now, Sleeping and eating and roosting for the night in wetlands. No Big Bob Gibsons brisket for those birds. No. Maybe, as Thompson said, for the cranes some waste grains from the nearby fields. Maybe some tasty earthworms.

The birds typically spend the winter in Alabama from around November through March. It takes about a week for a crane to fly back to Wisconsins breeding grounds. They stay in Wisconsin from around March to November. Its in Alabama where the feast and live along the Tennessee River. Its in Wisconsin where they mate, nest, and lay eggs.

67-15 is a female. She hatched June 16, 2015 at the International Crane Foundation. She goes by the name Druid. Druid is an excellent grasshopper catcher.

Her mate is 3-17. 3-17 loves the water. He sticks his head under for long periods of time, to explore or to find food. Hes a bit of a card. He likes splashing around and is rather fearless.

The two started their relationship in earnest in spring 2019. They nested together at the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in Berlin, Wisconsin. Their first nest, unfortunately, failed. Some months later they were found together at the wintering grounds at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

Back and forth theyve travelled since, from Wisconsin to Alabama, dependent on season.

It was the fall of 2021 that, although they didnt nest that spring, 67-15 and 3-17 became adoptive parents of a captive reared chick, 85-21. The pair showed 85-21 around White River Marsh before wintering back down near Decatur.

By spring of 2022 the three were back in Wisconsin. The pair hatched two chicks, though neither survived. 85-21 stayed close to them.

67-15 and 3-17 seem to be very easy birds, said Leginia Jenkins. They stay in grounds making it easier to find them.

Jenkins should know. She volunteers at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge monitoring them with photographer Scott Murphy, a machinist by trade.

They seem welcoming to other single birds, she said.

Jenkins is a retiree. She worked for 40 years at the nearby General Electric refrigeration plant. She lives about 2 miles from the refuge. The 35,000-acre refuge was established as a wintering area for migratory birds and continues that role. It manages and protects habitat for 12 federally endangered or threatened species, including whooping cranes.

I started reading about them and learned how rare they are, she said. I think its really special that some of them choose to winter here.

When Jenkins isnt at the theatre in downtown Decatur, or, perhaps, viewing the latest art exhibition, shes biking at the refuge. Shes done that some 15 years. She likes hearing the birds. Seeing them. Even getting to know them a little.

After adopting 85-21 and bringing him to Wheeler, she said, he has been returning. Hopefully, when he finds a mate, they both will continue to winter at Wheeler.

85-21, named Yoeme, hatched on June 3, 2021 at the International Crane Foundation. Hes been around his adoptive parents ever since.

We hope 85-21 finds a mate, Thompson said. We hope 67-15 and 3-17 can raise a chick on their own. They can be good parents.

That has been evidenced by their willingness to adopt other birds, like 85-21. Though theyve lost their own chicks in the past, Thompson said, Once they succeed, theyll do great. Maybe this coming year.

Jenkins said, After I learned how to identify them, I was hooked. Its something about knowing their identity and having the same birds return every year. Ive really grown attached to them.

As night descends on the wildlife refuge, the birds roost in the sandbars, careful of predators like bobcats. They rest along the rivers edge. Tomorrow is another day for the cranes to live their lives.

Jenkins returns home, not far from the birds shes grown to care for. She lives in Priceville and she liked that she spent part of her day with the cranes.

I feel lucky for this opportunity, she said of watching the cranes.

Next winter shell get the opportunity again. Her friends will fly in, filling the winter sky with their songs.
Beaver Dam Police took two teens into custody after a brief pursuit on Tuesday night after they located a stolen vehicle in the city of Beaver Dam.

There were four teens who were believed to be in the stolen vehicle. Police are still looking for one individual who was in the vehicle; however, another juvenile suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday in Waupun.

According to the press release from Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger, the officers located the stolen vehicle around 8 p.m. on the north side of the city.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled. A brief pursuit ensued, and the suspected vehicle struck several other vehicles and ultimately crashed into a ditch. The occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.

Two occupants were located and taken into custody, but two others were believed to be involved, and were not located despite a search by personnel, K-9s and thermal imaging tools.

An officer and the two juvenile occupants who were taken into custody received minor injuries from the crashes. All were examined at the hospital and released.

These juveniles will be referred for numerous charges as a result of this investigation.

This information was sent out to residents on the north side of Beaver Dam due to the unknown whereabouts of the possible occupant who fled on foot.

The last known location was near the crash scene at North Spring Street and Woodland Drive in Beaver Dam. If anyone has information regarding this case please contact the Beaver Dam Police Department.

The Beaver Dam Police Department was assisted by the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Beaver Dam Fire Department, and numerous citizens.
In connection with the full-scale war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, the Pentagon is conducting an audit of weapons arsenals and is considering possible changes in military planning, Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Financial Times.

"One of the lessons of this war is the very high consumption rates of conventional munitions, and we are re-examining our own stockages and our own plans to make sure that we got it right," he said.

"We're trying to do the analysis so that we can then estimate what we think the true requirement would be. And then we have to put that in the budget," he said.

Milley said the situation in Ukraine has forced U.S. military planners to reconsider the calculations made in the past decades, according to which Pentagon forces and assets should be redirected to fight terrorism and insurgency in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Earlier, the Center for Strategic and International Studies analytical center presented a report according to which the U.S. military industry does not match the current security environment. In particular, a possible conflict between the United States and China in the area of the Taiwan Strait will probably require the use of more ammunition than is available in the warehouses of the U.S. Department of Defense.
A man sat in court on Wednesday morning and pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault of a child under 16 years old in the Columbia County Courthouse.

Alexander R. Rodriguez, 20, Portage, could face up to 25 years in prison followed by up to 15 years of extended supervision if found guilty.

Rodriguez allegedly assaulted the 14-year-old at his apartment last year. He remains out on $2,500 cash bond that was set back in July 2022.

On Wednesday morning Rodriguez entered a not guilty plea while sitting next to his attorney Armand Schonscheck.

There is a plea hearing scheduled in Columbia County for March 1. Schonscheck told Judge W. Andrew Voigt that he expected arguments at the sentencing hearing which is why he requested a plea date set and not a plea/sentencing hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Margaret Anne Sorrentino explained during the hearing that the victims family would like this case to be concluded as soon as possible.

Voigt explained that after the plea hearing in March, it would most likely be between six and 10 weeks before the sentencing hearing is held. That time-frame is to give the pre-sentence investigation time to be completed.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Columbia County on July 20, 2022:

A Portage police officer spoke with the 14-year-old victim on July 16. The victim told the officer Rodriguez used to work with the victim and recently he invited this person over to his apartment on West Slifer Street.

The victim and a cousin went to the apartment on July 15. Rodriguezs roommate brought alcohol and marijuana for the group. The victim admitted drinking half a wine cooler and smoking a little marijuana.

The victim said they wanted to lay down and Rodriguez laid with the victim on a bed. He took off his shirt and started kissing the victim. Rodriguez allegedly assaulted the victim including grabbing the victim by the hair for oral sex.

The victim reported being scared and kept quiet while this happened.

The complaint alleges Rodriguez admitted picking up the victim and bringing them to his apartment when questioned by police. He also admitted he and the victim drank alcohol and smoked marijuana.

Rodriguez allegedly said he was very high and very drunk, and that all he could remember was the victim performing oral sex. He also admitted to knowing the victim was 14.
The Waupun Common Council officially appointed Bobbi Jo Kunz to the vacant District 6 alder spot Tuesday night.

The position became available after the death of longtime alder Nancy Vanderkin who died in December. The city asked that individuals submit a brief summary of their interest in the role ahead of their February meeting.

Three other candidates applied to be considered including Andrea Torres, Jay Graff and Kenny Liebenow. Another resident, Steve Buckles, expressed interest in the position but requested to be removed after he found out that Torres was in the running.

The council voted in support of Kunz, who received three votes with two alders supporting Torres. In a first-round vote to whittle down the selection to two candidates, Graff received one vote.

All candidates were given time to address the council and ask any questions before the vote.

Kunz has lived in Waupun for 16 years with her husband and children. She started working in real estate five years ago and quickly earned her brokers license. Kunz previously served on the Wisconsin Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Council.

We have been here since 07 and we absolutely fell in love with the community, she said.

When asked what goals she would have as an alder, Kunz expressed an interest in supporting the downtown area and joining the festivals committee.

Torres identified herself as a young mother, born and raised in Waupun. She and her husband own Torres Tree Service.

Im interested in getting more involved in helping Waupun grow as a community. I want my kids to live a better lifestyle than I did, Torres said.

Graff is a retired veteran and a familiar face at city council meetings. He has twice ran for mayor. Graff noted his diverse background, touching on his experience with the Walworth County Sheriffs Department, forest protection services and small business. He was a union steward for 25 years.

Im always active and on the forefront of whats going on locally. Nancy was one of my peers, I had a lot of respect for her, Graff stated. He added that his biggest concern would be to support and prioritize local businesses, particularly manufacturers.

Liebenow, owner of Liebenow Construction, is a veteran and has lived in Waupun for 26 years.

I dont know a lot about the city, but I would like to know more, because Ive been a part of the downtown for 15 years, Liebenow said.

Kunz was immediately sworn in and assumed the Dist. 6 seat for the rest of the meeting.

A new set of wheels

The council voted to purchase a used ambulance with the help of the Department of Health Services EMS Flex Grant that the city received in 2022. One of the uses that were eligible under the funds requirements was the purchase of an emergency response vehicle. Waupun applied and was awarded the full amount of $200,000.

The city currently has one ambulance that was built in 2007.

Weve gone through this process, and we are trying to procure some bids on what is available out there. Were finding prices all over the board, Fire Chief B.J. DeMaa said.

The council was presented with three options: a used demo model, a used ambulance box from Kiel, or a brand-new build. The alders gravitated toward a demo unit after discussing price, wait time and years of use that Waupun could get out of the vehicles.

They essentially take (the demo) around from show to show; they go department to department to show interested parties what the unit looks like. Then, youve got the ability to buy that at a slightly lesser cost, DeMaa explained. Its got some miles on it, but really hasnt been used for anything in terms of transporting patients.

The council unanimously voted to spend up to $280,000 on a demo model.
A well-known local nonprofit carrying on the legacy of a famous Wisconsin Dells business owner has made a round of winter donations for food and medical purposes.

The Gregory C. Van Wie Foundation has made six major donations this winter, with four going to food pantries in Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo, one to Kids Ranch, and one going to SSM Health to help purchase a telemetry system. Board members of the foundation acknowledged the convenience of localized high-tech cardiopulmonary care and the expected spike in traffic at food pantries with the upcoming cut to FoodShare benefits on March 1.

Upcoming FoodShare reductions concern school markets, pantries Dells, Baraboo, and Portage area food pantries are preparing for an anticipated increase in customers as a likely result of the upcoming cut in FoodShare benefits on March 1.

We intend to continue providing that kind of support to the community for many, many years to come, said Van Wie Foundation board member Bruce Rodger. Some years, were able to provide more support than others, and this was a year where we were able to provide a lot of support and spread it around as much as we could.

Thorne Wittstruck, an exercise physiologist in SSM Healths Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehab Department, displayed the telemetry system, which cost $100,000, half of which ($50,000) was donated by the Van Wie Foundation. He expressed his gratitude to the foundation and demonstrated how the system can track vitals for 16 patients in the facility.

Its really allowed our program to grow but also ensure that we get the best quality equipment available to the patients so we get the best quality care, said Wittstruck.

Wittstruck said that the telemetry system allows SSM Health staff to monitor a patients exercise prescription (an exercise room is adjacent to the front desk at the facility). The system also creates reports on measured vitals for patients and physicians to track in online medical charts. Patients are given a transmitter that sends information to antennas installed in the ceiling.

The SSM Health St. Clare Foundation has a well-established relationship with the Gregory C. Van Wie Foundation supporting the Wisconsin Dells Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, read a release from SSM Health announcing the donation and describing the telemetry system.

In December of 2022, the Van Wie Foundation distributed $75,000 in total donations to four food pantries in Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo. The Central Wisconsin Community Action Councils (CWCAC) pantry in the Dells and the Baraboo Food Pantry at St. Vincent de Paul in the city each received $22,500.

Dennis Lindsay, a volunteer at Baraboo Food Pantry, and Fred Hebert, the executive director for CWCAC, were each grateful to the foundation for the extra funding, particularly considering the upcoming FoodShare cuts.

The Van Wie Foundation has been totally helpful, not just with the food pantry in Wisconsin Dells, but with many other organizations, said Hebert.

Ed Terry, another Van Wie Foundation board member, mentioned how the foundation is looking to alleviate the impact of the March FoodShare reductions.

Theyre (the pantries) getting less food and its become more of a dependency on food pantries, particularly for people on fixed incomes, said Terry.
The Fisher family is known for their long-standing bar on Superior Street in Wisconsin Dells, but their history in the facility goes back a bit further.

Fishers Bar, which was opened as The Dells Tavern, has been open at its location across the parking lot from the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau since 1940. It boasts 90 total years in business as a tavern after spending its first seven on Broadway as Blue Bird Tavern. However, the family purchased the 719 Superior Street facility nine years earlier and is entering its 100th year at the site.

Fisher's Bar gallery A gallery of the history of Fisher's Bar and the family lineage behind it is below.

Diana Van Schoyck is the great-granddaughter of Alvin Thomas, a former Kilbourn/Wisconsin Dells business and alderperson, firefighter, and police officer who purchased the Superior Street building in 1924.

Van Schoyck presented the history of the establishment with her younger sister, Kim Musiedlak, to fellow members of the Dells Country Historical Society and others at Bowman Park on Feb. 9. Van Schoycks husband, Curt, was in attendance, as well as her brothers, Tommy and Greg.

At the time Thomas purchased the property (1924), alcohol sales were illegal in the United States due to Prohibition. Thomas is the great-great-grandfather of current Fishers Bar owner Aaron Van Schoyck (Diana and Curts son).

I started working here 10 years ago, and it was kind of a smooth transition, said Aaron Van Schoyck, who took over Fishers Bar from his uncle, Doug Fisher, in November of 2021. Going (back) five generations, you really dont see that really anywhere. Kind of a cool opportunity and I took that on.

Doug Fisher, another brother of Diana Van Schoyck who owned Fishers Bar with his wife, Jody, from 1989 to 2021 prior to his nephew Aaron, was not in attendance at the Bowman Park presentation.

Aaron Van Schoyck said that the bar currently attracts a mix of locals and tourists, particularly during the summer months. He added that loyalty from area residents helps keep business going during the off-season.

We even get couples from Illinois that are up and have a vacation spot, he said. They stop in every time (they come to the area).

Fishers Bar, which has no kitchen but serves snacks and frozen pizzas (a pizza oven is on the west end of the bar) along with alcoholic and other beverages, once had a small dining area in which Aaron Van Schoyck said sandwiches were served. Other renovations, such as woodwork, have been done over the years, but he said the bar has largely remained the same otherwise.

Family pictures, including ones of Ed and Esther Fisher (his great-grandparents) and Tom and Joan Fisher (his grandparents), former owners of the bar, along with others depicting Dells area history, are scattered throughout the bar on the walls.

According to documented family history that Diana Van Schoyck and Musiedlak discussed, their great-great grandparents, August Ziegenhagan and his wife, Wilhelmina Zach, immigrated to the United States from Germany and settled in Kilbourn (which became Wisconsin Dells in 1931) in 1874.

Thomas, who was also born in Germany before immigrating to Kilbourn in 1901, married Mina Ziegenhagan, August and Wilhelminas daughter, in 1903, and had six children, including Van Schoyck and Musiedlaks grandmother, Esther Thomas, who was born in 1906. The oldest of Thomas and Ziegenhagans children, Elsie, died in 1916.

In 1912, Thomas started a plumbing business on Broadway, and also did galvanized roofing, furnace sales and installation, and electric wiring. He moved the plumbing business to Oak Street prior to purchasing the Superior Street location five years later from the former Hussa Brewing Company.

Thomas utilized the north room of the building, now a cigar shop, for the plumbing business, and remodeled the south room, now Fishers Bar, as a living space for his family. They also built a home on Broadway in 1921.

Roughly one year after purchasing the Superior Street building, a basement fire prompted a remodel in which Thomas added a story in which the family lived and the south room became a storage space. In 1928, Thomas sold the plumbing business to Milwaukee-based business partners Thompson and Wohlfert, and became an alderperson two years later.

Following the repeal of Prohibition in December of 1933, Thomas applied for a beer license and opened The Dells Tavern in 1933. He became the Kilbourn Fire Department and Wisconsin Dells Police Department chief in 1934 and rented the bar to F.V. Plumb on March 1, 1934, who renamed it Plumbs Tavern.

Thomas later repurchased the plumbing business in 1937 with his sons, Fred and Merlin, and resigned as police chief. The elder Thomas died in 1941.

Ed Fisher, who was born in Merrill in 1901, married Esther Thomas in 1932 and had five children, including Tom, Diana Van Schoycks father. He applied for a liquor license in 1935 for a property he rented at 209 Broadway, which was called Blue Bird Tavern before he moved to the Superior Street location in 1940 after Plumb moved to a new facility. Fisher subsequently named his new location Fishers Bar.

He and Esther officially purchased the facility from Esthers mother, Mina (Ziegenhagan) Thomas, in 1944. That same year, an area businessman bought Alvin Thomass plumbing business and renamed it Caflisch Plumbing and Heating, with Merlin and Fred Thomas both serving in the military during World War II.

Tom Fisher married Joan Ennis, who was born in Wonewoc in 1934 as the 11th of 12 children of Lillian and Lawrence Ennis, in 1956. They had six children: Greg, the youngest, Doug, Ken, Diana, Tommy, and Kim, the eldest.

After acquiring Fishers Bar following Esther Fishers death in 1966, Tom Fisher took over and moved his family upstairs from the tavern.

Three generations lived upstairs, all with lots of children, wrote Diana Van Schoyck in her document.

The building that currently houses Fishers Bar was constructed in 1900.

GALLERY - Fisher's Bar and Family History History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar History of Fisher's Bar
Bidding for the Kay C. Mackesey Administration Building remodel is ramping up and Lake Delton is getting sewer line work done in time for the tourism season.

The Lake Delton village board considered more bids for different areas of work on the administration building at its monthly meeting on Feb. 13. Five categories are still open for bids. Village public works director Gary Hansen also discussed sewer line work that is currently in progress.

Hansen said in a statement that the sewer line work is being done in advance of the large Wisconsin Department of Transportation project on Wisconsin Dells Parkway, slated to be done between 2025 and 2026.

Dells Parkway to receive major facelift in 2025-26 Wisconsin Dells Parkway is scheduled to receive a left turn lane in its Lake Delton segments and some other work to improve safety. The project is scheduled to begin in early 2025 and finish in late 2026.

Currently, the village is in the early stages of installing 4,600 feet of 8-inch pipe liner in an existing sewer main on the north end of the Dells Parkway corridor (north of Lake Avenue within village boundaries), according to Hansens statement. The south end of the corridor (Lake Avenue to Adams Street) will have its sewer main replaced, along with connecting laterals to property lines. This work will be done as part of and in conjunction with the WisDOT project.

Work on the project is contracted through Visu-Sewer, a Pewaukee-based underground waste infrastructure company. Hansen said at the meeting that the lining could be completed by next week.

At the meeting, Hansen added that the south end of the corridor will have new maintenance holes installed along with the new sewer lines. The current ones are in despair, according to the public works director.

Bids for the five remaining portions of the project (demolition, metals, tile, flooring, and casework) were received on Feb. 7 by the village. Village administrator Tim McCumber said that metals, tile, flooring, and casework will be completed near the end of the project. Bids are yet to be received for demolition work.

We have time to get them, said McCumber at the meeting regarding bids for the five remaining portions.

McCumber added that the project is in a good position financially, as it is slated to be completed at a cost less than what the village budgeted. Bids for the remaining portions will be considered as they come in.

The village is budgeting $5,500 for waste management for the project. For 15 other portions, the village is contracting with 14 different companies at figures ranging from just under $5,000 to nearly $140,000 depending on the scope of work.

Momchilovich Drywall and Paint, a Platteville-based service, is doing those portions of the project (drywall and painting and wall covering) with two separate bids totaling just over $183,000. The most expensive portions of the project are carpentry and electrical, which are contracted at just above $131,000 by Beres Builders and just over $137,000 by Pieper Power, respectively.

Other contracted items include the final cleaning after the project, millwork, doors and other hardware, glasswork, ceiling, paving, landscaping, heating/cooling/ventilation, plumbing, and fire protection.
BURLINGTON  The owner of a historic bridge says he has been railroaded in a legal battle with the City of Burlington over damage caused by a firetruck racing to a deadly plane crash.

Roger Bieneman has settled out of court with the city because, he said, his legal costs were climbing astronomically in the nearly two-year-old squabble.

The two parties agreed to a settlement in Racine County Circuit Court on the eve of a Feb. 6 jury trial, which Bieneman had sought in hopes of recouping $100,000 that he spent repairing the privately owned bridge.

City officials are declining to comment on the Bieneman bridge episode.

Area residents recognize the bridge across Honey Creek for its elaborate Christmas holiday decorations each winter, which Bieneman stopped displaying last year, in part because of the ongoing disagreement with city officials.

A Burlington Fire Department firefighter drove a 20-ton fire truck across the bridge in May 2020, causing serious damage to the wooden truss-style structure.

Bieneman, who says he filed suit because the city and its insurance company refused to take responsibility for the damage, said the resulting court battle cost him sleepless nights and forced him and his wife, Joy Bieneman, to divert money from their retirement savings.

The settlement will pay the couple $35,000, Bieneman said, which will not even cover the cost of their attorneys.

Bieneman sad he agreed to settle out of court only because his legal expenses were climbing, and that going to trial would have required him to invest thousands of dollars more in the effort.

Bieneman, 81, a retired UPS delivery driver, said he remains disappointed with city officials  who he believes showed little regard for the damage caused by their fire truck or the cost of restoring his property.

We got railroaded, he said. You work hard. You save your money, and they come and take it away from you.

City officials declined to comment about the court fight with the Bienemans or the out-of-court settlement.

City Administrator Carina Walters said a city lawyer has advised her not to discuss the matter until final paperwork has been completed on the settlement.

Until the attorney advises I can respond, I am unable to do so, Walters stated in an email.

Mayor Jeannie Hefty could not be reached for comment.

City Council President Jon Schultz said he was unaware of details of the out-of-court settlement with the Bienemans.

Schultz said the citys liability insurance company was handling the matter.

My understanding is they control all these decisions, he added.

The dispute began May 15, 2020, when a small airplane crashed near Bienemans farm property at 3801 Bieneman Road, located just north of the city in the Town of Burlington.

The pilot was pulled from the wreckage but later died of his injuries.

As emergency crews raced to the crash site, a fire truck crossed Bienemans bridge and left it severely damaged.

The bridge was built in 1877, and at one time was regarded as the oldest bridge of its kind in Wisconsin.

Bieneman says city officials assured him that the citys insurance company would cover any repair costs.

But when months passed without an offer of help, Bieneman bought the necessary lumber and, with his three sons, rebuilt the bridge himself.

The cost of the lumber, equipment and other materials totaled $103,000, he said.

The Bienemans filed suit against the city in June 2021, alleging that the city was negligent, partly because the firefighter driving the truck, Justin Benko, had a troubled work record with the city.

Benko resigned shortly after the bridge incident.

Taxpayers ended up defending Benkos conduct in the suit, as he was named a co-defendant along with the Burlington Fire Department and two insurance companies.

Roger and Joy Bieneman were represented by the Elkhorn law firm of Godfrey Leibsle Blackbourn & Howarth.

Joy Bieneman, 79, said the legal fight took a toll on her husband.

It bothers Roger more than it bothers me, she said. Were just glad that its going to be over.

Court records show that as the Feb. 6 date approached for a jury trial, the two sides reported to Circuit Judge Mark Nielsen that they were settling.

The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed in court records.

Roger Bieneman said he already had spent about $70,000 on legal costs, and a trial would have cost him another $40,000 or more for lawyers, witnesses and other expenses.

Bieneman, whose family has been part of Burlington since the pioneer days of the 1840s, said losing more than $100,000 from retirement savings feels like he and his wife suffered a loss in the stock market  with one important difference.

The market comes back, he said. This aint going to come back.

First responders "rescue" Burlington students from (simulated) bus crash: in photos Car Nick Farvour Stretcher Car firefighters Drone Barb Rigden officer in car Students Fire Crew Babe and Steil
On the eve of the anniversary of Russia's invasion of independent Ukraine, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it declared its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and support for the country until complete victory in this war, calling on the international community to supply all types of weapons without exception.

The relevant document was voted on Thursday in Strasbourg within the plenary session of the European Parliament. Some 444 MEPs voted in favor, while 26 MEPs voted against and 37 abstained from 507 voters.

"The European Parliament reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the people and leadership of Ukraine and its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders," the EP said in the resolution.

In this regard, the EP reaffirmed the unchanging "strongest condemnation of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as of the involvement of the regime in Belarus; demands that Russia and its proxy forces cease all military actions, in particular their attacks against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, and that Russia withdraw all military forces, proxies and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, end its forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians and release all detained Ukrainians," the MEPs said.

The EP pays tribute to the courageous people of Ukraine, the winners of the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, who defend their country and also defend freedom, democracy, the rule of law and European values from a brutal regime that "seeks to undermine our democracy and weaken and divide our Union."

The MEPs expressed their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the courageous defenders who sacrificed their lives in defense of Ukraine, and called for continued and enhanced support from the EU and its Member States for the treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded defenders of Ukraine.

"Believes that the outcome of the war and the stance taken by the international community will play a crucial role in affecting future action by other authoritarian regimes, which are closely observing the course of the war. Underlines that the main objective for Ukraine is to win the war against Russia, understood as its ability to drive all the forces of Russia, its proxies and allies out of the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine; considers that this objective can be met only through the continued, sustained and steadily increasing supply of all types of weapons to Ukraine, without exception," according to the resolution.

The EP also demanded that Russia "permanently cease violating or threatening the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and other neighbouring countries." "Russian aggression is not limited to Ukraine, as it has a detrimental security and economic impact on all the EUs Eastern Partnership countries, in particular the Republic of Moldova," the MEPs said.
The European Parliament (EP) called on the international community to supply Ukraine with modern tanks as soon as possible and seriously consider the issue of supplying modern fighter jets and missile systems.

This is discussed in the resolution adopted by the European Parliament over the approaching anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Voting took place in Strasbourg on Thursday as part of the EP plenary session.

"The EP calls on the Member States, the US, the UK and Canada to swiftly deliver on their pledge to provide Ukraine with modern battle tanks; underlines the importance of maintaining close coordination and unity among Ukraine's allies on the analysis of critical requests by the Ukrainian authorities for heavy weaponry and advanced air-defence systems; calls for serious consideration to be given to supplying Ukraine with Western fighter jets, helicopters and appropriate missile systems and to substantially increasing munitions deliveries," according to the statement.

The EP reaffirmed its support for providing military assistance to Ukraine for as long as needed and reiterated its call to Member States to significantly increase and accelerate their military support in order to "not only allowing Ukraine to defend itself against Russian attacks, but also to enabling it to regain full control over its entire internationally recognised territory."

In addition, the EP called on the European Council to continue the sanctions policy towards Russia and Belarus, while monitoring, reviewing and improving its effectiveness and impact. The EP also called on the Commission and Member States to ensure the prompt application and strict enforcement of all sanctions, and the Council to adopt the tenth package of sanctions by the end of February 2023.

The EP called for a significant expansion of the scope of sanctions, in particular by banning the import of Russian fossil fuels, uranium and diamonds, as well as imposing sanctions on individuals and legal entities, and everyone associated with the so-called Wagner group and other Russian-funded armed formations, militias and puppets, including those operating in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

In addition, the EP said it was concerned about reports that "several third countries are collaborating with Russia to help it circumvent sanctions, including reports that Iran and North Korea have been continuously supplying military equipment to Russia and that Chinese state-owned defence companies are shipping dual-use equipment, navigation equipment, jamming technology and fighter aircraft parts to Russia." In this regard, the EP condemned countries that help Russia avoid the consequences of the imposed sanctions and called on the EU "to rigorously prosecute companies, associations and individuals who participate in the circumvention of sanctions."

The EP also spoke out on the frozen assets of Russia, calling on the Commission to complete work on the creation of a legal regime that would allow the confiscation of Russian assets frozen by the EU and use them to address the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, including the reconstruction of the country and compensation for victims of Russian aggression. "Once the war ends, Russia must be obliged to pay reparations imposed on it to ensure that it makes a substantial contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine," the MEPs said.

In addition, the EP condemned the recent decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which "runs counter to those countries multifaceted isolation and will be used by both regimes for propaganda purposes; calls on the Member States and the international community to exert pressure on the IOC to reverse this decision, which is an embarrassment to the international world of sport, and to adopt a similar position on any other sport, cultural or scientific events."

The EP also called on the EU and its Member States to actively support the diplomatic efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has proposed the creation of a nuclear safety and security zone around Ukraine's Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and stresses the importance of maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure and ensuring unhindered access for the IAEA mission to nuclear facilities.

In the resolution, the EP called on EU institutions and member states to ban Rosatom's ongoing investments in critical infrastructure in the EU and to cease all its activities in the EU.

In addition, the EP called on the UN General Assembly to "keep Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on its agenda and calls on the EU's partners around the world to continue to provide political and humanitarian support for Ukraine as it defends its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Ma Yuxia [Xinhua/Liu Ying]

The experience of Ma Yuxia, founder of Shanghai Tuoweng Trading Co., Ltd., is quite a story. In 2009, a short time after she graduated from Sichuan International Studies University, Ma was employed by the South America branch of China Railway Engineering Group Co., Ltd., as a translator. She made a name for herself by selling alpaca dolls, produced by Peruvians, during the China International Import Expo, held in Shanghai in 2018.

From the time she was a young girl, Ma has had a keen interest in trade. During a business trip to Peru (in 2016), she bought several alpaca dolls. When Ma presented the items as gifts to a client, the woman "fell in love" with the adorable fuzzy dolls at first sight. Within a short time, the woman ordered 1,000 alpaca dolls from Ma. Recognizing the potential business opportunity, Ma decided to cooperate with her Peruvian friends, to introduce alpaca dolls and alpaca-wool products to the Chinese market.

In 2018, Ma established Shanghai Tuoweng Trading Co., Ltd. She also registered a brand name  Warmpaca  for the alpaca dolls produced by the Peruvians, so it would be easier to expand her business. The dolls have become a hit with Chinese since the items debuted at the 2018 China International Import Expo.

Ma exhibited the dolls at the expo each year. Given the efforts of Ma and her employees to promote the items, both online and offline, the dolls have sold well in many regions of the country, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

During the past several years, Ma has led her employees in developing more than 200 varieties of products (made from alpaca wool), including mufflers, slippers, ornaments and various stuffed animals. The products have sold well across the country.

Ma and her employees' efforts have paid off, as Ma's company has boomed during the past few years. Revenues this year from sales of Warmpaca dolls increased 20 times over that of 2018. In 2018, Ma employed one Peruvian family to create the dolls. Now, more than 100 Peruvian families are producing dolls for the company. The Peruvians have earned a considerable profit from the products.

"We should not only ensure the product quality and stable production in Peru, but also help Chinese better understand the advantages of our alpaca-wool products, while we make constant efforts to upgrade our products. So, we have a long way to go," says Ma. She is confident about her enterprise's future.

(Source: Xinhua/Women of China English Monthly January 2023 issue)
(CNN)  Nearly two weeks after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the eastern Ohio village of East Palestine and sparked a massive dayslong blaze, residents packed a high school gym Wednesday for a meeting with officials all demanding the same thing: answers.

An odor of chlorine has lingered long after the February 3 derailment that prompted crews to manage detonations to release vinyl chloride, which can kill quickly at high levels and increase cancer risk. And although an evacuation order was lifted last week, some residents are staying elsewhere amid fears the water, air, soil and surfaces in the village of 5,000 still are not safe.

So residents packed the gym's bleachers for Wednesday's community meeting  after forming a line that wrapped around the block before doors opened.

"Is it OK to still be here? Are my kids safe? Are the people safe? Is the future of this community safe?" resident Lenny Glavan, who was at the meeting, told reporters on Wednesday.

The event hosted by East Palestine officials was supposed include officials from Norfolk Southern. But the company, which said it had hoped to provide updates on cleanup efforts and results from air and water tests, backed out earlier in the day, saying it was concerned about a "growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event," stemming from its belief that "outside parties" would participate.

No contaminants detected in Paducah drinking water following train derailment in Ohio, Paducah Water says Hazardous chemicals that spilled into the Ohio River after a train derailment in Ohio are traveling down the river. Paducah Water has been monitoring the situation closely. Water from Paducahs intake in the Ohio River is safe, and the utility provider is taking steps to make sure it stays that way.

Instead, local leaders took questions from emotional residents who expressed distrust of officials' accounts and anger  including at the transport company's decision to skip the event.

"Where's Norfolk Southern?" some yelled.

Residents questioned how safe their village is, the validity of air and water tests, and how the potential long-term health effects will be monitored in the community.

The meeting came on a day when the governor's office announced state officials again determined water coming from the municipal system was safe to drink. Test results from five wells that supply the system  covered by steel casing  showed no contaminants, the Ohio governor's office said.

Still, the state's Environmental Protection Agency encourages residents who get water from private wells to get that water tested, because those wells may be closer to the surface than the municipal wells, the governor's office said.

The evacuation order was lifted February 8, five days after the derailment, after earlier air and water sample results led officials to deem the area safe.

Yet other points of contention are emerging, including a newly public document that says potentially contaminated soil was not removed from the site  a critical step experts say should be completed quickly so that toxic materials are not further dispersed into the environment and groundwater.

Mayor: 'I want answers'

Speaking to reporters inside the gym before Wednesday's community meeting, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway sent a message to federal EPA leaders: "I need help."

"I have the village on my back, and I'll do whatever it takes  whatever it takes  to make this right. I'm not leaving," the mayor told reporters. "I'm not going to sell my house. I'm not going to move my kids out of the school. I'm here to stay."

The mayor said he's in touch with Norfolk Southern officials every day. But much like the residents in his town, he, too, is concerned.

"The people want answers. I want answers," Conaway said. "My greatest concern is that my citizens feel safe. That's what I care about. I don't care about anything else."

"I live two blocks from the train tracks," he added. "I'm concerned, just like everybody else."

Since the derailment, some residents, like Nathan Velez, have been spending small fortunes to try to keep their families safely away from the place they used to call home. He, his wife and two children have been staying at Airbnb rentals.

"My wife is a nurse and is not taking any chances exposing us and our two young children to whatever is now in our town," Velez wrote on Facebook. When he visited the town Monday, he smelled chlorine in the air, burning his throat and eyes, he said. "The risk and anxiety of trying to live in our own home again is not worth it," he wrote.

Long-term effects stoke residents' anxiety

The 100-car freight train that derailed February 3 was carrying hazardous materials including vinyl chloride, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene and butyl acrylate, the US Environmental Protection Agency said. Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vinyl chloride  a volatile organic compound, or VOC, and the most toxic chemical involved in the derailment  is known to cause cancer, attacking the liver, and can also affect the brain, Maria Doa of the Environmental Defense Fund told CNN.

Cleanup and monitoring of the site could take years, Kurt Kohler of the Ohio EPA's Office of Emergency Response said February 8, vowing that after the emergency response, "Ohio EPA is going to remain involved through our other divisions that oversee the long-term cleanup of these kinds of spill." The federal EPA, too, will "continue to do everything in our power to help protect the community," Administrator Michael Regan said Tuesday.

Norfolk Southern is responsible for cleaning up the site, according to a February 10 notice sent to the company by the federal EPA.

In a document sent to the EPA and recently made public by the agency, a company contracted by Norfolk Southern for cleanup efforts did not list soil removal among completed activities.

Removal of soil that has come into contact with hazardous chemicals is a key cleanup action at spill sites, experts say.

"Contaminated soil will continue (to) leech contaminants, both up into the air, and down into the surrounding ground," Richard Peltier, an environmental health scientist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, told CNN in an email. "Every time it rains, a flood of new contaminants will enter the ecosystem."

The railroad reopened the rail line on February 8 after taking steps including a controlled release of a toxic chemical from certain cars. It is not yet known what significance or impact the soil that was not removed prior to the rail line reopening may have on surrounding areas.

CNN asked Norfolk Southern why it had not removed contaminated soil before reopening the site, and if it had filled in areas of contaminated soil and chemicals in order to reopen the rail line.

A company spokesperson said "some soil is moved around" during the initial response phase. The company is continuing to "remediate the site" including by removing soil, spokesperson Connor Spielmaker added.

The federal EPA and Ohio EPA have not responded to repeated questions from CNN about removal of contaminated soil.

Regan, the federal EPA's administrator, will travel to East Palestine on Thursday to assess the ongoing response and hear from the community on the impact of the crisis, the agency said.

Long-term effects stoke residents' anxiety

East Palestine resident Ben Ratner and his family worry about the longer-term risks that environmental officials are only beginning to assess, he told CNN this week.

The Ratner home, for instance, was tested and cleared for VOCs, he said. So far, no chemical detections were identified in the air of 291 homes screened by the EPA for hazardous chemicals including vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride, it said in a Monday news update, with schools and a library also screened and 181 more homes to go.

But the Ratners still are feeling "an ever-changing mix of emotions and feelings just right from the outset, just the amount of unknown that was there," said Ben, who owns a cafe a few towns over and isn't sure he still wants to open another in East Palestine.

"It's hard to make an investment in something like that or even feel good about paying our mortgage whenever there might not be any value to those things in the future," he said. "That's something tough to come to grips with."

Norfolk Southern said Wednesday it was creating a $1 million charitable fund to support East Palestine, saying it was "committed" to the community "today and in the future."

"We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment, and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive," Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a release.

'Why does it hurt me to breathe?'

The EPA, with the Ohio National Guard and a Norfolk Southern contractor, also has collected air samples  checking for vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, phosgene and other compounds  in the East Palestine community, it had said. Air monitoring results posted Tuesday at the EPA's website include more than a dozen instruments, each with four types of measures  and each stating its "screening level" had not been exceeded.

But when Velez returned Monday for a short visit to the neighborhood where his family has lived since 2014 to check his home and his business, he developed a nagging headache.

"If it's safe and habitable, then why does it hurt?" he told CNN. "Why does it hurt me to breathe?"

Air quality does not appear to be the source of headaches and sore throats among people or deaths of animals such as cats and chickens in and around the derailment zone, Ohio Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said Tuesday.

"Volatile organic compounds share, with a host of other things, the ability to cause very common symptoms at the lower levels  so headache, eye irritation, nose irritation, et cetera," he said. "I think that we have to look at the measured facts  and the measured facts include the fact that the air sampling in that area really is not pointing toward an air source for this."

As to odor, residents "in the area and tens of miles away may smell odors coming from the site," Ohio EPA spokesperson James Lee told CNN on Wednesday. "This is because some of the substances involved have a low odor threshold. This means people may smell these contaminants at levels much lower than what is considered hazardous."

"If you experience symptoms, Columbiana County Health Department recommends calling your medical provider," the EPA said.

Wreck and spill blamed for thousands of dead fish

The Ratner family is limiting its water use because of unknown affects, Ben Ratner said. Velez worries "every time we turn the water on or give my daughter a bath could potentially be hazardous," he wrote on Facebook.

Some waterways indeed have been contaminated  but the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is confident contaminants are contained, said Tiffany Kavalec, the agency's division chief of surface water.

No vinyl chloride has been detected in any down-gradient waterways near the train derailment, she said Tuesday. But an estimated 3,500 fish across 12 species are estimated to have been killed by the derailment and spillage, said Mary Mertz, director of Ohio's Department of Natural Resources.

"Fire combustion chemicals" flowed to the Ohio River, "but the Ohio River is very large, and it's a water body that's able to dilute the pollutants pretty quickly," Kavalec said. The chemicals are a "contaminant plume" the Ohio EPA and other agencies have tracked in real time and is believed to be moving about a mile an hour, she said.

The "tracking allows for potential closing of drinking water intakes to allow the majority of the chemicals to pass. This strategy, along with drinking water treatment ... are both effective at addressing these contaminants and helps ensure the safety of the drinking water supplies," Kavalec said, adding they're pretty confident "low levels" of contaminants that remain are not getting to customers.

Even so, authorities strongly recommend people in the area drink bottled water, especially if their water is from a private source, such as a well.

Velez also worries about unknown long-term effects of the burned train contents  and what will happen next for his family. Rental options and their finances are running out, he said, and a friend set up a GoFundMe to help them.

"Many of us residents are stuck in the same situation and the sad truth is that there is no answer," he wrote online.
Tyre Nichols died on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after his violent arrest by Memphis police. Five former officers are charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression in connection with his death.
East Tennessee man arrested in west Kentucky after deputy finds cocaine, LSD, other drugs in car during traffic stop
Denmark, through the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO), has sent about EUR 4.5 million in additional financing, ensuring the supply of new mobile container boiler houses to Ukraine, the press service of NEFCO reported.

"Denmark and Ukraine are very close partners, and it is good to see that our partnership can also support critical heating infrastructure in Eastern Ukraine. Keeping heating on is of crucial importance for Ukraine's resilience and fighting power. In addition, it has a positive impact on Ukraine's CO2 footprint," comments Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Denmark's Ambassador to Ukraine.

In particular, according to him, the transferred 20 gas boilers, with a capacity of 39 megawatts, will ensure district heating supply to over 180,000 people, which is 80% of the total population of the city where they are to be installed. Some 10% of the Ukrainians who will benefit are internally displaced. The funded project will cover some 30-40% of the citizens heat demand (the settlement is not named for security reasons).

Measures include assembling and installing the new boilers, laying new pipes, preventative steps to help keep the heat supply system from freezing during the winter and system maintenance to ensure continued, reliable operation.

The new boilers will make heat production more efficient, and thereby reduce gas consumption by some 1.70 Mm3 annually. This will result in approx. 3,400 tonnes of annual CO2 reductions.

"We are very happy to be able to continue our good cooperation with Danida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance Programme on this and other projects in Ukraine to support maintaining and greening of critical infrastructure. The importance of this support from Denmark cannot be understated and is critically needed during these extremely challenging times," comments Bo Nyhus, Investment Director at NEFCO.

Since 2021, NEFCO has managed grant funds for the Danish Danida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF) Programme, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Presently, three projects are under implementation in spite of the on-going war. The aim is to add new projects and swiftly build back better and greener during the coming years.

NEFCO is an international financial institution funding the expansion of Nordic green solutions in global markets. It was founded in 1990 by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
The court, which was weighing challenges to the states near-total ban and a separate one that outlaws abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy, sent the case back to a lower court for further consideration of constitutional issues related to one of the bans.
A firefighter works as an overturned truck spews orange smoke in the background on Interstate 10 in Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday.
Alonzo Bagley, left, and his wife, Tangela Bagley, in a picture provided by his family's attorneys.
Maria Lvova-Belova began her career as a children's guitar teacher. She eventually became involved in local politics, working her way up through the Russian power structure.
Scholz to visit U.S. at beginning of March to discuss support for Ukraine with Biden

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will make a visit to Washington on March 3 to discuss support for Ukraine with U.S. President Joseph Biden, and measures against Russia, the White House has said on Thursday.

"The leaders will discuss our ongoing efforts to support Ukraine, impose costs on Russia for its aggression," it said.

Biden and Scholz will also discuss the efforts to strengthen transatlantic security, as well as review a range of regional and global security issues, including working together on shared challenges posed by China and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

"The Chancellor's visit is an opportunity to reaffirm the deep bonds of friendship between the United States and our NATO Ally Germany," the White House said.
Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks at FreedomWorks headquarters in November of 2022, in Washington, DC.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has instructed Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister for Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov to develop a program to improve coordination and uninterrupted financing of the construction of defense fortifications.

"At the moment, we already have UAH 17 billion on a special account for recovery. It is also planned to receive UAH 35.5 billion from NBU revenues and $1.5 billion from the United States by the end of the year. In addition, there is a political agreement with Ursula von der Leyen on EU assistance in the amount of EUR1 billion. We need to immediately start fast recovery, so we expect relevant projects from the regions as soon as possible," Shmyhal said after a conference call with the leaders of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regional military administrations for the implementation of projects for the rapid restoration of Ukraine in the regions.

According to the report, these regions are a priority for the distribution of humanitarian assistance for the restoration of energy supply.

It is noted that the prime minister instructed the Ministry of Energy, together with the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Projects, to work out the issues of financing the restoration of energy facilities in order to systematically solve the problem of restoring generation capabilities where possible.

"The leaders of the regional military administrations also reported on the status of the construction of fortifications and the deployment of Invincibility Points. To improve coordination and uninterrupted financing of building defense fortifications, the prime minister instructed the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine to develop an appropriate program and submit it for approval as soon as possible at a government meeting," the statement said.

It is noted that, in addition, Shmyhal urged the heads of the regional military administrations to prepare comprehensive requirements for equipping the Invincibility Points with Starlink systems.
Numerous prominent investigative journalists have been fired from media outlets in West Virginia in the past few months.

On December 20, West Virginia Public Radio correspondent Amelia Ferrell Knisely was fired for reporting on allegations of abuse of people with disabilities in the care of the state foster and psychiatric care facilities.

Kniselys termination was the latest in a string of politically motivated firings at West Virginia media organizations, including three investigative journalists at the Charleston Gazette-Mail newspaper who criticized the editorial decision to publish a flattering profile of convicted former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.

The firings expose the sordid, incestuous political dealings among the coal barrens and dominant media outlets in the state. They also pared back an already insufficient pool of press in the capital ahead of the legislative session that began January 11.

Knisely was told to halt her investigation of abuse in state care facilities after leaders of the states Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) threatened to discredit the public radio station. Her part-time position was eliminated shortly thereafter.

On November 3, West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) published an article by Knisely titled Reports Show People With Disabilities Are Abused In State Care. The piece focused on a letter from Senate President Craig Blair to Governor Justice seeking an investigation into allegations of physical and verbal abuse and neglect of patients at the Weston psychiatric hospital.

On November 10, DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch wrote a six-page letter to WVPB demanding a complete retraction. On December 6, Knisely was told she would no longer be allowed to cover the state legislatures committee hearings on health where Crouch was called to testify. After Knisely filed an internal complaint about DHHRs political interference into her reporting on December 15, WVPB told state officials that the reporters legislative press credentials were revoked. Five days later, her door key and email were deactivated.

At the end of the year, DHHR Secretary Crouch resigned.

In a statement on Twitter on December 28, Knisely stated, I am deeply concerned about the state of WV media. It is our job as reporters to watch & report on decision makers. In our state, one of the poorest, not everyone can drive to the Capitol where decisions are being made. Not everyone has internet access to stream meetings.

The Associated Press reported that the order came from WVPB Executive Director Butch Antolini, a former communications director for Republican Governor Jim Justice. Antolini was installed at the public radio network after the governor ousted its existing governing board, the Educational Broadcasting Authority.

Since coming into office in January 2017, Justice, a billionaire coal operator, has repeatedly attempted to gut funding for public broadcasting in the state. National NPR correspondent Howard Berkes regularly reported on violations and accidents at Justices mines, including exposes of Justices ongoing tax delinquencies. The reports ran on local West Virginia and Kentucky NPR affiliates.

Almost immediately after inauguration, Justice moved to cut all public funding for WVPB. After a significant public outcry, NPR reported February 13, Justice relented. Yet state legislators still cut West Virginia Public Broadcastings state funding by nearly a quarter, roughly $1 million.

That sum represented a tenth of the broadcasters entire operating budget, triggering layoffs. According to NPR, station managers Eddie Isom and Marilyn DiVita pressured newsroom reporters and editors to axe coverage of Justices businesses.

In the years since, Justice has stacked the Educational Broadcasting Authority with his personal friends and other right-wing operatives. Justice is himself a member of the 11-person board. In August 2021, Justice appointed Greg Thomas, a former campaign organizer for the failed US Senate run of Don Blankenship, to the board. Among other business and political insiders, the governor installed Danielle Waltz, a lobbyist for the states Chamber of Commerce who has decried public news funding as wasteful.

Union officials applaud deal ending 2018 teachers strike, signed by Governor Jim Justice. [Photo: WSWS]

Kniselys expose focused on the deep crisis of care in the DHHR, responsible for a population crippled by the opioid crisis and long-term economic distress. Thousands of foster children are crowded into state homes, psychiatric homes are overwhelmed with patients, and social and public sector workers are paid poverty wages. The agency has been starved of funds while coal and other big business interests have written the tax code to provide government handouts to the wealthiest West Virginiansincluding Governor Justice, who is the richest individual in the state and the largest landowner east of the Mississippi River.

On December 13, three prominent reporters from the Gazette-Mail, the newspaper of record in the state, were fired after criticizing a video interview conducted by Doug Skaff, the president of the newspapers parent company HD Media, with Don Blankenship, former head of Massey Energy.

In addition to controlling the largest newspapers in the state, Skaff is a Democratic delegate and House minority leader in the state legislature.

In the interview, Skaff allowed Blankenship to blather on unchallenged about the coal industry and characterize climate change as an absolute hoax.

The disgraced coal baron was convicted in 2015 for conspiracy to violate mine safety laws in relation to the Upper Big Branch mine explosion that killed 29 miners. Since his slap-on-the-wrist one-year prison term, Blankenship has pitched himself as a Trumpier than Trump politician and pushed extreme nationalism, anti-China xenophobia, and the dismantling of health, safety, and environmental protections.

The interview served as a platform for Blankenship to promote his 2020 book about the mine disaster in which he insisted on his innocence. At the conclusion of the segment, Skaff told Blankenship, Thanks for what you did for the community down there. I know your hearts in the right place.

After commenting on Twitter about the interview, reporters Caity Coyne, Lacie Pierson, and Ryan Quinn said they were unceremoniously locked out of a staff meeting and fired one by one in an upstairs conference room. The person who fired me said it was because I had publicly hurt the company on social media, Quinn told the Associated Press. Pierson said it was described as insubordination.

Coyne, the papers health reporter, said of the interview, I dont have the words for how screwed up this is. Ive met families whose loved ones died in UBB. Ive watched them cry as they remember their relatives and their fight for answers after the disaster. Who cares where Blankenships heart lies? What a slap in the face to them.

Skaffs HD Media acquired the Gazette-Mail in a bankruptcy auction in 2018, and quickly laid off investigative reporters and newsroom staff. Editor Rob Byers was fired in 2018. In early 2020, Greg Moore, the papers executive editor, was abruptly laid off after HD Media eliminated his position.

Others followed in a matter of weeks, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Eyre, a statehouse reporter who wrote an expose on the opioid crisis, and Ken Ward Jr., the long-time journalist covering the coal industry, particularly the criminality of Blankenship and other coal executives.
Ten years after its founding on February 6, 2013, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is today an integral part of official political life in Germany. Its members sit in the German parliament (Bundestag) andwith the exception of Schleswig-Holsteinin every state parliament. If one adds together parliamentary allowances, parliamentary faction subsidies, lump-sum expenses and state party funding, the AfD is financed every year from the state treasury with a sum totaling hundreds of millions of euros.

AfD representatives chair important parliamentary committees, are quoted extensively by the media and are regular guests on political talk shows. Tagesthemen, Germanys main public news program, devoted a third of its airtime to the partys 10th anniversary, allowing AfD leader Tino Chrupalla to promote the partys volkisch-chauvinist and xenophobic policies at length.

Bjorn Hocke (AfD) congratulates Thuringia state premier Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) on his election in 2020. Earlier, the AfD, conservative CDU and neo-liberal FDP had jointly elected Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) as state premier. [Photo by Steffen Prodorf / wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

This is despite the fact that the AfDs fascist orientation is well known. The party is teeming with racists, anti-Semites and militant neo-Nazis who repeatedly seek to minimise the crimes of fascism. Even Germanys domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz (BfV), which shielded and supported the AfD for many years, is currently investigating the party for right-wing extremism.

Bjorn Hocke and other representatives of the volkisch Wing group with the AfD, which formally dissolved in 2020, now set the tone in the party. Whoever is circulating at the top of the party today is doing it by Hockes grace, declared Jorg Meuthen, who led the party himself until a year ago and worked closely with Hocke. According to Meuthen, there are clearly right-wing extremist tendencies in the party.

How could this come about? How is it possible that less than 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, Nazi sympathisers are again spreading their despicable, inhuman slogans all over Germany?

The most common explanation, repeated dozens of times in the media, is that the respectable professors and national conservatives who founded the AfD 10 years ago as an anti-euro party were swept aside by a wave of right-wing populism. The partys initial leadership had failed to contain the ever louder right-wing extremists in the ranks of the AfD (Caren Miosga, Tagesthemen).

This is a legend aimed at concealing the fact that the AfD was not swept upwards by a populist wave from below, but rather has been systematically promoted from the top. The state apparatus, the establishment political parties and the media have deliberately supported the party. They have fueled the xenophobic, nationalist and militaristic climate in which the neo-fascist swamp could flourish. They promoted both the party and the violent elements in its orbit. They have welcomed AfD MPs into parliaments with open arms and paved the way for them to assume leading posts while bathing in the media spotlight.

Even where the AfD has gained broader influenceit is currently polling at 15 percent nationwide and between 20 and 30 percent in east German statesit owes its prominence to the SPD, the Greens and, above all, the Left Party, whose policy of social cuts implemented under a left banner has driven many frustrated and angry voters into the clutches of the right-wing demagogues.

Under conditions where the Greens, the SPD and the Left Party unreservedly support NATOs war offensive in Ukraine, which increasingly threatens to turn into a third world war, the AfD is even able to pose as a party of peace. In fact the party, whose ranks are teeming with former and active Bundeswehr officers and soldiers, is militaristic to the core.

The AfD celebrates the massive rearmament of the Bundeswehr as the implementation of its own programme. Some of its leaders, however, believe that Germany is fighting the wrong war and should ally itself with Russia against the US. Bjorn Hocke, for example, declared last year on the Day of German Unity: It was and is US strategy, as a foreign power, to create divisions on our continent between nations that could actually work very well together. ... The natural partner for our way of working and living is Russia, a country with almost inexhaustible raw materials. In addition, Germans and Russians have a similar mental outlook.

The founding of the AfD and the revival of German militarism

The founding of the AfD 10 years ago coincided with a turning point in German domestic and foreign policy. In the same year, more than 50 leading politicians, journalists, academics, military officers and business representatives, under the auspices of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), prepared the paper New PowerNew Responsibility, which served as a blueprint for the foreign policy of the grand coalition of social democrats (SPD) and conservatives (CDU/CSU) that took over government at the end of 2013.

The paper advocated that Germany return to a great power policy and massively rearm in order to pursue its interests as a trading and exporting nation worldwide by military means. The return to militarism and great power politics required the building of a party that trivialised the crimes of the Nazis, fomented chauvinism and intimidated opponents of militarism and the social cuts associated with such a policy. This task is fulfilled by the AfD.

The party was founded by the Hamburg economics professor Bernd Lucke, long-time CDU politician Alexander Gauland, former Die Welt and FAZ newspapers editor Konrad Adam, former president of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Hans-Olaf Henkel and some others, who knew very well what forces they were unleashing. The fact that some of them later quit the party, including three chairpersonsBernd Lucke, Frauke Petry and Jorg Meuthenchanges nothing. Such leadership battles are common in far-right parties.

The rejection of the euro bailout following the financial crisis of 2008, the immediate reason for founding the party, was linked to aggressive nationalism. The AfD did not object to the orgy of enrichment for speculators and banks that accompanied the bailout. What the party did object to was any form of financial equalization between the richer and poorer euro countries. Its chauvinism attracted neo-Nazis and right-wing extremistsincluding Bjorn Hocke and Andreas Kalbitzwho were welcomed with open arms.

The ideological climate in which the AfD was able to thrive had already been created years before. In the summer of 2010, Thilo Sarrazin, a member of the SPD and the board of the Bundesbank, had published a book, Deutschland schafft sich ab (Germany Abolishes Itself), a racist diatribe that linked the slander of Muslim immigrants with social-Darwinist prejudices and theories once advocated by the racial hygienists of the Third Reich.

The media created a hype that quickly gave the book a circulation of 1.5 million. The weekly magazine Der Spiegel and the yellow press Bild newspaper printed excerpts in advance. Sarrazin was allowed to spread his racist agitation in countless interviews and talk show appearances. The magazine Cicero even voted him fifth on its list of the most important German intellectuals.

Support for Sarrazin was not limited to the mainstream media. Left Party politicians Oskar Lafontaine and Sahra Wagenknecht also espoused his xenophobic slogans. Lafontaine presented one of Sarrazins other diatribes, The State at its Limits, to the public as late as autumn 2020, at a time when even the SPD was trying to get rid of Sarrazin.

The efforts of the Berlin historian Jorg Baberowski to rehabilitate the Nazis also played an important role in promoting the AfD.

In February 2014, Der Spiegel published an article Culpability Question Divides Historians Today, which argued for a reassessment of German guilt in the First and Second World Wars. In it, Baberowski advocated the rehabilitation of the Nazi apologist Ernst Nolte (who also was quoted in the article) and attested that Hitler was not vicious because he allegedly didnt want people to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table.

When the Socialist Equality Party and its youth organisation IYSSE protested against this attempt to play down the crimes of Hitler and the Nazis, almost the entire German media and the majority of the academic establishment lined up behind Baberowski and denounced the SGP. Even after a court ruled that Baberowski could justifiably be called a right-wing extremist, and after he insulted and physically attacked students opposing his views, he was still defended by the media and the social democratic leadership of Humboldt University.

When Bjorn Hocke later denounced the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin as a monument of shame and Alexander Gauland trivialised Nazi rule as a speck of birds shit in over 1,000 years of successful German history, they were following the same path long since trodden by Baberowski and his defenders.

In the 10 years since the AfD was founded, the media and main political parties have repeatedly organised xenophobic campaigns that boosted the far-right. In 2015, when large numbers of refugees from war-torn countries poured into Germany and were welcomed by willing helpers, the media gave extensive coverage to a handful of anti-immigrant marches and demonised the refugees. Among the most vigorous agitators was Jorg Baberowski, who raged against foreign cultures in the FAZ, the NZZ and other papers.

This was then followed by a media campaign devoted to the city of Colognes New Years Eve. Cases of sexual harassment during New Year festivities were blown out of all proportion and instrumentalised for a racist smear campaign against refugees and Muslims. Similar campaigns culminated most recently with Berlins New Years Eve, in which youths with a migrant background allegedly attacked police with unprecedented violence. In the event, it was revealed that most of the allegations made against the immigrant youth were false.

The AfD and the Verfassungsschutz

Support for the AfD was not limited to right-wing propaganda. Germanys security agencies have deliberately promoted the party.

Hans-Georg Maassen, who headed the Verfassungsschutz from 2012 to 2018, actually advised the AfD leadership on how to evade surveillance from his agency. Since his early retirement in 2018 after defending a far-right demonstration in Chemnitz, Maassen made no secret of his far-right opinions. In a recent tweet he accused influential forces in the political-media sphere of possessing an eliminatory racism against whites and a burning desire for Germany to perish. The CDU has since decided to expel Maassen.

It was also Maassen who ensured that the Socialist Equality Party was included in the annual report drawn up by the Verfassungsschutz, charged with alleged left-wing extremism. When the SGP filed a complaint against this, the Ministry of the Interior justified the observation of the Trotskyist party on the grounds that arguing for a democratic, egalitarian, socialist society, agitation against alleged imperialism and militarism and thinking in class categories were all unconstitutional.

The Verfassungsschutz and other security agencies also supported the right-wing terrorist networks of neo-Nazis and so-called Reichsburger, which thrive in and around the AfD and extend deep into the ranks of the Bundeswehr and police.

One example is the far right grouping Thuringia Homeland Security, from which the fascist NSU murder trio emerged. The grouping was extensively funded by the Verfassungsschutz, which claimed to be ignorant of its string of murders and bank robberiesdespite the fact that more than two dozen undercover agents were active in and around the milieu of the NSU. Even after the neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst (who emerged from the same circles as the NSU) murdered the Kassel district president Walter Lubcke (CDU) in 2019, the secret service files on the case remain under lock and key for decades.

The Hannibal Network and other groups that hoard weapons, draw up death lists and maintain close ties to elite units of the German armed forces and police have also not been prosecuted, or have only been charged with petty offences. The racist and anti-Semitic attacks which took place in recent years in the cities of Halle and Hanau, as well as numerous attacks on refugee shelters, emerged from this political climate.

The promotion and strengthening of fascist parties by national ruling elites is not limited to Germany.

In the US, former president Donald Trump attempted to prevent the election of his successor Joe Biden with a coup on January 6, 2021. The Republican Party, one of the two major bourgeois parties in America, is dominated by fascists. Nevertheless, Biden insists on working together with his Republican friends.

In France, the far-right Rassemblement National emerged as the second-strongest party in the last two presidential elections. In Italy, Mussolinis successors, the Fratelli dItalia, lead the government following elections three months ago. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rolled out the red carpet for Giorgia Meloni in Berlin only a week ago and assured her of his firm determination to work together. In numerous smaller European countriesAustria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and othersfar-right parties were or are currently represented in government.

This alone shows that the danger of fascism and dictatorship has deep objective causes. It is rooted in the hopeless crisis of capitalism. The extreme increase in social inequality and growing international rivalry are destroying the mechanisms of democracy and social compromise.

In 1933, a conspiracy of the political, economic and military elites brought Hitler to power because they needed the Nazis to crush the workers movement and prepare for a war to conquer Lebensraumi.e., raw materials and exploitation opportunities for German capital. Once again and for the same reasons, fascist parties are being created, built and promoted across the globe.

That is why it is impossible to fight fascism with state repressive measures or in alliance with supposedly democratic bourgeois parties. Only an independent movement of the working class, which combines the struggle against social inequality, fascism and war with the struggle against their root cause, capitalism, can put an end to the menace of fascism.
On Wednesday February 1, the US College Board released its official curriculum framework for a new Advanced Placement (AP) course in African American Studies. The course framework has sparked national debate due to removal from an earlier draft aspects of the curriculum focused on critical race theory (CRT), intersectionality, activism, queer and feminist thought, and reparations for slavery.

Last month, far-right Republican governor Ron DeSantis blocked the AP course from being taught in Florida schools, saying it violates the states reactionary Stop WOKE Act which was signed into law last spring. Prohibiting the use of CRT and other divisive concepts in classrooms and workplaces, the law seeks to eliminate any teaching on historical struggles against racial and sexual discrimination and for social equality. The law codifies prior legislation Florida passed in 2021 to ban CRT, as well as the New York Times 1619 Project in school curriculum.

In a January 12 letter to the College Board, the Florida Department of Education confirmed the states rejection of the draft AP curriculum saying it significantly lacks educational value. The letter also said the state would reconsider its rejection of the course if the College Board would come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content.

The College Board, a not-for-profit organization which runs the nations AP program in addition to the SAT and other college preparation services, denied any influence of lawmakers on the alterations made to the final draft curriculum. An email sent out January 26 indicated that the course had been finalized in December 2022, and that it had been shaped only by the input of experts and long-standing AP principles and practices.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Feb. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. [AP Photo/John Raoux,]

Yet, revealingly, all topics and authors that the Florida Department of Education flagged as areas of concern in the prior curriculum draft have been removed from the finalized framework. Topics of study including concepts and authors promoting theories on race and gender such as intersectionality, CRT, black queer studies, and the Movement for Black Lives have been removed.

Additionally, a topic on the reparations movement, which has been removed from the curriculum, was criticized by the Florida Department of Education as only including resources that advocate for black reparations.

The new framework also added an optional final project topic on Black Conservativism.

Given the public debate and backlash to the banning of the course in Florida, the US College Board has since issued a public letter, dated February 11, listing their mistakes in the rollout of the course that they claim are being exploited by the Florida Department of Education and Governor DeSantis. The letter notes, We deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Educations slander.

DeSantis has responded to the letter by threatening to eliminate entirely the College Boards AP classes from Florida schools. In a news conference held Monday, DeSantis noted that he has already taken up the issue with the state legislature and said, So this College Board, like, nobody elected them. They are just kind of there providing service. There are probably other vendors who may be able to do the job as good or even a lot better.

The censorship of the AP African American Studies course in the state is part of a much broader attack by the far right on public education and democratic rights. Florida, with DeSantis, a prospective challenger to former president Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, at the helm, has become the epicenter.

This includes DeSantis recent support of a joint-statement from the Florida College System Council of Presidents promising to not fund or support any institutional practice, policy, or academic requirement that compels belief in critical race theory or related concepts.

Further, DeSantis recently appointed six new members to the board of trustees of the New College of Florida, including conservative figures such as Christopher Rufo, who has worked with right wing governors and lawmakers to enact anti-CRT legislation across the US. It is clear DeSantis is interested in converting the college into an ideological think-tanklike Hillsdale College in Michiganto promote fascistic ideas and indoctrination. Hillsdale College produced the 1776 Report in 2019, which was promoted by the Trump Administration as a means to restore patriotic education in response to the 1619 Project.

In November, DeSantis endorsed 30 candidates for school boards. Twenty-five of his favorites won, securing conservative majorities in several school districts, and signaling a major escalation in the far rights attack against public education. The sort of individuals now at work on these school boards is typified by Bridget Ziegler, who won re-election to the Sarasota County School Board. Ziegler has direct ties not only to state Republican party officials, but to the fascist Proud Boys. She is a founding member of Moms for Liberty, a grassroots front organization with deep ties to far-right media and school privatization efforts. Founded in 2021, Moms For Liberty fought against COVID-19 safety measures in schools, to censure school curriculum and victimize teachers in the name of parental rights.

Last spring, DeSantis oversaw the passage of anti-democratic, reactionary legislation that directly attacks educators, free speech and history education. In addition to the infamous Stop WOKE act, the 'Parental Rights in Education Bill,' HB 1557, enacted last year, prohibits lessons about sexual orientation or gender identity in the states primary schools.

Additionally, DeSantis signed into law the Curriculum Transparency Bill, HB 1467, which requires districts to make all books and instructional materials available to parents for review, and possible objection. The law also bans the use of CRT and Common Core in all instructional materials. After the bill was passed last year, state education officials banned 41 percent of textbooks in Florida schools for allegedly including topics on critical race theory and other race-related educational material.

In recent weeks, many librarians in Florida have cleared out their shelves due to censorship rules that threaten them with felony charges if their inventories contain identified books or instructional materials that have been prohibited.

Indicating a broader trend in far-right attacks against public education and democratic rights in the US, Florida is one of over a dozen states that have passed fascistic laws banning CRT and other divisive concepts in K12 public schools and higher education.

The heightened focus on school districts as major battlegrounds for the far right was showcased by former president Trumps education policy plan, revealed last month as part of his 2024 presidential campaign. Trumps diatribe vowed to implement deep attacks on public education by promoting school privatization, the establishment of a parental bill of rights, the removal of teacher tenure, and the cutting of funding for any district which promotes CRT or race-based discrimination.

The World Socialist Web Site condemns the fascistic attacks on public education and democratic rights by DeSantis and the Republican party. Notwithstanding our fundamental disagreement with the theoretical foundations and political aims of critical race theory, intersectionality, and other forms of identity politics, we reject their outright censorship in schools. The attack on these ideologies obscures the real target: teachers and especially working class youth, whom DeSantis and the Republicans aim to deprive of knowledge of actual history, society, and culture.

The Democratic Partys response to DeSantis rejection of the AP course ignores these democratic and class issues. It instead doubles down on its advocacy of CRT and identity politics, calling on its supporters in the trade unions, academia, and among the pseudo-left to defend these toxic ideologies as fields of legitimate study.

For example, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten, who is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and ardent promoter of US imperialism, tweeted Too often politics interferes with education, which is exactly what DeSantis attempted here stop the race baiting and let our high school students in Florida elect to take the AP African American studies course.

In this manner, the Democrats disguise the essentially right-wing character of the various identity ideologies that are the stock-in-trade of the privileged upper middle class strata that is their base. In fact, those who promote identity politics, CRT and the 1619 Project play a critical role in strengthening the far right. Their insistence that race and gender are the determining forces that shape society, and their attack on the United States great democratic revolutions, the War of Independence and the Civil War, have allowed the Republican Party, absurdly, to posture as defenders of truthful history.

In the end, despite the appearance of a bitter conflict, the ideologies of both the far-right and of identity politics share a common commitment to burying the real driving force in historyclass conflict. From the far-right this is done through censorship and the promotion of a fascistic nationalist mythology. Identity politics, on the other hand, falsifies history by claiming that ones identity determines social class and that whites, particularly white men regardless of class, benefit from the oppression of their class brothers and sisters.

Both major parties, and their supporters, are hellbent on suppressing socialism. At the heart of the censorship and attacks on public education in Florida and across the US is the history of the class struggle and the threat of revolutionary upsurge of the working class today. It is significant in this regard that, in the context of pandemic, war, and the emergence of immense social struggles and strikes in the US and across the world, US Congress came together to solidify their alliance against the working class by passing a resolution, with overwhelming bipartisan support, entitled, Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism.

The resolution, which itself is an expression of historical falsification, is a fundamental attack on the working class and an indication that Congress is preparing a social counterrevolution. By endorsing this right-wing manifesto, the Democrats make clear that, while they are prepared to defend identity politics, they are more than ready to join hands with Republicans to suppress the working class.
A report by the Washington Post published Wednesday drastically undermines the media campaigninstigated by the Biden administrationdemonizing China for allegedly sending a spy balloon over sensitive military sites in the continental United States.

The Post report, published on its front page under the headline, Winds may have sent spy balloon off its path, revealed that by the time the Chinese balloon had reached US airspace in the Aleutian Islands, U.S. military and intelligence agencies had been tracking it for nearly a week, watching as it lifted off from its home base on Hainan Island near Chinas south coast.

By this account, the balloon was fitted out with surveillance equipment for military purposes, but its intended path was the huge US military base on Guam, in the western Pacific, the closest US base to China, or Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the headquarters of the US Pacific Fleet.

These bases are routinely watched by China, just as US agencies are continually watching Chinese military centers, such as Hainan Island, the biggest base of Chinas navy.

According to the Post, U.S. monitors watched as the balloon settled into a flight path that would appear to have taken it over the U.S. territory of Guam. But somewhere along that easterly route, the craft took an unexpected northern turn, according to several U.S. officials, who said that analysts are now examining the possibility that China didnt intend to penetrate the American heartland with its airborne surveillance device.

The cause of this swing to the north was unusual weather conditions, which pushed the balloon into the Aleutian Islands, the southwesternmost part of Alaska, where it then was picked up by the normal wind currents that sweep southeast through Canada and into the US Great Plains. The balloon entered the continental US in Montana, continued to drift to the east and south, and ultimately reached the Atlantic Coast where it was shot down.

A Chinese balloon drifts over Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, shortly before being shot down by a US F-22 fighter jet. [Photo by Russotp / CC BY-SA 4.0

The balloon was launched from Hainan on January 20, crossed into US airspace in Alaska on January 28, passed through Canada and reached Montana on January 31, and finally reached the Atlantic Ocean on February 4. US military-intelligence agencies were monitoring its movements throughout this two-week period.

Given its sources, US officials  speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence, the Post report amounts to a public admission by the US military-intelligence apparatus that China was not conducting anything but a routine operation in the Western and Central Pacific, before the balloon went off course unexpectedly.

The grudging conclusion of this devastating concession: This new account suggests that the ensuing international crisis that has ratcheted up tensions between Washington and Beijing may have been at least partly the result of a mistake.

The Post, which has been among the leaders in trumpeting for a confrontational anti-China policy by Washington, tried to put a good face on the debunking of the latest casus belli, suggesting that after the balloon went off course inadvertently, Beijing apparently decided to seize the opportunity to try to gather intelligence.

The article went on to claim, in complete contradiction to its initial revelation, that The incident was just the latest indication of how purposefully China is going about expanding its surveillance capabilities 

Even by the degraded standards of the US corporate media, this makes no sense. How can an inadvertent flight of a wind-blown balloon reveal how purposefully China is proceeding? One might ask, what would China have to do to satisfy the editors of the Post? Cede Hong Kong to the United States? Cede Shanghai, as under the concessions regime imposed by the imperialist powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Cede the capital, Beijing?

The White House has also backed off from some of the more inflammatory claims voiced by administration officials and Democrats and Republicans in Congress in the week since the initial reports of the balloons presence in Montana. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said Monday, These balloons have provided limited additive capabilities to China, rejecting suggestions that there was a major escalation of Beijings intelligence operations.

The Biden administration has yet to present any actual evidence that the Chinese balloon was, in fact, equipped with surveillance equipment for military purposes. Navy divers have reportedly retrieved much of the payload of the balloon, which China claims was a weather balloon conducting meteorological observations, but no public accounting has been given.

As far as that goes, moreover, Chinese military officials would be mad not to be watching the movements of US forces in the Pacific. It is barely a week since the remarks of a US admiral, telling his subordinates that he expected a war with China by 2025, were made public.

One can only imagine what an explosion of militaristic hysteria would ensue if a top Chinese officer had made a similar statement about an imminent war with the United States. There would be screaming media headlines and hysterical congressional demands for retaliation.

There was also a White House pullback in relation to the US shootdowns of unidentified objects over Alaska, Canada and Lake Huron. On Tuesday, Kirby told the media that the US government had no evidence of any connection between these objects and China or the intelligence operations of any government.

US investigators had not yet found the remnants of any of the objects, which were downed in remote areas difficult to conduct retrieval operationstwo in the frozen north, in Alaska and the Yukon, and one in Lake Huron in water 150 feet deep.

US officials will not dismiss as a possibility that these could be balloons that were simply tied to commercial or research entities and therefore benign, Kirby said. That very well could be, or could emerge, as a leading explanation here.

Why the three were shot down, out of thousands of similar objects in the skies over North America, he did not explain.
One hundred Ukrainian servicemen, one civilian released during next prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia on Thurs

Another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place on Thursday, 100 Ukrainian military and one civilian have been released from the hands of Russian invaders, head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has said.

"We continue to return Ukrainians from captivity. Today, 100 of our soldiers and one civilian are going home," Yermak wrote on Telegram.

According to him, among the fighters released on Thursday are National guardsmen, border guards and military personnel.

"Ninety-four of them are defenders of Mariupol, including 63 soldiers from Azovstal. Their relatives have been waiting for them for so long," the head of the Presidents Office stressed.

He added that the work on the return home of all captured Ukrainians continues.
On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden fired James Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol after a scathing Inspector General report on the Office of the Architect of the Capitol revealed that Blanton and his wife, Michelle Blanton, aided former President Donald Trumps failed coup.

Recently fired Architect of the Capitol James Brett Blanton on February 9, 2023. [Photo: Committee on House Adminstration ]





Blanton, a 20-year Navy officer, was nominated by Trump to be Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in December 2019. He formally assumed the position after being approved by Congress on January 16, 2020. During virtually his entire tenure as AOC, the Capitol was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the run-up to the January 6, 2021 attack.



In the Inspector Generals (IG) executive summary it was revealed that on January 6, as thousands of Trump supporters, neo-Nazis and militia members were storming Congress in an attempt to capture and/or kill lawmakers in order to keep Trump in power, Blanton, who heads a 2,400-person agency charged with maintaining the security of the Capitol complex, was not at the Capitol. Instead, Blanton, was, apparently, working from home in his government vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee.



Blanton neglected to drive to the Capitol despite the fact that a major official proceeding was set to take place there, the certification by Congress of Joe Bidens victory in the presidential election, and there had been numerous security threats for that day, including Trumps notorious call for his supporters to come to Washington on January 6 because it will be wild.

Given this conduct, there is no legitimate political explanation for Biden waiting more than two years to fire Blanton. Throughout this time, including three State of the Union ceremonies, this brazen collaborator in the coup attempt was continuing to run the Capitol building, which was the target of the violence.

It was also revealed in the IG report that Blanton and his family members used the government-issued Jeep to drive to Florida for vacation and to run errands, such as grocery shopping or dropping the children off at sporting events. According to the IG report, which accused Blanton of driving over 19,000 miles more than expected, Blanton claimed that he used the vehicle to run errands because it was a mobile command center, and if he was needed in an emergency he could quickly respond to the Capitol complex, something he failed to do on January 6, or any other day during his tenure as AOC.



On February 9, 2023, Blanton was called to testify before the House Administration Committee on the contents of the Inspector Generals report. While the Republicans and many Democrats on the committee focused on the petty corruption, the waste, fraud and abuse aspect of the report, which has also been the main headline in the capitalist press, several representatives questioned Blanton as to why he was not at the Capitol as it was under siege on January 6.



Blanton testified that it was not prudent for him to show up because the large angry crowd would have made it difficult for him to get inside the building. Blanton could not answer why he was not at the Capitol prior to the mob storming it, say around 9:00, 10:00 or even 11:00 a.m.



While questioning Blanton on his decision to not come to the Capitol on January 6, Representative Norma J. Torres (California-Democrat) revealed that during the siege she and other members were stranded on the balcony for 45 minutes face down crawling, trying to avoid the mob.



I am outraged to hear, that you were in a comfortable place whether in your car or in your home while we were screaming at the one police officer that was near gallery 3 asking him to lock the door above us that was wide-open after the emergency had been called and after every single one of our colleagues that was down on the floor had already been evacuated, Torres said.



Do you know sir that the police officer could not close or lock that door because he did not have the keys to that door? Do you know that?, Torres angrily asked Blanton, who replied blandly, Thats news to me.



Blantons involvement in Trumps coup did not begin with his inexplicable absence on January 6, which prevented lawmakers and police from locking crucial doors.



The IG report also revealed that on September 30, 2020, one day after Trump told the Proud Boys in his debate with Biden to Stand back and stand by, Blantons wife, Michelle, posted a picture of the couple inside the Capitol dome with the caption, This is happening!!! and All PATRIOTS welcome ... [Private Message] me ;-).



Later that same day, on September 30, the report revealed that an additional photograph was taken from the US Capitol with a comment that read, Contact me for a private tour. All PATRIOTS accepted!



The Blantons were not the only Trump-aligned elements offering private tours of the Capitol prior to January 6. Last year, the January 6 Select Committee revealed surveillance video showing Georgia Republican Representative Barry Loudermilk escorting a group of Trump supporters around the Capitol complex the day before the attack.



The report revealed that on December 28, 2020, nine days before the attack on the Capitol, Michelle Blanton took another tour of the Capitol, this time with her swim team while it was still closed to the public. It is unclear at this time if any of the people the Blantons gave tours to have been charged in the coup.



Torres questioned Blanton about the tours noting that as a fifth-year member of Congress, I have never taken a tour of the dome, because I have been told that there is a long waiting list. That I have to put my name on that waiting list. So do you think I am not Patriot enough to take a tour of the dome? Do I not meet that Patriot requirement?



Blanton did not reply. The IG report also revealed that Michelle Blanton did not just take photographs from inside the Capitol and offer tours to Patriots. The report said that the IG obtained multiple social posts made by Michelle which included photographs of congressional license plates.



Torres questioned Blanton as to why his wife was taking photographs of lawmakers license plates, especially given the fact that the plates are used as a security measure to confirm the identity of lawmakers driving onto the Capitol complex. Blanton did not have an answer, but said he would not characterize the fact that his wife posted the private license plate numbers of congressional members online as a security breach.



The true extent of Blanton and his wifes involvement in ensuring former President Donald Trumps mob of fascist militia members had ample opportunity to capture and kill lawmakers cannot be ascertained at this moment because the House Administration Committee has refused to publicly release the roughly 800-page Inspector General report. Additionally, the report notes that Blanton misled and provided false information to investigators on multiple occasions.



What was revealed in the summary has confirmed that the danger of Trumps coup was not due to the strength of the lumpen militia members and other Trump acolytes who have been convicted so far, but due to the massive support Trumps coup retained within the institutions of the capitalist state: from the Capitol Police Board, to Congress, the Department of Defense, the intelligence agencies and the Supreme Court.



The fact that this damning information is only now coming to lightmore than 25 months after the attack and well after the completion of the January 6 Select Committees Final Report and the disbanding of the committeeunderscores the massive ongoing cover-up of Trumps coup that has been undertaken by both big business parties. The Democrats, nominal targets of the coup, have aided their Republican colleagues in delaying and burying the most incriminating findings even as the danger of dictatorship increases.



More than two years after the failed coup, Trump and his high-level co-conspirators remain free. Under conditions of capitalist reaction, US-NATO war against Russia and social counter-revolution, the Democratic Party, a party of millionaires, military veterans and CIA agents, has proven itself incapable of defending the democratic rights of the population.

For over two years, Biden and the Democrats have pledged to build a strong Republican Party and now the same Republican politicians that backed Trumps coup are in leading positions in Congress, while Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.




The alliance between the federal Liberal government, the trade union bureaucracy, and the social-democratic New Democratic Party (NDP) played a pivotal role in sabotaging last Novembers Ontario education workers strike and suppressing the broader working class rebellion it threatened to unleash.

Since it took shape some two decades ago, the purported progressive alliance between the labour bureaucrats and the Liberals, long the Canadian ruling elites preferred party of national government, has served as a key mechanism for suppressing working class opposition to austerity, imperialist war, and attacks on wages and conditions. Last March, in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of the NATO-instigated Ukraine war and under conditions of mounting working class anger over rising prices and the ruling elites ruinous profits-before-lives pandemic policy, this political partnership was transformed into a formal governmental alliance. With the unions encouragement and blessing, the NDP signed a confidence and supply agreement under which it is pledged to keep the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government in power through June 2025.

Workers entering into struggle must recognize that this alliance is a major obstacle in their fight to defend jobs and public services and oppose war.

Last November's Ontario education workers' strike, which at its height threatened to unleash a province-wide general strike, marked a new stage in working class opposition to capitalist austerity and wage-cutting. Above, strikers and their supporters rallying outside the Ontario Legislature, November 4, 2022. [Photo: WSWS]

The 55,000 education support workers received enthusiastic support from millions of workers across the province and beyond when they courageously defied a draconian antistrike law authored by the erstwhile Trump enthusiast, Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Their two-day strike galvanized support throughout the working class and rapidly triggered a movement for a general strike. This would have represented a powerful challenge to four decades of never-ending attacks on public spending and workers wages, and the ruling elites squandering of tens of billions of dollars on waging imperialist war against Russia and preparing for war with China. This prospect terrified the Trudeau government, Canadas union leaderships, and the NDP. They responded by taking coordinated steps to strangle the movement and impose a sellout.

The development of the strike

In early November, Ford rushed Bill 28 through the provincial parliament to pre-emptively ban the impending education workers strike and impose on them, by government fiat, a massive real-wage cut. Moreover, he invoked the notwithstanding clausea reactionary provision in Canadas constitution, long viewed as to too egregious to be usedthat allows governments to adopt laws that trample on basic democratic rights while blocking all legal challenges.

Fords Bill 28 triggered outrage among working people, as it was rightly viewed as a frontal assault on workers most basic rights to collectively struggle and negotiate the terms of their employment. Indeed, it marked a major step in the evisceration of democratic rights and imposition of authoritarian forms of rule in Canada and took place in the midst of a wave of similar actions by capitalist ruling elites internationally to criminalize working class struggle. These include legislation in Britain that will effectively ban strikes in health care, transport, and other key sectors and the outlawing of an impending US rail workers strike by the Biden Administration and the Democratic Party-controlled Congress.

The deployment of the full force of the state against low-paid workers demanding decent wages and conditions served as a stark contrast to Fords kid-glove treatment just nine months earlier of the fascistic Freedom Convoy, which menacingly occupied downtown Ottawa and whose leaders made violent threats to overthrow the federal government and institute a dictatorship.

But Ford and his backers in the ruling elite failed to reckon with the response of the working class, which transformed the political situation overnight. In the run-up to the strike, the corporate-controlled media sought to intimidate the workers with claims that Ford enjoyed widespread support and that COVID-fatigued parents were opposed to any disruption in the school calendar.

However, when education workers took the offensive and defied the governments strike-ban and threats of $4,000 per day fines, it was Ford who was shown to be isolated and vulnerable. A rank-and-file rebellion developed among Ontarios 200,000 teachers after the leaderships of their four unions scandalously ordered them to cross picket lines. Polls showed overwhelming support among union members for solidarity strikes with the school support staff. Tens of thousands, including many parents of school age children, flocked to strike-support demonstrations.

It was precisely at this point, when the strike was threatening to become a working class political challenge to Ford and his hated Ontario Tory government, that the union leaders initiated backroom talks with the premier and Education Minister Stephen Lecce to strangle it

They did so for two reasons. Firstly, the only thing the bureaucrats who head the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and its Ontario Council of School Board Unions affiliate were ever interested in was getting Ford back to the bargaining table so as to secure the bureaucrats right to negotiate a sellout. More fundamentally, the union leaderships recognized that the emerging mass movement could rapidly escape their control, and call into question the big business social and political setup they depend upon for their privileged positions.

The Liberal/trade union/NDP alliance intervenes

The strikes shutdown was directed politically by the leadership of Canadas most powerful unions, Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. In the days immediately preceding the illegal strike, both Trudeau and Singh criticized Fords use of the notwithstanding clause, but refrained from taking issue with his push for real-wage cuts. This reflected the fact that Trudeau and Singh were concerned not so much with Fords drive to slash workers real wagesthe Trudeau government is offering federal workers wage increases of just 2 percent per yearbut that his governments actions threatened to destabilize and discredit the collective bargaining system they and their union partners view as critical for containing and suppressing the class struggle on behalf of Canadian capitalism.

Singh, whose NDP has propped up the Trudeau Liberal government in parliament at the behest of the unions since 2019, appealed for Trudeau to intervene to defuse the impending class confrontation. Trudeau duly obliged. He met with the leaders of the education unions on the morning of November 4 as the strike began; while continuing to repeat his appeals to Ontarios hard-right premier, with whom he has frequently worked closely to attract investments, to reconsider.

Top union bureaucrats from the Canadian Labour Congress, Unifor, the Ontario Federation of Labour and CUPE then spent the entire weekend on the phone with Ford and his senior aides. They pleaded with him to withdraw his strike ban so that the union apparatus could enforce it in practice. As soon as Ford announced the withdrawal of Bill 28 on the morning of November 7, union leaders ordered education workers without any democratic consultation to collapse their pickets and return to work.

The unions ability to torpedo the strike was ensured by a coterie of pseudo-left groups who rushed to justify the betrayal as a victory for the rank and file. Groups like Fightback and the Spring Magazine, a split-off from the state-capitalist International Socialists, asserted against all the evidence that workers were not ready for a general strike. Ignoring the fact that rank-and-file workers never had a say on whether the strike should end, they passed off the views of the top union bureaucrats as those of working people. Moreover, they all insisted that the union apparatus remains the only legitimate mechanism through which workers can conduct their struggles.

In reality, the education workers struggle proved that if workers do not have their own rank-and-file organizations to seize control of the struggle from the bureaucracy, the union apparatus has a free hand to sell out their demands. The establishment of rank-and-file committees entirely independent of the bureaucracy and its union apparatuses is a prerequisite for the political mobilization of working people to overturn decades of attacks on wages, jobs, and public services.

As they strangled the strike, the union leaders loudly proclaimed victory, even though none of the workers demands had been met. Yet from the standpoint of the privileged section of the middle class represented by the union leadership, they had won, because their collective bargaining privileges had been restored. The defence of this state-designed, pro-employer system has been critical to the suppression of the class struggle for over three decades and has served as a cornerstone of the Liberal/union/NDP alliance since the 1990s.

These basic truths were confirmed in the weeks that followed. CUPEs national apparatus intervened to an unprecedented degree to bargain a rotten sellout agreement with Ford and then ram it down the throats of the education workers. After the Ontario School Board Council of Unions bargaining committee unveiled a pathetic 3.5 percent annual wage increase over a four-year deal, the union apparatus went into overdrive to browbeat workers into voting for it.

An alliance for imperialist war and suppressing the class struggle

The Liberal/union/NDP alliance has its roots in the suppression of the last major upsurge of the class struggle in Ontario: the mass movement against Mike Harris Thatcherite Common Sense Revolution between 1995 and 1997. The culmination of this movement was a two-week strike by over 120,000 teachers in the fall of 1997. The strike represented a direct challenge to Harris austerity agenda, as it targeted his governments slashing of education funding and legislative changes that dramatically increased class sizes. While the unions, like CUPE last November, felt compelled to call a strike for fear of otherwise losing control over the rank and file, they made clear from the get-go that they opposed any challenge to Harris right to governi.e., a political general strike. To emphasize this point, they called the strike a political protest. When Harris refused to accept a compromise offer, the unions promptly shut the strike down and gave Harris a free hand to impose his sweeping attacks.

Terrified by the intensification of class struggle, the unionsspearheaded by Unifors predecessor (the Canadian Auto Workers) and the teachers unionsresponded by forging close ties with the Ontario Liberals. For 15 years beginning in 2003, they helped keep in power a right-wing Liberal government that began by keeping Harris key attacks on public service spending and workers rights intact, then went on to impose fresh waves of austerity and tax cuts for big business and the rich. The NDP was fully implicated in this, including when it propped up the minority Liberal government between 2011 and 2014 as it froze teachers wages, and gutted spending for health care and education.

The alliances record of ramming through austerity budgets and attacks on working conditions in Ontario served as a platform for intensifying collaboration between the Liberals, unions, and NDP at the federal level. This anti-worker agenda was covered over with the claim that it was necessary to unite progressives against the threat posed by arch right-wingers like the former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The end result was a sharp shift of official politics to the right and the strengthening of the very reactionary forces the union bureaucrats and NDP claimed to be combatting.

Since Trudeau and his Liberals came to power in 2015, the unions have established unprecedentedly close ties with the federal government. Leading bureaucrats from Unifor and the Canadian Labour Congress served as de facto government advisers during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Known as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the new deal was essential in consolidating a protectionist trade bloc in North America so that American and Canadian imperialism can confront their global rivals economically and militarily. During the pandemic, the unions and NDP endorsed the Liberals homicidal policy of mass infection and spearheaded the deadly back-to-work campaign.

The union bureaucracy strongly encouraged and enthusiastically celebrated the conclusion of a three-year parliamentary confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and NDP in March 2022. The NDP and unions are strong supporters of the Trudeau governments frontline role in the war against Russia and the massive rearmament of Canadas military. In announcing the NDP-Liberal governmental alliancewhich falls just short of a full-fledged coalition governmentSingh said the deal was necessary to ensure political stability. By this, he meant stability for the ruling elite to intensify the exploitation of workers for profits and the pursuit of Canadas imperialist ambitions abroad. The fact that the Ontario education workers strike threatened to compromise both of these goals explains why Trudeau, Singh, and Canadas top union bureaucrats joined hands to crush it.

The Ontario education workers strike and the enthusiastic support it generated among working people demonstrate that the objective conditions to bring an end to the decades-long smothering of the class struggle by the union bureaucracy and progressive parties like the Liberals and NDP exist. Workers are more than ready to take up a struggle against austerity, war, and social inequality, and for decent wages and substantial public spending increases. But to do so they must establish their political independence from the Liberal/NDP/union alliance and its pseudo-left apologists. A critical step in this struggle involves the creation of rank-and-file committees in every workplace to take control of contract struggles and the fight for improved wages and conditions out of the hands of the union bureaucrats. However, these committees can only be sustained and expanded to the extent that workers are armed with a socialist and internationalist program to guide their struggles. This necessitates the building of the Socialist Equality Party to unify Canadian workers with their class brothers and sisters in the United States, Mexico, and internationally.
Hundreds of residents of East Palestine, Ohio, poured into a town hall meeting Wednesday night to demand answers about the health threat to the community due to the intentional burning and release of toxic chemicals by Norfolk Southern railroad following the February 3 derailment of its 100-car train in the town.

Hours before the meeting was scheduled to start, Norfolk Southern officials announced they would not attend due to concern over the alleged growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community.

East Palestine residents line up before town hall meeting [Photo: WSWS]

Residents of the small town of less than 5,000 on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border, northwest of Pittsburgh, were initially evacuated within the one-mile radius of the crash site when state officials carried out a controlled release on February 6. The burning of hundreds of thousands of gallons of carcinogenic vinyl chloride and other chemicals produced a massive plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

Without any serious testing of homes, water and soil for contaminants, residents were sent back to their homes and rail traffic through the town quickly resumed. On Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine claimed the water was safe after state Environmental Protection Agency officials reported finding no evidence of raw contaminants during the inspection of several wells that feed the municipal water system.

During the meeting Wednesday night, residents peppered officials about the thousands of dead fish in local streams, pets getting sick and dying, the persistence of chemical smells and sickness among residents. After the state EPA official dodged their questions and again claimed the water and soil was safe, someone from the crowd was heard shouting, Flint, Michigan! referring to the residents of that city whose health concerns were ignored for months before the state government acknowledged in late 2015 that the citys water system had been poisoned by lead.

One resident asked if EPA officials were testing for dioxins, highly toxic chemical compounds that can cause cancer and damage to immune systems and child development. The official admitted that dioxins had likely been released by the burning but said that such testing was not being done and would probably be part of a long-term mitigation strategy. The official said the state had no choice but to carry out the controlled release of the toxins. Either we blew it up or it would blow up by itself, he insisted, claiming that was our only option.

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of the controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern train on Monday, February 6, 2023. [AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]

Earlier on Wednesday, the World Socialist Web Site spoke with hazardous material expert Sil Caggiano, who refuted this claim. In his 39 years of responding to train accidents and derailments, Caggiano said he had never heard of a railroad company actually detonating their own containers.

He continued, Im not saying it has never been done. But I have not seen it in any case studies, and Ive looked at pretty much any spill that has occurred, any incident involving rail cars. What basically they did was take one car, which could have blown up and ruptured one or two more and turned it into a for sure thing.

Asked why the railroad and state officials knowingly risked the lives and health of the towns residents, he said, Because the alternatives to what they did would have taken too long and cost them too much money. If they had put the fire out, they would still have had to handle every one of those containers and its content as hazardous waste, all non-marketable, and they would have to have gotten rid of all that contamination. This way, they dont have contamination anymore. It burned up and it spread over God knows how much. They got off very cheap in my book.

Caggiano served as the battalion chief at the fire department in Youngstown, Ohio, before retiring two years ago after 39 years of service. He also sat on the state Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction, Technical Advisory Committee, which oversaw the equipment and training of all of Ohios Haz Mat teams.

Sil Caggiano [Photo: Facebook]

That plume cloud covered a very large area. I got a picture from an airplane taking off from Pittsburgh, and there is this huge black spot in the middle of the clouds, Caggiano noted.

Referring to his widely publicized comment that We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open, Caggiano told the WSWS, The reason I said that is based on that guys video of the cloud and stuff precipitating out of the cloud. It reminded me of disaster movies, where you see the nuclear winter. Everything is falling out of the cloudsthat is what it reminded me of. Yes, thats what we did. We didnt use a nuclear weapon, but we did nuke them with chemicals.

Describing the chemicals on the trains and the health threats from burning them, he said, Vinyl chloride and ethylhexyl acrylate are cancerous. Vinyl chloride when it burns breaks down into phosgene, which was a World War I killing agent, a choking agent, it sinks to the ground and it would go into the foxholes. Butyl acrylate is flammable and causes skin, eye and respiratory irritation, just like vinyl chloride. Ethylhexyl acrylate, another colorless liquid that they use in plastic production, produces hazardous vapors and kills fish. Ethylene glycol monobutyl, another colorless solvent used in the paints and plastics industry, is acutely toxic and can cause permanent injury. It is highly flammable, and again, the vapors can irritate the eyes, the nose and can cause congestion, headaches and vomiting.

Everything I just read to you are symptoms that people are experiencing now. People are posting pictures of red rashes and red eyes. People that are having breathing problems have left there and gone someplace else. Everything has manifested itself there. And the only way you are going to get rid of it is a deep cleaning of everything, because when you burn anything that has organic chemicals in it, it leaves a film. Like in your kitchen, when you use gas, touch your wall and its going to feel rough because there is film being deposited as you are burning.

So, you might not find these chemicals in the air, but are we doing enough sampling to find them? Because you might find them in this film that is all over the place. Are we looking in the dirt in the places where this stuff fell out? I havent heard anything about that yet. Now, they are finding it in the water. We are going to have rain here in the next 24 hours, so we might start finding it all over again. Its going to wash out and reconstitute. This is a farm community. These people are going to be planting stuff soon, and some of the chemicals may have gotten into the soil.

He continued, If they find dioxins, all bets are off. Because now we are talking Times Beach and Love Canal-type mitigations. And how do you create dioxins? You burn plastics. I guarantee that was in there. I keep asking are you checking for dioxins, and I get no answer. So, the question is: Are they looking for it? Or dont they want to find it? Because, they know, if they find it, this becomes a real big issue.

Caggiano continued, I question why there is such a rush to get everything open, everyones saying everything is fine, the water is okay to drink, and everything has been mitigatedand now were starting to hear, Well, you might want to drink bottled water. We may have found that Norfolk Southern swept some contaminated soil underneath the railroad tracks.

Norfolk Southern has their people doing the testing, which is like the fox guarding the henhouse. Now the Ohio EPA is doing a lot of testing, with assists from the federal EPA.

Theyre saying, Were expanding some testing. Well, this should have been done from the get-go. Expand your testing, do everybodys house. Wouldnt you want your house tested? Yes, I would.

Caggiano referred to the doctor from the Ohio Health Department who earlier this week downplayed the health risks by saying that volatile, organic chemicals are everywhere. They are, Caggiano said, adding, Every time you fill your car up with gas you are exposed to volatile chemicals. Yeah, but every day, youre not exposed to 20 tanker cars filled with 113,000 gallons worth of a volatile organic chemical being detonated in your backyard.

Referring to the working class population of town, which like the rest of the region has been hard hit by decades of deindustrialization, Caggiano said, East Palestine is a poor community. Were not talking Mentor here [a more affluent suburb of Cleveland], were talking more like inner city Detroit.

Pointing to the cover-up by federal, state and local officials, he said, Everything that I knew would be coming up, and they said would not be an issue, has now become an issue. These poor people in East Palestine are being, what we called mushroomed, kept in the dark and fed BS.

He continued, This is exactly what happened at Love Canal. If you go back and read everything, they said, Its all in your mind. Well, there might be a little contamination. Well, theres a little bit more contamination. Well, there is a lot of contamination. Well, its okay to live here as long as you dont breach the cap on exposure. Well, you cant live here anymore, were going to buy your houses out. It all sounds familiar.

These are things that make you wonder: Do they know what they are doing, or are they keeping something from you? Are they trying to help the rail company mitigate large lawsuits? I dont know why this is going on, but I know that it is wrong, and everything that I said was wrong is now coming out. It needs to be handled, somebody has to step in and say enough is enough. This has to be cleaned up.

Referring to Norfolk Southern, he said, The company just spent billions on stock buybacks for its investors. An old friend of mine said, Money is the mothers milk of politics. Im sure they have plenty to spread around. And they dont give you that money because they like you. They give you that money because now you owe them a favor.

Are you a resident of East Palestine? Contact us, to discuss the issues you face and how to fight them.
Work at UPS? Tell us what youre fighting for in the next contract. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Opposition is building among 350,000 UPS workers in advance of the contract expiration on July 31. Workers are determined to fight back against decades of declining wages and the companys heavy reliance on low-paid, part-time labor in its warehouses. UPS, meanwhile, is raking in record cash as delivery volumes have skyrocketed over three years of the pandemic. Last year, the company recorded more than $100 billion in total revenue for the first time ever, compared to $74.4 billion in 2019.

UPS, however, is preparing to play hardball with workers in a bid to claw back even deeper concessions. The company has begun laying off or reassigning second-tier hybrid delivery drivers at hubs across the country, workers have reported. This classification was created in the current contract, imposed in 2018 by the Teamsters union bureaucracy over a no vote by the membership. Layoffs had been earlier reported in New York, Washington State, Boston and in Anaheim, California.

Wednesday morning, the World Socialist Web Site received tips about about even more significant layoffs, including all hybrid drivers at the Cerritos, California hub, and 150 drivers in Stanton, Pennsylvania.

Workers are gearing up for a major battle against not only the shipping giant, but against the pro-corporate union bureaucracy. Many have written into the WSWS in recent days to describe both their working conditions and what they are fighting for in the next contract. We produce a selection of these below:

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Warehouse worker from Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Working for UPS as a pre-loader has been very stressful and management is absolutely horrendous. I would never tell people to work in Hillsboro facility in Fort Lauderdale  [management abuses] the employees with more work and forcing people to go home early so they can get bonus money. They give us a raise during peak season, and took back the raise after peak season. Most people work 20 to 23 hours a week. We should be getting more hours. They push down more work so they pay us less money. This job should start at $20 an hour. The turnover rate is very high.

Preloader from Tulsa, Oklahoma: The union [Local 516] inside the hub is a joke. The head of this hub has had hundreds of grievances filed against him over 24 months, not to mention the countless other grievances. Ive given up on hundreds of dollars owed me for overtime not paid to me, as filling grievances had no effect. That is the tip of an incredible iceberg of issues, including harassment, OSHA violations, etc. Ive been at UPS for three years and pray this contract brings me to a fair playing field.

Warehouse worker from Essex County, Massachusetts: The union leaders at the Chelmsford hub are becoming vulnerable and they are playing politics with the company to benefit themselves or the company. I would like higher pay. They only have 10 top rate full-time jobs inside the building, out of 185 full-time inside jobs.

Delivery driver from Georgia: Ive worked at UPS for 23 years and the problem is corporate greed. The CEO makes $548 to my $1 dollar. I dare her or anyone to justify that! We all could be millionaires and still put $7.5 billion in bank! It is 150-plus degrees Fahrenheit in the back of the delivery trucks and  a company that makes 8 billion last year wont give us air conditioning in our trucks!

Worker from Sioux City, Iowa: I would really like to see part timers at UPS be treated fairly and with respect. Their wages and benefits are second- and third-level compared to full time personnel. There are more part timers employed by UPS than there are full timers, and yet in contract after contract, part timers are given table scraps (the two-tiered wage system, inferior benefits etc.) compared to the full timers. This has to stop if the Teamsters are to be believed as being for all the union personnel at UPS.

Wife of a former UPS worker from Upstate New York: My husband worked for UPS for 26 years and now he has repetitive motion disability. UPS is like modern-day slavery. My husband witnessed supervisors working, and if you do anything about it there are consequences. My husband is 48 and cannot work any labor jobs now and has been fighting for workers compensation. The reason he is disabled is because of the limited help when you are a loader. My husbands retirement is about $500 a month! You cant even talk to Human Resources, because they have liquidated it! So now we are financially struggling because my husband had a breakdown caused by stress from working there! Corruption is rampant there and the UNION IS WEAK!

Worker from Orange County, California: Teamsters 396 has been a poor representative for us workers. They cut bonuses for working 5 days straight from $75 to $45, despite the cost of living going up. They broke the contract and took cover drivers out, so now all drivers start at $20 an hour. Seniority is a joke and not honored, not even posted at each job section like it should be. The steward is friends with management and grievances are not taken seriously.

Hazmat responder from Seattle: I am a hazmat responder at a UPS facility. I work part time. I do not get hazard pay or higher pay than a loader does, and I have much more training that I have to go through as well! We are exposed to chemicals and hazardous materials on a daily basis, and we are making a whopping 15 bucks an hour! McDonalds workers are making more than me. My teenage son, working his first job, makes more than me.

Its a slap in the face from a multi-billion dollar company! We work hard to make billions for this company, and most of us cant make our rent! Yes we have good benefits, but I cant pay the bills with it. And we have no time to to even use our medical or dental benefits. This company has a known reputation for harassment and bullying their employees. Enough is enough. The drivers are paid well, now its our turn to get some retribution and get honest pay for honest days work! Carol Tome [CEO of UPS], its time to pay up! Lets talk about your wages!

Work at UPS? Tell us what youre fighting for in the next contract. All submissions will be kept anonymous.
Two days after a lone gunman fatally shot three students and critically wounded five others on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan, shock, horror and grief are turning to anger and a sense that endless mass shootings in America are symptoms of a diseased society.

Hundreds of MSU students and supporters held a protest Wednesday on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to mourn the senseless deaths of classmates Alexandria Verner, 20; Brian Fraser, 20; and Arielle Anderson, 19. The three were struck down when a mentally ill unemployed resident of Lansing, Anthony McCrea, 43, fired shots in an academic building and the nearby Student Union. Some three hours after his rampage began, at 8:18 p.m., he was found near his fathers home on Lansings north end, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the MSU police.

Five other students were wounded and remain in critical condition at Lansings Sparrow Hospital. The MSU police are not releasing the names of the injured students.

Mourners leave flowers at The Rock on the grounds of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. [AP Photo/Paul Sancya]

At the Capitol, students recounted their horrific experiences after being told to shelter in place while the shooter roamed the campus. A common refrain, amid the escalating wave of mass shootings around the country, was Enough is enough, coupled with demands that the government do something to protect human life.

A separate vigil was held on campus at The Rock, a traditional gathering point, while other vigils, prayer meetings and memorials for the slain students were held across the state.

The scale of the social crisis underlying the phenomenon of mass shootings in the US and the indifference of the political establishment to human life were underscored by the fact that the shooting at MSU took place on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. There, on February 14, 2018, a gunman murdered 17 people and wounded 17 others.

A number of MSU students who were forced to hunker down or flee for their lives on Monday night were survivors of mass shootings at their previous schools.

Newtown, Connecticut native Jackie Matthews was in the sixth grade on December 14, 2012, when a gunman attacked her school, Sandy Hook Elementary, killing six educators and 20 young children. Matthews, an MSU senior, went on TikTok at 1 a.m. on Tuesday and wrote:

The fact that this is the second mass shooting that I have now lived through is incomprehensible. We can no longer allow this to happen. We can no longer be complacent

The fact that the odds of me being in both of those places for two mass shootings is, unfortunately, not as unlikely as it seems I think thats why I felt the need to make the video to bring awareness to the fact that enough is enough. It just needs to end.

Emma Riddle wrote on Twitter:

14 months ago I had to evacuate from Oxford High School [in Oakland County, Michigan] when a fifteen-year-old opened fire and killed four of my classmates and injured seven more. Tonight, I am sitting under my desk at Michigan State University, once again texting everyone, I love you. When will this end?

Riddles father, Matthew, told NBC News on Tuesday he had told his daughter after the Oxford shooting that lightning doesnt strike twice This has happened to you and it cant happen again. He added, Frankly, thats not true.

Dagmar Gross, a Toronto resident, tweeted that she had two nephews attending MSU. One, who lived in a dorm near the Monday night shooting attack, was in the classroom next door to the shooter at Oxford High during the November 30, 2021 shooting.

I am scared. And raging so badly at what has happened to the USA, she tweeted shortly before 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Andrea Ferguson told WDIV-TV that her daughter lived through the Oxford shooting and started attending MSU this semester. It was like reliving Oxford all over again, said Ferguson, adding that her daughter was unbelievably terrified.

Its really, really surreal to have to worry about this, and to know exactly what to do, she said.

The Washington Post on Tuesday published an analysis showing that in the five years since the Parkland school shooting, the total number of children exposed to gun violence at school had exploded, rising from 187,000 in 2018 to 338,000 today.

Mass shootings in the US have soared from an average of 349 per year between 2014 and 2019 to an average of 649 per year between 2020 and 2022. More than 5,200 people have died from gun violence in the US over the past year.

The US gun death rate is 10 times the rate in Italy and France and 96 times higher than in the UK. This is bound up with the fact the US is the most economically unequal of all the major capitalist countries.

In just the first two weeks of this month, there have been 17 mass shootings in the US, defined by the Gun Violence Archive as shootings that kill or wound four or more people, excluding the shooter.

According to Wikipedia, they have occurred in major cities such as New York, Washington D.C., New Orleans and Los Angeles, as well as rural areas. They have taken place on both coasts, in the Midwest, the South and the Southwest, at private residences and public venues, in public transport and private vehicles, in neighborhoods, restaurants and businesses; victims and perpetrators alike have been white, African American, Asian American and Hispanic.

As the WSWS has explained, the COVID-19 pandemic was a trigger event, exacerbating all the malignant contradictions and crises of American capitalism, including the explosive growth of social inequality, militarism and war-mongering directed against Russia and China, the growth of far-right and fascist forces, the assault on jobs, wages and all the social conditions of the working class. It is no accident that gun violence has increased dramatically over the past three years.

As always, the response of both big business parties to the latest mass shooting tragedy is pro forma, ritualized and insincere. Biden and the Democrats once again offer their prayers and pledge to enact tougher gun control legislation, knowing it will not pass. Their chief concern is to channel growing anger and social opposition among youth and workers behind the Democratic Party, in order to dissipate and crush it.

The Republicans talk about the mental health crisis, while demanding further cuts in health care programs, and demand the lifting of whatever toothless restrictions on guns currently exist.

Both parties evade and seek to cover over the massive social crisis of capitalism that underlies the wave of mass shootings.

All of this testifies to the systemic and class-rooted source of the phenomenon of mass shootings in America, and the need to address these basic issues in order to put an end to gun violence. The defense of education and life itself for young people is inextricably bound up with the fight to put an end to war and its sourcecapitalism. And the social force that can accomplish this is the working class.

It is to the workers, whose struggles are rapidly expanding in the US and around the world, that youth and students need to turn to prevent world war and needless death and suffering, through the fight for socialism. This is the fight being waged by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).
The official death toll in Syria from last weeks catastrophic earthquake has risen to nearly 6,000, with many more dead lying in the rubble, still to be counted. The United Nations estimates that as many as 5.3 million Syrians have been left homeless by the quake. Many of them were already internally displaced by the 11-year, US-orchestrated war for regime change that devastated the country and cost the lives of over 300,000 civilians.

UN officials have acknowledged that while the lions share of international aid has gone to Turkey, Syria has been starved of assistance. The Syrian people, rightly feel abandoned. Looking for international help that hasnt arrived, Martin Griffiths, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator at the United Nations recently stated.

Even before the earthquake, nearly 90 percent of the population lived below the poverty line. Around 14.6 million peoplenearly 70 percent of the populationwere in need of humanitarian assistance, with some 12 million facing food insecurity as prices soared and supplies fell.

The population had also been left without access to electricity for more than two hours a day, while the vast majority of homes remained unheated.

These conditions are due in large measure to a crippling unilateral US sanctions regime, which under the so-called Cesar Act imposes severe punishments on any country or overseas financial institution or other entity that dares to engage with Syria.

This deliberate starvation of the Syrian population has been supplemented by the US military occupation of the countrys northeastern oil and gas fields, which has denied the country access to its principal sources of energy needed for reconstruction.

Behind these policies lies the unstated and thus far failed aim of precipitating the downfall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad. What Washington failed to achieve through the arming and funding of Al Qaeda-linked militias, it now seeks to accomplish through deliberately inflicting mass misery upon the people of Syria in the hope that they will be forced to rise up against the government.

This tactic, likewise employed against Iran, Cuba and Venezuela, has thus far failed, while inflicting immense suffering.

Last Friday, in the face of growing international outrage and pressure, Washington was compelled to announce a temporary and partial suspension of US sanctions to allow earthquake relief into Syria. The suspension is supposed to last for 180 days, and then the full sanctions regime will snap back into place.

In announcing the suspension, formally known as Syria General License 23, the US Treasury Department stated that it authorizes all transactions related to earthquake relief that would otherwise be prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations.

The announcement exposes the boundless hypocrisy of the US government, which had long claimed that the draconian and deadly sanctions regulations posed no impediment to humanitarian relief. It only confirms what everyone in Syria already knew: that this was a barefaced lie.

The supposed partial suspension of sanctions only came four days after the earthquake, too late for thousands who died in the rubble, without sufficient heavy machinery and other aid to pull them out, or for the thousands more unable to access medical care or secure shelter in the quakes immediate aftermath.

Even now, Syrian immigrants in the US are unable to send remittances to their families in the earthquake zone as companies like Western Union, Ria and MoneyGram still dont allow transfers from the US to Syria. Platforms like Paypal, GoFundMe and Patreon have taken down pages soliciting relief for Syria and blocked attempts to route aid to the devastated country.

People remove their furniture and household appliances out of a collapsed building following a devastating earthquake in the town of Jinderis, Aleppo province, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. [AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed]

The sanctions regime continues to block any aid going through the Syrian government, which serves to prevent the importation of heavy equipment and fuel, cripple air traffic and ban the use of Syrian ports.

Meanwhile, companies and even aid organizations that have over-complied with US sanctions in the past for fear of US retaliation continue to remain wary of any dealings with Syria.

For its part, the Biden administration has offered a paltry $85 million in aid to both Turkey and Syria, a tiny fraction of the billions in arms and aid poured into the proxy jihadist forces that ravaged Syria in Washingtons regime change war.

What little aid is being provided by the US and the UK is politically directed at undermining the Syrian government. It is being funneled exclusively into the area of Idlib in northwestern Syria controlled by the remnants of the Al Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated jihadist militias previously armed and funded by the CIA in the regime-change war to topple Assad.

This has been combined with a concerted effort to promote the White Helmets, a so-called rescue organization that was organized by British intelligence. It had been widely discredited for its involvement in the staging of fake chemical weapons attacks, as in Douma in 2018, meant to serve as a pretext for direct US-NATO intervention in the regime-change war.

The jihadist forces in Idlib have a filthy record of stealing international relief supplies and then selling them at drastically marked-up prices to the starving refugees trapped in the area under their control. There have been recent reports of rival armed factions fighting each other for earthquake relief supplies that have trickled across the Turkish border.

Washington and its allies have also mounted a new propaganda campaign blaming the Assad government as the culprit for blocking relief aid, something for which they themselves are responsible.

The reality is that Syria controls virtually none of its northern border, which is in the hands of jihadist organizations in Idlib, Turkish-backed militias and the US-backed Kurdish militia, the YPG in the east, where some 900 US troops are illegally deployed, in violation of Syrian sovereignty and without any mandate from the United Nations or even approval from the US Congress.

Washington has attempted to blame the Syrian government for the failure of aid to reach the jihadist-controlled areas of Idlib province. Only one route into the area from Turkey had been allowed before the earthquake by agreement between Damascus, the Turkish government and the United Nations, out of concern over the flow of weapons and foreign fighters. When Syria reached an agreement with the UN to open two more, the head of the White Helmets group, Raed al-Saleh, denounced the agreement, saying it had given the Assad government a free political gain.

Similarly, the dominant jihadist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of Al Qaeda in Syria, denounced the attempt of the Syrian government to deliver a convoy of aid trucks organized by the Red Crescent to the area of via a crossing at Saraqeb. An HTS spokesman told Reuters, We wont allow the regime to take advantage of the situation to show they are helping. According to some reports, the HTS had demanded payment of $10,000 for every truck allowed to enter.

The carving up of Syria, with rival US-backed and Turkish-backed militias controlling the countrys northern border, has proven a major obstacle to the provision of earthquake relief.

Al Jazeera reported that more common than aid crossing the border have been the bodies of Syrian refugees pulled from the rubble of southern Turkey. 1,413 Syrians have returned to their home country in body bags as of Wednesday morning, it reported. Even in this regard, the carve-up of Syria makes itself felt, with the bodies of earthquake victims who fled areas controlled by the Syrian government denied return to their home villages and instead buried among the thousands of dead in Turkey.

The horrors of the earthquake and the supposed unity of the world in support of its victims notwithstanding, acts of war continue in Syria unabated.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported Wednesday that its forces shot down an Iranian drone that it claimed was conducting surveillance of American troops at Mission Support Site Conoco, a US base that sits atop Syrias oil fields and is named after the American energy corporation that once exploited them.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said a Turkish drone hit a military vehicle which it said belonged to the US-backed YPG militia in the Syrian city of Kobane, apparently killing one militiaman and wounding others.

ISIS-linked forces unleashed an armed attack south of the Syrian city of Palmyra, killing four people, including one woman, and wounding ten others.

And in the jihadist-occupied area of Idlib, HTS rebels claimed that government forces launched an unprovoked artillery attack. Damascus countered that its troops had responded to a drone attack by the Al Qaeda-linked militias.

One thing is certain, Washington has not given up on its aim of toppling the bourgeois national government of Assad and installing a puppet government subservient to US imperialist interests. It will continue to employ violence and coercion to that end.

The Biden administration views Syria not as a country urgently requiring humanitarian assistance after nearly a dozen years of war and a massive earthquake. Rather it is seen by Washingtons military and state apparatus as another battlefield in the war being waged in Ukraine against Russia, which backs Assad and operates its sole overseas naval base at the Syrias Mediterranean port of Tartus.

After three decades of uninterrupted war in which it has reduced entire societies from Afghanistan to Iraq, Libya and Syria to rubble, American imperialism is prepared to kill hundreds of thousands more, either through hunger and cold or renewed military conflict to further its drive to control the strategic energy resources of the Middle East and Central Asia.

Workers, students and young people throughout the world must demand a genuine and permanent end to all US sanctions against Syria and the immediate withdrawal of all US troops occupying the country. These demands must be joined with the building of a mass movement against war as part of the struggle to put an end to its source, the capitalist profit system.
Thank you for such a generous introduction, Stormy. And thanks to Aspen Institute Germany for inviting me to speak at this important conference. It is a pleasure to be with all of you today, albeit virtually.

Trade and technology are closely interlinked. From the invention of the earliest sailing ships, to steam engines, railways, and steamboats, to the advent of containerization, ever more sophisticated logistics, and the demand for climate friendly transportation, technology has always played a vital role in shaping the way we live and trade. This trend is accelerating like never before. We are living in an era of unprecedented technological change, experiencing and shaping innovations that could have a major impact on how we trade, who trades, and what is traded.

Technological developments can unlock new opportunities for businesses and individuals around the world. To realize this potential, we need to understand how to harness new technologies to make sure that they translate into job creation, economic growth, and helping to deliver Sustainable Development Goals in line with the WTO's stated mission to improve living standards.

There is no doubt that the future of trade is inextricably linked to digital technologies. According to WTO estimates, global exports of digitally delivered services have more than tripled since 2005. Between 2005 and 2019, the average annual growth rate of digitally delivered services reached 7.3%. By contrast, other services exports grew only by 5.6%, and goods by 4.7%. During the pandemic, exports of digitally delivered services further increased by 14% year-on-year, and e-commerce sales soared.

The current framework regulating trade in services and technology at the WTO was put in place in 1995, generations ago in technology terms. WTO Members are working to improve the existing tools and developing new ones to reflect the changing nature of trade. Let me elaborate on some of that work.

First, at our 12th Ministerial Conference last June, WTO Members agreed by consensus to extend the longstanding moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions until our next Ministerial Conference, in one year. This outcome was fundamental to preserving a trade policy environment that is supportive of e-commerce and is of tremendous importance for many businesses.

But because this moratorium is set to expire in a year, discussions will continue in the coming months to address the gap between developed and many developing countries on the one hand, and some developing countries on the other, who see the moratorium as detrimental to raising revenue and addressing the digital divide in ecommerce.

At MC12, Ministers also agreed to reinvigorate work under the work programme on electronic commerce, a longstanding effort aiming to address all trade-related issues relating to global e-commerce. This work includes development-related issues, such as digital divide in terms of digital infrastructure, connectivity, and capacity building.

Second, there is a lot of attention these days on the plurilateral joint initiative on e-commerce. Eighty-seven WTO Members, including many developing countries, participate in this initiative to develop baseline rules to govern the global digital economy. In particular, Members seek common disciplines to facilitate remote transactions and strengthen trust in digital markets while helping to tackle digital trade barriers. Members are aiming to conclude them by the end of the year.

It is significant that developed country Members participating in the initiative recognize the importance of inclusion and the barriers faced by developing and least developed countries seeking to benefit from the digital economy. In this regard, the E-commerce Capacity Building Framework launched by Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Switzerland is a key step to strengthen digital inclusion and to help harness the opportunities of digital trade. The Framework will offer a wide range of technical assistance, training, and capacity building to support countries' participation in the e-commerce negotiations.

In addition to these initiatives, discussions of technology-related issues take place in various specialized committees. For example, Members have been increasingly notifying the WTO's Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade about their measures affecting digital trade, e-commerce, and cybersecurity. The level of interest to these topics is so high that the Committee will hold thematic sessions on current challenges and best practices in these areas.

Finally, there has been a push on behalf of some industry associations to further expand the coverage of the WTO Information Technology Agreement, which has 82 participants, representing about 97 per cent of world trade in IT products. During the pandemic, dozens of products covered under the ITA2, such as pulse oximeters, played a key role in saving lives. Furthermore, access to IT products and information and telecommunications infrastructure is paramount for small businesses' engagement in e-commerce. Last year, we held an Information and Dialogue Session with IT industry representatives during our annual Public Forum, and our Members appreciated the first-hand information from industry representatives. I encourage those of you for whom this subject is important to participate in similar events in the future.

My next point is that access to technology is crucial to reducing the cost of climate change mitigation, speeding up the low-carbon transition, and creating green jobs, and the WTO has an important role to play in this regard.

Trade is often seen as a contributor to climate change through emissions caused by the production and transportation of goods. But this view is incomplete because international trade  and the WTO as the guardian of multilateral trade rules  can help achieve climate goals by enhancing adaptation and mitigation efforts.

To transition to a low-carbon economy, countries need affordable access to advanced technologies. And open trade plays a critical role in providing such access. Lowering barriers to trade in environmental goods and services would help facilitate transfer and deployment of climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. Wind turbines, solar panels, heat pumps, and biogas stoves need to move across borders as freely as possible if we want to limit the global warming to 1.5 degrees.

The average tariff on environmental goods is already relatively low, particularly in developed economies. But some environmental goods are still subject to high tariffs in some countries, and non-tariff barriers are prevalent as well. Our analysis suggests that eliminating tariffs and reducing non-tariff measures on some energy-related environmental goods and environmentally preferable products could increase global exports in these products by US$ 109 billion (5%) and US$ 10.3 billion (14%), respectively, by 2030. This boost in the use of climate-friendly technologies could lead to a reduction of net carbon emissions by 0.6 %.

By the same token, installation and operation of clean technology is often complex and requires specific user skills that can be difficult to source domestically. So, removing barriers on environmental services, such as environmental consulting and engineering, can also help reduce costs of projects that lower emissions.

And such access is particularly important for developing countries. Think about it: 13% of the world's population doesn't have access to a stable electricity supply. Households that are off-grid now can benefit from access to electricity through solar power. And the environment benefits because this energy is renewable.

Free movement of environmental goods and services will also result in economic diversification and job creation, particularly in services. For example, the rooftop installation cost of photovoltaic modules accounts for approximately 60% of the total cost. A growing number of jobs, especially in Africa, are being created in off-grid decentralized renewables, which also boosts employment in other sectors such as agroprocessing, health care, communications, and local commerce.

With its broad membership, which includes countries with different political systems and levels of development, the WTO offers a unique forum for discussions on reduction of barriers to environmental goods and services.

The WTO can also help countries mobilize support and build trade-related capacities for adaptation. For example, the WTO surveys the evolving technology needs and priorities of least-developed countries and supports them by monitoring developed countries programmes for transferring relevant technologies to least-developed countries in line with their obligations under the WTO TRIPS Agreement. Climate change adaptation, including disaster prevention and water management, was an important element in 25% of the 152 environmental technology transfer programmes reported by developed members to the WTO between 2018 and 2020.

Furthermore, our Aid for Trade initiative  which is increasingly about investment for trade  can and should help developing and least-developed countries build climate-friendly critical trade infrastructure. In 2020, disbursements with a climate objective represented 31% of total Aid for Trade.

My last point is that technology is also at the heart of many trade tensions today. In 1989, the former U.S. Secretary of Defence Harold Brown wrote a paper on U.S.  Japan technological competition, which was aptly titled High Tech is Foreign Policy. This is again the case today. For many countries, technology is at the heart of foreign policy, national security, and geopolitical tensions.

Let me give just one example. In the last couple of years, we have witnessed attempts to onshore, nearshore, or friend-shore supply chains for sensitive technology. As governments and business seek resiliency in supply chains, we can all certainly understand, to a degree, the trend to do business only with friends and neighbours given global uncertainties, even if it increases costs a little  or even a lot. But the consequences of taking this too far will be counterproductive  less resilience, more vulnerabilities, and greater exposure to shocks. This is especially true given increasingly frequent and more intense natural and man-made disasters  such as extreme weather events and climate change, armed conflicts, and pandemics.

Not one single country or even a few countries can produce everything  or event most things  domestically. The key to supply chain resilience is therefore more international cooperation and more diverse supply chains.

Moreover, consider other unintended consequences of isolationism: our preliminary research at the WTO shows that decoupling of the global economy into two blocs would slash long-term global real GDP levels by about 5 percent. And that is a conservative estimate, not taking into account the unquantifiable economic, social, and political consequences of having two systems of rules and standards regarding issues such as sustainability, labor, and the rule of law.

Now, more than ever, the pull toward globalization cannot, and should not, be ignored, despite pressures to become more isolationist and self-sufficient to a fault. The high cost of fragmentation shows that we need more strategic multilateralism and less unilateralism or tactical bilateralism. That's the thought I would like to leave you with today.

Thank you for your attention.
Russian occupiers fire 36 missiles at territory of Ukraine in past 24 hours, 16 of them downed  General Staff

The Russian occupation forces fired 36 missiles at the territory of Ukraine in the past 24 hours, 16 of them were shot down by the Ukrainian defense forces, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said.

"In addition, the enemy inflicted twelve air strikes and mounted more than ten shelling attacks using multiple launch rocket systems. There are casualties among the civilian population. The threat of new strikes by the Russian Federation remains high throughout Ukraine," it said on Facebook.

In general, more than 50 settlements in Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions came under enemy fire in the past 24 hours.

The enemy does not give up its invasive plans, accepting the serious losses it has been facing, and continues to focus its main efforts on the offensive operations in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Shakhtarsk directions.

In Volyn, Polissia, Siversky, and Slobozhansky directions, the enemy continues to have its units deployed in the districts bordering Ukraine, however, no offensive groups were detected there.
During the talks in Kyiv with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba conveyed a proposal to join the new coalition that Ukraine is creating  the 'aircraft' one.

"I conveyed to Melanie a proposal to join the new coalition that we are creating, which is the aircraft coalition. We paid considerable attention to this issue during our communication," Kuleba said at a joint press conference with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in Kyiv.

Kuleba and Joly discussed the situation at the front and the intensification of Russian attacks.

"I stressed that the key issue now is accelerating the delivery of the promised weapons, ensuring the stability of the supply of ammunition and weapons from our partners," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.

The ministers also discussed ways to implement the peace formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sanctions against the Russian Federation, financial support and an increase in the international coalition at the expense of the countries of the global South.

Kuleba thanked Canada for significant military assistance, in particular NASAMS systems and Senator armored vehicles.

Joly arrived in Ukraine on her third visit since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Three people killed, seven wounded in enemy shelling of Kherson region on Thurs  local authorities

Three people were killed and seven wounded in Kherson region in the past 24 hours as a result of shelling by the Russian occupation forces, First Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Yuriy Sobolevsky has said.

"A hard day for Kherson region. Today, three people were killed, seven wounded as a result of enemy shelling," he said on Facebook on Thursday.
We expect Israel to make decisions on military assistance, primarily on protection of Ukrainian sky - Kuleba following his meeting with Cohen

Ukraine expects Israel to make decisions on providing military assistance, first of all, it is about protecting the Ukrainian sky, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Israel is well aware of our list of military needs. It was passed on to the last government, passed on to this government. We will wait for the appropriate decisions to be made. First of all, we are talking about protecting the Ukrainian sky," Kuleba said at a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Kyiv.

Kuleba said he was pleased with today's meeting with Cohen and the "quality of the conversation."

He also noted that after their phone conversation, Cohen arrived in Kyiv "even faster than expected."

"I think that today we are laying a very serious foundation. But whether a full-fledged building will be built on this foundation depends on further decisions that will be made or not," Kuleba stressed.

"There is no objective reason why Israel and Ukraine should not stand shoulder to shoulder today," the minister said.

"We are very grateful to the Government of Israel for all humanitarian initiatives. We are also grateful to Israeli businesses and citizens for their support. We especially appreciate the volunteers who have been here since the first days of the war," the Foreign Minister stressed.

He stressed that humanitarian support is very important, but the most important thing is victory in the war.

"And Israel knows this like no one else. If you don't defeat the enemy, everything else becomes meaningless. Therefore, we talked not only about humanitarian support, but also about other things with the help of which Israel can help," Kuleba said.
On Monday, February 20, at 12.00, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion entitled "Culmination of threat to Ukraine and Europe. Is denouement of war approaching?" Participants include political scientist, political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; political expert Oleksandr Kochetkov; political scientist, co-founder of the "National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion" Oleh Sahakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
Hotly-anticipated testimony from a key witness in Alex Murdaughs double-murder trial could now take place on Thursday, after the judge made a dramatic u-turn on a previous ruling.

On Wednesday, Judge Clifton Newman ruled that jurors cannot hear testimony about the bizarre September 2021 roadside shooting  which later turned out to be a botched hitman plot.

Three months on from the June 2021 murders of wife Maggie and son Paul, the disgraced attorney was ambushed in what he claimed was a drive-by shooting. He later confessed to orchestrating the plot with Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith so his surviving son Buster would inherit a $10m life insurance windfall.

Hours after the ruling, Judge Newman then reversed course, saying the defence opened the door to testimony about the plot through their questioning of lead investigator David Owen.

Now, the question remains whether the prosecution will call Mr Smith  Murdaughs alleged co-conspirator, drug dealer and distant cousin  to testify as it wraps up its case.

Also on Wednesday, the court was gripped by video of Murdaughs interview with Agent Owen where he contradicted witness evidence heard at trial. The trial resumes on Thursday at 9.30am ET.

Alex Murdaugh murder trial

Maggie Murdaughs sister says Alex told her wife and son didnt suffer in horrific murders

11:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Maggie Murdaughs sister has revealed how Alex Murdaugh reassured her that his wife and son did not suffer when they were brutally murdered.

Taking the stand in Mr Murdaughs double murder trial on Tuesday, his sister-in-law Marian Proctor described comments the disgraced legal scion made following the brutal shootings of Paul and Maggie on 7 June 2021.

Story continues

Andrea Blanco reports for The Independent.

Maggie Murdaughs sister says Alex told her wife and son didnt suffer during murders

The story of Alex Murdaughs spectacular fall from grace

09:15 , 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

A timeline of murders, financial fraud, unexplained deaths and arrest

07:15 , 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

Key revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial... so far

05:15 , 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.

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case this week (week of 13 February) before the defence begins its own case, where Mr Murdaugh is expected to take the stand.

Here are the key revelations from the trial so far:

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

ICYMI: Maggie Murdaugh kicked Alex out of home after suspecting he had an affair

03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Murdaughs past alleged extramarital affair emerged on the seventeenth day of the trial for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

The prosecution sought to have new testimony from Maggie Murdaughs sister Marian Proctor  including details about Mr Murdaughs affair more than a decade ago and his opioid use  admitted in court on Tuesday. The murder trial is now in its fourth week at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Andrew Blanco has the details.

Maggie Murdaugh suspected Alex had an affair 15 years ago, sister tells trial

Watch: Video of Murdaughs interrogation played in courtroom

02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot can be presented at murder trial, judge rules

01:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Testimony about Alex Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot will be admitted as evidence in his double murder trial, the judge ruled in a reversal of his own decision hours earlier.

The move clears the way for the man accused of being Mr Murdaughs co-conspirator and drug dealer to possibly take the stand.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Alex Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot barred from double murder trial

New Murdaugh police interview exposes wild inconsistencies between his alibi and witness accounts

00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Dramatic footage has revealed Alex Murdaugh being confronted by law enforcement about wild inconsistencies in his alibi in a police interview two months on from the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

Footage of the 11 August 2021 interview with Mr Murdaugh was played in court on Wednesday as the prosecution nears the end of its case in the disgraced legal scions double murder trial in Colleton County, South Carolina.

In the interview, which has never been seen before, the discrepancies between Mr Murdaughs version of events on the night of 7 June 2021 and the trove of evidence and witness testimony revealed at his murder trial was laid bare.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Alex Murdaugh police interview exposes wild inconsistencies in alibi

Watch: Murdaugh asked if he killed his wife and son

Wednesday 15 February 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Owen asks #AlexMurdaugh point blank if he killed Maggie or Paul. Alex says no emphatically. Murdaugh asks Owen if he suspects he killed Paul and Maggie.



I dont have anything that points to anyone else at this time, Owen said in the Aug. 12, 2021 interview. #MurdaughTrial pic.twitter.com/40N9t1FPkD  Joseph Leonard | WSAV (@JLeonardNews) February 15, 2023

Murdaugh trial shown new crime scene photos as dog caretaker describes strange state of kennels

Wednesday 15 February 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A man who took care of the dogs at Alex Murdaughs property has testified about strange details in crime scene photos at the disgraced legal scions murder trial.

Roger Dale Davis, who handled Mr Murdaughs dog kennels in the sprawling property of Moselle in Islandton, South Carolina, was called by the state to testify on Tuesday at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro.

Andrea Blanco reports.

Alex Murdaugh trial shown new crime scene photos as dog caretaker testifies

Watch: Judge rules roadside incident testimony allowed

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:41 , Oliver O'Connell

DEFENSE OPENED THE DOOR to ALL of the roadside testimony, Judge Newman rules.



(Again, I don't believe the state will call Cousin Eddie.) #AlexMurdaugh pic.twitter.com/qOToJXCfYd  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury is excused for the day.

Judge Newman reverses his earlier decision and says that the defence has opened the door for all the testimony relating to the roadside shooting and Cousin Eddie.

Court is now in recess until 9.30am on Thursday.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Grubbs also looked at Maggies phone.

The phone interacted with its internal camera at 8.54pm. Minutes after the murders are thought to have taken place.

The phone recorded a snapshot of Facebook for the dock so people can scroll through the apps they have open in the background.

We learn again there was no orientation change of the phone.

Not entirely sure what we learned from this witness.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Grubbs also looked at when the phones backlight came on or off  i.e. when the screen came on. There are many ways in which the phone could go on and off. Touch, rotation, an app alert etc.

The screen was off between 8.49pm and 10.18pm. It comes back on again for 12 seconds, then off, and then back on at 10.20pm, again for a few seconds. The phone then died at 10.34pm.

He testified that the last text Paul received was from Rogan and went unread.

This is similar to the evidence we have heard before regarding cell phones.

Depending on the settings, a person may have seen the text from Rogan displayed on the screen. It is even possible they picked up the phone and put it back down without registering an orientation change.

New Witness: Steve Grubbs, South Carolina AGs office

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:57 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is Steve Grubbs of the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office. He is an expert in internet crimes against children and deals with computer forensics.

He is asked about Pauls phone and his battery use and charging patterns. We learn that in the week before the murders, his phone died four times  on 3 June, twice on 5 June, and once on 7 June at 10.34pm, just over 90 minutes after he was murdered.

On the first three occasions the phone was plugged in to charge minutes after it died.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:54 , Oliver O'Connell

On recross-examination, Griffin asks if suspects are supposed to help them solve crimes and Mr Owen says it helps to have information from them.

Griffin asks if he could have searched Murdaughs parents home at Almeda that night.

He said its a large property and wasnt searched for a while. There was also no indication that Murdaugh was a chief suspect that night.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:51 , Oliver O'Connell

There was a bit of a confrontation between legal teams during the redirect:

Meadors asks Owen if #AlexMurdaugh's attorneys told him to go investigate Alameda that night. They drew a chuckle from Harpootlian and Griffin to which Meadors snaps back - "Did I say something funny?" pic.twitter.com/5ZI5pDdqkD  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

Mr Owen says Murdaugh never offered Curtis Eddie Smith as someone who might hurt Paul and Maggie.

Questioning closes with pounding of the table and Mr Owen being asked if Alex ever mentioned anybody else who could have killed his wife and my son on 7 June 2021?

He replies No.

Meadors ends redirect being very dramatic, pounding the ledge, raising his voice, "Did he ever mention ANYBODY else?!"#AlexMurdaugh pic.twitter.com/t2nQRKNbEA  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Pushing back on what was an aggressive cross by the defence team, the prosecution focuses on the possibility that Murdaugh transported his bloodied clothes and the guns to his parents house in a cooler and wrapped up the blue raincoat.

Asked how long it would take to hide these things at the parents property, Mr Owen says it would take five minutes, but the car would still be in the drive and the data would match that.

Mr Owen says he saw a cooler by the skin shed and that the raincoat was seen by Shelly Smith 7 days after the murder, bundled up.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:33 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen testifies that before the 4 September 2021 roadside shooting, Murdaugh never mentioned any other specific suspects for the murders of his wife and son.

He also never mentioned the drug gang or Cousin Eddie  Curtis Edward Smith.

Mr Smith was only brought up after the September roadside shooting.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In redirect, the prosecution is taking advantage of the defence team opening the door to the Cousin Eddie, roadside shooting incident.

Defense "opened the door" during their cross examination, and now prosecutors are bringing up Curtis Eddie Smith and the roadside shooting after all @wsav  Andrew Davis (@WSAVAndrewD) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:26 , Oliver O'Connell

There is a quick conclusion to cross-examination covering the muddy mark on the back of Maggies leg; the timing of when Mr Owen knew of the negative blood test; whether Cousin Eddie was skimming money from the drug payments; and why SLED never asked for the clothes Murdaugh was wearing earlier in the evening.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:21 , Oliver O'Connell

As court resumes, the prosecution states that they believe the questioning about how much Murdaugh was spending on drugs opened the door to the roadside shooting.

Judge Newman says that they are in the middle of cross-examination and so now is not the time. The jury is brought back in.

Interesting - Judge Newman says he agrees with Meadors that he was suprised Griffin brough up Eddie Smith and also says now is not the time to worry about that.

Side note: It cracks me up the way Judge Newman always asks like the attorneys don't really know what they're doing. pic.twitter.com/NFseJUnxDU  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Newman calls an afternoon recess.

The jury is taken out.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Griffin brings up Murdaughs drug problem and informs Mr Owen that he was spending $50K per week (!!!) on drugs bought by Curtis Smith, who owed money to the gang supplying them.

SLED didnt collect DNA from gang members and didnt put them into the investigative circle as Murdaugh had been.

The defence team has brought up both a two-shooter theory and a drug gang several times during the trial in an effort to open up the possibility of other perpetrators to shed doubt on the investigation.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:04 , Oliver O'Connell

Griffin and Mr Owen go back and forth about the importance of establishing a timeline with Griffin arguing it didnt matter how long Murdaugh was at his mothers house that night as the murders had already taken place.

Mr Owen pushes back saying it was an important part of building a timeline of who was where and when.

Questions now about timeline:

Owen: he leaves Moselle at 9:06. Places 911 call at 10:06. Gone for 1 hour.

Griffin: so it's possible was at Almeda and disposing of evidence. Now talk of GPS from GM.Owen said one GPS point is in the backyard of Almeda near Miss Libby's work shed  Angenette Levy (@Angenette5) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Griffin says Mr Owen then told the grand jury the same thing.

Were you mistaken then, or were you trying to trick the state grand jury?

Mr Owen says he did not mislead the grand jury.

Griffin read his own testimony from the grand jury back to him in which he tells the grand jury there were shotguns at Moselle loaded with buckshot and birdshot.

Griffin states: And that was not accurate, right.

Owen concedes it was not.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:51 , Oliver O'Connell

In the video of the interview with Murdaugh, Mr Owen told him that there were other weapons found with both buckshot and birdshot in them. This, it transpires, was an investigative tool to get a response from Murdaugh.

Griffin: Can you identify any weapons at the house that were loaded with buckshot and birdshot?

Owen: No sir

Griffin: was that a lie?

Owen: "I'm allowed to use trickery to elicit a response." (paraphrasing) @LawCrimeNetwork  Angenette Levy (@Angenette5) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Griffin may have established that the Colleton County grand jury may have been misled about blood spatter evidence before Murdaugh was indicted.

If it isn't obvious, acknowledging that the Colleton County grand jury was (perhaps accidentally) misled about key evidence before indicting Alex Murdaugh is not good for the state.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Griffin asks about what Mr Owen told a grand jury about the blood spatter.

Griffin: Before you testified before the Colleton County grand jury, you prepared an outline of your presentation, right?

Owen: Yes.



G: And you followed that narrative?

O: For the most part.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Griffin: And yall completely overlooked the fact that your own SLED lab tested his shirt for blood and found no blood.

Owen: I had never seen that report. Says he found out about it in November 2022. Yikes.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:34 , Oliver O'Connell

Turning to the missing clothes that Murdaugh was seen wearing in the Snapchat video, Griffin aggressively asks why Mr Owen never asked for the location of those clothes.

He accuses the investigation of being too focused on the clothes Murdaugh was wearing when the first officers responded to the scene.

Griffin is arguing that the white t-shirt and other clothes would have had blood spatter on them from the murders if he had been wearing them.

Murdaugh has also claimed he checked pulses on the bodies and tried to turn over his dead son. There was no blood on the clothes from that either.

The clothes Murdaugh was wearing earlier in the evening have never been produced.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen agrees that the rifle and shotgun would have gunshot residue and blood on them and would have left traces of that in any vehicle used to transport them.

He says the Suburban and the Mercedes were tested and only one particle of GSR was found on the seatbelt.

Mr Owen contends that the weapons may have been wrapped in the blue raincoat which did have GSR on the inside of it.

Shelly Smith was shown a photo of the raincoat spread out and appeared to recognise the material but could not identify it directly as she had seen it balled up.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Defence attorney Jim Griffin is questioning Mr Owen.

He says that Murdaugh was within the investigative circle from the moment he dialled 911, to which Mr Owen agrees.

Griffin states that he has not been able to get out of that circle and that is why he is on trial today.

Mr Owen states that he is sitting there because there is credible evidence keeping him in the circle.

Griffin contends that whoever killed Maggie and Paul would have two weapons they would have to get rid of and would have biological on them from the murders.

He pushes that there was no search of the Moselle property, the Almeda property, nor the route between the two, and no weapons had been found.

Griffin is pushing that the investigation was in some way incompetent. The defence has argued this before.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Asked if the investigation had found any other credible leads that led them to anyone other than Murdaugh, Mr Ownen replies that there were no credible leads.

No more questions from the state.

Cross-examination begins.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen testifies he received the data extracted from Pauls cell phone on 8 April 2021, and it was then that he found the 8.44pm 7 June 2021 dog kennel video that placed Murdaugh att the scene minutes before the murders.

He is asked if anyone in the world knew the video was on there except Paul who filmed it immediately before his death (before he could send it to his friend Rogan).

Mr Owen replies: Nobody, to my knowledge.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:58 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen helps make the prosecutions point that the financial crimes investigation into Murdaugh was intertwined with the murder investigation in that some of the same witnesses were being interviewed in both cases.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:54 , Oliver O'Connell

The video is stopped and Mr Owen is asked if Murdaugh was a suspect at that point (11 August 2021  two months after the murders).

He was the only known suspect at that time, yes.

Mr Owen is asked whether the investigation revealed inconsistencies in what Murdaugh had told them.

He replies, yes and is asked whether that was significant to the investigation.

Mr Owen says it was.

It wasnt one inconsistency. It was several inconsistencies within a period of time that were repeated.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:51 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is shown the Snapchat video that Paul took that evening in which he wearing different clothes and explains what he was doing trying to get the tree upright and that was why Paul was laughing at him.

He is then asked if he killed Maggie and Paul.

Alex Murdaugh: Do you think I killed Maggie?



Owen threw his hands up in the air. I have to go with the evidence takes me.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Court resumes after lunch

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:28 , Oliver O'Connell

The court is back in session and the jury is seated.

Direct examination of Special Agent David Owen of SLED continues with the playing of the video of Murdaughs third interview with SLED in August of 2021.

Murdaugh police interview exposes wild inconsistencies between his alibi and witness accounts

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Dramatic footage has revealed Alex Murdaugh being confronted by law enforcement about wild inconsistencies in his alibi in a police interview two months on from the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

Footage of the 11 August 2021 interview with Mr Murdaugh was played in court on Wednesday as the prosecution nears the end of its case in the disgraced legal scions double murder trial.

In the interview, which has never been seen before, the discrepancies between Mr Murdaughs version of events on the night of 7 June 2021 and the trove of evidence and witness testimony revealed at his murder trial was laid bare.

Rachel Sharp reports for The Independent.

Alex Murdaugh police interview exposes wild inconsistencies in alibi

Watch: Murdaugh asked why he changed his clothes

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

In a third interview on 8/12/21 SLED agent, David Owen brings up Paul's Snapchat video. Owen tells #AlexMurdaugh that he wasn't wearing the same clothes the night of the killings that he was in the video and he asks him why. pic.twitter.com/8x4fQzSZIG  Joseph Leonard | WSAV (@JLeonardNews) February 15, 2023

Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot barred from double murder trial

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Testimony about Alex Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot has been excluded from his double murder trial  in a move that raises doubts that the man accused of being his co-conspirator and drug dealer will now take the stand.

Judge Clifton Newman ruled in Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, that jurors cannot hear evidence of the September 2021 roadside shooting because it is a bridge too far to the states attempt to establish motive for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

Rachel Sharp reports on this mornings decision.

Alex Murdaughs bizarre botched hitman plot barred from double murder trial

Court breaks for lunch

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Newman calls the lunch break.

Testimony, and the remainder of the video interview, will resume at 2.20pm.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Again, Murdaugh returns to the idea that one of Paul or Maggie wouldve known the other had been shot.

Mr Owen says its impossible to know and that it would depend on how many shooters there were.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen dismisses the wackos on the internet (as Mr Fleming calls it).

Mr Fleming does praise SLED for there being limited leaks about the case.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh asks if there are any substantial leads.

Mr Owen says no, as the only DNA they have is from family and close friends.

There are no shoe or tire prints because of the rain, and so they are looking at the SUV and cell tower data.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh looks emotionless as the video of the interview plays.

He is staring directly at the screen and is barely blinking.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh sobs and asks if either of them lived after being shot and is told not long and that the shooting happened very quickly.

He then asks whether it was one, two, or three people.

The prosecution checks with Mr Owen if that was the first time Murdaugh had asked about there being multiple shooters.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:47 , Oliver O'Connell

In an especially notable moment, Mr Owen says to Murdaugh: Weve already established that family guns were used. And if they came from Pauls truck, Pauls truck was at the house. So where were they?

Murdaugh does not push back at family guns being used, instead asking: And how did they get down there?

Mr Owen echoes the question.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh says he would like to know exactly what happened.

Mr Owen says he believes Paul was shot first.

Murdaugh says he thought Maggie was shot first as she was hit in the back of the head.

Mr Owen says: We may honestly never know who was first. But I think that it was Paul for the simple fact that if he saw his mother getting shot, he wouldnt have run to that feed room.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:43 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is asked why he told the 911 dispatcher he hadnt seen Maggie and Paul in an hour and a half to two hours.

He asks if Mr Owen thinks he is being inconsistent.

Mr Owen says he is trying to straighten out the timeline. He also queries what time Murdaugh left his office that night. That  as with many of the other answers  is inconsistent with evidence collected by SLED, much of which we have heard.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:33 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owens questioning jumps around.

He asks if Paul ever got physical with him. He concedes one time when he had too much to drink and that he did not get physical back.

Murdaugh is also asked what he intended to do with Pauls cellphone when it popped out of his back pocket. He said he had picked it up and put it down.

He says he cannot recall.

Murdaugh says they had dinner for 15-20 minutes.

He says that while he didnt see any rifles or long guns at the murder scene, Paul always had guns around everywhere of every type.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen tells Murdaugh he is heard on the 911 tape saying: I should have known.

He asks what he meant by that.

I dont remember saying that. But I guess all of the threats. I had been convinced that it was something to do with the boat wreck and all of that.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is asked how he loads his shotguns and is unsure how to answer.

Mr Owen asks what kind of ammo he uses, to which he replies that he uses all kinds.

Pushed as to whether he uses birdshot and buckshot at the same time, he says not normally.

Mr Owen says there was consistency between how several guns were loaded in that way including the one he had with him with police arrived.

That night I grabbed the shells I could get my hands on, he says.

In further questions about ammunition, he is told that 300 Blackout cartridges were found all over the property and were confirmed matches to the ones found by Maggie.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:16 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is asked whether the dogs were running free when he returned home that night.

In the video, we know that at least one of the dogs was out because it caught a chicken as we can hear Maggie exclaiming.

On the 911 call, Murdaugh at one point says here as if he is calling a dog that is running around.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell

When asked about the video that Paul filmed of the dog he is told that Rogan identified his voice. Murdaugh maintains that he was not at the kennels that night when the video was filmed.

Owen: Was it you?

AM: At 9 oclock? No sir. Not if my times are right.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is asked about the dog with an injured tail (Cash) that Paul was looking after for his friend.

He says that he had a conversation with Rogan about the dog, not Paul.

Murdaugh says Maggie may have walked down to the kennel that night, but it would have been highly unlikely Paul would have.

He says he hoped that SLED would be able to tell him how they got down to the kennels.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Murdaugh is then asked how long he stayed at his mothers house.

He claims he was there for 45 minutes to an hour.

We know from Shelley Smith, his mothers carer, and the data extracted from his car that he was there for 21 minutes.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:58 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owens asks Murdaugh about the Snapchat video on Pauls phone showing him with the tree and how he was wearing different clothes to what he was wearing when officers arrived on the scene of the murders.

Murdaugh is asked when he changed his clothes. He gives an evasive answer saying he wouldve thought he changed early but then says he guesses he changed when he got back to the house.

He is then asked why if Maggie was supposed to go with him to his mothers house he had not gone to find her when she didnt answer his message.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:51 , Oliver O'Connell

In describing his day, Murdaugh says he and Paul got to Moselle around the same time. He cries as he tells Mr Owen about riding around with Paul that day.

Murdaugh says they rode around the farm for a couple of hours and Paul was worried about the sunflowers.

When asked, he doesnt remember any rifles being in the trucks they used, but there were pistols.

When he talked about Maggie coming to the house, Murdaugh says she wasnt supposed to be there but had come because she was worried about him being worried about his father, who was gravely ill.

He says she was supposed to be staying at the beach house at Edisto as they had work going on there.

Murdaugh says she had told him earlier that she was coming but he only recently found out the reason why.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Fleming appears confrontational at the beginning of the interview trying to establish whether SLED considers Murdaugh a suspect or whether they will be updating him on progress in the investigation.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:36 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury returns and Mr Owen confirms that Murdaugh was interviewed voluntarily.

He confirms that Cory Fleming, a lawyer and friend of Murdaughs, was also present for the interview.

The video is played for the court.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:20 , Oliver O'Connell

A third interview with Murdaugh was conducted on 11 August 2021 at the SLED office in Walterboro.

Before the recording of the interview is played, the just is excused for a short break.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:19 , Oliver O'Connell

In late July, Murdaugh asked if could get his SUV back and was told no.

He was allowed to retrieve belongings from vehicle. They arranged to meet for another interview after Murdaugh had been away on vacation with Maggies family.

Mr Own says multiple DNA swabs were taken from anyone at the house on the night of the murders and anyone connected to the boat case.

The boat case was brought up by Murdaugh on three separate occasions on the night of the murders (on the 911 call, to the responding officer, in his first interview) and so it was deemed relevant.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen recalls the extraction of Murdaughs phone on 10 June (as we heard in earlier testimony) and then he verified that Maggie had been to the doctor in Charleston on the day of the murders and was wearing the same clothes when she was killed. There was nothing unusual about the visit.

Watch the Alex Murdaugh double-murder trial LIVE

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:05 , Oliver O'Connell

A second interview with Murdaugh was arranged for 10 June, while his memories of the night were still fresh.

Murdaugh was clear that he had not gone to the kennels on the night of the murders. He was also clear about visiting his mother in Almeda and coming back that night.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:03 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen testifies about how they had interviewed Pauls friend Rogan Gibson early on 8 June and learned that Mr Gibson was 99 per cent certain he had heard Murdaugh n the background of his call with Paul that evening.

This was an early sign of an inconsistency in Murdaughs account of the night.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen interviewed CB Rowe who worked at the property when he arrived there.

Murdaugh had told Mr Owen the wild story of Mr Rowe being a killer for the FBI and it had piqued his interest.

Mr Rowe had an alibi in that he had taken his father to the doctor at Mt Pleasant and had not been to Moselle Road that day.

Heres what Murdaugh told officers about Mr Rowe:

Alex Murdaugh told police story of farmhand claiming to kill Black Panthers

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen took custody of Pauls phone which we are reminded was resting on his rear end, having popped out of his back pocket allegedly when Murdaugh tried to turn him over.

He stayed until about 9am the next morning.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:53 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen testifies that there was no sign of forced entry, a fight, or any altercation at the Moselle Road house.

Among the eight to ten people present at the house were some of Pauls friends, including Nolan Tuten, whose borther Nathan testified earlier.

Mr Owen interviewed him.

Owen testifies some 8-10 people were at the Moselle house when he arrived after midnight on the evening of the slayings. Family, friends, PMPED lawyers were there.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen unpacks Murdaughs clothes from the night and shows them to the court.

. #AlexMurdaugh's shorts he was wearing when law enforcement arrived on the scene. pic.twitter.com/K2dlOyaAo0  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Owen says he arrived at the Murdaughs Moselle Road property around midnight on the night of the murders. He was told Murdaugh was with a group of family and work associates.

He was made the lead on the case about half an hour after arriving.

Mr Owen says it was paramount that he speak with Murdaugh to try to determine what he knew and saw, and what was going on in their lives before the murders.

He described Murdaugh as distraught and not under the influence of any intoxicants. Murdaugh cooperated when asked for his clothes and went up to the primary bedroom and disrobed so they could be taken into evidence.

Lead investigator David Owen from SLED is on the stand. #AlexMurdaugh pic.twitter.com/b32WuN9TbP  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 15, 2023

New Witness: Special Agent David Owen, SLED

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:29 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury is in place and the next witness is called: Special Agent David Owen of SLED.

He has been with SLED since 2015 covering the low-country region of 12 counties.

He was the lead agent in the murders of Maggie and Paul.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury will be brought into court soon and testimony will recommence. We are in the final stages of the prosecutions case.

Following the earlier dismissal of two jurors who contracted Covid, the entire panel has been tested this morning and come back with negative results for all.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Clifton Newman rules the roadside shooting evidence is not admissible.

The financial evidence was allowed on the issue of motive. This evidence, I find, goes beyond motive or is not evidence of motive, but more toward common scheme or plan.

He added: It does not survive the logical relevancy test. And it goes more toward showing propensity to commit violent acts, which would cause it not to survive (Rule) 403 analysis. I believe that to allow this evidence is a bridge too far.

Judge Newman concedes that this could change as the trial progresses.

This is a rare win for the defence.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:51 , Oliver O'Connell

Waters counters that the states focus is not the shooting itself. Its about how Murdaugh lied about it and made it seem like he was the victim of a drive-by shooting by an unknown assailant.

Their case is that it is part of a pattern of self-victimising.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Defence attorney Dick Harpootlian argues that the roadside shooting does not show evidence of any guilt regarding the murders of Maggie and Paul but is instead directly linked to his financial crimes.

Harpootlian reminds the judge that we are here to try a murder.

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:46 , Oliver O'Connell

Prosecution attorney Creighton Waters says that if the judge allows the roadside hit to be entered as evidence they will limit themselves to what the defendant has said about the events of that day.

Waters says it shows Murdaughs consciousness of guilt and is relevant as it mirrors the reaction to the murders of Maggie and Paul and caused many to believe that the real killers were back and now targeting Alex  as Marian Proctor testified.

Were not here to try to litigate what happened on the side of the road in its entirety, Waters said. "It would be a very focused presentation just to get from Point A to Point B."

He says it would take an hour for a law enforcement officer to explain what Murdaugh said.

Court resumes

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Clifton Newman enters and court resumes.

We are about to hear arguments from the defence and the prosecution around the bizarre September 2021 roadside shooting come botched hitman plot and whether it can be used as evidence in front of the jury.

The jury will not be brought in for another hour.

Will Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith testify today?

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Thats the question on the lips of many following the high-profile murder trial.

Curtis Eddie Smith is a former law firm client, distant cousin and allegedly drug dealer of Alex Murdaugh  and the man he allegedly conspired with in the bizarre botched hitman plot.

On 4 September 2021  three months on from the 7 June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul  the disgraced attorney was ambushed in what he initially claimed was a drive-by shooting along a road in Hampton County.

His story soon unravelled and he confessed to law enforcement that he had orchestrated the saga, paying Mr Smith to shoot and kill him in an assisted suicide plot so that his surviving son Buster could get a $10m life insurance windfall.

On Wednesday morning, the judge will hear arguments from the prosecution and the defence about whether evidence on the roadside shooting is admissible at trial.

The ruling could pave the way for hotly-anticipated testimony from Mr Smith.

Mr Smith is listed as a witness for the state but it is unclear if he will be called.

On Tuesday, prosecutor Creighton Waters said that while he is on the witness list I didnt say we would be calling him.

Defence attorney Dick Harpootlian laughed and said the cross-examination of Mr Smith is something Im looking forward to.

What to expect in court today:

Wednesday 15 February 2023 13:40 , Rachel Sharp

The trial will resume at 9.30am ET on Wednesday.

However, the jury was told to return for 10.30am so that the judge can first hear arguments from the defence and the prosecution around the bizarre September 2021 roadside shooting come botched hitman plot.

On 4 September 2021  three months on from the 7 June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul  Mr Murdaugh was ambushed in what he initially claimed was a drive-by shooting along a road in Hampton County.

His story soon fell apart and he admitted it was a plot orchestrated with Curtis Smith so that Buster would receive a $10m life insurance windfall.

Prosecutors want to bring evidence of the incident up at the murder trial, saying in court on Tuesday that it is part of Mr Murdaughs pattern to create violence to make himself a victim.

The defence is arguing it is irrelevant to the murder trial.

Judge Clifton Newmans ruling could impact whether or not the state does call Mr Smith to the stand.

On Monday, prosecutors said that the state was on track to finish its case on Wednesday.

Day 17 recap: Maggies sister reveals Murdaughs odd behaviour after murders and affair suspicions

Wednesday 15 February 2023 13:20 , Rachel Sharp

Maggie Murdaughs sister testified that Alex Murdaugh reassured her that his wife and son did not suffer when they were brutally murdered.

Marian Proctor said that in the aftermath of the killings, she had a conversation with Mr Murdaugh that struck her as odd.

She recalled asking him whether he believed Maggie and Paul had suffered painful deaths, with Mr Murdaugh reportedly reassuring her that was not the case.

Now I dont know that thats true, Ms Proctor told prosecutors through tears.

Later on, Ms Proctor said she asked Alex: Do you have any idea whos done this? Weve got to find out who could do this.

She said he replied that he did not know who it was but that whoever did it had thought about it for a long time.

Ms Proctor also testified  in the absence of the jury  that Maggie learned her husband had an affair 15 years prior to the murders.

Catch up here:

Maggie Murdaughs sister says Alex told her wife and son didnt suffer during murders

Day 17 recap: Gruesome details of murders revealed

Wednesday 15 February 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Forensic pathologist Dr Ellen Riemer was cross-examined by the defence on Tuesday after she testified to the brutal extent of the injuries suffered by Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.

Dr Riemer, who performed the autopsies, went into great detail while describing how Paul was left standing after he was shot the first time, but a second bullet blew the inside of his head, leaving almost all his brain matter detached from his body.

She also told how multiple bullets ripped through Maggie before she was struck by a fatal shot.

Cameras in the courtroom were requested not to show pictures of the autopsy due to their graphic nature.

Catch up here:

Alex Murdaugh cries as trial hears horrifying autopsy details

WATCH: Bodycam shows Alex Murdaugh on scene of wife and sons murders

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:54 , Rachel Sharp

Dramatic bodycam footage has finally been released showing Alex Murdaugh on the night of his wife and sons murders, capturing the disgraced legal dynasty heir pacing around the dog kennels, sobbing and wailing, and repeatedly asking: Are they dead?

The footage was taken from the bodyworn camera of Colleton County Sheriffs Sgt Daniel Greene when he became the first law enforcement officer to respond to the scene of the brutal slayings at the Murdaugh familys 1,700-acre estate back on 7 June 2021.

In the video, the seemingly-upset legal scion is seen repeatedly asking the officer if his wife Maggie and son Paul are dead and asking did you check their bodies to see if theyre still alive.

Watch the footage below:

Alex Murdaugh expected to testify at murder trial

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:40 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaugh is expected to testify in his trial for the alleged double murders of his son and wife, according to new reports.

A source close to the defence told News 3 that although the legal strategy could be changed, Mr Murdaugh is expected to take the stand in his own defence, possibly next week.

It would be the first time Mr Murdaugh publicly speaks about the murders.

Chris Slobogin, the director of the criminal justice program at Vanderbilt University, told The Independent that calling a defendant to testify is often a tactic of last resort by the defence, but could also work in Mr Murdaughs favour.

If Murdaugh cant explain away all the prosecutions evidence, lets slip any incriminating or contradictory statement, or gets defensive or angry, the jury is likely to be very tough on him, he said. Plus, the prosecution can challenge him with prior crimes or inconsistent statements hes made in the past. But a defendant who appears highly credible can also turn the tide.

Mr Slobogin added that the emotion shown by Mr Murdaugh during the trial so far - which would likely crop up if he testified himself - could potentially help his case.

It might make the jury sympathetic if they think his grief stems solely [from] his loss and not from his role in causing it, Mr Slobogin said.

Alex and Maggie Murdaugh pictured together (Law&Crime/Screenshot)

Murdaugh asked housekeeper to clean home morning after murders

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaugh asked his housekeeper to clean the family home on the morning after the murders of his wife and son  and then tried to get their stories straight about what clothes he was wearing before the killings.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Alex Murdaugh asked housekeeper to clean home morning after murders

How Alex Murdaughs murder trial became a circus

Wednesday 15 February 2023 11:40 , Oliver OConnell

Murder. A botched hitman plot. Mystery deaths. Millions of dollars of stolen money. Opioid addiction.

The case involving Alex Murdaugh appears to have it all when it comes to drama and plot twists.

Its then little surprise that his murder trial now going on in Walterboro, South Carolina, has captivated the American publics imagination.

And yet the spectacle has now spilled out of the testimon y offered in court.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Bomb threat, outbursts and GoFundMe: How Alex Murdaughs murder trial became a circus

Murdaugh trial disrupted again as two jurors released due to positive Covid tests

Wednesday 15 February 2023 11:20 , Oliver OConnell

Alex Murdaughs high-profile double murder trial has been disrupted yet again as two jurors were released after testing positive for Covid-19.

Judge Clifton Newman made the bombshell announcement on Monday morning in what marks the latest drama for the high-profile case.

One of the two jurors is asymptomatic while the other has a cough and sore throat, he said.

Alex Murdaugh trial disrupted as two jurors released due to positive Covid tests

Judge to rule on roadside shooting evidence

Wednesday 15 February 2023 11:00 , Rachel Sharp

The judge at Alex Murdaughs double-murder trial is set to decide today whether or not jurors can hear testimony about the bizarre September 2021 roadside shooting  which later turned out to be a botched hitman plot.

On 4 September 2021  three months on from the 7 June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul  the disgraced attorney was ambushed in what he initially claimed was a drive-by shooting along a road in Hampton County.

He survived and called 911, claiming he was changing a tire on his vehicle when someone opened fire on him from another car.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for what police called a superficial gunshot wound to the head.

But, Mr Murdaughs story about the incident quickly unravelled.

One day after the shooting, Mr Murdaugh entered rehab for a 20-year opioid addiction and announced he had resigned from his law firm PMPED.

One week later on 13 September, he then confessed to law enforcement that he had orchestrated the whole saga, paying an alleged hitman to shoot and kill him in an assisted suicide plot so that his surviving son Buster could get a $10m life insurance windfall.

He told investigators that he had paid Curtis Eddie Smith  a former law firm client, distant cousin and allegedly his drug dealer  to carry out the shooting.

Both he and Mr Smith were arrested and charged over the incident.

Judge Clifton Newman will hear arguments from the defence and prosecution on Wednesday morning about the inclusion of evidence at 9.30am ET on Wednesday  before jurors return to Colleton County Courthouse at 10.30am ET.

The ruling could pave the way for hotly-anticipated testimony from Mr Smith  a former client, distant cousin and alleged drug dealer of Mr Murdaughs.

Key revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial so far

Wednesday 15 February 2023 09:30 , 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

Dramatic bodycam footage shows Alex Murdaugh sobbing and asking are they dead

Wednesday 15 February 2023 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Dramatic bodycam footage has finally been released showing Alex Murdaugh on the night of his wife and sons murders, capturing the disgraced legal dynasty heir pacing around the dog kennels, sobbing and wailing, and repeatedly asking: Are they dead?

The footage was taken from the bodyworn camera of Colleton County Sheriffs Sgt Daniel Greene when he became the first law enforcement officer to respond to the scene of the brutal slayings at the Murdaugh familys 1,700-acre estate back on 7 June 2021.

In the video, the seemingly-upset legal scion is seen repeatedly asking the officer if his wife Maggie and son Paul are dead and asking did you check their bodies to see if theyre still alive.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Dramatic bodycam footage shows Alex Murdaugh on night of murders

Murdaugh expected to testify at murder trial, reports say

Wednesday 15 February 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Murdaugh is expected to testify in his trial for the alleged double murders of his son and wife, according to new reports.

Mr Murdaugh is accused of shooting his wife Maggie and son Paul dead at the familys sprawling 1,700-acre property in Islandton, South Carolina, on the night of 7 June 2021. The prosecution has argued in court that the disgraced legal scion committed the murders to distract from his mounting financial and legal scandals.

Andrea Blanco reports.

Alex Murdaugh expected to testify at murder trial, reports say

How a garden hose became prime evidence at Murdaugh murder trial

Wednesday 15 February 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The man who took care of the dogs at Alex Murdaughs home testified Tuesday during the disgraced attorneys double murder trial that puddles of water were not where they should have been and the dogs were in the wrong kennels when police arrived after Murdaughs son and wife were killed.

But under cross-examination, Dale Davis acknowledged that the hose, which he said he meticulously hung up before leaving the afternoon of the killings, could be seen on the ground in video investigators said was taken just before the shootings.

Read the full story:

Hose becomes prime evidence in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial

Watch: Pathologist discusses Paul Murdaughs fatal wounds

Wednesday 15 February 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Maggie Murdaughs sister says Alex told her wife and son didnt suffer in horrific murders

Tuesday 14 February 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Maggie Murdaughs sister has revealed how Alex Murdaugh reassured her that his wife and son did not suffer when they were brutally murdered.

Questioned by the prosecution, Ms Proctor recounted the moment she found out her sister and nephew had been killed. Ms Proctor became emotional as she testified that she initially could not wrap her hand around the tragedy, and thought there had to be a mistake.

Andrea Blanco reports on her testimony.

Maggie Murdaughs sister says Alex told her wife and son didnt suffer during murders

Watch: Maggie Murdaughs sister gives emotional testimony at trial

Tuesday 14 February 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Buster Murdaugh hugs his aunt after her emotional testimony

Tuesday 14 February 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

WATCH: Buster Murdaugh stands up and hugs his aunt as she exits the courtroom. #AlexMurdaugh pic.twitter.com/ZwQvTmQ9km  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 14, 2023

Tuesday 14 February 2023 21:56 , Oliver O'Connell

The prosecution wants to play a recorded statement from Murdaugh admitting he had Cousin Eddie shoot him in the head on the side of the road and wanted to die so Buster could get life insurance, The insurance company wouldnt pay out if it was a suicide.

Waters wants to play a recorded statement from #AlexMurdaugh admitting he had someone (cousin Eddie) shoot him in the head on the side of the road, wanted to die so Buster could get life insurance and insurance wouldn't pay out if suicide. pic.twitter.com/intGPeyQPQ  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 14, 2023

Tuesday 14 February 2023 21:54 , Oliver O'Connell

The defence tells Judge Newman that the defendant has admitted to the circumstances of the roadside shooting  Cousin Eddie being asked to shoot him in the head so Buster could get $10m in insurance money.

Prosecutors counter by saying Murdaugh lied that day, which proves intent.

Harpootlian responds: He didnt want to do it to gather sympathy. He did it because he wanted to be dead.

He adds that Cousin Eddie has given no less than six versions of the events of that day.

I am looking forward to cross-examining Eddie Smith.

Tuesday 14 February 2023 21:37 , Oliver O'Connell

The prosecution says it has no further witnesses to call today as someone has been delayed because of circumstances beyond their control.

The jury is sent home early.

After a short back and forth, Judge Newman orders the jury to return at 10.30am tomorrow. During the extra hour tomorrow morning, he will hear arguments over the admissibility of the roadside shooting evidence in September 2021.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller returned to the floor of the Senate after being censured in Pierre on Feb. 1.

A bill aimed at preventing COVID-19 vaccines from becoming mandatory for children attending public schools in South Dakota failed to pass the states Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday.

Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller, R-Rapid City  who was recently censured by the state Senate after she allegedly made harassing comments about vaccinating children to a legislative staffer  introduced the bill. It says no official may impose on a child any additional vaccination or immunization requirements beyond the existing list of required vaccines: poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis, and varicella.

Opponents said the bill would also strip the Department of Health of any authority to administer and modify the states public school immunization requirements in the future.

We dont know what the future holds, said Deb Fischer-Clemens, a lobbyist for Avera Health, in opposition to the bill.

Proponent testimony included members of the public who said they have done their own research about vaccines  like Heather DeVries of Madison, who thinks no new vaccines should be mandated. She said the internet has enough information to ensure parents make the right choice about immunizations.

We have the ability to research them because we have the internet, DeVries said. We have a voice to say yes or no, its our choice.

The bill also gained support from some out-of-state doctors who argued parents should have the right to choose whether or not their children receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. John Littell, of Florida, alleged that medical boards around the U.S. have become corrupted by federal agencies, and childhood vaccines are not useful in rural states.

Most if not all childhood vaccines were developed with the intent of putting out the fire in children that are high-risk, Littell said. Children in inner-city populations who were not being breastfed, who were in daycares.

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Opponents: COVID vaccine is safe

Opponents, including the South Dakota State Medical Association, said the research on COVID-19 vaccines is clear.

The COVID-19 vaccine has been repeatedly found by almost every peer-reviewed journal and the CDC as being safe and effective for kids, said Justin Bell, a lobbyist for the association.

The state Department of Health has the authority to administer the states immunization requirements and add or remove vaccines from the list.

If you pass this bill, all of this goes away, Bell said. You are, essentially, taking away all of the rules as it relates to the current immunization schedules that we have.

Additionally, Bell said proponents cited no evidence that the Department of Health is planning to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of required immunizations.

The Department of Health did not testify, nor was a representative available to take questions during the bills hearing.

Sen. Sydney Davis, R-Burbank, made the motion to kill the bill. She said the Department of Health has come to the Legislature in the past to modify the list of immunizations.

In 2016, meningitis, we were here, adding it to the statute, Davis said. I think its obvious that our Department of Health is working in good faith with the Legislature to make any additions to this.

Another Frye-Mueller bill

That wasnt Sen. Julie Frye-Muellers only bill that failed in the committee on Wednesday.

Frye-Mueller also introduced a bill that would require doctors, including dentists, to assess and inform patients prior to prescribing an opioid for pain management. The assessment would include a physical examination, an assessment for substance abuse issues, and a brief on the dangers of the drug.

The bill would have also limited opioid prescriptions to three, four and seven-day allotments, depending on the age and circumstance of the patient. If the patient were to require more than 30 days on the drug, the bill would require doctors to inform the patient of the dangers, investigate alternative methods of care, and have the patient sign an agreement stating they would only seek refills from that doctor.

Doctors would also be subject to a lawsuit for not following the language in the bill.

Why cant a little extra time be taken in the doctors office when a life is at stake? Frye-Meuller said.

Opponents included Sanford Health and Avera Health, and the South Dakota Pharmacists and State Medical associations.

Opponents took issue with, among other text in the bill, a part that says, a person receiving treatment for substance abuse, including opiate or opioid abuse is excused from the rules in the legislation.

This would seem to allow someone who is suffering from addiction issues, from these substances, to be able to bypass any of the protections set forward in this bill, said Mitch Rave, a lobbyist with Sanford Health.

Four of Frye-Muellers eight bills introduced during this years 38-day legislative session at the Capitol in Pierre have failed so far. Three have yet to be heard by a committee. The eighth bill was withdrawn at her request.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Attempt to block COVID vaccines from required school immunizations fails in committee
BUSIN celebrates the 30th Anniversary of its successful business operation on 17th of February 2023. Our company has become a strong financial entity and has taken a leading position among the best insurance companies of Ukraine during these three decades. Our impeccable reputation, financial stability and high professionalism are well-known in Ukraine as well as abroad.

Despite the global financial crises, the COVID pandemic and the russian invasion, we accept challenges with dignity, selflessly work for the development of our company and the Ukrainian insurance sector. The companys current asset base stands at 600 million UAH, with a planned increase in authorised capital to 122 million UAH.

A huge role in BUSINs history of success is played by our team, clients and partners who form an integral part of our company, its source of energy and constant development. Our company is grateful to every one of you for years of fruitful cooperation and is confidently moving forward while building ambitious plans for the future. To be continued!

Top facts from the companys history:
Kirsten Stewart looked confident, and downright snazzy, as she strode to the platform for her first press conference as jury president of the 2023 Berlin International Festival.

But, stylishly-attired in a tweed Chanel pantsuit with wide trousers and jacket and no shirt underneath, the Twilight and Spencer star confessed that she was nervous of the task ahead.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Full transparency, Im kind of shaking, she said. I feel, not buckling under [the weight], but I cant wait who we all ahead at the end of this experience. Im just ready to be changed by all the films and by all the people around us.

Stewart said it wasnt her decision to come to Berlin. I was shocked they called me, she said. [But] it is an enormous opportunity to highlight beautiful things at a time when that is hard to hold.

Fellow Berlinale juror, actress Golshifteh Farahani, said, so much political upheaval in the world, including mass demonstrations in her home country of Iran, she felt particularly privileged to be able to attend the festival this year.

With Ukraine, Iran, with the earthquake [in Turkey and Syria], it feels like the whole world is disintegrating, she said. We are all in a moment of transition, especially now with Iran. And in a country like Iran that is a dictatorship, art is not only an intellectual or philosophical thing, its essential. Its like oxygenWith everything that is happening in Iran again, to back in Berlin Im happy that we can gather together and celebrate cinema, celebrate freedom, even though there is the world seems to be collapsing from everywhere.

Stewart, Farahani and the other Berlinale jurors, who include Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude, Spanish director Carla Simon, Hong Kong director Johnnie To, German director Valeska Grisebach, and U.S. casting director and producer Francine Maisler will judge the 19 films in Berlins official competition section and, on Feb. 25, hand out the coveted Gold and Silver Bear trophies to the winners.

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Asked about what she was looking for in a potential prize winner, Stewart said she was looking for something that in a positive way is confrontational and political. I think its very important for us to deprogram and be fully open to newness, she said. I think that the diversity and the breadth of perspectives [among this years competition films] is going to is going to provide us with some new material that might be challenging and strange to adapt to [but] if we all if we all cant agree [on a film] thats probably because its pretty good.

There are no obvious frontrunners going into the 73rd Berlinale. The 19 films selected by the team led by artistic director Carlo Chatrian are heavy on arthouse and international cinema, with a strong focus on movies with a strong political message.

The home crowd can cheer for five local talents, with cinema veteran Margarethe von Trotta screening her artist biopic Ingeborg Bachmann  Journey Into the Desert, starring Vicky Krieps as the late Austrian poet and author; Christian Petzold (Undine, Transit) returning to Berlin with his new drama Afire; Angela Schanelec presenting Music, a modern-day drama inspired by the Oedipus myth; Christoph Hochhausler in the running with Till the End of the Night; and Emily Atef with her 1990s-set romantic drama Someday Well Tell Each Other Everything.

Other titles with Bear potential include the French documentary On the Adamant by Nicolas Philibert (To Be and to Have), Matt Johnsons Canadian comedy BlackBerry, about the rise and fall of the titular smartphone makers; and The Survival of Kindness, the new feature from Australian arthouse legend Rolf De Heer (Ten Canoes, Charlies Country).

While Stewart and the other Berlinale jurors praised the enduring power of cinema, Radu Jude dryly noted that the movie industry is the business of stupid and expensive [but] the films here do not make as much money and maybe are a little less stupid.

Click here to read the full article.
NEW YORK  African, Caribbean and Black American magic resided on the fifth-floor showroom at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week.

Black in Fashion Council designers JEOFROI, Ellae Lisque, Madamette, TORLOWEI, Made By Ciriaco, Oak & Acorn, CISE, Sincerely Ria and Diotima sold opulence and visualized the importance of drawing back to your community with their collections.

Many of the designers paid homage to their origins and the struggles faced across the diaspora to get recognition in the fashion industry.

Here's a look at some of the brands and what they are doing in the design space.

Diotima shares 'new vision'

Diotima was created "with the intent to present a new vision of Caribbean style  one that's not nostalgic, but that is rooted in the craft that's made in Jamaica specifically and the rest of the Caribbean  and present it in a luxury setting," designer Rachel Scott says as Mr. Fingers' house beat "Mystery of Love" plays in the background.

Best photos from New York Fashion Week 2023: See the NYFW runway looks, all the celebs

New York aside, Milan, London and Paris have been the epicenter of fashion in today's world. Diotima's goal since its creation in 2021 is to "decenter the notion that luxury only comes from Europe."

With all the brand's crochet coming from Jamaica and "a very strong dance hall influence," the garments open the door to seeing what the modern Caribbean has to offer. It's not just cruises. The intricacy in the mesh and crochet designs makes you want to settle into the sun and then head to a dimly lit bar in the evening wear pieces.

JEOFROI shares wearable, upscale fashion

In contrast to Diotima, JEOFROI presents luxury as over-the-top glam with sash feathers acting as the hem to garments, boleros with full-length gloves and fun structured tops. The collection is bringing back the drama in fashion, something founders Jeff Taylor and Roy Carey-Ware say they haven't seen in the industry in a few years.

Story continues

"We specialized in pret-a-couture, which is a combination of pret-a-porter and couture," Carey-Ware says. The ready-to-wear is upscaled by "adding different finishings to elevate the garment in a couture way."

Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon, Julia Fox hit hellish runway for Valentine's Day show

If you're paying a high cost for couture, you should be able to wear an item frequently, JEOFROI founders stress. That's the reason the designers "love to offer separates for evening." Carey-Ware points out that the structured satin tops could be paired with jeans for the daytime or a matching skirt for a glamorous night out.

Oak & Acorn, TOROLOWEI, CISE are giving back

Oak & Acorn designer Miko Underwood is deconstructing the politics around fabrics and materials that are often credited to apparel brands created by white founders.

"We pay homage to the untold legacy of Black, Indigenous and enslaved Africans' contributions to denim," Underwood says. "Denim didn't start with Levis or Wrangler  it started on the plantations of the American South. Denim was first regarded as a uniform for the enslaved populations and deemed unfit for anyone else to wear."

The Harlem-based brand sees denim as "a social, cultural and political icon throughout American history," which is further evident with the slave trade origins behind indigo. Indigenous people from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas "understood how to use indigo for a medicinal purpose but also understood it in textile," Underwood says.

Oak & Acorn's "Only For the Rebelles" is a sustainable denim brand that pays homage to the Indigenous Americans and enslaved Africans' origins of the fabric.

Alexander Wang leads with love for first NYC fashion show post-sexual assault scandal

Oak & Acorn isn't just honoring the past. Through purchase of their coveralls, "one of the first staple uniforms of the American farmer, the enslaved worker and the prisoner," the brand gives 20% of its proceeds to their social impact partner We Got Us Now, Inc. The non-profit bipartisan company provides support to children and young adults impacted by parental incarceration.

Giving back to the community seems to be in the fabric of Black creators. Nigerian-based lounge and lingerie company TOROLOWEI partners with charities to help at-risk individuals and also provides young girls access to safe, reusable and hygienic sanitary products to fight period poverty. CISE, known for their "Protect Black Women" bags donated over $43,000 to "organizations and businesses that support the Black community."

Black in Fashion Council designers all share the common thread of strengthening the diaspora  whether it's through activism, imploring sustainable practices, empowerment from wardrobe or simply existing in the white-dominated space of fashion. It's what makes you smile by the time you exit the fifth-floor IMG showroom.

Sergio Hudson: Kimora Lee Simmons cheers on lookalike daughter Aoki walking in NYFW show

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Black designers at fashion week show luxury, pay homage to diaspora
Canada is backing plans for a special tribunal to investigate war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly confirmed Thursday.

Theres over 60,000 related crimes linked to the war and due to Russias aggression, Joly said during a call with reporters.

The foreign minister was speaking from Krakow, Poland, days after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy. The world only learned of the get-together Tuesday, after Zelenskyy posted a video.

Joly said Canada will join like-minded countries that believe a special tribunal should investigate the alleged crimes. The ICC [International Criminal Court] and ICJ [International Court of Justice] dont necessarily have the mandate to be able to prosecute such a crime, she added.



Right now, for example, the ICC does not have jurisdiction over crimes of aggression.

The United Kingdom also backs the special tribunal and is lobbying other G-7 countries to join.

The United States, Ukraines single-largest backer in weapon and military aid during the past year at war, has yet to decide if it will endorse the tribunal.

From our perspective, the overarching priority is that the perpetrators of these crimes be held accountable for their actions and are unable to create such havoc and destruction with impunity, Beth Van Schaack, the State Departments ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, told POLITICO in a statement. We seek to remain in lockstep with Kyivs strongest partners as we consider this proposal, as well as all other options for holding Russia to account.

One of those options includes developing an international center for the prosecution of the crime of aggression in Ukraine, which would also preserve and store evidence for future trials, the statement read.

The special tribunal would comprise a select group invited by Ukraine to map out a way to hold Russia criminally accountable for its wartime aggression, according to details shared by the U.K.

Joly told reporters that Zelenskyy didnt use their meeting to ask for additional fighter jets, though she noted that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pact when they met in Mexico in January to continue to help defend Ukraine.

Joly is next headed to the Munich Security Conference, where shell meet with international counterparts to discuss global security threats.
El Salvador is planning to open a Bitcoin embassy in Texas, according to the countrys ambassador to the U.S.

El Salvadoran ambassador Milena Mayorga said on Twitter yesterday that she had met with Texas Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza to discuss the idea.

The Texas Secretary of State confirmed to Decrypt that they met with El Salvadors ambassador to the U.S. to discuss opportunities for cultural and commercial exchange, but would not elaborate.

El Salvadors government did not immediately respond to Decrypts questions.

It is not clear exactly what the embassy will do other than educate the public on the worlds biggest cryptocurrency.

El Salvador last year opened a Bitcoin office in Lugano, Switzerland to spread adoption of the cryptocurrency in Europe. It also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on economic cooperation with the city.

The Swiss initiative is intended to support initiatives to drive the adoption of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies across their respective regions as well as fostering the exchange of students and talents between El Salvador and Lugano, the countries announced at the time.

El estado de Texas, nuestro nuevo aliado. En mi encuentro con el Secretario Adjunto del Gobierno de Texas, Joe Esparza @TXsecofstate, abordamos la apertura de la segunda Embajada #Bitcoin y de ampliar los proyectos de intercambios comerciales y economicos.  pic.twitter.com/NcmOjeadl6  Milena Mayorga (@MilenaMayorga) February 14, 2023

El Salvador became the first company to make Bitcoin legal tenderalong with the U.S. dollarin September 2021.

Crypto Paradise? El Salvador Preps New Law To Pave Way for All Crypto

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The tiny countrys president Nayib Bukele announced the idea at the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami in June. El Salvadors law has since been criticized by the likes of the World Bank and the IMF, and so far,nd not many Salvadorans use the cryptocurrency for everyday purchases.

El Salvador has also bought the cryptocurrency, according to Twitter announcements from the president, but the administration has been opaque about revealing exact details.

Despite this, and despite criticism from human rights groups over his harsh crackdown on the nations notorious street gangs, President Nayib Bukele is popular with Salvadorans.
John Fetterman hospital - Credit: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Sen. John Fetterman checked into Walter Reed on Wednesday night for clinical depression, his office announced on Thursday.

The first-term senator from Pennsylvanias trip to Walter Reed comes a week after he was discharged from George Washington Hospital after he began feeling ill on a Senate Democratic retreat. It also comes after countless other lawmakers have checked into and out of hospitals to receive treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

More from Rolling Stone

While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks, Adam Jentleson, Fettermans chief of staff, wrote in a statement, adding that the senator was evaluated on Monday and that he is receiving treatment voluntarily. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.

After what hes been through in the past year, theres probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. Im so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs. pic.twitter.com/SfuwWTSUcG  Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 16, 2023

John Fetterman isn't the first Senator to suffer from depression. But he's probably the first to publicly acknowledge he's getting treatment for it.  Sam Stein (@samstein) February 16, 2023

Past senators to be hospitalized for treatment include lawmakers highly venerated by their own parties and respected across the aisle. Late senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) both were hospitalized repeatedly during their time in office for cancer treatment. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) all spent time in the hospital last year. Another prominent official who sought medical care while in office was former President Donald Trump, who stayed at Walter Reed while being treated for Covid-19.

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Fetterman, who last November defeated Mehmet Oz in a highly publicized Senate race, has dealt with a variety of medical issues in the past year. He suffered a stroke last May, and was admitted to George Washington Hospital last week after feeling unwell as Senate Democrats visited the Library of Congress. He was discharged on Friday, with tests revealing no signs of a stroke or seizure, and returned to work on Capitol Hill on Monday.

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, who is at the Berlin Film Festival as a member of Kristen Stewarts jury, has talked passionately about the importance of art in her native country as an antidote to its repressive government.

In a country, like Iran, which is a dictatorship, art is not only an intellectual or philosophical thing, its essential, its like oxygen, she said at the festivals opening press conference.

More from Deadline

Doing art and being an artist is something that goes beyond, because your existence, by being an artist, is put into danger.

Irans authoritarian government has long persecuted professionals in the countrys creative community when they stepped out of line with its hardline Islamist views and policies.

The repression has ratcheted up over the last year. A brutal crackdown on freedom of expression, that preceded the recent protests, saw Berlinale Golden Bear winners Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof jailed for more than six months.

Both men were recently released on bail but a number of less internationally renowned filmmakers and artists remain behind bars.

Farahani has been living in France since 2012.

She was declared persona non grata back home and forced to flee after she got on the wrong side of Irans repressive Islamic Republic regime for taking a role in Ridley Scotts 2008 spy thriller Body Of Lies, appearing without a hijab, and then later posing nude for French magazine Madame Figaro.

Farahani now regularly works between Europe and the U.S. with more credits including Peterson, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazars Revenge, Girls Of The Sun, Arab Blues and Extraction.

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The actress was last at the Berlinale in 2009 as the lead actress in Asghar Farhadis drama About Elly, for which he won the Silver Bear for Best Director.

She later accused Farhadi of stopping her from walking the Berlinales red carpet with the rest of the film team due to the controversy she was facing back home over Body Of Lies.

The director has denied the accusations saying Farahani stood separately on the red carpet out of her own volution.

Im very happy to be here with you, Farahani told Thursdays press conference.

I came here in 2009 and it was a very different year. Its very symbolic to be in Berlin. Berlin is the city that broke the wall, the actual wall, towards equality, freedom, and brought so many people together, she said.

This year with Ukraine, with Iran and the earthquake, it feels like the whole world is disintegrating, she said. With everything that is happening in Iran, being back in Berlin after all these years, Im happy that we can gather together and celebrate cinema, celebrate freedom, even though the world seems to be collapsing everywhere.

The Berlin Film Festivals international jury, presided over by actress Stewart, also features German director Valeska Grisebach, Romanian director Radu Jude, US casting director and producer Francine Maisler, Spanish director Carla Simon, and iconic Hong Kong director and producer Johnnie To.

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Click here to read the full article.
Gov. JB Pritzker waves to the crowd after delivering his inaugural address during ceremonies Monday in Springfield.

Gov. JB Pritzker is set to give his first State of the State and budget address of his second term in office on Wednesday before the Illinois General Assembly.

When and where will Pritzker speak?

This year's address is scheduled to start at noon and will return to the House chamber for the first time in two years  being held last year at the Old State Capitol and virtually in 2021 because of the pandemic.

How can I watch?

Watch the address live online at www.ilga.gov.

What will the plan likely include?

The proposal from the governor will kick off a months-long process where state legislators and department heads formulate the budget for fiscal year 2024. The end of the 2023 Illinois General Assembly regular session is scheduled for May 19, and the new budget would go into effect on July 1.

Related:What to watch ahead of Gov. JB Pritzkers budget proposal to General Assembly lawmakers

Pritzker is helped by super-majorities held by fellow Democrats in both chambers.

A 78-40 majority in the House and 40-19 majority in the Senate will likely give the governor a greater chance to see movement on points made during his inaugural address last month.

Addressing the crowd at the Bank of Springfield Center, Pritzker said his second-term agenda would include free preschool for all Illinoisans and free college tuition for working-class families. Exact details on how much spending those initiatives would require were not shared, but would likely require a multi-year investment.

Past Coverage:Gov. JB Pritzker signs $46.5B budget including rebates, checks to Illinois taxpayers

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savannah, expressed concern about the plan during a press conference last month because of costs and instead supported an "earned tuition" program seen in several community colleges in the state.

In her first term as minority leader, she said Republicans are willing to work with the other side of the aisle if given the opportunity. The three bills composed of the fiscal year 2023 budget  House Bill 900, House Bill 4700 and Senate Bill 157  passed along party lines last year.

Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How to watch Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's State of the State address
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

US Senator John Fetterman is currently at Walter Reed hospital receiving treatment for depression.

In a statement, his office said Fetterman checked himself in on Wednesday night.

The Pennsylvania Democrat is recovering from a stroke he suffered last May.

US Senator John Fetterman checked himself into a hospital last night and is currently being treated there for clinical depression, the Pennsylvania Democrat's office said Thursday.

Fetterman, elected last fall, is recovering from a May 2022 stroke that has impaired his ability to process speech.

In a statement, Adam Jentleson, Fetterman's chief of staff, said the senator has experienced depression "off and on throughout his life," but that it "became severe in recent weeks."

Fetterman is currently being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Jentleson said he is "receiving treatment on a voluntary basis."

"After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself," Jentleson said.

Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the senator's wife, released a statement on Twitter.

"After what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John," she wrote. "I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wished Fetterman a speedy recovery and commended him for practicing self-care.

"Happy to hear @SenFettermanPA is getting the help he needs and deserves. Millions of Americans, like John, struggle with depression each day," Schumer wrote online.

Fetterman's new normal

This latest health emergency comes less than a week after the 53-year-old former lieutenant governor spent several days under observation at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC, after feeling "lightheaded" during a Senate Democratic retreat.

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Fetterman was admitted to GWU on February 8 and remained there until February 10, during which hospital staff performed a battery of tests and determined he had not had another stroke.

"John is looking forward to spending some time with his family and returning to the Senate on Monday," his staff said in an official statement laying out his intention to get back to work.

The New York Times ran a story that same day in which Jentleson alluded to the constant stress his boss has been under since being blindsided by a stroke last spring.

"What you're supposed to do to recover from this is do as little as possible," Jentleson told the Times, adding that the prospect of him flipping a formerly Republican seat and becoming the 51st Democratic vote in the Senate "forced to do as much as possible  he had to get back to the campaign trail. It's hard to claw that back."

Insider chronicled Fetterman's first month on Capitol Hill, a crash-course in congressional relations that included getting to know new colleagues, being seated on five Senate committees  including asking his first round of questions about the 2023 Farm Bill  cosponsoring legislation, and casting his first vote on the Senate floor.

That workload, coupled with providing constituent services, keeps most senators busy for hours on end. Factor in his roughly 4-hour commute from Braddock, Pennsylvania to DC whenever the Senate is in session, and the daily grind really starts to take its toll.

Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) January 26, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Justin Guarini, Briga Heelan, and Aisha Jackson will reprise their Once Upon a One More Time out-of-town performances when the musical of Britney Spears songs arrives on Broadway in May.

See a first-look photo of the actors below.

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The trio played the roles of Cinderella (Heelan), Prince Charming (Guarini) and Snow White (Jackson) when the revisionist fairytale musical opened in 2021 at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.

The jukebox musical, which features such Spears hits as Oops I Did It Again, Lucky, Circus, and Toxic, begins previews Saturday, May 13, at Broadways Marquis Theatre, with an opening night set for Thursday, June 22.

Additional casting will be announced later.

Guarini has appeared on Broadway before in such productions as In Transit, Romeo & Juliet, American Idiot and Wicked. Jacksons most recently was a standby for Broadways Paradise Square, and Heelan will be making her Broadway debut.

Producers tweeted a first-look photo of the just-announced cast:

All eyes on usMeet the stars of Once Upon a One More Time.  pic.twitter.com/P4PpDupFSi  Once Upon a One More Time (@onemoretimebway) February 16, 2023

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The East Europe Foundation has launched the Phoenix Project, funded by the European Union. The project will strengthen Ukraines public sector capacity to effectively work with internally displaced persons and host communities, involve youth and technology activists in solving local problems, and promote small and micro businesses.

In response to the full-scale Russian invasion, the European Union, among other aid and assistance to Ukraine, supports projects and programmes to strengthen the Ukrainian civil society sector and initiatives aimed at overcoming the challenges of a large-scale war. Among them is support for internally displaced persons and relocated organisations and communities that host them. A special feature of the Phoenix Project is significant attention to building the institutional potential of Ukrainian NGOs and useful technological solutions, - said Martin Schroeder, Head of the Local and Human Development Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

On February 16, a grant competition for more than UAH 11 million will commence within the project. It is expected that funds will be granted to up to 20 Ukrainian NGOs for the implementation of their initiatives. The grant size per organisation will vary between UAH 400,000 and UAH 800,000. The expected project implementation duration is up to six months.

Project grant proposals must help IDPs, including their social integration, employment, and mentoring support. Proposals will also support communities that host IDPs; develop effective models for recovery of relocated small and micro-businesses, including social entrepreneurs; and develop programs and policies that contribute to strengthening the potential of local and displaced non-governmental organisations and communities.

We are grateful for the consistent support of the European Union and solidarity and assistance to Ukraine. We are honoured to implement projects and programmes funded by the EU aimed at strengthening Ukrainian civil society and implementing initiatives that overcome the challenges of war. I invite my colleagues in the sector to participate in the grant competition and implement useful projects, - said Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation.

Non-governmental organisations can participate in the grant competition, including charitable organisations (nonbusiness associations, institutions, and foundations), non-governmental associations (non-governmental organisations and unions), and other legal entities registered in Ukraine and having the status of a nonprofit organisation.

Detailed information on competition conditions is available on the East Europe Foundation website at the link: https://bit.ly/phoenix_grants

Stay tuned for further announcements, as the Phoenix Project includes an acceleration programme for the development of useful technological solutions, grants for the institutional development of non-governmental organisations, and the presentation of online courses.

Background information:

The Phoenix Project is implemented by East Europe Foundation with the financial support of the European Union and aimed at strengthening Ukrainian civil society to counteract the consequences of full-scale war. The project lasts from 2022 to 2024. For additional information, contact Phoenix@eef.org.ua.

Additionally:

The European Union supports Ukraine in the face of the unprovoked and unjustified full-scale Russian invasion. To date, EUR 2 billion has been allocated to support Ukraine's defence through the European Peace Facility. Support is available through repurposing of ongoing projects worth a total of about EUR 140 million. Over EUR 130 million has recently been disbursed as budget support. This immediate response will be continued through the mobilisation of an additional EUR 330 million.

Over 30 000 tonnes of in-kind assistance has been provided by all EU Member States and other partners through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. EUR 9.1 billion was raised at the 'Stand Up for Ukraine' global pledging event for humanitarian aid, support to refugees, internally displaced persons and recovery. Another EUR 6.1 billion was raised at the International Donor Conference on 5 May in Warsaw.

The EU also supports Ukraine with emergency Macro-Financial Assistance, amounting to EUR 1.2 billion.
(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)

Harrison Fords MCU debut will take place in Captain America: New World Order, which is set to premiere on May 3, 2024. Though fans knew Ford would be playing Thaddeus Ross in place of the late William Hurt, they may not have known that his role will be that of the President of the United States.

While speaking with EW, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige gave some details on Fords place in the next Captain America movie.

We start filming relatively soon. Im sure anyone youve ever talked with about Harrison Ford says this, but its unbelievable that we get to meet and talk with him and that hes embracing this role, Feige said. Hes tireless with the amount of work that he does. This is certainly a big part for Thaddeus Ross. Hes the president of the United States in the film. And with Harrison, you think about Air Force One, and you think about some of his confrontations with the president in Clear and Present Danger.

Theres a dynamic between President Ross and Sam Wilson. They have a history together, but in this film, well be seeing the dynamic between Captain America and the president of the United States in a way that is just incredible. This has been a dream for years, ever since Jon Favreau cast Harrison Ford in Cowboys and Aliens. I was always very jealous of that, so to have him finally in the MCU is just incredible. Its like, I can cross that off the wishlist.

Captain America: New World Order will be directed by Julius Onah from a screenplay written by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier head writer Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. The film features Mackie reprising his role as Sam Wilson, who has now officially taken on the mantle of the MCUs new Captain America. He will be joined by returning Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly, who are once again playing the roles of Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley, respectively.

Additionally, The Incredible Hulk actor Tim Blake Nelson will also be reprising his role as Marvel villain Samuel Sterns/Leader nearly 15 years after the Edward Norton-led films theatrical debut. New World Order will also include the introduction of MCU newcomer Shira Haas as Sabra.

The post Kevin Feige: Harrison Fords Thaddeus Ross Becomes U.S. President in MCU appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Lancome just announced Netflix star and model Hoyeon Jung and music artist Aya Nakamura as its newest global ambassadors.

Jung, known for her breakout role in Squid Game, began her career as a model when she was just 16 and made her international runway debut in 2016. Since then, the South Korean actor has worked with the likes of adidas, Chanel and Calvin Klein alongside walking the runway for Louis Vuitton and becoming the first Korean personality to have a solo Vogue cover.

The brand also tapped Mali-born, Afro-trap artist, Nakamura, to be a global brand ambassador -- following the release of her viral track, "Djadja." Nakamura has become known as the "queen of French pop," since beginning her music career back in 2014.

Little else is known about the brand's plans for its two new ambassadors, but we expect to see them feature pretty heavily in future campaigns.

In other beauty news, Mugler tapped Euphoria's Hunter Schafer for its new "Angel Elixir" fragrance.


A man from Ireland who was in remission after being diagnosed with cancer died after he was attacked by a chicken in his home, an inquest hearing into his cause of death reportedly revealed.

During the hearing, it was said that Jasper Kraus suffered the attack from a Brahma chicken on April 28, 2022, according to The Irish Examiner.

Detective Garda Eoin Browne testified that he was alerted about the incident, and when he arrived, first responders had unsuccessfully tried CPR to revive Kraus. As Browne entered the home, he said Kraus was lying on the ground in a pool of his blood after being injured on the back of one of his legs.

Kraus' daughter, Virginia Guinan, also recalled the moment she was told about her father's death, the outlet reported.

Earlier that day, she had taken items to Kraus; when she arrived, he was sleeping. Guinan added that her father was also in remission after being diagnosed with cancer and previously suffered renal failure. Because of his health issues, he was on medication.

jasper kraus https://rip.ie/death-notice/jasper-kraus-ballinasloe-roscommon/494361#!photo/0/

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Later that day, her father's tenant of two years, Corey O'Keeffe, contacted her to tell her about her father. She saw the gruesome scene upon her arrival to his home, per the publication. She said during the hearing that his TV was playing, and a cigarette was still burning.

She also saw blood leading to the chicken house, according to The Irish Examiner. After noticing blood in a chicken's claws, she determined the chicken who had attacked her father was the same one who once attacked her daughter, she said.

O'Keeffe also testified that he worked the late shift the night before and returned home around 8 a.m. local time. Shortly after feeding the animals and going to bed, he heard Kraus tell him to "come quick."

O'Keeffe said he saw a gash on Kraus' calf along with other injuries. He called for help and was instructed on how to perform CPR for 25 minutes before paramedics arrived. He said Kraus continued to whisper the word "rooster" as he lost consciousness multiple times.

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RELATED: Arne Espeel, 25-Year-Old Belgian Soccer Player, Dies After Saving Penalty: 'This Is a Disaster'

Dr. Annette Jennings shed more light on the incident and said during the hearing that when she got to Kraus' home, paramedics were trying to revive him.

He was officially pronounced dead at 3:24 p.m. local time. She said his death was strange, as the injury to his left calf was caused by a chicken, according to The Irish Examiner.

Dr. Ramadan Shatwan, who performed the autopsy, said at the hearing that Kraus' face and his legs had blood on them; however, he didn't have any cuts on his face. His cause of death was determined as lethal cardiac arrhythmia via severe coronary atheroma and cardiomegaly. Coroner Brian O'Connor later confirmed the victim's cause of death, recording a verdict of misadventure, per The Irish Examiner.

RELATED VIDEO: Man Dies of Gunshot Wound After MRI Scanner Pulls Weapon from Waistband During Mother's Procedure

Guinan had asked Dr. Shatwan if her father had a heart attack, and he said yes, adding that the blood supply to his heart was "severely calcified," which also played a factor in his death, per the outlet.

The Examiner added that Guinan said Kraus' heart issue was not news to her family as they "knew his heart was bad."

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Kraus' obituary shared that he "sadly" died "suddenly" and left behind his son Kevin Joey, mother Oma, father Opa and sister Ida.

His family said he was "deeply mourned" and "sadly missed" by Guinan, his son-in-law and his grandchildren.
Moody Beaches | Credit: Squid Collins

Melbourne band Moody Beaches have announced theyll release their new album Acid Ocean on Friday, 21st April via local label Posion City Records and Frances Beast Records.

To coincide with the announcement, the band have shared the albums second single, a grungy cut titled Counting Reasons. It arrives alongside a video directed by Wild Rose, which you can watch below. Pre-orders for Acid Ocean are available here via Poison City.

Moody Beaches  Counting Reasons

We exist in a culture that is preoccupied with self-help, navel gazing, and accountability, and this song takes on that sentiment, the band said of Counting Resons in a statement. Tinged with disappointment and regret, there is no forgiveness when the harshest critic is yourself.

Counting Reasons is the second preview of Acid Ocean, following lead single Crowded World  which we premiered last year. We chose Crowded World as the first single from the new album for a few reasons, the bands Anna Lienhop told Music Feeds at the time.

Thematically it talks to issues we think people can relate to and are important to us, and sonically represents what Moody Beaches is currently known for, hinting at a direction we as a band have worked towards and are heading with the new album.

Acid Ocean is Moody Beaches first full-length project. The band released their Weird Friends EP back in 2018.

Further Reading

PREMIERE: Dr Sures Unusual Practice & Bench Press Unite For A Split 7 Between Friends

Adalita Announces New Solo Album Inland, Shares New Single

Pavement, Spiderbait & More to Play Tent Pole, Geelongs Musical Jamboree

The post Melbourne Post-Punk Trio Moody Beaches Announce New Album Acid Ocean appeared first on Music Feeds.
Sasha Mordovets - Getty Images

Russian president Vladimir Putin travels in a bulletproof train for security reasons.

All of Putins residences are linked by railway lines.

Putin has used the bulletproof train more frequently since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin apparently likes to travel in style and safety, even when hes riding the rails.

The Russian president has the option to hunker down in a luxurious bulletproof train when he gets the urge to tour his country, according to an investigation by the Dossier Center . The specially outfitted bulletproof train allows Putin to keep in touch with his armed forces, much as Air Force One lets the U.S. president work when Joe Biden takes to the skies.

Putin wont lack for things to do when he spends time on his bulletproof train. The rail cars include a private bedroom and a room outfitted for meetings. Theres no need to mix with the hired help as the train has an extra vehicle for Putins entourage. In case the Russian leader wants to reach the outside world, the train boasts a sophisticated communications car.

Putin has plenty of options when it comes to where he can travel on his bulletproof train. All of Putins residences are linked by railway lines, and stations have been constructed so that he doesnt have to spend much time flying, according to a report by the Proyekt (Project) investigative news outlet.

Security is of paramount importance when it comes to the Russian presidential train. Many of the train stations that Putin travels to were constructed in secrecy. But Proyekt revealed the existence of a guarded railway station complete with a helicopter landing pad not far from Putins house in Valday.

Enemies will have to guess when the presidential bulletproof train will roll into town if theyre planning an ambush. The special train looks just like a regular passenger train, except for the antennas used for the communications equipment. To make things even safer, the train goes at top speed.

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Russian leaders have a long history of using trains. Communist leader Leon Trotsky used an armored train during the Russian Civil War that was outfitted with a telegraph, library, and printing press.

Putins train travel might be due to fears that the Russian invasion of Ukraine could bring retaliation. A covert Ukrainian military unit has reportedly been tasked with striking targets inside Russian territory.

The Dossier Center investigation found that Putin has stepped up his bulletproof train use since planning began for the invasion. The report noted that the train could offer extra security because its path cant be searched online using flight tracking services.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an awarding ceremony for Russian team members who won medals at the Winter Paralympic games on March 17, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

The outcome of the Ukraine war will determine the safety of the wider region, Angela Stent and Fiona Hill warn.

Putin's "appetite for expansion would not stop at the Ukrainian border" if Russia wins, they said in a new op-ed.

They warned that nearby countries like Poland and Finland could face attack if Russia prevails.

Russia has faced serious military setbacks in Ukraine since it invaded roughly a year ago, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is still convinced that his forces could emerge victorious, according to top Russia experts Angela Stent and Fiona Hill.

"Even now, after a year of carnage, Putin is still convinced he can prevail," Stent and Hill wrote in a new op-ed for Foreign Affairs.

The Russian leader's "appetite for expansion would not stop at the Ukrainian border" if Russia wins the war, warn Stent, who served as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council from 2004 to 2006, and Hill, who was the top Russia expert on the National Security Council during the Trump administration.

"The Baltic states, Finland, Poland, and many other countries that were once part of Russia's empire could be at risk of attack or subversion. Others could see challenges to their sovereignty in the future," they wrote. "The war is about more than Ukraine. Kyiv is also fighting to protect other countries."

Putin has often pointed to Russia's imperial past when offering justifications for the war in Ukraine, at one point likening himself to Peter the Great.

As the war in Ukraine approaches the one-year mark, Hill and Stent made the case that the West needs to make a more concerted effort to communicate to Putin that his relationship with Europe "will soon be irreparable" and step up international diplomatic efforts to deter the Russian leader from taking escalatory actions  such as the use of nuclear weapons or a renewed assault on Kyiv.

"The world cannot always contain Putin, but clear communications and stronger diplomatic measures may help push him to curtail some of his aggression and eventually agree to negotiations," Hill and Stent said.

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Though Russia is estimated to have suffered substantial casualties, possibly nearing 200,000, in the war so far, Putin has shown no signs of giving up. According to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Russia has already begun a new offensive in the east, and Putin is willing to endure high casualties to achieve his goal of conquering the Donbas region.

Putin "is sending thousands and thousands of more troops, accepting a very high rate of casualty, taking big losses, but putting pressure on the Ukrainians. And what Russia lacks in quality, they try to compensate in quantity," Stoltenberg said on Monday.

Stoltenberg urged the West to speed up the delivery of crucial weapons to Ukraine as it defends territory against the Russian invaders and vies to reclaim occupied regions.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Vinyl fans, rejoice.

Record Store Day returns April 22 with dozens of exclusive new releases as well as reissues from artists in an array of genres, from Paul McCartney to Pearl Jam, RZA to Wilco, Miles Davis to the Grateful Dead. A full list of 2023 releases is here.

Since 2009, musicians with a deep-seated love of vinyl have teamed up to remind digital-age music fans that some of the more revelatory audio moments happen on hot wax.

Over the years Ive fallen in love many times and many of my greatest loves have been discovered in record stores, says singer Amanda Shires, who along with star musician husband Jason Isbell are this year's Record Store Day ambassadors.

Jason Isbell and his wife Amanda Shires are both releasing music on vinyl for this Record Store Day. The duo are the official ambassadors of the 2023 edition of the long-standing ritual, which aims to put a spotlight on old school records and the music shops that sell them.

"I fell in love with Leonard Cohen at Ralphs Records in Lubbock, Texas. I found Big Star at Offbeat in Jackson, Mississippi," Shires says in a release. "Record stores are environments where you can be yourself, like what you like and love what you love."

Record Store Day ambassadors Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires offer up new music

There's more than just good fun to be had in today's record stores. Today's enduring vinyl resurgence often gives audiophiles a level of sonic fidelity that simply didn't exist a half-century ago.

Particularly popular are vinyl releases that are half-speed mastered or 33 rpm releases that are now set to 45 rpm, the slower turn of the turntable allowing for more musical details to hit your ears.

Taylor Swift fans can expect to get their hands on her music in vinyl form come Record Store Day 2023.

For example, one upcoming re-release will be Paul McCartney and Wings' "Red Rose Speedway," that iconic band's first major U.S. release in 1973, which is delivered now as a limited edition half-speed mastered disc.

Among other notable releases amid the dozens due:

"Beggars Banquet" The 1968 album from the Rolling Stones, will be available on 180-gram vinyl, a heavier weight than standard vinyl which translates to greater fidelity. This is also a special pressing on grey, blue, black and white swirled vinyl, a reference to a lyric Mick Jagger sings in "Salt of the Earth." The album will also come with a reproduction of the window display poster created by the Stones UK label Decca in 68.

"folklore: the long pond studio sessions" is on tap from Taylor Swift, who served as the day's ambassador last year. Taylor and her collaborators recorded the Grammy-winning release during the COVID-19 lockdown, but didn't get to play their work together until Sept. 2020, when the Long Pond Studio Sessions brought together Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner (The National) and Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) for a live recording and Disney+ documentary.

"The Sound Emporium" is the EP offering from co-ambassadors Isbell and Shires, featuring brand new music that includes a reimagined version of Jason Isbell & The 400 Units "Tour of Duty" as well as a cover of Richard Thompson's "Beeswing. Shires also makes the list with a solo EP, "Live At Columbia Studio," featuring tracks recorded at the legendary Nashville studio in the run up to her critically acclaimed 1992 album, "Take It Like A Man."

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Vinyl sales soar as the retro trend continues

There are releases for virtually every musical taste under the sun this year. These include the first-time-on-vinyl release of reggae star Peter Tosh's "Live & Dangerous Boston 1976," a first-time collection of A and B sides of Dolly Parton 1960s singles, "The Monument Singles Collection 1964-1968," and a lemon-colored edition of Joan Jett's rocking 1988 album, "Up Your Alley."

Dolly Parton's greatest singles from the 1960s are part of the new vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2023.

This marks the 16th anniversary of Record Store Day. The first one was held April 19, 2008. Typically, the event is held on the third Saturday in April, often with artist appearances at some of the 1,400 independent record stores in the U.S. Over previous years, the pandemic lockdown cut into vinyl sales as stores were shuttered.

While these days streaming represents the bulk of music consumption, vinyl sales continue to impress. According to a mid-year report by the Recording Industry Association of America last fall, the number of vinyl units shipped rose 15.7% over the same period last year  from 18.8 million to 21.8 million  and dollar value is up from $460.5 million to $570.2 million.

The latest music news:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Record Store Day brings exclusive vinyl from Taylor Swift, others
MU Health Care

Ric Ransom takes over leadership of University of Missouri Health Care on May 1 as chief executive officer, after serving as vice president for University of Wisconsin Hospitals since 2018.

The decision was made by Mun Choi, University of Missouri System president and MU chancellor.

Previous CEO Jonathan Curtright left in July 2022. Nim Chinniah has served as interim CEO since that time.

We are excited to have Ric lead our MU Health Care team as we continue to achieve excellence in clinical care, Choi said in a news release. I look forward to working with him and the entire team at MU Health Care to achieve our important mission of saving and improving lives of Missourians.

Ransom will take over at a critical time for MU Health Care, where spending now is outpacing revenue, while officials say its financial health is stable.

Ransom's responsibilities at the University of Wisconsin included providing direction for the University Hospital, American Family Children's Hospital and UW Health at The American Center.

Before his time in Wisconsin, Ransom's positions included chief operating officer of Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina, with 14,000 employees. He also had positions in Memphis, Atlanta, Boston and Dallas.

He has master's degrees from the University of Alabama and a law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Ala.

Ransom said he's ready.

I am excited to join the team at MU Health Care, Ransom said in the news release. The health system is on a strong growth trajectory and I look forward to maintaining this momentum as we prepare to open a new Childrens Hospital and continue saving and improving lives across the state.

Ransom is a good choice, said Richard Barohn, MU executive vice chancellor for health affairs.

I am thrilled with the leadership team we have in place and where were headed as an integrated academic health system, Barohn said in the release. I am confident Ric will help us move the system forward as we continue to grow.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Ric Ransom named CEO of MU Health Care after serving in Wisconsin post
Agape Lawsuit - Credit: Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Le/Imagn

Agape Boarding School, a Christian reform school accused of abusing dozens of former students, shuttered its doors in January. Yet while the news of the facilitys long-awaited closure has brought relief to former victims, the school has been dogged by a wave of civil lawsuits alleging physical and emotional abuse and an investigation from the Missouri Attorney Generals office.

In a lawsuit filed in April 2021 in Cedar County, Missouri, Josh Bradney, who is referred to as John Doe II in the suit, alleges that the school failed to protect and prevent him from being physically, emotionally and sexually abused by a staff member and other residents at Agape. A deposition of Dr. Smoot, who evaluated Bradney after he left the school and sought counseling, and other admissions made by the Agape staff and Agape incident reports corroborate that Josh was sexually, physically and verbally abused, according to a demand letter written by Bradneys attorneys. According to the letter obtained by Rolling Stone, Dr. Smoots own notes following Bradneys departure from the reform school record the perpetrators and locations of sexual abuse alleged by Bradney. The initial settlement demand made on behalf of Bradney was rejected, and a trial date for the case has now been set for April 17.

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Located in Stockton, Missouri, Agape marketed itself as a devout Baptist reform facility for at-risk and unmotivated boys. But at least 19 former students have said that specific faculty members facilitated or directly committed abuse against them, according to several lawsuits filed against the school. In civil suits, Agape students say they were shoved into walls and the ground, intentionally starved, and forced to wear and sleep in handcuffs for as long as eight days. Some students describe a pandemic of students attempting to hang themselves.

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Former students and their attorneys allege that for years former director Bryan Clemensen encouraged Agape staff to use violence to enforce order. Clemensen introduced so-called restraints in the early 2000s, says Ryan Frazier, attorney for Monsees and Mayer PC, which is representing 18 former students in suits against the school. One former student said under oath that he was wrenched out of bed for waking up late, kicked and punched in the groin by a former dean of students, and kicked in the ribs and face by Clemensen in front of the rest of the school.

Clemensen, through Agapes attorney, has said that he has never abused any boy in the history of Agape, and denied that restraints were ever used for punishment. Representatives for Agape did not respond to Rolling Stones request for comment on the new allegations made by Bradney.

Bradney said he was 12 years old when he arrived at the school in 2014. He claims that he was physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by other residents and also by a school staff member, according to the filing. In the suit, Bradney alleges that for years prior to his attendance at the school, there were multiple acts of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse perpetrated by Agape staff and/or residents against residents at Agape.

Last fall, when sexual abuse allegations began to surface, John Schultz  a lawyer for the school  denied them to the Springfield News-Leader. We are disappointed to learn of the sensational allegations that some of our former boys are making now  for the first time, Schultz said. We have read many specific allegations that we know could not have happened given the 24/7 supervision that extends to the sleeping quarter, shower bays, classroom, dining hall, and all outdoor activities.

However, in the lawsuit, Bradney points out that before he was allegedly abused at Agape, another unnamed resident was the victim of sexual assault that led to charges against former resident and then staff member Jacob Mayer, who pleaded guilty to felony child molestation.

Mayer, an 18-year-old Agape student who was also a junior staff member, was charged in 2004 and convicted in 2005 of three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy involving a student, according to a report by the Kansas Star. In 2015, a personal injury civil suit against the school Agape Baptist Church, and James Clemensen  the school founder, was filed by Mayers victim, and settled out of court, according to the report. The outlet has also reported multiple allegations of gang rape by former staff, including claims by Bradney.

By the time Bradney arrived at the reform school, a culture of physical, emotional and sexual abuse existed at Agape that was not disclosed to his parents, the lawsuit states.

I was at that time the youngest student at that school, Bradney tells Rolling Stone, and claims the sexual abuse started within at least three months of arriving. The shower bay was not watched. The school wasnt watched. Staff werent watching. These students who preyed on kids who couldnt defend themselves or who were younger would take advantage of them, and I was one of the main people who a lot of the students targeted.

They made me do things that are terrifying, Bradney says. He alleges that when he tried reporting the abuse, staff would punish him. Bradney recalled that during a phone call with his parents, he told them about a faculty member who hit a student with a football helmet. After the call, he said he was slammed to the ground by staffers who threatened to bash his head if he ever told his parents again. At Agape it was like a prison, says Bradney.

In the suit, he alleges that the school practiced a pattern of punishment that was designed to hide and prevent incidents of abuse to authorities and to prevent the public and financial supporters in the community from learning about the alleged assaults.

Bradney, who is now 21, says he cant close shower curtains all the way, doesnt feel comfortable giving people full hugs, and has to keep his door locked at all times. Because of that school, theres things that I do today that I dont want to do to protect myself, he says, adding that he was diagnosed with PTSD.

He says he was able to leave Agape in 2016 after he was sponsored to go to another boarding school in Vermont. A few months after, Bradney says, he was sent to a therapy program in Utah and began to talk to Dr. Smoot about his experiences at Agape. However, he says it wasnt until he came out with his lawsuit against the Christian reform school that his parents learned of the full extent of the alleged abuse.

Today, Bradney lives in Modesto, California and finds safety in the local car community, which has become a pivotal part of his life, helping him refocus his mind off of Agape and the pending lawsuit. He also keeps in contact with other survivors, finding comfort and guidance within the group. We all have the same situation, he says. We can all come together in support of each other for one reason: to close these schools that are abusing kids, and to protect these kids.

Even though the school closed, that doesnt push aside the abuse that the staff members and students got away with. Justice still needs to be served, says Bradney, who hopes to testify and tell his story in front of a jury in April. The healing process can start for me now that school is closed, but I would love my testimony to show others not to be afraid, and that no matter what theres someone to talk to.

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When the Iran-Iraq war broke out in 1980, director Sepideh Farsi was a high school student in Iran. At age 16, she was incarcerated for being an anti-Islamic Republic activist. Farsi stayed in her country until 1984 and then moved to France, where she experienced the second half of the conflict.

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In her first animated feature, The Siren  which opens Berlins Panorama section  the Paris-based director revisits this war through the story of a 14-year-old boy named Omid, who decides to brave the Iraqi siege of Abadan, the capital of the Iranian oil industry. After opting to stay in the city with his grandfather and a bunch of other diehards, Omid and the others take over an abandoned boat he finds in Abadans port, which becomes their ark.

Farsi spoke to Variety about her wish to come to terms with her countrys past with The Siren and her hope for Irans future.

As I understand it, this film stems from your personal experience and a desire to bring back the memory and awareness of the Iran-Iraq war.

Yes, both myself and the writer, Javad Djavahery, were teenagers in that era and we lived the first half of the war in Iran before we left for different reasons. And so we lived through the second half of it from a distance, in France. Hence this desire to revive those years and that chapter of Iranian history, which is very important. Not just for Iran, but for the Middle East at large. And has been largely forgotten.

Why did you use animation? Is it because you are banned from entering Iran?

Yes, but even without me not being able to go back, I thought animation was a richer way of depicting the war era in a more faithful way, paradoxically, than to do it in live action. Somehow animation allows a certain type of distance. Its like in photography, for instance, sometimes black and white photography allows a distance that you do not have with color photography.

Story continues

There is a scene in which a young woman chooses to remove her hijab and use it as a tourniquet on a wounded mans leg. This takes on a particular meaning now in light of the death of Masha Amini for wearing her hijab too loosely and the subsequent protests in Iran sparked by her killing.

Yes, of course, in light of whats happening in Iran, you would look at this scene and say: Wow, this is proleptic! But when we wrote it, in 2017, the idea was just to show a daring young woman who addresses an emergency in her own way, which goes beyond the red lines.

The films score mixes traditional Iranian music and many Western musical genres including rock, pop and jazz. Was this a provocative choice?

My intention in choosing this musical mix was to point to different parts of history and different kinds of music in Iran, some of which is forbidden. Yes, you can call this a transgression. I made the whole film not thinking about what the reaction of the regime would be, because I know Im blacklisted. All my films are forbidden in Iran. I cannot go back to Iran and Ive sincerely gone past that point of thinking about what they would say, or not, long ago. But my goal was to tell this story freely and show the richness of Iran in a way that filmmakers who still work there cannot do. And Ive also had the freedom of saying words that are not allowed, of referring to alcohol, and to politics, just as Ive done in my other films.

Are you hoping The Siren will be pirated in Iran so people there can see it?

Yes. The end of the film has hope, and I really, really would like them to feel it as a glow of sun for the near future of Iran, because Im really hoping that we will reach that victory soon.

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Paramilitary forces in Sudan seized control of Khartoum's airport and the presidential palace during clashes with the country's army on Saturday, as long-running tensions between the two military forces boiled over.
Hazardous Material Spill Arizona

An accident involving a commercial tanker truck that caused a hazardous material to leak onto Interstate 10 outside Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 14, 2023. Credit - Arizona Department of Public SafetyAP

A shelter-in-place order was reinstated Wednesday morning on a main highway in Tucson, Arizona, after a tractor truck carrying liquid nitric acid rolled over in a deadly crash on Tuesday, causing a hazardous spill.

Residents within a half mile of the crash on Interstate 10 southeast were initially told to evacuate the area, and residents within three miles were under the shelter-in-place order. The orders were temporarily lifted Tuesday night, but the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) reinstated the mandate on Wednesday morning after they said gassing occurred when they tried to remove the load from the commercial vehicle.

Weather conditions then limited recovery and mitigation efforts overnight, though crews have now successfully removed material from the truck and are using dirt to stop the gassing.

Nitric acid which is mainly used in the manufacturing of fertilizers, dyes and explosives, can cause serious irritation around the eyes, skin, and mucous membraneaccording to the CDC. Exposure to the highly corrosive liquid can also cause bronchitis, pneumonitis, and dental erosion.

The department is asking people within the shelter-in-place mandate to turn off heaters or air conditioning units that bring in outside air.

Authorities said that people should expect to remain displaced until midday Wednesday, and that Interstate 10 will remain closed in both directions, but a timeframe for how long was not given.

We anticipate an extensive closure, Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a tweet Tuesday night.

The driver of the truck was killed in the crash, but authorities havent released any other information about the wreck.

A separate hazardous spill from a train derailment occurred on Feb. 3 near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, involving nearly 50 cars, releasing vinyl chloride in the air and causing fire and smoke to billow the town of East Palestine. Authorities asked residents on both sides of the border to evacuate out of concern of a possible explosion, though that order was lifted on Feb. 8.

Story continues

Many residents are still worried about the quality of air and water in the area amid reports that thousands of animals have died in the days following the incident.

Multiple counties and agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are currently tracking the air, soil, and water pollution in the area.

The Ohio EPA said they found two chemical contaminants in Ohio River tributaries during a press conference Tuesday, but believed water treatment processes would filter these toxins out, and that contaminants were contained.
The president of Belarus has warned his country will join the war if even one soldier enters his territory and kills his people.

Until now, Alexander Lukashenko repeatedly denied claims from Kyiv and the West that his country could be dragged further into the war in Ukraine on the side of Moscow.

However, today he said he would order his troops to fight alongside ally Russia if another country launches an attack against Belarus, the state-run Belta news agency reported.

I am ready to fight with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in only one case: If even one soldier comes onto the territory of Belarus to kill my people, Belta quoted Mr Lukashenko as telling a news conference on Thursday.

If they commit aggression against Belarus, the response will be the most severe, and the war will take on a completely different nature.

Russia used Belarus as a staging post for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, launching its failed offensive on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv from the country.

Key Points

Lukashenko warns Belarus will join war alongside Russia if attacked

Russia launches fresh missile strikes across Ukraine

Russia deploys ships armed with tactical nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years, says Norway

Russia failing to punch through despite 97% of army at war

Lukashenko warns Belarus will join war alongside Russia if attacked

12:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday he would only order his troops to fight alongside ally Russia if another country launches an attack against Belarus, the state-run Belta news agency reported.

Lukashenko, who has repeatedly denied claims from Kyiv and the West that his country could be dragged further into the war in Ukraine on the side of Moscow, also said he planned to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

I am ready to fight with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in only one case: If even one soldier comes onto the territory of Belarus to kill my people, Belta quoted Lukashenko as telling a news conference on Thursday. If they commit aggression against Belarus, the response will be the most severe, and the war will take on a completely different nature.

Story continues

Russia used Belarus as a staging post for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, launching its failed offensive on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv from the country.

A flurry of military activity and joint air force drills between Russia and Belarus earlier this year rekindled concerns that Minsk could be preparing to take a more active role in the conflict.

Zimbabwe Belarus Lukashenko (AP)

War in Ukraine at 1 year: Pain, resilience in global economy

13:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An Egyptian widow is struggling to afford meat and eggs for her five children. An exasperated German laundry owner watches as his energy bill jumps fivefold. Nigerian bakeries have shut their doors, unable to afford the exorbitant price of flour.

One year after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and caused widespread suffering, the global economy is still enduring the consequences  crunched supplies of grain, fertilizer and energy along with more inflation and economic uncertainty in a world that was already contending with too much of both.

As dismal as the wars impact has been, theres one consolation: It could have been worse. Companies and countries in the developed world have proved surprisingly resilient, so far avoiding the worst-case scenario of painful recession.

But in emerging economies, the pain has been more intense.

Read more here:

War in Ukraine at 1 year: Pain, resilience in global economy

Russia bombards Ukraine as push for besieged Bakhmut grinds on

13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia rained missiles across Ukraine on Thursday and struck its largest oil refinery, Kyiv said, while the head of the Wagner mercenary group predicted the long-besieged city of Bakhmut would fall within a couple of months.

Following a pattern of heavy bombardments after Ukrainian battlefield or diplomatic gains, Russia launched 36 missiles in the early hours, Ukraines Air Force said, after NATO alliance officials met the previous day to plot more support for Kyiv.

About 16 were shot down, it added, a lower rate than normal.

The missiles triggered air-raid sirens and landed all over Ukraine, including its largest oil refinery, Kremenchuk, where the extent of damage was not immediately clear.

Another massive missile attack by the terrorist state on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the Defence Ministry tweeted. Ukraine said the barrage included three KH-31 missiles and one Oniks which its air defences cannot shoot down.

There was no word from Moscow on the strikes.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In the lives of 5 friends, Ukraine's war story unfolds

12:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In the cemetery where Oleksii Zavadskyi and Yurii Stiahliuk are buried, the women they loved take drags on the mens favorite brands of cigarettes. Clouds of smoke are exhaled in silence.

Interlaced between Anastasiia Okhrimenkos dainty fingers are Camels. Anna Korostenska lights L&Ms, her hands shaking in the cold. An intimate ritual when the men were still alive  at the end of the day, when it was just the two of them  it is now a somber tradition carried on after death.

Oleksii and Yurii were killed on Ukraines eastern front five months apart. One was Vadym Okhrimenkos best friend and died in his arms. Gone, in an instant, he says, briskly packing his combat uniform and gear. Soon he returns to the battlefield, heavy with sorrow, hungry for revenge.

The five had known each other since childhood. They came of age in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb now synonymous with the wars most horrific atrocities. Their interwoven tales reveal how Russias invasion of Ukraine exactly one year ago changed their lives, their neighborhood, their country.

This war is not just about soldiers, says Anna. Its about everyone connected to them, and their pain.

Samya Kullab reports:

In the lives of 5 friends, Ukraine's war story unfolds

Ukraine's Zelensky to open Berlin Film Festival

11:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Filmmakers from the world over gathered in Berlin for the citys venerable film festival, which is due to be opened later on Thursday with a video address by Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Now in its 73rd year, the festival will see 18 films, hailing from Mexico to Australia, competing for a coveted Golden Bear trophy that will be awarded by a jury chaired by U.S. actor Kristen Stewart.

Full disclosure: Im kind of shaking, the Twilight and Spencer star told a news conference to introduce the jury, when asked how she felt about adjudicating at the most overtly political of the worlds major film festivals.

Zelenskys appearance reflects the organisers focus this year on Russias invasion of Ukraine and on pro-democracy protests in Iran. Films from and about both countries are prominent, while films supported by the Iranian and Russian governments are banned.

This year with Iran, the earthquake, with Ukraine - it feels like the world is disintegrating, said French-Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, another jury member.

Outside the main competition, films will tackle topics from race in America to gender transition and sexuality, while high profile visitors will include director Steven Spielberg and singer Bono, attending a documentary about U2s legendary 1997 post-siege concert in Sarajevo.

If you want to destroy a place the first thing you do is destroy its cinema, said Hong Kong director and jury member Johnnie To, insisting on films central role in nurturing a democratic society.

I think its the job of an artist to take a disgusting and ugly thing and transmute it, Stewart added. Put it through your body and come up with something more helpful.

(Ukraine Presidents Office)

Turkey to discuss Sweden and Finland's NATO bids with U.S. Blinken

11:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday he would discuss NATO applications of Finland and Sweden in talks next week with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Speaking after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Cavusoglu said bilateral relations, as well as Russias invasion of Ukraine, will also be discussed with U.S. Blinken.

(AP)

Ukraine signals no major power problems after Russia attacks

10:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraines energy minister and the national power grid operator signalled on Thursday that overnight Russian air strikes had not caused major disruption to electricity supplies.

Energy Minister German Galushchenko said Ukraine was meeting consumer demand for the fifth successive day. Grid operator Ukrenergo said it saw no need to introduce emergency power outages to conserve supplies.

Ukrainian officials issued no reports of major damage after the latest in a wave of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

Todays attack will not change our plans to not conduct outages during the day, Ukrenergo chief Volodymyr Kudrytskyi told a news briefing.

Galushchenko, who repeatedly praised the speed at which repairs are carried out after Russian air strikes, was quoted by his ministry on Facebook as saying a certain power reserve has emerged.

Kudrytskyi echoed this, saying: Time is currently on the side of Ukraines energy system.

He said the energy situation could remain stable if Ukraine does not suffer damage to energy infrastructure on the same scale as in the autumn, when Russia stepped up attacks on energy facilities and caused widespread blackouts.

We have improved the situation but we are still far off absolute stability, he said.

(AFP via Getty Images)

When did Russia invade Ukraine?

10:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for almost a year now, the conflict continuing to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Battle tanks from the US, Britain and Germany are now being supplied for the first time and Mr Zelensky toured London, Paris and Brussels in early February 2023 to request fighter jets be sent as well in order to counter the Russian aerial threat, a step the allies appear to have reservations about making.

Joe Sommerlad and Thomas Kingsley report:

When did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russia suffering very serious losses'

09:50 , Katy Clifton

Ukraine's deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar has said Russia is suffering "very serious losses".

In a post on Telegram, Ms Maliar said Russia is bombarding Ukraine with "round-the-clock" missile strikes in the east.

She wrote: The enemys offensive continues in the east, (with) round-the-clock attacks.

The situation is tense. Yes, it is difficult for us. But our fighters are not allowing the enemy to achieve their goals and are inflicting very serious losses.

Russia deploys ships armed with tactical nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years, says Norway

09:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia has started deploying tactical nuclear weapons-armed vessels in the Baltic Sea for the first time in three decades, according to a Norwegian intelligence report.

The annual report released by the Norwegian Intelligence Service on 13 February states that the vessels belonged to Russias Northern Fleet, reported The New Voice of Ukraine.

The fleets warships regularly went to sea with nuclear weapons during the Soviet era, but this is the first time the Russian Federation has deployed them, the report stated.

The key part of the nuclear potential is on the submarines and surface ships of the Northern Fleet, it said.

Tactical nuclear weapons are a particularly serious threat in several operational scenarios in which Nato countries may be involved.

Russia deploys ships with nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years, says Norway

Russia launches fresh missile strikes across Ukraine

08:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia battered Ukraine with multiple missile strikes on Thursday as its troops sought to advance in the east, Kyiv said, but Western allies pledged even more military aid for an intended Ukrainian spring counter-offensive.

Following a pattern of heavy aerial bombardment at times of Ukrainian battlefield or diplomatic advances, Russia launched 32 missiles in the early hours, Ukraines Air Force said. Half were shot down, it added, a lower rate than normal.

Among them, air defences in the south downed eight sKalibr missiles fired from a ship in the Black Sea, Ukrainian officials said. Other missiles struck northern and western Ukraine as well as the central regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad.

Bolstered by tens of thousands of reservists, Russia has intensified ground attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a major new offensive appears to be looming as the first anniversary of its Feb. 24 invasion nears.

The enemys offensive continues in the east, (with) round-the-clock attacks, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said. The situation is tense.

An aerial view of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles with Russian troops (AP)

UN to mark Russia invasion of Ukraine anniversary by urging 'just peace'

08:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Marking one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, the UN General Assembly will vote next week on a draft resolution stressing the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the founding United Nations Charter.

It again demands Moscow withdraw its troops and calls for a halt to hostilities. The 193-member General Assembly is likely to vote next Thursday after two days of speeches by dozens of states to mark the Feb. 24 anniversary of the start of the war.

Ukraine and its supporters hope to deepen Russias diplomatic isolation by seeking yes votes from nearly three-quarters of the General Assembly to match - if not better - the support received for several resolutions last year.

We count on very broad support from the membership. What is at stake is not just the fate of Ukraine, it is the respect of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of every state, said European Union Ambassador Olof Skoog, who helped lead the drafting of the General Assembly resolution.

Russias Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy declined to comment on the draft resolution, which member states received on Wednesday.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 93rd brigade unloads a shell from a case (AFP via Getty Images)

Snapshot of latest fighting in Ukraine war

07:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian officials said air defences in the south downed eight Kalibr missiles fired from a ship in the Black Sea, but other missiles struck northern and western Ukraine as well as the central regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovograd.

One missile struck an industrial site in the western city of Lviv, causing a fire which was brought under control.

The Russian Defence Ministry on Wednesday said Ukrainians forces had retreated in the face of Russian attacks in the Luhansk region, although it provided no details.

Ukrainian forces have repelled some Russian attacks but the situation remains difficult, President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office said on Wednesday.

Russian forces have launched attacks on several settlements, including Paraskoviivka on the northern approaches to Bakhmut, and on Opytne and Klishchiivka villages on its southern approaches, Ukrainian military analysts said.

Six Russian balloons were spotted over Kyiv and most were shot down after being engaged by air defences, the capitals military administration said.

Russia has lost around half its best tanks in the year since it invaded Ukraine and is struggling to replace them, a research centre said.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Russia says U.S. should prove it did not destroy Nord Stream

07:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The United States should try to prove it was not behind the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines that connected Russia to Western Europe, the Russian embassy to the United States said on Thursday.

Moscow considers the destruction of Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines last September an act of international terrorism and will not allow it to be swept under the rug, the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy referred to a blog post by journalist Seymour Hersh citing an unidentified source as saying that U.S. Navy divers had destroyed the pipelines with explosives on the orders of President Joe Biden.

The White House has dismissed the allegations as utterly false and complete fiction.

U.S. Department of State spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday it is pure disinformation that the United States was behind what transpired with Nord Stream, provoking the fresh Russian comment.

EU chief urges allies to send more tanks to Ukraine

07:00 , Sam Rkaina

On the second day of meetings between Western defence chiefs in Brussels, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged countries to join Germany in sending as many tanks as possible, and as quickly as possible to Ukraine.

I know there are hundreds of tanks in EU armies; some of them need to be refurbished, but then you have to do it, and do it quickly, because in the spring it will be too late, he said.

The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said after the Brussels talks that Ukraine had a very good chance of taking and exploiting the initiative on the battlefield this year.

Mr Austin said that for every new system Nato provides to Kyiv, it will train troops to use it. Were laser-focused on making sure that we provide a capability and not just the platform, he said.

Russia sending troops en masse' to Bakhmut as grim battle rages on

06:31 , Arpan Rai

Military experts monitoring the hotspot on war  the eastern sector  in Ukraine indicate that Russia has launched a heavy military offensive on the city, making the battle difficult for Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said that the Russian forces have launched attacks on several settlements, including Paraskoviivka on the northern approaches to Bakhmut, over the past day.

Things are very difficult for our forces there as Russian troops are being sent into the area en masse, Mr Zhdanov said.

Russian attempts to advance on two other settlements north of Bakhmut were repelled, he added in a YouTube video.

Former commander and military analyst Maksym Zhorinsaid that the Russians were attacking Opytne and Klishchiivka, villages on the southern approaches to Bakhmut.

There was also heavy fighting in Krasna Hora, to the north of Bakhmut, where the Ukrainians had suffered losses, he added.

The city can be supplied and the injured can be evacuated. We can maintain our defence for a long time yet, he said.

In the latest battlefield report, top Ukrainian armed forces officials said that the Russian forces had fired on more than 15 towns and villages near Bakhmut, including the city itself.

If Russia manages to capture Bakhmut, it would have the advantage of using it as a stepping stone to advance on two bigger cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk further west in Donetsk, which would revive Moscows momentum ahead of the first anniversary of the invasion.

Russia estimated to have lost almost half of its key battle tanks during Ukraine war

06:30 , Sam Rkaina

Russia is estimated to have lost almost half of its best tanks during its invasion of Ukraine, with Vladimir Putins troops stepping up attacks in the countrys eastern regions including Donetsk and Luhansk.

The assessment, from military think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), suggests that Moscows pre-invasion fleet of modern T-72B3 and T-72B3M main battle tanks has been hit particularly hard, with a loss rate of up to 50 per cent.

The director general of the IISS, John Chipman, said that Moscow has been forced to rely on its older stored weapons thanks to production of the newer models being slow. That means falling back on its Soviet-era tanks.

Theyre producing and reactivating nowhere near enough to compensate for those loss rates. Their current armoured fleet at the front is about half the size it was at the start of the war, said Henry Boyd, research fellow at the IISS.

The broader loss rate across all models of tank is thought to be around 40 per cent, the IISS said in its annual Military Balance report.

Ukraine to boycott OSCE meeting in Vienna if Russia attends

05:30 , Sam Rkaina

Ukraine has informed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe that it wont attend the next meeting of its parliamentary assembly if sanctioned Russian lawmakers are allowed to participate.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna on February 23-24, during the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mykyta Poturaiev, wrote, We do not find ourselves in a position to attend the winter meeting in case of Russias participation.

The letter, which was dated February 10 and addressed to Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt, noted that Russias decision to invade Ukraine was widely supported by Russian politicians, including members of the Russian delegation to the OSCE.

We have no doubts that the Russian delegation will use the OSCE ... for justification of the aggression against my country as well as for whitewashing numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Ukrainian people, Poturaiev wrote.

He suggested the meetings postponement to preserve the integrity of the assembly, which is a separate body consisting of 323 parliamentarians from the OSCEs 57 member states,

Ukraine may not get UK fighter jets for years, says Ben Wallace

05:25 , Arpan Rai

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has said it could be years before the UK gives any fighter jets to Ukraine as he joined a Nato security conference.

The cabinet minister suggested it was likely that president Volodymyr Zelensky may even have to wait until the war with Russia was over before British aircraft was supplied.

I dont think its going to be in the next few months or even years, he told the BBC. These are aircraft that come with not only huge sort of capability challenges. You just cant learn to fly in a week or two, it will take a long time.

Saying a fleet of a fighter jets would involve hundreds of engineers and pilots, he added: Were not going to deploy, you know, 200 RAF personnel into Ukraine in the time of a war.

Read the full story here:

Ukraine may not get UK fighter jets for years, says Ben Wallace

Russia wont find marine throughout country as it is losing many people  Zelensky

05:09 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is losing many people from its forces and will not be able to find a marine throughout the country.

The enemy is already losing so many of its people, so many of its forces, that it will soon be difficult to find, for example, a marine throughout Russia, he said in his nightly address.

He added that Ukraines task is to make sure that there is less and less desire there to keep Ukrainian territories under occupation.

The liberation of our land is the goal we are working on every day, Mr Zelensky said.

We have to ensure that this spring it is truly felt that Ukraine is moving towards victory. This applies to the training of our defence forces, the supply of weapons for our country and our strategic initiative in the war, the Ukrainian president said.

He added that any attempts by Russia to retake the initiative must be thwarted and that he is confident that we will do so.

At least 6,000 Ukrainian children put through Russian re-education camps  US report

04:41 , Arpan Rai

Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children  likely many more  in re-education camps, according to a US-backed report.

Yale University researchers said they had identified at least 43 camps and other facilities where Ukrainian children have been held that were part of a large-scale systematic network operated by Moscow since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The children included those with parents or clear familial guardianship, those Russia deemed orphans, others who were in the care of Ukrainian state institutions before the invasion and those whose custody was unclear or uncertain due to the war, it said.

Read the full story here:

6,000 Ukrainian children put through Russian re-education camps, US report says

Russian and Ukrainian football teams brawl after checking into same hotel

04:30 , Sam Rkaina

A fight broke out between Russian and Ukrainian footballers after the teams were checked into the same hotel in Turkey.

Footage shows a brawl between Russian Shinnik Yaroslavl FC players and Ukrainian FC Minaj at the Royal Seginus hotel in Antalya.

In a statement, FC Minaj said the fight occurred out due to the disgraceful behavior of the football players of the Russian team towards the hotel employees.

The Ukrainian side said allegations in Russian media that Minaj players forced Shinnik players to sing the Ukraine national anthem and beat the players in the lift was a delusion.

Russia claims to have pushed back Ukrainian soldiers in Luhansk

04:21 , Arpan Rai

The Russian defence ministry has claimed that its soldiers have broken through two fortified defensive lines in Ukraines east.

During the offensive... the Ukrainian troops randomly retreated to a distance of up to 3 km (2 miles) from the previously occupied lines, the ministry said on Telegram.

It added: Even the more fortified second line of defence of the enemy could not hold the breakthrough of the Russian military.

The ministry did not give any details on the battlefield gains.

Luhansk and Donetsk regions make up the Donbas, Ukraines industrial heartland, now partially occupied by Russia which wants full control.

Russia asks US to prove it did not destroy Nord Stream  report

03:43 , Arpan Rai

The Russian embassy to the US has said that officials in Washington should try to prove that it was not behind the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Moscow to western Europe, reported TASS news agency today.

Moscow considers the destruction of Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines last September "an act of international terrorism" and will not allow it to be swept under the rug, the embassy said in a statement.

Russia estimated to have lost almost half of its key battle tanks

03:32 , Arpan Rai

Russia has likely lost almost half of its best tanks during its invasion of Ukraine, with Vladimir Putins troops stepping up attacks in the countrys eastern regions including Donetsk and Luhansk.

Moscows pre-invasion fleet of modern T-72B3 and T-72B3M main battle tanks has been hit particularly hard, with a loss rate of up to 50 per cent, an assessment from military think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) suggests.

The director general of the IISS, John Chipman, said that Moscow has been forced to rely on its older stored weapons thanks to production of the newer models being slow. That means falling back on its Soviet-era tanks.

Read the full story here:

Russia estimated to have lost almost half of key battle tanks during Ukraine war

Russia deepens ties with ally Cuba

03:30 , Sam Rkaina

Russia on Wednesday gave Cuba an emergency donation of 25,000 tons of wheat to combat shortages on the island, a sign of deepening ties between the two long-time allies.

The Russian ambassador in Havana, Andrei Guskov, said in a brief dockside ceremony in the Cuban capital that Moscow accompanies Cubas efforts in its development in areas such as industry, machinery, transportation and energy.

The substantial donation of wheat - used to make the bread that is a basic, government-subsidised staple in Cuba - marks the latest overture between the communist-run island and Russia.

Russia, hit by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, is looking to strengthen political and economic ties with other countries opposed to what it calls U.S. hegemony. Cuba has been under a U.S. economic embargo since 1962 after the Communist revolution led by Castro.

Ana Teresita Gonzalez, Cuban deputy minister of foreign trade, told Reuters on the sidelines of the ceremony that the Russians had provided Cuba with food and medicine recently, part of an enduring relationship between the two countries.

The Russian government and people have been by our side in difficult times since the pandemic, she said in a brief interview.

Wagner losing up to 80% of troops in some assault units near Bakhmut - Ukrainian official

03:26 , Arpan Rai

Russias mercenary group fighting in eastern Ukraine has lost up to 80 per cent of the troops in some of its units, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said last night.

The Wagner group, which has recruited many convicted prisoners to fight in Ukraine, is seeing limited evacuation of the dead and wounded by the wider Russian forces  or not at all.

As a result, among the personnel of the Russian occupying forces in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, there is a significant decrease in the level of trust in the decisions of the command regarding the conduct of hostilities, the deputy defence minister said on Telegram yesterday.

She added that more and more Russian troops are learning how the commanders are inadequately assessing the situation on the battlefield, as evidenced by the intensive use of so-called death squads - units staffed by insufficiently trained mobilised personnel, which daily suffer heavy combat and sanitary losses.

In particular, only one initial centre in the territory of the Rostov region sends about 500 hastily trained mobilised workers every week, most of whom undergo an accelerated training course from 14 to 21 days, she said.

When these mobilised troops get to the units, such servicemen, not wanting to play the role of suicide squads resort to deliberate damage to military equipment, mainly engines, which, without firing a single shot, are sent to repair bases with full ammunition, she said.

Stoltenberg says artillery production needs stepping up further

02:30 , Sam Rkaina

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said alliance members were continuing to produce 155mm artillery rounds.

So yes, things are happening but we need to continue, we need to step up even more, he told reporters after a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

Ukraine has received billions of dollars in military spending from Western countries. The United States has committed more than $27.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began in February last year.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged countries to join Germany in sending tanks.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said after the Brussels talks that Ukraine had a very good chance of taking and exploiting the initiative on the battlefield this year.

Austin said that for every new system NATO provides Kyiv, it will train troops on it.

Bakhmuts capture would give Russia stepping stone

01:30 , Sam Rkaina

Russia is also waging an artillery and ground onslaught on the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk province adjacent to Luhansk.

Near Bakhmut, Russian forces fired on more than 15 towns and villages, including the city itself, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its evening report.

They also trained tank, mortar and artillery fire on communities straddling the borders of Kharkiv and Luhansk region, it added.

Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko posted pictures and video of an apartment building littered with rubble that he said was destroyed in the city of Pokrovsk, southwest of Bakhmut, leaving three dead, 11 injured and one still in hospital in a serious condition.

Bakhmuts capture would give Russia a stepping stone to advance on two bigger cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk further west in Donetsk, which would revive Moscows momentum ahead of the 24 February first anniversary of the invasion.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Russian balloons that may have reconnaissance equipment shot down

00:30 , Sam Rkaina

Later on Wednesday, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said Russian forces were mounting round-the-clock assaults on government positions, without specifying where.

The situation is tense. Yes, it is difficult for us. But our fighters are not allowing the enemy to achieve their goals and are inflicting very serious losses, Malyar wrote on Telegram.

In Kyiv, the capitals military administration said six Russian balloons that may have contained reconnaissance equipment were shot down over the city on Wednesday after air raid sirens blared.

The purpose of launching the balloons was possibly to detect and exhaust our air defences, it said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia did not immediately comment.

Wednesday recap: Russia claims to broken through Ukraine eastern defence

Wednesday 15 February 2023 23:30 , Sam Rkaina

Russia said it had broken through two of Ukraines fortified defence lines in the east of the country, while Western countries announced more military spending on Ukraine, including artillery rounds, as Kyiv warned of continued Russian attacks.

Bolstered by tens of thousands of reservists drafted in December, Russia has intensified attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a major new offensive is widely anticipated as the first anniversary of its invasion nears.

The Russian Defence Ministry on Wednesday said Ukrainian forces had retreated in the face of Russian operations in the Luhansk region, although it gave no details and Reuters was not able to independently verify this and other battlefield reports.

During the offensive ... the Ukrainian troops randomly retreated to a distance of up to 2 miles from the previously occupied lines, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

Even the more fortified second line of defence of the enemy could not hold the breakthrough of the Russian military.

The ministry did not specify in which part of the Luhansk region the offensive took place.

Watch: Russian and Ukrainian football teams brawl after checking into same hotel

Wednesday 15 February 2023 22:30 , Emily Atkinson

At least 6,000 Ukrainian children put through Russian re-education camps, US report says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children - likely many more - in re-education camps, according to a US-backed report.

Yale University researchers said they had identified at least 43 camps and other facilities where Ukrainian children have been held that were part of a large-scale systematic network operated by Moscow since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The children included those with parents or clear familial guardianship, those Russia deemed orphans, others who were in the care of Ukrainian state institutions before the invasion and those whose custody was unclear or uncertain due to the war, it said.

6,000 Ukrainian children put through Russian re-education camps, US report says

Ukraine launches joint artillery shell production with a Nato country

Wednesday 15 February 2023 21:00 , Emily Atkinson

Ukraines state arms producer says it has launched joint production of artillery shells with a central European country in Nato, and that it plans to develop and produce other arms and military hardware with allies.

Ukroboronprom, which did not identify the Nato member state, said it had started producing 120-mm mortar rounds  ammunition that is in high demand in Ukraine as it battles Russian troops following Moscows invasion a year ago.

The emergence of this shell is the first product of our joint cooperation with a country from the (Nato) alliance. It will not end with shells, we will soon show you other products produced with partner countries, Ukroboronprom spokeswoman Natalia Sad told a news briefing.

This is the onward movement and integration into cooperative chains with the North Atlantic alliance.

She said she would not identify the Nato country Ukroboronprom was working for security reasons, though she confirmed it was in central Europe.

Sad said Ukroboronprom had increased production on different types of military equipment by five to eight times last year compared with 2021. Companies were working round the clock to produce ammunition and keep supplies flowing, she said.

Russia struggling to replace lost tanks

Wednesday 15 February 2023 20:15 , Emily Atkinson

Russia has lost around half its best tanks in the year since it invaded Ukraine and is struggling to replace them, a leading research centre claims.

But Moscow has preserved its air force largely intact and may deploy it more actively in the next phase of the war, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said.

In its annual Military Balance report, a key reference tool for defence experts, the IISS said loss rates for some of Russias most modern classes of tank were as high as 50 per cent, forcing it to rely on older Soviet-era models.

Theyre producing and reactivating nowhere near enough to compensate for those loss rates. Their current armoured fleet at the front is about half the size it was at the start of the war, Henry Boyd, research fellow at the IISS, told Reuters.

He estimated Russias tank losses at between 2,000 and 2,300, and Ukraines at up to 700.

Russia to call UN security council meeting over Nord Stream blasts'

Wednesday 15 February 2023 19:30 , Emily Atkinson

Russia will call a meeting of the UN security council on 22 February to discuss sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Russian mission to the UN has said, according to the state-run RIA news agency.

US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote in a blog that an attack on the Russian-operated pipelines under the Baltic Sea was carried out last September at the direction of US President Joe Biden.

The White House has dismissed the report as utterly false and complete fiction.

Who are the Wagner mercenaries and why are they so involved in Ukraine?

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been supported on the battlefield by tens of thousands of mercenaries from a shadowy group led by a businessman and longtime affiliate of President Vladimir Putin.

The Wagner private military company, under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin, cut its teeth in deployments to Crimea and eastern Ukraines Donbas region in 2014 and has since contracted troops to several conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, including the Syrian Civil War.

In Russias invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has proved indispensable, but a power struggle between the Kremlin and the outspoken Mr Prigozhin recently led to the group having its wings clipped by Moscow.

Liam James reports:

All we know about shadowy Wagner mercenaries helping Putin wage war on Ukraine

Ukrainian defence minister Reznikov says Zelensky asked him to stay in post

Wednesday 15 February 2023 18:00 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, whose political future has been the subject of intense speculation, said on Wednesday President Volodymyr Zelensky had asked him to remain in his current post.

Asked in a Reuters interview whether he expected to continue as defence minister in the months to come, he replied: Yes, it was the decision of my president.

Reznikovs future was thrown into doubt in recent weeks after a senior parliamentarian from Zelenskys party said he would be replaced. But Reznikov remained in post.

A lawyer who became defence minister only a few months before Russia launched its invasion, he has been under pressure due to a corruption scandal linked to his ministry.

Reznikov said Zelensky had asked him to remain as defence minister but also discussed a future role leading a legal battle to ensure Russian war crimes are punished. Reznikov said he hoped that role would come after the end of the war.

Russia general who led crackdown on dissent kills himself after being fired by Putin

Wednesday 15 February 2023 17:15 , Emily Atkinson

A Russian general who led the oppression of journalists, opposition activists and protesters is claimed to have killed himself a month after he was relieved from his post by Vladimir Putin.

Major General Vladimir Makarov, aged 72, was previously the main organiser in the hunt for those deemed an inconvenience by the Kremlin, according to Russian journalists.

But he was reported to have been recently forced into retirement from his role as deputy head of the Main Directorate for Combating Extremism, a department established in 2008 which persecutes protesters and monitors opposition sentiment on social media.

He was found with gunshot wounds to the head at his suburban home in Golikovo, northwest of Moscow, on Monday, the state-run Tass news agency and Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper reported.

Tass cited a security source as saying that he had taken his own life.

Russia general who led dissent crackdown kills himself after being sacked by Putin

Ukraine may not get UK fighter jets for years, says Ben Wallace

Wednesday 15 February 2023 16:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has said it could be years before the UK gives any fighter jets to Ukraine as he joined a Nato security conference.

The cabinet minister suggested it was likely that president Volodymyr Zelensky may even have to wait until the war with Russia was over before British aircraft was supplied.

I dont think its going to be in the next few months or even years, he told the BBC. These are aircraft that come with not only huge sort of capability challenges. You just cant learn to fly in a week or two, it will take a long time.

Saying a fleet of a fighter jets would involve hundreds of engineers and pilots, he added: Were not going to deploy, you know, 200 RAF personnel into Ukraine in the time of a war.

Ukraine may not get UK fighter jets for years, says Ben Wallace

Kyiv says it shot down Russian balloons over Ukraine's capital

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Six Russian balloons were spotted over Kyiv and most were shot down after being engaged by air defences, the Ukrainian capitals military administration said on Wednesday.

It said the balloons may have been carrying corner reflectors and reconnaissance equipment but did not specify when they flew over the capital, although air alerts were issued in Kyiv on Wednesday.

According to information that is now being clarified, these were balloons that move in the air under the propulsion of wind, the military administration wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

The purpose of launching the balloons was possibly to detect and exhaust our air defences.

Shortly before the announcement, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February last year, could be using balloons in a new drive to preserve its stocks of reconnaissance drones.

Reconnaissance drones like the Orlan-10 are now being used more sparingly (by Russia), and they thought Why dont we use these balloons? So they are using them, Ihnat told Ukrainian television.

He later confirmed that air raid sirens had blared in the capital on Wednesday because of balloons flying overhead.

Russia did not immediately comment on the reports of balloons over Kyiv.

Russia failing to punch through despite 97% of army at war

Wednesday 15 February 2023 15:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia has not been able to punch through Ukraines defences, despite almost all of its army deployed in the war, the UK defence secretary has said.

It comes as the Kremlin has intensified attacks across a swathe of southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a major new offensive has been widely anticipated.

That has come at a huge cost to the Russian army. We now estimate 97 per cent of the Russian army, the whole Russian army, is in Ukraine, Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (PA Wire)

Russian general who led oppression of journalists is claimed to have killed himself

Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:22 , Lucy Skoulding

A Russian general who led the oppression of journalists, opposition activists and protesters is claimed to have killed himself a month after he was relieved from his post by Vladimir Putin.

Major General Vladimir Makarov, aged 72, was previously the main organiser in the hunt for those deemed an inconvenience by the Kremlin, according to Russian journalists.

But he was reported to have been recently forced into retirement from his role as deputy head of the Main Directorate for Combating Extremism, a department established in 2008 which persecutes protesters and monitors opposition sentiment on social media.

Read the full story by Independent reporter Andy Gregory.

Ukraine defence minister confident West will send jets

Wednesday 15 February 2023 13:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Wednesday he was absolutely confident Western countries will supply fighter jets to Kyiv to help fight Russias invasion even though some have been cool on the idea so far.

In an interview with Reuters in Brussels, Reznikov noted that Ukraines allies had already ended up providing a range of Western weapons systems after initially saying they would not do so. Impossible became possible, he said.

He said fighter jets were needed as part of a broader system of air defences to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks.

We vitally need aircraft as a platform to defend our sky. We have to dominate in our Ukrainian sky. It will protect our civil population, first of all, and certainly our armed forces.

In recent weeks, U.S. President Joe Biden Washington said Washington would not supply F-16 jets to Ukraine and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also ruled out sending fighter aircraft.

Other countries, such as Poland, have signalled they are open to the idea but would only act with broad Western support. Britain has said it will provide training for Ukrainian fighter pilots but not yet whether it would supply jets.

Some Western officials have also noted it would likely take many months to provide fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots to use them. Others have also expressed concerns that supplying Western jets could be a dangerous escalation in the war.

Speaking the day after meeting in Brussels with NATO defence ministers and a coalition of more than 50 countries supporting Kyiv, Reznikov said fighter jets were on the table and allies were assessing which model would be best for Ukraine.

We have to choose the best solution, he said, citing U.S. F-16 jets and Swedish Gripen aircraft as leading options.

Ukraine defends Luhansk region as Russia brings in troops - governor

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia is pouring heavy equipment and mobilised troops into the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine but Ukrainian forces are still defending the region, regional governor Serhiy Haidai said on Wednesday.

Russia said earlier on Wednesday that its troops had broken through two fortified lines of Ukrainian defences on the eastern front. Russias Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces had retreated in the face of Russian attacks in Luhansk but did not say in which part of the region.

There is a lot of shelling, the aviation is already connected. The attacks are coming from different directions in waves, Haidai said. We see that they are transferring mobilised people (to the front), we also see that there is more (heavy) equipment.

But he added: Those who spread the information that allegedly our defence forces have pulled back beyond the line of the administrative border (of Luhansk) -- this does not correspond to reality.

NATO countries increasing production of 155 mm artillery rounds

Wednesday 15 February 2023 12:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The head of NATO said on Wednesday that NATO countries are increasing the production of 155 mm artillery rounds and needed to ramp up that production even further to help Ukraine against Russia.

Artillery shells 155 are increasing, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters.

So yes, things are happening but we need to continue, we need to step up even more. This is now becoming a grinding war of attrition and a war of attrition is a war of logistics, he added.

Ukraine war has exposed Europes vulnerability, says Wallace

Wednesday 15 February 2023 10:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerability of Europes defences in the face of an aggressor, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned.

Mr Wallace said forces across the continent were paying the price for years of hollowing out that has seen ammunition stocks depleted, readiness levels reduced and essential maintenance neglected.

He said that at a time that the world was becoming much more dangerous and unstable it underlined the need for a long-term increase in the defence budget.

Mr Wallace, who is in Brussels for a meeting of Nato defence ministers, said the problems facing the UK were not unique to Britain.

Ukraine has exposed across Europe  including in France and in Germany and other nations  our own vulnerabilities, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

Our ammo stocks, our readiness levels, our ability to meet Russia or any other enemy that chooses to play or attack us at what we call below threshold, before formal armed conflict.

It has been well known for decades that where the armed forces have had to save money on things like its readiness or its infrastructure, the places that got unfunded were the unsexy parts of defence.

Maintenance, ship lifts, all sorts of things that you and I dont think are that exciting but are nevertheless really, really important.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (PA Wire)

Tank delivery for Ukraine came a bit late, German vice chancellor says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 10:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The delivery of German-made Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine came a bit too late, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said, since time was running short ahead of an expected Russian offensive.

With the decision to send the tanks we are doing what we can, he told newspaper Die Zeit in comments published on Wednesday. A bit too late, but its done... Everyone is expecting a terrible Russian offensive... Time is pressing.

He added that Germany was not up for a debate on sending warplanes, which Ukraine says it needs in its war against Russian invaders. Germany does not own any of the U.S. F-16 warplanes that are most often mentioned in this context.

Russia: new foreign policy to focus on ending Western 'monopoly'

Wednesday 15 February 2023 10:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow would focus on ending what he called a Western monopoly over global affairs as part of a new foreign policy.

Our renewed foreign policy concept will focus on the need to end the monopoly of the West on shaping the framework of international life, Lavrov said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (AP)

Ukraine says it has repelled Russian attacks in Luhansk region

Wednesday 15 February 2023 09:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian forces have repelled some Russian attacks in the eastern region of Luhansk but the situation there remains difficult, President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office said on Wednesday.

Russia said earlier on Wednesday that its troops had broken through two fortified lines of Ukrainian defences on the eastern front. The Russian Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces had retreated in the face of Russian attacks in the Luhansk region.

Zelenskiys office made no mention of any retreats but said: The situation in the region remains difficult.

Russia claims breakthrough in Luhansk region

Wednesday 15 February 2023 09:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia has claimed they made a breakthrough in the eastern front of Luhansk as intense fighting continued overnight.

The Russian defence ministry said the Ukrainians had retreated in the face of Russian attacks, allowing its own troops to break through two fortified lines of defence.

During the offensive ... the Ukrainian troops randomly retreated to a distance of up to 3 km (1.9 miles) from the previously occupied lines, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

Even the more fortified second line of defence of the enemy could not hold the breakthrough of the Russian military.

However, no further details were provided and Reuters was not able to independently verify the battlefield report.

It comes as the Kremlin has intensified attacks across a swathe of southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a major new offensive has been widely anticipated.

EU to sanction Iran entities involved in Russian war in Ukraine - Von der Leyen

Wednesday 15 February 2023 08:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the EU will propose sanctions targeting for the first time Iranian economic operators involved in the Russian war in Ukraine.

For the first time we are also proposing to sanction Iranian entities including those linked to Irans Revolutionary Guard, Von der Leyen told European lawmakers in Strasbourg.

Von der Leyen said the 10th package of sanctions, worth a total of 11 billion euros ($11.79 billion), would target new trade bans and technology export controls, including drones, helicopters and missiles.

British national killed in Ukraine, government says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 08:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A British national has died in Ukraine, the government said.

The identity of the individual is not yet known, but their family has been informed.

The dead person is a man, according to the BBC, which would make them at least the eighth British male to die in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February.

The Foreign Office has not confirmed any further details but a spokesperson said: We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Ukraine, and are in contact with the local authorities.

It comes after the government announced that a national one-minute silence will be held to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine next week.

British national dies in Ukraine, Foreign Office says

Russian leaders 'likely aware' of 'critical weakness' in industrial output

Wednesday 15 February 2023 08:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Senior Russian leaders are likely aware that the states military-industrial output is becoming a critical weakness, particularly in light of the strategic and operational miscalculations made during the invasion of Ukraine, the ministry of defence has said in its latest update.

The MoD said production levels are almost certainly falling short of Moscows demands to resource the ongoing Ukraine campaign and also to restore its longer-term defence requirements.

Deputy security council chairman Dmitry Medvedev called for an increase in Russian tank production earlier, while visiting the Omsk Transport Machine Construction plant on 9 February, it said.

This follows several public comments by president Vladimir Putin urging the defence industry to better support the special military operation.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 15 February 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/XILK9JDeqM



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/KKcT027LpV  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) February 15, 2023

No sign that Putin is preparing for peace in Ukraine, Nato secretary general says

Wednesday 15 February 2023 08:00 , Stuti Mishra

UKs commitment to Nato is enduring'

Wednesday 15 February 2023 07:45 , Stuti Mishra

The Ministry of Defence has posted a series of tweets about defence minister Ben Wallaces meeting with Nato on Tuesday.

The MoD states: The UKs commitment to #NATO is enduring and we remain one of NATOs highest spending members.

The UK and our @NATO Allies are focused on our unwavering support for Ukraine. Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP met his French and Romanian counterparts @SebLecornu @RomaniaNATO in Brussels for meetings to discuss ongoing military cooperation. 

 Defence Ministers from @NATO member states are meeting in Brussels to discuss continued support for  Ukraine, ongoing defence collaboration and the modernisation of the Alliance.#NATO exists to guarantee freedom and security for its 30 members.@BWallaceMP  and @SecDef pic.twitter.com/ieN96EUgaR  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) February 14, 2023

'Extraordinary' Russian parliament session to focus on 'adoption of laws for integration of four regions'

Wednesday 15 February 2023 07:30 , Stuti Mishra

More information coming on the extraordinary meetings Russias lower and upper chambers will be holding on 22 February from RIA Novosti as a senior lawmaker is quoted saying it would focus on the adoption of laws on the integration of four regions into the Russian Federation.

Last year Moscow moved to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine in a move condemned by most countries of the United Nations as illegal.RIA quoted a source as saying that the State Duma, the lower chamber, will gather in the morning on 22 February while the Federation Councils session will start at 12pm GMT.

President Vladimir Putin will deliver his annual address to the federal assembly - a joint meeting of Russias two houses of parliament - on 21 February.

Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine last February a special military operation to eliminate security threats. Kyiv and its allies call Russias actions an unprovoked land grab.

Sunak set to join world leaders for Munich conference

Wednesday 15 February 2023 07:30 , Stuti Mishra

Rishi Sunak will join other world leaders in Munich this weekend for a conference on international security.

The gathering comes days after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky toured London, Paris and Brussels as part of efforts to convince allies to arm Kyiv with fighter planes.

Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister will travel to Germany for the conference, which was held last year in the days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russian banks and invasion leaders in focus as EU debates new sanctions

Wednesday 15 February 2023 07:00 , Stuti Mishra

Representatives of the 27 European Union countries will meet in Brussels today to discuss a new batch of sanctions against Russia, with politicians, military leaders and four more Russian banks expected to be targeted.

Any new measures, which the bloc is expected to agree to mark the anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, would require the unanimous backing of all EU member states.

"We will impose sanctions on a number of politicians and military leaders," said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen after a summit last week with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We will target [Russian president Vladimir] Putin's propagandists because their lies are poisoning the public space in Russia and abroad.

"The package will include additional export bans worth more than 10 billion euros. This will further starve Russia's military machine and continue to shake the foundation of its economy," she said.

US officials point to Russia using Iranian drones in Ukraine

Wednesday 15 February 2023 06:50 , Stuti Mishra

American defence officials on Tuesday sought to dispel any doubt that Iran is supplying drones for Russias war in Ukraine, releasing photos and analysis of unmanned aircraft deployed in the conflict to demonstrate Tehrans involvement.

During a briefing in London, analysts from the US Defense Intelligence Agency displayed photos of drones that attacked Ukraine alongside images of those previously traced to Iran.

A comparison of design details such as tail fins, nose cones and landing gear shows that the weapons used in Ukraine are indistinguishable from Shahed-131 and -136 attack drones and Mohajer 6 unmanned aerial vehicles used in the Middle East.

The effort to show the homework is intended to help persuade governments or international agencies of Tehrans involvement. Iran has said it supplied a small number of drones to Russia before the invasion of Ukraine but has denied providing any more since troops crossed the border last February.

The evidence proves otherwise, an official from the Defence Intelligence Agency said while speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.

Iran is a partner in the conflict with Russia, the official said.

Wreckage of what Kyiv has described as an Iranian Shahed drone downed near Kupiansk (AP)

Romania, Moldova both report strange objects in their skies amid tensions with Russia

Wednesday 15 February 2023 06:40 , Stuti Mishra

Romania briefly scrambled military jets and neighbouring Moldova temporarily closed its air space after authorities in both countries reported mysterious weather balloon-like objects traversing their skies.

The incidents occurred at around midday local time and briefly raised concerns in the two Eastern European countries, both which border Ukraine and have been affected by Russia's war.

Romania's defence ministry said it deployed two jets that are under Nato command to its southeastern skies to seek an aerial object it described as being small with "characteristics similar to a weather balloon."

It had been detected initially by radar systems in Romanian airspace at an altitude of about 36,000 feet.

The incident in Moldova triggered widespread travel disruption and brief panic when authorities temporarily closed the country's airspace over what they later described as an object "similar to a weather balloon" spotted near the northern border with Ukraine.

Scores of flights in the country of about 2.6 million people, one of Europe's poorest, were cancelled or rescheduled. Some were diverted to Romania.

It was unclear whether the two incidents were related, and neither country said where they believed the objects had come from.

This comes after Moldovan president Maia Sandu accused Russia of plotting to overthrow her country's government and derail it from its EU accession path, an allegation Russia has dismissed as "absolutely unfounded and unsubstantiated."

(via REUTERS)

Fans banned from Europa Conference League match amid Moldovan fears of Russian coup

Wednesday 15 February 2023 06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Partizan Belgrade fans have been banned from travelling to watch their side play Sheriff Tiraspol as tensions escalate in Moldova amid fears Russia may be planning a coup.Partizan and Sheriff are due to meet in the first leg of their Europa Conference League knockout play-off tie on Thursday in a match that will now be played behind closed doors.The president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said on Monday that she feared Russia were preparing an attempt to overthrow her government.

Read more:

Fans banned from Europa Conference League match amid Moldovan fears of Russian coup

Russian parliament to hold extraordinary meeting next week

Wednesday 15 February 2023 06:10 , Stuti Mishra

The lower and upper chambers of Russia's parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting on 22 February, RIA Novosti news agency reported early morning, citing a source.

The meeting will be held two days after the Russia-Ukraine war completes one year, a military operation Vladimir Putin began expecting a quick win.

Not much is known about the agenda of the meeting yet.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an empowered live video message to attendees of the opening night of the 73rd edition of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, urging filmmakers and culture not to remain silent when it comes to global politics as his country approaches a year since the Russian invasion.

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Zelenskyy, who has made video appearances at prominent film festivals like Cannes and Venice, received a standing ovation from delegates such as Anne Hathaway, Peter Dinklage, Sean Penn and Berlinale jury president Kristen Stewart when he appeared on screen at the Berlinale Palast tonight.

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The Ukraine president drew attention to the power cinema can have in times of political turmoil, citing Wim Wenders 1987 Wings of Desire as a project that broke the Berlin Wall two years before its actual fall in the outstanding film that came in Berlin where the divided city is united by angels flying freely over the wall.

RELATED: Deadlines Berlin Film Festival Coverage

He noted that while the city of Berlin once had a wall and emptinessnow life is booming and the heart of the Berlinale beats. He pointed out that the Potsdamer Platz, the hub of the Berlin festival, once divided the free world and the totalitarian.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on screen during the opening ceremony Thursday at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival

It is not only about state borders on the map, he continued. The wall divided different world views and different philosophies.

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Today, Russia wants to build the same wall in Ukraine  the wall between us and Europe to separate Ukraine from its own choice and its own future, a wall between freedom and slavery.

The local reference resonated strongly with the local audience and the international film community alike, with not a dry eye in the house. Penn, who is in town with his feature documentary Superpower, looked on admirably from stage where he had introduced Zelenskyy.

The actor-directors documentary, which is screening as part of the Berlinale Specials program, chronicles Zelenskyy and the efforts on the ground in Ukraine at the beginning of Russias invasion nearly a year ago.

Penn said Superpower was originally the whimsical tale of a comic actor-turned-president which wrote itself into something very different. Having spent much time in Ukraine and initially beginning filming on February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, one thing Penn noted was that in the last year, nothing has changed in terms of the will that the Ukrainian people have, thats for sure  if anything, its just gotten stronger.

Can art be outside of politics? Should cinema be out of politics? This is in an eternal question but today it is extremely relevant, said Zelenskyy, adding that cinema causes change.

At #Berlinale2023 for his Ukrainian War documentary, Superpower, Sean Penn says, nothing has changed in terms of the will of the Ukrainian people pic.twitter.com/MTJtJgVMWQ  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 16, 2023

Politics and culture have long been intertwined at the Berlinale and this year is no exception with the opening ceremony offering up a big dose of political statements and celebrity glamour. German political figures such as Berlins mayor Franziska Giffey and Culture Commissioner Claudia Roth were in attendance, with the latter expressing Germanys solidarity with the women in Iran and Afghanistan.

We stand beside you and with those men who support you and who support you in your struggle for freedom and liberty, she said. We stand with those women who want their lives back  a free, self-determined life, not a situation and existence that is controlled and subjugated by the morality police.

The festival kicks off tonight with the world premiere of U.S. title She Came to Me from director and screenwriter Rebecca Miller. The romantic comedy stars Dinklage, Tomei, Joanna Kulig, Brian dArcy James and Hathaway. The film sees composer Steven Lauddem (Dinklage), who is creatively blocked and unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife (Hathaway), formerly his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration.

RELATED: Berlin Review: Rebecca Millers Opening-Night Film She Came To Me With Anne Hathaway, Peter Dinklage & Marisa Tomei

Before the ceremony, members of student climate activist group The Last Generation glued themselves to the red carpet but didnt interrupt those in attendance.

The Berlin Film Festival runs February 16-26.

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Embrace the pura vida lifestyle at Sendero, a new boutique hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica.

If surf, sand, sun, and lush tropical views teeming with wildlife sound like your ideal vacation  or remote work location  then Sendero, a new boutique hotel opening on Feb. 16 in Nosara, Costa Rica, should be at the top of your wish list.

Courtesy of Sendero

Fully embracing the Costa Rican beach town's signature laidback vibe, popular with yogis and surf enthusiasts, the hotel marries chic contemporary design with Costa Rica's beautiful nature. The property's 25 rooms are a stylish and secluded retreat catering to wellness-minded travelers, located a two-minute walk from the four-mile protected Playa Guiones (hence the hotel's name, which means "short path" in Spanish).

Courtesy of Sendero

Courtesy of Sendero

The architecture and design borrow elements from traditional haciendas, such as exposed wood beams, arches, and ceramic tiling, and use local and recycled materials to keep up with the property's sustainability efforts. Of course, nature plays a central role in Sendero's decor; Each accommodation has an outdoor shower overlooking a neighboring 11-acre preserve.

The hotel has also partnered with deCerca, a San Jose-based art gallery, to showcase work by Costa Rican artists throughout the rooms and lobby.

"Sendero is not only your path to the beach to catch a morning wave but your path to connecting with and feeling energized by the nature that encapsulates you from our open lobby to our rooms," said Stefanie Tannenbaum, the hotel's co-founder, in a press release sent to Travel + Leisure.

Courtesy of Sendero

Courtesy of Sendero

On-site wellness offerings include yoga classes, Pilates, and barre, along with breathwork and stretching sessions that surfers will surely appreciate. The hotel also has its own surf school, where travelers can rent a surfboard and head straight to the beach. After all, Nosara is famous for its consistent year-round waves that surfers of all levels can enjoy.

Or, if you prefer something less adrenaline-inducing, the hotel's pool offers a serene setting to unwind with a book and a cold drink from Talise, Sendero's all-day restaurant and bar. Talise also serves a seasonal menu of healthy dishes with locally sourced produce in an effortlessly chic, open-air dining room.

Story continues

Courtesy of Sendero

And if you need to respond to an email or two, Sendero's guests also get access to a fully equipped co-working space with offices, a library, a cafe, and a rooftop.

Nightly rates at Sendero start at $300, and you can book your stay at https://senderonosara.com.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Beth Strano, IRC's asylum and families coordinator, talks with volunteers Joyce Troyer, left, and Edie Nebel at the Phoenix Welcome Center on Dec. 8, 2022. More than 46,000 migrants visited the center, which provides food, shelter, clothing and medical needs, in 2022.

Ive been in this country for more than 20 years now, yet I often feel I do not belong.

In my experience, if you even mention the word immigrant, people recoil or let you know how they feel about illegals. This hits me hard because I was an immigrant, too.

At some point, weve all struggled, but Im particularly drawn to the immigrant journey. So its been in the back of my mind to help others, just like the multitude of strangers lent me a hand.

I finally searched for a volunteer opportunity that would allow me to be helpful  not just to donate money but to put my boots on the ground and help the people who at best are anonymous or worst viewed as a burden to this country.

This is how I found the Welcome Center.

Every migrant has a story of misfortune

To the casual bystander, the center is just another building, a bit outdated and with water issues. I took that to heart because it isnt the structure that matters but what happens within its walls.

This is a place that does justice to its name. It welcomes immigrants from around the world in their journey through Arizona with final destinations across America.

Many nations:Where migrants at the US-Mexico border arrive from

When I first stepped inside this site, I was greeted with a smile behind a COVID-19 mask and a quick tour. What was not said then but I found out later is the human misfortune etched on each face of the people who walk in daily.

They come in small or large groups, some from detention centers, others from the border line after being released by the border patrol. But all have something in common  a sense of desperation, lost and hungry but with a lot of hope.

Im not writing about the politics behind their journey. Ill leave that to others. Im only telling my story because I was asked why I give up my Saturdays to help.

My days are nonstop. We work with urgency

My days at the center are nonstop.

I translate, I help fill out travel paperwork, sometimes I make sandwiches or scrub showers to get them ready for the desperate souls. And sometimes I simply smile at them hoping theyll see compassion, a friendly face welcoming them to their new life.

Story continues

Everyone there works with a sense of urgency  not a minute to lose because the need is so great.

Ive heard it all. The men fleeing their countries because they do not want to participate in a war they never signed up for, the elderly women who fear every knock on their doors.

The hardest for me is seeing those who come totally empty-handed after the border patrol confiscated whatever small possessions they had.

Sometimes, all you can do is cry with others

Its not just the water, food or clothing I hand out. Sometimes the most significant moments are to cry with them  to cry in pain with someone who lost their grandfathers watch or their family pictures, or to cry with joy when they receive a plane ticket confirmation from their relatives or friends, and are off to the airport for the next step in their journey.

Truth be told, it takes a toll to see so much suffering, to see how asylum-seekers are often stripped of everything, including their dignity, for no apparent reason other than to humiliate them and break their spirit.

But then Im reminded that I was one of them once. Im reminded that people facing persecution or hunger (or both) are going to flee regardless of the political atmosphere in America.

I wish America would see and hear what I do. The personal stories of survival, the treacherous journey out of Malaysia or Russia or Ukraine or Venezuela.

I wish theyd see the face of a little kid lost in her mothers or fathers arms, not knowing what comes next.

What I can do is to welcome them with a smile, a hug when needed, some clothing, a warm plate, and a little hope that life can be better.

Sofia Lainfiesta is a volunteer at the Welcome Center, which she found via First Church UCC in Phoenix. Other church members volunteer at the center and collect clothing and other items for the asylum seekers. You can help, too. Reach the church at 602-258-6891 or office@phoenixucc.org.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Welcome Center helps asylum seekers. Why I spend Saturdays there
President Joe Biden said Thursday the administration continues to study a series of unidentified flying objects shot down in recent days but that intelligence officials increasingly believe they were benign balloons used for research or commercial purposes.

Biden said the intelligence community's current assessment is that three objects shot down over North American airspace were "most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions." That does not include the Chinese spy balloon the U.S military shot down in early February.

Also, parts of the long-awaited report by a Georgia grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump and his allies were released Thursday. The grand jury recommended some witnesses should face perjury charges for lying and found there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

Here's what else is happening in politics:

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has been subpoenaed by the Justice Department's special counsel investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to media reports.

Haley in New Hampshire: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley holds two events in the Granite State this week after officially launching her 2024 White House campaign.

A presidential physical : President Joe Biden had a routine medical checkup as he eyes a second term as president.

Debt ceiling needs to be raised by summer, CBO says: The Congressional Budget Office said the U.S. Treasury will run out of money as soon as July as the president and House Speaker McCarthy continue to spar over the debt ceiling and federal spending.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis watches proceedings during a Jan. 24 hearing in Atlanta to decide if the final report by a special grand jury looking into possible interference in the 2020 presidential election can be released.

Haley in N.H.: Chinese spy balloon a 'massive national embarrassment'

Republican presidential hopeful and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley appeared to criticize President Joe Biden over the Chinese spy balloon saga while on the campaign trail in New Hampshire Thursday.

Story continues

The idea that Americans will look to the sky and see a Chinese spy balloon flying over us is nothing more than a massive national embarrassment, Haley said, to raucous applause during a town hall event in Exeter.

The number one threat we have is China, continued Haley, to more cheers.

 Ken Tran

GOP 2024 race: For Nikki Haley, New Hampshire presents challenges and opportunities

Bidens neurological exam shows no brain disorders, motor weakness

As part of his physical, Biden underwent an extremely detailed neurological exam that Kevin OConnor, the presidents doctor, said uncovered no findings consistent with a brain or central neurological disorder, such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinsons Disease.

The exam did show a mild peripheral neuropathy in both feet, OConnor said. Biden did not demonstrate any motor weakness, the physician said, but showed a subtle difference in heat/cold sensation. OConnor stressed that Bidens symptoms havent progressed and have actually improved since his last exam.

From the time Biden campaigned for the presidency in 2020, Republican critics including former President Donald Trump have demanded that Biden take a cognitive test to demonstrate his mental fitness.

 Joey Garrison and Michael Collins

Biden remains healthy, vigorous 80-year-old, White House doctor says after physical

President Joe Biden remains a "healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency," the White House physician said Thursday after the president received his first physical in a year and a half.

One small lesion, however, was removed from the president's chest during the examination and will be sent for a traditional biopsy, Biden's physician, Kevin O'Connor, said in a letter that otherwise mostly reflected his last medical checkup from November 2021.

Biden's routine physical has taken on extra scrutiny as the octogenarian is widely expected to announce a reelection bid in the coming weeks or months. Already the oldest person to assume the presidency, Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term.

OConnor observed that Bidens gait remains stiff but has not worsened in the past year. He also has occasional bouts of gastroesophageal reflux, which cause him to clear his throat often and may contribute to occasional cough and sinus congestion, the report said.

Biden weighs 178 pounds and had a blood pressure rate of 128/76 and pulse rate of 69, the physicians report said. That's six pounds less than the 184 pounds he weighed in 2021.

 Joey Garrison and Michael Collins

Biden health update: President remains 'healthy, vigorous 80-year-old,' White House doctor says

Sen. Fetterman checks into hospital for 'severe depression'

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.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for clinical depression, according to his office.

While John has experience depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks, Adam Jentleson, his chief of staff, said in a statement Thursday.

The Pennsylvania Democrat, who suffered a stroke during the 2022 campaign, was discharged from another hospital earlier this month after reportedly feeling lightheaded during a Democratic retreat.

Fettermans office said he did not suffer from another stroke.

 Phillip M. Bailey

Biden says unidentified objects likely not related to China or foreign surveillance

President Joe Biden said the three unidentified objects shot down over North American airspace were likely not related to Chinas balloon surveillance program, but likely tied to either private companies, recreation or research institutions.

We dont yet know exactly what these three objects were but nothing right now suggests they were related to Chinas spy balloon program or that they were surveillance vehicles from another country, Biden said in remarks on the takedowns that occurred over the last weekend.

The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions studying weather or conducting other scientific research, said Biden.

 Ken Tran

Supreme Court removes Title 42 immigration case from its calendar

A migrant stands in the cold weather at a makeshift camp on the U.S.-Mexico border in Matamoros, Mexico, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Migrants are waiting on a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision on asylum restrictions.

The Supreme Court on Thursday removed from its calendar a major case involving a pandemic-era policy that allows for the rapid removal of migrants, known as Title 42.

The high court took the unusual step without explanation, though the Biden administration argued in a brief this month that the case might become moot given that it intends to cancel emergency declarations tied to COVID-19 the program relies on.

The justices had been set to hear arguments in the case March 1.

The administration intends to end the pandemic-era policy that allows for the rapid removal of migrants. And in November, a federal court required the administration to stop those removals. But a group of conservative state officials who say their states would be adversely affected want to step into the case and defend the use of Title 42.

 John Fritze

McConnell: Balloon briefings lack 'any useful information'

Ahead of President Bidens remarks on the unknown objects being shot down over the U.S. in recent days, the Senates top Republican said Thursday the closed-door intelligence briefings from the administration have been rather useless.

Its perplexing, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on Fox News.

Weve been in these briefings," he said. "But they dont seem to know anything.

McConnell ramping up the criticism on Biden, a longtime friend, comes as Republican and Democratic officials have said the White House needs to provide more information.

Ive never been in briefings where Ive learned so little, he said.

 Phillip M. Bailey

President Biden to give speech on balloon, flying objects shot down

President Joe Biden will deliver remarks Thursday on a series of unidentified flying objects shot down in recent days that intelligence officials increasingly believe were benign balloons used for research or commercial purposes.

The White House said Bidens remarks on "the United States' response to recent aerial objects" will take place at 2 p.m. E.T. at the White House.

It will mark Bidens first major address on the Chinese spy balloon shot down in the Atlantic Ocean and three subsequent objects shot down over North American airspace. Biden has faced bipartisan pressure from lawmakers to give a national address on the objects, which he has only sparingly discussed when asked by reporters.

 Joey Garrison

Georgia grand jury finds no evidence of election fraud

Little information was revealed Thursday in a much-abbreviated disclosure of a Georgia grand jury examination of election fraud in the 2020 election, though the panel found no evidence of election fraud.

We find by unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result' in overturning that election, the panel concluded in perhaps the only notable conclusion contained in the nine-page release.

 Kevin Johnson

More about the investigation: New details of Georgia Trump investigation to be revealed Thursday. What we know.

Trump has slight edge on DeSantis among voters, national poll finds

Among a field of 14 Republicans considered as potential GOP presidential nominees, a new poll finds former President Donald Trump lands top of the group with Republican voters  edging out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seen as the top competitor for Trump.

Trump received 42% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters while DeSantis received 36%, according to a new Quinnipiac University national poll released Thursday. However, Trumps lead over DeSantis erodes slightly with a smaller candidate pool.

With only four potentially candidates to pick from, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump only leads DeSantis by 2 percentage points, 43%-41%  a lead that falls within the poll's margin of error.

 Sarah Elbeshbishi

Georgia grand jury recommends perjury charges against witnesses who appeared to lie in testimony

The section of the Georgia grand jury report released Thursday dealing with alleged lies from witnesses recommended perjury charges against unnamed witnesses.

In its entirety, it says: A majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it. The Grand Jury recommends that the District Attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling.

The witnesses were not named. Legal experts say perjury is rarely charged because it is difficult to prove, but that perjury charges could be used to build a larger case of conspiracy.

 Bart Jansen

Witnesses in Georgia Trump probe suspected lying: Raising more questions in closely watched inquiry

Georgia grand jury heard from 75 witnesses

The Georgia grand jury tasked with investigating former President Donald Trumps attempts to interfere in the 2020 election was presented evidence from or involving 75 witnesses, according to a part of the grand jurys final report released Thursday.

The grand jury was empaneled on May 2 and heard evidence from June to December.

 Ella Lee

Read the partial Georgia grand jury report about the Trump investigation

Part of Georgia Trump grand jury report released

A Georgia grand jurys report examining former President Donald Trumps attempts to interfere in the 2020 election was partially released Thursday.

USA TODAY reporters are reading through the report, and updates will follow shortly.

 Ella Lee

Trump lawyer Eastman asks to delay California bar charge proceedings

John Eastman  the lawyer who spearheaded an effort to use slates of fake electors in battleground states to overturn the 2020 election in favor of former President Donald Trump  asked the state bar of California to delay any proceedings against him until he is no longer at risk of criminal investigation so that he would not have to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination.

To the extent Respondent is under threat of criminal prosecution, implicating his Fifth Amendment rights, abatement of the disciplinary proceeding is arguably necessary to protect his rights and is within the Bar Court's discretion to order, Eastmans attorneys wrote in a filing Wednesday.

Californias state bar in January said it would seek to revoke Eastmans law license for violating his duty to uphold the U.S. and California state constitutions in an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land.

Eastman holds law licenses from both D.C. and California.

 Ella Lee

Deputy AG announces 'strike force' to combat foreign technology threats

A new initiative between the Justice and Commerce departments will combat threats to national security posed by the use of disruptive technologies by foreign adversaries.

The Disruptive Technology Strike Force, announced Thursday by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, will use intelligence and data analytics to target illicit actors, enhance public-private partnerships to harden supply chains. It will also work to catch early warning signs of threats to critical assets like semiconductors.

The announcement comes as the Biden administration looks to answer GOP calls to crack down on growing threats from China.

Our goal is simple but essential  to strike back against adversaries trying to siphon our best technology, Monaco said.

 Ella Lee

DOJ special counsel issues subpoena to ex-Trump chief Mark Meadows

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has been subpoenaed by the Justice Department's special counsel investigating Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to media reports.

The summons for Meadows, a central figure in Trump's campaign to cling to power, was disclosed as former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he would challenge a separate subpoena from special counsel Jack Smith seeking his testimony in the Jan. 6 inquiry.

The Meadows' subpoena was first reported by CNN.

The Justice Department declined comment. Meadows and his lawyers also did not respond to requests for comment.

 Kevin Johnson

Voter fraud case: State A.G.: Meadows, former Trump chief of staff, wont face voter fraud charges in North Carolina

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to travel to U.S.-Mexico border

Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy addresses the press during a congressional border delegation visit to El Paso, Texas March 15, 2021. McCarthy, now House speaker, is returning to the border Thursday in Arizona.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is expected to travel to Arizona Thursday in his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since his January election as speaker in the newly Republican-led lower chamber.

Four GOP freshman lawmakers are set to accompany him: Reps. Juan Ciscomani, of Arizona, Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, Jen Kiggans of Virginia and Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin.

The visit will include a briefing with agents from the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson sector, which covers most of Arizona's border with Mexico, as well as an aerial tour of the border in Cochise County, according to Ciscomanis district director, C.J. Karamargin.

 Rafael Carranza, Arizona Republic; Ella Lee

More: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to visit Arizona border

FEC complaint: George Santos staffer posed as McCarthy aide to raise money

WASHINGTON A staffer from George Santos' campaign posed as a top aide to House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy to raise campaign funds  and kept up the front over the course of two campaign cycles, according to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday.

The complaint, filed by liberal political action committee End Citizens United, alleges McCarthy's office was aware since 2021 the campaign staffer was impersonating the then-minority leader's chief of staff.

The new complaint is the latest sign of trouble for the freshman Republican from New York, who has stepped down from his committee assignments, but has doubled down on his refusal to leave Congress despite calls for his resignation.

 Rachel Looker

Campaign allegation: FEC Complaint: New York GOP Rep. George Santos staffer posed as McCarthy aide to raise money

Proud Boys trial evidence: D.C. police lieutenant warned groups leader ahead of pre-Jan. 6 arrest

A Washington, D.C., police lieutenant warned Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio that a warrant for his arrest for setting fire to a Black Lives Matter banner had been signed ahead of his arrest, according to evidence presented in federal court Wednesday during the sedition trial of five Proud Boys.

Prosecutors in the high-profile trial showed messages between Tarrio, one of the five defendants, and Metropolitan Police Lt. Shane Lamond, suggesting Lamond kept Tarrio in the loop about the police departments investigations into him and other Proud Boys.

The Proud Boys on trial are charged with sedition and other alleged crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

 Ella Lee

Tipster case: D.C. police lieutenant warned Proud Boys leader ahead of pre-Jan. 6 arrest: trial evidence

In Iowa, Mike Pence vows to resist special counsel's 'unconstitutional' subpoena

Former Vice President Mike Pence vowed Wednesday to resist special counsel Jack Smiths decision to subpoena his testimony in his investigation into Donald Trumps efforts to subvert the 2020 election, calling the move unprecedented and unconstitutional.

We'll stand on that principle, and we'll take that case as far as it needs to go  if need be to the Supreme Court of the United States, Pence said at an event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Because to me, it's an issue of the separation of powers."

Pence argued he is shielded by the Constitutions speech or debate clause, which protects members of Congress from law enforcement scrutiny over their speech and debate in the chamber. The clause says they shall not be questioned in any other place.

 Brianne Pfannenstiel

More: In Iowa, Mike Pence vows to resist special counsel's subpoena in Trump 2020 investigation

Biden, McCarthy spar over debt after CBO releases new projections

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington following his meeting with President Joe Biden, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ORG XMIT: DCSW303

President Joe Biden on Wednesday accused Republicans of supporting tax cuts for the wealthy and other policies that would add $3 trillion to the national debt, pushing back on their demands for spending cuts as part of raising the debt ceiling.

Biden, speaking at an electrical workers union hall in Lanham Md., singled out Republican efforts to extend expiring Trump-era tax cuts for high-income earners and corporations, which would add a projected $2.7 trillion in debt. It would explode the deficit and leave the American taxpayer holding the bag, he said.

His remarks came after the Congressional Budget Office released an updated budget outlook that projects the U.S. will add more than $19 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, $3 trillion more than was projected last year.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy fired back in a tweet, saying Bidens policies have led to $13 trillion in new spending and renewing his call to negotiate a responsible debt limit increase that gets our fiscal house back in order.

Democrats' reckless spending is plunging our country into deeper debt & jeopardizing our economy, McCarthy said. A blank check for more spending will destroy our country.

 Joey Garrison

Debt ceiling debate: Debt limit forecast says US could be in default by summer. Here's how that could impact you

Not just Haley: South Carolina's Tim Scott is also mulling presidential bid

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 30, 2021.

Nikki Haley might not be the only politician from South Carolina to run for president in 2024.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the Senate's only Black Republican, has hired new political aides and is planning a trip to Iowa, all stoking speculation that he may also jump into next year's Republican race.

Scott allies are mum on whether he will take the plunge.

These next few weeks Senator Scott will not just talk about his faith, but also why he has faith in America," said Jennifer DeCasper, a senior adviser to the South Carolina senator. "He is excited to share his vision of hope and opportunity and hear the American peoples response.

Asked about Scott's campaign-like activity, aides stayed mum.

 David Jackson

Susan Page: How do you challenge Trump for the nomination? With Nikki Haley in, let's count the ways.

As nation reels from Michigan shooting, courts wrestle with access to guns

Flowers are displayed at The Rock on the grounds of Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan.

Should the government be able to take guns from Americans who smoke marijuana? What about people who are the subject of domestic violence protective orders?

A federal appeals court in Philadelphia grappled Wednesday with a case that questions whether Americans who have committed nonviolent felonies can be denied access to guns. Its one of several such cases questioning who can be denied access to weapons that are percolating in federal courts in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year on the Second Amendment.

The case in Philadelphia, which deals with a man who has been denied access to guns after making false statements to boost his food stamp assistance nearly three decades ago, comes as the nation is reeling from another mass shooting. Three Michigan State University students were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting Monday night.

 John Fritze

Gun access: As nation reels from Michigan State shooting, courts wrestle with access to guns

Georgia grand jury concerned witnesses lied in Trump investigation

A Georgia grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump will release parts of a long-awaited report Thursday, including a section mentioning concerns that some witnesses appeared to lie during the investigation.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ordered the release of parts of the report and said it discusses the concern that some witnesses may have lied under oath during their testimony to the grand jury. But he said the witnesses wouldnt be named.

Even so, legal experts said the section on alleged lies on could allow prosecutors to pursue perjury charges against the witnesses and potentially broaden the investigation. That expands the scope of potential defendants quite a bit, said Clark Cunningham, a law professor at Georgia State University.

 Bart Jansen

Parts of Georgia grand jury report to be made public Thursday

A Georgia judge is set to provide a first  albeit abbreviated  look Thursday at a grand jury's examination of former President Donald Trump's attempts to interfere in the 2020 election.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled earlier this week that three sections of the panel's report would be made public Thursday, including a passage expressing concerns that some witnesses may have lied under oath.

Yet much of the panel's work, including specific charging recommendations and names of the witnesses suspected of lying, will remain under seal as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continues an inquiry launched two years ago.

Willis opened the investigation shortly after Donald Trump's extraordinary Jan. 2, 2021 conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger went viral, later expanding the inquiry into a far-reaching criminal examination into election fraud and impaneling a special grand jury in May.

 Kevin Johnson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Recap: Biden says aerial objects 'most likely' private balloons
Robert Laberge - Getty Images



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If you havent gotten the call to join the peloton for the Tour de France this year, you might consider Jan Ullrichs exclusive four-day trip around the Provence-Alpes-Cote dAzur region (southeastern France bordering Italy) in July. For 20,000 ($21,375) youll get to try your legs on some of the most beautiful climbs in the world with full support, including bikes.

Ullrich was a highly decorated World Tour cyclist in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with a Tour de France win in 1997, a Vuelta a Espana win in 1999, and gold and silver medals in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The German cyclists career was tainted, though, in 2012 when he was found guilty of a doping offense by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. And in 2013 he admitted to performance-enhancing blood-doping treatment throughout his reign at the top. Ullrich has also had a handful of other run-ins with the law in recent years.

Now 49, Ullrich is still working to put his scarred past behind him. And although pricey, he ultimately wants to help give others some unforgettable experiences on the bike. He hopes to give tips and help to those who join him on the four-day trek, and inspire them to explore the region even more.

The trip will include climbing Mont Ventoux at 1,912 meters (6,273 feet), and several flat stages. Think rolling vineyards, olive groves, and fields of lavender. It will also include a breakdown and analysis of the days ride each evening, just like the pros get. The accommodations are top-class, of course, including a luxury hotel with a spa and pool, all the food and drink you can imagine, and shuttle service to and from the airport. Just like the World Tour, the only thing you have to worry about is riding your bike.

The group will be capped at 12 riders, and will take place from July 13 to 16right as the Tour de France is in the mountains. If youve got a pile of money to get rid of, there are certainly worse ways to spend a weekend.

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Two Springfield-based companies are among 500 employers in the country ranked highly by Forbes magazine's latest business directory.

Bass Pro Shops and O'Reilly Auto Parts rank No. 323 and No. 398, respectively, on Forbes' "America's Best Largest Employers" list, published on Wednesday.

To compile the list, Forbes partnered with Statista, a marketing research firm, to conduct a survey of about 45,000 employees at American companies and institutions with more than 5,000 employees. Participants were asked to rank their current employers on a scale of zero to 10, based on how likely they would recommend the employer to friends and family.

Last year, Bass Pro ranked No. 46 and O'Reilly ranked No. 70 on Forbes' "America's Best Employers by State" for Missouri. This list compiled results of a survey of about 70,000 employees working for institutions with at least 500 employees. O'Reilly also made Forbes' "Best Employers for Veterans" list last year, ranking No. 122.

More:Johnny Morris shoots up Forbes 400, among 100 richest Americans

Twelve other Missouri-based organizations made this year's top 500 list:

Edward Jones (St. Louis), No. 53

Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis), No. 69

Hallmark Cards (Kansas City), No. 78

BJC HealthCare (St. Louis), No. 91

Emerson Electric (St. Louis), No. 192

H&R Block (Kansas City), No. 208

Premium Retail Services (Chesterfield), No. 254

Burns & McDonnell (Kansas City), No. 305

Anheuser-Bush InBev (St. Louis), No. 342

Enterprise Holdings (St. Louis), No. 380

Cerner (Kansas City), No. 404

Centene (Clayton), No. 455

This year's top employer was Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded in 1861, with about 15,722 employees.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bass Pro, O'Reilly make top 500 of Forbes' Best Largest Employers list
Tugboat deckhand Thomas Phillips, 35, of Dulac, went missing last week while on a tugboat in the Gulf of Mexico near the Louisiana-Texas border.

Family members plan to lead a candlelight ceremony Monday for a Dulac tugboat deckhand who went missing in the Gulf of Mexico near the Louisiana-Texas border.

Thomas Phillips, 35, was last seen about 10 p.m. Feb. 5 and was noticed missing after a crewboat was supposed to transfer him off the Smith Invader the next morning, according to a news release from the Coast Guard in Houston.

The Coast Guard received a call about 6:10 a.m. Feb. 6 and joined other agencies in a 23-hour search that covered 206 square miles by boat and helicopter before calling an end to the operation.

The tough decision of suspending a search is vetted through many channels and is never taken lightly, said Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Schwind, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard's Houston-Galveston area. This search involved close coordination between state and local agencies, and we appreciate their assistance. We send our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family during this tough time.

The United Cajun Navy has picked up the search, but weather has made it difficult to search by air, family members told The Houma Courier and Thibodaux Daily Comet Sunday.

More:Here's a 2023 Mardi Gras parade schedule for Houma, Thibodaux and surrounding areas

For subscribers:Big crowds prompt changes for next year's King Cake Festival in Thibodaux. Here's the plan.

The Smith Invader, an 89-foot tug, is listed among boats owned by Smith Marine Towing, a Morgan City-based company that does work in the offshore oilfield as well as in dredging, barge towing, cargo hauling and other marine operations.

Phillips was last seen while the tug was a mile south of the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, about 17 miles west of the Louisiana border, the Coast Guard said.

His younger sister, Lesleyann Phillips, said she had spoken with him that day on the phone and he told her he was feeling unwell. Their last correspondence was via text message at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 5, when he wrote that someone was being sent to pick him up.

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She said the family will hold a candlelight ceremony at at 6 p.m. Monday Nang's Food Store, 109 Old Bridge Road in Dulac.

"Anyone is welcome," said Becky Parfait, Phillips' mother. "We need all the prayers we can get."

After the ceremony, family members said they will head to Texas to try to learn more.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Family plans candllelight ceremony for Dulac deckhand missing in Gulf
The six Egyptian workers were abducted ten days ago by a Libyan armed group and held for ransom; the circumstances surrounding their Saturday release are not yet clear

Six Egyptian workers abducted by an armed group in Libya arrived at El-Salloum border crossing Monday afternoon after their release two days earlier, state-owned MENA news agency reported.

The Egyptian workers were abducted by an armed group in Bani Walid ten days ago and held for a 200,000 Libyan dinar ransom.

The circumstances surrounding their release are not yet clear.

The Egyptians, who worked in Tripoli, were set upon as they were travelling back to Egypt, according to Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Egyptian authorities had said that the foreign ministry, Egypt's embassy and Egyptian intelligence were following up on the situation and were working on freeing the hostages.

The foreign ministry reiterated its call that all citizens should avoid travelling to Libya due to the unstable security conditions in the war-torn country.

In 2015, the Egyptian government issued a warning to citizens to avoid travelling to Libya after the Islamic State militant group killed 20 Egyptian migrant workers near Derna.

The warning was renewed later that year and is still in effect.

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Peter Nicholls via Reuters

Former JPMorgan executive Jes Staley and sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein exchanged numerous emails that included photos of women in suggestive poses and Staleys praise for the sex offender, according to a newly unredacted court filing from the U.S. Virgin Islands. In one message, Staley even told Epstein, I owe you much.

The disturbing revelations arrived on Wednesday, after the territorys attorney general filed yet another version of its lawsuit against JPMorganthis time, with fewer redactions than its original. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, paints a picture of a close bond between Staley and Epstein, who made cryptic references to Disney Princesses in their correspondence. (In 2021, the Financial Times reported that U.S. regulators were reviewing around 1,200 emails between the pair, from 2008 to 2012.)

The Virgin Islands AG sued JPMorgan last December, claiming the investment bank turned a blind eye to Epsteins sex ring in order to reap millions by keeping him as a client. The government filed an amended civil complaint weeks later that unredacted some of its accusations about Staley, including the suggestion that he may have been involved in Epsteins sex-trafficking operation.

Wednesdays filing peels the curtain back even further.

JPMorgan Honcho May Have Been Involved in Epstein Sex Ring, Lawsuit Alleges

So when all hell breaks lo[o]se, and the world is crumbling, I will come here, and be at peace, Staley wrote to Epstein in November 2009. Presently, Im in the hot tub with a glass of white wine. This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, were here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound.

According to the complaint, the cache of messages reveal that Staley corresponded with Epstein while Epstein was incarcerated and visited Epsteins Virgin Islands residence on multiple occasions and that Epstein even advised Staley in connection with Staleys salary negotiations at JP Morgan in July of 2008.

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The filing suggests that Staley was a participant in Epsteins trafficking scheme and cites emails discussing the banking honchos visits to Palm Beach, Florida and London, England, which allegedly coincided with Epsteins payments to young women in his circle.

In a memorandum also filed on Wednesday, attorneys for the U.S. Virgin Islands said that Epstein emailed Staley photos of young women in seductive poses.

The memorandum also claims that Staleys JPMorgan email account contained messages about women who they referred to by the names of Disney princesses that Epstein procured for Staley, and discussions of sex with young women.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit claims that at least 20 victims of Epstein were paid more than $1 million collectively through JPMorgan accounts between 2003 and 2013.

The filing alleges Epstein withdrew more than $775,000 in cash during that time period and that records show that Epsteins JPMorgan accounts wired nearly $1.5 million to known recruiters, including to the MC2 modeling agency, and another $150,000 to a private investigative firm.

As The Daily Beast has reported, MC2 was the former modeling agency of Jean Luc-Brunel, the French modeling agent who was a friend of Epsteins and faced accusations of sexual abuse from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the financiers victims. (Brunel killed himself in a Paris jail last February while awaiting trial on charges that he raped minors.)

JPMorgan, the lawsuit claims, cited Brunel in a review of Epsteins accounts. The bank also allegedly flagged an account associated with Epsteins now-convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011. According to the suit, Maxwell wanted to set up an account for her personal recruitment consulting business. But one director with the banks anti-money laundering program asked in an email: What does she mean by personal recruitment?? Are you sure this will have nothing to do with Jeffrey? If you want to proceed, I suggest that we flag this as a High Risk Client.

But before JPMorgan asked these questions, Staley was apparently courting Epstein as a personal contact.

In December 2008, the men allegedly discussed plans for Staley to drop into the sex offenders Florida lair. Around the time of Staleys scheduled visit, the complaint alleges, Epstein wired $2,000 to a woman with an Eastern European surname.

According to the filing, Epstein also transferred $3,000 to the same woman in August 2009, just days after Staley emailed Epstein that hed be in London in a week. The financier asked Staley whether hed need anything while in the U.K. capital, and Staley answered, Yep.

In December 2009, Staley sent another alleged missive to Epstein: I realize the danger in sending this email. But it was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug.

Epstein replied the next day, saying, you were with Larry, and I had to put up with and included a photo of a young woman.

Dont tell me a French wine, Staley wrote.

Always thoughts of alcohol, Epstein replied, according to the lawsuit.

U.S. Virgin Islands Sues JPMorgan Over Epstein Ties

Later that month, the filing states, Epstein sent Staley an email that included only a picture of a young woman.

Staley, who reportedly sailed his yacht to Epsteins island during the course of their friendship, emailed Epstein again in January 2010.

Arrived at your harbor, the banking boss wrote. Someday, we have to do this together.

Six months later, Staley fired off another email, saying, Maybe theyre tracking u?

That was fun, Staley added. Say hi to Snow White.

[W]hat character would you like next? Epstein replied.

Beauty and the Beast, Staley wrote, to which Epstein answered, well one side is available.

Earlier this month, JPMorgan filed a scathing memorandum in support of its motion to dismiss the U.S. Virgin Islands case.

Having sought and obtained more than $100 million from Jeffrey Epsteins estate and businesses for damages caused by his sex-trafficking crimes, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) now casts farther afield for deeper pockets, JPMorgans filing began.

USVIs lawsuit is a masterclass in deflection that seeks to hold JPMC responsible for not sleuthing out Epsteins crimes over a decade ago, the document continues. Yet USVI had access at the time to the same information, allegations, and rumors about Epstein on which it alleges JPMC should have acted.

Indeed, as a law-enforcement agency, USVI had access to much more, along with the investigative advantage of physical proximity to Epsteins crimes.

JPMorgan added that the territory did nothing to stop Epstein, who was registered as a sex offender there.

To the contrary, during the same period, USVI granted Epstein and his businesses lucrative privileges and massive tax incentives, attorneys for the bank stated. Nonetheless, USVIs suit proceeds on the untenable theory that JPMC was a participant in an Epstein sex-trafficking venture and was somehow uniquely situated to bring it to a halt.

Of the accusations about Staley, the bank continued, At most, USVI alleges that a JPMC employee developed a personal bond with a wrongdoer customer, which does not suffice to allege JPMCs own liability.

The corporation said the government failed to show Staley acted within the scope of his employment or on behalf of JPMC in a way that would associate JPMC with the Epstein Enterprise and its sex trafficking purpose.

Two More Women Sue Epsteins Estate for Sex Abuse at Opulent Mansion

But in a Wednesday memorandum, the U.S. Virgin Islands argued that Staleys visits to Epsteins private island, called Little St. James, took place as part of [JPMorgans] management of its business relationship with Epstein.

At the time of these visits, Staley was serving in the role of JPMorgans head of Private Bank, which was dedicated to extremely wealthy clients like Epstein, the filing states. JPMorgan assigned Staley to manage Epstein and his accounts for his wealth, connections, and referrals of ultrawealthy and powerful clients.

Thus, Staleys job was to maintain a close relationship with Epstein so that his money, connections, and referrals would continue to flow to JPMorgan.

The AGs office added, Staley emailed freely with Epstein about his visits to Little St. James over his work email account in full view of JPMorgan.

Staley, who in November 2021 resigned as Barclays chief executive after British regulators probed his claims about his relationship to Epstein, has denied any wrongdoing in connection to the late sex-trafficker.

Staleys lawyer told the Financial Times that his emails with Epstein were innocuous.

We wish to make it expressly clear that our client had no involvement in any of the alleged crimes committed by Mr. Epstein, and code words were never used by Mr. Staley in any communications with Mr. Epstein, ever, the attorney said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN)

New Bern, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2023)  Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) recently received $753,700 in funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation as part of its Community-Based Grants Initiative.

The funding will be used to extend public utilities and prepare land to serve a 90-acre Corporate Aerospace Development site planned at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. The end state of the project could result in aerospace companies creating up to 100 new jobs over time with an average annual wage of $43,435.

We are so pleased to begin developing this property with the help from the Golden LEAF Foundation, this is the spark that the airport needed to successfully transition the vacant property into a leading aerospace business site for the region. This development will help increase the current $513 million annual impact of the airport, said Airport Director Andy Shorter.

The new area will be adjacent to the main runway at EWN and have easy access to Old Airport Road and future Interstate 42. The project will begin this Spring.

The Craven County Board of Commissioners are grateful for Golden LEAFs investment, as the airport is a critical asset for our County and the region. This project signifies a continued commitment to strengthening economic development in Craven County, said Jason Jones, Chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners and Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority Board Member.

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors supports the development of industrial sites to attract new businesses and create opportunities for existing businesses to expand, especially in rural areas, said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. We are excited about the job creation potential this project will have for Craven County and across the region.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolinas funding from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers.

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For more than 20 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolinas rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA REGIONAL AIRPORT

Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) is a modern, full-service airport supporting commercial and private aviation activities. With an easy-to-navigate terminal, friendly staff, affordable parking, quick check-in, and security, EWN boasts one of the Southeast's most accessible and convenient regional airports and an "enjoyable air travel experience." The airport acts as the inbound gateway to historic New Bern, the Crystal Coast, The Outer Banks, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, Marine Air Station Cherry Point, and Swansboro, and a portal to destinations all over the world. Learn more at FlyEWN.com.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: EWN will look to create up to 100 new jobs with this new expansion project
Tatcha is unveiling its first U.S. pop-up in Los Angeles. Open to the public, it runs Friday through Sunday at the Grove.

We love that the pop-up is going to bring to life our core beliefs around the skin-mind connection, said Tatchas chief executive officer Mary Yee. Launched by Vicky Tsai in 2009, the prestige beauty brand was acquired by Unilever in 2019.

More from WWD

Visitors will be immersed in a 4D re-creation of a Japanese forest, led by the voice of zen monk and Tatcha ambassador Toryo Ito. The exhibit is held to celebrate a new body collection: Forest Awakening Body Care, comprised of a body wash, oil and milk.

A first look at the immersive experience, a 4D re-creation of a Japanese forest.

Forest bathing, in Japanese shinrin-yoku, this ritual of connecting to nature through the senses has become a common medical practice prescribed by Japanese physicians to boost immunity and mood, Yee said. So, research shows that physical and mental health benefits of the forest come from breathing in this forest air, which is rich with phytoncides, which are these organic compounds produced by hinoki, one of our most beloved Japanese trees.

There will be interactive activities, giveaways, contests and matcha drinks provided. To purchase the beauty goods, guests will be directed a few steps away to Sephora.

Its a cultural hub for our press and influencer partners based on the West Coast, Yee said of choosing L.A. as its first U.S. destination. Past installations have been in Japan and London. And were also really thrilled to be located just two doors down from one of our most traffic locations on the globe, Sephora, our top U.S. retail partner.

Tatchas 4D Forest Exhibit is located at 188 South Gilmore Lane (near Dylans Candy Bar), accessible from 2 to 8 p.m. Those unable to be in-person can experience the pop-up online via a digital guided forest walk on the Tatcha site.

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WASHINGTON A staffer from George Santos' campaign posed as a top aide to House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy to raise campaign funds  and kept up the front over the course of two campaign cycles, according to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday.

The complaint, filed by liberal political action committee End Citizens United, alleges McCarthy's office was aware since 2021 the campaign staffer was impersonating the then-minority leader's chief of staff.

The new complaint is the latest sign of trouble for the freshman Republican from New York, who has stepped down from his committee assignments, but has doubled down on his refusal to leave Congress despite calls for his resignation.

Santos' lawyer and McCarthy's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

The news comes to you: Get political news, fast and to the point, delivered to your inbox.

Here's what we know.

What does the complaint say?

The complaint alleges a member of Santos' campaign team solicited money under false pretenses by pretending to be McCarthy's chief of staff.

It is the third complaint End Citizens United filed with the FEC related to Santos' finances. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., and the Campaign Legal Center also requested investigations from the FEC into his campaign funds. Those two are not related to the latest complaint.

'My sins here are embellishing my resume': Rep.-elect George Santos admits to lying about college and career

Who filed the complaint?

U.S. Rep.-elect George Santos (R-NY) walks in the House Chamber during the second day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 04, 2023 in Washington, DC.

End Citizens United, a political action committee that focuses on money in politics, filed the complaint on Wednesday.

The group aims to reverse the Supreme Court's 2010 decision that determined free speech applies to corporations and allows them to give unlimited political contributions to candidates.

End Citizens United filed an additional complaint last month with the FEC that alleged Santos used a shell corporation to fund more than $700,000 in loans that he gave to his campaign.

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The committee previously filed complaints against Santos with the Department of Justice and Office of Congressional Ethics.

More: Defiant George Santos vows to serve out term; McCarthy declines to act amid GOP pressure

'Fraudulent fundraising.' What is that?

Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., walks through the Capitol as the House meets for a fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

The complaint alleges that Sam Miele, who worked as a fundraiser for Santos' campaign in 2020 and 2022, sent emails and made calls soliciting money and identifying himself as McCarthy's Chief of Staff Dan Meyer. Miele would then follow up with donors using fake email addresses.

One donor contacted by Miele became suspicious and reached out to McCarthy's office to confirm the outreach. They were told by Meyer "this isn't me," according to the complaint.

End Citizens United claims Miele, on behalf of Santos' campaign, violated federal law by misrepresenting himself when soliciting campaign funds and gave the impression that McCarthy endorsed the donations.

No degree: George Santos' college education is a myth. Is he the only one lying? We checked

What has been said about the allegations?

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks during a news conference outside of his office at the U.S. Capitol on January 24, 2023.

According to the complaint, McCarthy's office was aware that Miele was impersonating Meyer as early as August 2021.

When this issue came to our attention last year, I raised it with the Santos campaign and felt it was resolved to our satisfaction," Elliot Berke, McCarthy's counsel, told the New York Post.

More: Rep. George Santos' finances are raising questions. Here's what public records show.

What else is Santos accused of doing?

Santos has been in hot water for fabricating his background and lying about his finances. He is facing accusations of sexual harassment alongside investigations into his background on the federal and local levels.

Go deeper:

George Santos controversy: Here's a look at investigations of the House Republican

What we know: Companies linked to embattled congressman George Santos draw scrutiny.

'My sins here are embellishing my resume': Rep.-elect George Santos admits to lying about college and career

Calls for resignation: Six GOP congressmen from NY say embattled Rep. George Santos should resign for lies

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Complaint: Santos staffer pretended to be McCarthy aide to raise funds
picture alliance - Getty Images

On Monday morning, a major, 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the central Turkey and northwest Syria regions. Hours later, an aftershock earthquake that was almost equally strong at 7.5 magnitude, struck north of the original quake.

The death toll, as of now, is estimated to be at least 17,500 people according to the latest reports from CNN. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a press event that 64,194 people are currently injured. More are missing across Turkey and Syria. Recovery efforts are well underway, as several countries and organizations have begun reaching out to provide assistance. According to Reuters, Erdogan also announced that 45 countries have already offered help with rescue and recovery. But there are ways for individual citizens to contribute as well. Below is a list of reputable organizations where you can contribute to the cause.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Doctors Without Borders or MSF is an international organization that provides medical aid to various countries in need. They have been treating people in Turkey in their associated hospitals and have been donating emergency medical kits to other people in the region. You can learn more here or donate to their emergency medical relief here.

Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)

The Syrian American Medical Society has provided humanitarian and medical relief for Syria and Turkey since 2011. They are currently providing medical assistance at the Bab Al Hawa hospital in Syria for victims of the earthquake. You can donate to their efforts on their website here.

Save the Children

Save the Children is on the ground in Turkey and Syria ready to provide emergency assistance to children in need. They are working to gather resources to provide shelter, food, and warm clothing for children affected by the earthquake. You can learn more and help their cause here.

Turkish Red Crescent

Turkish Red Crescent is the largest humanitarian organization across Turkey and is a branch of the international Red Crescent and Red Cross organization. Their team has been directed to the affected region since the start of the earthquake. They have mobile kitchens, tents, and blankets ready for affected people in the region. Support their efforts here.

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Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations

The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) has been providing relief and medical care to locals affected by the Syrian War since 2012. They have publicly announced a need for humanitarian aid as they undergo rescue operations. The UOSSM have asked for international communities to provide medical resources and assistance as their hospitals and medical facilities have been overwhelmed. You can donate to their operations on their website here.

The International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation

The IBC has released a public appeal for emergency assistance in the wake of the earthquakes. Efforts are being made to rescue tens of thousands of people who are trapped under rubble and collapsed structures. The IBC has operations based in Turkey and Syria and has requested these items as urgent for their rescue efforts:

Tens of thousands tents

Heaters for the tents

Tens of thousands blankets

Thermal clothes

Ready to Eat Food for at least to 5000 people we have reach for a period of at least

Basic first aid kits

Donation information can be found here and on their website.

Unicef

Unicef, or the United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations. They provide humanitarian aid to children and adolescents in need around the world. They are currently on the ground in Syria providing aid to separated and unaccompanied children. Learn more about their operation and how to donate here.

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Juky just needs someone to show her love.

Spending time waiting for a forever home is boring at best, but lots of dogs like Juky find it unbearable. To be fair, a shelter environment is far from relaxing! Kennels are small, neighbors can be noisy, and the fear of the unknown can be overpowering.

We completely understand why Juky the rescue pup is starting to become extremely 'kennel stressed' after only a few weeks at KC Pet Project. Videos from shelter photographer @katie.and.the.snoots show just how sweet she is, though--so we know she'll find her forever home soon!

View the original article to see embedded media.

Would you believe that this is the same dog who's panting, pacing, and circling in her kennel? She seems like the silliest, sweetest dog, and it breaks our hearts to think of her being so sad.

"Little one is telling you [her] whole day," wrote commenter @dust6216. She totally is! We're so glad that Katie was able to indulge Juky in a conversation, especially now that we know she's struggling in the shelter. This video might have been taken a few weeks ago, but it shows her true personality!

Recently, though, Katie posted the rest of Juky's story.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Aww, poor girl! We're hoping with all of our hearts that someone sees these videos and comes to Juky's rescue. She deserves all the love in the world!

"We are rooting for you sweet girl!" wrote commenter @mostlymuttsga. You can say that again! Not only does this pup have tons of new fans, but she also has a few folks contemplating a road trip.

@Nursecrazyeyes asked, "What are the adoption fees? I need an idea before I drive from Colorado." OMG, we'd love to see this match happen! We can only hope that Katie's next video about Jukie is the news we've all been waiting for.

Don't miss another headline from PetHelpful! Follow us on Google News by clicking the star in the top right hand corner for the latest updates curated just for you.

Do you have a pet who's funny, smart, full of personality, or just downright adorable? We'd love for you to submit a video of your fur baby for a chance to be featured on PetHelpful and our social channels! Click here to upload your clip and share your beloved pet with the world. For more interesting pet news, be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

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Missing New Mexico Dog Found Walking on South Carolina Road 7 Years After Disappearance

missing new mexico dog

Photo Credit: Mint Images  Norah Levine / Getty Images

It never ceases to amaze us how far from home lost dogs turn up  and how many years have often passed since their families last saw them. This story involves a missing New Mexico dog named Nugget who went missing from his home in Farmington in 2015 only to reappear in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, over seven years later.

Missing New Mexico Dog Found 1,700 Miles From Home

Nugget is a 16-year-old dog who was recently seen limping down the road in the rain in South Carolina. A Travelers Rest resident named Jennifer spotted the injured canine from her porch.

My first thought was I need to take him to the emergency vet and get him checked for a microchip, Jennifer told local news station WYFF4.

Jennifer rescued the pup and took him to an animal hospital. The dog was scanned and sure enough, he had a microchip that identified him as Nugget. What wasnt expected, however, was the address that came back linked to the microchip. It was 1,700 miles away!

Jennifer texted the dog parents registered phone number. A woman named Jessie Springer answered. She couldnt believe that her dog had made it across several states, much less that he was still alive.

When Jen texted me, I was like, wait, what? Springer told WYFF4. This dog never left my side, so I thought he had like walked off to die because he was already old.



Lost Dog Reunited With Mom

Carolina Loving Hound Rescue (CLHR) collaborated with Jennifer and Springer to reunite Nugget with his family. The organization even footed the bill for Springer to pick the pup up in South Carolina.

In a Facebook update, CLHR reported that Nugget and Mom had a great flight home yesterday. Jessie said people at the Dallas Airport recognized Nugget as he was prancing around.

The post continued: Huge shout out to all the flight Crews at American for letting Nugget sit in Moms Lap. They where both exhausted when they got home and went to bed.



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No one knows how Nugget made it from the Land of Enchantment to the Palmetto State, but CLHR believes that someone likely picked up the dog while traveling cross-country and didnt realize he belonged to someone else.

The post Missing New Mexico Dog Found Walking on South Carolina Road 7 Years After Disappearance appeared first on DogTime.
This is an excerpt from Incoming, BuzzFeed News morning newsletter dedicated to making sense of this chaotic world we live in. Join the club.

Three students were killed in a shooting at Michigan State University

Michigan State University students hug during the active shooter situation. Bill Pugliano / Getty Images

In the 67th mass shooting in the US this year, a man opened fire on the Michigan State University campus Monday evening, killing three people and critically injuring five more . All eight were students at the university.

After a three-hour search, police found the suspect off campus, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The suspect was identified as Anthony McRae, 43. According to campus police, he had no affiliation with the school, and the motive remains unclear.

Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the country, responsible for more than 38,000 deaths annually . In the aftermath of the shooting, footage of the terrified students showed one wearing a sweatshirt commemorating the Oxford High School shooting , which killed four students in Michigan in November 2021. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan called it the most haunting picture of last night.

We have children in Michigan who are living through their second school shooting in under a year and a half, she said at a news conference Tuesday. If this is not a wake-up call to do something, I dont know what is.

These are the students killed in the MSU shooting

The three deceased victims were identified as Alexandria Verner , a junior from Clawson, Brian Fraser , a sophomore from Grosse Pointe, and Arielle Anderson , a junior also from Grosse Pointe.

Verner was studying biology and anthropology and was expected to graduate in 2024, according to her LinkedIn. She is survived by her parents, brother, and sister. Her father, Ted Verner, told the Washington Post , Its going to be my mission in life to make sure that families dont go [through] what we went through, he said.

Andersons loved ones remembered her for her sweet and gentle nature. The 19-year-old loved children and hoped to become a pediatrician after graduating, family members told 7 Action News . Her uncle, Tim Davis, described her to the Detroit News as "kind-hearted" and "always helpful."

Frasers family is grieving privately, his sister Micaela told the Detroit Free Press , but she said she wants her brothers name to be remembered. She also asked the reporter whether they have any siblings; the reporter said yes, an older brother. Tell him you love him, Micaela replied.

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SNAPSHOTS

California Sen. Diane Feinstein announced her retirement, and then seemingly got confused. Senator, we put out your statement, one staffer said, to which Feinstein responded , You put out the statement? I didnt know they put it out. So, it is what it is. I think the time has come.

The body of a missing 16-year-old girl was found in the woods, and a police officer has been accused of concealing her death. Miles Bryant, 22, was fired from the Doraville Police Department and arrested on suspicion of concealing the death of Susana Morales as well as falsely reporting a crime.

Dave Hollis, a former Disney executive and Rachel Hollis's ex-husband, has died at 47. From 2011 to 2018, Dave led theatrical distribution at Disney during major milestones for the movie studio. Prior to his and Rachel's divorce in 2020, the two rose to fame through Rachels popular Instagram account where they espoused hard work, humility, and the importance of family.

Emily Ratajkowski and Eric Andre responded to rumors that they're dating with a nude Valentine's Day post. In the photo, a nude Andre reclines on a couch holding a glass of wine with pink heart emojis covering his crotch.

How the invention of skin tone emojis kickstarted a legal battle against Big Tech

Diverse emojis designed by Parrott Courtesy Katrina Parrott

In 2013, Katrina Parrott came up with the idea of emojis in diverse skin tones. Ten years later, the Black mom from League City, Texas, said she is still waiting for recognition for her idea  and a patent, for which she has been rejected multiple times .

This week, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas are using Parrotts example to demand answers from the US Patent and Trademarks Office about why people of color, women, and other underrepresented inventors are granted significantly fewer patents than Big Tech.

According to one study , over 50% of new US patents went to the top 1% wealthiest patentees in 2020. Parrott has received multiple patent rejections for her diverse emojis over five years, while Apple, whom Parrott unsuccessfully sued for copyright infringement, was granted more than 2,500 patents in 2021 alone.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

People attend a candlelit vigil in memory of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey on Feb. 14, 2023, in Liverpool, England. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

The Eve 6 guy gives advice for those who feel unlucky in love

John J. Custer for BuzzFeed News

I just turned 27, and Ive never been in a committed relationship. When the pandemic hit, my social life died and never fully recovered. I now find myself still single but much older and missing out on experiences that are probably important for my growth as a person.

Now I realize Im old as shit  Im 44  but if 27 isnt young, Ill eat a plane. Twenty-seven is young. You are not weird or defective for not having been in a long-term relationship yet, and, as you said, the COVID quarantine years are highly extenuating circumstances. I would bet real-ass money that there are millions of people your age who never had a long-term relationship pre-COVID, had their dating lives put on hold, and are now in a similar situation to yours.

Own your experience of never having been in a long-term relationship at 27. You dont have to make it your whole personality, and you dont have to shy away from it. Be open and honest with the people in your life. As for your peers and dating prospects, I think youll find that not having been in a long-term relationship isnt something that separates you from them, but may in fact be a place of common ground. Oftentimes our secrets are extremely relatable, but we dont realize it because were too scared of rejection to say them out loud. Max Collins

This is an excerpt from Maxs full response to this query. Read what else Max said  and his response to another advice-seeker in a controlling relationship  here .

Still reading, eh? Seems like you might want to get this in your inbox. No pressure though. Just some food for thought.
Paradise Ranch, a new off-the-grid glamping property, sits on 50 waterfront acres in Three Rivers, California, just outside Sequoia National Park.

Kenneth Willardt

The appeal of mirrored cabins is undeniable. Their striking design is not only made for the Instagram era but also gives the illusion of invisibility by perfectly blending in with their surroundings, delivering privacy and a memorable experience. So no wonder mirrored dwellings have been popping up all across the country  from the mountains of Tennessee to the California coastline. The latest example is Paradise Ranch, a new off-the-grid glamping property sitting on 50 waterfront acres in Three Rivers, California, just outside Sequoia National Park. It opened in summer 2022.

Kenneth Willardt

Founded by Danish fashion photographer Kenneth Williard, the modern ranch features three glamping tents and four mirrored cabins hidden among the rocky landscape and lush trees, with views of the Kaweah River. Each of the houses, built by the Estonian building and hospitality company OOD House (which is also behind this mirrored Tulum rental) delivers all the conveniences of modern-day living blended with stylish Danish minimalism. The walls are clad in dramatic dark wood panelinga result of the Japanese technique Shou Sugi Ban which consists of charring the wood surface to make it waterproof, that Williard finished in a herringbone pattern. Floor-to-ceiling windows let plenty of sunlight in, allowing guests to wake up to 180-degree views.

Sun-heated floors, lounge and work areas complement the interiors. And outside, a patio with a private hot tub is the perfect way to end the day. Some of the dwellings also have pizza ovens, a Hibachi grill, and firepits.

I looked everywhere for the most interesting and beautiful tiny houses, and when I saw the mirror houses from OOD House, I immediately knew this is [eco-friendly]. The fact that no one sees the houses in nature, but you see nature is the big new idea, Williard told Travel+Leisure.

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Guests also have a cedar barrel sauna at their disposal, with a hammock camp by the river in the works, too. And while the ranch is all about bringing travelers closer to Mother Nature and off-the-grid living, high-speed internet is still available for those who are not ready to completely disconnect from the world.

Guests can fill their days at Paradise Ranch with scenic hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, thrilling whitewater rafting on the Kaweah River (one of the countrys steepest), or simply taking in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain views.

Nightly rates at Paradise Ranch start at $296 for the tents and $444 for the mirrored cabins.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
The dates for Passover change every year. Here's when you'll celebrate in 2023.

Tomertu/Getty Images

Passover (also known as Pesach) has been an integral part of the Jewish faith for centuries, as a celebration of when the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt. (In the Biblical story of their escape, the Jews were spared by the Angel of Death after they marked their doorways with lamb's blood.)

The celebration begins on the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, which coincides with a full moon. But as a lunar calendar, the Jewish calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar (AKA the solar calendar that most of the world uses), so Passover dates change year to year, within March and April.

In 2023, Passover runs from the evening of April 5, 2023, to the evening of Thursday, April 13, 2023. (In 2024, Passover will run from April 22 to April 30, if you're looking to plan ahead.)

Want to learn more about the timing of this popular Jewish holiday? Check out our Passover FAQs.

Related:An Introduction to Passover Traditions

Passover FAQs

Why does Passover stretch from sundown to sundown?

Most Jewish holidays (and the Jewish Sabbath) start at sundown. That's because the creation story in the Bible says God created night before dayso most celebrations or holy days begin in the evening, according to ReformJudaism.org.



Is Passover seven or eight days long?

The short answer: It depends! In Israel, Passover is only seven days long, while many celebrants outside Israel opt for eight daysa practice which began because Jews who had moved outside of Israel centuries ago weren't always able to know exactly when the holiday began, but could narrow it down to two days. (They celebrated both, to be safe!)

While some Reform Jews outside Israel have reverted to the seven-day calendar followed in Israel, many people of Jewish faith continue to celebrate Passover for eight days.

Why does Passover last for several days?

The timing of Pesach is meant to coincide with the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to their new homea journey that took seven days.

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When is the Seder dinner held?

Traditionally, the Seder dinner is held on the first night of Passover (or the first and second nights, if you're following the eight-day Pesach tradition). The meal includes several specific dishes and ingredients, like matzah (an unleavened, cracker-like bread), bitter herbs, wine, and charoseta wine, fruit, and nut paste. There are some rules about what can be served at a Sederand we have some simple and delicious Seder recipes to add to your meal this yearand don't forget Passover desserts!

Related:Preparing for the Seder Meal Checklist

How long does the Seder meal last?

There are a number of readings, songs, and other parts of the celebration (15 steps, to be exact) that take place before you dig into the Seder meal. So if you're lucky enough to be invited to a friend's Seder, don't arrive with your belly rumblingit'll be a little while before dinner is served.

How do Passover and Easter work together?

If you celebrate common Christian holidays, you're probably aware that Easter also shifts around during the spring monthsand Passover is part of the reason. In the New Testament, the Last Supper was Jesus was celebrating Passover with his disciples. After he was crucified, he was resurrected the following Sunday. While early Christians often celebrated Easter on Passover, in modern times, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the beginning of Paschal full moonwhich makes it April 9th in 2023. (Because the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, Easter is often held during Passover as a result.)



Related:The Most Popular Easter Traditions, Explained

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Read the original article on Real Simple.
Libyan Special Forces freed the Egyptians from an armed group who had kidnapped them

Twenty-three Egyptian citizens who had been kidnapped by an armed group in Libya have been freed and arrived in Cairo on Friday, the website of Egypt's state television channel reported.

Libyan special forces freed the Egyptians from the group. It was unclear which group had kidnapped the men.

In 2015, the Egyptian government issued a warning to citizens to avoid travelling to Libya after a local affiliate of the Islamic State militant group killed 20 Egyptian migrants near Derna.

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The royal family revealed that Camilla Parker Bowles will wear Queen Marys crown at King Charless coronation in May. The stones will be replaced with Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

Buckingham Palace unveiled the official emblem for King Charless coronation, which features a blue crown surrounded by red flowers.

On the latest episode of Royally Obsessed, co-hosts Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie discussed the upcoming BAFTAs and which royals they expect to attend.
Sixty lawmakers in the South Dakota House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that might prevent events like the South Dakota State Universitys Gender and Sexualities Alliances drag show from ever happening again.

Drag originated in 19th century British theater and has heavy roots in modern LGBTQ+ culture. It is a form of performance and entertainment that challenges assumptions of gender identity and expression.

House Bill 1116 adds a section to state law prohibiting state agencies, institutions and public school districts from spending public money or using state-owned facilities to develop, implement, facilitate, host, promote or fund any lewd or lascivious content."

Pollie Esther jumps around with a rain-soaked crowd during a drag show on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Pioneer Park for Brookings Pride.

Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Karr (R-Sioux Falls) said his bill came as a reaction to the SDSU student drag show and that he found it hard to believe both SDSU and the Board of Regents would be OK such an event, and again said he believed tax dollars were spent on the event.

However, SDSU President Barry Dunn clarified in a Nov. 15 statement the event wasnt supported by university funds.

More:One anti-drag bill passes, another tabled by South Dakota House State Affairs committee

Sioux Falls Democrats like Reps. Kadyn Wittman, Linda Duba and Kameron Nelson peppered Karr with questions about his bill Wednesday.

They asked questions like:

How will this allow our universities to promote free expression?

How will this impact university decision-making? How are we going to enforce this bill?

Whats the penalty if a college allows this type of event?

Have you ever been to a drag show?

Karr responded that the BOR has intellectual diversity rules and laws, that lewd or lascivious behavior isnt a First Amendment right, that colleges can filter out events to decide if its lewd or lascivious, that its a misdemeanor offense, and that hes never been to a drag show.

Nelson said drag shows and the art of drag are quite artistic, and told the House drag should be part of the exemption and passes the nationally-recognized Miller obscenity test with flying colors.

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Rep. David Kull (R-Brandon) noted there was some consternation about the Statue of David in Sioux Falls since hes lacking some regalia.

One mans trash is another mans treasure, and one persons art is another persons porn, Kull said of the issue, later voting against the bill.

More:South Dakota lawmakers push for 2 bills banning 'lewd' school events as reaction to SDSU drag show

Kull and fellow Republicans Rep. Roger Chase (R-Huron) and Rep. Jess Olson (R-Rapid City) voted against HB 1116, and all Democrats in the House voted against the bill.

Moments after the bill passed, the ACLU of South Dakota released a statement arguing that the legislation would violate South Dakotans First Amendment rights.

While the original intent of House Bill 1116 was to discriminate against LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit communities, it was amended to dampen the freedom of expression of all South Dakotans on school campuses, universities and state-funded performance centers, ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager Samantha Chapman said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SD House passes anti-drag bill banning 'lewd' events on state property
Steve-O will perform on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton.

Stand-up comedian, stunt performer and, of course, one of the Jackass stars Steve-O will be at the Bob Hope Theatre as part of his Steve-O: The Bucket List Tour."

Naughty, multimedia, and super original, is how Steve-O described his tour show to The Record.

Steve-O: The Bucket List Tour is a multimedia stand-up comedy act that showcases shocking stunts on film.

Steve-O described it as "the most explosive video footage that would never be allowed on Jackass.

But it also has its soft side.

Steve-O said the show brings up the most unlikely love story between him and his fiancee, the designer and stylist, Lux Wright whos from Stockton. She will be in the audience during his Stockton show, he said.

Steve-O said the show shares stories about their relationship, such as when he knew she was the one, which happened to be right in the middle of a "Bucket List Tour" stunt he was performing. Wright is his partner in crime even when at times she might not be in favor of his daring stunts, he said.

The tour began earlier this month in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It comes to Stockton on Thursday. Just two days later, on Saturday, it will be at the Redding Civic Auditorium in Redding.

My vision for the show was I'm going to do these forbidden stunts. You know, these stunts that were just too crazy to consider doing in the past and now I'm actually going to do them, Steve-O said.

Steve-O's move to "big theaters" follows 12 years of stand-up comedy at comedy clubs.

"Jackass Forever" (Oct. 22, theaters): Johnny Knoxville (far left), Sean McInerny, Rachel Wolfson and Steve-O are up to their old stunts and shenanigans in the comedy, including getting up close and personal with a snake.

I was just kind of quietly grinding on the comedy club circuit for over a decade ... as I developed the craft of the storytelling and the stand-up, like my worlds, just kind of gradually converged, Steve-O said.

His Stockton show is one of the few shows in the U.S. tour that is not already sold out.

It will be my first time coming to Stockton ... my opener in Stockton is the controversial Bam Margera, he said.

"Jackass" star Margera, who in December survived a serious case of COVID-19, will also open other shows in California, including those in Redding and Santa Rosa.

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The show consists of about 10 different videos filmed for the tour. There will be no actual live stunts. But as Steve-O shares, the most absurd stories on stage that no one would ever believe are possibly true. He will then share with the audience the receipts that they did in fact happen.

The bar for the stunts is so high, that it would be an absolute insult to try to do anything live on stage that could meet that standard, he said.

The event is for adults only and is classified as X-rated, or as Steve-O describes it, properly triple X rated.

Aside from stand-up comedy and stunts, Steve-O recently released his second book, "A Hard Kick in the Nuts: What I've Learned from a Lifetime of Terrible Decisions."

He summed it up as uncomfortably intimate and revealing and juicy.

There's nobody doing anything like this, Steve-O said.

If you go:

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26

Where: Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St.

Admission: $32+

Information: bit.ly/3IvcPPC

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Steve-O of 'Jackass' brings his 'Bucket List Tour' to Stockton
Theres one word for what six of the seven southwestern states that draw water from the Colorado River are trying to do to California: bullying.

The good news for Californians is that Gov. Gavin Newsom isnt standing for it.

No, Newsom hasnt directly called out the other six states involved (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada) for their tactics. Hes let his appointee Wade Crowfoot, California secretary of natural resources, do the talking.

But Newsom has a record of standing up to bullies, as in his attack ads during the last campaign season against both Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Both insult California at every opportunity. Newsom fired back in mostly symbolic TV commercials, once calling DeSantis Gov. DeathSantis because his laissez faire COVID policies probably resulted in tens of thousands more deaths from the pandemic than if hed followed shutdown policies like Newsoms.

The bullying this time comes from the other six Colorado River basin states, which want California to cut its use of the rivers water more than they would their own usage.

Its a case of bullying, for sure, a matter of 6-1. With 12 U.S. senators to Californias two, the other six states have been louder. Its also a case of several smallish tails trying to wag the big dog, California. More than 20 million Californians depend directly on the Colorado, while the other six states total about that much population among them, not all using Colorado River water. California usage impacts many more people than direct users of the river water, too, because it takes pressure off the state Water Project and cuts the threat of drawing water from wild Northern California rivers like the Trinity, Smith and Eel.

For sure, cuts are coming in water usage along the Colorado. That rivers two big reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, stand at levels not seen since they opened in the early and mid-20th century.

The other six states want usage cut in part in proportion to how much water disappears en route to a particular state via seepage and evaporation. That puts most of the onus on California, because its nearly the end point of the river.

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But California is insisting on its rights under the 1920s-era compact that governs the Colorado. And California is being consistent. For example, this state did not resist when the Central Arizona Project aqueduct opened in 1993, taking billions of gallons daily from the river across hundreds of miles south to the Valley of the Sun, where it allowed huge growth in Phoenix, Tucson and their suburbs. Without that water, authorized under the compact, Arizona would be far shy of its current 7.2 million population.

California figuratively sucked up its gut and relied more on internal supplies, including Sierra Nevada Mountains snowpack and underground aquifers.

Now the other states essentially want to scrap the old compact, their main argument seeming to be that they agree mistreating Californians would be terrific.

But Newsom is not standing for it, insisting the law is on Californias side.

The dispute could eventually harm Newsom politically, as swing states like Nevada, Arizona and Colorado could be important for him in a future presidential bid.

Thats not intimidating him.

The first referee of all this will likely be President Bidens Interior Department, which demanded an agreement among the states by late January. That did not happen.

Now Biden is caught in the middle as he looks to a possible reelection run next year. Does he alienate some purple states by causing new water rationing there, or does he go after big cuts in California, source of his largest bloc of electoral votes? Any reduced use would especially hit the largely agricultural Imperial Valley, which grows most of Americas winter lettuce, broccoli, melons, onions, carrots and spinach.

Reality is there will be slashes in Colorado River usage, despite heavy snowpack at the systems Rocky Mountain headwaters. Snowmelt will not nearly refill the big reservoirs.

Newsoms administration has proposed substantial cuts. Said Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla, Six other Western states dictating (what) California must give up isnt a genuine consensus decision, especially (when) they havent offered any new cuts of their own.

A preliminary decision will likely come by midsummer.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California resists bullying along the Colorado River
A fundraiser for Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez has raised more than $260,000. The Michigan State University student was one of the five students critically injured in the shooting on MSU's campus Monday night, according to her sister. GoFundMe has verified the account.

EAST LANSING - Less than two days after three Michigan State University students were killed in a mass shooting on its campus, an online fundraiser for injured Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez has raised more than $260,000.

Though MSU police have said they "will not be confirming" the names of the five students critically injured in the Monday shooting, Huapilla-Perez, a junior at MSU studying hospitality business, is one of them, according to her sister Selena Huapilla-Perez.

Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez and the four others injured remained in critical condition Wednesday.

Huapilla-Perez is a student in the university's College Assistance Migrant Program, Selena Huapilla-Perez said on the fundraiser's page, through GoFundMe.

"She is a leader in the community and beyond," Selena Huapilla-Perez said. "Lupe is incredibly hard-working, focused, and ambitious, choosing a career path that's never been explored in our family."

Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez's family, migrants who live in Florida, "immediately traveled to Michigan to be with Lupe and are now eyeing costs that will further burden us at this incredibly difficult time," Selena Huapilla-Perez said. "She is a long way from returning to us as she was."

More than 6,000 donations were made and over $260,000 was raised through the fundraiser by Wednesday afternoon.

"Doctors tell us that even in improving conditions, the process for a full recovery will take months of care and subsequent rehabilitation," Selena Huapilla-Perez said.

GoFundMe has verified the validity of the account, according to the platform.

It's one of two fundraisers connected to the MSU shooting on the site that the platform has verified. The other is a fundraiser for local dispatcher Aimee Barajas, who was working the night of the shooting. It has raised over $3,000. Find them both here.

READ MORE:

'I don't want to be a statistic:' Michigan State University students rally at Capitol for safety

Pro-gun message on MSU's Rock painted over to honor students killed

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Michigan State shooting victim Alexandria Verner defined 'all that is great,' Clawson official says

Ese Esan, communications manager for GoFundMe, said the platform "proactively monitors and verifies fundraisers" during disasters and other crises.

There's a review process for ensuring accounts are trustworthy, Esan said in an email.

"This process includes both a robust human review from our world-class Trust & Safety experts as well as technical tools designed to catch misuse," she said. "It must also be clear who the organizer is, as well as the person, business, or charity they are raising funds for, the organizers relationship to the recipient of the funds, and how the funds will be used."

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: GoFundMe for injured MSU shooting victim raises more than $260,000
Former U.S. President Donald Trump (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Scott Eisen / Getty Images

One or more witnesses in Georgias inquiry into Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election may have lied under oath, the special grand jury in the case revealed in a brief report released Thursday.

The grand jury recommended charging any witnesses who may have perjured themselves.

A majority of the grand jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it, the report read . The grand jury recommends that the district attorney seek appropriate indictments for such crimes where the evidence is compelling.

The five-page report, released by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, is excerpted from a longer report by the grand jury. The released section includes the introduction, the conclusion, and a section in which the jury addressed the possibility of perjury.

The special grand jury was examining efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump has claimed without evidence was stolen via voter fraud. In its report, the grand jury reaffirmed there was no voter fraud, noting that it had heard extensive testimony from poll workers, investigators, state employees, and more.

We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election, the report read.

Over seven months, the grand jury heard testimony from 75 witnesses, including former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Georgia Republican Party chair David Shafer .

Notably, the special grand jurys report does not name who may have committed perjury or opine about whether other laws may have been broken. While a special grand jury can recommend charges, indictments are ultimately up to the discretion of prosecutors.

At the heart of the investigation, which began in February 2021, is an hourlong phone call in January 2021 between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which Trump instructed Raffensperger to find nearly 12,000 votes he needed to win the state in the 2020 election.

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All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state, Trump continued in the call . President Joe Biden had won Georgia with 11,779 votes.

Investigators also reviewed evidence of potential criminal activity and conspiracy to overturn the election, including false election fraud claims, unauthorized access to voting machines, and threats and harassment against election workers.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated she may bring charges following the grand jurys report. Last month at a hearing in Atlanta she told the presiding judge that the decision whether to bring charges was  imminent . The grand jurys recommendations on criminal charges remain sealed as of Feb. 16.

More on this
Last weekend was false spring alright. Looking out your window Thursday, you'll feel like you're in a snow globe with big snowflakes and breezy conditions.

Here is the latest on the conditions outside so you can stay safe.

Snowplows plow Second Avenue outside of Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

NWS: Prepare for 'refreeze'

As of late Thursday afternoon, the snow storm is moving east, allowing for a bit of reprieve in central Iowa.

However, the National Weather Service in Des Moines is warning residents to continue to use caution when traveling on the roads and to prepare for a potential "refreeze" as temperatures are expected to drop to as low as seven degrees tonight.

Snow plows are working in high gear to clean off the streets, however, meteorologist Roger Vachalek said many side roads and a few major thoroughfares are still covered in snow or residual slush.

"Anything that's still slushy right now that hasn't been removed on the roads will turn to ice in the morning," he said.

Vachalek said it will be particularly important for drivers to use caution during their morning commute on Friday morning when roads are still expected to be slick.

Road Update at 4:20 pm This Afternoon: Still Poor travel conditions across the eastern half of the state. Please use caution! Refreeze on roads tonight will lead to icy patches - keep that in mind. #iawx pic.twitter.com/1eRhQir295  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) February 16, 2023

Iowa State Patrol responds to hundreds of calls for service

As of 3 p.m., the Iowa State Patrol responded to 93 crashes, including 89 that caused property damage and four that resulted in injuries. The department also responded to 125 calls for motorist assistance.

Crash on I-35 near Ames involving 6 semis blocked southbound lanes

Law enforcement and emergency services responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 southbound near Ames.

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Capt. Nicholas Lennie of the Story County Sheriff's Office said a two-vehicle crash on the interstate caused "a subsequent pile-up" that involved four to six semis, which were found in nearby ditches or jackknifed in the road.

He said one of the accidents caused a few minor injuries to the drivers such as scratches, cuts and bruises.

The crash occurred between Exit 116 at County Road E29 and Exit 113 at 13th Street, about two miles north of Ames. Southbound lanes were blocked following the crash, according to Iowa 511, but reopened to traffic at 190th Street at about 2:24 p.m.

More:Crash on I-35 near Ames potentially involving 6 semis and 8 cars blocks southbound lanes

NWS: "Stellar dendrites" snowflakes falling with heavy accumulations

Heavier snow is moving through central Iowa at 1.5 to 2 inches per hour being reported in the South-Central region, according to the National Weather Service. Hazardous conditions are still expected.

The National Weather Service office in Johnston is reporting large, fluffy flakes in their location, also known as "stellar dendrites."

Impressive snowfall rates at 12 noon at the NWS office here in Johnston. Large, fluffy flakes observed, with snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour currently. For you scientists, we call these stellar dendrites. #iawx pic.twitter.com/7mhc62IxNi  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) February 16, 2023

How much snow has fallen in Iowa and how much more can we expect?

An Iowa DOT road camera shows Interstate Highway 235 near downtown Des Moines partially covered with snow around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

As noon, the National Weather Service has measured 3.7 inches at the Des Moines Airport. As much as 8 inches has been reported in southwest Iowa.

The heaviest snowfall rates are expected through the morning and afternoon, with as much as 1-2 inches falling per hour at times. The highest snowfall amounts over southern Iowa may approach as much as 8 to 10 inches in some locations. Des Moines is likely to see 4 to 6 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

List: How much snow did Des Moines get so far Thursday? Top snowfall reports in Iowa

Highest snowfall amounts over southern Iowa may approach 8-10" in some locations.



Over some counties, there will be a gradient in snow totals with amounts varying by as much as 6" from one part of a county to the other part of the same county.



2/2#iawx pic.twitter.com/7FjvYl586c  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) February 16, 2023

Highest snowfall amounts over southern Iowa may approach 8-10" in some locations.



Over some counties, there will be a gradient in snow totals with amounts varying by as much as 6" from one part of a county to the other part of the same county.



2/2#iawx pic.twitter.com/7FjvYl586c  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) February 16, 2023

Winter weather advisory remains in effect

latest statewide radar loop. Band of heavier snow now moving across central Iowa. Snowfall rates as high as 1.5-2.0 inches/hour being reported across parts of South-Central Iowa. Hazardous travel is expected. #iawx pic.twitter.com/DuK6CzQCjb  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) February 16, 2023

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory to be in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday. Portions of southern Iowa are under a winter storm warning.

Snow accumulation will continue through the morning hours, with the peak rate being around or greater than an inch an hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of the snow will fall before 4 p.m. Des Moines will see a high of 28 with a wind chill value as low as 10, and wind going 15 to 17 mph with gusts as high as 29 mph. Tonight the low will sit around 7 degrees and a wind chill value at zero and gusts as high as 24 mph.

511: Iowa road conditions will make for slick commute

(2-16 Noon) Winter weather continues to creep further north this afternoon as heavy snow piles up in other parts of Iowa. We have 300+ plows out, not to mention all the city and county crews. If you need to travel in an impacted area, please slow down and give them room to work. pic.twitter.com/vrgmHgxcVM  Iowa DOT (@iowadot) February 16, 2023

As of noon, the Iowa DOT reported having more than 300 snow plows on highways and interstates across the Iowa. Heavy snow and wind gusts are keeping most roads south of I-80 completely covered.

Visibility could drop to less than a mile in some spots, the NWS said.

Be sure to drive slowly and give others plenty of space.

Visibility on I-235; 30 mins apart

Significant reduction in visibility in a very short period of time! Headlights on, slow down! #ArriveAlive #iawx pic.twitter.com/a0vfHcooac  Des Moines Police (@DMPolice) February 16, 2023

Des Moines Police Department has responded to at least six accidents as of 12:35 p.m.

Monitor this thread for significant traffic-related events / issues that could impact your commute this morning. #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/7zFyweZNK6  Des Moines Police (@DMPolice) February 16, 2023

Des Moines Public Libraries available as warming centers

All Des Moines Public Library locations remain open today during their normal hours and function as warming centers. Some library programs may be delayed or canceled today. To stay up to date, check their website events page.

Many Des Moines area schools are closed Thursday

Dozens of Iowa school cancellations have been posted Thursday due to the winter conditions. In the metro, this includes the biggest districts of:

Ankeny Schools

Des Moines Public Schools

Johnston Schools

Southeast Polk Schools

Urbandale Schools

Waukee Schools

West Des Moines Schools

Check with your local district for exact details.

Snow ordinances may restrict parking across the metro

Several metro communities have initiated snow ordinances, limiting parking in several areas:

Ankeny until 11 p.m. Thursday

Clive until 24 hours following the end of the winter weather event, 48 if snow has not been plowed curb to curb

Des Moine s generally until 24 to 48 hours after winter weather event

Johnson until 5 p.m. Thursday

Urbandale until streets are completely plowed and snow has stopped

Waukee until 5 p.m. Thursday

West Des Moines until 5 p.m. Friday

This story is ongoing and will be updated

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines school closings, road conditions as winter storm arrives
JD Vance speaks at a rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, April 23, 2022, in Delaware, Ohio. Joe Maiorana, File/AP

JD Vance may be best-known for his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which was adapted into a movie for Netflix.

Vance is a venture capitalist who formally entered politics in 2021, but he's had a national presence since 2016.

In November 2022, he was elected as a US Senator of Ohio at the age of 38.

Born into a tumultuous household in Ohio, JD Vance worked his way up to become a US senator in 2022 at the age of 38.

In a short period of time, Vance went from the Marines to Yale Law School to working as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley to becoming the best-selling author of "Hillbilly Elegy." Now, he's a successful Republican politician.

Vance has written a memoir about his life and beliefs, but has been criticized for changing his political views when it best serves him. For instance, he went from decrying former President Donald Trump to taking his political endorsement in 2021, and in January he even wrote about why he would be voting for Trump in 2024.

Here's his life and career until now.

James David Bowman, later known as JD Vance, was born in 1984 in Middletown, a poor Rust Belt town in Ohio.

The childhood home of JD Vance, the author of "Hillbilly Elegy" in Middleton, Ohio. Dan Sewell/AP

Sources: New York Times, BBC

Vance's father left his family, and his mother had a drug and alcohol addiction. He ended up spending a lot of his childhood with his grandparents in Jackson, Kentucky.

AK Steel's Middletown Works plant in Middletown, Ohio. Al Behrman, File/AP

In particular, Vance's grandmother, whom he affectionately called "Mamaw," had a big impact on him.

His Mamaw taught him to take responsibility for himself. She also said that most people were prejudiced but not openly, except when it came to "hillbillies."

"We are the only group of people you don't have to be ashamed to look down upon," Vance recalled his grandmother telling him in an interview with The American Conservative.

Sources: BBC, New Statesman, The American Conservative

To earn money, Vance worked at a local grocery store. He wrote about the class divide and the impact of social welfare he saw while there in his memoir. He resented food stamp recipients for being able to afford mobile phones and other luxuries his family couldn't.

Story continues

JD Vance speaks to supporters after winning the primary, at an election night event at Duke Energy Convention Center on May 3, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Source: The Guardian

After high school, Vance joined the Marines. He served for four years and went to Iraq. He wasn't involved in any combat but would go around with units, take photos, and write stories about what was going on.

JD Vance, author of the best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," poses for a photograph after a luncheon with teachers, before his talk and book signing at Miami University's student center in Oxford, Ohio. Dan Sewell/AP

Sources: New York Times, BBC, Military.com

He told The American Conservative that his time with the Marines was an education in "character and self-management." He was taught to succeed through adversity by repetition and that in turn made him more confident.

JD Vance in 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

Source: The American Conservative

After the Marines, Vance went to Ohio State University where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in political science and philosophy.

Ohio State University Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Sources: New York Times, BBC

He later enrolled at Yale Law School. In his memoir, he wrote about how out of place he felt there. He said he didn't know things his peers took for granted  for instance, that people could work in finance, or that you should wear a suit to a job interview.

JD Vance speaks at a rally in Mason, Ohio, on Jan. 30, 2022. Jeff Dean/AP

Sources: The Guardian, Washington Independent Review Of Books

During his first year, he attended a talk by PayPal founder Peter Thiel. Thiel told the students they were often falling into isolating jobs that weren't actually helping society. Vance called his talk the "most significant moment" of his time at university.

Peter Thiel. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Insider

Vance had several mentors, including David Frum, former President George W. Bush's speechwriter; and Yale law professor Amy Chua, who had written a memoir called "The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." It was Chua who convinced Vance to write his own memoir.

Amy Chau signs copies of "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" at Barnes & Noble, 86th & Lexington on March 10, 2011 in New York City. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

Sources: New York Times, BBC, The Guardian

He also met his wife Usha Chilukuri there in 2013 when the pair organized a discussion group about social decline in white America.

JD Vance embraces his wife Usha Vance after winning the primary, at an election night event at Duke Energy Convention Center on May 3, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Chilukuri went on to clerk for two Supreme Court justices, earn a Ph. D in history, and work for a high profile law firm.

In an interview with The American Conservative, Vance revealed that he didn't believe he was a great spouse at first.

"I had to learn, with the help of my aunt and sister, but especially with the help of my wife, how not to turn every small disagreement into a shouting match or a public scene," he said.

He told Megyn Kelly on her podcast that he really benefited from a strong female perspective to guide him. Originally it was his grandma; now, it was his wife.

He also said that she brought him down to earth. Whenever he got cocky, he said he reminded himself she was more accomplished than he was.

Sources: New York Times New Statesman, New York Times, The American Conservative

After graduating in 2013, Vance worked as a clerk for Senator John Cornyn and US District Judge David Bunning before he got a job working at Mithril Capital, a venture capital firm founded by Thiel.

JD Vance, author of the book "Hillbilly Elegy," poses for a portrait photograph near the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C., January 27, 2017. Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Sources: New York Times, New Statesman, Insider

In 2016, Vance published his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," when he was 31. The book was a New York Times bestseller. The American Conservative called it "an American classic" and "the most important book of 2016."

A copy of Hillbilly Elegy. Jeff Dean/AP

The Economist said in a review that "you will not read a more important book about America this year."

The book was published around the time former President Donald Trump won the Republican nomination.

A review of the book in the Los Angeles Times was titled: "JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy' provides a window into the pain and anger of Trump's America."

Sources: New York Times, Politico, New Statesman, Los Angeles Times

The book gave Vance a national platform. It was often referred to by commentators as a way to understand America's white working class, and in doing so, help understand Trump's popularity.

JD Vance and Seth Meyers in 2017. Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Sources: Politico, BBC, Insider, New Statesman

Not everyone agreed with what he had written. Vance was often particularly critical of Appalachians in his memoir, calling them lazy and that "many folks talk about working more than they actually work."

JD Vance in an elevator in 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

During a panel discussion in 2018, a group of young Appalachians protested Vance, turning away from him and singing a song titled, "Which Side Are You On?"

Source: New York Times

Vance began to get regular slots on Fox News, especially on host Tucker Carlson's program. He would later appear as a guest on Steve Bannon's podcast.

JD Vance talks with members of the media after speaking at a campaign stop in Mount Vernon, Ohio, November 6, 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

Source: New Yorker

Though Vance said he understood Trump's popularity, he didn't support him at first. On NPR in 2016, he said he couldn't "stomach" Trump and that he thought he was leading "the white working class to a very dark place."

JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. host an event ahead of next month's primary election in Independence, Ohio, U.S., April 20, 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

In a now-deleted tweet, Vance wrote, "In 4 years I hope people remember that it was those of us who empathized with Trump's voters who fought him most aggressively."

In a private message leaked on Twitter, he said he couldn't decide whether Trump was more like former President Richard Nixon or America's Hitler.

Sources: Politico, BBC, Insider, New Statesman

The book didn't help his work at Mithril either. Former colleagues told Insider in 2021 that "it never seemed like he was even working," since he was always promoting the book.

JD Vance during an interview at the National Book Festival in 2017. Salwan Georges/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Vance has also admitted his contribution to the company was "probably debatable."

Source: Insider

In 2017, after less than a year at Mithril, Vance left Silicon Valley and moved back to Ohio. He founded a non-profit to fight opioids called Our Ohio Renewal.

JD Vance arrives for a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on April 23, 2022 in Delaware, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A review by Insider of the non-profit in 2021 found it had spent more on management than it had on opioid programs.

Sources: BBC, Insider

In 2017, he was asked about entering politics. While he wasn't completely ruling it out, he said working on the opioid crisis and bringing new business to the Rust Belt was more important to him at the time.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance arrives onstage after winning the primary, at an election night event at Duke Energy Convention Center on May 3, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Source: Washington Post

He worked at a company called Revolution, which was founded by former AOL Chairman Steve Case, where they attempted to harness funds in otherwise overlooked parts of America, including Ohio.

JD Vance in 2017 in Idaho. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Source: BBC

In 2019, after raising $93 million, Vance launched Narya Capital, a venture capital firm that was funded by his old boss Peter Thiel. Like his boss's firm, it was named after a "Lord of the Rings" reference.

JD Vance campaigns in Marietta, Ohio, on February 16, 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

Sources: New York Times, BBC, Insider

In 2021, Vance announced he was running for the Senate. He launched his campaign in a Middletown factory.

JD Vance arrives onstage during a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on April 23, 2022 in Delaware, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

"Every issue I believe traces back to this fact: on the one hand, the elites in the ruling class in this country are robbing us blind," he said at the launch, "and on the other, if you dare to complain about it, you are a bad person."

Vance touted a number of issues, including rallying against tech companies, liberal elites, and critical race theory.

He described himself as an outsider and said the 2020 election was "unfair," although he didn't say it was stolen.

When asked whether it was hypocritical to attack tech companies when he had the support of Thiel, he told Time: "It's not like I'm being funded by Mark Zuckerberg."

Sources: BBC, New Statesman, NBC News, Time

Mark Zuckerberg may not have been funding Vance, but he was being funded by Thiel. This time, Thiel donated $10 million to Vance's campaign. He also arranged a meeting with him and Trump at Mar-a-Lago where they reportedly smoothed out their differences.

Peter Thiel holding hundred dollar bills. Marco Bello/Getty Images

Source: Insider

Despite Vance's national profile, he wasn't a household name in Ohio. He struggled at first and remained behind in most polls.

JD Vance waits backstage before speaking during a campaign rally at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Source: New York Times

But in April 2022, he came out in support of Trump. He called him a "great president" and said "when the facts change you gotta change your mind." In doing so, Vance would secure Trump's endorsement.

JD Vance and former President Donald Trump shake hands in 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Sources: BBC, New Statesman

But not without Trump making him work for it first. During the campaign, Trump said, "JD is kissing my ass he wants my support so much."

Former President Donald Trump listens as JD Vance speaks during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, U.S., September 17, 2022. Gaelen Morse/Reuters

Source: New York Times

In May, he secured the Republican nomination with 32% of the vote.

JD Vance after winning the Republican primary in 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Source: New Statesman

Jessica Taylor, editor of Cook Political Report, told The Guardian: "He won the primary thanks to Trump's help, and it just felt like he went into the witness protection program."

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, attends the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing titled Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protections in Russell Building on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Sources: New York Times, The Guardian

Although Ohio was predominantly Republican since Trump, Vance's campaign wasn't as intensive and on-the-ground as many Republicans wanted. He made few campaign appearances, and his win in Ohio against Democrat Tim Ryan wasn't guaranteed.

JD Vance talks on the phone backstage during a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Sources: New York Times , The Guardian

In June, he appealed to his supporters by celebrating the Supreme Court overturning the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade.

JD Vance arrives onstage during a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In Ohio, abortion became illegal after six weeks of pregnancy, even in the case of rape.

"It's not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term," he had previously said. "It's whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child's birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem for society."



Source: New Statesman

In September, he and Ryan were tied in the polls. It got so close that super PAC Senate Leadership Fund, aligned with Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, had to cut $8 million worth of ad funding reserved for its Senate race in Arizona to boost Vance's ads and ensure the Republicans didn't lose what had suddenly become a close race.

JD Vance in 2022. Tom E. Puskar/AP

Source: The Guardian

The increased funding worked. After a final push in the last 50 days with increased appearances by Vance and more televised ads, Vance won and was elected as the US senator for Ohio in November.

JD Vance greets a supporter after winning the primary, at an election night event at Duke Energy Convention Center on May 3, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Sources: New York Times, The Guardian

Vance has only been in the Senate for a few months, but he's already showing his support for the man that made his run possible. In January, he wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal about why he would be voting for Trump in 2024.

Markwayne Mullin, Ted Budd, Mitch McConnell, Katie Britt, JD Vance, and Eric Schmit pose for a photo before a meeting in the US Capitol on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

"Donald Trump's presidency marked the first real disruption to a failed consensus and the terrible consequences it wrought," Vance wrote. "That fact, more than any single accomplishment, is the enduring legacy of Mr. Trump's first term."

He added: "But there is much more to do, and I'm supporting him for president in 2024 because he's the only person certain to do it."

Source: Wall Street Journal

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on Wednesday that it has killed ISIS terrorist Al-Mahdi Dangou, the mastermind behind the kidnapping and beheading of 20 Egyptian Christians and a Ghanaian Christian in Sirte in 2015.

The LNA's special operations unit killed Dangou in an operation in southern Libya's Murzuk after a long pursuit, the army said in a statement.

The LNA had previously announced Dangou had been killed during raids northwest of Sebha in January 2019.

In February 2015, ISIS published a video showing the beheading of the Egyptians on a beach in the coastal city, which was under the control of the terrorist group at the time. The group was expelled from the city a year later.

A masked militant spoke during the video and mentioned Osama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda leader who was killed by US forces in 2011. "The sea you've hidden Sheikh Osama bin Laden's body in, we swear to Allah, we will mix it with your blood."

A few hours after the beheadings, the Egyptian Armed Forces launched airstrikes against camps and ISIS hotbeds in Derna in eastern Libya. The Libyan Air Force said 40 to 50 ISIS members were killed during the Egyptian airstrikes, which were carried out in cooperation with Libyan forces.

The Libyan authorities said they found the bodies of the Egyptian Copts in October 2017 and flew them back to Cairo a few months later. Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II received the bodies at Cairo airport.

In September 2017, the Libyan Attorney General's office announced it was dismantling the terrorist group that carried out the operation and arrested a senior ISIS commander who supervised the killings.

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The police chief in Kingsley, Iowa, is accused of using official police resources to stalk a woman, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's roommate.

Chief James Dunn was taken into custody Wednesday on three counts of falsely obtaining criminal intelligence, one count of non-felonious misconduct in office and one count of stalking, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The Hinton Police Department also investigated the case.

Kingsley, a town of about 1,400 residents, is located in northwest Iowa.

How the Kingsley chief allegedly used police software

According to a criminal complaint, Dunn allegedly accessed information about the three people through Mobile Architecture for Communications Handling, or MACH. It's a software law enforcement uses to communicate during the day and in emergency events, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. It also can find information on people, vehicles and guns and can find driver's license photos from the Iowa DOT.

Dunn allegedly used a Kingsley Police Department computer to run the searches between November 2022 and February 2023. He then allegedly used the information to target the three people.

Between Feb. 2 and Feb. 7, the complaint said, Dunn used the city of Kingsley's stamps and computer equipment to mail and deliver two anonymous letters to the people. These letters were described in the criminal complaint as "annoying and alarming" and had no official police department function or purpose.

Later, Dunn allegedly watched the woman's boyfriend leave her home and, in another instance, followed or physically searched her car.

The woman asked Dunn to stop contacting her or her acquaintances, but three days later he allegedly taped an anonymous letter to her boyfriend's door. Another letter described a restaurant the woman and her boyfriend had been to together. Dunn later allegedly contacted the woman's mother.

More: Police report: Man said he would drive into building where Kari Lake appeared in Ankeny

Story continues

Police chief's hearing scheduled in February

A temporary no contact order has been issued against Dunn. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the Plymouth County Courthouse. He is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Kingsley Mayor Iowa Rick Bohle told the Des Moines Register that Dunn has not been terminated "but probably will be."

A teen sued 2 Iowa cops over his viral traffic stop. Now they're suing him for defamation

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kingsley, Iowa police chief allegedly used computer to stalk woman
Jonathan Shenkin (Facebook)

A British man killed in Ukraine has been named as Jonathan Shenkin from Glasgow.

In a tribute on social media, family said Mr Shenkin had died as a hero in an act of bravery as a paramedic.

The 45-year-old is one of eight British men known to have died in the country since Russias unprovoked invasion in February last year. Relatives said he died in December.

The Foreign Office said it was supporting his family.

In a Facebook post, Mr Shenkins family said: On enlisting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he made the ultimate sacrifice to defend values we all believe in.

He is survived by his son and daughter, to whom he was devoted.

The father was born and raised in Glasgow and had lived in London and Malta before joining the Israeli army.

The post adds that he ran his own security business and had worked in a number of different countries, including Iraq, Somalia, Angola and South Korea.

The Foreign Office has advised against travel to Ukraine while the war is ongoing, saying there is real risk to life.

Britons still in Ukraine are advised to leave if able to do so. However, volunteer fighters and aid workers have gone to the country from the UK.
Not the Bexley I know

In his letter of Feb. 14, "We should not be surprised," Robinson Dunham suggested offensive acts like the one which occurred recently in a Bexley Middle School, in which a racist image was displayed in a class, could be traced to the prejudiced attitudes of Republican parents in Bexley.

More:Letters: Racist orangutan image just the tip of the iceberg in Bexley

Until 2021 I lived in Bexley for over five years. But a strikingly different memory remains in my mind when I recall my time in Bexley.

Angelina Coles 18 and Austin Smith sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Bexley Anti-Racism event at Broad St. and Drexel Ave. The protesters after listening to the speakers marched to the Statehouse June 6, 2020.

It's this: the Saturday after George Floyd, an African-American man, was cruelly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020, I saw a long and wide column of Bexley residents, most of them young and white, marching on East Broad Street towards downtown Columbus to protest racial injustice and join up with other protestors.

More:Racist social media posts shared among Bexley students, superintendent says

Many carried Black Lives Matter banners. So, if certain parents in Bexley are trying to impart racism in their childrens minds, they haven't been very successful.

Michael Hamill, Columbus

Have we forgotten the 'Day of Infamy?'

After dialing down their radar settings, NORAD detected a radar anomaly over Montana on Feb. 11. Fighter jets were dispatched in an attempt to intercept the object but were unsuccessful.

The next day we were told, it was difficult to fully check out the situation last night, given the darkness. The object was later shot down over Lake Huron with the second Side Winder Missile fired after the first missile missed.

More:NORAD tracks Santa, suspected spy balloons and nuclear missiles. What to know.

After spending billions of dollars on air defense, we have been told that NORADs radar detection is normally set for high-speed fighter jets or bombers. Obviously, they are not prepared for any slow-moving threats especially as they glide by under the cover of darkness.

At 7:02 am Dec. 7, 1941, two soldiers operating a radar set on Oahu, Hawaii detected a radar anomaly approaching Oahu from the north. When they reported the siting to the intercept center they were told, Dont worry about it.

Story continues

Have we forgotten the Day of Infamy? Are we preparing for the last war while the next war is sneaking up on us? Do you get the feeling our leaders are telling us, Dont worry about it?

Neal Bronder, Columbus

Could you have gotten away with paying ZERO taxes?

We now know why Donald Trump and the Republican leadership fought to keep Donald Trumps tax returns a secret- unlike other Presidents. He said, its going to lead to horrible things for so many people. It should.

Watching Rep. James Comer smirk on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the new tax reform of 2017, passed by a Republican lead Congress, allowed Trump to pay only 750 dollars per two years and ZERO dollars in 2022, is okay.

Of course, Trump hasnt been audited like other presidents to see if he should have this.

How many voters in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia do you know that make a salary which allows them to support their families, have only payed $750 per two years and ZERO dollars in one year?

Yes, being a Republican billionaire has its privileges.

Intel CEO: Company moving 'full speed ahead' on Ohio plans after CHIPS Act passes Congress

Every time you hear a Republican leader scream about taxes that help build bridges, roads, internet access, provide help for all states that experience disaster, provide funds for our protectors and provide for building of Intel to Ohio, remember something important.

These Ohio Republicans (Brad Wenstrup, Bob Latta, Jim Jordan, and Warren Davidson) and other Republicans in Congress voted against the Chips Act which will bring jobs, but they proudly passed tax laws that allow the major rich to have deductions which allow them to pay ZERO taxes.

Jean Gawronski, Powell

Biden has done a great job

President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech was the best, most exciting and most important such speech I have ever witnessed and perhaps has ever been given in my lifetime.

We, the people of this nation, are at a turning point in determining what kind of nation we will be; a progressive, multicultural, multi faith, liberal democracy that champions the needs, freedoms, dignity and safety of its people and the ability of our children to survive on this earth into the future; or an authoritarian oligarchy where unlimited wealth and power resides in the hands of a few (like Putin's Russia).

Through his speech, two years of legislative success and demonstrated leadership Biden has done a great job of showing which party will provide which result.

Richard Back, Reynoldsburg

Young people don't want to return to the 1950s

I read with interest the Feb. article A Real Focus on Investing in Our People, in which Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine indicated a desire to incentivize the states top students to remain in Ohio by providing scholarship money.

More:Gov. Mike DeWine pushes for targeted tax relief, education spending in budget

We are losing top students to other states, DeWine noted.

I totally agree with the governors statement, but I wonder if he has considered that perhaps the best way to keep the brightest students in our state would be by protecting womens reproductive rights, insuring that our Congressional districts are not unconstitutionally gerrymandered and allowing schools to teach a more accurate history of our state and country, warts and all, so all these bright young minds can control their own bodies, have their votes count and understand that this great country is not perfect so they can set out on the task of making it better for everyone moving forward.

There seems to be a real disconnect between the governors stated goals  keeping talented, smart young people in Ohio  and his and his partys actions (severely limiting abortion access, supporting unconstitutionally gerrymandered congressional districts and resisting an accurate accounting of our countrys history). Todays bright, educated young people understand whats going on and they know who is taking away their ability to control their own bodies, undermining their votes, and censoring what they are taught in schools.

Thomas Suddes: Despite DeWine call, theres plenty of very good reason NOT to come to Ohio

If DeWine truly wants to incentivize young talented people to remain in Ohio, a noble and necessary goal, indeed, then giving them scholarship money is a good start. But moving the state forward instead of returning it to the 1950s will provide an even more impactful incentive for bright, talented young people to remain in the Buckeye State.

Steve Kretzer, Upper Arlington

Rebuttal were on target

Thanks to Holly Richard and Candy Canzoneri for their Feb. 12 rebuttal letters "Will the hypocrisy in politics never end?" and "What a bunch of Q-Anonsense" to Tricia McLaughlin's Feb. 8 column "Anti-American messages hurt American pride."

Their letters of rebuttal were on target, to the point, and well-written.

William Rehbeck, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Bexley I know differs from one portrayed
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  Republican lawmakers in Maine are going after Whole Foods for its rebuke of the state's signature seafood  Maine lobster.

Whole Foods stopped selling Gulf of Maine lobster at hundreds of its stores last year after a pair of sustainability organizations suspended lobster certifications over concerns the fishing gear could hurt endangered whales.

Maine officials have decried those actions  pointing out that no deaths of North Atlantic right whales have been linked to lobster gear.

Lobsters at Southern Maine Lobster Company on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in York.

Maine's Senate Republican leader is now sponsoring a bill to strip Whole Foods from participation in the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program, which provided the grocer's only store in Maine with a $36,671 reimbursement for 2021.

Sen. Trey Stewart accused Whole Foods of blindly following incorrect science and giving Maine's $1.7 billion lobster industry a black eye.

Whole Foods had no immediate comment.

Southern Maine LobsterCompany eyes major expansion in challenging times. Here's how.

The bill targets businesses that restrict or prevent the sale or distribution of any product that is legally produced, harvested or grown in Maine based on third-party certifications, bans or boycotts.

There's bipartisan support for the bill. But the associate commissioner for tax policy told the Taxation Committee on Tuesday that he opposed the bill for several reasons, including concerns about its constitutionality.

The House Republican leader, Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, himself a lobster fisherman, called the attacks on lobster an absolute joke.

He said lobster fishermen over generations have set the gold standard of sustainability on the planet, as far as Im concerned.

But the certifications were removed not because of the health of lobster but because the concern over right whales, which number about 340. The whales are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with ships.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine lawmakers target Whole Foods for blacklisting lobster
A defense attorney in a case connected to a drug-related death told a Washington County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday that his client sometimes wishes he could trade places with the victim.

"They were friends," defense attorney David Harbin said of his client, former Maugansville resident Vladislav N. Mantsevich, and Hagerstown resident Justin Ray Miller, who died in June 2020 from a drug overdose.

Involuntary manslaughter and several drug charges were dropped against Mantsevich, 35, on Wednesday in exchange for a guilty plea for distribution of Fentanyl.

Hagerstown news:Applications for City Council seat to be filed by March 1, decision expected March 28

Assistant State's Attorney Brock Shriver read text messages made on June 22, 2020, between Mantsevich and Miller about Miller inquiring when Mantsevich would arrive because he was "stoked" and hadn't "hit hard in years." The texts are among evidence that would have been presented if the case had gone to trial.

Shriver also said Mantsevich was typically the one who had supplied Miller with drugs when Miller was using.

Miller's fiancee found him unresponsive at their apartment in Hagerstown's North End at 6:52 p.m. that day, Shriver said. He had a history of intravenous drug use. Miller was pronounced dead at 7:29 p.m.

Factors leading to plea deal in 2020 Maryland drug death case

Shriver told Judge Brett R. Wilson the manslaughter charge was "not viable" based on a medical examiner's report that Miller died of cocaine, two types of Fentanyl, heroin, and ethanol intoxication.

It's impossible to prove the Fentanyl the defendant delivered was the sole reason Miller died, Shriver said.

Shriver also said two law enforcement officers involved in the investigation were no longer with their agencies, with one of them medically retired.

Wilson told Mantsevich that while he was not criminally at-fault in Miller's death, that does not mean he isn't morally responsible.

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Just because you can do something within the law, doesn't mean you should, Wilson said.

Wilson said Mantsevich received the benefit of the officers not being available for trial as well as the fact that another judge released him on personal recognizance so he'd only served two days in jail while awaiting his case's resolution.

Some judges would have seen Mantsevich as a danger to the public and had him held in jail until the case's resolution, Wilson told the defendant.

Florida man receives suspended sentence in Maryland drug case

Wilson sentenced Mantsevich to 20 years in state prison, suspending all but the two days he served. The judge also ordered three years of supervised probation, which are transferable to Florida where Mantsevich now lives. He is not to have contact with Miller's family.

Shriver, who was filling in for another prosecutor in this case, said the state recommended a suspended sentence.

Before sentencing, Wilson said he read "heartfelt" letters from Miller's family. He also heard from Mantsevich, his attorney, and Miller's younger sister, who addressed the court in person.

Mantsevich turned his head toward Miller's family in the court gallery and said, "I'm sorry guys" and started crying as he apologized.

Harbin, on behalf of his client, expressed condolences to Miller's family.

Mantsevich could not control his addiction, just as Miller could not control his, Harbin told the court.

Harbin said Mantsevich is starting fresh in Florida, though he noted his client had a court date in that state Thursday for a misdemeanor drug charge.

Mantsevich completed a substance-abuse program through Serenity Treatment Center in Maryland and is participating in a methadone program in Florida, according to Harbin and court records.

Harbin said Mantsevich has talked about, after cleaning up his own act, trying to help other addicts, so they're not playing "this game of Russian roulette."

Wilson said he agreed with the message of Miller's younger sister and hopes Mantsevich takes his second chance and does something meaningful with his life. Perhaps make his own child wary of the pitfalls of drugs and other criminal opportunities, Wilson said.

Miller's sister also told the judge that her brother's children will no longer have their father and she'd hate to see other children go through that.

After the hearing, Harbin said, "These cases are always difficult. Today's addict could be tomorrow's victim."

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Manslaughter charge dropped against Florida man in Maryland drug case
MUNCIE, Ind.  A Muncie mother was arrested this week on a neglect charge, four days after her husband was accused of battering her infant son.

Savanna Maryeilse Walsh, 28, was preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent and failure to report child abuse.

She was released from the Delaware County jail on Wednesday after posting a $6,000 bond.

Last Friday, Walsh's husband, 30-year-old Zachery Robert Rodrick Walsh, was arrested on a preliminary count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person under the age of 14.

More:Police: Muncie man said he spanked infant for not eating

City police said Zachery Walsh had admitted to spanking his 6-month-old son, purportedly for not eating. After the baby's diaper was removed, officers reported seeing "red marks, bruising... (and) blood welts."

An officer wrote that the baby's injuries appeared to be the result of repeated incidents, with bruises both "fresh and old."

The Indiana Department of Child Services was also involved in the investigation.

(A police report indicated the child was born last August. A family member who contacted The Star Press on Thursday maintained the child was more than two years old.)

According to the affidavit stemming from her husband's arrest, Savanna Walsh said when she witnessed the spanking, she "got up and walked outside to go smoke."

Zachery Walsh continued to be held in the jail on Thursday under a $10,000 bond.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie mother arrested for failing to report child abuse
The motorist who was injured in a weekend two-vehicle head-on collision that killed an elementary teacher from the Troy Area School District is a Pennsylvania state trooper.

Michael J. Brown, 35, of Troy, is a trooper stationed at the Mansfield barracks, according to Trooper Lauren Lesher, public information officer with state police Troop F, based in Montoursville.

Brown, who Lesher said was off-duty at the time, was involved in a crash Feb. 11 in Tioga County that killed Christine Eliz Woodward, 47, also of Troy.

Woodward was driving a GMC Acadia east on state Route 6 in Sullivan Township around 10:48 p.m. when her car collided at the intersection of Aumick Road/Ritz Road with Brown's westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee, state police said.

Public safetyTioga County sheriff: 2 critically injured in 2-vehicle crash in the Town of Spencer

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Public safetyFatal Hornby Road garage fire: Cause determined in blaze that killed 46-year-old man

Following the collision, Woodward's vehicle caught fire. Brown attempted to pull her from the car, but the flames prevented him from reaching her, according to troopers.

Brown was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre for treatment. He is in stable condition, Lesher said.

Woodward was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a teacher in the Troy Area School District for nearly 15 years and worked as an elementary teacher at East Troy, WR Croman and Intermediate Schools, according to a statement on the school district's Facebook page.

State police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash. Since a state trooper was involved in the incident, the investigation is being handled by a corporal from Troop F headquarters, Lesher said.

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 Elmira Star-Gazette: PA state trooper was other driver in fatal Tioga County crash
A Georgia district attorney on Thursday released some of a special grand jury's report on efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The 23 Georgians who served as grand jurors found that there was not "widespread fraud" that could have overturned the presidential election.

"We find by a unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the Georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election," the report said.

However, the report also said that a "majority of the Grand Jury believes that perjury may have been committed by one or more witnesses testifying before it" and recommended that the district attorney seek "appropriate indictments" for crimes where the "evidence is compelling." The jurors "received evidence from or involving 75 witnesses," the report said, the "overwhelming majority of which information was delivered in person under oath."

The grand jury was empaneled in early May 2022, hearing evidence and receiving information from June 1 through December. Its report says that it heard "extensive testimony" on alleged election fraud from poll workers, investigators, technical experts and Georgia state employees and officials, and from "persons still claiming that such fraud took place."

The office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was ordered Monday by a judge to release three sections of the lengthy report  the introduction, conclusion and the section in which the grand jury expressed its concern that "some witnesses may have lied under oath during their testimony."

The recommendation for perjury charges was included in the eighth section of the report. The other seven sections could also include recommendations for indictments, but those portions will not be released until after Willis' office makes charging decisions.

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The grand jury served as an investigatory body that could recommend charges but could not indict. They recommended in their report that it be released. Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney ruled on Monday that the rest of the report must be kept under wraps until prosecutors complete their investigation.

Media organizations including CBS News had argued that the full report should be made public immediately, but McBurney largely rejected their effort.

Willis' office has indicated in court filings that others have faced scrutiny in the probe, including a group of 16 Georgia Republicans who participated in an alternate elector scheme and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Read the grand jury report portions released here:

Honoring the legacy of Emmett Till and his mother

Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia

Tesla recalls more than 362,000 vehicles over software flaws
Egypt assumed presidency of the steering committee of the New Partnership for Africas Development Agency (NEPAD) during a virtual meeting attended by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy stated.

NEPAD, which is the development arm of the African Union (AU), organises and finances projects and programs to achieve sustainable development goals in the continent.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame handed over the two-year presidency of the steering committee to Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi via video conference.

The meeting was attended by African heads of state and government as well as members of the committee, Fahmy added.

The NEPAD strategic framework document was prepared in 2001 by the leaders of the five initiating states - Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa - in response to a mandate given to them by the Summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the African Union.

Financing to face Int'l economic crisis

In his acceptance speech, the Egyptian president reviewed Egypt's priorities during its presidency of the NEPAD steering committee.

El-Sisi called for new and non-traditional financing resources, especially in light of the international economic crisis that undermines development efforts in Africa.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation to settle the accumulated debt crisis to put the continent on the way to economic recovery.

Mobililising resources - Sharing expertise

El-Sisi also noted that Egypt, as president of NEPAD, will seek to mobilise financial resources in areas of priority for Africa  including infrastructure development  in a way that ensures achieving the goals of the African Development Agenda 2063.

The list of priorities, he explained, includes 69 projects during the period from 2021-2030.

These projects include, for example, the navigational line between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Cairo-Cape Town Road.

Egypt will also focus on industrial transformation , El-Sisi added.

In this context, the president stated, Egypt intends to build on the results achieved during the extraordinary African Summit on Industralisation that was held in Niamey in November 2022 .

El-Sisi also stressed the importance of speeding up the realisation of the aspirations targeted by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and completing negotiations on all its additional protocols.

He explained that the AfCFTA will provide African countries with opportunities to integrate into the global economy and to increase job opportunities, especially among youth and women.

The Egyptian president also underlined the necessity of sharing African expertise in the area of developing infrastructure, including Egypt's own experiment in developing infrastructure over the past eight years.

He also cited cooperation between Egypt and Tanzania on building the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP) as an example of sharing expertise.

"[JNHPP] is a model to follow for cooperation between African countries in the field of development  and we are fully prepared to share the experience of Egyptian companies with other sister African countries," El-Sisi stressed.

He called for intensifying cooperation with global partners and international financing institutions to bridge the financing gap in sustainable development projects and reduce debt burdens for the most affected countries.

The president also urged taking advantage of the new initiatives put forward during the partnership summits of the AU.

El-Sisi said he looks forward to hearing the proposals of the heads of state and government and of members of the NEPAD steering committee in this regard.

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Body-worn cameras, BWCs, as a solution to police reform are headline news again following the release of footage of the violent beating death of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police.

Despite numerous claims by politicians, police officials, and advocates of body cameras, there is sparse empirical evidence that the devices, as they are currently used, increase accountability or transparency as these constructs are typically not measured in social scientific research.

There is some anecdotal evidence that BWC footage has led to charges and convictions against officers who have used illegitimate and excessive force against citizens, however, these situations appear as the exception, rather than the rule, among incidents of excessive force.

More commonly, it is citizen-controlled footage like cell phone videos and not BWC recordings that bring public attention to egregious incidents, raising questions about whether police control and use of BWC footage is ever in the public interest.

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Transparency is key

In cases where an officer seriously injures or kills a citizenor when there is public outcry over an incidentthe local police will sometimes release excerpts of the BWC video expeditiously alongside police narratives to influence and shape public perceptions of the police actions, as our research has demonstrated.

However, not every serious police-public incident that is captured on a BWC is publicly released. In some cases, it can take months or years to obtain public access to footage. Issues of access and control are key in any discussion of the utility of body camera footage for police oversight, accountability, and transparency.

Christopher Schneider

Currently, a patchwork of policies governs BWC use across US jurisdictions. In many cases, police have the final say in releasing footage to the public. However, there are some exemplary models of local governments enacting stronger and standardized policies around video access. In 2020, the Washington D.C. city government passed a law that requires the release of BWC footage and the names of officers responsible for a death or serious use of force within five days of an incident (pending approval of the victims family).

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This has created staunch debate and criticism, especially from the D.C. Police union. Several family members of those injured and killed by police have also objected to the release of footage. We do not think that all footage that captures a serious injury or death because of police action should be released to the public. Affected family members have a right to privacy and should not be forced to experience additional trauma by police when footage is released.

Hear more Tennessee Voices:Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

Why investing in police oversight is necessary

Nevertheless, all body camera footage should be controlled by an independent third-party, preferably a civilian oversight body. That body should have the sole discretion of releasing video to the public in accordance with relevant legislation and policies, and in consultation with affected families and attorneys. Police should have no say.

By giving control of police body camera video to oversight bodies, we would ensure that the footage is protected, that it cannot be edited or narrated by police, and that it is made available to complainants and publicly released when it is in the communitys interest. Doing so helps to achieve actual accountability and proactive transparency.

It is inevitable that most front-line police will eventually be equipped with the cameras. As evidenced by repeated incidents of egregious harm captured on BWCs, these devices will never end police use-of-force. Rather, BWCs will capture more footage of death resulting from police interventions.

Erick Laming

BWCs could be a meaningful tool for police oversight, but to realize accountability and transparency, police must relinquish their monopolization of footage and commit to utilizing these tools in good faith for the public good.

Erick Laming is an assistant professor in criminology and sociology at Trent University. His main research examines police use of force and accountability.

Christopher J. Schneider is Professor of Sociology at Brandon University and author of Policing and Social Media: Social Control in an Era of New Media (Lexington Books, 2016).

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Body camera footage from police must be readily available to the public
Deep snowpack has continued to accumulate and expand in California, the Great Basin and the Colorado River Basin, federal meteorologists reported Thursday.

Following a series of severe storms that drenched the region earlier this winter, moderate systems with less moisture have yielded smaller but persistent gains, according to an update from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).

Total snow water equivalent  the amount of water stored in snowpack  at a subset of monitoring stations in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona has reached the highest or second highest levels to date, NIDIS reported.

Such accumulation is now 150 percent above the mid-February average at many of these stations, according to the agency.

Snow water equivalent levels at many of the long-term snow courses in Californias central and southern Sierra Nevada have achieved record highs not seen in 60 to 90 years, the meteorologists added.

While NIDIS reported good news for snowpack in much of the West, the agency warned that much of Oregon, Washington and Idaho experienced very little growth over the past 30 days.

Most of these areas are not yet considered to be experiencing snow drought, but a relatively dry January has left open the possibility that such conditions could develop in the coming months, according to NIDIS.

Another location of concern cited by NIDIS is the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico  including the headwaters region for the Rio Grande and Arkansas rivers.

Across this region, snow water equivalent sits at about 45 to 60 percent of quantities typical for the date, the agency reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Walmart is closing 3 tech hubs. Reuters

Walmart is closing three tech hubs in the US, a company spokesman confirmed to Insider.

The tech hubs are located in Carlsbad, California; Portland, Oregon; and Austin, Texas.

Workers at those hubs will either have to relocate to a different hub or leave the company entirely.

Walmart is closing three of its US technology hubs, a company spokesman confirmed to Insider.

The three offices set to close are in Carlsbad, California; Portland, Oregon; and Austin, Texas, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

As part of the office closures, hundreds of workers either will have to relocate to one of Walmart's other tech hubs, like those in San Bruno, California, and Walmart's HQ of Bentonville, Arkansas, or take severance and leave the retailer, company spokesman Rob Munroe told Insider. Walmart will pay the transfer costs for those who decide to move.

"The unique culture and values of Walmart are at the core of who we are  to our customers, members, associates and partners," Munroe said in an email. "With this in mind, we've made the decision to focus our tech team's presence within select locations. We hope to relocate all affected associates."

The retailer is also cutting back on remote work for tech staff. Munroe said that everyone who works on the Global Tech team under Suresh Kumar, Walmart's global chief technology and development officer, will be expected to work from a tech office at least two days a week.

"Our decision to be together more frequently anchors to Walmart's fundamental belief that our people make the difference, our culture matters and we build stronger partnerships when we are physically together," Munroe said.

It's unclear when these specific hubs will close. Munroe did not answer a question about the matter.

Walmart, the nation's largest private employer, currently employs about 1.7 million workers in the United States, with the vast majority working hourly jobs at the store level.

But the company has increasingly tried to amplify its tech workforce as it bolsters its e-commerce strategy. Walmart currently has 16 tech hubs that span across the globe, according to the company's website.

Are you a Walmart employee who works in one of the three tech hubs that are set to close? We want to hear from you. Contact reporter Ben Tobin on email at btobin@insider.com or by encrypted messaging app Signal at +1 703-498-9171.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MEXICO CITY, February 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb+" (Good) of Black Gold Re Limited (BGRe) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

BGRe is a captive reinsurer of Ecopetrol S.A. (Ecopetrol), a Colombia-based oil and gas company that is 88.49% owned by the Colombian government.

The ratings reflect BGRes balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also recognize the importance of the company within Ecopetrols strategy.

BGRes very strong balance sheet recognizes the capital management strategy of the company and its ability to build up capital. The company has low net underwriting leverage, creating a dependence on reinsurance; however, the associated risks are mitigated partly by a diversified mix of well-rated reinsurers. AM Best expects BGRe to maintain a capital buffer as it continues to adjust its risk appetite to the reinsurance needs of its parent company and navigate current reinsurance market conditions.

BGRes operating performance is characterized by profitable technical results backed by well-established underwriting principles and considerable revenue from ceding commissions and premium from company retentions. Historically, the company has had very few and minor retained claims due to the appropriateness of its reinsurance program. Investment income dependence is low, and because of accounting changes, shows volatility that has not materialized in realized results. AM Best expects the company to continue backing its results with its technical capabilities.

AM Best considers the companys business profile as neutral. BGRe has access to a wide scope of insured risks given the relevance of Ecopetrol to the oil and gas industry in the Americas. However, the companys underwriting risks are concentrated in Colombia. BGRes ERM is well-integrated within Ecopetrol and is important to the group as a cost-effective risk management tool.

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Positive rating actions could result if there is a sustained favorable trend in operating performance as the companys strategy continues to adapt to the reinsurance market. Negative rating actions could occur if business flow is limited by any change in its holding company or if the financial situation of the parent company is compromised by any sociopolitical or economic event. Negative rating actions could also take place if the balance sheet strength of the company is stressed by the materialization of any risk exposure.

AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated in the United States and throughout the world. For current Bests Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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You would need a heart of stone to leave Rebecca Millers She Came to Me without wanting to pick up sticks and live on a tugboat, preferably one steered by Marisa Tomei.

Tomeis tugboat captain Katrina, with her softly weathered face, earthy humor and somewhat sociopathic love addiction, is a simply fabulous rom-com heroine, if She Came to Me can be described as a rom-com. And in Peter Dinklage, at his most darkly glowering as the perpetually panic-stricken, creatively blocked composer Katrina targets with her romantic zeal, she has her perfect foil. Props to Berlin Film Festival artistic director Carlo Chatrian for nailing She Came to Me: light but pungent, it is a perfect opening-night film.

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Not that this is a two-horse show: In the screwball tradition, there is much more going on here than a middle-aged meet-cute. At the outset, Miller swings between the rarefied opulence of an opera house foyer  where Dinklages Stephen is hiding from his commissioning producers behind a potted plant  and a modest suburban house, home of the odious Trey (Brian DArcy James)  a court stenographer who gets his kicks dressing up for Civil War re-enactments  and his Polish partner Magdalena (Joanna Kulig, familiar as the mesmerizing star of Cold War) who cleans houses. Her own house brims with the kind of tension you feel when the man in the next room is cleaning an arsenal of 19th century muskets.

RELATED: Deadlines Berlin Film Festival Coverage

Magdalenas daughter Tereza (Harlow Jane) is 16 and committed to her science studies in a way Trey finds disquietingly un-American. He and Magdalena have no idea she is also devoted to boyfriend Julian (Evan Ellison), the equally clever but considerably more privileged son of Stephens wife Patricia (Anne Hathaway), until Magdalena comes to clean Patricias house and springs her very own daughter eating snacks from Patricias fridge. It is the first of several surprise meetings that are both funny and make a larger point.

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So Magdalena is cleaning toilets for her daughters boyfriends family. She feels awkward. At least she can say so. Patricia says nothing, but is visibly trying to skirt around the twin obstacles of her own snobbery: that her son is seeing the cleaners daughter and that it bothers her. Surprisingly, in a way, as Patricia loves nothing so much as cleaning herself. As a girl at Catholic boarding school, she confesses, she would sneak peeks into the teaching nuns cells and envy their spick-and-span lack of clutter. She would embrace Marie Kondos instruction to keep only what gives you joy, except that nothing really does.

She is only slightly less bothered than Trey will be when he finally meets Julian and sees that he is mixed-race. As with that unspoken disquiet about class, he doesnt have to say a thing to let you know that he is spoiling for a fight. Although nothing is quite as awkward as the situation that ensues after Stephen meets Katrina in a bar while he is walking the dog and ends up on her Spanish-style bedspread; and writes an opera about it (beautifully penned, along with the rest of the music running between scenes like water, by The Nationals Bryce Dessner)  which Katrina unexpectedly comes to see on opening night. Well, imagine.

Hathaway is great, Dinklage is great, Tomei is incredible. But there are a lot of comic and dramatic chops being flexed in this film; one reason the central romance is so touchingly persuasive is that it doesnt have to carry the entire burden of plot or emotion. And perhaps the greatest romance is that salty whiff of life on and below decks.

Katrina is based in Baton Rouge  laissez les bons temps rouler!  but chugs her fathers old boat the length of the coast and the eastern rivers. Its a rusty old thing, yet picturesque with memorabilia including an old organ in the galley, where Stephen strikes up a tune and the crusty crew sing along as they play roulette at night laissez les bons temps rouler a game with an added element of chance, given the roll of the boat. When Stephen makes his inevitable declaration of love, its over a cup of fennel tea on the bridge, with the New Jersey shore visible through a smeared window and Tomei looking gorgeously unglamorous in her boatwomans slicker.

What is She Came to Me here to tell us? That it is possible to find true love at 11 a.m. in a dive bar. That if you write an opera about a boat captain in a leather basque, you could have a hit on your hands. That true love can come to us at 16 or 60. That a woman of that age, with no make-up or other discernible facial modifications, can be the most beautiful person in any room. And that a life spent at sea is the life for me. Only in stories, maybe  but then, what are stories for?

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Blount County's mayor plans to ask permission to bring on the University of Tennessee Medical Center to manage Blount Memorial Hospital, the latest move in a months-long battle over who controls the hospital and how it operates.

Mayor Ed Mitchell will ask the Blount County Board of Commissioners for permission to negotiate an agreement with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to manage and operate the hospital in Maryville, he said in a press release, adding he wants to preserve county ownership and local board oversight.

Blount Memorial Hospital CEO Dr. Harold Naramore sent a letter to hospital staffers saying he didn't know about the mayor's request.

"Today, as many of you were, I was surprised, saddened and angered to learn the County Mayor, Ed Mitchell, apparently reached out to the University of Tennessee Medical Center to begin conversations to arrange for a management agreement of OUR Hospital system, Blount Memorial Hospital Inc.," he wrote.

The mayor's move follows a lawsut filed in December by Blount Memorial Hospital, which asked the county chancery court to declare the hospital's directors the sole operating authorities and allow the hospital to proceed with selling one of its facilities.

Mitchell previously demanded the resignations of some hospital board directors and claimed the hospital's assets were owned by the county. County commissioners voted to block Blount Memorial Hospital from operating in its current structure, to amend the hospital's charter and to remove three of its board directors, saying county government had "lost confidence" in the hospital and its board.

Founded in 1946, Blount Memorial was established as a nonprofit hospital and is operated by a board of directors appointed by the Blount County Commission, the cities of Alcoa and Maryville, and Maryville College. The hospital says the nonprofit owns and operates its facilities independently of the county.

Liz Kellar is a public safety reporter for Knox News. She can be reached by email at lkellar@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Mayor wants University of Tennessee to manage Blount Memorial Hospital
Payton Gendron is led into the courtroom for a hearing at Erie County Court in Buffalo, New York, on May 19, 2022. Matt Rourke / AP

The 19-year-old white man who shot and killed 10 Black people in a racist mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, last May was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday morning.

Payton Gendron appeared in court in Buffalo on Wednesday morning for his sentencing after he pleaded guilty in November to one count of a domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate, 10 counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and a weapons possessions charge in connection to the shooting that occurred at Tops Friendly Markets last year.

Gendron, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was the first person to be charged under a 2020 New York law against domestic terrorism motivated by hate, which carries an automatic sentence of life without parole.

"There can be no mercy for you, no understanding, no second chances," judge Susan Eagen said while delivering the sentence. "The damage you have caused is too great, and the people you have hurt are too valuable to this community. You will never see the light of day as a free man ever again."

Investigators said that on May 14, 2022, Gendron traveled more than 200 miles to a majority-Black neighborhood in Buffalo to carry out the shooting, which he livestreamed on Twitch.

After shooting 13 people, 10 of whom died, Gendron was arrested outside the supermarket. Eleven of those who were shot, including all those who died, were Black.

Prior to the shooting, prosecutors said that Gendron had posted a hate-filled screed invoking the racist "great replacement" conspiracy theory that white people such as himself were being systematically "replaced" by nonwhite people.

Before Gendron was sentenced on Wednesday morning, surviving victims and loved ones of those killed had the chance to address him and the court.

"You come to our city and decide you do not like Black people? Man, you dont know a damn thing about Black people, Barbara Massey, the sister of 72-year-old Katherine Massey, who was killed in the shooting, said on Wednesday. "Were human. We like our kids to go to a good school. We love our kids. We never go to no neighborhood and take people out."

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Attorney General Merrick Garland visits the Tops Friendly Markets grocery store in Buffalo, New York, in June 2022. Carolyn Thompson / AP

During Massey's impact statement, a scuffle broke out in the court where an unidentified man lunged at Gendron. The 19-year-old was quickly escorted out of the courtroom.

"You don't know what we're going through!" the man shouted as he was led out of the courtroom by officers. After a short break, Gendron was brought back into the courtroom, and the emotional hearing resumed.

Zeneta Everhart, whose 20-year-old son survived the attack despite being shot, spoke in the courtroom on Wednesday morning during the impact statements part of the hearing.

"It is an understatement to say that he has survivor's guilt," Everhart said of her son, Zaire Goodman. "He's dealing with the pain that I, as a mother, cannot show."

On May 14, "the terrorist made the choice that the value of a Black human meant nothing to him," Everhart said to Gendron, who was sitting with his lawyers in the courtroom. "The disregard he has for human life and the callousness with which he carried out this attack on my son and my community not only makes him a monster but a coward."

Another survivor of the shooting, Christopher Braden, 55, who was shot in the leg, spoke and detailed how the shooting has affected him physically, such as his leg and left foot that "don't work as they should" but also how the event affected him mentally.

"Visions haunt me in my sleep every night, and most days, I cannot get those memories out of my head. Nighttime is the worst for my PTSD," Braden said.

"Loud noises never mattered to me before, but they do now," he said. "I'm always on edge and hypervigilant about my surroundings, feeling the need to be always on alert and protect myself."

During the testimonies from the victims' families, Gendron was seen taking off his glasses and crying, according to CNN.

The daughter of Andre Mackniel, one of the 10 people killed, spoke directly to Gendron. "I'll never forgive you," she said. "It wasn't my dad's time to go. Who are you to think you control that?"

"Payton, I hope you are haunted every day and every night," Michelle Spight, who lost her aunt and cousin in the shooting, said on Wednesday.

After the victim impact statements, Gendron himself decided to make some remarks in the courtroom.

"I'm very sorry for the pain I've caused the victims and families," Gendron said. "I'm very sorry for stealing the lives of your loved ones.

I cannot express how much I regret all the decisions I made leading up to my actions on May 14," he said. "I did a terrible thing that day. I shot and killed people because they are black. Looking back now, I can't believe I did that. I believed what I read online and acted out of hate. And now I can't take it back. But I wish I could. I dont want anyone to be inspired by me by what I did."

Gendron is also facing separate federal charges  10 counts of a hate crime resulting in death, three counts of hate crime involving bodily injury, and 13 counts of firearms offenses  which could carry the death penalty if the Justice Department decides to seek it.

Gendron pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. In a December hearing, Gendron's attorney said that he would be prepared to enter a guilty plea in federal court in exchange for a life sentence, according to the Associated Press.

Gun violence in the US is a public health crisis, according to the American Public Health Association. It is a leading cause of premature death in the country, responsible for more than 38,000 deaths annually. As of Feb. 15, more than 2,000 people have already been killed by gun violence, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

More on this
Cocaine Bear director Elizabeth Banks has confirmed that she would consider directing a follow-up named Cocaine Shark, but only if the script meets two conditions.

In the inspired-by-real-events Cocaine Bear (out Feb. 24), characters played by Keri Russell, Margo Martindale, Alden Ehrenreich, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and the late Ray Liotta, among others, must deal with a wild bear who ingests a large quantity of cocaine.

Earlier this month, numerous social media users pitched the idea of a second movie, Cocaine Shark, after New Zealand authorities announced that 3.2 tonnes of cocaine had been intercepted in the Pacific Ocean. When Banks was subsequently asked if she would consider tackling another project featuring a coked-out animal, she replied in the affirmative.

"I've seen that. If there's a great story, then sure," Banks told PEOPLE. "Jaws with cocaine? I don't see how that loses."

Elizabeth Banks attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Elizabeth Banks

Speaking with EW on Tuesday, Banks elaborated on her position with regard to Cocaine Shark.

"I would seriously consider anything with a script as good as the script was for Cocaine Bear," said the actress and filmmaker, who previously directed 2015's Pitch Perfect 2 and 2019's Charlie's Angels. "It's got to have just some great elements."

Despite her earlier comment about Jaws-with-cocaine being a no-lose proposition, Banks made clear that the project would also need to be very different from Steven Spielberg's classic animal-attack movie.

"I would never want to be compared to Jaws, that's a classic that I don't ever want to be compared to," she said. "So if it were differentiated enough, then anything's possible."

The cocaine bear in 'Cocaine Bear'

Universal Pictures The cocaine bear in 'Cocaine Bear'

Banks also spoke about how she had been attracted to Cocaine Bear by that film's screenplay.

"As an actor, I love reading great character journeys and this was chock-full of really fun characters woven together really beautifully by Jimmy Warden's script," she said. "I really felt like there was so much that was very grounded and real but then set against the backdrop of a bear on a bender."

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Cocaine Bear hits cinemas Feb. 24.

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Greater Cincinnati Water Works officials say the chemicals leaked into the Ohio River after the East Palestine train derailment will likely have no impact on the drinking water for its 1.1 million customers.

Jeff Swertfeger, superintendent of water quality and treatment for the utility, explained the situation to The Enquirer in an interview.

The utility has been testing the water locally about 10 times a day since the spill and reported Wednesday that no chemicals have been detected. Regular testing will continue, the agency said. The water works website will be updated daily with new test results.

Swertfeger said the only compound detected in the Ohio River since the Feb. 3 derailment is butyl acrylate, which the train was carrying. Butyl acrylate is a compound used in paints, plastics, sealants and other products.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works testing for chemicals in Ohio River after train crash

Support local journalism:Subscribe today for a great deal on an all-access subscription

Chemicals:What are vinyl chloride and isobutylene?

What we know: Get the latest updates about the East Palestine train derailment

Video:East Palestine business owner discusses aftermath of chemical spill

Vinyl chloride was the chemical tied to large fires and smoke plumes in the rural eastern Ohio town. Swertfeger said this chemical has not been detected in the water as most of it was likely burnt up.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works said it is believed that low levels of butyl acrylate seeped the Ohio River through a small creek about 300 miles upstream of Cincinnati.

Swertfeger said the highest reports of butyl acrylate he has seen from upstream are 4 parts per billion. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry issued a health guidance bulletin stating that the chemical can start having negative health effects at 560 parts per billion.

Swertfeger said his agency has been doing laboratory testing with butyl acrylate.

"We can test for it pretty easily," he said. "We can very easily remove this with the processes we have here."

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Coverage of the East Palestine train derailment is being provided for free. Subscribe today to support local journalism and access all of our content online.

If, for some reason, the levels of butyl acrylate or any other chemical rise to hazardous levels, Swertfeger said the water intakes in the river can be shut down for several days.

The intakes have been shut down in the past, he said.

During the Elk River chemical spill in 2014, a storage tank holding the coal-washing chemical MCHM ruptured upstream from Charleston, West Virginia. Swertfeger said Cincinnati's intakes were closed as this chemical passed by in the river.

That same year, 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled as Duke Energy was shutting down the Beckjord Power Station in New Richmond, Ohio. The intakes were closed then as well.

Is the Ohio River contaminated? East Palestine train derailment sparks concerns over water

Swertfeger said the river is currently moving at just over one mile per hour. At that rate, the potentially contaminated water from East Palestine will reach Cincinnati as early as Sunday. He said rain could speed that up.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works is monitoring the situation along with the Ohio EPA and Region 5 of the U.S. EPA.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission reports that about 6 million people get their water from the Ohio River.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: East Palestine train derailment: Is Cincinnati water safe to drink?
The plume created by last week's burn of chemicals from a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine had moved south along the Ohio River to Gallipolis, Ohio, state Environmental Protection Agency officials said.

The plume of butyl acrylate  a compound used in paints, plastics and other products  is expected to be near Huntington, West Virginia sometime Friday, the agency said. Testing results showed butyl acrylate in the water at levels below 3 parts per billion  well below the 560 parts per billion considered hazardous by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No vinyl chloride, which was intentionally burned to avoid an explosion, has been detected in the Ohio River, EPA officials said.

The Ohio EPA cleared East Palestine residents to drink village water on Wednesday, over a week after a fiery train derailment caused toxic chemicals to be released in the village.

An eastbound Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, causing damage to about 50 cars, 11 of which contained hazardous materials. Vinyl chloride, a gas contained in five of the cars, was released and burned to prevent an explosion, causing toxic fumes to be released in the area. Residents were allowed to return home last week.

Here's what we know as of Thursday.

A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, and remained on fire the next day.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requests federal assistance

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday requested federal assistance on the ground in East Palestine, according to the governor's office.

DeWine spoke with White House officials early Thursday morning and requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC. DeWine asked the CDC to send physicians and professionals who can examine and evaluate residents who are experiencing symptoms.

Coverage of the East Palestine train derailment is being provided for free. Subscribe today to support local journalism and access all of our content online.

"Some community members have already seen physicians in their area but remain concerned about their condition and possible health effects  both short- and long-term," he wrote in a Thursday letter to the CDC.

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Ohio is not eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at this time, DeWine's office said.

Norfolk Southern skips East Palestine town hall

Hundreds of East Palestine residents attended a meeting at East Palestine High School Wednesday evening to voice concerns and frustrations over the train derailment. But one key voice was missing: Norfolk Southern.

Mayor Trent Conaway told reporters immediately before the event that residents wouldn't get an opportunity to question the rail company involved in the incident, saying that Norfolk Southern backed out of the open house meeting.

'Why are people getting sick?'East Palestine residents voice concerns; Norfolk Southern skips meeting

The mayor reiterated during the meeting that he invited Norfolk Southern "many times."

Other officials, including members of the state and federal environmental protection agencies, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta attended the meeting to try to provide some answers to residents exposed to dangerous chemicals released into the air from the derailment and through a controlled burn.

Officials explained that in some cases a smell may persist in the area but that may not mean the air is at dangerous levels. They also assured residents they can use their water.

Norfolk Southern CEO writes letter to residents

The day after Norfolk Southern representatives skipped the town hall, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw sent a letter to residents pledging not to abandon the community.

"I know you also have questions about whether Norfolk Southern will be here to help make things right," Shaw wrote. "My simple answer is that we are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive."

Is it safe to drink water in Ohio?

The Ohio EPA said East Palestine residents can safely drink village water on Wednesday, according to a release issued by Gov. Mike DeWine. The agency tested five wells that feed into East Palestine's municipal water system and no raw contaminants were detected.

Chemicals from the derailment were detected in creeks and streams near the village after the derailment, leading to the deaths of around 3,500 fish. Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Mary Mertz said Tuesday the department hasn't seen an increase in fish deaths since the first couple of days after the incident, and there are no signs of non-aquatic life being harmed.

Norfolk Southern is also actively aerating Sulphur Run and has contained 1.3 miles of the waterway, Tiffany Kavalec, chief of the division of surface water at the Ohio EPA, said Tuesday.

"Sulphur Run remains contaminated but we're confident that it is contained," she added.

Is there acid rain in Ohio?

Acid rain could have formed after the controlled release and burn of chemicals on Feb. 6, Kevin Crist, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and the director of the Air Quality Center at Ohio University, said. If it did form and fall, it would have most likely occurred downwind of East Palestine.

"There would maybe be localized problems, but once that plume is gone, it's gone. Unless it's sticking to a residue," Crist said.

Vinyl chloride in the atmosphere breaks down into hydrochloric acid, a component of acid rain. East Palestine residents may want to wipe down surfaces in homes for possible residual material, Crist added.

What caused the derailment?

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating what caused the train to derail. The board said Tuesday investigators identified the rail car that initiated the derailment and have surveillance video that showing what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment. A preliminary report is expected to be published in two weeks.

Norfolk Southern has declined to share the route the train traveled before reaching East Palestine. But the two potential routes put the train on a path through several larger cities such as Cleveland or Mansfield.

DeWine: Norfolk Southern agreed to pay for damage and cleanup

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. DeWine said he talked to the CEO of Norfolk Southern and received promises that the railroad will stay in East Palestine until the situation is remediated.

"If they don't, we've got an attorney general that will file a lawsuit," the governor said. "They're responsible for this. They did it. The impact on this community is huge  not just physical problem that might be caused, but the inconvenience, the terror."

East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment:Photos show fallout

Who owns Norfolk Southern Railroad?

Norfolk Southern is a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Corp., a transportation company headquartered in Atlanta.

Alan Shaw is the CEO and president of Norfolk Southern Corp.

East Palestine train derailment:Water works monitors for hazardous chemical in Ohio River

A controlled release and burning of vinyl chloride caused a black plume to rise over East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6.

A controlled release of toxic chemicals happened Feb. 6

During Tuesday's press conference, DeWine said he was made aware on Feb. 5 that one car containing vinyl chloride was at risk of exploding. DeWine said responders were faced with "two bad options:" allow the car to explode, which could launch deadly shrapnel with a near-one-mile trajectory, or vent and burn the chemical.

DeWine said Ohio and Pennsylvania authorities communicated with Norfolk and decided to prevent the explosion. Remaining East Palestine residents were evacuated from the area, and Norfolk executed the controlled release and burn of the vinyl chloride in five cars around 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 6, creating a large plume above the village.

Authorities and Norfolk Southern have not publicly stated how much vinyl chloride was released, but a federal lawsuit filed Thursday estimates 1.1 billion pounds of the chemical was spilled during the fire and derailment.

Pennsylvania governor: State will hold Norfolk Southern accountable

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote a letter to Norfolk CEO Alan Shaw on Tuesday expressing his concern with the company's response after the derailment. Here are some things the governor said:

Norfolk Southern did not immediately notify the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency about the derailment, and the agencies instead found out independently a few hours later.

Norfolk Southern failed to implement unified command, creating confusion and lack of awareness in the response.

Norfolk Southern did not indicate to state and local responders that it was going to vent and burn all five cars with vinyl chloride, rather than just the one that was at risk of exploding. The company also failed to say how many cars contained hazardous chemicals.

Norfolk Southern did not want to explore possible alternatives to venting and burning the vinyl chloride. "Norfolk Southern failed to explore all potential courses of action, including some that may have kept the rail line closed longer but could have resulted in a safer overall approach for first responders, residents and the environment," the governor wrote.

What is vinyl chloride?

Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas used to make polyvinyl chloride, the hard plastic resin in plastic products, like credit cards, car parts, PVC pipe and more. Vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer as well as brain and lung cancers.

Burning it sends phosgene, a toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I, and hydrogen chloride into the air, which is why residents had to be evacuated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it is continuing to monitor the air quality in East Palestine following the release.

What chemicals were on the train in Ohio?

The rail cars contained vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and isobutylene, the EPA said in a letter to Norfolk Southern on Friday.

Days after the fiery derailment, the mainlines of the track were once again operational on Feb. 7.

Is the railroad back up and running?

Both mainlines were restored to service Feb. 7, one day after the vinyl chloride release, according to Norfolk Southern.

Norfolk Southern shared its remediation plan on Monday

Norfolk Southern issued its remediation plan to the Ohio EPA on Monday. On Wednesday, the company said it has:

Completed more than 400 in-home air tests, none of which have yielded concerning results.

Implemented an outdoor air-monitoring programin East Palestine and the broader region.

Is actively sampling the village's drinking water supply.

Has distributed over $1.5 million in direct financial assistance to more than affected 1,000 families.

Established a $1 million fund for the community for immediate use.

Was anyone injured in East Palestine?

No injuries to the train crew, first responders or community members have been reported, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

A look at the data:How often do train wrecks spill hazardous chemicals into neighborhoods?

Charges against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert were dropped

Attorney General Dave Yost said Wednesday that his office is dropping the charges against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert, who was arrested while reporting on the train derailment in East Palestine.

Local prosecutors had charged Lambert with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and resisting arrest, but referred the case to Yost's office.

While journalists could conceivably be subject to criminal charges for trespassing in some situations, this incident is not one of them," Yost said. "The reporter was lawfully present at a press conference called by the Governor of the state. His conduct was consistent with the purpose of the event and his role as a reporter.

Where is East Palestine, Ohio?

The village of East Palestine, Ohio, is about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and about 21 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio. It is part of Columbiana County.

What did J.D. Vance say about the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio?

Sen. J.D. Vance addressed the derailment in a statement on Monday. The Ohio senator said he was "horrified" by the wreck and has been in constant communication with local officials, residents and DeWine's office.

"This is a complex environmental disaster with impacts that may be difficult to assess in the short term," Vance said. "Long-term study will be imperative. As will long-term commitment to remediation by Norfolk Southern for the property damaged, the wildlife disrupted and the community scarred by this accident."

Read his full statement here.

My statement on the train crash in East Palestine. pic.twitter.com/E3IiyKOC2Z  J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) February 13, 2023

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Latest updates about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Thursday his country was "committed to the sovereignty" of Ukraine during the first visit by an Israeli minister to the war-torn nation since the Russian invasion began nearly a year ago.

"Israel stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Cohen said during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

Shortly after arriving, the minister visited the Kyiv suburb Bucha, the site of an alleged massacre of Ukrainian civilians.

"The tragic images are still imprinted in my heart," he told the press conference in Kyiv, adding that "Israel stands firmly against the killing of innocent civilians."

Cohen, who is due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, did not however announce any pledges of weapons which Ukraine has been requesting for months.

He said his government would "support and help approve a guarantee for up to 200 million dollars for Israeli projects in healthcare and civilian infrastructures".

Ukraine's peace initiative at the United Nations next week will have Israel's support, Cohen also said.

Israel has adopted a cautious approach since Russian forces invaded Ukraine last February, seeking to maintain neutrality between the warring sides.

'Most important' weapons

It has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine during the conflict but stopped short of delivering weapons.

In February Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "certainly looking into" military aid for Ukraine, in an interview with CNN.

This prompted Moscow to warn that further supplies of weapons to Ukraine will lead to an escalation of the conflict.

"We are very grateful to the government of Israel for all humanitarian initiatives," Kuleba told his Israeli counterpart on Thursday.

He however emphasised that what was "most important" for Ukraine was victory on the battlefield.

"Israel is aware of our list of military needs, and we will wait for the relevant decisions to be made, primarily regarding the protection of Ukrainian sky," Kuleba said.

The foreign minister also formally reopened the Israeli embassy in Kyiv.

The diplomatic mission "will return to continuous activity, with the aim of strengthening relations between the countries," Cohen said in an earlier statement.

Cohen also paid his respects at Kyiv's Babi Yar memorial to the almost 34,000 Jews massacred in 1941 while the city was under Nazi occupation.

Israel has also emphasised its special ties with Moscow and more than a million Israeli citizens have origins in the former Soviet Union.

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ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft being unpacked at Europes Spaceport in French Guiana.

The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft has arrived at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for the final preparations for launch.

JUICE departed from Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France, on Feb. 9 and has been unpacked at Kourou spaceport. The 13,668-pound (6,200 kilograms) spacecraft will go through final checks and fueling ahead of launch on an Ariane 5 rocket.

The mission is scheduled to lift off on April 13, when it will embark on an eight-year voyage to Jupiter to observe its icy moons Europa , Callisto and Ganymede.

Related: NASA spacecraft snaps gorgeous new photo of Jupiter's moons Io and Europa

The spacecraft carries 10 science payloads and will make 35 flybys of the moons, studying their magnetic fields and looking for clues about the conditions in their subsurface oceans and if these could potentially support life.

JUICE will finally enter orbit around Ganymede in 2034 for the final part of its mission and become the first spacecraft to orbit a moon other than our own.

Related stories:

 Europe's JUICE mission to Jupiter's moons preparing for April 14 launch

 Ganymede: Facts about Jupiter's largest moon

 Callisto: Facts about Jupiter's (not so) dead moon

Once in space, JUICE will deploy huge solar arrays with a total area of 915 square feet (85 square meters), which will be needed to power the spacecraft while orbiting Jupiter at an average distance of 484 million miles (778 million kilometers) away from the sun .

JUICE was selected by ESA as a flagship mission in 2012 as part of its Cosmic Vision program. NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Israel Space Agency also contributed to the mission. NASA, meanwhile, is working to ready its Europa Clipper mission for launch in 2024.
Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday requested federal support to address the health needs of residents in East Palestine, two weeks after a train derailed in their village.

DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said the governor spoke with the White House and secured help from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist with health care needs in East Palestine. In the wake of the crash, residents have complained about headaches, skin rashes and other ailments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also provide on-the-ground support.

The request came as U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown called on DeWine to declare the derailment a disaster, a move that would open the state to more federal resources.

East Palestine train derailment:Norfolk Southern faces several lawsuits

Brown, an Ohio Democrat, expressed his gratitude for the response so far by local and state officials but said "a man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance" requires the same level of resources dedicated to it.

"Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family," Brown wrote.

But DeWine's office doesn't believe Ohio is eligible for federal disaster relief at this time because the derailment didn't cause property damage, which is part of the criteria for assistance. Tierney said they will continue to look into it.

Children's bicycles sit in their backyard near the site of the derailed train in East Palestine on Feb. 14.

Ohio, Pennsylvania officials seek answers from Norfolk Southern

DeWine's announcement came as state and federal officials grapple with how to prevent this kind of incident from happening again.

About 50 train cars, 11 of which contained hazardous materials, derailed in the small village on Feb. 3 due to a mechanical issue with the rail car axle. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, said a wheel bearing appeared to have overheated on the car that caused the derailment.

Story continues

Five of the derailed train cars contained vinyl chloride, which officials released into the air to prevent an explosion. The colorless gas is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including a rare liver cancer.

That was an unmitigated disaster, theres no question about it," said U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, who represents the area.

Officials are withholding their full judgment until the NTSB completes its investigation, but they haven't been shy in pinning the blame on Norfolk Southern Railroad, which operated the train. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro accused the company of mismanaging its response and failing to communicate with local officials. Shapiro also called on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to investigate.

In Ohio, leaders are watching to ensure the railroad makes good on promises to clean everything up. Brown and Sen. J.D. Vance, joining senators in Pennsylvania, penned a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking for assurances that Norfolk Southern will be held accountable for remediation efforts.

The senators also said they're "deeply concerned for the safety of the community in the impacted area."

How can train derailments be prevented?

But Norfolk Southern isn't the only entity facing questions. Some have suggested Congress and federal regulators can do more to prevent such catastrophes.

DeWine asked Congress this week to look at how trains are classified when they're transporting hazardous materials through states. Under federal rules, railroads that operate high-hazard flammable trains must provide state regulators with information, including the materials on board and routes being used.

Gov. Mike DeWine speaks about the East Palestine train derailment with his cabinet officials during a press conference on Feb. 14.

A high-hazard flammable train is defined as one that transports 20 or more cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block, or 35 or more cars throughout the train. Vinyl chloride is a Class 2 material, meaning the Norfolk Southern train was properly classified and didn't require notification, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Republicans and some Democrats have also been skeptical of the response by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was quiet in the days after the crash. Vance and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wrote Buttigieg Wednesday asking about the department's oversight of freight trains and whether there are enough rail workers monitoring them.

Maybe come visit East Palestine Ohio https://t.co/myEMo7iH1n  Rep. Munira Yasin Abdullahi (@muniraforohio) February 13, 2023

Buttigieg expressed concern about the incident this week and said the department continues to be "actively engaged." He also pointed out that former President Donald Trump rolled back regulations that required certain trains carrying flammable liquids to install electronically-controlled brakes.

Norfolk Southern lobbied against the rule, first enacted in 2015, and the Trump administration argued the cost outweighed the benefits. A former Federal Railroad Administration official told USA TODAY that kind of braking system could have minimized the pileup from the East Palestine derailment.

"Its all kinds of things that presidents can do quietly through rulemaking and Congress doesnt vote on it and nobody pays attention until something like this," Brown said.

More:Trains are becoming less safe. Why the Ohio derailment disaster could happen more often

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gov. Mike DeWine asks for federal aid for Ohio train derailment
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers to the New York Giants is rapidly becoming a common projection in early 2023 mock drafts.

ESPNs Todd McShay was the latest to jump on that bandwagon, sending the undersized receiver to the Giants in his post-Super Bowl LVII mock.

We saw a run on corners in the middle of the first round, and now we get another on receivers. The Giants wideout issues are well documented, as they relied on Darius Slayton, Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins to carry the load last season. WanDale Robinson will be returning from a torn ACL, but Slayton and James will join Sterling Shepard (also had a torn ACL) in free agency. It looks like Daniel Jones will be back in New York, but will GM Joe Schoen improve the supporting cast? I really like Flowers skill set. Hes elusive in the open field and has the speed to separate from coverage. Last season, he caught 78 balls for 1,077 yards and 12 TDs while forcing a bunch of missed tackles.

Flowers is a speedy, shifty target who would provide a lot of value on the inside. But the Giants already have WanDale Robinson and expectations remain that they will eventually bring Sterling Shepard back.

At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Flowers is too small to line up outside and take on the larger NFC East cornerbacks.

Theres no denying that Flowers has a ton of talent and explosiveness, but he doesnt fit the role of a true X receiver and thats precisely what the Giants need to find this offseason.

Related

Giants' Sterling Shepard is officially a free agent Giants' Kenny Golladay named a potential cut candidate Are Giants dedicated to signing Saquon Barkley long-term?

Story originally appeared on Giants Wire
Mens fashion magazine GQ has launched its first-ever non-fungible token (NFT) collection, featuring 1,661 algorithmically-generated pieces.

The collection, dubbed GQ3 Issue 001: Change Is Good, will feature artwork from Chuck Anderson, Serwah Attafuah, Kelsey Niziolek, and REO.

According to the announcement, each artist created over 100 traits which were then combined algorithmically to form the pieces in the collection, before being hand-curated by the artists to form the final collection.

Final Fantasy Maker Square Enix to Launch NFT Game on Polygon

Subscribers to the drop will receive a subscription to the magazine, a merchandise box, exclusive GQ3 merchandise, and a ticket to a GQ3 party in New York City. Users will also get access to a special section of the GQ3 Discord as well as first dibs on future NFT drops.

GQ3 is a Discord server launched by the magazine in May 2022 aimed at streetwear and sneaker fans.

Each NFT will be sold at a price of 0.1957 ETH, around $330 at current prices. The collection kicks off on March 8.

Legacy magazines and NFTs

This isnt the first time high-profile media outlets join the NFT game.

Vogue Singapore and Fortune Magazine first launched their NFT collections in August 2021. Music and culture magazine Rolling Stone has released not one but two NFT drops in collaboration with Bored Ape Yacht Cub (BAYC).

Rolling Stone Mints First-Ever NFTs With Bored Ape Yacht Club

Some of these NFTs have been able to attract premium prices, too; The New York Times, for example, raised half a million dollars in March 2021 for an NFT of a column, while The Economist raised $419,000 for its Alice in Wonderland-themed DeFi Rabbit Hole cover.

However, not all entrants have been met with positive feedback from the wider crypto community.

News network CNN shuttered its NFT project dubbed The Vault in October 2022 which offered NFTs that commemorated major news events.

The closure of the project, which at one point promised merchandise and perks as coming soon, was derided as a rug pull by some in its Discord community.
Head of States fall 2023 collection was Taofeek Abijakos most personal project to date, and one that was years in the making.

The designer explained that the idea behind the collection, titled Memories of Home, started through deep conversations with his father about his journey in the early 2000s from Lagos, Nigeria, to Spain. Abijako explained that as his fathers journey got increasingly dangerous, he decided to return home, where he soon after won the American visa lottery.

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Its the first time I saw him cry, Abijako said after his runway show. I didnt have a collection in mind. It was just more of this therapeutic moment that was needed. He started going into details about how he attempted this journey from Nigeria to Spain trying to find a better life for us. He started with 50 people and by the time he got to Libya, only about 10 of them made it alive.

Abijako used those memories as the springboard for this collection and combined them with his own time living in Lagos as a young child, where he grew up in the citys mainland, which he explained was the marginalized part of Lagos that had a view of the island, which was the higher income area.

He took inspiration from the architecture of the island, translating that into a collection full of bright hues, cutout pieces and full skirts. Abijako also gave a nod to his fathers journey by referencing water through fluid fabrics and a finale that showed a model stepping into a shower and having her dress transform into a bathing suit.

As Abijakos father was also a fashion designer, the designer referenced some of the pieces he made for his mother, namely the traditional gown she wore for Abijakos naming ceremony when he was a baby. Abijako explained the collections last three pieces  cutout dresses in a red, white and seafoam color  were his take on his mothers garment.

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I took the silhouette from North Africa and combined it with more utilitarian and western wear, he said. It gave birth to a new form of identity for the clothing.

Launch Gallery: Head of State RTW Fall 2023

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Click here to read the full article.
The gesture of Gilbert Stuarts Lansdowne portrait of George Washingtona highlight of the Portrait Gallerys permanent collection, right, seemingly welcomes visitors to the the life-size painting of President Abraham Lincoln by artist W.F.K. Travers created in 1865 as the Lincoln portrait is unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Presidents Day is celebrated Monday and is a federal holiday, meaning most government offices and courts will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

Most banks also are closed.

Presidents Day is referred to as George Washington's birthday.

Government offices and courts

Federal offices and courts, State of Illinois offices and courts and Sangamon County offices and courts are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

Illinois Secretary of State offices and driver services facilities operating on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule will be closed on Saturday. Offices and facilities operating on a Monday through Friday schedule will be closed Monday.

City of Springfield offices, including Lincoln Library and the administrative offices of Oak Ridge Cemetery, are open Monday. The city observes Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which was marked last Monday, as a holiday.

The Springfield Public School District 186 headquarters on West Monroe in Springfield, Ill., Monday, August 2, 2021. [Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register]

Schools

District 186 schools and offices are closed Monday. The board of education has been moved to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The board meets at 1900 W. Monroe St.

There are no classes at Midwest Technical Institute on Presidents Day, but offices are open.

The University of Illinois Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, Illinois College and Blackburn College are all open and are in session Monday.

Sangamon Mass Transit District

Sangamon Mass Transit District buses will run regular schedules Monday.

Tourist attractions

Tourist attractions like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site are open regular hours Monday.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, left, retained by the family of Earl Moore Jr., speaks during a news conference at the Springfield, Ill., NAACP with Moore's mother Rosena Washington, right, Thursday Jan. 19, 2023, In Springfield. Moore's family has filed a lawsuit against the two paramedics and their employer, in the death of Moore attorneys said Thursday. (Thomas Turney/The State Journal-Register via AP)

Ben Crump in Springfield

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump will address the Lincoln-Douglass Freedom Fund Banquet, sponsored by the Springfield branch of the NAACP, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., at 2:45 p.m. Sunday.

Crump is representing the family and estate of Earl L. Moore Jr., the victim of a Dec. 18 homicide in Springfield, in a wrongful death lawsuit.

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Tickets are $75. For more information, visit the Springfield NAACP website.

ALA birthday banquet

Author and political insider Sidney Blumenthal will headline the Abraham Lincoln Association Birthday Banquet at the downtown President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams St., at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Blumenthal's five-volume biography, "The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln," is nearing completion with the last two books, covering 1860 to 1865, on their way. Blumenthal's talk in Springfield will address the yet-to-be-published works.

The author of "The Clinton Wars," Blumenthal was an assistant and senior advisor to President Bill Clinton and senior advisor to Hillary Clinton.

Banquet tickets are $95. Reservations can be made at www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org or by calling (217) 546-2656.

Michael Burlingame, the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, will moderate a panel discussion Sunday of authors presenting at the Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield.

Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium

The Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium will be held beginning at 10 a.m. at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams St., on Sunday.

The luncheon speaker is author Terry Alford ("In the Houses of Their Dead"). Other presenters include Michael Green, Edward Achorn and Jonathan W. White. Historian and author Michael Burlingame, the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, will moderate a roundtable discussion beginning at 2:15 p.m.

All authors will be signing their books beginning at 3 p.m.

The symposium luncheon at the hotel at 12:15 p.m. is $35. Reservations can be made at www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org or by calling (217) 546-2656.

Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Presidents Day is Monday meaning many offices and schools are closed
Channel 5

Home and Away spoilers follow from Australian-pace episodes, which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid.

Home and Away has aired a shock split for Tane Parata and Felicity Newman in the show's latest Australian episodes.

Tane and Felicity went their separate ways in Thursday's triple bill in Australia (February 16) following heated rows over Felicity's drinking.

She has increasingly turned to alcohol since the crash that nearly killed her on the planned day of her wedding to Tane.

This week's episodes saw Tane's nephew Nikau discover Felicity's secret stash of alcohol and raise the alarm.

Related: Home and Away's Felicity Newman issues threat to Tane Parata in new row

When Tane then tried to show support to his fiancee, she denied having a problem and moved into the caravan park to escape scrutiny from her loved ones.

In the show's latest episodes, Felicity went a step further as she continued to reject Tane's support.

She handed back her engagement ring and told a heartbroken Tane their relationship was over.

Although Tane genuinely believed it could be the end for them, a concerned Nikau sensed that Felicity would soon regret pushing him away.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away confirms return for Justin Morgan's daughter Ava

Remembering the heartfelt gesture that Felicity had secretly planned for the wedding, Nikau filled Tane in on how much he clearly means to her.

Nikau said, "She was learning her vows in Te Reo Maori  that's how much you mean to her. Feelings like that, they don't just disappear overnight. She's struggling  that doesn't mean she's stopped loving you."

However, Tane later pointed out, "She's trying to do whatever she can to push me away  she's made that really clear. I can't help it, Nik  she doesn't want to be with me. I can't force that."

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away confirms Tex Wheeler's fate after return plot

As Tane headed out of Summer Bay for a few days to clear his head, Felicity confided in her brother Cash that drinking is the only way she can block out bad memories of the crash.

Story continues

Is there still hope for Tane's relationship with Felicity when he eventually returns to the Bay?

Home and Away fans in the UK will see these scenes on Channel 5 in April.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage

Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website. Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am8pm, weekends 11am4pm).

Readers can also contact Drinkaware.

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Learn how a resort in the Dominican Republic got one travel writer to truly disconnect and relax.

Courtesy of Alison Fox

Im not good at relaxing.

In fact, I never have been. Thats why I couldnt quite believe where the time had gone when I left the spa at the Finest Punta Cana. I was so relaxed, I had spent more than three hours without even realizing it.

Thats the resorts goal, of course, to lull you into a state of complete bliss  with hydrotherapy rituals, aromatherapy massages, and indulgence at every turn. But rarely does it actually work for me.

The all-inclusive resort opened in late 2021 as one of the newest properties in The Excellence Collection, welcoming both families and adults to the shores of the Dominican Republic. The hotel practically functions as three properties in one with both kid-friendly areas (including an impressive kids' club complete with a mini water park) and adults-only pools and restaurants.

It was my first-ever stay at an all-inclusive hotel, and I wasnt sure what to expect. But within moments of arriving, I was snacking on complimentary Oreos from the minibar, looking out at the pool and the ocean beyond, and deciding which restaurant to try first.

Courtesy of Alison Fox

I was staying in the hotels adults-only side, the Excellence Club, which included its own check-in area, exclusive club-only restaurants, and a pool that tended to be quieter than the kid-friendly one on the other side.

On my first day there, I walked the length of the property in the way youd explore a city if you had too little time. I checked out each pool, each food truck, and each beach palapa. I mapped out a plan in my head. By the second day, I had forgotten my plan existed.

Instead, I found myself lying at the beach as a gentle breeze washed over me, listening to the waves crest and crash. I took a dip in the warm water before lazily making my way back up the buttery sand to the plush beach chair and basking in the pleasantly warm sun.

Hours later, I traded in the beach for the pool, a long stretch of deep blue surrounded by rows of palm trees and white modern architecture with contrasting black trim. I was suddenly faced with the (not so hard) decision of what to get from the swim-up bar: coconut water or a strawberry daiquiri.

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Of course, the beauty of an all-inclusive meant there wasnt really a choice at all. And so I learned a crucial lesson: one of the best ways to relax was to simply indulge.

And one of the ultimate indulgences is a day at the Finests spa. The One Spa takes relaxation seriously  Domingo Aznar, the vice president of sales and marketing for The Excellence Collection, told me it was designed to deepen our connection with the mind, body, and soul.

Alison Fox

They take it so seriously, in fact, theres a multi-step hydrotherapy circuit. First, I stepped into the sauna, allowing the heat to settle into my skin, before alternating between hot and cold  drenching myself under an ice bucket, sitting in the intense heat of the steam room, plunging into frigid water.

One hydrotherapy session  complete with a relaxing scalp massage  is included in each Excellence Club and Finest Club room, and its worth every minute. Then, to really take it to the next level, I headed upstairs for a stop in the aromatherapy room and a citrus-scented massage.

That evening I got dressed up, swapping my flip flops for heels, and headed out to dinner at Le Petit Plaisir, the hotels adults-only French restaurant. I sampled a deconstructed potato salad with dijon sauce and dug into a rich chickpea cassoulet before ordering a slice of apple tarte tatin.

Courtesy of Alison Fox

By my last day, I had the all-inclusive thing down: I ordered two breakfasts (the open-face molletes were too good not to) and then took full advantage of the gazpacho bar at lunch, topped off with some warm rice pudding and a few cookies for good measure.

I finally learned to relax and treat myself. And as I headed back to the hustle of New York, I hoped to take that lesson with me.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2023) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (Lion One or the Company) announces the acceleration of mine development and plant construction following the completion of project financing, at the Companys 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji.

Lion One has advanced the number 2 development drive by over 250 meters and has completed the first cut of high-grade material from the URA1 lode. The samples taken from this first cut averaged 14 g/t gold and are designated for the high-grade ROM stockpile.

Lion One CEO Walter Berukoff commented, In conjunction with ongoing mine development, we are preparing to mobilize personnel for the installation and commissioning of the Tuvatu gold processing plant. All of the processing plant components have already been delivered to Fiji, with shipments of the remaining bulk materials in progress and expected to be delivered by the end of March to coincide with the completion of infrastructure for the mill area, electrowinning facility, and gold room.

The Lion One processing plant will treat material using a two-stage crushing process, with a primary jaw crusher and secondary cone crusher feeding a two-stage grinding circuit. The ground material will feed an integrated two stage gravity concentration circuit with some concentrates treated by an intensive cyanide leaching reactor and the remainder of the concentrates leached using conventional cyanide Carbon in Leach (CIL) technology. Gold will be recovered from the gold laden carbon using conventional absorption desorption recovery (ADR) technology and smelted on site to produce gold dore bars. The leached tailings will be treated using the SO2/air process to remove any residual cyanide. Filtered tailings will be transported to Lion Ones tailings storage facility 3.5 km from the Tuvatu mine site.

Lion One plans to operate at an initial production capacity of 300 tonnes per day for the initial 18 months of operations before increasing the capacity to 500 tpd in mid-2025. The initial mining will focus on the near-surface resource while advancing underground development into high-grade mineralization in Zone 500.

Story continues

The 2023 drilling program will be focused on three fronts: grade control drilling of the near-term production blocks; drill-testing regional targets with the aim of identifying additional separate mineralized systems within the greater Navilawa caldera; and completing the geophysical (CSAMT) surveys initiated in 2022 to delineate additional drill targets.

About Tuvatu

The Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project is located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. The January 2018 mineral resource for Tuvatu as disclosed in the technical report Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tuvatu Gold Project, Republic of Fiji, dated September 25, 2020, and prepared by Mining Associates Pty Ltd of Brisbane Qld, comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at U and on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.





Photo 1: Aerial view of the Tuvatu plant site and surrounding Navilawa caldera

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo1lo.jpg.





Photo 2: Aerial view of the Tuvatu production decline portal and plant site

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo2lo.jpg.





Photo 3: Aerial view of the Tuvatu plant site

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo3lo.jpg.





Photo 4: mining fleet

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo4lo.jpg.





Photo 5: ball mills

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo5lo.jpg.





Photo 6: mobile crusher

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo6lo.jpg.





Photo 7: Tuvatu production decline

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo7lo.jpg.





Photo 8: Tuvatu production decline

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo8lo.jpg.





Figure 1: section view of Tuvatu deposit

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_fig1lo.jpg.





Figure 2: section view of Tuvatu deposit and planned development drives

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_fig2lo.jpg.





Photo 9: First cut from URA1 Lode in Tuvatu production decline

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo9lo.jpg.





Figure 3: URA1 lode accessed by Tuvatu production decline

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_fig3lo.jpg.





Figure 4: Tuvatu resource and regional targets in Navilawa caldera

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_fig4lo.jpg.





Photo 10: Tuvatu tailings storage facility looking north into Navilawa caldera

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo10lo.jpg.





Photo 11: aerial photo of Fiji head office compound and assay laboratory in Nadi

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Photo 12: Lion One geochemical and metallurgical laboratory

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Photo 13: Lion One geochemical and metallurgical laboratory

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/155054_photo13lo.jpg.

Qualified Person

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), Patrick Hickey, Chief Operating Officer, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One's flagship asset is 100% owned, fully permitted high grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One envisions a low-cost high-grade underground gold mining operation at Tuvatu coupled with exciting exploration upside inside its tenements covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, an underexplored yet highly prospective 7km diameter alkaline gold system. Lion One's CEO Walter Berukoff leads an experienced team of explorers and mine builders and has owned or operated over 20 mines in 7 countries. As the founder and former CEO of Miramar Mines, Northern Orion, and La Mancha Resources, Walter is credited with building over $3 billion of value for shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited

"Walter Berukoff", Chairman and CEO

Contact Investor Relations

Toll Free (North America) Tel: 1-855-805-1250

Email: info@liononemetals.com

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility for the accuracy of this release

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/155054
Egyptian MP and journalist Mostafa Bakry has filed a briefing request with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry regarding the measures taken by the ministry to secure the release six Egyptian Christian workers who have been kidnapped and held for ransom in Libya for over a week.

In a statement on Thursday, Bakry called for an urgent meeting with Shoukry and the ministry's foreign relations committee to discuss the measures being taken to secure the release of the abductees, who he said had entered Libya legally with visas.

The workers were abducted while traveling by land to Sabratha in search of job opportunities, Bakry said in a tweet today.

The six workers are from Al-Harja Qibli village in Al-Balina town, Sohag, Upper Egypt, according to Bakry.

The MP has called for the foreign ministry to take action: What has the Egyptian foreign ministry done to release the Egyptian citizens? Bakry said on Twitter.

Egyptian Coptic channel MESat played a recording of a phone call on Monday between one of the hostages and his family, where he said that the kidnappers were asking for 15,000 Libyan dinars per person, a total of 90,000 Libyan dinars (EGP 570,600, or $18,702).

In the phone call, the hostage said he and the other victims were each being fed a single loaf of bread a day, adding that the kidnappers have been holding a large number of other hostages for months.

Washington-based international human-rights group Coptic Solidarity, which is concerned with the rights of Copts in Egypt, said the families of the hostages were appealing to the Egyptian government to take the threats seriously and provide urgent help.

The victims say they are ready to sell their village homes to obtain the ransom money, Coptic Solidarity reported.

Many Egyptian workers have been abducted in different parts in Libya over the past decade amid the turbulent political and security situation, but have been repatriated by the Egyptian authorities.

Many on social media have voiced concerns over this latest kidnapping, especially since it comes almost exactly eight years after ISIS beheaded 20 Egyptian Christians and a Ghanaian Christian in Sirte in February 2015.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced last September that ISIS terrorist Al-Mahdi Dangou, the mastermind behind the 2015 massacre, had been killed.

A few hours after the beheadings, the Egyptian Armed Forces launched airstrikes against camps and ISIS hotbeds in Derna in eastern Libya. The Libyan Air Force said 40 to 50 ISIS members were killed during the Egyptian airstrikes, which were carried out in cooperation with Libyan forces.

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WORCESTER, Mass. --News Direct-- Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc.

McapMediaWire -- Mass Megawatts (OTC: MMMW) www.massmegawatts.com announced a plan to aggressively attract new employees and consultants in its solar project sales and marketing plan. Although, Mass Megawatts can be very competitive and produce the best price for solar projects with or without the patent pending solar trackers, it is critical to give the best possible incentives for building a strong team of solar acquisition specialists. It is very important for Mass Megawatts goal of generating substantial sales for the company. Mass Megawatts is targeting its initial projects in central Massachusetts where the solar projects can pay for itself in 6.5 years for smaller projects. The larger projects for small businesses can pay for itself in 4 years when bonus depreciation benefits are factored into the payback. Anyone with experience in sales or in the solar industry should visit the contact page of www.massmegawatts.com as a start of the process toward comparing our incentives with other companies.

In December, Mass Megawatts announced the opening of a sales office in a fast growing and high-tech location near central Massachusetts. The Office located at 11 Apex Drive, Suite 300A, Marlborough, MA is near Route 495 and minutes away from the Mass Pike. Mass Megawatts is expanding its reach to potential customers with recent developments like the opening of the sales office and recent improvements to bring more efficiency toward acquiring customers and installing projects.

Mass Megawatts can help customers achieve a quick payback with its solar projects using the new patent pending solar tracker. The projects can pay for itself in three to five years at many locations in states like Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. Most of the components of both the solar tracker and the non-solar tracker equipment have twenty-year manufacture guarantees from large reputable suppliers. The most expensive items like the solar panels, inverters, and tracker motors are supported by the large suppliers.

To help complete the new solar power projects, Mass Megawatts recently developed a partnership for installing and financing low-cost solar projects in 19 states. Many solar projects will be eligible for 100 percent financing. Under the new program, we can also streamline the process toward delivering custom proposals and the best plan for the customer.

In other news, Mass Megawatts recently announced the 20 percent solar power output improvement in addition to the previously announced 37% increased power output with an innovative redesign of its patent pending solar tracker to maximize the albedo or solar reflection effect of receiving electric power output from the backside of solar panels that can accept solar rays from both sides of the solar panel. The cost saving improvement is possible since the patent pending solar tracker has the competitive advantage of using a low-cost method for protection against high wind and hurricane related events. The solar panels attached to the tracker platform would force the face of the panels to turn 90 degrees from the direction of the wind. The system allows a slip feature during high wind conditions. Once the wind returns to less dangerous levels, the tracker resumes its operations. The yaw sideways technique avoids the need for additional material and cost needed to protect against high wind events.

In addition to the increased power output from enhancing the solar panel backside reflection, Mass Megawatts also announced recently that it has enhanced its patent-pending, Solar Tracking technology to improve energy production levels by an additional 7% with the adjustment of the panels based on the suns altitude each day. These adjustments are also expected to improve the power generation level of the solar panels.

Mass Megawatts is developing a patented pending, Mass Megawatts Solar Tracking System (STS) which is designed to automatically adjust the position of solar panels throughout the day to receive an optimal level of direct sunlight. Unlike other solar tracking technologies, the Mass Megawatts STS utilizes a low-cost structure that adds stability to the overall system while also improving energy production levels. The STS utilizes a proprietary mechanical innovation to limit dynamic and static loading on the tracker, which can occur during periods of high wind and extreme weather. The technology reduces wind-related stresses and system downtime. The STS allows Mass Megawatts to lower the cost of material and reduce the number of solar panels needed to generate the rated capacity. Due to this advantage, Mass Megawatts STS systems can deliver more solar power production at a price similar to lower-capacity, stationary systems.

The key driver to future sales is the use of solar trackers being known to reduce the cost of solar powered electricity. Although Mass Megawatts in 2023 is aiming to achieving a very small fraction of global demand of this specific solar market segment, the solar tracker market is anticipated to be worth more than $3 billion by 2025 expanding from the current market size of about $2 billion. Mass Megawatts sees an opportunity to be part of the growing solar tracker market with a lower cost product than the trackers marketed by other solar tracker companies in this high growth segment of the solar energy market. A solar tracker is a method of tracking the sun throughout the day for a photovoltaic (PV) system for increasing solar energy output throughout the day. The market is anticipated to have substantial growth due to the growing need for renewable energy.

With its patent pending, Solar Tracking System, Mass Megawatts believes it is well positioned for expanded production and supporting its revenue generation goals in the longer term.

Product information and sales inquiries can be made through the companys contact page at www.massmegawatts.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that could be affected by risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated herein are: the failure of Mass Megawatts Wind Power, also known as Mass Megawatts Windpower, to achieve or maintain necessary zoning approvals with respect to the location of its power developments; the ability to remain competitive; to finance the marketing and sales of its electricity; general economic conditions; and other risk factors detailed in periodic reports filed by Mass Megawatts Wind Power.

Contact:

Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc.

info@massmegawatts.com

www.massmegawatts.com

Contact Details

Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc.

info@massmegawatts.com

Company Website

http://www.massmegawatts.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/mass-megawatts-launches-important-corporate-growth-program-related-to-generous-incentives-for-solar-project-sales-team-members-783425460
HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viettel Group will be back with a full-scale booth at MWC Barcelona 2023, the world's largest mobile-related exhibition, in Spain from February 27 to March 2.

Meet with Viettel: the only Vietnamese Brand to Exhibit at MWC Barcelona 2023

Due to the pandemic, this will be Viettel's first onsite appearance at MWC Barcelona since 2019. Viettel is proud to be the only Vietnamese brand showcasing "Make-in-Vietnam" future technology in the event.

Viettel shows how it is shaping digital transformation for and with people from end-to-end 5G core solutions, Viettel Money  a digital financial ecosystem, intelligent operation center for e-government, cybersecurity system and digital twins.

In the 5G section, Viettel will present the advanced wireless technologies and announce the collaboration with international partners to produce OPEN RAN equipment. We would be glad to explore potential partnerships and are excited to share industry insights.

Together with new technology, Viettel also brings Vietnam's culture features to the biggest international event in the industry. The booth of Viettel gets inspired from the images of majestic terrace fields, a symbolic scenery of Vietnam. And it serves you the best coffee with the hope to bring to you a glimpse of traditional cultures.

Through this exhibition, Viettel looks forward to globally communicating its advanced technologies and businesses under the messages "Technology moves forward, but no one should be left behind".

EVENT INFORMATION

Hall 4, Booth 4E30

Fira Grand Via, Barcelona, Spain

About Viettel

Viettel Group is an international enterprise headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam. The group has investments in 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. Viettel has five business lines including telecommunications and information technology (IT); research and manufacture of electronic and telecommunications equipment; defense industry; cyber security and digital services.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meet-with-viettel-the-only-vietnamese-brand-to-exhibit-at-mwc-barcelona-2023-301748958.html

SOURCE Viettel Group
A Missouri man who allegedly killed the mother of his three children on their Ozarks vacation during an argument over pandemic stimulus checks was sentenced to 21 years in prison without parole on Tuesday.

Dylan J. Hanger, now 31, began plotting to kill his estranged wife Brittany Gorman, 29, in the months leading up to their trip in May of 2020, according to a Department of Justice press release.

RELATED: Missouri Man Accused Of Kidnapping Woman And Holding Her Captive In Basement Facing Five Life Sentences

Hanger took a plea deal on May 10 of 2022, and on Tuesday, he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole, and a $250,000 fine.

Hanger and Gorman met up at the Buck Hollow Access Area along the Jacks Fork River in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways on May 20, 2020, the Justice Department states. According to a plea agreement obtained by Law and Crime, the couple began arguing over their stimulus check and children; aged 5, 7 and 10.

Police handouts of Brittany Gorman and Dylan Hanger

Brittany Gorman and Dylan Hanger Photo: NPS Investigative Services Branch

Hanger stabbed his wife in the chest at least four times, according to court documents, then dumped her body in the Mark Twain National Forest.

The next day, park rangers found Gorman's pickup truck in the Buck Hollow area, according to a press release from the National Park Service, with her eyeglasses inside and pools of blood near the driver's side door.

Before revealing the location of Gorman's body on May 30, Hanger maintained to her family that he didn't know where she had gone and suggested her disappearance was related to her "drug connections," according to the Department of Justice.

Oxy App

When he was first arrested, accused of second-degree murder and interstate domestic violence, he denied any involvement in his wife's disappearance in interviews with Texas County Sheriff's deputies. Later, according to court documents, he told authorities he got into a physical fight with Gorman and she died in the process.

"The tragic outcome of this investigation is not what I had hoped and prayed for since Brittany was reported missing," Sheriff Scott Lindsey said when Gorman's body was found. "I want to commend the investigative team of deputies, National Park Service Special Agents, Rangers, Missouri State Highway Patrol Investigators, and surrounding law enforcement agencies that worked extensively over the past ten days to find Brittany and ultimately seek justice on her behalf."
Storyful

Snow swept across parts of central Colorado in the early hours of Saturday, April 15, as winter weather refused to leave parts of the state.The footage was captured by Twitter user @hiracing, who said it was filmed in Woodland Park, Teller County, on Saturday morning.The National Weather Service forecasted snow showers in the area through Saturday morning, while red flag warnings were in place for parts of south-central Colorado. Credit: @hiracing via Storyful
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Nikki Haley has launched her uphill battle for the Republican presidential primary in disastrous fashion with an invocation from John Hagee, an antisemitic, homophobic, doomsday-believing pastor.

Haleywho has tried to paint herself as a more traditional Republican to guide the party into a post-Trump eraproudly took the stage following Hagees prayer, co-signing the unhinged pastor.

To Pastor Hagee, I still say I want to be you when I grow up, she said with a smile as she launched her campaign in South Carolina Wednesday.

Taking the stage, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley praises controversial pastor John Hagee:



To Pastor Hagee, I still say I want to be you when I grow up. pic.twitter.com/R8rmilsyW9  The Recount (@therecount) February 15, 2023

Hagee has made a controversial name for himself through his claims that Hitler was a half-breed Jew, that the Antichrist is gay, and that Catholics were somehow to blame for the Holocaust.

In 2008, he claimed that Hurricane Katrina was Gods punishment for homosexuality, although he later retracted the statement.

The San Antonio pastor, who has also spread doomsday beliefs that the end days began in 2014, tried to sue schools to force them to reopen during the pandemic in 2020, before he contracted COVID himself.

Haley is the first Republican to jump into the race against former president Donald Trump, whos already firing shots at her over her claims she wouldnt run against him and her 2012 quote that Hillary Clinton inspires her.

You should know this about meI dont put up with bullies, Haley said Tuesday in an announcement video. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if youre wearing heels.

A Morning Consult tracking poll shows Haley coming in at 3 percent of the prospective vote, while the former president still carries 47 percent.

Story continues

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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
OTTAWA COUNTY  Less than two months after hiring Kallman Legal Group to serve as Ottawa Countys corporation counsel, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has extended its contract with the firm.

During a regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 16, commissioners voted 7-3 to approve a contract amendment that extends the agreement and changes the provisions for ending the contract.

The contract now lasts three years, effective Jan. 1, 2023, an increase from the initial two-year term.

The amendment also changes the ability to terminate the contract. In the original agreement, either party could terminate by providing written notice 90 days in advance.

More:AG: Ottawa Impact violated spirit of OMA, stronger transparency laws needed

More:Lawsuit: Health officer says Ottawa Impact commissioners targeted her

Now, the contract states either party may terminate the contract only for just cause. It defines just cause as gross negligence or misconduct of the firm in the performance of its duties to the county.

The moves were taken, according to board chair Joe Moss and Kallman's Jack Jordan, to align with language through the Ottawa County Insurance Authority, a separate entity that represents the municipality in litigation matters. Moss also chairs the OCIA.

Counsel Jack Jordan speaks with commissioner Doug Zylstra before the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Changing the ability to terminate the contract at any time was a concern for some commissioners.

Jacob Bonnema, while supportive of the amendment overall, had questions about removing the ability to terminate the contract at will  worrying it might hamstring the countys options moving forward.

Does this not limit our options as commissioners for how we can decide to move forward with our legal team or not? Im for options, he said.

Jordan said the suggested language originated from Doug Van Essen, the countys previous corporation counsel, who is contracted through the OCIA.

All I can tell you is what was discussed in the insurance authority. Mr. Van Essen is who wanted this language in the contracts, Jordan said.

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So we want what (Van Essen) wants, thats why we should vote for it? I dont understand how this is better for us if its limiting our options, Bonnema said.

Ottawa County Commissioner Jacob Bonnema sits during public comment Thursday, Feb. 16.

I cant answer that question, Jordan said. I think you still have all the options.

Moss said if Kallman acted with malfeasance, they could be removed. Bonnema asked why that's better for the county, as opposed to at will termination, to which Moss didnt respond.

Doug Zylstra motioned to amend the action to remove the just cause statement. A vote on the change failed 3-7. Zylstra, Bonnema and Roger Bergman voted in favor, while Moss, Sylvia Rhodea, Gretchen Cosby, Allison Miedema, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap and Rebekah Curran voted no. Commissioner Kyle Terpstra was absent.

The vote approving the contract amendment passed 7-3. Despite Bonnema's concerns, he voted yes with Moss, Rhodea, Cosby, Miedema, Ebel and Belknap, while Curran joined Zylstra and Bergman in voting no.

More:County attorney pleaded with Ottawa Impact not to fire Shay. 'You will send shock waves.'

During the rest of the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, commissioners received reports from several county departments  equalization, public health, community mental health, and facilities and maintenance.

Commissioners asked few questions of "interim" health officer Adeline Hambley, who recently filed a lawsuit against seven board members over their decision to appoint Nathaniel Kelly to replace her.

Commissioner Joe Moss listens as members of the public address the board Thursday, Feb. 16.

Commissioners also briefly discussed a committee vote to have administrator John Gibbs and counsel create an online public comment policy. Zylstra attempted to add a provision to make e-comments public by default with an opt-out option, but it was voted down.

The board delayed official approval of a contract for the Community Health Needs Assessment, previously approved in a committee meeting. Rhodea said she wanted more information on a survey involved in the CHNA before approval.

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During the meeting, Attorney General Dana Nessel released her findings in a review of the boards actions in January, admonishing Ottawa Impact commissioners for their lack of transparency but concluding they hadn't violated the Open Meetings Act.

When asked after the meeting if he had thoughts on the findings, Moss told reporters, I dont right now, but thank you for asking.

Bonnema said he looks forward to reviewing the decision in full.

I was focusing on the presentations today during the meeting, but it sounds like she ruled that we did not violate OMA, and that makes sense to me."

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County extends Kallman contract, adds just cause provision
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 12: Todd and Savannah Chrisley visit SiriusXM Studios on June 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Santiago Felipe/Getty

Todd Chrisley is having trouble maintaining his signature look from prison.

After his daughter Savannah Chrisley recently paid a visit to her incarcerated parents, she opened up about her reaction to seeing her father, 53, with gray hair instead of the Chrisley family blond for which he's become known since Chrisley Knows Best premiered on USA in 2014.

"I will say it's really weird seeing him with gray hair," said Savannah, 25, on her Unlocked podcast. "Like, really weird. He's definitely used some color over the years, and now seeing him with gray hair. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh!'"

She explained that after visiting her parents for the first time in prison, she has "so much hope and so much restored strength" for the future and has realized "this isn't the end."

"And I know that they're going through what they're going through for us to make a difference, for us to make a change," added Savannah. "Because whether this appeal works or not, they're still coming out with a story."

RELATED: Savannah Chrisley Still 'Has So Much Hope' After Visiting Dad Todd Chrisley in Prison: 'This Isn't the End'

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 02: TV personalities Todd Chrisley (L) and Julie Chrisley attend the 52nd Academy Of Country Music Awards at Toshiba Plaza on April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/ACMA2017/Getty Images for ACM)

Kevin Mazur/ACMA2017/Getty

A federal judge sentenced Todd and Julie Chrisley, 50, in November to a combined 19 years in prison for tax fraud. Todd is serving his 12-year term at a facility in Florida, while Julie has begun her seven-year sentence at a prison in Kentucky. Both parties will be required to serve 16 months of probation after completing their respective sentences.

RELATED: Savannah Chrisley Had a 'Full-on Breakdown' Over Caring for Siblings amid Her Parents' Prison Sentence

Todd and Julie are currently in the process of appealing their case. Meanwhile, Savannah is taking care of her younger brother Grayson, 16, and niece Chloe, 10. But the experience has been a challenge for her.

"The other night, I had a full-on breakdown. I was trying to find Chloe proper clothes to go and visit my parents and find her hair stuff," she recently shared on Unlocked. "I just sat down on the floor and started crying."

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RELATED VIDEO: Savannah Chrisley Says Her Brother Grayson Had a 'Breakdown' After Parents Entered Prison

She added, "I am not my mother. How am I going to do this? I don't feel that I am worthy or capable enough of doing the job she's done for all her life."

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.

Chloe, however, has reassured Savannah that she's been doing "a pretty good job."

Chrisley Knows Best airs Mondays at 11 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reaffirmed to the UN special envoy to the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh Egypts stance on the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD, which takes into account the interests of all three countries - Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia - and preserves Egypts water rights.

This came during a meeting on Thursday on the sidelines of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa, according to a statement released by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Security in Somalia

Shoukry and Tetteh discussed several issues related to security and peace in the Horn of Africa, especially in Somalia, the statement added.

During the meeting, Shoukry noted that the visit of the Somali president to Egypt last July reflected common understandings between the two countries within the framework of Egypt's firm and historical role in supporting Somalia.

The two officials affirmed the need for international partners to join hands to support efforts to stabilise the situation in Somalia by activating the role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Support for stability in Sudan

The Egyptian foreign minister and the UN envoy also discussed developments in Sudan.

Shoukry affirmed to Tetteh Cairo's support to achieving consensus among the Sudanese political forces in order to ensure the success of the transitional period and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people in restoring stability. and overcoming current challenges.

From her side, Tetteh praised the Egyptian efforts to support peace and security in Sudan and Somalia expressing her interest to continue consultation and coordination with Egypt in this regard, according to the statement.

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South Park takes aim at Harry and Meghan in new episode

South Park has taken aim at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a segment criticising their public appearances since leaving the Royal Family.

In an episode titled Worldwide Privacy Tour, that aired on Wednesday, February 15, cartoon versions of the couple are interviewed on the fictional Good Morning Canada show.

They walk in chanting, We want privacy! while Meghan holds a sign that says, Stop looking at us!

They sit down and thank the presenter for having them on the show, with Meghan saying, Its so awesome to be here, its great.

South Park makes fun of Harry and Meghan. As usual, they get it spot on.  pic.twitter.com/JURRIgHvsF  Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) February 16, 2023

Prince Harry is said to be there to promote his book, Waaagh, playing on his recently released memoir, Spare.

As Harry begins to explain the book, he is interrupted by Meghan, who says she encouraged him to write the book because his familys like, stupid.

The presenter questions the couple on why they say they hate journalists, before calling Harry a journalist for writing a book that reports on the Royal Family.

Meghan says: We just want to be normal people, all this attention is so hard.

South Park also pokes fun at Meghan for having celebrity friends and appearing in fashion magazines, arguing she doesnt actually want privacy.

The couple then storms off set, saying theyre going to look for somewhere where they can be normal people.

Another clip from the same episode sees Harry and Meghan inside a house decorated with banners that read Leave us alone, and Respect our privacy.

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This clips sees Meghan claim shes been victimised because shes an ethnic woman and jokes about Harrys reference to his frostbitten penis, which he divulged in his memoir.

Since leaving the Royal Family in early 2021, they spoke about their experience in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, and later in a three-part Netflix documentary.

Harrys tell-all memoir, Spare, was released in January 2023, in which he wrote about his experience growing up in the Royal Family.
Nevada family medical clinic chooses eClinicalWorks to improve efficiency and productivity

WESTBOROUGH, Mass., February 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--eClinicalWorks, the largest ambulatory cloud EHR, today announced that Sunrise Mountain Family Medical Clinic transitioned to the intelligent eClinicalWorks Cloud.

"Based on cost and security, the eClinicalWorks Cloud is a better way to run our practice. For starters, being cloud-based, we dont have to bear the expenses of maintaining and upgrading servers and employing our own IT staff to maintain all that infrastructure," said Darlene Francisco, FNP-C at Sunrise Mountain Family Medical Clinic. "The cloud technology provides quick access to patient information, streamlines the documentation process, and reduces costs."

Sunrise Mountain Family Medical Clinic experiences these key benefits by being on the eClinicalWorks Cloud:

Protection from Data Center Failure : Each primary data center has a designated failover backup, ensuring that clients enjoy redundancy in hosting services.

Real-Time Monitoring : Microsoft Azure provides real-time monitoring with state-of-the-art tools, improving reliability and user experience for those on the eClinicalWorks Cloud.

Protection Against Data Loss : Independent backups guard against destruction of original data by encrypting data during transmission to a secure recovery services vault.

Scalability as You Grow : Practices dont need to worry about site storage, weather, capacity, or upgrades  instead, they can enjoy access to abundant resources as they grow.

Simpler Deployments and Upgrades: Theres no need to worry about server-side upgrades or deployment cycles  eClinicalWorks manages upgrades automatically.

Learn more about the eClinicalWorks Cloud and eClinicalWorks suite of health IT solutions here.

About Sunrise Mountain Family Medical Clinic

Sunrise Mountain Family Medical Clinic is situated in Eastern Las Vegas, NV, where the need for medical access is higher compared to other areas. Sunrise Mountain Family Clinic is a small family practice with two providers.

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About eClinicalWorks

eClinicalWorks was founded in 1999 to help digitize paper charts for ambulatory practices. Today, eClinicalWorks leads the nation in innovation with cloud-based solutions for Electronic Health Records and Practice Management. In addition, we help ambulatory practices, specialists, health centers, urgent care facilities, and hospital systems manage their revenue cycle, patient relationships, and Population Health initiatives. More than 150,000 physicians and 850,000 medical professionals rely upon the power and scalability of the eCW Cloud for flexible clinical documentation, better front-office workflows, and more efficient billing driven by Robotic Process Automation. We combine innovation, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to patient safety to enable practices to grow and thrive amid the challenges 21st-century healthcare. For more information, visit www.eclinicalworks.com, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or call (866) 888-6929.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005216/en/

Contacts

eClinicalWorks

Bhakti Shah

508-330-6935

Bhakti.Shah@eclinicalworks.com
The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared to put another nail in the coffin of a pandemic-related immigration limit known as Title 42 when it abruptly canceled planned oral arguments over the policy.

The justices offered no explanation for their decision to remove the matter from the argument calendar, where it had been set for March 1. Nor did they indicate whether it would be rescheduled. But the action seemed to be spurred by the Biden administrations recent announcement that it plans to end the Covid public health emergency in May.

The courts move is the latest sign that the contentious legal battle over Title 42 could finally come to an end this spring. It wont, however, mark the end of the complex political challenge facing President Joe Biden, whos tasked with tamping down an unprecedented level of irregular migration at the southern border.

The public health emergency is the legal backbone of the Title 42 policy, a decades-old health directive the Trump administration resurfaced in March 2020 to sharply curtail the flow of asylum seekers into the U.S., particularly across the border with Mexico. The Biden administration has pledged to end the policy.

While the Biden administration officially opposes Title 42 policy, which many immigrant-rights advocates have bitterly denounced, Republicans and even some Democrats welcomed legal action to keep the asylum restrictions in place. Officials in border areas feared a massive influx in migration and even began to see an increase in December before legal maneuvering halted plans to end the policy that month.



Earlier this month, the White House declared the Covid-19 and national public health emergencies would come to an end on May 11. In a statement to Congress, the administration noted that the continual renewal of Title 42 orders  which have allowed the government for the past three years to turn away migrants without listening to their asylum claims  would come to an end, too. Since its implementation, Title 42 has been used more than 2 million times to expel migrants.

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Absent other relevant developments, the end of the public health emergency will (among other consequences) terminate the Title 42 orders and moot this case, Justice Department lawyers wrote in a brief to the Supreme Court last week, establishing its legal stance on the fate of the policy. The government has also recently announced its intent to adopt new Title 8 policies to address the situation at the border once the Title 42 orders end.

After conflicting court rulings from federal district court judges in Washington, D.C. and Louisiana, a sharply divided Supreme Court stepped in last December, staying an order requiring the Biden administration to end Title 42. By a 5-4 vote, the justices put the D.C.-based judges order on hold and appeared to defer to the Louisiana-based judges order that blocked a wind-down of the policy.

However, the high court insisted at the time that it was not requiring that the controversial immigration policy be kept in place.

The stay itself does not prevent the federal government from taking any action with respect to that policy, the court said then.

The handling of the border has been a constant challenge for the Biden administration  stymied by court battles and a Congress unable to reach a deal on immigration reform. Administration officials have continually said theyre preparing to lift Title 42, and have rolled out new policies intended to alleviate pressure at the border.



In January, Biden unveiled a new border measure that involved accepting 30,000 migrants a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela while cracking down on those who fail to use the plans legal pathways. The number of migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the border has dropped by 40 percent since December, which administration officials credit to the new policies.

The presidents announcement was made as the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice released details of a plan to impose a new regulation  a version of a Trump-era policy often called the transit ban. Under the new rule, migrants would be prohibited from applying for asylum in the United States unless they were first turned away for safe harbor by another country. It would also deem ineligible migrants who dont go through authorized ports of entry.

The regulation is expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks and will likely be met with swift criticism from immigration lawyers, advocates and Democrats.
Thousands of Americans are in the dark as to when they might be able to seek justice for a historic set of toxic exposure claims, even though Congress removed the barriers that were blocking them from doing so months ago.

Some of those involved were shocked to see their cases, related to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, dismissed last month over a technicality, requiring them to start the process over again. But they dont plan to give up the fight just yet.

We sat in the gallery of the Senate three hours while the Senate voted on three different amendments and then took the final vote on the PACT Act, said Mike Partain, a breast cancer survivor born at Camp Lejeune. Veterans were crying. They were hugging each other.

Partain was referring to the Honoring our PACT Act, an expansive bill signed into law in August that improved benefits for veterans exposed to toxins. Within the bill is a measure permitting lawsuits for those who endured on-base water contamination decades ago at Camp Lejeune.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that payouts to Camp Lejeune victims will amount to about $6.7 billion through 2031.

Victory turns to frustration

I cant explain how elated, how relieved I was that it finally passed. I turned around and looked at Jerry and said, We won, Jerry, we won, said Partain, who has long advocated for the legislation with retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger.

But those feelings of elation have turned into frustration.

The same day that President Biden signed the bill into law, groups of plaintiffs filed multiple lawsuits against the U.S., alleging that the government failed to ensure that toxic chemicals did not seep into the water used by the men and women who were willing to lay their lives on the line.

Retired Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger addresses a rally against the federal governments support for what activists say is a known polluter. Getty Images

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Just last month, however, Partain found out by chance  through a Google alert  that his case had been dismissed.

The reason for the dismissal, he learned, was a legal technicality: He needed to refile whats known as an administrative claim with the government before then filing his actual lawsuit.

The law says you have to file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy, Partain said. Our position was we already did.

Neither Partain nor Ensminger  who are working with Camp Lejeune Legal, a group of law firms pursuing federal claims under the new law  could figure out the logic behind this setback.

Ensminger, who served for 25 years in the Marine Corps, slammed the military and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for doing everything in their power to kill legislation that took decades to pass.

The Navy and the United States Marine Corps have lied, evaded, obfuscated facts, Ensminger told The Hill.

The backbone of our country

Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), who sponsored the Camp Lejeune bill, said that service members who chose to defend their country and those who supported them at the base were let down by their government in a big way.

These victims also waited far too long to receive the justice they deserve, Cartwright said in a Friday statement. Now that the bill has been signed into law, we should not prolong the suffering of those who served our country.

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who is also working with Camp Lejeune Legal, described the dismissal as a delay tactic while calling upon the government to follow through with the spirit and the intention of this bill and what Congress passed.

The backbone of our country and who America is, is our military, she said.

While it is notoriously difficult to sue the government, a 1946 statute called the Federal Tort Claims Act paves the way for doing so by recognizing liability for the negligent or wrongful acts of government employees.

But to file such a lawsuit, an individual first must submit an administrative claim to the relevant government agency within two years of the date of negligence. That agency then has six months to complete an investigation.

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich embraces retired Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger. Getty Images.

Only if the agency denies the claim can the plaintiff file a lawsuit in federal court.

Partain discovered he had breast cancer in 2007, at age 39. At the time, he was one of about 64 men who shared both this diagnosis and a history of exposure to contaminated tap water at Camp Lejeune, according to 2010 testimony he gave before Congress.

I was conceived, carried and then born at the base Naval Hospital while my parents lived in base housing, he said at the time.

Ensminger, meanwhile, attributes his daughter Janeys leukemia to the time she spent in utero at Camp Lejeune. Janey died of the cancer at age 9 in 1985.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act

The Marine Corps first discovered specific volatile organic compounds in the drinking water generated by Camp Lejeune treatment plants in 1982, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Since then, the agency has found that on-base exposures to contaminants such as trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and vinyl chloride likely increased the risk of certain cancers and other health issues from the 1950s through February 1985.

The long-awaited Camp Lejeune Justice Act, passed in August as part of the Honoring our PACT Act, allows those exposed to these toxins to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Northern Carolina.

Such injuries, which include in utero exposures, must have occurred for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.

The globe and anchor stand at the entrance to Camp Lejeune. The Associated Press

The new law overrides a legal hurdle  North Carolinas so-called statute of repose  that had long prevented such cases. North Carolina is among the few states with such a statute, which prohibits lawsuits if more than 10 years have passed since the contaminating event.

The problem was, however, that most plaintiffs didnt even become sick  let alone know they were contaminated  until far more than a decade after the polluting incident.

But cancer survivors such as Partain and family members of those who have died wouldnt take no for an answer and ultimately vested their hopes in Congress.

We couldnt go to the courts, because the courts said that we had to turn in claims before we knew we were exposed and before we had cancer, Partain said.

Nonetheless, Partain filed an administrative claim  as required by the Federal Tort Claims Act, prior to a lawsuit  to the Navys Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) in 2009.

Ensminger had already submitted a claim on his late daughters behalf in 2002.

Legacy claims

Neither Partain nor Ensminger heard back from the Navy JAG Corps within the six-month window required by law. But if an agency fails to decide on a claim within six months, that claim is considered rejected.

My original claim was actually filed in February of 2009, Partain said. And the JAG sat on it until spring of 2019 when I received a denial letter from JAG.

Partain and Ensminger  along with more than 4,000 other claimants  received a letter rejecting their claims that year, according to a November court document submitted by the DOJ.

The letter, shared by Partain with The Hill, justified the rejections by citing North Carolinas statute of repose  explaining that the claimants did not file their claims within 10 years of the last contamination incident they experienced at Camp Lejeune.

But when the Camp Lejeune Justice Act became law in August, Partain said he had assumed that his dismissed administrative claim  now known as a legacy claim  made him eligible to seek justice from the government.

The day that the president signed the bill, our cases were delivered, hand-delivered, to Navy JAG department at the Washington Navy Yard, Ensminger said.

They refused to accept them, he added, noting that instead, a courier took the lawsuits to a FedEx office and shipped them a couple blocks to the Navy Yard.

On Dec. 20, U.S. District Judge James Dever dismissed Partains lawsuit  filed together with other breast cancer survivors  stressing that the plaintiffs had neglected to exhaust administrative remedies.

This was not part of the intent of the act, and it certainly wasnt part of the law, Brockovich said. Theyre going to make now thousands of legacy claims refile.

Marine men and women come home from overseas only to be poisoned on their own soil, Brockovich added on CNN on Friday.

This behavior has to stop, she said. And as long as Im around, Im going to do my best to hold them accountable.

Ensmingers case has yet to be dismissed because all the lawsuits were distributed among four judges  three who have already rejected their pile and one who has not issued a decision, according to Partain.

But a bolded, all-caps announcement on the Navy JAG Corps website now indicates that claims previously denied under the Federal Tort Claims Act involving water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. must be refiled for consideration.

That failure to exhaust administrative remedies was at the core of the November response from the DOJ to Partains initial August complaint.

The DOJ response questioned whether claims submitted years before enactment of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act satisfy administrative requirements, stressing that the Navy did not yet have a chance to reevaluate these legacy claims under the new law.

The response also argued that while the Camp Lejeune Justice Act expressly overrode various aspects of the Federal Tort Claims Act, it did not eliminate the need for claims to be administratively exhausted.

To the contrary, Congress expressly reaffirmed that requirement, cross-referencing the relevant requirement and prohibiting the filing of suits in federal court before it is satisfied, the DOJ response stated.

Replying to the DOJ response later in November, a former attorney for the plaintiffs, Eric Flynn, described the governments argument as misguided.

Jerry Ensminger holds a portrait of his daughter, Janey, in White Lake, N.C. The Associated Press

Before filing suit, a plaintiff must present an administrative claim to the Navy and the Navy must deny that claim, Flynn wrote. Plaintiffs did precisely that.

Nowhere does the law state that claims exhausted before the bills enactment do not count, according to Flynn.

Rep. Mark Takano (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said in a Friday statement that the VA offers benefits to veterans exposed to toxins at Camp LeJeune, and veterans should pursue those benefits.

However, many veterans and their families have been left behind  that is why I was pleased to include the Camp LeJeune Justice Act as part of my PACT Act, Takano said. I encourage the Navy and Department of Justice to act swiftly and honorably to address these wrongs, because all veterans and family members living with the effects of toxic exposure should have the opportunity to seek justice.

The House Armed Services Committee did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment.

Separately from the Camp Lejeune claims, which must be filed through the Navy JAG Corps, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced last month that it has already received more than 213,000 claims related to the broader PACT Act.

The VA said that it would begin to process those claims on Jan. 1 and that 959,000 veterans had received new toxic exposure screenings  with nearly 39 percent reporting an exposure concern.

Asked why legacy claims must be refiled and face further delays in the judiciary process, the Navy JAG Corps referred The Hill to the DOJ.

The DOJ, in turn, declined to comment on the issue.

Im in limbo

Mikal Watts, a trial lawyer on the Camp Lejeune Legal team, told The Hill in a statement that he and his team didnt believe the law required re-presentment of claims already denied.

However, we respect court decisions and will abide by whatever the courts decide either way, Watts said.

Both Partain and Ensminger already refiled new claims as a backup measure months ago, but Partain said he has yet to receive confirmation that Navy JAG got his new claim.

Im in limbo in that sense, Partain said. But the thing is, for those people who didnt and just filed suit, now they would have to file a new claim all over again.

Stressing that these are identical claims to those denied in 2019, he questioned the governments motive in making people who have been waiting 17 years wait still longer.

While acknowledging that the wheels of justice can move slowly, Partain emphasized his growing frustration and disillusionment with a fight he thought he finally had won.

The president signed the law, Congress passed a law, its clear that theyre wanting this issue resolved, but yet were getting delays, he said. And this is yet another delay.

Updated at 5:06 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been supported on the battlefield by tens of thousands of mercenaries from a shadowy group led by a businessman and longtime affiliate of President Vladimir Putin.

The Wagner private military company, under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin, cut its teeth in deployments to Crimea and eastern Ukraines Donbas region in 2014 and has since contracted troops to several conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, including the Syrian Civil War.

In Russias invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has proved indispensable, but a power struggle between the Kremlin and the outspoken Mr Prigozhin recently led to the group having its wings clipped by Moscow.

Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin on a tour around the formers food factory in 2010 (AP)

Mr Prigozhin, a 61-year-old ex-convict sometimes known as Putins chef because his catering business has hosted dinners for the Russian president and fed the Kremlins armed forces, denied all links with the group until September last year when he announced he was proud to be its founder.

He said he founded Wagner to support Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas conflict.

I cleaned the old weapons myself, sorted out the bulletproof vests myself and found specialists who could help me with this, Mr Prigozhin said. From that moment, on 1 May 2014, a group of patriots was born, which later came to be called the Wagner Battalion.

Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian intelligence officer, is alleged to be a co-founder who remains near the top of the groups command.

Wagner has been accused of committing human rights abuses in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali and Mozambique.

The group is also believed to be working for the Burkina Faso government against an Islamist insurgency. Mr Prigozhin had a history of suing Russian and Western news outlets who alleged his involvement with the group. His secretive stance was to protect the Wagner soldiers, he claimed.

Wagner fighters in a Soledar salt mine, after Mr Prigozhin claimed to have taken the town (Telegram)

Mr Prigozhin admitted his links with Wagner as the group rose to prominence in the Ukraine conflict. British intelligence puts the number of Wagner troops active in Ukraine at 50,000, comprising a quarter of total Russian strength.

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War contractors are nothing new but military analysts say the Kremlin has been heavily reliant on Wagner due to the heavy losses incurred by Russian forces during the war, along with difficulties in recruitment.

The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) first reported that Wagner had been deployed in Ukraine on 28 March 2022, little more than one month into the conflict after Russian losses had already begun to hamper the pace of assault.

Wagner has since then played significant roles in capturing towns such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk  offering relative operational competence while the Kremlin has been forced to repeatedly switch around command of its own forces in the face of losses.

Graves of Wagner fighters in a cemetery near the village of Bakinskaya, Russia (Reuters)

Mr Prigozhin has been at pains to claim victories for Wagner in Ukraine, sometimes putting him at odds with the Kremlin line. He has even accused Russias defence ministry of taking credit for Wagner successes.

In the battle for Soledar, a small town subject to an intense assault as part of Russias wider campaign to take over the city of Bakhmut, Mr Prigozhin said Wagner mercenaries had triumphed over Ukrainian forces days before the Kremlin said its own troops had done the same.

Bakhmut is prized by Moscow as its capture would put Russian forces in a stronger position in the goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions which make up the Donbas.

On Sunday 12 February, Mr Prigozhin said Wagner had taken the village of Krasna Hora near Bakhmut, making no mention of Russian forces as Moscow began to launch a major offensive which targeted the Donetsk town along with several other frontline settlements.

A picture released by Mr Prigozhins press service shows what it said to be Wagner fighters at the entrance sign to the village of Krasna Hora (Reuters)

Speculation has raged over Mr Prigozhins ambitions in Russian politics and there are signs that Mr Putin is sensitive to any potential challenges by his former cook.

The Kremlin has moved to clip Mr Prigozhins wings, ordering him to halt his public criticism of the defence ministry while advising state media to stop mentioning him or Wagner by name.

Mr Prigozhin confirmed last week he had also been stripped of the right to recruit convicts from prisons  a key feeding ground for Wagners ranks  ceding the power back to the government for its own forces.

Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser who maintains contacts in political circles, said the Russian government extracted a promise from Mr Prigozhin that he would not create his own political movement or join a parliamentary party unless asked to do so by officials.

They are a little afraid of him and find him an inconvenient person, Mr Markov said.

PMC Wagner Centre building, the groups HQ in St Petersburg (EPA)

The group, formally PMC Wagner, recently moved its headquarters to an imposing glass high-rise in St Petersburg, which also acts as a technology centre and holds exhibits of advanced weaponry along grey corridors filled with camouflaged personnel.

Unsettling accounts of life in the mercenary group have surfaced recently from former members including Andrei Medvedev, who last month sought asylum in Norway after deserting a Wagner regiment in Ukraine. The 26-year-old said said sergeants were ruthless in their attempts to recruit new fighters.

They would round up those who did not want to fight and shoot them in front of newcomers, he alleged in an interview with CNN.

They brought two prisoners who refused to go fight and they shot them in front of everyone and buried them right in the trenches that were dug by the trainees.

The MoD said in July that Wagner was lowering recruitment standards to include formerly blacklisted individuals.

Andrei Medvedev in Oslo after fleeing Wagner command (Reuters)

Mr Medvedev claimed he joined Wagner as a volunteer after serving in the Russian military. He said Wagner fighters were often sent into battle with little direction.

Two former Wagner fighters captured by Ukraine told CNN of devastating losses in assaults reminisscent of First World War charges.

Recalling his first assault near the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk, one said: There were 90 of us. Sixty died in that first assault, killed by mortar fire. A handful remained wounded.

The other fighter said he was involved in a push for Lysychansk on the Luhansk/Donetsk border. The first steps into the forest were difficult because of all the landmines spread out. Out of 10 guys, seven were killed immediately, he said.

The fight went on for five days, he said. There is no feeling attached to it. Just wave after wave. Four hundred [Wagner fighters] were brought there, and then more and more, all the time.

Further evidence of brutality emerged on 14 February, as footage appeared to show a Russian convict who fought for Wagner being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after being accused of fleeing the war.
A fun-loving New Orleans couple reimagines a 1940s house in Pass Christian, Mississippi, into a weekend escape packed with coastal whimsy.

Dane Tashima; STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller

A doctor and a lawyer walk into a truck stop. With their collared shirts and pressed shorts, you might expect them to go right for the Evian water and trail mix. Instead, they walk out with a dozen plastic mermaid dolls. What gives? Dr. Quinn Peeper and his husband, lawyer Michael Harold, were planning to host a Seas the Day! party at their home in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Theyd invited guests to come in costume, sip Goombay Smashes poolside, and nosh on Harolds shrimp dip. They used the mermaids as table toppers. We love a theme, admits Peeper. The couple chronicles their entertaining adventures on the Instagram account @classicalshindig, and their book by the same name is set to come out this summer. Monday through Friday, they indulge the classical side of their lifestyle brand at their 1862 Greek Revival home in Uptown New Orleans. Both talented pianists, they often host friends for dinner and a concert. But come the weekend, its shindig time at their Gulf Coast retreat.

Historic Pass Christian, about an hour northeast of the Crescent City, was an obvious choice for a nearby escape. However, the house they bought there was not. The 1946 structure came with dated metal awnings, a yard dominated by azalea bushes, and none of the soaring ceilings or grand architecture of their full-time digs.

Even so, Peeper says it was love at first sight. The circular driveway, the scalloped awnings, the front door that opens into the living roomit reminded me of my grandmothers house in the Arkansas Delta, he recalls. I spent summers there as a kid, and I was very attached to her and to that home.

So the new owners kept those awnings but painted them turquoise. No one noticed them before, Harold says with a laugh. Now, the neighbors call this the blue-awning house. The over-the-top fun spills inside the home, too, with rooms punctuated by vibrant colors and collections. Tour the inside-and-out tropical transformation.

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Dane Tashima, STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller

Round Up Pieces with Personality

Quinn knew exactly the look he wanted, recalls Harold. Bamboo and rattan, painted beachy things, an eclectic mix of artwork. The project sent him down an eBay/Chairish/estate sale rabbit hole. The resulting bounty reinforces what the couple calls the Palm Beach-meets-Bahamas-meets-Fantasy Island vibe.

Pull It All Together

They scored most of the sunroom furniturethe peacock chairs, a pair of Moroccan poufs, the rattan chestantiquing on Dixie Highway in Palm Beach. In keeping with the color scheme, the Louis XVI-style daybed, found at an antiques store in New Orleans, got a coat of Sherwin-Williams Blue Nile (SW 6776). I am drawn to a particular shade of screaming turquoise, says Peeper with a laugh. The dealer of this piece nearly fainted.

Dane Tashima; STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller

Call On a Craftsperson

We hired a cabana whisperer, says Peeper. I dreamed it up and drew it out; then our builder, J.R. Walsh (of One Coast Homes), made the dream come true! Peeper found the fern-frond chandelier on Chairish. The sturdy vinyl mat on the ground, which convincingly mimics the look of Portuguese tile, came from the online shop Hudson & Vine.

Dane Tashima, STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller

Take Cues from Color

Peeper is from Memphis, but three years at the University of Oxford cemented his love for all things English. The inspiration for his favorite blue comes from Fortnum & Mason, the legacy British food emporium. The signature shade shows up on this porcelain pot that held anchovy relish, which they enjoy on toast in the winter.

Dane Tashima; STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller Seeing Stripes: A custom glaze with a base of Benjamin Moore Golden Beige (100) covers the walls.

Befriend Your Favorite Vendors

Designer and collector Simon Paul Scott of Jardins en Fleur sold them the vintage bamboo tester bed thats now in the primary bedroom. It was the last one Scott had, and he did not want to part with it, says Peeper. Then he saw our Instagram, chatted with us, and eventually gave in. New Orleans artist E. Lee Jahncke Mead (of E. Lee Jahncke Fine Finishes) added the coral stripes to the walls. Peeper bought the turquoise quilt at a shop in The Royal Hawaiian Resort, a Honolulu hotel.

Dane Tashima; STYLING: Buffy Hargett Miller

Channel Faraway Influences

The guest room is a playful ode to the Anglophile: Colefax and Fowler Bowood drapes frame the window, English toile de Jouy coverlets featuring a British fishing village wrap the twin beds, Union Jack bunting trims the ceiling, and framed 19th-century political cartoons sourced from English print shops accent the walls.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.
Severe weather on Thursday could bring heavy rain, damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour, quarter-sized hail and the possibility of tornadoes to the Tuscaloosa area, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

A powerful cold front will put the entire state under the threat of severe weather Thursday afternoon and evening.

Nathan Owen, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Birmingham, said Tuscaloosa area residents can expect the risk of severe weather to begin around noon and last until 5 p.m. Thursday.

Owen said the biggest concern for Thursday will be the development of supercell storms, which could possibly produce tornadoes.

Severe Storms Outlook for Thursday

Now is the time to prepare and come up with a safety plan, Owen said.

"Where are you going to be tomorrow? And if a warning is issued, where would you take shelter if something were to happen... Have a plan in place now before the storms get there. So that if a warning is issued tomorrow, people will know what to do at that point," Owen said.

Staying weather aware is also another way to keep safe during Thursday's storms through television, radio, online and trusted sites on social media.

"Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts throughout the day, especially through those afternoon hours. So whenever severe storms start to develop and we issue warnings ... you're able to get it as quickly as possible to take action," Owen said.

More:Tuscaloosa EMA website eases access to information, updates

For weather updates, residents can also follow the Tuscaloosa Emergency Management Agency on Twitter at @TuscaloosaCoEMA; The National Weather Service in Birmingham's account at @NWSBirmingham; and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency's account at @AlabamaEMA.

The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency has a list of storm shelters at www.tuscaloosacountyema.org/storm-shelters. Residents can also sign up to get weather alerts from the Tuscaloosa EMA on their phone by signing up for TuscAlert. A link to sign up for TuscAlert is provided at www.tuscaloosacountyema.org.

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Schools to dismiss early

Tuscaloosa city and county schools will close early on Thursday because of the severe weather threat.

All students in the Tuscaloosa County School System will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

Tuscaloosa City Schools' students in the elementary schools, the Tuscaloosa magnet schools and the Alberta School of Performing Arts will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. At noon, the middle schools will be dismissed, followed by the high schools and the S.T.A.R.S. Academy at 12:30 p.m. Meals and transportation will be provided as part of the early dismissal.

Shelton State Community College also announced the 10 a.m. dismissal of its classes. The University of Alabama will suspend operations at 12:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Wind, hail and tornadoes possible Thursday afternoon in Tuscaloosa
Business Reporter

Joel Donofrio is the business reporter for the Yakima Herald. He was born and raised in the Chicago area, but he and his wife, Cathy, fell in love with the beauty (and low humidity) of the West and moved here in 2009, eventually relocating to Yakima in September 2021. They have two young adult children, Anthony and Joanna, and a dog, Molly. When he is not taking photos of construction sites, tracking down new and relocating businesses or catching up on agricultural trends, Joel enjoys playing guitar, singing, listening to music and playing and watching sports.
RFA/Health Care Access Reporter

Santiago Ochoa is a bilingual journalist covering health care access at the Yakima Herald-Republic in Yakima, Washington. Before joining the Herald, Ochoa reported for Flint Beat in Flint, Michigan, covering the citys Latino populationhealth care, education, community building and more, and winning top honors in the Michigan Press Associations feature category. He served as photographer and later editor for his college newspaper, The Michigan Times. When hes not working, Ochoa enjoys cross-country trips on his motorcycle, going to the movies, reading and skiing.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed to the CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Nardos Bekele-Thomas that Egypt is keen on supporting AUDA-NEPAD in its efforts to address regional challenges and contribute to the development of the continent.

This came during a meeting today on the sidelines of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, Bekele-Thomas congratulated Egypt on assuming the presidency of the steering committee of the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD), Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

Bekele-Thomas also highlighted during the meeting with FM Shoukry AUDA-NEPAD's priorities in the coming period.

These priorities include mobilising financial resources to carry out infrastructure and connectivity projects in the continent, she said.

They also included implementing Energize Africa Initiative which focuses on catalysing and harnessing the youths potential creativity and innovativeness towards Africas economic growth and development drive, she added.

Bekele-Thomas noted that owning the continent's present and future requires a high degree of imagination and innovation that will only come from its youth.

For this reason, she added, AUDA-NEPAD has designed Energize Africa to fast-track capacity mobilisation for program delivery and transformation on the continent.



Bekele-Thomas said she looks forward to close coordination and cooperation with the Egyptian presidency of the steering committee, voicing hope to visit Egypt to probe various development files.



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African leaders will travel, Saturday, to Addis Ababa for the annual African Union summit to follow-up on a new continent-wide free trade agreement and to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), billed as the biggest free trade accord in the world in terms of population, gathers 54 out of 55 African countries, with Eritrea the only holdout.

Two days of talks under the theme "Acceleration of AfCFTA implementation" open on Saturday.

AfCFTA's plan is to boost intra-African trade by 60 percent by 2034 by eliminating almost all tariffs, creating an economic bloc of 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion.

African countries currently trade only about 15 percent of their goods and services with each other, compared to more than 65 percent with European countries.

If fully implemented, AfCFTA would lift 50 million Africans out of extreme poverty and raise incomes by nine percent by 2035, according to the World Bank.

But implementation has fallen well short of that goal, running into hurdles including disagreements over tariff reductions and border closures caused by the Covid pandemic.

"Rattled economies"

This year's summit comes at a "delicate moment" for Africa, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank, citing Ethiopia's nascent peace process, conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sahel region, South Sudan and jihadist insurgencies in Somalia and Mozambique.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions that followed "have rattled African economies and left many in deep distress", ICG adds, with food prices shooting up.

Analysts say the obstacles, which range from ubiquitous red tape to the entrenched protectionism of some countries, must be overcome for Africa to achieve the coveted single market.

"There is a declared political will, but it will take a long time to put in place," Paul-Simon Handy, regional director of the Institute for Security Studies in Addis Ababa, told AFP.

Dorine Nininahazwe, African Union director of US-headquartered non-profit ONE Campaign, agreed.

"There are fears from certain African countries that with opening borders, they will have an influx of people they cannot control," Nininahazwe told AFP.

Conflict in Congo

The summit, long criticised for being ineffectual, will also aim to address the raging conflict in eastern DR Congo.

Rebels, many of them a legacy of regional wars that flared during the 1990s and the early 2000s, have sown chaos in the mineral-rich east and sparked a diplomatic row with neighbouring Rwanda, which is accused of backing the M23 militia.

The African Union scored some success in November last year in fostering a peace deal in Ethiopia between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

Comoros President Azali Assoumani, leader of the small Indian Ocean archipelago of almost 900,000 people, is due to take over the one-year rotating AU chairmanship from Senegal's Macky Sall.

The 64-year-old Assoumani will "require the support of other senior African leaders to discharge the role, given his country's limited diplomatic heft", according to ICG.

At least 35 presidents and four prime ministers will be attending the summit, Ethiopia's foreign ministry spokesman Meles Alem said on Tuesday, without giving names.

So far, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana and Congo-Brazzaville have confirmed they will be sending their presidents.

Last year, unease flared over the accreditation of Israel as an observer at the AU, triggering a rare dispute within a body that values consensus.

The summit suspended a debate on whether to withdraw the accreditation and a committee was formed to address the issue. It is not clear if AU will take up the matter this year.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel Sunday to Turkey to discuss support after a massive earthquake, his first trip to the NATO ally which has had turbulent relations with Washington.

Blinken will visit Incirlik air base, through which the United States has shipped aid, and then hold talks in the capital Ankara on "continued US support," State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday.

The top US diplomat will also take part in the Munich Security Conference, where the Ukraine war and tensions with China will take center stage, and will visit Turkey's historic rival Greece, a fellow NATO ally.

The United States has flown in some 200 rescuers and contributed an initial $85 million in relief for Turkey, deploying Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters to bring supplies to worst-hit areas.

The visit, which was being planned before the February 6 earthquake that killed nearly 40,000 people in the country and neighboring Syria, will be the first by Blinken to Turkey after more than two years in office.

President Joe Biden was elected after promising to take a greater distance from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Biden has previously branded an autocrat.

But the Biden administration has since viewed Turkey as helpful for a mediatory role between Russia and Ukraine, including in a deal to ship grain through the Black Sea to alleviate world shortages.

The Biden administration has voiced support for Turkey's request to buy F-16 fighter jets but the sale is being blocked in Congress due to concerns over Turkey's human rights record and threats to Greece.

The United States has been seeking ways to encourage Erdogan to lift his objections to NATO membership by Sweden and Finland, which have shed earlier neutrality since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Turkey has been the key holdout, with Erdogan pressing Sweden to crack down on Kurdish militants seen by Ankara as terrorists.

After signs of progress, Erdogan renewed objections to Sweden after a protest outside Turkey's embassy at Stockholm at which a far-right activist torched Islam's holy book the Koran.

The United States in recent years has also been angered by Turkey's purchase of an advanced air defense system from Moscow, saying it could help NATO's primary adversary hone in on Western fighter jets.

Blinken is expected to discuss tensions with Turkey when he travels on Monday to Athens, although the temperature has cooled since the earthquake as Greece provides assistance to its neighbor.

Blinken will start his trip Thursday in Frankfurt and then head to the Munich Security Conference, the annual gathering of leaders that is taking place a week before the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In Munich, Blinken will join Vice President Kamala Harris, who is part of a slew of US officials visiting Europe around the anniversary, with Biden due in Poland next week.

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi is also expected in Munich, offering a potential chance for a meeting with Blinken, although US officials said nothing was decided.

Blinken had been due to travel earlier this month to Beijing in the first trip by a top US diplomat in more than four years, seeking to prevent tensions between the world's two largest economies from spiraling out of control.

But he abruptly canceled the trip after the United States said that a Chinese surveillance balloon, later shot down, was spotted over the US mainland.

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Men born before 1964 typically do not spend money on Valentine's Day gifts, while those belonging to Generation Z spend more than three times as much as on an average day, according to a survey from Erste Bank, writes profitline.hu.

On the day known as the holiday of love, customers spend an average of 16% more than an average day in January.



Examining debit and credit card purchases, the bank found that consumers spend 66% more than usual on restaurants, flowers, and underwear.



Men's Valentine's Day spending is almost double that of January, and members of Generation Z (born between 1996-2010) spend 355% more on romantic gifts.



Members of the generation born before 1964 typically do not spend on Valentine's Day, while those from Generation X, today's 42-58-year-olds, already pay more than 50% more for this purpose.



Meanwhile, the Millennial generation, born between 1980 and 1996, spends almost twice as much as before.
Hungarys EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi has expressed sincere regrets over a misunderstanding in connection with remarks he made during Tuesdays plenary session of the European Parliament.

Hungarys opposition Democratic Coalition on Tuesday demanded that the commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood policy should resign without delay after he had been heard calling deputies of the body idiots through a microphone that was left turned on.



In a statement, Varhelyi said on Wednesday that his remarks had been taken out of context. What he said, the commissioner insisted, was related to a private conversation held in Hungarian with his cabinet chief on a completely different topic.



Varhelyi added he fully respected all institutions of the EU and their representatives, and thanked MEPs for Tuesdays plenary, which he called an excellent opportunity to discuss the extremely important geopolitical issues of the Western Balkans.



He said he was looking forward to further European Parliamentary debates in full respect of my inter-institutional obligations and the principle of straightforward cooperation.
Tata Motors has opened bookings for the updated 2023 Tata Harrier SUV in India. The new Tata Harrier will be the first SUV from the Indian automaker to offer Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology. The feature has been added in the SUV after rival brands started offering the ADAS tech in their vehicles, including the Mahindra XUV700 and MG Hector. Born of Land Rover pedigree, the Tata Harrier is now available with a new 6 Speed Automatic Transmission, added features and other changes to the vehicle.

Minor exterior tweaks aside, the Tata Harrier now gets ADAS with features like Autonomous emergency braking, front and rear collision alerts, rear cross traffic warning, blind spot assist, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure and lane change warnings among others. It also gets improved ESP and six airbags as standard equipment.

The engine for the Tata Harrier remains the same as that of the standard version with a 2.0-litre diesel mill having 168 hp and 350 Nm of torque and comes mated to either a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is now BS6 RDE ready to meet latest emission norms.

The homegrown carmaker was also preparing to launch a new special edition of its 5-seater SUV - Tata Harrier. A set of spy images revealed the Tata Hark Dark Edition with red upholstery for the interior. This hinted at the arrival of a new special edition of the Harrier, which was expected to be launched at the 2023 Auto Expo.

However, Tata Motors has not revealed any details on the Tata Harrier Red Edition. Instead, Tata Harrier EV was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2023. This is the second electric SUV from the Indian automaker after the Tata Nexon EV. Until now, Tata Harrier has been only sold with an ICE powertrain.

Tata Harrier EV gets the design details of its ICE cousins and has a similar high stance expected of an SUV. Furthermore, it features LED DRLs with a smooth grill replacing the traditional grill. The pentagonal housing for the headlamps remains the same, just like the Tata Nexon EV, with an EV label on the side of the electric SUV.
Union Minister for Road and Transport Nitin Gadkari is known for openly expressing his views. He is often referred to as the most efficient minister in the Narendra Modi government due to the fast pace of work achieved by him. During a recent interview with a news portal, Gadkari was asked that when people pay taxes from which the politicians get their salaries, why should netas be exempted from toll taxes? This is a question that often crosses the mind of common people whenever they pay toll taxes.

Responding to the question of VIP treatment accorded to netas, Gadkari expresses his helplessness to do away with the exemption as he hinted that political parties won't agree to this. "There is an exemption of Ambulances...These are not VIPs, the MLAs, MPs, the Ministers are part of the government...You know the limitation of popular politicians. If I am going to take that decision, what will happen in Parliament?...Frankly Speaking, there are no answers for some questions," said Gadkari.

It may be recalled that months ago when a journalist had asked Gadkari to allow toll exemption for scribes, the minister had outrightly rejected the demand. People like the President of India, Vice-President of India, Prime Minister of India, Governor of a State, The Chief Justice of India, The Speaker of the Assembly/Parliament, The Cabinet Minister, Chief Ministers and Judges of the Supreme Court are some of those exempted from paying toll taxes in India.

On the work front, the Ministry of Road and Transport has been doing phenomenal work. The work is underway on many expressways while many are nearing completion including the new Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Gadkari recently said the government is making every effort to take the road infrastructure of the country to a level at par with America by the end of 2024.
The Indian Air Force will deploy its largest cargo plane - the Boeing-made C-17 Globemaster to bring 12 more Cheetahs to India from South Africa. The IAF C-17 has already taken off from India to bring home 12 of these animals from the Cat family on February 18, confirmed Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Unlike the previous time when the first batch of 8 Cheetahs was flown in India from Namibia on a Chartered flight operating a Boeing 747 with special livery, this time, Indian Air Force will be transporting them from Africa to India.

The C-17 will land at the Gwalior Air Base on Saturday and from there, IAF Mi-17 helicopters will take the Cheetahs to the Kuno National Park, new home of the exotic animal, widely considered as the fastest living being on earth. Addressing a press conference in the Delhi, the Union Minister said that these 12 Cheetahs will be released on the same day of their arrival at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The Indian Air Force recently deployed the C-17 Globemaster to Turkey after a deadly earthquake killed more than 4,000 people in Turkey and Syria. The IAF C-17 Globemaster made multiple sorties to carry relief and medical aid to the earthquake stuck country.

Previously on September 17, 2022, eight Cheetahs were brought to the Kuno National Park from Namibia in South Africa and were released by PM Modi on his birthday. Radio collars have been installed in all the cheetahs and monitored through satellite. Apart from this, a dedicated monitoring team behind each cheetah keeps monitoring the location for 24 hours.

The Cheetah Project Chief SP Yadav said "IAF`s C-17 Globemaster took off for South Africa from Hindon airbase today morning to bring 12 Cheetahs to the country. The IAF is not charging any amount for this task. The plane will take off from South Africa at 8 pm on Friday and will land in Gwalior the next day around 10 am. The cheetahs will be released in Kuno National Park on February 18".

With ANI inputs
A 49-year-old female passenger Anzhelika Moskvitina was arrested by police for creating ruckus on an Aeroflot flight from Stavropol to Moscow. She bared her chest in front of other passengers - including children - on the flight in protest of not letting her smoke in the lavatory on the plane. As per a report on Mirror, the woman passenger was restrained with cuffs on the flight, and was handed over to the cops upon landing in Moscow. A video has surfaced on the social media platforms revealing the moment when the woman - suspected of being intoxicated - was arguing with cabin crew as they sought to pacify her.

As per reports, the high drama began at a height of 33,000 ft when Anzhelika Moskvitina locked herself in the toilet and smoked while the plane was going through turbulence. When asked to back to her seat, she bared herself open in front of everyone, and demanded to enter the cockpit. As business class passengers assisted the crew to restrain her, she bit one of the male cabin crew.

Striptease of a passenger of the flight "Aeroflot" Stavropol - Moscow.

The woman smoked in the toilet, undressed and started to get into the pilots shouting that everyone would die. Then she bit the stewardess and spent the rest of the flight handcuffed. pic.twitter.com/DvEyUtp8OX  PLANES OF LEGEND (@PlanesOfLegend) February 14, 2023

On the order of the captain, she was handcuffed using plastic cuff on the flight and was taken to the galley, where the purported video of the conversation between a crew member and Moskvitina was recorded.

Conversation between attendant and passenger

As seen in the video, the cabin crew asks the unruly passenger to take a seat and get dressed, "take a seat and get dressed, she was ordered by the crew. Where are your clothes? She was asked: Do you understand you're violating the behaviour rules on the plane? There are children here. Respect them at least.

She replied: I respect children. Whats more, I love children. I understand I'll go to the mental hospital or a prison. But I want to go to the cockpit. She was told her demand was senseless.

As the crew sought to make her dress, she replied: Please go away from me. Kill me here, but I will smoke. She was urged to calm down, but repeated to the crew to leave me alone and let me go.
New Delhi: Blue Origin, the private space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, was awarded its first interplanetary NASA contract on Thursday to launch a mission next year to study the magnetic field around Mars, the U.S. space agency and company said. Plans call for Blue Origin's recently developed New Glenn heavy-lift rocket to blast off with NASA's dual-spacecraft ESCAPADE mission in late 2024 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the agency said.

It will take the identical twin ESCAPADEs, short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, about 11 months to reach Mars orbit, where they will capture data from the planet's magnetosphere and its interactions with solar radiation.

New Glenn, with a reusable first stage designed to be flown on at least 25 missions, is named for pioneering NASA astronaut John Glenn, who became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962.

Blue Origin has flown previous NASA missions with its smaller, suborbital New Shepard rocket, which can carry research payloads on short, microgravity trips to the edge of space and back.

But ESCAPADE gives Blue Origin another line of business with a valuable government customer as Bezos' rocket company begins to compete with SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and other major players for flights to low-Earth orbit and beyond.

Blue Origin, known for its astro-tourism business for wealthy customers and celebrities, is one of 13 firms NASA chose last year for its Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare missions (VADR) program.

VADR essentially is intended to spur private development of private space launch vehicles by assigning lower-cost NASA science missions to new rockets with an unproven record and higher chance of failure.

In doing so, NASA takes on greater risk by using promising upstart rocket services with whom commercial customers might be unwilling to fly initially.

NASA says the maximum possible price for a launch under the VADR program is $300 million. The space agency declined to disclose the value of the ESCAPADE contract, calling such information proprietary. Blue Origin also declined to discuss financial details. Although ESCAPADE marks NASA's first flight on New Glenn, that booster has been selected to carry payloads to orbit for three leading satellite operators: Eutelsat, JSAT and Telesat, according to Blue Origin. The company also has said Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite constellation has chosen New Glenn for 12 launches over five years.
New Delhi: The petroleum products can be part of GST and what is needed is the nod from the council members, said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday.Petroleum products are currently not part of the GST framework."The provision is already available for petroleum products to be brought into the GST. My predecessor had already made the window kept open. Once the states agree we will have the petroleum products also covered under GST. So, that`s not so much us not doing it, and the entire (GST) council saying `yes`," she said. She made the remarks while participating in a post-Budget interactive session of the industry body, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), here in reply to a question."Not just yes...what they (council members) have to do is to determine a rate and once they tell me the rate, we get it into the GST," she added.

The 49th meeting of the GST Council is scheduled to be held here in the national capital on February 18, to be chaired by finance minister Sitharaman. Further, on the Budget for 2023-24, she said the continued push on infrastructure building through higher capex allocation is to keep India`s economic growth momentum intact.

The central government is ensuring that the public expenditure continues to grow to have a desired multiplier effect on all the sectors, she said."The momentum on growth should not be relaxed or diluted, if anything, there should be greater ascent for that growth which we want to sustain at a good level," she added.

Capital investment outlay is being increased steeply for the third year in a row by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore, which would be 3.3 per cent of GDP. This will be almost three times the outlay in 2019-20.The capex allocation has grown four times since 2015-16, from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore (budget estimate for 2023-24)."For the last 3-4 years, there has been a consistent emphasis on public capital expenditure, such as in last year`s budget, and this year`s budget has seen a 30 per cent increase in capital expenditure. This is the first time in many years that the capital expenditure has reached a double-digit amount, making it the clear focus of this budget," she added.Speaking about her Budget speech, which was 87 minutes in duration, she said the idea was to keep it "clear and simple".Later in her address, speaking about fiscal discipline, she said the government is aligned with its roadmap.The fiscal deficit has steadily declined from 7.3 per cent in 2020-21 to 5.9 per cent budgeted for 2023-24. In 2022-23, it was pegged at 6.4 per cent.In her Budget speech, she reiterated the government`s intention to bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP by the financial year 2025-26."I must congratulate the entire ministry for ensuring that the budget which is fiscally responsible but very clear on the target that the growth has to be momentum," she added.
Indian Army Recruitment 2023: Candidates looking to work with the Indian Army need to hurry up as today (February 16) is the last date to apply for the nine vacancies. As per a notification released on the official website at https://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, the Indian Army has sought applications from unmarried male and unmarried female Law Graduates for the grant of Short Service Commission in the Army for the Judge Advocate General Branch. The Short Service Commission will be granted to male and female candidates in the regular Army for 14 years -- for an initial period of 10 years extendable by a further period of four years. The notification stated that the selected candidates will be detailed for Pre-Commission training at OTA, Chennai according to their position in the final order of merit, up to the number of available vacancies, subject to meeting all eligibility criteria.

"Candidates will neither be allowed to marry during the period of training nor will he/she be allowed to live with parents/guardians. Candidates must not marry until they complete the full training at OTA," the official notification stated.

"A candidate if he/she marries, while under training, shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him/her by the Government," it stated.

Indian Army Recruitment 2023: Vacancy details

Men - 06



Women - 03

Army Recruitment 2023: Educational qualification

A candidate needs to have a minimum 55% aggregate marks in his/her LLB Degree (three years professional after graduation or five years after 10 plus 2) examination.



In addition, the CLAT PG Score of the preceding year is mandatory for all candidates (including LLM qualified and LLM appearing candidates) who apply for courses starting in a particular year.



The candidates should be eligible for registration as an advocate with the Bar Council of India/State.



The Candidate should be from a College/University recognized by the Bar Council of India.

Indian Army Recruitment: Age limit

As on July 1, 2023, an interested and eligible candidate should be 21 to 27 years. This means that the candidate should not be born earlier than July 2, 1996, and not later than July 1, 2002; both dates are inclusive.

Army Recruitment: How to apply

Candidates need to apply online on the website -- www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Click on Officer Entry Appln/Login and then click Registration (Registrations are not required if already registered on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in).



Fill out the online registration form after reading the instructions carefully.



After getting registered, click on Apply Online under Dashboard. A page Officers Selection - Eligibility will open.



Then click Apply shown against Short Service Commission JAG Entry Course.



A page Application Form will open. Read the instructions carefully and click Continue to fill in details as required under various segments. Save & Continue each time before you go to the next segment.



After filling in details on the last segment, you will move to the page Summary of your information wherein you can check and edit the entries already made. Only after ascertaining the correctness of all your details, click on Submit.

Candidates are needed to take out two copies of their application having Roll Number.

Army Jobs 2023: Last date

The last date to apply is today (3 PM).
Israel's foreign minister arrived in Kyiv on Thursday, the first public visit to Ukraine's capital by a senior Israeli official since Russia's invasion last year.

Eli Cohen's visit came just before the first anniversary of Russian's invasion of Ukraine, and as western nations seek to increase aid to the country.

Since the outbreak of the war, Israel has walked a tightrope between assisting Ukraine and avoiding friction with Russia, with which it has strategic regional interests. Unlike western countries, Israel has not imposed sanctions on Russia or Russian officials, shared intelligence or provided Ukraine with weapons. It has provided humanitarian support to Ukraine, including a field hospital.

Cohen was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as senior Ukrainian officials and leaders of the country's Jewish community as part of the brief trip.

It was unclear whether Cohen would announce greater assistance to Ukraine during his lightning visit or whether the visit signifies greater Israeli engagement going forward.

Cohen said earlier this year that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government "will definitely do one thing: publicly, we will talk less'' about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but would keep providing Ukraine with humanitarian aid. Shortly after taking office, he spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Israel maintains good working relations with both warring countries, and has large populations of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. Israel also relies on security coordination with Russia over neighboring Syria, where Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in the past decade.

As Western nations step up assistance to Ukraine, pressure has built on Israel to share some of its sophisticated military means with Ukraine, including from the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said following a meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem last month that he had emphasized "the importance of providing support for all of Ukraine's needs - humanitarian, economic, and security.''

Yossi Shain, a former member of the Knesset's foreign affairs and defense committee, said Israel's ultranationalist government, which has butted heads with the Biden administration on the issue of West Bank settlements, may try to gain Washington's favor by providing defensive capabilities to Ukraine, while "not crossing certain lines that will endanger its lesser involvement because of the threats of Russia'' in neighboring Syria.

Last year, Israel's former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, attempted briefly to mediate between the sides, flying to Moscow shortly after Russia's invasion and meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Bennett said an interview earlier this month that Putin assured him at the time that Russia would not kill Zelenskyy.

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Amritsar: Two armed robbers looted Rs 22 lakh cash from the Punjab National Bank branch at Macleod Road here on Thursday, police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (detective) Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar said two unidentified men arrived on a scooter and one of them, who was wearing a mask, entered the bank.

The robber, who was carrying a pistol, asked everyone in the bank to raise their hands before asking the cashier to put the money in a bag. The two robbers then fled with the bag containing the cash, the police said.

The bank is located just 100 metres away from the office of the deputy commissioner of police (law and order).

Police said no security guard was present at the bank at the time of the incident.

Police teams have been dispatched to nab the accused, they said.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday flagged an "inordinate delay" by the leadership in taking action against those who "defied" then president Sonia Gandhi by not letting a legislature party meeting take place, and said the decision on the party's affairs in Rajasthan must be taken soon if the trend of alternate governments has to be bucked. Referring to the show cause notices issued more than four months ago to three loyalists of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for holding a parallel gathering to the CLP meeting, Pilot said the AICC disciplinary committee under A K Antony, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the leadership can best answer as to why there has been an "unprecedented delay" in a decision on the matter.

"The legislative party meeting was called on September 25 by the chief minister (Ashok Gehlot) in Jaipur; that meeting did not take place. The central observers Ajay Maken and Kharge were there. Whatever would have happened in the meeting is a separate issue, agreement or disagreement, but the meeting was not allowed to take place," Pilot told news agency PTI in an interview.

The people who were responsible for not having that meeting and having a parallel gathering, were served notices of "prima facie indiscipline", the former deputy chief minister said.

"I am told through the media that they have replied to those notices. So far, there has been no decision or action taken by the AICC (All India Congress Committee). I think the disciplinary committee under Antony and the Congress president and leadership can best answer as to why there has been such a long delay in a decision," Pilot said.

It may be pointed out that an affidavit was filed in the Rajasthan High Court by the speaker which said that there were 81 resignations received with few given to him personally, Pilot said.

According to the affidavit filed by the speaker in the high court, out of the total resignations some of them were photocopies and the rest were not accepted because they were not given "out of their free will", he said.

And that was the reason on the basis of which the speaker rejected these resignations, he added.

"Since the resignations were rejected because they were not given under free will. And If they were not given under free will then under whose pressure they were given? Was there a threat, allurement or pressure... So perhaps that is a matter of further investigations by the party," Pilot asserted.

"We are heading towards an election very soon, the budget has also been presented, and the party leadership has said many times that it would take a decision on how to move forward.

Whatever decisions have to be taken about the Congress party in Rajasthan, should be taken as we are looking at polls at the end of the year," Pilot said.

He underlined that this was important if the Congress has to break this cycle of alternate governments of the Congress and the BJP in the state which has been happening for the last 25 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is campaigning aggressively and the Congress needs to hit the ground running and galvanise workers so that "we are battle ready", he said.

"It was under the direction of the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi ji that the CLP meeting was called so this was open defiance and non-compliance of the party directive," Pilot said.

"Discipline and the party line are the same for everybody who or she he may be... It does not matter if you are big or small, discipline is paramount and that is what (AICC in-charge Rajasthan) Sukhjinder Randhawa had been asserting," Pilot said.

"People who defied the party at that time in September, so many months have gone by, Congress workers are asking that this inordinate delay, what does this signify, the party should take a call and that Antony, Kharge and the party leadership should look into it," he reiterated his stand.

At that time in September, Maken had failed to convene a meeting of MLAs to pass a one-line resolution to authorise the Congress president to appoint a new leader in Rajasthan.

Gehlot had apologised publicly later for failing to get the resolution passed and opted out of the race for the Congress president after meeting then party chief Sonia Gandhi.

The party had issued show cause notices to MLAs Dharmendra Rathore, Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi, who is the chief whip of the party in the assembly. The party has not taken any action on the notices though the MLAs have responded to the charges against them.

Maken had subsequently resigned in November and Randhawa was given the charge of Rajasthan.

In a letter to party president Kharge on November 8, Maken cited the developments of September 25 and asked the party chief to appoint someone in his place.

A major row erupted in December again following Gehlot's comments that Pilot is a 'gaddar' (traitor) and cannot replace him.

The remarks drew a sharp response from Pilot who had said it was unbecoming of Gehlot's stature to use that kind of language and that such "mud-slinging" would not help at a time the focus should be on the Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The escalation of the Gehlot-Pilot rift just ahead of the entry of yatra into the desert state had put the party in a spot but K C Venugopal's visit to the state calmed tempers and in a show of unity both Pilot and Gehlot posed for the cameras along with the AICC general secretary.

In January, the Rajasthan assembly secretary had told the high court that the 81 MLAs who had submitted resignation letters to Rajasthan assembly speaker CP Joshi during the last September crisis have withdrawn them.

The Rajasthan High Court was informed in a reply to a writ petition that the resignations given to the assembly speaker on September 25 were not voluntary and have been withdrawn.

The power tussle between Gehlot and Pilot that seemed to have thawed briefly during the Bharat Jodo Yatra has resumed within days of the march crossing the state with the two leaders sparring again.

Pilot announcing a series of public outreach events in the state last month was seen by many as a show of strength and a reminder to the high command that his grievances remain unaddressed.

In his remarks at several rallies, Pilot had cornered the Gehlot government over issues such as the repeated paper leaks and political appointments of retired bureaucrats while sidelining party workers.
Washington: Nikki Haley formally launched her 2024 campaign for the White House on Wednesday (local time), pitching herself to voters as part of a "new generation" of Republican leaders who can win at the ballot box. Haley is now the first Indian American woman from the Republican Party to run for the presidential bid. As the former governor of South Carolina and US ambassador to the United Nations, took the stage, Haley introduced herself as the proud daughter of Indian immigrants pitching a new future for the Republican party. Haley noted her parents who were in the audience and said, "My parents left India in search of a better life. They found it in Bamberg, South Carolina, with a population of 2,500. Our little town came to love us ... but it wasn`t always easy. We were the only Indian family. Nobody knew who we were, what we were, or why we were there. But my parents knew. And every day, they reminded my brothers and my sister that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America," Haley added.

Haley`s parents hail from rural Punjab and they moved to Amritsar before emigrating to America in the early 1960s. Haley has often been heard talking about her Indian heritage, something that she even leaned into in a video declaring her candidacy on Tuesday."I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. Not black, not white. I was different," she says in the video.

Also Read: US President Joe Biden Reacts to Voters' Concern About His Age, Reveals if He's Running for 2024 Elections

"But my mom would always say, `Your job is not to focus on the differences, but the similarities.`""I know America is better than all the division and distractions that we have today," Haley told several hundred supporters in Charleston, South Carolina. "And I`m confident that the American people agree. We`re ready to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past, and we are more than ready for a new generation to lead us into the future."

Haley declined to criticize former President Donald Trump directly, and instead focused her criticism on President Joe Biden and establishment politicians of both parties in Washington. In one not-so-subtle dig at both Trump and Biden, Haley called for "mandatory mental competency tests" for politicians over the age of 75. Trump is 76, and Biden is 80."

America is not past our prime -- it`s just that our politicians are past theirs," she told the crowd. Haley is so far the only GOP challenger to her former boss Trump, who announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination last November. She joined the Trump administration as the US ambassador to the United Nations in January 2017 and departed the post at the end of 2018.
Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu): The DMK councillor, who allegedly attacked and killed an Indian Army soldier, was arrested along with his accomplices in Tamil Nadu`s Krishnagiri district, police said on Wednesday. According to the police, DMK Councillor, Chinnasamy (50), had an argument with a 33-year-old army man over washing clothes at a water tank near the victim`s house. The brawl escalated to an extent that the DMK Councillor along with nine persons allegedly attacked the victim Prabhu, and his brother, Prabhakaran later that day.

Based on Prabhakaran`s complaint, Krishnagiri Police has arrested the main accused Chinnasamy and nine others including Chinnasamy`s son Rajapandi.

Prabhu who was undergoing treatment in a private hospital at Hossur, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night.

BJP to stage protest against Indian Army soldier's killing in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party will stage a protest today against the killing of an Indian Army soldier allegedly by a DMK councillor.

Party state president K Annamalai said on Wednesday that the Tamil Nadu BJP Ex-Servicemen wing will protest at their respective district collectorate wearing their Badge against the "disrespect" of the Army.

As a mark of respect to the Army man Thiru Prabhu who was beaten to death by a DMK councillor, members of @BJP4TamilNadu Ex-Servicemen wing wearing their Badge & Cap will protest against the DMK govt for this cruel disrespect to our Indian Army. #DMK_Kills_Soldier (1/3)  K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 15, 2023
TURA: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will lose his seat as the ruling NPP will draw a blank in the Garo Hills, claimed senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. Addressing an election rally in South Tura on Wednesday, he dredged up the incident of firing in Mukroh, and stated that West Bengal, too, shares border with Assam, "but no one would dare to shoot five people there" as Mamata Banerjee happens to be the chief minister of the state.

The TMC leader also alleged that Sangma did not take requisite action to ensure justice for those killed in the incident fearing action by central agencies on one pretext or another. "I have categorically said that the NPP will draw a blank in Garo Hills, which has 24 seats. Conrad Sangma is losing his own seat -- South Tura. Six months back, the party said Trinamool Congress has no base here. But now, if you look at their speeches, tweets, and statements, you will see that their day begins and ends with attacks on TMC. This shows how rattled they (NPP leaders) are," Banerjee asserted.

He claimed to have noticed no streetlight near the district collectorate, treasury office, the DIG office, and Tura police station. "If the chief minister cannot bring light to his own constituency, how can he bring development to the state?" he asked.

He alleged that everything is in a shambles in the state, from hospitals to schools and colleges.

"The Shillong Medical College exists only on paper. Tura Medical College is also in the doldrums. West Bengal has 23 medical colleges, of which 16 are run by the government. But there isn't even one medical college here. This is the result of the double-engine government," said Banerjee, the TMC's national general secretary.

He said that nowhere in the country an incident like the one in Mukroh firing has happened.

"Three months have passed since the incident but there is no action against the officers who fired at innocent people. Isn't it the chief minister's responsibility to act when innocent people are being fired upon? The CM should have resigned for failing to take action," he said.

Pointing out that West Bengal also shares its border with Assam, he said, "No one can dare to shoot five people in West Bengal because our CM's name is Mamata Banerjee. They know that the CM here will not do anything so they attack innocents with impunity."

Trouble had started at the border of the two states after Assam forest guards intercepted a Meghalaya vehicle carrying what was suspected to be illegally felled timber in the early hours of November 22. In the melee that followed, five tribal villagers from Meghalaya were shot dead by the Assam police after a forest guard from Assam was killed.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the police firing in Mukroh was an act of self-defence and to protect government properties.

Banerjee alleged that Sangma did not act over the incident, fearing action by central agencies.

"The Assam CM is from the BJP. If Meghalaya CM would have sent a notice to the Assam CM, Conrad Sangma would have received a notice from the ED. To save himself from ED-CBI, he is sacrificing his own people," he alleged.

"Why should Meghalaya bow down in front of Delhi and Assam? I don't think Meghalaya is a part of the northeast; instead, it is a part of the East. As the sun rises in the east, India's development will begin from the East and from Meghalaya," he added.

Banerjee, the nephew of the West Bengal chief minister, said that if the TMC is voted to power in the state, the accused in the Mukroh firing will be arrested.

He also said that Mamata Banerjee will visit Meghalaya on February 22.
Shillong: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress on Thursday announced the names of 10 women candidates for the upcoming Meghalaya Polls. The 10 women candidates are - Jhanika Siangshai, Rona Khymdeit, Bethlehem Dkhar, Venetia Pearl Mawlong, Dr. Banidashisha Kharkongor, Lakyntiew Sohklet, Pynhunlang Nongrum, Victorealness Syiemlieh, Deborah C Marak, and Uttora G Sangma.

According to a statement from the Congress, this time in Meghalaya the Congress Party fielded ten women candidates who are accomplished women in their own right. The youngest is 28 years old. We are happy that they have come forward to serve the people of Meghalaya through the Congress Party. We also appeal to the women of Meghalaya to come forward and support our women candidates.

We would also like to mention that the Congress party has always encouraged women in politics. We have had women MLAs, Women Cabinet Ministers in Meghalaya, working president at the party level, women Rajya Sabha MP, member of the National Women Commissions from Meghalaya. Congress Party acknowledges the importance of women`s participation in the decision-making process in governance, the statement added.

Mentioning that the Congress party is sensitive to the need of women of Meghalaya to have a meaningful source of income with which they will be able to sustain themselves and their families, it said, "Women in Meghalaya are known to be hardworking and efficient. Yet it is observed that many women still have a long way to go to become totally self-reliant and financially empowered. When a woman is self-reliant she can be a decision-maker for herself and her children`s and her family`s future.

"We understand that the needs of women change across age groups and we will work with women for their empowerment. Keeping this in mind Congress Party has proposed initiatives to improve women`s lives," it added. Pointing out that although the 2018 manifesto of the National People`s Party (NPP) promised the empowerment of women in the state, the data tells us another story."The 5th round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5 2019-20) has exposed the condition of healthcare in Meghalaya regarding Maternal and Child Health, child vaccinations, and other aspects.

Only 26 percent of children under the age of 12 months have received any immunization," it said."Maternal Mortality rate is 197 per 100000. The infant Mortality Rate stands at 34 per thousand. The NPP has claimed that Institutional Delivery in the State has gone up to 64 percent but the latest data from NFHS 5 shows that Institutional delivery in the state is only 58 percent (as per NHFS) which is much lower than the national average of 88.6 percent (NHFS 5)," it added. Polls will be held in both the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland on February 27 while the counting is scheduled on March 2.
Kohima: The Congress alleged 'tall claims' of the BJP on the development of Nagaland were starkly different from the 'ground reality' as the northeastern state still suffers from want of good roads, proper electricity and water supply, besides massive unemployment. AICC media coordinator Mahima Singh claimed that the BJP was trying to 'fool' the people of the state to cling to power with the NDPP. "While Dimapur and Kohima, the state's two major cities, face erratic power and water supply and bad roads, the situation is worse in other parts of the state... Youths don't have jobs," she told reporters on Wednesday.

Singh asserted the Congress will not stop raising questions in favour of welfare of the people.

She alleged that the BJP-NDPP's tendency to cling to power is leading to electoral violence in several constituencies and small villages. Singh said the Congress has given a representation to the DGP through the Dimapur Commissioner of Police in this regard.

She called upon people of Nagaland to stay united and away from violence to "throw away money and muscle power" in this election.

Singh said that it is time for a party that has ruled the state for 20 years, yet 'does not have a report card' is voted out of power. She said senior Congress leaders will visit the poll-bound state, including Jairam Ramesh on Thursday.

Election to the 60-member assembly in the northeastern state will be held on February 27. Votes will be counted on March 2.
New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be visiting the United Kingdom later this month and will also deliver a lecture at Cambridge University's business school. Sharing information about his visit to the UK, Gandhi said he is looking forward to visiting his alma mater and that he will be engaging with some of the brightest minds in geopolitics, international relations and democracy.

"Looking forward to visiting my alma mater Cambridge University and delivering a lecture at @CambridgeJBS," Gandhi tweeted.

Looking forward to visiting my alma mater @cambridge_uni and delivering a lecture at @CambridgeJBS.



Happy to engage with some of the brightest minds in various domains, including geopolitics, international relations, big data and democracy. https://t.co/4pkrF79hG9  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 16, 2023

"Happy to engage with some of the brightest minds in various domains, including geopolitics, international relations, big data and democracy," the Congress MP said. In a tweet, the Cambridge Judge Business School said it was delighted to welcome back Gandhi to Cambridge University later this month.

"He will lecture on @CambridgeMBA and hold closed-door sessions on Big Data and Democracy and India-China relations, with @shrutikapila, supported by the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, the Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge and the History Faculty, University of Cambridge," it said.

From February 24 to 26, Gandhi will be attending the Congress' 85th plenary session in Raipur in Chhattisgarh, where the party will brainstorm its strategy for the 2024 general elections and will deliberate on several internal matters.
Maharashtra Politics: The central government informed the Bombay High Court that the city of Osmanabad would now be known as Dharashiv. However, the approval to alter Aurangabad's name to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is still pending. On this central government declaration, Uddhav faction leader and MP Sanjay Raut has responded. "Who is frightened, what laws are in the way, Sanjay Raut asked, and what is the issue with changing the name of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar? The BJP controls both the federal and state governments, so why is there an issue and where is it coming from? Everybody is looking."

"If you dare, alter the name of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar, BJP leaders roared during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The name was changed at that point by Uddhav Thackeray. The central government, however, has now abandoned this proposal. Exactly why is this the case? The Aurangabad and Osmanabad renaming decisions were made by Uddhav Thackeray's administration. The BJP, however, has since decided against taking a position", condemned Sanjay Raut.

"Exactly who do BJP leaders fear? What legal restrictions prevent you from making a decision on this? At the centre and state levels, the BJP is in power. So what precisely is the issue? In essence, BJP members are hypocrites. They changed the name to Allahabad. They do not, however, have the guts to change Aurangabad's name", Raut claimed.

Raut continued by criticising the advertising released by the Assam government. "The state's Chief Minister travelled to Assam as a guest with the boxes. Did Assam receive Jyotirlinga in exchange? This is just incorrect." It is to inform you that, a growing uproar is being caused by a government of Assam tourism department advertisement that says Kamrup in Assam is the location of the sixth Jyotirlinga in India. The billboard features a picture of the chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and invites followers to Dakini Hill on February 18 for Maha Shivaratri. The opposition in Maharashtra complained that, after industry, the state's cultural and spiritual traditions were now being plundered in a commercial extolling the virtues of the 6th Jyotirlinga.
Budaun: Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Minister Gulab Devi on Thursday called Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who demanded a ban on a portion of Shri Ramcharitmanas, to demon king 'Ravan'. The minister made the remark in a press conference during her visit to the centers for the UP Board Examination. "Even Ravan did not believe in Ramcharitmanas," Gulab Devi said adding, "But Ravan had Ram in his heart. He went to heaven but what was his condition before that?

Ramcharitmanas is a scripture full of qualities of humanity. It is a question of our faith," the UP minister said. "There is an emptiness in the hearts of those who do not believe this. They are criticising Ramcharitmanas to make their politics shine," she said.

Swami Prasad Maurya, a Legislative Council member and a prominent OBC face of the Samajwadi Party, had in a statement last month demanded a ban on a couplet from Shri Ramcharitmanas, terming it derogatory towards Dalits and women.

Referring to the Kanpur Dehat incident where a woman and her daughter immolated themselves during an anti-encroachment drive, the minister said, "it was heart-wrenching." "There should be no politics on this. One should sympathise with the survivors of the victim's family. The government should compensate them. Action is being taken against the culprits," she said.

Despite his criticism over his remarks, Maurya remained defiant and said, "I will continue to oppose the conspiracies of insulting tribals, Dalits, backwards and women in the name of religion. The way an elephant is unperturbed by barking dogs and does not change its path, I too will not change my stance towards getting dignity for those (tribals, Dalits, backwards and women)." He was later appointed general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, which evoked a sharp attack from the BJP.

Recently, a video showing a scuffle between the supporters of Ayodhya seer Mahant Raju Das and Samajwadi Party leader Swami Maurya at a five-star hotel in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow surfaced on social media.

The viral video showed supporters of Samajwadi Party leader and Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi Mahant Raju Das jostling and fighting with each other during an event organised by a private TV news channel.
A Turkish volunteer runs down a pile of rubble, dragging a Syrian man with a bloodied face as anger builds and migrant tensions soar across quake-shattered regions.

"He was stealing!" the volunteer screams, echoing looting charges levelled against migrants across the ruins of Antakya and other cities flattened by last week's quake.

The 7.8-magnitude tremor killed nearly 40,000 people in southeast Turkey and parts of Syria, laying waste to a region filled with families that fled the 12-year Syrian war.

It also seems to have inflamed resentment against foreigners in Turkey, home to the world's largest population of people fleeing conflict zones.

Turkey has accepted around five million people -- including nearly four million from Syria -- helping the European Union stem a crisis in 2015-16.

But that generosity reached its limit when Turkey's economy imploded and the cost of supporting refugees became a concern in late 2021.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his political rivals began pledging to send Syrians back home heading into a crucial election set for May 14.

While the status of that vote now looks uncertain, with the entire nation focused on quake relief work, AFP reporters in Syrian border regions witnessed vivid examples of flaring migrant tensions.

"While Turkish people are trying to save lives, the Syrians are searching for money, for gold," claimed Baki Evren, 43, walking around the collapsed buildings of Islahiye, a town in a multi-ethnic region filled with migrants.

Beacon of tolerance

"When the Syrians first came to Turkey after the war, they gave them tents, air conditioners," he added. "They provided them with better opportunities.

"We received heaters only yesterday," eight days after the quake.

Much of the anger centres around accusations of looting and theft.

The quake flattened thousands of buildings, spilling people's possessions out on the streets.

Turkey has imposed a state of emergency across the quake zone, allowing the army to intervene and the police to take extra security steps.

But resources are scarce and nerves are fraying in places such as Antakya, an ancient crossroads of civilisations that became a beacon of cultural and religious tolerance in Turkey.

Minutes after the Turkish search and rescue volunteer hauled away the bloodied Syrian, a man in a neon first-aid jacket accosted another migrant who was holding a half-filled plastic bag.

As a small crowd rushed in to hurl accusations at the alleged looter, a young Turkish woman stepped in to defend the Syrian.

"He is my employee," the woman interjected. "He has permission to go and collect my things."

A security officer who arrived at the scene confirmed the woman's story.

But this did not appease Ibrahim Igir, one of the men in the irate crowd.

"While people are screaming under the ruins, these bastards are stealing their property," he alleged.

'All your fault'

Ahmad Dervis, a 28-year-old Syrian father with two daughters in a stroller and a 19-year-old wife, struggled to understand the resentment.

"The earthquake hit all of us. We are all suffering," said Dervis, who left Syria's Idlib province in 2011 and now lives in a tent city in Islahiye.

He recalled how a group of his Syrian friends were queueing to receive state assistance after the earthquake.

"And some (Turks) began shouting and saying: 'This was all your fault'. What have we done?" he wondered.

"Whatever happens, they blame us."

Ahmad Salami, a 31-year-old with five children who came from Syria's Hama, said he spent the first days in the rubble looking to save lives -- not steal.

"I pulled out 20 people from the rubble -- 11 Turks and nine Syrians -- on the first day," he said.

'We live together'

Dervis said the earthquake should help build understanding between the Syrians and the Turks.

"Back in Syria, we saw the war, the planes and shattered buildings. We have stayed in tents before," he said.

"Now they (Turks) should understand us better with this quake. Not all of them, but many Turks do not understand us."

Salami sounded despondent at the building anger.

"Go see what I have. They gave me one blanket and food. That's enough for me, I don't want more," he said, surrounded by Syrian children playing in tents, and locals loading furniture onto pickups from damaged buildings.

"I don't say all Syrians are good. There are bad people, too. We live together, Turks and Syrians."

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Bengaluru: The ruling BJP in Karnataka and the main opposition party Congress are once again at loggerheads over the 18th-century ruler of the erstwhile Mysuru Kingdom, Tipu Sultan. A day after Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel gave a call to ''chase all descendants of Tipu Sultan'' to the forests and states minister CN Ashwath Narayan calling people to kill him, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has sought to know if the Prime Minister will intervene now.

Siddaramaiah has accused Karnataka Minister Narayan of trying to 'instigate' people to kill him and strong exception to the latter's statement that he should be "knocked out and sent off" like Tipu Sultan. The Karnataka Congress veteran has urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to immediately initiate action against Narayan by sacking him from the cabinet.

The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly was referring to Narayan's recent remark in Mandya while targeting him. "Tipu's son Siddaramaiah will come.... Do you want Tipu or Savarkar? Where should we send Tipu Sultan? What did Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda do? In the same way he should be knocked out and sent off," Narayan had said.

A section in the old Mysuru belt claims that Tipu did not die fighting the British but was killed by two Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, which has been disputed by some historians.

Narayan on his part said, his statement was not personally directed at Siddaramaiah and in case the Congress legislature party leader is hurt, he will express regret. He also clarified that he only meant defeating electorally and not causing any physical harm, as being misinterpreted.

"Higher Education Minister Ashwath Narayan has appealed to people to kill me the way Tipu was killed. Ashwath Narayan, Why are you trying to instigate people? Get the gun yourself," Siddaramaiah said.

Expressing surprise that no action has been taken against the minister who has openly appealed to people to kill, the former CM in a series of tweets said this shows that Bommai, Home minister Araga Jnanendra, and their "incompetent cabinet are sleeping and is in agreement with Ashwath Narayan".

Has Gujarat BJP culture crept into Karnataka BJP as well? he asked while seeking to know whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain silent even now just as he was in 2002 (Gujarat riots). "Kannadigas will never let Karnataka become like Gujarat."

Urging Bommai to immediately sack Narayan from the cabinet and arrest him, Siddaramaiah said, "If no action is taken, it only means that BJP is in agreement with the appeal or they think Ashwath Narayan has become 'Mentally Unstable".

With his statement snowballing into a controversy, eliciting a sharp reaction from opposition party leaders, especially the Congress, Narayan said attempts are being made to present his statement by misinterpreting it.

Despite PM Modi's appeal to focus on productive issues, Karnataka Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Nalin Kumar Kateel has once against made a very provocative remark by saying that the followers of 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan should not be allowed to live. He even called for killing them all. The Karnataka BJP chief said, " Do you think this state requires Lord Hanuman devotees or descendants of Tipu? I am issuing a challenge - those who are ardent followers of Tipu should not remain alive on this fertile soil."

According to media reports, Kateel, in his warning, said that the descendants of Tipu Sultan should be chased out to forests. Kateel reiterated that a majority of people think that Tipu Sultan was a bigoted tyrant who forcefully converted thousands. He also attacked the erstwhile Congress government in Karnataka for celebrating his birth anniversary for two consecutive years despite several protests across the state.

Video of his provocative speech by shared by several handles on Twitter.
New Delhi: With the passing years, we are normalizing multiple notions of society that otherwise were considered unbendable. Traveling while working, or "workation," is one such term that has now seeped into the vernacular. And actor and digital creator Gurdeep Rai too is planning a workation at one of the earth's best places.





A few insiders share the news that the actor will fly to the exotic and heavenly natural beauty of the Maldives. Yes, we know the place has become a foremost option for every Tinseltown resident, and many celebrities have created the best memories at this surreal beauty. Now, Gurdeep Rai, too, is all set to give us major travel goals ft. this breathtaking island.But wait! Who said he was going there only to relax by the beach? No! The actor has an exclusive photo shoot for the Maldives' luxury hotel. Doesn't it feel like a dream job? While the actor loves to travel, we are sure that he will have a whale of a time. Moreover, he is being accompanied by his girlfriend, Nita Shilimkar.Taking the idea of workation, Gurdeep Rai has some honest options. He says, "Traveling while working allows people to leave their work behind, experience a new culture and lifestyle, improve their social skills and physical health, learn about what it means to live in a digital age, work remotely from exotic locations all over the world without ever leaving their homes, or better yet, spend less than what they would be paying for an office."Gurdeep Rai has already done work with multiple prestigious magazines like GQ, L'Homme Magazine, etc., and has done advertisements for brands like Huawei Watches, Lloyds Pharmacy, the NHS, construction site brands, etc. He has always proven his versatility.
New Delhi: Actress-dancer Nora Fatehi has a massive fan following - all thanks to her superlative dancing skills and hot looks. The Moroccan beauty was recently spotted in the city heading to an event in a shimmery silver slit dress with a plunging neckline. The moment she walked out of the car, cameras zoomed in to take her pictures. Her video went viral on social media and netizens had all sorts of reactions to her walk.

Nora's walk has been a point of discussion among netizens on many occasions. Much like Malaika Arora, Nora Fatehi too has been brutally trolled for the way she walks. This time, haters questioned 'why she walks like this'. One user wrote: Itna thumak k chalna jaruri h kya ..I mean normal bhi chl skte while another one said: She purposely pose & walk like this...

The video shared on various pap accounts and social media pages invited many haters who posted nasty comments on the star's walking style.

Dressed in a silver shimmering dress with a noodle strap, the Moroccan beauty looked simply stunning.

A few days back, Nora rang on her 31st birthday in Dubai. Earlier in the day, she shared another video of herself in a monochrome outfit which she captioned as Birthday Behaviour.

Nora Fatehi was recently seen in 'Achha Sila Diya' featuring Rajkummar Rao alongside by T-Series. The new version of the song has B Praak's singing and Jaani's lyrics is on betrayal. The song garnered a good number of views upon its release.

On the work front, Nora will be seen in `100 percent`, which is directed by Sajid Khan. The film will also feature John Abraham, Shehnaaz Gill and Riteish Deshmukh. She was also seen in the song `Jedha Nasha` from Ayushmann Khurrana`s quirky thriller film `An Action Hero` in which gathered massive responses for her sizzling dance.

Nora Fatehi shot to fame after her sensational performance in Dilbar track from Satyamev Jayate.
Mumbai: Actress Rakul Preet Singh, who has been an ex-Femina Miss India contestant back in 2011 is all excited to walk down the ramp, this time with beau Jackky Bhagnani at Lakshmi Manchu's Charity Fashion show for her NGO Teach for Change. Reportedly the actress will glide down the runway as the showstopper, dressed by the ace designer Varun Chakkilam.

Speaking about her participation at the show, Actor Rakul Preet Singh said, Lakshmi is like family to me and doing this for an initiative which is so close to her is really fulfilling for me. Her efforts are genuine and it is not just putting this show together, it is an all-year-round commitment for her. This is the 8th edition of Teach for Change's annual fundraising charity fashion show and I have seen this grow bit by bit over the years and it's truly commendable. The quality of education that these children receive is nothing like other charity efforts, its a class apart. Having a vision is one thing but to translate that into action and hold your ground for years is another. Lakshmi is always inspiring. This show is as much mine as it is hers, in spirit. I hope my humble effort adds to the initiative.

LAKSHMI MANCHU ON RAKUL PREET SINGH

Lakshmi added, "Rakul is always my first choice for the showstopper. Varun was also very excited when I onboarded her. Apart from the fact that she is my friend, philosopher and guide, Rakul is a thoroughbred professional with years of experience on the ramp. Her presence on the show ups the ante for all of us. She has supported this initiative almost since inception and Im glad that she is headlining for us along with Jackky this year."

RAKUL PREET'S FASHION GAME

When asked about her show-stopping ensemble for the night, she doesnt give away much except that they are still torn between two looks, both of which she is in love with. Rakul also spoke about her fashion game which has been upped by leaps and boundaries in the last decade I think my go-to fashion mantra is to really not follow trends but wear what's comfortable and style it to make it look edgier. I love experimenting with my looks overall, I have been into a lot of warmer tones and colour blocks, off late."

The actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu will host the event and, along with Rakul, and beau Jackky Bhagnani, badminton players Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap and a few more South stars will walk the ramp. The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to her NGO, Teach for Change, which works to educate underprivileged children across Southern India.
New Delhi: 'Tanu Weds Manu' actor Swara Bhasker left her fans curious after she dropped a post with a man with the caption, 'this could be love'. However, the actor didn't divulge much about the person she was referring to. However, on Thursday, she left everyone surprised after she announced her marriage to Samajwadi Party leader and political activist Fahad Ahmad.

The actor, while announcing her marriage, shared a video with a montage of all their adorable moments, and also from their court wedding. Swara shared that they registered their wedding in court on January 6, 2023, under the Special Marriage Act. The video shared by Swara shows how the two met at political protests to getting into a relationship and finally tying the knot.

Soon after Swara Bhasker announced her wedding to Fawah Ahmad, her fans and people from the film fraternity extended their congratulatory message to the couple. Meanwhile, netizens were also curious to know who is the guy Swara got married to.

For the unversed, Fahad is the Maharashtra Unit President of the Samajwadi Party youth wing, according to his Twitter profile. The Mumbai-based political leader graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and completed his M.Phil in social work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Going by his birth year which is 1992, Fahad is four years junior to Swara Bhasker. He was a prominent face in the anti-CAA protests across the country where the couple met for the first time.

It was in 2018 that the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) decided to withdraw financial aid to students from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, who were eligible for the Union government's post-matriculation scholarship. The students union had called for a strike and Fahad was at the forefront of it. He was the general secretary during that time, and the protest continued for over 300 days. Fahad was pursuing his M.Phil at that time.

Swara Bhasker and Fahads paths crossed at CAA protests and now the two have registered their marriage. After meeting at the rallies, the two became friends. Fahad had invited Swara to his brother's wedding and the actor even said that while she would not be able to attend it due to work commitments, she would most definitely attend his wedding.
CHENNAI: The father of an Indian Army soldier, who was mercilessly beaten to death by a mob, has demanded death sentence for all the 9 accused arrested in the case. He also regretted that no compensation has been announced by the government yet and no one from the ruling DMK came to console the bereaved family. Madaiyya, the father of M Prabhu, the deceased Indian Army soldier, also stated that the Chief Minister, MK Stalin should have come to meet them.

The grief-stricken elderly man said that he is worried about the future of his two grandsons. What will happen to them now? My son was just 28 years old, he said adding, ''all the accused should be sentenced to death."

M Prabhu, an Army jawan, succumbed after he was severely thrashed by a DMK functionary and his accomplices in Pochampally in Krishnagiri district. Prabhu, who was posted in Srinagar with the Military Police, had been to his native Vellampatti village, Poochampally, on leave. He was expected to report for duty on February 10, according to Rama Nandagopal, president of Krishnagiri district BJP Ex-Servicemen Wing.

But on February 8, an altercation ensued between the DMK functionary Chinnaswamy and Prabhu and the latter's elder brother Prabhakaran, serving as a gunner in the Indian Army, over washing clothes near the town panchayat's water tank.

Later, in the evening, both the brothers were attacked allegedly by Chinnaswamy and his men. Prabhu was admitted to a private hospital in Hosur where he succumbed on February 15 while Prabhakaran is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Nandagopal said during his interaction with some of the affected family members, he came to know that Prabhu and his brother Prabharakan rushed to their father Madhaiyan's rescue when he was first attacked by a group of men.

A first information report (FIR) registered by the Nagarasampatty police, Krishnagiri district, named 9 people including Chinnaswamy and his son Gurusuryamoorthy as accused.

Veteran Lt Col N Thiagarajan, who is senior vice president of TN Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Parishad, said the DMK councillor and his aides beating a soldier to death is unfortunate and highly condemnable. "This is very disturbing. Stringent action should be taken on the attackers," he said.

Speaking to reporters in Krishnagiri, Superintendent of Police Saroj Kumar Thakur said all the nine people involved in the crime have been arrested. A large number of BJP workers and ex-servicemen staged a protest in Krishnagiri and many parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday demanding stringent action against the assailants.
New Delhi: Telecom regulator TRAI on Thursday cracked down on unauthorised, pesky promotional messages by telemarketers as it issued directions to telecom operators to act swiftly to stop the misuse of headers and message templates. To stop the misuse, the regulator has directed access service providers (telecom operators) to reverify all registered headers and message templates on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform and block all unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days respectively.

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Telecom operators have also been asked to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the set time duration. "... Remove confusions among recipients of message and prevent their misuse, no look-alike headers (headers which are similar by virtue of combination of small case or large case letters) are to be registered by access providers in names of different Principal Entities," TRAI said.

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To curb messages from unauthorised or unregistered telemarketers, including telemarketers using telephone numbers, telecom operators have been directed to "bar all telemarketers, who are not registered on DLT platform from handling the message template scrubbing and delivery of messages to recipients through Access Providers' network".

Telcos will have to "ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by Unregistered Telemarketers or Telemarketers using telephone numbers (10 digits numbers)." Telecom operators have been instructed to take action against all erring telemarketers as per stipulated regulations and also initiate actions as per relevant legal laws.

"The Access Service Provider shall also notify details of such Telemarketers to other Access Providers, who shall, in turn, bar these entities from sending any kind of commercial communications through their networks," TRAI said. TRAI has asked all telecom service providers to comply with its directions awithin thirty days.
PYONG YANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly banned girls and women from using the same name as his daughter and asked them to change it to something else, according to Fox News. Kim Jong Un's daughter's name is Kim Ju Ae and she is said to be around nine years old. The Fox News report cited two anonymous sources from North Korea - one living in North Pyongyang and the other living in South Pyongyang - who said that the local governments have issued orders for women named Ju-ae to change their birth certificates.

The sources claimed that the Ministry of Security in Jeongju City has summoned women registered with the resident registration department under the name 'Ju Ae' to the Ministry of Safety to change their names. The North Korean girls and women have been ordered to change their names "within a week."

All this comes amid South Koreas claim that it's still premature to determine whether the recently unveiled daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is being groomed as her father's successor.

Speculation about the status of Kim's daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, has further intensified since she recently took centre stage at a massive military parade in Pyongyang and appeared in soon-to-be-released postal stamps, both events with her all-powerful father.

During a parliamentary committee meeting in Seoul, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse, South Korea's top official on North Korea, questioned a belief that she's being primed as the North's next leader.

Kwon cited Kim Jong Un's relatively young age, Kim turned to 39 last month, and North Korea's male-dominated power hierarchy. There are views that (her appearances) are aimed at talking about a hereditary power transition. But considering Kim Jong Un's age and the fact that North Korea has a much more patriarchal nature than ours, there are also lots of questions about whether North Korea having a woman (prepared to) inherit power now is indeed right, Kwon told lawmakers.

Kwon said the girl's repeated appearances in recent months were more likely meant to shore up public support of Kim's ruling family and prepare for a future hereditary power transfer. South Korean media have speculated Kim Jong Un also has a son who is older than Kim Ju Ae and a third child, likely a daughter. But Kwon said only Kim Ju Ae is her father's officially confirmed child.

North Korea disclosed Kim Ju Ae in November by announcing she watched an intercontinental ballistic missile test with her father. She's since made four other public appearances, including last week's military parade.

State media have called her Kim's most beloved or respected child and published a slew of photos and videos showing her closeness with her father. She was seen touching Kim's cheek at an observation stand for the military parade and sitting in the seat of honor at an earlier banquet while being flanked by her parents and generals, in what observers say had been unimaginable in North Korea because Kim is the subject of a personality cult that treats him like a god.

Designs released by North Korea's state-run Korea Stamp Corporation earlier this week also show Kim Ju Ae being featured in five of eight new stamps that are set to be circulated from Friday to celebrate the November flight test of the Hwasong-17 ICBM, an event she attended.

The stamps carried previously publicised images showing the girl holding her father's hand as they walked near the missile and posing for photos with her father in front of a wall of clapping soldiers days after the Hwasong-17 launch.

Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been successively ruled by male members of the Kim family. Outside studies show only a fraction of top North Korean officials are women, including Kim Jong Un's younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Before Kim Jong Un took power in late 2011, his father Kim Jong Il governed for 17 years, and before him, his father and state founder, Kim Il Sung, ruled for 46 years.
New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (February 16, 2023) said that he is leaving for Turkey, where a powerful earthquake last week killed over 35,000 people. In a tweet, Sharif said that he is "leaving for Turkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity".

"I am leaving for Turkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity and support for our Turkish brothers and sisters from the people and government of Pakistan. True to the spirit of one nation living in two states, we consider their loss as ours," Sharif tweeted.

I am leaving for Turkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity and support for our Turkish brothers and sisters from the people and government of Pakistan. True to the spirit of one nation living in two states, we consider their loss as ours. February 16, 2023

This comes a week after he was reportedly asked to postpone his visit to the country due to Turkish leadership's engagements related to the ongoing rehabilitation work.

Sharif was scheduled to leave for Turkey on February 8. The visit, however, was delayed as Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials were busy with rescue and relief operations.



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Turkey and neighboring Syria have been rocked by a devastating earthquake on February 6 which killed more than 41,000 people and left millions in need of humanitarian aid, with many survivors having been left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures.
Four Iraqi soldiers were killed Thursday during a counter-terrorism operation north of Baghdad, security forces said, as the majority-Shia country marks a key religious rite.

Clashes broke out in Tarmiya, an agricultural area about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the capital where Islamic State group fighters operate.

The raid came as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims descended on the Kadhimiya shrine in north Baghdad of Mussa Kadhim, seventh of the 12 imams revered by Shiites.

An army unit launched a "raid on a hideout of IS terrorists", the Iraqi government's security media cell said, adding that "three terrorists were killed, one of whom was wearing an explosive belt".

"Two officers and two soldiers" were also killed when the device was detonated, the statement said.

An interior ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity said seven other soldiers had been wounded during the raid.

There was no immediate statement from IS claiming the deaths on the group's usual Telegram channels.

Iraq declared in late 2017 that the militant group had been defeated but members and sleeper cells continue to operate in various parts of the country.

On December 19, the group launched an attack on the village of Albu Bali north of Baghdad, killing eight civilians.

Days earlier, a roadside bomb hit a military vehicle and killed three soldiers in farmland north of Baghdad.

The United Nations has said that despite setbacks, the group has "maintained its ability to launch attacks at a steady pace".

It estimates the jihadist group maintains between 6,000 and 10,000 fighters inside Iraq and Syria, exploiting the porous border between the two countries and concentrating mainly in rural areas.

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Saif al-Adel, an Iran-based Jihadist, has become the head of Al-Qaeda following the July 2022 death of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the US State Department said Wednesday.

"Our assessment aligns with that of the UN -- that Al-Qaeda's new de facto leader Saif al-Adel is based in Iran," a state department spokesperson said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian responded by denouncing Washington for publishing "misinformation about the leader of Al-Qaeda", and dismissing the link to his country as "laughable".

"The creators of Al-Qaeda and ISIS (the Islamic State group) are responsible for the growth of terrorism around the world," he tweeted, alluding to the United States.

A United Nations report released Tuesday said that the predominant view of member states is that Adel is now the group's leader, "representing continuity for now."

But the group has not formally declared him "emir" because of sensitivity to the concerns of the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, who haven't wanted to acknowledge that Zawahiri was killed by a US rocket in a home in Kabul last year, according to the UN report.

In addition, the UN report said, the Sunni Islamist Al-Qaeda is sensitive to the issue of Adel residing in largely Shia Iran.

"His location raises questions that have a bearing on Al-Qaeda's ambitions to assert leadership of a global movement in the face of challenges from ISIL," the UN report said, referring to another name for the rival Islamic State group.

Adel, 62, was born in Egypt.

He had been a prominent figure in the old guard of Al-Qaeda.

He helped build the group's operational capacity and trained some of the hijackers who took part in the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, according to the US Counter Extremism Project.

He has been in Iran since 2002 or 2003, at first under house arrest but later free enough to make trips to Pakistan, according to Ali Soufan, a former FBI counter-terrorism investigator.

"Saif is one of the most experienced professional soldiers in the worldwide jihadi movement, and his body bears the scars of battle," Soufan wrote in a 2021 article for the West Point Combating Terrorism Center's CTC Journal.

"When he acts, he does so with ruthless efficiency," he said.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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Work is underway to ensure a balance between supply and demand for essential food commodities with a view to stabilising prices.

The government is moving fast to ensure adequate stocks of food commodities, especially those that are high in demand during the month of Ramadan that is slated to begin on 23 March, reports Ahmed Abdel-Hafez.

Earlier this month, it said it had ensured the release of all the food products and production materials stranded at Egypts ports despite the successive global challenges that have taken their toll on the local market, such as the shutdowns that came during the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and the Ukraine-Russia war.

Last week, during the opening of the second phase of Silo Foods Industries, a new complex in Sadat City in the Menoufiya governorate that comprises seven new food factories, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi said Egypt had enough wheat for 4.5 months. He announced the strategic crops harvest season would commence on 15 February.

Moselhi added that Egypt has secured 91 per cent of its needs of sugar and that it is importing 97 per cent of its plant-based oil needs. For this reason, the country is planning to plant 250,000 feddans of soybean and 100,000 feddans of sunflowers this year to increase local production.

He noted that in 2022 Egypt had imported 200,000 tons of raw sugar to fill the gap in the quantities dispersed to ration-card holders, down from one million tons in 2017.

Self-sufficiency in sugar will be attained after a factory in Minya becomes operational that has a production capacity of 600,000 tons annually. Moselhi explained that the factory will cover the gap of 400,000 tons and the excess amount can be exported at a later stage.

Mohamed Attia Al-Fayoumi, secretary of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, said that covering the needs of the local market was the strategic goal of the government, merchants, and importers. It was their priority regardless of pricing issues, he said.

In the run-up to Ramadan, the Welcome Ramadan initiative is making available commodities at competitive prices at more than 1,000 outlets nationwide, Al-Fayoumi said, showing that the government and Chambers of Commerce have succeeded in making the necessary commodities available.

For the first time, the initiative has been launched three months ahead of Ramadan, as opposed to 15 days prior to the holy month in previous years, he added.

Matta Beshai, head of the Supply and Foreign Trade Committee at the Importers Division at the Chambers of Commerce, said the Welcome Ramadan initiative offers goods at discounts ranging between 15 and 30 per cent. It had helped to restrain price hikes in January and maintained the stability of prices, he said.

Beshai does not expect prices to fall significantly in the first quarter of 2023, but the initiative opening its doors for three months has helped to stabilise prices and protect the public from sudden price spikes, he added.

However, the stockpiling of grains and food oils remains a challenge. It creates pressure on the market and unreal demand for certain items, Al-Fayoumi said.

Just as the government overcame the pandemic shutdown crisis and was able to fulfil the markets needs for food, medicines, and healthcare services, it would be able to overcome the present crisis also, he said.

In the first week of February, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said Egypts foreign reserves had risen for a fifth consecutive time from $34 billion in December 2022 to $34.222 billion today. They had begun to fall with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, recording $37.1 billion at the end of March 2022 and $33.1 billion at the end of August 2022.

The reserves will cover Egypts imports for eight months, higher than the international average and sending a message of reassurance to importers and investors, Al-Fayoumi said.

Emad Qenawi, head of the Importers Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, said the current global crisis was affecting the production and transportation of goods, also affecting the quantities offered and their prices.

While the public should regulate their consumption, vendors should not price their goods based on expectations as a result of the crisis, but rather on the price of production in addition to their normal margin, he said.

There was a need for merchants to shoulder their responsibilities in exceptional times, Qenawi added.

Welcome Ramadan initiative is making available commodities at competitive prices at more than 1,000 outlets nationwide

* A version of this article appears in print in the 16 February, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria from last week's powerful earthquake has now risen above 41,000, but a handful of people are still being rescued from the rubble.

On Wednesday, two women were pulled from the debris in Turkey's southern city of Kahramanmaras, and a mother and two children were rescued in Antakya nine days after the earthquake. The rescue in Antakya came 228 hours after the earthquake, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.

Millions of people who survived the quake need humanitarian aid, authorities say, with many survivors left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures. Rescues are now few and far between. With much of the region's sanitation infrastructure damaged or rendered inoperable by the earthquakes, health authorities are facing a daunting task in trying to ensure that people now remain disease-free.

Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said people in war-torn Syria also face new challenges. After visiting Syria in the last few days, she said in a statement, "For more than a decade, people across Syria have experienced the devastation of armed conflict. When the 6 February earthquake struck the region, communities suffered dramatic levels of devastation no matter what side of the frontline they were on. Family and friends were killed, homes were destroyed, and people were displaced yet again. Medical care, safe drinking water, and reliable food supply sources immediately became crucial to survival."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that 35,418 people were killed in the 7.8 magnitude quake that struck near the southeastern city of Kahramanmaras on February 6, making it the deadliest earthquake in Turkish history.

The quake, which Erdogan called "the disaster of the century," destroyed tens of thousands of buildings and rendered an equal number uninhabitable, leaving scores of residents without shelter from bitter winter temperatures. Authorities have arrested several building contractors and charged them with violating Turkey's building codes. The United Nations confirmed on Wednesday that three of their Turkish staff died in the earthquake.

Meanwhile, more than 5,500 deaths have been confirmed in neighboring Syria, according to figures compiled by the United Nations humanitarian agency and Syria's state-run news agency. At least 1,400 people were killed in areas under government control, while another 4,400 are dead in Syria's rebel-held northwest.
Musk, 51, made his wealth initially on the finance website PayPal, then created the spacecraft company SpaceX and invested in the electric car company Tesla. In recent months, however, more attention has been focused on the chaos surrounding his $44 billion purchase of the microblogging site Twitter.

Speaking via a video call to the World Government Summit in Dubai, Musk said making sure the platform can function remained the most important thing for him. "I think I need to stabilize the organization and just make sure it's in a financial healthy place," Musk said when asked about when he'd name a CEO. "I'm guessing probably toward the end of this year would be good timing to find someone else to run the company."

Billionaire Elon Musk said Wednesday that he anticipates finding a CEO for Twitter "probably toward the end of this year."

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military's use of Musk's satellite internet service Starlink as it defends itself against Russia's ongoing invasion has put Musk off and on at the center of the war.

Musk offered a wide-ranging 35-minute discussion that touched on the billionaire's fears about artificial intelligence, the collapse of civilization and the possibility of space aliens. But questions about Twitter kept coming back up as Musk described both Tesla and SpaceX as able to function without his direct, day-to-day involvement.

"Twitter is still somewhat a start-up in reverse," he said. "There's work required here to get Twitter to sort of a stable position and to really build the engine of software engineering."

Musk also sought to portray his takeover of San Francisco-based Twitter as a cultural correction. "I think that the general idea is just to reflect the values of the people as opposed to imposing the values of essentially San Francisco and Berkeley, which are so somewhat of a niche ideology as compared to the rest of the world," he said. "And, you know, Twitter was, I think, doing a little too much to impose a niche."

Musk's takeover at Twitter has seen mass firings and other cost-cutting measures. Musk, who is on the hook for about $1 billion in yearly interest payments for his purchase, has been trying to find way to maximize profits at the company.

However, some of Musk's decisions have conflicted with the reasons that journalists, governments and others rely on Twitter as an information-sharing platform.

Musk on Wednesday described the need for users to rely on Twitter for trusted information from verified accounts. However, a confused rollout to a paid verified account system saw some impersonate famous companies, leading to a further withdrawal of needed advertising cash to the site. "Twitter is certainly quite the rollercoaster," he acknowledged.

Forbes estimates Musk's wealth at just under $200 billion. The Forbes analysis ranks Musk as the second-wealthiest person on Earth, just behind French luxury brand magnate Bernard Arnault. But Musk also has become a thought leader for some as well, albeit an oracle that is trying to get six hours of sleep a night despite the challenges at Twitter.

Musk described his children as being "programmed by Reddit and YouTube." However, he criticized the Chinese-made social media app TikTok. "TikTok has a lot of very high usage (but) I often hear people say, 'Well, I spent two hours on TikTok, but I regret those two hours,'" Musk said. "We don't want that to be the case with Twitter."

TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk warned that artificial intelligence should be regulated "very carefully," describing it as akin to the promise of nuclear power but the danger of atomic bombs. He also cautioned against having a single civilization or "too much cooperation" on Earth, saying it could "collapse" a society that's like a "tiny candle in a vast darkness."

And when asked about the existence of aliens, Musk had a firm response. "The crazy thing is, I've seen no evidence of alien technology or alien life whatsoever. And I think Id know because of SpaceX," he said. "I don't think anybody knows more about space, you know, than me."
The European Union is considering a new set of sanctions totaling 11 billion euros against Russia and several countries providing vital goods that Moscow is using to boost its troops on the battlegrounds in Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that the package under consideration by the EU's 27 member countries seeks to deprive Russia of military equipment it needs and cannot get anywhere else.

It includes proposals to subject seven Iranian entities to sanctions to try to prevent Russia from using Iranian drones to hit Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

The proposals put forward by von der Leyen center on additional electronic weapons components for equipment such as drones, missiles, helicopters and thermal cameras. She had hinted at some of the measures during an EU-Ukraine summit early this month.

If the proposals are endorsed unanimously by the EU members, "we have banned all tech products found on the battlefield," von der Leyen said.
China will resume short-term visas for Koreans on Saturday after Korea made the same decision on Feb. 11, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said Wednesday.

This ends a visa spat between the two countries that saw China retaliate peevishly for Korean restrictions as COVID infections surged in the world's most populous country.

China will also allow Korean transit passengers to stay in Chinese cities without a visa for up to 144 hours.
By Yuta Iida, KYODO NEWS - Feb 16, 2023 - 11:27 | Feature, All, Japan

As Japan continues to experience a population drain in rural areas, many post offices have begun hosting unmanned retail spaces inside their facilities to support seniors who cannot travel long distances to shop.

Some 3,000 of the about 24,000 post offices nationwide have embraced the service, stocking vegetables, daily necessities and other items.

In the town of Misato, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, elderly people gather at the Nyushita Post Office before noon. "I can buy vegetables here and I enjoy talking with the postmaster and friends of mine," said Kimi Oda, an 89-year-old woman who lives nearby. She had bought two bags of tomatoes produced by a local farmer.

Post offices must apply to Japan Post Co. to get display racks, while local shops supply products, arrange displays and later collect the payments. The sellers pay a monthly fee of 4,400 yen ($33.00) to lease the space.

The Misato post office run by postmaster Kohei Nakada, 46, put up shelves in November in cooperation with a local agricultural products store. A total of 25 items, including sweets and detergents, are available.

People aged 65 and older accounted for 52.5 percent of the population in Misato as of October, making it the fastest-aging municipality in the prefecture.

Supermarkets and home appliance shops there have been closing down one after another. For many elderly people who have already turned in their driver's licenses, shopping by themselves is out of the question as the nearest store is around 5 kilometers away.

Nakada decided to open a shop inside his post office to make sure "meal times are not a struggle for seniors," he said. "I can also take note if they have any health problems."

According to Japan Post, the service started at post offices nationwide in February 2018.

Takehiko Segawa, in charge of advertising in the merchandise sales department at Japan Post, said the strength of post offices is that they cannot be easily closed, unlike general stores.

Hosting retail spaces makes them even more valuable to people in communities, especially seniors, he said.

In Okinawa Prefecture, a post office has a popular "souvenir" corner handling goods from 20 suppliers. Segawa said that Japan Post plans to increase the number of post offices with unmanned in-house retail spaces to between 6,000 and 8,000.

Post offices are also expected to complement government administrative services, a role that is expected to grow as municipalities in depopulated areas see a drop in tax revenues, making it difficult to continue existing services without cutting costs.

In Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, for instance, the Yasuoka village government closed its sole branch in July 2019. It has since delegated the issuance of residence certificate copies and other certificates and the acceptance of document submissions to the nearby Nukuda Post Office.

But many other services cannot be legally delegated, such as the issuance of the Individual Number Card, commonly known as the My Number Card. Residents must still visit remote village offices to receive the services in such cases.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 16, 2023 - 16:47 | All, Japan

A post office in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, was robbed at knifepoint on Thursday by a man who fled on foot with around 50,000 yen ($373), police said.

Two post office workers were injured, including a man who was slashed in the face, according to local authorities. No customers were reported to have been harmed in the incident.

The robber, who was reported to have been wearing a hood, entered Kawaguchi Namiki Post Office around 1:40 p.m. before demanding that a teller give him money, according to police.

The man who sustained a cut to his face was taken to hospital along with the other wounded staff member, a woman who had minor injuries. Both were conscious.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 16, 2023 - 14:33 | All, Japan

State-backed chipmaker Rapidus Corp. said Thursday it is considering building a factory on the northern main island of Hokkaido, as the new company aims to revive Japan's semiconductor industry through homemade next-generation chip production.

Hokkaido is one of a number of locations that are eager to host the factory and Rapidus plans to make a decision by the end of March.

Gov. Naomichi Suzuki pitched Hokkaido as an ideal site during a meeting with Rapidus President Atsuyoshi Koike at the company's Tokyo headquarters, citing ample water supply, important for chip-making, as well as fine educational institutions.

"We hope you consider setting up a hub for production, personnel training and research, and add a headquarters function," Suzuki said.

Koike was quoted as saying that Rapidus wants to make the planned factory in Japan "the world's best."

Created by Toyota Motor Corp., Sony Group Corp. and six other major Japanese companies with a total investment of 7.3 billion yen ($55 million), Rapidus plans to mass-produce chips with state-of-the-art 2-nanometer technology in Japan in 2027.

Such advanced chips can be used for 5G communications, quantum computing, data centers, self-driving vehicles and digital smart cities.

The chip-manufacturing company is also set to receive state subsidies of 70 billion yen as part of the Japanese government's semiconductor strategy.

Rapidus has recently partnered with U.S. tech giant IBM Corp. to manufacture advanced semiconductors.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 16, 2023 - 21:01 | All, World, Japan, G7

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is eager to participate in a Group of Seven summit online on Feb. 24, the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country, a Japanese government source said Thursday.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has invited Zelenskyy to the video summit, the source said. During the gathering, the G-7 leaders are expected to confirm their unity in tackling Russia's aggression against its neighbor.

The virtual meeting comes as Japan is consolidating relations with other G-7 nations with fears mounting that Russia will launch a large-scale attack on Ukraine in the spring, while Kishida is paving the way for the success of the summit in Hiroshima in May.

It will be the first G-7 summit hosted by Kishida. A similar gathering was held on Feb. 24, 2022, in which the group's leaders agreed to impose punitive economic sanctions on Russia.

In the envisioned online summit, the G-7 countries of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, are likely to reaffirm cooperation in supporting Ukraine while condemning Russia, the source said.

The G-7 major industrialized nations have criticized Russia for attacking crucial infrastructure in Ukraine, including energy and water facilities, calling Moscow's actions "inhumane and brutal."

The G-7 leaders would also exchange views on how to stabilize global energy markets, which have been rattled since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, with oil and natural gas prices skyrocketing worldwide, the source said.

In January, meanwhile, the United States, Britain, Germany and other countries decided to provide advanced battle tanks to Ukraine.

In a related move, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday that he will invite his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to an in-person G-7 ministerial meeting in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.

The G-7 gathering of top diplomats, the first under Japan's rotating presidency of the group this year, will take place on the fringes of the three-day Munich Security Conference through Sunday.

Kishida, a veteran lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima, is scheduled to host an in-person G-7 summit for three days from May 19 in the western Japan city devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in August 1945.

At the meeting, Kishida plans to pitch his vision of a world without nuclear weapons amid concern that Russia could use one against Ukraine in the war.

Kishida has also expressed willingness to visit Ukraine for talks with Zelenskyy if the right conditions are met.

Among the G-7 nations, British, Canadian, French, German and Italian leaders have already visited Ukraine since the war began. In December, U.S. President Joe Biden held a summit with Zelenskyy in Washington.

But a Japanese government official said that it might be difficult to arrange Kishida's visit to Ukraine for security reasons, as ties between Tokyo and Moscow have been sharply deteriorating for the past year.

Ukraine has said Zelenskyy will consider visiting Hiroshima if Japan invites him to take part in the G-7 summit.

During the upcoming online gathering, the G-7 leaders may discuss whether to ask the president to join the in-person meeting in May, the source said.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 16, 2023 - 18:34 | All, Japan

The government on Thursday modified Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's pledge of doubling the Japanese government's childcare budget from the current 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product to counter the declining birthrate.

The revision came a day after Kishida said during a parliamentary session that Japan's expenditures to support children and families reached 2 percent of GDP in the fiscal year ending March 2021, and that the government is aiming to "double the amount."

The remarks raised fears among the public that the government may carry out large-scale tax hikes ahead of a spate of local elections across Japan in April.

Japan's fiscal health is the worst among major developed nations, with debt more than twice the size of its economy, the world's third-largest.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference on Thursday that by talking about increasing spending as a percentage of GDP, the government was not setting any specific "criteria" for achieving its target on the childcare budget in the future.

Kishida cited the figure as an example of how the government was looking to increase the budget, Matsuno said.

Japan's budget for childcare and family support stood at around 10 trillion yen ($75 billion) in fiscal 2020, accounting for 2.01 percent of GDP in the year and underscoring that the Asian country has lagged behind developed European economies.

In comparison, Sweden spent 3.46 percent, the United Kingdom 2.98 percent and France 2.81 percent of their GDP on child care in 2018, according to data released for that year by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in Tokyo.
NANJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 28 others injured in a building fire Thursday morning in east China's Jiangsu Province, local authorities said.

The fire broke out at about 6:07 a.m. in Weitang Township of Xiangcheng District in the city of Suzhou and was extinguished about an hour later.

The injured have been rushed to the hospital for treatment, among which two are severely injured.

Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. 
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that it is necessary to conduct objective, impartial and professional investigations into the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines and hold those responsible to account.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to the call from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for foreign media to look into the details about the explosions, which were disclosed by U.S. journalist Seymour Hersh.

Referring to the pipelines as vital cross-border infrastructure projects, Wang said the explosions have had a serious negative impact on the global energy market and ecological environment, while also sparking concerns from the international community about the security of major cross-border infrastructure.

Wang said that immediately after the explosions, a blaze of news reporting by U.S. and other Western media was almost overwhelmingly devoted to one-sided speculations on the alleged perpetrator. When the latest report based on the detailed investigations by Hersh was published, those media outlets boasting freedom, professionalism and fairness, were collectively silent, he added.

Wang cited Hersh as saying that from 1972 to 1979, when Hersh was working for the New York Times as an investigative reporter, the newspaper published everything he wrote, with most of his work, if not all, appearing on the front page. The Washington Post also followed his career and ran a long magazine article about him more than two decades ago. Neither paper has up to now published a word about his pipeline story, not even to quote the White House's denial of Hersh's reporting.

"Do these Western media really not care about the truth behind the Nord Stream blast? Or is something else going on? What exactly do they know? Is there anything they are trying to hide? I suppose any truly objective, impartial and professional media will want to establish the truth," Wang said. 
Wang Yi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, shakes hands with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna during their meeting in Paris, France, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

PARIS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to resume dialogue and exchanges in all areas to reignite the engine of China-France relations, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Wednesday.

China has brought the COVID-19 pandemic fully under control, and the rapid resumption of economic and social activities in China will bring greater opportunities to the world, said Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, when meeting with French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also called for an early convening of a new round of China-France High-level Mechanism for Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges to facilitate personnel exchanges.

Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, Wang said that the two sides can jointly plan commemorative activities to consolidate the foundation of public support for their bilateral friendship.

China attaches great importance to its relations with France, and stands ready to deepen strategic communications and enhance political mutual trust with France so as to add new momentum to China-Europe relations through China-France cooperation, and to play a constructive role in promoting world peace, stability and equity, Wang said.

China and France both have a strong tradition of pursuing independent foreign policy, supporting multi-polarization and opposing bloc confrontations. At a time when globalization has faced headwinds and countercurrents and some countries attempt to decouple with others, China and France should continue to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade and strengthen international cooperation in science and technology, Wang noted, adding that China hopes the French side will provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises.

For her part, Colonna said that she is pleased to learn that China has overcome the pandemic and has achieved a rapid economic recovery, which is good news for the whole world.

The French foreign minister said that she hopes to see further progress in bilateral cooperation with China this year and the next year. While resuming dialogue mechanisms, France will also look into new areas of cooperation with China to make up for the time lost due to the pandemic, and bring its relations with China to a new level.

Colonna also hoped that the air traffic between the two countries will soon recover to the pre-pandemic level, promote exchanges among students and scholars, and strengthen cooperation in science and culture.

The joint celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties will demonstrate the profound foundation of France-China relations, she said, stressing that France firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and is unwavering in its position.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) reported a tense situation as they helped prepare for the first local elections since 1988, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

They reported several explosive device incidents in the country's west over the past week, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. There was no report of casualties.

Dujarric said the UN peacekeeping mission known as MINUSCA co-signed on Tuesday an integrated plan for the security of elections, with Prime Minister Felix Moloua and the president of the National Authority for Elections, Mathias Barthelemy Morouba. It would enable the timely holding of peaceful and inclusive local elections for the first time since 1988.

He said the UN mission raises awareness on the elections and promotes peace among local communities and authorities. It operates notably in Haute-Kotto and Ouham prefectures and provides specialized training on the protection of civilians to 25 defense and security forces operating in those regions.

"Our peacekeeping mission conducted 2,015 patrols, maintaining a robust posture in the Basse Kotto, Haute-Kotto and Nana-Mambere prefectures to ensure protection of civilians," the spokesman said. 
A batch of humanitarian aid from China arrives at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua)-- A plane landed in Damascus on Wednesday with a batch of humanitarian aid from China to help Syria overcome the repercussions of last week's powerful earthquakes.

Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei and Moataz Dawji, the assistant minister of Syria's Local Administration and Environment Ministry, were at the airport to witness the transfer of the aid supplies.

At the airport, Shi told reporters that the aid constitutes 80 tonnes of medical supplies, such as respirators and oxygen-generating devices, as well as tents, first aid kits, blankets, winter clothes, and food materials.

Shi said that though separated by thousands of miles, China and Syria have always been good and true friends who help each other and look out for each other.

"The Chinese government will provide more urgent humanitarian assistance, whether food or medicinal materials, as well as communication equipment to support the Syrian efforts in overcoming the earthquake disaster," the ambassador added.

For his side, Dawji said that the Syrian government's priority now is to help the survivors and provide them with the help they need, expressing the belief that Syrians can overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes with help from friends like China.

After the massive earthquakes that jolted Turkiye and neighboring Syria on Feb. 6, China has been actively providing assistance to the two countries. The Chinese Red Cross Society moved immediately, providing two batches of humanitarian supplies to Syria, which arrived in Damascus on Feb. 9 and 13 respectively. 

A batch of humanitarian aid from China is transferred at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A worker drives a forklift to transfer humanitarian aid from China at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A batch of humanitarian aid from China arrives at Damascus international airport in Damascus, capital of Syria, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
FUZHOU, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a special campaign to contain the proliferation of the invasive plant Spartina alterniflora to ensure the ecological security of the country's coastal wetlands.

China aims to effectively control the plant nationwide by 2025, with a clearance rate of more than 90 percent in various provinces, said the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Introduced into China in 1979, Spartina alterniflora has expanded rapidly in the country's coastal areas and become the most harmful alien invasive plant on the coastal mudflats.

Covering a total area of about 68,000 hectares in China, the plant is widely grown in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Shandong provinces, as well as Shanghai Municipality, according to a preliminary survey.

Authorities will strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of the plant, establish and improve the monitoring network, step up scientific and technological support for the plant's control, and improve related laws and regulations, the administration said. 
HEFEI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Fifty-one-year-old Lee Jae Joon, from the Republic of Korea (ROK), has worked and lived in China for 19 years. He has witnessed the booming development of the new display industry in China.

After staying in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Chengdu for years, Lee moved to Hefei, the capital of eastern Anhui Province, in 2021 to become the general manager of Hefei Dongjin Semichem Co., Ltd. from the ROK.

The new display has become a "landmark industry" in Hefei in recent years. With a complete industrial chain covering equipment, materials, devices, panels, modules, and intelligent terminals, Hefei is speeding up its development into the world's capital of the display industry.

Taking advantage of the opportunities brought by the industry development, Dongjin Semichem, which mainly produces stripping agents and etching agents required for LCD manufacturing, invested and built a factory in Hefei in 2010, aimed at integrating into the industrial chain of the city's display industry.

"We went through two rounds of expansion with a total investment of about 26 million U.S. dollars. The production capacity has increased from 700 tonnes per month in the beginning to about 1,500 tonnes now, with the monthly sales exceeding 10 million yuan (about 1.47 million U.S. dollars)," Lee said.

To further expand the scale of foreign investment and promote the signing of investment projects, Hefei organized a six-member economic and trade delegation to the ROK in September 2022. The delegation visited eight cities and 13 companies in just one week, including Dongjin Semichem and the country's display industry association.

The delegation made remarkable achievements. It negotiated and promoted 12 key projects with ROK companies from the display and integrated circuit industries and signed six agreements with a total investment of nearly 2 billion yuan.

Dongjin Semichem also intended to invest in semiconductor photoresist materials and other projects in Hefei, in addition to electronic display materials.

In Lee's eyes, China has become his second hometown. "After I came to Hefei, I saw clean streets and large parks. The subway has opened, and it's very convenient to get around," Lee said in fluent Chinese.

Like Lee, Anthony Kang is also from the ROK and came to Hefei in April 2022. He now works as the chief information officer of Visionox Technology Inc., mainly responsible for the Chinese company's digital production. The Hefei factory of Visionox, a new display solution provider, has 18 ROK experts.

"There are about 150 people on my team, and I am happy to share my working experiences with them," Kang said.

With more ROK nationals coming and working in Hefei, Korean cuisine has become popular in the city. In Hefei Xinzhan High-tech Industrial Development Zone alone, there are 10-plus Korean restaurants.

Shao Rui, a resident of Hefei, has many years of experience cooking Korean food and went to the ROK for further study. Shao has opened two Korean restaurants.

"I have met many people from the ROK in Hefei in recent years. Some stay in Hefei for a short time, and some have lived here for more than 10 years. They have witnessed my hometown's industry and economic development," Shao said. 
This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a view of the crowded Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

People select accessories at the night market of Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 15, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows the night view of Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

People buy snacks at the night market of Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 15, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows cruise ships docking near the Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)

People watch "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, at Laowaitan, a signature pedestrian street in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 15, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a series of activities such as night market and "iron flowers" are held at Laowaitan to enrich the night life of citizens and tourists. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China resumed regular passenger flights with 58 countries last week after the country removed certain COVID-19 restrictions on international passenger flights from Jan. 8, 2023.

During the week from Feb. 6 to 12, some 98 domestic and overseas airlines operated 795 flights, up 65 percent from the week from Jan. 2 to 8, Shang Kejia, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told a press conference on Thursday.

The number of countries handling flights to or from China and airlines operating these flights resumed to 64 percent and 80 percent, respectively, of the level in the same period of 2019.

Shang said the domestic air transport market would continue to see rapid expansion, and the flight amount is likely to equal and even exceed the pre-epidemic level.

Shang also expected the number of international flights to increase further, driven by the gradual resumption of demand for international business, tourism, and education. 
Members of the China Search and Rescue Team board a chartered Air China plane at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese search and rescue teams departed Turkiye Thursday as their mission to save earthquake survivors came to a close.

Footage from local media showed an 11-member team and a 60-member team greeted by officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry before their departure.

The two teams, respectively from the southern Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan, had been based in the southern province of Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of dual earthquakes.

The catastrophic earthquakes on Feb. 6 killed more than 36,000 people in Turkiye. Many more people were injured or displaced.

"We had recovered 12 people, including 11 injuries and one deceased," Yuan Jiongming, captain of the smaller team, told the local Demiroren News Agency.

The captain said they wished they could have saved more and that the team would keep in mind the friendliness of the people of Kahramanmaras they had experienced.

Meanwhile, a video surfaced Wednesday on local media showed Chinese search and rescue personnel being applauded by locals as they walk through Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar.

Sharing the footage on its social media account, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul said "the long applause was a great indicator of our two nations' deep friendship." 

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team prepare for departure at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

A member of the China Search and Rescue Team works in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 11, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team work in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 9, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team work in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 9, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team are at work in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 9, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team prepare for departure at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team board a chartered Air China plane at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team work in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 9, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

A member of the China Search and Rescue Team works in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 11, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team carry their equipment before departure in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team work in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye, Feb. 11, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Feb. 9, 2023 shows a view of Antakya in the southern province of Hatay, Turkiye. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Members of the China Search and Rescue Team go through passport control before departure at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team ended their mission and departed from Turkiye's Adana Airport on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. experts have expressed grave concerns over the damage by fires and chemical contamination to people and the environment following a disastrous train derailment in the U.S. state of Ohio.

On Feb. 3, a train carrying vinyl chloride, a dangerous colorless gas, derailed in East Palestine of Ohio, near the border with Pennsylvania. About 50 cars crushed onto each other. Many of them contained hazardous chemicals including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which were among the combustible liquids that authorities feared could set off a major explosion.

On Feb. 6, authorities allowed Norfolk Southern, the transportation company operating the train, to run so-called "controlled explosion" of the hazardous chemicals, which caused a large plume of black smoke.

"The controlled burn sent massive quantities of black carbon into the air as well as uncombusted fumes. Black carbon alone kills one out of eight people prematurely world wide. This incident simply contributes to that along with many other sources," Jay H. Jones, professor of biology and biochemistry at the University of La Verne, told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.

"The result was destruction and possible ecological death, immediate and chronic," said Evaggelos Vallianatos, a historian and an ecopolitical theorist.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 20 rail cars were reported to have been carrying hazardous materials. Vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate and ethylene glycol monobutyl ethers were released to the air, surface soil and surface waters, the EPA said.

The accident left a mangled and charred mass of boxcars and flames, and sparked people's fears about health and environmental impacts.

"Of the released chemicals, vinyl chloride is certain to cause large harm. It is used for mass production of plastic products. Vinyl chloride causes cancer, and breathed at large quantities, causes death," Vallianatos, a former EPA analyst, explained to Xinhua in an interview.

The black smoke and fires billowing from the explosive site reached heavens, and the winds pushing the cancer gas and smoke into people's homes and river waters and wildlife, he said. In addition, burning vinyl chloride adds poisons to the air: hydrogen chloride and phosgene, both "extremely dangerous," he noted.

Phosgene dated from World War I chemical warfare, according to Vallianatos.

Authorities launched a federal investigation and monitored air quality from the various hazardous chemicals in the train.

Local officials have insisted that the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink in East Palestine. But health and environmental concerns are mounting as there have been a growing number of reports about people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill and a strong odor lingering in the town.

"One can judge the presence of these chemicals by smell. I would use my own senses to assess the presence of the toxic components," Jones told Xinhua.

There is an incentive for governments and businesses to indicate conditions are now safe and it may not be for particular homes, he said.

"In fact, Ohio and other neighboring states rushed to assure their residents all was well with the air and drinking water. But these soothing messages do not explain why the deadly accident happened," Vallianatos noted.

"Was the reason of derailment a mechanical problem? Not good brakes? Or more likely, oligarchic corporate power and the terrible treatment of the railroad workers?" Vallianatos questioned.

The affected community, the thousands of people living in East Palestine, will pay a terrible price from lingering diseases and deaths, he said.

"It was also inappropriate for the authorities to dump chemicals from several train cars and burn them out in the open. Is the ecological and human health harm insignificant? On the contrary, that harm will exacerbate the first shock of exposure of people and nature to the chemicals and fires of the derailment," Vallianatos noted.

The accident also raised questions on the safety of transporting hazardous chemicals as well as management.

"Uncontrolled corporate power is responsible for the derailment in Ohio. It is so pervasive that business as usual is becoming sacrosanct. The weakened federal government and state governments all but assure these accidents will continue," Vallianatos told Xinhua.

Jones said the U.S. government should support for improving rail system, which has declined since the 1950s. "The U.S. is far behind China in this regard."

The government should also tax toxic materials such as vinyl chloride to reduce their production and provide funding for prevention and cleanup, Jones noted. 
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress (NPC), the national legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's national political advisory body, are inviting reporters from home and abroad to cover their annual sessions to be held in March, according to an official statement released on Thursday.

The first session of the 14th NPC is scheduled to open on March 5, and the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee is set to begin on March 4.

News coverage of the two sessions will be carried out through various means, including on-site reporting, online video links and written forms, and Chinese and foreign journalists in Beijing are welcome to participate in relevant reporting activities, said the statement jointly issued by the general offices of the NPC Standing Committee and the CPPCC National Committee.

Overseas journalists are also welcome to cover the events via online video links or written forms, the statement noted.

Foreign journalists who want to cover the two sessions should submit applications to the press center of the two sessions. Reporters from Hong Kong and Macao should apply at the central government's liaison offices in the two special administrative regions, and reporters from Taiwan should apply to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 22, and more information about the two sessions is available on www.npc.gov.cn and www.cppcc.gov.cn. 
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has remained Iran's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years as of 2022, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

China-Iran trade totaled 15.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, up 7 percent year on year, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the ministry, told a press conference on Thursday.

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi was on a three-day state visit to China starting on Feb. 14.

During President Raisi's visit to China, China and Iran exchanged in-depth views on promoting bilateral economic and trade relations and reached a series of positive results, Shu said.

"In the next step, we will work with our Iran counterpart to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in the economic and trade field, deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade and other fields, import more Iranian high-quality products, and continue to carry out cooperation in building the Belt and Road Initiative," said Shu.

Shu said that China would strengthen multilateral cooperation between the two countries under the frameworks, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and inject new growth impetus into deepening the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. 
This file photo taken on Oct. 13, 2022 shows World Bank Group President David Malpass attending a press conference in Washington, D.C., the United States. World Bank Group President David Malpass announced on Wednesday his intention to step down a year before the end of his term, said the organization.

The World Bank chief will leave his position by the end of the group's fiscal year on June 30 after serving more than four years, said the World Bank. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- World Bank Group President David Malpass announced on Wednesday his intention to step down a year before the end of his term, said the organization.

The World Bank chief will leave his position by the end of the group's fiscal year on June 30 after serving more than four years, said the World Bank.

Malpass was nominated to the position during the administration under former U.S. President Donald Trump. 

This file photo taken on Oct. 13, 2022 shows World Bank Group President David Malpass attending a press conference in Washington, D.C., the United States. World Bank Group President David Malpass announced on Wednesday his intention to step down a year before the end of his term, said the organization.

The World Bank chief will leave his position by the end of the group's fiscal year on June 30 after serving more than four years, said the World Bank. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed a recent U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned airship into U.S. airspace.

The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory hyped up the "China threat," which is nothing more than malicious hype-up and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.

The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said. 
The Azadi Tower is illuminated to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 31, 2022. (Chinese Embassy in Iran/Handout via Xinhua)

by Abas Aslani



With the development of communication technologies and the media's more significant impact on the foreign policy of countries, sub-national actors, such as public opinion and paradiplomacy, have played an increasingly vital role in foreign relations.

Though national deals are normally approved by governments, public support also plays a part that cannot be overlooked. Public opinion and influence bring opportunities and challenges to a country's foreign policy and relations.

The development of communication technologies significantly affects how public opinion influences foreign policy. Today, the media can be used in asymmetric and soft warfare among countries. In this regard, Western countries have been a pioneer in establishing media and expanding their range of activities. Western propaganda has profoundly influenced the world's public opinion in pursuit of particular objectives. Social networks and media are used as leverage to pressure governments or even cause disruption.

Firstly, the determination to compete in traditional and modern media should be supported. Often, the media's influence on societies surpasses that of governments. For example, many Western media outlets seek to transmute small events in the two countries into major crises.

Secondly, media coverage of Iran and China should increase. News media coverage in both countries should be broader than diplomatic events and bilateral relations. The constant exchange of information and analyses leads to greater communication between the people of the two countries and greater credibility, which benefits from an accurate, logical and consistent narration.

Thirdly, use paradiplomacy as a practical strategy to bring the Iranian and Chinese societies closer and reduce the negative impact of foreign media on bilateral relations.

Iran and China can support the establishment and expansion of paradiplomacy or "parallel diplomacy" among non-governmental players and people in different ways. In the era of virtual communications, unofficial and non-governmental players are more effective. Thus, increasing "citizen diplomats" -- who are proficient in public diplomacy -- among journalists, artists, students and researchers help advance bilateral ties. Paradiplomacy can be pursued by expanding cultural and economic relations among cities and provinces and through local authorities.

Fourthly, soft security means the people of the two countries hold a sense of security in their bilateral relations. It includes hope for the positive impact of bilateral relations on daily life and the future of relations.

The Western media consistently attempt to invoke a sense of insecurity in China and Iran about their bilateral ties. They seek to cultivate a view that "relations between your governments will bring you nothing but poverty and misery. We are your civilized friends, and other Eastern societies are uncivilized and savage." Iranian and Chinese media should combat such misleading and manipulative perspectives.

Fifthly, the Western media's influence on other societies originates from the West's decades-long bid to press its values on others. Iran and China are civilized Eastern societies with many cultural commonalities and attractive cultural and traditional values. Holding joint cultural events would strengthen foreign relations between the two countries.

The development of bilateral cultural relations could provide fertile ground for policy support among the public. The role of academics, university students, artists and other social strata and classes are essential here. Constructive, sustainable and long-term strategic cooperation and interaction with East Asian countries require such social capital.





Editor's note: Abas Aslani is the CEO of Iran's prominent English newspaper Iran Daily, holds a Ph.D. in North American Studies from the University of Tehran and is an expert on Iran's foreign policy.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
Press Release

February 16, 2023 Zubiri: PH Agri is Safe Under RCEP In his sponsorship of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement for approval and concurrence in the Senate on Wednesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured the agriculture sector that the agreement will not pose a threat to them. "Bilang isang agrikulturista rin, naiintindihan ko po ang mga pangamba ng mga magsasaka. Alam niyo naman po kung paano ko ipaglaban ang mga magsasaka natin laban sa sobra-sobrang importasyon," Zubiri said. "Kaya gusto ko pong tiyakin sa sektor na hindi tatapakan ng RCEP ang ating mga magsasaka, at hindi nito papatayin ang ating agrikultura. Hindi ko rin naman po ito isusulong kung hindi benepisyo ang nakikita kong dala nito--at ako ang unang haharang dito kung makakasama ito sa atin." He further stressed that highly sensitive agricultural products such as rice, swine meat, poultry meat, potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, sugar, carrots, are excluded from tariff liberalization under RCEP. "In RCEP, the Philippines merely gave additional preferential arrangements to 33 agricultural tariff lines specifically for Australia, New Zealand, China, and Korea, compared to the existing ASEAN +1 FTAs," he explained. "At itong 33 tariff lines ay equivalent lamang po sa fifteen products, most of which pose no threat to our local products." The fifteen products are fish fillet; frozen mackerel; celery; sausages; olives; spinach; olive oil; live swine; live chicken; black pepper; palm nuts and kernels; preserved sweet corn, chilis and other capers; preserved onions; corn starch; and feeds for primates. "Napaka-insignificant po ng trade natin sa mga produktong ito. Ikumpara mo sa benepisyo na makukuha natin sa RCEP, walang duda na mas lamang po ang arrangement na nakuha natin." Zubiri proposed a set of guidelines for the implementation of the agreement, identifying protective measures and capacity-building programs for the agricultural sector. "Under these guidelines, two-pronged po ang atake natin para gawing competitive ang agri sector against importation: patitibayin natin ang border and quarantine controls kontra smuggling, and we will modernize and empower our own sector," he said. Under the guidelines, the Department of Agriculture is directed to strengthen its various developmental programs such as the National Rice Program, the National Corn Program, the National High Value Crops Development Program, the National Livestock Program, the National Organic Agriculture Program, the National Fisheries Program, and the Agricultural Machinery, Equipment, Facilities and Infrastructure Program under the Agriculture Modernization Plan. "We also have trade promotion, productivity, profitability, and competitiveness programs such as the Manufacturing Resurgence Program, Shared Services Facility, the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program, and the Consultancy for Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Program, among others," he added. The guidelines also ensure good governance through stakeholder representation in government boards, councils, and committees. Zubiri also cited job generation, cross-skilling, environmental protection, and trade remedies as part of the guidelines. Finally, he assured that a Senate Special Oversight Committee on the RCEP Agreement will be created to monitor the policies and programs of concerned government departments, agencies, and if necessary, come up with legislative proposals to pursue structural reforms and address implementation gaps. "We will also have an advisory group of stakeholders to guide the Committee in its functions, which will include our agri stakeholders," he assured.
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Wang Dongsheng, a fugitive suspected of taking bribes, has returned to China and surrendered to the authorities, an official source said Thursday.

Born in November 1956, Wang, former Party chief and head of the highway bureau of Yantai City in east China's Shandong Province, is suspected of taking bribes from others. He fled overseas in May 2014, according to the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group.

An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in April 2016, and relevant authorities resorted to international law-enforcement cooperation, while seizing and freezing his property involved in cases, the office said.

Wang returned to China on Feb. 12 thanks to the coordination of the office and efforts by the local authorities in Shandong Province, according to the office.

China will continue to deepen cooperation with anti-graft agencies worldwide, and will remain relentless in pursuing fugitives and recovering embezzled assets, said an official with the office. 
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the China + Central Asia (C+C5) industry and investment cooperation forum, which opened in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

In the letter, Xi lauded the strategic partnerships between China and the five countries of Central Asia, which have established a new path with friendly neighborhood and win-win cooperation and a new paradigm for international relations.

Deepening industry and investment cooperation between China and the five countries of Central Asia will safeguard the stability of regional industrial and supply chains, promote regional industrial development, increase engagement in world's economic activities, and boost common prosperity, Xi noted.

Xi said that China is willing to share with the Central Asian countries the super-large market, complete industrial system and advanced technologies, deepen pragmatic cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, work together to promote high-quality development of regional economy, and build a closer community with a shared future.

The forum opened Thursday and is jointly organized by the National Development and Reform Commission and the provincial government of Shandong. 
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday strongly condemned and firmly opposed a U.S. House of Representatives resolution on the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned airship into the U.S. airspace.

The so-called resolution on China's use of a high-altitude balloon over United States territory, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, hyped up the "China threat," which is nothing but malicious hype and political manipulation, the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.

The NPC strongly condemned and firmly opposed it, the statement said.

"As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law, respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and has no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country," the statement said.

The unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into U.S. airspace was purely an isolated, unexpected incident, which didn't pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the United States, it said, adding the Chinese side immediately briefed the United States and the international community on the situation and asked the U.S. side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

The statement said that the U.S. side, however, insisted on using force and deliberately created a stir, which seriously violated the spirit of international law and international norms.

"Some politicians in the U.S. Congress are even utilizing the issue to fan the flames, fully exposing their sinister intention to contain China," it said. "In fact, it is the United States that wantonly interferes in other countries' internal affairs, infringes on other countries' sovereignty, and conducts extensive surveillance activities on other countries."

The statement emphasized that building China-U.S. relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is the common expectation of the international community.

The Chinese side strongly urges the U.S. Congress to respect the facts, the spirit of international law, and the basic principles of international relations, immediately stop maligning China, and refrain from taking actions that could escalate situations, it said. 
Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a settlement site dating back more than 3,000 years in southwest China's Yunnan Province, which may offer new clues on the origin of the Dian culture once thriving in the region.

The site was found in the Gucheng Village Site in Kunming, the provincial capital.

The ring-shaped settlement is well-preserved and composed of platforms, trenches and slope protection, said Zhou Ranchao, a researcher with the Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

The recent discovery of the settlement in the Gucheng Village Site marks a significant addition to the over 1,000 relic sites found there, including tombs, houses, trenches and ash pits, dating back to an era when China's central region was under the Shang (1600-1046 B.C.) and Zhou (1046-256 B.C.) dynasties.

Zhou said the settlement, representing a culture earlier than the Dian culture, offers new materials for understanding the settlement forms, social organizations, funeral customs and ethnic composition of early cultures in southwest China.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
ANTAKYA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- International rescue missions rushed to Turkiye and Syria after massive earthquakes that struck the region last week left nearly 40,000 dead, tens of thousands injured and an unknown number trapped in the rubble.

There are currently over 9,000 foreign nationals from over 80 countries conducting search and rescue operations and offering humanitarian assistance in the quake-hit zone, according to the Turkish foreign ministry.

Among those who mounted extraordinary recovery efforts is an 82-member Chinese search and rescue team, which has so far pulled out six survivors from the rubble in a week, defying the odds.

"There are some differences between search and rescue at home and abroad," said Zhao Yang, a team member working in the Antakya district of the southern Hatay Province.

"First, we need a comprehensive picture of the situation from local authorities," he said. "Second, we need to work with local emergency response teams and figure out how to overcome the language obstacle."

Finally, "earthquake search and rescue missions require lots of resources, which need to be coordinated with local institutions," he added.

Flying over 8,000 km on an Air China charter flight to southern Turkiye, the team arrived last Wednesday morning along with four rescue dogs and over 20 tons of equipment for rescue, communication and medical purposes, including life detectors that probe the rubble for signs of survivors.

"When search and rescue teams are on a mission in a foreign country, they face difficulties including acclimatizing to challenging local conditions, communicating with local personnel speaking different languages, and securing vehicles and equipment," said Zhao, adding that local volunteers have "provided significant assistance."

Emir Kaan Karaman, a student volunteer living in Istanbul, was assigned by the country's disaster management agency as a translator for the Chinese team.

"They showed the same dedication as one would expect from a Turk, just like someone looking for their own family [beneath the rubble]," Karaman said. "They were giving their all, not just their technical knowledge but from their hearts." 
Switzerland has welcomed a rising number of Chinese tourists after China resumed outbound group travel to 20 countries on Feb. 6.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is in line with the interests of both the Chinese and U.S. people, and is also important for world economic growth, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The statistics of both sides showed that the two countries' bilateral trade values hit record highs in 2022, which reflected the resilience of China-U.S. trade and fully demonstrated that the economic structures of the two countries are quite complementary and that China-U.S. trade is mutually beneficial and win-win, said Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the ministry.

Shu said the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) recently stated that for American companies, the Chinese market is "not an option but a must," and that AmCham China will work with member companies to seize new development opportunities.

She also mentioned that the U.S.-China Business Council believes that "coupling" between the United States and China is a good strategy that will benefit the people of the two countries.

China will always adhere to open cooperation and provide opportunities for the world through its own development, said the spokesperson. 
Video: The concern is growing over the handling of toxic chemicals by U.S. authorities after a freight train derailed in the village of East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month. (Xinhua)

It was a "complex environmental disaster" that would require long-term study, tweets Senator J.D. Vance.

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Residents in and around the village of East Palestine, in the Midwestern U.S. state of Ohio, feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village.

No one was injured in the derailment that investigators said was caused by a broken axle. Fearful of a major explosion, authorities have carved out an evacuation zone and carried out a "controlled release" of toxic fumes to neutralize burning cargo inside some of the cars.

"Plumes of smoke, questions about dead animals, worries about the drinking water. A train derailment in Ohio and subsequent burning of some of the hazardous chemicals has people asking: How worried should they be?" reported The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Concerns about air quality and the hazardous chemicals on board the train prompted some village residents to leave, and officials later ordered the evacuation of the immediate area as fears grew about a potential explosion of smoldering wreckage.

This video screenshot released by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows the site of a derailed freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, the United States. (NTSB/Handout via Xinhua)

TOXINS

Three days after the accident, authorities decided to release and burn vinyl chloride inside five tanker cars, sending hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air.

Vinyl chloride is associated with increased risk of certain cancers, and officials at the time warned burning it would release two concerning gases -- hydrogen chloride and phosgene, the latter of which was used as a weapon in World War I.

According to the Associate Press report, environmental officials said that monitors detected toxins in the air at the site during the controlled burn and that officials kept people away until that dissipated. They said continuing air monitoring done for the railroad and by government agencies, including testing inside nearly 400 homes, hasn't detected dangerous levels in the area since residents were allowed to return.

However, even in communities beyond East Palestine, some residents said they worry about long-term effects of even low-grade exposure to contaminants from the site. The village scheduled a town hall at the local high school Wednesday evening to hear questions from residents, whose concerns have included lingering smells, how to ensure accountability for the cleanup, and what to make of pets and livestock that have appeared ill or died since the derailment.

This video screenshot released by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows the site of a derailed freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, the United States. (NTSB/Handout via Xinhua)

CONTAMINATION

On Feb. 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that about 20 rail cars were reported to have been carrying hazardous materials. Chemicals including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate and ethylene glycol monobutyl ethers were "known to have been and continue to be" released to the air, surface soil and surface waters.

On Feb. 12, the EPA, after monitoring the air, said it had not detected contaminants at "levels of concern" in and around East Palestine, although residents might still smell odors. The agency insisted that it had not detected vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, which could cause life-threatening respiratory issues.

On social media and in news reports, some residents said that fish and frogs were dying in local streams and people have shared images of dead animals or said they smelled chemical odors around town. "Residents of the area have complained of headaches and feeling sick since the derailment," reported The New York Times on Wednesday.

Ten days after the derailment, Senator J.D. Vance, a Republican of Ohio, said in a statement on Twitter that it was a "complex environmental disaster" that would require long-term study. The Ohio EPA is working on a two-stage cleanup, starting with the removal of materials from the site before moving to an assessment for a remediation plan.

This video screenshot released by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows the site of a derailed freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, the United States. (NTSB/Handout via Xinhua)

LAWSUIT

Residents have filed a federal lawsuit over the derailment along the Ohio-Pennsylvania line, seeking to force Norfolk Southern to set up health monitoring for residents in both states.

The lawsuit filed on Feb. 9 by two Pennsylvania residents calls for the rail operator to pay for medical screenings and related care for anyone living within a 30-mile (48-kilometer) radius of the derailment to determine who was affected by toxic substances released after the derailment. The lawsuit is also seeking undetermined damages.

Environmental regulators have been monitoring the air and water in surrounding communities, saying that so far the air quality remains safe and drinking water supplies have not been affected.

While some residents have complained about headaches and feeling sick since the derailment, Norfolk Southern declined to comment on the lawsuit. 
GENEVA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that a widespread outbreak of the mpox (monkeypox) remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO officially declared in July last year that the mpox outbreak outside of the traditional endemic areas in Africa had already turned into a PHEIC, the highest level of alert that the global health authority could issue.

In a statement on Wednesday, the WHO said its experts acknowledged the progress in the global response to the mpox outbreak and a further decline in the number of reported cases during the last few months.

However, a few countries continued to see a sustained incidence of cases, while other regions were likely to have under-reporting of confirmed cases. The WHO committee of experts and WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have therefore both maintained that mpox remains an international public health emergency.

The latest statistics from the WHO have shown that the current global risk of the mpox outbreak is assessed as moderate, while being reduced from moderate to low in the Region of South-East Asia. It also remains low in the Western Pacific Region.

Meanwhile, the WHO said its preparedness and response plan against the mpox outbreak, which was launched in July 2022 to help guide coordinated public health action, would come to an end in June 2023.

Two WHO regions, Europe and the Americas, which reported 95 percent of diagnosed cases, have maintained stable in case numbers during recent weeks.

As of Feb. 3, 43 countries and territories had not detected any new cases in the past three months, the WHO European Region reported. The Region of the Americas has also reported a stable number of cases in the last six weeks, with 200 to 250 cases per week. 
by Xinhua writers Hong Zehua, Yao Yuan, Huang Haoyuan and Ding Le

GUANGZHOU, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Homa Appliances struggled to find enough labor suits for the influx of workers, a rare occasion for a company that has long suffered from a paucity of returned workers after the Spring Festival production lull.

Less than two weeks after the Spring Festival holiday, the fridge maker in Dongguan, a manufacturing hub in south China's Guangdong Province, had filled all its vacancies. The company planned to hire 1,700 workers this year and received 2,600 applications.

"Nearly 90 percent of our workers that headed back home for the Chinese New Year have returned, a three-year high for the company," said Xi Zhonghua, assistant to the board chairman at Homa Appliances.

In Dongguan and other industrial cities in Guangdong, a hiring blitz has contributed to a smooth resumption of production after the Spring Festival, thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions, supportive policies, and an optimized labor structure.

A manufacturing powerhouse known as the "factory of the world," Guangdong is also one of the largest employers of migrant workers, who usually leave for family get-togethers before the Chinese New Year and return to work at least 15 days afterward. The reopening of plants after the holiday has long been troubled by a shortage of returned workers amid rising labor costs and inter-regional competition for workers.

This year, the local labor market fizzes after China further optimized its COVID-19 response to lift travel restrictions. Major factories around the Pearl River Delta said workers have returned to work earlier than before, rebooting the post-holiday labor market sooner than expected.

Data from the human resources authority of Zhongshan, a city known for its household appliance industry, showed that from Jan. 28 to early February, a daily average of 100,000 migrant workers returned to the city, which will close the labor gap by the end of February.

In Dongguan, most surveyed companies said they recruited enough workers without much trouble. Officials said the city's recent work resumption rate surpassed that of previous years to hit over 90 percent.

This year's labor market boom also benefited from intensified efforts from companies and local governments to retain qualified workers, including salary hikes and bonuses for returned workers.

The Dongguan municipal government said it has poured at least 20 million yuan (about 2.9 million U.S. dollars) worth of subsidies to boost post-holiday recruitment this year. Local companies, for instance, can receive 1,000 yuan for each new worker recruited.

The phenomenon also highlights a more long-term trend: the demand for labor-intensive jobs, which constitutes the majority of the total labor demand, is declining.

Government data shows Dongguan's demand for labor-oriented workers dipped by 14 percent year-on-year. In contrast, the demand for skilled and managerial workers rose by 3.6 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively.

The changing labor landscape reflects a better industrial structure amid the digital transformation and the pursuit of high-quality development, said Zhao Liping, director of Dongguan's human resources authority.

Zhao added that the smooth recruitment of workers and early resumption of production bode well for robust growth in the manufacturing hub this year.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, as of Feb. 5, China had held about 20,000 recruitment events and arranged over 9,000 chartered buses, trains, and flights to send some 500,000 workers back to work after the holiday. 
[updated on Feb 20, 2023]

Select Statements by Political parties and Campaign organisations

Statement by CPI(M)

Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the searches conducted by the Income Tax department of the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai. This is a blatant attempt to intimidate and harass the television channel for having telecast the documentary, The Modi Question.

It is a standard tactic of the Modi government to intimidate the Indian media through raids conducted by the Income Tax department and other agencies. This has now been extended to a foreign media enterprise operating in India.

This coercive action will further reinforce internationally the image of the Modi government as an authoritarian regime which seeks to suppress media criticism.

o o

Statement by CPI

Communist Party of India

New Delhi,

February 14, 2023

Press Release

CPI Condemns I-T Raids on BBC Offices

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued the following statement today (on February 14, 2023) condemning the raids on Mumbai and Delhi offices of BBC:

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India condemns the raids conducted by the income tax department at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of BBC. The Modi government has already become notorious for attacking everyone who criticizes and exposes its communal-fascist policies.

It may be recalled here that BBC has recently telecast the documentary, The Modi Question. This has annoyed the Modi government which did not allow its telecast in universities and other places.

Now the Modi government has used the government machinery to intimidate a foreign telecast company. Such a step is likely to bring down the image of the country which has already suffered as far as the freedom of the media is concerned

Sd/-

(Roykutty)

Office Secretary

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Janhastakshep: a campaign against fascist designs

Contact: drvikasbajpai[at]gmail.com;

Press release Date: 14 February, 2023

Subject: Raids by income tax department on BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai

With the ongoing income tax raids on BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai, for once Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved that he is not only a master of lies but also a man of his words. These raids come close on the heels of the recent two part BBC documentary on Gujarat riots which it seems are costing dear to BBC now. In the documentary the BBC reporter asks Mr Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat - If there was anything in reference to the riots which he thinks he could have done better? The blunt answer she received was  Yes, I think I should have managed the media like yours better.

Journalism in the country has died a rapid death since the RSS-BJP government came to power in 2014. Nevertheless, the income tax raids on BBC are an unashamed assertion by the Modi government that it shall brook no opposition to it from any quarter, even if it is as big and powerful a media house as the BBC. This comes soon after Mr Modis government bought over another media house NDTV after it failed to pacify it by other means.

Question needs be asked  how come all financial irregularities were discovered only after the broadcast of the Gujarat riots documentary. There is now a history to such tactics by this government for the people to be swayed by alibies of these raids being just a survey. It is time that such highhandedness be opposed by those whose responsibility it is to guard press freedom.

Janhastakshep condemns the raids on the BBC offices and calls upon the larger journalism fraternity, democratic rights and other civil society organizations to give a resolute and immediate reply to such dastardly attack on press freedom by the Modi government.

sd -

(Dr. Vikas Bajpai), Convener / Prof JNU

(Anil Dubey) Co-convener / Senior journalist

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Select Statements from Media organisations in India:

Statement by Editors Guild of India

http://www.sacw.net/article15125.html

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Statement by Press Club of India

o o o

Statement by DIGIPUB News India Foundation

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Select Editorials and Commentary:

Editorial, The Indian Express, Feb 15, 2023

Brazen intimidation: Editorial, The Hindu on the tax survey on the BBC (Feb 16, 2023)

Steep tax: Editorial on IT raid in BBC offices (The Telegraph, Feb 16, 2023)

Intimidation is the intent - Editorial in Deccan Herald (Feb 16, 2023)

BBC Raid - PM Modi loses battle of perception internationally | Bharat Bhushan,

Video: BBC survey - How news anchors in India justified Income Tax raid on BBC [mostly in Hindi]

Live by PR, die by PR

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Select Reports and Commentary in the Western Press:

Le Monde

En Inde, la BBC dans la ligne de mire de Narendra Modi

Time

How the Indian Government Uses Raids to Silence Critics

Bloomberg

Indias BBC Raid Is Just Its Latest Attack on Press

The New York Times

Indias Proud Tradition of a Free Press Is at Risk

Indian Tax Agents Raid BBC Offices After Airing of Documentary Critical of Modi

The Guardian

The Guardian View on Indias tax raid on the BBC: Modi vs the Media | Editorial

The Economist

After silencing critics at home, Narendra Modi goes after foreign media

The Observer

India enjoyed a free and vibrant media. Narendra Modis brazen attacks are a catastrophe by Kenan Malik
A Norfolk Southern freight train runs past the site of the Feb. 3 derailment on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Residents in and around the village of East Palestine, in the Midwestern U.S. state of Ohio, feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village.

No one was injured in the derailment that investigators said was caused by a broken axle. Fearful of a major explosion, authorities have carved out an evacuation zone and carried out a "controlled release" of toxic fumes to neutralize burning cargo inside some of the cars.

"Plumes of smoke, questions about dead animals, worries about the drinking water. A train derailment in Ohio and subsequent burning of some of the hazardous chemicals has people asking: How worried should they be?" reported The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Concerns about air quality and the hazardous chemicals on board the train prompted some village residents to leave, and officials later ordered the evacuation of the immediate area as fears grew about a potential explosion of smoldering wreckage.

TOXINS

Three days after the accident, authorities decided to release and burn vinyl chloride inside five tanker cars, sending hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air.

Vinyl chloride is associated with increased risk of certain cancers, and officials at the time warned burning it would release two concerning gases -- hydrogen chloride and phosgene, the latter of which was used as a weapon in World War I.

According to the Associate Press report, environmental officials said that monitors detected toxins in the air at the site during the controlled burn and that officials kept people away until that dissipated. They said continuing air monitoring done for the railroad and by government agencies, including testing inside nearly 400 homes, hasn't detected dangerous levels in the area since residents were allowed to return.

However, even in communities beyond East Palestine, some residents said they worry about long-term effects of even low-grade exposure to contaminants from the site. The village scheduled a town hall at the local high school Wednesday evening to hear questions from residents, whose concerns have included lingering smells, how to ensure accountability for the cleanup, and what to make of pets and livestock that have appeared ill or died since the derailment.

CONTAMINATION

On Feb. 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that about 20 rail cars were reported to have been carrying hazardous materials. Chemicals including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate and ethylene glycol monobutyl ethers were "known to have been and continue to be" released to the air, surface soil and surface waters.

On Feb. 12, the EPA, after monitoring the air, said it had not detected contaminants at "levels of concern" in and around East Palestine, although residents might still smell odors. The agency insisted that it had not detected vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, which could cause life-threatening respiratory issues.

On social media and in news reports, some residents said that fish and frogs were dying in local streams and people have shared images of dead animals or said they smelled chemical odors around town. "Residents of the area have complained of headaches and feeling sick since the derailment," reported The New York Times on Wednesday.

Ten days after the derailment, Senator J.D. Vance, a Republican of Ohio, said in a statement on Twitter that it was a "complex environmental disaster" that would require long-term study. The Ohio EPA is working on a two-stage cleanup, starting with the removal of materials from the site before moving to an assessment for a remediation plan.

LAWSUIT

Residents have filed a federal lawsuit over the derailment along the Ohio-Pennsylvania line, seeking to force Norfolk Southern to set up health monitoring for residents in both states.

The lawsuit filed on Feb. 9 by two Pennsylvania residents calls for the rail operator to pay for medical screenings and related care for anyone living within a 30-mile (48-kilometer) radius of the derailment to determine who was affected by toxic substances released after the derailment. The lawsuit is also seeking undetermined damages.

Environmental regulators have been monitoring the air and water in surrounding communities, saying that so far the air quality remains safe and drinking water supplies have not been affected.

While some residents have complained about headaches and feeling sick since the derailment, Norfolk Southern declined to comment on the lawsuit. 

Train wreckage from the Feb. 3 derailment is seen piled up beside the railway on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

Twisted rails are seen on the site of the Feb. 3 derailment on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

Excavators dig up contaminated soil on the site of the Feb. 3 derailment on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

A Norfolk Southern freight train runs past the site of the Feb. 3 derailment on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

Train wreckage from the Feb. 3 derailment is seen piled up beside the railway on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)

Workers drain contaminated water on the site of the Feb. 3 derailment on the outskirts of the village of East Palestine, Ohio, the United States, on Feb. 14, 2023. Residents in and around the village of East Palestine feared for their health and concerns have mounted about the environmental effect, after about 50 Norfolk Southern train cars, including 20 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 on the outskirts of the village. (Photo by Phil Zhang/Xinhua)
This file photo taken on Sept. 14, 2022 shows Zhang Jinmei, director of the Xining forestry science research center, observing the condition of trees in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

XINING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- In a big field by a research center in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Zhang Jinmei assigns tasks while observing the growth conditions of the poplar tree saplings there.

When the weather gets warmer, these Populus cathayana Rehd. and Populus przewalskii Maxim. saplings will be transplanted to areas in Qinghai for afforestation, including the cities of Golmud and Delingha, said Zhang, director of the Xining forestry science research center.

Located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qinghai is home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers, and it acts as an ecological shelter for the country.

With small quantities and varieties of indigenous plant species, the province used to rely on introducing tree seedlings from outside the province for its afforestation. Seedlings can be planted only after being cultivated and becoming acclimatized to the plateau.

"The breeding of tree species that are suitable for planting on the plateau is a top priority in our work," Zhang said, noting that it is a tough job.

In 2008, Zhang and her colleagues were informed that a stand of 200-year-old wild trees of Populus przewalskii Maxim., an endangered poplar tree species native to the province, had been spotted in Balong Township in the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the main body of which is the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai.

Upon hearing the news, they immediately set off for the village to look for the trees, which are drought-tolerant, cold-hardy and useful for sand stabilization.

"We had to walk across a desert on our way to the wood for at least an hour, and we all got badly burned by the ultraviolet rays," Zhang said.

However, the harsh weather did not stop them from pursuing the precious seedlings. As soon as they located the straggling poplar trees, Zhang marked and collected the seedlings.

The collected seedlings then required multiple rounds of breeding, including cutting propagation and regional experiments.

"It takes at least eight years if everything goes smoothly, and another five years are needed to carry out sexual propagation," Zhang said.

And years of efforts have borne fruit. In 2017, Zhang successfully bred improved varieties of Populus przewalskii Maxim. with straight trunks and high growth levels, and developed a breeding method capable of shortening the breeding cycle to three to five years.

"Good seedlings must be widely cultivated as soon as possible," said Zhang, who is passionate about establishing tree seedling bases.

According to statistics from forestry departments at various levels in Qinghai, Zhang's team has established three tree seedling demonstration bases, with a total seedling production scale of 57.3 hectares and an annual poplar tree seedling production in excess of 1 million.

These improved Populus przewalskii Maxim. varieties have been spread to the Qaidam Basin and the Ali Prefecture in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, and the seedlings have grown into a green wall guarding the plateau.

Having won various domestic awards, Zhang continues to breed tree seedlings all year round. "It's also kind of romantic to get along with trees," she said. 

This file photo taken on Sept. 14, 2022 shows Zhang Jinmei, director of the Xining forestry science research center, working in the laboratory in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

This file photo taken on Sept. 14, 2022 shows Zhang Jinmei, director of the Xining forestry science research center, working in the laboratory in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 16, 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced the bloc's solidarity with quake-hit Turkiye on Thursday, saying that the alliance conveyed Turkiye's demands to "all the allies." (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced the bloc's solidarity with quake-hit Turkiye on Thursday, saying that the alliance conveyed Turkiye's demands to "all the allies."

"I am here to show that NATO stands in solidarity with Turkiye," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

His visit came after massive earthquakes hit the country on Feb. 6, saying it was the biggest disaster in NATO territory since the political and military alliance was established

The quakes have killed at least 36,187 people, and injured 108,068 others in the country, the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

"NATO allies continue to provide support the day after the earthquake. Aircraft allocated from the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom are carrying aid non-stop. Fundraising campaigns were organized in all NATO countries. These are a symbol of our solidarity," the secretary general said.

The Turkish minister, for his part, welcomed the alliance's fast response to support Turkiye after the quake. "Thank you for your solidarity and support," Cavusoglu said.

Ankara has asked NATO for aircraft to transport humanitarian assistance to the quake zone in Turkiye, especially thousands of tents for accommodation of quake victims in the region, the minister explained.

The aircraft will deliver nearly 20,000 tents provided from Pakistan, Cavusoglu said. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 16, 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced the bloc's solidarity with quake-hit Turkiye on Thursday, saying that the alliance conveyed Turkiye's demands to "all the allies." (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Feb. 16, 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced the bloc's solidarity with quake-hit Turkiye on Thursday, saying that the alliance conveyed Turkiye's demands to "all the allies." (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 290,000 applications have been filed for becoming foster families of those children who lost contact with families due to the devastating earthquakes on Feb. 6.

The semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Thursday that the number of applications for becoming foster families, which was normally three per day, increased to 29,000 per day after the earthquakes.

A total of 603 children had been handed over to their families after passing identity checks until Wednesday night, but there are 1,457 children whose families cannot be reached so far, the local NTV reported on Thursday.

The identities of 1,190 of these children have been determined, it said.

A total of 755 children continued to receive medical treatment at the hospitals, while 93 others were taken into institutional care after receiving treatment, the NTV reported.

Earthquake-survivor children and babies were first dispatched to hospitals for health checks and treatment, before being handed over to their families and relatives after identification.

Staff members of the Ministry of Family and Social Services have visited hospitals and care centers to identify unaccompanied children and match them with their families or relatives.

Unaccompanied earthquake victims, whose families cannot be reached after completing medical treatment, are currently under government care and protection.

"We do not know at this time whether these children have lost their families. Our first goal is to ensure that they are handed over to their families. Then, we start the process with our staff and psychologists so that these children can get out of the trauma caused by the earthquake," Musa Sahin, child services director of the Ministry of the Family and Social Services, told the Anadolu Agency.

In Turkiye, the UNICEF, in coordination with the Ministry of the Family and Social Services, has deployed social workers to the hospitals to help identify unaccompanied and separated children to make sure their basic needs are met, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said in a briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Tuesday.

In addition, UNICEF has launched 10 new hotlines in the affected provinces for unaccompanied and separated children, Elder added.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes hit southeastern Turkiye on Feb. 6, killing at least 36,187 people and injuring 108,068 others so far.

Turkish authorities have suspended rescue operations in some regions, but survivors are still being pulled alive from the wreckage of their homes.

A girl named Aleyna Olmaz, 17, was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in the Dulkadiroglu district of Kahramanmaras province on Thursday, 248 hours after the earthquake.

"We were surprised that her body functions were intact and that her kidney functions did not deteriorate. It's an incredible thing. Her health is very good," Dr. Cengiz Dilber from Kahramanmaras University Hospital told reporters.

Two Chinese search and rescue teams departed Turkiye on Thursday as their missions came to a close.

The two teams, respectively from the southern Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan, had been based in the southern province of Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of dual earthquakes.

"We had recovered 12 people, including 11 injuries and one deceased," Yuan Jiongming, captain of the smaller team, told the local Demiroren News Agency.

He said they wished they could have saved more, adding that the team would always remember the friendliness of the people of Kahramanmaras they had experienced.

Foreign leaders and ministers continued to visit Turkiye to show solidarity in the wake of the quakes, with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre-Tinoco meeting Turkish officials on Thursday. 
Wang Yi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, shakes hands with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, when they co-chair the 23rd China-France Strategic Dialogue in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)

PARIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese diplomat said here on Thursday that China is willing to resume the institutional strategic, financial, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges dialogues with France at an early date.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made that remark while co-chairing the 23rd China-France Strategic Dialogue with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Wang is paying visits to France, Italy, Hungary and Russia, and is expected to deliver a speech at the China session of the upcoming 59th Munich Security Conference.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed that the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France is of special significance.

They also agreed to give full play to the leading role of head-of-state diplomacy, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and jointly tackle global challenges, so as to inject new impetus into China-Europe relations, providing stability to the world.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that China-France strategic cooperation should play a leading role and lead the trend of development of the times, which meets the need for the development of bilateral ties and reflects the global responsibility of China and France as responsible major countries.

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation in the fields of civil nuclear energy, aviation, aerospace, health, agricultural and food products, tourism, culture, and cooperation in the third-party markets, so as to push for new and greater achievements, Wang said.

China is also willing to jointly plan the next steps of high-level exchanges and the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France next year, Wang noted.

China and France forged diplomatic ties in 1964, making France the first major Western power to recognize the People's Republic of China.

Bonne said that he endorses the vision of the Chinese side for the next stage development of bilateral cooperation, and looks forward to new progress in various areas.

France is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, further intensify coordination with the Chinese side in international affairs, and cooperate with China to achieve common development goals, he added.

Beijing is to consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this year to give a new boost to development and prosperity in Asia-Pacific and the wider world.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at building a trade, investment, and infrastructure network that connects different regions along the ancient trade routes, was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views and reached a broad consensus on issues such as global debt, climate change, biodiversity, food security and the crisis in Ukraine.

Wang welcomed the decision of the French side to lift entry restrictions imposed on tourists from China, which he said is conducive to facilitating personnel flow and cooperation between the two countries. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations launched a 1.3-billion-U.S. dollar appeal on Thursday to help 6 million people in Nigeria's violence-ravaged Northeast, said a UN spokesman.

The appeal is to aid 500,000 more people than last year, mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Matthias Schmale, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria, reported that the large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis in the three states shows no sign of abating. Some 2.4 million people are in acute need, impacted by conflict, disease and disaster, said the spokesman.

"Women and girls are the hardest hit, making up more than 80 percent of people in need of humanitarian assistance across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe," said Dujarric. "Child malnutrition is escalating and the already high levels of severe acute malnutrition are projected to more than double."

He said authorities project 697,000 children to be impacted this year, compared to 300,000 children hit last year.

Nigeria's Northeast region has been hit by continuing raids blamed mainly on the extremist Boko Haram group. The conflict has triggered a mass movement of people, food insecurity and related disease. 
Wang Yi (R, front), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Laurent Fabius, president of the French Constitutional Council and former French prime minister, in Paris, France, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

PARIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese diplomat called here on Thursday for closer coordination between China and France to firmly support globalization and multi-polarization, jointly practice multilateralism, safeguard the authority of the United Nations (UN) and the basic norms governing international relations.

China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major countries upholding independent foreign policy, should shoulder their responsibilities in the face of global uncertainties, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told Laurent Fabius, president of the French Constitutional Council, during a meeting.

Noting that China has optimized its COVID-19 prevention measures, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that the Chinese economy is expected to usher in a strong and steady growth.

China will keep the momentum for high-quality development, promote high-level opening up, and firmly adhere to the Chinese path to modernization, which will bring new opportunities for China-France cooperation in various areas, Wang added.

Fabius, also former French prime minister, said that the France-China relations have developed smoothly. In recent years, global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the necessity for the international community to strengthen cooperation.

France and China share extensive consensus on major international issues, and should join efforts in steering the international situation develop in the right direction of balance and multipolarity, Fabius added.

Wang is paying visits to France, Italy, Hungary and Russia, and is expected to deliver a speech at the China session of the upcoming 59th Munich Security Conference. 
YAOUNDE, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon on Wednesday night issued a warning of strong winds and dust storms.

"Enormous plume" of Sahara dust with wind speed at seven meters per second is expected to hit five regions of the country, said Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe.

"If the forecasted wind conditions are maintained, this phenomenon could reach most of the northern regions and by extension certain localities in the western part of the country," Bibehe said in a statement.

"In addition to the significant reduction in visibility that can cause traffic accidents, respiratory diseases following inhalation of dust are to be watched out for by exposed populations," he said and urged residents to drive carefully and protect their eyes and nose appropriately. 
TUNIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied on Thursday rejected any form of foreign interference in the internal affairs of his country, saying Tunisia is an independent and sovereign state that fully respects the law.

"We know very well what we are doing is in full respect of the law," Saied said in a speech broadcast by the presidency.

"Tunisia has never issued statements to express its concern over the conditions of rights and freedoms in a number of countries that behave in this way," he added.

Saied's remarks came after the U.S. government expressed its "extreme concern over reported arrests of multiple political figures, business leaders, and journalists in Tunisia in recent days."

On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said "the U.S. is engaged with the Tunisian government at all levels in support of human rights and the freedom of expression."

Saied said that Tunisia's sovereignty is above all considerations, "especially since the principle of freedom remains more anchored here long before them... they must look at their history before looking at our history and look at their reality before they talk about the situation in Tunisia." 
VIENTIANE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Laos and Cambodia expressed their intention to promote business cooperation during a bilateral meeting in Lao capital Vientiane that was joined by a delegation of leading Cambodian business people.

The meeting, which was held on Tuesday in Lao capital Vientiane, was co-chaired by Lao President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oudet Souvannavong, and President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, Neak Oknha Kith Meng, Lao National TV reported on Wednesday.

More than 30 representatives from various sectors of Laos and Cambodia, including trade, services, transportation, real estate, hotel, tourism, finance, construction and information technology, participated in the meeting.

Oudet welcomed the Cambodia delegation and thanked its members for their interest in increasing investment cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to review cooperation under another MoU that both sides inked in 2016.

The signed document is also aimed at boosting business, especially the exchange of business information and other relevant policies.

The two sides also made presentations on bilateral trade, investment and the possibility of business cooperation between Laos and Cambodia, especially along economic corridors running along Cambodia's borders with the Lao provinces of Champasak, Sekong, Attapeu and Saravan.

In addition, the meeting focused on boosting economic ties between the two countries and exchanged views on opportunities, the investment climate and potential sectors for growth, according to the report. 
China News Service: We noted that Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi has traveled to France. Could you share more with us on this visit?

Wang Wenbin: On February 15 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi paid a visit to France, which is an important high-level exchange between China and France as well as Europe this year. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Wang Yi. Wang also met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna the same day.

Wang noted that China attaches high importance to its relations with France and always regards France as a priority partner of cooperation. China is willing to further tighten high-level exchanges with France, deepen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, open up new prospects for bilateral relations, and inject new impetus into the development of China-EU relations. In doing so, both sides will contribute to enhancing international cooperation and addressing global challenges and play a constructive role in promoting world peace, stability and equity. China is ready to fully reactivate dialogue and exchanges with France in various fields, hold a new round of meeting of the high-level mechanism for dialogue on people-to-people exchanges at an early date and facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. The two sides may jointly plan commemorative activities to cement public support and social foundation for friendly relations between the two countries.

The French side noted that it attaches great importance to its relations with China and believes that it is of great significance for France and China to strengthen strategic dialogue. In the face of an increasingly complex international situation, France and China should work together to maintain stability and balance, uphold multilateralism, oppose bloc confrontation and avoid the world being broken apart. The French side looks forward to further progress in bilateral cooperation this year and next. On top of the resumption of dialogue mechanisms, it expects to explore new areas of cooperation to make up for the time lost due to COVID and take bilateral relations to a new height. The French side firmly adheres to the one-China policy and this will remain unchanged.

Reuters: A US official said on Wednesday that the Chinese balloon that was shot down after crossing into the continental United States originally had a trajectory that would have taken it over Guam and Hawaii, but it was blown by prevailing winds. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have made clear our position on this issue multiple times. The US side should not have overreacted.

TASS: I have two questions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the press conference following the NATO defence ministers meeting yesterday that the ministers had come to an agreement on the new NATO outlook on defense planning, which referred to China as a challenge. Whats your comment? Secondly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday called on foreign media to look into the details about the Nord Stream explosion, which were disclosed by US journalist Seymour Hersh. Hersh himself pointed out that there is little coverage of his findings in US media. Whats your comment?

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, we have pointed out time and again that NATOs Strategic Concept has misrepresented the facts and truth by wrongly defining China as posing systemic challenges and smearing Chinas foreign policy, normal military posture and defense policy. The document seeks to stoke confrontation and antagonism. It smacks heavily of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China is gravely concerned over this and firmly opposes it.

China is known to be a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. China presents valuable opportunities for world peace and development. It does not pose systemic challenges as claimed by NATO.

NATO claims to be a regional defensive alliance, but it has constantly sought to breach its geographic confines and expand its agenda, stoke division and tensions, and create fears and confrontation. We urge NATO to abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, stop creating imaginary enemies and destabilizing Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and do something good for peace and stability in Europe and beyond.

On your second question, the Nord Stream pipelines are vital cross-border infrastructure projects. The explosions have had a major serious impact on the global energy market and ecological environment and caused international concerns over the security of major cross-border infrastructure. There should be an objective, impartial and professional investigation into the explosions, and those responsible must be held to account.

Immediately after the explosions, we saw extensive coverage in US and other Western media with one-sided speculations on who was responsible for the sabotage. What we see now, however, is that these media, hailed as free, professional and impartial, have fallen silent over Seymour Hershs detailed report. Just as Hersh wrote, The New York Times published everything I wrotemost if not all on the front pagewhen I was an investigative reporter on the paper from 1972 to 1979. The Washington Post has followed my career as the loyal opposition and ran a long magazine procle of me more than two decades ago. Neither paper has run a word at this point about the pipeline story, not even to quote the White Houses denial of my reporting.

Do these Western media really not care about the truth behind the Nord Stream blast? Or is something else going on? What exactly do they know? Is there anything they are trying to hide? I suppose any truly objective, impartial and professional media will want to seek out the truth.

CCTV: The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) put out a statement of experts on its website on February 14, saying that in Iran, the lack of access to vital medication from abroad caused by US unilateral sanctions has resulted in increased complications and mortality rates among thalassemia patients. The legality of the US unilateral sanctions against Iran is doubtful under international law, they said. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Over the years, the US, without any basis in international law or mandate of the Security Council, has arbitrarily imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran and many other countries, grossly interfered in their internal affairs and trampled on their human rights, causing untold humanitarian disasters.

The US has been slapping various unilateral sanctions on Iran since 1979, and such sanctions have impeded Irans access to basic medication, vaccines and medical equipment amid COVID. As the Brookings Institution estimated, during the height of the pandemic in Iran, US sanctions could have caused up to 13,000 deaths. The brutal US sanctions on Iraq following the Gulf War more than doubled the child mortality rate in the country and caused a six-fold increase in the mortality rate of Iraqi children under age five. To date, Iraqs per capita annual income has fallen below its 1990 level. The US unilateral sanctions have plunged Afghanistan into a humanitarian crisis. After the US froze the seven billion dollars of Afghanistans state assets in last February, millions of Afghans have been struggling on the verge of death, about three million children have been missing out on school and nearly 20 million people are facing acute hunger. In Syria, in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake, we have seen that the US unlawful unilateral sanctions have led to a severe shortage of heavy equipment and search and rescue tools in Syria, leaving many local people with no choice but to dig with their bare hands. As a result, many civilians including children under the rubble may have perished.

We urge the US to earnestly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the principles of international law, stop imposing illegal unilateral sanctions, stop hampering relevant countries efforts to mobilize resources, develop economy and improve peoples livelihood, and earnestly respect the rights to life, health and development of people in these countries.

ITV News: ITV has spoken to several people in the UK who have told us that there is state-sponsored harassment of Chinese people, in particular, Uyghur people living in the UK. And one MP, Iain Duncan Smith, has told us he believes PRC agents were behind false emails sent from his account. I believe we have made you aware of this report. And I want to ask you what is your response to such claims?

Wang Wenbin: Im not aware of what you mentioned. But the mention of so-called re-education camps in Xinjiang in the report you sent us indicates that what you cited is clearly disinformation. We have made it clear many times that the so-called re-education camps simply do not exist in Xinjiang. The accusation is a lie of the century propagated by anti-China forces and has long been debunked by facts. China is a country based on the rule of law. The Chinese government protects the lawful rights of Chinese citizens. The attempt to use Xinjiang-related issues to smear Chinas human rights conditions will never succeed.

About the comments made by the British parliamentarian, let me say that Chinas position on cybersecurity is consistent and clear. We have been unequivocally opposed to hacking attacks. We hope certain politician can stop hyping China-related subjects, stop smearing and attacking China, and do more things that can contribute to the growth of China-UK relations.

AFP: You said the other day that since May last year, the US has illegally flown balloons over Chinas airspace, including Xinjiang and Tibet, more than ten times at least. Could you offer any evidence or further information?

Wang Wenbin: We made it clear on many occasions that the US high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over Chinas airspace without Chinas approval, which violates relevant Chinese and international laws. The US side should look into this and give an explanation. The US should also give an explanation for eavesdropping on and stealing secrets from countries around the world, including its allies, and its saildrone used for collecting information found in Namibias waters.

Xinhua News Agency: It was reported that on February 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the State Duma that Russia and China will soon hold a series of high-level political talks; the two countries are working to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation, which has reached never-before-seen levels of trust; ties between Moscow and Beijing are cementing the foundation of the emerging polycentric architecture and serve as a balancing and stabilizing factor in global affairs. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: China appreciates the positive comments of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on China-Russia relations. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, relations between the two countries have maintained sound and steady development, with deepening political mutual trust, close and effective strategic coordination and substantial progress in cooperation across the board. The two countries have worked together for a multi-polar world, greater democracy in international relations, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China stands ready to work with Russia to further advance our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Reuters: According to a report, trucks have resumed carrying grain and other goods from China to North Korea after almost two years shutdown. Can the foreign ministry confirm that the China-North Korea border is indeed open to trucks carrying these goods as this report describes?

Wang Wenbin: After friendly consultations, China and the DPRK resumed cross-border rail freight transport between Dandong and Sinuiju last year. In accordance with the agreement on border ports and other border-related agreements, the two sides will handle matters related to cooperation on border ports through consultation.

CCTV: In response to the report that WHO has stopped the second phase of the study into the origins of coronavirus because China is not cooperating, WHO Secretariat made a clarification on February 15, saying this is an error in reporting...WHO has not abandoned studying the origins of COVID-19. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: We strongly oppose attempts to use the origins tracing as a pretext to spread disinformation and smear China. Such moves are not conducive to advancing international cooperation against the pandemic and should meet the unequivocal opposition from the international community.

China always supports and participates in science-based global origins-tracing. We have been open and transparent and acted responsibly on this issue. China will continue to support this global effort and continue our communication and cooperation with WHO.

At present, more and more clues from the international science community are pointing the origins of SARS-CoV-2 to sources around the world. Many have raised questions and concerns about US bio-military bases at Fort Detrick and around the world. WHO and the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) should take a close look at these clues, effectively cooperate with relevant countries, and share research findings with all parties in a timely way.

Bloomberg: It was reported that US President Joe Biden is expected to give public remarks as early as Thursday on an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon and three unidentified aerial objects. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The unintended entry of the Chinese civilian airship into US airspace is an entirely unexpected, isolated incident. It is, however, a test for the US sides capability to properly manage crisis and sincerity about stabilizing relations with China. The US needs to stop stressing the importance of communication and dialogue while fueling tensions and escalating the crisis. It needs to work in the same direction with China to manage differences, properly handle this unexpected and isolated incident, avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, and bring China-US relations back to the track of sound and steady development.

AFP: I got a question on technology and the Netherlands. The Dutch chipmaker ASML says that a former employee in China stole chip technology data. ASML said it started an internal review. Do you have any comments on this?

Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of the specific case you mentioned. We would like to tell you, as a principle, that China has all along attached great importance to and made vigorous efforts for the protection of intellectual property, and we remain committed to providing fair and just protection to the lawful rights and interests of intellectual property rights holders, both Chinese and foreign.

Reuters: I just wanted to follow up on my question earlier about the transport of cargo between China and North Korea. The report talked about the transport of cargo from the Chinese city of Hunchun to the North Korean city of Rason or Luoxian. So I just want to ask whether the foreign ministry can confirm that this particular crossing is indeed open as this report describes.

Wang Wenbin: I just stated Chinas position and have nothing further to share.

Dragon TV: It was reported that on the evening of February 15 local time, US Senate passed two resolutions, condemning the use by the Peoples Republic of China of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over the territory of the United States as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty. What is your response?

Wang Wenbin: These resolutions do not reflect basic facts. They are purely meant to score political points and dramatize the situation. China strongly disapproves of and firmly opposes them. We strongly urge the US Congress to respect facts, respect the spirit of international law and the basic norms in international relations, immediately stop smearing China, and stop taking actions that may escalate the situation.
BAMYAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A 10-day workshop held in Afghanistan's central Bamyan with the objective to promote literacy among people in Afghanistan concluded on Thursday, a trainer of the workshop Mohammad Baqir said.

Funded by UNESCO and implemented by a non-government organization, the OCCD (the Organization for Community Coordination and Development), the program covers 20 out of the country's 34 provinces, the trainer said.

"The people of Bamyan appreciate and welcome the program that helps us to learn and become literate, and we are thankful to UNESCO for launching such a significant program," Baqir, who is a resident of Bamyan province, told Xinhua.

Supported by the Ministry of Education of the Afghan caretaker administration, the program will last for nine months.

More than 37.7 percent of Afghanistan's 35 million population are reportedly illiterate, with the majority of them being women, as many Afghan girls, mostly in the countryside, can't go to school due to cultural barriers and security concerns. 
DHAKA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- With the slogan "WELCOME TO THE SMARTVERSE BASIS SoftExpo 2023," Bangladesh's largest exhibition of information and communication technology (ICT) will begin here on Feb. 23.

The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) is organizing the exhibition to showcase the latest technology innovations and ICT capabilities of Bangladesh to the world.

The capacity of Bangladesh's information technology sector will be highlighted through various programs in this four-day exhibition.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between BASIS and Chinese telecom giant Huawei recently.

At the signing ceremony, BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed said, "We are now moving towards achieving the Smart Bangladesh goal. We are hopeful that BASIS SoftExpo 2023 will play a significant role in achieving this goal and take Bangladesh a step ahead in digitalization."

"Huawei has achieved the leading position in the ICT field worldwide. We are delighted to partner with Huawei, a telecom technology, products, software, and solutions leader," he said.

Alex Li, vice president of Cloud Business Group of Huawei South Asia, said, "BASIS SoftExpo 2023 will be a congregation for everyone in the ICT ecosystem to make the Smart Bangladesh journey a success. Huawei has been working in the ICT sector of Bangladesh for more than 24 years. Huawei will stand with Bangladesh in achieving the Smart Bangladesh goal as it did in fulfilling the dream of Digital Bangladesh."

"We have partnered with BASIS with the same vision and we will showcase our latest cloud technology and cloud solutions for different industries and solutions at this SoftExpo so each and every member in this ecosystem can learn more about the latest technologies and implement them for better success," he added.

More than 23 seminars and technical sessions will be held at the BASIS SoftExpo 2023. About 300,000 visitors including government and private policy makers, 200 national and international speakers, and IT experts, IT sector businessmen, foreign delegations, domestic and foreign IT users and interested young students will visit the event. 
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two dacoits were killed in a clash with police in Pakistan's capital Islamabad in the wee hours of Thursday morning, the police said in a statement.

The police were having a routine check at a picket in sector D-12 of the Pakistani capital when the dacoits opened fire at them, but the cops remained safe due to the security measures, the statement added.

The dacoits were riding a motorbike when they fired at the police. They were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to injuries, said the statement.

The dacoits were later identified as street criminals involved in various crimes, and one of them was also accused of killing a man during a robbery, the statement added.

The police said that both attackers were also involved in the rape of a woman in a park in the city earlier this month. 
ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister reiterated Thursday that his country can evaluate Finland and Sweden's bids to join NATO separately.

"We could evaluate Finland's NATO membership process separately from Sweden," Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

"Turkiye's position on the membership of the two countries has been clear and unambiguous from the beginning," he added.

Stoltenberg, being asked whether the two countries' NATO accession must be at the same time, said "the main issue is not that they are ratified together. The main issue is that they are ratified as soon as possible."

Finland and Sweden submitted their formal membership requests in May 2022. Turkiye, which is the only member yet to ratify, demands the two countries to "speedily and thoroughly" extradite Turkish-deemed terror suspects.

Cavusoglu earlier said that NATO and the two Nordic countries initially requested their membership process to be carried out together. Since then, Finland has taken some steps, but there were "provocations" in Sweden, he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkiye may show a different approach to Finland's NATO bid than Sweden, if necessary. 
PARIS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron met here on Wednesday with Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Macron, before briefing him the significance of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Noting that China always regards France as a priority partner of cooperation, Wang has said that China is willing to further tighten high-level exchanges with France, to open up new prospects for Sino-French relations, to inject new impetus into the development of China-EU relations, and to make new contributions in promoting international cooperation and tackling global challenges.

China and France helped each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said, adding that as China's economy has recovered rapidly and society has returned to normal, China stands ready to fully restart exchanges with France in various fields.

Macron asked Wang to convey his cordial greetings to President Xi Jinping and congratulated on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress.

Macron said that he looked forward to meeting with President Xi Jinping to renew friendship, promote cooperation, and create a better future.

Noting that France attaches great importance to its relationship with China, Macron stressed that it was of great significance to strengthen strategic dialogue between the two countries.

In the face of the increasingly complicated international situation, France and China should work together to maintain stability and balance, uphold multilateralism, oppose bloc confrontations, and avoid the world being broken apart, Macron said.

France hoped to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China in areas such as climate change, biodiversity and marine environment protection, Macron added.

The two also exchanged views on the Ukraine issue.

Wang emphasized that China had adopted an objective and impartial attitude and was always committed to promoting peace talks.

China attached importance to France's role as an independent major country, and stood ready to cooperate with the international community, including France, to promote a path of political solution, and reach a ceasefire at an early date, Wang noted.

On Wednesday, Wang also met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna. 
MOSCOW, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, adopted a draft appeal to the United Nations on Thursday, proposing to initiate an investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.

"Members of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia are appealing to the United Nations Security Council with a proposal to initiate a thorough investigation of this clear act of international terrorism," the State Duma said in a statement.

It said that the investigation would be able to provide a "full legal assessment" of the sabotage, and ultimately "bring to justice" the perpetrators of this "uncalled-for crime," which has "jeopardized the security of the entire Eurasian continent."

The appeal also points to the results of an investigation, recently conducted by U.S. journalist Seymour Hersh, which testifies that the U.S. military and its Norwegian accomplices committed a criminal attack on three branches of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

"The administration of Joe Biden that issued the illegal order, bears full responsibility both for causing multibillion-dollar damage ... and for the long-term detrimental impact of this attack on the economic development of the countries of the region as a whole, as well as for catastrophic damage to the environment," it said. 
BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Argentine humanitarian assistance team in Turkiye rescued three people alive Wednesday in Hatay, the Turkish city most devastated by the earthquake that occurred on Feb. 6, the Argentine Foreign Ministry announced.

"The rescue came nine days after the disaster that has resulted in thousands of deaths, countless injuries, evacuees and tens of thousands of displaced people," the ministry said.

"The survivors rescued today by the Argentine team are two adults and a child. The operation was carried out in conjunction with members of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority team," it detailed.

The Argentine contingent is made up of the state's civilian volunteers, White Helmets (belonging to the Argentine Agency for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the Foreign Ministry), a brigade of the Argentine Federal Police and support from the National Risk Management System under the Ministry of Security.

"Argentina shares its pride and joy in this news that, in the midst of an enormous tragedy, allows us to embrace life, solidarity and hope," the ministry said.

Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero highlighted on Twitter the "professionalism" and "solidarity" of the Argentine mission in Turkiye.

Last week, devastating earthquakes hit Turkiye, which also affected neighboring Syria. 
MOSCOW, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Thursday that Moscow would respond if the European Union (EU) decides to confiscate the country's frozen assets, TASS news agency reported citing the official.

Grushko said that Russia would take "all the necessary measures to protect its legitimate interests" if the EU decides to go through with the decision.

He called the actions of the EU "completely illegal," adding that many countries are uncertain whether such a move would be in line with international norms.

EU representatives met in Brussels on Wednesday, where they approved "the establishment of an ad hoc working party on the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine's reconstruction," the Swedish EU Council Presidency said in a Twitter post.

The Swiss Federal Council issued a statement on the same day, saying that "a working group led by the Federal Office of Justice concluded that the confiscation of private Russian assets would undermine the Federal Constitution and the prevailing legal order." 
Payton Gendron (C) is escorted back into the courtroom by deputies after a disruption during sentencing in Buffalo, New York State, the United States, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 19-year-old man Payton Gendron, who committed the mass shooting last May in Buffalo of the U.S. state of New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday as expected while white supremacy got bashed at court. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News/Pool via Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Liu Yanan

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 19-year-old man Payton Gendron, who committed the mass shooting last May in Buffalo of the U.S. state of New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday as expected while white supremacy got bashed at court.

Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan announced the sentence based on 10 counts of first-degree murder and a single count of domestic terrorism motivated by hate, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment without parole.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM MOTIVATED BY HATE

"There is no place for you or your ignorant, hateful and evil ideologies in a civilized society. There can be no mercy for you. No understanding. No second chances. The damage you have caused is too great and the people you have hurt are too valuable to this community. You will never see the light of day as a free man ever again," said Eagan.

Fueled by racist conspiracy theories, Gendron drove about three hours from his home to a Black-predominated community in Buffalo and shot multiple individuals in and around a Tops grocery store on May 14, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 10 African Americans, as well as injury to three others.

In November 2022, Gendron pleaded guilty to the highest charges in the indictment against him including one count of domestic act of terrorism motivated by hate in the first degree, ten counts of murder in the first degree, three counts of attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Gendron was the first person in New York State convicted of that domestic terrorism charge, which was passed in 2020 and mandates life in prison without an opportunity for parole.

Gendron made a brief apology on Wednesday, saying he was "very sorry" for the attack and blamed online content for the shooting rampage.

"Our client is responsible for committing this crime. He will spend the rest of his life locked away and he will eventually die in state prison. We hope that knowing that he will never be free again will offer some small bit of comfort to those that he's hurt so much," said Brian Parker, one of Gendron's attorneys, after the announcement of the sentence.

Moreover, Gendron faces federal charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death penalty.

A number of family members of the victims and survivors made victim impact statements at the court and the processing was once interrupted as a man charged the defendant in the courtroom.

RACISM DEEP-ROOTED

"Our black and brown brothers and sisters endured centuries, not years, centuries, of oppression as they built our buildings and produced our crops by which the foundation of this country was built on. They continue to endure oppression... They continue to endure micro aggressions. They continue to have their families gunned down simply because of the color of their skin," said Stephanie, sister of survivor Jennifer Warrington, who was injured in the shooting.

Parker said this case highlights a much deeper problem and Gendron's violent, hate-filled assault was in part the product of centuries of pervasive racism, which needs to be addressed.

"This hateful act and other similar hateful acts across the country motivated by white supremacy and replacement theory are a reckoning for us as a nation. The ugly truth is that our nation was founded and built in part on white supremacy," said Eagan in the sentence.

Eagan recounted white supremacy acts in U.S. history like the treatment of Native Americans by the first European settlers, the cruel, inhumane economic engine nation building practice of slavery, indentured servitude, Jim Crow laws, government policies creating segregated public housing with communities of color and many other social injustices.

Eagan said, "Our history is replete with both individual and systemic discriminatory practices, many of them still firmly in place today. In fact, it is these very policies and practices that contributed to and made this atrocity possible. The effects of these policies, some current and others, decades and centuries old, created the segregation in our city and enabled this defendant to research and identify his target to maximize the impact of his evil intent."

"The harsh reality is that white supremacy has been an insidious cancer on our society and nation since its inception, and it undermines the notions of a meritocracy and the land of opportunity that we hold so dear. However, white supremacy is not inevitable or unstoppable. It has been carefully cultivated and nurtured by individuals and the government for centuries," added Eagan.

"Unfortunately, neither this proceeding, nor any criminal trial can expose or address the historical racism that set the stage for our client's horrible acts. We as a community need to have those conversations in our legislative bodies, in their living rooms to achieve any sort of meaningful change," said Parker.

Stephanie stressed the beauty of diversity saying "We are stronger together. Diversity makes us beautiful."

Parker noted that the racist hate motivating this crime was spread through online platforms, and the violence was made possible by the easy access to assault weapons.

Eagan warned that "we must acknowledge that history. See that history for what it is. Recognize it and learn from it. Or we are doomed to repeat it."

Eagan urged individuals to call out injustice in daily lives and reject racism in all of its forms. 

Payton Gendron (C) weeps as he listens to the impact statement of family members of the victims and survivors in Buffalo, New York State, the United States, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 19-year-old man Payton Gendron, who committed the mass shooting last May in Buffalo of the U.S. state of New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday as expected while white supremacy got bashed at court. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News/Pool via Xinhua)

Payton Gendron (Front) reads an apology to the court in Buffalo, New York State, the United States, on Feb. 15, 2023. The 19-year-old man Payton Gendron, who committed the mass shooting last May in Buffalo of the U.S. state of New York, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday as expected while white supremacy got bashed at court. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News/Pool via Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The hazardous material train derailment that occurred in the northeastern U.S. state of Ohio earlier this month is continuing to raise questions and fuel public distrust of U.S. authorities.

A Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, an Ohio village on the state's border with Pennsylvania, on the night of Feb. 3.

At a press conference Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he was informed that the train was not considered a "high hazardous material train," and therefore, Ohio was not notified in advance that it was passing through.

"This is absurd, and we need to look at this," DeWine told reporters. "Congress needs to take a look at how these things are handled."

"We should know when we have trains carrying hazardous materials that are going through the state of Ohio," he underlined.

In an update on Tuesday, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) wrote that 38 rail cars derailed, and a fire ensued, damaging an additional 12 cars. There were no reported fatalities or injuries.

A total of 20 hazardous material cars were in the train consist, 11 of which derailed, according to the NTSB. Five of the derailed hazmat cars carried vinyl chloride, a colorless gas that burns easily and is industrially produced for commercial use.

Fears of a possible explosion prompted the evacuation of hundreds of residents and a so-called controlled release and burning of the chemicals on Feb. 6, releasing toxic and potentially deadly fumes into the air.

Vinyl chloride exposure has been associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer, as well as primary liver cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and leukemia.

The controlled burn would also release phosgene and hydrogen chloride, the former of which is a highly toxic gas that can cause vomiting and breathing trouble and was used as a weapon in World War I.

DeWine said on Tuesday that members of the Ohio National Guard were sent into the area in protective suits to measure the air following the "controlled release" of chemicals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has tested indoor air at 396 homes in East Palestine as of Monday, with 100 homes remaining and 65 homes scheduled for Tuesday.

EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore said in a statement on Tuesday that no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified, adding that they "are continuing to conduct 24/7 air-monitoring."

Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said that the department has observed approximately 3,500 dead fish of 12 different species following the chemicals spilling into local waterways.

"Don't tell me it's safe. Something is going on if the fish are floating in the creek," Cathey Reese, who lives in Negley, Ohio, told an affiliate of NBC News last week. Reese said she saw dead fish in a stream that flows through her backyard.

Jenna Giannios of Boardman, a town near East Palestine, told NBC that she has been drinking bottled water and is uncomfortable bathing in water from the bathroom spigot.

"I'm concerned with the long-term health impact," Giannios said. "It's just a mess."

U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeted Monday that "we need congressional inquiry and direct action" from the federal government to "address this tragedy."

"East Palestine railroad derailment will have a significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the residents for decades," Omar wrote, complaining that there is a lack of national media attention on the incident.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg failed to mention the derailment in a speech at the National Association of Counties Conference on Monday, sparking a wave of criticism.

"People are being poisoned because of a toxic train derailment in Ohio," American television personality Meghan McCain tweeted. "The Secretary of transportation has absolutely nothing to say about it!"

The NTSB, a U.S. government agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation, revealed on Tuesday that its investigators have identified and examined the rail car that initiated the derailment.

Surveillance video from a residence appeared to show a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure just before the derailment.

The wheelset from the suspected rail car has been collected as evidence for metallurgical examination, while the suspected overheated wheel bearing has been collected and will be examined by NTSB engineers.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a branch of the Department of Transportation, has been tracking train derailments since 1975, as well as injuries and fatalities during train crashes.

From 1990, the first year the statistics agency began tracking derailments and injuries each year, to 2021, there have been 54,539 accidents in which a train derailed, an average of 1,704 derailments per year.

On Monday morning, an 18-wheeler collided with a Union Pacific train near Houston, Texas, leaving the truck driver dead and derailing over a dozen train cars, according to police.

Fire officials said there is no active threat to the community stemming from the wreck. 
NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices decreased on Wednesday after data showed a significant rise in U.S. crude stockpiles.

The West Texas Intermediate for March delivery dropped 47 cents, or 0.59 percent, to settle at 78.59 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for April delivery lost 20 cents, or 0.23 percent, to settle at 85.38 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Wednesday that the country's commercial crude oil inventories increased by 16.3 million barrels during the week ending Feb. 10. Analysts polled by S&P Global Commodity Insights had estimated a rise of 600,000 barrels in U.S. crude supplies

According to the EIA, total motor gasoline inventories rose by 2.3 million barrels last week, while distillate fuel inventories decreased by 1.3 million barrels.

Traders also looked to the International Energy Agency (IEA) as the Paris-based energy watchdog raised its demand growth estimate for 2023.

In a monthly oil market report published on Wednesday, the IEA said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2 million barrels a day (b/d) this year to 101.9 million b/d, supported by strong demand growth in China. 
HOUSTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed with three others injured in a shooting incident Wednesday evening in a shopping mall in El Paso, a major border city in the south-central U.S. state of Texas, authorities said.

"We have one person in custody," El Paso Police Department spokesman Robert Gomez told a news conference.

He said the shooting happened inside the Cielo Vista Mall, adding, "we don't have any active shooters at this time." 
Islamabad: There has been an explosion once again in Pakistan, which is suffering badly from economic poverty and terrorism. There has been a huge explosion in Jafar Express going from Peshawar to Quetta city of the neighboring country. In this blast, 2 passengers died on the spot, while 4 passengers are said to be injured. The blast took place when the Quetta-bound Jafar Express was leaving Chichavatni railway station.

Pakistan Railways spokesman Babar Ali has told the media that the blast took place after a cylinder burst in bogie number 4 of Jafar Express. A passenger aboard the train had brought a cylinder with him. He hid the cylinder in the bathroom. The explosion took place in this cylinder itself. After the incident, the rescue team along with the bomb squad team also reached the spot. Seriously injured passengers are being admitted to the nearest hospital for treatment. The explosion was tremendous, so there is a possibility of increasing the number of dead.

Recently, on February 5, there was a big explosion in Balochistan, Pakistan. At least 5 people were seriously injured in this blast in Quetta. The blast took place in the Police Line area of Quetta. The responsibility for this blast was taken by the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Let us tell you that earlier there was a blast in the mosque located in the police line of Peshawar, in which more than 100 people died and 220 people were seriously injured.

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Kathmandu: The demand to make our neighboring country Nepal a Hindu nation once again has started intensifying and this campaign has also got the support of the country's former Maharaja Gyanendra Shah. Former king Gyanendra Shah on Monday (February 13) joined an important campaign related to the restoration of the former status of the Hindu state. This was Gyanendra Shah's first political presence after the end of the monarchy in Nepal. Significantly, this campaign has been launched on a day when the violent Maoist-turned-PM Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Nepal government declared a public holiday in the country to mark the completion of 23 years of the Maoist war.

According to the report, this decision of 'Prachanda' is being opposed in the whole country. Those protesting also include some parties of the ruling coalition. Those protesting have refused to recognize the insurgency as a 'people's war'. On the other hand, Gyanendra Shah flagged off the 'Let's save religion, nation, nationalism, culture and citizens' campaign from Kakarbhitta in the Jhapa district of eastern Nepal. A huge crowd of people had gathered there, who were greeting and encouraging Gyanendra Shah.

This campaign has been started under the leadership of Nepal's medical practitioner Durga Parsai. Durga Parsai is a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist Party led by former PM KP Oli. According to a report, the campaign has been fully supported by the former King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah, and his family. For the first time, Gyanendra Shah appeared in a political campaign with his son Paras Shah and daughter Prerna Shah.

Former King Gyanendra Singh may not have given any speech during this period, but his presence at the public function 14 years after the end of the monarchy is very important. The former king has participated in a political forum at a time when the political situation in the country is again heading towards anarchy. Parsai also runs a cancer hospital. He did not directly talk about the return of the monarchy, but said, 'We never wanted such a country. We never wanted to be such a republic, which sent more than 1 crore Nepali youth to Gulf countries to shed their blood and sweat.'

Philippines adapts to the changing demographics of the UAE-bound workforce

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Manila: The Philippines is adapting to the changing demographics of its migrant workers in the UAE, according to Manila's new ambassador, as an increasing number of young educated Filipinos seek work abroad.

Around 650,000 of the more than 2 million overseas Filipino workers, whose remittance inflows account for about 9% of their country's GDP, live in the UAE, the second-largest employer of Filipino expats after Saudi Arabia.

The majority of them have traditionally found work in the hospitality and service industries, as well as in households.

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However, the trend is changing as an increasing number of young Filipino professionals look for work abroad, according to Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver, who arrived in Abu Dhabi last month.

The demographics of Filipinos visiting the UAE are changing, and the Philippine government is adapting," he said.

"We note that the demand for medical professionals and nurses is very high, as stated by the UAE side, so this is an area where both sides can collaborate."

According to a 2019 study by EON, a Philippine public relations firm in Dubai, the health sector employs approximately 10% of Filipino workers in the Gulf state.

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Their commitment was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many became frontline workers assisting the UAE's response to the outbreak. The rulers of received state recognition for those who died while on duty.

"Throughout the pandemic, Filipinos from all walks of life continued to work here in the UAE, and those at the forefront of vaccine trials, the doctors and nurses, were recognised for their efforts to combat the virus," Ver said.

"The Filipinos in the UAE are significant not only in number, but also in professionalism, talent, and skill, combined with innate friendliness, which is why they are respected and embraced by the UAE."



The envoy stated that the Philippine government's team in the UAE will look for ways to "leverage the goodwill between Filipinos and the UAE" and promote cooperation between the two countries under his leadership.

Expat Filipinos have played a critical role in the efforts, to the point where Ver refers to them as his "fellow ambassadors."

"The impact of Filipinos living in the UAE opened doors and allowed the embassy to engage meaningfully with the host government," he explained.

"From the time UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed established this country, Filipino professionals such as engineers, architects and later those in the medical field such as doctors and nurses arrived on UAE shores to help build this nation.

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"To this day, the strong presence of Filipinos in all aspects of UAE life is felt, and I believe that this is an advantage, a leverage that we should continue to build on."
Norway adopts five-year aid package for Ukraine worth over $7 billion 16 February, 06:43 PM The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Har Stre, on the background of the address of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo:NTB/Terje Pedersen via REUTERS)

The Norwegian parliament approved a military aid package for Ukraine worth NOK 75 billion (about EUR 7 billion or $7.4 billion) on Feb. 16, reads a press release published on the Norwegian governments official website.

Norway, one of the NATO states bordering Russia, will provide NOK 15 billion (about $1.5 billion) annually, taking into account the current needs, and Ukraines requirements will be regularly reassessed.

Read also: Norway to provide NOK 1 billion to repair damaged Ukrainian infrastructure

This year, NOK 7.5 billion ($730 million) will be allocated for civil needs, and the same amount will be spent on military aid. Oslo will also direct funds to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and neighboring countries for the maintenance and rebuilding of civilian infrastructure.

Video of day

"In the current phase of the war, weapons support will be of critical importance in enabling Ukraine to regain control of its territory. In 2023, half of the assistance provided will be in the form of military support," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said.

This is the largest aid package Norway has ever adopted for a single nation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Norway via video link for its support, calling it a "historic contribution."

He said Norway has set a precedent for "sustainable support," news agency Reuters reported.

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DUBLIN, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Tax Management Market Report 2023" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The global tax management market is expected to grow from USD 21.0 billion in 2022 to USD 35.1 billion by 2027 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.8% during the forecast period.

Factors driving the growth of the tax management market include digital transformation and modernization of tax and finance functions across verticals globally, the increasing volume of financial transactions across verticals due to digitalization, and the growing vigilance of tax administrators.

Companies in the market have adopted various strategies to improve their business. They are enhancing their existing products through collaborations and product developments.

Large enterprises segment to exhibit significant growth during the forecast period

Organizations with more than 1,000 employees are categorized under the large enterprises' segment. Large enterprises have different characteristics and tax compliance behavior, which sets them apart from other taxpayer groups.

Tax administrators across the globe are implementing special compliance programs and initiatives as part of a strategy to deal effectively with this segment of taxpayers. Globally, large enterprises are seen with similar tax characteristics. These enterprises have a complex structure with multiple operating entities having many international business dealings.

Large enterprises contribute to a high portion of tax revenue. These factors, coupled with complex tax compliance needs, have driven the adoption of tax management software and services across the globe.

IT and Telecom vertical to hold third highest market size in 2022

The IT & Telecom vertical is experiencing digital disruption to enhance the consumer experience, resulting in both opportunities and complexities. The major challenges in this vertical include service innovation, managing network capacity, and pricing pressure. Companies operating in this vertical need to solve tax complexities imposed on them.

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Taxes imposed on telecom companies include sales taxes, local telecommunications taxes, federal universal fund fees, and state universal service fund fees. As governments continuously focus on auditing these companies, there are chances of failure in complying with tax rules, and on the other hand, there might be eligible exemptions or refunds of overpayments of tax.

The use of tax management solutions can help the players in the IT & Telecom vertical to tackle these challenges. Avalara is one of the players offering tax management solutions for the IT & Telecom vertical.

Europe tax management market to record the second highest CAGR during the forecast period

Following North America, Europe is expected to be the second major contributor to the global tax management market. The major players in the tax management market have a strong direct or indirect presence in Europe.

Businesses realize the benefits offered by tax management solutions leading to their large-scale adoption. EU is taking a number of steps to counter tax avoidance and evasion. Tax jurisdictions with higher tax burdens have introduced clauses to counter tax frauds in the region. In Europe, the UK, Germany, and France are expected to be the major contributors to the regional tax management market.

The significant adoption of tax management solutions is also expected in other European countries, such as Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Austria.

Premium Insights

Rising Demand for Advanced Tax Compliance Systems to Drive Market

Software Segment to Hold Larger Market Share

Indirect Tax Segment to Dominate Market

Cloud Segment to Hold Larger Market Share

Large Enterprises Segment to Hold Larger Market Share

BFSI Vertical to Hold Largest Market Share

Asia-Pacific to Emerge as Best Market for Investments in the Next Five Years

Market in India to Grow at Highest Rate During Forecast Period

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Volume of Financial Transactions Across Verticals due to Digitalization

Complex Nature of Tax Systems

Vigilance by Tax Administrators

Automated Compliance Lowering Burden of Tax Management

Restraints

Increasing Theft of Confidential Data

Limitations in Vat Design and Administration

Opportunities

Use of Blockchain Technology

Indirect Tax Management and Compliance

Challenges

Regular Amendments in Tax Laws

Lack of Standardized Tax Rules

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Integrating Transaction Tax Processes with Other Finance Applications in Different Geographic Locations

Case Study 2: Implementing Automated Sales Tax Calculation Solution to Comply with Tax Rates in Each Country

Case Study 3: Addressing Vat/Gst Challenges by Implementing Automatic Vat Recovery and Compliance Solution

Case Study 4: Streamlining Gaming Firm's Tax Management

Case Study 5: Keeping and Managing Tax Records in Real Time

Case Study 6: Standardizing Compliance for Chemical Firm

Technological Analysis

Artificial Intelligence

Data Analytics

Pricing Analysis

Scalable Pricing Model

Pay-Per-Return Policy

Freemium Pricing Model

Average Selling Price Trend

Company Profiles

Key Players

Avalara

Adp

Intuit

Thomson Reuters

Wolters Kluwer

Blucora

H&R Block

Sap

Sovos

Vertex, Inc.

Other Players

Canopy

Davo Technologies

Defmacro Software Private Limited

Drake Software

Sailotech

Taxback International

Taxcloud

Taxjar

Taxslayer

Xero

Webgility

Lovat Software

Safesend

Exemptax

Sales Tax Datalink

Shoeboxed Inc.

Saxtax Software

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/198ujs-tax?w=5

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / Aegis Capital Corp., - Aegis Capital Corp. (www.aegiscapcorp.com) a full-service wealth management, financial services and investment banking firm is pleased to announce Robert Silvestri has joined the firm as a Managing Director in our Dallas, Texas location

Robert Silvestri has been an investment professional with over 30 years of experience. Prior to joining Aegis Capital Mr. Silvestri started his career in the financial industry at Merrill Lynch then went on to gain experience working at UBS Financial, Morgan Stanley before going independent. Mr. Silvestri is devoted to helping his clients reach their financial goals through a detailed financial analysis of their current situation. Mr. Silvestri creates a portfolio that will carefully balance his clients' profile while at the same time help them achieve their financial dreams.

Robert Eide Aegis' CEO commented: "We are pleased Robert has chosen Aegis to help navigate the complexities of the financial markets. Our conflict-free platform provides advisors the opportunity to mix and match best-in-class products and services to suit the diverse needs of their clients."

Michael Pata Aegis' Head of Business Development commented: "We are thrilled to continue the expansion of our Dallas, TX. location with the addition of Robert. Robert offers a combination of experience and client commitment that helps forge successful, long-lasting relationships with his clients."

About Aegis Capital Corporation

Aegis Capital Corporation "Aegis" has been in business for over 35 years catering to the needs of private clients, institutions and corporations. Aegis was founded in 1984 and offers its investment representatives a conflict free service platform and is able to provide a full range of products and services including investment banking, wealth management, insurance, retirement planning, structured products, private equity, alternatives, equity research, fixed income and special purpose vehicles.Aegis is able to provide quality service through its primary clearing relationship with RBC Clearing & Custody whose parent company, Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY), is one of the world's leading diversified financial services companies. Member: FINRA / SIPC.

Story continues

Any questions contact:

Michael Pata, Head of Business Development

Telephone: 1-212-813-1010

mpata@aegiscap.com

www.aegiscapcorp.com

SOURCE: Aegis Capital Corp.





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HOT SPRINGS, Ark., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 7th, 2023, Alliance Rubber Company, a woman-owned small business, U.S. manufacturer of rubber bands, and the source for hundreds of bundling and branding solutions serving the global community, will celebrate its Centennial Anniversary. This marks 100 years of Alliance offering the benchmark rubber bands and highest quality options for "Holding Your World Together."

Alliance Rubber Company, the last remaining manufacturer of rubber bands in the US, celebrates 100 years in business. How does a woman-owned small business providing such a simple little device make it this far? The answer is simple...

It all began with William H. Spencer, who left his Franklin, Kentucky, home in 1904 at the age of 13. Traveling by rail to seek adventure, he found himself in Alliance, Ohio, in 1917 with less than $3 in his pocket. After working for the Pennsylvania Railroad for six years, Mr. Spencer began cutting bands by hand from reject bicycle inner tubes and on March 7th, 1923, started Alliance Rubber Company.

So, how does an establishment providing a simple little device such as a rubber band set itself firmly in the annals of American business? The answer is simple  ELASTICITY. Just like their products, throughout the last century, Alliance Rubber Company has doggedly stretched and flexed to meet the demands of the current market, to remain always sensitive to the pressures of the present environment, and to be always in touch with the needs of their customers.

Alliance Rubber Company has continually developed its manufacturing principles to perfect processes, boost innovation, and reduce time to market in a fast-paced, volatile, ever-changing global marketplace. Continuing to manufacture its products in the USA enables Alliance to supply high-quality products, fast service, and fresh stock that is built to last.

The President of Alliance Rubber Company, Bonnie Spencer Swayze, credits the company's success to the strength of their relationships with associates, customers, and the community. "As the last of the American band manufacturers, we know that without solid, strong, lasting relationships built on trust, communication, and loyalty we would not be able to deliver 2,400 quality polymer products and exceptional service today to customers in over 60 countries."

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Alliance Rubber Company is dedicated to continuing their heritage of hard work, innovation, and dedication from the greatest resource any enterprise can ask for: a diverse group of outstanding individuals who come together to be the greatest rubber band makers in the world. The culture at Alliance Rubber Company is to respect and value diversity and inclusion, and the belief that diversity continues to be the key to success. The local community has continually recognized Alliance Rubber Company as one of the best places to work, and in 2021, they received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Global Trade from Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Additionally, Alliance Rubber Company has been named "Supplier of the Year" many times through the years by some of the largest retailers in the world.

ABOUT ALLIANCE RUBBER COMPANY:

Alliance Rubber Company is an American manufacturer that rises to meet the economic, cultural, and social pressures that embody the business environment today. Founded in 1923 by William H. Spencer, and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Alliance Rubber Company has grown into a thriving American success story. With over 2,400 SKUs of mailing, shipping, office, and packaging products sold through distributors in over 60 countries, Alliance remains the only manufacturer of rubber bands in the U.S. For more information about Alliance Rubber Company and the humble, indispensable rubber band, please visit one of their websites: www.RUBBERBAND.com | www.AdBands.com | www.ARCOSilicone.com

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Misty Smith

Creative Director

Alliance Rubber Co.

501.262.8107

msmith@alliance-rubber.com

PRODUCT INQUIRIES:

501.262.2700

Toll-Free: 800.626.5940

sales@alliance-rubber.com

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SOURCE Alliance Rubber Company
(Bloomberg) -- A China-based former employee of ASML Holding NV  a critical cog in the global semiconductor industry  stole data from a software system that the corporation uses to store technical information about its machinery.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The breach occurred in a repository that includes details of the lithography systems critical to producing some of the worlds most advanced chips, said people with knowledge of the situation. It was the first glimpse at the nature of the theft disclosed earlier Wednesday by ASML, which said a former worker in China had stolen confidential information but didnt elaborate on what kind of data were taken.

The data came from a so-called product life cycle management program known as Teamcenter, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public. The tool is used internally, they said.

Teamcenter serves as a shared storehouse of technical information that allows different groups of employees to collaborate and manage their product development, according to the website of Siemens, which supplies the software. It allows for common access to a single repository of all product-related knowledge, data and processes, according to the website.

ASML declined to comment beyond the statement it issued earlier on Wednesday, in which the company said it didnt believe the theft was material to its business. Siemens didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The breach involved technological information but not hardware and was carried out by a male employee in the last couple of months, according to another person familiar with the details. Authorities in the US have been notified, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the investigation is ongoing. The US is deeply concerned about allegations of economic espionage, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea Kendler said in Tokyo on Thursday, declining to comment on the specifics of the incident.

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This is the second such breach that ASML has linked to China in less than a year and comes as the US is pressuring other nations including the Netherlands to help keep Chinas chipmaking abilities from advancing. Tensions are already high after an alleged Chinese spy balloon hovered over US airspace before being shot down. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called off a trip to Beijing  but was considering a meeting with Chinas top diplomat in Germany this week, people familiar with the matter said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he wasnt aware of ASMLs accusation that a former Chinese employee had misappropriated data.

The Dutch technology company, which makes machines needed to produce high-end chips used in everything from electric vehicles to military gear, has initiated an internal investigation and tightened security controls after discovering the most recent incident. It said on Wednesday that export controls may have been violated, exposing the company to a potential regulatory backlash.

The companys position as a crucial part of the supply chain for technology that makes the fastest, most powerful chips, has made it a target. Last year, ASML, which employs about 1,500 people in China, accused a Beijing-based firm of potentially stealing trade secrets in a theft that dates back years.

In January, the Netherlands and Japan agreed to join the US in restricting exports of some advanced chipmaking machinery to China. President Joe Bidens administration has said its essential for the US and its allies to block Beijing from acquiring technologies that could threaten global security.

Dutch Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher said in a statement that its very worrying that such a large and reputable company is affected by economic espionage.

Its unclear whether the ex-employee who stole the data had any connections to authorities in China or elsewhere. ASML, which is restricted from selling its most-advanced machines to China, said in its annual report that the theft isnt material to its business.

The Veldhoven-based company is one of the few producers of the machines needed to make mid- to high-range semiconductors. Its the only manufacturer of lithography systems needed to shrink and then print patterns of transistors onto silicon wafers, which are then sliced into individual chips. A single machine can be the size of a bus and cost roughly $170 million.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Wennink has warned that China will ultimately develop its own domestic alternatives if it cant buy from the West. China is ASMLs third-biggest market after Taiwan and South Korea. ASML and its peers sell their equipment to chipmakers such as Intel Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which supply companies like Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp.

ASML has previously accused Dongfang Jingyuan Electron Ltd. of obtaining ASMLs technology and transferring it to China. That technology was secured in a sometimes audacious fashion: One engineer was accused of stealing all 2 million lines of source code for critical ASML software and then sharing part of it with employees at Dongfang and a related company in the US, according to transcripts of the proceedings.

--With assistance from Debby Wu.

(Updates with comment from US Commerce official)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Ukraine War Accelerates Orphan Crisis

More than 600,000 war-impacted and unwanted children in orphanages across Ukraine, Russia, former Soviet Union





IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR UKRAINE, RUSSIA ORPHANS? As the year-old war in Ukraine drags on, children are being swept up in the turmoil and taken to overcrowded orphanages. Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) launched Orphans Reborn to support local churches in Ukraine and Russia ministering to abandoned, unwanted and orphaned children.



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)

Feb. 16, 2023



LOVES PARK, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- The war in Ukraine is accelerating an orphan crisis in the embattled nation and neighboring Russia, a U.S. mission agency says.



Children are being swept up in the turmoil in Ukraine and taken to overcrowded orphanages miles away across borders, often separated from family members desperately searching for them, says Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org).



"The kids don't understand why this is happening to them," said Eric Mock, a missionary with SGA that supports local evangelical churches ministering in Ukraine, Russia and other nations of the former Soviet Union.



The orphanages are often cold, depressing places where war-affected children, kids abandoned by drug-addicted and alcoholic parents, orphans, and other unwanted children cry themselves to sleep every night.



"The children assume there's something wrong with them," said Mock, who frequently visits some of the orphanages -- facilities that house at least 600,000 children across Ukraine, Russia and the former Soviet Union. "They think they're ugly, that they don't matter, that no one loves them or wants them. They're depressed, lonely and sometimes very angry."



Intervening 'Before It's Too Late'

A staggering 84% of children in the orphanages will be there until they turn 18, when they're released into the community and struggle to survive on their own. Studies reveal more than 8 out of 10 end up involved in crime, drugs, or prostitution, sometimes leading to suicide, said SGA president Michael Johnson.



"Only God can give them hope and turn their lives around before it's too late," Johnson said. "This is why it's so crucial for local Christians to visit with children in the orphanages every week, showing them compassion and love, praying with them, telling them about Jesus, and reading Bible stories to them."



Orphans Reborn

SGA launched Orphans Reborn in the year 2000 to support the efforts of local churches and "believers with a heart to show God's love to these children and share the Gospel with them."



Orphans Reborn brings hope to more than 14,000 orphans and abandoned children across Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. And it's growing with support from churches and individuals in the U.S.



Local church volunteers -- often braving dangerous, icy roads and temperatures 50 degrees below zero -- visit the same orphanages week after week. "They look beyond their own comfort to bind up the broken hearts of children who are unloved and unwanted," said Mock, who recently visited Ukraine.



'Brought Joy To My Heart'

Sonya lives in an orphanage. Her father doesn't have any time for her. Her mother is an alcoholic. The last time she saw her mom, "she just drank vodka," Sonya said.



When Christians from a local Baptist church began visiting Sonya's orphanage every week, she felt loved for the first time ever. "They told me about Jesus and said the Lord would take care of me," Sonya said. "It brought joy to my heart."



At another orphanage, church volunteer Luda took 10-year-old Vlad, a boy who'd been abandoned, under her wing. She takes Vlad to her home on the weekends, and now he calls her "Mom."



"Every time I come to pick up Vlad, there are 12 other children looking at me with a questioning look that says, 'What about me?'" Luda said. "God, if only I could, I would take them all to my place."



Founded in 1934, Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) helps "forgotten" orphans, widows and families in Ukraine, Russia, the former Soviet countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel  caring for their physical needs and sharing the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. SGA supports an extensive grassroots network of local evangelical missionary pastors and churches in cities and rural villages across this vast region.



SOURCE Slavic Gospel Association



CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 719-360-0586, mstevenson@inchristcommunications.com


Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd

According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, North American market for automatic radio direction finders is said to be the largest in the world

Farmington, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Automatic Radio Direction Finder market size was valued at USD 102.92 Billion in 2022 and the market is projected to touch USD 123.61 Billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period. The COVID-19 outbreak is unprecedented and has been alarming. In all regions, the demand for automatic radio direction finders has been larger than anticipated compared to pre-pandemic levels. The abrupt increase in CAGR is due to the fact that, after the pandemic is finished, demand will return to pre-pandemic levels. An automatic radio direction finder is a device that can determine the origin of radio waves. It is utilised to determine the direction the radio transmitter is pointing.

Request Sample Copy of Report  Automatic Radio Direction Finder Market Sales, Demand Outlook By Type, By Application & Region - Forecast 2023 - 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights.

The device can be used to aid the navigation of a ship or aircraft. "Triangulation" refers to the practise of using the directions to two or more transmitters whose exact locations are already known to determine their relative positions. There will certainly be a rise in the number of ships and aircraft that require navigation, boosting market growth. The machine conforms to the curved surface of the earth.

Automatic Radio Direction Finder Market Recent Developments:

03 Aug 2021: SPX Corporation completed the acquisition of Enterprise Control Systems Ltd. ECS is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly-engineered tactical data links and Radio Frequency (RF) countermeasures, including counter-drone and counter-IED RF jammers.

15 Dec 2022: Rohde & Schwarz and Broadcom have successfully validated the R&S CMP180 radio communication tester for Broadcom Wi-Fi 7 chipsets. OEMs and ODMs of wireless devices can now get their first Wi-Fi 7 products ready for market.

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Automatic Radio Direction Finder Market Segmentation Analysis:

There are three varieties of direction finders on the market: portable direction finders, base-station direction finders, and vehicle-mounted direction finders. It is projected that the portable direction finder would assume the segmentation type's top spot.

Mobile land, air traffic control, and vessel traffic service comprise the three segments of the market. It is anticipated that application segmentation will begin in the air traffic control industry.

Regional Outlook:

The North American market for automatic radio direction finders is said to be the largest in the world. This is because more ships and aircraft use them to determine their location. As the demand for air traffic control develops, so does the market. The technology is usable anywhere in the world due to the strength of the signals. In the coming years, the market is projected to expand at a quicker rate due to the device's advantages. By rotating the loop antenna (or goniometer), a single signal should be received from the transmitter. This accelerates market expansion. The presence of major market participants in the region is anticipated to accelerate market expansion.

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Scope of Report:

Report Attributes Details Growth Rate 3.1% from 2023 to 2030 Market Size in 2022 USD 102.92 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 123.61 Billion By Type Portable Direction Finder, Base-station Direction Finder, Vehicle-mounted Direction Fined By Applications Air Traffic Control, Vessel Traffic Service, Mobile Land By Companies Rohde-schwarz, Rockwell Collins (UTC), TCI (SPX), Taiyo, RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH, GEW, Thales, BendixKing, TechComm, Narda, Caravan. Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2021 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030

Automatic Radio Direction Finder Market Dynamics:

Market Trends:

Increasing need for air traffic control is projected to propel the market's expansion. As the demand to transmit signals to airspace increases, it is anticipated that the market would expand more rapidly. The increased need for radio-based localization and communication is anticipated to fuel market expansion. People will want to utilise aeroplanes as a convenient means of communication, so the market should expand more rapidly. If several aircraft require the principal safety procedure, the equipment will likely be utilised more frequently.

Market Growth factors:

To prevent the spread of the virus, transportation was halted, which delayed the market. The shutdown negatively impacted the growth of the market. Due to the shutting of factories, no longer any goods could be manufactured. Changes in the prices of essential items are likely to have an impact on market expansion. Due to the curfews, fewer individuals required transportation, which reduced the expansion of the market. Market participants spend less money on research and development of new items. People believe that the growth of the aerospace industry will accelerate market expansion. Due to the high need for air traffic control, the industry is projected to expand.

Automatic Radio Direction Finder Market Key Segments Covered:

Top Market Players:

Rohde-schwarz, Rockwell Collins (UTC), TCI (SPX), Taiyo, RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH, GEW, Thales, BendixKing, TechComm, Narda, Caravan, and Others.

By Type:

Portable Direction Finder

Base-station Direction Finder

Vehicle-mounted Direction Fined

By Application:

Air Traffic Control

Vessel Traffic Service

Mobile Land

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:

Cloud Services Brokerage Market - The Global Cloud Services Brokerage Market size was valued at USD 10.59 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 42.13 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.58% from 2022 to 2030. Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the market study, owing to exponential growth in adoption of cloud services across all types of businesses.

Online Corporate Meeting Services Market - The Global Online Corporate Meeting Services Market Size Reached US$ 5.0 Billion In 2022, Expects The Market To Reach US$ 7.1 Billion By 2029, Exhibiting A Growth Rate (CAGR) Of 6.04% During 2022-2029. 40% of the market growth will occur in North America during the forecast period. The United States and Canada are major markets for North American online corporate meeting services. However, market growth in this region will be slower than that of the APAC market.

HVAC Services Market - The Global HVAC Services Market stands at US$ 71.1 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to progress steadily at a CAGR of 6.2%. Asia Pacific dominates the HVAC systems market with a revenue share of over 40.0% in 2021. Increasing urbanization, growing population, and increasing disposable income of consumers are the key success factors behind the region's tremendous growth over the years.

Pipeline Maintenance Services Market - The global Pipeline Maintenance Services market size is expected to reach close to $34.8 Billion by 2030 with an annualized growth rate of 7.9% through the projected period. With the largest hydrocarbon pipeline infrastructure, the United States has been leading the market for several years. The market is expected to grow further at a healthy rate due to the expansion of oil and gas fields in the country. Thus, North America, accounting for 1.44 billion units in 2020, is expected to lead the pipeline and process services market going forward.

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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Following the Success of the Inaugural Event in 2022, PlayFronts Presenters Include Samsung Ads, Activision Blizzard Media, Anzu, Niantic, Twitch, Zynga, and more

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital gaming is growing exponentially, and it does not plan to slow down anytime soon. Advertising revenue in gaming across mobile, digital video, and esports totaled $8.6B in 2022 (nearly double that of 2019) and is projected to climb to $9.5B in 2023, per eMarketer. In addition, the branded digital goods market is projected to surpass $147B by next year with brands leaning into immersive and metaverse environments as an additional revenue channel for digital clothing and products. Back by popular demand, IAB welcomes the IAB PlayFronts - the annual marketplace dedicated to showcasing the near limitless possibilities of advertising in the gaming industry - for two days of thought leadership content and presentations.

(PRNewsfoto/Interactive Advertising Bureau )

On March 8th-9th, at Convene in New York City (1221 6th Avenue), thought leaders from game companies, streaming platforms, and ad tech partners will gather to present new consumer insights, demonstrate creative ad innovation, and define the future of the gaming landscape for brands.

"Gaming is at the epicenter of the next cultural zeitgeist. From music and fashion to film and sport, gaming is informing how we interact with each other and the world around us," said Zoe Soon, Vice President, Experience Center, IAB. "Marketers can no longer consider gaming as an add-on media strategy. The IAB PlayFronts is a must-attend for anyone looking to keep up with where consumer attention is going and stay ahead of the opportunities this channel offers."

In its second year, IAB PlayFronts continues to lead as the venue for industry experts to take a front-row seat in this rapidly growing arena. More than 20 presentations will emphasize the effectiveness of gaming, showcase new audiences turning to the medium, and highlight best practices for driving campaign ROI.

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"Despite tremendous scale, attention and engagement, gaming remains a highly underutilized asset for marketers." said David Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, IAB. "In a world of exponentially growing engagement opportunities, gaming is simply too big to ignore. IAB PlayFronts will illuminate how to leverage this channel to win with gamers and drive business results, today and in the future."

IAB PlayFronts Presenter Schedule

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Thursday, March 9, 2023 9:00 AM

Registration/Networking Breakfast 9:00 AM

Registration/Networking Breakfast 10:00 AM Opening Keynote 10:00 AM Welcome & Day 1 Recap 10:25 AM Samsung Ads 10:10 AM Zynga 10:45 AM SuperAwesome 10:30 AM Gamefam 11:55 AM Niantic 11:25 AM Activision Blizzard Media 12:15 PM LIVAD Technologies 11:45 AM AdArcade 12:40 PM

Networking Lunch 12:10 PM Networking Lunch 1:40 PM Twitch 2:05 PM IAB Editorial Panel:

Who Is a Gamer? Unlocking the

Gaming Audience 1:35 PM IAB Editorial Panel: A Game of Trust:

Addressing Brand Safety and the

Advertiser/Gamer Relationship 2:35 PM IAB Research Presentation 2:05 PM Fandom 2:45 PM Overwolf 2:20 PM Gameloft 3:55 PM Bidstack 3:15 PM Enthusiast Gaming 4:15 PM SCUTI 3:35 PM Super League Gaming 4:35 PM IGN 4:00 PM Anzu 5:00 PM Networking Reception Sponsored by Thece 4:25 PM Networking & Toast

All times are in ET; Speakers and timing are subject to change. For up-to-the-minute agenda, please refer to the IAB website .

This event is invite-only for qualified brand marketers and agency professionals. For more information on IAB PlayFronts or to request a pass, please visit: https://www.iab.com/playfronts/.

About IAB

The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

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SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
BSH Home Appliances Corporation's New Bern, N.C., manufacturing facility opened in 1997 and today celebrates its connection with the community, its employees, and the innovation and technological advancements of the Bosch and Thermador kitchen products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility.

BSH local, regional and international executives along with North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern and Havelock officials are joining BSH New Bern employees to celebrate this milestone.

NEW BERN, N.C., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BSH Home Appliances Corporation and the New Bern, N.C., community today celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the city's BSH Home Appliances campus. BSH Global CEO Dr. Matthias Metz joined state and local officials, community leaders, and BSH employees at a special event at the campus to commemorate BSH's innovation, technological advancements and quality of the Bosch and Thermador brand products that are manufactured in the New Bern facility. The celebration also shined a spotlight on 50 current BSH New Bern campus employees who have worked at the facility since its opening in 1997.

BSH Home Appliances Corporation celebrates 25 years in New Bern, N.C. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Madeline Gray/AP Images for BSH)

"For the past 25 years New Bern has been a centerpiece of our U.S. operations," said Andrew MacLaren, US/OP Chief Technology Officer, BSH Home Appliances Corporation. "Over that period, the team here contributed to the development of several technological innovations that have not only enhanced our BSH product lines, they've also moved the entire appliance industry forward. I want to thank our employees for the dedication and commitment that is central to our success, and I am grateful for the support of state and local community leaders as we continued expanding our presence in New Bern."

Over the past 20 years, BSH has invested more than $428 million in its production network and in advanced manufacturing technologies and processes in New Bern. In 1997, BSH began producing Bosch dishwashers with 280 employees. Since its opening, BSH has manufactured over 13 million dishwashers and has hit record volumes in cooking. Today, the BSH New Bern facility manufactures dishwashers as well as cooktops, ranges and wall ovens with a workforce of more than 1,600 employees.

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The facility's first physical expansion was in 2003 with the construction of Building 104 and the start of the Bosch range production. In 2005, the factory began production of Thermador wall ovens and gas cooktop products and added the GV640B production line for the plastic tub bottom dishwasher. In 2019, BSH unveiled a new $32 million, 100,000-square-foot expansion to its New Bern dishwasher facility, providing the company with the capacity it needed to continue its growth. This latest expansion was driven by increased demand for BSH Home Appliances' products  Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau  across the U.S.

"From the moment we opened our first Bosch manufacturing facility here in New Bern BSH has been committed to supporting the community," said BSH Region North America CEO Christofer von Nagel. "As one of the county's top employers, we are motivated to contribute to and support several local social, educational and charitable organizations. I speak for the entire BSH organization when I express our gratitude to Craven County and New Bern for the valuable partnerships we have developed over the past 25 years."

BSH New Bern supports several philanthropic programs focused on education, environmental conservation, food insecurity, health, wellness and housing, to name a few. Its largest initiative is the Bosch Community Fund, which focuses on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. As a result of the fund, more than 1,000 Craven County public school students have participated in STEM programs, and over 100 teachers and counselors have enhanced their job skills by participating in STEM education workshops. The fund has also made it possible for schools and community organizations to purchase much-needed equipment to support teachers and students in their pursuit of STEM education opportunities.

More than 700 people attended today's event in New Bern, including local, state and international BSH executives; North Carolina, Craven County, New Bern and Havelock officials; and BSH employees. For more information on BSH and its New Bern facility, please visit https://www.bsh-group.com/us/.

About BSH Home Appliances Corporation

BSH Home Appliances Corporation produces and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high-quality and superior innovation. BSH sells its Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Home Appliances Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, and LaFollette, Tennessee. BSH Technology and Development Centers are located in Oak Ridge and Caryville, Tennessee and New Bern, North Carolina. https://www.bsh-group.com/us/

Media Contact:

Ciara Dixon

Golin

cdixon@golin.com

Cision

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SOURCE BSH Home Appliances Corporation
The Insight Partners

The global bucket elevator market size to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during 20222028, it is projected to reach USD 1.57 billion by 2028 from USD 1.05 billion in 2022.

New York, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Insight Partners,  Bucket Elevator Market Size, Share, Growth and Global Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Centrifugal Discharge Elevators, Continuous Discharge Elevators, and Positive Discharge Elevators), Capacity (Upto 350 Cubic Feet Per Hour, 351830 Cubic Feet Per Hour, 20012800 Cubic Feet Per Hour, 8312000 Cubic Feet Per Hour, and Above 2801 Cubic Feet Per Hour), and Industry (Construction, Agriculture, Mining, Fertilizers and Chemicals, Energy and Utilities, Paper and Pulp, and Others); the global bucket elevator market share is driven by growing demand of food grains and seeds, growth in infrastructure projects promoting application of bucket elevators in cement plants and integration of predictive maintenance solutions.





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Global Bucket Elevator Market  Report Scope:

Market Size Value in USD 1.05 billion in 2022 Market Size Value by USD 1.57 billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 6.9% from 2022 to 2028 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Base Year 2022 No. of Pages 168 No. of Tables 88 No. of Charts & Figures 87 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Type, Capacity, and Industry





Global Bucket Elevator Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

BEUMER Group GmbH & Co KG, FEECO International Inc, Gough & Co (Engineering) Ltd, KWS Manufacturing Co Ltd, Motridal SpA, Skandia Elevator AB, Sukup Manufacturing Co, Satake Corp, Ryson International Inc, and AGCO Corp are among the leading players profiled in the bucket elevator market report. Several other essential market players were analyzed for a holistic view of the market and its ecosystem. The report provides detailed market insights, which help key players strategize their growth. A few of their developments are mentioned below.

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 In May 2022, The BEUMER Group GmbH & Co K.G. acquired FAM GmbH, Magdeburg, a supplier of conveying systems and loading technology. They had signed contracts to complete the transaction by the end of May. This acquisition strengthens the market position of BEUMER Group GmbH & Co K.G. in the large equipment sector.

 In October 20220, Ryson International Inc launched the new C model of red bucket elevator conveyor unit, with 200 mm buckets. The unit will be a running product for display at the show, which will be the demo unit at the pack expo. Bucket elevators of Ryson stand out from their competitors because they are completely modular, have pivoting buckets, and can have multiple inlets and outlets. The modular design of this elevator makes it easy to build one in virtually any configuration or shape.





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Global Bucket Elevator Market: Industry Overview

The bucket elevator market is segmented on the basis of type, capacity, industry, and geography. Based on type, the market is segmented into centrifugal discharge elevators, continuous discharge elevators, and positive discharge elevators. Based on capacity, the bucket elevator market is divided into 350830 cubic feet per hour, 20012800 cubic feet per hour, 8312000 cubic feet per hour, above 2801 cubic feet per hour, and below 350 cubic feet per hour. By industry, the market is segmented into construction, agriculture, mining, food, energy and utilities, paper and pulp, and others. In terms of geography, the bucket elevator market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The bucket elevator market in North America is projected to witness significant growth from 2022 to 2028. The North American bucket elevator market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. Businesses across the US and Canada have been pioneers in the adoption of new technology and automation over the past years. In North America, industries such as construction, mining, food, and energy & utilities are significantly growing owing to favorable government regulations, and increased investments by both public and private sectors. North American countries are witnessing a rise in the development of several commercial and residential infrastructures. Such a rise in construction activities across North American countries is propelling the demand for bucket elevators in the construction industry for the vertical transportation of sand, cement, and bricks.





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Surging Need for Food Grains and Seeds to Provide Lucrative Opportunities for Global Bucket Elevator Market Growth During Forecast Period (2022-2028):



Per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a rise in the global population triggers the demand for different food grains, such as soybean, corn, coffee, and wheat. The National Bureau of Statistics, China, stated that corn and soybean production in China, for the year 20222023 stood at 277.2 million MT and 20.3 million MT, respectively, recording an increase of 2% and 24%, respectively, from the previous year. According to estimates by the US Department of Agriculture, Russias wheat production reached 91.0 million metric tons in 20222023, reporting an annual increase of 21% from the previous year. A continuous rise in crop and grain production is likely to offer several opportunities to companies offering bucket elevators for grain storage facilities and the food processing industry. Various government organizations also require bucket elevators for efficiently storing food grains in silos or for packaging and distributing the same. In November 2021, the Government of India, through its GOVERNMENT E-MARKETPLACE (GEM) portal, floated a tender for the supply, installation, and commissioning of a 4 tph vertical bucket elevator, for feeding seed pre-cleaner, in a seed processing plant (wheat). The grain and seed processing plants prefer different bucket designs and customizable elevators. Market players have been taking initiatives to grab these opportunities by introducing new products. Thus, surging need for food grains and seeds will provide lucrative opportunities for the bucket elevator market growth.





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Callinex Mines Inc

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Callinex Mines Inc. (the Company or Callinex) (TSXV:CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to announce that it is increasing the size of its previously announced brokered private placement offering (the Offering) for gross proceeds of up to $8,200,000 in securities (the Securities) of the Company. The Offering is being conducted by Research Capital Corporation to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Beacon Securities Limited and Clarus Securities Inc. (collectively, the Agents), on a best-efforts basis, for Securities of the Company in a combination consisting of:

a) units of the Company (the Units) at a price of $3.15 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant).

b) flow-through units of the Company to be sold to charitable purchasers (the "Charity FT Units") at a price of $5.67 per Charity FT Unit. Each Charity FT Unit will consist of one Common Share that will qualify as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") that will be issued as part of a charity arrangement (each, a "Charity FT Common Share") and one-half of one Warrant.

Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of $4.05 per Warrant Share at any time up to 24 months following the Closing (as defined herein). Provided that if, at any time four months and one day after the date of issuance and prior to the expiry date of the Warrants, the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (Exchange), or other principal exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, is greater than $7.87 for 15 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 10 business days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of Warrants accelerating the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such notice (the Accelerated Exercise Period). Any unexercised Warrants shall automatically expire at the end of the Accelerated Exercise Period.

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The Agents will have an option (the Agents Option) to offer for sale up to an additional 15% of the number of Units and Charity FT Units sold in the Offering, which Agents Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering.

The net proceeds from the sale of Units will be used for the Companys ongoing exploration drilling program, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the sale of Charity FT Units will be used for exploration expenses on the Companys Pine Bay project located within the Flin Flon Mining District of Manitoba.

The entire gross proceeds from the issue and sale of the Charity FT Units will be used for Canadian Exploration Expenses (CEE) as defined in paragraph (f) of the definition of Canadian exploration expense in subsection 66.1(6) of the Tax Act and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (the Qualifying Expenditures), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023 to the initial purchasers of Charity FT Units, and, if the Qualifying Expenditures are reduced by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Company will indemnify each Charity FT Unit subscriber for any additional taxes payable by such subscribers as a result of the Companys failure to fully renounce the Qualifying Expenditures as agreed.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about the week of March 6, 2023, or such other date as agreed upon between the Company and the Agents (the Closing). Completion of the Offering is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and a day from the date of distribution.

The Units and Charity FT Units to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada. The Units will also be offered to such other jurisdictions as may be determined by the Company and the Agents, in each case, pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws.

In connection with the Offering, the Agents will receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the Offering, including in respect of any exercise of the Agents Option, subject to a reduction for certain purchasers on a presidents list. In addition, the Company will grant the Agents, on date of Closing, non-transferable compensation warrants (the Compensation Warrants) equal to 6% of the total number of Units and Charity FT Units sold under the Offering, including in respect of any exercise of the Agents Option, subject to a reduction for certain purchasers on a presidents list. Each Compensation Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $4.05 per Unit for a period of 24 months following the Closing.

The securities described herein 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 accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

About the Company

Callinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) (OTCQX: CLLXF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The focus of the portfolio is highlighted by the rapidly expanding Rainbow and Alchemist deposits at its rich VMS Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. The second asset in the portfolio is the Nash Creek Project located in the VMS rich Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax) at $1.25 Zinc. The third asset, 100% owned Point Leamington Deposit in Newfoundland, is located in one of the richest VMS and Gold Districts in Canada. Callinex prepared a pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 2.0 Moz silver, 1.5 Mlb lead), an pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 6.2 Moz silver, 7.0 Mlb lead) and an out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 1.4 Moz Ag, 2.6 Mlb lead).

For additional information, please contact:

Callinex Mines Inc.

Max Porterfield, President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (604) 605-0885

E-mail: info@callinex.ca

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

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 news release contains certain forward looking statements and certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, should, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, continue, plans or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the expected closing date of the Offering and the use of proceeds of the Offering.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; and other related risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such managements 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.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.








Molson Coors debuts Simply Spiked Lemonade with a variety pack and three juicy new flavours

Courtesy of Molson Coors Beverage Company (CNW Group/Molson Coors Beverage Company)

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Molson Coors Beverage Company and The Coca Cola Company today announces Simply Spiked Lemonade, a fresh lineup of full-flavour beverages, is rolling into Canadian ready-to-drink cooler aisles. Inspired by one of Canada's favourite juices, Simply Spiked Lemonade will bring a combo of 5% real fruit juice and natural flavour credentials to the ready-to-drink alcohol beverage space. Simply and Simply Spiked Lemonade are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.

"Following the successful launch of Simply Spiked Lemonade in the United States, we wanted to give Canadians a new, fresh tasting and juicy option," says Lindsay Wilson, Brand Director Seltzer & Flavour Portfolio. "In the continued demand for ready to drink beverages, Simply Spiked Lemonade sets itself apart with the unapologetic flavour that only real juice can bring. In the United States, Simply Spiked Lemonade was the #1 innovation across beer/beer alternate in volume sales in 2022 and we expect to see similar results in Canada."

In a world full of things that are less than real, Simply Spiked Lemonade's honest-to-goodness taste is a refreshingly simple shake-up. These coolers are ready to bring the real to English Canada beginning on February 27 before launching across Quebec starting on April 1 in three distinct flavours:

Signature Lemonade: Bright and refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet lemonade and fresh, lemony tartness.

Strawberry Lemonade: Ripe, jammy strawberry notes combined with an elevated, tart lemonade finish.

Blueberry Lemonade: Unique and refreshing, with ripe blueberry notes blended with smooth lemonade flavour.

Each product will be ready to grab in a three-flavour variety pack featuring slim cans as well as a 6-pack, 12-pack or single serve of the lead flavour signature lemonade at participating locations. Pack sizes may vary.

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The launch of Simply Spiked Lemonade marks the latest collaboration between Molson Coors and The Coca-Cola Company following the 2021 launch of Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in Canada. Molson Coors entered into an exclusive agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to manufacture, market, and distribute Simply Spiked Lemonade in Canada in 2023. To learn more, please visit: simplyspiked.ca and follow the brand on social @SimplySpikedCA

About Molson Coors

For more than two centuries, Molson Coors has been brewing beverages that unite people to celebrate all life's moments. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Staropramen to Coors Banquet, Blue Moon Belgian White, Blue Moon LightSky, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Creemore Springs, Hop Valley and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While the company's history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle as well. Our Environmental, Social and Governance strategy is focused on People and Planet with a strong commitment to raising industry standards and leaving a positive imprint on our employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. Learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com , MolsonCoorsOurImprint.com or on Twitter through @MolsonCoors.

SOURCE Molson Coors Beverage Company

Cision

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SkyQuest Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The cannabis extraction equipment market report by SkyQuest is an essential tool for everyone who wants to stay on top of the competition. The research offers insightful information and knowledge that can help investors, stakeholders, and industry participants. The analysis provides readers with the information they need to keep updated and ahead of the competition by examining the most recent market trends, key players, and breakthroughs. This study is essential reading whether you're looking to invest, expand your company, or learn more about the market.

Westford, USA, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North America region to keep dominating the cannabis extraction equipment market throughout the forecast period. The industry is expanding as a result of the growing use of cannabis extracts like oils and tinctures as well as the legalization of marijuana for the treatment of various chronic diseases including neurological disease, cancer/tumor, arthritis & joint pain, and stress. In addition to smoking, cannabis tinctures, and oils can be utilized to make topical and edible products. These are frequently used for both recreational activities like vaping and medical diseases like cancer, mental illness, and nausea. Hence, all these factors are estimated to drive market growth during the forecast period.

SkyQuest found during research that in 2000, Canada legalized the medicinal usage of cannabis. The usage of the drug for recreational and medical purposes was decriminalized by legislation in the early 2000s. On October 17, 2018, Canada became the first country to fully legalize marijuana possession and sales. Canada is the only country that has fully legalized it as of the time of writing. It is no longer considered illegal in many U.S. states, including some that allow recreational usage.

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Browse in-depth TOC on " Cannabis Extraction Equipment Market"

Pages - 221

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Tables - 63

Figures  64

Chemical substances from the cannabis plant, such as THC or CBD, are concentrated in a cannabis extraction, an oil-like substance. The trichomes, which are rich in cannabinoids, are mechanically separated from the plant biomass using cannabis extraction equipment. After being separated from the water and biomass, the trichomes are used to produce high-quality hash.

Prominent Players in Cannabis Extraction Equipment Market

Rough Brothers, Inc. (US)

Precision Extraction Solutions (US)

Eden Labs (US)

Isolate Extraction Systems Inc. (US)

Extraktl Ab (US)

Extractiontek Solutions (US)

Capna Systems (US)

Mrx Extractors (US)

Luna Technologies (India)

Vitalis Extraction

SFE Process

Maratek

Henan Huatai Cereals and Oil Machinery Co., Ltd.

Gibraltar Industries

Accudyne Systems

Cedarstone Industries

Hemp Extraction Segment to Dominate the Market Growth Owing to Its Increasing Usage in Medical Field

The hemp extraction market segment dominated the global cannabis extraction equipment market in 2021 and is anticipated to continue to do so for the duration of the assessment period. The need for hemp extraction equipment is being driven by the usage of hemp as an alternative therapy for a number of medical ailments, including arthritis, eczema, high cholesterol, constipation, and other disorders. Further, the growing prevalence of these medical ailments across the world is predicted to boost segment growth. SkyQuest observed during healthcare research that more than 35% of responders in a medical study who used CBD to address medical conditions, such as arthritis and/or joint pain, felt that it was effective and CBD also lessened signs and symptoms of inflammation.

Owing to the US being the largest consumer and provider of cannabis in the world in 2021, North America will hold a dominant position in the global cannabis extraction equipment market. Following the passage of the US farm bill in 2018, investments in the cannabis extraction equipment sector grew. Further, the growing support from the government to cultivate cannabis and significant investment by key market players in the research development activities for the development of high-tech extraction equipment is predicted to boost segment growth.

Extraction Equipment Segment to Gain Largest Market Share Owing to Increasing Usage of Cannabis in Cancer Treatment

The extraction equipment type segment held the biggest market share in 2021 and is anticipated to continue doing so throughout the duration of the analysis period. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the rising demand for cannabis for cancer treatment. In addition to being used to lessen the side effects of chemotherapy, studies have shown that CBD has a number of anti-cancer properties that can help prevent various types of cancers and boost overall immunity. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of cancer across the world is estimated to boost segment growth during the upcoming years. SkyQuest noted that in the United States, 1,752,735 new cases of cancer were reported in 2019, while 599,589 people passed away from the disease.

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The cannabis extraction equipment market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to capture a significant market share. The growth of the market can be dedicated to the expanding healthcare sector and agriculture sector in the region. Australia and New Zealand are predicted to hold 34.1% of the market in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, the growing support from governments of various regions to cultivate cannabis with a low level of THC is predicted to accelerate market growth. SkyQuest found that a major state of India, Uttarakhand become the first state of the country to permit the large-scale farming of hemp for industrial purposes.

The research report on the cannabis extraction equipment market provides a thorough description of the market, production capabilities, and current changes like expansions, acquisitions, investments, and capacity expansions. It also analyses market competition. The research also provides a thorough analysis of the market using Porter's five forces, which delivers insightful information on the dynamics and competition of the market.

Key Developments in the Cannabis Extraction Equipment Market

Gibraltar Industry unveiled Delta Ethanol Extraction CUP-5, a new product for cannabis processors, in January 2022. The business has developed novel and cutting-edge closed-loop cold alcohol extraction technology.

Cultio has received a $116,000 loan from Sweet Leaf Madison Capital (SLMC), a national provider of tailored financial solutions for the middle-market cannabis business. The money will be used for the acquisition of extraction equipment.

East West Pharma Group, Inc. ("EWPG"), a Wyoming corporation, and ECGI announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (the "LOI") highlighting the conditions within which ECGI will acquire the key staff, copyrighted material, and current and future business operations of EWPG. EWPG is a portfolio company of ECGI HOLDINGS INC., D/B/A Elite Cannabis Group Incorporated, a Nevada-based company pivoting into the legal cannabis

EnWave Corporation declared that a significant Canadian cannabis company (the "Cannabis Partner") and it have agreed to a royalty-bearing commercial license arrangement. According to that, the Cannabis Partner is authorized to use EnWave's patented Radiant Energy Vacuum dehydration technology to create cannabis goods in Canada on a non-exclusive basis.

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Key Questions Answered in the Cannabis Extraction Equipment Market Research Report

What is the global market's estimated size and growth rate during the forecast period?

What are the major drivers and key trends shaping the market's growth?

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Markets N Research

The global central impression type flexographic printing machine market size was valued at USD 0.9 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 0.9 billion in 2022 to USD 1.3 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period.

Chicago, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Markets N Research has recently released expansive research on Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market with 220+ market data Tables, Pie Chart, and Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. The report endows with wide-ranging statistical analysis of the markets continuous developments, capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and import/export. This market report provides best solutions for strategy development and implementation depending on clients needs to extract tangible results. This market research report serves the clients by providing data and information on their business scenario with which they can stay ahead of the competition in today's rapidly changing business environment.

As per the report titled "Central impression type flexographic printing machine Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (High Speed and Medium Speed), By Application (Flexible Packaging, Pharmaceutical, Corrugated, Label Manufacturing and Others), and Regional Forecasts, 2023-2030" observes that the market size in 2022 stood at USD 0.9 billion and USD 1.3 billion in 2030. The market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period.

Get Free Sample PDF of Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market Research Report: https://marketsnresearch.com/sample/1638

Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market Analysis:

The term "flexographic printing machine" refers to a type of printing device that uses a flexible relief plate for packaging and labelling purposes. Flexographic printing, a contemporary adaptation of letterpress, uses water-based and ultraviolet inks to print on woven, nonwoven, plastic, and paper. It is an effective printing method applied to long- and medium-run printing applications. The market for central impression type flexographic printing machines is expanding due to several developments, including the rising use of automation and servo drive technology. The market is expanding as a result of numerous factors, such as increasing worldwide production activities in developing nations.

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Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 6.40 % 2030 Value Projection 1.3 billion Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 0.9 billion Historical Data for 2016 - 2021 Segments covered By Type, By Application and By Geography Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America

List Of Key Companies Profiled:

Taiyo Kikai

BFM srl

WINDMOELLER_HOELSCHER

Comexi

KBA-Flexotecnica S.p.A.

XIOAN AEROSPACE-HUAYANG

UTECO

Lohia Corp Limited

Omso

Launched by BOBST is the VISION CI Flexo Press, which is Intended to Provide the Best Performance

In October 2019, the BOBST VISION CI flexo press was introduced. It is intended to provide the most effective performance for all production lengths on a variety of substrates. It is quick to set up and changeovers, has technological advancements, and automation that ensure repeatable process consistency, minimal waste, and simple manufacturing.

Major Players Develop Acquisition Plans to Boost Brand Image

The leading businesses in the central impression type flexographic printing machine market plan acquisitions to improve their brand recognition globally. For instance, in September 2019, A 670mm (26in) width flexo press called Omet introduced the XFlex X7 for the production of shrink sleeves and flexible packaging. Another innovative element of the press is Omet's High-Value Rotogravure (HVR) print unit. Thus fueling the market expansion for central impression type flexographic printing machines.

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Our Free Sample Report Consists of the following:

Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2022 updated report.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package

About 220+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research)

Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request

Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2022

Includes Tables and figures have been updated

The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

MNR research methodology

Driving Factors:

Increased Demand in Food & Beverage Sector to Drive Market

The market for central impression type flexographic printing is predicted to develop in the future due to the rising demand for packaged food goods. Unless the packaging is damaged or opened, the packaged food products are foodstuffs that have been pre-packed in the packaging to provide shelf life and sterility to food. Flexographic printing is required to produce convenient, lovely, economical, and lightweight packaging because to the rising demand for packaged food products. Flexographic printing on label packaging helps with the efficient marketing of food products and information about them. For instance, the Food Industry Association (FMI) predicted that online sales of packaged foods and beverages might reach $109 billion in 2021.

Technological Advancement in Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine to Drive Market Growth

A key trend that is becoming increasingly popular in the market for central impression type flexographic printing is technological improvement. Major flexographic printing companies are concentrating on creating innovative technology solutions to meet consumer demand and improve their position. For instance, MPS, a US-based manufacturer of flexo, offset, and hybrid printing presses for the flexible packaging and label converting industries, introduced E-Sleeve technology to enhance print productivity and quality. The technology features consistent parallelism for the perfect register along the full print length, pressure settings, exact concentric runout qualities, higher dimensional accuracy for the best register, and more.

Restraining Factors:

High Price of Raw Material to Hamper Market Growth

The expansion of the global market for central impression type flexographic printing machines is significantly constrained by a number of adverse factors. A significant aspect that will likely have a negative impact on future market revenue development is the high initial setup cost. However, shifts in the cost of raw materials have an impact on the pricing of flexographic printing equipment. Vendors frequently include price adjustment clauses in sales contracts to prevent final product pricing changes. Furthermore, although these provisions typically alleviate risks, excessive costs, and raw material shortages, they could affect the client's demand for the finished product.

Challenging Factors:

COVID-19 Impact on the Market to Limit Market Growth

The COVID-19 outbreak had restricted the area market's growth. Despite this, the region has been recovering from the pandemic due to a number of government initiatives, including massive COVID-19 vaccination programmes and a return to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity. The food and beverage industries and the pharmaceutical business both saw enormous growth due to COVID-19. On the supply side, the suppliers, however, experienced issues locating the raw materials for the machines because of logistical issues. These actions will aid the market expansion for central impression type flexographic printing machines throughout the course of the anticipated year.

To Gain More Insights into the Market Analysis, Browse Summary of the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market Report @ https://marketsnresearch.com/report/1638/global-central-impression-type-flexographic-printing-machine-market

Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market Segmentations:

Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market By Type:

High Speed

Medium Speed

Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market By Type





Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market By Application:

Flexible Packaging

Pharmaceutical

Corrugated

Label Manufacturing

Others

Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market Regional Insights:

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the central impression type flexographic printing machine market over the forecast period because there are many important market participants in North America, significant initial investments, technological developments, acceptance of new technologies, and so on. The demand for packaged foods is fueled by factors like rapid urbanisation and increased income, which drive the market's expansion. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific central impression type flexographic printing machine market is anticipated to grow significantly because labour expenses are cheaper and raw material and supply production costs are lower.

Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market By Region





Further Report Findings:

The market in North America is expected to gain a huge portion of the global central impression type flexographic printing machine market share in the coming years. because of the large number of prominent market players, sizeable initial investments, technological advancements, adoption of new technologies, and other factors in North America.

Rapid urbanisation and rising incomes fuel the need for packaged foods, causing the market to grow.

In the Asia Pacific, the growth in this region is primarily driven by increased labor costs are more affordable, and production prices for raw materials and supplies are lower.

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Key questions answered in this report:

What is the size of the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market and what is its expected growth rate?

What are the primary driving factors that push the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market forward?

What are the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Industry's top companies?

What are the different categories that the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market caters to?

What will be the fastest-growing segment or region?

In the value chain, what role do essential players play?

What is the procedure for getting a free copy of the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market sample report and company profiles?

Key Offerings:

Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232030

Market Dynamics  Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Leading Trends

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis By Type, By Application and By Geography

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

Table of Content

Chapter 1: Preface

Chapter 2: Report Summary

Chapter 3: COVID 19 Impact Analysis

Chapter 4: Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market, By Type Segment Analysis

Chapter 5: Global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market, By Application Segment Analysis

Chapter 6: Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market  Regional Analysis, 2023  2030

Chapter 7: Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine Market  Industry Analysis

Chapter 8: Competitive Landscape

Chapter 9: Company Profiles

Chapter 10: Research Methodology

Chapter 11: Questionnaire

Chapter 12: Related Reports

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Key Insights from Primary Research/Key Insights & Findings from the report:

As per the analysis shared by our primary respondents, the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.40%.

Through primary research, it was established that the Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market was valued at around USD 0.9 billion in 2022.

The Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market is segmented based on product: high speed and medium speed. The high-speed category was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021.

The key factor driving the market is Increased Demand in Food & Beverage Sector

The North America region will lead the global Central Impression Type Flexographic Printing Machine market during the forecast period 2022 to 2030.

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New food emporium will feature fifteen distinct chef-driven concepts

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - A fresh culinary experience is coming to CF Toronto Eaton Centre with the arrival of Queen's Cross, a new chef-driven dining concept created in partnership with Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (O&B). Slated to open in fall 2023, Queen's Cross will transform 19,000 square feet of the south side of the shopping centre into a modern-day food emporium with seating to accommodate 300 guests. Featuring a carefully curated collection of 15 unique food stalls along with a bar and cafe, the new concept offers exciting, high-quality and meaningful food experiences that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of downtown Toronto.

CF Toronto Eaton Centre to welcome Queens Cross, a new dining destination in partnership with Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited)

Designed by Solid Design Creative, Queen's Cross features an industrial chic aesthetic, colourful neon accents and lush greenery that will ultimately revamp the food scene on level 1 of CF Toronto Eaton Centre. The globally inspired food stalls will feature a mix of new quick-service brands as well as playful offshoots of established local restaurants including Lena and Maison Selby.

Unique Dining Concepts at Queen's Cross include:

Le Petit Cornichon

Captain Neon Sushi + Bowls

Curryosity

Gil's Fish & Chipperie

Red Sauce

Swanky Burger

Lala's Cantina

Underground Sandwich

Happy Tangle

Beauty's Fried ChickenCross Bar  coffee and lounge

"As a landmark destination in the city, we are constantly evolving our retail and dining mix to suit the needs of our visitors, and we are thrilled to collaborate with the visionaries at O&B to bring Queen's Cross to CF Toronto Eaton Centre," commented Sheila Jennings, General Manager. "The addition of Queen's Cross not only amplifies, but also greatly expands, the dining options across the north to south ends of the centre, and we're delighted to deliver this elevated and approachable food hall experience to our guests."

"Our team has been busy flexing our creative muscles to come up with a fresh and fun mix of fast-casual concepts and menus," said Anthony Walsh, O&B's Corporate Executive Chef. "We are excited to create an approachable dining destination within an iconic location that matches the energy of downtown Toronto, as well as welcome food lovers from all over the city."

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CF Toronto Eaton Centre features a wide array of food and dining options including full scale restaurants Joeys, Trattoria Mercatto, Hendricks, Lena, and Bazille and Bar Verde at Nordstrom, as well as speciality food and beverage retailers throughout the centre, and the Urban Eatery located at the north end of the shopping centre. The Constance Taverne, another new restaurant concept by O&B, will be opening at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in spring 2023.

The centre is currently undergoing a $77 million revitalization project including the refurbishment of its iconic galleria skylight roof. The existing glass is being replaced with the latest materials and technologies to improve energy efficiency while maintaining its classic design aesthetic. To help improve shoppers' movement and accessibility, three new staircases will be created in the South Court and Urban Eatery, improvements to elevators, and the installation of a larger cab in an existing elevator to better accommodate strollers and mobility scooters. The enhancements will facilitate convenient connections, while creating a more welcoming environment throughout the property.

About Cadillac Fairview

Cadillac Fairview (CF) is a globally focused owner, operator, investor, and developer of best-in-class real estate across retail, office, residential, industrial and mixed-use asset classes. Wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, CF manages in excess of $40 billion of assets across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Internationally, CF invests in communities with like-minded partners, including Stanhope in the UK, Lincoln Property Company in the U.S., and Multiplan in Brazil. The company's Canadian portfolio comprises 68 landmark properties, including the Toronto-Dominion Centre, CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Tour Deloitte, CF Carrefour Laval, CF Chinook Centre and CF Pacific Centre.

Continually striving to make a positive impact in communities where it operates by promoting social connection, growth, and a sustainable future, CF's Purpose is Transforming Communities for a Vibrant Tomorrow. Learn more at www.cadillacfairview.com and follow CF on LinkedIn.

About Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality

Oliver & Bonacini is one of Canada's leading hospitality groups, operating a diverse portfolio of unique and innovative restaurants and event venues. With 33 bespoke restaurants across Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton, as well as Halifax in partnership with Freehand Hospitality, Oliver & Bonacini offers a range of culinary stylesfrom barbecue joints and brewpubs, to modern French and artisanal Canadian fine dining. Their portfolio of restaurants includes Canoe, Auberge du Pommier, Jump, Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery, Maison Selby, Bar George, Braven, Drift and Cafe Lunette, to name a few.

The company's private dining and events division, Oliver & Bonacini Events and Catering, manages a number of large-scale event venues, including The Carlu, Malaparte at TIFF Bell Lightbox, and the Toronto Region Board of Trade, among others.

The company was founded in 1993 by the late Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini. Oliver & Bonacini credits its success to the development of a strong corporate culture, where excellence of food quality and service are valued above all else.

CF Toronto Eaton Centre to welcome Queens Cross, a new dining destination in partnership with Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited)

CF Toronto Eaton Centre to welcome Queens Cross, a new dining destination in partnership with Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited)

Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited logo (CNW Group/Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited)

SOURCE Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/16/c7825.html
South Florida Business & Wealth magazine bestows Excellence in Human Resources Award

to executives in health care and other industries during the awards ceremony

MIAMI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Lytle, SHRM-SCP, director of human resources for ChenMed, is the proud recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Human Resources Award from South Florida Business & Wealth (SFBW) magazine. As a seasoned HR leader in strategy and operations, the publication honored Lytle as one of the region's outstanding professionals in health care. Lytle recently received his award during SFBW's 8th annual awards ceremony, held in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Stephen Lytle, SHRM-SCP, ChenMed director of human resources

South Florida Business & Wealth's Excellence in Human Resources Awards is a unique program designed to honor HR leaders whose dedication to their respective industries and the communities they serve is particularly noteworthy. The awards acknowledge accomplished executives in the Tri-County area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, for their leadership and industry longevity, career accomplishments, company size and growth, community involvement, as well as other factors.

SFBW cited Lytle for his work helping lead ChenMed's innovation and strategic initiatives. It also recognized his accomplishment as President-Elect of the HR Association of Broward County. Lytle is one of more than 30 honorees this year from the fields of health care, accounting, banking and finance services, education, hospitality, insurance, legal, marketing and public relations, real estate and construction, technology and transportation, and logistics.

"It is extremely gratifying to shine a spotlight on outstanding HR professionals, like Stephen Lytle, who continue to identify and nurture personnel who can help motivate their companies to achieve both business and community goals," said Marc Freindlich, market director of South Florida Business & Wealth. "Talent drives business and the leaders who can help personnel reach their full potential, advancing their careers and the success of their companies, are truly worth celebrating."

Story continues

Prior to joining ChenMed, Lytle worked for retail giants, Target and Walmart, supporting retail healthcare operations and leading teams that supported enterprise-wide HR operations within pharmacy, vision and primary care clinics. Lytle also has experience in talent acquisition, professional relations, talent development and employment branding.

"I am very honored to receive this prestigious award from South Florida Business & Wealth magazine," said Lytle. "Each day, I am driven to lead and inspire others to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally, so together we can live more impactful lives comprised of gratitude and fulfillment."

According to Aimeerenee Layton, vice president of human resources at ChenMed, "Stephen continues to be an outstanding HR leader at ChenMed. We are proud to have him on our team and he deserves this award."

About ChenMed

ChenMed is a privately-owned medical, management and technology company that delivers the high-touch and personalized primary care Medicare-eligible seniors need to enjoy better health. Headquartered in Miami, the company operates more than 120 senior medical centers in 15 states. Twice named a " Most Loved Workplace" by Newsweek , celebrated as a Fortune "Change the World" company, and a certified Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute , ChenMed brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to the neediest populations. ChenMed brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, JenCare Senior Medical Center, and IntuneHealth. Its leading healthcare technology organization, Curity, was recently named a "Best Place to Work in IT" by ComputerWorld.

ChenMed logo (PRNewsfoto/ChenMed)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chenmeds-stephen-lytle-honored-with-prestigious-human-resources-award-301748340.html

SOURCE ChenMed
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Management (AZANS) of the Azerbaijan Airlines Company (AZAL) have started joint work on the preparation and implementation of the National Airspace Strategy (NAS) of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to AZAL, Azerbaijan's air navigation services provider AZANS and IATA will work together with all related parties in the field of aviation, including government and other regulatory bodies.

Thus, the long-standing cooperation between the two organizations will be strengthened within the framework of this initiative aimed at providing a number of benefits to air passengers, the company says.

Moreover, joint action will support the development of the national economy of Azerbaijan and the competitiveness of the aviation sector. This cooperation will help to achieve the global goals of sustainable development of air transport.

According to IATA's forecasts, the demand for air passenger transportation in Azerbaijan is expected to increase by 80 percent over the next twenty years. In this regard, the volume of air traffic will increase at the same rate. For example, high dynamics of growth of transit traffic are already observed in the airspace of Azerbaijan today.

Ensuring the safety of flights, cost management, reducing CO2 emissions and costs, as well as meeting the growing demand for air transportation requires further modernization of the airspace structure and air traffic management (ATM) system in Azerbaijan.
BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Thursday put Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon Technologies on an "unreliable entities list" over arms sales to Taiwan, banning them from imports and exports related to China in its latest sanctions against the U.S. companies.

The measures come amid heightened tensions after the U.S. military shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon, and a day after Beijing warned of "countermeasures against relevant U.S. entities that undermine China's sovereignty and security".

Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Missile and Defense Corp, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp, are prohibited from "engaging in import and export activities related to China," China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

"These are symbolic measures and unnecessary - that's how we view them," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday.

Neither company sells defense products to China. Raytheon declined to comment. Raytheon Technologies sells its Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, as well as landing gear and controls, to China's commercial aviation industry.

Lockheed, which exports to more than 70 countries, said in a statement, "Foreign Military Sales are government-to-government transactions and we work closely with the U.S. government on any military sales to international customers. Lockheed Martin closely adheres to United States government policy with regard to conducting business with foreign governments."

Lockheed makes the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which flew the mission to shoot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, using the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile made by Raytheon.

Beijing also banned the companies from further investment in China, barred senior management from entering the country, canceled residence permits for any staff in China and imposed fines that are double the contracted amounts of their arms sales to Taiwan.

Story continues

It was not clear how China would enforce such fines, which it said must be paid within 15 days.

Last February, China sanctioned the two companies over a $100 million arms sale to Taiwan, a self-ruled island which Beijing views as a breakaway province.

On at least two previous occasions China has announced sanctions against Lockheed and Raytheon, in 2019 and 2020, though Beijing has not explained what those sanctions entailed or how they were enforced.

The U.S. does not sell weapons to China. However, the United States is bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and U.S. weapons sales always attract China's anger.

(Reporting by Tony Munroe and Laurie ChenEditing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Jonathan Oatis)
HMG Strategy

The concurrent Global Women in Technology Summit will explore the role of female tech leaders as enterprise change agents

Join the World's Top CIOs

Register to attend the upcoming 2023 New York CIO Summit of America with the Global Women in Technology Summit to connect with the world's leading business technology executives on the topics that matter most to you.

WESTPORT, Conn., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting its 2023 New York CIO Summit of America at the Harvard Club on April 13. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative business technology and security leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, innovation, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today  and into the future.



World-class technology leaders and industry experts speaking at HMG Strategys signature event will explore the importance of demonstrating resilient leadership in a challenging economy.

Business technology executives are ideally positioned to identify how advanced technologies such as AI and ChatGPT can be used to help reduce costs and to fuel new revenue opportunities for their companies, said Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO of HMG Strategy. At the same time, CIOs and other business technology leaders must foster a collaborative culture and motivate employees to reach their full potential in order for their companies to achieve their strategic goals and win in the marketplace.

Elite CIOs and other business technology leaders speaking at the 2023 New York CIO Summit of America and at the 2023 Global Women in Technology Summit will include:

Beena Ammanath , Executive Director, Global AI Institute, Deloitte

Don Anderson , CIO, Tiger Global Management

Marianne Bachynski , CIO  Investments & Enterprise Systems, Corebridge Financial

Robin Brown , CIO  Protein North America, Cargill

Andrew Campbell , CIO, Terex Corporation

Cindy Finkelman , Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

Michael Frankel , Managing Partner, Trajectory Capital Partners

Tsvi Gal , CTO, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Board Member, Israel Discount Bank

Kostas Georgakopoulos , Global CTO & CISO, Mondelez International

Ken Grady , CVP & CIO, IDEXX Laboratories

Rocco Grillo , Managing Director  Global Cyber Risk Services & Incident Response Investigation, Alvarez & Marsal

Jamie Head , Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Ocean Spray

Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

Lesley Ma , VP, CIO and Chief Data Officer, NSF International

Vipul Nagrath , SVP Product Development, ADP

Manik Patil , VP, Modernization, AIG Life & Retirement

Mark Polansky , Executive-in-Residence, HMG Strategy; Former Senior Partner, Korn Ferry

Ramesh Razdan , Global CIO, Bain & Company

John Repko , EVP & CIO, AIG

Asha Saxena , Founder and CEO, Women Leaders in Data & AI

Ken Spangler , EVP IT - CIO Global OpCo Technologies: Express, Ground, Freight, Logistics, FedEx

Cindy Taibi , SVP & CIO, The New York Times Co.

Cindy Warner , Strategic Board Member, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Angela Yochem , EVP, Chief Transformation and Digital Officer, Novant Health

Gregory Zelo, CIO, Veeco Instruments



Story continues

Valued Partners for the 2023 New York CIO Summit of America with the Global Women in Technology Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Amazon Web Services, BetterCloud, Box, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, Intuitive.Cloud, LastPass, Moveworks, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SAP, SIM New York Metro, Tangoe, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

Recipients of HMG Strategys 2023 Global Leadership Institute Awards at the 2023 New York CIO Summit of America with the Global Women in Technology Summit will include:

Jamie Head , Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Ocean Spray

John Repko , EVP & CIO, AIG

Ken Spangler , EVP IT - CIO Global OpCo Technologies: Express, Ground, Freight, Logistics, FedEx

Angela Yochem, EVP, Chief Transformation and Digital Officer, Novant Health

To learn more about the 2023 New York CIO Summit of America with the Global Women in Technology Summit and to register for the events, click here.

HMG Strategys next event is its 2023 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit on February 28 at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. At this popular, in-person innovation conference, top-tier CIOs, CISOs, industry executives and venture capitalists will share their views as to how CIOs, CISOs and other senior technology executives are working with fellow members of the senior leadership team to drive innovation.

Top-tier CIOs, CISOs, technology leaders and industry experts speaking at the 2023 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will include:

Laiq Ahmad , CTO, Change Healthcare

Merav Bahat , Co-Founder and CEO, Dazz

Ashwin Ballal , Ph.D., EVP & CIO, Medallia

Cassie Crossley , Director, Product & Systems Security, Head of Business Engagement, Schneider Electric

Todd Dekkinga , CISO, Zluri

Stuart Evans , Distinguished Service Professor, Carnegie Mellon University i-Lab

Ken Grady , CPO & CIO, IDEXX Laboratories

Mike Hamilton , VP, IT and Enterprise Engineering, Cruise

Brian Hoyt , CIO, Unity Technologies

Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

Patrick Maroney , Best Practices Advisor, High Tech Industry, SAP

Jeff McKibben , CIO Ultra Clean Technology

Wesley Mukai , Chief Engineering Officer/VP, Rockwell Automation

David Owens , SVP & General Manager, Digital Transformation Solutions, HARMAN International

Gautham Pallapa , Senior Executive Advisor & CIO/CDO (App Modernization, Digital Transformation & Hybrid Cloud) VMware

Wendy M. Pfeiffer , CIO & SVP, Nutanix

Geeta Pyne , Chief Enterprise Architect, Intuit

Eli Potter , VP, Data and Systems, Insight Partners

Raj Ramachander , SVP IT; Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Member Experience (CX), Peloton Interactive

Sahaar Rezaie , Executive Director, Genesys Works

Parul Saini , Global Head of Business and Enterprise Applications, Uber

Ashish Seth , VP of Product Management, Customer Engagement, RingCentral

Piyoush Sharma , Co-Author, The Purple Book of Software Security; Head of Enterprise Security & Technology Operations, Zuora

Joe Silva , CISO, JLL

Dan Turchin , CEO, PeopleReign

Kaladhar Voruganti, Senior Technologist in the Office of the CRO, Equinix

Valued Partners for the 2023 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Aptum, BetterCloud, Box, Darktrace, Dazz, Delphix, Equinix, Fortinet, Genesys Works, GTM Capital, HARMAN International, LastPass, Nutanix, Outsystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, ReliaQuest, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SAP, SIM San Francisco Bay Area, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

Recipients of HMG Strategys 2023 Global Leadership Institute Awards at the Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will include:

Patty Hatter , Public Company Board Member, former Chief Customer Officer, Palo Alto Networks

Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

Gautham Pallapa , Senior Executive Advisor & CIO/CDO, VMWare

Wendy M. Pfeiffer, CIO and SVP, Nutanix

To learn more about the 2023 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit and to register for the event, click here.

On March 24, HMG Strategy will be hosting its 2023 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit at the JM Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. World-class technology leaders and industry experts speaking at this popular in-person event will explore opportunities for tapping hot technologies such as AI, ChatGPT, cloud platforms and cybersecurity technologies to help move the needle for the business and to safeguard the enterprise.

Prominent executives speaking at the 2023 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include:

Saqib E. Awan , Founder & Managing Director, GTM Capital

Kevin Campbell , CIO, TGen

Stefanie Causey , OCM Leader, IBM

Max Chan , CIO, Avnet

Frank Grimmelmann , Founder, President & CEO/Intelligence Liaison Officer, Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance

Laura Hemenway , Founder and Principal, Paradigm Solutions, LLC; Treasurer, SIM Arizona

Scott Hicar , SVP & CIO, Benchmark Electronics

David Jarvis , Professor of Practice, Arizona State University

Bipin Jayaraj , SVP & CIO, Rogers Corporation

Bianca Lochner , CIO, City of Scottsdale

Fred Mapp , President & CEO, Quality Service Solutions, LLC

Daniel Mayo , Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Phoenix FBI Field Office

Steve Phillips , Board Director, Wick Communications

Gail Ricketts , IT Compliance Manager, Axon

Peter Robinson , VP, Digital Enablement, Avnet

Dan Saltich , CIO, Shamrock Foods Company

Bhavin Shah , CEO & Founder, Moveworks

Simon Taylor , EVP, PacketWatch; President, SIM Arizona

Mark Tonnesen , CIO, Achieve

Rebekah Wilke , Director, Information Security Operations, ON Semiconductor

Rebecca Wynn, Global Chief Security Strategist & CISO, Click Solutions Group



Valued Partners for the 2023 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Appian, Aryaka, BetterCloud, Box, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, GTM Capital, Intuitive.Cloud, LastPass, Moveworks, Nutanix, Outsystems, Palo Alto Networks, Ping Identity, ReliaQuest, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SAP, SHE Informationtechnologie AG, SIM San Arizona, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

Recipients of HMG Strategys 2023 Global Leadership Institute Awards at the Phoenix CIO Summit will include:

Stefanie Causey , Associate Partner, Cross Market, IBM Global Business Services

Max Chan , CIO, Avnet

Scott Hicar , Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Benchmark Electronics

Bipin Jayaraj, SVP & CIO, Rogers Corporation

Bianca Lochner, CIO, City of Scottsdale

Fred Mapp, President & CEO, Quality Service Solutions, LLC

To learn more about the 2023 Phoenix CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here.

On April 6, HMG Strategy will be hosting its 2023 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit at Brookhaven Golf Club. World-class technology leaders and industry experts speaking at this popular in-person event will explore opportunities for tapping hot technologies such as AI, ChatGPT, and cloud platforms to help facilitate cost containment and to drive business growth.

Prominent technology executives and industry experts speaking at the 2023 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit will include:

Srini Alagarsamy , VP, Digital Technology, GM Financial

Michael Anderson , Special Agent in Charge, Chicago, FBI

Chris Andrews , CIO, Unleashed Brands

Renee Arrington , President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International

Patrick Benoit , Global CISO, Brinks

Nellson Burns , Managing Partner, Destination IT, LLC

Kevin Christ , Partner, Concentre

Mignona Cote , Chief Security Officer, NetApp

Alain Espinosa , Sr. Business Information Security Officer, Rent-A-Center

Edward Gustenhoven , EVP, CIO, Dal-Tile Corporation

Blake Holman , CIO, BBG

Stuart Kippelman , CIO, Commercial Cybersecurity Business Leader, Parsons Corporation

Keith Landau , Chief Technology Director, Information Technology Services, Deloitte

Andy Laudato , COO, The Vitamin Shoppe

Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

James Parker , CEO, Tangoe

Ajay Patel , VP, Business & Technology Services, Mary Kay, Inc.

Bhavin Shah , Founder & CEO, Moveworks

Tanweer Surve , Control Sr. Officer  Technology CTO (Cloud), Wells Fargo

Thomas Sweet , CIO, Industrial Refrigeration Pros

Gertrude Van Horn , SVP & CIO, NCH Corporation

Denis Zerr, CIO, Radiology Partners

Valued Partners for the 2023 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit include 8x8, Aisera, Akamai, Apptio, Aptum, Aryaka, BetterCloud, Box, Darktrace, Delphix, Fortinet, GTM Capital, LastPass, Moveworks, Nexthink, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, Phosphorus, Ping Identity, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SAP, SIM Dallas/Fort Worth, Tangoe, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

Recipients of HMG Strategys 2023 Global Leadership Institute Awards at the Dallas summit will include:

Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Netskope

Chris Andrews, CIO, Unleashed Brands

Patrick Benoit, Global Chief Information Security Officer, Brink's Inc.

Nellson Burns, Co-Owner, Destination IT, LLC

Mignona Cote, Chief Security Officer, NetApp

Stuart Kippelman, CIO & Commercial Cybersecurity Business Leader, Parsons Corporation

To learn more about the 2023 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here.

To learn more about HMG Strategys upcoming schedule of CIO & CISO summits, click here.

About HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 500,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

HMG Strategys global media model generates more than one million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands.

HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years.

HMG Strategys regional CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent.

HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led advisory services such as its Global CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) service which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles.

HMG Strategys Global Advisory Services are a unique set of peer-driven research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global macro-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries.

To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here .

Contact: Tom Hoffman, VP, Research, HMG Strategy: 203-221-2702 or at tomhoffman@hmgstrategy.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0ea840f-7828-4ede-8142-8aff64234e00




Constellium Paris

PARIS, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellium SE (NYSE: CSTM) announced today that, following Peter Matts decision to leave the Company to pursue another career opportunity, Jack Guo will be appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1st, 2023.



I am delighted that Peter is offered such an exciting career opportunity. We are extremely grateful to him for his outstanding contributions to the transformation of Constellium as CFO, stated Jean-Marc Germain, Constelliums Chief Executive Officer. He has been instrumental in our turnaround over the past 6 years through his focus on improving operating results, enhancing our financial flexibility, managing risks, building out our strategic agenda and developing a strong team, including his successor. We wish Peter all the very best in his new position.

With his financial expertise and extensive knowledge of Constelliums business, Jack Guo is well-positioned to help drive our financial performance, further strengthen our financial position and navigate our growth trajectory, Mr. Germain added.

Jack joined Constellium as a Vice President Finance in early 2017. He was promoted to Vice President Business Development and Strategy in September 2017 and has been a key contributor to our strategy development and the execution of a number of critical strategic projects. Prior to joining Constellium, he worked at Credit Suisse for twelve years, most recently as a Director in Investment Banking and Capital Markets primarily covering downstream aluminium activities. In addition, he spent five years in other senior finance roles in North America and Asia. Jack holds a BA of Economics from the University of Chicago and an MBA from Columbia University.

About Constellium

Constellium (NYSE: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 6.2 billion of revenue in 2021.

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Jason Hershiser Investor Relations Delphine Dahan-Kocher  Communications Phone: +1 (443) 988-0600 Phone: +1 443 420 7860 investor-relations@constellium.com delphine.dahan-kocher@constellium.com




NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global construction safety helmets market size is estimated to increase by USD 551.17 million from 2021 to 2026. The market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 5.6%. 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. Discover more insights on the market before buying the full report -Request a sample report.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Construction Safety Helmets Market 2022-2026

Global construction safety helmets market  Vendor analysis

Vendor offerings -

3M Co. - The company offers construction safety helmets that are designed for comfort. With pressure diffusion technology, these helmets can reduce forehead pressure by 20% on average.

Centurion Safety Products Ltd. - The company offers construction safety helmets that are combined with a badge holder fitter, which combines premium adhesive and an easy-click lock functionality for added security.

Delta Plus Group - The company offers construction safety helmets that are tested for front-back wearing to reduce encumbrance. They are equipped with foam sweatband for head size 53 cm to 63 cm.

Honeywell International Inc. - The company offers construction safety helmets that protect from falling objects, collision impact, debris, and shock, among other hazards.

For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global construction safety helmets market is fragmented, with the presence of several small and large vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer construction safety helmets in the market are 3M Co., Alpha Solway Ltd., Centurion Safety Products Ltd., Concord Helmet and Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Delta Plus Group, Engelbert Strauss GmbH and Co. KG, Fire Safe Solutions and Consultants, Greateagle Safety Products Co. Ltd., Hengshui Kai Yuan FRP Products Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., KASK Spa, Mallcom India Ltd., MSA Safety Inc., NAFFCO FZCO, Performance Fabrics Inc. DBA HexArmor, Protective Industrial Products Inc, Sure Safety India Ltd., Udyogi International Pvt. Ltd., and uvex group and others.

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Vendors compete based on quality, price, service, brand image, distribution, and marketing. Increasing competition among vendors is expected to compel them to reduce their product prices, which will negatively affect their profit margins and market growth. Moreover, changing consumption patterns affect vendors' performance. The global construction safety helmets market can also be affected by global and regional economic conditions.

Global construction safety helmets 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

Global construction safety helmets market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on material (HDPE, polyethylene, fiberglass, polycarbonate, and others).

The HDPE segment will account for a significant share of the market's growth during the forecast period. HDPE helmets can be molded to manufacture different safety helmets with various ribs, slots, brims, and vents. They have a locking system, suspension system, ventilation system, side slots, and rain gutter system. Such factors will drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global construction safety helmets market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global construction safety helmets market.

APAC will account for 49% of the market's growth during the forecast period. China, Japan, and India are the key contributors to the construction safety helmets market in the region. Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The construction industry in the region is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the need for new infrastructure fueled by the growing urban population. This, in turn, will drive the construction safety helmet market growth in APAC.

Download a sample report

Global construction safety helmets market  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - The robust growth of the construction industry is driving market growth. The spending on construction is expected to increase in APAC over the next five years. ASEAN governments are focusing on strengthening infrastructure and creating stronger inter-regional collaboration with China. Economies such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Myanmar are expected to witness growth in their construction market. The increasing population will fuel the demand for accommodation, which, in turn, will drive the growth of the residential construction sector. Such factors are expected to increase the demand for construction safety helmets during the forecast period.

Key trends - Ergonomically designed helmets are a key trend in the market. The integration of ergonomics in construction safety helmets will enhance comfort. Muscular issues can directly impact movement, energy, posture, and fatigue. Hence, regulatory bodies such as OSHA are creating awareness about the benefits of ergonomics. The organization also provides training on construction ergonomics. Such factors will support the market growth during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Discomfort due to weight is challenging the market growth. Most of the safety helmets are heavy or lack ventilation, which causes fatigue and suffocation. Accessories such as visors further add to the weight and discomfort. Hence, vendors are manufacturing safety helmets with four-point and six-point suspensions. However, these helmets are relatively new and less popular. Moreover, they may not be viable for businesses to replace the entire stock of conventional safety helmets with newer variants. Such factors may hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, 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 construction safety helmets market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the construction safety helmets market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the construction safety helmets market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the construction safety helmets market across APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of construction safety helmets market vendors

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The predicted growth for the safety apparel market size from 2021 to 2026 is USD 9.80 billion at a decelerating CAGR of 11.3%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (chemical defending, flame retardant, mechanical, high visibility, and others) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The safety shoes market size is expected to increase by USD 1.64 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.78%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (construction, chemicals, manufacturing, mining, and others) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa).

Construction Safety Helmets Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 147 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 5.6% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 551.17 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2022 (%) 6.26 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 49% Key countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled 3M Co., Alpha Solway Ltd., Centurion Safety Products Ltd., Concord Helmet and Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Delta Plus Group, Engelbert Strauss GmbH and Co. KG, Fire Safe Solutions and Consultants, Greateagle Safety Products Co. Ltd., Hengshui Kai Yuan FRP Products Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., JSP Ltd., KASK Spa, Mallcom India Ltd., MSA Safety Inc., NAFFCO FZCO, Performance Fabrics Inc. DBA HexArmor, Protective Industrial Products Inc, Sure Safety India Ltd., Udyogi International Pvt. Ltd., and uvex group 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.

Browse for Technavio's consumer discretionary market reports

Table of contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

5 Market Segmentation by Material

5.1 Market segments

5.2 Comparison by Material

5.3 HDPE - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.4 Polyethylene - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.5 Fiberglass - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.6 Polycarbonate - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.8 Market opportunity by Material

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

7.2 Geographic comparison

7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.12 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

9.4 Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

10.3 3M Co.

10.4 Centurion Safety Products Ltd.

10.5 Delta Plus Group

10.6 Honeywell International Inc.

10.7 JSP Ltd.

10.8 KASK Spa

10.9 MSA Safety Inc.

10.10 NAFFCO FZCO

10.11 Protective Industrial Products Inc

10.12 uvex group

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

11.5 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 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.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

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UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

Global Construction Safety Helmets Market 2022-2026

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SOURCE Technavio
EDMONTON, AB, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR) today filed its annual and fourth quarter results for 2022.

EPCOR MDA (CNW Group/Epcor Utilities Inc.)

"In 2022, EPCOR's people achieved strong results against our financial and non-financial targets, including exceptional safety performance, superior operating and financial results across our footprint, and the placement of more than $900 million in capital projects for our existing operations," said Stuart Lee, EPCOR President & CEO. "EPCOR's capital program helped sustain reliable utility service, support community growth, improve environmental performance, and included substantial investments that will advance water reclamation in the U.S. Southwest."

"EPCOR's growth in the United States accelerated in 2022, led by the ongoing construction of a new groundwater supply system and an industrial water reclamation facility in central Texas," continued Mr. Lee. "More than $450 million of construction work on these projects was completed in 2022, with construction expenditures and margins reflected in EPCOR's revenues and expenses.

"The strong performance of EPCOR's businesses, and prospects for continued growth, led the EPCOR dividend to be increased from $177 million in 2022 to $185 million in 2023. We continue to pursue a balanced approach to long-term value creation, investing in reliable utility services while protecting ratepayers, and re-investing in the business to deliver sustained income and dividend growth."

Highlights of EPCOR's financial performance are as follows:

Net income was $93 million and $379 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, compared with net income of $101 million and $388 million for the comparative periods in 2021. The decrease of $8 million and $9 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively was primarily due to the gain on the expropriation of the Bullhead City (BHC) water utility systems in 2021, combined with a gain on the settlement of contingent consideration related to EPCOR Gas Texas in 2021 and higher depreciation and finance expense in 2022, partially offset by favorable fair value adjustments related to financial electricity purchase contracts and higher Adjusted EBITDA, as described below. In addition net income for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was lower due to recovery of U.S. natural gas procurement costs in 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA 1 was $223 million and $930 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, compared with $203 million and $843 million for the comparative periods in 2021. The increase of $20 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to higher rates and customer growth, higher recognition of deferred revenue in the U.S., higher average foreign exchange rates on higher Adjusted EBITDA from U.S Operations, and higher construction margins due to a new project in central Texas, partially offset by higher administrative and staff costs. The increase of $87 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to higher rates and customer growth, higher Energy Price Setting Plan margins, higher construction margins due to a new project in central Texas, higher recognition of deferred revenue in the U.S., and higher average foreign exchange rates on higher Adjusted EBITDA from U.S. Operations, partially offset by higher operating and staff costs, lower commercial margins and lower Adjusted EBITDA from the expropriation of BHC in 2021.

Investment in capital projects was $920 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, compared with $1,036 million for the corresponding period in 2021, lower primarily due to the acquisition of San Tan operations in 2021 with no corresponding acquisition in 2022 and lower spending in the Company's Water Services segment, partially offset by higher capital spending in the Company's Distribution and Transmission and U.S. Operations segments.

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1. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section in Appendix 1 to this media release.

Management's discussion and analysis and the audited consolidated financial statements are available on EPCOR's website (www.epcor.com) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems in Canada and the United States. The Company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is committed to conducting its business and operations safely and responsibly. Environmental stewardship, public health and community well-being are at the heart of EPCOR's mission to provide clean water and safe, reliable energy. EPCOR is an Alberta Top 75 employer and is ranked among Corporate Knights' 2022 Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada.

Appendix 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses earnings before finance expenses, income tax recovery (expense), depreciation and amortization, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, transmission system access service charge net collections, net collections of U.S. natural gas procurement costs and other unusual items (collectively, Adjusted EBITDA) to discuss operating results for the Company's lines of business. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers.

The reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA to Net income as reported under IFRS is shown below:













($ millions) Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,

2022 2021

2022 2021 Adjusted EBITDA by Segment









Water Services segment $ 92 $ 84

$ 400 $ 373 Distribution and Transmission segment 59 60

249 245 Energy Services segment 19 17

61 37 U.S. Operations segment 44 36

181 153 Other 9 6

39 35 Adjusted EBITDA 223 203

930 843 Other income 2 7

2 7 Finance expenses (46) (35)

(160) (148) Income tax expense (14) (15)

(37) (39) Depreciation and amortization (116) (100)

(409) (377) Change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts (1) 46 -

64 10 Transmission system access service charge net collections (2) (2) 7

(11) 3 Net collections of U.S. natural gas procurement costs (3) - 14

- - Gain on expropriation of the Bullhead City water utility systems (4) - 20

- 89 Net income $ 93 $ 101

$ 379 $ 388

1. The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments represents the change in fair value of financial electricity purchase contracts between the electricity market forward prices and the contracted prices at the end of the reporting period, for the contracted volumes of electricity. 2. Transmission system access service charge net collections is the difference between the transmission system access service charges paid to the provincial system operators and the transmission system access service charges collected from electricity retailers. Transmission system access service charge net collections are timing differences, which are collected from or returned to electricity retailers as the transmission system access service charges and customer billing determinants are finalized. 3. Net collections of U.S. natural gas procurement costs represents the difference between collection of flow through natural gas procurement costs from customers and natural gas procurement costs paid to suppliers or producers. Net collections of U.S. natural gas procurement costs are timing differences, which are collected from or returned to customers on finalization of the regulatory process. 4. Represents the unusual gain from expropriation of the Bullhead City water utility system in Q3 2021.

EPCOR Utilities Inc. - Logo (CNW Group/Epcor Utilities Inc.)

SOURCE Epcor Utilities Inc.

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Epson Robots to Present Live Demo of G1 and GX-Series SCARA Robots for Precision Parts Handling and Inspection for Life Science Industries

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Epson logo (PRNewsfoto/Epson America, Inc.)

Who: Epson Robots, the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, will be demonstrating robotic solutions at SLAS in booth #314.

What: Epson's robot solutions are designed to help meet the growing demand for automation in clinical, analytical and forensic labs to increase throughput and improve data accuracy, reliability and traceability. At SLAS, Epson will demonstrate its high-speed, high-precision robots, including:

Compact, High-Precision SCARA Robots  The GX4 robot offers multiple arm configurations, a reach of up to 350mm, and can handle payloads up to 4 kg from a small form factor. With Epson's patented GYROPLUS Technology, it accomplishes the most demanding tasks with leading-edge precision to support higher throughput needs for high-precision applications. The demo will illustrate how the G1 Mini SCARA and GX4 can achieve precise handling of medical syringes and needles while Epson's integrated vision system performs quality inspection of the needles' coating.

Advanced Robotic Programming Software  Easy to learn, Epson RC+ Industrial Automation Development Software features a comprehensive suite of advanced tools, such as Vision Guidance, Force Guidance, Conveyor Tracking, Parts Feeding, and more.

When: The SLAS Exhibition will take place February 26-28.

Where: San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif; Epson booth #314

Why: Epson is dedicated to helping both new and experienced automation professionals succeed by providing essential information and education and delivering the latest robot technologies and innovations required to meet their factory automation needs. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com. For more information on the GX-Series SCARA robots, please visit https://epson.com/GXSeries. For more information on G1 Mini SCARA robots, please visit https://epson.com/For-Work/Robots. For more information on RC+ Express industrial automation software, please visit https://epson.com/no-code-industrial-automation-robot-programming-software.

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About Epson Robots

Epson Robots is a global leader in PC-controlled precision factory automation, with well over 150,000 units sold worldwide1 and a product line of hundreds of models of easy-to-use SCARA and 6-Axis robots based on a common PC-based platform. Building on four decades of experience, Epson Robots delivers robots for precision assembly and material handling applications in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, consumer product, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceutical, plastics, semiconductor, and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Epson internal sales data through 2021.

EPSON and Epson RC+ are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

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SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
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European Digital Experience Monitoring Market

European Digital Experience Monitoring Market

Dublin, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis By Enterprise Size, Deployment Type, and End User" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Europe digital experience monitoring market is expected to grow from US$ 735.31 million in 2022 to US$ 1,698.85 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.0% from 2022 to 2028.



According to McKinsey, artificial intelligence (AI) may bring up to $1 trillion in value to the global banking sector. Banks and other financial institutions are expected to embrace an AI-first approach, which would better position them to adopt new technology. End-user monitoring-based AI systems will infiltrate the financial industry's front, middle, and back offices.

On the other hand, end-user cloud-based monitoring can increase platform integrity by automating and embedding security procedures and controls. The concept of development, security, and operations, or the idea that security is a duty that can be carried out across an organization with its development and operations, opens new possibilities.

The user experience is increasing in the fintech business since technologies used in fintech applications are completely focused on the end-user experience and how it can be improved. As a result, end-to-end performance monitoring tools are used throughout the client experience to identify application faults quickly. Bringing these technologies together with end-user experience monitoring provides new opportunities in the digital experience monitoring market.



With new features and technologies, vendors can attract new customers and expand their footprints in emerging markets. This factor is likely to drive the Europe digital experience monitoring market at a notable CAGR during the forecast period.



Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market Segmentation



The Europe digital experience monitoring market is segmented into enterprise size, deployment type, end user, and country.

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Based on enterprise size, the Europe digital experience monitoring market is divided into large enterprises and SMEs. The large enterprises dominated the market in 2022.

Based on deployment type, the Europe digital experience monitoring market is bifurcated into on-premises and cloud. The cloud segment dominated the market in 2022.

Based on end user, the Europe digital experience monitoring market is categorized into BFSI, IT and telecommunications, retail and consumer goods, healthcare and life sciences, and others. The BFSI segment dominated the market in 2022.

Based on country, the Europe digital experience monitoring market is segmented into Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. The UK dominated the market in 2022.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Need for Better End-user Experience

Endorsement of Cutting-edge Technologies

Market Restraints

Execution Risk of Monitoring Systems

Market Opportunities

Approval of AI & IoT in Fintech business

Future Trends

EUEM overlaps APM

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 153 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $735.31 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $1698.85 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.0% Regions Covered Europe



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology



4. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market Landscape



5. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market - Key Market Dynamics



6. Digital Experience Monitoring Market - Europe Market Analysis



7. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market Analysis - By Enterprise Size

8. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market - By Deployment Type



9. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market Analysis - By End User

10. Europe Digital Experience Monitoring Market - By Country Analysis



11. Industry Landscape



12. Company Profiles



13. Appendix



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

AppDynamics LLC

BMC Software, Inc.

Broadcom Inc

Catchpoint Systems, Inc.

Dynatrace LLC

IBM Corporation

Micro Focus

Oracle Corporation

Riverbed Technology, Inc.

SAP SE

Lakeside Software, LLC

Aternity LLC.

Nexthink SA

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rd38pg-digital?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.

Attachment

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




TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Fidelity Investments Canada ULC today announced the February 2023 cash distributions for Fidelity's suite of High Dividend Factor ETFs, Fixed Income ETFs and Monthly High Income ETFs.

Fidelity Investments Canada ULC (CNW Group/Fidelity Investments Canada ULC)

Detailed in the tables below, unitholders of record as of February 24, 2023 will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on February 28, 2023.

Fidelity ETF Name Ticker Symbol Cash Distribution Per Unit (C$) CUSIP ISIN Payment Frequency Exchange Fidelity Canadian High Dividend Index ETF FCCD 0.06946 31608M102 CA31608M1023 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity U.S. High Dividend Index ETF FCUD/ FCUD.U 0.01746 31645M107 CA31645M1077 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity U.S. High Dividend Currency Neutral Index ETF FCUH 0.01543 315740100 CA3157401009 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity U.S. Dividend for Rising Rates Index ETF FCRR/ FCRR.U 0.02431 31644M108 CA31644M1086 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity U.S. Dividend for Rising Rates Currency

Neutral Index ETF FCRH 0.02159 31644P101 CA31644P1018 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity International High Dividend Index ETF FCID 0.01617 31623D103 CA31623D1033 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond ETF FCSB 0.04202 31608N100 CA31608N1006 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange

Fidelity ETF Name Ticker Symbol Cash Distribution Per Unit (C$) CUSIP ISIN Payment Frequency Exchange Fidelity Systematic Canadian Bond Index ETF FCCB 0.05072 31644F103 CA31644F1036 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity Global Core Plus Bond ETF FCGB/ FCGB.U 0.06369 31623G106 CA31623G1063 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity Global Investment Grade Bond ETF FCIG/ FCIG.U 0.05644 31624P105 CA31624P1053 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity Canadian Monthly High Income ETF FCMI 0.02517 31609T106 CA31609T1066 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange Fidelity Global Monthly High Income ETF FCGI 0.01938 31623K107 CA31623K1075 Monthly Toronto Stock Exchange

About Fidelity Investments Canada ULC

At Fidelity, our mission is to build a better future for Canadian investors and help them stay ahead. We offer investors and institutions a range of innovative and trusted investment portfolios to help them reach their financial and life goals.

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As a privately-owned company, our people and world class resources are committed to doing what is right for investors and their long-term success. Our clients have entrusted us with $200 billion in assets under management (as at February 15, 2023) and they include individuals, financial advisors, pension plans, endowments, foundations and more.

We are proud to provide investors a full range of investment solutions through mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, including domestic, international and global equity, income-oriented strategies, asset allocation solutions, managed portfolios, sustainable investing and our high net worth program. Fidelity Funds are available through a number of advice-based distribution channels including financial planners, investment dealers, banks, and insurance companies.

Read a fund's prospectus and consult your financial advisor before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Commissions, management fees, brokerage fees and expenses may all be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds and investors may experience a gain or loss.

Find us on social media @FidelityCanada

https://www.fidelity.ca

SOURCE Fidelity Investments Canada ULC

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during the forecast period.The market has promising growth potential due to several factors, including security-related breaches, expanding dangers of cyberattacks, and increased adoption of cloud services among businesses.

New York, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cloud Data Security Market by Offering, Organization Size, Offering Type, Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420088/?utm_source=GNW

during the forecast period.

The market has promising growth potential due to several factors, including security-related breaches, expanding dangers of cyberattacks, and increased adoption of cloud services among businesses. However, the greatest level of complexity in the deployment and management of cloud data security solutions, as well as a lack of cooperation and mistrust between enterprises and cloud security services providers, are projected to impede market expansion.

 By organization size, the SMEs segment is to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period



Based on the organizations size, the cloud data security market is divided into large enterprises and SMEs.The public, private, and hybrid cloud usage gives SMEs the freedom to do business from any location.



This anticipates the popularity of cloud security solutions among SMEs.Additionally, the expansion of this market sector would also be fueled by SMEs increased attention to adhering to different regulatory compliances and data protection legislation, such as EU data protection rules.



Moreover, organizations such as Check Point unveiled brand-new technologies for SMEs to provide defense against "fifth generation" widespread attacks on various IT infrastructure systems, such as the cloud, virtual machines, networks, and endpoints. Thus, it can be concluded that SMEs are anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

 By vertical, BFSI segment to account for largest market size during forecast period



Regulators for the financial services industry anticipate that financial institutions will keep a high level of security.Therefore, the BFSI sectors cloud security market is anticipated to expand as a result of these heightened security regulations and demand for a safe and compliant cloud.



Additionally, the rise in data breaches and cloud-native threats is pushing banks and insurance firms to switch to cloud security solutions, which is anticipated to propel market expansion.The PCI DSS regulatory standards are constantly being pressed onto financial organizations encouraging the BFSI sector to use cloud security platforms to ensure compliance with internal stakeholders and external authorities through efficient vulnerability and configuration management.



Furthermore, governments worldwide are making strong efforts to ensure the cloud platforms security among financial institutions. Thus, it can be concluded that the BFSI vertical accounts for the largest market size during the forecast period.

 By offering type, fully managed segment to grow at higher CAGR during the forecast period



The offering type for the cloud data security market includes fully managed and co-managed security.A fully managed IT service proves to be the best choice for businesses having trouble finding and keeping IT workers and lacking access to highly skilled IT personnel internally.



It not only saves the hassle of recruiting but also have access to the talent required whenever needed.Additionally, with fully managed security, businesses eliminate the need to manage an on-site data center, maintain their gear, or keep an eye out for any network problems.



Furthermore, businesses can get complete assistance by using a fully managed IT solution. Thus, fully managed security offerings are anticipated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



Breakdown of primaries:

In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the cloud data security market.

 By company type: Tier 1: 40%, Tier 2: 35%, and Tier 3: 25%

 By designation: C-level: 45%, Directors: 30%, and others: 25%

 By region: North America: 35%, APAC: 30%, Europe: 20%, Rest of the World (RoW): 15%



Major vendors in the global cloud data security market include CrowdStrike (US), Check Point (US), Palo Alto Networks (US), Zscaler (US), IBM (US), Imperva (US), Veritas (US), Digital Guardian (US), VMware (US), Thales (France), Sophos (UK), Polar (Israel), Netwrix (US), Informatica (US), Commvault (US), Orca Security (US), Radware (US), Rubrik (US), Veeam (US), Infrascale (US), Druva (US), Faction (US), Cohesity (US), Netskope (US), and Cloudian (US).

The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the cloud data security market, their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Research coverage

The report segments the cloud data security market and forecasts its size by offering (solutions and services), organization size (large enterprises and SMEs), offering type (fully managed and co-managed), vertical (BFSI, retail and eCommerce, government and defense, healthcare and life sciences, IT and ITeS, telecom, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America).

The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the markets key players, their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Key benefits of buying report

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall cloud data security market and the subsegments.This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.



The report also helps stakeholders understand the market pulse and provides information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420088/?utm_source=GNW



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.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




AstuteAnalytica India Pvt. Ltd.

The global electronic shelf label market is projected to experience substantial growth over the next decade, with revenue expected to increase from US$ 1.13 billion in 2022 to US$ 6.51 billion by 2031, representing a remarkable CAGR of 23.8% during the forecast period of 2023-2031.

New Delhi, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Electronic Shelf Label market is experiencing significant growth, driven by factors such as increasing adoption of automated retailing solutions, advancements in technology and product offerings, and rising demand for eco-friendly solutions. A recent market research report indicates that e-paper electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are expected to capture more than 35% revenue share of the global ESL market by 2031, due to their high visibility, low power consumption, and long battery life.

Get Free sample copy of this report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/electronic-shelf-label-market

The European electronic shelf label market has captured over 45% revenue share of the global ESL market, with a strong presence of retailers and growing adoption of ESLs. The region's focus on sustainability has contributed to the adoption of electronic shelf labels as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper labels.

Product innovation is a key strategy used by industry players to remain competitive, with companies such as E Ink Holdings Inc., Diebold Nixdorf, and Samsung Electronics developing ESL products that are capable of displaying dynamic pricing information, product availability, and promotional content. Additionally, companies are investing in research and development to expand their product offerings and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Europe to Continue Leading Global Electronic Shelf Label Market with 45% Market Share

The European market has captured over 45% revenue share of the global ESL market, according to recent market research. The strong presence of retailers in the region and the growing adoption of automated retailing solutions are driving the demand for electronic shelf labels in Europe.

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The European market has a diverse range of retailers, from large grocery stores to specialty retailers. These retailers are increasingly looking for solutions to streamline their operations, improve the customer experience, and boost profitability. Electronic shelf labels have emerged as an effective tool to achieve these objectives, as they allow retailers to update pricing and product information in real-time, reduce pricing errors, and free up staff time for other tasks.

Moreover, the region's strong environmental awareness and focus on sustainability have contributed to the adoption of electronic shelf labels, which are considered to be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper labels. ESLs help to reduce paper waste, as well as the energy and resources required for printing and labeling.

E-Paper to Capture More than 35% Revenue Share of Global Electronic Shelf Label Market

A recent market research report by Astute Analytica indicates that e-paper electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are projected to hold more than 35% revenue share of the global ESL market by 2031. This surge in demand is attributed to the several advantages that e-paper displays offer, including high visibility, low power consumption, and prolonged battery life.

With a display that mimics traditional paper, e-paper ESLs offer a high-contrast, easy-to-read display that can be viewed from afar. Hence, these ESLs are ideal for retail environments where customers require easy access to product information and pricing. Furthermore, e-paper displays consume little power, allowing ESLs to operate for an extended period without requiring recharging or replacement. This, in turn, minimizes maintenance costs and improves operational efficiency for retailers.

Apart this, the market is experiencing strong demand for the product as e-paper ESLs have an extended battery life, with some displays lasting up to 10 years, thereby reducing the environmental impact of ESL systems by decreasing the need for frequent battery replacements and the associated waste.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/electronic-shelf-label-market

Top Trends Shaping the Global Electronic Shelf Label Market

Electronic shelf labeling (ESL) technology is continually evolving and adapting to the changing needs of retailers and consumers. Here are some of the top trends in ESL technology:

E-paper displays: E-paper displays, which use electronic ink, are becoming increasingly popular in ESL technology. These displays are easy to read, consume very little power, and have a long battery life, making them ideal for retail environments.

Dynamic pricing: Dynamic pricing is a trend that has gained momentum in recent years. ESL systems that can display real-time pricing information allow retailers to quickly adjust prices based on demand, inventory levels, and other factors.

Cloud-based systems: Cloud-based ESL systems are gaining popularity in the global electronic shelf label market due to their ease of deployment and ability to provide real-time updates. Retailers can make changes to pricing, promotions, and other information from a central location, and these updates are automatically pushed to all ESL displays in the store.

Integration with other systems: ESL technology is increasingly being integrated with other systems, such as inventory management, point-of-sale (POS), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This allows retailers in the global electronic shelf label market to automate processes and improve operational efficiency.

Mobile device integration: Many retailers are looking to integrate ESL technology with mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This allows customers to scan products and receive pricing and other information in real-time.

Sustainability: ESL technology is becoming more sustainable, with many companies using materials that are recyclable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, ESL systems can help reduce paper waste by eliminating the need for traditional paper labels.

Pricer AB is Top Player in the Global Electronic Shelf Label Market

Pricer AB is a dynamic Swedish company that has been providing electronic shelf labeling (ESL) systems to retailers. Today, the company is recognized as a global leader in the ESL industry, serving customers in over 50 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its high-quality and innovative ESL systems are trusted by a wide range of retailers, including grocery stores, department stores, and specialty retailers. As of 2022, the company is responsible for generating over 33% market revenue.

Pricer AB goes beyond offering just ESL systems, as it also provides comprehensive solutions for in-store digital advertising, customer communication, and store analytics. The company is committed to helping retailers achieve their business goals by providing reliable, cost-effective, and innovative solutions.

The growth of the ESL industry is driven by factors such as increasing adoption of NFC-enabled technology and smartphones, rising demand for automated retailing solutions, and advancements in technology and product offerings. To stay competitive, industry players such as Pricer AB are investing in product innovation, with E Ink Holdings Inc. recently launching a new digital shelf labeling solution that combines the benefits of digital displays with RFID technology. This allows retailers to more accurately track inventory levels and pricing.

In addition to product innovation, companies like Diebold Nixdorf and Samsung Electronics have developed several ESL products that display dynamic pricing information, product availability, and promotional content, enabling retailers to respond quickly to changing market trends and consumer preferences.

Furthermore, companies in the global electronic shelf label market are investing in research and development to expand their product offerings and stand out from competitors. Samsung Electronics has developed a mobile app, called Smart Signage, that enables retailers to manage their digital signage displays, including electronic shelf labels, from a variety of devices. This allows retailers to manage their pricing decisions, promotional campaigns, and other display-related tasks in real-time, providing them with a competitive edge.

Prominent Players in Electronic Shelf Label Market:

SES-imagotag

Pricer AB

E Ink Holdings

Displaydata

M2Communication

Samsung Display Solutions

Diebold Nixdorf

Opticon Sensors Europe

Teraoka Seiko

NZ Electronic Shelf Labelling

Panasonic Corporation

NCR Corporation

M2Communication

Diebold Nixdorf

Other Prominent Players

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/electronic-shelf-label-market

About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

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By Azernews

Laman Ismayilova

Famous poets and writers of the TURKSOY member countries will gather in Shusha, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, Azernews reports.

The Turkic literary circles will take part in a number of literary and artistic events in July-September 2023.

In Shusha, the outstanding poets and writers will participate in a series of meetings within the Vagif Poetry Days.

The poetic event will be held in Azerbaijan's cultural capital for the third time since the city's liberation in 2020.

The large-scale event highlights the role of Molla Panah Vagif as a poet and a vizier of the Karabakh khanate in the XVIII century.

The Vagif Poetry Days program includes meetings with the poets of the TURKSOY member countries, a book-catalog presentation "Mir Mohsun Navvab's collection of weapons ", as well as an exhibition dedicated to the 190th anniversary of Mir-Mohsun Navvab, well-known poet, artist and music historian.

Majlis-Uns (literary circle) will also be held as part of the event. Initiated by poet Rahim bay Fen, the literary event was first held in 1864 in the house of poet Haji Abbas Agah.

The literary circle attracted many poets and musicians from Karabakh and other parts of Azerbaijan.

In 1872, the event was headed by Khurshidbanu Natavan and gained wide popularity.

The literary circle operated until the death of the poetess in 1897.

Calligraphic manuscripts of many poets, who took part in the event, are stored in the Baku Institute of Manuscripts.

In 2022, the centuries-old literary tradition was revived in Shush. The rich art program was presented as part of the literary event. During the poetry hour, writers from Azerbaijan and other Turkic-speaking countries recited poems dedicated to Khurshidbanu Natavan. The event aroused great public interest.
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Dublin, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Pet Food Market 2023-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



MARKET OUTLOOK



The publisher's report indicates that the global pet food market would progress with a CAGR of 7.91% in the forecast duration from 2023 to 2030.



This market is expected to be mainly driven by factors such as the high demand for organic & premium pet food and the rising spending by owners on pet food. In addition, the surging demand for therapeutic pet foods and the escalating growth of the e-commerce distribution channel are also contributing to the pet food market's growth.



On the other hand, a lack of transparency regarding the ingredients used in pet food products and production & supply chain discrepancies are hindering this growth. However, growing pet adoption worldwide, the humanization of pets, awareness about the health benefits of supplements, and the demand for sustainable and value-driven brands present lucrative growth opportunities to the studied market.



REGIONAL OUTLOOK



The global market for pet food spans across North America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.



North America is the leading regional market globally, and held the highest revenue share in 2022. The demand for pet food has witnessed considerable growth in the region, owing to increased pet adoption in the US and Canada. Whereas, the Asia-Pacific is expected to showcase the fastest growth in the global market over the forecasted period. The trend of pet humanization is likely to continue driving the demand for pet food in the region, especially in Australia & New Zealand.



COMPETITIVE OUTLOOK



The key players studied in the pet food market report include Diamond Pet Foods, Champion Petfoods LP, Farmina Pet Foods, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc, Mars Petcare Ltd, Inaba Foods Co Ltd, Unicharm Corporation, Nestle Purina Petcare, Wellness Pet Company, and Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc.



Mars Petcare Ltd is the company behind famous brands, such as Pedigree and Whiskas. Its other brands include Cesar, Misfits, Royal Canin, Chappie, and Nutro (for dogs); Sheba, Kitekat, and Dreamies (for cats); and Trill and Aquarian (for other animals). Established in 1920, Mars Petcare has an industry experience of over 100 years. With a business presence in over 80 countries and a strong workforce of 130,000 employees around the world. The company accounted for a revenue of $40 billion in 2021.

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Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

High Demand for Premium and Organic Pet Food

Increased Spending on Pet Food

Rising Demand for Therapeutic Pet Food

Escalating Growth of E-Commerce as a Distribution Channel in the Pet Food Market

Market Challenges

Deceptive Claims by Manufacturers Regarding Ingredients Leading to Pet Obesity

Production and Supply Chain Threats

Market Opportunities

Desire for Sustainable and Value-Driven Brands

Humanization of Pets

Growing Awareness Regarding the Health Benefits of Supplements

Growing Pet Adoption Across the Globe

Key Topics Covered:



1. Global Pet Food Market - Summary



2. Industry Outlook



3. Global Pet Food Market Outlook - by Animal Type

3.1. Dogs

3.1.1. Wet Dog Food

3.1.2. Dry Dog Food

3.1.3. Treats & Mixes for Dogs

3.2. Cats

3.2.1. Wet Cat Food

3.2.2. Dry Cat Food

3.2.3. Treats & Mixes for Cats

3.3. Other Animal Types



4. Global Pet Food Market Outlook - by Food Type

4.1. Wet Food

4.2. Dry Food

4.3. Other Food Types



5. Global Pet Food Market Outlook - by Distribution Channel

5.1. Store-Based

5.2. E-Commerce

5.3. Veterinary

5.4. Other Distribution Channels



6. Global Pet Food Market - Regional Outlook



7. Competitive Landscape



8. Research Methodology & Scope



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc

Champion Petfoods Lp

Diamond Pet Foods

Farmina Pet Foods

Hill'S Pet Nutrition Inc

Inaba Foods Co Ltd

Mars Petcare Ltd

Nestle Purina Petcare

Unicharm Corporation

Wellness Pet Company

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2wr102-pet-food?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




DUBLIN, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Solid Electrolyte Market, by Type, Solid Polymer), by Application, Estimation & Forecast, 2017-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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The global solid electrolyte market held a market value of USD 20.19 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 52.09 million by the year 2030. The market is projected to list a CAGR of 11.37% during the forecast period. The market volume is accounted to be 126.16 tons in 2021.



A solid electrolyte is a solid ionic conductor and electron insulating material that is being utilized in a lot of industries, including healthcare and automotive. The solid electrolyte industry is fueling owing to the rising demand for solid state batteries, increasing inclination towards electric vehicles, and the rising concern towards renewable energy systems.



On the other hand, the complicated process of production, as well as the high cost of the solid state batteries hold back the growth of the industry. In the development of solid state batteries, the issues related to the interface between electrode and electrolytes, dendrites, and poor solid contract hinder the growth of the market to a limited extent. Nevertheless, many prominent players are working rigorously on these concerns revolving around solid state batteries.



Growth Influencers:

Rising Demand for Solid State Batteries



Solid state batteries pose as a substantial alternative towards lithium ion battery technology. Such solid state batteries are widely utilized in radio frequency identification, wearable devices, defibrillators, pacemakers, and many other devices. The small size coupled with the lightweight element of such batteries act as a positive point for electric vehicle industry, thus rising the demand for solid electrolytes substantially.



Increasing Focus of Players on Solid Electrolyte Batteries R&D



The prominent players in the solid electrolyte industry are focused on research and development of components to sustain in the market. These players are investing in top notch equipment and facilities to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in October 2021, BrightVolt, Inc., a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of safe, high energy, low-cost solid-state lithium-Ion batteries, closed the first tranche of the USD 16 million Series B financing round with significant investments from New Science Ventures (NSV) and Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc.



In addition to that, in November 2020, BrightVolt invested in battery testing and development equipment to its already extensive installed base at its R&D facilities in Indiana, US. Moreover, in April 2018, BrightVolt invested in new equipment to augment the solid state battery development. Thus, all such measures drive the growth rate of solid electrolyte industry to a significant level.



Segments Overview:



The global solid electrolyte market is segmented into type and application.



By Type

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Ceramic

Oxides

Nitrides

Lithium

Hydrogen

Anode

Sulfur

Others

Solid Polymer

The ceramic segment is projected to cross the mark of USD 10 million by 2025. Based on ceramic segment, the lithium sub-segment held the highest growth rate among the segments. On the other hand, the solid polymer segment is estimated to hold an opportunity of more than USD 15 million during 2022 to 2030.



By Application

Thin-Film Battery

Renewable Energy Storage Devices

Smart Cards

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags

Portable Electronics

Defibrillators

Pacemakers

Wireless Sensors

Electric Vehicle Battery

The thin film battery segment is estimated to cross the mark of USD 20 million revenue by 2030. Moreover, the electric vehicle battery segment is likely to holds an opportunity of more than USD 15 million during 2022 to 2030.



The global solid electrolyte market report provides insights on the below pointers:

Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the prominent players

Market Development: The report offers detailed information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes penetration across mature segments of the markets

Market Diversification: Provides in-depth information about untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

Competitive Landscape Assessment: Mergers & acquisitions, certifications, product launches in the global solid electrolyte market have been provided in this research report. In addition, the report also emphasizes the SWOT analysis of the leading players.

Product Development & Innovation: The report provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments

Pricing Analysis: Pricing analysis of various components used in the manufacturing of solid electrolyte

Manufacturing Cost Analysis: Cost-share of various components in solid electrolyte tools

The global solid electrolyte market report answers questions such as:

What is the market size and forecast of the global solid electrolyte market?

What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 on the global solid electrolyte market during the assessment period?

Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the assessment period in the global solid electrolyte market?

What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the global solid electrolyte market?

What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the global solid electrolyte market?

What is the market share of the leading players in the global solid electrolyte market?

What modes and strategic moves are considered favorable for entering the global solid electrolyte market?



Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Research Framework



Chapter 2. Research Methodology



Chapter 3. Executive Summary: Global Solid Electrolyte Market



Chapter 4. Global Solid Electrolyte Market Analysis

Chapter 5. Japan Solid Electrolyte Market Analysis



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Ampcera Corp.

Brightvolt, Inc.

Cymbet Corporation

Empower Materials

lonic Materials Inc.

NEI Corporation

Ohara lnc.

StmicroElectronics N.V.

Toshima Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Toyota Motor Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dhzayy-solid?w=5

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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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ReportLinker

Report Highlights:.  Global & Regional TROP2 Antibody Market Sales Insight.  Global TROP2 Antibody Sales Opportunity: > USD 3 Billion.  Global TROP2 Antibody Sales Forecast ( 2023 -2028).

New York, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global TROP2 Antibody Market, Drug Sales & Clinical Trials Outlook 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420142/?utm_source=GNW

 Approved TROP2 Antibody In Market: 1 Drug (Trodelvy in 2020)

 Trodelvy Dosage, Price & Sales Insight

 Trodelvy Global & Regional Sales Insight ( 2020  2022)

 TROP2 Antibody Clinical Pipeline By Company, Indication & Phase

 Insight On More Than 20 TROP2 Antibodies in Clinical Trials



With advancements in science and technology and convergence of trends in drug development, the landscape for commercial market for medicines has developed a deep understanding about the need to delivery novel approaches, having targets that have previously remained untouched. Despite the range of anti-cancer drugs available there still remains a surge in the number of cases which have led researchers in the quest to pursue unique targets with different strategies to fight the tumor. One such novel target discovered in multiple solid tumors is TROP-2.



Trophoblast cell-surface antigen or TROP-2 is known by many names such as; tumor-associated calcium signal transducer (TACSTD2), epithelial glycoprotein-1 (EGP-1), gastrointestinal tumor associated antigen (GA733-1) and surface marker 1 (M1S1). This emerging target has been gathering a staggering amount of attention towards its potential therapeutic use. Even though TROP-2 has garnered curiosity among researchers, there remains just one approved and commercially available antibody against it, Trodelvy.



Getting its first approval on April 2020, Trodelvy developed by Gilead has shown immense success both among the patients and the commercial market. The drug is approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple negative breast cancer who have received two or more prior systemic therapies and for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitor.



The year 2022 proved to be beneficial for Trodelvy as its sales increased by more than 70% to surpass US$600 Million in 2022 which reflected continued adoption in metastatic triple negative breast cancer in the US and Europe. The sales are further expected to increase in the coming years as in February 2023, the US FDA further approved Trodelvy for pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, becoming a recommended Category 1 preferred drug for the indication. HR+/HER2- breast cancer is among the most therapy resistant cancer and for Trodelvy to show statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression free survival and overall survival, displays that the drug will now further dominate the market gaining increased market penetration.



Even though Gilead is leading the current TROP-2 targeted therapy market segment, it is not the only market player. Just behind Gilead are Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, who entered into a collaborative agreement to develop and commercialize the new TROP-2 antibody drug conjugate, DS-1062 which could refine the treatment standards for lung, breast and multiple other cancers. AstraZeneca had faith in the concept and after two years for it providing US$1 Billion up-front to Daiichi Sankyo for rights of DS-1062, the drug has finally entered the phase III trial which will be evaluating it with Mercks blockbuster, Keytruda in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with PD-1 expression. Earlier trails have proven to be successful for this combinational use and it is expected to provide the same promising outcomes.



Following the burgeoning competition from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead has also started testing its TROP-2 antibody drug conjugate as a first line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with Keytruda in a trial which is being sponsored by Merck. Apart from the fierce competition between these leading pharmaceuticals, there are several pharmaceutical underdogs that have been slowly but steadily developing their novel TROP-2 targeted therapies. For instances, recently, BiOneCure Therapeutics received the US FDA clearance for its Investigational new drug BIO-106, an antibody drug conjugate designed to target TROP-2 to treat a broad range of advanced solid tumors.



Moreover, the commercial success of Trodelvy has pushed the preclinical pipeline for several targeted drug candidates and it can be estimated that there are approximately 20 TROP-2 targeted therapies in clinical trials. It can be predicted that in the next 5 years, there will be 2 more TROP-2 antibody drug conjugates available in the market, further increasing the sales for this market segment by US$ 3 Billion. Additionally, looking at the robust scientific channel of several companies, roughly 30-40 more drugs can enter their clinical phase in the coming years.



This report provides insight about the upcoming TROP-2 targeted drug candidates as well as comprehensive analysis about the success of Trodelvy, the only approved TROP-2 antibody drug conjugate and what were the reasons for its colossal triumph. Our report also provides information about the current market players and the strategies adopted by them in terms of technology exchange, licensing agreements, cooperative research arrangements or forming alliances among each other so as to climb the ladder of success in case of TROP-2 targeted antibody market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420142/?utm_source=GNW



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.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Canada. In 2011 and 2013, Alberta experienced two extreme weather events which caused significant damage to homes, First Nation communities, farms, and small businesses.

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, announced final payments totaling $13,051,334 to Alberta through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program, to assist with recovery costs associated with the 2011 and 2013 weather events.

Under the DFAA, provinces and territories have six months following the end of a disaster event to request financial assistance from the federal government. Once an event has been designated under the DFAA, provinces and territories have up to five years to submit their final claim. The original five-year limit for these events was 2016 and 2018, respectively; however, extensions requested by the province and the impact of the pandemic on provincial operations contributed to payment delays.

Eligible expenses under the DFAA include, but are not limited to, evacuation operations, restoring public works and infrastructure to their pre-disaster condition, as well as replacing or repairing basic, essential personal property of individuals, small businesses, and farmsteads.

Quotes

"The support provided through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program will reimburse the Province of Alberta for a significant portion of the costs attributed to the 2011 and 2013 Alberta flood events. As we work to improve our readiness to respond to and withstand the damage from natural disasters, we're committed to supporting provinces and municipalities, ensuring that communities are able to build back stronger."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

"Natural disasters impact our infrastructure, our local businesses, and our homes. These events have lasting effects on our communities, and our government is working with provincial and municipal partners to ensure Albertans have the support they need to rebuild their communities."

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- The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

"All levels of government have the responsibility with the citizens of this country to work together to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Albertans appreciate the support provided by the federal government after the devastating natural disasters that hit our province in 2011 and 2013."

- Mike Ellis, Alberta's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

Quick Facts

In the event of a large-scale disaster, the Government of Canada provides financial assistance through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program to provinces and territories, at their request, for eligible disaster response and recovery expenses that exceed what they could be reasonably expected to bear on their own.

Provinces and territories design, develop and deliver disaster financial assistance, deciding the amounts and types of assistance that will be provided to those that have experienced losses.

In 2011, the spring break-up in the watersheds of neighbouring rivers caused significant flooding, which damaged homes, small businesses, farms and the Siksika First Nation. The Government of Canada provided a final payment of $2,792,748.

In 2013, heavy rainfall resulted in evacuating two First Nation communities and several surrounding areas. The Government of Canada provided a final payment of $10,258,586.

Associated Links

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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Granite Creek Capital Partners

CHICAGO and LANHAM, Md., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C., a private investment firm based in Chicago, today announced it has made an investment in CP Direct Holdings, L.L.C., a Maryland based provider of direct mail printing services focused on large-volume print runs for non-profit fundraising campaigns. This round of financing for CP Direct led by Granite Creek, includes co-investments from Everside and senior financing by Cadence Bank.



In conjunction with Granite Creeks investment in CP Direct, Granite Creek Partner and Co-Founder Brian Boorstein, and Director Jordan Liss, will join its board of directors.

Matt Trotta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CP Direct, said, "We are excited to become a Granite Creek portfolio company. Granite Creeks investment will provide the added support for CP Direct to continue building a comprehensive direct mail services and corporate communications platform. Our focus remains on delivering phenomenal service for our customers and the support from Granite Creek will only further our ability to do so.

Direct mail continues to be highly effective in the new digital world, said Jordan Liss, Director at Granite Creek. CP Direct has a reputation for excellence with its customers and is well-positioned to capitalize on this ever-changing direct mail market. We look forward to working with the CP Direct team to continue investing in the business breadth of services and capabilities."

CP Direct recently secured the 108th position in the 2022 Printing Impressions Top 300 Printing Companies, growing from its 118th position in 2021. With the support of Granite Creek, CP Direct expects to continue to make strategic investments to accelerate its growth trajectory and market position.

About CP Direct

Founded in 2002, CP Direct is a fully-integrated direct mail printing organization with a reputation for quality, efficiency and superior client service. Strategically located in Lanham, MD, the Company provides its customers with a full array of solutions, including digital prepress, printing, and full finishing services. CP Direct supports a diverse and loyal customer base largely comprised of charitable organizations, non-profits, agencies, and direct mail fundraisers and marketers. For more information about CP Direct, please visit www.cpdirectinc.com.

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About Everside Capital Partners

Everside, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), is a New York based, independently owned asset management firm focused exclusively on the U.S. lower middle market. The firm is led by a team with extensive backgrounds in credit, direct investing and origination from top global institutions. Everside has a track record of investing in debt and equity in lower middle market companies across the US, generally through partnering with Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) or directly partnering with lower middle market companies. Everside has closed more than 80 portfolio investments since inception and currently manages over $1 billion in fund commitments across multiple funds. For more information, please visit www.everside.com.

About Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C.

Founded in 2005, Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C. is a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on providing capital and operational resources to lower middle market companies engaged in manufacturing, business services, healthcare, and agribusiness. With an experienced team of investment professionals bringing expertise in private equity, banking, operations, and business development, Granite Creek has a successful track record of investing in and supporting its portfolio companies. In 2022, Granite Creek was named to Inc.s Founder-Friendly Investors list for the third year in a row, honoring the private equity and venture capital firms with the best track record of success backing entrepreneurs. For more information on Granite Creek, visit www.granitecreek.com or call 312-895-4500.

For more media information, contact:

Lisa Hendrickson, LCH Communications for Granite Creek

516-643-1642

lisa@lchcommunications.com




SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that Sanjay Kalra, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will resign from his position, effective March 3, 2023, to pursue other opportunities.

Harmonic logo (PRNewsfoto/Harmonic Inc.)

Jeremy Rosenberg, currently Harmonic's senior vice president of business development, will assume the role of interim CFO upon Mr. Kalra's departure. Harmonic has initiated a search process, with the assistance of a leading executive search firm, to identify a permanent CFO.

"On behalf of our entire team, I want to thank Sanjay for his leadership and contributions to Harmonic's success over the last several years, and wish him the very best in his future endeavors," said Patrick Harshman, president and chief executive officer of Harmonic. "I also want to thank Jeremy for stepping into the interim CFO role and providing a seamless transition."

Prior to joining Harmonic in 2015, Mr. Rosenberg served in leadership roles at various companies, including senior vice president of technology at Music Choice and chief financial officer of Visible World (acquired by Comcast). Mr. Rosenberg holds a B.S. in Economics and Decision Sciences from the Wharton School and an M.B.A. from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.

About Harmonic Inc.

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in virtualized broadband and video delivery solutions, enables media companies and service providers to deliver ultra-high-quality video streaming and broadcast services to consumers globally. The company revolutionized broadband networking via the industry's first virtualized broadband solution, enabling cable operators to more flexibly deploy gigabit internet service to consumers' homes and mobile devices. Whether simplifying OTT video delivery via innovative cloud and software platforms, or powering the delivery of gigabit internet cable services, Harmonic is changing the way media companies and service providers monetize live and on-demand content on every screen. More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

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Harmonic, the Harmonic logo and other Harmonic marks are owned by Harmonic Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Harmonic Inc.
HEINEKEN Holding NV

Amsterdam, 16 February 2023  Heineken Holding N.V. notes the announcement by FEMSA on the outcome of its strategic review. FEMSA announced that it has decided to focus solely on retail, Coca-Cola FEMSA and digital going forward. FEMSA intends to divest its full shareholding in Heineken Holding N.V. and Heineken N.V. and FEMSAs representatives will resign from Heineken Holding N.V.s Board of Directors and Heineken N.V.s Supervisory Board with immediate effect.

Heineken Holding N.V. respects FEMSA's decision to refocus its strategic priorities and would like to thank FEMSA for its contribution and support in growing the business over the past thirteen years.

Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken and Michel de Carvalho, Executive Directors of the Board of Directors of Heineken Holding N.V., commented: We are grateful for the commitment and support of Jose Antonio Fernandez Carbajal on the Board of Directors over the last thirteen years. We will miss him for his valuable contributions, guidance and collaboration.

-END-

Press enquiries Heineken Holding N.V.

Kees Jongsma

E-mail: cjongsma@spj.nl

Tel: +31-6-5479-8253

Press enquiries

Sarah Backhouse / Michael Fuchs

E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com

Tel: +31-20-5239-355

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Investor and analyst enquiries

Federico Castillo Martinez / Mark Matthews / Chris Steyn

E-mail: investors@heineken.com

Tel: +31-20-5239-590

About HEINEKEN

Heineken Holding N.V. engages in no activities other than its participating interest in Heineken N.V. and the management or supervision of and provision of services to that company. HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium and non-alcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. HEINEKEN employs over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken Holding N.V. and Heineken N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIO NA and HEIA NA and on Reuters under HEIO.AS and HEIN.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY) and Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY). Most recent information is available on Heineken Holding N.V.s website or Heineken N.V.'s website and follow HEINEKEN on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Market Abuse Regulation

This press release may contain price-sensitive information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

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FACT.MR

Demand for hot beverages, including detox coffee, green tea, and lemon tea, is increasing due to growing awareness about their associated health benefits

Rockville, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for drinks such as detox coffee, lemon tea, and green tea due to rising awareness among people about the health benefits associated with these drinks. Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, says in its recently published research report that the global hot beverages (coffee & tea) market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 1,390 billion by the end of 2033, increasing at a CAGR of 6% from 2023 to 2033.



The launch of numerous hot beverages that have different health benefits is estimated to boost their sales. Increasing installation of coffee vending machines in corporate places and offices around the world is also projected to stimulate the demand for hot drinks over the coming years.

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https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=8375

Consumers are opting for different hot drinks instead of carbonated drinks due to growing awareness about the harmful effects of carbonated drinks. The industry is expected to witness remarkable growth owing to rising awareness among youngsters about the numerous health benefits of consuming hot drinks, including coffee and tea. Hot drinks are also consumed to reduce the chances of getting afflicted with harmful diseases such as obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes.

Manufacturers, in recent years, have been opting for various ingredients and products that have certifications of good manufacturing practice (GMP), USDA Organic, hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP), Kosher, and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) to improve their products quality as well as expand their consumer base. They are coming out with some innovative flavors of coffee and tea with added health benefits, which will generate lucrative opportunities in the market.

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Market players are also launching innovative products such as variation in instant coffee that can be prepared easily and quickly just by adding milk, hot water, and sugar. Instant coffee is attracting the attention of numerous corporate employees, which is expected to create opportunities for suppliers of hot beverages during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The global hot beverages (coffee & tea) market is valued at US$ 771 billion in 2023.

Demand for hot beverages is anticipated to reach US$ 1,390 billion by the end of 2033.

Sales of hot beverages are projected to increase at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033.

The Canadian market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period.

Sales of coffee are projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2023 to 2033.

Demand for hot beverages in Germany is predicted to evolve at a CAGR of 4.3% through 2033.

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions 

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=8375

Key Market Players

Key providers of hot beverages are

Celestial Seasonings, Inc.,

Harney & Sons

Jacobs Douwe Egberts

Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

R. Twining and Company Limited

Starbucks Corporation

Tata Global Beverages

Tim Hortons Inc.

More Valuable Insights on Offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global hot beverages (coffee & tea) market for the period from 2023 to 2033.

The study divulges essential insights into the market on the basis of product (coffee, tea, cocoa), consumption location (out of home, at home), and distribution channel (offline, online), across five major regions of the world (North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, the MEA).

Purchase This Premium Report Through PayPal Payment Gateway

https://www.factmr.com/checkout/8375

Table of Content

1. Global Market - Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Overview

1.2. Demand Side Trends

1.3. Supply Side Trends

1.4. Fact.MR Analysis and Recommendations

2. Global Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Introduction and Definition

3. Market Risks and Trends Assessment

3.1. Risk Assessment

3.1.1. COVID-19 Crisis and Impact on Hot Beverages (Coffee & Tea)

3.1.2. COVID-19 Crisis and Impact on Aprotic Solvent Prices

3.1.3. COVID-19 Impact Benchmark with Previous Crisis



TOC CONTD

Check out more related studies published by Fact.MR Research:

Coffee Beer Market Scope: The rise in the sprouting popularity and demand for flavored beverages such as craft beer and coffee beer across the globe, fuels the growth of coffee beer market in the forecasted period. The coffee beer market is significantly influenced by consumer preference; to avoid the intake of excess alcohol and product innovation.

Coffee Fruit Extract Market Survey: The global coffee fruit extract market is mainly driven due to its function which triggers new brain cell connections hippocampus (a small covered foundation of the brain which is involved in the formation of new memories related with emotions and learning) which may translate to better memory formation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor of coffee fruit extract also reported helping with depression.

Tea Beer Market Growth: Demand is gaining popularity in North America, due to an increase in the consumption of beer and the rising inclination of consumers toward tea and beer. Also, various mergers and acquisitions by manufacturers in this region are driving the growth of tea infused beer market.

Tea Extract Market Size Analysis: The market for tea extracts is estimated to increase over the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for ready-to-drink beverages and the application of tea extracts in cosmetics and nutraceuticals.

Fiber Fortified Beverages Market Insights: Fiber Fortified Beverages Market By Type (Regular, Flavored, Tropical Fruits, Berries, Milk Based Drinks), By Distribution Channel & By Region - Global Review 2018 To 2026

About Fact.MR

We are a trusted research partner of 80% of fortune 1000 companies across the globe. We are consistently growing in the field of market research with more than 1000 reports published every year. The dedicated team of 400-plus analysts and consultants is committed to achieving the utmost level of our clients satisfaction.

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IMCD N.V.

Main picture_IMCD South Africa expands its Lubricants & Energy footprint with the acquisition of CPS Oil-Tech

Left to right (standing) - John Fitton, Director CPS Chemicals Oil-Tech Pty Ltd; Rajeen Bothma, Director CPS Chemicals Oil-Tech Pty LtdLeft to right (seating) - Raj Singh, Managing Director CPS Chemicals Oil-Tech Pty Ltd; Ryan Harrison, Managing Director IMCD South Africa

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (16 February 2023)  IMCD N.V. (IMCD or Company), a leading distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, today announces that IMCD South Africa has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of CPS Chemical Oil-Tech (Pty) Ltd (CPS Oil-Tech), a distributor of raw materials to the petroleum, additive, grease manufacturing and other industry related segments.

Established in 1993 and headquartered in Durban, South Africa, CPS Oil-Tech is an asset-light speciality chemical distributor mainly serving the lubricants and fuels markets. With 8 employees, CPS Oil-Tech generated a revenue of approximately ZAR 228 million (ca. EUR 12 million) in the financial year that ended on February 28, 2022. The company represents leading global suppliers and serves a large group of customers with an extensive portfolio of products alongside commercial and technical support.

Joining forces with CPS Oil-Tech will enable IMCD South Africa to offer its customers an increased product offering, through the valued strategic principals that CPS Oil-Tech, already represents. Furthermore, the business unit will become stronger due to the increased expertise and technical knowledge of its staff supporting our continuous efforts and ambitions to further expand within the Sub-Saharan Africa region, comments Ryan Harrison, Managing Director IMCD South Africa.

We are very pleased to become part of IMCD and the companys growth strategy. Our current management and business set up, will continue to support our valued business partners by introducing new offerings and services. We look forward to leverage IMCDs capabilities and global network and create new business opportunities, says Raj Singh, Managing Director of CPS Oil-Tech.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval and is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2023.

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Attached, please find the full press release in pdf format, the main visual, and the photo caption.

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IQ Laser Vision Rowland Heights Celebration

IQ Laser Vision Rowland Heights Celebration

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, Calif., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IQ Laser Vision, the leader in providing clear vision to clients throughout California and Houston, Texas, is proud to announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of its new building occurred on Jan. 21, 2023, at 18501 Gale Avenue, Suite 150, in Rowland Heights, California.

IQ Laser Vision is honored that Congressmember Judy Chu and notable community members attended the grand opening event, where she presented the practice with a certificate of congressional recognition. Congressmember Chu is one of IQ Laser Vision's many satisfied LASIK patients.

IQ Laser Vision has completed over 300,000 procedures. It is the #1 ZEISS SMILE & EVO ICL Laser Vision Center in the USA. *Based on Experience and Number of Surgeries Performed.

At the new Rowland Heights location and flagship office, people can check out the state-of-the-art facilities and meet the board-certified physicians. The friendly staff is waiting to greet everyone and share information about improving their vision.

The new surgical suite in Rowland Heights will bring the same excellence and service to the residents of Rowland Heights' greater area.

What sets IQ Laser Vision apart is its attention to detail in providing the right vision plan for patients based on their lifestyle and eye care needs.

With its top-of-the-line technology, including the state-of-the-art Arcscan procedure to provide pristine corneal imaging, IQ Laser Vision eye surgeons recommend the best plan for improving each patient's vision. Arcscan imaging is the most sophisticated imaging available, drawing patients from all over the country.

Arcscan is the most accurate system and ensures patients qualify for vision procedures. IQ Laser Vision was the first practice offering Arcscan in California and is only one of three in the state. Arcscan provides the most accurate sizing for ICL lenses compared to other systems.

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IQ Laser Vision's experienced ophthalmologists have performed LASIK corrective surgery, treated cataract patients, and proudly offer the EVO ICL lens. The EVO ICL is an implantable lens to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, which works exceptionally well for people with thin corneas and high prescriptions.

IQ Laser Vision also treats nearsightedness and astigmatism using ZEISS SMILE. The minimally invasive procedure uses a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser to correct vision.

IQ Laser Vision also offers Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), providing permanent vision clarity, especially for people over 50. The confidence in the work done by IQ Laser Vision is so high that the manufacturers of the EVO ICL lenses, Staar Surgical, and the creators of ZEISS SMILE have personally visited this new location to partner with the practice for future success.

Satisfied patients include celebrities, professional athletes, and everyday people who have submitted positive Yelp reviews, referred family and friends, and traveled to receive treatment.

Please help the practice celebrate the newest location in Rowland Heights and see for yourself how the team of experts at IQ Laser Vision helps each patient achieve clearer and sharper vision quickly and safely.

Contact Information:

Cindy Wong

cwong@iqlaservision.com



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Image 1: IQ Laser Vision Rowland Heights Celebration









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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus?da on the occasion of the National Holiday in the country.

Dear Mr. President,

I convey my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Lithuania.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania have good traditions, and we attach particular importance to the development of these ties.

I keep the best memories of our meeting held with you in Davos last month and the exchange of opinions. I think that currently, there are good opportunities to expand the relations between our countries and define new avenues for our collaboration in various areas.

I believe that the Azerbaijani-Lithuanian relations and our mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to evolve and strengthen both bilaterally, and within the European Union.

On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Lithuania.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 13 February 2023
TipRanks

There are conflicting signals coming from the markets lately. We all know the accumulated headwinds; rising interest rates, the banking failures, and the Fed, in the minutes from its last FOMC meeting, indicated that a mild recession is highly likely in the second half of this year. Yet, the markets have seen sound gains year-to-date, with the S&P 500 up 7.5% and the NASDAQ an even better 15%. Looking at the current market conditions, Jeremy Siegel, a Wharton economic professor and a long-time
Facts & Factors

The key market players listed in the fire-resistant glass report with their sales, revenues and strategies are Saint-Gobain, Diamond Glass, Shandong Hengbao Fireproof Glass Factory Co. Ltd., Press Glass SA, Pyroguard, Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd., and others.

SAN FRANCISCO, U.S., Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Facts and Factors has published a new research report titled  Fire-Resistant Glass Market Size , Share, Growth Analysis Report By Application (Building & Construction, Marine, and Others), By Type (Ceramic, Wired, Gel-Filled, Tempered, and Others), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2030 in its research database.

According to the latest research study, the demand of global fire-resistant glass market size & share was valued at approximately USD 6 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow above a CAGR of 4.31% and is anticipated to reach over USD 10 billion by 2030.

Fire-Resistant Glass Market Overview:

Fire-resistant glass is from the advanced glass category which is manufactured for an added specific purpose apart from the traditional use of conventional glass. Fire-resistant glass can resist high temperatures associated with a fire breakout incident. It can prevent the spread of fire and the smoke emerging from it for a longer duration than normal glass, giving the residents enough time to evacuate the area or call for assistance.

The applications of such advanced glasses are higher since they can also be used to prevent radiation rays from spreading from one section to another making it an excellent choice of barriers in research & clinical facilities that work with dangerous chemicals or substances. The main deliverable of fire-resistant glass is achieved by layering a coat of resistant coating on both sides of the glass. They aid in noise cancellation as well.

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Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights - https://www.fnfresearch.com/sample/fire-resistant-glass-market



Some fire-resistant glass can limit extremely high volumes as well which makes them desirable in server rooms offering two-way protection from noise pollution and fire hazards. The glass is made of high-pressure loads making them almost unbreakable and resistant to impact. In most cases, fire-resistant glass is protected with multiple layers of glass and can resist fire for up to 1 hour which provides enough time for the agency handling the distress call to react accordingly.

Key Insights from Primary Research

As per the analysis, the fire-resistant glass market share is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 4.31% between 2022 and 2030.

The Fire-Resistant Glass market size was worth around US$ 6 billion in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately US$ 10 billion by 2030 . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate.

The market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to growing cases of fire-breakout

Based on type segmentation, ceramic was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

Based on application segmentation, building & construction was the leading application in 2021

On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2021.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report | Quick Delivery Available - https://www.fnfresearch.com/buynow/su/fire-resistant-glass-market



Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers

Rising infrastructure development projects across the globe

The global fire-resistant glass market is projected to grow due to the growing infrastructure development projects across the globe. Research facilities, high-rise buildings, and commercial centers are a crucial part of regional architecture development. As the investment in these sectors grows, market players will have more opportunities to cater to the needs of competitive end-users like building contractors, glass manufacturers, and others. Such projects can only be occupied only after they have received the necessary approval from fire hazard and safety-related agencies. The higher the protection offered, the greater the sales value.

Fire-resistant glass can also be used in elevators that are highly prone to fire breakouts. The global market is projected to benefit from the strict government regulations in place in terms of fire safety, especially in commercial units. Failure to adhere to the norms can lead to license cancellation or the complete shut of the business center.

Restraints

High cost of the end goods and changing raw material prices

One of the major growth-restricting factors is the high cost of the end goods and the fluctuating raw material prices. In developing or underdeveloped nations, the cost of purchasing and maintaining fire-resistant glass is extremely high making them unaffordable for a large section of society. Unless the prices are capped and more options are available the market will have only limited consumers to cater to.

Opportunities & Challenges

The increasing awareness may provide growth opportunities while the changing prices of raw materials may act as a major challenge.

Fire-Resistant Glass Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global fire-resistant glass market is segmented based on application, type, and region

Based on application, the global market divisions are building & construction, marine, and others. Currently, the highest adoption rate for fire-resistant glass is in the building & construction industry. Residential and commercial units are highly prone to fire breakouts since these structures are constantly occupied by humans, there are a lot of reasons why fire incidents can occur.

Events like careless smoking, non-monitored use of cooking equipment, faulty electrical wiring, electrical equipment, children playing with fire, and heating equipment were stated to be some of the most common reasons for fire hazards as per the Zurich Municipal. In countries where gas is supplied in contained cylinders, multiple fire cases have been reported due to incidents involving cylinder blasts in homes. As per estimates, more than 4000 fire breakouts occur in Tokyo every year. Such incidents could lead to players in the segment investing in fire-resistance glass for higher protection.

Based on type, the global market divisions are ceramic, wired, gel-filled, tempered, and others. In 2021, the ceramic segment dominated with more than 41% of the global market share. Ceramic glass is known to be extremely resistant to changes in thermal temperatures making it an ideal choice for fire-resistant glass. Multiple layered tempered glass segments could also grow at a high CAGR due to the high output efficiency.

Browse the full Fire-Resistant Glass Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2030 Report at https://www.fnfresearch.com/fire-resistant-glass-market



Regional Analysis:

North America to register high CAGR during the projection period

North America is projected to lead the global fire-resistant glass market due to higher product adoption driven by the stringent regulations in place for fire safety in residential and commercial units. Europe may register a high CAGR due to the presence of one of the largest providers of fire-resistance glass which is Saint-Gobain which generated more than 41% higher revenue in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Growth in Asia-Pacific may be driven by the growing infrastructure development projects as well as the rising number of domestic players. Increasing disposable income of the population could also help the regional market to witness a higher growth rate.

Competitive Players:

The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global fire-resistant glass market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors.

Some of the main players in the global fire-resistant glass market include;

Saint-Gobain

Diamond Glass

Shandong Hengbao Fireproof Glass Factory Co. Ltd.

Press Glass SA

Pyroguard

Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd.

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(We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.)

Recent Industry Developments:

In May 2022, Saint-Gobain announced the acquisition of Fibroplac and Falper, Portuguese companies, in line with the companys growth strategy

In August 2021, Pyroguard shifted its UK production facility to a new site which is 3 times bigger than the previous site

The global fire-resistant glass market is segmented as follows:

By Application

Building & Construction

Marine

Others

By Type

Ceramic

Wired

Gel-Filled

Tempered

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



For Additional Information on the Global Fire-Resistant Glass Market Players and Detail List, Download a Report PDF Brochure



Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2021 USD 6 Billion Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 10 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 4.31% CAGR Base Year 2021 Forecast Years 2022-2030 Key Market Players Saint-Gobain, Diamond Glass, Shandong Hengbao Fireproof Glass Factory Co. Ltd., Press Glass SA, Pyroguard, Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd., and others. Key Segment By Application, Type, 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.

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Smart/Switchable Glass Market | Global Industry Insights, Growth, Size, Share: https://www.fnfresearch.com/smart-switchable-glass-market



Electrochromic Glass Market | Global Industry Trends and Forecast: https://www.fnfresearch.com/electrochromic-glass-market



Glass Board Market | Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Trends and Outlook: https://www.fnfresearch.com/glass-board-market



Fiberglass Market | Global Industry Insights, Share, Comparative Analysis Report: https://www.fnfresearch.com/fiberglass-market



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Global Advanced Glass Market Industry Insights, Growth, Trends and Forecast: https://www.fnfresearch.com/advanced-glass-market



About Facts & Factors:

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parcelLab will enable New Look to provide direct and personalised communications to online customers

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Look, the UK's leading feel-good fashion brand for 1845-year old's, has partnered with parcelLab, the premier global provider of post-purchase customer experience software, to enhance the post-purchase experiences for its online customers. The partnership will enable New Look to provide proactive messaging and personalised communications from purchase to delivery, and beyond.

parcelLab Logo

New Look's decision to invest further in the post-purchase experience is part of a wider drive to continue leading in customer centric fashion. With the support of parcelLab, New Look will be enhancing the relationship with each individual customer by providing greater transparency and more personalised communications.

Leveraging parcelLab's technology, New Look will be able to undertake direct communications with customers, including important information updates on the status of their orders. It will also enable the fashion brand to make personalised and relevant recommendations to shoppers on additional items they may be interested in based on previous purchase behaviour, supporting the brand's growth aspirations.

Nick Ormerod, Director of Ecommerce, at New Look commented: "As a company, we always strive to cultivate the best possible experiences for fashion lovers, whether in store or online. The partnership with parcelLab will help us to provide seamless post-purchase interactions that keep customers happy and engaged. Having timely and relevant communication with our customers at this important stage of the purchase journey not only reduces the pressure on our teams internally - meaning that when an issue does arise, they can provide faster responses - but it means we are well positioned to drive greater loyalty and repeat purchases."

Tobias Buxhoidt, CEO and Co-Founder at parcelLab, commented: "We're delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking brand as New Look, helping them to continue providing the best possible experiences to their customers. At this critical time for the retail industry, it's more important than ever that brands make each interaction with customers meaningful and relevant  and the post purchase experience is a crucial part of this. We look forward to supporting New Look in providing customers with clear and proactive communications that are key to unlocking loyalty and enabling business growth."

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Adam Hudson

parcellab@diffusionpr.com

Notes to editors

About New Look:

New Look is a leading fashion retailer operating in the value segment of the clothing and footwear market in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a targeted online presence.

New Look offers products and a shopping experience based on excitement, value and newness. The New Look brand is distinct and trusted in the UK, catering to a broad customer audience.

New Look ranked No. 1 for overall Womenswear market share in the 18 to 44 age range (based on Kantar Worldpanel published data 52 weeks ended 7 March 2021 (Womenswear by value).

About parcelLab:

parcelLab is the only truly global enterprise post-purchase software provider, enabling brands to increase top-line revenue, decrease operational cost, and optimize customer experience in an unprecedented way. Our award-winning post-purchase platform empowers brands to transform mundane operational touchpoints into the most differentiated and personalized experience, creating unique moments of pure joy for their customers. Trusted by over 700 brands including IKEA, Chico's, H&M, and Yeti, we actively manage the post-purchase experience across 175 countries and track shipping data from more than 350 carriers worldwide. Find out more at parcelLab.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2003079/parcelLab_Logo.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-look-integrates-parcellab-platform-to-bolster-post-purchase-customer-experience-and-drive-loyalty-301747500.html
ReportLinker

Forecasts by Base Oil (Mineral Oil, Synthetic Oil, Bio-based Oil), by Formulation (Conventional Petroleum Lubricants, Synthetic Lubricants, Re-refined Lubricants, Bio-based Lubricants), by Product Type (Engine Oil, Hydraulic Oil, Metalworking Fluid, Gear Oil, Other), by Application (Automotive, Transportation, Industrial, Marine, Aerospace, Other) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

New York, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Lubricants Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420174/?utm_source=GNW





The Lubricant Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.





The lubricants industry serves a wide range of end-use applications such as automotive, industrial, marine, and aviation. The automotive sector is the largest consumer of lubricants, with engine oils being the most common type used. In contrast, the industrial sector utilises a broad range of lubricants for equipment such as compressors, hydraulics, gears, and turbines.





The lubricants industry is highly competitive and diverse, with many multinational corporations, regional players, and independent producers operating globally. Major players in the industry include ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, Total, and others. Besides, there is also a significant number of small and medium-sized enterprises specialising in niche markets or providing customised products and services.





Shift Towards Eco-Friendly Lubricants



With growing concerns over environmental sustainability, there is an increasing focus on the use of eco-friendly lubricants. This includes lubricants made from renewable resources and those that are biodegradable and non-toxic.





Emphasis on Energy Efficiency



Another key trend in the lubricant industry is the focus on improving energy efficiency. Lubricants that reduce friction and wear in machinery can significantly improve energy efficiency, leading to lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.





What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?



 How is the lubricant market evolving?



 What is driving and restraining the lubricant market?



 How will each lubricant submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?



 How will the market shares for each lubricant submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?



 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?



 Will leading lubricant markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?



 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?



 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?



 What are the lubricant projects for these leading companies?



 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of lubricant projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?



 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the lubricant market?



 Where is the lubricant market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?



 What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?



 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?





You need to discover how this will impact the lubricant market today, and over the next 10 years:



 Our 316-page report provides 134 tables and 173 charts/graphs exclusively to you.



 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.



 It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth.



 It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors.





This report tells you TODAY how the lubricant market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.





Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects



 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.



 You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.



 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising lubricant prices and recent developments.





This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.





Segments Covered in the Report





Market Segment by Base Oil



 Mineral Oil



 Synthetic Oil



 Bio-based Oil





Market Segment by Formulation



 Conventional Petroleum Lubricants



 Synthetic Lubricants



 Re-Refined Lubricants



 Biobased Lubricants





Market Segment by Product Type



 Engine Oil



 Hydraulic Oil



 Metalworking Fluid



 Gear Oil



 Other Product Type





Market Segment by Application



 Automotive



 Transportation



 Industrial



 Marine



 Aerospace



 Other Application





In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets:





North America



 U.S.



 Canada





Europe



 Germany



 Russia



 United Kingdom



 France



 Italy



 Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



 China



 Japan



 India



 Singapore



 South Korea



 Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America



 Brazil



 Mexico



 Rest of Latin America





Middle East and Africa



 GCC



 South Africa



 Rest of Middle East and Africa





The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.





Leading companies and the potential for market growth



 Amsoil Inc.



 BP Plc



 Castrol India Limited



 Chevron Corp



 ExxonMobil Corporation



 Fuchs Petrolub SE



 Phillips 66 Company



 Royal Dutch Shell Co.



 TotalEnergies SE



 Valvoline Inc.





Overall world revenue for Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$136.03 billion in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organisations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.





How will the Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you?



In summary, our 310+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for base oil, formulation, product type, application and company size, each forecast at a global and regional level  discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies.





 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 10 of the major companies involved in the Lubricant Market, 2023 to 2033.





Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06420174/?utm_source=GNW



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.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




From Math Camp to Handcuffs: FTXs Downfall Was an Arc of Brotherhood and Betrayal

(Bloomberg) -- Theyd come a long way together, from teenage mathletes to MIT frat brothers to crypto billionaires.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Now the feds were closing in on both  and one was going to turn on the other.

We can make this work, Sam Bankman-Fried said over Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

Gary Wang didnt reply.

The time: mid-November, days after FTX collapsed. The place: a $40 million penthouse in the Caribbean  last stop, US authorities say, on a trail of lies stretching back to the very beginning of the mens FTX cryptocurrency empire.

Wang, FTXs software savant and ultimate secret-keeper, was holed up in one of the five bedrooms of the oceanfront aerie where he worked with Bankman-Fried and eight others. He emerged, with two lawyers whod flown in from New York beside him. Wang dropped the news he was leaving.

I sort of said, Have you fully made up your mind or do you want to talk about it? Bankman-Fried recalled of his final conversation with Wang, in an interview at his parents California home. He said he had made up his mind and that was that.

What Wang didnt say was that he was going to flip on his friend, FTXs famous, and now infamous, front man.

Those final moments in Nassau  Bankman-Frieds urgent Signal message would follow  marked a turning point for both men. Their break will go down as a signature moment in the spectacular rise and even more spectacular fall of FTX, once one of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

For a decade and a half, nearly all their adult lives, Bankman-Fried and Wang traced an arc of mind-blowing success together. Bankman-Fried sold himself as the crypto wunderkind willing to spend billions to save humanity. Wang worked in the shadows -- largely a mystery to the wider world.

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Interviews with people close to Wang in high school, college and at FTX, and analysis of hundreds of pages of documents related to the unfolding legal drama, fill in crucial gaps. Given the legal peril, former FTX employees spoke on the condition that they not be named. Wangs attorney, Ilan Graff, declined to comment.

As Bankman-Fried shot to worldwide fame, Wang seemed to live life on the edge of every crowd  smiling, nodding, going along  before retreating once more into the solitude of his brilliant mind.

Now Bankman-Fried and Wang, friends since their teens, are pitted against each other. Theyre offering dueling accounts of the FTX fiasco and of whos ultimately to blame. The co-founders yin-yang relationship, and questions of just who might have controlled whom, have been thrust to the center of the FTX story.

Wang and Caroline Ellison, former head of FTXs Alameda Research trading arm, have pleaded guilty to a range of federal charges. Theyre cooperating with prosecutors in hopes of receiving lighter sentences.

Wang also has advised the team shepherding FTX through its bankruptcy, answering questions about the inner workings of the exchange with his lawyers involvement, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Bankman-Fried, out of jail on a $250 million bail package but confined to his parents home with an electronic monitor strapped to his ankle, has maintained his innocence. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to face trial in October.

Even more than Ellison, Bankman-Frieds on-again, off-again girlfriend, Wang can offer a more intricate account of what really happened at FTX, company insiders say.

And yet all this time, despite the tabloid headlines, Wang has remained something of an enigma.

It was a huge shock, said Tommy Tang, who was co-president of math club with Wang in their New Jersey high school. Its really wild to find out your classmate was worth several billion dollars and is now facing years in prison.

Bankman-Fried, known the world over as SBF, has characterized himself as a trash coder. Wang, by contrast, had been impressing classmates with his programming skills since his school days. He was viewed by colleagues as the quiet genius of FTX, a solitary magician who worked strange hours and ignored social cues and Slack messages.

Their unusual friendship bound FTX together from the start. One former colleague likened the shy Wang to a pair of mechanical arms that Bankman-Fried could manipulate at will. Employees wondered if Wang, the wizard behind the curtain, might one day pose a risk to the entire enterprise. If anything happened to Wang, these people worried, the whole thing might collapse like a house of cards.

Collapse it did, on Nov. 11, into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The shock waves are still reverberating.

A cooperator like Gary Wang is incredibly valuable to the government, said Mark Kasten, a lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. I would assume SBF has felt the walls closing in.

Mathcamp

Bankman-Fried and Wangs early relationship started with a math problem that involved, of all things, a group of liars.

They didnt know each other at the time. The problem was part of their individual applications to the Canada/USA Mathcamp, a five-week summer program for mathematically talented high-school students that they attended in 2008. That year, when they crossed paths at the camp for the first time, the program was held at Reed College, a small, offbeat school in Portland, Oregon, where Steve Jobs studied calligraphy for a time.

Bankman-Fried was 16. Wang was 15. Heres the math problem:

There are 26 students at Logic Camp; 18 of them always tell the truth and the other 8 always lie. Of course, everyone at the camp knows who is who. One day, n campers are sitting in a circle. Each of them says: Exactly one of my two neighbors is a liar. For what values of n > 2 is this possible?

(The answer: Integers from 3 through 8, and multiples of 3 from 9 to 24. For full credit they needed to prove no other solution worked.)

The two arrived at Reed that summer from what seemed like different worlds. Bankman-Fried was growing up on the palm-fringed campus of Californias Stanford University, where his parents were law school professors. Wang had emigrated to the US from China at the age of 8. He was coming from the suburb of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, east of Philadelphia. His father had moved the family there after an initial stint in Minnesota.

As an awkward teen at Cherry Hill High School East, Wang seemed like just the sort of numbers-loving hyper-achiever who might end up at a brainiac mill like MIT. His 2011 yearbook provides a glimpse of him as a teen. In addition to math club  where he was nicknamed Hector, in a nod to the great Trojan warrior from Greek mythology  Wang joined chemistry club and the chess team, and played violin in the symphony orchestra.

By sophomore year, he was studying multi-variable calculus. He threw himself into the USA Computing Olympiad.

Tang, the math club co-president, recalled that in his downtime Wang also enjoyed Mafia, a party game involving hidden identities, where a few players try to kill off the others before getting caught.

In hindsight, the quote under Wangs 2011 yearbook photo seems almost prophetic. Its from Douglas Adams, author of the cult science-fiction comedy The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy:

A learning experience is one of those things that says, You know that thing you just did? Dont do that.

Cherry Hill Easts student newspaper, Eastside Online, published additional details in a multipart series called The Wang Files. It appears to be the only outlet that any member of the Wang family has spoken to since FTX imploded. (The family declined to be interviewed by Bloomberg News.)

Garys father told Eastside Online that his son always was a trusting person.

I felt like we lived in two different worlds, Wang said of his son. He was very naive, believing everyone around him was good.

After Reed, Wang overlapped at math camp with Sam Trabucco, who would become co-head of Alameda. Wang, Trabucco and Bankman-Fried all attended together in 2010, this time at Mount Holyoke College, in rural western Massachusetts.

Campers formulated their own schedules, choosing from sessions on Bernoulli numbers, isometries of Euclidean space and why infinity is weird. Courses were ranked by difficulty on a scale of one to four chili peppers.

Mathcamp is amazing, in that its a radical sense of freedom, said Marisa Debowsky, executive director of the program. There are no rules, beyond being a good citizen of the community.

It wasnt all planar algebra. A fellow camper recalled Wang and a friend sneaking into the kitchen after curfew to whip up cheesecake brownies.

MIT Days

A logical next step for two bright young math whizzes: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bankman-Fried landed there in 2010; Wang, a year younger, in 2011. They quickly reconnected.

Both pledged Epsilon Theta, which stands out in MITs hard-partying frat scene. First, ET is co-ed. Second, it prohibits alcohol in shared areas. Thetans live together in a yellow colonial revival mansion in suburban Brookline, Massachussetts. Members sleep quasi-dormitory style  a close-quarters arrangement that would later be repeated, albeit in high style, at the two friends penthouse, The Orchid, in Nassau.

ET isnt exactly Animal House. Social life tends less toward beer pong than to games such as Magic: The Gathering, square dancing and Nerf blaster fights. Spring 2023 rush allotted time to Fermi problems and jigsaw puzzles.

Wang and Bankman-Fried ended up rooming together for three years. At MIT, finally, Wang was in his element, majoring in math and computer science, and taking part in an intensive robotics competition. People who know him say the school seemed like the right fit for him and he began to open up.

Even then, Wang found himself in Bankman-Frieds formidable shadow. The two teamed up in 2014 for the annual Battlecode contest, a programming competition. Their team was called The Vegan Police, an apparent reference to a character in the 2010 romantic-action comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

A video of the contest posted on YouTube shows Bankman-Fried led The Vegan Police onto the stage, grabbed the mic and talked the audience through the team project. Wang, in a gray hoodie and rectangular glasses, grinned sheepishly off to the side.

The Rise of FTX

After MIT, Wang promptly landed a job as a software engineer at Google. Before long, Bankman-Fried, whod ended up at the Wall Street quant shop Jane Street, was reaching out again.

By now the broad outlines of what followed are well known: the early days in Berkeley, where the two co-founded Alameda, with Tara Mac Aulay, in a three-bedroom apartment; their move to Hong Kong, where FTX took flight; and their shift to Nassau, where FTX raced to giddy heights, with a value of $32 billion, its name emblazoned on a Miami sports stadium and the comedian Larry David starring in its Super Bowl ad.

This standard account omits at least one key event.

Shortly after Alameda was established, Bankman-Fried and Mac Aulay fell out over what Mac Aulay characterized as questionable ethics and weak risk management.

According to Bankman-Fried, Wang stood by his old camp buddy, cementing his position as SBFs trusted partner and lieutenant. Mac Aulay and several others left to form a rival firm in the UK called Lantern Ventures. (Mac Aulay didnt respond to requests for an interview.)

Ultimately I sided with Gary and I should have done so much earlier, Bankman-Fried said.

At FTX, Wang set about designing the architecture of the crypto exchange. Among other things, he created almost single-handedly a liquidation engine that would automatically close customer accounts that were running up big losses. Regulators allege Alameda was exempt, and could effectively take unlimited money from FTX as a result. Wang also developed a cross-margin feature that enabled customers to use any cryptocurrency in their accounts as collateral for other crypto purchases.

When some complained that Wangs outsize role was creating bottlenecks, Bankman-Fried defended him. Questioned about whether Wang might pose a key man risk to FTX  whether the fate of the entire enterprise might hinge on Wang  Bankman-Fried batted the concerns away.

SBF, a prolific tweeter, portrayed himself as a 24/7 workaholic. A year before FTX collapsed, he posted a picture of himself sprawled on the beanbag where he catnapped so his mind stays in work mode.

Wang, by contrast, is a social-media ghost. One of the few photos of him available online shows him seated before six computer screens. His feet are up, his head turned away from the camera. Colleagues said he often arrived at the office at 5 pm or later, and worked through the night.

The Final Days

The empire Bankman-Fried and Wang built was once compared to those of financial titans like J.P. Morgan and Warren Buffett. It fell apart in less than a week.

On Nov. 11, Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO. He and Wang worked through that Friday and into the early hours of Saturday after a hack that apparently had spirited $372 million out of FTXs Bahamas-based offshoot, according to sworn testimony Bankman-Fried later provided. Over the next 24 hours, the two transferred a chunk of FTXs remaining assets into the hands of Bahamian authorities.

By that Monday, Nov. 14, Wang had been locked out of FTXs internal systems. He sent a list of digital assets he couldnt reach to the Bahamas Securities Commission. It was around this time Wang left The Orchid.

Bankman-Fried said Wang emerged from the discussion with his lawyers and said he was leaving in five minutes. He thought he and Wang were on the same page with "the right next steps for customers".

All of the sudden that snapped into he was leaving that day, back to the US and implicitly mostly stopped working, Bankman-Fried said.

In a follow-up text message, SBF appeared to suggest that Wang could stay and work with Bahamian regulators and a local liquidator.

Theyre all on board, Bankman-Fried messaged over Signal shortly before 4 p.m. on Nov. 15, according to a copy of the text seen by Bloomberg  but it went unanswered.

FTX lawyers initially blamed Wang for trying to block efforts to recover billions of dollars of customer money. Wang pointed at Bankman-Fried. He told US prosecutors that Bankman-Fried was trying to stall and delay bankruptcy, in hopes that the Bahamas would go easy on FTX and maybe, just maybe, let Bankman-Fried regain control.

And so, the finger-pointing continues. At a December hearing in federal court in lower Manhattan, Wang pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit commodities fraud. The FTX super-coder has testified that between 2019 and 2022 hed been directed to alter FTXs code. He said he made the changes knowing they would give Alameda special privileges.

The full extent of the betrayal dawned on Bankman-Fried only after he was arrested on Dec. 12 and confined to the notorious Fox Hill prison in Nassau. There he read a diplomatic cable attached to the US request for his arrest.

The note, a copy of which was reviewed by Bloomberg News, referred to two cooperating witnesses, CC-1 and CC-2. Both were said to be FTX software developers.

CC-1, the diplomatic note reads, told prosecutors that Bankman-Fried had ordered changes to the computer code at the core of FTX. The switch would enable Ellisons Alameda Research to borrow client money from FTX  a claim central to prosecutors case that FTX embezzled billions.

CC-1 also claimed Alameda was raiding FTX customer accounts as far back as 2020. Bankman-Fried assured the witness that the tactic was okay.

Reading the cable from the US, Bankman-Fried realized who CC-1 was: Gary Wang. With Gillian Tan

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
DENVER, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mac Savage, the streaker who was detained for livening up the PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open last week, is now free on bailwith a little more money in his pocket.

Mac Savage streaking in Shinesty swim briefs

Underwear brand Shinesty decided to reimburse Savage's bail and help with administrative court fees after seeing he was wearing their "Daytona Dong Sarong," the company's denim-print swim brief.

Shinesty's CEO, Chris White, said the company has a moral obligation to help with the expenses. "We have to accept partial responsibility for this incident and at least cover the bail," White said. "We've never seen a streaker so incredibly aerodynamic, elusive, and sexually compelling during a jaunt around the links."

Savage, whose real name is Sean McConnell, explained his motivation: "All I wanted to do was put a smile on people's faces. After all, it is nicknamed "the people's open," so I wanted to make sure the people had something fun to remember."



Mac Savage gained notoriety sporting a mullet, the swim briefs, and nothing else at PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open last week. Savage ran across the fairways of the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, danced with the flagstick, and then jumped into a nearby irrigation pond. Event organizers were irate, telling the press: "This sort of trash has no place here at the Waste Management Open."

Savage appears for court on Thursday, February 16th in Maricopa County. See Savage's mugshot here.

About Shinesty: Founded in 2014 by Chris White and Jens Nicolaysen, Shinesty's mission is to make the world take itself less seriously. The company is famous for its Ball Hammock Pouch Underwear, crazy party clothing, and irreverent brand voice. Shinesty employs more than 80 people and was recently named to Inc. 5000's fastest growing companies of 2022 list.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mulleted-streaker-at-waste-management-open-gets-bail--court-fees-covered-by-underwear-brand-shinesty-301748413.html

SOURCE Shinesty
Marimekko Corporation

Marimekko Corporation, Stock Exchange Release, 16 February 2023 at 8.15 a.m.

Notice of Marimekko Corporations Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Marimekko Corporation (the AGM) will be held on Thursday 13 April 2023 at 2.00 p.m. (EEST) at Little Finlandia, at the address Karamzininranta 4, 00100 Helsinki. The registration of attendees and the distribution of voting slips will commence at the meeting venue at 1.00 p.m. (EEST).

Shareholders can also exercise their voting rights by voting in advance. In addition, it is possible to follow the AGM online via webcast on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023. For further instructions, please refer to Section C Instructions for the participants of the Annual General Meeting of this notice.

A. Matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Calling the meeting to order

3. Election of persons to scrutinize the minutes and supervise the counting of votes

4. Recording the legality of the meeting

5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adoption of the list of votes

6. Presentation of the financial statements, the report of the Board of Directors and the auditors report for 2022

Review by the President and CEO.

The companys financial statements, the report of the Board of Directors and the auditors report will be made available on 23 March 2023 at the latest on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/.

7. Adoption of the financial statements

8. Resolution on the use of the profit shown on the balance sheet and the payment of dividend

On 31 December 2022, the parent companys distributable funds amounted to EUR 49,039,655.34 of which EUR 22,850,050.77 was profit for the financial year 2022. The Board of Directors proposes to the AGM that a dividend of EUR 0.34 per share be paid for the financial year 2022. The total amount of the proposed dividend is approximately EUR 13.8 million, and the remaining funds are to be retained in equity.

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The Board of Directors proposes that the dividend will be paid to shareholders who are registered on the dividend payout record date of 17 April 2023 in the companys shareholder register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd on behalf of the Board of Directors of the company. The Board of Directors proposes 24 April 2023 as the dividend payout date. No substantial changes in the companys financial position have occurred after the end of the financial year. The companys liquidity is good and, in the view of the Board of Directors, the proposed dividend payout does not jeopardize the companys solvency.

9. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the President and CEO of the company from liability for the financial year 1 January31 December 2022

10. Adoption of the remuneration report for governing bodies

The remuneration report for the year 2022, prepared in accordance with the remuneration policy adopted on 8 April 2020 by the companys AGM, will be published by way of a stock exchange release and will be available on 23 March 2023 at the latest on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/.

The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM adopt the companys remuneration report for governing bodies as an advisory resolution.

11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing in total approximately 27 percent of all the shares and votes of Marimekko Corporation have proposed to the AGM, on the basis of the proposal of the Audit and Remuneration Committee consisting of members independent of the company and its significant shareholders, that the fees payable to the members and the Chair of the Board would remain unchanged from 2022 and be as follows: an annual remuneration of EUR 48,000 would be paid to the Chair, EUR 35,000 to the Vice Chair and EUR 26,000 to the other Board members. In addition, it is proposed that a separate remuneration be paid for committee work to persons elected to a committee as follows: EUR 2,000 per meeting to Chair and EUR 1,000 per meeting to members. The fees for committee work would remain unchanged from 2022.

The above-mentioned shareholders have also proposed, based on the proposal of the Audit and Remuneration Committee, that approximately 40 percent of the annual remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors would be paid in Marimekko Corporations shares acquired from the market and the rest in cash. The shares would be acquired directly on behalf of the Board members within two weeks from the release of the interim report for 1 January31 March 2023 or at the first time as possible under applicable legislation. The annual remuneration would be paid entirely in cash, if a Board member on the date of the AGM, 13 April 2023, holds the companys shares worth more than EUR 1,000,000.

If Mika Ihamuotila is elected a member and Chair of the Board of Directors as proposed in the section 13 of this notice, he will, in addition to the aforementioned annual remuneration, be paid a monthly fee of EUR 4,400 for half-time duty pursuant to a separate executive service agreement. The monthly fee would remain unchanged from 2022. The Audit and Remuneration Committee separately evaluates the terms of the service agreement.

12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing in total approximately 27 percent of all the shares and votes of Marimekko Corporation have proposed to the AGM that six (6) members be elected to the Board of Directors.

13. Election of the members of the Board of Directors

Shareholders representing in total approximately 27 percent of all the shares and votes of Marimekko Corporation have proposed to the AGM that Carol Chen, Mika Ihamuotila, Mikko-Heikki Inkeroinen, Teemu Kangas-Karki, Tomoki Takebayashi and Marianne Vikkula be re-elected to the Board of Directors until the close of the next AGM.

Carol Chen, Mikko-Heikki Inkeroinen, Teemu Kangas-Karki, Tomoki Takebayashi and Marianne Vikkula are independent of the company and its significant shareholders according to the evaluation of the above-mentioned shareholders. Mika Ihamuotila is not independent of the company nor its significant shareholders due to his indirect shareholding through PowerBank Ventures Ltd, equaling 12.5 percent of the shares and votes in the company.

The proposed Board members have informed the company that, if they are elected, they intend to elect Mika Ihamuotila as Chair of the Board and Teemu Kangas-Karki as Vice Chair of the Board as well as Teemu Kangas-Karki as Chair and Mikko-Heikki Inkeroinen and Marianne Vikkula as members of the Audit and Remuneration Committee.

All proposed persons have given their consent to the election. Biographical details of the proposed members of the Board of Directors are available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/board-of-directors/.

14. Resolution on the remuneration of the auditor

In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit and Remuneration Committee, the Board of Directors proposes to the AGM that the auditors remuneration be paid as per invoice approved by the company.

15. Election of the auditor

In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit and Remuneration Committee, the Board of Directors proposes to the AGM that KPMG Oy Ab, Authorized Public Accountants, be re-elected as the companys auditor.

16. Amendment of the Articles of Association

The Board of Directors proposes that Article 9 of the Articles of Association be amended to enable holding a general meeting entirely without a meeting venue as a so-called remote meeting in addition to the Companys domicile Helsinki. In its amended form, said provision of the Articles of Association would read as follows:

9  The notice of the General Meeting shall be announced on the Companys website not earlier than three (3) months and not later than three (3) weeks before the meeting, but in any case at least nine (9) days prior to the General Meetings record date. In addition, the Board of Directors may decide to publish the notice of the General Meeting in one or more newspapers.

In addition, the Board of Directors may also resolve on organizing a General Meeting without a meeting venue whereby the shareholders shall exercise their power of decision in full in real time during the meeting using telecommunication connection and technical means.

It is proposed that the Articles of Association remain unchanged in other respects.

The proposal is based on the changes to Chapter 5 of the Finnish Companies Act, including the possibility to arrange remote general meetings. The legislative changes are based on the premise that shareholder rights shall not be compromised, and that all participating shareholders are able to exercise their full shareholder rights, including the right to present questions and to vote, in real time during the general meeting, irrespective of the chosen general meeting format. The possibility to organise remote general meetings enables the Company to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions in the Companys operating environment and society in general, due to for example pandemics. It is important for the Company to have means to offer its shareholders the possibility to exercise their shareholder rights and resolve on any matters presented to a general meeting under any circumstances.

17. Authorization of the Board of Directors to decide on the acquisition of the companys own shares

The Board of Directors proposes that the Board be authorized by the AGM to decide on the acquisition of a maximum of 200,000 of the companys own shares in one or more instalments. The number of shares represents approximately 0.5 percent of the total number of the companys shares at the time of the proposal. The shares would be acquired with funds from the companys non-restricted equity, which means that the acquisition would reduce funds available for distribution. The shares would be acquired otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders through public trading on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd at the market price prevailing at the time of acquisition and in accordance with the rules and regulations of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. The shares would be acquired to be used as a part of the companys incentive system, to be transferred for other purposes or to be cancelled. The authorization is proposed to include the right of the Board of Directors to decide on all of the other terms and conditions of the acquisition of the shares. The authorization is proposed to be valid for eighteen (18) months from the decision of the AGM and to supersede the authorization granted by the 2022 AGM.

18. Authorization of the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of new shares and transfer of the companys own shares

The Board of Directors proposes that the Board be authorized by the AGM to decide on the issuance of new shares and the transfer of the companys own shares in one or more instalments. The total number of shares to be issued or transferred pursuant to the authorization may not exceed 250,000 (new or the companys own) shares, which represents approximately 0.6 percent of the total number of the companys shares at the time of the proposal. Pursuant to the authorization, the Board may decide on a directed share issue in deviation from the shareholders pre-emptive rights for a weighty financial reason, such as the companys incentive system, personnel share issue, developing the companys capital structure, using the shares as consideration in possible company acquisitions or carrying out other business transactions. The share issue may be subject to a charge or free. A directed share issue can be free of charge only if there is a particularly weighty financial reason for the company and taking into account the interests of all of the companys shareholders. The subscription price of the new shares and the amount paid for the companys own shares would be recorded in the companys reserve for invested non-restricted equity. The authorization is proposed to include the right of the Board of Directors to decide on all of the other terms and conditions of the share issue. The authorization is proposed to remain in force for a period of eighteen (18) months from the resolution of the AGM and to supersede the authorization granted by the 2022 AGM.

19. Closing of the meeting

B. Documents of the Annual General Meeting

The proposals for the decisions on the matters on the agenda of the AGM as well as this notice are available on Marimekko Corporations website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/. The companys financial statements, the report of the Board of Directors, the auditors report, the remuneration report as well as the remuneration policy adopted by the AGM in 2020 will be available on the companys website on 23 March 2023 at the latest. Copies of these documents and of this notice will be sent to shareholders upon request. The minutes of the AGM can be viewed on the companys website as of 27 April 2023 at the latest.

C. Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting

1. Shareholders registered in the shareholders register

Each shareholder who on the record date for the AGM, 30 March 2023, is registered in the shareholders register of the company, held by Euroclear Finland Oy, has the right to participate in the AGM. A shareholder whose shares are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account is registered in the shareholders register of the company.

A shareholder who is registered in the company's Shareholder Register and who wants to participate in the Annual General Meeting is requested to register for the meeting no later than 4 April 2023 at 4.00 p.m. (EEST), by which time the registration must be received.

Notice of participation can be given starting from Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 9.00 a.m. (EET):

a) by filling in the registration form on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/.



For natural persons, the electronic registration form requires secured strong authentication; shareholders can register by logging in with their Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate. No strong electronic authentication is required of shareholders that are legal persons. However, shareholders that are legal persons must in that case provide their book-entry account number and other required information. If shareholders that are legal persons use Suomi.fi-authorizations, registration requires the authorized persons strong electronic authentication with Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate.

b) by mail or email



A shareholder can submit the registration form available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/corporate-governance/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/ or corresponding information to Euroclear Finland Oy by mail to Euroclear Finland Oy, Yhtiokokous/Marimekko Oyj, PL 1110, 00101 Helsinki, Finland or by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu.

In connection with the registration, a shareholder shall provide the requested information, such as their name, personal/business ID, email address, telephone number as well as the name and personal ID of a possible proxy representative or legal representative. The personal data given by shareholders to Marimekko Corporation or Euroclear Finland Oy is used only in connection with the AGM and the processing of the necessary related registrations. For further information on how Marimekko processes personal data, please review Marimekko Corporations privacy notice regarding the AGM, which is available at the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/corporate-governance/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/ or contact the company by email at yk@marimekko.com. Please note that personal information provided in connection with registration by email is possibly sent through an unsecure connection on the shareholders own responsibility.

The shareholder, their authorized representative or proxy representative should, when necessary, be able to prove their identity and/or right of representation.

2. Holder of nominee-registered shares

A holder of nominee-registered shares has the right to participate in the AGM by virtue of those shares based on which the holder on the record date for the AGM, 30 March 2023, would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders register of the company, held by Euroclear Finland Oy. In addition, participation in the AGM requires that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been temporarily registered in the shareholders register held by Euroclear Finland Oy by 6 April 2023 at 10.00 a.m. (EEST) at the latest. As regards nominee-registered shares, this constitutes due registration for the AGM.

A holder of nominee-registered shares is advised to well in advance request the necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the shareholders register of the company, the issuing of proxy documents, voting instructions and registration for the AGM from their custodian bank as well as voting in advance. The account manager of the custodian bank shall register a holder of nominee-registered shares who wishes to participate in the AGM to be temporarily entered into the shareholders register of the company by the time stated above and shall arrange advance voting on behalf of the holder of nominee-registered shares within the registration period for nominee-registered shares.

3. Proxy representative and powers of attorney

A shareholder may participate in the AGM and exercise their rights at the meeting by way of proxy representation. Shareholders proxy representative may also vote in advance in the manner described in this notice. A proxy representative shall provide a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate their right to represent the shareholder at the AGM. Should a shareholder participate in the AGM by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares on different book-entry accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration.

Proxy and voting instruction templates will be available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/corporate-governance/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/ on 8 March 2023 at the latest. Any proxy documents, including the advance voting form, should be sent by mail to Euroclear Finland Oy, Yhtiokokous/Marimekko Oyj, PL 1110, 00101 Helsinki, Finland or by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu. In addition to delivering the proxy documents, the shareholder or their proxy representative should register for the AGM in the manner described above.

Instead of traditional proxy document, shareholders that are legal persons can use electronic authorization services of Suomi.fi. In that case the legal person authorizes a named authorised person through Suomi.fis services at https://www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations/ by using the mandate theme Representation at the General Meeting. In connection with the registration, Euroclear Finland Oys General Meeting Services require strong electronic authentication after which the electronic authorization is automatically verified. Strong electronic authentication requires Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate. For more information, please see Suomi.fis e-authorization pages at https://www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations/ as well as the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/.

4. Voting in advance

A shareholder whose shares are registered on the shareholders Finnish book-entry account can register and vote in advance on certain matters on the agenda of the AGM from 8 March 2023 at 9.00 a.m. (EET) until 4 April 2023 at 4.00 p.m. (EEST) by the following means:

a) Through the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/



For natural persons, the electronic advance voting requires secured strong authentication; shareholders can register and vote by logging in with their Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate. Of shareholders that are legal persons, no strong electronic authentication is required. However, shareholders that are legal persons must in that case provide their book-entry account number and other required information. If shareholders that are legal persons use Suomi.fi-authorizations, registration requires the authorized persons strong electronic authentication with Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate.

b) Through mail or email



Shareholders can also submit the advance voting form available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/ or corresponding information to Euroclear Finland Oy by mail to Euroclear Finland Oy, Yhtiokokous/Marimekko Oyj, PL 1110, 00101 Helsinki, Finland or by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu. The advance voting form will be available on the companys website on 8 March 2023 at the latest.

In addition to voting in advance, the shareholder must register for the AGM prior to the end of the registration period.

A shareholder who has voted in advance cannot request information under the Finnish Companies Act or request a vote at the General Meeting or change the given votes if they or their proxy representative is not present at the General Meeting venue.

With regards to holders of nominee-registered shares, the advance voting is performed via the account management organisation. The account management organisation may vote in advance on behalf of the holders of nominee-registered shares it represents, in accordance with the voting instructions provided by them, during the registration period for holders of nominee-registered shares.

A proposal subject to advance voting is considered to have been presented unchanged at the General Meeting. The terms and other instructions concerning the electronic voting are available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/.

5. Other instructions and information

It is possible to follow the AGM online via webcast. Instructions on following the webcast are available on the companys website at https://company.marimekko.com/en/investors/management/general-meeting/annual-general-meeting-2023/. Following the AGM via webcast is not considered participating in the AGM or exercising shareholder rights.

Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the AGM has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the AGM.

Changes in shareholding after the record date for the AGM do not affect the right to participate in the AGM or the number of votes held by the shareholder.

On the date of this notice, 15 February 2023, the total number of shares and votes in Marimekko Corporation is 40,649,170. On the date of this notice, the company holds 77,790 of its own shares, which do not entitle to voting at the AGM.

Helsinki, 15 February 2023

MARIMEKKO CORPORATION

Board of Directors



Further information:

Anna Tuominen

Tel. +358 40 584 6944

anna.tuominen@marimekko.com

DISTRIBUTION

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd

Key media

Marimekko is a Finnish lifestyle design company renowned for its original prints and colors. The companys product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home decor items ranging from textiles to tableware. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. In 2022, the company's net sales were EUR 167 million and brand sales of the products worldwide amounted to EUR 382 million. Globally, there are roughly 150 Marimekko stores, and online store serves customers in 35 countries. The key markets are Northern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America. The Group employs about 460 people. The companys share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com




Researchers begin work ahead of World Pangolin Day on Feb. 18

Seattle, Washington --News Direct-- Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

White-bellied Pangolin. Image courtesy of the Zoological Society of London

Researchers and conservationists are embarking on a bold initiative to save the worlds most trafficked wild mammal  the pangolin.

With core funding support from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Operation Pangolin has launched in Cameroon and Gabon with plans to expand into Nigeria soon. Among the least studied animals in the world, little is known about the natural history or ecology of the worlds eight pangolin species. Even less is known of their role in a significant criminal economy where trafficked pangolins and the illegal sale of their scales and meat often go undetected. Operation Pangolin will generate much-needed data to inform conservation strategies in Central Africa, with global implications for the illicit wildlife trade. The team will then help implement the identified strategies with a plan to eventually expand their efforts into Asia, the only other continent with native pangolin populations.

Without urgent conservation action at a global scale, all eight species of pangolins face extinction, said project lead Matthew H. Shirley, a conservation ecologist at Florida International Universitys Global Forensic and Justice Center and co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Pangolin Specialist Group. Operation Pangolin is a chance to alter the conservation landscape for pangolins and other wildlife threatened by illicit human behavior.

In addition to Shirley, who will focus on ecological monitoring, the collaborative research team includes:

Alasdair Davies from the Arribada Initiative, focusing on technological innovation;

Dan Challender from the University of Oxford, focusing on trade and policy;

Meredith Gore from the University of Maryland, focusing on conservation criminology;

Bistra Dilkina from the University of Southern California, focusing on data coalescence.

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The researchers are joining forces with Carla Louise Mousset Moumbolou and her team from the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (Gabons national parks agency) to lead implementation efforts in Gabon and Andrew Fowler and his team from ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to lead implementation in Cameroon. The project is supported by the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group, a global network of 189 pangolin technical specialists.

The team is developing toolkits for pangolin monitoring and data collection, a critical first step to prevent extinction of these evolutionarily distinct and imperiled mammals. The toolkits will incorporate the latest advancements in hardware and software, while using locally accessible and low-cost technological components. The researchers will work with local conservation stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, local communities and government agencies to deploy monitoring programs, implement conservation interventions and develop predictive tools for addressing wildlife crime.

Accurate, actionable data is the foundation of effective conservation efforts, said Gabe Miller, Director of Technology on behalf of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Operation Pangolin will provide a blueprint for how conservationists can turn data into solutions that address important issues like wildlife trafficking and the biodiversity crisis head on.

Both IUCN and the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agree that the development of pangolin-specific monitoring methods linked to anti-trafficking efforts is the highest conservation priority for these mammals. Throughout history, pangolins have been sustainably used for food and medicine, but overexploitation has exploded in recent decades resulting in threatened status for all eight species. The main threat, both in Asia and increasingly in Africa, is poaching for international wildlife trafficking. Enough pangolin scales have been seized in the past decade to account for at least 1 million pangolins, yet little is known of the trafficking supply chains. This number does not account for the pangolins that are removed undetected from the wild to fuel this illegal enterprise. At least 250,000 are estimated to be taken from African and Asian forests every year for consumers in China, Vietnam, western Europe and the United States.

The $4 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports the current launch of the project in Central Africa. The research team is concurrently raising funds in an effort to expand the project to Asia by 2027. Operation Pangolin is a six-year initiative that, in addition to reducing extinction risk for pangolins, lays the groundwork for sustainable conservation solutions for other species.

###

About the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation invests in communities across the Pacific Northwest to enhance the human experience of arts & culture, center underserved populations, and mobilize young people to make an impact. In addition, the foundation supports a global portfolio of nonprofit partners working across science and technology solutions to protect wildlife, preserve ocean health, and create lasting change. The foundation also funds the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, which works to advance cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience.

Contact Details

Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

press@pgafamilyfoundation.org

Company Website

https://www.pgafamilyfoundation.org/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/operation-pangolin-on-a-mission-to-protect-the-worlds-most-poached-mammal-838515807
Fortune Business Insights

Key Players Covered in the Organic Fertilizers Market report are Nature Safe, BioStar Systems, LLC, Perfect Blend, LLC, Italpollina SpA, Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited, Coromandel International Limited, Tata Chemicals Limited, AgroCare Canada, Inc, Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc, ILSA S.p.A, Midwestern BioAg, National Fertilizers Limited, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and many more

Pune, India, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global organic fertilizers market size is projected to exhibit a remarkable growth trajectory on account of the increasing attention and funding garnered by innovative organic farming startups around the globe, shares Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled Organic Fertilizers Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Source (Animal Origin, Plant Origin), By Form (Dry, Liquid), By Crop Type (Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds, Fruits and Vegetables, Turf and Ornamental) and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030.

Get a Free Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/organic-fertilizers-market-103211

Organic farming has captured world interest due to the vast, long-lasting benefits offered by naturally-derived agricultural inputs as opposed to the detrimental environmental effects produced by synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The enormous opportunities created by this burgeoning domain have spawned several startups that are specializing in organic fertilizers. More importantly, these entities are getting recognition from industry leaders and venture capitalists that are engaged in value investing.

The organic fertilizers market has been growing steadily in recent years due to increasing awareness about the harmful effects of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on the environment and human health. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials such as animal manure, compost, bone meal, and fish emulsion, and are free from synthetic chemicals.



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The market is segmented based on type, source, form, and application. The major types of organic fertilizers are plant-based and animal-based. Plant-based organic fertilizers are made from vegetable matter, while animal-based organic fertilizers are made from animal waste. The source of organic fertilizers can be natural or synthetic. The form of organic fertilizers can be solid or liquid, while the application of organic fertilizers can be done through foliar, soil, or fertigation methods.



The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a severe contraction of economic activities, afflicting industries and businesses around the world. The imposition of lockdowns and social distancing measures has stoked fears about an imminent economic recession. Supply chain networks have been disrupted, pushing down demand for goods and services, globally. Governments are taking several efforts to mitigate the damage caused by this pandemic, but uncertainty continues to be prevalent. At Fortune Business Insights, we are constantly striving to develop comprehensive research reports on various markets so as to equip your business with the necessary intelligence to emerge victorious on the other side of this crisis.

List of Key Players Covered in the Organic Fertilizers Market Report:



Nature Safe

BioStar Systems, LLC

Perfect Blend, LLC

Italpollina SpA

Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited

Coromandel International Limited

Tata Chemicals Limited

AgroCare Canada, Inc.

Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc.

ILSA S.p.A

Midwestern BioAg

National Fertilizers Limited

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

Salient Features of the Report:

Tangible insights into the factors driving, constraining, and shaping the growth of the market;

In-depth analysis of the key market segments;

Thorough examination the regional developments impacting the market; and

Detailed profiling and careful assessment of the key market players and their strategies.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/organic-fertilizers-market-103211

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attribute Details Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2019  2021 Forecast Year 2023  2030 Segments Covered By Source, By Form, By Crop Type, By Geography Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2020 to 2029 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America and Rest of World Countries Covered Unites States, Canada, Mexico, Unites Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others

Driving Factor



Increasing Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Practices to Favor Market Growth

The organic fertilizers market growth is poised to benefit from the aggressive promotion of sustainable agriculture by national governments and international bodies. For example, in March 2020, the Canadian Agriculture Minister announced that the Federal Government will invest CAD 560,000 in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture to develop the Canadian Agri-Food Sustainability Initiative. The project is aimed at providing stakeholders across the agriculture supply chain to discuss and adopt sustainable farming methods. At the global levels, organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are taking vital efforts to make farming more sustainable, especially in underdeveloped economies. In October 2020, for instance, the FAO teamed up with the Russia-based PhosAgro to start the Soil Doctors Program to develop farmer skills in sustainable soil management. Additionally, the program also aims at establishing soil laboratories in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Organic fertilizers will be one of the most critical components in the advancement of sustainable agriculture across the globe as they not only improve soil health but can also boost farm yield, which will be essential in feeding the ever-increasing global population.

Market Segmentation:

Source

Animal Origin

Plant Origin

By Form

Dry

Liquid

By Crop Type

Cereals

Pulses and Oilseeds

Fruits and Vegetables

Turf and Ornamental

By Geography

Inquire Before Buying This Research Report:

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Regional Insights

Surging Demand for Organic Food to Propel the North America Market

North America is expected to lead the organic fertilizers market share in the forthcoming years owing to the rapidly increasing demand for organic food products in the region. This has been a result of the growing consciousness among consumers about the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on human health as well as the environment. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of organic fertilizers makes them an attractive alternative to synthetic ones for farmers, which supports the regional market growth.

In Europe, the market is set to enjoy excellent prospects on account of the aggressive promotion of sustainable farming practices by the European Union (EU). In Asia Pacific, on the other hand, expanding area under organic farming in India, China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh will create the necessary conditions for the growth of this market.

Competitive Landscape

Geographic Expansion to be the Key Growth Strategy for Leading Players

The growth prospects offered by this market, particularly in developed economies, are fueling the expansion strategies of key players in this market. These companies are establishing their activities in different geographies through mergers & acquisitions and collaborations & partnerships with regional entities.

Key Industry Developments:

March 2019: Italpollina SpA signed a deal to acquire Florida-based Horticulture Alliance, a specialist in maintaining plant health through organic mechanisms. The takeover will allow Italpollina to strengthen its manufacturing and distribution of organic fertilizers in North America.

February 2019: The waste-to-energy company, BioStar Organics, inaugurated a new organic fertilizer plant in Washington. The aim behind the opening of this facility is to produce large amounts of the companys flagship SuperSix organic liquid fertilizer annually.

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Read Related Insights:

Organic Starch Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

Organic Edible Oil Market Size, Share & Forecast, 2023-2030

Organic Soy Milk Market Size and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

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By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

Azerbaijani city and district executive authorities have been sending humanitarian aid to Turkiye as part of relief efforts, Azernews reports.

One of the most pressing issues right now is to find houses for those who have been left homeless by the disaster and in this regard, 90 contemporary modular homes have been constructed for quake victims. Each container house is designed for 10 to 12 people.

On February 13, the Sumgayit city executive authorities dispatched four modular homes to Turkiye. Today, 20 additional homes from the Azerbaijani districts of Mingachavir, Kurdamir, Goranboy, Jalilabad, and Tartar were also delivered to Turkiye. By the end of this week, all 90 of the contemporary modular houses will be delivered to the disaster area.

Azerbaijani district and city executive authorities have been sending warm clothing, bed linen, food, supplies for industry, medicines, heaters, generators, and tents to those affected by the disaster since the first days of the tragedy. Kahramanmaras, Malatya, Adiyaman, and other Turkish provinces have received humanitarian aid from the executive authorities of Azerbaijan up until this point.

Significant assistance to the victims of the strong earthquake in Turkiye was provided by residents of Agjabadi District.

The charity drive was jointly run by Agjabadi District organization of the New Azerbaijan Party and the Karabakh Regional Office of the Youth Education Center of Azerbaijan. Participants included representatives of departments, enterprises, and organizations as well as members of the district community. The list of supplies provided by the Turkish Disaster And Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) includes tents, warm clothing, medications, blankets, food, tea, baby food, and diapers.

At the Karabakh Regional Office of the Youth Education Center, volunteers, veterans, and athletes, according to the organizers, sorted out and packaged all humanitarian aid. After that, the gathered supplies were placed in trucks and sent by the Aghjabadi district organization of the ruling party to Baku for further delivery to brotherly Turkiye.

Additionally, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent numerous tents to Turkiye, which were set up in the devastated Kahramanmaras province to provide basic living conditions.

The emergency ministry has set up a mobile field kitchen for quake victims as well as a play area for children.

Moreover, Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency states that the evacuation of Azerbaijani citizens from the earthquake-affected areas in Turkiye continues.

It was specifically mentioned that the agency's evacuation buses transport citizens to Baku via the Georgia-Azerbaijan border.

"A total of 12 trips have been completed to date, and 479 citizens have been delivered to the Baku International Bus Terminal Complex. Citizens are transported free of charge. Currently, there is also a backup bus at the border," the agency noted.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Turkiye's southeastern part on February 6, 2023, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

At the moment of writing, the overall death toll in Turkiye has risen to above 41,000.

Azerbaijan was the first country to provide assistance to Turkiye immediately after the earthquake and continues to send humanitarian aid and rescuers to the quake-hit zone.
Top 10 Most Overpaid CEOs

Companies with the 10 most overpaid CEOs (as named in our previous reports) once again saw shareholder returns much worse than the S&P 500 index.

Berkeley, CA, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As You Sow today released its 9th annual report  The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs: Are Fund Managers Asleep at the Wheel?  which focuses on how pension and financial fund managers hold companies accountable for excessive compensation.

Key Takeaways:

 Total pay for S&P 500 chief executives continues to increase.

The average pay of the 100 Most Overpaid CEOs for this report was $38,192,249, up 30.6% from last years average of $29,233,020. The median pay  less influenced by the massive stock awards that inflate pay at the very top  was $23,455,188, representing an increase of 8% over the prior year.

 The gap between CEO and median worker pay has also increased.

According to the AFL-CIO, the chief executives of S&P 500 companies received 324 times that of their median-paid workers on average, up from 299 times in 2020 and 264 times in 2019. At Amazon, the CEO-to-worker pay ratio reached 6,474 to 1, with CEO Andrew Jassy making $212.7 million in total compensation while the median worker received $32,855.

 Shareholder opposition to pay packages continues to grow.

In the S&P 500, shareholder votes against CEO pay continued its five-year upward trajectory to a high of 12.6% opposition, gaining 4.2 percentage points in votes against since 2017. As detailed in this report, more funds are voting against more pay packages. If it werent for the continued weak response from a handful of the big players, the message that shareholders are fed up would be clearer.

 Companies with overpaid CEOs continue to underperform.

Companies with the 10 most overpaid CEOs (as named in our previous reports) once again saw shareholder returns much worse than the S&P 500 index.

Quotes from our experts:

Rosanna Landis Weaver, executive compensation program manager at As You Sow and report author:

Every year we see more shareholders get serious about voting against compensation. This year, unfortunately, shareholder concern with excess pay is not truly reflected in the higher votes against pay, because the largest mutual funds continue to support the vast majority of overpaid CEOs. In this years report, we show that the votes do cause companies to respond when shareholders vote against excess, which only underlines our point.

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Robert Reich, professor, author, and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, and co-founder of Inequality Media:

A companys executive compensation directly reflects its directors priorities and outlook: You can tell if a company is committed to building a sustainable future by how it pays its CEO. The continuous, exorbitant increases in executive compensation over the past four decades typify a rigged system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of workers, and the rest of us. Shareholders must supervise boards more effectively than directors have been supervising CEOs. The solution is voting on proxy statements and taking each vote seriously.

R. Paul Herman, CEO and founder of HIP (Human Impact + Profit) Investor Inc.:

"Higher pay should reward market-beating results, right? Wrong! Since our 2015 report, boards have approved exorbitant CEO pay packages for companies that lagged the S&P 500 by an annual average of -2%. Even worse, the 10 most overpaid CEOs  this year comprising all white men with an average age of 60, averaging $120 million in pay, seven times more than the average CEO  have dramatically underperformed the benchmark by -6% per year since we began this report. Boards are not holding CEOs accountable and failing shareholders in their fiduciary duty. The pay-for-performance system is clearly broken.

To learn more about As You Sows work on CEO pay, click here.

# # #

As You Sow is the nations leading shareholder advocacy nonprofit, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, pesticides, racial justice, workplace diversity, and executive compensation. Click here for As You Sows shareholder resolution tracker.

Attachment

CONTACT: Stefanie Spear As You Sow 216-387-1609 sspear@asyousow.org




Prime Mining Corp.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime Mining or the Company) (TSX-V: PRYM, OTCQX: PRMNF, Frankfurt: 04V3) is pleased to announce that it has granted a total of 700,000 incentive stock options (the Options) and 307,838 deferred share units (the DSUs) in accordance with the long-term incentive plan adopted by the Company.

The Options were granted to management of the Company and are exercisable at the price of $1.97 per share for a term of five years. The Options will vest and become exercisable over an eighteen-month period with one-third vesting after six months, one-third after twelve months, and one-third after eighteen months.

The DSUs were granted to the board of directors and will vest after twelve months. Settlement will occur when a director resigns from the Board, or in connection with a change of control, and is payable in either cash or commons shares at the discretion of the board of directors on the settlement date.

About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project

Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies. The Project remains underexplored and holds potential for additional discovery and resource expansion.

Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately US$30 million on direct exploration activities and has completed two phases of comprehensive drilling totaling over 110,000 m. Results to date suggest the three known main deposit areas, Guadalupe, Central and Z-T, are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries outside of the currently defined resource areas.

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About Prime Mining

Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Kunz

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Prime Mining Corp.

1307 S. Colorado Ave.

Boise, Idaho 83706

Telephone: +1 (208) 926-6379 office

email: daniel@primeminingcorp.ca

Scott Hicks

Executive Vice President

Prime Mining Corp.

710  1030 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC, V6E 2Y3

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128 office

email: scott.hicks@primeminingcorp.ca

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.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. 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. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Companys most recently filed managements discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated April 22, 2022, available on www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.




FACT.MR

Fact.MR's recent study on the reflecting fabrics market reveals critical trends and key factors slated to impact the global industry from 2023 to 2033. It takes a detailed look at segments such as reflective element, product, application, end use, and region to provide insights for both leading and emerging players in the market.

Rockville, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fact.MR  A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: The global reflective fabrics market is slated to expand at a healthy CAGR of 7.4% from 2023 to 2033. This is likely to increase its valuation from US$ 1.2 billion in 2023 to US$ 2.5 billion in 2033.



In recent years, demand for new and innovative materials has been steadily increasing from the fashion industry. Reflective fabrics are among these materials and their adoption is escalating due to their visibility and aesthetic appeal. They allow wearers to achieve unique appearances, and this special quality of reflective fabrics is slated to result in surging demand in the coming years.

Reflective fabric is now used in a wide range of clothing and accessories, such as jackets, hats, shoes, bags, and even jewellery. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for designers looking to stand out from the crowd. As the fashion industry continues to expand, it is likely that the demand for reflective fabrics would also accelerate.

As per statistics provided by National Council of Textile Organizations, the United States ranks second globally in terms of exports of goods connected to textiles. In 2021, the total value of fiber, textile, and clothing exports was US$ 28.4 billion.

In 2019, two thirds of the United States textile supply chain export excluding raw cotton and wool went to free trade partners in the Western Hemisphere. More than 200 nations were recipients of the United States textile exports, and 24 of those received imports worth $100 million.

Reflective fabric is also a popular choice for outdoor activities, providing extra visibility for safety and comfort. With the increased popularity of outdoor activities such as biking, running, and camping, the need for reflective fabrics is set to propel.

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Based on end use, construction industry is expected to be in the forefront of reflective fabrics between 2023 and 2033. Reflective fabrics are commonly used for designing safety vests, fire-resistant clothing, and other protective equipment for workers. The increasing demand for safety and protective gear in the construction industry is driving the market for reflective fabrics. Adoption of reflective fabrics is likely to be boosted further by stringent rules and regulations enforced by governments around the world to ensure worker safety.

Regionally, North America is expected to dominate the global market owing to the rising popularity of active wear, such as athleisure and sportswear. High-end fashion designers creating reflective garments and accessories is anticipated to further accelerate the sales in North America.

Key Takeaways:

North America is estimated to account for 26.8% shares in the global reflective fabrics market from 2023 to 2033.

East Asia market for reflective fabrics is slated to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2023 and 2033.

The United States is expected to hold a revenue of US$ 440.2 million in the market by the end of 2033.

On the basis of application, a 40% share is likely to be held by the apparel and accessories segment in the global reflective fabrics market.

By end use, construction segment is poised to hold a 33.7% share in the global market.



Growth Drivers:

Demand is likely to be fueled by governmental regulations, a burgeoning construction sector, and improved industrial management globally.

Growing utilization of reflective fabrics in low-light or dim-light situations to ensure the wearer's safety is also projected to raise the need for reflective fabrics.

Restraints:

Reflective fabrics' limited shelf life and low durability are expected to stymie progress.

Government-imposed restrictions and regulations make it challenging for businesses to invest in the global market.

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=2020

Competitive Landscape:

Companies are likely to engage in the manufacturing of high-quality reflective tapes and films for use in vehicle and transportation management to improve visibility, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations. These companies are also relying heavily on technological progress and the invention of novel goods to increase their market share and achieve sustainability.

For instance,

In August 2022 , Reflective Apparel, a producer of a full line of high visibility clothing, introduced RAflect50, a brand of high visibility (hi-vis) clothing made to endure the harsh chemicals and high temperatures of industrial laundries.

In October 2022, the modern model of 3M ScotchliteTM reflective material commercial laundry and industrial wash flame proof reflective transfer sheets was launched. These new films include an ecofriendly construction that is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 approved, increasing durability while assisting specifiers in lowering the cost of ownership.

Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR

3M Co.

Avery Dennison Corporation

DM-Reflective

Hangzhou Chinastars Reflective Material Co., Ltd.

Orafol Europe GmbH

Reflomax

Roadstar Reflective Material Co., Ltd.

Safe Reflections Inc.

Schoeller Textiles

Viz Reflectives

More Valuable Insights on Reflective Fabrics Market

In the latest study, Fact.MR offers a detailed study on global reflective fabrics market for the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. This study also highlights key drivers promoting the sales of reflective fabrics through detailed segmentation as follows:

By Reflective Element:

Glass Bead-& Ceramic-based

Micro Prismatic

By Product:

Cloth

Tapes

Sheets and Films

Others

By Application:

Apparel and Accessories

Transportation

Roadside Facilities

Decoration and Others

By End Use:

Construction

Aviation and Aerospace

Oil, Gas, and Petroleum

Maintenance

Mining

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia & Oceania

Middle East and Africa

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Key Questions Covered in the Reflective Fabrics Market Report

What is the global reflective fabrics market size?

What will be the demand outlook for reflective fabrics over the forecast period?

Which regional reflective fabrics market will account for a leading market share?

Which is the leading industry for reflective fabrics?

Who are the prominent players in the reflective fabrics market?

What are the factors driving the reflective fabrics sales growth during the forecast period?

Explore Fact.MRs Coverage on the Chemical & Materials Domain

Anti-Reflective Glass Market: Anti-reflective glass is a preferred choice for the solar and automobile sectors due to its superior endurance and contrast definitions. It is also created to reduce surface reflection and provide the best viewing experience, which are slated to support market expansion.

Retro-reflective Material Market: Demand for retro-reflective materials is anticipated to increase in the years ahead as a result of rising highway traffic management demand and strict regulatory rules linked to industrial worker safety. The automobile industry is also likely to contribute to overall market development.

Anti-Stain Fabrics Market: Increasing demand from the textile sector is likely to be the primary driver of the worldwide anti-stain fabrics market. The demand is anticipated to be further fueled by the rising emphasis on fashionable apparel options.

About Fact.MR

We are a trusted research partner of 80% of fortune 1000 companies across the globe. We are consistently growing in the field of market research with more than 1000 reports published every year. The dedicated team of 400-plus analysts and consultants is committed to achieving the utmost level of our clients satisfaction.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Friendly Forces, a platform that creates transparency around corporate military leave and connects reservists with the most reservist-friendly companies, programs, and professional development resources, is proud to announce its 2023 Top Reservist Friendly Employers. These companies have demonstrated their commitment to supporting and valuing the contributions of military reservists through implementation of exceptional paid military leave policies that ease the emotional and financial burden placed on citizen-service members.

FF logo white on black.logo

Friendly Forces has developed a proprietary 5-Star scale that assesses corporate military leave policies and rates them according to how supportive they are to the servicemember.

"There are many organizations out there focused on being veteran or military-friendly and facilitating Active-Duty transition. That's great, but they lack context and understanding about the reservist experience. As war veterans and serving reservists, we saw that gap and are singularly dedicated to championing reservists, who have different needs and face different challenges than separated veterans," said Eric Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Friendly Forces.

"We consider any organization rated at 3 Stars or above on our scale to be proactively supporting military reservists and facilitating the critical role that they play in our national defense and military readiness," he said.

The following companies have earned top honors as Friendly Forces 2023 5 STAR Reservist Friendly Employers. To earn this honor, an employer must provide 12 months or more of unconditional full salary continuation (full pay) to reservists on military leave.

American Water

Bloomberg

Bristol Myers Squibb

Eaton

Enveil

Fiserv

Johnson and Johnson

Netflix

Nvidia

Politico

USAA

Visa

"We are honored to recognize these companies for their commitment to military reservists. These organizations understand the value and skills that reservists bring to the workforce, and have implemented policies to support their continued military service," Evans said. "They truly go above and beyond in their support to reservists and set an amazing example for other employers to emulate."

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To view the full list of 2023 Reservist Friendly Employer award winners and for more information on Friendly Forces and how to partner, visit https://www.friendlyforces.com

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SOURCE Friendly Forces
Inbound service to Denver is part of Roadrunner's Smart Network expansion. The company connects more metros directly than any other LTL carrier and will add more destinations later in 2023.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Roadrunner, transportation's greatest comeback story, today announced it is expanding its Smart Network with new inbound service to Denver, CO. It marks the first new market opening in years, continuing the positive momentum from recently announced transit time reductions across 130 major lanes and the launch of the next-business-day service SoCal-to-Chicago and Chicago-to-SoCal.

Roadrunner Freight Logo (PRNewsfoto/Roadrunner Freight)

"Our first priority is our customers," said Phil Thalheim, Chief Linehaul Network Engineer at Roadrunner. "We constantly ask ourselves how we can enhance our network to better service their needs, and this resulted in us offering service to Denver. We are thrilled to expand our network to Denver, giving our customers one more destination to enjoy our fast transit times, minimal rehandle of freight, and outstanding customer service."

"At Roadrunner, our value proposition is long haul metro-to-metro shipping," said Tomasz Jamroz, Head of Technology, Operations and Linehaul. "Opening Denver fits our strategic goal of becoming the best carrier moving freight directly from one part of the country to another and is really an important step in optimizing our network and further reducing transit times."

The Roadrunner team utilizes proprietary optimization technology to build direct loads and eliminate rehandling. The company focuses on assuring the integrity of custodial control of customer freight through the use of its Driver Teams that execute over-the-road moves (with no customer freight ever moving on rail) via the most direct route possible, eliminating the need to re-handle and thereby reducing the risk of loss or damage.

The service to Denver marks the first step of new market expansions, with openings of Kansas City and Portland planned for 2023.

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Roadrunner has spent the last two years optimizing its network, building industry-leading technology tools, and assembling a diverse and talented team. It recently sped up service in 130 lanes by 1-4 days which translated to over 12 million zip code combinations. The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America's most trustworthy companies and awarded Most Improved LTL Carrier by Mastio. Roadrunner has received several service quality awards from multiple shippers, most recently the Elite Carrier Award from Total Quality Logistics (TQL).

About Roadrunner

Roadrunner offers more direct long-haul metro-to-metro shipping than any other nationwide LTL carrier in the United States. With nationwide presence and terminals across 37 metro markets, the company's SmartNetwork is the preferred choice for shippers looking to move freight quickly and reliably. With Driver Teams executing Over-the-Road (OTR) moves and no freight moving on rail, their customers enjoy industry-leading transit times. The award-winning operations platform is fueled by AI and ML technology assuring integrity of custodial controls of freight and real-time tracking and visibility. Direct routing eliminates the need for rehandles and freight handovers and hence reduces the risk of loss or damage.

More than 1,000 drivers leverage the Roadrunner SmartNetwork to empower their businesses and are fiscally motivated to deliver freight on time, intact, and damage free. Roadrunner was ranked Most Improved LTL Carrier by Mastio and recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies in 2022. (PINK: RRTS)

Please visit the following sites to learn more about Roadrunner and how you can join the freight revolution. To learn more about shipping with Roadrunner: https://www.roadrunnerLTL.com

Explore careers in sales, operations, and technology at Roadrunner: https://www.shiproadrunnerfreight.com/careers/work-with-us/

To drive for Roadrunner as Owner Operators and Teams: https://run4roadrunner.com/

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SOURCE Roadrunner
Allied Market Research

Surge in rockfalls in mountain territories, geological threats resulting due to rockfalls such as disruption of transport routes, increase in financial losses and fatalities, and endangered safety of civil infrastructure drive the global rockfall radar market. Region-wise, the market in Europe is likely to maintain its leadership during the forecast period.

Portland, OR, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global rockfall radar market generated $126.6 million in 2021, and is estimated to reach $285.6 million by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 8.5% from 2022 to 2031. The report provides an extensive analysis of changing market dynamics, major segments, value chain, competitive scenario, and regional landscape. This research offers a valuable guidance to leading players, investors, shareholders, and startups in devising strategies for the sustainable growth and gaining competitive edge in the market.

Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/31833

Report Coverage and Details:

Report coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2031 Base Year 2021 Market Size in 2021 $126.6 million Market Size in 2031 $285.6 million CAGR 8.5% No. of Pages in Report 280 Segments Covered Application, Offering, and Region Drivers Surge in rockfalls in mountain territories Geological threats due to rockfalls such as disruption of transport routes, increase in financial losses and fatalities, and endangered safety of civil infrastructure. Opportunities Surge in demand for rockfall radars in open-pit mines Restraints The shortage of skilled technical personnel having good knowledge of rockfalls Less awareness about rockfall radars in developing regions.

COVID-19 Scenario:

The COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted the demand for rockfall radars. Lockdowns, quarantines, and social distancing norms caused business slowdowns or shutdowns.

Road operators and open pit mine sites have a high demand for rockfall radars. However, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the transportation and mining sector was among those that witnessed the most severe impact.

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The research provides detailed segmentation of the global rockfall radar market based on application, offering, and region. The report discusses segments and their sub-segments in detail with the help of tables and figures. Market players and investors can strategize according to the highest revenue-generating and fastest-growing segments mentioned in the report.

Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire Here (Get Full Insights in PDF - 280 Pages): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/31833

Based on offering, the on-premises segment held the highest share in 2021, accounting for more than half of the global rockfall radar market, and is expected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. However, the cloud segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.9% from 2022 to 2031.

Based on application, the mines segment accounted for the highest share in 2021, contributing to more than two-fifths of the global rockfall radar market and is expected to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Moreover, the highways segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.2% from 2022 to 2031. The report also discusses the railways and others segments.

Based on region, the Europe region held the largest share in 2021, contributing to more than two-fifths of the global rockfall radar market share, and is projected to maintain its dominant share in terms of revenue in 2031. In addition, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period. The report also analyzes the North America and LAMEA regions.

Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Rockfall Radar Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/31833?reqfor=covid

Leading players of the global rockfall radar market analyzed in the research include TRE ALTAMIRA, Hexagon AB, Canary Systems, Geobrugg AG, Geomotion Australia, GroundProbe, SkyGeo, TERRASIGNA. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global rockfall radar market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders:

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the rockfall radar market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing rockfall radar market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the rockfall radar market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global rockfall radar market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.



Rockfall Radar Market Key Segments:



By Offering:

Cloud

On-Premises

By Application:

Highways

Railways

Mines

Others

By Region:

North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)

LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East and Africa)

Buy this Research Report at Discounted Price @ https://bit.ly/3YDXBNC





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Radar Market By Offering (Hardware, Software, and Services), Product Type (Continuous Wave Radar, Pulse Radar, and Others), Platform (Marine, Air, Ground, and Space), Application (Air Traffic Control, Remote Sensing, Ground Traffic Control, and Space Navigation & Control), and End User (Automotive, Aviation, Industrial, Weather Monitoring, Military & Defense, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028

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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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LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / February 15, 2023 / Ruthenium Global Pharma, a Luxembourg-based investment solutions and infrastructure services company that works with professional investors, this week announced they achieved an annual return of 19.4% in 2022, outperforming sectoral and broad market benchmarks.

Ascend Agency, Wednesday, February 15, 2023, Press release picture

Noting that the S&P 500 closed out its worse year since 2008 at the end of 2022, Ruthenium Global Pharma set new records, with a 38.9% return since its inception during October 2020.

"Despite the pessimistic market numbers as we entered 2023, our team has been showing strong results since the beginning of the year, in thanks to the diversified portfolio of high-yielding structured products with global pharma stocks at the center," said Dr. Dmitry Reykhart, chairman of Ruthenium Global Pharma Fund.

The Ruthenium Fund manages three dedicated sub-funds that covers very different investment propositions to satisfy various goals and risks for clients. These sub-funds include: global pharma, unconstrained bond, and absolute return.

"We are excited to announce the Ruthenium Global Pharma Fund is in the top 10 performing funds in Barclay Hedge Healthcare, as well as the Credit Suisse Hedge Fund Index," concluded Dr. Reykhart.

Ruthenium Global Pharma Fund is currently registered in Luxembourg as it oversees over $61 million in current fund assets. The firm was ranked #1 in the Healthcare/Biotech category in the Barclay Hedge database during September 2022. The company has received awards for their performance during February and April 2022.

About: Lastly, Ruthenium Global Pharma Fund's team includes managers with over 30-years of market experience and expertise. The company plans to continue defying market odds by applying their investment strategy to all current and future client requests as 2023 progresses.

For more information, or to learn about their available investment services, visit: https://www.ruthenium.fund/ .

Media Details

Website URL: https://www.ruthenium.fund/

Company Name: Ruthenium Global Pharma

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Contact:

Email address: contact@ruthenium.fund

SOURCE: Ruthenium Global Pharma





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/739579/Ruthenium-Global-Pharma-Achieves-Annual-Return-of-194-in-2022-Outperforming-Broad-Market-Benchmarks




The Brainy Insights

An increase in surgical operations, knowledge of hospital acquired infections, and an increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases globally are all factors driving the global market for safety glasses. North America region currently dominates the safety eyewear market with a 32% market revenue share in 2021.

Newark, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The safety eyewear market was estimated at around 3.5 billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of nearly 4% during 2022-2030. The market is projected to reach approximately USD 5.5 billion by 2030.



The market is expanding primarily as a result of strict workplace safety laws and an increased reliance on visual media. People who operate on laptops or computers for extended periods of time may endure eye irritation. Long periods of time spent concentrating on the screen and typefaces might lead to eye fatigue and headaches. Long periods of screen time can also make eyes red and dry since they don't blink enough. This typically occurs as a result of a person's blink rate being reduced by as much as 50% by computer screens or other digital displays. . However, using safety eyewear can help you avoid more than 85% of eye injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology urges companies and employees to wear the appropriate protective gear while raising awareness of the value of occupational eye safety and wellness. The group additionally discovered that eye injuries sustained at work cost more than USD 300 million annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, and compensation.



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These wounds can cause temporary or permanent vision loss and blindness. They can range from straightforward chemical eye burns to blunt trauma wounds. Construction, manufacturing, and mining workers are more likely to have such accidents; these three industries account for 40% of all workplace eye injuries. In terms of revenue, non-prescription safety eyewear accounted for the highest portion. This can be explained by the fact that the bulk of safety eyewear is purchased for the labour force to protect the eyes from debris and dangerous substances. Non-prescription eyewear is typically used by people who can no longer see small text.



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Growth Factors



The construction and industrial sectors' explosive growth is propelling the global market for safety eyewear. In a number of industries and places, regulations addressing worker safety have been passed by governments, which will probably increase demand for the product. Additionally, it is anticipated that an increase in workplace accidents will propel the market ahead. For instance, in the United States, construction spending climbed by 4% in 2017 and is expected to increase by 5% by the end of 2020. With the number of workplaces expected to increase by 6%, this has stimulated the growth of the building industry, with a focus on the creation of contemporary commercial spaces. During the forecast period, this is expected to promote the use of eyewear goods.

Another aspect that is positively influencing the market expansion is the availability of different types of eye equipment such as goggles, visors, and glasses as necessary for job safety. Key players in this market are concentrating on providing customized safety eyewear in order to increase product adoption among employees. Additionally, manufacturers are selling safety eyewear that includes ordinary eyeglasses inside the goggles for customers who need corrective lenses. In addition to such customization, safety glasses need to be comfortable to wear. To ensure that workers are comfortable enough to wear the goggles all day, elements like cushioned brows, enjoyable gel nosepieces, and padded nose bridges are incorporated into the products. As a result, market demand and product acceptance are anticipated to increase.



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Segmental Overview



Additionally, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration in the United States regulates non-prescription sunglasses as medical devices. The segment dominated the industry since safety gear suitable for all types of workplaces was mass produced. A few well-known companies, including Kimberly-Clark Corp., MCR Safety, Honeywell International Inc., and 3M Company, dominate the global market.



In 2021, the industrial manufacturing sector had the greatest share with 28.5%. Processing, assembling, and finishing are just a few of the procedures involved in industrial manufacturing that expose workers to damaging light radiation, hazardous chemicals, and dust particles. The industrial manufacturing sector's demand for safety apparel is rising as a result. The following industrial manufacturing processes have a high risk of causing eye injuries: drilling, chiselling, hammering, chipping, sanding, spraying, grinding, smelting, cutting, and welding. The numerous risks that people working in the oil and gas business confront on a daily basis are well known to them. From welding sparks to extremely hot liquids and falling debris to heavy equipment, a variety of possible injury-causing hazards are constantly present.



Regional Overview



Over the projection period, Asia Pacific is anticipated to become the area with the quickest growth. There are three different kinds of eye protection: face shields, goggles, and safety glasses. To reduce their chance of contracting infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises workers to wear eye protective glasses while at work. This is explained by the region's growing focus on workplace safety and health. With rising middle-class spending, particularly in emerging economies, Asia Pacific, which is home to roughly 59% of the world's population, presents enormous prospects for market players.



Report Scope



Base Year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2030 Report Coverage Revenue estimation and forecast, company profile, competitive landscape, growth factors, and recent trends Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Market Size(unit) USD Billion CAGR 4% Segments Covered By Type

By Application



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List of the prominent players in the Global Safety Eyewear Market:



 Kimberly-Clark Corp.

 MCR Safety

 Honeywell International, Inc.

 UVEX Winter Holding GmbH & Co., KG

 Medop SA

 3M Company

 Bolle Safety

 Radians, Inc.

 Pyramex Safety Products LLC

 Gateway Safety, Inc.



The global Safety Eyewear Market is segmented as follows:



By Type



 Prescription

 Non-prescription



By Application



 Oil & Gas

 Construction

 Mining

 Industrial Manufacturing

 Military

 Others



By Region/Geography



 North America



o The U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico



 Europe



o France

o The UK

o Spain

o Germany

o Italy

o Rest of Europe



 Asia Pacific



o China

o Japan

o India

o Australia

o South Korea

o Rest of Asia Pacific



 The Middle East & Africa



o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o South Africa

o Egypt

o Kuwait

o Rest of the Middle East & Africa



 Latin America



o Brazil

o Argentina

o Rest of Latin America



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The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



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Bursting with must-see sights and rich experiences, a trip to Scandinavia is the stuff travelling bucket list dreams are made of.

Inspiring Vacations

Inspiring Vacations

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From colourful Copenhagen to sophisticated Stockholm, Scandinavia is a top travel destination for many Aussies. According to leading travel company Inspiring Vacations, which runs tours across the world, including tours to Alaska, tours to Scandinavia and everywhere in between, travellers can expect plenty of incredible sights and breathtaking landscapes on a Scandinavia trip.

One of the biggest drawcards of Scandinavia is without a doubt the Northern Lights. Occurring in the winter night sky, the natural phenomenon features waves of green, purple, red and blue. Scientifically known as the aurora borealis, the vivid light display can be witnessed with the naked eye and occurs when charged electrons and protons collide with gases in the earth's upper atmosphere, producing tiny flashes. Inspiring Vacations says this is an experience every traveller should see.

Encompassing Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Inspiring Vacations explains this popular travel destination in Europe is an ever-popular choice with travellers keen to see the stunning wilderness and beautiful cities.

Offering a range of Scandinavia tours, Inspiring Vacations says this region offers something for everyone. The travel company proudly operates nine different tours, including partially and fully escorted options ranging from seven nights to the 24-day ultimate Scandinavia tour.

Boasting a diverse and exciting itinerary on each tour, the 24-day ultimate Scandinavia tour offers travellers the chance to enjoy the flexibility of independent travel throughout the region combined with a guided group tour of Iceland, with incredible sightseeing on the agenda.

Inspiring Vacations explains that travelling with the experts provides the opportunity to enjoy a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the most iconic destinations within Scandinavia. The tours are bursting with must-see sights, such as the stunningly diverse landscapes of Iceland, from glaciers to volcanoes and the geothermal pools of Myvatn Nature Baths.

Story continues

The itinerary includes a panoramic tour of Helsinki, including the Town Hall and Opera House, as well as a cruise along the famous fjords, taking in the natural beauty of Norway. Travellers can also witness the mighty Saltstraumen, the world's strongest whirlpool.

To learn more about the tours on offer across the world, including Alaska tours, visit Inspiring Vacations online.

Contact Information:

Inspiring Vacations

Marketing Manager

bookme@inspiringvacations.com

1300 88 66 88



Related Images













Image 1: Inspiring Vacations





Inspiring Vacations









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Attachment




Launching February 23, Glossier products will be available to shop nationwide on Sephora.ca, the Sephora App and at most Sephora store locations across Canada

TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Sephora Canada is officially making it easier than ever for Canadian beauty lovers to get their hands on their favourite Glossier products. On February 23, 2023, Canadians can shop the iconic brand on Sephora.ca, the Sephora App and in most Sephora stores across the country. The launch of Glossier at Sephora Canada represents the brand's first retail partnership, and the first time ever that Canadian clients will be able to shop Glossier's range of makeup, skincare, and fragrance directly from a retailer in Canada.

"We've seen the excitement building among Canadian beauty lovers since we first announced our retail partnership with Glossier, and the wait is finally over" says Jane Nugent, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Sephora Canada, "This highly anticipated launch was a direct result of listening to our beauty community and our commitment to introduce the most innovative, sought-after brands to our customers."

Sephora Canada welcomes highly-anticipated beauty brand Glossier through first-ever retail partnership (CNW Group/Sephora)

"As Canada's leading beauty retailer, we knew Sephora was the perfect home for Glossier", says Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier. "We're thrilled that this partnership will bring more Glossier to more people across Canada. We can't wait for long-time lovers of Glossier and newcomers to the brand to discover all Glossier has to offer at Sephora Canada, extending our reach to their loyal clients".

Starting February 23, 2023, Canadians will be able to shop Glossier's range of skincare, makeup, and fragrance products on Sephora.ca, the Sephora App and at most brick-and-mortar store locations across the country. Clients can also take advantage of Sephora Canada Beauty Insider perks like free shipping and beauty insider cash while they shop the assortment, which will include Glossier best-sellers like Boy Brow, Milky Jelly Cleanser, Futuredew, and Glossier You Eau De Parfum.

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For more information about the arrival of Glossier at Sephora Canada, visit https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/brand/glossier and follow @sephoracanada on Instagram.

About Sephora Americas:

Since its debut in North America more than 20 years ago, Sephora has been a leader in prestige omni-retail with the mission of creating an inviting beauty shopping experience and inspiring fearlessness in our community. With the goal of delivering unbiased shopping support and a personalized experience, Sephora invites clients to discover thousands of products from more than 340 carefully curated brands, explore online and through our mobile app, enjoy services at the Beauty Studio and engage with expertly trained beauty advisors in over 500 stores across the Americas, including 100 stores across Canada. Clients can access the free-to-join Beauty Insider program and digital community, which together enhance the experience of Sephora's passionate clients. Sephora has been an industry-leading champion of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment, guided by our longstanding company values. In 2019, Sephora announced a new tagline and manifesto, "We Belong to Something Beautiful," to reinforce its dedication to fostering belonging amongst all clients and employees and to publicly strive for a more inclusive vision for retail in the Americas. Sephora continues to give back to our communities and advance inclusion in our industry through its social impact and equity programming, called the Sephora D&I Heart Journey. For more information, visit: https://www.sephora.ca/about-us and @SephoraCanada on social media.

About Glossier, Inc.:

Glossier is a beauty brand inspired by real life, whose vision is to change how the world sees beauty. It launched in 2014 with four essential products that emphasize "glowy, dewy skin." Today, Glossier has more than 46 products spanning skin care, makeup, fragrance, and body care, as well as a line of merch, and a dedicated following of more than 2.7 million followers on Instagram.

Sephora Logo (CNW Group/Sephora)

SOURCE Sephora

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/16/c9772.html
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the current situation in Turkiye amid search and rescue efforts during a phone call, Azernews reports.

Minister Bayramov once again extended condolences over the human casualties and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He noted that Azerbaijan "as always, stands with the fraternal country and will continue providing support in eliminating the quake implications".

Besides that, the minister expressed confidence that Turkiye will manage to cope with this ordeal.

In turn, Cavusoglu briefed his interlocutor on the latest situation in the disaster area and the course of rescue operations.

Furthermore, the sides also exchanged views on the current regional situation and addressed other issues of mutual interest.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Turkiye's southeastern part on February 6, 2023, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

At the moment of writing, the overall death toll in Turkiye has risen to above 41,000.

Azerbaijan was the first country to provide assistance to Turkiye immediately after the earthquake and continues to send humanitarian aid and rescuers to the quake-hit zone.
Q1 2023 revenue of $28.0 million  an increase of $22.1 million over Q1 2022, and $1.5 million higher than the previous quarter (Q4 2022).

Q1 2023 Adjusted EBITDA of $0.9 million  an increase of $0.8 million over Q1 2022.

Q1 2023 Adjusted net income of $0.3 million or $0.01 per share compared with $0.1 million or $0.00 per share in Q1 2022.

REGINA, SK, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - SSC Security Services Corp. ("SSC" or the "Company) (TSXV: SECU) (OTCQX: SECUF), a national provider of cyber, physical and electronic security services to commercial, industrial and public sector clients across Canada, is pleased to release its results for the first quarter of the 2023 fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. All figures are presented in Canadian dollars.

SSC Security Services Corp. Logo (CNW Group/SSC Security Services Corp.)

"The results for the first quarter of FY2023 are starting to show the benefits of our becoming a national security services provider as a result of the Logixx acquisition," said Chairman & CEO Doug Emsley. "This represents a great team effort during a busy time of year in our industry, and I want to be sure to acknowledge everyone across the company who contributed to this result.

"Our integration of Logixx into SSC continues. We are optimizing the way services are offered by SRG and Logixx to ensure geographic efficiency and coherence and are working to consolidate our core accounting and finance functions into our national administration centre. We expect these efforts to offer administrative efficiencies once fully in place."

Q1 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

During the first quarter ended December 31, 2022, revenue was $28.0 million, up $22.1 million over revenue recorded in the same period last year and representing organic growth of 5.7% from last quarter (Q4 2022).

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $0.9 million ($0.04 per share), up from $0.05 million ($0.00 per share) during the same quarter last year.

During the quarter, we converted $1.4 million in legacy assets to cash, realizing a $0.4 million write-up in the process. We also paid $0.03 per share in dividends to shareholders and bought back 134,600 shares of the Company at an average of $2.76 per share.

We finished the quarter ended December 31 with (comparison to prior quarter  Q4 2022):

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Key Performance Indicators for the quarter and previous comparable period are summarized below:

Key Performance Indicators Quarter ended 31-Dec

2022 2021 Revenue 28,024 5,885 Cost of Sales 23,787 4,963 Gross Profit 4,237 922 Gross Margin (%) 15.1 % 15.7 %

Comprehensive net income (loss) 286 (478) Comprehensive net income (loss) per share (basic) $0.01 ($0.02)

Adjusted EBITDA 879 49 Adjusted EBITDA per share (basic) $0.04 $0.00



REVENUE, GROSS PROFIT & NET INCOME

During the first quarter ended December 31, 2022, revenue was $28.0 million, up $22.1 million over revenue recorded in the same period last year and representing organic growth of 5.7% from last quarter (Q4 2022). The Year-over-Year increase in revenues was due primarily to the acquisition of Logixx on June 1, 2022, but the Quarter-over-Quarter increase is entirely internally generated organic growth.

Gross profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 increased to $4.2 million (15.1% of revenue) from $0.9 million (15.7% of revenue) during the same quarter last year. The growth in gross profit is primarily a result of the addition of Logixx gross margin starting June 1, 2022.

A gross margin percentage around 15% is in line with our expectations going forward. In previous quarters, this figure had been higher as a result of contributions to gross margin from our legacy business whose effects were immaterial during this quarter.

Comprehensive net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $0.3 million (profit of $0.01 per share), compared to a comprehensive net loss in the same quarter last year of $0.5 million (loss of $0.02 per share).

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is the primary KPI used by the Company to measure the financial performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, was $0.9 million ($0.04 per share), as compared to $0.05 million ($0.00 per share) during the same quarter last year. Until the legacy business wind-up is substantially complete, it will be difficult to make comparisons to prior periods.

Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA Quarter ended 31-Dec

2022 2021 Net income (Loss) 286 (478) Adjusted EBITDA 879 49 Adjusted EBITDA per share $0.04 $0.00

A reconciliation of earnings to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the Non-IFRS section of the MD&A published concurrently with this press release.*



BALANCE SHEET

Key balance sheet items are summarized below:

Statements of Financial Position As at As at 31-Dec-22 31-Dec-21 Cash 9,199 31,218 Accounts receivable 23,524 4,539 Legacy contract assets 7,093 10,383 Assets held for sale 800 1,306 Mortgages and loans receivable 4,076 8,341 Total assets 86,965 80,422 Total liabilities 16,969 6,935 Total shareholders' equity 69,997 73,487 Common shares outstanding 19,580 19,855 Working capital 25,151 34,913 Long-term debt 0 475



UPDATE ON NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID

During the quarter ended December 31, 2022, we bought back 134,600 shares at an average price of $2.76 per share.

We renewed our NCIB for the upcoming year on January 4, 2023 because we continue to believe that our shares have been trading in a price range which does not adequately reflect their value and that the purchase of shares under the NCIB will enhance shareholder value in general.

ENGAGEMENT OF STONEGATE CAPITAL PARTNERS

We have retained Stonegate Capital Partners Inc. ("Stonegate") of Dallas, Texas to provide advisory and institutional outreach services in the United States, with the objective of raising SSC's profile among US investors. Under the terms of the twelve-month contract, Stonegate will be paid at a rate of USD $4,000 per month.

Stonegate Capital Partners provides corporate communications, corporate access and capital markets advisory services. Stonegate is a privately owned firm based in Dallas, Texas. For more information, see www.Stonegateinc.com.

OUTLOOK

We have been working to integrate Logixx into the operations of the Company and expect this work to continue in FY2023. This includes the consolidation of core accounting and finance operations into the Company's national administrative centre.

We expect demand for security services to continue to grow and our national presence to assist in winning new contracts. Additional growth may come via acquisition, as we look to acquire other companies in the Canadian security industry. Additional acquisitions will help us reach our goals more quickly, but we will not rush to complete new deals and will maintain our financial conservatism throughout.

In our legacy business, the majority of our legacy assets are expected to convert to cash over the next year. Our objective is to make these resources available for the expansion of our security business. When taken together, our Cash and Near Cash position is over $33 million.

We plan to continue to distribute capital to shareholders via the dividend, operate with minimal to no debt while maintaining solid liquidity, and focus on maximizing Adjusted EBITDA per share.

ABOUT SSC

SSC Security Services Corp. is a national provider of cyber, physical and electronic security services to corporate and public sector clients across Canada. For more information, please visit www.securityservicescorp.ca.

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.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding SSC and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of SSC's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting SSC, including risks regarding the security industry, the agricultural industry, economic factors and the equity markets generally and many other factors beyond the control of SSC. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and SSC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

* Non-IFRS Measures

SSC measures key performance metrics established by management as being key indicators of the Company's strength, using certain non-IFRS performance measures, including:

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA per share.

The Company uses these non-IFRS measures for its own internal purposes. These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and these measures may be calculated differently by other companies. The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company provides these non-IFRS measures to enable investors and analysts to understand the underlying operating and financial performance of the Company in the same way as it is frequently evaluated by Management. Management will periodically assess these non-IFRS measures and the components thereof to ensure their continued use is beneficial to the evaluation of the underlying operating and financial performance of the Company. For more detailed information, please refer to pages 21 and 22 of the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis dated February 16, 2023 available on the Company's website at www.securityservicescorp.ca and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE SSC Security Services Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/16/c8858.html
SPRINGFIELD, MA and TRUE BLUE, GRENADA / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2023 / St. George's University has renewed its partnership with Springfield College that will grant eligible Springfield students streamlined entry into the St. George's School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine.

"Since 2014, St. George's has offered talented Springfield College students the opportunity to pursue a first-rate education and subsequent career in medicine," said Dr. Richard Liebowitz, vice chancellor of St. George's University. "We're thrilled to continue that partnership educating the next generation of doctors and veterinarians so they can return to their communities and help address the critical need for medical and veterinary services nationwide."

Ashley McNeill, PhD, director of the Springfield College pre-health professions advising, said the College is excited to continue to build partnerships like the one with St. George's.

"Not only will this provide opportunities for our students to pursue excellent medical and veterinary training, but St. George's University also offers unique opportunities for our students to continue to live our Humanics mission: educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others," McNeill said. "St. George's University's focus on global health and care for underserved populations complements our students' dedication to creating a better world for all."

The partnership has established two "4+4" programs in which Springfield College students who complete four years of pre-medical or pre-veterinary coursework and meet all requirements for admission are fast-tracked for admission into four-year programs at the St. George's School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine. Candidates for the programs must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and score competitively on relevant entrance exams.

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Students who wish to take advantage of the combined degree programs must express interest upon applying to Springfield College. Those accepted into the MD program receive a $10,000 scholarship upon matriculating and are eligible for additional scholarships and grants from St. George's.

Students accepted into the St. George's School of Medicine may complete their first two years of study in Grenada, or spend their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second year in Grenada. They undertake their final two years of clinical rotations at hospitals affiliated with St. George's in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Veterinary students complete three years of study in Grenada and their final clinical year at schools affiliated with St. George's in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

About St. George's University

St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 20,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council, and its programs across all schools are accredited and approved by many governing authorities. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu.

About Springfield College

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 3,500 students, including 2,050 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy - educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.

MEDIA CONTACTS

St. George's

Maggie Servais

maggie@keybridge.biz

(202) 516-6584

Springfield College

Ashley McNeill

amcneill@springfield.edu

(413) 748-3457

SOURCE: St. George's University





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/739646/St-Georges-University-Announces-Renewed-Admissions-Partnership-with-Springfield-College




(Adds Maran Gas Coronis) Feb 16 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). Floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) terminals are added to the table when they near deployment. As of Dec. 27 2022, this includes the Eemshaven terminal in the Netherlands, the Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbuettel and Lubmin terminals in Germany. For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Cool Rider 152,000 Feb. 16 United States South Hook La Seine 174,000 Feb. 18 United States South Hook LNG Abuja II 172,000 Feb. 19 United States South Hook Maran Gas Agamemnon 172,000 Feb. 20 United States Dragon Shagra 261,000 Feb. 21 Qatar South Hook Orion Sea 174,000 Feb. 23 United States South Hook Sonangol Benguela 158,000 Feb. 23 Angola Isle of Grain Soyo 158,000 Feb. 26 Angola Isle of Grain Al Kharaitiyat 171,000 March 1 Qatar South Hook Ribera Duero Knutsen 173,000 March 1 United States Isle of Grain BW Pavilion Aranda 171,000 March 2 Unites States Isle of Grain BELGIUM Vladimir Vize 172,000 Feb. 17 Russia Zeebrugge Al Ruwais 210,000 Feb. 19 Qatar Zeebrugge Boris Vilkitsky 159,000 Feb. 21 Russia Zeebrugge Maran Gas Feb. 22 N/A Coronis 142,000 (L) Zeebrugge Al Deebel 143,000 Feb. 24 Qatar Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Grace Freesia 171,000 Feb. 16 United States Gate Onaiza 206,000 Feb. 16 (A) Qatar Vivit Arabia LNG 171,000 Feb. 17 United States Gate Adriano Knutsen 180,000 Feb. 24 United States Gate Maran Gas Ithaca 170,000 Feb. 25 United States Gate Gaslog Geneva 174,000 Feb. 26 United States Eemshaven SM Bluebird 171,000 Feb. 28 United States Gate GERMANY Ish 138,000 Feb. 14 (A) United Arab Emirates Brunsbuettel LNG Schneeweisschen 177,000 Feb. 16 United States Wilhelmshaven Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date estimated based on flows data (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin)
NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global technical textiles market size is estimated to grow by USD 59.78 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.92% during the forecast period. The report includes historic market data from 2017 to 2021. In 2017, the market was valued at USD 183.34 billion. APAC will account for 52% of the market's growth during the forecast period.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Technical Textiles Market 2023-2027

For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Global technical textiles market - Five Forces

The global technical textiles market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Bargaining power of buyers

The threat of new entrants

Threat of rivalry

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of substitutes

Interpretation of porter's five models helps to strategize the business, for entire details  buy the report!

Global technical textiles market  Customer Landscape



The report includes the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.



Global technical textiles market - Segmentation Assessment



Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on application (Mobiltech, Indutech, Sporttech, Buildtech, and Others),

The mobiltech segment will account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast period. Technical textiles utilized in the automotive or transportation industries are referred to as mobiltech textiles. The term 'mobiltech' refers to textiles with integrated automotive textile technology. It covers a broad spectrum of automotive applications and parts (including aerospace, aircraft, railways, and marine vehicles). It encompasses more than the notion of isolation and safety. It also focuses on comfort and style. Such factors will increase the market growth during the forecast period.

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Geography Overview

By geography, the global technical textiles market is segmented into APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global technical textiles market.

APAC is estimated to account for 52% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Owing to factors like rapid urbanization and technological advancements in the healthcare, automotive, and construction industries, APAC has experienced tremendous growth in this sector and currently holds the largest market share. Easy production, inexpensive labor, and favorable government policy support further encourage this. China has been able to maintain its dominance as the world's top producer of textiles and apparel. China's textile industry has remained robust and prosperous despite setbacks like decreased exports of textiles and apparel and rising competition from nations like India. China's ability to produce and meet market demand for cutting-edge technical textiles is one specific development that will set it apart from its rivals in the near future. This will have a positive impact on market growth.

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Global technical textiles market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The rising importance of healthcare and hygiene is notably driving market growth .

People's spending power has increased as a result of their increased income, and they are prepared to spend more money on their health and hygiene.

People are more worried about their health now because of the country's increasing risk of pollution and diseases. They are increasingly moving toward cleaner, healthier lifestyles that require the use of things like wipes, face masks, diapers, tooth floss, ear buds, sanitary napkins, etc. Each of these goods uses different types of technical textiles, and as the final products are used more frequently, so has the consumption of technical textiles.

Surgical dressings, disposable bed sheets, sutures, medical gowns and masks, artificial valves, artificial hearts, and other medical devices all make substantial use of technical textiles. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

The growing use of geotechnical textiles is an emerging trend in the market .

Geotechnical textiles are technical textile items used in geological applications involving rock, soil, or other natural elements in civil engineering projects.

They are made from natural and synthetic fibers utilizing weaving, knitting, and non-woven techniques. Due to their unique technical qualities, including drapability, inertial strength, ecological efficiency, low maintenance, customizable fabric, fineness, and low extensibility, as well as their commercial benefits, including easy access to customized fabric and comparative economy, geotechnical textiles are becoming more popular on both domestic and international markets.

Moreover, the geosynthetic is made from a polymeric substance when utilized with soil, rock, or other geotechnical-related materials. Polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene synthetic polymers are used to create most geosynthetic materials.

The current range of geosynthetic goods includes, but is not limited to, geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomeshes, and geocomposites. Thus, the growing use of geotechnical textiles is one of the growing trends which is expected to drive the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Major challenges hindering the market growth

The lack of availability of a skilled workforce is a major challenge impeding market growth .

Technical textiles is a very diverse field that uses many manufacturing procedures to create various goods. These procedures call for people with specialized skill sets which are not already present in the domestic business.

Most government initiatives for workforce development concentrate on fundamental textiles like spinning, weaving, and clothing production.

For technical textiles, no such specialized curricula have been devised. It is urgently necessary to set up particular forums for dialogue between businesses and academics to build specialized curricula for technical textiles to address this problem.

Additionally, the government might adjust its programs for developing human resources to better suit the needs of the technical textiles sector.

Thus, the lack of availability of a skilled workforce can become a major challenge for the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, 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 technical textiles market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the technical textiles market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the technical textiles 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 technical textiles market industry across APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of technical textiles market vendors

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Related Reports:

The technical textiles market in Europe size is expected to increase to USD 8.5 billion from 2022 to 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.54%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (mobiltech, indutech, sporttech, buildtech, and others), and product (woven, composites, and nonwoven).

The size of the medical textiles market is expected to increase by USD 6,097.14 million from 2022 to 2027, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.92%. This report extensively covers market segmentation by product (woven medical textiles, non-woven medical textiles, and knitted textiles), application (surgical, healthcare and hygiene products, and extracorporeal), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

Technical Textiles Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 181 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.92% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 59.78 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.58 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 52% Key countries US, China, India, Japan, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled 3M Co., Ahlstrom Munksjo, Asahi Kasei Corp., Berry Global Inc., Don and Low Ltd., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Duvaltex Inc., Elevate Textiles Inc., Freudenberg Performance Materials, Heytex Bramsche GmbH, Hindoostan Mills Ltd., HUESKER Synthetic GmbH, Huntsman Corp., Indian Technical Textile Association, Milliken and Co., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., SKAPS Industries Inc., SRF Ltd., Toray Industries Inc., and Toyobo Co. Ltd. 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

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global technical textiles market 2017 - 2021

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.3 Product type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

5.4 Threat of new entrants

5.5 Threat of substitutes

5.6 Threat of rivalry

5.7 Market condition

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

6.2 Comparison by Application

6.3 Mobiltech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.4 Indutech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.5 Sporttech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.6 Buildtech - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

6.8 Market opportunity by Application

7 Market Segmentation by Product Type

7.1 Market segments

7.2 Comparison by Product Type

7.3 Woven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.4 Composites - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.5 Nonwoven - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

7.6 Market opportunity by Product Type

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

9.2 Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

11.3 Landscape disruption

11.4 Industry risks

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

12.3 3M Co.

12.4 Ahlstrom Munksjo

12.5 Asahi Kasei Corp.

12.6 Berry Global Inc.

12.7 DuPont de Nemours Inc.

12.8 Duvaltex Inc.

12.9 Freudenberg Performance Materials

12.10 HUESKER Synthetic GmbH

12.11 Huntsman Corp.

12.12 Indian Technical Textile Association

12.13 Milliken and Co.

12.14 Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

12.15 SRF Ltd.

12.16 Toray Industries Inc.

12.17 Toyobo Co. Ltd.

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

13.5 List of abbreviations

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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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Global Technical Textiles Market 2023-2027

Cision

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SOURCE Technavio
An initial test market that launched in August in select Mississauga, Ont., Tim Hortons restaurants quickly went viral and is still ongoing. The test market in Winnipeg will help us continue to assess guest feedback.





Tim Hortons Flatbread Pizzas, which are prepared fresh to order, are available in three delicious varieties: Chicken Parmesan, Pepperoni and Simply Cheese

WINNIPEG, MB, Feb. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Starting today, participating Tim Hortons restaurants across Winnipeg are taking part in a test market for a delicious and craveable new lunch and dinner menu item: Flatbread Pizza.

Tim Hortons Flatbread Pizza Test Market Launch (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)

An initial test market that launched in August in select Mississauga, Ont., Tim Hortons restaurants quickly went viral and is still ongoing. Now, guests across Winnipeg have the opportunity to try Tim Hortons Flatbread Pizzas, which are prepared fresh to order and available in three delicious varieties: Chicken Parmesan, Pepperoni and Simply Cheese.

"Our Flatbread Pizzas are a completely new Tim Hortons lunch and dinner experience that we're excited to be testing with our guests in Winnipeg," says Chef Tallis Voakes, Director of Culinary Innovation at Tim Hortons.

"Each Flatbread Pizza is prepared fresh to order and made with amazing ingredients  including slow-cooked seasoned chicken, a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese, Parmesan flakes, and marinara sauce for our Chicken Parmesan Flatbread Pizza. We can't wait for our guests in Winnipeg to try all three varieties of our Flatbread Pizzas and we're looking forward to their feedback."

Tim Hortons Flatbread Pizzas are now available at 16 participating Tim Hortons restaurants across Winnipeg and are also available through the Tim Hortons app for delivery. The new Flatbread Pizza is also being tested at two Tim Hortons restaurants in Brandon, one in Dauphin and one in Stony Mountain.

A full list of participating Tim Hortons restaurant addresses can be found below:

1848 Main Street, Winnipeg 1025 King Edward Street, Winnipeg 1590 Notre Dame, Winnipeg 393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 980 St. James Street, Winnipeg 1795 Brookside Blvd Rr#2, Winnipeg 240 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg 434 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 363 Broadway Street, Winnipeg 188 Isabel St, Winnipeg 333 St. Marys Ave., Winnipeg 1485 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 1399 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg 314-2305 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg 854 Nairn Avenue, Winnipeg 160 Princess Street, Winnipeg 11 Davis Way, Stony Mountain 2800 Victoria Avenue, Brandon 1655 18th Street, Brandon 1565 Main Street, Dauphin

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Tim Hortons is also expanding the Flatbread Pizza test market to select restaurants across Windsor, Ont., Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, and Quebec.

ABOUT TIM HORTONS

In 1964, the first Tim Hortons restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double coffees, Donuts and Timbits in the years since. Over the last 55 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians and has become synonymous with serving Canada's favourite coffee. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with nearly 4,000 restaurants across the country. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages  including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps  alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 5,400 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.ca.

SOURCE Tim Hortons

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Vietnam Blockchain Association

Vietnam Blockchain Association

Vietnam Blockchain Association obtained the Basic Network Trust Certification from the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) for its official website blockchain.vn in February 2023.

HANOI, Vietnam, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the 1st extraordinary meeting on February 14, 2023, the membership dismissal has been approved for the following members: Vice Chairman Huy Nguyen, Standing Committee member Pham Minh Tri, and Executive Committee member Pham Toan Thang. Vice Chairman Huy Nguyen and Standing Committee member Pham Minh Tri have been removed from all relevant positions. The decisions were agreed upon by 100% of the members attending the extraordinary meeting.



According to the resolution from the Executive Committee, the three members have violated the Charter of the Association, acted and spread misinformation in a way that seriously harmed the reputation and honor of the Association, causing internal disunity.

Hoang Van Huay, VBA Chairman and former Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Ministry shared: "We have witnessed the collapse of the blockchain application market in cryptocurrencies in countries such as the US and South Korea, from individuals who were once rising stars like Sam Bankman-Fried or Do Kwon to economic criminals who are in hiding. The problem is not in technology but behind the technology. Therefore, ethics should be taken more seriously than ever when dealing with technology solutions."

Vietnam Blockchain Association obtained the Basic Network Trust Certification from the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) for its official website blockchain.vn in February 2023.





To create a transparent and quality environment for blockchain applications in Vietnam and become a solid and long-term bridge between Vietnamese blockchain talents and global organizations and communities, VBA focused on implementing a plan to monitor information system security, ensure overall information security and take steps to register for cyber trust certification, to create trust from participants and affirm the legitimacy of VBA in cyberspace.

"The inevitable personnel change is to increase community reputation, create legal value, comply and operate standards of Vietnam Blockchain Association. At the same time, we are always ready to connect and open to suggestions for development from domestic and international associations, businesses, and communities," Chairman Hoang Van Huay added.

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Recently, at the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Vietnam Blockchain Association was one of the organizations representing Vietnam's innovative technology sector. The forum will discuss the investment environment, digital transformation and green energy in the context of the global economy, with 500 enterprises from Singapore and Vietnam attending on February 10.

On February 16, VBA representatives attended the exchange program to connect with leaders from 19 organizations and associations in the technology industry and other economic sectors, as well as many businesses in Hanoi.

In 2023, VBA aims to develop and gather experts in technology, legal and financial professionals who meet professional, ethical standards. The Association would continue to publish standards for the blockchain market, including fraud identification and information security standards, and promote the community to develop platform blockchain technology (Blockchain layer 1). These are parts of the six goals VBA has been gearing toward since its establishment.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ee45c6b-7fa6-42f0-b734-0534a04b2140

CONTACT: Email: info@blockchain.vn




LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivage Senior Living and Beecan Health Colorado are proud to announce their merger, bringing together their respective resources and expertise to provide an integrated network of care. By joining forces through a common mission and shared values, the two companies will now be able to offer a joint vision of quality at their forty-two skilled nursing communities with nearly 3600 licensed beds across the state of Colorado.

Vivage logo

In addition to providing a large variety of placement options, Vivage-Beecan is also dedicated to enhancing specialty program development. The commitment between these two providers will set a new standard in delivering a continuum of care that includes post-acute, ventilator, long-term, memory care and behavioral health care needs. This unified network of skilled nursing facilities allows residents and family members greater access to health care solutions in every corner of the state of Colorado.

By coming together as one organization with complementary capabilities, this will further enhance both the quality of life and quality of care for the residents and the staff experience. This merger will allow us to offer more options when building and developing programs throughout the state as a foundation for future success.

Vivage Senior Living CEO, Jay Moskowitz says, "At Vivage we believe that by combining the two companies this can lead to breakthrough advances in delivering outstanding health care service solutions as we have been known for; Beecan Health shares this vision. This is yet another example of our commitment towards putting residents first in everything we do."

Beecan Health President, Chaim Raskin says, "With this merger we look forward to strengthening our mission of enhancing the lives of our residents and staff throughout the state of Colorado through the combined expertise of the Vivage-Beecan team. We look forward to taking the next steps to better serve our communities in more comprehensive ways than ever before."

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Both companies are confident this union will provide great benefits to residents, staff, family members and partners moving forward.

About Vivage Senior Living

Vivage Senior Living is an independently owned, Colorado-based management company working with communities serving seniors and those with disabilities. Vivage Senior Living currently operates and manages communities in Colorado and Wyoming. Vivage managed communities opening in 2023 include Bluestem Village in La Junta, Colorado. In addition, Vivage's sister company, Wellage Senior Communities, operates senior living, assisted living and memory care communities. The company is located at 12136 West Bayaud Avenue, Suite 200, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. For more information about Vivage, Wellage or this news release, please contact Heather TerHark, VP of Ancillary Services at 303-886-9968 or by email at hterhark@vivage.com.

About Beecan Health

Beecan Health's home office is in Glendale, California, and provides services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and other sectors of the healthcare industry including communities in California, New Mexico and Colorado.

Beecan Health Logo. (PRNewsfoto/Beecan Health)

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SOURCE Beecan Health; Vivage
Volt Carbon Technologies Inc.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. (Volt Carbon or the Company) (TSX-V: VCT) (OTCQB: TORVF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carmelo Marrelli as Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective March 1st 2023, subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V).



Mr. Marrelli brings more than 20 years of financial reporting experience and brings significant experience and support to the Company. Mr. Marrelli is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA, CGA), and a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, a professional body that certifies corporate secretaries. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. Mr. Marrelli is the principal of the Marrelli Group, an organization which has provided accounting, corporate secretarial and regulatory compliance services to listed companies on various exchanges for over twenty years. Mr. Marrelli acts as the Chief Financial Officer to several other issuers listed on the TSX, TSX-V and CSE, as well as non-listed companies, and serves as a director of certain issuers.

The company wishes to thank Dr David Madill for his role as Interim CFO.

Pursuant to the Companys stock option plan, Volt Carbon announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,500,000 options to a current Director of the Company with an exercise price of $0.12. Additionally, an aggregate of 350,000 options have been granted to current employees and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.08. All options granted expire on February 28, 2028.

About Volt Carbon Technologies

Volt Carbon is a publicly traded carbon science company, with specific interests in energy storage and green energy creation, with holdings in mining claims in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in Canada. For the latest information on Volt Carbons properties and news please refer to the website www.voltcarbontech.com.

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On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Volt Carbon Technologies Inc.

V-Bond Lee, P. Eng.

CEO, President, Chairman of the Board and Director

Information Contact :

Email: info@voltcarbontech.com

Tel: (647-546-7049)

ADVISORY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of the words anticipates, should, may, expected, expects, believes and other words of a similar nature are intended to identify forward-looking statements or future oriented financial information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although Volt Carbon believes these statements to be reasonable, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release. Such statements include the statement with respect to; the anticipated receipt of approval from the TSX-V to appoint Mr. Marrelli as Chief Financial Officer; the anticipated approval from the TSX-V for the grant of options; and the expectation that Mr. Marrelli will bring significant experience and support to the Company.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Volt Carbon assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.

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.




Data solutions help the Japanese government promote cross-border tourism and data business services optimization

TAIPEI, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To promote cooperation and digital talent exchanges between Taiwan and Japan's semiconductor industry, the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce, Taiwan (CNAIC) recently held the "strengthening the new link between the semiconductor and digital sectors" 2023 Taiwan-Japan (Kyushu) Economic and Trade Seminar, in concert with the Kyushu Semiconductor Talent Cultivation Alliance, the Kyushu Open Innovation Center (KOIC) and Kyushu Economy International (KEI). Vpon Big Data Group founder and CEO Victor Wu was invited to attend as an industry representative and share stories of successful cases of cooperation between companies in the two regions.

Vpon (PRNewsfoto/Vpon)

Business exchanges between Taiwan and Japan have become noticeably more frequent in recent years, with firms in both regions working very closely together, especially in the semiconductor and digital content-related industries. Mr. Wu had been recently invited to attend the seminar to give a talk on his experience when Vpon assisted the Japanese government in cross-border tourism and in setting up and managing the collection and analysis of data on the export of Japanese products as a result of the Cool Japan initiative. He also stressed that as exchanges between Taiwan and Japan become closer and more frequent, it behooves manufacturers and distributors to support and cooperate with each other in order to create more synergies.

Mr. Wu first explained how the Cool Japan initiative was rolled out to publicize and sell Japanese goods overseas, as well as to promote tourism to Japan. Under this strategic framework, Vpon integrated AI, big data, blockchain and cloud services into its own Wee and Vnity data solutions to collect, analyze and apply data with an eye to developing a more effective advertising strategy, and to better identifying and targeting consumers. Such strategies have already proven successful in promoting tourism to Okinawa, bringing overseas visitors into Japanese department stores and selling fruit, aquatic products and alcohol abroad.

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Vpon achieved new results records in the Japanese market:





Through the Inbound program Vpon analyzed and identified target consumer groups with its data solutions ;

Through the Outbound program, Vpon assisted Japanese firms in the selling of Japanese specialty foods including agricultural products, fruit, sake as well as hosting cultural events abroad, alongside the promotion of inbound domestic tourism, assisting the Japanese government in meeting its objective of "goods out, tourists in".

As a result, Vpon will accumulate extensive experience in working with local Japanese government agencies and Japanese companies, and expects to leverage that experience to vastly expand its relationship network and develop partnerships with a growing number of organizations in the country.

This first-of-its-kind Taiwan-Japan (Kyushu) Economic and Trade Seminar hosted 150 guests, including CNAIC chairman Thomas T. L. Wu, Minister of Taiwan Economic Affairs Wang Meihua, Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang, the Third Wednesday Club (San San Fe) chairman Por-Fung Lin, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association deputy representative Dr. Takashi Hattori, Kyushu Semiconductor Talent Cultivation Alliance director Kimihide Namura, veteran politician of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Satsuki Katayama, as well as more than 40 Kyushu government officials and executives from Kyushu-based companies. Three Taiwan firms including Vpon, Topco Group and TXOne Networks and three Japanese peers shared their cooperation cases from different industry perspectives in a move to facilitate more collaborative opportunities.

About Vpon Big Data Group

Vpon Big Data Group ("Vpon") is Asia's leading big data company with advanced big data analysis technologies and the richest mobile data in Asia to provide the most effective data core solutions to the market. Founded in 2008, Vpon is headquartered in Taipei and has 8 offices in the Asia Pacific region spanning Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Bangkok. The company plans to continue to expand in Asia and into Europe and the Americas. Vpon has an international C-level core management team of top talented persons from various countries, and has also passed the ISO 27001/27701 certification for compliance. With monthly access to 900 million mobile devices, a collection of quality media resources covering the Asia-Pacific region, and a leading team specializing in cutting-edge big data and artificial intelligence technologies, the company provides comprehensive Data Solutions and AI Solutions, including data analysis services, brand promotion, cross-border marketing, performance optimization and enterprise digital transformation, to help customers improve brand recognition and create efficient transactions. Vpon has launched the Wee Global Data Marketplace cross-border data trading platform in Japan and Taiwan, the first of its kind in Asia! It is also the only firm that provides a secure and reliable cross-border data trading environment that connects the supply side and the demand side. To learn more about Vpon, please visit www.vpon.com.

SOURCE Vpon
NOIDA, India, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the water-soluble fertilizers market was valued at more than USD 13 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into Type (Nitrogenous, Phosphatic, Potassic, and Others); Crop Type (Field Crop, Horticulture, Turf & Ornamentals, and Others); Application (Foliar and Fertigation); and Region/Country.

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https://univdatos.com/report/water-soluble-fertilizers-market/

The water-soluble fertilizers 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 water-soluble fertilizers market. The water-soluble fertilizers 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 water-soluble fertilizers market at the global and regional levels.

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Market Overview

The water-soluble fertilizers market is expected to witness a CAGR of around 6% during the forecast period. Fertilizers that are 100 percent soluble in water are known as water-soluble fertilizers. When applied using foliar spray and fertigation methods, these fertilizers ensure that the nutrients in the fertilizer are readily absorbed and utilized by the plant system without being wasted through evaporation, leaching, or runoff. Moreover, water-soluble fertilizers make it simple to mix and ensure that plants have access to the necessary nutrients. It is rapidly soluble in water and also aids in foliar and fertigation by releasing vital nutrients into the root zone and leaves. The growth of the water-soluble fertilizers market is being boosted by these benefits.

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As the population is increasing worldwide, with this the demand for agricultural products is also increasing. The increase in population will create a high demand for field crops such as rice, cotton, wheat, oilseeds, and other grains in developing countries is expected to augment industry demand over the forecast period.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Agrium Inc., Yara International ASA, Israel Chemical Ltd., Haifa Chemicals, The Mosaic Company, Coromandel International, K+S AG, Sociedad Quimica Y Minera SA, TATA Chemicals, Qatar Fertilizer Company

COVID-19 Impact

The recent covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and has brought a state of shock to the global economy. The fertilizer manufacturing facilities were shut down for a longer period of time as a result of strict lockdown regulations. The operational process and activities have been halted as a result. The market's demand was lowered as a result of the hampered production and sales units.

The global water-soluble fertilizers market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

Based on type, the market is segmented into nitrogenous, phosphatic, potassic, and others. The nitrogenous category is to witness higher CAGR during the forecast period due to its contribution to higher crop yield. This is mainly due to the nitrogen required for the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks for the synthesis of proteins, in order for plants to grow and develop. Moreover, the high crop loss by nutrient deficiency and the high efficiency of nitrogenous water-soluble fertilizers reduces this crop loss which will drive the growth of the market.

Based on application, the water-soluble fertilizers market has been classified into foliar and fertigation. The foliar category is to witness a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the growing population and rising demand for food globally. Moreover, foliar feeding is used for achieving the best crop results with ecological protection.

Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/water-soluble-fertilizers-market/

Water-Soluble Fertilizers Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America (United States, Canada, and Rest of North America)

Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, and the Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Rest of the World

APAC is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the large population in the region and the high demand for nutritional food. Moreover, rising agricultural yields is one of the major factors in the countries like China, India, and Australia. Furthermore, rising investment and government subsidies in the agriculture sector will boost the demand for fertilizers in the region. For instance, the Indian Government increased subsidy allocation for fertilizers from USD 9.83 million to more than USD 11 million in 2019. These factors are also contributing to the growth of the water-soluble fertilizers market.

The major players targeting the market include

Nutrien Ltd.

Yara

ICL

Haifa Chemicals

Mosaic

Coromandel International Limited

K+S Aktiengesellschaft

SQM S.A.

TATA Chemicals Ltd.

OAFCO

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 water-soluble fertilizers 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 water-soluble fertilizers market?

Which factors are influencing the water-soluble fertilizers market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the water-soluble fertilizers market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the water-soluble fertilizers market?

What are the demanding global regions of the water-soluble fertilizers 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.

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Water-Soluble Fertilizers Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 6% Market size 2020 USD 13 billion Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region APAC to Dominate the Global Water-Soluble Fertilizers Market Key countries covered United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, and Australia Companies profiled Nutrien Ltd., Yara, ICL, Haifa Chemicals, Mosaic, Coromandel International Limited, K+S ktiengesellschaft, SQM S.A., TATA Chemicals Ltd., OAFCO 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 Type; By Crop Type; By Application; 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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UnivDatos Market Insights

Ankita Gupta

Director Operations

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: Ankita.gupta@univdatos.com

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SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
Sabina Mammadli Read more

For 67 back-to-back days Azerbaijani youth, eco-activists, and representatives of non-governmental organizations have been holding a peaceful rally on the Lachin-Khankandi road near Shusha against the illicit exploitation of Azerbaijan's natural resources, Azernews reports.

On February 16, the conditions for the unhindered passage of six passenger cars and one truck of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in both directions of the road were made available. Besides, one passenger car, 17 trucks, and an armored car of Russian peacekeepers have driven along the Lachin-Khankandi road without any issues.

Earlier, false information about Azerbaijanis allegedly blocking the Lachin-Khankandi road and preventing supply vehicles from passing was circulated in the Armenian media.

In a nutshell, following discussions with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on December 3 and 7, 2022, Azerbaijani specialists from the Ministries of Economy, Ecology, and Natural Resources, the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy, and AzerGold CJSC were to conduct primary monitoring on illegal exploitation of mineral deposits on Azerbaijani territory. However, the monitoring failed due to the provocation of ethnic Armenians.
Friday Cheers, the outdoor concert series on Browns Island, released its concert lineup for 2023. The concert series will kick off May 5.

Friday Cheers showcases emerging headliners from around the country and, this year, the world, with Sampa The Great from Zambia. The series also features many Richmond-area bands as both openers and headliners, including Palmyra, Butcher Brown, and Chris Leggett & The Copper Line.

Venture Richmond is thrilled to present this diverse and exciting lineup for 2023. We hope there is something for everyone to enjoy, and there is no better way to spend a Friday evening in the spring than on beautiful Browns Island. Its the best deal in town! Stephen Lecky, a spokesperson for Venture Richmond, which hosts the event, said.

Friday Cheers 2023 concert lineup

May 5: Snail Mail (8 p.m.) with Water From Your Eyes (7 p.m.) and Dazy (6:15 p.m.)

May 12: Sierra Ferrell (8 p.m.) with Chris Leggett & The Copper Line (6:30 p.m.)

May 26: RVA Music Night: Butcher Brown (8:20 p.m.), Celler Dwellers (7:15 p.m.) and Cassidy Snider & the Wranglers (6:15 p.m.)

June 2: Sampa The Great (8 p.m.) with Kenneka Cook (6:30 p.m.)

June 9: Watchhouse (8 p.m.) with Palmyra (6:30 p.m.)

June 16: Tank and the Bangas (8 p.m.) with Piranha Rama (6:30 p.m.)

June 23: The Vegabonds (8 p.m.) with Kind Hearted Strangers (6:30 p.m.)

June 30: Flipturn (8 p.m.) with Holy Roller (6:30 p.m.)

All tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For information, visit venturerichmond.com.

Richmond Times-Dispatch
A Spotsylvania County man who claims he was retaliating against a pedophile when he and others brutally beat a Stafford County man last year was granted a bond Wednesday.

Hakim L. Worrell, 37, aka Hakim Johnson, is charged with aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering. Charges of attempted murder and a firearms offense were not certified following a recent preliminary hearing in which the victim didnt show up, but prosecutor Ed Lustig said those charges could be reinstated later.

The charges stem from a Nov. 30 incident on Town Square Circle in the Aquia area of Stafford, where the victim was living at the time. The victim was beaten with a bat and an iron pipe and suffered serious head injuries and a broken ankle.

The victim told police that Worrell was joined by two other attackers. A juvenile has also been charged, but the third person has not been identified.

Police said that when he was arrested, Worrell stated, this is how yall treat someone who beats up a pedophile? It was not clear Wednesday if the beating victim has been charged, but attorneys said allegations against him are being investigated.

Defense attorney Eugene Frost said the home the victim was staying in belongs to Worrells sister and he went there to talk to the man. A dispute erupted over molestation and child abuse allegations, and the victim was beaten.

Lustig said it is clear that Worrell believes the victim harmed a child, but said Worrell needed to remain in jail. He cited Worrells criminal history, which includes robbery and firearms convictions.

Judge Michael Levy granted Worrell a $10,000 bond with conditions that include having no contact with the victim. A trial for Worrell is scheduled for June 7 in Stafford Circuit Court.
A murder charge against a young Stafford County man is in jeopardy because police have been unable to find key prosecution witnesses.

Tarik O. Shiggs, 23, is charged with murder and a firearms offense in connection with the Feb. 21, 2022, slaying of 25-year-old Christopher McDuffie, who was shot multiple times at the Garrison Woods apartment complex in North Stafford.

Shiggs was in Stafford General District Court on Wednesday for a scheduled preliminary hearing, but the hearing was postponed again at the request of prosecutor Jay Chichester. Chichester told Judge Angela OConnor that attempts to find key prosecution witnesses have been unsuccessful and authorities needed more time.

Defense attorney Jason Pelt opposed Chichesters request, saying his client has been in jail long enough and deserves a prompt hearing. He said there have been several continuances already, and at some point, it must stop.

OConnor finally agreed to grant one last continuance and set a new hearing date for March 16. Shiggs will continue to be held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail at least until then.

According to police, the shooting occurred in the courtyard between apartment buildings. McDuffie was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital. It remains unclear what led to the shooting.

Detective N.D. Ridings investigation resulted in Shiggs being identified as the suspect. By that time, Shiggs had left for South Carolina.

He was arrested in Sumter County, South Carolina, early the next month and was brought back to Stafford. Shiggs has been in custody ever since.
A Spotsylvania County woman who tried to kill her ex-boyfriend last year in Louisa County was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and other charges Wednesday in Louisa Circuit Court.

Erann E.P. Ohse, 25, also pleaded guilty to malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied dwelling, attempted armed burglary, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, destruction of property and eluding police. A codefendant, 26-year-old Andrew Poindexter of King George County, previously pleaded guilty to many of the same charges, plus possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.

According to Louisa Commonwealths Attorney Rusty McGuire, Ohse had a brief romantic relationship with the male resident that ended in February 2022. On March 29, Ohse and Poindexter traveled from the Fredericksburg area to Louisa in Poindexters Chevrolet Camaro.

McGuire said they showed up at the ex-boyfriends home wearing ski masks and armed with handguns and multiple magazines of ammunition. After unsuccessfully trying to force their way through the front door, Ohse fired 10 9mm rounds into the ex-boyfriends bedroom window, striking a young woman in the shoulder.

The victims called 911 with a vehicle description, and a responding deputy saw the Camaro leaving the area. A chase during which speeds reached 120 mph ended near the Hanover County line, and the suspects were taken into custody. A 9mm handgun was recovered, along with ski masks, an empty magazine, disposable gloves and nearly a pound of marijuana.

Prosecutor Alex Goodman said, these two thought they were the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, but now theyll have to face the serious consequences people face when they commit violent crimes in Louisa County.

Ohse will face up to 63 years in prison when she is sentenced May 10. Poindexters sentencing is scheduled for May 31; he faces up to 70 years in prison.
He thought he was bound for his dream vacation to Sydney, Australia, where he would depart for a cruise and finally get the chance to see kangaroos, according to media reports.

But those pesky airport codes foiled Kingsley Burnetts plan, KTVQ reported. He mistakenly booked a flight to the wrong Sydney  the one in Sidney, Montana. The tiny towns airport code is SDY, while the Sydney in Australia is SYD.

I saw (a) mountaintop covered in white snow.  At that point, I knew I was in trouble, Burnett, a New Yorker, told the station.

His plane landed in Billings, Montana, where a smaller aircraft was waiting to take him to Sidney, the station reported.

An American Airlines ticketing agent at the Billings airport stepped in to help, Shelli Mann wrote on Facebook on Jan. 28. Mann is the general manager of the Boothill Inn, where Burnett stayed the night after his flight mix-up.

Mann said in the Facebook post that she was driving Burnett to the airport from the hotel when he started telling her the story of his ordeal. By this point, he was laughing about the whole thing, she said.

He told me that he was taking the vacation of his dreams  he wanted to see kangaroos and he was catching a cruise ship out of Sydney, Australia, she wrote. Problem is, he booked his ticket to Sidney, Montana. Imagine his horror when he got off the plane in Montana and realized his mistake.

Carol Castellano an American Airlines ticketing agent arranged for him to fly home to New York, though he would have to reschedule the cruise, according to KTVQ.

Then Castellano made the arrangements for his hotel room and called the cruise line to explain what happened.

As we were driving back to the airport this guest just went on and on about Carol and how she was his angel, Mann wrote. He was laughing and snapping pictures and exclaimed how the people in Montana were the nicest hed ever met.

People lauded the agents kindness and both workers excellent customer service in the comments.

They also shared stories of other travel mix-ups, and commiserated with Burnett.

This is amazing. But that poor gentleman!! one wrote. Sidney in January  no comparison to Sydney.

It wouldnt be the first time Sydney was mistaken for a city of the same name but in a different country. According to SimpleFlying.com, its more common for travelers to mistake Sydney in Australia with Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada.

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This barbecue pot pie with a cheese grits crusts feels like home for the Beattie family. The sweet and smoky pork topped with cheesy grits is a match that embodies the flavors of the Beattie Family Farm. This meal brings comfort food to an entirely new level. Shana Beattie, past president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and mother of Mekenzie and Mattison Beattie, founders of Sassy Sisters Swine shares her family recipe for this delicious Barbecue Pot Pie with Cheese Grits Crust.

A pork shoulder roast, smoked or slow cooked, is an excellent choice for pulled pork. Many times, we fill our smoker with shoulder roasts that are dry rubbed and roasted low and slow. Then we use the pulled pork for this recipe, pork tacos or a good old-fashioned pulled pork sandwich. The options are endless, and extras are kept in the freezer for quick meal options, Shana Beattie said.

Meat the producer...

Sassy Sisters Swine

A sister duo from Sumner, Nebraska, joined forces to form Sassy Sisters Swine, a direct-to-consumer pork business. Mekenzie Beattie, a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Mattison Beattie, a senior at Sumner Eddyville-Miller High School, are the sixth generation of Beatties to grow up working on Beattie Family Farms.

They were inspired to launch the business after they received many inquiries from individuals looking to purchase pork from their family farm. Their parents are Bart and Shana Beattie. Shana is a past president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association Board of Directors.

As the sixth generation on their familys diversified farm, the sisters have developed a passion for the legacy their family has built and what they do every day. One of the largest entities on the Beattie farm is hog production. The family runs a wean-to-finish hog farm. The young women have been actively involved on the hog farm since the day they were born.

Helping with chores, taking care of pigs and learning about all things pork is how we developed a passion for swine, Mekenzie says. Launching Sassy Sisters Swine was a great way to share our passion for pork with the community. The company has been delivering pork direct to consumers since August 2020.

With the global pandemic, many people were starting to worry about the meat supply and where they could find fresh, safe meat, Mekenzie says. We wanted to capitalize on this opportunity, and we could not have asked for a better time to start our business.

You can learn more about Sassy Sisters Swine by visiting, sassysistersswine.com, or look them up on Facebook.

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.
The future of Fremont and Dodge County was exponentially brightened on Tuesday, Feb. 14, after the city was chosen as one of the first inland port authorities in the state of Nebraska.

According to a press release from the Greater Fremont Development Council, the city was tabbed as an inland port authority, which will lead to the eventual creation of a 1,500-acre Port Authority District in the region. The site is preliminarily planned for land south of the Fremont city limits in unincorporated Dodge County.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said he was ecstatic over the announcement, something he noted was the result of many years of extreme collaboration between the City of Fremont, Dodge County and the Dodge County Board of Supervisors, the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, multiple business leaders as well as the Greater Fremont Development Council.

It is a big day. Kind of a historic moment for the city of Fremont and Dodge County, Spellerberg said on Feb. 15. It is an exciting moment. It is a historic moment for us as a city and the economy. In 30 years, we will look back on this day and realize its importance to the community. It is a historic moment for the future of our community and economy, not only for job growth but our economy. This was the key step we needed to have to begin to continue to move forward.

According to the federal Department of Transportation report, an inland port can be a highway hub, train center or airport. These centers allow for economic growth and employment opportunities where they are located.

Traditional ports at land, air, and coastal borders are the primary locations where international trade is processed. However, it is now recognized that a growing amount of trade is being processed at inland sites. International trade processing involves all transactions and inspections that federal agencies require for goods entering or leaving the country, federal DOT officials stated in a press release.

An inland port is a location where the processing of trade can be shifted from the national borders and where multiple modes of transportation and a wide variety of services are offered at a common location. International operations are supported at an inland port when customs clearance and Foreign-Trade Zone capabilities are available.

Spellerberg said the designation will begin to be fully realized in 10 to 15 years, and for now, community leaders will begin robust efforts to plan the new inland port authority district. Those plans include developing a seven-member guidance committee composed of local elected officials and business leaders; developing preliminary site plans and a master project plan; and also working on timelines, business recruitment and other elements of the project.

We are one of the first, and there are only going to be five designated (inland ports). This really kind of started in 2021, there was a law passed by the state of Nebraska that designated five inland port authorities. I actually testified on the bill, he explained. I felt with Fremonts location in northeast Nebraska, with our two highways and railway infrastructure, we were a good fit. Like many cities in Nebraska, we were founded in a way by the railroad. So, it is in our wheelhouse to facilitate the movement of goods and services through our area. Once the law passed, we began working with (many community partners) on putting in an application. There was an inter-local agreement unanimously passed by the City of Fremont and the Dodge County supervisors. We have kind of been waiting to hear if we were selected.

In Wednesdays press release, GFDC Executive Director Megan Skiles explained that due to an, infusion of some $30 million from the state of Nebraska Rural Project Act, the Greater Fremont Development Council will soon have an engineering firm on board to develop a detailed site plan.

Its an important investment to make sure this project is a win for the entire community, Skiles stated in the press release.

Also in the press release, Dodge County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Missel stated, We deeply appreciate this vote of confidence to move Fremonts future forward.

The quest to become an inland port authority was detailed in lengthy comments during Spellerbergs state of the city speech in January. Spellerberg described in his speech how the city joined forces with Dodge County and had applied to be one of five inland ports that will be chosen by officials from the State of Nebraska.

Spellerberg said in January that because Fremont is already a transportation hub with expanding highways as well as a robust railroad history, becoming an inland port would be a boon for the city.

To leverage our transportation network, location, access to workforce, and growing economy, Fremont and Dodge County have been working to create an Inland Port Authority. In 2022, The City Council and the Dodge County Board unanimously approved an historic interlocal agreement to apply for one of five Inland Port Authorities that will be authorized by the state of Nebraska, Spellerberg said.

Establishing an Inland Port Authority would position Fremont as a leading trade and logistics hub and continue to help stimulate the long-term growth of our local and state economy. Our accessibility to the first and second largest railroad system in the US, vast four-lane highway transportation network, centralized location, growing economy, and access to regional workforce make Fremont a prime location for an Inland Port Authority.

On Wednesday, Spellerberg said the next steps will begin immediately with the formation of the guiding committee, masterplan development and grant acquisition from the Nebraska Rural Project Act to fund efforts.

We are receiving a lot of interest in Fremont, businesses wanting to come to the area. Any way this port authority can add value to companies looking to relocate, it will assist Fremont, he added. Companies looking to move here will be close to an intermodal facility and transportation lines. And actually, to access the global marketplace from right here in Fremont, Nebraska, that is huge. For Fremont and the state to be a part of that, I think it will add a lot of value to the future. It is a pretty exciting day for the community.
Alice Munro is a 91-year-old Canadian author. In her long writing career, she has only written short stories, but she has written many of them  according to various online accounts, she has published 163 short stories. Theyve been printed in various places and compiled into collections.

One of those collections, containing nine stories and published in 2001, is titled Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage. The title of the collection is the title of the first story. The first and last stories of this book were adapted into movies. The titular story became Hateship Loveship in its film version, and the story called The Bear Came Over the Mountain saw its movie name changed to Away from Her.

In 2013, Munro was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Not only was she the first Canadian woman to receive it, but she was also the first writer to receive it whose entire oeuvre is comprised of short stories only. Unfortunately, due to her age and health, she wasnt able to travel to Stockholm to accept the award in person.

Since she is a Canadian woman, its no surprise that her stories are about Canadian women. She writes what she knows. She even includes specific details in her stories that hearken back to her childhood and her heritage.

For example, in the story titled Nettles, there is a girl whose father raises foxes and minks and who shoots and butchers horses to feed to them. I thought that such a startling detail in the story, but when I read more about Munro, I learned that her father had raised foxes and minks, so Im assuming that her father fed them horse meat.

The more I read about Munro, the more of her I see in her stories, but the stories can be read and enjoyed without knowing anything about their author. As a writer myself, though, I like to discover moments in stories where the author has inserted a little piece of herself, even if those moments startle me.

When reading a Munro short story, you must accept that she writes in a non-chronological fashion. Usually, her stories begin with some strange moment and then they jump back in time. From there, the story might bounce around from future to past to present. It can make the flow of the story seem choppy, but it allows for a deeper examination of the heart of the story.

Also, I wouldnt classify her stories as feel-good pieces, so readers looking for happy endings in their stories may want to shy away from Munros. However, readers who want stories that paint honest and stark depictions of life will enjoy what Munro has to offer.

It was her approach to writing, that backward and forward through time, that was seen as revolutionizing the architecture of short stories and that led to her being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. While Munro is largely retired from writing now, there are many of her stories out there for readers to enjoy. Whether you read an entire collection or only one of her stories, devote some reading time to this Canadian master of short stories.

Contact Marshall at tamreader@gmail.com.

Next months reading selection is The Eighth Day by Thornton Wilder.
The Legislature on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Jim Macy to continue as director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy on a 38-0 vote, ending a brief filibuster by opponents who said he failed to act decisively in the wake of the environmental catastrophe at the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead.

Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue led opposition to the confirmation vote, delaying the decision for a day and generally dividing the nonpartisan Legislature into support from senators who are registered Republicans and opposition from senators who are registered as Democrats.

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen nominated Macy to continue to serve as environmental director.

After a motion to reconsider Monday's unsuccessful vote to return the decision to the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee for consideration failed 33-10, opponents chose to record themselves as "not voting" on Tuesday's 38-0 vote that ultimately confirmed the reappointment.

Sen. Bruce Bostleman of Brainard, chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, noted that Macy's nomination had been recommended by a 7-0 committee vote following a hearing that resulted in no opposition testimony.

Blood had argued that Macy should have taken prompt action to shut the plant down before its use of pesticide-coated seed further polluted the environment and more Nebraskans became "collateral damage."

Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023
Dr. Timothy Tesmer of Lincoln was named Tuesday as the state's next chief medical officer, beginning March 27.

Tesmer's appointment to the Division of Public Health in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was announced by Gov. Jim Pillen.

"I am excited to have Dr. Tesmer join DHHS," the governor said.

"Dr. Tesmer is a distinguished physician and surgeon with over 35 years of practice.

"His expertise will be pivotal in serving Nebraskans as our chief medical officer.

"I look forward to the strides our Division of Public Health will make in helping people live better lives under his leadership," the governor said.

Prior to starting his own practice, Tesmer was at CHI's Physician Network/ENT Nebraska, where he served as a physician specializing in ear, nose and throat otolaryngology.

Tesmer will succeed Dr. Gary Anthone, who left to serve as chief medical officer for Vetter Senior Living, which operates more than 30 assisted-living, skilled-nursing and long-term care facilities in the state.

The 10 richest cities in Nebraska for 2023 10.Bellevue 9. South Sioux City 8. Gering 7. La Vista 6. Columbus 5. Ralston 4. Papillion 3. Schuyler 2. Seward 1. Gretna
By Mesude Demirhan

The tourism sector, which is mobilized to quickly provide accommodation for earthquake victims; hotels in many cities from Samsun to Cappadocia opened their doors to citizens affected by the disaster. The number of rooms allocated by the hotels in 21 regions reached 25 thousand and the number of beds reached 75 thousand.

Answering the questions about the accommodation mobilization, Oya Narin, President of the Tourism Investors Association of Turkiye (TTYD), said that they have been working together with the Tourism Advisory Board, TURSAB, TUSID, TUROFED, TUROB, TURYID, and the Marine Tourism Association as the entire tourism sector since the first day of the earthquake disaster. Narin explained that all the relevant associations in the sector warned the members and hotels and they quickly prepared for the process.

Narin, who stated that they took action from the first day and opened the doors of the hotels to the earthquake victims, and gave the following information:

We started to welcome our guests from the earthquake region as of the February 8th evening. In the first place, in order to host quake victims in Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Adana, Cappadocia, Antalya, Alanya, Manavgat, Fethiye, Bodrum, Marmaris, Kusadas?, Izmir, Denizli, Afyon, Mersin, Canakkale, Balikesir, Bursa, Ankara, Bolu, and Samsun, we allocated approximately 25 thousand rooms and 75 thousand beds.

Narin, who stated that the works are carried out in coordination between sector representatives, NGOs, and relevant public institutions, emphasized that they plan to increase this number further, according to the need. Noting that earthquake survivors from different provinces were placed in hotels in the provinces, Narin said,

We estimate that the 75 thousand beds determined at the first stage will be filled in a short time. Here, the first step begins with AFAD. It organizes the placement of earthquake victims in hotels. Therefore, our citizens should first apply to AFAD Coordination Centres in their regions.

Oya Narin also made a call to hotels that are willing to provide accommodation.

Apart from the hotels that have been put into service so far, many of our hotels continue to apply to host our earthquake survivors. Within this framework, the number of hotels in 21 regions is increasing day by day and the victims continue to be resettled. There are also links created for support purposes on the internet. But the most important point is that our citizens must first apply to AFAD and register there," she added.
Dear WSU Community,

As we look to the year ahead, I remain committed to improving transparency around our system-wide decision-making and the priorities that will impact our financial health. I understand there is a need to know more about how the university is bringing in revenue and allocating funds  particularly given recent budget reductions. This message will address some of the recent questions Ive received and will serve as the first in a series of communications detailing efforts to improve the fiscal health of WSU.

What challenges are we facing?

One of Washington State Universitys primary sources of revenue is the tuition we receive from enrolled students. The graduation of some of our largest classes to date (those who started at WSU in 2018 and 2019) means that more students are graduating even as fewer are enrolling, and we are working with fewer dollars than we have before. In a letter I sent during the fall semester, I described several new initiatives we are undertaking to help stabilize enrollment across the WSU system. As we work toward building our fall 2023 classes, we are continuing to modify our enrollment management practices in an increasingly competitive enrollment environment.

What are we doing about it?

At the start of this application cycle, Enrollment Management (EM) enabled first-year students to apply to WSU using the Common App for the first time in our history. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the total number of applications received across the system  especially in non-resident applications. Looking at year-over-year comparisons, there has been a 59.3% increase in non-resident applications system-wide. These numbers are encouraging, but additional work is required to ensure those applicants become confirmed Cougs by next fall.

The interest from out-of-state applicants presents a unique opportunity for WSU to extend its offerings. To support interested non-residents in their decision to choose WSU, I recently invested in an expansion of our Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition waiver (WUE). Under the expanded policy, all non-resident students with high school grade point averages above 3.0 may be eligible to receive up to $11,000 in awards. The expansion aims to improve accessibility and strategically leverage financial aid to secure more commitments and subsequent revenue in the long term.

Given the number of out-of-state applicants applying to their campuses, WSU Pullman and WSU TriCities are committed to pursuing this strategy and have already begun coordinating targeted communications to eligible students and their families. The other campuses will ultimately decide whether this expansion makes sense for their recruitment efforts and budgets.

In addition to expanding the WUE policy, we have made several selective investments of nearly $500,000 in one-time funds to assist Enrollment Management with landing a robust class of undergraduates for fall 2023. EM will put these resources towards hiring additional full-time admission staff and providing overtime and temporary pay to keep up with the increase in applications.

Research shows students enroll at higher rates when they receive a prompt decision. These funds will improve admissions processing and better support enrollment teams that have been working around the clock to secure the next class of Cougs; through onsite and on-the-spot admission programming, frequent visits to transfer institutions, and hosting fall preview days at each of our five campus locations. With the increased exposure and staff, EM can better meet potential students wherever they may be.

While we wait to see the impact these changes will have on final fall 2023 enrollment, these initiatives will better support the WSU system in the years to come.

Projections for fall 2023 enrollment

Enrollment Management, in collaboration with Institutional Research, has provided estimates for our incoming classes across the WSU system for the fall 2023 semester.

For the Pullman campus, we expect between 3,2003,250 first-year students; for the Vancouver campus, a range of 350400 first-year students; and for the TriCities campus, a range of 180205 first-year students. These numbers do not include transfer students and will be finalized in the coming weeks. The projected class sizes are purposely conservative estimates and suggest that new enrollment will be essentially flat compared with the Fall 2022 classes.

A lot can change between now and August as families and students make decisions about where they will enroll for the fall semester. We will provide an additional update on enrollment projections in several months.

How can you help?

While recruitment is an essential component to the success of our university, so is retaining every eligible Coug across the system. Each of you contributes to that effort  whether that involves keeping our facilities up and running, advising incoming students, or providing a supportive classroom environment. Your work has a direct impact on the Cougar experience.

For those looking to provide additional support to ongoing efforts across the system, you can remind students to complete the FAFSA or WAFSA, volunteer to participate in recruitment and yield events, or just take time to interact with students and families that may be touring your campus. A kind word, a Go Cougs!, or simply giving directions can go a long way in helping students and their families choose WSU.

For more specifics on how you can support the Cougar community, do not hesitate to get in touch with admissions staff posted at your campus or college.

Looking ahead

I recognize the challenges our campuses, colleges, and units are facing. While there is no guaranteed path to success, I know that our enrollment will play a large part in it.

During this time of change, I am immensely grateful for your support and the expertise of our colleagues in Enrollment Management, Institutional Research, and Finance and Administration. These decisions are not made in a bubble, and the implications of these decisions will not be constrained to one. We all have a part to play in realizing the future of Washington State University.

Thank you for your continued engagement. I will provide another update on our fiscal health in the next few weeks, but please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions, or comments you have in the meantime.

Kirk H. Schulz

System President

Washington State University
In 23 years of teaching, Stephanie Smith has attended 20 funerals of students.

Smith said a few of the students died by an accidental overdose or car crash, but the vast majority died from the same thing: suicide. This year alone, Smith said three students have committed suicide at Boulder High School where she teaches, one of whom was the student of her mentee, a second-year special education teacher.

He asked me, Please tell me this is the only time I will ever have to experience this. I dont know that I can continue to be a teacher if I have to deal with this. I could not tell him it would be the last time, Smith said. We are in crisis. Our children are in crisis and its getting worse.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Coloradans aged 10 to 19, with Childrens Hospital Colorado declaring a state of emergency for youth mental health in 2021.

The National Association of School Psychologists recommends schools have one psychologist for every 500 students. But on average, Colorado schools employ one psychologist for every 1,578 students, according to an ACLU report. In Denver Public Schools, only 1.5% of students attend schools that are fully staffed with mental health professionals, according to an A+ Colorado study.

Senate Bill 4 is seeking to change this by allowing school districts to employ therapists who are not licensed by the state Department of Education, which is currently required for therapists to work in schools.

This requirement is an unnecessary administrative burden that places a barrier between our students and qualified mental health professionals, said bill sponsor Sen. Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. Its our duty as legislators to improve access to mental health care for Colorados students, not impede it.

Marchman said the process of getting licensed by the Department of Education is costly, complex and time-consuming for therapists, contributing to the shortage of mental health professionals in schools. Under the bill, school therapists would still need to hold a state license in their profession, in addition to passing a background check.

Smith said her district, Boulder Valley School District, is among the highest paying in the state, yet it still cannot fill its therapist positions. I cannot imagine how hard it is for districts that do not have the funds that we do, she said.

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Lawmakers seek to give child victims, witnesses of crimes anonymity in public records

The state Senate unanimously approved the bill on Thursday, sending it to the House for consideration. If the bill passes the House, it will need final approval from the governor before taking effect.

More than two dozen organizations are backing the bill, including the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Psychological Association, Colorado Rural Schools Alliance and the school districts of Douglas County, Pikes Peak, Lewis Palmer and Poudre. No groups are registered in opposition to the bill.

The youth mental health crisis was prevalent before the pandemic, and has only grown in recent years, said bill sponsor Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. This bill will make it easier for kids to seek care in a place they feel comfortable and safe.

In Colorado, 7.2% of students have attempted suicide in the last year, 17.1% seriously considered suicide and 20.3% purposely harmed themselves, according to the most recent state survey from 2021. The survey also found that nearly 40% of students felt sad or hopeless for weeks straight and nearly 50% felt stressed daily.

Kaitlyn Tollefson, a senior at Berthoud High School, said her school is infamous within the Thompson School District for its frequent suicide occurrences. In 2016, a 15-year-old student even committed suicide inside of the school building.

Despite this reputation, Tollefson said her school has had a revolving door of temporary therapists, coming for months at a time but leaving when grant funding expires. After a graduate of her school recently committed suicide, Tollefson said there was not a single mental health professional in the school to support the students sobbing in the hallways.

With our current lack of mental health resources, my peers will continue to die, Tollefson said. The lives of our generation are at stake.

Colorado House approves prescriptive authority for psychologists
Colorado's second-highest court clarified last week that if a defendant on sex-offender probation refuses to accept responsibility for his crime as a condition of treatment, the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination may prohibit a judge from revoking his probation as a punishment.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals specified that its decision applied in only a narrow circumstance: during the window in which a defendant can challenge his conviction and conceivably receive a new trial.

The consequence of requiring a defendant to admit to potentially criminal behavior to enter treatment, wrote Judge Ted C. Tow III, would enable prosecutors to use those statements against him should the original conviction be overturned.

Tow conceded the result may be that some sex offenders cannot receive the full range of treatment while they pursue post-conviction relief, and another branch of government may need to craft a solution.

"Indeed, given the frequency with which this issue arises, it may behoove the legislature to explore how best to balance the interests of community safety and an offenders treatment needs with the offenders right against self-incrimination," he wrote in the appellate panel's Feb. 9 opinion.

However, Robert Eulogio Vigil, whose sex offender probation was the subject of the appeal, argued the tension between safety and constitutionality would be alleviated if prosecutors agreed not to use his treatment-related incriminating statements in a possible future trial.

"The most likely scenario is that the prosecution wants to have its cake and eat it, too. It wants to compel Vigil to incriminate himself under the pretext of community safety, and then be able to use those incriminating statements against him at trial should he win postconviction relief," wrote Deputy State Public Defender John Plimpton.

A Pueblo County jury convicted Vigil in 2015 on two counts of sexual assault on a child. Vigil denied the charges at trial. He received a sentence of two consecutive terms of intensive supervised probation, lasting 10 years to life. The trial judge agreed to postpone Vigil's required sex-offender treatment during his appeal.

After the Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in February 2019, the judge reinstated Vigil's treatment.

One month later, Vigil's probation officer moved to revoke Vigil's probation. He had refused to sign the contract with his treatment provider, with his lawyer warning Vigil that he would incriminate himself by signing.

The contract required Vigil to acknowledge his treatment was to "control my deviant sexual behavior" and "prevent further victimization of others." By signing, Vigil would "understand that taking responsibility for my sexually offensive behavior is a primary issue to be addressed in treatment."

Finally, Vigil would agree that "I am in treatment for victimizing others through sexually offensive behavior."

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After a hearing, District Court Judge William Alexander agreed Vigil had violated a condition of his probation by not complying with his treatment, as well as two other curfew-related violations. Even though Alexander and the probation officer knew that Vigil would be filing a petition to challenge his conviction  and did file it one month later  the judge declined to rule on the applicability of Vigil's Fifth Amendment protection against being compelled to incriminate himself.

Alexander reimposed Vigil's probationary sentences, starting anew. This time, his treatment provider agreed to modify its conditions to prevent Vigil's self-incrimination while he sought post-conviction relief based on alleged ineffective assistance from counsel.

In appealing Alexander's revocation order, Vigil argued that signing the contract would have furnished the prosecution with damaging statements should he win a new trial, or else could be used for new sex-offender charges. Because Vigil insisted at trial he did not commit the offenses, he also raised the possibility of perjury charges.

Vigil relied on a 2016 decision of the Colorado Supreme Court, People v. Roberson, which examined whether a defendant could refuse to answer questions during a lie detector test about viewing child pornography while his sex crime conviction was on appeal. A majority of the court concluded the Fifth Amendment's protection against compelled self-incrimination meant the defendant could not have his probation revoked for staying silent.

The government, however, argued that applying Roberson to Vigil's case meant he could pursue his post-conviction claim for years without attending treatment.

"This Court should not allow an offender to avoid treatment by using the Fifth Amendment privilege as a sword," wrote Assistant Solicitor General Joseph G. Michaels. "Doing so in post-conviction proceedings not only would endanger the community, but it also would do so in a context where reversal is exceedingly rare."

The appellate panel countered that "rare" does not mean nonexistent, and a new trial for Vigil was not categorically off the table.

Although other states have reached different conclusions on the issue, Tow wrote, "we believe the better reasoned decisions are those that protect a defendants constitutional right against self-incrimination while the defendants initial period for seeking timely postconviction relief has not run."

Tow cautioned that the panel's decision may result in a "hesitancy" to place sex offenders on probation if they can postpone their treatment while challenging their convictions. However, he explained that prosecutors can avoid that outcome by granting immunity solely for incriminating statements made pursuant to treatment contracts.

The panel returned Vigil's case to the trial court to determine whether his two other probation violations on their own warranted revocation.

The case is People v. Vigil.
Colorado Springs police are asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects they say shoplifted and assaulted a 7-Eleven employee at 288 S. Circle Drive in southeast Colorado Springs last month.

One of the suspects is a "very light-skinned" male with sand-blond hair and blue eyes. He is 16 to 18 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. He also has various tattoos including a "very light cross" on both his right and left cheek, and three "clown or skull" faces tattooed along the right side of his neck, police said.

The other suspect is a black male who is 16 to 18 years old, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

According to police, the suspects were asked to leave the 7-Eleven on the night of Jan. 16 after being caught shoplifting and "reluctantly did."

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A few hours later, security camera footage shows the two reentering the store just before 1:50 a.m. Jan. 17. The suspects then assaulted a store employee and fled the scene. The employee suffered injuries that were serious, but not life threatening, police said.

According to investigators, the suspects frequent the area around South Circle Drive and Janitell Road.

If anyone has information about the incident or the suspects, please call the Police Department's nonemergency line at 719-444-7000 or send an anonymous tip to the Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers by clicking or tapping here.
A motorist has been charged after a deadly, multivehicle crash claimed the life of a Colorado Springs man last month, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Steven Rowland, 61, faces preliminary charges of alleged careless driving resulting in death, careless driving resulting in injury, driver's license violation and not having insurance after the fatal crash on Jan. 20, according to public court records.

An investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department found that a Ford F150 traveling north on Austin Bluffs Parkway moved into the left turn lanes at the Rangewood Drive intersection. The Ford failed to stop and struck a Honda Civic. Both vehicles then collided with other vehicles in the intersection, police said.

The drivers of the Ford F150 and Honda Civic were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. The driver of the Honda, later identified as 69-year-old Wolfgang Lampert, died two days after the crash, police said.

Lampert was the owner of Colorado Springs-based pinball maintenance company PinballWorx, founded in 2011. At the time of the crash, Lampert was on his way to fix a pinball machine, according to his wife of 42 years, Darlene. Lampert was also a musician and served as the parish organist at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church for 40 years.

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Court documents show that Rowland has been convicted of traffic violations in El Paso County, including turning without signaling in 2020 and 2009; driving without a license in 2016; careless driving in 2013; and driving while ability impaired under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2010.

According to police, speed was investigated as a factor in last month's crash during an investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Departments Major Crash Team.

Rowland is due to be arraigned in court on April 12.
The Vanguard School board is walking back a resolution that would have changed the charter's board election process, board President Matt Hughes announced in an email Wednesday. The reverse in course follows several well-reasoned emails requesting additional information and logic behind the change.

The resolution, proposed at a Jan. 25 school board meeting, called for a perpetual board model in which the current board would handpick replacements for outgoing members in lieu of a democratic vote among school parents and guardians.

Vanguard will host a town hall-style meeting later this year to engage with the community on pros and cons of a perpetual board. Families will receive at least 30 days notice and subsequent reminder emails advertising the meeting. Depending on the outcome, a resolution could be reintroduced in the future.

... scores of public charter schools across Colorado have perpetual boards, the resolution reads. ... experience has taught that perpetual boards have a proven track record for securing a high quality Board that will protect the Schools legacy, mission, and vision into the future.

The resolution caused a stir among Vanguard parents such as Sheila Schaefer, who characterized the proposal as sudden and covert.

Schaefer said she likes to keep up with board meeting agendas to make sure no news slips by unnoticed, yet she was still caught off guard by the announcement in the schools weekly newsletter more than two weeks after the resolution was introduced.

The January meetings agenda, which was posted online in advance, described the resolution only as bylaws without further detail or mention of amending the board selection process, which Schaefer said downplayed a potentially significant change to school governance.

This was not adequate notice to parents that theyre about to be disenfranchised, Schaefer said.

Because parents currently elect the board, parents must also vote to approve a proposed change to governance model before it can take effect under the Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act. Vanguard parents and guardians were initially given six days to vote in support or against the boards resolution, with voting set to end Thursday.

The parent vote was suspended following Vanguards decision to withdraw the resolution.

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Vanguard parent Carrie Wiegner said she worried the new model would remove board accountability. She pointed to Liberty Tree Academy, a charter school in District 49, as a recent example of how a perpetual board model can go awry in a community.

Liberty Tree nearly lost its charter over governance and operations concerns.

Internal conflict between the charter schools administration and board members plagued Liberty Tree Academy after its board launched a controversial investigation into dozens of allegations last fall, including nepotism, favoritism and creation of a hostile work environment. Critics say the investigation and subsequent disciplinary actions were not handled appropriately.

In the investigations fallout, Liberty Trees principal and dean of students were terminated, and two board members resigned. Parents from the charter school have since been divided over the best path forward and whether the school boards model needs an overhaul.

At Vanguard, the board is composed entirely of current or past parents of students.

The school was founded in 1995 as Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy on the tenets of character development and a strong classical education with a focus on virtue, academics, leadership and civics.

Its a school thats training kids to be good citizens in a democracy, and here theyre trying to kill democracy, or saying, No, democracy doesnt work here. The hypocrisy kills me, Schaefer said. If we cant make it work here, how are we supposed to make it work at a national level?

The resolution would have been the initial step in a months-long process of readings of the proposed change, according to the email from Hughes. The board stands by its belief that a perpetual board is in the schools long-term best interest, but it will not move forward without the support and understanding of the families it represents.

I want to thank the many parents who reached out with feedback, Hughes email reads. This type of participation in our children's education is one of the many things that distinguish our school from others and personally, I hope this never changes.
A Fountain woman who was accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy and becoming pregnant with his child accepted a plea deal Thursday, and as a result will avoid further jail time for the allegations.

Andrea Neenet Serrano, 31, is accused of having a sexual relationship with the boy who Serrano said viewed her as a "mother figure," according to Serrano's arrest affidavit.

Serrano originally faced two charges, sexual assault against a child and sexual assault against a child under the age of 15 by one in a position of trust; but Thursday morning Serrano entered a plea of guilty to the charge of incest  an amended charge added for Serrano to plead guilty to.

The plea deal agreed upon by Serrano comes with a potential sentencing of 10 years to life on sex-offender intensive supervision probation, as well as having to register as a sex offender for the remainder of her life.

The plea deal also stipulates that there will be no additional jail time given to Serrano at sentencing.

The mother of the victim spoke to Judge William Moller prior to the plea deal being accepted to voice her displeasure with the fact that Serrano may not receive any jail time for her crimes.

"She (Serrano) sexually assaulted my 13-year-old son ... She introduced him to drugs, she needs to be in jail," the mother of the victim said in court. "It's a double standard. If she was a man, and my son was a girl she (Serrano) would be behind bars right now."

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Despite the objection to the plea deal from the victim's mother Judge Moller accepted the agreed upon plea deal, and set for a sentencing hearing to take place May 18.

The prosecution noted during the plea deal that Serrano had given birth to the child she conceived with the victim, and she is currently caring for the child.

Custody and visitation of the child was a topic briefly discussed as an unresolved issue at the end of the hearing, but Moller stated it was not something that could be resolved in his courtroom and would need to be resolved by the Department of Human Services.

Serrano is currently out of custody after having posted a $70,000 bond in July 2022, and will remain out of custody on bond until her sentencing hearing.

Serrano currently has two additional misdemeanor cases open in 4th Judicial District Court for violating the terms of a protection order, and is slated to go to jury trial on both cases next month on March 13.
Immersive experiences have the opportunity to bring people into an all-encompassing exposure to art and creativity. Now, Denver is getting its own immersive experience featuring the work of Disneys animations for all ages.

It's as Walt Disney said: Fantasy and reality often overlap.

Through a partnership between Lighthouse Immersive Studios  the Creators of Immersive van Gogh  and Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Animation: Immersive Experience opened Thursday at Lighthouse ArtSpace Denver, 3900 Elati Street.

The exhibit has already opened in Cleveland, Nashville and Detroit prior to coming to Denver and will open next in Boston. The world premiere was held at Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto in December 2022. Additional cities are being scheduled now, with Tokyo being the first city to get this immersive experience outside of North America.

Featured films include newer productions like Encanto, Zootopia and Frozen in addition to Disney classics such as The Lion King, Peter Pan and Pinocchio.

Oscar-winning producer J. Miles Dale, who won best picture in 2018 for The Shape of Water, worked with Mexico City-based Cocolab and the Creative Legacy team at Walt Disney Animation Studios to create this immersive experience. Special Projects Producer and Oscar nominee Dorothy McKim is leading the project for Disney Animation. Lighthouse Immersives Global Creative Director David Korins, who has been a Tony Award nominee credited in work of more than 20 Broadway shows, worked on environmental design.

The Disney company did not want to do its own immersive experience and were excited at the opportunity to bring on Dale to produce it, he said. From beginning to end, Dale said it took about six months to create.

With the success of van Gogh we went to Disney, Dale said. We wanted to broaden the medium with something narrative and Disney was the obvious choice.

One of the things Dale wanted to bring to the exhibit was a way to honor the animators. In the two-room exhibit, there are videos and pieces of information scattered throughout the first gallery showing the drawings and work that brought Disneys characters to life.

From Steamboat Willy to a talking cartoon to a color cartoon to the multiplane camera, we wanted people to come through, get a little smarter, see how it was made, maybe be inspired by some of the stuff in there, Dale said. We had unlimited access to the Disney archives which is a very rare thing, and when we went in there and were exposed to it, we were very much kind of inspired by what we saw" and wanted to show people that.

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The Animation Research Library houses everything that has been filmed by Disney, including drawings and painted cells. The producers want this to be an educational experience as much as a show, McKim said.

Seeing some of the visual development art is like something that's never been seen before, McKim said. And a lot of times, people ask What do you think Walt would think about this? He was all about the future  He would be so proud right now of this.

Both Dale and McKim said changes will continue to be made to the film, like adding Under the Sea and possibly bringing in brand new movies as Disney reaches its 100-year anniversary in 2023.

Mitch McClaren from Thorton attended the VIP opening night with three others. He said that he liked the way the production was layered across different music, movies and characters.

Growing up a Disney fan, it was a large enjoyment to be able to see kind of a flashback of everything mixed in with the new modern stuff for sure, McClaren said. I love kind of how they were able to transition everything and that they were showing different bits and pieces, it wasnt just kind of one wall [of the same].

Denver resident Josie Hunt said she loved the movement of aminations across the floor that follow visitors walking around the gallery.

Watching the kids dance around and jump on the floors [is] probably what made me smile the most, Hunt said. Just how they combined everything together as far as like the villain scenes and the love scenes and the whole flying scene was really cool too.

Wait until the end, for the total of about an hour, to experience 500,000 cubic feet of galleries with bubbles.

Tickets start at start at $39.99 and are on sale at disneyimmersive.com.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev held a meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden to Turkmenistan (with residence in Stockholm) Thomas Danestad.

During the meeting, the Turkmen side accepted copies of the Ambassador's credentials. In addition, they discussed priority areas of bilateral cooperation and issues of interaction within the framework of international and regional organizations.

The diplomats also expressed the need to expand inter-parliamentary cooperation, and also stressed the need to intensify cooperation to expand trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation by creating new mechanisms of interaction.

At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further expand multifaceted cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1992. At the moment, the countries are striving to develop cooperation both within the framework of international organizations and at the interstate level.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Turkiye on Sunday to see the response to the deadliest catastrophe in the country's history.

Blinken will be the highest-level US official to visit Turkiye since the earthquake, which devastated parts of the country as well as Syria last week, claiming tens of thousands of lives.

The State Department said on Wednesday that Blinken would visit Incirlik Air Base to see first-hand US efforts to assist the Turkish authorities responding to the devastation caused by the February 6 earthquakes before going to Ankara to meet his counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Mr Blinken will stop in Germany for the Munich Security Conference before visiting Turkiye, and he plans to travel to Greece afterwards.




Freedom of the press is an essential mainstay of our republic, specifically cited in the First Amendment prohibiting Congress from making any law that would abridge it. The press originally referred to the earliest newspapers, magazines or even pamphleteers. Nowadays, it would fall under the general category of media, including 24-7 cable-TV and internet streaming.

This confounds or at least dilutes the definition of a journalist. Reporters at the New York Times certainly regard themselves as journalists, a term that used to carry a measure of prestige. Broadcast newspeople are a kind of journalist. Editors of newspaper opinion pages are considered to be journalists as are their local and syndicated columnists. Does the term apply to TV talking heads or radio talk personalities? How about freelance podcasters?

Theres nothing wrong with journalists expressing their opinions, biased or not, on an editorial page or in a broadcast commentary. But theres a vital distinction between reporters and opinion columnists. Under the theoretical canons of the profession, reporters are obliged to be objective and fair, dealing in facts not their personal opinions. Undoubtedly some are, Ive even known some, but far too many arent. When self-professed journalists disguise an editorial as an unvarnished story on the news pages, they become dishonest, unethical and untrustworthy journalists.

Thats not just my view, most of the public agrees. A recent Gallup poll found that only 7% of Americans have a great deal of trust and confidence in mass media television, radio, and newspaper reporters to convey the news fully, accurately, and fairly. Twenty-seven percent have a fair amount, 28% say they dont have very muchand 38% have no trust and confidence.

The breakdown among partisan groups is revealing. Sixty percent of Democrats have a great deal or fair amount of trust in journalists while 86% of Republicans have not very much or none. Seventy-one percent of liberal Democrats have a great deal or fair amount of trust. Only 9% of conservative Republicans say that. The conclusion is obvious. Democrats, especially liberals, trust partisan, liberal journalists who echo their own bias.

The journalistic profession has long been dominated by those on the political left who favor Democrats and spin the news accordingly. The New York Times could just as well be the public relations agency of the Democratic Party, along with the Washington Post, L.A. Times, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, MSNBC, and, locally, the Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera.

Even reporters and editors, who imagine themselves to be fair, see the world through their subjective lens. Perfect objectivity might be a goal, but it is unobtainable. In practice, objectivity is subjective. Were the product of our beliefs, perceptions, experiences, and biases that ultimately filter through. And a newsroom with like-minded liberal colleagues reinforces that mentality. Such journalists lack the self-awareness to recognize their bias. You might say the same thing of a conservative newsroom, but there are very few of those in the elite, major media.

Other journalists are purposefully biased. Carole Simpson was a Black weekend anchor on ABC News World News Tonight with an obvious liberal bias. She spilled the beans one day at a Washington Forum covered by C-SPAN when she proudly exclaimed she was someone who got into journalism in the 1960s because we wanted to change America. In later years, she went on to teach journalism at Emerson College in Boston. Likely as a role model for the next generation of liberal journalists.

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An oft-repeated maxim of liberal journalists and college journalism instructors goes something like this: The job of journalists is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. I doubt many of them know the source of that quote, much less its original intent. It was coined in 1902 by Finley Peter Dunn, a political satirist who believed that journalists should do no such thing. He put those words in the mouth of a fictional, curmudgeonly Irishman he created, Mr. Dooley, whose sarcastic rant (translated from the original Irish brogue) proclaimed: The newspaper does everything for us. It runs the police force and the banks, commands the militia, controls the legislature, baptizes the young, marries the foolish, comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable, buries the dead, and roasts them afterwards.

Through Mr. Dooley, Dunne was, in fact, damning the journalists of his day for their bias and presumptuous sanctimony in picking winners and losers, advancing their political agenda and editorializing in the guise of reporting. Thats how liberal journalists can redefine millions of aliens who cross our border illegally merely as migrants and fail to fact-check Biden when he absurdly claims out border is secure.

Some regard their profession as noble, an honorific exclusively reserved for colleagues on the left. If I had to pick a noble journalist itd be Ernie Pyle, a patriotic battlefield war correspondent who sent home moving accounts of dogface infantry soldiers during World War II. Pyle was killed in action by enemy fire during the Battle of Okinawa. By contrast, noble journalists, so anointed by their peers, were those who publicly opposed the Vietnam War and advocated for a U.S. withdrawal, like CBS anchor Walter Cronkite.

Ethical journalism, however you define it, is an indispensable element of a free society. But journalists arent philosopher kings with superior knowledge and credentials to judge morality, justice, and public policy. And theyre seldom experts about the topics they cover. Theyre just people with a public platform and an opinion, mostly a liberal one. Theyre in a media industry competing with other media businesses for circulation numbers, Nielsen ratings, internet hits, and advertising revenues. Theyre also careerists seeking acclaim and advancement by chalking up scoops, exclusive interviews, and awards like Pulitzer Prizes.

In the late 19th century, yellow journalism was rampant, resorting to sensationalism, exaggeration, one-sided advocacy, and disregard for the facts to gather attention and readers. The inherent liberal bias of most journalists was bad enough in the 1960s. And its only gotten worse, accelerating during the Reagan era, and rising to stratospheric levels in their treatment of Donald Trump. When he dubbed their biased reporting as fake news, that was the last straw and the fraternity of liberal journalists went completely bonkers.

Regarding him as the incarnation of evil, they threw even their pretense of fairness out the window. Theyve rationalized that his counterattack on the Democrats progressive order and agenda  that mirrors their own  makes it their noble duty to take him down.

Reasoning that the ends justify the means; lying, exaggerating, sensationalizing, and distorting the facts about Trump became standard operating procedure. Although theres enough to criticize him about without resorting to those tactics. Call it todays form of ignoble yellow journalism, which might explain some of the loss of public trust.

Mike Rosen is a Denver-based American radio personality and political commentator.
Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday decided state lawmakers intended to continue prohibiting local governments from receiving their share of centrally-collected cigarette tax revenue if they enact their own sales taxes on cigarettes.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals agreed a 2019 law designed to give localities more control over nicotine products nevertheless blocked cities, counties and towns from "double dipping" in both state and local tax money. While the original legislation did not contain such a prohibition, it was apparent lawmakers changed their minds by the time House Bill 19-1033 made it to the governor's desk.

"This legislative history clearly establishes that the General Assembly intended to render all taxes on cigarettes ... disqualifying," wrote Judge Robert D. Hawthorne in the panel's Feb. 16 opinion.

The appeal came from the city of Aurora, which revived its taxation of cigarette sales in the wake of HB 1033. But the Colorado Department of Revenue believed Aurora would become ineligible to collect its portion of state revenue from the "share back" program if it began taxing cigarettes locally. Aurora then sued the state, alleging it stood to lose $600,000 annually under the department's interpretation.

The share back program dates to 1973, when the General Assembly sought to introduce uniformity across the state in cigarette tax collections. For several decades afterward, local governments were entitled to 27% of total cigarette tax revenue, to be split among jurisdictions, as long as they did not impose "fees, licenses, or taxes on any person as a condition for engaging in the business of selling cigarettes."

With HB 1033, the legislature sought to give local governments a greater ability to regulate and tax nicotine products. Originally, the bill struck the limitation on localities' imposition of fees, licenses or taxes, enabling them to participate in the share back program even if they enacted such policies.

However, during the debate in the Senate, lawmakers opted to keep the prohibition.

"Any municipality or county that actually raises taxes on cigarettes will lose their share back from the state," said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, who offered the amendment. "Its a form of double dipping."

One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, vehemently opposed maintaining the limitation.

"Not all counties are funded equally and to ask the county to forfeit that share back is reckless," she said.

Following the law's enactment, Aurora's city council voted to impose a cigarette sales tax. Although Aurora had an occupation tax on cigarette vendors prior to 1973, the city repealed it when the share back program came into being.

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Once the Department of Revenue indicated Aurora's new tax would render it ineligible for continued share back payments, Aurora sued. Prohibiting taxes "as a condition for engaging in the business of selling cigarettes" meant business-specific occupation taxes, not sales taxes, the city argued.

But Denver District Court Judge Alex C. Myers disagreed, ruling that the legislature could have specified an occupation tax was the sole type of tax it meant to prohibit. But the law did not contain any such language.

Aurora appealed Myers' decision, reiterating that its sales tax was not, in the words of HB 1033, a "condition for engaging in the business" of cigarette sales.

"A sales tax is a tax on the consumer. It is not a tax on the business," attorney Hanosky Hernandez argued to the Court of Appeals panel in December.

"I would say the more recent legislative history looks like they intended to say, 'Well if youre gonna impose a sales tax, then you cant also share in our sales tax'," countered Judge Elizabeth L. Harris.

The panel concluded the language as written was ambiguous, but given what happened as HB 1033 made its way through the legislature, the state's interpretation was correct.

"In sum, the proposed 2019 amendments went from allowing local governments to impose fees, licenses, and taxes on cigarettes, to allowing them to impose only fees and licenses," wrote Hawthorne, a retired judge who sat on the panel at the chief justice's assignment.

He added that "all taxes on cigarettes, not just occupation taxes," were disqualifying from the share back program.

The city of Aurora did not immediately offer a comment on the panel's decision.

The case is City of Aurora v. Colorado Department of Revenue.
A bill that seeks to allow counties to ban firearms discharges on certain private property cleared the House Thursday morning, with House Republicans mounting a furious, last-minute effort to kill it.

But the final vote  with eight Democrats voting against  shows the issue got Democratic opposition rarely seen on gun control bills that have moved in the last few years through Colorado's state House, a legislative body dominated by Democrats.

Among the Democrats voting against House Bill 1165: Speaker of House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, whose district includes the rural central mountains.

Republican lawmakers have been quick to point out that the bill attempts to allow people moving into rural Colorado to dictate changes in rural lifestyles, including around firearms.

The "no" votes from Democrats came mostly from those representing rural or conservative-leaning districts.

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Joining the 19 Republicans in "no" votes, in addition to McCluskie: Colorado Springs Democrats Reps. Marc Snyder and Regina English; Rep. Matthew Martinez of Alamosa, who represents the San Luis Valley; Rep. Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch, who won a close race in 2022 in a district that hadn't before elected a Democrat; Rep. Shannon Bird of Westminster, Rep. Mary Young of Greeley and Rep. Sheila Lieder, whose district includes south Lakewood and parts of unincorporated Jefferson County.

House Republicans tried a number of procedural moves, including motions to send the bill back to committee or to lay it over until after the end of the session. Rep. Ken deGraaf, R-Colorado Springs, was admonished repeatedly by McCluskie for claiming those who vote for the bill are against the Second Amendment.

House Bill 1165 is sponsored by Reps. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder and Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, who chairs the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee. Amabile said the bill is in response to complaints, primarily in Clear Creek County, from residents in the St. Mary's Glacier neighborhood who claimed their neighbors were firing guns in a manner that was either unsafe or disruptive.

Current law already allows counties and municipalities to regulate firearms discharges in residential areas. But the current law limits counties to passing ordinances on a minimum of 100 residents per square mile. HB 1165 reduces that to 35 dwellings per square mile, which under federal definition of dwelling is 91 residents per square mile.

The final vote on HB 1165 was 36-27. The bill now moves on to the Senate.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha Hudson and her two daughters were living on just $400 a month from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Unable to keep up with her rent and facing threats of eviction, Hudson moved out of her home and onto the streets.

Hudson said her family was forced to live in a car and a tent, as her mental health plummeted and she eventually turned to drug use to cope. Hudson lost custody of her daughters soon after.

Colorado lawmakers are trying to prevent people like Hudson from being evicted with House Bill 1120. If passed, the measure would require mediation between landlords and tenants before landlords can file for eviction  if the tenant receives certain financial assistance.

If an eviction is ordered, the bill would also give tenants 30 days to leave the property instead of the current 10 days.

If I would have had a chance for mediation and a lawyer, I would have had a good chance of keeping my place, my belongings and my girls, Hudson said while testifying in support of the bill Tuesday. If this bill gets passed, it will help out so many people in need.

Around 38,560 evictions occur in Colorado each year, according to state estimates. Under the bill, approximately 2,912 of the people facing eviction annually would be eligible for these new protections.

The eviction protections would apply to tenants who receive Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance or cash assistance through TANF. The bill would not apply to tenants of landlords who have fewer than five single-family homes or fewer than five total units.

Mediation would involve a landlord and tenant meeting together with a neutral third party to discuss a voluntary settlement.

Proponents of the bill said mediation in eviction conflicts can often lead to the landlord agreeing to let the tenant stay, with solutions including setting up a payment plan, exchanging services, or forgiving late fees. If they still want the tenant to leave, it can result in the landlord and tenant agreeing on a voluntary move-out date without filing for eviction and hurting the tenants rental record.

When parties come together before they are adversaries in a court case, they are often capable of reaching agreements that serve both sides, said Carol Kennedy, a housing attorney at Colorado Poverty Law Project. Allowing for mediation will help assure that landlords are made whole, that tenants avoid the 'scarlet letter' of an eviction court record, and, in turn, this also relieves the administrative burden on our court system.

The Colorado Poverty Law Project supports the bill, in addition to the ACLU of Colorado, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Disability Law Colorado, League of Women Voters of Colorado, Mental Health Colorado and New Era Colorado.

Groups opposed to the bill include the Colorado Apartment Association, Colorado Bankers Association, Colorado Association of Home Builders, Colorado Concern, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Rocky Mountain Home Association.

Opponents argued that the bill would make the eviction process too long, ultimately dis-incentivizing landlords and developers from investing in Colorados rental industry.

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Colorado bill letting metro district developers buy their own bonds passes Senate committee; showdown possible

Its just too long of a track, said Drew Hamrick with the Colorado Apartment Association. The owner of a rental house has to have a reasonably priced, reasonably timed and reasonably predictable way to get the property back if theres a default. Otherwise, they wont loan the property out in the first place or they will do so at a much greater cost.

Under the bill, the mediation would need to be scheduled within two weeks of the eviction notice, when possible. Tenants would have to be informed of their right to mediation by the landlord in the eviction notice and tenants would not be responsible for the costs of mediation.

The 20-day extension for qualifying tenants to leave the property could be voided, but only in cases of substantial lease violations.

Bill sponsor Rep. David Ortiz, D-Centennial, said extending the time before tenants are forced out of their rental home is essential, arguing that the current 10-day time limit does not give them enough time to find new housing. This is especially true for tenants with disabilities, he said.

Only 5% of newly constructed multifamily housing units are required to be accessible to people with disabilities, based on federal standards. A 2011 study found that less than 5% of housing in the U.S. is accessible for people with moderate mobility difficulties and less than 1% is accessible for wheelchair users. The bills protections would apply to recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance.

This bill is helping those that need it the most, Ortiz said. To expect someone to find housing in 10 days puts an undue burden on them and youre setting them up for failure. Youre setting them up to be unhoused.

The bill  also sponsored by Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder  advanced through the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Lawmakers voted, 9-4, for the bill on party lines.

Republicans stayed mostly silent while voting against the bill, though some brought up concerns about reducing the housing stock while pressing witnesses earlier in the committee hearing.

Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, the only opponent to comment on his vote, said he is not quite there yet today.

The bill will next be sent to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration. A hearing date has not yet been scheduled.

Proposal advances for non-gendered bathrooms, baby changing stations in Colorado public buildings
The Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah continues to soar as a top global destination for premium investments with the latest move by Indian company, Arima Minerals.

Arima Group has opened a cutting-edge plant for the separation of industrial minerals and heavy minerals in the free zone, with an initial investment of AED 15 million ($4.08 million). This facility sets a new standard in the region, standing apart as one of the rare few outsides of China to master this specialized field.

The Indian company, a member of a large Indian conglomerate with expertise in diverse industries like dyes, cement, textiles, and mining, has revealed that its latest addition to the Hamriyah Free Zone sprawls 83,000 sq ft. The plant boasts a yearly production capacity of 100,000-120,000 tons of mineral concentrates and employs a dedicated team of 45 skilled workers.

The grand opening of the Indian company's new factory was attended by Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA).

He was welcomed by V Subramanian, Managing director of Arima Minerals, and taken on a tour of the facilities. Al Mazrouei was joined by several officials from HFZA, as he gained insights into the plant's operations, production processes, and the products offered to both local and international clients. He was also introduced to the latest innovations in mineral separation technology, including magnetic, electrical, and gravity separation equipment.

The addition of Arima Minerals to the Hamriyah Free Zone solidifies the HFZAs position as a prime destination for major international industrial players looking to establish and expand in global markets. Arima Minerals' expertise in producing and manufacturing industrial metals adds to the zone's reputation as a hub for specialized heavy industries.

Attracting industrial investments

Al Mazrouei emphasized that Sharjah boasts unique qualities and great flexibility in attracting high-quality industrial investments thanks to the astute leadership and unwavering support of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Mazrouei said that the free zones in Sharjah are a prime destination for international companies looking to invest and tap into a vast pool of customers, consumers, and target markets.

Al Mazrouei stated: "The opening of Arima Minerals' mining factory in Hamriyah Free Zone is a testament to the growing global recognition of Sharjah and its free zones as a hub for the industrial sector and a premier location for specialized heavy industries. This has been made possible by our steadfast commitment to fulfilling the needs of our customers with high efficiency, in alignment with Sharjah's vision and industrial strategies for the future.

He went on to say that HFZA will continue to offer all necessary facilities and support to investors and investments of all sizes and types. The Free Zone will spare no effort to provide an exceptional work environment that fosters growth, development, and prosperity for all companies operating within its boundaries, Al Mazrouei added.

Privileges & incentives

For his part, V Subramanian, Managing Director of Arima Mineral Processing, stated that Hamriyah free zone was selected as a base for the company's growth and factory for numerous advantages and incentives provided to investors. He emphasized that the low operating costs, strategic location, modern logistical infrastructure, supportive investment policies, and accessible port for exports to global markets were the key factors that motivated the company to make Hamriyah their base for regional and global operations.

V Subramanian added: Our factory in Sharjah will help us export our metal and other products to China, India, the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and serve the local UAE market as well. We also have plans to expand our operations to the continents of Africa and Asia, catering to a wide range of customers including oil companies, contractors, dye manufacturers, and zircon mills.

In addition to offering industrial and commercial plots of land, HFZA, one of the largest industrial-free zones in the UAE, provides advanced infrastructure and modern facilities that strengthen external expansion plans for investors, especially in importing and re-exporting, to the worlds markets. It also provides countless competitive advantages, most notably a single-window operation that boosts efficiency and eases procedures for doing business, along with multiple tax exemptions, repatriation of capital and profits, full foreign ownership of the business, and quick access to regional and global markets.--TradeArabia News Service
Wednesday marked the first major opportunity for the expanded coalition of progressive Democrats devoted to decriminalization to flex their muscles at the Colorado Capitol.

Although they failed to halt a budget request for more prison beds from advancing, their opposition signaled they will be a force to reckon with as the Legislature tackles measures on a range of issues they back, but that the Polis administration doesn't necessarily support.

The issue on Wednesday was a proposal from the Polis administration to fund hundreds of new prison beds and pay for more positions in the Department of Corrections.

The request received the approval of the state Senate last week on a 28-6 vote, but with two Senate Democrats who favor decriminalization voting against.

In the state House, the progressive coalition is substantially larger, with the 2022 elections adding several members to an informal caucus that already includes Reps. Leslie Herod, Steven Woodrow, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Jennifer Bacon and Mike Weissman. The additions include Reps. Javier Mabrey, Elisabeth Epps and Lorena Garcia.

The coalition came within four votes Wednesday of stopping the request from moving forward, and the close vote signaled the group could exact concessions in a strategy its members could replicate as the Legislature tackles other big bills, including legislation on assault weapons, criminal justice, rent control and fentanyl.

And in fighting the budget request for more beds, the coalition had help from the other side of the aisle.

Senate Bill 113 is sponsored by the Joint Budget Committee as part of the 2023 package of supplemental requests intended to make midyear adjustments to state agencies' budgets.

The Department of Corrections is seeking $20.3 million for a variety of purposes, but what's setting off some lawmakers is the request for more beds and staffers.

Critics noted that the department has 1,600 vacant positions and about $20 million in vacancy savings, prompting some lawmakers to press the agency over why it simply won't use that money to fund new positions.

In response, House Democrats on the Joint Budget Committee pointed out in a caucus meeting Tuesday that the $20 million is, for budget purposes, already spent  it is considered committed for retention bonuses, and the 393 beds the department is asking for are already occupied, meaning the department went ahead and filled those beds before asking for funding precisely because it had to house prisoners.

The fight started in the Senate last week, when the proposal received two "no" votes from Democrats aligned with the decriminalization effort: Sens. Julie Gonzales and Robert Rodriguez, both of Denver. Gonzales watched the next round of debate in the House on Wednesday.

The first sign of the House coalition's opposition came early Tuesday, when Herod became the lone "no" vote against the bill in the House Appropriations Committee. Misgivings over the department's request also surfaced in a House Democratic caucus meeting later Tuesday morning. In that meeting, Bacon and Gonzales-Gutierrez questioned whether the department is doing enough to reduce prison populations, while Weissman said he is frustrated with how the department is representing inmate counts.

The bill's backers said it's important to support the department in its need to bring in more staff. Advocacy for the measure from JBC member Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, and Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, has earned them the scorn of criminal justice advocates from outside the Capitol.

Republicans joined the fight, too.

Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, said "poor management should not be rewarded," a nod to concerns raised by JBC staff, as well as by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, when the bill was in the Senate.

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Soper called the "personal services" line item in the budget request, which denotes the funding for staff, a slush fund.

"There's no accountability or transparency here," he said, offering an amendment to strip out the funding for the 393 beds and reduce funding by $1.6 million.

"There's no clarity in how we're counting people in the prisons," added Bacon, who noted the JBC got different numbers depending on the day, with a difference of more than 1,000 in the inmate count.

"We do care about the people going in and out of jail" but also "need a better sense of what we're funding," said Bacon, who favored Soper's amendment.

Herod, the daughter of a correctional officer, also supported the amendment, saying the corrections department needs to fill its vacancies first before asking for more staff and beds.

Everyone talks about fiscal responsibility until they have to be fiscally responsible, added Rep. Don Wilson, R-Monument.

Soper said lawmakers can address the department's additional funding needs when crafting the Long Appropriations Bill, which would contain the spending plan for Colorado in the upcoming fiscal year. The budget bill is due to be introduced in the Senate on March 27.

Soper's amendment received opposition from lawmakers in his caucus whose districts include many of the state's prisons.

If the department says it needs more money, "they might just actually need it," said Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, whose district includes the Sterling Correctional Facility, one of the state prisons that would benefit from the supplemental funding for staff recruitment and retention.

"We should stand up for DOC," he said.

Rep. Stephanie Luck, R-Penrose, whose district includes more prisons than any other lawmaker, also advocated for the funding, saying to remove the funding and not fund the new positions would severely affect operations.

That was contrasted by claims from other lawmakers that DOC already has a problem hiring staff and this would only add to the budget's bottom line rather than address the staffing shortages.

Bird, in advocating against the amendment, said the funding would help stop the "hemorrhaging" of staff and help keep staff safe.

A division vote, which requires members to stand and be counted, but without an official recorded vote, showed around 29 members from both sides of the aisle in support of the amendment, with more Democrats voting in favor than Republicans. Notably, Weissman voted against it.

Soper did not ask for a recorded vote, saying he believed the amendment would lose "yes" votes.

SB 113 will be up for a final vote on Thursday and if adopted, will head to the governor for signing.
A package of bills intended to bolster Colorado's abortion-rights laws are expected within the next two weeks, including a proposal that targets "crisis pregnancy centers."

Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who spoke about the package on Tuesday, said the first measure deals with what she calls deceptive trade practices by anti-abortion clinics that she described as "fake."

In particular, Gonzales is targeting crisis pregnancy centers, which counsel pregnant women against having an abortion and to instead choose to carry the pregnancy to term, with parenting or adoption as an alternative.

The American Medical Society Journal of Ethics said the centers' trade practices have little to no oversight and accused the facilities of giving the "impression that they are clinical centers, offering legitimate medical services and advice, yet they are exempt from regulatory, licensure, and credentialing oversight that apply to health care facilities."

The journal also claimed that many centers are affiliated with religious ideology, which "takes priority over the health and well-being of the women seeking care at these centers," and that, as a result, women do not receive "comprehensive, accurate, evidence-based clinical information about all available options."

These centers are legal, but not ethical, the journal said, adding "their propagation of misinformation should be regarded as an ethical violation that undermines womens health." A 2012 study in North Carolina, published by the National Library of Medicine, claimed that 86% of the centers provide misinformation on abortion.

Supporters of crisis pregnancy centers argue that to call them "fake" clinics is a smear campaign perpetuated by abortion providers, and the centers legitimately provide services, including health education, ultrasound and counseling.

"To accuse pregnancy centers of not offering legitimate care to women is false and self-serving, and worst of all, it misinforms women," Carolyn Reeves of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which litigates religious questions before the U.S. Supreme Court wrote last year. "It intentionally tells women that only one choice  abortion  is viable. Women deserve more than that."

Heartbeat International, a network of pregnancy centers, cited a study saying the country's nearly 3,000 centers nationwide served almost 2 million people in 2019, offering hundreds of pregnancy tests, free ultrasound and sexually transmitted disease tests, as well as parenting and prenatal education programs and after-abortion support.

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Nationwide, there are about 2,600 of these centers, with 51 in Colorado. Eighteen states, according to CNN, provide the centers with taxpayer dollars.

The second bill, Gonzales said, would protect both patients and those who provide abortion and "gender-affirming" care.

While details of this bill are not yet known, several states have enacted legislation to protect abortion providers. In June, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of six bills, including a measure to keep confidential addresses of abortion providers and patients, another that would establish a cause of action for unlawful interference, legal protections for abortion service providers and preventing medical malpractice insurance carriers from taking action against an abortion provider who provides legal care.

The third bill in the Senate package would require health insurance carriers to provide abortion care.

If enacted, Colorado would follow the lead of eight other states that now mandate abortion coverage by private insurers, at least one coming in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in June. Another eight states limit coverage to abortions that would save the life of the mother.

In California, for example, abortion is considered basic health care and insurers are required to cover the cost for most abortions. However, self-funded plans or "grandfathered" plans are exempt. A law that went into effect on Jan. 1, eliminates a prior authorization requirement.

The legal effort to require insurers to provide abortion care could put Gov. Jared Polis in a bit of a legal conundrum.

A staunch defender of abortion rights, Polis' key agenda is to help Coloradans save money on health care, and he has twice warned lawmakers not to send him any more insurance mandates for fear of driving up health insurance premiums. At the same time, he has signed into law new mandates on areas such as an annual mental health exam and covering the cost of infertility treatments.

In 2022, Polis also signed a law that requires an actuarial analysis of of proposed legislation on health insurance mandates, although that law is limited to six reviews per session and required to be submitted to the Division of Insurance by Sept. 1 of the year preceding the legislation.
A federal judge last week declined to dismiss the City and County of Denver from an excessive force lawsuit, finding the plaintiff credibly alleged the government's failure to train its deputies was the cause of his injuries.

Video footage from 2019 captured sheriff's Deputy Jason Gentempo punching Serafin Finn multiple times and shoving Finn, who was in a wheelchair, to the ground after Finn allegedly spat on Gentempo. The resulting civil rights lawsuit alleges Gentempo used excessive force against Finn and that Denver's own policies and practices were behind Gentempo's conduct.

On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney agreed with the city that it could not be held liable for the sheriff department's exoneration of Gentempo after the fact, even though federal courts elsewhere in the country have deemed such actions are acceptable legal claims. At the same time, she found the allegations were sufficient that Denver did not offer deputies training on whether to use force when spat upon, despite an obvious need for such guidance.

"(I)t is plausible that Mr. Finns assault was a predictable and causally related outcome of the Citys failure to provide Deputy Gentempo with any training regarding 'what exactly to do' regarding spitting arrestees," Sweeney wrote in a Feb. 10 order.

Gentempto and another deputy arrived at Denver Health on March 20, 2019 to retrieve Finn on an arrest warrant and take him to the nearby jail. The deputies moved Finn outside in a wheelchair while he was handcuffed and restrained. At one point in the transport, surveillance video showed Finn turning and appearing to spit on Gentempo.

The video, first reported by FOX31, then captured Gentempo punching Finn multiple times, grabbing his face and pushing him, still seated, into the ground. Other deputies arrived and put a "spit sock" on Finn's head. At the jail's intake office, Gentempo allegedly neglected to disclose his use of force, and further video footage there showed Finn seizing and collapsing on the floor.

Gentempo's lawyers, in response to the federal lawsuit, admitted "the force occurred" and Gentempo had subsequently "laid on top of Mr. Finn and applied pressure points to the head and neck." Gentempo also "consistently denied he had struck Mr. Finn," despite the video evidence to the contrary.

Finn died in 2021 for reasons unrelated to the encounter, but the administrator of his estate filed suit against Gentempo for excessive force. The plaintiff, Melissa R. Schwartz, also sought to hold Denver liable for its role in Finn's injuries, which requires that a governmental policy or custom be behind Gentempo's actions.

The lawsuit claimed Denver was responsible on two fronts. First, the city allegedly failed to train deputies whether and how to use force when spat upon. The evidence primarily consisted of Gentempo's statement to departmental investigators that "there was no layout, theres nothing in our policy that will tell you what exactly to do when youre being spit on.

Second, the lawsuit raised the "ratification" theory, which can hold government policymakers liable when they approve of a subordinate's illegal actions. The lawsuit narrated that following Gentempo's use of force, internal investigators found Gentempo had committed three policy violations for inappropriate force and deception. However, a committee that allegedly included the interim sheriff and the current sheriff revised those findings and cleared Gentempo of wrongdoing.

FOX31 later reported that Denver settled for $175,000 with an investigator it fired after she blew the whistle on how the city handled Gentempo's discipline.

Although Gentempo has not formally challenged the excessive force claim against him, the city moved in late 2021 to dismiss itself from the lawsuit. Denver argued the alleged "cover-up" or inadequate investigation did not lead to Gentempo's conduct, and therefore could not amount to ratification as the federal appellate courts have defined it.

As for Denver's alleged failure to train, the city argued deputies clearly received training, given the use of the spit sock on Finn. Further, it was not clear how better training for Gentempo would have prevented a constitutional violation.

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"And it goes without saying that upon being assaulted  by bodily fluids or otherwise  there are various constitutionally sound ways for an officer to respond (i.e. defensive tactics, certain uses of force)," wrote lawyers with the Denver City Attorney's Office.

In September, U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews analyzed the arguments and recommended dismissing the city from the lawsuit. He agreed after-the-fact conduct by sheriff department leaders could not have led to Gentempo's original force, and noted Gentempo's statement about being inadequately trained did not illustrate that Denver categorically failed to train its deputies.

Schwartz, the administrator for Finn's estate, objected to Crews' finings.

"Having encountered a spitting arrestee, Deputy Gentempo had no instruction on the appropriate use of force, so he delivered several strikes to Mr. Finns face and proceeded with several other forms of attack," wrote Schwartz's attorneys.

Sweeney, the district judge, believed Crews was correct about the legal significance of the post-incident investigation. The U.S. Supreme Court has suggested that approval of an officer's misconduct after the fact can count as ratification, and at least one federal appellate court  the Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit  instructs jurors that they may find a government liable in such circumstances.

However, Sweeney noted the 10th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over Colorado, has not explicitly adopted that interpretation. She called it a "bedrock principle" that a policymaker's approval must come before the constitutional violation and, therefore, cause it.

On the other hand, Sweeney disagreed with Crews that Gentempo's statement could not be used to show the city failed to train its deputies broadly on what to do with a spitting detainee.

The lawsuit "sufficiently alleges that the inadequacy of the Citys training was obvious and likely to result in Mr. Finns constitutional injury, as well as that the predictability of Mr. Finns injury could have been prevented by providing training regarding spitting arrestees," she wrote.

The Denver Sheriff Department confirmed Gentempo is still employed as a deputy.

Nick Lutz, an attorney for the plaintiff, said he would appreciate some clarity from the 10th Circuit about how the ratification theory is intended to work against government entities.

"Attorneys who represent folks who have been affected by the kind of conduct that happens in these cases are frustrated by the idea that a department's wholesale approval of an unconstitutional act cant be a valid basis for liability," he said.

The case is Schwartz v. City and County of Denver et al.
Less than 24 hours after Democrats on a Colorado House panel gave preliminary approval to a rent control bill, Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday indicated he is "skeptical" of the measure.

House Bill 1115 won an 8-5 vote, with one Democrat, Rep. Alex Valdez of Denver, voting against the measure, along with the committee's four Republicans.

The bill would lift the state preemption on rent control, which under current law means the state bans rent control and that local governments cannot adopt rent control or rent stabilization policies.

Sponsored by Reps. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver and Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, more than 100 people showed up Wednesday, testifying late into the evening on the problems they face with unaffordable housing, a situation they said is endemic throughout Colorado.

Asked for comment on the legislation, spokesman Conor Cahill said: "Governor Polis is skeptical that rent control will create more housing stock, and locations with these policies often have the unintended consequences of higher rent."

The governor has historically not been a fan of rent control. Twice in the last two sessions, he has signaled a potential veto of bills that attempted to modify the state law.

In 2021, bill sponsors negotiated with the governor's office to avoid a veto that overturned a 2000 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that prohibited local governments from using land use for affordable housing as a work-around to the state law.

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Last year, a bill that would have imposed price caps on mobile home rent was watered down, also at the behest of the administration.

In a statement to Colorado Politics, Cahill said the governor "is proud of the historic investments we have made over the last three legislative sessions and is committed to partnering with the General Assembly to attack the root causes of the affordable housing crisis."

The Polis administration said that, despite the resources  the General Assembly approved more than $450 million in federal COVID-related relief for affordable housing in the 2022 session  the demand for housing "continues to outpace the supply in Colorado. Colorado needs more housing options for every budget, for purchase and for rent. The rent is too damned high."

As for HB 1115, Cahill said Polis and his team "are always open to seeing specific proposals and letting legislators know if they have any concerns."

The unintended consequences cited by Polis were also highlighted by those who testified in opposition to HB 1115 during Wednesday's hearing, notably landlords, apartment association representatives and chambers of commerce.

The bill now awaits debate of the full House.
They came by the dozens.

Mothers, fathers, single parents, families, seniors, high school students, state employees, elected officials from communities all over the state, teachers, housing advocates.

They all shared a common problem: They can't afford  or their constituents can't afford  to live in Colorado anymore, and they hope a bill lifting state preemption on rent control and turning the matter over to local communities will provide a way home.

On the other side are landlords, chambers of commerce, attorneys, and apartment or mobile home park owners, some of whom provide affordable housing.

Opponents of the measure reiterated the same message: Rent control doesn't work, and it could make a bad situation worse.

House Bill 1115 won support on an 8-5 vote from the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee late Wednesday after more than eight hours of testimony from more than 100 people on both sides of the issue.

The bill  sponsored by Democratic Reps. Javier Mabrey of Denver and Elizabeth Velasco of Glenwood Springs, as well as by Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver  now moves on to the full House, where it faces an uncertain future.

Gov. Jared Polis has opposed strict rent control, even threatening a veto over a 2022 measure that sought to impose rent caps at mobile home parks. Another bill in 2021, which skirted previous bans on rent control by allowing local governments to regulate development through land use policy, required careful negotiation to avoid a veto.

In a statement to Colorado Politics Wednesday, Polis spokesman Conor Cahill said the governor is "skeptical that rent control will create more housing stock, and locations with these policies often have the unintended consequences of higher rent," strongly indicating the bill is not acceptable in its current form.

Colorados prohibition on rent control dates back to a 1981 state law, a response to a citizen initiative in Boulder that imposed rent control, and a 2000 Colorado Supreme Court ruling on an ordinance from Telluride.

The 1981 state law said rent control on private residential housing is a matter of statewide concern, and local governments cannot enact ordinances or resolutions that would control rent on either private residential property or a private residential housing unit.

As introduced, House Bill 1115 would repeal that section of statute. It also strikes a similar section of statute that applies to land use regulation in which rent control is imposed on newly constructed or redeveloped housing.

The measure's critics said imposing rent control helps people in the short term but that, in the long run, it decreases affordability, fuels gentrification and creates "negative spillovers" onto surrounding neighborhoods, citing a 2018 Brookings Institute study.

Rachel Beck with the Colorado Competitive Council acknowledged the affordable housing shortage of some 225,000 units, equivalent to the entire housing stock of El Paso County. The solution to the crisis is to build more affordable housing, she said.

Muriel Williams of the Colorado Association of Realtors agreed. Controlling the housing market through rent control is a disincentive to build more homes, she said, adding that Proposition 123 will not reach its full potential if local jurisdictions begin adopting artificial rent limits that worsen the housing crisis. The ballot initiative, which Colorado voters approved last year, reduces taxpayer refunds arising from the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights by about $300 million per year, with the revenue going to a variety of affordable housing initiatives.

Dominion Apartments, which owns and manages 1,500 affordable housing apartments across the state  with another 500 in the development pipeline  will not be able to continue with its efforts if the bill passes as written, according to Sarah Shambrook. The company's residents are teachers, first responders, single parents, retail workers and retired seniors, she said. The bill would lead to "potentially dangerous and hasty municipal codes, creating blanket rent control policies" and ultimately hurting the potential for more affordable housing, she told the committee.

Andrew Hamrick, general counsel for the Colorado Apartment Association, added that the problem with localized rent control is that it allows one locality to use price controls to hurt the housing prices of its neighbors. It also risks conversion of existing rental housing into owner-occupied housing and discourages resident mobility because people can't afford to move when they live in artificially low rent units, he said.

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While much of Proposition 123 deals with purchasing affordable housing, it incudes significant provisions on rent, including an affordable housing equity program for low- and middle-income, multi-family rental units that provides tenants with a share of the development's profits that can be used for the future purchase of a home, as well as a rental assistance program.

But the housing that could come from Proposition 123 are years away for many  and many of those who showed up at the Capitol on Wednesday said they can't wait, recounting their struggles to lawmakers: Some face eviction. Some fear their children will be taken away because they can't provide separate bedrooms for their sons and daughters, a legal requirement once their children reach a certain age. Others work multiple jobs with too many roommates. Many lamented the lack of dignity they face for living in "a failed system." The dream of a home for many has never existed, they said. For others, the constant fear of losing their homes to high rent prices is "a nightmare."

The Colorado Fiscal Institute claims "greedy corporate landlords" are responsible for the high prices, citing studies that show the lowest income groups shoulder the heaviest burden on housing costs, meaning they pay more than 50% of their income for housing. CFI, whose data shows the lack of affordable housing is a problem in every corner of the state, also pointed out that the Department of Local Affairs has given out $456 million in emergency rental assistance in just the past two years.

Velasco, the legislator from Glenwood Springs, spoke of the challenges for residents on the Western Slope, including first responders, some of whom have to commute 70 miles from home to work.

"When people can't live where they work, it literally puts our lives at risk," she said.

And she's caught in the housing squeeze, too. Velasco lives with her parents.

"It's not my first choice, but given the lack of affordable housing in the valley, it's essentially my only choice," she said.

For Mabrey, housing is a human right.

"There is no silver bullet when it comes to the housing crisis, but rent stabilization will help stabilize our communities and prevent gentrification," said Mabrey, an attorney for the Community Economic Defense Project, which has worked on evictions and which hired lobbyists to advocate for the bill.

Many testified about recent rent increases of 40% or 50% or more.

Annmarie Jensen, who runs Boulder COunty's East County Housing Opportunity Coalition, spoke of what happened to residents after the Marshall fire and how older resident who had lived in Old Superior for decades were priced out.

"The business case for high rents was more important than having a roof over their heads," she said.

Elected officials from counties and municipalities across the state also asked for rent control as part of a package of tools that will help people in their communities. They included Denver City Council members Robin Kniech and Candi CdeBaca; Denver mayoral candidate Ean Thomas Tafoya; Loveland Mayor Jackie Marsh; and, Commerce City Mayor Pro tem Jennifer Allen-Thomas, who told the committee city officials have been "working overtime to ensure that renters have a safe and stable place to call home but we dont have all the tools we need."

HB 1115 will provide an additional tool to "ensure that renters arent pushed out of the city due to unreasonable rent increases, she said.

There has to be a better way, added Aydette Harris, who has three kids and lives in low-income housing. Harris noted the law requires that boys and girls have separate rooms once they reach a certain age and she lives in fear that Social Services would take her kids away from her.

"I'm at the whim of an unstable housing system," she said, adding that her family has had to move after living around what she described as unsafe neighbors and abusive managers who threatened eviction.

"For good people, life shouldn't be so scary," she said.
China has launched ever more satellites in recent years, so why would it need a balloon?

Its a key question, said Army Lt. Gen. Ed Anderson, former vice commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, the Colorado Springs-based installation that gave the order to shoot down the balloon.

We all understand that China has some very sophisticated space capabilities for surveillance, he said. ... Why would they need to do the balloon?

The balloon, shot down Feb. 4 off the coast of South Carolina, had a payload the size of three school buses. It may have been designed to spend time loitering over sites to get better imagery than a satellite could gather, said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council.

The Chinese could also be testing the U.S. militarys response capability, intent or seriousness, Anderson said, although it is impossible to know the full intent right now.

I think the most important thing right now is to get the stuff that we shot down and understand exactly what (it) was they were doing, he said.

Rep. Jeff Jackson, a Democrat from North Carolina, released a few more details on TikTok Tuesday about the three objects the U.S. shot down over North America after downing the Chinese balloon and efforts to recover them.

He said none of the objects had transponders required by the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial or academic balloons and all were close to sensitive Department of Defense sites. He also reiterated they posed a risk to civilian aircraft, a detail released Monday.

However, the source and intent of the three additional objects, including two roughly the size of ATVs and one much larger, was still unclear after his congressional briefing. He said collecting the wreckage is key.

There was no direct evidence there was anything nefarious going on with them, he said.

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The Air Force shot down one object over Alaska, where it might have landed on moving ice, he said. The second went down in a Canadian mountain range and the U.S. is working with Canadians to find it.

The third one went down near the Canadian border and may be on the Canadian side. Canada is also involved in the recovery of this object.

The FBI is involved in the search for all the objects, he said.

While intense public scrutiny of the spy balloon and other objects has already started, Anderson said, there are strategic considerations over what will be released to the public.

You dont want to tell your enemy what you know about them, he said.

In general, he said the rapid discovery of more objects is a sign of positive changes since U.S. forces have been traditionally focused on high-tech threats, such as missiles and fighter jets, Anderson said.

We are now being a lot more alert in identifying those objects and then taking them down. I think that is a real good statement for NORAD and NorthCom. NorthCom or U.S. Northern Command is integrated with NORAD.

Radar is designed to filter out objects that it is not looking for, so it will not find a rain cloud when it is looking for an aircraft or ballistic missile, said Morgan Nicholson, CEO of InTrack Radar Technologies. His Colorado Springs-based company works for the Department of Defense and commercial contractors. The radar filters can be based on factors, such as speed and size, he said.

Most currently deployed radars are designed to detect threats in orbit, like satellites, those on ballistic trajectories such as missiles, or aircraft flying within the atmosphere, he said.

A balloon would have been floating between those threat categories and possibly filtered out by radars looking for either aircraft or missiles, but its not difficult for those systems to detect floating objects.

Any of the radars that have been fielded in recent years could handle this task, he said.
Snowfall Wednesday forced multiple closures and causing traffic delays around the Pikes Peak region. Some districts and military operations have announced delays for Thursday morning.

Click or tap here for the full list of closings and delays.

Click or tap here for statewide road conditions from CDOT.

Click or tap here for Colorado Springs-area road and traffic updates.

THURSDAY

10:17 a.m.: I-25 southbound has reopened between Exit 71 and Exit 67.

10:00 a.m.: CO 9 northbound between Sand Gulch Road and County Road 11 has reopened.

9:40 a.m.: CO 9 northbound between Sand Gulch Road and County Road 11 is closed due to a crash. Expect delays. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

9:37 a.m.: Northbound CO 71 has reopened between County Road 3G and County Road 11.

9:30 a.m.: The left lane of northbound I-25 near Upper Lake Gulch Road has reopened.

8:48 a.m.: The left lane of northbound I-25 is CLOSED due to a crash at exit 172 near Upper Lake Gulch Road. Expect delays.

8:19 a.m.: Southbound I-25 is CLOSED between exit 71 and exit 67 due to a crash. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

8:18 a.m.: Northbound CO 71 is CLOSED between County Road 3G and County Road 11 due to safety concerns. Expect delays.

8:16 a.m.: Eastbound and westbound CO 94 is CLOSED between Johnson Road and U.S. 40 due to safety concerns. Expect delays.

8:10 a.m.: Traffic lights are not working at the intersection of Wahsatch and Colorado avenues after an earlier crash. Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

8:02 a.m.: Northbound I-25 is CLOSED at Exit 102 near Pueblo.

6 a.m.: Most school districts in the region are on a two-hour delay today while Colorado State University-Pueblo is closed.

WEDNESDAY

10:30 p.m.: Both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane have reopened to traffic on I-70 between Glenwood Canyon and Dotsero, CDOT announced in a new release. Crews will remain on the scene overnight to remove the remainder of the wreckage.

10:20 p.m.: The Colorado Springs Police Department is still on accident alert status due to weather and road conditions. All traffic crashes may be cold reported or reported online if they meet certain criteria. Click or tap here for road and traffic updates in and around Colorado Springs.

9:59 p.m.: Crews with the city have been clearing Colorado Springs roadways with an emphasis on primary and secondary roads, and school zones, according to Corey Rivera, operations program supervisor with the city. Now that precipitation has stopped, crews are focused on widening cleared lanes; while it was still snowing, trucks prioritized clearing one lane per road. They will continue putting down two types of material in different areas overnight: The first, a sand-salt mix, Rivera says is mainly for traction and the second is a deicer that breaks down ice into slush, hence the brand name, Ice Slicer. However, they are balancing the deicing effort with low overnight temperatures to avoid creating black ice: a patchy and often invisible type of ice on roads, according to the National Weather Service. Motorists on the road Thursday morning should be aware of ice, snow and potential black ice, according to Rivera, who said sticking to white snow on uncleared roads can help to keep traction.

8:20 p.m.: Northbound I-25 is closed south of Pueblo due to a multi-vehicle crash at mile marker 61, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The closure is expected to last multiple hours as emergency personnel clear the road. Photos from CSP at the scene show at least two semi-trailer trucks stopped on I-25. Products from inside at least one of the trucks are visible on the road. Click or tap here for statewide road conditions from CDOT.

7:30 p.m.: District 49 and Pueblo District 70 announce closures for Thursday. Click or tap here for a full list of delays and closures.

6:01 p.m.: Both directions of I-70 are closed west of Glenwood Springs for a rollover commercial vehicle crash, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The closure, which is expected to last several hours, is between mile points 116 and 133. A tractor-trailer carrying canned beverages crashed while traveling westbound and, after crashing, blocked eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70. Crews are actively working to remove the crash. Speed is being investigated as a factor in the crash, CDOT said. Detours for motorists include U.S. 50, Colorado 91, U.S. 24 and U.S 285. Click or tap here for statewide road conditions from CDOT.

5:15 p.m.: A high avalanche warning is in effect for the San Juan and La Garita Mountains. "Very dangerous avalanche conditions" expected through Thursday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended as human-triggered avalanches are likely.

4:55 p.m.: A disabled vehicle is blocking the right lane of the southbound entrance ramp for I-25 at Woodmen Road. Click or tap here for road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

4:30 p.m.: Cheyenne Mountain District 12, Harrison District 2, Fountain-Fort Carson District 8, Lewis-Palmer District 38 and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs announce two-hour delays for Thursday. Some Fort Carson personnel, including Fort Carson 4ID units also have a delayed start Thursday. Click or tap here for a full list of delays and closures.

4:05 p.m.: A crash has been reported by police in south Colorado Springs at South Academy Boulevard and Milton E Proby Parkway. The road blockage is unknown. A second crash at Palmer Park Boulevard and North Academy Boulevard has been cleared. Click or tap here for road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

3:50 p.m.: Colorado Springs Utilities reports that a vehicle slid and hit a transformer Wednesday. Crews were on scene making repairs. There are no outages being reported in the city. Click or tap here for a Utilities outage map.

3:30 p.m.: A Thursday two-hour delay has been announced for Widefield District 3, Cripple Creek-Victor schools and Pueblo District 70. Click or tap here for a full list of delays and closures.

3:15 p.m.: The left lane of northbound I-25 is closed due to a crash between Mesa Ridge Parkway and South Academy Boulevard, exit 135. All other previously reported crashes in the Colorado Springs area have been cleared. The Colorado Springs Police Department is still on accident alert status. Any traffic crashes that meet the proper criteria may be cold reported. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

12:30 p.m.: The National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect through 11 p.m. Wednesday evening for all El Paso County, according to Corey Rivera, the operations program supervisor for Colorado Springs. Light to moderate snowfall will continue through the afternoon and is expected to taper off in the late afternoon into the evening. Snowfall rates will range from 0.5-1 inch per hour. Breezy winds coming from the north will bring gusts reaching 25 mph, which may cause blowing snow, limiting visibility. Skies are expected to clear increasingly through the night. High temperatures Wednesday will remain in the teens, dropping into the single digits overnight and into daybreak Thursday, Rivera said.

12:08 p.m.: I-25 northbound has been closed due to a crash south of Colorado Springs. Another crash has been reported on I-25 between N. Academy Boulevard and Woodmen Road. A vehicle slid off the road there. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

11:05 a.m.: Palmer Lake has received additional snow, bringing the total accumulation to 7.8 inches so far. Falcon's total accumulation remains at 5 inches, as well as Silverton which has received 10.4 inches. Click or tap here for the latest snow totals.

10:47 a.m.: Snow removal is taking longer than usual, due to staffing shortages, according to Kevin Mastin, the executive director of the Department of Public Works with El Paso County. Thirty plows are actively working to remove snow and de-ice roadways within 42 truck areas, and 22 graders are covering 23 grader areas. Many drivers are covering more than one area, which is why the cleaning process is taking longer than usual. The county is currently short 35 positions, Mastin said. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

10:40 a.m.: A vehicle that crashed into a guardrail is blocking the I-25 exit ramp at southbound Uintah.

10:30 a.m.: The YMCA of Pikes Peak region will be closed Wednesday. Click or tap here for a complete list of closures and delays.

10:04 a.m.: A crash at the intersection of northbound Academy and Palmer Park boulevards is causing minor delays on northbound Academy. All other previously reported crashes around the Colorado Springs area have been cleared. Click or tap here for current road conditions in and around Colorado Springs.

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10:00 a.m.: Teller County Government offices will be closed Wednesday. Click or tap here for a complete list of closures and delays.

9:52 a.m.: Southwest Airlines has canceled several flights in and out of Colorado Springs Airport. All five departures scheduled prior to 2 p.m. have been canceled. Click or tap here for current flight statuses.

9:27 a.m.: The storm is expected to taper off in Colorado Springs over the next few hours due to increased winds coming from the north, according to Klint Skelly, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Pueblo. Winds are expected to increase from 25 mph to 30 mph. The Palmer Divide is forecast to experience light to moderate snow for the remainder of the day and is expected to taper off around midnight. Colorado Springs could see an additional 1-2 inches of snow accumulation after 11 a.m., Skelly said.

9:15 a.m.: Manitou City Hall and facilities will be closed Wednesday, with staff working remotely. Click or tap here for a complete list of closures and delays.

8:45 a.m.: Colorado Springs remains on accident alert status, which began at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday. All traffic accidents may be cold reported that meet the proper criteria.

8:43 a.m.: Teller County and El Paso County combined courts will be closed Wednesday. Click or tap here for a complete list of closures and delays.

8:38 a.m.: Mountain Metropolitan Transit, the public transportation for Colorado Springs, has ceased operation Wednesday due to inclement weather.

8:34 a.m.: A crash has been reported at the intersection of Academy Boulevard and N. Union Boulevard.

8:29 a.m.: The right lane of westbound Woodmen Road is blocked due to a semi dangling over a retaining wall.

8:20 a.m.: CO 318 and US 40 in northeastern Colorado have closed between Maybell and the Utah border because of safety concerns. All previous I-25 lane closures have been cleared.

7:23 a.m.: Palmer Lake has gotten 5.5 inches of snow so far, while Falcon has gotten 5 inches. Outside the Pikes Peak region, Silverton has seen 10.4 inches. Click or tap here for the latest snow totals.

6:29 a.m.:

6:20 a.m.: The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that the previously closed lanes of southbound I-25 at Hampden Avenue have been reopened.

6:03 a.m.: There are multiple lane closures on I-25. Two northbound lanes are closed at Exit 203 in Denver (Evans Avenue). Two southbound lanes are closed at Exit 201 (Hampden Avenue). There are also closures in Pueblo and Fort Collins. More are expected as the morning traffic builds. Click or tap here for highway conditions around Colorado.

5:58 a.m.: El Paso County administrative offices will be closed Wednesday. In addition, most Pikes Peak region school districts will be either closed or on remote learning. Click or tap here for a complete list of closures and delays.

5:51 a.m.: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers some tips for driving in the snow. Click or tap here for more.

Many closures announced Tuesday evening

Colorado Springs School District 11, Academy District 20, Harrison School District 2, District 49, Widefield District 3 and Lewis-Palmer District 38 were among the districts to announce closures for Wednesday. Colorado State-Pueblo will also be closed and all operations, including virtual, have been canceled.

Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force bases will close except for mission-critical units.

Forecast

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has called for 4-6 inches for Colorado Springs, with higher totals expected north and west of the city. Teller County could see 5-10 inches and Monument may get up to 8.

Low visibility and icy roads are expected to impact the Wednesday morning commute as 40 trucks stand ready to address dangerous road conditions, with more on standby if needed, according to Clint Brown, operations manager for the city of Colorado Springs.

According to Bob Wilson, CDOTs director of statewide programs, crews will be focusing on rei-icing, removing the anticipated light, fluffy snow and applying sand as needed.

Drivers in the Pikes Peak region are being cautioned to drive safely. For the latest traffic in Colorado Springs, click or tap here.

10 p.m.: Several flights delayed at Colorado Springs Airport, temperatures drop below 30 degrees

According to FlightAware, 13 flights were delayed at the Colorado Springs Airport. Of the 13 flight delays, SkyWest had 6, Southwest had 5, American Airlines had 1 and CommuteAir also had 1.

At 10 p.m., Colorado Springs temperatures dropped below 30 degrees at 26 degrees. The wind chill was recorded at 14 degrees, according to the weather service.

Colorado Springs is expected to hit 19 degrees at 6 a.m. with a wind chill of 4 degrees.

Tuesday snow totals across Colorado

Here are the latest snow totals according to the NWS:

Woodland Park- 2 inches

Cripple Creek- 4 inches

Colorado Springs Airport- 8.4 inches

Monument- 5.3 inches

Black Forest- 5.5 inches

Cascade- 5.9 inches

Palmer Lake- 7.8 inches

Falcon- 5 inches

Manitou Springs- 3.4 inches

Peyton- 13 inches

Wolf Creek Pass- 25 inches

Texas Creek- 14 inches

Montrose- 8.5 inches

Silverton- 16 inches

Sawpit- 7.5 inches

Red Mountain- 11 inches

Molas Pass- 14 inches

Coal Bank Pass- 27 inches

Camp Bird- 9 inches

Vallecito- 12.5 inches

Fruita- 2 inches

Battlement Mesa- 1 inches

Edwards- 1.5 inches

Maher- 7 inches

Colona- 14 inch

Cedaredge- 7.5 inch

Here's the full forecast from the National Weather Service in Pueblo:

Tonight: A 20% chance of snow before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. Wind chill values between minus-5 and -15. North northwest wind 10-15 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Wind chill values between minus-5 and 5. North northwest wind 5-10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 5-10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West northwest wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a west wind 15-20 mph.
In the Pikes Peak areas biggest snow event of 2023, measurable snowfall and blustery conditions have had city crews scrambling to address Colorado Springs roads, as a long list of closures kept most commuters home, with more delays on tap Thursday.

Colorado Springs Airport recorded 8.4 inches of new snow as of Wednesday evening, while downtown recorded 3.5 inches and Briargate recorded 4, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. Security and Fountain each recorded 6 inches, Monument got 3 and Palmer Lake saw 7.8 inches.

The highest recorded snowfall Wednesday in southern Colorado was at Coal Bank Pass, with 27 inches, followed by Wolf Creek Pass, which got 25 inches. Wetmore, Beulah and Peyton are among areas that got over 1 foot.

Click or tap here for the full list of closings and delays.

Click or tap here for statewide road conditions from CDOT.

Click or tap here for Colorado Springs-area road and traffic updates.

The storm moved into the Pikes Peak region Tuesday night, with the heaviest snowfall and wind early Wednesday morning. Light snow continued into Wednesday night, and temperatures peaked at a below-freezing 24 degrees in Colorado Springs.

Weather Service meteorologist Michael Garberoglio said the storm was well-behaved, without big surprises from earlier predictions.

While snow totals werent record-breaking, the storm caused tangible impacts.

Several crashes occurred, including one car that slid and hit a Colorado Springs Utilities transformer and another that closed Interstate 70 in both directions for multiple hours.

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Any remaining light snow showers across the eastern plains will quickly diminish this morning, however, many roads across S. CO remain snow covered & slippery. For more info on road conditions, https://t.co/kqZ72D4MEs Please use caution as you head out the door today. #cowx pic.twitter.com/qbHDpV4VHf  NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) February 16, 2023

The Colorado Springs Police Department was on accident-alert status as an enormous list of shuttered schools, government buildings and military operations kept many commuters at home.

Garberoglio attributes dangerous travel conditions to winds blowing snow around and causing poor visibility. With cold temperatures persisting today, snow and ice will take longer to melt and possibly create icy conditions.

Delays and closures were expected to keep some commuters off the roads Thursday. Colorado Springs District 11, Academy District 20, Cheyenne Mountain District 12, Harrison District 2, Fountain-Fort Carson District 8, Lewis-Palmer District 38, Manitou Springs School District 14 and Widefield District 3 are among districts impacted by a two-hour delay or closure Thursday.

Snow removal took longer than usual Wednesday because of staffing shortages, according to Kevin Mastin, the executive director of the Department of Public Works with El Paso County.

Thirty plows worked to remove snow and de-ice roadways within 42 truck areas, and 22 graders covered 23 areas.

Many drivers covered more than one area, which is why the cleaning process has taken longer than usual, Mastin said, adding that the county is short by 35 drivers.

A high avalanche warning was put into effect for the San Juan and La Garita mountains Wednesday afternoon. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected through Thursday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, as human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Thursday is forecast to bring clear, sunny skies with a high near 28 degrees, but a wind-chill value could dip as low as minus-10 degrees during the day, according to the Weather Service.

Overnight, temps will dip into the single digits. A warm-up Friday is expected to bring a high of 47 before a sunny weekend with highs forecast in the low 50s.
Middle East Energy, the regions leading energy event, will turbocharge the sectors transition when the 48th edition of the exhibition and conference powerhouse opens in Dubai on March 7 featuring over 800 exhibitors from 170 countries as well as 20,000 energy professionals and utilities decision-makers.

For the first time, the event will host a strategic conference, the only high-level forum exclusively focused on unpacking todays complex opportunities and challenges for senior energy and utilities decision-makers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), said the organisers, Informa Markets.

The conference, themed Powering The Energy Transition has been launched by Informa Markets in the wake of industry demand as energy leaders globally look for fresh insights into enabling sector transition, efficiency, supply resilience and sustainability.

"For almost 50 years, Middle East Energy has brought together global buyers and sellers who have advanced the sector, but the 2023 event comes at a pivotal time in the industrys evolution as worldwide energy challenges impact economic and social performance, fuelling intense governmental and consumer pressure to find solutions," explained Azzan Mohammed, the Informas Exhibition Director, Energy portfolio  MEA.

During the three-day event  the Strategic Conference will deep-dive into the planning and policies that will drive MEAs future energy outlook and examine ways of decarbonising the energy and utilities sectors and drive industry-wide digitalisation and innovation.

"Unprecedented challenges such as a need for increased investment, a growing demand for hydrogen, and industry-wide collaboration to tackle carbon emissions has boosted interest in Middle East Energy 2023  an industry exhibition and conference trio with over 20,000 energy professionals forecast to attend, what is expected to be, the largest in the events history," said Mohammed.

Over 800 exhibitors from 170 countries are so far confirmed for the exhibitions five dedicated product sectors of backup generators and critical power, transmission and distribution, energy conservation and management, smart solutions as well as renewables and clean energy.

"Registrations are pouring in, and all the signs are for a record turnout," stated Mohammed.

"And with companies looking to invest in alternative and technology-led solutions, we also envisage the show beating the onsite business deals tally of the last show which totalled over US $705 million," he added.

Alongside the Strategic Conference, the event will also host the Intersolar Middle East Conference, in partnership with Intersolar and Electric Energy Storage, to unearth insights into the transformative global dynamics of renewables.

The Forum is designed to be an unrivalled platform for both public and private sectors to explore critical issues, key developments, investment opportunities, and rising energy ecosystem trends, stated the organisers.

Technical seminars will explore the practical application of the latest sector research, innovation, and technological advancements empowering stakeholders building, operating, and maintaining power plants, as well as transmission and distribution grids.

Meanwhile, the newly-introduced CEO Roundtables will see industry leaders engage in peer-to-peer discussions focused on emerging market opportunities in the renewables and critical and backup power sectors, as well as grid investment plans.

"The conferences and roundtables combine to produce a solutions powerhouse which will identify industry pain points and outline a blueprint to fasten down energy transition, while case studies will inspire real-world and practical solutions to energy challenges and lay the groundwork for integrating renewables into the mix," stated Mohammed.

According to him, the 2023 event will also see the return of Middle East Energys successful Hosted Buyer Programme, which brings key industry stakeholders, investors, and suppliers from across the globe in direct contact with over 100 direct purchasing authorisers and influencers to explore business opportunities.

The programme has a strong track record of business development and has won acclaim from both sides of the buying equation.

Caroline Chema Eric, a public-private partnerships consultant with the World Bank, was hosted at the last event and validates its delivery.

"The Hosted Buyer programme was incredible, from the preparation and logistics to attend the show and conference. I was looking for contacts as the World Bank is preparing a number of projects in the power sector and my role is to find credible private sector actors for various components from generation to transmission distribution and also product suppliers, and I found them," she added.

The key sponsors for Middle East Energy include Al Fanar, Baudouin, and Ducab.-TradeArabia News Service
Response Plus Holding PJSC (RPM), a leading healthcare provider in the UAE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of the worlds leading aerospace companies, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

According to the terms of the agreement, RPM and HAL will be exploring together new opportunities for cooperation in the areas of Emergency Medical Services, Medical Evacuation, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and other mutually-beneficial fields in India, the Gulf region and the Mena Region.

Commenting on the new milestone, RPM CEO Major Tom Louis said: This Memorandum Of Understanding would mutually help us to explore opportunities nationally as well as internationally to provide the much needed HEMS and fixed wing emergency medical services.

Aero India 2023

The signing ceremony took place during Aero India 2023, the biennial air show and aviation exhibition organised by the Department of Defence Production at the Indian Ministry of Defence in Bengaluru, India at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. Considered the largest air show in Asia and a networking platform by excellence, Aero India 2023 is held this year under the theme 'The runway to a billion opportunities'.

RPMs expertise in the Oil & Gas sector in the GCC region, both onshore and offshore, with a focus on the medical operations of facilities and emergency ambulance services, allows us to move ahead confidently with this collaboration, knowing we have the experience, know-how and technical and human capabilities to cater to the needs of HAL, added Major Louis.

One of our major areas of strength is medical emergency preparedness where critical operation is collaborated with our own operation control centre team. We can make a real difference in this field with this collaboration.-- TradeArabia News Service
Sukup Manufacturing announced in a press release on Wednesday that it will be adding a production site in Clear Lake.

The Sheffield-based company is also marking 25 years in manufacturing dryers and 60 years in business as a whole in 2023.

Sukup Project Manager Nadine Wreghitt described in the release a growing demand for Sukup dryers. We have had our dealers come to us asking that we provide them with the dryers they need earlier and at a greater quantity.

Wreghitt said the location of the new plant fits well with the current supply route that brings products to each of the different Sukup Manufacturing Co. facilities. That includes operations in Manly, Sheffield, and Hampton, Iowa.

We tapped into the Clear Lake market; its been tremendous. Obviously with what happened with Larson Manufacturing, wasnt a good thing, but Im very happy we were able to keep some of those employees in North Iowa, said Sheffield Plant Manager James Perez.

More than two dozen people are part of the Clear Lake facility. The team there is focused on producing Mixed-Flow dryers. Sukup Manufacturing is boosting dryer sales to meet market demand, the press release said.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has reported a 17% year-on-year increase in the value of diamond trade in 2022, totalling $37.4 billion for rough and polished diamonds combined. There was a monumental 42% rise in the polished category and a consistently strong 7% rise in rough.

The soaring figures are further evidence of the rapid rise of Dubai as the worlds leading hub for rough and polished diamonds. The UAE has witnessed soaring growth in the sector over the past three years, with rough diamond trade rising by a total value of 72% and polished by 50%, representing a combined increase of 64%.

DMCC made the announcement as it successfully kicked off the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) Congress 2023 in its Almas Conference Centre in Dubai, convening key players and industry stakeholders to advance the global trade of coloured gemstones.

Key opportunities

Held under the theme The Future of Coloured Gemstones, the ICA Congress 2023 had a central focus on the key opportunities to unlock sustainable growth in the global coloured gemstone industry. This event also marked 15 years since DMCC last hosted the ICA Congress.

Building upon its growing status as the worlds leading hub for the trade of rough and polished diamonds, Dubai is now looking to increasingly support and add further value to the coloured gemstone industry. This includes gemstones like emeralds, rubies and sapphires mined, manufactured and sold across the world.

We could not have chosen a better moment to reveal these figures, which are further proof of Dubais monumental rise in the diamonds trade. DMCC is growing and maturing fast, and it goes without saying that we want to replicate our success with diamonds to other precious stones and commodities, said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC. The coloured gemstone industry is very interesting given the strong growing global demand and we want to firmly position Dubai centrally in that trajectory. We have seen this first hand with the number of emerald, ruby and sapphire tenders held at our Dubai Diamond Exchange. DMCC has a proven track record of boosting commodities trade from nearly zero to multi-billion dollar figures, and as such, I am confident that the future of the coloured gemstones industry is in, and through, Dubai.

Top industry body

The ICA is one of the top industry bodies for the global coloured gemstone industry. It comprises over 500 gem industry leaders including miners, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, trade associations and others committed to promoting coloured gemstones.

Clement Sabbagh, President of the ICA, added: We are delighted to be back in Dubai after 15 years to discuss the future of coloured gemstones. DMCC has played a key role in building Dubais diamond industry, and we are confident that their efforts in the coloured gemstone space will be of major benefit to all global players. I look forward to working with Ahmed Bin Sulayem and the wider DMCC team more closely over the coming years.

DMCCs Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) regularly holds tenders and auctions for coloured gemstones from across global markets. Most recently, the DDE has hosted tenders with leading companies including Belmont Group, Bonas & Co, Fura Gems and Grizzley Mining Company.-- TradeArabia News Service
DES MOINES  As Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans seek to bump up funding for pregnancy centers that discourage abortion, abortion rights advocates warned about the credibility and safety of the facilities, known as crisis pregnancy centers.

Crisis pregnancy centers are often religiously affiliated, non-medically licensed facilities that discourage abortions and provide things like free ultrasounds, counseling, and baby clothes and other supplies. Critics, including some medical associations, say the centers provide misleading information and delay legitimate medical attention.

Representatives from Planned Parenthood advocates of Iowa, as well as people who have experience working in and receiving care from crisis pregnancy centers, said at a press conference Wednesday the proposed $1.5 million increase in funding to the 55 centers in the state would further erode reproductive health care.

They do not provide actual medical care, said Mazie Stilwell, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa. Instead, they push false, religiously laced propaganda on people to dissuade them from having an abortion.

A wide-ranging bill proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds moving through the Iowa Legislature would increase funding to crisis pregnancy centers from $500,000 to $2 million and expand the program to include initiatives that support expecting fathers.

In a statement, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the centers provide ultrasounds, counseling, and supplies to expecting mothers. She noted the centers are more widespread, with 55 centers around the state, compared to 9 Planned Pregnancy centers.

Through their criticism of these cost-free options, Planned Parenthood proves they are not interested in promoting healthy families, but rather just promoting abortion, Reynolds said. As a pro-life governor, I will do everything I can to support healthy families, not destroy them.

Ray Garbers, who is a transgender man, said he went to a crisis pregnancy center when he was 19 after finding out he was pregnant. Garbers received unwanted religious information at the first appointment, he said. The center provided an ultrasound but they were unable to locate the pregnancy.

I assumed she was a doctor or nurse, as they had told me she was a nurse, Garbers said. I didnt know that it was a medically unlicensed facility.

The center said Garbers was likely going to miscarry or the pregnancy was not as far along as the center thought, Garbers said. Instead, Garbers found out he had had an ectopic pregnancy when he visited an emergency room with intense abdominal pain two days later.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, and it can be life-threatening if left untreated. Doctors told Garbers the pregnancy had ruptured in the fallopian tube, and he was hemorrhaging blood, and he could have died if his visit to the emergency room was delayed.

As a crisis pregnancy center, or anti-abortion center, they should be required to tell they arent medical professionals Garbers said. They should have to disclose what they are doing right away during the first appointment.

Abortion is currently legal up to 20 weeks in Iowa. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn a district court decision that blocked a 2018 law that would have banned abortions once cardiac activity is detected in the fetus, usually around six weeks.

Republican leaders have said they will wait on the courts decision before proposing any more abortion restrictions, but some Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban abortion pills, also known as medication abortions, in the state.

Reynolds bill also includes provisions creating a family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, paid parental leave for state employees, and allowing pharmacists to dispense birth control without a prescription. A Senate panel advanced a pared down version of the bill on Tuesday that did not include the birth control provision. A House committee is set to consider the bill next week.

Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge, the chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, said she disagreed with the characterization that crisis pregnancy centers are misleading. They conform to health privacy laws and provide important resources, including supplies and parenting classes, to expecting parents, she said.

They dont provide medical care, generally speaking, she said. But what they do provide is resources, and they make appointments for you to see a doctor  We want to see babies not only survive the womb, but we want to see them thrive outside the womb.
Russell William Tucker was a Black man on trial for murder in 1996.

He was accused of killing Maurice Travone Williams, 23, a Kmart security guard shot to death on his first day of work. The 1994 killing happened after Tucker had stolen clothes and pulled out a gun when Williams and others 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.

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 he appeared at trial before an all-white jury.

Prosecutors used a cheat sheet from a seminar dubbed Top Gun II that taught attorneys 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 that their client was convicted and sentenced to death by an all-white jury.

Now, about 27 years after his conviction, his attorneys have asked the North Carolina Supreme Court to order a new trial.

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 North Carolinas death row were convicted with juries that were all white or had one person of color, according to the center.

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, experts say. 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.

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 recently led to the case being heard before the Supreme Court.

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.

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.

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 awake during the trial.

Tuckers attorneys argued that white jurors who had similar concerns were allowed on the jury.
An accidental cellphone audio recording captured in 2020 by a pastor was used as evidence Wednesday in the hate crime trial of a Basin man accused of shooting several rounds from a rifle into the home of a lesbian in an effort to clean up the town.

John Russell Howald is charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and for allegedly using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence on March 22, 2020. The indictment alleges Howald tried to injure a woman because of her actual and perceived sexual orientation by firing several rounds from his AK-47 rifle into her Basin home, stating that he wanted to get rid of the lesbians (and) gays. The offense included an attempt to kill the woman.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Howald, who was then 44, on June 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice stated. Howald has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

The trial got underway Tuesday in the Helena courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris. On Wednesday, several Basin residents recalled the events of that Sunday, including the alleged victim and Pastor Floyd Oliver.

The woman said she was in the shower and heard some loud bangs and had walked through her house, noticing several bullet holes in walls. She said she thinks they found 11 spent and unspent shells during their investigation.

She said she felt shock that someone had shot at her house and called the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. She said authorities walked through the house and saw a bullet hole in her kitchen wall. The trajectory of the bullet had traveled from the front left corner of the house to the back right corner, where the kitchen was located.

She said a deputy told her of the shooters intent.

I didnt understand why, she said. She said she was not aware of the accused but her partner was.

She said she has not covered up the bullet holes in her home and has an orange flag in one to serve as a reminder. She said one of the bullet holes was the same height as her head.

I will probably patch (them) after the outcome of the trial, she said, adding the bullet holes serve as a reminder of how lucky I am.

Others from Basin, which has a population of about 200, testified that they had heard a series of gunshots that morning, thought it was unusual, and called 911. They said seeing someone carrying a rifle is not unusual, but gunfire in town is.

They said they saw a man carrying a rifle. Some witnesses said he was carrying two other rifles, another witness thought it was some kind of backpack. They said the man had walked down the street and was standing in front of a church and more shots went off. They said some people were speaking to him.

They all said they knew the alleged victim was a lesbian and that they knew she was at the home because her vehicle was parked in front. They said she and her partners had lived in town for years. When asked by attorneys, the witnesses said they were aware of other lesbians who lived in Basin.

Lisa French, a dispatcher with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, was working that shift and testified that seven calls about the shots had come in about the same time. She said she and another dispatcher juggled the calls.

It was as much as we could possibly handle, she said.

A deputy was dispatched at 12:09 p.m. and had arrived in Basin at about 12:25 p.m. The deputy had ordered the gunman to drop the rifle, but the man held the gun waist high and fled the scene on foot, witnesses said.

Basin residents were then texted by the sheriffs office about the incident and told to stay indoors and away from windows, and that prompted more 911 calls from people asking if they were safe, French said.

Pastor Floyd Oliver of the Basin Church of the Nazarene had just finished his Sunday morning service. His cellphone audio recorder, to record the service, was still on. Oliver, who said he has lived in town since 1975, said he had forgotten that it was still recording and went outside to talk to the gunman and others who had gathered with him.

That tape was part of the evidence played Wednesday morning in the courtroom as Oliver, who had to use a hearing device, sat on the witness stand.

A mans voice can be heard on the tape saying I just started a revolution and later, after talking with Oliver, the man says There is no God, there is no f**king God.

Oliver said the man told him he wanted to rid the town of "its sickness."

The pastor was asked if he was fearful of the man and the shooting.

At that moment my the focus was on the man and not the event, he said.

Oliver said the man asked him to walk away because he did not want to hurt him.

If convicted, Howald faces up to life in prison on the hate crime charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the firearm charge. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office investigated the case.

Howald is already in Montana State Prison serving 10 years for a criminal endangerment charge that occurred March 20, 2020.

Howald was sentenced to two years in prison for killing a dog in 2005 at a campsite near Bernice. He severed the dog's head with a chainsaw, then confronted the dog's owners and threw the head at them, according to court documents.

All are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The uncle of a man accused of a hate crime for allegedly firing shots into the Basin home of a lesbian said Thursday that something had to really be bothering his nephew for him to do what he has been accused of doing.

An ailing Robert Aguirre, in a 50-minute taped deposition from January, fielded questions from prosecuting and defense attorneys about John Russell Howald, who is now accused of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and for allegedly using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence on March 22, 2020.

The federal indictment alleges Howald tried to injure a woman because of her actual and perceived sexual orientation by firing several rounds from his AK-47 rifle into her home, stating that he wanted to get rid of the lesbians (and) gays. The offense included an attempt to kill the woman, the U.S. Department of Justice stated. The trial began Tuesday in front of Judge Brian Morris in U.S. District Court in Helena. Howald was 44 at the time of his indictment in June 2021.

Aguirre, who said he had cancer, said Howald was upset his ex-wife was in town.

Attorneys asked him if Howald was angry that one of his daughters had come out as gay and if he was also angry that his ex-wife was socializing with lesbians in Basin.

Aguirre said he keeps to himself and did not know where Howald got his anger from. During the interview he mentioned that an uncle of Howald and his grandfather had both recently died and added Howald, who some of the witnesses have referred to as Russ through testimony, was close to his grandfather. He also said Howald would get angry when drinking.

Aguirre also said he had talked to investigators in 2021, and, due to his illness, the information he provided then was likely more accurate then what he was saying in January and shown Thursday to jurors.

If convicted, Howald faces up to life in prison on the hate crime charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the firearm charge. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office investigated the case.

Aguirre said Howald was living in a trailer on Aguirres property just outside of Basin for about a month at the time of the shooting. Investigators said they found several weapons inside the trailer, including rifles, one of which was an armalite (AR) rifle, a pistol and ammunition.

He said he had helped raise Howald since Howald was a child, adding Howald was proficient in guns and camping. When one of the attorneys told him he was in contact with Howald, Aguirre said Tell him Hello for me.

Aguirre said he had never heard Howald make threats about cleaning up Basin of lesbians.

I would have jumped his butt about talk like that, Aguirre said. Nor did Aguirre ever hear Howald talk about the gay woman whose home he shot at.

Earlier in the day, two Jefferson County Sheriffs Office personnel, who are both now retired, talked about being at the crime scene. The woman whose house was shot at testified Wednesday, saying she was in the shower at the time her house was shot at. She said several bullets came through the wall of her house, some which could have killed her.

She said she did not know the accused.

Retired Undersheriff Mike Johnson said he had heard Howald was upset and intoxicated at the time of the shooting. Attorneys noted that authorities found a box of Busch beer and an ammo box with the word Russell written on it, inside a vehicle left at the scene. Authorities went to the home of where Howald was believed to be living and found a bottle of Jameson Whiskey that was one-quarter full.

Johnson said the woman whose house was shot at was a dispatcher for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office and he knew her for about 13 years.

Detective Chad McFadden, also retired, said he went to the scene a few days after the shooting and did a follow-up investigation. He said there were bullet holes in the side of the womans fence, on the lower and upper decks of her home, the ground and in the house. An attorney noted the shooter could not see what was going on inside the house from where they were firing.

McFadden said he and other investigators found weapons in Howalds home. The AR rifle had two magazines taped together, he said, adding that would allow for a quicker reload.

Howald is already in Montana State Prison serving 10 years for a criminal endangerment charge that occurred during the same incident.
The state House on Thursday gave initial approval to a bill that would raise the tax credit caps for a program that funds student K-12 private school scholarships and the innovation education program for public schools up to $5 million dollars each from the current $2 million.

House Bill 408 passed a second reading on a 69-31 vote and faces a final vote before moving to the Senate for consideration.

The bill is carried by House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, R-Billings. The scholarship was first created in the 2015 session and became the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court case. After passage, the Democratic governor's administration wrote rules prohibiting students from using a scholarship funded through the program to attend religious private schools. The administration at the time argued if the money went to religious programs, it would violate a no-aid provision in the state Constitution that stops state money from going to religious organizations.

Following a lawsuit from a trio of Montana parents, the case ended up before the high court, which sided with the parents. Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the 5-4 majority opinion in June 2020, said the state was not required to "subsidize private education" but that if it did "it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious."

In 2021, legislators dramatically increased the amount a person or business could claim in a tax credit by donating money to either public schools or scholarship organizations. The previous limit was $150 and lawmakers put it at $200,000 that session. Lawmakers also capped the amount of credits people could claim at $1 million on the public side and $1 million on the scholarship side for the 2020 tax year. That increased to $2 million the following year, with provisions to increase that by 20% in later years if donations come in at 80% or greater of the limit.

It took just six minutes in 2022 for people to claim all the new tax credits for the innovation education program, with 10 public school districts pre-approving 23 donations from 20 people and three businesses to hit the $1 million cap. Two weeks later, scholarship organizations hit the $1 million limit.

In support of the bill Thursday, Vinton said that current demand is estimated at $9 million by registered scholarship organizations and the innovation grant for public schools is also not large enough. Her bill would make changes to not let the funding end up so concentrated in public school districts; in 2022, Big Sky Schools received $694,000, or nearly 70% of the total amount of pre-approved donations.

The amount any one district can receive in Vintons bill is either 15% of the districts total budget or 20% of the total credit. If donations exceed the cap, they would be transferred to an advanced opportunity program that all districts can apply for funding from.

Arguing against the bill, Democratic Rep. Mark Thane, a retired school teacher and administrator for Missoula, said he was concerned that the bill has a carry-forward provision that would allow a taxpayer to direct up to three years of their tax liability to the tax credits, taking away from other taxpayer-funded services.

Thane attempted to amend the bill to end the three-year carry-forward provision, but it failed. So did a proposal from Rep. Ed Stafman, D-Bozeman, attempting to add accountability provisions to schools that receive the scholarship. It also failed.
A Republican state senator on Wednesday presented a bill to reduce the number of Montana Supreme Court justices.

Sen. Barry Usher, representing rural Yellowstone and Musselshell counties, said he wants to eliminate two seats on the seven-member Supreme Court for "efficiencies."

"Shouldn't we be saving time and money?" Usher told the Senate Judiciary Committee. "That's what we're here for."

The Montana Judges Association contended that such a reduction would in fact create a less efficient court that would issue decisions more slowly. Bruce Spencer, the association's lobbyist, said the Supreme Court has an internal rule of deciding on cases 180 days after briefing has completed.

"It's just simple math," Spencer told the committee. "You reduce the number of justices, you absolutely reduce the ability of those justices to get the cases out in 180 days."

The Montana Constitution states the Supreme Court consists of one chief justice and four associate justices, but the Legislature may increase the number of justices from four to six. The Legislature did so in 1979, seven years after the 1972 constitution was enshrined.

More recent history did not get a mention in Wednesday's hearing, but virtually any legislative efforts to reshape the judicial branch this session are backlit by last session's historic conflict between legislative Republicans and the judicial branch. While many of the bills proposed so far this session have dealt largely in procedural matters, like injunctions, a recent slate of proposals shows an escalation in Republican ambitions against the third branch.

On Friday, for example, Senate Judiciary Chair Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, is scheduled to introduce a resolution stating "that it is the Legislature that defines what constitutes law, not the Supreme Court."

Roughly two dozen laws passed by Republicans last session have been stalled by the court under constitutional challenges or struck down as unconstitutional. One bill, which allowed the governor broader powers to appointed judges, has been upheld.

Usher in Wednesday's hearing denied he brought the bill out of anything but a search for "efficiencies." He noted all of the states surrounding Montana, as well as those with similar population sizes, each have five justices.

Usher's bill had no supporters on Wednesday, while the State Bar of Montana, the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and the Blackfeet Nation all testified against it.

Legislative analysts have already identified one constitutional issue with the bill, for which Usher has included a contingency measure. His bill's initial rollout would see the high court decrease one justice at a time, but the Montana Constitution states the court would have four or six associate justices, not five. If a court finds his bill unconstitutional for that reason, that ruling would trigger a different reduction, striking two justices off the court at the same time.

State Bar lobbyist Sean Slanger, however, also noted Wednesday the Constitution grants the Legislature the ability to "increase" the number of justices, but mentions no power to "decrease" the court.

"We really do need our cases to move through the system," Slanger said.

The committee did not take immediate action on the bill.
AstraZeneca has announced plans to construct sustainable offices at Dubai Science Park, a member of Tecom Group PJSC.

Set to open in Q3 2023, the move is part of the biopharmaceutical giants global green agenda and in-line with We the UAE 2031 vision and the Year of Sustainability.

The new office design, construction, and materials will meet platinum standards in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) set out by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The Green Building Classification System is one of the most widely used worldwide and a marker of healthy, efficient, and carbon-saving buildings.

Collective wellbeing

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Science Park, part of Tecom Group, said: Health and sustainability go hand-in-hand. We cannot improve our collective wellbeing without putting the planets health first. Such foresight is what puts AstraZeneca among the worlds leading biopharmaceutical firms.

They champion sustainability in healthcare, and their new offices in Dubai Science Park will add another benchmark for the industry. By joining our community of global and regional businesses across the health, energy and environment sectors, AstraZeneca can amplify their green efforts while promoting excellence in healthcare and research.

Sameh El Fangary, GCC and Pakistan Cluster President  AstraZeneca said: Everyone involved in the delivery of healthcare has a role to play in addressing the global threat of climate change. Our new green offices will help us expand our local footprint in the UAE and demonstrate our support for the governments ambition to drive and accelerate sustainable development in healthcare, aligning with We the UAE 2031 vision.

We are taking bold action, guided by our Ambition Zero Carbon strategy, to reduce our environmental footprint and inspire continued collaboration globally and in the region.

Promoting sustainable healthcare

This year puts great focus on sustainability. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, designated 2023 as the Year of Sustainability leading up to the highly anticipated COP28 conference, to be held in Dubai later this year.

The new offices represent AstraZenecas commitment to the UAE Sustainability Goals and its global Ambition Zero Carbon strategy, which aims to eliminate carbon emissions from their global operations by 2025.

AstraZeneca is a champion of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Health Systems Task Force  a public-private partnership committed to accelerating the delivery of net zero healthcare systems. The company recently held its first multilateral engagement on health and climate at COP27, bringing together members of the SMI, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat to announce new joint action to accelerate net zero healthcare in three areas: supply chains, patient care pathways, and clinical trials.-- TradeArabia News Service
DECATUR  It took 22 rounds, eight of them with the last two spellers facing off for the top spot, and 182 words before Juan Soto, an eighth grader from Maroa-Forsyth Middle School, finally won over classmate Khadijah Abdul-Rahman with analgesia.

The Macon County Spelling Bee at Richland Community College on Wednesday included 47 spellers from Macon County's public and private schools and was the first to be presided over by Regional Superintendent of Schools Jill Reedy, who succeeded Matt Snyder when he retired. The top nine finishers will move on to the regional spelling bee, 9 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Richland. The winner of the regional bee will be eligible to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

Those nine spellers, in addition to Juan and Khadijah, are Charles Stokes, eighth grade, Stephen Decatur Middle School; Josh Cobb, eighth grade, Montessori Academy for Peace; Katie Nilles, eighth grade and Yousuf Qureshi, fifth grade, both Maroa-Forsyth schools; Clementine Houston, fifth grade, Lutheran School Association; Kaylee McIntyre, eighth grade, Meridian, Khalyn Dubson, eighth grade, Argenta-Oreana.

All four Maroa-Forsyth students finished in the final nine.

Juan said he's always been fascinated by words, as far back as he can remember.

I used to ask my mom to turn on the closed captioning (on TV) so I could read the words, he said.

Khadijah, too, reads a lot, and both said they had spent a lot of time studying the word list prior to the bee, which they intend to keep doing to prepare for the regional bee.

Stu Ellis, an agricultural educator, was scheduled to serve as pronouncer but was unable to attend, so retired Decatur Public Schools teacher Malcolm Moore, who had planned to be a judge, stepped in. A few of the words threw him a bit, he admitted, laughing. Indefatigable, for example. Seeing a word in isolation is different from seeing it in context in a sentence, he said.

I should know that, as a reading teacher, he said.

And when the word permission came up, he at first read it as persimmon, until the judges corrected him. He laughed at himself for that, too.

You don't have to politely clear your throats, he said to them after they pointed out his mistake. You can just say 'You screwed up.'

There were a few challenges from the audience, when spectators thought a speller had not understood which word he or she had been given, and judges reviewed the video deciding, in some cases, that the challenge was justified and giving that speller another chance.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee rules allow the judges and pronouncer only so much leeway in making sure a speller knows which word is theirs, Moore said, reading the rule from the official book. Spellers can ask for language of origin, for the word to be used in a sentence, for a definition and for alternate pronunciations, but at some point, the speller has to go ahead and spell the word. That's why spellers are encouraged to say the word aloud, spell it, and say it again during competition.

The judges are not responsible for the speller's misunderstanding, he said.

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DECATUR  As another convicted gunman was sentenced, a defense lawyer and a judge spoke of their despair at the level of firearm violence plaguing the streets of Decatur, and what to do about it.

Keron K. Jones, 19, was sent to prison for nine years Tuesday in Macon County Circuit Court as his family sat weeping in the public gallery. He pleaded guilty to the aggravated discharge of a firearm as part of a plea deal.

Jones had been caught-up in a shoot-out in a parking lot next to the Lock Stock & Barrel bar in the early hours of May 6. Three people were shot and wounded in violence that was linked by Decatur police to continuing gang rivalries in the city.

Joness defense attorney, Chris Amero, told Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith that his client was guilty of a serious gun crime and he would not seek to deny that.

But he also had Jones take the stand to describe a life of growing up in the streets and fighting to survive amid gang warfare. Jones said he had been shot at three or four times and his brother had been shot.

Jones, a high school dropout with an ounce-a-day cannabis habit who gets by dealing the drug, said he dreams of escaping crime and violence and turning his life around so he can be a father to his 1-year-old daughter.

I want to find different things to do with my life, he told the judge.

Amero acknowledged Assistant Macon County States Attorney Timothy Tighes recommendation that Jones receive a 10-year sentence, but said multiple similar sentences in so many similar cases were achieving nothing.

Judge, weve been doing this for so long now it is not sending a message to anybody, said Amero.

I understand Mr. Tighes point, but whatever were doing here is not working. I dont know what to do and I am tired: Im tired of the guns, I am tired of the drugs and I am tired of the violence here.

Amero said the sad reality was that Jones lived in a world where he was confronted by people who wanted to shoot him to death. He argued the defendant had shot back outside Lock Stock & Barrel to defend himself or face the imminent prospect of being killed.

And this isn't just about Keron, this is about everybody, Amero added. When no one is there to protect you, you have to take matters into your own hands and sometimes in order to do that, you have to break the law. Again with all these guns, judge, I dont know what to recommend, I am tired of people shooting each other. But if somebody shoots at me or my family, I am shooting back and Mr. Jones did what he had to do to live another day for him, his mother, and his daughter

Griffith said Jones still had to be punished for what he had done but he noted what Amero had said and lamented a rising wave of violence that had seen two Decatur victims shot dead in the last week. He said it was clear prison sentences alone were not turning the tide of violent crime.

We have a mass incarceration of young people and it doesnt seem like it works, the judge said. So I dont know what the answer is whatever were doing now isnt working and its just kind of a dire situation.

Jones will serve his nine year sentence at 85% and Griffith also agreed to recommend him for drug treatment while in prison.

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
Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, America is facing the worst immigration crisis in U.S. history. Biden shut down the construction of the border wall on day one with an executive order. Each day, thousands of migrants willfully break our laws with no end in sight. The Border Patrol has stopped 100 terrorists. There were 251,487 undocumented immigrant encounters on the southern border in December. That is over 8,000 a day, with Joe Bidens help, our country is being invaded with illegals, human traffickers, child molesters, terrorists, cartel members, and others. It is a real crisis and yet, Joe Biden never addresses the crisis. He is OK with this invasion of our sovereign country.

Since October, CBP has recovered 9,000 pounds of drugs. In fiscal year 2022, they recovered 14,000 pounds. These drugs often included fentanyl pills. Thousands of our young people are dying from this deadly drug. Does Biden care? He never mentions it. He continues to allow it to happen.

At a November Senate hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas insisted the Biden Administration has a plan for the border. Apparently, the plan is to let more and more people break our laws and invade our country, and terrorize our people living on the border. Joe Biden and the Democrats have little interest in upholding the rule of law on our border. They are more interested in stopping and arresting parents who show up at school board meetings than terrorists that show up at our border.

If you criticize Biden, he accuses you of being a MAGA extremist.

Gerald Thompson, Decatur
Stanislav Petrov, a lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defense Forces, on Sept. 26, 1983, essentially saved the world from nuclear war.

He was on duty at the command center outside Moscow where the nuclear threat was monitored. Several hours into his shift that morning, the alarm went off. Computers immediately warned that the U.S. had just launched five ICBMs at the Soviet Union.

"For 15 seconds, we were in a state of shock," he later said. These were 15 seconds in which the fate of humanity was up for grabs. As the New York Times noted, this was a deeply tense period of the Cold War. Three weeks earlier, the Soviet Union had shot down a Korean Air Lines commercial flight flying over Soviet territory, killing all 269 people on board. And President Reagan had recently declared that the Soviet Union was an "evil empire" and refused to freeze the arms race.

According to protocol, Petrov should have reported the alert up the military chain of command, with nuclear retaliation the likely result. But the computer warning seemed odd. It indicated that only five missiles had been launched, which made no sense. Why so few? In those 15 seconds, as he recovered from his shock and pulled himself together, he studied the flashing maps. His gut instinct was no, this isn't real. It's a false alarm.

Colonel Petrov made the decision to report the alert as a system malfunction. His gut instinct proved accurate.

Therere 14,000 nuclear weapons located at dozens of sites across the globe and on submarines patrolling the oceans at all times. Due to the U.S. decision to escalate in Ukraine instead of negotiating, its just a matter of time. I suggest a search for The consequences of a nuclear war at Progressive.org.

Ron Adams, Decatur
Vote now until noon on April 20th to support the businesses that you think are the best in the New Braunfels area.
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  The Sullivan County Commission will consider rejecting any role in a regional economic development partnership at its Thursday meeting.

Commissioner Hershel Glover filed a resolution that would exclude the county and NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership  which leads economic development efforts for the county and the cities of Bristol, Bluff City and Kingsport  from any role in the private Appalachian Highlands Economic Development Partnership.

It will be on the agenda for tonights monthly meeting at the old Sullivan courthouse

Glovers resolution lists 18 other members of the 24-member commission as co-sponsors.

Under the resolution, the commission would hereby fully and clearly deny any inclusionary steps within any regionalism framework or any related naming that inserts Sullivan County as a member therein, and forevermore shall remain unchanged, and absent from, any direct engagement with regionalism ideas manifest therein.

The resolution further states the commission strongly believes to be duly assigned, and has accepted, the governance of Sullivan County industrial and/or economic development alongside, and/or through NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership with no recognition of, or participation in, public/private partnerships or regionalism approaches of any configuration.

It further states the commission is committed to continuing to fund NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership in lieu of any forthcoming consideration of transfer of said funding to any public/private partnership commonly referred to as regionalism or any facsimile thereof that has, by design, no legal authority in its governance.

The partnership, announced last April under the name NETNHub, is managed by former Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips and governed by a board of primarily private business leaders. The organization is funded by private entities, including Ballad Health, Bank of Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway and Eastman, as well as East Tennessee State University.

The resolution we have seen is based mainly on conjecture, misinformation and out-of-date information, Phillips said in a written statement to the Herald Courier. We have emailed the commission members individually to ask that before they commit the county forevermore to any course of action, they allow us to present at their next work session. While we would have appreciated being invited to speak at this meeting, we hope the commission allows us to do so at a date in the near future, rather than acting on incomplete and incorrect information now.

Public seats on its executive board have been accepted by Sullivan and Washington County as well as Kingsport and Johnson City. Another rotating seat has been reserved for other municipalities, according to information on its website. Bristol Tennessee was not assured a seat on the board.

Glovers resolution claims ceding any control of NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership to an outside entity would violate the existing inter-governmental agreement between the county and its three cities.

Additionally, making such a change would require unanimous approvals by the County Commission, Bristol Tennessee City Council and the Boards of Mayor and Aldermen in both Kingsport and Bluff City, according to the resolution.

Additionally, the resolution states the commission believes it would be misguided to turn over public money and its economic development fate to others  primarily businesses and their interests creating a quasi-governmental entity  in lieu of ultimate control being retained by duly elected officials as a failsafe for payers of taxes while preserving the intent of voter representation.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Hickory-based contractor Neill Grading & Construction Co. is asking the courts to enforce $1.9 million in liens against Conover-based manufacturer Everything Attachments.

The filing from Neill comes in response to a lawsuit filed against them last October by Everything Attachments, which makes attachments for tractors and other equipment.

In their own legal filing, Everything Attachments alleges that Neills defective workmanship left the company with a 105,000-square-foot factory they cannot legally occupy.

The company also claims Neill Grading made unapproved changes to design plans, refusing to hand over plans and financial documents when asked and of engaging in fraud in an effort to pass inspections.

Neill Grading denies all these claims in their countersuit filed earlier this month.

In addition to asking for enforcement of the liens, Neill also outlined several of their own claims against Everything Attachments owner Ted Corriher and related corporate entities the T.C. Corriher Implement Co. and Landshark Attachments LLC.

While the original lawsuit filed against Neill in October involved the Everything Attachments factory, the plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit are T.C. Corriher Co. and Landshark.

In their countersuit, Neill alleges they were denied access to the property in order to complete work needed to obtain a certificate of occupancy and that Corriher wrongfully withheld payments due to Neill.

Everything Attachments acknowledged withholding payments in their initial lawsuit, saying they had done so because Neill breached contracts.

Neill Grading said that even though Everything Attachments was not paying Neill, the company still took funds from their construction loan through Fidelity Bank and used the money for their own personal use and benefit, according to the legal filing.

Corriher and his associated corporate entities misled Fidelity when seeking disbursements under the construction loan without advising Fidelity of claims it was making against Neill and without advising they had no intention of paying Neill, according to the countersuit.

Fidelity Bank is also named as a defendant in Neills countersuit because the bank has a deed of trust on the property against which Neill is seeking liens.

Neill Grading also accused Everything Attachments owner Ted Corriher of unlawfully blurring the lines between Everything Attachments, the T.C. Corriher Co. and Landshark Attachments LLC.

Neill argues that Corriher exercises complete control over all three entities and is using them as an artifice in an attempt to defeat Neills rights in connection with Neills claims (against Corriher and the three companies).

When asked to respond to the claims in Neills countersuit, Corriher said: Catawba County is getting ready to get a real dose of Neill Grading & Constructions quality of work performed at 1500 Emmanuel Church Road Conover N.C.

The address is the location of Everything Attachments. Corriher has said recently the inability to occupy the factory has left him with a backlog on customer orders.

He was also apologetic that the company has not yet lived up to the commitments it made in 2021 when Everything Attachments entered into tax incentive agreements with Catawba County and the city of Conover.

In exchange for receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds, the company agreed to create 150 jobs and invest $20 million.

Corriher and Everything Attachments General Manager Nate McAbee say the company has not been able to meet those commitments because of the holdup on the new factory.

Both company leaders and representatives of Catawba County and Conover have said Everything Attachments has not received any incentives at this point.
Two people have been charged in the shooting death of a woman late last week.

Dylan James Rogers, 30, and Tammy Duckworth Boone, 50, of Morganton, were charged Wednesday night with murder in the death of 41-year-old Brandi Deal, said Burke County Sheriff Banks Hinceman.

Deal was found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in her home on Clark Loop late Friday night when first responders were called to the scene for a cardiac arrest, according to information previously released by the sheriffs office.

Deals boyfriend, Richard Buff, told The News Herald that Deal was due to give birth to a baby girl on Saturday.

I got a lawyer, Rogers said as he was walked out of the Burke County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday night. I aint speaking on it.

Rogers said he would never hurt a child.

Boone was in tears as she was walked out of the sheriffs office Wednesday night. Her only comment to reporters was incoherent.

A possible motive in the shooting has not been released. Reporters could see bullet holes on the outside of the mobile home where Deal was found dead.

Rogers has previous felony convictions of attempted speeding to elude arrest, receiving a stolen vehicle and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to records available on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website.

Boones only previous felony conviction is a possession of a Schedule II controlled substance charge from a 2021 offense, according to NCDPS records. She also has misdemeanor convictions for use/possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny and driving while license revoked, NCDPS records showed.
The parent company of WHKY-TV announced plans to sell the television station to a Louisiana-based ministry led by evangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

The company expects the sale between Long Communications LLC and the Family Worship Center Church will close some time in the second quarter, according to a post on the stations website Wednesday.

The new owners plan to use a new call sign for the TV station, but any changes in operations and programming of the TV station will be announced at a later date, according to the post.

Long Communications intends to keep all the current employees and to continue running the radio station under the WHKY call sign while also producing online content, the post said.

Station Manager Jeff Long declined to comment more on the deal Wednesday, but indicated he would be willing to say more next week.

WHKY was founded as a radio station in 1940 by Jeff Longs grandfather Ed Long. The Long family later expanded their operations to include the TV station.

WHKY-TV, which is the oldest independently-owned TV station in North Carolina, marked its 55th anniversary on Tuesday.

Family Worship Center Church is the home of the Jimmy Swaggart Ministry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is adjacent to the campus of the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, according to Google maps.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is bringing the best that the US agricultural sector has to offer to this years Gulfood, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from February 20 to 24.

USDA has been participating in Gulfood for more than 25 years. This years USA Pavilion will cover a total area of 1,592 sq m and house 158 exhibitors, including more than 25 which are new to the market. International buyers and importers will be able to find a great variety of US products throughout the five spaces in the USA Pavilion, covering the Worlds of Food, Meat, Poultry, Dairy, and Pulses and Grains.

On February 20, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel B Whitley and US Consul-General Megan Gregonis will officially open the US Pavilion to visitors. During Gulfood, Whitley and Gregonis will participate in cooking demonstrations promoting US ingredients and meet with exhibitors and other key partners.

Global interest

Last year, on-site and projected sales from US exporters at Gulfood exceeded $250 million, demonstrating the tremendous global interest and demand for American food and farm products, said Whitley.

Im thrilled to be back at Gulfood opening the US Pavilion and am confident that buyers attending the show will be extremely impressed by the variety of high-quality US foods, beverages, and agricultural products available from exhibitors this year.

USDA staff from 18 of FASs international offices will be available to answer questions and coordinate business-to-business meetings at the US Pavilion. The team recruited 90 potential food and beverage buyers from countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, to attend the show, meet with US exporters, and help boost sales, all underscoring the importance of Gulfood as a global business platform.

Cooking demonstrations

Other noteworthy events at the US Pavilion next week include cooking demonstrations and competitions organised with the International Centre for Culinary Arts and hosted by renowned chefs representing the US Poultry and Eggs Export Council, US Meat Export Federation, US Dairy Export Council, and other US-state-level agricultural export promotion organisations.

Gulfood will also feature the launch of FASs Regional Office of Agricultural Affairs Fork and the Road campaign, which will use storytelling to promote US food and farm products in the Mena Region and increase awareness about the high-quality and variety of US agricultural products.-- TradeArabia News Service
HICKORY  The John Hoyle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) announced Ella Sinclaire Singleton as the winner of their Patriot of the American Revolution Essay Contest.

The essay contest, open to grades nine through 12, was held in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of this country's government. Students were asked to select a figure from the American Revolution era (1773-1783), discuss their influence on the course of the American Revolution, and their contribution to the founding of a new nation. The figure could be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday person who supported the Revolution in ways large or small.

Singleton wrote about one of her own ancestors whose family became very well known in the Catawba Valley area. Her ancestor, Conrad Yoder, was too old to fight, but provided much-needed supplies to support the troops. He and his close friend, Henry Weidner, were leaders within the community and both their families were important supporters of the American Patriot cause.

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. Ella commutes to UCHS from Statesville where she lives with her family.

The John Hoyle Chapter hosted Singleton, her father, and her grandmother at their February meeting at the Lake Hickory Country Club in Hickory. Singleton was presented with a medal, a certificate, and a small monetary award for her essay.

DAR represents one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the United States and one of the worlds largest womens organizations. Membership is open to women who can prove lineal descent from a patriot from the American Revolution. A nonprofit and non-political group, DAR promotes education and patriotism. More information is available at www.dar.org.
by Justin Parker Spearman City ManagerThe estimated cost for the project is approximately $350,000. The bulk of the project is being funded by the Downtown Revitalization Project grant that is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. There is a city match of 15%. The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) was enlisted to assist with this grant from the application process through the completion of the project.We are accepting sealed bids for the project through January 31 at 2:00pm, when bids will be opened and scored. That will then be presented to the City Council to award during the February meeting. The bid submissions include cost and days to completion, so we will have a better idea of the exact cost, contractor and timeframe once a bid is awarded by the Council.

Facing the railroad tracks-- mid-section project July 2009

It is safe to say that there will be somewhat of a construction mess and some inconvenience at the north end of Main Street for the duration of the project. Ideally, any inconvenience and mess will be short-lived. It will definitely be worth enduring to see our Main Street sidewalk project finally completed after all these years.

City Manager Ed Hansen meets with Kevin Whisenant, CEO of Concrete Connection and Dwight Brandt, City Engineer, to discuss the upcoming construction of the sidewalk project.

Others in attendance are Miguel Aquirre-Concrete Construction, Oscar Ostos-Brandt Engineers, and John DeSha-City of Spearman--April 2009

The entire project of renovating the Main Street sidewalks began during Ed Hansens tenure. Including a term of an interim City Manager after Ed, I am the fifth City Manager to have served since the project began.
Surprising comments rolled into our office following our coverage of a northern Wisconsin countys plan to require milk haulers to purchase permits to haul milk during the spring thaw. Perhaps we failed to paint a clear picture in portraying the economic costs should the situation go unchecked. Thats because a number of readers began to engage in class warfare, as they deemed the matter a big farm issue because those operations require big semis to haul milk and inputs. Theres so much more to the story.

America has a trucking shortage that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Trucking Association has estimated the industry is short some 80,000 truckers needed to keep goods moving freely. Even if those immediate job openings were filled, theres another looming storm cloud  close to a third of all truck drivers on Americas highways are over the age of 55.

Whats been the answer for trucking firms and service providers? Larger and larger trucks. Sadly, in Wisconsin, our lack of investment for improving rural roads cannot keep up with this shifting model.



Huge semi-trucks traveling on Wisconsin township roads is a huge problem, shared one reader. I can see where these counties are coming from; semis hauling overloaded trucks from fields are busting up those roads. They never pay a dime, wrote another reader. Bigger and bigger farms are ruining our roads, added a third.

On the same day we heard these comments, another Badger State farmer called and wanted articles to help him counter the notion that his milk hauler and processing plant were about to substantially raise his hauling rates. That caller hit the bulls-eye. This matter is size neutral, as trucking firms will raise rates no matter your herd size because their costs are rising, too. County permits only confound the issue.

Paying for trucking is one matter. Not even having a trucker pick up your milk is another story. If you are the last farm on a route or the one that puts the trucker overweight, you could become a business casualty in this roadway saga.



One major dairy co-op advised its members that the capacity to process milk is not the issue for dairy farmers. Its trucking. There could be a day in the not too distant future where a processor may commit to processing milk and sanitizing the tanker  but it will be the farmers responsibility to haul the milk from the farm to the processing center.

In the words of Aesop, United we stand; divided we fall. The trucking and road issue impacts every dairy farm with a permit to sell milk. In fact, it may even be a larger blow to small dairy farmers who have less capacity to haul their own milk.
They let my data be stolen again? Photo: Shutterstock

The landmark three-year review of Australias Privacy Act has recommended significant new rights be handed to individuals, including to sue over privacy breaches, have their data erased and to opt out of targeted marketing.

A widespread review of the Privacy Act was launched in 2020 by the former Coalition government on the back of a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) the previous year.

The final report was handed to the Labor government late last year and was released on Thursday morning by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

Among the 116 proposals across 320 pages are for the introduction of a direct right of action and statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, the inclusion of small businesses in the regulatory scheme and increased powers for individuals to control the use of their own personal information.

The goal of the review was to investigate whether the Act is fit for purpose in the online world, and to ensure the benefits of data-driven technology are realised while individual privacy is protected.

The Privacy Act has not kept pace with the changes in the digital world, Dreyfus said.

The Australian people rightly expect greater protections, transparency and control over their personal information and the release of this report begins the process of delivering on those expectations.

One of the most significant recommendations from the report is for the introduction of a direct right of action and statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy.

This will give Australians more agency to seek redress for interference with privacy through new avenues to seek remedies in the courts.

The direct right of action will allow individuals and groups of individuals to seek remedies in the courts for breaches of the Privacy Act which have caused harm.

Such a right would be an important measure to enhance individuals control of their personal information, and reflect current community expectations, the report said.

A direct right of action would increase the avenues available to individuals who suffer loss as a result of an interference with privacy to seek compensation. Empowering individuals in this way may also serve to increase consumers bargaining power with businesses that collect and use their personal information.

These claims would be heard in the Federal Court, with any remedies applicable, including damages.

To access this claim, an individual will first need to make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and have it assessed for possible resolution.

The report said that the majority of submitters supported this, including academics, regulators, complaints bodies, civil society, unions and finance groups.

Those that opposed it included digital platforms, telecommunications firms, media organisations and tech industry groups.

A statutory tort for serious invasion of privacy should also be introduced, the report found.

An examination of existing frameworks indicates clear gaps in current privacy protection, and the ability of an individual to take steps to protect themselves and seek compensation for invasion of privacy, the report said.

These gaps would be best addressed through a single privacy tort designed to cover the field.

The report also recommended that a new fair and reasonable test be introduced to underpin the activities of entities covered by the Privacy Act when they are handling personal information.

Australia should follow Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and introduce a right to object, right to request erasure and to have search results de-indexed, the report said.

The exemption for small businesses under the Act should also be removed, it found, after an impact analysis is conducted and these companies are in a position to comply with the new obligations.

Despite calls to end the political exemption, the report recommended this be maintained with new safeguards introduced.

In terms of the enforcement of the Act, new tiers of civil penalty provisions should be introduced to allow for better targeted responses, the review found.

This would include a mid-tier civil penalty provision to cover interferences with privacy with a serious element, and a low level civil penalty provision for specific administration breaches.

There should also be an unqualified right to opt out of targeted ads and personal information being disclosed for direct marketing purposes, the review concluded.

The federal government is now seeking feedback on the final report to inform its response, with submissions due by the end of March.
US authorities have ordered the Binance-branded BUSD to stop issuing tokens. Image: Shutterstock

A new cloud of uncertainty is hanging over the crypto ecosystem after US regulators stepped in and ordered the company in charge of the Binance USD (BUSD) stablecoin to stop issuing tokens.

Since 2019, the worlds biggest crypto exchange Binance has been offering a branded US dollar stablecoin in partnership with blockchain company Paxos.

Now the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) have BUSD in their sights with the former telling Paxos it is preparing a lawsuit that claims BUSD is an unregistered security, and the latter ordering Paxos to cease minting its stablecoin.

The DFS said it issued the notice as a result of several unresolved issues related to Paxos oversight of its relationship with Binance.

Paxos said it will end its relationship with Binance for the branded stablecoin BUSD from 21 February.

But the company is pushing back on impending legal action from the SEC, claiming BUSD is not a security and shouldnt be treated as such.

Given the Binances dominance  solidified when it helped topple rival FTX last year  BUSD has grown to be one of the largest crypto assets with a market capitalisation of $23 billion (US$16 billion) prior to this week. It has since dropped to $20 billion (US$14 billion).

Rival stablecoin provider Tethers USDT has profited by the action against BUSD, growing by over $1.4 billion (US$1 billion) as investors leave the sinking BUSD ship.

Stablecoins are a common on and off ramp connecting fiat currency and the crypto world.

Because their price is tied to the value of an asset  like the US dollar  they are intended offer a sense of stability in the otherwise volatile crypto market.

Stablecoins can be either algorithmic, as was the case with the Terra/Luna collapse last year, or backed as Paxos and Tether (operator of USDT) claims theirs are.

Backed stablecoins effectively offer a promise to the token holder that they could redeem every token for an equivalent sum from the companys reserves.

Owning one BUSD entitles you to US$1, for example, but the nature of these reserves is a common source of scepticism.

Australian banks ANZ and NAB have created stablecoins for large investors and business customers to plug into the crypto ecosystem, showing signs of larger mainstream interest in crypto. Banks are a natural source of stablecoins given their existing reserves.

In its latest financial stability review, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) spoke about how stablecoins play a role as the bridge between traditional money and crypto assets.

But the RBA warned that the growing size of stablecoins is a source of risk for the financial system, particularly if the equivalent of a bank run occurs.

A run on a stablecoin  triggered by, for example, a price fall, rumours of instability or concerns about underlying asset quality  could impair the functioning of short-term funding markets if it resulted in large asset sales, the RBA said.

It added that banks that issue their own stablecoins, like ANZ and NAB, could be risking their liquidity management and operational resilience which may have flow-on effects for customers and payments systems if a contagious run situation occurred.

Regulators are being extra cautious of that bridge between crypto and traditional capital, given the instability shown by the fall of FTX.

Treasury is currently undergoing a review with the intention of better capturing crypto assets into Australias existing financial services regulations.
CONCORD  The writing duo that makes up the pen name Deborah Reese has released a second book with a Southern twist.

Mary Reese, one half of the duo, told the Independent Tribune she was excited to release a book set in the South.

The duos first book, Two Wars Raging, released in 2020 and was a historical romance set in Baltimore during the War of 1812.

Low Country Boil, the recent release, is set a few decades later in 1783. And, like the title says, it is based in the Lowcountry, Charleston, South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War.

And, yes, this book is also a historical romance.

My coauthor, Debbie Burke, is a history buff. She likes writing during periods of war, Reese said. She is drawn to historical facts and getting the timeline right.

Reese is no stranger to research either. While Burke digs into exactly what and why a conflict happened, Reese delves into the culture and people of the time.

I like to do research on the customs of the time period, the places, what they looked like, what the people wore, Reese said. I did a lot of research on how different characters would have spoken English, their regular sayings. I like to know how people would have talked, where they lived and what Charleston was like then, even the sreet names.

Reese said history buffs or residents of the Carolinas may recognize some names and places in the story.

As for the romance part, Reese said, its all about the drama.

We just like to have conflict between a hero and a heroine, she said. Every book has to have that one person, man or woman, play a role in the outcome of the plot, add suspense. We try to intertwine a man and a woman who spark conflicts in the plot.

For those who read Two Wars Raging, this next book is different, Reese said.

I love the plot. I love the characters. It is fast-paced. There are some twists and turns along the way, Reese gushed. I find that each character has an ambition and a role to play.

While war was a driving plot device in the duos first book, its more of an instigator in Low Country Boil.

The characters are opposing because the female main character has been banished from London. But she is loyal to the British. She grew up in England. But she has been banished to the city of Charleston to marry the son of a duke, Reese explained. Her fiance is loyal to America. He has seen the brutality of war. He has seen the bad in people. Hes aligned with the revolutionaries.

The war also sparks a big question for the engaged couple.

I wont give too much away, but does she align with him or does she not? Reese said.

Reese also was able to use her cultural research for the journey of the main female character, Annabelle, and the friend she brings with her to America.

I love that they both have to adjust to a new way of life, Reese said. She is also having to live with her fiances parents before getting married. It is a big adjustment to her. She is trying to be accepted by his parents and to understand her fiances ideals.

Reese and Burke have a unique writing process where they switch off who writes each chapter. Its a system they developed while writing their first book. And it has been successful for them, especially in writing Low Country Boil.

We like to put our creative minds together, Reese said. It just evolved.

They try to play to each others strengths in writing. They switch off every week and put in edits or critiques before they began writing.

I use her strengths, Reese said. Its great to have another set of eyes on your work.

As longtime friends, the two know how to work together. It was also simple for the two to choose the setting for this book.

This has Southern roots, Reese said. We both love Charleston. We also like to pick major points in American history.

They both also have a passion for helping people learn history in a way that is fun to take in, which is another reason they use the historical romance genre. Despite the category name, Reese said, the book is suitable for teenagers.

Much like with their first book, the two dedicated Low Country Boil to their families. But a small forward has a special recognition.

I recognized our Lord and savior, Reese said. That was very important to me.

As someone who started a writing career later in life, she is grateful for the success.

I am 75, and Im still writing, she said. I gave it to the Lord and asked for favor.

And their success isnt slowing down. The two are already in the process of writing their third book. While its still early days, it will be based during the French and Indian War in Pittsburgh.

But until then, Low Country Boil will be available at Goldberry Books in downtown Concord and potentially other local bookstores in the county.

When readers pick up the book, Reese said she hopes they are able to learn a little something.

I hope they learn things that may have been lost in history, she said. I hope they see that the characters are similar to our personalities today. We all have to overcome obstacles with communication and grace and forgiveness.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> The Hollywood Reporter says that Pamela Anderson is following up on her recent autobiography and Netflix memoir by starring in a new cooking show called Cooking with Love, which will be a plant-based cooking show for vegans. I think it's disgusting how vegans still drink water. That was a fish's home.

 The National Retail Federation reported that Americans spent twelve billion dollars on gifts and flowers and candy and dinners celebrating Valentine's Day. And just my luck, the girl that I now love lives in Canada. So I sent her a balloon bouquet but President Biden shot it down over Lake Huron.

 The Pentagon said it's not ruling out any possibilities as to the identities of the objects they shot down. If they are UFOs manned by extraterrestrials they shouldn't be surprised their spaceships are being fired on. The entire universe should know by now that Biden only accepts aliens from Mexico.

 The White House press secretary assured reporters that the mysterious objects shot down over Canada posed no threat to the U.S. Congress was told the same thing. If you believe administration assurances that there is nothing to worry about, that's exactly what the space aliens want you to believe.

 Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ignored a toxic Ohio train crash for eleven days. He has overseen a supply chain crisis, airport chaos, now a chemical train wreck resulting in dead fish.The good news is Ford just created a car that runs on water but it only runs on water from the Ohio River.

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 President Biden yielded to pressure today and underwent his long-overdue presidential physical examination at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. If you've been following the news, there were no surprises. The examining doctor found more classified documents during a routine colonoscopy.

 President Biden flies to Poland Monday to mark one year since Russians invaded Ukraine. Last year Zelensky closed rival newspapers, shut down rival parties and banned the Russian Orthodox Church, and so Biden sent him $50 billion to protect democracy. It's why Polish people tell Biden jokes.

 Nikki Haley announced on Tuesday she's running for the GOP nomination for president. She thinks we're tired of Baby Boomers and even older War Babies like Biden in the White House. It's widely believed that it's time for the next generation to step up and get nothing done in Washington.

 Politico attacked Nikki Haley Tuesday, saying the Indo-American used the race issue by presenting herself as a Punjabi Sikh on one hand and a white conservative on the other. As an Indian she has one selling point. If America's broken by 2024 and Nikki is elected president, tech support will be a local call.

 The Democratic National Committee held its meeting in Philadelphia where delegates from all fifty states received their 2024 election marching orders regarding party issues, candidate recruitment and voter turnout. The DNC wants all cemetery gates banned by 2024. They insist it's voter suppression.

 Harry Potter author JK Rowling forced a transgender Twitter critic who'd called her a Nazi to publicly apologize under threat of a slander suit. The children in her books represented classic British values. If Harry Potter had been an American, he'd have used his wizard power for day trading.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
WASHINGTON  There is a phenomenon that has been creeping across America for at least the past 30 years that I have yet to comment on. Social scientists, however, have been writing on it for a long time. It is the phenomenon of people on the right moving into neighborhoods that are already heavily conservative. On the other hand, people on the left end of the political spectrum tend to stay in areas that are traditionally left-wing. This phenomenon has led to the increasing polarization of American politics. Accordingly, people with the views of, say, Sean Hannity when they move move to places like Dallas, Texas, or Raleigh, North Carolina, or Indianapolis, Indiana. On the other hand, people on the left stay in places like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles,  all traditionally left-wing enclaves. People living in these older left-wing haunts do not move around a lot. One cannot imagine a New Yorker being enthusiastic about loading up the family Prius and heading off to, say, Indiana. People who live in these left-wing enclaves stay in them despite the high crime and murder rates that make a mockery of their stringent gun control laws. Even during the holidays, the gunfire does not stop. This trend is going to persist and probably get worse. I would not be surprised if the left-wing cities begin changing their names to accord with their politics. I can well imagine New York City changing its name to New Moscow. Or Chicago becoming New Beijing, or possibly Los Angeles becoming Marxville or Leninville. Hollywood's stress on personalities cannot be ignored, and Marx and Lenin have long captured the imagination of many Los Angelenos. Remember how they lionized Fidel Castro, especially when he swore off tobacco.

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I thought of the increasing polarization of America this past weekend while I visited South Florida. I have always relished the big cities of America, but I cannot banish the thought that all of America's really big cities have been taken over by the left. Where am I to live if things get any more threatening in the Washington area.? Washington is fine for now, but someday I might really have to move. The propaganda painted on the sidewalks is a premonition. Moreover, the homeless have become a genuine menace. Every park in this once-beautiful city has become a tent city, and every streetcorner has become a latrine. Where are the police? Things are getting worse.

Yet, over the weekend in South Florida, I was introduced to a very agreeable small town where I could live very comfortably. Not only that, but the conservative migration has already begun there, and in the last election, the governor of Florida  not surprisingly a Republican  rolled over his opposition. He did so well that I believe he has a bright future. The small town that I have been speaking of is Palm Beach. The governor is Ron DeSantis. And I am keeping my options open.

Of course, the fellow who started the conservative migration was the inimitable Rush Limbaugh, and he referred to his locale in Palm Beach as his "Southern Command." Limbaugh lamentably vacated South Florida for a better place back on Feb. 17, 2021, but by the time he did, he had started a migration. Among the migrants was Ann Coulter, the writer, Laura Ingraham, the writer and television personality, and Chris Ruddy. Ruddy began as a writer for the New York Post, but he has since branched out and become an entrepreneur. Some years ago, he founded Newsmax as a network contending with Fox News to be the nation's number one conservative network. He is still struggling, but if Fox stumbles, Ruddy is yapping at Fox's heels. Chris has brought others to Palm Beach, and, of course, Sean Hannity is also in Florida on a regular basis. Nor can one overlook Donald Trump, who also has brought a lot of conservative attention to Palm Beach.

Then there is Elizabeth Ailes. She is the widow of Roger Ailes, the brains behind much that went on at Fox News. It appears to me that she has the talent and charm to be the Madame de Stael of the conservative migration to South Florida. I spent some time with Elizabeth Ailes recently, and as I listened to her, I got the idea that a salon overseen by her in the little town of Palm Beach is just what America needs in the dying days of Bidenism.

Glory to Ukraine!

(COMMENT, BELOW)
SPRINGFIELD  Taking full advantage of robust post-pandemic tax revenues, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed more than $1.2 billion in new education spending as part of his $49.6 billion spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.

Pritzker unveiled the plan in his annual combined State of the State and budget address, delivered to lawmakers in the Illinois House chamber of the State Capitol on Wednesday afternoon.

Also related to education, Pritzker called out "a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation" that has turned its focus to banning books and policing what children are taught in school, saying that he wants Illinois students "to learn our true history, warts and all."

The governor's plans for new investments in education stretch from a child's early years through college, starting with $250 million in new spending to expand access to early childhood education.

The outlay is expected to create 5,000 new pre-K spots for low-income children and is considered a down payment on a multi-year plan, dubbed "Smart Start Illinois," aimed at providing every child with access to pre-K.

"Thanks to our stronger fiscal standing, we can afford to do this, and as every provider, teacher, and parent in this state knows, we cant afford to wait," Pritzker said.

At the other end of the spectrum, Pritzker called for increasing funding for the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP), a state-funded, need-based grant awarded to Illinois college students, by $100 million.

This investment, administration officials say, coupled with federal Pell grants, would make community college free to nearly all Illinois residents at or below median income level. More than 40% of working class public university students would also have their tuition and fees covered via this combination.

Among the governor's guests in the gallery was Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, who came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1989 in pursuit of an education. He highlighted Mwilambwe, who received financial assistance while attending Illinois State University, as an example of the possibilities when supporting financial assistance for college.

"He became a U.S. citizen in 2008, and after a career as a college administrator, Mboka was elected Mayor of Bloomington  the first African American ever to hold that position," Pritzker said to applause in the room.

Pritzker later said that Mwilambwe "received a tuition waiver from this welcoming state and has returned it tenfold as Bloomingtons mayor."

An additional $100 million, or a 7% increase, would also be allocated to the state's public universities and community colleges for operating costs, the largest increase in two decades and a stunning reversal of fortune from just six years ago, when several public universities were coming apart at the seams during the more than two-year state budget impasse.

As he has in every budget, Pritzker also included the full annual $350 million increase for K-12 education funding called for under the evidence-based formula law enacted in 2018.

Pritzker also proposed $70 million toward improving the teacher pipeline. The funds will be allocated to 170 school districts experiencing hurdles in hiring and retaining teachers. They could be used for incentives like signing bonuses, housing stipends or help with student loans.

Universal pre-K, free college and other lofty goals had been hinted at by Pritzker last year during his campaign for a second term. He reiterated this vision in his second inaugural address delivered last month.

But it was always with a caveat that they would only be done so long as the state could continue to balance its books.

They have and then some, according to administration officials, who revised their revenue projection for the current fiscal year up an additional $1.24 billion from a November estimate that already had already projected revenues to be $3.7 billion higher than previously expected. This brings projected general fund revenues to $51.4 billion this year, a record.

Projections for the fiscal year starting July 1 have been revised up $2.34 billion, bringing expected revenues to just under $50 billion.

This leaves the projected surplus for the next fiscal year at $303 million, though about $138 million of that is expected to be transferred to the state's "rainy day" fund.

"Fiscal responsibility isnt easy, nor is it a one-time fix," Pritzker said Wednesday. "Its an annual effort that requires persistence. It requires conservative revenue estimates, as all of my budget proposals have."

"But when done right, consistent balanced budgets strengthen the institutions our residents rely upon, creates new opportunities for success, and makes life easier for the people of Illinois," he said.

Though chronically running deficits for much of this millennium, Illinois has state has consistently exceeded conservative revenue projections in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has allowed lawmakers to pay down the state's bill backlog, pump more money into pensions and stash cash away in the "rainy day" fund.

Increased appropriations are expected in several key areas of the budget, which includes $12.8 billion for education, $9.9 billion for human services, $9 billion for healthcare and about $2.5 billion for public safety.

The proposal also fully funds the $9.8 billion contribution to the state's pension system, which faces an unfunded liability of just under $140 billion.

Pritzker has also proposed contributing another $200 million payment towards pensions utilizing surplus revenue from this fiscal year.

The governor also promised funds toward rebuilding the state's social service safety net, violence prevention initiatives and towards fighting poverty and homelessness.

However, Pritzker's main focus was education.

And this extended beyond the resources he hopes to allocate in the coming year's budget, saying that "its all meaningless if we become a nation that bans books from school libraries about racism suffered by Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron, and tells kids they cant talk about being gay, and signals to Black and Brown people and Asian Americans and Jews and Muslims that our authentic stories cant be told."

This was partially in reference to various culture war battles being waged by conservatives like Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.

Last year, DeSantis signed legislation that critics have labeled the Dont Say Gay law. It bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade as well as material that is not deemed age-appropriate.

DeSantis also spoke out against the curriculum of an Advanced Placement Black History course that allegedly addressed "critical race theory," which examines the role race plays in shaping the country's laws, politics and social movements. The nonprofit College Board, which oversees the AP program nationwide, subsequently revised the final framework of the curriculum, which Pritzker dismissed as "a weak attempt to please extremists.

DeSantis is viewed by many as a leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Pritzker has been discussed as a possible Democratic candidate should President Joe Biden forgo a run for reelection.

"Illinois young people shouldnt be kept from learning about the realities of our world," Pritzker said. "I want them to become critical thinkers, exposed to ideas that they disagree with, proud of what our nation has overcome, and thoughtful about what comes next."

Though Pritzker maintained a statewide focus in his 50-minute address, there were some nods to downstate. He name-dropped chocolate maker Ferrero and electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive, two companies with a major presence in Bloomington-Normal, when talking about businesses expanding in or moving to Illinois.

The budget also includes $2.8 million in funding for the Illinois State Police's Decatur forensic lab, which will fund 22 new positions and the necessary equipment to enhance the property crimes forensic analysis capabilities and DNA analysis services offered.

Pritzker's proposed budget is just the kick off of the annual process. Lawmakers will soon begin hearings and, eventually, craft a plan before adjourning in May.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term Jesse White.JPG JB Piitzker 13 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 12 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 11 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 10 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 9 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 7 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 5 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 3 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 2 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 1 010923.JPG Juliana Stratton 1 010923.JPG Stratton 2 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 1 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 2 010923.JPG Michael Frerichs 010923.JPG 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball Tiffany Mathis 1 011023.JPG dance gov 7 010923.JPG dance gov 13 010923.JPG dance gov 12 010923.JPG dance gov 11 010923.JPG dance gov 10 010923.JPG dance gov 9 010923.JPG dance gov 8 010923.JPG
Tuesday Morning stores in Winston-Salem, Boone and Greensboro are on the closing list, a ripple effect from the struggling retailer filing for federal Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Court protection Wednesday.

Affected stores are: Whitaker Square shopping center location at 1947 N. Peace Haven Road in Winston-Salem; Battleground Plaza at 3726 Battleground Ave. in Greensboro; and 774 E. King St. in Boone.

Not on the closing list is the store at 3394 S Church St. in Burlington.

The off-price seller of home goods and decor did not indicate when the stores would close, citing on individual store links that this location is closing soon.

Store-closing specials already are available.

The retailer recently closed its 1312 Bridford Parkway location in Greensboro.

Altogether, the retailer has 17 N.C. locations on the closing list: four in Raleigh; three in Charlotte; and one each in Apex, Durham, Gastonia, Greenville, Matthews, Morehead City and Nags Head.

Tuesday Morning said in a news release that it is pursuing a financial and operational reorganization to enable the company to reduce its outstanding liabilities, obtain significant and necessary capital, and ultimately transform into a nimbler retailer that serves heritage markets in a profitable manner.

Invictus Global Management LLC has agreed to provide $51.5 million of debtor-in-possession financing to support ongoing operations during the proceedings. The financing is subject to approval of the Bankruptcy Court.

The retailer defined stores on the closing list as in low-traffic regions, while allocating the proper resources to remaining stores in high-traffic regions.

The company believes this targeted approach to winding down unprofitable and underperforming stores will position Tuesday Morning to emerge from bankruptcy with a profitable, cash-generating store fleet that serves its most engaged and loyal customers.

Tuesday Morning is not alone among national retailers closing Triad retail stores.

On Feb. 9, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said its stores in the Triad will be down to just Winston-Salem and Greensboro after the struggling retailer disclosed plans to exit its Burlington store 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 Feb. 7 regulatory filing 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 began shuttering stores in September 2020. In the Triad, it has closed its store at 417 W. Wendover Ave. in Greensboro.
World Logistics Passport (WLP), a Dubai-led global initiative designed to smooth the flow of world trade, has signed two MoUs with Thai Logistics Service Provider Federation (TLSPF) and the Thai National Shippers Council (TNSC).

The MoUs aim to promote the growth of logistics business for exporters and shippers in Thailand, and to enhance trade opportunities, and reduce costs through WLPs global network of international traders and freight forwarders.

The signing ceremony was held at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and signed by Mahmood Al Bastaki, General Manager of World Logistics Passport, Suwit Ratanachinda, President of the Thai Logistics Service Provider Federation and Dr Chaichan Chareonsuk, Chairman of the Thai National Shippers Council. It was attended by Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Commerce and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubais Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and member of WLP Steering Committee, and other senior representatives from Thai delegation, DP World and WLP.

Trusted logistics

Al Bastaki said: We continue to strive towards being the most trusted logistics loyalty programme of choice for traders and shippers in Thailand and around the world. These strategic partnerships are critical for WLPs expansion into Southeast Asia market. Thailands economy has great potential and we look forward to working with our partners in the country to expand new trade routes that will benefit Thai traders and shippers from our innovative and sustainable logistics and supply chain solutions.

Ratanachinda said: This MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter of promising trade opportunities for the Middle East, Africa and Latin America markets, utilising WLPs growing network. Thai exporters are now able to receive fast-track service of cargo movement, cost-efficient access to markets, reduction of customs clearance times and removal of administrative costs.

Dr Chareonsuk said: This MoU with WLP outlines a unique framework of cooperation to promote collaboration and establish successful economic activities, aiming to enhance the growth of Thais exports and explore new markets through WLPs global network.-- TradeArabia News Service
A little more than a penny per mile.

Thats what a bill filed Wednesday in the N.C. House suggests would equalize the burden between owners of gas-powered cars and trucks, who pay 40.5 cents per gallon in state fuel tax when they fill up, and electric vehicle drivers who dont when they recharge.

North Carolinas gas tax is important because its the states largest source of road funding, generating nearly $2 billion per year for highway projects at a time when the N.C. Department of Transportation is struggling to maintain deteriorating infrastructure and keep pace with growth.

North Carolina electric vehicles arent totally unplugged from road funding, however. The states EV owners pay an extra $140 annually in registration fees on top of the standard charge assessed for all vehicles.

Even with the EV-exclusive fee, however, NCDOT has estimated that on average, drivers paying the gas tax contribute about $50 more per year to the highway fund.

Thats the gap Republican Rep. Keith Kidwell, whose district includes coastal Beaufort and Craven counties, says he hopes to close with the Electric Vehicle Highway Use Equalization Tax Act.

The users of electric vehicles do not contribute to the development and maintenance of the State highway system by payment of the motor fuel excise tax, the bill suggests, without referring to the annual EV fee. (And) there is reason to believe that electric vehicles cause at least as much if not more wear and tear on State roads.

The road-impact reference is likely tied to the higher weight of many electric vehicles compared to comparable traditional cars and trucks. Kidwell did not respond to questions from the Journal about that and other aspects of the bill Wednesday, including how he arrived at the proposed 1.2 cents per-mile figure.

The bill does not address miles traveled in other states.

Its not Kidwells first attempt to equalize EVs and traditional vehicles. He was one of four sponsors of a bill last year that would have required that an equal number of free gas pumps be installed anywhere there were no-cost chargers on municipal, county and state property.

The proposed Equitable Free Vehicle Fuel Stations Act didnt get past the committee level.

North Carolinas nearly 54,000 registered EVs account for less than 1% of the more than 8.5 million vehicles in the state. Gov. Roy Cooper has set a goal of having 1.25 million plug-in vehicles on the states roads by 2030.
Mayor Allen Joines said most trends in the city are looking up, but called crime the citys biggest problem so far in 2023.

Speaking in the Winston-Salem City Council chamber at City Hall for his annual State of the City speech, Joines said it will take a mix of better policing and community-supported alternatives for young people in particular to bring down the number of violent crimes.

We were feeling pretty good last year, Joines said. We saw a 25% reductions in homicides. Then we kicked this year off, weve already had 11 homicides compared to eight during the same time last year.

Joines stressed that in most homicides the perpetrator and victim know each other, and that the city is not experiencing a wave of random acts of violence.

New policing activities cited by Joines included more efforts at gang reduction, and technological advances including the real-time crime center, shot spotter devices and the sharing of ballistics across law enforcement jurisdictions that the mayor said has resulted in solving one gun crime already.

But Joines said community-focused efforts like after-school programs and the CURE program (it stands for Communities United for Revitalization and Engagement), which sends counselors into troubled areas to work with young people, are also needed to help turn the tide on crime.

Most of Joines talk was upbeat. He said the city has rebounded in job creation after a pandemic-induced downtown, and highlighted job-creation announcements from Ziehl-Abegg, Krispy Kreme and Cathtek.

The mayor said Winston-Salem should also benefit from regional projects such as the Toyota battery plant and Boom Supersonic.

Locally, Winston-Salem will soon have 5,000 people living downtown with the completion of apartment units under construction, Joines said. At the same time, he touted business start-up programs such as Winston Starts, Flywheel and the Venture Winston Grants program that gives businesses $50,000, free space and mentoring.

Joines said the Innovation Quarter is nearing the start of a second phase of development that will add 2.4 million square feet of space, and spoke about the importance of biotechnology for the areas economy.

Much of Joines review spoke of the need to increase the amount of affordable housing and to reduce poverty.

With a goal of creating 750 units of affordable housing each year for 10 years, Joines said the city had done 450 units in 2022, but cited a number of projects under way or in planning that will be moving forward. The mayor also noted a change in city zoning regulations that will make it easier for people to have secondary housing on their residential lots, be it in basements, garages or beside the main house.

Joines had to acknowledge that poverty rates remain stubbornly high, but said it was at least positive that the rate had dropped from 26% to 19%.

At the same time, Joines said almost 1,500 young people had taken advantage of a program that lets them go to Forsyth Technical Community College for free if they cant afford college, and described that as planting seeds that will yield long-term results.

Paid internships and third-grade reading initiatives were cited by Joines as positive elements in plans to reduce poverty.

Leaf collection

The mayor acknowledged neighborhood frustrations over the slow pace of leaf collection during the past year, blaming it on a perfect storm of leaves dropping quickly and a pickup rotation that put the heaviest left-collection area in the west last in line to have their leaves picked up.

Joines said a revision next year in the leaf-pickup protocols should ease the pain of homeowners tired of looking at a pile of leaves on their curbs:

*The city will add two automated side loaders for leaf pickup.

*Leaf collection will take place in all four quadrants of the city at the same time.

*Leaf collections will begin earlier.

*The city plans to better coordinate brush and leaf collection with street sweeping.
Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn was sworn in Wednesday as the citys 16th top law enforcement officer, saying that he will work to reduce crime locally and fill the vacancies of 144 officers on the police force.

Judge Todd Burke of Forsyth Superior Court administered the oath of office to Penn as his family members stood next to him in the chambers of the Winston-Salem City Council.

Penn told nearly 150 people who gathered at City Hall for his swearing-in ceremony that he knows many city residents are concerned about the officer shortage.

Penn leads the police department in a city that has experienced 11 homicides so far this year, as compared to eight homicides in Winston-Salem during the same period in 2022.

Penn said he saw how well city residents handled the numerous protests in the summer of 2020 after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

We were all hurt, Penn said. But I witnessed firsthand when our community said, We are going to make the conscious decision to love and not destroy.

Penn then pointed to the demonstrations that led to violence in several cities across the country and in some cities in North Carolina. Penn praised his fellow officers and local residents for keeping the peace in Winston-Salem more than 2 years ago.

I know we have the resolve, the resources and talent to fix the issues in our community, Penn said. We didnt get here overnight, and it wont be solved overnight. Its going to take work.

City residents must help police de-escalate the violence in the local community, Penn said.

Weve got to tone it down, Penn said. Any group in this great community of ours can be agents of change, and they can assist in the de-escalation of violence.

Penn, 48, is a 25-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Department. Penns annual salary will be $175,000, City Manager Lee Garrity said after the swearing-in ceremony.

Penn has supervised the departments investigative services bureau and served as the commander of the departments District 1 and its support services division.

Penn has worked as an officer and supervisor in foot patrol, vice, narcotics and crime-prevention divisions. A native of Winston-Salem, Penn graduated from UNC Greensboro and received a masters degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University.

Penn is a graduate of administrative officers management program at N.C. State University, the UNC School of Government fellows leadership cohort, the Transform Law Enforcement Colloquium at the University of Kentucky and the Piedmont Leadership Academy.

Before Penn was sworn in, Mayor Allen Joines praised Penn for his leadership within the police department.

Wednesday was a special day for Penn and the entire city whose residents celebrate Penns achievement, Joines said.

Penn landed the job of police chief from a pool of more than 100 candidates, Joines said, adding that Penn is committed to reducing gun violence in Winston-Salem.

William Penn Jr. was the absolute best candidate for this position, Joines said.

Penn emerged from four finalists, including two other internal candidates, to get the job, Garrity said.

Ive known that he was such a rock star, Garrity said.

Council member D.D. Adams, who represents the North Ward on the city council, described Penn as a Winston-Salem native who will work effectively with city officials and residents in reducing crime.

Penn is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community, Adams said.

District Attorney Jim ONeill of Forsyth County saluted Penn on being the citys next police chief. ONeill said that Penn will help solve the citys crime problem.

Right now in Winston-Salem, we are being tested every day, ONeill said. (There are) too many shootings  too many murders.

Penn and other city leaders will find ways to offer competitive salaries for candidates to work as police officers, ONeill said.

We have to have salaries that attract people to come here, ONeill said.

PHOTOS: William Penn, Jr. is sworn in as new Winston-Salem Police Chief
The N.C. House voted 96-23 Wednesday in favor of a bill to expand Medicaid in the state after an amendment was added that means some beneficiaries could face a controversial work requirement to be eligible.

Because House Bill 76 contains financial considerations, it must go through a third and final approval. It is on the House floor agenda for Thursdays session, which is tentatively set for 10 a.m.

The North Carolina version of a potential work requirement has not been clearly defined by Republican legislators who support the language. It could include a job-training or community service component as well.

All 49 House Democrats voted for HB76, while House Republicans were in favor by a 47-23 margin.

The vote split the Forsyth County Republican representatives: primary bill sponsor Rep. Donny Lambeth and Kyle Hall voted in favor; Rep. Jeff Zenger opposed.

Meanwhile, Guilford County GOP representatives John Faircloth and Jon Hardister voted in favor, while Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, voted against it.

HB76 is tied directly to the 2023-24 state budget. If the state budget is not signed into law by Dec. 31, the legislation in HB76 would expire at that time.

This is probably the most important legislation that this General Assembly can take up in this session, said Lambeth, a former N.C. Baptist Hospital president who has been the primary House proponent for Medicaid expansion bills for several years.

Were going to have a lot of important legislation to debate in this session, but this is a one-time opportunity to take advantage of an economic windfall for North Carolina.

The clean version of HB76 was fast-tracked through three House committees on Tuesday and Wednesday, as Lambeth projected Monday.

Clean, in this instance, signifies it did not include several healthcare reform items that Senate Republican leaders featured prominently in their expansion bill during the 2022 session.

Whats at stake

North Carolina is one of 11 states, mostly in the Southeast with Republican-controlled legislatures, that have not passed a form of Medicaid expansion.

Multiple independent studies have determined that between 450,000 and 650,000 North Carolinians could qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage.

Those who might be eligible under an expanded program are those between the ages of 18 and 64 who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

Lambeth said without passage of HB76, up to 300,000 current Medicaid beneficiaries could lose COVID-19 pandemic-related coverage as soon as July 1.

Those North Carolinians qualified for temporary Medicaid coverage as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that Congress passed in response to the start of the pandemic in mid-March 2020.

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.

A pivotal turning point in Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, 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.

This bill is well crafted to take advantage of federal funds that our citizens are already sending to Washington, Lambeth said.

Work requirement

Previous House Medicaid expansion legislation filed by Lambeth contained a work requirement for some potential beneficiaries.

That element was considered at the time as a must to gain the support of a majority of House Republicans.

However, the work requirement language was removed from N.C. Medicaid expansion legislation after laws passed by the Arkansas and New Hampshire legislatures were struck down by federal judges in 2020. The Arkansas law placed a work, education and/or public service requirement.

In March 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would not hear additional arguments on the appeals made by the two states.

The amendment submitted Wednesday by Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, works as a contingency for if the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were to receive approval to allow for a work requirement.

In that event, the state Department of Health and Human Services would be required to enter into negotiations with CMS to develop a plan for those work requirements and to obtain approval of that plan.

Within 30 days of approval by CMS of a plan for work requirements as a condition of participation in the Medicaid program, (DHHS) shall submit a report to a joint legislative healthcare committee containing the full details of the approved work requirements, including the approved date of implementation of the requirements.

Lambeth supported the amendment.

However, he cautioned that about 70% of potential beneficiaries already are working. Some of those work for employers who either dont or cant afford to offer employer-based health insurance benefits.

Lambeth expressed confidence that Medicaid expansion would play a role in employers being able to fill job vacancy once the eligibility gap was narrowed.

Potential disqualification

The proposed work requirement is controversial in part because it could disqualify the state from receiving certain federal COVID-19 relief funding.

The federal relief law could provide North Carolina with the $1.5 billion to treat traditional Medicaid patients if it accepts expansion and, most important, agrees to not put stipulations on enrollees.

Legislative fiscal research analysis staff told legislators they did not believe North Carolina would be eligible for the relief money if HB149 contains the work requirement provision.

In order to qualify ... you cant exclude anybody who would be part of the expansion population, legislative research analysis staff member Mark Collins told legislators in 2022.

With work requirements, theres of course the possibility that somebody could be excluded.

Berger has said the Senate plan is to pass the bill with the work requirement included, and then well deal with whether or not we can convince the Biden administration or the courts that this is the right thing to do.

Berger said that, while the work requirement is being litigated, unemployed enrollees would remain eligible and not be denied.

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, Lambeth said.

But, we have not done the most important thing that we can do to make sure that North Carolina citizens who dont have healthcare have a better quality of life.
The fast-tracking of the state Houses Medicaid expansion bill was completed Thursday with a 92-22 vote on third reading of House Bill 76.

This is probably the most important legislation that this General Assembly can take up in this session, said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, during Wednesdays floor debate.

Lambeth is a former N.C. Baptist Hospital president who has been the primary House proponent for Medicaid expansion bills for several years.

Were going to have a lot of important legislation to debate in this session, but this is a one-time opportunity to take advantage of an economic windfall for North Carolina, Lambeth said.

HB76 will be sent to the Senate, where it likely will be put on hold for at least the short term.

Senate Republican leadership is preparing to file expansion legislation that likely will feature several health-care reform measures not supported in the House.

Although Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, has become an expansion advocate after years of stiff opposition, he had said those reforms are necessary to gain his support and enough Republican senators to pass any expansion legislation.

During the 2022 session, each chamber passed an expansion bill in May, but could not negotiate a compromise during the remainder of the session.

HB76 is tied directly to the 2023-24 state budget. If the state budget is not signed into law by Dec. 31, the legislation in HB76 would expire at that time.

Background

North Carolina is one of 11 states, mostly in the Southeast with Republican-controlled legislatures, that have not passed a form of Medicaid expansion.

Multiple independent studies have determined that between 450,000 and 650,000 North Carolinians could qualify for expanded Medicaid coverage.

Those who might be eligible under an expanded program are those between the ages of 18 and 64 who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, took an optimistic approach to the passage of HB76 and its potential fate in the Senate.

We have a unique opportunity to expand coverage with federal funds already on the table, Moore said.

The stakes are high and the cost to the state is minimal. Finally, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who have been getting by without health care coverage will have the peace of mind that an injury or illness will not cost them their livelihood.

This legislation also addresses the pressing mental health and behavioral health concerns in our state, using federal dollars already allocated for this purpose, Moore said.

The statewide Care4Carolina coalition praised the passage of HB76.

Abby Emanuelson, executive director of the 166-member coalition described HB76 as a straightforward North Carolina solution to expand Medicaid and close our states health care coverage gap.

The Houses action is a major step toward 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.

Closing the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid will improve the health of our people, our economy and our entire health care system.

Work requirement

The House passed HB76 by a 96-23 vote on second reading Wednesday following the approval of three amendments submitted on the floor.

One amendment has some beneficiaries facing a controversial work requirement to be eligible.

What the requirement would be has not been clearly defined by Republican legislators who support the language. It could include a job-training or community service component as well.

The amendment submitted Wednesday by Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, works as a contingency for if the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were to receive approval to allow for a work requirement.

In that event, the state Department of Health and Human Services would be required to enter into negotiations with CMS to develop a plan for those work requirements and to obtain approval of that plan.

Lambeth supported the amendment, but Kidwell still voted against HB76 in second and third reading.

Lambeth cautioned that about 70% of potential beneficiaries already are working. Some of those work for employers who either dont or cant afford to offer employer-based health insurance benefits.

Lambeth expressed confidence that Medicaid expansion would play a role in employers being able to fill job vacancy once the eligibility gap was narrowed.

The second amendment adds $50 million from the N.C. Division of Health Benefits for fiscal 2023-24 to be used for the administrative costs of Medicaid eligibility determinations and for inmate medical costs.

Funds would be distributed to counties on a per capita basis with a $100,000 minimum.

The third amendment would establish a Rural Areas Forgivable Loan pilot program for medical students who agree to work full time as a doctor or nurse in rural communities.

Lambeth said the three amendments were the result of concerns and feedback we received.

For example, counties expressed concern that even though the bill covered their cost to enroll new beneficiaries, they needed more help. So we responded to their concerns.

One member wanted some assurance that we would help in rural areas with their manpower issues. Of course, some want to push the work requirement.

In combination, these amendments did help us gain more support.

Whats at stake

Lambeth said without passage of HB76, up to 300,000 current Medicaid beneficiaries could lose COVID-19 pandemic-related coverage as soon as July 1.

Those North Carolinians qualified for temporary Medicaid coverage as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that Congress passed in response to the start of the pandemic in mid-March 2020.

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.

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.

The proposed work requirement is controversial in part because it could disqualify the state from receiving certain federal COVID-19 relief funding if the expansion law allows stipulations on enrollees.

Legislative fiscal research analysis staff told legislators they did not believe North Carolina would be eligible for the relief money with the work requirement provision.
Sponsors of a bipartisan state Senate medical marijuana bill expressed hope Wednesday that the latest version will gain enough support to finally clear the legislature after a 13-year journey.

Senate Bill 3, titled NC Compassionate Care Act, still has Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth, as one of three primary sponsors along with Republican Sens. Bill Rabon of Brunswick County and Michael Lee of New Hanover County.

Lowe said the re-filed version is essentially the same at Senate Bill 711, which passed the Senate by a 37-6 vote in June.

However, House Republican leadership shelved the bill for the session.

The bill was addressed Wednesday in a non-vote manner in the Senate Judiciary committee. There is at least one amendment expected to be submitted when a voting Judiciary meeting is held at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

SB3 also has to clear Senate Finance and Rules and Operations committees before a floor vote.

The legislation is designed to help people who often cant help themselves, Rabon said.

Lowe said his support comes from his belief that the use of medical marijuana will help many North Carolinians with their chronic and debilitating health issues.

Our citizens should be able to take part in medicine that will help them, compared with using opioids as painkillers, he said.

Potential opposition from House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and House majority leader John Bell IV, R-Johnston, could derail the vote during the current session, said John Dinan, a Wake Forest University political science professor and national expert on state legislatures.

At this point, we have to rely on the comments of (Moore and Bell), who have cast significant doubt on plans to consider medical marijuana legalization, Dinan said.

12-year journey

SB3 is the latest in numerous attempts over the past 12 years to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The bill has been on an arduous path since being introduced during the 2021 session.

It requires the medical marijuana system to pay for itself following initial money to set up the system.

The funding would come mostly from license fees and a monthly fee equal to 10% of the gross revenue derived from the products sold at medical cannabis centers.

The bill previously was amended to reduce the number of medical cannabis centers from eight to four, two of which would be located in the states 20 Tier 1 counties  likely Mecklenburg and in the Triangle.

Forsyth and Guilford counties are in Tier 2.

Opponents have expressed concern that the legislation would serve as a gateway to legalized marijuana in North Carolina by 2024; that the licensing fee for vendors is too low; that a license should not be sold; and that the potential profit levels need to be lowered.

Rabon called SB711 the tightest, best-written bill, seeing what other states did wrong and trying to omit those pitfalls.

We had to jump through a lot of hoops to do this, and we jumped through them the right way, Rabon said. We have been calculating, methodical, written and rewritten, taken things out, taken advice to come up with a final product that every person in the legislature can be proud of.

That included physicians being barred from advertising that they offer medical marijuana. It also addressed potential conflicts of interest between physicians, independent testing laboratories and suppliers.

It will be, from start to finish, traceable and trackable to every single supplier, grower, manufacturer , Rabon said.

Compassionate

Although Rabon did not use medical marijuana as part of his treatment for cancer, he said his own experience, coupled with discussions with other cancer patients, convinced him of the need for making the option available.

It can help a number of people at the end of their life at a time that they need compassion  what time they have left should be as comfortable and as easy as they can be, Rabon said.

Theres not anyone in this room who has not had someone in their family, or a close friend, that could have benefited from this legislation.

Jordan Monaghan, press secretary for Gov. Roy Cooper, said studies have shown medical marijuana can offer many benefits to some who suffer from chronic conditions, particularly veterans.

The governor is encouraged that North Carolina might join the 36 other states that have authorized it for use.
GREENSBORO  Chandrika Brown had no idea what a family partner was until a friend recruited her to become one.

Turns out, the challenges Brown faced as the parent of a child with a mental health diagnosis, seizures and other issues were the kinds of experiences required for the job.

She told me that she felt like I could help other families learn to get services for their child the same way that I had to fight for my son, but make it a whole lot easier for them, Brown recalled.

Brown now works with an organization called NC Youth and Family Voices Amplified  a unique program UNC-Greensboro started last year on behalf of the state, supported with federal dollars. The program provides training and assistance to family partners and youth peer support providers across North Carolina  roles that require lived experience as their main qualification.

It means so much when you have at least one person who can identify with what you are experiencing, said Frederick Douglas, the family training coordinator for the program.

The family partners are parents of children with mental illness who now help other parents like themselves. The youth peer support providers are people who suffered from mental illness growing up and now help teenagers and young adults going through it.

Been there, done that The challenges Chandrika Brown faced as the parent of a child with mental health issues has also made her qualified to help others.

The idea behind the program is that people whove experienced mental health struggles, whether personally or in a support role such as a parent, and have come out the other side are equipped to help others going through similar issues.

Stacie Forrest, a child mental health program consultant with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said the state keeps hearing that for families in the throes of mental health struggles, it helps to have people whove been there.

Thats so important, she said. Theyve been in those same situations and the families really respond to that.

****

The idea of peer support providers in the realm of mental health isnt new. But the states recent investment in the creation of the UNC-Greensboro program comes amid an ongoing mental health crisis.

Between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of Americans reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression nearly quadrupled. Faced with an unprecedented need for mental health services, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services sees bolstering youth peer support providers and family partners as an effective strategy to help the state cope with the onslaught as well as make lasting change.

Family and youth peer support providers in North Carolina work at a wide variety of agencies, nonprofit organizations, private providers and churches  all paid for through a variety of different methods. State leaders lack numbers on how many are operating, but know they want to recruit more to the profession.

They see Youth and Family Voices as a centralizing hub that can do a number of key things to support these entities as they help others struggling with mental illness.

One is training. That includes recruiting and educating people to fill those roles so they can spread that experience to organizations and agencies across the state.

Another is helping families in need connect with existing family and youth peer support providers.

The need for training and making connections is growing as the state tries out family and youth peer support providers in some new settings, including the states mobile crisis unit for children and a number of psychiatric residential treatment facilities. North Carolina also has some new efforts underway making family and youth peer support accessible to certain groups of Medicaid recipients.

Michael McGrath, a wraparound services program manager for the nonprofit Easterseals UCP, is involved with one of those efforts. He said North Carolina is behind some other states in figuring out how to incorporate family and youth peer support, but moving in the right direction. Family and youth partners, he said, are good at helping people stand up for their own interests and goals within the mental health care system and other state systems.

When we do not involve family voice or we dont involve the youth  we are basically telling them what to do  it doesnt work, he said.

****

Within the realm of mental health services, youth peer support providers most typically are young adults who have struggled with a mental health disorder and now draw on that experience to help young people.

Thats a really unique package right there  a young adult that brings that experience thats actually come out the other side of it and is in a position to give back, McGrath said.

Like Erin Hanes. She is a peer support specialist who works with youth for the Kellin Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Greensboro.

Hanes works in person and virtually with youth ages 13 and up who have experienced a significant mental health or substance abuse disorder. The services she provides are free and funded through grants. Sometimes she has a waiting list. Other times, she doesnt.

To get help, though, young people must volunteer rather than parents forcing them.

Thats part of advocating for themselves, said Hanes, a Winston-Salem native.

Hanes said she works with clients to help them set goals, figure out coping skills and connect with community resources. Unlike a therapist, Hanes does not help her clients process trauma. Ideally, her services are in addition to therapy, but its not a requirement.

I take my experience in knowing how to keep myself well and use that to help inspire others, and just help them build resilience, she said.

Mental health recovery, she said, means learning to live with the disorder and manage symptoms.

When I was not in recovery my depression would highly interfere with my daily activities, she said. I wouldnt take care of myself, so personal hygiene was difficult. I wouldnt interact socially with others. But now, I know what works for me. I know how to take care of myself through that.

Hanes had already been dealing with anxiety and depression when, at age 16, she lost her best friend to a car accident. In the aftermath those multiplied by a thousand, she described, and she also developed post-traumatic stress disorder and insomnia to the point that she was bedridden, sometimes for weeks at a time. Hanes therapist, psychiatrist and emotional support dog helped her get better, and shes since been able to accomplish big goals, like getting a bachelors degree in psychology and launching her career.

Still, looking back, she wishes shed also had peer support as a teenager.

I felt like no one else had gone through this experience; I felt isolated and alone, she said. I believe having someone I could have related to, that had a significant mental health disorder, would have been really beneficial to me in learning different coping skills that they had because I didnt really understand what coping skills were before I lost him.

****

The role of a family partner focuses on helping parents figure out how to secure the services and support their child needs after being diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

Thats what Alamance County parent Shantay Collins experienced when she got help from Brown, back when the Youth and Family Voices collaboration coordinator was working as a family partner in Alamance County.

At the time, Collins said, she and her children were coming out of a domestic violence situation that was traumatic. Brown helped her figure out everything from how to get her children into therapy to finding a place to live.

I didnt know how to advocate for my kids, Collins said. Thats something I have under my belt now.

Brown said that when she was a family partner in Alamance County, she would usually work with between 15 and 20 families. That included sending texts, going to their homes and sometimes accompanying them to a meeting with a teacher or doctor.

I dont take the steering wheel for them, she said. Im kind of like their navigator, their GPS.

Collins said that when she wanted to give up, Brown, whod been through it, wouldnt let her.

And hearing Browns story helped Collins believe success was possible, even at a time when she wasnt feeling inclined to trust anyone.

To be connected with someone, she said, you do want to know you have something in common to connect.
New perspectives have been brought to bear in the discussion of the topic of the physician associate/assistant (PA) doctoral degree in general and the entry-level PA doctorate in particular. Both the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) have sought and supported formal research investigations into the question. Evidence from studies shows that perceived benefits and risks are strongly influenced by the lens of the various stakeholders; that most PAs believe that the master's degree is enough for clinical practice; and that most clinical PAs and PA students are not in favor of an entry-level doctorate. Lessons learned from other healthcare professions that have transitioned to a clinical doctorate only marginally serve as a model for the PA profession. PA organizations need to fully own and embrace the task of leading the discussion and reaching a definitive conclusion in the determination of PA doctoral education. Failure of the PA profession to act decisively on the doctoral degree question would essentially default this decision to colleges and universities, which tend to have a vested economic interest in new types of degrees.
A 76-year-old Eagle man was taken by ambulance to a local hospital Thursday morning after he crashed his SUV into a creek about 2 miles east of Lincoln, according to authorities.

Joseph E. Slack extricated himself from his GMC Canyon after he was partially submerged in Stevens Creek for at least 20 minutes Thursday morning amid sub-freezing temperatures and snowfall, Lancaster County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ben Houchin said.

Authorities briefly closed O Street near 134th Street after Slack slid off the roadway and into the creek south of the corridor, rolling the SUV onto its side, according to emergency scanner traffic.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews were called to the scene, across O Street from DEGuns, after the GMC's OnStar system alerted authorities to the rollover crash at around 8:25 a.m., according to scanner traffic.

Before rescue crews arrived, Slack called dispatchers and reported he had injured his back and water from the creek was still pouring into his SUV, where he remained trapped.

The Eagle man told dispatchers that water rose from knee level and eventually reached the GMC's steering wheel, according to scanner traffic. Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews arrived and reported that the rising water had stabilized.

First responders initially requested more medic units and water rescue crews.

But by 8:55 a.m., Slack freed himself from the vehicle and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia and back pain, Houchin said.

A separate scanner call at around 9 a.m. indicated another vehicle may have gone off the road and into Salt Creek near Sun Valley Boulevard.

Authorities responded to numerous reports of minor crashes and stranded motorists across Lincoln and Lancaster County over the course of Thursday morning, as snow blanketed Southeast Nebraska, slamming Lincoln with the most snowfall the city has seen in two years.

Lancaster County deputies were dispatched to two crashes and helped at least 16 motorists who got stuck in snow, said Houchin, who estimated that deputies had helped more stranded motorists than the department formally counted Thursday.

Lincoln Police had responded to 13 crashes in the city as of 4 p.m. and had helped 50 stalled or stranded motorists since midnight Thursday, Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said.

The number of crashes was fairly comparable to a non-snow day, Kocian said, and it may have helped that the snow fell mostly overnight.

"When people woke up, they saw the amount, weren't caught off guard and adjusted their driving accordingly," he said.

By 3 p.m., the State Patrol had responded to 17 crashes and performed 176 motorist assists, most of which came in the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas, the agency said on social media, where the patrol and other public safety agencies repeatedly urged would-be commuters and travelers to stay off the roads if possible.

"If you don't need to be out, don't," Omaha Police Sgt. Jason Menning said in a tweet Thursday morning. "Lots of stalled or stuck vehicles in snow ALL over the city. Good day to watch a movie or play board game with kiddos."

Photos: Firefighters in action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action
A class-action lawsuit brought by nurses against CHI Health over remote, on-call work they were required to perform without full compensation has resulted in an $800,000 settlement.

U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher entered the final judgment Tuesday, dismissing the case that started four years ago when seven nurses at CHI St. Elizabeth in Lincoln sued the regional health care organization based in Omaha.

In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Lincoln, attorney Kathleen Neary alleged the hospital had violated state and federal wage laws by not paying enough for on-call work and overtime for doing things like answering phone calls, emails and texts.

She said through October 2018 nurses were paid only $2 an hour for on-call work on weekdays, answering calls, emails and texts related to patient services and occasionally answering patient questions, and 50 cents more an hour on weekends.

In November 2018, the rate went up to $3 an hour for 50 or fewer on-call hours and $4 for those who work more than 50 on-call hours.

That was well below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour; and Nebraska's minimum wage of $9 an hour at the time. (It since has increased to $10.50.)

Neary said CHI also wasn't paying nurses for overtime when their on-call hours plus regular hours at the hospital put them at more than 40 hours per week. On-call shifts lasted 14 hours.

Neary said the nurses lost wages, contributions to retirement plans and interest on both as a result. And she asked the judge to certify that a class action could be brought against CHI on behalf of them and other current and former employees like them, which ultimately was approved.

Lincoln attorney Vince Powers, who also represented the nurses, said the amount each class member will receive depends upon how many eligible nurses make a valid claim.

He said on Nov. 8, notice of the settlement was sent to 2,643 current or former nurses at CHI Health locations in Nebraska between Feb. 6, 2015, and April 11, 2022.

By Dec. 21, only 168 had filed claims, though they have until March 6 to submit a claim at chiwagelitigation.com.

According to the settlement approved Tuesday, the $800,000 in monetary relief amounted to about 47% of the maximum wages owed to the class, which "compares favorably to results achieved in other wage and hour class action suits approved in this circuit."

The order said the settlement avoids significant expense, delay and the likelihood of continued litigation that would be complex, expensive and lengthy.

In addition to the $800,000 fund, the agreement also includes $96,000 in litigation expenses and just under $654,000 in attorneys' fees.

Asked for comment Wednesday, a spokesperson for CHI Health said, as always, CHI Health appreciates all of the work their nurses do.

"They are on the front lines of patient care and core to our mission. We pay our nurses generously and go to great lengths to ensure compliance with all applicable wage and hour laws," Taylor Miller said.

She said although they consistently denied the core allegations in the lawsuit, "CommonSpirit (CHI's parent company) made the business decision to resolve the case. We look forward to having this matter behind us and continuing to execute on our mission, vision and values."
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) welcomed 676,628 passengers (PAX) during January, marking a 70.9% surge against 2022 figures, according to Airport International Group.



QAIA recorded 6,020 aircraft movements (ACM) - indicating a 30.0% increase compared with 2022 figures. QAIA also handled 4,760 tons of cargo, 17.6% higher than figures registered in 2022.



2023 is off to a good start, with January narrowing pre-COVID traffic gaps, said Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude.



This is testament to the hard work of our dedicated employees and the collaborative efforts of our partners to promote Jordan globally and attract new airlines to QAIA. As more people take to the skies, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering a trusted, seamless and enjoyable travel experience that feels like home at the Kingdoms prime gateway to the world.  TradeArabia News Service
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago, Lincoln Public Schools has enrolled nearly 90 students who've fled the war-torn country.

To better support those refugees  many of whom face language barriers and come bearing the trauma of war  LPS is looking to hire an additional advocate for Ukrainian families through a new federal grant.

The Ukrainian Refugee School Impact Grant would allow LPS to hire a full-time bilingual liaison to work with new Ukrainian arrivals to Lincoln. Bilingual liaisons are individuals hired to serve a specific cultural group.

Liaisons assist families in navigating a new culture, including assisting students with English language learner assessments and the enrollment process. They also help connect families with community resources like transportation and resolve language and cultural issues that may arise.

LPS has employed a liaison to work with Ukrainian and Russian students for years, said Linda Hix, the district's director of federal programs. But given the influx of refugee students since the Ukrainian war started  89 in all  the district felt it wise to double its efforts. The vast majority of those students have come with little knowledge of English.

"I think our bilingual liaisons really become that relational point for our families," Hix said. "And liaison is the right word because it's really that connection between the family and the school."

The $86,000 grant would also fund additional time for school social workers to provide social and emotional support to students. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services administers the grant, which originates from the federal Administration for Children and Families' Office of Refugee Resettlement.

In the past, similar grants were targeted to all refugee students, Hix said. Only recently has the federal government focused on specific cultural groups. Last year, LPS also received a grant for an Afghani bilingual liaison following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Ukrainian grant, which would go into effect this fall, is for one year but can be renewed.

The Lincoln Board of Education, which gave initial consideration to the grant application Tuesday, will vote to approve it at its Feb. 28 meeting. The application deadline is March 1.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
Mother Nature finally landed a blow on Thursday, staggering Lincoln residents accustomed to dodging haymakers threatened by two seasons of winter storms.

Thursday morning's storm slammed Lincoln with its most snow in more than two years, leading to numerous cancellations and making travel difficult as city crews scrambled to clear the streets.

The National Weather Service said the Lincoln Airport saw 8.8 inches of snow. That was the most snow Lincoln has received in one day since Jan. 25, 2021, when 14.5 inches fell in the city.

The 8.8 inches was more snow than the city had gotten in total since March 2021.

The forecast had called for anywhere from 4-7 inches in the Lincoln area, a prediction that was revised down to 3-5 inches overnight.

But meteorologist Becky Kern of the National Weather Service office in Valley said the expected track of the storm shifted north, meaning the heaviest snow, which had been forecast to fall south of Interstate 80, instead slammed the I-80 corridor.

That led to snowfall rates of an inch or more per hour in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. The weather service said sensors at Eppley Airfield in Omaha recorded snowfall rates of as much as 3 inches per hour.

"I've seen a lot of reports in the 8-inch to maybe-more-than-that range," Kern said.

There were unofficial reports of as much as 11 inches in southeast Lincoln, which was the highest amount reported in the state.

Other reports included 10 inches near Wilcox, 9 inches near Nebraska City and in Papillion, and 8 inches in Holdrege and Ashland.

If the amount of snow wasn't bad enough, the timing made it worse. The heaviest snow fell between 6 and 8 a.m. over the most populated areas in Nebraska, making the morning commute a nightmare for many.

"The impacts of that are pretty substantial," Kern said.

The snow shut down schools in Lincoln, including Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In addition to schools, all the city's libraries and recreation and senior centers shut down.

Scenes around Lincoln from Feb. 16 snowstorm
Developers of the proposed Lincoln Bold project have come up with a plan that they hope will alleviate many of the parking concerns stemming from construction.

Steve Glenn and Alexander Carlson, two members of the group seeking to build the 22-story mixed-use building on the Melichar's site at Ninth and P streets, on Wednesday revealed plans to offer valet parking during the 24-30 months when the project is going up.

To construct the building, developers need to close one lane on Ninth Street between P and Q streets and the westbound lane on P Street between Eighth and Ninth. That would remove 17 on-street parking spaces in front of businesses on the north side of P Street.

To help alleviate the loss of those parking spaces, Lincoln Bold developers are proposing to set up a valet stand on the northeast corner of Eighth and P streets, in front of The Mill Coffee & Tea, where visitors to the Haymarket could drop off their vehicles for valet parking. They would provide their keys and a cellphone number, and the valet employees would park the vehicles in a nearby city garage.

The service would be free to anyone visiting the businesses on the north side of P Street between Eighth and Ninth streets, which includes Tavern on the Square, Vincenzo's and J.J. Hooligans. People without a receipt from one of those businesses would pay a flat fee, which Glenn said hasn't been determined.

Many of the details of the proposal still have to be worked out, such as the hours it would operate and how many stalls would be available for valet parking. Glenn said he plans to meet with affected business owners to get feedback.

"This is new ground for everybody," he said. "We don't have all the answers."

Dan Sloan, who owns The Mill Coffee & Tea with his wife, Tamara, said he's scheduled to meet with Glenn on Thursday.

Sloan said construction of the project will be "a royal pain, but that's part of being down here."

He would never want to advocate killing a project because it would cause his business hardship during construction, Sloan said, but he's concerned about the effect on parking after the project is built and office workers and residents move in.

A group calling itself Save the Historic Haymarket launched an online petition in opposition to the development plans, saying "parking and street closures, blocked traffic and lack of adequate pedestrian and parking access during the three years of construction is estimated to cause over $12.5 million in lost revenue for just 14 of our members. That additionally translates to a further loss of over $1 million in sales tax revenue to the community."

The entire downtown area is zoned B-4, a district that does not require businesses to provide their own parking. That's not an issue for retail businesses or offices, but Sloan said the number of residential units that have been added over the past few years presents a problem.

He noted that it's not only the Lincoln Bold project, which includes none of its own parking spaces, that concerns him, but also the 320-unit Atmosphere Lincoln being built across the street. Its residents, too, will have to park in existing downtown garages.

"It's the long term that really concerns me," Sloan said.

Parking is not the only concern people have voiced about the project. Several Haymarket business owners and others have said they plan to speak in opposition to it receiving tax-increment financing.

The City Council has approved the project, but it still must sign off on the developers' request to receive $23 million in TIF, which allows the developers to use future property taxes the project generates to pay for certain upfront costs.

Glenn said setting up and offering the valet parking program is likely to cost his group well over $250,000.

The Downtown Lincoln Association has thrown its support behind the proposal.

"Anytime you have development or construction, it's always going to affect businesses surrounding the area, so we have to be creative to try to find as many solutions as we can in working with businesses and developers to figure out how to mitigate that loss," said DLA President and CEO Todd Ogden.

He said his organization and the developers will work to market and advertise the program to ensure both businesses and people visiting The Haymarket are aware of it.

Glenn and Carlson said the group is hoping to start construction in August. The building will rise 254 feet and include 36,000 square feet of office space on floors 2-5, 70 luxury apartment units on floors 7-15 and 33 condo units on floors 16-21.

Developers have committed to offering the valet service during the duration of construction.

The 10 tallest buildings in Lincoln 10. Wells Fargo Center 9. Terminal Building 8. Georgian Place 7. University Towers 6. Abel Hall 5. Sharp Building 4. Graduate Hotel 3. U.S. Bank building 2. Lied Place 1. State Capitol
A bill that could eventually end the twice-a-year time changes in Nebraska is headed for debate by the full Legislature.

The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 7-0 Wednesday to advance LB143, introduced by Sen. Tom Briese of Albion.

The measure would put Nebraska on daylight saving time all year, if the federal government allows states to do so and if at least three neighboring states make the same move. So far, Wyoming and Colorado have such legislation.

Under current federal law, states can stick with standard time year-round but cannot opt for year-round daylight saving time. Supporters of LB143 said they would rather go with daylight saving time so people have more daylight hours after work.

The committee also advanced LB343, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar. The bill would prohibit any state or local government from contracting with a company that is boycotting Israel. Slama has named the bill her priority for the session.

The bill advanced on a 5-2 vote.

Another measure that cleared the committee was LR14CA, also by Briese. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Nebraskans to recall the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, auditor or any member of the Legislature. It advanced on a 7-0 vote.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
More members of the Nebraska National Guard will be able to access tuition assistance to attend one of the state's public colleges or universities under a plan advanced by the Legislature on Thursday.

The bill (LB52) from Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, which won first-round approval, would raise the annual amount of tuition credits available from $900,000, where it has existed since 1999, to $1 million.

Lippincott said the $100,000 boost in annual tuition assistance available would still fall roughly $40,000 short of the current demand for help paying for college  what the freshmen state senator called "one of the most popular benefits" available.

The shortfall would mean about 30 people would potentially be denied aid, and diminish the state's competitiveness in recruiting members to the Army and Air National Guard.

But an amendment from Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, which passed on a 32-0 vote, would eliminate the cap altogether moving into the future.

Lowe said removing the cap would not likely raise the amount paid out in tuition over time. He agreed with a characterization made by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth that the tuition assistance program was "a pretty static expenditure year after year."

Members of the National Guard can currently receive an amount equal to 100% of resident tuition for certificate, associate, or bachelor's programs, or an amount equal to 50% of the tuition charged for graduate or professional degrees.

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said she supported the effort, but encouraged the Legislature to consider providing more in state aid to keep the public higher education system affordable for all Nebraska students.

The 2% increase to the University of Nebraska system proposed by Gov. Jim Pillen and included in a preliminary budget put forward by the Appropriations Committee was lower than the 3% requested by NU.

With excess revenue available, not investing more in NU, the Nebraska State College System or Nebraska's community colleges amounted to "a cost shift that will fall upon the backs of kids who are trying to work their way through college and the moms and dads writing tuition checks," she said.

"We also have to ensure we're providing our state university, state colleges and community colleges with the resources they need to keep tuition affordable so Nebraskans all across the state and the political spectrum have an opportunity to pursue higher education," Conrad said.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
WATERFORD  A Waterford man who is accused of driving across a farm to flee from police is facing his sixth OWI charge.

Nathan Adam Pfefferkorn, 52, of the 4800 block of Elm Island Circle, was charged with felony counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (sixth) and attempting to flee or elude an officer.

According to a criminal complaint, at 1:28 a.m. on Monday, an officer saw a vehicle swerving out of its lane on Highway 164.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, Pfefferkorn, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot, glassy eyes and was slurring his speech.

The officer also reported that Pfefferkorn was confused about his location and admitted to having one beer.

When another officer arrived, Pfefferkorn allegedly began slowly driving the vehicle forward until it went off the road into a grassy area.

According to the complaint, the vehicle then turned onto Cedar Lane, encountered a dead end and circled back to Highway 164.

The vehicle reportedly reached speeds of 90 mph in a 55 mph zone before traveling into a farm field off Apple Road.

The vehicle was found at 3:46 a.m. on a bike trail near Highway 36 and Malchine Road in Caledonia.

At 6 a.m., an officer reported seeing Pfefferkorn walking on Kramer Drive and took him into custody.

The complaint said a preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.115, and Pfefferkorn was arrested.

Pfefferkorn was given a $3,500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show.
BURLINGTON  Burlington Area School District Superintendent Stephen Plank has been a finalist for superintendent positions at two area school districts.

However, Plank was not offered the job at either district, so he remains the Burlington superintendent, a position he has held since 2019.

Plank was a finalist for the superintendent job in the West Allis-West Milwaukee school district.

The WAWM school board met Tuesday and appointed Tarrynce Robinson as the school districts next superintendent. Robinson currently works for the Houston Independent School District in Texas.

According to information about Plank on the WAWM superintendent search website, he grew up in Cudahy, just south of Milwaukee.

Plank now lives in Milwaukee and said he has observed the transformation taking place in the schools and community and is excited about the opportunities for greatness that lie ahead in West Allis and West Milwaukee.

Plank was also a finalist for superintendent at the Shorewood School District, located just north of Milwaukee.

According to a Shorewood spokesperson, Plank applied on Dec. 29, 2022. Plank interviewed on Feb. 1 for the Shorewood job, but he was not offered the position.

Another finalist was offered the Shorewood position but did not accept it, so the superintendent search has been reopened.

According to the Shorewood spokesperson, no finalists have been selected for the continued search, and the school district aims to announce a new superintendent in mid-March.

Last year, Plank was a finalist for the superintendent job at Franklin Public Schools in Milwaukee County but was not offered that job.

Plank could not be reached for comment.

Peter Turke, Burlington school board president, said he had mixed feelings when Plank informed the board that he applied for other jobs.

Steves done very good work for our district, and Id like to continue to work with him, Turke said. I also wish him the best. If moving to another district is in his best interest, I also understand that, and Im confident we can hire another superintendent to continue the good work that he started.

Turke was on the board when it hired Plank in 2019. He said Plank was extremely articulate and possessed great ideas, many of which Turke said Plank has implemented.

Turke said superintendent turnover is common and that the school board knew when it hired Plank that he might eventually change jobs.

I think its always part of this job, that superintendents will change position from time to time, Turke said. At the time we hired him, too, we knew that it sounded like there might be a possibility that he might consider other districts, too. We went in eyes wide open that this was part of the process.

If Plank takes a job elsewhere, Turke said he would schedule a closed meeting for Burlington school board members to determine how to find his replacement.

Options include hiring a search firm and receiving assistance from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, but neither of those are required.

Itd really be a collective decision by the board, Turke said.

Turke said in general that hiring a superintendent is a vital part of being on the school board.

When we hire the superintendent, were choosing someone thats going to be in charge of our operations, he said. I know this will be a critical decision if we end up having to hire Steves successor.

If Plank does accept a new job in the near future, Turke said the board would want to hire his replacement as soon as possible.

Wed probably try to use an expedited timeline so that were not running into late spring and we dont have a superintendent lined up for July, Turke said.

In photos: Peak City staff makes a lemon-lime, strawberry and blue raspberry tea in Downtown Burlington Filling with water Adding drink mix Adding blue drink mix Adding water Snapping on the lid Geneva Lake tea
RACINE  The Lionel Railroad Club of Southeast Wisconsin will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

This event marks the anniversary of the clubs founding on Feb. 18, 1997.

The club is located above American Coin & Jewelry, 4625 Washington Ave. The club entrance is on Ohio Street, on the west side of the building. Visitors are asked to park behind the store.

The club features two layouts:

The 10-by-14-foot layout features a Plasticville city and a carnival scene with operating rides. The track plan has numerous switches and wyes for operating different routes.

The second layout is 17-by-27 feet and features three loops of track with wide sweeping curves and numerous sidings. Completed scenery includes the city of Spencer, with industrial, agricultural and suburban areas.

Both layouts will appeal to people of all ages, said Dan Hechel, club president.

Founded in 1997, the Lionel Railroad Club of Southeast Wisconsin has promoted the hobby of model railroading and allied activities, within a friendly and stimulating environment, for the benefit of the public of all ages. For more information, contact the Club via email at Lionelrrsewi@gmail.com.
RACINE  The shortage of police officers is now being felt by at least one the communitys bar owners.

The Public Safety & Licensing Committee had some outstanding issues to discuss with Shikeyla Buckley, the agent for The Fifteen-Eighteen, 1518 Washington Ave., on Monday.

Buckley opened the business about a month ago and told the committee about her inability to get off-duty assistance from Racine Police Department officers to help with security issues.

Off-duty officers often provide security for area bars.

Tyrone Buckley, who helps his daughter with her business, said the advantage of using off-duty officers is that they discourage troublemakers and reduce a lot of problems.

Buckley has applied to have off-duty officers help with security, but none have responded.

Buckley said she has paid about $8,000 for private security for the month.

Alderman Jeffrey Peterson said that the Racine Police Department is short 30 officers, so those who remain are working mandatory overtime.

Theyre in a tough situation right now, and I dont know that everybody realizes that, he said. If youre working 16 hours already, why would you go work a part-time job?

Changes

Buckley was at the meeting to discuss a proposed change to her business hours.

In the month since the bar opened, she has learned that the business could make more money with later hours.

However, the committee wanted to discuss issues brought up by the RPD, which claims The Fifteen-Eighteen has been open after midnight on at least two occasions.

The bars license allows it to operate from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The issues raised by the police department included:

On Feb. 4, RPD was dispatched to the bar after a report of people fighting. When officers arrived, the people fighting were gone, but pepper spray had been used inside. The bar was cited for being open after hours.

On Sunday, an RPD sergeant drove through the parking lot at 1 a.m. and claimed there were at least 50 cars and people coming and going from the bar.

Buckley said it has been a challenge to close the bar at midnight because people order drinks and want to stay and finish them.

She said that even after the bar closes, people bang on the door and want to be let in to order off the menu.

Buckley also said that she was at the bar Sunday after she got off work at 10 p.m. and there were not 50 people there.

Her father said that the lot is public parking and there is no way for RPD to know where the people who arrived in those vehicles went.

He also said they can kick the patrons out, but they cant make them leave.

Deferred

The committee deferred making a decision about a change in hours and recommended that Buckley wait until licenses come due in the summer to adjust hours.

Alderman Jeff Coe said it has only been a month since the business opened and there have been numerous calls to the police.

At this point Im not ready to extend the hours because you cant control what you have, he said.

Peterson said calling the police because there is a problem is not an issue.

The problem, he said, is the bar was supposed to be closed at midnight.

36 Madison-area restaurant, bar, bakery, coffee shop openings in 2022 Taqueria Los Atlantes Golden Nest Pancakes & Cafe Hot Lunch Zippy Lube Coffee, Donuts, and Fried Chicken Tacos El Capi Good Co. at Pioneer Pointe The Bubbling Teapot Sabores Fusion Grill Nori Sushi & Grill North Shore Pizza and Subs Sookie's Veggie Burgers Turn Key La Pollera Colombiana Restaurant Eno Vino Waunakee BigSur Cantina Amara SASS Sauce + Shells The Borough Beer Company & Kitchen Taza Swagat Sun Prairie Little John's Lunchbox AzTec Taqueria Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine Dirty Dog Taphouse Ollie's Forward Craft & Coffee Jacknife The Ready Set FreshFin Poke Hilldale Mom's Bar Prost! Tucuma Northstreet La Taguara Far Breton Bakery Dagu Rice Noodle
BURLINGTON  A longstanding dispute about property taxes on retail stores in Wisconsin could be nearing an end with a ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

State officials have announced that the Supreme Court is scheduled Thursday to unveil its decision in a case aimed at resolving the so-called dark store taxation issue.

Burlington city officials are among those watching for the court ruling, as Burlington currently is engaged in a dark-store court fight with retail giant Walmart.

The ruling will have statewide implications, too, as evidenced by the interest of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce business group and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, both of which have submitted briefs to the Supreme Court.

At issue is whether tax collectors can assign a higher value to retail stores that are active and successful, or whether such properties should be taxed the same as stores that are dark, which means vacant and dormant.

Business groups contend that the basic property value remains the same, but cities and other tax collectors contend that dark-store taxation gives businesses an unfair break  and forces higher taxes on homeowners and others in a community.

The dispute has manifested itself in numerous local court fights throughout Wisconsin between Target, Menards and other big-box retailers, and their local tax collectors.

In Racine County, Walmart is suing the City of Burlington, arguing that the taxable value of its store at 1901 Milwaukee Ave. should be reduced from $8.6 million to $4.5 million. Both sides in that case have agreed to postpone any action until after the Supreme Court issues its ruling.

Burlington City Administrator Carina Walters said she likely will not have any immediate comment on Thursdays court ruling, because the citys case with Walmart is still pending as active litigation.

At the appropriate time our legal counsel determines the city can make a statement, we will, Walters said via email.

The Supreme Court agreed to examine the dark store issue by taking up a case from Walworth County.

Lowes Home Centers filed suit against the City of Delavan over the taxable value of its store at 2015 E. Geneva St.

After city tax collectors set the stores value at $8.9 million, Lowes filed suit to have the taxable value reduced to $4.6 million.

The City of Delavan prevailed in circuit court and appellate court, and Lowes appealed the case to the Supreme Court.

The issue first arose in Wisconsin after a different ruling from the Supreme Court in 2008, which allowed for setting a retail stores taxable value based on similar properties that are vacant.

Local government officials contend that operating retail stores are inherently more valuable to their owners and, therefore, should have a higher value for tax purposes. Businesses say the value of the land and building has nothing to do with whether a store is open for business.

After trying unsuccessfully for years to persuade state lawmakers to close the dark-store loophole, critics decided to push the issue in the courts and hope for a resolution that way.

Supreme Court officials said the high courts ruling would be posted Thursday morning on its website.

What the 10 largest retailers pay their workers What are retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target paying their employees? #10. Walmart Inc. #9. Target Corp. #8. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. #7. The Kroger Co. #6. The Home Depot Inc. #5. Amazon.com Inc. #4. CVS Health Corp. #3. Costco Wholesale Corp. #2. United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) #1. Apple Inc.
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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KEARNEY  Eva Flores considers Kearney Flight Services as a gas station for pilots.

We do fueling of all aircraft, she said. We fuel the airline as well. We have an FBO building where we provide snacks, drinks, courtesy cars, conference rooms and televisions. We also have internet service. If a pilot brings in a few people for a business meeting, they might be here all day. They can stay here and use the internet or watch TV. We also have computers for their use.

A fixed base operation, also known as an FBO, is a status given to a commercial enterprise that has been given the right by an airport authority to operate at the airport. Kearney Flight Services provides the basics, like aviation fuel. The company also provides aircraft storage space in heated hangers, de-icing, oxygen service, access to rental cars  and fresh baked cookies.

Flores, the administrative assistant for the company, noted that Kearney Flight Services does more than just provide fuel for aircraft.

We service not just jets, she said. We get farmers who might own an aircraft or people who have a business here and fly in on their private aircraft. We also have people who live here and buy into shares of jets and fly for vacations. An FBO is going to be a lot more convenient than going through an airline because it is quicker, and you get more customer service.

Because Kearney Flight Services deals exclusively with people involved in the aeronautical industry, most people in Kearney are unaware of the company.

If a pilot needs a windshield cleaned, we can do that, Flores said.

Although the company doesnt offer repairs, the staff can help arrange contact with an aircraft mechanic.

We do have a maintenance guy on the field, but hes not part of our company, she said. He rents the building from us. If somebody needed repairs we can say, You can go next door, and most likely he can get it done.

Kearney Flight Services has a staff of about seven individuals who work at the FBO. Most of them work part time and are connected with flying.

Flores said, Some of the guys employed here are working toward their pilot license. It helps us because they understand airplanes, fueling and things like that. Theres actually a lot to fueling an aircraft. Every airplane is different. Theres a lot to learn.
KEARNEY  Visibility and access.

Those two factors are driving development along the Kearney East Bypass.

The bypass  officially state Highway 10  carries traffic to and from Kearneys secondary interstate exit one mile east of The Archway. The bypass allows motorists to avoid Kearneys busiest traffic artery, Second Avenue.

In the handful of years since the bypass opened to traffic, motorists have discovered the road is a handy route around the east side of Kearney, and as traffic volume continuously increases, the bypass is becoming a corridor for economic development.

Austin Gardine, owner of Midwest Elite Contracting, is among business operators who believe the Kearney East Bypass offers a variety of opportunities for growth-minded businesses.

Gardines primary business is in construction, but hes currently building several boat and RV storage buildings near the bypass.

He said his location within two miles of Kearneys new east Interstate 80 exit will be ideal for customers towing or driving large vehicles and trailers to and from his new storage facility.

Midwest Elite currently has offices at 3803 Second Ave., near one of Kearneys busiest intersections at 39th Street and Second Avenue. In addition to the storage facility, Gardines new location at 2114 Cherry Ave. will provide space for a showroom and offices.

In a year or two, Gardine intends to build a new headquarters near his storage buildings. He said he is banking on the visibility of the site to contribute to the success of his venture.

The storage buildings will be open in the spring and can be contacted using Midwest Elites main number, 308-440-0782.

The main reason for that location is you can see Kearney growing along the new expressway, Gardine said.

Gardines business is among the first to set up shop along the East Bypass, but it wont be the last, said Brenda Jensen, an assistant city manager for the city of Kearney and director of development.

The potential is enormous, Jensen said about the East Bypass corridor.

Well see a lot of businesses with a transportation component, Jensen said about immediate development. The types of businesses will evolve over time, she said. Were probably 20 years from a fast food place, but we may see a gas station.

Jensen said if municipal utilities, such as water and sewer mains were present, it would accelerate development, but those services are yet to be installed along most of the bypass. It stretches almost 11 miles from the east I-80 exit and proceeds northward until it curves to the west where the bypass becomes 78th Street. That road carries bypass traffic westerly to Highway 40 at Glenwood Corner and the north end of Kearneys Second Avenue.

The absence of municipal services hasnt stopped Butler Ag Equipment from being an early bird business on the bypass.

Formerly located on U.S. Highway 30 between Kearney and Gibbon, Butler Ag opened last year at 4000 E. 47th St. The business didnt wait for utilities, Jensen said, but instead built its own water main and has about 13 lots charted for development on its property.

Other bypass early birds are Farm Credit Services of America at 4070 E. 56th St. and the Johnson Landscape business at 3990 Coal Chute Road.

The Blueprint Engines manufacturing facility at 2915 Marshall Ave. is visible from the bypass and has access to it.

The new 350,000 square foot GXO Logistics seed corn distribution facility at 2615 E. 11th St. isnt visible from the bypass; however, the hundreds of semis that come and go take advantage of the quick access to I-80 and other routes via the bypass, Jensen said.

She said the Nebraska Department of Transportation controls access points along the bypass. Access points that are near I-80 include: 11th Street, Coal Chute Road, 39th Street and 56th Street.

Trevor Lee, president of the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County, said that from his perspective, the East Kearney Bypass possesses tremendous development potential. There are good roads and convenient interstate access, and the variety of zoning options makes it easier to accommodate new businesses.

A lot of times we get these RFPs (requests for proposals), but we cant respond, he said about the advantages of having property thats suitable for multiple uses, making it prime for development.

Transportation and location always are important, Lee said. Calls I field are Nebraska companies looking to expand on the manufacturing and logistics side.

Lee said Butler Ags approach illustrates how attractive the bypass is for businesses.

Butler has shovel-ready lots, Lee said.
KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney is offering a new masters degree program in public history  available entirely online.

Launching this fall, the program provides advanced education and training for current and future professionals with a passion for history and a desire to share that knowledge with others. With a Master of Arts in public history, graduates are prepared for careers in museums, historic sites and battlefields, archives, digital media, state and national parks, historic preservation, cultural tourism and many other fields.

What were training students to do in a public history program is not to write more papers and deliver more lectures in a classroom. Were training them to share stories about the past that are meaningful to the public and to work with diverse audiences. The focus of this program is on interpretation, community engagement and working with different groups of people to protect and preserve the past, said assistant history professor Will Stoutamire, a national leader in the field of public history and director of UNKs new masters program.

In the 36-credit hour graduate program, students will gain the expertise and research experience needed to be an effective historian while also developing the interpretive and communication skills that allow them to enrich the publics understanding of important events, locations and people.

The introduction of a full masters program means there will be more faculty contributing to public history; there will be more course offerings in public history; and the core curriculum will be structured differently to be more focused on the skills that public historians need, Stoutamire said.

Students will also benefit from being housed within a history department that already has a robust online Master of Arts program.

Proven success

The UNK Department of History began offering one of the first online Master of Arts in history programs in the country in 2010. Since then, more than 400 students have graduated from the program.

The UNK history program is one of the most academically rigorous online programs in the nation. The department utilizes full-time and well-trained faculty to teach the program and mentor students. This is not the case with many of our competitors, who rely on adjunct faculty to teach in the online environment, said Mark Ellis, dean of Graduate Studies.

UNK also offers an online option for its Bachelor of Arts degree in history, along with a public history minor for undergraduate students. In 2018, a public history emphasis was added to the online masters program.

There was such high demand for public history within that program that it became clear that public history needed to be its own degree track and program, Stoutamire said.

The new masters degree program in public history was approved by Nebraskas Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education in January.

The Office of Graduate Studies is thrilled to collaborate with the history department to launch and grow this new program, Ellis said. I am confident that it will become one of the premier UNK graduate programs.

Stoutamire sees the same potential.

History is a hot topic of conversation today and public historians are uniquely trained to engage in those conversations with the public, he said. Students are really interested in learning how to have those discussions effectively.

The UNK program will help meet a growing demand for public historians across the country by providing high-quality training thats both accessible and affordable. Its expected to attract students from across Nebraska and beyond, giving people interested in public history an opportunity to further their education and allowing professionals already working in the field to advance in their careers.

Every time Ive had conversations with people in this discipline about offering a robust online public history program at the masters level, theyve been really excited. Its one of those identifiable needs among my colleagues across the country, said Stoutamire, who holds a bachelors degree in history from Florida State University and a doctorate in history with a public history emphasis from Arizona State University.

Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member, Stoutamire served as director of UNKs G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture, where he led a rebranding initiative that gave the on-campus museum a new name, mission and vision. This reinvention included expanded hours, new programming, exhibits and technology and a restoration of the more than 130-year-old buildings interior to reflect different eras in Kearneys history.

Students in the public history program have the opportunity to work on projects like this while collaborating with faculty and campus and community partners such as the G.W. Frank Museum, Museum of Nebraska Arts, Buffalo County Historical Society and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

One of the things that I really value about this department  and one of the reasons why it makes sense for us to have a masters program in public history  is that we have developed a culture over the past decade or more that really values public scholarship and community engagement, Stoutamire said.

Program details

The public history masters program includes 15 credit hours of required core courses and two tracks  thesis and capstone project.

Students who choose the thesis track complete a traditional paper focused on public history, along with 12 credit hours of electives in their area of interest. In the capstone project track, students complete 15 credit hours of electives. All students can take courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or University of Nebraska at Omaha that complement their interests.

Students are also required to complete an internship  its one of the core courses  but there are alternative options for people already employed in the field.

For more information on the program, contact Stoutamire at 308-865-8263 or stoutamirewf@unk.edu.


By Yun Byung-se



Just two years ago, a very unusual report was released by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) titled, "Preventing Nuclear Proliferation and Reassuring America's Allies." It was the product of a special task force comprised of 16 former top policymakers  prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers including myself, national security advisers as well as a former NATO commander and heads of global think tanks (IISS, MSC, FRS and CCGA).



As the title indicated, it was an alarm bell to remind the United States that the time has come to think the unthinkable  that nuclear options could be pursued not just by rogue states, but also by close U.S. allies in Europe and Asia in the coming decade.



In essence, it was a contemporary reminder to the U.S. of the late French President Charles de Gaulle's question posed to President J.F. Kennedy in 1961: "Would the U.S. really be willing to trade New York for Paris or Hamburg?" That question represented Western European allies' fear of possible abandonment by the U.S.



The CCGA report came up with about two dozen specific recommendations for the Biden administration to strengthen not just longstanding nuclear deterrence, but also reassurance for European and Asian allies.



Many of those recommendations were relevant to the U.S.-South Korea alliance as well. They included, among others;

- Proactively raise the salience of nuclear weapons issues in U.S. alliance relations and involve allies in the nuclear planning process from the outset.

- Increase alliance crisis management exercises, involving alliance leaders at the highest level in regular war gaming.

- Review U.S. non-strategic nuclear weapons posture to assure the adequacy of its forward-based systems and commitments in a careful yet serious manner.

- Create an Asian Nuclear Planning Group to reassure its three regional allies  Australia, Japan, and South Korea  as the U.S. has in the NATO context.

- Reestablish strong trilateral security cooperation among the U.S., Japan and South Korea.

- Consider an eventual inclusion of South Korea in the Quad Security Dialogue.



Within a short span of two years, CCGA TF's concern about thinking the unthinkable as well as its recommendations have been echoed by many senior policymakers and think tank experts at home and abroad. It has been vindicated by the worsening threat environment as follows:

First of all, North Korea's fast-growing nuclear and missile capabilities, including tactical nuclear weapons and its preemptive use policy. Second, the heightening tensions in the Taiwan Straits and China's commitment to unification even by military means. Third, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its willingness to use nuclear weapons, which led German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to declare "Zeitenwende" (turn of an era). Finally, the explicit or implicit collaboration among China, Russia and North Korea on strategic posturing, including at the U.N. Security Council.



Such developments have impacted the views of South Koreans on their nuclear options. A February 2022 poll by the CCGA showed that over 50 percent of South Koreans favor the return of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the peninsula and over 70 percent support going nuclear. The latest poll by Chey Institute this January showed a 76.6 percent support rate  the highest in recent years. The nuclear options debates are ongoing still.



It was probably against this backdrop that President Yoon Suk Yeol remarked last month on Korea's possible nuclear options in the case of an existential threat by North Korea. While it was not intended to change the official position of extended deterrence, it reflected the sentiment of the South Korean public.



From my standpoint, it boils down to the essence of the decision that any responsible leader has to face in view of the gravity of the threat looming across the horizon. In that sense, it echoes the question raised by President de Gaulle 62 years ago. Or you may call it a Korean version of German Chancellor Scholz's Zeitenwende.



It is no wonder that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres eloquently reminded U.N. Members on the dire international security situation in his opening remarks to the U.N. General Assembly last week, quoting this year's Doomsday Clock statement. "The Doomsday Clock is now 90 seconds to midnight, or total global catastrophe, the closest the clock has ever stood to humanity's darkest hour  closer than even during the height of the Cold War." The Russian invasion of Ukraine and rising nuclear threats from the likes of North Korea are key triggers for such a sobering statement.



In this sense, the latest report by the CSIS Commission on the Korean Peninsula released last month rightly assessed that "new levels of doubt among U.S. allies call for Washington to devise new ways to restore the credibility of extended deterrence  both to reduce Japan's and South Korea's sense of vulnerability and to ensure that U.S. alliances in Asia remain a force for stability long into the future."



The report introduced a new concept "community of shared fate," which forms the core of extended deterrence and is a signal of U.S. resolve to protect its allies from external aggression, even at the risk of its own cities. More specifically, it recommended, among others, the creation of a NATO-type joint nuclear planning framework for nuclear weapons use  bilaterally and trilaterally (with Japan)  as well as the consideration of pre-decisional tabletop exercises for the possible redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea.



Against this background, it is noteworthy to see the U.S. government making two-track efforts to prevent the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons and reassure both European and Asian allies. The Munich Security Conference starting today will be a timely occasion to discuss all these and other challenges among key allied leaders, including Foreign Ministers of the U.S., South Korea, Japan and Europe.



Between U.S. and South Korea, non-stop high-level meetings have been underway intensively since early this year. President Yoon's visit to the U.S. in the coming months will be a crowning moment, marking the seventieth anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance. Various aspects of extended deterrence will be high on the agenda.



I hope that President Yoon's visit will be a milestone not only in bolstering the ROK-U.S. alliance into the next decades, but also in upgrading U.S. extended deterrence to South Korea to a new height without the need to cross the proliferation threshold. If the two leaders can reassure that "we go together"  the famous slogan of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command  even at the fatal moment, one shared nuclear umbrella should be enough to dispel de Gaulle's anxiety revisited in Korea.





Yun Byung-se, a former foreign minister of South Korea (2013-2017), is now a board member of the Korea Peace Foundation and a member of several ex-global leaders' forums and task forces, including the Astana Forum and its Consultative Council as well as the Task Force on U.S. Allies and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.




In this file photo taken on Feb. 9, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media prior to a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, not pictured, in the Treaty Room of the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. AFP-Yonhap



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel Sunday to Turkey to discuss support after a massive earthquake, his first trip to the NATO ally which has had turbulent relations with Washington.



Blinken will visit Incirlik air base, through which the United States has shipped aid, and then hold talks in the capital Ankara on "continued U.S. support," State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday.



The top U.S. diplomat will also take part in the Munich Security Conference, where the Ukraine war and tensions with China will take center-stage, and will visit Turkey's historic rival Greece, a fellow NATO ally.



The United States has flown in some 200 rescuers and contributed an initial $85 million in relief for Turkey, deploying Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters to bring supplies to worst-hit areas.



The visit, which was being planned before the Feb. 6 earthquake that has killed nearly 40,000 people in the country and neighboring Syria, will be the first by Blinken to Turkey after more than two years in office.



President Joe Biden was elected after promising to take a greater distance from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Biden has previously branded an autocrat.



But the Biden administration has since viewed Turkey as helpful for a mediatory role between Russia and Ukraine, including in a deal to ship grain through the Black Sea to alleviate world shortages.



The Biden administration has voiced support for Turkey's request to buy F-16 fighter-jets but the sale is being blocked in Congress due to concerns over Turkey's human rights record and threats to Greece.









The United States has been seeking ways to encourage Erdogan to lift his objections to NATO membership by Sweden and Finland, which have shed earlier neutrality since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.



Turkey has been the key holdout, with Erdogan pressing Sweden to crack down on Kurdish militants seen by Ankara as terrorists.





A photograph taken and released by the Turkish Presidential Press Office on Feb. 13 shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan touching the hand of a baby as he and his wife visit wounded and rescued people at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura State Hospital in Istanbul, a week after an earthquake devastated parts of Turkey and Syria. AFP-Yonhap
A 53-year-old Holmen man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking.

Todd Valentine was sentenced to 12 years by U.S. District Court Judge James Peterson for distributing methamphetamine. The sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Valentine pleaded guilty to the charge Oct. 24, 2022.

According to federal prosecutors, Valentine was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over April 19, 2021, in Marquette County. After a positive K9 alert, police searched the vehicle and found 71 grams of methamphetamine.

The next day, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Valentines residence in Holmen. In Valentines bedroom, police reportedly found over seven pounds of methamphetamine and $5,800 in cash. In a detached shed on the property, police located a Ruger .22 caliber handgun with a scratched-off serial number. Valentine was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions.

Valentine was interviewed twice by law enforcement. He admitted to possessing the methamphetamine found in his room and to dealing up to multiple pounds of methamphetamine per day. He also admitted to possessing the handgun.

At the time of his arrest, Valentine was on state supervision for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. His supervision was revoked in August 2021, and he was ordered to serve two years in state prison.

At sentencing, Peterson noted the significant quantities of methamphetamine that Valentine was trafficking, as well as his history of criminal activity that includes 32 prior convictions over the past three decades.

The charge against Valentine was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, La Crosse County and Marquette County sheriffs offices, Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson and Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.

IN PHOTOS & VIDEOS: A look back on January in the Coulee Region
It takes grit to survive homelessness and abuse, and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School senior Jordan Kreger has shown she has what it takes. But even more than grit, Kreger has shown she has the resiliency and tenacity to thrive despite her troubled history.

The students formative years lacked stability. There were times that Kreger and her older sister had to fend for themselves when their mother would disappear for days. Such incidents included being left alone in a camper without running water or other utilities.

Throughout childhood, I went to five different schools and only had enough time to make friends before I would move again, said Kreger. A lot of the time, we were living with my mothers friends or in homeless shelters. It was difficult not always having a place to call home. Out of all teachers, there were only a couple that were understanding to what I was going through and were helpful throughout the whole process.

Maddie Vinzant, G-E-T High School counselor, describes Kreger as an amazing, resilient young woman.

She has endured so much in her life, and Im in awe of her perseverance, said Vinzant. Growing up, she moved around a lot and attended five different school districts. She dealt with abuse and homelessness during her childhood and adolescence, and she entered the foster care system in eighth grade, which brought her to G-E-T. Now, she has been adopted and found a wonderful group of friends who have been so supportive of her. As a senior, she continues to challenge herself by taking multiple AP courses, physics and is involved in our acapella group, Out of The Blue.

In recognition of Kregers accomplishments, the high school nominated her for the La Crosse Tribunes Extra Effort Award.

Being nominated means a lot to me, said Kreger. Im hoping that sharing my story will help someone whos having a hard time and bring light to their future.

As Kreger entered her teen years, she and her sister were asked by their foster parents whether the two would consider adoption. When the two sisters determined their mother wasnt going to get better despite her assertions she would change, the sisters agreed to go ahead with the proceedings.

I was adopted at age 16, said Kreger. Now that Im adopted, I live in a more stable environment.

In addition to her two adoptive parents, Kreger now lives in a full household of eight siblings, three dogs and two cats.

Kreger credits a stable home life as well as the support of her friends for a more promising outlook for herself. She also recognizes there are times she needs to focus on herself and get reset.

Vinzant noted that Kregers determination and tenacity is balanced with measures of kindness and calmness.

I just want my children to not have to go through what I did, said Kreger.

With the confidence that comes from a more stable home life, Kreger has become more involved in school life. Among the activities she has found fulfilling is singing in the schools choir. The choir director has also noted Kregers special qualities.

Jordan is one of the most resilient students Ive had in my 17 years of teaching, said Ryan Stuempges, G-E-T choir director. She has been through so much, but because of her positive attitude she continues to succeed at the highest of levels.

Kreger has also become more involved in the community by volunteering at Marinuka Manor.

Vinzant is confident Kreger will have a much brighter future.

Her drive for success is so admirable, and I cant wait to see what she does in the future, said Vinzant. Shes very interested in the medical field and plans to pursue a degree in radiology. I know she will be successful in whatever she chooses to do.

While she hasnt decided which college she will attend, Kreger is looking forward to going to furthering her education.

Extra Effort partners with the La Crosse Community Foundation. Your non-taxable donations will help boost the scholarships the students receive.

To give online visit at www.laxcommfoundation.com. Checks can be written to Extra Effort Fund and mailed to the Foundation at 401 Main St., Ste. 205, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Eagle Battalion of UW-La Crosse is hosting the Northern Warfare Challenge the last weekend in February.

Northern Warfare Challenge is a nationwide competition where cadets race across Grandad Bluff. Schools from Arizona to Vermont are coming to La Crosse to compete in the the hardest race in ROTC.

ROTC Battalions from across the nation are sending 51 teams to compete. The competition doubles as both a skill and physical challenge as it takes the willing cadets through 17 miles of snow-covered trails with bitterly freezing winds. The trail covers over 3,500 feet of elevation with six stations to test various abilities before finishing on top of Grandads Bluff.

Cadets will carry 35-pound rucksacks as they compete in weapons qualifications, knot tying, fire starting, cold weather injury care and a 180-pound sled drag. Cadets will also be tested on their soldiering skills during a knowledge test on the first day.

This year, for the first time, Northern Warfare Challenge is open to civilians. The partnership with River City Runners Club has seen over 120 people sign up to brave the La Crosse bluffs in the individual race. The community is embedded in the challenge, and civilians can cheer on the Army ROTC teams as individual competitors run through the Hixon trails.

We are looking forward to a great competition this year that will involve over 250 cadets from around the country and participants from our local area. said professor of military science Lt. Colonel Brian Knutson. This competition allows the Eagle Battalion to show off our cadets and the great city of La Crosse and surrounding communities. Lets hope for more snow to make this a great event!

For more information on Eagle Battalion or Northern Warfare Challenge, visit https://www.uwlax.edu/rotc/.
The man who bought a rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse was sentenced to six months in prison and three years probation on Wednesday evening for attempting to flee or elude police last year.

Dominick D. Black, 21, pleaded guilty to attempting to flee or elude an officer, a Class I felony, before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Angelina Gabriele.

Black, who now resides in Maryland, appeared in court with defense attorney Michelle Gardner. Assistant District Attorney Daniel Tombasco appeared for the state.

Black, now a convicted felon, is prohibited from ever owning a firearm.

The prosecution and defense had asked for probation and jail time only if he violated the terms of his probation. They also asked for two related felony bail jumping charges to be dismissed.

In the end, Gabriele sentenced Black to six months of conditional jail time and three years probation. He must report to the Kenosha County Jail on Saturday.

"I take this very seriously," Gabriele said. "You are lucky no one was injured."

Gabriele also said Black showed "disregard for the safety of others" and had a "complete disregard for authority."

Black's age and lack of a criminal history contributed to her decision, Gabriele added.

Gabriele said Black, the father of 1-year-old child with another on the way, has "the potential to do better" and probation may help him.

As a condition of his probation, Black is prohibited from consuming drugs or alcohol. He risks more jail time if he fails to comply. Probation may be transferred to Maryland.

Gabriele also honored Gardner's request that Black be eligible for expunction after his probation ends.

Black teared up during the hearing and said he regrets his actions.

"I want to apologize to the people I put in danger," Black said.

Gardner said Black began coping with drugs and alcohol in recent years after being involved in a "high media case."

"He wants to stay out of trouble," Gardner said. "He's learned that he needs to not go down the wrong path."

Fleeing or eluding

On the evening of May 13, 2022, a Kenosha Police officer observed a grey motorcycle with no registration displayed northbound on Sixth Avenue from 52nd Street in Downtown Kenosha, according to prosecutors.

The officer followed the motorist for a short period of time before notifying dispatch that he was going to initiate a traffic stop because the motorist began accelerating above the posted speed limit. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren while directly behind the driver in the 4900 block of Sheridan Road.

However, the motorist then accelerated at a higher rate of speed, briefly, until the motorist had to slow due to other northbound traffic on Sheridan Road.

The motorist also illegally passed vehicles while fleeing from the officer and rode in the middle of both northbound traffic lanes, passing vehicles on both sides and almost striking the vehicles while trying to drive between the heavy traffic to get away from the officer, according to the criminal complaint.

Once the motorist illegally passed the other northbound traffic, the motorist accelerated at a high rate of speed away from the officer, who estimated it to be in excess of 80 mph in a posted 30 mph zone.

Due to the heavy traffic and endangerment of the vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the officer deactivated his lights and siren and slowed down.

The officer observed the motorcycle northbound on Sheridan Road from 35th Street. However, as the motorcycle approached the intersection at Seventh Avenue, the officer lost sight of it, and he began searching the area.

About 15 minutes later, another Kenosha Police officer reportedly located the motorcycle and operator at Simmons Island, 5001 Simmons Island Drive. The operator of the motorcycle was identified as Black, who was wearing the same clothing an officer observed the motorcycle driver wearing earlier that evening.

Black was arrested and placed in a squad car. Dispatch advised that Blacks driving privileges were suspended, and Black stated the motorcycle was not registered to him at the time, according to the complaint. Black also didnt have insurance.

While an officer was gathering information, Black reportedly began appearing to move around more than usual in the squad car. Black said he was getting too hot and needed air. Black then began shaking in the back of the squad and appeared to have gone in and out of consciousness, according to the complaint.

Black was transported to an area hospital. Hospital staff reported that Black had a traceable amount of cocaine in his blood, but not enough to cause impairment.

Black made his initial appearance at Intake Court a few days later where a court commissioner imposed a $5,000 cash bond. As a condition of his bond Black was prohibited from consuming illegal substances and alcohol.

Bail jumping

While out on bond for the fleeing or eluding charge Black found was arrest twice and charged with two separate counts of felony bail jumping.

On July 2, Kenosha Police were called to Black's former residence for a report of a man who stopped breathing. Upon arrival, a Kenosha Police officer treated Black with Narcan because one of Black's friends said he may have ingested fentanyl. When officers searched the residence they found alcohol and a white powdery substance in the kitchen.

Tombasco said Black "nearly died" from whichever drugs he consumed.

He said Black should "count his blessings."

A few days after that incident in the earlier morning hours of July 8 Black was arrested again for operating a motorcycle without a valid driver's license by Kenosha County Sheriff's Deputies in the Village of Somers.

After Black was arrested and placed in a squad car, he said that he wanted a friend of his to remove his motorcycle. However, he stated that only he knew where the keys were, and he did not want officers to hear that information, according to the criminal complaint.

Purchased rifle for Rittenhouse

Black, who bought an AR-15-style rifle for Rittenhouse, pleaded no contest in January 2022 to a reduced charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to avoid prison.

Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder accepted Blacks plea, and the District Attorney's office dropped two felony counts of intent to deliver a dangerous weapon to a minor as part of the deal.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail, but prosecutors reduced the charge to a non-criminal county ordinance violation.

Rittenhouse used the rifle to shoot three people, killing two, during a tumultuous night of protests in Kenosha on Aug. 25, 2020, over the shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer on Aug. 23, 2020.

A jury acquitted Rittenhouse of homicide and other charges in 2021.

IN PHOTOS: Rifle used by Kyle Rittenhouse in fatal Kenosha shootings destroyed Rittenhouse trial day 6 RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE RIFLE RITTENHOUSE TRIAL RITTENHOUSE TRIAL RITTENHOUSE TRIAL RITTENHOUSE TRIAL Kyle Rittenhouse trial RITTENHOUSE TRIAL Mark Richards - Nov. 9 Kyle Rittenhouse
In 2019 and 2021, Gov. Tony Evers submitted two-year budget proposals that significantly increased state spending and included a host of items on the Democratic wish list that Republicans who control the Legislature scrapped nearly wholesale.

After winning reelection last year, Evers was back Wednesday with another sweeping budget proposal. This time hes again pressing the gas on requests Republicans have rejected in past budgets, some of which featured in his reelection campaign. Those include legalizing marijuana, raising the states minimum wage, expanding Medicaid, spending millions to address homelessness and extending background checks for firearm sales.

Legislative Republicans are all but certain to reject those proposals again. Assembly Speaker Vos, R-Rochester, told WisconsinEye in January that he expects the GOP-led Legislature to handle Evers newest proposal as they have the past two cycles  by stripping the budget down to its base and starting over.

Ive seen this movie before, Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, said after Evers address. Its the same movie that we saw two years ago, produced and directed by Tony Evers: deficit spending and a liberal wish list.

One of Evers repeated proposals on Wednesday was to legalize recreational marijuana, something Republicans rejected in Evers 2021 budget request. While GOP leaders are all but certain to reject it this time, too, some have expressed a willingness to approve a limited medical marijuana program, though that may not happen this legislative session.

Repeating one of his campaign talking points, Evers called for increasing the states $7.25 minimum wage over a few years to $10.25. Its similar to his 2021 proposal that Republicans stripped from the last biennial budget.

In his 2023-25 biennial budget request, Evers also included his repeatedly rejected proposal to expand Medicaid. Its a similar request to what he called for in the 2019 budget, again in 2021 and later in a special session, each of which Republicans soundly rejected.

In his last budget proposal, Evers called for spending more than $70 million on measures aimed at assisting people experiencing homelessness in Wisconsin. Republicans rejected the vast majority of that spending. On Wednesday he proposed spending more than $20 million on the issue, a topic which, unlike many of his other repeated requests, has previously received some bipartisan support.

On Wednesday Evers called to extend background checks on firearm sales. Republicans rejected similar proposals in a 2019 special session and in the 2021 budget.

Additionally, Evers again called for rolling back labor provisions passed by Republicans over the past decade, most notably in former Gov. Scott Walkers Act 10, the controversial 2011 law that stripped away collective bargaining rights for most public workers. On Wednesday he called for restoring collective bargaining rights for public employees, similar to a proposal Republicans removed from his 2021 budget.
Giving thanks for the beauty of holiness, The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Provisional Bishop of the 48-parish Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, made his episcopal visitation to Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in Lake Geneva on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion (holycommunionlakegeneva.com) encompasses 140 year-round and seasonal families.

Beyond preaching and celebrating the congregations namesake Holy Communion eucharistic rite, Lee also dedicated and blessed the parishs new National Register of Historic Places marker, installed recently outside the churchs main entrance off Geneva Street.

The brass historical marker designates the listing of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior in association with the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

The state and national historic register designations were granted in 2021, with the marker installation and dedication delayed until 2023 to coincide with the parishs triennial visitation by the Episcopal Bishop of Milwaukee.

The congregation, founded in 1844, built its current Early Gothic Revival-styled cut native granite and limestone church, 320 Broad St., from 1880-1882 at the then-considerable cost of $12,000 after 24 years of fundraising efforts.

Following an opening processional by cross-bearing crucifer David Collins, Parish Rector Rev. Liz Meade, Senior Diocesan Deacon Regs Scheeler and Lee to the hymn, Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, the altar party stepped outside into the mild winter sunshine for a dedication blessing of the anonymously-funded National Register plaque.

Tracing the four borders of the bronze marker with the base of his hooked crozier bishops staff, Lee, giving praise and thanks to God, prayed that the National Register plaque be a sign of the legacy and hope of the Gospel and that the congregation may continue to flourish and grow and witness to Your love.

The altar party then returned inside the church.

The plaque we have now set apart is a sign of the history and future of this congregation, Lee said to those in attendance. Having blessed it, let us remember that it is designed to give tangible markings to the history of a building which has served its members and this community ... This house was the home of one of our pioneering Episcopal congregations in Wisconsin, founded by Jackson Kemper, the first missionary bishop of The Episcopal Church. What began in a community of farmers became one of the earliest summer resorts in the Midwest and now includes many weekend and retired residents. Through the years, the Church of the Holy Communion has baptized, married and buried hundreds of souls. It has heard the prayers and songs of thousands. It has been home to worship from four Books of Common Prayer and it has witnessed changes in liturgical style and theological understanding and in social customs. Change. Through it all. Through it all these stones have stood steady and serene, physical symbols of the constant presence and guiding light of Jesus Christ. The witness of history which this plaque commemorates gives us courage to meet the challenges of the coming years with renewed faith, hope and love. We give thanks for the past and renew our commitment to the future every time we enter into this holy place ... Let us thank God when we worship here in the beauty of holiness. Eternal God ... graciously receive our thanks for this place and accept the work of our hands offered to your honor and glory...

Making his first episcopal visitation to Church of the Holy Communion, Lee began serving as provisional bishop designee on April 1, 2021, and was confirmed as provisional bishop on June 26, 2021. Lee is retired from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, where he served a 12-year call as its twelfth bishop from 2008-2020. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Wisconsins Nashotah House Theological Seminary, the latter founded in 1842 at Nashotah in Waukesha County, Lee served as a curate, canon to the ordinary and church developer in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana and as rector of churches in Wisconsin and Washington before being elected bishop, including St. Christopher at River Hills in north suburban Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee-based Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee (operating from 1847-1886 as the Diocese of Wisconsin) encompasses 48 congregations in 19 southern Wisconsin counties, including Walworth, Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson and Waukesha locally.

Called as Holy Communions rector following the retirement of Rev. Dr. Kevin Huddleston, Meade began her ministry at Church of the Holy Communion on Nov. 20, arriving from her previous call at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Crevecoeur, Mo. in suburban St. Louis.

Scheeler, of New Berlin, regularly serves as deacon at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Sussex when he is not serving Lee as senior diocesan deacon on select episcopal visitations.

Collins is a longtime parishioner at Church of the Holy Communion.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nations historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Services National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect Americas historic and archeological resources.

More than 96,000 properties are listed on the National Register, including more than 2,500 Wisconsin properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places across all 72 counties, with around 50 National Register sites located across Walworth County at Darien, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Fontana, Lake Geneva, Linn, Sharon, Spring Prairie, Sugar Creek and Whitewater.

Town of Linn resident Cathy Koch, an outgoing member of the parishs governing vestry and a congregation member since 2007, was assisted in applying for National Register designation by Lake Geneva architect Ken Etten, of McCormack & Etten Architects LLP. Etten chairs the City of Lake Genevas Historic Preservation Committee.

Etten and several other members of the Historic Preservation Commission were in attendance Sunday for the marker blessing and dedication.

We were pleased to work with Cathy Koch to go through the process and obtain the plaque and give the recognition to this beautiful church and its history and how much it contributes to the history of Lake Geneva, Etten said.

A long history

Predating Wisconsins 1848 statehood and founded in 1844 as one of the oldest Episcopal parishes in Walworth County, Church of the Holy Communion first worshipped in the Town of Bloomfield before relocating to its longtime site at the corner of Broad and Geneva streets in Lake Geneva in 1857.

Church of the Holy Communion is one of three Episcopal parishes in Walworth County, along with Christ Church (1844), 503 E. Walworth Ave. in Delavan, and St. Johns in the Wilderness (1841), 13 S. Church St. in Elkhorn.

The first services for the parish were conducted beginning in 1844 by The Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, the first Episcopal bishop in the state. Subsequent services were conducted intermittently by Kemper, Nashotah House Theological Seminary founder Dr. James Lloyd Breck and other clergy from Nashotah House until the Sept. 29, 1849 arrival of Fr. John McNamara. The congregation was named after McNamaras home parish, Church of the Holy Communion in New York City.

Replacing an earlier structure on the site, the cornerstone for Holy Communions current Early Gothic Revival native granite and limestone church building, which features a distinctive multi-gabled roof with dormers, was laid on Saints Simon and Jude DayOct. 27, 1880. The completed church building was consecrated by third Episcopal Bishop of Milwaukee Edward Randolph Welles on June 7, 1882.

According to a 1985 Wisconsin Historical Society architecture and history inventory, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion was designed by Chicago architects Samuel Atwater Treat and Frederick L. Foltz of Treat & Foltz (1872-1897), with many of the stained glass windows designed by Henry Lord Gay, architect of some of the biggest mansions on Geneva Lake in the early 20th century. A harmonizing addition was built to the rear of the church along Broad Street in 1964 to house a parish hall, classrooms, offices and choir rooms.

According to congregations online historical record, some of the stained glass windows decorating the church were crafted in Munich, Germany by the enduring Franz Mayer Co. The sanctuary also houses a stained glass window by famed American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well as a circa-1883 Hook & Hastings two manual, 11 rank mechanical action Opus 1144 pipe organ.

Church of the Holy Communion has been included in the Wisconsin Historical Society and National Registers Maple Park Historic District since the districts 2005 historic designation. Now, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion has its own unique, separate historic designation on the state and national levels.

Bishop reflects

In an interview prior to the service, Lee reflecting on the long and rich history of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, praised the 179-year ministry of the congregation in the Lake Geneva area, calling it a critical presence and landmark in the community, not only for its stunning and gorgeous landmark church building but also for the spiritual life and witness of the church, which is fundamentally its people, with Lee illustrating with his hands and reciting the time-honored This is the church. This is the steeple. Open the doors. See all the people childrens Sunday School rhyme.

The earliest Christians didnt have buildings of their own, Lee explained. Its much later in the Christian story. When purpose-built structures first began, in the early centuries, to be built, specifically for gathering the church, they were never called the House of God. The earliest way of referring to them was the House of the Church, domus ecclesiae ... and its ever been thus ... This place is hallowed because of the people of God whove used it as their home ... Its clear that this is the House of the Church. Its not a museum. Its a living organism makes this its homeand thats what makes it holy.

Lee said the presence of early Episcopal congregations forming in outposts across the Northwest Territory wilderness in places like Lake Geneva, Delavan and Elkhorn in the 1800s were signs the church was alive and well in this territory, with Jackson Kemper, the first officially-designated missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church, practicing his ministry across Wisconsin out of his sidepack on his horse.

We (the Episcopal Church) are wound up deeply in the history of the Wisconsin Territory..., Lee said. We are pioneers. We thought it important. The church was passionate about sending missionaries to rough it out here in the prairie. We were here early. I think of places like Church of the Holy Communion as physical reminders of that reality that was planted a long time agoand continues.

Lee spoke to the beauty of holiness as it applies to Church of the Holy Communion, noting the global Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is part, is known for a theology of beauty.

Anglicans were dazzled by Gods beautythe arts, music, poetry, Lee said. Our theology is prayed and sung and put into beauty ... The primary theology is the experience of being together in prayer, singly or better yet corporately, and having your breath taken away.

Meade noted that Lee, making his first visit to Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, walked into the sanctuary and was wowed.

Lee said while theres a price tag that comes with National Register designation for the congregationyou cant change anything significantthe historic status also comes with a certain cachet of historical and architectural evangelism.

I think the recognition, the sense of historywere here, were not going anywhere, were here for the long haul, weve been here a long time, we plan to be here a long timeis a message that can be used, Lee said. I look at that plaque, I look at that designation, and with a lively congregation in place thats powerful. I think its a really wonderful thing, precisely as its happened here ... Bring people here and dazzle them with the beauty of the place.

In 22 Photos: Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Altar area, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Sanctuary at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Circa 1883 Hook & Hastings organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva Stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Abraham and King David stained glass windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva National Register of Historic Places marker at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva Sanctuary view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva, looking toward chancel high altar and altar rail Roy Clare talking about the Hook & Hastings pipe organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Geneva Street view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva "Anchor and Dove" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Sanctuary High Altar stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva "Jesus Wept" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Dual-panel stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva "Lillies" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Memorial stained windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Trinity Rose Window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Tiffany stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva "Blessed are the pure in heart" stained glass windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Baptismal font at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Cornerstone at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva Geneva Street view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
This article appears in the February 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

German Government Must Act Immediately!

Biden Had Nord Stream Pipelines Blown Up

[Print version of this article]

The following statement was issued on February 8 from Berlin, as a press release for immediate international circulation by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, the founder and leader of the Schiller Institute and chairwoman of the German political party, the 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 should leave every normal person stunned in view of the complete lawlessness of the American government toward 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 U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, the 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.
This article appears in the February 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

Earthquake Shows Why U.S. Syria Sanctions Must Be Overturned

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VOA/Mahmut Bozarslan

Feb. 10The devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkiye and northwestern Syria Feb. 6 has underscored the cruelty of the U.S. sanctions regime and the 12-year terrorist war waged against Syria. The contrast between the international responses to Turkiye and Syria is striking. The devastation in southern Turkiye, where the epicenter of the quake was located, cant be exaggerated, but there are no economic sanctions on Turkiye, and theres been no war there. Syria, on the other hand, has been the target of a regime-change policy from Washington and London which has destroyed much of the countrys economic infrastructure, impoverished much of its population, and has resulted in a de facto partition by occupation of parts of the country by military forces of both Turkiye and the United States.

The sanctions, exemplified by the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, signed by then President Donald Trump, make the United States complicit in the accelerated death rates that have plagued Syria both before the earthquake and now since. James Jeffrey, Special Representative for Syrian Engagement during the last two years of the Trump Administration, admitted during a live event hosted by the Middle East Institute (MEI) in June 2020, moderated by MEI director Charles Lister, that the goal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act is to make it clear to anyone who wants to rebuild Assads Syria that that cannot happen without Caesar sanctions. The goal is a government in Damascus agreeable to the United States.

In a PBS interview on March 8, 2021, he further admitted that the Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which controls much of Idlib Province, serves as a U.S. asset.

In short, the sanctions are an expression of the fact that U.S. policy toward Syria has been and remains one of regime change.

Sanctions Hinder Earthquake Response

Independent journalist Vanessa Beeley, who resides in Damascus, told RT in a video interview some hours after the earthquake that Syrian emergency services have been suffering from the lack of supply of equipment because of the sanctions. As a result, they are dealing with a disaster that is really beyond their capability.

Beeley noted that the sanctions have devastated the systems of hospitals and rendered them incapable of providing certain medical operations, medical assistance. Furthermore, the occupation of northeastern Syria by the U.S. military means that no oil is going to western Syria, which prevents the generation of electricity. Theres no shelter for people who have been made homeless, Beeley said, leaving many thousands out in a driving rainstorm Feb. 8:

So, everything is being complicated by the conditions, by the remnants of the war, and most of all by the sanctions.

Not one Western country, she added, had stepped up to provide aid to Damascus to actually deal with this emergency. This is despite an appeal made by Syria to the UN and international organizations to respond to the earthquake emergency. [Box: Schiller Institute Statement on the Earthquakes]

Beeley posted on her Telegram channel the same day a statement of outrage attributed to Fares Shehabi, the head of Aleppos Industry Chamber:

Lift your God-damned sanctions so we can open our airports to receive international aid! In Aleppo alone more than 50 buildings have been destroyed resulting in more than 160 deaths so far and thousands of injuries. Thousands of families are now without shelter! What kind of evil governments pose economic & travel sanctions on earthquake devastated nations?!

Another statement she posted read:

International cargo planes are unable to land at Syrian airports as a result of the U.S. blockade, and countries require Syrian airlines to transport aid on board their civil planes!!! As is well known, the so-called Caesar Act comes in the context of practicing economic terrorism and it is considered one of the most dangerous types of crimes against humanity.

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VOA/Mahmut Bozarslan

The UN Knows

In the aftermath of the quake, UN officials called for an end to politicization of emergency aid to Syria, though stopping just short of calling for the end of unilateral sanctions altogether. UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said in a press conference in Geneva Feb. 9, after pointing out that Syrians need everything in the aftermath of the disaster:

Emergency response must not be politicized. We must instead focus on what is needed urgently to help men, women and children, those who we can still save, those whose lives are devastated by one of the most catastrophic earthquakes the region has seen in about a century.

When asked if unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted, Pedersen said that the United States and the European Union had assured him they will do whatever they can to make sure that there are no impediments to rescue and recovery efforts. And he added:

And indeed, if anyone can point to any impediments, they should let us know and we will make sure that the United States and the European Union know about this, because all support that is needed needs to get in.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also made a statement, with great emphasis: This is a moment in which everybody has to make very clear that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria in the present moment. Despite loud emphasis on these words, Guterres statement did not include a demand that sanctions be lifted.

One official who did call clearly for the lifting of the sanctions was the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Syria, Mostafa Benlamlih, who affirmed that the sanctions imposed on Syria hinder the humanitarian work in it, indicating that the situation now is very difficult and the humanitarian issue must not be politicized. In an interview with SANA, the Syrian Arab News Agency, Benlamlih stressed that the goal of the UN organizations is to deliver a message about the suffering of the Syrians as a result of the sanctions imposed on their country, and the harm these sanctions have wrought on humanitarian work, as they prevented the arrival of millions of dollars to those affected by the earthquake. He pointed out that Syria today is suffering from a double crisis, as a result of the war since 2011 and now the earthquake: Before it, there were already 15 million Syrians in need of assistance, and 4 million of them needed almost daily assistance.

Syria Sanctions Officially Denounced

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UN/Mark Garten

The UN has long had access to the documentation of the destruction of Syria caused by the U.S. sanctions. UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights Alena Douhan issued a report Nov. 10, 2022 calling for the lifting of unilateral sanctions against Syria, warning that they were perpetuating and exacerbating the destruction and trauma suffered by the Syrian people since 2011. After her 12-day visit to Syria in 2022, the UN Rapporteur wrote:

I am struck by the pervasiveness of the human rights and humanitarian impact of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the total economic and financial isolation of a country whose people are struggling to rebuild a life with dignity, following the decade-long war.

Douhan said 90% of Syrias population was currently living below the poverty line, with limited access to food, water, electricity, shelter, cooking and heating fuel, transportation, and healthcare. She warned that the country was facing a massive brain-drain due to growing economic hardship.

With more than half of the vital infrastructure either completely destroyed or severely damaged, the imposition of unilateral sanctions on key economic sectors, including oil, gas, electricity, trade, construction and engineering, have quashed national income, and undermine efforts toward economic recovery and reconstruction.

The expert said that blocking of payments and refusal of deliveries by foreign producers and banks, coupled with sanctions-induced limited foreign currency reserves, have caused serious national shortages in medicines and specialized medical equipment in Syria, particularly for chronic and rare diseases. She warned that rehabilitation and development of water distribution networks for drinking and irrigation had stalled due to the unavailability of equipment and spare parts, creating serious public health and food security implications. She said,

In the current dramatic and still-deteriorating humanitarian situation, as 12 million Syrians grapple with food insecurity, I urge the immediate lifting of all unilateral sanctions that severely harm human rights and prevent any efforts for early recovery, rebuilding and reconstruction. No reference to good objectives of unilateral sanctions justifies the violation of fundamental human rights. The international community has an obligation of solidarity and assistance to the Syrian people.

Douhan had already warned in December of 2020 that the Caesar Sanctions would hinder the reconstruction necessary in the aftermath of the terrorist war, saying:

I am concerned that sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act may exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria, especially in the course of COVID-19 pandemic, and put the Syrian people at even greater risk of human rights violations. [New sanctions] may worsen the existing humanitarian crisis, depriving the Syrian people of the chance to rebuild their basic infrastructure.

What particularly alarms me is the way the Caesar Act runs roughshod over human rights, including the Syrian peoples rights to housing, health, and an adequate standard of living and development. The U.S. government must not put obstacles in the way of rebuilding of hospitals because lack of medical care threatens the entire populations very right to life.

U.S. Treasury Pushed to an Action

Whether in response to the international pressure or not, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Feb. 9 the promulgation of Syria General License (GL) 23, issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which authorizes for 180 days all transactions related to earthquake relief that would be otherwise prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR).

The release claims that there are already broad exemptions allowing humanitarian relief in Syria by the UN, the U.S. government, and NGOs in regime held areas, and that the new authorization

 expands upon these broad humanitarian authorizations already in effect under the SySR for NGOs, international organizations (IOs), and the U.S. government. This GL reflects the United States commitment to support the people of Syria through their ongoing earthquake crisis. While sanctions relief alone cannot reverse longstanding structural challenges and the brutal tactics of the Assad regime, it can ensure that sanctions do not inhibit the life-saving assistance needed following this disaster.

The U.S. regime-change policy, however, remains in place.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry responded to Treasurys announcement by calling it misleading, as reported by SANA:

The misleading decision issued by the U.S. administration regarding the partial and temporary freezing of some of the deadly and unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people is nothing more than a copy of previous sham decisions that seek to give a false humanitarian impression, since it stipulates alleged exemptions for humanitarian purposes, and the facts on the ground proved its falsehood. The U.S. coercive measures and U.S. policies have deprived the Syrian people of their natural wealth which is being plundered and have limited the ability of state institutions to improve living standards, achieve development goals and provide basic services.
This article appears in the February 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this article]

Schiller Institute Statement on the Earthquakes

The following statement was released internationally by the Schiller Institute on Feb. 6 to underscore the urgent need to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria.

The recent double earthquake in southern Turkiye and northwestern Syria is a terrible disaster which is generating a wave of emotion and empathy from around the world. The situation will likely worsen due to the forecast of extremely low temperatures throughout the region, which would result in the collapse of weakened buildings due to the cold and frost, not to mention the immediate consequences to children, women and men who have lost everything.

Time is of the essence. We welcome an international response. There are several countries that have already offered their assistance to the populations affected by the earthquakes. This being said, it is difficult to accept that the same disaster has a very different human impact on either side of the border of Turkiye and Syria. On the Syrian side, this tragedy is affecting a population that has been hard hit by years of war and sanctions imposed by the United States and other nations.

This situation confronts us, as Western nations, with our responsibility to uphold the values we claim to embody. Are we going to continue to apply the measures that we very well know have led to the unimaginable suffering, misfortune, and death of innocent people? Or are we going to finally make the decision to lift these criminal sanctions? Dont we know, after so many years of use, that the weapon of sanctions only hurts the people?

It is time for Western leaders to regain a minimum of moral fiber, by taking this tragedy as the opportunity to definitively lift all sanctions against Syria and, from then on, to organize the reconstruction of the country with those who are determined to contribute to it.
This article appears in the February 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

U.S. Refusal To Aid the Syrian Earthquake Disaster Victims Is Barbaric

[Print version of this article]

Feb.7Col. Black issued the following statement today in response to the refusal of the U.S. to provide assistance to Syria after the horrendous earthquake which had just struck Syria and Turkiye. Col. Black is a former Marine and Army JAG officer, who headed the Armys Criminal Division at the Pentagon and later served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the State Senate.

A video of Col. Blacks statement is available here.

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Schiller Institute Col. Richard H. Black (ret.)

On Monday [Feb. 6] there was a terrible earthquake that hit Turkiye and Syria. It was a 7.8 on the Richter scalea shallow earthquake that was very damaging. It hit Syrias second largest city, Aleppo, doing enormous damage and created many casualties. The Biden administration has sent aid to Turkiye, has reached out to them, has aid workers going there. However, the U.S. State Department chose this time of death and suffering to make a very antagonistic statement toward the people of Syria. There was a fellow, Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department, who said, and I quote:

I will make the point that it will be quite ironic if not counterproductive for us to reach out to a government that has brutalized its people over the course of a dozen years now. Gassing and slaughtering them, being responsible for much of the suffering theyve endured.

Ive got to tell you: I have never seen such a barbaric response to a tragedy where you literally have people in Aleppo city, Syria, who are looking up at piles of concrete; their lives are coming to an end; theyre freezing in the cold; theyre there without food, without water, and theyre dying. Meanwhile, the State Department takes that opportunity to re-emphasize the fact that we are bitter because we could not impose our will on the Syrian people.

It was in 2020 that the United States imposed the Syria sanctions out of anger at the fact that Syria had driven back the ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists that the United States had supported, and was trying to overwhelm the government with. So, now the State Department looks at this as an opportunity to simply ratchet up the regime of starvation and freezing that we have imposed on Syria through the cruel Caesar sanctions.

Im quite disgusted by the actions of the United States State Department. It is really unbecoming of any civilized nation to choose this moment to take out its vengeance on the poor suffering people of Syria.
This article appears in the February 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

LIFT THE IMMORAL SYRIA SANCTIONS

Will the Turkish and Syrian Presidents Now Meet?

[Print version of this article]

Feb. 12Chandra Muzaffar, the founder and president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), released a call on Feb. 12 urging the American, British, Australian, Canadian, Swiss, and some European Union and Arab League governments to lift the unjust, immoral sanctions against Syria in order to lessen the immense sufferings of the people caused by the massive earthquake of February 6, 2023.

Muzaffar, in his statement, highlighted the horrendous and murderous impact of the U.S. efforts to overthrow the Syrian government in 2011.

EIR has documented the U.S.-NATO hand behind the Arab Spring events of that year. Lyndon LaRouche forcefully spoke out following the Oct. 21, 2011 killing of Muammar Qadaffi, that the underlying motive was to escalate the destruction of Iraq and Syria, and ultimately to go to a nuclear confrontation with Russia.

LaRouche said in addition that since the mass murder in Libya, which was perpetrated by the President of the United States in defiance of the Constitutionand its criminal murder; this is not killing, this is criminal murder, politically motivated murder of a head of state, in a war which was conducted in violation of the U.S. Constitution.  intended is a confrontation with Russia, the principal nuclear power on this planet. The only other nation which is relevant for major warfare, using nuclear or thermonuclear power, is the United States.

In November 2011, Syria was expelled from the Arab League. In 2011, it was also hit, Muzaffar notes, with a whole range of new sanctions from travel bans and asset freezes to prohibitions on exports and restrictions upon the oil sector. The EU also joined the U.S. in embargoing the oil sector. Twenty percent of Syrias GDP came from oil. It has been estimated that the country has lost 107 billion U.S. dollars from its oil and gas earnings since 2011.  Some Arab League states also froze Syrian government assets as did Turkiye in 2011. But none of these actions had as severe an impact upon the Syrian economy and State as the capture of territories containing oil and producing wheat and cotton by rebel groups linked to governments, ethnic movements or terrorist outfits in the region. Beyond blocking Syrian oil, the United States has now occupied much of the oil fields, taking the oil and keeping the income.

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DoS/Ron Przysucha View full size

CC BY 4.0/Mehr News Agency

Looking to the future, reflecting the epochal shift to a moral order coming from the Global South, Muzaffar writes:

One hopes that this mammoth catastrophe will persuade some of the principal actors in these conflicts to reflect deeply on what has happenedthe unfathomable suffering of millions of human beings on both sides of the Turkiye-Syria border. If their suffering is to have any meaning at all, let it herald the end of conflicts and killings along the border and in other parts of Syria. In this regard, it is encouraging that the United Nations has appealed to all warring parties to observe a ceasefire with immediate effect to enable humanitarian assistance to be channeled to the victims of the earthquake.

There is another glimmer of hope. Even before the earthquake, on the 5th of January 2023, the president of Turkiye, Recep Erdogan indicated that he wants to meet up with the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, to discuss and resolve their differences. Let us hope and pray that both men will work towards such a meetinga meeting which will result in a mutually acceptable solution to their problems. If the two leaders who enjoyed a close friendship some time ago make peace with one another, there is a strong possibility that Turkiye and Syria will be able to come together on a firm footing and most of the other protagonists will also be able to bury the hatchet.

If that happens, the deaths of thousandsespecially little childrenin one of the greatest tragedies in recent times would not have been in vain.
Quaoar is a minor planet orbiting the sun beyond Pluto. It is named after a god of creation in Native American mythology. And it is creating some surprises for astronomers as it orbits in the cold outer parts of our solar system.

Researchers said recently that they have found a ring surrounding Quaoar similar to the one around the planet Saturn. But the ring around Quaoar differs from the current understanding of where rings can form. It is located much further away from it than current scientific understanding would permit.

The distance of the ring from Quaoar places it in a place where scientists believe particles should come together around a planet to form a moon, rather than a ring.

"This is the discovery of a ring located in a place that should not be possible," said Bruno Morgado. He is an astronomer with the Valongo Observatory at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He is the lead writer of the study published in Nature.

Discovered in 2002, Quaoar is currently defined as a minor planet. Some scientists are proposing to call it a dwarf planet. But it has not yet been officially given that name by the International Astronomical Union, the scientific group that names astronomy objects.

Quaoar is about 1,110 kilometers across, which is about one third the size of Earth's moon. But the minor planet is about half the size of the dwarf planet Pluto. Quaoar has a small moon called Weywot, Quaoar's son in mythology. It has a diameter of 170 kilometers and orbits beyond the ring.

Quaoar is in a distant part of the Solar System called the Kuiper belt, which contains many icy bodies. It orbits about 43 times the distance from the sun to the Earth. Neptune, the most distant planet from the sun, orbits at about 30 times the Earth-to-sun distance.

Quaoar's ring was discovered using the European Space Agency's orbiting CHEOPS telescope. The telescopes main use is to study planets beyond our solar system.

The ring is a disk made of ice-covered particles. It is about 4,100 kilometers away from Quaoar's center. It has a diameter of about 8,200 kilometers.

Unlike any other known rings around bodies in space, Quaoar's ring is outside what is called the Roche limit. That is the distance from any celestial body where it gravitational force would cause an approaching object to be pulled apart. Material orbiting outside the Roche limit would be expected to become a moon.

Saturn has the largest ring system in our solar system. The other large gas planets - Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune - all have rings, but not as big. Other non-planetary bodies, Chariklo and Haumea, also have rings. All are inside the Roche limit.

Why is Quaoars ring outside the Roche limit?

Isabella Pagano is with the Astrophysical Observatory of Catania and one of the studys writers. She said rings could form from debris when the body was formed, or when something collided with the minor planet or another body.

But: We do not have hints at the moment on how the Quaoar ring formed," Pagano said.

She added that the science on how large bodies like moons are created might need to be revised.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by Reuters.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

astronomer  n. a scientist who studies objects in space

ring n. a circular object with nothing in the middle

locate v. to be in a place

dwarf  adj. something that is smaller than normal

debris  n. what is left after something is destroyed

collide  v. the action of two (or more) objects crashing into each other

hint  n. a suggestion or information that can help answer a question

revise  v. to update something with new information, to correct or improve something
As a gunman opened fire inside school buildings at Michigan State University on Monday night, students received an alert on their phones. It read: Run. Hide. Fight.

The students broke windows to escape. They blocked doors and hid under blankets for safety. Others turned their phones to silence, afraid to make any noise.

The gunman, a 43-year-old man, killed three students and seriously wounded five others. The incident ended three hours later when the gunman killed himself.

Jaqueline Matthews is an international law student at Michigan State. More than 10 years ago, she was a sixth-grade student in Newtown, Connecticut, when a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 people. Matthews injured her back while hiding in a corner during the incident.

The 21-year-old student said she was shocked to find herself in another mass shooting situation.

The fact that this is the second mass shooting that I have now lived through is incomprehensible, Matthews said in a TikTok video. We can no longer allow this to happen. We can no longer be complacent. To be complacent means to be satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them.

Matthews was not the only MSU student who had already lived through a school shooting. Jennifer Mancinis daughter is a first-year student at Michigan State. She told the Detroit Free Press newspaper that her daughter also had survived the November 2021 shooting that left four students dead at Oxford High School in southeastern Michigan.

I cant believe this is happening again, said Mancini, who did not want her daughters name used.

Run. Hide. Fight

For students like Matthews and Mancinis daughter, the plan of Run. Hide. Fight in an active shooter situation is becoming familiar.

As active shooter incidents increased, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produced a training video called Run. Hide. Fight. It shows three actions that people can do to keep themselves and others safe in an active shooter situation.

When a shooter is nearby, the video says, people should run or hide. They should fight only as a last resort. When fighting the attacker, it advises working with others and using available objects as weapons.

Many colleges and schools now follow the practice under different names. But the message is the same: Get out of harms way, hide or barricade, and, if an attacker finds you, take action.

Supporters say it gives individuals a list of actions that go beyond the traditional lockdown method.

But critics say it is misguided to teach students, especially younger ones, to fight back. Some school safety experts say it needlessly puts students in danger. Opponents are pushing for stronger lockdown policies and better training for school safety officials.

Joseph Erardi was head of the school system in Newtown, Connecticut, which included Sandy Hook Elementary School. In 2019, after a series of school shootings, Erardi said: What weve learned over time is to provide staff and students with as many options as possible in the moment."

In the last few years, several schools in the U.S. have added panic buttons and live-stream cameras so that police officers can see inside classrooms in real time if a gunman enters a school.

And across the nation, 911 emergency call centers have added a texting option so that people in an active shooter situation can quietly provide information to police.

Im Ashley Thompson.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on reports from The Associated Press and the FBI.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

alert - n. something (such as a message or loud sound) that tells people there is some danger or problem : an alarm or signal of danger

incomprehensible - adj. impossible to understand

allow - v. permit, let

complacent - adj. satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them

last resort - n. something to do because no other choices are possible

lockdown - n. limited movement in the interest of public safety

option - n. choice or possibility

panic button - n. a button that a person can press to call for help
The United Nations chief is warning that, since 1900, sea levels around the world have risen at a faster rate than before that time.

The increase puts some countries like Bangladesh, China, India and the Netherlands at risk and endangers 900 million people living in low-lying coastal areas.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the statements Tuesday in a speech to the U.N. Security Council. He declared that sea levels will rise a lot even if the average world temperature increase is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Guterres warned that the Earth is likely on a path to warming. He said that amounts to a death sentence for many countries, especially small island nations.

Guterres also said many large cities face the threat of rising sea levels. The cities he listed include Cairo, Lagos and Maputo in Africa, and Bangkok, Dhaka, Jakarta, Mumbai and Shanghai in Asia. Other threatened cities include Copenhagen and London in Europe, and Los Angeles, New York, Buenos Aires and Santiago in the Americas.

The World Meteorological Organization, or WMO, released data Tuesday on the danger of rising seas, Guterres said. Global average sea levels have risen faster since 1900 than over any preceding century in the last 3,000 years, he said. The global ocean has warmed faster over the past century than at any time in the past 11,000 years.

The WMO said the sea level will rise two to three meters over the next 2,000 years if warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. With a two-degree-Celsius increase, seas could rise to six meters, and with a five-degree-Celsius increase, seas could rise 22 meters.

The consequences are unthinkable, Guterres said. Low-lying communities and whole countries could disappear. The world would see a mass exodus of whole populations on a biblical scale. Guterres said competition for fresh water, land and other resources would become fiercer.

The 2015 Paris Agreement called for nations to limit the rise of the average world temperature to two degrees Celsius by 2100 compared to the time before modern industry. It said nations should keep the rise as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Security Council meeting also heard speakers from about 75 countries. All voiced concerns. Some worried about the survival of their countries.

Samoas U.N. ambassador, Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Paolelei Luteru, spoke for the Alliance of Small Island States. He said the island nations are among the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases that drive climate change and sea level rise. Yet, we face some of the most severe consequences of rising sea levels,

He said there is an urgent need for wealthy nations to fulfill their international promises on climate change and help poor countries.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield agreed. She said that the threat of sea level rise is real, it is a direct result of our climate crisis, and it is a matter of international peace and security.

The worst impacts can be avoided, but we have to act now, and we have to act together, Thomas-Greenfield said.

Im mario Ritter, Jr.

Edith Lederer and Jennifer McDermott reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mass exodus idiom (sometimes considered redundant) a situation in which a lot of people leave a place to go to another place

biblical scale idiom to a very large or shocking extent

emit v. to give off or release into the air

greenhouse gases n. (pl.) gasses in the atmosphere that are believed to trap heat such as carbon dioxide or water vapor

consequences n. (pl.) the results of some action in the past

impact n. the result of an action

______________________________________________________________________

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Use our comment system to tell us what you think.

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Elon Musk says he plans to "find someone else" to run Twitter by the "end of this year."
LINCOLN  Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding producers of the availability of two programs announced by USDA earlier this year that wrap-up and fill remaining gaps in previous natural disaster and pandemic assistance.

The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and the 2020 Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) are revenue-based assistance programs, and producers who are interested in applying will need to use information from their tax documents or other personal financial records as part of the application process.

The application period is open now through June 2, 2023.

Producers have faced a host of crises in recent years, said John Berge, Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency state executive director. ERP 2 and PARP are different from other FSA disaster programs. They focus on the revenue of the producer in order to fill in gaps previous assistance programs may have missed. Its a holistic approach that will help provide producers with the support they need to continue feeding our communities.

Unlike most FSA disaster program applications, those for ERP 2 and PARP rely heavily on a producers personal financial records, Berge said. It will require some effort on the producers part to generate the financial information necessary to determine program eligibility and complete the application or applications.

Nebraska FSA is coordinating with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability for an educational webinar on these two programs. It is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 2. Registration for the webinar is free and can be found at cap.unl.edu/webinars. FSA officials also briefly will highlight other disaster assistance programs during this webinar, including those designed to address the ongoing drought.

To be eligible for ERP Phase Two, producers must have suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2020 or 2021 due to necessary expenses related to losses of eligible crops from a qualifying natural disaster event. Assistance will be primarily to producers of crops that were not covered by federal crop insurance or NAP, since crops covered by federal crop insurance and NAP were included in the assistance under ERP Phase 1. However, producers who received ERP Phase 1 payments are not prohibited from applying for ERP Phase 2.

To be eligible for PARP, an agricultural producer must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15 percent or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to either 2018 or 2019, whichever year the producer selects to use as the baseline year. PARP will help address gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access, rather than overall revenue losses. When calculating gross revenue, this program will account for previous pandemic-related assistance payments made to producers, such as Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 1 and 2 payments and Emergency Relief Program Phase 1 payments, among others.
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.
Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. The primary is Feb. 21.

Isadore Knox Jr.

Age: 67

Family: Wife, Cheryl; adult children Candace Patterson, Jennifer Knox, Zina Hodge, Isadore Knox III, Synovia Knox

Job: Equal opportunity manager, state of Wisconsin/Dane County, retired; security lead, Overture Center

Prior elected office: District 13 City Council member, 2005-2007

Other public service: Equal opportunity manager, Dane County Office of Equity and Inclusion, 2016-2018; director, Office of Equal Opportunity, Dane County, 2001-2016; assistant affirmative action officer/contract compliance officer, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, 1999-2001; affirmative action officer/training coordinator/employee assistance coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Administration, 1990-1999; equal opportunity specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1987-1990; corrections supervisor/lieutenant, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, 1983-1987

Education: Political science, UW-Milwaukee; political science, Marquette University; business management, Cardinal Stritch University; social science, Franklin University

Noah Lieberman

Age: 28

Family: Wife, Leigha

Job: Technical services analyst, Epic Systems

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: Vice chair of campaigns, Dane County Democratic Party, 2017-present; chair, 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 2019-2021; member, Madison Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee, 2021-present

Education: Bachelors degrees in applied mathematics and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Katherine S. Pedracine

Age: 64

Job: Property manager, The Meridian Group

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: None

Education: Bachelors degree in cytology, Edgewood College

Q&A

What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?

Knox: The increasing debt service. Finding cost efficiencies and consolidation of services within the budget. Identifying additional outside revenue sources and prioritizing funding of essential services and critical needs. Balancing the budget.

Lieberman: We face a critical shortage in affordable housing, which may prevent all but the wealthy from being able to live here. We must encourage building new multi-family housing across the entire city, including apartments, townhouses, condos, and duplexes. This will reduce rents and provide residents with more affordable opportunities for homeownership and, by extension, wealth building.

Pedracine: One of the largest issues facing the city is affordable housing. I would like to see if there can be updates to the access to qualify for the programs the city has to offer, for example the CDA, DCHA as well as others.

What is the biggest challenge in your district and how would you address it?

Knox: The need for more home ownership opportunities, affordable housing and business development and employment opportunities. Utilize land banking and rent assistance to create more housing opportunities. Utilize tools such as tax incremental financing and TID to stimulate business development and increase employment opportunities.

Lieberman: Housing, as said above. Tied to this, we also have to make public transit a more convenient option. Buses will not be a comprehensive alternative to driving unless we extend service into our neighborhoods and increase route frequency. The edges of the city are crucial for solving the housing shortage, but it has to be easier for those living outside of the city center to travel around the city.

Pedracine: Safety and security would be the biggest challenges facing the district as it affects all avenues of community activities from transportation to housing. Encouraging neighborhoods to reengage with the neighborhood watch program would be a way for people to engage with their neighbors to have neighborhood walks, encouraging exercise, putting the signage back in windows, deterring bad actions.

What steps will be needed to resolve the citys major budget gaps beyond 2024?

Knox: Finding cost efficiencies and consolidating services between city departments. Identifying additional revenues sources, i.e. state and federal funding. Focusing on essential services and critical needs.

Lieberman: Hopefully, the state legislature will do the right thing and restore revenue sharing to appropriate levels. If not, we will need to find alternative streams of revenue, such as offering more city bonds for municipal projects or implementing a more progressive property tax. We will also likely need to be more judicious in our budget, paring funding across the board.
A week on, amid the tears of the bereaved and the abandoned, the unbearable scale of the death and destruction has become horrifyingly clear.

At least 35,000 people have died as a result of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, making this one of the worst natural disasters of the century. Hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped under rubble, as relatives pray for their miraculous survival. The final death toll may never be known. Many millions are displaced, and some communities have been almost razed from the face of the earth.

In such appalling circumstances, it seems inconceivable that whole areas in the disaster zone should be left to their fate. But as the United Nations top humanitarian relief official, Martin Griffiths, recently said this is in effect what has been allowed to happen in northwest Syria, which is controlled by groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. A negligible amount of humanitarian aid has reached Idlib province, through the only open border crossing from Turkey.

As anger grows, Griffiths described this as a failure on the part of the U.N., which was both honest and an understatement. The earthquakes in this region have compounded the inordinate suffering of a population already blighted by civil war, airstrikes, absolute levels of poverty, collapsed infrastructure and a cholera epidemic. Basic resources to cope with any of these multiple crises are lacking. It is the duty of the international community to find a way to provide them. The alternative is a terrible secondary crisis of grotesque proportions. But in a region populated by bad actors, the question is how such a path can be negotiated.

The United States has called on Assad to halt the weaponization of aid and channel international assistance equitably to rebel-held areas. Rightly, Washington has, for its part, eased sanctions on Damascus to allow maximum humanitarian assistance to be offered. Europe should follow suit. But even if Assad complies, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the hardline Islamist group that controls much of northwestern Syria, is reportedly refusing to accept help from government-controlled areas.

An adequate aid operation thus requires the reopening of all closed cross-border routes from Turkey. This has hitherto been vetoed by Assads principal backer, Russia, at the U.N. security council. Vladimir Putins justification for this powerplay has been the protection of the principle of national sovereignty  a professed cause that will provoke mirthless laughter in Kyiv. If Moscow cannot be persuaded to revise its cynical position in light of events, the U.N. and western states should explore legal ways of circumventing the security council. But given Assads brutal track record, without consent this route would come with risks attached.

Ultimately, skillful diplomacy and international pressure will be needed if entrenched divisions are to be overcome in the name of alleviating human misery. Disasters of this magnitude necessitate an appeal to universal values of human solidarity and cooperation that, at times, can transcend traditional enmities.

The West bears a particular responsibility to make this case, having put Syrias ongoing tragedy out of sight and out of mind in recent years. Among the desperate survivors in Idlib and elsewhere are those who have been turned back at European borders, met with barriers and barbed wire. Victims of war, dictatorship, extremism and now natural disaster, they require our belated support and will continue to need it for years to come.
And so some angry, mentally ill person decides to shoot random human beings for no particular reason. Though mass killings have become common  the one at Michigan State University was the 67th this year, and were only in February  something feels different this time.

Its not the number of victims, three dead in this case. The 2017 attack in Las Vegas massacred 60 and wounded over 400. Nor was it the nature of the victims. These were young people with a future but not elementary school kids, 20 of whom were mowed down in Newtown, Connecticut  19 in Uvalde, Texas.

This one has political ramifications. It occurred in Michigan, a Midwest state that last November reelected Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and turned control of both the state Senate and House to Democrats.

One must believe that right-wing threats of gun violence moved a lot of voters to change teams in Lansing. There was the unforgettable visual of creeps waving semi-automatics on the steps of the state Capitol over one of the governors COVID policies. Then there were the head cases shooting off their guns in the woods as they plotted to kidnap Whitmer.

Especially chilling about the outrage at Michigan State was the alert sent by campus security to run, hide or fight. The horror grew more intense with news that some of the college students had already survived the terror of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting in which four students died. In sum, there are 20-year-old kids who have sheltered in place for two separate mass school shootings.

The Michigan State killings took place on the five-year anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, massacre that left 17 students dead. As tearful commemorations were held, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was campaigning as the most gun-loving Republican evidently vying to become the Republican candidate for president. Hes pushing legislation to let Florida residents carry concealed firearms in public without a permit, never mind training.

The Michigan State gunman was arrested in 2019 for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and had to forfeit the gun. DeSantis apparently doesnt want to inconvenience killers like him by requiring a permit.

QUOTE How many times have we heard that the vast majority of Americans, most Republicans included, want at least universal background checks for all purchases?

Florida gun deaths have risen nearly 19% from 2015 to 2020. In 2020, 13.7 Floridians out of every 100,000 died from gun violence. By contrast, the number of gun deaths per 100,000 was only 5.3 in New York. Hawaii posted the lowest and best number, 3.4.

How many times have we heard that the vast majority of Americans, most Republicans included, want at least universal background checks for all purchases? They want red-flag laws to remove guns from those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. And majorities want bans on certain weapons of war.

Say what you want about former President Donald Trump, he showed a modicum of guts in entertaining some gun control measures after the Parkland tragedy. Sadly, he wimped out after the NRA bared a few teeth at him.

Weve been here before: shocked calls for an even modest tightening of gun laws, and Republicans killing almost all efforts to do so. No doubt letting demented 18-year-olds obtain weapons more deadly than those used in the Vietnam War somehow fits into DeSantis cracked culture war campaign.

But its increasingly hard to see how he or any other politician is going to overcome growing public dismay at the crazy gun violence now stoking fears among parents, students, grocery shoppers, concert attendees and churchgoers  as well as drug gangs. More and more Americans know an innocent who has been shaken or killed by criminal or mentally ill gunmen.

Michigan may have been an early indicator of a voter rebellion.
Sparklight donates 50 Chromebooks to Jerome school

Sparklight recently donated 50 Chromebooks to Summit Elementary School in Jerome as part of the internet providers mission to provide technological tools for students, according to a news release.

In the past nine years, Sparklight has donated more than 2,6000 Chromebooks to Title I schools and community centers in its local markets, the release said.

The donated Chromebooks from Sparklight make it possible for new students to have access to a computer as soon as they enroll and they will also enable us to replace older or damaged computers for existing students, Summit Principal Eva Meyerhoeffer said in the release. These Chromebooks provide students with access to online libraries to improve their reading, and online math websites to develop their knowledge of fact fluency. Students will also be able to view online experiments or participate in virtual field trips to historical sites too far away to visit in person.

Through such donations, Sparklight General Manager Russ Young said the company is helping ensure students achieve academic success, which benefits the communities where we live and work for the long-term.

MDC Magic Valley donates vehicle to Minidoka shelter for animal transport

MDC Magic Valley donated a vehicle to the Minidoka County Joint Powers Animal Control Shelter on Wednesday to be used for transporting animals to rescue organizations.

MDC Magic Valley provides support services for developmentally challenged individuals and the 2003 Honda Pilot was used as the companys transport vehicle, which was replaced, Marla Palmer with MDC Magic Valley said.

It didnt take much for us to do it and we knew they really needed it, Palmer said, who also fosters animals.

We are very appreciative for the services they provide taking in animals in the community and finding places for them, she said. Hopefully, it helps them out.

Minidoka County Joint Powers Animal Control and Shelter assistant Lisa Leonard said the vehicle will help defray the volunteers costs to transport animals to rescue organizations.

We feel so blessed, Leonard said.

The shelter has also received several plaques made by Jenny Hunt, in memory of her daughter. The plaques are $10 each and proceeds will be used for the shelters spay and neuter program.

The shelter received a $4,000 license plate grant at the first of the year for free spay and neuters.

The money was used up within three days, Leonard said. That shows what the need is out there.

Ketchum library to host author Rachel Louise Snyder

Rachel Louise Snyder, an award-winning author and advocate for womens issues, will return to The Community Library in Ketchum on Thursday, Feb. 23, to discuss her upcoming book, Women We Buried, Women We Burned: A Memoir.

In her book, Snyder shares her own personal account from teenage runaway to reporter on the global epidemic of domestic violence, according to a news release from the library. Her presentation will begin at 6 p.m. Registration is recommended to save a seat.

We first brought Rachel to the valley last fall in collaboration with The Advocates, Martha Williams, the librarys director of programs and education, said in the release. We loved having her here, and her enthusiasm for our community was evident.

Snyder will be in Ketchum as a Writer-in-Residence at the Ernest and Mary Hemingway House and Preserve, where the library hosts writers year-round.

The library is located at 415 Spruce Ave. For information, call Williams at 208-806-2621 or email mwilliams@comlib.org.

DL Evans Bank announces executive leadership changes





John V. (J.V.) Evans III became chief executive officer of D.L. Evans Bank on Jan. 5, taking over for John V. Evans Jr., who had served in the role since 1985.

Evans Jr., who joined the bank in 1979 and has played a key role in its growth from two branches to 38 across southern Idaho and northern Utah, will continue as president of the company, according to a news release. He has served in that role since succeeding his father, former Idaho governor John V. Evans Sr., in 2014.

Being a family-owned and employee-owned bank, we are very proud of our company and family history, Evans III said in the release. We are grateful to be able to serve our communities. We have remarkably talented leaders and employees working for our company and I am excited for the future.

In the release, Evans Jr. called Evans IIIs appointment as CEO an exciting milestone for our company and I believe his expertise and knowledge will lead the Bank to further growth while nurturing the company culture.

 Times-News
A judge sentenced a Boise man to 15 years in prison with three years fixed on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child.

Minidoka County District Judge Jonathan Brody placed Henry C. Truempler Jr. in the states retained jurisdiction program, also known as a rider for one year, according to court records.

In the program he will be incarcerated at an Idaho Department of Correction prison, but will receive treatment and access to programs and remain under the judges jurisdiction.

If he successfully completes the rider program he will go back before the judge and could be placed on probation.

Under a plea agreement Truempler pleaded guilty to one felony count of sexual exploitation of a child and the Minidoka County Prosecutors Office dismissed to counts of disseminating material harmful to a minor and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Truempler was charged after Rupert police said he sent explicit photos to an undercover officer who was posing as a teen on a social media app.
The Idaho Legislature took a bold step to improve the efficiency of state government in 1994. Tired of being blindsided by poorly performing programs, the legislature established an independent, nonpolitical Office of Performance Evaluations to evaluate the effectiveness of governmental operations.

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, with bipartisan membership, directs the work of OPE. It has produced outstanding reports, pointing out governmental deficiencies and suggesting options to address them.

Without OPEs 2022 K-12 Public School Buildings report, we would never know the state is wildly deficient in performing its constitutional duty to pay for the maintenance and repair of Idahos public school buildings. It will take almost $1 billion to bring our school facilities up to just good condition.

Left unsaid is the fact that the state is responsible for the construction of the new buildings that are desperately needed in so many communities and that the Idaho Constitution places construction and maintenance costs on state taxpayers, not local property owners.

Sen. Dave Lent, who chairs the Senate Education Committee and is a member of JLOC, is trying to find a real solution to this serious deficiency, thanks to the OPE report. This type of in-depth evaluation and reporting is essential to efficient, responsible government.

OPE has also studied a traffic safety issue coming before the legislature. Sen. Jim Guthrie, who chairs the Senate State Affairs Committee, has just introduced Senate Bill 1081, which will allow undocumented immigrants to obtain restricted drivers licenses.

A 2021 report by OPE provides support for Guthries bill. It indicated that accidents involving unlicensed drivers are three times deadlier than accidents involving licensed drivers. Workers are able to put in more hours per week with driving privileges. These folks are valuable members of our communities. They will be here even if they dont get driving privileges. If they are allowed to come in from the shadows, they can get driver training and liability insurance. They wont be fearful of reporting traffic accidents.

Guthrie was aware that his bill would draw fire, but the OPE report gives helpful, straight-forward perspective on its merits. SB 1081 is supported by the Idaho Dairymen, J.R. Simplot Company, Amalgamated Sugar and a wide swath of the agricultural community. OPE provides factual support for good policy.

OPE has evaluated quite a number of programs that were perceived to be struggling and has been able to give the legislature the information it needs to fix them, including improvement of operations at the Idaho Transportation Department, strengthening public contracting practices, reforming Idahos foster care system and increasing efficiencies in the parole process.

Those and other studies have saved Idaho taxpayers many millions of dollars. OPE has received national recognition for its forward-looking, problem-solving work, including awards for excellence from the National Legislative Evaluation Society, the American Society for Public Administration and the American Evaluation Association.

Prior to the establishment of OPE, performance audits were periodically made of all governmental agencies, regardless of how they were functioning. The reviews were conducted by an arm of the legislature by reviewers who were essentially jacks of all trades and masters of none. The evaluations did not specifically target programs that were failing to attain their objectives.

As attorney general in the pre-OPE days, I found the legislative audits to be annoying, superficial and of little practical value.

On Feb. 9, the House demonstrated a preference for the old, essentially useless system, rather than the unbiased, fact-based approach of OPE, by passing House Bill 68.

The bill eliminates JLOC and places performance evaluation under the control of the majority party. That will put an end to the kind of deep-dive inquiries previously performed by OPE and consign the agency to the monotony of rubber stamping the views of the rulers, who often prefer to stick their heads in the sand and gloss over governmental waste and inefficiency.
Patrick & Henry Community College will have a power line training program in Stuart, thanks to a $750,000 G3 grant.

The program will prepare individuals for careers as power line workers. Students in the program will train for 14 weeks to learn skills such as electrical theory, aerial framing, rigging, safety, commercial truck driving and the use of utility service equipment. It will be run in partnership with Wytheville Community College (WCC).

Its a highly in-demand occupation or career, P&HCC Vice President of Workforce, Economic and Community Development Rhonda Hodges said. We say High demand: high wage.

The power line worker training program will be a part of Virginias Fast Forward programs, which help students pay for short term, noncredit training programs that lead to an industry certification, Hodges said.

The grant for $750,000 is a Virginia G3 (Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead) innovation grant. P&HCCs partnership with WCC began several years ago with CDL and electrical groundsworker programs. It had planned to expand into power line training later, but got delayed because of COVID.

WCC has had a power line training course since 2017, and 11 groups of students have completed the program so far.

Were partnering with them [WCC] to expand it, Hodges said. Theyll provide the instruction; well share equipment across programs. Were trying to leverage resources, share equipment as much as possible to most efficiently and effectively scale these training programs so we can provide opportunities for our residents and also more employees for these industries.

Companies such as Appalachian Power, electrical contractors and electrical cooperatives would be the future employers of the students that go through the program, Hodges said.

WCC Vice President of Workforce and Occupational Programs Perry Hughes, who is from Patrick County and worked in its school system for 17 years, said that students who come to its powerline program sometimes have to stay in motels or even stay in campers while attending the course.

This gives me an opportunity to bring that program back home and provide an easier way for students from Patrick County to get training, he said.

It made perfect sense because we already have the established employer network. We already have several million dollars invested in equipment and supplies and the knowledge basis already there for an instructional standpoint, he added. Everything just fell into place.

This short-term training program will provide students with the skills needed for family-sustaining careers with a lot of potential for growth in our area, Hodges said.

The Stuart Rotary Club approved the usage of the Rotary Field in Stuart to be used for the program and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, which leases the Rotary Field facilities, approved the field for program usage.

Electrical poles and related equipment will be place on site for a realistic learning environment, Hodges said. The equipment and other training and marketing costs will be funded by the G3 grant.

For community colleges to really partner and share instruction and equipment and leverage resources to be able to offer this, scale up a program like this is pretty innovative, Hodges said. Im excited to be working with Wytheville (WCC) and we certainly appreciate our partners, AEP, Stuart Rotary Club and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.

The first class to be trained in Patrick County is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. For more information about enrollment, contact Hodges at rhodges@patrickhenry.edu or Hughe at phughes@wcc.vccs.edu.
Criminal charges have been dropped against the parents of a 7-year-old girl who died when a family Rottweiler dog mauled her to death in Waynesboro a year ago.

The charge of felony child endangerment was dismissed against both Brooks Anthony Floyd and Alicia Rene Floyd last week, said Waynesboro Commonwealths Attorney David Ledbetter.

Ledbetter said additional evidence uncovered after a grand jury indicted the couple contributed to his decision to ask for a dismissal.

He also said the two parents are punished every day by the loss of their daughter. The Floyds have a Waynesboro address but live outside the city.

Two weeks ago, the grandparents of the 7-year pleaded guilty in Waynesboro Circuit Court to manslaughter and felony child endangerment in connection with the case.

Grandmother Penny Lee Bashlor, 64, and the step-grandfather, Stephen Christoper Kachmar, 61, were each sentenced to five years in prison after their guilty pleas.

The fatal attack happened in January 2022 in the 200 block of Parker Heights Road, where Bachelor and Kachmar resided. The 7-year-old was taken to Augusta Health after the attack by the Rottweiler but did not survive.

Ledbetter said had the case against the grandparents gone to trial, testimony from a trainer would have said the dog was a ticking time bomb and should be euthanized. The trainer had worked with the dog.

The Rottweiler was impounded after the fatal attack and was later euthanized.
Two people have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a pregnant Burke County woman late last week.

Dylan James Rogers, 30, and Tammy Duckworth Boone, 50, of Morganton, were charged Wednesday night with murder in the death of 41-year-old Brandi Deal, said Burke County Sheriff Banks Hinceman.

Deal was found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in her home on Clark Loop late Friday night when first responders were called to the scene for a cardiac arrest, according to information previously released by the sheriffs office.

Deals boyfriend, Richard Buff, told The News Herald she was due to give birth to a baby girl Saturday.

Rogers told reporters he was in bed asleep as he was walked out of the Burke County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday night.

I got a lawyer, Rogers said. I aint speaking on it.

Rogers said he would never hurt a child.

Boone was in tears as she was walked out of the sheriffs office Wednesday night. Her only comment to reporters was incoherent.

A possible motive in the shooting has not been released. Reporters could see bullet holes on the outside of the mobile home where Deal was found dead.

Both suspects are set to appear in court Thursday morning, Hinceman said.

Rogers has previous felony convictions of attempted speeding to elude arrest, receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to records available on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website.

Boones only previous felony conviction is a possession of a Schedule II controlled substance charge from a 2021 offense, according to NCDPS records. She also has misdemeanor convictions for use/possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny and driving while license revoked, NCDPS records showed.
Alyssa Clontz, director of bands at McDowell High School, congratulates Shayna Berry and Daniel Young for their recent achievements. Berry and Young performed with the Western North Carolina All-District Honor Band at Western Carolina University on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Berry is a seventh-grader at West McDowell Middle School and placed third chair French horn in the Middle School Symphonic Band.

Young is a sophomore at McDowell High School and placed first chair tenor saxophone in the 9/10 Honors Band. They both are eligible to audition for the N.C. All-State Honor Band in early March.

We are extremely proud of their hard work, said Clontz.
The governments of Portugal and Mozambique and the construction company Mota-Engil signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding for the rehabilitation of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte, on Mozambique Island, the oldest masonry building on the Indian Ocean coast.

Starting today, we have a great responsibility to rehabilitate this chapel with robustness so that it can last another 500 years, that is, as many years as it will complete in 2022, emphasized Anibal Leite, CEO of Mota-Engil Africa, speaking to Lusa.

The robustness is necessary to face cyclones, which characterize the region, as happened a year ago when cyclone Gombe destroyed houses and infrastructure on the island and in 2019 when cyclone Kenneth also struck the region, leaving the chapel badly damaged.

The company will perform the work at cost price, framing it in its social responsibility actions, in an amount that is still being evaluated in technical terms, but that is expected to start in May, explained Anibal Leite. Until then, Mota-Engil will mobilize and train workers from Mozambique Island.

The chapel is classified heritage, the only example of Manueline architecture in Mozambique, a building erected in 1522 by the Portuguese armada on its way to India and is within the perimeter of the Sao Sebastiao fortress. Mozambique Island was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1991 and the Mozambican minister of culture, Edelvina Materula, hopes that Mota-Engils action will extend beyond the rehabilitation of the chapel  an extension provided for in the memorandum signed this Wednesday.
Angry crowds burned tires and blocked roads in Ibadan, a major city in southwestern Nigeria, on Wednesday to protest a shortage of banknotes that is crippling Africas most populous country, police and residents said.

With 10 days to go before the presidential election, queues continue to grow at ATMs across the country, further burdening Nigerians already struggling with frequent fuel shortages.

In the past three weeks, riots have broken out in Ibadan, Abeokuta (southwest) and Kano, the largest city in the north, after the central banks decision to replace the old naira bills with new, redesigned ones.

Police in Oyo State on Wednesday said protests broke out in some areas of Ibadan, the state capital, in the morning but were quickly brought under control. There were protests this morning by some disgruntled bank customers, said spokesman Adewale Osifeso.

According to residents, the unrest started in several areas when these angry customers protested because they could not withdraw their money or could not change their old bills for new ones.

The main roads were blocked, while banks, stores and other businesses were closed, said Remi Feyisipo, a local journalist. He said the protesters were also angry that shopkeepers and gas stations no longer accept the old bills.

In October, the Central Bank suddenly announced that it was changing the banknotes (including their color), and decided that the old bills would no longer be valid at the end of January. It then postponed the date to 10 February, in the face of shortages and popular pressure.

It is against this backdrop of social anger that more than 93 million voters are being called to the polls to elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is ending his second term in office with a record of rampant insecurity, which has become almost universal, and a serious economic crisis.
Ethiopias Foreign minister warned Wednesday that UN-backed investigations into human rights abuses in Tigray could undermine progress on a peace deal signed last year.

War has ravaged Tigray for two years. A peace agreement was signed in November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa, between the Ethiopian government and rebels in the northern region of Ethiopia.

In a report published in September 2022, independent UN experts had suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in Tigray committed by all parties.

The Ethiopian government, while rejecting the report, has gone on a diplomatic offensive to prevent the UNs independent experts from continuing their work.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen wrote on Twitter that the investigation could undermine the African Union-led peace process and the implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement with inflammatory rhetoric.

At a press conference last week, Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki dismissed accusations of human rights abuses by his army in Tigray as a pipe dream and disinformation.
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:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Interactive risk communication formats can be more effective than conventional text-based formats in overcoming vaccine hesitancy and building public trust. These are the findings of a study conducted by researchers at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in the context of COVID-19 vaccination. The study's findings have been published in JAMA Network Open.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of vaccination in preventing life-threatening diseases and the collapse of health care systems. Yet the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinationand especially of booster shotsremains slow in many countries. Against this backdrop, every single person who overcomes vaccine hesitancy counts. Can new risk communication formats help to reach this group?

In a study of 1255 unvaccinated, vaccine-hesitant adults, researchers at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development compared an interactive simulation of the benefits and harms of COVID-19 vaccination with a conventional text-based information format, and investigated the effects on participants' vaccination intentions and benefit-to-harm assessments.

"Unlike opponents of vaccination, people in the vaccine-hesitant group have not yet come to a final decision. They are characterized by a high need for information on the benefits and potential harms of vaccination, and may decide to get vaccinated if that information convinces them. Findings from cognitive science suggest that interactive simulations can be more effective than conventional text-based formats in this respect," says principal investigator Odette Wegwarth, Heisenberg Professor at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin and senior researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Her main research focus is on risk literacy and risk communication in medical settings.

The online study was conducted with 1255 adult residents of Germany at the peak of the omicron wave in spring 2022. The participants had not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination and expressed indecisiveness about whether they would get vaccinated in the future. Participants were asked about their satisfaction with the German government's COVID-19 containment measures, as well as for their subjective assessment of the benefit-to-harm ratio of COVID-19 vaccination.

All participants were then presented with information on the age-adjusted absolute risks of infection, hospitalization, ICU admission, and death after exposure to the virus in 100,000 vaccinated vs. 100,000 unvaccinated individuals relative to the possible adverse effects of vaccination (e.g., myocarditis in men under 35 years). The presentation format varied: 651 participants saw a text-based description; 604 participants were presented with an interactive simulation.

The vaccine-hesitant participants indeed responded better to the interactive simulation. Significantly more participants presented with an interactive simulation showed positive change in both vaccination intention and benefit-to-harm assessment than did those presented with the same information in a conventional text-based format. The net advantage of the interactive simulation over the text-based format was 5.3 percentage points for vaccination intention (9.8% vs. 4.5%) and 18.3 percentage points for benefit-to-harm assessment (25.3% vs. 7.0%).

Because the German government implemented mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for health care professionals from March 16, 2022a measure that sparked widespread controversythe researchers also investigated whether participants working in the health care sector responded differently to the intervention than the other participants. They found that the health care professionals in the sample were nearly twice as likely to show positive change in benefit-to-harm assessment after the intervention.

However, they were only half as likely to show positive change in vaccination intention. This finding suggests that mandatory vaccination can lead to positions becoming entrenched, with negative implications for the willingness to get vaccinated. The study's authors instead advocate for further investment in innovative, evidence-based risk communication concepts.

"Interactive simulations of risk information imitate the way people naturally learn about risk informationnamely, by experiencing a sequence of events over time. This new form of risk communication seems to be more effective in prompting people to change their behavior than traditional text-based communication formats. In behavioral science, interventions of this kind are known as 'boosts,' because they boost people's decision-making competence," says co-author Ralph Hertwig, Director of the Center for Adaptive Rationality at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

In future pandemics, and in the domain of vaccine communication more broadly, interactive formats can be an important new tool for health authorities seeking to overcome vaccine hesitancy and build public trust.

More information: Odette Wegwarth et al, Vaccination Intention Following Receipt of Vaccine Information Through Interactive Simulation vs Text Among COVID-19 VaccineHesitant Adults During the Omicron Wave in Germany, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.56208 , jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman  /fullarticle/2801491 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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A Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand's COVID response began work this month, with a goal to prepare the country for future pandemics.

It will focus on lessons not only from New Zealand's pandemic experience but also from other countries and jurisdictions.

Early in the pandemic, it became clear some countries had higher numbers of COVID deaths than others. New Zealand and Iceland had the lowest mortality among high-income nations: placed first and second in the OECD for lowest excess mortality as of June 2022, respectively.

A previous article outlined lessons from both Iceland and New Zealand in September 2020. In a recently published study, we extended this comparison through to June 2022.

At the beginning of the pandemic, both countries rapidly implemented similar control measures, including testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, gathering limits and physical distancing. Both nations were relatively slow to require mass masking.

Rapid border management was likely easier in these countries because both are island nations with only one (Iceland) or a few (New Zealand) international airports. However, both nations had to work quickly to increase testing and contact tracing capacity and purchase additional personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

But apart from these measures, the two nations pursued different strategies.

Elimination or mitigation

Iceland did not implement an elimination strategy and instead focused on mitigation, even though community transmission was eliminated early on. Iceland's response did not involve the use of lockdowns or official border closures.

Meanwhile, New Zealand initially planned to follow a mitigation strategy, but then shifted quickly to an elimination strategy early in the pandemic. It employed the use of a strict lockdown and largely closed its international border (though low levels of essential travel continued with two weeks of quarantine for returning citizens at the border).

Elimination seeks to reduce transmission to zero within a defined jurisdiction. By comparison, control strategies like suppression aim to keep case numbers low to minimize illness and death. Mitigation implies lighter controls, more calibrated towards preventing health systems becoming overwhelmed.

In New Zealand, the elimination strategy worked in the early stages of the pandemic and allowed for a return to near-normal life for most people in the country. That was until late 2021, when an outbreak of the Delta variant led the government to shift to a suppression strategy.

Then, following a wave of the Omicron variant in early 2022, New Zealand began to reopen its border in stages, marking a shift to mitigation.

The economic costs of the pandemic

Iceland and New Zealand both introduced economic interventions shortly after the first COVID cases were detected. Government provision of financial assistance as a proportion of GDP in 2020 and 2021 was twice as high in New Zealand as in Iceland.

Despite economic support measures, both nations saw a contraction in GDP in 2020, although much greater in Iceland (-827% vs. -122%). Iceland also experienced a higher peak unemployment rate (72% vs. 53%), but with a quick rebound in 2021. This difference may in part reflect Iceland's stronger reliance on its tourism sector, but it's also possible the measures taken in New Zealand were more effective for supporting its economy.

There were many similarities between Iceland's and New Zealand's responses. Both nations had existing universal healthcare coverage and pandemic plans targeted towards influenza. However, neither country had a dedicated national institution to respond to infectious diseases.

There was clear communication involving regular briefings by senior officials in both Iceland and New Zealand. This included daily press briefings that were nationally broadcast and early communications about the pandemic framed as a shared threat. In Iceland the phrase "we are all civil protection" was commonly used, while in New Zealand, there was frequent reference to the "team of five million".

Scientists also played a particularly prominent role in the response. There was a high level of public trust in the response in both countries, especially early in the pandemic.

Differences in vaccination and testing

Iceland performed much better than New Zealand with vaccination, beginning its campaign several months earlier. The slow progress with vaccination in New Zealand was a point of criticism at the time (along with delays in reaching Maori and Pasifika) and should be an area of focus for the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Nevertheless, New Zealand did catch up to Iceland. By June 2022, both countries had similar vaccination coverage rates. Differences in the timing of vaccination probably had little net effect.

Iceland's success at keeping COVID cases and deaths relatively low without the use of stringent restrictions led to the question of whether New Zealand could have achieved similar results without a border closure and lockdowns.

It seems to us unlikely New Zealand could have achieved similar results without substantially increasing testing capacity. Iceland conducted almost four times more tests (per 1000 population) than New Zealand during the study period. This increase in capacity was made possible in part by collaboration with deCODE Genetics.

While efforts to increase testing capacity in New Zealand progressed rapidly in the first year of the pandemic, a backlog developed during the initial stage of the Omicron wave in early 2022 because many laboratories were overwhelmed by the number of tests.

Considering the impact of alternative pandemic responses is challenging, but country comparisons can give some clues. Also, disease modeling suggests that had New Zealand delayed implementing its lockdown, the first pandemic wave would have been larger and taken longer to control. Elimination might have become impossible.

Overall, many of the pandemic control measures deployed by Iceland and New Zealand appeared successful. Features of the responses in both countries could potentially be adopted by other jurisdictions to address future pandemic threats. Indeed, some of us have argued elimination should be the default strategy for future pandemics above a certain severity.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Like any other manufactured food product, chocolate can be contaminated if key ingredients or processes break down. In a presentation in a pre-ECCMID day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2023, Copenhagen, 15-19 April), Dr. Johanna Takkinen, Principal Expert for Food- and Waterborne Diseases at the European Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden, will discuss the drama as the story unfolded, and the lessons learned from an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in Kinder Chocolate Eggs traced to a Belgian chocolate factory.

"If not for clear and co-ordinated action across Europe and beyond, there may have been many thousands more children falling ill, and potentially many deaths," says Dr. Takkinen.

Authorities in the UK (the UK Health Security Agency [UKHSA]) first raised the alarm in ECDC-hosted alert platform EpiPulse on 17 February 2022, reporting a cluster of 18 children reported ill with monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections since January 2022. Of these, seven were hospitalized and five of the seven had bloody diarrhea, a serious symptom.

"Preliminary interviews of first cases indicated Kinder chocolate products as a possible vehicle of infection. Several countries then began reporting an increasing number of infections with strains the same as the UK outbreak," explains Dr. Takkinen. By 18 February, France had reported its first 2 cases, and by 18 March 59 cases were reported in five countries.

Late in March 2022, ECDC coordinated a teleconference with affected countries when four non-human monophasic S. Typhimurium isolates, genetically close to the human isolates, were identified in a public database. Within a week, these isolates were confirmed originating from one particular Belgian chocolate factory. Prior to this, identifying which factory or factories were involved was difficult since there are four factories within the European Union that produce Kinder chocolate in large quantities. This new microbiological evidence allowed the various agencies to focus their investigations on one factory.

Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK and the Food Safety Authority (FSA) in Ireland and the UK FSA decided to recall, on April 2, certain Kinder Chocolate products (including Kinder Surprise Eggs). On April 8 authorities, now confident the factory was identified, ordered that chocolate factory (Ferrero) closed, and two days later had issued a global recall of products from the factory. The alert reached 130 countries, and in addition to the 401 cases identified in the EU and UK combined (the UK had the most cases, with 128), further cases were identified in Switzerland (49) and Canada (4) and the U.S. (1)giving a global total of 455 cases in 17 countries. The ECDC and EFSA also published Rapid Outbreak Assessments to keep the public updated.

Children under 10 years old made up most of the reported cases (86%), and around two thirds (61%) were female. A number of adults (27), most aged 21-40 and women (18 of the 27), were also infected. Among these adults were a handful of men and women in the age groups 41-70 years. Of 349 analyzed cases, 28% were serious enough to be hospitalized, with many experiencing symptoms such as bloody diarrhea. Of 179 cases interviewed (mostly via family members), 170 (95%) reported eating types of Kinder chocolate products there that were produced in the implicated Belgian factory.

Testing of multiple products from the factory resulted in 81 Salmonella positive samples, with two different strains, in the Belgian factory between 3 December 2021 and 25 January 2022 (most by PCR). The authorities estimated that the original contamination event happened before December 2021; one final product was positively identified as contaminated with Salmonella on 3 December, and the first case with symptom progression was on 12 December.

Due to the time taken to move from production to retail sites, the majority of early cases began to appear in January 2022. The tank for anhydrous milk fat (known as buttermilk) were identified as hot spots for contamination, with the anhydrous milk fat coming from a factory in Italy which tested negative for Salmonella. The Ferrero factory went through several rounds of cleaning and disinfection before being reallowed to open on 17 June 2022, for three months with conditions, but having its permanent license for production reissued on 17 September, 2022.

Dr. Takkinen says, "Children were at very high risk in this outbreak, with several chocolate products but mostly chocolate eggs affected leading up to Easter. Only through intensive collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of public health experts (microbiologists, epidemiologists) and regular cross-sectoral communication (public healthfood safety) were authorities able to prevent a devastating global outbreak."

She adds, "Also crucial in preventing the escalation of the outbreak was the effective early detection of cases through Salmonella surveillance in the UK, and the early verification of a rapidly evolving multi-country outbreak thanks to prompt responses by countries."

Provided by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Many women have painful periods, but only a handful of countries, most of them in Asia, allow them to take time off work to recover.

That's changing, though.

On Thursday, Spain became the first European country to adopt legislation allowing for paid menstrual leave.

In several other countries, companies have started offering period leave without being legally required to do so.

Here is a summary of the situation worldwide:

Spain: first in Europe

Spain's bill, which was drafted by the country's left-wing government, grants paid leave for period pain, provided sufferers have a doctor's note. The legislation does not specify a timeframe for such leave.

Equality Minister Irene Montero vowed: "No more going to work with pain, no more taking pills before arriving at work and having to hide the fact we're in pain that makes us unable to work."

The bill drew criticism from Spanish unions, who warn that, far from liberating women, menstrual leave could prompt employers to prioritize men when hiring.

Indonesia: two days per cycle

Indonesia passed a law in 2003 giving women the right to two days of paid menstrual leave per month, without giving prior notice.

But the provision is in practice discretionary.

Many employers allow only one day a month, while others give no menstrual leave at all, either because they are unaware of the law or choose to disregard it.

Japan: legal since 1947

In Japan, a law dating as far back as 1947 states that companies must agree to give women menstrual leave if they request it, for as long as they need it.

It does not, however, require them to pay women during menstrual leave, but around 30 percent of Japanese companies offer full or partial pay, according to a 2020 labor ministry survey.

Not many women take advantage of the law, however. The survey of around 6,000 companies found that just 0.9 percent of eligible workers had taken menstrual leave.

South Korea: one day a month

In South Korea, women are entitled to one day of unpaid menstrual leave per month. Employers who refuse face fines of up to 5 million won ($3,844).

A 2018 survey showed greater take-up than in Japan, with a little over 19 percent of women taking time off.

Taiwan: three days per year

In Taiwan, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment gives women three days of menstrual leave per year, which are not deducted from the statutory 30 days of regular sick leave.

Women can only take one day in any given month.

Like sick leave, workers on menstrual leave receive only 50 percent of their salary.

Zambia: 'Mother's day'

Zambia passed a law in 2015 allowing women to take a day off work during their period, without giving notice or supplying a doctor's note.

While the measure is generally accepted and supported, not all employers willingly comply with the law on what is discreetly referred to as "Mother's Day".

But, encouraged by trade unions, women are starting to exercise their right, communications expert and women's rights advocate Ruth Kanyanga Kamwi told AFP.

Company 'perk'

Some companies and institutions have not waited to be compelled by law to offer women menstrual leave.

They include Australian pension fund Future Super, Indian food delivery startup Zomato, and French furniture firm Louis which give respectively six, 10 and 12 extra days.

On its website, Los Angeles-based astrology company Chani also offers "unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses".

 2023 AFP
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Most health and nutrition claims on infant formula products seem to be backed by little or no high quality scientific evidence, finds an international survey published by The BMJ today.

Common claims are that products benefit brain development, immunity, and growth in young infants, but the researchers say "transparency is still lacking" and that revised regulations are needed "to better protect consumers and avoid the harms associated with aggressive marketing of such products."

Health and nutrition claims on infant formula products are controversial because they can enhance the perceived benefits of formula over breastfeeding and thereby undermine breastfeeding. Yet data on the frequency of claims and their scientific substantiation are limited.

To address this, researchers reviewed health and nutrition claims for infant formula products in a group of high, middle, and low income countries and evaluated the validity of the evidence used to support these claims.

They searched websites of infant formula companies, examined packaging of formula products, and documented claims made about products marketed for healthy, full-term infants in 15 countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2020-22.

They included all health and nutrition claims that linked the product or an ingredient in the product with a potentially beneficial effect on the normal functioning, growth and development, or health of consumers.

They noted the number and type of claims made for each product and ingredient and assessed the level and quality of evidence cited in support of these claims using two widely used risk of bias tools.

They identified 757 infant formula products, each linked to an average of two claims (ranging from one in Australia to four in the US) and 31 types of claims across all products.

Of 608 products with one or more claims, the most common claim types were "helps/supports development of brain and/or eyes and/or nervous system" (53% of products, 13 ingredients), "strengthens/supports a healthy immune system" (39% of products, 12 ingredients), and "helps/supports growth and development" (37% of products, 20 ingredients).

In all, 41 groups of ingredients were identified that had one or more claims linked with them, but many claims were made without reference to a specific ingredient (307 or 50% of products).

The most common groups of ingredients cited in claims were long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (46% of products, 9 different claims); prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics (37% of products, 19 claims); and hydrolyzed protein (20% of products, 9 claims).

Across all countries, 161 out of 608 (26%) of products with at least one claim provided a scientific reference to support the claim. No scientific reference was provided for most (74%) of products making specific health claims.

When references were provided, 56% reported findings of clinical trials while the rest were reviews, opinion pieces, or other types of research including animal studies. Only 14% of citations that referred to clinical trials were prospectively registered, and 90% of claims that cited registered clinical trials carried a high risk of bias.

What's more, 88% of registered trials had authors who either received formula industry funding or were directly affiliated with industry.

These are observational findings and the researchers point to some limitations, such as possible inconsistencies in data collection or missing products, which could have affected their results.

However, this study included evidence from a range of countries and information was collected in a way that enabled the team to formally document the relationship between health and nutrition claims and ingredients cited in infant formula.

As such, the researchers conclude, "These findings support calls for a revised regulatory framework for breast milk substitutes to better protect consumers and avoid the harms associated with aggressive marketing of such products."

In a linked editorial, Nigel Rollins at the World Health Organization agrees that authorities should move to protect infants and parents from commercial interests.

He acknowledges that in a busy world, health professionals and families lack the time to properly scrutinize claims, but points out that self-regulation has not worked, and responsible, ethical marketing by the formula industry seems unlikely.

"Regulatory authorities must therefore decide whether the use of such apparently misleading evidence is acceptable or hold the formula industry to higher standards, require better products based on high quality evidence, and review standards," he writes.

"On the basis of this study, governments and regulatory authorities must commit the necessary time and attention to review the claims of formula milk products and the evidence provided and thereby protect infants and parents from commercial interests," he concludes.

More information: Health and nutrition claims for infant formula: international cross sectional survey, The BMJ (2023). DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-071075 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
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Simulation of predicting the top 20 riskiest opioid dispensations measured daily by progressively excluding participants previously flagged as high risk. A, Top 20 riskiest dispensations. The solid blue line (what was predicted) represents a workload that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) would have to consider. B, True-positive rate. The XGBoost classifier predicted daily risks in a simulation for the CPSA stratified by top percentile categories of risk. Base risk is 2.6% and represents the pretest probability. Credit: JAMA Network Open (2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48559

Researchers at the University of Alberta are using a form of artificial intelligence to help doctors better predict which patients are at risk of adverse outcomes from opioid prescriptions.

In newly published research, the collaborative team created a machine learning model to estimate the risk of an emergency department visit, hospitalization or death within 30 days of filling an opioid prescription. Machine learning allows computers to find patterns in huge volumes of data, getting more accurate over time as they continually validate and retrain with updated information.

The model cross-referenced pharmacy data with administrative health datathe records created every time a patient interacts with the health-care system, from emergency department and doctor visits to blood tests and scans. They tracked anonymized records for 853,324 adult Albertans in 2018 and 2019, when 6,181,025 opioid prescriptions were filled and 77,326 adverse events were reported.

Doctors follow guidelines to determine which patients are at higher risk but they don't catch everyone because they often have limited information, according to Dean Eurich, an epidemiologist and professor in the School of Public Health.

"Machine learning can expand the number of variables that we're going to look at from a couple dozen to 5,000, so we can rely on your labs, your hospitalizations, your physician visits, medications you have taken in the pastall that information can now be put into the model to predict where you are in the spectrum in terms of a low risk or a high risk of having a poor outcome," Eurich explains.

"The human mind just can't process that many pieces of information at once."

Saving lives, saving money

The model was created in partnership with health information company Okaki and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, who in their role as administrators of the Tracked Prescription Program are responsible for daily monitoring of opioid prescriptions, one of many efforts being made to slow the ongoing opioid crisis that took 1346 Albertans' lives in 2022.

The model predicted adverse patient outcomes with 90% accuracy, Eurich reports. He expects to take the next step for the research within six months by implementing and testing the model in real time as part of the college's surveillance system.

Doctors with higher-risk patients will be notified so they can choose to prescribe a different drug, give a smaller dose or follow up with the patient more closely.

"This is a tool to help clinicians to manage their patients who are very complex and to help patients get better outcomes from their therapies," Eurich says.

Eurich is also using machine learning programs to answer other population health questions by analyzing health data, including why people with diabetes were more likely to acquire COVID-19 than the general population and why some wound up in intensive care while others did not.

"Alberta has some of the best health data sets in the world, and so we want to make sure that we're using them to their fullest potential," Eurich says.

"That really gives us the best chance to change outcomes for patients, by learning from the health system itself and putting interventions in place."

The paper is published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

More information: Vishal Sharma et al, Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Estimate Risk of Adverse Outcomes Within 30 Days of Opioid Dispensation, JAMA Network Open (2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48559 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Australian's first national guideline outlining the best ways of providing clinical support to autistic children and their families will be launched in Canberra today.

The guideline, which we co-authored with others, represents a landmark moment for autism in Australia. It is the culmination of a decades-long effort to build better evidence into clinical practice for autistic children.

For the first time, families of children with autism will have a clear description of what is and what is not safe and effective clinical practice, and a roadmap to empower their choices.

Autism in Australia

Autism became a formal diagnosis in Australia with the introduction of the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 1980. But it was not until 1994 it was diagnosed in large numbers. Today, autism is diagnosed in more than 1% of people.

The most common types of therapies or supports for autistic children are focused on supporting their learning, participation, and well-being. This might involve directly teaching the child learning strategies, or changing the environment around the child. For many children, these therapies are used at the same time as prescribed medication.

There is good evidence to underpin the safety and effectiveness of many such therapies. However, like all areas of health and medicine, it can be hard to ensure measures are rolled out in the same way in different settings and locations. This can lead to confusion for children and families, and expose them to clinical therapies that may be ineffective or harmful.

With the increased focused on evidence-based medicine over the past two decades, there have been important steps taken to provide better guidance to clinicians and policymakers about what represents good practice. However, until now there hasn't been an evidence-based guide they can refer to that brings together international expertise and research evidence.

84 recommendations

We developed the new guideline at the Autism CRCestablished in 2013 as the world's first national, cooperative research effort focused on autism across the lifespan. It brought together a group of researchers, clinicians, and autistic people, who consulted with more than 1,000 community members.

These community voices were then combined with evidence from three systematic reviews of international research to develop 84 recommendations.

The recommendations are presented as statements that describe key elements of practice. Clinicians follow these to deliver evidence-based therapies. Some examples are:

Practitioners should have relevant qualifications, be regulated, work within their scope of practice with appropriate supervision, and engage in continuing professional development

practitioners should engage in open and regular communication with other practitioners, the child's educators, and other service providers, with appropriate consent, to ensure supports are coordinated

practitioners should ensure the child and family understand the rationale for recommended supports, along with potential benefits, costs, and alternative options.

The recommendations will help clinicians work with children and families to set therapy goals, select and deliver the most appropriate therapies to meet those goals, and then monitor therapies to ensure they are safe and effective.

What does the guideline mean for clinicians and families?

Providing therapies to autistic children can be complex, and involves the consideration of many factors. A therapy approach that may be appropriate for one autistic child, may be quite unsuitable for another child.

For example, some children may receive benefit from learning to talk with the help of a technology device. Other children may not benefit from this approach and learn best through verbal conversations only.

Similar considerations may apply to where a therapy is delivered (in a clinic, in the home, or in the community), how it is delivered (individually or in a group), and through what means (in person or via screen or telephone).

The new guideline gives a step-by-step process to help clinicians consider these factors in a logical and systematic way. This helps clinicians understand the unique factors of each child and their family, and to turn this knowledge into the most effective plan to support them.

So for families, the guideline represents a roadmap for engaging with therapy.

Preventing parents from being overwhelmed

At the time of a child's autism diagnosis, the amount of information for families to understand and act upon can be overwhelming. Many families are very well supported by the clinicians they are seeing, but many also resort to searching the internet to find answers to their questions.

The guideline will help families understand what evidence-based therapy looks like, and how they can use this information to navigate the best pathway for their child.

We hope this will inform and empower families to feel confident making decisions in the best interests of their child's learning, participation and well-being.

What to watch for next

While the guideline is not mandatory, it has important implications for government systems such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

At a time when there is concern about how the NDIS can best support its participants, this new document provides evidence-based guidance.

The best next step would be for the NDIS to adopt this guideline. This would give NDIS participants and their families a much better chance of supporting autistic children to flourish.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Proactive policing, such as pedestrian and traffic stops, is a crime prevention tactic that relies on police officer discretion to stop and search individuals they consider suspicious. A recently published study in the journal of the American Public Health Association, looking at proactive policing and preterm birth rates in New Orleans, shows that Black residents living in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of proactive policing were about three times as likely to give birth preterm (before 37 weeks) as their white neighbors.

"Police stops perpetuate structural racism that pervades many areas of our criminal legal system and has played out alongside decades of disinvestment in many Black and brown communities across the United States," said lead author Jackie Jahn, Ph.D., an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Dornsife School of Public Health and the Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Populations Health Equity at Dornsife. "We're still uncovering the depth of the effects of redlining and racism, among other practices that continue to hurt the physical and financial health of residents in these neighborhoods."

The study uses uniquely available data on policingmade publicly available by the New Orleans police department, which is currently under a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice to address a pattern of civil rights violations.

In the study, researchers looked at preterm birth using vital statistics data, which they linked with numbers on proactive policing from New Orleans Police Department field reports, and census data from the 5-year American Community Survey.

By looking at the data, the researchers were able to rank neighborhoods by their relative level of police activity. "High" proactively policed neighborhoods had an average stop rate of more than or equal to 4.9 per 100,000 residents daily, by comparison to "low" policed neighborhoods, which had a stop rate of less than 0.8 per 100,000 residents.

The researchers found that Black people were disproportionately likely to be exposed to proactive policing during pregnancy: 20% of Black versus only 8% of white births were residents of high proactively policed neighborhoods.

Moreover, the researchers found that Black preterm births were 40% more prevalent in neighborhoods with high versus low rates of proactive policing. They did not find an increase in risk of preterm birth associated with proactive policing among white residents.

The authors controlled for other factors that have been associated with preterm birth, such as educational level, age, and whether the birth was paid for with Medicaid. They also accounted for several neighborhood characteristics, including unemployment, education, child poverty, population density and annual rate of 911 calls related to violence.

Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality, and in the United States, rates of preterm birth are 1.5 times higher for Black compared to white infants. Stress during pregnancy can cause high blood pressure, which raises the risk of preeclampsia, premature birth and having a low-birthweight baby, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The current paper follows recent work co-authored by Jahn that looked at the contribution of systemic racism to mental and physical health of Black and other people of color. Some of this work includes a policy statement adopted by the American Public Health Association on ways to use public health to prevent the harms of the carceral system; how accessing prenatal care was affected after a Pennsylvania criminal justice reform reduced prison admissions; a commentary that compared approaches to measuring structural racism; a report on racial disparities in police arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic; and a study on decreases in police arrests following Medicaid expansion.

"The data showed that in New Orleanslike many other areas around the countrythere were higher rates of proactive police stops in neighborhoods with majority Black residents, and an association with higher rates of preterm births among Black infants in those areas," Jahn said. "The fact that we did not see any change among births of white infants in these areas adds to work suggesting that proactive policing is a unique stressor disproportionately affecting the health of Black Americans."

The team looked at police stops that occurred only during the year of birthnot pre-pregnancy exposure to police stops. The study authors say that future research in this area should delve into the health mechanisms behind the link between police stops and preterm birth, or perhaps look at the effects of cumulative exposure to police stops over a lifespan, or look at policing data from Louisiana State Police or private police in addition to New Orleans Police Department data.

A related 2021 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found an association of residence in high-police-contact neighborhoods in Minneapolis with preterm birth among both Black and white individuals.

In addition to Jahn, the new paper's other authors include Maeve Wallace, Ph.D., and Katherine P. Theall, Ph.D., from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Rachel R. Hardeman, Ph.D., from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
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Shawn Blymiller, poses for a photograph in front of the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Blymiller, a 39-year-old father of two from suburban Salt Lake City, said he started magic mushroom therapy for treatment-resistant depression after becoming disillusioned with traditional anti-depressants. Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Shawn Blymiller spent 10 years of feeling mostly numbed while prescribed traditional anti-depressants, trudging through his day-to-day life as a suburban Salt Lake City father of two kids balancing the obligations of family and work selling technology software.

When his son was diagnosed as having special needs a few years later, the stress became increasingly difficult to endure. So like many with treatment-resistant depression, Blymiller, 39, sought out alternatives and found one he said worked: Psychedelic mushrooms.

Under a therapist's supervision, Blymiller took psilocybinthe most popular of the hallucinogens known broadly as "magic mushrooms"and for several hours, was able to confront past traumas, work through mental illness and ultimately become a better father, husband and friend, he said.

"It's almost revealing. These curtains in your psyche are being opened and you feel like, 'Oh my gosh, this is how I operate; this is how I present myself,' " he said after a sunrise mountain hike in the Salt Lake City suburb where he lives.

A group of patients like Blymiller would be able to use them legally for their ailments under a new Utah proposal that would create a pilot program for the medical and therapeutic use of magic mushrooms. Currently, magic mushrooms are illegal under federal law, and therapists who guide patients like Blymiller through trips typically require they find them on their own out of fear of jeopardizing their licenses. Blymiller declined to say how he procured them. He said like a lot of plant-based medicine, it wasn't difficult to find.

A vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a cannabis marketplace on May 24, 2019 in Los Angeles. Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people. They say alarming suicide rates and a shortage of traditional mental health practitioners has led them to consider research into alternative treatments for depression and anxiety, including so-called magic mushrooms. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File

Amid growing acceptance of psychedelics, advocates in blue states like Colorado and Oregon began their pushes with ballot measures proposing to decriminalize psychedelics like magic mushrooms. Advocates in red states like Utah and Missouri are starting in a different way, proposing studying them or first making them legal for medical usea strategy that mirrors how many states including Utah have handled marijuana legalization.

Last year, lawmakers in Utah's Republican-supermajority statehouse commissioned a study on the benefits and liabilities associated with psychedelic mushrooms. And this year, state Sen. Luz Escamilla, a Salt Lake City Democrat, wants to create a pathway to legalization and allowing patients to consume magic mushrooms for therapeutic benefits. Her primary motivation is confronting a ballooning mental health epidemic, she said.

"This is an opportunity to add to the toolbox for our massive mental health crisis," Escamilla said. "The policy question as a lawmaker is: Do we have 10 more years to wait for people to get access to mental health care when they need it?"

Utah, a conservative state where culture and politics are dominated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has become a global hotspot for psychedelics, attracting spirituality-seeking individuals leaving traditional religion as well as outdoor hobbyists looking to use hallucinogens recreationally in places like the red rock deserts of Moab.

Shawn Blymiller, poses for a photograph on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Blymiller, a 39-year-old father of two from suburban Salt Lake City, said he started magic mushroom therapy for treatment-resistant depression after becoming disillusioned with traditional anti-depressants. Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

As psychedelics become less counterculture and more mainstream, they are also drawing interests from suburban dads like Blymiller struggling with mental health and disillusioned after years of taking anti-depressants.

A series of studies from Johns Hopkins University's psychedelics research unit found that magic mushroom-assisted therapy can reduce depression symptoms for up to a year and be effective for individuals for whom other treatments haven't worked.

In Utah, which has among the highest suicide rates in the United States, all 29 counties have a shortage of mental health professionals. Blymiller hopes lawmakers consider legalizing magic mushrooms for therapeutic use this year so more people like himwhether struggling with post-traumatic stress, anxiety or depressioncan pursue treatment without fear of breaking drug laws.

The push would follow successful efforts in Oregon, but make Utah among the first states to create a legal framework for medical magic mushrooms. After successfully decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms, Oregon voters approved measures to decriminalize all drugs and legalize psilocybin for use in controlled circumstances. Oregon will soon issue licenses for professionals to facilitate therapeutic use.

Shawn Blymiller, poses for a photograph on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Blymiller, a 39-year-old father of two from suburban Salt Lake City, said he started magic mushroom therapy for treatment-resistant depression after becoming disillusioned with traditional anti-depressants. Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

"I don't think Republican legislators would ever favor a decriminalization model that says 'Live and let live, have fun and you won't go to jail,' " Connor Boyack, a lobbyist with the libertarian-leaning Libertas Institute, said, comparing Utah to Oregon and Colorado. "The arguments that work in a Republican Legislature are oversight, control and regulationto ensure safety and that youth and the wrong people don't get it."

Sen. Evan Vickers, a Republican pharmacist, said based on the studies he was intrigued by the prospect of legalizing psychedelic mushrooms for medical use and believes many feel confident in the way Utah regulates medical marijuana.

"The challenge always, with a substance like this, is you have the positive nature of it, but you also have the abusive potential," he said.

Legislation to allow research on the therapeutic benefits psilocybin is under consideration in states across the political spectrum this year, including in Arizona, Hawaii and Oklahoma. Legislation to legalize therapeutic use or create pilot programs is under consideration in states including California, Connecticut, New York, Utah, and Washington. In Virginia, two magic mushroom-related bills failed to advance this year in the politically divided General Assembly.

Shawn Blymiller, looks on during a news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Blymiller, a 39-year-old father of two from suburban Salt Lake City, said he started magic mushroom therapy for treatment-resistant depression after becoming disillusioned with traditional anti-depressants. Lawmakers throughout the United States are weighing proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for people. Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

In most states, legalization efforts face opponents who argue potentially opening a door to widespread and debilitating drug use outweighs the benefits therapy could have for the few who can afford to pursue it. Doctors' lobbies, including the Utah Medical Association, tend to oppose legalization efforts.

"While there may be some limited benefit to using appropriately controlled and appropriately implemented psychedelic medications in mental health that have gone through the FDA approval process, we do not believe Utah should create a program to grow, process, produce and distribute psychedelics. These are psychoactive substances that cause hallucinations," Michelle McOmber, the association's CEO, said in a statement.

Desiree Hennessy, the executive director of the Utah Patients Coalition, understands the idea of magic mushrooms may not be something manyincluding lawmakerswant to pursue personally. But she's hopeful, regardless of their partisan leanings, that the way most people have close ties to someone struggling with mental health will lead them to seriously consider legalizing therapeutic use.

"You talk to the legislators, families or anybody on the street and they will tell you that they know somebody that has committed suicide or is struggling with anxiety, depression or PTSD so severely that they are incapable of living their life. Everybody can find somebody that they know or as close to them that has had these experiences," she said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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According to available health data, malaria was the most common vector-borne disease among travelers from Africa to Europe between 2015 and 2019. Map shows Rates of malaria cases per 100,000 travelers arriving in Europe from Africa, per country of infection, 20152019 (n = 34,235cases). Credit: Eurosurveillance

So-called arthropod-borne diseases are human illnesses, commonly transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod vectors like ticks, mosquitoes, sandflies, or fleas. Efforts to strengthen disease surveillance in this area across Africa are on-going and supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), established in 2017.

However, information on circulating pathogens in some African countries is still limited. Using travelers as sentinels for infectious disease surveillance, Gossner et al. assessed travelers' health data collected in Europe in the attempt to provide actionable information for the Africa CDC.

Malaria most common vector-borne disease among travelers

In their descriptive analysis, Gossner et al. examined travelers' volume data and arthropod-borne disease cases reported in Europe between 2015 and 2019. For diseases with at least one hundred cases per year, the authors determined the disease-specific travelers' infection rate (TIR), which they considered as a proxy for the likelihood of infection.

In the study's timeframe, around 125 million people arrived by commercial airplane from Africa to Europe according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Most travelers arrived from Northern Africa (79.3 million), mainly from Morocco (31.1 million).

With 34,235 imported cases (TIR = 28.8/100,000 travelers) between 2015 and 2019, malaria was the most common arthropod-borne disease among travelers from Africa to Europe. Most of the cases were confirmed ones (> 99%). As for the blood parasites causing malaria, for 92% (n=31,404) of the reported cases the respective Plasmodium species were identified. Plasmodium falciparum accounted for the majority of them (89%) with the proportion of P. falciparum ranging from 75% for Eastern Africa to 92% for Western Africa.

In comparison, other mosquito-borne infections among travelers from Europe were reported only sporadically during the period studied: dengue (n=956), chikungunya (n=161), Zika virus disease (n=16), West Nile fever infection (n=9), Rift Valley fever (n=4) and yellow fever (n=1). There were no reports on imported cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, plague, or tick-borne encephalitis from Africa.

Complementing local surveillance

Comparing the results across the assessed infections, the malaria TIR was 36 and 144 times higher than the TIR for dengue and chikungunya, respectively. According to Gossner et al., "this reflects the high level of endemicity of the disease and transmissibility of the parasites in a large part of the African continent, the long durations of detectable (untreated) infections (as compared with the arboviral diseases) and the high proportion of cases presenting clinical manifestation making diagnosis likely."

The authors also observed that the number of imported cases and TIRs were higher for dengue than for chikungunya, which could imply that particularly in touristic areas dengue virus is circulating more widely than chikungunya virus.

While Gossner et al. acknowledge certain limitations of their study, e.g. potential underestimation of the TIR given that not all cases are diagnosed and reported in returning traveler to Europe or the fact that health data from travelers cannot serve as a substitute for local disease surveillance, they also consider that "travelers health data can efficiently complement local surveillance data, particularly when the country or region has a sub-optimal surveillance system. Similarly, travelers might be index cases of yet unrecognized outbreaks."

The research is published in Eurosurveillance.

More information: Gossner et al, Arthropod-borne diseases among travellers arriving in Europe from Africa, 2015 to 2019, Eurosurveillance (2023). DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.7.2200270

Provided by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Ireland will increase its funding for education in humanitarian emergencies, Minister for International Development and Diaspora Sean Fleming announced today.

Ireland is now committed to providing 4.5 million annually to support the work of Education Cannot Wait, the global fund to support education for emergencies. This support will amount to 18 million in the period to 2026. Speaking at a pledging session for Education Cannot Wait, Minister Fleming said: Too often, those hit hardest by crisis are those who were already furthest behind. From our own history in Ireland, we know that investing in these children, and investing in education, is an investment in our shared future. Ireland is committing today to provide 4.5 million annually to support the work of Education Cannot Wait, for a total of 18 million by 2026." Our contribution is part of our joint efforts as Team Europe, the EU and its Member States, to promote the right to quality education, for children and youth in the most vulnerable situations." We will continue supporting Education Cannot Wait in its mission to give these children hope for the future. Ireland has been a proud member and supporter of Education Cannot Wait since 2019. Conflict, hunger, and climate crises are having a huge impact on the education of more and more children across the world. Those hit hardest by crisis are those who were already furthest behind. Through partnerships like this, Irelands Official Development Assistance can help respond to the worst crises. Education Cannot Wait is already responding to the education needs of children affected by the recent devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. ENDS
Ambassador of Belarus A.Molchan meets the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela

On February 14, 2023 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Venezuela, Andrei Molchan, met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (European Affairs) of Venezuela, Franklin Ramirez.

The current bilateral and international agenda was discussed, and a plan of joint events and high-level meetings for the near future was agreed upon.

Attention is focused on the coincidence of the positions of Minsk and Caracas on current geopolitical issues, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation in the UN and other international organizations.

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The sheer volume of choices at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival can make choosing difficult, as there are 51 features and 84 shorts. The natural reflex is to choose a few features in genres youre interested in. But that goes against the spirit of nonfiction storytelling, in which compelling stories reside in nearly every facet of human life, and you only need the right filmmaker and subject to convince you.

Many seasoned locals will tell you that the best way to go is choosing a shorts block. One movie might catch your eye, and you open yourself to chance with the others.

In that spirit, here's a selection of shorts, circling the globe to Kurdistan, Spain, Israel and India with a stop in Baltimore along the way.

Carpenter

Director: Xelil Sehragerd

2023, Kurdistan  14 min.

World premiere

MCT, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m.

MCT, Saturday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m.

Streaming Feb. 20-March 1

The festival has developed connections with the Iranian filmmaking community, bringing their work to audiences here. The latest from the region is Kurdish director Xelil Sehragerds Carpenter.

The storytelling is minimalist  text in the introduction notes that many civilians are the victims of landmines, leaving them in need of artificial limbs.

The protagonist is Hussein Mahmood, a carpenter whos seemingly designed his livelihood around this. Sehragerd documents his work: Meeting with a client, taking measurements. Then Mahmood heads off to gather wood in the snowy mountains in the Kurdish territories of Iran.

Viewers see the steps involved in turning a hefty log into an elegantly single U-shaped leg, hollow in the middle. Mahmoods company outdoors consists only of a squirrel poking its head out and observing the noise, along with a few birds like an owl and a woodpecker.

Sehragerd pursues some unexpected angles: placing a camera at the bottom of a water bucket, inside one of the artificial legs, pointed to the sky, as Mahmood works on it. In one scene, the sound of him sawing is paired with a shot of ants running unintelligible routes on the crusty surface of the bark. By spring, hes returning to plant acorns and replace the trees that hes taken.

Its a lovely and oblique way of looking into how a person can serve others, while leaving the conflict at the source out of the frame.

By the movies end, without having interviewed him at all, youll learn why he does this work.

When the Mountain Rumbles

Director: Alba Bresoli

2022, Spain, 28 min.

U.S. premiere

The Wilma, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2:45 p.m.

The Wilma, Thursday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.

Streaming Feb. 20-March 1

A way of life for the animals, the land and the tiny number of humans is under threat.

Esco is located in Aragorn, a section of northeast Psain in the Pyrenees mountains, and will soon be adjacent to a highway cutting through the mountains, bringing with it traffic, tourism and noise.

Esco was abandoned  forcibly so, by the Franco regime in the 1960s. At least one family stayed, and now three adult brothers, all single, are the only occupants. Well, them and their flocks of sheep.

Now reaching an age when they cannot change professions readily, the film tracks them as change arrives unbidden.

Director Alba Bresoli's cinematography is wonderful, following them and their herds around falling-down stone buildings, and capturing anecdotes that illustrate the nature of their rural isolation. A pocket radio can work for a few minutes at a time; one brother remembers where they used to be able to watch movies.

A subtle and powerful use of sound comes after the arrival of the heavy machinery. As a brother goes through his morning routine: watering, moving hay in the barn, the previous silence is replaced with the grinding, low hum of engines.

Bresoli employs a clever framing device (light spoilers ahead). The film opens with grainy black-and-white footage of the sites that appears to be ancient. At the end, she enters the frame, filming the brothers, and you realize its the site thats been frozen in time, or at least escaped change, until now.

Margie Soudeks Salt and Pepper Shakers

Director: Meredith Moore

2022, USA  12 min.

Northwest premiere

MCT, Friday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m.

Stream Feb. 20-March 1

The most formally unusual of the docs Ive seen involves the classic scenario of a granddaughter interviewing her grandmother about her collection of thousands of salt-and-pepper shakers, filtered through the prism of a visual effects instruction class.

Director Meredith Moore does teach visual effects, which are, in a way, an interest parallel to her grandmothers. Theres certainly footage of Soudek and her shaker pile, which are indeed magnificent in their scale: penguins, smiley faces, ducks, miniature metal-frame bicycles with shakers in the rear basket, even a set of six-shooters, all held in a wall-sized glass-enclosed case.

Moore interjects with visual effects tutorials as the movie continues on. (Where there are green-screen demos, there will be explosions, but worry not. Its a sweet film.)

As Moore lays out in a sticky note on her computer desktop, its really about obsession, compulsion, building identity, and how we navigate the world. The whimsical music is courtesy of producer Dan Deacon, which should give you a clear idea of its tone.

Requiem for a Whale

Director: Ido Weisman

2022, Israel  15 min.

The Wilma, Monday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m.

Streaming Feb. 20-March 1

Whales dont typically need gravediggers. They usually die in the ocean, where their fat-rich bodies are consumed by birds, fish and others in a rich banquet.

A gravedigger is called for, and interviewed, in this film, shot in the aftermath of a beached whale corpse washed ashore on a beach in Israel.

Director Ido Weisman is curious about the human response  he begins filming after its discovery, then continues in the days afterward. As an autopsy is performed and a grave is dug, he films the people who are there out of curiosity or there for the purposes of social media.

The selfies and the spectacle seem unbearable at first. Weisman has a method, though. He filmed subjects on the beach, and then reached out to them and interviewed them over the phone to see what was really going through their minds.

Thoughts about health, the temporary nature of life, the mess humans have wrought on the waters, all come into play. Then a young constructor worker arrives to dig a hole right in the sand.

Suddenly, its just a beach again.

Holy Cowboys

Director: Varun Chopra

2021, India, U.S.,  24 min.

Montana premiere

The ZACC, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.

Streaming Feb. 20-March 1

In India, divisions between Hindus, who are vegetarian, and Muslims, who eat beef, can be roiled by the presence of the animals in the streets.

To Hindi people, cows are sacred and must be saved. They are Gods embodiment on earth, as some background text explains. That logic, taken to its extreme, means that a Muslim taking one to slaughter is a butcher, to the hard-core believers.

Cows roam the streets, which, lacking proper garbage disposal, are rife with potential food items.

In Holy Cowboys, a Hindu teenager saves a cow that was eating garbage and brings it to a sanctuary. Seeing that compulsion to help, a friend has him come to a meeting with a cow protection unit, a group that targets smugglers.

Spoilers follow: The kids who accompany the Cow Protection Unit go on a run, with a camera operator in tow, and obliquely film a beating. It cuts away completely while theyre talking about torching a truck. Director Varun Chopra and company deserve credit for finding such footage; theyve eschewed narration and dont key in viewers on to whether they knew things might escalate this far (its talked about, but still) or what the aftermath was.

The filmmakers observe this violence but dont comment upon it. The editing lays bare some of the contradictions. We see a doctor surgically removing trash bags from a live cows stomach.

At the end, after the violence, we see the kid works at a factory that makes trash bags.
THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- An adenovirus serotype 26 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vector encoding a prefusion F (preF) protein (Ad26.RSV.preF) in combination with RSV preF protein is immunogenic and prevents RSV-mediated lower respiratory tract disease in older adults, according to a study published in the Feb. 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Ann R. Falsey, M.D., from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York, and colleagues conducted a phase 2b, proof-of-concept trial to examine the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of Ad26.RSV.preF-RSV preF protein vaccine among adults aged 65 years or older. A total of 5,782 participants were randomly assigned to receive vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. The primary end point was the first occurrence of RSV-mediated lower respiratory tract disease that met one of three case definitions.

The researchers found that RSV-mediated lower respiratory tract disease meeting case definitions 1, 2, and 3 occurred in six, 10, and 13 and in 30, 40, and 43 vaccine and placebo recipients, respectively. For case definitions 1, 2, and 3, vaccine efficacy was 80.0, 75.0, and 69.8 percent, respectively. From baseline to day 15 after vaccination, RSV A2 neutralizing antibody titers increased by a factor of 12.1. Compared with the placebo group, the percentages of participants with solicited local and systemic adverse events were higher in the vaccine group (local: 37.9 versus 8.4 percent; systemic: 41.4 versus 16.4 percent); most adverse events were mild to moderate. The frequency of serious adverse events was similar between the groups.

"Vaccine efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety were maintained across subgroups defined according to age and the presence of additional risk factors for severe RSV-mediated disease," the authors write.

The study was funded by Janssen Vaccines and Prevention, which manufactures the Ad26.RSV.preF-RSV preF vaccine.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

It was around 2 a.m. when Carmen realized her 12-year-old daughter was in danger and needed help.

Haley wasnt in her room  or anywhere else in the house. Carmen tracked Haleys phone to a main street in their central Massachusetts community.

She dont know the danger that she was taking out there, said Carmen, her voice choked with tears. Walking in the middle of the night, anything can happen.

Carmen picked up Haley, unharmed. But in those early morning hours, she learned about more potentially dangerous behavior  provocative photos her daughter had sent and plans to meet up with a boy in high school. She also remembered the time a few years back when Haley was bullied and said she wanted to die. Carmen asked KHN to withhold the familys last name to protect Haleys identity.

Carmen drove her daughter to a local hospital  the only place she knew to look for help in an emergency  where Haley ended up on a gurney, in a hallway, with other young people whod also come with an urgent mental health problem. Haley spent the next three days like that. It was painful for her mother, who had to go home at times to care for Haleys siblings.

Leaving [her] in there for days, seeing all those kids, it was terrifying for me, Carmen said.

That week last October, Haley was one of 115 children and teenagers who went to a Massachusetts hospital ER in a mental health crisis, waiting days or even weeks for an opening in an adolescent psychiatric unit. The problem, known as boarding, has been on the rise across the country for more than a decade. And some hospitals have reported record numbers during the covid-19 pandemic.

We see more and more mental health patients, unfortunately, languishing in emergency departments, said Dr. Chris Kang, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Ive heard stories of not just weeks but months.

But now a handful of states and counties are testing ways to provide urgent mental care outside the ER and reduce this strain on hospitals. Massachusetts has contracted with four agencies to provide intensive counseling at home through a program called emergency department diversion. Its an approach that could be a model for other states grappling with boarding. For Haley, so far, its a game changer.

To determine whats best for each child, hospitals start with a psychological evaluation, like the one Haley had on her second day in the ER.

I didnt know if they were just going to send me home or put me in a really weird place, she said. It was, like, really nerve-wracking.

DeAnna Pedro, a liaison between pediatrics and psychiatry at UMass Memorial Medical Center, reviewed Haleys report and considered recommending time in a psychiatric unit.

She was doing a lot of high-risk things, Pedro said. So there was a lot of thought given to: Would we need to go to something extreme like a psychiatric admission?

But both Pedro and Haleys parents worried about this option. It would be a dramatic change for a 12-year-old whose only experience with mental health care was with her school counselor. So instead Pedro contacted Youth Villages, a youth diversion agency Massachusetts hired during the pandemic. Haleys family met with a supervisor right there in the ER.

Later, during the first home visit, there was a safety sweep.

We look under rugs, we look behind picture frames, we look in the dirt of plants, said Laura Polizoti, the counselor from Youth Villages assigned to Haleys case. Youth Villages also provided window and door alarms that Haleys parents could activate at night.

Counseling for Haley and her parents started right away. A key goal was to understand why Haley was sneaking out at night and taking inappropriately sexual pictures.

During a counseling session one afternoon in December, Polizoti focused on Haleys anger at herself and her mom.

Have you ever done an emotional thermometer before? Polizoti asked, laying a large graphic of a thermometer on the table. It had blank lines for five emotions, from cool to hot.

It can help you see where your feelings are at, Polizoti explained. Then well come up with coping skills for each level.

In the blank next to the bottom of the thermometer, Haley wrote chill. At the top, in the red zone, she wrote infuriated.

Infuriated  thats a good word, Polizoti said. So when youre infuriated, how do you think you feel physically? What do you notice?

Haley told Polizoti her palms get sweaty, she stops talking, and she makes a weird face. Haley scrunched up her nose and frowned to demonstrate. Polizoti laughed.

As the exercise unfolded, Polizoti asked Haley to think of ways to calm herself before irritation turns to anger. Haley suggested spending time alone, watching TV, playing with her siblings, or jumping on the familys trampoline.

Thats a good one, the trampoline, said Polizoti. Can we come up with one more?

I could, like, talk with my mom? Haley said.

Awesome, said Polizoti.

Initial numbers suggest this diversion program is working. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health said that as of early February 536 young people, ages 4 to 18, had worked with one of the four agencies. A large majority, 82%, have not returned to an emergency room with a mental health concern; 92% have met their treatment goals, or were referred for additional treatment once stabilized by the initial diversion service.

Advocates for parents of children with mental health issues said the main complaint they hear is that hospitals dont present the home care program option quickly enough, and that when they do, there is often a wait.

We would love to have more opportunities to get these diversions with more families, said Meri Viano, associate director at the Parent/Professional Advocacy League. Weve seen in the data and heard from families that this has been a great program to get children in that next place to heal faster.

And then theres the relatively affordable cost: $8,522, on average, for the typical course of care. At Youth Villages, that pays for three 45- to 60-minute counseling sessions a week, in a patients home or other community setting, for three months. The savings are significant. One study calculated the cost of pediatric boarding at $219 an hour, or $5,256 for just one day. And thats before the expense of a psychiatric hospital stay.

In Massachusetts, the diversion program seems to be relieving overburdened hospitals and staff. A report from the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association shows youth ER boarding numbers dropped as more hospitals started referring families to home-based options. MHA said the numbers are hopeful.

Kang, with the American College of Emergency Physicians, is optimistic about mental health organizations like Youth Villages offering urgent care outside of hospitals, but said starting diversion programs isnt easy. If state and local governments dont take the lead, hospitals need to vet community mental health partners, create care agreements, and figure out how to pay for home-based services. All this while hospitals are overwhelmed by staffing shortages.

Making these kinds of systemic changes may require getting past some inertia as well as some reluctance to say, Is this really what we need to do?' said Kang.

Some families hesitate to try diversion if their child takes psychiatric medications or they think the child should be prescribed those medicines. Youth Villages does not have prescribers on staff. Children who need medication see a psychiatrist or primary care doctor outside the program.

Its not clear what percentage of children and teens who go to a hospital ER for mental care can be treated at home rather than in a psychiatric unit  home isnt always a safe place for a patient. But in other cases, home care is the best option, said Matthew Stone, Youth Villages executive director in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Many of the mental health challenges that these children are facing are driven by factors in their natural environment: their school, their neighborhood, their peer system, said Stone. Its our view that you really cant work on addressing those factors with a child in a placement.

Clinicians in psychiatric units do work on family and social issues, sometimes bringing family members into the hospital for sessions. Theres no data yet to compare the outcomes.

Some mental health advocates argue that the need for diversion will subside as Massachusetts launches a multiyear plan to improve mental health care. But for the time being, Carmen and other parents coping with a new mental health crisis will likely still head to an ER, where they may be offered intensive counseling at home.

A lot of parents dont know what the kids are going through because they dont want to accept that your kids really need help, Carmen said. Hopefully this can help another family.

This article is from a partnership that includes WBUR, NPR, and KHN.

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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THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Talk about the stuff of nightmares. You have extremely itchy skin at bedtime, not to mention a pimple-like rash. What is it?

Those are fairly clear signs of scabies, a microscopic parasitic infestation where mites burrow under your skin and lay eggs there.

Scabies infection comes from prolonged contact, not just a quick brush against someone elses skin. It can also be passed through bedding or clothing.

Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as his or her sexual partners and other contacts who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person, should be treated, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises.

What is scabies?

This human itch mite lives and lays eggs in the upper layer of the skin, according to the CDC.

About 200 million people worldwide have scabies at any one time, including up to 10% of children in poor areas, according to the World Health Organization.

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae can travel to the skins surface, spreading to other areas or other people, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What does scabies look like? It may resemble hives, tiny bites, knots under the skin or even eczema-like scaly patches, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Sores may develop from scratching.

Under magnification, the mite is creamy-white, has eight legs and a round body. It is roughly the size of a needle tip, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How to identify scabies

A doctor can best do this, but signs can include the rash and intense itching that worsens at night.

Mites are most commonly found between the fingers, around the fingernails, on elbows, wrists, at the belt line, in the genital area and around the nipples, according to the AAD.

Sometimes children will have an all-over rash, including their scalp. Infants typically have it on the palms and soles, according to the AAD.

Although scabies is contagious, children can typically return to school the day after treatment, according to an article recently published by HealthDay.

A severe form called crusted scabies, or Norwegian scabies, leads to widespread crusts on skin with hundreds or thousands of mites, instead of 15 or 20. It can impact someone with a weakened immune system, according to the AAD.

How do you get scabies?

Scabies is commonly spread between sexual partners or among members of the same household.

Crowded conditions can also contribute, according to the CDC. Outbreaks are common in nursing homes, prisons and child care facilities.

What causes scabies? Its a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis.

Incubation time ranges from just one to four days if youve had scabies before to four to eight weeks, the CDC said.

Scabies symptoms

Scabies cause an intense, unbearable itch, according to a report published recently in the journal Frontiers in Medicine. This is caused directly by the mites and the bodys immune response to them.

A later rash can look like lines on the skin that are grayish or skin-colored, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Scratching too much can cause a skin infection, such as impetigo, according to Mayo Clinic. Untreated scabies can even lead to complications such as chronic kidney disease, according to the Frontiers in Medicine report.

Scabies treatment

Scabies medications include creams and pills, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition wont resolve without treatment.

What is a good treatment for scabies? Apply a prescription cream that contains permethrin to clean skin on the entire body, including palms and soles of the feet. Children may also need it on the scalp.

Leave the cream on for eight to 14 hours before washing it off, the Cleveland Clinic advised.

The veterinary drug ivermectin, which gained fame during the pandemic as a failed treatment for COVID-19, can be used in small doses to treat parasites, according to a recent HealthDay story.

Just last summer, health officials in the Solomon Islands initiated a mass rollout of ivermectin to treat an outbreak of scabies among children there.

Scabies affects everyone, especially young children, Sarah Andersson, program manager of the rollout, said in a Murdoch Children's Research Institute news release. "Rolling out the treatment for scabies to all communities in the Solomon Islands at the same time will contribute significantly to stopping the spread of scabies and preventing this debilitating condition.

Ivermectin is given in two doses separated by a week or two under a doctor's guidance. It shouldnt be used by someone who is pregnant or lactating or in children weighing less than 35 pounds, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Bumps and itching may persist for up to four weeks even though the mites are dead. Antihistamines can help with the itching, the Cleveland Clinic noted. Anyone who has had close contact with a person infected with scabies should also be treated.

Wash clothing and bedding in hot water followed by a hot dryer. Vacuum carpets and furniture well, especially if someone has had crusted scabies, the CDC recommends.
Missoula officials arrested two people and seized two trailers in connection with a public health hazard on Latimer Street Wednesday afternoon.

Two derelict travel trailers were removed from the roadway at the 2600 block of Latimer. They were deemed an emergency health hazard by the Missoula City-County Health Department, according to a press release from Missoula police.

Missoula Police Spokesperson Whitney Bennett said officers observed a large amount of garbage at the scene.

Numerous warnings, contacts, citations, and attempts to offer resources had been unsuccessful over the course of several months, Bennett said in the press release. When officials responded, two people were arrested on outstanding warrants. They had been previously issued citations in connection with the health hazard.

Bennett stated authorities went to the scene following multiple complaints about public health issues and public nuisances.

Police, city code compliance officers, health department officials and animal control all responded. Bennett said animal control took some animals into their care.

Resources and alternate housing options were provided to persons affected by this response, Bennett added.

The health departments role was limited in this specific case, Missoula County Environmental Health Manager Jeanna Miller said, adding her office works to assess risks to public health rather than a single trailer occupant.
The total number of students enrolled this semester at the University of Montana, including those at Missoula College and other partnership programs, grew by about 3.1% from last spring.

There are 10,109 students enrolled in UMs programs this spring. The university reported a total of 9,955 students during fall semester and 1,190 graduated from UM at fall commencement in December.

The spring-semester enrollment boost was influenced by increases among undergraduate and graduate students, but the largest gains were among those enrolled at the local two-year college. Missoula College now has 1,983 total students, making an increase of about 19% from last spring.

Student enrollment at the University of Montana continues to rise, UM President Seth Bodnar said on Wednesday. Across the board, we have more students on campus today than last spring. This sustained enrollment growth proves that our efforts to recruit more students and keep them on the path to graduation is yielding progress.

From last spring semester, the universitys main campus saw gains among veteran students (12.4%), students with disabilities (4.1%) and Native students (6.8%). In that same time, there were decreases among the number of first generation students (-11.1%) and PELL-eligible students (-8%) on the main campus.

Earlier this school year, the university launched the Grizzly Promise initiative after the university found that the number of resident students from low-income families was on a slight decline.

The total number of students enrolled in courses with Missoula College skyrocketed by 63% from fall semester, which was fueled by an infusion of dual-enrollment students in the spring. The number of dual-enrollment students attending both campuses swelled from 192 in the fall to 1,081 in the spring enrollment count.

The university reported a slight dip in its overall enrollment during fall semester despite welcoming its largest freshman class in six years.
Voters across the Western U.S. continue to value land and water conservation, renewable energy, and access for recreation despite more than a decade of political and economic tumult.

But, voters are increasingly worried about more people moving to their states, and the natural resource impact from resultant increases in recreation. And consistently high levels of concern over water supply, wildfire and climate change have grown even stronger in recent years.

Those conclusions were just a few general trends among the results of the 13th Conservation in the West Poll released Wednesday. The poll is the result of the 20-year-old State of the Rockies Project at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. The poll began with five states in 2011: Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Pollsters added Arizona in 2012, Nevada in 2016 and Idaho in 2018. The poll doesnt include the Pacific states of California, Oregon and Washington.

In Montana, support for the Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Act rose from 79% last year to 84% this year. And, 85% of Montana respondents said that loss of fish and wildlife habitat was a serious concern  the highest percentage of any state in the survey. Montana also led the survey states with the percentage of respondents who said they hunt or fish: 53% were hunters and 53% claimed to be anglers. Region-wide, only 27% of respondents said they hunt and 33% said they fish.

Montanans also led the other states in the number of respondents who identified as conservationists  73%, topped only by Wyomings 74%  and in the number of respondents who said access to outdoor recreation is very important  91%, again topped only by Wyomings 92%. Respondents who hunt or fish were significantly more likely to identify as conservationists and support access to recreation.

But Montana respondents were also concerned about crowding at recreation sites: 72% in Montana said it was a serious problem, compared with an average of 65% across the West.

The results across the West, particularly in the five states that have been polled for all 13 years, are incredibly consistent, said pollster Lori Weigel. Westerners do seem to prioritize conservation  and their ability to enjoy the outdoors.

Weigel and Kathryn Hahne, of New Bridge Strategies, and Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3), conducted the poll for the project. They noted that theirs is a bipartisan collaboration: Outside of the project, New Bridge Strategies conducts polls and research for Republican politicians while FM3 does the same for Democrats.

Despite spanning three presidents, a slew of governors, economic booms and busts, and a global pandemic, attitudes of voters in the West have remained largely unchanged toward overwhelmingly supporting conservation, favoring renewables over fossil fuels for domestic energy, and wanting greater and more equitable access to the outdoors for all people. The attitudes are consistent, although not universal, among Republicans and Democrats.

Other things are new, like economic stressors that have risen to the fore here, Weigel said. In this years poll, conducted in January, 97% of respondents said rising cost of living was a serious concern; 89% described the cost of gasoline as a serious concern, too.

Western U.S. residents are also increasingly concerned with influxes of people to their states. In 2016, just under half of respondents said people moving to their state was a serious problem. In 2023, three-quarters called it a serious problem.

Across the West, concern over water, though already high in 2011, has also increased significantly. In 2011, 75% of respondents said inadequate water supply was a serious problem; that figure jumped to 86% by 2023. And even with record rain and snow inundating many parts of the survey area this year, concern over drought as a serious problem was shared by 92% of respondents, up from 83% in 2016.

Concern about water is off the charts Metz said, and one of the major drivers in sentiment is, of course, the Colorado River.

But most respondents didnt understand where water is going. Across the West, farms and ranches account for most water usage. But only 34% of respondents across the West knew that, the poll found. The rest said it was industry and business (38% of respondents) or water use at home (25%).

In Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, 5052% of respondents knew that agriculture was the leading water user in the West. In Nevada, only 17% knew that. Older respondents were more likely to correctly identify agriculture as the leading water user, with 41% of baby boomers answering correctly and only 30% of Gen Z getting it right. Half of Gen Z respondents pegged industry as the leading user; only 29% of boomers said the same.

None of this is surprising, Metz said. We wouldnt expect the average layperson to be closely tracking where water supplies are allocated.

Most respondents supported water conservation efforts. Nearly all supported improvements to infrastructure aimed at reducing waste, and requiring adequate water supplies before developing land. Only 62% supported prohibitions on grass lawns for new developments. They also overwhelmingly supported other conservation efforts like preserving wildlife habitat and migration routes, ensuring healthier forests, and helping threatened wildlife.

And, 68% of respondents across the West wanted their Congress members to prioritize preserving natural resources over producing energy in their state. Only Wyoming had fewer than 50% of respondents supporting resource protection over energy production. Prioritizing resource protection over energy production bridged the political divide, with 73% of conservative Republicans, 83% of moderate Republicans, 82% of independents and 96% of Democrats preferring conservation.

Two-thirds of respondents supported a transition to 100% clean energy in the next 1015 years.

And, 82% of respondents supported the 30-by-30 Plan in the U.S., which aims to protect 30% of land and inland water and 30% of ocean water by 2030. Support was bipartisan: 68% of conservative Republicans, 77% of moderate Republicans, 85% of independents and 94% of Democrats supported the plan.

Respondents also overwhelmingly wanted Native American tribes to have more say in decisions affecting sacred or culturally important sites, with 83% voicing support. In Montana the figure was 80%; it was closer to 90% in New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

Across the breadth of the results, Weigel and Metz said, the overarching trend was consistency in beliefs on conservation, despite other political and economic circumstances. Metz said that peoples perception of land, water, wildlife and energy is based on what they see happening around them.

They dont just blow in the wind, he said. Theyre pretty stable about what they want to protect about the places they live.

The poll drew from more than 400 interviews in each state, with samples designed to represent each states demographics, including their urban-rural divides. Oversamples were conducted among Black voters and Native American Voters to better understand distinctions within those groups. But all results were weighted to reflect their respective proportions of their state and of the entire eight-state survey area.

Full results of this years poll, and the 12 before it, are available at coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2023.html.
A 1,080-acre conservation easement is being considered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks about 10 miles north of Winifred.

The land would provide additional access to 15,400 acres of adjoining state and Bureau of Land Management property.

FWP is preparing a draft environmental assessment for the Fergus County property. As part of that process, the public is being asked to identify any issues and concerns related to the proposal.

Named the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement, the land is primarily sagebrush and grasslands interspersed with timbered coulees on the south side of Missouri River, next to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The land also adjoins the 4,600-acre Whiskey Ridge CE that was approved in 2020.

Montana Cadastral lists the owner of the property as LCG Investment Co. of Wichita Falls, Texas. The limited partnership includes Cliff Henderson and his three children.

The primary objectives of the easement is to provide perpetual conservation and enhancement of high-quality native habitats, maintaining traditional land uses and providing public recreational opportunity, according to FWP. The landscape is home to pronghorn, mule deer and elk.

It also comprises a portion of the larger landscape key to maintaining viable populations of bighorn sheep, Merriams wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, mountain lion and a host of native nongame species, according to FWP. Most notably, this property and the surrounding breaks provide important habitat and access to the Southern Missouri River Breaks HD 482 bighorn sheep herd. This bighorn sheep herd is part of the states largest sheep metapopulation and provides an important ecological and recreational resource to Montana.

In addition to the usual terms of a conservation easement, the agreement would also include language prohibiting grazing by domestic sheep, llamas, and goats, until such time effective management practices are developed and implemented to mitigate concerns of disease transmission between wild and domestic sheep.

A copy of the scoping proposal is available online. The 30-day public comment period for the proposed project will run through March 15.

Written comments may be submitted to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, c/o Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement Proposal, PO Box 938, Lewistown, MT 59457. Or email comments to sandersen@mt.gov Attn: Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement Proposal.

For more information regarding the proposed project, call Lewistown-area wildlife biologist Sonja Andersen at 406-366-5266 or email: sandersen@mt.gov.
Crappie fishing at Tongue River Reservoir is drawing poor reviews from some anglers, raising concerns the popular panfish need help.

It was once the greatest fishery in a two-state area for anglers interested in pursuing a wide size range of panfish, said Sheridan, Wyoming, angler Tyler George in an email.

Over the past five years, however, George said he has seen the crappie fishery suffer. Thats backed up by the most recent Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports on the lake. FWP biologist Caleb Bollman said the crappie populations, when measured in August, were at an all-time low.

From 1996 to 1999, crappie numbers were around 20 per gillnet. This year they were less than three crappie per net.

Popular spot

Tongue River Reservoir is located about two hours southeast of Billings along the Montana-Wyoming border. Its long been touted as a top crappie fishery for Montana and Wyoming anglers. The state park at Tongue is the second most popular in FWPs Region 7. In 2022s first quarter, the park recorded more than 9,400 visits.

George isnt alone in his concerns. Veteran angler and former Billings Gazette columnist Bob Krumm has fished Tongue River Reservoir since the 1990s. He used to have good luck ice fishing for crappie, but not in recent years. Krumm also enjoys fly fishing for crappie in the spring, but didnt hook any last year. He has, however, noted an increase in yellow perch.

Why?

Two changes to the lake may be responsible for the decline in crappie, particularly white crappie.

In 2000, the dam was raised. As a result, the lake level can now climb an additional 4 feet, expanding to 3,700 acres. Then in 2018, Montana and Wyoming agreed on a new water compact. Prior to that, the dam was often lowered in the fall allowing vegetation to grow and then be flooded in the spring when runoff came. The flooded vegetation would add nutrients to the water. Back then, 30 feet of lake elevation change in a year wasnt uncommon, Bollman said.

With the new compact, irrigators dont want the lake drawn down in fall for fear there wont be enough water in spring to refill it.

Everything kind of points to that large scale habitat change, Bollman said.

Before the water compact was settled, he said there were only two out of 50 years when the dam spillway was used. Now, almost annually, the spillway will be utilized for two to three weeks. Although he sampled below the dam to see if fish were being flushed, the census wasnt thorough enough to be conclusive, Bollman said.

Overfishing has been ruled out, despite the reservoirs status as the second most popular fishery in the region. However, FWP did recently change the limit for crappie, cutting it in half from 30 a day with 60 in possession to 15 a day, 30 in possession.

Black vs. white

Black and white crappie are nonnative species largely confined to waters in Eastern Montana. They are both members of the sunfish family.

Black crappie are more widespread in Montana, while white crappie are mostly confined to the states larger river systems in the east. Both are spring spawners that build nests. Since they are a schooling fish, anglers can sometimes find a pod and catch several from the same spot. Both are also valued for their tasty white meat, although it can take a lot of fish to make a meal given their small size.

The largest black crappie ever caught in the state was a 3.13-pounder, measuring 16.7-inches long. It was pulled out of Tongue River Reservoir in 1973 by Al Elser. The largest white crappie in the state was a 3.68-pound, 18.5-inch fish caught in 1996 by Gene Bassett. His record catch also came from Tongue River Reservoir.

Older FWP fish surveys in the 1960s show white crappie as the dominant of the two species. Now thats flipped. The decline in crappie numbers disproportionately affects white crappie, Bollman said. Black crappie numbers are still fairly well distributed across different ages. Thats one reason Bollman doesnt think overharvest of crappie is a reason for the fishes decline.

Its not unusual for naturally reproducing fish like crappie to have bad years, Bollman explained, often due to cold weather conditions that may drive the fish off their nests. Yet he said its now getting hard to remember when crappie reproduction was good, another reason he believes its not due to weather conditions or water temperatures.

Stocking

Given the situation, FWP has collected white crappie brood stock. The fish will be raised at the Miles City hatchery with the possibility of having enough to stock within a year or two.

We definitely think its worth a try, Bollman said.

Realistically, stocking of white crappie isnt going to be a short-term fix, he added. I guess it will be a few years out.

Its also possible the effort wont work if the problem is overwinter die-offs or a combination of predation by the lakes other species  walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass.

But if its tied to having the wrong conditions at the wrong pool level  a successful stocking program could potentially even out annual production from year to year.

Still thriving

Annual stocking of walleye in Tongue River Reservoir has proven effective. Bollman noted fish surveys show walleye only missing one year class out to 12 years old. Last fall was the highest catch rate for walleye during the FWP survey since the 1980s  18 fish per gill net.

So I do think the stocking program for walleye is helping to buffer that population against variables like spawning conditions, he said. We hope to do that with white crappie.

Nevertheless, Bollman doesnt think the rise in walleye numbers and decline in crappie are related, especially since the crappie population drop predates the rise in walleye numbers.

Until the crappie population climbs, anglers at Tongue River Reservoir should still find plenty of walleye, smallmouth bass and a few northern pike to catch.

Thats kind of the silver lining, Bollman said. As lamentable as it is to not have the crappie resource we had, theres still a great fishery down there.
This week Tom Kuglin and Sam Wilson talk about one legislator's quest to legalize the use of crossbows for hunters with disabilities and the process of drawing new legislative district maps.

This podcast from the Montana State News Bureau is created in partnership across five newsrooms  the Billings Gazette, the Helena Independent Record, the Missoulian, the Montana Standard and the Ravalli Republic. You can support this podcast and our efforts by subscribing. Visit any of these newspapers websites, and click on the Become a Member button at the top of the home page. We appreciate your support of local journalism.
A bill that would reduce the sale of nonresident hunter doe tags faced no opposition before the Senate Fish and Game Committee on Tuesday, as spokesmen for guiding and conservation groups struck a conciliatory tone.

Senate Bill 281, sponsored by Sen. Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, would revise laws relating to the sale of nonresident deer B tags, which are good only for does. Nonresidents who draw a big game combination license or nonresident deer combination license would only be able to purchase two doe tags under the bill. Other nonresident hunters would be limited to one doe tag.

Mule deer hunting is hurting in a lot of places, Flowers said. So this is primarily focused on Region 6 and 7 on the east side of the state.

Nonresidents

Based on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks data, nonresident deer hunter numbers climbed from around 47,600 in 2012 to more than 59,000 by 2022, an increase of more than 11,300. The increase in hunters has led to overcrowding on some public and private lands opened to the public, Flowers said. As a result, hunters are spending more days afield to fill their tags, or leaving tags unfilled.

Over the last couple of years, Flowers said nonresidents had purchased between 11,000 to 12,000 doe tags a year. The aim of SB 281 is to strategically limit the number of hunters, Flowers said, while ensuring that the kind of incidents we see with nonresidents leaving the state with a stack of does will probably be a thing of the past, which is one of the things were after with this.

According to FWPs 2022 population report, estimated mule deer numbers are down across almost every region of the state when compared to long-term averages. The biggest drop is in southeastern Montanas Region 7, which was 37% below the long-term average. Region 5 in central Montana was next with a 26% decline. Only Region 3, in southwestern Montana, showed a modest gain. Statewide, mule deer populations have been on an almost steady downward slide since 2017.

Support

Mac Minard, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, said his group had been working with the Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition for the past seven to eight months to find areas where they could concur on issues. One area of agreement was reducing the number of nonresident deer doe tags.

These discussions were intended to bring us to a better place in terms of discussion, conversation and maybe a little bit less gunfighting in front of the Legislature, Minard said.

We dont view this bill as just a  fix to a short-term issue on mule deer abundance, he added. "Thats not how were viewing it. Its actually a major policy change. Its saying that mule deer are important enough that we need to limit some of those doe harvests in the face of increasing hunter pressure.

Ben Lamb, representing the Montana Wildlife Federation and the elk coalition, praised MOGA for reaching out to start the discussions.

I think the 2021 legislative session got really raucous on these issues between hunters and outfitters, Lamb said. I think everybody kind of recognized there was a need to sit down and find some common ground.

To that end, the groups have also agreed to discuss season setting, which Lamb said was a huge change from the way things have happened over the last 20 years. For now, the groups have collaborated on a suite of bills, of which SB 281 is just one that will come before the Legislature, he noted.

When we brought this idea forward the first question that we got was, well, What in the heck do mule deer have to do with elk? Lamb told the committee, referencing another hot-button wildlife issue. Very simply put its about hunter pressure. An elk doesnt care if youre going after a mule deer doe, a whitetail buck, or an elk. Theyre just going to go where theyre safe.

The increase in hunter pressure leads to problematic concentrations of elk and deer on private lands where they can cause damage to fences and haystacks, as well as avoid hunters.

So this is really a targeted approach to reduce hunting pressure on a smaller scale than what a lot of people would like to see, and thats very deliberate because these are not simple issues to solve, Lamb said. These are complex things to unwind, and its based on human behavior as much as it is animal behavior.

Katjana Stutzer, representing the Montana Chapter of Backcounty Hunters and Anglers, said her group supports the bill but would like to see it go further to reduce nonresident hunting pressure.

Money

Committee members asked what the fiscal impact of the bill would be, given that nonresident hunter license dollars account for 76% of all license revenue. No fiscal note has yet been added to the bill.

From what weve been able to suss out so far on this, trying to estimate what the impacts might be  it may be a reduction of 3,000 to 6,000 licenses or permits a year, Flowers said.

At $75 each, that would mean a range from $225,000 to $450,000 a year, which Flowers called a reasonable impact.

Nonresident hunters subsidize our residents, I dont think we want to lose sight of that, he said. So this isnt an attempt to just beat up on nonresident hunters.

But he added SB 281 also recognizes that Montanas laws and the states approach to wildlife management needs to provide flexibility to ensure that our resident hunters remain the primary beneficiary for hunting licensure while also relieving some of the crowding on accessible lands.
The Governor's Office on Wednesday announced a $2.1 million grant award for universal mental health screening in schools.

A legislative proposal to put those screenings into state law was voted down on the House of Representatives two days earlier. That bill would have provided the same funding figure beginning in fiscal year 2023.

The funds come from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief grant and was awarded by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to the Rural Behavioral Health Institute to fund the Screening Linked to Care Program through the 2024-2025 school year.

No young Montanan struggling with their mental health is alone, Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a press release Wednesday. By investing in voluntary universal mental health screening in our schools, we can get young Montanans the help they need, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and build a stronger, healthier Montana.

The Rural Behavioral Health Institute conducted pilot programs of the school-based suicide prevention intervention screenings in 10 schools between 2020 and 2022, engaging with more than 1,000 middle and high school students.

Thirty-seven schools have committed to implementing the program this program, the Governor's Office said in the release.

This is a terrific opportunity to expand this important work, Janet Lindow of the Rural Behavioral Health Institute said in the press release. The pilot projects have been successful, and we look forward to working with additional schools in the coming months.

The 2021 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 41% of high school students, the highest rate ever recorded, self-reported symptoms of depression over the prior year. More than one in five seriously considered suicide.

RBHI has done an excellent job piloting universal screening in Montana, and were excited to expand this program to more schools, DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said in the release.
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest installed the radio repeater and antennae in July 2020 on top of ODell Mountain in the West Pioneer Wilderness Study Area.

It took a while for the fur to fly.

Roughly a year later, Taylor Orr, a former wilderness ranger for the Forest Service, encountered the radio installation while on a horseback quest for the solace and solitude of wilderness. He found the juxtaposition jarring.

Orr and others believe the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest failed to follow the correct procedures to justify the radio repeaters installation in a wilderness study area through whats called a categorical exclusion review.

According to the Forest Service, categorical exclusions are a list of activities which agencies have determined from analysis and experience to not have significant environmental impacts and therefore do not require more detailed environmental analysis.

Last year, the Flathead National Forest initially proposed relying on a categorical exclusion approach to evaluating the controversial expansion of the Holland Lake Lodge.

Adam Rissien with WildEarth Guardians said the Forest Service failed to provide meaningful public engagement opportunities before siting the radio repeater in a Wilderness Study Area and improperly relied on the categorical exclusion process.

He said the Forest Service neglected consideration of resource conditions that could require a more thorough analysis of potential impacts through an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Rissien noted that, among other things, the West Pioneers provide crucial connectivity habitat for threatened grizzly bears and Canada lynx. In addition, there is important habitat for wolverines and whitebark pine, he said.

ODell Mountain (sometimes spelled Odell) housed a fire lookout tower from 1916 through 1963 and previously included an FM repeater, the Forest Service said.

Cat McRae, a spokeswoman for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, said the area was reserved in 1956 as the ODell Administrative Site. She said that reservation was not superseded by the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977.

In February 2020, a Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest memo reported that additional radio repeater sites are needed to provide adequate and consistent communication in areas of the Forest where geographic barriers interfere with radio coverage.

The memo referenced categorical exclusion and observed that installing the repeater on ODell Mountain would be covered under repair and maintenance of administrative sites and thus neither an environmental assessment nor environmental impact statement would be necessary.

Rissien sees it differently.

Forest officials knew very well there was no administrative site in 1977 when the Montana Wilderness Study Act was passed into law, Rissien said.

He noted the act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the existing wilderness character of Wilderness Study Areas for possible inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System until Congress makes a decision about their fate.

After an article in the Missoula Current that described the recent radio repeaters installation as illegal, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest issued a news release on Jan. 26 tracing the progress of Forest Service communications in Montana.

The release emphasized the importance of good communication when fighting wildfires and cited the deaths of 13 smokejumpers in August 1949 when attempting to fight the Mann Gulch Fire on the Helena National Forest.

The release said expanded communication was important for public and employee safety. It made no mention of the Missoula Current article.

Instead, it lauded the improved communications that the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest said were essential during the fires of 2021, when the Trail Creek and Alder Creek fires shut down highways, threatened the Big Hole National Battlefield site, and caused repeated evacuations for the community of Wise River.

Generally, a radio repeater allows two-way radios to achieve better coverage, better penetration and longer range.

Montana hosts dozens of Wilderness Study Areas.

The majority of Wilderness Study Areas in Montana are managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Forest Service manages seven, including the West Pioneer WSA, which is about 148,150 acres and about 40 air miles northwest of Dillon in Beaverhead County.

In years past, the Forest Service has recommended that the West Pioneer WSA be managed as non-wilderness.

Wild Montanas description reports that the West Pioneer WSA is the largest remaining roadless area in southwest Montana and is the traditional homelands of the Selish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Rolling and forested, the West Pioneers provide gentle contrast to the craggy summits of the East Pioneers and are home to a large population of elk, according to Wild Montana.

The crest of the range offers spectacular views of the Continental Divide and East Pioneers, while creeks meander through meadows to the east into the Wise River and on to the famous Big Hole, the non-profit reports.

Wilderness Study Area is a designation for lands managed to protect existing wilderness characteristics until Congress either concludes that the WSA deserves inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System or directs that the area be managed for multiple use.

Orr said the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests installation of the radio repeater violated its own forest plan. He said he believes the forest could have received a waiver if it had followed the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA requires the federal government to use all practicable means to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and outlines provisions for environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.

Orr also said he feels the Forest Service could have installed the repeater in a less obtrusive spot on ODell Mountain.

Rissien said WildEarths larger concerns focus on what he described as a trend toward the Forest Service allowing degradation of Wilderness Study Areas. There are incursions involving off-road vehicles, unauthorized roads, unauthorized grazing and more, he said.

Its death by a thousand cuts, Rissien said.

He said efforts to date to resolve the dispute with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest have failed.

Other groups objecting to the forests handling of the repeaters installation have included Friends of the Bitterroot, the Backcountry Horsemen of Missoula and the Selway-Pintler Wilderness Backcountry Horsemen.

Orr said a compromise remedy might be to re-locate the repeater to a less obvious, less prominent spot on ODell Mountain.

But I think that would be a distant third option, he said. Our first choice is to have the repeater removed.

Meanwhile, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest reported that it believes proper procedures were followed to place the repeater and that the Forest Service does not intend to remove it.
Montana has one of the most unique wildlife situations in the world. During the winter, Yellowstone National Park bison migrate into parts of Montana that are not part of the park system. Since the bison are carriers of the brucellosis - a disease that can cause pregnant female cattle to abort - the park animals are not allowed to freely roam like other wildlife. Instead, they are confined to designated zones outside the parks north and west entrances, near the communities of Gardiner and West Yellowstone.

Incremental progress has been made in addressing the conflicts between those who believe the bison should be allowed to roam like other wildlife and state and federal officials in charge of managing the big mammals. With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considering a petition to list bison as an endangered species, and Yellowstone officials writing a new bison management plan, the iconic species that is now the national mammal stands at the cusp of more management changes. In addition, a bison advocacy group has publicly plotted a plan to argue that bison should be allowed to roam freely so tribes can hunt them, bringing treaty rights into the mix.

On this episode is Brett French, outdoor editor at the Billings Gazette, who recently wrote a story on the ins and outs and disagreements over bison management.

This podcast is created in partnership across five newsrooms  the Billings Gazette, the Helena Independent Record, the Missoulian, the Montana Standard and the Ravalli Republic. You can support this podcast and our efforts by subscribing. Visit any of these newspapers websites, and click on the Become a Member button at the top of the home page. We appreciate your support of local journalism.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that he will demand answers from Beijing about the intrusion of a Chinese surveillance balloon into U.S. airspace  and that he plans to get them straight from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

I expect to be speaking with President Xi and I hope we are going to get to the bottom of this, Biden said during an afternoon televised address. He also pledged that U.S. diplomats will raise the issue with their Chinese counterparts and pursue accountability.

The president stressed that he has no regrets over ordering the U.S. military to destroy the balloon, which it did on Feb. 4. I make no apologies for taking down that balloon," he said.

The strong statements suggest that the administration is in no hurry to turn the page on the incident and will likely use it as a point of diplomatic leverage over Beijing.

Biden suggested in an interview with NBC immediately following his speech that the incident gives him an advantage in his dealings with Xi. I think the last thing that Xi wants is to fundamentally rip the relationship with the United States and with me," Biden said.

Biden implicitly framed the international response to the spy balloon incident as a victory of U.S. efforts to rally support for his administrations vision of a rules-based international order opposed to authoritarian Chinas growing economic, diplomatic and military heft. We briefed our diplomatic partners and our allies around the world andsome of them have also raised their current concerns directly with China, Biden said in the speech.

The Chinese government, meanwhile, was working to downplay the incident and get the U.S. to soften its tone.

The U.S. should stop stressing the importance of communication and dialogue while fueling tensions and escalating the crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a press briefing on Thursday. Wang called the intrusion unexpected and isolated and urged bilateral ties shift to the track of sound and steady development.

Story continues

That could be too little, too late after Beijings recent strident comments. On Monday, Wang said the U.S. downing of the balloon  which Beijing insists was a civilian craft for meteorological data collection  was a trigger-happy overreaction. Wang then berated the U.S. as the No.1 surveillance country and accused the U.S. of flying high-altitude balloons above China, an allegation the Biden administration quickly rejected.

The refusal of Chinese Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe to answer a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the day the military shot down the balloon has also hardened the attitude of senior Democratic lawmakers. "Its irresponsible not to answer the hotline phone when our head of the Department of Defense, Secretary Austin, is calling to make sure we dont have any unintended consequences, Sen. Bob Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview with MSNBC on Thursday.

Beijing has good reason to be concerned. The diplomatic and political blowback for the Chinese spy balloon intrusion has been intense. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a trip to Beijing. The House passed a bipartisan resolution last week condemning the incursion as a brazen violation of U.S. sovereignty," while the Senate passed two similar resolutions on Wednesday. Wang at the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed that congressional outrage as meant to score political points and dramatize the situation.

Senior U.S. and Chinese officials may meet in person as soon as this weekend and the balloon incident will likely be top of their agenda. Blinken and Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, may have a meeting on the sidelines of the three-day Munich Security Conference opening Friday, Bloomberg reported on Monday. Neither side has confirmed the meeting.

On the Hill, Bidens delay in addressing the nation about the incident evoked GOP ire. After days of silence, we are still left with more questions than answers, said Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.). He slammed Biden for having consistently failed to emphasize just how serious these events are.

As for three other objects the U.S. military shot down last weekend, Biden said in his speech that the intelligence community believes these objects were "most likely balloons" involving private companies and scientific research. "Nothing right now suggests they were related to China's spy balloon program" or from any other country, he said.

Still, senior GOP lawmakers werent satisfied with what they said was a lack of substantive detail from the administration. The responses we have received so far have not provided nearly enough clarity as to why and how a massive spy balloon was allowed to traverse much of the continental United States over several days, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for greater transparency and for Biden to explain the military's rationale for the multiple shoot-downs and the policy moving forward.

Biden added in his address that his team will be creating parameters to deal with aerial objects. He said these parameters will be shared with Congress when completed, but will remain classified so that we dont give a road map to our enemies to try to evade our defenses.

Going forward, these parameters will guide what actions we will take when responding to unmanned and unidentified aerial objects, Biden said. Were going to keep adapting them as the challenges evolve, if it evolves. Biden also said he directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead a governmentwide effort to prepare the U.S. to deal safely and effectively with the objects in our airspace.

These efforts include creating an accessible and updated inventory of unmanned objects in U.S. airspace, implementing measures to improve the ability to detect those objects, and updating the rules regarding launching and maintaining aerial craft, Biden said. Blinken will also work to establish global norms on the issue, he said.


Here are the weather delays and cancellations reported so far. If you have a delay or cancellation, email it to news@herald-mail.com.

More:Commuters in Maryland, Pennsylvania could face freezing rain Wednesday morning

Maryland

Washington County Health Department's COVID-19 Testing Center at 13 W. Lee St. in Hagerstown is closed Wednesday.

Pennsylvania

All Chambersburg Area School District schools and district offices will operate on a two-hour delay Wednesday, Jan. 25, due to impending winter weather. Any additional changes to school schedules will be communicated directly via email, phone, and district website/social media channels.

Tuscarora School District will be operating on a 2 hour delay Wednesday.

West Virginia

All Blue Ridge Community and Technical College on campus activities and classes are canceled Wednesday due to ice. Remote work/instruction continue. Emergency Employees report to supervisor.

Saint Joseph School is closed Wednesday due to the forecast for inclement weather.

Berkeley County Schools, pre-K to 12, will be closed Wednesday due to forecasted inclement weather. Evening activities for Wednesday are canceled. Middle School Math Field Day has been rescheduled to Feb. 1.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Winter weather Wednesday means delays in Franklin, Washington counties
HIGH POINT  The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Burke County Public Schools for excellence in communications.

BCPS earned a total of seven Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication. NCSPRA presented the awards during a special ceremony held in High Point on Feb. 10.

Burke County Public Schools received:

Two Gold awards, one in photography for first-week-of-school photos, and one in marketing for the redesign and renaming of the MEAL Mobile food truck.

Two Silver awards, one in publications for the districts new strategic plan and one in excellence in writing for a story on a young bull rider from Hildebran Elementary School.

Three Bronze awards, two in electronic media for a video to graduates and One Great School District commercials; and one for special events and programs for disability awareness week.

Congratulations to our public relations, communications and marketing team for receiving these recognitions on behalf of our district, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said. We have numerous exciting and engaging stories to tell on a daily basis, and these seven awards give us a glimpse of what Burke County Public Schools is all about.

Ken Derksen, NCSPRA president and executive director for community engagement and student and family support for Wayne County Public Schools, said the work of the award winners exemplifies the high standards members demonstrate in their daily school communications programs.

I congratulate all of our Blue Ribbon Award recipients for achieving this statewide recognition for their school districts, said Derksen. These awards highlight the superior work being accomplished in the area of school communications and all that our members are doing to support and promote public schools across North Carolina.

NCSPRA recognizes outstanding communications through its Blue Ribbon Awards program each year. BCPS was one of 38 school districts statewide to receive a Blue Ribbon Award. This years submission categories included: Marketing, Digital Media Engagement, Electronic Media, Excellence in Writing, Publications, Image/Graphic Design, Photography, and Special Projects and Events. The Georgia School Public Relations Association judged NCSPRAs 2022 Blue Ribbon entries.

In addition to the Blue Ribbon Awards and Best of the Best Awards, NCSPRA presented its highest individual honor: the Barry Gaskins Outstanding Service Award. The award is named in memory of Barry Gaskins who was a leader in school public relations and the first person from North Carolina to become President of the National School Public Relations Association. The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership in the field of school public relations in North Carolina.

The 2022-23 Barry Gaskins Outstanding Service Award was presented to Jessica Swencki for her service to school public relations in North Carolina and her exceptional leadership throughout the pandemic. During 2020 and into 2021, Swencki led the COVID communications efforts for all of North Carolinas K-12 public schools. She built and executed an effective crisis communications plan that helped sustain North Carolinas 115 school districts throughout the pandemic. Her efforts earned her the respect and admiration of educators across the state and made her the very deserving recipient of NCSPRAs highest individual honor for excellence in school communication.

NCSPRA is a statewide professional organization serving more than 175 members. Its mission is to build support for public education through well-planned and responsible public relations. For more information, visit the NCSPRA Facebook page or www.ncspra.org.
Two people have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a pregnant woman late last week.

Dylan James Rogers, 30, and Tammy Duckworth Boone, 50, of Morganton, were charged Wednesday night with murder in the death of 41-year-old Brandi Deal, said Burke County Sheriff Banks Hinceman.

Deal was found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in her home on Clark Loop late Friday night when first responders were called to the scene for a cardiac arrest, according to information previously released by the sheriffs office.

Deals boyfriend, Richard Buff, told The News Herald she was due to give birth to a baby girl Saturday.

Rogers told reporters he was in bed asleep as he was walked out of the Burke County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday night.

I got a lawyer, Rogers said. I aint speaking on it.

Rogers said he would never hurt a child.

Boone was in tears as she was walked out of the sheriff's office Wednesday night. Her only comment to reporters was incoherent.

A possible motive in the shooting has not been released. Reporters could see bullet holes on the outside of the mobile home where Deal was found dead.

Both suspects are set to appear in court Thursday morning, Hinceman said.

Rogers has previous felony convictions of attempted speeding to elude arrest, receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, according to records available on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website.

Boone's only previous felony conviction is a possession of a schedule II controlled substance charge from a 2021 offense, according to NCDPS records. She also has misdemeanor convictions for use/possession of drug paraphernalia, larceny and driving while license revoked, NCDPS records showed.
A local organization is bringing back a popular event celebrating African American history and culture.

The Burke County branch of the NAACP will present its 40th annual Black History Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Collett Street Recreation Center in Morganton. The free event will be held in person for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

Weve decided to move forward with an in-person festival this year with direction from our state office, said Ruth Roseboro, community outreach liaison for the Burke County NAACP.

The group asks visitors to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols, including wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Members will conduct temperature checks and have a limited supply of masks, as well as gloves and hand sanitizer, at the festival check in.

The theme of this years festival is Preserving the Past with Our Eyes on the Future.

So much of our history here in Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina and the United States has been buried, discarded and unknown, Roseboro said. We try to teach and inform our community of little-known facts that have helped to shape us all, thus we continue to preserve our past as we continue to look forward toward the future, hence our theme.

For instance, how many of the citizens of Burke County knew about Jonesboro (a historic African American neighborhood in Morganton) or the real Fonta Flora that was flooded to make way for Lake James? Do you know what the Lindy Hop is? Do you know what Swing Dancing is? These are examples of our past, but the future is always upon us. Just this past weekend, there was an original rendition done on the Seven Mothers  how many people in Morganton/surrounding communities had even heard of these things/people/places? Not many, until we deliberately brought it to light.

The festival will feature a variety of performers, including the Beam Crew of Willow Tree AME Church and the Lindy Hop Performers (providing both history and instruction). Baba Ayinde, African American Master Drummer and Dancers of Charlotte, will present a special performance.

Choosing the performers for the festival is always a challenge in that we try to scout and find performers that will appeal to a broad audience while still showcasing African American performers and culture, Roseboro said. Even though we call it a Black History Festival, we really intend for the entire community and surrounding areas to attend.

Music will be provided by DJ Bruce Hawkins. Face Painter Extraordinaire will offer face painting to children in attendance.

William Patrick Avery Happoldt, a local student who has become well-known for collecting blankets for the homeless, is a youth member of the Burke County NAACP. Roseboro said he has won third place in the county speech contest for his age group and will present his speech, The Undefeated, at the festival.

He is a very smart and intelligent young man who has a caring heart, she said.

Elementary and middle school students will be invited to enter a poster contest.

The guidelines for the poster contest consist of two pages of instructions, but above all, the presentation needs to be thoughtful and respectful, Roseboro said.

Visitors will have the opportunity to test their knowledge of Black history with The More You Know quizzes. There also will be an Old School Jams music contest.

In addition to performers and presenters, the festival will feature more than 50 vendors selling a wide variety of items, including soaps, lotions, crocheted hats and gloves, designer purses, handmade jewelry, tumblers, ethnic clothing, Tupperware, books and original art.

Several food options will be available for purchase onsite, including hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, french fries, cookies, pies, cakes, designer desserts and homemade fruit punch.

Roseboro reflected on how the Burke County NAACPs Black History Festival has changed over the last 40 years.

It used to be a months-long celebration, she said. It used to have featured Black history radio spots with facts given every week. It used to be held at the Mountain View Recreation Center as well as Mountain View School. Some years we have even had snow, but the people still came. It has always been a celebratory time and event, no matter the times and changes.

She encouraged people to come check out the festival.

Everyone is welcome, and everyone should come, Roseboro said. I would welcome everyone to celebrate Black history every day in every way because Black history is American history. I hope that people will come away with an even better understanding that we are all human and deserving of knowing each others culture and that, collectively, we are all community!

For more information about the Black History Festival, visit the Burke Co. Branch NAACP Facebook page.
The Montana Department of Corrections recently finalized the purchase of the former Acadia building and campus in Butte to provide community re-entry services to individuals under department supervision, according to a Wednesday release from the Montana DOC.

As Chief Executive of Butte-Silver Bow, I am pleased about this move and I am encouraged by positive feedback it has been receiving from the public, said J.P. Gallagher in the release. Not only will the move put the vacant Acadia building to good use to benefit Montanans, but it fits with Butte-Silver Bows Uptown Master Plan to revitalize our Uptown area. (Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services, Inc.) has been, and continues to be, an asset to our community providing close to 300 jobs in Butte-Silver Bow and Southwest Montana. This purchase will ensure that CCCS will be able to continue their long partnership with BSB and the DOC. This is a good thing for our community.

Previously used as a residential psychiatric treatment facility for children, the property offers space for residents along with area to accommodate a wide range of programming essential to preparing offenders to return to Montana communities.

COVID-19 helped us identify some safety and health limitations related to our contracted prerelease providers facility in Uptown Butte, DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. The Acadia building was available and offers us an opportunity to address those concerns along with provide a centralized location for programming and job readiness services to help our population be successful.

The current Butte Prerelease Center, operated by CCCS, is located in a cluster of buildings constructed more than 120 years ago. The structures age makes it cost-prohibitive to bring them into compliance with ADA, ventilation, etc. standards. Space restrictions limit programming opportunities.

The Acadia building provides sufficient space to accommodate the male and female population of the Butte Prerelease Center  almost 200 residents.
A Butte detective testified Wednesday that a young man accused of raping a woman at his house in Butte gave inconsistent statements about what occurred or might have occurred in his bedroom that night.

He said Tracer Lee Croy told him he blacked out but still recalled certain things, including that he did not have sex with the 19-year-old woman that night in September 2018.

But later in the same interview, according to transcripts, Lt. Jeff Williams asked Croy if he had sex or was blacked out. Croy, who was also 19 at the time, replied, Im 60% sure I didnt have sex with her but I blacked out, too.

Croy is being tried for sexual intercourse without consent and is expected to take the stand in his own defense Thursday. The trial began Monday and its possible that jurors could begin deliberations later Thursday.

Much of the testimony Wednesday was from scientists and experts regarding DNA evidence and testing in the case and whether it was possible or likely that the alleged victim was given a so-called date rape drug that night as she has strongly suggested.

A prosecutor also told jurors Wednesday that no police investigation is perfect but overall, Williams did a thorough job investigating this case and ultimately pushing for prosecution.

It took prosecutors two years to file charges against Croy and more than two years on top of that to get the case to trial. Croy has pleaded not guilty and his defense attorney, Ashley Whipple, told jurors Monday that the only victim in the case was her client.

A jury of seven women and five men is hearing the case and District Judge Kurt Krueger is presiding. The rape charge in this case carries a maximum 20-year prison term.

The Montana Standard is not naming the alleged victim to protect potential victims of sexual assault.

She says she had been drinking some during a small house party at Croys house but was still alert until she drank from a beer Croy had pushed on her. She said she immediately felt really messed up, laid down on Croys bed and couldnt move while he was having sex without her consent.

She said she was eventually able to call for her friend in the next room, was able to get dressed with her help and the two left and drove home to Deer Lodge.

Prosecutor Kelli Fivey asked Williams on Wednesday to read parts of transcripts from three recorded interviews he had with Croy.

Early in the initial interview, Croy said, Im going be 100% honest, I blacked out, and when he came to, the woman and her friend were leaving. He later said he remembered getting up and getting the womans friend to come in the bedroom.

In the same interview, he recalled lying on one edge of the bed while the woman was on the opposite edge and remembered wearing sweatpants and a shirt. He said he did not have sex with the woman.

When Williams pressed him on that, he made the statement about being 60% sure he didnt have sex but I blacked out, too.

Williams acknowledged Tuesday, mostly during questioning from Whipple, that he never visited the alleged crime scene, took three months to arrange a first interview with Croy, and did not submit the womans underwear for DNA testing for months because it slipped his mind.

He also said he lost his investigation case files because of a corrupted external hard drive in mid- to late 2019 and only got some of the information back in August 2022 when he ran repair software.

On Wednesday, Fivey rattled off numerous things Williams did do. She said he conducted numerous interviews, including three with the suspect; submitted evidence for DNA testing and pushed for additional tests; got and served a search warrant to obtain Croys DNA; and kept the victim informed throughout.

He also talked often with county attorneys about the investigation and in the end, Fivey said, pushed for prosecution. Williams has sat at the table with prosecutors during the trial.

You did a lot in this investigation, didnt you? Fivey asked him. Yes, he said.

One forensic scientist at the Montana State Crime Lab testified Wednesday that a semen stain found on the womans underwear had enough DNA to test. Another scientist analyzed the DNA and said it matched Croy.

A forensic DNA analyst called by the defense told jurors there were discrepancies in the notes and records on the tests and he questioned the DNA findings. Prosecutors said the crime lab was accredited and the analyst never contacted the lab to ask about the discrepancies.

The defense also called Francis Gengo, a pharmacologist from Buffalo, New York. He said common date-rape drugs eliminate memory and take hours to wear off and that was not consistent with the womans claims.

She remembered calling for her friend and not being able to move, especially one arm she had above her head, during the alleged assault. Gengo said she would not have remembered that or other details if given either of the most common date-rape drugs available.

In cross-examination from prosecutors, he acknowledged that there were other drugs out there, including synthetic combinations that scientists know little about. He also said that different individuals can have different reactions to the same drug.
DES MOINES  Matt Strawn, the Iowa Lottery CEO and a former state Republican Party chairman, announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and will begin treatments this week.

In a news release from the Lottery, the 49-year-old Strawn said he was diagnosed in late January doing the recommended screening for colon cancer.

Strawn said the cancer was caught early and the goal of his treatment, which will include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, is a full cure.

My prognosis is excellent following this course of treatment, he said.

Strawn said that by sharing the news of his diagnosis, he hopes to raise awareness that guidelines have been updated to lower the recommended age for a colorectal screening to 45. Strawn said he encourages all Iowans ages 45 and older to schedule their colonoscopy screening.

Strawn has been the Iowa Lottery CEO since 2019. He was chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa from 2009 to 2012.

REYNOLDS TO SIGN MALPRACTICE CAPS

Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to sign into law Thursday legislation that would cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases at $2 million in cases where the medical facility is at fault, and $1 million when the physician is at fault.

The legislation, House File 161, limits cash awards for pain, suffering and other non-economic complications from medical malpractice lawsuits; it does not cap awards on economic or punitive damages.

NEW MONEY FOR MANUFACTURING TECH

The states economic development agency will invest an additional $2 million, from the states allocation of federal pandemic relief funding, to a state program designed to help small and mid-sized Iowa manufacturers invest in new technologies.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced the funding for the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program.

Manufacturers are using these grants to increase productivity, train workers, improve safety and cut costs, Gov. Kim Reynolds, who opposed the federal pandemic relief package at its creation, said in a news release. We now have the opportunity to help more manufacturers invest in technology to support their workforce, promote competition, and ensure future growth.

Created in 2021, the program offers $50,000 grants for the purchase of machinery and specialized equipment to improve operations, and $25,000 grants for the purchase of specialized hardware or software.

SENATE ADVANCES CAPS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Additional asset limitations and other requirements would be added for Iowans who receive benefits from myriad public assistance programs, including food assistance, Medicaid and childrens health insurance, under legislation advanced by Senate Republicans.

Senate Study Bill 1105 is the latest legislative attempt by Senate Republicans to tighten eligibility to some of Iowas public assistance program.

The bill would employ federal guidelines for assets by saying that any Iowan who possesses more than $2,750 or multiple vehicles, with some exceptions, would not be eligible to receive food assistance from the program known as SNAP.

The SNAP program is funded by the federal government and operated jointly by the state and federal governments. SNAP participation in Iowa is at a 15-year low, and the states average administrative costs of $27.84 per case per month in 2020 was 18th-lowest in the country.

The bill also authorizes the state to contract with a third-party vendor to enforce the new regulations.

With its approval from the two Republicans on a three-member subcommittee, the bill becomes eligible for consideration by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

SENATE EYES RETURN OF DEATH PENALTY

Lawmakers advanced a bill that would reinstate the death penalty in Iowa. The bill would allow the death penalty as a punishment for a person who kidnaps, rapes and murders a minor.

Because a person already receives life in prison for kidnapping and rape of a minor, supporters said there is no increased penalty if the victim is killed, and so the bill would deter murder in those cases.

Iowa lawmakers did away with the death penalty in 1965, and attempts to bring it back in the years since have been common. Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, who has brought the bill in past years, introduced it this year.

Faith leaders and civil rights groups spoke against the proposal and said the state should not be given the power to end a life, regardless of the crimes the person committed. Opponents also argued the death penalty does not act as a deterrent against murder.

The bill, Senate File 14, passed with support from the Republicans on the committee. Zaun, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he will bring the bill to a committee vote, but he is not sure whether it will have support of the full committee.

Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said he has no moral opposition to the death penalty, but he opposes the idea because costs associated with keeping someone on Death Row are more expensive for the state than a life sentence. He also said he had concerns about people being wrongly convicted and sentenced to death.
DES MOINES  Iowa law enforcement officials would be prohibited from enforcing federal gun laws and regulations  and state law enforcement agencies could be fined up to $50,000 for violations  in a proposal that divided gun rights groups during a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Republican state lawmakers gave their first legislative blessing to the proposal they have named the Second Amendment Preservation Act.

Jered Taylor, a former state lawmaker from Missouri who helped get a similar state law passed there, and currently with the gun rights advocacy group Iowa Gun Owners, testified in support of the proposal during a hearing at the Iowa Capitol.

Taylor cited the anti-commandeering doctrine, a legal theory that says the federal government cannot force states to adopt or enforce federal laws. He also cited the planned implementation of a federal rule that classifies any gun equipped with pistol braces a short-barreled rifles. Such devices were used in recent mass shootings in Boulder, Colo., and Dayton, Ohio, killing a total of 19 people.

Democrats gun control is no longer rhetoric. Its no longer, We wont take your guns away. Its now, We will take your guns away, Taylor said during the hearing.

Richard Rogers, with the Iowa Firearms Coalition, however, expressed support for the proposals intent but said he had concerns with the language and thus cannot support it. Rogers, who lobbies on gun-related legislation at the Capitol, is registered as undecided on the bill.

Rogers noted that in Missouri, the similar law has been challenged in the courts both by the federal government and by local law enforcement officials. The law was passed in 2021, and could be headed for the Missouri Supreme Court. Meantime, 60 Missouri police chiefs filed a brief in the lawsuit to support the challenge to the law, saying it hinders law enforcements ability to defend and protect Missouri citizens.

Ive long been concerned about federal overreach.  And maybe those concerns are valid, Rogers said during the hearing. But the language (in the proposed legislation) is deficient.

Other groups who spoke at Wednesdays hearing in opposition to the proposal represented Iowas Catholic churches and schools, and victims of domestic violence.

Guns make domestic violence more deadly, said Laura Hessburg, with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I dont understand the rationale for this bill. It seems like it would make it more difficult to address gun violence.

Iowa voters in 2022 voted by a wide margin to enshrine into the state constitution strict legal scrutiny of any gun laws or regulations.

With support from the two Republicans on the three-member legislative panel, Reps. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton and Skyler Wheeler of Hull, House File 147 become eligible for consideration by the full House judiciary committee.

States with the biggest gun industries States with the biggest gun industries #50. Washington DC (tie) #50. Hawaii (tie) #49. Rhode Island #48. Delaware #47. New Jersey #46. Vermont #45. New York #44. North Dakota #43. Illinois #41. Alaska (tie) #41. Maine (tie) #40. Massachusetts #39. South Dakota #38. Nebraska #37. Wyoming #36. West Virginia #35. Connecticut #34. New Mexico #33. California #32. Montana #31. New Hampshire #30. Maryland #29. Mississippi #28. Idaho #27. Iowa #26. Utah #25. Louisiana #24. Arkansas #23. Nevada #21. Oregon (tie) #21. Washington (tie) #19. Oklahoma (tie) #19. Minnesota (tie) #18. Kansas #17. South Carolina #16. Kentucky #15. Wisconsin #14. Alabama #13. Missouri #12. Indiana #11. Michigan #10. Tennessee #9. Colorado #8. Georgia #7. Virginia #6. Ohio #5. North Carolina #4. Pennsylvania #3. Arizona #2. Florida #1. Texas
Lets take a close look at current demographics  not hearsay, not "I think therefore I know," but the facts.

The population of the United States, as documented by the U.S. Census Bureau, is now 334 million people. According to the Pew Research Center, about 44 million were foreign-born as of 2020. Seventy-seven percent of them are here legally.

Let me repeat, 77% are here legally  naturalized citizens, lawful permanent, and temporary residents. Unauthorized immigrants make up the remaining 23% and account for only 3% of the total U.S. population.

Immigration began in the early 1500s with the Pequot people standing on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, watching the first white settlers arrive in their country. Until that time, according to Charles Mann, author of "1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus," there were more than 90 million Indigenous people living on 400 million acres. It was a thriving community of people across the Americas, North and South. Their advanced level of farming, hunting and gathering had sustained them over thousands of years.

It was not until 1787 that the term "immigrant" was used to differentiate between the colonists, who saw themselves as the established society, and foreigners who arrived after the countrys laws, customs, language and government were formed.

Since then, immigrants have arrived from many countries. Between 1892 and 1924, more than 37 million passed through Ellis Island. They came for a variety of reasons  political and economic stability, religious freedom and family reunification.

The Center for Immigration Studies reports that immigration reform  whos welcome and whos not  has been at the forefront of legislation since the impetus of this country. Starting in 1875, a series of restrictions on immigration were enacted. According to the National Archives, these included bans on criminals, people with contagious diseases, polygamists, anarchists, beggars and importers of prostitutes.

Other restrictions targeted Asian immigrants. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1883 was in direct response to the belief that Chinese immigrants were taking away all the jobs. History shows us that when there is a downturn in the economy, immigrants are unjustly targeted as the cause.

In the 1920s, public sentiment and politicians were beginning to voice concerns over the increased number of immigrants entering the United States. The 1924 National Origins Act limited the number of immigrants each year to 2 percent of current ethnic populations. Thus, the largest number of the immigrant spots were allocated to those coming from Northern and Western Europe, and the least from Southern and Eastern Europe. The Act prohibited those entering from Asia.

It took 40 years to abolish the national-origins quota system. In 1965 the Immigration and Nationality Act replaced it with a system whereby immigrants are admitted based on their relationship to a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, family member or U.S. employer. The doors were open, but limited. The cap was set at 120,000 slots. A 1990 Immigration Act increased that number to 700,000.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act, introduced by Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA) in 1965, was a bold move and caused tension across the country. Nevertheless, Congress passed it and Republican President Ronald Reagan signed it in November 1986. It included two facets: Amnesty for those currently working in the country illegally and enforcement for employers prohibiting them from hiring undocumented persons. An estimated 3 million individuals  mostly of Hispanic descent  gained legal status, thus securing economic and social opportunities as legal residents of the United States. Amnesty legislation was renewed in 1994, 1997 and 2000.

In August 2012, President Barack Obama signed an executive order entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It provides protection from deportation, including work permits and identity documents, for more than 700,000 undocumented persons who arrived in the U.S. as children. A bipartisan group of eight senators drafted a piece of legislation which would have provided a path to citizenship. While it passed in the Senate (68-32), it was not considered by the House and thus died in the 113th Congress.

The Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), an Executive Order announced by President Obama in November 2014, granted work permits and exemption to deportation for those undocumented with children who'd been born in the U.S. and were thereby American citizens. Multiple states filed lawsuits. In February 2015, a temporary injunction blocked DAPA from going into effect.

In February 2021, Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA) introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act (HR 1177). It establishes a path to citizenship for undocumented individuals  those seeking a better life, like many of our families did over the past 400 years.

Think about your history, your story. When did your ancestors first come to America? Or were they already here? Why did they come? Share your story. Listen to the stories of others. Where do you find common ground?

Unless Indigenous, were all immigrants, or descendants thereof, and always will be!
The Napa Community Emergency Response Team, known as CERT, will hold its 20-hour basic disaster preparedness training, which is free to Napa County residents, in March. As of Wednesday, space was still available.

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The training is hands-on  last year, the 101st class of CERT students was put to a practical final test that included extinguishing fires and various rescue exercises  and consists of three required classes, spread out over two weekends, that are held at Napa Valley College.

As such, the first in the upcoming series will be held on Saturday, March 11. The second is scheduled for March 18, and the final exercise is set for March 19.

Those interested in enrolling, or receiving more information, can email napacert@aol.com with a full name, phone number and address, according to the press release.

CERT leaders have previously said that the emergency training offered by the team helps people take care of themselves and help those around them in the event of a disaster, lessening the burden on first responders who are likely to be overwhelmed. But CERT also attempts to train people to help in areas first responders cant get to during an emergency. Theres more advanced training for that, such as an earthquake drill held in November last year by CERT along with several other groups.

CERT teams in recent years have worked with Napas Community Animal Response Team to evacuate animals during fires, and check on animals left behind. CERT has also helped with managing traffic for mobile COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics, among other instances of working with Napas first responder agencies.
Napa Countys $23.4 million inmate re-entry facility sits without a permanent use four years after the county held a grand opening ceremony, though the county is far from declaring it a white elephant.

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It remains a nearly new building along Highway 221 near the Syar quarry, waiting to find a purpose. It has 72 beds in a dormitory-type setting  spartan with security measures, yet not looking like a jail.

In response to a Napa Valley Register query, the county recently said it is considering how to use the re-entry facility as originally intended  to prepare low-risk inmates for life after jail by teaching them job and life skills.

The difficulty is that the jail doesn't have enough suitable inmates to transfer to this minimum-security setting, given recent changes to the criminal justice system, county officials said.

There's another possibility. For more than a year, the county has talked about using the re-entry facility as a homeless shelter, and that idea isnt dead.

More is better when it comes to being able to provide beds to our unhoused community residents, Board of Supervisors Chairperson Belia Ramos said at the Jan. 31 supervisors' meeting.

But there's a difficulty, as Public Works Director Steven Lederer pointed out at that meeting.

That building was built partially with state money as a re-entry facility and the state has said they expect it be a re-entry facility, Lederer said. That somewhat limits what else we might be able to do with it.

All of this has the county pondering whether it can gain full control of the re-entry center to use as it pleases. What that might entail and how much it might cost remain unclear.

The challenge is related to the $13.5 million state grant that helped build the re-entry facility. The bond funding mechanism requires California to hold an interest in the center and lease it to the county.

Napa County is looking at ways to overcome restrictions imposed by the bond/lease arrangement.

"May the county buy out the lease or prepay the related portion of the bonds? Assistant County Executive Director Becky Craig wrote in a Jan. 10 email to the Board of State and Community Corrections. If yes, please share the amount and terms.

All of this is to be continued.

With considerable fanfare, Napa County built the re-entry center as a way to reduce recidivism. By going through the programs there, if all went as planned, inmates would have a better chance of not re-offending and making a return trip to jail.

A high point in the project's history came on Feb. 1, 2019, when the grand opening ceremony took place. Napa County was poised to move inmates in.

Then the contractor putting the final touches on the building suddenly pulled out of the project, and it took a year to settle the situation. By then, the COVID-19 pandemic had started and the world had changed.

Napa County officials said many of the inmates eligible for the minimum-security facility were released from jail amid the pandemic. They also cited criminal justice reforms passed by California since the facility was complete.

There are simply not the appropriate number of non-violent incarcerated persons to house at the facility, the county's corrections director Dina Jose wrote to the state in April 2022.

Napa County has on occasion gained state permission to temporarily use the re-entry facility as a COVID-19 isolation shelter and to shelter wildfire evacuees. But the county has wanted more.

"Following the (Omicron) surge, we will continue to have a need and maintain the request to use the facility for individuals experiencing homelessness, unrelated to the pandemic," county Housing and Homeless Services Director Jennifer Palmer wrote to the state on Jan. 21, 2022, referring to the spread of a more virulent strain of the coronavirus at the time.

The back-and-forth between county and state is detailed in some 70 pages of email correspondences since late 2021. The Register obtained them from Napa County through a Public Records Act request.

An example of the county wanting to use the re-entry facility to meet a sudden need and not having the flexibility to act quickly came up last fall.

For years, the county has run a winter-season shelter in the Riesling building at the Napa Valley Expo to protect homeless people from extreme cold. Last September, the county learned rent would rise.

Palmer said the Expo wanted security fees not charged in previous years. That left a $150,000 funding gap.

The county had to find another location. All of this was going on only two months before the winter shelter was scheduled to open in November.

We believe the only viable option for a facility that could be quickly available for this use is the re-entry facility, Palmer wrote to the state on Sept. 30.

The state didn't say no. But getting an answer would take time, while both the Board of Community and State Corrections and the state Department of Finance looked into the matter.

"In the event this is approved, it may come last minute or it may not be approved at all," Ryan Okimura, manager of the Board of State and Community Corrections, wrote to Palmer on Oct. 13. "We just want to avoid a situation where the county is not prepared in the event the decision is a non-approval."

As it turned out, the city of Napa on Nov. 15 agreed to use federal pandemic relief funds to pay the $150,000 for the added expenses, allowing the winter shelter to open at Riesling Hall. A city report said alternative sites will be considered for the winter of 2023-24.

Meanwhile, in December, the Board of State and Community Corrections and State Public Works Board granted Napa County permission to temporarily use the re-entry facility as a warming center for the unhoused. The term expires on May 31.

Napa County hasn't needed to use this option with the Expo's space available. So what's next for the re-entry facility?

"The state must authorize repurposing this facility for any other reason that was stated in the Countys original project submissions," the county told the Register in a written statement. "They have not done so and have advised the county this will be the final repurpose request that is granted."

All of this leaves the future of the re-entry facility somewhat of a mystery on the fourth anniversary of the grand opening ceremony. For now, it is unused  but not unwanted.

Photos: Napans find treasure trove of 1950s love letters, and more, in attic
SACRAMENTO  Lawmakers in California and Nevada are advancing legislation to remove involuntary servitude from their states' constitutions, a move that follows four states' bans on forced labor that passed in ballot measures last fall.

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The goal of these proposals is to remove exceptions from the states' constitutions that allow forced labor as criminal punishment. The efforts come amid a growing push among some states to scrub outdated, century-old language from their state constitutions. Last fall, voters approved similar ballot measures in Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont.

About a dozen states are pushing this year to get rid of the involuntary servitude exceptions, according to the Abolish Slavery National Network. Some advocates said this has major legal implications today, particularly in litigation related to prison labor pay and conditions.

Its not uncommon for prisoners in California, Nevada and other states to be paid less than $1 an hour to fight fires, clean prison cells, make license plates or do yard work at cemeteries.

Samuel Brown, who was formerly incarcerated with a life sentence, helped author an anti-involuntary servitude amendment in California last year. He said incarcerated people can be forced to do work that is unsafe and puts their health at risk. Even more, he described how terrified he was when he had to disinfect jail cells after someone tested positive for COVID-19.

Brown said the amendment that is being reintroduced this year is long overdue.

We have an opportunity to stamp it out once and for all. Were not going to stop until we get it done," he said.

The language allowing involuntary servitude that still exists in more than a dozen state constitutions is one of the lasting legacies of chattel slavery in the United States. Colorado became the first state in recent years to revise its constitution in 2018 to ban slavery and involuntary servitude, followed by Utah and Nebraska in 2020.

Democrats in Congress have yet to pass federal legislation changing the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. If the latest attempt wins approval in Congress, the constitutional amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of U.S. states.

In California, more than 40 supporters of the measure gathered Wednesday outside the state Capitol, where lawmakers and formerly incarcerated people talked about the impacts of forced labor.

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, a Democrat representing part of Solano County, is introducing this year's proposed amendment, hoping to have a different outcome than a failed attempt last year to pass similar legislation in the state. The Senate rejected it after Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration warned that if inmates were paid the $15-per-hour minimum wage, it could cost taxpayers $1.5 billion a year.

Former Clover Flat worker seeks $150 million restitution, alleges unsafe practices at Napa County landfill A former Clover Flat employee on Monday filed a wrongful termination complaint with the state, claiming he had tried to rectify unsafe practices at the landfill.

Slavery is wrong in all its forms, and California, of all states, should be clear in denouncing that in its constitution, said Wilson, who chairs the California Legislative Black Caucus. It wasn't until 1974 that the state Constitution was amended to read: Slavery is prohibited. Involuntary servitude is prohibited except to punish crime.

If the proposed amendment passes in the California Legislature this year by a two-thirds vote, voters would decide in November 2024 whether to adopt it. Wilson said she hopes conversations she has had with lawmakers about the economic impact of this amendment will help it get passed this year in the Legislature.

Meanwhile in Nevada, lawmakers voted unanimously Tuesday to move a measure that would change the state Constitution to ban slavery and involuntary servitude, which is prohibited otherwise than in the punishment for crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

That puts the measure one step closer to appearing on the 2024 ballot in Nevada, after it passed unanimously during the 2021 Legislature session. Ballot measures that go through the legislative process must pass Nevada's Legislature twice before going in front of voters. This would need a majority vote in the state Senate and Assembly to pass again.

Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts of Las Vegas, whose great-great-grandfather was born enslaved, is co-sponsoring the legislation in the state.

I believe that its time for us to move forward and make it clear and unequivocal that nobody will ever live through the horror of state-sanctioned slavery or servitude ever again, Watts said.

The ACLU of Nevada is currently in litigation related to the pay and working conditions of incarcerated women at prison firefighting camps  and the measure could protect people from harmful, deadly conditions without being forced to labor for our sake, said Lilith Baran, the group's policy manager.

This is not just a feel-good bill, Baran said. This has actual real implications on peoples lives.

Stern reported from Carson City, Nevada.

PHOTOS: Napa's 6th annual Black History Month Celebration
SACRAMENTO  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.

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Tents and tarps, rundown 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 longstanding 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 methamphetamine 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 conduct and then back to the streets.

His mother, Susan Goodman, in her own 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 fierce 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 UC San Franciscos Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. You just fall apart.

The arrival of COVID-19  and fears the coronavirus 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-19 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, in a forested area of 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.

PHOTOS: Napa County conducts point-in-time count of homeless population Point in Time Count 10 Point in Time Count 1 Point in Time Count 4 Point in Time Count 3 Point in Time Count 2 Point in Time Count 5 Point in Time Count 6 Point in Time Count 9 Point in Time Count 7 Point in Time Count 8 Point in Time Count 11 Point in Time Count 12 Point in Time Count 13 Point in Time Count 14
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Germany, Turkey, and Greece February 16 to 22. This is noted in a press statement issued Wednesday by US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price.

On Thursday, Blinken will travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, where he will participate in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings to discuss continued support for Ukraine, assistance to Turkey and the Syrian people, and the US commitment to transatlantic security and a rules-based international order.

Secretary Blinken will visit Incirlik Air Base in Turkey on Sunday to see firsthand U.S. efforts to assist the Turkish authorities responding to the devastation caused by the February 6 earthquakes. He will then travel to Ankara, where he will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and other senior Turkish officials to discuss continued U.S. support to Turkey and the Turkish people after the devastating earthquakes, as well as ways to further strengthen the US partnership with Turkey as a NATO Ally.

In Athens, Greece, Secretary Blinken will meet with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Foreign Minister Dendias, and Leader of the Opposition Alexis Tsipras to discuss defense cooperation, energy security, and our shared commitment to defend democracy. Secretary Blinken will launch the fourth round of the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue on February 21, the press statement concluded.
Some matters of bilateral relations were discussed, and specific agreements were reached. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian governmentand referring to his visit to Turkey on Wednesday.

He noted that the Turkish side appreciated the service of Armenias rescuers and the humanitarian aid Armenia sent to Turkey after the devastating earthquake that hit the country last week.

"I believe this was an important humanitarian step on our part," added Mirzoyan.

"There is a decision to speed up the dialogue process and the processes taking place for the purpose of final [re]opening of the borders [between Armenia and Turkey]. It was announced that we will carry out joint work on the restoration of the historical bridge of Ani.

Basically, before the start of the tourism season, we will also work to complete the crossing of the land border [between Armenia and Turkey] for citizens of third countries and citizens with diplomatic passports of our two countries," said the Armenian FM.
A total of 157,816,000 drams (approx. US$400,787) were allocated from the government's reserve fund to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia to provide food and bedding to earthquake-ravaged Syria and Turkey.

At Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the Armenian rescuers who went to Syria have returned, and today the rescuers who went to Turkey will return by land.

He added that the visit of Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan to Turkey on Wednesday was a very important and symbolic event.

The PM stated that he considers unacceptable the criticisms of Armenia regarding sending humanitarian aid to Turkey.

"I can't imagine any situation where millions of people across the door need assistance and someone can remain indifferent to it; that's unacceptable," he said.

Pashinyan recalled that the Armenian government's plan emphasized Armenia's vision to change the quality of the countrys relations in the region.

"I regret that a certain qualitative change is taking place in the conditions of such an unprecedented disaster. But also, perhaps, human tragedy objectively makes people more understandable for each other. I hope that this can really become a new starting point for the establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey in the region," Pashinyan said.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with local and foreign media that he would meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on February 17.



"We will discuss security and defense issues. But most importantly (I've already mentioned that we are preparing a meeting of the Supreme State Council somewhere in April - May) - we will discuss economic, military and political issues to be discussed at the Supreme State Council," said Lukashenko.



According to him, one of the most important issues for discussion will be how the governments of Belarus and Russia are performing their tasks.



"First of all, economic ones: with regard to energy carriers, single market, import substitution - how they are financed and how they are implemented. This is a whole range of issues. So we will discuss all the issues. And if we come up to the issue of our joint grouping in Belarus, of course, we will discuss it, too," said Alexander Lukashenko.



Speaking about the regional grouping of troops, the President of Belarus said that "the Russian military are in Belarus not to attack Ukraine. According to him, they undergo combat training with Belarusian servicemen in order to be ready together, if necessary, to repel aggression against Belarus.
Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on Thursday met with Bjorn Berge, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE). During the meeting the interlocutors discussed issues on cooperation between Armenia and the CoE, as well as issues on regional security and stability.

The meeting was followed by the launching conference of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026, during which Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjorn Berge delivered opening remarks. In his remarks Minister Mirzoyan particularly noted:

I welcome you all at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the official launching of the Council of Europe New Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.

It has already become a good tradition to launch the Action Plan with the participation of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. I am glad to host Mr. Bjorn Berge with whom we have had a fruitful discussion prior to this event and touched upon a wide range of issues of our cooperation agenda.

The objective of this event is to present main priorities for the next four years outlined by the new Action Plan for Armenia. Todays discussion will focus on further promotion of human rights, rule of law, equality and inclusiveness in Armenia. The presence and active participation of high-ranking representatives of various branches of the state authority and national institutions in this event proves the importance of the Action Plan and their active involvement in it.

CoE Action Plan is a key instrument in terms of the ambitious reform agenda of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, aimed at further developing democratic institutions, establishing an independent judiciary and strengthening the anticorruption institutions in compliance with European standards.

The positive feedback of all stakeholders regarding the previous Action Plans is promising and, at the same time, challenging in terms of setting higher benchmarks for the implementation of the new Action Plan. In this regard, I can only reiterate the strong commitment of Armenia's authorities to the principles and values of the Council of Europe enshrined in the Action Plan of the Government.

Political will and commitment of the Government are the cornerstone for the reforms, at the same time, cooperation with international partners is essential for sustainable success and tangible results. Hence, I would like to thank our friends and partners for their joint efforts to support the Governments ambitious reform agenda.

We highly appreciate the voluntary contributions from our traditional partners, such as the EU, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Denmark as well as Austria, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Romania and international organizations that come to complement the institutional capacities and expertise of the Council of Europe.

It is our pleasure to state that the positive dynamics of the implementation of the Action Plan shaped our partners belief that the citizens of Armenia are the main beneficiaries of these projects targeting such priority areas as social justice, rights of children and women, other vulnerable groups, human rights protection in armed forces, fight against corruption, judicial reforms, decentralization and promotion of local self-governance.

I would like to particularly underline the high level of cooperation between the Council of Europe and the Armenian authorities and the flexibility in terms of adjusting the programs to the needs and priorities of the Government.

We are living in a region full of many security threats. It has been more than 2 months that the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan is ongoing, Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war and civilians as hostages, and the fates of many missing persons and forcibly disappeared remain unknown. As a result of the aggression undertaken in May and November, 2021, as well as in September, 2022, the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia came under Azerbaijani occupation, and the risk of a new escalation by Azerbaijan still remains high.

And here, despite these actions against Armenia and its democracy as well as the current harsh challenges, we remain faithful to our values and, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, we continue to strengthen democratic institutions. Democracy in Armenia is now irreversible.

The opening ceremony was followed by the presentation of the Action Plan, as well as a panel discussion with national stakeholders, during which the main achievements of the previous CoE Action Plans for Armenia were discussed and the headways were outlined.